My Saving Grace

As per the usual, work kept me occupied during the day and in the evenings, I came home to an empty house. Each night in bed without Antonio was pure agony, and it felt like I had a giant gaping hole in my chest. We talked on the phone every single night, after I'd stripped down to nothing but a pair of panties and one of his T-shirts.

During each phone call, once we'd talked about our day, his low, sex-laden voice and dirty mouth would bring me to orgasm as he explicitly voiced the things he wanted to do to my deprived body. In those moments, it didn't feel like an ocean separated us, but as soon as our calls ended, I'd be left feeling as empty as the space on the bed next to me. And then I would ache for my husband's touch and words instead of my own fingers all over again.

I seriously needed a dog or something to keep me company if these trips of his were going to be the norm.

Thursday evening, I was driving home from work when I got an incoming call from Chase.

"Hey, what's up?", I answered brightly.

"Hey, yourself. And not much. Just chilling with Gwen right now."

"That's great to hear. I had a wonderful time on Sunday, by the way. We should hang out more often. When you're not busy, that is."

"Yeah, for sure. Anyway, Gwen and I wanted to invite you and Antonio to dinner with us tomorrow night before she has to leave Saturday morning. She's dying to meet you."

"Antonio doesn't arrive until eight tomorrow night, sadly. I doubt he'll have the energy to go after his long flight."

"Hmm, that's fair. Another night then?"

"No!" My protest came automatically.

"No?" I could hear the confusion in his tone.

"Sorry! I meant "no" as in I would still love to dine with you and Gwen tomorrow night. Even if Antonio can't join." Then I added with hesitance, "Is...that alright?"

"Of course, it is. We're making reservations for six o'clock. Does that work for you?"

"Yup. I'll just head there straight after work."

"Cool. I'll text you the location. See you tomorrow then."

"Bye, Chase."

"Bye, Sophia Grace."

Sophia Grace...it'd been a long time since he called me that, I thought, smiling to myself.

When I got home, I made myself a BLT sandwich for dinner then changed into a pair of cotton shorts and loose tank top before settling on the couch to watch a movie. As nine o'clock neared, I anticipated Antonio's phone call, but it never came. I debated calling him myself then decided against it. He was probably busy—after all, it was approaching seven in the morning over in Geneva. Maybe he had an early meeting to prepare for.

Besides, he was coming home tomorrow anyway. I counted down the hours until I would be in his arms again, and his handsome face was the last image I conjured up in my mind before falling asleep on the couch.

***

When I arrived at the restaurant in downtown Santa Monica, my phone lit up with a text, and I couldn't help but feel a pinch of guilt upon reading it.

Antonio: Was able to catch an earlier flight out of Boston. On my way home rn. See you in a bit. xxx

I typed back a response.

Me: I'm out rn but I'll be home soon to see you. Love you.

I put my phone back in my purse before I could see if he replied then got out of the car.

I was wearing my typical work apparel—a pair of black, slim fitting pants and a dressy white tank top. I'd let my hair down, letting it fall in loose waves since I was tired of having it up in a tight bun all day.

Not gonna lie, I was super excited to finally meet Chase's girlfriend but equally nervous at the same time. Would she be nice and friendly to me or hostile?

There was only one way to find out.

Taking a calming breath, I stepped into the restaurant, and when I approached the host, he greeted me with a smile then asked for my name.

"Sophia Rossi. I'm with Chase Lincoln and Gwen."

"Perfect. Right this way."

I followed him out to the patio area and immediately spotted Chase sitting at the corner table. His back was facing me, and he was talking to the blonde woman next to him. It was when she gave the slightest turn of her head that my steps faltered, and I paused in mid-stride.

From a distance, Gwen looked exactly like me.

"Everything alright, Miss?", the host asked, his brow furrowed.

"Yup. Just admiring the flower pots."

"I like them, too." He grinned.

At last, we approached Chase's table, and his face lit up at my arrival.

"Sophia! You made it." He stood up to give me a hug then turned to Gwen, who also stood up.

"Gwen, this is Sophia Rossi. One of the most important women in my life," he introduced, and my heart tugged a bit at that last part.

I reached a hand out to shake Gwen's but to my surprise, I was pulled in for a hug instead.

When she let go, I was able to see her face more closely and breathed a sigh of relief. At first glance, she did resemble me quite a bit, but upon closer inspection, her eyes were a shade lighter than mine, and she had more prominent cheekbones. Our face shapes were completely different.

"It's an absolute pleasure to meet you, Sophia. I'm Gwen Lane. Chase has told me so much about you." Her smile was contagious.

Gwen Lane. Even her name was classy.

"It's nice to meet you, too." I smiled.

They looked like they came straight out of a magazine—Chase in a black button down and dark jeans and Gwen in a tight coral maxi dress that flared at the bottom and brought out her tan. It also highlighted her generous curves, which made mine look like they belonged to a teenager.

I seriously needed to stop comparing myself to his girlfriend. It was so not healthy.

I pulled out a chair across from them, and we all sat down.

"How was the traffic?", Chase asked.

"Insane like always," I replied.

He chuckled, handing me a drink menu.

"Gwen and I are gonna order a bottle of wine. You're welcomed to share with us unless you want your own drink."

"I can share with you two."

"Sounds good."

I approved of their choice of restaurant. It wasn't too flashy and had a cozy feel, inviting for all types of people. When we first dated, Antonio often took me to upscale restaurants, but over time, I'd learned that like me, he had the occasional cravings for good old greasy fast food.

"So Chase told me you're an engineer?", Gwen spoke.

"Yeah, I am. I love my job."

"My older brother is an engineer, too."

"Nice. Where at?"

"Google," she replied.

"Wow, that's awesome. How do you like being a journalist?"

"I love it. Wouldn't trade it for any other job. Writing about news is one thing but getting to report it at the scene yourself in real time? That's the jackpot right there." Her passion was evident in her features, and the look on Chase's face was one of pure awe and respect.

"I bet. Chase told me you and him met during his movie premier, right?"

"Yup, we did. I was interviewing him and his leading co-star, and we just clicked, you know?"

"What can I say? I'm an easy person to talk to," Chase chimed in with a teasing grin. Gwen and I both smiled.

Seriously, who couldn't click with Chase Lincoln?

"The first time I met my husband, he tried to steal a box of Kraft mac and cheese from me," I quipped.

"Wait, what? How come I've never heard about this?", Chase remarked, laughing in disbelief.

At that moment, the waiter came to take our orders, and when he left, I proceeded to tell them about my early encounters with Antonio. Of course, I didn't go into detail about Veronica and his inability to commit, but it was still a very interesting story that left Chase and Gwen laughing and utterly smitten.

"God, I'm dying to meet your husband now," Gwen said, wiping tears out of her eyes.

"Same here," Chase seconded. The entire time I'd spoken, his blue eyes never left my face and his expression was so reverent, I couldn't help but feel warm inside.

"I can't believe he told you he was a male stripper. That's so random," Gwen added with a laugh. Chase turned to her.

"And the best part was, she didn't even hold that against him. That's one of the reasons I lov—"

"Food is here!", our waiter announced cheerfully, cutting Chase off mid-sentence.

"That's one of the reasons I liked her," he amended in a rush before turning back to look at me.

I couldn't focus on his expression, though, because I was too hung up on that final word before he'd begun to say before being interrupted. I watched as my Thai salad was placed in front of me then finally directed my gaze upwards.

"You alright, Sophia? We lost you for a bit," Chase asked, waving a hand in front of me. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

"Sorry. I was just thinking about something."

"Care to share?"

"It's nothing," I muttered. His eyes were probing and I had to look away, deciding to focus on Gwen instead.

"Your scallops look delicious," I commented with a smile.

"I know right. I love seafood. Here, try one."

She stuck her fork into one of the scallops and dropped it on the side of my plate. We both tried it at the same time and nodded our heads with approval.

"It's delicious," I remarked.

"Agreed." She smiled.

"Am I the only one who doesn't like seafood?", Chase announced, taking a hearty bite of his burger.

"I'm afraid so, babe." Gwen gave his bicep a playful squeeze.

He grinned sheepishly.

We took a break from conversation for a bit to focus on our dinner, and when we did continue talking, the subject was shifted to current events and Chase's upcoming movie. The hours flew by and before I knew it, it was nearing nine.

"Well, Sophia, it has been a delight getting to finally meet you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here next to Mr. Handsome," Gwen stated when we were all standing up, elbowing Chase lightly in the ribs, which earned a chuckle from him. "So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for all you did to help my boyfriend."

"It's nothing. Really," I said earnestly.

I laced my hands together, fighting the tears threatening to escape my eyes.

"I've just always believed that people can't help the shit life deals them. But they have the power to acknowledge it and deal with it. Sadly, some forget they have that power," I continued.

"And some just need another person to remind them of that power," Chase finished, gazing intently at me.

Shit, now I had to fight extra hard.

"Yup." My voice was a mere whisper.

"We all have to get together again soon. With your husband, too, of course," Gwen remarked.

"Definitely. I'm sure he'd love that," I acquiesced.

Gwen and I exchanged a warm hug and then Chase gave me a hug.

"You okay, princess?", he asked quietly in my ear so that only I could hear.

I nodded my head, squeezing him tight before letting go.

I said my good-byes to the happy couple then walked to my car, remembering that Antonio was waiting for me at home.

I smiled the biggest smile.

Because after a long week, I was finally going to see my husband again.

And because Chase Lincoln had found himself an amazing woman to be his girlfriend.

It was nearing ten o'clock when I pulled into the garage, and I nearly tripped in my heels as I ran to open the door, eager to be reunited with the love of my life.

"Antonio, I'm home!", I announced once I was through the door. The house was dark, with only the pale moonlight spilling through the windows as the source of light. I turned on a light to see and made my way to the kitchen, which was also dark and dropped my purse on the counter.

"Where the hell have you been?", a deep voice demanded from behind me and I shrieked, my heart jumping out of my chest.

I spun around to face the source, making out Antonio's silhouette perched on the arm of the living room couch.

"Jesus, you scared me!", I exclaimed, switching on the light. "And why on Earth are you sitting in the dark?"

"This is not the welcome home I was envisioning," he stated bitterly, his arms crossed. The light blue dress shirt he wore was wrinkled, the top buttons undone, and his khakis were equally wrinkled.

"Me neither!" I threw my hands in the air.

"Let me ask again. Where the hell have you been?" His voice was eerily calm.

"I was having dinner with an old friend. Am I not allowed to do that?" I raised my chin in defiance.

"Jesus," he muttered, running a hand through his already tousled hair.

"You're being such a dick right now."

He immediately stood up to his full height, his jaw clenched and eyes blazing with anger as he stabbed his chest with his thumb.

"I'm being a dick? Me, the guy worried sick about why the hell his wife hasn't come home when her text literally said "I'll be home soon to see you?" My mistake if "soon" is synonymous with four goddamn hours."

"Why didn't you call or text me then?", I retorted hotly.

"I fucking called you four times and left a voicemail each time. I even called Ella and Peter to see if you were at Applebee's with them, but they said you had plans elsewhere."

My brows pinched together as I turned around to grab my phone from my purse. Only to discover that it'd died God knew when.

"My phone died," I said out loud, avoiding his gaze.

"How convenient." His tone was emotionless. And I. Could. Not. Fucking. Stand. It.

"I'm serious! The last time I touched my phone was to reply to your text about catching an earlier flight. It must've died during dinner."

I was about to turn on my heel and leave the room when I felt his hand wrap around my elbow, pulling me flush against his hard chest.

"Did you miss me?", he growled. I looked up into his eyes, and they were like dark pools of lava.

"Of course I did! Look, I'm sorr—"

Warm lips crushed against mine, silencing my words, and I wrapped my arms around the solid body I'd missed so fucking much.

Antonio fell back onto the leather couch, dragging me with him. Our mouths broke contact, and I whined in protest. He flipped me so that I was lying on top of him with my back to his chest then his skilled fingers worked to unzip my pants.

The moment his index finger slid under my panties, I arched my back, releasing a shuddering moan.

"God, I've missed this pussy," he rasped at my ear, sliding his finger up and down my wet heat.

His free arm wrapped around my stomach, holding me down. He teased my clit, tracing circles around it, and then he gave it a light pinch, causing my hips to buckle against him.

"Antonio," I gasped, my nerves strung tight as I succumbed to the pleasure only he could give.

At last, he made his way downwards, pushing a deft finger inside of me and pumping in and out. I thrashed my head around and panted wildly, grabbing his wrist and holding it in a vice-like grip.

"You're so fucking wet for me." His husky voice was taunting.

He was in knuckles deep when I felt the addition of two other fingers, all while his thumb flicked my clit. My toes curled, and I knew I was about to combust as his strokes became faster and more urgent.

"I-I'm going to—"

His fingers slid out of me before I could even finish my sentence, and I let out a strangled cry. In my mind, however, I was screaming in agony.

What the actual fuck!

I was utterly speechless, forcing my labored breaths to even out again as I felt my husband slide out from underneath my body and stand up. Like nothing happened. Like he hadn't just brought his wife who'd been missing him for an entire week to the brink of orgasm only to deny her of it.

He stared down at me, but I couldn't stand to see his very being, so I rolled my body to face the back of the couch instead. I bit down on my bottom lip—it was taking every fiber of my control to not rub my thighs together and ease the intense ache between them.

"Sophia—"

"Leave me the fuck alone." My voice was muffled against the leather cushion, but I didn't care.

I heard his heavy sigh, and an eternity seemed to pass until the sound of his retreating footsteps reassured me of his absence. It was then that I released all of my hurt, anger, and sexual frustration in the form of loud, ugly sobs.

I acknowledged that I'd made Antonio worried by coming home way later than he'd expected, but that act he'd pulled was just plain sadistic.

Why did the night have to end like this?

I had no idea how long I lay there crying like that when I once again felt his presence looming above me. The smell of his familiar body wash filled my senses, and I ached for him while loathing him at the same time.

"Mia bella," he crooned. He touched my shoulder, and I immediately recoiled, curling up into a ball.

"Sophia, please—"

"Go away, Antonio."

"I'm so fucking sorry. Please, baby, look at me." His voice cracked at the end.

"You're a dick," I spat.

"I know." He sighed wearily.

I turned my body around, expecting to see his legs but found him kneeling instead, his face merely inches away from mine.

"I missed you, mia bella. So goddamn much. I wanted nothing more than to see your beautiful face and gather you in my arms when I came home. When I got your text, I admit, I was a little upset, but I can't help it. I'm a selfish man."

"I missed you, too!", I cried.

"Shh, I know you did." He pressed his finger lightly against my lips. "I got so scared when you weren't responding to my calls. I didn't care that you were out with a friend. I was angry that you didn't care enough to even let me know you were okay."

My eyes widened in protest.

"How could you think that? Antonio, I care more about you than anyone else on this planet."

He flinched.

"I know, I'm sorry for thinking that. And I'm sorry for...earlier. Fuck, I don't know what got into me." His expression was tormented, the lines on his forehead deepening, and my resolve slowly started to melt.

"But I'm not sorry for the hours I spent worrying about you while my gut felt like it was being ripped right out of me," he finished.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I cradled his face in my hands, his day old stubble prickling my palms in the most satisfying way.

"I'm not gonna lie, your idea of punishment was just plain cruel. But I'm sorry for being so insensitive earlier. I had no idea you went through all of this while I was gone."

"I promise, I won't ever do that to you again." His brown eyes held so much pain and regret, I wanted to kiss it all away.

"Make love to me, Antonio," I whispered, resting my forehead against his.

"A-are you sure?"

A piece of my heart broke.

"I'm sure. Please, I need you so much."

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.

"As you wish, mia bella."

He scooped me up into his arms then stood to his feet, carrying me bridal-style up the stairs to our bedroom.

This night was going to end well after all.