His Wife

by Ashley Hastings

  “It sounds like a dream to me.” I smiled as I said it.

  "I think you are going to love it there."

  Nathan went back to eating his steak as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell on me. I sat open-mouthed for a moment. He looked up and smiled at me as if he knew how confused I was. Stalling while I tried to think of a clever reply, I took a drink of my wine. What could he possibly mean by that? We were just two strangers sharing some time in New York City. As much as I loved this time with him, I wasn't dumb enough to expect more. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed mute.

  Nathan took me back to the hotel and gave me a lingering goodnight kiss outside of my door. I wanted to ask him into my room and see what would happen next, but suddenly I was shy. Tongue-tied and fumbling at the door, I stammered a good night, and I watched as he walked a few steps away from me. My heart sank. I was forlorn and missing him already, sure that I had blown my chance to make a great impression on him.

  Nathan turned around abruptly. "I know you probably have plans with your mother tomorrow, but I need to see you again."

  He hadn't asked a question, but elated, I nodded. "Yes! I would like to see you again, too."

  "I'll pick you up for breakfast at eight." He turned to go again, but suddenly he was back, pushing me against my door. He looked at me for a brief moment, seeming a bit puzzled. It was as if he was searching for something in my face. Was he as surprised by our sudden attraction to each other as I was?

  Nathan kissed me goodnight again. He waited until I unlocked the door, and had stepped across the threshold of my room. Then he was gone.

  Three

  My excitement was so great I barely slept that night. I kept reliving all of his touches and kisses, hugging my pillow, and smiling like a crazy person. At one point, I got up and did a happy dance across the room, and then leaped back on to the bed, giggling. I knew I was acting like a high school kid, but I couldn't help myself. No boy in my past had made me feel like this. I couldn't believe that this fairy tale was happening to me! It took forever to calm down and settle into sleep.

  Before I could fall asleep, I remembered the way Nathan had touched me so intimately, in the taxi. My hands retraced where his hands had gone, and I felt hot all over. Soon I was stroking my clit and imagining it was Nathan touching me. My back arched and my breathing deepened. My orgasm wasn't nearly as satisfying as the one Nathan had given me, but at least it allowed me to sleep at last.

  The next morning my mom knocked on my door bright and early. When I let her in, she looked me up and down with a critical eye. "What happened to you last night? Michael said some older man claiming to be your boyfriend ruined your date with him, and then you went off with that man."

  "Mom, please.” I rolled my eyes as I closed the door. “I wasn't on a date with Michael. You were supposed to be there with me, remember? You left me alone with him. Michael was obnoxious at dinner, and this man overheard everything he was saying to me. He stepped in and saved me from having to spend even more time with Michael."

  "And you just left with this complete stranger?" Her tone was incredulous, and she raised her eyebrows at me.

  She was concerned about me leaving with a stranger, but not concerned about making me go to dinner with a creep?

  "I did. His name is Nathan, and he was very nice. He took me to the Empire State Building, and then we got something to eat. No big deal."

  "Darby." My mom grabbed me by the shoulders. "He could be a serial killer. Or a con artist. At the very least, he just felt sorry for you. I thought I raised you to be smarter than this. Who goes running around New York City with a complete stranger?"

  Once again, I was struck mute. Her comments stung, as usual. My mom had just said I was stupid, and that the man I was crushing on felt sorry for me. I could always count on mom making me feel like crap.

  But was this not what I feared? No, I did not believe for a minute that Nathan was a serial killer or con artist. My mom had been watching too much Dateline. However, maybe he did feel sorry for me. After all, he was an older, sophisticated man with money and worldly experience. What was I? A young virgin fresh out of college who had barely dated, and never had the right words to say when I needed them. I was pathetic.

  Saddened by the direction of my thoughts, I moved away from my mother and sat down on the bed.

  Mom sighed, exasperated. "We will talk about this tonight." She moved away to check her hair in the mirror.

  As usual, my mom wasn't that interested in me, even if she thought I was being targeted by a serial killer.

  "There's a real estate seminar starting this morning, here in the hotel. You won't mind if I check that out, would you, Darby?"

  Again, I just stared at her. Seriously? We were supposed to be enjoying this trip together, celebrating my achievements. Instead, she was turning it into a work opportunity. She had to have planned this seminar in advance, and I noted that she was already dressed professionally, not like someone on vacation. I couldn’t help but feel depressed at yet more evidence of her indifference to her own daughter. However, this would give me a chance to spend time with Nathan without worrying about her opinion, or feeling guilty for doing my own thing.

  Finally, I spoke up.

  "Mom, we agreed we would spend time together on this trip. This is the second time now that you have found something else to do rather than spend time with me." I put my hands on my hips, and tried to find the words that would show my hurt.

  She shrugged. "You know how important my job is, Darby. This seminar is a great opportunity for me to network and learn some new tricks of the trade. Make some money for us. When you move home, we will have plenty of time to spend together."

  I rubbed my forehead while I tried to think of a suitable reply. Doormat Darby couldn't think of a rebuttal, as usual.

  Not that she waited for my answer. She was already sweeping out of the door. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her departure, but part of me was wondering about our relationship going forward. Now that I was an adult and out of school, did we even have a reason to keep trying to have a relationship? I supposed that soon we would be reduced to calling each other for Christmas and birthdays, and nothing more. The thought made me sad, but I knew I couldn’t make her care.

  An hour later Nathan arrived. He stood in my doorway holding a single red rose, and I took it with a smile. I appreciated his thoughtfulness.

  I was feeling great until I contrasted the way we were dressed.

  He looked divine in a polo shirt and dark pants, a sharp contrast to my basic yoga pants and long lacy shirt. I hadn't packed any dressier clothes for this trip because it was a vacation, and honestly, I didn't own any. My life was all about being a broke college student, and it showed. He took one look at my face, and pushed me back into my room and shut the door.

  "What's wrong? Are you having regrets about making plans with me today?" He backed me up against the bed, holding my face in his hands.

  "No, of course not. I'm just wondering why you are going to all this trouble to spend time with me." I kept my eyes down as I spoke.

  "Why wouldn't I want to spend time with you?" Puzzled by my words, he waited for my reply.

  "You could be with anybody. Surely there's somebody a little more interesting you would rather be with than me." I paused for a moment. "Somebody older, and more experienced."

  "You don't think I find you interesting?" His eyebrows furrowed as he gazed down at me.

  I shook my head. I was just your average Starbucks girl in my yoga pants, and hair in a bun. I was the definition of basic compared to him. He was somebody who belonged in a designer suit with a woman who was dripping with diamonds. My mom had to be right about him feeling sorry for me. I knew I was a pretty girl, but a girl was all I was. He was a grown man.

  Nathan lifted my chin to make me look at him.

  "Your youth is attractive to me. You are honest in all of your reactions. There's no bullshit with you, and that is very alluring to me
right now. There is nobody I would rather be with today than you, Darby. I promise you that." Nathan never broke eye contact as he spoke to me.

  I looked at him and I know my skepticism was apparent. He smiled as if he had reached some decision. "I guess I'll have to prove it to you."

  With that, he kissed me and pushed me down on to the bed. I gasped in surprise when my back hit the mattress, but I didn’t resist. He bent over, completely dominating me with his body, and rested on knee on the bed next to me. Still smiling, he thrust his hand between my thighs and began rubbing me firmly. Gasping, I grabbed his wrist, and he used his other hand to restrain both my wrists.

  "No, no, no, sweetheart. Be a good girl for me now."

  "Nate..." I had no air in my lungs. This was similar to the fantasy I had last night, in this very bed. All I knew was if he stopped now, I would die.

  He continued rubbing. His eyes never left my eyes, and there was such tenderness in his expression that I knew I was falling hard for him. This was no mere crush. This wasn't just an intense physical attraction. Somehow, someway, this was the real thing. His eyes were telling me to trust him, to give in to whatever was happening between us.

  Nathan removed his hand, and I mumbled a protest, reaching out to him. Laughing, he pushed his hand into my pants, underneath my panties. He began toying with my folds, his smile fading away. This was serious business, his eyes said. No time for smiling. He found the slickness waiting for him, and his lips parted just a little. He alternated between rubbing my clit and tracing my wet seam down to my backside. My head fell back.

  "Look at me. Don't you dare take your eyes off of me." His tone was forceful but kind, his intensity, unparalleled.

  I found his eyes again and began moaning. Who was this wanton virgin? I didn't recognize myself. He tried to slip one finger inside of me, but I was too tight. Nathan let go of my wrists and used that hand to manipulate my clit. I grew wetter and wetter. I could feel the moisture pooling between my thighs. He slid one finger inside of my body, and I clenched tightly around him. He grunted, never losing eye contact with me. Slowly he inserted another finger and pressed hard on my clit. I came with no warning, crying out and struggling to catch my breath.

  Apparently, I needed to work on my self-control.

  He kissed me hard and sat back while I adjusted my clothing. He lifted his fingers to his nose and inhaled, his eyes closing for a moment. He licked his fingers thoroughly and grunted again. That was so hot I almost came once more, and I whimpered and moved my hips restlessly. He was so intensely masculine at all times.

  He smiled, a very satisfied smile, although that didn't make sense. I knew he hadn't been "satisfied."

  "Nate, do you want me to- I mean, shouldn't I do something?" His smile grew wider, and he rubbed his nose against mine.

  "No, baby. Not now. I promised you breakfast. Let's go get something to eat."

  Flustered and unsure, I stared at him, the picture of anxiety. I couldn't help but feel like I had failed somehow.

  "I'm serious. One day soon I'm going to lose myself in your luscious body, make no mistake about that. We will spend hours together naked, getting to know each other. However, not today, I’m sad to say. Come on, let's go." He stood and held out his hand to me.

  Nathan pulled me from the bed and from the hotel room, still smiling that satisfied smile.

  He insisted that we eat light for breakfast, just fruit, and coffee. I understood why a little later when we arrived at a helipad.

  "Are we getting on a helicopter?" I was so excited I bounced on my toes and laughed.

  Nathan laughed with me and tugged me forward. "There's no better way to see the city than from above. There will be no worrying about crowds or traffic. Remember last night's view? Today will be even better."

  Soon we were soaring through the sky, and Nathan pointed out various attractions. We saw the Statue of Liberty and the new One Trade Center. He kissed me when I recognized the Empire State Building, and then he showed me the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. We even got a quick glance at Yankee Stadium. There were so many amazing sights laid out before us, but Nathan paid far more attention to me than the skyline. He seemed enthralled by my enthusiasm for the helicopter ride, and everything we were seeing.

  Nathan leaned into me, hard, demanding my full attention. Soon we were doing more kissing than looking at the city. We linked hands and enjoyed slow, deep, lingering kisses. My connection to him was growing. Surely, this was not just one-sided.

  As the pilot took us back to the helipad, Nathan kissed me again, hard. "Still think I don't find you interesting?”

  I considered his question and decided to be honest. “No, I really don’t.”

  He frowned at my answer. “I've never enjoyed New York City more than I have this morning. You are a wonderful companion, sweetheart. I'm so glad I found you."

  I laughed. “I’m glad you found me, too.”

  Nathan made it clear that the morning wasn't over, even though I didn't think it could get any better. We stopped at a tiny bakery for chocolate croissants and more coffee to make up for our skimpy breakfast, and we did a little window shopping. Then he took me to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which was definitely one of my bucket list items. I could have spent days inside the museum because there was so much to see.

  I eagerly pulled him from exhibit to exhibit.

  “Come on! There’s so much to see!” I was frantic to see as much as we could.

  "Don't try to cram it all in. We can come back again and again."

  Nathan was openly laughing at me now because I still didn't have the nerve to question his meaning. I shook it off and pulled him toward an exhibit about Chinese gardens. We wandered around like schoolchildren on a field trip for hours.

  “Look at these scroll paintings. These things have to be thousands of years old, but the paintings of the flowers are still so exquisite.” I bent over the glass display case as I spoke. When he didn’t reply, I looked up to find him studying me, not the artifacts.

  “What is it, Nathan?”

  “You are beautiful. I don’t think you know how much.” His voice had lowered and gentled, and despite the hundreds of visitors in this gallery, it felt like we were completely alone.

  I blushed and reached up and held his face. “I never expected my trip to the city to include you, but I’m glad it does.”

  A small child carrying a balloon bumped into me from behind, interrupting our moment. His harried mother apologized, and led him away, but the serious mood was broken.

  I grabbed Nathan’s hand and dragged him to the next exhibit.

  Later, I insisted on hot dogs and pretzels from a street vendor, and Nathan declared it the perfect late lunch for two. I thought that was generous of him because he looked like he was accustomed to eating in the most elegant restaurants, not someone who ate junk food prepared on the street.

  At one point, I caught him staring.

  “What is it?” I felt very self-conscious at his scrutiny.

  “You have a little dab of mustard right here.” He tapped me on the nose, and laughed as I blushed. Nathan held me still so he could wipe the mustard off, and then he kissed the tip of my nose.

  After eating, we walked the streets of the city hand-in-hand, watching the crazy street performers in action. My feet were tired, but my heart was full.

  Nathan and I stopped to rest in a little park. We sat side by side on a bench to do some people watching.

  "Darby, these last twenty-four hours with you have been wonderful." Nathan paused.

  He seemed so far away. I assumed he was about to tell me it was time for him to return to Mississippi, and this was our goodbye. I was seized by panic and something close to grief.

  "I've enjoyed myself more than I have in years." His face was so serious. Was that a note of finality in his voice?

  Another long pause. I tried to think of something to say, something to stop the words I was sure were coming next. I couldn't bear for this
to end.

  He continued speaking when I stayed silent. "I was married before. My first wife died in an accident about a year ago. I haven't really felt alive in a long time. You've changed that for me. You've brought real joy back into my life, and that is priceless to a man like me."

  I was surprised to hear about his wife's death, but not really surprised to hear he had been married. He was a catch. No way he would be single for long, unless by his own choice.

  "A man like you?" I didn’t understand why he said that.

  "A man who has wrapped himself in his business, and isolated himself from the rest of the world. I hate to admit it, but that's who I am." Nathan looked lonely in that moment.

  "Nate, I've really enjoyed my time with you, too. I don't know how to express to you just how much this time has meant to me." I leaned toward him, trying to find the right words to explain my feelings.

  What could I say about the death of his wife that wouldn't sound trite and meaningless? Sadly, nothing at all.

  "I'm sorry about your wife, but I'm so glad we met, and we've been able to spend this time together." I was relieved when Nathan took my hand in his. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and twirled one of my curls around his finger.

  "I really love the way you look at the world. I love your enthusiasm for New York. I need you in my life, to keep me from being so cynical all the time." His voice was low and serious.

  Nathan tapped me on the nose. His mood shifted again, lightening unexpectedly. "Now, Darby, I think it's high time I met your mother, don't you?"

  Four

  Nathan and I entered the hotel restaurant together. I squeezed his hand to convey my anxiety about this meeting.

  It was hard to believe that just a day ago that I was sitting in this same restaurant enduring an awful date with Michael. My, how things had changed.

  My mom was already sitting at the table, and she didn't see us approach. She was studying her phone, like usual. I had texted her earlier, asking her to meet me for dinner, and was surprised when she agreed. I didn't tell her that Nathan was joining us.