“Yes,” I responded, giving him my address. Something about his voice ended up being soothing. I wished we could have stayed on the phone and talked a little longer, just so I could hear it more. I knew it was pathetic and a testament to my loneliness, but I couldn’t stop pulling away from people, not when life is so unpredictable and we could die tomorrow. I know I sound like a bitter old woman that’s lived through life’s harshness, but there was no light at the end of my tunnel.

“Okay, you have a great night then,” he replied and hung up the phone.

“Yeah, you too,” I sighed sadly. I was so desperately alone and sad, I decided the best option was liquor. Luckily I bought a small bottle in duty free. I was by no means a heavy drinker but I’d used alcohol to numb the pain on occasion. I went to my duffle bag in my room. I still needed to unpack but unpacking felt permanent, and I wasn’t ready to yet. I dug around for the small bottle of rum, when I felt the cool glass in my hand I pulled it out. Perfect.

I went to the kitchen and found a clear glass tumbler and poured my first round. The intercom buzzed and I went to the door to press the button. “Miss Molino, its Tim did you order pizza?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I am sending him up.”

A few minutes later there was a knock on my door and I heard the pizza man call out, “Pizza delivery.”

My stomach growled with anticipation.

“That will be $18.75, ma’am,” he smiled.

I passed him a twenty. “Keep the change.”

“Here’s your six-pack of Coke, it’s free with your order,” he said passing me the cans. I closed the door with my foot and headed back over to the couch. Eating at a kitchen table when you are alone is too depressing and lonely. I opened the pizza box and allowed the fresh steam and delicious aroma to take over my senses. My stomach growled some more. I could do this. I could eat the pizza. Maybe I should get drunk to eat the pizza…The perfect meal. Rum, Coke and pizza. As my emotions took a belly flop to the floor, my teeth landed on the first bite. It was delicious, authentically Italian. My luck, couldn’t it have been an Americanized version of pizza?

The thin crust reminded me of Mama even more. I continued to eat because I was just so damn hungry and I drowned my bites with the perfect amount of rum and Coke. By the time I’d finished my meal, I had a nice buzz and I headed for the shower with an extra sway in my stride. I couldn’t help but wonder about his intentions for holding the party tonight. He said he doesn’t touch women. Suddenly I was struck with a sick feeling…maybe he was going to start. Shit. What was is it about wanting something you know you can’t have? Oh yeah, that’s right, it makes you want it more…my inner voice castigated me.

After a warm shower in the yummy shower jets, I sauntered out feeling happy and slightly tipsier than I thought. I headed over to my duffle bag and slipped into the only other sexy lingerie I had. A black lace see-through bra and thong panties that left little to the imagination. I pulled my black slinky dress out of my duffle bag. As I stepped into the dress I lost my balance and fell to my ass chuckling. I slowly picked myself up off the floor thinking that I was going to show Luc how much I didn’t care. This time, I took a seat on the bed and slipped the dress over my legs. Then I fell back so that my head hit the bed and I wiggled the dress up my body. My skin felt warm as I enjoyed my buzz. When I finally stood up, I looked in the mirror and noticed my rosy cheeks. Shit, that rum hit me hard. With no interest to blow out my hair, I gave it a quick shake out making myself dizzy. Given the fact I would fail miserably if asked to do the straight-line walk, I figured that make-up was out of the question; less I risk a crooked black line with my eyeliner.

Instead I dabbed a little red lipstick on my lower lip and rolled my lips together to spread it about. After smoothing out the dress on my body, I trudged back over to the bed to put my new fabulous Jimmy Choo sandals on. Satisfied with my look, I grabbed my purse and swayed to the door.

Chapter 16

Luc

I couldn’t get Vicky out of my head. My body thrummed to life at the thought of seeing her, and I wondered if she would take me up on my challenge and come tonight. I was putting money on it that she would be here. I could read her like an open book, even if she didn’t like it. There was a knock on the door and I walked over to open it up.

“Hey,” Big Key nodded. He was a tall guy like me and his muscles were almost as bulky as mine too. He was wearing a silver suit and he had a crew follow him into my home. Three large men walked in carrying large boxes and a fourth guy had large suitcases filled with the music system. They all began to set up.

“Make yourselves at home, I will be upstairs…” I muttered, as I took the steps two at a time to the second floor. I wasn’t sure if they heard me but they didn’t need me anyway. With my briefcase in hand I pulled my laptop out and checked my e-mails. I could hear the soft beat of music as the set up crew tested the sound. Looking at the clock I saw that it was already 8 o’clock and the guests would be arriving soon. I smacked my laptop shut as I was enveloped by regret. The picture of her riding that blonde guy from a few nights back was on replay in my mind. It pissed me off that it was him that brought her to pure ecstasy and not me. I walked into the shower and turned the knob to the hottest point as steam filled the large bathroom and the mirrors fogged. I got nervous thinking about how I would execute my plan and wondered what happened if I’d read her all wrong.

As the hot water ran down my body, I held on to the wall in front of me, maybe for support. I felt like I was falling for this girl and that meant that I was losing control. Control was the one thing that kept my anxieties in check these last two years. Thinking of Vicky’s dark green eyes and her small body made my dick hard again. I knew with everything that would be going on in my house that night I should release myself then and not heighten my torture later. I usually didn’t masturbate that often but I felt the need for a second release. I began to rub my hand over my cock. I picked up pace and tightened my hold as I thought of how good she would feel coming around it. My thoughts pushed me over the edge as warm semen spurted out of me, causing my body to tense. I wish I could say that I felt relief after coming but I didn’t, it wasn’t enough. I picked up the bottle of body wash and lathered up my hands and washed my body. Then I stepped out of the shower and put on a white tank top and boxer briefs. Most men are shirtless at the parties, but I didn’t need people gaping at the bullet wound in my stomach and wondering what the hell happened to me. I raked my fingers through my wet hair and walked out of the master suite toward the same spot I took up last time, watching the crowd from the second floor.

Chapter 17

Vicky

I walk through the front door of Luc’s apartment and right away I spot some familiar faces from a few nights back. I didn’t need to wear a jacket tonight, so the only thing I pass the coat check is my dress. I walk over to the bar and take a flute of champagne. Everyone seems to be involved in conversation or busy one way or another. I spot Luc speaking with a tall redhead at the top of the stairs. Her arm is sitting on his shoulder and he isn’t flinching. Two can play this game asshole, I think to myself as I take the stairs a little too quickly in my Jimmy Choos. As I pass by Luc, he moves in to place a hot kiss on her lips. The woman is tall with pale skin and large breasts. She was wearing a rose-colored lace bra and panties that leave little to the imagination. Hot burning jealousy claws its way up my throat and I know it must be the effects of too many rums and Cokes. I couldn’t be this upset from seeing Luc with another woman. I just couldn’t. I fucked another guy in front of him not that long ago. My feelings for him couldn’t have deepened this quickly. It’s impossible.