The Wives of Beverly Row 6: Lust Has a New Address by Abby Weeks Page A

toward Hollywood, Ariel saw Jake’s hand where it rested on Zola’s thigh. It made her angry to think of the way Jake treated her. He honestly believed Zola was his property.
    Jake cleared his throat.
    “So you really think your ex is going to fall for this?” he said confidently.
    “I know he will,” Ariel said. “He thinks he’s a big shot but when it comes to selling a painting, he’s always needed help. He knows that. If you can make him believe you’re going to be able to sell this thing for him, he’ll be eating out of your hands.”
    Jake laughed. He gave Zola’s thigh a little squeeze.
    “And what about the other thing?” he said to Zola, referring to the fact that they were planning on swinging and wife-swapping once they met up with Gabe.
    “What other thing?” Zola said.
    Jake laughed again. “What other thing?” he said mockingly. “You know exactly what I’m referring to. It’s the only thing you’re good for. The wife-swapping.”
    Zola looked back at Ariel. “I’m excited about it,” Zola said. Ariel could hear the sadness in Zola’s voice. She was amazed that Jake couldn’t. It was as if he was blind to the fact that Zola was an actual person, with actual feelings.
    “And what about you?” Jake said to Ariel. He was watching her in the rearview mirror.
    Ariel forced herself to sound cheerful. “I can’t wait,” she said.
    “This will be a real thrill for you, won’t it?” Jake went on. He could never leave well enough alone. He always had to keep picking at people.
    “It will,” Ariel said. “I’ve always wanted Gabe to see me getting fucked by another man. Especially a real man like you, Jake.”
    Jake laughed. He pulled the car up outside the fancy restaurant he’d chosen for their meeting with Gabe.
    “Me too,” he said. “And I can’t wait to see Zola getting fucked like the whore she is.”

II
    T HE RESTAURANT WAS EVERYTHING ARIEL had expected. It was extremely expensive, extremely trendy, and yet somehow totally lacking in any kind of taste. It almost felt like the lobby of a corporate office building. The valet took the car and a doorman held the doors open for them as they entered.
    “Medeiros for four,” Jake said.
    A server in a black suit and white shirt brought them to a nice table next to the massive windows overlooking the street. Gabe wasn’t there yet. Ariel was eager for him to arrive. She felt uncomfortable sitting there with Jake. Zola’s face was completely blank.
    “Can I get you started with some drinks?” the server asked.
    Jake picked up the wine list and selected an expensive bottle of burgundy. Ariel noticed that he didn’t check with her or Zola whether that was what they wanted.
    She sat there feeling uncomfortable, staring across at Zola for moral support. Jake was sitting in the middle. When the server came back with the wine Jake tasted it. As the wine was being poured, Ariel gasped. Jake’s hand was under the table and resting on her bare knee. She looked over at Zola and she nodded. Jake’s hands were on both of their knees at once. Ariel felt so humiliated. Who did Jake think he was? She prayed no one in the restaurant could notice him feeling up both of them at once. She didn’t fancy the idea of being seen as part of Jake’s harem of wives.
    Ariel picked up her wine glass and took a sip. She felt extremely uncomfortable. Jake’s hand was slowly moving higher and higher up her thigh. If Gabe didn’t arrive very soon, he’d have his hand in her crotch before long.
    When Ariel finally saw Gabe walk into the restaurant she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
    Jake stood up to greet Gabe. It was a strange feeling for Ariel to see the two men shake hands. She almost felt as if she and Zola might be the targets of some other, more sinister, scam that the men were planning. The thought made her shiver. She told herself that she was here doing this to help Zola, but if she was honest with herself, her life hadn’t been all that