Wife Swap ✔️

25

Rome Pov

Susan, Suzy, I would have named her that. In those sonograms she looked like a Suzy. Suzy was a good name, a name one could shout from the porch and not feel ashamed for naming their child so. I knew i wasn't just naming a child, but an adult. Furthermore, i had never met a Suzy that you couldn't love. My mother was a Suzy, and i wanted to honor the goodness in her by naming her first grandchild after her.

And then i received that crashing call...

I watch Jax sleeping, his breaths silent. It is the first time in months i have walked into this room. It is painful to walk past it, but keeping everything in it was hope, we could try again.

I find Athena snuggled up the sofa, the Tv is on, but she is just playing Candy Crush on her phone. She seem more dissociated than she always is.

"He's asleep," I announce.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry I didn't let you know about his stay." She apologizes.

"Neither he nor you are to blame. His presence simply reminds me of what I could have."

"Sit," she says as she stops playing. She pats the small space she has made for me. I make a mental note to buy a larger sofa.

I sit, and silence envelops us both. "What is bothering you?" I inquire, and she looks surprised by my sudden concern.

She breaths out and licks her lips, "I spoke to Fiona earlier today, i thought i had it bad but i realized there're worse things happening to people." Her words are muddled as she speaks.

"She told you about her son?" I am surprised Fiona told her. She refuses to talk about it.

She nods, "I feel so ungrateful." She rubs her brow, "She lost her child and still finds a reason to smile and live life. While my struggle is my husband not loving or respecting me."

"I understand; when Esme introduced me to the group, I felt the same way when each of them told me about their struggles." "Noah was fighting cancer, and Remmy had lost his brother and was in severe depression," Her eyes stay on me with a soft gaze.

"What about Senna?" Athena asks.

"The only difficulty I imagine she's had is her ice cream falling off the cone," I say lightly, and Athena smiles. Senna comes from a wealthy family, and her main complaint is that she never gets what she wants.

"She has a crush on you." Athena states.

"Don't be fooled, she only wants what Esme has."

"Why are they even friends?" Athena asks.

"It's their friendship's dynamic. Both wanting the same thing, one flaunting what the other cannot have."

"Toxic..." Athena trails off. "Just like my marriage. A twisted purging cycle i might repeat to ad infinity "

"You shouldn't allow anything unhealthy in your life. It will consume you into a dark pit and for what?"

"Is it wrong to fight for something you love?" She asks.

"Fight and love shouldn't be used together, it has been romanticized but it is not right." I reply.

"You mean you can't fight for someone, either literally or physically?"

I shake my head.

"Then why you were fighting with Mason?" She asks.

It is unexpected question and i even thought she had forgotten about it.

"Is it because of Esme?" Her eyes flicker with hope waiting for my answer.

"I don't want to talk about it." I avoid the topic.

Her stare is enough to fling tables across the room and after a long contemplation she goes back to playing her game. She stops and puts her phone aside.

"You're selfish!" She is enraged. "I open myself to you, but you find it difficult to answer even one of my questions."." She is angry.

I look at her, "I am used to handling my problems on my own." My voice comes off rough. I grew up with a lot of support and sometimes it was suffocating once i learnt to do things on my own and the fulfilment that came with it, there was no going back.

She is insulted i can tell but says no other word.

"I am sorry but i didn't imply what you are think."

"You don't know what i am thinking,"

"Okay..." I say unsure if i am allowed to ask more especially after she called me out for not opening to her.

I stand and connect my phone to the Bluetooth speakers and select a playlist. We have been practicing for the dance competition every single night.

She is wearing that obnoxious dress she always wear around the house. She stands and takes my open hand.

"Ready?" I ask.

I wrap my arm around her waist. Having her close is the hardest thing i have to do, i still remember the smell of her juices and how beautiful she looks when relaxed.

We don't even start dancing before she speaks, "Can i kiss you?" She bodly asks.

I am caught by surprise. I can't help myself when with her, "Please do." I answer with anticipation.

It starts with a quick peck of soft pursed lips, followed immediately by a hungry open mouth. It is unhurried, providing the mindset memorable moment.

But it doesn't stop there.

My hands travel down her curves with purpose, gripping lightly but firmly. Encouragement, kneading, pleading, and control... Soft skin and hard muscles, two bodies tentative but growing in their resolve. At first, they caressing lightly, but searching for ways to shape themselves into each other, to inhabit, indulge, and become.

She moans in my mouth and scream i hallelujah internally. She did make me question my prowess at the park when she didn't even produce any sound as she came.

"Rome..." She calls out my name breaking off, my head is still light with vertigo.

"Is it possible...." She fiddles with her fingers, her eyes anywhere but me. I can sense the direction this conversation is about to take, but i want her to say it to be sure. "Is it possible we have sex?" She asks.

I breath and take a step back, "It is not a good idea." I tell her.

"I know," She murmurs, "I need it, it has been a long time i felt desired and that day at the park you made me feel wanted" She looks up, pleadingly. "It doesn't have to mean anything." She adds.

I know she thinks that way since her sense her filled with hormones but i am sure. It is not how she wants this to happen. I know if i directly reject her it will crash her while we have made a huge progress.

I sit and ask her to come closer, she hesitates when i gesture for her to sit on my laps, "Okay. But it will happen under two conditions." I say.

Her body slumps with disappointment.

"I will list ten reasons why this can't happen and you will too write why this should happen. Tomorrow we shall come prepared and the side that is compelling shall determine the next step."

"Fine." She says confidently.

Now i have to find ten reasons why i can sleep with her, while that is all i yearn for. It is going to be a tough one.

Chapter 31 is now available at inkitt.