Opposites Attract

No sex under 18. This time, it IS fiction, just a natural fact (hat tip, Paula Abdul). A few more lyrical Easter eggs hiding in plain sight, well, just because we can.

As others have also observed, it's difficult to write an original story for this category. So, yeah. Be sure to let me know which character you hate the most in the comments! Spoiler alert, she's probably gonna be named Beth. But there might be others. One day, I will manage to write a story with a clear hero. But that day is not today. Don't go looking for snakes, you might find em'!

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"You can't be effing serious? You're rejecting me because I want to decorate my arm with a sleeve tattoo?"

Carrie Carter looked back with obvious disdain at her long term partner Blake Simmons. They seemingly had it all for a 25 year old couple, steady jobs, about to close and move into their first brand new southwest Florida tract home, now finishing construction. Marriage seemed like a distant priority, if ever, given they both came from single parent homes growing up. Despite this, they were doing pretty well financially for their ages, given Blake's burgeoning career in finance and Carrie's staid work in accounting, despite her obvious passion for the arts outside of the office.

"Carrie, almost no one makes President's Club in their first full year. This is an honor reserved for the top 5% of the firm. We are going to be on the beach with our entire leadership team, including the CEO, and their spouses. This is my chance to stand out amongst the company leaders! The networking opportunity alone will be incredible, and a kick ass weekend paid for by someone else."

Carrie frowned, unimpressed. "You finance quants are all alike. It's all about who drives the fastest car, lives in the biggest house, travels to the most exotic destination, or fucks the hottest girl. So boring and predictable."

Blake locked eyes with Carrie, seemingly building up a level of determination rarely expressed in their relationship. "In my eyes, club trip or not, at least I am already fucking the hottest girl. I love the fact that you are all business from 9-5 and all animal after hours."

A small smile appeared on Carrie's face. "Then why are you pressuring me to forget about my sleeve then?"

Blake sighs. "It doesn't fit the image. The tattoos on your body and thighs tell me, you're a freak, and only I get to see them routinely in the privacy of our home. I need you to be a freak in our bedroom, but still a lady I can show off in the boardroom."

"But it's a club trip Blake. We're going to be on a beach. People wear bikinis at the beach, even at the President's club. You aren't hiding any of my tats on the beach babe, sorry."

"But I can still dress you up in a gown and hang you off my arm at the awards banquet. Don't you think the CEO has an attractive partner? How about the rest of the leadership? The top sales guys? It's private equity babe, who I bring to the table matters and not just how you look in a bikini. None of those guys are bringing wives and girlfriends with sleeve tattoos running down their arms."

"I just don't get you sometimes. You can't maintain a relationship with just the parts of me that you like."

"I like all the parts of you today, just as they are. I want to keep you just like this, forever. Now, come and show a finance bruh what it's like to have a bonafide freak for a girlfriend."

Carrie turned her back on Blake, a hunger in her eyes forming he couldn't see, but he knew would be there. She silently retreated to their bedroom without saying a word, closing the door to the bathroom behind her. Blake followed behind, loosening his tie and carefully undressing himself all before neatly putting his clothes away on a hanger. He eventually climbed into bed, naked and erect, anticipating Carrie to join him once she was ready.

Blake himself may have been a finance bruh by day, but it was Carrie who ruled their existence at night. She emerged from the bathroom wearing nothing but a black lace bra, and holding a set of purpose built ligatures in her hands. With authority, Carrie straddled Blake in bed and moved swiftly to restrain his wrists to the top of the bed, then his ankles to the footboard. She then proceeded to slowly tease, then impale herself on his erection, bringing herself violently to three successive climaxes before Blake lost control inside her. She withdrew herself from his erection, again straddling him, allowing Blake's cum to slowly dribble out from her sex onto his chest. He remained tied up and exposed while she cleaned herself up in the bathroom and readied for bed. Blake was already snoring lightly when Carrie returned to unrestrain him.

Meanwhile, next door to the new home intended for Blake and Carrie, another young couple is completing a final walk through on the home of their own before closing. The husband, Cameron, has an eye for details. The finish of the paint. The seals around the doors and windows. And everything to do with the electrical system, from the placement of the wall switches to organization of the breakers in the circuit panel.

"Does it meet with your approval, sparky?" The wife, Beth, asks her husband Cameron playfully.

"Meh. I've seen cleaner work. No doubt your daddy could have done better."

"Or maybe your dad?"

"Definitely, my dad would have done better."

The self depreciation was overwhelming. Cameron Cray was the electrician that did the rough in and finish trim on the house himself. His company, Cray Electric, specializes in residential construction across the state of Florida. Either Cameron, or one of his crews, was responsible for the electrical rough in for every home being built in this new community. It was a point of pride for Cameron and Beth to take delivery of a new home where Cray completed the electrical construction.

Electrical work is a family pursuit for the Cray's. Cameron's grandfather founded Cray Electric in the 1970's. His father worked in the business beginning in the 1980's, never attending college or trade school, yet eventually rising to be accredited as a Master electrician. Cameron himself was only a Journeyman, so far. There was simply too much money to be made wiring houses to learn everything he would need to know to seek accreditation as an electrical master.

Ironically, it was the trades that brought Beth Light and Cameron Cray together, as unlikely as their pairing might have seemed to the outside world. Beth's father owns Lightspeed Electrical Supply, and built it into a regional powerhouse for contractors seeking electrical building materials. Beth began working counter sales every summer after she turned 16, and quickly became accustomed to the hazing common amongst tradespeople of all stripes.

Cameron and his dad were frequent customers at Lightspeed. Summertime provided Cameron his first exposure to the lifestyle of a tradie even before he graduated high school. In Florida, it isn't so easy wiring in construction where the air conditioning isn't yet on - your day necessarily started early as the afternoon would get too unbearably hot to work. The supply houses open at 6AM and there is usually already a line at the door. Cameron quickly took notice of the attractive Beth standing behind the counter, and after more than a few early mornings decided to make a point to stand in her line to chat things up.

"So, what's an attractive young woman like you doing hanging out in a rough place like this?"

Beth scowled. "My daddy owns this place. Ain't nobody messing with me here."

"Really? All these sweaty sparky's walking around, and none of them hit on you yet? I'm calling B. S."

"No B. S. - Daddy says nobody's gonna hit on me, because most electricians are gay. Is that your excuse?"

Cameron was at first caught flat footed by Beth's spirited response, and then proceeded to sign his pick ticket "Cameron Cray - a. k. a. definitely not gay". As the summer progressed, he proceeded to sign his daily materials pick ticket just "definitely not gay" and built a bit of a reputation for himself at the supply house by doing so. Admittedly, most of the longtime employees recognized the dearth of young people willing to work in the trades and found the playful banter between Beth and Cameron refreshing, anything to get them to take an eventual career in the trades seriously.

Beth's father was perhaps the most resistant to encourage her to follow in his footsteps at the supply house. Not that he didn't want her in the family business, but he only wanted her to be involved because it was what she chose to do. Daddy made a point to support her enrollment in college, just as Beth made a point to come home every summer to work the silly season handling counter sales. There were never enough hands on deck to support all the customers in the busy summer months. She was clearly keeping her options open for after graduation.

Obviously Cameron himself wasn't college bound. As such, he didn't have much luck holding a steady girlfriend through his late teens and early twenties. Cameron and Beth dated casually every summer while she was in college, but it wasn't until the summer before her graduation that either one agreed to become exclusive. Despite, or perhaps because she had visions to eventually succeed her father at Lightspeed, Beth was in no hurry to complete her education and immediately enrolled in a masters program upon graduation. At 24, Beth found herself as a newly minted M. B. A. working full time as operations director at Lightspeed. She was also now engaged to Cameron Cray, the simple journeyman electrician. Their families, especially the fathers, were particularly thrilled with this outcome - unlikely as it may have seemed to any outsider observing the seemingly mismatched couple from a distance. An elaborate wedding and down payment for their first home was bestowed on the young pair.

A few weeks later, Beth and Carrie meet casually in their new backyards as next door neighbors. Carrie quickly agrees to attend a barbecue hosted at the Cray's the following weekend, naturally with Blake in tow. Upon arrival, Carrie is mesmerized by the sight of Cameron in front of the barbecue. Shirt off, tattoos fully visible down his right arm and across his chest. No doubt, Cameron had fully embraced the tradie lifestyle and wasn't a bit concerned by having visible tattoos. He was a man who worked with his hands for a living, and looked like it.

As for Blake, he was immediately intimidated meeting Cameron. The brusque look and overall tattooed appearance reminded him of what he found most provocative about Carrie, but for whatever reason seemed completely off putting when reflected by a rival male. He didn't have time to dwell on this, before Beth came bounding onto the deck, a plate of meat in one hand and a plate of sliced watermelon in the other. Blake was instantly awestruck by the attractive Beth, and baffled how a young, petite wife could be so seemingly refined and at the same time partnered with such a rough cut example of a mate as Cameron.

Alcohol was served and the couples quickly settled into a spirited conversation around a backyard fire pit, feasting on BBQ ribs, hamburgers, corn on the cob and... jello shooters for dessert. While the meal helped to level out the effects of the booze, the liquor drove the conversation to loud and at times, boisterous levels. Blake was doing his level best to control the conversation, while Cameron was naturally quieter and less socially at ease, used to working by himself and not as experienced in forging relationships with new people.

"So Cameron, Carrie tells me your company did the electrical work in our new home. That's incredible."

"Uh-huh. I personally wired your home and mine. We've got these houses pretty dialed in. The rough in only takes about 4 hours from start to finish. I can usually get through 2 houses in a day, unless it's too hot."

"Isn't that something." Blake, although used to striking conversations with just about anyone, was finding it difficult to find common ground with Cameron. Beth, recognizing the struggle here, decided to engage Carrie and take the conversation in a different direction.

"Carrie, tell us what you and Blake enjoy? Any hobbies, or travel?"

"Honestly, Blake is a workaholic. He's usually not too much fun. I have a small painting business on the side, and enjoy music and fine arts."

"A painting business? Like, painting houses?" Carrie somehow had Cameron's attention all of the sudden.

"Uh, no... not houses. I'm an impressionist. I paint on canvas. It could be a couple's photo, or a sunset, or nature. Something inspiring. Now that I have a private home, I have a place to display my work."

Beth decided to try again. "What kind of music are you into, Carrie? Cameron and I saw Swiftie together in concert last summer!"

Cameron rolled his eyes at Beth. "Beth saw Swiftie. I just attended as her bodyguard."

Carrie seemed even more unimpressed by the whole thing. "Yeah, Swiftie really isn't my speed. I prefer something a bit more... loud and uptempo."

Cameron was really leaning into the conversation now. "Beth and I have tickets to Metal Prism next month in Tampa, at Waylon Plains Stadium. I've been waiting 3 years for the escape the penitentiary tour to kick off, now that the lead singer is broke out of jail."

"Metal Prism, whoa! Now, that's my idea of a concert. Randy Prism was in jail because a fan died at one of his shows?"

"Yeah, some drunk asshole charged the stage and Randy threw him off, didn't even stop playing. Dude hit his head and died. So stupid."

Beth was happy to finally have some common ground with Carrie, especially given the shared affinity for a band favored by her husband. "I didn't need a bodyguard for Swiftie, but it was sweet of Cameron to be my date for the show. I'm happy to return the favor for Metal Priest."

"Metal Prism!!!" Both Cameron and Carrie responded in unison.

Later that evening, Beth and Cameron are cuddling in bed, after another of their typically spirited lovemaking sessions.

"I'm glad you brought up the Metal Prism show next month, I honestly had forgotten all about it. What day is it?"

"Uhhhhhh. The twenty fifffth." Cameron was seconds away from dreamland at that moment. Beth leaned over, scrolling through the calendar on her smartphone.

"Oh. Shoot. That's not good."

Cameron opened a single eye. Despite being married less than a year, he was quickly acclimating to when he needed to pay attention to something his wife mentioned casually.

Beth continued "Well, the 25th is a Wednesday. That's the week of the electrical trade union conference in Chicago. I promised Daddy I would attend to represent Lightspeed. Damn. Maybe I can get back in time?"

Cameron didn't respond. He needed to be up at 5AM to get to work, he certainly didn't want to start a conversation that could lead to an argument. At least not tonight.

Days later, Carrie and Beth again come together in the backyard for a conversation over the fence.

"Beth, thanks so much for hosting Blake and I last week. It was great getting to know you and Cameron."

Beth smiled, and took a deep breath. "Carrie, ugh, I may have created a trap for myself the other night and was wondering... maybe you could help me out?"

Intrigued, curious and... a bit suspicious, Carrie leaned in and silently listened for more. It was an awkward setup for a conversation.

"Cameron reminded me about the Metal Prism show. I knew it was coming up next month, I didn't know the date was the 25th. I actually have to be out of town on business that week."

"Sounds like a great excuse for a swiftie fan to skip a Metal concert to me."

"Trust me, it's not the concert I am thinking about. I don't want Cameron to attend the show alone, and maybe a bit worried he might not go altogether if I tell him I will be out of town. I was wondering, if maybe you might want to attend the show with Cameron instead?"

"He doesn't have a buddy to go with him?"

"Maybe he could. I actually haven't even asked. I just thought knowing that you are a big fan, you could just take my place for the evening? I am betting you would have a great time."

Carrie thought about it, the concert would certainly be in the evening and Tampa was only a 2 hour drive. But it was a Wednesday night, she would have to work the next day. It was a lot to thread together.

"Look, I would love to go. Blake never wants to attend any concerts. Why don't you see if he can find a buddy and if it doesn't work out, I would certainly attend in your place."

Beth was satisfied with this answer. However, she didn't take any action to suggest that Cameron needed to look for another +1 for the concert. It wasn't until she was reviewing her calendar with Cameron a few days later that she casually mentioned flying to Chicago on Monday the 23rd.

"When do you fly back?"

"Not before late Wednesday night or sometime Thursday."

"Uggghhhh... forget something? Metal Prism?"

Beth smiled. "I didn't forget, silly. I promised Daddy I would attend the trade show in Chicago before I realized the Metal Prism show was the same week."

Cameron looked obviously dejected. "I guess I can go on my own. Damn. I was looking forward to having you with me."

"Sweetheart, you know this show was never my cup of tea. I sort of think you deserve to attend with someone who will enjoy the experience as much as you. That's why I asked Carrie to attend as your +1."

"Carrie? You mean next door Carrie?"

"She's the only Carrie I know."

"She did mention she was a fan. But we were going to drive to Tampa together in your Nav4? I can't drive my work truck all the way to Tampa, and risk getting my tools stolen."

"I'll rideshare to the airport Monday morning, you can still have my Nav4 for the drive to Tampa."

So it was settled. Beth took off from Ft. Myers Monday morning headed to Chicago. The conference was a success, although a closer inspection of the agenda revealed she could take off Wednesday afternoon without really missing anything important. She changed to an earlier return, but still didn't land back at Ft. Myers until 7PM - 3 hours after Cameron and Carrie had left for Tampa in her Nav4.

Beth's rideshare dropped her off at home about 7:30. She was really missing Cameron after a few nights apart. Blake was on his front porch next door, smiling and waving as she exited the car.

"I thought you were gone until tomorrow? I just ordered pad Thai! Come on over and grab a bite, I can never finish it all by myself."

Beth stashed her suitcase in the door. She hadn't eaten since breakfast and takeout sounded wonderful. Walking into Blake and Carrie's home for the first time was eye opening. There was art affixed to nearly every wall. Blake was opening a bottle of wine, handed Beth a glass, and offered a brief house tour.

Beth followed Blake through the house, sipping her wine, and admiring how different Blake was to her husband Cameron. He was dressed in his work attire - a fitted collared shirt and khaki pants, not shorts or jeans. He wore a fancy watch, his face sported a close shave. Blake's hands were smooth, with clean, manicured fingernails. The tour continued past a meticulously kept master bedroom, a formal guest room, and then a 3rd bedroom that - shockingly - didn't fit the scene at all. There was a swinging chair hanging from the ceiling on chains. A neon light affixed crudely to the wall. And piles of pillows and brightly colored toys and restraints scattered across the floor. Blake suddenly lurched to pull the door closed, and blushed profusely.

"Sorry, that... ugh... that's Carrie's studio. I wasn't expecting to give a tour and probably should have kept that space private."

Beth was also blushing for the moment, and silently nodded. She was at a loss for words. The takeout food was delivered, and the couple retreated to the dining area to eat and finish their wine. The conversation quickly became natural again. Beth couldn't help but recognize how much Blake reminded her of the guys she dated in college, and especially the guys she could have dated in grad school - if she hadn't been so deep with Cameron by that point.

Meanwhile, Cameron had been up earlier than usual at 4AM - with Beth in Chicago, he didn't have to worry about waking her, and he needed the extra hour to get through his workday and still have time to travel up to Tampa for the concert. He figured if he had to miss a day of work, it would be the day after. But only if he had to... that was tomorrow's problem. Carrie, on the other hand, decided to take Wednesday off. She used the time to book a midweek morning appointment to get the outline of her sleeve tattoo completed on her right arm. Blake was going to have to get used to it, like it or not.

Carrie and Cameron met just before 4PM to drive up to Tampa in Beth's Nav4.

"Whoa. Look at the sleeve. Looks right."

"You like it?"

"I've never regretted doing mine."

That was the end of the conversation with respect to tattoos. Carrie appreciated Cameron's come as you are approach, so much more laid back than her uptight boyfriend. The concert was a deafening success, Randy Prism played for 2.5 hours straight and then 2 encores. Waylon Plains stadium was packed to the rafters, and not a soul left until the lights came on for the last time.

The crowd unanimously headed for the exits once it was clear the music was over. Cameron was concerned about losing Carrie in the crowd, and reached out to take her hand to make sure they wouldn't be separated. He needed to hold on tight! Carrie didn't mind, and no one would have seen it as awkward to find a tattoo covered couple holding hands in this crowd. Admittedly, it gave Carrie a bit of a flutter in her female regions, especially feeling the rugged, callous covered fingers of Cameron in her hand. So very different from her manicured partner at home.

The crowd arrived at the parking area about the same time. It was after 11PM, it would be a full 2 hour drive back to Ft. Myers - but only after they escaped the post concert traffic jam. Cameron was usually in bed by 9, maybe 10 at the latest, given the early start required in his profession. The 4AM wake up call combined with the unusually late evening had Cameron feeling irritable. The energy from the heavy metal had everyone feeling aggressive.

Cameron carefully inched his wife's Nav4 through the congested parking lot back to the exit road. He saw a gap in the traffic and didn't hesitate, pushing the accelerator to the floor. What he didn't see was the car on the other side of the road with the identical plan. The collision in the right rear of the Nav4 was violent, spinning them 180* and colliding into several other traffic stalled cars. Fortunately, no one was critically injured, but the little Nav4 along with the car that hit it, would eventually be declared a total loss.

It took an hour for the police to arrive and tow trucks to clear the scene. It was now well after midnight, and no obvious path to get back to Ft. Myers before the morning, at least not without another car. It was too far to rideshare and any place with rentals would be closed until morning. Cameron and Carrie phoned their respective partners to share the news, and it was quickly agreed they should look for hotel rooms and regroup with clear heads in the morning. A rideshare driver wisely suggested they head closer to Tampa airport, given the preponderance of hotels and ability to potentially source a rental car for the trip back home.

It was 2 AM when a weary Cameron and Carrie finally trudged into the lobby of the Tampa airport Marquis Hotel. It was the third place they tried, as pretty much everywhere was sold out for the night. As it turned out, someone's canceled flight left a single room available. Carrie didn't hesitate to throw down her credit card to secure the room key. She was a bit crestfallen to open the door and find the room furnished with... a single king sized bed.

Cameron wasn't shy. "After 22 hours, I am ready for this day to be over, Carrie. I'll take the far side of this bed, and as far as Blake or Beth will ever know, we slept independently. Understood?"

"As long as I get the shower first, it's a deal." Carrie's arm was swollen from the tattoo parlor and all she wanted was a long cold shower. Once it was over, she returned to the bed to discover Cameron with his shirt off, sound asleep. She found a hitch in her breath, seeing this chiseled example of a working man, tattoos across his chest, muscles defined not by a man who knows his way around a gym, but a man who makes his living pulling wires through tight spaces. She had a momentary fantasy about what she might like to do with Cameron, and then thought better of it. She then wondered how on earth a specimen of man like him could be married to a petite M. B. A. like Beth. What a mismatch!

The thick curtains covering the hotel room window obfuscated the sunrise a few hours later. It was after 9 AM before either Carrie or Cameron stirred. Cameron, used to rising before the sun, seemed particularly irritated with how late it was. He was stiff and sore from the after effects of the car crash, and proceeded to take a hot shower to try and loosen up. Carrie was dragging along slowly behind, further irritating Cameron. Eventually, they broke clear from the Marquis together and caught a shuttle bus from the hotel to the airport, eventually making their way to the rental car center. By early afternoon, they were safely back home outside Ft. Myers, the aftermath of a whirlwind 24 hours only now beginning to sink in for both of them.

Carrie wanted to put a little extra effort in for Blake on her return, not confident how he really might be feeling about the concert, the unforeseen circumstances and the fact she unexpectedly spent a full night away with the neighbors husband. She knew Cameron intimidated him, but specifically why was a bit unclear. There was also apprehension that Blake would be seeing her sleeve outline for the first time, and the timing seemed particularly auspicious for all this to be happening at once. Carrie went in search of a pullover top, something with long sleeves to buy her a little extra time to not have a big argument all at once.

Blake was surprisingly relaxed when returning home from work a few hours later.

"So... how was the concert, aside from the car crash anyway?"

"I guess I had a pretty good time."

"Are you hurt?"

"Not really. I feel fine, a little sore, but fine."

"You managed to find a hotel for the night?"

"Uh-huh"

"One room or two, Carrie?"

Carrie narrowed her eyes and focused on Blake. "We tried booking rooms at 3 different hotels. I took the only room we could find. We were lucky to find any room at all."

"So, you ended up sharing a room?"

Carrie didn't respond. Did she need to repeat herself?

"Dirty slut. Whore."

"Nothing happened, asshole."

"Bullshit, nothing happened. Did you fuck him?"

"No, I didn't fuckhim. But maybe I wanted to."

Blake turned around and silently retreated to the master bedroom he shares with Carrie. He began taking his clothes off, silently, methodically. Carrie entered her studio and gathered a handful of erotic restraints. She used the hall bathroom and removed all of her clothing from the waist down, careful to leave her top half fully dressed. Exiting the bathroom, she found Blake spread out on the bed, with the sheets neatly turned down just as she expected.

Carrie restrained Blake at the wrists and ankles. She then reached into her nightstand, and produced a black leather mask. Blake winced upon seeing this, but there was nothing he could do. Carrie covered Blakes face, only his eyes were visible underneath the mask. Carrie briefly began to rub her pussy over Blakes erection, but it was pointless for both of them as the mutual arousal was quickly overwhelming.

Carrie controlled the penetration, as Blake was basically strapped motionless to the bed, even tighter than usual. She began calling out to Blake "Ohh fuck me Cameron. Give me your rock hard, tattoo covered contractor dick. I wanna feel you nut in my unprotected pussy, just like after last night's concert. Just like you took me again this morning in the shower. Ohh Cameron, Fuuuckk meeeee!!!"

About that time, Carrie experienced a crushing, wave-like orgasm. Usually, Blake manages to initially hold back, but not this time. Blake came with a roar, thrashing against his restraints, something even Carrie found amusing and unprecedented for her long time partner. Once they both came down, Carrie took a deep breath and spit on Blake's face, cascading off the leather mask.

"Hey! Uncalled for!"

Carrie didn't respond, she just gently withdrew and exited to the bathroom to clean herself up. She returned to the bed, carefully removing the restraints and the mask. Carrie and Blake began a post sexual cuddle.

"Seriously babe. Tell me you didn't actually fuck Cameron."

Carrie smiled. "Blake, nothing happened. I'm not a homewrecker. We live next door to this guy and his prima donna wife for christ sakes."

"I just needed to know to be sure. And Carrie..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you. I love you. And, ugh, it won't be long before Cameron is ready for round 2!"

There was a hearty laugh. And then some genuine open mouth kissing. Blake unzipped the top that Carrie was still wearing, looking to remove the clothes she hadn't already in full anticipation of a longer, slower, more genuine lovemaking session to follow up on the fantasy rutting that just occurred.

"Carrie! OMG, your arm!"

Meanwhile, next door at the Cray residence...

"Cameron, thank god you're alive! Are you hurting?"

"Not as bad as when I woke up this morning. At least I am faring better than your car."

"The car can be replaced, but its contents cannot. I am just thankful it wasn't any more serious."

"I will pay the insurance deductible. I will find you a brand new Nav4. It shouldn't have happened. Beth, I'm sorry."

"What about Carrie? Is she ok?"

"No worse than me. Just bumps and bruises as far as I know."

"Ok. Where did you end up staying last night?"

"Some hotel called the Marquis. I guess it was nice, I mean it had to be comfortable given I overslept this morning."

"You overslept because you went to bed crazy late. Sheesh the Marquis! How much did that cost walking in off the street?"

"I don't know actually. Carrie paid for the room."

"Wait, Carrie paid for your hotel room? Well, we did buy her concert ticket, and wreck our car. I guess paying for a couple hotel rooms is the least she could do."

"Beth, I want to be honest with you. All the hotels were already sold out. The only room available was at the Marquis."

"Only room available..." Beth was processing the comment from Cameron casually, and then the acknowledgment registered with a bit of a shock on her face. Her husband just admitted to sharing a hotel room with another woman. The same woman who was their next door neighbor, and who Beth had casually set her husband up with innocently as his companion for the concert.

Beth was at first at a loss for words. The shock continued to resonate on her face. At some point, after a few seconds, she snapped out of it "Ugh, thank you for being honest about this. Given all the potential things that could have gone wrong, this seems like a trivial thing to even be questioning." Beth's voice trailed off.

After a few seconds of additional processing, Beth exclaimed "I don't know why this bothers me so much, Cameron, but this makes me uncomfortable." Cameron stood up to embrace his wife, she defensively pulled away. Now it was Cameron's turn to look defensive.

"Beth. Nothing happened. We fell asleep. In separate beds. And slept far too late this morning. It was a crazy, fucked up situation. In some ways, I wish you were there and in others, I am glad you were anywhere else safe and away from the shock and danger of the accident."

"If I was with you the accident would have never happened. I could have been driving. There would have been no wreck, no hotel, no possibility or room for indiscretion. I set us up for this."

"C'mon Beth. Seriously? None of this is your fault."

Beth shook her head violently. "No. No, I should have come home earlier. Sending you with Carrie was foolish. Damn what an idiot I was."

Cameron was starting to lose patience here too. "You know, we are all adults here. Accidents happen, anyplace and anytime. You not being there didn't cause or prevent anything."

"I just need some time to process and accept this. I'm sorry Cam." Beth turned and walked outside, eventually off the porch and away from the house. She was overwhelmed with emotions and just needed time to think. She came home, but it wasn't like it should have been. After nearly a full workweek apart, they went to bed and didn't make love. It was a rare night they weren't together physically, and unheard of after a period of separation. But it was clear neither partner was feeling up to the task that evening.

Friday was a little better. Definitely not normal, but better. Cameron and Beth made love Friday evening. It was tentative at first, eventually their repressed desires took over. It had been 5 days at that point, which is a long time for any newlywed couple. Any other weekend, Cameron would have lingered in bed Saturday morning and likely woke up to another slow round of morning sex with Beth. Unfortunately, this Saturday morning, Cameron was back on the job site. He had to make up the lost time on the schedule for being out unexpectedly on Thursday. Beth found herself on the porch alone sipping coffee at 8AM, when a sweaty Blake came walking by, after completing his morning run. She waved, and he took the invitation to walk up the driveway to join her on the porch.

"How's Carrie feeling? Recovered from the crash yet?"

"From the crash? As far as I can tell. As usual, with Carrie the worst wounds are always self inflicted."

Beth crossed her eyes with concern. Self inflicted? What does that mean? "Cameron shared his side of the story about the aftermath of the concert. Blake, just to clear the air, I never envisioned anything like this happening. I feel guilty that I potentially put all of us in an awkward situation."

"You shouldn't feel this way. Carrie confirmed Cameron was nothing other than a gentleman. We discussed it once and moved on to other subjects, which unfortunately proved far more controversial."

"More controversial than an unplanned night in a hotel together with her next door neighbors husband? Ok, this I gotta hear."

"For weeks, Carrie has been contemplating a sleeve tattoo. I guess I shouldn't care, it's not unattractive, it just doesn't always fit the image of the crowd I work with. I asked her to put it off until after our upcoming President's club trip, but apparently even that was too much to ask."

"Well, it's not going to be a problem since I'll be staying home for the President's club!" Carrie approached the porch while overhearing the conversation, and didn't miss the opportunity to join in. "And for the record Beth, what Blake's really suggesting is he would rather show up at President's club with a girlfriend that looks a helluva lot closer to you than me. He isn't saying it, so let me finish the story for him."

"Carrie, that's not true, and you are still going. I'm not going alone, and I'm not going without you."

"Well, I'm for sure not going so you better start thinking about plan B, shithead!" Blake quietly excused himself from the conversation, and retreated to the safety of his home next door, with Carrie smirking along behind him. Beth was shocked at the abuse Carrie seemed all too anxious to heap onto Blake, especially in front of a neighbor. For a moment, she realized any challenge accepting Cameron's behavior, who was at work dutifully making up for lost time, paled in comparison with whatever was happening next door, where the tension seemingly had nothing to do at all with the events after the concert.

The remainder of the weekend was... mostly quiet and uneventful. Cameron was on his best behavior, determined to make up any perceived indiscretion to his wife, and mostly preoccupied with replacing her wrecked car. There didn't seem to be much activity happening next door. The new work week kicked off, and Beth was outside one evening watering flowers when Carrie approached the fence to talk.

"Hi Beth. Listen, I feel the need to apologize for my outburst Saturday morning with Blake. It was disrespectful of me all around to bring our personal disputes into the conversation. I just wanted to say sorry for my behavior."

"No need to apologize, Carrie. We all make mistakes easily in emotionally charged situations. And we've definitely had some of those recently!"

"Ha. Yeah, I guess. Hey Beth, it sounds crazy, but might you be willing to maybe help a girl out over here? It's going to be an odd request, but actually hoping you might hear this one out."

"I guess. I mean, yeah, sure."

"As you already know, Blake and I had a pretty big argument over my sleeve tattoo. Anyway, this upcoming club trip to Cancun is apparently a big deal for him and his career. He doesn't want to go alone, and I don't feel comfortable going anymore, given how judgemental the people he works with can be. I am convinced that by attending, I do him more harm than good."

"I mean, I can appreciate why you don't feel comfortable participating, so I am following there. Not sure I am seeing what this has to do with me?"

"Not going to beat around the bush here. Blake needs a +1 for the event. Someone cultured, educated, who fits the mold of a girl an up and coming private equity executive should be dating. That person definitely isn't me. But, it could be you."

Beth recoiled even at the thought. "Carrie! I am not going to attend the President's club in your place. I'm not Blake's girlfriend, I am Cameron's wife!"

"Beth, relax and hear me out. You would arrive mid day Friday, there is a social event Friday night. All activities Saturday during the day are unstructured. The main event is the awards banquet Saturday night, this is what Blake is most anxious about. It's basically 2 nights of social activity, and your obligation would be over."

"There aren't going to be any obligations, Carrie. You are batshit crazy if you think my husband would allow me to do this."

"Cameron isn't going to care, because he's going to be right there in Cancun with you. I've asked Blake to foot the bill for transportation, and a second hotel room for you and Cameron to share. Not just for Friday and Saturday, but for Sunday and Monday nights after the event officially wraps up as well. It will basically be a paid vacation for the two of you, with the only thing expected in return is you accompanying Blake as his +1 for Friday and Saturday night's events."

Beth was startled by Carrie's proposal. But intrigued. Why wouldn't Cameron agree to support this, assuming he would be there, and anytime she would be alone, it would be with him? Then again, Beth caught herself. She knows Carrie is a little bit crazy, thinking back to the recent house tour with Blake and her antics on the front porch the other morning. Why on earth would she ever want to get involved here?

Later that evening, Beth decided to initiate a conversation with Cameron, convinced he would wisely shoot this plan down.

"You'll never guess the wacky conversation I had with crazy Carrie today."

"Try me. After 24 hours with her recently, not sure anything would surprise me over there."

"She and Blake had a major argument about their upcoming President's club trip to Cancun. Carrie is self conscious about her sleeve, and thinks that the stodgy private equity bruh crowd Blake runs with is going to reject her. So she isn't going anymore."

"Other than giving up what I assume is an all expenses paid trip to Cancun, not too hard to believe so far."

"Oh, but it gets better. We haven't got to the crazy part yet. Carrie thinks we should go in her place - you and I could take an all expenses paid vacation, courtesy of Blake, and I can accompany Blake as his +1 for the social events."

"A free trip to Cancun for us? What's so crazy about that?"

"Cameron Cray! She wants me to accompany Blake as his date for the social events. That is exactly what is crazy about her plan."

"Meh. Can't say I'm happy about that. Then again, I've never actually been to Mexico. I only used my passport that one time for our honeymoon. What am I going to be doing while you are being social with Blake?"

"Probably sitting at the bar, I assume, getting drunk worried about your wife being introduced as a +1 for another man!"

"Well, getting drunk at a bar in Cancun doesn't sound half bad actually?"

"CAMERON!"

Beth's plan to have Cameron veto President's club didn't work out as she expected. Admittedly, her husband would be at the resort the entire time, they would have their own private room together, and having Sunday and Monday to reconnect as a couple for the first time since their honeymoon sounded... well, intriguing. So, it was agreed. With some trepidation, she confirmed the plan with Blake and Carrie. Blake agreed to make the travel bookings and affirmed his responsibility for the expenses. They would all set off for Cancun together, one week from Friday.

The Thursday night before departure, the entirely foreseeable, but unthinkable happened. Cameron was up on deadline to wire an entire block of houses where framing had been delayed by a hurricane the prior month. This was no time to disappear for Friday, Monday and Tuesday to take a trip to Cancun. When it's a small business, and your customer is a major nationwide production homebuilder, sacrifices shall be made.

"Ugh, Beth. I don't think I can leave for Cancun in the morning."

"Too late Cam. We agreed. And you are still going, buster!"

"Seriously Beth, you know the deal. I am sick over this. But if I work Friday and Saturday, and ask the fellas to work Saturday, I can probably fly down Sunday morning and be with you until you leave on Tuesday."

"You are seriously leaving me alone, playing Blake's girlfriend unchaperoned for Friday and Saturday night?"

"You are still going to have your own hotel room, right?"

"Of course!"

"And, you aren't doing anything you weren't already obligated to do anyway, right? We are all adults here. If you can trust me with Carrie for 24 hours, certainly I can trust you for 48 hours with antiseptic Blake?"

Beth smiled at the reference. "Cameron, you know this isn't how I wanted this to go. It's not about us trusting each other..."

Beth didn't get a chance to talk any further. Cameron wanted to send Beth off with a reminder of just who she belongs to. Cameron gave Beth a lovemaking for the ages. She might be walking a little bow legged down the jet bridge tomorrow morning. But not before Beth stopped to text Blake the update, in hopes he could change Cameron's flight from Friday, to Sunday morning.

Cameron was up as usual for work Friday morning at 5AM, in time to see Blake and Beth off to the Southwest Florida International Airport for the flight to Cancun. Beth was in fact walking a little gingerly, and stunned once on the plane as Blake guided her to their seats together.

"First class?"

"I managed to score a couple upgrades when I called to change Cameron's flight to Sunday. Hey, it's a club trip, time to celebrate a job well done for me."

Beth couldn't help but enjoy the experience. Her father didn't believe in premium class travel, and Cameron hardly traveled anywhere by air, period. Here she was, traveling as an M. B. A. with an equally cultured travel partner to an elite corporate incentive trip. No doubt, Beth was solidly in love with her husband. But once again, time alone with Blake quickly reminded her of paths in life not taken. It was easy to daydream about how different her life could have been, maybe should have been, should she simply have abandoned dreams of marrying Cameron to make her father happy in pursuit of settling down with a man of more sophisticated means.

Beth recognized that she would potentially be exposing herself publicly as someone who she actually wasn't. She connected to the inflight WiFi and reset her Facespace and Picturegram social media profiles to private. She didn't bother with LI, as that was professional networking, and she never changed her professional name even after marriage.

It was about the time the pilot initiated the descent into Cancun where Blake suddenly appeared restless. He wasn't making eye contact with Beth, instead his eyes pointed down at his lap.

"Blake? Ugh, is something wrong?" Blake didn't respond, but eventually reached over to his right side and tapped on Beth's left hand.

"I wasn't planning on introducing you as anything more than just a date, or maybe a girlfriend. The wedding ring might suggest there is more than meets the eye going on here."

"Oh? Ohhhhh. Right. Got it." Beth, blushing heavily, gently twisted the wedding and engagement set of rings off her hand, and set them carefully inside a zippered compartment in her carry on. Now it was Beth feeling suddenly self conscious, eyeing the dimple on her finger where her rings usually occupied. She was really about to be doing this!

The plane touched down, and there was the usual hustle through customs and a 30 minute shuttle to the resort area. Upon resort arrival, Blake and Beth were surrounded by several of Blake's colleagues. Introductions were fast and furious, no chance Beth would remember all their names. She expected this to be awkward; but it wasn't, just shaking hands and being introduced as "Beth" without further explanation. The fact she and Blake were a couple was just assumed, for now.

Eventually, the check in line wound down, and Blake and Beth were eye to eye with the resort agent.

"Hello Mr. Blake Simmons - I have a reservation for 2 adults, 4 nights, checking in Friday and departing Tuesday. Could you confirm this is correct?"

"Actually, there should be 2 rooms reserved for me. One room checking out Sunday and the other, Tuesday."

The resort agent typed away into her computer. She seemed confused and left to speak with her supervisor. Another manager was summoned, who eventually accompanied the agent to explain. "Hi Mr. Blake. You are with the equity group, correct?"

"Yes, correct."

"We did in fact receive 2 reservation requests under your name, but assumed it was a duplicate because of the group affiliation. No one in your group reserved more than one room."

"That is your mistake. I reserved two rooms, intentionally. I will need you to uncancel the earlier reservation, and assign me a second room."

The agent and her manager continued to type furiously into the computer. "Okay. Good and bad news. This property is sold out this weekend, and I can only offer you one room here. I can however reserve you a second room at our sister property nearby."

Blake looked crestfallen. "How close is... nearby?"

"15-30 minutes, depending on route and time of day."

Beth turned away from the resort agent, blushing furiously.

"What do you want to do, Beth?"

"I mean, it's not like I have a car. I'm not even sure it's safe to leave this place as a young woman traveling alone, late tonight or tomorrow night after the events. I mean, we're not in Ft. Myers anymore. Would you be willing to take it?"

"I mean, do I have a choice? Damn, I am going to attract attention to myself if someone figures out I'm not even staying here."

Beth seemed to make a snap decision in the moment. "We can just stay here. We're both adults, if Cameron and Carrie can act responsibly together for a night, certainly WE can make it work for two nights." Beth passively insulted both Carrie and Cameron at the moment, without even thinking about what she said.

Blake confidently turned to the resort agent and said "Please reset my reservation to just this resort, a single room, checking out Tuesday." Blake was leaving Sunday anyway, and could likely depart well ahead of Cameron's midday arrival. Realistically, Cameron probably didn't need to even know this ever happened.

Room key procured, Beth and Blake wound their way across the resort to their assigned room. They quickly discovered they were in luck! The assigned room was upgraded, large and luxurious. While it indeed was equipped with a single king sized bed, Beth was relieved to see a large sofa entirely separate outside the bedroom. As awkward as the circumstances felt, at least she was feeling confident that she could be honest with Cameron that she actually shared a room with Blake, and that they didn't ever sleep in the same bed together. It didn't sit so well knowing how she felt blindsided after learning that Cameron and Carrie shared a private room together after the fact, and for a moment she considered phoning Cameron on the spot, but eventually thought better of it. She didn't want to create anxiety at the moment, and she wasn't in a position to change anything. This was all an honest misunderstanding, in an otherwise very unnatural situation.

The evening social event was, as expected, a huge success. Happy hour flowed into a buffet style dinner, conversation and dancing. The alcohol was flowing across the crowd, and the normally stodgy world of private equity was cutting loose. It was a young, educated, high energy crowd. Beth was once again mesmerized by all the beautiful, wealthy and accomplished people she saw. Immediately, it was obvious to Beth why Carrie would have felt like a fish out of water here. This was decidedly not the tattoo and heavy metal loving crowd, but instead conversations abound with remarks on world events, college football, wine and spirits. There wasn't anything in sight that reminded her of the lifestyle of a tradesman, or even the well educated wife of one.

It was well after midnight when a thoroughly entertained Blake and Beth returned to their room.

"Beth, I just really, really want to thank you for everything tonight. I hope you had a great time, despite the occasionally awkward circumstances."

"Actually, I had a really great time. But I am still going to ask that you take the couch, Mr. Blake." Beth's alcohol influenced judgement was not impaired enough to change her plans for the evening. As far as she was concerned, she was halfway through her obligation as Blake's +1. Her thoughts were shifting back to Cameron, his arrival and their reunification on Sunday afternoon. Beth closed the door to the bedroom, leaving Blake to make himself at home on the couch. Or the balcony. Pretty much anywhere he chose, outside of her bedroom. She fell asleep satisfied by experiencing one of the most interesting days of her life, starting in first class and ending with one of the best social experiences she ever attended.

Saturday morning, Beth was up with the sun. She hadn't realized her balcony faced east nor bothered to close any curtains. Wearing nothing more than her panties and pajamas, she quietly exited the bedroom looking for Blake, finding him stone cold asleep on the couch. Blake was barely clad in his boxers, sporting a visibly impressive display of morning wood. This time, it was Beth with a hitch in her breath, and a subconscious bite of her lower lip. She clearly was attracted to Blake as an individual - the career, the lifestyle, the confidence and his executive presence. But, she really honestly had never thought about him... well, like that. Her mind had never actually wandered far enough to think about being with Blake physically. Beth definitely had Cameron to thank for helping her mind from ever wandering. But in the moment, she couldn't help but imagine what it might be like to take a naughty next step.

Inexplicably, Beth suddenly found herself on her knees, wrapping her bony fingers around Blake's erection. She began stroking him gently, rubbing her thumb over his tip and immediately receiving precum. Blake had a heavy smile on his face before his eyes were even open.

"Carrie?" Blake seemed confused and disoriented by the circumstances.

"Shhh. Just helping you out with something." In the moment, Blake opened both eyes, shocked to see Beth with a look of seduction and her hands massaging his manhood. He quickly assumed he was dreaming, closing his eyes to preserve the experience.

For Beth, this was far from a dream, and she was getting into it. She continued giving Blake the handjob, his precum being more than sufficient by this point to lubricate her fingers moving up and down his erect shaft. After a few minutes more, Blake erupted, shooting copious amounts of semen everywhere.

"Whoa. Somebody was backed up down there. Let me get up and find some towels!" Blake was suddenly shocked out of his dream state hearing Beth's soothing voice. Beth returned with a stack of towels, concentrating on wiping Blake's spunk off the sofa and pretty much everything else he coated in the room.

"Do you always cum that much? How long have you been holding back?"

"I don't know. I mean, at least since we left home?"

Beth smiled. "As far as Carrie or Cameron knows, this never happened. Understood?"

"As long as I can have the shower next, absolutely!" Blake stood, red faced, and briskly made his way into the bathroom. While he wasn't complaining, he didn't see this morning's events coming and felt a mix of emotions regarding who was really responsible for this momentary indiscretion. Those concerns faded quickly, and soon he and Beth were off to enjoy breakfast together on their only full day at the resort masquerading as a couple.

After breakfast, it was decided to change into swimwear and go for a walk together on the beach. Beth was self conscious about the pool area, she had mostly avoided deep conversations the evening prior in an attempt to disguise the superficial nature of her relationship of convenience with Blake. But there was no denying how much of a good time she had anyway. The entire trip was eye opening to a lifestyle she assumed existed, but somehow seemed out of reach, at least for the time being. A few minutes into their walk, Beth reaches over to gently hold Blake's soft manicured hand.

"I hope you realize, I didn't intend to get so carried away this morning. I shouldn't have started touching you without your consent or permission."

"What red blooded young man turns down a handjob from a beautiful woman?"

"I suppose, one who is in a committed relationship with another beautiful woman. There is a question however that's on my mind that I have been dying to ask? What is it that you see in Carrie, Blake? On top of the fact she treats you like shit, she is 100% correct that she probably never fits in here. Why keep settling for that?"

"They say it's rude to answer a question with a question, so here goes anyway. How did you, the petite, beautiful M. B. A. manage to settle down with tradesman Cameron. Surely, you had your pick of men in business school, yet you come home and marry that guy?"

"Ok, so I'm going first. I guess part of it was to make Daddy happy. Cameron is a man he understands and appreciates. I guess it was my dream to one day assume the family business, Cameron is simply a puzzle piece for me, maybe a more obvious one than it seems. And, Cam has some other... noteworthy attributes." Beth smiles somewhat seductively while staring forward and avoiding eye contact.

"Carrie exposes some weaknesses for me too, I guess. I really do love her, and can't imagine being without her. That said, in public she can be a major liability. I am probably kidding myself that we could ever do a trip like this together, without people passing judgement on me for choosing someone so... artistic and socially volatile as a partner."

"I never would have said this before a couple days ago, but I might actually consider making this our annual tradition, Blake. A girl could really get into these club trips!" There was some hearty laughter from both, and a natural couples embrace. Neither believed anything like this could actually be possible, but it had been a fun fantasy weekend together. Blake wrapped up their long beach walk commenting "Let's head in and get ready for the awards gala. I am going to really enjoy having my first class girlfriend for one final evening."

The awards gala was indeed a formal event. Blake wore a tuxedo, and fortunately Beth had the forethought to bring a fancy evening gown for the occasion. The event began with cocktails, followed by a 5 course menu and lots of wine. Beth remained socially at ease, gently touching Blake at times for emotive effect in conversation, no one would have dared suspect they were anything other than a long time couple. As dinner wound down, the awards presentation started, and Blake began to look nervous as colleague after colleague was recognized for some contribution to the business. As ever in these situations, the biggest and most prestigious awards are left for last. After almost 90 minutes of ceremony, Blake still sat empty handed. It was at that moment the head of finance took the podium, to announce the final awards.

"It's not every year that we see a newcomer join the team, and make an immediate impact. This is a difficult industry to learn and do well. But this year, someone came along that helped us win more deals, at higher margins, with less risk, faster than before. I can't wait to watch the impact this young man will bring to our company, and our industry in the years to come. A hearty congratulations is due to our finance team rookie of the year, Blake Simmons."

Blake stood, and walked confidently to the stage to collect his reward. One spotlight was on the podium, and the other on the table where Blake and Beth were seated, the only empty chair being the one abandoned by Blake when he stood to accept his award. If there was anyone in the room unaware of the elegant and attractive Beth as Blake's partner, the doubts were annihilated by the spotlight showing a glowing and supportive Beth, standing and clapping as he celebrated on stage with the head of finance.

There was a post awards ceremony party. Lots more drinking, live music, and dancing. The celebration continued until almost 2AM. Blake and Beth eventually returned to their room as a very intoxicated couple. It seemed as if the late night was in some ways, only getting started. The door to the room had barely closed, when Blake took Beth's face in his hands, and delivered a passionate open mouth kiss.

Beth recoiled after a moment. "Blake, ugh, what are we doing?"

"I just wanted to enjoy one last moment of pretending you really are my girlfriend. I guess I am just drunk. Sorry I crossed the line."

Beth smiled. "It's OK. Maybe we are even now?"

Blake walked across the room, picking up the small carryon bag Beth had brought on the plane. Inside, he found the zippered compartment containing her wedding rings. Removing them, he walked confidently back to Beth, looking deeply into her eyes, then carefully sliding the rings back to their rightful place on her left hand.

"Our time pretending to be a couple is over now, Beth. You've taught me a thing or two this weekend, but one thing you established I am now certain of. If I ever get the opportunity to put another wedding ring on a girl's finger that is as beautiful and seductive as you, her name probably won't be... Carrie."

Beth was blushing furiously. It was probably the alcohol. Whatever it was, in the moment, her judgment was severely impaired. She was overwhelmed with emotion and surprised by how thoroughly she had enjoyed the weekend together with Blake. Somehow, Beth wasn't entirely ready for it to end. She took Blake's hand and began walking slowly towards the bedroom.

"I don't think the rookie of the year deserves to sleep on the couch tonight." Beth had a look in her eyes like a woman possessed. She gently and methodically began removing Blake's tuxedo, from the top down. Dropping to her knees, she released his belt, eased his pants off and slid down his boxer briefs with both hands. She began taking Blake in her mouth as he gently moaned his approval. Beth quickly sensed Blake getting close and pulled back, gazing up into his eyes.

"No. Not yet."

Beth stood and seductively unzipped her gown, removing it and carefully placing it on a chair containing Blake's discarded tuxedo. Blake was unsure what to do next - although it was obvious Beth was expecting to proceed. Beth isn't used to taking the lead in the bedroom, and felt somewhat more emboldened given Blake's tentative nature. She guided him to the bed, lying on his back. Beth was relishing being the aggressor here, which was atypical for her. She is used to Cameron taking charge in the bedroom, with her gripping the sheets for dear life underneath him. Now, she was on top and in control, which only served to amplify the excitement and energy for her.

Blake was basically lying still as Beth's hand guided his erection into her wet and ready pussy. She was slow and deliberate, working to enjoy their forbidden experience. After several minutes of slow, deliberate edging, Blake opened his eyes wide.

"BETH! I'm about to cum."

Beth locked eyes with Blake, quietly whispering "I'm on the pill."

Initially, there was just a small twitch. Then, a series of intense spasms. Beth could feel each spurt of ejaculation warmly coating her insides. After several minutes of edging herself, she just assumed her orgasm would occur naturally. But she wasn't accustomed to being on top and having to work for it. Beth was excited to be with her first new partner since her undergrad days in college, but the late night and effects of alcohol seemed to distract from the experience. Eventually, she ground her clit hard enough against Blake's pelvis to achieve her own release. It was all so different. Cameron never comes first, this was the first time in recent memory that Beth only achieved her climax after her partner's release.

At some point, they physically disengaged and quickly fell into a deep sleep. Beth had somehow remembered before heading to the gala to close her curtains, hence no one noticed the blazing sun until Beth somehow turned over to discover the clock reading...9:30 AM! Cameron's plane would be landing at 11! Suddenly, Beth was stone cold sober and waking up to a previously inconceivable scene. The bed remained wet in the aftermath of her frantic coupling with Blake. Beth herself was a sticky, unrecognizable mess. She quickly tossed the covers off the bed and headed for the shower, careful to wash away as much evidence from the night before as she possibly could. As soon as she was out, Blake was tapping on the door insisting on his turn. He needed to get to the airport himself, likely flying home on the same plane that was about to deliver Cameron to take his place!

Beth was off balance, and needed to find her composure quickly. She stripped the bed entirely, moving the sheets to the breezeway in hopes to clear the room from the smell of sex. She then piled the bath towels on top. She phoned the front desk and requested housekeeping to come and service the room ASAP.

There was seemingly no time for an emotional goodbye, or even a simple reconciliation over what happened while drunk the night before. Blake took off, skipping the employee shuttle to the airport and instead calling a private rideshare. He didn't want to have to answer questions from his colleagues on what happened to Beth, lest he have to lie again and insist she flew home early for whatever reason. In the meantime, Beth retreated to a quiet corner of the resort, donning a baseball cap and her hair in a ponytail in hopes she wouldn't be easily recognizable to any of Blake's colleagues lingering behind. She was tracking Cameron's plane and expected landing to be imminent. In about an hour, she would try to discreetly move to the lobby. Somehow, she needed to put the events of the prior 2 days in the past, and refocus her energy on her husband.

Cameron arrived just before 1PM. He was relieved to be reunited with Beth, and found her... much as he left her a little over 2 days before. As she was already checked in, there was no need to linger in the public lobby and Beth guided Cameron quickly to their room. To her relief, the soiled linens had disappeared from the breezeway, and the room had been remade fresh as if she was just checking in for the first time. Absent was any evidence of Blake, or what occurred not even 12 hours before. Despite having no knowledge of the events of the previous evening, Cameron didn't hesitate to reclaim his wife physically. He didn't like being separated while his wife played fantasy date with "antiseptic Blake", and had been careful to send Beth off thoroughly sated, in hopes it might forestall the possibility of her getting caught in the fantasy. The remade hotel suite was quickly disheveled as Cameron physically reminded Beth who she really belonged to. Hardly a word was spoken amongst the pair until they were cuddling after their reunion coitus.

"So, how was it?"

"Amazing. As always." Beth snuggled deeper into Cameron's imposing arms.

"Ugh, I was referring to the weekend. You know, the whole reason we came down here to begin with?"

"Oh. Whoops. I mean, it went by fast. Time moves quickly here in paradise."

Cameron was a little unsettled by the paradise comment, and the glossy look in Beth's eyes. With some trepidation, he probed deeper. "You mean it wasn't uncomfortable being introduced as Blake's girlfriend?"

"He avoided that opportunity well. I was introduced every time simply as Beth. People just assumed we were together as a couple, and I tried to avoid any inference that we weren't. After a while, it wasn't super awkward and yes, I still had a great time. The people, the parties, the awards gala... it was all a fantastic experience."

Cameron was uncertain on how to respond to this, when Beth seemed to snap out of her trance, with authority. "Look, it was at times a little awkward for sure, but otherwise a memorable weekend. I am happy to be returned, safe and sound to the arms of my husband. We have a short two days remaining in our abbreviated weekend together, after you were forced to work the first half. Now, how about you remind me of how we were supposed to be spending our weekend in paradise together?"

Cameron didn't need any additional reminder that he had abandoned his intentions all on his own to spend the first half of the weekend with Beth. It was behind them now. Cameron knew he had an open invitation for another round, and he wasn't going to miss. Their second coupling was slower, and much more intimate than their first frantic round. Beth gave Cameron no reason to believe anything happened that would have made either party uncomfortable, and for the moment - that was good enough for him. As for Beth, privately she couldn't help but benchmark her powerful husband against Blake as her one time lover - a comparison that for Beth, Cameron physically dominated. Admittedly, she had in fact fallen in love quickly with the lifestyle a man like Blake could provide, although she was pretty sure it wasn't worth permanently taking up in trade for mediocre sex. Still, a woman can fantasize what it might be like if she could somehow have it all?

The next 2 days passed quickly, although Beth and Cameron saw more of each other under the covers than they did of the resort. Beth was packing her bags Tuesday to head back to the airport when she recognized she had missed several birth control pills this cycle. The travel, the upended schedule, late night drinking, just a complete breakdown in her usual routine across the board. It shouldn't matter, she had been on this prescription throughout her college days, even before she was an item with Cameron. It never failed, and she had certainly missed pills before. She swallowed a pill on discovery, then headed out to the airport, forgetting she even noticed it.

The flight home was in stark contrast to the trip over. Every seat was packed, and of course both Cameron and Beth are booked in economy class. They weren't even seated together, and they were both assigned middle seats. It was an in your face reminder of just how different the "first class" experience was between flying out with Blake and flying back spartan with Cameron. Beth was trying... hard... to avoid these sorts of comparisons in her mind. But, it was starting to be endemic. And not particularly healthy.

It was several days after their return to Ft. Myers when Beth and Carrie met casually outside in their yards.

"Beth! Been meaning to catch you. How was the President's Club?"

"Actually, I had a pretty amazing time. You really should consider going next time." Beth immediately felt guilty for misleading Carrie on her true thoughts on the subject. But what else was she going to say?

"Fat chance of that. Blake was gushing over being named rookie of the year. I suspect an upgrade might be in order before the next club. Unless you are planning to pinch hit as an annual event?"

"I don't know that any of us should press our luck on that, Carrie? At some point, he's going to do serious career damage if someone catches him living a lie."

"Shifting gears, I heard he ended up sleeping on your couch a couple nights. What did Cameron have to say about that? Amazing, the irony here."

Beth immediately turned crimson red. "Carrie, actually this never came up with Cameron. I didn't mean to hold it back, but didn't want to make the situation uncomfortable for him. Is there any opportunity for discretion here?"

"Relax, missy. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, Blake assured me you kept the door to your bedroom closed and locked. Although I could have assured you that wouldn't have been necessary. If I was at all worried, I wouldn't have sent him down with you in the first place."

Beth tried for an ambivalent look on her face. She was growing to dislike Carrie. She didn't believe Carrie's relationship with Blake was going to make it the distance, and she wanted absolutely nothing to do with it when things inevitably fell apart. She resigned herself to be more civil than social with Carrie moving forward.

And such as it was for the next several weeks. The usual routine seemed reestablished, Cameron fully occupied wiring new homes and Beth spending full days working on a variety of managerial issues with her father at Lightspeed supply. Little had been heard from either Blake or Carrie, in fact Beth had not spoken with Blake directly at all since returning from Cancun. Beth had even taken delivery of a brand new Nav4, once the insurance settlement came through. It seemed as if the excitement of the previous few months was finally settling down. But that would make for an especially dull and disinteresting conclusion.

It was at Lightspeed supply house one afternoon where Beth suddenly realized she wasn't feeling well. Was it the tacos she ate for lunch? Doesn't matter; they were coming up either way. No one was concerned when she left for home early. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent this was not an isolated occurrence. Beth was increasingly queasy most of the time. She'd had her period 2 weeks ago, at least she assumed she did. In retrospect, it was lighter and spottier than usual, not that she stopped to notice at the time.

Eventually, a trip to the urgent care coming up with nothing, she was referred to a local family practice. Beth and Cameron didn't have a usual doctor, they were young and healthy, and never established the need. The family doctor took in Beth as a new patient, reviewing the known medical history, medications (noting the birth control), the fact she was newlywed and sexually active then asked the obvious question "have you taken a pregnancy test?" A blood test and half hour later, Beth had a definitive diagnosis. She was approximately 8 weeks pregnant with her first child.

The doctor explained her last period was likely no period at all, it was implantation bleeding. She had to calculate the date of conception from her last known period, which was approximately 2 weeks before her trip to Cancun. This presented an obvious, if otherwise hidden dilemma, given she had slept with 2 different men during the conception window.

Denial is a powerful thing. In Beth's mind, there was no chance this baby belonged to anyone other than Cameron. The inspired round of sex the night before leaving for Cancun? The reclamation and 2 days of uninterrupted coitus upon reunification with her husband days later? During the window for conception, she had unprotected sex with her husband as many as a dozen times, and with Blake once. Conveniently missing from the equation was the knowledge she herself orgasamed only after Blake climaxed (not typical), and her recollection from the hand job just how much semen the man was producing. No, none of this could possibly overcome the fact that she could only be pregnant legitimately by the husband she had forsaken all others to honor.

Given the unplanned nature of the pregnancy, and even a slight chance the child wasn't fathered by her husband, the safe bet might have been for Beth to discreetly pursue a termination. No one would necessarily miss the child she hadn't actually intended to conceive. This was however unsettling for Beth, knowing she carried an innocent life inside of her, almost certainly conceived out of love with Cameron. No, she intended to bring this child to term and become a mother, even if it happened earlier than she planned.

As for Cameron, after getting over the initial shock, he was thrilled. So were their parents. Actually, Beth came to realize this may be a blessing in disguise. It wasn't long before the morning sickness of the first trimester passed. Beth was glowing as a pregnant mother to be. While never exactly lacking in the libido department, the hormonal surge of pregnancy had Beth chasing Cameron around inspired. They were after each other every day, and basically all weekend long. Cameron certainly wasn't complaining - he had heard that sometimes women lose interest for a time after birth, so he was happy to comply with every opportunity to affirm his feelings for Beth physically during this time.

Blake and Carrie were, for the most part, missing in action much of this time. Interactions remained civil, they waved in passing, but didn't spend time together socially. When Beth was about six months along and her condition was increasingly obvious, Carrie caught Beth outside at the mailbox, giving her a hug and congratulations.

"When are you due?"

"I'm about five months along." Beth self consciously lied to Carrie, and took note of the concentrated look on her face as she did the math subtracting five months from the present date. It would have safely registered the month after the Cancun trip.

The remainder of the pregnancy was uncomplicated. Beth delivered a healthy boy naturally on her due date. The infant looked, well, like a newborn. The family all fawned over the child, the first grandchild on either side of the family. Beth's daddy jokingly quipped "well, he must not belong to Cameron, he doesn't have any tattoos!" There was raucous laughter across the hospital room from every visitor but Beth. No one would have suspected her blushing had anything to do with her shock and discomfort that her own father might suggest the infant's parentage to be anyone other than her husband.

The adjustment to motherhood for Beth was rough. She took a maternal leave from Lightspeed, and Cameron worked overtime to support the family. Beth learned to follow the infant's schedule vs. the other way around. She slept when he slept, and ate after he ate. It didn't matter much to Cameron anyway, as he was hardly around at all during the day and tried to get to bed early at night to keep up with his early morning schedule. Unsurprisingly, over time Cameron's schedule seemed to mold well with his son, too bad Beth was stressed out taking the midnight feedings while Cameron slept.

The baby was about 6 weeks old and thriving when Carrie came walking over to visit Beth rocking her sleeping child in a stroller on the front porch. She brought a gift, and made small talk for a few minutes before a startled child's cry interrupted the conversation. For the first time, the anxious infant awoke eyes wide open not to see his mother smiling, but Carrie. Carrie in turn made eye contact with the infant, and nearly passed out in shock. She stumbled off the front porch and suddenly began retching in the bushes.

"BETH. OMG, I can't believe you!"

"Carrie, calm down. What the hell is the matter with you?"

"His eyes. Look into your son's eyes!"

Beth looked frantically into her son's eyes. She saw nothing other than the tears she had seen him cry a thousand times before.

"Ugh, Beth, sweetheart I know those eyes. I stare into those most every night. Your son, he has Blake Simmons eyes. OMG!"

"Carrie, you are insane. Get the fuck off my porch! NOW!"

Carrie was startled by what she witnessed. But fully convinced she wasn't seeing things that weren't there. So what to do now? That seemed unclear.

Beth retreated to the safety of her home, visibly shaking at first in anger, but quickly transitioning to fear. She believed she had dodged a bullet. A momentary indiscretion, forgettable in time, a victim of getting caught in the moment. Beth recognized the consequences of Carrie's discovery, although baffled how she could jump to such a consequential conclusion on such trivial evidence. That old friend, denial, was creeping back in for Beth. She needed to know for sure.

A quick trip to the pharmacy produced an at home paternity test. It wasn't supposed to be definitive, and definitely not the courtroom standard. But it might be good enough to either put her mind at ease that Carrie was crazy, or that Beth had made a serious, life changing miscalculation that would need to be reconciled.

Collecting the sample from her infant would be easy. Getting Cameron to participate without arousing suspicion was another matter. It didn't take long for her to come up with a plan.

Beth needed a saliva swab from inside Cameron's mouth. At first she contemplated simply taking one after he fell asleep. It seemed harmless, so that night after offering the baby his midnight feeding, she attempted to swab the mouth of her sleeping husband. He woke up instantly! Seemingly disoriented, Beth just gave him a soft kiss and apologized for startling him upon returning to bed. He turned over and immediately went back to sleep.

As was often the case for new parents, Beth and Cameron's sex life was a shadow of what it was during pregnancy. Beth decided this could provide an opportunity for another approach. The next night, she put the baby to bed and intentionally walked past Cameron wearing nothing more than a thin t-shirt. He got the silent message, and followed her wordlessly into the bedroom! Beth was prepared to be kinky, and proceeded to mount Cameron cowboy style. Beth was rarely the initiator in their relationship, so having her take control under the circumstances was a refreshing change for Cameron. Beth produced a blindfold, which was key to her plan. She then positioned her body such that her milk swollen nipples were in reach of Cameron's mouth. He didn't need a second invitation, and quickly slobbered all over her. Beth managed to swab her breasts, soaking the swab with Cameron's saliva, then discreetly tossing the swab on their nightstand. She then quickly climaxed. Cameron needed no further instruction, instinctively finishing immediately after Beth's obvious orgasm.

Was it their noise, or just random chance? The passion of the moment was interrupted by the shriek of their child in the nursery next door.

"Shit. Cameron, I'm a mess. Can you check on him?"

This was no moment to pass off helping with the baby. Cameron threw off the blindfold, slid on his boxers and headed into the nursery. Beth discreetly picked up the swab, retreating to the bathroom behind a closed door to complete the paternity test kit. It would have to hide in the cabinet under the sink until tomorrow when she could send it express shipping for processing. With any luck, she would have an answer either way in the next week.

Carrie meanwhile was resisting breaking the news to Blake. Some hesitation was just the rote uncertainty of what Blake might do. How did he not know already? Would he dump Carrie for revealing the secret... or worse? So often, a relationship eventually reaches a breaking point. Carrie finally accepted the conclusion herself that Blake formed all on his own during the club trip. Their future was eventually going to be independent of each other either way. No time like the present to initiate a separation. Unfortunately for Blake, Carrie decided not to pull any punches on the way out the door.

Another week passed while tension built in both homes. It was a Friday afternoon when Carrie hatched her plan. Blake came home at his usual time to find Carrie in her familiar dominatrix costume. They hadn't been intimate in a while, and Blake was relieved to know this was on Carrie's mind to kick off the weekend. Blake silently retreated to the master bedroom to disrobe. On arrival, he found candles lit and burning around the room - unusual. A few moments later Carrie entered, this time wearing a mask herself. She restrained Blake at the usual spots, and placed a large black whip at the end of the bed.

"Blake Simmons, you have been a very bad boy." Blake didn't respond, but his pulse quickened. There was just something different this time with the experience.

"Are you ready to take your punishment like a man?"

"Ugh. Sure. I guess. I guess I've been a very bad boy." Blake was trying to relax and get into character.

Carrie straddled Blake, eventually hovering her sex over his face. She took a finger to move her panty to one side, and then began grinding herself into Blake's lips. He responded predictably, attempting to breach her sex with his tongue, eventually breaking through and tonguing her deeply for several seconds before recoiling, gasping for air and spitting violently to clear his mouth.

"Carrie, WTF! I taste spunk inside of you! Untie me! NOW!"

"Surprised? Does it taste bitter, baby?"

"Have you lost your fucking mind? Get off me!" Blake began retching and was pale in the face.

"It's funny, we had a nearly identical reaction. I vomited the moment I realized you cheated on me."

"You're insane. Get off me! Untie me! I haven't cheated on you. WTF has gotten into you!"

Carrie picked up the whip firmly in her hand. "So you are a cheater and a liar Blake?" She furiously cracked the whip over Blake's chest.

"ARRAGHH! I'm not playing anymore, Carrie. Untie me! The only cheater in this room is you, spunk queen!"

Carrie cracked the whip a second time, harder than before. "So how did you manage to knock up prima donna Beth next door? Was it part of a kinky threesome with Mr. Sparky or did you get to enjoy her all alone?"

"She gave me a hand job while I was sleeping. Nothing happened after that, and if anything did I was too drunk to ever remember. You seriously think I would come on to her? It's you that's gone mad. Now untie me!"

Carrie lost control of her emotions, and the whip as she cracked it for the third time, this time aiming for Blake's face. Losing her balance, Carrie instead managed to strike the nightstand, sending several flaming candles cascading off the wall and onto the carpet below.

"Whoa. Oh shit."

Flaming candles and splattered candle wax have immediately started several small fires across the room.

"CARRIE! UNTIE ME. NOWWWW!"

Meanwhile, Beth is outside on her front porch, greeting Cameron as he returns from another workday. A week has passed since the paternity test was sent for processing; Beth checks her email maniacally hoping for an update at least once every hour. Beth's anxiety is, at least for the moment, hidden from her face as Cameron smiles as he approaches their home. The pleasant moment is quickly interrupted by a shrieking Carrie on her own front porch.

"Waaaaaaah. Fiiiirrrrreeeeeee! Help!"

Beth and Cameron look at each other, stunned. A small waft of smoke exits the door behind Carrie. Cameron stiffens, then springs into action, turning to his wife "Call 9x1! Report a house fire in progress next door!" Cameron sprints over to Carrie.

"What happened? Where's Blake?"

"He's inside, tied to the bed!"

"Tied to the bed?" Cameron backpedals, stunned.

"Where's the fire?"

"In our bedroom!"

Without hesitation, Cameron pushes Carrie aside and charges into the house. Smoke is now billowing up to the ceiling, Cameron knows time is precious and he cannot wait for the fire department to take action. While the smoke naturally obscures visibility, he finds the bedroom easily based on his knowledge of the home's floor plan.

"Blake! Are you in there?"

Blake gasps and coughs. "Get me off of this bed!" His voice is weak and he is clearly being overcome by smoke. Cameron moves by feel, finding the bed in the center of the room. Running on adrenaline, Cameron bear hugs Blake, and basically pulls the bed apart as first the headboard, and then the footboard shatter. He carries a limp Blake from the bedroom to the lawn.

Another neighbor appears with two fire extinguishers. "Can you use these?" Cameron seizes the extinguishers and dashes back into the smoking home as the growing crowd gasps in fear for his safety. Beth and Carrie are preoccupied with Blake, barely conscious and severely injured from smoke inhalation and an obviously broken arm sustained during his rescue. Sirens are heard in the distance as at first a fire engine, and later an ambulance are dispatched to the scene.

The firefighters arrive and quickly address the crowd. "Is anyone inside?"

"My husband Cameron! He went inside with extinguishers to try and put out the fire 2 minutes ago!" The fire captain rolls his eyes in disbelief, then quickly dons a mask preparing to enter the home himself. He didn't make it beyond the hallway before tripping over an unconscious Cameron, overcome by smoke. He promptly removes Cameron to the yard, summoning the paramedics now arriving for urgent attention.

The sheriff's office has also joined the increasingly chaotic scene. Blake and Cameron are being simultaneously attended to by paramedics while the firefighters attack the house with water hoses. Carrie identifies herself as the homeowner, and is quarantined by the sheriff to explain how the fire started, and why her semi-conscious boyfriend is in restraints. Unsatisfied with her answers, and increasingly belligerent attitude, the deputy quickly places Carrie in handcuffs to avoid the situation cascading further out of control.

"This is all Blake's fault! None of this would have happened if he kept his dick out of the neighbor lady next door! Wait until Cameron wakes up to discover he risked his life to rescue the man who made him a cuckold, and fathered his child!"

GASP! The crowd suddenly grows silent at Carrie's blasphemous accusation. Beth, who was previously crouched on the ground focused on Cameron, looks up to find the eyes of the neighborhood transfixed on her. She refocuses her attention on her husband, as the paramedics begin loading him on a stretcher to get to a hospital. As it becomes increasingly clear the fire is under control, and Blake and Cameron are each loaded separately into ambulances, the crowd begins to disperse. Another neighbor and mom of several children nervously offers to watch Beth's infant so she can accompany Cameron to the hospital.

A hospital emergency room on a Friday evening can sometimes be a terrible place. As if the situation wasn't difficult enough, Beth was now exposed as a cheater to the entire neighborhood by crazy Carrie. Her husband was in critical condition after being overcome by smoke. To add insult to injury, Beth's phone chooses right now as the time to ping an email notification offering paternity results. It's direct and conclusive - there is only a.0020% chance that the sample provided was the infant's father. Their DNA simply does not match. Overcome by emotion, Beth begins crying openly and does not stop until a physician appears with the news that Cameron is responding well to treatment, and should make a full recovery in time.

Cameron was hospitalized for 5 days. Blake was only hospitalized for two days, recovering much more quickly. Despite the broken arm, he had inhaled less smoke. Carrie was now out on bail, after Blake pressed assault charges in the wake of the fire. The new home they were sharing together was now uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage. Blake and Carrie's relationship as a couple was now definitively over.

Cameron sustained a difficult hospitalization, and would have a while before his lungs would fully recover. He wasn't conscious when the fireman removed him from the house, but quickly became semi conscious in the immediate aftermath of fresh air. He was also administered powerful sedatives while hospitalized, and experienced hallucinations of Beth cheating on him with Blake. His rational brain, now free of sedation, told him this was impossible. The increasingly awkward behavior of his hospital visitors and distance from Beth made him paranoid that something might be seriously wrong anyway. Unfortunately, those suspicions were confirmed upon release from the hospital.

I guess they figured bad news is best received at home? Cameron's dad brought him home from the hospital, under the auspices that Beth was consumed by caring for the baby. He expected to see her at home, instead it was Beth's daddy that joined Cameron's own father as the three men sat together awkwardly in Cameron's living room. Beth and the baby were nowhere to be found.

It was Beth's daddy that broke the awkward silence. "Cameron, I asked Beth to take the child to my home so the three of us could talk, man to man to man."

"Something's wrong. What happened while I was on my back in the hospital?"

"What we're here to discuss didn't happen while you were recovering. Cameron, your neighbor Carrie made some preposterous accusations against Beth publicly. Those accusations made it back to me, and I couldn't stand for it. I was preparing to address Miss Carter myself, no one would speak as she did about my daughter or my grandson and get away with it."

"About your grandson? What did she say?"

Daddy sidestepped the question and continued speaking. "Cameron, as you know I've been in business in this town since before you were born. Reputation is everything. I was prepared to take Miss Carter head on, to make sure I clear the Light family name, as well as the Cray name."

Cameron's dad spoke up now. "But son, unfortunately, after speaking with Beth to get her side of the story, we realized it was more complicated than we expected."

"What are you talking about here?"

"Cameron, I can't sugar coat what I am about to tell you. Beth's child... is the progeny of another man. Specifically, Blake Simmons. I don't have any further details and I don't care to know any. But you deserve to know that the child you believe to be your son is in fact, not your own. I'm sorry."

Cameron sat expressionless, processing what he was being told. Immediately his thoughts returned to the Cancun trip nearly 11 months before.

"No. I mean... she couldn't have."

The father and father in law sat silently, unresponsive.

"Where is she?"

"Beth's at my home, with her mother, and the child." It was once again plainly stated, and seemingly awkward, to no longer hear anyone refer to the baby as Cameron's son.

"Well I guess you better tell her to stay there."

Daddy crossed his eyes and shot a disgruntled glance to Cameron's father. "We are all hoping that you would take some time to recover from your injuries, and the shock of this news, before assuming any conclusions about the future."

Cameron looked his father in law dead in the eyes. "How dare you think I need time to contemplate the future? I won't be wasting another minute of time with your skank cheating daughter or her bastard son. I won't waste a minute of time raising any child other than my own-"

"Cameron, settle down. Of course this is a massive shock to everyone-"

"Get the fuck out of my house, d-a-d-d-y. NOW!"

Cameron's father in law took a deep breath but made no further comments as he walked confidently out the door to his car. Cameron dropped his head in his hands and cried furiously. His father quietly walked to the liquor cabinet and poured them both a stiff beverage. It was going to be a long night.

Approximately one year later...

Beth Light and Cameron Cray sit face to face in the family law practice. It had been a difficult year for both of them. For Cameron, it was consumed by recovery from his injuries and processing the loss of his son and identity as both a husband and new father. For Beth, it was coming to terms through therapy of her infidelity-as brief and nearly innocent as it was-how it inevitably changed the course of her life and the lives of so many closest to her. She only recently came to terms with her new life as a single mother. Her daddy had even more recently come to terms with pursuing Blake Simmons for full child support, which Blake only begrudgingly accepted after recognizing the overwhelming evidence to justify it.

A few quick signatures, and it was done. The birth certificate was amended, and the divorce was finalized. Beth Light and Cameron Cray were both single again. Only one was a single parent. The other, just single. A contrite and humble Beth asked Cameron for forgiveness. She didn't ask for another second chance, she knew that was a waste of time. But she did want to own her mistake, and acknowledge to Cameron how she would never entirely forgive herself for allowing something so stupid and trivial to unwind the opportunity for a long and happy life together.

Neither Cameron or Beth wanted to walk out first. Eventually, with the law office closing for the day, Beth and Cameron simply stood and walked out of the office together, almost as naturally as the couple they once were.

"I'm starving. I guess you need to get home to the baby..?"

"Cameron, I hate that it has to end this way. I know I screwed up and I am working to accept it. I don't want you to hate me. I hope that we can still talk, and at least be civil, if we can't still be friends."

"I wasn't asking for a friend, I actually haven't eaten today." The stress of the past year, processing his wife's infidelity and learning to live alone for the first time in his life was all taking a toll. At that moment, Beth recognized Cameron was noticeably thinner than a year ago. She assumed it was the post separation glow-up, but he really wasn't taking care of himself.

"Let me buy you dinner Cameron. I'll feel better knowing that on one of the worst days of my life, we can still be social with each other. Please don't deny me that."

The former couple stopped at a chain restaurant and shared their first meal together in over a year. Conversation was difficult, Cameron wanted to know what Beth was doing, but hearing about her and the baby they once shared as parents was too difficult. Beth wept at times during the meal, mostly from observing the pain clearly evident on her ex husband's face. He was vulnerable at that moment, and Beth knew she had nothing to lose.

"Cam, I know our time as a couple is over. But, I'll never forget what we had together." Beth bit her lip seductively and gave her strongest bedroom eyes to her ex. "Cameron, I haven't been with a man since we separated. I'm lonely. It would mean everything if we could recapture a piece of what we've lost, even if only for a moment tonight."

Cameron was baffled by the events of the day. He knew he wasn't over Beth, or if he would ever get over her. His lawyer had given him strict instructions to avoid carnal relations with his wife, lest it complicate the divorce. He naturally didn't trust her. Cameron was a decent looking dude if not at the same level as Beth. He had experienced a few one night stands since separating, but no actual relationships, and definitely not with any women as attractive as his ex.

They are divorced now, officially. So, why not? Cameron and Beth proceeded together to his small apartment, for the first time. Beth was shocked at how he was living but didn't say anything. Much to her surprise, Cameron stopped to apply a condom before things hardly kicked off in the bedroom.

"Uh, Cam, you don't actually have to do that."

"We're not exclusive anymore, Beth."

"I haven't been with anyone since my last time with you." Beth had tears in her eyes, cascading down her face.

"I can't honestly say the same. So let me play it safe for you."

Cameron was mostly worried his ex-wife was just planning to trap him with another unplanned pregnancy. He obviously didn't trust her, and didn't want to allow her to recapture him with a child that really was his progeny, that would be devastating.

The couple quickly recovered their past sexual energy together. Beth hadn't forgotten how powerful a lover Cameron was, and both managed to climax multiple times before it became apparent it was time to separate for the evening.

It seemed obvious this would be a one time thing. Beth and Cameron wouldn't possibly get back together in the wake of such a difficult separation and divorce. They kept their distance for a while, but eventually started meeting one or two discreet evenings a month. Then, once a week. Eventually, they regressed into a full blown FWB, meeting multiple nights a week. Neither Cameron or Beth was seeing anyone. Beth decided, after another episode of frantic coupling, it was time for an ultimatum.

"Cameron, I don't want to keep living apart. It doesn't have to be like this. Come home with me. Please."

"I figured this was coming, eventually. Beth, I'm sorry, I just can't do that. Definitely not now, maybe not ever."

"What can I offer for you to forgive me?"

"You can't unfuck Blake Simmons."

Beth stormed out of Cameron's apartment. No, she could not unfuck Blake. But she needed to move forward. If not with Cameron, then with someone else. She was not going to be forced to wear the scarlet letter for life. It was time for Cameron to let it go, or for her to move on. Cameron again rejected her ultimatum. Six months after their divorce was final, Beth finally decided it was time to move on.

Blake and Carrie were on dramatically divergent paths after the house fire. Ultimately charges against Carrie were dropped, but the relationship was unrecoverable. Blake was convinced he'd seen a better vision of his future during his brief time with Beth, and committed himself to finding a relationship with an educated and sophisticated female. Turns out, those women have a lot of options. Blake needed to keep up his professional game and uplevel his physical game if he wanted to compete.

It took several months for his broken arm to heal strong enough that he could join a gym. However, with no outside social interests beyond work, he had ample time to become a gym rat and his body responded accordingly. About a year after breaking up with Carrie, he was in the locker room of the gym adjacent to his office when a couple senior executives came in after a tennis match.

"Dude, I am telling you, she is lights out freaky. I offered her some X, and she was up for me all night long. Thank god I had some blue pills of my own!"

"Must be nice getting some strange after 10 years with the same girl."

"I'm lucky to get it twice a month at home. Pam is such a goody two shoes, and only cares about the kids. I just hope she doesn't notice all the cash missing, this tattooed freak doesn't fuck cheap!"

"Would you mind if I had a turn?"

"What about if we shared her for a night? Dude this Carrie chick is crazy I bet you she'd go for it."

Blake couldn't believe his ears! Was his ex Carrie sleeping with an executive at his firm? I mean, the irony. Carrie wasn't cultured enough to fit in as his classy girlfriend, but fine playing as a whore to those same executives bored with their prima donna wives! His head was spinning!

Blake hadn't been selected for the Presidents club this past year. He was determined to not only be selected this coming year, but to have a new girlfriend worthy of the experience. Working the dating apps would be a part time job, given his aspirations to have a partner as selective as he is.

Meanwhile, Beth was similarly determined to move forward with her life. She had of course ended her FWB relationship with ex-husband Cameron. It was about that time that ironically, another private equity firm came calling on Lightspeed and Daddy.

Jamie Sullivan was his name. Daddy wasn't looking to sell, he was determined to work as long as he could, and hoped that a more mature Beth would be stable and ready to take over whenever retirement became inevitable. But Jamie was persistent. He refused to take no for an answer, and when Daddy stopped returning his calls, he refocused his efforts on Beth.

Beth was only half hearted in her conversations with Jamie. She didn't want Daddy to sell either. But she admired the persistence and confidence of Jamie. It was over a "business dinner" one evening when she learned Jamie had a daughter, which he sheepishly admitted was conceived on a one night stand. Beth said "hold my beer" and proceeded to dump her story on a very patient listener. Unquestionably they had some things in common. That dinner led to another. Eventually Daddy was emphatic that he wasn't selling and Jamie was wasting his time. But by then it didn't really matter, Jamie was after a different prize, and her name was Beth Light.

Beth and Jamie married 18 months later. Beth's son was now in preschool and Jamie's daughter, first grade. They were the newest South Florida power couple, and quickly moved into a fancy new home of their own. It was Beth who suggested they leave their pasts behind for good and cement their love by conceiving a child together on purpose. To their shared delight (and yet some disappointment) Beth became pregnant almost immediately. At least this time, she was 100% sure of her child's father.

Cameron had not fared as lucky. Sure, he had no problem catching one night stands every now and then, but he found himself craving the wife and family he once had - and lost. He buried himself in work, continuing to wire houses during the day and doing service work to fill in the gaps in his trade knowledge. He wanted to pass the master electrician exam like his father.

Cameron and his father diligently avoided Lightspeed supply. But sometimes, you need a specific material to complete a job, and they have it when no one else does. It was one of those times where Cameron walked in, late in the afternoon when the supply house was quiet. And standing amongst a group of employees was his ex-wife, Beth. They made small talk while another employee went looking for the transfer switch Cameron was after.

"You look fantastic Beth." Beth smiled, blushing. Cameron's eyes were at first fixated on the multi carat diamond on her finger, then the obvious baby bump barely concealed by her dress.

"It's been a difficult few years, but I am at peace with where I am. I am so fortunate to have Jamie in my life. Cameron, surely you have someone keeping you warm at night after all this time."

Cameron refused eye contact with Beth. "Maybe someday. I'm... happy for you, baby girl."

Beth bit her lip, tempted to gloat over her recovery yet sadly disappointed that the man she once loved dearly was on a decidedly different, and less aspirational path.

The employee returned with the transfer switch, and Cameron looked even more disappointed. "It's the right box. But the wrong switch." Beth, annoyed that she couldn't get the right part in a situation where she didn't want to embarrass herself said "I'll take Cameron into the warehouse and we'll find the correct switch."

Fifteen minutes searching the main warehouse turned up nothing. Beth suggested they check the loft warehouse, close to the executive offices where the most expensive inventory is located. The supply house was closing at this time, and employees were quickly streaming for the exits.

Beth never found the switch. But eventually she took Cameron by the hand, leading him into her private office.

"Beth, WTF are you doing?"

Beth reached under her dress, and with both thumbs dropped her panties to the floor.

"You don't want a shot at the prize, for old times sake?" Beth had her classic bedroom eyes focused on her ex husband. Cameron couldn't help but become instantly erect, he hadn't been with a woman for several weeks and the sight of his ex-wife, now remarried and pregnant with her new husband's child was too much opportunity to walk away from. Cameron didn't have a condom; then again, she can't get pregnant twice at the same time, right? Before either one knew what was happening, Beth's back was against the wall as her ex husband pounded her needy pussy. They didn't decouple until Cameron had climaxed twice, he lost count of how many times Beth orgasamed.

Neither party set out to rekindle their affair. But somehow, that is exactly what happened. Beth should have felt greedy, after all, she was happily remarried to Jamie. An educated man of means, with money, able to give her and all their children a lifestyle of luxury. Yet here she is, having sex in her office two days a week with her ex-husband Cameron. Somehow she felt like it was justified. Cameron satisfied her physically, the same way he did during her first pregnancy. Her drive was so high, she didn't have any problem entertaining Jamie on demand in the evenings.

One person who knew what was going on, was Beth's Daddy. He saw Cameron and Beth on the security cameras and after a few instances figured he knew exactly what was happening behind the closed office door. He wanted to confront her to stop it, but didn't. Problem is, he always liked Cameron. And he never trusted Jamie. He decided what his new son in law didn't know, probably wouldn't hurt him - at least for now.

Carrie on the other hand abandoned her staid work in accounting, and began working full time as a professional escort. She was making more money than ever before. Unfortunately, she was getting hooked on the club drug scene inherent in her new line of work. She had recently tested positive for multiple STD, quietly a bit of a scandal had broken out in Blake's private equity firm and at least a couple relationships ended in divorce. Carrie herself didn't really care. Her drug dependency was becoming overwhelming. A concerned client tried to make her go to rehab. Carrie arrogantly stated "she ain't got the time".

Yep, she said no, no, no to rehab. The outcome would sadly be predictable (sorry, Carrie - and sorry Amy, such a talent).

Blake did manage to get in a long term relationship, and he did return to President's club. He was (eventually) shocked to learn of Carrie's death due to overdose but relieved he ended up in a much better place-even if he never would have imagined the route he took to get there.

As for Beth, her affair with her ex-husband continued until she gave birth to her second child, her first with Jamie. This created a natural break in the affair. During that time, Cameron managed to meet someone. A teacher, divorced, with two young kids and a knockout body. Her name was Claire. Claire's ex husband was an up and coming executive himself, disappointed with his decision to marry his college sweetheart. He believed he deserved better, and decided to leave his wife and young kids for another up and coming executive.

Claire was burned by the disloyalty of her ex. She found empathy from Cameron. She also couldn't help but find herself overwhelmingly attracted to Cameron, physically. Cameron was smitten as well, as Claire was similar in body type to Beth, but even better in the places that mattered. He wasn't about to get married again, no, that wasn't going to ever be in the cards - he simply didn't trust women. Beth had ruined that forever. But he did move in with Claire, and was faithful to her, as she was to him. They maintained separate finances for logistical purposes, but in every other sense they were a committed couple. Forever.

Meanwhile, Beth had to accept her affair with her ex was once and for all, over. That was probably for the better. After her second child was born, Daddy's health took a turn forcing his sudden retirement. Now Beth was in charge at Lightspeed. Jamie was happy, he had a family with his new wife and access to the business that brought them together, and it didn't cost him a dime of capital. Yes, the evil private equity crew comes out smelling like roses in the end. Sigh. It's not like I didn't try and warn you, cause there ain't no heroes here.