Picture Perfect

Chapter 2- Part 2

When lunchtime rolls around, Andrew drives himself to The Plaza, his briefcase by his side. As far as appearances go, he unquestionably looks like he will be attending a pertinent business meeting. Maria's cab arrives at the agreed-upon location shortly after, allowing herself access to the pair's usual quarters. Entering the room, she notices that Andrew is already naked, his suit laid out on a chair to avoid crumpling. For a moment, the secretary wishes that she could have the pleasure of stripping him just once. In the months that they've been sleeping together, he has made a habit of undressing before her arrival. Maria instantly disregards the disappointed feeling as she takes in the sight of the toned and sculpted male form before her, his stiff organ already rising to the occasion.

Impressed by the view displayed before her, desire rushes over Maria, prompting her to remove her own clothing recklessly. She's not nearly as meticulous about it, leaving her garments strewn across the floor. Pressing her palms firmly against Andrew's shoulders, she pushes him to the bed, her own body falling on top of him. Not one to be submissive, Andrew quickly flips their positions, hovering over Maria's unclothed body. As his eyes roam the woman beneath him, he takes in the sight of her flushed cheeks, her dilated pupils. Maria's chest is heaving, her legs parted open as if inviting him inside, luring him in.

"Andrew," she whispers, an urgent need filling her voice.

That's all it takes for his restraint to completely dissolve, inspiring him to claim her, to take advantage of the unrestricted access Maria has granted him. She welcomes him readily, greedily, as if he belongs there, with her. As if he belongs inside of her. He lets the eager actions draw him in, consuming him. Mentally disconnecting from certain parts of his anatomy, Andrew allows his carnal desires to take control. His body moves of its own volition, with no concern for common sense. With no care for loyalty or faithfulness. No regard whatsoever for his marriage to another woman. The engorged appendage between his legs seems to be doing most of his thinking for him at the moment.

Andrew can't help but consciously recognize the difference between making love to his wife and bedding his secretary. With Cora, the feelings between them are so much more than lust. It's more than a physical interaction; the husband and wife connect on an intimate level. An emotional one. It's beautiful. Passionate. It means something to him. When he's with his wife, the entire process serves the purpose of bringing the love they share to fruition. With Maria, it's dirty and messy. Rough. Solely intended for physical gratification. While Andrew can appreciate the differences, and his body thoroughly enjoys both women, he much prefers his wife.

That doesn't mean that he will stop seeing Maria, though. Not when she's consistently so readily available and so eager to please.

Andrew finds something rather exhilarating about breaking the rules in this way. In knocking down the barriers that he placed around himself in order to achieve his dream. There's excitement in having one aspect of his life where he isn't forced to chase perfection, in lowering his inhibitions, shutting off his thoughts, and allowing his body to act independently of his mind.

There's a freedom that he otherwise would not understand.

After the deed is finished, Andrew immediately showers to remove any remnants of his nefarious activities. He wouldn't want to leave behind a single trace of a woman who isn't his wife, not when he'll be returning home to her tonight. Once his suit is appropriately replaced on his person, Andrew takes a look at himself in the mirror, ensuring that his appearance isn't the least bit untidy. By the time he returns to the firm, his hair will be dry, and no one will know that he spent his lunch anomalistically fornicating with his secretary.

"I'll see you back at the office," he announces, not bothering to glimpse at the still naked woman, his tone clearly displaying his detachment. "Don't be late," he adds sternly before excusing himself.

As she watches him depart, ready to return to work as if nothing happened, Maria pouts childishly. Frustration courses through her at the sequence of events that just ensued, those same occurrences that happen every time she gives herself to Andrew. Anger flares within her chest, burning vividly, threatening to combust at any moment spontaneously. While she is physically satisfied after the round in the sack with the man she loves, she feels emotionally empty. Unfulfilled. Drained, even. Maria briefly wonders what she has to do to get Andrew to finally leave his wife. To be with her instead, where he belongs. There must be something; nothing that she's tried so far has seemed to work.

With a dejected sigh, Maria feverishly rummages through the drawer of the bedside table. Upon finding the refilled collection of condoms, Maria places them on the bed before removing one of her earrings. Using the earring post, she pokes a single hole in the center of each condom. She returns them to their original resting place, remembering to securely shut the drawer to avoid raising suspicion. Maria realizes it would be somewhat scandalous if Andrew were entertaining other women in his suite. Unfortunately, this is the only practical solution she has come up with to ensure that he will someday be hers. Once she is pregnant with his child, his picture-perfect life will be shattered.

Andrew will be free of the restraints binding him to a life that isn't nearly as perfect as one might think. As he might think. He'll be free of the confines of his marriage, free of that wretched woman. Free to be with someone else, someone who cherishes him regardless of his image. Someone accepting and appreciative of his flaws, who sees beyond the ruse he so adamantly portrays. Someone who deserves him. He'll be free to love someone else, to love her.

And then Maria will finally have everything she's ever wanted.