Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
In one smooth motion, Cliff pulled her into his embrace, effortlessly claiming the bag. Inside, he found a belt.
He extended his long, muscular leg, offering it as a perfect perch for Laney. Settling against him, Laney explained, “I was out shopping with Kailyn today, and thoughts of you crept in. I couldn’t resist picking this up for you. Try it on and see if it suits your taste.”
Then, she corrected herself, her voice softening into a heartfelt whisper. “No, I didn’t suddenly think of you. You occupy my thoughts every minute of every day.”
Cliff, ever practical about material possessions, gave the belt a cursory glance. “It’s nice. How much was it? I’ll reimburse you.”
“You haven’t even tried it on,” Laney protested, disappointment coloring her voice.
“What’s there to try with a belt?”
Mischief sparkled in Laney’s eyes as she leaned closer. “Let me help you put it on?”
Her fingers had barely grazed his current belt when Cliff’s hand captured her wrist, his expression stern but tinged with amusement. “Getting handsy in broad daylight again? Are you asking to be scolded?”
Laney puffed out her cheeks in feigned innocence. “I’m not doing anything…”
“I know exactly what’s running through that mind of yours.” Her eyes were practically glued to his groin.
Seizing her chance, Laney’s voice took on a suggestive lilt. “If daytime is off-limits, does that mean nighttime is fair game?”
Cliff’s voice dropped an octave, rich with warning. “Only when you’re feeling unwell.”
She pondered aloud, clearly intrigued. “So, what if I feel unwell every night?”
“What do you think?”
“I will take that as a yes.”
Cliff’s expression shifted to one of concern, his voice taking on a pedagogical tone. “Excessive indulgence, regardless of gender, has its consequences. It depletes energy, induces fatigue, and disrupts hormonal balance. Would you risk that beautiful face aging prematurely?”
“Wait-did you just call me beautiful?” Laney latched onto the compliment, her eyes sparkling.
Recognizing his aversion to jokes, she quickly shifted gears, offering a bashful smile. “But seriously, I’ve done my research. According to the finest expert I know, youthful indulgence isn’t just acceptable-it’s beneficial. It improves circulation, boosts metabolism, promotes better sleep…”
Cliff’s expression darkened. “And which expert offered these convenient theories?”
“Me.”
Cliff was speechless.
Nestling closer, Laney’s voice dropped to an intimate murmur. “Besides, every time you touch me, I sleep like a baby and wake up glowing.”
Cliff studied her face at close range. Indeed, her complexion remained delicate and smooth, her lips carrying an almost luminous rose tint. Catching himself, he averted his gaze and gently set her aside. “Sit tight. I’ll go try the belt.”
Laney looked regretful. “Let me help you try it. You’re exhausted as it is-why should you struggle with your pants?”
“You don’t need to remove your pants to try on a belt.”
Cliff sensed that Laney was particularly attentive today. Her level of attention seemed more than just a desire to stay close to him.
After Cliff changed into the belt Laney had brought for him in the lounge, he kept it on.
When he opened the door, he saw Laney seated on the sofa, her legs crossed, deeply engaged in a conversation on her phone. She noticed him as he approached and quickly hid her phone. Looking at the belt he wore, Laney commented, “It suits you well. I really know how to pick them.”
Even though her initial plan involving the belt hadn’t worked, she had another strategy ready. “Feeling thirsty? How about some water?” she offered.
Cliff paused and then replied, “I’d prefer coffee.” He was intrigued to see what she was planning next.
With a smile, Laney proceeded to brew him a cup of coffee.
Once she was gone, Cliff grabbed her phone and unlocked it using his birthday. The first thing he saw was an open chat with Kailyn. He quickly read through the messages.
The last message from Laney said, “I’m moving on to plan B. I’ll splash water on his pants and help him change. That’ll give me a chance to check the length.”
Cliff’s expression soured. What length? He hoped it wasn’t what he thought.
Suddenly, a new message from Kailyn appeared. “Did you do it? Did you manage to touch it?”
Cliff narrowed his eyes and texted back, “I did touch it.”
Kailyn instantly replied, “Really? How long was it? Only two inches?”
A twitch ran through Cliff’s eyelid. Only two inches? He let out a chuckle of disbelief and replied with a simple, “Exactly.”
Kailyn replied, “You’ve made your messages succinct all of a sudden. Are you guys making out again? Hold on, what? Seriously, 8 inches?”
“Exactly,” Cliff replied.
Kailyn went silent for a while.
Turning off Laney’s phone, Cliff set it aside just as Laney entered with his coffee. With an innocent attitude, she said, “It’s quite warm today, so I made your coffee iced.”
As Cliff settled deeper into the sofa, observing her carefully, he simply responded, “Oh.”
Laney approached, and in a calculated stumble, spilled the coffee directly onto Cliff’s lap. Cliff stiffened for a moment.
Quick to act, Laney gasped and reached for a napkin, beginning to dab at the spill. Cliff remained still, his eyes following her every move.
At first, she concentrated on wiping the coffee from his thighs, but slowly, her real intention became clear as her hand shifted toward the zipper.
Before she could make any further move, Cliff stopped her abruptly. “No need for measurements. I’ve already replied to your friend’s messages.”
Laney looked up in surprise, her expression shifting to confusion.
Cliff continued, “It measures 8 inches at its best. Are you happy now?”
Laney’s mind was racing with thoughts. “What?”
Regaining her composure, she asked, still puzzled, “Then why not let me touch it? I thought you felt inferior about it.”
Cliff’s smile lacked warmth as he said, “And if it were just two inches, would you have been disappointed?”
Laney responded sincerely, “I’m not just interested in your body. Even if you didn’t have it, I’d still like you.”
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Cliff rose to leave. Laney asked with a hint of urgency, “Where are you headed?”
“Need to change my pants.”
Digging through her bag, Laney produced a small box. “I’ve bought you some new boxers.”
Cliff accepted the box, his face unreadable.
After a brief shower, he returned to find Laney asleep on the bed in his lounge.
Checking his watch, Cliff said audibly, “When you wake up, it should be around lunchtime. What would you like to eat? I can book us a spot.”
Cuddling her blanket, Laney murmured, “I’d rather eat something you made.”
Cliff nodded in acknowledgment. “I’m going to head home for a while.” He paused and asked, “Are you scared to sleep here by yourself?”
“Not in the slightest.” Laney, a slight blush coloring her cheeks, asked, “Cliff, could I take a shower later? Would you mind if I borrow a shirt of yours?”
Cliff caught the playful gleam in her eyes and realized her intentions.
“I’m not into that fantasy.”
Actually, Laney hadn’t planned that far ahead.
Yet, Cliff found it hard to deny her request and left behind the shirt he had just worn for her. “I’ll be back in an hour. Call if you need anything,” he said as he left. Laney gave a compliant nod.
When he returned later, Cliff brought two dishes in a thermal container.
Laney was up, busy with something in the bathroom.
Cliff stepped in silently, and by the time she noticed, she quickly ran to hide what she was doing. “I thought you said an hour?” she asked, flustered.
Cliff remained silent, his eyes briefly scanning the shirt behind her.
His scrutiny intensified as he looked back at Laney’s reddened cheeks. “I sped up because I was worried you might be hungry,” he explained as he entered the bathroom.
Laney felt suddenly exposed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She made a move to push him away, urging, “Please step outside.”
Holding her cold hand gently, Cliff asked, “You never bother with laundry at home, yet here you are washing clothes by hand. What’s the secret?”
“Don’t ask,” Laney murmured, avoiding his gaze.
Driven by curiosity, Cliff gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Did you try it on? Why wash it if it’s not dirty?” Considering her tender skin, how could the shirt possibly get dirty?
Pressing further, Cliff warned, “Tell me, or I’ll find out myself.”
In a rush of panic, Laney blocked his attempt to reach past her. “I got it wet.”
Detecting a familiar sweet aroma, Cliff asked with a knowing tone, “Oh? And how did that happen?”
The shadows in the bathroom played against the dim light, giving Laney a surge of boldness she hadn’t expected. As she recounted the details of her touching herself in Cliff’s shirt, imagining it was him caressing her, her eyes never left his face, studying every microexpression that crossed his features.
Cliff’s gaze burned into Laney with an intensity that spoke of restrained hunger, causing her to unconsciously retreat a step backward. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to release his muscled arm, her fingers detecting the racing pulse beneath his skin-a testament to his struggle for control.
“I knew you’d be upset,” Laney’s voice was barely above a whisper. “But you did say you’d be gone for an hour. Coming back early is on you.”
Contrary to her expectations, anger wasn’t what clouded Cliff’s expression. Instead, a rush of heat clouded his thoughts. “This is my office. You didn’t even lock the door?” His voice was taut as a bowstring, veins visible at his throat. “Aren’t you the daring one?”