Free Prohibited: an erotic novel by Donnee Patrese Page B

noisily.
     
    “So nothing is going on?” He questioned.
     
    “Not a damn thing.” I answered finishing off my drink.
     
    Lorenzo looked at me and stared. He watched me closely.
     
    “What?” I asked.
     
    He leaned back in his chair.
     
    “I am not trying to cause any trouble, but you think maybe she took a page from your book and is getting it from somewhere else?”
     
    I had thought about that myself.
     
    “It would explain a lot, but I don’t think she has time to do anything else. If she’s not planning an event or dinner party she is shopping and if she is not shopping she is having lunch with her girlfriends.”
     
    As the words left my mouth a new thought popped into my head.
     
    “Unless her girlfriends are the ones she is messing around with.”
     
    Lorenzo started to laugh. He was having trouble controlling himself. I was serious so I did not see what was funny. He caught on after a few minutes when he noticed I was not laughing.
     
    “Wait, you’re not joking?”
     
    I shook my head.
     
    “Wow, really?”
     
    “It would definitely explain a lot.”
     
    He shook his head in disbelief.
     
    “Explain what?” He asked cautiously waiting for some juicy tidbit.
     
    I wasn’t ready to admit there were times, in the beginning of our marriage; I suspected Maria may be interested in something other than a straight monogamous relationship. I never mentioned it and after our sons were born there was really no point.
     
    I took another sip of my drink.
     
    “Man, if she is sleeping with her friends, than you are luckier than I thought.” He said laughing.
     
    “Ha ha, very funny. Too bad I am not reaping those benefits.”
     
    “How much longer can you go on sleeping with other women? How long can you get away with this?” He asked with genuine concern in his voice.
     
    I took a sip of beer.
     
    “Not much longer I can tell you that.”
     
     
     
    ***
     
    Later that night I lay in bed thinking about what Lorenzo said. A man has needs and I knew that my needs were strong and unfulfilled. I turned over and looked at the empty side of the bed where my wife would be sleeping.
     
    She was still gone, enjoying the night with her friends. I am not even sure that I received a ‘Happy Birthday’ call today.
     
    There were so many things that I wanted to say to her but I wasn’t sure if she would even listen. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her but I couldn’t do this anymore.
     
    I wanted to shake her and ask her where the passion has gone. I wanted to know if she knew where we were going.
     
    Does she even care?
     
    I sighed.
     
    I slid slowly from beneath the soft navy down comforter. My feet hit the soft carpet and I walked slowly toward the door. I turned back and look at the time.
     
    2:52 am.
     
    I can’t believe Maria still isn’t home!
     
    I turned the doorknob and walked out of the room closing the door softly behind me. I made my way down the stairs and across the living room into my office. I turned on the lights and headed for my chair. I take a seat and pull open the top drawer of the mahogany desk and slide out a piece of paper.
     
    My hand hesitated for a split second before I picked up the phone. In that split second, I almost changed my mind. I can stop now, destroy the phone number and walk away. A glutton for punishment, I picked up the phone and dialed the number anyway.
     
    I waited a few seconds then the other line started to ring. It rang three times and then she picked up.
     
    “Hello,” she said groggily.
     
    “Hello Maxine.”
     
    There was silence and then I heard muffled sounds
     
    coming from the other line.
     
    I waited.
     
    “Michael, what can I help you with?” She asked softly.
     
    Her voice was low and sensual.
     
    I smiled to myself.
     
    “I’m sorry I woke you.” I said leaning back in my chair.
     
    “It’s fine. Who needs sleep?” She quipped.
     
    I chuckled softly.
     
    “Again I apologize.”
     
    There