Blissfully Undone

by Red Phoenix

  She stared him down without saying anything.

  “Damn it, Jen! If you hadn’t played into his hands and let him have his way with you, we wouldn’t be here right now. This is his fault plain and simple. He is the wedge between us.”

  “Ryan, things can never go back to the way they were. I love Dan. You know that!”

  “And what about me?”

  She hesitated before she answered. “I love you…”

  “But what?” he demanded.

  “Ryan…” She looked down, unable to look him in the eye. “I don’t really trust you right now.”

  “Because of what happened tonight? Come on, Jen. It was a mistake. It’ll never happen again.”

  “It’s not just that. You never told me about Kelly. You were hiding it from me…from us.”

  “I don’t owe Dan anything. The only one I care about is you.” He became visibly agitated. “Don’t you see? Dan’s the problem here. Kelly told me she is willing to forgive you if you end it with Dan.”

  “The fact you are speaking to her at all feels like a betrayal.” Jenny got up and dressed, grabbing an overnight bag. She stuffed it haphazardly, unable to focus. “I need time alone.”

  “Wait. Where are you going?”

  “I don’t know, but I need to get out of here.” She collected a few things from the bathroom and headed towards the door.

  “Jen, don’t go!” She heard the desperation in his voice, but the anger she felt towards him closed up her already sore throat. She grabbed her car keys and ran out the door without looking back.

  The Cabin

  Jenny started driving, not having a clue where she was headed. She couldn’t understand how the night had gone from a playful interlude to this. She cranked up her tunes and let the tears fall. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that Ryan had hurt her on top of lying about Kelly.

  After driving for an hour, she realized she was in the foothills headed towards Dan’s family cabin. She hoped they wouldn’t mind if she spent the night there.

  The cabin was dark when she pulled up. She remembered fondly how it looked buried in snow with the trail of smoke flowing from the chimney. She hefted her bag on her shoulder and located the key under the porch. When she opened the door, she was assaulted with the smell of stale smoke. She figured no one had aired the place out after the two of them were snowed in together.

  Luckily, the electricity was back. She flicked on the lights and looked around, noticing that the place was exactly the same as they left it all those months ago. There was even a can of Vienna sausages still on the counter. She went over and popped it open, suddenly aware that she was hungry.

  The pile of firewood still lined one side of the cabin wall. She picked up a couple of logs and started a fire. The warm glow set her mind at ease. She grabbed a blanket off one of the beds and brought it to the couch. She lay down and wrapped herself in the fuzzy cover, staring at the flames. It calmed her. Being here brought a sense of home. She sighed and snuggled deeper into the blanket. On the coffee table sat the deck of cards. She smiled, remembering Dan’s game of strip poker.

  Ryan was right; she had played into Dan’s hands willingly. Maybe not at first, but there was a spark she could not deny. Even though their affair had wreaked havoc on both their lives, she didn’t regret it. For a brief period of time, the three of them had been happy—truly happy.

  Now it was over, Kelly had seen to that. Just as Jenny had willingly played into Dan’s hands, Ryan had done the same with Kelly. Jenny could just imagine Kelly systematically breaking down Ryan’s defenses until he started questioning the beautiful relationship the three had created.

  Where did that leave her now? A huge yawn escaped her lips. Now was not the time to decide. Tomorrow, after a good night’s rest, she would have a better perspective. She let the fire die down and drifted off to sleep.

  She awoke to the sound of the cabin door opening and screamed out in fear.

  “It’s okay, Jenny. It’s just me.”

  Dan turned on the lights. She had to blink several times before she could make out more than his outline. He carried a bag of groceries and his own overnight bag. “I had no idea you would be here until I saw your car parked outside.”

  “I didn’t think your family would mind,” she said defensively. “I needed a place to stay for one night.”

  “It’s fine.” He put his stuff down on the counter and walked over to her. “What happened with Ryan?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it right now.”

  He headed to the kitchenette. “Okay. We can talk in the morning. Let me get this stuff put away and you can go back to sleep.” He threw the groceries in the fridge and started the fire back up. He turned off the lights and joined her on the couch. She made room so that they were lying side-by-side watching the flames lick the pieces of wood.

  Despite the emotional day, the hypnotic character of the fire and the warmth of his embrace helped her drift off to sleep. She felt safe with his arms wrapped around her, she always had.

  Jenny didn’t wake until morning when she felt him shifting. “Go back to sleep,” he murmured.

  She couldn’t, so she lay there and watched him. Dan reignited the fire and started brewing coffee. While it dripped, he scrambled eggs and browned the bacon. Soon the little cabin was filled with the aromatic smell of strong coffee and smoked bacon. He laid the feast on the table and motioned to her.

  “Come join me for some needed sustenance. Something tells me you survived on Vienna sausages last night and that won’t do.”

  She smiled and wrapped the blanket around her as she made her way to the table. She couldn’t help thinking of their snowy interlude on that same piece of furniture. She blushed when she sat down. “Thanks, Dan.”

  They ate in silence. Finally, he asked, “So what happened after I left?”

  “Ryan blamed you for everything. Kelly made sure of that.”

  “So he’s been in contact with her?”

  “Yes. For a while now, apparently. I just found out yesterday. If you can believe, Ryan has this crazy idea that everything can go back to the way it was without you.”

  “Kelly is a convincing manipulator. He was a fool to listen to her and a bigger fool to keep it a secret from us.”

  “I swear I saw her outside the restaurant yesterday after I met with Ryan. I’m afraid she might be stalking him.”

  “Don’t worry about Ryan. He can take care of himself. It’s only you I’m worried about.”

  “But Dan, she’s ruined everything! It can never be like it was these past few months.”

  “No, that part of our lives is over,” he said solemnly. He put his fork down and stared at her. “What are you planning to do, Jenny?”

  She pushed her plate away and looked at him sadly. “I’ve finally come to realize something I’ve been blind to for years.” Her lip trembled slightly. “Ryan and I don’t want the same thing. He’s always been dead set on advancing in his job, but I hate the hours. I didn’t realize how much because I’d grown accustomed to being alone most of the time… until you came into my life. I don’t want to go back to that lifestyle, spending my life waiting for someone to come home.”

  “He wants to provide for you,” Dan said in his best friend’s defense.

  “I don’t care about the money, I never have.”

  He got up and collected her plate, taking them both to the sink to rinse. “So are you thinking about leaving him?” he asked as the water trickled slowly out of the faucet.

  Jenny’s heart rate shot up. It was the million-dollar question. She finally understood that their lives were not compatible, even though she loved Ryan. It was clear to her now. “Ryan needs a woman who can appreciate his drive to succeed in the business world. The fact is I am not that woman.”

  Dan turned towards her, his hair covering his eyes. He brushed it back all cute-like. “What does that mean for us?”

  Jenny stood up and walked over to him. She put
her hands on his chest and gazed into his dark brown eyes. “I love you, Dan. I want to be with you.”

  He wrapped her in a tight embrace. “God, how I have wanted to hear you say that.” His voice was gruff with emotion.

  Jenny rested her head against his firm chest and a feeling of peace enveloped her. She had found her home. This time there was no second-guessing her desire. She loved Dan—mind, body and soul.

  He pulled away and grabbed her hand, heading towards the door. “Come with me.”

  “But I don’t have shoes on,” she complained.

  “You won’t need them. It’s not far.” Dan led her outside to the large pine that stood in front of the cabin. She tiptoed her way through the tiny rocks and pine needles, giggling as he smiled down at her. His eyes held a sparkle she only seen once before—the day she had shouted that she loved him in the cabin.

  Dan pointed to the large Blue Spruce. “My great-grandparents planted this tree after they built the cabin. It has special significance to me because my dad proposed to my mom under its branches. He even carved their initials in the trunk.” Dan lovingly caressed the scars on the bark. She touched the outline of the heart with her finger.

  Jenny felt a nervous tingling course through her body when he took her hand. “Jenny, I would like to continue that tradition.” She looked into his eyes, suddenly unable to breathe. He gently cupped her cheek. “Will you be my wife?”

  Her whole body quivered at his touch. “Dan…”

  “I love you, woman. I don’t want to share you anymore. I want you all to myself. Forever.”

  She pressed her hand against his and said with tears in her eyes, “That sounds wonderful.”

  He took a deep breath and asked, “Is that a yes then?”

  She took his hand and kissed it tenderly. “Yes.”

  Dan picked her up and lifted her high above him, turning in circles. “She said yes!” he shouted, and the mountains echoed back their reply. He brought her back to earth and kissed her fiercely. “My woman.”

  She grabbed his waist, pressing herself against him. “My man.”

  He smiled down at her and then pulled a pocketknife out from his jeans. Dan set to the task of marking the tree with their initials on the other side of the tree trunk. As she watched, she could just imagine one of their children doing the same years from now. It was surreal… and wonderful.

  When he was finished, he stood back and asked, “What do you think, Jenny?”

  She ran her finger over the fresh cuts. “It’s beautiful.”

  He folded the pocketknife and then picked her up, carrying her back into the cabin. He set her on the couch and sat down beside her. “You realize this officially marks the beginning of our lives together.”

  She snuggled up closer to him. “Funny that it took a blizzard to set us on the right path.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Nature seems to have a wisdom all her own.”

  They sat there in pleasant silence. After a while, however, his closeness called to her. He must have felt it too because he leaned over and growled softly in her ear, “So Jenny, have you ever…”

  Blissfully Taken

  Jenny awoke, but kept her eyes closed. His hand was playing with her breast using feather-light caresses. When it started traveling south and tickled her stomach, she giggled and opened her eyes. His dark brown eyes smiled down at her. “Morning, Kumquat.”

  “Ah… Dan, I like this.”

  “What?”

  “Waking up to your face.”

  He chuckled. “More than just my face, my love.” Dan’s fingers moved between her legs and began the light caress of her dark mound. He started off slow, waking her body gently to his lust.

  Jenny opened her legs to him and turned her head into his chest, breathing in his masculine scent. What a way to start the morning.

  He spread her wetness over her sex so his fingers could slide easily over her clit. She pressed against his hand and moaned softly. The fire was starting deep within. When she tried to reposition to return the favor, he whispered, “Don’t move. Just enjoy.”

  She lay back and let Dan weave his spell of passion. His fingers glided over her folds, flicking her clit, moving to her opening to tease the rim. She shifted as the tension grew; Dan knew her body so well it was uncanny.

  He penetrated her with two fingers and began stroking her G-spot. Jenny groaned as her hips naturally tilted in response to the stimulation. His fingers swirled around that sweet spot, taking away any chance of control for her. Her clit started pulsing in pleasure. “Dan,” she breathed.

  “Yes, Jenny?” he growled into her ear.

  “Aaaah—” Her voice cut off as she was overcome by the sweet climax he created. She pressed her lips against his chest as it rolled over her.

  “Nothing sexier than watching you come,” he said as he pulled his fingers from her and lightly spread the wetness on his fingers over her skin. Dan had a way of making her feel sexy and perfect, as if every part of her was to be treasured.

  “I love you.” She adored saying those little three words.

  He kissed her on her forehead. “I love you too, woman.”

  Jenny suddenly felt a stab in her heart. She buried her head in the pillow, willing it away -not wanting it to ruin the moment.

  There was no hiding it from Dan, he knew her too well. “Yes. We have to tell Ryan today. He deserves to be told the truth as soon as possible.”

  “This will crush him,” she whimpered into the pillow.

  “Ryan has been pulling away for a while now, Jenny. I do not think this will come as a surprise.”

  “I don’t know, Dan…”

  “Do you want to tell him together?”

  “No, I need to do this alone.”

  “Well, I will have my cell phone with me. If at any point you want me there, just call.”

  “It won’t be necessary.”

  “Still, know I won’t be far away.”

  She sighed miserably. A pit in her stomach was growing larger with each passing minute. “I’d better go after breakfast, I guess. The sooner the better.”

  He brushed back a tendril of her black hair from her cheek. “I agree. It would be better for all of us.”

  Jenny headed out as soon as breakfast was over. She might as well have skipped the meal since her stomach was tied in knots and she couldn’t eat a thing.

  “I’m near if you need me,” Dan reminded her, before he got into his own car.

  Jenny drove back to the city, trembling the entire drive. How would Ryan take the news that she was marrying Dan? That she was ending their relationship of almost four years? She hoped that Dan was right and that Ryan would see this coming. If not, it was going to be a heartbreaking confrontation.

  Jenny stood at the door, afraid to announce her arrival. Normally she would just walk in, but now everything had changed. She held her breath as she rang the doorbell and waited. The door swung open as if he was expecting her.

  Ryan pulled Jenny into his embrace and groaned, “You came back!”

  “Rye…”

  He ushered her inside and shut the door. “Sit down. Tell me what you are thinking.”

  She looked into his jade-colored eyes. She hated that she was about to bring pain to those familiar eyes. “I’ve been with Dan.”

  Ryan pushed away from her and sat on the other end of the couch. “Why would you do that?”

  “It wasn’t planned, we both ended up at the cabin.”

  Anguish clouded his gaze. “The cabin.”

  “I came back today to tell you in person—”

  He put his hand out to silence her, standing up abruptly. “I don’t want to hear it. You need some time to calm down. You aren’t thinking clearly right now.”

  She stood up slowly and walked over to him. “Ryan, Dan and I—”

  Ryan yelled at her, “I don’t want to hear it! That fucking Dan, as soon as he saw the chance…”

  Jenny would not be swayed. “Ryan
, we are getting married. Dan proposed yesterday.”

  “Damn him to hell!” Ryan turned on her. “You take it back. You are not marrying that motherfucker. Do you hear me?”

  She stepped away from him. “I’m sorry, Ryan, but—”

  “Don’t say it. Don’t you fucking say that to me! You and Dan, all this time… playing me for a fool. Kelly was right.”

  Jenny returned the fire. “Don’t you understand? Kelly did this! You let Kelly do this to us. It was perfect, the three of us together. But you let her ruin what we had.”

  Ryan rammed his palm into her chest and pushed her up against the wall. His voice was deadly calm in its hatred. “You are to blame, not Kelly. I will never forgive you for this betrayal.”

  “My betrayal? You’ve been siding up with Kelly for God knows how long, and you hurt me two days ago.” She added with a snarl, “Just like you are doing now.”

  He did not loosen his grip, laughing angrily. “Oh, that’s it. Blame me. I bet you and Dan talked about me the whole time you were up at the cabin. Putting me down, laughing at my expense.”

  “It’s not like that. It has never been like that. Dan’s your best friend.”

  Ryan pressed harder against her, hissing, “Don’t… ever… call him that again.”

  Jenny struggled to breathe until he finally let go and she gasped for air.

  “I hate you, Jenny.”

  She wanted to protest, to say something to preserve their relationship on some level, but there was nothing that could fix it. Jenny turned away from Ryan and headed towards the door.

  “Don’t go.”

  She hesitated when she put her hand on the doorknob.

  “Stay, please.”

  Jenny sighed. “Ryan, it won’t change anything.”

  His voice cracked. “I need you.”

  Jenny closed her eyes. This was Ryan, the man she had dated since college, the man she had planned to marry once—the man she still cared about. She turned around and sat down when he motioned her to the couch.

  “Good,” he stated. “We’ve been here before. You get mixed up when you are around Dan. It takes distance away from him for you to think straight.”