Eagle's Destiny (40 page)

The marimba “Sway” started next.  Michael started dancing with me again. 

I shook my head, “I don’t know how to do this.”

“It’s a cha-cha, just follow my lead, and shake your hips in time to the music.  You’ll be fine.”  He said as he twirled me around and then pulled me close.  We moved together in time to the music.  Michael was very powerful and he was easy to follow.  As he spun me around, I noticed not many other couples were dancing, and it was then I realized that we were probably making a spectacle of ourselves. 

I thought what the heck?  I’m having fun, I’m with the man of the hour, and if I were lucky, he’d be making love to me later tonight.  I started to move to the music and Michael let me loose.  I danced around him with my arms in the air
and
shaking my hips.  The wonderful dress with its half skirt was perfect for the dance.  I felt beautiful in the dress and in Michael’s arms.  He caught me again and we both laughed.  We continued dancing together until the end of the song when he dipped me down deeply.  His strong arms held me steady; he kissed me and then brought me back up.

The crowd had been watching us and applauded when we finished.  I turned to everyone, instead of blushing I curtsied, and then we both laughed.  Michael pointed to the door and we slipped outside to the back patio overlooking the ocean.
 
The ocean air felt good, it was cool and smelled of salt. 

“Is it too cold out here for you?”
  He asked.

I shook my head, “Not at the moment.  Maybe later but I need to cool down.”

We stood at the railing looking at the water. 
I leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. 

Michael
rubbed my forearms.  “Let me know if you get cold.”

I sighed, “Right now, I’m very toasty.”

He kissed my neck and whispered, “I’m very glad you were here to share this with me tonight.”

“I have a new understanding of you.”

“You do?”

I nodded and turned into his arms.  Looking up at him, I could see the moon’s reflection in his eyes. 

“I understood that you were a passionate photographer, but I never realized where the passion came from.  I didn’t understand how important your work was to you and how
valuable
you are to the whole movement.”

Michael chuckled and he pulled his jacket off wrapping it around my shoulders, “Elizabeth, while my ego would like to believe that I’m
worthy
, if I dropped off the face of the earth, someone else would fill my shoes quickly.”

I motioned to his jacket.  “What about you?”

Michael grinned the same smile he had all night long, “I’m plenty hot.”

I shook my head and giggled.  “I’m trying to be serious.  I really don’t know that much about you.”

“We’re getting to know each other by spending time together aren’t we?”  He lifted my chin up, “Elizabeth, I’m nothing special.  I’m just a man.”

My arms wrapped around his waist and I pressed my head to his chest, “You are special and you are very yummy.”

We stood there quietly in each other’s embrace listening to the waves hitting the shore.

Even with Michael’s jacket on it became too cold to stand outside on the patio.  We danced more but did not repeat the exhibition we had earlier.  Several men wanted to cut in to dance with me and Michael reluctantly let me go.  It
be
came my turn to share Michael and he danced with many of the older ladies.  Michael had a way with the ladies as they batted their eyelashes at him and he flirted with them.  His behavior didn’t bother me though as it would have with Kevin.  There was nothing sleazy about Michael’s actions, and he was simply being very gracious and good-natured.

Later that night after we finally made it back to the
hotel
room, we made love at a slow and languorous pace.  We took our time exploring the other’s bod
y
, as we tasted, tested, teased, tempted, and yes we even tortured each other.  At the end when we reached the
culmination
together
,
it
caught
us
in a moment of time when our hearts beat as one, and our bodies fused together as a single entity with only one mind and one thought.

N
either of us spoke
a
fterwards
as we lay together
,
our bodies’ slick with the perspiration of our efforts and the ocean air cooling us down and clearing our thoughts.  Eventually, Michael reached up and traced my face with his fingers while I lazily drew circles on his back with my hands feeling the hard muscles in his back.

His look was hopeful as he broke the silence with the first words, “I’m in love with you Elizabeth.” 

My hands stopped their motions.  My eyes grew wide and I stopped breathing.  He had said words that I had only dream
t
of hearing.  He loves me.  It was a statement not a question.  My mind was spinning and I was
n’t breathing
.

Michael chuckled warmly and kissed me, “Breathe Elizabeth.  I don’t want you to pass out.”

“You said you love me?”  I said and the tears started to form in the corner of my eyes.  I tried to blink them back, but they insisted on coming out.

“Yes, Babe, I love you.”  He whispered
,
kissing me again tenderly.  “Why are you crying, is my telling you that I love you a bad thing?” 

“No,” I shook my head, “not a bad thing.  Oh, Michael I’m just so
happy.” 

These were feelings I had not dared to admit to myself.  My tears started to come faster and I covered his face in wet tear-stained kisses. 

I softly declared aloud what had been brewing inside of me for weeks, “I’ve fallen in love with you too, Michael.” 

W
hen my voice spoke the words my heart burst open, and there was no one else in the world except my Michael.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I awoke happy and with a smile on my face.  Neither of us had moved much during the night.  I was in one of my normal positions, which meant I was sprawled all over Michael.  My head on his chest and our legs intertwined like a pretzel. 
He
was still sound asleep, well most of him was because when I lifted up the sheet, and looked down at him; there was part of him eager to go.  He did not get to sleep long.

We enjoyed our day together.  The Chapman’s home was on the famed Seventeen-Mile Drive outside of Carmel.  Dr. Chapman wanted to hear all about Michael’s current whale migration project and as it turned out, he had recommended Michael for the job as well as donating most of the research funds.  Both of the Chapman’s were intrigued with my romance novels and she copied down the titles of the books promising to read them immediately.  I could only imagine what she would think when she read page 75 in the latest book.

The staff at the aquarium treated us like VIPs.  Michael’s status with the aquarium gave us entrance into areas not accessible to regular visitors.  During our visit to the otter area, we stuffed food into their toys and hid the toys around their enclosure.  I watched with glee when they scampered around discovering their treat-filled toys.  The idea behind this was to give the otters stimulating opportunities that mimic a part of their life in the wild.  The time at the aquarium had been such fun, that at the end of the day I did not want to leave.  The experience gave me another glimpse into Michael’s past.

Michael’s cell phone woke us up early the next morning.  He looked at the phone’s screen, “Why is Tammy calling?  Tapping the front of the phone he said, “Tammy, honey what’s wrong.”  His voice immediately took on one of concern and he sounded like my father.  “Honey, slow down, I can’t understand you.  What do you mean your mother has come for a
visit?” 

He
rose from the
bed, “No do not put her on the phone.”  He walked into the other room
but
I could
still
hear
the
muffled conversation.  “How long are you staying?”
  T
here was a pause and Michael raised his voice slightly, “No, you are not staying in my bedroom.”  Another pause and it was obvious he was speaking with his ex-wife who apparently was visiting Tammy. 

“Put Tammy back on the phone.  Tammy, your mother is not to stay in my bedroom.  She can stay in the guest room.  Who is Paul?  …  Oh him.  No, he is not sleeping in Katy’s room.  You and Katy will have to bunk tog
ether.  No, I am not being mean.
I do not want your mother in my bedroom.  Is that clear?  ...  No, it is none of your mother’s business where I am or what I am doing.”  His tone became exasperated, “I will be home in a few hours.  Do not do anything until I get home.”  Michael tapped his cell phone off as he walked back in the bedroom.  He sat on the edge of the bed and sighed heavily.

I sat up next to him.  “Crisis at home?”  I asked

He put his arm around me, “Nothing I can’t handle.  But I do need to get home.”

“I understand.”  I leaned over and kissed him lightly on the corner of his mouth.

Michael turned and gently pushed me back on the bed.  “
But,
I do need my morning fix though.”  He leaned over me kissing my lips and running his hand from my waist down to my hips, onto my thigh, and other places that made me squirm with delight and press against him. 

He reached for a condom packet on the nightstand and before he tore it open, I stopped his hand. 

“Michael, I don’t think we need to...”  I paused.  “We both know I’m not able to get pregnant and I think we’re both safe as far as other stuff…”  I trailed off again.

He looked at me with a bemused smirk on his face.  “If you’re sure.”  He tossed the small package to the side, his kisses covering my face before the condom hit the floor.

I smiled broadly, as I met his kisses with my own passion.  “Alrighty then.”  I murmured and we gave in once again with reckless abandon.

When we checked out of the hotel, the weather was overcast and looked ominous.  It was almost as if the weather began to reflect the mood we faced at home.  I didn’t want to lose the happiness we experienced here.  The time spent with Michael and our visit to the aquarium had been delightful.  I wanted to visit the aquarium again and watch the otters and penguins for hours.  The smell of fish lasted on my hands and I was sure cats were beginning to follow me, but Michael disagreed and said I just smelled like the salt air.  I suggested taking another mini vacation to
Monterey and volunteering at the aquarium.  Michael laughed and told me he had seen the excitement in my eyes yesterday and could tell the conservation bug had bitten me.

We were both quiet on the long ride home.  The rain started just outside of San Francisco.  Large drops hit the windshield.  As we drove, Michael appeared to be deep in thought and I didn’t want to disturb him.  Occasionally he would pick up and kiss the back of my hand.  After his kiss, my hand always lingered on his face.  Michael had not bothered shaving this morning and his stubble became more pronounced as the morning moved into afternoon.

It rained off and on all the way home.  The Mustang was drafty and the heater did not work well.  I should have worn warmer clothes, but we had been so out of touch for the weekend and it had suddenly turned into autumn. 

The first thing I noticed when we drove up behind our houses was the small champagne color Mercedes parked by his back door.  This had to be the dreaded ex-wife’s car and I thought no wonder she needed money.  I shook my head to vanquish the petty thoughts from my mind.  I wanted to give the woman the benefit of the doubt.  Tammy called us three times on our way home.  She was almost reminiscent of the child in the back seat asking, “Are we there yet?”

Michael parked the Mustang behind my cabin but left the engine running.  This was not a good sign.  He helped me carry my things inside, and then stood on my back porch running his hands through his hair.  He blew out a big breath and said, “Let me survey the situation and I’ll give you a call.”

I nodded.  He leaned down and gave me a dry kiss on my cheek.  Oh, not a good sign at all.

While I stood on the porch, I watched Michael pull the Mustang into his garage.  Tammy opened up the back door and my dogs came running out.  They looked at me from the distance and bounded down the porch, running toward me.  Tammy waved at me with a bright smile.  I waved back at her.  She looked very happy as she hugged her dad.  Michael did not look back at me but instead went inside the house with Tammy.  A very bad sign indeed.

At least the dogs were excited to see me as I wiped their feet of with a towel that I kept by the back door.  I gave them both treats and put fresh water in their bowls.  I wanted to kill some time.  I hoped that Michael would call me at any moment, but knew it would be awhile.  I took a shower and put on my jeans and the aquarium sweatshirt Michael had given to me.  I settled into the couch to watch a movie.

Topper woke me for dinner.  A glance at the clock told me I had slept for two hours.  I fed the dogs.  The waiting was driving me crazy.  Boldness
took me over, and I decided to go over to Michael’s house.

Knocking lightly on the back door and then testing the doorknob
, I
opened the door and called out “Hello?”

Michael, Tammy, and his ex-wife were in the kitchen making dinner.  Well, Michael was making dinner and the two women were standing watching. 

Michael called to me, “Elizabeth, there you are.”  He looked genuinely glad to see me.  He put his arms around me and kissed me, “I tried reaching you, but you didn’t answer.  I figured you probably took a nap.”

“Oh,” I looked surprised and stared at the black screen on my cell phone.  “I must have let it run out of power.”  I felt foolish after waiting for his call and taking a nap on top of it.

“No matter, you’re here.”  He took a drink from the glass of red wine he held, and slipped his free arm around my waist.  “Let me introduce you.  Elizabeth, this is Margaret, she is Tammy and Katy’s mother.”  Michael did not bother telling Margaret who I was as if it was implied.

Margaret was beautiful.  She was everything that I had always longed to be.  Her shoulder length hair was blond and framed around her face.  I could see some resemblance to Katy but Michael’s influence in the girl’s features was stronger.  Her figure was very trim and petite and I estimated that she was no taller than 5’ 4”.  In addition, to top it off she had huge breasts and a tiny waist.  I felt like an awkward monster towering over her with my gangly arms and legs.

Margaret looked at me with sharp eyes almost the same as when a hawk eyes its prey.  “Elizabeth, how nice to meet you,” she cracked a smirk, which made her face look pinched.  “So you’re my competition?”

I just stared at her blankly not sure how to respond to her comment.  Michael handed me his unfinished wine and in a quick tip of the glass, I drank down the rest.  His reaction somehow comforted me.

“Come over and taste the sauce Elizabeth, let me know what you think.  Tammy, could you get Elizabeth some wine?” 

He dipped a spoon into the rich red sauce and held it out for me to try.
 
I held his hand steady and blew on the sauce while looking up at Michael through my lashes.  He winked at me and smiled. 

“Mmm…,” I said after tasting the sauce.  It was a chunky intensely flavored sauce with mushrooms, roasted zucchini and peppers, and garlic, “This is really good.  I’m starved.”

“Good, it’s ready to go.”  He turned to Tammy and Margaret.  “I’ll leave you two to do the garlic bread and pasta while Elizabeth and I enjoy the sunset on the front porch.  Give us a shout when everything is ready.”  Michael picked up the two wine glasses, the bottle of wine, and he then motioned to me to follow him.

I didn’t look back but could feel Margaret’s eyes piercing my back.  I’m
sure I had a self-satisfied grin on my face because Michael had managed Margaret without me getting my hands dirty.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind as we stood on the porch and rested his head on my shoulder.  The sun was making a beautiful display over the lake.  I had always loved autumn especially at the lake when the leaves on the trees started to change and the evenings cooled down quickly. 

“So, what is the state of affairs at the Hoffman house?”  I asked settling back against Michael.

He took a moment to reply.  I could hear the sigh in his voice.  “She’ll be here a couple of weeks.  I told Tammy no more than that.  Right now, she’s up in the spare room, but Katy and Paul will be here next Friday.  So, I don’t know what’s going to happen on Friday.  Maggie has gotten it into her head that she wants to stay in my room.”

I stiffened and was sure Michael could feel my physical reaction because he tightened his arms around me.  “Why would she ever get an idea like that?  It doesn’t make sense.”

“To her warped mind it does.  She reasoned that we had been married at one point and we slept together all those years.  I don’t know Elizabeth, she’s nuts.  Katy and Tammy will have to stay together in a room, but the problem is they both have twin beds in their rooms.”  Michael sighed again.

“I have an idea,” I turned to face Michael, which wasn’t easy to do since he was holding me so closely, “Paul can stay in my guest room.”

“Well, that is one possibility.”  He answered.

“You know I’m not going to be able to stay in your house with her here.”

He
closed his eyes and bent his head leaning it against my forehead.  He whispered, “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

I tipped his chin up with my hand and looked him directly in the eyes, “Michael, I just can’t.”

“I know,” he turned me around again.  “You’re missing the sunset.”

I rested back against him.  “That’s not the worst of it either.”  He murmured into my hair.

“What else?”  I groaned.

“I have to leave for several days.  The whales have started their migration.  I’m flying up to Alaska on Wednesday to catch up with the ship.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing.  Then Tammy and Katy can enjoy their mother all to themselves and you won’t have to be disturbed about it.”

“I’m not disturbed.”

“Yes you are
I can feel it in you.  Every time you mention her you stiffen up.”

Michael laughed low in my ear, “You want to talk stiffening up?”  He
growled and nibbled on my earlobe.

I pressed myself into him and wriggling my hips against him.  “Behave,” I said laughing low, “and stop changing the subject.”

“Can you hold the fort down while I’m gone?  You know with Katy, Paul and Tammy.  I’m installing a lock on my bedroom door tomorrow before I leave.  I’ll give you a key.”

I laughed, “Yes, I can hold the fort down.  I can imagine what type of trouble your ex-wife can get into alone, in your house with Tammy in school.”

“Don’t laugh.  You don’t know her.”  Michael said, “By the way I have your Monterey dress with my tux, and Tammy will drop it off at the cleaners for us.”