"All The Way"

Chapter 14

PG-13 Sexual situations and content.

New York City

Julia used the towel to dry and fluff her hair while watching the joggers disappear along the trails in Central Park. What an incredible five days; museums, Broadway shows, sumptuous meals and in-room massages. The week had been a pleasant blend of leisure, pleasure and work. She felt so rested, so pampered. Eliot was right she was exhausted. She tossed the towel back into the bath, ran her fingers through her hair and lit a cigarette, continuing to admire the spectacular view from their hotel window.

During the week, while Richard performed his book signing duties she traveled throughout the metropolitan area arranging their equipment needs. Driving Richard's sports car had been a cathartic experience. The powerful machine, the open road, and the crisp air whistling through the convertible allowed her mind to step out of itself and see her life from a new perspective. Sitting at a traffic light she had turned and caught a businessman on the corner looking at her. His eyes admiringly moved over her, the car and the skirt that had ridden up her thighs as she worked the brake and clutch. The man didn't look away, ashamed that she had caught him ogling her, but instead meet her eyes and smiled. Nervously, she returned his smile and watched as he stepped forward and leaned down to speak to her.

"You look like you might be lost, perhaps I could help. I'd be glad to show you around."

Politely she refused and quickly left as the light changed. The rear view mirror revealed the businessman continuing to watch her departing vehicle as the other pedestrians crossed the street. The look in the stranger's eyes was an epiphany, a new grasp of reality. How did she feel when he ogled her? A little flattered? Perhaps. But mostly she felt like a mistress, a well-dressed, well-kept woman in a flashy sports car. A mistress knows she fulfills some need and dutifully remains on the periphery. Was that really her role with Richard? Barnabas?

Was that how it was with Richard? She was necessary to him, her intelligence and sexual companionship. Richard was definitely not in love with her, at least she did not feel it. She had to admit she fell for the man in the fireplace photo and the sable brown eyes and succumbed because she was emotionally and physically starved for affection. Sadly, like a mistress and philandering husband, they filled a need for the other. And Barnabas?

Even with Barnabas Collins she felt like a mistress, without the sex of course. She was always at the periphery when it came to his feelings and his life. She knew Barnabas loved her, but he also loved Elizabeth Stoddard, David, and Carolyn. He would come to their rescue if needed, just as he had rescued her from harm in a grand show of friendship. He loved her as a friend. He loved her, but was not in love with her. She never saw in Barnabas' eyes the passion of a lover, only the perpetual longing for his lost youth and its symbolic Josette in her many manifestations. Like a mistress she served his need, to help him through each and every crisis. Once the need was satiated he would continue his pursuit of his lost youth and one true love. Sadly, it had taken five long years for her to come to this realization.

She inhaled deeply, saddened by her newfound revelation and wondered how her relationship with Richard would continue. Already she felt like a mistress, used and wanting for more. She longed for someone like her father, someone who would love her, never use her and would make her the center of his world.

Watching the cars on the street her mind drifted back to the early morning when she had driven to various supply houses personally checking the equipment for Utah and finalizing their shipment to Santa Fee. She couldn't imagine being in the middle of nowhere with a defective piece of equipment. The packing was critical. Richard explained the site had no developed roads and the convoy would follow the treacherous terrain to the site. Satisfied from her morning trek she slipped into the shower to remove the road grime. Driving the car had been thrilling, putting the big engine through its paces, feeling the power at her fingertips, the quick acceleration, and the agility of the sports car as she guided it through traffic. Strangely, the interior of the car was spotless and lacked personality. There was nothing to reveal anything about its owner and could have easily been driven directly from a show room. What did the car reveal about its owner?

Julia watched the trail of smoke rise from her cigarette, smelling the tobacco, recalling the interior of Eliot Stokes' big Mercedes. She smiled recalling the sweet, fruity smell of his tobacco stored in the console and the pipe resting in the tray nearby. Between the seats a case stored various audio cassettes. She recalled how quietly the music played in the background, a soprano duet performing an Aria of some kind. And the aroma of tobacco and leather was so masculine. On the backseat she visualized his leather briefcase, a deep mahogany, spilling out pens and other writing materials and along side the case a stack of books covering various topics. What did the car reveal about its owner?

Julia laughed softly. Two men, two cars, funny how little things had caused her thoughts to drift. Just like his car, there were many things that puzzled her about Richard Carter. The crate still remained a mystery, and now something else. The last few days she had noticed differences in his personality. She turned and stared at Richard's book. Pulling the robe around her she sat on the bed, finished her cigarette and picked it up. Something had caught her eye, something very subtle. She stared at the back cover, then opened the book and surveyed the inside photo. Reaching into her overnight bag she pulled out a magnifying glass and studied the photos. The physician's eyes moved over the photos scanning for details, and found it- his eyes. Richard's eyes were different. A small white scar below his left ear was visible in the swimsuit photo, but not in the fireplace photo.

The fireplace photo was taken before the trip to the Yucatan. Richard's eyes in the fireplace were warm and soft. The eyes in the swimsuit photo were very different, they seemed lighter. Her training told her something had changed. Was she being silly? Her life experience told her no. She closed the book and walked to the sitting area of their suite. The list of provisions and the notes from her research of Native American blood types were spread out on the table. She needed to add her observations and complete her notes before they departed for Utah. Sitting down she began reviewing and checking the references she had marked in the various books when she felt hands moving around her. Instinctively she gave a stifled scream until she saw his face and laughed.

Easily Richard Carter swept her in his arms and carried her to their bedroom and placed her on the bed. His lips found hers in a probing kiss as his hands moved over her robe loosening the sash. His lips moved down her neck, his hands finding and caressing all her most erotic places. She didn't have the time or the desire to protest while his hands and lips moved hungrily over her. Suddenly, he stood and stepped back. Julia studied his eyes noting their light, glassy nature.

Silently he watched her while his fingers moved over his clothes, instinctively finding each button, his eyes never leaving her. Julia was an unexpected pleasure. He thought. Of course, she was older than the others who were mostly graduate students. But there was something about her. She was such a challenge at times, so available and yet so unavailable. He could never quite figure her; she was always full of surprises.

Carter's eyes moved down the half parted robe admiring the creamy skin and the small erect nipple that peaked from beneath the fold of her robe. He marveled at how velvety and pink they were and liked how his tongue felt as he moved over them feeling how firm they became with his touch. And her hair, the soft auburn triangle that nestled between her legs felt like velvet to his hands and lips.

Julia watched the last of his clothing slip to the floor. His skin almond and taunt, his muscles flexed and tightened as he moved across the floor. She could not help but notice he was fully erect as he covered her with his body. Filled with her own desire she did not want to refuse him. Running her fingers down his back she wondered in a half dreamy world, what if she did refuse him, what if she said no. The look in his eyes gave her the answer and a shiver went down her spine and she felt afraid.

~~~tbc~~~