Checkmate

by Diana Nixon

  “I think it’s time to call it a day,” she said, picking up the toys.

  “Mom, it's so early!” Max protested. “I don’t want to go to sleep, I’m not tired!”

  “I know, Honey. But it’s late and Dominick had a long and busy day. He needs rest too,” she said sympathetically to the boy.

  “Will you read me a story?” He asked, turning to me.

  “What story?”

  “A story about a Superman.”

  “Of course.” I took his small hand in mine and he led me to his room. It used to be a guest room, but now it looked different, with dark-blue and yellow walls, and a ceiling made of small, shining stars.

  “Will you come to see me again to play?” Max asked, getting into his car-shaped bed.

  I didn’t know what to say in response. “I’ll try.”

  “I liked playing with you.”

  “It was fun,” I said, sitting next to him.

  “Mom says that you have a lot of work and can’t come often,” he said with a little pout that melted my heart.

  “Yeah, she’s right.” Did he know that I could be his father? “Do you and your mom live alone?”

  “No, we have Frankie and Molly.”

  “Your grandparents, right?”

  “They live with us. We also used to spend time with Justin. But he doesn’t come to visit us anymore.”

  “Who’s Justin?” I asked, curious.

  “Mom’s friend.”

  Hmm… “Do you know him well?”

  “No, I only remember a few weekends that we spent together. Now, I want a story,” he said, giving me a book.

  “Okay. So, Superman-”

  Chapter 12

  After the story was read and I could no longer see the letters in front of me, I closed the comic book and breathed a sigh of relief; the boy was finally asleep.

  “It’s not easy to be a parent, is it?” Pamela asked, standing at the threshold of the room.

  “Never thought it would be so difficult to make a child fall asleep,” I whispered back. I looked one last time at sleeping Max and followed his mother into the hall, tiptoeing the whole way to not wake him.

  “He’s crazy about Superman,” she said, smiling. “He makes me buy him every new toy based on that comic.”

  “He’s a boy. Of course he likes Superman.”

  “Just don’t tell me you liked him too.”

  “Actually, I did.”

  “You never told me about that,” she said, laughing quietly.

  “Maybe because we never got to the page with children and good-night stories?”

  She stopped near the staircase, now facing me. “I think I owe you an apology. I never meant to hurt you, Dom.”

  How ridiculous did that sound?

  “It doesn’t matter anymore. Life goes on, and I hope that sooner or later you and I will be able to find our halves.”

  “Are you dating anyone?”

  The image of Scarlett flashed in my mind, but I shook my head, saying, “No.”

  “What about you?” Was I simply curious?

  “No.”

  “Why? You are still young and beautiful, and-”

  “You think I’m still beautiful?”

  “Of course you are. The fact that you can’t be faithful doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your face or body.” Unintentionally, my eyes slipped down her dress and her curves that I remembered so fucking well.

  When I looked back into her eyes, I recognized the look staring back at me. She used to look at me like that when we were making love…

  “I think it’s time for me to go,” I said, turning away from her. Playing with her son was one thing, but playing with Pamela would never end well.

  “You can stay here,” she said, catching me by the hand. “It’s so late, and you live God only knows how far away from here.”

  I looked at her hand holding mine, and swallowed hard. Did a part of me still want her? No freaking way.

  “You can stay in the guest room,” she said, as if feeling my hesitation.

  My eyes travelled to the clock on the wall — 11:30 PM. She was right, I could stay in the guest room. I doubted I would try to sneak into her room and try to see if she was still good in bed. I didn’t like the mere idea of doing that.

  “Okay,” I said, sighing tiredly. “I’ll stay.”

  The night wasn’t much different from what I expected it to be. With only one exception — the dreams about Scarlett didn’t leave me until the morning. And in those dreams, there wasn’t anything or anyone but her and me, making love again and again.

  Wait… Did I just call it love?

  I sat abruptly in my bed, running both hands through my hair. Could I fall in love with a woman whom I knew only a few days? Could I actually fall in love again? Shaking my head, as if it would help me get rid of the thoughts in my mind, I got up and went to the bathroom, hoping that a shower would make my rational thinking return.

  I stepped into the stream of hot water, welcoming the drops falling to my shoulders and back. It was almost like heaven on earth, but something was still missing…

  I knew where my real heaven was. And right now, I was so far away from it, my body hurt. My relationship with Pamela would never be the same, now I knew it for sure. Yes, there was a moment I thought I would pull her to myself and kiss her lips, the way I used to do it, years ago. But then, I pictured that kiss, and realized that the lips I actually wanted to kiss didn’t belong to her. It was more than enough to break the illusions in my head and take a step back, where the reality was so much better than anything I had ever shared with Pamela.

  Wrapping a towel around my waist, I went back to the room, got dressed and called my driver.

  “Good morning, Mr. Altier.”

  “Morning, Tom. I need you to do me a favor. Go to my place and pack a bag with all I would need for a two-day trip: toiletry, a few shirts and jeans. No suits or ties.”

  “Are you leaving today, Sir? What about the meeting with your parents that you said they wanted to have?”

  “Yeah, I know I promised to visit them, but I have an emergency in LA and it can’t wait.”

  I could trust Tom with my life, so I also asked him to call my brother and tell him that I wouldn’t be able to come for dinner. Calling Oliver myself wasn’t an option, as I was so damn sure he wouldn’t miss his chance to tease me about Scarlett again. Mom was going to be pissed, but it wasn’t going to be the first time that I had missed one of our family meetings.

  I could hear the sounds of cupboards opening and closing in the kitchen. Was Pamela making breakfast? Never in my life had I seen her cooking.

  “Morning,” she said, seeing me entering the kitchen. “I thought you would like some pancakes.”

  “What did you do with the girl who was afraid of touching a pan, let alone putting food into it?”

  She smiled, pouring a glass of orange juice. “She disappeared together with staying-up-all-night times and mini-skirts.” Then she looked at me again and her smile faded. “Leaving so soon?”

  “Yeah, I need to be in LA in a few hours.”

  “Oh-” She turned back to the pan and flipped the pancakes.

  “Listen, Pam… I had a good time with Max last night. Really. So if he ever needs anything, just let me know, okay?”

  She nodded without looking at me.

  “Tell him, I will come to see him again. Maybe some time next week.”

  “Sure. Come whenever you want. You sure you don’t want to taste my pancakes? Max says they’re the best in the whole world.”

  “Maybe next time.”

  She didn’t try to stop me and I was grateful for that. I hated awkward situations and even more, I hated moments when I didn’t know what to say. And right now, I couldn’t explain my hurry. I simply wanted to take the first flight to LA and kiss the lips that I missed like hell.

  But the moment I opened the door, I badly wanted to sink into the floor. Flashes of cameras blinded
my vision. I blinked and stared in shock at about two dozen reporters taking pictures of me with Pamela, standing right behind me.

  “Are you and Miss Rolsheld back together?”

  “What about the girl we saw you with last week?”

  “Is it true that you abandoned your own son?”

  Screw me dead…

  “Don’t say a word,” Pamela said behind me.

  “Wasn’t even going to. How the hell did they know I was here?” I went back into the house and leaned back against the closed door.

  “Maybe they followed you last night?”

  “Fucking bastards!” I took a cell phone from my pocket and dialed Tom’s number. “Where are you?”

  “Waiting outside, Sir.”

  “Go to the back door.”

  “Okay.”

  “Why don’t you wait for the reporters to leave?”

  “Seriously, Pam? We both know they won’t let me out of here alive. As well as they will never leave before they get their answers.”

  “Mommy, what’s going on?” Max was coming down the stairs.

  “Everything’s okay, Sweetheart. Go brush your teeth, and come to the kitchen. I have your favorite pancakes waiting for you.”

  “Cool! Mom makes the best pancakes in the world, Dom. Will you stay for breakfast?”

  “Sorry, little man. I need to go now.”

  “Oh, okay,” he sounded disappointed, it made me feel a little guilty.

  “I didn’t know the press was still watching you so closely,” Pamela said, leading me to the back door.

  “Sometimes I wonder if they have anyone else to spy on. Because it feels like every time I sneeze, they are right there to take a picture of it.”

  “Anyway, I hope they won’t ruin your day.”

  “I’m used to being stalked. I’ll call you next week, okay?”

  She smiled and nodded, closing the door behind me.

  “Bad morning?” Tom asked, watching me through the rear view mirror.

  “Bad does not even fucking begin to cover it. Did you bring my bag?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “To the airport?”

  “Yeah. Did you call Oliver?”

  Tom chuckled. “Yes.”

  “What did he say?”

  “I’m sure if I repeat what he said, you will fire me.”

  “Come on, Tom. Just spit it out. I know my brother always talks first and then thinks last.”

  “Quoting, ‘Tell that asshole traitor that his penis could use a break. Poor thing, it was blessed with the most horn-dog owner ever!”

  I rolled my eyes. Look who’s talking!

  “Am I fired?” Tom asked, worried.

  “Of course not. Did he say anything else?”

  “He said you would owe him one forever for saving your ass from your mother’s fury.”

  “I’m sorry you had to listen to all of the above, Tom.”

  “No worries, Sir. I can handle your brother. At least as long as my own ass has this well-paid job.”

  We both laughed and I thought it was time to check my e-mail. With the thoughts about Scarlett and problems with Pamela, I was so behind with everything I needed to do at work.

  By the time my taxi stopped at Wilson’s house, I was sure I would die of stifling heat; I always hated LA. Christ, I couldn’t believe I was ready to turn my toes just to see Scarlett. She said she had a morning flight, so I hoped she would already be there and I wouldn’t feel myself like a complete idiot trying to explain my early arrival to her parents.

  I crossed my fingers and pushed the doorbell button.

  “Can I help you, Sir?” The maid said, opening the door.

  “Yes. My name is-”

  “Dominick? What are you doing here?” Scarlett asked, surprised. She was wearing a red bikini that I swear would blow my mind in no time; for a moment I forgot how to speak.

  “I, um, was here on business. And I thought-” My eyes travelled down her neckline, breast and flat stomach and I felt my cock hardening in my pants. “I thought you wouldn’t mind me staying here, since I was going to join you tomorrow for a barbecue anyway.”

  “Oh, well. Of course, I don’t mind. Thanks, Shannon. I’ll take care of this,” she said to the maid. I couldn’t read her face. Was she angry? Or happy to see me?

  “I will gladly share a bed with you, if you don’t have a spare room,” I said to ease the tension.

  “I don’t think you are ready to say good-bye to your balls. Because if my father finds out about you sleeping in my bed, he will do his best to teach you a very painful lesson.”

  “That doesn’t sound very exciting,” I said, grimacing.

  “My point exactly.” She smiled, going up the stairs.

  Following her made my lower body ache even more, because I was sure no man in this world would be able to resist an ass like hers swaying right in front of his eyes.

  “Nice bikini, by the way,” I said, as she opened the door to one of the rooms.

  “Thanks. I was just about to go for a swim when you arrived.” She was facing me now, with her hands on her hips, and I almost growled at how much I wanted to explore every inch of her silky skin with my lips and hands.

  “You never called me,” I remembered.

  “Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I haven’t been on vacation for a very long time. Coming to sunny LA made me forget about everything.”

  She ran a hand through her blond hair, making it fall down over her shoulder.

  “Everything?” I asked, taking a step closer. “Even this?” I ran my fingertips across her cheek, lower lip, and jaw, and leaned closer, saying, “I would be more than happy to refresh your memory.”

  “Did you hear what I said about my father and your balls?”

  “I did. But they hurt so badly, I doubt I’ll be able to think straight if you don’t help me ease this burning pain.” I looked into her eyes, wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her to my chest. “I missed you so bad.”

  “Oh, yeah? How bad?”

  “Shall I tell you or show you?”

  I knew things were a little messed-up between us, but I still hoped she would give me a chance to fix everything.

  “You have ten minutes before my parents get back.”

  I smiled, pleased. “That’s more than enough time to make you come, Baby. Maybe even more than once.”

  She smirked devilishly. “Tick tock!”

  The door was locked and my clothes were gone in a flash. Neither Scarlett nor I seemed to be able to slow down. She pushed me to the bed and leaned over me, running her hands down my chest and all the way to where I needed her most. Wrapping her fingers around my shaft, she kissed my lips, making the blood run faster through my veins.

  “If you keep teasing me like this, I doubt I will be able to be gentle with you,” I said, looking down to where her hand was sliding up and down my hard cock.

  “Who said I want you to be gentle?” She whispered into my ear.

  And oh, my God… I was so lost… My head started to spin. I scooted her back and looked down at her, smiling.

  “Remember: you asked for this yourself.” I reached for the back of her bikini bra and pulled the string, leaning to kiss her hardened nipples.

  She moaned softly arching her back, and pulled my hair roughly, making the wild desire running through me even more uncontrollable.

  “So responsive,” I breathed into her creamy skin, enjoying every breath she took, pleased by my touches. “How could I live without you for so long?”

  Her eyes flew open and she stared up at me, as if she thought she had a hearing problem.

  “What?” I said, smiling slightly. “Don’t you think it’s a perfect time to admit that I’m falling for you? Maybe even harder than a landslide.”

  Her mouth opened and then closed again, as if she wanted to say something, but then quickly changed her mind.

  “It’s true. I
don’t want to pretend that I’m simply playing with you, Scarlett. In fact, I think it has never been a game for me.”

  She swallowed, still staring at me, speechless. Now her hands rested on my chest, and she was so close and so beautiful; innocent and dangerous at the same time. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, and I swear, I could hear every beat of it shattering me into millions of small pieces…

  The next second, my lips covered hers, and I knew I would give up everything I had just to feel them like this forever: soft, sweet, teasing, taking and giving.

  My lips moved down her perfect body, relishing every inch of it. I knew she was watching me, I could feel her eyes stopping everywhere I touched her, and I don’t know why, but I liked it so much.

  I wanted her to see how much she meant to me, how much I cherished every small touch or feeling she made me feel, how much I needed her, how much I wanted her, and how much I loved her…

  With my hands resting on her hips, I kept working my way down to her clit that I knew she wanted me to kiss too. When I twirled my tongue around it, her entire body tensed up, and I couldn’t help but imagine her sex tightening around me. She always did that when she wanted to prolong the moments of pleasure.

  I could feel goose bumps covering my skin; I was shivering while licking and sucking her thighs and feeling her juices on my lips. I couldn’t wait to dive inside her and stay there for as long as she would allow me.

  I plunged two of my fingers inside her while I continued circling her clit with my tongue. I gazed up at her and smiled around her delicious, hot, wet sex, enjoying the wilderness of her gaze staring back at me.

  “Faster,” she mouthed, when my fingers started moving in a come-hither motion inside of her hitting g-spot.

  Our eyes were still locked and I didn’t want to miss a second of the ecstasy I knew she was about to feel. When I sped up the motion of my fingers inside of her, I was rewarded with a moan of pleasure.

  Pulling my fingers in and out, I leaned over her, feeling the heat coming from her skin and burning me slowly in all the right places.

  “I’m so close,” she whispered, still watching me.

  I slowed down, and placed myself in between her open legs, saying, “I want to fill you up. Every inch of you.”