A Taste of Bliss

by Adrian R. Hale

  “Okay, this is going to take a while, and might explode your brain. You ready for this?” When she nods, I launch into my explanation of the events. I tell her how Andy came to be my dad, and about Talan rocking my world, and how I am finally okay with dating him.

  “Jesus freaking Christ, Bliss. You think you could just simmer down on the crazy life already. You quit your job and you’re trying to make it work on your own now. Mom gets terminal cancer. Daddy shows up and you find out you're the product of an affair. New man turns out to be a-freaking-mazing in bed and super kind to boot. That’s enough to send three people into therapy, and here you are managing to smile. Oh wait, that’s the bow chica bow-wow you now have unlimited access to. I’m freaking jealous. Just of your hot new boyfriend though, the rest of that shit can suck it.”

  “It came at a price, and you know it.”

  “True, but come on. He’s gorgeous and incredible in bed and nice to top it off. Do not let this one go, you hear me?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Now, let’s talk about the fundraiser. How did we actually do? I’ve been dying to know since last night. Will I have to bust my ass to make sure her last few months are comfortable and she gets to do a few cool things?”

  Willa grabs her laptop from the coffee table, opening it and pulling up a spreadsheet. At times like these I am so thankful for her business mind and talent with math.

  “So, the crowdfunding page has managed to bring in two grand this week alone, and is expected to keep generating donations until you end the campaign. Emme and Milleigh have a walk planned for later this month that they are raising money for. Their goal is three thousand between the team. That’s a cool five grand right there. Now, the auction last night was obviously a crazy success. Just your dress alone brought in five thousand dollars. The rest of the dresses combined brought in another five thousand. That’s fifteen thousand dollars, before the additional donations that were collected during the event last night, which brings our total up to eighteen thousand dollars. In one week. Your mom is going to have a very comfortable last few months.”

  My eyes are as big as the moon and filling rapidly with tears of relief. “Willa, this is amazing.” Mom’s rent and bills will be paid for, along with what insurance won’t cover of her medical bills. I’m thinking we will still have some left over for her bucket list and end of life care. I have found out through a little research that it’s expensive to die at home in peace.

  “I know. It’s so exciting when people come together in support of someone who is faced with an awful situation. Gives me the warm fuzzies for my fellow humans.”

  “I have to figure out what we can do to make her bucket list happen now. I don’t know how we could possibly get her to Paris for lunch under the Eiffel Tower. We didn’t raise nearly enough, and I’m not sure the travel would be good for her.”

  Willa purses her lips in consideration. “You know, you don't have to go all the way to France to get Paris and the Eiffel Tower.”

  I give her my best “you’re crazy” face. “What are you talking about? I’m pretty sure you do.”

  “Not when Las Vegas has the Paris Hotel and a replica of the Eiffel Tower just an hour plane ride away.” She sits back with a satisfied smile. “Vegas is way less expensive than the real deal, but just as magical. You could go in as high rollers and still not touch the amount it would cost to get to France.”

  I lunge for Willa, crushing her arms to her sides in a hug and kiss her a half dozen times on the top of her head. “You are the absolute best. Thank you for coming up with that idea, it’s perfect.”

  “Okay you spaz, enough with the molesting. Let’s look at the flights and figure out when we can make this work. Grab your calendar and give me a few clear days to make this happen.” Willa wiggles her fingers over her keyboard, waiting on me to pull my phone out and look up my bookings.

  Scrolling through my calendar with all of my bookings, I find that this next week I actually have three days without any jobs. “If you can get us on a flight Wednesday, and bring us back Friday sometime, this week would be awesome. Is that too last minute?”

  Willa types away, her eyes zooming through airfare and hotel deals, looking for the best option. “I think it just may be your lucky day. Flights on Virgin America out of SFO are pretty decent because it’s midweek, even if you want to go last minute. The Paris has good rates and I can stack a coupon code to get you a percentage off. Bliss, this is totally going to work.”

  I lay back on the couch, pumping my arms and kicking my legs in joyous celebration. This is the first time the timing has worked out for something regarding Mom’s cancer. It gives me hope that I can fit a lifetime of experiences into these last few months, making them meaningful and special. Willa books the flights and hotel for me while I search for a few things to make the trip even better.

  “Dude, I kind of want to tag along and have fun with you guys. Too bad you have to go during the week when I have to work. I think I need to change careers and do freelance hair and makeup like you.”

  “I could always use a partner in crime as well as in business. You’ve got a job anytime you want to go to cosmetology school and make this happen.”

  “Um, no. That sounds like a lot of work and you know I can’t do that stuff to save my life. It’s why I have my hair cut so short and wear no makeup.”

  “And you manage to be as beautiful as any model I ever work on.” I give her a genuine and heartfelt smile that she returns.

  “Aww, you’re the sweetest.” She hugs me quickly before getting back to business. “Now let’s pull out all the stops and make this trip the best one you could ever imagine for a dying woman.”

  Willa and I scheme together, planning a trip that will blow Mom’s socks off. I leave her in charge of the special bookings when I head off to my evening job.

  Pacific Heights is a beautiful neighborhood known for some killer real estate prices that nearly make me choke when I see them in print. Jeremiah and Rozalyn Doughtry are some of my favorite people to work for, and always treat me well when I come in to do Roz’s hair and makeup for an event.

  “Bliss! There’s my favorite beauty guru,” Roz says, pulling me into a crushing hug when she opens the door for me. “Come with me to the dressing room, I want to show you the gorgeous gown I have picked out for the opera and dinner tonight. You. Will. Die.” Roz leads me through her luxuriously appointed home, along marble floors and past antique filled rooms. This home is all about glitz and glam, much like Roz.

  “Oh Roz, that’s stunning,” I tell her when she pulls out the emerald green dress with Swarovski crystals scattered around the bodice. “I bet it turns your red hair into a flaming picture of perfection when you put it on. This will be so much fun to work with.” Roz puts the dress back in her closet, returning across the white shag rug on the floor of her dressing room to the table I am setting up on.

  “So I was thinking of doing something like this.” Roz pulls up some photos on her phone of side-swept hair that has big curls loosely braided over one shoulder. The makeup pictures she shows me are typical of her. Heavy eyes and light lips, playing with gold and a hint of emerald to make her brown eyes pop as much as her hair.

  “You make my job so easy. I love having beautiful clients who have a clear vision. Now sit down and relax, I can’t wait to make this happen.”

  I spend an hour perfecting her makeup and getting her hair into a cascading braided confection that works with the single shouldered dress. I place an antique emerald brooch into her hair as a final touch, and have her turn to the mirror.

  “Bliss,” she breathes, turning to admire her look from all sides. “You have simply outdone yourself this time. The eyes are even better than the photos I showed you, and this can’t all be my hair, can it?” She pats her hair gently.

  “It’s all you, Roz. Every gorgeous part is you.”

  “I haven’t looked this good since my wedding day, and that was all your handiwork, too. Thank you for always m
aking me feel and look so beautiful.” Roz hugs me, carefully keeping her chin lifted to not rub off her freshly applied makeup onto my shoulder.

  “Now go get dressed. I need to see this all come together before I leave,” I say, cleaning up my kit as she heads into her closet to change. When she returns, she is wearing the green floor-length dress that sparkles as she moves.

  “I think Jeremiah will love this. He likes my hair off my neck, at least a little.”

  “I know he will. Have so much fun tonight. Enjoy the opera and that fancy dinner.”

  “Oh, I need more of your business cards. I ran out since the last time I saw you. Anytime someone compliments my hair or makeup, I hand them your card. Hopefully you will see more business from it soon. But remember that I get first pick of dates and I have to look the best. I might get my feelings hurt if those biddies start stealing you when I need your services, or outshining me,” Roz tells me with a wink.

  I hunt through my bag, pulling out several cards for her. “You have my word. I will always make sure you are the prettiest. Thank you so much for the referrals, they mean so much.”

  Roz walks me to the door and hugs me goodbye. “I really hope things all turn out okay with your mom. I got the invite to the crowdfunding page and made a donation to help. It’s terrible that someone so young is going through this. And I can’t even imagine how you manage to keep a smile on your face. Hang in there, Bliss. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”

  “You are the sweetest, Roz, thank you. Hiring me for your events is more than enough, so just keep doing that and I will be fine.”

  I leave Roz’s house and check my phone in the car. I have a text from Talan.

  Talan: Everything smells like you. It’s driving me crazy and making me need to see you. When are you free?

  I tap out a quick reply.

  Me: Mmm, I wish I could smell you. Just finished my job—where do you want to meet?

  Talan: My bed, preferably. But I can meet you out somewhere if you want. Chiarello in North Beach?

  Me: I haven’t had enough garlic lately, sounds good. You ready for those smells? ;)

  Talan: Mmm garlic and Bliss. Yup, totally cool with that. Now hurry so I can eat you up.

  Me: See you soon

  I quickly call my mom to check in with her before I head to dinner.

  “Hey baby girl,” Mom says, sounding a little out of breath.

  “Hey Mom, you doing okay?” I twist my hair and hope she’s not suffering.

  “Oh yeah, just had to get the phone from the kitchen. I need to keep it in my pocket or right next to me from now on,” she explains with a laugh. “This is all new to me, even though it’s steadily progressed to get to this point. I think the chest catheter makes it seem more real. As much as it sucks, I’m happy to have it because it allows me to be at home.”

  “Me too, Mom. But you won’t be at home much this week.” I can’t help the smile that stretches my face.

  “And why is that?”

  “Because we will be checking things off your bucket list. I have plans for you. Can I come down tomorrow and fill you in?”

  “Of course, honey. Now I’m excited. I have had girls from the salon and clients stopping by to check on me, but I always love when you visit.”

  “Do you miss working? You’ve worked five long days a week at the salon for the last twenty-five years or so. I bet it feels way different to not have to go in anymore.”

  “Oh, I do. I miss the people, the excitement, how it kept me busy. It gave me a purpose. But it’s been getting harder and harder to manage those long days, and I’m glad that I was able to find all of my clients new stylists to take care of them. It would have been too much for me with how bad this has gotten. I don't think coughing up blood during a blow-dry would go over so well.”

  The sobering reality of my mother’s worsening condition inspires me more than ever to make this trip even better for her. We say our goodbyes and I head to dinner with a renewed purpose.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chiarello is a California take on Italian food. With a light hand on sauces and oils, it’s said to be a delicious blend of old world and new. I’ve only read about it online or heard about it from clients, but I have always hoped to one day make it in to see for myself. Talan seems to be unintentionally making sure my dreams become reality.

  Talan is a beautiful contrast leaning against the red brick of the building in his black leather jacket and jeans. Butterflies smash around inside my ribcage. I walk faster to meet him, ready to be in his embrace again. He pushes off the wall and captures me in his arms, his hands finding their way into my hair and around my waist as he kisses me. He buries his face in my neck, breathing me in deeply. I love that he’s taller than me, probably close to 6’2. He makes me feel small even when I’m in heels, like today.

  “That right there,” he says, tickling my neck with his breath, “is the best scent I’ve ever had the pleasure to smell. It’s even better in person than it was on my sheets.”

  “Mmm.” I draw my nose along the scruff on his jaw. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  “You sure you don’t just want to go home? I can make you spaghetti there. After I have my way with you.”

  I laugh and press his face away with my palm when he nibbles on my neck. “I get hangry, remember? Your best bet to have me happy and pliant is to feed me first. Your wicked ways can wait.”

  “Damn baby, you know how to tease.” He smiles at me and takes my hand, leading me into the restaurant.

  We are seated quickly, and order a delicious dinner that makes me incredibly happy. Talan listens thoughtfully to the plans Willa and I came up with today to tick items off Mom’s bucket list.

  “Do I have to put a ring on your finger to get you to behave in Vegas this week?” He asks, a devilish glint reflecting in his eyes.

  I raise my eyebrow at him. “Too soon.” I drag a rigatoni noodle through vodka cream sauce, popping it in my mouth and chewing thoughtfully. It’s a little surprising that he would mention rings of any kind after knowing me for a few weeks. Thankfully, my brain doesn’t explode and my heart manages to keep its regular rhythm in the wake of his unexpected proclamation.

  “You know I’ll be on my best behavior with my mom there, right? I don't think she will be up for Chippendales or clubbing until two a.m..” I pout my lips at him playfully.

  He laughs loudly. “I can just imagine Lisa tearing it up with the best club rats and throwing dollar bills into a stripper’s man-thong.” He shakes his head, still chuckling. “I don’t doubt your ability to have a good time and still be safe. I just hate to think of all the douchebag assholes that go to Vegas looking to score.” He flexes his fingers and makes fists.

  “Are you looking to lock this jelly down?” I pull a Vanna White wave from head to waist.

  “Maybe,” he says, pushing his tortellini into a pile on his plate. “Does that freak you out?”

  I give him a soft smile of understanding. “It might have, even just last week. I didn’t want anything serious. It’s funny how you find exactly what you need when you aren’t even looking for it.” I shake my head at him. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just not scary to consider myself yours.”

  Talan grins. “I couldn’t agree more. My Bliss. I like the sound of that.”

  We finish dinner quickly, skipping dessert in a hurry to get back to his condo. I follow him in the Mini, and park behind his bike in the garage. He pulls me along into the elevator, kissing me as soon as the doors slide closed. He tastes like garlic and butter and Talan. It’s a heady, rich combination if there ever was one. Stepping into his condo doesn’t feel foreign this time around, but the view of the Bay Bridge continues to amaze me. I don’t have much time to appreciate it before Talan is pulling me into his arms. He claims my mouth with his searing kiss and walks me to his bedroom.

  Instead of letting him push me down on the bed, I manage to surprise him. I slip to the side and push
him backwards so he is reclining. His hungry eyes continue watching me, waiting to see what I’ll do. I slide the zipper of my dress down, allowing the straps to fall off my shoulders and the material to pool at my feet. I’m standing in my best, though not very expensive, lingerie, a lace demi bra and panty set, with thigh high stockings attached to a garter belt. His eyes widen, lips parting as he takes me in.

  “This. Oh man. This is the best dessert I could have imagined.” He reaches for me, but I bat his hands away.

  “Nuh uh. It’s time I had a taste of dessert.”

  Talan lets his hands drop immediately, leaning back and putting himself at my disposal. I step in between his legs, bending to undo his belt and pants. He helps me pull the jeans and boxers down his legs, kicking off his boots so he can shuck them off. I raise his t-shirt over his head and stand back up, holding the soft fabric. I bundle it in my hands and press my face into the material, closing my eyes and inhaling him deeply.

  “Mmm, I like the way this smells.”

  “Fuck, Bliss,” Talan groans. I look over and see his eyes dark with lust, his cock jutting away from his body, ready for me. “Can you get any sexier?”

  I nod and let the shirt fall from my hands, dropping to my knees in between his legs. I run my hands up his thighs, my nails softly scraping along his warm skin. I smile innocently, thinking of the naughty things I am going to do.

  “Damn baby, keep looking at me like that and I won’t be able to—” he stops talking when I wrap my hand around the base of his erection. His eyes close as I begin to stroke and twist, enjoying the new power I have over him.

  I lick up his shaft, flicking my tongue at the head. Talan grits his teeth together and gathers the duvet in his hands when I take him into my mouth. His salty taste invades my tongue as I lick and suck the tip, my lips forming a seal under the soft ridge. Slowly I take more of him into my mouth, my hand still caressing the velvety hardness of his shaft until my lips meet my fingers. Saliva collects in my mouth from him filling me so completely. Backing up a bit, I swallow and his hips buck toward my mouth. I smile around his dick, letting my mouth pop off the top.