A Taste of Utopia (17 page)

“Okay.” I breathe.

His mouth is on mine the moment the word falls from my lips. He grips my hair and deepens the kiss. There is nothing erotic about it. It bruises and brands with desperation and demand.

I savor the hunger in which he consumes my mouth, my groans. I understand that his desire and need for me transcends the physical. I know it because it matches my own.

When we break our lips apart, we are both panting.

“We need to leave. Now. Or else we won’t be leaving anytime soon, and I want to show you around.”

He puts his clothes on as I find my panties and sandals under his desk.

He adjusts my dress. His hand finds mine, and he links our fingers. “Ready?”

“Yes,” I say, still breathless. Though I have to admit to myself, I would much rather we stayed and made love. Again. Maybe with my back pressed against the window.

With wanton ideas swirling in my mind, I regretfully follow him. We bid goodbye to the very handsome Fernando and head to the elevator.

IN THE HALLWAY,
a door from another office cracks open. Seth’s body tenses next to me. I glance toward the opened door. My mouth goes ajar.

Exiting the office is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. With a gait that is runway worthy, she strolls in the same general direction we do. A broad smile graces her perfect full lips. She must be the same height as Seth, with dark red hair draping over her plump breasts. Her bright blue eyes briefly fix on our clasped hands, a smile gleams on her face. Curiosity and something else I can’t identify cross her expression.

“Well, well, look who’s here,” she says. No, she purrs the words with a freaking sexy accent.

“Hey, Adriana,” Seth responds. And if I’m not mistaken there is an undercurrent of a warning in his voice.

“I see you’re feeling better.” She arches her perfect eyebrows. With her gaze locked on me, she adds, “Where are your manners, Querido? You’re not going to introduce us?”

“Yes, sure. Lottie, this is Adriana. Adriana, Lottie.”

It doesn’t escape me that he refrains from using surnames or titles. Like this is my wife, meet my ex or something. Because one thing is for sure, the way she looks at him tells me she has some kind of claim, past or present on him.

She offers her hand. “Pleased to meet you.” She flashes her perfect teeth at me. Jeez, the word perfect is becoming a redundant adjective in reference to her. I could be more creative and go down a list of synonymous, such as flawless, unrivaled, unequaled, superb . . . But why torture myself?

“The pleasure is all mine,” I say, shaking her hand. To my relief, my voice is steady.

“I’m off to lunch, would you two care to join me?” She pushes the elevator’s button.

“Actually, we have other plans,” Seth says.

The elevator arrives. “Please,” Seth says, motioning to the opened door.

“Oh, pity, pity. It would be great to catch up with you. And to eat in good company. I’ve had the most troublesome morning, trying to convince a client to settle for something lesser than I had originally promised.” She purses her lips, and her eyes are full of hidden meaning. It seems there’s an underlying conversation going on between the two. Or maybe I’m just jealous? The idea makes me cringe.

“Next time,” Seth says with a clipped voice.

We settle in an uncomfortable silence until a ding announces we’ve arrived on the main floor.

“Well, I’ll look forward to it,” she says.

She kisses both my cheeks. “Hope to see you soon, Querida.”

She kisses Seth’s cheeks. “Call me when you have a chance, Querido.”

“Sure,” he responds.

We part ways. I try my very best to refrain from asking about her but fail miserably. “Who’s that?”

“An old friend.” Seth ushers me out of the building.

“Oh.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “She’s beautiful.”

“Yes. Adriana is a beautiful woman,” he says with a flat tone that gives nothing away.

“She belongs on the runway,” I say.

“Yeah,” he says distractedly and abruptly changes the subject. “Let’s go, I have lots of places to show you.”

WE HAVE A
tour of the Wild West at Old Town and a romantic dinner at the Eiffel Town Restaurant.

The following day, we witness the sunrise during a hike surrounded by red rocks and marvel at a red sunset at the Stratosphere.

Throughout the week, we take long walks along the strip and enjoy late night gambling.

Like rabbits, we have sex all the time, and everywhere. During the day, we have sex in the car, in the restaurant’s bathroom, in the desert surrounding Vegas, only to surrender to languorous lovemaking at night.

The week passes blissfully.

We laugh, we share secrets, we map each other’s body, and we discover each other’s quirks.

All duly registered through the lenses of my camera, with Facebook’s share button properly avoided.

SETH KISSES MY
shoulder and asks, “What are you thinking about?”

I keep my eyes focused on the clouds beneath the airplane. We are on a flight to St. Lucia to meet my family for our annual vacation.

“So much and nothing. Do you ever feel that way?” I finally say, meeting his gaze.

“Hmm? Elaborate,” he asks.

“It’s been one week, yet, it feels we’ve lived a thousand lives together, known each other for a millennium.”

“True, we packed a lot in a week.”

“In a few hours, you’re going to meet my family. I’m a little reluctant. My dad is reserved, conservative. I’m not sure how he’s going to react when he meets you.”

“No worries. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t succumb to my charm and charisma.” He snuggles in the crook of my neck.

“Cocky much?” I say.

“Not that I should have to point out my skills, nor am I bragging.” He sprawls his hand on my tummy, under my shirt. His hand traces along my ribs, setting my skin on fire. “But take Chloe, for instance. Remember the day we met? It was hate at first sight. Look us now. She’s all but shouting to the four corners of the world how happy she is that we’ve found each other.”

“But that’s because you prepared and cooked a meal together and took those fantastic pictures for her Pinterest.”

“And because of my magnetic personality . . .” He looks around and his hand cups my breast under my shirt.

“And you spent two hours.” I hold up two fingers. “Two hours browsing her Pinterest and complimenting her on all her failed culinary attempts.”

“And because of my refined and gallant way with the ladies . . .” He pinches my nipple, and I have to focus really hard to continue the conversation.

“And because you and Zach autographed that exclusive picture from
His Secret,
” I say.

“And my undeniable charm . . .” His hand moves to the other nipple.

“And you were both bare-chested in the pic.” A little whimper leaves my mouth.

“And my distinguished character . . .” His lidded gaze fixates on my lips.

“And because you gave her a sneak peek at the new collection for
His Secret,
”

“And because of my beguiling persona . . .” He leans in and nips at my lower lip.

“And your pleasant disposition . . .”

“And my gentlemanly manners . . .” He plants kisses on my neck.

“And your suave moves . . .”

“And my honorable intentions with my lovely wife . . .” He pinches my nipple harder.

“How honorable?”

“Outstandingly honorable.”

“Does it include a membership to the mile high club?” I ask breathily.

“Maybe.”

“Hmm, that would be an utterly honorable and most admirable intention.”

“I’m glad we came to an agreement.”

“Hmm-hmm . . .”

Seth

THOUGH LOTTIE THINKS
it unnecessary, I rent a car for our ten-day stay. She argued that they own a car.

I don’t know her family and the last thing I want to do is come across as a freeloader. Besides, having our own vehicle will allow us to have escapades.

I link my fingers with hers. After I kiss her knuckles, I put her hand on my thigh. It’s a full hour drive until we reach their beach home.

“So what should I expect?” I ask, glancing at her. The tropical air sifting through the windows tousles her hair. God, she’s beautiful. Not the coveted Barbie doll beauty. No, everything about her surpasses that. She has perfect and generous curves. A wonderland that I can get lost in and never find my way back to reality. But her most alluring feature is her eyes. They are smart in a non-presumptuous way.

“Mom is very warm, and you two will hit it off immediately, I’m sure.” She bites the inside of her cheeks before proceeding. “It might take a couple days for Dad to warm up to you. But once he knows you, he can be quite pleasant. Especially if you like Cuban cigars.”

I hate cigars. “Good to know,” I respond.

“The best part of this trip is my grandparents. Granny is ninety-one. Grandpa is ninety. But you would think they’re still teenagers. They’re my mom’s parents. You’re going to love them.”

“What about your brother? Is he the typical overprotective type? Should I be worried?”

“Oh, that’s the bummer part of this trip. His wife’s pregnancy is high risk. She has complicated pregnancies. They won’t make it. But Mom brought their son. He is the cutest thing in the world; I can’t wait to see him,” she says with a distinct gleam in her eyes.

“Are you one of those super aunts?”

“No, not really.” She shrugs repressing a proud smile.

“With that look on your face I find it hard to believe.”

“Well, just wait until you meet him. He’s the sweetest boy in the entire world. You can’t help it but fall in love. Head over hills.”

“Thought so,” I say with laughter.

For the remainder of the ride, she continues to fill me in on her family and the usual programs that are pre-planned. They don’t deviate from their schedule. Which is fine, since it’s my first time. But boy, do they repeat the same activities year after year?

Finally, we arrive. Contrary to what I expected, the waterfront house is modern-style. A Jeep occupies the parking space in front of the garage, so I park on the road.

When I sprint around the car to open the door, an older man beats me to it.

“Finally. I was about to revise my will,” the man says, pulling Lottie out of the car. “What took you so long?”

“Grandpa,” Lottie says, launching herself at him. Her arms fly around his neck. “I missed you.”

“Let me look at you.” He hugs her tight and then holds her at arm’s length. “All grown up. A married woman, I hear. Although I was informed by a third party. ” His voice is warm but carries a hint of reproach.

“Yeah, it was a spur of the moment thing. You know me, Pop, Miss Spontaneous,” she says, scrunching up her nose. “Sorry,” she adds, looking down.

“You are forgiven. But let me meet your young fellow.” He turns to me. Uh-oh.

“So, you’re the one to steal the precious heart of my only granddaughter.” His gray eyes examine without reservation and sparkle with humor.

“Seth, meet my grandpa, Benjamin Berger.” The timbre of Lottie’s voice denotes pride and love.