Wounds to Bind Chapter 55 – "Plan a dinner party in a way that you're actually capable of getting it done without panicking is important. It's bad hospitality for the host to be freaked out."–Ted Allen
May 17 – APOV
I built my lasagna last night, prepped the salad and vegetables. Amber followed me home from work. She's changing into comfortable clothes in the guest bath as I changed into jeans and a cobalt blue shirt with black flats.
"Amber," I handed her an NDA. "You need to read and sign this before my other guests arrive." I pop the lasagna in the oven.
She read it. "What is this – it looks like the document we had to sign for work."
"Well, since our boss's boss is coming to dinner…" I said.
"FMTT," she commented. "I wondered when you would reveal your secret."
"HUSH," I don't want to think about fucking with tears.
XXX
"Our first course is an antipasti salad – greens, diced sweet bell peppers, small red onion rings, whole black olives, salami bits, mozzarella cheese shreds, cherry tomatoes, garlic croutons with Italian salad dressing." I took a healthy portion and passed left to Amber. "We have Asiago cheese bread sticks with seasoned butters, flavored dipping oil and cloves of roasted garlic."
"I love roasted garlic, but I hate trying to clean the cloves," Amber helped herself to the roasted garlic.
"It's easy, I'll send you directions. All you need is a jar with lid and a bulb of garlic." I instruct her.
"Let's do some in-depth introductions," Luke suggested. "List three things you like to do, and then list something you dislike. Our hostess gets to play first."
"Hello, I'm Ana. I like fishing, reading and cooking. I dislike standing in queues when it is cold or wet outside." I'll be grateful if Luke doesn't out me and the lasagna birthday dinner to the rest of the security staff.
"Hello, my name is Amber. I like costume events – steam punk, Renaissance fairs, cosplay, masked balls and 50s dances. I like hiking. I like traveling. I hate when new shoes give you blisters."
"Hello, my name is Christian. I like kick boxing, playing piano and soaring. I dislike faux friends."
"Hello, my name is Luke. I love all mountain things: biking, hiking/orienteering and geocaching, rock climbing and rappelling. I hate extended travel."
"We have a jar of topics on the table. It's how we're keeping the conversation flowing. I apologize…I need to practice small talk for Kate and Elliot's wedding. I'll choose the first topic. Amber will answer first, Christian next, Luke next, and me last. The drawing and answering rotates around the table."
"What is the boldest thing you've ever done?" My face paled when I read the question aloud. Fuck. I just copied the questions from a dating website and printed them, cutting them apart. I really didn't read them.
Amber laughed. "Attended college in Seattle when my family lives in the Midwest."
Christian swallowed nervously, "Hired a therapist, turned my life upside down."
Luke smiled. "Skinny dipping in Afghanistan."
I swallowed nervously. I can't say dated a billionaire, hated his decor, like I did the last time I answered this question. "Participated in an SEC sting."
Amber's fork stopped midway to her mouth. "Jack Hyde?" She asked unbelievingly.
"Among others. I can't discuss it until after they've been to trial." I looked at Christian through my lashes, and then broke a piece of breadstick off, spreading it very lightly with roasted garlic. That ought to dampen the urge for excessive kissing while we have company.
"Next topic," Luke shook the jar at Amber.
"Name a place with a crazy name." Amber read.
"Oh god," Christian stopped to think. "Fucking, Austria. It's a real place. I skied near there once."
"Bumpass, Virginia," Luke grinned. "I visited there once when I was stationed at Quantico.
"Hell's Bells. It's a road in Carson City, Nevada." I added to the laughter.
"Well, I can see how your minds are bent…Fucking, Bumpass, and Hell. My answer is Humptulips, Washington." Amber smiled.
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. Christian's eyes morphed from dove to smoky grey. He speared some salad into his mouth.
"Next topic," Luke shook the jar at him.
"When did you get your first tetanus shot?" Christian read after he swallowed.
"Eight, stepped on a nail in a board while I was running amok outside without shoes." Luke admitted.
"Eight, cut my finger on a saw in Dad's garage." I added.
"Eight, stepped on a broken piece of glass at the river where my family was swimming and picnicking." Amber answered.
"Eight," Christian confirmed. "Skinned my knee when I dumped my bike at a bike rodeo at school."
"Everyone finish your salad and breadsticks. I will pick and read the topic and then Ana and I will clear the plates." Luke read the next topic. "The board game you like the most and why, plus the board game you dislike the most and why?"
Luke and I cleared plates and the bowl of salad. We bring the next course to the table. "Our second course is minestrone soup." I give cups of minestrone soup to everyone and passed the breadsticks basket again.
I sipped my wine and thought for a minute. "Like the most, Clue, I like solving mysteries. Dislike the most, Jenga. I'm not coordinated and I always knock it over."
Amber sighed. "Like the most would be Scrabble. I have a good vocabulary. I dislike Pictionary because I can't draw to save myself."
Christian laughed. "Like the most: Monopoly. My Grandpa Theo loves to play the game. One I hate the most: Mystery Date – Mia always wanted to play when she was young and Elliot was too macho."
We laughed.
"I like chess because it's easy for me because of my spatial abilities. I hate Mahjong, because it reminds me of hot Sunday afternoons when my grandma babysat me." Luke tasted the soup. "This is good soup."
"Thank you, I enjoyed creating the menu," I accepted his compliment. "Cooking calms me."
Christian poured more wine for everyone. "Your choice of topics," he reminded me. Luke shook the jar and offered it to me.
"Favorite mythical creature," I read. "I'm glad I have time to think about this."
"The Dragons of Pern," Amber almost bounced in her seat. "My mom's favorite author, Anne McCaffrey, wrote the series of books about dragons and dragon riders. My mom used to read the books aloud to me. I always wanted to be a green rider. I didn't want to ride a gold dragon because those girls had to take care of everyone. But if you were a girl and rode a green dragon, you got to fight and all the bronze dragon riders courted you."
"The Lion King from the Chronicles of Narnia. He was a very wise creature," Christian opined.
"The armored polar bears from the Golden Compass and the His Dark Materials trilogy," Luke answered. "I like polar bears and I love the Christmas Coke commercials. Polar bears are one of my favorite exhibits at the zoo. I just always thought it was cool their fur is transparent, but reflects the color white."
"Well, I think I like most of the mythological creatures from the Harry Potter books: the house elves, the dragon, the hippogriff, the merpeople," I shrug.
Luke laughed. "I like this, it's much easier than staring silently across a table at one another. Let's finish this course. Amber choses, Christian replies, Amber and Ana clear?"
"Works for us," I quipped. "I need help to serve the next course."
Amber picked a topic. She laughed. "I predict a fast round, let's wait until I get back."
Amber and I carried the soup cups and under plates to the kitchen and brought out the next course. "This course is served family style. Take what you would like and pass to your left please. We have lasagna, braised Italian green beans and roasted cauliflower steaks." The vegetables were passed. I wondered about my choice of roasted cauliflower steaks. I should have chosen roasted or grilled Portobello mushrooms.
"I hope you don't mind that I took a small portion of the veggies," Luke apologized. "I've never had roasted cauliflower before. It's very tasty. Thank you."
"I chop the leftover cauliflower and Italian green beans and make an Italian meatball soup with matchstick carrots, mushrooms, onions and Italian stewed tomatoes. Nothing will go to waste," I assured him, noting the look of relief on Christian's face.
"Okay, since everyone has food, the question is, like or hate reality TV shows." Amber laughed.
"Hate," Christian concentrated on his lasagna. "Hate," Luke concentrated on his lasagna. "Hate," I concentrated on my lasagna. "Like…and only because the faux drama is so stupid, it's like watching stand-up comedy." We toasted Amber's honesty.
"Next question," Luke held out the jar to Christian.
"Can we just eat this great lasagna and go back to questions later?" Christian asked.
"I'll drink to that," I raised my glass.
"Wait," Luke fished his phone out of his pocket.
"I don't care if Grey House, Grey Annex, Grey Manor or Escala are burning to the ground. No cellphones at my dinner table." I insist.
"I can't help it; I have to torture someone." Luke took a picture of the pan of lasagna.
"Me too," Christian fished out his phone and passed it to Luke who took another picture. Christian looked at it and looked at me. "I need José's email."
"Not on your life," I glared at him.
"Ethan's then," Christian suggested.
"Nope, no way," my eyes narrowed to slits.
Luke interrupted. "You email Elliot, I'll email Kate."
"You are both evil creatures and will be tortured in the afterlife." Amber shook her head. "I don't know who Elliot and Kate are, but I can't think of a good reason to torture them."
Christian and Luke looked at each other, laughed and high-fived one another. I was shocked. Who is this Christian Grey and where did my uptight Dominant go?
"Kate is my ex-roommate, Elliot is her fiancé and…" I could not finish the answer.
"My older brother," Christian crowed. "Done?" He consulted Luke.
"Done," Luke affirmed.
"Cell phones off," I ordered, "or no seconds."
All you could hear at my table was moans of appreciation for the food. Twenty minutes later, our dinner was interrupted by pounding on the door.
"Open up, Ana!" Elliot yelled through the door.
"Where's your robe?" Amber asked.
"Back of the master bathroom door," I explained. "Why?"
"Trust me," she blew out the candles and flipped off the dining room light. She raced for the bedroom. Less than two minutes later, Amber came racing out of the bedroom, turned the TV on, fluffed her hair, tightened the belt on the robe, and answered the front door.
"I gotta see this," Luke insisted.
"Us too!" Christian pulled me from my chair. We hid in the darkness of the dining room. Luke's arm snaked around the door and taped Amber dealing with Kate and Elliot.
"Just hold on!" Amber slid the two chain locks into place before opening the door. "What!"
"Who are you?" Elliot and Kate's question is the same pitch and intensity.
"Amber, friend of Ana's. My apartment is being fumigated and Ana offered me her air mattress for a few days." Her excuse sounded real. "Who are you?"
"Amber, it's me, Kate, Christmas Tea?" Kate tried to jog Amber's memory.
"Oh, yeah…hi," Amber greeted her.
"Is Ana here?" Kate asked hopefully.
"No, she made lasagna for dinner at some place called Escalator," Amber lied convincingly.
"Escala!" Elliot and Kate shouted together and took off, barely saying goodbye to Amber.
Amber raced to the bedroom and seconds later, emerged fully clothed. "How much time did I buy us?" She flipped on the dining room lights.
"Well, maybe twenty minutes," Luke estimated. "You'd better text Taylor – tell him they are incoming. When they ask if Ana's at Escala, have him tell them you took her to…" He looked at me expectantly.
"Montesano, they won't go there, it's too late at night." I laughed.
"You are all evil," Amber said.
"All's fair in love and war and battles over Ana's lasagna." Christian declared.
XXX
Christian offers to help do the dishes. I send Amber and Luke on their way, telling them I'll see them tomorrow. They thank me for the birthday dinner and the tiramisu.
When we're done doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen, Christian sets me on the countertop and steps between my legs. "One last round of questions…I'll tell you about my latest wet dream starring you, if you tell me your latest wet dream starring me."
I blush and he chuckles. "Good dream? You're blushing."
"Explaining is one thing…reenacting is another…it will take hours and props." I said.
"Props?" He swallowed hard.
"Props…and a picture." I took him by the hand to the home office and opened a hidden folder. After the blindfold wet dream, I searched for pictures to explain what I dreamed. I think I saw that picture when I first researched his singular tastes and his contract. After lurking in a dark corner of my brain, it's made its way into my dream world. I showed him the picture.
"Really?" He seemed startled.
"Don't be so shocked," I dismiss his reaction. "You always cause those kinds of dreams…starting with my first one about a brown leather plaited riding crop."
"Sunday afternoon…I can get props and we can reenact your wet dream." He promised.
"What about your latest wet dream?" I grinned.
"I don't want you to think I presumed, but I have a suitcase and garment bag in the SUV with your favorite tie in it."
"You are such a Boy Scout…" I bit my lip.
May 20 – CPOV
"Thank you for chasing the dawn with me," I drove us to the airport.
"Why do you like soaring so much?" Ana asked.
"It's not crowded, no engine noise, no engine failure and if you hit the thermals right, the glider soars high for a long time, sometimes for an hour or longer. Although it seems like it's just the same thing over and over, each flight is uniquely challenging. Once you find that first thermal, you chase the dawn, finding one thermal after another. You know the call sign for my helicopter is Charlie Tango? The call sign for the glider we're using today is Eagle Echo. Gliding is the closest you come to flying like an eagle. We're soaring east of the Cascades because soaring conditions are better there. We'll soar until we need the bathroom or until we need food."
XXX
Holy fuck, she's gorgeous. Black satin bikini panties really emphasize her alabaster skin. She brushed her curls into a braid. I have on black satin pajama pants. "Are you sure you want this?" I asked gently, showing her the length of black rose-motif lace. Ana nodded and closed her eyes. I appreciate those yoga and dance classes. Her body is toned and she's not shy about her nakedness. It's a joy to behold. I tie the lace as a blindfold over her closed eyes. Her eyelashes are beautifully fanned against her cheek. I use a flat knot so it's more comfortable for her.
I walk her to the bed, and align her so the back of her legs meet the edge of the bed. "Sit," She does, quite gracefully as a matter of fact. I crawl onto the right side of the bed, and prop the pillows behind my back. "Scoot back on the bed, I'll help you get into position."
When she's prone on the bed, her hands resting on her stomach, she asks, "Are you ready?"
"Is that question one?" I teased, stroking my knuckles down her face. Yeah…this is nice.
XXX
I've been touching my girl for an hour, stroking caressing. I enjoy the flush of her skin when I fondle her breasts and rub my knuckles back and forth over her erect nipples.
"Next question…" She hesitated. "Do you like this?"
"Staring at my gorgeous, semi-naked girlfriend? Or looking at that blindfold and thinking about your mask from Coping Together? Thinking about how much I wanted to dance with you, take you upstairs to my bedroom, slip that sapphire blue gown off your curves and fuck you until we passed out together. Yes, I like this a lot." My hand cups her sex. She's soaked. I have to remember my girl likes slow seduction.
"I know when I was laying on your bed reading one time, you liked the way I was laying, reading…" she said.
"You mean the Pose…where you were on your stomach with your feet in the air, ankles crossed?" I slipped my hand into her panties.
Her breath hitched for a minute. "Yes, that pose. I wondered if this reminded you of anything."
"Well, if you were on your stomach, and if I were in the middle of the bed, it would remind me of the Clock."
"The clock?" She asked, dreamily, enjoying my fondling her. "What is that?"
"The Clock is an oral sex position. You would start at three o'clock and perform oral sex until I almost come. Then you would move to six o'clock, between my spread legs, and perform oral sex until I almost come. Then you would move to the nine o'clock position and perform oral sex until I almost come. Then you would move to twelve o'clock and while you were performing oral sex on me…I would do the same to you…with the express intent of making us both come simultaneously." I slipped my fingers into her, enjoying feeling her clench around me.
She doesn't say anything for a long minute. "Will you teach me how?" She asked.
"Do you want to learn the Clock position?" I gently circled her clit, teasing her.
"Yes…Christian."
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her senseless before teaching her a new sex position.
May 22
Mary has a lot of family-oriented questions for me tonight – things to consider before spending the weekend with Mom. The question about setting limits with my family makes me pause and think. When I've finally overthought the question, I answer as honestly as possible. Dad does not interfere and Mom oversteps sometimes. I want to think she does it because she cares, not because she's insecure about our relationship. The next tough question is asking me how important it is to be friends with a life partner's family and vice versa. After I overthink it for a bit, I answer honestly. I want a good relationship with my life partner first, and then a good relationship with our families second. I admit I don't think Mom wants to be a grandmother any time soon. However, I think she'd do bodily damage to someone if it meant she could be Christian Grey's mother-in-law.
We talk about what I will say to Mom when or if she mentions the subject of Stephen Morton and my attempted kidnapping. I explain I'm taking Bonner to Savannah with me. Both of us will deal with Mom and that situation.
May 25
I took the day off, I need to pack for Georgia and I'm throwing a tea party for Kate's 23rd birthday. It's a "Nobody Likes You When You are 23" Birthday Tea. Mia got the giggles when I approached her about it. She sent invites to the women in Elliot's family, the women in Kate's family and half a dozen of Kate's coworkers.
Mia is splitting the cost of the tea with me, which means we go all out for it. We hired a cleaning service and a caterer. Mia brought pitchers and glassware, silverware and silver serving pieces which coordinate with my china, and four six-person tables and chairs. Mia bought tablecloths and napkins. She claims she has these supplies to use for future events. She ordered centerpieces for the tables, serving table, and one each for the bathrooms.
We move the couch, chair, coffee table, etc. into my office and bedroom to fit in all the tables in the living room. When the caterers arrive – I show them the tea set and the rest of the china. I show them the items Mia brought. I let them have their way in my kitchen and dining room. They brought four silver-plated curates which will hold regular plates. One will hold sandwiches, one for savories, one for scones and one for sweets.
Mia made stick-on tea cup motif name tags for everyone. Kate will hand them out when she opens the door to greet everyone. Mia gives guests fifteen minutes to become acquainted and chat before she begins the festivities. Everyone takes seats – Kate, Celeste, Frannie, Grace, Aunt Rachel and I are at one six-top.
Mia brings a tote from my bedroom and hands out 23 white lunch bags. They are stapled closed and numbered from one to twenty-three – decorated with lavender lace, flowers and numbers written in purple glitter pen. "Everyone have paper and pen?" She waited for everyone to nod. "I'm passing around these 23 bags. Each bag contains something. They are stapled shut. You can shake or feel the bag and hope you guess correctly. Whoever has the most correct guesses wins a special prize. Everyone but me plays." She handed out bags. "Pass bags to your right. You can ask at any time for a new bag. I've allotted 23 minutes for the game."
My table mates skip feeling bags and just write down items. "That's cheating," I protest.
"The grand prize is a pound box of Godiva gourmet liqueur truffles," Frannie asserted. "I'm writing down 50 things and hoping I get the most correct guesses."
"Guesses like what?" I whispered.
"Fingernail polish, manicure set, ring holder, magnifying mirror compact, perfume atomizer," Grace suggested.
"Picture frame, deck of cards, ink pen," Frannie wrote as she talked.
"Wine stopper, wine aerator, wine thermometer, corkscrew, shot glass, jigger, mini whisk, wine charms, wine coaster," Rachel listed.
"Tire gauge, tool, mini liquor bottle, flask, sports water bottle, magnetic key case, key chain, measuring tape, ice scraper and Swiss army knife." Celeste talks as she writes.
The six of us keep listing and writing. When it's time…Frannie wins. She had the same number of items as my table mates and I, but she had two specific items which we didn't have. We managed to guess eighteen of the twenty-three items, but Frannie listed lavender sachet and silver book mark – which are exactly two of the items in the bags. She was right about the truffles being the prize.
Kate received bag #23 which held a purple travel portfolio to hold her passport and other travel documents. My bag held a sea glass drink tile, which I traded to Grace for the silver-plate bookmark with white silk tassel from her bag. She wanted the sea glass drink tile for her desk at work. She said it coordinated with her deep sea screensaver. I always need bookmarks. Celeste received a travel manicure set and Rachel received an art deco motif perfume atomizer. Grandma Frannie had the best laugh. Her bag held a deck of Chippendale motif cards.
The next game is words which have 'tea' in them. Kate recommends we go out to the balcony and close the door so no one hears us guessing words. The rules are 10 minutes and no one can research on their cell phones. Kate will write her, Frannie and Grace's words. I will write mine, Rachel's and Celeste's. That way we don't miss a word.
"Teach, tear, tearing…" Frannie guesses. Kate writes as fast as possible.
"Don't forgets multiples – teaches, tears, etc." Grace suggests.
"Steal, steals, stealable, stealer, stealers, resteals," I list.
"Stead, instead, farmstead, farmsteads, homestead, homesteads," Rachel suggests.
"Steak, steaks, steakhouse, steakhouses," Kate offers.
"Chateau, chateaus, Chateaubriand, Chateaubriands," Grace replies.
"Plateau, plateaued, plateauing, plateaus. What?" Rachel says when Frannie frowns. "I'm on a diet – I'm trying to get into a size six for Elliot and Kate's wedding."
"Dateable," Kate writes.
"Homesteaded, homesteader, homesteaders, homesteading," Frannie builds on Rachel's words.
"Gateau, gateaus, gluteal, lacteal, lacteals," Grace suggests. "Periostea, periosteal."
"If you name medical terms, you have to spell them!" Kate snapped.
Grace laughs and begins spelling for Kate.
"Portmanteau, portmanteaus," I offered. "You can thank the English Literature major later."
"Protean, proteans, proteas," Grace says, sighing and then spelled for Kate. The rest of us keep suggesting and writing.
"Steamy, steamier, steamiest," Frannie says as Mia opens the balcony door.
"Stop," She orders. "Count your words."
Kate counts. "Oh crap! We didn't write down any tea words, like tea, teacups, teabag, etc. We got 92 out of a possible 300 plus."
"Suddenly I don't feel very smart. What is that – 15 words per each one of us?" Rachel grimaces.
We lost to Kate's coworkers. I don't ever want to play Scrabble with them. Six of them list almost 150 words. Although, despite missing the 13 tea-related words, we earned a respectable second place. Thanks to Dr. Trevelyan…we had a dozen medical terms no one else had.
XXX
We eat while Kate opens presents. Mia has Kate open her presents by the number on each person's bag. My bag is number six. I bought Kate an emerald green silk kimono with matching nightie…online so I didn't buy it while shopping with her. I'm busy stuffing Shrimp and Crab Salad Finger Sandwiches with Ruffle Lettuce, Blackberry Scones, and Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Teacakes in my mouth and washing them down with Iced Chai Tea. I'm famished and then realize…it's almost six and I didn't eat today. I groan to myself when I realize I need to put that in my journal.
Grace bought Kate a new leather briefcase purse for work to hold her laptop, a tablet or netbook, phone, etc. Grace loves the Salmon and Avocado Mini Bagels and Gingerbread Scones. Rachel, Celeste and Frannie gave Visa gift cards. Kate can buy wines in Napa if she wants. The caterers float through, offering hostess trays and platters filled with sandwiches, savories, scones and sweets for everyone to refill their plates. They float through and fill tea cups and glasses.
I'm glad I took pictures of the table with the settings and food to show to Mom. I email the pictures to Laura and to Cassie. Kate thanks everyone for coming and for her presents before she applies herself to the food. Her favorite is the Lemon Mini Cheesecakes with Blueberry Glaze which sparks the conversation of the cheesecake tier instead of a wedding cake.
Grace, Frannie and Rachel offer to tidy the condo. They promise to take the leftovers out of the condo, so things don't linger in the refrigerator while I am gone. I give them a spare key and tell them Elliot's codes are still effective. Kate and I kiss and run, Bonner has our suitcases. Mia stops for Elliot and luggage before she can take us to the airport. Bonner and I are three hours ahead of schedule, but check in anyway.
Christian has been at our plane reservations. He begs forgiveness…I promise not to run away…but I threaten him with punishment and he laughs. I thank him for his thoughtfulness. I'm glad for the first class tickets because I need to sleep on the plane. Bonner and I go to the first class lounge and enjoy the quiet. She stations me in a corner where she can keep an eye on me. First class attendants offer refreshments and excellent WIFI access. I pass on the rest of the amenities. I want to turn in a dozen synopses on Tuesday morning because I was gone today. I'm hoping to find more manuscripts I can edit for Grey Publishing. Kate and I text with Mia and Grace and Frannie. They assure me the condo is clean, the dishes are clean, everything is put away, and the trash is taken out. Celeste took Kate's presents home with her. They wish me a wonderful and safe trip.
Memorial Day Weekend – APOV
Because I slept on the red-eye, I'm coherent when the plane lands. Bonner plays chauffer during our errands around Savannah. I shop with Mom Saturday morning. I told her I need some cute summer outfits. We shop consignment, but I refuse to let her pay for my things. She has a good eye, or at least Shawn and Kate think she does. I buy a peach halter sundress with cognac-colored wedges and satchel bag. I buy a cobalt blue sundress with various embroidered butterflies on it, with cobalt blue wedges and an embroidered butterfly hobo bag. I buy a cute navy-striped crop top which coordinates with high waist navy poplin shorts. Bonner finds me an almost matching outfit in red. I found a white silk shell with a white gauzy over shirt which looks great with white cuffed linen shorts. I buy a white silk camisole with a turquoise, aqua and white tiered maxi-length skirt. My last purchase is a white denim button front skirt to coordinate with the white silk camisole or the white silk shell. Mom finds white wedges and a woven white summer tote to match.
Bonner drives us to a gourmet girls' lunch. She has an audio jammer to ensure our privacy. Then we go Mom's favorite salon/spa. I put chicken fajitas in the crockpot before we left the house, so Mom doesn't have to cook dinner. Bonner checks the perimeter of the house before we call it a night. I suspect, but she doesn't say, there are additional security lurking outside.
Sunday morning, I make Caprese omelets and mimosas for breakfast. Mom and Bob both love the omelets with fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella cheese. Bonner gives it a questioning eye, but eats all of it. Mom's newest acquisition is a K-cup machine. She makes a vanilla latte for her and Bonner, a dark French roast for Bob and an English Breakfast Tea for me. It's stronger than I usually drink…but it tastes good. We read the paper in sections, passing it around. Bonner and I work on the crossword puzzle in tandem.
Bob takes us to a late lunch at the country club on Sunday. I'm in my white shorts and cami with the gauzy shirt and wedges. Bonner wears white jeans and a pale blue shirt with pale blue Converse. I tell her I like her shoes. She says she bought them from the Converse store at a Las Vegs mall. She has a pair in every color. I swear the next time Kate hauls me to the mall, I'm looking for the Converse store. Bonner swears she wouldn't mind shopping there with me.
Bob booked a tennis court for them. They play singles until joined by another couple. I slather on sunscreen, put on my sunglasses, and pull out my tablet to read. Bonner positions herself where she can watch Mom and Bob and me. When their afternoon of fun in the sun is complete, we return to the house. Bob barbeques for dinner so Mom doesn't have to cook again.
I bought Mom a lovely blue Italian silk wrap as a hostess gift. Accenting her eyes, it will be lovely for evenings at the country club. I respond appropriately to the beautifully landscaped house and the beautiful flower beds at the country club. The magnolias are blooming and the smell wafts on the breeze.
Mom approves of my clothes, my hairstyles, etc. this weekend…for once in my life. She's also inordinately pleased with most of the selfies I have sent since I started classes. She approves of the tea pictures I show her, especially the one of the table of Trevelyan-Grey-Kavanagh women and me. We have a conversation about the classes I took. I show her pictures of my bridesmaid gown, shoes and accessories. I tell her I can't show her pictures of Kate's gown. I tell her it's silk and Vera Wang.
Mom has been watching Kate's Facebook page and has seen pictures of Christian and I together, laughing, talking. She insists I have a Facebook page so she is up-to-date about events in my life. I explain, again, social media is not a good idea considering who Christian is. The media already pursues information about him…I won't serve him up to stalkers. Bonner explains why social media pages are bad ideas. That conversation jumpstarts the Stephen Morton discussion. Once I explain everything to Mom, she feels less guilty about the situation and less needy for my forgiveness.
I email Kate between flights, just to have something to do. I sent her a pictures of the clothes I bought. She especially likes the peach halter dress with the cognac accessories.
Bonner and I are on a plane at eight o'clock Monday morning, home in Seattle by late afternoon and met by Christian at the airport. I'm wearing the butterfly sundress, cobalt blue wedges and carry the embroidered butterfly hobo bag. He takes me straight to Escala…I don't have overly sexy nighties or designer fragrances in my suitcase…but I make good use of what I have to show Christian how appreciative I was of the upgraded airline tickets for Bonner and me.
"My heart missed your heart this weekend," Christian kissed my collarbone. "Even though we emailed and texted, it wasn't the same."
I could feel the heat and hardness of his desire for me. When I feel his arms wrapped around me, I feel protected, and safe, and I know this is where I want to be.
Christian pulls me close, and buries his nose in my hair. "I usually never hate traveling, but last week was rough. Texting, email, Skypes…it wasn't personal or intimate enough. I wanted more. I thought about making you a sex webcam, or having strip Skypes with one another…but then I worried it would be hacked and go viral." He sighed. "I love spending time with you…not just in bed…but holding hands and talking."
"I've been thinking," I hesitate. "I had another wet dream about you while I was in Savannah."
"What was it about?'' Christian asked.
"You, naked…your closet…"
"What were you wearing?" Christian probes for more information.
"Black, thigh-high stockings, stilettos…and three of your ties." I tease.
"Three?"
"Blindfold and one tie restraining my right hand to my right thigh, and one tie restraining my left hand to my left thigh."
"And what was I doing?"
"You were pleased to discover I was naked…" I don't elucidate.
"Naked? Sans panties?'' Christian frowned, not understanding.
"Naked…sans curls…" I explain slowly.
"But you…. oh…." Christian breathed in sharply. "Can I help you with fulfilling that wet dream?"
