“If there’s a G-string and two pasties in here, I’m going to smack you.”
He smirked. “Damn. I didn’t even think of that. It would have been worth the pain.”
Rakell pulled the white tissue paper out of the bag and her fingers touched silky fabric. The garment was a deep red color. She held her breath as she lifted the delicate dress from the bag. She gasped when she held the dress up with both hands and watched the fabric unfurl. “Jerzy…It’s perfect.”
“I described your figure to the saleswoman. I hope you feel comfortable in it.”
Rakell smiled playfully, tempted to ask Jerzy how he described her body to the saleswoman. “I’ll go try it on and we’ll see. Would you like something to drink?” She stood.
“I’m fine, thanks.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m just ready to see you in that dress.”
Rakell laughed and walked away to her room with an extra swish to her hips. She rolled her eyes and chuckled at herself when she realized how she was acting. She’d never been so sexually flirtatious with a man before. Probably because she’d never felt so sexually frustrated before. Growing up in a religious and authoritarian home, she’d learned to repress carnal desires. Even after a year and a half now of no sex, her latest experiences dating men did not leave her wanting them the way she wanted Jerzy. Though her eyes appreciated their handsomeness, her body remained cold. There was something more between Jerzy and her that Rakell couldn’t explain. Rakell went into her bathroom, removed her casual wear and slipped into the red dress in front of the wide bathroom mirror.
The dress had wide shoulder straps as well as a halter strap that went behind the neck. The bodice fit her chest perfectly and the tailoring of the dress slimmed her middle. The luscious red fabric floated away from her body at the hips and ended just above her knee. Rakell turned around and looked over her shoulder. The dress had a long inverted triangle cutout made of red lace that started at the neck, went down her back, and ended at her tailbone. She studied her butt in the mirror. “It’s never looked better,” she whispered to herself. She faced the mirror again and grinned. How did he pick out such a perfect dress for me? It was like he knew her body, knew her better than she knew herself. It was a frightening, beautiful feeling. Rakell found some bobby pins and put her hair up in the back, leaving the curls out around her forehead and at her temples. She ran to her closet and found a pair of bronze open-toed heels. As she moved around her room for her clutch and an extra spritz of perfume, the fabric of the dress slid across her thighs and hugged at her breasts in a way that stirred her longing. It was like Jerzy was touching those places of her via the dress. With a confidence she’d never felt before, she went back to the living room to reveal her dress to Jerzy.
His mouth fell open when he saw her. His warm green eyes scanned over every part of her again and again as he stood from the couch and walked towards her. Rakell turned in a circle so that he could appreciate her from all angles. Smiling, Jerzy stood a foot away from her with his hands held in loose fists at his sides, as if to restrain himself from touching her. Speechless, he closed the space between them and leaned in for a kiss. Rakell lifted her chin and parted her mouth in anticipation. She was caught off guard when he kissed her on the cheek instead. “We’ve gotta make it out of this house,” he murmured against her cheek.
Rakell laughed. “Okay.” She took his hand, he laced his fingers with hers, and she led them out of the townhouse. In her driveway, parked behind her red Acura TL, was shiny all-black new model Camaro. Jerzy opened the passenger door for her. Rakell slid into the warm black leather seat. Jerzy got in and started the car. The deep rumble of the engine took Rakell by surprise. As Jerzy reached for the gearshift, Rakell saw his eyes sneak a glance at her thigh. She turned her face and looked out her window to hide her grin. She expected him to peel out of her neighborhood and show off the power of his Camaro, but Jerzy rolled out of the driveway and began a smooth ride to the city.
“Can I get a hint about where you’re taking me?”
“You’re going to the best Polish restaurant in Philly.”
“Mmm, I love pierogies. So, are you…?”
“Polish? Yes. Third generation.”
“Do you speak Polish fluently?”
“Yep.”
“I could tell that you speak another language. You have a very faint accent at times.”
Jerzy glanced at her and thickened his accent considerably. “Do you like it?”
She pressed her lips together to quell her smile. “I think you know the answer to that.”
Jerzy turned his smiling eyes back to the road and gave the Camaro more gas. Fifteen minutes later they were downtown. Jerzy drove up an alley behind two buildings and parked his car in a spot marked ‘Reserved’.
“You’re not afraid you’ll get towed?”
“Not from my own parking space.” Jerzy could see the questions rolling around in Rakell’s mind. He didn’t offer any answers for fear it would ruin the surprise. He got out and opened her door. She stepped out, her bronze heels sparkling in contrast to the black asphalt. With his hand at the small of her back, they walked toward the busy sidewalk at the end of the alley. Rakell could see older couples dressed in suits and dresses going past on their way to a restaurant, museum or a show. She saw groups of twenty-somethings hurrying to bars and clubs in their tight jeans and leather jackets. A young couple walked past, arm in arm. The boy was tall, lean, and pale with tattoos that went up his neck and met his curly black hair. The girl was blond and reminded Rakell of Alisa the receptionist.
A sudden spike of anxiety hit Rakell in the chest and sucked the air from her lungs. Her legs came to a halt and tears clouded her eyes as her mind received a dose of reality: If anyone from the college saw her with Jerzy tonight, she could be fired. She doubted she’d be able to quietly resign. The story would be too juicy to keep under wraps, especially because of the color of her skin. It would hit campus, the local news, even the national news. It would reach Marshall, her mother and brother, and the deans and presidents of other schools. This could haunt her and Jerzy for the rest of their lives.
“What’s wrong, Rakell?” Jerzy stood in front of her, his back to the bustling sidewalk ahead, and searched her eyes.
Standing in Jerzy’s shadow, Rakell began to tremble. “I can’t.”
“You’re shaking.” Jerzy gently rubbed her shoulders. “Talk to me.”
“Take me home. I can’t be seen with you.”
Jerzy paused. He nodded, understanding. “Where I’m taking you there won’t be anyone from school. I promise.”
“They’re going to think I’m irresponsible, immoral, a whore…” Rakell could barely catch her breath.
“You’re not any of that, Sweetheart.”
Rakell felt dizzy. She grabbed onto the waist of Jerzy’s black button down shirt. “I…I need to go…I think I’m gonna faint or something.”
“Rakell, you need to breath.”
She felt lightheaded. Jerzy’s face began to blur and sway in her vision. “I…” Her legs began to go limp.
Jerzy wrapped his arm around her waist and held her against him. “No, Rakell. Breathe, please. You gotta breathe.” He began to panic as he watched her eyes become unfocused. Jerzy shoved his hand between her thighs. He got the desired response, a gasp. His hot fingers moved further up her red dress. He found the crotch of her panties and massaged his thumb against her lips. He found her clit. Her response was a bigger gasp and her eyes widened and focused in on his. He added a little more pressure and speed to his intimate touch.
Rakell dug her fingers into his side and grabbed his wrist with the other hand. “Stop,” she breathed. She was panting. Her body was hot from arousal and shame.
The palm of his hand and the pads of his fingers brushed across her inner thigh as he slipped his hand away. “I didn’t want you to pass out. Please don’t be mad at me or feel embarrassed.” He hugged her closer.
Rakell looked away from hi
m and down at an oily puddle on the ground. “How can I not be embarrassed? I let you put your hand up my dress in a dirty alley in front of dozens of people.”
“Look at me. No one saw anything. And if there’s anyone that you should think less of for this, it’s me. Not you.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m stupid.” He frowned.
A small smile pulled at Rakell’s lips. “No you’re not. Not more stupid than I am, anyway. I don’t know why I agreed to go out to dinner with you. If anyone sees us…”
“I know.” Jerzy held her face in his hands. “I promise to protect you, no matter what. Do you trust me?”
“I trust you,” Rakell heard herself say.
“Okay. Come on. Let me feed you,” he smiled. He put his arm around her shoulder and Rakell ducked her head against his firm chest as they walked to the end of the alley and entered the current of people on the sidewalk. A few strides later, Jerzy stopped in front of a restaurant with soft white light glowing behind the white rice paper shades in its windows. The name of the restaurant was in a clean black contemporary font, framed by a red kiss print.
“Smak,” Rakell read the name aloud.
“It means ‘flavor’ in Polish.” Jerzy’s arm slipped from around her waist to reach inside his pants pocket. He pulled out a set of keys and began to unlock the door.
Rakell’s eyebrows jumped up. “This is your family’s restaurant?”
He smiled. “This is my restaurant.”
“Wow! You own this?” Rakell stepped inside the restaurant. “This place is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” He locked the door behind them.
The dining furniture was all black teak and black leather. The square tables were covered with pristine white table clothes. Red and clear crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and a few accent walls were wallpapered with a modern European folk art flower pattern in white and red. The place was classy and inviting, but it was empty on a Friday night.
“Why haven’t you opened yet? It’s already 8.”
He took both her hands in his. “I closed the restaurant for a private dinner with a special guest.”
“What?” Rakell shook her head. “Don’t do this. Don’t let me interfere with your business, your livelihood, and your employees’ livelihoods. I’m not that important. I’d rather have dinner at my place.”
“I let my evening staff have the night off, paid vacation. Two of my chefs and my best waiter are here. I wanted you to feel safe. Essentially, it’s just you and me in this restaurant. I promised to protect you, right? That’s what I’m doing. I’m also spoiling you, which can’t be helped.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed the top of it.
Despite the joyous fluttering in her stomach, Rakell was afraid. She pulled her hands away. “I’d prefer that you didn’t spoil me. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to feel like I owe you, and I definitely don’t want you to feel that I owe you something at the end of the night.”
Jerzy shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “I thought you said you trusted me. Now suddenly I’m sleazy again?”
She felt guilty at the sight of his disappointed expression. She hung her head. “It’s not you. I do feel like I can trust you, but I don’t trust my feelings. My trust has been betrayed too many times.” She lifted her gaze.
“I understand completely.” Jerzy studied her sincerely. His deep voice warmed her. “Have dinner with me.”
“Yes,” she answered.
He directed her to a table at the middle of the room. There was a single red rose lying on the white table cloth. Once Jerzy pushed her chair in and she was seated, she picked up the rose, inhaled its fresh fragrance and pressed its soft petals against her lips. Jerzy sat across from her and admired her for a moment before calling the waiter from the kitchen. Jerzy ordered wine, pierogi and quite a few other dishes Rakell had never heard of before.
“How did you come to own this amazing restaurant? You’re only 23.”
Jerzy chuckled. “Apparently you’ve done some research on me already. You know my age.”
She laughed. “You caught me. I looked up your age in the school database, but that’s all I know. I didn’t Facebook stalk you, I swear.”
“I’ve made my own money since I was 12 years old reselling videogames and action figurines I bought at thrift stores and garage sales. I was always a bright, resourceful kid. One entrepreneurial business led to another and another until finally when I was 19 I was making six figures as founder of a dating website and owner of two music stores in Allentown. For two years I did whatever I wanted. I thought I was invincible. I moved to Philly, rented a penthouse apartment, I drank, I partied, I wrecked my Thunderbird twice, and my parents were reasonably worried about me. Especially my mother. A few days after my 21st birthday, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Three months later she was gone. It took her passing to wake me up to see how self-centered and stupid I had been. I realized that I could have shown more gratitude to my mother for being my rock and I could have given her more. I could have helped her with the dream she had of opening her own restaurant, but I always put it off, thinking I had more time.” He paused to finish his glass of wine. “Last year, I sold the music stores and the website and decided to open Smak as a tribute to her. I made my dad the manager and my younger brother is the promoter and PR rep.”
“Jerzy, that’s incredible. I’m sure your mom would be very proud. I admire you. I wish I had your initiative.”
“Thanks.” He smiled but Rakell could tell he wasn’t comfortable taking the compliment.
“You have this successful business. Why are you taking classes at a community college?”
“It’s a combination of boredom, a longing for a little of the college experience I never had, and still wanting to make my mom proud. If I’d paid attention in class and made better grades back in high school I could’ve been accepted to a university. But then I wouldn’t have met you.” He flashed his handsome smile.
The waiter returned and soon the table was crowded with plates of food. Rakell tasted some of everything. She learned how filling Polish food was, with its various meat dishes, potato dishes, and cream sauces. “Everything is so good! Stop me if I start clearing a plate all by myself.”
“These are all my mother’s recipes with a few modern twists.”
“I don’t know how you ate like this every day and didn’t have to roll yourself from the table.”
“I was very overweight as a kid, actually.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. You’re so fit now that I assumed you were always, um, healthy.”
“I started hitting the gym when I was 18. I lost 60 pounds of fat, and I’ve gained 20 pounds of muscle, but I’m still that chubby, insecure kid inside.” He puffed out his cheeks.
She laughed. “Aww. I had the opposite problem. I was very, very skinny as a teenager and I got picked on for that. I’m certainly not skinny anymore.”
“Nope. You’re just right.”
Rakell looked down at her food, feeling shy.
“Do you have kids, Rakell?” Jerzy refilled his wine glass.
For some reason the question stung. “Would it be a problem if I did?”
“Not at all. I love kids.”
“No, I don’t have any. I wanted children. My ex refused. I see now that it’s a blessing I didn’t have kids with him. He wasn’t a good husband so why did I think he would be a good father? I hope he turns out to be a good father because he got a girl pregnant while we were married.”
Jerzy gripped the stem of the wine glass between his thumb and pointer finger and started to slowly spin the glass back and forth. “I’m glad you’re not with him anymore. Do you still want to have children someday?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Good.” Jerzy finished off his glass of wine and poured himself another.
Rakell was surprised by his reaction. Why was he pleased to know she wanted children? Was he thinking about settling down with her? Rakell had assumed that
his intentions only extended into the near future. Though it would be wonderful to fall in love and be loved by the handsome, well-off, intelligent, mature and charming young man sitting across from her, it was too dangerous. She’d be taking a risk with her heart and her reputation. “Jerzy, I need to know something. Tell me honestly, what do you want with me?”
His striking green eyes softened. “I want to make you happy.”
He sounded so sincere. Rakell felt the stirrings of tears behind her eyes. “And then leave, right?”
He hesitated, looked down at the sip of red wine left in his glass. “If that’s what you want.”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “Why on earth would I want that?”
“Every woman I’ve been with wanted out eventually.”
Profess Your Love Page 3