Chapter 1: Introduction
The smell of grilled meats hung heavy in the wind, just as my sister-in-law Louise’s sugary perfume did around Jim, her portly husband. Kathryn, my wife and the mother of our two beautiful but very demanding kids, gave me that stern look I knew so well. It was how she put up with my frequent travel of late and late arrival to the family event today.
“Ewan, darling,” she said stiffly. “You’ve met my brother Jim a hundred times already.
But this is my wife, Kathryn. Hi Jim, hi Louise it’s nice to see you both again.”
I shook Jim’s sweaty hand and kissed Kathryn on the cheek, before noticing Louise staring at me intently, her big green eyes piercing through me. I tried to ignore it and turned to Anna, who gave me a warm hug.
“Good to see you, Ewan. You’re looking well,” she said with a smile, but I could see the concern in her eyes. She knew about the distance between Kathryn and me, and the tension that had been building up in our relationship for months now.
As I made my way to the barbecue, I saw Jim whispering something in Kathryn’s ear, and she shot me a disapproving look. I sighed and poured myself a drink instead, feeling Louise’s gaze on me.
I turned around and caught her eye.
"I hate these barbecues too, they're so boring," she said, giving me a conspiratorial smile. "Wanna go inside and have a proper drink?"
I hesitated for a moment, knowing that I shouldn't. But something about Louise's energy and vivaciousness drew me in, and I found myself nodding.
"Sure, let's go," I said, following her into the house.
As soon as we were inside, Louise poured us both a generous glass of red wine. We clinked glasses and took a sip, looking at each other over the rim.
"You know, Ewan, you and Kathryn seem to be going through a rough patch," she said, her voice low and seductive.
"I've been there myself, believe me."
I looked at her, surprised. "Lou, you have no idea how bad it is," I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat.
"I think I do," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jim is useless. I can't stay living with him, haha."
Her words hung heavy in the air, and I felt a strange mix of shock and relief wash over me. I had never imagined that Louise felt the same way about her marriage as I did about mine. We stood there for a moment, lost in our own thoughts.
"Hey, you two!" Kathryn called out from the backyard, breaking the silence. "What are you doing in there? Come and join us!"
Louise and I exchanged a glance, before making our way back outside.
Kathryn raised an eyebrow at the sight of us, but didn't say anything.
"Louise and I just finished off the red wine," I told her, as casually as I could. "We were about to get some more from the shop."
Kathryn frowned, but didn't respond. Instead, she turned to Jim, who was busy grilling sausages on the barbecue. "Jim, dear, could you please go to the shop and get some more wine? I think we're running low."
Jim grunted in response, wiping his sweaty brow with a handkerchief. "Can’t you see I’ve got my hands full”
“It’s not a problem. Louise said she would come with me to help me carry the bottles. We won’t be long” I said to Kathryn.
Louise and I left the barbecue and head off down the street. It was a warm summer day and Louise looked beautiful in her cheap leopard print tank top and cheap sunglasses. As we walked along the path I noticed the pub across the road.
“Hey Lou, why don’t we pop in here for a drink. It keeps us away from the kids for a while”
Ewan suggested, nodding towards the pub.
Louise hesitated for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? It’s not like we’re needed back at the barbecue anytime soon.”
They made their way to the pub, finding a quiet corner booth to settle into. Ewan ordered them both a glass of cider, and they clinked glasses as they took a sip.
“So how are things with you and Jim?” Ewan asked inquisitively.
Louise took another sip of her drink. “Things are fine we get by. He’s not had a promotion in years and we struggle to get by on his wage. It’s a shame he doesn’t earn the big bucks like you”. Louise gave Ewan a wry smile and flashed her long fake eye lashes at him.
Ewan nodded sympathetically. “I get that but good money doesn’t guarantee a happy marriage. Yeah my salary is good but Kathryn isn’t really a house wife. The house is a mess and we never have sex”
Ewan admitted with a sigh.
Louise couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Ewan had always seemed so happy with Kathryn and their kids. She didn’t know what to say. “Wow, I had no idea. If I was your wife the house would be spotless and I would be the perfect housewife” she finally said, trying to lighten the mood.
Ewan laughed, but there was no humor in it. “It’s not that easy, Louise. Kathryn has always been like this. I thought I could change her, but I can’t. And now I’m stuck.”
Louise reached out and put her hand on Ewan’s arm. “You don’t have to be stuck, Ewan. There are always options.”
Ewan looked at Louise, his brown eyes filled with sadness and longing.
“Why couldn’t I have met someone like you Lou? I remember your wedding day. You looked so beautiful in your cream satin dress” Ewan said.
Louise responded. “By your wedding day I was pregnant haha. That blue dressed stretched over my pregnancy bump”
Ewan looked at her “you looked beautiful then as well. You deserve a man with money who can buy you the things you deserve”
Louise moved closer to Ewan shocked by what he had just said. Was he really declaring some feelings for her? Lou decided to respond in kind.
Louise took hold of Ewan’s hand looked him in the eye and said “you deserve a perfect housewife. Someone who will keep the house clean and have your dinner ready”
Unable to hold back any longer Ewan and Louise kissed each other deeply. The mounting attraction has become to much to fight.
Despite Lou’s tongue in his mouth Ewan said “you deserve a nice house, nice holidays and fine jewellery”
“Ewan you deserve a wife that can make you cum and will give you nothing but pleasure” replied Lou.
The two of them continued to kiss deeply. Their hands expiring each others bodies.
"Louise, we can't," Ewan whispered, but he could feel himself responding to her touch.
Louise leaned in close to his ear, her breath hot and heavy. "I want you to take me into the toilets of this pub and fuck me, Ewan. Right now."
Ewan's heart raced as he considered the proposal. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't deny the desire that was building up inside of him.
"Louise, we can't," he repeated, but his voice lacked conviction.
Louise stood up, taking his hand and pulling him towards the toilets. "Come on, Ewan. Don't pretend like you don't want to."
Ewan hesitated for a moment, but then followed her. They slipped into the women's toilets, locking themselves in a stall.
Ewan's heart was pounding as Louise pressed herself against him, kissing him deeply. Her hands were all over him, tugging at his clothes and pulling him closer.
"Fuck, Ewan," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear. "I've wanted you for so long."
He groaned in response, his hands finding their way under her skirt and into her panties. She was already wet, and he could feel her slickness against his fingers as he explored her.
"You're so fucking wet," he growled, his fingers sliding inside her easily.
She moaned, her head falling back as he began to move his fingers in and out of her.
"Oh God, yes," she breathed. "That feels so good."
He could feel her getting closer, her muscles clenching around his fingers as she neared orgasm.