Exposed Jake's Dirty Games

Synopsis

I checked my suitcase one final time, meticulously running through my mental checklist. Sunscreen with SPF 70, wide-brimmed hat, lightweight cover-ups – all the essentials for someone whose skin rebelled against even the gentlest sun exposure. My fingers traced the neat stacks of carefully folded clothes, each one selected for our romantic Caribbean getaway. "Three hundred and forty-seven dollars," I murmured, glancing at my expense tracker app. My half of the hotel costs, plus estimated food expenses and activities. Jake and I had always split everything down the middle – it was the foundation of our relationship. Equal partners in everything. My phone pinged with a text from him: *Almost there. Got coffee.* I smiled, zipping the suitcase closed. After three years together and my recent promotion, this vacation felt like a milestone. A celebration of us. Maybe even the trip where he'd finally propose. The apartment door clicked open, and Jake strode in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His dark hair was perfectly styled despite the morning humidity, and he carried two coffee cups, the familiar logo of my favorite café visible. "Morning, babe," he said, handing me the smaller cup. "All packed?" "Just finished," I replied, taking a sip. Perfect – oat milk latte with a hint of vanilla, exactly how I liked it. These little gestures always made my heart flutter. Jake settled into the armchair, stretching his long legs. There was something in his posture – a slight tension in his shoulders that hadn't been there yesterday. "So,"