Saturday
Picture 2
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Her hand reached out, trying to find something to grab as she sank farther into the dark water. The man held her head down so she couldn’t come up for air, just a little longer and he would finally be done with her. Her struggling grew weaker by the second and he knew it wouldn’t be long now. The last bubbles surfaced and she sank to the bottom, her white dress flowing around her limp body. The pool was only 16 feet deep, but without the lights on she sank out of sight. He stood up and flicked the water off his hands, rubbing them on his pants to dry them off.
Suddenly his phone rang, echoing through the large indoor swimming pool. He answered it, taking a last look into the pool before leaving. “Hey sweetie,” he said. “I’ll be home in a little while, just getting out of the office. See you in a bit.”
“Excuse me, ma’am? Where can I find a book on engineering?”
The librarian looked up from her book and pushed her glasses up. “D-down that w-way,” she pointed.
The man smirked. “S-s-say th-th-thanks,” he mocked her.
She bowed her head, embarrassed as he walked away. It wasn’t unusual for people to make fun of her stuttering problem, she was used to it. She thought once she got out of school, kids would stop being mean; she didn’t realize mean kids grew up to be mean adults. With a sigh she went back to her Pride & Prejudice. She loved reading Jane Austen’s books; she could imagine being one of those girls like in the stories…she could imagine not stuttering.
The clock chimed the stroke of twelve, lunch time. She opened her purse and took out a wrapped sandwich. She rarely went out to eat. It was best to do things alone out of the way of rude people. Being a librarian was the perfect job for her, little talking required and she could read all Jane Austen’s books as much as she liked.
“Do you know where a book on dogs would be?”
She nodded and looked up. “It’s o-over—“ she stopped when she saw him. He was tall and very handsome, rugged and dark. He was in a suit and carrying a briefcase. “L-let me show you.” She wiped her mouth and stood up.
He smiled kindly. “Thank you.”
She showed him where the section was on that topic and smiled. “H-here we are.”
He took a book out and flipped through it, watching her instead. “You know most librarians point in a general direction and have me wandering for hours. Thank you for taking time off your lunch to help me.”
She blushed, looking down. A single yellow curl fell in her face, but before she could pin it back, he reached out and tucked it behind her ear. “S-so is there anything else I can h-help you with?”
He chuckled. “our stutter is…”
She frowned knowing that the teasing came next.
“Hypnotizing.” He ran his fingers down her arm leaving goosebumps on her skin. “What’s your name?” He leaned in.
She backed herself against the shelf as he pressed forward, blocking her in. “Meg…”
Without looking, he put the book back on the shelf, staring into her eyes. “That’s a beautiful name,” he whispered, his lips brushing against hers.
Her heart was beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings, unsure of what was happening, but she liked it. He pressed his lips to hers, clasping her against his body. “Is there someplace more private we could go?” he said between breaths, hunger and longing in his eyes.
She bit her lip to keep the same lustful smile that was on his lips from showing on hers. Quickly she looked around and pulled him to a closet in the back of the library. As soon as that door was shut he went back to kissing her more passionately. He kicked his shoes and his jacket off, piling them in the corner by the door.
Meg stopped, holding him back. “Wait, I d-don’t even know your n-name.”
He unbuttoned his shirt, showing his perfectly sculpted abs. “Luke.” He resumed kissing her and strategically taking her clothes off. She didn’t object to him, wanting him just as much as he wanted her.
Luke brought her against his naked chest and lifted her chin so she would look at him. “Just relax.” He gave her a devilish smile. Before she could answer he took her lips, kissing down her neck making her forget anything but his hard body against hers. As he kissed and licked down her body he skillfully pulled the rest of her clothes off as well as his. He laid her on the floor of the closet and hovered above her kissing and nipping in the right places as both of their bodies moved to reach that higher state of pleasure. Luke quickened his pace becoming feverish increasing their pleasure as their moans filled the small space. Meg’s nails raked down his back as ecstasy consumed her. Luke followed soon after, muffling his moans by kissing Meg’s neck.
“I think our lunch break is over.” He chuckled against her skin.
Meg nodded, finding her skirt in the dim closet. “M-mine was over a l-long time ago.”
He finished getting dressed and went over to help her fix her hair. “You’re the first person I’ve ever done something this crazy with before.” He rubbed her arm and smiled. “We should definitely do this again.”
She smiled, the blush not leaving her cheeks. “I have to g-get back to work.”
He opened the closet door and led her out into the library again. “Can I see you tomorrow, same time?”
Meg hesitated on her answer, but she couldn’t deny the feelings he gave her. She’d never felt this way with anyone before. “I’d l-like that,” she finally confessed.
He kissed her briefly before leaving the library. She went back to the front desk and sat down, in a daze. She just had sex with a stranger in the library closet. A laugh escaped her lips, but she quickly covered her mouth. She looked down at her half-eaten sandwich before throwing it in the trash and picking up her book again, not really focusing on it anymore.
The lunches from that day on were held in the library’s closet, bathroom, and even the empty room often used for town meetings. Luke always showed up like clockwork, leaving his briefcase in the car and his tie loosened around his neck. Meg started wearing more and more revealing clothes to work and easier clothes to get out of quickly. She stopped bringing a lunch, never finding time to eat during her busy lunch hour. It was a whole new adventure, like nothing Jane Austen wrote about in her books. She didn’t know anything about Luke, but she couldn’t bring herself to care too much as long as she saw him every day.
A month had passed since their first encounter and she did start to think more about what he did with the rest of his time. Why did he never want to meet outside of the library? She had no way of contacting him; she didn’t know where he worked or what he did. She knew absolutely nothing about him. The stroke of twelve chimed and she watched the door for him to show up. Ten minutes passed and still no sign of him, something not normal. Lunch hour was almost over and she gave up on him showing. He never missed a single day, but something could have happened. Maybe he got stuck at work or in traffic.
Resigned and indifferent, she went to the vending machine in the back to grab a quick lunch. He’d show up tomorrow again and apologize for missing today. The phone rang and she went to answer it. “Public L-library,” she answered.
“Meg?” She heard a faint voice, but she recognized it.
“Luke!” She exclaimed, looking around when she realized how loud that was. “Luke, where are y-you?”
“I’m at work. We had a meeting at lunch and I couldn’t leave, but I’ll make it up to you. Why don’t we mix it up a little bit, I know a great place that is completely empty at night.”
Meg smiled. “Sounds w-wonderful. M-maybe I can meet up with you at y-your work?”
“Um…I don’t know if that’s such a great idea… People might see us…” he sounded very nervous.
She felt a stabbing pain. “Y-you’re embarrassed by my s-stutter, aren’t you?”
Luke sighed. “No baby, you know that’s not it. Alright meet me outside the law firm on 31st Street.” He hung up after saying goodbye.
She leaned back in her chair and smiled. Luke was a lawyer… He was finally opening up to her. She never got to see him after lunch breaks, making her think he had something to hide.
Night came and she locked up the library for the night, hitching her purse higher on her shoulder as she made her way to the car. There was no one in the parking lot, making it eerie this time of night. It was almost 7:30 when she pulled up to the law firm. She turned her car off and got out, just as Luke got out of his car.
He embraced her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in this lighting before,” he said huskily.
Meg smiled. “S-so where is this p-place you told me about?”
He took her hand and pulled her around the back of the building to another building behind it; the community center. Quietly he opened the gate and led her to one of the locked doors. He took a knife out and jiggled the lock till it opened.
“A-aren’t they c-closed?” She asked nervously looking around.
He smiled wickedly, pulling her inside. “Not for us.”
“Isn’t this i-illegal?” She whispered.
He shrugged. “Possibly. Come on.” He opened another door to a large indoor swimming pool. The lights were turned off, but Luke brought a flashlight.
Meg looked into the pool and back at Luke, who was already taking his clothes off. He winked at her before diving into the pool. He moved his finger in a “come here” motion and she quickly dropped her dress to her feet, jumping in after him.
Suddenly a phone went off, echoing in the large room. Meg looked towards Luke’s clothing and back at him. “Who would be c-calling you this late?”
He swam to the edge of the pool, leaving Meg to answer his phone. “Hello?” He ran out of the room for privacy and she strained her ears to listen. “No I’m still at work. I should be home in a little bit. I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.” He hung up and came back into the room.
“Who was t-that?” Meg asked fearful.
He chuckled. “A friend of mine, I forgot I promised him we’d play poker tonight and it completely left my mind. I should probably get going…” He was already gathering his clothes, leaving for the door.
Meg frowned. “Oh…well I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Luke waved. “Tomorrow.”
Meg floated in the pool for a while longer after he left, thinking about everything that had happened in the months time. That phone call didn’t sound like to a guy over poker. Was he cheating on her? Meg felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, weighing her down. She just had to play it cool and not be clingy. Guys don’t like clingy.
The following week was long and nerve-wracking. Luke didn’t come to see her during lunch and he didn’t call. That itching thought in the back of her mind kept trying to push forward and make itself known, but she refused to believe it. She trusted Luke and would wait for him to call.
By the end of the week, everyone was getting ready for the weekend, but Meg still hadn’t heard from him. She was warring with herself over going to his work to see him. Why shouldn’t she? At least she could get some answers. She could play investigator and find out if he was cheating. She had to know or she’d never get to sleep at night.
With that final thought, she grabbed her purse and clocked out for lunch. The law firm wasn’t that far from the library, easily a few minutes drive across downtown. Luke’s car wasn’t there, but Meg didn’t turn around. Maybe she could get answers from his colleagues. She walked inside and saw a lady at the front desk.
“E-excuse me, where is Luke’s office?” She realized she didn’t know his last name and hoped there wasn’t another Luke in the building.
The lady pointed to the elevator. “Third floor, ask the desk clerks there to show you to his office.”
She thanked her and went to the elevator, gripping her purse tightly. A man was in there with her, holding a briefcase. “Hi,” he smiled.
She nodded her head and smiled.
The man turned towards her and checked her out. “I heard you’re here to see Luke?”
Meg tried not to look nervous. “Um…y-yeah.”
“What’s a pretty thing like you coming to see a divorce lawyer for?” He tried to flirt.
Meg chuckled. “Oh why w-would anyone come to see a divorce l-lawyer?” she countered.
The man nodded. “That’s true, divorce is a nasty business. Luke would know, seems he’s having marital problems himself.”
Her eyes grew big. “Married?” she all but whispered.
The elevator dinged, opening the doors. “Well this is where I get off, I actually think Luke is out to lunch with his wife right now, but he might be back soon. It was nice meeting you.” The man got out and the doors closed again.
Meg leaned against the elevator wall, her knees going weak. Luke was married. She was the other woman and she didn’t even know. The doors opened on the third level, but she pushed the main floor button and went back down. She held in the tears until she got to her car before letting them loose.
How could he do that to her? Make a fool out of her! Meg thought he loved her, but he was just using her to get sex from someone other than his wife. She didn’t want to be caught here when he got off his lunch break. But the guy did say he was going through some marital problems. Maybe Luke was leaving his wife. Maybe that’s why he was so busy lately. She drove back to the library, gathering her composure for work.
An hour later the phone rang and she cleared her throat. “Public L-library.”
“How could you do that?” she heard an angry voice on the other line.
“L-luke?”
“You came to my work asking about me?” He was furious.
“I haven’t s-seen you in a while I was w-worried—“ he cut her off.
“That’s no excuse. Mark was already asking about who you were. I didn’t know what he was talking about until he mentioned the stutter.”
Tears filled Meg’s eyes. “But I l-love you…”
She could tell he was calming down. “Look, I want to see you again but I’ve been so busy lately with work. How about we meet in the pool again?”
“Okay…”
“See you tonight baby,” he hung up and she stared at the phone for a while longer before hanging it up.
She had to ask him tonight if he was leaving his wife. She refused to be the other woman no matter how much she loved Luke. He would understand and respect it. As soon as he leaves his wife, she will be there waiting for him, but until then….
Later that night, she stood outside the community center where they entered last time. She was wearing her lacy white dress and her hair down her back. Luke would be here any minute.
“Meg,” he walked around the building towards her.
“Luke,” she ran up to him, wrapping her arms around him. “We have to t-talk.”
“Yeah, we do,” he agreed, unlocking the door.
They went into the indoor pool room and she turned around to face him. “Luke, I know you’re m-married.”
His face was shadowed from the dark, but she could tell it was hard and angry. “You shouldn’t have been snooping around my work. All you had to do was ask.”
Meg stepped back, slightly confused. “If I had k-known, but you didn’t tell m-me. Does your wife know you’re l-leaving her f-for me?”
A small smirk showed on his detached face. “I love my wife. I’m not leaving her. I don’t think you understand how this cheating works, Meg. I come to you to relieve sexual tension and you don’t tell people at my work.”
Meg shook her head. “I’m not g-going to s-stay quiet about that. It’s not r-right. I l-love you, Luke, and I’m not afraid to s-show it.” Her stuttering always got worse when she was nervous.
He grabbed her arm, backing her up towards the pool. “Meg, I can’t let you leave if you’re going to go blabbing about this. I can’t let my wife find out, or the people at my work. I’m next in line for a big promotion and this sort of scandal could ruin me, you understand?”
She tried to look back to watch her footing as she got closer to the pool. “L-luke stop you’re s-scaring me.”
He kept pushing her closer and closer until she slipped and fell in. “I can’t let you leave, Meg,” he said again as if it was the most natural thing to say.
She tried to scream for help, but he plunged her underwater, holding her head down. She panicked, squirming around, trying to get air.
“I’m sorry Meg,” he said, holding her underwater.
She grew weaker by the second, unable to get a footing or a breath of air. His hand held her down with no intention of letting go until she stopped. Lack of oxygen started to make her lightheaded and the dark water got lighter. She stopped fighting as she sank peacefully to the bottom of the pool, watching his face fade into the darkness.
Suddenly Luke’s phone rang, echoing through the large indoor swimming pool. He answered it, taking a last look into the pool before leaving. “Hey sweetie, I’ll be home in a little while, just getting out of the office. See you in a bit.”
He walked out of the community center. No one knew he was connected to her and the chlorine in the pool should erase any trace of him on her body. She would disappear and he could go on with his life. His wife had suspected something was up, the reason he had to start taking his lunches with her and not at the library. The door shut quietly and Luke slunk into the darkness where his car was parked, driving home to his wife.
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