"Your husband wants you to fuck another man, and you're stressed about accepting a dinner invite from one. I don't get it."

Of course Dani wouldn't.

I paced along my veranda, stealing glances of the bar a short stroll from my door. What I really couldn't decide was why I was hesitant about accepting the invitation in the first place. Was it fear of my desperate need for masculine attention or guilt from the rush of divine femininity that consumed me when I was in a strange man's grasp?

Dani carried on. "This could all be innocent, go have a meal. Hell, at least he's not the toddler who prefers the company and not the sensual wisdom of older women."

"Shut up." I laughed, then added. "That's an image I'm still attempting to forget."

"You should've popped a titty in his mouth. I bet he would have suckled you like a newborn calf."

"Nah, I should have known better than to go there. That's somebody's child."

"Shit, so. We all are. And don't let that boy fool you. He knew what he was doing. Your coochie probably snapped at him though, scared his ass. When was the last time that thang was tamed anyway?"

"None of your nosey business, and my vaginal productivity is not the purpose of this call."

"Yeah, yeah. What you want is for me to give you permission to go through with what you know you want to do anyway."

"You think you know me."

"And do because if you didn't want to go, you would've called your husband instead."

She had a point.

"I just want to make sure I don't put another foot in my mouth."

"That's easy, replace it with a penis instead."

Closing my eyes, I nodded, then exhaled before replying. "For a professional, you give horrible advice."

"That's my job. You're either going to take it or realize I'm full of shit and ignore me accordingly. Just focus on you for once with whichever path you choose. I have a client checking in. Call me later, love you, bye."

Eight o'clock came and went. I remained plastered to my settee, paralyzed by my own trepidation. My marriage was in big trouble, I was extremely vulnerable, and a fine ass man sought my attention miles and an ocean away from home. If I cared about saving my marriage, I  needed to be cautious of my next move. As I reached for my phone, it buzzed. With a shallow inhale, I answered timidly, "Hey."

Zy muttered. "Hey."

The quiet that followed seemed more vast than the distance between us.

"So," I crooned while shifting my position.

"So, I just called to apologize."

"For what, exactly."

"Not listening to and being angry with you."

He sounded genuine, though I had heard this tune before. Three days ago, that's all it would have taken to forget everything that had transpired, but to my surprise, this time I wasn't so easily mesmerized by the melody. "You've gotten quite good at both."

"I realize that now, and I need to get better at expressing myself intelligently instead of insulting you and our marriage."

"Well... that's at least nice to hear."

"I hope so, but I would much rather show you."

"How exactly, Zy?"

"I started counseling on my own. And when you get back, I would like for us to start going together."

"You're serious."

"Yes, Candi, I am."

A part of me felt relief, but a greater part remained stoic, quiet so long Zy had to ask, "You still there?"

After what he had done to our marriage, then blamed me for it, I didn't know anymore. Garnering courage, I answered, "Zy, counseling isn't enough."

"I know, I know. We also need time, but we have to start somewhere, right?"

"How do you cuss me night after night, then suddenly want to work on loving me better in the blink of an eye?"

"I've never stopped loving you."

"The moment you thought to invite me to lay with another man, you did."

"I'm human, damn. Can't a man have a moment of poor judgement?"

"Of course a man can, but a husband, my husband, should have never had that one."

"Fuck, Candi. What do you want from me? I thought that's what you needed."

"Stop thinking for me because you are absolutely doing it wrong."

"You're a lie if you tell me that after all the years we've been together, you've never, not once fantasized about being touched by another man."

"I haven't. I'm married to you."

"Bullshshit."

"What's bullshit is you pushing your fantasies off onto me."

"That's not what this is about."

"Zy, we're right back where we started, and I'm over it."

"All I want is to see a real  smile on your face. What's so wrong with that?" 

"Nothing if that were true, but it's not. So, just say it."

"Say what?"

"That it's your  fantasy to see another man fuck your wife."

His silence was the only reply I needed. "I gotta go."

 "What do you want from me?"

"The truth for once, Zy, not this deflection of your feelings onto me because you're too afraid to admit the fucked up things brewing inside of you."

"I've given you the only truth I have. So what else is there to say?"

"At this moment, absolutely nothing."

"Then, how do we get through this?"

"This what, deception and disrespect for not only our marriage, but me as a woman?"

"I've apologized for the last time, Candi. You're just taking this shit way too far now."

"If that's what you really feel, then maybe I haven't gone far enough."

"What does that mean?"

Wiping a tear, I ended the call, then slipped into my flip flops before heading out the door. A few crashes of waves down the empty shore I heard, "You'd rather be alone than to break bread with me, I see."

Shit, I had forgotten about dinner and the gentle giant keeping pace behind me.

"Sorry, I got caught up with something else. I at least hope you had a delicious meal."

"Would've been better if you were there."

Dammit, how the hell could I blush and be distraught at the same time?

"It's at least a pleasure to see your smile. I love your dimple by the way."

"It's a birth defect you know." What the hell was I saying?

"That is something I didn't know."

We both paused the conversation while continuing a suddenly awkward trek down the beach. I was grateful when he decided to break the silence. "I'm Chatum by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Chatum. I'm Candi, and thanks again for rescuing me today."

He chuckled, then replied. "You held yourself together pretty well for a woman who thought she was about to be abducted."

"You noticed that?"

"I sure did."

"And you just let me freak out."

With a smirk, Chatum replied. "Nothing I would've said could have changed your perception. Words are often empty promises anyway. But actions, actions are the foundation of intention and the execution of desires."

"That's deep." I mumbled while staring into the darkness looming before us.

"So, what are your intentions?"

"With?"

"Being here."

"At this point, I honestly don't know."

"But we always know."

I paused our stroll, then turned to face my walking companion. "If that were true, I would say so."

"What you won't say and what you know are the same thing."

"Psh." I chuckled as cool foamy sea water tickled my toes. "Listen, I already have a therapist."

"Is that what I sound like to you?"

"Yup." I proceeded to walk.

"Then, maybe, just maybe that's why you're here."

"I can guarantee you it's not."

"So, you know what your purpose isn't, but not is... interesting."

"Listen, maybe I need to finish this walk alone. You're stressing me out, and I've had enough of that for one night."

Chatum raised his hands in surrender, then placed them behind his back. "Then perhaps you can return the favor. Ask me anything you like."

"Anything."

"No holds barred."

The tides changed like my oscillating emotions. Excited about interrogating someone else for a change. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could fire away, I heard in the distance, "There you are."

Peering in the direction of the familiar voice, I returned a cumbersome wave with a leery grin. Dante wrinkled his forehead before lowering his hand, then stepping into the sand.

What was he doing, and why was he looking for me?

The closer he became the quicker Chatum hastened his pace. Unsure if this was yet another attempt to keep me out of harm's way, I nearly tripped trying to keep up. Confused and slightly panic stricken as they halted an arms length apart, I rushed to place myself between them. Facing Dante, I huffed with meager attempts to catch my breath while speaking. "Dante, what are you doing here?"

"I, uh, was looking for–"

I interjected, "Awesome, it's nice to see you again."

His brows furrowed as he replied, "Yeah, you too," before stepping around me to dap up and hug Chatum. "Man, you just can't take off like that."

"I told Shine I'd be back."

"And Shine ain't too bright. He said you ran off like somebody was after you."

"Nah." Chatum pivoted just enough to make eye contact with me. "I was after someone else, and it seems as though you two know one another."

Dante failed to whisper. "That's her."

Her?

Chatum took a step back, then replied. "Oh... damn."

Dante bobbed his head.

"What the hell is going on?" I reclaimed my stance between them.

Chatum answered. "Nothing, it's just Te' told me about a woman he met. I didn't know it was you."

Unsure if I should be embarrassed or pissed, I swiftly chose the latter. Moving closer to Dante I rebutted, "And just what did you have to say about me?"

Chatum gently touched my shoulder. "He said met a beautiful, yet very married woman on the plane who was spending time on the island. He mentioned that he invited you out today, and was concerned since he had not heard from you."

So he conveniently forgot to mention how I made a complete dog in heat fool of myself.  "And that's all you said?"

"That's honestly all because what else would there be to mention?"

I squinted towards Dante, then pressed my lips. He shrugged before reaching to dap up Chatum again. "Listen, I'll let Chi - Chi know I found you. Take care, Mrs. Reeves." He smiled innocently, then backed away before turning to trot towards the pier.

Mrs. Reeves, and after I've ridiculed myself in his presence, jackass.

"That's a good kid."

I turned to Chatum to disagree, but became side tracked by an unexpected question leaving my mouth. "Who's Chi-Chi?"

He chuckled. I didn't

"You have another woman waiting for you while you're galavanting, uninvited I might add, on the beach with me?"

"She's not another wom–"

"So, some random Chi-Chi is just wondering where you are. And how do you know Dante?"

"If you allow me to get a word in, I would be pleased to clarify any concerns you have."

"I don't know you, and I don't have any concerns about you, only myself. I didn't come here to get caught up in somebody else's drama."

"And you're not."

"Whatever, thanks for the talk. You, Dante and Chi-Chi enjoy the rest of your night."

It's a challenge to dramatically storm off through sand, but I tried. By the time I made it to the sidewalk, Chatum had kept up with my angry pace.

I asked. "What do you want?"

"I want to know why you're so upset."

"Because you're all the same, that's why."

"Who?"

"Greedy ass men, that's who."

"You have me confused with the ones you've allowed to negatively influence your life. I'm not one of them."

"Yeah, okay. You can stop following me now."

"I'm only searching for a proper end to this conversation."

"It ended properly when I told you to enjoy your night."

"That's not how I see it."

"I don't care how you see anything. Hell, I don't even know you."

"You feel you know enough to judge me though."

Outside of my villa, I turned to block his entrance after I fobbed the door.

"Listen, you're wasting your time. I appreciate the attention and all, but I have enough of my own shit to deal with. Just go away and let me take care of myself like I came here to do."

"So, you do know why you're here."

"What?"

"Our conversation on the beach?"

"Whatever, now bye." I spun, then stepped one sandy foot over my threshold.

"What if I'm supposed to take care of you too."

I'm not a physicist, but that man's words, his tone, the brush of his hand across my spine carried an energy that grounded right on my G spot. My legs shivered as he leaned over my shoulder. "I don't know what it is, but I'm just drawn to you. Out of everyone at the market today, I only saw you."

"I'm not some desperate mark, you know."

"And I'm not looking for a target. I wasn't even looking for you."

I rolled my eyes as I asked, "What kind of game is this?"

Chatum fanned my limp curls away from my ear, then whispered. "There is no game."

"And no Chi- Chi either I guess."

"Oh." His soft lips tugged at my earlobe. "There's a Chi- Chi."

Those words snapped me out of the fantasy unfolding within. "Just go away... please."

"Chi-Chi is my mother, Dante's grandmother."

"He's your–"

"Yes, he is. He and I both apparently invited you to spend time with our family and friends today."

I pulled away from the Chatum's gravity. "Oh my God, not again."

"Excuse me?"

Determined to vanquish any semblance of a sequential family embarrassment, I poured myself a shot barely swallowing the first before reaching for a second.

"You're not an easy woman to understand."

"Seems as though you're not the only man to think that." I downed a third shot.

Before I could pour the fourth, Chatum pulled the glass from my hand and me towards his chest. My mind knew I should resist. The anger for my husband, hell, for selfish ass men, fuming inside of me mocked the emotion. Chatum tugged the back of my hair, lifting my face towards his as I winced with pleasurable discomfort.

"I will never, ever make you do something you don't want to do. So, if you want me to stop. I will."

I stared into his eyes... and said nothing.

"Good, then let me take care of you, at least tonight."

He released me, backed away and into the beams moonlight streaming through the sheer curtains billowing in the breeze. He pulled his t-shirt over his head, luring me into submission with the body I imagined from the moment he caught me slipping . Chatum kicked off his shoes, pulled off his remaining clothes, then stood there, eyeing me while stroking himself into an erection that I felt an immense physical obligation to relieve.

"Can I?" He asked seductively.

Rubbing my neck, I failed to turn away from the temptation as I asked in return. "Can you what?"

"Can I take care of you?"

Can he... take care of me. Such a simple request awakened pure revenge for my husband's games as I replied, "On one condition."

"Anything." He groaned as semen leaked onto the bends of his fingers.

Moments later, I lay on my back, spread my legs, then beckoned him to come close before commanding him to drop to his knees. To my delight, he obeyed without an utterance of defiance. My back angled deeper with each insatiable pass of his tongue. I purred with every clitorial tug, shivering at the thought of what was to come. Just as my thighs gripped the sides of his face, and my head lay over the opposite end of the bed, I released one final command.

"Reach onto the bedside table and grab my phone."

He did.

"Press the button."

For the first time, Chatum hesitated.

I asked. "You're taking care of me... yes?"

"Of course."

"And you said anything, no?"

"Anything, but–"

"Then... press the fucking button."

He slowly stood while his thumb hovered over the screen. I eased from the bed, then pushed him against the wall, lowering from standing to crouched on my knees without breaking a millisecond of eye contact. Before he could protest, my mouth covered him, increasing suction with each slurping pass and saliva moistened massaging grip. Pressing the index finger of my free hand into the rim of his ass, I prodded until his legs buckled. I ordered again, "Press the fucking button."

His thighs tensed with each manipulation. His pleads morphing into growls as he failed to contain his satisfaction with every move I made. "We're running out of time..." I teased, then paused.

"Fuck," He shouted, pressed the button, then rammed himself down my throat in sync with the videochat tone. I never looked at the mirrored phone image on my tv screen, only focused on pleasing Chatum who voraciously became inclined to take expert 'care of me.'

We fucked like wild rabbits, moaning and groaning in every position remembered from my kara sutra book.I was well pleased.  When our final orgasms subsided, my throat burned and my muscles ached, I lay on top of his chest happy to have found myself closer to God multiple times that night. Chatum refused to face the tv. I didn't mind at all, and did so so with a pernicious grin.

Zy tossed back a swig of brown liquor, then stepped out of the camera frame.

"What the hell kind of freak are you?" Chatum asked.

"I'm far from a freak. I'm just giving my husband just what he wanted."

"He's going to kill you."

I continued to straddle Chatum as I declared. "It doesn't matter anymore. My old life, the old me, is gone."

"Candi, this is not what I wanted when I met you."

"Dante told you I was married."

"Yeah, but I had no clue it was you he was speaking of. I wanted you, just you, the moment I laid eyes on you at the market."

"Then, you're just as delusional as my husband–"

"Candi." Zy shouted.

"Don't interrupt me." I ordered. "I wasn't done speaking."

Chatum gripped my upper arms, this time firmly enough to push me aside as he pulled on his underwear. I turned to follow his movements, asking. "What are you doing?"

Silent, he pointed towards the tv screen, his eyes wide, face growing pale. My head swiveled to follow his gaze, my mouth suddenly cotton dry as I attempted to shout Zy's name, the squall of my success, eclipsed only by Chatum's gasp and the click of Zy pulling the trigger of his .48 reverberating around the villa.

What have I done?