For two long weeks, she had her life back. She spent time with her kids. She fell back into the relaxed routine.

Breakfast, get dressed, clean and activities, lunch time, outside play and a nap, dinner, bath time, a story bed time.

Things with Jordan didn't change much he was still absent, but she could finally breathe without worrying he would find out about Rhys.

Then, one day, as she stood in the back yard pushing Alex on the swing and cradling Mya in one arm, Rhys walked into the yard.

Two large men followed him at a distance. He wore a black hood with his hands in his pocket, and she had to admit a small part of her stirred when she saw him.

A thrill, a moment of excitement before her nerves squashed it back down.

"Morning, Elizabeth," He said as he stopped a few inches away.

"Morning."

"I'm going to cut right to the chase, alright? Save us both some time."

She swallowed past the lump in her throat and held Mya a little tighter.

"Okay."

"I need you to work with me Saturday night."

"What do you mean work?"

"So this gut owes me money, a lot of money. He's going to some charity ball orphan kids or some shit. I need to be there, and I need someone who can help me blend in."

"You want me to go with you to a ball?"

"I don't want you to, don't get it twisted. I need you too. I need someone who knows the lingo and knows how to operate in these situations. None of my regular stand-in girls have the class."

"I...I can't."

"I ain't asking."

"My kids...what do I tell Jordan?"

"Don't worry, I will make sure Jordan has work or has to go out of state. I'll handle him."

She glanced around the yard, Alex had abandoned his swing for a sandbox. The two men behind him were kicking something in the grass.

"I...I have nothing to wear," she said.

"I'll get you a dress. What are you a size six?"

"An eight...since Mya..." She said, flushing with embarrassment.

He stated at her a second, then gave her a slow grin.

"I'll get a six. I know what's under those clothes you wear, and I wanna appreciate the scenery while I'm out."

Her heart stopped and then began to thunder in her chest. He had a way of looking at her like he wanted to devour her. It made her uneasy.

"I... okay," she said finally.

"Like, I said I wasn't asking. Make arrangements for your kids. I'll be around at seven to pick you up."

He turned without another word and exited the yard, leaving her alone with her kids.

Just when she felt safe in her life. He came back into and opened the box she had so carefully tucked herself into.

**************************************

As promised, Jordan announced the next day that he was being flown to Orlando for the weekend, leaving Thursday and returning Sunday.

Elizabeth did her best to fake surprise when he announced it over dinner.

Thursday, after dropping him off at the airport, she returned home to a tall white box on the porch.

"Mommy, what's that?" Alex asked, rushing to the box.

"I don't know."

She followed him, carrying Mya in her car seat. The box was plain white with a large black satin bow in the middle.

She carried Mya inside and then returned for the box carrying it into the kitchen.
Alex abandoned her and the box to play on his room.

She set the box on the counter and waited. The memory of the severed hands stirred into her memory, and she felt a wave of nausea.

Finally, she slid off the ribbon and lifted the lid. White tissue paper covered what was inside, and she carefully peeled it away.

Inside lay a peach colored satin dress, red rose petals sprinkled inside the box.
A smaller blue box was in the bottom corner, and she opened it to find a diamond necklace.

She carefully touched the smooth, rich fabric of the bodice when her phone sounded.

Turning on the screen, she saw a text from an unknown number.

"If the dress needs altered, get in touch."

She waited a minute, should she reply? Should she thank him? Should she mention it was beautiful?

In the end, she didn't choose to close the box carefully and carry it to her bedroom, where she laid it out on the chair until Saturday night.

**************************************

Saturday night, she stood in front of the floor-length mirror.

The dress fit like it was tailored for her. Thin straps onto a tight bodice that gives her more cleavage than she had. It trimmed her waist perfectly, only falling over her hips like a waterfall and to the floor. A long slit in one side kept making her legs look longer.

The diamond necklace caught every bit of light, and she wondered how expensive it was hanging on her neck.

Her porcelain skin looked less pale next to the soft peach colored satin of the dress, and she had piled her hair into a curly updo.

The kids had been dropped off at the neighbors, and as she started downstairs, she stopped and slipped off her wedding rings and set them on her nightstand. She fidgeted a little. She'd never taken them off.

She reached the living room just as a black limousine pulled up out front. She suddenly felt nervous. Her stomach full of butterflies her heart raving.

A knock on the door signaled her time was up, he was here. She opened the door and stopped.

He was wearing a black tux, the only color was a peach colored tie. His jet black hair, although short, was slicked back. His neck tattoo was hidden under the collar of his white button-up shirt.

"Hi," she said lamely.

"Elizabeth. I told you a six was...perfect."

He took the time to drink her in from her head to her toes, his gaze lingering on her hips.

"Yeah, I don't clean up too bad," she teased, trying to lighten the tension.

"One thing," He stepped forward, and she tensed, resisting the urge to back up.

He reached out and, after a brief rig, pulled her hair free of its pins, letting her red curls fall free.

"You're not out with Jordan tonight,"He said.

"I know," she replied.

He watched her a second longer before exiting the house, and she carefully followed.

The event was being held downtown at the museum, politicians and doctors, and the bankers of anyone with wealth were there. As the limousine waited to drop them, she found herself fidgeting again with her fingers.

"You're more nervous than me," He 5 out and gently placing his hand over hers.

She froze his large tan hand covered both of hers easily, and even though she knew how dangerous he was, the touch was almost gentle.

He wound his long fingers with hers as the limousine slowed to a stop his thumb, rubbing her now bare ring finger.

"Not a married woman tonight?" He asked

"Yes... I just wasn't sure it was appropriate," she replied.

The car stopped, and the driver opened the door, and Rhys moved to get out, stopping to look back at her.

"That's a shame then, I usually fuck my dates when I take them home."

He climbed from the car and she sat speechless on the leather seats. A part of her suddenly seemed to spark to life, a stirring had begun inside her.

He leaned in, offering her his hand. She took it, letting him pul her from the limousine, and together, they walked up the steps to the museum.

A bar had been set up, and she wished she could get a drink. A buzz might help the uneasy feeling in her stomach as she followed Rhys.
He shook hands with a few people but didn't introduce her, his hand never let go of hers.

When dinner started, they sat down at a small white table, and two other couples were seated with them.

He pulled out her chair, and after she was seated, she took the seat next to her. He reached for her hand, and this time, she placed them on the table.

She felt like she was breaking into a fever, her skin too raw and sensitive to take being touched, her head swimming, her heart besting so hard it was hard to breathe.

She took a drink of water from a dainty wine glass, aware he was watching her. No doubt angry she wasn't holding his hand, but physical touch wasn't part of the deal.

A woman across the table asked their names and Rhys began a conversation with her.

Thankful for a break Elizabeth let down her guard for just one moment, crossing her legs.

That's when she felt his hand settle on her bare leg. She jumped at the contact and he squeezed, she glanced at the other couples none of them seemed to notice.

With a shaky hand she reached for her champagne.

"How long have you been a couple?" An oder gentleman asked.

"Not long a few months," Rhys replied his thumb stroking the inside of her leg lazily.

"How did you meet?" A woman asked.

"Oh, now darling. You gotta tell this story you tell it the best," He said looking at her.

"Uhm...well...I...Rhys..." She trailed off.

The other two couples and Rhys openly watched her, and with a sly grin, he slid his hand further up her leg onto her thigh.
She squeezed her crossed legs together and moved her hand to grip the top of his.

"Come on, baby. Open up, don't keep these fine people waiting." He said.

"We met through my husband," she blurted out.

"Well. Ex husband," Rhys said taking a drink of his own champagne with his free hand.

"Right," she agreed.

Thankfully, the food arrived, saving her from any more conversation. However, Rhys never moved his hand, and despite being hungry, when they arrived every bite off food felt like led in her stomach.

When Rhys finally pulled her to the dance floor, she began to realize he hadn't spoken to anyone that he seemed to know

"So where is he?" She asked as he pulled her body intimately against his in a slow dance.

"Who?"

"The man you came to see."

"He's at our table," he replied.

"And he doesn't recognize you?" She asked, doubt lacing her tone.

"You calling me a liar?"

"No."

"You think I have nothing better to do than to spend thousands on you a dress and me this monkey suit, come to the event for the hell of it?"

"No, I'm sorry."

"I do have a life outside of you and you're husband Elizabeth. One I could be enjoying."

"I said I was sorry."

His hand slid lower, on the curve of her butt and she squirmed slightly.

"What's wrong now?" He asked.

"Can you move your hand?"

"No."

"No?"

"He's watching and if he thinks we're anything other than a couple I'm fucked. So no."

"We aren't a couple."

"We are tonight, and I'm treating you the same as I would if you were my woman. My hands would be all over you, I would be all over you."

"Stop."

"Why? You're an attractive woman, Elizabeth. If you were my woman, I'd be well on my way to fucking you in the bathroom by now."

"Stop it. You're drunk.

He fell silent but moved his hand from her butt to her waist with a heavy sigh.

After a few moment he spoke again.

"Jordan offered to let you pay his debts with your body. Would it be so bad if you did?"

She stopped dancing to look up at him. The fact was she knew it wouldn't be. He was a good looking man, his arms were strong and safe and she had no doubt he was skilled on the bedroom.

However the idea of him wanting her for the sake of a debt made her feel cheap and used.

"Relax I'm not taking him up on it," he said.

"Thank you."

He fell silent as the band finished their last song and everyone began to clap.

"Let's get you home Cinderella," He said.

He reached out and this time she allowed him to lace his fingers with hers as he led her out of the museum.

When the reached the limousine he loosened his tie and the first few buttons on his shirt, stretching out on the seat.

She realized how tired she was as she collapsed beside him with a heavy sigh, her head falling to his shoulder, his hand falling once again to her bare leg, this time she didn't move and neither did he.

When they reached her house he had to wake her as she had been sleeping on his shoulder the entire ride.

He opened the door himself and helped her climb out walking her to the door this time not touching her.

"Thank you, for...the dress and necklace. I'll box them up, and you can come get them."

"Keep them," He said with a wave before shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I don't want to owe you more,"

"They're a gift, that dress was made for your body, you're a goddess and that necklace was to keep me from putting my hands there when I saw you tonight," He said not looking at her.

"Oh," she managed.

"You looked...fuck...you looked gorgeous tonight. I don't know what that asshole of a husband did to deserve you but...I don't know how he does the things he does."

"Rhys..."

"I'm a little bit buzzed, Elizabeth. I'm going to go," He said, stepping off the front step

He walked towards the limousine, and she couldn't resist calling to him.

"Rhys?"

"Yeah?"  He turned towards her.

She hesitated, and she wasn't sure what she wanted to say. A part of her wanted to throw caution to the wind and invite him inside. The other part of her was still afraid.

"Goodnight," she finally said.

He watched her a minute and then gave a nod, and she would swear he knew what she was struggling with.

"Goodnight."

He ducked into the limousine, and she let herself into her house. Climbing the stairs she slipped out of her dress.
Naked under the sheets she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

The feeling of his hand burned her skin until she didn't think she could stand it anymore.
She tossed and turned on the cool sheets, staring at the ceiling until well into the morning