Karma (25 page)

Marcy
woke in her own room. The sun, shining blindingly from around the edges of the
block out curtains, finally disturbed her rest. She had dreamed of her mother
again, but her mom had only been smiling happily at her. Was her vision of her
mother a reflection of her own mind? Because Marcy was incredibly happy.

She
checked the bedside digital clock. Nine-thirty!

Jesus!
I slept in!

Jumping
out of bed, she realized that she was stark naked and chuckled. No nightgown
last night. That made it easier as she ran the shower to the right temperature,
and hopped in.

Marcy
gasped as hot water pulsed down on her skin. Parts of her body were sore, inner
thighs, breasts, nipples and also deep inside. Perhaps not really sore. More
like that feeling one gets the next day after a lot of exercise. A pleasant
stiffness. Kind of a well-used sensation.

Marcy
shut her eyes and took a deep breath at that.

Used.
Yes. The idea of being well used again, real soon, made her blood heat.

Marcy's
lips curled into the ear to ear grin of a lunatic as she thought of Mike. She
recalled the intensity in his eyes, and his determined expression. The
overpowering way he looked at her with lust, and love, and raw masculine
delight. Mike made her feel beautiful… and sexy, too.

Images
and sensations from the evening before floated through her mind. It seemed that
her inability to orgasm was a thing of the past. She trusted Mike. With him she
had finally felt safe enough to embrace her sexuality. That perfect, lovable
man had totally set her free. The euphoria and joy of it sang blissfully
through her, body, heart and soul.

I'm
such a wanton. I'm such an insatiable slut!
Marcy mused, and that truth made her incredibly happy.

Because
she was running late she hurried her shower and got dressed quickly in her black
maid's uniform. It was Saturday, but Gustave had asked her to come in for two
hours, to help serve a sort of farewell lunch for a few of André's guests that
were leaving Las Vegas today.

Dressed,
she walked out into the family room. Mike and Katie were playing
Connect Four
in the family room. The Christmas tree lights were off, but the smell and sight
of it still filled the room. Those two were so absorbed that it wasn't until
her pumps clicked on the kitchen tiles that they looked up.

"Hi,
mom!" Katie said. "I beat Mike once already."

Marcy
laughed. "Good for you," she said.

Mike's
firm lips curved up into an adorable wry smile. "Hi, mom," he said
softly, and stood up to greet her.

God
damn he looked good. Mike's muscles were toned from swimming. He wore a white
form fitting button down cotton shirt that accented his torso and tapered
waist. His black jeans only complemented his perfect shape. His beautiful face
was so familiar to her now, the mischief in his eyes, thin lips and quirky
smile.

Memories
of last night flooded her mind. The scent, taste and sight of him. The feel of
his strong arms holding her, his hard body against her softer one, his tongue,
his lips and mouth.

Marcy's
face and neck heated with a pink flush of arousal. She bit off a moan before it
could leave her throat.

He
arched a knowing brow. "Okay?"

Her
mouth dry, she could only nod.

Mike
went to her, took her in his arms, and with his lips near her ear he whispered,
"I've missed you." Those soft heartfelt words were more seductive
than a romantic setting with wine and a candlelight dinner.

Marcy
melted.

Then
there she was, receiving a hug and a press of lips in a sweet morning kiss. It
was the first time Mike had kissed her in front of Katie. It was the first time
she had allowed it. But while his touch seared her with desire, it also seemed completely
natural.

Katie's
eyes were wide as Mike turned toward her.

"I'm
completely nuts over your mom, Katie. You know that, right?"

Katie
giggled shyly. "Yes. I knew that."

"Good,"
Mike said, and walked into the kitchen still smiling. "I have banana
pancakes ready for you, sleepy head. Are you hungry?" He poured her a
coffee, and added milk and sugar, exactly how she liked it. "Here."
He handed it to her. "Take a seat."

Marcy
sat at the kitchen counter while he got out her breakfast. "Did you sleep
well?" he asked with a not so innocent expression on his face.

"When
I slept," she scoffed playfully. "My rest was interrupted… a number
of times I might add."

"Oh?
How many times was it interrupted?"

She
crossed her arms. Tilting her head, she put one finger against her lips in
considering, teasing manner. Then her gaze met his and she snickered. "I'm
afraid that I lost count."

Mike's
eyes danced but he couldn't contain his wicked grin. "I'll bring a
scorecard next time."

They
made plans for the day. Mike had arranged to visit with his sister, Janice, so that
Katie could play with her kids, Madison and Sarah. Katie was bright-eyed and in
high spirits over the plan. Marcy would text Mike when she was leaving work. She
enjoyed breakfast, kissed them both goodbye and left for work.

Her
little Neon started immediately, mainly because she had finally gotten the poor
thing serviced. She took off the hand brake, backed out of the garage, and
drove off. The sweetness of that happy domestic scene lingered, filling her
senses.

Mike
wanted to buy her a red Audi RS 5 Cabriolet convertible, nut case that he was. He
had gone into long explanations about how he would really be getting it for
himself, because he wanted a sports car – but she could use it. He also said
that her Neon was an embarrassment. Would she mind very much if he traded it
in?

She
shook her head. He would probably get his way. If the man had one flaw it was
that he nagged.

Mike
loved her and wanted to marry her. How had this all happened so quickly? From a
woman who avoided men, and sex, Marcy was now the complete opposite. Mike had
snuck into her life and stolen her heart.

The
sky was crystal clear and a cool 45 degrees. Another beautiful winter's day in
Nevada. Stopping at a red light, Marcy realized that she was in a happy kind of
mindless daze. Her unstoppable grin was making her face ache.

What
was wrong with her? But she knew there was nothing wrong. All was right in her
world.

I'm
in love, wondrous, incredible, extraordinary, joyous, head over heels in love.

Mike
had swept her off her feet. This time, love was nothing like her younger crush
with Trent. It was a fuller, more reasoned form of adoration on both sides.
Mike was not pretending his affection. There was no ulterior motive. He loved her,
and her daughter, Katie, too.

Marcy
remembered what his mother had told her:
"Mike has always been caring
and considerate. He's a good son. A man who is good to his mother will also be
good to his wife."

The
light changed and she accelerated. Why was the subject of children so
sensitive, she wondered? Marcy wanted more children. Specifically she wanted to
have Mike's child. But was he incapable? The one time she brought it up he had looked
pained and avoided the subject. Maybe he worried that she wouldn’t marry him if
he was sterile? Well, that wasn't the case.

Marcy
wondered when Mike would ask her again to marry her again. Today perhaps? Yes,
today for sure. He told that he wanted to marry her all the time.

She
shook her head, a wry grin curling her lips. The annoying, determined man. He
pestered. He hounded. He nagged until he got his way.

I
find it hard to say no to him anyway,
Marcy mused, and a little shiver of remembered pleasure ran through her.

She
breathed out in a happy sigh. This time when he asked her to marry him, Marcy might
torment him a little, with pretended indecision. But then, without any doubts or
reservations, she would say yes.

Marcy
heard classical music, laughter, and a conversational buzz coming from André's
elegant dining room. She was the only waitress for eight people. It was
Saturday and most of André's staff had the day off. She worked with Gustave –
who was always there it seemed – and Pascal the Chef, and his wife, Anne.

André
was dressed even more formally than usual in a silk shirt and tailored
masculine suit. Hot damn that man sure knew clothes. Everything about him
screamed, "Super sexy, in control, guard your heart and cross your legs
girls! This guy is pure alpha male."

The
moment Marcy met André's eyes from across the room, she knew - that he knew.

Her
breath stopped as his gaze met hers. Had Mike told him that she had finally managed
to climax? How? When? Or was that amazing Frenchman just that observant?

Her
heart kicked and her mouth went dry. Oh, he definitely knew that she had
finally managed to orgasm alright. How did he communicate so much with just one
fleeting look? André's expression said, "Congratulations!" "Well
done!" and "I knew you could do it!" all rolled into one knowing
glance.

Marcy
responded without hesitation with a cheeky triumphant grin.

Standing
beside a client, clearly otherwise engaged, André gave her a slight, yet unquestionably
formal bow. His eyes were bright with respect and something else. Pride?
Admiration? His gaze locked with hers. For a moment he placed his hand on his
heart, signifying the depth of his emotion.

André
fully shared the pride and happiness of her achievement.

Her
joy was his joy. Her victory was also his.

Marcy's
chest tightened and her eyes stung unexpectedly. The way André made her feel, Marcy
couldn’t have been more proud of herself than if she had scaled Mt. Everest. No
wonder that shrewd Frenchman was so successful at his profession.

A
vibrating buzz tingled her thigh from the phone in her pocket. It was a welcome
distraction. When she was out of sight of the guests, she checked her messages.
The text was from Mike.
"I miss you,"
it said, warming her
heart.

Marcy
served crepes filled with fresh seafood as an entree. The creamy garlic and herb
sauce was finished under the grill with Gruyere cheese. It was to die for. The
menu went on with Cassoulet de Toulouse, which was some sort of slow cooked
casserole with white beans and duck.

A
Cougar Dom sat at the table beside her male sub that was probably twenty years
younger than her. Gazing at her with undisguised adoration, the young man had
clearly found everything he needed in the older woman. Well good for them,
Marcy thought. Men married women twenty years younger, why not the other way
around?

She
saw that Jennifer Whittington and her husband Charles were also dining. Their
intimate glances and constant touching gave proof of the success of their
counseling. They had that "just married" and very much in love look.

Marcy
walked into the kitchen bringing back empty plates in preparation for the
second course.

"
Non!"
Pascal said in a raised voice, followed by a string of French. This earsplitting
incomprehensible speech used to worry her. Now she knew better.

Another
loud burst of incomprehensible French met her ears as Anne, Pascal's wife, let her
husband have the back of her tongue. "Do not concern yourself,
Marcy," she said, nudging Pascal. "He is the imbecile when he
cooks."

"D'accord!
You are both true culinary artists." Marcy gave them a graceful curtsy.
"The Chef is never wrong, and neither is his wife. I'm honored to work
with you."

Anne
quickly translated this for Pascal who gave her a mid-torso half bow over his
stove, with a large approving smile. It hadn't taken long for Marcy to figure
out how best to get along with André's staff. They were all unique and
eccentric - or maybe they were just French?

Every
day she worked was an adventure. She felt like she was on vacation in another
country.

Her
cell phone vibrated again, and there were two messages. One from Katie,
"Can
I spend the night with my friends?"
and
"I have a surprise for
you,"
from Mike
.

She
texted back
"Sure, have fun,"
to Katie. She sent,
"I
miss you too, and look forward to my surprise,"
to Mike.

When
the meal finished, the company had moved into the living area for after-lunch
post-coffee brandy, cocktail or liquor. Marcy took orders, made drinks and
served.

"Jennifer,"
André said to Jennifer Whittington as she walked by. "May I introduce you
to Marcy Paget? Marcy, Jennifer. Jennifer, Marcy. Marcy is a valued member of
my staff. She watched the video of us together," he added, stunning Marcy into
an awkward speechlessness.

The
unexpected bombshell caused Jennifer to flinch ever so slightly. Well mannered,
the woman hid her chagrin and smiled, putting her hand out. Marcy took it in
hers. It was cool and dry.

"I
leave you both to chat," he said and strode off to talk to another guest.

Marcy
took a deep breath and jumped in. She had wanted to talk to Jennifer. That mind-reading
André must have known. "I'm glad he introduced us. I just wanted to tell
you that you've been an inspiration to me."

"Oh?"
Surprise lit her hazel eyes.

"Absolutely.
You were so brave to try something so different – so out of culturally accepted
norms. May I ask, were you satisfied with Mr. Chevalier's efforts?"

Jennifer's
laugh was lighthearted. "Oh my Lord, you did see the video didn't you? Can
you imagine not being satisfied?"

Marcy
giggled. Jennifer explained all the bottled up communication that she and her husband,
Charles hadn't spoken about. One wanted what one wanted. Where was the sin in
that? Kink had brought their sex life back to them both. Now they were having
fun in bed, and were happier than ever together.

"That
André," Jennifer said. "The things he does to push your comfort
levels! You watching that video, André making it, and then getting us together
to discuss it! Society as a whole would commit us all. But again, where's the
wrong?"

"Tell
me about it," Marcy said. "I've changed all my 'now I am supposed to'
ideas since I started working here. It's been cathartic." She shook her
head. "That video of you and André gave me a lot to think about."

"I'm
glad it did you some good, Marcy. It is as if the general public views sex one
way and André Chevalier sees the subject with liberal, more balanced and
carefree eyes. I know which view I think is sane."

Marcy
agreed. She talked about how she had never had an orgasm. After seeing Jennifer
be brave enough to slay her dragons, it had inspired Marcy to pursue her own
sexual goals. She confided that she had experienced her first orgasm just last
night.

"Oh,
good for you!" Jennifer toasted her success.

"It
was the honesty and intimacy in that video that I found so attractive,"
Marcy said. "The sex was off the charts, too, don’t get me wrong." She
raised her eyebrows and grinned. "But until recently I've never known that
kind of connection with another."

"For
me, too," Jennifer said. "Taboos give one so many valid reasons to be
false, to oneself and to everyone else, not to mention to a married
partner."

"It
seems difficult, but once you face the 'big secrets' and discuss them, they
just don't seem that big a deal," Marcy agreed.

The
two women sat down together and had a frank conversation, in a way that Marcy
had never done with any woman before. They discussed submission and Domination,
love, marriage, sex and children.

They
left firm friends, exchanging phone numbers. Jennifer introduced her to
Charles, and told her that they had a big house. If Marcy ever came to Boston, they
would love to have her, Katie and Mike stay. Marcy just knew that Mike would be
on board with that plan.

When
Marcy was about to leave to come home, she checked her phone. Mike had texted,
"I
can't wait until you get home."

She
sent off,
"I'm coming now."

He
instantly replied,
"No you aren't… but you will be."

She
snickered, but a flush of heat flared through her with those words. She hadn't
seen Mike for hours. How would it be when she saw him again? Would she feel embarrassed?
Shy? Nervous? She liked her relationship with Mike. Marcy didn’t want sex to
ruin what they had.

Marcy
took off her white apron, keeping her black uniform dress on. Well, she would
soon find out.

Her
stomach fluttered with the knowledge that he was only thirty minutes away. Her
breath quickened. Just the thought of Mike made her wet. H
eavy sexual heat pooled low in her lower belly when she imagined
his 'hello, I missed you' kiss.

And just what was her surprise?