by Mia Moore
“Not the repairs needed.”
“Yeah, don’t worry, that’ll be covered, no problemo. This is great. It’s comprehensive. And the fact that you locked down a commitment to sell this early in the game—wow.”
“You’re going to love Helen and Barry.” She couldn’t stop the smile that lit up her face.
“Let me finish; the champagne’s getting warm. This is a winner of a plan, baby and if it wasn’t, I’d tell you that too, okay?” She nodded, believing him. “But I don’t have to.” Tom relaxed back in his seat. “Tomorrow, at eleven, come to my office. I’m bringing some people in and we’re going to green light this project. We both stand to make a bundle at it.”
For the umpteenth time, her eyes glistened with tears. The makeup she had applied that morning must be a horrendous mess. But with all that had happened, who really cared? “Tom, please… you’re going to get laid tonight, I’m too horny from that finger thing. But, do you…”
“Damn right I do. Awesome plan.” He took the champagne flutes in his hands and presented one to her. “Annik, my love, to Pandora’s.”
“Where there’s always, always hope, Tom.” They clinked and sipped.
“See Annik.” She couldn’t tell if the voice was Poppa or Mamma. “You kept on. You didn’t stop. And see what you got, girl.”
Thank you Poppa. Thank you Mamma.
And she drank deeply, her tears christening this moment.
Chapter 14
Annik sat, reeling from the roller coaster of this day. This day of days.
She was completely drained…yet excited to see where the rest of this evening would go. Words would not do right now. She simply gazed at her Tom.
HER TOM. She knew THAT in the deepest part of her being. The same part that rejoiced, that she was TOM’S ANNIK. It didn’t just feel right to her, she knew, she KNEW it was right. The happiness, the joy, the peace, that enveloped her was a long lost friend. She hadn’t felt it since before Poppa died, and she welcomed it with all of her heart.
Her Tom gave that to her. Her eyes welled up again. Her tears were welcome too, crying happy for the first time in years and years…
“Hey… business is over for tonight, Annik.” He said softly.
“Yes, we’ll pick it up in the morning.” Now what? What do we do now?
“Okay then,” He handed her the folders. “Put these away, okay? Now, I have to make a request of you.”
“Fire away. Let’s hear it.” Oh Tom, anything. Anything. You know that.
“I’m picking up the check tonight. This has been a real ride for me. And I want this to be a night we remember for a long, long time.”
She listened, bafflement showed in her eyes.
“I want this night to be our first date. Our first date. And if that’s the case, then I pick up the check. And one more thing, I don’t want tonight to end.” He looked at her with hope.
When were the waterworks going to stop? It had been a long time since a man had asked her on a date. Just a date. No money exchange. Years. No, years and years. When she was in grad school, she was just too damn busy; and then when Mamma got sick and she started working as a prostitute, she refused any advances from guys. Even so… she wiped her eyes again.
“Wait a minute. I said I was paying, Mr. Eldon. In fact, I left the tab when I stormed out, didn’t I?”
“Oh. Yeah. I forgot. But I’m picking up the champagne bill.”
“Okay. Just the champagne. And next time dinner’s on you, buster.”
“And after that?”
“We’ll go Dutch. How’s that?” There was no way, no way in hell she was going to become a ‘kept woman’. She would be his lover, yes, but not his mistress. She wanted to be with him for his own sake—the qualities he had—and to have him start looking after her financially wasn’t something that appealed to her. What happened to the mistress when the guy got tired of her? She was with Tom in the hope that they could somehow, in this crazy complicated world, build a life together. And the operative word was together.
And as far as not wanting this night to end, she couldn’t agree more, and said so.
He paused. “I have a confession to make to you. I’ll tell you everything about me, no problem. But you don't have to tell me about you. I already know. I had you investigated.”
She was taking a sip of champagne as he told her this. She swallowed quickly, grabbed her napkin and started to cough into it. Investigated! What on earth for? Maybe because I’m an Escort…
“Investigated me? Why?”
“Because I was smitten, Annik. From our first time together. Let me tell you, I had never paid so much for… um… for professional services as I did with you. And when I left after that first encounter, I couldn’t get you off my mind.”
“Yeah, I know. Our times together were my mini-vacations to tell you the truth. I felt like I was dating you.” She looked at the table. “I didn’t like that,” and she looked up, “but that’s how it was.” Those mini vacations had helped her get through many a long lonely night.
“Cards close, eh? I didn’t get any vibe of that.”
“Look who’s talking. Go on. I like the ‘smitten’ part.”
“I was. But the logical part said to me, and you got to understand, I’ve been burned before. Not by um… professionals... but by other women. And so I said to myself, this time, get a line on her and so I did.” He swirled the champagne in his flute, looking at it, “I’m not proud I did right now, but I’m sure glad I did.” He looked up. “Because I learned that yes, you’re a wonderful woman. If I didn’t do that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have chased you out the door tonight, you know. Remember what I said about the time is right, right now?”
“Well, you did say something like that, yeah.”
He reached across the table and took her free hand. “Annik, I know your story from being born in the Barbados to coming to Canada, what high school and university you attended, to your father's death, your mother's illness and subsequent death. I know why an 'A' student forfeited her career in psychotherapy to meet family obligations. You’re a woman who suffered a series of bad breaks. Did you roll over? No. Did you do the best you could?” He gestured to her briefcase, “Sure as hell did. I’m so impressed with you getting your business education up to snuff.
“Annik, if I didn’t know about you, I wouldn’t have taken the chance tonight.” He looked straight in her eyes, his lips in that charming crooked smile. Tom was strong and direct when he needed to be.
He continued. “I’m glad I did. But I’m sorry that I had to—no, no, not because of you, but because of my crappy history, okay?”
“Okay. Sort of, I guess. Not because I’m a hooker?” That would have been understandable.
“Fair question—but no. Not really. Because I was smitten.”
“And now?”
“Now? You kidding? Now I’m smote.” He laughed. “And I couldn’t be happier. Here’s to us, kid.” He raised his glass.
She got it. Smote, huh? Welcome to the club, Tom. “To us.” She said, draining her flute.
“Would I be forward, on our first date, if I asked you back to my place? I won't lay a hand on you unless you want me to-”
“I want you to.”
“Got it.” No pause, no second thoughts, as if they’ve made such plans for years and years. And maybe they had, deep down inside. The normalcy, which Tom accepted was out of place considering the newness of their love. But not when the only new thing about it was the expression—the love had been there for quite some time.
“I just want to talk to you some more. We’ll play soft music and dance, if that's what you want.” His eyes searched hers.
“I’d love to.” At last. To be here with him. A dream come true.
He took his cell phone out of his breast pocket and placed a call. He was ordering a taxi.
“My only regret is that I didn’t pick up the dinner check, Annik. Maybe I’m old school, but if this is a date, I woul
d have felt happier doing that.”
“Maybe that makes this date unique, what do you think of that?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure. Sure as anything though, this is one hell of a special night for me.”
“Special for both of us.”
He nodded and picked up her brief case, escorting her to the door and onto the street. A familiar cab was parked at the curb in front of them. She looked quickly at Tom with surprise.
“Eddie? You know Eddie?”
“Of course. I was happy when I learned he was the taxi driver you used the most. He's a good guy. I like him.”
Eddie greeted them as they got into his cab. “Where’re you off to?”
“I'm taking Annik to my home, Eddie. But it's not what you may think. I fired her as my Escort. It's an honest to God date.”
In the rearview mirror, she saw Eddie’s eyes asking questions.
She smiled. “Eddie, remember I told you about my client Tom? This is the Tom. It is a date. Honest, a real date.”
“What, you guys are a couple now?” Eddie asked.
“Yes!” They replied in unison, looked at each other, startled, and burst out laughing.
“Alright! I hear ya.” Eddie was chuckling as he put the car in gear and drove off to Tom’s place.
Eddie looked into the rear view mirror at Tom. The two men silently agreed that Annik didn’t need any sort of runaround, and that Tom would be good to her.
“Don’t worry, Eddie. I care about her too.” Tom said.
When they arrived, Tom got out and took her hand, gallantly helping her out of the cab. He reached in and paid Eddie. He tipped well, but not overly so—a moment between two guys, sort of.
Eddie took the bills. “Thanks, Tom. She gonna be alright wit’ you?”
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“I think…” he looked Tom up and down, “I think you can really, really hurt her, man.”
“Hey…”
“I also know, you can really, really make her happy. I worry ‘bout her a bit, y’know?”
Tom nodded. “Yeah. I understand. Would it make you feel any better if you knew she could really, really hurt me?”
“Nope.”
Tom shook his head. “Yeah. See ya Eddie. Be safe.”
“See ya.”
They walked up the walkway leading to the entrance. She looked around to view the front of Tom’s home. It wasn’t much different from the house where she had spent her youth. It was a two-story limestone home with a two car garage, a manicured lawn surrounding a garden with a pond in the center. In the middle of the pond was a rock fountain, the water murmuring over limestone and laughing back into the pond. Beside the pond were two Muskoka chairs separated by a small redwood table. Poppa loved his fountain at her old home—but at that house there would have been three or four of the same chairs, not just two.
The security lights came on, triggered by their approach. But they were gentle lights, bathing the lovers in a golden hue as they walked to the entrance. Just for a second, a moment, she let herself believe that it was Mamma and Poppa turning on the lights for her. That thought, as nonsensical as it may have been, warmed her heart. She tightened her hold on Tom’s hand and he pressed back.
Inside, she stood in a spacious hallway facing a wide staircase with gleaming oak stairs and handrails. To her right was a large room with French doors and on her left, she saw the outline of a large dining table with chairs set around. It felt so… so familiar. Were there differences? Of course. Tom’s carpeting was a rich charcoal gray, whereas Mamma had dusty rose laid down. And Poppa thought French Doors were pretentious. Even so, this house welcomed her.
So what if she was being silly. So be it. Pieces of the puzzle of her heart had been set in place.
He set her briefcase down and invited her into the living room. She entered to see in one corner, a fireplace. A baby grand piano sat on the opposite side, close to a large bay window. And the window had a window seat.
In her home, she would sit on the window seat nestled in the cushions as Mamma played. This had encouraged her to take lessons. Wordlessly, she walked to the piano and sat on the bench. It wasn’t tucked in under the keyboard; instead it was set at the perfect distance. She didn’t look at him. Absorbed in the moment, she sat down, adjusted her feet to the pedals and began to play the opening notes of Pachabal’s Canon in D. Mamma’s favorite melody.
The room filled with the notes, the music, as she claimed the moment. It felt like Mamma was beside her on the bench and that hadn’t happened in a very long time. The joy of the piece swept her away to yesterdays.
Tom grew very still, watching her hands dance across the keys.
When she finished, he spoke, his voice low. “That was beautiful. I didn’t know you played.”
She kept her head down, couldn’t look up. Just yet. It was too much. “It’s called—”
“Canon in D, I know,” His hands had joined across his stomach as if in prayer.
“I grew up listening to this,” they said in unison.
She quickly turned away. He stepped towards her.
“Don’t cry, Annik, please… that was beautiful…” he whispered.
“I… it’s… I’m not hurting.” She saw his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes, film up as well. “You okay?” she whispered. He was looking…
“Yes...” He got down on a knee next to the bench, his arm encircling her waist, and rested his head on her shoulder. “It’s just that I grew up listening to that piece. My Ma would play it as her warm up. And whenever my sister comes over, she always plays it as soon as she comes through the door. It means a great deal to me, see?”
“I used to sit there, in the window seat, and listen to Mamma play it,” she said softly, putting her arms around his shoulders. “I mean, not THAT window seat…”
“I know what you mean.”
They stayed there for a few moments in the silence.
He got up and went across the room where a small bar had been set up. He reached up, flicked a switch and the fireplace ignited. Picking up a remote control that had been on the bar he pushed a couple of buttons. The room filled with soft jazz music. He took two bottles of mineral water from the small fridge and set them on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
Taking her hand, he led her to an open area in the room. She folded into his arms and they danced to the sultry jazz. She followed his lead, gazing into his eyes. Please… don’t let this moment end… It was like coming home. Yet at the same time, it was embarking on a journey, to a new place. They swayed to the music, losing themselves in the notes and in each other.
He leaned over and kissed her softly, then lowered his mouth to her neck, his hand stroking her back. They slowed danced, oblivious to the beat. She raised her hands to his head, running her fingers through his hair. Her head tilted to the side, allowing his lips full access to her throat.
Tom slipped her hand into his and led her from the room. Hand in hand they climbed the stairs, turning left at the top to his bedroom. For the first time. Previous times between them were either at Pandora's or at a hotel. This was the first time she had been in his home.
She looked around the room at the king sized, navy blue bedspread, the crisp white pillow shams, the bedside table, a book resting on it. A large oak armoire and dresser sat at the far wall, opposite the bed, flanked by large windows. A door stood ajar, revealing part of a vanity and sink.
“Would you mind if I take a quick shower, Tom? It was a long day, and I'd like to freshen up.”
“Help yourself. I'll be right here.”
She entered an opulent bathroom with gold fixtures complimenting the dark marble counter top. She removed her clothes and hung them on a hook on the back of the door. She reached over to turn on the faucet of the molded shower stall. Testing it first, she stepped in, letting the water cascade over her body. She hummed the tune of a song she hadn’t thought about in years, since she was a teenager. When she was finished, a fresh flu
ffy towel lay folded, just outside the stall. She picked it up, dried herself and returned to the bedroom. When she entered, she could see Tom already in bed, sitting up.
“God, you’re beautiful. Please stop, stand just for a moment for me to look at you. My Annik.”
She stood straight with her head held high. Her wet hair fell in dark ringlets over her back with a few tendrils caressing her neck and breasts. Her dark eyes gazed at him, lips parted slightly. She saw his eyes roam over her body, admiring her slender arms, large firm breasts with the dark round nipples, her flat stomach and narrow waist. Unlike Vogue models with their boy-like hips, hers were full and round—womanly. She looked into his blue eyes and felt a thrill of sexual excitement. To make love… with her man.
“Come to bed Venus.”
“The name's Annik.”
“Yeah, Venus is jealous of you.”
“You're pretty damn clever.” She climbed in next him, snuggling close to his warm body. His arms held her close like he would never let her go. Inhaling, she smiled at his familiar woodsy cologne. When he turned his face to kiss her, exploring her mouth with his tongue, she met his kiss with a loving passion. Tiny shivers shot through her body when he lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing and drawing her flesh gently into his mouth. It was sweet surrender when she arched back pushing her breast forward as his hand cupped it; his fingers pinched the nipple. Then there was a hot sensation as he took the hard nipple into his mouth, sucking and teasing it with his tongue. Her thigh felt the pressure of his erection. Her hand caressed his back, then stroked along his waist, reaching around for him. Hearing his gasp of arousal when her fingers softly stimulated him, she smiled. He pulled away from her hand when he shifted his body.
His face was soft on her tummy as he slid lower to kiss her vulva. He knelt between her thighs, warming her with his ragged breath, bringing his face closer to her folds. Her hip jerked slightly in absolute pleasure when his fingers probed and his tongue touched her clit. His fingers slid into her, softly exploring, seeking upward. He drew her clit into his mouth, sucking it, stimulating it with his warm tongue. With his index finger, he rubbed deep inside her.
