Interlude: What Happened?

Important Note: This chapter is much more unsafe for work than usual. Please proceed with caution, or skip over the sexual parts (you’ll know when it’s coming, I promise!) if you are uncomfortable with them. Do what’s best for you! 🙂

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Tobi rubbed his eyes wearily as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. After nearly a week, he was still not used to sleeping in a bed that was not his own. He reached behind him and massaged his lower back gently, though it did nothing to soothe his aching muscles.

Ever since his fight with Colette, he’d been spending every night in the spare bedroom that had once belonged to his brother. He’d barely spoken a word to his wife for days. And he hadn’t spoken to Anna for even longer.

Tobi cringed inwardly at the thought. He had not seen Anna for almost two weeks, but the mere thought of her name was enough to send wave after wave of guilt crashing over him… And they hadn’t even done anything. Not really. But they’d come so close. Tobi felt sick when he imagined what could have happened.

And when he thought about what did happen — all those hours spent laughing and smiling with Anna while Colette sat at home alone… He felt even sicker.

He lifted himself out of bed and headed into the hallway. The muffled sound of running water reached his ears from one of the bathrooms across the hall. Tobi knew in an instant who it was. His parents were both working that morning, his children had spent the night with Diego and Rachelle, and Clara always showered at night. And she’s probably still sleeping anyway, he thought.

She’d been doing a lot of that lately… Clara still wasn’t quite herself yet, but overall, his sister was much happier now that she’d ended things with Julian. Tobi could tell. And he was so relieved that she was. And maybe someday I’ll be able to forgive myself for keeping her secret…

Tobi shook the thought from his mind and gently opened the bathroom door. The silhouetted figure he saw through the frosted glass of the shower confirmed his suspicions. Lettie.

She hadn’t even heard him come in. Or at least, she made no indication that she did. Tobi stood there for a long time, just watching and letting his eyes trace his wife’s nude form as she ran her long fingers through her auburn hair.

He felt himself begin to grow hard at the sight of her — it had been months since he’d seen her like this. So vulnerable. So beautiful.

As he continued watching, Tobi found himself thinking of the first time he’d ever seen Colette’s naked body, pale and perfect under the light of the summer moon all those years ago. He’d been so young and foolish, but even then Tobi knew that he was looking at the most beautiful sight in the entire world… A sight he wanted to see every day for the rest of his life.

What’s wrong with me? Tobi wondered as he pulled his shirt over his head and let his pants fall to the floor with a soft thud. He’d come so close to losing her… And for what? Attention from a younger woman? Some meaningless little fling?

It wouldn’t have been worth it — nothing would be. I’d never trade her for anyone else in the world. He wanted her — and only her — for the rest of his life. And he’d stop at nothing to win her back.

Tobi slid open the door of the shower and stepped into the cloud of hot steam. Colette jumped slightly in surprise at the sound and turned to face him. His eyes watched as thousands of tiny water droplets danced their way down her body, their moisture kissing every inch of her flushed skin. Tobi envied every single one of them.

His wife raised an eyebrow at him and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could make a sound, Tobi’s lips were on hers.

Colette hesitated for just a moment.

Then she opened her mouth against his.

Colette melted into her husband’s embrace as she ran her small hands over the firm muscles of his shoulders and upper back. The feeling of her soft hands against his skin sent a white-hot fire rushing through him. Tobi nipped at her lips with his teeth, relishing in the sound of her sighs as her hot breath mingled with his.

God, I missed this.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered fervently between kisses. “I’m so sorry.”

As Tobi’s lips trailed downward over his wife’s face and onto her neck, his hands began moving downward as well. They traveled quickly over the slick surface of her skin, one coming to rest on the gentle curve of her lower back while the other traveled further and further down, over her breasts and past her navel. A heavy sigh of pleasure escaped Colette’s lips as his fingers finally reached their destination.

Tobi’s mouth curled into a smile at the sound. He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers while he let his fingers get to work. He savored the sound of every cry that passed her lips as he continued. “I love you.” She managed to gasp. “So much.”

Tobi pressed his lips to hers and quickened his pace in reply.

Something took over then — something deep and primal that Tobi had not felt in quite some time. In that moment, every one of his senses was assaulted by just one thing — Colette. The sound of her sighs. The smell of her breath. The touch of her skin. The taste of her lips. The sight of her beautiful face as waves of pleasure crashed over her.

When it was all over, they staggered out of the shower together. Colette clung desperately to him, her entire body rising and falling with heavy breaths as she slowly came down from her high. Tobi buried his face in her shoulder, pressing his lips against the sensitive skin of her neck and breathing in the sweet scent of her hair as he waited for his own rush of ecstasy to subside.

At last, Tobi lifted his head from her shoulder to look into her eyes. He was shocked to find tears trickling slowly down her pale white cheeks. “Are you okay?” He asked nervously. “Did I hurt you?” It wouldn’t be the first time – sometimes he got a bit too carried away. And, well, Tobi couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten as carried away as he had a few minutes before.

Colette shook her head and lifted a small hand to wipe away her tears. “I just… I missed this so much, Tobi. I missed you.” She paused for a moment, choking back a small sob. “What happened to us?”

Tobi leaned forward, pressing his lips against her forehead for a moment.  “I don’t know.” He confessed as he pulled away from her. “But what I do know is that I fucked up, Lettie. So bad. And I swear to God, I won’t make that mistake ever again.”

“It wasn’t just you.” Colette replied sadly. “I should have told you how I was feeling a long time ago… I should have talked to you. I should have tried harder…”

“Maybe we both messed up.” Tobi shrugged his broad shoulders as he spoke. “Either way, we can’t change the past now… But Lettie,” He said seriously, “I promise I’ll make this right, no matter what it takes.” It would be a long road, he knew. A few shared moments of passion would not be enough to solve all their problems… But it was a start.

Colette sighed. “It won’t be easy.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m still so mad, Tobi… And I’m not sure how I’ll be able to trust you again.” She admitted. “I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive you yet.”

“I know. And I don’t blame you… I’m not ready to forgive myself either.” He replied, hanging his head for a moment. “But Lettie, please, please believe me — I love you. And I can’t lose you. I won’t.”

His wife placed a small hand against his cheek. “You’ll never lose me.” She promised.