I sit up and hang my legs over the edge of the bed, wrapping myself in the bed sheets. I feel Karl turn over then I feel his eyes on me, along with his lips.
"Where are you going?" Karl asked as he kissed my shoulder.
"I have some things to do." Karl reached around me to grab his wristwatch, "At two in the morning?"
"Karl, I told you I'm not looking for anything serious. That means no sleepovers." I pick my panties up from by my feet and slide them on then I put the sheets down and put on my matching bra when I hear Karl say, "You're scared."
"Scared?" I turn to look at him, seeing an expression that says, I got you!
"Of getting hurt." I get up and try to find my clothes that were thrown about the room just a few hours ago.
"I'm not scared; I just don't want anything serious right now." I find my jeans and I put them on.
"That's why you made up all those rules: no sleepovers, no talking, no feelings, just sex." I cross my arms and look to him, "I just have to take care of myself." Karl pulls me down close to him. "Taking care of yourself doesn't have to mean distancing yourself from others." I get up, "If there's one thing I've learned about people, once you let them in they just end up disappointing you."
"Is this about the plumber?" Karl looks at me.
"It isn't just about him; it's about every man I've been with. They all end up hitting you, cheating, or leaving. I'm sick of it always happening to me. So I've decided to not get serious with anyone." I tell him and sit down at the end of the bed.
"Katherine, you can't just run away from love. It's everywhere."
"I didn't say I was running away from it. I'm just deciding not to get into anymore serious relationships. My mind is made up so don't try to change it." I stand up and begin getting dressed. I can feel Karl's eyes on me. He doesn't know what to say and that's the way I want it to stay.
"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then for our next meeting. You know the way out." He lays back down in his bed and closes his eyes. I breathe a sigh of relief and smile, grabbing my purse and walk out.
"Until next time,"