by Vicki Keener
“Don't presume, Mona,” Cray said.
“No, she's right,” Angel said, “Darja is no blushing innocent.”
“Bekka is harder to read,” Mona said, “but she and Freddie have a thing going that can't be denied.”
“Bekka doesn't talk much about her private life so your guess is as good as mine,” Angel said.
“Freddie won't push her, but at the same time he's no saint. We've been friends for years and to my knowledge he doesn't invite women to meet his parents. I've been to his family home many times, but as a friend.”
Angel said, “Do you have feelings for Freddie?”
“Not in the way you mean. We tried the kissy face stuff early on, but there's no magic there. Hey, my rental must be here because the intercom is buzzing. See you tonight.”
Cray and Angel along with her parents arrived in White Plains at the Phillips mansion before Mona and her passengers left the city. Celena gasped when Cray parked in front of the huge Tudor home that belonged to the Phillips. Gwen and Alexander rushed from the front door to greet their guests. True to their word at Christmas, the Phillips spoke a few words in Norwegian. With genuine warmth and grace they welcomed Celena and Agust to their home and a bond formed between the two couples.
Inside the massive foyer with hardwood floors, oriental carpets and the elegant stairway in front of her, Celena turned to Angelica with a gesture and said, “This is the stairway you will come down to take the man you love as your husband. Angelica, my heart is so full to be here to see my first born recite her solemn vows.”
Angel embraced her mother and said, “Mamma, I'm so glad you and Pappa are here, too. Pappa, no tripping on the stairs as you escort me.”
“It is my proudest moment since the day you were born,” Agust said.
“Mother,” Cray said, “I'll bring in the luggage from the car. What room is ready for the Andersson's?”
Gwen told him and then led the others to the den so they could chat.
As Mona entered the city limits of White Plains later that afternoon she called Birch. He answered and she said, “What took you so long to answer?”
“My client is being deposed, Mona. I excused myself when I your number popped up on my phone. Is something wrong?”
“Not a thing, Birchie, baby. I'm heading to your office as we speak. There's a certain Norwegian beauty who can't wait to meet you in person.”
“You're in White Plains now? You're two days early. Mona, I'm taking next week off work and that's why I'm cramming so much in this week. Christ, couldn't you warn me?”
“Consider this your warning, Birchie, baby. This is a last minute change. I expect you to be ready to greet us in fifteen minutes.”
“Fuck, Mona, I can't walk out of this deposition. Can't you stall? Tomorrow is no better. I'll be in court in the morning.”
“Get your intern to handle the deposition. See ya' in thirteen minutes. You can figure out the court thingy later.”
Mona ushered Dirk and Darja into a high-rise building a half block from the courthouse. She pressed the top floor button on the elevator, the doors closed and the elevator zoomed to the top. They entered a plush reception area where an attractive woman sat behind a teak circular desk. The woman glanced up and smiled. “Mona, it's good to see you. It's been a long time. Your brother asked me to take you to his office and he'll join you in a few minutes. He's finishing up with his client right now.”
“Thank you, Thelma. You needn't bother. I'm familiar with his office location.” She introduced Darja and Dirk to Thelma and lead them to the glass-walled office where Birch did his lawyering.
Mona offered them a seat while she pushed a button on the wall. The wall slid to the side exposing a stocked bar. “Beer, wine, soft drink? What's your pleasure?”
They both chose soft drinks. Dirk moved to help her and said, “Mona, I thought you were showing off in New York when you took us to those fancy places. Now you bring us here.” He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “I could be serious about you, but I will never be able to give you what you deserve.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “Dirk, lets enjoy your visit to the fullest while you're here and not worry about the future. Can we do that?”
He pulled her close and kissed her as the office door opened and Birch entered. He cleared his throat at the same time Darja rose from the sofa, threw her arms around him, pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. His arms wrapped around her waist, then lower and his tongue entered her mouth.
“Wow,” Birch said when both couples broke their hold, “if this is the way people from Norway greet each other, I'm buying a one-way ticket.”
Darja said, “I want to live with you while I'm here.”
“Darja, Mamma and Pappa will be ashamed. They will never allow it,” Dirk said. “They didn't raise you to be a slut.”
Mona and Birch glanced at each other.
“Who are you to talk? Some nights you don't come home. Why is it okay for you and not for me? I'm twenty-eight years old. I can do what I want.”
“Did you see how ashamed and embarrassed Mamma and Pappa were this morning when you threw a tantrum? We're here as guests. Do you really want to hurt our parents?”
Darja turned to Birch and said, “Do you want to sleep with me?”
“Well, I...I...I. Darja, maybe we should take this slow.”
“How slow? I'm leaving in ten days. What is it with you American men? Since I've been here, men are trying to touch me inappropriately or treating me like they find me amusing and not worth the trouble.”
Mona spoke. “Darja, Freddie brought a friend along so you'd have an escort. You treated him like he didn't exist while you flirted and danced with other guys.”
“He patronized me and treated me condescendingly. I'm not a piece of fluff to be dismissed as unworthy. Birch, we talked almost every day for months. Am I a piece of fluff?”
Birch heaved a sigh and said, “No, Darja, the discussions we had since Christmas show me your depth and I want very much to get to know you better in person. Dirk makes a valid point, though, about your parents and I don't want to embarrass my folks. Let's be discreet. We'll have time alone. I can assure you of that.”
She snuggled against him and said, “Whatever you say, Birch. I trust you.”
Mona raised one eyebrow, glancing at Dirk and Birch who gave her a quizzical look in return.
The two families gathered at the Phillip's home, including Lake and Ladd. Ladd inquired about Bekka's whereabouts and Mona told him she'd arrive Friday evening with Freddie Winthrop. Gwen and Alex hosted a typical American barbeque on the terrace for their guests.
Ladd pulled Cray aside at the first opportunity and said, “Am I to assume that Bekka and Freddie are an item?”
“He's taking her to meet his parents tonight for dinner. Make what you will of that. Have the two of you been in contact?”
“Four or five times over the past few months since Christmas. I didn't develop any attachment to her if that's what you mean. She's beautiful and pleasant so I didn't consider it a hardship to escort her while she's here. Freddie is a terrific guy, richer than Midas and if they made a connection, it's okay with me.”
“So no hard feelings?”
“None whatsoever. Darja is a beauty. She and Birch seem to hit it off pretty well. She strikes me as so gentle and sweet. She just might be too much of a lady for Birch.”
“Think Jekyll and Hyde,” Cray said laughing. “She's why we're here sooner than planned. She made it quite clear she'd make everyone miserable if we didn't bring her here to meet Birch. She's a firecracker.”
“In that case, I revise my opinion. They're made for each other. Cray, I can see how happy you and Angelica are. I wish you the best.” Birch clapped his hand on Cray's shoulder
and squeezed.
“Thanks, Birch, we are happy and I wish the same for you whoever it may be.”
At nine that evening, Birch said to the group at large. “If you will excuse us, I'm taking Darja to the movies.”
Mona gave a sly grin and said, “Oh, Dirk and I will go with you. What are you seeing?”
Birch glared at her and named a recent film, realizing that Mona had a penchant for seeing the latest movies. Mona said, “Oh, too bad. I saw that weeks ago.”
“Gee, that is too bad, Mona. Maybe another time.” His eyes shot daggers at her.
Agust approached Darja as she rose to accept Birch's hand. He spoke in rapid Norwegian in a low voice. “Of course, Pappa.”
As Birch opened the passenger side door to his car for her, he said, “What did your father say? I could tell by his tone he warned you about something.”
“He told me it's disrespectful to your parents if I don't return here tonight. Are we really going to a movie?”
“We are if that's what you'd like to do.”
“I love Hollywood movies, but it's not my first choice tonight.”
He grinned as he started the ignition in the car and circled the driveway. “What is your first choice?”
“I want to get naked with you,” Darja said.
No guile. He loved it. “We'll be at my place in ten minutes. Can you wait that long?”
“Can you?” she asked unbuttoning two buttons on her blouse to give him a better glimpse of her cleavage.
“I'll have you back to my parents before the sun rises.”
“You must work tomorrow.”
“I've pulled all nighters before for a lot less reward.”
Her hand reached across the sport's car console and stroked his thigh. “I'd like to watch you in court tomorrow. I bet you're virile and so commanding.”
“You don't need to flatter me, Darja. I'm intrigued by you and have been since we talked for the first time on Christmas. I'm glad we have this opportunity to get better acquainted in person. My expectations are not cast in stone. Ten days is not a long time to understand everything about the other, but it's a good start.”
“So you're suggesting we do take it slowly.”
“I'm suggesting we force nothing. Let our relationship build at its own pace. Not rush into a full-blown affair because of time constraints.”
“We'll see about that,” Darja said and Birch chuckled.
Cray and Angelica climbed in bed naked late that night. His hands and lips explored her body, lingering at her breasts and on her mound. He said, “When we get to Paris and check in our hotel, I may not let you out of bed for the first five days, but I promise we'll stay long enough to see the sights.”
“Make it a full week and you've got a deal. Since my family arrived it's as though I had to kick my addiction to you cold turkey.”
“Once is never enough for us,” he said as his mouth lowered to her breast and suckled her hard while his hand caressed her clitoris and two fingers entered her.
She moaned and tugged at his hip. “Cray, I need you in me now.”
“I won't last.”
“We'll start again, darling. Please don't deny me.”
“I'm powerless to deny you anything, Angel,” he said plunging in her as her legs rose and wrapped around him, holding him close to her body so his strokes were short, but hard and fast. Her climax built. As she reached the peak she arched into him and his mouth claimed hers as they reached a simultaneous orgasm.
He stayed connected to her and pulled her on top of him as they still fought to regain control of their breathing. “You take me so high,” she said, “and it's not just every now and then. It's each time and that's why I crave that feeling you give me.”
His fingers reached between them and stroked her swollen nub. “I want to come again with you, but I need a little time to recoup.”
“You're not that soft,” she said, contacting her vaginal muscles and rubbing against his hand and pubic hair.
“Keep doing that and I'll be hard again inside you.”
She lifted her breast to his mouth and he laved and suckled her. She said, “That feels so good. Did I ever tell you I know when you're going to come in me? It's not just your increased pace. Your cock gets harder, thicker, longer. You reach higher inside me. You radiate a heat that makes me hotter. You throb and pulsate. Your seed is even warmer and when you release you drive as deep as I can hold you and that heightens my excitement.”
“Angelica,” he said, his voice tortured with need.
“Take me, darling. I want my legs on your shoulders.”
He rolled her to her back as she raised her legs, using the tops of her feet to lock behind him as he pounded in her. Before he shattered, she did. As they came down from their high, she said, “You probably woke the entire household.”
“I love you. Everyone is aware of that. I'll be glad when we're next door to strangers because I don't give a damn what they think.”
“I don't care what anyone thinks,” she said, “as long as you keep loving me and making love to me for the next half century.”
He flopped down beside her and pulled her close for a passionate kiss. “Eternity, babe. That's what I'm shooting for with us.”
He kissed her again, his tongue swirling in her mouth as his hand cupped her core and stroked. She said, “What are you doing?”
He released her mouth and before his tongue licked her nipple, she said, “Making you come again.”
She opened her legs, giving him access while her hand cupped his balls and began to tease him to resurrect his erection. Both sated, they kissed and stroked until after a long period their ministrations had the desired effect and for the third time that night they took each other to orgasm in a long sensuous journey that lacked the intensity of the first time, but spoke of their deep and abiding love for each other. Then they slept.
Chapter 17
Darja joined her family and the Phillips for breakfast the following morning. They ate buffet style on the screened porch. No one asked her what time she returned home and she didn't offer them an explanation.
The women decided they wanted to go shopping at some of the high-end stores that White Plains had to offer. Alex said he'd take Dirk, Agust and Cray to the country club to play a few holes of golf, eat lunch there and play a few hands of Gin Rummy in the afternoon. Lake, Ladd and Birch would join them at the house at six for cocktails and they'd go to the famous restaurant Morton's of Chicago for dinner that night. Freddie and Bekka planned to join them at the house for cocktails and go to dinner with them.
When they entered Neiman Marcus, Gwen said, “If we get separated, let's meet at the entrance at noon.” They agreed.
“Mamma,” Angelica said, “stay with me for a bit.”
Celena smiled and hooked her hand in Angelica's elbow. Angelica led her mother to a display of Pashmina wraps. She spoke her native language with her mother. “I need your help in deciding what colors to buy for Mona, Gwen, Bekka, Darja and you.”
Celena's hand caressed the soft cashmere and silk blend. “They are so soft and warm. Are they expensive?”
“It's my gift to you and the girls for coming here and being in my wedding. It's also my way of thanking Gwen and Mona for all they've done.”
“But they look expensive. Can you afford this?”
“Yes, Mamma. I earn a good salary from teaching and Cray insisted on giving me his credit card. I won't use it, but he's very generous.”
“I've never seen such wealth as these people possess and yet, they don't flaunt it. You're marrying well, Angelica.”
“I love him, Mamma, and he loves me. His money doesn't influence me.”
“I understand. He does love you. It's in his eyes when he looks at you. His family accepts
you, too.”
“Yes, they're wonderful people. Help me choose colors.” She placed her hand on a tiger animal print shawl and said, “Darja will love this one.”
“Yes, she will. It's wild like her. She worries your pappa and me with her reckless ways and outspoken manner. What will become of her? She has no ambition to better herself.”
“She'll find herself, Mamma. It takes some longer than others.”
“You decided at fifteen you'd come to America, get an education and become a professor.”
“Yes, but that's not common. Most of my students have no idea what career path they want to follow. I think the pale pink for Gwen with her silver hair and the purple for Mona. Purple looks good on people with dark eyes.”
“I love the pale blue,” Celena said. “This aquamarine is a close match to Bekka's eyes.”
Angelica laughed as she gathered the shawls and said, “See, I knew you'd be a huge help. Thank you, Mamma.” They looked for a sales clerk or cashier. “Mamma, Cray and I will spend the last week or ten days of our honeymoon in Norway with you. He's excited to see where I grew up and the area.”
“That's wonderful. Do you suppose since he does have money that we can visit each other more often now?”
“Yes, Mamma, I do. Either you can come here or during the summer we'll come to you.”
“Do you want children, Angelica?”
“I'll soon be thirty-six and Cray is going on thirty-seven. We don't plan on having children. Can you understand that?”
“Yes, I do understand. I would love to be a grandmother some day.”
“Hopefully, the others will give you grandchildren.”
Angelica paid for and took her wrapped gifts. She and her mother wandered to the handbag section where Celena found a purse she couldn't resist until Angel translated the dollar price to Krone, the Norwegian currency. With reluctance, she put the purse back.
Angelica said, “Your birthday is in two months. Let me get this for you.” Her mother protested, but in the end relented. She exchanged the contents of her old purse to the new one.