Chapter 5

"Mort . . . Mort?" Christine said hovering over Mort as he lay in bed with a shocked expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

Mort's mouth felt too dry to answer. It took him a moment to clear his throat. He wasn't sure how it looked to Christine. Maybe she thought he was chocking, but all she did was look down at him with worried eyes. She had been wearing his navy blue shirt that fit her like a mini dress. The sleeves went down past her hands and the bottom came down only to her thighs when she walked. For if she would have dropped something and bent over Mort would be in for a treat.

"I just had a nightmare, that's all." he said in a low voice after he finally got his throat cleared enough to speak. "No worries."

"You look so pale. That must have been some nightmare."

"The worst." Mort replied. "Excuse me I'm going to get something to drink." Mort got up from the bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen only wearing his briefs. When he got there he got a glass from the cabinet and filled it with some water. Three seconds later he finished his glass of water. He quickly placed it in the sink and walked back upstairs. He entered the bedroom to see Christine getting dressed back into her clothes.

"Leaving so soon?" he asked walking over to her.

"I'm afraid so--that was work." she said buttoning up her blouse that she had just taken off not long ago.

"Oh." Mort sighed. He sat on the bed and watched her get dressed.

"Yea they need me to come in the look over the last few chapters of a book."

"Cant they get someone else to do it?" Mort asked.

"No." she snapped. "It's my client. Plus I'm in the process of getting a promotion."

"A promotion? You just got a promotion."

"I know. But it makes me so happy now that my work is finally getting some recognition. And if I get this promotion your looking at the new chief editor of Robert & Steven Publishers." she said now starting to put on her make up. Mort sat silent for a moment as she finished putting the last of her lip stick on. Then a few minutes more as she put on her eyeliner and eye shadow. She finished her look with some blush and perfume she kept in her purse. He walked her out to her car remaining silent

He couldn't get the image of Christine dead in his dream. The horror of that moment will haunt is dreams for a long time. But why did he dream it? Was it metaphor of what he really felt? That deep inside somewhere he wanted her dead in some way for some unknown reason. No the last he wanted was for Christine to be out of his life.

He dreaded the day he would have to live without her. Still it didn't stop him from cheating. Maybe that was what he needed. He needed another women to come into his life for him to realize that he really did love Christine. Could the dream also be the guilt getting to him? A metaphor for what he's doing to Christine.

Christine stopped to unlock her car. Mort stopped just behind her still thinking about the terrible dream he just had. Then she turned to him.

"I have to go to New York for a few days. I'll be back on Saturday."

It was prefect. Christine would be out of the way for a few days for him to get his head together.

"Oh, don't go I'll miss you too much." Mort replied.

"How about if I bring you back a souvenir."

"Is that a promise?" Mort asked.

"Give me a kiss goodbye and it will be." The moment the words left her mouth Mort kissed her tenderly on her soft lips. Then he watched her car drive away until it was out of sight.

The following day Mort awoke to the blaring sound of the phone ringing. He reached for the phone which was on the coffee table from the night before when he talked to Christine. They didn't talk for very long just a few minutes before Mort began to fall asleep from staying up almost all night the previous night. He had been working on his story since Christine left. He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear.

"Hello?" Mort answered roughly.

"Hello, Mort." It was Marta. What was she calling for? She was the last person he wanted to hear from. On top of that she sounded as if nothing was wrong.

"What do you want Marta?" Mort asked.

"You to meet me South of Chesney, Street number 53, 5330." Marta said. Before Mort could reply she was gone. Mort placed the receiver back on its holder.

Meet her at South of Chesney? Mort wasn't entirely sure of his way around Chesney, but he knew how to get there. Chesney was a larger town next to Tashmore Lake. It was about a forty-five minute drive from Tashmore give or take with traffic. But why did Marta want him to meet her there? Most likely she didn't know that he knew about his knowing about her marriage. A secret she kept well hidden until two nights ago.

Mort didn't want to be part of whatever game she was playing with him. He didn't want anything to do with her anymore let alone want to meet her. So it's decided; he wouldn't go. But if he didn't go would she just keep calling. Perhaps when Christine came and caught Mort talking to her. Maybe he should go after all. Just to break his ties with her. Tell her it's over for good.

With that Mort headed to Chesney.

Within an hour he had arrived in Chesney at 53rd street just as Marta instructed him to. All he needed to do now was to find the house number. The street was very long and started with 3470. It wasn't as easy as he thought. There was a house on each side of the road and they numbers would go across of the street instead of next to each other. 3471 would be across from 3471 then 3472 would be next to 3471, etc. He drove straight down the long road what seemed to take longer then driving to Chesney . . . 5325 . . . 5326 . . . 5327 . . .

He was inching his way towards the house. He came to the end of the street and still no 5330. Then in the back of the road he spotted another road. Apparently it wasn't the end of the road. There it was a long road, but no houses. Mort followed the road which took him about five minutes to see 5328 which was right on the beach to his left. And finally 5330.

It was a large beachouse which Mort found to be a beautiful sight. It had three floors with balconies that went all the way around the front of the house. The long driveway curved in front of the house facing the ocean. The roof was shaped like large triangle and contained large windows that overlooked the clear as the sky ocean as well as full length windows on each floor open to see into the house. There was no walkway need to get to the beach due to the fact it was literally right on the beach. It was marvelous.

Mort pulled up in the driveway and turned off the car. He stepped out of the car. It was such a calming atmosphere with the wind and the waves crashing against the shore. But Mort wasn't going to get distracted from his surroundings. He knew what he came here to do which all went away when he finally stepped inside.

He entered the house through two large wooden doors. He had knocked on the door and Marta had called for him to let himself in. Inside he first noticed the high ceilings and elegant hardwood floors. It was one giant room containing the living room and the kitchen. The furniture was all white while all the tables in the room were black including side tables, the coffee table, and the kitchen table. The kitchen was in the back of the room away from the massive size windows leading out on the balcony.

Mort found himself walking towards the end of the living room towards the window. As he got closer he realized that in the middle of window were glass doors that would open up to the balcony. He glanced out at the ocean and seemed to forget about his worries. But the ocean wasn't calming at all. But represented life. It can be something you spend a sunny summer afternoon playing in and then turn into something dangerous. Yet it made him think about the touch of a woman and the soft touch of Christine's warm hands against his chest, the soft kiss against his lips, and the warmth of her body as she lay next to him.

Suddenly the sound of Marta's shoes on the hardwood floor brought him back to reality. Mort quickly turned around seeing Marta walking towards him. He knew if he wanted to keep Christine he would have to let Marta go. But to add to his problems Marta was wearing an alluring red dress that came down just above the knees. It was a dress that made eyes and her body just pop. He found her eyes were what attracted him in the first place. Those big beautiful brown eyes that always lite up a room the kind that never showed sorrow, only happiness. But then again not only had she had wonderful eyes, but a killer body. The kind a man would give up anything for just to touch it.

"Isn't it muy espectacular?" she asked admiring the house while Mort was admiring her dress. She was smiling happily at Mort. He could tell she was pleased to see him. Mort couldn't help, but think that she was the spectacular one. But he didn't come here to admire how stunning she looked in a sexy dress.

"We need to talk, Marta." Mort said in a serious tone. Her smile slowly disappeared from her face.

"Why did you ask me to come here?" Mort continued to ask. To his surprise she was smiling again. A question mark went up in his head for a moment. Did she not understand he was about to dump her?

"Come with me." Marta said taking Mort by the hand and leading him into the other room. As she turned around he noticed that the back of her dress tied in the back showing off her shoulder blades and lower back. To keep up the surprises she lead him upstairs to a pitch black room. He wasn't sure if he should keep following her or turn and run.

When they reached the top of the stairs Marta turned on the lights revealing an entire room full of art. There were paintings from left to right covering every inch of the place. Mort looked around to notice the different paintings of people, landscapes, and flowers. Many of the paintings were unframed and looked like they had just been finished. There was one that caught his eye; a silhouette of a city on water with a purplish-red sky. What made the painting so intriguing was the realism of the water.

Then he saw it; a large painting of a village. With bright colors it helped bring out the beautiful painting of a village. It was set in the daytime with children playing in the background and people going on with their daily lives. A long road went through the middle of the painting as far as the eye could see. As well as old fashioned style houses making the village look like a fairytale like as if it took place somewhere in the sky. Yes the sky was most intriguing thing that was in the painting and all done on a piece of fence.

"What is all this?" Mort asked completely overwhelming by his surroundings.

"You asked to see my gallery and here it is." Marta replied coming up from behind Mort was now standing in front of the painting.

"Let's celebrate." Marta suggested as she brought out champagne from behind her. Mort turned towards her and saw the champagne. She brought it over to a metal table beside them and set it down. Mort followed her to the table. He knew it was time to break the news. It was now or never.

"What are we celebrating?" Mort continued to ask.

"You're the first person to see my gallery." Marta answered as she begun pouring the champagne into two glasses.

"Even before your husband?" Mort asked. Marta stopped pouring for a moment. She looked away as if she were trying to hide something. Then as if nothing happened she took both glasses into her hands and handed one to Mort.

"You didn't think I'd find out did you?" Mort asked refusing to take the glass. Marta kept insisting Mort take the glass.

"How can you just forget to tell someone you're married?!" Mort yelled. He took the glass from Marta's grip and slammed them down hard enough for some champagne to spill out on the table beside them. Marta didn't step away instead she stood there watching Mort have his tantrum.

"Did the night we spent together mean nothing?! I'm not some toy you can just throw around! And I don't appreciate being used like that, Marta!" Mort shouted now looking Marta in the eyes.

Just then Mort thought of the other night when they had their first date. He really felt something for her in that moment when they kissing in the parking lot. He wasn't expecting to be feeling something for her now. Mort came here to tell her off and leave happy, but suddenly he wasn't so happy. Marta just kept looking at him with her seductive brown eyes he had to look away.

"Are you done?" she asked approaching him closer. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Mort kept his hands tight against his legs to keep from wrapping his arms around her. Her body was so close Mort felt her warm body against his body.

She leaned in towards his left ear and whispered, "You forget we all have secrets." As soon as the words left her mouth they seemed to send chills down his spine. What did she know about him?

Marta slowly began to press her lips against the skin between the end of the jaw and the ear. Mort could feel her soft lips on his neck. He took a deep breath.

"I can't see you anymore, Marta." Mort said. Marta pulled her arms from around his neck and placed them on her hips.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Mort." she said walking away from Mort and towards the table. She took her glass of champagne and sipped it slowly.

"But you forget . . . I'm not the only one with another lover."

Shockingly she was right. All this time Mort never considered the fact that he also cheated. Coming here to make Marta feel guilty when he himself forgotten his own guilt. Marta watched as Mort was simply lost for words. She brought him over some champagne which didn't take him long to finish.

"Thanks." Mort said handing the empty glass back to Marta.

"You know I've never seen someone gulp champagne down that quickly. I'm not sure anyone would ever want to." Marta said putting both glasses back on the table. Then she walked back over to Mort.

"You must really dislike me."

Surprised by her words Mort's eyes widened. Not only was standing very close, but she put her hands around his neck. This was not how he pictured this evening to go. He didn't expect it to be so hard to dump her. They spent one evening together and now it felt as if they've been together for years.

"Not at all." Mort replied. Marta smiled at him. In that moment he wanted to kiss her. She was so beautiful and she was right there. He looked into her eyes. They were full of excitement and life. Mort slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. For a moment he found himself leaning in towards her. It was as if he had no control over his body. His lips got closer until they finally touched.

In that blissful moment he could only think of one thing; Marta. The way she moved when she walked, her long soft pitch black hair surrounding him, and how he adored the sound of her accent. He also found it pleasing that she was kissing him back. The taste of her kiss was much like the other night, full of passion and seductiveness.

Her kiss wasn't like Christine's kiss in the sense she always kissed Mort quickly and was done. With Marta she took her time and kissed Mort softly. Marta loved to run her fingers through Mort's hair and grab a hold of his neck almost forcing him against her. This excited Mort. It was something different he'd never realized he would enjoy. Marta proceeded to kiss him with one hand running though his hair and the other on the back of his neck.

Slowly their lips parted. They opened their eyes to see each other for a moment then immediately went back to making out. Mort could feel Marta bringing her hands down to his chest. Her kiss was getting faster by the minute. Mort brought himself closer to Marta now as he felt the tip of Marta's tongue in his mouth. She must have known she was arousing him for she would push him away when he got closer then pulled him back when he put his hands down. Mort not at all put off by it kept trying to put his arms around her.

Mort put his hands on her back and like a chain reaction Marta pushed his chest to back him away. She came closer to him and began kissing him again. Before he knew it he was up against the cold cement wall. Marta gave him one last final push up against the wall which separated them from each other. Then she pressed onto him roughly and kissed him hard. Mort put his hands on her back not knowing what she was going to do if he did. To his surprise she didn't do anything. Maybe she didn't notice.

Just then Marta gently bit his lip. It was clear that she noticed. Mort dropped his arms to his side. She kissed him again slowly lowering her hands to his stomach. Mort gave in and stopped trying to wrap his arms around her. He kissed her slowly and softly. He kissed her faster as a few more minutes passed them by. He didn't care how long they were in the room kissing on another. All that mattered was that they had that moment.

Without realizing it Mort noticed that Marta had begun to take off his belt. She took it off and whipped it against the floor. She was smiling playfully at Mort who was laughing a little. She looked at him with her entrancing eyes. Tossing the belt off to the side she kissed him again. It was clear that Marta was in complete control. That she was using his negative energy he had come here with to bring the sexual side of him out. She was just acting like she was pushing him away just to make him want her more. Mort was entirely under her spell.

Mort awoke between the sheets of the most comfortable bed hes ever had the pleasure of sleeping in. In fact it was the best night sleep hes had in months. The first time he'd slept the entire night without having brutal nightmares interrupt his dreams. Mort slowly opened his eyes to see the clock that read 10:30 a.m. on the nightstand beside him. He had spent the night over Marta's house. This was far from what he predicted would happen.

Once again his emotions got the best of him. This is not good. What am I going to tell Christine? Yes Christine! What was he going to tell Christine? He meant to tell her the other about his relationship with Marta, but selfishly decided not to. This was the absolute worst thing he could have done. It started out with a innocent kiss and now this. What exactly is an innocent kiss? Mort kissing Marta wasn't exactly what anyone would call innocent.

Mort glanced around for his clothes. He needed to get out. It was just too much. He knew what he had done would haunt him forever. Images of last night flashed through his mind like a bad dream.

He spotted in underwear on the floor beside him. He picked them up and slipped them on under the covers. Mort got out of the bed and searched the room the rest of his clothes. They weren't anywhere in sight. He looked on the floor, under the covers, and even under the bed. Just as he felt like he should give up he spotted the rest of his clothes on the arm chair a few feet away from the bed. Marta must have put them there. He quickly walked towards the chair and picked up his jeans.

"Good morning sleepy head." A voice said from behind him. Startled Mort jumped as he turned to see Marta entering the room wearing only a KISS T-shirt and boy shorts. She was carrying a large mug in her hands as she walked closer towards Mort.

"I made you some coffee." She said handing Mort the mug. Mort reached out his hand and took the mug from Marta. He took sip. The steaming hot liquid ran down his throat and warmed his body. He sighed with satisfaction. Marta could make a hell of a cup of coffee. He placed the mug down on the nightstand beside him as he started to put on his jeans.

"So I was thinking." Marta began now taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "I show you the rest of my paintings, then we get some wine and have a picnic lunch on the beach and gossip about everyone we know."

Mort's heart seemed to stop beating. Without realizing it he got himself into another relationship. He looked at her sitting there on the bed. She looked so beautiful. How could he say no? But he can't let his weaknesses get to him. It's already got him in enough trouble already.

"I have to go." he said now putting on his belt.

"We don't have to gossip." Marta joked. This was going to be harder then he thought.

"No . . . it's not that."

"Then what is it?" Marat asked. She stood up and walked over behind Mort. Then she wrapped her arms around just as she had done last night. Mort finished putting on his belt and turned around to face Marta.

"Look last night was . . . great, but . . . I can't do this. You're married and my girlfriend is coming back in town on Saturday--."

"Then we have till Saturday." Marta insisted. She looked at him with longing eyes. She wanted him to stay. Mort couldn't think of a reason not to besides the obvious reason of him being involved with another woman. For that he had to think of something.

"I don't have any clothes to last me three days." Mort said reaching for his shirt.

"I'll take care of that. I could go into town and buy you some clothes." Marta walked across the room. She put on a pair of jeans and stepped into some black knee-high boots that she put over the jeans.

"That's not necessary." Mort said. He followed her into the other room that connected with the bedroom. It was the same room that surrounded them with all her paintings. Mort watched as she got her purse and coat together.

She walked over him and gave him a peck on the lips. "I'll be back soon."

With that she was out the door. Mort stood there until he heard her car pull out of the driveway. He watched from a window in front of him as Marta turned onto the road. She had left him their half naked in her house with nothing to do expect wait for her return. But Mort knew he had a decision to make. He could leave or he could stay.