Proserpina
I decided to go to the Club to meet Lucien as he had not come home for a week now. The children were busy; Brian had agreed to fly down and talk to Tara for I had the strong feeling that at this moment, she needed to be away, far away and I had asked Brian to take her with him back to Bhutan. I still had some old friends of mine in the nunnery and they had agreed to have her there. When I spoke to Tara about my plan, I had expected her to put up a fight. But my beautiful child had merely nodded her head and hugging me, she had mumbled,
” I never wanted to hurt you and Pappa so badly, Mumma.’
Lucien had not come to meet her, to speak to her about what she considered to be the greatest crime of her life; instead, he had called her once, and from the ensuing silence at his end after he had delivered a few clipped words, I guessed that he had been coldly furious. And it took more than a mere mortal to deal with that!
I had mentioned my decision to Lucien but as he had not been home since the day we had discovered how Tara was being manipulated; I did not really know how he felt about it. Brian had been the man who had wanted to marry me when I was in Bhutan, hiding away from my Mafia Don. And Lucien was insanely jealous of any man who looked m way; I knew he disliked Brian for this very reason but I knew in my heart that it would be the best for my daughter.
Sighing, I looked across at my best friend, James Schwartz. It was late evening and I had asked Ria to take care of everything at home for I had no idea when I would return. Rudi was fed and asleep. The triplets were subdued and studying, Camille watching them.
Poor Piers was still in a state of high dudgeon and Paddy was beginning to respond, ever so slightly, to stimulus. Claude was back from the gym.
*
I had badgered James to fetch me and accompany me to the Club as I knew Lucien would be livid if I turned up unchaperoned.
James was frowning as he checked his phone, the scowl only making him look even more handsome. The grey that was beginning to appear at his temples only made him look more attractive. My heart went out to him. We had first maintained an uneasy peace after that day when he had kissed me so passionately.
But soon, I had called him and we had drifted into a zone of treading carefully about each other. At least, I was aware of the awkwardness in his company and it saddened me terribly.
Sighing, I looked out of the window as the car glided, almost soundlessly along the path leading to the Club.
As always, we were accompanied by around three other large SUVs.
The wide, curving path leading up to the Club entrance was well-lit, with low lights that illuminated the ground in a fairyland kind of way, I thought with a whimsical smile. Lucien had not spared any effort to make the place appear to be like a magical hideaway for gentlemen looking to get away for a rendezvous with their mistresses.
There were already a number of vehicles in the parking as we thundered into the basement parking and Handsome James was beside me, holding the door open, refusing to meet my eyes as I stepped out.
I sighed again. I hated it, this stiffness between us. He was my best friend and he was behaving so …difficult!
*
Gustav was in the foyer of Lucien’s personal suite and his brows shot up as we entered. I had not informed my husband of my arrival but had planned to surprise him. He was inordinately busy with the preparations for the opening of the Club next week.
The valet who was mute, nodded respectfully at me before he quickly left to inform Lucien, I presumed, leaving me with Schwartz.
We waited in the large living room, with the enormous TV set that Lucien barely turned on, the expensive decor making the room look like an advertisement for luxurious living. Trailing my finger along the glass top of the bar, where Schwartz had strode across to pour out a drink for himself, I spoke hesitantly.
I knew that my husband was in a high-level meeting which was why we had been ushered into the personal suite at the top of the Club.
I stepped towards Schwartz impulsively, placing my hand on his sleeve.
‘Please, don’t be so stiff, “I begged. He looked at me, a host of emotions playing on his face. Anger, hurt, confusion.
I rose on my toes and gently pressed my lips to his beautiful, unsmiling mouth.
‘I love you James.’ I whispered, “But just not in that way…’
He sighed, the strong shoulders slumping as he lifted my hands to his lips, kissing them tenderly.
‘I know, my love,’ he said, a wealth of sadness in his voice as he spoke.’
And then, he sighed and gazed off into the distance, as he went on,
‘Proserpina, I have never loved another woman as I love you, and that is God’s own truth. ”
I lifted my head, my eyes brimming but he gently kissed my tears away as he went on,
‘ But I know you have never thought of me in that way and I would never do that to my best mate.’
The earnestness in his voice, in his face, made me weep softly.
He turned to take a long drink from his tumbler and then spoke pensively,
‘I am thinking of leaving, of going to the…Scottish Highlands.’
He stepped away from me, as I dropped my hands in shock.
Turning, he walked to the windows, raking his hands through his fair hair, feverishly.
“My mam left me a small place there. I have been thinking of selling it but now…” I gripped his shoulders as I said, my voice full of the anguish I was feeling,
‘James Schwartz, I can never…love you like …that… but…please, please do not leave us…’
A sound from the doorway startled me. I spun around as my husband stepped forward, his face shuttered and grey.
He was as always, impeccable in his dress, clad in a suit that made him seem strong and powerful, the white shirt and jacket stretching over his bulging muscles.
How long, I wondered stupidly, how long had Lucien been there, standing in the shadows, watching us?
He emerged into the light, his face as one carved in granite.
“Which way would that be, Woman?’ he asked silkily and I trembled as he stepped to me and took me in his arms, jerking me forward, kissing me hard, a kiss like a stamp of ownership as he bit my lower lip, hard.
Pushing him away, shaking with reaction, I ran my tongue over my lip, as I straightened my shoulders and faced my lover.
Stepping before Schwartz, protectively, I spoke firmly,
‘ James is my friend, Lucien, the dearest friend I have on this earth.’
Both the men stood still. I could see Lucien sizing me up and I met his eyes bravely.
Then, he gave a quick, curt nod and said, addressing the silent man behind me and ignoring me completely,
“You are not going anywhere, mate’
He said it coldly, and decisively but I heard the hoarseness in his voice, and I knew that Lucien would be deeply disturbed if Schwartz left us.
I turned to the man who was my friend, the one I could confide in, and whispered,
“Please, James, do not do this,’
His hungry green eyes searched my ace as he groaned and turned to Lucien,
‘Mate…’ he began. But my husband had moved to me, pulling me to his hard body as he said bluntly,
‘ I will never share my Woman. But apart from that, you can ask me for anything and I shall give it to you.’
I felt my body go hot and then cold as the words sank in. Schwartz’s face had also flushed but he swallowed and said clearly,
“Mate…it is …’
‘You cannot leave us, you cannot leave Lucien, Schwartz!” I implored him and he looked at me for a long minute, his eyes searching and then he sighed, shoulders drooping.
‘Damn you both…’ he scowled and I pushed myself out of Lucien’s iron-like band around my waist as I rushed to him.
Throwing my arms about my friend’s waist, I turned my face to him as I cried,’ Please, there are so many things happening. And you have been my one constant…don’t go, James.’
It was a selfish appeal but I could not think of life without the sunny, handsome man who was so integral to us, to me…
He grunted, his arms at his sides
Lucien stood, watching us.
And then he growled,
‘Schwartz.’
James looked up and sighed, exchanging a long look with my husband.
“Yes,’ he said gently, prising my arms away,’ hen, I will not go till you ask me to leave.’
I laughed and impulsively, reached up on my toes to kiss his cheek.
My husband pulled me away brutally, hands digging into my flesh as he growled,’ Leave the man be, Woman.’ I was relieved for I could see the answer on my friend’s face. He was not going to leave now.
Lucien turned to the bar and Gustav magically materialized.
‘Let us drink to this,’ he growled and Schwartz smiled faintly. With his arm still holding me pinned to his body, Lucien moved forward, talking to Schwartz and then, pulled me onto his lap as they sat, drinking and discussing matters. I lay my head on Lucien’s shoulder, the familiar feel of his woolen jacket as it rubbed against my cheek lulling me to a sense of comfort. I could feel his erection and tried to wriggle away but he gripped me hard and growled,
‘Sit there…’
I subsided obediently, grateful that he had not used any of his choice abuse words, the ones he used when he was riding me so thoroughly. A large hand caressed my rounded behind and I felt myself becoming wet with anticipation. I was safe and my world was safe too.
A false sense of safety as it turned out to be.