Past, Present and Passion

In His Head

Light fell across his eyes and Charles slowly opened them. What time was it? He carefully lifted his head to see the alarm clock, mindful not to wake the sleeping beauty next to him. 5:39am. He knew he needed to leave but hated to wake Kelsey this early.

He looked down at her, still naked and curled up in the crook of his arm, her hand resting on his chest. Her luscious, dark curls were framing her face and falling over her shoulders. Her long eyelashes resting on her cheeks. His gaze dropped to her full lips and his mind slipped back to all the times he had kissed them last night. He could still taste her.

Charles stopped himself. He had to focus or he would be waking her up with very different plans than what he should be doing, which was leaving. He cautiously lifted her hand and placed it on the pillow and rolled slowly away from her. She made a small groan and moved a bit but seemed to stay asleep. He quickly and quietly moved through the room, finding the clothes he had thrown around the room last night. He was missing one sock but he couldn’t risk making any more noise so he just left it. Turning back to gaze on her one more time, he slipped out of the room and out the front door.

Once outside in the morning sunrise, Charles shook his head. What was he doing? He shoved his hands in his pockets, briskly starting his walk towards home, staring at the ground as he walked. He was angry with himself. How could he let this happen? Everything in his brain was telling him this was a terrible idea. That it would end badly. And he knew it was true. He didn’t see a way that this ended well. He had messed it up right at the beginning. But, everything in his heart told him to be with her. His whole body ached for her. So, it was two against one. His heart and body against his brain and it was obvious which had won.

What was his next move here? He had two options, come clean about everything and hope she would forgive him and they could move forward with a relationship, but that was complicated. He wasn’t sure she would be willing to have a relationship with him once she knew the truth, even if she forgave him. Or he could try to hide the truth as long as possible, spend as much time with her as he could. Who knows? She may be over him in a week or two? He didn’t know if this could ever be serious. Maybe it was just a fling either way. Would it be worth hurting her and ending the fun they were having for nothing?

Charles cursed under his breath. He was in a lose lose situation. The last thing he wanted to lose was Kelsey. He was determined to keep her as long as he possibly could, and if that meant keeping some truth from her, then so be it. He knew the truth would come out eventually, but he would deal with that when it came. Right now he was going to live in this amazing moment with her. It was unlike any other time he had ever spent with any woman. He wouldn’t, he couldn’t lose her yet.

A hot shower woke him up and after grabbing some coffee and a scone, he set about getting some work done. Staring with some important emails. Then he texted Kelsey. It was close to 7 now, he knew she would be getting up.

“Good morning! I’m sorry I had to sneak out early, I had work zoom meetings this morning that I had to be on and needed to clean up first. I wish we could have had breakfast together. Which made me think, since today is Friday, why don’t we go somewhere for the weekend? Have you been to Bath? I think you would love it there. I could pick you up after work and we could drive over. Have breakfast in bed tomorrow. What do you think?”

Charles knew that it was a long text. Probably sounded desperate, but he didn’t care. He was determined to make the most of his time with her, whatever he had to do he would. He waited nervously for her response.

It was nearly a half hour later before she responded, which literally made him feel crazy.

“I LOVE Bath! They have one of my most favorite antique stores. And Jane Austin is one of my favorite authors. Yes I’d love to go. Breakfast sounds amazing. I’ll be done at 5.”

Charles was elated. He was going to make this a weekend she would never forget. He texted his assistant to make arrangements, best hotel, nicest room and dinner reservations. Maybe a private tour of the Roman baths? And Jane Austin. Hmm, find something for us to do that has to do with her. His assistant confirmed he would take care of all of it. Charles was happy. He went back to work with a huge smile on his face, pushing all of his concerns to the back of his mind. Only good thoughts allowed.

Kelsey was elated. She had been sad when she woke up and found him gone, but she told herself that he didn’t owe her anything. They were just a fling. It was a rebound romance. She had to not get caught up in the particulars. It was fun and flirty and wild and that was good enough. But now he asked her to go away for the weekend. To Bath of all places! One of her most favorite places on earth. She knew she hadn’t told him that, it had to be a coincidence. Or was he just able to read her and know what type of place she would like? It didn’t matter. She was going.

She got up and ready for work then decided to go ahead and pack for the weekend so she would be ready to leave right from work. She pulled out her weekend bag and filled it up, searching until she found the nicest and sexiest underwear she had brought. In reality, she didn’t bring much, she wasn’t planning on meeting Charles. Or any man for that matter. But she was glad she did. She practically skipped to work, she couldn’t wait for breakfast.