Unexpectedly Out of Focus

By Melissa Aragon

At the young age of 21 Mary met Alex, the strait-laced-boy-next-door guy who offered her the safe life she desperately needed. Impetuously they got married and seven years later they still seem to be happily married. Or are they?

With Alex working hard to make junior partner Mary's left alone and neglected and suddenly the safe side of the road is turning out to be very lonely.

Enter Bryce, the new sexy British photographer Mary's boss just hired to be her new partner. He's a smooth-talking Adonis who has his sexy, grey eyes set on her and he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Teamed with her two best friends by her side, Sarah, her rock, and Jane, her voice of reason, Mary faces some of the tough challenges of life and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Aragon
• Release date: Dec 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301495719

Melissa Aragon

I live with my wonderful, sometimes drives-me-crazy husband, my slightly overweight cat named Chloe and my rambunctious maltipoo named Lulu. I'm addicted to the written word. I literally get told to put down the book at least five times a week ;) I started writing in 2011 and I'm finally ready to publish, here on Smashwords! I've got many other stories forcing their way out of my imagination and onto electronic paper. My wild imagination refuses to stick to one genre so you can expect all types of books from me in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read my stories I hope they bring you great entertainment!

Book preview

Unexpectedly Out of Focus

By: Melissa Aragon

*****

Smashwords Edition

Unexpectedly Out of Focus Copyright 2012 by Melissa Aragon

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No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This is a work of fiction; Names, Characters, Places and Incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Thank you for purchasing this eBook.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Also by Melissa Aragon :

The Unexpected Series :

Unexpected Rule of Thirds

Unexpected Comfort and Joy (Christmas Novella)

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Mary

Chapter Two: Almost and What If's

Chapter Three: Confession

Chapter Four: Shall We Dance

Chapter Five: What is Cheating to You?

Chapter Six: Mary and Her Romeo

Chapter Seven: The Harsh Light of Day

Chapter Eight: Old Routines

Chapter Nine: Repeat Offender

Chapter Ten: Close Call

Chapter Eleven: Never Stop Trying

Chapter Twelve: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Chapter Thirteen: Bombs

Sneak Peek

Thank You

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Chapter One

Mary

It’s raining outside when the forecast called for a bright, sunny day. I’m not surprised though; the weather always seemed to match Sarah’s moods. One of my favorite memories of Sarah and me is of us at thirteen on a rainy day like this one. We’ve been best friends since we were five. We did everything together, so when we got our periods on the same day, it really didn’t surprise me.

We were at my house, miserable in my room when it started to rain. After an hour of lying on my bed watching the rainfall outside and complaining about how cruel Mother Nature was, I’d had enough.

I got up, pulled Sarah off the bed and announced, That’s it! Mother Nature is not gonna win this one. I can be a little melodramatic sometimes. The rain will always come and now so will our periods, so let’s just go outside and play in the rain. That should piss her off, I proclaimed, smiling big while I threw on my jacket and boots.

We ran, jumped, fell on the slippery grass and laughed until our sides hurt. The smell of rain always brought a smile to my face reminding me of that day, and wrapping around me like an old, warm blanket. Now, that scent is just another reminder of how much I screwed up my life starting with a rainy day.

It was the middle of January; I remember it like it was yesterday. I stood before my mirror, giving myself a one last look-over. Now, I’m not a total narcissist, but I was very pleased with what I saw staring back at me. Sleek, long black hair, like a veil, brought out the intensity of my sapphire-colored eyes lined with black eyeliner and thick lashes. A confident smile pulled at my stained red lips, complimented by one of my best features: my dimples. And hiding my naturally pale color was a very expensive spray tan, giving me that coveted lightly sun-kissed glow. I ran my hands over my tight, slimming black pencil skirt, smoothing out unseen wrinkles. I straitened my red chiffon top and stared dreamily at my favorite Christian Louboutin leopard print sling backs. Being a wedding photographer I normally dressed casual chic for work since I constantly have to fuss with my camera equipment and stoop down in awkward positions for that perfect shot, but since I would be in the office all day, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to dress up a little—anything to grab my husband’s attention, even for just a few minutes.

From my window I could see the overcast morning and smell the faint scent of rain in the air, but didn’t think much of it. In Phoenix an overcast morning doesn’t guarantee rain. So, I didn’t bother to change or grab an umbrella. As I made my way over to the kitchen, I breathed in deeply, inhaling the rich aroma of coffee and toasted bread.

Morning, I greeted Alex, my husband, with a morning peck on his soft, freshly shaved cheek before grabbing a fresh piece of toast from his plate.

I exaggerated the swing in my hips as I walked over to the counter to grab the coffee he poured for me every morning trying to pull his attention away from his emails. When it didn’t work, I moved on to just clearing my throat until he looked up.

You look nice. Do you have a meeting today? he asked, turning his attention back to his emails.

No. I twisted my lips, feeling slightly defeated. I just thought since I’m in the office today, I would get a little dressed up. Mix it up a bit, I lied with a one-shoulder shrug.

I took a sip of my coffee, testing the temperature while enjoying the warm taste of cream and sugar swim over my happy taste buds. Deciding it was safe, I gulped it like it was my morning drug.

You don’t look so bad yourself, I admitted with a grin and another big gulp.

Alex always looked great in a suit, as if his body was created especially for a suit and tie. His broad frame was wrapped in his perfectly tailored navy slim-fit Hugo Boss suit with a matching navy checkered shirt and tie. His short dark blonde locks perfectly slicked back, complimented his tanned skin from hours spent golfing under the Arizona sun.

I moved over to him, slowly sliding my arms over his chest. The soft caress of his suit against my skin and the musky scent of his cologne clouded my senses. I breathed him in as I lightly feathered kisses down his cheek.

What has gotten into you? he asked rubbing my arms.

I didn’t respond, just continued to nuzzle his cheek and neck until he looked at his watch.

As much as I’m enjoying this, he said, removing my arms from around him and standing up, if I don’t go now, I’ll be late.

I closed my eyes, suppressing my frustration, and nodded.

Sorry, I know it’s been three months since we last—

No, of course. I cut him off, not wanting to hear exactly how long it had been since the last time we’d had sex. It’s not… I understand.

I never believed people could get so busy with work that they couldn’t find the time for a little play in the sheets until it started to happen to us.

Good. He planted a chaste kiss on my forehead.

We dumped our coffee, rinsed, dried and put away the mugs (his rule) then headed for the front door.

Shoot! I forgot my phone on the vanity. Go on, I’ll see you tonight.

I gave him the quick wonted goodbye peck, tasting the peppermint from his gum on his lips, before rushing for the bedroom.

It was a little after seven and I was rushing. Traffic on the I-10 is never predictable, or pretty, and still I could never force myself to wake up a little earlier so I could avoid the possibility of being late to work.

I was fifteen minutes late when I finally made it off the elevator. I held my breath, as the strong scent of coffee mingled with cheap perfume greeted me. Cackling from Miss Busy Body, the gossip queen, and her drones, whose cubes were near the elevators, drew my attention first. I did a quick scan of the office and saw my boss standing at my desk. He rarely ever left his office to mingle with us employees. I bit lip; confident I was finally in trouble for being tardy.

Shoot! I’ve been late five times this month! I hope he isn’t planning on writing me up! I whined under my breath to no one in particular, but of course the gossip queen shot me a stare that said she heard and couldn’t wait to tell someone.

Get a life woman, I thought to myself wishing I could say it out loud to her. Sometimes her need for drama really got under my skin.

Returning my stare to my boss, I noticed he wasn’t alone. A tall, beautiful stranger stood next to him.

He took my breath away instantly.

Was he there the whole time? I thought, trying to regain my casual stride as it slightly faltered at the sight of him.

He was fair-skinned with raven long, wavy hair that fell just past his sharp jaw line that trailed down to the most attractive dimpled chin I had ever laid eyes on. He wore a steel-gray oxford shirt, folded at the forearms, with a camera slung over his shoulder and strait-leg jeans that hugged him just right.

My poor boss paled in comparison to the Adonis towering next to him. Of course, Gary would never have noticed something like that. For being a short, pudgy man who was balding, he was surprisingly confident in his own skin. He was a pushover, sure, but in the looks department, he knew where he stood and accepted it proudly—I liked that about him.

Coming within inches of the two men at my desk, I got a closer look at the beautiful stranger. He had these amazing gray eyes, that definitely seemed to hold my own a little too long, and lightly spread across his lips was this crooked smile that women go weak in the knees over.

I couldn’t help feeling giddy with the way he looked me over. Dragging his eyes down and back up my entire body in the same slow, admiring gaze I gave him. In fact, I hadn’t taken my eyes off him since I noticed him five steps from the elevator. If anyone were paying attention, they’d know that was too long for a married woman to gawk, smiling as if she were single and ready to pounce.

I quickly shifted my stare to Gary, thinking to myself, if Miss Busy Body is watching—which I’m sure she was—this will be all over the office in minutes.

Morning Gary, how’s it going? Did you need something? I asked, pulling my smile a little wider, hoping he wasn’t really there to talk about my tardiness.

Morning Mary. I wanted you to meet our new hire, Bryce Miller. He is our new wedding photographer. Bryce this is Mary Wheeler, our only other wedding photographer.

This was music to my ears, since it had been about six months of me pestering Gary to hire another photographer for our larger wedding events. The fact that I was the only other wedding photographer at the company, meant we would be working very closely together was beside the point, honest!

Hi! Nice to meet you, I greeted him, trying to push away my attraction and flash a professional smile instead of the flirtatious one I felt bubbling up inside me.

Reaching out he gently took my hand in his firm grip, Hello, it’s lovely to meet you Mary. A warm, baritone British voice and the faint hint of cinnamon on his breath flowed from his lips. Without thinking I licked my own in response.

I did my best not to close my eyes and savor the rich scent of leather that brushed up against me as he stepped back. His skin against mine when we touched seemed to instantly set my skin ablaze and even though we never met there was something in his touch that was so familiar. I could feel my insides melt.

I was hoping you could show him around and help get him settled in, Gary told me, putting on his usual smile when he’s passing something off to one of his employees. This, however, was the one time I was eager to take on one of Gary’s responsibilities.

Have this guy follow me around all day? Why not? I mused.

Sure, I just need to check my email and upload these photos from the Johnson wedding, I said trying to hide my excitement and play it cool.

Yeah sure, no need to rush. His desk is just right over there.

Gary pointed to a cube to the right and up two spaces from my own. A cube, which I knew was not empty the day before since Sandra, a quiet, timid scenic photographer who had just started with the company three months earlier sat there. She reminded me so much of Jane, my other best friend, so I was immediately protective of her. I surreptitiously scanned the office searching for her, ready to shoot daggers at Gary if he hurt her by moving her on such short notice. Of course it was a lost cause; she was so shy she always managed to be invisible when she sat at her desk.

I spoke to Sandy and she agreed to move to the other side so Bryce could be close by since the two of you will be working so closely together, Gary said clearly recognizing my concern for her.

Of course, sounds great! I beamed. I mean makes sense, I quickly amended hoping my enthusiasm wasn’t so obvious. So, I’ll come over and get you for a tour of the office in about 15 minutes, I told the beautiful stranger, who was quietly watching me with that crooked, half-smile.

He bobbed his head once and curled his pink lips into a full smile drawing my attention to them and momentarily hypnotizing me until he spoke.

"Sounds great," he replied then coolly walked over to his desk.

Was he just making fun of me? Oh-my-gosh I bet he did notice!

Suddenly I wanted to hide. Subtlety was never my strong suit.

Twenty minutes later, I gave myself a quick once over in the mirror. I swiped on a little lip-gloss, finger-combed my hair, practiced a quick smile and started toward Bryce’s desk.

He was leaning back in his chair, his arms folded over his chest watching a slide show of some photos from a wedding. They were great photos, very candid—my favorite kind. They were beautifully edited and I was transfixed when one popped up that was not from the wedding. He reached out paused the slideshow and stared at the photo.

I stopped and stared too.

It was a photo of me right off the elevator. He had captured me in a way that no one else had in a long time. When did he take that? I wondered. I was looking to the right, not my best side, but he managed to make it look like it always had been. Most likely it was when I looked over at Miss Busy Body, which is odd because I was sure I was glaring at her, but in the photo I looked…graceful. It looked as if I had posed for the kind of shot where the photographer says, ‘Look away and give me pensive,’ the kind of phrase I would never use. I waited to see if he would start the editing process, but he didn’t.

He must have sensed me, because he sort of jumped to turn off the monitor and I quickly lifted my shoe fiddling with the strap pretending that was the reason I had stopped behind him.

So are you ready for that tour? I asked looking up at him from under the jet veil of my hair.

Absolutely, he said flashing me that crooked smile that he always seemed to wear. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me.

Forget you? Impossible! I thought to myself when all of a sudden an image of us tangled in deep hungry kisses flashed through my mind. My eyes went wide and my throat closed up embarrassed by my thoughts; I couldn’t believe what I was thinking.

Are you all right? he asked reaching out to me in concern.

I must have looked like I was choking or freaking out. Spider or gum? Spider or gum? I thought quickly trying to come up with a believable excuse when I blurted out, I swallowed a spider!

What? I swallowed a spider? What the hell is wrong with me! I gave myself a mental forehead slap.

His eyebrows shot up, You swallowed what?

"Um, I meant I swallowed my gum when I thought I saw a spider by your desk. Yep, mhm," I explained with a nervous titter fidgeting with my hair, something I always do when I’m nervous. Great, now he probably thinks I’m a weirdo he’s stuck with showing him around the office. How in the world can someone I just met manage to undo me so quickly? I demanded silently. I really need to finish what I started with Alex this morning, I thought trying to turn away when I realized he was smiling at me kind of funny.

What? Do I have something on my face? I asked, quickly wiping and patting at my face.

No, he chuckled and shook his head. "I was just admiring