Sinful Pleasures: In Bed With His Best Friend

WRONG DECISION

OLIVIA

My eyes fluttered open to sunlight cutting across my face. I shifted beneath the sheets, stretching out of instinct, only to freeze when the fabric felt softer than mine. For a heartbeat, I hovered in that foggy space between sleep and memory, until everything came rushing back.

I jolted up, my eyes flicking around.

Shit. s**t.

I was still here. In Dante’s bed. Naked. It wasn’t a f*****g dream!

The memories came rushing back. The way he touched me, the kiss, everything. Heat pooled in my stomach, and I swallowed hard, clutching the sheet tighter around me as if that would erase the night.

I slept with Dante. Dominic’s best friend. My ex-boss.

My gaze darted to the window, then to the floor where my clothes lay scattered. I scrambled off the bed, yanking them on in a panic, fingers trembling so badly I could barely fix my bra.

Still in the process of wearing my clothes, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway. I froze, breath hitching, as the door swung open.

Dante stepped in.

I yelped, diving onto the bed and clutching the sheets to my chest. Rolling to the edge, I scrambled to gather my clothes scattered across the floor. My hands shook, my thoughts spun, and I could barely make sense of what I was doing.

As I yanked my dress over my head, I felt his gaze on me. I risked a glance and found Dante standing in the doorway, two cups in his hands, looking entirely too composed.

“You’re up…” he drawled, eyes raking over me like he wasn’t done with me yet.

“Where’s my phone?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended in an attempt to hide my shame.

He pointed lazily toward the table by the door. “Dominic’s been blowing you up all morning,” he said in a mocking tone.

Irritated by his attitude, I strode to the table and picked up my phone. Dominic had at least called ten times. Why? Was he worried about the wife he’s been cheating on?

Picking my coat, I ignored the rest of the notifications, shoving the phone into my purse.

“I’m heading home now,” I muttered, already tugging my jacket over my shoulders.

Dante’s gaze lingered on me, his smirk slipping into a faint frown.

“Why?” he asked. “Rushing back to that cheating jerk?”

“You knew he was cheating,” I shot back before I could stop myself. “So what makes you any different?”

The sting of my own words hit me, but Dante didn’t even blink. His expression stayed maddeningly unreadable.

I turned to leave, my hand grasping the doorknob, but before I could twist it…

“Wait,” his deep voice echoed. “Come have breakfast with me.”

“No,” I tried to keep my voice steady. “I don’t have time for that.” I took a step toward the door. “Last night was a mistake. And it’s never going to happen again.”

He stepped closer. His tone stayed calm, but there was a curious edge to it that made my pulse jump.

“What part of it was a mistake?” he asked after a beat, eyes locking onto mine. “Putting your name on the list… or f*****g me?”

My heart pounded so hard I could hear it.

“Both,” I shot back. “Even if Dominic and I have an open marriage, you’re his best friend. I’m not interested in screwing two pathetic men. Last night, I made a mistake but now, I feel so dirty for sleeping with someone like you. "

His eyes darkened as he took a slow step back, his nose twitching in a controlled gesture that felt colder than anger. I dashed out of the room before I could lose my nerve, forcing my eyes not to water as I slipped out of his home.

Outside, I flagged down the first taxi I saw and all but threw myself into the backseat. The car lurched forward, city streets blurring past, while I sank into the leather seat, fingers trembling as they reached for my phone.

Ten missed calls from Dominic. I set my phone face down beside me, ignoring the endless stream of flashing notifications. I didn’t want to deal with him, not now.

Running a shaky hand through my hair, I let out a long, uneven breath, trying to calm the knot twisting in my chest. What has Dominic pushed me into? How did I let this happen, how did I end up in Dante’s bed?

When I first started modeling, Luxe Devereux, Dante’s brand, was one of my biggest breaks. I’d always admired him, respected him, maybe even looked up to him. He was ruthless, polished, untouchable. And to me, he was always professional.

Even after I married, Dante never disappeared from our lives. He remained close to Dominic but I drifted away. There were dinners, charity galas, nights when he stopped by our home and stayed for hours. There had always been this tightness in the air between us, but I’d brushed it off as nothing.

Now I knew better.

The way he looked at me—the lingering stares, the subtle touches, the conversations that stretched a little too long—it hadn’t been my imagination. I kept convincing myself that my ex-boss wasn’t checking me out like I was some forbidden prize.

Last night proved I was wrong. What were the odds? How did he know I was going to be on that site? Why would he bid on me? Questions flitted through my mind but I had no answers.

And maybe part of why I ran out of his penthouse was because I should’ve listened to him two years ago.

Or maybe because if I’d stayed, I would’ve let him touch me again. I would’ve fallen straight into those eyes, that charm, that melting touch I already knew too well.

My thumb traced absentmindedly over my finger and froze. My wedding ring was gone. I must’ve left it on his nightstand.

I let out a heavy sigh. Was there even a point in going back for it? Was there even a point in wearing it anymore?

As soon as I leaned my head back against the taxi seat and closed my eyes, the ride was over. The car stopped in front of my building, and I stepped out, grateful for the excuse to avoid my thoughts.

Inside, I froze. Dominic was in the sitting room, legs crossed, waiting. His gaze bore into mine immediately I walked in.

I didn’t say a word. Just walked past him, heading for the stairs.

“Where have you been?” His voice cut through the air.

I stopped, turning to face him with a cold expression. “Why are you asking?”

He rose from the sofa, jaw tight, anger simmering in his eyes as he stepped toward me. “Were you with Dante last night?” he ground out between clenched teeth.

I stood my ground, arms crossed, meeting his fury with open disdain. “Why does it matter to you?” My voice was calm while a storm churned in my chest. “You wanted this. Or are you suddenly insecure? Disappointed that your fat wife is still desirable?”

His eyes burned with fury, his jaw clenching hard enough to crack. In a few strides, he closed the distance between us.

“You don’t get to play games with me, Olivia. I asked you a question.”

“And I owe you no explanation!” I snapped, my voice rising. “You wanted an open marriage, you got it. I’m doing exactly what you asked for, so don’t bother me with your questions. Don’t turn into a nagging, nosy husband now.”

“Did you f**k Dante last night?” he barked again, ignoring every word I said.

“Why don’t you ask him?” I fired back, eyes narrowing. “Go to your best friend and ask—”

“I saw your f*****g name on the celebrity hookup list,” He cut in, shouting now, and jabbing a finger toward me. “Do you know how embarrassing it was when my friend showed it to me? Do you?”

A humorless laugh escaped me. “I’m surprised you even know what it feels like to be embarrassed by your partner. How do you think I found out you were cheating? You think a bird told me?” I licked my lips slowly, savoring the shift in his expression. “From now on, I’ll do whatever I want. Quiet, nagging, fat Olivia is dead. I hope you can handle the new me.”

I turned and walked upstairs without looking back, slamming the bedroom door behind me. I fell onto the bed, chest heaving, and a slow, dangerous smile curving my lips.

It felt good to hurt people who hurt you without a shred of remorse. Hurting Dominic felt like taking a swim in a nice lake and I wanted more of it.

Just then, my phone chimed. I grabbed it, glancing at the screen.

It was a text from Dante:

‘I have something of yours. Do you want it back?’