It is a massive structure, all cream marble adorned with angels, the water shoots up high and flows over the cherubs that create this soothing sound as the water cascades down the marble, it’s a beautiful work of art, the lights at night are breathtaking green and blues against the night sky.
Tristan sits on the wall by the steps as he pulls me between his legs as I sit on his lap he wraps his arms around me and this is home to me.
The soft splash of the water reminds us of our time here, we always use to escape from the world grab a bottle of vodka and head here and relax. Talking and drinking and getting to know one another, feeding the ducks and falling in love, it seems like a lifetime ago, but it did happen as the images haunt me from all those years ago, me in his arms him always pushing the envelope on sex, a perplexing notion not much has changed, our attraction has not faded with time, I don’t know if that is a comfort or a curse.
“Are you cold?” his lips are at my ear.
“No I’m fine” he hold me close and it just feels so right.
“Aria I have not been here since you and I were last here” I turn and look at him.
“I wish you would have, I spent a lot of time on these steps, scribbling everything down in a journal, trying to make sense of it all, this was the only place where I could be alone with my thoughts of you”
“Oh Aria, what I have thrown away because of my foolishness”
“You know after you left I took a poetry class right over there” as I point to an old brown brick building with a Tudor second floor it is an annex for the arts here.
“Really I never knew you wrote poetry?”
“I never knew I did either, I mean I just had so much inside of me, emotions, thoughts, desires, grievances, the class was an outlet, so when I took the poetry class here I met Mr. Jean Bouchard, he was a great professor from France, who also teaches at Case Western Univ. he showed me how to organize my thoughts how to open up and put my feelings down on paper, well when I finally put pen to paper it just started flowing out of me, I scribbled and doodled and wrote it all down, and it was all consuming and very therapeutic, I finally had a place where I could get it all out and that way I didn’t have to think about it every second of the day in fear that I would forget one minute point or one miniscule thought”
“I would like to read you poetry Aria” he looks at me with sincere eyes.
“I don’t have them anymore, after a few months of me pouring my heart out in my poetry class my instructor started getting too close for comfort, it started getting awkward in class and I started feeling uncomfortable with him hovering around me so I quit” Tristan looks at me very angry with stern words.
“Did anything happen between you and him?” I roll my eyes, how could he think that of me, are ya kidding me, jeez he will never change will he, he always thought if I wasn’t sleeping with him I sure as hell was in someone else’s bed.
“No Tristan I was heartbroken, I poured out my inner most thought into my writing assignments he gave us and well, I was in no position to deal with his attentions and I knew his intentions were less than honorable”
“So you just stopped writing?”
“That and I just stopped going to his class, I wasn’t looking for a relationship I just wanted a place where I could sit and spend time with my memories of you and not be judged or ridiculed for having them”
“So you left class then what?”
“I came here and wrote nonsense in a journal and I got mad”
“What do you mean?”
“I was Tristan’s Aria. reckless, out of control, and full of rage” he tightens his grip around me
“I was always afraid my effect on you was never the wonderful affect you had on me”
“You got that right, I made you think and you made me mad”
“Oh Aria, I am so sorry for all of this, I look at you and your words are filled with all your pain” “I was foolish and naïve, it was my first real relationship, I was hurt and didn’t know how to deal”
I don’t want to remember this anymore but it seems Mr. Bach wants to talk.
“Aria for what it’s worth we suffered together but alone”
“It’s done, it’s over with, I did find solace here, comfort, I was so enthralled in us, so consumed by all of it. So when we broke up and I finally knew it was over where did I go? I use to come here a lot, this is where we were happy, so I sat and remembered, I dredge up all of it the good times the bad times even or antics I put it all down on paper so I could finally breathe again, and not have you on my mind twenty for seven”
Just then he kisses my temple as his shoulders envelope across my chest and it hits me like a ton of bricks all today being with him, I want for nothing, a feeling comes over me of utter contentment, his regard for me radiates, how his heart burns for mine, finally I feel it all, for the first time it all feels so real as my heart blooms for him.
If anything I must admit it to myself, he is the love of my life, In his arms as they are draped around me, I feel his fear of losing me again, and then the tears start to well in my eyes, because I have made decisions in my life recently that prohibit me from finally having what I want….him.
“All that I put you through, the sadness, the anguish all at my hands Aria, I am so sorry for all of it I am so ashamed, you gave me so much and I left you with nothing but pain and heartache” well if anything that is an accurate account of the whole situation that we called our relationship, and I must fess up too that I was no help in fixing us.
“Tristan, I walked away from you too, it may have been you that left me, but you are not entirely to blame for us not finding one other, it’s not fair to put this all on you”
“Aria I never thought I could be your whole life…”
“Tristan you weren’t”
“Jeez thanks” his bruised ego was apparent
“You were just the part I couldn’t live without” there I said it, he kisses my cheek and held me tight
“Oh Aria you have always been my sunlight in the rain”
“You were my sunshine and my pain” he laughs at my sarcastic antidote
“I never knew why you wanted me, I knew why I wanted you but I never got your attraction to me”
“You were the whole package Tristan you touched every one of my senses and then left me senseless.
“Ok I guess your jabs and pokes I deserve”
“Tristan whenever we were together you made it like New Year’s Eve”
“I want you all to myself”
He turns me around slowly and there it is, it’s been there since I saw him at his restaurant yesterday in that one brief moment when our eyes lock onto one another, he is in love with me. I see forever in those eyes. That was the reason why I always let him back in, hoping he would wake up and see the error of his way and now it’s all in front of me wrapped in my favorite, a tux.
“Aria, I never ever wanted anyone the way I want you, you are the love of my life, you know that don’t you? Your love is what gave me my life back!” He presses his forehead to mine trying anyway to get me to see things his way, his voice is above a whisper, tears streaming down my cheeks, he holds my face in his hands and kisses away my tears, his words warm my heart for this man who once was my only happiness.
“Tristan you were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye” and it is my heart speaking now, not my filtered brain that has been programed to rebuke him, not my sarcastic remarks, it was me Aria the girl who feel in love with him all those years ago.
Tristan sighs as if he has been holding his breath forever, a smile that is so shy and innocent has been on his face all day, it’s quite clear that his heart has been talking to mine. I stand between his legs as his arms are draped around my waist, holding me close, my lips against his neck and there is no place like being in Tristan Bach’s arms. When all of a sudden
Sputter, drip, splash,
We stand and suddenly we are jolted by the lawn sprinklers.
&n
bsp; “It must be eleven o’clock!” we murmur, we both laugh as we recall us running through the sprinklers barefoot and tipsy like two kids without a care in the world, we were so young and foolish together. Good times as I recall our antics romping around in the sprinklers.
“Come let’s have dinner” Tristan takes my hand and we walk back to my car.
-------<>-------
We pull up to The Ritz Carlton Hotel and Lawrence opens my door for me. Tristan tosses him the keys and I have a feeling Lawrence is wondering who this gentlemen is driving my car, Oh well. Then it dawned on me, the kitchen closes at ten-thirty pm we can’t eat here? Tristan is at my side as we are greeted by the doorman, he opens the gold and glass doors for us, as we make our way into the vestibule of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. I am in his arms as he pulls me close to him and we take the gold and wood elevator to the lobby on six. I do not know what is going on but I feel alive and vibrant in Tristan’s arms, he has always colored my world, and I am brought back to my realization.
“Tristan we can’t eat here the kitchen is closed!” his sly smile tells me he knows something that I don’t. Did I mention to you all that he is very resourceful in getting his way?
“Aria, we can order room service and have dinner” I shake my head at him, very presumptuous of him or pretty clever, I’m not sure yet, the sexy beast has a plan as I see the gleam in his eye.
As the elevator doors open we face the lavish lobby on six, The Ritz Carlton looks like a palace in Europe, ornate over the top opulence drenched in well attentive staffers.
Tristan takes my hand and we walk over to the front desk and check in, the self-centered ego-maniac beside me has a reservation yet, ok I’m going for presumptuous.
I don’t say a word I stand next to him and the curt lady at the desk asks about luggage.
“We have it covered” he replies. This self-knowing bastard has me covered alright.
“And we’d like to order your midnight night crab and steak Royale for two, with a bottle of champagne” his words are sheer genius.
Ok I’m impressed; by the self-centered ego maniac, yes very clever of him.
The very curt young blond in her black suit checks us in and readies all the paperwork as her very delft fingers type with purpose and intent, oh if she only knew who I was standing next to, she clears her throat and pulls me from my thoughts.
“Of course Mr. and Mrs. Bach you are in the Presidential Suite. Here are your keys to your suite, take these elevators behind you to the fourteenth floor suite number 850 welcome the Ritz Carlton and enjoy you stay” He looks from the curt lady to me, I purse my lips at Tristan and he knows why.
“Thank you very much” Tristan say as he takes back his credit card and collects his room key.
“If there is anything we can do Mr. Bach, to make you stay more pleasurable please don’t hesitate to lets us know” She gets a good look at him and she is now blushing, oh gosh he does have that charm set at mock speed, but my dear sweet Mr. Bach turns to me with his seductive smile.
“Come Mrs. Bach midnight supper awaits” wow his endearment startles me and his tone is laced with humor and sexual innuendo. This man has no bounds, he does what he damn well pleases, and everyone else around him just follows suit including me.
I take his out reached hand and I know from this moment on my heart is making all my decision, logic and rationale has been bound and gagged and set somewhere in the middle of Lake Erie.
-------<>-------
The Presidential suite at THE RITZ is pale green and gold, it has a full kitchen, stocked bar, Jacuzzi and no sooner a knock at the door.
Two men in black, with smiles and intent, our midnight supper.
“Where would you like it Mr. Bach?”
“Over by the balcony please” the boats are still sailing up and down the river and we can see them from here, how wonderful, that area down there is busy till the wee hours of the morning, college kids, the twenty-something crowd all looking for I don’t know what, but you can hear the crowds in the distance.
“Yes Mr. Bach”
The wait staff expeditiously set the table by the balcony door, the warm cool breeze reverberates through-out the room. Tristan and I watch as they move very quickly with attention to detail from the beautiful china, to real silver flatware, they adorn the table with candles and flowers, a table side champagne stand that looks like a silver top hat how cute. Talk about precision and grace, from the swan folded napkins, down to butter shaped like shells.
I have to say The Ritz Carlton really does midnight dinner quite well; the two men complete the mood by lighting the candles for our midnight supper. Tristan fists them some cash and then they’re gone, and we are alone.
“Aria shall we eat?”
“What no Gypsy Violinist!”
His mouth drops open and he shakes his head at me.
“I will remember that for next time” hmm…next time pretty damn sure of himself isn’t he, but still absolutely adorable.
I reach up and pull his tie and un-do his top button as he pushes his hair back and suddenly I’m not that hungry for steak Royale and crab claws.
“Dinner, come, let’s eat” he is almost shy did I catch him off guard?
We walk over to the table, he holds out my chair, and sits next to me. The pop of champagne, without spilling a bubble, yes that is Tristan Bach.
We feast on delectable cracked crab claws, steak Royale with grilled veggies, a bread basket that even Cheswick would appreciate and for dessert, what else but chocolate soufflé.
I must have a smile on my face that says it all because Tristan has finally relaxed with me; he is funny, fetching, terribly indiscreet and my heart blooms for this man, we share a meal and this is how Tristan and I have always spent our time together, our few drinks after work that turned into dinner and then he pushed the sex issue and I would just take off.
Tristan reaches for my hand as he is telling me about the fiasco at his restaurant that brought him in on Friday, he kisses my hand and continues how the purchasing orders got all mess up by the new girl and his comment was cute.
“Because of her screw-up I found you, the girls definitely getting a raise!”
I blush and shake my head as I press my lips together. We finish dinner and it was wonderful. Taking account of today I have not eaten like this in a long time, I mean just looking at Tristan, I recall all the delectable eats we have feasted on, he made me breakfast, we had lunch at his place, and now when you can’t get a meal past closing time, Tristan pulls together a midnight supper fit for a king, and not too shabby surrounding I might add. I look at our pristine accommodations this is way over the top.
We talk and talk about old times and he insists on knowing what else I have been up to since we last saw one another. He seems poised and debonair, he is devastatingly handsome as ever as he quizzes me about all my interest, he is sensitive and quite enthusiastic, but mostly he has finally opened his heart to me, I have forgotten how charming he is, how adorable and delightful he can be and it is what I have missed the most about him, because we were never lovers, we were friends, we always talked and confided in one another and when he left I lost my friend as well as my one true love.
The good news is Tristan informs me of his family, his mom and he made peace, his step dad is an amazing guy once he got to know him and his sisters are doing well one is a chocolatier while the other is pre law in college. We get to finally talk as adults, no drama, no antics, no mind games he is docile, charismatic, funny, he is everything I never knew I missed.
Chapter 13
FOR ALL WE KNOW
We finish dinner and I am relaxed almost to the point of serene exaltation. I notice even Tristan’s face displays an adoration that I have not seen on him before. I can’t take my eyes off of him, the rhapsody and euphoria of spending time with him has been our version of heaven, elations and joy beyond our expectation, we both were happy to clear the air and his sexy smile lights me up from within as I t
ake his offered hand and follow him to the sitting area of this immaculate suite. I have to say he is pretty accommodating in these plush accommodation.
“Can I interest you in a brandy?” he hands me a glass of the amber liquor before I get to turn him down, he turns on some music, we clink our glasses and drink to
“Beginnings” he toasts, as we empty our glasses and he puts them on the nearby coffee table.
“Dance with me” I go willingly into his arms, he sighs and pulls me against his chest
For all we know the words speak to me, ‘For all we know we may never meet again’ Did I mention that Tristan can dance? Yeah for the past two days he has wooed me on the dance floor, sang in my ear and has opened his heart to me. Things that I have not had since he had left me two years ago.
We move to the familiar tune as the melody takes ahold of us and captures what we both feel. Tristan sways me in his arms, the feel of his rock hard body controlling me is so erotic as we are only dancing, but even ‘Sinatra said it best isn’t dancing merely making love set to music’
His strong and knowing hands caress my back with a gentle touch that sends thrills down my spine.
Tristan holds me close, my heart is beating fast, my face is flushed, he pulls up my chin as his lips find mine, I don’t stop him, I don’t want to be anywhere else but here, I close my eyes as his lips mold perfectly to mine and welcome his kiss, he kisses me and kisses me and KISSES ME, my body heats up, my blood oozes through my veins and my thoughts are of him as his tongue enters my mouth and he deepens the kiss, it ignites my ever present libido and I return his passion with my own for him. I don’t know if it’s the surroundings, the day we spent together, being in his arms, but I want him.
The music changes to a classical peace with strings I don’t recognize it but it’s nice.
“Aria can I be so bold as to ask you to spend the night with me?” his words are my unspoken thoughts, I pull out of his arms and my hands fall to my side, the blood rushes from my face way down there. I am looking at his chest as it peaks through his open shirt, his tie is hanging around his neck, his finger traces down my cheek, he lifts my chin and our eyes lock on each other.
A Wedding Affair (The Wedding Affair) Page 16