Perfect Betrayal

by Season Vining

  “Mad filaments, ungovernable shoots play out of it, the response likewise ungovernable.”

  Levi’s hands traveled up her legs again, his thumbs rubbing slow circles on her inner thighs, just short of where she wanted him most. “Hair, bosom, hips, bend of legs, negligent falling hands all diffused, mine too diffused, ebb stung by the flow and flow stung by the ebb, love-flesh swelling and deliciously aching.”

  Levi paused when she closed her eyes and exhaled a stuttered breath. He moved his hands down to her knees again and pushed them wider. Leaning forward, he eliminated the last bit of space between them so that his words were only a whispered secret between the two of them.

  “Limitless limpid jets of love hot and enormous, quivering jelly of love.”

  Taylor’s eyes remained closed as her fingers dug deeper into the leather of the chair. A tiny whimper escaped her lips when Levi stood abruptly, ending their intimate moment.

  “Don’t you just love Whitman?” he asked.

  Her eyes popped open, a look of confusion and lust pooling in them. As Levi exited the room, he heard three little words that gave him a victory in this battle of wits.

  “I do now.”

  * * *

  Taylor lay in bed reading a collection of poetry by Walt Whitman. After her encounter with Levi, she’d searched every shelf in the room to find it. She flipped through the pages, searching for the poem he’d recited, hoping to relieve the flaming current racing through her. The title alone, “I Sing the Body Electric,” had Taylor panting in excitement. But no matter how many times she read it, the words on paper never relieved the ache inside.

  Frustrated, she threw the book aside and closed her eyes. She pictured Levi and the way his lips formed the devious words. She saw his smirk and burning hazel eyes cutting through her. Once again, she could almost feel his hard hands against the skin of her thighs. The feeling turned her insides to liquid.

  “Quivering jelly of love,” she said aloud.

  It was then that Taylor realized it was not the poem itself or the words that made her burn. It was Levi, and him alone. As she turned off the light and drifted off to sleep, she wondered if she’d ever get to consume him the way she so desperately needed to.

  * * *

  “Taylor. Wake up, baby girl,” Suzanne said.

  “Too early. It’s Saturday, Suzy.” Taylor rolled over and buried herself beneath the covers.

  “Come on, Taylor. Your father’s here and he wants to see you for breakfast.”

  “Tell him to fuck off,” she groaned.

  “Taylor Hudson, if you are not out of that bed and dressed in ten minutes I will take a razor blade and Sharpie to every pair of shoes in your closet.”

  Taylor sat up, stretched her hands over her head, and yawned.

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Wouldn’t I?” Suzanne asked, placing her hands on her hips.

  “All right, all right. I’m up, bossy lady.”

  Taylor scurried out of bed, brushed her teeth, threw on some sweats, and made her way to the formal dining room. Outside the door, she took a deep, calming breath and tried to ready herself for this torture.

  As usual, Henry was sitting at the head of the mahogany dining table, rattling off orders to Nadine. Taylor scowled at the woman, wondering if she’d arrived this morning or last night. Henry was dressed in one of his custom-made signature Armani suits, a powder blue tie that matched his eyes knotted tightly around his neck. He looked freshly showered and clean shaven, his permanent scowl firmly in place.

  Taylor took a seat at the table across from Nadine, around the corner from her father. As always, the formal china, silverware, and crystal water glasses were set out at her place, breakfast already on the plate. Nadine gave her a smile while taking notes. Taylor’s eyes darted back and forth between them. Henry had nerve bringing her into their house. It was one thing to diddle the assistant at work, but to bring her into the bed you’re supposed to share with your wife? That’s just ballsy.

  “Good morning, Taylor,” Nadine chirped from across the table.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Taylor,” Henry warned.

  “Henry,” she shot back.

  “Just getting started on some work here so that your father could see you before he left for the week. Remember, he’s headed to San Francisco for that project?” Nadine said.

  Taylor ignored her and looked to her father, expecting some sort of greeting, but he offered nothing. Instead, he quietly ate his breakfast and never looked up from his newspaper. The most interaction she ever got was a curt nod or a quick glance, but, today—nothing. It had been ages since she’d seen him. Taylor stared at him in disbelief. She wasn’t sure why this man still held so much power over her or why she even wanted to be acknowledged, but she did.

  Finally, Henry’s eyes met hers. “Eat your breakfast, Taylor. It is getting cold.”

  She gripped her fork tightly and forced it toward her plate instead of stabbing it through his heartless chest.

  “Don’t assistants get a day off, Nadine?” Taylor asked through gritted teeth.

  “I certainly make good use of my downtime, Taylor. Thank you for your concern.” Though she smiled, Nadine’s words were cold and implied things that Taylor would rather not know. “Okay, Henry, I’ll head to the office now and start on the proposition documents,” she said. Henry nodded and she stood to leave.

  “Henry? She calls you Henry? Why don’t you just invite her to move in?” Taylor scoffed.

  “It was great to see you again, Taylor,” Nadine said before leaving the room.

  “Wish I could say the same,” Taylor answered. She eyed her father and waited for a reaction—a cold glare, a stinging slap, sharp words. “Nothing to say? Guess you’re not blessed with conversation from Henry Hudson unless you’re making him a profit or sucking his dick.”

  “Watch your mouth, Taylor.”

  Tears stung her eyes and she dropped her head, not wanting to let him see her cry.

  “Have you seen Beau Upton?” Henry asked.

  Her head snapped up. “What? No.”

  “We had a break-in at my office. I’ve kept it quiet, because I don’t need the media breathing down my neck. I don’t know what they were looking for, but I’d bet that bastard father of his was behind it. Do you know if George is in the country?” He watched her closely. She wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but she kept her expression neutral and shook her head. “I’d better get going,” Henry announced as he stood and threw his napkin on the table.

  When there was nothing left of him but a swinging door, Taylor looked around at the empty room and two plates of half-eaten food.

  “Thanks for breakfast, Dad,” she said before pushing her plate away and laying her head on the table. She stayed there for a while as tears blurred her vision and dotted the linen place mat.

  Vanessa, the weekend employee, entered the room to clear the dishes and found her there.

  “Are you okay, Miss Hudson?” she asked.

  Taylor straightened up and turned to go. “Yeah, I’m fine.” The lie slipped from her lips easily, because it had been told so many times before.

  8. on the prowl and passion theory

  Taylor sat on her balcony reading her way through Leaves of Grass. Whitman now held a certain appeal, and she wouldn’t deny herself the pleasurable memories. She closed the book and stared out over the lawn, cursing how everything seemed to remind her of Levi. The pool, the garage, even the sprinklers made her mind snap back to visions of his strong arms and memories of his lips on hers. They’d only shared one kiss, but it had been enough to make her crave more.

  Her phone blasted from inside and she raced to answer it.

  “Reese!” she said excitedly.

  “Hey, babe. What’s on the agenda today?”

  “Oh, I’m thinking binge drinking and half a dozen cupcakes.”

  “Yikes. Did you have another monthly visitation breakfast from Henry?” />
  “Yeah, only this time he brought along his employee side dish,” Taylor said.

  “That man is such a loser. I know it’s kind of random, but my brother’s friend is throwing a party and I promised I’d go. You in?”

  “Hell, yes. See if Ade wants to go.”

  “Already did. She’s got some lame family stuff tonight. I’ll pick you up around eight,” Reese said before ending the call.

  The afternoon dragged by slowly as Taylor took her time getting ready. She went through the motions of preparing for a night out but just didn’t feel her usual excitement. If this was a result of Levi being on her brain, she would be so disappointed in herself. So she refused to explore the reasons behind this new attitude. Still, Taylor stood in her closet for almost thirty minutes, trying on outfit after outfit. With a heap of designer duds at her feet, she finally settled on her favorite jeans and a simple off-the-shoulder top.

  When Reese arrived, Taylor scurried down the driveway in her heels and hopped into the car.

  “Lookin’ good, Tay.”

  “As do you, my sista. I mean, you turned it up tonight, huh?” Taylor took in Reese’s short shirt and knee-high boots. She leaned over and fingered the dangling diamond earrings sparkling from beneath Reese’s curls. “What’s the occasion?”

  “I’m on the prowl.”

  “Did the last one die on you or something?” Taylor asked.

  “Shut up,” Reese said with a laugh. “No, he started talking about leaving his wife. I had to pull out. I’m not trying to ride that Hot Mess Express.”

  “Ahh. Got it.”

  “You look très casual for this outing.”

  “Fuck you. I look hot and you know it,” Taylor answered.

  “You always look hot, Taylor. But I’m sensing no effort.”

  Taylor sighed and leaned her head against the window. “It’s true. I’m not on the prowl. I just want to have a good time with my BFF.”

  The party turned out to be total bust. Reese abandoned her as soon as they got there, somehow finding the only adult in the room to chat up. Taylor moved around the party, beer in hand, dancing like she was the only one there. After three drinks, she used her buzz as an escape. She ignored every guy who approached and slapped away roaming hands, intent to focus solely on herself. In this mind space, she was free and completely content.

  After a few hours, Reese spilled beer down the front of her dress, forcing them to leave—but not before slipping her number into the back pocket of the middle-aged guy with the golden tan and a line where his wedding band should be.

  In the car, she tried to listen objectively as Reese rambled on about her potential new conquest.

  “He’s got a sailboat and two vacation houses. He said he and his wife separated a few weeks ago…”

  Taylor nodded and stayed quiet. She tried not to point out her friend’s naïveté. When they were looking to land a girl, they all had a sailboat and two vacation homes. They all claimed to be separated from their wives. Taylor had no idea what Reese saw in these older men, or what Reese could get from them that she couldn’t get with a boy her own age. Being a part of the privileged club as they were, they all had their own issues. Taylor would never judge her friend.

  When they finally arrived at the Hudson house, the two girls stripped out of their clothes and passed out in Taylor’s bed.

  * * *

  “Well, this is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” Beau said.

  Taylor rolled over and found morning light pouring in through her window. Beau stood next to her bed, his grin impossibly wide. She turned her head to find Reese sprawled out next to her in only her bra and panties. Taylor’s hands slid down her own body, finding the same state of dress. She groaned and rolled away from Beau, trying to ignore the pounding in her head.

  “Oh, God, don’t move. It’s so hot. I want to remember it just like this,” he said, holding his phone up and snapping several photos.

  Taylor threw a pillow at him and nudged Reese awake. “We have company,” she whispered.

  “Ugh! Stop it. Let me sleep,” Reese grunted.

  “Reese, is that any way to treat me after the magic we shared last night?” Taylor asked.

  Beau coughed and dropped his phone.

  “What?” Reese asked. Taylor rolled on top of her and laid her head on Reese’s chest.

  “You mean you don’t remember?” Taylor asked, seeming offended. Reese stared at her friend and then at Beau, whose wide-eyed expression was expectant.

  “Shut up. We didn’t do anything,” she said, pushing Taylor off of her. Taylor laughed and climbed out of bed, heading to the bathroom.

  “Not last night, we didn’t,” she said, turning to wink at Beau.

  Knowing that Beau would still be in her room, Taylor dressed before exiting the bathroom. Now that she wasn’t sleeping with him, teasing and flirting would be cruel. She also didn’t want to explain her sudden change of heart. If challenged, she wasn’t sure she could explain it.

  “Took you long enough. Damn,” Reese griped. “How many orgasms can you have in one shower?”

  “I wouldn’t know. You’re the one with the twelve-speed-turbo-charged-burn-your-clit-off shower massager.”

  “Touché,” Reese said. “Well, I’m out. You two behave.” She gave a wave, slipped into her shoes, and was through the door before they could respond.

  “What are you doing here?” Taylor asked, sitting on her bed next to Beau. He seemed too comfortable in her space, and she wasn’t ready to admit why she suddenly didn’t like him there.

  “What? We can’t hang out?” he asked, sliding his phone into his back pocket. He tapped the end of her nose and gave her a smile. It was a simple gesture, something he’d done since they were kids.

  “Yeah, we can hang out. What did you have in mind?”

  “I don’t know. I just had to get out of my house. My dad’s been busting my balls lately.”

  Taylor leaned on his shoulder, knowing exactly how he felt. She hated that they could relate.

  “Okay. I say we watch a couple of movies. Lots of blood, bombs, and bad guys.”

  “I get to hold the remote?” Beau asked.

  “In my house? Ugh. Fine. But I get the center chair.”

  “Deal.”

  When the credits rolled on the second Tarantino film, Beau let out a sigh and turned the lights up using the remote.

  “Why can’t life be simple like that? Don’t like someone? Shoot him in the face. Your family members are assholes? Blow them up,” Beau said.

  Taylor let out a laugh while she chewed on the end of a cherry licorice stick. “Wow. Your dad’s that bad? At least mine is gone most of the time.”

  “He’s been up my ass lately. He wants a report of where I’ve been and where I’m going. And what George Upton wants, George Upton gets. Like, suddenly he decided to be a parent or something. Keeps asking me tons of questions about you, and Henry too. He’s so paranoid.”

  “George and Henry need to get in a boxing ring and hash this shit out and leave us out of it,” Taylor said.

  “Yeah.”

  “Hey!” Taylor jumped out of her chair. “Let’s go smoke a bowl and try not to drown in my pool.”

  Beau blew out a breath and smiled up at her amused face. “Sounds awesome.”

  An hour later, they both lay drifting on rafts in her enormous pool, peaceful and content in their high state. Every once in a while, they would bump into each other before floating off again. Taylor adored having this time with her old friend. She loved that they could have these quiet moments with no awkwardness.

  After a while baking in the sun, Taylor’s stomach rumbled.

  “You hungry?” she shouted from her end of the pool.

  “Hell, yeah.”

  Not wanting to bother the weekend housekeeper with cooking, the two were left to fend for themselves. They raided the fridge and the pantry, before settling on a buffet of junk food. Sitting across from each other at her formal
dining room table, they ended the meal with a shared pint of mint chocolate chip gelato.

  “I’m stuffed,” Beau said, leaning back in his chair.

  “More for me.”

  “I’m going to head home. Or maybe somewhere else.”

  “Okay,” Taylor said, giving him a smile. It was halfhearted, because she didn’t really want to be alone in this big empty house again so soon. “I had fun.”

  “Me, too. Thanks for today, Tay.” He tapped the end of her nose and disappeared through the door before she could respond.

  The next morning, Suzanne woke her up with a shake of the shoulder.

  “Taylor, your mother’s on the phone.”

  “So?”

  “She wants to talk to you.”

  Taylor blew a breath into her pillow, wanting to scream. Instead, she just held her hand out for the phone.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Taylor! Darling!”

  “Yes, Virginia, it’s me.”

  “You know I disapprove of you calling me that. I’m your mother, Taylor. Mom will do just fine.”

  “Okay, Mom,” Taylor said, stressing the word. “Where are you?”

  “Madrid, sweetheart. How’s your summer going? I hope you and Reese are having fun. How’s Beau? Has he been around? I heard his father’s company is going to fold soon if they don’t find an investor. You know how the rumor mill works. Could be all talk. I ran into the Conrads in Monte Carlo. They had a lot to say about George and his company’s demise.” There was a beat of silence as Taylor tried to formulate an answer to at least one question. “Oh! Fernando, stop that!”

  A man’s voice came over the line and then her mother’s giggling and moaning.

  “Mom! I just threw up in my mouth.”

  “What, dear? Well, I’ll see you in a few weeks. Adios!”

  Taylor handed the phone back to Suzanne, avoiding her pitying look. Taylor loved her mother, but spending any extended amount of time with the woman would be an excruciating penance she did not deserve. They were opposites in every way possible. Her mother’s jet-black hair and huge rack made Taylor, with her honey blond waves and C cups, look adopted. Virginia was all about spray-on bronzer, tattoo eyeliner, and gel nails while Taylor enjoyed real tan lines, going natural, and biting her cuticles. They had nothing in common except for a shared strand of DNA, and most days, Taylor questioned even that.