They had only done it once, only once. They had allowed passion to overtake them, and he was suddenly inside of her. They made love. It was a beautiful evening that had since been painted over. Besides, her husband had just come back from prison, and she had to work on her marriage again. She was thirty-eight years old, and she knew that it could be her last chance at marriage. It was also her second chance at happiness.
Will and Karen…It sounded so formal. Maybe didn't have an odd tune to it like Will and Grace, but it sounded softer. She wasn't with him, never could be because it wasn't logical. It was during the last weeks that Stan was in prison that it all really began.
She had come to his office to sign some paperwork for Walker Inc. when a conversation began, casual and completely off subject. They had always been friends, for one reason or another, but that afternoon was different. She could probably have counted on one hand the number of times that she had ever placed her lips upon his, but for some reason, they kissed. It was sensual and full of fire, until they pulled away, so confused. She quickly left, and they thought it was the end of that chapter, to be forgotten.
The next few times they spoke were awkward, each of them walking on eggshells around the other. With Grace and Jack always scheduling group evenings and movie nights, it was difficult to avoid each other for long. They finally spoke about the kiss, agreeing that it meant nothing, but before long she was panting beneath his flesh, lips burning from his kiss. And that was it. That was all it took for their lives to change, whether or not it was for the better.
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Stan had been away for nearly a month, leaving her frustrated. They were supposed to be working on their marriage, not running away from it. That's what he always did, he ran away. He ran to another woman when things got rough between them, and when things got rough at home he left on a business trip. Yes, she knew about his mistress. She continued to say nothing, hoping it was only a phase. Maybe she wasn't ready to give their relationship another try, it wasn't worth it. What made her think it would work if nothing ever got fixed?
"Karebear, you look a little pale. How are those crab-cakes treating you?" She swallowed hard, keeping herself together.
"Not well, honey. Maybe we should stop eating here. I got sick last time too." She pushed her plate away and sat back in her chair, taking a deep breath. "Are you ready to go? I don't like getting sick in public."
"Yeah, I'm ready." They paid their bill and were soon in the limo, on their way to her manse. "So, how are things with Stan? You hardly ever talk about it."
"I guess things are the same. We don't talk much." She felt a strange feeling pouring off of him and decided to address it. "Poodle, are you sad about something?"
"A little bit. I mean, Elliot moved away, and I'm not dating anyone right now. I guess things are just getting lonely."
"Honey, you still have me. I may not be able to do a few things for you, but I'm always good company. Well, unless I'm passed out or something." They smiled at one another, Karen's face still pale. She took a deep breath and cleared her voice, feeling nauseated. She rolled down her window and took a deep breath of the air outside.
"Maybe you should see a doctor."
"No, honey it's probably just that damned restaurant. Can we talk about something else?" He changed the subject many times on the way back to the manse, distracting her from the rising nausea in her system. However, as soon as they walked through the front door, she rushed to her bathroom to empty the contents of her stomach. Jack walked up the stairs to her bedroom and pulled her bed back, knowing that she would want to lie down. She soon appeared in the doorway, dizzy.
"Do you feel better?" She shook her head and walked into her other bathroom to brush her teeth. Jack got a pair of her pajamas from her closet and laid them out on her bed. He then kicked his shoes off and climbed into the side that Stan would normally occupy, waiting for her.
"I don't have time for a nap, Poodle. We're going to dinner at Will and Grace's tonight."
"I'll text message Will and see if we can reschedule. I can tell you feel terrible." She walked over to her bed and folded her pajamas, laying them aside.
"No, honey, I want to go. I need to have some fun."
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She watched his hands as he set the table. They were the same hands that had touched her flesh, ever so gently. They were the same fingers that ran through her hair when their orgasms struck them, the same hands that caressed her bare breasts. She watched his hips as he walked back into the kitchen, remembering the way he moved in between her legs. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, biting her bottom lip, as she reminded herself it was a one time thing. He was gay, and that was that.
Dinner went well until she actually had to eat something. After the first few bites of her pasta she ran to the bathroom, getting sick. Jack shrugged at Will and Grace and told them that he thought she had food poisoning. They didn't ask any questions when she returned, knowing that Jack was taking care of her.
Grace had a meeting early the next morning so she left all of them with a kiss goodnight, retiring to her room for the evening. Karen was sitting on the couch, her head resting on the back. She was still feeling sick to her stomach, but she thought she could feel it beginning to pass. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Karen, wake up." She opened her eyes to find Will hovering over her face, a hand on her cheek. He gave a soft smile, noticing the sparkle in her eyes. "You fell asleep."
"What time is it, honey?"
"Two o'clock." She sighed and leaned up, allowing him to move away from her. She quickly stood to get her coat and purse, but suddenly her nausea was back. She rushed to the bathroom and vomited, for the fourth time that evening. Will waited for her to finish, laying a blanket and pillow on the couch. She returned to the room a few minutes later, her face flushed. "Why don't you stay here tonight?"
"No, I'll be fine. Thanks." She tried to walk past him, but he stopped her, his hand on her arm. She looked at his hand, feeling a small spark.
"Please stay. You're sick, and I don't think you should be alone." She scoffed and removed his hand from her arm.
"I'm not a child, honey. I've been sick before."
"Please. You can have my bed; I'll sleep on the couch." She bit her lip, thinking for a moment. It was late and she was so tired. Without too much argument, she nodded.
"Thank you, Will."
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She lay down in his bed, feeling the softness of his blankets. She took a deep breath, taking in the scent of his pillow. It was the place where they had made love, his bedroom. She still remembered the warmth of that evening, knowing she would never be able to forget. She turned off the light and sighed, smiling into the dark, before closing her eyes and falling asleep.