Steve knew something was wrong the moment Kate stepped in to the office the next day. He realised that working with her whilst sleeping with her wasn't going to be as easy as he had naively thought. All he wanted to do was scoop her up and take her somewhere private where he could try and make everything better, but in reality all he was going to be able to do was offer moral support with the occasional friendly touch whilst they were at work.
"Come home with me," he whispered to Kate in passing sometime later in the day. "Just so you can tell me what's going on," he begged when it looked as though she was going to decline. He wanted her to know that he didn't just want her company in bed. This was a proper relationship for him and that involved being there for each other.
Kate thought through her options. It would be nice to talk to Steve about what had happened the previous evening and what she was going to do about it. "Ok," she whispered back.
"So what's going on?" Steve asked as they cuddled together on his sofa that evening.
"I think Mark is trying to turn Josh against me now," Kate said before explaining what had happened when the pair had arrived home the previous evening.
"I'm sorry, Kate," Steve said as he heard what Mark had conditioned Josh to say to her.
"I don't want Josh to grow up to be like Mark. I think it's time I find a solicitor and talk through my options," Kate said. "You'd cover for me to the gaffer if I had to pop out for a bit?".
"Of course," Steve said.
"You know Josh is more of a man than Mark is in my opinion. He knew I was upset after what he had said, and came to my room to apologise last night, bless him,".
"I'm glad," Steve replied as he kissed Kate's forehead. "What did you tell Mark about this evening?".
"Texted him to say I was working late," Kate answered. "He's seen the message but hasn't replied,".
"You want something to eat?" Steve asked.
"In a bit," Kate said. "I need to build up a bit of an appetite first," she suggested coyly before running her hand up the inside of Steve's thigh and cupping him.
"Kate we don't need to," Steve tried to tell her. "This relationship is based on something more than just sex,".
"What if I want sex?" Kate asked as she gave his package a squeeze. She'd been craving Steve's comforting touch since Mark had upset her the previous day.
"I guess that'd be ok," Steve teased as he reached for his wallet and another condom.
They made love on the sofa. Steve happy to let Kate take control as she rocked her hips on Steve's lap, enjoying being on top for once.
"What would you like to eat?" Steve asked a bit later. After making love they had remained on the sofa, lying in each others arms as they came down from their high. A blanket keeping their cooling bodies warm. Aware of the passing time however, Steve knew they couldn't stay like this forever, however much he wanted too.
"Curry?" suggested Kate. The perfect food to complement a nice evening. They'd discovered a shared love for Indian cuisine very quickly.
"Coming right up," Steve said as he kissed the tip of Kate's nose before disentangling himself from her arms and reaching for his phone. "Usual?" he asked as he waited for the restaurant to pick up.
"Please," Kate replied as she stretched contentedly.
"Fifteen minutes," Steve said as he hung up having placed their order. "Back in a sec," he said as he got off the couch and wandered off to his bedroom, taking the used contraceptive with him. Kate admired the sight of his naked backside as he did so. She heard the shower being turned on and realised Steve was going to take a quick shower. Knowing their intimate time together was over, Kate reluctantly got up and started to get dressed, picking up her clothes from the pile on the floor. She was finishing getting dressed when Steve reappeared wearing only a pair of tracksuit bottoms that sat low on his hips.
Their meal arrived very promptly and they had a nice evening before Kate knew she really must be returning back to her house. It wasn't her home anymore because that was where ever Steve was. Enjoying one last kiss, Kate summoned her strength and finally left Steve's place. She longed for the time when she wasn't going to have to leave.
Mark was watching TV when Kate arrived home. "Didn't know what time you were getting back so I didn't bother making you a meal," he said bluntly before Kate could even greet him.
"It's ok," she replied. "I've had a curry,".
Mark sniffed in her direction. Kate froze feeling guilty. Did she smell of sex? "You don't smell like an Indian restaurant," he commented.
"It was a take away delivered to the office," Kate responded quickly. "I'm knackered so I'm going to have a quick shower and head to bed," she informed her husband.
"Do what you like," Mark replied, not paying any attention to Kate whatsoever.
"Night then," Kate said before she headed upstairs. She took her time in the shower, making sure to wash between her thighs and remove all traces of Steve's scent from her body. It was a reminder that she was going to have to be careful if she was going to successfully keep her affair from Mark for the time being.
Drying herself off, Kate headed to the guest room and settled herself in her new bed. She closed her eyes and allowed thoughts of her and Steve having sex on the sofa to lead her to a deep and contented sleep.