Adirondack Audacity (25 page)

“Well, well, well
. Looky, what we have here, Joe.” A
sneering voice followed by a blinding beam of light
comes from below the lifeguard station. Vic mumbles an
oath as he sits up shielding his eyes from the light.

“Looks like a pair of lovers got lost on the beach.
That’s what it looks like to me,” answers a man hidden in
the dark. The figures of two men come into view as the
one holding the flashlight explores the lifeguard tower.

Don’t you?”
“Dressed real fancy.”
“Pretty lady, look at those boobs sticking out of her

Vic growls a warning.
“Gentlemen, I think we’re
capable of finding our way home without your
assistance.” He moves putting himself between me and
the men on the beach. “I suggest you move along.”

“Not until we help ourselves to your wallet
and the
lady’s purse.” A slightly built man who appears to be
Asian chortles in the pale moonlight. He pulls a knife out
of his pocket, a press of a button and out flashes a
switchblade. The knife gleams in the meager moonlight.

I stifle a scream clutchi
ng Vic’s jacket. I feel his body
tense under my grasp. He eases himself over to the edge
of the tower, poised to launch in my defense.

“Listen to the smart lady, buddy
, and no one will get
hurt.” The man with the knife warns. “Toss down your
wallet and the purse.”

“Gentlemen,
there is a small fortune lying at your
feet.” Stalling for time, Vic points to my shoes tossed in
the sand. “Those fancy shoes are probably worth $500
bucks.”

“Absolutely not!” I protest. “Those are not my shoes
;
they have to be returned to the costume department
tomorrow. Lani could lose her job!”

“But they have to be the same ones
,” I hiss in an
admonitory voice.
“Shhhh,” he cautions me. “No shoes are worth
getting killed over.” Spoken like a man I fume, sometimes
they don’t appreciate the finer things in life…like pretty
shoes. I watch in regret as the stocky man bends over
picking up the stilettos.
“Why aren’t these pretty little bling-bling slippers.”
He holds a shoe up, glittering in the moonlight. Just as I
feel Vic tense to hurl himself at the one holding the
switchblade from behind the lifeguard tower comes a
voice edged in steel, “I would leave those pretty little
shoes just where you found them, my friends.”
“What the hell?” says the smaller man, and swings his
flashlight in the direction of the voice. Standing there in
all of his six foot three, muscle bound, flaming russet
hair, Celtic warrior glory was…..Ike, holding a hand gun
pointed at the two vandals. I choke back a sob of relief.
As strong as Vic may appear, there were two of them and
only one of us; because you can count on me to be
worthless. Hand to hand combat, not high on my list of
talents, I’ve been reduced to tears by a broken nail.
“These good folks are friends of mine.” Ike gestures
down the beach with the gun. “I think the two of you had
better high tail it out of here. I would hate to hurt
anyone, dark beach, no witnesses. Who’s to know? Two
drifters left for dead.”
He holds the gun up slightly higher and tenses as if to
take aim. “It would be such a shame, probably not worth
an investigation, especially with your past criminal
records. I presume you boys have a rap sheet a mile long.
Am I right?”
“Okay, okay, we’re going, ease up on the gun,
mister.”
“Not until the two of you scum bags are out of my
sight. Now run before I change my mind and start
shooting.”
With the threat echoing in their ears, the two men
start running down the beach, one trips falling down in
the sand. Ike shines a flashlight on their retreating backs.
“Good riddance, you trash.”
While his eyes are trained on the beach to pick up any
suspicious movement, Ike calls out to Vic, “Hey buddy, I
suggest you and the little lady get off this beach before we
have any more friendly visits. Why don’t you head up to
the boardwalk, there is a restaurant where you can wait
while I go back and get the car.”
“Thank God, you were following us, Ike.” Vic jumps
down from the lifeguard tower and lifts me onto the
sand. “I owe you one, man. It has been a long time since
I’ve done any street fighting.”
Ike chuckles, “The day I start cashing in your debt, I
can retire on a private island with a harem of woman.”
“In your dreams, Vic retorts.
“Yeah, probably more like a nightmare, all them
women squabbling over me, give a guy a headache.” He
sheathes the gun in a holster strapped to his back. “Are
you all right?”
“I’m fine.” Vic nods. “Elle, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, my knees still shaking. “But a cup of
coffee, a glass of wine, food, lights, people…safety,
would be very welcome right about now.” I reach down
to pick up my Manolo Bandiks from the sand. “My
Manolos,” I wail in disbelief, holding up one silver shoe
twinkling in the moonlight. “He took my shoe. That
rotten bum stole my shoe! What in the world is he going
to do with one shoe? That’s just spiteful!”
“Sorry, sweetheart, we’ll get you a new pair.” Vic says,
tugging at my hand trying to move me down the beach.
“But we need to get out of here, before they decide to
come back for the other one.”
Ike scrutinizes the lonely strip of beach. “I’ll walk
along with you to the boardwalk;; it’s about a half mile
back. Just to make sure there are no more surprise
visitors then I’ll double back and get the car.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” Vic claps Ike on the
shoulder. Under the light of the moon a silent language
of friendship passes between them, a kinship closer than
most brothers.
…
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean is The Blue Mer, an
upscale restaurant, specializing in sea air and overpriced
cuisine. Being late, the usual sunset crowd has thinned,
leaving Vic and I the privacy of a dimly lit corner booth.
The waiter barely raises his eyebrows at our request for a
pepperoni pizza and beer. Not the usual fare in this
swanky bistro, but reminds us of summer nights in the
Adirondacks, where Mac bribed the local pizzeria into
delivering pizza and beer to camp. The food arrives,
tasting wonderful, warm and rich with a hint of heat from
the spicy pepperoni. The cold beer and pizza satisfy one
craving, but another craving is not satisfied with food….
Desire tingles though my body, all the tension of the
day seeking a channel, straining against him, wanting
more. A hunger held in check, the longing, the
lust……the electricity, if visible, would be an intense red
haze around and between us, mounting into sweet, sweet
desire.
“Elle, we need to leave. We’re starting to attract
attention, and the paparazzi are soon to follow.” Vic says
as his teeth catch the tender lobe of my ear.
“Yes, yes, yes.” I breathe into his cheek, his voice
barely audible over the pounding of my heart and the
roar of lust coursing through my body.
Ike discreetly pulls the limousine up to the restaurant
entrance and we fall into the privacy of the backseat. Not
losing a beat, the petting and fondling becomes erotic. In
a daze, I can’t help thinking if the girls back home could
see me. Oh my goodness, I’ve still got it!
Yes!
I’m making
out with one of the hottest men in Hollywood, my long
lost boyfriend……and after almost
two
years, I’m finally
going to get
Lucky
!
“I think we should wait.” Vic’s lips find mine for a
deep tongue probing kiss.
Wait….what!
I almost bite off his tongue.
“What did you just say?!” My ears must be playing
tricks. Did he just say…wait? Wait for what! My body is
on fire, every nerve in my being screaming for his touch
and he says:
Wait
. You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve
waited thirty years for him.
Vic heaves a sigh, pushing away from me. “I don’t
know how to say this, but I think it’s best if we
wait….before we make love.”
“Why?” I croak like a lovesick frog.
“Trust me, I want to make love to you more than
anything in the world, but I don’t know if it’s safe.” His
hand brushes the hair back from my face as he peers into
my eyes.
“Safe?” I ask incredulously in a voice husky with
desire. “It’s not like we’re jumping off a bridge. Since
when has being with you ever been
safe
?”
“No, this is serious stuff.” He runs a hand through
his hair, oh; he looks just glorious, tousled hair, white
shirt with a dark suit, eyes like melted chocolate, a body
that won’t quit. He glances out the window, and I think I
just moaned in frustration. “Elle, I’m sorry to admit, I’ve
been with a lot of women, especially lately, they just came
and I took them. And sometimes stupidly, I have not
always taken precautions and practiced shall we say ‘safe
sex”.
“You have got to be kidding me? You could have
AIDs?!” After almost two years of living like a nun,
reunited with him, and he may have an STD! “Are you
kidding me!”
“I’m sorry, Elle,” He throws himself back onto the
leather seat, eyes riveted to the ceiling, saying over and
over again, “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
“Are you sick?” Concern for his health throws a wet
blanket over my desire.
“No, No, I’m fine, but I’ve hurt you so much in the
past, I don’t want to risk harming you again. It’s one
thing for me to be careless with my own heath, but I can’t
risk exposing you.”
He continues, “I’ll get Juls on the phone right now,
she can set up a lab appointment first thing in the
morning.” He shakes his head. “Damn it! Tomorrow
morning I have a huge meeting with a producer and some
studio VIPs for my next movie project. I can’t miss it;; my
entire career may be riding on it.” He runs a hand
through his thick hair, screwing up his mouth in
concentration. “Maybe later in the day,” he thinks out
loud. “It might take a few days to get the results back.
Shit.”
We gaze at each other, not touching. He groans.
“But God, I want you now.” He breathes against my
mouth, and there’s a desperate, passionate feel to his kiss.
“Who is Juls?” I ask, and why do I care who Juls is.
I’m so hot in the confines of this limo, there is only one
thought on my mind…I want him
now
. He can’t be
serious, wait days for test results to come back. I need to
be home for school in a few days. I want to jump this
man right here and now. Easy for him to say, he’s been
screwing every bimbo in Hollywood. I’m on the cusp of
menopause! This could be it;; I’m done waiting!
“Juls, is my personal assistant,” he explains, speaking
into a very expensive looking cell-phone. “Juls, it’s
Esteban, Yes, I know it’s very late, but this is important.”
He nods, smiling, “Yes, I know you require eight hours
of beauty sleep. But I need you to make a doctor’s
appointment for me, whatever it takes to screen me for
STD’s.” He rolls his eyes in exasperation. “Yes, I need
you to set this up for me either very early in the morning
or after the meeting. Why now?” He snorts. “Very cute,
no, I have not had an epiphany regarding my, as you call
it, slutty lifestyle, and no, I am not applying for the
priesthood.” He leans over to kiss me and I hear Juls
laughing on the phone. “You’re right, they wouldn’t have
me. Yes, I’ve met someone. Very special.” His eyes glitter
warmly on me. “No, I’m not going into details now.
You’re awfully nosy for someone who was sound asleep
just minutes ago.”
I listen to this one sided conversation, the tone more
like the banter between a brother and sister than a
professional relationship. “So give me a call and let me
know the details.” Vic says. “Yes, I know this is going to
cost me. Hey, I just gave you a raise. No, you’re not
indispensable. I’m sure a thousand girls would line up for
your job. Yes, I know it would take a thousand women to
replace you, love you too, go back to sleep.”
“I’m sorry.” He looks at me with a quizzical
expression on his face, misinterpreting my
disappointment for anger. “Are you mad at me?”
“You know,” I sniff, “You made the assumption I
would sleep with you. Maybe, I’m not that kind of girl.
Mr. Rienz.” I say half seriously, a bit chagrined at my
passionate response to him and possibly being lumped
into the one night stand bimbo category. He attracts
woman like candy on Halloween. Yes, I want to sleep
with him……
really bad
….. but the STD conversation,
while responsible on his part, took the romance right out
of the moment.
“Elle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume, we’re both
available and it feels so right, I thought it would just
happen.” He kisses me gently on the cheek and moves
along the bridge of my brow. “I’ve been in Hollywood
too long. This town has no moral code, everyone is
screwing around.”
“Vic, I don’t need to be courted, we’re both adults.
The idea of you showing up on my porch with a bouquet
of flowers and a box of chocolates is ludicrous.”
I smile at the thought. “I want to be with you. The
whole STD business though….Vic, I’m done with
sharing. My husband had affairs. I know he was
very
careful, for his sake and mine, but I don’t want that fear
hanging over my head anymore. This time I get to
choose, with Jack, I had our children to consider. And
truth be told, I did love him, as stupid as that may sound.
I loved him, his family and our life, I wasn’t about to ruin
it just because Jack was a jerk.”
“Elle,” He says, placing his finger under my chin,
tipping my head back forcing me to look into his eyes. “I
can’t change the past, but the future is a road we can map
out together. In all honesty, I’m tired of waking up next
to strange women. If I didn’t have Hanna, I’d have no
roots at all. I’m sorry your husband was unfaithful. The
meaningless affairs are getting old. I’m ready to settle
down. I know it’s too early to have this conversation, but
my gut says what you and I had as teenagers is still there.”
I trace his lips with the tip of my finger. “I want to be
with you, but I’m not a casual lover. I’ve only been with
two men, you and my husband. By today’s standards, I’m
almost a virgin.”
“For a virgin, you’re a quick learner.” he quips, a
dimple plays in the corner of his cheek.
“Don’t change the topic, but you understand what
I’m saying? I don’t think I can play the Hollywood game.
So for now, you’re right, we slow down and wait.” I run
my hand over the lapel of his tuxedo jacket, loving the
feeling of his broad shoulders. With a giggle, I continue
my exploration, adding, “But in the meantime, there are a
few skills I’ve picked up along the way…..are you sure
that glass separating us from Ike is see-proof? I’d hate for
him to see……”
And so, on the drive to Lani’s house we were like
teenagers in heat, let loose in the back of a travel van with
a six pack of beer. Somehow we maintained the ability to
lust each other’s bodies without removing a stitch of
clothing, until Ike discreetly raps at the window
announcing we had arrived. With great reluctance, Vic
helps me straighten my clothes while I try to still my
racing heart. With a laugh, I suggest, “You might want to
keep your shirt untucked.”
“Yeah,” He says with a rueful laugh. “I feel like a kid
again, excited as hell and not satisfied.”
“Walk me to the door?”
“As a gentleman, I insist. Nothing less will do. I’ll
even hold open the door.”
“Perfect,” I extend my hand to him as he exits the
limo. Ike holds the door, making no attempt to hide his
amusement over Vic’s lustful state.
We stroll up the walkway to the house, hand and
hand; I limp like a three legged dog on my one shoe. At
the door, turning to face each other, he dips his head for
a good-night kiss and the finality of the moment rockets a
shot of fear through my heart. I’ve lost him before; I
can’t bear the thought of him walking away, even if only
for a day. My hand trails out of his as he turns down the
path, blowing a kiss from his fingertips. “Until tomorrow,
I promise, Elle, I promise.” Tears swim in my eyes;; a cold
ache of loneliness fills my being.