caviar & cigarettes.

Erik frowned at the attitude he was receiving. He had thought they’d had a good night but clearly Kate was not on the same page as him. He sighed, shifting back away from her and moving to reach for his laptop when he heard her next words. 

Shit. 

He grimaced, body tense, as he turned to look at Kate, then at the laptop then back to Kate. It was clear his wife had seen the email exchanges between him and Dana and was furious. He shook his head, letting out a sigh as he turned to face her properly. 

“I’m sorry. Okay? I don’t think you’re an idiot, you know I don’t,” Erik started, reaching a hand out for his wife’s hand. “It was a mistake. It never should have happened…Dana and I…it’s nothing serious. I just…got caught up. Okay? I’m sorry baby. I’ll end it with her, alright? It won’t happen again.”

Erik had been having a wonderful few months. 

Kate and his girls had been doing wonderfully. All happy and healthy and there was nothing Erik enjoyed more then seeing them having such a lovely time. It was as if everything was falling into place and just before Christmas, he’d also met Dana. She was new to his office, only a few years younger, leggy and a brunette. 

It was hardly his fault he was attracted to her. The attraction was mutual and it wasn’t long before they’d ended up in bed together. It was, surprisingly, the first time he’d cheated on Kate in almost 2 years. He couldn’t help applauding himself on his restraint, after all he’d had several opportunities. It had been a couple months now and Erik felt like he was in a good place. 

Stepping out of the shower, he grinned, thinking about his Valentine’s plans for Kate. He knew she’d appreciate the effort he was making. It was only right, after all. 

He dried his hair with a towel as he stepped out of the bathroom, grinning widely at his wife. He heard her question and tossed his towel on the back of the door with ease. “Yeah. But I’d have enjoyed it more if you were in there with me,” Erik told her with a charming grin, moving onto the bed and leaning over towards her. 

“You should’ve joined me. The girls are asleep…”

Kate couldn’t initially bring herself to look at Erik when he’d first entered the room. Why was he acting like everything was okay? She hated that he was still doing this... still cheating on his wife. It was the other way around this time, now that she wasn’t the other woman and was now, in fact, the wife. The clueless wife at home cooking dinner while he fucks a younger, more desirable woman in a lavish hotel room.

After Erik had gone off to have his evening shower, he’d left his laptop open at his emails, and then there it was. An email that seemed a little too friendly to just be work related, so she’d scrolled through a little further and ding! ding! ding! There were a few pictures accompanying the message, which made Kate curse under her breath. This man was so damn predictable. Lingerie pictures? A few salacious emails? God. The nerve. She had reason to be concerned, and after all those times he’d reassured her and said “no, baby, you’re all I want” — she began to believe him. She felt like a complete idiot.

It took her a few moments to compose herself and try not to go into complete hysterics. She simply left the laptop the way it was and moved to her side of the bed, mindlessly scrolling through her instagram feed as she waited for him to return. 

Once she’d heard the ensuite door close and saw his figure out of the corner of her eye, she cleared her throat. “Enjoy the shower?” She asked simply, her voice completely monotone, with no trace of genuine interest. She was ready to interrogate him. There was no way she’d act blind to his wrong doings anymore. — @erikwestin​.

Erik: Thanks babe. I don't know when I'll be home, so don't wait up.

Erik: How about dinner tomorrow night to make up for it?

Erik: Hey sweetheart. I'll probably be late tonight. Stuck meeting some clients. Kiss the girls goodnight for me?

An audible sigh escaped his lips before he could stop it. He had been flirting, of course but he truly didn’t see the harm in that. Not when he wasn’t actually going to do something about it. “Oh? And what am I like Kate?” He scoffed, attitude evident in his voice though he’d tried to temper it. 

He shook his head. “I don’t think you’re an idiot, Kate. I promise. I’m sorry, okay?” He started, head dipping a little to find her eyes. “I never want you to feel like that. You won’t see anything again,” Erik told her gently, voice a promise, almost pouting a little as he looked at her. “I love you Kate…I only ever want you,” he whispered to her sweetly. 

Erik grinned as he saw her face soften but he sighed a little once again. “What are you talking about? Doesn’t change anything?” Erik asked, brows furrowed questioningly. She pushed away from him then and he groaned, turning back towards his drink and taking a sip. An eyebrow rose. “What? Is it a crime to want to fuck my wife?” He replied glibly. 

“Charming. Too charming. Why do you even feel the need to ask me? You already know. It’s something I love about you, but on the other hand, I can’t stand it when you’re like that towards other women. Gorgeous ones at that. I know it probably sounds stupid, but you know how insecure I can be.” Kate sighed, shaking her head, finishing the last of her drink and placing the crystal glass next to the decanter.

She listened to his apology and she shrugged. “Okay. Thank you, at least.” She replied softly, biting her lip a little as she watched him pander to her. “Good, because I don’t like it. You know how jealous I get about my man...”  At that, the blonde nodded. “Promise?”

“It doesn’t change the fact that your mind is probably on them... I hate it. Sometimes I feel like I’m a burden on you.” She frowned as she said the last part. With another sigh, she moved back towards him. “Fine. One condition. I want you to prove to me that you’re mine.” 

Carter: I'm not going to turn down a catch up sesh with such a pretty girl, you know that Kate. When is this girls night planned? :P xx

It was a Monday night and after a long day at the office, Kate found herself drowning her sorrows in scotch at a nearby bar. Her husband was at home with their children, she had sent him a text to say she’d be working late. A lie. But she’d told worse, right? She just didn’t want to face going home just yet, she wanted a little alone time before returning back to have everyone in her face.

Ordering another drink, she turned to the person next to her, catching their eye. “Do you want a refill? On me.” She offered, raising an eyebrow. She wasn’t usually this friendly with strangers. Her go-to mood was Stone Cold Bitch, but she couldn’t help but want a little company. Someone who didn’t judge.

Erik scoffed, shaking his head as he brought the glass up towards his lips. “I wasn’t flirting with her right in front of you. Jesus, Kate. She was just interesting to talk to,” Erik told her, eyes meeting hers as he sipped at his drink. 

He outright rolled his eyes once again. “Didn’t call you an idiot, Kate,” Erik interrupted, sighing a little. His eyes widened then at the rest of her words, placing his drink down and stepping closer. He was going to ignore the look, she’d given him enough over the years. 

A hand reached out to take hers, tugging her closer, a small charming smile on her face. “I came home with you, didn’t I? I love you, don’t I? You’re my wife Kate. I’d never do something like that in front of you,” Erik told her gently, hands moving to wrap around her waist, head dipping to meet hers. “You’re the one I want to fuck right now,” he whispered lowly, smirking at her as he tried to defuse the situation.  

It was always like this. She’d accuse him of something that she knew was obviously true, and he’d lie his way out of it, as if it were a constant in their marriage these days. Honestly, she was starting to get sick of the fact she was always the bad cop, but she couldn’t let him get away with lying to her. “Being interested and flirting are both very different things. I know what you’re like.” She shot back, rolling her eyes.

“You didn’t say it, but you make it pretty obvious with the way that you’re continuing to lie to me. I know what I saw. I can’t blame you, she was attractive, but if you’re going to flirt, do it away from me. I don’t like seeing you like that with other women.” She stated plainly, shaking her head.

There was still a stern expression on her face but as he took her hand, it softened a bit. He certainly knew how to charm her, but she was still thoroughly annoyed. “You did, but that doesn’t really change anything.” She replied, avoiding his gaze. Tensing up a little as she felt his hands around her waist, she scoffed at his next words, pushing him away from her. “Really? Right now?”

Erik watched Kate as she took a sip of her drink, grinning at her words. “I’m glad you did. We certainly don’t get enough of it around here,” he replied with a chuckle, glad she hadn’t brought up what he knew was on her mind. 

Until of course she continued, bringing up the woman he hadn’t intentionally flirted with. At least that’s what he’d say.  He sighed, eyes rolling in reaction to her words. “Really? This again?” he murmured, more to himself than to Kate, though he was sure she heard the words. 

He pushed away from the door frame, loosening his tie as he stepped closer, reaching for a glass. It was clear to him that Kate was looking to pick a fight, even though they’d had a nice evening, and he figured he should at least have something more to drink if that were the case. 

“I wasn’t flirting with her Kate,” Erik told her; a lie but it was okay. He poured himself two fingers of scotch, not looking at his wife. “Can I not have conversations with other women? Hm?” He murmured, finally turning to look at her, eyebrows raised, unimpressed. Admitting he’d indeed been flirting with the woman would only cause the night to blow up; he was just trying to salvage their evening. 

Kate furrowed her brows at the words he murmured, shaking her head and crossing her arms against her chest. “Yes. This again. I’m going to keep bringing it up if you keep flirting with other women right in front of me.” She was many things, but she wasn’t stupid. That was for sure. She knew enough about men to know when they were flirting. In fact, she considered herself an expert on this subject. On Erik, especially.

She watched him as he poured himself a drink, placing her earrings down on the side table before picking her glass up again, taking a quick sip. “I’m not an idiot, Erik. It wasn’t just a conversation. I know when you’re flirting. You were using the same tricks you used on me when I was married to Matthew. Please, bore someone else with your lies. Please, just admit it. You wanted to fuck her.” The woman stated firmly, giving him a look that could kill. She’d perfected those over the years.

Work events are never a bore for Erik. He’d always been sociable and charming; he felt like a natural at it. Of course, after a few drinks he liked to think he got even more charming; though he knew truthfully, he just flirted a little more. Which was what he’d ended up doing, by the bar; the woman was tall, gorgeous and dark-haired, just his type. He’d unfortunately forgotten his wife was with him until they’d had to leave. 

The ride home had been quiet and he’d had to suppress the urge to roll his eyes at Kate’s coldness. In his opinion, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d just been talking to the woman but he could tell, as they made their way inside, that his wife was not happy. 

“Of course. It was nice to get out with you and have some adult time,” Erik answered sweetly, smiling at his wife as he pulled off his suit jacket, tossing it down on a table. He eyed his wife, watching as she sipped what was no doubt whiskey. “Did you?” He asked, head tilting with a slight grin. He didn’t feel like fighting tonight. 

Over time, Kate had picked up on the type of women that Erik was drawn to. They were all ridiculously attractive women who could pass as supermodels, and some of them probably were, yet another thing she felt like she had to compete with. It felt a little stupid how self-conscious it made her feel, especially as someone who was usually rather confident with how she looked. Maybe it wasn’t her problem... maybe it was his. She couldn’t blame him, though, she’d been enticed by men who weren’t her husband, but nevertheless, it still annoyed her.

Kate nodded, holding her drink up to her lips. “Well, yes. I always enjoy adult time.” She replied simply before placing her glass down on the side table momentarily as she began to take out her earrings. “It was fine. That bitch you were flirting with soured my mood considerably, though.” She sighed, rolling her eyes a little.

Carter: Oh a girls night, sounds like fun eh. It would be great to see you too darling xx

They’d just arrived home, she’d been silent the entire Uber ride home, not at all impressed with her man. Getting out of the car, she lead the way into the house, beelining straight to the bar to pour herself a scotch, a little night cap. She didn’t even look up when she heard the front door close. “Enjoy yourself?” She asked, her voice monotone, a little sarcastic in her words. // @erikwestin

Carter: You should definitely come in and make up for lost time :P I've been great, although, I do miss seeing your pretty face at the bar. x