Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER 14

In the wake of my accomplishment of soaking in all the emotions I felt seeing the painting Richard secretly and spontaneously bought for me, I realized I needed help once again to get out of my dress. It has been thirty minutes if not more. I already removed my shoes and other things that I could by myself. Would Richard find it annoying if I asked him to help me get out of my dress since I could have asked earlier? No, I'll just do it myself.

I almost threw out my back trying to unstrap the dress. Heaving and puffing profusely, I let out a defeated sigh. I couldn't do it on my own. I needed Richard.

The gentle knock against Richard's door was light, I was uncertain if he even heard it. I stood there nonetheless, waiting for him to open up. The constraint in my chest built as the vintage clock on the wall ticked by. Twenty seconds turned into fifty and I found myself knocking again, louder this time.

The jangle of the doorknob gave me the assurance that he had heard me.

When Richard opened the door, I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole. My heartbeat went from unvarying to speedy at the sight of Richard's muscular naked chest on display.

I sucked on my breath.

Water droplets flowed down inches of tan muscles before receding from view into a white towel wrapped around his narrow waist. He has a V-cut abdominal muscle that pointed to an area where I didn't want to get in my imagination. An area that seemed to be bulging through the terry cotton material of the towel.

A sudden jolt of electricity coursed through my veins leaving me momentarily stunned. My eyes gave him another once-over. And this man was supposed to be in his forties? I have never seen anything like this before.

This is a compromising situation. My eyes darted toward his face, hoping he didn't notice me gawking at his body.

He raised an eyebrow at me in anticipation. "Do you need my help with anything?"

My throat suddenly felt dry, no words came out of my mouth.

"Is it the dress?" He stopped in front of me.

Yes! The dress!

"It is. I can't unstrap it by myself." my voice was breathier than I was proud of.

Richard circled me like a predator. His muscles twitched with each step. He dragged my hair over my shoulder and a new crop of goosebumps arose on my skin.

This should not be happening, I shouldn't be feeling this way. Not Richard. No!

"I knotted it too tight, forgive me." he drew me out of my thoughts.

A nervous chuckle escaped my lips before I had a chance to stop it. "Not as tight as the wedding dress."

He grunted. "Come on in so I can see the knot clearly in the light."

The invitation was nothing short of virtuous, but my disloyal body didn't seem to align with my thoughts as Richard ushered me into his room and toward the light of his nightstand.

"Let me put some clothes on."

The corners of my lips curled up as I bobbed my head.

"I'll be back in a second." he strolled over to his closet and glanced over his shoulder at the last second.

My cheeks flushed from being caught staring at him.

He pointed somewhere in the room. "Have a seat."

My eyes followed his hand in the direction he was pointing at. It was a cushioned chair, so I went along and sat in the chair.

He entered his closet without sparing me another glance.

I took the moment to observe his room. I was expecting the room to be filled with stacks of documents and sticky notes considering how busy he has been but to my surprise, it was no different from him. There some slight differences were just the work table with his computer on it and a worn copy of Americanah.

Hmm, he reads. Smacking myself mentally in the head. Of course, he reads.

"Let's get started." I was startled by the sound of his voice.

"Okay." I pulled myself up and walked to him. He traced his fingers down my spine, my body shuddered as his hot breath hit the back of my neck. My skin pickled in response and I wrapped my hands around myself.

He started with the knot, only to muddle around it. He sucked his teeth and I let out a giggle.

"What was I thinking when I tied this?

I giggled again as he tugged it.

"I think I'm getting a hang of it. Oh, almost there." his voice was huskier than usual. I felt the knot loosen up.

He finally unstrapped me and I turned around to face him. Our eyes fell on each other, and it looked like something passed between us. His look sent sparks across my skin and my heartbeat accelerated. It was as if I'd known him my whole life. While I wanted to be upset with myself for the strange feelings I had toward him. I couldn't help it. He was my best friend's dad and having those sorts of feelings wasn't what I had imagined would accompany the marriage.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" he muttered, catching me off guard.

" I would love to," I agreed. "But I should change into something else. Excuse me."

I skimmed out of his, quickening my pace, I pulled the dress over my head and plopped it on the bed. I scanned through my closet and fished out a nightgown. I put it on immediately and dashed into the living room. I caught a glimpse of Richard in the kitchen, holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. I walked towards him.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, calling his attention to me.

"Hey, Sauvignon blanc?" he asked, raising the bottle In the air.

"I don't know what brand of wine is that, but you are the expert and I'm good with anything you pick."

I leaned against the counter, watching Richard twist the corkscrew into the cork. With a series of Swift movements, he opened the bottle of wine I couldn't pronounce. He poured some wine into both glasses and then set the bottle aside. He handed me a glass.

"I think you'll like the wine."

"I think I will like it because you are an expert." I joked. "Cheers." I offered, clinking my glass against his.

I took a sip and the sourness of the wine hit my tongue first before other fruit flavors began to take hold. I could see Richard from my peripheral vision looking at me.

"Hmmm, it tastes so good."

"I'm glad you like it. Should we go to the balcony?" he suggested.

I nodded.

Outside, we leaned over the railing, welcoming the coolness of the night.

"Thank you for the painting. It's the best gift someone has ever given me. I loved it."

"I knew it had to be yours from the look on your face."

"What look was that?"

"A look of longing."

"It reminded me of what could have been. I only have figments of memories of my mother. I can hardly even remember what she was like. So is my father. I miss them.."

I heaved out a sigh and looked out into the horizon, silence hovering over us.

"I know this is purely contractual," I blurted, peering at him. "But I wouldn't mind knowing more about you."

"What would you like to know?"

"Umm, I've been curious, why were you never married? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." I added quickly.

He chuckled quietly, and my heart contracted. "I had a feeling you were going to ask that." he paused before adding on. "I ask myself the exact same question sometimes and I usually give myself the same answer. I'm healing."

"Healing from what?"

"Now that someone else is asking me that, it seems pathetic of me. Healing from a first love." he scoffed. "She cheated on me with a man she introduced to me as her cousin." he smiled, it was a sad one that didn't reach his eyes. "Funny isn't it?"

I didn't say anything because I knew the question was purely rhetorical and didn't need an answer. Although there was nothing funny about it. It broke my heart just seeing him smile the pain away.

"I loved her with everything I had. I guess I just wasn't good enough for her. For anyone." he finished off, his voice wavering.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," I said, glancing at the glass of wine in my hand.

"Well, now you know my pathetic love story."

"It's not pathetic." I retorted.

"But it is," he argued.

"Maybe a little but it's not your fault and don't say that about yourself. You are enough. More than enough. You are Richard Berlette. The man everyone wants to be like and be with." We both laughed at the last word I said. "What about Abigail's mum? I realized you and Abigail hardly ever mention her, I never asked her because I didn't want to intrude." My lips twisted in embarrassment. Me saying that to him implied I only cared about not triggering Abigail's feelings and not his. Who knows what could have happened?

"Maybe some other time. I'll tell you then. What about you? Your past, anything."

Saying nothing, I turned away abruptly, I clung to the nearest support, fingers digging into the hard surface of the railing.

"Is something wrong?"

"No." I swallowed dryly, unable to wet my parched throat. "There is nothing much to say about me. I'm just a girl who loves making coffee. What do you think? I asked, wanting him to change the topic.

"Hmmm, I think intelligent and curious, and you are a person with a kind heart. You have a good sense of humor. And you are mysteriously beautiful."

I gave him a fleeting smile. "Mysteriously beautiful. That's a first."

"And there'll be more firsts."

I twisted the stem of my wine glass, considering his words. " You are such a charmer."

We stood at the railing and watched, as the breeze gently lifted strands of our hair. I glanced over at Richard, he was gazing into the distance, his expression unreadable.

"I want to make a confession." He finally said.

I stayed quiet for a moment before smiling shyly at him. "And that is?"

"I've liked you ever since I saw you."

My heart stopped. I stood unblinking, trying to process what he just said. Richard likes me. Oh my! Richard actually likes me. This is crazy, how could this be?

What do I say to that?

"Richard…I…umm." I stuttered.

"You don't have to say anything. It's just a confession." I was eternally grateful for that.

"But I just want to let you know that I've liked you ever since." He said as he moved close to me.

"Richard," my voice came out in a whisper. For a moment neither of us moved.

He collected my glass of wine and placed it on a stool alongside his.

He placed a hand on my hip and pulled me closer. I sucked in my breath and looked up at him. In that brief moment, I started imagining what it would be like to be loved by him. It felt like all my fears had disappeared, and that he would love me still no matter what I tell him especially_my past.

What was this that I felt for him? A crush? Lust? Love?

I let myself lean into him, our bodies came together. I remembered that I wasn't wearing anything to conceal my hardened nipples pressing against his chest but that didn't stop me from drawing closer.

He raised his hand to my hair, his touch was tender and caressing, unlike anything I have known before. I watched in awe as he closed his eyes and leaned in close and his lips were on mine. I could taste the wine on his tongue. I moaned into his mouth, giving his tongue an opening. He took full superiority, weaving his tongue into my mouth. This was novel to me. My tongue followed and joined his in a leisurely, titillating dance of tango. He brought his hands around my waist pulling me closer. I tentatively slid my arms around his neck. I could feel his erection against my belly.

I gave myself to him, allowing him to trail his lips down my neck to my collarbone. I leaned back, reveling in the burning sensation. I could feel the moisture of his lips as they brushed against my skin.

He wants me. Richard Berlette wants me.