Downhill

13

"No?" Jacob asked.

"No. I don't want to end things. We planned until the end of the week. And I don't see any reason..."

"Twenty years of reasons," he stated. "And that is reason enough."

"You didn't strike me as a coward, Jacob," I said boldly.

His eyes cut at the word. "Because I am not one."

"You are acting like it. Like you are afraid of a girl and...the things we can do for each other."

"That can be found anywhere."

"Then why haven't you found it yet? Especially at your wise old age!" I was so frustrated now. "We are having fun. Exploring a different side of ourselves. And we aren't hurting anyone or..."

He laughed, but not with humor. "Not hurting anyone?! We are going behind my daughter's back! I've fucked you several times without protection! We are being reckless!"

"Fine. Fine!" I stood and threw my napkin on the table. "You win! Perhaps you are right. We are acting like fools playing with something that can be found anywhere. I'll see you at the cabin."

I stormed off without waiting to hear a response and before the tears could fall. I refused to let him see me hurt.

***

I went to my room immediately and showered. It was the longest shower in my life. I let the water scald my skin in an attempt to refocus my mind.

I texted with Liz and checked my work email to ensure no fires were burning. Finally I turned on a movie on my phone.

He must have stayed at the resort. Perhaps he met a nice blonde with some fake boobs to entertain him. The idea was a complete distraction as I imagined him with that Mitzi bitch from the other day. The one he still have a date with on Friday.

I'm jealous. This is so stupid! A fling! Just a fucking fling!

After another hour of me worrying and growing jealous, I heard the door slam and loud footfalls throughout the house. My relief was shortly overshadowed when I heard my name bellow through the hallway.

"Char-lotte! Where are you?" He sounded shitfaced.

I wasn't up for an argument so I pulled up the covers and turned off my phone.

I heard his bedroom door open and my name again. "You better be here! You better not be off with that waiter! Charlotte!"

Waiter? Oh God, he was drunk and jealous. Or just hated the waiter enough to not want me around him.

I heard his steps approach my door. "Charlotte!" He yelled as he flung open my door without so much as a knock. "Wh-"

He must have seen me in the bed because he walked toward it and flung the covers off me. He scooped me up as I protested. "What are you doing?!"

"The rule. My bed," was all he said.

"The rules don't apply..."

"Charlotte, I suggest you comply," he said as he walked us down the hall to his room. "I've had a long night. I want to sleep. And I want you beside me."

"Jacob, we aren't..."

"Charlotte," he growled as he threw me onto his bed. "I thought about our situation a lot tonight. I don't care if I look foolish. Or...whatever! I'm having a good time. And I know you are too. So it's not over!"

"But Jacob..."

He began to disrobe, throwing his shirt across the room. "You want to please me, don't you, Charlotte?" He started to crawl across the bed to my semi-sitting position. It felt like he was staring directly into my soul.