My suitcase thudded with each bump down the stairs, echoing in the quiet stairwell.

"You could at least pretend to not have an attitude about this every time," Zeke muttered, walking ahead of me.

Since Zeke and I got married fresh out of high school, he’d been quick to shut me down. He worked away fortnightly at the mines and was gone more often than not. My work was remote, only requiring a twice-a-year conference that all staff had to attend.

I hated the conferences. While I loved my coworkers dearly, I hated being out of my comfort zone. I liked comfy PJs and my own food, but the travel was always to high-end hotel suites, with every meal essentially becoming a social event.

"I'm allowed to be annoyed," I muttered, throwing my suitcase into the car. Zeke always drove me to the airport for my trips - a drive that used to be full of kisses and promises to call, now silent in our own attitudes.

During the car ride, I tried to think about work, running through the events of the trip to keep my mind busy. First was the golf game, then lunch with stakeholders. We had the afternoon to ourselves, but I had already been dragged into pre-drinks for our big dinner event. We had a dangerous game of who could drink the most and play it off. I never won. I tried to hide a smile as I realized this was technically the first time I’d meet Lee in person.

Lee and I had become fast friends at work. He always laughed at my jokes in meetings, playfully teased my detailed spreadsheeting, and often told me he was sad if I didn’t have a meeting with him that day. This was his first time meeting everyone in person, and it was going to be hard to pretend I didn’t imagine his face when my husband and I had our boring sex. Lee was a bashful brunette with a figure that said, “I go to the gym, but love a burger.” I knew he had a girlfriend, a beautiful brunette model who was also a traveler. We bonded once in a late-night meeting about the loneliness that comes with dating someone who’s always away. I liked to think Lee thought of me too. He commented once that we had fascinating opposite genetics: my blue eyes and blonde hair against his dark eyes and brown hair. He joked our kids would be a genetic lottery, then quickly started talking about his girlfriend. I clung to the little "xx"s he used in our messages, but nothing further had happened. Nor should it.

"I guess I’m off now?" I sighed as we pulled into the airport. Zeke grunted, gesturing toward the terminal. He wasn’t going to walk me in. Again. I leaned in for a kiss, and he responded with a quick peck, just as his phone started ringing over the car's Bluetooth. Before he could react, I saw the name flash on the dashboard. Davina. Zeke hastily hung up the call.

"Try to have fun, yeah? I don’t want you calling me all the time," he said, managing a smile before I hopped out of the car.

---

I hated golf. It was hot, boring, and did I mention hot?

But everyone was excited to see each other in person, so I put on my work persona and laughed along with my colleagues.

"Nowhere to hide here, hey," a voice whispered behind my ear. I jumped, looking back to see Lee standing there.

He was taller than I thought, his polo shirt doing little to hide his biceps. His brown eyes beamed into mine, his goofy smile lighting up his face as he leaned in for a hug.

My smile was involuntary as I hugged him tight, breathing in his scent and celebrating his arrival.

"I'm so happy to see you!" I exclaimed, louder than I’d intended.

He laughed and squeezed me tighter.

"You're so much smaller in person!" he said, putting me down and stepping back to inspect me.

His eyes started at mine and lowered, pausing briefly at my chest. He hesitated, then shook his head and wrapped an arm around me.

"So, who’s competitive here?" he laughed, gesturing to the group.

As he moved on to greet others, I found myself watching him go.

Another reason I hated golf? I was terrible at it. By the third hour, the rest of the team had moved on in their buggies while Lee stayed behind to laugh at my attempts.

"Just bend your knees a little!" he laughed, motioning. Then laughed again as I missed the ball.

"Listen—" he started, hopping out of the buggy and walking over to me.

"Can I demonstrate?" he asked. I was about to step away from the ball when he wrapped his arms around me again.

"I promise not to mansplain this," he said, his hands over mine. Slowly, he ran one hand up my arm, then down my waist as he guided my body. In one fluid motion, we swung the club, the ball disappearing into the field. Laughter echoed as he cheered and whooped, his grasp loosening as he danced back to the buggy. I couldn't believe how casually touchy he was - my body still tingling from the way he held me.

---

We all stayed in the same hotel, my room just across from Lee’s.

"Aww, I’ll be able to check on you," he laughed, winking before disappearing to get ready for dinner.

The afternoon was the most fun I’d had in a long time. Terrible golf, a fancy lunch, and a lot of giggling with Lee. Every time I thought he was flirting, he’d shift his attention, just enough to make me feel like I was clinging to him for validation. We were the youngest in our team, the closest in age, so no one suspected our relationship to be anything more than playful. But the wink he gave me before disappearing into his room felt... different. Meaningful.

I decided to wear my little black dress for pre-drinks and dinner - my blonde hair falling to my waist, my heels lifting my butt into a satisfying shape. Zeke hated this dress, called it attention-seeking. But paired with a blazer, it passed.

I met Lee at the elevator and couldn’t help noticing his lingering gaze on my cleavage.

"You look—" he started, his eyes scanning me.

The elevator dinged before he could finish, and he ushered me in.

"—fucking incredible," he finished, his eyes locked onto mine.

Every nerve in my body danced as he leaned closer, tucking my hair behind my ear. His voice was low, a whisper against my skin.

"God, what I wouldn’t do for just one night."

I almost came right then. Did he really just say that?

We held eye contact. I leaned in, about to kiss him.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened, snapping us out of it.

---

We headed to the restaurant like nothing had happened. Lee sat beside me, cheerful and animated, like we hadn’t nearly kissed. My mind spun. What about his girlfriend? What about Zeke? I was sure Zeke was having an affair, but I’d never imagined I’d be tempted.

I turned down the wine. Lee noticed and politely declined his too, clinking his water glass against mine. The company toasted to a good financial year, glasses clinking all around the room. Lee locked eyes with me. His lips formed a mischievous smile.

By the end of the night, my feet were killing me. We mingled with colleagues, exchanging glances across the room. I could feel Lee’s eyes on me, trailing the curve of my ass as I walked.

I stopped for a chat with Craig, our department head. He was older and completely sloshed.

"God, Amie, don’t you clean up nice," he rasped, spilling his drink on me.

I stepped back, wiping my dress. Craig leaned in, reeking of garlic and rum.

"How much for a night with those tits?" he slurred, far too close.

I froze. But Lee appeared beside me out of nowhere, laughing loudly.

"You crack me up, Craig!" he said, slapping him hard on the back - just enough to make him stumble.

"Oops. Sorry about that. Amie and I need to make the rounds. We’ll owe you one, okay?"

Before I could speak, Lee took my hand and led me out of the restaurant. His face was serious now.

"Has he ever done that before?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"No, but it’s alright. He won’t remember. Plus, he knows I’m married."

The word married stuck on my tongue. I glanced at Lee. He nodded but didn’t let go of my hand.

"I can let go?" he asked gently.

I looked up at his warm eyes. I shook my head, squeezing tighter.

We stood in silence, tension humming between us.

"How’s your... girlfriend?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head.

"What girlfriend? She’s never home. And when she is, we don’t talk."

He sighed.

"Anyway, I’ll walk you to your room. You’ve probably got a phone call to make; to hubby."

He watched me closely.

My smile faded.

"Actually, he doesn’t want me to bother him. I’m pretty sure he’s knee-deep in his secretary right now."

The words hit harder than I expected.

"Really? He’s got you... all this...and he..."

"All this?" I smiled.

Lee looked me over again. The elevator dinged. I hesitated.

He led me to my door.

"Maybe I should come in and make sure you’re okay?" he asked.

"Lee..." I started.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

"Lee, I don’t know if I can control myself around you right now," I said, facing the door as I closed it softly.

I turned to face him. His smirk made me laugh.

"I’m serious!" I said, placing my hands on his chest.

His muscles flexed under my touch as I traced his chest. My restraint was slipping.

"Amie," he said gently, leaning in and pressing me against the door.

"All you have to do is tell me you want me to leave."

His voice was low and teasing, his breath warm against my ear.

"Lee..." I said again, my hands still roaming his chest.

"Yes?" he whispered, his lips near my neck, arms wrapped around my waist.

"I want you..." I breathed.

Before I could say more, he dropped to his knees, guiding one leg over his shoulder. He lifted my dress, kissing my inner thighs, moving closer to my lacy underwear.

"You want me to leave?" he asked between kisses.

"No... please," I gasped, pushing my hips toward him, my hand in his hair.

He pulled my underwear aside, licking and sucking my clit with the energy I’d been craving. I moaned and gasped as he moved, my head pressed back against the door. I cried out louder as he alternated between his tongue and his fingers. He moved like he was composing music, responding to each moan with perfect rhythm.

Pleasure pulsed through me in waves until my orgasm hit, fierce and full.

I gasped for air as I came down from the high. Lee kissed my thighs softly, still kneeling with my leg over his shoulder. Then, in one smooth motion, he stood, lifting my other leg to wrap around him. He pressed me against the door, my legs clinging to his waist, arms tangled around his shoulders as he kissed me deeply.

He carried me to the bed like I weighed nothing, laying me down gently. My dress was bunched up, my bra pushed above my chest, and my soaked underwear barely hanging on.

With one hand, he unclipped my bra, pausing to take me in.

"My God, Amie. I’ve literally fantasized about this," he whispered.

"You’re not alone in that feeling," I replied, meeting his gaze.

He smirked, then kissed me, deep and full of heat, trailing down my neck as his fingers hooked into my underwear and slid them off.

His tongue ran across my nipples as he slipped two fingers inside me, thrusting gently while sucking and licking. My hips rose to meet him, my body writhing beneath his touch. My blonde hair tangled beneath me, my breasts exposed over the edge of my dress, and this beautiful man was everywhere - inside me, on me, under my skin.

"Please," I gasped, begging him. "I want you to fuck me."

I expected him to smirk or tease me, but instead, he immediately obeyed.

He pulled his underwear down, his cock springing free, and with one fluid thrust, he slammed into me.

He held one of my ankles above my head, planting a hand beside me as he started to fuck me - hard. I cried out in pleasure as he drove into me over and over, the bed thudding against the wall with every thrust. His stamina was relentless. I convulsed with another orgasm, shuddering against him.

Letting out a low moan, he released my ankle, flipped me over, and pulled me roughly onto all fours. His grip tightened on my hips as he slammed into me again, thrust after thrust until we were both moaning, panting, gasping for air - his hot cum spilling inside me.

"Jesus, Amie," he breathed, collapsing beside me.

He propped himself on an elbow, brushing hair from my face again, his eyes studying me carefully.

"You okay?" he whispered.

I let out a breathless moan, still catching my breath, and smiled at the sight of him, naked, sweaty, glowing.

"I want to do that again," I said.