Chapter 11

As Katelyn approached Mike's hotel room, her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears she didn't think she'd even be able to hear what her spouse had to say. Not that she really wanted to hear... she was scared to hear.

When Mike opened the door in response to his wife's knock, Katelyn burst anxiously into the room. Mike was wearing khaki shorts and a blue Ralph Lauren polo. He looked relatively calm and handsome with his dark hair neatly combed. Katelyn noticed he had dark circles beneath his brown eyes.

"Listen, Mike. I'm sorry..." Katelyn began, but he stopped her.

Oh no, Katelyn thought. He didn't even want to hear what she had to say, wouldn't listen to the explanation she'd been working on.

"Katelyn, don't apologize. It's okay. I've decided that I'm okay with you having Hayley for a lover."

"What?" Katelyn asked incredulously. "Did I hear that right?"

"Listen, I don't quite understand it myself," Mike answered, "But I mean it. I know there are very few married people out there who would understand my position, but I think most folks are guilty of seeing things in black and white, and there are many shades of gray. Sit down," he said to a stunned Katelyn, pointing to a tapestry armchair in the room.

Katelyn sat down with her eyes wide and her breathing irregular. She could only stare at her husband and try to comprehend what he was telling her.

"Okay, once I got over my shock and anger, I started to think about how happy you've been since Hayley came into our household, and that's a very good thing. I do have a question for you, though. It's not just sex with her is it? You have some pretty strong feelings for her, don't you?"

"Yes," Katelyn replied honestly.

"I've observed you with her when I've been home, and I knew that the two of you had formed a very close, intimate friendship. I just didn't know how intimate," Mike continued.

"I know things haven't been easy for you. I tried to get a job that wouldn't involve so much travel, and you know how that turned out. My current situation is just too lucrative to give up right now," Mike said. "I was the one who wanted to move to Florida, and you did it for me. I know how hard it was for you to leave your loved ones in Chicago. Then to make it even more difficult for you, I'm hardly ever around, and you've had your hands full with Carly and the twins. Except for your friend Becky, all you have are some acquaintances and a distant relationship with my parents."

"Mike..." Katelyn started to say.

"Hold on, let me finish. I've been thinking about this non-stop, and I want to say it all," Mike interrupted. "You were exhausted, and unhappier than I even realized... until Hayley came. "I thought all you needed was help with the kids, but obviously that wouldn't have been enough. You seem to have needed something else to bring you back to life. You sparkle with vitality now, the way you used to in the early days, and I like that."

Tears of guilt, relief and appreciation for the man she'd married were streaming down Katelyn's face. "Mike, I don't quite know what to say. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I never thought I would be like this with another woman. It was completely unexpected. It caught me unaware, and it was too powerful... I couldn't fight it."

Mike handed her a tissue from the box on the desk. "Don't cry, Katelyn. I mean what I'm saying, although even I'm surprised by this revelation. I like the woman I'm married to now, and if that includes your relationship with Hayley, then so be it," Mike explained. "I'm not there very often to meet all your needs, and if I can't be there, I'm glad you have someone who can."

"You must really love me," said Katelyn quietly.

"I do, Sweetheart. But there's something else I need to tell you." Mike was looking down at his feet as he spoke these last words, and Katelyn noticed a slight flush on his cheeks.

"Katelyn," he began. "I know we had a good sex life when we were younger and things couldn't help but change when we had the kids, but if you think about it, you have to admit we were always pretty traditional. I've always had a lot of fantasies that I never really let myself explore, because I didn't think you'd approve. But I have to admit to you that I am very turned on by the thought of you with Hayley. When I got over my shock and anger, I realized that seeing you climax under her mouth was the sexiest thing I've ever seen."