Bittersweet Deceit

by Blakely Bennett

I found it fascinating that butterflies had such a short life—mere days. Stay shot pictures of me as I perused all the information.

  When we accessed the next section, I gasped, “Wow!” The butterfly wonderland lay out before me. Trees filled the space and a vast variety of butterflies flew about. Classical music mixed with the sound of cascading waterfalls and streams provided the backdrop.

  “Oh, Stay.” I threw my arms around him. “I love it!”

  He moved the camera from between us and hugged me back.

  “I feel like a little kid on a new adventure,” I said. The same feeling I had at the concert re-emerged. “I didn’t know you were into photography.”

  “It’s an old hobby. I’ve been inspired to pick up again.” He winked at me.

  Two paths diverged in either direction and we went to the right. A black and yellow tiger butterfly lit on my arm and we watched it flap its wings. Stay shot pictures of it from different angles, a few with my smiling face in them.

  My eyes filled as I pushed back the emotion. It wasn’t sadness so much as awe because of the beauty of the place, and that fact that Stay thought to take me there.

  The butterfly flew away as we walked deeper into the environment. We crossed a bridge, and next to a small waterfall we found a bench and sat on it. Across from us several butterflies ate fruit from a hanging plate.

  “This place is amazing. Thank you so much for taking me here. Have you been here before?”

  “I haven’t. I found it while I was searching for something fun to do. Lainie, watching your face light up, there’s nothing like it.” With his arm around me, he drew me in for a kiss.

  His lips touching mine felt different. The chemistry still simmered but instead of flaring, it tugged on my emotions, pulling me into him in a new way. It was if he influenced my resolve with the love he felt for me. His feelings called me to open up and terrified me too.

  When we disengaged, he held my face and I rested my head in his hand and closed my eyes. He didn’t have to say the words. They floated all around on the wings of the butterflies. When I looked into his intense, blue eyes, the tears fell. He kissed my eyes, my cheeks, and then my lips again. We held each other tightly as if something on the horizon might force us apart.

  Other people milled around, but I hardly took notice.

  Stay stopped a father and daughter passing by. “Would you mind taking shot of us?”

  “Sure,” the man said.

  Stay showed him how to use the camera and we posed for a picture.

  “Smile,” the father said. He fired off a few shots. “You guys are a good looking couple.”

  “Thank you so much,” I said as the man handed the camera back to Stay.

  When another kind of butterfly landed on Stay’s knee, neither of us moved not wanting to disturb it. The Blue Morpho had iridescent, blue wings with black trim and white dots lining the outside of the top of the wing and red dots on the bottom. After it flew away, Stay and I explored the rest of the ecology hand in hand.

  We exited from the back and he said, “There’s more.” He led me through the gardens and across a suspension bridge that crossed a body of water.

  He showed me to the Lorikeets pavilion where we were able the hold and feed the colorful medium-sized birds. We took turns taking pictures of each other.

  Then we went to enjoy the hummingbirds. Entering the environment, we had to be very careful not to let any of the birds fly out. We sat on a bench and watched their antics. So fast, they would fly and dip into the water and soar away again. Stay focused his lens to get a good shot.

  After we sat there for a while, a humming bird decided that it liked my hair and kept buzzing around my ponytail and the side of my face. The odd sensation caused me to laugh. I tried to stay still as a crowd gathered to take shots, Stay included. Laughing and staying still didn’t go so well together. When the humming bird decided to try to steal one of my long hairs, chills took over. Between shaking and laughing, I doubt anyone got a really good shot but it amused me to know I could potentially be a part of so many photo albums.

  Once the bird gave up on my hair, the crowd dispersed.

  “Did you get any good ones?” I asked.

  Stay shuffled through the photos and said, “A bunch. Check this one out.”

  In the photo, I’m laughing, my eyes wide, and somehow Stay managed to get the bird in mid flap.

  “Wow, Stay, that’s very cool. I mean other than I look totally ridiculous.”

  “Not at all, OC, you look totally adorable. Look at the light in your eyes. I might have to frame this one. Are you ready?”

  “Sure,” I said, taking his hand.

  We went to the gift shop and Stay bought me a butterfly calendar. I planned to hang it in my office at the shop. “I love it. Thank you!” I spontaneously kissed him.

  After returning the kiss, he took a stray hair of mine and placed it behind my ear. He kissed my forehead and held the car door open for me. We both smiled from ear to ear.

  On the way back to my place, before he dropped me off, I said, “That was so much fun. I could totally do that again.”

  “Me too,” he said, taking my hand in his.

  “What time do you want me to come over?” I pulled my ponytail holder out and let the wind blow my hair.

  “I can come get you,” he said, driving down the street to my place.

  “No, I need to drive. I have brunch with Jacqs tomorrow morning.”

  “Right. Five o’clock, and bring a jacket in case it cools off.” He parked in front of my building and came around to open my door.

  Butterflies from the day attempted to swarm in my stomach. Again I felt the shift to the next level in our relationship, and I felt even less prepared for it than the last.

  “Come on, Lane, it’s all good.” He ran his fingers over my clenched eyebrows and smoothed them across my forehead. “Don’t do too much thinking before you get to my place. Promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  He gave me a light kiss goodbye and I waved to him as he drove out.

  Inside my apartment, I combed my refrigerator for something to eat. I picked one of the items Stay had previously purchased for me. Standing by the island, I ate a few bites of curry chicken salad.

  In my bedroom, I placed my phone on speaker and called Jacqs.

  “What’s up, girl?” she said. “How was the date? I thought it was all day?”

  “How did you know?” I could feel myself shaking my head.

  “Stay told Bond, who told me. So?”

  “Amazing. He took me to Butterfly World. Have you ever been?”

  “No but I’ve wanted to. Maybe we could get the gang to go.”

  “Maybe you should just take Red; it’s very romantic. Did you know Stay’s into photography?”

  “Yeah, some of the framed art photographs at Red’s are his.”

  Stay was like unwrapping a package only to find another box inside. “I had no idea.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you all along. He’s a very interesting guy.”

  “Yeah, you were right. So tomorrow? Here or there?” I straightened the sheet on the bed, tucking the bottom and sides.

  “Can we meet at your place? It’ll give us more privacy to chat.”

  “Good thinking.” Holding onto the ends, I whipped up the comforter and let float down in place.

  “I thought you had an all-day date.”

  “I’m heading over to his place at five. Do you know what he has in store for me?” I asked.

  “Nope, sorry, girl, but I want to hear all about it tomorrow.”

  I aligned the pillows and asked, “See you at ten?”

  “See you then. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  In the bathroom, I scrubbed the bottom of the tub and then filled it with warm water and lavender oil for a bath. It felt decadent and I vowed not to let my mother’s voice into my head. After relaxing for a while, I used the time I had left
to shave my legs, vagina, and arm pits. I showered as the bathwater ran out.

  I scoured my clothes for just the right jacket to compliment the blue and turquoise, color block, sheath dress I planned to wear. A navy bolero dressed up the look, but the short-cropped jean jacket made the outfit more casual. I chose sandals and the jean jacket.

  Downstairs, I unlatched the top on my Saturn Sky and let my hair dry on the way. A mantra played in my head the whole way over to Stay’s. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. No one is pressuring you. You can enjoy yourself without having to make promises or commitments. Have fun. Let the past stay there. Have fun. You can pick it apart again tomorrow. Shut up and just have fun. “Ahhh,” I yelled and that seemed to turn off the chant.

  Once at Stay’s I texted him.

  Me: Where should I park?

  Stayman: I’ll meet you downstairs and you can pull into my spot once I back out.

  Me: Are we going somewhere?

  For some reason I had assumed we were staying in.

  Stay: Yes. I’ll be right down.

  He entered the garage wearing brown slacks and an Asian style, cream, open-necked shirt. He looked incredibly sexy. Once he backed out his car, he came and opened the door of my Saturn after I parked in his spot.

  “Wow, look at you,” he said as I exited the car.

  “I was thinking the very same thing. You look incurably handsome.” I stepped up to him and put my arms around his neck.

  He kissed my shoulder and murmured, “You smell so good. Another dress from the shop?”

  “Yes,” I said, lifting my chin as he kissed up my neck. “Sam suggested I try it on.”

  He pushed me up against his car, my face in his hands and he inflamed me with his plundering.

  “Stay,” I said.

  “Yes, sweetheart.”

  “We’re blocking the way.” I pointed to the car waiting behind his Corvette. I gathered my purse and coat and with a click of a button the convertible closed and the doors locked.

  He held the passenger door open for me and then jogged around to his side of the car. As he drove out of the garage, he said, “You’re legs look incredible in that dress, and I love what you’ve done with your hair.”

  I had twisted the top sides of my hair and pulled it back into a barrette. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. Where are we going?”

  “Downtown Fort Lauderdale but that’s all I’m saying.”

  “Two surprises in one day? I love it.” I relaxed into the seat and watched the scenery pass by.

  Stay drove into a parking garage at Las Olas Riverfront. We walked to the water and down the boardwalk. People had gathered to board a water taxi. Stay walked up to the booth and purchased two tickets.

  “We’re going on there?” I asked, pointing at the yellow, twenty-six passenger water taxi with a yellow and blue awning.

  “You’re not afraid of the water, are you?”

  I laughed and said, “No, this is great! So where are we going?”

  “That’s the next surprise.”

  “Woohoo,” I called out. “I sure do hope it includes food because I’m getting hungry.”

  “You won’t be disappointed,” he said as he assisted me into the boat.

  “I don’t see how I possibly could with you along.”

  “You flatter me, and please don’t feel like you need to stop on my account,” he said and then patted my rump.

  “You better behave,” I said, taking a seat near the back of the vessel.

  “Never.”

  I hoped he meant it.

  He held my jacket out for me once the taxi started down New River.

  “Thanks,” I said, snuggling back against him. “You’re spoiling me.”

  “That’s my master plan. I told you, Lainie, my new goal in life is to see you as happy as you were at the concert, as often as possible.”

  “You’re brilliant at it,” I said, laying my arms across his, which circled my stomach. “I have no idea why you think I deserve it. Don’t worry; I have no plans to try to talk you out of it.”

  “That’s good because there’s no chance of that happening.”

  Downtown Fort Lauderdale sped by on either side of the river. After going under a railroad bridge, a large, blue, two-story restaurant with a cupola on top loomed in front of us. Dark-brown, shellacked picnic tables with large, green umbrellas overhead lined the dock along the perimeter of The Pirate Republic Seafood & Grill.

  “Are we getting out? That was short,” I said, hoping we would though. The aromas from the restaurant were torturing my stomach.

  “Yes, I thought we would take a longer ride after dinner,” he said, giving me his hand as I stepped out of the taxi.

  “Oh, I hope we get a table along the water,” I said, turning around and taking in the view of the big, lush trees across the way.

  “Come,” he said.

  I curled my arm around his and we approached the hostess stand. She helped two other couples first and then directed us to a table along the water’s edge.

  We sat on opposite sides of the large picnic table, which held condiments and napkins.

  “What’s good?” I asked, perusing the menu.

  “Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve never been here.”

  “Well it sure looks interesting. If I may?” I asked.

  “Go for it.”

  “I’m a huge garlic fan but I won’t eat it unless you do so we cancel each other out.”

  He looked up and said, “So you want to get the garlic spiced shrimp appetizer?”

  “And the calamari.”

  “Which sauce?”

  “Do you think they’ll bring them all for us to try?” I asked, searching around for a server.

  “Let’s find out. Is there anything else?” He touched my arm.

  His question sparked a whole myriad of images in my mind, all of which had nothing to do with food. I rubbed my lips together and said, “Let’s start with that and see if we’re still hungry.”

  “Perfect. I have dessert waiting back at home.”

  The electricity in his look had me wondering if he meant an actual sweet dessert or what he planned to do to me later.

  “It kills me when you look at me that way,” Stay said.

  “And what way would that be?” I asked, angling my head.

  “A look that tells me you want me to take you right here, on this table.”

  The server came over to take our order, and as she did, I kicked off my sandal and did something completely bold, especially for me. With my foot I fondled the front of Stay’s pants. After she walked away, I said, “I thought so. Just checking.” I slid my foot back into my shoe and folded my hands in front of me like a steeple.

  He furrowed his brow and said, “You’re going to pay for that, Lane.”

  “Uh-huh. You’re a big talker.”

  “Go to the bathroom and take off your underwear. Make sure to dip your fingers into your honeypot for me to taste when you get back.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  His expression said otherwise.

  “You don’t think I will,” I said, sitting up straighter.

  “I guess we’re about to find out.”

  I took my purse and sauntered away. My nipples hardened further on my walk to find the restroom. I not only took off my panties, I removed my bra as well. If he wanted to play, I had no plans to lose. In the stall I penetrated my wetness and coated two fingers. With my other hand, I tweaked my nipples so they would be obvious through my dress.

  As I approached the table, Stay whistled. Apparently he noticed. “Put your foot back,” he ordered.

  I held out my fingers to him and fulfilled his request. I wiggled my toes against his zipper.

  He breathed in my scent. “You were already wet, as I expected. You should wear a bra less often, but only with me.”

  “How do you mean?”

  He licked the tip of my finger and then sucked it into his mouth.

&nb
sp; I groaned.

  We abruptly parted when our drinks and the calamari were delivered.

  “We need to eat quickly and head back,” he said, his head down and looking at me through the top of his eyes.

  “We can have them wrap up the other dish,” I said, desperately wanting to be alone with Stay again.

  “Are you serious?”

  I held up my arm and our server came over. “Can you wrap up the shrimp dish to go? And what time is the next taxi going back?”

  “Sure. It should be here in ten minutes or so.”

  “Thank you.” When she walked away I said, “I’m sorry to cut our water taxi ride short.”

  “No you’re not and neither am I. We’ll just do it another time.”

  We ate the calamari, trying the different sauces, and kept an eye out for the taxi returning for the short ride back to Stay’s car.

  Once back to the parking garage, neither of us spoke. The frenzied energy between us hadn’t lessened with food or the water taxi ride. Inside the car, we met in the center, his hand up my dress our tongues meeting in a duel of savage aggression.

  “Have you christened this—oh that feels good—this car?” I panted.

  “No. Jesus, Lane, you’re already so wet.”

  I tugged on his pants, working his zipper down.

  He said, “What are you doing?”

  I ignored the inane question and freed his cock.

  He quickly got on board and kicked opened the passenger side door. With his legs out the side, he lay down across the bucket seats and held his arms out to me.

  I shimmied the bottom of my dress up around my hips and lowered over him.

  “Oh Jesus,” he grunted.

  Our frantic pace felt like we couldn’t find relief fast enough. The intense friction brought me right up to brim until we heard a car door shut. We froze, both of us breathing heavily.

  I giggled against his chest, shaking on top of him.

  “Let’s get home,” he said, helping me off his lap.

  “Good idea,” I said, shocked by my own behavior. “You’re dangerous.”

  “Me? Honey, I think it’s a joint effort.” He fastened his pants and started the car.

  I smoothed down my skirt and checked my hair on the mirror on the visor. “Yeah, I don’t know. Don’t speed but get us back there quickly.”