The Demarcation of Jack

by Blakely Bennett

  “Well, you’re getting closer every day that we don’t get this worked out.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I believe he had six wives didn’t he?”

  “Nah, two wives, but nine women in his life,” he said quietly. “Eh, should I move my chair back around?”

  “No. But thanks for asking,” she said softly.

  The waiter approached and took their orders.

  The aroma of roasted garlic melding with rich tomato sauce and diced green onions flowed to every corner of the Bayside. The restaurant placed a great deal of importance and reputation on creating authentic Italian meals based on the different regions of Italy. The delicate ambience came alive as local fishing boats glided silently past, their running lights casting reflections on the water. Light mandolin music played softly, cradling the diners in an atmosphere of old Tuscany.

  “The food is spectacular,” Jack said.

  “I totally agree— it’s superb. I think I’d have to give this place five stars. Would you like to try a bite?” she said, holding out her fork toward Jack.

  “Mmm,” he said, chewing. “Delicious.”

  “We have to do this again and invite Marc and Summer along,” she said.

  “Summer and Marc are sitting right over there,” he said, pointing over her shoulder.

  “How long have they been there?”

  “A while,” he said, and shrugged. “Should we go over and say hi?”

  Jenna hesitated and then said, “Okay.”

  As they approached their table, Jack said, “Weren’t you staying in bed all night?”

  “Yeah well, when his stomach starts grumbling, it’s time to feed him,” Summer said, looking affectionately at Marc. “Plus he reminded me we have plenty of time to be horizontal, if you know what I mean. It’s that Maslow thingy.”

  “You have a wonderful view from your table,” Jenna said, scanning the ocean and avoiding eye contact with Marc.

  “Would you guys like to join us for a drink?” Marc asked.

  Jack glanced at Jenna. “Not tonight but we’ll definitely be in the mood at the beach party tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to watching the girls dance. Me, I’ve got two left feet. I guess I got all the talent in the hands,” he said, shuffling back and forth. He took Jenna’s hand and said, “You guys have a great dinner and we’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  “Not too early,” Summer said with a playful side-look.

  “Not to worry, we plan to sleep in as well,” Jenna said, never quite bringing her gaze up to connect with Marc. “I don’t think we leave for the falls until around ten.”

  Marc waited until Jack and Jenna were out of earshot and asked, “What do you think about those two?”

  “We’ve talked about them as a possibility before and the more time I spend with him…” Summer said, watching Jack stroll back to his table. “I like his energy and his humor. I’m not sure though, still feeling him out. What about you?”

  “I’m thinking that they may have some issues to sort through before I would consider them as potential. I have no interest in causing them more problems or bringing drama into our relationship.”

  “I understand but—”Summer stopped speaking when the waiter approached with their salads.

  *****

  “I’m going to get out of this dress and into my night shirt. Today was a long day … but overall a good one,” Jenna said.

  “I could use a drink. Why don’t you throw on some shorts and we’ll take a walk down to the bar,” Jack said, sitting down on the bed.

  “You know, I’m so tired, can we order something in?”

  “That’s fine. What would you like?”

  “A piña colada would be great,” she said, hanging up her dress. “Dinner was nice. I would definitely eat there again.”

  “Same here,” he said, picking up the telephone to place the order.

  Jenna came out of the bathroom in her night t-shirt.

  “Come here,” he said, grasping her hand and pulling her onto his lap. “I knew this was what we needed. Spending time in a different place and breaking out of the rut that our life has become. I love you, you know,” he said and then he kissed her.

  Melting into the connection they so desperately needed, they lost themselves in the kiss. The familiar dance of their tongues and lips guided them to a place of comfort. His mouth swept her up in a fire of passion he could easily ignite if she just let him in.

  She sighed as she broke off the kiss and said, “I love you, too.” She cradled her head in the crook of his neck, and said, “So, tell me about the island.”

  “It’s really cool. There are like four or five gazebos around the perimeter and a pool and swim-up bar in the center, which was fun. That big tower, that’s where the bathrooms are, and I’m going to tell you a little secret. When I first got there I freaked a bit.” He pointed to his chest and contorted his face.

  “Oh yeah? And you think I’ll be able to—” Jenna started to say but a knock on the door distracted her.

  “I’ll get it,” Jack said, pushing her from his lap.

  “Good evening, Jack.” The bellhop entered and placed a tray on the table next to the French doors. “Enjoy your night,” he said as he strolled back out.

  “Ah, thanks,” Jack said.

  “Irie, mon,” he said. He exited the room, closing the door behind him.

  “They gave you three Red Stripes, honey,” Jenna said. “I think these people like you.”

  He took her in his arms and kissed her again with an abandon they had not shared in a long time. He moved her toward the bed and they fell back together.

  “Do you want to take your clothes off,” she whispered to him.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice!” He rolled to the side and threw off his shorts and t-shirt.

  “I guess not,” Jenna said, lying back and watching him quickly disrobe. His intense interest was immediately apparent.

  Although Jack stood only slightly taller than Jenna, his muscularity from constant movement coupled with his expansive personality made him seem much taller. She loved that he still got aroused simply at the idea of having sex with her. It had been way too long since she had let her guard down enough to let him in.

  After positioning himself next to her on the bed, he rolled Jenna halfway on top of him and resumed his penetrating kiss.

  “Hmmmm,” she said.

  He lifted her shirt revealing her pendulum breasts, her nipples already hard in anticipation. Lowering his mouth, he sucked her right nipple into his mouth and tugged with his teeth and lips. He fondled her other breast, slowly working his way down the side of her body. They had been together so long, he knew all the right buttons to push. It had been a long time since she had allowed him to go down on her, and he decided to take the chance.

  Spreading her legs wide, he repositioned himself, massaging his hands up the inside of her thighs until he used his thumbs to finger her wetness. “Oh, babe, I love to feel you so wet.”

  Jenna glanced down into Jack’s eyes and saw the desire there, flaring her own. She needed this. They needed this.

  Jack lowered his head, taking in her smell just before tasting her. “So good,” he said.

  Jenna pulled a pillow under her head and relaxed into the sensation. As her libido climbed, her thoughts traveled to earlier in the day and her time on the beach with Marc. She could not deny there seemed to be mutual attraction and his flirtatious nature left her feeling far more attractive than she had in a long time. “Mmmm,” Jenna moaned. She wondered if Marc’s cock might be longer than Jack’s or as thick? Once her orgasm hovered close, her mind quieted.

  Jack used his knowledge from his history with Jenna to keep her just at the edge of the precipice for a while, making her strain and groan for fulfillment. He finally softened and slowed the pace just enough to send her soaring into blissful release.

  She practically purred as she came down from the high of her orgasm. Jack always
loved her best in these moments, when all the stress of their lives seemed to disappear. She rolled to the side and breathed a big sigh. “What can I do for you?” she mumbled, not yet fully back from her excursion.

  He lifted up onto his elbow. Looking down at her, he said, “I know this is going to sound crazy coming for me, but let’s spend some time talking and getting to know each other again. Okay?”

  “Oh … yeah, sure, okay,” she said, sitting up in the bed. “So shall we take this outside?”

  “Sure,” he said, kissing Jenna’s forehead as he shifted to get up.

  He threw on his shorts and Jenna pulled her nightshirt back on. She opened the French doors for Jack and he carried the tray of drinks onto the balcony.

  After opening his pack of cigarettes, Jack lit one. “I think I was a happier person when I smoked,” he said, inhaling deeply.

  “I have to tell you, I like the way you smell now, that is, after you quit. Don’t you remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember, and I don’t plan to take the habit back with me, so you can relax. I just thought I could let it all go for the time we’re here. What happens in Jamaica stays in Jamaica.”

  “But you do realize that you’ll smell again, right?” Jenna said.

  “That’s not completely true is it? You can handle it for a few days can’t you?”

  “I guess I can live with it for a few days. So … finish telling me about the island.”

  “Right, okay. So at first, I was freaking out, frozen, looking around, but you can’t be on the island with clothes on. So they give you enough time to get settled but then you have to get naked or you get thrown out. So I’m standing there with all these naked couples around me—”

  “Were you by the pool?”

  “Yeah, near a lounge chair by the far side. The swim-up bar was across the water from me. Summer pulled off her clothes the second we got there. She jumps in the pool and swims up to the bar where apparently the bartender tells her if I’m not naked in thirty seconds, he’s personally going to kick me off the island. Right? So now, all these people around the bar are staring at me. I stood there, frozen, looking kind of stupid, I’m sure. This Brit, I think his name was Cliff, and several of his friends got out of the pool and walked over by me and started cheering me on. You know, don’t you, they started doing the striptease song and of course, I had to oblige. I stripped for the entire pool, so don’t be surprised if I get a whistle or two around the hotel lobby.”

  “I can so picture it. You’re such a goof sometimes,” she said. “Now you’ve sufficiently scared me out of going over there.”

  “Why? It was a lot of fun,” Jack said enthusiastically. “The people that hang out there are great and the bartender completely entertained us. You can get food brought over from the resort. If you can get past being naked, I’m sure you will love it and the people.”

  “What if I get there and change my mind? What if I don’t want a bunch of people watching me?” she said, shifting uncomfortably.

  “If you get there and change your mind you can go back out on the dock, wait for a few minutes and they come and take you back. That’s all.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Plus there are gazebos that are more private,” he said, staring out over the water toward the island. “What about you?” He turned back to Jenna. “How was the beach?”

  “It was alright. The water felt wonderful and Marc was nice enough. She looked away and added, “Nothing that interesting happened.” But as she said it, she could still feel the rush of Marc’s first touch.

  “I wonder if I can get a hold of some clay. I would love to find the kind I use back home but I doubt they have it here.”

  “You can ask the concierge if they can get it for you.”

  “That’s a great idea. I’ll do that tomorrow.”

  “So what has you so inspired? You haven’t been sculpting much lately.”

  “I told you before that I was interested in sculpting Summer in a yoga pose. I’ll use clay first but ultimately I see it as a marble piece. And Kokilay would be interesting to sculpt. She looks so Renaissance.”

  “It’s Kokila.”

  “Right,” Jack said.

  “Well, I’m tired. I think my drink and that wonderful orgasm put the finishing touches on me,” she said, standing and bending over to stretch her legs. “Are you coming?” she asked, crossing the threshold into the room.

  “In a minute. I want to finish my beer.”

  She returned to the balcony and passionately kissed Jack, a little thank you for the earlier play. As she headed back inside, at the last second she glanced back and said, “I’m looking forward to climbing the falls tomorrow and thanks for tonight. Sweet dreams.”

  “Night, Jenna.” He watched her saunter into the hotel room, remembering the good times in the past. He felt melancholy about their current problems but more encouraged than he had in a long time. He propped his feet on the balcony rail, closed his eyes and wondered what tomorrow might bring. He knew he would be seeing Summer again.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Oh my god … that dream again,” Jenna uttered, sitting up in bed. “Jack, Jack, wake up!”

  “What? What’s the problem?” he said softly. “I thought we were sleeping in today.” He propped up his upper body on his elbow.

  “I hate having that dream,” she said, burying her face in her hands.

  “What was it about?”

  “I dreamt about you letting Tina give you a blowjob. It was terrible. Why do I keep reliving this crap?”

  “Why are you dreaming about that?”

  “I don’t know,” she said flipping onto her side. “Maybe it was because you went over to the island with Summer. What do you think?”

  “Oh yeah, sure, like something is going to happen between me and Summer. Well, go back to sleep,” he whispered. “It was a dream. We can talk tomorrow.” He adjusted the pillows under his head.

  “I can’t,” she said. “Why did you have oral sex with Tina? And why in god’s name did you tell me about it afterwards?”

  “Damn it, not this again. It’s been seven years,” he groaned into the pillow.

  “If you would explain it to me, I would be able to let it go, but every time—and it’s not very often that I bring it up—you don’t answer my questions. I can’t let it go because I don’t understand it.”

  “There’s nothing I could say that would satisfy you,” he said, turning away from her.

  “An answer for a change would go a long way. Why did you have sex with her when you were in a committed relationship with me?”

  “Look, this is your issue. It has nothing to do with me.”

  “What? Are you serious? So you’re saying if I let my ex-boyfriend, or anyone for that matter, go down on me, and you had a problem with it, it would be your issue?’

  “Yes, it would be my issue.”

  “That’s really fucked up, Jack. Why did you let her go down on you? You guys were on such bad terms. She totally screwed you over and yet you let the bitch give you a blowjob. And why in the world did you tell me about it? Were you angry at me?”

  “I truly regret telling you about it,” he said, pulling his pillow over his head.

  “But you don’t regret doing it?” she asked.

  “God, Jenna, why can’t you let this go. It was a long time ago. You can’t understand because you’re not a guy,” he said, rolling back and glaring at her.

  “So should I be worried that there are other women out there wanting you and you might comply?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I was a different person then. That would never happen now.”

  “You know, I might be able to let it go, if you weren’t such a jerk about it. You never apologized,” she said, flipping the switch on the bed lamp. “I remember when you told me. It was so matter of fact. It was like, ‘Honey, I folded the clothes in the dryer.’ Not even: ‘It was a mistake.’ Not a: ‘I don’t know what came over me.’ How can I ev
er let it go when you’re such an ass about it? Maybe I should find someone to play with and see how you deal with your issue!”

  “Look, I’m going back to sleep. I’m tired and we have the falls tomorrow—today—in a little while. You should go back to sleep as well,” he said, pivoting onto his side, facing away from her.

  “Yeah, right,” she mumbled. She roughly got out of the bed, being sure to jostle and shake it as much as possible for spite, then retrieved her laptop from her pack and began typing her anger into the computer. After she had typed in her feelings of disappointment and frustration, she quietly dressed and left the room.

  A steady early morning ocean breeze playfully cast aside her sarong exposing her thigh and tossing her flaxen hair. She tiptoed down the quiet hallway to the stairs and made her way out onto the lawn where the dew formed a shimmering watery blanket on the grass. She ambled slowly to the beach and sat down in the soft sand. She laid her head on her knees, wrapped her arms around her legs and wept, releasing months, perhaps years of pent up anger and frustration.

  After she felt spent, she turned her head to the side and drifted off to sleep. She was startled from her half-sleep state by a figure stalking toward her in the dark. As he came closer, towering over her, she could feel her heart begin to race. She could barely make out his features as she felt the urge to jump up and run.

  “Jenna? Is that you? What are you doing out here all by yourself?” Marc asked, moving in closer to her.

  “You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Sorry, I definitely didn’t intend to. Do you mind if I sit? I was hoping to catch the sunrise,” he said, sitting cross-legged next to her.

  “Doesn’t the sun rise on the other side of the island?”

  “Hmm … now that you mention it,” he said, looking back over his shoulder. “No matter. I don’t know what I was thinking. And I sat out on our balcony watching the sunset last night. I guess … I’m just so used to watching the sunrise on Hollywood Beach. Of course that’s on the east and not the west.” He laughed. Looking back at Jenna he said, “You look upset. What’s wrong?”