by Theresa Papa
I give him a big smile as I open the door to step out. But even before I stand all the way up, he’s there beside me.
“Let me walk you inside so I know you're safe.”
We walk in the outer door and down the concrete steps. Before I can open my apartment door, he takes my phone from my hand and punches in a number, then his phone buzzes in his pocket.
“I’ll call you in the morning in case you need a ride to work. Also, hand me your car keys so I can have my mechanic look at it tomorrow. You have an extra set, correct?”
“Yes, b-b-b-but …”
He puts his index finger against my lips to stop me from finishing my sentence. Then leans into me and kisses my cheek softly. He turns to go, then gives me a sexy dimpled smile with a wink from those devastatingly dazzling eyes. And then with a slight bounce in his step, he leaves. I’m frozen there for a second unable to move. I ponder if cold showers work for women too. I need one now.
~~~
After my shower, I run upstairs to see Jen. She opens the door and turns around to walk away without a word. I instantly know something’s wrong with her. Her eyes are bloodshot, and her hair is wild. She looks like she’s been pulling it by the roots. I can’t help but deliberate whether she is sick or depressed? I close the door behind me and follow her into the living room where she’s now on the sofa with a blanket over her.
“Jen, what’s wrong? Are you sick?” I sit down on the sofa and face her.
She raises her head and looks at me like someone just kicked her dog. If she had a dog. “Sam, I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do. I lost my job. I didn’t want to tell you earlier over the phone. Especially since you were with Nico.”
“When did this happen? Didn’t they even give you some warning?”
“I had heard that some people were being let go, but you never believe it’s gonna be you. This morning when I got to work, the board summoned me to the conference room. They just told me I was being terminated because of budget constraints, and I had a half hour to clear out my desk and leave the building. It’s bullshit!”
Jen’s termination from her job is very troubling because she is virtually alone in the world. She has no one except some distant aunt in Washington and me. Her parents both died in a horrible boat accident on Lake Michigan a while back. It took a long time for her to go back to school and finish her degree in business.
“You know I’m here for you when you need me, but financially, my resources are just as thin as yours.”
Until she finds another job, things are going to be stressful. The condo she lives in is paid up in full from the insurance money she received, so it’s good to know that she has no rent to pay, and for now, she has a roof over her head. But she’ll have to figure something out when it comes to food, and utilities, and her student loans.
“Jen, I am so sorry. I know it’s soon, but have you figured out your next move? You can move in with me and rent this place.”
“Leave it to you to get me out of my fucking pity party and start to consider what to do next. I don’t know what I would do without you as my best friend, bitch.”
With that, she reaches over and hugs me. When we pull back, the raised eyebrow look I give her means “okay, what’s next?”
“Well, fuck,” she says. “I was actually offered a position of hostess at a nightclub. After I left you last night, I went over there to meet with the manager just to see what it’s like. He wants to hire me right away. It’ll hold me over for now until I find another corporate job.”
“That’s great that you have something to ease the stress while you search for something new.”
She nods, getting up and grabbing two wine glasses from her small makeshift bar.
“When the girl approached me a while back …” She turns toward me, tilting her head and scrunching her eyebrows together. “In fact, shit! Now that I reflect on it, the person who asked me if I would be interested was the manager at Salon de Nico. She works at Beta in the evenings. It was the same day I told you about when I met my friend there and saw Nico in all his yummy gorgeousness.”
“You mean Giselle?”
“Fuck yeah, Giselle. Tall and thin with enormous boobs.” She gestures with her hands out in front of her chest.
“Oh, wow! You’ll never believe where I saw Giselle last, this afternoon,” I say, popping my eyebrows with a smirk.
“Where? Tell me everything!”
I sit back and get more comfortable on the sofa as I begin my tale of the events of that day. First, I fill her in on the hot tub scene with Giselle and Nico that I witnessed in secret. Then I can’t help but describe Nico in his bathing suit with water dripping down his glorious body. I get up and pace as I continue, nervous once again about how I’m falling for him.
“The conversation after dinner was very enlightening. Some of the things he revealed give me an insight into the mind of that breathtaking man. He was articulate and intelligent in his illustration about the reasons he changed his life so drastically from lawyer to salon owner.”
“What the hell happened to him?”
“Basically, he followed his dream after he quit law. Being strung out over a particularly personal case pushed him over the edge.”
I sit back down and put my feet underneath me. Jen adjusts in her seat.
“I requested he play something for me on the piano. He gestured for me to sit on the bench beside him.” I let my head fall back, close my eyes, and relive the scene. “I was overwhelmed by the intoxication of his scent, the sight of his elegant hands with long perfect fingers, and his neatly kept nails. Little did I know that when he began to play, all reason would leave my brain. I gave myself over to the heavenly music as it filled the air all around me. Halfway through his medley of passionate love songs, he came to my favorite of all time. Unconsciously, I began to sing the words I know so well. My mother played the song repeatedly when I was a little girl. The memories were so pleasant and otherworldly it made me feel like I was floating.”
Jen rests her cheek against the sofa back and sighs.
“When he finished and the room was once again silent, he took my face in his hands. Then he looked into my eyes and placed a soft, sexy kiss on my lips. Surprisingly, the kiss, although very hot, never went beyond our lips rubbing together intimately. The gentleness and tenderness of the kiss made him seem so warm and genuine. I gave myself over to him, lost in the rawness of the moment,” I explain breathless.
“Then what happened?” she says, sitting up with wide eyes. I stand with my arms out at my sides and my palms out.
“All of a sudden, reality hits me like a ton of bricks. What was I doing? He was just in the hot tub with Giselle an hour before. He doesn’t know I saw them, though. And what about the guy he got in the Mercedes with? Is he in a relationship with both of them? I had to get out of there fast, though, because mentally, I’m not ready. When I saw him hug Giselle, jealousy crept up on me unexpectedly. Until I’m secure enough to get the answers to my questions, it’s just not gonna happen.” I bring my fist to my lips to chew on my thumbnail. “On the other hand, I want to kick myself now. I seriously can’t believe that I stopped him.”
“Oh shit, what did you do?”
“Clumsily and nervously, I put as much distance between us as I could. Then I dismissed his ardent revelations with a brainless comment that probably didn’t even make sense. He sweetly tried to apologize, and I cut him off to explain that the wine was the reason.” I shrug my shoulders and continue, “Then I asked him to drive me home. I’ll be lucky if the man ever looks at me again.”
“Did he speak to you on the ride home?” she asks with her eyes wide.
“He was gracious and charming. He said he would fix my car!” I sputter.
“Well, then you have nothing to worry about, dumb shit, because he’s written it off as temporary insanity.”
When I turn back to her from my pacing, Jen shakes her head.
“Wow, that is some fucking eventful day! What are your feelings for Nico since all this happened? I mean, for all we know, he could be bisexual. In some ways, that’s kind of hot, but I’ve always been more adventurous than you. Would you be willing to share him not only with other women but men too? You need to address these questions now because it sounds to me like he’s ready to add you to the fucking list of his romantic interests.”
“My thoughts exactly, Jen. What do I do? I’m not such a prude to totally write him off if he has different sexual interests. But I don’t know if I could share him with so many other sexual partners. Granted, many of our friends and even I have engaged in casual sex, but I’m getting too old and too smart to settle for that anymore. If I have a relationship at this point in my life, I want to be the special one and only in his life. There is no time anymore for me to put up with immature promiscuous men who are afraid of commitment. So I have to find out for sure what’s going on before I let things go any further romantically with Nico.”
Jen gets up, grabs the bottle of wine off the counter, and tops off our two glasses. As she pours us each a healthy serving, she begins to brainstorm.
“I might be able to inconspicuously help you by befriending that bitch Giselle while I’m at work at the nightclub. I could steer the conversation over to Nico and see what she says about him. She doesn’t even know you and I are friends.”
“Sounds like a great plan to reveal his relationship with Giselle. I’ve already engaged in eavesdropping on the conversations between the stylists and nothing. But it’s all hearsay anyway. He did tell me that the blond hunk he was at the gay bar with is his car dealer. But that doesn’t mean he’s not in a relationship with him.”
“Well, that part may end up being a little awkward for you. I see no other way than to just fucking ask him.” Jen shrugs.
I contemplate Jen’s honesty, and I know she’s right, but how do you ask a man if he likes other men sexually? Nico wants to cut my hair after hours tomorrow. Maybe I can figure something out by then.
Chapter 15
Samantha Marconi
The next morning, I send Nico a text to tell him that I have a ride to work. He texts back a cordial response to say he will see me later at the shop. Also, he’ll have his mechanic fix my car today so it will be done. I protest, but he ignores it and simply answers that he hopes I have a pleasant day at the firm. We have to talk about this favor. I could just ask if he could take the money out of my paycheck.
I contacted Dafny last night to ask her to pick me up today because of my broken-down car. She gladly responded favorably since I’ve driven her many times.
Like a sloth, I crawl out of bed an hour earlier this morning, cursing. Dafny believes in going for breakfast every day, and it’s brutal. I decide on my black slim skirt with a teal silk blouse over a black lace camisole. Then I grunt while I pull on my long soft leather black boots.
I wait on the corner of Sheridan and Rosemont in front of my building. This way Dafny won’t have to find parking on a weekday near my building, which is nearly impossible. The conversation never has a lull all the way downtown.
“I can’t believe your new boss is gonna fix your car for you,” she says.
“I won’t let him pay for it if I can help it. I’m going to tell him to take a little out of my check every week to pay him back.”
“It’s still nice to have a man do all the car stuff. The mechanics still respect men more these days.”
“Well, it was nice that I didn’t have to find someone or even call the tow truck.”
“Yeah. We’re here, so how about you get off in front to get a table? I’ll park in the garage at our work and walk over. It’ll only take a couple of minutes.”
“Sounds good, see you in a few,” I reply.
There’s a table open as I walk in, so I’m seated right away. I decide to check my emails on my phone when a low and seductive voice says next to my ear, “So have you managed to keep all your coffee in its cup today, beautiful?”
A shiver runs up my spine as his warm breath on my neck causes an involuntary shudder. As I turn my head and he circles to stand in front of me, I realize it’s the plumber I tripped over in the bathroom. He has a satisfied grin on his face when he registers the spontaneous effect he had on my body. As he clasps his hands loosely behind him standing tall, my gaze travels down and then up again. Disturbingly handsome, he stares brazenly at me with those striking green eyes. I’m surprised he’s wearing an expensive well-made suit like a corporate executive. He’s much taller than I’d originally thought. I guess we did spend most of the time on the bathroom floor when we met. His thick and wavy dark hair is expertly cut, not too short, nor too long. He swipes at an attractive cowlick that he seems to regularly tame with his fingers.
Before I even can form a response to his sarcasm, he adds to it by leaning down to place his face inches from mine. He then whispers so no one else can hear, and the short-trimmed stubble on his jaw grazes my cheek.
“Do you like what you see? It can be arranged for you to see much more of it in private.”
I find myself blinking in surprise with my eyebrows raised at his boldness. My mind reels as I try to formulate an appropriate response, but I’m so flabbergasted that what comes out of my mouth is kind of lame.
“You couldn’t get so lucky!” I could feel the heat infuse my cheeks.
I push his smug face away and reach for my bag unsuccessfully to dismiss him. He just stands there smiling at me with those adorable dimples and straight white teeth. Why does he have to be such an ass? Then he shakes his head and walks away without another word.
I sit back in my chair and let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. That man gets me so riled up that I just want to scream. He stops to talk to another woman who looks like she would jump him right in the restaurant. She has her hand on his arm and then leans into him seductively to allow her overflowing breasts to rub up against him. He’s giving her that megawatt smile to flirt right back at her. He looks up, catches me staring, and the jerk has the nerve to wink at me. Who does he think he is? I have never encountered someone so conceited. He is exceptionally sexy. When he leaned in close to me, he smelled so good. I believe he wears the same cologne as Nico, so maybe that’s why I’m attracted to him. If he wasn’t so arrogant, I might have taken him up on his offer. Hehe.
Dafny and I start our workday just like any other until about ten o’clock. As everyone breaks for about fifteen minutes, one of my bosses comes over to talk to me.
“I have a special assignment for you for the rest of the day. The project will be completed in the company law library,” he directs.
Usually, most of the work I do is on the Internet, so this will be an opportunity to learn something. Gathering all the things I’ll need from my desk, I head for the elevator. The law library is located on the top floor near all the partners’ offices or so I’m told. I’ve never been up there. I tap my pen against the wall as the silver box ascends. When the doors open, I’m riveted to the spot by the breathtaking view in front of me. I’m curious if Nico was the one to design this floor because it’s similar to the décor in his salon and his home. He very well could have when he still worked here as a lawyer a few years ago. I’ll have to ask him tonight.
The doors begin to close, and I have to put my hand out to stop them and walk out into an elegant tasteful lobby with glossy marble floors and exotic rugs. Smooth, clean, and geometric contemporary furniture pieces form two groupings, one on each side. As in the salon, the main color palette is in taupe, creams, and black. My attention goes to the fresh flowers and various works of art layered on the walls that infuse color into the room.
I walk closer to gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the Chicago skyline buildings along with Navy Pier. Lake Michigan sparkles in the sunshine. I turn around, abruptly interrupted by someone clearing his or her throat.
“The view is quite spect
acular, isn’t it, dear?”
There, at the carved mahogany desk, is a short brunette woman with kind eyes and a sweet smile. It is immediately evident that she knows who I am and my purpose for being there.
“I apologize for being away from my desk when you arrived. I’m Caroline, Mr. Pope Sr.’s admin. You must be Ms. Marconi.”
“Please feel free to call me Samantha or Sam. It’s nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand, and she shakes it.
“Wonderful to meet you too, Sam. Please follow me and we can get you set up.”
She leads me through the rest of the opulent space into the library. Caroline offers me a water, and we engage in some idle chitchat before she leaves, closing the door behind her. After I drop my stuff on another intricately carved desk, I look up and spin in a circle to enjoy the splendor of the library. I stretch my neck, admiring the two-story room with polished wood shelves completely filling the walls of the lower and upper floors. I run up the winding staircase leading to the top level of the room. My fingers skate along the spines of the books. They are a wonder to behold, and some are so thick they look fake. A person could spend years in this room and never finish reading all these volumes. A thrill runs through me at the thought of the history behind this collection, not to mention the expense.
The surroundings are admirable, it’s extremely quiet compared to where I usually work downstairs. Music from my phone library takes care of that with my earbuds. Eager to begin my assignment, I gather some books relevant to the case I’m researching. The cushy desk chair molds comfortably to my ass as I begin my search for information. After an hour of reading, time to stand to stretch my legs and back. Craving a little exercise, I ascend the winding staircase to the upper level.
I perch for a second on one of the comfortable sofas on either side of the balcony. Then switch to one of the wingback chairs. Much more comfortable. When I scope out a ladder that’s attached to the bookcase wall, my feet can’t move fast enough to get over to it. It slides on a bracket that allows it to move horizontally across the wall of shelves. I’ve only seen one in the movies, so I’ll have to try it out. Carefully, I slide it to a place close to my selected book and step up. In my three-inch heeled boots, this is not an easy feat. When I’m finally at a height to reach out and grab the book, the ladder tilts. Clumsily, I tumble; the floor comes up quickly to meet my face. Then a thud, followed by pain in the back of my head. At first, the music is still playing in my ears, but a moment later, all is quiet and my vision is black.
