I need this. All of it. Whatever happens, it’ll be worth it.
A renewed surge of creativity flowed through him as a figure of a woman began to emerge before his eyes.
KRISTEN
Turning over on the bed, Kristen stretched out reaching for Jake. Startled to find him gone, she jumped up, that all too familiar gnawing panic twisting her stomach into a knot. Struggling to remember, she relaxed a little when she realized it was Sunday.
If I continue like this I’ll end up missing work, and that would really be a disaster!
Rolling onto her back, she closed her eyes and tried the deep breathing techniques her therapist had taught her. Logan didn't know she was seeing one. Her nerves were constantly on edge. Sometimes it was so bad, she was sure she would explode. Or worse, like Friday, when she ran out of the office in an impulsive frenzy without caring about the consequences and fled to the park. Now lying here, she seriously wondered what she was doing. Why was she in a virtual stranger's bed? Sometimes, she just couldn't understand herself. It was like some mysterious force entered her body, controlling her thoughts and emotions.
What the hell Kristen! Pull yourself together! You're married whether you like it or not!
Without warning, Logan wandered into her mind again. She couldn't ignore his existence any longer. Leaning over to get her cell from her bag, she re-read his texts. Searching for another lie to throw at him, she decided to tell him she was at her friend's house overnight and couldn't find her charger until now. She assured him she was just fine and asked when he was returning.
She dropped the phone back in her bag just as Jake peeked his head through the door.
"Good morning, sunshine. Come see this!" He couldn’t hide his happiness as he took her hand, leading her to his studio in the spare bedroom.
Amazed by the image on the canvas before her, Kristen was speechless.
"Well, you like it babe?" Jake was behind her, rubbing her shoulders, anxiously awaiting her response.
Charged with excitement, she spun around to hug him. "It's beautiful! When did you do it? How?" She squinted her eyes to focus on the portrait, a spitting image of herself wrapped in a sheer robe.
Jake shook his head in amazement. "While you were sleeping.”
All of a sudden Jake’s face drew dark as he listened to the faint beeping of her phone coming from the bedroom. A strange sinking sensation came over him, destroying the blissfulness of the moment. "Go answer it.” He took a deep breath and turned away from her.
***
"I have to go home tonight," Kristen said, pretending to eat. The cool breeze felt good on her face. She was glad they had chosen an outdoor table at the cafe. At least something about that afternoon was comforting.
Jake didn't answer at first, just continued eating. His eyes gleamed with that unique mixture of insight and experience. "He's back?"
He tried to act disinterested but she could sense the tension in him.
"No. Supposedly not for another week or so. But I have work tomorrow and no clothes.” Playing his game, she tried aloofness, just peeking at him from behind her cup.
"Hmm. I'll be right back.” Perplexed, Kristen turned around in her chair, her eyes following him into the cafe.
As the minutes ticked by, she pouted, growing more dismayed. The traffic zooming along the street was becoming increasingly boring. She tried to lose herself in the endless stream of people of all shapes and sizes strolling along. When she lost interest in that as well, she leaned her chin on her hands, sinking into a trancelike state. Just when she was starting to get up, distraught by the idea Jake had abandoned her, he returned. Without a word, he handed her a rose.
What is this about? Is he dumping me?
"Thank you.” Her mouth moved, but she wasn't really sure it was audible. She couldn’t hide the cloud of sadness forming over her eyes.
"Let's go.” He touched her arm, taking her hand as she followed him slowly to the exit.
"You want to walk a little?" His eyes were intent on her face. She nodded. They strolled around Washington Square Park, oblivious to the crowds and the noise, but couldn't contain the melancholy feeling. It was suffocating.
"We could drive to your place and pick up what you need.” He pushed a strand of hair gently from her eyes. "Or I can get you whatever you need.” He kissed her cheek.
A look of surprise flickered across her face. She thought for a minute, clutching the rose to her raging body. Giving herself to him consumed her thoughts. From that point on, she knew leaving him was out of the question and there was no way she could go back to Logan. "Let's go!" She smiled, taking his arm eagerly.
LOGAN
He crouched on the balcony, basking in the late afternoon sunlight. It was an unusual heat wave for October in Miami. The temperature had been holding steady in the upper 90's all day. He couldn't stop reading Kristen's text. For a few moments he felt like calling her, just to hear her voice. Pushing the idea out of his mind and dismissing the feeling that he actually missed her, he walked back into the bedroom.
The two women were still asleep, curled up naked on the bed, one redhead, one blonde. He couldn't tell if they were the usual local Latinas that he found in the clubs along A1A, and didn't give a damn. All he cared about was they were hot as hell. They had done tons of coke all night and he'd screwed their brains out.
I can’t seem to satisfy Kristen anymore, but these horny bitches can’t get enough of me! Losing control at the thought, he began roaring with laughter.
There was no need to rush back to N. Y. C. The action in Miami would keep him content for a while, and he wouldn’t have to worry about Kristen and her constant complaints about how he’d changed. Or her nagging about his lifestyle choices.
With a big smile covering his face, he crawled back into bed, flipping the redhead onto her stomach. She stirred and moaned, still in a deep sleep. He didn't care, as he mounted her with one swift, rough thrust.
KRISTEN/JAKE
They went in Jake's truck to Bay Ridge. He scrutinized the block lined with neatly-stacked brownstones as they walked up the stairs to her house.
"Nice place.” He waited for her to unlock the door, the impatient energy forcing him to glance continually from the street to the door. It took forever before she managed to get the key in the keyhole to unlock it.
"It's okay.” She shrugged, trying to overcome the tremors working their way through her fingers as she pushed the door open. Even though Logan told her he wouldn't be back for a few days at least, her nerves had been on edge all morning. It wasn’t getting any easier. What if he did come back now?
Jake’s jaw dropped as he looked at her in astonishment.
"Holy shit, this place is amazing!" His eyes widened the minute they entered the huge, vaulted-ceiling living room. After quickly taking in the massive brick fireplace in the center of the room, he took her hand, and flopped onto the plush black leather sectional. Bringing her down on top of him, he nibbled her neck, then slid over to claim her lips.