Published at: 12ShortStories.com
Prompt: Distinctive Marking
Word Count: 1199 words (1200 required)
Genre: Adult
Warning: Language
Mark of the Beast
by T.R. Kisgen
“It’s one hour. I could show you a great time.”
His eyes dance from across the desk.
“As your Human Resources Manager, I must decline for numerous reasons.”
“It’s just lunch, not an affair. Say yes.”
“Ah, but this is how an affair begins… or your termination.”
“I know you’re not happy at home. It shows.”
“How dare you. John is a wonderful husband and I’m lucky to have him.”
Chase holds my gaze and does not blink.
“It shows.”
Chase pulls keys from his pants pocket. He jingles them. Heading towards the elevator he looks back at me and winks.
==
After dinner thoughts of Chase come to visit.
Chase began working in IT last year, and from the moment we were introduced, we were aware of each other. My body reacts to Chase and he must sense this because he is relentless. Maybe this is what “shows” and of course, anyone would assume I am unhappy at home if I’m letting this thirty-something kid affect me.
Full of guilt for thinking about Chase, I finish loading the dishwasher and go into John’s office. There he is, poring over his books in his blue sweater and spectacles. At sixty, John is still an attractive man, but the passion left our marriage long ago. Looking at him now, I realize I’ve been lonely for years.
I approach and kiss the top of his head.
“What’s that for?”
John looks up and smiles at me. He has perfect white teeth and I recall how that grin used to melt me.
“Are you happy?”
The spectacles come off in slow motion.
“Am I happy? What is this about? Did we get a low rating on some romance quiz?”
“No, no. I’ve just been thinking. Maybe we should take a trip. The kids are grown and we have all this freedom now. This could be a second honeymoon for us.”
John looks down. He takes an exasperated breath before meeting my eyes.
“So you’re upset that we aren’t having sex. You think it’s my fault?”
“I am talking about romance but I miss our connection – it’s not just sex. I want us to be close – in all ways. It seems we have grown apart but we can change that. We’re still vital.”
“If you haven’t been happy, why didn’t you say something before now? I thought we were fine.”
“It’s been years, John. I used to wonder if you were seeing someone else, but you were always home – working. I figured you just lost interest as I got older. At fifty-nine I’m not the pretty young thing you married but I take care of myself and am still noticed.”
John stands and he is a head taller which makes him the perfect height for hugs. He pushes the hair out of my eyes. His touch is gentle.
“Jessie, you are still beautiful. To be honest, I don’t have drive anymore. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me but I don’t think about sex. But you do – you have needs that I am not fulfilling?”
My need is for him to desire me, which he just admitted he doesn’t. This is going nowhere fast.
“I’m okay, John. You are right. I took one of those online quizzes and it said if you aren’t having sex your marriage is in trouble. So, I worried. If you don’t have drive, then it’s not personal, you just don’t have that urge anymore.”
“Exactly – so you understand. Now I’ve got a lot of work to do. Will you bring me some tea?”
John lowers himself into his leather chair then finds his spectacles and lets them ride the end of his nose.
I’m making tea and having impure thoughts.
==
“Good morning, Jess.”
Chase and I are alone at the coffee machine. It’s casual day and his tanned muscular body is on display in the white short sleeved polo.
I grab a paper cup and put it in place for French Roast.
“Good morning, Trouble.”
Chase waits for me to make eye contact. His eyebrows raise, he tilts his head and bites his lower lip.
“Could be fun.”
My stomach flips. I don’t berate myself today. Of course I’m attracted to this guy. I’m a starving person and he is a juicy steak.
“You probably flirt with all the girls, don’t you?”
“I like women. You caught me.”
His wanting draws me, especially after last night.
“You should be more discreet about it.”
We are still alone and he moves closer.
“You want me to be your dirty little secret?” I see lust in his eyes.
I feel my nostrils flare and I breathe in his scent.
“Oh, boy.” I break the stare and jog back to the safety of my office.
I’m unable to focus for the remainder of the morning. Thinking of our coffee machine banter has me reacting like a school girl. All morning there is too much noise, too much distraction and I can’t work through my confusion.
I don’t see Chase again until I’m leaving the building for lunch. I throw my purse over my shoulder and spot him. He’s leaning against the corner in his sunglasses, looking at his phone but then he sees me. He nods and waves me over.
In silence I follow him to the side of the building where his yellow Corvette is waiting.
“This is your choice.”
“It’s just lunch.”
He opens the passenger side door and I get in. He walks around, gets behind the wheel, and today my world changes.
I wake up next to Chase after the best afternoon of my life. After checking into the Marriott, I called my boss and feigned food poisoning to cover my absence – after that there was electric passion, the likes of which I have never experienced.
Chase is holding a small power tool and grinning at me. He strokes my forearm, then my wrist. He opens my hand and massages my fingers.
“Do you trust me?”
“Not yet.”
“Don’t move.”
His blue eyes keep me captive as the tool he’s holding begins to buzz.
“I’m leaving my mark on you.”
Chase is suddenly straddling me so I can’t get away. He’s using that thing on my skin and it hurts.
“Chase, please stop! What are doing? Please stop this!”
“Be still.” His voice is calm and he’s got me pinned.
Soon it’s over, and he releases me. On the inside of my left wrist is the number “86” in black ink.
“Is this permanent?”
I’m rubbing but it’s not coming off. My skin is bright pink and throbbing.
“So you can’t forget me. You’re my number eighty-six.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Please stop crying. We had fun, right?”
“Chase, you can’t tattoo someone without their consent.”
“I mark all my girls.”
“Oh my God. Terri in Accounting. She has the number eighty on her wrist. Is that you?”
“Oh yeah. And Lisa, and Janice, too. I think that’s all from the office. There’s Jodi our UPS driver, she’s my number eighty four. She was the oldest till you.”
“You’re the devil.”
“And now you’re mine.”