by T. L. Tate
"Have you had enough?"
I squeezed her. I knew damn well how exhausted she was just as she knew that I wasn't anywhere near satisfied. But for tonight, it was more than enough.
"I am."
She looked up at me while kissing my chest. "Are you sure?"
"Just having you next to me is enough, Rachel. You don't have to push yourself. We've got the rest of our lives."
"Oh Jake!" She pressed her face into my chest and sobbed. It wasn't the painful clench your side and fall over sobs that I walked in on earlier in the day. There was pain but there was also a distinct tone that sounded like joy. I held her tightly while she cried. Her tears didn't stop for an hour but that was okay. I was there for her and I knew that we would get through the lies, betrayal and pain together. She was everything to me. I was angry and I hated what she did but old-Jacob wouldn't let her go without a fight. New-Jacob just had to get used to it.
Dr. Jeffries was a bookishly pretty black woman with dark skin and beautifully thick natural hair. We met at my office after work and drove to her office together. It was Rachel's first day back after her weekend exploits and when I saw her she looked wore down.
"You know, with what I'm making you really don't have to work."
We've had this discussion before and just like previous discussions, she rebuked my suggestion. "I know, but I don't want to lose my identity. I like my job it's just..."
She didn't need to finish. I got it. "You know, my offer still stands to kill him. At the very least I wouldn't mind beating the shit out of him."
"Jake, it's okay. I'm dealing with it." She looked out of the window as I drove. I hazarded a glance at her and noticed just how tired and beat down she looked. I reached for her hand and squeezed.
"You're not alone, Rachel. You can lean on me. I'll support you when you feel weak. I know you'd do the same for me."
She didn't speak but she did squeeze my hand back.
Dr. Jeffries' building was in the heart of downtown. We pulled into a parking structure that lead to her office, which took up residence in an expensively priced office park.
"So what brings you both in today?" Dr. Jeffries...Amara, as she preferred to be called, sat in a comfortable sitting chair while Rachel and I sat across from her on an ivory colored loveseat. She removed her glasses and watched us with a practiced and open smile on her face. There was a notepad on the table next to her chair but she didn't reach for it. She watched us with the slow self-assurance of someone who knows her place in the world and knew she was damn good at what she did. It definitely wasn't her first rodeo.
I looked at Rachel and she smiled shyly and nodded.
I looked back at Amara. "Infidelity."
If she thought this was a big deal you never would've guessed it. She didn't even bat an eyelash but we both were more than a little taken aback with her follow up question.
She looked between us, her intelligent brown eyes empty of any judgment. "One or both of you?"
I stammered. I didn't know how to answer. If I admitted I slept with someone else then I would also have to admit who it was that I slept with. If Rachel ever found out that I slept with her little sister, it would be hellfire and brimstone.
I was saved from the torturous reveal when Rachel raised her hand obediently. "Guilty. It was me. I'm the one that betrayed our marriage."
I looked at her and she smiled at me sheepishly. In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. I squeezed her hand and looked at Amara.
"It's true that she did have an affair but I think I'm also to blame as much as she is. I don't think that it is just her fault that things got this far."
Now a recognizable human emotion flitted across Amara's face. Appreciation. "That's a great attitude to have. Traditional marriage requires the combined actions and thoughts of two people. When something goes wrong it is easier to blame the other person and demonize them than to try to determine what different decisions we could've made." She scooted to the end of her chair and grabbed her notepad and plucked her glasses from the front of her shirt. Now that she was fully situated she looked at us and smiled, "Lets get to work."
The results from out first meeting were two-fold. First, Amara suggested the reason for the infidelity was because of a lack of honesty and non-sexual intimacy. Second, she suggested that we forgo sex and instead focus on getting to know each other as people. The hope was for us to rediscover who we are as both individuals and as a couple.
I'm not going to lie, being told not to have sex only made me want it more. I knew Rachel was the same. She was practically trying to ride me all the way back to my office, where we left her car.
Amara asked to see us again the following Tuesday. We scheduled the appointment, of course. I secretly hoped that she would see us in a week and say Congrats! You guys are fixed. Now get to fucking! It was a long shot...I know.
Despite Rachel's assurances that she was fine, I took extra care to help her relax. I ran her a hot bath with some relaxing bath salts. She thanked me with a deep kiss of gratitude before striping down and climbing in the steaming tub. While she soaked with her eyes closed and her head pressed against the back of the tub, I sat down outside the tub and reached down massaging her soaking feet. We didn't talk. We both said so much at our appointment with Amara that we had a lot to work through in our own minds.
That first night was rough but after that things got better. Now that sex was off the table and we had fairly firm marching orders to rediscover each other and ourselves, we spent our time together actually together. No phones. No TV. We talked. I mean we really talked. It really was like rediscovering a new person. Sure, the old-Rachel was still there but she had matured. She changed. Not in a bad way...just in a different way and that was fine. One thing I didn't notice was how much I had changed as well. I was still the kind of guy that wanted to treat her like a queen but there was also more of an edge to me. She admitted that she noticed it and that she liked it...a lot.
The week was going great. My first week in my new position was fantastic. Things were different and more rigorous but I wasn't afraid of a little hard work. As a matter-of-fact it was Friday and I was meeting a pretty big prospective client. It was the type of client that would net our firm 7 figures, easy, with attractive bonuses and perks. It was the gift that would keep on giving.
The 3-person team that I was prospecting to was eating out of the palm of my hand. I had taken them to a ridiculously expensive restaurant in an upscale hotel by my office. Although the bill would be outrageous the food and the results more than made up for it. I was there to close a deal and come hell or high water, I was going to close this deal and return to the office a fucking conquering hero.
The meeting was a rousing success. All that was left was to iron out the details with the lawyers but the account was ours. Toasts were made. Hands were shook. I was flying high. What can I say...I live for this shit.
I walked them back to their waiting town car and waved to them as they drove off. I turned and headed back inside the hotel. I parked in the structure and it would be easier to reach my car if I went through the lobby. As I was entering the automatic doors I heard the loud sound of tires squealing. I turned just in time to see a Challenger speed into the crescent shaped entrance. A man, he might've been Mexican, jumped out of his car and rudely tossed his keys to a waiting valet.
I'd seen this car before. But where?
As he passed me his face was down looking at his phone. He didn't even look up to check out his surroundings. Whoever or whatever he was looking at on his phone must've been damn interesting. I turned, ready to forget about the asshole in the Challenger.
That was when it hit me.
"Ah!" I realized I had seen him that day when I was coming home and found Rachel in the kitchen, crying. Yeah, it could've been a coincidence. But I stopped believing in those around the same time that I found out my wife was sleeping with another guy.
I followed him.
What I saw froze
my blood until it ran cold.
Underneath an awning, and wearing a ridiculously large pair of sunglasses was my wife. Rachel. She saw him at the same time that he saw her but she didn't approach. Instead, he headed to the front desk where a moon-faced receptionist issued him a hotel key. Once that was done, I watched as he approached Rachel. She stood up and stepped away from the awning. Along with her overly large sunglasses was a large purse. I knew that purse. I bought it for her for our second wedding anniversary. At the time she just "had to have it."
I hid behind some furnishing and watched the two of them. She looked like she was telling him something major. Her face beneath her sunglasses was firm and hands were moving all over the place and then she turned, presumably to leave. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. He was having words with her now. He looked like he was talking in soothing tones. He motioned to the keycard in his hand and the elevator. She looked side-to-side and then clutched her purse. She nodded and he led her to a bank of elevators. I watched them disappear and then I made my move.
I approached the receptionist and sweet-talked her into giving me the room number of the guy just before me. Apparently the guy was a bit of a dick so when I mentioned that I thought he was trying to sleep with my wife she happily provided me with a key to the very same room. It just goes to show what being nice to people could get you.
I headed to the elevator and rode it to the seventh floor. I'm not a glutton for punishment. This wasn't going to be one of those fucked up stories you hear about where the guy catches his wife cheating and he masturbates in the corner while she and her lover fuck themselves into a frenzy. No, this wasn't going to be that story. This was going to be the story where the husband catches them cheating and beats the shit out of the guy and tosses everyone from the hotel window.
Yippy ki yay, motherfuckers!
I headed down the hallway. On the way to room 721, I took off my suit jacket. I lost my tie. I rolled up my sleeves. I was there to do the Devil's work. No flimsy material was going to get the best of me.
Standing before the door, I closed my eyes and thought about Rachel. Her sweet smile. The tears that fell down her cheeks when she apologized and said she loved me. Her moans when I had my way with her. The feel of her body pressed against me as we cuddled and talked hours into the night. I let all of these memories wash over me so that they would be my rocket fuel. I needed that pain to be fresh. I wanted the adrenaline to rush through my body as I did what I knew needed to be done. I knew then that forgiving her had been my folly...my mistake. Now was the time to rectify it.
I had the key pressed against the RFID reader when I heard a loud squeak and then something loud smashed against the ground. I could picture what was happening. He picked up Rachel's small body, and in the act of having his way with her they knocked some replaceable shit off a table or chair.
The card reader's light turned green and I heard a click. I flung the door open, my eyes filled with fire—my chest filled with rage. I stormed into the room and was immediately brought up short by something I didn't expect.
It took a moment to figure out exactly what was going on. When I did I looked towards Rachel, my mouth hanging open in shock.
"Rachel!"
End
Check back for Book 3, where we find out exactly what Jacob walked in on in that hotel suite. Coming Soon!
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Thank you for reading this story. I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to read additional stories written by yours truly! Below are several links to other stories (some free...some not), which I hope you'll also enjoy. There is also a link to my website where you can write to me directly. I love hearing from fans and promise to write back to every one of you. So please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
T.L.
About the author
Welcome! I enjoy writing stories that appeal to me, in hopes that they will appeal to you, too. Beyond writing, I enjoy spending time with my family and I hope to travel around the world one day. I am a self-published author and the process can be grueling at times. I work hard to make sure that I am putting the best product I can in front of you. Despite this, I love doing it. I love my readers and I hope to speak to each and every one of you someday.
Many blessings to you all.
T.L.
My Website
Other Stories
Inseparable Family VOL: 1-4
Caitlyn was abandoned by her mother and left in the care of her stepfather, Daniel Sharp. Being a good man, he raised Caitlyn like she was his own. On the eve of her departure to college Caitlyn's childhood crush for the handsome Daniel Sharp takes an unexpected turn-whether it be for better or worse.
This 4-volume set explores the developing and taboo relationship between Caitlyn and Daniel as well as the introduction of characters meant to challenge them both as they learn what they truly mean to each other.
The main character and two supporting characters reemerge within the Dance with the Devil series as well as the Workplace Tryst series.
Workplace Tryst VOL: 1-2
Brian Chambley hates his job. He really, really hates his job. The only thing that makes it bearable is his sexy friend and coworker, Megan Parks. Brian lusts after and chases after her. The only problem is--she's married. Brian seeks a way to get everything he wants from her while still retaining his honor and not forcing her to break her marital vows. Is there a way to get what he wants while still remaining a good man?
Volume 3 of this story set will be coming soon.
The next story will focus on the developing relationship between Brian and Megan and will feature characters from Dance with the Devil and Inseparable Family.
Dance with the Devil VOL: 1-6
Chase King wants only one thing--well one person. Samantha Knox. His boss has been the center of his fantasies for years. Unfortunately, Mindy Keller, the office demon has other plans. Finding a way to blackmail Chase she manipulates and controls him. Chase must find a way to break Mindy's control over him and also win the affections of the woman he cares for most. But can he do it when the cards are stacked against him?
Part 2 of this series will be coming soon. Follow along while Chase finds a way to deal with the little devils that seem hell-bent on using him as a pawn.
Characters from Workplace Tryst, Inseparable Family and the soon to be released full-length novel, Hearts that Bleed, will gather within this collection.
You Belong to Me
The womanizing, Seji Nakamura, has only one thing on his mind, how to get women in bed. When his eyes land on the new-to-town, Carla Greene, he thought he had an easy notch to add on his belt of conquest. But someone like Seji would not be satisfied with just one woman, after catching him in the act with another woman, a married woman in fact, Carla devises a scheme to get a little pay back. Seji is in for a rude awakening when his foul ways pushes Carla too far.
Volume 2-Coming Soon!
A Gentleman's Curse:
The Tainted Series
Jacob loves his wife. She's his best friend and he'd do anything for her. Unfortunately, things between them have fizzled. He wholeheartedly believes that you should treat your wife like a queen so that's what he does to try to rekindle their connection. But he will soon find out that all of his efforts have been for naught. How will he react when he finds that his gentlemanly ways were the precise reasons why his wife betrayed him? Will this nice guy finish last or will his wife find out the hard way that you don't cross a gentleman?
You just read Book 2 so come back and read Book 3!
The Reluctant Scoundrel
The Tainted Series
Lance loves his wife. He would do anything for her. Jump in front of a train. Step in front of a bullet. Go head-to-head with a lion. Lance would do it all. However, the emotional scars of her youth continue to plague her as an adult. Her worse vice is jealousy. Nevertheless, Lance would put up with any jealousy-related outburst for her. Unfortunately, one person has been plotting against the couple
and will soon make her move. Despite his love for his wife and, in part, because of his love, Lance will be forced to make a life altering decision. He finds himself being asked to make an impossible decision between two choices. Regardless of the choice he makes his marriage will not remain unscathed.
Book 2 is coming soon!