Chapter XI: Arrival Part 1

Wednesday, July 10th, 09.10 p.m.

Jarod closed the flyer on the last page and placed it on his knees, his gaze blank.

He had just finished reading Erin's novel, and he had found it simply brilliant. The characters jumped literally out of the pages, the set was depicted in a very vivid way, the plot was enthralling from beginning to end, both in the action and in the reflective or descriptive moments; moreover, unlike any other fantasy novel he had read so far, it spoke about love and sex openly, treating these topics as they are in reality, that is, fundamental facets of life.

In its genre, it was unique, and a masterpiece.

Jarod stood up and went looking for Erin, whom he knew busy in writing the sequel to her main character's adventures, the formidable healer/warrior woman who had so much of herself.

He halted on the doorway, propping one shoulder against the wall, and watched her as she was swiftly typing on the keyboard; on her face, she wore the anxious expression of the artist in full creative mode: shining, almost unblinking eyes, slightly parted lips, shallow breathing. In such a moment, interrupting this sort of trance would be almost a sacrilege, so Jarod stayed still and silent on the threshold, waiting for Erin to notice him, with the shadow of a smile full of loving pride playing on his lips.

She needed a few minutes, but finally, through her dulled senses, Erin perceived Jarod's presence and stopped, turning to him a gaze still lost on far horizons.

"I don't want to bother you", Jarod said, "but I just finished your book."

Erin's eyes focused on him.

"You never bother me", she stated, honestly, "you're the less intrusive person on Earth."

She flashed him one of those bright smiles of hers that turned his knees to jelly, and stood up to meet him.

"Come, I could use a cold drink", she invited him, "What about some pine-apple juice?"

"Yes, thank you."

They went and sat outside, under the gazebo, side by side on a rocking couch.

"Well", Erin asked him, inhaling deeply, "what do you think about it?"

"Absolutely fantastic", Jarod declared sincerely, "both from the reader's and from the literary critics' point of view…"

He told her his opinion, then quoted the scenes that had struck him particularly and praised the choice of certain not banal language patterns, which made the reading even more interesting.

Erin stayed silent as she listened to him, feeling more and more flattered and blushing in pleasure.

"Thank you, Jarod", she said in the end, "I'm really glad you liked my novel. I hope only that your so much positive critic doesn't come just from your feelings for me…"

Once more, her modest nature prevented her accepting without discussion such great praises.

"I assure you that, shouldn't I like it, I'd find a way to tell you without hurting you", Jarod declared, firmly. When he used this tone, Erin couldn't help but believe him.

"Okay", she said, with a slight embarrassed smirk.

"Very well", he nodded, "One more thing: I find it so good that I'd like to submit it to a friend of mine, a publisher."

A few years before, under a pseudonym, he had published a romance novel dedicated to Miss Parker, which had been such a success that the editor was still thanking him. In that same occasion, he had been able to save the man from a big trouble with an ex business partner, therefore he owed Jarod not one, but two.

Erin stiffened and shook her head:

"I don't want to use you to reach high places", she said with a wry face: this was something she really hated.

"You won't", Jarod explained, "I'll only ask him to read it and tell me his opinion. Lloyd is an enough honest person to express openly what he thinks: if he doesn't like it, even if he's a friend of mine, he'll let me know."

She looked at him askance, pondering about it. She had no reason to think that Jarod would in any way deceive her, she trusted him too much for that; besides, the thought to allow a perfect stranger to read her manuscript made her less nervous than allowing someone whose opinion was important to her, like in Jarod's case. Therefore, she finally nodded.

"Okay then", she accepted, "But I don't want my name to show, not now, even less in the hypothesis of a publication."

She made a gesture as if to say this is a possibility as remote as the moons of Saturn.

"You'll use a penname, then", Jarod smiled, remembering his own – Heart – "Something makes me think you have already one in mind."

Erin returned his smile: Jarod knew her really well. Unbelievable, as they had been together for less than one month … Besides, she had the same feeling, even if she still knew almost nothing about him.

"You're right", she admitted, "What about Deirdre O'Brian? It was my mother's mother girl name, a formidable woman, they told me, and I always liked it much."

"I think it's perfect", Jarod agreed, standing up, "I'll get my cell and call Lloyd immediately."

Erin watched him going away, barely believing at the turn things had taken. In spite of her uneasiness on allowing someone to read it, the publication of her novel had always been her dream: was it possible – maybe! she tried to remember – that it was about to come true? She shook her head: life had let her down too many times to make her be truly delusional. She hadn't enough faith any more to find back her dreams. And after all, even if Jarod had assured her the opposite, she was sure that, at least a little, his enthusiasm came from the fact he was in love with her.

A few moments later, Jarod was back with his satellite phone and sat again next to her. Drawing from his formidable memory, he dialled Lloyd's direct number at his publishing house. Glancing at his watch, he reckoned it was 6.30 p.m. in New York: Lloyd was surely still in his office, as he usually worked late.

He answered at the third ring:

"Lloyd Darnell."

He recognised at once his friend's low bass voice.

"Hallo Lloyd, here's Jarod", he began, "Do you still remember me?"

"Jarod, old rascal!" the man on the other end of the connection cried, "And how could I forget you? Without you, at this time I'd be food for fish! How are you?"

"Very well, thanks. And what about you?"

"I'm fine, too, and this is mostly thanks to you. Wait until Bobbie hears about your call… Where are you?"

"I'm very far from the Big Apple, Lloyd", Jarod answered laughing, "But give your wife a hug from my part, and tell her that I still remember her stuffed turkey."

"I'll do that", Lloyd assured him, laughing in turn, reminding the huge Thanksgiving Day lunch they had shared, "Tell me, what can I do for you?"

"I just finished reading the manuscript of an acquaintance of mine", Jarod answered, "I'd like you to take a look at it and tell me your objective critics."

"Of course, Jarod. What is it, an essay, a novel, a treatise…?"

"A fantasy novel."

"Well, it's a genre that now goes very well, with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, only to name the greatest hits."

"Yeah, I know, but this is something a lot cooler."

"I understand. Well, if you submit it to me, I reckon you think it's good enough. What can you tell me about the author?"

"For now, I prefer not to say anything", Jarod answered, "And I even don't want to give you my opinion, so that yours will be completely impartial."

"Very well, then. How do you want to send it to me?"

"It's okay by e-mail? I warn you, it's a rather huge file."

"Well, just zip it. Anyway, I have a big mail-box, so you can even don't do it."

"Fine, I'll send it to you within the hour."

"I'll begin to read it immediately when I receive it. How can I get in touch with you again?"

"Through the e-mail address I'm going to use. Now I must say goodbye, Lloyd. And thank you."

"No need to thank me! Hear you soon."

Jarod disconnected the call and looked at Erin.

"All done", he said, "Lloyd awaits the manuscript."

"Something struck me", Erin pointed out, frowning, "My mail shows my real name as a sender."

"No problem, we'll use my computer."

Less than half-an-hour later, the file with Erin's novel had been forwarded.

The young woman stared at Jarod's laptop with a dark glare; on the screen flashed a message confirming the sending of the file.

"And now let's wait for the result", she muttered. Jarod realised she didn't believe that the publisher, too, would appreciate her novel. He smiled secretly: he knew that Lloyd would be as enthusiastic as he was. He couldn't be wrong.

That night, like almost every night after the first time, they made love with the usual passion, then they rested in each others arms, stroking gently one another. An indistinct feeling had bothered Jarod for a number of days now, and at last, he realised the reason why.

"Erin... will you ever allow me entering your heart?"

Erin pulled back from his arms in dismay, looking into his eyes:

"What are you talking about, Jarod?" she protested, "You are already in my heart!"

"Not completely", he contradicted her, not hiding his sorrow, "Not like your heroine... who is you. I feel clearly that there's a part of you which holds back from me... You're still afraid, aren't you?"

Erin didn't know what to say, breathless. Jarod read inside of her like in an open book, and she felt defenceless in front of his inquiring but also gentle glance.

"What makes you believe that?"

"You never yield completely... For instance, you never call my name while we're making love."

It was true: calling his name, she felt like exposing herself somehow, making herself vulnerable in a way from which there was no return. She didn't want to hurt him, but he was right: she was still afraid.

She lowered her eyes with a guilty expression.

"I'm... sorry, Jarod. I can't get rid of it. Are you... loosing your patience...?"

Her voice, crammed with anguish, troubled him:

"No way! I told you that I'd do everything I can to make your fear disappear, without a time limit. But I need you to cooperate. Maybe it's not enough that you wait it to go away by itself... Maybe you should try something to fight it."

"If only I knew what to do, I'd do it", Erin declared, depressed. Jarod stroked her arm, tenderly.

"Maybe you could do something with or for me that you never before dared to do with or for nobody else", he suggested.

She looked at him blankly, at a loss:

"And what, for instance?"

Jarod shook his head:

"Only you can know it. Think about it, but don't get a headache because of it", he concluded, cradling her in his arms again, "I love you, and I'll love you anyway, even if you'll never make it to get rid of your issues", he assured her.

Erin clung on him, biting her lips: oh, why couldn't she open her soul completely to him? She had been hurt very deeply, but he didn't deserve to be kept at arm's length. Her instinct told her high and clear that she could trust him, but her brain reminded her that she had trusted her ex-husband, too, and look where it has ended...

"Thank you", she whispered, "You're so good to me.."

"I'm not good", he contradicted her in a low voice, "I'm in love."

Thursday, July 11th, 06.30 p.m.

The whole day long, Erin had been very absent-minded. Jarod's words had struck her deep inside, and her brain kept whirling around his suggestion. Do something with or for him that I never before had dared to do. Something told her the solution was indeed this, but nothing came to her mind that could fit.

When she arrived home, as usual she found dinner ready: being an on-line software consultant allowed Jarod to work when, where and how much he wanted, and because he liked cooking, he had taken that task on him. Erin thought it was pleasant entering home and smelling the food, something she hadn't had since she was a girl, still living with her parents.

"Spaghetti with clams", Jarod announced beaming, seeing her appearing on the threshold; by Erin's great delight, he was specialising on Italian cooking, her favourite.

"Mmmhhh..." she sighed, "My mouth's already watering."

"Can you please uncork the wine?" he asked her, as he was finishing seasoning the pasta in a pan, "You find it in the fridge."

Obviously, it was the verduzzo ofErin's grandfather's estate; but it was Sean who was now running the enterprise, the Chiarini Vineyards.

They had dinner, chatting pleasantly; Erin told him about a couple of amusing episodes that had occurred at the gym, making Jarod laugh, and he commented them very impishly, raising Erin's mirth. They laughed often when they were together, knowing that laugh is a panacea for spirit, and good for the body, too.

They loaded the dishwasher and then Erin went for a shower.

While soaping herself, Erin became thoughtful and her mind began brooding again, as it had done, nearly non-stop, since the morning.

But this time a light went up in her head; she inhaled sharply: all of a sudden, she had realised what she had to do to shatter the last barrier still surrounding her heart, separating it from Jarod's. She gulped: she wasn't sure she would be able to bring her purpose to an end, but she was firmly resolved to try.

She exited from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her body, and walked in the dining room. Jarod was sitting at the table, sipping a cold tea while surfing in the internet with his laptop; he looked at her in appreciation and, feeling suddenly more self-confident, she smiled at him.

"You take a shower, you too?" she asked him casually. Jarod nodded, then pointed to his computer:

"Shall I leave it on?"

"No, I was planning something else", she declared, misteriously. Jarod arched one eyebrow, then closed the flap and stood up; flashing her a puzzled glance, he headed for the bathroom, and shortly after, she heard the shower running.

Erin went to her bedroom and threw away the towel. She took the pillows and piled them against the head of the bed, propping on them and taking a half-laying position. She turned slightly on one side, her legs bent, her upper body three-quarter, her hands behind her neck, in a pose reminding a famous nude portrait of Marilyn Monroe, and awaited, staring at the bathroom door in front of the bed.

A few minutes later, the shower stopped and a moment later Jarod came out, a small towel around his hips. He saw immediately Erin on the bed and paused to look at her. His glance went through all of her, from the tip of her feet, up her bent legs, the curve of her hip, the roundness of her breasts, stopping finally on her face, framed by her long brown hair, spread all over the pillows. Stunned, he thought she was breathlessly beautiful.

She flashed him an inviting smile; Jarod smiled at her in return, feeling desire bursting like a fire inside of him, burning like a torch. With three steps, he reached the foot of the bed and tore off his towel, ready to begin the love game, but before he could stoop, Erin signalled him to stop. Surprised, he obeyed; she turned completely on her back and parted her legs.

"Look at me", she invited him, her voice so low, he barely could hear her. He dropped his gaze on her rosy slit, shaded by dark curls, and saw that she was touching herself. His manhood began pulsing and his mouth went dry: it's every man's fantasy, to watch his woman while she's pleasuring herself.

Then, suddenly, he realised Erin's purpose: for the vast majority of people, masturbation is a strictly private matter, almost a taboo. He knew it was for her: if she had chosen to break this taboo for him, it meant she wanted to force herself going over the last barrier separating her from him. He looked at her and read in her eyes the confirmation of his suppositions: Erin was putting herself to a very hard test for his sake. He was tempted to tell her she didn't have to, that the intention was enough... but he knew that it wouldn't be enough, that Erin had to go to the bottom of it, if she really wanted rip the last veil of mistrust and be finally free from her fears. Nevertheless, he could clearly see that this was very hard for her, and therefore, to encourage her, to let her know he had gotten it, he whispered to her:

"Thank you."

Erin understood; the awareness he had grasped her purpose calmed her down and relaxed her. Her fingers moved with greater decision, spreading the folds of her womanliness in front of Jarod's hungry eyes. She began to brush her clit with her fingertips and felt dampness forming at the pleasure she was giving to herself.

Jarod knelt between her parted legs, his hands itching with the desire to touch her, to caress her himself; he had to use all of his will to remain a passive witness. To prevent his shaking hands to move on their own, he placed them on her knees.

His devouring gaze aroused Erin and she felt her depths catching fire. She plunged one finger inside of her, moving it up and down, at the same time rubbing her clit with the palm of her hand, and felt her internal muscles quiver with the increasing pleasure. She brushed her dry lips with her tongue. This gesture almost had Jarod losing his self-control: he had never felt so aroused in his whole life, and he longed to sink in her warm and inviting body, but once more he was able to restrain himself. He swallowed hard.

Erin was looking at him and noticed his hunger, finding it very flattering. Her eyes wandered on his well-built body and ended up staring at his shaft, engorged and hard. The view increased her arousal. She added another finger, speeding up the rhythm. A short time later, she began to tense in the initial phases of an orgasm, and Jarod felt his excitement growing along with hers. Then, Erin uttered a prolonged moan, which volume increased along with the approaching of the top point, and finally it became a scream:

"Ooohhhh Jarod… Jarod!"

Her body arched as waves of pleasure shook it; hearing her calling his name at the highest point was too much for Jarod: a couple of seconds later, unexpectedly, he too reached his climax. Breathless with surprise, he threw back his head and uttered a rattling groan of astonished pleasure, clasping spasmodically his fingers on Erin's knees as his seed spurted on her legs and abdomen.

When the quake of their senses calmed down a little, they looked in each other's eyes, still gasping. Erin felt her head swirling in an irrepressible sense of triumph: she knew she had shattered the barrier, and was proud she had aroused Jarod, not even touching him, to the point to make him come. From his part, Jarod thought his heart was about to burst for the happiness to see Erin finally free from her own chains, and was stunned at the proof of how much she could affect him, knowing he could affect her as much. He smiled at her, and Erin returned his smile. The awareness that their relationship had reached its maximum depth glowed in their eyes as they locked lovingly.

Then Jarod stooped backwards, gathered the towel he had discarded and cleansed Erin from his own fluids, with slow and sensual movements as if caressing her; when he finished, he tossed the small cloth and rested next to her, wrapping his arms around her.

"I love you, Erin", he told her in a low and intense voice, "For the gift you just gave me, I love you even more than before."

She crouched in the circle of his arms, feeling still euphoric.

"I love you, too, Jarod", she declared, "and now, thanks to you, I know that I'm saying it from the bottom of my heart, with no reservations."

Monday, July 15th, 07.20 a.m.

During the four weeks they had spent together, each day Jarod and Erin had found more and more confirmations that they were made for one another. Furthermore, the mysterious feeling of knowing each other for years instead of mere weeks was constantly increasing, supported by the ability both had to predict one another's desires, an ability that more than once had left them literally astonished. It happened especially the day they celebrated their first month together.

Erin had decided to give Jarod a present, and she had chosen a high precision chronograph in gold with rubies; she had asked for an engraving in the case: the Irish symbol of love called Claddagh, two hands holding a crowned heart.

On that morning, they awakened as usual in each other's arms: a sweet habit, but it came with a price, consisting in stiff limbs and aching backs; but, in spite of this, they simply couldn't stop themselves from doing it: it seemed that they searched one another even while sleeping.

Making a wry face, Jarod stretched, then laughed, seeing Erin pulling a face as well.

"Good morning, honey", he said, kissing her, "I've got a present for you."

He offered her a small packet, wrapped in metallised paper, green because it was her favourite colour; Erin blinked, then grinned, acknowledging she wasn't surprised at all. She knew that Jarod would have her same idea.

Keeping silent, she turned and took from the nightstand drawer the packet she had prepared, handing it to Jarod. He, too, blinked in a mimic mirroring perfectly Erin's. He smiled; for a long moment, they stared into each other's eyes, losing themselves in the depths of their loving gazes.

"Don't you want to open it?" Jarod asked at last in an undertone. Erin lowered her gaze on the small packet and, feeling thrilled like a teenager, she unwrapped it with shaking fingers.

If she hadn't been surprised that Jarod had thought to give her a present for their first monthversary, the gift itself left her open mouthed: it was a bracelet in white gold, shaped like a Claddagh, its heart decorated with a few tiny diamonds. Tears stung in her eyes, and the glance she addressed to Jarod was more expressive than a thousand words.

"Oh, tesoro", she whispered, using the sweet Italian word meaning sweetheart, "it's stunning."

She handed him the bracelet so that he could fasten it around her wrist, then she admired its effect.

"White gold is my favourite", she confessed.

"I know", Jarod smiled at her, "I've noticed your jewels are almost all in white gold."

Once more, he was showing his attention to her preferences, Erin realised. She stooped over to him and placed her arms around his neck, then she kissed him passionately.

"Good heavens…" Jarod mumbled, "Are you sure you must go to the gym, this morning?"

She grinned impudently and pulled back.

"Now it's your turn", she exhorted him, pointing to the packet she had handed him. Jarod unwrapped his present with trembling hands, thrilled. He opened the small box and admired the elegant chronograph.

"It's fantastic", he stated, taking it out and turning it to watch every angle. His gaze rested on the engraved symbol and his eyes widened in amazement, and for a few seconds he wasn't able to utter a single word.

"Amazing…" he breathed at last, "Really, if I didn't see it by myself, I wouldn't believe it."

"Indeed", she agreed, nodding slowly, "Telepathy?"

"Or… reincarnation?", Jarod wondered, "If it would have been scientifically proved, I'd be sure that, in another life, or maybe in more than one, we already met and were a couple…"

He fastened the chronograph on his wrist, than he wrapped his arms around her.

To Jean's great amusement, on that morning Erin was noticeably and completely unusually late at work.