Flirting with Revenge

by Kristel Ralston

  Before they climaxed, Michael positioned himself and had her lie on her back. He looked into her eyes. There was no trace of tears. Only the glimmer of desire.

  “Thank you for coming, your company is good for me, darling,” he whispered tenderly against her lips as he slid back inside her, so they would both climax together.

  Hours later, still naked, in Michael’s bed, Rachel distractedly stroked the stubble on Michael’s cheek. He was asleep. Or so she thought until he surprised her with a smile. After having made love twice in the piano room, they reprised the act on the kitchen table. He forever altered the concept of evening delight when he made her touch the heavens with his mouth, enjoying her in a way that made her blush. Then they did it against the bathroom wall, warm water streaming down their bodies.

  Finally, with a calm that terrified her, they gave in to their desire on Michael’s bed. He hadn’t tired of her, or she of him. They were like two addicts trying to avoid their daily dose, but then succumbing not just to one dose, but to as much as they could get. That last time was what had her brain uneasy and her heart about to burst out of her chest. It was beating faster than usual. That encounter had changed something. Looking into each other’s eyes, as if their souls were transparent, was more intimate than the sex itself.

  “You still haven’t told me what’s wrong, Veronica,” said Michael.

  She surrendered to the inevitable: a lie. Once again, would it make a difference? She was not with him because she loved him, not at all, but because she had to find a way to make him suffer as much as she had, if not more.

  “I had a terrible day at work.”

  “Bad enough to seduce your lover as if it were the last day of life on earth? he asked with a laugh. She gently punched his powerful arm with her fist. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Rachel shook her head.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It matters to me because I’d never seen you look so confused. And I don’t think you’re the kind of woman who cries about an orgasm.”

  That made Rachel laugh.

  “Before those complicated days start, my hormones fluctuate a bit, and that causes some mood swings,” she replied, feeling like an idiot for such a misogynistic comment, from a woman who defended some of the tenets of feminism but, wasn’t it a wise thing to use some of those details in your favor?” I’m tired.

  Michael’s deep laugh echoed in his chest.

  “You don’t say...”

  “Silly,” she retorted, blushing.

  “I’d like you to stay... The office has been a nightmare. You got here just in time; I was about to collapse. Sleeping with you would bring me peace,” he said sincerely.

  A small knot of guilt, though Rachel had no idea where it came from, tightened in her throat.

  “I’ll stay... Tell me about your job, maybe that will help relieve the burden.”

  “A merger between two important banks, while at the same time we have a drug trafficking case I shouldn’t have to deal with.”

  Rachel frowned.

  “Why not?”

  “I stopped taking criminal cases many years ago. Just over a decade. A very unpleasant experience.”

  “The one with the girl you said was too young to go to prison?”

  He nodded.

  “Piper Galloway. I could not prove her innocence.”

  “Was that your job?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

  “No, it wasn’t. But it looks like I’m carrying around some karma from that case. It follows me,” he said wryly.

  For a second, Rachel let herself be carried away by a curiosity that had nothing to do with her sister. Michael seemed really burdened, all of a sudden. He was not the type of person to be negative. He could be testy when there was a subject he was obsessed with and he was sure he was right about it, or when he talked about politics, but in general, Rachel could say he was a very even-tempered man.

  It wasn’t difficult to talk to Michael, and much less to want to confess all her sorrows, so he could help her carry or forget them. But maybe that was the charm he used in his profession. What lawyer did not use charm, if they had it, as a good resource? Only a fool would not.

  “Apart from that experience, what else happened during that time?” she inquired softly, interlacing Michael’s fingers with her own.

  “While I worked on that case, I was still married to Ingrid. That was before I worked for Salmann & Buckend.”

  “Where were you?”

  “With the family firm. It was led by my father and grandfather. So since all three of us were pretty skillful, we helped each other in criminal cases. Douglas was about to finish law school back then and engaged to marry Lara, so he wasn’t much help during those months,” he replied. “I was putting in too many hours. There were nights that I did not make it home. I guess Ingrid got tired of it.”

  “The infidelity?”

  He nodded.

  “On the day of the trial, when I was on my way home, and the sentence had already been issued by the judge, I was surrounded by a cloud of interest from the media and several law firms. Nobody thought a lawyer that young could handle a case that seemed easy at first, but then, with several children of important local politicians involved, became a confusing tsunami of people trying to buy the conscience of my family’s firm. That did not happen.”

  “I understand.”

  “Coming home that night, I found Ingrid in the living room, having sex with a colleague from a rival firm. I don’t know if it was her way of getting aroused or getting back at me; I never knew and I don’t care to know now, but it was the final straw that caused the collapse of our marriage.”

  “Glory and hell all at once,” murmured Rachel.

  “Yes, something like that... My friends were unconditional. Especially Kyle, remember him?”

  Rachel nodded.

  “Very pleasant. I can’t remember his last name...”

  “Bronson.”

  “I thought that woman I saw in the Chicago Tribune the other day looked familiar,” she said thoughtfully.

  Michael rolled over, pushing Rachel until he was on top of her. He rubbed her nose and smiled.

  “Zayda Bronson, Kyle’s wife. It was a last-minute thing because Kyle’s flight was delayed, so he asked me to escort his wife. I could not refuse, in the end, they’ve been great...” a glimmer of mischief appeared in his green eyes, “were you jealous, perhaps? Does that have anything to do with why you surprised me today, in addition to your terrible day at the office?” he asked with a laugh.

  Rachel arched an eyebrow.

  “Don’t be presumptuous Michael. It’s not as if you’d run into your ex-wife and found out you still loved her.”

  His manly hand squeezed her soft hip possessively.

  “Wow, are you very perceptive or do you have the gift of clairvoyance and forgot to tell me about it?” Rachel frowned. “In fact, Ingrid approached me. We ran into each other at the charity gala. I don’t feel anything for her. It was good to confirm it, but it wasn’t in question, to begin with.”

  “She...”

  “I don’t know how she feels, but she’s remarried. We’re responsible for the consequences of our own actions. I’ve always known it and I assume mine. We’re not infallible,” he said, his demeanor serious. “I only try to do my job well. That’s all. Ingrid is my past. You’re my present, Veronica.”

  Rachel gulped. All these words, all these whispers were for Veronica, not for Rachel. And though she was the same person, she felt like a different one. An impostor. And she was.

  “You got very serious...”

  Michael shook his head and his hair, already rumpled by Rachel’s caresses, shifted a bit.

  “I only thought it was the right time to broach the subject with you.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t very good at explaining his own emotions, which did not happen when he was in court or with any subject related to the law.<
br />
  “I only let myself be swept away today,” he replied with a wink. Then he took her in his arms and rolled over, so she was on top of him. “Like now, for example.”

  “Oh...” she said when she felt Michael’s erection growing against her backside. With the palms of her hands on his firm, strong chest, she lowered her head. It was rare for a man to let her be herself in bed. She had never felt as free as she did with Michael. “I understand...”

  “You do?” he asked in a playful voice.

  “I can easily learn to let myself be swept away.”

  He laughed and stroked her hair, tucking it behind her ear.

  “You’re beautiful, Veronica. I’m lucky to have met you and to have the pleasure of kissing you and holding you in my arms.”

  “Michael, sometimes you say just the right thing,” she replied with a tingle running up her spine as he lowered his hands from her hair to her breasts, caressing her nipples, and then slid his right hand until it was right on the moist apex of her folds. “Oh...”

  “Let’s try to get you to repeat those sexy sounds... one more time... ride me, Veronica.” She positioned herself until she had him inside her, feeling the pleasure of his moans of approval until he was nestled deep inside her. “Take me as I took you,” he murmured. She did not disappoint him that night.

  CHAPTER 11

  The children’s barbecue was in full swing. Most of the guests were no older than twelve. Playing in the area that had a television and some well-known board games, the children seemed happy enough as they waited to be served their food. It could not be held outdoors for obvious reasons, so the Bronsons hired a catering service to bring the food on time.

  Michael arrived with Rachel an hour later. They were both wearing jeans. She could stop traffic in hers, in his opinion, as he was showing up in what he considered his innermost circle with a woman on his arm for the first time in many years. In Rachel’s opinion, Michael’s black jeans fit him like a glove, and the tee-shirt that showed off every muscle was taunting her.

  “Welcome!” Kyle and his wife said in unison. “I’m so glad to have you in our home, Veronica.” Kyle looked at his best friend. “How’s it going, Mike,” he said, giving him a hug and a pat on the shoulder. The typical male greeting.

  At that moment, a very charming girl came up to them. her hair was a bit ruffled and brushed her shoulders. She had a wide, contagious smile. She held her arms out to Michael expectantly. The Bronsons laughed when his friend picked the girl up, covering her in kisses.

  “My favorite goddaughter!” he exclaimed, setting her back down. “Happy birthday, sweetie,” he said, as he searched his pockets, “here you go. I hope you make good use of it.”

  With the glow that came from the illusion that every birthday that added a year to your life was transcendental, Michelle Bronson opened the envelope. Her eyes opened wide, looking at the envelope and then at her godfather.

  “What is it,” asked Rachel softly.

  “It’s a coupon for the large electronics store at a shopping mall, worth five hundred dollars...” answered Michelle. “Wow! That’s incredible,” she exclaimed, before hugging Michael tightly.

  Rachel smiled.

  “I may not outdo Michael,” she said looking at the girl and at her lover, “but I hope it will go well with something that you choose at the electronics store,” She handed the girl a very pretty bag in graduated violet tones.

  Naturally curious, the blue-eyed girl opened the package.

  “The best presents of the day!” she looked at her two guests. “Thank you...” she said, waiting for Rachel’s name.

  “Veronica,” she said, using the middle name she’d become used to.

  “Are you my godfather’s girlfriend?”

  The Bronsons coughed uncomfortably, but Michael put his arms around Rachel’s waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Yes, princess, she’s my girlfriend. What do you think?” he asked nonchalantly. He hadn’t thought about labels in a long time, but this time it had just come out naturally. And it felt right. Something inside him told him that Veronica was becoming more than a woman he was dating. The rest did not hold a candle to her.

  “She’s very beautiful.”

  Rachel blushed.

  “I agree with you,” answered Michael, gazing intently at Rachel before the Bronsons led them into the house to introduce them to the rest of the adults, and Michelle ran off to join her friends and show off her presents.

  Instead of feeling like an intruder, Rachel felt very comfortable. The Bronsons were a pleasant, witty couple. She was usually very perceptive, so she could tell something was bothering Zayda. Her smile seemed natural, but Rachel felt something behind it. Not because she knew her, since it was just the second time they’d met in the weeks she had been dating Michael, but because her job had taught her to read people in order to sell them the ideas she had in her head. A strategy she also used in her personal life. Unfortunately, she could not include Michael in that group. He was an enigma, except when he chose not to be.

  “How are you with children,” Eddie asked Michael with a laugh when it was clear he was great with them. At that moment, the lawyer had Eddie’s three-year-old son in his arms. “I don’t think you need to answer that, and instead please accept my offer to work as a babysitter once in a while.”

  They all laughed.

  Right at that moment, Rachel joined their laughter, but in reality, she felt a horrible tightness in her chest. Michael was a delicious contrast. Tough when he wanted to win, charmingly convincing, a sweet kisser, passionate when making love, generous when teaching, and great with children. At what damn moment did she get distracted and allow herself to start feeling empathy for him? More than empathy. It hurt. It hurt to think that she could feel something other than hate in her soul for Michael Whitmore. She needed Delaney. She needed to getaway.

  “Veronica, you’re an expert in business investment and expansion?” asked someone behind her in a soft voice, forcing her to tear her eyes off Michael as he tossed Eddie’s child in the air before handing the boy back to his father. She took a deep breath and turned with a smile.

  It was Annelise, an interior decorator who was looking to invest in new business. She was very subtle, but truth be told, Rachel did not mind giving free business advice when she was trying to avoid what her emotions were screaming at her. Everything was valid as long as she did not name what she was feeling for Michael. She could not... it was that simple.

  “Yes, yes.”

  “Sorry, but I’d like to ask you a question.”

  “Oh, no problem, if we can all have fun and help each other along the way, I think getting together for Michelle’s birthday was worth it.”

  “You’re so kind, you see...” And so, she started a long, pleasant conversation, in which Annelise also taught her some tricks to make spaces look much larger and brighter, even if an apartment did not have enough space.

  Other guests soon joined the conversation, adding their opinions, and then the subject changed to show business gossip, quickly followed by the coming presidential elections. As she chatted with the group, her senses warned her that Michael was watching her closely. She liked that. She should slap herself. It was impossible not to feel the magnet that seemed to pull her towards him in a way that differed from her main goal.

  After the meal, which was so good that Rachel asked for a second helping of dessert, she lost sight of Michael. They had been at the lively party for almost four hours, and as fun, as it was, she needed to be alone for a while. Discreetly, when the people she was talking to turned their attention to a conversation on aeronautics, she decided to search for Michael.

  She walked into the hallway. It was empty. She continued into the living room, where the children were having fun. She thought that Michael might be in the kitchen or something, so she decided to wait on a sofa next to where the rest of the guests were. A secluded spot she’d seen walking past the living room the moment
they walked into the house.

  She was crossing past the stairs that led to the second floor when she heard Michael’s voice. She stopped. She did not want to eavesdrop, so she went to the closest bathroom. She closed the door and, before turning on the tap to rinse her hands, perhaps because of fate or a cruel joke, she could hear —not clearly but closely enough— the conversation on the other side of the wall.

  She heard Michael speak firmly.

  “What is it, Zayda,” he asked.

  “Vannia, the Latzovski’s daughter. Do you remember? Years ago, when...”

  “Yes, when we went to Aspen and I was still married to Ingrid. I don’t remember what the guy did for a living, but you told me he was your client, Kyle.”

  “Real estate. It was handled by another lawyer, but in theory, I took care of it, yes.”

  “Olaf is also a chef at one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Sambuka,” added Zayda. “Do you think you could do something?”

  Rachel missed a part of the conversation because it suddenly became very noisy when some children ran past. She pressed her ear to the wall and was able to hear the next part. She hoped to be able to string both parts together so it would be coherent.

  “Yes, of course,” she heard Michael say.

  “Michelle doesn’t know her friend needs a liver transplant. They’re looking for a donor outside the family. Unfortunately, they had no luck with the parents because...”

  “They’re not her biological parents,” completed Kyle sadly.

  “What a terrible situation,” said Michael.

  “Olaf’s wife is sterile. So they adopted Vannia when she was three months old. She’s the light of their life... and Michelle’s best friend from ballet. Please, Michael, do something to help her get to the top of the waiting list for a liver donor at the hospital.