by C. De Melo
“I’ve saved every single issue that you’ve been featured in,” Naomi said, wide-eyed. Michael was eating it up like a celebrity. Her glossy lips curved into a seductive smile. “Even my little brother looks up to you.”
Maddy’s gaze finally drifted towards Naomi and Michael. She caught my eye and gave me a little smile of discomfort just before Naomi leaned forward in her chair and exposed her ample cleavage.
I stood up and announced, “I’m starving. Is anyone else hungry?”
“I am,” said Lance.
“Me too,” Maddy said.
Michael and Naomi seemed reluctant to follow us to the dinner table. After everyone had taken their seats, Juana and Maria served the guests. They had prepared creamy tomato bisque, followed by a salad of mixed baby greens and then perfectly roasted Cornish hens with hazelnut stuffing. Naomi continued to lavish her attention solely on Michael while Maddy, Lance and I tried to have an all-inclusive conversation.
I felt sorry for my sister. Naomi was behaving rather badly, which I found odd since she had left me with such a good first impression at lunch the other day. Lance and I were seated side by side and we both turned to look at one another in surprise when we heard the word ‘ALTSYS’ coming from Naomi’s mouth. Being closest to her, I paid attention to what she said while Lance cleverly engaged Maddy in conversation. The formal dining table was wide and Michael and Naomi were speaking in low voices, but I could discern that she was asking many questions and he was providing answers. Their conversation seemed harmless enough, but why would an investment banker be so interested in clean energy?
After dinner, Juana served coffee and homemade strawberry shortcake. Naomi now divided her attention with everyone as she talked about Egypt and the pyramids. Maddy appeared relieved.
“I remember my first trip to Egypt,” Michael said. “I was amazed at sheer size of the pyramids. I kept thinking to myself: these architectural masterpieces were created with none of the technology we have today.”
“The ancient civilizations had their own technology and were actually quite advanced in their mathematics,” Naomi said. “Did you know that pyramids align with specific stellar constellations?”
“Yes, I did,” Michael replied.
“No doubt thanks to Zoë,” Lance interjected.
Michael looked to his brother and nodded. “Yes, thanks to my wife. She loves to read about historical art and architecture.”
Naomi caught my eye and smiled. “Maddy told me you are fascinated with ancient history.”
“I am,” I confessed.
“May I ask you a question- totally unrelated?”
“Yes, of course.”
“It’s a personal question,” Naomi warned.
“It feels very strange and I often feel displaced,” I said, already knowing what she was going to ask. “It’s like a big gap is missing in my life.”
Naomi blushed and lowered her gaze. “Sorry. I bet everyone asks you that question, huh?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to wake up twenty years into the future,” Naomi said quietly. “Forgive me, Zoë. I hope I didn’t upset you.”
Maddy shifted in her seat uncomfortably and looked over at me with concern. I smiled and waved my hand. “I’m fine, Naomi. I’m used to being asked that question.”
There was an awkward moment of silence.
“Why don’t you tell us about the swanky little soiree Nancy Ashton is planning at the gallery this weekend?” Lance asked.
I appreciated the subject change. The upcoming event was important enough to be mentioned in the Washington Post. Nancy was planning a party for all the top clients of the gallery. It was something she did every year to show her appreciation for their patronage.
“Will Barbara and Alicia be flying in for this?” Michael asked.
“Actually, yes. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again,” I replied. “Barbara and Alicia work in our sister gallery in Los Angeles,” I explained. “I met them in Rome this past spring.”
“That should be fun,” Maddy said.
“I hope so,” I said.
“Why don’t we go into the living room where it’s more comfortable?” Michael suggested.
We took his suggestion and scattered around the living room. Naomi was all over Michael again and sitting very close to him. Maddy sat alone on the sofa trying to look as if she was having a good time. I was standing by the bar and Lance came to stand near me.
“Are you sure she’s gay?” Lance whispered in my ear.
“I’m beginning to wonder about that myself,” I whispered back. “Come on, let’s sit by Maddy.”
Lance made Maddy laugh with his witty comments and jokes, while I watched Michael and Naomi out of the corner of my eye. I also noticed something else; Maria was standing in the corner watching Naomi like a hawk. She held a stack of dirty dessert plates in her hand. When she caught my eye, she lowered her gaze and walked in the direction of the kitchen.
At the end of the evening Naomi politely thanked Michael and I for a lovely dinner, and then walked outside to a brand new white jaguar that was parked behind my Mercedes. Maddy embraced us both before following Naomi. Lance caught my eye and winked when Michael wasn’t looking. He finished his drink, thanked us, and left. Michael and I stood in the entryway alone.
“I think the evening went quite well, princess,” he said.
“Yes.” It was a blatant lie.
Michael swirled the remainder of brandy in his snifter. “Naomi is a jewel and Maddy is very lucky.”
I frowned. “I think Naomi is the lucky one to have snagged someone like Maddy.”
“Oh, there, there, honey. I didn’t mean it like that,” Michael protested, placing his arm around me.
I ducked away from his touch and started for the stairs.
“Zoë? You aren’t upset are you?” he asked.
“No,” I lied. “I’m just tired and I don’t feel well. I’m going to bed.”
“Goodnight, princess,” he called out as I neared the top of the stairs.
“Goodnight,” I called back. You bastard.
“Don’t wait up, I’ve got work to do in my office,” he said from the foot of the stairs.
Yes, like screwing the maid. I shook my head and closed the bedroom door.
***
If Maddy was upset over Naomi’s behavior during dinner, she didn’t mention a thing to me about it when I met her a few days later. I assumed they had smoothed things over and decided to categorize the incident as a fluke. Naomi was probably just star-struck by Michael.
Lance and I met frequently, but we were always careful. We knew the CIA was going to apprehend my husband someday soon and we didn’t want to risk giving anything away. True to his word, Lance was giving me the time I needed to get through this before pursuing any relationship with me. There was no pressure on his part whatsoever and I was grateful for his patience.
Michael went out of town on business one week after our dinner party with Naomi. Lance took the opportunity that he was out of town to invite me for dinner. Against my better judgment, I accepted. I knew being in an intimate setting would complicate matters in my life, but I was only human. And I was in love with him.
I arrived just as the sun was beginning its descent. The view from Lance’s penthouse condo was breathtaking. The late summer sky was salmon pink with periwinkle clouds laced with gold. I stood before the glass wall and stared in awe.
“Prosecco?” Lance asked, offering me a crystal flute.
I accepted the drink and clicked the rim of my flute to the one in his hand. “A toast to beautiful sunsets.”
“To beautiful sunsets,” he repeated before taking a sip. “And beautiful women,” he added, looking at me from head to toe.
I blushed. Since it was so muggy outside, I wore a strapless emerald green halter top and a long Indian silk wrap skirt with simple gold sandals. My only jewelry was a pair of hoop earrings that had been cra
fted by hand in gold. They gleamed prettily against my red hair, which was thrown up casually and held in place with a short wooden chopstick.
“Thank you,” I said, taking a sip.
Lance had unwittingly fulfilled my Rome fantasy by wearing a partially open linen shirt and pants, and his hair was loose. And he smelled so good it was difficult to concentrate.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Actually, I am.” I paused and added, “This is the first time you’ve ever cooked for me.”
He dropped his gaze to my lips. “And hopefully not the last,” he said huskily.
Oh God…
“So what’s for dinner?” I chirped.
Slowly, he inclined his head to kiss my temple. My eyes fluttered shut and my breathing grew shallow as his warm lips trailed down to my jaw and finally to my mouth. He took his time kissing me, as if he was savoring the flavor of my lips.
After several seconds he pulled away and whispered, “Fresh cucumber salad with smoked salmon and capers, vegetable soufflé and homemade blueberry sorbet.”
“What?”
Lance laughed aloud. “You asked what’s for dinner and I just answered you.”
I felt my face flush. “Sounds delicious.”
“Not as delicious as this,” he said before he bent his head to kiss me again.
I came to my senses and pulled away. “Your dinner will end up going to waste if you continue to do that.”
His hooded eyes crinkled at the corners as a slow smile stretched across his face. “Oh, please tell me that’s a promise, baby.”
I boldly grabbed the lapel of his shirt with one hand and pulled him towards me. When his face was close to mine, I said, “I’m overstressed and undersexed, Lance. It won’t be hard to seduce me if that’s what you’re trying to do.”
He closed the gap between us with a kiss so fierce I almost dropped the flute of Prosecco. Without breaking contact, he pulled me towards the kitchen and placed our glasses on the counter. Pushing me against the wall, he kissed me hungrily. His hands roamed throughout my body as he pressed against me with urgency. He pulled the chopstick from my hair and my tresses fell in waves over my shoulders.
“God, Zoë,” he sighed.
My need for him was just as great. My fingers began to work the buttons of his shirt until it was completely open. I allowed my palms to caress his hard chest while my lips sought his clavicle. He gasped softly when I placed my tongue in the hollow at the base of his throat. I looked up at his face and his eyes were glazed with desire, the pupils dilated. He pulled down my halter top and took both of my bare breasts in his hands. My knees went weak. When he placed his mouth on my left nipple I had to lean back against the wall for support.
“I want you,” he growled. “But I’ll stop if you’re not ready for this…just say the word.” He kissed my lips. “Do you want me?” he whispered.
We locked eyes and I nodded. Lifting me up in his arms, he carried me to his bedroom where I was engulfed in midnight blue and soft white. Our lovemaking was a combination of pent-up passion and tenderness. Our urgent need and desire for one another consumed us like a raging brushfire, but it was tempered with sweet kisses, terms of endearment and gentle caresses. When we both lay naked and satiated, I smiled. Lance’s room was charming; contemporary white bedroom furniture with midnight blue paint on the walls and a huge skylight above our heads. Suddenly, I laughed softly.
Lance angled his magnificent body towards me and rested upon his elbow. “What’s so funny?”
“This moment is pure bliss,” I confessed.
He kissed the tip of my nose and grinned. “I’m the happiest man in the world right now.” His finger traced a line from my neck to my navel. His face grew serious. “I love you, Zoë.”
“And I love you,” I confessed. “I have for some time, but I-”
“Shh,” he interjected. “I know. You don’t have to say another word.”
“What are we going to do?”
He got out of bed. “Well, first we’re going to eat. I didn’t spend the afternoon cooking for nothing, you know. Then, we can come back here and…” He bent down to caress my cheek.
I giggled. “I meant what to do about my- our- situation.”
“I know what you meant,” he said soberly. “You know what I want.”
“Tell me again.”
“I want to share my life with you. I want you here with me…in my home, as my woman. As my wife, if you’d have me.” He raised his hand before I could reply and quickly added, “When you’re ready, Zoë. I know there’s a lot going on right now in both of our lives. I’m a patient man and you’re worth the wait.”
I got out of bed and threw my arms around his neck.
He held me for a moment before taking my chin in his hands and forcing me to look up at him. “When you’re ready,” he repeated softly.
***
Michael surprised me the following night after dinner by asking me if I felt like staying in and watching a movie. After having made love the night before with Lance, the last thing I wanted to do was spend time with Michael. I didn’t feel guilty about sleeping with my brother-in-law (especially since my husband was carrying on with two women). For the first time since my awakening I felt like a woman. I also felt truly alive and happy; so happy that I didn’t want to leave Lance’s place last night. He insisted that I return to my home, however, and continue the charade for my own protection. As much as he had wanted me to stay, he wasn’t about to let his personal desires come before my safety.
“You don’t have work to do?” I asked.
“I always have work, princess. I just thought it would be nice to spend a quiet evening at home with my lovely wife. I am entitled to that once in a while, you know.”
“I know.”
Michael smiled. “So, what do you say?”
I shrugged. “Fine.”
He led me to the HV chamber and we sat side by side on the cushioned seat. He pulled me close and I cringed inwardly.
“What are you in the mood to see?” he asked.
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. You pick.”
The HV came on after Michael’s voice command. He looked at me and asked, “How about a murder mystery?”
Great, just what my frazzled nerves need. “Sure.”
Maria popped her head into the HV chamber. “Excuse me, Mr. Adams, Mrs. Adams. Would either of you care for some popcorn?”
I was irritated that Maria was always lurking around and ignored her question.
“No, thank you, Maria,” Michael said. “That’s very nice of you to offer, but I’m still full from dinner.” He looked at me. “Do you want popcorn, princess?”
“No thanks,” I replied.
“Very good. If there’s nothing else, I bid you both a goodnight. I’m just going to finish up in the kitchen before I go home.”
“Goodnight, Maria,” Michael said.
Michael chose a recently produced film about a serial killer. Five minutes into the film, my wrist-phone went off.
“Let’s ignore it,” Michael said, frowning at the device on my wrist.
“It’s Suzie.”
“The intern at the gallery?”
“Yes.”
Michael sighed, stopped the film and waited as I took the call.
I smiled. “Hi Suzie, what’s up?”
“I’m glad you picked up, Mrs. Adams,” the intern said, looking excited. “There’s a woman here who is ready to buy artwork, but she insists that she’ll only buy from you.”
“Who is it?”
Suddenly the screen moved and I saw Naomi’s smiling face. “Hello Zoë, it’s me, Naomi.”
“Oh, hello, Naomi,” I replied.
Michael’s interest was sparked so he shifted in his seat to take a peek at my screen. “Hi Naomi.”
“Hello Michael. I hope I’m not bothering you,” she said.
“Not at all,” he said with a goofy grin akin to that of a smitten teenage boy. “We were j
ust sitting here watching a movie.” At the sight of my stony expression, he added, “I’ll let you and Zoë talk now.”
“Thanks, Michael.” She turned her eyes back to me when Michael’s face disappeared. “It’s my mother’s birthday,” she explained. “I want to get her something very special. I also wanted to surprise Maddy with a piece of artwork. Your sister and I spend so much time together that it’s hard to do something for her without her knowledge. Since she had to take a client to dinner tonight, I took the opportunity to sneak over here. I thought I’d catch you working.”
“I have the night off,” I explained.
“Would it be too much to ask for you to come down to the gallery?” she pleaded. “I won’t take much of your time. Suzie is wonderful, of course, but I would much prefer your input since you know your sister’s taste.”
“I’ll be happy to assist you, Naomi,” I assured.
“Thanks so much,” she said.
Suzie’s face appeared on screen. “You can leave as soon as I arrive. Don’t worry, I’ll lock up,” I said.
She grinned. “Thanks, Mrs. Adams.”
“And Suzie, offer our guest a glass of good wine, will you?”
“Will do,” Suzie promised before ending the call.
“That’s very thoughtful of Naomi,” Michael commented. “I’ll go with you.”
“No need, Michael. Go ahead and enjoy the movie. I should be back soon.”
He looked disappointed. “Are you sure? I mean, it’s late.”
“Naomi said it wouldn’t take up too much time. I’m sure she has an idea of what she wants to buy and just needs some assurance that it’s the right choice.”
“Okay, princess. Drive safely.”
I grabbed my purse and keys. As I made my way to the front door, I almost collided with Maria who was leaving at the same time.
“Oops, I’m sorry, Mrs. Adams,” she said.
“No worries,” I said, barely giving her a second thought. I was surprised she wasn’t going to screw my husband in my absence.
I drove downtown in good time and parked on the street just in front of the gallery. It was near closing time and the streets were almost devoid of cars. I walked into the gallery. Naomi held a glass of wine in her hand and was looking at one of the paintings.