The Thrill of You

by Celeste O. Norfleet

  She took a deep breath and looked at him. At least he didn’t look as shell-shocked as he had earlier. “Okay, I’m done. Can I get you a drink or something?”

  “No, thank you,” he said, walking over to the balcony and stepping outside.

  She followed. “You don’t have to answer me right now. I know this is a big favor, so take your time. But I do need an answer soon because if you do decide to help me I’d need you to get to one of the facilities I picked out sooner rather than later.”

  He looked out at the scenery, then turned to her and finally spoke. “First of all, men, in general, don’t do it all the time.” She nodded slowly, relenting to his opinion. “Secondly, what’s the rush?”

  “I’ll be ovulating soon, and I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible. Like I said, sooner rather than later. A woman ovulates just one day, and my cycle is very regular, which means I’ll be, you know, ready for you soon.”

  He smiled, watching her squirm uneasily. “Why me?” he asked.

  “You have the particular attributes I want in my child.”

  “How do you know that?” he asked.

  “From conversations with you and my brother. And other ways,” she said, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with this line of questioning. She was prepared to talk about the process and the facilities, but not this. This was too personal, too intimate.

  “What other ways?” he asked.

  She took a deep breath. “I checked you out online.”

  “Don’t believe everything you read online.”

  “I believed this, it’s pretty irrefutable.”

  “Uh-uh, try again,” he said.

  She looked at him. She could tell that he knew she wasn’t telling him everything. He had the same look in his eyes her brother would have. Her background check revealed that before a few years ago he didn’t even exist. There was no computer footprint at all. That’s when she used one of those online detective-like agencies, but still nothing came up. “I did for real. There was a lot recently but nothing at all before what happened. So then I hired a private investigator. He asked around about you.”

  “And what exactly did he find?”

  “Like my brother, not a lot. He spoke with a few old friends, a couple of teachers and one of your college roommates, who actually turned out to be your brother’s roommate and not yours. But he assured me that everyone he talked with spoke very highly of you. You’re obviously a very nice person.”

  “And that is the particular attribute, I’m nice?” he asked.

  “You’re intelligent and you’re firmly grounded. You have a devoted character when it comes to your friends. You are compassionate and caring with strong convictions and values. You have a positive sense of self and a great sense of humor. You’re tall, attractive and, from what I’ve seen, you’re healthy and physically fit.”

  He nodded and walked back into the suite. “Okay, now tell me the real reason you want me to do this.”

  She shook her head; he was too much like her brother. “When my brother died you were more concerned about me and how I was doing. The next day after the memorial service you came by my apartment and brought me flowers. And even though we had only met once before, I instantly felt a sense of closeness with you. Then we sat and talked and did other things of course. By the way, I don’t jump into bed with just anybody.”

  He nodded. “I know.”

  “You were my brother’s friend. You made me laugh, something I hadn’t done in a while. You were there, and that touched me. You asked if there was anything you could do...”

  “This wasn’t exactly what I intended,” he said.

  “Yes, I know. I realize that but—”

  “Yeah, but...” he said. “Cyanna, you don’t really know me.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “We talked, we laughed and we made love, but you don’t know me.”

  His eyes were intense and piercing. She nodded. “I want this child, Mikhail. I will be a good mother.”

  He nodded. “I’m sure you will.”

  “I don’t know what else to say to convince you.”

  “Let me think about this,” he said. She nodded. He headed to the door, then turned back to her. “Cyanna, if I decline your proposal, what would you do, find another donor?”

  “I don’t know, probably. But right now I kind of put all my eggs in this basket, so to speak.” They smiled at her slight humor. The tension in the room slowly dissipated.

  “I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Do you want to get out of here and get something with me?” Mikhail asked. His sexy smile broadened.

  She nodded. “Yeah, I do.” She grabbed her purse and they left the room. “There’s a nice restaurant in the lobby if you want to—”

  “Actually, I was thinking about heading into town. There are a few nice, quiet spots. We can talk.”

  “Any place is good as long as they have dessert.”

  He nodded. “In that case, I know just the place.”

  Moments later they got into his car and headed to the center of town, Mikhail found a place to park on Main Street. They got out and walked a half block to his sister’s bakery, Nikita’s Café. Even though it was late in the afternoon, the place was still crowded. As soon as they walked in, the workers behind the counter waved and called out to him. One tall blonde woman with big puffy hair came around to greet them.

  “Hey, stranger, welcome back. We missed you the last few weeks. How are you?” She kissed Mikhail’s cheek and hugged him warmly.

  “Hi, Darcy. I’m doing well, thanks,” he said, looking around quickly.

  “I gather the newlyweds aren’t back yet.”

  “Not yet, but I expect them in the next few days. Nikita’s loving Alaska,” she said, then shook her head. “I still can’t believe my girl’s married, and to a Buchanan no less. Talk about oil and water mixing. But I have to say, I’ve never seen her happier.” She glanced at the woman standing at his side.

  “Darcy, this is a friend of mine, Cyanna Dupres. Cyanna, this is a dear old friend of the family, Darcy Richardson.”

  “Hey, I’m not that old, mister,” she said in an exaggerated Southern accent while swiping at his arm playfully. “Hi, Cyanna. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” The two women shook hands. “Are you guys here for lunch?” Darcy asked.

  Mikhail nodded. “I’ve never seen this place so crowded.”

  “Oh yeah, business is great. Sunup to sundown, they keep us jumping. Yesterday we sold everything except the four walls.” Darcy handed them menus and pointed to an empty seat in the far corner. “So, Cyanna, are you from around here?”

  “No, I’m not. I’m from New York.”

  Darcy nodded but looked slightly bothered. “New York, hmm. That’s funny—you look so familiar and your name is familiar, too.”

  “Cyanna is a concert violist. She performs—”

  “Oh my God, that’s it,” Darcy interrupted excitedly. “I saw you perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., about six months ago. Girl, you are awesome. You can seriously play that violin.”

  “Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Cyanna said.

  “Oh, I definitely did. From Bach to Stevie Wonder, girl, you rock. I loved it.”

  Cyanna smiled and chuckled happily. “Thank you, Darcy. That’s very kind of you.” Mikhail smiled proudly. Cyanna looked at him and noticed something different in his eyes.

  “Are you here in Key West to perform?” Darcy asked.

  “No, actually I’m taking a short hiatus from performing right now,” she said, opening her menu. “So, what’s good here?”

  “Everything,” Darcy said proudly. “Our special today is the afternoon tea. That’s a tarragon roasted chicken salad sandwich on nut-raisin bread. It includes a cinnamon s
cone with clotted cream and jam, sweetened iced tea and petits fours for dessert.”

  “That sounds delicious,” Cyanna said. “I’ll take that.”

  “I’ll have my usual, and better send the usual over to the marina along with a lunch special for Fannie,” Mikhail added.

  “Sure, no problem. I’ll get it right out,” Darcy said as she walked away from the table.

  Cyanna looked at Mikhail. “I didn’t know you knew what I did.”

  He nodded. “I even saw you perform. You were incredible.”

  “Thank you. When, where?” she asked curiously.

  “New York.”

  Her smile faded. She looked down at the table and then across the room. “I wondered what happened to you. You were gone when I got back. I didn’t know you came. You should have told me or come backstage.”

  “I didn’t want to distract you.”

  She nodded. “Thank you again for that night, for being there with me, for making...”

  “For making love?” he asked softly.

  She nodded. “Yes, and for making me feel something again. I guess I didn’t realize how much I missed just talking and being with someone. I’m usually alone. It’s funny. I practice and perform with a huge symphony orchestra accompaniment with dozens of people, but I’m always still alone onstage.”

  “You’re a featured artist. Is that a bad thing?”

  “No, no, of course not. I’ve worked very hard to be the best at what I do, but it’s just that at the end of the day, it still makes for a lonely, solitary existence.”

  He nodded. He knew lonely, and he knew solitude. “That’s why, isn’t it?”

  She looked at him, knowing he was talking about her wanting a baby. She nodded slowly. “Alone in the world without a family or close friends isn’t always a good thing.”

  “You’re not alone, Cyanna. I’m here for you, always.”

  Her heart trembled. The sincerity in his eyes was gripping. “Thank you,” she barely whispered.

  Moments later their food arrived. They ate, talking mostly about the sights and attractions in Key West. When they had finished eating, Darcy waived the bill. Mikhail left a large tip for their server. They stopped in the kitchen a moment and chatted with Darcy and Leroy, his sister’s sous chef, and then headed out.

  Just as they got to the car, Mikhail’s cell phone beeped. It was a text message from his cousin, Stephen. The first four words made him smile. What followed made him chuckle and nod. I have a son. Feel free to come and meet your new cousin at the hospital. “I have to go to the hospital,” Mikhail said.

  Cyanna looked at him, concerned.

  He smiled. “My cousins just had their first child. I’m gonna head over to see our new family member. I can drop you off at the hotel.” He opened the car door for her.

  She paused before getting in. “Um, actually, do you mind if I tag along and join you? I love babies.”

  “Sure, no problem,” he said.

  When they got to the hospital, Mikhail called his brother from the parking lot. By the time they got to the lobby, Dominik was waiting for them. The two brothers hugged and shook hands.

  “Cyanna, this is my brother, Dr. Dominik Coles. Dom, I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Cyanna—”

  “Dupres,” Dominik finished his brother’s introduction. “Ms. Dupres, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you perform. You are brilliant.”

  “Thank you, and please call me Cyanna.”

  Dominik nodded and smiled knowingly at his brother for a brief second. “I certainly will, Cyanna. So, bro, you ready to meet the newest addition to the Coles family?”

  “Yes, definitely. How’s everybody doing?” Mikhail asked as he took Cyanna’s hand and they all walked to the maternity ward.

  “Mia’s fine, the baby is beautiful and Stephen is a wreck.”

  The brothers chuckled. Mikhail glanced at Cyanna. “My brother just recently got married.”

  “Congratulations,” Cyanna said happily. “That’s wonderful.”

  “So how’s Shauna and married life?”

  Dominik beamed from ear to ear then chuckled. “Aw, man, Shauna is amazing and being married is fantastic. I can’t remember my life before her and never want to be without her. I never knew I could be this blissfully contented.”

  “I’m really happy for you, Dom.”

  Cyanna glanced from man to man as they walked. They were certainly brothers; the resemblance was remarkable. Both men were tall, powerfully built and strikingly handsome. They continued talking and joking. Cyanna began to notice how the women they passed all seemed to turn and stare at them.

  When they arrived at the maternity ward, three nurses were standing and talking at the main station. One stopped and immediately walked over to Dominik and Mikhail, personally escorting them to a private room. As soon as they walked inside, Cyanna saw a man sitting in a side chair with a tiny baby in his arms. He looked up and beamed with sparkling eyes. The woman lying in the bed smiled and greeted them softly. “Come on in and meet our son.”

  Mikhail introduced Cyanna to Stephen, Mia and Shauna, Dominik’s wife. Stephen introduced his son, Esteban Coles Morales, Jr. A collective sigh of overwhelming joy filled the room. Stephen gave the baby to Mia and hugged everyone. A few seconds later, Dominik was paged and left the room with Shauna. Mia offered to let Mikhail hold Esteban, but he declined. She asked if Cyanna wanted to hold the baby, and Cyanna readily agreed. She couldn’t resist. Mia placed Esteban in her arms, and Cyanna’s heart melted instantly. Mikhail watched Cyanna’s expression closely. It was pure elation and love. He could definitely see her desire to have a baby.

  If he said no to her request to have a baby, he knew she’d find another donor and there was no way he could handle that. His jaw tightened. He wondered if there was already someone waiting in the wings.

  They sat and talked for a while longer, then Mia’s two stepsisters, Nya and Janelle, walked in. Cyanna and Mikhail left shortly afterward. They walked through the hospital in silence. Once outside, Cyanna spoke. “Thank you for bringing me. Your new cousin is absolutely adorable, and your cousins are very generous for sharing their special moment with me.”

  “They’re good people,” Mikhail said, opening the car door.

  She nodded. “And they’re very much in love.”

  “Yes, they are.”

  “So how did they meet, childhood friends turned lovers?” Cyanna asked as they drove back to her hotel.

  Mikhail chuckled. “Hardly.” Then he told her about Stephen and Mia’s relationship, which had begun two years ago in the middle of Hurricane Ana. Afterward, he continued with his sister Natalia and her actor husband, David Montgomery, and then his sister Tatiana and music mogul Spencer Cage.

  They arrived at the hotel just as the rich red-and-purple hues of dusk shadowed the sky. They stopped in the lobby for a nightcap. After sitting at a small table, Cyanna shook her head, still amazed by Mikhail’s family.

  “Now tell me the truth—you’re exaggerating about your family, right?”

  “No, I’m not. Actually there’s more. My sister Nikita and my brother Dominik.” He told her about Nikita and her new husband, Chase Buchanan. He ended with Dominik and Shauna. Cyanna smiled and laughed the whole time. She could barely believe the wild, outrageous stories he told about his family’s romances. But at the end of each couple’s romance was a blissful happy ending.

  By the time he walked her back to her hotel room, they were back to talking about Stephen and Mia. “They seem so perfect for each other. I’m really happy for them and for Esteban. I guess I was right. A baby really does bring the ultimate joy to the heart,” she said, walking into her room. She dropped her purse on the sofa. Mikhail was still standing in the open doorway. “What’s wrong—are you
okay?”

  “Come here,” he whispered.

  She took a deep breath and tentatively walked toward him. He smiled, then reached up and touched her lower lip with the soft pad of his finger. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes. “Did you know that the lips and fingertips are the most sensitive parts of the human body?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Yeah, they are. The lips and fingertips are areas that have the highest amount of sensitivity receptors. So when I touch your lips with my finger like this, our sensitivity levels are spiking.”

  “Okay, I didn’t know that,” she muttered softly.

  “Yes,” he said just above a whisper.

  She looked at him curiously. She was confused. “Yes, what?”

  He smiled. “Yes, I’ll do it.”

  It took a few seconds, but what he had just agreed to do finally sunk in. Cyanna’s jaw dropped, her eyes widened and she beamed with joy. A second later she burst with happiness and jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. He held her so she wouldn’t fall. Her joyful glee was monumental. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ll set everything up and make sure everything goes smoothly for you. I promise.”

  He released her and set her down, shaking his head. “Wait, wait, hold up, there’s more. I want something.”

  “Yes, yes, yes to whatever you want. The answer is yes. When will you be able to leave, tomorrow?”

  “Cyanna, listen to me. Yes, I agree to do this, but on my terms. I have some conditions of my own.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to stop from screaming with joy. Her heart was pounding wildly and her insides shook with anticipation. “Okay, okay, what are the terms and conditions?”

  “First, I’d like you to answer a couple of questions. Is there another man in your life right now?”

  “No,” she said quickly.

  “Okay,” he said, nodding. “Had I declined your request, is there someone else you intended to ask?”