A quick fuck in a toilet had wrecked my life. She pulled out the seat next to me and sat down. It was then I realized the room was empty, great this was getting fucking better.

  She seductively crossed her legs, exposing her thigh. She pushed her breasts and licked her lips. I rolled my eyes; I know it was my entire fault. I had had a moment of weakness, although all the alcohol I consumed that night didn’t help.

  What was I even doing here? Returning to the scene of the crime. I didn’t actually need this deal, my business was doing well. I was greedy and selfish. Deep down I was still the same man I was five years ago.

  I ran my hand through my hair and sat up. I had to tell her straight, I never wanted her. “Look Stella,”

  She leaned forward giving me a good view down her top. “Yes” her voice slightly breathless. Her hand began to rub up and down my arm.

  I quickly stood up. I didn’t want her touching me. I didn’t want any other woman to touch me. I belonged to my wife, who was shacked up with another man. My life was car crash and I had done it.

  “I’m sorry but I should have told you last time I was here.” I placed my hands in my pockets and looked down at the floor. “I’m married. So, what happened between was a mistake and it will never be happening again.”

  There was a few seconds of silence and she burst out laughing. “I know you’re married, Maxwell.” She stood up and walked over to me. “I’m not stupid, I did my research before we met...” she winked and pouted. “Again.” Her hands moved up my chest and she pressed her body up against mine. “It was like the good old days. Don’t you think?”

  Something inside of me snapped and I pushed her away. “Don’t touch me, Stella.” The shock filled her face, her mouth opened and closed. “I don’t want some quick fuck. I have a wife, who I love and have already hurt.” I pointed my finger at her, anger penetrated through my body. “I don’t want you.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You can’t treat me like this.”

  I tilted my head back and laughed, that was the funniest thing I had heard in a while. I restored myself and my jaw clenched. “Look, darling” my voice stern. “You were nothing but a quick fuck. Get it through your thick head…”

  Without warning the palm of her hand slapped me across the face. I pushed myself off my chair and pinned her against the wall.

  “I’ll let you have that one” I growled. “If you ever lay a finger on me again, I’ll make sure you never walk again.” I raised an eyebrow. “Got it?”

  “You’re a prick” she spat, pushing me away from her. I just shrugged, finally she had got it. She took a deep breath and marched over to the door. “The deal is off.”

  “Suits me fine” I snapped back as I sat back down. I could help but give her my special knicker combustion smile. “It was nice seeing you again, Stella.”

  “Fuck you, Thomas!” She yelled as she walked out of the room.

  My eyes looked back out at the view of New York. I had to get my wife back, but how? I bowed my head; my life was shit without her.

  ***

  Georgina

  I felt like a nervous teenager about to lose her virginity. Why was I so nervous, it wasn’t like I hadn’t had sex before? I turned on the tap and splashed cold water on my face. Why was this bothering me so much, it was only sex? It was sex with my good friend, who I cared about deeply.

  I looked up and looked at myself in the mirror. No it was more than that. It was Maxwell. I would be cheating on Maxwell if I slept with Riley. He cheated on you, the voice in my head said.

  I stood up straight, he did cheat on me. He had sex with some slag in a public restroom and didn’t care about me. I stood up straight, no, from now on I wasn’t going to think about him. We were over and I deserved to move on.

  I turned on my heel and walked into Riley’s room. He was already lying on the bed waiting for me. Do it! I froze on the spot, I couldn’t. In spite of everything I loved Maxwell and I couldn’t be that person again.

  Riley sat up and his grey eyes locked with mine. “What’s wrong?”

  I felt the tears in my eyes, my legs went weak and I fall to the floor. “I can’t” I cried. “I can’t do this.”

  Within a second Riley was by my side, his arms wrapping round me and holding me close. “That’s okay, George” he softly said. “I knew it was too soon.”

  “That man is still controlling my life” I sobbed. “He cheated on me and I’m the one who feels guilty.”

  “Shh” his voice soothing me. “You have nothing to feel guilty about. He hurt you and you just need time to heal. I’ll wait for as long as you need.”

  I lifted my head and looked him straight in the eye. “You’re too good for me.”

  A little smile danced upon his lips. “Maybe. I care for Georgina and I want to look after you. I want to be everything you need. You’re my best friend and I love you.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him hard. “Thank you, Riley. Thank you for understanding me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “You never need to find out. I’m here, always.” His lips brushed against my forehead. “And forever.”

  ***

  Maxwell

  I was exhausted from just one day in New York. I got out of the car and entered the house. I could hear the children chatting away. I wanted into the kitchen Olivia, Bailey and Maddy were all sat playing cards.

  I walked over and kissed Olivia on the cheek and turned my attention on to my little man. “Was the hotel nice?”

  Maddy looked up from the cards in her hands and turned pale. Fear was spread all over her face and I inhaled sharply. “Bailey says he stayed with his Mummy's friend.”

  It felt like a knife had been plunged into my heart. “Did you?” Why was I even asking, of course he did. Everything went in slow motion. The bitch! She had lied to me... again! All my worst fears were playing out. She had promised and broken it, who was she?

  “Maddy, I'll be back in a moment” I started backing away from the room. This couldn't wait, I had to confront her and give her a piece of my mind. I grabbed a set of car keys and dashed out of the house. She was not getting away with this. Georgina Dawson had gone too far this time.

  ***

  Georgina

  Bang!! Bang!! Bang!!

  It sounded like someone was trying to break down the door. “Coming” I yelled, as I put my laptop down on the coffee table. I ran to the front door and was surprised to see Maxwell. His eyes were cold and his mouth was in a straight line. This didn't look good! His hand rested on the door frame in a fist.

  “Hi” I said softly, he was in one of those unpredictable moods. I could tell just by his body language. His perfect toned body stiff and standing straight. His eyes glaring at me and his face showing no expression. Fear slowly crept through my body.

  “Are you alone?” He snarled.

  “No, Blake is in his room.” I folded my arms. I was not going to let him intimidate me. Why should I? Even though he as making me feels uneasy, I was not going to let him know that. I leaned against the door frame and met his gaze. “What is this about?”

  He gave his sarcastic laugh and leaned closer towards me. His scent took my breath away and I stepped back a little. “Get out here and close the door.” Everything screamed danger and now I was afraid. “It’s an order, baby, not a request.” he said in a low aggressive tone, his teeth gritted together.

  I did what he asked. Maxwell looked like he was about to explode. I didn't like this Maxwell. Fear was running through my body and I could feel myself shaking. What was wrong with him? Where was my Mr Golden Rule? Had I destroyed him? Was there nothing left of that man who swept me off my feet and would make sweet love to me. I shook my head, he wasn't mine anymore and we were getting a divorce.

  He turned his back on me and placed his hands on the back of his head. I heard him take in a large gasp of air. He spun round, eyes narrowed and his beautiful mouth still tight.

  “You lied to me, Georgina” he finally said.

  Bailey. I looked down at my bare feet, I should have known. I had been stupid. Of course Bailey would have told. He was only four and had no idea what was going on.

  “You have nothing to say?” he hissed slowly moving towards me. I could feel the heat coming off his body and the smell of his aftershave was enlightening my body. “Don't bite your lip” his thumb moving my lip from the clutch of my teeth. “I’m not here for a booty call!” He stopped moving and ran his hands through his red hair. I wished I could do that, I wished he was still mine.

  “Did Bailey see you with him?” he spat.

  “He saw me give Riley a hug” I confessed.

  Maxwell began pacing like a wild animal, his fingers gripped in his hair. “So, you hugged another man in front of my son?” His voice was getting louder. “I’ll ask you this once and I want a truthful answer.” He stood suddenly, he brought his hands up in to a pray position. His eyes were crazy with a hint of sadness. A silence fell between us and my heart was beating hard.

  “Have you had sex with Riley?” He cried. I looked away and felt scared. “Tell me!” He screamed.

  A door clicked open. He grabbed hold of my wrist and dragged me into the stairwell. “Tell me” he begged, as he pushed me into the corner. I was trapped and he was scaring me. His hips were keeping me in place. His fingers gripped hold of my chin, I tried to free myself but the grip got tighter, and I had no choice but to look at him. My eyes began to fill with tears, I didn't want to be here and I couldn't bear to see Maxwell like this.

  “Don't cry” he bellowed. “You don't deserve any pity. Save your cries for Riley. I will ask again...Have you had sex with him?”

  I shook my head slowly. I had never felt this afraid in my life. I saw his fist coming towards me. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact. Instead, I heard it smash into the wall behind my head.

  His grip loosened from my chin and his hands rested on my hips. I slowly opened my eyes and watched this powerful man sink to the floor.

  His head rested against my knees. “Just come home” he cried. My heart broke again. Maxwell was crying, my wonderful Mr Golden Rule was broken and I had done it.

  I crouched down in front of him and grabbed hold of his hand. Wow, the electric current rushed through my body.

  “I can't,” I said softly. “Don't you understand what you did?” The thought of him cheating was always at the back of my mind. The bile was creeping up my throat and eyes burning with tears. I wished there was a way we could go back and delete everything.

  “I know” he sniffed, wiping away tears with the back of his hand. His blue eyes finally locked with mine---blue on blue. “I fucked some dirty whore when I should have been with you. Please, stop punishing me, Miss Dawson.”

  All the wind was punched out of me. Miss Dawson? He hadn't called me that for years. It felt like we had gone back in time and all the love I had for this man rushed back. His words circled my mind 'I fucked some dirty whore'.

  I shook my head. “Maxwell,” I began, trying to control my emotions. “You choose business over me every time. You cheated on my birthday and lied about it.” His face turned back into stone. “I can not trust you.”

  “Georgina?” said a voice. We both looked up and Blake was standing in the doorway. “Are you okay?” His voice filled with concern.

  “Fine” I replied. “I'll be in soon.” Blake nodded and disappeared. My eyes looked back at Maxwell, his hands reached out and he cupped my face.

  “I love you” his voice intense and full of passion.

  “I love you too” I sighed. “Love isn't enough anymore. We have no trust.” I took his hands away from my face. My fingertip traced the wedding band still in place on his index finger. I blinked the tears away yet again. “We need to move on.”

  I didn't want to discuss this anymore, I stood up and Maxwell followed. He began to walk down the stairs and I watched. When he got to the last step he looked up at me. My beautiful caring wonderful Mr Golden rule. He now looked broken, tired and defeated.

  “Maybe one day,” he said softly. “Just maybe, I'll process you again. You will always be the woman I desire and crave, Mrs Thomas.”

  Was I doing the right thing? I quickly looked away and when I looked back... He was gone. With the last strength I had, I walked back into the apartment. I closed the door and rested my forehead against it. The image of Maxwell in pain filled my head. I had done that to him.

  My heart was now truly broken, I spun round and took in a deep breath. I couldn’t stay here with Riley and I couldn’t be with Riley. On the other hand, I couldn’t be with Maxwell either. My whole world had been smashed apart, all because my husband couldn’t keep it in his pants.

  I had to get away. I needed space and a chance to think. I raced into the bedroom I was sharing with Riley. Grabbed the suitcase from the wardrobe and throw it down on the bed.

  “Going somewhere?” said a voice making me jump. I looked over at Blake leaning against the doorway. “It won’t help you know.”

  “And how would you know?” I snapped. “Didn’t you do the exact same thing?” I stood up straight and folded my arms. “Where’s your wife, Blake?”

  He closed his eyes and I instantly felt guilty. He looked like I had just stabbed him in the chest. He let out a little air from his mouth and opened his eyes.

  “That was low, George” he said softly.

  “I’m sorry.” I sat down on the bed and placed my head in my hands. I was a horrible person. I just went around hurting people. First Blake, then Riley and Maxwell. Maybe I was like my mother and had never realized.

  I felt the bed move and I could feel Blake sitting next to me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him. At first the thought of him touching me felt strange. Then slowly I began to relax and it felt comforting. The tears began to fall again and I cried into Blake’s chest.

  “It will be okay” he sighed, running his fingers through my hair. It was something he would do when I was upset.

  “No,” I sniffed. “My marriage is over and I need to get away.”

  “Where will you go?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. There was only really one place left for me to go. My father lived in Spain with my stepmother Caitlyn. I would just have to deal with his questions. My father didn’t exactly have a lot of faith in me. He thought I was a screw up and it was right.

  “Spain” I answered, sitting back up and wiping my eyes. I looked over at Blake and into his Emerald eyes which were full of humour. His shoulders were moving and he was biting down on his lip. “What’s funny?”

  “You’re brave” he smiled. He was right I was brave. My father was a scary man. He and Blake had never gotten along. Just like I had never gotten on with Blake’s mother. For the first time in a while I actually smiled

  Blake laid back on the bed and rested on his elbows. “Why did he insist on calling me Ritchie?”

  A laugh escaped my lips and I lay next to Blake. “After the movie Ritchie Rich.”

  “Ahh” he laughed. His expression turned serious and he rested his head back on the bed. “When did everything get so messed up?”

  “I have no idea” I sighed.

  “I believed you were the love of my life. Then when I met Amy, I felt something I had never experienced. I couldn’t live without her. I craved her, she was my drug.”

  “I know exactly what you’re saying” I smiled, remembering the first time I met Maxwell. I just knew in that interview I wanted him and I wasn’t going anywhere until I got what I wanted.

  I looked over at Blake. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” he looked confused.

  “For everything I did to you.” I reached out and grabbed his hand. “I never wanted to hurt you. You’re a nice man and I think there is someone perfect out there for you.”

  He squeezed my hand. “The past is the past. I’m just glad we can be friends.” He brought my hand up to his lips. “You’re a good girl. You just have a funny way of dealing with things.” He gave my hand a little kiss and smiled. “You better go and book a ticket.” He stood up and walked out of the room.

  I looked up at the ceiling, he was right I should book my ticket. I had to sort myself out and I had to end my marriage. Maxwell and I had to move on. Our romance was over and there was no repairing it. Before I went, I had to make sure Maxwell, Bailey and Olivia were taken care of.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Blake

  Sat on the sofa and waited for Riley to come home from work. Georgina had left over an hour ago. I was actually relieved she was gone. Riley didn’t deserve to be stuck in the middle of her messy life.

  I looked over at the note she had asked me to hand over to Riley. A note? She couldn’t even speak to him face to face. No, riley was better off without her. Georgina just caused problems, even though she never meant to. She couldn’t help herself, she never thought about anyone except herself.

  The lock clicked and a few seconds Riley walked in, a massive smile on his face. You could tell he was a man in love, dumb ass! He could have his choice of women, but no, he had to choose her. I remember when Georgina left me. I was a mess; I didn’t eat, go out or sleep. It was thanks to Riley and Amy that I got my life back.

  He looked over at me and the smile finally fell off his face. He began to walk towards me. “Where is Georgina?”

  “She’s gone” I replied. I picked up the note and handed it over to him. “She wanted me to give you this.”

  He snatched the note out of my hand and sat down. He quickly read it and shook his head. “She can’t” he mumbled. “She just can’t.”

  I sat back on the sofa and just watched him read the note a million times. His eyebrows almost meeting in the middle and his mouth tight. It was as if he couldn’t grasp the words and no matter how many times he read it nothing made sense.

  “This isn’t right” he hissed, anger now taking over him. He scrunched the note into a ball and threw it across the room. He stood up, walked over to a wall and started punching the shit out of it.