Sage's networking event was going better than expected. Twice as many people showed up, and of those people, nearly all of them seemed interested in doing business with Sage's team. In every regard, it was a resounding success, but that wasn't the reason why she was in such a good mood.
Sage knew Theo was coming, and Theo would make the night into something she would never forget. Lost in thought, Sage eyed Jeremy absent-mindedly. She admired the man he became when doing business. He was sharp, crass, and confident. Deals were his lifeblood, that was where his real self existed, which made tonight all the more exciting.
The doorbell rang, and Sage excused herself from a group of businessmen talking through potential projects to answer it, immediately smiling when she saw Theo waving at her.
"H-hey." He said nervously. Sage gave him a polite nod.
"Hey yourself," Sage said, stepping aside and ushering Theo into the foyer. "Please come in." He did as he was told, stepping into Sage's home with an awkward bow of his head. He looked around the room for a moment, nodding slowly before turning to Sage.
"Yeah so... how have you been?" Theo asked. Sage smirked.
"That's your best opener huh?" She looked back to Jeremy, who stared intently at the pair. Now that she had his attention, the fun could begin.
"I didn't realize I needed an opener," Theo said, laughing nervously.
"Oh Theo, if you want to get my attention, you need to bring your A game," Sage stepped back, motioning with her finger for Theo to follow. The two passed a few familiar faces, Sage gave them all polite smiles before reaching the kitchen island. She took a champagne glass from it and handed it to Theo. "So, you want to try again?" Theo cleared his throat nervously.
"Uh... well... I don't know if that's such a good idea." Theo took a swig of champagne and glanced at Jeremy. Sage noticed. It was part of her plan, after all. She glanced back at Jeremy and gave him a wave.
"He's looking extra scary today, huh?" Sage turned back to Theo, "Don't worry, he doesn't know what you told me... about how you feel."
"Yeah, but he still fucking hates my guts. Honestly, I don't know if it's a great idea that we're talking."
"Oh Theo..." Sage let out a sigh and gently touched his shoulder. It was electrifying. Forcing Jeremy to watch her openly seduce Theo was a greater turn-on than she anticipated.
"How mad do you think he is right now? Watching his wife give all her attention to some young Sales Agent? In front of everyone that sees him as important, no less?" Sage's voice was smooth, she smiled as she felt Theo tense under her touch. She would need to coax him out of his shell a little bit more.
"I mean, he looks pretty mad Sage. Can't we do this out of his view?"
"But we're just talking. Unless you're thinking about more?" Sage tilted her head as she took a step back, Theo stepped forward.
"What if I am?" He asked. It was the first time Sage was able to sense confidence in his voice, and it was a welcome change of pace.
"There he is. Tell me what you're thinking about, Theo." Sage flipped her hair off her shoulder, revealing her ample cleavage. Theo didn't hesitate to look.
"I mean, I'm thinking about how we deserve to be together."
"Come on Theo, what are you really thinking about right now?" Sage leaned forward as she spoke, squeezing her breasts tightly between her arms. Theo glanced around the room nervously.
"Sage... people can see you," Theo said. Not the response Sage had hoped for, she sighed in disappointment. While Sage hated to admit it, Theo was right. Forcing Jeremy to watch was one thing, but if Sage became too frisky around her peers, it could permanently damage her reputation.
But that was the problem, Sage wanted a new reputation. She wanted to be known as Jeremy's hot housewife. The woman who, if you played your cards right, would let you fuck her whenever you wanted. The kind of power was pure ecstasy. Reality, however, required some level of caution.
"I guess you're right, a little too public here, isn't it?" Sage tilted her neck and gazed into Theo's eyes. "Can I tell you what I want you to do to me?"
"I mean... sure..." Theo said.
"I want you to take me to my bedroom... and I want you to pull out your big, fat..."
"Shit, Jeremy is coming over this way." Theo downed the rest of his champagne and quickly adjusted his shirt. Sage turned to Jeremy, smiling as she spotted his reddened face.
So far, so good. The night was going exactly how she envisioned.
"Hey baby," Sage said playfully, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Networking going well for you?"
"You could say that," Jeremy hugged Sage back, glancing at Theo. "See you found the place alright Theo."
"That I did." Theo nodded slowly as Sage wrapped her arm around Jeremy's waist. "It's a nice place you got here by the way."
"I know. So, what are you two talking about?" Jeremy was cold and to the point. Sage expected nothing less. With both his peers and competitors in the room, he would make sure Theo knew who was in control.
And that was the game. Jeremy wouldn't be able to keep Theo or her under control. Sage would make sure of that.
"Look we weren't talking about anything bad or... I mean, what I'm trying to say is... Just some boring sales stuff for our department..."
"Seem awfully flustered over some boring sales stuff." Jeremy looked down at Sage and gave her a knowing smile. So he knew what was happening. That was good, it would make this next part easier.
"Babe, I was actually just about to give Theo a tour of our house. I thought he would especially love how we remodeled the bedroom, what do you think?" Sage spoke casually as she ran her fingers down Jeremy's chest. The two men stared at one another silently. The tension was intoxicating.
"A house tour huh?" Jeremy's voice was rigid, but he hadn't torn off Theo's head yet. Sage took it as a good sign. She pushed further.
"Oh yes, after helping you with that merger, I think Theo deserves it. Plus Theo had mentioned he used to do something plumbing in his old house. So he might be able to help me clean some pipes..."
"Yeah..." Jeremy stared at Theo, who uncomfortably glanced between him and Sage.
"Isn't that right Theo?" Sage asked.
"I... y-yes. I figured I could maybe offer my help." Theo's voice shook slightly, and he looked like a nervous puppy. It took everything in Sage not to burst out laughing. Still, she had to give him credit. A lesser man might have folded by now, but Theo was staring down a wolf in his own den, and so far he hadn't caved under the pressure.
"Mmmhmmm, plumbing huh?" Jeremy looked at Sage with searching eyes. No doubt, he was curious about what she had planned. "Should I come with you two?"
Sage smiled and shook her head, "No baby, you still have so much networking to do. You make your rounds, I'll be sure to send you a text or two if we find any issues." Jeremy smirked and nodded slowly. Good, he was learning to behave.
"Well, I suppose you're right about that." Jeremy looked back to Theo. "You take good care of her, alright? And remember..." He stepped forward, "Step out of line, and I'll fucking kill you."
"R-right..." Theo said nervously. Jeremy slapped Theo's shoulder hard, then turned to Sage and gave her a kiss.
"Don't be too long, some bigwigs were curious about your company's pitch," Jeremy said.
"Of course sweetheart," Sage replied. Then, with a passive glare at Theo, Jeremy left. Sage looked at Theo with a bright smile.
"So, you ready for your tour?" She asked playfully.
"Sage, what the fuck? You saw him, he clearly senses something is off and you heard what he told me..."
"Shhh. Theo, you're thinking about this way too much. You care about me, don't you?"
"O-of course," Theo replied.
"Then show me. I'm going to go upstairs. Just wait a few minutes, then follow me." Sage replied. Theo's mouth gapped as confusion riddled his face. Sage sighed. As cute as his innocence was, it was time to give Theo a final push. She placed her champagne glass down.
"Look, you can stay down here and mingle, or go upstairs to help me. No one is telling you what to do. But if you want me... you'll need to come get me." She turned from him, swaying her hips a little more than she needed to as she walked away.
The ball was in his court, it was time to see how Theo would play. She passed Jeremy, giving him a wink as she walked up the steps.
--
David did his best to catch his breath as he made his way to the front door of Sage and Jeremy's house. He had decided to drive and pick up a better-fitting suit for the evening, and the only decent store happened to be thirty minutes away. Just his luck.
But Theo had told him to show up fashionably late, so he hoped it played to his advantage. He opened the door and took a deep breath. Theo wasn't joking, the house was bustling with more partygoers than he could count. His palms sweated as he scanned the room. Sage was nowhere in sight, which was a surprising relief. He took a few steps in, giving polite nods to fellow guests as he made his way over to the kitchen. He spotted a plate of champagne glasses and stepped beside a man to grab one.
"Excuse me," David said, calmly reaching for a glass.
"Oh, no worries," The man said. David recognized the voice immediately.
"Theo?" He asked. At once, Theo spun around and let out a breath of relief.
"Oh my god, you made it!" Theo said with a smile. David laughed and embraced the kid.
"So how's it been going?" He asked, still glancing around the room.
"It's been going, I guess," Theo replied. His voice was shaky, uncertain. David raised an eyebrow.
"That well huh?" David wasn't sure what to say. Frankly, he felt just as nervous as Theo looked. "So, is she here?"
"You mean Sage? Yeah, she's here..." Theo confirmed. David nodded slowly and cleared his throat.
"And Sage is... the woman you've been seeing?"
"Yeah, she's the one alright," Theo confirmed.
"Jesus..." David said, glancing through the crowd. He already knew it was true, but hearing it from Theo was still surreal. Sage, his Sage, was fucking Theo.
"What? I don't like that look, David." Theo asked. David glanced up at him, guilt stabbed his chest. This poor fucking kid, he had no clue what he'd run into.
"Is Jeremy here?" David said, Theo paused.
"Yeah but... how did you know his name?" Theo asked. David scratched the back of his head.
"Look kid I... I don't know how to say this or what to say but uh..."
"You've worked with him before?" Theo asked. David shook his head.
"Not exactly, no. Look, Sage and Jeremy... they're my neighbors." David looked up bashfully, Theo shook his head, his eyes widening as David's words sank in.
"Wait, your neighbors?"
"Yeah."
"THE neighbors?" Theo raised his voice. David grumbled as eyes turned to them.
"Christ kid, you really got to stop doing that."
"So Sage is..."