Code Name: Solace

CHAPTER FOUR

If only Warren could see that all I craved was our intimacy back.

We ate, laughed, then laughed some more before Vincent excused himself to the bathroom. I cleared the table, humming softly—until the garage door groaned open.

My heart dropped.

Warren was early. By at least ten minutes.

I rushed through the dishes as he stepped inside, towering over my 5'7" frame at 6'4".

"Whose car is outside?"

His voice was low, calm—but there was a warning laced within it. Warren noticed everything. We rarely had guests. Of course, he'd pick up on a random car parked near our house.

Vincent strolled out, oblivious, adjusting his shirt. "Your bathroom is sick. Ten out of ten."

I cleared my throat. "Vince, this is my husband, Warren."

Warren hadn't moved an inch. His face, as always, was unreadable.

Vincent extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, boss. I'm Vincent. I work at Harvest Haven."

Warren didn't even glance at his hand.

"I need you to leave."

His voice was steady, but the weight of it made Vincent hesitate before holding up his hands in surrender.

"Yeah, sure, man. Didn't mean any offense."

He grabbed his things, and Warren escorted him out.

In hindsight, this was a terrible idea.

At the time, it had felt perfect.

Warren returned, unfastening his tie with one hand, thick fingers working effortlessly to loosen the knot. His gruff voice cut through the silence.

"Can you tell me why a random man was in our house having dinner with my wife?"

I froze. My guilt clung to me like a second skin.

"I was tired of having dinner alone." I met fire with fire.

His nostrils flared. I was getting to him. Finally, I'd get the conversation I wanted.

"Do you understand how dangerous it is to invite a random man into our home?"

"I know Vincent. He's not a random man."

"All men are nice when they want something. And you're pregnant. What if something happened?"

"Oh, now you care?" I scoffed. "If this is how you show concern, I don't want it."

His jaw clenched. "This stops now, Winona. I get it. You feel neglected. But if you'd just let me finish what I need to do, we'd be over this hill."

I laughed bitterly. "A hill? Warren, this is a mountain. Do you think once your project is done, I'll magically forget how alone I felt? The late nights? The—" I swallowed. "The side pieces?"

His gaze darkened. "Win, I'll tell you this one last time—I have never cheated on you. I never will. Why is that so hard to believe?"

I looked away, ashamed.

His voice softened. "Tell me. I'll listen. Just... tell me."

I exhaled shakily.

"We haven't had sex since we conceived," I admitted. "You don't even touch me. I feel ugly when I reach for you and you pull away. And when I hear you groaning in the shower..." My voice broke. "You prefer your own hand to me."

His jaw twitched. "I'm—" He shook his head. "You are gorgeous. Even more so carrying our child. But work has been... it's not easy to shut it off when I come home."