Life Is A Foreign Language (23 page)

With shy tentative movements she caressed his cheek using only the tips of her fingers and peered at him, trying to see him in the half-light. “It’s so dark.”

“Do you want me to turn on a light?”

“Yes, I’d like to see you.”

He reached to switch on the tall brass lamp by his side, his eyes never leaving her face, smiling.

She, too, kept looking at him to etch his face in her memory. She kissed him, tasting the corners of his mouth with the tip of her tongue, and the intake of his breath was like a breeze. Their kiss became more urgent. Nina opened her lips, and he did things with his tongue in her mouth, and every bone in her body turned molten. A tender ache moved from her thighs into her belly, to her breasts, down her legs, curling her toes.

As he kicked the sheet off them she turned on her back, letting his eyes roam over her body, her face and throat and shoulders, her breasts, over long slender legs and narrow feet. His eyes lingered and caressed, loving her. Her breathing quickened. And she asked him with her eyes what she didn’t know how to say—to please find her attractive, not ugly or wanting.

Almost like a sigh he drew in his breath. “You are truly lovely!”

She knew he meant it and felt lovely.

He bent to kiss her throat, quick flickers of his tongue making her tremble as he blew in her ear. His hand fondled her breasts that felt heavy, the nipples taut, begging for his mouth.

And her mind went away, and took all her thoughts with it. Her heart followed his every move, going to each place his hands traveled on their journey over her body. She held him, not only with her hands, but also with the soft sensitive skin of her underarms against his sides and back. And the moment wasn’t yet. He made love to her with all his senses, slow, lingering touches of his hands, with his eyes and mouth, not leaving a single inch unexplored. “We’re in no hurry, darling,” he said. “There’s all the time in the world.”

Pulling him closer to her, she melted into him, loving that there was no rush. She wanted to stretch and treasure every instant, feel and taste and touch and see all of him. She didn’t know when she’d let go of her reserve, and she was amazed at her own daring, the way she felt so free to take and respond.

Her hand moved slowly over his chest. The fingers played with the light sprinkling of golden hairs, continuing down his belly. She touched him, fondling and playing him like a delicate instrument, hearing him gasp, delighted that she could bring him pleasure.

With the palm of his hand he caressed her belly, and for a moment she tried to suck in her tummy, embarrassed over its rounded softness. The moment passed, and it was all right to be the way she was.

She wanted to tell him to be gentle with her, that her body didn’t have the responses. It might hurt at first; then she decided she didn’t need to.
He knows.

With teasing slow strokes he moved his hand lower. And lower still. Using the tips of his fingers he caressed the tender skin of her inner thigh with slow circular motions. First one. Then the other. His fingers moved and found her sweet spot, filling her with intense pleasure. She arched her back, fire burning in every cell.

Michael had said not to worry. He’d promised that it was going to be all right. And he spoke the truth. It is all right. Very much all right.

Later, much later, he cradled her head in his hands. Without words he kissed away her pleasure tears.

She was overcome with joy and tenderness, pulling him closer, as if she could embrace and hold this moment forever.

The depth and width of her love filled her with happiness and wonder.

“I love you, Nina.”

She smiled into his blue eyes. “I love you, Michael.”

He rocked her, kissing her with small swift pecks on her whole face. He held his lips close to her ear, bringing on another shiver.

Michael spread a comforter on the bed. “Here, snuggle up.” He put his arm around her again, pulling her close.

“I love you,” she said again. “For as long as I live I’m going to cherish the memory of this day.”

Chapter 25
 

Exhausted from yesterday’s emotional roller coaster Nina slept deeply. Opening her eyes, she looked around at the surroundings, at first sight unfamiliar. Memories of the previous day flooded her. A warm flush of happiness washed over her, a smile teasing the corners of her mouth. She glanced at Michael’s side of the bed, found it empty, the pillow dented where his head had rested. A hearty moan of contentment escaped her. Kicking off the covers, she sat on the side of the bed, tousled her hair, stretched and with a few long strides went into the bathroom. She delighted in the shower’s many energizing sprays drumming against her skin. She dressed in yesterday’s clothes, wishing for clean underwear.

Michael had set breakfast on the table on the lanai, but wasn’t anywhere in sight. The morning was golden yellow, benignly warm. She filled a glass with fruit juice and took small sips. Leaving the lanai to walk in the garden, she breathed in the perfume of damp grass and blossoms. In the bright sunlight the garden was alive with vivid colors.

She felt his arms hug her from behind, the thick lawn silencing his step.

“There you are, honey. I checked the bedroom. When I didn’t find you in bed I figured you must be out here.” He kissed her on the neck.

“Good morning, darling,” she said, turning in his arms to face him.

“I love it when you say ‘good morning, darling’ with this accent you have.”

“Do I have an accent?”

“Yes, a nice little accent, the way say you say ‘r’ with a little burr, and the slight raise in your voice at the end of a sentence.”

She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.

“You smell good, but different.”

“I used some of your after-shave. Do you mind?”

“I most certainly don’t. How are you, anyway?”

“I’m in love with you. That’s how I am—in love.”

His arms tightened around her. “Oh my darling, I love you too. I’ll always love you.”

“Me too.”

“Now tell me how you are,” he said his smile mischievous.

“Some muscles are a little sore, but I feel wonderful.”

A gentle laugh. “Poor you,” but without a trace of compassion. “I’m so happy because of you.”

Suddenly he let go of her. He bent his head low and swatted both hands in front of his face and around his ears, surprising her.

“What is it?”

“Wasps. Or bees.”

He grabbed her by the hand and hurried her to the lanai, slamming the door. They sat at the table, side by side, facing the pool and the garden beyond.

“I shouldn’t wave my hands; it only attracts them, but I hate those insects.” He pulled a tissue from the box on the table to wipe the perspiration on his brow. “They seem to be everywhere this time of the year.” He sounded so distraught she had to smile.

“You’re out in the garden a lot. Aren’t you used to them?”

“When I’m out there working I wear gloves and a net over my head.”

“Are you allergic?” She was alarmed. A wasp sting could be nasty if he was sensitive.

“No, I’m not allergic. I’ve been stung several times; once in a while I get a slight fever, so I stay clear of them if I can.”

He passed her a dish of cubed honeydew melon. Breakfast wasn’t a meal she enjoyed, and she wasn’t hungry, but she had some anyway, because he’d prepared it.

For a moment they ate in silence. Turning toward him she leaned closer, gazing at him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

He helped himself to a slice of toast with honey.

“I’ve never met a man like you. You have a way of being totally in the present, like there’s nothing before and nothing after this very instant. I’d like to learn to be like that.”

“It takes time, but you can learn.” He held the coffeepot to her. “Want some? It’s decaf.”

“No thanks.”

He glanced at her. “It’s your honesty that attracts me most.”

Huh? She didn’t feel honest, having breakfast although she didn’t really want it.

With her hand around his neck she pulled his head closer and kissed him. “Only my honesty attracts you? Nothing else?” And she tickled him in the ribs, making him wriggle and laugh.

He dropped his half eaten piece of toast on the plate. “Please don’t Nina, I’m hopelessly ticklish.” When she didn’t relent, he moved his chair out of reach. “I was wrong; everything about you attracts me. There, now please stop.”

“Okay. Eat your breakfast.” She watched him take a bite of toast and stir his coffee before taking a sip.

They sat, simply enjoying each other’s company.
Such a wonderful gift to be comfortable together in silence.

“Everything about us feels right,” he said after a while. “The moment I saw you I knew something special and good had come into my life. I didn’t question what it was or where it would lead me. I know what we have is unique, and I’m prepared to follow wherever it takes me.”

She listened to him with her whole being, to each inflection, to the warm tone of his voice, gazing at his dazzling eyes. “It’s like a miracle. To think that I wanted to run away because I was afraid of you.”

His smile was impish. “And now?”

She sat on his lap, arms around his neck, lips close to his ear. “And now I don’t seem to get enough of you.”

“Want to do something about it?”

“Oh yes, I do. Right now.”

He tussled her hair. “Nina, what a change from before!”

She giggled. “Have to make up for lost time.” Suddenly she felt insecure. ‘Am I too bold?”

“Not at all, sweetie.” Arms around her, he led her inside.

In broad daylight on the bed she’d so painstakingly made only a while ago they made love until the world went away, and time lost its meaning, and they were drunk with love and joy.

The moment passed. Time moved on.

She rested her head on his shoulder, looking at his elegant feet. Nothing in her life had ever been this good. Too good to be true? Hardly. They both deserved this happiness.

He glanced at his watch. “If you don’t have anything planned for today how about going to the beach?” His eyes held hers.

Her lips stretched to a broad smile, eyes crinkling. “Sounds wonderful. There’s nothing on my agenda, except to clear the table and put the food away.”

He chuckled. “We left breakfast out there, didn’t we?”

Still smiling she left the bed. “I’ll grab a quick shower and take care of the dishes. I want to go by my house to get a bathing suit and check for phone messages and e-mail. Maybe there’s something from the children.”

When Nina returned to the lanai after the shower, Michael had cleared the table.
How nice of him.

Happiness filled all of her—mind, body and soul. Her mother came to mind—Mama would encourage Nina to make a gratitude list. “When you’re really happy write out all the things you’re grateful for,” she would say. This seemed like a good time to write one.

Michael came carrying a cooler. “We’re going to a private beach. Belongs to a friend of mine, so we need to take our own drinks. Ready?”

Nina waited on the porch while he locked up. Yesterday when she walked through this door she’d been trembling from of misgivings and nerves. Today she walked through the same door a free woman. She wasn’t fully healed yet, but felt light and young, life rushing in her body with every beat of her heart. And she was dealing with the past.

Chapter 26
 

Upon arriving at her home, Nina went straight to her office to check for messages from Annecy. There weren’t any, and the disappointment dampened her joy. It was too late now to call them, but she resolved to time it so she would reach them. She was the happiest she’d ever been, but missing the children and the twins burned like a gaping sore.

“Here, Nina,” Michael said as she was about to leave the office. “I’m through reading your books. They’ve been in my car for a few days.” He placed them on her desk. “Great stuff. I’m proud of you.”

“Did you like them? I mean, it’s not reading you do for pleasure.”

“I did. They’re well written, easy to follow. The examples you give bring the dull subject to life through the people you portray. The dialogues you’ve introduced add dimension to both works.” With the backside of his hand he caressed her cheek. “The one on dual diagnosis should be mandatory reading in medical school.”

She gave him a quick kiss. “Well, thank you, darling. You’re making my day.”

In the bedroom she threw a few things into a beach bag, changed into a bikini, and they were off.

They covered the distance to the ocean through the midmorning traffic in a short half hour. Michael drove past luxury townhouses and gated estates, pointing out some properties along the way.

“The house over there, with the red tile roof, belongs to a colleague of mine.” He pointed. “See the shore? It’s part of his property. That’s where we’re going.”

Looking, she saw a sprawling, ranch-style house, the lush green lawn ending abruptly where it met the sand.

“I like coming here because it’s quiet and private,” he said.

“How come you’re allowed here if it’s private?”

He winked. “Courtesy of my colleague.”

“Hmm. Nice colleague you have.”

The guard in the gatehouse greeted Michael. “Good morning, Dr. Hamilton.” He lifted his hand in a salute and raised the gate. They took a paved road, bordered on each side by tall, sculpted hibiscus. It was like driving through a green tunnel, studded by crimson flowers.

After parking the car, Michael walked round to Nina’s side to open the door. The sun felt good on her skin, goose-bumpy from the car’s air-conditioning. He handed her the towels. “Here, mind carrying these?”

He grabbed a blanket and the cooler.

“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?” She pointed at a rolled-up sunshade he carried tucked under his arm.

“Hope so. The shade will keep us from roasting to a crisp.”

They walked the short distance to the beach on a path bordered by shrubs. On the powdery white beach she kicked off her sandals, wiggling her toes in the hot soft sand. Michael showed the way to a clearing in the shape of a horseshoe, dotted with sparse tufts of sea oats. The clearing was surrounded by dense vegetation, so tall it made the place seem like a natural gazebo.