Temptation at Wor - Lucy's Story

I was surprised to see the strong reactions to Mike's story as people imparted their own feelings of what's acceptable, so I'm curious if this story changes anyone's perceptions of the situation. Since some people seemed unaware, until later, just to be clear, this is a cuck story in the end. It's in the tags, but some people seemed caught off guard, so I figured I'd throw that out in the beginning. For me, there were two antagonists to the story, Mike, being the tangible, and Chad's lack of engagement, being the other, and with that one comes details, not yet shared. And both of which Lucy has to navigate.

This is part of a multistory series. Each story is designed to work as a standalone, but is also told from the perspective of each of the three characters. With that in mind, they each have a slightly different feel to try and account for each character's feelings and personality. The woman's is the longest. The last to be uploaded will be the shortest, having cut out a lot of the timeframe that didn't really involve him anyways. That one also fills in some gaps that were intentionally left out from the other stories. I'm curious if there's any interest in a series where it's told from multiple perspectives. It's a lot of work to line up timelines and conversations for continuity, so I'd love to hear feedback in the comments. Enjoy! Hopefully :)

The office anniversary party was in full swing at an upscale rooftop bar downtown. It was a warm clear night, and the city lights twinkled below. String lights above reflected off the glass tables where employees mingled and laughed, drinks in hand. The air was filled with the clinking of glasses, boisterous conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter.

Lucy stood with her husband, Chad, her best friend, Ella, and a few other coworkers. Chad was a tall man, holding a bottle of beer in one hand and gesturing with the other as he recounted a story to their group. His face was animated, and his eyes always reflected the smile on his face. He was a good man, in Lucy's opinion, but she couldn't shake the feeling of detachment from him lately, due to their lack of intimacy.

Ella, on the other side of Lucy, was engaged in a lively debate with a few others about the latest office gossip. She used to work for the company, and while she'd been gone for some time, she was still friends with many people and often ended up at various functions as someone's plus one.

As Lucy stood there listening to one of Chad's stories she'd heard before, she noticed Mike out of the corner of her eye. Looking over, she saw he was standing at the bar, wearing a black suit with a white shirt and no tie.

Giving her husband a quick squeeze, she said, "I'll be back in a few, honey. I'm going to say hi to Mike really quick." He barely acknowledged her, continuing his story. She approached the bar where Mike was standing, having a drink.

"Mike," she said as he leaned in toward her. She gave him a tight hug, making sure to press against him, but ultimately keeping it brief to avoid giving the wrong impression to anyone who might notice. "You're looking rather dapper tonight." She took a moment to take in the sight of him. He always filled out his suits nicely. He wasn't overly built, but he was well-toned with broad shoulders.

She felt a rush when Mike didn't even attempt to hide the fact that he was looking over her body, which was encased in a long emerald green evening gown with a slit up to the middle of her left thigh. "And you are looking..." His words trailed off as his eyes traveled from hers down her body. Shifting her weight under his gaze, she ensured that her leg was exposed through the slit. "...Amazing." She could hear the dryness in his throat and see his Adam's apple bounce, swallowing reflexively despite his dry mouth. His smile was wide as he made direct eye contact again.

She rolled her eyes at him, playing it off as if she had done nothing to solicit this response. Allowing a smirk to cross her lips, she said, "You always did know how to make a girl feel special, Mike." She tried to hold back a laugh, which escaped as a small chuckle through her clenched teeth. But her comment was true, nonetheless.

Lucy and Mike had a long history of flirting back when they worked directly together. He always came across as non-threatening. His comments were more jokes than genuine attempts to hit on her. They were generally just cheesy lines, delivered with so much humor that they couldn't be taken seriously. With that safety, though, came a comfort level for Lucy to push things further than she should have. The result was a definite underlying sexual tension, even if they never took it any further.

Lucy saw Mike lean toward her while his eyes moved around the patio. "You know, I remember when we used to talk like this in the break room."

Lucy felt that familiar rush and warmth rise from her chest, recalling the days at the height of their flirting. She could see the smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he fought to keep it from becoming a full smile.

Their flirting had diminished once she started dating Chad. To Lucy, it always seemed that the abrupt end of that dynamic had come more from Mike's side. For her, it had always been playful and therefore harmless. It had never stopped when he was dating someone else, but if her seeing someone made him uncomfortable for some reason, she respected that and was grateful he was considerate of her relationship.

Smiling as she remembered the times he was referring to, her eyes lit up at the thought of the inappropriate comments they shared over the years. "Yeah, those were always a fun time,'" she said, watching his eyes continue to scan the area as if avoiding her gaze. "But we were never caught, were we?" She saw his mouth tighten into a smirk that he seemed to be trying to restrain until he finally looked directly at her. They shared a knowing smile as memories of long-past, inappropriate comments came and went.

After a moment of shared reflection, Lucy finally broke the silence. "Well, I suppose I should get back to Chad and Ella. I just wanted to say hi quickly when I saw you over here." She looked back toward the group she had been with previously and saw Chad still chatting away, as was his nature. Ella, on the other hand, was watching her like a hawk. Lucy had shared some of the comments she and Chad had exchanged in the past because she found them funny and wanted to share with someone. Ella never seemed overly fond of it. While it may have been harmless fun, Ella always cautioned against letting it go too far, worrying that it might give Mike the wrong idea. Now that Lucy was married, she could only imagine what opinions Ella might have, especially since they were still best friends, and Ella was aware of the current frustrations Lucy was having with the physical aspect of her marriage.

Chad and Mike always got along. They may not have been friends who hung out, but they always had an easy rapport with each other. Coming back to the moment, Lucy said, "Be sure to come say hi to Chad. He was asking how you've been just the other day." Finally looking back at Mike, they exchanged another quick hug. It was one of those stiff hugs, the kind where one arm wraps around from the side, which seemed more obligatory than affectionate. Knowing that Ella was watching them made her a bit uncomfortable. She realized she had been a little more flirtatious than usual, and Ella's gaze made her feel slightly ashamed.

She heard Mike's small chuckle before he answered, "Of course. Let me do the rounds, check in with my team, and I'll come say hi shortly."

As Lucy made her way back toward the group, she caught Ella's eyes on her. The moment she got close enough, Ella leaned in.

"What was that?" she asked, keeping her voice low enough for Chad to not hear.

Lucy blinked, playing dumb. "What was what?" She reached for her drink and took a sip.

Ella raised an eyebrow. "You and Mike. That looked like more than a simple 'hi.'"

Lucy shook her head. "Oh, come on. We've always talked."

"Mmhmm," Ella hummed, unconvinced. She cast a glance over Lucy's shoulder, toward the bar. "Well, whatever you said, he looks like he's still thinking about it."

Lucy resisted the urge to turn around too quickly. Instead, she casually glanced back and, sure enough, Mike's eyes flicked away the second they met hers. A small, knowing smirk pulled at the corner of his lips as he lifted his drink.

She turned back to Ella, who was watching her like a hawk.

"See? Totally normal," Lucy said lightly, but her voice was just a little too breezy.

Ella sighed, taking a sip of her wine. "Just be careful, Lu. I know you."

Ella finished, watching Mike work his way through the party. Ella liked Mike, he was charming, funny, and a good-looking guy. However, she also knew that people could make bad decisions, and the fact that her best friend could be a very sexual woman who was currently unsatisfied could definitely lead to poor choices.

Some time passed as they all socialized, with people coming and going from various groups, including Lucy, who went to say hi to others. Chad's extroverted personality and the fact that he had been around her coworkers for so long made him comfortable enough to find plenty of people to talk to without her. His memory for people's names and what was going on with them allowed him to slip easily into conversations as he caught up with everyone.

Eventually, Lucy and Ella made their way back to where Chad had been holding court and settled in, Lucy having gotten them all a fresh round. She was starting to feel a bit tipsy as the night went on. Finally, Mike found his way over to them.

He was holding a glass of whiskey, wearing that charming smile of his. "Chad, great to see you, man," he said, clapping him on the shoulder. Chad grinned, and they exchanged a quick handshake.

"Mike, good to see you too, bud. You're looking sharp," Chad replied, taking a sip of his beer.

Turning to Lucy, "And Lucy, as always, you look stunning," he commented, nodding and lifting his glass slightly.

She watched the conversation continue as Chad told his stories and Mike humored him. In a show of solidarity with her husband, she laughed at his quips and rested a hand on his forearm, smiling lovingly up at him. In reality, it was the way Mike kept stealing glances at her that made her feel a bit heady, especially in tandem with the alcohol. Men always seemed to think they were being slick, that women wouldn't notice them looking-, but they did. The quick glances, or the way a man would turn to feign interest in something else when a beautiful woman walked by, giving him an excuse to be looking in her direction.

The problem was that Lucy was loving it. As much as she was happy with Chad, outside of one significant problem in their relationship, knowing that Mike was looking at her with those hungry eyes made her feel desired in a way she hadn't experienced in some time. It warmed her from the inside out. She received looks and compliments all the time, but the long flirtatious nature of her relationship with Mike, combined with the fact that it had never escalated, left her wondering about what could have been. What he was like in a relationship or, sometimes, what he was like in bed. Typically, these thoughts didn't impact her much, but the sudden intensity in the way he was looking at her tonight, coupled with the alcohol lowering her inhibitions and the pent-up sexual frustration she had been experiencing, made her feel a raw sense of power and desire.

Lucy couldn't help but notice Mike's subtle glances toward her. They lingered just long enough to border on to long, yet were discreet enough not to draw attention. Perhaps it was the alcohol or the festive atmosphere, but she could feel her heart race a little more each time their eyes met.

She smiled and nodded along with the conversation, but her mind was wandering. She found herself wondering what it would be like to be alone with Mike again, like they used to be when working on the same team. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly chastised herself. This wasn't the time or place for such thoughts, especially not with Chad right there.

Ella noticed the glances and smiles exchanged between Mike and Lucy and gave her a questioning look, but Lucy just smiled and rolled her eyes, as if to say, "Not this again." Ella would never understand the dynamic between her and Mike, and Lucy didn't try to explain it. It was something she didn't fully understand herself, and it wasn't something she needed to justify. Eventually, Mike excused himself to continue making the rounds, and Lucy and Ella decided to hit the dance floor while Chad continued to socialize.

Ella took a moment to talk to Lucy. "Lucy, I know you think Mike is just a harmless flirt, but you need to be careful. You're married, and he's... well, he's Mike," she said, her voice trailing off. "I just worry that sometimes you two get a little too close for comfort."

Lucy laughed, dismissing Ella's concern. "Oh, please. You know Mike and I have always had this banter. It's all in good fun. I think you're making something out of nothing," she stated, nudging Ella playfully.

Ella rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Maybe you're right. But still, be careful, Lucy. That's all I'm saying," Ella replied, her voice softening. Lucy just smiled and took another sip of her wine. She loved Ella, but sometimes, she got a little nosy.

"Well, I'm going to go grab another drink. Do you want anything?" she asked.

"No, I'm good. I'm going to go find Bill and check in," Lucy replied, glancing around the crowded rooftop as she gave Ella a quick hug.

Spotting him, Lucy made her way over to Bill, who was deep in conversation with a group of employees. Seeing her approach, he smiled broadly.

"Lucy, you look lovely!" he exclaimed, giving her a warm hug. "How's everything going?"

"Oh, you know, just the usual," she said in her lighthearted and bubbly way. "Just catching up with everyone here."

Bill's smile was always warm and comforting. "Well, you're doing a great job. I don't know what we'd do without you."

Lucy felt a warmth spread through her at Bill's praise. He'd always been an advocate for her and was the one who had hired her, even though she wasn't going to be working directly for him at that time.

"Thanks, Bill. That means a lot to me," Lucy said, her voice softening with gratitude. She appreciated Bill's support, not just as a manager but as a friend. He had always been there for her, offering guidance and encouragement, and she knew she could always count on him.

Bill gave her a warm smile, his eyes lighting up. "You deserve it, Lucy. You're one of the best in the business. I'm just glad I get to work with you."

Lucy felt a flush of pride from Bill's words. She knew she was good at her job, but it was always nice to hear it from someone else. The conversation shifted to small talk about each other's families and idle chit-chat with the others standing around until she eventually headed back to Chad. As she stood there with him, her gaze began drifting to Mike once again. He always had a casualness about him that made people feel at ease and willing to open up. While that air of casualness wasn't her style, she did admire it about him.

Turning her focus back to Chad, she put an arm around his back, resting her hand on his waist, and leaned into him. He casually placed his arm around her shoulders in return. With her libido running high tonight, his body felt warm and good next to hers. She wanted them to slip away to their hotel room and maybe rekindle that spark that seemed to be missing lately. She just needed that connection again, and she was thinking that maybe tonight was the night. Leaning into him more, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment as they chatted with others.

As the night went on, the crowd started to thin out. Couples slipped away to their rooms, and the employees who didn't have rooms at the hotel began heading home. Lucy and Chad were among the last ones left on the rooftop. Both Mike and Ella had left long ago.

The night was winding down, leaving the rooftop nearly empty, save for a few stragglers. She leaned into Chad, feeling his warmth. "Should we head up to our room?" she asked, smiling at him.

Chad looked down at her, his big smile lighting up his face. Nodding, he said, "Sounds like a plan. I'm beat, anyway." He took her hand, interlocking their fingers naturally, just as they had done a thousand times before. They said their goodbyes to the remaining guests and made their way to the elevator. When the elevator doors closed, Lucy felt a rush of excitement.

Chad pressed the button for their floor, and she couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope that tonight might be the night marking the end of another dry spell. She leaned against the cold wall of the elevator, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum. Chad stood next to her, his eyes focused on the numbers above the door as they lit up one by one while he prattled on about the various people he had spoken to that night.

Lucy took a deep breath as she looked up at Chad, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know, I've always loved elevators," she said.

Turning to her with a puzzled look on his face, Chad asked, "Really? Why's that?"

Lucy shrugged, her body flush under the bright, harsh light of the elevator as opposed to the dim light they had enjoyed on the rooftop. "I don't know, there's just something about them. The idea of doing something in one, knowing it could stop unexpectedly at any moment... It's just the thrill of it, I guess." She leaned in, her hand reaching up to touch his face, her fingers tracing his jawline.

Suddenly, the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival at the floor, and the door slid open. Lucy took Chad's hand, leading him out of the elevator and down the hall to their room. Pulling the key card from her clutch, she swiped it, and the green light indicated they were allowed entry. She pushed the door open, with Chad following closely behind. As they stepped inside, she turned to face him, her hands going to his tie, loosening it and removing it with a flourish before moving to his shirt and starting to unbutton it. Suddenly Chad gently grabs her wrists.

"Lucy, I'm really tired," he said gently, as he pulled her hands away. "I just want to get some sleep. It's been a really long day."

Lucy's grin faded slightly, but she didn't step back. "Come on, Chad. It's been a while and we're in this nice hotel room," she said, trying to entice him with her voice. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his, but he merely gave her a quick peck instead, followed by a soft kiss on the temple, his arms wrapping around her in a gentle hug.

"I know, honey, but I'm just so tired tonight," Chad replied softly, his arms still holding her. Lucy felt a spark of irritation ignite within her at his words. She had been feeling this way for weeks now, and he was always too tired. Tonight, she had been so sure that things would be different, especially given how affectionate he had been on the roof and knowing they were returning to this nice hotel room they had booked. She took a step back, out of his embrace, her arms crossing over her chest as she sighed in frustration.

"You're always tired, Chad. And I'm always left wanting more." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she tried to keep from raising her voice, but the weight of her words hung heavily in the air between them.

"Lucy, I'm sorry. I just had a long day, and the party was... well, it was a lot." Chad ran a hand through his hair, his eyes searching her eyes. "I promise, tomorrow. I just need to sleep," his voice was soft with exhaustion.