by Fifi Flowers
Her patient tone remained, “Seriously, honey. You are scaring me. Please tell me where you are.”
Still I refused to give in, “I'm fine. I just need to regroup. I will be back Monday or Tuesday.”
Jane’s patience was waning, and her voice raised a few octaves, “If you don't tell me where you are, I'm going to report you missing and have the police pull your credit card records. You know I have connections.”
“Okay. Okay.” I confessed my whereabouts, “I'm in Santa Monica.”
“You are WHERE?” Jane yelled into the phone loud enough that I moved the phone away from my ear.
Taking a few deep breaths, I told her, “After you left the office yesterday, I did too and headed for the airport. Sunshine sounded good. Stop worrying about me. Enjoy your weekend. I'll see you in a few days.”
“Make sure to keep your phone on. I'm going to keep checking in with you.” I heard Jane take a deep breath and hesitantly, she added, “Melissa, Evan called me. He was worried about you when you never showed up at your apartment.”
I was surprised by her words. “How would he know I never showed up? He hasn’t even called or texted me.”
“He didn't give me details, but he’s worried.” She’s speaking softly. “Maybe you should call him…”
Abruptly I cut her off, “No, I need some time to get used to being without him. You can tell him I'm fine. I will be back in the city Monday or Tuesday. I'll see you soon.
“Think about calling him. See you on Monday. I love you, honey.”
“Tuesday more like it. I love you too. Bye”
“Bye. Be safe. Don’t do anything dumb, my friend.”
I hung up with Jane and fell back to sleep. I was exhausted from crying all night.
Waking up a few hours later to a sunny day was welcoming treat. I ordered coffee, fruit and croissants for breakfast and ate out on the balcony. Realizing I had nothing to wear for this warm weather, I decided it was time to go shopping for summer clothes. The jeans, sweaters and high heels I purchased yesterday will not do when it's 80 degrees in December. Truly a-fucking-mazing!
Dressed in the coolest sweater I had, jeans and heels, I ventured out. I stop to ask the concierge about places to shop. He informed me that shopping was within walking distance, but as he looked at my shoes, he suggested I have a car drop me off. Happily, I accepted the assistance.
When I arrived at the shopping area, I went straight to a shoe shop and purchased a pair of fashionable ballet slippers, a couple pairs of sandals, and one pair of high heel sandals. Now I was ready to walk down the Santa Monica Promenade, a fabulous open-air shopping street. Next on my list of must-buys for warm weather; skirts, t-shirts, a white blouse, a lightweight jacket and a sundress. To brighten my spirits, I decided I needed some fun accessories; designer sunglasses and costume jewelry; bracelets, necklaces and a few cocktails rings. Equipped with a new wardrobe, I pop into a dressing room to change into an appropriate “summer” outfit; skirt, t-shirt, sandals and mood-elevating jewelry.
Feeling a little uplifted, I strolled down the block in search of a place to have lunch. The warm weather inspired me to find a restaurant where I could sit outside and look out to the ocean. Sitting on the patio at the Blue Plate Oysterette on Ocean Boulevard, I ordered a glass of Mirabelle Brut champagne along with their delicious smelling lobster mac and cheese. I watched people stroll along the cliff boardwalk; families, children; dogs; couples and my thoughts ran to Evan… I wanted to be one those couples; I wanted the children; I wanted the dogs… I wanted a family.
Evan…
I WAS A nervous wreck all night. I barely slept a wink. When Melissa didn’t come home last night, I tried her phone, but it went straight to voicemail. Thinking maybe she went back to my apartment, I headed over there, but she had not shown up there either. Returning back to her empty apartment, I knew something was wrong. I expected to hear from Melissa or at least see her after work. Was it possible that she didn’t hear me say I’ll see you at your apartment tonight when I dropped her at work? If she didn’t hear me, why would she call me, I should’ve called or texted her yesterday. How would she feel when I didn’t pick her up from work as I usually do? I really fucked up!
As soon as I woke up this morning alone in Melissa’s bed, I knew I needed a plan. I had to find her: Was she hurt? Did she have plans? Maybe she’s with Jane. I needed Jane’s phone number. Where would I find her number? Then it hit me, maybe the first desk had it for an emergency contact. I rushed down to the lobby, and I was suddenly relieved to see her number on Melissa’s contact list and I called her immediately going back up to the apartment.
“Jane.” I practically screamed at her. “It's Evan. Is Melissa with you?”
“No. I'm out of town for the weekend. I haven't seen her since we were getting ready to leave work. I thought she was with you,” she sounded confused.
“No. She never arrived at her apartment last night or this morning. I'm at her apartment now.” I raked my hand through my hair, wondering where she could be.
“Did you call her?”
“I tried all night, but it went straight to voicemail. Now it just rings.” I paused, and then voice my assumption, “I think I made a big mistake by not texting her yesterday. Our last night together was not exactly par for the course with us, and now I think maybe she doesn't want to speak with me. Jane, I’m afraid something has happened to her, will you please call her and let me know that she's okay?”
“Of course.” Jane’s voice was shaking as she spoke, “Now, I'm worried about her. I'll call her right now. I'll call you as soon as I know something.”
An hour later my phone rang. I answered it immediately. I sounded like an interrogator as I rattled questions at Jane, “Where is she? Is she ok?”
Quietly she answered me, “Apparently, she was upset about you dumping her.”
“WHAT?” I shouted.
“That's what she said.” Then hesitantly she added, “She said she needed to getaway. To think. To get used to being without you.”
“What the hell? SHIT!” I shouted and then took a few deep breaths, “I should've texted her yesterday. I wanted to surprise her.” Rubbing my forehead, I calmly asked, “Where is she?”
Reluctantly, she answered, “She hopped a flight to L.A.”
At first, I wasn’t sure I heard her right, “She what? Does she know someone there? Do you know where she’s staying?”
“Santa Monica, but she wouldn’t give me details. She said she would be back Monday or Tuesday.”
“I need to find her now, Jane.” I shouted and then quietly I told her, “I have to find my bébé. I need to take her in arms. She has to know how I feel about her. I have to tell her how I feel about her.”
“Okay, Evan.” She was quiet for a moment before delivering a possible solution, “I have a friend that could trace her credit card activity. I'll call him right now.”
“Great!” I exclaimed, stumbling to the bedroom to pack a quick bag. “I'm heading for the airport. I'll fly out to her.” Throwing clothing, I implored her, “Find out where she’s staying and call me as soon as you know.”
“Will do.”
“Thank you so much, Jane.” I said sincerely.
“Evan.” I hear sternness in her voice, “Make sure you don't break her heart. I don't know what your feelings are for her, but you need to set her straight. She's been through enough. And this is the worst time of the year for her.”
“That's why I need to find her,” I said in a broken voice.
I hung up with Jane and wondered, what exactly was I going to say to Melissa when I found her. What did I feel for her? I think I'm in love with her. Never have I wanted to be with someone every day. I wanted to wake up with her every morning and go to sleep with her every night.
I quickly finished packing my bag while calling Charles to drive me to the airport. I secured a first-class seat on a flight set to take off in thirty minutes, and I quickly raced to the gate. I hadn'
t heard from Jane as we were taking off. The flight was pure hell thinking about Melissa. How could she runaway from me? What if Jane can’t get the information? What if she didn’t use a credit card? Would I be able to find her? I had to… I had to let her know how I felt about her. One woman may have walked away from me, but I’d be damned if this one would.
By the time we landed at LAX, thankfully, I had a voicemail from Jane saying Melissa had checked into Shutter on the Beach. I quickly made my way to the exit to find a driver waiting for me. I gave him the name of the hotel, and we drove off. Time to get my bébé back in my arms.
Once at Shutters, I made a beeline to the young man working behind the front desk and hoped that he could help me get my plan in motion. I extended my hand to him and he shook it, and I began, “Good afternoon, my name is Evan Duke. My girlfriend, Melissa Bennette, checked in yesterday. I didn't think I could get away to join her for the weekend, but fortunately things changed freeing up my schedule, so I am here to surprise her. I am hoping you will close out her bill, put the charges on my credit card then get us the best suite you have. An ocean view would be perfect if you have one available.”
He nodded with a smile, “Of course, Mr. Duke. Let me see what I can do." After several minutes at his computer he looked up, “We do have a suite with an ocean view available, so I think we can help you make that surprise happen, sir.”
Handing him my credit card, I chuckled, “That's the first thing to go right in 24 hours.”
So far, my plan was going off without a hitch. Melissa's things were packed and moved to our new room, the front desk employees were ready with the story to tell her when she showed up wondering why her key didn't work and I had a bottle of champagne delivered for us to share. Now, all I had to do was wait for the call telling me she was on her way to me.
Melissa…
AFTER LUNCH, I took my time walking back to the hotel enjoying the ocean view. The weather was gorgeous. The combination of sunshine, a full belly of lobster mac and the lack of sleep made me yawn, and suddenly I couldn't get to the hotel fast enough for a much needed nap. Hurrying to my room, I dropped my packages in front of the door and inserted the key card into the door and received a red light. I tried it a few more times, but it still didn't work. “Damn!” I gathered up my shopping bags and went down to the front desk.
“Excuse me, sir. My room key doesn't work.”
“Your name, please.”
“Melissa Bennette.”
The clerk types on the computer keyboard. “It says here that your room was needed by a regular guest of the hotel.”
“What?” I asked agitated and added “I need a room!” I was so tired. I just want to crawl into bed. I raised my voice demanding, “What the hell did you do with my things?” I was truly not myself.
“I’m sorry, miss. Don’t worry; we have new accommodations for you. We upgraded you to one of our suites for this inconvenience, and your belongs have been moved to the suite. Again, we are truly sorry for this inconvenience. Here is your new room key. Let me get someone to carry your packages up to the room.”
“No, thank you. I just want to get to my room, I can manage.” I said grabbing the new key. “Just point me in the right direction.” I snapped, and then quickly apologize for my bad behavior before heading to the elevator.
I stopped at the door of Beach Suite, inserted the key and thankfully receive a green light. I turned the handle and walked into a gorgeous living room with a fireplace, comfy furnishings and a balcony. I dropped my bags on the floor and noticed there was a bucket with champagne on a table. A glass of champagne had already been poured. “Nice touch,” I said to myself, “I could use that right about now!”
Instead of falling into bed as I had planned, I picked up the glass of bubbly, took a sip, then grabbed the bottle and walked out on the balcony. I almost dropped the glass and bottle when I saw the most beautiful view ever. On a chaise lounge wearing Wayfarer sunglasses, a pair of shorts and an open button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up, sat a dark-haired vision.
“Hey bébé, come here.” Evan said patting the chaise lounge, removing his sunglasses.
I didn't move. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
His blue eyes were filled with worry and concern as he studied my face, “Come sit with me and I'll tell you.”
I moved to the rail of the balcony and gazed out at the ocean. “I came here to get away from everything that reminds me of you, and now here you are fucking that up.” I turned and looked at him, hating that I still could mostly only think of how gorgeous he was, “Do you have any idea what I am going through? What you have put me through?”
“Oh, bébé. I'm so sorry. I really have no idea how things got so messed up between us. Please, ma cherie, come sit with me. I'll try to explain.
I hesitated. He flashed me his most winningest smile, gave me that little wink that I love so much, replaced his sexy glasses and I had to give in.
With my heart racing, I walked toward him. When I was within reach, he grabbed my hand, pulled me down on his lap, took my glass of champagne and the bottle and set them on a side table and gave me a sweet, soft kiss on my lips.
I pulled back and looked at him. “Why are you here? Why aren't you off with ‘Isabelle’?”
“ISABELLE? Why would I be off with her?” He looked at me confused.
I didn’t say anything.
“Oh.” He raised an eyebrow, “You saw her name on my phone?”
I nod my head yes.
“Bébé, Isabelle is a family friend. I called her to help me with a project.”
“I heard you talk to her about going away together; cocktails play time.”
“You obviously didn't listen to my whole conversation. I was talking about my family's holiday cocktail party and taking you for a getaway to an upstate bed and breakfast.” He said running his hand up and down my arm raising goose bumps on my skin.
“But… but you made it clear that our time together was over Friday morning. I thought you were lining up your next fuck.”
“Whoa!" I felt him stiffen. “When did I ever say that?”
“You asked me to stay four more days with you. Friday morning you were cold and distant. I knew I fucked up our last night by getting drunk, but I thought at least you would give me a warmer goodbye. Not the total brush-off. “
Evan pulled me closer into him and tilted my face to his. “I'm sorry. I had so much on my mind that morning. I was finishing a big project I had been working on all week. I needed it completed and perfect by Friday afternoon. I had no plan of ending our time together.”
“I never heard from you all day. When you dropped me off at work, you were so cold. I knew that was the end. That's why I gave you a quick kiss and ran off.” I bit my lip to stop the tears from coming remembering that morning.
“I told you I'd see you later.” I looked at him confused and then lowered my head. “You didn't hear me, did you?”
Shaking my head in his chest, I answered softly, “No. I couldn't hear what you said. I had to get away from you. I didn't want you to see me crying.”
Evan grasped my ponytail and pulled it gently, lifting my head up to his. He captured my lips with his, sliding his tongue into my mouth. I welcomed his kiss and responded to him eagerly. Oh, how I have missed his kisses.
“Oh bébé, if I don't get my cock into you now, I'm going to go crazy.” He growled scooping me up and walking me into the bedroom. We started ripping each other’s clothes off and fell on to the bed.
Evan had me on my back, my legs spread and he pounded into me. “Ooooh mon dieu. There's nothing better. Fuck me. Fuck me hard, Evan.”
He was groaning and going at me harder and deeper, and I heard loudly, “Je t'aime, bébé.” There was no mistaking his words this time.
He got me wild. I was lifting into him, wrapping my legs around his waist and he placed his hands under my ass and drove in even deeper. I felt him harder and thicker than he'd ever
been and I was moaning, crying out his name as my walls were tightening around his cock. He felt so good inside of me. “Melissa, open your eyes. Look at me and come for me, bébé.”
I did as I was told and I felt him coming deep inside me. “I love you Evan, I love you so much,” I said with tears streaming down my face. I didn't care if he only told me in the heat of the moment. I loved him!
He rolled onto his side, keeping us still connected and started kissing me deeply. I could feel him getting harder inside me. How could it be? He was as hard as a rock inside me, and I was loving it as he pulled in and out slowly. It was so intense, so loving. Our tongues were moving at the same leisurely pace. We were both looking at each. I could see the love in his eyes, and I was lost forever.
Ever so slowly we built to a mutual orgasm. We stay connected, holding on to each other and fell asleep. There was nowhere else I would rather be than in his strong arms.
AFTER SOME INTIMATE time in bed with my sexy Melissa, we took a walk by the ocean. Quietly we strolled along the sand hand-in-hand. She was so beautiful with her blonde hair blowing in the sea breeze. I pulled her hand up occasionally kissing the inside of her wrist. She smiled and my chest tightened. I truly loved this woman.
Looking at her, the events of yesterday flooded my mind and I was thrown back, going over everything that happened. I couldn't tell you how happy I was to find her in California and that she was all right. I was frantic when she didn't show up at her apartment on Friday night after work. I called her office around the time she usually wrapped up her day and was told she left early. Given that information, I knew she could arrive at any moment, and I was excited to see her. When she didn’t arrive after a couple of hours, I started pacing the floor. Where was she? Did something happen to her? I was still mad at myself for not having Charles pick her up from work. Knowing she actually ran away from me, I was more scared. I didn't want to lose her. I'd never been in a relationship. I was used to doing what I wanted, when I wanted and not having to answer to anyone, especially not a woman. My life was organized, scheduled, everything was under control. She had thrown me out of my comfort zone.