Authors: Crystal Smith
Seducing Peaches (9 page)
The night went on. Tom never let Lois out of his sight from there on. They danced, laughed, and really talked to each other. They spoke more to each other tonight than they had the entire time they had known each other.
Tom spoke of how We Can Win was held every year and the money raised went to the American Cancer Society. Tom’s Dad had passed away unexpectedly from lung cancer. As Tom spoke of his dad, Lois could see the hurt in his eyes. The love that he had for his dad. That he still had.
Then as the evening went on, the subject of their conversation became less serious. From favorite movies, to music, to colors.
It was wonderful and made Lois relax. No thoughts of what was to come, what happened, the incident earlier in the evening. Just Tom and her.
Lois didn’t know if it was the champagne or her nerves, or just the evening in its entirety, but she was so hot, and lightheaded. “Let’s get you some air.” She didn’t argue with him as he led her outside. They walked out and immediately again Lois was impressed. The in ground pool they were standing by was absolutely the biggest she had ever seen.
“Do you swim?”
“Sometimes. Do you feel like a swim?”
“No, I don’t have my suit.” Lois looked up at him and his eyes had changed to fire. She opened her mouth but then closed it quickly and looked away.
“Peaches, can I ask you something?”
“I suppose so, as long as it doesn’t involve what I will or will not do for you?”
Oh shit, my mouth. Open wide and insert both feet.
“Well, now that I know you think about it, we can explore that later. Who was that guy tonight?” Lois had dreaded this part. Somehow she knew that at some point or another he was going to ask about it. She didn’t want to answer his questions but she felt like she should.
“Just a nobody.”
“Didn’t seem to be a nobody. Tell me. Do you owe him something?”
“No! I don’t owe him a damn thing.” Lois was pissed immediately. It took her a minute before she could say anything else. “He is just an ex that doesn’t deserve to be walking free that’s all.”
“What did he do?”
“I don’t want to talk about it Tom.” Her voice was docile.
“Peaches, you obviously need help when it comes to dealing with him. What did he do?” Tom lowered his voice.
“I said I don’t want to talk about, mention him again and you’ll go swimming.” Tom began smirking almost telling her yeah right, you wouldn’t dare and again she knew she was in trouble now.
“Swimming huh? I haven’t been in something wet since I met you.” Something inside her made her do it. With all the muscle in her body she shoved him, right into the pool. Too bad he had expected it and grabbed her arm at the last second.
When she came up and wiped the water from her eyes. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“Isn’t it obvious. I want you wet with me.” He slowly stalked toward her.
Oh. This is it. He’s going to make his move. Oh no, not yet. Look at me I’m a mess. I can’t do this yet. There are people around.
She splashed water playfully at him hoping he would stop. He didn’t.
“You started this Lois, now let me finish it. Take off your gown.” Lois stared into his eyes. She was stunned at his boldness. Everything began going black.
*****
“Lois, Lois, wake up. Talk to me.”
I hear you, but I can’t see you.
Then a blurred image. Lois blinked her eyes a few more times and there he was kneeling above her.
Lois looked around and people were staring at her. She was lying on the ground. Immediately she felt a weight on her chest constricting her air. She had to get out of there. Whispering to Tom she questioned him. “Tom, what is going on?”
“You don’t remember?”
“No, why am I wet?” He looked at her very concerned. “Mother, can you call Dr. Jamishy have him come at once.” He drew her into his arms and carried her into the house, up the spiral stairs. With a swift movement he opened a door and lay her down on a bed. “Stay here, don’t move. I’m serious Lois.” He walked away. She watched him rustle through the closet pulling out a t-shirt, then he came back to her.
“Tom, everything is going black again.” Suddenly Lois was nauseous and then she fainted again.
*****
“What’s wrong with her?” Lois could hear Tom’s voice. Almost in a panic.
“I don’t know Tom, you’re gonna have to give me a moment to look at her. If you can’t do that step out of the room. She’s breathing, her heart rate is normal. Give me a minute would you?”
“Ok, just do it.” His voice was stern, demanding, letting the good doc know he wanted answers and he wanted them now.
“Miss. Brown, can you hear me?” Lois began to stir as she felt the repeat of a soft tap to her cheek. The image in front of her was blurred. His voice was deep. It took several squints before she could see the man in front of her.
She took note, older man, grey hair, soft pale blue eyes, clean shaven, nice smile but the concern that was making this man squint his eyes together causing a small wrinkle above his nose was what had Lois’s mind going a mile a minute.
“Miss. Brown do you know where you are?”
“Yes, I’m at a dinner. What happened? Who are you?”
“I’m Dr. Jamishy. You had a spell of syncope or more commonly known as fainting. Lois, I need to ask you something. I need you to be honest with me.” Lois lay her head back, closed her eyes and nodded yes trying to still her head from what felt like she had just gotten off a merry go round. “Is there any chance you could be pregnant?”
“No I do believe that would require sex. And besides I can’t have children.”
“Ok, are you in pain, do you have diabetes, hypertension, heart conditions, have you ate today?”
“Um, No No, No, No and yes.”
He chuckled slightly and then continued. “Good. How much have you had to drink?”
“I don’t remember. I think maybe 2 or 3 glasses of champagne.”
“Have you ever fainted before tonight?”
“No, I don’t believe so.”
“Do you take any medications on a daily basis?”
“No, I don’t need to. I have never been sick with anything to require long time use of anything?”
“Ok. That’s good. No chronic health conditions. I would like to see you in my office in the morning. I want to run some labs. Just to be sure. Get plenty of rest tonight. And Ms. Brown, no more alcohol at least for tonight. That means not even a glass of wine or another champagne.” Lois watched him stand and looking at Tom both men left the room closing the door behind them.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Looking down Lois realized she was wearing nothing but a T-shirt covered by a sheet.
Where are my clothes and who???? Oh my god, why does this keep happening to me?
Grabbing the pillow she threw it over her head.
“Lois, what are you doing?” And the pillow was jerked from her hands.
“Where are my clothes?” Lois stared at him demanding her answer only at an attempt to hide her embarrassment.
“Well, your dress is over there, your bra is there, and your panties are here.” She watched him as he pointed around the room. It looked like they were taken off and just thrown about the room as if he was in a hurry.
“It’s not like I haven’t basically seen you before. And besides you were soak and wet Lois. Somebody had to get you dry and I sure and hell wasn’t going to ask for volunteers.”
“Thank You. For everything. I think I would like to go home now please.” Lois, embarrassed by the fact that he had stripped her clothes off, dressed her in a t-shirt, passed out apparently not once but twice.
“I think you should stay right there. You don’t need to be moving around.” As convincing as spending the night with Tom was, she wouldn’t in his mother’s house.
“I don’t want to stay here. I’d rather go home to my bed, my place, I’d be more comfortable there so I would get more rest there.” He looked at her for a minute and she watched as his face softened almost as he totally and completely understood what she was saying.
“Ok. Let’s go.”
“I need something else to wear. I can’t exactly walk out in front of everyone in your t-shirt.” He gazed over her.
“Yeah, I don’t suppose I want you to.” Letting out a sigh and walking to the dresser he pulled out some sweats. “These are probably gonna swallow you whole but it’s the best I can do for ya.” His voice was soft and apologetic.
“Do you mind giving me a moment alone?” His smile said it all. He didn’t want to but he would. He turned and walked out. After dressing, she grabbed her wet clothes and opened the door to her very own personal bodyguard.
“I’m ready.” They didn’t speak on the way back. She didn’t know what to say. When they turned the corner, emergency vehicles blocked the street.
Several fire trucks and fireman sprayed water. Lois held her breath unable to breath at the thought of it being her building. They rushed through the crowd, finally seeing it was indeed her building.
“Michelle!!!!!” She screamed out. Lois tried to get to the building but the police stopped her.
“You don’t understand my friend Michelle.” The cop grabbed her wrist pulling her back and into his chest wrapping his arms around her waist holding her there.
“It’s ok Ma’am, no one was inside.” The officer spoke, trying to either soothe her fears or stop the screaming in his ear as he held her from running to close. He let go of her when Tom took her shoulder, pulling her into him.
Her body trembled from the complete devastation of losing what she had worked so hard for. Her feeling of safety and security burned with her home.
“Lois! Lois! I was so scared. Do you think he did it? Do you?”
“Michelle, I’m ok, it’s ok.” As soon as Michelle began speaking, Lois pulled from Tom grabbing a hold of Michelle, hugging her as if she would never let go.
“It’s all gone. All of it. What happened?” Michelle cried gripping Lois even tighter.
“I don’t know.” But inside she knew it was Alex. She leaned down and whispered in Michelle’s ear, don’t say anything else please. Let it go, do it for me.” Lois was begging, pleading with her.
“Ok. What are we going to do now?”
“I don’t know Michelle, we’ll figure it out. Don’t we always?” It was more of a statement of reassurance than a question.
“Don’t worry about it.” Tom quickly jumped in. “I know this man who happens to be quite smitten with you and he just happens to be in the hotel business. I know he will more than likely insist on you both staying in one. He won’t take no for an answer.”
His hand on Lois’s shoulder, him so close to her, his words and the look in his eyes gave her comfort and also some confusion as to how he was able to comfort as she stood watching her blood, sweat, and tears dissipate in front of her.
When the streets were quiet again and only the three of them stood there, they stared at the building that was now black, broken windows, small swells of smoke still visible, it was undoubtedly a complete loss.
The ride to the hotel was quiet with not a word spoken. Lois stared out the window, occasionally wiping away a lonely escaped tear. The doorman met Tom with a key nodding only and then walking away. He held her hand until letting go to open the door. Lois looked around and immediately knew she was in the penthouse.
“Are you sure? Really, a plane Jane room would work.”
“No, stay as long as you like.” This is your home as long as you want it.” He gently kissed her cheek as he said goodbye leaving them to gather their thoughts, cry, scream, or any other emotion they felt the need to show.