Swimming Naked

by Laura Branchflower

  “Seriously?”

  Lina jumped at the sound of Adele’s voice. “What?” She darkened the display on her phone.

  “You’re pathetic. We haven’t even passed Philadelphia and you’re already pining away for him.”

  “No, I’m not,” she lied. “I was looking at a picture.”

  “Of him,” Adele said. “Do you seriously think on his way to Chicago last month he sat on the plane flipping through pictures of you?”

  “I don’t know what he was doing.”

  “I do. He was preparing for whatever kind of business he had up there, just like everyone on this train is doing right now, except for you.”

  “I’m meeting William for lunch, and then we’re going to the expo. There’s nothing for me to study. Are you trying to make me nervous?”

  “No. I’m trying to get you to separate yourself from the role of Phil’s wife for a couple of days. You may surprise yourself and actually have a good time without him.”

  William stood when Lina approached his table at Majorelle in the Lowell Hotel on the Upper East Side. He looked the part of a New York businessman in a dark custom-cut suit. “I see your style sense includes clothes as well,” he said, taking in her black dress and knee-high boots.

  “Thank you.” She returned his smile, feeling completely at ease with him, as she had the last time they’d met.

  “How’s your room?”

  “Beautiful. I’ve never stayed in this hotel. My husband likes the Carlyle.”

  “I like that one, too.”

  They talked about the train ride up, and Lina confessed she’d brought her sister along. “She loves to shop, and I thought it would be fun to stay an extra night.”

  “Excellent. I hope to meet her,” William said before shifting their conversation to design.

  “I can’t believe it’s already six,” Lina said as she and William left the convention center. “That was fun.”

  William smiled. “This really isn’t work to you at all, is it?”

  “No,” she said honestly. “I’ve enjoyed decorating since I was a little girl. I did study it in school, but it was always my hobby. I’ve had a subscription to both Architectural Digest and Better Homes and Gardens since I was about ten—wow, more than thirty years. I’ve always loved beautiful homes.”

  “Gardens, too?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “I have flower gardens. That passion I inherited from my mother. I miss them in the winter.”

  William held up his hand to hail a cab and moments later was following her into the back seat. After giving the hotel name to the driver, he settled into the seat beside her. “I don’t need to spend another day with you to know we want you at Dolmar, Lina. I’ll talk to HR tomorrow, but expect an offer soon.”

  “I thought you wanted to spend two days with me.”

  “I do. It’s a pleasure watching your mind work. Damien was ready to hire you without even a face-to-face after seeing your work. I was the cautious one. But you’ve sold me, too. You have a gift, and we’d love to exploit it.”

  “They want me.” Lina called Phil as soon as she reached the privacy of her hotel room. “Adele said people work their entire careers for jobs like these and it just fell into my lap. I can’t believe someone offered me a job.”

  “Why can’t you believe it? You have a job.”

  “This is different. Adele got me that job. This was all me.”

  “You’ve already accepted the position?”

  “No. I told you I wouldn’t without discussing it with you. But I want to. They’re going to send me an official offer.”

  “How many hours do they expect you to put in a week? Is this a full-time position?”

  “I don’t know. All the details will be in the offer letter.” She took off her jacket, cradling the phone against her shoulder as she used both hands to hang it in the closet. “Are you still there?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I think we need to see the offer letter before you let yourself get too excited. We need to balance the needs of our family with the position.”

  “This is the first time in my life I’ve been really excited about the possibility of a career. Can’t you just be happy for me?”

  It was a few moments before he responded. “I am happy for you. And I’m proud of you. I just—I don’t want you to take on more than you can handle. We depend on you. I depend on you. You’re the glue that holds us together.”

  “If it’s too much I can quit. I really want this.”

  “I’m not going to stand in your way from doing something you want. But let’s see what the offer letter says. There’s always room for negotiation.”

  “Thank you,” she said. “I love you.”

  “Is this guy married?”

  Lina laughed. “I don’t know.” She began to look through the clothes she’d hung in the closet earlier. “It hasn’t come up.”

  “Does he know you’re married?”

  “Why are you suddenly so jealous?”

  “It’s not sudden. I’ve never trusted other men around you.”

  “You can trust me.” She held a dress up before her, looking at her reflection in the mirror. “And he does know I’m married. For one, I’m wearing your diamond on my finger. And for another, I can’t seem to not bring you up. Aren’t you supposed to be in court? I was planning to leave you a message.”

  “The case was postponed. I’m on my way home. Katie’s picking up pizza.”

  “What about a vegetable? Is she picking up a salad, too? Logan’s stomach bothers him if he doesn’t get vegetables. There’s broccoli in the freezer.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine without vegetables for one day,” Phil said.

  “It’s easy to boil broccoli.”

  “Then if he wants it, he can make it. What are your plans tonight?”

  “William is taking us to dinner. When he found out Adele was here, he invited her, too.”

  “Don’t drink too much, and call me when you get back from dinner.”

  “I don’t know how late it will be.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be able to sleep until I know you’re back in your room.”

  ***

  Phil arrived home in a bad mood, the idea of Lina working full time weighing on his mind. “Logan?” he barked out when he stumbled on his lacrosse stick in the mudroom.

  “Yeah?” Logan padded in from the family room, stifling a yawn.

  “Pick up your lacrosse stuff.”

  “There’s no orange juice,” Katie complained, peering into the refrigerator. “I told Mom Tuesday we were out. Now we’re not going to get any until Saturday. What time is she getting back?”

  “Late. You have a car. You could have bought some.” Phil reached around her for a beer.

  “That’s Mom’s job,” Katie said. “If I started picking things up, too, it would get confusing.”

  “Where’s the pizza?”

  “It’s coming. I just ordered it.”

  “Where’s the mail?” he asked, scanning the counter, which was littered with the remnants of breakfast, half-full cups and plates scattered around. Lina had been gone less than twelve hours and the house was already a wreck.

  “I don’t know. In the mailbox, I guess. Mom brings it in.”

  He plowed his fingers through his hair. “Why don’t you clean up in here?” he said to Katie.

  “Why should I clean up? It isn’t all mine. Why don’t you ask Logan? He never has to do anything.”

  “Because I asked you. And I didn’t see you offering to help him carry all those branches to the curb,” he said, referring to the yard work Logan had done the day before.

  “Matt helped him do yard work last week. That counts as me.”

  “Just clean it up.”

  “You treat him differently because he’s a boy,” Katie grumbled. “It’s not fair.”

  “Would you run out and get the mail?” he aske
d Logan, who had returned from the garage.

  “I’d rather get the mail,” Katie said.

  “Don’t argue with me tonight, Katie,” he said.

  “You’re completely sexist.”

  “You’re right, so stop arguing and clean up the kitchen,” he demanded, pointing at her. “Now!”

  Phil took his bad mood out on his body, running five miles in under thirty minutes before doing push-ups and sit-ups to exhaustion. He was dripping with sweat when he came up from the basement, too spent to even care that Matt had come over.

  ***

  Lina followed Adele down the hallway to the bank of elevators. They were supposed to meet William in the hotel bar before dinner.

  “Ladies,” a handsome man of about fifty greeted them as they entered the elevator.

  Lina offered him a friendly smile before shifting her gaze to the display indicating the floor number. She could feel him staring at her during the forty-floor descent.

  “That man was consuming you with his eyes,” Adele whispered as they left the elevator. “He wasn’t even attempting to be subtle.”

  “I didn’t notice,” Lina lied. He’d been studying her like she was a piece of art instead of a person. “William said to meet him in the bar.”

  “I’m definitely a fan of this hotel,” Adele said after they were seated. “I didn’t realize that I had a thing for men in suits. Or maybe it’s just rich men, but I’ve definitely found my heaven,” Adele said. “To you,” she said, holding up her martini, “for going more than thirty minutes without mentioning Phil. I think it’s a record.”

  “Ha ha,” Lina said dryly, tapping her glass to Adele’s. “I talked to him earlier.”

  “That’s okay. Baby steps.”

  “This is straight alcohol,” Lina said after trying her drink.

  “It has vermouth in it. Are you going to judge me if I don’t come back to the room with you tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “Ladies.” A man nodded to them as he walked past.

  “Why aren’t there men like this at home?” Adele whispered. “He was hot.”

  “I’m sure most of these men are married,” Lina said. “They’re just here on business.” Her thoughts shifted to Phil, who’d been on a business trip in this exact city the first time he was with Kim. Her stomach sank at the memory. He’d been one of these men walking around in a suit while women like Adele lusted after him. She took another sip of her drink.

  “Don’t think about that,” Adele said.

  “What?” Lina asked.

  “You don’t exactly have a poker face. I know where your…” She trailed off as her eyes focused on something behind Lina.

  “Good. You started without me,” William said, joining them. “You must be the sister.” He held his hand out to Adele.

  “Adele,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement when he lifted her hand to his mouth, brushing his lips over the back of it. “You seriously just kissed my hand?”

  “I did.” He kissed it again. “Twice.”

  “Does your wife know that you kiss random women’s hands?”

  “You’re not a random woman and I’m not married.” He looked past her to the bartender and ordered a scotch.

  “You’re wearing a wedding band,” Adele said, looking pointedly at his hand.

  “You noticed that, did you?” He winked at Lina before returning his attention to Adele.

  “Why are you wearing it if you’re not married?”

  “To keep the good girls away,” he said.

  Adele shook her head. “I knew you were an asshole. I’m shocked I’m not attracted to you. You’re completely my type.”

  He threw back his head and laughed aloud. “A beautiful liar.”

  “Have you always been so full of yourself?”

  “I have.”

  The chemistry between them was potent. Adele’s face was flushed, and William was staring at her like she was going to be his next meal.

  “Seriously, why are you wearing a wedding band if you aren’t married?” Adele asked.

  “It was my father’s. My parents were killed in a car crash when I was seventeen,” he said, suddenly somber.

  “Fuck,” Adele whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s been a long time. There he is.” He held up his hand to someone behind Lina. “It turns out my brother is in town as well.”

  Damien Rouse was an older, more serious version of William, with an intensity Lina found intimidating. He immediately turned the conversation to business. “I’ve been hiring and firing creative leads for my commercial properties for years. They’ve come from the best schools. New York School of Interior Design, the Savannah College of Art and Design—you name it. Nothing ever feels original. And then I walked into the Strahls’ house and I knew within five minutes that you were what I was looking for.”

  “That’s very flattering,” Lina said. “But as I’ve explained to your brother, it’s been more of a hobby than a career. I don’t want to project myself as something I’m not. My degree is twenty years old.”

  “Modest, too.” He smiled for the first time. “You’re refreshing. Your lack of formalized training is probably what drew me to you. Your work isn’t regurgitated versions of what everyone else is doing. You’re not a rule follower. I could see that in the Strahls’ house. The colors you chose for their kitchen shouldn’t have worked—the slate gray with the white granite—but it did. It was brilliant.”

  It was almost midnight when Lina returned to her hotel room, still on a high from the whirlwind day. They’d had dinner at Gramercy Tavern, a favorite of Damien’s, before going across town to a jazz club, a first for Lina. Adele and William had stopped at the bar for a nightcap, but Lina had wanted to get back to the room to call Phil.

  “It’s a surreal feeling. I just—I never imagined this happening to me. I feel like pinching myself.”

  “I’ve always known you were talented,” Phil said. “As soon as you put yourself out there, this was inevitable.”

  “Really?” She rolled onto her side. “You’re not just saying that because I’m your wife?”

  “No, baby.”

  “There’s an interior design conference in Paris in May he said they wanted to send me to. You could come with me.”

  It took him seconds to respond. “I have a job. And we have kids.”

  “I know. But you also get vacation, and my mom or your mom could watch them. Wouldn’t you like to go back?”

  “I could take you back. Anytime you want. You don’t have to take this job to get back to Paris.”

  “I know. I was just…Are you okay?”

  “I miss my wife,” he said deeply. “What are you wearing?”

  She smiled. “You’re bad.”

  “Answer me,” he ordered. “I need to picture you.”

  “My red silk pajamas. What are you wearing?”

  “What do you think?”

  She closed her eyes, imagining him stretched out beneath the sheets completely naked. “Nothing.”

  “Now tell me what I wish I was wearing.”

  Saturday was definitely too far away. “Me.”

  “Come home tomorrow?”

  “I can’t do that to Adele. We already have tickets to a show. I promised her.”

  “What about me?”

  “I think you can survive one more day without me.”

  Lina woke with a start. “Phil?”

  “No, not Phil,” Adele said.

  “What time is it?”

  “Three. I promised you I’d sleep here, and here I am. Ow,” Adele yelped. “I just stubbed my toe.”

  Lina pushed herself up on her elbows. “Were you at the bar all this time?”

  “No,” Adele answered. “But don’t worry. You asked me not to sleep with him, and I didn’t.”

  “Thank you,” Lina said, falling back against the pillows with a relieved sigh.
<
br />   “I just gave him a blow job.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I can’t believe you did that,” Lina said the following morning, pacing back and forth in front of the bed Adele was trying to sleep in. “Do you know how awkward that makes things for me? He’s going to be my boss.”

  “Please stop.” Adele moaned, pulling a pillow over her head.

  “No, I’m not going to stop.” Lina ripped the pillow from her, tossing it across the bed. “When you asked if I minded if you went for a drink with him, I specifically asked if you could control yourself and you said you could.”

  “I did. He wanted to fuck me, and I wouldn’t let him. That took a lot of self-restraint.”

  “Controlling yourself meant not giving him a blow job.”

  “No, it didn’t,” Adele said. “I never would have agreed to that.”

  “Oh. My. God,” Lina said, staring down at her with her hands on her hips. “You sound like Mom. Completely crazy.”

  “Yeah.” Adele pushed herself up on her elbows, returning Lina’s glare. “Well, you sound like Phil. And that isn’t a compliment.”

  “I’m having breakfast with him. How am I supposed to look at him knowing what happened between the two of you last night?”

  “I have to look at Phil. I’m sure you give him blow jobs occasionally.”

  “That is completely different. He’s my husband.”

  “You are such a prude,” Adele said. “Just go.” She waved at the door. “I need sleep.”

  “Was this a one-time thing, or are you planning to see him again?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Do you like him?”

  “I gave him a blow job, Lina. Yes, I kind of like him.”

  William was a few minutes late to the restaurant, for which Lina was thankful because it gave her a chance to have a cup of coffee and settle her nerves. Adele was right. She was being a prude. So what if her sister had seen her boss naked?