And so it went. He would be away for a while – sometimes a day or two, sometimes he was gone for weeks at a time – and then without warning, he would be there. She asked him where he went but he only mumbled something about business and then did things to make her forget the question. When he was gone practicality took over and she was conflicted. She knew in her head that this had disaster written all over it, but when she saw him again her heart said screw practicality. Never in all her life had she met someone who could make her body feel the things she had felt. He could stare at her from across a room and she would immediately feel the heat spreading through her. His lovemaking was so inventive and unpredictable she sometimes wondered if he was even human. She fantasized about him being an international spy, like James Bond, or perhaps a secret assassin working for a foreign government.
"Or maybe he's a serial killer, or a thief" Sam said when they discussed it. Charlotte rolled her eyes at this, but Sam wasn't going to let it go. She didn't trust him.
"He's hiding something from you, if it wasn't something bad he would tell you, wouldn't he?"
"Oh Sam" Charlotte said "if he was any of those things we would have had sex and I would never had seen him again. Don't you think the fact that he keeps coming back means anything?"
"He could be married" Sam said.
That one stopped Charlotte in her tracks. The thought had never crossed her mind before and a tiny ball of fear began to grow in her stomach. Was he married? It would certainly explain the absences and why he was so vague when she questioned him. She brushed it off but later on after Sam had left the thought kept popping up. Was she falling for someone who was already taken? The more important question was; could she stop seeing him if it was true? She wasn't sure she could. Like many women before her, she always silently (occasionally not so silently) judged the women who slept with married men. There was a world full of single guys out there, why did they feel the need to steal someone else's man? And now she found herself possibly in the same situation and it left a bitter taste in her mouth. She vowed to ask him when he came back.
She never really got the chance, not for a while. The next time she saw him he had been gone for three weeks and talking was not on the agenda. He simply showed up at her door and took her before she could even speak. He was insatiable that night and the only sounds that were made were ones of passion. By morning he was gone again. She chided herself for being a coward and not confronting him, but she was scared. She absolutely did not want this thing to stop, whatever it was. When he showed up again the next night she let him into the apartment and he sat and looked at her, as if he were waiting for the question. Her heart was pounding so hard she feared it would leap from her chest.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Are you married? "she blurted out before she could stop herself.
He threw his head back and laughed, hard. She watched him, slightly miffed that he found it so amusing.
"What's so funny? She asked angrily.
"I'm sorry" he said when he got himself under control. "I just haven't met anyone who could surprise me the way you do. No darling, I'm not married. In fact, I've spent most of my life avoiding anything even resembling a relationship"
"And that's not supposed to worry me? It's not exactly a good sign either you know"
He stood and crossed the room so fast she only saw a blur. And then he was holding her and for the first time she noticed how truly cold his flesh was. She had always assumed that it was the heat from her body that made him feel so cold, but this was the first time he touched her when she wasn't so turned on she couldn't think straight. She shivered and she wasn't sure if it was because of his temperature of because of the tender way he was stroking her hair.
"I've never met anyone who made me feel as if I could love before" he said softly. "Until now"
If she wasn't lost before she sure was now. His words spilled over her like a spring rain and she closed her eyes and held him tight. That night his touch was gentle and so loving she couldn't stop smiling. He hadn't actually said the words but she felt maybe, just maybe, this could work. When morning came she woke to find him still there. She was quite surprised; he had never stayed the whole night before. It was dark and she thought she had woken before the sun came up but a quick glance out the window showed her that it was storming heavily. The rain was pounding against the window and there was no trace of sunshine to be found.
"You're still here" she said. He only smiled and leaned on his hand, staring at her. She was naked of course and he pulled back the sheet, drinking her in with his eyes. She felt a blush rising and felt silly for it. He had taken her over and over again in what felt like a hundred different way, she had no reason to be bashful at this point. And yet the way he was looking at her made her feel like this was the first time. Was there no end to the mystery of this man?
"Did you sleep okay?" she asked.
"I did not sleep" he said.
"Not at all? What did you do all night?"
"I watched you"
"You watched me sleep? All night?" she was a little taken aback.
"You fascinate me" he said simply. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to that and so she asked him if he wanted breakfast.
"I am not hungry…. for food" He said with that gleam in eyes. He grabbed her and pulled her over until she was on top of him, their bodies pressed together. Breakfast would have to wait.
The storm continued all day and for the first time since she met him, Stefan showed no signs of leaving. She had thrown on a long t-shirt but was naked underneath. He apparently had no insecurities about himself and spent the entire day wearing nothing but a smile. She practically drooled every time she turned around and saw him standing there like a Greek statue, and he knew it. He made sure to be in her eyesight as much as possible. He wasn't tall for a man and his skin was pale, his chest hairless, but he carried himself well and he oozed confidence.
He sat on the sofa and watched her as she ate, refusing food with a shake of his head. He seemed content to just be there. She finished her meal and went to the kitchen to clean up. When she came back out he was right where she left him, laying back on the sofa and looking at her. Sex for Charlotte had always been something she sort of endured. Her friends all told amazing stories about their encounters and she thought maybe there was something wrong with her. It's not like she hated it, often with her ex-husband it was nice, but nice was really the only word to describe it. Until Stefan came along she had never experienced anything that made her want someone the way she wanted him. And she wanted him, it was as if she couldn't get enough.
She walked over to him and stood beside where he lounged and reached out to run her fingers through his dark hair. His hand slid up her thigh and rubbed lightly. They stayed like that for a moment and then he leaned forward and replaced his hand with his lips. He gently kissed her soft skin, moving higher with each one. Then he moved to the inside of her thigh, still giving soft little butterfly kisses as he went. She let out a sigh that ended with a moan of delight as his lips found their way to the soft folds of her mound. His continued with this for a few minutes, though to Charlotte it seemed like a lot longer, until finally his tongue parted her lips and he nipped and licked and teased her clit until her legs started to shake. He pulled her onto the couch so she was straddling him and then with a wicked grin he slid down until his head was between her legs and continued his assault on her tender bud. She didn't know how long they stayed like this, she had orgasm after orgasm and still he didn't relent. Only when she came so hard she screamed did he stop. She lay back and closed her eyes, her limbs still vibrating. She almost felt disconnected with her body, as if her mind was floating above her. Once again he had given her an experience like none other. She drifted off to sleep and when she woke, she found herself covered with a blanket and Stefan was gone. She sighed and attempted to stand up. It took two tries before her legs would obey. 'Hell of a parting gift' she mused as she headed to the shower.
He returned again the next night, this time he let himself in. Charlotte was in her room changing into something comfortable when he arrived. He was so quiet she didn't hear him come in, she walked out of her room and there he was, like magic.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon"
He was dressed in a suit. A very expensive, very tailored suit. He looked amazing and she stood there staring like a complete imbecile. He let her look for a moment before he spoke.
"I've come to take you out" he said.
"Out?' she asked, slightly confused "You mean, like a date?"
"Exactly like a date" he replied. "Although where we are going does require a certain…style of dress" he said as he took in the sweat pants and oversized shirt she was wearing. She blushed at being caught looking like that.
"I – I'll go change" she stammered as she mentally went through her closet. She had a few outfits that Sam had given her over the years but most of her clothes were only fit for work or staying in.
"If I may be so bold?" he said as he brought out the package he had been hiding behind his back. It was a box and when she opened it she cried out in happy surprise. Inside was the most beautiful dress she'd ever seen. Soft pastels of blue and green and purple swirled in an elegant pattern on a floor length chiffon gown. She certainly had never worn anything so beautiful before.
"Oh Stefan! It's amazing" she said. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Go. Get ready, and no need to rush. We don't need to arrive until eight"
"Arrive where? Where are we going?" She asked, burning with curiosity. He only smiled and walked away. She showered and paid extra attention to her hair and make-up, doing her best to do the dress justice. He told her often how beautiful she was and it thrilled her to the bone when she heard it, but frankly she didn't see it. Her hair was a dark brown and medium length, falling just passed her shoulders. With brown eyes and an okay figure, at best she always thought of herself as average. Except when she was with him, then she felt…. different. More alive and incredibly happy as opposed to the way she usually felt which was well, kind of boring.
He stared in amazement when she finally walked into the room. The book he had been reading fell to the floor as he stood and gaped at her.
"You are stunning" he half whispered. Her smile lit up the room. Without another word he put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the door. When they arrived at the theatre she looked up at the marquee. 'Indomeneo' was written there. She was speechless. He could have taken her to the garbage dump and she would have been happy, but the opera? She never dreamed of being here in a beautiful dress on the arm of a handsome man. It was like a dream.
"Have you been before?" he asked as he helped her from the car. She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.
"It doesn't appeal to everyone but I suspect you will enjoy it" he said, once again resting his hand on the small of her back. For the rest of the evening he never stopped touching her. Not in a sexual way, just holding her elbow or touching her hand, a light caress on her shoulder as they chatted during intermission. Clear signals that said "she's with me" to anyone who was looking. It was a perfect evening and Charlotte never wanted it to end. After the show he asked her if she'd like to take a walk since it was such a nice night. She was definitely in agreement and they strolled down the street, arm in arm. He showed her things she had never stopped to look at before. The architecture of buildings, both new and old, a tiny little theatre she had never noticed that showed only old black and white movies. Bakeries and flower shops and all kinds of quirky little stores. It was amazing how little she actually knew about the city she lived in.
They turned to head back to the car and he pulled her down an alley that was a bit of a shortcut back. They were about halfway down when he suddenly stopped. His body stiffened and his nostrils flared.
"What is it?" Charlotte asked, peering at the darkness behind them. Stefan said nothing but he moved until he was standing in front of her, shielding her from whoever or whatever was following them. That's when she appeared from the shadows. Charlotte couldn't help but gasp when she saw her. She was stunning, quite the most beautiful woman Charlotte had ever seen. White blonde hair, porcelain skin, cheekbones to die for. She looked like a Nordic goddess.
"Stefan" she said, her voice was musical, it matched her appearance perfectly.
"Natasha" he said. A pit of fear was starting to form in Charlotte's heart. She knew this whole thing was too good to be true. Of course they knew each other, probably intimately. One thing was certain, if it came down to a competition with this woman, Charlotte would lose. In fact, she was quite sure it wouldn't even be a contest.
"What are you doing here?" Stefan asked. The woman took a few steps closer and Charlotte stared at her harder, trying desperately to find a flaw. A blemish, scar, anything…but if anything she looked even more perfect up close.
"No one has seen you in months. I just thought I'd make sure hadn't run into any trouble"
She looked at Charlotte as she walked closer. Stefan frowned and reached back to touch Charlotte's arm, as if to reassure himself that she was still there. Natasha smiled but it was not a friendly smile and Charlotte suppressed a shiver. She was beautiful alright but her expression was cold.
"Ah" she said, looking Charlotte up and down as if she were a piece of furniture. "I see you've found yourself a little pet. No wonder you've been absent"
"I'm Natasha" she said as she held out her hand. Charlotte gripped it lightly and shook it twice before snatching her own hand back. Her skin was just as cold as Stefan's.
"Charlotte" she said, doing her best to sound confident. She looked at Stefan, waiting for an explanation.
"Natasha is…an old friend" he said. He turned back to Natasha.
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine. There is no need to worry. Please don't let us keep you from your travels"
"I don't think so Stefan. You've got some explaining to do. Is this something you wish to do in front of your little friend, or shall we talk in private?" Stefan's reaction was swift and intense. The look on his face! Charlotte had never seen him truly angry before and hoped to never see it again. It that look had been directed at her she would be terrified. Natasha only laughed.
"I'll wait here" she said as she walked over and sat on a dirty palette that was lying on the ground. She even managed to make a dirty alleyway seem like she was having high tea in a fancy hotel. Without another word Stefan pulled Charlotte away and they walked quickly to the car. She was too afraid to ask him anything and they drove to her place in silence.
"I'm sorry" he said when they pulled up in front of her building. "I have to take care of this. Will you be alright?" he asked her.
"Of course" she said with all the cheer she could muster. She somehow managed to smile at him, but inside she was already steeling herself for the bitter taste of heartbreak. She couldn't see a good outcome right now. Who was this Natasha? Were they lovers? Was her perfect happy little fantasy coming to an end?
Stefan kissed her, a long loving kiss, before she got out and watched him drive away. The kiss tasted like goodbye and she hoped with all her heart she was wrong.