SALON ANTICS - CHAPTER 18

WRAP UP, LOCK UP

It was mid afternoon on a Tuesday and although on crutches, Liam Irish had been released from the hospital the day before and was now with the others waiting for Officer Billy and his partner, Fred, to arrive at the club. The police cruiser pulled into the back alley out of direct view of traffic, as directed by Della the day before. With the trashing, and then the shooting, they didn’t want to frighten off customers any more than they had already. Della met the two officers at the side door. 

“Hi. You must be Savannah’s brother, Billy,” Della said, looking directly at the handsome young man who was the spitting image of his sister. Then Della looked over at the other, older gentleman.

“This here’s my partner in crime, Fred,” offered Billy. “Fred, this is...”

“Della. It’s Della,” she said, almost choking out the words as she melted under Fred’s gaze. He wouldn’t take his eyes off of her until, finally, she turned away.

“Uh, c’mon over, fellas. I’ll introduce you to the others.”

CHAPTER 2 - OH, MY!

Genevieve left her new client with a magazine and cup of coffee and walked to the front of the salon. She wasn’t about to leave Irish with her crazy ex, nor was she about to allow Dominic to think he could come waltzing into her place of work threatening and intimidating her whenever he pleased.

Miguel watched Genevieve with interest. Not only did he think she was smoking hot in her short skirt and see through blouse, but she intrigued him. In the few minutes he’d spent around her, she came across with sexy confidence and girlish naivety all in the same package. He liked the fact that she was complex yet vulnerable.

            Miguel had always found it easy to peg people. He had a nose for it, which he considered a gift. When it came to women, he knew what he liked and what he wanted, and when he found it, he got it. So far that instinct had proven right. Although he hadn’t met who he considered ‘the one’, he knew he would when he was ready. He didn’t let little things like waiting for Ms. Right bother him. 

SALON ANTICS

Chapter 1 - JUST ANOTHER DAY

Liam Irish was bored. A week into Lent, he hadn’t had a drink in over a week, therefore, he hadn’t gone out to The Foxy Lady strip joint, or to his favorite fetish club, Down Under. Although he considered himself an Atheist, he had been raised Catholic. Some rituals were ingrained in him, so he used the more familiar rites and holidays as a time to challenge his will power. This year he was quitting alcohol for the duration of Lent, which, he discovered, also included his personal indulgence of biweekly visits to sex clubs. It seemed he couldn’t manage one without the other.

At the onset, Liam had not considered the forty days of restraint to be difficult, but it was day seven, and he already found himself surfing internet porn sites to quench his thirst for voyeurism. Somehow, and in true Catholic form, Liam didn’t feel this indulgence fit into the category he had given up – thank god!

SALON ANTICS

Read about our main man, Liam Irish, originally from London, England, the lovely and exotic Genevieve, sexy, smart, and perhaps too sweet, Miguel, and the handsome gangsta Dominique. They are just a few new peops you'll learn more about and get to know over the coming weeks. Love 'em or hate 'em, they will undoubtedly become your new best friends.

Chapter 1 of the next novella starts tomorrow on Titillating Tuesday with this fresh cast of characters, plenty of excitement, intrigue, and lots and lots of steamy scenes. Join us July 12th, with SALON ANTICS.

...Stay Tuned...

CHAPTER 16 – NEW BEGINNINGS

Jake Roberts. She’d forgotten how he could kiss!

Their clothes were halfway off by the time his front door closed behind them, their quickened breath filling all twenty-five hundred square feet of his stylish apartment with anticipation. She let herself be thrown down onto the king size bed, and allowed him to finish undressing her one item at a time until she was lying on top of the down-filled duvet in only her pink lace bra and thong. He kissed her forehead affectionately then moved to her warm, rosy cheeks. He nibbled at her ears before he worked his way downward. Sensitive to her vulnerability tonight, but assertive enough to be gloriously erotic, he parted her legs. They opened with ease. She shut her eyes and moaned, feeling an urgency that had been burning inside her since her rescue, moreover since they first met. 

CHAPTER 15 – AFTERSHOCKS

It was strange for Joanie, being back at the office. As she sat down at her desk it occurred to her the last time she had sat there was when she was fantasizing about Peter. Peter Thompson, her old buddy, her old flame, was now pent up in some asylum waiting for a psychological assessment. Pleading insanity would be the best course of action for him to take, Joanie reasoned, but still, it stung her heart thinking of him locked up, possibly for the rest of his life.     

While paperwork and post-it notes sat piled on her desk, most of Joanie’s morning was spent daydreaming about Peter. But this time, the daydreams were not the least bit erotic. She went over and over in her mind all the things he had revealed to her that fateful day in her apartment. His strange behaviors, his need to torture, and his ability to push the limits with people but not go all the way, all this fascinated and confused her. How had things gotten so out of control? Thinking back, she should have seen it coming. Peter was right. They had been living a fantasy that, during their lives, never blossomed into a reality. When he hadn’t made more definitive advances toward her, and had married Clarice, Joanie went to New York to try to move on from the emptiness she was left with. He had let her down. But even more recently, when he had become so moody and irrational, she had still been unable to admit that Peter – her Peter – was losing control. What had made this friend of hers become such a monster? And more, what made her want to protect him?

CHAPTER 14 – TURN OF EVENTS

            Joanie stood stock-still, watching the handle turn. Then it stopped, and the irritating jimmying of the door began again. But he hadn’t gotten in – not yet anyway. In the corner of the bathroom, she spied her heavy clothes hamper, which she slid over and shoved up against the door. Next she piled books and magazines from her bathroom reading supply on top of the hamper. Towels and facecloths were jammed in the crack at the base of the door. None of this would keep him out for long but it was all she had, and she thought it might buy her some time.

The incessant scraping of metal on metal was getting to her, so she went to the vanity and turned on the tap, flipping the light switch as she passed. The light didn’t go on. She could have sworn she had just changed the bulb, but dismissed the thought as there were more important things to worry about at the moment. Between the running water and the hard object being jammed into the door lock, there was enough noise to muffle any sound she might make, which is what she wanted. Still, she walked quietly over to the small window, opened it slowly without letting it creak, hoisted herself up onto the sill and leaned her head out to look around. Yes, it was a long way down, but there were pipes and outcroppings to her left and right. Perhaps if she could squeeze through the frame and climb onto the narrow ledge below, she’d at least be able to call for help. Even if people thought she was a jumper, any attention was better than none. 

CHAPTER 13 – COMPROMISING

           Joanie lifted her head from the warm pillow and looked around. Even with the curtains drawn, the room was bright. Her eyes focused on a dark figure sitting on the love-seat in the corner of her bedroom. Was it Peter? She blinked to clear her vision, not believing what she saw. Shoulders slumped, he looked worn and tired. Hollowed cheeks and the dark circles that framed his eyes made him look emaciated. His hair was a mess. Not the tousled, handsome looking mess she was accustomed to with him, but dirty and un-kept. His skin, once clear and blemish-free, was dry and chafed.

            “Peter! What are you doing here? What’s going on?”

CHAPTER 12 – SECRETS REVEALED

Joanie awoke to birds singing and the bright light of sunshine streaming through the window. She covered her eyes, then slowly opened them and looked around. Things felt familiar to her. It smelled like home, but she had no idea how she got there. Her bed felt safe and warm, and she was happy to be under her own covers. But before she was able to get too comfortable, memories from the previous night began filtering into her head. She closed her eyes again, hoping this would stop the recall, but it didn’t. It only made it worse.

            “Well hello. Look who’s awake.” Joanie jumped, but relaxed when she saw who it was.

            “Oh, Ruthie, I’m so glad you’re here,” Joanie sighed. “What happened? Where is everyone? Where’s Jake?”

            “Which question do you want me to answer first?”

            “Sorry.” Again, Joanie closed her eyes. All she could see was Jake’s face, sullen and stricken with pain. Then the vision faded into an image of Peter looking cocky and pleased with himself. He sneered at her from across the dance floor. She shook her head in an attempt to get rid of this frightful picture, but it wouldn’t go away.

CHAPTER 11 – AN UNEXPECTED GUEST

Joanie sat backstage, alone. All around her the hustle and bustle of show preparations were in full-swing. Stylists with clothing piled over their arms were racing around, orders were being shouted. It was total chaos. But in Joanie’s private corner in the stage-left wing, she was able to find a moment’s solace. Carlyle and Ruth had insisted on it. Jake had said nothing.

            Oh, why did Peter have to do that? Joanie thought. She let her head fall into her hands, careful not to smudge her make-up but not really caring if she did. It had been one of the most embarrassing moments of her life – the unbearable silence that followed her reading that damn card out loud. Why did I have to broadcast it to the world? she had cried to Ruth and Carlyle after everyone else had left to find their seats. It was awful. She ran over the sequence of events in her head once again, the look on Jake’s face when she finished reading. He had turned a bright shade of crimson, tried to produce a natural smile as he said, “Wow, you sure do have some secret admirer.” But he knew, and so did she. Joanie had taken his arm to steer him away from the crowd then, to grab a moment and try to explain, but he had quietly pulled away.

            “Listen, Joan,” he said. “We’ll talk about it later. Let’s just get through this night, okay?”

            She had nodded, in agreement and in defeat. She could feel the coolness coming from Jake, the hurt. It was at that moment Ruth came by to try to help smooth things over, but she only made matters worse.

            “Hey Jo Jo, we should get you backstage. You’ve got a show to do.” Jake had looked at Joanie with pain-filled eyes.

“I guess Jo Jo is the nickname your closest friends…your loved ones call you. Who knew?” He was sullen and broken. Joanie felt sick.

“Well, break a leg,” he had said, eyes diverted, then gave her a little kiss on the forehead and walked away.

“Joanie? Joanie, there you are.” Joanie arose from her trance and looked up to see her friend, Ruth, standing before her with a brave, supportive smile on her face.

“C’mon girl, you can do this. I know you can. Hey, things have been worse, right? Just remember, Jake adores you. He’s just hurt right now, and can’t express it. You can explain everything afterward, but he’s right. You’ve gotta get through this evening.” Joanie took a deep breath.

“You’re right, Ruthie. Of course you’re right. Since when have I let a man run my life or ruin it?”

“Since forever, but never mind. It’s never too late to change.” She gave Joanie a hug. “Now get out there and watch those girls strut your stuff.”

CHAPTER 10 – THE BOMBSHELL

Other than it being extremely hectic, the week passed uneventfully. Joanie, of course, was more organized than she realized. The white stitching on the navy pantsuit looked classy, and the beadwork on the emerald evening dress, chic. All her other designs; the black, zip-up Lycra pantsuit, the brown and taupe striped bomber jacket with matching stretch mini-skirt, the black sequin bolero over a flaming red strapless silk midi, were in the final stages of completion before the pre-rehearsal fitting later that afternoon. And of course the body-hugging, toffee-toned cocktail dress with layered chiffon overlay in lavender, the event favorite, was being fussed-over by Allan, Joanie’s personal design assistant, who recently came on-board to help Sara and Brandy out. All her favorite models, those who Joanie had used many times in the past, were at the ready. Hair and make-up were lined up.

Joanie took a gulp of coffee and set the mug down beside her laptop, careful to place it on a stable surface. She didn’t need a spill and computer meltdown now.

“Wow, Jo Jo, this is the first time in weeks I’ve seen you stationary, and drinking your coffee while it’s still hot.” Ruth plopped herself down in the chair beside her friend. Joanie laughed.

“And it’s the first time I’ve seen you laugh out-loud in ages too. Good lord, what’s next?”

“C’mon Ruthie, give me a break. You’d be just the same way if you were in my shoes.”

“No. I’d be worse. So, what’s the deal for tomorrow? Is Mr. Perfect bringing you down here with his driver? You know, you’re not allowed to be here until show-time. Bad luck, or something.”

“His name is Jake, and yes, he’s bringing me. We probably won’t show up till just after seven. I want to wait until the place fills up a little.”

“Good idea. Be a little mysterious.”

CHAPTER 9 – BACK IN NEW YORK

           It had been two weeks since Joanie had returned from Charleston. According to her mother, Joanie’s father was back at home and doing fine. She hadn’t heard a word from her brother Kevin or from Peter however, she had waited almost ten years to really talk to both of them, so she couldn’t be too expectant.

            Meanwhile, Jake was showering her with attention. Fresh flowers were sent to her office every other day. Ruth was delighted, since Joanie could only fit so many vases on her desk at one time. Jake, or sometimes his driver, picked Joanie up after work each evening. Knowing how important it was for a perfectionist like Joanie to get her work completed swiftly and to the highest level of quality possible, Jake gave her a lot of space to work freely in his apartment, which was where they now spent most of their time. While she fussed over dress designs and detailed sketches, Jake cooked them meal after delicious meal; seafood pasta with tomato, bocconcini and fresh basil salad, braised pork chops with caramelized onions simmered in vodka, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus with toasted almonds, or sautéed scallops wrapped in bacon, set atop endive tossed in a light olive oil and lemon dressing. They would eat late dinners so Joanie could finish her work before having a glass of wine, which, once she indulged in, set her into such a relaxed state that no work could be accomplished afterward. But Jake was patient and understanding. He knew that once she called it a night, she was all his.    

CHAPTER 8 – KEVIN

Thanks to what Joanie considered a stroke of luck, Peter was called away on business that afternoon. He left without saying goodbye. Whether he really did have out-of-town business, Joanie didn’t know, or care. She was just glad he was out of the picture, and for the moment, out of her life, freeing her up to spend quality time with her dad and the rest of the family.

            Kevin was waiting in the hospital room when Joanie arrived. He looked older and thinner than she remembered him, and had dark circles under his eyes. At first glance, Joanie barely recognized him, but as soon as he saw her, his face lit-up and the old Kevin that she remembered so well, appeared.

            “Hello doll. How’s my favorite sister?” He leapt up from his chair and grabbed her in a full embrace. His smell was as familiar as ever.

            “You mean your only sister! I’m good, Kevin. And how are you? God, how long has it been now, five years?”

            “Six, but who’s counting, right?” Kevin chimed in, and they laughed.

            “I guess it’s really been about ten when you think about it,” he continued.  “Besides the two times I was passing through New York, I’ve always been MIA when you’ve come home, and that hasn’t been very often now, has it little sis?”

            Joanie blushed, ashamed that she’d been so remiss all these years, feeling like she’d let her family down, all because of some silly drama that took place years ago. But it was more than that, she realized, thinking back. It was because of Peter. It had been all along. She shuddered, the recent incident still too fresh in her mind.

            Kevin, Joanie and their mother spent the day together with Walt in his room on Ward C. He was livelier, Joanie felt, joking and laughing almost like he was back to his old self. But by evening he grew tired.

            “Well, Dad, we’re going to go out for dinner, and leave you and Mom to some alone time. We’ll be back in the morning.”

Kevin leaned over the bed and gave his father a kiss on the forehead. Joanie started to tear-up. It was such a touching sight for her to see her brother and father, who she hadn’t see together for a long time, share this moment. But she wiped her eyes, not wanting to reveal her emotion to her Father. Clearing her throat, she said.

“I’ve only got a few days here, Dad, but if you keep improving at the rate you are, you’ll get home before I do,” said Joanie encouragingly.

           

CHAPTER 7 – JAKE & PETER

Joanie’s phone rang six times before she answered.

“Hello, is that you, Joanie?” The voice on the other end of the receiver asked.

“Yeah,” Joanie replied groggily. It was six o’clock in the morning.

“Sorry to call so early. Hope I didn’t wake you. It’s just I hadn’t heard from you. I was worried.”

Joanie was quiet, trying to get her head around who might be calling her so early, unable to identify the voice on the other end. Then it dawned on her.

“Jake? Jake, is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me alright. Am I a complete idiot for waking you up like this?”

“Oh, no…no, not at all. It’s…it’s good to hear your voice.”

“Good to hear yours too.” There was a long pause before Jake spoke again.

“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about you, remembering the first and, as it turns out, the only time we were together, the day I saw you off at the airport.”

“I suppose you mean that kiss.” She blurted unintentionally, as heat rose to her cheeks.

“Well, that and the great afternoon we spent together, before your bad news that is. But it’s true, that kiss has left me wanting more, I can’t deny it.”

CHAPTER 6 - CLARICE

Clarice had come out of nowhere. She had no place in their world or in Peter’s life, at least that’s how Joanie saw it. Just because Clarice and Peter had attended the same lectures during their final year of law school, didn’t make it right. As it turned out, Clarice didn’t pass the State Bar Exam, but by then her sights had been set on marrying Peter, so the Bar didn’t matter very much anymore.

Joanie sighed as she remembered the first time Peter had brought Clarice back to Charleston to introduce her to his friends and family. At that time they were just friends. Clarice didn’t fit in then, and according to sources, she didn’t fit in now. Sure, she was attractive, with her lanky, five foot seven frame and ample breasts. A man’s dream. At first all the guys had been jealous, particularly Kevin. Kevin – Joanie’s only brother, and best friend. That had been the worst betrayal of all. But she didn’t blame him. She couldn’t.

            “Man she’s hot,” he said in a shallow whisper to no one in particular, unable to take his eyes off her. “How do you find that at Law School? Sign me up.”

            “Kevin!” Joanie groaned, elbowing him in the ribs.

            “Aw, c’mon Joanie. It’s a guy thing. Get over it.”

But she didn’t, and neither did he.

CHAPTER 4 - UNEXPECTED NEWS

The call came in on her cell phone when Jake was getting her coat from the maître d’. She had ignored it the first time it rang, but now she realized that whoever it was, they really wanted to get a hold of her.

She had a full ‘to do’ list waiting for her at the office. In fact, the whole week she was stretched to the max, not only with her usual workload and editorial deadlines but now, planning for the up-coming design awards gala Jake had just invited her to participate in, which was in six weeks time. With dress designs nowhere near completion and finishing touches to do on others, this new commitment was going to take every ounce of remaining time she had left. In total, she had been asked to submit eight selections to the show. This was unheard of for a first time entrant. She wondered what part Jake had played in this, but didn’t dare ask.

            Then there was Jake. She was falling for him – hard, but how would she manage to fit him into her life, especially now? She knew he’d understand about her work pressures, but this was beyond just his understanding. She wanted him, wanted to spend time getting to know him. She was already picturing them as a couple, things they would do together, how they would live. After only one afternoon, it was clear; she loved staring into those big blue eyes, hanging on his every word as he talked about his work or his life, or just laughing at his dumb jokes. Only all too well did she understand that getting to know someone the way she wanted to get to know Jake took time, and time was something she had little of at the moment. There has to be a way, she thought, as she pressed redial on the number stored in her missed-call list.  

            “Hello,” said the woman’s voice at the other end of the receiver.

CHAPTER 2 - More than Just Friends

Re-read Chapter 2 before Tuesday's posting of Chapter 3...

 

Joanie slipped quietly into her cubical, the office a hive of activity around her. She was late, she knew that much. But the dream that had kept her tied to her bed had been worth it. She turned on her computer and listened to the soothing whir of the motor. Worn out from her restless sleep and the delightfully disturbing dream, she flopped down in her office chair resting her head in her arms on the desk, while her computer booted-up. How could she possibly concentrate?

The screen came to life, temporarily blinding her as it brightened from gray to vivid blue. Although she was performing her usual morning work routine, her brain and body seemed suspended in another time and place. She’d had fantasies before, but nothing like the one she had that morning. It was other-worldly and she wanted to get back to that place, to relive that moment as quickly as possible.

But why, after all this time had passed, was Peter cropping up in her dreams now? Sure, over the years he had come to mind every now and then, but with time, her thoughts of him had diminished. Certainly nothing like this had occurred in ages. She hadn’t allowed herself to revisit her obsession with Peter, or to indulge in pleasurable fantasies about him since she last saw him during her trip home to Charleston ten years before. That was another lifetime, she thought. However, in her heart of hearts she knew, hers was more than an obsession with Peter, and this morning’s dream was just another reminder of that.

CHAPTER 2 - Just Friends

Where things left off last Tuesday...
(remember to click read more when you get to the bottom)
 
...Then she heard it. A ringing sound, distant at first but getting louder and louder with every passing minute. She sat up. It was the phone. How long had it been ringing? How long had she been dreaming? She looked at the clock beside the bed. It was nine AM. She felt exhausted, even though she had been sleeping for seven hours.

Joanie slipped quietly into her cubical, the office a hive of activity around her. She was late, she knew that much. But the dream that had kept her tied to her bed had been worth it. She turned on her computer and listened to the soothing whir of the motor. Worn out from her restless sleep and the delightfully disturbing dream, she flopped down in her office chair resting her head in her arms on the desk, while her computer booted-up. How could she possibly concentrate?

The screen came to life, temporarily blinding her as it brightened from gray to vivid blue. Although she was performing her usual morning work routine, her brain and body seemed suspended in another time and place. She’d had fantasies before, but nothing like the one she had that morning. It was other-worldly and she wanted to get back to that place, to relive that moment as quickly as possible.

But why, after all this time had passed, was Peter cropping up in her dreams now? Sure, over the years he had come to mind every now and then, but with time, her thoughts of him had diminished. Certainly nothing like this had occurred in ages. She hadn’t allowed herself to revisit her obsession with Peter, or to indulge in pleasurable fantasies about him since she last saw him during her trip home to Charleston ten years before. That was another lifetime, she thought. However, in her heart of hearts she knew, hers was more than an obsession with Peter, and this morning’s dream was just another reminder of that.

MORE THAN JUST FRIENDS

Her cheeks were flushed. A tingling sensation ran through her, as though a thousand microscopic needles were dancing all over her body, making her skin prickle. It was as is if she wanted to surrender, to what, she didn’t know. What she did know was that it was a feeling she couldn’t get enough of.

She felt him near her now, felt his breath against her nape, bare and exposed as she sat with her back turned to the imposing shadows of night. Each word whispered in her ears – your skin is like silk…I want to touch you – all over…left her breathless, left her wanting him as much as he wanted her, but knowing all too well that if she let herself go, it would change everything. As if he could read her thoughts he moved closer, aroused by the challenge. With a gentle brush of fingertips, he moved loose strands of hair away from her cheek then bent to let his lips lightly touch her skin’s soft surface. A kiss, or was it? She craned her neck toward him, unable to restrain herself. Now she felt the subtle wetness as his tongue slowly, carefully began to explore. Reaching behind her, she guided his head from her neck to her jawbone, then to her own full lips, but he pulled away, teasingly. Her fingers dug deeply into the thick crop of hair that covered his head in dark, brown waves. Now he too, allowed himself to respond to her caress, as he buried his face more deeply into the dark recesses of her upper body, a body he had long hungered for.

         

Coming Tuesday

Joanie Scott has the job her contemporaries would give their eye-teeth for - working for the prestigious New York fashion magazine Design International. But she's bored. She wants more, much more, not only in her career but in matters of the heart.

After years of patiently waiting, and through a series of unrequited liaisons, Joanie discovers something in herself she didn't know existed; that she will stop at nothing to get what is rightfully hers - the love of her life.

Begin the first of a series of pages coming your way, this Tuesday, March 15.