(part 36 by DimWitt)

“Who do you want her to be Téa?” he asked looking fiercely into her deep brown eyes.

“Me. Maybe I want her to be me,” she replied.

Todd became silent and quietly walked away from her to the window, surprised at her actions and astonished at his reaction to her. He didn’t think he had feelings for her. He thought his feelings for her were dead, but they weren’t and eventually he was going to have to deal with them. But could he deal with them now? Why were women so frustrating, fascinating, and baffling?

“Todd, I shouldn’t have come here. There’s nothing…” she started.

He whizzed around, “Stop it Téa. You kissed me, and I kissed you back, and we both enjoyed it.”

“Maybe we did Todd but…”

“But what?” he said. God, he was worked up. Sex. Sex. Sex. The feel of a woman in his hands…soft and sensual…and seductive.

“Stop playing games, Delgado. We both know what’s on each other’s mind. You’re thinking about me. I’m thinking about you so why don’t we just do it,” he said walking up into her physical space.

“Do it?” she muttered, shocked at his bluntness.

“We both wanna’ know what it will be like between us…” he continued, staring into her eyes. He put his hands on her shoulders.

“Maybe I do want to do it, Todd. Maybe that’s why I’m here.”

“This is it…your chance, Delgado. No turning back…” he said emotionally. He was going on pure instinct, allowing himself just to feel.

She did nothing except look up into his eyes full of conviction, “Make it happen, Todd.”

“I will,” he said taking her lips with his.

The room began to spin as his lips went lower, down her neck, and the physical urges a man has overtook his body. They attacked each other, ripping at each other’s clothes, pawing each other, breathing heavily. She aggressively ran her hands down his back, and as he undid his pants, she slid off her panties from underneath her skirt. He pressed her back up against the wall and thrust himself deep inside of her. Her shirt was unbuttoned and hanging off her shoulders. They grunted and moaned as they shared themselves with each other, each coming quickly all over the other. Exhausted, they fell to the floor.

Todd gasped for breath as he’d realized what he’d just done. He’d done it. He’d finally had sex with her and that’s exactly what it was. Sex.

“We just had sex Téa,” he muttered, grabbing at his pants, fastening the buttons.

Téa buttoned her shirt, “Right. I know. Sex.”

“Are you using birth control, Delgado?” he asked coldly.

“No, Todd, I’m not,” she confessed sliding on her panties.

“You could get pregnant?” he asked feeling his stomach, sick to his stomach.

“Yeah,” she whispered, “I could.”

Todd froze. Jesus! That’s the last thing he needed. To get his ex-wife pregnant from a one night stand. Shit! He wanted to find out what it would be like between them, but this screwed everything up. He didn’t want anyone to know about this. Especially Blair.

“We can’t tell anyone, Téa,” he said.

“I agree, Todd,” she replied.

“You do?” he asked surprised.

“Well, I don’t need any complications in my life, Todd. And I get the impression you don’t either,” she said composing herself.

Todd stood in front of her, a jumble of emotions, “You…don’t want??? So why aren’t you on birth control, Téa???? You just go around screwing…”

She got in his face, “No, Todd, I don’t go around screwing the first guy I see. That’s why I’m not on birth control. I’m not ”screwing” around with anyone at the moment. I didn’t think it was going to happen between us tonight, but it did. I don’t think either one of us expected it!”

Todd rolled his eyes. No kidding. Blame it on biology!!

Téa walked to the door.

“You leaving?” he asked.

“I think it best I go now, don’t you, Todd?” she said.

“Yeah.”

She walked out.

Todd stood there in shock. He couldn’t believe what he’d just done. He picked up a bunch of tools and threw across the room.

Block it out. Block it out. It’s just one night. No more…no more…no more…She won’t get pregnant. She won’t… she won’t… If I wish it hard enough, she won’t…

(to be continued)

(part 37 by RogerLuvr)

"What the HELL were you thinking?!" he said to himself. He paced around the room trying to block it out of his mind. But he couldn't. He closed his eyes tight, but the image of them danced in his head.

He poured himself a stiff drink and sat. He brought his hand to his head in disbelief. "You idiot!" he whispered. He took a long gulp of his drink and then got up. He grabbed his coat and slammed the door behind him.

He turned the key; the engine started with a roar. He peeled away, leaving a trail of dust where the car had sat seconds before. He had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. All he knew was, wherever he was going, he had to get there fast.

He cranked up the radio, trying to get the image out of his head. Not that he didn't still find Tea desirable, it just should never have happened. He couldn't figure out what was happening to him. He slept with Tea and almost slept with Blair. This was not like him to want to have sex and the closeness that comes with it. Sex to him always meant heartache somewhere down the road, so why put yourself through that for a few minutes of pleasure?

As he drove, he thought back to how he and Blair used to be. How they were so sexually free with each other. He had never opened his heart and body like that before or since. But now he found himself wanting, needing that type of closeness. He was scared of these feelings, afraid of himself. Afraid that he might turn back into that rapist he was many years ago. He had tried to put all that behind him, but he knew he never could. It was always there and forever would be. What he did with those feelings and memories was up to him and him alone. No one could help him, but himself.

He drove through the winding streets as if trying to run from himself. "Wherever you go, Pal, there you are." He heard that in his head over and over. He couldn't take it anymore, and he slammed on the brakes. He sat there in the quiet car and began to sob.

THE NEXT PART CONTAINS VERY EXPLICT SEXUAL CONTENT. ANYONE UNDER AGE 18, PLEASE TURN BACK NOW.

(part 38 by VTW)

Todd let himself into his house tired and depressed. He dropped his keys on the table and walked to his newly installed wet bar. He poured himself a hefty drink.

The whiskey burned a fiery trail down his throat and hit his belly like a lead balloon. “You stupid dumbass,” he muttered. He flopped down on the sofa and stared at sightlessly into space.

Sleeping with Tea was a mistake. He should have known better. “Fuck!” He yelled. He drained the rest of his drink and hurled the glass violently across the room. Feeling marginally better he ran his fingers through his hair in agitation.

Shit, he didn’t want Blair finding out. He felt a slight flutter in the pit of his stomach. She was a hellcat, and he for damn sure didn’t want to be at the receiving end of her legendary temper.

He shook his head. Welp, you managed to fuck things up…yet again. What was it with him? He was cursed with crappy luck, that’s what. The shrill ringing of his cell phone nearly sent him through the roof.

“Yeah?” He snapped.

“Todd?”

“Blair!” He almost dropped the phone. Shit, the woman had ESP. “Uh…hey…what’s up?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to call to thank you again for tonight.” She paused. “Are you okay? You sound funny.”

“I’m fine,” he said quickly. “Why wouldn’t I be?” He clenched his eyes shut. Don’t blow it, man. You know Blair can sniff out a lie like a freakin’ bloodhound.

“Huh…I don’t know Todd,” Blair said shrewdly. “You sound like…you’ve got a secret.”

Todd chewed his lip and said nothing. He knew her little game; she was gonna try and snooker him into spilling his guts. Well, she was in for a big surprise.

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. How’s Shorty?” he asked, changing the subject abruptly.

“Still sleeping like an angel.” Blair settled back against her pillow. “So…I’m laying here in my bed thinking about tonight,” she whispered in a smoky voice. “I wish you were here with me, Baby. I’d make you feel soo good.”

Todd blinked and felt himself immediately grow hard. Jesus, you’re a whore, Manning! You screwed Tea, and now you’re sporting a wood for your other ex-wife.

“Yeah? You would?” he said unable to stop himself. Face it, you’re a chump.

“Yes, Todd. Remember how it was between us? Because I sure do,” she purred. “You’re an incredible lover when you want to be. Remember?”

Todd grinned. He leaned back and got comfortable. “Hell yeah, I remember.” He paused. “Incredible, huh?”

Blair’s laugh tinkled over the phone. “Why, Todd! Are you fishing for compliments?”

“What if I am? Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

Todd smirked like a smartass. “You were always a horny one, Blair. Damn, you used to wear me out.”

“I will choose to ignore that unflattering remark,” she remarked tartly. There was a great big smile in her voice.

“It wasn’t meant to be unflattering,” Todd said seriously. “You’re a fantastic lover. You made me feel…alive.”

The silence crackled between them. He could hear her breathing. It was soft and fast.

“Blair?”

“Yes, Todd?”

“You’ve got me so hard,” he breathed. “I feel like…” His voice drifted away.

“What? What do you feel like doing?” She could barely speak she was trembling so. She closed her eyes and waited.

“I want to touch myself and pretend it’s you,” he said roughly. He was already unzipping his fly and freeing his erection from the confines of his tight jeans.

“Do it,” she commanded softly. “Touch yourself…”

Todd was shaking and exhilarated at the same time. He closed his hand around himself and began stroking. “Jesus,” he moaned. His eyes fluttered shut. This was the most erotic thing he’d ever done. He no longer knew himself, and he didn’t care. This felt right with her.

“I want you to do the same,” he whispered back. “I want to hear you come. I want to make you come…” He was breathing as though he’d run a mile.

Blair felt passion, white-hot and fluid streak through her. “I am…I am, Todd…oh my God…oh my God…” She arched her back and pictured his hands all over her.

“Yes, mmm…yeah…” he chanted. “You sound so damn good, Blair. I wish I was inside you right now.” He felt the pressure start to build. “Moan for me…please, babe.”

His pleas were unnecessary, Blair moaned long, slow, and deep. She was so close to orgasm she didn’t know how much longer she could control herself. “Todd,” she whispered helplessly. Her orgasm spilled over, and she began to shake.

“That’s right, come. Come for me, Blair,” he trembled. He smiled when he heard her make sexy little kitten sounds at the back of her throat.

“Oh yeah…” he moaned as his own orgasm rocked him. The both of them were breathing rapidly, stunned by what had just transpired.

“I love you, Todd. I do,” she said breathlessly. She blinked back tears and prayed.

The silence on the other end of the phone stretched on unbearably. “I love you, too, Blair. I never really stopped. You are the mother of my child, and I will always love you.”

Blair bit her lip. “Really?” she asked unsurely.

“But that’s not the only reason. It’s not just because you’re the mother of my kid. It’s not out of duty or obligation. I love you for who and what you are. I take the good with the bad, just like you accept me.”

Blair cradled the phone to her ear. Todd never spoke to her like that. He really had changed; it was there for all to see. “I do accept you, Todd. I always have,” she whispered. “I never thought I’d hear you say those words to me.”

Todd smiled. “If you would have told me today that I would, I would have never believed you,’ he said honestly. “This all happened so fast, but I guess it was always there. Hey, remember when Shorty was a witch for Halloween?”

He and Blair laughed together, both remembering how adorable their daughter looked.

And it was then that he realized how much he missed being a family. He and Blair had a lot of really happy times, especially with Starr. “I have to ask you a question, Blair.”

“What?”

He paused for a moment. “Are you and Max really finished?”

Blair sighed deeply. She cared for Max, but she had never gotten Todd out of her heart. “Yes, I’m filing for divorce. I…my heart’s not in it, Todd. We tried to make it work, but it just isn’t there, you know?”

Todd closed his eyes. He knew. He felt the same way about Delgado. He cared for her, loved her even. But, it just wasn’t enough. “Yeah, I know what you’re saying.”

Blair gripped the phone. “What are you really asking me, Todd?”

“I’m asking if you think we can be a family again,” he said quietly. “Whaddaya say? Think we could stand each other for the next fifty years or so?” Todd could not believe the words were coming out of his mouth.

Blair started to cry. “Todd,” she said emotionally. She was so overcome that she couldn’t continue.

Todd was smiling through his tears. “I want to take things slow this time, Blair. We are in no rush and you’re still a married woman. I’m starting to like my shrink, and I feel like I’m making progress as well. I just want to make sure that this is the real deal. The next time I get married, it’s gonna be for life. Can you understand that?”

Blair nodded. “Yes! Todd, I feel the same way. This feels too special to rush through. I want us to get to know each other again, and I’m willing to wait however long that takes.”

“Blair?” Todd took a deep breath and continued. “I have something to tell you. I don’t want to start off with secrets between us.”

Blair’s stomach dropped to her feet. “What? Whatever it is, Todd, you can talk to me.”

“Uh…tonight…after I left your place. I came back home and, well…Tea was here.”

“Tea?” Blair sat straight up. “What did she want?”

“She had heard I was refurbishing this place, and she came out here to see it for herself.”

“Huh…I’m surprised she didn’t come to rub salt in your wounds. That’s more her style,’ Blair said bitchily.

“She didn’t rub salt in my wounds. She…we…aw shit, Blair.” Todd sighed and rubbed his jaw. This was going to be harder than he thought. “We had sex. I wasn’t planning on it, it just happened. I regret it, but I can’t change it.”

Blair absorbed the information silently. She was seething with jealousy; she detested Tea Delgado, and the fact that Todd had sex with her made her stomach churn.

Her first instinct was to yell and bitch. Instead she held her tongue and let her mind tick over the facts. Todd didn’t have to tell her this at all, but he did. Up until a few minutes ago he owed her nothing. She was still a married woman, and she has no right to dump on him.

She took a deep breath. “Thank you for being honest with me, Todd. I won’t pretend that it doesn’t bother me or that I don’t feel jealous, but like you said…it happened. And there’s nothing that can change it. I respect you for telling me at all.”

Todd raised his eyebrows in surprise. He expected her to be furious, not sweet and understanding. Relief washed over him. “So we’re okay? You’re not pissed?”

“No, I’m not pissed, and yes, we’re okay. More than okay,” she whispered softly.

Todd grinned. “Cool. Well…it’s getting really late and I should probably let you go. I’ll call you tomorrow?’

Blair smiled like a silly teenager. “Yeah…I can’t wait. Goodnight, Todd. Sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight, Blair. Same to you.”

He punched off his cell phone with a light heart. He was astounded at the events of the last twenty-four hours. Life was so funny. An hour ago he was completely depressed, and now he felt great.

He was so glad he ‘fessed up and told Blair about Tea. He wanted to do things right from now on. He sighed deeply. He hoped with all his heart that Tea was cool with the way things turned out. He was glad he made love with her, or he would have always wondered.

But the truth was he had Blair in his heart, and nothing was going to change that fact. He made his way into his bedroom, hopeful for the first time and looking forward to the future.

**********************

Arabella stared at the darkened house and sighed. He had no idea who she really was; he didn’t recognize her at all. After all these years it was no wonder.

“Oh Todd,” Michelle whispered. “I never stopped loving you.”

(to be continued)