The Black Chapel

by Marilyn Cruise

“And make love to you again. Those times were always real for me,” he says. “But to take it a step even further, maybe even marry you for real.”

  I stand up, because I can’t believe he is saying this. I need some air, and the supply in the room has suddenly seemed to vanish. And it dawns on me. Michael actually really cares about me. I feel humbled.

  He steps behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, burrowing his chin in my shoulder.

  “I know it’s sudden. If it’s too sudden—” he says.

  I turn around and hitch my arms around his neck. “It is sudden. But I like where this is going.”

  Michael picks me up and swings me around. “When I see what I want, I go for it. And Scarlett, you have completely hypnotized me like no other woman has. And I want what we have to last forever.”

  I’ve hypnotized him? It’s too soon, my mind reminds me. You haven’t known this man for more than a week. I push the thought aside. I feel too good in this moment to care. “Yes,” I say. I can hardly contain the sheer elation I’m feeling inside. He wants to be with me! The real me—for real!

  Michael kisses me senseless, and then leads me upstairs to the hallway and stops right in front of my bathroom.

  “Ever since I saw you right after your shower, in nothing but a towel, I’ve been thinking about making love to you right here in the shower.”

  “Have you now?” I kiss him, but it’s hard to because I can’t stop smiling.

  He pushes me gently into the bathroom, and pulls my sweater off. I help him get out of his sweater. Then he walks over to the shower and turns it on hot. He unbuttons me out of my white shirt and unhitches my bra in one deft move. Groping my left breast, he puts it in his mouth and sucks hard.

  I moan, letting my head fall back. The sensation is so erotic.

  “You like that?” he asks.

  “Yes.” I’m breathless already, feeling my body prepare for the pleasure that is coming.

  Still in my underwear, he pushes me into the shower and I feel the scalding water on my body. It hurts for a moment, but then feels enjoyable.

  He kisses a path down toward my belly button and I feel that heavy, aching, familiar desire in the deepest part of my abdomen. Oh, I want him inside me. He keeps heading south and I’m highly anticipating what he’ll do next. I’ve never had anyone’s lips or tongue on me down there before, and I shudder delightfully at the thought.

  Pressing me up against the cold tile walls by my hips, he pulls my underwear off. When his tongue meets my sex, I’m in awe of how completely euphoric it feels. I moan loudly. “Oh Michael!”

  He starts sucking, and I feel the build up come quickly. His tongue encircles me there, licking me, driving me wild, and I tremble in utter pleasure before I come quickly and intensely. I cry out.

  Michael stands up and turns me around, grabbing my hips, pushing me forcefully up against the wet shower wall.

  “I’m going to take you from behind,” he whispers into my ear. The hot water hits my back, cascading down my body and feeling oh, so good.

  He lifts himself into me; he feels so full. And then he starts to move, slowly at first, then faster and faster. His right hand reaches for my breast, his left for my sex, and he has me pinned against the cold shower wall, massaging my clitoris.

  I’m in heaven. But just when I think it can’t get any better, he speeds up even faster, sending me quickly into another orgasm, and then another one and another one!

  “Oh!” I yell.

  “Say my name, Scarlett.” His voice is demanding, his grip secure.

  I cannot move, only feel and experience the pleasure of his long, thick organ stroking me in and out, in and out.

  “Michael,” I say, as I come again. “Michael!”

  And he finally comes, yelling my name as he pours into me with two final deeply penetrating earth-shattering thrusts.

  I’m exhausted from so much pleasure.

  He pulls out of me and I turn around to face him. Kissing him, I taste myself on his lips, and it’s so hot.

  “You are one—amazing—woman,” Michael says.

  I smile and look away. Because I know deep down inside if he really knew me, he wouldn’t think so.

  26

  By the time we finally make it out of bed, it has started snowing. We have ten minutes to get ready before we head to Diane’s Christmas dinner party, which isn’t enough time at all considering I have to be in a formal gown.

  Michael hops out of bed and gets dressed in record speed. “Wait here,” he says and runs out to his car. I spy on him through my bedroom window, wondering what he is up to. He pulls a black box out of his trunk and comes back inside.

  “I picked this up for you the other day. Thought you might need something formal to wear,” Michael says.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  “Just open the damn box,” he says with a crooked smile. I love his smile.

  I open it and inside is a white, floor-length chiffon dress with silver and clear rhinestone embroidery on the bodice. The sleeves are long and sheer and there’s a chiffon scarf that goes with it.

  “And,” Michael says, holding up a small black box. Inside is a necklace.

  “Is that real?” I laugh, thinking yeah, right.

  “Twenty four diamonds, totaling forty-eight carats of grade A diamonds.”

  I look at him in disbelief.

  He smiles. “May I?”

  I don’t know if it’s a loan, or if he’s intending me to keep these jewels. “Where did you get these?” I say.

  “A jewelry shop.”

  I give him a look.

  “I’m not telling. But I want you to know that they’re not on loan. They’re yours,” he says.

  “I can’t,” I start.

  “His eyes flicker with subtle anger. “Don’t be ridiculous. I want you to have these, you hear? If not, I’ll donate them to my mom’s favorite charity.”

  I chuckle. I’ve never received any gift even remotely as nice as this. I can’t imagine what something like this would cost, because I’ve never even looked at purchasing a single diamond.

  “Please let me dote on my future wife. It would mean a lot to me. Besides, I insist.”

  “I just don’t even know what to say to something so extravagant,” I say.

  “Thank you, merci, gracias, tusen takk, you choose your language of choice.” He’s relentless and I roll my eyes.

  “Rolling your eyes at me, Mrs. Manning?”

  I huff.

  “Oh, and huffing? You’re going to learn to be a lot more grateful when you are married to me,” he says.

  I concede by not refuting him, but am still so overwhelmed, and feeling so undeserving, of his gift.

  On our way to Diane’s, we stop at Michael’s so he can change into his tux. Tonight he’s wearing a silver bow-tie to match my dress.

  Driving over to his mother’s, I feel like my life has finally arrived. I’m so grateful that I met Michael. Not only is he the answer to my financial needs, and not only is he sexy as hell, I truly think I love this man and finally feel like I’ve come home.

  As we pull up into Diane’s driveway, snow is coming down heavily. The white fluff has started to stick on the ground and I feel like I’m in winter wonderland. Lit torches line the long driveway. I have a feeling like it’s going to be a fabulous night, but as always, I’m a little worried about my future mother-in-law.

  “Nervous?” Michael says. He’s parked the car and looks over at me.

  “A little,” I say. “Your mom has a way of—”

  “Intimidating the hell out of everyone?” Michael completes my sentence.

  I laugh. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. She was rather sweet to me last night.”

  “Don’t let her fool you. One minute she’s your best friend and the next, she’s your worst enemy. I just hope you never get to see the enemy side of her.” He strokes my cheek with the back of his hand and leans over and kisses me.

  I gulp. I reall
y just want to have a nice evening with Michael and the family, but his comment makes me think that I’ll be on my toes, watching my back all evening.

  “We can go home if you’d like. I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of today and this evening in bed with you.” He smiles seductively.

  I’m seriously considering his offer, but no—. “We really should spend some time with your family. I want to get to know them better, and besides, you never know how long of a time you will have with your mother.” I hope my comment doesn’t offend him.

  “That’s why I love you so much,” he says.

  “Love me? Oh, Michael, I didn’t know you were that serious,” I say, teasing.

  His brow crinkles. “You don’t understand yet, but I don’t think I’ve ever truly loved another woman before.”

  I’m shocked. I can’t get myself to say I love you to him. It’s too soon. And I have this deep fear that if I do say it, the whole relationship might all unravel on me. Like the admittance of love will somehow curse our relationship.

  “I admit it, Scarlett, I love you!” He opens his car door and stands in the snow. “I love Scarlett Hansen!” he yells.

  I’m embarrassed because Diane’s servants are waiting for us to get out of the car so they can park it. “Shhh—” I say, getting out of the car. I walk over to him.

  “Don’t shush me. I want to tell the whole world I finally found you!” He bear hugs me and then kisses me lightly on the lips.

  I can’t help but grin like a fool from ear to ear, and I’d stay here forever in his arms if I could.

  Michael pulls me inside. We’re a few minutes late to dinner. The rest of the party is seated in the dining room already and are politely eating their appetizers. There are roughly 90 to 100 people here tonight, and I recognize some of them from last night’s Christmas dinner at Michael’s house. Kenneth waves to me and I wave back. At least I have one friend here.

  After we eat, again I’m stuffed. These dinner parties do nothing for my figure, I’m sure. I’m going to have to get me to a gym and get me a gym membership if I don’t want to look like a hippo at my wedding. My stomach flutters when I think that I’m actually getting married—for real. And it flutters again when I think about the fact that I’m getting married to Michael.

  After dinner Michael escorts me to the ballroom. The huge ballroom has been beautifully decorated with garlands, lights and with red, green and gold Christmas Trees along the walls. An orchestra has been hired to play tonight’s music.

  “May I have this dance?” Michael holds out his hand.

  “Oh, you’re a dancer?” I ask, surprised, giving him my hand.

  He secures me in his arms and twirls me deftly around. “One of the best.”

  Michael leads me out onto the bare dance floor. I’m very aware that everyone is watching us. I don’t really like to be the center of attention, especially when dancing the waltz. And though I like dancing the waltz with Michael, I’d like to be dancing a very different type of dance with the man of my dreams. But I have fun, nevertheless.

  Michael draws me in close and swings me around and around. My dress flares. No doubt he picked it out because he was thinking of this very moment.

  He’s a great dancer, and I am again reminded of how grateful I am that I met him. Thank you, Anne, for dragging me to church that Sunday morning.

  We dance for a long time, lost in each other’s arms, in conversation about the wedding and about the things we’ll do, and do to each other, over the next few days, weeks, months, years.

  “I think I love you, too, Mr. Manning,” I say. My heart is beating so fast, and though I’m scared to death of saying those three words, it feels so right.

  “Oh, Scarlett, let’s get out of here. I want to fuck you senseless,” Michael says, and I cannot say no.

  As we’re about to leave, I hear an announcement from stage. It’s Diane’s voice.

  “I’d like to bring a very special couple up here. Michael and Scarlett, would you please?”

  Michael looks at me. “Did you know about this?”

  “No,” I say. I really don’t want to go up there and stand in front of everybody. When I’m dancing as a stripper, it’s a whole other thing, because I wear a mask, and it’s not really me. But when I’m here among so many people, with Michael, I am just plain old me. I get so nervous I don’t really know what to do.

  Michael squeezes my hand. “Don’t worry. She’s just going to congratulate us, and welcome you into the family.”

  I hope he’s right.

  We make our way up to the small platform stage and of course, I trip on the way up. I hear the crowd gasp, but fortunately, Michael catches me before I face plant onto the steps.

  “Thanks,” I say, thoroughly humiliated.

  We’re up on the stage now, and the ballroom grows quiet. I’m clinging onto Michael’s arm for dear life, remembering what he said in the car about Diane and how she could become my worst enemy so quickly.

  “It’s ok, breathe,” he whispers.

  I breathe in and out slowly, but it doesn’t seem to help at all.

  “I’d like to announce the engagement of my only son, Michael, to his lovely girlfriend, Scarlett. Don’t they make a lovely couple?” Diane says.

  Applause follows, and lights are flashing. It looks like the press made it out to this party.

  “Tell me, Michael, where did you say you met again?” Diane gives the microphone to him.

  “We met at church, Mother.” He smiles and hands the microphone back.

  “And tell me, Scarlett. What did you think when you first met my son?” I think back to the strip club where I had seen him in the audience. Does that qualify as me meeting him the first time, or in the church? I pick the church. Best be consistent in my story.

  “I thought he was very kind and sweet. And a little forward,” I say and hand the microphone back to her.

  The guests laugh.

  “Yes, Michael can be a little pushy, can’t he?”

  I shrug my shoulders and squeeze Michael’s arm tight.

  “And tell me, Scarlett. When did you start working at the Black Chapel?” Diane hands me the microphone and I freeze.

  27

  “I—I—uh—don’t know what you mean,” I say. The room is suddenly spinning and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

  Diane laughs. “Well of course you do. The strip club called the Black Chapel. One of my friends saw you entering there just earlier today.”

  She had me followed, that witch! I knew I hadn’t been careful this morning when I went to meet Michael at the Black Chapel, but I thought she trusted me, so I hadn’t thought that I needed to take all the precautionary measures I had been taking this last week.

  “What do you mean?” I say. I look at Michael, and I don’t know if he’s connected the dots yet. He’s not stupid, but at the moment he looks just as shocked as I feel. Maybe he’s embarrassed at the mention of the strip club. He probably doesn’t want his dirty laundry aired out so openly in front of his family, business acquaintances and the Portland socialites. Then he looks at me, and I know he knows. Shit. Fuck. Moses. Mary.

  Michael takes the microphone from me. “Thank you, mother, for bringing that up. He flashes her a killing glare. “Forgive my mother, she doesn’t understand privacy or personal boundaries. Scarlett doesn’t work there. I have actually had a fantasy for a while in where I made love to an angel. And since my fiancé is my real angel here on earth, I wanted to see if she’d indulge me this one fantasy on Christmas Day. Of course being the wonderful woman she is, she said yes immediately.”

  Diane looks like she’s about to have a stroke or a heart attack, or quite possibly both.

  Michael doesn’t miss a beat, but I can see in his blue eyes that he’s furious, and I’m really, really scared of losing him. “I rented the Black Chapel from the owner, knowing it would be closed on Christmas anyway, so we’d have the facility all to ourselves. And then we lived out my fantasy. It was
beautiful. Wasn’t it, Scarlett?” He turns and looks at me, his eye ever so subtly fuming.

  I nod, but I can’t get a word out, my mouth is so dry.

  The guests are very happy for us and they applaud generously.

  “So all a misunderstanding, I’m sure,” Michael says.

  Diane takes the microphone back. Michael grabs my hand and drags me off stage and out of the ballroom. He doesn’t say a word, not even when we get in the car. Driving in silence, I feel like my dream world is now coming to an end. My subconscious is whipping me. You had it coming. You don’t deserve this kind of happiness. You could never hold on to a man like Michael, who do you think you are? You’re no one, and especially now, you’ve messed up your life again.

  We’re at my house and he parks the car.

  “Get out,” he says.

  “Michael, please let me explain,” I say.

  “Not now. You need to go home. The next time I want to see you is at the wedding. I’m sorry my mother is such a bitch,” he says.

  I try to laugh, but the laughter gets stuck in my parched throat. “Me too. I’m sorry she aired your dirty laundry.”

  “Screw that. I’m even sorrier that you lied to me. I thought—” He stops. “We are through. The deal is still on, and I expect you at the wedding.”

  I’m feeling desperate. “But don’t you see that she’s trying to drive us apart? She’s been spying on me and now she found one little reason why you shouldn’t marry me.”

  “Broken trust is not a little reason,” Michael says through his teeth. His brow furrows deep and he closes his eyes. “I thought I’d found the one person I could trust completely, that I could give my heart to without hesitation. But obviously, you aren’t that person. You’re about as different from that person as they come.”

  “Can’t you see that this is all a stupid detail. I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid you’d act this way. That you’d pull the deal on me and. This isn’t even about the deal for me anymore. This is about us. I love you, Michael. Please, don’t do this,” I say.

  “I can’t be with someone I don’t trust. It’s what drove my father away from my mother. All the games, the lies, the secrets. I can’t and I won’t live that way, you hear?” He’s yelling now and I’m getting scared.