Cheaters (completed)

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Through the large windows of Travis' bedroom, sun rays enter and warm up the room. Waking up slowly, not feeling the rush of working or going to the workshops, I stay in bed and chill. My business trip to Las Vegas ended up being more like a vacation. Not what I had planned and I have no idea what I'll say to my boss and co-workers when I go back to work on Monday. This is going to be a challenge.
Turning to my side, I see Travis' back and hair. He has a large Koi fish tattooed with water all around it. Japanese style, of course. When I first talked to him, I would have never guessed his interest in tattoos. He seemed more classic, conservative. Well, he sure had me fooled because the same day we both got a tattoo together. So many things happened that night. I closed my eyes again, thinking about that night. The tattoo, the dancing. Oh geez, that kiss was amazing. Travis is an excellent kisser.
I fall back to sleep and don't wake up again until Travis straddles me and tickles the hell out of me.
"Travis, Oh my God, are you serious right now?" I squeal and try to control my sleepy limbs. I don't want to hurt him.
"You have been sleeping for hours... so I had time to think..."
Time to think for Travis equals a new adventure or something unexpected. "Why am I getting nervous?"
He laughs, slides back on the mattress and hides his face behind his pillow like a shy little boy. The only thing is that Travis is a grown man. Am I allowed to think he is being cute as hell? My heart is melting. "Come on, say it. What have you been thinking about?"
"Why don't you stay here instead of driving back to Las Vegas?" Travis suggests.
What? "You want me to stay here?"
"We could try to get your flight back from here instead. That way, you get to enjoy the view you seem to love so much."
I wonder which view he is talking about. Him or the beach? "All of that trouble for the view? I mean I would understand better if you wanted me to stay here so we could spend more time together, getting to know each other. I took so many pictures of the view, it should suffice for now."
"You're a tough woman. Yes, I want you to stay here with me. It's a long drive back for nothing. We both know you won't attend any workshops."
I roll my eyes. "That wasn't so hard, was it? Yes, I want to stay but I'll have to leave Friday night as planned."
I've been ignoring my phone but I know I'll have to answer to my parents about the wedding and I'll have many cancellations to work on. That's the shitty part.
"Promise." He says before kissing me.
I can't resist this. His arms get a hold of me and pull me on top of him. Skin on skin, no fabric between us, this is perfect.
"What do you have in mind?" I know what he wants because I want the same but playing a bit can be fun.
"You. Since you walked into my life. This is all I think about."
Wrong answer. "Is sex all you want?"
"Jesus, Willow! No. It came out wrong but all I think about is you. Naked, dressed, dancing, laughing, brushing your hair, every way I can."
"Oh, really?"
"Sweetheart, oh yes, really..."
I like that answer. Feeling desired is good for the soul and I'm not used to it. Justin is firmly in the past now. Maybe it's time I start being appreciated for who I am instead of what I can give of myself. I'm worth it and I'm beginning to see it now. It's time for me to come out of my shell. I'm free. It may take me days to believe it but it's the first step. Acknowledging.
"Sometimes you look so lost in your thoughts, I wonder what you're thinking about."
"My journey is taking me places where I've never been. I'm trying to adjust the best I can."
Now, he is the one who appears to be lost in his thoughts. "I have no idea who that man is or how he treated you but I believe he didn't treat you well enough. The fact that you were going to marry him tells me he must have you blinded with promises. Empty promises. I know it's a huge assumption for me to say that but right now, it's time for you to start living."
"Justin never touched me to cause harm. His words might have hurt me a few times. I think his biggest issue is how selfish he is. Selfish to a fault. Narcissist, maybe."
"I'm glad you decided to let him go. Not for me but for you." The sincerity in his voice warms my heart. I know Travis will never lie to me.
"I knew he wasn't perfect but I didn't want to believe that he would cheat on me. He did many times, I assume. I was naïve." My eyes get teary, it's impossible not to cry when I open up and let my heart speak.
"Nobody is perfect, not me or you. Cheating though, I can't deal with this." He has always been clear about the cheating part.
"I cheated on him with you. What does that make me? I'm as bad as him."
"It's different in a way. I think part of you was ready to try something new. We were meant to cross paths here. Yes, I made you cheat on your man but he cheated again and got caught. If he had never cheated, I'm sure you wouldn't have. I'm not saying you were seeking revenge but maybe freedom."
"I cheated. Now, I'm done with Justin. I know cheating will never be an option again because it's wrong in so many ways and I know in the end someone will get hurt and I can't deal with this."
"Willow, you'll be okay." Travis caresses my back up and down. "You are strong, smart and gorgeous. You may not be 100% tomorrow morning or the next but you have to allow yourself time to heal and move on. Don't be too hard on yourself. You may have cheated but to me, your relationship should have ended a long time ago. Although I am not a fan of Justin, it's someone you were attached to and losing him can be hard. Don't put pressure on yourself. You'll be fine with time."
The key to this is time. Time to heal, time to get over my failed engagement, time to find my pride again because I have no idea where it is. How I am going to face my family? I have no clue.
One thing at the time, Willow. Focus on the present.
"I'm naked in bed with you, Trav. Is it how I'm supposed to be healing? I don't consider you a rebound but you make it easier for me. The reality of it will hit more when I get back home. Now, it feels like I'm in a dream."
"Will your friend be there with you?" The way he is always showing concern flatters me.
If I'm lucky Chanel will be free. I doubt it. Her schedule is always filled with volunteering, work, and her high social lifestyle.
"Chanel is a busy girl but I could always ask her to spend the night like the good old days."
A movie, popcorn, chocolate, and wine- this is how we rule together. She has always been there for me and I for her. Through the years, thick and thin, we've always been best friends.
"Please do that. I don't like the idea of you spending the night alone."
I can't say I like it either. I've never been alone at night in our apartment. This will be new. Something else I need to get used to.
"Thank you for showing me a good time this week. It has been amazing."
"It isn't over yet." He leans in to kiss me. Once our lips are locked together, Travis wraps his arms and legs around me. "Let's enjoy the time we have left."
"I was counting on that."
We have spent a few nights together but it hasn't always been about sex. Sometimes we're snuggling but not today. Today, Travis is going all for it and I'm enjoying the ride. He has a way to make my body so alive, I lose control of it.
"Willow... Jesus... I don't know how I'll go on with my life without you in it."
To that declaration, I bit my lips and close my eyes in hope of hiding my tears. I can't say anything to that. I'll miss him, I know that but I feel like a bomb is waiting for me at home. So much to deal with the cancellation of my wedding. My parents. My family. My life.
"Come back to me sweetheart, I'm losing you."
"Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a second." Both hands rub my eyes.
"Look at me." He orders.
Removing my hands, I lift my eyes to his level.
"Stay with me. Just me."
From that moment on, I let Travis take over my mind, body, and soul. I trust him and I'm ready for a good time.

***
A long walk hand in hand on the beach, we know this is goodbye for now but we're still trying to have a good time.
"Do you have a busy week ahead?" As a vice-president, Travis sure does. He hasn't been working a lot or at all around me this week.
"I'm behind on many things but I'll catch up soon enough. You?"
I laugh. "I'm in trouble. Monday morning I'm supposed to do a presentation about my week here to my department and I haven't attended any of the training or workshops." I have no idea how I'm going to get myself out of trouble for this but I can always improvise based on last year.
"Why don't you take a couple of days off to figure out what you're going to do? You know with Justin and all." He releases my hand and instead moves his arm around my waist.
"He's gone already. I'll have to move into a smaller place because I won't be able to afford the apartment by myself and having a roommate at this point in my life isn't tempting."
"I suggest you take time off for personal reasons. I'll contact HR if you want."
I roll my eyes. "Travis, I need to work. It'll occupy my mind."
"Willow." Travis stops in his track. "I'm serious. Take the week off, you need it. I've seen it in your eyes; you're exhausted, anxious and heartbroken." With that being said, my eyes met his. Am I heartbroken? Maybe, yes, but Travis helps a lot.
Travis won't be in New York. I might never see him again. Who knows? Maybe I should take a week off after all. There's so much I need to do and I don't know how I will feel once I'm home.
"I'll call your boss and HR myself and say that something came up in your personal life while you were away and that you need time to reorganize your things."
"Yeah, I think you are right after all."
"I know I am." He grins.
"Oh, Travis, how many hearts have you broken with that smile?"
"Not as many as you may think. In general, I'm pretty shy around a woman."
I laugh out loud scaring away the seagulls. "That's a lie. You have never been shy around me, not at the slightest."
"I've always told you that you were different. I was attracted to you the second I saw you." Again, he gives me that smile.
His voice of wisdom is back and I know he is speaking the truth. "That bad, huh?"
"Yeah, I may be shy but when I saw you, I knew I had to pursue you. Your story clicks with mine in a way. We can relate so it made me want to keep going." His lips find my cheek. "The more I get to know you, the more I'm curious to find out more."
"You'll be bored soon enough." I chuckle. My life has always been pretty simple. I work full time, go to the gym when I feel like it, read, and go to the movie theatre when I see something interesting.
"Stop. I don't believe a word of what you are saying."
We keep on walking for a while. Laid back and enjoying the scenery while I can.
I've ignored my cell phone and social media since I first got here. The drama will be all over the place, I bet. The anxiety of talking to my parents is taking over my mind little by little.
Once in a while, I take peek at Travis. Of course, I took many pictures of him but I'm trying to memorize him. His three days old beard, the shape of his lips and the color of his eyes. His good looks and charm are going to be missed more than I dare to admit.
Thirty more minutes before we have to leave for the airport.
"I wish I could stop the time or slow it down. I hate to see you go."
"Trav, we knew we only had few days and we made the best of it. From Las Vegas to your place."
"I think bringing you here is the best thing I have done. Out of the Las Vegas frenzy and the temptation of getting another tattoo. I didn't want to risk it."
"Oh, please. Adding some ink was fun."
He pulls my arm, makes me spin around and takes me tight into his arms. 'I'll see you again. I want to see you again."
"We'll figure it out." I've always said to him I couldn't make any promises. Yes, he has me intrigued and is fun to be around. Here, I'm in a fantasy world. My reality will hit me hard when I'm back home. I don't plan on calling Chanel. To be honest, I think I'll need some time alone. One week to get my life back on track before I go to work again.
"We'll keep in touch, right?" Somehow, he sounds uncertain about this.
"After the week I had with you, I think it would make me the worst hypocrite of history if I wasn't keeping touch with you."
"In the world, we live in, nothing surprises me anymore."
"We'll keep touch, I promise."
Back to his place. I make the first step to kiss him. I sure will miss those kisses. We make out one last time. I don't want to say goodbye but that kiss says it all.
"Time to go, sweetheart."
The drive to the airport is smooth and quiet. We don't want to say goodbye but I have to go and we both know it. So much is waiting for me back home. It scares me.
Los Angeles has been fun. Malibu has become my favorite place on the west coast. It takes my breath away every time I look at the beach or houses.
It is clear that Travis has plenty of money to keep the house and cars. What I like is that he doesn't let money get to his head. He's a laid back kind of man. I think he has his life together, unlike me. Good career, a nice home and he seems close to his family as well. All the things that I admire.
"We're here."
Already? That was too fast. "Where's the traffic when you need it?"
Travis chuckles. "I was thinking the same thing."
Once he is parked, we get out of the car and he takes my luggage. "There's a coffee shop in there if you want one?"
"Yeah, I won't say no to that."
Travis knows I love my coffee and right now, I wouldn't mind adding one or two shots of whiskey in it. His free arm finds its place around my waist. That feeling of being claimed in a way makes me feel desired. I like it.
We order coffees and two fresh pastries, as fresh as it can get in an airport restaurant, and sit at a nearby table.
"Do you have Facebook?" His random question makes me giggle.
"I do. You will find me under Willie though."
"Okay, so I can add you?"
I giggle some more. "Of course you can. I've shared pretty much everything with you, FB is the next step." Looking for my phone in my purse, I find it and I'm surprised to see it charged.
"I charged it this morning."
"Oh, okay." I press with my thumb to unlock it. "Shit, I should have avoided it much longer than that." Sighing in disbelief, I can't do this.
"That bad?"
"Seven missed calls from my mother. Two from Chanel and double that in text messages."
In a soft move, Travis takes the phone out of my hand. "Take it easy, sweetheart. You take one phone call at a time and you answer one message at a time. Nothing can go wrong."
I shake my head. "It's my parents that makes me the most nervous. What will they think of me?"
"They'll think you did the right thing and they'll be proud of you."
"Maybe but it's the cancellation of the wedding that makes me anxious because they put money into it and time."
"Wait and see." Travis is used to deal with important situations at work while I am not.
I know I should do that but in my head, it isn't that easy. "Yeah. It's all I can do, wait and see."
He nods toward my coffee. "Focus on that for now."  In exchange for a sip of coffee, I get a beautiful grin.
"Thanks for cheering me up." He has been good at taking my mind off the reality awaiting at home.
"Always."
"My ring, I... I think I left it on your dresser."
"You did, huh?"
"I think so." I look inside my purse but I know it's not in there. It makes me anxious all of a sudden to know that I forgot it.
"It'll be a good excuse to go see you again."
"Yeah, I just... I know the ring has lost its meaning but I don't want to lose it, you know." If that makes sense at all.
"You didn't lose it, I have it at home. It's safe."
I know it is, I trust him. >
"I think I should check in." The last thing I want is to miss my flight. I drink more of my coffee and Travis does the same thing.
"You should." Sadness washes over his face. "Man, I don't want you to go. This week was too much fun."
I feel the same way but at the same time, I've got things to take care of first. "This isn't goodbye, Trav."
"I hope it's not." He looks down at his hand holding the coffee cup. "Should I mail you the ring or should I wait until I see you again?"
Mail isn't always safe. I would much rather have it later than never see it again. "Wait until we meet again."
A gorgeous smile appears on his sad face. "I'll do that." He stands from his seat and offers me his hand to stand as well. "Come on."
I take it and together we walk to my airline counter. Checking into my flight makes me relieved. I have never been this ready to take a flight.
"Okay... So, I guess I'll see you soon?" The awkwardness is thick. "I want to see you again when you figure out what direction you want to take your life in."
"Travis", I pause. "It'll be okay. You had a fulfilled life before me, I'm sure." There's nothing I can say that will make it easier for him or myself.
"Yeah but now that I know what it's like to have you, I'm not so happy about my old ways."
This is making me speechless. Locked in a gaze, we don't know what else to say. We look into each other's eyes hoping that this isn't the time to say see you soon. In a sudden move, I pull the neck of his shirt toward me, until his mouth crashed on mine. This is our last kiss, for now.
I love feeling him close to me, his arms around me. I feel safe, and so desired. When the kiss starts to feel too heavy, I pull away leaving him breathless. I leave him there without saying bye, goodbye or see you soon. Tears aren't an option. I'm sure he watches me as I go, I feel it but I don't dare look back.