Ineffable

by Sherrod Story

  She knew he was trying to watch, but she showed him no mercy, her lips, teeth and tongue working in concert to slay him. And she did. He came hard, a broken cry escaping around the fist he’d shoved in his mouth.

  “That,” she said, winking at him as she swallowed, “Makes lucky number three. You’ll sleep like the dead tonight or my nickname ain’t Goti.”

  He just laughed and pulled her into his arms for a protracted petting session that would have ended with him inside her again had she not laughingly pushed him from the bed. She peeked over the side of the bed where he lay sprawled, hands behind his head like he hadn’t just taken a tumble.

  “Take yo’ ass home,” she said, a huge smile turning up her mouth. “You ain’t the only one gotta work tomorrow.”

  “Nori’s special,” Tommy said, pulling her mind back to the present.

  “How so?”

  “The way he looks at you.”

  “How so?”

  “Like he just fucked you, and can’t wait for the next round. Like you just burned his dinner, but he’s happy to eat peanut butter and jelly if you give it to him. Like he wants you to rub his head after a hard day then crawl inside your skin and fall asleep.”

  “That’s how Dom looks at you.”

  “Yeah,” Tommy whispered. “How you think I know?”

  “He’s sort of my boss, girl. I’m not really tryna get into it like that.”

  Tommy just laughed. “Sound like it’s too late for that, pimp.”

  “True,” Margot chuckled. “It did feel good,” she sighed. “Real good. When he’s around my whole shit’s on full alert. Wet, tingling.” She shifted on the sofa. “Butter on high heat.”

  Tommy whistled. “Sounds fucking amazing.”

  “It is. But it’s scary amazing. I literally have like, no control over my body. As long as he’s there, making me feel good, he can do whatever he wants. I fucked his ass like, three times. Of course, it only took five minutes each to get that nut.”

  They laughed.

  “But it’s like I’m a doll or something, a genuine, true to life, horny Barbie. His father called while he was here last night.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Right as he was leaving. Nori didn’t hide where he was, and Aro, that’s his name, wants him to bring me to dinner.”

  Tommy whistled. “When?”

  “Sunday night.”

  “Shit. That’s only two days away. We gotta get you a dress!”

  “I don’t wanna go.”

  “You have to,” Tommy said promptly. “Don’t even fucking start. I mean it, Margot. You’re fucking going, and you’re gonna keep that fucking temper under control.”

  Margot rolled her eyes. “I already have a dress.”

  “Well, we’ll see it Sunday.”

  “Don’t you bring Lani over here. I cannot deal with her right now.”

  “Whatever. We’re coming. So gird your loins, bitch, and have cocktails ready.”

  Abruptly listening to a dial tone, Margot whispered, “Shit.”

  Unsettled, Margot ran the streets so hard she didn’t see Nori for days. She deliberately left early in the morning with a purse full of jewelry making supplies, and when she wasn’t with friends, sat in restaurants or museums so she wouldn’t be home if he came by. And he did, twice.

  “Where are you?”

  Sitting on a bench by the river thinking about you. “Working.”

  He sighed into the phone.

  “Will I see you tonight?”

  “No. I’m on a roll right now. I gotta work.”

  “I won’t bother you.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I would. And since you’re doing some work for me I suppose I should be sensible. Okay. I’ll call you later.”

  And he did. He called every morning and every night, his deep sad voice making her feel guilty when she told him she was working and couldn’t see him. But she needed the distance. She wanted him too much, too fast. It was a point of pride to stay away, if only to see if his impact was as potent as it seemed.

  Sadly, it was. After one night in his arms, the equivalent of five minutes in the span of the typical relationship, she felt Alice down the rabbit hole lost. She could literally feel herself falling under his spell, and it was disturbing how open she was to the idea.

  Aside from being tall, fine and great in the sack, Nori was everything she usually stayed away from in a man. He was too confident, too rich, too used to giving orders and having them obeyed, and he had too much swagger. He was too smart. Smarter than her.

  If they did get together her only advantage would be that she was the one with the pussy, and that she had more common sense. Right now neither of those things was helping to quiet her nerves.

  She was antsy as hell without him. The only time she got any relief was when he called. Perversity being her middle name, when he did she didn’t always answer. But it was soothing seeing his name on her phone and knowing he was thinking about her.

  It wasn’t even the sex she missed, though their brief but heated night together played in her mind like a song on repeat. Nori was the shit in bed. No doubt. She shifted in her chair, a hand reaching between her legs to pet her girl, tingling in longing and remembrance.

  “I don’t know why you’re playing games with that man like this,” Tommy said the next day.

  They were at the Peninsula having wine with lunch. Rather, Margot was just having wine. She hadn’t really felt like eating since Nori left.

  “I’m not.”

  “No? Well, then you need to stop being a scaredy cat. Stop trippin’. Let that motherfucker love you. It ain’t gon’ kill you, you know.”

  No, Margot realized, it wouldn’t. But the stress of being away from him very well might. She was playing with her cell now trying not to text him. Rather, she was trying not to hit send, since she’d already composed the text: I wanna c u. U free?

  Fuck it. She hit send.

  “You know he gon’ try and boss me.”

  “So? Maybe he’ll surprise you. He ain’t no poop butt ass knucklehead like your usual bed mates, and he ain’t no abusive ass freak like that MF George. He’s legit. Handsome, cultured, smart, rich, and according to you he fucks like a dream. That might be worth owning and being owned.”

  “Then why you runnin’ from Dom?”

  “We ain’t talkin’ about me! We talkin’ about yo’ sorry ass. Stop hidin’ behind that fuckin’ jewelry and let someone love you for more than one night.”

  Margot tipped the last of her second glass of wine down her throat and rolled her eyes. Dramatic ass heffa. Her phone dinged: I’ll b there n two hours. Shall I bring dinner?

  No, she answered. I’m cooking. Suddenly she was feeling hungry.

  Chapter five

  When his lawyer and best friend Lado burst in without knocking, Nori was not in the mood. Of course, Lado could care less.

  “What the fuck is your problem? I’ve left you two messages and sent you at least three emails, all unanswered. Did you fire me and forget to tell me?”

  Nori snorted. “Fire you for what? Are you stealing from me and I’m just now finding out about it?”

  Lado burst out laughing. “Yeah! That could happen.”

  Tall, his thick, wine red hair askew above a pale, but undeniably handsome face, Lado stared at his oldest friend, then walked close to stand beside him at the window.

  “What is it?”

  Nori shrugged.

  “Are you dying of some undisclosed illness?”

  This got a snort.

  “Okay. Is your father sick?”

  “No, hale and hearty as ever, the bastard.”

  “O-kay. Are the two of you fighting?”

  “No more than usual.”

  “I know business isn’t bad, so it must be a woman. And since I know you’ve been seen around town with the lovely Margot, it must be she who has you acting like a fucking douche and ignoring moi,” Lado touched his o
wn broad chest as though such behavior was beyond the pale, and Nori couldn’t help but grin.

  “Finally!” Lado said, turning his friend dramatically by the shoulders and shaking him. “Snap out of it already. Aren’t you a little early for your mid-life crisis? You’re not even 40.”

  Nori shrugged off his friend and folded both hands on top of his head as he began to pace. “She’s driving me crazy.” He knew his voice was guttural. That’s how he felt, like he was in the bowels of a cave that was about to cave in; he was battered and bruised and covered in dust so thick he could barely see his way out.

  “What’s the problem?” Lado asked reasonably, helping himself to Nori’s chair, and spinning around a few times because he liked to. “Is she denying you her bed?”

  “No.”

  “Are you getting sick of her and worried how it may affect business if you let her go?”

  “No.”

  “She accidentally on purpose bit you on the wanker while blowing you.”

  “No!”

  “Well, what then? This would go a lot faster if I didn’t have to play guess Nori’s girlfriend problem.”

  “Stop sounding so bloody reasonable,” Nori growled, glaring at his friend as he continued to pace.

  “Reasonable?” Lado laughed. “I’m sitting in your office on a Sunday morning. It doesn’t get any more unreasonable than this, my friend.”

  Nori threw his hands up in disgust and strode to the cabinet that hid his bar. He held up a bottle questioningly.

  Lado shrugged. “Sure, it’s past 10. The early morning service should be out by now. Why not? Give us a bit more, love,” he said, when Nori offered a splash of their favorite cognac. “In for a penny, I always say.”

  Toasting the air they both tossed off their doubles with flare and the ease of long practice.

  Lado shuddered dramatically. “Christ, that’s good. Now. Out with it. What’s got you so riled up, then? I mean, riled enough that we’re drinking before noon on the Lord’s day, and me a bloody Catholic.”

  “It’s constant,” Nori muttered, back to his pacing. “She’s in my head all the time. I wake up wondering, is she up? Did she eat? She often forgets to eat. Should I send something over? I should call and order something to send over. But then again, she may not even be home. She may be waking up on someone’s couch after running the streets all fucking night. These women, her friends, I’ve never seen women run the streets like these do. They are literally always into some shit. Always. They’re like men, Lado. Only sexy as hell. She’s driving me crazy,” he said again.

  “She’s beautiful,” his friend shrugged. “She’s also making money for Ineffable and is poised, according to you, to make more. You like her. She seems to like you. She hasn’t even been in the press lately, at least not for anything bad. What’s the problem?”

  “The problem is I don’t understand her!” Nori roared. “She’s content to stay home for days, then I can’t catch her with a net. She’s here, she’s there, calling me drunk, surrounded by those female demons she calls friends. Or worse, she doesn’t call at all.”

  Lado laughed softly and helped himself to another drink. “Ah. I see. You’re unsure of her.”

  There was a pause. “Yes, I am.”

  “That’s new.”

  “Yes.”

  “You love her?” Nori’s eyes met his. Lado nodded and smiled. “Come on. You can say it. It’s just me here,” he teased. “I promise not to tell.”

  “I, I guess I do.”

  “New for you?”

  Nori nodded, inhaling a shaky breath, one hand over his heart.

  “Well, you’re not getting any younger, old boy. Perhaps you should marry her.” Nori sputtered and Lado held out a hand. “She’s gorgeous, talented, if she’s got any brains I bet she cares for you more than you think, and you love her. The only way you’re going to feel any measure of security is to lock that shit down. Marry her. And I will be best man. I must start scouting locations for your bachelor party,” Lado muttered, as though it was all settled.

  But Nori knew it was far from that; he was more than unsure of Margot. He had no fucking idea about her. The more he learned, the worse his confusion became, and learning anything was an effort. He hadn’t compared her to the Mona Lisa just because she was beautiful. He had no idea what she was thinking. Ever, because she just didn’t talk much. He had to lead every conversation. What kind of woman doesn’t like to talk?

  Did she love him? Sometimes he thought she might. But then he thought he was mad. It had been less than two weeks. Why was he even thinking about marriage? Would she marry him? Or would she balk at tying herself to him so permanently?

  She was so independent. And as familiar as she felt, as comfortable as he was in her company, in her arms, dare he risk it? Was he prepared to risk losing her in an effort to win her heart and mind and every fucking thing else forever? Did he even want that? The short answer? No. Not yet.

  “Tell her you love her,” Lado advised, tossing off another shot. “And answer my bloody emails. Drunk as I am, before noon,” he added, “on the Lord’s day,” he continued. “I do have a business to run. If you need me, call.” And with a final clap for his old friend’s broad back, he was gone as quickly as he’d arrived.

  Nori stared at the door for a moment then slowly made his way to his chair. Sinking down behind his desk he put his chin on his hand and brooded for all of three minutes. Then he got his keys and hit the road. These days, whenever urgency rode him this hard he only had one destination.

  She opened the door wearing a robe.

  “I thought we weren’t meeting until later. Tommy’n Lani on they way over.”

  He gave her a look like nice try. “Tommy, will you come out already?” Nori called. “I can smell your perfume and your joint.”

  “Fuck,” he heard her whisper before appeared looking slightly disheveled, which was unusual. But then again, almost everyone who came near Margot ended up napping or rolling around in her bed. It was infuriating.

  “Don’t fuckin’ tell Dom I was here, and definitely don’t tell him I was smoking.”

  Nori raised his brows at her.

  “I mean it,” she told him. “Promise.”

  “No,” he told her. “Now that I know you want to keep it a secret, I’m definitely calling him. You broads need to be stopped.”

  “Oh, fuck you, then. I gotta go clean up.”

  “Then you don’t need this,” Margot said, plucking the joint from her fingers as she walked by.

  “Bitch,” Tommy said lightly, but didn’t stop.

  Margot turned to him, watchful as she scratched her butt and took a hit. “What’s your problem?”

  He plucked the joint from her fingers and took a hit. “Problem?” He hadn’t smoked in years, but it was like riding a bike.

  “Yeah. You came over with a stank, crabby ass attitude. And you just pissed off my publicist. You worried about dinner with your daddy later?”

  “I spoke with my lawyer today.”

  “Ah. We’re ignoring daddy. Cool. Let me guess. Someone’s embezzled three million dollars of your money away. No wonder you’re looking so tight around the grill.”

  Nori scoffed. “No.”

  “Okay. Then someone’s died and you’ve inherited three million dollars, upon which, you just found out you have to pay a hefty inheritance tax.”

  Now he laughed outright. “No. What’s with you and three million dollars?” Was everyone he met today going to play the crazy question game?

  Margot shrugged. “It’s a nice round number. I can’t seem to think of you in connection with a small denomination.”

  “Thank you, but no. No one’s left me anything, or stolen anything. My lawyer, who I consider my best friend – since we’ve known each other for more than two decades, and he’s saved my ass one more than one occasion – staged an intervention of sorts.”

  “You mean he warned you off me.”

  “He did not. Indeed
, he has appointed himself your champion. Thinks you’ve gotten a bad rap, and pointed out that lately you’ve been staying out of the press. He also suggested that I marry you. It’s my father who thinks if I don’t distance myself from you it could hurt business.”

  She took back the joint, but she didn’t look at him as she asked, “And will you?”

  “Will I what?”

  “Distance yourself from me. You have to admit it’s sound advice.” She took a sip of wine, and passed him her glass with a wink as she whispered, “I do have a small reputation,” she pinched two fingers close, “for being a troublemaker.”

  “Yes, you do, and no, I will not.”

  “I bet your lawyer-friend wasn’t happy to hear that.”

  “No, I told you Lado likes you.”

  “Yeah?”

  Nori nodded. “Said if I needed him, to call.”

  She took another sip of wine. “Good lawyer-friend.”

  Nori took the half empty glass and set it aside, then pulled her into his arms. “Yes.”

  “So, my problem is your daddy.”

  “Your problem,” he corrected. “Is that you haven’t made love to me in hours.”

  “Since this morning,” she said solemnly. “What should we do about that?” she asked, blinking liquid brown eyes before spoiling the effect when she had to pick out an eyelash.

  Nori withheld a grin. “The real question is, what am I going to do with you?”

  Margot slung both slender arms around his neck, and he felt her slightly boozy breath wash his lips as she leaned in to whisper, “I don’t know, honey. What do you want to do with me?”

  Everything, he thought, but he said, “I’m tired of people trying to keep us apart. For all they know you could be my good luck charm.”

  “True,” she said, rubbing her nose against his. “But you and all your friends know it’s more likely I’ll be your bad luck charm.”

  He tightened his arms when she would have moved away. “That’s not true. How do you explain us meeting except the best kind of luck?”