“The tea made you feel better. It’s a special potion to restore you, yes—and make you feel very good.”
“It is a love potion. I feel it.”
“Come with me,” Nico helped her up and they went to his bed. Taking out a bottle of coconut oil, he poured some into his hand and began pleasuring himself. Élodie sat on the side of the bed watching him intently. His eyes remained fixed on hers as he slowly tugged his cock, coaxing it back to its full hard length. “Give me your ass, baby.”
Élodie turned over and positioned herself on all fours at the edge of the bed, her head resting on a pillow. Nico warmed the coconut oil in his hands and massaged her back and ass. She sighed, relishing the feeling of his hands covering her body. Trailing his finger down her spine and along her cleft he then slowly teased around her anus,
“Your ass is so beautiful.” Adding more lubricant, he gently inserted his finger to open her up. Positioning himself in line with her anus, he swiped his cock along the inside of her crack. She pushed back, welcoming him. “I’m going to love fucking your ass, baby,” Nico murmured happily.
Élodie whimpered. Wanting him, she lifted her ass higher. Leaning over her, he slowly palmed her back with one hand, gripping her hip with the other. Then he pushed into her. She gasped.
“Are you OK, baby?” His voice was strangled.
“Yes. I want you.”
He pushed the tip of his cock into her opening and waited, feeling the tight muscle clench around him. When he thrust into her, she exhaled hard, letting out another cry.
Nico stroked her back. “Relax, baby. Let me in.” Holding her tightly, he powered back in, this time more forcefully, until he was balls deep. Leaning over with his body pressed against hers, he moved slowly, as if they were one. Releasing his hand from her hip, he fingered her pussy and lightly teased her clit with his thumb.
Élodie wiggled her ass, letting out a gasp when he slid his finger into her wet pussy. With his cock in her ass and his fingers probing her hot spot, a feeling of overwhelming fullness took possession of her and she moved in synch with him. She was completely his, every inch of her body controlled by him.
He covered her with kisses from her spine to her shoulder blades, his fingers tangled in her hair. He breathed into her ear, “God, baby. I love you.”
His words sent tremors through her body. “Dieu, mon amour,” she cried out hoarsely as she came apart under him. The waves crashed in, one after another. Her body shuddered, but he held her tightly to him, possessing her.
He fucked her feverishly, one forceful thrust after another, until he exploded into her ass with a strangled, agonized growl. He kept pumping her until he collapsed onto her back. As he lay on her, still deep in her ass, he rubbed her arms, his face buried in her hair. Kissing her neck, he purred, “So beautiful. You’re mine, baby. Forever.”
She could feel his dick still twitching in her ass as the wetness spilled from her. Unable to move, she cherished the feeling of him possessing her, his chest against her back, his face in her neck. “Je suis a vous. I belong to you.” She had never felt so completely one with another person. What was this potion? Certainly, it must be the elixir of love.
26
Nico greeted her wearing his well-worn yoga pants, with a bare chest and wet hair, obviously fresh from a shower. Looking her up and down, the corners of his mouth curled up in a mischievous grin. Maya’s long, black hair framed her face. She’d applied red lipstick and a slight smudge of black eyeliner to accentuate her dark eyes. “Damn, I forgot just how hot you are,” he purred, ogling her.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She smiled at him, admiring his wet hair falling over his luminous green eyes. He looked as if he had put a few pounds on his normally lanky cat-like body. No wonder, with an all-expenses paid gig, he could eat and drink at every five-star Michelin rated restaurant. Depositing bags of groceries on the kitchen counter, Maya wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her pelvis into him as their lips locked. His hand cupped her buttocks as he reciprocated, playfully pulling on her bottom lip. “Get dinner ready, I have to finish doing something.”
Maya looked at him quizzically, but he made for the bedroom.
She had brought the guitar case from her car and now laid it on the coffee table. Since it was too big to wrap, she’d just stuck one big red bow on top. She had bought him a handmade Cordoba C9 with a European spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides that produced sweet, warm tones. The hand-inlaid mother-of-pearl rosette had a vintage elegance. The shop owner had assured her it was a beautiful sounding guitar, and a bargain at only eight hundred dollars.
Opening the wine, she poured two glasses, put the tortilla chips into a wooden bowl, and served up the guacamole in a Talavera bowl he’d brought back from Mexico. When Nico didn’t return right away, she went in search of him, finding him engrossed in checking the contents of the safe he kept hidden under an Indian tapestry. Hearing her behind him, he held up two packets of cocaine. “I was hoping I still had these.”
“Nico, I told you, I’m not doing that stuff anymore. And you said you weren’t going to, either.”
“It’s been over a month. I didn’t do any in Abu Dhabi. Don’t you want to celebrate my return?”
Maya turned away from him, heading back to the living room area where she had laid out the food. “Come on, Nico. Let’s eat and have some wine. You promised you were going to quit that shit.”
He followed closely behind her after locking the safe, but keeping the packets with him. Seeing the guitar case, he asked, perplexed, “What’s this?”
“It’s your Christmas present,” she said coyly.
He studied the case, then slowly opened it. Removing the guitar, he placed it across his lap and fingered the strings. Then he played “Cavatina,” a beautiful heart-wrenching tune. Maya sat frozen—the sound coming from the guitar was sublime. She was certain she saw tears in his eyes when he looked up at her from under his hair and smiled. When he finished, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips—a sweet kiss that felt intimate and full of gratitude. His voice just above a whisper, he said, “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”
After dinner, Maya hoped he would play more songs and then they could make love and watch a movie, falling asleep in each other’s arms. Instead, ignoring her earlier renunciation, he laid out several lines of coke on a mirrored tray that he kept on the bookshelf and held up a straw. Shaking her head in disapproval, she nevertheless took the straw from him, quickly snorting only one line. She knew he would continue to badger her, and it was easier to just give in and do it. Besides, if she didn’t, she feared he would find someone else. There was no shortage of pretty girls who would love to party with Nico.
At first glance, Luna thought it was another e-mail blast about the studio. It was only two sentences. “What is this? Is this some kind of voodoo thing, Luna?” Reading the message, she hadn’t grasped its meaning. Then she remembered.
She sighed and typed back, “No, Nico. It’s a Native American medicine bundle for your protection. All shamans have bundles that they make for themselves, or that are passed down to them. You can add other elements if you want, like in the despacho ceremony.”
He messaged back, “Thank you. It’s good then?”
“Yes, Nico. It’s good.”
Soon after accepting Luna’s peace offering, Nico sent a curious e-mail that she surmised was a test to see if she still cared about him. “I met the woman of my dreams. I’m engaged!” She couldn’t just ignore his happy message, full of excitement and promise. Without thinking, she hit reply. “I am so happy for you! When can I meet her?”
He messaged back instantly. “I have a meeting with my banker in an hour. Meet us there. I bought her a very expensive diamond ring!”
Luna pulled her green Land Rover into the parking lot, and after checking her makeup in the mirror, she smudged a bit more kohl pencil under her eyes and added a touch more berry red lip gloss. She hadn’t planned on seeing
Nico, and was glad she was wearing a cute Isabel Marant dress. She grabbed the handbag that Nico had given her, knowing he would notice she still carried it even though they hadn’t seen each other in eight months. When she spotted Nico through the glass doors, she felt the rush of fire butterflies in her solar plexus. It was overwhelming, and she paused a moment with her hand on the door to steady herself. Before she entered, Nico intuitively raised his head up from the document he was reading and their eyes met. He kept them locked on hers as she gracefully walked toward him. She didn’t smile, but was sure her eyes lit up when she saw him. As she neared the desk where he was sitting, she took in the demeanor of a lean, elegantly dressed woman with honey-colored hair pulled up in a loose bun, tendrils softly falling across her face. She sat impassively listening to the banker speak to Nico, whose attention had turned to Luna.
Luna waited for Nico to make an introduction to the stunningly beautiful woman with clear cornflower-blue eyes, who gazed up expectantly at her. The distinctive sweet narcotic notes of jasmine wafted between them. In the seconds that flashed by, Luna wondered if he had failed to mention she was stopping by to see them. Pulling up a chair for Luna, Nico motioned for her to sit as he turned his attention back to his banker. With still no introduction, Luna felt awkward and extended her hand, introducing herself. “How do you do, I’m Luna Saint Claire.”
Fixing her eyes on Luna, the woman smiled inquisitively. “Élodie Chauvin.” The voluptuous syllables blended together, mellow and musical. Luna was taken aback for a split second. Nico hadn’t mentioned she was French.
Luna unobtrusively took in the stylish, vibrantly printed blue minidress that she wore with platform sandals. “It’s so nice to meet you. I love your fragrance…What are you wearing?”
“Thank you. It’s Joie de Jean Patou.” She pronounced in French. Then quickly amended, “Joy.”
Waiting for Nico to make conversation, she looked back and forth between them. When he didn’t say anything, Luna made small talk. “How long are you staying in L.A.?” she asked, thinking it was a safe, obvious question.
Nico chimed in quickly, “Élodie is my fiancé. She’ll be coming to live with me in L.A. soon.”
Luna feigned surprise. “Congratulations! Where did the two of you meet?” Another obvious question that, for reasons unknown, made Nico uncomfortable.
Again, he answered for Élodie. “We met in Abu Dhabi, I told you…”
He hadn’t told her, although she had assumed as much. “Oh, that’s nice.” She tried to think of something benign. “Do you work there?”
Élodie tried to answer, but again Nico spoke for her. “She makes investments. In art.”
Luna watched Élodie’s expression change, obviously uncomfortable with the way he touted her business. She added, “I advise private clients and museums with their art investments.” Élodie’s English was infused with a heavy French accent. She made her point slowly.
Intrigued, Luna probed further, “Do you live in Abu Dhabi?”
Élodie replied easily, before Nico could answer. “No, I live in Monaco, and come to L.A. frequently. I have several clients here who collect modern art. They want to know who will be the next Basquiat!”
Luna laughed, “That’s understandable! Where do you stay? I mean, before you met Nico.”
Élodie paused before answering. “I have a client who keeps a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel. I prefer privacy, and they treat me very well.”
“Yes, I can see how you would like the Mediterranean character, and there is so much history. Did Nico tell you he had a marvelous event at The Rails Gallery?”
Élodie looked over at Nico. “What is this?” she asked him.
Luna was stunned that Nico hadn’t mentioned it, and saw him smile broadly. “It was for my film, Amaru of the Andes, about my initiation into the healing arts of the Q’ero tribe in the Andes. I told you about it.”
Élodie laughed softly. “No you did not. I would have remembered this.”
Nico huffed, “I told you. It won an award. You women just don’t listen.”
Élodie smiled politely and turned to Luna. “I do business with The Rails, here and in London. I am not at liberty to name my clients, but we have relationships with galleries around the world and have purchased the work of leading contemporary artists like Cui Ruzhuo, Gerhard Richter, and Richard Prince.”
Impressed, Luna chimed, “How interesting! My husband and I go often to the galleries, and recently saw a Richard Prince exhibit. And did you by any chance see the amazing light sculptures by Frank Gehry?”
Élodie perked up. “Oh my God! Yes! I saw the exhibit last year with the fish lamps. They are spectacular!”
The women had finally found common ground. Looking over at Nico, Luna saw he wasn’t pleased, but when Élodie turned to him and said, “I like this friend. She has impeccable style,” he couldn’t help himself, and winked at Luna, tossing her the small bone she needed.
Luna laughed and purposely caught a glimpse of Élodie’s left hand. Seeing the ring, she chose to comment. “Oh! The ring is lovely. May I?” Luna took her hand, knowing it was presumptuous, but she wanted to see Élodie’s reaction. “It’s beautiful, Nico! Congratulations to both of you! Did you set a date?” Luna couldn’t resist probing, even as she saw Nico squirm in his seat.
Élodie didn’t brighten the way a newly engaged woman would, instead glancing furtively at Nico before answering, “It is all very new. We will date for a while…”
Luna turned her attention to Nico. “It’s nice to see you, Nico. You look happy, and your hair got long.”
Nico raked his hair back with his fingers and smiled flirtatiously at Luna, teasing, “Do you like it longer? Élodie likes it. Right, baby?” He reached around Élodie’s shoulders and hugged her to him. Luna observed that she resisted slightly, and wondered if she was just shy with public displays of affection.
The banker was getting impatient with all the personal chatter. He got Nico’s attention refocused on the document, which gave Luna an opportunity for more conversation with Élodie.
“Are you staying in L.A. for a while?” she asked again, since she never got an answer.
“I can stay only two days more. I have been here a week, and I have work in Monaco.”
Luna pressed, “When will you return? Nico’s birthday is next month. Will you come back then?”
Nico pounced on that quickly. “She’ll be back for my birthday. Isn’t that right, Élodie?”
Looking at him reassuringly, Élodie nodded. “Yes, baby, I will come for your birthday—of course.”
Nico stood and shook the banker’s hand, signaling the meeting was over. When Luna got up to leave, Nico asked her to wait, giving her an admiring once over. Luna smiled at him, sure her eyes reflected how much she had missed him. Nico came close to her and spoke softly. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Luna squeezed his arm, leaning in to his ear. “Yes, beautiful, and she has an impressive job, doesn’t she?”
Nico shrugged, saying dismissively, “I don’t know…but her clients are billionaires, and we’ve been talking about getting the sheikh to invest in my center.”
She looked at him inquiringly. “What do you mean? What sheikh?”
Nico tilted his head, confounded. “My client I trained in the crown chakra meditation…the one who paid me half a million dollars. Élodie will pitch him first. He’s on the board of a museum she works for. These are the richest people in the world! They spend millions on art, so they should invest in my center.”
Luna gasped. “Nico, I didn’t know anything about this. What are you talking about? We haven’t spoken in months—how would I know anything?”
Nico shook his head. “I forgot, Luna. I think you know everything I do. Don’t you?” he said sarcastically.
Luna was incredulous, and walking Nico away from Élodie, whispered, “Nico, I’m very happy for you. I mean, Élodie is beautiful and cultured. And you got paid all that money?!�
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Nico looked at her smugly. “See, you left me, and I still did all this without you.”
Luna sighed. She’d hoped that he wouldn’t dredge up the past. “You deaded me, Nico. I wasn’t available on one day, and you discarded me like a dirty tissue!” But as soon as she said it, she was sorry. “I’m sorry, Nico. Really, I am. Just forget it, please.”
“No, Luna, you left me hanging when I needed you most! I lost important business because you needed to have lunch with your friend and dinner with your husband.” When she looked into his eyes, they were cold. “I warned you the next time you did that to me would be the last time.”
Luna sighed. There was no point in belaboring the point. After months of waiting, she was here with him now. “I missed you, Nico.” She didn’t need to say more. He would never see her perspective or admit that his punishment was excessive.
Looking thoughtfully at her, Nico’s eyes softened. “I’ll give you another chance, Luna. You keep fucking up, but I’ll let you back in if you promise to listen and do what I tell you. I have a lot going on now, and I need you. The sheikh liked me. I helped him with something I’m not permitted to discuss. You know, that meditation can be very dangerous, and used for ill purposes.” Nico took a breath. He was wound up tightly and had been talking fast. She could see how excited he was, full of promise, but it made her apprehensive. He became solemn and his face took on an intensity. Hearing a hint of desperation in his voice, as if it was her responsibility, he implored, “We need to get this investment.” Nico held his eyes on hers as he spoke hypnotically. “For all of us,” he added, including her in his dreams—making her a part of him again.
Luna nodded, unable to voice her thoughts. Though she believed in him, she felt it was a long shot.
“I’ll call you later. I need you to get a proposal together for Élodie to bring with her when she leaves. She needs something to hand to him. I don’t want her to improvise.”
Luna reached for his hand, but he pulled away, “Not now, Luna,” he admonished her, glancing over at Élodie, who was waiting for him by the door. “Let’s make this happen, Luna. Don’t fuck this up, OK?”
The Sleeping Serpent: A woman's struggle to break an obsessive bond with her yoga master Page 40