Fallen Too Far (21 page)

She searched through the cupboards to find the coffee, sugar and items she would need to make breakfast. Everything was organized pretty much the way she organized her own kitchen. A few minutes later fresh coffee was dripping through the coffee maker and butter was sizzling in the pan almost ready for the eggs to be cracked. Multi tasking with bread in the toaster, frying eggs, stirring cream into the coffee, she didn’t hear him enter the room.

As she turned, searching for cutlery, a movement caught her eye and she jumped. “Tom!”

“Look at you, all domestic. I guess you found everything you needed. It smells great. I’m starving.” He walked to her and nuzzled her neck, drawing her body close to his own.

“I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed. This just feels so right Tom. Cooking breakfast. Waking up together. I know I should be scared, but I’m not. And that kind of scares me.”

He poured a coffee and asked, “Why scared? I know what you mean waking up together. You can cook breakfast for me, anytime.”

She reached for plates and dished the eggs out onto them. He took the toast and buttered the pieces. They moved in synchrony with each other before sitting at the dinette table in the kitchen.

“Well…when I was younger, everything was perfect. I was happy with my parents and doing well in school. Then everything changed, so fast. Now I’m happy again. I have you. Pandora’s looks like it will be mine soon,” She crossed her fingers for luck. “Everything is falling into place and I feel wonderful. Not nervous or scared. It’s the
not
being scared is what scares me. I’m so happy.”

“I can see why you’d feel like that. But not this time Annik. You’ve got me and I’m not going away. Even if you don’t get Pandora’s, which I’m confident you will by the way, I’m still here.” He paused for a few moments thinking.

“Which brings up the subject of your work. Much as I’m pretty open minded…well I like to think I am, I don’t think I can handle my girlfriend being an Escort.”

She looked in his eyes as he said this. This was bound to come up, sooner or later. If Pandora’s didn’t work out, what would she do? For years, the only hand she could count on to help her, was her own. That independence had become the way she lived. It colored everything she did. And now, he was asking her to change.

“Look, I understand how you feel. Even though lots of times I see clients and there’s no sex, sometimes there is. I think I’m ready to leave that behind. Christ, the only man I want to be with is you. And if we get Pandora’s, problem solved. But what if we don’t? I will
not
be your kept woman Tom.”

“Who said anything about keeping you? If Pandora’s doesn’t fly, work for me. I could use a smart cookie like you.”

“We both know that would amount to the same thing. I wouldn’t fit into the corporate world…and I don’t want to.” Her heart raced. What if they didn’t get Pandora’s? What would she do? She looked down at the half eaten scrambled eggs on her plate. Suddenly, any appetite was gone. The familiar knot of worry and anguish sat in her stomach like a stone.

“Look, we’ll worry about that later, okay? Pandora’s isn’t the only business for sale. We’ll figure out a way for you to be a business owner…Hey, remember the thing left in Pandora’s box. It was hope. It’ll work out Annik.” he reached across the table and squeezed her hand. His eyes never left her face.

She rose to her feet and stood beside him, returning his gaze. “I love you so much. You’re right. We’ll figure it out and my days of being an Escort are through. I don’t know how it will work out. I just know it will.” It had been a long time since she had anyone to help her.

He rose and hugged her close to him. “I love you Annik. Trust me. It will all be okay.”

Hand in hand they climbed the stairs to his bedroom. They made sweet gentle love together. They had passed another hurdle and felt closer than they’d ever been. Annik was now his and his alone. She clung to him, knowing this and cherishing him more than she had ever thought she could.

****

They showered and got dressed. There were preparations, tidying up to do before their dinner guests arrived at six.

It was almost noon when she heard the front door open. Tom was still upstairs puttering about. Her hands were in a sink full of hot sudsy water scouring the frying pan from breakfast when she heard footsteps clacking across the hardwood floor. She turned and saw a pretty, dark haired woman stop at the entrance, a look of surprise on her face.

That must be Tom’s housekeeper Maria. She quickly dried her hands and stepped forward, introducing herself, extending her hand. Oh, this was awkward. Where was Tom? She was standing here in what Maria probably considered her kitchen. Maria would have no clue who she was.

She shook the hand that Maria tentatively held forward and noticed Maria sizing her up with a critical eye. It was understandable that Maria would wonder who she was and maybe even feel a little protective of Tom. There was a big age gap between her and Tom. Maybe Maria thought she was another Marina. When she spoke Annik recognized the accent.

“Encantado de conocerla, senora. Cual es su pais de origen?” Annik said.

She noticed Maria’s face brighten and smile, being addressed in her native language.

“Naci y creci en el Caribe, senorita, com ousted me cree?”

“Esta Senora correcto, pase mi infancia en el Barbados, nos trasladamos a Canada cuando era una nina.” Annik returned, explaining that she had arrived in Canada as a child and was originally from Barbados.

“Portate bien en Senor Tom, senorita, que necesita una mujer horable a su lado.”

Wow. Don't mince words, eh Maria? Yes, he does need an honorable woman by his side. Well, then, “Entiendo Senora. Se muy bien lo que un hombre necesita una muher de honor.” Annik paused, “Eso lo aprendi de ver a mi madre y padre. No es eso lo que deberia ser?” Annik explained that, yes a woman learns her best lessons of honor from her parents. Time for a truce.

Maria smiled. Okay, first engagement was over; a war had been averted.

“I so enjoy speaking Spanish, Miss Annik. You're accent is very good!” Maria said.

“Thank you.” She didn’t blame Maria for being suspicious. After all, she had showed up out of nowhere and was standing in her kitchen. “It's been some time for me, Maria. Perhaps I could practice with you more in the future?”

“Anytime, Miss Annik. I would enjoy getting to know you better.” The better to protect Mister Tom hung in the air between them.

“As I you, Maria.”

“Hey, you gals are leaving me out of the loop here. What are you talking about in Spanish anyway?” Tom had quietly entered the room.

The two women glanced at each other and said in unison, “Girl talk,” and smiled.

“Annik, I didn't know you spoke Spanish…”

“Just a little, Tom. And some French too. Just conversational.”

“You’re full of surprises.”

They chatted with Maria and explained what they were thinking of for dinner, what they had purchased the evening before. Tom and Annik tried to help Maria prepare dinner but Maria’s patience grew thin. Her hands gestured a sweeping motion and she ordered them from her kitchen.

****

It was a little after six pm and all of their guests had arrived, except Tom’s sister and her husband. The group was settled in the living room having drinks, enjoying pleasant conversation. The doorbell rang and Tom disappeared to greet his sister. A few minutes later, Annik looked up to see a blond, younger version of Tom, same blue eyes, and quirky smile. She appeared to be in her forties. Beside her stood a man, a few inches taller, with salt and pepper gray hair, smiling.

Tom introduced Bonnie and Anthony to everyone in turn, pausing when he came to Annik.

“Bonnie, I’d like you to meet the woman I have loved from afar for many years. Annik, this is my sister Bonnie and her husband Anthony.” Tom’s arms were outstretched between the two women; a smile on his face.

Bonnie’s face wore the same dubiousness as Marie had earlier. Chatting in Spanish wasn’t going to fix this one though. She glanced up and down Annik and over to her brother. Yes Bonnie, I’m decades younger.

Taking a breath, Annik shook Bonnie’s hand, then Anthony’s. At some point that evening, Bonnie would corner her to get more information. Okay that was fair. Bonnie loved her brother and knew his history. She only hoped that she would be able to convince her that she too, loved Tom.

Tom continued with the introductions moving along to Jessica and Craig. Annik resumed her conversation with Diana and Danny and stole covert glances at Bonnie who was now chatting with Jessica.

She tried to focus on Diana who was finishing her story. It had been one of Danny and her first times together, when Danny’s wife and child showed up. Annik’s eyes flew wide open and she quickly glanced at Danny. What the heck? A wife and child? Diana laughed at how angry she had been with Danny. It had been a wonder that she hadn’t punched holes in the walls of Danny’s apartment.

“I almost put him back in the hospital!” she said. Diana was an imposing figure—tall, with the fitness of a woman who works out to control her weight. And she was very pretty. She had been a member of Pandora’s for many years, a much sought after, but aloof Domme. Actually, she had mentored Annik, teaching her all about whips and flogging techniques.

Annik smiled thinking of the old Diana. She liked the new lovesick version better. This Diana was warmer, more open about sharing her life. She listened to the end of Diana’s story and laughed learning that Danny hadn’t been married and didn’t have a child. It had been a horrible mistake that had almost cost Danny his relationship with Diana.

Tom joined the conversation, sliding his arm around Annik’s waist. She smiled up at him and as she glanced back at Diana, caught Bonnie staring at her. Bonnie and Anthony were speaking with Jessica and Craig, but it looked like Craig was doing much of the talking and that was to Anthony. Annik excused herself to go to the kitchen to get hors’ d’oeuvre to pass around.

Maria was busy doing the last minute tasks, preparing the meal. She smiled at Annik before getting a tray of hot hors’ d’ouvres from the oven, placing them on another tray for Annik to carry.

As she was walking back into the living room she heard the soft notes of the piano as it played Pachabal’s Canon in D. The notes of that loved and familiar song comforted her as she circulated with the tray offering the pastries and napkins. She came to Bonnie at the piano.

“So how long have you known Tom? He made it sound like it was a long time.” Bonnie asked before taking a nibble of the pastry.

Okay. Here we go. “Oh, we’ve been friends for about three years. It’s funny. We loved each other, but didn’t realize how the other felt until this past week.” Annik replied, smiling.

“Isn’t that strange and romantic. How did you meet?” Bonnie was eyeing her intently, only a ghost of a smile showing on her face.

Oh boy. I hate lying but I can’t tell her the truth. Well, he was my John at first. Then my friend buying me Winnie the Pooh stuffies, trading brownie recipes. Now he’s my lover. Oh, and my future business partner in a sex club no less. Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.

“He was referred to me by a client. I met him and that’s how it started.” Annik continued smiling, trying to conceal the nerves in her stomach.

“Referred? What is it you do?” Bonnie asked.

“Well I’m an independent business owner. It’s called OOPS. Short for Owner Operated Personal Service.” And please don’t ask me more about that. But she knew that would be too much to hope for.

“What personal services do you provide? I’ve never heard of a business like that.” Bonnie looked at Annik, puzzlement contorting her delicate, fair features.

“Well it varies, depending upon the customer’s needs. Sometimes it’s organizing meetings for out of town businesspeople. And even to companionship. There are a lot of wealthy people who are quite lonely. I have an aunt in a nursing home. She was in a companionship role when she was younger. She referred me to many people who needed that service.” Annik really hoped she had confused Bonnie to the point where she would stop asking questions.

“Oh. Like a visiting health care aide? I don’t see how Tom would need such services.”

“No, not like that; let me explain.” She felt the ice under her feet get thin. “Let’s say for example, you have some of your roommates from college coming into town for a visit, but you can’t get away from the office during the day. You want them to have a good time, see the best of the city. More like that sort of thing.” It wasn’t a total lie. She had done just that for some of her clients.

“Oh. Well, I can see Tommy needing that sort of thing. He’s got his fingers in a lot of different pies.”

At that moment Jessica appeared next to them. Annik could see Tom having an intent conversation with Diana in one side of the room. Danny, Craig and Anthony were discussing something or other.

Jessica complimented Bonnie on her skill at playing the piano and the conversation turned to safer topics.

Thankfully.

Marie appeared at the entrance and announced that dinner was served.

****

Later that night as they were going to bed, both feeling a little toasty, Annik told Tom about her conversation with Bonnie.

“You’ve got to tell her about me—about us. I hated to duck and dodge her questions. I think I could like your sister but we’ve got to be honest. And that’s your job I think.” Annik snuggled into the crook of her Tom’s arm.

“Sorry, you’re right of course. I will. We may have to be patient. She’s a lawyer and suspicious by nature. But she’ll come around.”

His voice sounded distracted. Maybe a little sleepy she thought. It had been quite a night. Lots of laughs with good people, aside from her discomfort with his sister.

But Tom was not sleepy. His brain was alive and excited. The seed, an idea his doctor friend Diana had planted in him, was germinating.

****

The next day Annik suggested that they go for a walk for some fresh air and exercise. The sun was out and the leaves were ablaze in their entire autumn splendor. It had been years since she’d strolled in this neighborhood. And she had something to show him.