7. The unexpected happens

I couldn't stop thinking about my pain. "Where is he keeping those divorce papers? If a divorce is what he wants, I will give it to him!"

 The more and more I thought and imagined Copeland and Lizzy laughing about how he humiliated me tonight in front of everyone by causing a scene and then spilling champagne all over my beautiful gown. It infuriated me to no end! 

"Where are those stupid papers?!" I shouted.

I want to get this over with now! I broke down crying. All I wanted was to devote tonight to openly weeping-deep, heart-wrenching sobs that begin to unleash on their own. 

"Tomorrow, I'm heading home to my job and life in Paris. I don't have to stay here and be humiliated this way!"

Unexpected Visit _ Copeland (POV)

I pulled into the driveway, parking the car at the side door entrance leading directly to the kitchen. I came into the house, which was dark, calling out. "Tameka! Are you here?" 

There was no answer to my call. "I guess Tameka went to Lynette's house. I can't believe she's so angry and wants a divorce over me spilling a little champagne."

 I dropped my keys on the counter and walked out of the kitchen. I suddenly stop as I see the light shining under the bedroom door.

I think to myself. 'Who in the world could be here? I paused, and I had to think for a minute. And for some reason, I let out a sigh of relief. 

'Oh, she didn't leave and go nowhere else. Good, she's here. I need to talk to her anyway about tonight and Joel's intentions. I can't believe she allowed him to get that close to her in front of everybody. What was she thinking?'

 

I go into the bedroom to remove my shoes and dress clothes. Two minutes later, I saw someone, my eyes bulged, and my other anatomy quickly followed. We both stood there in shock staring at one another. Then I hear Tameka scream. Her piercing sound that escaped her lips almost busts my eardrums, startling me. I stumble back, and when I look again, I see her beautiful shapely nude body step back out of the room and take off, running back into the bathroom. My eyes couldn't help but be fixed on the image I just saw. I couldn't believe it was the woman I was married to, and it was my first time seeing her that way!

Strange as it may seem for me as a man to say. During the few months we lived together, we never consummated the marriage. I was so angry with her for following my parents' orders regarding this marriage. I had no thought of physically ever getting with my wife. I figured she had to want me, and I refused to give her that satisfaction three years ago!

But after what I just saw, I'm starting to regret I didn't seal the deal. Tameka has a beautiful body. And I almost can't believe I just saw her in the nude! Butt naked! While trying to cover a set of beautiful full breasts, screaming at me, "What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be here!"

I hear her shouting through the closed bathroom door! "

"I'm sorry I didn't..." Before I can finish explaining.

Screeching screams escape her mouth again. She made me stumble and fumble in a perplexed state. "Why would she come out of the bathroom undressed? She had to know I would be coming home." I found myself breathing hard and heavily as I stand there trying to figure it out. I briskly walked back and forth, trying to breathe. "Should I face her again, or should I avoid her and sleep in the guest room? But No, no, don't! Just stay put, Copeland.' I tell myself, we are married people.

 I'll go and change into my pajamas in the main bathroom. So we won't have any more surprises.

I shook my head, trying to get her image out of my head. But it wasn't working. I pulled off my jacket and started unbuttoning my shirt. 'I need to shower in nothing but cold water right now! So yes, I won't acknowledge what I saw, and I will go straight to bed.

Tameka's (reaction)

As if things couldn't get any worst! I hope he only saw a glimpse of me when I entered the bedroom, as much as I hate to admit it. But I know he saw everything. The look on his face told me that much. I quickly grabbed my suitcase and got my sleepwear and robe.

'Why! Why! Why me? He saw me completely naked...' I hurried and got into my nightgown, and crawled into bed.

I tossed and turned. Thinking about the embarrassment, I wondered if Copeland was still in the house or gone. I got up to see if I could hear any movement upstairs. Straining to listen for what seemed like at least 60 seconds or more, my eyelids were drooping. I forced them back open, still trying to see if I could hear anything. Before I knew it, I sank into the pillow, the comfort took over, and I was fast asleep.

Copeland (thoughts) 

For me, the struggle was real. After taking my shower, I slid into my black silk pajama pants and climbed onto the lounger. Tameka was fast asleep as if nothing didn't happen. I rubbed my eyes and counted to twenty, knowing it wouldn't do a thing for my aching groin. Not even a cold shower seemed to do much for me after what I just saw.

I told myself. 'Gosh, my libido is craving Tameka. I can't believe the effect she's having on me right now. I never knew my wife had such an amazing body! She has it all, too, unlike Lizzy, who is nice but not the full package. I can't seem to understand why my cravings are so strong. I've never sexually desired my wife before now. What I'm experiencing has to be just physical temptation. Finally, I can get over these feelings.' Well, I lied. I sat up, looking at her lying on the other side of the room. My mind kept telling me, 'she is your wife. Why can't I lie down next to her? 

'Position change might help,' but they were all the same in the end. If I took such liberties, wife or not, Tameka would never forgive me, even if I used the excuse, I'm your husband! It would be true. I've never behaved remotely like a husband toward her for three years. I get my mind back on track. Tonight has been extraordinary and has thrown me completely off! No, Tameka was incredibly appealing tonight, from when I spotted her in that fantastic gown at the party to seeing her butt naked! My wife, the married woman, is like a sea of pedigreed roses. Making all the other women tonight look like wildflowers. And now I'm about to lose her. I thought sadly.

If only my eyes had been open this way like they were right now three years ago. Back then, Tameka looked like a child three years ago, but now she is a rose that has fully bloomed. I was so caught up in Lizzy back then I couldn't see straight and resigned myself years ago not to have a love for her the way she wanted and deserved. I don't love Lizzy, but I care deeply for her. I guess I've gotten those two emotions confused. Because if I loved Lizzy, there is no way I should be craving to get to know Tameka. Why did I feel all these years it was Tameka suffocating me when it had to be Lizzy who was holding me down and back? All this time, I've been pushing my wife away. And now, I may have gone too far and pushed her right into the arms of another man, my best friend. The thought that I might lose her to Joel makes me so jealous! I know Joel could take her away from me. But do I want to let her go?