Dodging the Bullet: Flesh Wound

I was in a jam. It was a serious, life-altering situation that would end badly any way you looked at it.

I'd gotten drunk on a work trip and fell to a predator. He was handsome and witty and knew what to say and when to say it. I woke up in his bed the following day. I was mortified, but the silver-tongued devil that he was talked me through, saying it was just the heat of instant attraction, neither had meant to do it, and we would never speak of it again.

I spent the next three nights with him. He was a skilled lover, far past my husband, mainly because we were each other's firsts. We tried, read books, and watched porn, but it still ended up as regular, vanilla sex. And it was enough, right up until it wasn't. Dylan was larger, more demanding, telling instead of asking, and could last forever. It was a minimum of three orgasms every time, and I was lucky to get one with my husband.

I went home, scared and ashamed, knowing he would know just from looking at me. He didn't, wrapping me up in love and telling me how badly he had missed me. We made love that night, and I found myself wanting to scream at him to yank me around like a toy and do anything he wanted to me. I never came close to climaxing and waited until he started softly snoring before going into the bathroom and getting myself off thinking about Dylan.

Four months went by, and my affair faded into memory. As I returned to the old me, I had to attend another seminar. I almost didn't go, but I knew if I refused, I'd give up any hope of promotion, so I mentally girded my lions and determined if I ran into Dylan, it would be purely platonic. I registered at six. He had me screaming by seven-thirty. He just walked in, half ripped my clothes off and fucked the hell out of me. The conference turned into three nights and most mornings fuck-fest.

Again, Bobby was pleased to have me home, but I was so bored I almost went to sleep during the reunion sex. Four months later, the same scenario occurred. I seriously considered leaving Bobby when Dylan let it slip he was married.

I got my promotion and didn't have to go to the next convention, though I did warn the woman taking my place to watch for Convention Cassanovas, naming Dylan as an example. Six months passed, and I felt I was in a good place. I had a wake-up call when one of the women Robby worked with came on to him hard. It upset him so bad he told me about it, and I raged. How dare she! Conniving bitch! It never came to a confrontation because she got fired, but it scared me. If he had slept with her, I would have gone scorched earth. Then, it occurred to me that I had my closet full of skeletons and was mentally wiping my brow.

It made me value my marriage more, and I consciously tried to keep him happy. I introduced him to a few techniques I'd learned from Dylan, telling him I'd read about them, and they seemed like they might be fun. They were, even though they never reached the intensity of what I'd felt before.

He came home to find a candlelit dinner served while I wore sexy lingerie. He wondered if he'd missed an event, but I kissed his worries away. "What's going on?"

Suddenly, I felt self-conscious. "I... uh... I have something important I want to talk about. I never brought it up before because I had to travel, but with my promotion, it'll only be once, maybe twice a year. I want; I want..."

He was grinning. Damn him, he almost always knew what I was thinking, except for one glaring instance. "Yes. Throw your pills away."

The dinner I had fretted over grew cold but was good reheated. We sat around in robes, knowing it would be foolish to dress. I knew I was glowing. He seemed happy as well, and we knew it was too early, but we screwed like people possessed for a month. I'd never felt so loved.

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Four months went by, and I still wasn't pregnant. The doctor told us not to worry because sometimes it took longer for the drugs to clear my system than expected, and in no time, we'd be changing diapers at three in the morning and wondering what we'd been thinking.

Then, my manager called me in. "Did you hear about Julie? She was hit by a guy who blew through a red light, and she has a broken arm and a broken leg. I know you were happy you didn't have to travel, but I need you to step up. You're familiar with what's required, and Julie should be recovered by the next time."

I couldn't say no, so I went home and told Rob about my trip. He was disappointed but understood, and I ensured he was well-satisfied before I left. He fell back after the last time, grinning. "That was it! I'm sure you're pregnant now! Mark the calendar!"

We put a big red X on the calendar in his workshop before he took me to the airport.

I arrived, got settled in. and went to the afternoon sessions. It wasn't surprising to see Dylan there; his smirk when he saw me annoyed me no end. He tried to get close several times, but I kept people between us. He finally got close to me at dinner. "It's good to see you! Maybe we can spend a little time together later."

My reply shocked him. "I don't think so, Dylan. You're a fine lover and rocked my world, but it's in the past. Let's just let our interludes pass into fond memories. My husband and I are trying for a child, so there's no way I'd be intimate with you. I can't take the risk."

He seemed irritated. "We'll be careful, use condoms, and I know a pharmacist who could get you the morning-after pill. How's that work?"

"It won't. I might already be pregnant, so there's no way I'd take that pill. Condoms break. And frankly, the thought of sleeping with you makes me queasy. You're still in shape, good-looking, and have an excellent package, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a bed buddy."

He looked shocked, and the word he keyed in on was 'queasy.' He must have brooded on it because he got me to sit with him during the night's standard meet-and-greet mixer. Then he handed me his phone, and I almost fainted. It was a picture of me on my knees, right in the middle of blowing him. "YOU TOOK PICTURES? YOU ASSHOLE!"

Dylan smirked. "Lower your voice. I take pictures of all the women I fuck. Wanna see Julie while I'm doing her doggie? No? Then, let's cut to the chase. If you don't want this and the rest of my photos of us together getting out, you'll be in my room tomorrow night. I'd do you tonight, but I already got someone from the Cleveland office lined up."

He left me, looking down as he stood. "Tomorrow!"

I sat there shocked. Then the tears started. A hostess saw me weeping and got me into a smaller area that was not being used. She asked if I was okay, and once I started, I couldn't stop and poured the whole sordid story out to her. She frowned, then smiled. "Wait right here. I need you to talk to someone. It'll be just a minute and may solve your problem."

A few minutes later, she returned, followed by a man and a woman. They didn't mince words. The woman commanded me in a firm voice to tell them everything. I was mortified to confess but too terrified not to. Afterward, I saw a brief flash of disgust from the man while the woman remained stoic. She sighed and then introduced herself. "I'm Captain Dana Rogers of the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation), and this is Sgt. Mathews. What he's doing is a form of blackmail, more specifically called 'sextortion.' That's a Class F felony in this state. Conviction could result in steep fines and 10 to 41 months in jail. If we go that route, your failings will be revealed."

"That can't happen! I'd lose him for certain."

Mathews spoke for the first time. "It can go another way. Guys who do this rarely think about the consequences. Faced with criminal charges, they usually fold. We can work with you."

"Please!"

Captain Rogers sat, thinking. I felt like she was judging me, but I could live with that if it made my problem disappear. "All right. We'll set up a sting. It won't be an official action of our department, and I'll do it as a favor for my sister. However, if you find yourself in a similar situation, you'll have to press charges, or we won't be able to help you."

They left, and I looked at the hostess. She grinned. "Honey, I was in the same situation a while back. Dana helped me out, but the guy sent the photos to my husband out of spite and asked for nothing in return. We were separated for nine months. I just got back into our house, and I'm cautious not to get into situations where my marriage would be in jeopardy. I'm on a very short leash, but it's a price I'm willing to pay."

Dylan sat and grinned at me the next day. I was avoiding him as much as possible. He insisted I go to dinner with him, enjoying his power trip. I made a conscious effort to look as appealing as possible to ramp him up, showing a little cleavage and a flash of thigh as I sat. He grinned. "I'm glad you're making an effort. It'll be just like old times."

"No, it won't! This isn't consensual; you're forcing me to have sex with you."

"Force is such strong language. I prefer to say it's a reluctant encounter, but it'll be over soon."

"Like I believe that! Are you saying you won't try the same thing if we're ever in close proximity again?"

His grin unnerved me. "Probably, but you know you'll enjoy it. I remember how wild you are. It won't take you long to get into it."

That's when I set the hook. "Look me in the eye and tell me you know what you're doing is wrong. Tell me this isn't extortion."

Dylan laughed. "That's precisely what it is! It'll make it even more enjoyable for me."

He looked at me when I laughed, wondering what I was thinking. His eyes widened a bit when the two agents joined us. "Dylan Thomas Renner, you are under investigation for attempted extortion and intent to commit rape. Please come with us quietly. If you come with us willingly, we'll forego the cuffs. Run, you'll be tased and dragged out in cuffs in full view of your coworkers."

"You don't have any proof! My lawyer..."

"Will run away as fast as he can when he hears the recording."

Dylan glared at me. "You little bitch! You were wired? This will never stand up in court."

Captain Dana laughed. "Of course it will, dumbass. Besides being part of a criminal investigation, this is a one-consent state, which means as long as one of you knows, it's legal. Now, I advise you to shut up until we can Mirandize you. Regarding court, if you're found guilty, it's an automatic one to three years in prison, plus any fines the judge wants to impose."

He looked like he was about to pass out when they steered him into an empty room and let him stew under the watchful glare of Sgt. Matthews for about twenty minutes. Cpt. Rogers entered with me in tow. "Listen well. Mrs. Marshall has agreed to drop charges under certain conditions. Willing to listen?"

He couldn't nod fast enough. "Right then. She will drop charges if you delete any photos of her on your phone, home computer, Cloud, or any other device. You will delete those in our presence immediately. Clear?"

His glare said it all, but he agreed. Matthews opened a laptop, linked it, shoved it, and stood behind him. They were almost done when Matthews grabbed his arm. "Go back!"

Renner protested, but Matthews was insistent. There were more photos of three other women, and he had to delete all of them. Forty minutes later, it was done. Rogers stood. "We will keep the conversation of your attempted extortion of Mrs. Jones for our records, just in case something happens. As much as it pains me, you are free to leave. Mr. Renner, I suggest you reexamine your lifestyle and make changes. One day, you may encounter an aggrieved husband or professional repercussion. I see you have a wedding band, and from experience, debris can splatter in all directions when something explodes and becomes public knowledge. This conference ends in 48 hours, and I suggest you be on your best behavior."

I was behind her, smirking as she explained things, and the looks he gave me were pure murder.

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I went home, trying to put the harrowing event behind me. My husband was surprised at the way I attacked him that night. It was my way of recommitting to our marriage. Despite what I'd done in the past, I truly loved him.

He must have been right about the date of my impregnation because eight and a half months later, I delivered a beautiful baby boy. Two years later, it was a girl, which completed our family.

Years later, I had to attend one more convention as a Vice President to receive an award. Because of the city's history, we made it a family trip. It was held on Thursday and Friday, and we'd booked Monday and Tuesday off as a mini vacation. Gayle was twelve, her body transitioning into womanhood. Mick was almost thirteen and already taller than either parent. My dad was six feet ten inches tall and took after my side of the family. They wanted him on the junior varsity basketball team, but he was a total klutz and never liked it. He enjoyed computers and built one from spare components, an amazing machine that did all kinds of things our factory machines couldn't.

We had our mixer, and I enjoyed talking to people I hadn't seen in years. Then I turned around, and there he was. Dylan. The years had not been kind to him. He was bald and was about thirty or forty-pounds overweight. I idly noticed he wasn't wearing his wedding ring and thought she had probably left him years ago.

"Dylan."

"Bitch."

"I prefer Aime. Should I call you Bastard? I see you're not wearing a ring. She catch you cheating?"

There was a brief flash of pain as he answered. "No, I caught her."

I considered it karmic revenge for all the wives he'd bedded but kept my expression neutral. "I'm truly sorry to hear that. Thanks to us, I almost lost my husband. Are there going to be any problems?"

He flushed, but his voice was steady. "No. You stay in your lane, and I'll stay in mine."

I nodded. "Best of luck, Dylan."

I turned and walked away, smiling as I approached my husband. He saw me talking to Dylan and was grinning. "Who's the older guy?"

"He's someone I met at my very first convention. He's also three years younger than us. When we first met, he had thick hair and was at least thirty pounds lighter. I don't think life has treated him kindly."

Rob eyed him more critically before grinning again. "If life mistreated him, it gave you the VIP treatment. You don't look any older than the day we met. Maybe he never had a good woman to begin with. Lucky me."

My eyes shimmered with unshed tears as I hugged him fiercely. I hated my affair now more than ever, wondering how I'd risked the love of a good man for a roll in the hay. "Lucky us. Speaking of luck, I hope the nanny wore the kids out tonight."

He grinned like an idiot, a very desirable, loving idiot, the rest of the night. I held his arm on the elevator, thanking God for his grace and renewing my dedication to my family.

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Ten years later, I sat with my husband as I watched my son marry the love of his life. She had a career that would eventually include travel, and we would have a long talk soon.

Our company had a digital bulletin board to congratulate employees on their birthdays, marriages, and personal milestones. It included all the branches, and I saw a post announcing that Dylan had passed away at 46. It didn't give details, so I dug a little and found he'd been hit by a car as he ran across a street, fleeing the husband of the woman he'd been sleeping with. The vehicle was going fifty miles an hour, and it smashed him like a bug on a windshield.

I felt sad that he had wasted his life living as he did, but then I heard, "You may kiss the bride. " He disappeared from my memories, hopefully never to return.