Kate was on her third glass of wine when Marcus knocked on her door. She didn't even want to see him; she just wanted to release the anger and tension she felt.
"Marcus," she smiled.
"You look like you've had some wine," he chuckled.
"Did you pick Aaron up? Was he okay?"
"He was asleep by the time I got there. I'm going to let Jack take him to the cabin and then bring him over on Christmas."
"I take it we aren't watching Bambi tonight?" He joked. Kate knew it was out of spite, but she pulled his face to hers and kissed him wildly, pressing her body to his. She wanted to use him; she wanted his touch to erase Jack's. She needed to release her tension.
"I want you," Kate whispered before biting his ear. She lead him by the hand to the bedroom, removing her clothes before she'd even reached the bed. She laid along the edge, her legs parting. Marcus took the hint and fell to his knees on the floor. His kissed her thighs before kissing her most sensitive spots. Unsatisfied, Kate grabbed his head and pulled it to the right spot and pushed his mouth closer.
Kate squeezed her eyes closed in hopes of stopping her thoughts. But they stayed on Jack. On his touch, the feel of his muscles and the taste of his love. "Jack," she moaned, grabbing the sheets with her fists.
"What the fuck?" Marcus yelled, jumping up. "You said Jack."
"It just slipped out. It doesn't—"
"You're in love with him," Marcus realized. "You've probably been in love with him this entire time."
"Marcus—"
"It's true, isn't it? Answer me!" He yelled so loudly that she jumped.
"I don't know!" She finally yelled back. "I don't know…"
"I'm not collateral damage in this toxic relationship between you two. Goodbye, Kate."
Jack saw her SUV pulling up the driveway, her headlights shining into the rustic cabin. "Changed your mind?"
"I thought I'd surprise Aaron, let him think Santa brought me."
"You're alone," he pointed out.
"Marcus is sick."
"Shouldn't you be taking care of him?"
"I wanted Christmas with our son. Marcus understands. Are you going to invite me in? These bags are heavy."
Jack backed up, opening the door even wider. He grabbed the bags from her hands, except the one filled with gifts. "I'll put these in my room."
"Why your room?"
"Because Aaron will come into my room tomorrow morning. He doesn't know you're here and he wouldn't think to look in the guest bedroom. And if you're on the couch you won't be woken up to him and I thought—"
"— I do want to be there when he wakes up and jumps on the bed. I can stay in your room for one night."
Jack smiled to himself. He knew she was trying to be strong. For what, he wasn't sure. Whatever the reason, he knew it was connected to Marcus' absence.
After she checked on Aaron, Kate changed to a pair of Christmas themed pajamas. Jack wore Christmas pajamas in the same pattern as Kate's despite them buying them separately.
"Guess I made a good choice," Jack smiled mischievously. "Honestly, I tried to ask myself what you'd pick out." His cheeks reddened and Kate tried hard to fal in love with his bashful expression.
"I didn't know—"
"How could you?" She laughed.
"Kate," Jack whispered, trying to keep her calm "where is Marcus?"
"We broke up," she blurted. She hadn't planned to tell him, but her mouth just spilled everything when he was around.
"Why?"
"It just… we just…"
"Kate," he stepped into her personal space. He locked eyes with her; his intense gaze made her feel breathless.
"He thought I was in love with you," she rolled her eyes. "I accidentally called him Jack."
"And that started a fight? It's a slip of the tongue. We'd just been together. It's not like you said my name during sex or any—"
He gasped when he saw her expression. "You called out my name?" He tried not to laugh but he couldn't stop himself.
"Shut up, Jack!" She smacked his arm. "It was a simple mistake. It meant nothing."
"Nothing?" Jack pushed. "Because you just shot me down because of Marcus. And now you're suddenly yelling my name and ending things."
"I was just mad and frustrated but I needed…"
"To get off?" He grinned.
"A release," she sighed. So my mind was still on you when he went—" she stopped, realizing the detail she was about to give out.
"I can help you get that release. You know, call it an early Christmas present."
"Nothing more, Jack," her voice was like a silent plea.
"What else can I do without your consent? I can't force you into a relationship. I can't do anything." She realized he was right and kissed him reluctantly at first but quickly escalating.
He tossed her onto the bed, both of them chaotically trying to strip down. He remembered her almost saying Marcus was going down on her when she slipped up. He grabbed her knees, yanking her so she was on her back before he spread her legs open. "No," she moaned. "I want you up here."
"I thought… because earlier…"
"I didn't want to see him!" She blurted before covering her mouth. She got up to get dressed but he pushed her back down to the bed.
"Nothing more," he repeated, lifting his hands in mock surrender. He was beginning to understand the situation. She hadn't called Jack's name because she was upset about their fight. She'd called his name for the same reason she didn't want to see Marcus— she wanted to pretend it was Jack without making herself vulnerable to him. That's why she wanted to be able to see him. He wanted to keep pushing her but it was the holidays. He wanted a smooth Christmas, no tension. He wanted her to come to the same realization he had: she was in love with him.
