by Pilar Lepe
“Goodnight.” Mark said with a lower voice than usual.
The three of them turned around harshly, and the sick man, though his condition, stared fixedly at Mark.
“You came!” Janet Taylor said excitedly.
George Taylor walked towards them and looked at Mark who was taller than him. The old man was about to hug him, but when he realized the cold look on Mark’s face, she didn’t.
Mark, ignoring his grandparents walked towards the bed.
“Ma...Mark.” He could barely speak and tried to raise his hand. “Mark, son...for...gi...ve...me.”
“Don’t talk, you’ll get tired.” He hold him, and he realized it wasn’t hatred he felt for is father, but pity.
“I need to ask you to for...give me. I’m lea..ving.”
“I forgave you a long time ago.” He lied. What good was it now to tell him everything if he was dying? There was no time to ask why he hadn’t looked for him, to see him again, to get to know him.
“Eve...Eve.”
“I’m here.” She said walking towards him. It was shocking to see him like this, a man who before was handsome, and now dying in bed. It was so harsh. Josh was still young, but he looked so much older.
“You’re beau...ti...ful. Plea...se for...gi...ve me for e..very...thing I did to you.”
“I have, but it was only because you gave me a wonderful son.” Evelyn couldn’t be as nice to him as her son.
The lady, who was looking at scene in silence, went closer.
“This is Sally, Josh’s wife.” Janet introduced her.
Neither of them greeted her.
“It’s my fault.” She said nervously. “Josh asked me to look for you months ago and I didn’t want to, I told him you wouldn’t want to know anything about him.”
“That doesn’t matter anymore...”
The nurse told them it was time to leave because it was almost midnight, she interrupted the conversation, Evelyn was thankful she did. The place depressed her, especially because she had to see people she never wanted to see again.
Mark leaned over to his father who had tears in his eyes.
“I’ll be here tomorrow morning.” He said softly and without thinking about it, he squeezed his hand. At this gesture, the man tried to tighten his hand, but he was too weak. “Get some rest.”
After a brief dismissal in which there was no affectionate gesture at all, they left quickly to try to get the elevator before everyone. When they got to the main hall, Evelyn froze: Nick was leaning on the counter talking to a nurse.
Chapter 22
“Hello, I was asking the nurse if she had seen a beautiful blonde with a young couple.”
“What are you doing here? Are you following me?”
“I came to take you for a drink, or coffee, or whatever you want.”
“I’m tired.”
“Mark!” Mark and Deb were walking away. “Can I borrow your mother?”
“You don’t have to ask me.” He said smiling.
“What do you say? Say yes.”
“Fine, but just for a little while.”
“Here is the address.” Mark said giving Evelyn a card.
Evelyn looked at the card and put it in her pocket; she frowned because it wasn’t the address to the hotel. Nick saw her expression and told her in a whisper.
“He probably gave you the address to an apartment the Harrisons have here in the city, I think it’s where they used to live before moving to California. They never sold it, probably they wanted to give it to Deb.”
“Oh!”
“Well Miss Thomas, shall we go?”
Evelyn took Nick by the arm he so elegantly set out when a familiar voice called her, she turned and wasn’t surprised to see Sam.
“Sam! It’s so good to see you.”
“How are you? What brings you here?”
“I’m fine, I came with Mark...his father Josh Taylor is here at the hospital. Oh! Sorry, let me introduce Nick Andretos, a friend from California.”
“Andreatos?” Sam asked while shaking Nick’s hand. “As in the restaurant?”
“Yes and no.” Nick answered shaking his hand. “It’s the same last name, but the restaurant was my brother’s.”
“And what’s wrong with Taylor?” Sam asked driving all his attention towards Evelyn.
“His mother said it was cancer but I’m not too sure, he’s very sick and asked to see Mark before he dies.”
“Evelyn, I’m...” Sam was saying, ignoring Nick who was looking at them suspiciously.
“Sam, I’m ready!” A tall woman with black hair said from behind. She was wearing a white robe, she was probably a doctor.
“We’re leaving.” Evelyn said hanging herself from Nick’s arm. “It was nice to see you Sam, I’m happy you’re doing great.” She said looking at the other woman.
“What was that about?” Nick asked when they were out in the street.
“An old friend.”
“Just a friend? It seemed like there was something more, I saw the way he looked at you.”
“That was a while ago.”
“And the kids?”
“They left when you were talking to your friend.”
“I haven’t been to New York in a while and now that I’m here, I won’t have time to see anything.”
“Why don’t you stay a couple of days? We could go to the theater, the park, shopping, wherever you want to go.”
“Impossible.” She said looking at him tenderly at his intention to convince her. “This trip wasn’t planned; I have to talk to Sarah if I want to take a longer trip so she’d know what to do on her own. She’ll be responsible when I go to Greece.
“When are you going?”
“Soon.” Evelyn said while making a gesture to stop the cab. “Where are we going?”
“To my hotel, I meant, the bar at my hotel, don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried, I just like to be prepared first.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t like surprises, the madness, getting out of the routine.”
Evelyn thought about what Nick had said. It was true, she liked man who were spontaneous, that surprised her.
“Bingo.” He said looking at her. “You like to be surprised. Then stay for a couple of days.”
“”It’s different. When it comes to work I’m very organized, I don’t manage my shop like I manage my personal life.”
“Fine, I won’t insist over that, but we will do it some other time.”
They were silent until they reached the entrance of Ritz Carlton Hotel, Evelyn didn’t say anything but she was impressed even before getting out of the cab. They started walking until Nick remembered his briefcase and ran towards the taxi to stop it.
“If I lose this, I’m dead.”
“I imagine your documents must be very important.”
“Yes, but it will be worse if I lose them, I have my clothes here for tomorrow’s meeting.”
Evelyn laughed but she felt something in her stomach when she saw his hair all over the place and his messed up shirt from the race. He looked extremely sexy, she swallowed and hoped he hadn’t realized how she was looking at him.
The bar was empty.
“I think it’s a little late.” Evelyn said looking at her watch.
“So it seems, but we could go up to my bedroom for a while, I’ll take you afterwards. Unless you...”
“Unless what?”
“Unless you’re scared of being with me alone.”
Evelyn noticed at his challenging attitude, she knew she would put herself out there is she went up with him, but she was curious to see where this was going, so she agreed.
I am way past the innocent age.” She said and let him lead her to his bedroom.
Chapter 23
When they went into the bedroom, Evelyn felt like a country girl, she wasn’t ready for so much luxury, she had only seen this in decoration magazines and tried to hide it from Nick, who surely he would laugh at her.
“I’m fine.”
“With your purse in your hand all the time, ready to run away any minute huh?”
Evelyn blushed, he had noticed. That’s exactly what she was planning to do.
“Can I use your bathroom?”
“Of course, I’ll get drinks while you’re there. What would you like to drink?”
“Whiskey on the rocks.” She answered more confident than how she was really feeling.
Inside the bathroom, she looked at herself in the mirror and asked herself what she was doing there, you like him, that’s why you’re here, a little sensual voice she did not recognize responded her. After all, she was an adult with no strings attached and she hadn’t been with anyone in months.
Nick had the drinks ready on the table and he had lowered the lights and he had put on blues music. Evelyn thought he’d probably known this routine by heart.
Evelyn looked around and didn’t see Nick. Where had he gone?
“Nick! Nick!”
“I’m here.” He responded. “I’m at the balcony.”
“What a beautiful view.” Evelyn said getting closer.
“Yes, I like to see it at night, I like to see the lights reflecting in the water. Look over there, Statue of Liberty, have you been up there?”
“Yes, and I’m scared of heights, so I didn’t enjoy it.”
“Party pooper! That’s not the answer I was expecting.”
“Oh! Sorry” She said laughing.
“You know what?” He asked dangerously getting closer to her. “I don’t like your hair like that.”
Nick reached his hand and took the pin off her hair letting it fall down her back. Evelyn swallowed, she thought he’s kiss her for a moment, but he didn’t. She wanted it to happen but she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
“That’s better.” He continued. “Come on, I have the drinks ready. Do you want me to get you a sandwich?”
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t eaten anything since one. I think I’m hungry.”
“I’ll ask room service, I’m hungry too to be honest, I only had breakfast today and we’re going to drink.”
“OK, I’ll take that sandwich.” Evelyn said sipping her whiskey.
Nick went to make the call, then he came back smiling taking Evelyn by the hand making her get up from the couch.
“What if we dance until our late dinner comes?”
“I’m not a very good dancer.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll take the lead.”
Evelyn didn’t resist and she let herself go in Nick’s arms that held her by the waist and he looked straight into her eyes.
“You’re nervous.”
“No.” she lied. “I’m cold, I miss California.”
“We have air conditioner.” He said laughing.
They kept dancing, Evelyn didn’t want to admit she was nervous because she wanted to be with him there, in his arms with his face so closed to hers; it would be so easy to run her fingers through his hair, but she had to be careful, she didn’t know what she wanted from her that night. Even though it was cold outside, she was very warm.
Nick opened the door to let the stewardess into the room with their food. She offered to serve them the food, but he said it wasn’t necessary, that they could manage. The lady, after getting a very generous tip, said goodnight and left smiling.
On the cart, there were two plates covered, a jar of juice and two beers. Also a plate full of tropical fruit.
“Let’s see what we got here.” Nick said removing the covers from the plates. “I hope this is as good as it looks.”
“Let’s dig in then.”
“I ordered them the way I like it, I hope it doesn’t bother you. Roast beef, tomato, and avocado because I love it.”
“It is so good.” Evelyn said with her mouth full. “I love avocado.”
Nick served the beers into two tall glasses and sat beside Evelyn, he ate slowly because he was busy looking at her; the way she licked her lips, it was very sensual. Suddenly he felt a stretch in his pants and he took the napkin to cover it. Evelyn without realizing what she was provoking, sighed of satisfaction when the plate was empty.
“I think I have no room for the fruit.”
“Wait.” He said reaching out for her hand. “Don’t move.”
With a quick movement, Nick wiped a piece of avocado left on her chin, Evelyn took the napkin to clean herself but he took his finger to his mouth and licked it. She felt not butterflies, elephants in her stomach with this erotic gesture.
Nick dropped his napkin and got closer to Evelyn, they both stood there frozen, trying to understand the signs they were sending to one another.
“I don’t want fruit either.” Said Nick breaking the silence. “I want something else right now.”
“What?” Evelyn could barely talk.
“You don’t know?” His face was so close now. “Do you want it?”
“I think so.” She said
“Think?”
“I mean, yes. Stop talking, if you’re going to kiss me, do it now.”
Obediently, Nick kissed her. At first gently, however kiss took him by the neck making the kiss more passionate. His tongue touched her lips making her want more. He was playing with her mouth and then searched for her tongue. It was an erotic type of dance.
Anxious hands running through each other’s bodies and Nick prisoning her into the couch, but he remembered her history and controlled himself, he didn’t want to scare her because he really liked her a lot. She wanted to be with him but she noticed he was holding back, maybe he didn’t like her enough.
“Nick, are you regretting this?”
Chapter 24
Nick stopped at Evelyn’s words, he kissed her nose and looked into her eyes, she looked adorable with that expression.
“Why do you say that? I want you Eve, I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
“So don’t hold back, you’re killing me.”
In silence he got up of the sofa and looked over at her, she stood up and kissed him eagerly. He took her by her left butt to carry her, she put her legs around his waist to get him closer, he walked towards the bed tumbling while carrying her.
They fell laughing in the bed and Evelyn took advantage of the situation to sit on top of Nick and started to take her clothes off, but he stopped her when she got to her bra, he wanted to admire her prisoned breasts, then he slowly took the straps off, when her naked breast showed with pink nipples, he stood up a bit to take one with his mouth while touching the other one with his fingertips.
Evelyn felt chills all over her body every time Nick liked her nipple, everything was going so fast and she was about to burst, she didn’t want to rush it and she distracted him unbuttoning his shirt to take it off.
Nick let Evelyn take his shirt off and quickly turned over to be on top of Evelyn, they kissed again and she ran her fingers through his arms; he couldn’t help to feel powerful when he heard her moan. He stood up to take his pants off, then hers. When they were completely naked, Nick looked into her eyes very seriously.
“Are you sure?”
“Like never before.” She said reaching out for him.
Nick laid on top gently and took his fingers to her hair.
“The sun’s reflection in your hair makes a halo on your head.”
“You observed me that much?”
“Yes, you didn’t observe me?”
“No” She lied laughing
Nick kissed her, all jokes aside now and they gave into passion and tenderness, with eagerness and patience, as if there was no tomorrow, just this moment and they had to enjoy every minute of it. Evelyn thought that maybe it will be the only time she would be with Nick, because if he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t call her again. Nick was thinking on ways to keep seducing her because he had her, and he never wanted lose her. He had waited a long time for a woman like her.
After their bodies relaxed in a war
m hug. Evelyn slept on Nick’s chest, it was as if she had never felt so comfortable with a man like this. Nick smiled when he heard her snore softly, it almost sounded like a cat. Finally, he fell asleep, it was so delicious having a woman in his arms.
Evelyn opened her eyes. They room was only lightened by the exterior light. She tried to look at her watch to see the time but it was dark to see it, then she tried to get up but Nick’s leg had her trapped. She tried to move slowly to not wake him up. She managed to sit up to look the digital watch from the room, it was quarter to six. She had to go, she didn’t want to face Nick, she wanted to avoid seeing his regretful face when wakes up realizing it was a mistake.
She slid out of bed and picked her clothes up and got out of there silently. Then she got dressed as quickly as she could and didn’t even bother to check on her messed up make-up from the night before and her hair all tangled up. At the lobby, someone called a cab smiling at Evelyn, which she thanked. She didn’t want Nick to wake up and look for her, though deep down she knew it probably wouldn’t happen.
The Harrison’s apartment was just blocks away from the hotel. It was an old building but really well re-modeled. At first sight it looked really exclusive, one of those that wouldn’t allow pets. Evelyn thought how she wouldn’t fit in with her mess and how she couldn’t leave Simba, the closest place to her style would be Williamsburg or East Village. She smiled embarrassed as her heels echoed through the halls.
When she got to apartment 317, she knocked softly. How would she explain the kids about not sleeping here last night? A man she barely recognized opened the door. She was used to see her boy, not the man he had become, someone who was capable of overcoming anything, someone that could even give her a lecture.
“I was worried.” He said
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I was going to stay out.”
“This is New York mom, not the town we live in where everyone knows each other.”
“I said I was sorry, and don’t forget I’m a grown woman and I can decide for myself.”
“I don’t care what you do with your life, that’s your problem. I’m just asking you to phone when you’re not gonna come home.”
“And why didn’t you call if you were so worried?”