This one's been lurking at the back of my head for ages and I thought it was about time I got it written, so here goes …

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A Second Chance

Chapter 1

Trudy watched from the kitchen window as Martin drove away, pulling her dressing gown tighter and wrapping her arms around her body to try and quell the shivering. Whether it was down to temperature or stress she wasn't certain but she just couldn't seem to stop. She asked herself again how things could have changed so dramatically in such a short period of time.

Working on autopilot, she filled the kettle and switched it on, leaning back against the breakfast bar and catching a glimpse of herself in the hallway mirror. A pale haunted face with red swollen eyes stared back at her, her hair tangled from tossing and turning all night. God, what a sight you look, she thought. She took her coffee through into the living room, curling up in the corner of the sofa as she warmed her hands on the mug and tried to process the events of the previous evening. As if coming home to find his bags packed wasn't bad enough, Martin had had to deal with the knowledge that she'd invited his potential love rival to keep her company in his absence. She felt the tears pricking her eyes again. No wonder he'd left.

After a sleepless night on opposite sides of a bed that seemed suddenly too large, he'd got up at dawn and packed an overnight bag, saying he needed to be on his own for a couple of days to 'get his head together'. She didn't have the stomach to argue and how could she under the circumstances? He hadn't said where he was going or how long he'd be away, and she felt a stab of pain underneath the ribs at the thought that he might have gone back to Sue's house.

She scrunched her eyes up tightly, digging her nails into her thigh. Why did this all have to kick off now, just when everything had seemed to be going so well? She'd really believed she and Martin had a chance at happiness, and God knows she'd waited long enough for it. Mack hadn't understood why she hadn't just left things alone but she couldn't base her life on a lie, not like he'd done for so many years.

And why on earth had she chosen to call Mack of all people? Obviously she was distraught and more than a little drunk but she really couldn't understand it. She'd wasted so much time yearning for him body and soul and having to play second fiddle to a woman who wasn't fit to lick his boots, but she'd got over him, hadn't she? She couldn't deny that a little part of her had taken pleasure in his sudden attack of the green-eyed monster when he'd found out about her and Martin, but that was just a small revenge for what he'd put her through, or so she'd thought. Until the previous evening.

"I'm only being excluded because I once … once … turned you down. And I wish I hadn't."

She'd hesitated for the briefest of moments, her eyes searching his, but she hadn't resisted when his lips brushed hers with the lightest of touches. And when their mouths finally met she'd closed her eyes and parted her lips in readiness, wanting to taste more of him, needing to feel his tongue sliding over hers. And then to her surprise he'd pulled away leaving her confused, shaken and aroused.

"So it's not everything, you won't have lost everything. You need to know that."

Her eyelids fluttered shut as she touched her lips with her fingertips. Even though Martin had given her a quick peck before leaving, it was Mack's kiss she could still taste and Mack's clean masculine scent that lingered in her nostrils. He hadn't pressed his advantage when she was vulnerable even though he could have done, and she knew why. He needed her to make a decision in the cold light of day. If she wanted him he'd be waiting, but she had to choose.

She rubbed her temples, suddenly overcome with exhaustion. Two days ago everything had seemed sorted: her life was with Martin, they were partners in all senses of the word and she'd been looking forwards to a future together. She'd moved on, or so she thought. And then out of the blue one kiss from Mack had turned her world upside down, reawakened feelings she thought were over and done with.

Time to get some sleep, maybe things would seem clearer when she could think straight again. She took the stairs slowly and crawled back under the quilt, eventually slipping into a restless doze and dreaming about a pair of bedroom eyes, a clear crystal blue shot through with molten silver.

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Much later she stirred and sat up in bed groggily, glancing at the clock. Gone midday so at least she'd managed some sleep, even if it had been fitful. The events of the previous evening came flooding back and she sighed heavily, heading downstairs to get some food, no nearer deciding what to do.

As she ate her lonely sandwich at the kitchen table she tried to picture Martin's face but all she could see was Mack: sitting behind his desk with his hands behind his head, pouting at her and being deliberately provocative; lying on the floor in the factory eating chips, his long legs crossed at the ankle; kneeling in front of her, his lips millimetres from hers, his warm breath fanning her face …

She groaned, closing her eyes tightly and rubbing her forehead with her fingertips as a wave of desire washed over her. Who was she kidding? She hadn't got over him, she'd just buried the feelings deep down inside and tried to ignore them. Suddenly everything became clear. She couldn't go back to Martin until she'd resolved things with Mack one way or another, even if that meant spending the night with him. Maybe that way she'd finally get him out of her system and if not, at least she'd know what her choices were. A vision of a naked Mack, his eyes closed, a lock of hair flopping over his forehead, rising above her as she wrapped her legs around his thighs, caused her to moan out loud. She shook her head. I'm in so much trouble.

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Showered, moisturised, hair blow-dried and make-up freshly applied, she opened the wardrobe and tried to decide what to wear. After discarding several possibilities, she finally settled on a strappy low-cut black dress which showed off her cleavage and made her feel sexy and powerful. Stilettos, black silk undies and stockings completed the ensemble and she checked herself in the mirror, patting the dress down nervously. She knew she still had a good figure, but did she really have the courage to turn up in such an obviously seductive outfit? She bit her lip uncertainly and then shrugged. Hell, he was hardly going to be in any doubt as to her reason for being there, so why not?

She checked her watch. Six thirty. What if he was working late? Or worse, out for the evening? Instinctively, she knew he'd be at home waiting to see if she turned up. Some little part of her still wasn't sure about what she was planning to do, but she knew she'd come too far to turn back now. Picking up her jacket and her car keys, she took a one final glance in the mirror and headed for the door.

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As she pulled into the driveway, her heart pounding, she was surprised to see a 'For Sale' sign by the gate. So he'd finally got round to putting the house on the market, and about time too. Relieved to see there were lights on, she parked up and extricated herself from the driver's seat, taking a deep breath before ringing the bell.

Mack opened the door, his eyes widening slightly as he looked her slowly up and down, and her breath caught in her throat. He was dressed in stone-washed denims and an open-necked white shirt, the sleeves rolled casually up to the elbow to reveal muscular forearms. His feet were bare, his eyes a steely grey in the fading light, and her gaze was drawn to his sensual lips, remembering how soft they'd felt pressed against hers. Her mouth went dry as she managed a tight smile, wondering how she'd ever imagined she was over him.

"Mack, I think we need to talk."

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Hope you enjoyed. All reviews very welcome, as ever.