After their lovemaking session, Bolden left her room, for the solace of his own.  On the way, he asked himself, what was he doing and was he prepared to accept her next deception; because after the way she’d behaved--staving off a true conversation, using sex as an avoidance tool--Bolden had sensed the telltale sign upon insertion; the billowing irritation of smoke being blown up his ass.  According to the office gossip, last year, she’d been engaged, and they had planned to marry this spring.  Then without preamble, the story took a turn, twisting into a breakup, unresolved disagreements, her leaving him, then a New Year’s Eve suicide.  In spite of her misfortune, he didn’t see one sign of remorse, hinting that she was still mourning after losing so much.  He wasn’t sure if this was stern resolve or the sign of a heartless woman.

Bolden eased out of his clothes, then settled naked on his bed.  The second his head hit the pillow, the phone in his room rang.

His eyebrows furrowed, out of agitation.  Only two people knew that he was here; the desk clerk, and Eliza.

Bolden answered the phone

“Yes...”

“Why so crude?  I was calling to make certain that you made it back to your room okay.”

He relaxed on the sheets, stretching out his limbs.  He leisurely responded.

“We’re on the same floor Eliza.  Not much chance in getting lost.”

“True...but, you are my responsibility.”

And he was.  Eliza had swore to Morpheus that she would hover over his son like a hawk, primed to attack any and all predators.  The phone went silent, causing Eliza to wonder if Bolden had fallen asleep.

“Bolden...” she said, with a raised inflection.

He sighed heavily into the phone when he said...

“I’m still here Eliza.”

“Good.  Are you bored with me already.”

There was a seriousness in her voice, prompting him to say...

“No...and that might create problems.”

She laughed, thrilled by the possibilities of what this might mean.

“Don’t worry Bolden...I won’t allow you to get ahead of yourself.”

He swore, because on the inside, it felt like he’d already jumped three steps ahead of her.  But he couldn’t let her know this.  He had a number of kooky habits, and monogamy was one of them.  He just didn’t do sleeping around; never had...and now, he’d gotten mixed up with Eliza Pendleton...his boss.  Now he was beginning to realize that having sex with her had been an enormous mistake.  He told himself--can’t miss what you haven’t had; but the problem was, that he’d had her, and given time, he would miss her.  But, what was done was done, and he couldn’t undo what he’d already done.

Burdened by his mishap, he said...

“Eliza...I’m exhausted.  Can we talk in the morning?”

She could hear the strain in his voice, and she needed to nip his resignation in the bud.  She couldn’t allow him to give up; not after what they’d just shared.

“Bolden...come back. Spend the night with me.”

“I don’t know about you...but I’m tired, and we have a big day tomorrow.  If you expect me to keep up with you, then I’ll need no less than three hours sleep.”

“Fine...come back, and you can sleep here, with me.”

He held his comments, because he didn’t have anything in the affirmative to say.  Then, unexpectedly, she pierced his heart, when she purred his name.

“Bolden...come back to me.”

Even if he had the courage or fortitude, he wouldn’t have won this struggle.  Bolden sat up in the bed, then he placed the phone back on its receiver.  He gathered his clothes, putting on only the essentials; he didn’t button his shirt, and he didn’t wear a belt.  When he neared her room, he heard the clicking sound of an opening door.  When he stepped inside, the room was still dark, but she was there, just a few steps inside.

“Bolden”  She trilled his name, then she undressed him.  They held hands, walking to the bed, and when she pulled back the blankets, Eliza climbed in first, followed by Bolden.  In this situation, he could have turned his back to her; this would have been the wise move--but he ignored reason.  Instead, he opened his arms, creating a space for her.  Then he folded his arms, to cuddle her, and they slept that way until their early morning wake up call.  When she ordered breakfast, Bolden stayed.  They ate their morning meal, swapping sections of the Times; like married couples do.  They were in sync; riding life’s cycle in tandem--and he told himself that he could get use to this.  And when she showered, he joined her there.  They made love beneath the spray, and he let it happen.  When he finally made it back to his room to change into a fresh set of clothes, he knew.  He knew the second his heart had leapt; but what was done was done, and fool that he was--he didn’t want to undo this.  In less than an hour, he’d packed, and left his room, meeting her in the hotel lobby.  He could see the large black SUV with tinted windows, waiting on the street to drive them back to the airport.  Eliza was standing off to the side, engrossed in a conversation, and her facial expression told him all that he needed to know.  It was back to business for her, and he wondered what fire had to be squelched today.

**********

Chapter 11

What’s love got to do with it

"What did I say to make you think that I don't care?"

Fawn hated repeating herself.  From the moment Judd arrived at her father’s house, he'd had a major stick up his ass.  He'd blathered incessantly telling her some crap concerning his hippy sister Sahara and that Ona Samaritan woman she'd met at Lincoln Medical.  While he'd been talking, Fawn had interrupted him, asking if he knew why a Samaritan was being treated at Lincoln Medical.  She wasn't sure if it was the question or the snide way that she'd said it; whatever the cause, Judd was pissed and he was headed towards the door.

"Judd...wait!  Be reasonable.  I just asked if you knew how a person like Ona could afford that kind of medical care.  It is a private hospital Judd...and that was a legitimate question"

Judd was wearing his usual leather garb, from shoulder to toe, his movements sang a smooth swooshing leather tune.  From the first, he'd been warned about the Gustafson's; but he'd thought that the warnings were concerning her arms dealer father.  When Fawn approached him at one of his art shows, there had been an intense reaction.  On their second meeting, Judd had received an invitation to attend an after hours backstage party for a headlining act.  Fawn had approached him, and in a brazen manner, she’d gripped the lapels on his shirt, lifted on tiptoes then drew him into a mouth watering kiss.  From then on, their romance had been a combination of intellectual duels, topped with mind blowing sex.  In short, Fawn was a crazy, cunning, narcissistic bitch.  Dear lord, he hated that he loved her.

Judd was a few feet from the front door.  The butler scrambled to be the first to touch the doorknob.  Behind him, he could hear Fawn's heavy breathing and the sound of clopping high heel shoes.

"Judd...is this the way you want to start a relationship with my father; by bailing on his gracious invitation."

"Make an excuse Fawn.  You're good at that."

"Will this ever end!  Judd...that was weeks ago.  Let it go.  Why can't you accept that I am not available to help you and your friends?"

Judd had one of two choices; ignore her, or confront her.  He chose the latter.

He turned on his heels and they nearly collided.  Judd didn't waste any time talking

"Fawn...when you lied to my sister in the hospital, I understood because you'd been caught off guard and you hadn't been given adequate time to consider the offer."