Lovers and Reprisals (Lovers Series) (28 page)

Lucien practically choked when he said...

“Intended?”  He remembered the word from his research.  Intended was a person chosen for marriage.  His body revolted, because Marisela definitely wasn’t his choice.

Lucien shifted in his seat to face her.  His eyes held a serious expression when he said...

“Ona...I don’t have an intended...and I am not engaged to be married.”  He painted a finer brush over his point. 

“That other woman is a friend to my sister.  Our families are good friends.”

He didn’t say anything further mainly because her brow had been raised, and he watched as it lowered, leveling out.  As he’d stared at her, he still couldn’t get over how amazedly beautiful she was.  And she didn’t have on a lick of makeup.

Ona said...

“Last night when we spoke about the new building, you said that it wasn’t far from the warehouse.  I only asked because I don’t want this change to inconvenience the children.”

“It isn’t far from your current location.  Actually, when we purchased it, the plan was to demolish the building.  Currently, we have three architectural renderings for a series of projects, ranging from housing, office space and retail space.”

“Have you decided?”

Yes, he had decided; but the project would have to wait.  Lucien smiled, then he said...

“I’ll tell you after you see the space for yourself.”

Ona shyly smiled, and she sat quiet for the remainder of the ride.  The limo turned off on a street that she recognized and it wasn’t too far from the Conclave Square.  Her heart beat fast, because until now, she had not considered what would happen if a member of her Sect noticed her getting out of a limo with a man.  She told herself, that being with Lucien was necessary for her project, and therefore her behavior didn’t violate any part of her Creed.  But she’d been raised to observe a certain set of standards; and this wasn’t one of them.

When the limo came to a stop, Lucien stepped out first.  He offered her his hand, to assist her, and when she stood on the street, her jaw fell slack.  They were standing in front of a building that had once been a grand place. 

Lucien noticed her expression, then he said...

“Wait until you see the inside of this place.”

He placed a gentle hand at the base of her back, then he said...

“Let’s go inside.”

When he opened the door, they stepped inside, and they were greeted by one of his employees.

“I’ve got everything ready for you.  Lights--air conditioning--heat; whatever you need.  The place is good to go.”

“Thanks Mike.”  Lucien said, then they walked passed the man.  Ona had never gone to the Movies and she’d never been inside of a theater, so it made perfect sense that she would be awed out of her s
ocks.  As they walked, passing ornate door frames, with delicate designs carved in the wood; at every turn, something unique and unexpected caught her eye.  Swirling patterns, on every imaginable surface, baffled her imagination.  Overhead, large draping chandeliers lit the lobby area like stars glistening in the night sky.  Ona said...

“What was this place?”

He laughed, then he said...

“An opera house--then a movie theater.  In the late sixties and early seventies, for a short time it showcased burlesque dancers--striptease.”  he clarified, then he added...

“After that, the city cleaned up its act, and the place sat empty.  Someone bought it back in the nineties and tried their hand at debuting off-Broadway shows, but due to poor management, and bad financing, they closed after the first year.  That’s when my family bought the place.”

“And what have you done with it?”

“A lot.  Party planners love this place.  It’s great for masquerade parties, theme parties...you know; that sort of thing.”

No--she didn’t know, but she nodded, pretending that she did.  Her mind latched hold to something he’d said.  “Party planners love this place”; that would mean, that they pay a great deal to use it. 

Ona said...

“Mr. Delors...”

He stopped her saying...

“I thought we resolved the use of our first names months ago.”

She smiled, then she corrected herself.

“Lucien...I cannot begin to imagine the cost to rent this place.  You know that if you submit this buildings address to the Conclave--there will be questions.”

“Let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.  For now--imagine yourself and those kids in here.  Can’t you see it Ona--a real stage for them to sing, or play their instruments.  And if you wanted to, you could use the auditorium to put on a play or let the kids have recitals.”

Her eyes went wide, because she had not considered that.  So many of the children had made great strides, learning how to play the instruments.  Sahara would love being in control over that. 

Ona felt Lucien guiding her forward.  He said...

“Ona...we can make this work.  Just tell me what needs to be done and I’ll do it.  I want you to have this space to use for however long you want to use it.”

“But...”

She wanted to protest but he interrupted her, when he said...

“No but’s Ona.  This place is yours.  So you might as well accept it.”

They were standing backstage, and the view from that vantage point was magnificent.  How had this happened?  How had she been so lucky?  When she turned to face him, the answer danced in her head.  Lucien Delors; thanks to him, her project had not fallen apart.

He slanted his head at an angle, and his admiration mushroomed when he noticed her black band; a symbol of her innocence.  She was single but he recalled the Samaritan man named Geff.  He wondered what was said when she returned his band.  He didn’t have to be a fly on the wall to come to certain conclusions.  Since the return of Geff’s band, Ona still wore the band that symbolized her unweddedness. 

Lucien’s lips parted spreading into a lovely smile, and she fought the urge to swoon.  He’d been staring at her hand for a few seconds, but the passaged of time felt like an eternity and when her world rocked; she didn’t know if she’d recover from the shock.

Lucien mindlessly took a leapt of faith.  His hand hovered inches above hers, giving her the chance to move or avoid what was about to happen next.  He lowered his hand, until their hands lay one on top of the other. 

Lucien released a tight breath, relieved that she didn’t pull away.  He said...

“Let’s go back to my place.  We can continue this conversation there.”

Ona didn’t look away, but he detected a note of wavering.  She was mulling over a thought, then he reeled in his desires.  On the whole, he was getting what he wanted, and he couldn’t expect her to ignore a lifetime of norms.  He lowered his eyes, checking the time.  They still had one hour before the last ferry left the dock. 

Lucien said...

“Look...use the weekend to think about this.  You can walk me through the Conclave process another day.  I don’t want to be pushy.”
“You aren’t being pushy.”

Her voice squeaked because he’d begun a slow stroke of her fingers and she wasn’t sure if even he realized what he was doing.  They stood silent, and being there was a history making moment.  Not just because and agreement had been made; their presence meant so much more.  Beneath wires and curtain cables, this is the place were an unspoken understanding had been bridged.  As they left the building, they each knew that being there had been the beginning of something.  The start of something beyond either of them.

Lucien tried not to overstep his mark, but her serene presence eclipsed his sense of right and wrong.  The back seat in his limo was spacious and no part of their bodies needed to touch; and that wouldn’t do.  Lucien moved close enough for their thighs to touch.  Ona had been contemplating her thoughts while staring out the window, and she didn’t hear his movements.  Like the knocker that rings the bell; two things happened all at once.  His touch and the sound of his voice.  Ona jumped, but his hand lay on her leg, to steady her. 

There was no delay nor a pause when he said...

“Ona...I don’t mean to be forward and I’m not sure what the protocol is in this situation but, just hear me out and if I offend you while trying to be open and honest--Well, I’m asking for your forgiveness in advance.”

Ona’s voice was a whisper when she said...

“Okay.”

Lucien cleared his throat.

“I don’t know exactly where to begin because, for a long while now, I’ve taken an interest in you.  Not as a friend or a partner involved in a charity.  I think about you, all the time.  I think of ways to see you and I worry that maybe you won’t want to see me because I am not a member of your Sect.”

His hand still lay on her leg, and she placed her hand near the tip of his fingers.  Her body went rigid when she sternly said...

“I’m always happy to see you.  I look forward to your visits.”

He smiled when he said...

“Good.  I’m glad to hear that.  I say that because--Ona, I would like to see more of you.   And believe me...I know this won’t be easy but I feel that there is something between us worth the exploration.”

She couldn’t believe that these words were coming from her mouth.

“I agree.”  But she’d said the remark because it was true.  There was more than something between them and she’d felt this wonderful feeling for a long time.

“Ona...I’d like to invite you out for a meal.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner--you choose.  And I want this meal to be separate from the Conclave business that we still need to conduct.  I want to keep those two things separate.”

He wanted her to fully understand his intentions because he didn’t want any confusion on either of their parts. 

Ona looked out the window, and for the first time, she noticed that the car wasn’t moving.  It had stopped because they had reached the dock.  She could see the people arriving, and orderly forming a line.  She shifted in her seat, and when she looked at Lucien, she couldn’t think of a word to describe him.  He was studying her, waiting for a response.  She needed time to think because the only words that came to mind were bible verses and writings from her Creed that disallowed romantic entanglements with Non-Samaritans.  Lucien was asking for something that was impossible but she couldn’t manage saying words that would reject him.  No part of her body wanted to spurn his advances

Ona spoke low when she said...

“I should go.  There are people from my Sect outside.”

“Ona...we can drive down the block, and you can get out there.”

That sounded like a reasonable idea but some part of her brain didn’t like the idea of lying.  She’d deceived her brothers, by not telling them about Lucien or this meeting.  Now this was her chance to come clean, by allowing members of her Sect to see her. 

“No...that won’t be necessary.”
“I don’t mind Ona.  Like I said...  I know what I am asking for won’t be easy but...”

“That isn’t the reason that I suggested leaving.  I--I just don’t know what to say.”
His gaze went right through her when he said...

“Tell me that I’m wrong.  Tell me that you don’t feel the same.  Say that you don’t have any feelings for me.”

“I can’t say that.”  Her voice was lower when she said...”I won’t lie”

Lucien lifted his hand, and when he touched her face, Ona felt as if her heart would stop.  Her body was gripped by an emotion that went beyond any physical experience.  Her breaths were rapid and shallow, and she could barely breathe.  Lucien leaned forward and he pressed his lips on her forehead.  Their bodies exchanged a warmth that swelled, turning hot and enticing.  He stayed there, and when he spoke, his warm minty breath made her draw nearer.

“Ona...”  he sang her name, and a thousand violins strummed a melodious tune in her head.  What kind of enchantment was this, she wondered.  Her body rang with a brilliance unlike any other experience. 

“Call me.”  He said and when he drew back, her body wobbled forward, desperately wanting the closeness again.  His finger traced a line down her face, then he said...

“You’d better get going.  I see the boat coming.”

She didn’t turn to look because she didn’t care and she didn’t know how she felt about that.  Earlier today, when Rachel had talked about Caleb and her attraction to him; Ona had wanted to tell her that to remain a part of her Sect, Caleb had to marry a Samaritan woman.  She still didn’t know why he hadn’t and as for Noah; his marriage was a foregone conclusion.  He had his eyes set on a young woman belonging to the Virginia Sect.  When she’d spoke to Rachel, Ona’s thoughts had been selfish ones, because she didn’t want her brother to leave the Sect; and if he married Rachel, that’s exactly what he would have to do.  Now, here she was, talking to Lucien, and preparing to plot and scheme to see him; and to what end?  Would they see each other until her project ended at the end of the year, or would they see each other until her parents returned?  She didn’t know because she didn’t have all the answers but she did know one thing; her heart ached when Lucien would leave and she thought about him as much as he thought about her.  And when she’d seen his sisters friend, her brain had filled with jealous thoughts.  She pulled away from him, placing her hand on the doorknob, and she chose not to look at him.  She said a mental prayer, then she asked for God’s forgiveness when she said...