The Manga Girl (31 page)

     
A golden bar of sunshine lay across Lucy’s milky thighs and Nick’s crotch. During the night, his body had acknowledged the intimate contact with the nude girls and he had woken with a major hard-on. He followed the sun’s rays across to Summer’s exquisitely toned rump, which then shifted position as she rubbed her foot along Nick’s calf.

     
He turned his head and saw that she was examining his erect penis with interest.

     
“Morning, you want me to pull you off again?” she asked.

     
He gave her a look of surprise and then chuckled softly. “I’ve often wondered if you knew about that.”

     
“Of course I did. I just didn’t want you to feel like you were cheating on Lucy.” She raised her head and peered over Nick’s chest at the sleeping form of Yuriko, who had her hand draped over Lucy’s right breast. “Although after what you three have been doing together the past few days, I don’t suppose it matters now.”

     
Nick kissed her affectionately on the nose. “Thanks for the offer. It’s tempting, but we’d probably wake the others, and it’s still early.”

     
Summer yawned, giving Nick a close-up of her pink tongue and small, even teeth.

     
“I need coffee,” she declared.

     
“Let’s go to the kitchen.”

     
They gently extricated themselves from the other two and stood up. Lucy rearranged herself into the fetal position, and Yuriko automatically molded herself around Lucy’s back. Nick pulled on his jeans, while Summer slipped into a cotton dress and they crept over to the empty kitchen. Summer rummaged around in one of the boxes that Sid had brought, and found some sachets of ready-mixed coffee, while Nick put a pan of water onto the gas cooker.

     
“This is like camping,” Nick said, as they sat cross-legged, watching the water boil.

     
Summer smiled. “I think she’s going to be okay.”

     
“Lucy? She’s a tough kid alright. I was worried we were going to lose her.” Nick shook his head. “Some of the things I had to do to her. . .”

     
Summer put her hand on his knee. “You had no choice, Nick. You’ve got to remember that you saved her from much worse punishment.”

     
 
Nick thought of his decapitated wood carving, and shuddered inwardly.
I wonder how Sid’s getting on.
he thought.

     
They sipped their coffee in silence for a while, then Nick said, “Summer, do you remember - it seems like years ago - that night we all went out together, and I went home early?”

     
“You stormed out in a jealous huff,” Summer corrected.

     
“Right, I did. It’s just that, up in the cabin - and I know she was drugged and put under huge psychological stress - but well, Lucy confessed to spending the night with Jason and I. . .”

     
“Nick,” Summer stopped him. “Look at me. I swear on my life that she went home with me. Why do you think that asshole acted like such a baby afterwards?”

     
“I’m sorry; I would never have doubted her. It’s just that we were in a pressure situation, and we had to say awful things in front of each other. It was difficult to sort out the truth from the lies.”

     
 
Summer studied his face intently. “Let me ask you this - if she
had
slept with him, would that make any difference now?”

     
Nick looked through the open door at Lucy’s sleeping form. Would he have ditched her if he had known what was coming up? Did it matter that other men coveted her and always would? Was there anything that could possibly stop him from loving her? He knew the answer right away.

     
“Of course not,” he said.

***

     
Lucy, after another long sleep and a good breakfast, was rapidly becoming her old, glowing self. She sat on the back stoop and raised her face to the sun. Nick joined her and gazed out across the wild fields. He sat close but tried not to make contact with her body. Eyes closed, Lucy took hold of his arm and pulled it around her, placing his hand on her breast.

     
“Does it hurt?” Nick asked.

     
“Not so much.”

     
Nick felt her nipples swelling under the cotton material of her dress.

     
“Why don’t you give them a massage?” Lucy asked.

     
Nick moved around behind her, and leaning his cheek against her neck, brought his hands up under her arms and slipped them inside her dress. Slowly he massaged her perfectly shaped breasts and gently pinched her hardened nubs between his fingers. Lucy laid her head back on his shoulder and let out a little gasp.

     
“Sorry,” he whispered.

     
“It’s okay. Just a little tender, that’s all.”

     
Nick resumed his fondling, raising her tits up, testing their weight, then gently squeezing them, feeling the firm mammary glands beneath her soft breast tissue.
     
“What’s that pressing into my back?” Lucy asked.

     
Nick chuckled into her shoulder. Lucy was back, alright.

     
There was a cough behind them, and he heard Summer say, “Excuse me. We have company.”

     
Nick released his grip on Lucy’s breasts and they went back inside. Through the open front door they saw an approaching SUV kicking up a trail of dust.

     
“Stay inside,” Nick said, “and get ready to run into the woods.”

     
While the girls huddled at the back of the room, Nick went out onto the front porch and closed the door behind him. The SUV came to a halt, and a Japanese man climbed out. He had a gaunt face and thinning hair and he looked tired. He took a step forward, and Nick was just about to make a bolt for it when Aunt Akiko climbed out of the passenger door.

     
“Good morning,” the man said, “I’m looking for Natsumi Kimura.”

     
Nick regarded him cautiously. He didn’t look like the sort of person who would be working for Johnny Ho. Then Nick heard the front door open, and Lucy came out onto the porch. A curious expression came over the man’s face, and then his eyes began to water. He held out his arms and Lucy stepped into them.

     
“Hello, papa,” she said.
 

     
 
When Lucy’s father finally opened his eyes, he looked at Nick and said, “Thank you for saving my daughter. I would like to take her home now.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

     
Over the next two months, Nick’s life slowly began to return to normal. He got back into his work routine, started concentrating on his wood carvings, and even joined the boys for the weekly pool shoot-out.

     
Lucy had returned to New York, where she was recuperating from her ordeal. They had spoken on the phone a few times, but as Lucy’s father had explained, her full recovery was the immediate priority. Although Nick ached desperately to see her again, he wanted nothing but the best for her, so he kept his distance.

     
He heard nothing more from Johnny Ho. Mama Bunko had indeed remembered them, and the underboss in New York had given the order to leave Nick and Lucy alone. And just like that, it was over - no threats, no phone calls, no suspicious-looking characters lurking around - it was as if the whole episode had never happened.

     
There had been one last, somewhat unnerving, contact with the yakuza. A week after their escape, Kono had turned up at Nick’s house. Nick had been told to expect a visit, and he had let the Japanese enforcer in. Kono had told Nick to wait in the house and had then disappeared into the garden. Ten minutes later, he had returned with a canvas bag, and then left without a word. After Kono had gone, Nick had spent an hour scouring his back yard, in an attempt to locate their secret hiding place, but his search had proved fruitless.

     
Yuriko had also been given a free pass, and she had started a new life in Hawaii. Before her departure, she had joined Nick, Sid and Summer for dinner and it had proved to be a warm and emotional farewell. During their very brief time together, the doll-like Japanese girl had left an indelible mark on Nick’s heart.

     
And in a surprise development, Summer and Sid had started dating. Apparently, Lucy’s little sex games on the beach had planted a seed that was now blooming. As delighted as Nick was for his best friend, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

***

     
It was a Saturday, and Nick had risen early, showered, and was enjoying a light breakfast when Sid called his mobile.

     
“Morning, are you up and about?”

     
“Yes, Sid, I hadn’t forgotten.”

     
“Just checking. What time are you picking us up?”

     
“You told me ten o’clock, remember?”

     
“Yeah, that should give us plenty of time. Don’t know how much traffic there will be.”

     
“Stop fussing. Anyone would think it was
your
wedding. I’ll be there, okay?”

     
When he hung up, Nick smiled to himself. Since Sid had hooked up with Summer, he had turned into a different person. Gone, was the self-assured ‘it’ll be okay’ attitude. Now everything had to be meticulously planned and controlled.

     
Very strange, the effect women can have on men,
Nick thought to himself.

     
He went upstairs, put on the only suit he possessed, and then picked up the wedding invitation and read it again.
Rob and Tanya
, he thought.
Another by-product of Lucy’s unexpected arrival into his social circle.
It was addressed to ‘Mr. Nicholas Logan and Partner’ - a gold-embossed reminder that he was officially alone again.

     
Fifteen minutes later, he pulled up outside Sid’s apartment, climbed out, and called on his cell. When they came down, Nick was amazed. Sid was dressed in a sharp charcoal suit that Nick had never seen before, and Summer was wearing a cream sleeveless bow dress with a matching wide-brimmed hat. They both looked fantastic.

     
“Hey,” Nick said, eyeing Sid suspiciously. “Did you cut your hair?”

     
“Summer insisted,” Sid said, embarrassed.

     
Summer took off her hat and unexpectedly threw her arms around Nick, kissing him on the cheek.

     
“Hi, Nick,” she said. “I love you, baby.”

     
Nick glanced over her shoulder at Sid and gave him a ‘what’s with her?’ look, but Sid just grinned and shrugged.

     
They took Interstate 90 west towards the Berkshires. It was the end of summer and although the foliage was still green, the leaves would soon be starting to turn. Nick and Sid chatted during the two and a half hour drive to Lenox, while Summer made one call after another on her cell. Following instructions that Rob had put into Sid’s handheld GPS, they passed through a couple of villages before reaching the impressive iron gates of the Maldon Estate.

     
“Holy shit,” said Sid. “I knew Rob and Andy’s parents had money, but I didn’t think it would be anything like this.”
  

     
Half a mile ahead was a country mansion set in acres of rolling land. Dozens of cars were parked up in a field to the right and Nick slowed as an attendant in a red jacket approached.

     
“If you’ll let me have your keys, sir, I’ll park your car. The marquee is at the back of the house.”

     
They climbed out and Nick watched apprehensively as he allowed this total stranger to park his baby.

     
“Come on,” Summer took Nick’s hand and squeezed it. “I think you’re going to enjoy this.”

     
She gave him another goofy grin, and Nick said, “What is
with
you today?”

     
They followed the other arriving guests to the outdoor chapel, which was beautifully decorated with flowers and ribbons. To the left was an enormous open-sided marquee.

     
“I never expected this,” Summer said, looking around. “There must be two hundred people here.” Then she quickly turned her head away. “Oh no, don’t look now.”

     
 
Nick looked up to see Jason approaching with an extraordinarily tall blonde girl.

     
“Hey, guys,” Jason said. “Quite a do, huh? This is Naomi. She’s a model.”

     
They said hello to Naomi, the model, who looked as though she was permanently on the catwalk.

     
“I was told that you two were now an item,” Jason said to Sid. “Congrats. I must say I was surprised.”

     
“So was I,” Sid replied. “I didn’t think I was in Summer’s league.”

     
Summer smiled stiffly and took Sid’s hand.

     
“Looks like the old gang is slowly breaking up,” Jason said. “The only one we need to match up now is Andy.” Then he looked at Nick, who was gazing fixedly at the bar in the marquee.

     
“Is Lucy here?” Jason asked.

     
“No,” Nick said. “She isn’t well.”

     
“I heard about that,” Jason said. “Something about mental problems?”

     
Before Nick could react, Summer asked, “What happened to Clare?”

     
For the first time, Naomi showed an interest. “Who’s Clare?”

     
“His ex,” said Summer. “Didn’t last long. They never do. By the way, Jason, is Kylie still with Stefan?”

     
“I have no idea,” Jason said, abruptly grasping Naomi by the wrist.

     
“Kylie was the one before Clare,” Summer called out to a flustered Naomi, as Jason led her away.

     
“What was his problem again?” Sid asked.

     
“Lucy,” Summer said simply. “Always has been.”

     
The ushers called them to their seats and they were placed in the fourth row, just behind the immediate family members. Kylie arrived with Stefan, and they sat beside Sid and Summer, leaving Nick next to an empty seat. Glancing around, it seemed to Nick that everybody had a date, and right now he felt a bit like a violin in a marching band.

     
Just as the congregation began to settle, a familiar voice beside him said, “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

     
Nick jumped up as if he had just been electrocuted. Lucy was wearing a lemon colored floral print dress with white shoes, and she had a pink orchid in her long hair. Her lustrous skin shone in the sunlight and her cheeks were flushed with vigor.

     
Nick couldn’t speak. He was vaguely aware that people were looking at them, and in his peripheral vision, he glimpsed Jason’s face turned in their direction. He looked at Sid and Summer. “You knew about this?”

     
“Uh-huh,” Summer replied, beaming like a full moon.

     
Nick took Lucy’s hand and they sat down. “You look beautiful,” he said.

     
“Thanks.” She adjusted the tulip in his buttonhole and said, “You brush up pretty well yourself.”

     
“Nobody told me you were coming.”

     
“I wanted to surprise you. Happy?”

     
Nick leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips, and at that moment the organist segued into Pachelbel’s ‘Canon in D’ and everybody looked behind as Tanya’s father led her down the aisle. Ordinarily, Nick hated weddings but all of a sudden, with Lucy beside him, he was struck by the beauty of the day. He looked around at the white blossom raining from the trees, at the manicured lawns and the trimmed hedges, at the well-heeled guests, and the blushing bride - her condition artfully concealed by her wedding dress - and suddenly all was well with the world. Apart from Andy dropping the wedding ring, the ceremony went without a hitch, Rob and Tanya tied the knot, and everybody convened under the cavernous tent.

     
Nick and Lucy were seated at the same table as Sid, Summer, Kylie, Stefan, Jason and Naomi - who was the only female present that Nick hadn’t seen naked. Over dinner, conversation was oddly formal, as if they had only just been introduced. Nick was curious as to whether Lucy would lower the tone of the occasion, but she contented herself with making small talk and playing footsie with him under the table.

     
During the after-dinner speeches, Lucy whispered into Nick’s ear, “This is boring. Let’s go for a walk.”

     
Ignoring his protests, she slipped out the back and after a respectable pause; Nick excused himself and discreetly followed. When he got outside, he saw Lucy carrying her shoes in her hands, as she disappeared into the lattice rose arbor at the far end of the deserted lawn. He quickly crossed the grass and went inside. Lucy was sitting on a wooden bench at the far end of the arbor.

     
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked. “I’ve never seen so many roses.”

     
Nick sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

     
“I deliberately didn’t call too much,” he said eventually. “To give you some space.”

     
Lucy didn’t reply.

     
“I don’t think your father wanted me to bother you either,” he added.