by North, Avery
“I don’t want what we have to change,” Carl said, taking Susan’s hand. “I’m just glad now I can share it with you.”
Susan looked around at the view around her. “Okay, so I have to be honest. The fact that you are rich doesn’t impress me, but the fact that I can sit here and enjoy this view from time to time, well, that’s amazing,” she said, laughing.
“I’ve always loved this place. It’s my sanctuary, and I’m so glad I have someone now to share it with,” Carl said, smiling at her.
“Well, I expect to be up here just about every weekend I can,” Susan said, picking up her wine glass.
“Here’s to many more stays at the cabin,” Carl said, holding up his wine glass.
Chapter 6
“You’re kidding?” Rachel cried after Susan had told her about her weekend.
“It was amazing. You should see this place,” Susan gushed. “We made love in front of the fire, drank wine, went for walks, sat outside, and listened to the birds, made breakfast together. It was unbelievable.”
“Wow,” Rachel cried, looking at her watch. “Shit, I have to go. I want to hear all the details,” she said, hugging her friend.
Susan watched Rachel leave and sat down on one of the benches in the restaurant. The weekend was everything that Susan could have wanted, and Susan kept going over it in her head.
Carl had built a roaring fire in the fireplace and prepared some finger foods for them to enjoy.
“I could get used to this,” Susan joked as she sat on the floor, surrounded by pillows sipping her wine.
“Well, there will be many more nights like this. I love to cook, and most of all, I love to pamper you,” Carl said, sitting down beside her.
Susan looked at him and blushed. The flames from the fire gave his skin a golden glow, and Susan couldn’t help but reach out and touch his cheek.
“You are beautiful,” Carl whispered as he bent forward and kissed her.
The touch of his lips on hers made her body tingle, and she reached her arm around Carl's neck, pulling him closer to her as he gently pushed her down onto the pillowed floor. Laying sideways, he propped his head on his arm and with his other hand began to slowly undo the buttons of her top, one by one until they were all undone. Opening up her shirt, he looked down at her and traced his finger over her cleavage. Susan felt her breathing become faster as she anticipated his touch on her breast.
Moving his hand, he slid it inside her black lace bra and cupped her breast. “You are truly beautiful,” he whispered as he bent forward, his hand moving her bra aside, exposing her erect nipple and took it gently in his mouth.
Susan felt her body come alive as she wrapped her fingers in his hair and moaned slightly. His wet tongue teased her skin as he traveled from her breast up to her neck, searching for her lips. As their tongues mingled, Susan reached down and rubbed the enormous bulge that had developed in Carl’s jeans. She wanted to feel him inside of her so bad, her body ached, and she held her breath as Carl slide his hand down the front of her pants, feeling his fingers rub her womanhood.
“Someone is very excited,” Carl said, nuzzling Susan’s ear as he quickly undid the button of her jeans and unzipped them.
Once they had removed their clothes, they lay together, exploring each other’s bodies, teasing, tasting, until Susan couldn't hold off any longer.
“Make love to me,” she cried. “I want to feel you inside of me.”
Carl quickly moved on top of her, gazing into her eyes as he positioned his manhood against her. Susan pushed her hips forward as Carl slowly thrust himself inside of her.
“Ohhhhh, God,” she cried out as he filled her.
“Am I hurting you,” Carl suddenly said, concerned. He knew he was larger than most men.
“Oh no, it feels so good,” Susan cried out as she began moving her hips against him.
As they moved against each other, Carl looked up and gazed into her eyes. “I love you, Susan,” he whispered as she felt her body begin to quiver. Arching her back, she let out a low moan as Carl moved faster against her until he arched up, clenching his muscles and cried out.
Collapsing, they lay together in each other’s arms, enjoying the afterglow. Susan felt so at peace, and Carl’s lovemaking was more than she could have ever imagined. She felt truly satisfied in every way. Her life was finally falling into place, and she had found her prince charming.
✽✽✽
“So how long are you going to be gone for,” Susan asked as she and Carl lay in her bed after making love.
“A few days, I think. The Hotel is thinking of expanding, and they want me to go to the meetings and look over the books of this place they are thinking of buying,” Carl said, kissing the top of her head.
“Where is the hotel?”
"In Switzerland of all places," Carl said. "It's too bad you couldn't come with me."
"Hmm, that would be nice, but I can't getaway," Susan said. "One of these days we will have to tell someone."
“Have you ever considered quitting your job?” Carl asked.
Susan turned and looked at him. "I like my job," she said frowning.
"Oh, I know. I am just teasing you. I don't expect you to quit your job. If anything, I can quit," Carl said, caressing her cheek. "I have lots of things to work on."
“Well, let’s save this conversation for another day because if you are going to be gone for a few days, it means I don’t have you all to myself,” Susan said quickly, turning herself, pushing Carl on his back and straddling him. “I better have my fill now.”
Feeling his excitement against her thigh, she reached down and guided him into her.
“Oh God, Susan, you drive me crazy,” Carl said, grasping onto her hips as he moved her up and down on his manhood.
Susan looked down at him and smiled. “I just want to make sure you don’t forget me when you’re gone,” she said evilly as she rode him slowly at first, then moving faster as her body began to respond.
“Oh Yeah,” Carl moaned as he moved to match her thrusts. Faster and faster, their bodies thrust together until they both cried out together, and Susan collapsed on top of him, trying desperately to catch her breath.
“Whewww, I am going to tell you I’m going away more often,” Carl said breathlessly.
Susan rolled off of him and lay beside him, circling her finger around his nipple. “Just wait to see the type of action that happens when you get back,” she said teasingly.
Chapter 7
Susan jumped out of bed, ready to take on the day. She had gotten a text late last night from Carl saying he had come back from his trip and would see her at work. With the weekend coming they made plans to go back up to the cabin and Susan couldn't wait. She loved the solitude and spending time with Carl. The fact that he was wealthy didn't phase her. She never had money and always had lived frugally, it was hard for her to understand that if she married Carl, she would never have to worry about money again.
“Morning, Rach,” Susan said, walking into the employee lounge.
“Hey, Susan. How are you doing?” Rachel said, biting into a danish. “Oh my god, these are so good. They hired a new pastry chef, and he is amazing.”
“Yea, I’ve been his taste tester in the kitchen at times,” Susan said, turning and leaning on the counter with her coffee. “He’s pretty amazing.”
“So, has Carl proposed yet?”
“No, he may never, but it sure is going good. We’re going up to the cabin again this weekend,” Susan said dreamily. “I can’t wait to get up there. Just us, the birds, a bottle of wine and a roaring fire.”
“Hmmm, sounds amazing. I think he’ll ask you. He seems like the marrying type,” Rachel said, smiling.
“Well, I gotta run,” Susan said, finishing her coffee and rinsing out her cup. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Walking down the hall, she hummed to herself. She’d stop by Carl’s office and say a quick hello before heading to the restaurant. As she approached his
office, she noticed that his door was slightly ajar and that he was in his office, and he was not alone. Standing outside the door, she waited to see if the conversation they were having was something she should interrupt. She didn’t want to walk in if he was firing someone.
“So, what are you going to do?” Carl asked. Susan moved slightly to see that he was talking to Lucy Preston, the new waitress that she had hired.
“I don’t know. I don’t want a baby, but I don’t think I can get an abortion?” Lucy said sobbing. “How could this have happened. We were so careful.”
“Shhhh,” Carl said, taking Lucy in his arms and hugging her. “It will work out. I’ll help you any way I can. It takes two, and you aren’t going to go through this alone.”
Susan stood there, frozen, listening to the conversation. Carl had gotten Lucy pregnant, which meant Carl was cheating on her. The man she had fallen so hopelessly in love with had been seeing someone else all this time. She wondered if he brought her up to the cabin too.
Panic set in, and Susan didn’t know what to do. Should she storm into Carl’s office, demanding to know what was going on, or slink away and refuse to have nothing else to do with him?
Deciding not to say anything, she quietly walked back down the hall, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill onto her cheeks. How could he have done that? He had told her that he loved her and that there was no one else for him. It had all been a lie. A big, bold lie to get her in his bed. All his talk about wanting to take his time and make sure the moment was right was all his way of putting another notch in his bedpost.
“Susan, what’s wrong?” Rachel said as Susan ran into her office and closed the door.
“Carl,” Susan sobbed. “He’s been sleeping with Lucy Preston.”
"Lucy Preston?" Rachel said, frowning. "The new girl you hired in the restaurant?"
Susan nodded. “I just overheard a conversation they were having. She’s pregnant, and it’s his.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Rachel said, shaking her head. “Why would he do something like that? She’s just a kid.”
“Because he is a liar and a cheat, and I don’t want to have anything else to do with him,” Susan said, wiping her eyes. “Anyways, I have to get to work. Please don’t say anything to anyone about this. Keep it between us. No one knew Carl and I were seeing each other, and I want to keep it that way.”
“Your secret is safe with me. How about tonight after work, I come over with a bottle of wine,” Rachel said, getting up and hugging her friend. “We can bitch together.”
“Sounds good,” Susan said, composing herself before heading to the restaurant.
Carl: How’s my beautiful lady today.
Susan looked down at the text from Carl. How could he be so nonchalant? Putting the phone back in her pocket, she’d just ignore him for now.
Carl: I can’t wait for the weekend.
Carl: You must be busy.
Carl: I’ll pop by the restaurant after lunch. Have a meeting right now. Love you.
Susan sighed as she read the last message from Carl. Sooner or later, she would have to face him, and she didn’t know if she had the energy. She just wanted everything to go away, including Carl.
Taking a deep breath, Susan immersed herself into her work, trying to take her mind off Carl and his deception. Lucy was expected to start at noon, and Susan wasn’t looking forward to it. She only hoped she could remain civil to the girl after finding out what she had.
“There you are,” Carl said as he came up behind Susan around eleven-thirty.
“I’ve been here all morning,” Susan said, coldly turning slightly. “What do you want?”
Carl looked at her and made a face. “Are you mad at me?” he asked.
“Look, Carl, I’m swamped. What did you want?” Susan said, concentrating on folding napkins. She was afraid to make eye contact for fear of breaking down in tears.
“Okay, well, I just wanted you to know that I sent Lucy Preston home. She seemed to be sick, so I told her to go get some rest,” Carl said, reaching out and putting his hand on Susan’s shoulder.
Cringing, Susan turned her body so that Carl's hand fell away. "That's fine. Oh, and about the weekend. I can't make it. You'll have to find someone else to bring up with you," Susan said quickly before walking away, leaving Carl standing with a stunned look on his face.
“Susan,” he called out, but there were too many people around for him to pursue her.
Chapter 8
Carl: Can we meet tonight to discuss this?
Carl: I don’t understand what I have done?
Carl: Why won’t you talk to me?
Carl: Susan, please answer me
Carl: I came to your place last night, but you didn’t answer. Why?
Carl: Susan, what have I done?
The texts were endless as Susan fought the tears. She so wanted to run back into his arms, but the pain she felt in her heart was too great. She had thought he was her knight in shining armor; instead, he was a devil in disguise, and if breaking her heart was on his agenda, he had succeeded.
“You know at some point you are going to have to tell him,” Rachel said, looking at Susan checking her phone.
Susan shook her head. “I can’t talk to him. I look at him, and I want to break down in tears, but at the same time, punch him.”
Rachel signed. “I hate seeing you like this. It must be so hard, especially working here at the hotel together. You can’t avoid him.”
Susan looked at Rachel and frowned. “I think I’m going to leave.”
“WHAT? Quit your job because of a man,” Rachel said, shocked.
“I got a job offer to work at the Marigold, same position, same pay. I’m thinking of taking it,” Susan said, putting her phone back in her pocket.
“I can't tell you what to do, but if I were you, I’d confront Carl. He has a right to know what he has done. What happened to Lucy?”
“She quit the other day. I didn’t talk to her when she came in, but she told Mabel she was done and had to go away for a while,” Susan said, shaking her head. “It’s just as well. I couldn’t face her either.”
“Well, you know what’s best for you,” Rachel said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Susan felt her phone buzz again in her pocket. “Damn it, Carl. Leave me alone,” she said out loud, reaching for her phone.
Susan, I’m not giving up. I need to talk to you.
Taking a deep breath, Susan began typing.
Carl, you and I have nothing left to discuss. It was a mistake to get involved with you. Please leave me alone.
Hitting send, she then deleted his name from her contact list before dialing the number for the Marigold.
“Yes, Mr. Johnson. It’s Susan Hopkins. If the offer is still available, I’d love to work for you, and I’m available as soon as possible.”
✽✽✽
Rachel ran down the hall, desperate to find Susan. She knew that she had accepted the job at the Marigold and that today was her last day, but she needed to find her before she left.
“Susan,” she called out when she entered the restaurant. The few customers all looked up at her as she smiled at them and mouthed, Sorry.
“Where’s Susan,” Rachel asked one of the young waitresses, who pointed in the direction of the office.
Running towards the door, she saw Susan cleaning out her desk. Walking in, she closed the door and looked at her friend.
“You need to listen to me,” Rachel said urgently. “This whole situation is a complete misunderstanding."
Susan looked at her friend and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“YES, it is,” Rachel said, pulling a chair over and sitting down. “Carl didn’t get Lucy pregnant, Peter did.”
“Peter,” Susan said, making a face. “Who the hell is Peter.”
“The dorky guy who works in luggage,” Rachel said, holding out her hands. “He and Lucy have been seeing each other, and he
got her pregnant.”
"Okay, so why was she with Carl, and he was comforting her," Susan said, sitting up and looking at her friend.
“That I don’t know. You’ll have to talk to him about that, but all I know is it wasn’t him.”
"How did you find this out?" Susan said, perplexed at the information she just received.
“Peter told me. I had to go see the luggage department about a claim, and I found Peter crying in the back room. When I asked him why he was crying, he told me he got his girlfriend pregnant, and he didn’t know what he should do. He wanted her to have an abortion, but she wanted the baby,” Rachel said, looking at Susan. “The girlfriend was Lucy, so what are you waiting for. GO FIND CARL.”
“Rachel, I appreciate your telling me this, but Carl and I are over. There is no point in trying to make amends,” Susan said, shaking her head. “If what you are saying is true, I can’t go crawling back to him.”
“Why not. You love this guy, and I know he loves you. Stop being stupid,” Rachel said, getting up. “Go talk to him and don’t leave. This place is your second home for goodness sake.”
“Too late. I can’t back down now. I made a commitment to the Marigold, and I technically don’t work here anymore. I’m just cleaning out my stuff,” Susan said, continuing to put her belongings in the box.
“Stop being so damn stubborn,” Rachel said before she walked out the door.
Susan sat there long after Rachel left thinking about what she had said. Was it true? Shaking her head, she thought, it didn’t matter anyway. Words were spoken, and it was too late. It was time for her to move on. A new job was probably the best thing she could do to forget about Carl.
Chapter 9
Susan drove her car up the winding driveway towards the cabin. She couldn’t believe that she was doing this, but after thinking long and hard about everything that Rachel had said to her, she decided Carl was entitled to know why she reacted the way she did.
