The Prince Charming Hoax (21 page)

You have an amazing effect on me. I am crazy in love and wild with desire. I love and miss you so, L

To: Leah
Date: December 19

Subject: Re: Lonely & Missing you, Part 2

Imagine me there right now, and we are pleasuring each other with our mouths. You are squirming against my face and I feel the contractions of your orgasm on my tongue and taste the delicious taste of your sweet release dripping into my mouth and down my throat. I feel your soft lips around my hardness and hear your moans turn to shrieks. Now you are on top of me, pushing your beautiful bottom down over my erection, kissing me, and tasting so sexy with the juice of our desire. I love watching your exquisite body move up and down, seeing the fiery passion in your eyes, on your face. Then, in one perfect instant, we come together as I feel myself thrusting up in you to depths that seem impossible.

I will be unable to leave the room now for at least 20 minutes, lest I be accused of accessing pornographic Internet sites while alone in here. But, of course, nothing on the computer or in a magazine could ever come close to bringing me to the sexual heights that we reach. Yes, it will be a long two weeks of separation. I will call and write as often as I can, but be prepared for me to ravish you the moment we are together again. I will find a reason to go out later and call you. Doug

To: Doug
Date: December 19

Subject: Lonely & Missing you, Part 3

Ah, my dearest, there is no one else who can
“
do it
”
for me as you can. In every way, in every sense of the word, you complete me. You always understand, I never have to explain. You fill my being in all ways—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I know my physical desires for you are largely driven by the spiritual and emotional connection I feel to you—it
’
s a lot more than just hot sex.

Besides the incredible physical longing I have for you right now, I am closing my eyes and seeing myself lying next to you, being held and loved and caressed. You make me feel so good, so safe. You erase my fears. Your love surrounds me so completely that self-doubts fade and contentment reigns.

I miss having you near me, I really do. I try to be strong and realistic, but I cannot deny the ache inside that only you can ease. Your words help, as does every effort you make to connect with me. I loved our little fantasy this morning, and that you stole away from your family to call me. Sending you thousands of kisses, L

To: Leah
Date: December 20

Subject: Lonely & Missing you, Part 3

These kisses are nice, but not exactly what I have in mind. In order to get the ones I
’
m thinking about I need to get on the stick and get us together. I loved our fantasy, too, and I will make it happen just like we described. I
’
ve already sent an email to the board, setting up meeting in Miami right after the first of the year to coincide with some international art festival going on there, when many of our biggest shareholders will be present. The next step will be for me to figure out when I
’
ll be in NYC during January and get you up here for a stay at the corporate apartment or some hotel near my office. We
’
ll start the new year off with a month to remember, I promise. I
’
ll also try to arrange to have you travel with me during the month if you let me know when you can get away.

To: Doug
Date: December 20

Subject: A happy princess

You make me happy beyond belief today with this good news. I
’
ve attached a schedule of days I can travel to New York or with you on your business trips. The thought of our being together so much next month makes it possible for me to hold on during this terrible Doug-drought. The long silences when you
’
re unavailable are murderous and make me imagine the worst. So thank you, Sweetheart, for loving me so much that you create these opportunities for us to get together by phone and in person. I love you so much it consumes, me, L

To: Doug
Date: December 25

Subject: Good morning, Sweetheart

Merry Christmas! It is a fine and beautiful day in Florida and I hope you are experiencing a pleasant day, too. Yesterday late afternoon I went to the beach. It was a stormy and gray, but I needed to get out for a while, and I can enjoy the beach as much in the rain as when it
’
s sunny. At first I was amazed how empty it was—most of the stores were closed and I wondered if I missed a hurricane warning. Then I realized it was Christmas Eve. Oops. It was wet and nasty and I couldn
’
t stay too long, but I rather enjoyed it anyway. And I did get a great parking spot ;-)

I came home feeling a bit lonely and began re-reading some of our erotic emails, and it wasn
’
t too long before I had to take my vibrator to bed! But, while it may do a fair job of replacing you during these times apart, it falls short as far as dinner conversation, foreplay, and after-sex snuggling. So have no fear that you will be replaced!

One more week until we are together. (January 2 is my new favorite date now.) My thoughts are with you at all times, in all ways, until then. I long to see you and cannot wait to press against you and kiss you deeply with all the passion that consumes me. You are my prince, my love, the man of my dreams, and I adore you, L

To: Leah
Date: January 1
Subject: The New Year begins tomorrow

The best thing about today is that I know I will see you tomorrow. It was a gloomy New Year
’
s Eve here. I tried to keep a happy face until the children were sleeping, then I went to my office and drank myself into a stupor and passed out on the couch in there. Woke up this morning feeling like shit until I remembered that I escape this hell hole tomorrow.

Seeing the text message you sent last night at 12:01 was a comfort. I
’
m glad you had a pleasant evening with Roxie, Jonathan, and your other friends, although I admit to being jealous of anyone spending time with you when I can
’
t. I promise to be over my pity party by the time we are together in another 24 hours. Then my New Year begins. I love you, Doug

Leah sank back in the couch and closed her eyes, trying to calm the sensation of angst that had crept over her slowly as she read. It was like watching a horror movie—that uncomfortable feeling of knowing what will happen next and feeling anxiety for the unknowing, clueless heroine.

She took the binder of emails and placed it on the kitchen table to read while she ate dinner. She couldn
’
t shake her absorption with finding out what went wrong. As she cut the vegetables for her salad, she started to mentally review the events of January.

Doug
’
s visit to Miami was a fast and furious blur. They spent their entire time together in the hotel room screwing, eating, or napping. Leah had planned a night at the Miami City Ballet and dinner afterward on Lincoln Road, but a work emergency came up. Doug spent the dedicated evening on the phone, while Leah watched a stream of pay-per-view movies.

While Doug was out for meetings, Leah indulged herself at the hotel spa. She had little motivation to walk around Miami alone—she could do that anytime. She was tempted to call Jonathan and go to the art exhibits around town that were part of the international expo, but she knew she
’
d have to explain that she was staying with Doug and basically using him to pass the time while Doug was busy with business. She decided to avoid the confrontation she knew would ensue and stayed in the room alone to work on her book proposal.

A week after the Miami rendezvous, Leah was in a New York boutique hotel a block away from Doug
’
s office in One Penn Plaza. Although she was determined not to pass her time alone in the hotel room again and had far more incentive to shop or visit art galleries and museums in New York, inclement weather deterred her from going out. The initial thrill of staying in a luxury hotel with all the amenities began to wear thin, and she longed to feel useful and less like a high-price courtesan.

On the last evening of her five-day stay, Doug surprised her with tickets to a Broadway show and dinner at the latest trendy spot where reservations were impossible to get—unless you were a VIP. He arranged transportation to both destinations via limousine so she wouldn
’
t have to walk the few short blocks in the blustery winter winds.

Back in the room and in bed, Doug started to nuzzle her neck and reach up under her camisole. Leah nudged him away, but he persisted. After two or three unsuccessful advances, he sat up and turned on lamp on his night table.

“
What
’
s going on, Leah?

Leah propped herself up on one fluffy pillow and grabbed another to hug in front of her, as a shield.
“
This isn
’
t working, Doug. I can
’
t spend countless hours in hotel rooms, waiting for you not to be too busy to see me.
”

Doug
’
s eyes widened.
“
What are you talking about? You know what my days are like. That
’
s why I bought you the laptop—so you could write your book or something while I was working or in a meeting.
”

Leah
’
s head snapped back like he had hit her face.
“
It
’
s hard to write a book
or something
when I
’
m constantly being moved around to accommodate your schedule. I require some consistency in my schedule to establish creative flow.
”

“
Then go on a retreat. Why are you mad at me?
”

Leah felt tears welling up in her eyes and shook her head.
“
I don
’
t know. I guess because I feel like an afterthought, rather than your main concern. I come after your work, your wife, and your kids—and it
’
s not a good feeling.
”

Doug got out of bed and walked around to her side to sit down. He pulled her into his arms.
“
You are not my last thought. This is the reality of my life now, though. How can we make it better for you?
”

Leah let herself be comforted while she thought about what would make her feel better.
“
Well,
”
she sniffed,
“
it would help not to be staying in hotel rooms, waiting for you. It
’
s like I
’
ve put my whole life on hold—my work, my daughter, my home—everything
‘
waits
’
while I wait for you. I
’
m in total upheaval.
”

Doug stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head softly. He was quiet and Leah knew he was thinking, so she remained silent.

“
I
’
ve got an idea!
”
He pulled away to look into her eyes.
“
Why don
’
t you move to New York? You could have your own place and establish a life here. We could see each other far more often and you wouldn
’
t be stuck in a hotel—except perhaps occasionally when we travel together on my business trips. You
’
d be busy as you normally are and probably wouldn
’
t even notice when I get delayed.
”
He smiled at her.
“
Of course, we run the risk that you
’
ll be too busy to see me, but I
’
ll take that chance if it makes you happy,
”
he teased.

Leah brightened.
“
Move to New York? What a great idea! It will be like we have our own place. It will be ours, right? Of course, we
’
ll have to wait until after Ali graduates, but that gives me plenty of time to plan the move.
”

Leah didn
’
t leave any time between sentences for Doug to respond, although she thought she saw a shadow pass across his face when she said
“
our own place.
”
She let the thought leave her mind as quickly as the movement crossed his face.

She bounced up and down on the bed in her joy.
“
Oh, Doug, now I
’
m so excited. It will be starting the new life I
’
ve always promised myself I
’
d have when Ali grew up. Yes, thank you! You see, I do need you.
”