From Pemberley to Manhattan

by Laís Rodrigues

  In theory, I hadn’t done anything wrong; yet, I couldn’t stop myself from blushing when I saw Darcy having a croissant on one of the stools at the kitchen island. He’d fled from me the night before, when we’d had our moment. He’d done the right thing, and I was nothing but thankful. Still, a part of me felt humiliated, as if he’d blown me off, which he totally hadn’t. Quite the opposite, he’d behaved like a perfect gentleman.

  His eyes met mine briefly, when I said good morning to him, Bobby and Anna. I saw desire in them for a moment, enough of it to make me look away. Maybe he’d been in his best behavior, but his eyes had told me that, behind all that seriousness and control, he felt the spark between us, too.

  Pouring myself some coffee from the coffeepot, I admired the ocean view, its infinity and greatness reminding me how small my troubles and feelings were. This room was also lovely; the hardwood floors contrasted elegantly with the white cabinets. There was a huge island with granite top in the middle of the room. The windows on my left faced a beautifully kept garden and, on my right, there were double doors that opened to a balcony that faced the sea.

  I was lost in my thoughts when I felt Darcy approaching me. Yeah, you read it right; I felt him, didn’t even have to see him to know he was near. Unconsciously, I glanced behind me and stared directly at his mouth. My gaze went up until it reached his eyes, and they looked blue as the sky, clearer. He was looking, mesmerized, at my throat, making me remember a specific moment from my dream.

  I could feel the blood rushing to my face again. “Did you sleep well?” His dark, irresistible voice asked. Did he guess what I was thinking about?

  “Nat? Are you okay?” Fanny’s voice pulled me from my daydream. I was so lost in the blue waters of Darcy’s eyes I hadn’t even noticed her entering the kitchen. “You’re all flushed, babe!”

  “It must be the heat…”, I lied through my teeth, but it worked. Not only she agreed, but told me she thought it was way too hot herself.

  “Let me just get some breakfast and we can take a swim in the pool”, she invited, and I happily accepted. As I’ve previously stated, Patty’s pool was one of my favorite features in the house.

  “Morning”, Doug said to everyone, then, approaching me, whispered in my ear, “Sorry about last night, baby. I was so tired. But I’ll make it up tonight, ok?” He promised, then his hand closed over the nape of my neck and he planted a kiss on my cheek.

  I smiled up at him as he moved away and that’s when I noticed Darcy staring at us with assassin’s eyes. I was not overreacting; he was so enraged his knuckles were white because he was holding the cup with too much strength. I told myself I was crazy, for I could swear what I saw in his features was jealousy. Was he holding that poor cup of coffee wishing it was Doug’s thick neck?

  “By the way, Fanny”, Doug finally broke the spell and I was able to look away from Darcy, “I was just talking to Terry and he asked about you. Told me you still won’t return his calls.”

  “Oh, you mean the calls he made after blowing me off?!” Fanny countered, already looking enraged, making all in the kitchen laugh but me and a confused Darcy.

  Terry was a detective like Doug, and they worked together at the same precinct. As you might have guessed, he and Fanny had a history. They only had had three dates, yet sometimes it seemed like they were the twenty-first century version of Rick-slash-Bogart and Ilsa-slash-gorgeous-Bergman affair. Only, instead of Casablanca, they were in New York.

  Their short-but-full-of-surprises star-crossed love story deserved its own chapter. It might not be a long story but it was an incredibly fun one. And romantic too, even though Fanny threatened to punch me when I told her so.

  ♥

  Chapter 11

  A couple of months ago…

  DATE #1

  Fanny was meeting Nat and Doug for a beer. She hated to be a third wheel, but it was far better than meeting Nat when she went out with Patricia and, these days, it was one or the other…

  Besides, Doug was a fun guy to hang out with.

  Doug’s favorite bar, in Upper East Side, was usually overflowing with off-duty policemen, since it was near a precinct. Jake’s Dilemma was famous for its drinks deals and for the many options offered to its customers. There, one could play videogames, watch football, listen to Pearl Jam, and flirt a lot.

  For those who just desired a cozy, less noisy place to have their drinks and chat, there was the backroom, with sunken armchairs, old estate-sale couches, shelves filled with ancient books, and low, red ceiling, making the visitors feel like they were traveling back in time. Nat always preferred to stay there, obviously. Luckily for Fanny, many single men enjoyed it too.

  Before Fanny reached the backroom, she heard the unmistakable laugh of her best friend. Good, they are already here. Fanny wouldn’t have to spend those awkward moments when one’s all alone in a place and everyone around keeps wondering if that person was just a loner or if someone had stood them up. Nat didn’t care about those kind of things, but Fanny had a problem with been blown off. Or been believed to be blown off. Or even feeling like she could be blown off.

  Anyway, it was a very deep insecurity issue of hers, caused firstly by a boy she had a crush on who’d left her waiting on prom night. She’d spent that night crying over her red gown, messing up her mascara, imagining why he’d ruined her life like that.

  The boy had simply overslept, but Fanny never heard his side of the story: when he tried to apologize the next day, she threw her lunch (which was meatballs and spaghetti, by the way) on the boy’s head. The boy was nicknamed Meatballs and Fanny had, from there on, trouble believing a man could commit.

  After a few years of even worse experiences, she decided it was she who wouldn’t commit to any of them. However, she never denied the opportunity of having a nice time with an interesting guy. Which was what she hoped it would happen that evening at Jake’s.

  “Hey, babe!”, Nat called her, “You’re late!”

  “Yeah, and there’s someone who can’t wait to meet you! It’s the new detective at my precinct!”, Doug finished.

  “Are you kidding me?!”, Fanny was immediately enraged. “HOLY F***!” This author will absolutely not write down all curses she used in that moment, but it’s safe to say even the toughest, roughest cop in that pub was left shocked. Most of them had never heard a person cursing so much and for so long without breathing. A drunk at the end of the counter even clapped as she finished.

  No, Fanny wasn’t losing her mind. Not exactly. The reason she’d exploded in a million offenses was that it wasn’t the first time Doug had tried to introduce her to a fellow detective. The last time he’d done so, she’d ended up spending the evening with a divorced, bald, over-weighted man who’d been able to talk about nothing but his ex-wife and how she’d taken all his money.

  Oh, and he farted when he was nervous. And he got nervous very often.

  “What’s wrong with you two?”, Fanny accused. “What’s wrong with this one? Still lives with his mom? Drinks too much? Girl problem? Guy problem?”

  “Doug?” A man asked from behind Fanny. “Is everything alright here?” Fanny could guess who it was: Doug’s new pal. She had dreaded to see him, but now she’d heard his strong voice, she was curious.

  “Oh, sorry, Terry, but I don’t think Fanny’s interested in–”

  “Hello, there!”, Fanny interrupted, as she found out the detective was a very hot mix of the Black Panther and Luther. Wow. Just wow. “I’m Fanny.”

  “Hey, there. I’m–”

  “Idris Elba.” She said excitedly. Terry’s brows went up, while Nat and Doug looked at her as if she were insane. “Oh, did I say that out loud? Sorry… Terry, right?” The tall, muscled man couldn’t stop smiling when he noticed how excited Fanny was. He nodded. “Wow, it’s just… Wow… You really look like that actor, Idris Elba. A younger version of him of course. And
I always thought he looked like a delicious, gigantic, chocolate bar.”

  Doug choked with his beer, while Nat blurted out “Holy ducking sheet!” Terry stared at Fanny for a moment, before bursting out laughing. “Oh, God! She’s great, Doug!”, he finally said, wiping tears from his eyes.

  That evening, Terry made her laugh, drank beers with her, and took her back home. Not once, not even once, did he glance at any other women. And there were plenty staring at him openly. No: Terry-slash-Idris only had eyes for the leggy redhead in front of him. That granted him a second date, naturally.

  Fanny, however, would have to make sure she wouldn’t shave for a while…

  ♥

  DATE #2

  Things hadn’t begun well that evening. Terry had invited Fanny out, stating where they’d go would be a surprise. Getting all worked up with excitement, she kept insisting he told her about his plans for the date. She annoyed him so, Terry had no other option but confess he was taking her to the cinema.

  All that suspense for a freaking movie? She was frustrated. However, the prospect of making out with him in the dark made her consider the night not a complete waste. Yet. She wouldn’t shave her Oracle, though. It was too soon.

  “Oh, babe… You call your… You know… Oracle?”, Nat demanded as Fanny told her about the plans for that night.

  “Actually, I call it vagina, but I use ‘Oracle’ in respect of your weird cussing.”

  “Thanks, that was very respectful”, Nat mentioned, after laughing for a whole minute. Fanny doubted humorless Patricia could make her best friend giggle like she did.

  “I’ve gotta go, Nat. Gotta finish dressing.” She told her best friend.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t, Fanny.”

  “Oh, you know I always do.”

  As soon as she hung up the phone, Terry texted her, informing her that he was parked outside her building. “Take your time finishing dressing,” He’d written, “I don’t mind waiting.”

  He’d just earned himself shaved legs and a shorter dress. She was ready in fifteen minutes, wearing a black and nude lace body-con dress, with two-piece, black dress sandals and her diamond hoop earrings. She was dressed to kill-a-guy-in-bed-with-a-heart-attack, and she knew it.

  He was leaning on his black sedan as she left her place, and the evidence of her hotness was all over his features. You’re mine, Mr. Idris Elba.

  Still with his eyes admiring her body, he opened the passenger door for her. She could swear her panties dropped a little bit then. “I see chivalry isn’t extinct, as some might’ve believed.”

  He smiled, and kissed her cheek when she was close enough, putting his hand on her lower back, making her shiver a bit. It wasn’t chilly at all, but Terry pretended not to notice how her body had reacted to his minimal touch. “You look great, Fanny. And smell even better”, he whispered in her ear.

  Had that been said by any other man, she’d have a cynical response ready. Many, actually. But all she could think about then was the things they could be doing in his backseat…

  He was so sexily adorable… And so adorably sexy… A very dangerous combination for one’s panties.

  As soon as they were both in the car, he began talking about safe-yet-refreshing topics, successfully avoiding awkward silences, without having to mention anything as boring as the weather. “Do you mind if we make a quick stop at this gas station? I’ve gotta fuel and get some snack. I didn’t have lunch today, and we’re only having dinner after the movie…”

  “Sure”, she was able somehow to say, for he chose that precise moment to put his paw of a hand on her thigh, just above her knee. Intimate, yet respectful. Oh, God. My panties just dropped a little further… If he continues like that, I won’t be wearing any panties at all by the end of the night…

  “Thanks, gorgeous”, he kissed her on the cheek again, and squeezed her leg lightly, making her shameless-self do the cancan mentally. This wasn’t common ground for Fanny. Normally, it was her who made the guys lose all rationality near her, not the other way around!

  She’d made herself cool down a little by the time he returned to the car. He’d bought original Pringles, which she’d admitted, at Jake’s Dilemma, as being her favorite junk food. “I know”, he said with an arrogant smirk when he saw her surprise, “I’m adorable, right?”

  “Believe me, I’ve got many words to describe you besides adorable.” Her tone made him stop smirking and stare at her lips, his mouth full with chips. He swallowed hard, and her face moved closer to his. Their lips were almost touching, when they heard a gunshot. Followed by three others.

  ♥

  “NYPD! Drop your weapon!”, Terry ordered, and the robber wisely obeyed. The detective was a tough looking man, one that could scare the worst type of bandit when he was on duty. Or, in that particular case, when the job had found him.

  Fanny wasn’t scared at all. After the police cars arrived, the criminal was taken away, and the gas station owner had thanked Terry a million times for saving the day (and his customers lives), he finally returned to Fanny.

  “I’m sorry about ruining our date…”, Terry apologized, wondering if he’d have a new chance with her. He’d liked her from the moment he’d heard her cursing like a drunk pirate, but many women couldn’t stand a cop’s way of life. Or, in his case, a detective’s, which could be, in many ways, worse.

  “What makes you think our date was ruined? It’s not over yet”, he felt his heart filling with hope as she approached him, a sexy, inviting smile playing on her lips and eyes. “Actually, I think it has barely begun… By the way, do you ride criminals in this car?”

  Terry couldn’t be more confused by her inquiry, but answered anyhow. “No, this is my private vehicle. Why?”

  “Oh, ‘cause we’re paying your backseat a visit. And you don’t have to worry: we won’t be doing anything illegal in there. Not yet.”

  ♥

  “So, how was it?”, Nat called her best friend as soon as she woke up the next day.

  “Let me tell you, babe: on our next date, which will be this weekend, Oracle will be as bold as she were when I was born.”

  “That great, huh? Never heard of you going baldy over a guy before”, Nat considered, chuckling. “So, what did he do right to make you give up your shaving rule after date number one?”

  “First of all, it was date number two. We had our first date with you guys, remember? Besides, we had the most amazing make out session in the century, and I could feel him against my thigh. And it was B.H.T.!”

  “What?”, Nat stopped giggling then. It couldn’t be good, but she still had to ask.

  “Big. Hard. Thiiiiick!”, Fanny practically sang.

  “Oh, my sweet little mermaid! Why did I ask?”

  ♥

  DATE #3

  When Doug had told him about Fanny, he’d left Terry with high expectations. Still, the woman had been able to impress him. However, there was a catch: Doug had warned him Fanny didn’t do the whole relationship thing.

  According to detective Brooks, she preferred to date a few times, have some fun in bed and let the poor schmuck go after a while (which usually meant no more than a few weeks).

  From the moment he set eyes on her for the first time, Terry decided he’d be the man to break her cycle.

  In order to do that, he’d have to make sure she felt more than pure lust for him before taking things to an additional intimate level. He wouldn’t take Fanny to bed until the timing was right.

  It was far from an easy task. The last time they went out, he’d almost broken his own rule in the backseat of his car. It had been impossible to resist her charms; Fanny had been so passionate, so amazingly willing, he’d almost gone all the way with her there and then.

  All his self-control had been necessary to stop himself, take her home and – warmly – refusing to follow her to
her apartment for some “drinks”. Fanny clearly wasn’t used to being denied anything from a man, but she hadn’t insisted on the matter either. Maybe, she thought he was worth the wait too, Terry considered (and hoped).

  The problem now was: they were going out shortly, and he feared he’d surrender to her will if they were alone again. Perhaps it’d be wise if they went on a date with Doug and Nathalie?

  Too late for that now, you idiot, he chastised himself, since he was already parking in front of her building. Besides, he’d carefully prepared that surprise for Fanny, and Fanny alone. For better or worse, that night was only theirs.

  His breath caught in his throat as he observed her leaving her home. She was simply gorgeous, and not in an obvious, girlish way. She had a strong personality, and it matched perfectly her wavy, reddish hair, her alabaster skin, and cat eyes. She was tall and had the longest legs, that seemed to go forever, the kind that could encage even a guy of his size between them.

  Focus, Terry! Focus!

  Instead of focusing though, some dangerous body parts of Terry’s were awakening (some very far from his brains, by the way). He clumsily left his sedan and strode around it to open the door for her; she’d glowed beautifully when he’d done that simple act of courtesy the last time, so he’d make sure to do it always.

  Instead of getting in the car, she walked up to him, until their bodies were connected, and kissed him merciless. Oh, God, this woman is the end of me.

  Tonight, she was looking like a movie star in her backless, white dress that enhanced her elegant, lean body. One of his hands went to her exposed back, while the other took possession of the nape of her neck. He used them to pull her even closer, until they were crashing lips to thighs.

  “You’re so soft…”, he whispered in her mouth.

  “And you’re so hard…”, she murmured back in a velvet, kitten voice. He moved away abruptly.

  ♥

  He was playing hard to get, which only made her desire him more. Oracle declared she’d decided to surrender and proclaimed she could be invaded, earning a mental slap from Fanny on her imaginary face.