by Lisa Sumil
By the time I had climaxed most of the water had spilt out from the tub and I knew I would always have to live with my quiet rage. But for now, it was tamed and we didn’t stop. Zach carried me to our bed and made love to me. It was his familiar tenderness, the one that I had fallen in love with so long ago. A love that I had buried so deep that I thought it was gone forever. His kisses covered my breasts, my nipples, my shoulders as he continued to move inside me. By the time we were done our skin glistened with sweat and my hair was plastered to my face.
He laid naked in the dark and most of the candles had burned out in the bathroom. The floor was slick with water and I grabbed some towels.
“I think I need another shower after that,” I said. It was the first thing I had really said to him since we left the café hours before. Zach chuckled in response.
The phone rang, startling us both. I looked at him curiously and then to the clock on the nightstand.
“It’s almost midnight,” Zach said. “Are you expecting someone?”
My heart stopped. It couldn’t be. I watched tentatively as Zach picked up the phone and said hello. He said hello a few more times and then shrugged before hanging up.
“Wrong number I guess.”
I turned quickly to leave the room and find my purse.
“Where are you going?” Zach asked.
“I, uh, need to find my phone so I can charge it.” I didn’t wait for Zach’s response and just shuffled quickly down the hall to retrieve my phone – six missed calls and nine text messages – all from Warren. I quickly scrolled through the messages as each one become more frantic. Warren was worried and suddenly – suddenly I felt like I was cheating on him.
Not great news - will tell you tomorrow
I had just hit send when Zach spoke behind me.
“Mel? You okay?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind me, nuzzling his face against my neck, planting soft kisses.
“Who are you texting this late?”
I just turned to face him and kissed him, hoping to distract him from his questions that I couldn’t answer.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said. “It’s getting late.” I walked back down the hall to our bedroom, leaving him standing there.
I shut the bathroom door behind me and turned on the shower before Zach tried to ask any more questions. Fortunately, he didn’t follow me. It was much easier to be with Warren when Zach wasn’t paying attention. I stood underneath the pounding water until the steaming hot water ran cool, wondering how much of the night came from Zach wanting to distract me as well — distract me from the life he was ripping me away from.
By the time I stepped out of the bathroom Zach was fast asleep. His body sprawled across our bed with just the one desk light on in the corner, casting shadows across the room where it met with the moonlight coming in through the window. I went back into the bathroom and grabbed my phone from the bathroom sink. I had one bar of battery life left and had to make this quick.
I sat on our sofa in the quiet of the living room with my towel wrapped around me. Warren had sent me another text.
Does he know?
I replied quickly.
No. Can you come by? Need to talk.
See you in 15
6
We both sat in silence, staring through the front windshield at nothing.
“So, what are you going to do?”
I could hear the strain in Warren’s voice as he asked. A betraying tear escaped my eyes and I could only manage to shake my head in disbelief. “I don’t know,” I whispered.
“Do you want to go?”
“No.” I wanted to explain more, but what would I say? I wanted to stay and continue having an affair? Continue living in a broken marriage? A lie?
Warren turned in his seat to face me, taking my hand. “Melanie, look at me.”
I looked at him as another tear fell.
A million unspoken thoughts exchanged between us then. His eyes glowed with desire, pain, hurt, emotions that I had never seen Zach experience with me.
“I need to tell you something,” I said – not knowing why I was doing this. I swallowed hard before saying what I had to quickly. “I slept with Zach tonight.”
Warren’s shoulders fell and his gaze fell down to my hands in my lap. His entire demeanor fell. We had never talked about this before, whether we were still sleeping with our spouses. A part of me didn’t want to know. It was nicer to live in ignorant bliss instead of picturing Warren with Sophia. Yet, I couldn’t lie to Warren. My entire life was a lie and Warren was my escape, and my escape couldn’t be a lie too. Then what was the point?
“So you’re going to go.”
I nodded.
He ran his thumb in circles on my hand, lost in thought. “When?” His voice was hoarse.
“I don’t know yet. We didn’t get that far into the conversation.” I turned in my seat to face Warren. He made eye contact with me and I felt my sharp intake of breath when I recognized the pain in his eyes. It was something I had only seen once before. “Warren,” I whispered, though I couldn’t say anymore. I just shook my head in disbelief that this was all going to end soon.
He cupped my cheek with his free hand and I leaned into him.
“Will you still come to the office this weekend?” he asked.
I managed a nod. “And Italy. I doubt we’d move by then.” I thought of our trip to Rome and knew that would be our last time together. Warren smiled at me and I took in every detail. Knowing, for once, that our time together truly was limited. I glanced at the clock and told Warren I needed to get back. This was the only time we had ever been together and didn’t have our hands all over each other.
We were both solemn as we drove back to my house and Warren dropped me off just down the street, at the usual spot. His kiss was tender and sad. Yet, it still managed to send flutters in my stomach.
When I stepped through the front door of my home my breath caught in my throat. The hallway light was on and I know I hadn’t left it that way before leaving. I closed the door as gently as I could and cringed at the soft click when I engaged the lock. It still seemed exceedingly loud in the dark silence.
I stood in the foyer for several minutes, frozen in fear. My mind was reeling. I expected Zach to come out of our room at any second to face me, call me out on my lies. In that moment my mind raced with ideas and lies. Nearly ten minutes had passed and he never appeared. My heart began to slow and I made my way down the hall. When I got to our bedroom I saw him asleep in our bed. Instead of being sprawled out on top of the covers like he had been when I left, he was underneath the cover and I saw his pajamas were on. He had woken up while I was gone.
I took off my shoes and slipped into bed. Not once did Zach stir. As I lay there on my side my mind drifted back to that night at the Waldorf-Astoria when Warren asked me to dance. I didn’t know what conversation awaited me in the morning when Zach woke. I knew he would ask me where I was, I just didn’t understand why he hadn’t texted me. Each time I thought of him knowing where I was my heart began to race. I forced my mind to think of Warren and our first magical night to calm me.
~
The night was winding down and I had not seen Warren since I left him near the elevators with Doc Murphy.
“Who do you keep looking for?” Anita asked.
I felt my face burn as I blushed. “No one, just looking around.”
“Uh huh, I bet you’re looking for the sexy Warren Brown.”
“Anita!” I gasped.
“Hey, I don’t blame you. What I wouldn’t do for a night with him.” She winked at me and I felt my face burn even hotter.
“I’m married Anita, remember?”
“Yeah, and Zach isn’t anywhere to be found, is he?”
“You’re bad.”
We both laughed. But, she was right. I was looking for Warren and I couldn’t help it. I had just about given up on him when my boss spoke up. “Mr. Brown, it’s a pleasure to
see you again.”
“Chuck, likewise.” Warren shook Mr. Hill’s hand but watched me. Anita elbowed me in the ribs causing me to jump. I saw Warren’s eyebrows rise curiously at us.
“Would you care to join us?”
Warren looked around the table and smiled quickly at everyone, who gawked back at him. I’m pretty sure I was gawking too.
“Actually, I came by to see if Ms. King wouldn’t mind dancing with this lonely guy tonight?”
All eyes turned to me.
“Um, I’m not sure - I uh – oompf!” I hissed at Anita under my breath for kicking me in the shin. “Stop that!”
“I’m sure Melanie would be delighted to dance with you Mr. Brown,” my boss said while giving me a look that really said my job depended on it. If they only knew.
“Sure, of course.” I scooted my chair back just after downing the rest of my champagne, earning more odd looks from the rest of the table. I could hear their whispers before I even left.
Warren gently rested his hand on my lower back as he escorted me to the dance floor. My low back dress meant his hand brushed against my bare skin, sending warmth through me. I quickly glanced back over my shoulder and caught him looking down at my behind. Instead of looking away he only smiles at me with heat in his eyes.
“You have Goosebumps Melanie. Are you cold?” he whispered so close to me that I felt his warm breath on my shoulder.
“I’m not cold.” I was surprised at how breathy I sounded and his eyes only grew darker in response. Oh boy.
When we got to the dance floor the orchestra they played a song with a deep beat and a swaying, fast, erotic tune. Looking back, I realized it was the perfect storm. The right music, just enough champagne, being far from home, and the intoxicating environment made me vulnerable to Warren.
He had no problem spinning me around the dance floor, causing me to look at him curiously.
“My mom is a dance instructor. I think I could tango when I was nine,” he said, chuckling.
I tried to picture it and couldn’t. “It sort of sounds like salsa music,” I said, trying to distract myself from how close our hips were together.
“Close,” he said smiling. His smile lit up his entire face and you couldn’t help but smile in return. I bet that worked real well for an attorney, I couldn’t imagine trying to go against him in court. “It’s called Cumbia and you’re doing really well.”
I blushed.
He spun me once and when I returned to my spot I was even closer to him, the fabric on my dress pressing against his tuxedo between us. He leaned in closer with his mouth against my ear, “And I wouldn’t mind dancing with you all night.”
My heart drummed in my chest and I shivered at his words. I thought I felt his lips brush against my earlobe but I couldn’t be sure if it was just from him whispering so close or if it were intentional. We swayed and he spun me. The dancing was not only provocative but really fun. I couldn’t help but laugh from joy as the world around us disappeared. The song came to an end and couples separated, applauding the orchestra. Warren didn’t move. We were both breathing heavily from the dancing, our chests rising up and down from the exertion.
The male singer announced they were playing the last song and immediately went into something different. It was a slower beat and the woman who played the violin in the orchestra began singing with her melting-like-chocolate voice. I felt like I had taken a drug. The swaying of our hips, the lights dimming, the dance floor emptying, it was all taking me to new levels. Last song and I was nowhere near wanting the night to end.
When the song ended everyone applauded and cheered. Yet, Warren and I stood there, linked together. His eyes hungrily looked into mine as he took a deep steadying breath. Our faces were only inches apart. I knew if I didn’t pull away then, I never would. I reluctantly took a step back, breaking the intense connection. Amusement shone in his eyes as he watched me.
“Um, well, thank you for the lovely dance,” I said stupidly.
He smiled. “The pleasure was mine, Melanie.”
Something about the way he said my name did strange things inside of me. I just hoped he didn’t see me blushing through the dim lighting.
“Are you staying at the hotel?” he asked.
“No, I’m at the Hilton just a few blocks from here.”
He nodded and tilted his head at me. I had no idea what he was thinking. “I’ll hail a cab for you.”
“You don’t need to —“
“Melanie!” Anita came bouncing over to me. I don’t know how she managed in her heels. “We’re going to go hang out at the Bull and Bear, want to join us? You’re welcome as well Mr. Brown.”
“Please, call me Warren.”
Anita actually blushed.
“What’s the Bull and Bear?” I asked.
“It’s the lounge here in the hotel,” she replied, eyeing us both. She was up to something.
Warren smiled at me, “I’d love to join you guys.”
“Great!” Anita said, winking as she spun on her heels and walked back towards our table.
Warren walked slowly with me back to our table as the room began to clear out. “Let me just go say bye to some of my colleagues and I’ll meet you over there,” he said as we reached my table. I grabbed my purse and leaned on the chair as I tried to take steadying breaths and watched him as he walked away.
“That was intense, Mel,” Anita said as she linked her arm through mine, leading us through the tables and to the lobby.
“Did Charles see?” I panicked.
“No, no one paid attention. They’re all in a drunken stupor. I doubt they even realized what was going on.” Anita’s slender eyes narrowed in mockery.
“Except you.”
“Of course! I’m vicariously living through you right now.”
“Stop it Anita. Nothing is happening.”
“That’s not what it looked like to me!” Anita practically sang the words. “It’s one night, what’s it going to hurt to just have one fun night away from home?”
“You’ve been divorced three times.”
She laughed. “Yes, I have. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
I frowned at her. She was terrible at giving advice.
“What’s one night Mel? You have the rest of your life with Zach. It may very well spice up your marriage.”
I kept frowning.
“Don’t you want this?” She asked, turning serious.
I thought about her question and by the responsive warmth spreading through me, I knew my answer.
She smiled again as we reached the Bull and Bear.
“Where is everyone?” I looked around the bar and didn’t see any familiar faces. I felt strange standing there in my gown while everyone else seemed much more casual.
“Oh, well – they must have gotten tired and gone to their rooms.” Anita winked at me and made it look oh-so-beautiful. I often found myself envious of her willowy build and exotic Asian features. She didn’t even seem to notice how beautiful she was. “This looks like a good spot,” she said, pointing to the dark, private table in the corner. “You wait here, I’ll get us some drinks.” I just nodded numbly at her as I scooted into the booth.
The lounge was filled with couples and friends lost in conversation. Some appeared visibly drunk, but most were just deep into whatever they were discussing or laughing at each other’s jokes. It was a comfortable environment and no one even noticed her or Anita walking around in ball gowns.
The lounge was masculine with heavy oak walls and the decor in shades of rich browns, tans, and reds. Anita sauntered back to their table carrying two highball glasses a quarter filled with amber liquid and one large round ice cube. I took one sniff and it burned my nose. But, when I took a sip, the liquid warmed my throat and stomach, making me feel heady.
Just then, I saw Warren walk into the Bull and Bear. He nodded at a few of the people he seemed to know and then spotted us in the back. His smile, once again, lit up his entire face
. Anita leaned into me, “yummy yummy,” she sang.
I looked at her and blushed. What was I doing?
She stood just as Warren reached our table and I looked at her incredulously. “Excuse me, Mr. Brown, I hate to leave just as you got here, but I just remembered that I have a conference call I need to get on.”
Her lie was so ridiculous that Warren just laughed. “At midnight?”
“Oh yes, well, it’s a conference call about a pumpkin and a missing shoe.”
Warren’s laugh was boisterous and he just nodded in understanding.
“See ya Anita! Maybe we should have lunch tomorrow before our flight back?” She winked at me and gave me a quick goodbye peck on the cheek. I wanted to throw my glass at her.
Warren stepped back as Anita danced away. A few couples turned to watch her leave. There was no ignoring her. Even Warren was amused by the display. He turned back to the table and took Anita’s seat on the booth next to me. He sat close enough that our knees touched.
He lifted the highball glass and sniffed it, seeming to approve of its contents. As he took a sip I did as well, reveling in the warmth it spread through me. Warren leaned back and draped his arm on the booth-back behind me as he turned to face me.
He hooked his finger at the top of my bodice and his finger grazed the skin underneath, dangerously close to my nipples. I gasped. The entire time he did that he watched me intently, his eyes growing dark in desire and my insides responding in kind. I shifted in my seat as I grew hot down below from his one simple touch. He knew exactly what he did to me. It was a bold move and I wanted more. I don’t know when it happened, but I was already on a one way street with him.
He brushed my hair away from my neck and ran his thumb gently across my collar-bone and my body tensed. I bit my tongue, holding back a moan that I desperately wanted to release. His hand that was on the booth-back now cupped the back of my head and pulled my face closer to his. His lips stopped just a breath away from mine as he looked down at my face and my heart pounded in my ears. Then he closed in, sealing the kiss deeply. I felt like I could breathe again when he did and released the tension that had built inside of me in response. I pressed against him, wanting him. I whimpered and he responded to the sound by kissing me more aggressively. It was rough, wanting, and sent tingles to every nerve ending in my body.
