“Absolutely. You’re a magician, my Nina.”
She poured a little wine in a stem glass. Taking the glass, she swirled it around before bringing it to her nose to inhale the bouquet. “Just the right balance.” She held out the glass for Michael to breathe in. After one whiff, he grabbed her wrist and brought the glass under his nose again.
“The aroma is of fruit and … and something I can smell, but not quite put a name to. What is it?”
She gave him the glass. “Here, taste it, then you tell me.”
He inhaled once more, then took a sip, swirling it around in his mouth, eyes half-closed, the better to identify the ingredients. He swallowed, letting the aftertaste linger. “It’s fruity, sweet, but not too sweet. And … hmm, yes, I know that I smell; it’s honey.”
“Good, Michael. Right on.” She glanced at him, surprised. “Who taught you to taste and recognize wine?”
“Sophie.”
“Obviously. She’s a real expert.”
Nina wished the privilege of initiating him to the art of wine had been left to her. She would have loved to teach him. But there was no use getting resentful—there would always be areas in his past that she couldn’t share, that echoed in today, just as he was her present moment with no part in her yesterdays.
They placed the tray beside them on the bed, and Nina sat facing him, the comforter pulled up to her waist, one foot caressing the soft skin on the inside of his thigh. She took great pleasure in watching him enjoy the meal; the way he sipped his wine, speared a piece of toast on his fork to wipe the last of the salad dressing on his plate.
He dabbed his mouth with the napkin, folded it and placed it on the tray next to his plate. “That was delectable. I feel like a cigarette, but it’s a pity to ruin the good taste in my mouth.”
Nina got off the bed and was about to pick up the tray when he grabbed her hand. “Will you chase me away or may I stay the night?”
“You don’t have to ask. Please stay.” The wave of joy washed over her. She rummaged in the drawer of her bedside table and found what she was looking for. “Here. This is the key to my house. I don’t like closed doors between us.”
As he pulled her to him, she lost her balance and fell against his chest. Holding her face between his hands, he planted small kisses all over—her cheeks, the little hollow at her throat, her eyes. He held her in a strong embrace, kissing her, his tongue caressing hers. When he took away his mouth she was breathless, slightly dizzy from wine and passion.
“You may not believe this,” Michael said, “but I had exactly the same idea. I have the key to my house for you, too. It’s in the pocket of my jeans.” He stood and took the couple of strides to the recliner where Nina had placed their scattered garments.
Looking at him, she delighted in his natural ease, even when completely naked. He stood in half profile to her, and she admired everything she saw—all of him. And she thought how beautiful he was.
“Here.” He turned and held out his hand with a key between thumb and forefinger. Seeing her gaze at him, the look in her eyes, he tossed the key on the bed, came closer and, taking her hands, he pulled her to her feet.
“Take off your robe, Nina.” And he helped her by lowering the zipper, inch by slow inch. She dropped her arms to her sides, letting the garment slide off her shoulders. It fell to the floor, and she stood nude in front of him.
And he looked at her, not touching her, but loving her with his eyes. Her face and throat. They lingered a long moment on her breasts that felt heavy from desire, the tips growing taut under his look. His gaze wandered down her belly, to her hips bracketing the patch of golden curls, to her thighs. She averted her head, embarrassed at their fleshiness and the dimples of cellulite.
“Don’t turn away, Nina. Look at me.”
She did, and his eyes continued their voyage over her body.
“We’ve slept together, we’ve made love, I’ve seen you naked, but now I want to feast my eyes on you.” He took a step closer while he continued to take in every plane and angle, mound and valley.
Her skin burned where his look touched and lingered. Desire rose from the pit of her stomach, her thighs quivered; she was faint from wanting him.
His chest rose with an intake of breath. “You are lovely.” He closed the short distance between them, arms at his sides, and stood so near their bodies touched. “I love you. You’re magnificent. I love you, all of you.”
She moved closer, pressing her body to his, all shyness gone. “And you are beautiful. I love you. I will always love you.”
Chapter 34
Nina woke and stretched, enjoying the privilege to wake up in a house filled with the honey-yellow sunlight streaming in. Energized, despite the few hours’ sleep, she whistled out of tune while she made the bed and tidied up. In the bathroom she cried out from a burning sensation when she tried to pee. She badly needed to, but couldn’t. Only a few drops trickled out, and the pain was so fierce, it brought tears to her eyes. What on earth is this? What’s wrong with me? She hurriedly brushed her teeth and stood under the shower a few minutes. Then she went to look for Michael and found him having breakfast on the lanai. Nina glanced at the table. Seeing the spread of breads and jam and fruit, coffee and a pitcher of fruit juice she shuddered. She couldn’t eat a thing.
He looked at her as she sat opposite him by the table. “What?”
Surprised, her eyes met his.
He hung his head, pretending hurt feelings, but couldn’t hide the smile on his lips. “Are you angry with me for something? Or am I already relegated to the old shoe status since you’re so far away from me? And not even a good morning kiss?”
She stood and leaned across the table to buzz his cheek.
He caught her wrist. “What is it? You look so serious.”
Embarrassed and self-conscious she sat, gazing at a point above his head. “Oh Michael, it’s very annoying, and I feel such a fool. You have to help me.”
“Sure. What’s wrong?”
She felt a blush cover her throat and face. “I have this irritation and discomfort.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sweetie. Where do you have this irritation?”
“It’s very painful when I try to pee. It burns and itches all the time. I need some medication right away, but I don’t know any doctors here.” She said all this on a single breath. Too embarrassed to look at him she kept her eyes averted.
Michael came to sit next to her and turned her by the shoulders to face him. “Poor sweetheart.” She didn’t detect pity in his voice, but he certainly was amused. “Sounds like you have cystitis. What a nuisance.” He didn’t look worried. “This kind of thing often happens after sex, particularly, if you’ve gone without for some time. Unpleasant as blazes, but nothing to worry about; it’s treatable.”
She whined and disliked herself for it. “What am I going to do?”
“Nothing for the moment. I’ll call a colleague of mine, a gynecologist. He’ll run some tests and prescribe medication for you.”
“Darling, it would take forever. I can’t stand this for long. It’s painful, and I’m such a wimp.”
“No, you’re not. Do you have a fever?” With the back of his hand he felt her forehead, then shook his head. “You’re not warm. Let’s see now, I usually don’t prescribe for family and friends, but I’ll make an exception and write a prescription for you. How’s that?”
“Wonderful. Thanks.”
What a relief! She thought she’d have to go doctor hunting to get medication. Nina had a low threshold for pain, and this discomfort was unbearable. Michael said she didn’t have a temperature, but she shivered, feeling feverish.
Michael finished his coffee, placed the napkin next to the cup and left to get a prescription pad from his car, returning a few minutes later. He sat again a
nd wrote something on the pad, tore off the sheet and handed it to her. As she reached to take the paper he grabbed her wrist and grinned. “There’s a lesson to be learned from this, my Nina.”
“There is? What’s that?”
“You’ve got to use it or lose it.”
She made a face. “Please, darling, no jokes. Not right now.”
“All right. Have the prescription filled. You’ll get some caplets and a liquid for a sit bath.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s only seven-thirty. Do you know where to go this early?”
“I think the pharmacy at Walgreens is open twenty-four/seven.”
“You’re right. When you get back, take the medication, drink lots of fluids, use the liquid and go to bed for an hour or two.” He stood. “I have to rush, my first patient is at eight.”
Together they sauntered to his car, arms around each other.
“I’ll call around noon to see how you are.” When he planted a light kiss on her lips she shivered from the chills of her condition and Michael’s nearness.
Before he switched on the engine Nina asked, “Is it contagious? Can’t we make love now?”
He held her hand against his cheek. “No, we can’t, at least not before I get back tonight.”
She faked a smile.
“I’ll stop ribbing you.”
“Yes, you do that.”
“Take care,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
And he was off. Nina returned to the lanai, cleared the table, grabbed her purse and got behind the wheel. She made the trip to Walgreens in record time. This early, the traffic was easy, and all the lights cooperated. At the pharmacy she was in luck; she was the only customer, so the pharmacist filled her prescription right away. She was relieved and grateful that Walgreens stayed open around the clock. Thank the sky for Walgreens; in France I would have to wait and suffer.
At home again, she carefully read the instructions of use for the caplets, swallowed what was prescribed, drank a full tumbler of water and some grapefruit juice. Michael said to take lots of liquids, so she obeyed. She had an almost obsessive revulsion of being ill. She took good care of her body, and expected it to behave, not betray her by being unwell.
The pharmacist recommended that Nina take the sit bath in a plastic basin, not to stain the tub. She ran warm water in the basin and added some of the cobalt blue liquid. For the required half-hour she crouched in the water feeling silly. The stuff smelled strongly of sulfur. Afterward she showered to wash away the medication and the stench.
Despite a thorough scrubbing with a rough sponge, her behind and thighs glowed a bright blue color. Nothing she tried would remove or diminish it. She was stuck with a blue butt until time wore it off.
The discomfort was undiminished, and she still couldn’t pee. She was overcome by fatigue—from lack of sleep and the infection, she guessed. The cool sheets and soft pillows welcomed her as she went to bed, groaning with pleasure to be lying down.
Then she giggled—Michael will have a field day when he sees my blue behind.
The ringing of the phone woke Nina. She figured it must be Michael and made a mental check of her physical condition. She felt remarkably well and rested. The burning sensations were gone. In fact, she felt great. She’d slept long and deep. A dreamless sleep.
When she heard his voice, she remembered the production she had put on this morning because of the cystitis. A bit sheepish, she apologized.
“Sweetie, you’re forgiven. In fact, you were quite funny, so don’t worry. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“I do. I’m going to get up, have something to eat and work out or go for a walk. I need some exercise. The medication I took worked. I slept for almost two hours.”
“Good. It’s the infection that tired you, not the medication.”
“If you say so, Doctor. You know, the blue liquid …?”
“Yes.” After a pause he asked, “What about it?”
“I used it.”
“Obviously you were supposed to use it. It did the trick if you feel better, don’t you think?”
Thoughts tumbled around in her head like coins in a slot machine. Why can’t he understand what I mean? He’s a doctor, he should know what this stuff does. “Yes, I sat in that stinking bath for half an hour. Made me feel like a toad.”
He laughed quietly.
“It also turned my behind blue, and I can’t get the color to come off.”
“It does that, yes.” He still didn’t get it.
So she spelled it out. “I tried scrubbing it off. I used Mr. Clean with one of those pot scrubbers. I tried some washing powder on a brush. My butt is still blue. It’s also quite raw.”
She heard his roaring laughter long after she hung up.
After lunch Nina was restless. She’d been sedentary for a few days, now her body demanded energizing. She went for a long walk at a rapid pace and felt good about it, despite the heat.
Nina took roads that were familiar from before, walking past an empty lot on which a pair of burrowing owls nested, charmed by their touching faces. This time of year they made their homes in the ground, the parents on their perches anxiously shielding their offspring. The jacaranda had almost finished flowering. She loved the tree in spring and would have to wait a whole year for its generous profusion of blossoms, as blue as Michael’s eyes.
A shortcut home took Nina across Sophie’s back yard. When she was level with the lanai Sophie called. “Hey Nina. Have a good walk?”
“Hi. Yes, it was great.”
“Come on over.”
Nina closed the distance and entered the lanai. “How come you’re home in the middle of the afternoon?”
“I’m on phone duty. The calls are directed to my cell phone, so I don’t have to be in the office.” Sophie smiled. “Warm enough for you?”
Nina chuckled. “It sure is warm. I can’t wait to get in the pool to cool off.”
“Why don’t you sit for a minute, have something to drink.”
Nina sprawled against the cushions in a deep rattan chair and stretched her legs. “I wouldn’t mind a drink. Lots of water, no ice, please.”
While Sophie was inside, Nina unlaced and kicked off her running shoes and removed the socks. She wiped her face with a large handkerchief.
After returning, Sophie handed her a tall tumbler. “Did you enjoy your meeting with Oren Jones?”
Nina took small sips of the water, nodding while she drank. “Yes, I did. He gave me hope that I can leave all this ballast behind me. I liked him a lot.” After a pause she added, “We’ve made up, Michael and I.”
Smiling, Sophie leaned close. “Great news, Nina! I’m happy for you. Give it time, and everything works out.”
Nina glanced at her. “Michael’s asked me to be Godmother to his rose if it wins.”
Sophie’s face broke into a broad grin. “Really? That’s great. I remember Michael once telling me he always attends the Festival alone. Naturally, his sons and daughters-in-law are present, but as far as I know he’s never invited a female friend.” Sophie patted Nina’s hand. “Wow. And you get to be Godmother. That’s such an honor. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“I guess. I feel a bit out of my depth because I’ve never been to this kind of to-do. What’s it like, do you know?”
“Well, I’ve never been to one either, so I can’t tell you very much. Read the local pages in the newspaper. The Festival is an important event in town, so it gets good coverage in the press. Michael should tell you what to expect. Didn’t he?”
“He’s told me certain practical things and explained about the program. He wouldn’t know about the feminine side, like what to wear?”
Sophie opened eyes wide. “Of course! That’s important, particularly for you if
you’re going to name the rose. All eyes will be on you at that moment.” She quieted, lost in thought. “Something elegant but understated, cool but not too bare. I think you’ll hit on exactly the right thing.”
“I’m unprepared for this kind of event. Any suggestions where I should go shopping for a dress?”
“I’d start with Saks Fifth Avenue at Tower Mall. Once you’re on the mall, there are a few department stores and several good boutiques.” Sophie looked at her pointedly. “You haven’t left much time for finding something suitable; the Festival is the day after tomorrow.”
Nina sighed. “I couldn’t have done it earlier—until yesterday I didn’t know for sure whether I was going to attend. I dislike shopping when it’s a must.”
“You hardly have a choice. It wouldn’t be seemly to show up in one of your denim dresses.”
Nina grinned. After putting on her shoes she stood. “Surely not. I’ll go dress hunting first thing tomorrow. Thanks for the water and the advice.” She was perspiring and wiped her brow. “See you soon.” She patted Sophie’s shoulder, and let herself out through the lanai door, crossing the short distance to her own yard. On her lanai she stripped and dived into the pool, groaning with pleasure as the water washed over her, cooling her hot skin. The afternoon sunrays turned the water into molten gold. Nina felt strong and healthy.
Life had never been this good.
Chapter 35
Although she doubted the closet held anything she could wear to the Rose Festival, the next morning Nina spent a few minutes inspecting the unlikely collection of casual clothing. There was nothing remotely suitable there.
It was true what she’d said to Sophie—Nina disliked shopping when it was a must, but this time she had no choice.
The phone rang as she stood by the door between the den and the garage, making sure she had credit cards and checkbook. Glancing at the instrument, she decided to let the machine pick up.
“Nina, if you’re home, please answer.” Michael’s voice was tense. She crossed the room and picked up the handset from the kitchen counter. “Yes, darling. You caught me just as I was going out the door. What’s up?”
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