Society Wives (16 page)

Nadia raised her hands in excitement, startling Ryan. “Oh! Guess who was selected to choreograph the new musical that Leland Bogart is going to be starring in?”

“Are you serious?” Ryan jumped up. “You've got to be kidding me. That's great!” Ryan hugged her friend as a slight wave of jealously passed through her. She was happy for Nadia, but couldn't help but think that it could have been her had she continued on her desired path.

“I screamed down the house when I got the call. Well…after I hung up, of course. I couldn't believe it. This will be my first gig where I will actually be working with a Hollywood star.” Nadia smiled as the exhilaration flickered in her eyes. “Broadway has its share of celebrities, but it's nothing like working with someone as rich, famous, and gorgeous as Leland Bogart. I can't wait.”

Ryan laughed. “I bet.”

“Honey, I'm still single and from what I know, so is Leland. I just might snag me an A-lister, too.” Nadia threw her head back and cackled.

Ryan laughed with her, but didn't share Nadia's zeal. She knew that being married to someone like Leland couldn't be easy. As much as Nadia wanted what Ryan had in her union with Anderson, Ryan longed to be free to indulge her passion the way Nadia did.

“You're going to hang out a little longer, right?” Nadia asked as the dancers began returning to the studio.

Ryan looked down at her watch. “Actually, I have to run. I have a few more stops to make before heading back to Long Island.” The morning had passed and she still hadn't called the doctor. She wanted to see if she could get that appointment.

“Okay. It was so good seeing you.” Nadia hugged Ryan. “Next time, be ready to dance.” Nadia wiggled her hips.

“I will. I promise.”

“I'm going to hold you to that. Bye, hon.” Nadia clapped her hands and directed her attention to the group before her. “Are we ready, people? We need to clean this up.”

Ryan gathered her coat and purse and eased out of the studio. She could hear Nadia giving orders behind her. “We'll run it a few more times. And…five, six…”

Suddenly Ryan couldn't wait to get away. She dialed her doctor and was thankfully given an appointment for later that afternoon. That would leave her with just enough time to dine at one of her favorite restaurants before heading back. She'd have to catch a show another time.

Ryan decided to leave her car at the lot and hailed a cab. She didn't feel like tackling city traffic until she was ready to leave. Now that it was lunch time, it took a while to flag down a taxi. When one finally pulled over, she made the mistake of telling the driver that she was in a hurry and ended up with red knuckles by the end of her short ride. Several near misses had her shaking in her heels by the time he pulled up in front of Tao, one of the cities most frequented Asian fusion restaurants.

Ryan tossed the driver a twenty and got out in a rush, slamming the door behind her. She wanted to give the driver a piece of her mind, but wouldn't have been able to get the words past her thumping heart, which was now lodged in her throat.

Ryan shook off the dread of her ride and headed inside. She confirmed to the hostess that she was a party of one and was led toward the seating along the wall, a bit of distance from the enormous sitting Buddha statue.

From the quiet nook where Ryan was seated, she could see the majority of the restaurant. She looked around and what caught her eye caused the nausea she felt earlier to come rushing back. She slapped her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming or throwing up, whatever tried to come up first.

Ryan stood and rushed to the restroom, bursting through the door. Luckily no one was inside. She ran into the stall and stood over the toilet in case the churning in her stomach wanted to relieve itself. When she was sure she wasn't going to vomit, she came out and splashed water on her angry face. Red crooked lines trailed across the whites of her eyes and tears filled the wells, but didn't fall.

She wanted to approach Anderson and find out who that woman at his table was, but remembered she wasn't supposed to be in Manhattan in the first place.

She took several deep breaths and tried to reason with herself. She didn't see the woman's face, so it could just be a fellow actor, co-worker or even a reporter out for an innocent or working lunch. Nevertheless, what was he doing in New York when he was supposed to be in Los Angeles filming?

Ryan pulled her phone out and dialed his number. The first call went to voice mail and she dialed again. The second time, he picked up and she choked back a scream.

“Hey babe,” Anderson said cheerfully.

“Hey!” she said. Her voice was as shaky as her hands. Then she was at a loss for words.

“Ryan?”

“Uh…yeah.”

“Well, what's up?”

“Um. Where are you?”

“Having lunch right now. Why? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I just wanted to know…when are you coming home?”

“I'll be home next week. Are you sure you're alright?”

“Yes. I'm fine. I just miss you. Hold on a sec.” Ryan tipped out of the bathroom and peeked through the dimly lit restaurant. Anderson was still seated at the table with his phone to his ear. The woman was seated across from him giving her attention to her cell phone. “Andy.”

“I'm still here.”

“Okay. Well. I love you.” Ryan continued watching him. She wanted to see how he'd react in front of his lady friend.

“Okay, babe. I'll see you soon.”

“Tell me you love me.”

“What?”

“I said I love you. Tell me you love me, too,” Ryan insisted as she watched him through narrowed eyes.

Anderson turned slightly from his lady friend. “You know I love you too. What's this about?”

“Nothing. See you when you get home next week.” Ryan ended the call.

Ryan took several deep breaths to keep from losing her composure. Intuitively, she placed her hand across her stomach as she observed him. He put his phone aside and continued his conversation without missing a beat. Ryan watched for a few minutes more to see if she could glean anything else from his maneuvers and when she couldn't take anymore, she slipped out the front door. Her heart pounded so loudly she felt like the thumping could be heard outside of herself.

Ryan had never seen that woman before, but would make it her business to find out who she was.

Chapter 25

Vonnie

Adrenaline coursed through Vonnie's veins as if the news she had received earlier had just come in. She found it difficult to contain her excitement as she waited for Mike to come home from work. This was too good to tell in a phone call. She had to deliver it face-to-face so she could see the excitement in Mike's expression.

Vonnie still couldn't believe all of the notoriety she'd received after she delivered a speech on childhood obesity a few months ago. That twenty-minute talk placed her on a trajectory that she had never seen coming. A few weeks after she spoke, calls started coming in from magazine editors, and television producers asking her take on issues concerning the matter that meant so much to her. Vonnie had come across scores of children suffering from major conditions that normally affected adults, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. As a self-proclaimed ‘former fat kid' she also knew firsthand how insensitive people could be toward an overweight child—from peers to parents. The subject was personal for her.

Today's call got her so excited she could hardly stand still. She'd been asked to appear on the infamous Rayne Medley's talk show to talk about the effects of childhood obesity and offer tips for parents to combat the issues, and to talk about her own experiences as an obese child who as they say ‘beat the odds.'

Vonnie tried to release her nervous energy by tidying up the house. When she found herself cleaning the kitchen countertops for the third time, she put the cleaner away and took up pacing.

Mike called earlier and she almost spilled the news. Vonnie literally bit her lip to keep from ruining the surprise. Now, she sat in the great room nursing a glass of Merlot.

When she heard Mike's car pull into their circular driveway, she jumped up and raced through the front door. Vonnie accosted him before he could get out of the car. She laughed at the stunned look on his face.

“What the hell!”

Vonnie covered his face with kisses. “I've got great news!”

“Okay…” Mike just stared at her, which made Vonnie giggle even harder. “Well, are you going to tell me right here or can we take this inside where it's warm?”

Vonnie looked down and realized she didn't have on a coat, though she still didn't feel the cold sting of the twenty-something degree weather. Grabbing Mike by the hand, she pulled him inside, pushed the door closed and backed him up against it.

“Hmm! This news seems delicious,” Mike said when Vonnie came so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Mike closed his eyes and kissed Vonnie and their passion was unleashed. By the time they pulled away from the kiss, both were breathing hard.

Breathlessly, she looked down at Mike's fingers unbuttoning her shirt and said, “I'm going to be on TV.”

“What!” Mike's fingers paused.

Vonnie's proud smile spread clear across her face. She shook her head. “You heard me right. Your gal is going to be on TV.”

Mike's mouth dropped open. “What? How? When?” How much are they paying you?”

Vonnie stepped away from Mike and spun around with her hands in the air. “Woo. This feels like a dream.”

“I want details,” Mike said. “My baby is going to be a star? What show? And how much do you get paid?”

“The Rayne Medley Show! Can you believe that?” Vonnie jumped up and down.

Mike took her in his arms and planted moist pecks on her lips and cheeks and then took over her mouth with his. The passion in the kiss he laid on her, pushed her excitement out of the way, replacing it with desire.

“Wow. But how much are they paying you?”

Vonnie waved him off. “Silly. It's a talk show. They don't pay you for that, but the publicity will be great for the practice and could lead to paid speaking gigs.”

“Oh. Okay. Let's celebrate,” Mike said, picking Vonnie up, attempting to carry her to the bedroom. After a few steps, he stopped and huffed and let Vonnie slip out of his arms. For exaggerated affect, he bent over holding his knees and then placed one hand on his back.

Vonnie slapped him playfully. “I'm not that heavy!”

“No, but I'm that old! How about I save that energy for when we get to bed?” Mike lifted himself as if it were straining him to straighten his back.

Vonnie laughed and shook her head.

“Seriously, I'm proud of you, babe.” He slipped his arms around her waist. “I bet you already know what you're wearing.”

“Right down to the bra and panties,” she confirmed his suspicion. “Go ahead and get changed up and meet me in the kitchen. I've got dinner ready.”

“Cool.”

“Hurry. Because I want to call Noelle and tell her about it too.”

Vonnie missed her daughter whenever she was away at boarding school and would find any reason to call her even if she'd already spoken to her several times in a day.

This would excite Noelle. Vonnie could picture her telling all of her school friends.

Vonnie removed her clothes, save her bra and panties. She pulled a pair of pumps out of the front closet, slipped them on and headed back to the kitchen to heat up their meals. By the time Mike changed and made his way to the kitchen, Vonnie was seated on the kitchen table along with their plates sipping from her glass of Merlot.

When Mike noticed her in lace panties and a matching bra, and his lips curled into a seductive grin. Mike always loved her body, despite the fact the she couldn't possibly be defined as thin by any stretch.

Rubbing his hands together, he said, “Yes. Dinner is gonna be delicious tonight!” and roared like a lion.

Vonnie nearly spit her wine out laughing. He danced to an imaginary tune as he made his way over to his wife. Vonnie moved with his melody as she welcomed him warmly.

Mike stopped suddenly. Vonnie sat straight, wondering what was wrong. Mike held his hand up as if to say, ‘wait,' pulled his t-shirt over his head and stepped out of his pants and boxers. Vonnie covered her mouth to keep the sip of wine she'd just taken from spilling out as she laughed at him once again.

Mike started his dance up again and continued making his way over to her. Vonnie was nearly choking on her wine as she held in her laugh.

Choosing her luscious brown core over the meal, Mike laid her back on the table and feasted on her instead, treating her with extra care.

Vonnie fell into a trance under Mike's influence and lay sprawled across the table, barely able to move after Mike had taken her to a sexual peak so intense that her entire body shuddered. Still wanting more, Vonnie sat up and pulled Mike into her arms. She wanted to give him the same pleasure that he'd lavished on her.

Mike kissed her and stepped out of her reach. Vonnie's eyes narrowed.

“It's all about you, babe. Let's eat and then I'm going to take you to the room and show you how proud I really am.”

Vonnie smiled and then squeezed her legs together trying to quell her desire. Sliding her panties back up, she hopped off the table, pulled a cloth and some cleaner from the pantry and sanitized the table before setting out their dinner. They sat, scantily clad, enjoying their meals and teasing each other with their eyes. By the time they were done, they'd drummed up a fresh batch of desire and raced to the room, locking lips and groping one another.

They lay wrapped in each other's arms reveling in the afterglow of their fiery love making.

Mike pushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “I'm proud of you.”

“Thanks. I couldn't wait to tell you. I almost spilled the beans when I called you earlier today.”