Secret Rulebook of Cheating

Rule #19: Master Creative Storytelling

I woke to the view of Jason crouching beside my side of the bed, clearly waiting for me to open my eyes. He had his clothes on, his hair tousled in that way it always was – but not pillow-tousled. He'd been up for a while.

"Morning," I said in a hoarse voice.

"You're not going to break up with me again, are you?"

My just-woken-up self didn't realize what he was talking about right away but soon enough I remembered my "I've had an amazing time last night, but..." This was exactly the time when regret was supposed to crawl its way into me. I could already hear the little voice in my head nag about the questionable rightness of what I was doing. But I had to silence it. I had made a pact with myself.

Twenty-four hours until we went back home. I was still drawn to him like a bee to a flower. Though, Jason was no flower. If anything, he was a thorn, standing in my way. And if I didn't pluck him out, he was always going to be there.

So, no guilt and no questioning in the next twenty-four hours. I was indulging the wish of my hormones. So I would set myself free. Of him.

"No," I replied. "The damage is done. Might as well finish what we started."

A lazy smile crept on his face. "I like this morning's version of you better. Here." He lifted his arm, which until now was hanging low by his side, hidden from my sight, and there was a paper cup in his grip. He handed it to me. "You get a bonus."

I sat up, reaching for the cup. "What's the bonus part? You also got me coffee yesterday."

Just before I could grab it, he withdrew his hand. "You don't want it?"

"No, I want it!" I went for it again but he drew back.

"How bad?" He tapped a finger on his cheek.

Really now? He expected me to fall for that?I narrowed my eyes at him. "Not that bad."

I flung the covers aside and drew myself to the edge of the bed beside him, my legs hanging over.

He lifted an arm as a barrier. "Fine. You can have it." He brought the cup under my nose again. I studied him. What was the catch now? "No strings attached," he added at my dubious expression.

In the end, my craving for coffee prevailed. "Thank you."

"Yeah."

Jason stood up and walked out to the balcony.

"You know," I called louder so he would hear me out there, "putting the fact that you tried to manipulate me into kissing you for that cup of coffee aside, you're totally spoiling me!"

His figure filled the doorframe, a half smile making his face asymmetric. "Enjoy it while you can."

I took a sip, ignoring the little twist in my stomach that reminded there was a deadline to this whole thing. And that time better be enough!

He stepped back inside and I saw the purpose of his short trip to the balcony in his hands. I realized what he was doing only when he dropped the swimsuit on the footstool and his thumbs dug at the belt of his shorts.

"My coffee and I will be on the terrace while you get dressed." I hurried into my flip-flops and stood up.

"You don't need to do that. You've already seen me naked," Jason noted and I couldn't help the instant flood of nude images of him in my head. Followed by the goodnight kiss he so innocently planted on my lips last night, which by the way I had to get back at him for, and a couple other scenes that involved a part of him connected to a part of me.