I rolled over in bed, trying to decide if I should get up or go back to sleep. Opening one eye, I glanced around the room. The sun had risen, making the white walls of the room quite bright. Must be mid-morning. I closed my eyes again. Paul's blue eyes hovered in front of me, his evil grin sending chills down my spine again. I sat up, opening both eyes now. I was alone, in my own bed, and back at the beach house. I sighed, smiling. Paul had taken me home from his cabin the previous evening after we spent the day relaxing and fishing at a nearby river for a late lunch. Never cared much for fish but it was good. Of course I had to wear the blindfold back to the beach house. I didn't bother trying to figure out where I was; I liked the mystery. Even the mystery of his real attachment to me. It wasn't love; in fact, it felt more real than any love I'd ever experienced. I'll go with it for now.
The last few days has inspired me to write several more pages of my current project so I got out of bed and threw on a shirt and shorts and sat down at my laptop. Breakfast could wait. I had been writing for a couple of hours straight when I heard noises downstairs. Frowning, I got up from my desk and headed down with caution. It couldn't be Paul again, although that's the man I would have preferred to see in my kitchen.
"Hey," the intruder said when he saw me. "Where have you been? You haven't returned any of my calls."
That's because your calls go straight to voicemail, I thought to myself. "It shouldn't matter to you where I've been, Michael. Our marriage is for your convenience, not mine."
He stopped going through the mail he had brought in from the mailbox and looked at me for a moment. His dark hair sat neatly on his head, goatee trimmed up neatly, brown eyes a little tired. He stood just a few inches taller than me, his shirt and pants a little too nice for vacation attire. I knew this wasn't going to go anywhere I'd want it to so I cut to the chase. "What are you doing here?"
He kept looking at me for a minute, looking determined to finish the argument. Finally he let go of the mail he held and leaned against the counter. "You hadn't called me back. I suppose I should have left a voicemail, but I don't mind seeing you, dear. I need you to accompany me to a barbecue dinner this evening at Larry's place; it's some kind of minor celebration for the deal we're about to close. Will you go?"
I sighed. I didn't mind the occasional get-together with his associates and friends, and if it will get him out of my hair for a few more weeks... "Sure, I guess," I replied. "What time shall I need to be ready?"
"I will pick you up at 6 p.m. Larry's place is about a half-hour's drive from here, up the coast. I've got some things to do here in town so I'll be back. Thanks, Lydia."
I nodded, avoiding his gaze as he kissed me on the cheek. He was being awfully nice, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.
Michael picked me up that evening and took me to the barbecue at Larry's. I wore a blue-green sundress that hovered just above my knees and tied around my neck. My brown hair was half up in a clip, the other half curling down my neckline and back. I had to admit, I chose this dress because my breasts looked great under it. There were at least fifty people in attendance, with most of the men dressed in short sleeve button shirts or polo's and khaki shorts. They outnumbered the women slightly, most of the latter wearing summer dresses or skirts. Larry was very welcoming to everyone, telling everyone he spoke to that the bar would not go dry anytime soon. The bar was situated under the balcony of his house while tables surrounded an infinity pool. The view of the ocean was incredible, but the party was dull. I had a couple strawberry margaritas while I mingled with my husband and his co-workers and their significant others. The ribs and steaks grilling made my stomach growl, so I headed to the table of finger foods to get some fruit. While fixing myself a plate I bumped into a man I didn't recognize, but seemed familiar to me. "I'm sorry," I said to him.
"It's okay, honey," he said, smiling. "I'm bound to bump into people when I have this many beers." He chuckled, leaning toward me to speak lower. "And I certainly don't mind bumping into a sexy doll like you."
I giggled a little, hoping my reaction came off as embarrassment instead of turned on. He had short, sandy blonde hair and hazel eyes on top of a bright smile. He was also about a foot taller than me. I could feel my pink lace thong growing wetter as I felt a little throb. I decided to take a chance and held out my hand. "Lydia," I whispered.
He took my hand and keeping his back to the crowd, lifted it to his soft lips and kissed it teasingly. "Lars," he breathed across my tingling skin.
