He walked over to the table and sat in the chair next to Christine.
“Hello, Christine. You look beautiful as usual.” He watched as she blushed at his compliment. “I’m sorry I had to rush off when I saw you. How’ve you been?”
“I’ve been good. And you?”
“Busy, but good,” he said. He watched his mother’s eyes light up at their exchange while his father seemed more perplexed. “Can I get you a drink?”
“That would be nice,” she gushed.
“Your usual? Or would you prefer a cocktail instead?” His charm had taken over and he played his role well.
“My usual,” she said. He smiled, excused himself and headed to the bar to get a Pinot Grigio and bourbon for himself. He returned placing the wine glass in front of her.
“Maybe we’ll have a chance to talk later. Privately.” Smiling, he conspicuously moved his eyes up and down her body. “If you’ll excuse me.”
With bourbon in hand, he took a long swallow as he made his way to the other side of the pool where Rick and Joyce were seated. He sat down but didn’t utter a word.
Joyce piped up, “Mya told me what’s going on, Mike. I thought I’d seen your mother do all kinds of shady things—granted most of them were directed at me—but this?”
“Let it go Joyce. Mike doesn’t want to talk about any of this,” Rick implored.
“I’m just saying, it’s nuts! You’re a grown ass, thirty-five-year-old man and your mother is trying to pick a wife for you?”
“And how different is it when you and your girlfriends try to hook up your single friends?” Rick taunted.
“We’d never try to hook up two people who broke up—that’s for sure,” Joyce said showing her indignation at the situation even though it had nothing to do with her.
“Stay out of it Joyce. I’m sure he has things well in hand. I can see it all over his face.”
“I’m just saying. Promise me if you see that level of crazy creep up on me with our kids—stop me!”
“If you had that level of crazy in you, I never would’ve married you!” he said half jokingly. “But a man can’t help but love his mom. Right, Mike?”
“Trust me, I’m good.” He was far more composed than any of them would expect if they knew his genuine feelings. His words belied the undercurrent of anger still swirling inside him.
He noticed Christine nearby talking with another of her club sisters. He also observed several men doing their best to ogle her stealthily as they made their way to the dance floor with their wives. He excused himself from Rick and Joyce heading back to the bar for another bourbon. He resumed mingling with his parents’ guests while noting Christine was never too far away from him. He knew exactly what she was doing. He let the little game continue while toying with her as much as she was with him.
The band played a fanfare at exactly eight-thirty marking the official birthday well wishing. His mother and father walked towards the microphone as she motioned for the family to join them. As they gathered, Christine made a point to stand directly in front of him as the rest of the guests assembled. His mother thanked everyone for coming as the large birthday cake was rolled out. His father stepped forward and the crowd sang spirited rounds of Happy Birthday—both the traditional and Stevie Wonder versions. His father blew out the simple “70” sitting on top of the massive cake, thanked everyone and once again chatted with his friends.
Michael moved over to Christine and whispered in her ear, “You look amazing. In fact, you look good enough to eat…and then some.”
“Is that so?” she said looking at him with seductive eyes.
“Absolutely.” Toying with her was too easy. He took her by the hand and led her away from the larger group.
“I was disappointed when you didn’t stay for a little while at the bar,” she said.
“Really? And why is that?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately.” She stood a little closer, brushing her body against his.
“And what have you been thinking about?”
“How much I miss you.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The conversation was absurd. “After everything that happened between us? You miss me?”
“Yes. I realized you were under a lot of pressure. It just took me some time to forgive you for cheating. Now I understand it was your way of pulling back on all the wedding talk.”
“Is that what my mother told you?”
“We talked a little about it. Yes.”
“So, you’re over it now?”
“I wouldn’t be standing here if I wasn’t.” She leaned into him kissing him softly on the lips before offering her tongue to him.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Christine.” His eyes were penetrating allowing him to see her in ways he hadn’t when they were a couple.
Again taking her hand, he led her towards the pool house partially obscured by large boxwoods. Before opening the door, he took her face in his hands and kissed her hard. His tongue explored her mouth as he moved his hands to her breasts and ass. As he groped her, she responded in kind by feverishly kissing him while rubbing his crotch. But she pulled away from him and said, “Is there someplace else we can go?”
He just smiled remembering all too well adventurous sex for her was limited. “Let’s go in the house,” he offered.
“What ever you say, Sweetie.”
She straightened her dress and smoothed her hair before walking from behind the bushes. He let her lead watching as she continued to socialize along the way. Once they were in the house, he turned to her and said, “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?”
“Yes,” she said taking his hand and walking up the staircase and down the hall to his old bedroom. He opened the door letting her in ahead of him. She walked over to the bed placing her clutch purse on the nightstand. He locked the door behind him and turned to her.
“Take off your clothes.”
“I was hoping you’d undress me,” she said flirtatiously.
“I already know what’s under that dress. You wore those underwear for me—didn’t you?”
Being coquettish she said, “Yes I did.”
“Then take off your clothes so I can see them.” He leaned against the door and watched as she began to disrobe. She seductively unzipped her dress and draped it over the back of the desk chair. She stood before him in a lace, strapless, demi-cup bra with a matching thong. She was a stunning sight—but it didn’t matter what she had on. “Turn around for me.” She did exactly as he requested.
He walked towards her as he took off his jacket and threw it on the bed. He pulled her to him by the back of her neck and kissed her hard as he groped her body further. With each touch, kiss and stroke of his hands across her body, he was deliberately getting rougher with her.
“I want you!” she grunted as she pulled away from him and lay on the bed.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, Baby. I’m all yours.”
He lay on top of her, kissing her further as he carefully unbuckled his belt and pulled it from his pants. He moved his other hand to her vagina and slid his fingers inside her as she writhed beneath him. He stopped kissing her and watched her eyes flutter with his expert fingering. She was eager and very moist. Leaning over her he whispered, “Do you remember what it was like?”
“Oh, yes, Baby!”
“Mmmm. I don’t think you do.” He leaned away from her moving his hand to her throat. Her eyes widened and she began to squirm in discomfort as he squeezed. He continued, “I’m the bastard you let do sick things to you. Do you remember that part?”
“I only said that because I was hurt…and angry.”
“Really? But you do know what I like, don’t you?”
“Yes.” Her breath was quickening.
“So, here’s exactly what’s going to happen. I’m going to beat your ass with this belt and then I’ll fuck you up the ass. Are you good with that, Baby?”
She squirmed a bit before whispering, “If that’s what you want.”
Nothing else she could have said could piss him off more. “But you’ll never be what I want.” He released her neck and moved away from her.
“What? You’re lucky to have someone who’s willing to put up with your shit!”
“That’s just it. I don’t need or want anyone who feels like she has to “put up” with me to get what she wants. Get the fuck out!”
“What is wrong with you?” she shrieked.
“Women like you.”
He put his belt back on as she hurriedly dressed. He picked up his jacket and opened the door as she scurried out. He followed her watching her leave through the front door. He casually walked down the staircase and rejoined the party. As expected, his mother approached him.
“I don’t mean to pry sweetheart, but were you with Christine?” She seemed almost giddy.
“Yes, but she left,“ he said coarsely.
“Why would she do that? Especially without saying ‘good bye?’”
“Mom, I love you. But don’t ever try to pull something like that with me again.” He was stern and very matter of fact.
“What are you talking about?”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about. Christine and I are done. We have been for over two years. Whatever the two of you thought you were doing—it backfired.”
“What on Earth did you do to that poor girl this time, Michael?” she snarled.
“I reminded her why we aren’t together—and truthfully Mom, you don’t want to know,” he snapped back.
He coldly kissed her on the cheek and rejoined his brother and sister on the patio. For the first time in hours, he felt relaxed. He also couldn’t help feeling a bit smug in the moment acknowledging he could be a bastard anytime he wanted to be.
CHAPTER 13
Very few remnants of the party were evident in the house or grounds when he got up early Sunday morning to go for a run. It had been a long time since he ran around the property. His parents owned over thirty acres, half of it cleared making for a quiet escape without the worries of avoiding traffic along the single-lane roads. As he ran, he reflected on how grateful he was to spend time with his them, especially his brother and sister. Even though Mya and Rick were four and eight years older than him, their relationship had long moved from protective older siblings to true friends. He cherished them and looked forward to visiting them in the coming year.
He saw Aaron midway along the drive jogging towards him. Aaron had just finished high school but was still vetting his college options. He was very outgoing and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him. Unlike Justin and Caitlin, Aaron never had a job. It was always summer camps, workshops, travel team sports and a host of other activities. Despite that, he seemed to be a good kid even if he was a little spoiled.
“Uncle Mike! Mind if I join you?” he shouted as he jogged closer.
He really wanted the time alone, but it wasn’t often he and his nephew had an opportunity to talk privately. “Not at all.”
“Where are you headed?” Aaron asked.
“Just running the grounds,” he replied.
They set off at a leisurely pace making it easier for conversation.
“So where’d you all end up last night after the celebration?”
“We just hit a couple of clubs in the city. It was a good time. East Coast scene is so different from the West Coast though.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Dad thinks I should come out here for college. I’m just not sure yet. I’ve only got a few more weeks to decide or I lose my spots.”
“The East Coast isn’t for everyone. The hustle is definitely different,” Michael advised. “It’s your decision, though.”
“Yeah, I guess. I just want to head overseas and do some traveling for a year or two. I need a break from school. You know what I mean?”
Michael couldn’t help but be befuddled by Aaron’s comment. This kid needs a break? He has no idea what many kids his age deal with on a daily just to survive. “You’ll figure it out. In the end, it’s your life.”
“Yeah…but you can’t tell my dad that.”
“Maybe not, but he’s trying to help you make choices you won’t regret later. And if he’s paying for it, he does have a say.”
“That’s just it. Next month I turn eighteen and my trust fund kicks in. I figured I’d use that money to travel and chill for a while then go to college.”
“And you expect your parents to pay for college after that?”
“Yes! But they say they’ll only pay if I go now.”
“Then your options are clear.”
“Whether it’s now or later, shouldn’t matter.”
“But it matters to them.” He was getting a little irritated at what he was hearing, but tried not to show it.
“Will you talk to them about it for me?”
He stopped running and looked him squarely in the face. In no uncertain terms he replied, “No, I won’t. But you need to man the fuck up! You either do what they want, or step out on your own and deal with the consequences. It’s that simple.”
“What the fuck! You sound like my dad!”
“And you’re starting to sound like a punk ass who expects everything to be handed to you. Which do you think I have a bigger problem with?”
If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear in that split second Aaron considered taking a swing at him—which would be a huge mistake. This wasn’t how he wanted this rare opportunity to talk with his nephew to go.
“Look Aaron, either way, it’s on you how you handle it. Just don’t get it twisted and do stupid shit…Okay? College will help you figure out who you are, not just what you’ll do.” He hoped his advice carried as much weight as it used to. Aaron was clearly considering all he’d said and his face became less tense.
“Are we good?” Michael asked.
“Yeah, we’re good. I’m sorry, I just…”
“Yeah, I know.”
They resumed their run making their way past the fence line bordering the trees. He thought about his own decision to leave the D.C. area and head to New York for college. The fact he had a full ride for academic and track scholarships made his decision much easier. His parents wanted him to keep his options open, each having their hearts set on him attending either of their alma maters. But he had little interest in either. Going to college in New York appealed to him most for a number of reasons beyond the stellar academic program. He liked the massive city because he could be one in a million and still have access to virtually anything his heart desired.
After getting acclimated to campus life, he ventured into the boroughs and neighborhoods of the city with all of their temptations and treasures. Whenever he wanted to vibe to the best in Hip Hop, he’d head to Harlem or Queens even though Brooklyn had a few clubs he liked. The scene was vibrant and full of conscious rappers doing everything from free style to dance tracks. When he wanted great food, he’d stay in Manhattan or head to the Bronx for the Latin and West Indian cuisine. The best dance spots were usually found in Chelsea and SoHo along with the eclectic art galleries and shops. He loved the City including its darker elements that he began to discover.
During his second semester, he’d venture to Forty-Second Street off Eighth Avenue with a few of his dorm mates. Hailing from different parts of the country, none of them had ever seen the quantity of strip clubs, porn shops and movie houses dotting “The Deuce.” It was a period when the mayor and ravenous developers were converting Times Square’s seediness into a less crime- and vice-ridden area full of mainstay retailers. It was a place in flux as more sex establishments were shut down for alleged health
violations or torn down after being curiously condemned. The police presence was rampant and things were changing rapidly.
The bottom line was there were many interests in the city wanting to see the area restored to its historic hey day. City leadership regaled the days when people flocked from around the world for the best in Broadway shows and shopping. But the truth was people still flocked to Times Square out of curiosity or for their fetish interests, drugs and sex—lots of sex. The remaining porn shops carried videos, magazines and toys of every description. The movie houses showed XXX features beyond anything Michael had seen in the D.C. area.
After a night of heavy drinking, he and his friends ventured to a movie theater featuring German porn. Unlike American features showing extreme close-ups of genitalia and copulation under ridiculous scenarios, these films depicted bondage and discipline. It was the first time he actually saw BDSM. The film starred a Dominatrix donned in black, flogging and spanking her male and female subjects until their skin became inflamed. As he watched, it was almost as if the sexual interactions she directed her subjects to perform were secondary to her subjugation of them. Despite the violence depicted, he found something else arousing. Eventually he returned on his own to view more of these kinds of films.
What truly distinguished the old Times Square most was its live sex shows along Eighth Avenue that featured every possible theme, sexual combination and act imaginable. He learned there were live sex shows depicting BDSM and he sought them out. Some of the theaters were places where patrons and performers interacted either by word or deed. He’d always stand towards the back watching what happened on the stage and around him.
Occasionally, couples came in and he noticed women responding with the same level of arousal as their male partners. Sometimes these couples stayed to the end of the show. But every so often, others engaged in uninhibited, raw sex against the walls rivaling what happened on the stages. The entire experience was surreal and intoxicating.
His Pleasures and Pain (Book II) (Allen Trilogy 2) Page 9