RUBY.
I was in a state between wakefulness and sleep. I felt a pair of hands caress my sides, it was like something out of a dream but then the shivers it sent down my spine were too real for it to be a dream. My eyes fluttered open to see Toby hovering over me. The moment my gaze held his he looked away. My hands automatically came up to cover my chest when I noticed I was undressed. What the hell was he trying to do?
"I tried to wake you but you wouldn't budge so I was trying to change you into comfortable clothes," he said, answering my unasked question. I pulled my dress to cover my chest.
"Thank you, it would be nice if you could give me some privacy," I said. He hesitated for a moment before leaving the room. I heaved a sigh of relief at his exit then slumped back in bed before rushing to the bathroom. I showered and applied my lotion as quickly as possible knowing Toby could be back any moment. I faced a big dilemma when I couldn't find a decent piece of nightwear in the bag Clara had packed for me. Not even a shirt I could sleep in. I sorted through the piles of lace and silk trying to gauge which one had the most coverage but even the dresses that were a decent length were see-through. Giving up on the pile I pushed them back into the bag and tossed it aside when Toby's bag caught my attention.
"Can I come in," he said from the other side of the door followed by a soft knock.
"Just give me a minute, "I said rummaging through his clothes. It might be weird if I wore his clothes but I didn't have anything better to wear. I didn't have much to choose from because living with Toby I knew that he hardly ever wore nightshirts to sleep. He was probably wearing the only nightshirt that was in the bag.
"Are you okay in there?" At his question, I pulled the first shirt I could find on. Then rushed to my bag to look for some panties to put on. All I could find was a flimsy thong but I pulled it on. His knocks persisted all the while.
"You can come in now," I shouted after I had run and hid under the covers. He peeped into the room and then came fully in.
"Good night," he said, shutting the lights off.
"Good night," I whispered into the dark. I heard the sheets rustle and the bed dip as he got in beside me. I couldn't remember the last time we shared a bed and the reality of the situation we were in had my eyes wide open and my heart thumping.
"Can't sleep too?" Toby asked.
"Yeah," I answered. From the sound of his heavy breathing mingled with mine, I could tell he was awake as well but I didn't have the guts to point it out. Now it was acknowledged that both of us were awake I had to come face to face with the elephant in the room. The sexual tension was so thick, that you could cut it with a knife but I was better off ignoring it. Toby made the first move, pulling me into his arms and smashing his lips against mine. I'm ashamed to admit that I reciprocated his fervent kisses, holding on to him for dear life. I only came to my senses when his fingers brushed my inner thighs and he made a move to pull my panties down. Only then did I push him away.
"What's wrong?" he asked cluelessly. He moved toward where I had retreated to the corner of the bed, pulling down at his shirt.
"Stay away from me," I screamed.
"What's the matter? That's not what you were saying a moment ago."
"I wasn't in my senses a moment ago. I want you far away from me, stop trying to seduce me," I said looking away from him.
"Why are you acting like I'm forcing myself on you?"
"Just get out," I yelled. "You have sex with me today and then what? You throw me away tomorrow. I'm a human being, you can't keep playing these games with me. He finally leaves the room looking confused and hurt at my words. A part of me wants to reach out and hold onto him but I have to look out for myself first this time around.
I cried myself to sleep that night and woke up determined to leave this weekend getaway and head back home to the person that mattered most in my entire life, my son. I headed down fully dressed with my bag in search of someone to help me out.
"Hi, could you tell the driver to get the car ready for me," I said to a young lady in a maida uniform?
"Your husband left early this morning, he said to tell you he was sorry he had to leave in urgent business but the driver would come back to get you. He should be on his way back," she narrated timidly.
"Okay, thank you," I answered feeling sad that I couldn't head back right away.
"Breakfast has been prepared and served for you in the main dining room," she said. It sounded more like a question than a statement so I nodded my head. I had nothing better to do so I might as well have breakfast. She led the way to the food at my nod.
"Thank you," I said to her as I sat down to eat. She stood on the sidelines as if awaiting my instructions.
"You can go back to whatever you had doing, I'll serve myself," I said, encouraging her to leave. She left me behind with the delectable spread and I dug in with gusto. About thirty minutes later I was stuffed and the car had arrived. I watched the scenery change as we drove past, the countrysides, suburbs and finally the big city. I contemplated telling the driver to pass by Clara's to pick up Jeremy but I wasn't in the mood to handle her drama so we drove straight to our apartment.
I came back home to find Toby in the Living room laying on his belly playing with Jeremy who was in front of him. Jeremy perked up the moment he noticed me. I sanitised my hands to be extra safe before reaching out to him. He giggled as I pecked him on his chubby cheeks and it caused my heart to melt.
"Can we talk about what happened last night?" Toby asked after I had settled down with Jeremy on the couch.