by Kailin Gow
“Like Julia.”
“She’s only one example, Simon.”
We were down at Pike’s Place now, walking around between various street vendors and into the many small stores that were along the streets. “So, aside from looking at Chihuly, which is a worthy pursuit, what else do you need to do?”
“Find a birthday present for Ralph. His birthday is next week and I want it to be really special.” Her words stung me even though they didn’t surprise me.
“Any ideas?”
“Nope. You know guys, though. Do you have any ideas?”
“I don’t know your fiancé very well at all. I’m afraid that I’d be of no help there.”
“Well, maybe you can help me pick out a perfect fish.”
“Real or fake?”
“Real, of course. I want to make some sea bass for him tonight, as a surprise. I’ve never done it before. Do you know how to pick out a good fish?”
“No, do I seem like I do?”
“Well, you are an expert fisherman,” Lina said. She began to laugh heartily and at that very moment, an unplanned for burst of rain began to pour from the skies.
“That’s what a joke at my expense will get you—rain from the skies.”
“So you have an impact on Mother Nature, too, huh Sessions?”
“I seem to have an impact on all women. Yours is a bit different than most, I’ll admit. No one has ever written a play inspired by me; porn, maybe, but not a play.”
We started to laugh and although it was raining, I felt great. It was fun and thankfully the rain wasn’t too chilly, although I wouldn’t have minded holding her tighter. We eventually made our way to the fish market in pursuit of that perfect fish. Of course, like anyone who goes to Pike’s Place, we had to take advantage of watching the entire fish tossing pursuit. It was one of the most incredulous things you could see down there and seeing it on television didn’t do justice to what it was like in person.
Lina’s laughter was musical to me and she delighted in the fish market like a small child would at an amusement park. “Haven’t you seen this before?”
“Of course I have; it’s just so fun, though.” She laughed again and not surprisingly, she’d captured the men who were working the market’s attention.
They smiled and grabbed a smaller fish, tossing it to Lina slowly. She reached her hands out, a small bag dangling around her wrist, and pulled the fish in. Only she didn’t catch it; it landed against her chest and slid down inside her sundress. I started laughing so hard because of her shocked face and the situation in itself. The other men laughed, too, and then Lina followed shortly thereafter, pulling the fish out of her cleavage and saying, “I guess I better take this one.”
The rain let up as we made our way back to where my car was. Lina had taken a taxi down to the office before our outing. I was glad, too, because I welcomed the thought of her in my car even if she was wet.
We made our way to the parking garage and went up to my vehicle, which was on the third level. I opened the doors and let Lina in before going around to my side of the vehicle.
“I feel bad; I’m all wet and these seats are amazing. I won’t ruin them, will I?”
“Hopefully not; it is a convertible after all, it better be made to handle a bit of weather.”
My nose wrinkled up. Something smelled, what was it? I looked over at the package of fish and said, “We’d better put that in the trunk.”
“Sorry!”
I grabbed the package and went to put it in the trunk and when I sat back down and started to back out the smell of fish was still in my nostrils. “I think it’s actually you that smells like fish.” I put it gently, but it was true.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. That fish that I caught in my cleavage must have left some oil on me or something. I’m horrified.”
“Good, then I’ll consider it my revenge.”
“I’d better hurry home so I can shower before Ralph gets there.”
“Why don’t you shower quickly at my place; it’ll be quicker so it doesn’t set in too much. I can send your dress out to the drycleaners while you do that and give you one of my sweatshirts and a pair of shorts to wear. You’ll drown in them, but it should do the trick. It’ll save you time.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Plus, it’s closer.”
Lina laughed, handling the entire situation rather well. She was tough as nails and as easy going as someone could be under unique circumstances. It was nice that she wasn’t embarrassed and horrified to the point where her personality changed. She was perfect just the way she was.
*****
Moments later at my place, the mood had changed for me. Everything from before was set aside as Lina stood in front of me. My lust was back, my pride be damned. Julia’s encounter with me didn’t squash my libido for all eternity. With Lina, it was back.
“Ah, that’s better,” Lina said, walking out of the door wrapped in my bathrobe. The thought that she was naked under the bathrobe I wore everyday, aroused me like no other. I swallowed before I caught my breath.
“Great. I put some clothes on the bed and your dress is ready to go to my drycleaners. I’ll get it back to you next week.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Simon. That’s so sweet.”
“It’s not a problem,” I said. Instinctually, I reached out and tucked one of her chestnut strands behind her ear. My finger brushed her cheek and I felt the energy that I drew from her touch and sensed that she’d drawn it from mine, too. I should be mad at her for everything before, but I couldn’t be, not when she was standing in front of me in my place, dressed as I had dreamed of her dressing, and looking at me with those big hazel eyes. She was as moved as I was. The air around us was steaming up, especially when she had just stepped out of a hot shower. God, I wanted to touch her soft warm skin. I wanted to run my tongue all over her.
I leaned forward and didn’t hesitate to kiss her. I had to feel it just once and if she slapped me or pushed me away, she did, but I wanted her to make that call. This was my chance.
My lips brushed against hers and I felt an electric thrill shoot through me warming me from the pit of my stomach. My tongue touched the corner of her lips, and he responded, kissing me slowly at first, a slight bit of hesitation, then opening up her mouth to let me delve in. I played with her tongue until she was moaning and pressing closer to me. Each brush of our lips against each other, fanned the fire between us. I’ve kissed and fucked so many women before her, but this kiss was like nothing I’ve experienced… satisfying yet burning…leaving me aching for more.
Our arms slowly wrapped around each other, our hands explored each other through my clothes and her robe. Everything became more urgent and rapid. I could feel her heart beating through the bathrobe as our chests pressed together and the way her skin tingled at my touch.
Lina’s hands traveled down my back and I felt them touching my lower back, kneading it in rhythm to her kiss, and I wanted her to do whatever she wanted to. I needed her so much it ached. No woman had ever caused me to respond the way she did. My hands went to the ties on the bathrobe and I untied it slowly, letting the robe slip off her shoulders. My body was pressed against hers, and hers was molded perfectly against mine, it felt perfect. “I want this so badly,” I whispered hoarsely. “Lina…”
I should have kept my words to myself. Lina suddenly jerked her head away and shrieked, “What am I doing?” Her hands went up and she covered her breasts, leaned down to pick up the robe, and quickly put it on. “I’m so sorry, Simon. I don’t know what got into me.”
“You don’t have to be sorry,” I said. “It felt natural and right, didn’t it?”
“I’ve got to go.” She rushed into my bedroom and shut the door and came out five minutes later, looking rather goofy in my clothes and her strappy sandals. She could barely look at me and she mumbled, “Goodbye.” Why did it sound like it was forever?
“Let me call you a cab, okay?”
“Fine.” Then she rushed out my door and it closed behind her. I was frozen in place, but did manage to release my cellphone from its clip and call down to the concierge of the building, telling them to get the young lady a taxi and to put it on my bill.
Then I sat down, trying to make sense of what happened. I was so happy that she clearly wanted me, too. She felt a connection and wasn’t able to deny it even though it was only for a moment. I should have felt guilty that I’d kissed another man’s fiancé, but that was irrelevant. The heart has a mind of its own at times, I tried to justified. I took a deep breath, feeling my entire body pumped up on adrenaline. My heart was racing, and my hands were sweaty. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I wanted her…the woman who could not be mine.
Fuck! What had she done to me? And, how far was I willing to go to explore it further?
Chapter 9
For the first time in a long time, I took advantage of the balcony of my penthouse suite and just stood out there, staring at the amazing skyline that was at my disposal. The top of the Space Needle was hidden underneath a low lying haze of fog and a warm breeze was gently blowing.
I reached over for my cup of coffee and took a sip, enjoying it in a different way than I usually did. It was usually a mechanical pick-me-up after my protein shake, but this morning, it was different. It was almost therapeutic. There was a grin on my face as I thought about that kiss—that damn, amazing kiss—and I remembered how it made me feel so clearly. It was different than anything I’d ever experienced before. I was sure of it. That included Phoebe, too. It had been a long time since that had taken place but some part of me deep down knew this kiss meant more than any kiss I’d ever given Phoebe did.
There was still a rather substantial problem that I was facing. Lina was engaged to Ralph and he was not a man to just walk away. He’d fight for what he wanted and find a way to get it, much like I would. I was confident that I was the better man for Lina, someone who would be willing to not be a player anymore for a chance at true happiness with her. She was the woman I’d always evangelized about—the one that made a guy aspire to be a better man. I didn’t believe for a moment that Ralph Bixby had that same feeling. It was easier to believe that, of course, but that was irrelevant.
My phone rang in the penthouse and I decided not to answer it. I wasn’t in the mood to talk. Eventually it stopped and a few seconds later, my cellphone started ringing. I glanced down at the mosaic table on my balcony and saw that it was my father. I decided to answer it, having no doubts that he’d come on over if he really wanted to talk to me and couldn’t catch me live. He knew I didn’t always answer my phone.
“Simon, thank God, where are you?”
“Home, what’s up?”
“I’m not sure. I was hoping you could tell me. I just got a call from Maxwell Tellebaum saying that our new deal was off.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know for certain, but I could tell that there was more to the story than just his words, which were that their funding fell through. That’s bullshit. I know it.”
“I’m sorry; what do you want me to do?”
“Find out what the hell is going on. That’s what I want you to do.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
“I know you and Lina are friendly. Do you have any idea what this may be about?” I knew what my father was inferring. There was no way that what happened with Lina could have caused that reaction. I knew she was good and pretty honest, but I doubted that she went and talked to her stepfather about the kiss. It was inconceivable, actually.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“Well, if you find anything out let me know. I was counting on this deal. It’s a critical piece of the entire Scanlon Project.” That project was my dad’s legacy project, the one he felt would mark his place on this earth long after he’d left it. I suddenly felt so guilty and a bit selfish, too. How could it possibly be that I could fall in love with a woman and that would be the cause of my father losing his legacy? This was the epitome of karma coming back to haunt me.
As soon as my father was off the phone I was back on it, calling Lina. I hoped she answered and wasn’t avoiding me.
“Hello,” she said. I could tell that she’d been crying. It made my stomach sink and I wished I was right there to give her a hug, let her know it would be okay.
“Lina, you okay?”
“No, not really.”
“I’m sorry about everything…if it caused you problems. I just got a weird call from my father. He said that your stepfather pulled out of the deal that they’d been working on. Any idea why?”
“I know exactly why,” she said to me. In that moment, her sadness seemed to convert to a rather intense anger.
“Care to share?”
“Oh Simon, I’ve really messed things up for a great many people, I fear.”
“What happened? Did you talk to your stepfather about what happened yesterday?”
“I wish. What ended up happening after I left your place was a lot worse.”
“Why?”
“Well, I walked into my apartment and had a little surprise. Ralph was sitting in there. He’d had a huge smile on his face and then when he saw me, it… well, it faded and he was instantly pissed off.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Simon, he saw me walking in looking all disheveled and wearing your clothes. He knew it was your sweatshirt because of your parent’s company logo on it. He blew up. I’ve never seen him so angry. He thinks we’re having an affair. I told him that wasn’t the case, but he wouldn’t believe me.”
“Why was he there? Were you expecting him that early?” I asked.
“No, he got there early to surprise me with a visit to Hawaii. He said that he couldn’t wait to make love to me any longer and wanted to go have a romantic getaway, one that was worthy of our first real intimate experience together.”
“Wait? He was waiting for you and not you for him?”
“Yeah, but that’s not important right now, Simon. I thought you wanted to find out why my stepfather stopped the deal with your father.”
“Sorry, you’re right.” I’ll admit; that deal was nothing compared to what Lina had just told me. That was something important to think about—later.
“Did Bixby threaten you?” I asked. Instant hatred rose up inside of me.
“No, he did tell my stepfather that he had to break the deal, though.”
“And he listened?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure why. I think it’s because he knows that I love Ralph. He thought it was best for me. Plus, let’s face it, the Bixby family is not an enemy that most people want to take on. They have some clout.”
“This is crazy,” I said.
“I just feel so terrible. I can’t believe he accused me of having an affair and then he did that to my stepfather. I just don’t get it. I’ve been trying to call him, but he hasn’t taken my call yet.”
“Didn’t he break it off with you?” I asked. I’ll admit, I was hopeful he had because that would be a playing card to my favor.
“No, he just said that I’d best remember who he is and how he expects his wife to act.”
“So is the wedding postponed?”
“Oh Simon, I don’t have any idea.”
“Well, is there anything I can do for you? I feel so responsible for this. It’s hard to hear you in so much pain and so sad.”
“Is that you the person or you the therapist?”
“More the person, but I am very connected to the therapist.”
“Well, Simon, I have to go. I’m going to try and track Ralph down and apologize again. Maybe I can have him call you and you can assure him that we’re not having an affair.”
“Of course,” I said. We weren’t having a physical affair but I did have a feeling that Lina was having an emotional affair with me, just as I was with her.
After we got off the phone, I paced around my balcony for a few moments taking i
t all in. My thoughts had said that I loved Lina and she was worth fighting for. I wasn’t going to deny it; it was inevitable, I supposed. What next? That was the real question.
Then I knew. Looking out at the million dollar view I had access to, I committed to my plan aloud. “If you want a war, you’ll get one Ralph Bixby and I won’t hold back. I’ll be ready for you. You won’t know what’s coming your way until it’s too late. No one hurts my parents or Lina.”
I went into my office and started a new file titled: Operation Bixby. The first items on the list were to find out why he was suddenly holding out on sex, why he was willing to suspend gaining his grandfather’s inheritance, and a bit more about who he spent his time with and what dealings he had going on. I knew I’d find something in my search. What would it be? Most of all, why was he marrying Lina when he could have anyone?
This is the End of Part 2
SESSIONS Vol. 2.
*****
SESSIONS Vol. 3 will be out in January 2015
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