The Cherry On Top (Karma #1)

Chapter 1

Aria

“Fuck, you’re so tight,” Jacob grunts as he thrusts into me over and over.

I should probably be thinking about how good he feels, but, I swear, sex feels more like a chore than anything else.

So I moan encouragingly into his ear, to spur him on and he starts pounding into me faster and, really, I should feel something other than relief that this would be over soon.

I love him.

I do.

Even if he has never made me come. I don’t mind all that much, though.

I can always finish myself off while he showers.

Sex…it’s never been that important to me.

Security, mutual comfort and compassion, support, and just being a fucking life partner is so much more important. Jacob has been that for me. Mostly.

So, yeah, I put up with the mediocre sex. Speaking of which…

“Ree,” he groans as he fills me with his release.

I frown at the nickname. I have repeatedly told him I hate it.

I love my name. It makes me feel like a princess.

‘Ree’ makes me feel like a bird or a cheap hooker.

Not that there’s anything wrong with sex work, but I certainly would want to be paid my worth.

Like, one of those high-end escorts who charge ten thousand dollars for a hug.

And these are the kind of rabbit holes my mind wanders down while in bed with Jacob.

He rolls off and kisses me softly. “You hungry, babe?”

“Yeah, I could eat.” It’s a ritual we go through every time we’re intimate.

“After I shower, I can order us some snacks for delivery while you hop in,” he says, winking at me as he saunters into the bathroom.

I watch him go, smiling at the view. He is tall and fit, but soft in all the right places.

The perfect cuddle partner, if you will.

And that dick? Perfect for me. I prefer sucking dick over fucking because I really prefer focusing on him and his pleasure, so something a little smaller than average makes me feel like a fucking goddess.

The sound of the shower being turned on pulls me from my thoughts. I have no idea what time it is, but I need to find out so I know what’s still open. My phone is charging on the other side of the room, but Jacob’s is sitting by the bed so I roll over and grab it.

Great, Moretti’s is still open, I think as I go to set it back down. I stop when it buzzes multiple times in my hand. I lift it back up so I can let him know who’s texting him.

Tiny Tim <3 – 4 messages

Who the hell is “Tiny Tim”? I wonder, my brow furrowing. A twisting suspicion curls up in the pit of my stomach, but I try to dismiss it.

There is no way he is having an affair, I rationalize, He has been hinting at getting engaged.

Nobody intelligent spends five years with someone just to start cheating on them.

And anyway, what kind of pet name is “Tiny Tim”?

It’s just one of his friends. I firmly push away the doubts and set the phone back down where it was. I trust him.

But when he walks out of the bathroom, I don’t tell him about the texts.

I don’t think about how he never puts nicknames in his contacts.

I don’t think about how he never lets me have his phone password.

I definitely don’t think about the red heart next to the name.

I kiss his cheek, ask him to get me my usual order from our favorite pizza place and go to shower.

It’s fine. I push the doubts away and don’t think about how it sounds like I am trying to convince myself.

***

I am being so ridiculous right now.

He has been the most perfect, attentive partner all evening. Not only did he order pizza, but threw in my favorite ice cream as well. We curled up and watched a horror movie together.

That has to be a good sign, right?

He even offered to eat me out. Offered, but it’s not my thing. I can’t seem to get out of my own head, worrying about whether he thinks I taste good, if he’s just acting like he’s enjoying himself, etc.

We ended up just cuddling in bed until he fell asleep. Now, I am laying here, listening to him softly snore, wondering why I can’t just put these suspicions away and go the fuck to sleep.

I climb slowly out of bed, careful not to wake him. My plan is to go work on some documents until I start feeling tired, but I can’t keep my eyes from straying towards his phone, sitting innocently on the table across from the bed.

You know what? This is ridiculous. I will look at the messages just to prove to myself that I’m making something out of nothing and then go to bed.

I nod firmly to myself and go to grab his phone.

I bring it quietly over to the bed and hold it in front of his face.

Swiping my hand quickly between it and him, it unlocks.

I go to his messages and hesitate, knowing I can’t uncross this line into invading his privacy, but I have to know.

I open up the conversation labeled “Tiny Tim” and my heart stops when I read the last reply he sent.

Jacob: Love you too. See you tomorrow *kiss*

My hand flies up to my mouth. I should gasp. Sob. Scream. Anything to let out the wave of pain that washes over me, but I can’t seem to do anything besides read the rest of the messages from tonight.

Tiny Tim: Hi hi!

Tiny Tim: i know youre working late tonight but i wanted you to know i was thinking about you <3

Tiny Tim: i cant wait for lunch tomorrow

Tiny Tim: Love you! <3 <3 <3

Jacob: Love you too. See you tomorrow *kiss*

I don’t know what to do. As if on autopilot, I screenshot the conversation, the contact information, and send the screenshots to myself before deleting the evidence from his phone.

I set it back down and quietly crawl back into bed.

He mumbles and rolls toward me in his sleep, but I scoot out of his reach.

I don’t think I could bear being touched by him right now.

The messages chase each other around my head, tears streaming down my cheeks, until I finally slip into unconsciousness to the sound of my heart breaking.

***

When I wake up in the morning, my head feels too heavy to lift from my pillow. I know it’s psychological, but I just feel like it would take far too much energy to even get out of bed.

Jacob wakes slowly, stretching with a groan before rolling toward me. A sleepy smile slips across his face as his golden hair falls forward, partially obscuring his blue eyes. I try to smile back, but it feels stiff and awkward on my face.

“Morning, baby,” he says, his voice husky from sleep. His smile falters as he takes me in. “You feeling okay?”

I can imagine what he sees: my eyes red and puffy, obviously sleep deprived, looking uncomfortable.

Even though he’s a lying douchebag, he does know me better than anyone.

I can’t confront him right now, though. Not here, naked in our bed, after a whole wonderful evening spent together, so I take a page out of his book and I lie.

“I feel all achy and tired and a little dizzy,” I say, my voice gravelly from sleep and holding back emotions. “Maybe I’m getting sick?”

He presses the back of his hand to my forehead and purses his lips before saying, “Well, you don’t feel warm. Could it be a flare?”

“Yeah, that could be it.” Stop being concerned. This is hard enough.

“Well, I can bring you some extra packets for your water bottle. Why don’t you stay in today? You should call the office and tell them you’re sick. Do you want me to come home early tonight?”

“N-no, I will be fine. I’ll take today off and be back in the swing of things tomorrow.

You should do whatever you need to do. Don’t worry about me,” I stammer.

I hate that he is being so thoughtful. It just makes what I found that much more painful.

I stiffen as he leans down to kiss me, my lips still and unyielding beneath his.

Sending me one last smile, he heads out the door.

I settle back onto the bed and look through the screenshots I sent myself.

He is supposed to pick up “Tiny Tim” at Karma Coffee & Books at 12:30 and even though I tell myself I don’t want or need to see further proof I find myself with my car keys in my hand right at noon, one thought on repeat in my head.

It’s time to see this ‘Tiny Tim.’