I jolted, my fingers tightening around the bottle, and spun to face Eric as he approached.
"Didn't you go out? When did you get back?"
Eric undid the top button of his shirt and loosened his tie.
"I said I was going out to handle something. I never said I wouldn't come back tonight."
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular forearms with prominent veins. His expression was cool and arrogant, but his voice remained maddeningly calm.
"You're the one who surprised me, Shirley. We hadn't even been apart for a month before you climbed into my dad's bed."
My stomach dropped, and I looked away as guilt twisted through me.
'He'd known all along!'
At the time, the man who later became my husband was the only person willing to give me the money I needed.
After I married him, my mother received the best medical care available, but she still passed away three months later.
"Eric, what's done is done. We can't be together anymore."
Eric stopped in front of me, braced one hand on the counter behind me, and gripped my waist with the other, trapping me between him and the counter.
Through the thin silk of my nightgown, his fingertips traced slow circles over the small of my back, just as they had when we were together.
"You're right. You're my stepmother now. I walked past your bedroom earlier and heard the two of you."
His voice dropped to a low, seductive murmur as his broad hand moved slowly along my side.
His hand stilled when he felt the pearls beneath my robe. His fingertip settled on one and slowly rolled it against my skin.
"I could hear those shameless moans from the hallway, even through the soundproofed door. What I can't figure out is how it was all over in less than 10 minutes."
Heat rushed into my cheeks.
We were at home, and the housekeeper was somewhere nearby. My husband might have been asleep, but if anyone caught us like this, there would be hell to pay.
I planted both hands on Eric's chest and tried to shove him away, but he didn't move. He only smirked down at me, clearly entertained by my struggle.
Anger flared inside me. I lowered my voice so no one else would hear.
"Let go of me. Someone could walk in."
"So what? I know you better than anyone. You're desperate for more right now, aren't you?"
He grabbed my waist with both hands, lifted me without warning, and set me on the counter.
I planted my palms against his chest and glared at him.
"I'm your stepmother!"
His grin widened. He stepped between my knees, leaned into my chest, and looked up at me with a taunting smile.
"Mom, let me have a taste."
I stared at him in shock. Before I could react, he pulled my robe open.
The pearl strands gleamed against my body in the dim light, making my skin look almost luminous. My n*****s were bare in the cool air.
I tried to cover myself again, but he pinned my hands down.
His gaze traveled slowly over me, open and hungry, and heat spread across my skin.
His throat worked before he gave a low, mocking laugh.
"My dad may be old, but he still has good taste. This looks incredible on you."
The compliment sounded sincere. Then he took one n****e into his mouth, and the warmth of his breath made me shiver.
A soft moan escaped me before I could stop it.
Mortified, I bit my lip, but the pleasure made it impossible to stay quiet.
He was as skillful with his mouth as ever. Within moments, pleasure rippled through me, and the ache between my thighs deepened.
At some point, Eric released my hands and slid one hand beneath my robe.
When his fingers found the pearl strand nestled between my legs, he paused and raised his eyes to mine.
"My dad can't satisfy you, so you use this instead?"
My face burned. I hated that he'd caught me, and I hated even more how much he enjoyed my embarrassment.
My husband didn't like toys, and I hadn't dared to buy any in secret. After he finished, I always had to hide in the bathroom and use my fingers.
I'd finally found something that could give me a little relief, and Eric had caught me before I'd even had the chance to enjoy it.
"It's none of your business."
I pulled my robe closed again, but before I could cover myself completely, a sharp jolt of pleasure shot through me.
Eric had lifted the pearl strand and was rubbing it against me.
"We can't do this here," I breathed, my voice weak and unsteady.