Entangled Love (10 page)

She had to find a way to break this cycle.
This thought clouded Evelyn’s mind as she waited for Michael to buzz her in. He had moved into a upscale apartment, complete with a doorman and buzzer several weeks earlier.  He didn’t say anything to her, he just pushed the button and she heard the lock disengage.

Entering the building, she waited patiently for the elevator and rode it up in silence. Lost in her depressing thoughts.  She hadn’t slept well for over a week, not since coming clean with Victor about her and Michael’s relationship, or lack thereof. Victor’s attitude toward Michael had become very antagonistic and she blamed herself for disrupting their friendship. Michael never discussed it with her, but she knew he blamed her for that as well.  Michael never discussed anything with her.

When Michael opened the door, she gave him a small smile and determined that they were going to have a discussion of some sort this evening. Even it involved the weather, it would at least be some sort of communication. That thought on her mind, she opened her mouth to speak, only to find her words cut off as Michael pulled her against him and claimed her lips in a ravenous kiss.

Kicking the door closed, he pulled her coat off as he pushed her up against the wall. Evelyn moaned into his mouth, and attempted to pull away, but he caged her head between his hands and held her still while he ravished her with teeth and tongue.

When she attempted to push him away, he used his hands to push both her arms high above her head, and held them there, against the wall with one of his own. His free hand returned to unbutton her blouse and push it from her body.

Growling at her to leave her hands above her head, he used both hands to push her skirt up around her waist and then lifted her up so that her core met his. Pushing her against the wall with his pelvis, the continued his sensual assault on her body with his hands. Everywhere he touched, a small spark of fire rushed to her center. She was on fire and only Michael could put the flames out.

Not happy with their location, Michael hitched her legs around his hips and carried her to the couch. Bringing her down on top of him, he continued to ravage her mouth and let his hands roam.  When he encountered the skirt around her waist, her urged to a standing position and tugged it off of her.

Removing his own clothes next, he then pulled her down, straddling his lap and took her mouth again. His hands played her body like a master pianist. After several weeks, he knew her body more intimately than anyone. He knew where her sensitive spots were, and just how to touch her and make her go up in flames.

Evelyn was rushing headlong into bliss. In the back of her mind, there was something she wanted to say to Michael, but his hands were turning her thoughts into shattered pieces of glass, and she gave herself over to his mastery of her body. Running her fingers through his hair, she luxuriated in the silky strands and heard him moan in response.

Michael was out of control, and didn’t care. His need for Evelyn’s body had become a beast he could no longer contain. His intent had been to take her in his bed, but upon seeing her standing in his doorway, his inner beast had pounced upon her and there was no turning back. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

Letting his hands wander lower, he found her more than ready for him and quickly joined them together. Evelyn had assured him that a condom was unnecessary since she was on the pill, and he had never been more thankful than this moment.  She felt like paradise and coming home all rolled into one. Not letting his mind travel too far down that emotional path, he quickened his pace and was pleased to hear her gasp as her desire ratcheted up another level.

He wanted to make her scream tonight. He couldn’t have said what was driving him, but tonight, he wanted to hear her scream his name when she reached that final peak. Leaning back against the couch, he used his hands around her hips to direct the pace of their lovemaking until finally, he wrapped her in his arms and let his body take over. Wanting her to fall off the cliff with him, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Come with me, Evie. Now.”

Evelyn’s heart did a triple flip at hearing him use the shortened version of her name. He was the only one to have ever done so, and hearing it now had Evelyn pulling him closer. Everything was going to be all right. They were going to get through this and live happily ever after.

He heard her scream his name just as he went over the edge himself; iIt was a sound he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Their lovemaking had been different tonight, more intense and bordering on desperate.  Michael felt it, but was too drained to analyze it much further right now. He needed to catch his breath.

Readjusting his position on the couch, he pulled a boneless Evelyn down against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. He need for her had been so intense; he still felt the hunger burning inside. He would let them both rest for a bit before he started round two.

Evelyn felt completely drained and relaxed. The day’s worries and stress had vanished and she allowed Michael to adjust her to a more comfortable position against his chest. Normally, she would rest for a minute and then gather her belongings and head home. Tonight, she was more tired than usual and allowed her eyes to close as she listened to his heartbeat beneath her ear.  There had been a difference in their joining tonight, almost as if their bodies sensed a change was coming.

Sighing and deciding to put her mind at rest for a little while longer, Evelyn snuggled more closely to Michael and enjoyed the sense of rightness in being held in his arms. It might never become a reality, but she would take the fantasy for as long as it lasted.

*****

Michael awoke to the feeling of pins and needles in his shoulder and tried to move it, hoping to ease the discomfort. It was then that he felt the warm weight, resting half on top of his, the warm breath wafting over his chest in an even rhythm.

Opening his eyes, he glanced down, shocked to see Evelyn sleeping in his arms, naked and with the blanket from the back of the couch half covering her and him. Tightening his hold, he rolled her off of him, taking care so that she didn’t end up lying on the floor, and quickly stood up.

Evelyn felt Michael stir and opened her eyes to see him hurriedly donning his boxers, while glaring at her.
She knew her hair was probably a complete mess, but did it really deserve that horrible expression?
Reaching up, she attempted to bring some order to her unruly hair, while still holding the blanket across her body to preserve her privacy.

After last night, she would have expected to feel less shy around Michael, but his expression and the vibe coming from him had her defenses up and for some reason she suddenly felt a strong desire to cry. Straightening herself on the couch, she glanced around for a clock. Not seeing one, she asked, “What time is it?”

Michael jumped when she spoke as if a thousand volts of electricity had just hit his body. “It’s morning. That’s what time it is. It’s morning. You fell asleep. You weren’t supposed to sleep over.” Michael ran his hands through his hair, knowing that he sounded like a crazy man, but she had agreed to his rules, and had intentionally broken one.

Deep inside he realized that he was freaking out because for a moment, when he had first woken up, he had been happy to see her still in his arms. Then reality had hit, and in an instant, he had seen all of his carefully built walls come crashing down, leaving his heart open and vulnerable.

“Michael, I can see that it’s morning. I haven’t been sleeping well, and you wore me out.” Evelyn wrapped the blanket around herself and started gathering up the scattered pieces of her clothing.

“Don’t blame this on me. You agreed to no sleep overs, yet here you are!” Michael threw his hands up in the air as he delivered the accusation. In the back of his mind, he knew he was being unreasonable, but was incapable of stopping. “We agreed that after sex, whoever was at the wrong house would leave. You stayed.”

Evelyn turned, clothing in her hands, and watched as Michael finished his tirade. “Michael, we both fell asleep. It was only a matter of time before that happened. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened before now. I don’t see why you’re so upset.”

“You broke the rules…” Michael continued.

Evelyn shook her head at him, “We both broke the rules then. I seem to remember waking up on top of you a few moments ago. You broke the rule as well.  And speaking of rules, I think we need to re-visit them, this is not working for me.”

Evelyn finished pulling her pants on and draped the blanket across the back of the couch. After finishing buttoning her blouse, she looked up to see Michael staring at her in anger and shaking his head. “What?”

“We are not re-visiting the rules. They are non-negotiable. “ Michael could feel the ice around his heart starting to crack and crossed his arms over his chest.

Sighing, Evelyn had been afraid that he would fight her when it came to admitting his feelings for her. Taking a deep breath, she forged ahead, “Michael, I can’t do this anymore.  I can’t pretend that I don’t have feelings for you. I can’t pretend that your indifference and treatment of me outside the bedroom doesn’t hurt, because it does. I can’t pretend that I don’t miss your friendship. I need more.” Evelyn tried to keep the plea out of her voice, and was only mildly successful.

Michael shook his head, “No. No emotions, no friendship, no relationship. We agreed on sex only. That’s all I can offer you. Take it or leave it.”

Evelyn stared at him. He was so stubborn. “You mean it’s all you are willing to offer me.  I know you have feelings for me, I can feel it when we make love…”

“Don’t go confusing great sex with lovemaking. They are not the same and the latter has nothing to do with us.”

Hurt speared through Evelyn to hear Michael speak so plainly and degrade what they had shared together. They had made love, on multiple occasions and there was no way she was going to let him make it into something dirty, or less than what it was. “It was making love. You know and I know it.”

Michael looked at her and felt the ice around his heart crack a little more.
No! He wouldn’t let her destroy him again. He couldn’t. There was no way he could survive a second heartbreak.
“It was sex and that’s all. Delude yourself into thinking it was something else if it makes you feel better, but it was only sex. I don’t do relationships or love.”

“Michael…”

“No! Evelyn, you need to understand where this is going. Nowhere! There is no future for us, you took care of that three years ago.”

“Michael, I’ve tried to apologize for that but you won’t….”

Cutting her off, he continued, “I don’t want to hear it.  I really don’t. That was in the past and this is the now.”

Evelyn stared at him as her heart broke for the final time. He was serious. He wasn’t willing to let his guard down and take a chance with his heart again. Sorrow for what might have been swamped her and left her feeling empty inside. Grabbing her jacket and purse, she looked at him one last time, “Michael, I feel sorry for you. I played things your way, hoping that you would eventually see my feelings for you were real, and that you would let your heart heal, but I can’t do this anymore.  I can’t keep putting my heart out there and watching you trample all over it, time after time. I won’t. Goodbye.”

Michael wanted to grab her and keep her from leaving, but stood his ground, adopting his usual cynicism as a cover, “You know where to find me when you need to get rid of some frustration. I’ll be here another couple of months.  No need to call first; just show up.”

Evelyn shook her head; no words came to her mind that were a fitting response.  Walking out the door, she vowed he would never see her darken its threshold again, not unless he came groveling first.

Michael watched the door close and stood there for several minutes, hoping that she would walk back in and apologize. When the door remained closed, he wandered over to the window, just in time to see her car pull away from the parking lot. She was gone and he sensed she wasn’t ever coming back.

The next week was the
longest and worst one of Evelyn’s life. Victor had immediately sensed that something was wrong, and been very supportive when Evelyn had shared her decision with him. He told her to stand her ground and make him come back begging. Michael had yet to beg for anything.

His attitude around the office had become surlier, and everyone, even sweet-tempered Mandy was now avoiding him.  Evelyn found herself avoiding the hallway outside his office at all costs, and Victor had tried to intervene, but Michael was being his stubborn self.

Deciding to grab a sandwich at the deli across the street and eat in the park, she headed out. Just as she was entering the deli she heard someone call her name.  Glancing around, she located the source of the voice and watched as Henry Taylor finished crossing the street and got to where she was standing.

“Evelyn, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?” Henry gave her a friendly hug.

Evelyn smiled at hugged him back, “I’ve been good. How about you?”

Henry smiled at her, “Good. Really good.”

“I was just about to grab a sandwich, do you have time to join me?” Evelyn offered, gesturing towards the deli.

Henry gave a sad smile and shook his head, “I’m sorry to say that I don’t. I have a meeting across the street with father’s accountants in 10 minutes. I would much rather join you for lunch.”

“I bet,” Evelyn chuckled. She hated going to see DFJ’s accountants and usually left that unpleasant task up to Victor.

“Hey. How about I take you to dinner tonight and we can catch up?”

“That sounds great.  Do you want me to meet you somewhere?” Evelyn queried. Maybe a night out with Henry would help get rid of her melancholy.

Henry shook his head, “I’ll pick you up, around 7 o’clock?”

Evelyn nodded, “That sounds great. Any idea of where we’re going, just so I know how to dress?”

Henry winked at her as he said, “Doll yourself up baby and let’s hit the town.”

Evelyn laughed and for the first time in months, felt carefree and was looking forward to going out. “I’ll be ready.”

Glancing at his wristwatch, Henry grimaced gave Evelyn another hug, “I’d better go. The only thing worse than visiting the accountant, is visiting one late.” Releasing her, he started back across the street with a hollered, “I’ll see you later beautiful.”

Evelyn watched him cross the street and gave him a little wave as he looked back before entering the building.

*****

Evelyn was ready with fifteen minutes to spare and calmly answered the door when Henry arrived on time.  He was stunning in coat and tie, and his endearing grin promised a fun evening ahead.

Evelyn had first met Henry at the board meeting where his father was informed that even though he owned 48% of Davenport Shipping stock, his voting rights were only 24%. Evelyn had been impressed at the young man who calmly waited his ranting father out. Henry had calmed his father down, and after much discussion, it had been decided that Henry would be attending all future board meetings, not Brad Taylor.

Evelyn had enjoyed getting to know the gregarious young man, and they had developed a sort of friendship over the years. Evelyn had no romantic thoughts about him, and since Henry had never made any romantic overtures in her direction, guessed he felt the same way.

“You look absolutely amazing. Turn around and let me get the whole effect.” Henry made a circle with his finger, indicating she should turn a circle for him.

Evelyn giggled, but complied. The green strapless dress had been an impulse buy two years earlier, and she had never had an occasion to wear it. It had a fitted bodice, with tiny straps crisscrossing the back keeping it from falling down.  The hem flared out at her hips, ending several inches above her knees. The matching green heels gave her the added height, and yet she still was several inches shorter than Henry’s 6’2” stature.

“Wow. Are you ready to go, I made reservations in town, but parking is always problematic this time of night. I decided to use the car service this evening so we wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

Evelyn was pleased by his thoughtfulness and grabbed her wrap and purse. Henry held her elbow as they walked to the car and then opened her door, assisting her inside before going around and entering the car on the opposite side.

“This is really nice. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Thank you for coming. I’ll be the envy of every man tonight, with you on my arm.”

Evelyn blushed at his comments. Henry had a fun loving personality, and was often given to harmless flirting. Having it directed solely at her was a new experience, but not an unwelcome one. “Why thank you kind sir. You clean up very nicely yourself, if I may say so.”

“You certainly shall.” Henry and Evelyn shared a laugh and talk turned to the mundane and current events. Evelyn was surprised at how many things they had in common and the evening flew by. The food was wonderful and as they lingered over dessert, she found herself wondering what her life would have been like if she had married Henry. Would they have become friends, or bitter enemies at having been forced together? Would she have eventually found herself falling in love with Henry, and letting go of her dream of being with Michael?

So lost was she in her thoughts, she didn’t sense Henry had moved closer to her until he touched her chin, turning her face towards him.  “Evelyn, I’ve enjoyed tonight so much. I would really like to spend some more time getting to know you.”

Henry let his eyes move across her face, memorizing her features and letting the back of his fingers travel from her chin to her ear. He felt the shiver that travelled through her and took it as a sign that he should proceed. Leaning closer to her, he tipped her chin up and was just about to kiss her when a voice to his left caused him to pause and turn his head.