Shane slid his finger out, his eyes darkly watching me as I exhaled blissfully, desperately trying to hold onto the little sanity I felt I had left. He said not a word as he sucked on the tip of his index finger, tasting me. I was hooked, unable to stop myself as I leaned over, my hands pulling on his collar as I kissed him deeply. He responded, growling at the back of his throat as his hands slid around my waist. I stretched over, aiming to miss the gear stick as I begged more of him, my tongue clashing with his passionately. I was certain we were going to take things further; his hand was making its way to my dress zipper. But then we had to break away. It was my phone ringing within the chambers of my clutch.

"To be continued," he muttered as he drew back and then licked his bottom lip. I blushed as I grabbed my phone from my clutch and swiped to answer the beckoning call.

"Hello Nick, everything okay?" I replied, leaning my elbow on the exterior as Zack started the car and drove off the curb.

"Hey, hun. You there yet?"

"Nearly. Bit of traffic into town," I lied, shamefully re-visiting the seconds of bliss before he'd called.

"Ah, that's alright then. Just wanted to check in. I'm about to meet Regina in a bit. I'll see you later tonight, okay hun. Love you."

"Yeah, love you. I'll see you later," I responded before ending the call. Zack was quiet beside me as he focused ahead on the road. I wasn't sure what to say. I was starting to feel that Shane was getting more fed up and annoyed with the entirety of our situation. It seemed more than clear that he was starting to feel jealous of my relationship with Nick. I couldn't exactly blame him. I was stringing both men along at this point.

"Are you okay?" I meekly piped up, after not a word have been breathed from between us for two minutes. I knew what was wrong. It's not like I needed to ask. Shane was annoyed. I could tell.

Shane glanced briefly over before resuming his attention to the road. He didn't say anything. I was certain he wasn't going to until he finally did. "How long are you gonna keep this up?"

"Keep what up?"

"That. Your whole sham of marriage," he said.

I was starting to find Shane's behaviour strange. At the heat of things, Shane had never seemed completely aggressive towards my marriage, he was just more invested in me. Now, he was beginning to fall from the seams, completely obsessed with the destruction of my marriage. It's not like I could blame him. I'm sure I wouldn't like it if someone I loved was still wrapped in the pickle with their marriage and messing about with me. But as selfish as it sounded, I had thought Shane wasn't like that, I thought he was...cool with a situation like this. I know that sounded bad.

"Shane—" I began, stopping as I failed to come up with a possible answer. You're pathetic, Rose.

"I'm just sick of waiting, Rose," he replied, turning the wheel to the right as we headed down the main street into town. "Like, I get it. It's hard. Someone you thought you were madly in love with, isn't who you want anymore. It's hard, I get it. But at the end of the day, Rose. You're not in love with him no more. It's now you should be making changes...before it bites you in the ass," he explained, sounding sullen. He was right. I knew he was right. Everything coming out of that pretty mouth of his was right. I'm not in love with Nick, I don't want a baby with Nick and I certainly don't enjoy sex with Nick anymore. But even though all the facts were plain as can be before me, I still felt conflicted.

"Shane," I sighed, readjusting my hands within my lap. "I just need time. It is hard. I can't just drop everything...not just yet."

"I know, Rose. I know."

We didn't really speak after that. I wasn't so sure we were going to. The night was just becoming a disaster. Perhaps Shane was going to drop me off, end things between us and leave me broken. Then where would I be? Left in a loveless marriage whilst the man of my dreams throws me away, fed up and rightfully so, exploring his options. Why couldn't it just be simpler? Why couldn't I have just told Nick? Told him how I really felt. Perhaps things would have mended or maybe we would have drifted a part but at least it would be truthful. Then maybe, by chance I would have met Shane anyway. I could have fallen in love again, without shame burdening my existence. But that was fantasy. This was now.

Shane pulled up to the curb parking the car into the space between two other vehicles. The engine died as he pulled out the key. Still no words between us both. Was this going to be us now? Had I ruined our chances? Was he going to end things now? God, I've been so selfish. I should just save him his breath. I should just get out and get a taxi back.

My hand went for the door handle but I released it quickly when I heard him speak aside me.

"Let's...just start over, Rose. I'm sorry. I'll stop pressuring you. Can we just enjoy a night together?" he said, his sour mood completely absent, and confirmed by the presence of his hand upon my thigh. I turned in my seat to look at him, feeling that swarm of attraction warm my core. Look at him. His beautiful baby curls draping across his forehead, the perfection of his chestnut eyes and that mischievous smile.

"Of course," I exhaled, squeezing his hand. "I-I just want to spend the evening with you."

Shane responded with a quick peck on my lips before ushering for me to follow. I followed in pursuit as I opened the car door and met him at the front bonnet. His hand clasped mine, entwining our fingers together like missing puzzle pieces. We began walking under the yellow, florescent street lights passing the odd shop, mini bar before finally approaching a quaint jazz bar with individuals outside smoking or waiting to get inside. Already we were being greeted with the lively, fun music and we hadn't even stepped into the threshold.

"I told you we were going dancing," Shane said, nudging me playfully.

We headed inside under his reservation. The décor was romantically jazz. Ahead the band was playing: saxophone, bass, trombone and all the standard instruments in one sweet chorus. Purple neon lights ran around the bar, giant industrial lamps hung from the ceiling and each table held a lit candle encased in a silver cylinder tube. I followed Shane as we headed in deeper passing couples, groups of five or eight clapping their hands along to the music, some brave enough to take on the square dancefloor. The atmosphere was electric, alive and I was loving every second of it.

"Here are your menus. House specials tonight are on the front. They're selling quick. I can start you folks off with some drinks, if you like?" The waitress asked loudly trying her best to be heard over the music as she grabbed her pencil and notepad from her apron. We slid into the booth that was dark and intimate by the source of candle light.

Shane responded. "Yeah, we'll just get two mojitos to start with."

The waitress nodded before back meandering through the lively scene we'd embarked through. Shane turned to me, grinning from ear to ear as his hand reached over for mine. "I hope you don't mind that I took the initiative," he said clearly leaning forward. I followed shuffling closer over the table. We could hear ourselves better when we leaned in. Nor did I mind consuming that heavenly scent of aftershave. It was addicting.

I shook my head. "Not at all."

Shane pressed his lips against my hand. "I'm so glad we're out tonight. I've wanted nothing more than to be alone with you. It's felt so long since...we've had time together."

I felt my cheeks blush as I squeezed his hand back. It did feel nice to be with Shane. Now, I was starting to feel silly for my previous doubts. All the hassle I was making over Nick. I knew the situation still stood. My marriage is over with Nick. I have to start to realise that.

"I love that colour on you," Shane declared, distracting my internal moment of thought. His fingers caressed my cheek before brushing delicately over my painted red lips. "You should wear it often."

"Well, you do have good taste. And I suppose I could," I replied, feeling like a smitten foolish teenager swooning over some high school crush.

"Okay, two mojitos---" The sudden announcement and arrival of the waitress balancing our drinks on the board summoned our attention. I drew back a little as did Shane as we thanked her for our beverages and politely asked if we could spare a few more minutes for decisions on food.

"Mmmm. This tastes so good." I licked my bottom lip as I felt the cool refreshing taste embrace my glands.

"I would have disagree on that," Shane muttered, a devious grin settling on his lips. "I would have to say I have tasted something better," he added huskily, his eyes reaching mine. I blushed as I tried to keep a smile from my lips.

"You can be so dirty, Mr Weston," I said playfully.

The evening was like everything I could have imagined. We had eaten great food, laughed and revisited anecdotes from our pasts, and even danced on the floor joining the crowd of people cheering on the band. For once in my life, I felt like I belonged. I felt like I had a home. With my arms around his neck, his embracing my waist affectionally as we danced to slow jazz, I felt like the man I was with, was the missing piece to my heart.

For so long, I had been deprived. Deprived of something I didn't know I was missing. But it was just always clear with Shane. He makes me feel something.

We were sat at the bar. I was laughing over some story he'd just told when I felt a hand tap on my shoulder. I froze as I heard a familiar voice over my shoulder.

"Rose. What a surprise! You didn't tell me you were here tonight."

I turned slightly on the stool as I met Angie. She was smiling pleasantly enough but I could see suspicion was dripping through it as she briefly glanced at Zack adjacent to me. I licked my bottom lip trying to think of the best possible excuses. After-all, why am I here with my neighbour and not Nick? That was enough to raise alarm bells for someone who knows me.

"Angie. Fancy seeing you here." I blinked perhaps a dozen too times plenty as I took her into a quick embrace. I could smell her sweet perfume stinging my nose. Her black curls were tighter and her cameral skin shimmered under the lighting. She was wearing red lipstick, a red satin silk dress and beautiful sliver dangling earrings with a cocktail glass in her hand.

"You should have told me you were here. You and Nick could have doubled dated with me and Noah," she offered, smiling sweetly. Her eyes were telling a different story. She knew something. "Oh, where is Nick anyway? I presume he is somewhere around here. And this must be Shane? Your neighbour?" Her eyes locked onto him. My heart was beating hysterically.

I bit my tongue before anxiously laughing. "Erm, Nick---he's just gone outside to fetch the car. We're were out on a meal with Shane, our neighbour. If I had known you were here tonight, I would have loved to tagged along. Been a bit left out with all the guy talk," I lied shamefully, trying my best to add a polished smile.

Shane was next to speak. "It's nice to meet you---"

---"Angie," she offered, as well as shaking his hand. "Funny, I've been here pretty much the whole night and not once seen Nick. I mean," she paused, "I've seen you two but...not him. Or maybe, I've drank a lot of these," she joked.

I held my breath, feeling my smile weaken. Shit. Angie had to suspect something. It was all over. She knew. She had to.

"Well, I better get back to Noah. I'm sure Nick's wondering where you are. I might call in on you tomorrow, Rose. It was lovely seeing you," she said, leaning in to peck my cheek before replying with a quick good-bye to Shane.

I exhaled feeling suddenly dizzy as I gripped my fingers onto the bar.

"Are you okay?" I heard Shane.

"Can we just go please," I hissed, tightening my fingers around the strap of my clutch.

I needed air. I needed goddamn air. 

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