Chapter Four: The Naked Truth

They stood awash in their passion for each other, their kisses slowing but still loving. Jack pulled away from her embrace, holding her hands, he looked down at her lovely face. He hated what he was about to say.

"Erica, we can't."

"But, Jack, why not?" Erica was taken aback. She wondered if she had misread the situation.

Jack turned away from her, his thoughts racing. He was trying desperately to find the right words, to reconcile what his heart and body wanted with what he knew had to be said. He turned to face her again, his expression pained. Jack could see the hurt in her eyes. He spoke softly, his voice reassuring. He stroked her cheek gently and lovingly.

"Erica, first I need you to know that I love you. I have loved you from the moment that we met and, I will love you until the day that I die. I cannot imagine a world without you in it. You inhabit every corner of my heart".

Erica relaxed, visibly relieved by Jack's words. "Oh Jack, I love you too. So why--?", she asked.

"Because, sometimes love isn't enough, Erica. I need to trust you."

"Oh, that again!" Erica exclaimed, turning away from him.

"Yes, that again", Jack whispered back, taking her arm gently and turning her to face him. "Erica, that whole situation with Greenlee, and now this thing you have with David, whatever the hell it is, it's more than I can take. We keep coming back to this issue Erica. We can't ignore it, and even a great night of lovemaking won't make it go away. You have been, shall we say, creative, with the truth for far too long, and people are being hurt."

"Jack, you've never had a problem with my creativity before." Erica smiled at him suggestively, hoping to change the subject.

"Stop that!" Jack was exasperated but not angry. He knew Erica well. He was not going to let her distract him.

"Oh, okay, then." Erica sighed in mock defeat, sitting down on the sofa.

"Okay!" Jack responded, relieved that she hadn't stormed out of the door. He sat next to her on the sofa.

"So where do we go from here?" Erica asked honestly.

"Well, you can start by taking off your coat and making yourself comfortable. We'll talk and take it from there. How's that for starters?"

Erica smiled knowingly. "Well, if you insist", she replied, standing to take off her coat. "And Jack, you are so right. We do have to deal with that annoying little trust issue. I want to make things right between us again", she continued earnestly as she unbuttoned her coat.

"Great! I'm so glad we're on the same page", Jack replied, rising from the sofa to take her coat.

Once her coat was unbuttoned, Erica shoved it off her naked shoulders, handing it to Jack with a smile. Jack stood before her, speechless, his brain unable to completely register what his eyes were seeing. She had worn nothing under her coat.

"What's the matter Jack?" She was grinning. It felt good to have the upper hand in a conversation.