BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY

by Mullen, Carol

  “Of course, it has had its moments, and I must say I have been very impressed by your passion” she paused finishing with “for the charity it’s very refreshing.”

  His laugh bellowed out. Drawing more eyes if that were possible to the figure of Nico Devanti. Many were intrigued by the young woman by his side in her figure hugging dress displaying her curvaceous body and ample bosom. For this event she held his attention and it had been noticed that he had spent much of the evening with her. For the gossips it was perfect cannon fodder for them to debate that night and the days to come. The absence of Lea his long time girl-friend was also noted.

  “Carrie Reyolds-Davies, you make me laugh more than I have in a long time” he told her.

  “Ditto,” she replied.

  “I have a legitimate excuse to get you in my arms, let’s dance, don’t worry if you can’t keep up, I will lead you,”

  Carrie laughed as she had over ten years professional dance schooling under her belt.

  “Is that a challenge?” leading him as they joined the dance floor. Carrie danced with confidence unfazed by the occasion or surroundings.

  “Time for another question, have you done this before?”

  “Dancing? Yes I have” giving little more away.

  They took to the dance floor. The music playing in a swing and big band style as it had throughout the evening. There were at least a dozen musicians and a few singers she noted on a raised platform. They were playing the classic Cole Porter tune Night and Day but sung in the Frank Sinatra style.

  “I’m not unschooled, I do know how to dance.” She told him looking into his eyes. He pulled her closer. “You can keep up then?”

  Her steps matched his as they glided across the dance floor in harmony. “In every way”

  She had forgotten what it was like to be in a man’s arms dancing. With Nico it felt different, yes they had their sexual chemistry but now she scarily thought she didn’t know how she would feel not being in his arms?

  They were silent just moving in time to the rhythm of the music.

  The singer crooned and Carrie couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine, perfectly fine Nico”

  Her head was leaning slightly into his chest as he towered above her. The song continued with its classic line of making love. She felt Nico’s arms tightening.

  “That’s all I want to do Carrie, make love to you” He whispered his lips against her forehead.

  Across the room Dorothea and Gino Devanti observed their son on the dance floor.

  “Who is this girl Gino? What happened to Lea?”

  “I don’t know Thea but he told me he is no longer involved with Lea. I didn’t ask any further questions. I know when a subject is closed with my son.”

  “She’s married Gino, I saw her wedding rings earlier. What is my son doing with a married woman? More disgrace to this family, I thought his playboy days were over!”

  “Mr Devanti, are you propositioning me?” she joked.

  “Of course, I am, I do a very good line rest rooms, would you care to join me?”

  This time it was Carries turn to laugh and he dipped her back in his arms.

  The band continued with some more slow tunes and they danced their way through a few more classics before the call of nature interrupted Carrie.

  “You will have to excuse me; I need to go to the bathroom, alone this time!”

  “You are excused but I will accompany you off the dance floor” he laughed at her bossy tone.

  He escorted her off the dance floor just as his father signalled to him.

  “I will wait for you with my parents, join me when you can.”

  She made the journey to the restroom without any incident. When she returned a short while later, Nico was in deep conversation with his parents. He had been looking out for her once more.

  “So, Carrie what do you think of our benefit evening?”

  “I have had an enjoyable evening, Mr Devanti thank you. I visited one of the habitat homes this week with Nico. It’s a very worthy cause.”

  “That is interesting Nico didn’t mention it but then again my son is a very busy man. It is so rare to have him at home especially for this long. Unless something has captured his attention.”

  “Mama” Nico interjected but his Mother continued.

  “Will your husband be joining us this evening? You are married aren’t you Carrie, I couldn’t help but notice your wedding rings”

  Carrie drew a sharp breath at this unexpected verbal assault.

  “Mrs Devanti, how observant of you,” she replied. “But no my husband won’t be joining us. I’m a widow you see. Now if you will excuse me, please enjoy the rest of your evening”

  She walked away her head held high and did not look back to see if Nico had followed her. Trying to blink away the tears that had filled her eyes. She would not breakdown in front of everyone.

  Nico soon caught up with her, grabbing her arm he opened a door and pulled her into a family room.

  “Let go of me,” she tried to pull away.

  “I’m sorry Carrie, listen to me.”

  “Why should I Nico?”

  “Hear me out, please.”

  They were in a large family room, lots of sofas an enormous large screen TV dominated one of the walls. Carrie perched on the edge of the sofa, keeping her distance from him.

  “God .. I feel like today I have been full of apologies, the gossip from this morning. The mix up with the table plan and now this! My Mother’s acerbic tongue. Putting it bluntly she thought that you were a married woman with whom I was publicly flirting with.”

  “Well isn’t that just great! How wonderful to have such a high opinion of someone you don’t even know”

  “I have put her straight Carrie, and she has apologised for any upset.”

  “Okay, I just wasn’t prepared for it. We were dancing in front of hundreds of people for goodness sake. Is that what everyone thinks?”

  He walked over towards her and tipped her chin back looking her straight in the eyes which were bright with her unshed tears.

  “Carrie, no that’s not what everyone thinks, my Mother was just being petty to have a snipe at me that backfired. I’m sorry let’s go back and continue dancing; I want you back in my arms. But I do understand if you want to leave.”

  She conceded. “I understand Nico but I guess I just got caught up in the magic for tonight. I don’t need to be reminded that I’m a widow. Let’s go dance but no more apologising, please! I think there have been enough of those said tonight.”

  The dress still looked as perfect as it did all those hours ago but she smoothed it again trying to remove any imaginary imperfections. They walked back to the grand hall, Nico with a protective arm linked through hers. They made a striking couple and drew the gaze of almost everyone in the room. She didn’t recognise the song the band was playing but within minutes she was back in the arms of Nico. For now that was all that really mattered. She knew she was playing with fire. Soon she would return home and be far removed from this world. It would be a tale to tell of feeling like a glamorous princess for an evening and dancing the night away. It wasn’t quite midnight but she felt aware like Cinderella the time would approach and she would return to her ‘rags’. Then normality for Carrie would encroach taking her away from this fairy-tale.

  “I’m sorry Carrie but I have to speak with a few people before the event finishes,” The song was drawing to an end. It appeared it was time for Cinderella to go home too.

  "Thank you for a lovely evening Nico, it’s been magical, my sister said I looked a million dollars, you made me feel like it too, even though it had a few bumpy moments today."

  He brushed a kiss against her temple.

  "You are welcome, it’s been memorable, tell your sister try 3/4 of a million that’s a closer mark" his thumb brushed against the lobe of her ear where the diamonds were glittering.

  "What? You a
re joking. I feel like I should have an armed guard with me now while I'm wearing them!"

  "I will protect you"

  Carrie looked into his eyes and something deep inside connected, bound her to him at that moment.

  Yes, she knew he would protect her.

  Across the room Dorothea Devanti observed the dancing couple as she had done at a distance for most of the evening. Her son was behaving completely out of character. Her earlier comments about Carries marital status had not earned her any favours with Nico.

  "The noise you hear Mama, is timber! Your 1st born, Mama has fallen hard for the mystery woman,"

  "I don’t believe it Paolo, only a few weeks ago we had dinner in New York with Nico and Lea. They seemed happy together. I thought we were planning a wedding the hints Lea was dropping about bridal gowns and a destination wedding of all things."

  "Ah but was any of this wedding news said in front of Nico?”

  “No I don’t think so; we were chatting as we usually do.”

  “There is your answer then, a wedding was what she wanted not Nico. Lea is yesterday's news; they are no longer together,”

  “Yes, your father told me that earlier but why? I don’t understand. What happened? I thought they were happy together?”

  “I don’t know Mama, Nico doesn’t share that information with me but by the looks of it I would say the lovely Carrie has something to do with it! But ask Chiara what’s going on. She is tight with Lea and will know who or what caused the breakup.”

  "I believe you; I know you would protect me.” She wanted to stay dancing in his arms but that wasn’t possible. “I’d like to go home, well back to the inn,"

  "If that's what you want, the night is still young,"

  "It’s time for me to go,"

  "Damn it. I can’t take you, I have to circulate there are some guests I need to speak with, but if that's what you want I can have Jay take you home?"

  She nodded.

  Acting on an impulse that she knew that sensible Carrie would probably regret, but in a few days she would be home and Nico would be charming someone else she guessed. Why did that thought pain her?

  "Why don’t you join me once this finishes?"

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes, after all I don’t think the Inns insurance covers this jewellery!” she tried to make light of her proposition. “You could help me take it off, plus my dress has lots of little hooks I won’t manage them on my own,"

  He gulped, “You want me to undress you?" letting out a slow breath.

  “Yes I do,"

  He took her hand and they walked back towards the main entrance. Occasionally stopping when someone wanted to speak with Nico. She noted that he had already discreetly signalled to Jay who was never far away. Nico’s parents were at the main entrance as hosts they were carrying out their duties in thanking and saying goodbye to the guests. Oh great just what she needed an opportunity to exchange more pleasantries with Nico’s mother.

  "Oh Carrie are you leaving so soon?" Dorothea said, after the briefest of air kiss to Carrie.

  "Yes, unfortunately I am but thank you for a lovely evening,"

  Nicos father kissed her cheek, "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we see more of you before you leave the Cape"

  Nico was standing protectively next to her. “I’m sure you will Dad, if I have any say in it.”

  "I feel we have gotten off on the wrong foot, would you like to join us tomorrow evening for dinner?," before she could reply Dorothea continued, "Nico will give you the details, "

  She guessed the Devanti’s were not used to being told no.

  "I will be with you no later than 2am, is that still okay?"

  She knew she could say no and he would accept her decision without any rebuff even though she had initiated it.

  "Yes, that’s okay,”

  There was a fire in his eyes full of promise for later at her resolve.

  “Until later”

  He watched her figure as Jay escorted her to the waiting car. She didn’t turn back. Didn’t trust herself to.

  Jay sensing that she wasn’t for talking let the soft music of the background negate the need to speak. The car passing the twinkling lights that lined the trees of the drive way. Within minutes they were back at the Inn.

  “Thank you Jay,”

  She picked up her key from the desk and informed a surprised Charlie that Nico would be returning. Her trained eye noted the bombshell but his years of working in the industry he hid it well. She guessed he had been told or requested worse things over the years.

  “Can I have a bucket of ice and two champagne glasses please?”

  “Will have that with you shortly,”

  With a smile she took the key and walked her slow steady steps back towards her room.

  Oh what had she done? Had she gone mad? Was the lack of intimate contact for sixteen months finally getting to her? All these questions and more raced through her head. A knock on the door and one of the night porters had brought the ice bucket and glasses interrupted her train of thought.

  “Thanks,” and she tipped a few dollars. Carrie was a tipper, working in hospitality she had appreciated the extra boost that tips could make to your salary. The bottle of champagne she had bought in Glasgow airport she removed from its gift box and wedged it into the ice to chill. She didn’t have a watch on but the alarm clock on the bedside illuminated it was a little after 1.00am. Nico would be here soon enough.

  After freshening in the bathroom she reapplied her lipstick, blotted it again then a light spray of perfume. The room was still as tidy from before. But the aroma of the large vase of white roses, gardenias and peonies from their make shift salon filled the room. Robin had added the candles too which Carrie lit. Her bag from earlier on the bed with her robe. It seemed like a life time ago now that she was preparing for the party. She hadn’t seen Monique before she left; too late to text she would contact her in the morning. Did she make up with Ted her high school sweetheart?

  CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

  She fluffed the pillows on the sofa, lit some more of the candles that the Inn provided and picked up ‘Rob’. It felt disloyal and heart breaking rolled all into one but she knew she couldn’t leave him out in the room when Nico would arrive. She opened the wardrobe and placed him in there. Out of sight but not out of mind.

  “I’m sorry Rob, forgive me”

  She could text her sister for re-assurance what she was doing was right but she knew she had to do this alone. She had to stop checking the time, it was only 1.30am. Opening the balcony doors she stood out on the aptly widows walk and stared at the twinkling stars. She had no wrap to cover her bare shoulders but she didn’t feel any cold. There was a knock on the door.

  Already?

  Opening the door Nico was standing in front of her.

  “Hello you,” he greeted her in their familiar way.

  “Hello you,” she returned, “You are early”

  “I couldn’t stay away”

  “Come on in, take a seat if you like” she gestured to the sofa. All at once nervous and jittery. She wasn’t some virgin but any experience she had was evaporating rapidly.

  “I have some champagne on ice; before you ask I bought in the airport it might not be quite cold enough”

  Nico opened the bottle and poured the gold liquid into the tall stemmed flutes.

  “What shall we toast to Carrie?”

  “I’m sure we can think of something, what do you suggest?”

  “I think we should keep it simple and toast to us and new beginnings”

  They clinked glasses.

  “To new beginnings”

  “You do realise I’m in the lair of the competition here?”

  “Ha, I don’t think Terri’s beautiful Inn is on the same par as the Devanti Group”

  “The room suits you, dark, romantic, dramatic”

  “Me? I don’t know if I agree with your analogy.”

  “I think you are all
that Carrie and more.”

  “When I booked the room, I thought the location was perfect but on arrival I soon gathered that I had must have picked the most romantic room the Inn had” she joked.

  “It’s very nice and tastefully done,”

  Carrie babbled on, “I think the bath and shower easily could fit two people”

  “Is that at proposition Carrie”

  “No err I well,”

  “I’m joking with you,”

  Their glasses empty Nico topped them again and Carrie led him out to the widows walk were the doors were still open.

  “Come look through the telescope at the night sky with me”

  She placed her glass on a side table and they stood on the little balcony and watched the stars together. Nico removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. She could smell his cologne again and her stomach flipped. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and they tried to guess which star was what in the clear sky.

  Carrie turned round to speak but her words stopped in her head before she could utter anything.

  “Carrie I,” then they kissed. They had managed twenty minutes of conversation without initiating any physical contact. But it couldn’t be suppressed the attraction they felt for each other. Slowly, gently he kissed her lips, cupping her face in his hands. They walked back into the room and Carrie closed the doors pulling shut the curtain. She removed the jacket from her shoulder and carefully folded it before laying it across the back of a chair. Buying a little time.

  “Nico, I’m a bit nervous,”

  “Why Carrie? I’m not that scary”

  “I uh, I told you I haven’t been with anyone since Rob died,”

  “I will be as slow or fast, hard or soft as you like” he said punctuating each word with a kiss to her neck and shoulder. She shivered at his touch.

  It was time to let go of her fears. The intimacy she had shared with Nico before at Moniques and tonight had been frantic. They had been consumed with need and want and lust in their spontaneity. This was different. Nico was sitting on the edge of the club chair and pulled her between his legs. She was face to face with him.