It Was Always You by S.L. Sterling (2)

I threw my purse on the couch and hung my jacket on the back of the chair. Removing my shoes, I let my feet sink into the plush carpet. It had been a long week, and I was glad the day had come to an end. I had left work early tonight. It was our one-year anniversary, and Dean was taking me to a steak house for dinner, and then to a hotel for the night. Wanting to be ready when he picked me up, I turned the radio to the hits station and headed to the bathroom.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around me then towel dried my hair and wiped the fog off the mirror. Looking at my reflection, my stomach did a little flip as soon as the thought of Dean entered my mind.

"I need to cancel our date again. I am sorry, but they need me to work late tonight on the case."

Being a partner in the law firm was important to Dean, but I had a sinking feeling that the last few times he had canceled on me wasn't because of work. Our relationship hadn't been the greatest lately. He seemed withdrawn, short-tempered, and demanding. He was always on his phone messaging people.

I went to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine. I took a sip, letting the cool liquid slide down my throat while checking for messages on my phone. Swiping at the screen, I saw a message from Dean.

“Of course it did,” I mumbled. Throwing my phone down on the counter, I headed back to my bedroom with my wine.

Going to my closet, I started sorting through my dresses, finally deciding on my favorite little black cocktail dress. It fit me in all the right places, and I wanted to look good for Dean. He was always complaining that I never looked good enough. I had finished my makeup when my phone rang, my stomach doing another flip as I answered.

"Did that douche cancel on you yet?" Elliott's voice poured over the phone. He had a major dislike for Dean and didn't have any problem showing it.

I smiled into the phone. I missed him something terrible. Three years ago, he moved to pursue his dreams of becoming a cop. He had been sent to the undercover unit six months ago and was just about to complete his training. "Hey, Elliott. No, he hasn't canceled, but he will be late. I appreciate you checking in on me with such high hopes," I giggled.

"Well, text me if he does, and the next time I'm in town, I'll come and kick his ass. I can't have someone treat my little sister that way." He laughed into the phone.

All joking aside, I knew he was serious.

I gave a small smile. Elliott had always looked after me. "How are things, Elliott? How is work going?"

"Going great! I'm loving it. It has been challenging, that’s for sure. Hey, I got something for you. I bet you'll never guess who my training officer is for this new department."

"How would I even begin to guess who your trainer is, Elliott?" I took another sip of my wine.

"It’s Parker." In an instant, it was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. "Tatum, did you hear me?"

I swallowed hard; thanking God Elliott couldn’t see my reaction. I downed the rest of my wine. My mind was running in all different directions. I wondered what he looked like now. Was he married with kids? Why had I never bothered to get in touch with him? I took a deep breath, trying to silence my mind. "Well, at least I know you're in good hands. How is he?"

"He's doing well. I stayed with him after I got hired on the unit, my apartment was under renovation. It's been easier having someone here that I know, which reminds me, when are you coming down to visit me?"

"I have time off at the end of the month. I should be able to come down then. Dean will be away." I added more wine to my glass, having a hard time believing I had let that slip out.

"Dean will be away? I don't understand why that would matter. You’re coming to visit your brother."

Taking notice of the time on the clock, I needed to get going and finish getting ready. "Elliott, I have to go. Dean should be here shortly."

"Tatum, I'd like an answer before we get off the phone."

"I mean, I won't have other engagements on my week off is all." Truth was, Dean didn't like Elliott either, and he didn't want me to see him anymore. We had had some major arguments the last few times Elliott had come back home. The last argument ended with me being forbidden to see my brother.

"Okay…” He was hesitant. "Remember, I'm always here if you need me to come up and kick him around. Just say the word."

After we said our good-byes, I started working on my hair, but my mind kept wandering to Parker. I hadn't thought of him since I met Dean. I always wondered what would have happened if I had moved with him.

Picking up my cell phone, I swiped to the contacts screen and pulled Parker’s information up.

His contact picture opened, and I stared into that face, those eyes that still made my panties damp. If I thought hard enough, I could still feel his arms around me. My body pressed into his hard, well-defined chest. I could imagine those sexy, full lips kissing my lips and my neck, and his strong hands touching my body. Hands I still wished had explored every part of my body.

I clicked the text icon next to his name and typed hello then stared at the blinking cursor, trying to get up the courage to hit send, but hit delete instead. Who was I kidding? He wouldn't want to hear from me.

I wondered what his wife looked like, how cute his kids would be. "She is lucky to have you," I whispered to his photo.

I shut the phone off and concentrated on fixing my hair. Without warning, a feeling of pure regret poured over me. I would regret that breakup for the rest of my life.

"Did you enjoy dinner?" Dean questioned as he pulled up to the hotel’s valet parking and put the car in park.

"Yes, it was amazing. I would have enjoyed it more had you put your phone on silent and paid attention to us. It kept going off. What could be that important at eight o’clock on a Friday night?" The valet opened the door for me, and I climbed out of the car then grabbed my small bag from the back seat.

"What I was needed for doesn't concern you, now does it? I will make sure everything is wrapped up once we are in the room. It should only take me about forty-five minutes, and then you will have my undivided attention. I hope that meets your approval." Glaring at me, Dean ripped the bag from my hand, and without waiting for me, walked into the hotel.

"I'm sorry. I guess I've missed you these past few weeks. I wanted to have you all to myself tonight. You are leaving Sunday for a week," I whispered while standing in line waiting to check in.

Dean gave out a huff and stood with his body turned away from me, his face in his phone. He was responding to one email or text after another. Once again, I felt ignored as I had for the past few months.

"Give me some time when we get upstairs to take care of what I need to get finished, and then you'll have me all to yourself."

"I'll be over there." I moved to the nearest lounge, sat down and checked my phone. It was as if he didn't even hear me. I could feel tears threatening to fall. His short temper was making me feel as if he didn’t want to be with me. Was there something so wrong with wanting to spend time with the person you love? I checked my email. When I unlocked my phone, the picture of Parker greeted me.

"What are you looking at?" I heard a rough voice demand, and I saw a hand reach out for my phone.

I shoved the phone into my jacket pocket before he could grab it from me. "Nothing, reading an email from work," I lied.

"Let’s go," he demanded.

As soon as we arrived at our suite, Dean shut himself in the bedroom. I sent Elliott a quick message to let him know all was okay and that I would call him tomorrow. Not knowing how long Dean would be, I took my phone and headed into the bathroom. I turned the water on and filled up the Jacuzzi, disrobed, and climbed in. Lying back, I let the water cover my body and the heat soak on in, easing the stress and tension I was feeling.

Dean knocked on the door before opening it and brought in a glass of white wine. "I had room service bring up a bottle." He handed me the glass and sat on the edge of the tub. "Listen, one of the guys from the office is bringing over a couple documents I have to get signed tonight, so I am going to head down and meet him in the lobby. I shouldn't be too long."

Sighing, I took a sip and relaxed back in the water. "Whatever. Close the door please." I had nothing more to say. I could see that work would always come first, and I would always, no matter what, be on the back burner.

Dean glared into my eyes but said nothing. With the attitude I had been giving him, I knew I was pushing my luck. He stood and walked to the door, pulling it shut behind him. When the main door slammed shut, I started to cry. This was not how I pictured the evening going, never mind this relationship.

I stayed in the tub until I finished my wine, and with my chest aching and my eyes puffy and sore, I got out and dried off. Wrapping myself in one of the plush robes that hung on the back of the bathroom door, I went into the other room. Taking the spare blanket from the closet and a pillow from the bed, I poured myself another glass of wine, curled up on the couch, and found a movie on TV. I figured I may as well enjoy part of the night. Dean was still downstairs, and it was probably for the best.

I awoke to sunlight beaming into my eyes. The last time I checked the clock, it was midnight. I guessed Dean’s quick document signing turned into drinks and food.

I looked around the room. The TV was still on, and the door to the bedroom was open. I got up and walked over to the door to see if Dean was still in bed, but he wasn't. In fact, the bed hadn't even been slept in.

I walked over to the bathroom and peeked in; he wasn't in there either. Had he even returned to the room last night? I got dressed and went in search of Dean.

I took the elevator down to the lobby. When it stopped, I stepped out but came to an abrupt halt at what I saw. There, sitting on a couch in the center of the lobby, was Dean holding some blonde woman in his lap. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want him to see me, so I hid around the corner, peeking around so I could watch.

He was still wearing the clothes he had worn to dinner last night. The only thing missing was his tie and suit jacket. The woman kissed him deeply, and then rose from his lap. Dean stood and pulled her into him and kissed her again.

The lump in my throat made it hard for me to swallow. I watched as he whispered into her ear, and she giggled and kissed him again. She grabbed a small suitcase and walked out of the lobby. Dean watched until she was out of sight then grabbed a paper off the table in front of him and headed toward another set of elevators across the lobby.

I needed air... I could feel myself starting to panic. The lobby began to spin, so I sat down in the chair nearest to me to catch my breath. I didn't want to face him. I didn't want to talk to him. I wanted to grab a cab and go home, but I had left everything upstairs.

When I didn't feel like I would be sick anymore, I made my way up to the room. I stood in the elevator trying to stop the deep, internal shake I could feel running through my body.

The elevator stopped on our floor, and the door opened. I took a deep breath before stepping into the hall and walking toward the room. I had a feeling something was going on with him, but I never thought it would be something like this.

With my hand shaking, I placed my key card into the lock and opened the door. Dean sat with his feet up on the coffee table, relaxing on the couch, reading the newspaper.

"Morning, sweetheart," Dean said, dropping the paper.

I said nothing. What on earth was there to say? I walked over and started packing my stuff.

"Sorry I didn't wake you when I returned last night. You were in bed and out like a light. You were still asleep when I went down to have breakfast and get a paper."

Every word he spoke was drilling another nail into my body.

“I thought we could go grab lunch and take a walk by the marina before I drop you at home. Sound good?" He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me from behind.

I shrugged myself out of his embrace and stuffed my pajamas into my bag. "Save it, Dean! I saw you!"

"You saw me?" he asked, rather surprised. "What is that supposed to mean?" he questioned.

"I saw you in the lobby a half hour ago." Turning around, I looked at him. "With her! You never came back here last night. You spent the night with her on our anniversary," I choked out. I marched into the bathroom to grab my toiletries.

"Honey, I don't know what you are talking about. I went downstairs last night to meet with a colleague to sign paperwork. We got to discussing business. It was almost two when I returned. I didn't want to wake you. I mean, I wanted to, but I thought you needed your sleep."

"Why are you lying? I saw you with a woman in your lap this morning dressed in a dark suit. She had blonde hair, and you were kissing her. You looked at her the way you used to look at me. I watched you kiss her good-bye, and then you grabbed the paper and headed toward the elevators. I saw it all, Dean. It definitely wasn't business. The bed hasn't even been slept in. I slept on the couch."

The tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. I didn't want to cry in front of him, but it was inevitable. "You must have pretty big balls, you know that? You bring me here on our anniversary, and while I sit here waiting like a fool, you go off and fuck another woman in the same hotel. You could have left me at home or broken up with me. How long has this been going on?"

His jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists. "A while now, but I didn't expect..." He stopped mid-sentence to look at my face; it was streaked with tears.

“You didn't expect what? To be caught? I didn't expect that I would spend the night alone with a bottle of wine. But I certainly didn't expect to find you with that whore on your lap!"

Dean towered over me and delivered a sharp slap across my face that took my breath away. "I've had enough of your fucking mouth," he snarled.

I stood there for a few moments, afraid at first to move. Once the shock wore off, I grabbed my purse and bag off the bed and ran over to the door.

He came at me, grabbing my shoulder. "Tatum, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. Please don't end things like this. You’re my girl. It was a mistake. I'll end it with her."

I pulled my shoulder away and opened the door. I turned to face him and tried to hide the pain he had inflicted on me. "You have ended it, and as for me being your girl, it is too late for that now," I whispered and shut the door behind me.