The Rules We Break 2 - Say Please

Sage sat on a bench outside the airport, strumming her fingers against her suitcase. This was it, the beginning of her new life. She looked down at her plane ticket, rubbing her finger over the destination.

LAX

She was going with him. The love of her life. At first, he was reluctant to have her join him. He worried about everything, told her it wasn’t a good idea more times than she could remember.

“What about college?” He said.

“I’ll drop out.”

“That’s stupid,” he said.

“Then I’ll transfer.”

“I’ll be busy, I won’t be able to coddle you out there.”

“I don’t need coddling.”

On and on it went. Until one day, he threw his hands up and relented. Sage was elated. They would finally find their way out of this hellhole and start something new together.

Now, she sat at the airport, waiting patiently for his arrival, just as he had requested.

"I have a lot going on with the movie deal right now. Get yourself there."

Sage understood. He was busy. He had done what few others couldn't. He had crawled his way out of poverty, out of their small, drug addicted town, and now he was about to live his dream.

He was going to be an actual movie star.

Sage couldn't have been more proud. She always knew he could do it. And she felt privileged to go with him. And she wouldn’t be a burden to him, either. Sage wouldn’t let him down. She would do whatever he wanted. She’d pull her own weight, have his kids, and take care of his house. She would be the perfect wife for him.

He just needed time to see it.

He pulled up in a black taxi a few hours later, paid the driver, and walked past her without a glance.

Sage buried the embarrassment and heartache as she scrambled to her feet.

“H-hi!” She said.

He continued walking.

“I... I got my ticket!” Sage said, overenthusiastically.

He stopped and glared at her.

"Why did you do that?" He snapped.

"Because… I thought it’d be cute to go on the same plane...”

“Jesus Sage... we agreed on this.”

“I-I know, we agreed we’re going together…" Sage said.

"Since when?"

"We… talked about it. Remember?”

"What the hell are you going to do out there? You're not the one who got the movie deal."

"Well, I mean, I modeled before. I figured I would–"

"You would what? Just become an LA model? Jesus, Sage, this is so fucking like you. You can’t just go to a place like LA and expect them to hand you the world. You’re going to end up fucking homeless, and I’m not going to be your fucking piggy bank.”

Sage felt a stab in her heart. She laughed. What else could she do? A gentle, pleading laugh as she pretended he was just giving her a hard time and was a little grumpy.

"Even if the modeling thing didn’t work out, I’d find something after college. I won't be a problem. I promise."

"You are always a fucking problem!" He snapped. "I fucking told you I'm going to LA, and what do you do?! You make it all about you! This isn’t your fucking dream, Sage, it’s mine. MINE!”

Sage melted away. He was right, it was his dream. She felt selfish for remembering all the times she had spotted him money. All the times she had gone into debt and skipped meals so he could make trips out to California. All the times he took her and told her he loved her.

“It’ll be worth it,” he would always say. “You’ll see, one day, this will all be worth it.”

Now, it was that day, and Sage was smiling through trembling lips.

"You're just upset… we can–"

"What is it you're not getting right now?"

"I'm just trying to–"

"You do realize I was just using you, right? You get that this was a fucking fling, right?"

Sage stared at him, dumbfounded. She could barely make out his face. He was so tall, she remembered that much.

"Jesus… this is why I don't date college girls." The man rubbed his hand through his hair. "Look, Sage, you're hot. But that's all you have going for you. And I'm not sticking around to see you lose the one thing that made you remotely interesting."

Tears formed in Sage’s eyes. She hated that she cried in front of him.

"You don't mean that," She said.

But he was already turning, heading for the airport doors and towards his new life.

She was just a stepping stone for him. A stupid woman who thought they had more.

She opened her mouth to cry after him and shot up in her bed.

Sage’s body shook as she wiped the cold sweat from her brow. She looked over and saw Jeremy fast asleep. He was still there. He would never leave. Sage let out a breath as she quietly left the bed and grabbed her phone. She checked it as she made her way down to the living room. To no surprise, a message from David was waiting for her.

David: I need to see you again.

Sage wiped a tear from her eye as she began typing back.

Sage: What would you say to an in-person meeting?

To her surprise, David replied almost instantly.

David: Right now?

Sage scoffed and shook her head.

Sage: It’s 1am. I'm not a booty call

David: didnt mean it like that. I want u.

Sage: What are you doing Wednesday?

David: You

Sage: Such a smooth talker. I'll be over at 6pm

David: Really?

Sage: Yes.

Sage didn't bother reading his reply. Frankly, it didn't matter. She would never let a man like David be anything more than a fun distraction. Sage’s bare feet touched the cold wooden floor as she passed into the living room. She read until she fell asleep on the couch.

This routine was nothing new. Ever since she had gotten her promotion. Ever since life had started to slow down, the nightmares had increased. Gradually growing worse as the pressure of life eased. And, more and more, Sage grew accustomed to Jeremy gently caressing her awake.

Sage opened her eyes and found her husband looking down at her.

“Hey there, babe,” she said. He leaned down, kissed her softly on the lips, and turned to open the curtains.

“Nightmares again?” He asked her.

“Ugh... they won’t stop,” Sage said, twirling on the couch.

“Is it the one about the monster?” Jeremy asked.

“Yes,” Sage said. She could never admit the monster was the man who had torn out her soul. "What time is it?"

"Eleven.”

Sage shot up. “Eleven?!”

Jeremy laughed. “I decided to hang out in the office and let you sleep for a little bit.”

“Ugh,” Sage dropped back onto the couch. “I’m so sorry, babe. I don’t mean to keep you cooped up in there.”

"You don't need to be sorry. It's not your fault you can't sleep," he walked over to her and kissed her forehead.

"Hey," She said, grabbing his wrist. "Come here."

She pulled him in and kissed his lips tenderly.

"You want some coffee?" He asked, pulling away.

"Yes, please."

"Latte or drip today?"

"Ooooh, a latte sounds nice."

"You got it."

Sage shifted and peeked over the back of the couch. She watched as her shirtless husband made her coffee. She loved his lean, athletic build. Though she could do without the tattoos on his arms. But that was Jeremy's wild side. She needed to let him have his little forms of expression.

She smiled, arms outstretched, as he returned with a mug in hand.

“I feel like I got the little leaf pretty good this time!" He said with a triumphant smile. Sage laughed as she took the mug and examined his work.

"It's perfect, thank you."

And it was. Curated perfection, just like Jeremy, just like their home and their life. Delicate, poised, and put together.

"So, what's the news with David?" Jeremy asked.

Sage glanced up.

"We are good for Wednesday."

Jeremy let out a breath.

"Ok, so it’s happening. Are you ready?" He asked.

"I am, if you are."

Jeremy smirked. "I’m so ready.”

“Oh, are you?” Sage asked sarcastically.

Jeremy dropped onto the couch next to her. “I think it's going to be kinda hot."

Sage pushed him playfully. Jeremy responded by pulling her to him.

"Ah! Jeremy careful you'll make me spill!"

"Oh, right, we wouldn't want that!" Jeremy teased.

"No, really! This couch was eight grand, we can't be spilling!" She said. The words came out before she could catch them. Sage placed her cup onto the coffee table while Jeremy watched. There was a pause, only a second, but for Sage it felt like eternity.

"Sorry… I know, I’m annoying," she said.

"Awe babe, it's fine,” Jeremy said while rubbing her back. “You're just type A."

Sage buried her head in her hands. “I wish I wasn’t.”

“You’re too hard on yourself,” Jeremy said. “I mean, look at what we’re doing right now.”

Sage glanced over as Jeremy raised his eyebrows. She laughed softly.

"God, you are something else…" Sage said.

“Nothing wrong with being a little wild, as long as it’s controlled, right?” Jeremy said.

“I suppose... speaking of keeping this controlled. Are there any rules we should discuss before I go over there?”

“Such as?”

“Well, for starters, is there anything off the table?”

Jeremy rubbed his chin. "Oh man, good question. I don't think so?"

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure…"

"Jeremy, you can't be ‘pretty sure’ with stuff like this. Like, if he actually tried to fuck me, or if I sucked his dick, would you–"

"Are you going to suck his dick?!"

Sage laughed loudly.

"I don't know! I'm trying to see what I can and can't do, that's all." She paused for a long while. "I don't want this to fuck up what we have. That's all."

Jeremy reached for Sage's hand. "It won't. I promise."

Sage looked up at him.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

Jeremy nodded.

"I'm sure. Just do whatever you're comfortable with. I get the feeling neither of us necessarily wants you to fuck him tonight. So let's just start there?"

"I can work with that," Sage said.

"And, if anything bothers me, I'll call you, alright?"

Sage let out a breath. "Ok, I like that also."

"Ok," Jeremy squeezed her hand. “What about you? Are there any boundaries you have for me?”

Sage shook her head. “Just... be honest with me. If something is wrong, please let me know. Alright?”

“It’s a deal,” Jeremy said. "I guess now all you have to do is head over there."

Sage interlocked her fingers with Jeremy’s.

"I guess so."

–

When Sage walked up to David's door, she didn’t really know what she was going to say. She didn’t know him that well. Before this strange development, they had only ever been distant neighbors. And Sage already knew what she was to David.

She was his fantasy. The woman he thought he would get to fuck tonight.

But Sage wasn’t certain who David was to her.

It was a moving target, a wordless desire that went beyond something carnal.

She knocked on his door before finding the answer.

David opened it slowly, staring in disbelief when he found Sage dressed in a tight, black dress.

“Sage,” David said.

“David,” Sage replied coolly.

Sage took him in. David was more handsome than she liked to admit.

A rugged, broad-shouldered man who still managed to keep his looks through the years despite the extra pounds and apparent lack of self-care. His square jaw was covered in peppering stubble that matched his disheveled hair.

"You came," He said with a nod.

His deep voice had an air of indifference. Sage didn’t know why she found that so attractive. She stared in silence, curious to see what David would do.

He stared right back.

He was more confident than Sage had anticipated. The way he begged over texts made her think he would be a pushover. After a few moments, Sage relented and spoke.

"I did," She said shortly.

"Took you that long to say two words, huh?"

Sage's fists clenched.

David laughed. "I'm joking with ya, come on. I'll get you a drink."

David turned and fumbled into the kitchen. Sage, uncertain, stopped in the entryway. David's home was one floor. Comprised of a living room, bedroom, office, kitchen, and bathroom. Simple, straightforward, and something of a dingy relic.

"Do you like vodka soda?" He asked.

"Sure." Sage’s eyes scanned the living room. His couch still faced her home. It made her smile.

David walked over with two foggy green glasses and handed one to Sage.

"Here you are," He said. Sage glanced at the glass David offered her, then looked at the one tucked to his chest.

"I'll have that one," She said, pointing to the glass meant for him. David chuckled and slowly stretched it toward her.

"All yours." He took the one meant for Sage and downed half of it with a playful wink. David moved to the couch and sat down. Sage followed him cautiously, standing with her back facing the windows.

David stared at her just like he had so many nights before. He drank slowly from his cup.

"So… you actually came over," David said with a painful amount of satisfaction.

"I did," Sage said flatly. She looked over at the broken clock on his table. The same one he’d promised to fix. It was taken apart and neglected for so long that dust had settled on its pieces. "I see you're making progress on my clock."

David glanced at it and chuckled. “Yeah, well… shit happens. I got to be honest, I didn't think you were coming over. Shoulda cleaned up more…"

“I don’t think it would have made much of a difference,” Sage replied.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Of course it would."

Sage caught the aggressive inflection in his voice. She smirked and glanced back at the windows.

"So, what did Jeremy do to finally lose you?" David asked.

“He didn't," Sage said calmly. She looked up at their bedroom window. The lights were off. But she knew Jeremy was there.

“Listen, I don't know if anyone has told you this. But if you're cheating on your husband, that means he lost you."

Sage laughed softly and looked back at David. He was leaning back, his legs spread. Giving Sage a full view of the enormous bulge resting in his slacks.

“He knows David. He knows you saw me naked, he knows you’ve been texting me, and that you invited me over here."

"You invited yourself," David shot back.

David really had a fire to him. A defiance she eagerly wanted to break apart.

She never thought it would turn her on this much.

It was the smugness of his words, his entitled attitude, and that cutthroat nature Sage was all too familiar with. Someone who would do anything to get what they wanted.

But he wouldn't get his way with her.

Sage smiled politely.

“No, you invited me. You've been begging me to come over ever since you first came on that couch. I just finally agreed to it."

David scoffed.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He measured Sage for a moment. "So he knows, huh?

"Yep."

"And what the hell am I supposed to do with that?" David asked.

Sage turned to the bay windows and opened the curtains fully with a sway of her hips.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Sage looked at him.

"He's watching," Sage said, hanging on every syllable as her delicate fingers finished opening the curtains. She turned with a smile, folded her arms, and shifted her weight to her hip. David furrowed his brow, glancing between the windows and Sage.

"What, like right now?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Sage sighed.

"Because it's one of our rules. My husband watches." She replied.

“There’s... fucking rules?”

Sage pulled a piece of folded paper from her clutch and handed it to David with two fingers.

He took it slowly and leaned back on the couch as he unfolded it. He read it several times, glancing up at Sage.

"Is this serious?" He asked.

"Yes," Sage said.

David shook his head. "You couples are into some weird shit these days."

“Well, if you’re not interested…”

“I never said that,” David said quickly, looking at Sage. His eyes trailed across her body hungrily. “I never said I wasn’t interested…”

Sage smirked. She already knew that.

They stared at one another in silence, waiting to see who would break the barrier between fantasy and reality first.

"So, now what?" David finally asked.

“Now you tell me what you want,” Sage said. “Now... you beg.”

David rolled his eyes. “Jesus fucking... no, I’m not doing that.”

Sage paused. She wasn't going to play into David's hands. She needed to make it clear from the start that she was the one in control, not him. When she didn't answer after several moments, David chuckled and nodded slowly.

"Alright, fine, I get it." He looked her up and down. "Undress for me."

Sage's heart began to race.

"What do you say?" She asked.

David's jaw clenched as he swirled his drink and downed the rest of it.

"I don't beg, let me make that clear right fucking now."

"And I'm not a dog that listens to commands," Sage shot back.

"Jesus Christ…" David shook his head. "Look, if you don't want to do this, the door’s right there."

He was stubborn. Almost as stubborn as Sage was. Part of her wanted to tell him to fuck off right then and there. Part of her wanted to step out that door and never look back.

But if she did, she wouldn’t get the chance to break him. And the more they talked, the more she wanted that to happen. She would have to try a more subtle approach. Sage took a step forward, ran her fingers through her hair, and looked at David like he was the most important man in the world.

"I'm not asking you to beg, I'm asking you to be polite," she said far more gently than David deserved. He sucked his teeth.

"Fine, will you please undress for me?" David's words dripped with sarcasm.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Sage said, setting her drink down on the coffee table between them. David slowly reached for it and leaned back in his seat.

"Just do your thing," he said, taking a long drink.

It was right then that Sage was determined to break every facet of this man. And she would start by enrapturing him.

Her hands trailed up her body as she swayed gently. Her fingers undid the string around her neck, and the front of her dress fell.

Exposing her large, perfect breasts.

Sage watched with satisfaction as David fell under her spell.