by Colet Abedi
Hold on, Sophie! He can’t be ordering you around.
“You’re not going to distract me,” I say. I have to set him straight now.
“I was just telling you a fact. I like the way my name sounds when you say it.” His eyes move slowly from my lips to my chest then up to meet mine, and it’s almost like I can feel his touch.
“I’m still having a shot.”
He smiles again.
“Care to bet on it?”
“Excuse me?”
“I won’t have you drunk tonight.”
“As if …“ Does he think I’m some sorority girl who doesn’t know her own limits?
He interrupts me. “I don’t even want to entertain the possibility of it happening tonight. I’m sorry. I want you to remember everything about this evening. From start to finish.” He grabs my chin with his fingers and caresses my skin with his thumb. The noise around me dulls. I can’t even think anymore. It is just the two of us.
“I’ll make sure you’re nice and relaxed.” He moves his thumb against my lips then leans away from me, leaving me longing for more.
Flushed.
Hot.
Bothered.
Well, shit. Now I definitely need the alcohol.
8
I feel like I’m a voyeur peeking into a world that I’m not really a part of, that none of this is really happening, because honestly, how did I end up here? I will myself to stop looking at him and lean back in my chair and try to get as comfortable as I can.
I look over at Erik and Orie. They are my safe, happy place. I resist the urge to reach out and grab a glass of any type of alcoholic beverage that might be on the table and just down it in one sweeping gulp. My nerves are starting to get the best of me. The conversation going on around me dulls as alarm bells go off in my head and the realization hits me. Clayton represents the last hurdle in my life that I have to get over. He’s literally a great white shark and I’m about to jump in the ocean with him!
How am I going to eat? Or even sit here for the next few hours and just smile as the anticipation builds inside me, making me more nervous by the second? I’m going to leave my old self behind and try to swim in a sea that he’s clearly mastered.
Before I can dwell any longer on this he reaches out and puts a hand on my arm. “Would you like a glass of champagne?”
A glass, or a bottle?
“Yes, please.” Make it quick. Forget the glass, I’ll just take swigs from the bottle. But instead I say calmly, “A glass would be lovely, thank you.”
“I ordered a bottle of Cristal and Krug Clos D’Ambonnay. But I can order another if you have a preference in flavor? I can help you choose?” he asks politely.
If the man buys ten-thousand-dollar bottles of scotch, I’m sure his taste in champagne is just as rich. And completely out of my league. I’m good with a bottle of champagne from Trader Joe’s. And P.S., they have really good champagne. Who cares if it’s $9.99? It tastes great.
“I’m sure what you ordered will be just fine. But thank you for the kind offer.”
“You don’t sound very happy with that option. Do you want champagne? Or would you prefer a bottle of red or white?”
I wish I could tell him to bring me one of each.
“I love champagne, Clayton. But thank you.”
He stares at me for a beat. Searching. “You look a little pale. Tell me what’s wrong.”
I hesitate for a second then look around to make sure no one is listening.
“I’m a little nervous.” He has to know. He has to feel it on me.
His smiles tenderly.
“Trust me, Sophie. I promise I will take care of you. You’ll enjoy everything that happens. We’re not going to do anything you don’t feel comfortable with.” He gives me a sexy smile before adding, “But I think you’ll want every part of it.”
Really? But I don’t know what I want because I’ve never had it before. So how will I know what I want is really what I want and not just something great I’ve imagined in my head? I look at him, willing him to answer the questions in my head. And God almighty does he ever with that seductive look of his. The butterflies start again. I stare at his mouth, remembering just how sweet his lips feel.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he says softly.
“I’m not looking at you in any way.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“Are you arguing with me?”
“Yes.”
He laughs.
“You’ll soon realize that arguing with me is a useless endeavor. I always win.”
“And you always get what you want,” I reply tartly. I try not to roll my eyes.
Clayton cocks a brow.
“Yes.”
“You sound like an overindulged child.”
“Careful.”
“Why? Do you bite?” I flirt.
“Only if you ask nicely.”
I can feel my cheeks get flushed and I force myself to keep his stare. I know he’s trying to shock me and I need to show him that I can hold my own.
“It’s doubtful that will ever happen.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
Before I can answer, Erik calls my name.
“Sophie, how are you doing over there?”
I look over at my friend and smile brightly. I know he was watching my face and reading me. God, he’s good. I watch as the waiters bring out standing ice buckets and place them around the table. They quickly begin pouring drinks for everyone. I look over at Clayton and shake my head. The man certainly knows how to spend his money. But right now, a drink is exactly what I need and I’ve never been more grateful.
“I’m doing well.”
“Have you had a chance to look at the menu?” Erik asks.
“Not yet.”
“There’s so much to choose from, I’m getting a headache just thinking about it all,” he tells me as he flips through the pages.
“I’ve actually already ordered for the table,” Clayton says and we all look at him. “I ordered some of everything. I thought we should try it all.”
“Gluttony is a deadly sin, Clayton,” Elizabeth says with a smile.
“If you believe in that sort of thing.”
“Blasphemous bastard,” John says, laughing. Clayton’s sharp gaze flickers over him in disapproval and one simple glance makes John look instantly contrite.
“Apologies.”
Clayton acknowledges his words with a slight nod. An awkward silence follows before Elizabeth saves the day.
She lifts her champagne glass and looks around the table, smiling at everyone.
“If this were my last night on earth, I can’t imagine being in a more perfect place.”
I like her even more.
“Well said, Elizabeth.” Eduard lifts his glass. I watch her blush under his friendly gaze.
Interesting.
“Then enjoy,” Clayton says.
“Who was it who said to live every day as if it were your last?” Eduard asks.
“Lots of people. Us. This table. Right fucking now. Let’s do it,” Erik answers him as he stands with his glass. “It’s time to live a little, people.”
The table cheers at his words. He looks straight at me.
“Sophie Walker. Thank you for coming into my life eight years ago. I love the hell out of you. You made me and Orie, the love of my life, come to this paradise with you … ” His voice is emotional and it takes him a moment to get his breath. Yes, I’m touched, but my stomach drops thinking he’s going to add the dreaded line “to find yourself.”
The bastard would do it. He’d think it was hilarious. Oh shit.
After a dramatic pause, he lifts his head and meets my gaze dead on.
“Now we’re sitting with new friends, sharing new experiences. Who knows where this ride will take us?”
Everyone but Jane seems to love what Erik says. They all toast and clink glasses, then take the shots that have been placed in
front of them.
I mouth an “I love you” to Erik and Orie. I count my lucky stars that I’m so blessed to have such amazing friends.
“So let’s think about this for a moment. What if tonight is the last night on earth?” Eduard asks us as he leans in.
“Well, if it is, I am happy to be spending it with old friends,” John chimes in as he lifts his glass, “and new.” He nods to me, Orie, and Erik, before continuing, “Cheers to everyone. May this not be the last night on earth, but if it is, I hope we are all pissed out of our minds when the end comes!”
Then they all lift their shot glasses. I’m beginning to sense the pattern for the night. I’m sure that everyone at the table is going to blitzed in about a half an hour. I hope I fall into that category, regardless of Clayton’s wishes.
“Let’s say this night will be just the beginning,” Orie says to the group.
“I like that,” Eduard laughs. “That’s a very enlightened way to think.”
“Well, what do you expect? The end sounds so fucking morbid,” Erik says.
“Can we just drink now, for the love of God? And quit this heavy conversation? It’s so depressing,” Jane says in annoyance. She looks around the table and notices that I’m still holding my champagne flute.
“Are you not a shot girl, Sophie?”
“Sometimes.”
“Then lift your glass. It’s rude not to drink what your host has offered.” I hear the biting tone in her voice.
“Sophie doesn’t like to do shots,” Clayton returns with a polite smile.
“And how would you know, Clayton? You’ve known her for a little over a day. Leave the girl alone and let her have some fun. Must you be so stiff all the time?” Jane’s voice is cold, challenging.
I’m embarrassed by what she’s said and I’m suddenly annoyed with myself for letting someone I really don’t know dictate what I’m going to drink. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m supposed to be turning a new leaf, becoming a more assertive version of myself.
“You’re right, Jane.” I absolutely agree with her, because she is right. I’ve never allowed anyone to tell me what to do, so why am I starting now?
I pick up the small shot glass.
“Cheers.” I smile widely at Jane and down the drink. I hear impressed whistles around me. I’m pretty sure Clayton isn’t one of those cheering me on.
Damn, it’s strong. I try not to cringe and to act like a professional, but it’s hard. I carefully look to my left and notice that Clayton has also downed his quickly. Bravely, my gaze meets his and I instantly regret it. He’s very pissed. It radiates off his body.
“Did you enjoy that?” he asks me icily.
“I did.” I stand my ground. I’m not going to let this man tell me what I can and cannot do.
He seems annoyed by my answer. I watch the emotions play across his face, then I watch his demeanor turn completely indifferent.
“I’m glad. Would you like another?” Oh boy. This doesn’t sound so good. A part of me wants to say yes and to hell with him and his bossy ways, because he’s obviously very controlling and that needs to be dealt with, but the logical part of me knows that if I do I’m going down a road of no return. And I might not like the consequences.
“I’m alright, but thank you for asking,” I answer in a voice that is as indifferent as his. “I’ll just stick to champagne. It’s wonderful, by the way.”
His blue eyes capture mine.
“A wise decision, Sophie.”
My heart drops.
There’s a threatening tone in his voice again. I feel queasy.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” I pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about.
“Look away from me like you’re trying to hide from me.”
I look and am happy to see that the rest of the group is immersed in their own conversations and paying no attention to us.
“Look. Whatever world you come from, I don’t. Women don’t just follow orders or blindly listen to everything a man says.” I tell him.
I can feel the warmth of the alcohol rush through my veins, the buzz slowly creeping over me. And I know from experience that after the general feeling of buzz comes drunk, and that is the last place I want to be.
“I’m an American, you know.”
Clayton is suddenly amused.
Did I just say that? Yes, you idiot, you did.
“I gathered you were. Did you suspect I didn’t know?”
His lips twitch with mirth and I know he’s trying hard not to laugh.
“I’m just saying.”
Clayton loses it and starts laughing. The others look over curiously, but then resume their own conversations when they realize he is not going to share what he finds so funny.
“Are you finished?” I ask him, totally annoyed.
“Not quite, baby.” Oh. I like that endearment.
“Well, let me know when you are,” I tell him as I pick up my glass of champagne and take another sip.
“Do you think your father would approve of you allowing anger to dictate your actions?”
“What does my father have to do with this?”
“He’s an attorney. A litigator. Containing one’s emotions is an essential part of his craft. You never show your enemy weakness, or your hand. Isn’t that the motto American trial attorneys live and die by?”
Crap. He has a point. I did react to Jane’s goading me, but it was as much the implication that I was allowing Clayton to control me as it was about her.
“Your cheeks turn red when you’re angry, you know,” Clayton says before I answer. “It is a spectacular shade. It compliments your natural color perfectly.” His eyes assess my face, a look so smoldering that it makes me want to jump straight into the ocean.
My heart races.
“Don’t distract me.”
“Come close to me,” is his answer to that. “Lean in. I want to tell you something.” His gaze is scorching, and, like a moth to a flame, I bend to him. He takes my chin and turns my head so he can whisper in my ear. I get all hot and bothered.
“I want you.”
Shit.
“I want to feel your skin against mine,” he continues. “I want to take your dress off and then run my hands through your hair, see the way it falls down your back, how it brushes against your body. And then after I take my time memorizing every part of you, I want to taste you. Start at your lips and make my way down.” He turns my face so I’m forced to meet his passion-filled eyes.
I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open.
“Are you game?”
I’m surprised I can nod.
“You still look worried.”
“A bit.” I can’t lie.
“About which part?”
Not you. Not how you make me feel. Not how you make my body come alive. All that’s the good part.
“What comes after.” There. I said it. It is out in the open now. If he wants to run, that’s fine. Erik would kill me if he heard what I just said. I’m supposed to just be in the moment and not wonder about anything else.
He moves a finger along my lower lip. “Don’t be.”
Easy for him to say.
Before he can respond to the look that’s written all over my face, I see Noom standing at our table. She’s wearing the baggy white pants and linen shirt again and looks like she just came from a session.
“Sophie!” she says in a happy voice. Lord, the woman does exude this Zen that is enviable.
“Noom.” I stand and hug her petite frame. She pulls away and holds my hands, taking a step back to look at me in an approving way.
“You are glowing tonight,” she says kindly.
I blush under her knowing gaze, acutely aware that Clayton is listening to our conversation.
“You’re too kind, Noom. It’s just the island weather.” I motion toward the beach and the ambience of the party, trying to change the topic. “This is all so incredible.”
&nbs
p; “Yes, it is. I am happy you truly appreciate this gift. The gods will reward you for this, Sophie.”
Lord Almighty, Noom says the damndest things.
“The gods?” I ask softly.
“Yes. A little bit of God lives in all of us. Even you. When you see true beauty and appreciate it, the universe rewards you.”
“You see light in everything, Noom.”
“Because I choose to. Once you do, the whole world will be a wonderful place. What you wish, will be.”
Imagine that. It seems too good to be true.
“It is true. Don’t doubt it, my friend,” she tells me with a wise smile.
Clayton stands up and puts a possessive arm around my waist, then reaches out to take Noom’s hand.
“Noom. It is always a pleasure.”
I watch Noom’s eyes turn from twinkly to guarded. It’s a look I haven’t seen on her face before.
“Mr. Clayton,” she says back politely.
“I met Noom last year,” Clayton tells me.
“Yes,” Noom says.
“Fortunately, I didn’t decide to jump into an ocean filled with sharks after my session with her,” Clayton teases.
“Sophie?” Noom doesn’t understand.
“I seized the moment,” I say, blowing it off. Clayton’s hand moves up to the back of my head and brushes it softly. I lean into his touch.
Hold on a second.
“You saw Noom?” I ask curiously.
“Yes.”
I’m sure I look shocked. It seems completely out of character. “I’m surprised.”
“How could I resist the resident Maldivian healer? Noom is said to be the best,” he explains as he smiles cordially at her.
“Everyone has their own reason for seeking comfort, Sophie,” Noom tells me quietly. I don’t think Clayton appreciates her comment and I can feel his muscles tense around me.
There’s an awkward silence as Noom looks from Clayton to me and I wonder what she’s thinking. Or better yet, what she felt when she put her crystals on his body.
“Sophie, I want to introduce you to another healer who is here right now,” she says as she points to the other side of the small u-shaped beach, where there are more tables. “I think you’ll like him.”
I don’t want to leave Clayton’s embrace, but I feel like I owe Noom for my current situation.