Seduced by Moonlight (18 page)

Harry smiled. “Did you see any other black folks in the hospital?”

“No.”

“Did you notice any on the streets of Hamilton before we got out of town?”

“No.”

“I'll speak plainly with Brian and Mitzi when we get back,” Harry said. “If they confirm what Dr. Mehta said then I'll have to pass. But that conversation can wait until the morning. The rest of the evening will be devoted to taking care of you.”

Remembering Dr. Mehta's suggestion that she soak in a tub to ward off future soreness, Cherisse glanced over at Harry. “You're not giving me a bath!”

“Doctor's orders,” Harry said with a lascivious grin in her direction.

Cherisse laughed. “I don't care if they were God's orders.”

About an hour later, however, she had to eat those words. She had gotten into the tub with very little trouble, hobbling about the bathroom, trying to keep her weight off her right foot.

When she tried to get out of the deep tub, she wasn't so successful. Every time she reached for the handle and pulled herself forward, she wasn't able to get traction because she was right-handed, and the handle was on the left side. After several awkward attempts she wound up calling Harry.

Harry came to the bathroom door. “Yes, darling girl?”

Did he sound smug, or was that her imagination?

“I can't get out of the tub. You're going to have to help me,” she said too softly.

“What was that, sweetheart?”

“I've fallen and I can't get up!” Cherisse yelled.

Harry was through the door in an instant.

Cherisse covered her breasts with her hands as best she could. The suds provided cover for her lower half. “Okay, I didn't really fall. But I do need your help getting out of this death trap.”

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the expression in Harry's eyes. She knew she was in good shape but she also knew she was no ravishing beauty. Maybe ten years ago she could have competed with some of the women Harry Payne was used to seeing naked, but not now.

So, why was he standing there like an idiot when she needed help getting out of this tub! “Harry, please, the water's getting cold.”

Harry grabbed the smallest towel on the shelf. “Will this do?”

Now she knew he was not as clueless as she had assumed. He was
messing
with her!

Cherisse pursed her lips. There wasn't a Patterson woman on earth who couldn't outsmart the male animal.

“Forget the towel for now,” she said. “Just pick me up and put me on my feet, I'll do the rest.”

Harry contemplated her request. In order to fulfill it, he would have to touch her naked body. She would have to put her arms around his neck and he would have the full-length of her in his arms. It was all to his advantage. Pretty much like winning the lottery, intimacy-wise. Short of making love to her, that is.

“All right,” he said, sounding unsure of himself.

“And keep your eyes closed the whole time,” Cherisse added.

Harry didn't like that clause but didn't protest. He was going to hold her in his arms naked. A man couldn't afford to be greedy with a woman like Cheri.

Harry complied. Eyes shut, he bent down and had to rely on Cherisse to position him so that she could put her arms around his neck. He then slipped his left arm about her waist and his right underneath her thighs and lifted her from the tub.

She smelled wonderful and her wet body was warm and firm, but soft, in his grasp.

Cherisse's face was pressed against his, and he inhaled her sweet breath. He stood quite still with her in his arms. Then he gently set her feet on the warm tiles of the bathroom floor. Cherisse sensually slid down his body. His hands were now supporting her bottom as she got her footing.

Harry grew hard instantly and Cherisse could feel him through his jeans. He was not the only one who'd become aroused. Her nipples were distended and she was quite moist between her legs and it wasn't from the bathwater.

Harry kept his word and kept his eyes closed. Cherisse, however, could look at him as much as she pleased, and the sight was hugely satisfying. She loved the way his lips curved, the way his lashes curled, that dimple in his chin. She wanted to kiss his face all over. She wanted to taste him, and spend the night discovering every inch of him.

“May I kiss you, Harry?” she asked softly.

“If you do, I'll embarrass myself by coming,” Harry groaned.

She knew by the solid feel of him on her thigh, he wasn't lying. “Okay, I won't,” she breathed against his mouth. “Just release me and leave.”

Oh, what the hell,
Harry thought,
I'm already wet anyway.
And he turned his mouth a fraction of an inch. Cherisse sighed helplessly against his mouth and gave herself to him.

Lips were tasted and parted, and tongues eagerly danced against one another and delved into the sweet nectar that was their mouths. No matter how many times Harry kissed her he always found something new to enjoy about her sweet mouth. This time it was the fact that she could suck his tongue in such a sensual manner that it made him feel as though she were actually tonguing him elsewhere. He grew so hard his erection was becoming painful.

He really was about to climax, standing there kissing her on the bathroom floor.

Somehow, he found the strength to break off the kiss, and set her away from him.

However, in the confusion, he forgot to keep his eyes closed and he saw her in all her glorious nakedness. Full, gorgeous breasts, tips pointing north and as hard as he was at that moment, a slim, tapered waist and flat stomach with a lovely belly button, shapely hips, arms, muscular legs and thighs, dark curly hair between her legs and an ass that he wanted to bite.

He could not stop devouring her with his eyes.

Suddenly, though, it finally dawned on his sex-crazed brain that they had agreed on separate rooms and even if she did change her mind, it was a woman's prerogative, he had not brought any condoms with him on the trip so that he would not be tempted.

“I'm sorry, I got carried away,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I'll leave now.”

Cherisse smiled and said, “We're both adults. We're not going to let a little thing like nudity spoil our chaste weekend, are we?”

Harry didn't know whether she was serious or not, but he knew he had to get out of there or he was going to literally explode in his pants.

“I'll be taking a cold shower if you need me,” he said hoarsely and stumbled out of the bathroom.

Cherisse reached for a towel and began drying herself off with it.

A few minutes later both she and Harry were dressed in their pajamas and robes and sitting down to the meal they had ordered from room service. Harry had insisted on their staying in tonight even though Cherisse had declared that she felt up to going to the lodge's four-star restaurant for dinner.

They had ordered simple meals of baked chicken for her and fried trout, a local favorite, for Harry. They enjoyed garden salads and freshly baked dinner rolls with it. Cherisse passed on the wine because she had taken several Tylenols since her return from the hospital. Harry had a glass of white wine, thinking it would help him sleep with Cherisse only a few feet away from him.

After dinner, they curled up on the white leather couch in the living room and watched an old movie. Cherisse fell asleep in Harry's arms and he carried her to her bed, where she woke up long enough to put her arms around his neck and murmur, “Lie down with me, Harry.”

He did, and they fell asleep in each other's arms.

At around 2:00 a.m. Harry awoke and found Cherisse pressed firmly against his body as if she had been sleeping with him for years.

He found the sensation it gave him an entirely pleasant one and he bent to place a chaste kiss on her lips. Cherisse moaned softly and opened her mouth to let him in and soon they were kissing just as urgently as they had earlier.

“Cheri, darling, we can't do this.”

“Why not, we're both single and way over the age of consent?”

“Unless you want to get pregnant with my child in the next few minutes, you'll let me get the hell out of here. I don't have any condoms. I didn't bring any because we agreed on separate rooms, remember?”

“Yeah, but I was open to being seduced.”

Harry laughed softly. “Then you might have shared that bit of information with
me.
”

Cherisse sighed and opened her eyes all the way, sleep now gone from their depths.

“Am I a loose woman because I want to make love to you? It's harder for a woman to make that decision, especially a woman with a child. I have to set an example.”

“I think you've set a fine example,” Harry told her. “Six years of celibacy.”

“Yes, but I wasn't tempted by anyone during those six years. I'm tempted now and I'm failing miserably. I want you so much, Harry. You can't imagine how much.”

Harry put her hand on him. “Can't I?”

Cherisse pushed out of his arms. “All right, go to your room, Harry. And tomorrow we'll go back home, both of us unsatisfied. And I'll keep my status as Mother Teresa. Did I tell you some of the other nurses call me that?”

Harry kissed her on the forehead. “You're breaking my heart.” He got out of bed.

Looking down at her, he warned, “Next time, it's on!”

Cherisse covered her face with her pillow. “I can't watch you leave.”

“I
was wondering when you were going to ask about that,” Brian said over breakfast the next morning. Harry had asked him if Ponderosa Pines Ranch's clientele consisted mostly of whites or if other races figured in the numbers and had told him and Mitzi about his and Cherisse's encounter with Dr. Mehta.

“I want to be certain that all of our guests will feel comfortable visiting this part of the country,” Harry said.

Brian, who was sitting beside Mitzi, nodded calmly. “Yes, and it's an understandable concern. To be perfectly honest, Mitzi and I would never think of excluding anyone based on the color of their skin but the fact is we have never had guests of any other race here.” He laughed nervously. “Whether this area is predominately white because the folks around here are unfriendly toward people who don't look like them, we don't know. Mitzi and I never questioned it because, well, I guess because we're white. I'm sure Dr. Mehta had a different perspective on the situation.”

“This poses a problem,” said Harry. “We all know that a resort can't exist in a bubble. Guests like to explore the surrounding area when they come to a resort, to go shopping at local stores, or eat away from the resort in local restaurants or take in a movie. Would blacks be welcome? From what you've just said, I don't think so. I like Ponderosa Pines Ranch. I think you two have done a wonderful job on it but I'm sorry, Brian, Mitzi, I'm going to have to pass on your offer.”

“We're sorry, too, Harry,” Brian said honestly. “Mitzi and I like you and Cherisse. We were hoping the ranch would go to a couple like you, someone we felt would look after it the way we want it to be looked after. But I understand your point of view.”

He and Harry stood and shook hands. “You won't want for buyers for long, Brian. This place is too great. In fact, Ernest Hallowell is looking for a small outfit in the west, something he can turn into a couples-only resort. You might want to make your pitch to him.”

Brian brightened. “I had no idea he was in the market for something small,” he said. “He owns resorts all over the world.”

“Yes, but he's never satisfied,” Harry said. “The Montana wilderness may be just what he's looking for. Good luck.”

“Thank you, Harry.”

Cherisse and Mitzi also rose and hugged briefly. “Wonderful to have met you, Mitzi,” Cherisse said with warmth.

“Same here, Cherisse,” Mitzi said with a grin. “Now, remember, next time a horse goes nuts on you…”

“Put pressure on his halter,” Cherisse finished, to which everyone laughed good-naturedly.

Half an hour later, she and Harry were en route to the Missoula airport with Jake Hanks at the wheel of the SUV they were passengers in.

A few hours after that they touched down in Denver, Harry drove her home, carried her luggage inside and deposited it in the foyer where Jo, Danielle and Charlie were waiting to welcome her home.

Harry got a strange feeling watching Cherisse's little family hugging her hello as if she had been gone a month instead of overnight. Being hundreds of miles from his family in Kentucky, he didn't enjoy that kind of closeness.

This was the first time he'd met her mother, Joann, and he saw the resemblance to Cheri in a second—same cheekbones, overall beauty, undoubtedly the same strength of character if he could judge by the unwavering manner in which she was regarding him.

“So you're Harry Payne,” she said. “You know in the fourth quarter of your last Super Bowl game, you should have passed to Kenji Burns. You missed that call.”

It wasn't the first time Harry had heard that complaint from a fan. He was surprised he was hearing it from Cherisse's mother though. He smiled. “I've regretted it ever since.”

Jo threw her head back in laughter and took him by the arm. “You're staying for dinner!” And she started giving orders. “Danielle, take your mother's luggage to her room. Cheri, I'll need help in the kitchen. You men can make yourselves scarce for a few minutes while we get the meal on the table.”

Charlie was glad for the opportunity to get Harry alone.

While the women went off to various tasks, he put his arm about Harry's shoulders and said, “Come on, old buddy, I'd like to hear all about your trip to Montana, mainly about the sleeping arrangements.”

“Charlie, behave yourself,” Cherisse called from the hallway.

In the family room, Charlie muted the TV and turned to Harry, who had taken a seat on an overstuffed chair next to the door. “Well?” he asked expectantly.

“Well, what?” asked Harry.

“Did you, or didn't you?”

“Did I what?”

“Oh, is that how you're going to play it?” asked Charlie, smiling pleasantly. “Did she
sleep
with you? Because if she did I know she's gone on you and I don't have a chance but if she didn't, I'm still in the running.”

“As I understand it you were never in the running,” Harry stated.

“She's just saying that to get under my skin,” Charlie blustered.

“Is it working?” asked Harry.

“You look smug now,” said Charlie. “But I have an advantage you don't—I'm the father of her child.”

Harry wanted to say “And I'm the father of her future children.” He managed to restrain himself. Instead he said, “She's a great kid.”

Charlie softened. “Yeah, thanks. And thanks for sponsoring her, by the way. I don't think I'd thanked you.”

“No need for thanks,” said Harry. After a short lull in the conversation, he asked, “Having any luck finding a place to stay?”

Charlie shook his head in the negative. “What are you afraid of—that I'm beating your time with Cheri when you're not around?”

“No, I just don't like seeing my woman irritated on a daily basis, and you're the main source of her irritation. She gets enough stress on her job. Why don't you go stay at the resort until you find a permanent place? It would be quite a commute but if you got up early enough it might work.”

Charlie laughed shortly. “I must be making you nervous.”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot,” said Harry, “your reason for staying here is to spend more time with Danielle. Staying at the resort would defeat that purpose.”

“Sarcasm won't get you anywhere,” said Charlie.

Both men laughed.

“You know,” said Harry, “you're an okay guy, someone I wouldn't mind being friends with if only for one thing.”

“I'm trying to steal your woman?” Charlie said with a smile.

“It puts a damper on the whole friendship thing,” Harry admitted.

Charlie's expression suddenly darkened. “I've got to ask you something and I would appreciate it if you would be honest and straightforward with me. I haven't beaten around the bush with you, I've told you I want Cheri back so I'm not going behind your back or anything. I'm asking you to respect me in the same way. Are you going to tell her about that night in Philly?”

Harry was afraid this subject would rear its ugly head before long. “I have no intention of mentioning it, no.”

“Are you for real? Not even if I'm beating your ass when it comes to winning Cheri back? You won't use it as a trump card?”

“Neither of us should have been at a party where there were hookers,” Harry said. “I would be embarrassed to tell Cheri I was there, let alone that her husband had been. Plus, I left, remember? I have no idea what you got up to after that.”

“Nothing, man, I never cheated on Cheri. I was there for the gambling, that's all.”

“Whatever you say,” Harry joked. “But the last time I saw you a leggy blonde had her tongue in your ear.”

Charlie shuddered, remembering that night. Too bad he wasn't a drunk as well as a gambler back then. At least that memory would have dissolved in an alcoholic haze.

He remembered everything.

“One of the worst experiences I've ever had,” he said.

“Coming in,” Cherisse announced as she strode into the room carrying a tray of raw vegetables and dip. “Stop talking about me.”

She set the tray on the coffee table in front of Harry then she bent and kissed him on the cheek. “In case you want an appetizer,” she said solicitously. After which she turned to leave the room.

“Where's
my
kiss?” Charlie called to her retreating back.

“Get your own girl, Charlie Washington,” she replied.

“She loves me, she just doesn't know it,” Charlie said to Harry.

“Here's to her never finding out,” Harry said as he picked up a carrot stick, dipped it into the sour cream concoction on the tray and ate it. “Delicious.”

 

That day was the first of many such days that Harry was welcomed into Cherisse's family, which included her ex. As December raced to a close, Harry wanted more and more for his family to meet Cherisse. His love for her grew with each passing day and with it the desire to ask her to marry him. He resisted that impulse, though, because he still wasn't certain Cherisse would take him seriously.

Seeing her with Charlie convinced him that she didn't take relationships lightly. He realized that she was still fond of Charlie and probably always would be. But Charlie had let her and Danielle down and she couldn't totally forgive him for that.

When Harry asked her to marry him he didn't want her to be able to raise any objections. So no proposal for a while yet, but that didn't mean he couldn't set up a meeting between her and his family.

On a Sunday morning in mid-December, he placed a call to his mother in Louisville, Kentucky. It was after eleven and he knew she should be home from church by now. She went to the eight o'clock service.

Sure enough, Mildred answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Good morning,” said Harry.

His mother screamed in his ear. “Harry! I was just thinking about you. Maris Stephens tried to get me to sell her my wedlock quilt today and I told her I was saving that quilt for you and your wife. The woman actually laughed in my face, Harry. She said you were never going to get married. I'd just as well sell her the quilt. I tell you, after today, she'll get that quilt over my dead body! Even if you never get married! How is Cherisse?”

“She's beautiful,” said Harry, wondering if his mother had taken a breath yet.

“Oh, Harry, the sound of your voice when you talk about her, you're really in love this time!” said his mother excitedly.

“Yes, I'm really in love,” Harry told her. “And I want you to meet her. I want all of you to meet her. Come here for Christmas, I'll pay for everything. My house in Denver will finally have a family in it.”

“I'd love to,” Mildred immediately accepted. “Let me get with Susanne and I'll get back to you. Traveling over the holidays can be a hassle. We'd better make arrangements as soon as possible, so I should get on the horn with Suse right now. Call you back, Harry.”

“Oh, Mom?” said Harry.

“Yeah, baby?” intoned Mildred.

“Bring that quilt with you. Or ship it to me ahead of time. I want to give it to Cherisse as a Christmas gift.”

“I would be honored,” said Mildred, sounding close to tears.

“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby,” Mildred said.
Yes,
Harry thought, before he hung up,
she's crying.
Harry smiled and got up from his desk in the study of his suite at Karibu.

Last night he'd taken Cherisse and Danielle to dinner and then to a performance of
The Nutcracker
at the Denver Performing Arts Center. He had enjoyed himself. Danielle had shown him a great deal of attention, which made Harry envious of Charlie. One day he wanted a daughter as wonderful as she was.

He and Cherisse now regretted not consummating their relationship while they had been alone in Montana since in the past week they had not been able to steal any alone time.

He missed her so much when they were apart that he had her photograph as a screensaver on his PC. Plus a photo of her on his nightstand so that her face would be the last one he saw before falling asleep.

They tried to keep their daily phone calls down to two a day, whenever the desire to hear the other's voice became too overpowering to ignore, which to him came much more often than twice a day but he was Harry Payne and he had a reputation to uphold!

Luckily, he was not going to have to wait until Saturday night to see her again. He was taking her to the red-and-white ball, a fund-raiser held by the Denver Business Association to raise money for disadvantaged children in the city of Denver, this Friday, December 19. White tie and tails for the men and either a red or a white evening gown for the women. He couldn't wait to see Cherisse in her gown.

He had reserved a suite for them at Hotel Teatro, one of Denver's most intimate and luxurious boutique hotels. It was across the street from the Denver Performing Arts Center where the ball was to be held. In fact, if memory served, that was how the hotel had gotten its name. Back in the day it had been the hub of the Denver theater crowd.