December Rain (6 page)

“I have no idea how to play this,” she says, laughing and looking around.

“I looked it up earlier.” He motions to the beach referring to the brief encounter with his iPad while scarfing some poke nachos. “Since we’re the old married couple now, we should get into these games.”

She shakes her head in amusement and surprise at her husband’s spontaneity. He goes through the rules and game play, proving quickly that like with most games he’s going to be better than her. She isn’t throwing in a towel though, this game easily sparks her relentless competition. They playfully mingle about the board as a waitress brings them cocktails, and by the second game they’re calculating each move and celebrating each disk knocked out of scoring position. When Monica evens up the score she jumps up and down in victory.

Alex takes notice that the sun is beginning to set and quickly leads her towards the hotel. She’s certain he’s taking her to bed now, but again he surprises her and turns down the mezzanine towards the restaurant bar.

“Just in time for sunset. Welcome!” The hostess smiles and grabs happy hour menus. “Right over here.” She takes them to a table at the open patio with a perfect view of the sun and ocean. The breeze is cooling slightly and there’s a Hawaiian man singing from across the room.

By the second mai tai and empty plate of calamari the sun is gone and Monica is getting impatient.
I want to get that shirt off him and feel his coconut skin.
She scans his arms and strokes her fingers over his hand on the table. When her knee brushes against his, he knows he’s waited long enough and motions to the waiter. She tugs him to the elevator, pushing on the buttons over and over impatiently.

“Easy baby,” he says, taking her hand in his. When the doors open, she leads him in hungry. She wraps her arms around his shoulders, fitting her lips to his like a puzzle. He squeezes hard, lifting her slightly from the moving floor. Gliding his hand up the back of her neck, he lets his fingers weave into her hair. Her need is frantic, shifting his primary goal to satisfy her. He tugs on her lower lip before sliding his tongue down her neck. The elevator opens to their floor, and the sound of flip flops. They try to peel apart, nearly barreling over the family of four awkwardly waiting outside. Alex drags her arm quickly to their room and swipes the key card with assertion.

The door isn’t even closed before he scoops her up to lay her on the bed. Monica struggles to get on top, but he’s determined to stay in control. They claw at each other in a war of control and pace. Alex finally gets her pinned and takes time to look into her eyes before pressing his lips to hers. She gives in to his command and slows her urgency with every firm and dominant movement of his hand. Like a wild animal caught in his net, she settles to be his prey. His fingers press into her hips as his tongue dips into her mouth. He releases her arms and cradles her head as he presses his groin into her. Monica slides her hands under his shirt, finding his back still smooth from their massage.

Alex releases her to sit up and take his shirt off. Not bothering with the buttons he just lifts it over his head and resumes his position. It’s at this moment Monica realizes how little she wants to fight control anymore. The alcohol fueling her impatience is burning off, and his warmth settles into her arms. There are no thoughts of Quinn as she gives herself to the bad boy she married. She lets him show her just how much he cherishes each and every curve with his tongue, and welcomes a lasting erection that claims her in three different positions before collapsing. They fall into a deep sleep, tightly wrapped around each other.

November 26th - Saturday

“Thought we’d head over to the Wailea shops since it’s Saturday,” Alex says, referring to the wine and music night they stumbled on last time they were in Maui.

“Fun. As long as we don’t buy anything like last time.” She points at him with a playful accusation.

“Why are you pointing that at me?” He grabs her finger and starts trying to tickle her. “You’re the one who was in love with that thing. You gave me those doey eyes saying, ‘How can we leave it here? It’s so beautiful’.”

Her mouth falls open. “You were the one who said it looked like a real wave and stared at it for an hour drooling everywhere!” She squeals as he picks her up and throws her over his shoulder. “Don’t you dare.” He holds his hand in the air with the threat of a spanking. “Let’s just promise not to buy any art,” she says.

“At least not a two thousand dollar piece.”

“We have another deal sir.” Her toothy smile starts to go awry when he doesn’t put her down. “Are you gonna put me down?”

“I don’t know. I kinda like having you like this. Mine. All mine.” His hands slide up her thigh and her smile melts with his macho claim. She likes feeling like his again and lets his lips know it as he sets her back on her feet. Her arms go limp in his firm kiss and he carries her to the bed to take her again, firm and fast. When he finishes she hears him laugh a little in her ear.

“What’s funny?”

“I’m just so fucking happy you got on the pill again, so I can do that.”

“It’s pretty awesome.”

“I know you didn’t finish.”

She smiles. “It’s okay. I don’t need to, it was still hot.”

“How about when we get back, I give you a full body massage, feet and all.” He laughs. “And I’ll make sure you’re taken care of really good.” His words were like warm chocolate sauce as his finger swirls her mouth open. She bites her lip and nods at his delicious tone. “You ready to go
not
buy art?”

“I will be in five minutes.” She kisses him before going to the bathroom to clean up. Her hair is all over the place and the light makeup now looks heavy all smeared under her eyes. She starts thinking about the glass sculpture they bought on a whim. It sits in their living room on a lit base that Alex made. “You think Reynolds will be there? And that other woman… can’t remember her name. She was so funny.” Monica walks out of the bathroom in a long black Hawaiian dress with a fuchsia hibiscus print.

“Hopefully. Then we can have some laughs.” With a smile he wraps his arm around her shoulders like they were buddies, and they take off.

The outdoor style shopping mall is bustling with tourist and local art lovers. Rows of art galleries surround the courtyard where a stage welcomes a local reggae band. Monica settles into a groove and starts dancing with the crowd. Alex tries to hang in for a couple of songs before he starts feeling claustrophobic and looks to the galleries and shops around them.

“Go ahead,” she says with a loving smile. “I’ll meet you down there… after one more song.”

He gives her a little kiss on the cheek and glides his hand across her behind before making his way out of the crowd. His attention is pulled by various pieces in gallery windows along the way. There’s a large glass sea turtle in shades of green and gold followed by a painting of an autumn forest with heavy texture. He stands daydreaming for a minute until he’s distracted by a reflection passing in the glass. It’s so brief he’s sure it’s his imagination. He barely catches a glimpse down the mall as the backside of the man disappears into another gallery.

Alex follows the ghost, dodging through happy couples and pushy salespeople trying to get his attention. Before he can see inside the gallery, a painting that’s prominently displayed on a front wall stops him. A cold washes over as he stands there staring at it. He slowly moves inside, mesmerized by the familiar vibrant paint strokes until he sees a few people gathered in the back. A man talking to two smiling women stills himself as Alex’s eyes freeze on the back of his shaved head. No words were needed as the tropical air takes a chill. Even the women sense a showdown, and step back to give Quinn room.

Quinn turns.
What do I say? Fuck! I thought that was him. I hoped it wasn’t.
Quinn moves very slowly towards Alex.
Is he gonna hit me? I do deserve it. Might as well get it over with.
“Hey.” Quinn pauses near the center of the room waiting.

Alex swallows hard, his nostrils flaring and fist clenched. His jaw flexes as his breathing grows heavier, but the emotions just start to turn to mush. His eyes fill as thoughts of his new friend’s betrayal wash over and the painting draws his eyes again.

“I’m sorry Alex,” Quinn says quietly.

Monica nearly passes the gallery on her way to see their friends when Alex’s shirt first catches her eye. She halts and shifts backwards until she sees the painting and stops. It’s a female figure bent forward reaching for her toes. The abstract form of her body in swirls of orange and reds is cradled by a man swathed in blues and purple.
Oh my God! That’s me. That’s us, stretching. It can’t be. He’s...

She struggles for air as the tears swell, and she can already feel him. As she stands there, not crossing the threshold the two men watch her. When her eyes finally land on Quinn, electricity fills the room. She can only see him and the deep tan that backdrops the pale oceany eyes reaching for her. A warm drop gently slides down her cheekbone as her breathing syncs with his. His lips move slightly hinting at words that he can’t find, and she struggles not to run into his arms.

Alex’s discomfort is audible as he clears his clogged throat, rattling her attention to his worried eyes. She steps in and touches his hand briefly. “I’ll be outside,” she says, turning without another glance at Quinn.

Her feet move quick as her thoughts try to keep up.
What are they doing? Alex is gonna hit him. I can’t believe he’s here. What are the odds? Did he know we’d be here? No. Maybe he moved here. That painting was him and I together. Would Alex know that? It’s pretty abstract. Fuck! This can’t be happening.
Before she knows it, she’s at the other end of the mall near the parking lot. She settles on a bench to wait for the world to stop crumbling around her.

“Let’s go.” Alex says as he continues towards their rental car. Nothing is said as the convertible hugs each winding turn of the road to their hotel. The sunset is approaching a magnificent finale when they pull up to the valet. Alex walks ahead of Monica, not looking back to see if she follows. She fears his anger over the affair is finally reaching a rolling boil. He’s been too cool and calm through it all; too accepting. She’s been waiting for something to trigger his pain and reflect the betrayal he must feel. She just never thought it would happen here.

They reach the elevators, but Alex continues to the stairs that wind down to the atrium garden. She follows his path to the hotel’s beach. He takes the steps down to the sand and walks towards the setting sun. She follows slower now, scared of the path’s end. They stand in silence as the sun disappears into the water and clouds gather on the horizon. Her whole body is sweating and shaking.

“I think we should separate.” The words crackle through Alex’s lips as he stares into the Pacific.

“What? No. I had no idea he was here. Please don’t let this get us off-track.”

“Off track?” Alex looks at her stunned. “We can’t keep mending this. I can’t unsee the look between you two. It’s not the kind of thing that can go away. It can’t be fixed.”

“I was just caught off-guard. Surprised. It was the last thing I was expecting”

“I saw the painting. Abstract or not, I knew it was you two the moment I saw it.”

“We’ve had such a great trip. Haven’t we?” She tries to hold his hand, but he moves his away. “This can’t all be washed away by a two minute encounter.”

“I saw more than a two minute
encounter
.” His emphasis on the last word was sharp and painful. “I want to be on my own. I want to try to feel something else. I’m tired of struggling with every word or decision between us. I’m just tired.” He looks at her pleading for release.

“I don’t want to be without you.”

“I can’t do anything to help you with that. Not anymore.”

“You used to be the one claiming you’d never want to be without me. You said it so many times that I believed it.”

“It was true when I said it. And in my heart it will always be true to a point. I love you more than I love myself. I doubt that ‘ill ever change. But we were kids when I latched onto you… and I was too afraid to be alone. I thought I needed a chaperon. I believed the judges and the shrinks… and my father. I thought I needed you to keep me straight. I put too much on you. I can handle things alone now. I should be alone. I know your happiest years were in college. Before us. Go back to that life. I want you to be happy.” His voice cracks again turning back to the horizon.

She stands there feeling naked and overwhelmed with fear as Alex walks back towards the hotel.
If I follow him, will he push me away? Where am I gonna sleep? How did this all happen so fast?

She sees a man light a tiki torch along the beach path as she passes wiping her tears. His gentle smile grounds her back to reality and an awareness of the surroundings. There’s a bar near the pool with an inviting thatched roof. She picks a stool near the end, far away from the small group of drinkers on the other side.

The bartender can see she needs a lift. The gentle Polynesian giant slides a small drink menu in front of her. “What can I make for you?”

She lets out a pouty huff trying to read through the salty sting. “I don’t know, how about a lava flow? Is that too desserty? Too girly?”