Tainted Heat

Please note: This book is only free to read until 30/04/2023

Stepping into her shoes, Avalyn’s eyes glance in the mirror; a slight smile crawling across her face. She is making an effort tonight, hoping he will notice her and realise she’s there. She takes a picture of herself, analyses the photo, then hits send on the message. The food on the table catches her eye.

He should be home at any time now. She smiles as she contemplates it. A few moments pass in silence before her phone beeps in reply. Avalyn’s hand reaches out, her heart already heavy, knowing it is the sound of another rejection. Her eyes are fixed on the phone, her heart breaking as she reads the message.

“Sorry, working late. There’s an issue here that needs sorting out. See you in the morning, x.”

She sits staring at the phone, tears threatening to flood as they begin to spill over her eyes; her heart breaking again. This isn’t anything new. She stands and walks to the mirror. She blinks the tears away and lets her eyes wander along her slender body, remarking on her admirable qualities. Her smile fades as she quickly notices her imperfections. Is this why he isn’t rushing home anymore?

Her auburn hair floats delicately down her back. Her

eyes match the shade of her hair perfectly, and the freckles on her cheeks are brighter that day from the sun. She peeks at the table. Maybe she has it wrong? Perhaps she needs to get up and do something. She needs to go to him and show him what he’s missing.

As she strolls into the kitchen, she begins to pack the food away. Her excitement bubbles as she does. It’s not often she goes to his work. She hasn’t been for more than two years. She doesn’t like invading his personal space. The last time she went, she sat like a gooseberry while he went in and out of different rooms.

Maybe it’s better to take dinner to his office on my birthday rather than both eating alone.

As she drives, her mind tells her how fantastic her idea is. She enters the building where he works and goes up to the floor where his office is. When she gets there, she glances around confused.

“Can I help you?” She faces a young woman with files in her hands. “Are you looking for Mr Coldwell?”

Avalyn nods and smiles at her, “Yes, is he in a meeting?” She glances around; the place is almost empty.

“No, he is currently out to dinner. Miss Keegan is with him.” Avalyn nods. No doubt a business dinner.

“Can you tell me where he went, please? Miss Keegan… his secretary, right? I’m guessing it’s a business meeting?” The woman shakes her head slightly.

“No, a personal meeting. He and Miss Keegan are celebrating their engagement. I can find the restaurant they went to if you would like?” Avalyn feels her eyes widen as she stares at the woman in shock. That has to be a mistake…

“Please, yes. I’m his sister.” What else can she say? She’s his wife? She watches as the woman wanders off, coming back with a little piece of paper and the address.

“It was nice meeting you. I hope you catch him before they go home.”

Avalyn takes the paper and walks out. She knows the restaurant. It is new and only opened a month ago. She asked to go there tonight for her birthday, but he made the excuse he was working and didn’t want to waste a table if he wouldn’t finish in time.

She arrives at the beautiful glass doors of the restaurant, hardly remembering the walk there. She pulls a heavy door open, her eyes glancing around. It is beautiful, an epically beautiful restaurant.

“Hello, can I help you, Miss?”Avalyn looks to the maître d’.

“I’m looking for someone… my husband. I was told he’d be here.”

He nods and looks at her while she is waiting, “Can I ask his name and if he knows you are here?” He goes to the book and takes a look.

“His name is Darren Coldwell. He doesn’t know I’m here, no, but does that matter?”

The young man nods, “Sorry, we can’t let you through without a booking, or without the table knowing you’re coming. If you send your husband a text, he can confirm and then we can accommodate you.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll sit at the bar and have a drink and wait until he’s done.” She wants to know if she can see him.

“Sorry, Miss, but the bar is only for those who have a reservation. We do not operate as a typical restaurant or bar. We offer clients strict privacy. If you want to wait, go around the corner. There’s a bar there that will let you wait.” Nodding, Avalyn heads out.

Walking around the side of the building, she crosses the road. She looks at the building in confusion. On the ground floor there is nothing but an elevator and toilets. She goes inside and gets into the lift. Her finger presses the button and she waits as it goes up a floor. Stepping out, she smiles. It is charming, and clearly more a hotel than a bar.

She walks to the bar and orders a drink before going to the window. She finds a seat, and glances outside over the road. Her eyes scan the restaurant windows to see if she can see Darren, but she can’t.

Ten minutes pass as she finishes her drink. Ordering another, she walks back to her seat and continues to watch. She leers at her phone. Picking it up, she tries messaging him again, seeing if this time he will say he is working or just busy.

“Miss?” A male voice calls out to her. Avalyn turns and looks at the man confused. “Can I get you a drink?” He flashes a smile at her.

She shakes her head, “I’m waiting for someone, but thanks.”

He nods and leaves. If she wasn’t married, she would have jumped at the chance.

Five minutes later, she watches Darren walk out of the restaurant, Karen’s arm wrapped around his as they stroll down the street. They stop for a moment and kiss. Miss Keegan… Karen… is his secretary, but apparently, there’s more to it than that. Avalyn feels the tears fill her eyes and she walks towards the bar, ordering another drink.

“You okay?” The barman looks at her.

She nods, smiling faintly, “Fine, thanks.” She sits back by the window. She finds her eyes focus on where they had stood kissing; the spot now empty. She downs her drink quickly and drives home.

Walking into an empty house, she makes her way to the bedroom and climbs into bed, not bothering to get changed. Her mind is exhausted, but she can’t give up. She won’t. Endless thoughts run through her head trying to find a way to get him back.

Go to that bar every Wednesday and Friday night. Invite Darren, and suggest they meet there for a quick drink to see if he shows or makes an excuse. The office building and restaurant are visible from that window.

With that thought, she finds herself falling asleep.

The next few days are spent perfecting her plan while she is at work. Wednesday comes, and her plan is flawless. While Karen is younger than her, Darren has loved her throughout their marriage. He merely needs to be reminded of the love they once had.

Getting dressed up, she takes a picture. She smiles sending it to him along with a text explaining she will be sitting at the bar with a room booked in the hotel. She finishes up and heads out the door.

She spends the drive reminiscing about the past until she pulls up at the building. She quickly parks and spends a few minutes checking her appearance.

“Perfect.” She smiles and strides into the bar.

The bartender quickly notices her and flashes a smile,

“Back again, Miss?”

“I am. Can I have the usual?”

He nods, expertly making her a drink. Handing it to her, he notices how she looks tonight. His eyes scan over her body.

“Guessing you have a date?” he asks.

“I do. I’ll take my usual spot.” She walks across the room and sits down. She told Darren her plan this morning. He agreed to meet her here, so now she needs to wait and see if he shows up or texts in an hour with an excuse. She takes the last swig of her drink. She orders another and returns swiftly to her spot with her eyes focused on the office building and the restaurant. She checks her phone; he hasn’t messaged saying he can’t make it yet.

Another ten minutes pass by as she stares between the two buildings.

“Miss?” A deep voice rings out.

She turns to find the man who spoke to her the other night.

“I’m good, thanks. Waiting for someone.” Nodding, he walks off. She doesn’t even want to give him a chance to offer her a drink this time. Her eyes shift to the phone to see a call coming from Darren. She hastily answers it and peeks through the window.

“Hi Darren, you nearly here?” She knows he isn’t. Why would he be? She searches for him, hoping she is wrong.

“Can’t make it, sorry. Friday for sure though. I need to sort this issue out. I will be home late. See you in the morning.” He hangs up without saying goodbye. Her eyes stay fixed on the building.

Twenty minutes later, she watches him walk out with Karen. Her head lowers. Avalyn stands up and walks to the bar. She sits on a bar stool, and orders a drink. She decides to stay there; there’s no need to sit at the window anymore.

“No date?”

She looks at the barman shaking her head, “No. Apparently, an issue at work. I’ll have one more then I’ll be leaving.” He nods and hands her the drink. She keeps her eyes on the glass as she drinks it slowly before heading home again.

She heads straight to bed. As she lies down, she moves her eyes around the walls of the room. He’s hardly ever home. Does Karen know? Does she know he’s married? Fatigue takes over her body and Avalyn slowly fades into sleep.

She startles out of her sleep hearing the bed creak. She rubs her eyes peering at the clock. It’s nearly 4 a.m.

How can he think saying he’s working until 4 a.m. is a good excuse? Her mind laughs at her. It’s because she doesn’t question it. Had she not gone to his work and found out about Karen, she would still be sitting at home believing him. Her eyes stay fixed on the clock as she hears him falling asleep next to her. Her mind considers why he’s still with her. Maybe he’s just using Karen? she thought. He can’t marry her, not until they’re divorced. He hasn’t mentioned leaving, let alone them getting a divorce, so maybe she is purely fun? If she is nothing more than fun, surely she can get him back? Get the husband she had at the start, the husband he was until last year. She doesn’t sleep, her mind stays awake the rest of the night until she senses him moving.

She rolls over to face him and smiles. She wraps her small arms around his body as her lips press softly against his. His body pulls back.

“I don’t have time and I’m worn out from working so late.” He climbs out of bed before walking to the shower. She sighs heavily once the door closes. Her mind races about his actions.

Avalyn sits up at the sound of the shower being turned off. She watches as he walks out of the bathroom and begins getting dressed. She waits for him to finish before walking to the bathroom and getting showered herself.

She walks downstairs and into the kitchen. She begins cooking breakfast and not long after, Darren walks down and grabs a cup of coffee. He moves past her without looking in her direction and sits.

Avalyn turns to look at him, “You’re home tonight, right?” It feels like he’s slipping through her fingers more and more. It used to be one night a week he didn’t come home. Slowly that one night became every night.

“No, the issue wasn’t fixed so I’ll likely be late tonight. I’ll possibly even stay there until it’s resolved. Friday though, babes, I promise.” He kisses her and walks out before the food is done.

Avalyn decides to cook for herself. She takes a bite of her food trying to think of a plan. There has to be a way to get him home; a way to make him want to come home to her and not stay all night with Karen. She will find a way.

As she ponders, an idea finally comes to her. I’ll buy a new outfit to impress him. She becomes giddy with joy as she imagines his reaction.

After many hours spent searching for the perfect dress and lingerie, a wide smile takes over her face. She finds the perfect outfit. She won’t wear it yet. She will wait two weeks; two weeks until it’s their wedding anniversary. Two weeks and she will wear the items she bought and he will love her again.

She heads home, happy with her purchase and makes sure to hang the clothing up where he can see them. She wonders if he will ask about them. She packs away the new lingerie before starting her work. The day is spent trying to focus, while her mind wanders off to what Darren could be doing. Night time falls and she climbs into bed. She falls asleep; he doesn’t come home.