Consequences (34 page)

With a rich raspy tone, he greeted her, “Good morning, Claire.” His smile revealed the winner of his internal monologue; adoration and love showed through. He leaned down to kiss her head.

“Good morning, what are you doing still in bed?” The room was quite dark. “Or is it early? It is so dark.” The eyes that watched her weren’t.

“I have been watching you sleep.” He slid his arm under her back, placing her head upon his shoulder. His aroma was exhilarating. His hard strong shoulder made the perfect pillow as his arm gently surrounded her warm body.

“Why would you do that? I need a shower and probably look awful.” She buried her face into his chest, allowing his hairs to tickle her cheeks. She inhaled deeply.

He took her chin and turned her face toward his, gently kissing her lips. “I have been watching you because you are so beautiful. Your face is flawless.” Claire tried to look away from his eyes. They were light, honest, and real. The candidness made her uneasy. “Please don’t look away. I see you now and think about what your face looked like, what I did to you. I am not going to keep bringing this up, but I want you to know how much I regret it. And how amazing I think you are. You went through so much. I don’t want anything like that to ever happen again.”

She couldn’t stop the tears that trickled down her cheeks. She wanted to hide her face, but he held her chin firmly. “Tony, I am glad to know you are sorry. I am sorry too.” He let go of her chin, but she continued watching him as she spoke. “I am sorry about Meredith. I really didn’t say anything to her. She walked up and recognized me. Like the article said, we were sorority sisters. I never suspected that she was a reporter. She asked if she could join me. I didn’t want her to, I thought about your rules, but then I thought about appearances and I decided telling her no would be rude. I am sorry I made the wrong decision.”

He rolled her over onto her back. The skin of his chest pressed against her bare breasts. Looking up into his face she saw his eyes darken only slightly. His features looked like those of a model, prominent cheek bones and strong jaw line. His gaze went on for an eternity before he finally spoke. “I can’t promise I will never get upset. I can probably promise I will. However, I promise I will do my best to never hurt you like that again. But I need something from you.”

She assumed it involved gratification and she didn’t mind. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to make me a promise.” Claire raised her eyebrows as if to ask him to continue. “A promise that you will do your best to follow my rules, that you will do your best to never give me cause to hurt you again.”

“Tony, I promise I will do my best to make you proud. And I accept your apology. You do not need to keep apologizing.”

Looking at his expression she read a mixture of emotions: gratitude, adoration, and relief. “Have I told you how amazing you are? I’ve watched you and Dr. Leonard fifty times. You were in such pain. God, even water made you sick. Yet you were perfect and made me so proud. I listened to your answers over and over. I understand his concern. Our story didn’t hold water. I was just so worried about you, lying on the floor and I couldn’t get you to wake up. I had to get you some medical help. I was upset about what I thought you’d done. The longer I waited for you to get home that night, the more betrayed I felt, I lost control.” Claire saw such honesty in his eyes. It was like a window that exposed his soul, one she didn’t think he allowed many people to see. “When you quit moving I realized what happened and I became more upset about what I had done. Suddenly, getting you help was more important than appearances.” He gently smoothed her hair. “You had the chance to tell someone about me and what I did. I deserved that and more. But no, even in your condition you were perfect.”

He lowered his face to her collar bone. She could feel this rough beard growth on her skin. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but . . .” looking again into her emerald eyes, “thank you for giving it to me.”

He started to kiss her. Her body responded, but her mind thought about the cameras and surveillance. She knew they were there. Compartmentalize. She had a lot to put away. She needed bigger compartments.

She could feel his hardness on her leg. He kissed his way down her neck to her collar bone, her breasts pressed upward in anticipation of his mouth. Her nipples hardened as his lips lightly brushed their tips. She tried to suppress her heated desires. It was her turn to ask for a favor. “Tony, while we are asking for things, can I have something from you?”

“I have something for you right now,” he said between kisses and inching his way down her body, gently moving her legs.

“And I want that.” Claire smiled as she lifted her head to catch his eyes. “But first, can I have a promise?” Tony moved up, kissed her lips, and asked what she wanted him to promise. “You were right, there was pain. But what haunted me for two months was the threat of you locking me in my suite. Please don’t use my honesty against me. I don’t want to be locked up alone again. It was unbearable. I know you don’t have to, but I am asking you . . . please promise me you will never do that to me again.”

“Claire, I promise I will not lock you in your suite again. And if we each keep our promises, maintaining them all will be easier.”

“Thank you,” she sighed, his promise removed a tremendous weight. Her body yearned. “Now what did you say about having something for me?” He looked at her smile. It was real, extending to her gleaming green eyes and it was for him. He grinned back, a little more mischievous this time.

Breakfast was served in Tony’s suite. They ate with wet hair while wrapped in thick soft white robes. Claire’s appetite returned with a vengeance. She ate eggs, turkey bacon, toast, and fruit. She even thought about hash browns. She decided that maybe she should tell Catherine she liked hash browns.

Tony’s voice took Claire’s attention away from her food. “I have a confession. I think I’m an example of my own rule.” Claire told him she didn’t know what he meant. He explained that although he is thrilled with the outcome of yesterday’s drive, it hadn’t been his goal.

Claire smiled and responded, “Well appearances,” looking at their wet hair and robes, “would say differently.” She used her toe to rub up and down his leg. “I am happy with the outcome too. But what was your goal?”

He told her it was simply to get her to leave the estate to go somewhere. He wanted to get her away before they needed to go somewhere. Claire reflected on the past twenty-four hours. Okay, he did that too. “Why? When do we need to go somewhere? And where do we need to go?” Her toe still wandered.

“If you keep that up, we will be late.” Tony’s voice didn’t sound concerned. He glanced at the clock by his bed, eleven seventeen. “Well, we are supposed to be at Brent and Courtney’s for dinner at three thirty this afternoon.”

Claire did some math in her head, they had four hours. “I really would rather stay here, but I suspect I don’t have a choice. How many people will be there?”

Tony confirmed she was correct. They were going and it would just be the four of them. Courtney had been asking Tony to bring Claire over since the beginning of October. They sent her flowers and cards, they must have been aware of her
accident
. Claire liked Courtney, Tony obviously trusted them. She could do it.

While she thought about the Simmonses and refocused on her breakfast, her toe was stopped in its exploration and lifted. She followed the sensation and found Tony on the ground, holding her foot. He slowly put her toe in his mouth and began to suck.

He watched her reaction as her brain forgot the breakfast and impending dinner. The slight gasp that escaped her lips made him smile. She immediately felt the sensation on her toe ignite pulsations elsewhere. His lips moved from her toe to her foot, her ankle, and her leg. He opened her robe and pulled her toward him. Claire’s body tingled in anticipation. Too soon his talented lips and tongue gave her unimaginable thrills.

Finding their way back to his bed, Tony supported himself above her lean, blossoming body. With a raspy voice he inquired, “Claire, what do you want?” She looked in his eyes again, still so light and real. He had never asked her what
she
wanted. He kissed her neck, her back arched and pressed against him. “I want to hear you, no forcing, no directions. What do you want?” His desires were clear and rubbing across her thighs.

“I want you.”

That wasn’t enough, Tony wanted to hear more. “Tell me what you want. I need to know you want it as much as I do.”

“Oh god, Tony, I want you. I want you inside of me.” Her body was on the brink of explosion. “Please. Please take me.” She closed her eyes as he did what she asked. Grabbing his shoulders, she wanted every bit of him, every inch, and now that he was there she lost control. Her body responded to his every movement; no consciousness, only carnal desire. More than once he elicited earthshaking convulsions. There was no question this was consensual. Claire was getting what she asked for and wanted more.

Tony drove to and from the Simmonses. This time they took the Mercedes. It was a great ride from the back when Eric drove, but it was even better from the passenger’s seat, smooth and quiet. Tony tuned the satellite radio to a classical station. The warm car, soft music, and smooth ride almost had Claire napping. Her energy wasn’t at its preaccident level, and her eyes began to close. Catherine told her one time to not act tired, but she wasn’t acting. Tony noticed. “It is all right. Why don’t you lay the seat back and I will wake you when we arrive.” She did.

They had a good time with Brent and Courtney. Courtney told Claire a thousand times she needed to gain some weight. The unfortunate accident in the woods had left her too thin, but she quickly added that she was still beautiful. After the delicious dinner they retired to the lower level, the Vikings and the Packers were playing. Apparently, Brent and Tony were Vikings fans. Claire wondered how she didn’t know that.

While they watched the game and argued with the television, Claire and Courtney chatted. It was nice to talk to someone else. Courtney made Claire feel warm and secure. She didn’t pry, but wanted to know about Claire’s accident and recovery. Apparently, Brent had told her how upset Tony was. He couldn’t believe something like that could happen on his land. Did they ever find out if someone had been out in the woods?

The football game didn’t turn out like the men wanted. Undaunted they all sipped red wine and played cards. Claire hadn’t
played
a game in so long. It was truly enjoyable. They left the Simmonses’ home after eleven. Courtney hugged Claire, “Now you promise to eat.” Claire nodded. “We’re so happy you’re feeling better.”

On the way home Tony praised Claire for all she did and said. He also informed her that he needed to be in New York the following week. It was up to her if she joined him. However, she may not realize Thursday of next week was Thanksgiving. He couldn’t promise he would be back. He may have to stay until Friday. He would like her to join him if she was up to it. Claire knew the intense therapy of the last two days had helped revitalize her. “I may need naps, but I want to go.”

During the week between the Simmonses and New York, Claire made strides in her recovery. It was like a black veil had been lifted. For weeks, even months, the entire world had been gray. The release of suppressed emotions and Tony’s promise removed the veil. The trees were still leafless and the grass still lacked color, but the world was once again alive.

Instead of sleeping to get energy, Claire began moving. First she walked around the house, then swam in the indoor pool and enjoyed the hot tub. She even ventured to the theater room and made herself watch a movie. It was a musical, “Hairspray” with John Travolta. She smiled. It was her first trip to the theater room since Tony had taken her there.

Monday evening they flew to New York watching the sky grow dark as they headed east. Eric drove them directly to Tony’s apartment, and Jan waited for their arrival with dinner. From the spectacular view of the seventy-sixth floor the city vibrantly glistened with lights and activity. They ate in the dining room and watched little cars drive on busy little streets far below.

That night, exhausted from traveling, they settled into Tony’s bed and he handed Claire a black velvet box. Her shoulders slumped. “Tony, please stop. No more black velvet boxes. I have plenty of jewelry. I love it all, but I don’t need it. I feel bad about you spending all this money on me.”

“Well, first, if you haven’t noticed, money isn’t an issue. And what good is money if it doesn’t buy the things I want? Besides, this is a special gift.” Claire raised her eyebrows.

He continued, “Somehow, with all that happened in the past two months, I made an awful mistake.” Claire feared he was talking about the accident again. “I realized it when I was getting you your ID and credit card.”

Now she knew what he meant. He’d missed her birthday. “It’s all right. I’ve received plenty of gifts lately.” She tried to give him back the box.

“No,” he declared adamantly. “It is not all right. You had a birthday, your twenty-seventh, on October 17.” He firmly yet tenderly held her hands with the box in them while his tone softened. “The other gifts were because of your accomplishments.
”
And
your
guilt
, Claire wanted to add. “This one is for your birthday.” She looked helplessly at the box. He continued, “Okay, I am a cheapskate.” And with a frisky grin, “I am regifting, again.”