Again my thanks to Rachel and Diane for their suggestions and ideas. Ladies, you are the best!
Perry Mason held Della Street by the elbow as he escorted her through the back of the restaurant to their booth. He had chosen Donavon's, an easy choice as it was his lady love's favorite bistro.
They had first driven to Della's apartment to drop off the sketch and for her to change, even though Perry told her it wasn't necessary, she looked beautiful just as she was. But Della insisted on a shower and a change of clothing, so of course Perry indulged her. He didn't know how she managed it, but Della could go from day to evening in the wink of an eye when they went to dinner straight from the office, always looking amazingly put together, even in the same outfit she'd worn all day. A quick brush to her hair, a minor touch-up to her face, and she would look wonderfully, perfectly coiffed, as if she'd just stepped out of a magazine.
Della had promised she wouldn't be long, and true to her word was ready in less than an hour. She had changed from her work suit into a simple black dress and added the single strand of pearls and matching earrings that had been her birthday present from Perry six months earlier. When she had walked back into the living room the attorney was watching the evening news on television, comfortably sprawled on her couch. He looked up and for a moment had to remind himself to breathe. He also quickly began to rethink his plans for the evening. As she came toward him, he stood and held out his arms. She stepped into his embrace and he gently tugged her to him. Then pulling back slightly, he let his eyes sweep over her. He shook his head in wonder.
Della raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and accompanied her questioning look with her spectacular smile.
"What are you thinking about, Counselor?"
Perry smiled at the beautiful woman in his arms. His voice was soft and loving when he answered. "I'm thinking about how gorgeous you are. You are absolutely stunning, my love. You're always beautiful, but right now, at this moment, you are exquisite."
Della's hands stroked Perry's broad chest, then her arms snaked up and around his neck as she lightly played her fingers along his hairline, causing the big attorney to shiver. "You're such a charmer, Mr. Mason. You know, you are so sweet. You say the sweetest things to me."
"I'm just stating the facts as I see them, my dear."
"Well, thank you, but I think you're going way over the top."
Again Perry pulled away, took Della by the hand, and led her to the mirror that hung over the small mahogany table in the hallway. Placing her in front of him, he put his face next to hers and murmured softly in her ear. "Look in the mirror, baby, and tell me what you see."
Della smiled tremulously. "I see the most wonderful, loving, amazing man. He's tall, dark, and oh so handsome. And he's all mine."
Perry shook his head and smiled. "Now who's saying sweet things?...but we're not talking about me." The lawyer sighed and again spoke softly to his secretary. "Della, my modest princess, you never see yourself as others do. I want to tell you something. You, my darling girl, possess something that belongs to very few. You have an inner beauty that shines through and radiates over you. Your smile, your eyes, your sweetness, your loving, caring ways. It's all part of you...of who you are. You're the complete package...a wonderful present for whoever opens you up. And when they do, they can't help but be taken with you from the very first moment. At least that's how it was for me."
Della turned inward and put her hands on Perry's chest. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes which he tenderly wiped away with his fingers. His voice was soft….gentle. "Why the tears?"
"If I am all of those things, it's only because of you, Perry. You make me feel that way. I'm just a simple girl who's lucky to be in love with an extraordinarily fascinating man. You know that don't you - that I find you fascinating?"
"All I know is that you are many things, among them beautiful, alluring, and intriguing, but simple you are not. Now, my beauty, I could stand here all night extolling your virtues, but can we continue this conversation later? I want to feed you, hold you close while we dance, then bring you home and pick up where we left off. Let's go to dinner. I don't know about you, but I'm starved...in more ways than one. So the faster we leave, the faster we can come home for...dessert."
She flashed him a wicked smile. "Well, we did agree we were both sweet. I'll get my coat."
During the meal at Donavon's, as they talked about the day, Della studied her employer and smiled inwardly. He had talked non-stop about Rod's sketch on the way to the restaurant, about how the artist had brought out all her beauty...about how her eyes sparkled and held a gleam as though she were keeping a secret, how her gorgeous smile seemed so innocent, but he knew better. It was a good thing he was so taken with the sketch, because from the moment Rod had given it to her she knew what she would do with it. The sketch belonged to Perry. She would give it to him.
She wanted to surprise him, give it to him when he least expected it, but their lives were so intertwined it was actually an obstacle to her wish.
As she continued to gaze at her handsome attorney, an idea came to Della and a smile began to play at the corners of her mouth. / 'Ohyes,mydarlingPerry,IknowexactlywhatI'mgoingtodo'/
"You're up to something Miss Street." The comment so startled Della that she almost tipped over the glass of wine she was about to pick up.
"W….What makes you say that Counselor?"
Did you forget that I am very well versed in everything you? Now, why don't you tell me what you are planning?"
"Della took hold of Perry's large, strong hand with her delicate, graceful one. Her voice was positively lustful. "The only thing I am planning, my dear Mr. Mason…..is just what I am going to let you have for desert."
Perry Mason never paid a check so fast in his life.
PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPPD
One week later
Perry Mason turned the key and opened the door, letting himself into his apartment. Throwing his keys on the hallway table, he walked into the living room. He removed his overcoat and suit jacket and was about to casually throw them over the royal blue wing chair in the corner when he stopped and smiled to himself. Turning around and walking back toward the hallway, he stopped in front of the closet, took a hanger from the rod and put it through the sleeves of the overcoat. He then returned it to the rod and closed the closet door. He repeated this task with his suit coat, only hanging that piece of apparel in the closet of his bedroom.
He started to close the closet door but the smile returned and he spoke out loud as if someone was there with him. "Now Miss Street, I hope this meets with your approval. I've become a lot neater thanks to you."
Perry reached into the closet and pulled out a woman's soft plush pink robe. Putting it next to his face, he momentarily closed his eyes and breathed in its scent, before putting the garment back in its proper place.
He went back into the living room, poured himself a drink and sat down on the sofa. Turning on the television, he quickly scanned the channels. Realizing the nightly news was over and there was nothing on that he wanted to see, he focused his attention on the paper. He read for a few minutes then put the paper down, leaned back against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes.
His thoughts, as always, immediately went to Della. He missed her. Yes, he had been with her all day in the office but that was never enough. He always wanted more. She was his drug and whenever they were apart, he was not himself. The nights without her were boring….boring and long. They had not been together outside the office for the last week. They both had been busy the past week, in the evenings, with personal commitments and the separation was beginning to take its toll on the attorney.
So, tonight, he'd assumed they would have dinner then spend the rest of the evening together. He was a little surprised when she begged off, telling him she had some errands to run and a hair appointment. Since they were not in involved in another case, they were able to leave the office early. Perry was disappointed but said nothing.
Before leaving she had kissed him good bye telling him she would see him in the morning. The kiss she had given him was so sensuous and so searing that he almost blocked the doorway. He could do nothing but watch her go with a silly grin on his face, trying to breathe normally and shaking his head in wonder.
Not having anything better to do, the attorney decided to take a shower. Standing up, he looked at his watch then started towards his bathroom. It was seven o'clock. Della had let the office at five. He would take his shower, then call her. Surely, by the time he was finished she would be home. Maybe he could ask if he could come over. After all, it was still early. Perry whistled as he walked to his bedroom. Suddenly the evening didn't seem so boring and long at all.
PDPDPDPDPPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD
Perry finished his shower, put on a casual pair of slacks and his favorite sweater and splashed on some cologne. The sweater was his favorite, it being a 'just because' gift from Della. Once dressed, he picked up the phone and dialed Della's number. It rang eight…nine…ten times as he listened with growing impatience. He dialed a second time, not believing that she wasn't home, but again she didn't answer. /'Wherethedevilisshe?'/ he thought. /'It'sbeenwellovertwohoursandsheshouldbehomebynow.'/
In the middle of dialing her number a third time, his doorbell rang. He hung up the phone and walked into the living room to answer the insistent ring. Frank, the apartment building's doorman was standing there holding a large package, complete with a red ribbon and matching bow.
"Evening, Mr. Mason. Hope I'm not disturbing you. Wasn't sure if you'd heard the doorbell or not."
Perry smiled and answered the man. "Good evening yourself, Frank. Yes, I heard the doorbell, and no, you're not disturbing me. What do you have there?"
"I don't know what it is, sir. All I know is that I came back from dinner and it was right inside the door leaning against my stand. This note was taped to it." The doorman handed Perry a sheet of folded paper which Perry opened. It was typed, and read: PleasedelivertoMr.Mason'sapartmentthiseveningassoonaspossible.Thankyou. It was unsigned.
Perry tipped the doorman, thanked him, and took the package. He couldn't imagine who would be sending him anything, especially at this time of night. Just as he was about to untie the ribbon and unwrap the package, there was a knock at the door.
Thinking Frank had forgotten something, he flung open the door. "Forget something…" his face broke into a wide grin as he put out his hand and quickly and happily pulled his visitor inside.
Before she could say anything, Perry tugged Della to him and she melted into his embrace, responding to his kisses, which were quickly turning from slow and soft to more and more passionate. She somehow broke away and looked up into the eyes of her loving attorney.
"Uh…uh…M…Mr. Mas…Mr. Mason, I…that…that was some greeting. I guess you 're glad to see me."
Perry looked down at the woman still in his arms. His voice was soft, but with a definite sensuous undertone. "Baby, you have no idea how much." Perry once again pulled Della tightly against him and held her there until he heard her muffled voice.
"Sweetheart, I…I can't breathe."
Perry immediately broke away and gave his secretary an apologetic look. "I'm sorry darling. It's just that we haven't been together since last week…away from the office, that is. I guess I got a little carried away. I called your apartment but there was no answer. I…"
"There was no answer, Coun…se…lor," Della interrupted in a low purr, "because I was on my way here. I have something for you."
"You do? Well, that's very nice. Where is it?"
Della cocked her head to the side and a sly smile crossed her face. "It was just delivered."
Perry's look was of great surprise. "The package? The package is from you?"
"Yes sir, it most certainly is. I had Frank deliver it and waited downstairs until he came back. I swore him to secrecy. Now, don't you want to open and see what it is?"
"You bet I do." Perry dove into the package like a kid at Christmas. The ribbon and paper fell away quickly. He took a deep breath as the contents were revealed.
"Della…it's your sketch. But I don't understand. It's for you. Rod gave it to you…it belongs …"
A well-manicured finger was gently placed on Perry's lips. "Perry, honey, I know how much you like it. I want you to have it."
"Thank you darling. This is a wonderful gift….the best gift, but are you sure?"
His secretary gave her employer an exasperated sigh. "Don't you want it?"
"Of course I want it, I just thought…."
"You know, for such a brilliant, amazing, wonderful man sometimes you can be so stubborn." Della's voice then turned sultry. "If I may suggest Counselor, why don't you decide where you want to put it and then I can help you."
"For your information, Miss Street, I already know where I am putting it. I have the perfect spot…the right spot. It's going on the wall directly opposite my bed. That way, when you're not here, yours will be the last face I see before I go to sleep and the first one I see when I wake up. Right now though, I just want to look at the model of this breathtakingly beautiful portrait." Perry took Della's hand, brought it up to his lips and kissed the inside of her palm. Leading her over to the couch he sat down, gently pulling her onto his lap. He gathered her into his arms and began a series of kisses on Della's forehead, eyelids and lips. These led to other kisses….hotter, hungrier kisses and light caresses. Della moved closer to him. He could feel her soft skin. With deft, practiced hands, he unzipped the back of her skirt and pulled it down, allowing him access to her silk clad legs, softly grazing them with his lips. When he reached her thighs, she gasped in delight. He found the edge of her thin, silk blouse and slid his hands underneath, his fingers just skimming over her already heated body. Divesting her of the blouse as well, Perry continued to run his hands over the rest of Della's body causing her to shiver and moan and call out his name.
"Per….Perry…"
Perry pulled back, his chest heaving. Trying to steady his breathing, he looked at Della's flushed face. His voice was ragged. "I want you baby."
"Her response was low, almost a whisper. "I want you too."Before he knew what was happening Della had removed Perry's sweater and was rubbing his broad chest in circles alternating between caressing and kissing it. Ever so lightly she then flicked her tongue against his torso, traveling up to his neck and shoulders, leaving Perry dazed and senseless. Moments later, he surprised his lover by taking control. Gently maneuvering her off his lap and laying her down on the soft cushions, he began to finish what he started before Della had a chance to make him lose his mind. Carefully, he took off her silk nylons, and unsnapped the garter from each leg. Removing the lace bra and panties, he again used warm lips and hands to satisfy Della's every desire. Della pulled him closer and pressed herself against him as if she couldn't get enough. She vaguely remembered Perry pulling away from her. She made a slight sound of disapproval and he smiled as he gazed down at her, whispering how beautiful she was. Then, with their bodies tangled together, she loved Perry with every fiber of her being…..from the deepest part of her soul and he loved her back in a way that left her incoherent and withering uncontrollably in such divine ecstasy that all she could do was disappear into blissful oblivion.
PDPDPDPDPPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD
Much later, as the fire threw out its warmth the couple lay together under a blanket, wrapped in each other's arms. Perry felt Della shiver. "Are you cold baby, do you want another cover?"
"Uh uh, I'm fine….nice and warm. Perry?"
"Yes darling?"
"I love you. I love you very much.
Perry kissed the top of her head then lightly brushed the hair away from her face. "I love you too Della…..God, how I love you."
Della moved closer to Perry. "Tomorrow"
"What about tomorrow sweetheart?" Della's voice was so low, Perry could hardly hear her.
"Have….to hang it up."
"Yes baby, we'll hang the sketch up tomorrow. Now, close your eyes and go to sleep."
Della head found Perry's chest. "Tomorrow…. together….here…."
"Shhhh…shhhh…my sleepy girl. I'm right here and I'll be here when you wake up. We have tomorrow and so many tomorrows after that and just like Fran and Rod and your fairy tale, we'll live happily ever after too."
There was no answer. Perry's 'sleepy girl' had fallen asleep, dreaming about what he'd said and about the day it would really come true.