Hot Lights Hot Wife Ch 001

I appreciate critical reviews--both positive and negative--that relate to the specifics of the story. It's how we learn and grow. However I'll add this caveat. Let's entertain an agreement between us--I write what I like, you read what you like. We are both good, yeah!

Note that this series was written as a requested project and the person graciously decided that they wanted to share it with Lit after first read. With that said it is a slower burn story, customized for the client. Those that want to skip ahead--it gets spicy, mid chapter 2.

Obligatory Disclaimer: All characters in a sexual situation are over the age of 18.

©2025 Verisimilinude

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CAFE LUNCH WITH SOPHIE

The noon sun filtered through the leafy curtain of trees above, dappling the small wooden table where two young women sat, enjoying tea and conversation. The outdoor café hummed with the low buzz of conversations, the clinking of cups, and the occasional burst of laughter from nearby tables.

"Will there be anything else, Ms. Carter?" the male waiter asked, returning her credit card, his smile genuine as he looked down at the goddess before him.

"I think we're good, Theo. Thank you," Vanessa replied.

"Very well. Enjoy your tea. I'll be right over there if you need anything," gestured Theo with a hint of hopefulness.

Walking back to his station, Theo let his mind wander. 'Ms. Vanessa Carter. What a beauty,' he thought.

Theo knew she was married--he'd seen the wedding rings--but he still called her Ms. Carter. He liked the fantasy of her being available. The golden tint to her smooth skin, her slightly curved eyelids, and the dark eyebrows that looked like inked brushstrokes hinted at her Asian ancestry. Theo found her exotic, but it was her dimpled smile that stood out--it was a smile full of warmth and intelligence, mirrored in her chocolate-brown eyes. But it also promised a playfulness with a hint of mischief.

Her friend Sophie wasn't bad-looking either--taller by a few inches, with darker hair and higher cheekbones. But no, there was something about Vanessa that drew him in. 'What he wouldn't give to go to have one night with her,' thought Theo, before being called away to one of his other tables.

Vanessa absentmindedly stirred her iced mint tea as Sophie leaned forward and whispered covertly, "He was checking you out again."

Vanessa blushed at her friend's suggestion. "No, he wasn't. He wants a good tip," she retorted.

"Girl, don't you find it odd? Every Wednesday, and he's the only one who waits on us? He's crushing," Sophie teased.

"Quit it. Not everyone is like you, thinking about sex 24/7," laughed Vanessa, though she had to admit Theo's attention did flatter her. "Uh, I was your roomie for four years. I know your secrets, remember? You like sex just as much as me," Sophie cocked her eyebrow in mock seriousness.

"Yes, but I've got Marc. I don't need anything else," replied Vanessa.

"Being married doesn't mean other men checking you out isn't hot. I hear some men like the challenge, fucking another man's wife," winked Sophie.

"Drop it Sophie," said Vanessa, harsher than she'd intended. Sophie had struck a nerve. Marc had been less than amorous lately. Even worse was how he'd lose his erection when they did have sex. She'd been hurt by his lack of interest.

Her sexual frustration led to her reading erotic stories, for relief. She'd been reading one last night that got her worked up--about a husband sharing his wife with a male friend. Hadn't she gotten wet, teasing her clit, while fantasizing that she was that wife?

Vanessa's cheeks reddened at that memory. "So New Zealand, how was the trip?" Vanessa asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.

Sophie gave Vanessa the side-eye but knew her friend well enough to not push her. She pulled up her phone and scooted closer to Vanessa, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she scrolled through the photos on her phone. "Look at this one--this was from the Tongariro Crossing. It was insane, Vanessa. The colors in real life? Unreal. And that's me, right at the summit."

Vanessa leaned in, studying the image. The jagged volcanic landscape looked alien, a stark contrast to the soft blue sky stretching behind Sophie's windblown silhouette.

Vanessa, clearly impressed, said, "Wow, that does look incredible. You really hiked that?"

Sophie gave her a feigned expression of hurt, "Excuse you! I didn't just hike it--I conquered it. On four hours of sleep, no less. Guide had us up at 3 a.m. so we could start the trek at sunrise."

Vanessa shook her head, laughing before taking a sip of her drink. "That my friend is why I couldn't do a trip like that with you. I need my eight hours of sleep before I even think about exercise."

Sophie smirked, "Please. You could totally do it. You need to let go a little--get outside that comfortable box you've built. One trip--one real, spontaneous adventure--you'd be hooked."

Raising an eyebrow, Vanessa countered, "I do spontaneous things. I booked that boudoir shoot last month.

"You schedule your spontaneity." Sophie looked at her deadpan. "And didn't you also chicken out? Got cold-feet at the thought of a stranger seeing you in your undies?"

Vanessa opened her mouth to argue, then closed it, sighing dramatically, "Fine, I like the comfort of plans. Is that a crime?"

Sophie leaned back in her chair, playful but pointedly she responded, "No, but it's...predictable...and plain booorinng. I know you, Vanessa. You're itching for something different, you keep trying these new hobbies and then quit them. You tell me all the time how you and Marc are in a rut, but you don't do anything about it."

Vanessa frowned, letting her friend's words sink in. That stung a little, but she was right. She set her glass down. A breeze carried the scent of freshly brewed espresso through the air. "It's not that easy when you're married. Marc likes stability. And honestly, so do I. I just..."

Vanessa paused, searching for the words. "I feel like there's more out there. I don't want us to wake up in ten years and realize we played it safe the whole time."

Sophie's expression softened, but was still insistent, "Then shake it up. You don't have to climb a volcano, but challenge yourself by doing something different, something that changes the routine. A surprise getaway. A last-minute date night. A sexy photoshoot." Sophie shot Vanessa a coy smile, "Anything that reminds you life is meant to be lived."

Vanessa exhaled, staring down at the condensation forming on her glass, contemplating her friend's advice in silence. Sophie had always been the adventurous one, something Vanessa admired and envied about her.

"You know speaking of, I met this hot photographer on the New Zealand trip. He's local too. Has a studio in Dallas. Here look at the candid's he took of me," said Sophie, choosing a new album of photos.

"Those are amazing," said Vanessa. "I know right. And he's chill to talk to, very personable. The whole time we were talking, he was taking photos, it felt natural and made me feel really comfortable. Vanessa, let me call him. Set up a meet and greet. You'll like him and you don't have to decide right now, but I know he'd be great to work with. How about it?" Sophie begged with her eyes.

A slow smile tugged at the corner of her lips before Vanessa said, "You know, if I did plan to meet with him, that would technically make it...not spontaneous. Let me think about it."

Groaning at Vanessa's sarcasm, "Baby steps, Vanessa," Sophie said grinning with glee.

Vanessa laughed, shaking her head, but something in her expression shifted--thoughtful, maybe even excited. Sophie noticed the glimmer in Vanessa's eyes, she lifted her glass in a mock toast. "To the adventure you haven't planned."

"I haven't said yes...yet." Vanessa clinked her glass against Sophie's, the sound was light but filled with an air of possibility.

The ladies continued their lunch while Vanessa told Sophie about a new author she was writing some promotional copy for, as well as a few tidbits of office gossip. Vanessa finished the last sip of her iced tea as Sophie stretched her arms overhead with a satisfied sigh. The café hummed around them, but the lunch hour was slipping away. Sophie grabbed her phone and sunglasses, pushed back her chair as Vanessa followed suit.

Putting on her sunglasses, Sophie grinned, "You know...if you decide to do the shoot, we'll need a shopping trip. It's been far too long since I've forced you into something out of your comfort zone."

Stepping onto the sidewalk, Vanessa nudged Sophie and laughed, "Oh, you mean when you make me try on things I'd never wear, pretending to hate it even though I secretly love playing dress-up?"

Smirking, Sophie said, "Exactly. I need my fix of watching you twirl about in something scandalous and saying 'I could never pull off that look.'"

Pretending to pout dramatically, Vanessa sighed, "Fine. If we must. But lunch is on you."

Grabbing Vanessa's arm, Sophie steered her down the street, and said, "Deal. Prepare yourself--I see hot pink silk and satin in your future."

Vanessa groaned playfully, but her smile lingered as they walked, the Grapevine historic district buzzing around them.

Theo watched the pair of women walk away. However he only had eyes for Vanessa's curvy ass encased in the mini-flared business pants, 'Damn!' he thought, 'What a sexy ass, the right amount of bubble and it looked tight enough to bounce a quarter off of.' His fingers flexed of their own accord, wondering what it would feel like in his hands. Visions of it bouncing up and down were all too soon replaced by someone demanding his attention from a new table.

VANESSA's ROUTINE LIFE

Vanessa stepped into the house, the soft click of the door behind her barely audible over the distant hum of traffic. She exhaled, dropping her bag onto the entryway table and toeing off her wedges. The familiar scent of home--clean linen, faint traces of Marc's aftershave, and the lingering warmth of vanilla incense--wrapped around her like a cozy sweater.

Everything was exactly as she had left it that morning. The sofa cushions were still perfectly in place, the rinsed breakfast dishes sat in the sink, and the bowl for their keys rested in its usual spot by the door.

Predictable. Neat. Comfortable.

Too comfortable.

Vanessa sighed and rolled her neck to work out a kink as she moved toward the kitchen. Work had been busy, as always--a steady stream of emails, calls, and deadlines. EmberStone Press was growing, and she should have felt proud--she'd contributed to that growth. But lately, even that had started to feel like a loop she couldn't break.

She still loved books, loved the creative energy of working with authors, but something was missing. A spark she couldn't quite name.

She reached for a glass of water and leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting to the fridge. A neatly pinned grocery list hung next to a calendar filled with meal plans and upcoming appointments. Practical. Efficient. Like everything else in their life.

Marc would be home soon, she thought. He'd walk in, kiss her cheek, ask about her day. They'd cook dinner, talk about work, maybe watch a show before heading to bed at a reasonable hour. It wasn't a bad life--it was a good life. Stable. Secure. Everything they'd built together.

So why did it feel like they were just going through the motions?

She tucked a loose strand of her long brown hair behind her ear, staring at the soft glow of the sunset filtering through the blinds. When had they stopped surprising each other? Stopped doing things just for the hell of it?

Hell, they were barely four years out of college. Had they fallen into this rhythm because it was easy--or because they were afraid of trying something new?

Her conversation with Sophie at the café echoed in her mind. Shake it up. Change the routine.

Vanessa set her glass down, a flicker of something--determination, maybe--stirring in her chest. She cherished Marc, even with his predictability. That had never been in question.

But maybe it was time to do something different. To be different. Before stability became a prison.

Time for something wild, she thought. It'd been two Sundays since they last made love. Time to surprise Marc. Shedding her top and casting it across the room, Vanessa felt an ember burning within her. She heard the key turning in the lock and was struggling to pull her yoga pants down past her hips. Fuck it, no time, she bent over the back of the couch, angled so he couldn't miss seeing her when he opened the door. She was reaching for her thong, about to declare 'Surprise baby,' when she heard not one but two shocked gasps.

"MIA!" exclaimed Marc

Looking over her shoulder Vanessa wasn't expecting to see, "JORDAN!" she squeaked.

"Marc?" questioned Jordan, but couldn't pull his eyes away from Vanessa's sexy ass on display.

Vanessa felt like time had stopped. She froze, not knowing what to do. Seeing the shocked look on Marc's face. The equally wide-eyed stare of Jordan. Fight or flight kicked in and she yelled, "Oh my...Marc!" while yanking her yoga pants up and trying to bolt for her bedroom at the same time. She tripped, stumbling to her knees, then crawled behind the couch. Hiding from their staring eyes as she turned several shades of crimson.

She heard Marc tell Jordan, "Dude, close your mouth." Smacking him on the arm, "Give us a second and wait outside." Marc pushed him out the door and closed it.

MARC's STABLE LIFE

Hearing the door shut, Vanessa's heart beating rapidly, she tentatively stood up. "Marc. You let him see me half dressed, my ass--literally on display?" Her embarrassment and frustration fighting for control.

Marc stared at Vanessa, "Vanessa. What the hell?" gesturing at the couch and then pointing at her state of undress, "It's game night."

Vanessa's stomach sank. Game night. Of course. She bit the inside of her cheek, suddenly feeling foolish for expecting anything different. She knew it was Wednesday--she just hadn't thought about it. Not when she'd been working herself up to ask Marc to bend her over the couch and have wild monkey sex with her instead of settling into another predictable night at home.

"I...ah...forgot. I was feeling frisky, wanted to surprise you," Vanessa stated sheepishly.

Marc chuckled, "Consider us both surprised. Jordan certainly got an eyeful," nonchalantly as if it was no big deal. He walked past her, over to the console and booted it up. Over his shoulder he said, "We're gonna play for a couple of hours, like usual."

Vanessa forced a tight smile but didn't move from her spot. She wasn't mad at Jordan--he's just part of the routine. But that's the problem--wasn't it?

Crossing her arms Vanessa said, "Actually, I was hoping we could spend the evening together. Just us."

Marc finally looked at her, his fingers pausing over the buttons on the controller he just picked up. He frowned slightly, confused, "Oh. I mean... It's game night, though. We always do this on Wednesdays."

Exhaling, voice tighter than she meant it to be, "I know babe. But maybe tonight we could do something different. Take me upstairs and have your way with me for a change."

Marc glanced at the door, then back at Vanessa, still not understanding why this was suddenly a big deal. Hesitant, trying to lighten the mood he said, "Can't we do that after. This is kind of my thing, you know? I don't cancel game night unless, like, one of us is in the hospital."

Vanessa's arms tightened around her chest, dryly she chirped, "Right. Because it's so sacred."

Her sarcastic reply flew right over his head, "Yeah, right. Hey can you get dressed so I can let Jordan back in?"

Vanessa didn't like where this was going, but the frustration bubbling inside her wouldn't go away. It's not just about tonight. It's about every night that feels exactly the same, like they're stuck on an endless loop of predictability.

Vanessa softened her tone, feeling vulnerable, "I just... I don't want us to keep doing the same thing over and over until we don't even notice anymore."

Marc stood there, shifting his stance back and forth, he didn't understand the problem--he liked their life and the ordered nature of it. Game night was something he counted on every week to chill out and blow off some steam.

He heard the weight in her voice and tried to joke about it, "I'm not saying no, just...not right now. It's just a few hours and then I'll take care of you," wagging his eyebrows at her.

Vanessa looked at him for a long moment. Unbelievable. She could push harder. She could insist, could make him choose. But something in his face told her he didn't get why this mattered to her. She felt exhausted all of a sudden.

Letting out a breath and forcing a smile she didn't feel, "Fine. Have fun."

She turned on her heel ready to stomp towards the bedroom but her yoga pants, still wrapped around her thighs, caused her to stumble. Yanking her pants up in frustration, she walked through the bedroom door. She blurted out, "Oh...Tell Jordan I hope he enjoyed the peep show," before shutting the door with just enough force to make her frustration known.

Leaning against the other side of the door, she exhaled. She wasn't mad about him playing video games. She was mad that he didn't realize how much she wanted tonight to be different.

Vanessa's conflicting emotions gave her pause, she took in deep breaths to calm her racing pulse. She was irritated with Marc's ignorance of her needs, and her face was hot with embarrassment. How could she face Jordan ever again? He had seen her bent over the couch, her ass up in the air.

Remembering how she glanced behind her to say surprise, Jordan's eyes were wide with astonishment--but she'd caught a flicker as well--like he wanted to devour her, she mused. Her body shivered at the memory and stoked her arousal. "Hmmm, guess it's me time then," she muttered to herself.

VANESSA's NAUGHTY NOVEL

The bathroom was dimly lit, the soft glow of an almond-scented candle flickering above Vanessa on the half-shelf that separated her garden tub from the walk-in shower. A light steam curled off the surface of the water as she sank deeper into the tub, resting her head on a purple micro pillow, letting the heat unknot the tension in her shoulders. Her fingers gripped the edges of an old, worn book.

She had picked it up on a whim last week, intrigued by the dramatic title. A Life Rekindled: The Reckless Pursuits of Lady Wilhelmina Hasher. A Victorian woman's tale of her reinvention--something about it had called to Vanessa, though she hadn't known why at the time.

After a few pages, she realized--tame by today's standards--it was a scandalous account of Lady Hasher and her quest to revive adventure in her life and heart. It had quickly become a guilty pleasure, Vanessa's latest literary escape.

--

"For too long, I lived in the comfort of expectation," Lady Hasher had written. "I married a man who was a creature of habits, and so I, too, fell into its embrace. But as the years passed, I found that this banal sameness is but a gilded cage if one never dares to unlock the door."

--

Vanessa paused, her thumb pressed against the parchment-like page as Lady Hasher's words echoed in her mind. She exhaled slowly, her thoughts drifting back to the evening's tension with Marc. To game nights that never changed. To unspoken wishes that never left her lips. She had once been the kind of woman who dreamed of adventure--only to settle into a life where every day was a constant sameness.

Lady Hasher had found herself trapped in a life of comfort too. And yet... she had changed.

--

"I did not shatter my life in one great act of rebellion, as some might expect," the memoir continued. "Instead, I sought small defiance's. A new book in a language my husband could not read. A morning walk in a new direction, where I discovered a stableman bathing in the river A dinner conversation with a gentleman caller while my husband was away. One small rebellion each week--just enough to unsettle me, to remind me I was alive. And before I knew it, the small changes had become great ones."