Chapter 7

UNEDITED...

Jacob woke the next morning in a sweat, he had the most vivid dream of Clarissa showing up at his office again. She was wearing a fitted red top, red mini-skirt, knee-high boots, and added with her short hair, was the sexiest image he's ever seen.

She locks the door before seductively stepping toward him. He was in anticipation while sitting behind his desk, in a large reclining office chair. He didn't ask what she was doing there, he didn't ask anything. He knew what she wanted, and had no plans of stopping it. When she reaches near, he twists his chair slightly to allow her the space to climb on top of him, and she did. She straddles him. He was completely in trance, his lustful eyes followed her every move until eagerly she dips her tongue into his mouth. He moans out in pleasure, grabs onto her small frame, pulling her harshly against him, and unfortunately, he wakes up.

When he opens his eyes, he was laying on his bed, instantly disappointed, annoyed, and frustrated. This feeling was exactly how he felt during their marriage. Unsatisfied. He was a dog that's owner was dangling a bone.


He sits up, rubs his face and fingers through his hair. He hated feeling like this, wanting someone that didn't want him back the same. He always felt he was never getting enough of her, but she was never willing to give more. He was most definitely still attracted to her, he would always be. But he knew what they were like together. She lost interest in him years ago. He tried repeatedly to gain it back, to see want in her eyes for him. It never came. She grew more distant as time passed. He didn't know why. What was he doing wrong? He tried to be the best husband and father possible but still, their relationship became co-parenting.

So many nights he wondered if he mattered to her if not being around would bother her. Purposely he would come home late from work in hopes of her attention when he arrived, or a simple phone call. She didn't seem to miss him much and was almost always sleeping. Rarely did she check on him and it slowly drove him insane. This ate at him and ate at him until he turned bitter and resentful. He envied every other man when they received affection or attention from their wives. He lived unhappily like this for years until one day, he realized, he wasn't in love anymore.

He decided it was over, but it took him months and to be drunk to finally tell her. What were the right words to tell someone that you don't love them anymore? He lied, told her he cheated. He would rather be a bad guy and for her to hate him than tell her that he didn't love her anymore. He didn't want her to feel that something was wrong with her in any way. He knew it was him. He never in a million years thought she would be able to forgive him, let alone give him another chance.

A knock sounds from the door. "Daddy?" It was Emmie. After the competition, he brought his children home with him. He planned to take them to the beach today.

"Are you up Daddy?" His little girl was always the first up and excited.

"Coming." He gets up and opens the door.

After a struggle to get everyone dressed, and everything packed, they piled in the SUV. All Jacob was thinking as he drove was his dream, and how he needed to forget about it, when Alyssa asks, "Can we bring Mom?"

The last thing he needed or wanted was Clair around. He was irking on the inside already, her presence would only worsen that. He clears his throat. "Call her up. If she wants to go, we'll swing by." If they wanted their mother he wouldn't hinder that no matter how he was feeling. He just secretly hoped she didn't have the time, anything but yes.

Alyssa picks up her phone and starts dialing. "Hello." She puts her mom on speaker. "Mom, we're going to the beach. Come with us."

"Oh." Clarissa breaths out uncomfortably. "I don't think so, Honey. You guys have fun."

"Mommy!" Matthew whines.

"Please..." Emmie begs.

"Come on Mom... I can't remember the last time we did something all together as a family." Alyssa pulls the my-home-is-broken card.

Jacob rolls his eyes. He knew that would do it. He makes a U-turn before Clair even responds.

"Okay sure." She agrees.

"Yes," Alyssa whispers. It has been her mission to bring her parents closer but it has been virtually impossible. Until now.

Jacob was annoyed as hell. Just as he used to be when they were married. He pulls the truck in front of his old residence and parks up. The kids run out of the vehicle for all different reasons. One wants to help Mommy, One needs to pee, one wants to get things they suddenly need for the beach, the other just wants to go. He grinds on his teeth and leans his back on the headrest. This all annoyed him. The heat from the beating sun was annoying him. Everything was putting him on edge. He closes his eyes and wills himself to calm down for his kids' sake. Today was supposed to be a good day.

After about 15 minutes, Clair and the kids come out of the house. He looks to his soon to be ex-wife walking down the porch stairs. She was wearing a white, sleeveless, loose-fitting, long, sundress, and hat. He felt some relief. At least she is covered up, which shouldn't surprise him. Her bathing suits were always on the less revealing side. Normally some tight shorts or something.

They pile back into the vehicle, Clarissa in front near him. "Hey." She greets him as she buckles up her seat belt.

He didn't bother to acknowledge her. He starts up the truck and pulls off with a heavy foot. The whole ride he was quiet, stewing in his irritation. No one spoke to him, they could tell he was in a bad mood, and it was normal for him to be this way. He didn't want the kids to experience him like this anymore. Before they split, this is how the kids knew him, since then he has made it a point to change. Unfortunately, when Clair was around, he felt so much frustration it was like he had no control. Another reason they were not good together.

They arrive at the beach after traffic, stopping for snacks, and for Emmie to pee. None of these things helped his mood.

The water was clear and bright blue, the sand was soft and perfect for sandcastles. They picked a spot where there were minimum people and set up a tent. Jacob created a nice area with a blanket, table, chairs, and a cooler full of food and drinks. The kids were already in the water, and when he was done setting up, he takes a seat and a cold drink as he watched the view. Clair was near them, getting up to her ankles wet as she kept a close eye.

He fixates on her as she walks back up toward the tent and removes her hat. Her short hair was something he was going to have to get used to. She gets to where she left her towel and bag and unexpectedly lifts her dress over her head. He had to manually pick his jaw up off the sand. She was wearing a white, skimpy, two piece. This bikini had no straps, a diamond cut in the center of the top, revealing her cleavage and diamonds cut on the bottom, so you could see her bare hips. Her thighs, her butt, her perky breast were all on display. Was she trying to give him a stroke? Was this becoming a game of tease? She couldn't be doing this on purpose. He scans his head around to see if anyone else was looking at what he was and he was glad to see that there was no one around. This whole lets-bring-mom idea was a bad one.

As much as watching her was torture he couldn't look away from her sexy figure. She goes waist-high deep into the splashing waves and ducks her head in. It was only when her complete image disappeared could he look away. He rests his head back and shuts his eyes. He tried to relax, to just take a second to recover himself but couldn't sit still. He decided he needed to take a dip. He goes near to where his family was and dives into the cool saltwater.

"Yay Daddy!" His children scream. He comes up from under the water, wipes his eyes and when he looks around at his family, all he sees were smiling faces. Even Clair had a grin. It was a moment that calmed him a bit. He smiles back and then scaring them all, he makes a roaring sound and goes on the attack as the water monster. Even his normally distant eldest joined in on the game.


All six of them wrestled around and were having a blast. He was very mindful to keep his hands off of his ex-wife. He did his best to just focus on the kids.

Matthew went and got a ball and a game of volleyball was started. Girls Vs Boys. It was going great, it was a tie. score 3-3. Jacob grabs the ball and spikes it over and Clarissa jumps as high as she can and hits it back. During this time, is when Jacob notices that she has a small tattoo on her low pelvic area. Like really low. The ball went right over his head.

"Girls win!" Alyssa shouts. "Yay!" Emmie joins. "Great job girls." Clarissa high-fives her daughters.

"Daddd." Matthew whines. "I'm hungry anyway." Dylan walks off.

Jacob thought he was calming down but it was just the calm before the storm. They all come out of the water starving. Clarissa gives her kids sandwiches and they sit on the chairs and eat happily.

Jacob could care less about food. While Clair was putting the food back away he approaches her and grabs her arm. "I need to talk to you." He pulls her away from the children's hear and clenches his jaw.

"What's wrong?" She asks.

"Don't act clueless." He bores into her angrily.


Her brows join together.

"You got a tattoo?" His grip grew tighter.

"Oh." A while back with the encouragement of her sister. Probably not the best idea but she didn't regret it.

Why would you get one? And somewhere like that? You're a mother."

"What if I'm a mother?"

"Your daughter might think it's cool and get one in an even better spot." He grinds on his teeth.

"She doesn't know okay, and I don't plan on telling her for a long time." She realizes his hand was still on her and with her eyes, asks for it back.

He complies and releases but doesn't let up on his interrogation." "Whose eyes is that for Clarissa?"

She cocks her head and squints up at him. It dawned on her that he might be getting a little possessive. He couldn't be, he was the one that didn't want her anymore.

"And what is it?" He didn't get a good look at the damn thing. He wanted to demand that she show him but he didn't have that right anymore. He knew he didn't yet he couldn't stop acting as if he did.

Clarissa had no idea how to respond to him so she didn't. "We should probably get going soon." She walks away and back to her kids.




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