Erika (6 page)

Shanna smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”

Templeton nodded. “Yes, it is. I love the ocean and the quiet. I’m going to put on a bathing suit, walk bare footed, sunbathe, swim and think until Monday. I may even take a picture or two.”

Shanna sipped her drink. She stared into Templeton’s sparkling eyes and he returned her stare. She felt she was being dared to speak, to ask what he must know she wanted desperately to ask.
Okay, let’s not hold back any longer, lady. Tell this handsome package of man how you feel about him.

“Would you like company this weekend? I’m so deeply in love with you I can’t be just a friend any longer. I’m yours forever.”

Her heart leaped when Templeton’s eyes flashed star hot passion. She felt her body erupt with sensuous heat. But sadly seconds later the ecstatic moment merged into doubt when his eyes no longer stared into hers. Had declaring her undying love for him meant anything to him at all? His eyes had told her yes. So was he breathing harder? Was blood boiling in his veins? Were his loins incinerated due to desire for her? Oh God, Templeton. Please ask me to come with you this weekend and forever. Please.

“No. It wouldn’t be advisable for you to spend so much time with me. I’m sorry.”

She fought back tears, forced her voice to remain normal. “That’s not what your eyes flashed at me. They said you wanted me for the weekend.”

“I know. But my voice said otherwise.”

“Are you meeting somebody else at Cannon Beach?”

“No Shanna. Of course I’m not. There hasn’t been anybody since…since my wife was killed.”

Templeton’s statement struck a hard blow to Shanna’s head. She reeled, felt momentarily dizzy. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you had been married.”

Templeton’s eyes moistened. “It happened a year before we met. Sara’s death was the reason I left Eugene and came to Portland. Then you came into my life.”

She held Templeton’s right hand. Raising it to her cheek quickened the pulse in her temples.

“Was meeting me so terrible for you?”

“No, Shanna. Your friendship has kept me alive and caring.”

“Then why can’t I go away with you this weekend?”

“I care too much about you, Shanna. I’ve loved you from the day we met. But we can never be together as man and wife, or even lovers. I still love Sara. I lost her. I’m afraid I would lose you the same way. If I did…”

Before Shanna could say anything Templeton turned and walked away. He took her love with him.

* * * *

At the same time Hawk parked his Porsche at a meter in front of a sleazy shack. Najinsky’s Pawn Shop was five thousand square feet of discarded items.

The man himself appeared to have stepped from the 1940’s. He was heavy set, dough faced, triple chinned. His thick, half closed eyelids looked sleepy and were always bloodshot. The rest of him was a human being who, decades ago looked in a mirror and said, “To hell with my appearance. I will be unwashed, unshaved, wear a green eye shade cap, smoke an oversized cigar, have shifty eyeballs and develop a gravel voice. Fuck you if you don’t like me.”

“Hawk, longtime no see. What’s on your mind, this rainy goddamn Tuesday?”

Hawk laughed. “Need a favor.”

“It takes money.”

“I want the Thompson Contender Kit in your glass case.”

“Why? You’ve already got enough fire power to supply an army.”

“No reason. Friend of mine has one. It felt great in my hand.”

Najinsky farted. “Two grand unregistered. Half if it goes through the police.”

Hawk tossed two grand on the counter.

* * * *

For some reason Shanna’s mother and father were driving the Lotus and the Ferrari. Shanna didn’t mind. It wasn’t everyday she got to drive the 1937 Bugatti Atalante, her father’s pride and joy, next to mother and on occasion daughter, depending on her behavior.

She pointed the Bugatti toward Cannon Beach. Like it or not Templeton was going to have a guest. She dressed for the occasion, a tight blouse cut to her diamond covered navel, mini-shorts made even more mini with scissors, and stiletto thigh high boots. All this she topped off by being perfumed and stark naked underneath. She would drive Templeton mad with lust for her, or else.

Nothing significant happened on the drive to Cannon Beach. She became breathless as she drove up to Templeton’s cabin, grabbed her brown leather overnight bags, walked to the door and knocked. His yellow Volkswagen was nowhere to be seen. Disappointment struck her. What if he was gone?

The door opened. For a few seconds she watched Templeton’s eyes rake her from head to toe, then toe to head. He was shaven, showered, neatly combed. Was he about to drool?

“Shanna, when did you start modeling for Playboy Magazine? I have never seen any woman more beautiful than you. How am I ever going to behave myself?”

“I’m here to play with a playboy. I hope you misbehave.”

Templeton blushed. “Sometimes you’re too brave.”

“I know what I want, big guy. I want you. When I didn’t see your car I thought I would have to hunt you down.”

“It’s out back in the shed.”

“May I come in? Or should we have our fun in the doorway?”

“Do I have any choice with you?”

“No. You’re mine.”

He smiled. “I know when to raise the white flag. I’m licked. Come into my parlor you beautiful, beautiful woman.”

Through an emotional haze Shanna’s bags were taken to Templeton’s bedroom. Seconds later they were seated on a couch. She slid onto his lap, kissed his mouth and felt Templeton’s fierce passion in return. It was wonderful while it lasted. He pulled away.

“Why, Templeton?”

“You know why. I can’t go through another death.”

I understand your fear, and I won’t accept it. I think you’re using Sara’s death as an excuse to stay single, to put me on a waiting list so you can continue to mope around, feeling sorry for yourself as you drink yourself into an early grave. Well you’re not going to do that, Mister. You’re going to sober up and marry me. From now on you are handcuffed to me forever.”

Templeton laughed and kissed Shanna. “Look, my lovely one. I admit I’m in love with you, certainly just as much as you’re in love with me. But let’s slow down a little. We need to see what happens.”

Shanna extended her right hand. “You’ve got yourself a deal, partner. Shake. By the way, you’re splashed with a very passionate scent. What is it?”

Templeton laughed. “One I knew would cause you to swarm all over me.”

“I would even if you were covered with car grease and gasoline.”

“True. It’s called Jade East. It comes with Templeton Gordon’s guarantee to make Shanna Mason love him.” His voice became husky with emotion. “I truly do want you to love me.”

“I always have, since I first met you, you big lug. You are big, aren’t you?”

He laughed. “We have to go slow, remember?”

“I’ll try to. I guess I can wait for my storybook knight in shining armor.”

He kissed along her tattooed neckline. “You’re just in time for dinner. So rise up from my lap, you most gorgeous of all gorgeous ladies.”

The table was set for two.

“You knew I was coming. I am that open, aren’t I?”

He laughed. “I saw in your eyes my telling you not to come challenged you.”

“Challenged? I don’t understand.”

“Nobody tells a gutsy broad like you she can’t do something. I find that characteristic in you most attractive.”

“And my characteristic is also very predictable.”

“Quite. The steak won’t be ready for a few minutes so let’s take a better look at my bedroom. There’s something on a wall you must see.”

It surprised Shanna so much she became breathless. “Oh my God, it’s one of mine.”

“I purchased it yesterday, before I knew this weekend would bring us together.”

Templeton folded her into his arms. He kissed her neckline. She loved his closeness, his ability to inflame her with desire for his superb manly body.
Control yourself, gal, before you jump this guy.

He held her even closer as they looked at what Shanna considered to be her love masterpiece. In the light of a giant moon two magnificent white unicorns walked side by side through a field thick with green ferns, passion pink hyacinths, sky blue forget-me-nots, golden yellow lilies, and yellow buttercups while being cautious not to trample the lush beauty around them.

Two eternal lovers with black eyes flashing, their golden manes flying in the flower scented breeze, their peppermint striped horns pointed to the sky. Together they would create a perfect love destined to become a legend.

Shanna had painted her creation while in the nude. Erotic thoughts of Templeton had guided her brushes, her right hand, her mind, her heart, made love to her and kissed her passion enflamed nakedness as he whispered love words in her ears.

“I’m terribly flattered, Templeton. Your buying one of my paintings means everything to me.”

“It finally struck me the unicorns were the two of us. Then I simply had to have it.”

“And may we simply have to have each other.”

“Slowly Shanna, slowly, remember? We’d better eat our steaks before they’re burned to a crisp, or before we forget about them and do what both of us want to do.”

The first bite convinced Shanna about Templeton’s ability as a cook. “This is delicious steak.”

He laughed. “Being a bachelor I had to learn the art of culinary expertise. There was no other choice. Here, try the combination salad. It’s hard to make a bad one.”

She took a generous portion. Templeton handed her the cucumber dressing. “I cook quite a lot myself,” she said.

Templeton smiled. “You’re joking. You cook, with all those servants mucking about your mansion? Surely you can’t be serious.”

“Well now, just a minute Mr. Gordon. You’ve touched upon a sensitive subject. I’m not psychologically geared to being waited on by more servants than I can count. I trained every last one of them years ago to leave me alone. Pamper the rest of my family, not me. I drive my father to distraction because he has this crazy idea rich people should act a certain way, how I’m the deviation from the norm in the family. He even jokingly threatens to disown me.”

“What would he think if he knew you were here?”

“God only knows. But I can talk him into almost anything. My mother would say, “If you truly love the guy seduce him immediately or even sooner.” I suspect that’s how she talked my father into marriage.”

“Made a debonair bachelor into an honest man, did she? Good for your mother. She sounds like a wonderful lady.”

“She is and ever so much more.”

Templeton stood up. “Good grief, Shanna, I forgot the wine.” He left the table and came back with a bottle of Beringer White Zinfandel. He poured a small amount in Shanna’s glass, then his.

Shanna blushed. “I’ve never tasted alcohol.”

“A small amount is quite harmless.”

Smiling flirtatiously she asked, “Are you attempting to get me drunk before…I would prefer being sober when I use you for dessert.”

Templeton blushed. Shanna laughed at him before she dared to sip her wine. It had a pleasant, smooth taste.

“Shanna, I love you. I have to admit the moment I saw Hawk with you I was jealous. Should I be?”

“Not for a second. Only you are my forever love. To answer your unasked question, I’ve never had sex with him. I haven’t had sex with anyone. I’ve saved myself for you. In a way I like Hawk. I don’t think he likes me. He seems to need me to keep his head on straight. Quite often I think I’m damn nearly his second mother the way he acts around me. I do worry about him.”

“Do you care to tell my why?”

Shanna frowned. “Lately I haven’t been able to understand what’s going on inside him. To begin with for nearly seven years he’s dreamed about someone he’s now calling Erika. He was being analyzed by several different psychiatrists before his father decided Dr. Tyler was the best one. Even he hasn’t come to any substantial conclusions to help Hawk.” She took another sip of wine. It was making her even more passionate for the beautiful big lug staring at her. “When Hawk and I went to his mansion we danced in the tapestry room very close. He kissed me with more passion than I’ve ever been able to get out of him. But he wasn’t aware he was kissing me. He said, Erika I love you. Even through my jeans I could feel him surging. He started to undress me. Templeton, I would have become Lady Godiva had I not informed him I was Shanna, not Erika. Whoever she is, Hawk is over the top passionate for her.”

Templeton interceded. “Let’s clear the table and retire to the couch.”

“I would sooner sit on the floor propped back to back with you. I want to feel your body heat.”

Rugs have special spots more comfortable than other spots. Shanna sat on that one. Templeton handed her a brandy snifter. “What’s this?” she asked.

“Brandy guaranteed to warm the cockles of one’s heart, particularly yours.”

“Warm my what?”

“That too, I’m sure. Just sip slowly.”