by Ju Ephraime
“No, you are not thinking of going out in this,” she began, hand on hip.
“Okay, I’ll find something else to wear.” She went through her closet and picked a pair of cream-colored slacks and a lime green top. Putting her hair in a hairband, she applied some mascara and lipstick. She left her brows alone even though they needed doing. She would have them done at the salon. Walking out of the bedroom, she presented herself for inspection.
“Will I do?” she asked.
“You’ll do,” she was told. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Where are we going, to Haircutters?”
“We are making a breakfast stop to get some food into you. You look as if the slightest wind would blow you away. When was the last time you ate?”
“Oh, I can’t remember. I’ve been in and out of it for a couple of days now.”
“You need to take better care of yourself, Franchesca, and don’t forget, I’m here when, and if, you want to discuss whatever is bothering you.”
“Nothing is bothering me, and you didn’t answer my question. Are we going to Haircutters?”
“No, I’m taking you to a spa I go to once a week. You are going to get the works, and it’s on me, so don’t even think of trying to pay for it. But first we’re going to your favorite restaurant, you know, the one with the magnificent view of the Mediterranean.”
“Oh, we’re going to Le Petit Nice. I’ll go to Le Petit Nice. I haven’t been in a while.”
They left her flat and drove into town. It was still early enough in the day, so the traffic was light. They made it into town in thirty minutes. On the weekends there would hardly be any parking, but today being a weekday. They were able to find a spot without any problem. They were seated as soon as they entered the restaurant.
“This is good. I needed this,” she admitted.
“I knew you’d come around to seeing things my way.”
“You are too bossy, Marcella. You need a brood of kids to boss around, but I’ll let you get away with it this one time. Tell me about work. What’s been happening since I’ve been gone for almost two weeks now?”
“There isn’t anything much to tell. I know there is a buzz going around that Orange Europe is acquiring a new partner. It’s all hush-hush, but from what I gather, it a huge investment firm. I don’t have any of the details.”
Franchesca knew it had to be Damon’s firm. She wished she hadn’t asked about work because the gloomy feeling was coming over her again. She had to do something to take her mind from where it insisted on going. “Can we go now? Suddenly, I’m not very hungry.”
“What! This is your favorite food—French toast and berries. Are you sure you’re not coming down with something?”
“I’m sure.”
“Well, in the years we’ve been hanging out together, I’ve never seen you not enjoy your French toast.”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything, Marcella. And if you keep bugging me, I’ll return home and let you enjoy your spa day alone. So are we going or not?”
“There you are. Some of your fire is coming back. Let’s get out of here.”
*****
They had a wonderful time at the spa. Five hours of pampering and body rejuvenation. First a deep tissue massage, then a sauna steam bath, then a rinse off in a freezing shower. This was followed by facials, shampoos, manicures, pedicures, brow threading, body waxing, and finally makeup.
She felt like a new woman when she walked out of there. She didn’t know how much all this had cost Marcella, but she would find some way to return the favor without appearing to. This was an expensive spa, and as much as she believed in an occasional splurge now and then, she doubted it would be to that extent. The unfortunate thing was, once you had it, you wanted it again, and she knew she’d be back, either alone or with Marcella.
She felt wonderful and beautiful at the same time. She wished Damon could see her now. She had to take this man out of her mind. They pulled up to her flat, and Marcella said she had to get back home.
“It was fun hanging out with you today. I had a good time, did you?”
“I sure did. We must do this again, Marcella.”
“We will. I’ll call you later, and please answer your phone, Franchesca. I don’t want to make another trip here to get you out of bed. And get some groceries for your pantry. There’s nothing edible in there. Talk with you later, girl.”
“Okay, Marcella, and thanks again for the wonderful day. I owe you.”
She was searching for her keys in her bag when she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She didn’t know why, but she turned around to look, and there he was, getting out of his vehicle.
She was in shock. For one minute she thought she was hallucinating, but when she saw that he had begun walking toward her, whatever held her in shock released her and she was running toward him. She threw herself into his arms and was thankful he was a strong man and could take her in stride.
They exchanged a passionate kiss before she came to her senses and pulled away from him.
“I thought you were going to be back in three days, Damon. It’s been six days. After the three days were up, I waited and waited. I thought you and your wife made up. I felt so abandoned, so alone. I haven’t been able to return to work. I tried once and was convinced I’d missed you, so I’ve been in bed for three straight days. Had it not been for my friend, Marcella, you would’ve found me in bed.”
His powerful arms tightened around her. “Oh, my precious darling, shhh.” She was crying hysterically, talking so fast he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
“No wonder you felt abandoned.” He rocked her gently, stroking her beautiful hair. “I love you, darling. You own my heart. There was no way I would abandon you. I tried calling, several times. I left you several messages. Why didn’t you answer your phone or return the call?”
“I’m a suspicious chicken. I didn’t want to hear your voice on the line breaking up with me, so I turned my phone off. I thought, if I didn’t answer, you’d come.”
“And I would have. Matter of fact I was on my way to you when I received a call from my mom. My dad suffered a minor stroke, and he was in the hospital. I turned around immediately and flew to Cornwall. There was not time to call you then.”
“Oh, Damon, please come inside. I’m so sorry. There I was feeling sorry for myself, and you were going through hell. Is he better now? Did he make a full recovery?”
“Yes, he’s doing much better. His doctor said he made a complete recovery, but my mom is not taking any chances. She has him on a strict regimen. But as much as my dad complains, I believe he secretly loves it. He has her undivided attention.”
“Oh, darling, it’s so good to see you… to hold you. Are you coming in?”
“Don’t you want to go to Tranquility instead? You’ve been in bed for three days. You need to get out and breathe some fresh air. A drive will do you good.”
“Don’t start trying to tell me what to do,” she said, giving him a punch on the arm. “But I’ll give you some leeway. I missed you too much.”
“Well, come on, let’s go. Do you want to take anything from here?”
“Why? I’ll be returning home later. I have to go to work tomorrow. I was only able to put in one day’s work last week. If I keep this up, I’ll soon be without a job, and I love my job.”
“Okay, far be it from me to be the cause of you losing your job.” They walked back to his vehicle, hand in hand.
He settled her in and then went to his side and got in. “I’m so used to taking care of you I forgot you are fully physically capable now.”
It felt so familiar sitting in the vehicle next to him she wanted to shout her happiness to the world. There was still the matter of his wife between them, but she had been hurt so much when she thought she would never see him again that she thought it was okay to live in a fool’s paradise for a little while.
They were soon pulling into the driveway of Tranquility. It fe
lt like coming home. How could something that went against all her morals feel so right? She made a decision not to beat herself up about the way she felt about Damon. This was just bigger than her.
Damon drove into the front of the garage and gave the keys to his yard boy. Turning to her, he lifted her into his arms, just like he’d done when she had first visited his home.
“I thought you said you remembered that I’m an able bodied person now. I can walk.”
“I know. But I love the feel of you in my arms. So let me indulge myself.”
“You know what, Damon? I agree with you. Let’s both indulge ourselves for the moment.”
“I don’t know about you, but I want more than the moment. I want it all.”
She wasn’t able to answer him because, just then, the front door opened, and just like before, Mrs. Flavene was standing in the doorway, a wide smile on her face. Behind her was Ange. Franchesca was overcome at how welcomed they made her feel.
“Good afternoon Mrs. Flavene. Hello, Ange.”
Damon proceeded into the house. When she thought he was going to go to her old room, he made a left instead of a right and walked into a part of the house she’d never been in before.
It was a beautiful sunken sitting room, with pink walls, covered wall to wall with powder blue carpet. The accessories were in gold-tone hardware. The draperies covering the window were done in layers of the two colors, trimmed in the same gold tone. One entire wall was taken up with a beautiful blue sectional and the same shade of pink on the walls covered the love seat and Rococo Revival fauteuil armchairs scattered about the room. It gave the place a fairytale atmosphere.
“This is beautiful, Damon. Wow! It’s like something out of a dream. You have an excellent decorator, or was this done by your wife?”
“No. When I built this home, Izzabella, and I were no longer together. You, my darling Franchesca, are the only woman to set foot inside this room. And as to your referring to Izzabella as my wife, she isn’t anymore. I’m a free man. What would you like to do with this free man?”
“How? When did it happen?”
“The very next day. That was why I was on my way to you to share the good news.”
“Oh, Damon,” was all she could say as she lifted her arms around his neck and gave him a fierce kiss.
“Is that all you can say? ‘Oh, Damon’? Don’t you think you have some making up to do?”
“Yes. My darling, let me make it up to you.”
“First, I have something for you,” he said as he stayed her with his hand.
“What! You brought me back something from Cornwall?”
“Yes and no. It’s in my pocket.”
She pushed her hand into his pocket and could feel the heat of his erection, but just when she thought he was referring to his penis, her fingers closed around a piece of paper. She withdrew her hand and brought out the paper. Looking down at it, she saw the official seal and read the divorce decree… She didn’t read any further. She had in her hand irrefutable proof that he was no longer married to Izzabella. She flew at him, anxious to rid him of his clothes.
“Oh, Damon, now I can make love to you with an easy conscience.”
“I didn’t know your conscience was bothering you when we made love. If that’s how you made love with a guilty conscience, then I’m in for a treat. But before you give me my treat, I have something I want to ask you. Will you marry me, Franchesca?”
“Yes! Yes! But are you certain you want to get married now? You only just gained your freedom.”
“No, darling. I’ve had my freedom for more than two years, in my mind anyway. But now I’ve found the other half of my heart, and I don’t intend to lose it.”
He took out a ring box from his other pocket and, taking her hand in his, went down on one knee, and asked her again, “Will you marry me, Franchesca LaCasse?”
“Yes, yes,” she said. “Oh, yes.”
“Give me your hand then.”
She held out her hand, and he slipped a beautiful emerald and diamond engagement ring onto her finger. Still holding onto her hand, he stood, brought her into the warmth of his body, and took her mouth in a kiss that had her panting when he finally allowed her to come up for air.
“Now, let’s go to my room so you can thank me properly and make up for the anguish you caused me for the past two weeks.”
“What two weeks? I thought it had only been six days.”
“Well, you thought wrong. I’ve been panting after you from the moment I saw you on your back on the track. I held back because I didn’t want to scare you away. When we came together in my office, it was like a drop of water on parched soil. It was quickly absorbed and hurting for more.”
“I thought the time went by very quickly. I was in so much pain myself the days and night rolled into one.”
“I was able to keep myself busy during the day, but the nights were sheer torture. I’m now going to take you to my bed and do with you all the things I envisioned in my head.”
“I was wondering why you brought me in here rather than your room or my old one.”
“I didn’t want the staff to know what I’m doing with you and when. They may guess, but I saw no need to broadcast it. Also, I wanted to present myself to you with no distraction. There’s no way I would’ve been able to have this discussion with a bed in the room. You are too much of a distraction. Feel what you do to me.”
He took her hand and placed it on his rampant cock, which was pulsing under her hand as if it had a life of its own.
“Torture? You don’t know a thing about torture. Here, let me show you.” She undid her slacks and let them fall to the floor. She stood in front of him wearing her top, only the red curls on her mons visible for his eyes.
“You were wearing no panties.”
“Yes, I was. They are attached to the slacks.”
“I don’t think so, you cock teaser.”
“I’m going to tease your cock until you beg for mercy.”
“No, you’re not.” And with a wicked grin, he said, “put your pants back on.”
“Why, she wanted to know.”
“You don’t want any of the staff seeing you in this state of undress.”
“Which staff, there’s no one else here,” but she complied and pulled her pants back on.
As she straightened to face him, he let out a growl and lifting her, tossed her over his shoulder, and went running from the room to his bedroom suite. It was a magnificent bedroom.
The room was done in gold and beige with splashes of stark white on the doors and window treatments. The bed ensemble was done in the same shades of beige and gold with a hint of white. Somehow the beige and gold gave the room a masculine feel, and the hints of white gave it an airiness that made it welcoming. Whoever had decorated the room knew Damon well. He had impeccable taste.
“I don’t want to ruin such a beautifully made bed.”
“No?” Giving her a slap on her backside, he placed her on top of the bed cover and covered her with his body as he proceeded to kiss her with those deep, hungry kisses that never failed to ignite a passion in her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Soon Franchesca was trying to get him out of his clothes, and he resisted her to the last minute, knowing it was getting her more and more excited. Tonight she planned on having things her way. She wanted him out of his mind with lust. She played on his body with her hands and mouth.
She was shaking with need, but she was determined to do this her way. He was hissing through his teeth every time she took him into her mouth. She did it just enough to bring him to the edge, and then she’d stop. When she sensed he was not able to take any more, she got off the bed and removed her clothes, one piece at a time in slow motion.
She knew it was turning him on by the way his cock would jerk, every new piece of clothing she removed. When she finally had only her panties on, she turned and was about to reach to pull them down, when he said, “Leave them on.” She turned back to
face him, his face taut and intent. She remained where she was standing, away from the bed, and watched as he got up and walked away.
She wondered if he was going to get a rubber. They had not bothered with one when they made love in his office, but she supposed they were too far-gone to think rationally that first time. She was on the pill, so there was no possibility of her getting pregnant, but he didn’t know that… He hadn’t asked.
She was soon brought back to the reality as her body reacted to the sight before her eyes. Damon had removed all his clothes, and he now stood naked before her in rampant splendor. Giving her a lascivious look, he began walking toward her, his erect penis bobbing as he walked. He was magnificent. Everywhere her eyes landed was perfection, and that package coming at her was too perfect to be real. Her body was on fire, throbbing in anticipation the closer he got to her.
God, how would she survive this? She had seen him naked before, but she was lying on the desk and had seen him only from the pelvis up. Now she was seeing the whole package. She wondered what he looked like from behind. As if he’d read her thoughts, he turned and walked into the sitting room.
Franchesca was speechless. She could not believe he was just as impressive going as he was coming. To be so gifted. He had the most perfect butt. It was the firmest butt she’d ever seen. When he walked, the muscles contracted, sinking in so deep half of his butt disappeared. It was a shade lighter than the rest of his body, but as if this was not enough, he had two of the deepest dimples she’d ever seen at the base of his spine.
She longed to sip her favorite wine from there. Just thinking about it, she almost had an orgasm. When he returned he had a bottle of champagne and one glass in his hand. Giving her a wicked grin, he poured champagne into the glass and brought it to her.
“Where’s your glass?”
“I don’t need a glass. I’ll drink from your body,” and with that, he lifted her and took her to the bed.