Lustly

by Jennifer Foor

  I shoved him away, only to have him grab me and force me onto the bed. He held my arms as he spoke. “I’m not going to hurt you, but you need to listen to me. I’d never hurt you and you know it.”

  “I don’t believe you, Frankie, or Eli, or whatever your name is.”

  “It’s both. My name is Elias Franklin Polleras. My mother calls me Frankie, she always has. I took on my first name when I went to law school to become someone else. I wanted to get away from her. I told you this story already.”

  I thought about our last meet and all of the things he’d said to me. It was all starting to make sense. “Last week you text me while you were sitting here with me. Then you caused an argument with me over me being here, when you knew damn well what had happened. You took advantage of me.”

  “No, I didn’t. You have to understand that when I saw you at the mansion talking to my mother I about shit myself. Of all the people for you to run into you happen to meet my mother. I confronted her that night and she assured me that she wouldn’t pursue you. Then I showed up at her house again and saw your van. After that I was determined to protect you, no matter what I had to do. So you can stand there and act like I’m this piece of shit, but think about everything I’ve done for you, Lily. I saved you from my mother. I saved you from becoming a whore.”

  “You fucked me during my first session, and made me think you were a stranger. How could you think any of that was okay?”

  “I couldn’t tell you that she was my mother. You needed the money, and I found a way to help you without you knowing. Don’t you see, I’ve done all of this for you.”

  “Why? I’m just a woman that wants a divorce. When you walked in here today I thought you were a different man. How does it make you feel knowing that I wanted him to fuck me?”

  “Clearly you’re pissed at me for how we left things.”

  “You’re damn right I am. I’ve tried to call you. I needed you and you weren’t there, but you sure as shit showed up today.”

  “I never would have slept with you today. You made it too hard to resist. How was I supposed to handle walking in and seeing you spread eagle for me.”

  I pointed to him. “I hate you right now.”

  “Lily, I’m in love with you. Like it or not I’m not going anywhere. You need me, and you know it.”

  “I hate liars.”

  “You lied to me too. You told me little lies to appease me.”

  “You pretended to be someone else. My little lies don’t even compare, you prick.”

  He reached in his pants that he was about to put back on. “You’re right. I fucked up, but it was the only way I knew you’d let me help you. No way I spin this is going to help me. If you want to hate me it’s your damn choice, but everything I did was to protect the good woman that you’ve always been. Sure, you thought you were an escort. You played the part terribly, by the way. Had I been a real client your ass would have been fired the first five minutes.”

  “Screw you!” I tossed his shirt toward him.

  “It’s true.”

  I was shaking so badly, unable to come with an ounce of energy to see past what he’d done to me. “I’m leaving. If you try to give me money, I’ll cut off your dick and serve it to your dog.”

  Eli watched me dress and leave the hotel room. I didn’t bother waiting to watch him leave. I was so confused, hurt, and angry. I drove straight to his mother’s house, eager to give her a piece of my mind.

  By the time I’d arrived, I’d cried and screamed a dozen times. She greeted me at the door, already having heard what happened from her son. “Dear, this was all his idea,” She confirmed.

  “It doesn’t matter. You both conned me. I told him before that I didn’t want his money. This is bullshit!”

  She motioned for me to sit down. “My son and I don’t see eye to eye. He just started having dinner with me again last year. I think he only did it for his sister’s sake. They don’t get along either, but he’s always tried to save her from whatever catastrophe she’s gotten herself into. I suppose most of it is my fault. You see my daughter wanted fortune, but she didn’t want to have to work. She threatened to work for someone else if I didn’t give her a job. She fell in love with her first client and married him, after he divorced his wife. I told her it was a terrible idea, but she did it anyway. Now she’s got kids, and she’s up shit creek again.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me for being rude, but I didn’t come here to talk about your daughter. I came here to tell you to not direct deposit my check like we discussed. I don’t want Eli’s money.”

  She began to laugh. “May I ask how you found out? Did my honest boy finally come clean?”

  I leaned over her desk and looked her right in the eye. “It doesn’t take a whore to know one man from another.”

  “Darling, you are the one that thought you were sleeping with both men.”

  She had a point. “Does it even matter? Your son is sick, and I never want to see him again. You both knew my situation.”

  “In his defense I can tell he did it because he cares about you. Though I don’t believe in the term anymore, I’d say he was in love with you.”

  “So he says.” I looked the other way. “I’ve said my peace. You can take the blood tests, the private investigators, and your threats and shove them up your ass. I’m done with you and your son.”

  I left the mansion without looking back, even passing Eli on the road. I didn’t look back to see if he’d turned around, because I didn’t care. He’d lied to me, and disgraced me when I thought he was my closest friend. I thought I loved him, but I didn’t know him.

  For the next two weeks I went into a state of depression. I couldn’t eat, or sleep and I certainly couldn’t be the mom that my kids needed me to be. Finally one night my son asked if he could talk to me. He led me into his room and locked the door behind us. For a moment I could have sworn that he was going to tell me that he got a girl pregnant. With my luck it was bound to happen when I felt like nothing else could bring me down.

  He sat down on his bed next to me and grabbed my hand. “I know why you’re so sad.”

  “Everything is fine. I’m just going through changes,” I lied.

  “Mom, I saw them together. I know about dad, and I know you know.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know about him and Kate. I’ve known for a long time, and so has Violet.”

  I looked over at him and started to cry. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He wiped away his own tears. “Because I didn’t want to believe it at first. Then I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you.”

  “How did you find out?”

  “Last year when you took my phone away I found where you would hide it. When you’d go up to bed I’d sneak down and go outside to call my girlfriend. I saw dad coming downstairs and hid behind the pool so he wouldn’t catch me. I watched him sneak over to Kate’s and saw them kissing before he went inside. He didn’t come out for another hour, and in that time I saw her bedroom light going on and the shadow of two people. I’m not stupid.”

  I felt so bad for my son and my daughter. “What about Violet? Did you tell her?”

  “No. A few months ago she came to me crying. She said she saw them together when she was out with one of her friends. She said they were at the movies making out. She didn’t tell you she went because the movie was R rated and she knew she wasn’t allowed to see it.”

  I played with my pants while I spoke to him, unable to look him in the eyes. “I just found out a few months ago. I didn’t have the heart to tell anyone. You kids mean everything to me, and the idea of our family breaking up hurt me so much. I’ve been trying to find a way to get a place, for all of us to be able to start over. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

  My son put his arm around me. He leaned his head on my shoulder. “I can get a job. Maybe I could help.”

  “You are sweet, but I can’t ask you to help me. I’m just glad you’re oka
y.”

  “Me and Violet talked about telling you. I can’t look at him without wanting to punch him in the face. Seeing you so upset is what made me decide to tell you, Mom. We’ll figure something out.”

  My son was growing into a man, and I was proud of him for being so strong. “I love you.”

  “I love you too. So what happens next,” he asked.

  “I saw a lawyer. He’s helping me figure things out.”

  “Do you need me to be with you when you tell dad?”

  “No. It’s something that I need to do alone.” I put my hand on his knee. “Thank you for offering.”

  “Are you going to be okay, Mom?”

  “Yes. We’re all going to be okay. I promise.” It hurt me that he hated his father, but my son was old enough to make his own decisions.

  I didn’t know how, but I was going to find a way to make things right.

  Chapter 9

  Two weeks later I still hadn’t made any type of effort at anything.

  My monthly pay for three weeks of being a fake whore still sat in an account untouched. My tips were hidden in a shoe box where I kept high school memorabilia. I refused to spend Eli’s money, but until I could see him face to face, I wasn’t going to return the money.

  He hadn’t tried to contact me, and as much as I needed the time to think, I still missed him. He’d lied to me about so much, but somehow I understood why. It didn’t change the fact that I was still angry with him, but I was able to understand his desperate attempt to save me from myself. It almost made me feel embarrassed about my last encounter. I’d given up hope on life and thought that being a whore would bring me some kind of release. It was horrible to even admit to myself. With two of my children already knowing my predicament I regretted the fact that I’d let myself stoop that low to provide for them.

  I finally gained the courage to face him. I’d made a plan and was determined to see it through no matter how much it hurt me.

  After going to the mall and purchasing what I needed, I was staring at myself in the mirror wearing only a pair of black leather hot pants. Even I could admit that I looked hot in them, and was proud of my figure, even though it was on the thin side. Shirtless, I walked downstairs in my tiny shorts and a pair of heels. When he spotted me I swayed my hips around, giving him a show of what he was going to be missing.

  Looking at Charlie across from me only reminded me of how much I’d come to hate him. Eli may have lied, but it was to keep me an honest woman. Charlie lied because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. There was a huge difference.

  I ran my hands over my nipples. “I sent the kids to their friends so we could talk alone.”

  Charlie looked up at me and smiled. He reached his hand over to grab mine, but I pulled away.

  I smiled and licked over my lips, sensually drawing his attention. “How many years have you been fucking Kate, Charlie?”

  He turned as white as a ghost.

  “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Did you not think that I would ever find out? Did you think that taking a business trip to a local hotel to fuck her was a good idea? When we sat around having cookouts did you two play footsie under the table? Did you go over to her house to get some head, while I tucked our kids in bed at night?”

  “Lil, I-.”

  I put my hands up. “Save the shit for someone who cares, because my give-a-shit gave out a long time ago, even before you gave me that lame ass story about a co-worker. Yes, you common bastard, I knew you were fucking this whole time.”

  “But I-.”

  “Save it. I’m telling you right now that our marriage is over, and it has been for a very long time. The kids and I will be moving out of this house and getting our own place. I’ve already met with a lawyer several times, who has provided me with enough evidence of your affair that I could take everything from you and never feel an ounce of regret.”

  His mouth opened, but no words came out. Then came the tears. I ignored his emotions and kept going. “You’re so lucky that I didn’t cut off your dick the moment I found out. You don’t know how bad I wanted to watch you suffer for what you’ve done to me. I will never, ever forgive you for ruining our lives and breaking up our family. You did this, and there is not a damn thing you can say or do that will ever fix it. We’re done, Charlie. This marriage is over and I want a divorce.” I waited for it to sink in before giving him one last blow to his ego. “Oh and this body,” I ran my hands over my hips as I said it. “It’s never going to be yours again.”

  I got up, grabbed my coat and walked out of the house, unable to look at him for another second without wanting to stab him with a knife between his cheating eyes.

  After getting in my van and driving around crying, I found myself parked outside of Eli’s house. I started to pull away, but Delilah was outside barking and I saw his light coming on. Eli opened the front door and spotted me right away. He threw me his famous half-smile and stood there, probably wondering if I was going to pull away.

  I climbed out of the vehicle, in a pair of hot pants and a long coat, and entered his yard, ignoring the dog jumping on my leg. He said nothing as I fell into his chest and began bawling. I felt him kissing my head as he held me close. “I’m sorry I came here. I didn’t mean to. I was just driving and ended up here. I’m not even dressed.”

  “It’s okay. I promise it’s okay, Lily.”

  Eli invited me inside and got me a drink of water before sitting down next to me. “I don’t know what happened, but I think there’s something I need to tell you. You said no lies, and even if you don’t want to be my friend, I need you to know everything.”

  I wiped my tears and gave him my attention. “What is it?”

  “Remember when you asked me to look into your husband’s affair?”

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  “I gave you the proof like you asked, but I didn’t explain why it was so easy to get it.”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Lily, Kate’s one of my mom’s girls. Your husband was on the client list. They happened to be paired up, and started a relationship after that.”

  I felt like I was going to throw up. “What do you mean on the list? How long was he paying for escorts?”

  “According to my mother’s files, which I had to sneak to look at, five years.”

  I ran toward the bathroom, unable to contain how sick it made me feel. When hunched over the toilet vomiting, I felt Eli’s presence. “I’m sorry, Lily. I planned on telling you before the divorce hearing, once I knew you were out of that house. To be honest, I pictured you killing him in his sleep a couple times.”

  I spit into the toilet and flushed, almost laughing at his comment. “I’ve thought about that once or twice.”

  “As your attorney I’d advise you not to.”

  He handed me a wet towel to wipe my mouth. “I told Charlie that I knew everything. My marriage is over and he is fully aware that I’m leaving.”

  My coat had opened up and Eli got a good look at what was underneath, or the lack of what was there. “What in the hell are you wearing?”

  I tried to smile as if he’d think it was funny. “I was wearing this when I told him. I wanted him to know what he’d never have again.”

  A hint of a smile formed on the corner of his lip. “Damn. That’s badass. I actually feel sorry for him.”

  I smacked him on the chest. “For someone that’s trying to get on my good side, you’re doing a terrible job.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just a cold blow to a man’s ego, that’s all. Where are you going to go?” He reached into the medicine cabinet and pulled out a toothbrush. It wasn’t a regular one, but one of those dollar ones that fold up for travel. “Here, I got these from a hotel I stayed at a few years ago. I don’t think they expire.”

  I took it out of his hand and started brushing my teeth while I spoke. “Maybe I should take the kids and go somewhere that doesn’t have high dollar whores living in the suburbs.”


  He stood behind me and started rubbing on my shoulders. “Or you could stay here and forgive me. I mean, I’ve offered a dozen times to help you.”

  I spit out the last of the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth before addressing anything. “I didn’t come here for money, Eli. I came here because -.” I looked right at him, at those dark eyes staring back at me. Every feeling that he’d ever given me, every tear I’d shed on that muscular chest, every moment I spent in those strong arms were moments that I never wanted to forget.

  “Tell me, Lily.”

  “I don’t know. I was upset and the next thing I knew I was out in front of your house.”

  “You came here because you know it’s the one place where you’re completely safe from it all.” He broke the short distance between us. “You came here because deep inside you know that everything I did was because I cared about you.”

  I hated the way he looked at me, as if he were looking right through my soul. Eli was right about me feeling safe. Even before we became friends there was something about him that screamed protector. For months I’d denied what was happening between us, meanwhile he was doing everything in his power to keep me out of trouble. He didn’t want me getting involved with his mother, or the lifestyle. How could I hate him for going out of his way for me? “It’s true. I want to be mad at you, but I can’t.”

  He started to smile, but refrained. “Why is that?”

  “Because whether you’re Eli or Frankie there’s something between us that I can’t deny.”

  “Why else, Lily?” He put his hands on my arms and pulled me against his chest. I wanted to fall into those lips that eagerly awaited my kiss.

  “Because aside from that connection there’s something else.”

  “What?”

  I gulped and closed my eyes, trying to find reasons to walk away from this beautiful man before it was too late. When I opened them he was still there waiting. “Love.” I never took my eyes away from his. “I came running to you because I love you. As mad as I am at you, I can’t stop it.”