The gang gathered to wee Curtis home in the private lounge of an exclusive members’ club and
the atmosphere was electric. With a grin, Devin uncorked a bottle of Hennessy Paradis, a top-shelf
cognac that was a century’s worth of limited release and not even avable in stores.
This was a cherished possession of Devin’s grandfather, Hubert Perez. He himself could never bring
himself to drink it, yet his adoring grandson had whisked it away to celebrate his best friend’s
comeback..
“Are you sticking around this time?” Devin asked, getting Curtis a generous ss.
Curtis leaned back on the plush sofa, a picture of nonchnce. “Do you want me to leave?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been counting the days until you got back!”
Someone in the group teased, “Devin’s been pining for you more than your wife, man.”
Devin shot back with a yful kick. “Shut it, will you?”
ss in hand, Curtis patted Devin on the back of the head. “Missing me, huh? What, got an itch only I
can scratch?”
“Please, my grandfather hasn’t stopped riding me since you’ve been gone,” Devin retorted. “Life’s been
dull without you, brother.”
The conversation then turned to Curtis’ wife. “Speaking of, where’s your wife tonight?”
Devin answered with a dismissive wave, “We’re having a boys’ night. She’d only rain on parade.”
Our
Everyone knew the score with Curtis and Leanne. There wasn’t much of a marriage there. They never
considered Leanne as Mrs. Richardson from the heart, and she was rarely a topic of conversation.
After sensing an opportunity, a woman sitting close to Curtis inquired, “Mr. Curtis, you’re married?”
Curtis raised an eyebrow, taking a drag from his cigarette. “Is my wedding ring not shiny. enough for
you?” he asked with a wry smile.
Only then did the woman notice the band on his ring finger.
As Curtis lifted his arm, his shirt cor gaped slightly, revealing the edge of his corbone, lookingzy
and suggestive.
The woman blushed and was curious about his wife.
“What’s your wife like?” she ventured.
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Chapter 2
Reclining with effortless grace, Curtis replied, “My wife?”
His
eyes held a thin veneer of amusement that gave the illusion of affection. “She’s not as pretty as you.”
Such a gaze and apliment could make any woman’s heart flutter. The woman’s heart raced,
charmed by the attention.
But then someone shattered the illusion. “Don’t let this man fool you. You couldn’t find at woman in
Stonebridge more beautiful than his wife.”
The woman nced at Curtis, who continued to smokezily, a yful smile on his lips, neither
confirming nor denying.
Feeling her heart rise and fall, she realized he was toying with her.
Seemingly tired, Curtis didn’t bother to hide hisck of interest. He stubbed out his
cigarette in his drink, grabbed his jacket, and stood up.
Refilling his ss, Devin looked up in surprise. “You’re leaving already?”
Curtis shrugged, “I’m beat. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”
Leanne, who had the habit of sleeping with a light on, was woken up by the sound of the door. The
bedroom was in a soft, yellow glow, and Curtis stood by the wardrobe mirror, his back to her, the faint
scent of liquor in the air.
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It had been over half a year since theyst saw each other, and his silhouette felt unfamiliar.
“Why didn’t you tell me you wereing home?” she murmured.
Curtis nced over his shoulder at her.
Leanne sat up in bed, her loose nightgown threatening to slip off her shoulders. Her skin was naturally
smooth, barely tanning under the harshest sun, quickly recovering its healthy hue. Thevender gown
made her look delicate, a finely wrought corbone peeking out above a pendant of transparent jade
gracing her neck.
As Curtis undid his shirt buttons, he quipped, “What, got someone hidden away here?”
Still groggy, Leanne was stunned by his insinuation.
Curtis didn’t wait for an answer, grabbing his pajamas and heading into the bathroom for a shower.
Leanne hung out on her bed for a while, the pitter-patter from the shower in the bathroom. slowly
snapping her out of her drowsiness.
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