Truth (40 page)

Claire gazed through her
lashes, “No. I said thank you, I think.
This
is what I want.”

With only a moment’s hesitation, he took her
hand and led her toward the bedroom. Her insecurities faded with
each step. When they reached the threshold, Harry stopped and
asked, “Are you letting me in, or pushing him out?”

Claire’s smile faded as she contemplated the
question she wished he’d never asked. Feeling the warmth of the
hand that encased hers, she replied honestly, “At the risk of
losing you to the sofa, I don’t know.”

He reached down and scooped Claire into his
arms. She giggled in surprise as her feet left the ground. “At the
risk of sounding like a man, at this moment I don’t give a damn. I
just want to be sure you know what you’re doing.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and
spoke with purposeful breaths into his ear. “I promise I know
exactly what I’m doing. It’s you and your actions I’m uncertain
about,” she nuzzled his neck, “and the anticipation is driving me
crazy.”

His blue eyes twinkled, “Ms. Nichols, crazy
is just the way I like you.” He laid Claire upon the king sized bed
and watched as her long chestnut hair fanned behind her lovely
face, highlighting the intense shimmer of her emerald eyes. After
kissing her sweet lips he expressed his true observation, “You are
so beautiful!”

Claire felt her cheeks blush as she lifted
her head to watch Harry pull his shirt over his head. She’d seen
his bare chest before, usually when they’d worked out together.
Tonight she stared, thinking it looked wider than she’d remembered.
The sight of it heaving with each breath, took her breath away.
Happily, she replied, “I must say, I like my view, too.” Her smile
flowed from her lips, to her cheeks, and settled in her glittering
green eyes.

When he started to unbuckle his belt, Claire
sat up and asked, “May I?” Harry nodded and watched as Claire
reached for the buckle.

She was a divorced twenty-nine year old
woman, not a teenager. There was no need to portray false purity.
Harry knew her past. As she unzipped his slacks and his boxer
shorts tented in expectation, it was obvious he wasn’t deterred by
her boldness.

Standing in only his boxers, Harry reached
for Claire’s hands and helped her stand. With their chests once
again touching he whispered, “My turn.”

First uncertain, she then nodded,
understanding his meaning. Slowly he bent down and secured the hem
of her silk gown. With painstaking patience he eased the soft
fabric over her hips, torso, and breasts. Only the gasp that
escaped his lips, as he uncovered her supple firm body, could be
heard until he spoke with the raspy tenor of desire, “Lift your
arms.” She acquiesced, and he eased the gown over her head,
dropping it to the floor in a puddle of silk.

Harry’s smile made her feel sexy, as she
stood before him wearing only a small white pair of lacy panties.
His eyes never left hers as he stepped toward her. Though his words
directed her movements, his tone spoke with desire, “Lie down.”

She stepped back, their eyes locked with
need and gratification. Feeling the bed against her legs, she did
as he bid. He gracefully followed her onto the soft mattress. His
soft blue eyes danced with yearning. The emerald – blue contact
ended as Claire’s eyes closed, in response to Harry’s caresses.
Next, his lips contacted her soft exposed skin eliciting moans from
deep inside of her. His kisses began at her cheeks, moved to her
neck, shoulder, and down to her breasts.

Claire’s breathing labored at the feel of
his fingers massaging the small white lace triangle and his tongue
tantalizing her hard nipples. Her back arched toward his touch and
fingers twisted his blonde hair. She pushed his shadowed stubbly
chin against her throbbing breasts. The sensation overwhelmed her
deprived senses. She craved more.

She kissed his head, tasted his shampoo, and
inhaled his after shave. It’d been so long. Claire knew what she
wanted and the sexual assault upon her electrified nerves made her
patience dissolve. She wanted him -- now.

Harry didn’t show the same urgency,
patiently caressing, feeling and kneading her most sensitive areas.
Though she pleaded for more, he continued his reverent worship.
Between kisses he showered her with adoration and compliments,
“You’re amazing.” “Your skin is so soft.” “I want you so much.” The
longer he denied her, the more intense her desire. Never had a
first time been so intense. Never had Claire been made to feel so
adored.

Her body tensed when Harry asked if she was
on the pill. It hadn’t occurred to her. The birth control insert
that she had implanted long ago had passed its expiration.
Thankfully, Harry was prepared. She didn’t question why he carried
a condom. At the moment her only reaction was relief. When they
finally united, they were both hot with carnal longing.

Her dreams seemed real and exciting. But
reality was magic. The undercurrent pulled her into Harry’s rhythm
as her body moved in sync with his. In time the current became a
wave. Starting at her toes and moving north until it titillated the
hairs of her scalp. She reached for his shoulders, arched her back,
and unknowingly uttered a deep primal moan. The tidal wave took
them all the way to a deserted exotic shore where he spoke the same
primitive language.

Once the aftershocks calmed, she collapsed
against Harry’s chest. It seemed almost incomprehensible to Claire,
that after such a stressful evening she could feel so relaxed and
content. Her eyes closed as the sound of his heart lulled her
tranquil body toward sleep. Encircling her shoulder he squeezed,
momentarily waking her. She buried her face into his soft chest
hairs and murmured, “I don’t know what this means for the future.”
Enjoying his embrace, she added, “I really don’t know what I want
this to mean. I’m not looking for forever, but thank you for
tonight.”

He wrapped both arms around her, securing
her gently to his chest. His voice made his chest vibrate against
her cheek. “I don’t know about the future either.” He kissed her
hair. “However, I don’t think I can look at you the same way in
Amber’s kitchen wearing those shorts you wear.” Claire lifted her
eyes, sighing at his shy smile as he continued, “I mean, now that I
know exactly what’s under the shorts and t-shirt.”

Claire shook her head, “Oh my, I hadn’t
thought of that.” She let her hand trail over his pectoral muscles
and down toward his waist. “I might just need to blush myself,
knowing what’s hidden by those delicious ripped jeans you like to
wear.”

“
Delicious?”

“
Hmm – mm,” she murmured,
hearing his laugh.

Stroking her hair, his
voice became more serious. “Honestly, I’m not looking for forever,
either. But if we’re giving out thank yous,
you
should be on the receiving
end.”

“
I think I
was.”

He chuckled, and went on, “I confess, I’ve
been thinking about this since you bought your first cell
phone.”

Claire lifted her head. This new position
gave her visual access to his soft blue eyes. “What? My cellphone,
why?”

Harry grinned, remembering the scene. “I
didn’t know your story or even much about you. It just struck me as
odd – you were so excited about a phone. I mean everyone has
phones. Yet, you were almost giddy. I remember you looked like a
kid at Christmas. At that moment, I fell head over heels for your
excitement, enthusiasm, and innocence.”

Claire lowered her head to his chest,
“Harry, don’t be deluded. I’m hardly innocent.”

He lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “I’m
not deluding myself. Innocence refers to lack of guilt and
pretense. While often reserved, you fit that description. You’re
also very honest and naively trusting.” He rubbed his thumb over
her chin and stared into her clouding eyes. “Those, too, are
admirable qualities. Besides, I think you’ve given me a pretty
complete bio. You deserve the same.” Claire tried to subdue a yawn,
it was almost dawn, “And I’ll give it, another time. Right now, let
me enjoy the moment.”

Claire nodded as she nestled her head once
again upon his chest. “I’m rather enjoying it myself.” His arm
tightened around her soft bare shoulder. For the first time in
weeks, she fell into a sound dreamless sleep.

Of all the animals, man is
the only one that is cruel.
He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing
it.
- Mark Twain

Chapter
25

Summer 1985...

Despite the rising outdoor temperature and
humidity, the mansion remained cool, too cool. Marie longed for a
momentary reprieve. Emotions were running too high. Sighing, she
settled onto one of the comfortable lounge chairs Nathaniel had
ordered to Sharron’s balcony and accepted the sun’s warmth on her
upturned face. A slight breeze tempered the June rays, as Marie
inhaled the fresh country air. Sitting barefooted in a pair of
shorts, she stretched her long legs out before her, and attempted
to read. Despite the lovely afternoon, concentration was difficult.
After all, the doctor was completing his most recent examination of
Sharron on one of his now daily trips to the estate. Since he
usually had one or two nurses for assistance, Marie found it better
to allow them their space. When he was done, he’d sit down with
Marie and Ms. Amanda and give his daily report. Of course, if
Nathaniel or Mr. Samuel were home, they too would be included in
the conference. Although, Marie knew Samuel and Amanda didn’t
approve of her presence, she appreciated they’d momentarily quelled
their objections.

Ms. Sharron continually outlived every
prediction made by the physician. But, as Marie listened to the
monitors and witnessed her expressions, she knew Ms. Sharron was
ready to go. The beautiful, elderly, frail woman believed in a
higher being, a merciful God and a heavenly paradise. After
spending over two years at the woman’s side, Marie believed Sharron
refused passage due to an unseen binding, bound to this earth by
the chains of love. The afterworld, full of beauty and peace, was
waiting. She just needed to let herself go.

Some would call it cruel, but after careful
consideration, Marie and Nathaniel decided to be honest with her.
Although her eyes hadn’t registered any recollection in months and
her mouth no longer spoke, there were times when holding her hand
she’d momentarily squeeze theirs, in return. The physician
explained this as mere muscle contractions. He reasoned emotional
humans try to read meaning into scientific phenomenons, where in
fact, there was none. Marie didn’t care about his explanation. She
believed there were times, Sharron could hear, understand, and
communicate any way possible.

They’d discussed their speech many times.
These discussions occurred alone in Marie’s suite --usually in her
bed. If Sharron wouldn’t leave this world because of her bond to
Nathaniel, he needed to tell her to go. Not as he would dismiss a
servant or an employee, but with love and understanding. He needed
to explain, he wanted her suffering to stop, and he would survive.
He would live again. And this was the part they debated -- he was
living again. Not only living, he was loving.

They both hoped the knowledge of Nathaniel’s
new life and new love would allow Sharron the peace to cross over.
She could go where her body once again worked, where she could
smile, sing and most importantly where pain, physical and
emotional, ceased to exist.

The opportunity came only two nights ago,
sometime after midnight. They’d been sitting in the plush high
backed chairs, talking about something from Nathaniel’s work when
Marie noticed Sharron’s eyes flutter and her hands open and close.
Silently, Marie approached the far side of Ms. Sharron’s bed;
Nathaniel did the same on the near side. Without speaking, they
created a circle. Marie remembered the warmth and strength coming
from Nathaniel. It was such a stark contrast to the cool fragility
of Sharron.

It was one of those instances in your life
where time ceases to exist. When Marie’s gaze went from Sharron’s
uncharacteristically clear and knowing eyes, to the dark intense
stare of Nathaniel, she felt her heart break and swell. Was that
how it happened? Similar to a turtle’s shell, it shatters before it
can grow. The pain that no medicine could treat produced tears
which unapologetically streamed from Marie’s eyes. However, it
wasn’t until she saw the same moisture escape from the dark eyes of
the man she loved, that she felt the impending sobs within her
chest, threatening the loving silence which filled the room.

Marie knew it wasn’t her place to speak. Oh,
she didn’t have a problem directing Nathaniel while alone, but this
was his speech. He needed to proceed at his own pace. It may be the
only time she ever heard his voice crack, but she did. It was a
gift few others receive, a forbidden view into his heart and
soul.

“
Sharron, it’s all right.
I want you to let me go.” He continually exhaled, at a seemingly
disproportionate rate to the breaths he took in. Finally, he
continued, “I love you. I will always love you. And I know you love
me. But you need to move on, for you, for all of us. Samuel and
Amanda will be all right. Anton will be fine,” more exhaling and
inhaling, “and we will miss you, but we will survive.”

Sharron squeezed both of the hands that held
hers. Her eyes appeared to flit from one face to the other. Did she
know? Was she giving her blessing? They’d never know for sure, but
they could believe. Nathaniel’s voice gained strength, “I will
never forget you, but I’ve found solace. Marie came into my life
for you, but she’s helped me, too.” More breathing, “We’ve found
comfort in one another.”