Northern Exposure

by Stephanie Williams

  Chapter Ten

  “So how did you two meet?” Edna asked, sipping her coffee.

  Brit wasn’t about to answer that. Besides, she was supposed to be doing the interviewing. But as soon as she sat down to chat with the little group, there were squeals of delight. They all wanted to know about her Finnish stud.

  And there was no way in hell she was going to tell them how she and Sebastian met on the clothing optional beach. It was bad enough she had told her sisters, and now they were teasing her mercilessly.

  The last time she called her big sister, Sydney was singing ‘Super Dick’ to the tune of Rick James’s Super Freak. Why had she told them about Mister Magazine Catcher? If she lived to be one hundred, they would never let her live that down.

  She took a sip of her coffee and tried to figure out a benign answer. “We met at a club.”

  “Ahh,” all the women said.

  “He’s absolutely beautiful,” Karen said.

  “Thanks. Now about you guys,” she quickly said, wanting to move on. She was possessive of her “find” in Finland. “You said you all just got together.”

  “Actually, it was at a Caribbean Carnival in the Caribbean section here,” Edna said. “I met Linda first. She’s from the West Indies and moved to London as a teenager. Now she’s here to stay. Then she told me about Karen, Mary and Tracy. Tracy missed the carnival by a day. But she settled in the community real fast.”

  “Yes, it was like a homecoming almost,” Tracy said.

  “Wow! I knew there were a lot of people of color living in these Scandinavian countries, but I didn’t realize how many actually stay after they visited,” Brit stated.

  “Well, it took some time, it wasn’t overnight,” Karen said. “As you can see, there are not that many people of color here. But when we come together, we make up a good crowd.”

  They all laughed.

  “But seriously,” Tracy said, “even though we are a minority, Finnish people don’t make you feel that way.”

  They all looked at Brit with goofy grins on their faces.

  Oh, brother.

  Brit continued her interview. Hearing their stories was interesting, particularly how finding a job was still difficult for an outsider.

  “They may be friendly, but when it comes to employment, they weren’t welcoming us with open arms,” Edna said.

  “Yeah, in fact, they began to treat us like refugees from third world countries,” Linda said.

  “It wasn’t until companies realized that we weren’t here to mooch off the system but actually contribute to society that it got easier,” Mary said.

  They also talked about reactions from family members when they told them they were planning to stay, how some members of the black community called them traitors to their race while others were very supportive, even considering moving with them.

  “The brotha’s especially,” Tracy said. “Immediately they went to the dating thing. ‘Oh, you’re gonna date those white boys. Black men aren’t good enough, even here.’ That was not the reason for us coming here. If we wanted to date white boys, there were plenty back in the States that wanted to date us.” The other ladies nodded in agreement.

  “It’s a lot of red tape between both governments also,” Mary said. “America wants to know why you’re leaving and the other country wants to know why you’re coming.”

  Brit spent the rest of the afternoon with her new friends, going to places that catered to people of color one way or another. Hair, food—or whatever. A lot of the places she knew; others were tucked away in their own little communities reflective of the origins of the owners.

  By the time she left them, she had enough information to start a whole new magazine. Which started her on a new train of thought as she walked to the hotel.

  Sebastian had stayed behind while she met with the ladies, and she was so happy he had. The way the women were going on about him had been ridiculous.

  Her jealousy was ridiculous, too.

  But the conversations she had with the women had gotten her thinking, about her job, about Sebastian. About actually living in Finland.

  When she got back to the hotel, Sebastian was in the lobby talking to one of the bellboys. “Hello, sweetness,” he said coming to her. He kissed her full on the mouth. “I missed you.”

  “I was only gone for four hours.”

  “Do you know how many times we could have made love?”

  “Sebastian.”

  “Did I tell you I love you?”

  “I think so,” she said smiling.

  “Well, just in case.” He pulled her toward him and kissed her again. “I love you.”

  “Sebastian, we need to talk. I need to ask you something.”

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “You made a decision,”

  It wasn’t a question.

  “Yes, I did.”

  He nodded, then walked over to his staff. He said some things in Finnish and they dispersed.

  “Want to go to the restaurant here or the privacy of the room?” he asked.

  “The room.”

  They headed for his room, which was quickly becoming hers as well, since some of her clothing and most of her toiletries were in his bath now.

  Sebastian took her by the hands and led her to the bed. “Okay, talk.”

  “I’ve been thinking.”

  “Yes.”

  “I…I might consider it…for a year, just to see,” she quickly added.

  “How much of an influence was I?” Sebastian asked with a cheesy grin.

  “Mmm, not that much,” Brit said with a mocking grin.”

  “Liar. A man likes to hear that he had everything to do with it.”

  “I’m not giving that to you.” She smirked.

  Sebastian pushed her on the bed and began wrestling with her. He didn’t care what made her change her mind. He was just so damn happy, he could barely speak. He rolled around with Brit on the bed, laughing with her. It was the most beautiful sound he ever heard.

  “You can move in with me,” Sebastian said as he rained kisses on her eyelids. “I live here in the hotel. I never really had the need to have my own place when my uncle took over the hotel. But now, I have more than enough reason to find a home.”

  “I guess looking for a place of my own is out of the question,” Brit chuckled.

  “I don’t want to chance losing track of you again.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re stuck with me like a bad cold.”

  “I hope they never find a cure.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Brit sat at Sebastian’s drafting table as she looked around his place of work. People were running all over, trying to meet the latest deadline. She felt right at home.

  “Here you go, darling,” Sebastian said, coming behind her. He placed some material on the desk in front of her.

  “What’s this?”

  “Look at it.”

  They were sketches, drawings and graphics of various places in Finland. Even the clothing optional beach was depicted.

  “These are beautiful, Sebastian.”

  “Glad you like them.” He took a seat next to her. “I thought it would be great for the premiere issue of your new magazine.”

  Brit nodded. She had decided to take the plunge and start a magazine focused on people of color who emigrated. And she was going to open a satellite office in Helsinki. She would start the issue off with her own story and then those of the women she had met.

  Her next step was moving in with Sebastian. She had decided to take that plunge, too.

  She called her sisters and they were stunned stupid. Sydney offered her wisdom. “Are you sure that’s where you want to move? Where will you get your hair done?”

  “If that’s my only concern, chile.”

  After a few minutes on the phone, they realized that she was truly in love with Sebastian. Or her sea-god, as she liked to refer to him.

  He was quirky with a bit of innocence. He was blunt. Had a great
sense of humor. And was F-I-N-E! That’s all a woman needed these days. She chuckled to herself.

  Sebastian arranged for the government of Finland to collaborate with her on her new magazine. They would give her all the information she needed and Sebastian would do all the graphics. Sweet!

  So far, it looked like the first issue would sell out. They had already taken a poll of the expat population, which was pretty large, to Brit’s surprise, and they couldn’t wait for such a magazine.

  “I want to thank you for all that you are doing for me and that you’ve done in such a short time,” Brit said, turning to Sebastian and kissing him.

  “Don’t mention it. Besides, the reason I was rushing is because I wanted to make sure you had no excuse to go back home anytime soon.” He laughed.

  “Well, I do have to get my clothes and I have to say goodbye to my employees and my family.”

  “Yes, but I will be coming with you for that. And what’s wrong with the clothes here?”

  “Sweaters. Nothing but sweaters.”

  They chuckled as they looked over the first draft of her premiere issue. “I can’t wait for this to hit the streets.”

  “It will be a success,” Sebastian said, kissing her cheek. “Let’s go, we’ve been here too long. I want to go check out our new place.” They headed towards the elevator.

  “Now you know what kind of place I want to live in?” They walked through the parking lot of the building.

  “Yes, yes,” Sebastian said, getting in the car after her. “Lots of closet space and modern plumbing. I can’t believe you think we live in the stone ages,” Sebastian said, feigning insult.

  “Look, I’ve stayed all over the world and if it’s one thing I know, apartments overseas leave a lot to be desired. I’m used to space and the latest gadgets and gizmos.”

  “Speaking of gadgets and gizmos,” Sebastian looked at her wiggling his brows. “You know Finland has the best sex shops in the world.”

  “Why am I not surprised you know this?”

  Sebastian and Brit drove off to look at their first place. The owner was waiting for them out front. He opened the door and allowed them to take a look on their own. It was perfect. A lot of the apartment buildings had once been hostels and hotels, and had been furnished as such, so they still had all the conveniences of hotel living. Brit was in heaven.

  Weekly maid service, fully equipped kitchen, entry phone, shower, hairdryer, trouser press, direct dial telephone, color TV, modem connections, alarm clock, balcony, terrace, bathrobes, dishwasher, dryer, sofa-bed in lounge, cable and satellite and video stereo.

  To Brit, these amenities were standard. To the Finns, this was luxury. But nothing was too good for Sebastian’s future wife. They walked in and even he was amazed. A spiral staircase? Oh-la-la.

  “I love it!” she squealed.

  “You haven’t seen the closets yet, dear.” Sebastian smiled at Brit as she jumped up and down. Her breasts did a wonderful dance in her V-neck sweater.

  They headed upstairs to a huge master bedroom and the closets were wall-to-wall, with another set of closets in the his and her bath. “I love it!” she squealed again.

  “I think she likes it,” Sebastian said to the owner, as he meet them back in the lobby.

  “Great! What kind of lease are we talking about? Six months, year, year and a half?” the owner asked, with what looked like a lease already in hand.

  “Let’s make it one year,” Sebastian said.

  “Okay, come with me to the office and we’ll sign the papers.”

  “I saw a loveseat that will go great with that rug,” Brit said as Sebastian dragged her by the arm.

  “Okay, honey, we’ll decorate soon.”

  As they sat in the owner’s office, all Sebastian could do was think of the things he wanted to do with Brit. First he was going to take her to a sex shop. He knew the one he wanted to go to also. His buddy was a clerk there. He promised him forty percent off any gadget. Cool.

  He had always wanted to use some of those gadgets hanging on the wall and sitting on the shelves, but until Brit, he had never found a lady he really wanted to share that experience with.

  This was going to be fun sex. She was a playful minx and he wanted to explore that with her.

  “Here is your lease.” The owner handed them the contract.

  “Great,” Sebastian said. “And here is the first six months’ rent.” He wrote a check and got his receipt.

  “Newlyweds?” the owner asked, smiling at them.

  “Not yet,” Brit said.”

  Sebastian wanted to puff out his chest.

  On the drive back to the hotel, Sebastian couldn’t stop touching Brit. “We’re going to make a little stop,” he announced.

  “Where?”

  “To a shop I mentioned earlier. Remember, I said Finland had the best sex shops in the world.”

  “You’re serious, huh?”

  “You have no idea.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Brit looked around the place as Sebastian chatted with one of the owners of the store. Apparently, he knew this place well.

  “He made some suggestions for some items we may want to purchase,” Sebastian said, coming towards her holding a piece of paper.

  “What? You actually asked for suggestions?”

  “You’re embarrassed.”

  “Well…I…yeah!”

  Sebastian threw back his head and laughed. “My poor Brit. You may have traveled the world, but there are still some things that you’re not used to. Sexuality is not hidden or talked about behind closed doors here. Now, we don’t talk about it on the streets, but you know we have a more open attitude about it.” Sebastian took her hand and began leading her through the store.

  “But Sebastian, really…”

  “I simply asked what items would bring the most intense pleasure and give you a longer orgasm.”

  Brit’s mouth nearly hit the floor. He was so nonchalant, as though he’d asked the maitre’d what wine would go with this cheese. “You are kidding? Please tell me you’re kidding.” But just then, the storeowner came up to them with an object in his hand.

  “Found it,” he said. “It’s the last one. You know these have been selling out since they were advertised on television.”

  Brit was going to faint.

  Back at the hotel, Sebastian ordered a special dinner. “I want you to put on your most glamorous outfit for tonight.”

  “An actual surprise that no one knows about? Not even the bellboy?” she asked.

  Sebastian smirked. “Still a bit miffed about the toy store incident? This is a private evening for us. I want it to be special,” Sebastian said, as he took off his jacket. “I’m putting on something special, too.” He smiled and winked at her and went off to the bathroom.

  Okay, dinner would be private, yet he’d share with the world how he planned to get her off? Brit shook her head and went into the other bathroom.

  She took a shower, and it helped her relax. It was definitely the shower gel that was doing it. It came straight from Finnish waters, which were always clean, clear and healing.

  As she got out of the shower, she heard Sebastian whistling in the other room, and then she heard room service come in and set things up. Sebastian and the bellboy laughed and spoke in their native tongue in an animated manner. She really needed to learn the language as soon as possible.

  She began dressing, paying particularly close attention to her hair. Maybe she could start her own hair care line for woman of color living in cold, damp climates. She laughed to herself as she finished her do.

  She walked into the room and stopped, stunned. “Sebastian. This is beautiful.”

  The room was filled with flowers. Flowers on the dresser, the floor, the end tables and a beautiful, low-lying bouquet on the table, which was surrounded by a bounty of delicious food.

  “Wow! You really went all out.” Brit sat down in the chair Sebastian was holding out for her.

 
“Nothing is too good for my lady. Especially tonight.” He took his seat in front of her. “So, you’re happy about our new beginning?”

  “Yes,” Brit cocked her head. Did he have doubts? Well in all fairness, she had some herself, but she was willing to go forward and take a chance on this man. He said he’d waited a lifetime for her. No man had ever said that to her and pursued her with such zeal. But she knew he was sincere and that made her decision easy.

  “I just needed to make sure before I gave you this,” Sebastian said as he handed her a velvet box.

  “Sebastian.” She opened the box and caught the bright sparkle of a cluster of huge diamonds. “It’s beautiful!”

  “Just like the woman I plan to make my wife. I’m not going to give you the chance to leave. I want you as my wife before the year is up.”

  “Holding me captive, eh? Well, there’s no need. I accept.”

  Sebastian jumped up and whooped, grabbing Brit at the same time and raining kisses on her. “This dinner will stay warm with these trays. I have something better for you to feast on,” he said, wiggling his brows.

  “Oh.”

  “That toy I got, I want you to put it on.”

  “P…put on?”

  He got up and went into the other room. He returned with a small box. “Open it.”

  She took it and opened it. She looked inside and was a bit confused. “I see panties….”

  “Flip them over and look inside that little box there.”

  She did, but was still confused. Okay, the panties, a clit stimulator attached, that much she knew. What was in the box? When she opened it, she just looked up at Sebastian.

  He chuckled. “It’s a remote control. You put those panties on and I can turn you on from a block away.”

  Brit’s eyes got big.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll just use it here—for now.”

  “What will they think of next?” Brit said, looking at the panties.

  “Go put them on. I’ll take that.” Sebastian grabbed the remote. Let me know when you have them on, okay?”

  “Hey, you’ll be running the whole show.”

  Sebastian grinned wickedly. “I know.”