A Taste of Pleasure (6 page)

L
ondon sipped on her dark Brazilian coffee sweetened with a splash of French vanilla creme, lounging on the deck all bundled in her robe, enjoying the morning sun. The leaves rustled and she watched a few fall from the trees, gracefully drifting to the ground. The cool breeze smelled of autumn already and she reflected on how quickly this summer had slipped away. She was glad that she'd decided to take a couple days off. She had been inundated for months, working long hours assisting the attorneys with a landmark case. When she could grab just a little time for herself here and there, she had taken long walks through her favorite park, did some swimming, and had conversations with Deacon at least weekly, but he was swamped at work too. Now that the relentless litigation at her firm was finally over, and the verdict was a huge win for the firm, she could breathe a sigh of relief. She was determined to spend some extra time focusing on herself again before the dreaded winter months arrived, and with them, more grueling hours at the office occupying most of her time.

She had attempted to call Deacon to video chat this morning, but he was unavailable, again. She had so enjoyed their
webcam encounters, and even his rather unusual demands like touching her button or taking her toy and sliding it deep inside her while using another toy to massage her. Their remote fantasy world had become the highlight of her weeks. But during the past month, he had now missed two out of three of their online “dates” and she was becoming concerned about the distance between them withering away at their connection. The last time they'd spoken, she sensed a coolness about him that left her feeling confused.

She shook off her uneasy thoughts of her lover and went inside to warm up with a hot shower. She decided to dress somewhat casually for once in blue jeans, a sexy, low-cut lacy white top with a ruffled black cardigan sweater, silky scarf, and black boots. She swept some of her long dark locks back with a hair clip, allowing just a few unruly wisps to escape and curl back down around her face, accenting her dangly diamond earrings. Feeling frisky, she tried to reach Deacon one more time. No answer.

She took the long stroll across the estate to check the mail. Among the junk mail was a letter from her doctor reminding her to schedule her mammogram. This time of year always made her feel helpless and emotional as she thought back to losing her grandmother. Grams had procrastinated about her mammogram for a few years and she paid the ultimate price for her indiscretion. When the doctor discovered that she had breast cancer, it was too late and there was nothing they could do to save her. Grams was gone just six months later. London felt a chill and her heart ached all over again with the devastation of knowing that Grams might have been around for at least a few more years had they caught it earlier.

She swept away the tears streaming down her cheeks and marched back into the house. She immediately picked up the
phone and called to schedule her appointment. To her surprise, the receptionist said they had just received a cancellation for that afternoon, so they could get her right in at 1:00 p.m. She grabbed a whipped chocolate yogurt for a quick snack and headed out.

She decided not to put the convertible top down today. She drove solemnly to the appointment, feeling vulnerable as she listened to sad love songs and pondered her own mortality. The traffic was very light so she arrived at the hospital more than half an hour early. She sat in the car, reading emails on her phone and filing her fingernails to pass the time. She felt eyes upon her and looked out the window to see a handsome young man nearby, pacing beside his car, talking on his cell phone and eyeing her with a predatory stare. She pretended not to see him as she looked down and continued sanding away at her nails, but she could feel his eyes penetrating her. He seemed so familiar that she had to look again. As she turned her head back up to take another peek, she was startled to find him right outside of her window. She jumped, then blushed as she rolled down the window a little.

“Hi, can I help you with something?” she said in an anxious tone.

“I never thought I would see you again.” He gasped, stumbling over his words.

“And who are you?” London asked.

“Hi, I'm Rick. I've seen you before, at the Fisherman's Cove on the Fourth of July. I wanted to meet you then, but you were with someone.”

She wondered just how much he had seen that evening, but he seemed harmless enough and she eased her window down farther. She extended her hand, “Hi, I'm London.” He took her hand in his and leaned down to kiss it. She blushed again
as she tingled all over. His forwardness was a little awkward, yet very enticing at the same time.

“It's a pleasure to finally meet you, London. What a coincidence seeing you again. What are you doing here at the hospital today?” he asked, his voice still a bit nervous.

“Oh, I have a mammogram appointment, which I should be getting along to now, I suppose,” she replied.

“Well, I could escort you in if you don't mind, and we can chat on the way.”

“Sure,” she answered, feeling her heart lift a little and her tummy tighten with that familiar ache.

She closed the window and grabbed her handbag. He opened her door and helped her out of the car. Lost in idle chitchat, they strolled together across the parking lot and through the garden terrace entrance into the hospital. She could feel the intensity between them as they stepped into the elevator together, alone. She pushed the button for the fourth floor, and the doors closed as she turned to ask him which floor he needed. To her surprise, he was right behind her when she turned around. He'd startled her again, and she stepped back as he pressed up against her and held her tight to the wall.

He looked deep into her eyes, then kissed her fervently with a passion she'd been longing for. For a feverish moment, she accepted his advances, returning the favor deeply and intensely as she ran her fingers through his dark hair. She wanted to stop the elevator and take him right there, but she pulled away, breathless and feeling uncertain about this mysterious stranger. She stared into his eyes, trying to read what was really going on behind them as she felt the elevator easing to a halt.
Ding.
The doors slid open at the fourth floor. He released her from his hold and she practically darted from the elevator into the hall. His face looked troubled as he watched her escape.

“London, wait. Will I see you again?”

“I'm not sure, Rick. I-I have to get to my appointment. I don't want to be late,” she stuttered, then hurried away and disappeared down the hall. She felt relieved as she walked, yet she was puzzled by her own uneasiness. Rick was a sweet guy, very handsome, and yes, he was forward, but that hadn't really bothered her before.
So why does it bother me now
? she wondered.

Still heated after her steamy encounter, she stepped into the imaging center's waiting room. She checked in and walked over to the table to select a magazine that looked interesting. She chose a seat in the corner and sat down, admiring the soft colors of the room. They were calming and reassuring. The light shade of gray walls and the beautiful pictures hanging with portraits of whimsical girls, ladies, and flower gardens accented by dark purple frames. The chrome bucket-shaped chairs had richly upholstered seats and backs in the same dark purple color. Comforted by her surroundings, she relaxed again and lost herself in the magazine stories. She mused over the title of one article, W
HAT
M
ARRIED
G
UYS
R
EALLY
W
ANT
.
A mistress, of course.
She chuckled to herself.

She was pleased when the nurse called her in promptly at 1:00, and she was even happier to escape the office for another year when it was over. Afterward, she was craving chocolate again and decided to treat herself to some coffee and sweets in the cafeteria. She chose a large slice of sinful-looking devil's food cake from the dessert display and mixed her coffee sweet and creamy, just the way she loved it. She found a table by the window and began indulging herself as her thoughts drifted back to Rick and their elevator encounter. Her tummy tightened again and her breath caught as she relived his passionate embrace. She felt silly now for rushing off so rudely. And
just as she was wishing for another chance to talk to him, he walked right up to her table.

“You sure make that cake look delicious,” he said.

She devoured the last bite and licked the fork clean seductively before responding. “Hi again, Rick, please have a seat,” she said with a grin.

He slid into the bench seat beside her. “Thank you. Look, I have to apologize for being so forward earlier.” His words were fast and nervous as he continued to explain. “I just find you so . . . well, irresistible. And seeing you again here today, it just seemed like fate and I didn't want to let the chance pass me up again to show you how I feel.” He paused, waiting for her to respond. She just smiled and eyed him curiously. Filling the silence, he asked, “So, how did your appointment go?”

Her breasts were still sensitive from the test. He sat close to her, his knee brushing against hers.

“I won't know the results for a week or so.” She gazed out the window for a moment, pondering what to say next. Turning back to face him, she said, “Rick, your kiss was a surprise, I'll admit, but it wasn't unwanted. I'm sorry for running off the way I did. I just had a somewhat emotional morning, and I was not looking forward to coming here.”

“I understand,” he said. “How about we start over? Hi, I'm Rick Hudson,” he said with a boyish grin as he extended his hand to her again.

She giggled and played along. “Hi, I'm London Shelby.”

“Well, hello, London, I'm very happy to meet you,” he said, feeling a little more at ease. “I didn't mean to come on to you, but if I may say, you're a very attractive lady and I just had to say hi. I hope I'm not offending you, but I was wondering if you might have dinner with me some night, if you're available.”

She giggled again because he sounded like he was reciting a
well-rehearsed speech. She studied him for a moment and then responded, “I'm not married, if that's what you mean. And the answer is yes. I would like to have dinner with you.”
Rick is hot
, she thought. He had great features, including a nice smile and dimples, not to mention a sense of humor. “My bad day seems to be getting better by the minute,” she added.

Rick got up and wrote something on the back of his business card before handing it to her. It read:
FANTASY MANOR 7:00 P.M., SEE YOU THERE.

She smiled and asked, “So you must live close to Tarrytown?”

He nodded and smiled, flashing those darn dimples one last time.

“Sounds good, I'll see you then,” she confirmed.

She thought about him and cringed again for running off the way she did. It wasn't like her, but she realized that her recent bad experience with her dominant golf instructor had left her scared. Her guard was up, and she was feeling especially delicate and vulnerable today.

She left the hospital, ran a few errands, and headed home to relax before her date. She took a hot shower, dressed a bit conservatively in her black silky pantsuit with heels, and left to meet Rick at Fantasy Manor.

The drive from her house was a short one. She soon zipped into the parking lot. She could see Rick waiting for her at the entrance and felt a twinge in her tummy. She felt his eyes on her as she approached. She greeted him with a kiss and wrapped her arm through his. When they walked inside, there was a line of patrons waiting, a crowd gathered at the bar, and it appeared that every table was full. The place was so stylish and inviting, especially the warm glow of the embers in the stone fireplace. Rick took her by the hand and escorted her to
the front of the line. A sophisticated lady stood at a podium, scanning the touch screen on her computer. She looked up and her face lit up when she saw Rick.

“Mr. Hudson,” she said, trying to contain her excitement, “right this way, sir.” She gave London a smile of approval before turning to guide them to a private corner table by the window that was magically awaiting their arrival.

London was impressed. Rick ordered wine for both of them, but she really didn't need it. She was already intoxicated by him. She took a sip of her water and smiled at him. Her eyes searched his face for an emotion, a sign that he felt the same way she did, but he was very cool. When the wine came, he proposed a toast. “To you, and tonight,” he said with such assurance of how the evening would end. She smiled, but at the same time, she was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Even though she felt a strong desire to be with him, she had reservations. After her experience with the golf pro, she was not so anxious to hit the bed, so to speak, with just anyone. For a moment, she wasn't sure if she should have accepted his dinner invitation. She felt conflicted, but she couldn't put her finger on why.

He was charming. The conversation flowed smoothly and the evening was rather perfect. They dined on New York strip steak and it was divine. She sipped her wine and toyed with her meat, placing it slowly into her mouth, seducing him as she savored each bite. He was captivated by her. The evening went fast and Rick was a perfect gentleman. She began to reconsider her own doubts and insecurities about him.

Soon she was home, with a second date already scheduled for the following night with him. She was proud of herself that she had not slept with him that night. He called her several times the next day to tell her how much he'd enjoyed being with her. She was beginning to feel a little more comfortable
about him and she was looking forward to dinner again this evening. He was taking her to a luxury restaurant with gourmet cuisine located in Midtown. She pampered herself with a hot bubble bath, then dressed in a short black swirl-skirt dress, black thigh-high stockings, and stiletto heels. She complemented the outfit with small freshwater pearls. They were just right for this special evening.