After Hours Confession

**Chapter 1: The Text That Burned**

I was halfway through a glass of cheap whiskey, the kind that burns more than it soothes, when my phone buzzed on the bar counter. The name on the screen hit me like a punch to the gut: *Lila*. My ex-wife. Two years since the divorce, and she still knew how to twist the knife. I should’ve ignored it, but curiosity—or maybe masochism—made me swipe open the message.

*Hey, Jake. Thought you’d wanna know I was at O’Malley’s tonight. Picked up some guy named Trent. Total fucking stud. Couldn’t keep my hands off him. Wanna hear what happened?*

My jaw clenched. She knew damn well I didn’t want to hear it, but she also knew I couldn’t resist the bait. Lila was a wildfire—untamable, scorching everything in her path. I typed back, fingers trembling with a mix of anger and something darker, something I didn’t want to name.

*Fine. Spill it. What’d you do, Lila?*

Her reply came fast, like she’d been waiting to pounce. *Oh, honey, I fucked him raw in the alley behind the bar. Couldn’t even wait to get to a bed. His cock was so hard, Jake, thicker than yours ever was. I had him up against the brick wall, my skirt hiked up, no panties—didn’t need ‘em. He grabbed my ass like he owned it, and I let him. You know how I like it rough.*

I stared at the words, my grip on the phone tightening. My pulse hammered in my ears. I hated how her words painted the scene so vividly—her long legs wrapped around some stranger, her sharp nails digging into his back. I hated even more that it was getting to me, that heat was pooling low in my gut.

*You’re a real piece of work, Lila,* I shot back. *What else? Don’t stop now.*

Her next text was a goddamn novel. *Oh, I’m just getting started. I dropped to my knees right there in the filth of that alley, gave him the best blowjob of his life. His hands were in my hair, pulling hard, calling me a dirty little queen. I loved every second of it. Then he flipped me around, bent me over a dumpster, and fucked me so good I couldn’t stand straight. My pussy was dripping, Jake, absolutely soaked. He came so hard I felt it everywhere, and I was sweating, panting, begging for more. Bet you’re picturing it now, aren’t you? Bet you’re getting horny just thinking about me getting railed like that.*

I slammed the phone face-down on the bar, my breath ragged. She wasn’t wrong. I was picturing it—every filthy detail. Lila had always been a force of nature, a woman who took what she wanted and didn’t apologize for it. Even now, after everything, she could still unravel me with a few cruel words. I picked up the phone again, my thumb hovering over the screen.

*You’re a sadistic bitch, you know that?* I typed.

Her reply was instant. *And you love it. Come to O’Malley’s, Jake. I’m still here. Trent’s gone, but I’m not done for the night. Bet I can make you forget how much you hate me.*

I stared at the invite, the whiskey in my glass suddenly not nearly strong enough. The bar was only a few blocks away. I could be there in ten minutes. I could see her, smell the sex and smoke on her skin, let her drag me into whatever game she was playing. My fingers tightened around the glass as I imagined her waiting there, lips curled in that wicked smirk, eyes daring me to take the bait.

I stood up, tossing a crumpled bill on the counter. I wasn’t sure if I was walking into a fight or a fuck, but either way, Lila was about to get what she wanted. And so was I.