JAKE'S DESIRE: A Summer of Infidelity & Sexual Awakenings (Chapters 12 - 14)

Chapter Twelve

JAKE & ANN RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES

Ever since a Sunday evening of soul-searching, Ann had thought she and Jake should sit down and talk seriously. Now, on Tuesday morning, while they were both at home, after finishing their separate breakfasts, she decided it was as good a time as any.

"Jake, do you have some time? We need to talk, " Ann broached the subject.

With a deer-in-the-headlight look, Jake stood frozen by the words. It's never good when a woman begins a conversation with those four words. "Sure. What's up?" He tried acting as nonchalant as the situation would allow.

"Let's sit in the family room where it's more comfortable, " Ann suggested.

"What the heck?" Jake thought. "Sure. Lead the way, " he said aloud.

With a deep breath, Ann began, "A lot has happened between you and I over the years we've been together. Some of it has been good, but a lot of it has not been so good."

Fidgeting with his watchband and trying to restrain his urge to comment in a way he might later regret, Jake saw where this conversation was headed and mentally made a list of the charges he would bring against Ann.

She continued, "I know you've not gotten what you need from me, so you've found it elsewhere. I understand that and am OK with it. Tina was at my request because I saw that I wouldn't be home that night. I wanted you to have what you needed."

That bombshell nearly caused Jake to bite through his lip. "Holy Cow!" he thought. "What else does she know?"

As if reading his mind, she said, "I know about Carly. That's fine, too. We talked one afternoon before she left. I'm glad you found release because I know you needed it so badly. How many others there are, I don't know or care. I'm happy for you. Really, I am."

Ann paused to gather her thoughts before continuing, "All the blame belongs to me. All that ancient history about my bad experiences with sex as a girl haunted me for so many years, but here's the thing."

Another deep breath to build her courage. "It's like this, " she said. " I think I've finally put it all behind me. But...."

Jake had to feel for her, as he could see how she was struggling with what she was trying to tell him. He knew it had to be something big. "Just spit it out, Ann. If you're leaving me, just tell me."

"No! That's not it. I have nothing against you. We can help each other by sharing expenses and in other ways. I think we sincerely care about each other. I'm not saying sex together is just something in our rearview mirror. I don't know. Maybe someday we'll be able to have a real relationship as it should be. But for now, I have to do it this way. Oh crap, " she sighed deeply. "I've been with other guys this summer. Several. And I plan to continue."

Although she looked as if she expected him to explode into rage, Jake calmly replied, "That's not exactly a news flash. I guessed your secret weeks ago. And then Tina told me, so there was no doubt."

"Tina!" Ann flushed with anger, "Why that little bitch! Why would she do that? Never mind. She's wanted you for a long time. By telling you, she thought it would finish us off. Then she could have you for herself."

"You said there was a 'but, '" Jake reminded her. "But what?"

"The reason I've been having sex with multiple partners is that I want it hard, a little dangerous, and with strangers. Maybe it's a self-deprecating thing. I don't know, but it excites me, and I think it's helping me deal with the old demons."

"So, where does all this leave me?" Jake asked.

"You're free to have sex with whoever you like as often as you like. I'll be doing the same. We can each still live here, but we'll just be getting our sex from others. We'll be open and talk about where we're each at through all of this." Ann stopped to judge Jake's reaction.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked. "I mean, we're already doing all this as it is. So, fine. We'll just go about life as we have been, right?"

"I know it's strange, but please, bear with me. You can have Tina all you want. I can handle her."

"Yeah. Sure, I guess. Just be aware of what you might be getting into. Let me know if you need me. I mean for rescuing, or whatever. Keep me in the loop, " Jake offered as he got up and left the room, leaving Ann to wonder whether she had cleared the air - or made it worse. Only time will tell.

Chapter Thirteen

A BATTLE RAGES WITHIN

Jake walked out to the garage after having just heard what might have been the most life-changing declaration of his life.

He stood aimlessly in the driveway for several minutes as if seeking a ray of wisdom for direction.

Looking at nothing in general, he began to roam the perimeter of the driveway, seemingly measuring the dimensions. Suddenly, he stopped and slowly headed down the sidewalk with his hands in his pockets and his face focused on the repeated appearance of his toes with each step.

Like this, Jake continued down the sidewalk with no destination in mind. At a busy intersection leading toward the downtown area, he was nearly hit by a motorist when he failed to notice the changing of the traffic light from green to red. Justly aggravated, the driver blared his horn as an expression of warning, startling Jake from his reverie, perhaps saving him from further danger.

He walked the remaining blocks to a popular coffee shop, where he ordered a large "Rocket Fuel", the shop's self-proclaimed must-have wake-up drink. High-test hot black coffee was just the thing he needed to clear his mind. After swiping his card and thanking the friendly clerk, Jake turned and headed for the door.

"Hey there, Cowboy! Where'd you leave your horse?" Tina sat at a nearby table sporting her best seductive smile while slowly tracing the rim of her coffee cup with a deep red manicured fingernail. "I've got a quarter if you've got the time, " she smiled, pushing an empty chair back from the table with the toe of her shiny black heels.

"Not today, Tina, " he replied almost absently.

Tina wasn't used to receiving anything less than the friendliest of replies from the men of town. She was clearly taken aback by the perceived slight. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! If you had a dog, I'd surely have guessed that he'd just died. Penny for your thoughts?"

"I'll see ya, Tina, " was all she got from him as a reply.

"Well, if that doesn't beat all!" she thought. But before she had time to dwell on Jake's mood, the vice-president of the local bank, who happened to be a hunk who had money, happened to walk in, "Hey, Honey! Did you bring me some of the bank's money this morning?"

Jake seemed to drift aimlessly, but he knew where he was headed. The river ran through the heart of town just a few blocks away. It offered benches with great views of passing boats and barges. On this visit, Jake had little interest in river traffic but sought the solitude of a quiet bench where he could think - or forget about life for a while.

Life was full of twists and turns. A man in his late 40s could still have the world before him if that's what he wished. Jake was an attractive man who'd experienced no shortage of attention from the women of the area - those who were unattached and many who were. It had long been understood around town that he was a man with a strong sexual appetite.

Word among the women was that he was a very experienced and attentive lover. He had come to know many of them intimately over the years. It seemed to make no difference to them whether he was attached, nor did it matter to married women that they had a husband at home.

"How did things get to this point?" Jake questioned. It all seemed too easy, yet wrong in a way he couldn't quite define. He hadn't lost his sexual desires or his ability to please his partners. Still, he had so many unanswered questions.

He thought back to the morning conversation with Ann. Something had always told him that she was a sexual volcano just waiting to explode. But that volcano had been sealed for so long, he wondered if the day of its eruption would ever come. Now, it had, or so it would seem. But, why not with him? He'd always been good to her. And he'd been loyal until the past few years when he hit a point of knowing he'd have to look elsewhere if he was ever going to be satisfied.

This morning, as his thoughts turned to Ann, he worried about her. The scenario she'd set up for herself was a dangerous one. Jake knew a lot of men, too. They talk the same as women do. Some of them work or do business in Landover. Ann hadn't been quite as discrete as she thought.

She'd drawn attention to herself from the men who were out and about during the afternoons that she sat in the park flirting with men half her age. They saw her sultry flirtations in The Golden Grain Tavern where they'd seen men with their hands well inside the underside of the hemline of her dress, while hers were openly massaging the obvious bulge in the man's jeans.

Ann was still a woman who could command the attention of a man in search of affection. She knew it as well as any of the men she'd encountered. She also knew what would hold their interest and was capable of acting on that knowledge. It seems that she was now willing as well.

Why she chose the dangerous situations wasn't completely clear to Jake. He'd not seen that coming, but he knew some women craved danger related to sex. It was a rush, he'd heard. Some women who'd pursued him had also demanded it that way.

Jake was a tender lover by nature. He'd always been taken by the beauty and intricacies of a woman's body. He'd always respected and treated women right. Now, he's been told by his partner that isn't enough. Maybe the gentle tenderness Carlene had always shown him was the very thing that ultimately drew him to her bed. He found her very alluring. But, she was a good friend and neighbor - one who happened to be twenty or more years older than him. Although he wasn't questioning her attractiveness or his interest in her body, he also knew it was wrong to take the path they'd recently begun to walk.

With his coffee gone and the morning passed, Jake found that he was no closer to the answers he'd come to this quiet spot in hopes of finding than when he'd arrived. He walked to a nearby trash receptacle and slammed the empty cup inside. With a deep sigh, he turned toward home.

Before he'd gotten past the business district, the sound of a horn tooted for his attention. As he turned to the source of the summoning, a familiar voice called out, "Need a ride, Sailor?" Tina's voice wasn't exactly what he'd hoped to hear, but since he'd shunned her earlier, he decided to accept her offer, knowing it came with strings attached.

Talk was minimal during the short drive. Tina, able to sense Jake's mind to be far away, didn't let that deter her from trying to engage him on some level. But, despite offering brief but polite replies, Jake remained quiet as he watched the cross streets go by.

Parking in Jake's driveway and turning off the ignition, without waiting for an invitation to come inside, Tina leaned across the console and reached inside the loosely fitting shorts Jake wore. Briefly running her nails across his inner thigh, her hand found the destination she was after, bringing out his half-erect tool. Her lips kissed its tip, lingering seductively before parting them to draw him in.

After her best efforts, which did result in Jake's ejaculation, she swirled it around her tongue in a tawdry manner that failed to arouse him to action. Tina was again not used to a man not becoming fully hard under her attentive art of fellatio.

"Tina, don't take this personally, " Jake began. "But I'd just like to be alone today." Not only was he not inviting her in, but the idea of him not returning the favor of bringing her off after she'd just done him didn't sit well with her at all.

"That's fine, Jake, " she said in a voice designed to hide her offense. "Call me when you need me. I might be there."

Rather than make a scene, Jake opened the door and smiled at Tina, thanking her for the ride. He made no mention of anything else. Walking up the driveway, he heard the squeal of tires as Tina hastily drove away.

Chapter Fourteen

JAKE & CARLENE REMAIN FRIENDS

After Tina sped away and Jake found the house empty as suspected, he decided to take a shower and enjoy a drink on the patio.

The sun was about to set in the early evening sky when Jake realized he'd not eaten since breakfast. He's also spoken very little since then, either. Now, he found himself in need of company.

Company to Jake had usually meant sex. He had few male friends and was OK with that. Women had always been easier to talk with, and their usual gentle spirit touched him on various levels. He preferred women, it was as easy as that.

This evening, however, it was particularly sex he craved, but rather a good conversation. Maybe dinner could be a part of that. Carlene was the first person that came to mind, and Jake didn't waste any time second-guessing. He got up and walked to a mirror in the living room. After showering, he'd chosen a clean pair of khakis and a cotton print shirt. What he saw in the mirror met with his approval, so he turned out the lights, grabbed his keys and wallet, then headed down the street to Carlene's house.

His knock was met by the pleasant smile of Carlene, who opened the door, welcoming him with a gentle kiss on the cheek. "I was just thinking of you, " she began, as her hand met his, leading him to a comfortable sofa seat. "Have you eaten?"

"No, " he smiled. "But we must be thinking alike. Would you join me at the restaurant of your choice? Maybe afterward, we could drive down to the harbor. The moon will be nearly full tonight."

"That sounds wonderful, Jake, " she readily accepted his offer. "But I was thinking that I'd cook a nice meal here."

"As tempting as that offer sounds, I wouldn't dream of sitting here while you weary yourself in a hot kitchen on my account. You are always cooking for me. I want to do this for you. You deserve it, and I would be thrilled to have your company at the finest of restaurants."

What she chose was a riverfront restaurant that offered excellent seafood cuisine enjoyed at a quiet outdoor table on the waterfront. She took a few moments to change into a very chic summer evening dress, quite stylish, yet not overstated. Jake thought it was perfect. "You look magnificent, Carlene!" He took her hand and softly kissed her lips, followed by a gentle kiss on her neck. Carlene shivered slightly and squeezed his hand. They headed for the door.

At the restaurant, they were led to an excellent, secluded waterfront table offering privacy as well as an excellent view of the moon shimmering across the water. It was a picture-perfect setting. The food proved to be a compliment much more than adequate.

As usual, the couple's conversation was free and easy. After the table was cleared and glasses of wine were brought, Carlene turned the conversation to a more serious note. "Listen, Jake. About the other afternoon... While I would never say I regretted it happening, nor a minute of what followed, I do want you to know that I'm very comfortable with whatever direction we choose to go from here."

Jake took her hand as he waited for her to continue. "We've been such good friends over the past few years. And I would never do a thing to risk that friendship." She paused for effect before continuing. " But, I think we'll both admit there's been an attraction, and even a desire, brewing between us for some time. But I also realize I'm old enough to be your mother. Please stop me from babbling on and making a fool of myself."

"Carlene, you could never make a fool of yourself! You are an elegant, glamorous woman I'm proud to accompany. I, too, have zero regrets about anything that's happened between us and would make no efforts to stop any furthering of whatever we mutually choose."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Jake. I needed you so badly the other day. You are a great lover who knows how to take care of a woman. I'm good with us just relaxing and seeing where this takes us. Nothing forced or pressured. I can be casual. Remember that I told you Carly and I are so very much alike? Now, I imagine you would know that better than anyone since you're the only one who's had each of us. Oh, I knew even before the fact. Carly wouldn't stay so close to the house all summer if not for a hot man seeing to it that she was fully satisfied."

"I was planning on looking at those hinges that were giving you trouble this Saturday, but my dad called yesterday. He's coming to spend a few days with me. So, when he leaves, you'll be at the top of my list of needs to be taken care of."

Carlene smiled at the innuendo, but suggested, "Why not bring him over with you Saturday morning? You can look at my hinges, and I'll make breakfast for the two hungry men."

"How can I argue with an offer like that?" Jake teased, "Just be warned that you might have two Wilson men eager to please you with all your needs going forward."

"I'll take my chances, Jake. You don't think I can make two men happy?" Carlene rubbed his thigh under the table and offered a wry smile.

"I have not a doubt in my mind, Ma'am! Not one. And now, if you're ready, my chariot awaits."

"Yes, sir. I am very ready and eager. We'll have a nightcap by the pool." She took the arm Jake extended as they slowly strolled through the moonlit night toward the car.

When they arrived at Carlene's doorstep, a shared deep and passionate kiss was enough to show that neither was choosing a nightcap over a trip to Carlene's king-size bed.

Jake woke the next morning to the familiar scent of Carlene's exquisite perfume next to his nose. He turned his head into her hair, burying his nose to enjoy the pleasure.