The Affair

Morning After

John was the first to awake. A small amount of daylight made its way through the curtains. He opened his eyes and for a moment didn’t recognize his surroundings. He looked down and saw Marlena still lying in his arms. It hadn’t been a dream. She was actually lying next to him. They had actually spent the night together and would spend the rest of their lives together. This had been a reoccurring dream of his for as long as he could remember. Only this time when he opened his eyes, she was still there.

Glancing at his watch, he saw it was still early. Just past daybreak. Not wanting to wake her just yet, John eased his way out of the bed. He walked into the bathroom and threw some water on his face. On his way back to bed, he flipped the light switch. The lights came on. Power had been restored to the building.

Marlena, still half asleep opened her eyes. She really wasn’t awake enough to notice her surroundings. The only thing she did notice was an empty space next to her in bed. She wasn’t lying in John’s arms. Last night hadn’t really happened. It had been a nothing more than a dream. She closed her eyes again and covered them with her arm. How many more times would she dream about making love to John? There was nothing left for her to do but get up and get ready for work. As she thought about getting dressed, she sensed something was different this morning. For some reason her body was sore. Slowly she sat up and this time really focused on her surroundings. This wasn’t her bedroom. She wasn’t wearing her nightgown. In fact, she was wearing a man’s shirt. She pulled the shirt open and looked down at her body. There were marks all over her. Suddenly reality hit her. It hadn’t been dream! She had made love to John! But more than that, they had committed themselves to each other. Truth be known, she had committed herself to him. John had always been committed to her. The day was looking better than ever.

At the same time Marlena was facing her reality, John was having his own revelations about their night together. He realized that for now, his time with Marlena was over. Their own little world had come to an end. It was no longer just the two of them; reality once again had intruded into their lives. He began smiling. Reality was just fine. This time wouldn’t end like all the other times: the plane, the Titan Ball or the Titan Board of Directors Meeting. There would be no recriminations, crying or regret. They would be together.

He walked back towards the bedroom with the intention of easing back in bed before she realized he was gone. The minute he hit the doorway he saw he was too late. She was already sitting up.

“Doc, did I wake you?” He walked over to the bed and climbed in.

“No you didn’t. For a minute when I woke up and saw the bed was empty, I thought I had dreamed the entire night.”

“Well if this is a dream, please don’t ever wake me.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.

John took her into his arms. They lay quiet for a few minutes. They were enjoying the last few minutes of their time together. Both of them realized this could be the last time they would wake up in each others arms for a while. At least until Roman’s assignment was over.

After a few moments John spoke, “Doc the electricity is back on.”

“Oh.” There was regret in her voice. “What time is it?”

He looked at his watch. The watch she had given him for Christmas. “It’s a little pass 5:00 a.m.”

“I guess we should get dressed.” She started to get out of bed.

“Marlena, I know we have to leave but can I just have a few minutes more?” He pulled her back to him and kissed her.

Marlena wanted with all of her heart to lose herself in his kiss, but she knew if she didn’t pull away from him they wouldn’t stop at just a kiss.

Breathless she pulled away, “John you know as well as I do, if we don’t stop now we will make love and as much as I want to make love to you, I can’t. I need to get home.”

He was clearly disappointed but he also knew she was right. “Ok, Doc, you win.”

Smiling Marlena said, “Honey, I lose. Winning would mean I get to stay here with you.” Marlena got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Before she entered, she turned around and with a mischievous grin said, “Besides, I don’t think my body could take anymore.”

Since Marlena was no longer in bed next to him, John decided to get up and get dressed.

Marlena stood in front of the mirror. Slowly she unbuttoned John’s shirt.

As he looked around for his clothes he saw Marlena’s clothes lying next to his.

Marlena slipped his shirt off her shoulders and looked at her body.

He saw his pants and looked for his shirt.

She stared at all of the bite marks and bruises on her body.

He picked up her clothes, and remembered she was wearing his shirt.

Marlena closed her eyes and flashes of them together re-played through her mind. John biting and sucking her breasts so hard, that he left marks on her body. Him taking her from behind on the floor; flipping her over and pinning her hands above her head so she could only wrap her legs around his waist; pounding in and out of her so hard she thought she would split in two. She could almost feel him inside of her again. To her surprise she was aroused once again.

John walked into the bathroom.

She wanted him, no she needed him.

He saw her.

She felt his presence and turned around.

Her clothes fell out of his hand to the floor.

She let his shirt fall off of her body and rushed into his arms.

The only word he could utter before he felt her tongue invade his mouth was, “Marlena.” It was a kiss of desperation. She could not get enough of him. He returned it with an equal amount of passion.

John knew if they continued, he would not be able to control himself. Breathless he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled away from her. “Doc, I thought you didn’t want to make love.”

Her eyes were glazed over with blatant desire and her voice filled with a huskiness he was unaccustomed to hearing, “I don’t want to make love.”

She grabbed his waist and pulled him to her. Her hands went to the zipper on his pants.

He backed her into the counter. This time it was his tongue that savagely attacked her mouth.

She unzipped his pants.

His hands went into her hair so he could pull her head back and expose her neck to him.

Her hands went into his pants.

His mouth went to work on her neck.

She pulled out his erection.

John turned Marlena around and placed her hands on the counter. He nudged her legs open with his knee.

And just like that he was inside of her. His hands went around her waist. She leaned over and waited for him to begin. She held on to the counter top with all of her strength. He would take her as hard as she would allow him. It was what she wanted. He eased out and slammed back into her. She cried out in ecstasy. Each time he pulled out and each time he slammed into her. With one hand on her waist to hold her steady, the other inched its way up to her breasts. She felt his hand inch its way up her body to her breasts and closed her eyes in anticipation of the way he would touch her. Instinctively she knew it would not be gentle. That’s not what she wanted. Instead he would grab, pull and pinch them. John grabbed one and began to pull and pinch her n****e. Again she cried out in pleasure. The sound of her voice sent him a deeper state of frenzy. He grabbed the other one. In and out, harder and harder he went.

Marlena didn’t know how much more she could take, but she was more than willing to test her limits.

John knew Marlena was exhausted but he could see by the expression on her face reflected in the mirror, she was not ready to stop.

At the same time John was looking at her reflection in the mirror, she somehow sensed his concern about her, and opened her eyes to look at him. She shook her head no. Not yet.

He pushed in harder. Marlena’s legs began to buckle. He leaned over her and put both arms around her waist to help support her weight. Again and again he pushed in and out of her. It wouldn’t be much longer. Suddenly Marlena cried out. Her entire body began to shake. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to stand.

John also feeling the pressure build up inside of him felt his strength weakening. It took all of his determination to hold both Marlena and himself up. Finally, it was his turn. His body began to tingle. He was on fire. As the waves overtook both of them, they collapsed on the counter top. When he was able to move, he slowly withdrew from her body. Marlena feeling the loss of him was too weak to speak. With the last bit of strength he could muster, he picked Marlena up and carried her to the bed.

They lay side by side; both still unable to catch their breath. He took her hand and placed it over his heart. He wanted her feel his heartbeat. Slowly their breathing returned to normal.

Marlena was the first to speak, “John.” It was the only word she could manage to get out. For the first time in her life, words failed her. She didn’t know what else to say.

With her hand still over his heart, he pulled it away from his chest and lightly kissed her palm. “Marlena.”

They lay in silence for a few minutes more. Both at a loss to adequately express what they were feeling.

Finally John was actually able to say more than just her name. “You are one amazing woman.”

Marlena now able to move and speak turned on her side to look at him. She smiled, “Did I say you were insatiable? There’s not a word in the entire English language to describe what you are. In fact, in any language.”

“You make me want to do my very best.”

“John your best is just the best there is.”

She made an effort to sit up but soon fell back into the bed. “I don’t think I can move my body.”

“Doc, it’s still early. Why don’t you close your eyes for a little while and get some rest.” Before she could protest he covered her lips with his finger. “Shh, I promise I won’t let you sleep too long. Just for a little while.”

Realizing she had no choice, she agreed, “Just for a little while.” She closed her eyes. John pulled the bed sheet over her. He lay next to her and watched her sleep. He couldn’t believe that they were finally together. Smiling he closed his eyes and drifted off.

A short time later, John opened his eyes and sat up in bed. Worried he had broken his promise to Marlena he checked his watch. Once he saw the time he realized he had only been asleep for about twenty minutes. Even though it was just a short nap, he felt rejuvenated. He decided he would let her sleep a little while longer.

A half an hour later, true to his word, John woke Marlena. “Baby, it’s time to get up.”

She opened her eyes, looked up at John and smiled. “Ok, my love. I’m ready.”

He knew she meant so much more than just getting out of bed. It was her way of letting him know she was ready to face all of the obstacles in their way together. “So am I.”

While Marlena sat up in bed, John went into the bathroom to retrieve her clothes and his shirt. “Doc, I still can’t find your underwear. I don’t see them.”

“Don’t worry about it. I know where they are.” She fought a losing battle trying to keep a straight face.

Watching her fighting hard to keep from smiling intrigued him. “Doc, you can’t keep a straight face. Where are they? You have to tell me.”

“They’re in my purse.”

Surprised at her reply, he asked the obvious question, “Why?”

“I’ll tell you this much; it’s all your fault and that’s all I’m saying.”

Realizing it was a waste of time to press her on this issue and truly curious, he said the only thing he could say, “Fair enough but someday you’ll have to explain this to me.” He knew her explanation would be a good one.

The only thing she said was, “Someday.”

Marlena swung her legs over the side of the bed in order to stand up. The minute she attempted to stand up she felt dizzy and quickly sat back down. John rushed to her side.

Full of concern for her well-being he asked, “Doc, are you alright?”

Still feeling a little light headed she shook her head. “I think I just stood too fast. Let me sit for a while.”

“Take your time. We don’t have to rush.” He sat next to her on the bed.

“I’m probably just hungry. We didn’t eat dinner and we definitely worked up an appetite.” She hoped her last statement would bring a smile to his face but John wasn’t buying her attempt at humor.

He knew she was trying to ease his mind. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

“John, we’ve been through this already. I’m just hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since lunch yesterday.”

John still wasn’t convinced but before he could say anything else she stood up. “See, I’m fine. I just need to eat.”

“You win Doc, but before I drop you off home, you’re going to get some food in your stomach. No arguments.”

She knew it was useless to argue with him. The look on his face said end of discussion and that was ok with her. She wasn’t ready to face a mountain of questions from Roman just yet. At least not on an empty stomach.

John finished dressing first and went downstairs. Marlena still a little wobbly on her legs took her time. Before she left, she went into the bathroom one last time. She walked over to the exact spot she and John had stood just an hour ago. It was mind boggling to her the things she did when she was with him. If she closed her eyes, she could actually picture the things they did to one another. He was like a drug she could never get enough of. Feeling a bit flushed she turned around and walked downstairs.

John was waiting for on the couch with her purse was in his hands. She walked over and sat next to him on the couch.

“Are you ready Doc?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Then lets go get you some breakfast.”

Marlena looked around the room. There were half burned candles all over the place along with linen on the floor. “Don’t you think we should at least try to pick up some of the mess before we leave?”

“One of the great things about this place is it has maid service. Besides, as soon as I get to the office I’m calling the owner and making an offer. Hopefully before the day is over this will be our new home. Now let’s go.”

They both stood up. He put her purse on the table and turned to face her. “There’s just one more thing I have to do before we leave.”

“What’s that?”

He leaned in and tenderly kissed her lips. Almost immediately the kiss deepened into something more passionate. When they finally broke apart he said, “I love you Marlena.”

“I love you too.”

Both of them took one last look at the place that had brought them together. Slowly they made their way to the door and left.