Everything that had happened with Catcher was in the past. When I promised to bring a loaf of pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving, I figured we'd be amicable. I figured we'd leave our awkward, unrealized more-than-friendship behind in the fog of our memory. We'd never done anything physical, but our whole relationship was a gigantic scar of guilt on my life and my marriage.
It started that way: friendly. He gave me a side hug, told me how his family was doing since I'd moved away and come back to visit. But as I was leaving, he stood in the doorway. The kitchen darkened as his tall frame fell over the window. I'd never cared much about height, but when I'd been attracted to him I remember latching onto the idea of his silhouette, well over six feet, draping over my body. But now, it was menacing, how easily his long body kept the light from coming through.
"I have to go," I said. I stepped closer. His smell was overwhelming--cologne and cider and clove, all too sweet.
"I'm not letting you walk out of my life for the second time."
Catcher's eyes were darker than normal, his stare glossy and soft. I looked away and reached for the doorknob as fast I could.
He took a step and forced his body against mine, my head just below his shoulder. I froze. My heart weakened with the inevitability of the situation. Catcher was going to ruin me, for real this time. I wasn't going to be able to say we hadn't fucked, now. My husband wasn't going to believe me if I told him what was happening.
Catcher put his hands underneath my coat and slid them along my hips, rumpling the fabric of my skirt. Then his hands skimmed the hem of my thick sweater and trailed upwards. His hands felt so cold against my skin, I wanted to cry out. Instead, I choked out a high-pitched noise that made Catcher seize my breast in his hand.
"I know you need this as bad as I do," he said.
Despite the chill of his hands, my body was on fire with shame and fear. My cheeks felt hot and warmth was roiling in my stomach.
I looked at the doorknob and then at Catcher's forearm sticking out from underneath my sweater.