Naked Obsession

by Rice, Rachel E.

  Nadia followed Jeremy to the bedroom where she silently slipped under the sheets. Jeremy’s gaze was hard. He looked at her without seeing her. He wanted Sydney but she was into her last weeks of pregnancy and she had never willingly showed that she wanted to love him the way he secretly made love to her the night of the large lover’s moon.

  Every moment of Jeremy’s life was rife with deception and thievery and he didn’t know how to set a different path. He continued to follow a path that led nowhere, until he discovered he would become a father, yet that was down the same road he had been traveling. Maybe, just maybe, he could change the course of this unhappy road; yet he was not setting a foundation for change. He was building a bigger foundation for deceit.

  He closed his eyes and made love to the willing, yielding Nadia. Under any other circumstances, she would have been his ideal woman. She had a body, firm and small. A face, flawless, dark sensuous black hair, and eyes to accentuate her charm and sophistication; all of her was thirsting for him and only him.

  Nadia’s body lay exposed to Jeremy’s charms and crude behavior. He was a bad boy and she was attracted to him and couldn’t control her lust for him. She didn’t understand her attraction for him. Was it the feeling deep inside that she could never really have him the way she wanted him? Was it a feeling that someone else commanded his attention?

  She didn’t mind him going away and not calling, as long as he returned to her and made love to her when he felt the need—she would wait however long it took, and he knew it. They were engaged and as long as that was in place, she felt she had nothing to worry about. Nadia used this moment to escape. She escaped into the lust Jeremy created.

  Knowing that Jeremy desired oral sex only made her more excited. She garnered a sexual arousal from looking up at Jeremy when she had him in her control. Did she control him or did he control her. She knew that he came back night after night for that one pleasure.

  It was not just giving him pleasure that excited her. Jeremy was a master at satisfying a woman. The level of his lovemaking matched the woman he desired. Although Nadia thought he had given her all that he possessed, he did not. He was in love with Sydney and no one would taste or feel the level of his sexual commitment but her.

  Jeremy didn’t show the caring that Nadia hoped for, yet she would take what he had to give. He gave her his hard penis over and over until he was spent.

  Jeremy stepped out of the shower eyeing Nadia naked body. He stood staring and not seeing her. He was off on a journey in his mind. His mind envisioned that the woman lying naked was Sydney. He smiled and Nadia took that to mean that he was pleased that they had made love and maybe he enjoyed the moment that they were together.

  No, Jeremy was feeling and seeing something different in his mind’s eye. He saw a beauty with brown eyes, flawless tan skin melt into the bed, and lay waiting for more. He saw Sydney holding her hands out beckoning for another round of endless love-making. He saw them away from the children on their honeymoon…

  “Jeremy I’ve been calling your name. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing Nadia, I was thinking about my brother and that I may never see him again. Sydney is so upset and she is due to have her baby any day. I need to be near her.” He confessed pulling his shirt over his head.

  “I understand Jeremy I’ll try to get your paintings sold without you. I’m leaving for Europe soon. I thought maybe you would come with me, but I see you have no other choice.”

  “I’m so lucky to have you Nadia, you’re so understanding and you’re so smart.” Jeremy bent down to kiss Nadia and kissed her forehead. “Nadia we’ll have to postpone our wedding plans for now. With my brother still missing and Sydney with three kids and babies coming she will need me.”

  “I need you.” Nadia stated.

  “Yea, but you understand.”

  “I understand, but when are you going to introduce me to her? She is rich I hear. She was rich before she met your brother. She can afford to pay people to be there for her.”

  “And what else have you heard about my sister-in-law?’

  “That she’s more beautiful in person, your paintings didn’t do her justice.”

  “Where did you hear all of this?”

  “At the hair salon and day spa her friend owns on Fifth Ave.

  “There is more. I bet I know more about her than you,” Nadia said with a slight grin.

  “I doubt that,” Jeremy said with annoyance in every word. He didn’t appreciate the way Nadia was gossiping about Sydney.

  “Did you know she was married twice? Before she met your brother, she was married to this older man who died and left her a fortune.”

  Jeremy became irritated with Nadia, “No, I wasn’t aware of that.” Jeremy started pacing around the bed and then walking into the closet to find a pair of pants. He began to dress as Nadia continued to talk.

  “Did you know that a man committed suicide because she left him?”

  “Stop it! I don’t want to hear anymore and who told you that?”

  “Allison Green married to Sydney’s friend Zack Green; you know the wealthy newspaper and magazine owner. Allison comes into the salon on Wednesdays and talks for hours. Sydney is her favorite subject. It’s like she has a front row seat into her life. However, she never mentioned that Danny had a twin and I never told her.“She had nothing better to do all day with her millions but to get a massage and discuss Sydney.”

  “She seems to know a lot about Sydney’s life,” Jeremy yawned as he put on his coat and straightened out his collar and cuffs on his shirt.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I have to go to Sydney’s and stay with her because she is due anytime.”

  Jeremy didn’t say anymore and matter-of-factly packed a bag with underclothes and shaving cream and a razor. He left clothing in the extra room in Sydney’s house. He left his shoes because he needed a reason to return.

  “Nadia be a good girl and lock up when you leave. I’ll call you soon.” Jeremy didn’t say tomorrow, or even when he arrives at Sydney, but he did say he was going to call soon. Nadia didn’t know what to think. She was certain that there was nothing between Sydney and him because she could not imagine that happening. Maybe he was seeing someone else. She would demand to meet Sydney to cull the feelings she was harboring inside her mind and body.

  Chapter 11

  Proof of Life

  The door buzzer rang an hour after Sydney arrived home. Sydney slept soundly. The maid answered the door. The time she wasted with Steven drained her of all energy as it always was with Steven. Steven’s questions concerning her love life confused her, and caused her heightened sadness. The lack of answers on Jeremy’s return left open many questions that she didn’t or couldn’t answer.

  “Good afternoon Mr. Jeremy. Mrs. McCloud is sleeping.” The West Indian housekeeper guarded Sydney because each time Jeremy arrived Sydney would become upset.

  “I know Norma but I need to speak to her.” Jeremy strutted past Norma and proceeded to enter Sydney’s room, trading not so civil glances with Norma. Norma recognized the power he possessed over Sydney and women.

  He carefully tiptoed into Sydney’s room so as not to startle her. He stood and looked at her as she lay on the bed. Sydney felt the figure standing and opened her eyes. The bright blinding sunlight cloaked Jeremy’s appearance.

  “Danny, Danny you’re home, you came back to me!” Sydney cried with arms out stretched. Jeremy strode closer. Suddenly she realized it was Jeremy and the color disappeared from her face.

  “I’m sorry that I couldn’t be Danny. I’m sorry Sydney, I’m sorry I couldn’t bring him home.” He sat on the bed, reached for Sydney, and held her in his arms.

  “I know you tried everything you could to bring him home,” she whispered.“Sydney all I care about is that you believe me when I say I tried.”

  “Why wouldn’t I believe you?” Sydney looked at Jeremy and wondered whether his tears were sincere. She reached for a glass
of water and drank all of it.

  Sitting up in bed, with pillows all around to cushion her body she felt the urge to go to the restroom, however, at nine months she was getting that feeling every minute. She asked Jeremy to help her and he was more than happy to be a part of handling fatherly duties.

  He could never forget who her husband was. He hung around Sydney hoping that one day she would forget Danny and look to him for solace and sexual needs. But for now, he would take what he could get. Jeremy reached for Sydney’s arm and put his hand around her waist, and touched her swollen belly. He looked at her and her face showed acceptance. He continued walking slowly with her to the bathroom.

  Sydney raised her head, “Oh! Jeremy I think the babies are coming!”

  “Norma! Norma! Call the doctor, call the doctor, I’m going to be a father!”

  Before Jeremy realized what he had said the words were out and Norma stood with her hand over her mouth.

  “No Norma, Jeremy is overly excited.” Sydney peered at Jeremy with contempt and whispered, “I can’t trust you.”

  “I’m sorry Sydney, I won’t do that again.”

  “Mr. Jeremy, the car is outside and you can bring her down to the lobby,” Norma said.

  “Everything is packed and I am going to call your mother and Steven.”

  “Why are you calling Steven? I’m going to stay with her as long as it takes,” Jeremy stated staring at Norma and never blinking.

  “I want her to call him, he’s a dear friend,” Sydney stated holding her stomach and barely speaking as she hobbled through the door and into the elevator with Jeremy holding her arm and waist.

  Sydney straddled sideways in the seat while Jeremy placed her legs into the limo. Jeremy hung on to her suitcase forgetting to put it down. Sydney moaned and held tightly on to Jeremy’s hand. He felt close to her now and he knew he could never leave her side.

  “Can’t you hurry?” He hollered at the driver. “Ms. McCloud is going to have a baby.”

  “I know sir I’m trying to hurry, but this traffic is terrible and it’s lunch time. It’s a bad time,” the limo driver conceded.

  “Just do your best,” Jeremy stated calmly.

  Jeremy’s arm brought Sydney close to him as he tried to comfort her. Sydney settled down and leaned in Jeremy’s direction and he held her closer. She cast a glance at his eyes and he stared at her beautiful face. How could he ever want anyone but her? How could he ever be satisfied with someone else? She was giving birth to his children. His life had found purpose, he thought.

  * * * *

  “Mr. McCloud,” Dr. Wolff said, as he stood with a grim look on his face.

  “Yes! Yes, tell me. Something is wrong. Is Sydney OK?”

  “Sydney is fine, but the smaller boy didn’t make it.”

  Jeremy sank in a chair, put his head down, stared silently at the floor, and wept.

  Dr. Wolff continued, “He was too sick. I explained everything to Sydney and she understood,” said Dr. Wolf staring down at Jeremy. “Don’t worry, she can have more children.” He stayed a few more moments and then left Jeremy to be consumed by his mind.

  Jeremy stopped Dr. Wolff, “Can I see her now?”

  “Yes.” Dr. Wolff walked down the corridor and then turned to see Jeremy’s face was now tearless, but he was in obvious pain. The pain of Jeremy’s loss was more than he could bear, but, he passed his hands over his eyes. His silence was loud. Jeremy lumbered pass the window where the nurse was preparing his son for his first feeding.

  “Sydney,” Jeremy stood in the doorway and called out to Sydney who was staring at the ceiling. “Sydney, what is the matter?”

  “I didn’t want to tell you but I’m going to put the baby up for adoption.”

  Jeremy’s brow made a deep crease. His face loss color and he could not move from one spot. He searched the room with his eyes as if he had lost something and he did not have legs or arms to find what was lost. Words were not free. He could not utter a sentence. He was in shock. Minutes passed before he said a word and he spoke only because he heard Sydney calling him in a distance.

  “Jeremy, Jeremy…”

  “Tell me you didn’t say that you were going to put my baby up for adoption?”

  “I did say that, it is best for him.”

  “I’m his father and I know what’s best for him. You are trying to forget what happened between us.”

  “What happen between us should never have happened.”

  “How are you going to explain that to everyone?”

  “I can tell them that the babies died?”

  “Now explain to me how you can live with yourself?” Jeremy said with his teeth tight biting into his lower lip.

  Sydney didn’t plan for the questions that struck her heart and soul. She hadn’t counted on hurting Jeremy by her decision. “There were two babies and I can’t live with one and not the other.”

  “So, you just want to give my son away because you’re hurt? I thought I was the selfish bastard, but I see you have me beat.”

  “You don’t understand Jeremy,” Sydney said reaching for his hand, and to her surprise, he pulled it from her reach.

  “I understand too well. You don’t have your precious Danny and you can’t accept anything that belongs to another man even if it is your own baby.” He stated as he paced in front of her bed.

  “You’re wrong!”

  “You don’t want to love me and you don’t want anything that I have.”

  “No! Jeremy. No! I’m afraid that I will love you and the baby more than Danny. I can’t deceive him again.”

  “Danny is dead Sydney, give me a chance!” Jeremy put his head down, sat on the bed, and held Sydney in his arms, and cried with her.

  “What are we going to do Jeremy?”

  “We’re going to love each other and keep our baby.” Jeremy holding Sydney in his arms watched as the nurse brought their son into the room. He and Sydney began to smile.

  “How can you give him away?” Jeremy’s face brightened as he took the baby from Sydney and began rocking him. Sydney looked over and warmth came over her and she began to see what she could not bring herself to witness—a man who would have died to be with her and his child.

  Jeremy left Sydney sleeping after the baby nursed. He was full of thoughts of the future. He forgot about Nadia. Nadia was the reason he could afford to buy a large apartment. She was selling his paintings as fast as he could paint them on canvas. Now he had to let her know that he would be spending all his time with his brother’s widow.

  * * * *

  Steven wandered into Sydney’s hospital room looking pleased with a wide smile crawling across his face, showing his gleaming white teeth, he had spent most of the day having cleaned and polished. Sydney could always depend on Steven to have a glow when he had gossip, especially if it wasn’t about him.

  Walking to the edge of the bed and peering at Sydney, Steven gathered the old roses in the vase and began to replace them with a fresh bunch.

  “Leave the flowers,” Sydney said opening her eyes and turning over on her right side.“I thought you were sleeping,” Steven said dropping his hand and showing off the flowers. “It’s good to see you happy again, Sydney.”

  “Same here. Everything must be going good for you and Jose.”

  “Yea, but I came to see about you. Heather said that your baby died. Soon as I heard I came back to Manhattan.”

  “Steven I’ve lost so much. My Danny, and now my little baby boy.”

  “Think about what you do have, your children, and Jeremy. He’s there to help you and he loves you. If he didn’t he wouldn’t be around. He even put off his wedding for you, but that’s another story.

  Sydney didn’t react to Steven because she didn’t hear him; she was still stuck on his words: something about Jeremy being in love with her. How did Steven know?

  “Zack’s missing Sydney,” Steven said, breaking the news before Sydney heard it on television.

  “Zack? M
issing from where?”

  “Missing Sydney. Like he could be dead.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  Steven shook his head no and turned up his bottom lip.

  Sydney’s eyes opened and her mouth fell, she put her hand over it to muffle the sound she anticipated coming. “Oh no Steven not Zack,” Sydney said in disbelief.

  “I think I know who’s responsible.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know his little cowgirl of a wife. The one from your hometown of Houston; well, I heard from sources, that she was responsible. She rode him hard and put him up wet. That’s your expression,” Steven said gesturing.

  “Why would Allison want him dead?”

  “Money honey,” Steven said singing and snapping his fingers. “Allison visits my spa twice a week. You know my prices and she spends a shit load of money and talks her ass off to anyone who would listen. She doesn’t look worried and acts as if she doesn’t give a rat’s ass. ”

  “Come on Steven she’s not stupid enough to tell a stranger she’s planning to kill her husband.”

  “Well she didn’t really say anything, but you can tell she was not happy with him. She talked about his love making and how he was cheap and she wished he would just go away.”

  “That doesn’t sound like someone who would want her husband dead.”

  “Maybe not in your neck of the woods honey, but here a woman would kill for a designer dress if her husband refused to give her the money. But I think it was a man, or maybe it was a woman?” Steven said with a snicker and gleam in his eyes.

  “Do you have any proof?”

  “There is always someone around when a spouse goes missing.”

  “Those are strong words, Steven.”

  “Well look at you and Jeremy.”

  “That’s enough!”

  “I can tell your mood has changed Sydney, so I’m going. Bye honey.”

  “Bye Steven.” Steven walked to Sydney’s bed and kissed her on the cheek, then left reluctantly. As he passed the door, he looked to his left and took a glance at Jeremy looking in on his baby. He eyed Steven and Steven gave a polite glare that said, “I’ve got my eye on you.” Jeremy made a gesture with his face, which said piss off. Therefore, each knew the score.