Flashback

ÒFuck!Ó Maya screams, finally reaching her orgasm. Panting heavily, she falls down on him, resting her head on his shoulder. She smiles to herself as she feels his fingers teasingly run down her spine. After a few minutes of simply lying there, she removes herself from top of him (and him from inside of her) and plops down on the bed.

Starring up at the ceiling, she moans softly as he starts planting kisses along the side of her neck.

ÒHave I ever told you,Ó her breath hitches as his thumb rubs circles around her nipples. ÒHow fucking perfect you are?Ó

She smirks, turning over and pulling the covers up to her neck, ÒIt might have slipped out once or twice.Ó

He laughs, reaching out to caress her cheek. A beat. ÒDo you have to leave?Ó

She frowns at the sadness in his crystal blue eyes, ÒYou know I do.Ó

That clearly isnÕt the answer he wanted, ÒCanÕt Kaydence handle whatever it is Arianna needs help with?Ó

Maya sighs, ÒNo, sheÕs gonna need both of us.Ó

He grunts, still not satisfied with her reasons. ÒBut-Ó

ÒColton,Ó she interrupts, propping herself on one elbow. ÒYou know if I could, IÕd stay. Believe that.Ó Her slender fingers run along the form of his strong jawline, ÒI can come back tomorrow though.Ó

He grabs her hand, bringing his lips to it, ÒThatÕs not gonna work babe.Ó

Maya pouts, ÒWhy?Ó She climbs back on top of him, his hard on right by her soaking pussy. ÒI can make it work.Ó She bats her long eyelashes, running a manicured nail down his ripped six-pack.

ÒShannon is flying in tomorrow,Ó he says almost robotically, as if heÕs rehearsed it countless times.

Maya immediately stops her movements, as he watches her intently, almost predicting her reaction.

ÒOh,Ó she says blankly. She quickly gets off him, ÒThatÕs nice.Ó Instead of returning to her position next to him, she climbs out of bed.

He sighs heavily, sitting up, rubbing his temples. ÒMayaÉÓ

ÒIÕve gotta get ready to go,Ó she replies instantly as she starts gathering her clothes from off the floor.

ÒBaby,Ó he also gets out of the bed and locates his boxers before pulling them on. ÒDonÕt act like this.Ó

Pulling her camisole over her head, she turns to look at him, ÒAct like what?Ó She questions nonchalantly.

ÒFuck Maya, like that,Ó he closes his eyes, trying to calm himself down.

ÒLike you donÕt care.Ó

ÒI donÕt,Ó she shrugs casually.

ÒBullshit,Ó he scoffs.

ÒBesides, itÕs not like I have a right to care,Ó she leans down, pulling a sandal on. ÒSheÕs you wife. Not me.Ó

He scoffs, rubbing the back of his neck, eyes darting to the wall adjacent to where sheÕs standing. ÒYou know I fucking hate-Ó

ÒWhat?!Ó She cuts him off sharply, ÒWhat do you hate?Ó

ÒWhen you say that shit!Ó He shoots back.

This time, sheÕs the one to scoff, ÒWhy? ItÕs the truth! SheÕs your wife Colton. Not me.Ó

ÒYou say it likeÉlike...Ó he struggles to finds the right words.

ÒLike?Ó Maya crosses her arms, ÒLike what? Like itÕs your doing? Newsflash, it is. IÕm not the one who married her.Ó Who the fuck gets married at 27 anyway? She thinks to herself before realizing just how stupid she sounds and is grateful she didnÕt vocalize her thoughts.

ÒNo, but youÕre acting like I chose her over you!Ó He yells, allowing his anger to get the best of him.

ÒBecause you are!Ó She blurts out, immediately regretting the words as soon as they leave her mouth. Noticing his softened facial expression, she darts her eyes elsewhere to avoid his sympathetic gaze. ÒItÕs been 5 months ColtonÉ.how long do you expect me to wait?Ó

ÒMaya,Ó he sighs, walking over to hold the vulnerable seventeen year-old. ÒItÕs not as simple as you think.Ó

ÒWhatÕs so complicated about telling your Òwife,Ó whom you never see because of conflicting work schedules, that you want a divorce?Ó

ÒThe part where I also have to tell her why which includes confessing my five month affair with my underage student,Ó he countered, quipping a brow.

She sighs heavily, ÒIÕm gonna be eighteen in three months.Ó

ÒYeah,Ó he scoffs. ÒThat totally changes everything.Ó

Maya sucks her teeth and tries to remove herself from his hold, ÒLet go of me Colton.Ó

He looks down at her, ÒYouÕre mad at me arenÕt you?Ó

She cocks her head to the side, ÒNo shit Sherlock.Ó

ÒOkay, since you wanna go there, have you told your family about Chicago yet?Ó

She pauses before replying, ÒThatÕs not fair and you know it.Ó

ÒHow is it not fair?Ó

ÒYou just told me about that three weeks ago, while you were supposed to tell your wife about the divorce three months ago.Ó She manages to wiggle herself out of his grasp, ÒBesides, you donÕt understand how difficult this is going to be for them.Ó

ÒThem or you?Ó He challenges softly.

ÒItÕs been the three of us for the past ten years Colton,Ó Maya stresses. ÒWeÕve had our lives planned out for as long as I can remember. Kay and Aria at Julliard and me at NYU. That was the plan. How am I suppose to tell them that IÕve changed my mind and IÕm going to Chicago?Ó

ÒYou donÕt have to Maya,Ó he reminds her gently. ÒYou can st-Ó

ÒI donÕt want to stay here. I want to go with you. I want to be with you.Ó She ends softly.

He kisses the top of her head, ÒThen tell them that babe.Ó

ÒIÕm scared Colton,Ó Maya confesses, looking down at the white, plush carpet.

He walks over by the bed, sitting down, before motioning her to come by him. She obliges, preparing to sit next to him before he places her on his lap.

ÒYou know me. I like order. I like organization. I hate changes. Chicago is all of those wrapped a pretty bow,Ó She elaborates, leaning her back against his chest. ÒDonÕt get me wrong, the Art Institute of Chicago is an amazing school and theyÕve offered me a scholarship, full ride, and while we will still be together, youÕre gonna be busy with your new job-Ó

ÒWhoa,Ó he cuts her off. ÒBabe, I sincerely hope you donÕt think IÕm not going to make time for you.Ó

ÒYouÕre taking over your fatherÕs multi-million dollar company Colton,Ó she turns to look at him. ÒI highly doubt spending time with me will be at the top of your agenda.Ó

ÒMayaÉÓ He breathes, cupping her face with his right hand. ÒYou are my agenda. I donÕt care if I have to give up sleep, food, or hell, even the company. I will make time for you. No matter what. ThatÕs a promise baby girl. I love and care about you too much to let you slip away.Ó

ÒI hate when you do that,Ó she pouts, trying and failing to conceal her bashful smile.

ÒWhat?Ó He smirks, already knowing her reply.

ÒMake me forget why I was even mad at you to begin with,Ó she moans as he teasingly runs his fingers along the waistline of her pants.

ÒI can make you do a lot of things Ms. Lane,Ó he teases, resuming his early assault on her neck.

ÒOh really?Ó She bites her lip as he lifts her camisole over her head. Maya squeals as Colton flips them so that sheÕs back on the bed, face up, as he hovers over her. ÒCare to demonstrate Mr. OÕ Connor?Ó

ÒOnly if youÕre willing to participate,Ó He laughs, and stares at her longingly. ÒI love you Maya.Ó

She smiles softly, ÒI love you too Colton.Ó A beat. ÒNow,Ó she moves her hands and tugs at his boxers. ÒAbout that demonstration.Ó