The Alibi

by Marilyn Baron

  My mother’s “hmm” could mean any number of things. It could mean “Really?” or “What kind of name is Goodspeed?” or “Wait until your father hears about this.” or “What happened to Daniel?” or “Are you kidding me?”

  Actually, according to Israel, the name Goodspeed dated back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain and meant a person who performed good deeds and acts of kindness.

  That said, religion would be a hurdle I would have to overcome. If it got that far. The fact that I had agreed to go out of town with him was a signal that it might go that far. I wasn’t exactly used to going out of town with strange men. In fact, I had never been with a man other than Daniel.

  “You look terrific,” Israel said as he lifted my overnight bag and placed it in the trunk of his Jaguar.

  “Thank you.”

  “Did you call in sick to work?”

  “Yes, and I feel terrible about it. I had an appointment with the director this morning.”

  “From the way you say it, sounds like you weren’t looking forward to it.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really.”

  “You can trust me.”

  “Your brother works for the director.”

  “I’m a lawyer.”

  “But I’m not your client.”

  “Do you need a lawyer?”

  I hesitated. “I might.”

  “I’m here if you ever want to talk.”

  He helped me into the front seat.

  “Well, Counselor, where are we going?”

  “I thought we’d drive along the coast, get some lunch at a great seafood place I know. After that we can check into a neat bed and breakfast right on the beach and then just relax, sunbathe, and swim the rest of the day.”

  “That sounds heavenly.”

  As soon as the Gulf came into view, I really relaxed. By the time we got to the restaurant, I was starving. I had my usual, fried shrimp, with a baked potato and lemonade. Israel had the scallops.

  “Wow, this shrimp is so tender and fresh.”

  “Shrimp is one of their specialties. It’s one of my favorite places.”

  “Have you taken anyone else here, I mean any other girls?”

  “No, you’re the first.” And the way he said it and the intensity of his gaze told me I might be the last.

  I liked Israel. I liked him a lot. I intended to find out more about him on this little getaway.

  Israel took care of the check, and we were off again.

  “It’s not too much longer. The beach at this place is great, all white sand.”

  “I’m used to the brown sand—I think they refer to it as cinnamon—of the Atlantic.”

  “Right. I’m used to that hard-packed sand on Jax Beach. But this sand is like sugar, the way it slips through your fingers.” Unsettled, I stared at his fingers.

  About an hour later, we arrived at a quaint, Victorian-style B&B. It was painted green and white, and I fell in love with it. In the lobby were welcoming baskets of fresh apples, glasses of lemonade with sprigs of mint, and fresh zucchini muffins.

  “Two rooms for Goodspeed.”

  “I’m afraid there’s been a mistake, Mr. Goodspeed. We have you down for one room.”

  Israel looked genuinely upset. “But I requested two rooms.”

  The lady at the desk perused a card file. “We don’t have any single rooms left, but I can give you the honeymoon suite. There’s plenty of room for two people.”

  “How many beds?” I asked.

  “Just one, but it’s a king.”

  “Oh.”

  “I guarantee you’ll be more than satisfied with the suite, Mrs. Goodspeed.”

  “Oh, I’m not—I mean—”

  Israel turned to me, and I read the disappointment in his eyes. “We can try another place.”

  “No, the honeymoon suite will be fine,” I assured the lady.

  “No extra charge.” She smiled.

  “Well, then, we’ll take it.”

  She handed Israel the keys, and he handed me my own key.

  “The valet will bring up your luggage directly. And meanwhile, feel free to enjoy the amenities. We’ll have dinner in the dining room at seven.”

  Israel took my hand, and we rode the elevator to the fifth floor.

  “I’m sorry, I really did reserve two single rooms. I can sleep on the couch.”

  When we entered the honeymoon suite, I was dazzled. The room was spacious and well-appointed. There was a lovely view of the ocean from every window.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is great.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  Just then the valet arrived and arranged our luggage on the luggage racks. He placed a bottle of Champagne to cool in an ice bucket. “Compliments of the manager.”

  “Thank you,” Israel said, and tipped the valet generously.

  I twirled around the room. “I can’t believe we got the honeymoon suite.”

  “My brother and I came here once with my parents, and I thought I’d like to bring my wife back here one day on our honeymoon.”

  “That’s very romantic,” I said.

  “Looks like my dream came true, Mrs. Goodspeed.”

  While I was trying that name out for size, Israel suggested we change into our bathing suits.

  “The beach really is beautiful,” he said.

  I changed in the bathroom, which was probably the size of a regular single room, and Israel changed in the bedroom.

  We rode the elevator down, and when we got to the beach, Israel paid a guy to set up chairs under an umbrella.

  “You think of everything.”

  “I try.”

  Two fluffy monogrammed white towels lay on the table next to the chairs.

  “It’s unseasonably warm today. I think it’s warm enough to swim,” Israel said. “I’ll race you to the water.”

  We ran to the water and waded in.

  “This water is great. I love the white sand. I could stay in here all day.”

  We swam around. I floated. The waves knocked us down, and we finally made our way back to our lounge chairs. Israel handed me a signature towel from the table, and I dried off.

  “This place has everything.”

  “It does now that you’re here,” he said.

  We lay in our lounges and drowsed in the sun like loopy dragonflies for what seemed like hours. Periodically, a server came over and took our drink orders. I must have gone through three sugary concoctions, each with a floating umbrella and a cherry.

  Israel took my hand in his much broader one. It felt warm and wonderful. He kept rubbing his thumb suggestively over the flesh of my hand, and I had to concentrate not to explode in orgasmic delight. Maybe it was the three drinks. Or maybe it was the sun. But maybe it was the man. He erased all thoughts of Savannah Braddock, the director, and Daniel.

  “This has been the best day,” I whispered.

  “It’s not over yet,” he promised.

  I shivered.

  “Are you getting cold? We can go inside. We need to shower and change for dinner. The food here is great.”

  We got up reluctantly and walked through the lobby to the elevators.

  When we got to our room, there were two bottles of water on the dresser. We hadn’t even touched the Champagne yet.

  “You shower first,” he offered.

  What I wanted to do was shower with him. I felt so naughty I almost voiced my innermost thoughts.

  I grabbed the signature robe from the closet and the complimentary bedroom slippers and walked into the bathroom. This bathroom had everything. It was stocked with Moulton Brown body wash, shampoo and conditioner, a yellow loofah, and body lotion. My body was longing for Israel’s, but I knew he was too much of a gentleman to barge in. I rubbed my hands over my body and imagined they were Israel’s hands. Then I got down to business washing my hair. I took out the hair dryer and walked out in my robe t
o plug the dryer into the outlet near the table.

  “All yours,” I said.

  He looked at me with a hunger in his eyes like he was taking my words literally.

  I walked away and started drying my hair. I was dressed by the time he got out of the shower and dressed in the bathroom. Long, tall, and gorgeous, he’d changed into slacks, a white long-sleeved shirt, and a sports coat.

  He looked me over appreciatively. “You look stunning.”

  “Thanks.”

  He took my arm, and we walked down to the dining room together. As we were being seated, Israel told me he had made arrangements to have our Champagne uncorked to enjoy with the meal.

  The server handed us the menus. There was a nice selection to choose from. I was dying for the lobster, but it was so pricey. I swear that man could read my mind.

  “I’m having the lobster. It’s really superb here, if you’d like to try it. Don’t worry, I can afford it.”

  I blushed.

  “The lady and I will have the lobster, with a baked potato, and what is the vegetable of the day?”

  “Green beans, sir.”

  I nodded.

  “Then we’ll have that. And please pour the Champagne.”

  Israel was right. The dinner was delicious, and the Champagne was definitely going to my head. We each had a different decadent dessert.

  By the time we walked to the room, Israel had to hold me up.

  “Sorry, but I think I’m a little tipsy.”

  “You’re a lightweight. Can’t hold your liquor. I’ll remember that. No worries. I’ve got you.”

  He unlocked the door, and I threw my purse down on the dresser, peeled off my clothes down to the bra and underwear, and flopped face first onto the bed, which the bed-and-breakfast fairy had turned back. Israel stood over me and covered me.

  “Have a good sleep. I’ll be on the couch.”

  I turned over and pulled him down to the bed.

  “Come to bed, silly.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said. “Me and you in bed together, I might get ideas.”

  “I like ideas.”

  “But you’re not yourself.”

  “Who do you think I am?”

  “You’ve had too much to drink. I don’t want to take advantage. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

  “And you have too many clothes on, Mr. Goodspeed. If you don’t touch me right now, I’m going to explode. Where’s Mr. Yummy?”

  “Mr.Yummy?”

  I smiled and batted my eyelashes, not realizing I’d just let him know my pet name for him and his sidekick.

  “Are you sure?”

  I nodded my head and opened my arms. I’d never been so sure of anything in my life. I had only just met him, but somehow I knew we were meant to be together. I knew I wanted this.

  Israel didn’t waste another minute. He probably set a new world record for getting naked. When he came into my arms, he unhooked my bra and filled his hands with my breasts.

  “Oh, God, Merritt, you are so beautiful.” He kissed me and deepened the kiss and I felt it right down to my toes. I wriggled in his arms restlessly. I was trying to get my panties off, but I couldn’t seem to find them. I needn’t have worried. Israel to the rescue. He placed his broad hands on the waistband of my panties and slipped them down slowly.

  Now it was just his body on top of mine. He felt right there. I felt safe. I felt loved.

  He moved his hands lower and touched me and tortured me. I wanted him to take me right then.

  Again, we were on the same wavelength. Israel was reading my mind.

  “Not so fast, Miss Saxe,” he said in a measured voice. “I want you to scream my name.”

  I moaned. “Oh God, Israel.”

  “Louder, sweetheart.”

  “Israel,” I pleaded.

  “Louder, darlin’.”

  I pouted, and he planted quick kisses on my lips. “I can’t hear you.”

  “I can’t talk with your lips on mine,” I mumbled.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  I felt him smile against my mouth.

  “No!”

  Then his mouth went lower.

  “Take me now,” I screamed.

  He plunged into my body with such force that it knocked the breath out of me. I clung to him as he kept up the torture. I gave as good as I got and called out his name again.

  When it was over, he collapsed onto my stomach. He was still inside me.

  “Oh, God,” I whispered.

  “Is that a good Oh, God or a bad Oh, God?”

  “Couldn’t you tell? That was the best sex I’ve ever had.” And it was. I didn’t know whether it was because of the Champagne, which I wasn’t used to drinking, or the memory of the sun on my body, or that sex with Israel was new and exciting. Or because Israel was so different from Daniel. Or because I was falling in love with Israel and out of love with Daniel. Whatever the reason, I was more satisfied than I’d ever been, and happier.

  He laughed and gave me a chaste kiss. “You slayed me, Merritt.”

  I smiled a naughty smile. “I think Mr. Yummy is dead.”

  “Mr. Yummy?”

  I blushed and touched him where he immediately sprang to life.

  “Christ, Merritt. You don’t know what you’re doing to me.”

  “Oh, I think I do.”

  “So you want to play dirty? Two can play at this game. Apparently, Mr. Yummy is very much alive and ready for an encore.” He pulled out and checked. “Yep.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  “No, Mr. Yummy has a lot of staying power. Are you up for another round?”

  I sighed contentedly and took him into my arms. I felt his body with my hands. I wanted to touch every part of him, and I wanted him back inside me. When he obliged, Mr. Yummy was rock hard. “Israel Goodspeed, you are amazing.”

  “No, Merritt Saxe, you’re the amazing one. I love you.”

  I didn’t think I heard that right. Maybe I was dreaming.

  “I couldn’t hear you, Mr. Goodspeed.”

  “I said, I love you.”

  “Louder,” I teased.

  “I love you,” he shouted.

  This was a night to remember. With Israel, I wasn’t shy about asking for what I wanted, and Israel wasn’t shy about giving it to me. But it wasn’t just about sex. It was more. It felt bigger, more important. Something wonderful was happening between us. Sated, I fell into a deep sleep, the most restful sleep I’d had in a long time.

  The next morning we were coiled around each other in the king bed. Mr. Yummy was stirring.

  “So, sleepyhead. How do you feel?”

  “I’ve never felt so well-used, so relaxed.”

  “How much do you remember about last night?”

  “It’s all sort of foggy.”

  “Oh, it is, is it? Do you remember Mr. Yummy?”

  “Mr. Yummy?” Had I called out my nickname for Israel in my sleep? How embarrassing.

  He took Mr. Yummy out of hiding. “Exhibit A.”

  I hid my head in Israel’s stomach.

  “Don’t be embarrassed.” He took my chin in his hands. “Look at me.”

  I turned away.

  “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. What we did last night was intimate, and beautiful. Do you remember what I told you?”

  “You told me a lot of things.”

  “Specifically, I told you I loved you. And I didn’t say it in the heat of the moment. I’m in love with you, Merritt Saxe.”

  “How can you be so sure? We hardly know each other.”

  “Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

  I disentangled myself from Israel and propped my back against the headboard.

  “You’ve never had a girlfriend?”

  “Sure I have. But I’ve never said that to anyone else.”

  “You were never serious with a girl?”

  “I’ve come close but never said the wo
rds. That was the undoing of several relationships.”

  “Your lack of commitment?”

  “I was never ready before. You told me that’s pretty much what happened with your old boyfriend.”

  “After dating for four years, I just assumed we were going to get married. But then he started law school, and he wouldn’t make a commitment. I didn’t want to wait three more years without it.”

  “Lucky for me. Did you love him?”

  “Yes, I thought I did.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean we said it to each other. I slept with him, so of course I thought I was in love. But it turns out I didn’t know what love was.”

  Israel looked puzzled.

  I took his hand in mine. “I didn’t believe it could happen this fast. I mean we practically just met, but I am falling in love with you. What came before doesn’t even compare.”

  He tightened his grip on my hand. “Thank you for saying that. Are you planning to see him when you go home over the holidays?”

  “He called and wants to see me. I had asked him to come to Watertown with me. But that was before, before you.”

  “Will you let him?”

  “Not now. I will have to hear what he has to say.”

  “What if he gets you a ring?”

  “If he does, it will be only because he feels pressured. Are you jealous?”

  “Completely,” Israel admitted. “I’ve just met you. He’s had four years with you.”

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense, but I’ve never felt the way I feel around you. I’m powerless to do anything about it.”

  “I know you had too much to drink last night. I was afraid you might wake up with regrets the morning after.”

  “I knew exactly what I was doing. I wanted you.”

  Israel blew out a breath, wrapped his arms around me, and just held me.

  I smiled. I felt deliriously happy. “Let’s check out the famous breakfast you were telling me about. I’m starving.”

  “You’re going to love it. I promise.”

  “So far I’ve loved everything about this trip. And we still have all day today.”

  “And tonight,” he added.

  “And then back to reality.”

  “Merritt, you know you can tell me anything. Something is obviously weighing on you.”

  “You’re very perceptive, Counselor. And I do feel like I can trust you with anything. But right now I have things under control.”