Authors: Jennifer Labelle
He picked up flowers from the table to hand to her, but she didn’t want them. If that was his apology, he could keep it. She wasn’t joking when she said she was tired. He literally drained her sometimes, making her numb to his advances, and it only got worse the longer it carried on.
“
I am so sorry,” he whispered, giving her a chill as she thought about her recent dream.
“
I agree; you are sorry. There’s a little boy upstairs who needs that apology more than I do.”
He nodded and stood. “Can I make this up to you?” He moved his face closer to kiss her. She backed away from his advances for the first time. “You could start by getting your priorities straight from now on,” she said, feeling vulnerable and unsure of herself. “There’s a pillow and a blanket already down here for you. If there isn’t anything else, I’m going to go to bed.”
He looked shocked as she walked away. It was the first time she’d ever refused his advances and definitely his first time on the couch. Jenna usually talked things through when she was upset, and she hoped that he realized how much he’d screwed up this time. She knew exactly what he meant when he asked if he could make things up to her. He wanted sex and for the first time, she really wasn’t in the mood. She was pissed off and felt so alone. Walking upstairs, she didn’t bother to look back.
Their situation needed to change, and it was up to him to figure out exactly what he wanted.
Chapter Ten
Her Brady fantasy was back. They sat on a porch swing. He held her close, quietly listening as she unburdened herself from all her worries.
“I’m sorry, love.” His normally sexy accent sounded so soothing.
“Why are you apologizing?” It startled her to hear him say it. Considering he’d done nothing more than give his support. He was damn near perfect in that moment, her dream man.
“Because ye’r hurtin’, love, and I can’t stand it.” He cradled her head against his chest, while she listened to the steady beat of his heart.
“
Wow,” she whispered in awe. “You’re too good to be true. You know, I could really get used to this. Can I keep you?”
He chuckled, and answered her with a kiss. The butterflies stirred crazily in her stomach and moisture flowed in the area even lower as his tongue stroked in and out, making love to her mouth.
The dream was so good, peaceful for once, and it was being pulled away like fingernails on a chalk board or like a record being scratched to bits.
“
Mommy, Mommy,” Jayden cheered while he jumped up and down beside her on the bed. “Wake up, sleepy head.”
“Good morning to you too.” She pulled him down and tickled him until he screeched for mercy.
“
Grandma has breakfast ready. Come on.” His little feet were up, and he raced out in no time.
She called as she followed. “Hey, Mom, are you and Dad still okay to watch Jayden for a little while today?” As she sat down, breakfast smelled delicious, but she felt nauseous so she stuck with toast. Grimacing at the eggs, she pushed them away. “He’ll have to be dropped off by twelve-forty-five and then picked up from school at three-fifteen.”
“Sure honey, is everything all right?”
“Very subtle, Mom,” Jenna laughed. “Yes, I just have a couple errands to run, and then I’d like to drop in on Tyler to have a talk with him.” She shrugged; her over-protective mother’s concern was endearing.
“
Of course, I’ll watch Jayden, dear.”
“Thanks.” She had to see Tyler. His absence was becoming inexcusable, and it was time for a change. She’d been too angry to speak rationally the night before, and was determined now that she’d cooled off. Important decisions were about to be made and it made her nervous as hell.
* * * *
She arrived at Tyler’s law office feeling nervous. It’d been awhile. The last time she’d pictured it wasn’t a very pleasant memory.
“
Can I help you?” Interrupted in her thoughts, Jenna declined the plump red head receptionist’s offer. “No, thank you. I’m here to visit my husband, and I can find my own way.”
She proceeded, stopping abruptly just before she reached his office. A flashback came to mind of a calendar with the twenty-first circled boldly in red when she saw the notice for the staff Christmas party.
“
Get it together, Jenna,” she mumbled, willing her hands to stop shaking. She needed as much courage as she could get right now. God only knew what Tyler was thinking, when it came to his neglect.
Lord, what she would give to be able to turn back time right now. These dreams, whatever you wanted to call them, were freaking her out. The similarities between them and reality scared the living daylights out of her. The added stress with Tyler’s avoidance was torture and hurtful on top of everything else. There just wasn’t much more she could take.
Peeking through his partially closed door, she could see that Alex was with him. She sat on the corner of his desk and laughed, leaning close to him as he mumbled something.
They didn’t notice when she walked in, so she cleared her throat. “Did I come at a bad time?” The first thing that stood out was Alex’s hand on his. Flashbacks blinded her temporarily, coming back to her in quick glimpses.
He ripped his hand away from underneath Alex’s and moved away. “Jenna, of course not, honey, we were just about to take a break anyway.”
Disappointed, Alex hopped off of his desk and straightened out her skirt. “Hello, Jenna.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Nothing’s going on all right,” Jenna snapped, looking between the two of them. Why wouldn’t they just fess up and lay it all out there? If Tyler wanted Alex, Jenna certainly wasn’t about to stick around.
“Jenna, don’t be silly. Alex is just a co-worker, nothing more.”
With a gasp and a dirty look, Alex walked out leaving the two of them to speak alone.
“
Right, Tyler, and in case you wondering, I’m being sarcastic. Figure out what it is that you want and then let me know. I’m tired of wondering, and if it’s not me, then just say it and stop this torture.”
“Come on, Jenna, this is just silly.”
“
Silly?” She couldn’t believe it. “I’m being silly. Okay, I’ll play along. Do you actually think I’m that stupid? There’s something going on with the two of you. Now the question that has me curious is just how far you’ve went.” The stress was beginning to get to her.
Jenna held in a groan, “I think I need to sit down.” It came out breathless. What she needed was to calm down. Her nerves were shot, and the nausea she felt this morning would soon turn into vomiting if she kept this up.
“Why, what’s wrong?” Kneeling in front of her, Tyler’s concern did nothing to comfort her.
“
It’s nothing. I’m just not feeling very well today.”
He gave her a look form head to toe, and began to tease her. “Well you look good to me. Let me help you feel better.” Forcing Jenna’s hands away, he pinned them behind her back and moved closer to close the distance between them.
She concentrated on her breathing. Closing her eyes, she tried to shut everything out as much as possible, especially Tyler’s touch. “Tyler, I really don’t think this is a good idea. We have things to talk about. Priorities to be figured out, and changes need to be made—”
She wiggled away and pushed Tyler’s hands aside in anger just thinking about his neglect.
“Oh, come on Jenna.”
“
I can take care of myself. Now stop touching me. I’m mad at you.”
“I could never do that.” He teased and had the nerve to smile as she glared at him. She pushed him away. What she needed was to have him out of her sight for a minute to pull herself together. “I could use some water, Tyler, if you don’t mind?”
She leaned back to get comfortable, her head back as far as it would go. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she began to take deep soothing breaths. Happy thoughts, think happy thoughts. Okay, there was Jayden. She thought about his singing/yelling in the auditorium at his school. That certainly was a precious moment, and she couldn’t help but smile to think of it. Her anxiety began to reside, but her curiosity still lingered. Would Tyler spend less time at work, and more time at home? Would he admit to an affair with Alex? And, could she allow herself to forgive him if he did?
“
Oh Tyler, what are we going to do?”
“About what?”
Jenna jumped as Tyler entered the room. “I didn’t hear you come back in.” She blushed at being caught talking to herself.
“
About what?” He asked again as he walked towards her.
“
Time, Tyler. It’s about, time. I can’t live like this anymore. I’d like you to cut back on your hours and spend more time with me and Jayden. It’s time to pick your priorities.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, not sure that she was ready to forgive him just yet. Her suspicions with Alex were not proven, but his absence and lack of reliability still hurt.
“Water?” he said innocently. Closing the door behind him, he handed her the bottle like it was a peace offering.
“Thanks.” She eyed him warily. “Do you even care anymore? Or miss us at all?”
“Of course, I care Jenna and I do miss you. I work hard to give you everything we have. I do this so that you and Jayden don’t want for anything.” He closed the distance between them. He pulled her up and into his embrace. She stiffened at first and then melted into him as he whispered sweet sentiments. “You’re amazing, and I love you. There are things I’d like to do to you now.” His voice turned husky as he backed her towards his desk. “I’ve missed you, Jenna. I want you.” Lifting her up so that she sat on the edge, he stepped in between her legs and began caressing her thighs.
“
Tyler, I don’t think…” His hand was at the nape of her neck, fingers tangled in her hair. He leaned down and cut off her protest with a kiss. She shook her head. “Tyler, stop.” She was breathless already and couldn’t get herself sucked in any further.
With a groan, he pulled away. “Am I hurting you?” Dropping to his knees, his hands massaged her lower back while he placed light kisses along her navel. Between the massage and his hot breath headed to lower regions, she moaned, giving in. Sex was certainly one way to blow off steam, and he just felt too damn good to think about anything else.
Tyler stood again taking advantage of her surrender with another kiss. Tilting her head to the side, his tongue plunged between her parted lips to silkily slide against hers.
“I don’t mean to interrupt.” Alex stood stiffly near the doorway with folded arms across her chest and cleared her throat. “But I think we should be getting back to work.”
“Why don’t you just come out and say it?” Jenna rolled her eyes. Alex had given her a cold glare, and it was obvious she hadn’t liked what she walked in on. “Come on, Alex, what you’d really like to say is, Jenna, I’d like you to leave so that I could have your husband all to myself. Isn’t that right? You do have a thing for my husband, don’t you?”
Her reply came with a smile. “Jenna,” she said, holding the door open wider. “I’d like you to leave so that your husband and I can get back to our work. We’ve got a lot to cover, and you’d just be in the way. Unless you’d prefer to wait around and watch.” She smiled deviously, letting Jenna interpret her meaning anyway she liked.
Tyler stood like an idiot with his mouth gaping open. Jenna couldn’t believe him. Yet another disappointment, because he hadn’t had the balls to stick up for her. It was a wakeup call that made her wonder what the hell she was still doing there. Why she even bothered?
“
Right, well, maybe I’ll see you later.” She shook her head wondering if any of this was worth it anymore and then looked at Alex. “Then again, maybe not.”