Coffee, Sex and Law

by Avril Rose

  I chew on the skin around my nails, nervous and tempted to do a quick check on the Internet.

  A few minutes later, a steaming mug of tea in hand, I’m typing in the magic words – Ethan Parker + couple – into the search engine.

  A gazillion pictures pop up before my eyes.

  Well, shit! It's her.

  I click on some of the pictures to read the articles that go with them. The captions erase any doubt: they are definitely a couple.

  Yeah, but I didn't see him there, this Ethan! Who’s to say Olivia is not cheating on him with Liam?

  I am carried away by my suspicions again, tormented.

  Completely lost, I decide to call a friend, and choose the one who never sleeps: Chloe.

  “Zoe? Is everything okay?" she asks, worried.

  “Yeah, yeah. I just called to ask for your opinion.”

  “Oh? What is it? I'm listening."

  "It's about Liam. I...”

  “Are you sure I’m the right person to give you advice in this area?” she asks.

  I know she’s making a face when she says this.

  “It’s almost midnight, you’re the only one awake,” I explain.

  “Alright, hothead, chill.”

  I start telling her about 00S’s fishy explanations.

  "Do you want some advice?"

  “Uh, yeah, that’s why I called, remember?”

  “You never should have fallen for a lawyer.”

  “That’s not advice!” I say, annoyed.

  “Sorry, I’m jet lagged.”

  While Chloe is an ace at work, I need to face facts: she’s really the wrong person for this task.

  “There's one silver lining,” she says.

  “Oh yeah? What?”

  “He admitted that he calls Olivia 'gorgeous.' And he didn't even stop to think about it. Honestly, if he had done something wrong, he would have lied about that.”

  “Unless he understood that I already knew it was her nickname and I was testing him.”

  “Zoe?”

  “Yeah? What?”

  “What is it you want exactly?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It seems like you’d prefer this guy to be a total bastard who lied to you. At least then, you wouldn’t have to commit, right?”

  Aaaand Miss Blunt and Direct is back.

  “No. I want him to have told me the truth,” I say. “But I want proof of it,” I add.

  “It’s for you to decide, Zoe. Whether you want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Or not.”

  My heart says to give it to him. My head refuses.

  ***

  “What have you been up to at night lately, Zoe?”

  “Do I really look that tired?”

  “Worse,” Victor says, rolling his eyes.

  I only got a couple of hours' sleep, on top of the sleep I’d already lost the night before. I’m going to have to pull it together fast if I'm going to keep up.

  As soon as the morning rush is over, I go to check our inventory and place orders with my suppliers. I’m alone in the back of the shop, and it brings back a nice memory of Liam. I try to push him out of my mind as soon as he pops up.

  “Zoe?”

  “I’m busy, Victor!” I say simply, focused on what I’m doing.

  “Someone’s asking for you out front. What do I tell them?”

  “Who is it?”

  “I don’t know. A woman.”

  Gee, that’s helpful.

  “Alright, I’ll be right out!” I say, giving in.

  I go back onto the shop floor, my head bent down looking at my apron as I carefully re-tie it. When I look up to see who’s there, I almost collapse.

  “You must be Zoe. I’m—”

  “I know who you are,” I say to the reason I broke things off with Liam.

  Olivia’s big dark eyes are marked with surprise. She runs her hand nervously through her long, perfectly straightened chestnut hair and rearranges her bangs. My reaction has thrown her. What did she expect?

  “I... Um, I’m sorry to bother you.”

  A man walks into the café and stands by her side, a smile stretched across his face.

  Ethan Parker. Just as handsome as in the photos I saw. He’s elegantly dressed in a perfectly tailored dark gray suit; his sky blue shirt is slightly open and his skin has a golden tan. He has engaging eyes and an honest smile. I can’t help but think that he and Olivia make a great couple.

  “So, this is the mysterious Zoe,” he says happily. “Liam hasn’t stopped singing your praises since we got to Paris.”

  I look between him and Olivia.

  Liam told them about me?

  “I think we came at a bad time, Ethan. We’re so sorry, we didn’t want to bother you,” she says awkwardly.

  “No, no... I...”

  “Hey, we can't just leave like that, Liam would kill us if he knew we came here and didn’t order anything!” Ethan jokes.

  His good humor messes with my sense of certainty. Suddenly I have a doubt: what if Liam was telling the truth?

  “Come in, have a seat here,” I suggest, motioning toward a table. “What can I get you?”

  “I’m going to try Liam’s usual. ‘The best coffee in Paris,’ ” Ethan says.

  His imitation, along with a typical Liam gesture – the index finger and thumb made into an O to signify perfection – are quite believable.

  I can’t help but smile when I realize how many times I've seen him make that gesture in my presence.

  “And for you, ma’am?”

  “Oh please, call me Olivia! A macchiato, no sugar, thank you.”

  “Got it. I’ll be right back,” I say with a polite smile.

  I watch them discreetly as I prepare their drinks. They seem truly in love. Olivia catches me watching them and gives me a kind smile. She seems like a nice person. It doesn’t fit with the idea I had of the woman I saw at the Baron.

  I come back a few minutes later, their order on a tray with some homemade mini bagels to snack on.

  “Do you have time to sit with us?”

  “Um, yeah, sure,” I say with a hint of hesitation.

  “These are delicious,” Olivia says, tasting the bagels.

  “It’s my grandmother’s recipe,” I say.

  I’m guessing Liam already told them my personal history, about Temple Coffee and my dad, because they don’t ask anything on the subject.

  “So, how long are you staying in France?”

  “Just a few days. I had some work to do in Paris and Bordeaux. It wasn’t hard to convince Olivia to come along. You miss France so much, admit it.”

  “Yeah, especially La Rochelle. So many good memories. That’s where I became friends with Liam, actually,” she explains.

  “Can I use the restroom?” Ethan asks.

  "Of course. It’s the first door on the right, just behind you,” I say, pointing.

  Olivia and I are alone. It’s the perfect moment to get some straight answers.

  “Can... Could I ask you a question?” I say awkwardly.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Were you at the Baron two nights ago?”

  “Yes. With Liam, actually.”

  “And was your husband there?”

  “Uhm... yes. He joined us after a work meeting. We spent the evening together, the three of us,” she answers, lifting her eyebrow, confused by my strange questions.

  So he was telling the truth...

  I’m torn between a feeling of utter relief and total shame that I didn’t trust him.

  I decide to explain things to Olivia so she understands why I greeted her so rudely a minute ago.

  “I understand, Zoe. Don’t worry about it. Looks can be deceiving sometimes,” she says, winking.

  “What are you talking about?” Ethan asks as
he sits back down.

  “Nothing that concerns you, my love,” Olivia whispers in his ear.

  I can't help but ask a question that’s been tickling my tongue since they walked in.

  “Does Liam know the two of you are here?”

  They look at each other and grin like co-conspirators.

  “No, he wouldn't believe us when we said we were going to stop by. He talked this place up so much, we had to check it out for ourselves. You don’t mind?”

  “No, not at all,” I assure them.

  “In any case, I can't wait to see his face when we describe every detail of your shop to him,” she says gleefully.

  Their good humor is contagious. I feel comfortable with this couple of complete strangers I met only minutes ago.

  Unfortunately, customers have decided to rush in during a time that’s usually pretty quiet and I have to put an end to our pleasant conversation.

  “Zoe, how about we try to get together for dinner before we leave, the four of us?” Olivia suggests.

  “That’d be nice,” I say, meaning it.

  If Liam will still have me...

  11

  Liam

  No news from Zoe. This situation feels so unfair. After all, I've done nothing wrong. Why doesn't she believe me?

  I dive back into my files that I brought home from the office. At least when I’m working I think a little less about her and I don’t miss her quite as much.

  My concentration is quickly broken by someone knocking on my door like a crazy person.

  If only it were Zoe...

  “Hi.”

  It's her!

  She walks in with a determined gait and an incredible energy.

  I’m silent, anxious to know why she’s here.

  “Okay,” she says suddenly. "I believe you."

  She rubs her tired face with one hand.

  “You believe me?”

  “Yes,” she confirms, shrugging her shoulders.

  She’s extremely tense, and I can see the slight wrinkle that’s started to form across her forehead.

  “I met Olivia.”

  I want to ask her a million questions: how did they meet? What did they say exactly?

  Instead, I go to her, relieved, holding out a hand to draw her to me. She comes immediately. She takes me by the waist and looks up into my eyes. I caress her jaw line and bend down to kiss her. She parts her lips, her tongue coming to meet mine. A soft heat washes over us. She lets out a quiet moan and I feel every muscle in her body begin to relax, one by one, showing me how relieved she is by how this turned out. I’m happy she’s here and I’m relieved, too. After the stress of the past few days, serenity is a welcome change. Her arms squeeze me harder and our tongues dance greedily. I want her, as much as she wants me. It’s been thirty-six hours since I’ve touched her and the weight of missing her has been disturbing. My hands move across her body, touching her skin, awakening shivers in their wake. Her breathing becomes slower, heavy. I like seeing her give herself over to me.

  I undo her shirt, one button at a time, revealing her divine skin ever so slowly. The rest of her clothes are soon on the floor as well. She’s almost naked, but seems less self-conscious than last time. She obviously feels more comfortable with me, and I like that. She begins to remove my shirt, then she traces the muscles of my chest before pulling on my neck to bring us closer. I pick her up by the thighs so she can wrap her legs around my waist. Our kissing is urgent. I feel her getting wet against my growing erection. I want to take her, now. I caress her over every inch of her body so I can engrave it in my memory. I will never get enough of her soft, golden skin, I’m sure of it. I taste her with my lips, filling myself with her sweet scent. If I lost my eyesight, I’d still recognize her out of a thousand others.

  “It was long, this time without you,” she says, nuzzling my neck.

  She’s drinking in my scent as well.

  To hear her say that touches me more than I could ever admit.

  I go to the couch and lay her down, still kissing her burning skin. She holds me tight with her legs, trapping me. It’s so arousing. To feel her chest heaving under me, impatient and hungry. I stop to savor the moment: her fragile beauty sends me reeling. My cock is feeling much too restrained now, trapped in my suit pants. It’s almost painful.

  Leaning on my forearm, I stop touching her so I can free my shaft, hard with desire. She stares into my eyes as I remove all my clothing. I feel her eyes on me as I pull a way for a second to get a condom out of my jacket pocket. When I turn back to her, there's a wide smile on her face. I find her more beautiful every time, more seductive, as if she were made for me. Is this normal? I love it when she gives me that devilish grin. My heart pounds in my chest, reminding me how alive I am.

  I return to her and settle between her legs, lowering to kiss her through her panties. She tenses up with desire at my first kiss. The lace fabric is wet with her desire. I slip a finger underneath to caress her swollen clit, so hot and wet. It makes me want to possess her even more. My cock bounces with excitement each time she moans. She’s so receptive. I look up to watch her. Her arms are stretched above her head, her eyes closed, savoring my touch, deeper and deeper, gaining force. When I put two fingers inside her, thrusting in and out as I press on her clit, she clamps down on her lower lip, trying to maintain control.

  Go on, Zoe, let go...

  She lifts up slightly when I start to remove her last item of clothing. I return to her pussy, with my tongue this time, exploring every crease and fold of her moist skin. She has an exquisite taste. Her pelvis gyrates softly, showing me she’s close to orgasm. She contracts suddenly, letting out a long moan. I love watching her come.

  She barely takes a second to recover before she’s sitting up, kissing me with passion. Her hands go to my waist, inviting me to lie down on my back.

  She kneels between my legs and picks up the condom I left on the ground. I watch her as she opens it. She takes my shaft in her hand and rubs me real slow, a delicious back-and-forth, staring right into my eyes. This moment is magical, unreal, passionate. She stops what she’s doing to roll the condom over my cock. I’ve never found her as desirable as I do now. I’m dying to make love to her in this position: her sitting on me. I smile when she lifts herself up to make my wish come true. When she lowers herself onto me, the sensation is indescribable. I can feel her so intensely. Our bodies were made to join together. I fill her perfectly. She bounces over me faster and faster, tilting her pelvis so I fill her even more. I pinch her hard nipples. She encourages me by pressing her hands against mine. She’s incredibly beautiful and sensual right now.

  When she lets go of my hands, I place them on her hips. I guide her, making her movements more forceful. Almost violent, but delicious.

  “Come... with me...” she says in a low voice, between breaths.

  Sweat beads on her forehead. She's so goddam sexy. She accelerates her movements to reach an unbridled rhythm.

  Her moaning almost makes me blush. The orgasm is already so close. Seeing her receive so much pleasure makes me tip over the edge.

  “Liam...”

  Hearing my name in her delicate, sensual mouth does the trick. I explode inside her, letting out an uncontrollable groan of ecstasy.

  I feel her release around my shaft, throwing her head back to enjoy the fire that engulfs her.

  She stays there for a few long seconds, sat on top of me, her chest heaving rapidly, embracing me with her gaze. A smile lights up her face. I touch her thighs tenderly and grab her by the waist to invite her to lie on top of me, still inside her. I wrap my arms around her to warm her now shivering body.

  We stay there for a long time, enjoying this delicious moment, saying nothing. We eventually fall asleep, satisfied, relaxed, and happy.

  “Zoe?”

  I try to wake her up by gently pressing on her shoulder. My body is starting
to complain about lying on this narrow couch, Zoe’s weight on me.

  “Hmmm?”

  She sits up when she realizes where she is: on the couch, on me, and naked.

  “How about we go to bed?” I suggest.

  “I wouldn’t say no to sleeping in a real bed,” she mutters sleepily.

  And here I am, ready to spend another night with this amazing woman. I don't know what to make of all this anymore, all these new emotions. All my certainties, my principles, my goal never to fall in love with a woman – in other words, all my prohibitions – are melting away like snow under the sun.

  But strangely enough, this new sensory experience and what Zoe brings out of me do not scare me or disturb me. Quite the contrary: I feel strangely in harmony with her.

  She’s becoming my dose of heroine.

  Suddenly the idea scares me and captivates me at the same time.

  The words echo through my head. Colin’s tortured face returns to haunt me. I chase it away, pulling Zoe into my protective arms, caressing her elegant neck. Her warm breath against my chest soothes me and I fall asleep within minutes.

  ***

  "Zoe, are you ready?"

  I’ve been pacing around her apartment, happy and anxious at the idea of officially introducing her to Olivia and Ethan.

  “Coming!” she yells from the bathroom.

  I check my watch for the umpteenth time, and then...

  Time stands still.

  She’s there in front of me. Incredible. Breathtaking.

  The little ball of energy in jeans in sneakers, her hair always in a ponytail, has morphed into an elegant woman.

  Her navy blue dress falls perfectly over her curves, accentuated by her four-inch heels. Her makeup is much more sophisticated than usual and she fixed her long hair into luscious waves.

  "So? Is this okay?” she asks, concerned as she looks down at her outfit.

  “I...”

  “It’s too much, right? I’ll go change, I’ll put on something more... I mean, less...”

  “No, no! You’re perfect. You’re... magnificent.”

  She smiles, relieved.

  “Really?"

  I go to her.

  “You’re splendid."

  I kiss her lips. And immediately, desire races through my veins.