Some of you may recognize this as one of my older stories, one I'd had removed from literotica for publication. Long story short, the world of self-publishing wasn't to my liking. As such, I'm returning this work where it belongs, edited and free of charge for any to enjoy. If you feel differently, and choose to reflect this in comments or rating, I certainly won't argue.
For those of you reading this for the first time, you're in for a real treat. Please enjoy!
This is a work of fiction and all characters are unrelated to real individuals
*****
Sawyer couldn't wipe the grin from his face, not that he truly wanted to. Anyone watching from the street might find his behavior odd, the way he slowly slid the key into the lock, turning the knob quietly and creeping into what was clearly his own house. He found the living room empty though the TV was on. Perfect.
Using the background noise of whatever silly program Charlotte had left playing, Sawyer slipped down the hall, flowers in hand and ready to surprise his fiancΓ©e. It wasn't often he was sent home early from work. He saw the bathroom door was open and the light was on, and the grin intensified as he imagined sneaking in to find her soaking in the tub, her naked body dripping in suds.
He froze just outside the door and his smile disappeared. Charlotte was laughing, and he could make out her voice. Perhaps she was simply talking to herself, but curiosity and worry took hold of him. There was another voice now and more laughter, and for a moment he worried he would be walking in on his lover with another man.
Then he realized that the voice was almost certainly female, and though he wasn't quite sure if he knew exactly to whom it belonged, it did sound familiar. Still, creeping silently, Sawyer peeked around the edge of the door. Charlotte was in the bath as he suspected, sitting up but facing away from him. The other voice had indeed been another woman, and he could see enough of her face to identify her.
Megan was a close friend of Charlotte's, and also the recent wife of Sawyer's best friend James. The two girls were sharing a bath and laughing over glasses of wine, but unfortunately for Sawyer, Megan was participating via Skype. Charlotte had purchased a wooden platform that functioned as a table across the tub so that she could work while she relaxed. He now saw just how much work she actually achieved.
He hadn't been spotted yet, so he decided to do what any curious man would do when confronted with a situation like this: he eavesdropped. He couldn't see enough of the screen to determine if Megan was also taking a bath on the other side of the conversation, but he had to assume that she was. Charlotte wasn't covered above her navel, the bubbles fizzing gently below her breasts. Megan would probably see more of his fiancΓ©e than most people could ever dream of.
More important than the visual was the conversation itself. Sawyer hadn't paid much attention at first, focusing more on what he might see of Charlotte and her companion. They were giggling about something though, and he wanted to hear more. Charlotte wasn't whispering, believing herself to be alone in the house. Megan was harder to hear, the volume barely loud enough to make out actual words. He listened, and after a few minutes the grin was back in place.
Sawyer made his way stealthily back to the front door, flowers still in hand as he opened and closed it as he normally would. It was loud enough for Charlotte to hear, and sure enough when he stepped into the bathroom with her flowers in hand, Charlotte had replaced her video chat with homework.
"Hey sweetie! You're home early!" She noticed the roses by his side. "Oh lovely! Are those for me?"
Sawyer bent down to give her a quick kiss. "Well, they aren't for the cat, though she'll probably end up eating them anyway. Thought you might like a surprise visit."
She leaned back, letting him enjoy the view a bit. "Are you home for good?"
Sawyer wasn't fond of lying to his fiancΓ©e, but after hearing her conversation it was clear she had a few secrets of her own. "No, I'm just passing through. I had to meet a client out in Greer and I'm on my way back to the office to finish up some stuff. But I won't be late for dinner, I promise."
Charlotte gave him one last kiss as she stood, letting him wrap a fresh towel around her before heading back out to the car. Sawyer pulled over a few minutes into his drive and found James' number in his phone. He wasn't going back to the office today.
ONE HOUR LATER
James wasn't a huge fan of ambiguity, and so when he received a vague text from his best friend requesting his presence at their favorite bar, with strict instructions not to tell Megan, James began to feel a bit irritated. In the year he had been married he had never had to lie to Megan about his whereabouts, and doing so now felt criminal. Sawyer had insisted that whatever excuse he made up, it would pay off for everyone involved.
Luckily James didn't have to get creative with his lie. Megan was going out with Charlotte to look at more dresses for the wedding ahead. He told her not to worry about making anything for lunch, and that he would go out and grab something fast and easy instead.
James found his friend sitting alone in the corner booth. If this place had any privacy, this was about as much as they would find. He took a seat and ordered a beer from a passing waitress. Sawyer waited for her to leave before speaking.
"Thanks for coming, and sorry for asking you to keep it a secret."
James shrugged it off. It was hard to be irritated with Sawyer for long. They had history. "No problem man. Aren't you supposed to be at work?"