Free Fridays by Pat Tucker

his favorite playlist on repeat and told himself he knew he needed to do the right thing.
    But his mind wouldn’t cooperate. The minute the music took ahold of him, his mind went back to Natasha and the party. There they were on the balcony, beneath a blanket of stars with some of the most suggestive reggae songs playing in the background.
    When Lady Saw’s “Heels On” blared through the air, Natasha was transformed.
    When she’d looked at him, her eyes were ablaze with lust.
    She sang the lyrics in such a seductive way, Riley felt himself go weak. “Let me fuck you with my heels on,” she sang. “I wanna fuck you like I own ya’.”
    Riley had closed his eyes. He’d felt himself slipping and struggled to resist the feeling. But it seemed the more he refused to give in, the stronger Natasha came on.
    He could smell the hint of alcohol on her breath when she’d invaded his personal space. Riley had stood transfixed for a few moments as she’d moved in. He didn’t try to stop her when she’d grabbed his crotch and stroked him. Natasha always knew how to send his blood boiling, and it seemed time had done nothing to lessen the power she once had over him.
    In one swift move, she’d locked eyes with him, unzipped his fly and lowered herself to her knees. Riley had shivered with raw excitement as Natasha took him into her mouth. That was something Leela rarely did.
    Riley had staggered back slightly; the space spun, and whirled out of control. With each move, Natasha had clung desperately to him. Riley had grabbed the railing to steady himself; his legs felt like they were made of cloth and he could barely stand.
    The sound of Leela walking into the bathroom brought him back from that memory.
    It was Leela placing a stack of towels into the armoire. She glanced at him.
    â€œYou wanna come in and join me? The water feels great.”
    â€œSome of us have work to do around here,” she chided as she walked out of the bathroom.
    Riley was relieved once the door closed. Now if only he could keep his mind focused on his marriage and not his ex, he might have a chance.

CHAPTER
15
    L eela knew for sure her life was falling apart. It all started with the text message she saw on Riley’s phone. The message was simple. It said: next time we need to go all the way! It had a few hearts and lipstick characters in front of a hashtag that read no spouse parties rock!
    As she waited for Samantha at the Wine Dive in midtown, she kept going over the message and what it could’ve meant. She had no idea who had sent it because the name attached to it was only two initials.
    â€œYou’re in such deep thought over here. I waved at you from the door and it was like you looked right through me,” Samantha said as she slid into a chair across from Leela.
    â€œI’m sorry. I’ve got so much going on these days. I’ve gotta figure out a way to get these people out of my grandfather’s house, and at home—” Leela stopped speaking abruptly.
    Samantha’s face twisted in confusion. “And at home what?” she asked.
    â€œWhat’s a ‘no-spouse’ party?” Leela suddenly asked.
    A wicked grin stretched across Samantha’s face and mischief danced in her eyes. “Why you ask?” Samantha leaned in close. “This guy I went out with a few weeks ago told me about it. Oooh, did someone invite you to one? I think it started up on social media sites, but I was like, it’s a pretty cool idea.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Leela asked. She couldn’t hide the irritation in her voice. “I mean, I’ve heard of companies that have a no-spouse rule for their holiday parties, but we’re nowhere close to the holidays.”
    â€œGirl, it’s a party where someone from your past invites you to come without your spouse so y’all can hook up,” Samantha said. When her eyes looked away, Leela could