Prelude: Book One in The Interlude Duet

by Auden Dar

  “Do you have somewhere to go?” Julian asks innocently.

  “No, but it’s almost midnight. It seems like we just got here. As much as I would like to stay, I should call it a night. I’m a bit tired from traveling. Do you mind taking me back to the house?” The truth is, although I am tired, I can spend the entire night with him. Reminiscing, laughing, listening to music, enjoying wine and simply just be. And if I were single, I would love to spend the night making love.

  But I’m not single, and he is a childhood friend I’ve just reconnected with, someone I’ve fantasized about. My body seems to have a mind of its own around him, and although I would never cheat on Andrew, the thought alone makes me feel guilty. My host doesn’t hide his disappointment when he agrees to take me back to his father’s house. Rather than remain in the main cabin, I ask him to take me upstairs. “I would love to see the city lights on our way back.” We return to the marina with his chin on top of my head and his strong arms wrapped around my shoulders.

  This feels too right.

  Eighteen

  The car ride back is silent. A gnawing feeling has been bothering me for the past few hours.

  “Julian, do you mind if I ask you something personal?”

  “No, not at all. What’s on your mind?” He glances at me before returning his eyes to the road ahead.

  “Why aren’t you staying at your house? It’s not like there isn’t any room for you.”

  “It’s not my home. It’s Father’s house, and most of the time, it’s more convenient for me to stay at Stanford Park. It’s close to most of the offices I usually visit.”

  “Are you staying there this weekend?” I turn my body slightly his way, admiring his profile.

  “No, I’m actually staying at a hotel not far from the house. Why do you ask?” He eyes me and realizes that I am frowning.

  “Oh, I just thought it would be nice if you were also at the house.”

  As we make our way toward Pacific Heights, he gently reaches for my hand. “If it would make you feel better, I guess I can make an exception and stay at the house as well. Mugpie would like the extra room that the house affords.”

  “Really? I just feel weird not having you there.”

  “Yes, really. I’ll try to ignore all the statues and portraits of my stepmum,” he answers with a bit of exaggeration and then realizes he may have offended me. “I apologize. And I do understand. Sometimes, it still feels new to me as well. It hasn’t been the same since Mum’s death and with Caroline…” He stares ahead, unaware he’s still harboring the same sadness I saw fourteen years ago. His left hand is holding the steering wheel, and his right hand is still laced with mine. When I squeeze it gently, he says with tenderness, “I’ve really missed you, Lina.”

  Instead of driving directly to Marcel’s house, we make our way toward the Clift Hotel. The hotel, which is nearly a century old, captures the essence of San Francisco; it has all the amenities of a modern hotel, yet it has managed to maintain it’s old-world elegance.

  The deluxe suite surprises me. My thousand square feet bungalow in Santa Monica is about the same size as Julian’s suite. But it feels more like a home than a hotel suite. There are high ceilings, a state of the art entertainment center, and a formal dining room. My senses are on overload. Silk, velvet, leather, and glass are everywhere. It’s sexy in here. Somehow being alone in this space with Julian scares me.

  Oh, the things I would allow him to do with my body in this suite.

  Stop, Lina, stop.

  I scan the room, and when our eyes meet, I can’t help but turn away. I’m nervous. I just had a wonderful evening with him. Our platonic status didn’t prevent me from having another dirty image reminiscent of a scene from one of the X-rated films I recently watched. My body splayed on a large bed, my hands and feet tied to the posts as Julian slowly devours me. I shake my head.

  “Lina?” His deep voice interrupts my filthy mind hard at work.

  “Huh?”

  “I’m going to the bedroom to retrieve some things. Make yourself at home.”

  I watch him walk away, and I finally exhale. I need to fan myself. Hell, I need to pour freezing water over me.

  While trying to make myself comfortable, I notice an unframed photo on the desk. Studying the image, I realize it is Mugpie with a beautiful blond woman who I don’t recognize. Julian mentioned he didn’t have girlfriends, so who could this woman be?

  Lina, stop thinking too much. And then I think about how attracted I am to Julian. He’s the type of guy who would make a nun renounce her vows.

  If I weren’t engaged, would I hook up with Julian? I need to put these silly thoughts out of my head. Fifteen minutes go by. I glance at my watch and wonder what’s taking him so long. Suddenly, the front door opens. An attractive, young woman with Mugpie stands across the room. You see, you’re a stupid fool for thinking that someone as beautiful as Julian would have any romantic interest in you. Mugpie is by her side, panting as if he had been running a marathon. Slightly bending her knees to release him from the leash, she whispers something in his ear.

  “Hi,” she greets me warily as she eyes me up and down.

  “Oh, hello.” I place the photo back on the desk.

  “Is Julian here?” she asks with a Southern accent. “I didn’t think he would be returning to the hotel so soon.” She continues to eye me, and I begin to feel uncomfortable. In a matter of seconds, I recognize her as the woman in the photo. She’s even more beautiful in person.

  Cascades and cascades of thick, long, blond hair fall on her shoulders. Her height is not imposing, but she herself is. Her body is toned and athletic. She looks like she eats healthy, swims, runs, and does everything she needs to do to keep her body in shape. She has that All-American girl-next-door look, reminding me of a young Christie Brinkley. But most of all, even though she looks at me warily, there is something warm about her. Maybe because prior to letting him off his leash, Mugpie had been standing quite close to her, obviously comfortable with her. More importantly, she allowed him to lick the side of her face.

  Loud barking in the other room interrupts us. “No! No, Mugpie. Come back here.” With a pair of black Hogan shoes dangling from his mouth, the bulldog scurries along, trying to make his escape. Right behind Mugpie is Julian. Shirtless, shoeless and only wearing gray sweats, he is a sight I can’t stop gawking at. His damp hair and the traces of water running down along his chest force my mouth to open wider than possible. My eyes trail down to the deep V disappearing below his sweats, and I believe my jaw just dropped. He. Is. Insanely. Hot.

  Fuck me!

  Two pairs of eyes stare at me.

  Did I just say that out loud?

  “Excuse me?” he asks.

  “Oh, I just said, ‘stupid me.’ I forgot my manners and didn’t introduce myself to your girlfriend.”

  The Southern girl’s blue eyes bulge out. “Oh, no, no, no. I’m not his girlfriend. I’m Cecelia, his assistant. I didn’t know you guys were going to be here. I forgot Mugpie’s eye meds.” Cecelia is now the one that seems uncomfortable. “His allergies have worsened and his eyes are bloodshot red.” Mugpie finally puts down the pair of Hogan shoes and starts to snort loudly.

  Julian kneels to inspect his dog’s eyes. “My God, they are red. I’ll take care of the meds myself.” Now rising from his position, he says, “I meant to call you earlier. I’ve decided to stay at my father’s and would prefer that Mugpie be with us. Enjoy the weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday. Thank you.”

  “You’re staying there?” She looks at me and then offers a pensive smile. “Oh, okay. I’ll be at Sam’s place if you need me.” Turning to face me, she offers her hand. “It’s nice to meet you …”

  “Lina,” I say, before gladly accepting her hand.

  Cecelia’s grin is so wide I can’t help but notice how perfect her teeth are.

  “Well, it’s finally nice to meet you, Lina. I’ve heard all about you. We’ll be seeing more of each other
. Julian”−she turns to him and smiles−“don’t forget your Monday morning call with the developers. Have a great time at your father’s.” She tiptoes to kiss his right cheek, which he accepts warmly. She heads toward the door before turning around. Bending her knees, Cecelia summons Mugpie. The beast runs without hesitation, crooked and bumping into things before jumping on her. “Be a good boy. Love you, buddy.” Mugpie continues to lick her face between snorts.

  Closing the door gently allows me to gawk at Julian. The muscles on his back are prominent, and it takes every inch of me not to go over to him and touch it. He stretches his arms slightly, and I swear I am about to go into cardiac arrest just watching him. He turns around and … Sweet Jesus, he’s freeballing. He’s not wearing underwear, and with each stride he takes, his enormous bulge is flopping around.

  The revelation of knowing he’s commando under his sweats has my mind running in circles. Oh, shit has been transplanted on my face and his panty-dropping grin confirms it.

  “Are you okay, Lina?” He tilts his head to the side.

  No, I am not okay. I am a woman in heat.

  “Lina?” Moving closer, each step he takes makes my heart beat faster. We’re only a few inches apart. So close yet so far. And that bulge of his draws my mind blank.

  His clean scent wakes me. “Uh … yes. I … I guess I’m just a bit tired.”

  “I apologize for taking so long. I needed to shower before heading to Father’s. I’m pretty much packed.”

  The image of him naked in the shower has me tongue-tied. “O-o-okay.”

  I remain frozen in place, still daydreaming, when he walks over to the phone. “Larry, yes, I need the car, and I won’t be staying here. Oh, she did, did she? What did you tell her? Yes, I’ll call her shortly. Thank you.” Without a glance in my direction, he saunters to the bedroom. I don’t know what to do with myself, so I sit on the sofa next to Mugpie who looks like he’s ready to call it a night.

  I whisper in his ear, “I’m exhausted too. Salivating after your dad is tiring.”

  A few more minutes go by. An unfamiliar odor invades my space while seated next to this adorable bulldog. He growls a little, and I realize he just farted. It’s one of those silent yet stinky farts. With his huge dark brown eyes and his enormous wrinkled face that looks too big for his body, I can’t help but laugh because he looks like an old wrinkly man. I begin to stroke his back. Petting his wrinkled body has given Mugpie energy to sit up and lick my chin. “You like that, don’t you?” He lets out another fart. Umm. I didn’t expect to get so much action from a dog.

  “I knew he would love you too.” Julian has changed into a dark gray fitted t-shirt and dark jeans. When his phone rings, he looks at it with irritation. “Excuse me.”

  “Shira, I told you that I would call you later. But since you’re on the phone, I have the details to give you.” He pauses. “Well, I’m not staying at the Clift this weekend. I’ve changed my mind. I know, I know. I’ll be at my father’s. I’ll have a car pick you up tomorrow evening around seven. Don’t worry. Call Cecelia, and she’ll take care of the bill. Please don’t overdo it. It’s my father’s birthday celebration. It will be intimate. No, no, I can’t see you later. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Good night.”

  He looks embarrassed. “I apologize. That’s my date for tomorrow night.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know you have a girl…”

  He cuts me off immediately. “I don’t have a girlfriend. She’s just someone I see sometimes.”

  A strange and unfamiliar burning sensation comes over me. Am I jealous that Julian has someone who he sees? Why should I care?

  “Julian, please, don’t stay at the house especially since you will be with your ‘friend.’” I use my fingers to emphasize the word ‘friend.’ “I don’t want you to think you need to stay there because of me.”

  “Lina.” He hesitates for a second. “You’re the only reason I am staying at Father’s.” Before continuing his thought, he assesses my face before admitting, “I just hope you’re not going to be offended when you hear us fucking.”

  Nineteen

  What.

  The.

  Fuck?

  Did he say what I think he just said?

  Hear us fucking.

  Why the hell would he say that to me? Is he waiting for me to react in some way? Well, it did affect me. His words actually hurt, and I don’t understand why I should even care. He and I have shared a past. We grew up together, yet somehow the feelings I now have for him feel different. Well, the constant dirty images of him are sure indications that the feelings I have for him are definitely not sisterly.

  Let’s not forget my damp underwear.

  I turn my gaze and study the floor like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. “Uh, no … no, not at all.” Anyway, that house is enormous; there’s no way I would be able to hear people having sex.

  “Lina, if you only knew …” He doesn’t finish his thought. Instead, Julian takes his phone out of his pocket.

  After giving Cecelia instructions, he grabs his bag and walks over to the sofa where I am seated. Even with jeans on, his manhood is still noticeably in front of me. He reaches for my hand and helps me off the couch. Words remain unsaid as we make our way toward the set of elevators. The only sound heard besides the soft sound of Shirley Bassey’s voice is Mugpie’s snort. Contained within the four steel walls, I don’t know if it’s the wine I drank earlier that’s playing with my head but I begin to feel this electricity between us. It’s all in your head. He’s standing in one corner and I am at the other end. Mugpie is by his side. Even with the distance, his body heat warms me. My breathing quickens and I feel a little lightheaded. The elevator stops and a group of guests enter, forcing us to come closer. With my back facing him, Julian rests his right hand around my waist and whispers, “I apologize for snapping a few minutes ago.”

  I slowly turn my head and notice his sapphire eyes seem darker tonight. I return a small smile, letting him know his apology has been accepted. I continue to smile, and I see it. There’s something in the way he looks at me … that excites me. His captivating eyes are fixed on mine. The gray in his eyes has disappeared. His lips part briefly as if he were readying himself to kiss me. He tilts his head a bit, and my hands itch to touch his face.

  Stop, Lina, stop.

  In an instant, I turn my head to face the steel door. He continues to rest his hand around my waist, and it slowly makes its way down to my hips. I squirm a little not because I feel violated but because it feels right to have him touch me there. Moving my legs closer, I hope that the unfamiliar ache between my thighs subsides. The door finally opens and we leave along with the others. Remaining silent, the man who has me hot and bothered confidently takes my hand as we head out to the small but luxurious lobby of the hotel.

  As we approach the entrance doors, someone with a high-pitched voice calls out his name. We both turn around, and this Amazonian of a woman comes forward.

  At about six-foot-tall, she is seriously an Amazon. I stare up at her in awe because she’s gorgeous, and she looks like … Wonder Woman.

  “Who is this? Is she the reason you couldn’t see me tonight?” Cold, dark brown eyes stare down at me−practically shooting daggers. She shakes her long, thick, wavy dark hair and cocks her head. I swear if she had a gun, she would point it my way and quickly shoot it. No doubt she would be able to aim it correctly.

  “Christ, Shira, what the fuck are you doing here? I told you that I didn’t want to see you tonight.”

  Feeling a bit out of place, I slowly move away, but Julian grabs my hand. “No, stay.” Without taking his eyes off mine, he introduces me. “Shira, this is a dear family friend, Lina.”

  Dear family friend.

  That’s what I am to him.

  Lina, don’t forget the introduction.

  I take my hand out to shake hers, but she doesn’t budge, staring down at me as if she is ready to take me on like Rhonda Rousey. She continue
s to glare at me for a few long seconds.

  One word comes to mind.

  Bitch.

  Suddenly, it’s as if lightning just struck her. “Oh, a family friend. I just thought … well, it that doesn’t matter.” She gazes at Julian like a puppy wanting to be pet. “Baby, I’m sorry, I just needed to be with you tonight. It’s been so long, baby.”

  Don’t forget she called him ‘Baby.’

  “Excuse us, Lina, I’ll be right back.” He hands me Mugpie’s black leather leash and then proceeds to take the Amazonian bitch by the arm as they walk away. I wait awkwardly with Mugpie snorting. I’m grateful I can’t hear their conversation. Returning to Marcel’s home and calling it a night is all I want to do. Well, actually a session with my iPad and fingers as well. Julian’s head turns my way, holding a conversation while his eyes rest on mine. At the same time, she affectionately claims him by touching one of his arms while he remains stoic. A few long minutes go by before she kisses him on the lips and they part. When he heads toward me, I feel a sense of embarrassment.

  “Is she okay?” I ask.

  Is she going to hurt me? I think to myself.

  “Yes, I just promised to be with her tomorrow night.” He snickers. “That seemed to appease her.”

  Why remind me?

  “Oh.” What else could I say?

  Awkwardness hangs over us the entire time Julian, Mugpie and I wait for the valet to bring the Bondmobile around. Julian looks ahead while I stare at the ground. And for the first time since I’ve met this adorable bulldog, he’s quiet. The drive through San Francisco’s late-night traffic is silent as well with only the sounds of Mugpie’s light snoring in the background.