He was solemn on the car ride home, barely glancing my way as we wound through the misty back roads toward our apartment, streetlights reflecting on the pavement, still damp from the summer rain earlier in the evening. Each time we passed one and his face was momentarily illuminated, I examined it for a hint of emotion, but consistently came up empty handed. I anxiously tried to imagine what he must be thinking. This was so unlike him. He was never one to give the cold shoulder.
The car tires crunched on the crumbling blacktop of the parking lot, and we silently strode up to the second story loft we had rented out together in June. I slipped out of my strappy heels, my feet thanking me. I usually didn't wear such flashy shoes, but I had really gone all out tonight. Between my long blonde locks curled into perfectly tousled ringlets; to my skin-tight bejeweled jeans that hugged the voluptuous curves of my thighs, hips, and bottom; to my fitted, cropped tank top that showed just a crescent of the soft, fair skin of my slim tummy and a noticeable amount of my small yet full breasts, perky nipples clearly visible beneath the fabric. I was quite the spectacle and I knew it. My emerald eyes were glowing with confidence the entire night as I danced and drank at the swanky new nightclub downtown. I was radiating sensual, feminine beauty and I loved it.
Ethan, on the other hand, looked the part but surely was not acting it anymore. Dressed in a cleanly pressed button down tucked into form-fitting jeans, his soft brown hair effortlessly yet stylishly pushed to the side, revealing his youthful, handsome face and Atlantic blue eyes, he had left the house beaming with something nearing narcissism. When we arrived downtown, he had clearly been feeling in his element, meeting new people, chatting away, even dancing with me a bit. But a couple hours in, I noticed a change in his demeanor. He became increasingly shut out and though he claimed to be bored and tired, it was obvious something had gotten to him. By the time we left, he was practically pouting. Now, back at our home, I wasn't about to go to bed anxious and frustrated with his childish behavior.
"Ethan," he glanced toward me cooly. "What's going on? Why are you upset with me?"
"I just wasn't having fun," he responded flatly.
"You were having plenty of fun when we first got there," I countered, nipping his argument in the bud.
"I got tired."
"It's only 9 o'clock."
"You were drinking too much; I got nervous."
"I had 3 drinks and you've never had a problem with that before."
"I don't like dancing in front of people."
"Ethan, stop with the fucking excuses!" I finally blurted out. He froze, clearly not expecting such a harsh response. I took a breath. "I know you're lying," I continued, regaining some composure. "I don't understand it though. We talk about everything. What's going on? What's really getting to you?"
He sighed and looked to the floor, shifting uncomfortably. The entryway was still dark, the floorboards dimly lit by moonlight, but I could feel his face contorting as he struggled to find the right words. Finally, he spoke. "It was... that guy." He sounded defeated.
"Which one?" It was a pointless question. The minute he said it, my heart sank because deep down, I knew which one.
"Jake."
I flinched at his name. "Oh... What about him?" Another pointless question.
"You were flirting with him." He said it with an undertone of jealousy that I had never seen in him before.
"We were just talking. I thought he was cute but it was all harmless."
"Honestly?" Ethan asked, sounding somewhat incredulous and somewhat curious.
"Yes, of course." I reassured, but my heart rate accelerated with uncertainty.
"I saw you leaning into him, and the way you kept touching his arms and thighs. You wanted more than that." His words came out soft, more hurt than accusatory. It was then I realized he wasn't mad or jealous; he was scared. I didn't say anything. We just stared at each other for a moment. I felt like crying. Then he spoke up again. "He was nothing like me. Did you like that about him?"
"What do you mean?" I asked. I felt so vulnerable and small.
"He was very tall and muscular, so much more masculine than me. Did that turn you on?"
I felt ashamed, but at the same time, I wanted to give an honest answer. I thought for a moment, then responded carefully. "I won't lie to you, honey. In a way, yes, it did. But not because I don't love your body or find it very sexy. It's just... Well, I haven't been getting the attention I need lately."
Even through the dark, I could see his brow furrow in shocked confusion. "What do you mean?"
He sounded so genuinely concerned, it encouraged me to keep talking. "The reason I was so attracted to him was because... he was just so big and strong. I imagined all the ways he could dominate me. How he could take my body and just use me and control me. And I loved the attention he was giving me... You've barely noticed me lately, Ethan, much less touched me." His face shifted again, this time filled with shame. I continued, "We've been so busy, between the move and work and our families... But I feel forgotten about. You used to give me so much attention. You used to have sex with me every day. Now, you don't even give me a second glance when I get all dressed up. Like tonight. I told you over and over how great you look, but you didn't tell me once what you thought of me, even though I know everyone else noticed. It was impossible to miss."
He was silent for a moment, thinking. Then, finally, voice cracking, he spoke up. "I'm so sorry. You're right. I haven't been appreciating you like I used to, and like I should. Now I can barely stand to see you even talking to another man. I'm acting like a jealous asshole. I want you all to myself, but I'm treating you like it doesn't even matter that you're my girl." We stared at each other quietly for another moment, then he straightened himself up a bit, pushing his hair off his forehead. He sounded stronger when he spoke again. "And I have to admit, seeing you over at the bar, flirting with that guy and putting your hands all over him... It made me think of all the things I want to do to you."
He took a step closer and I instinctually leaned in. My heart rate accelerated and warmth spread between my thighs. "Like what?" I asked, breathless.