Four Shades of Recovery: Boxed Set (7 page)

We sleep in my bed, spooning, but don’t make love. It’s so comforting and peaceful to hold Megan in my arms all night. My dream state feels deep and restful. There’s nothing better than kissing her head and hair before we both nod off. She’s like a small, needy child and I enjoy protecting her from the demons that haunt her psyche.

MATT

When I wake up in the morning I’ve come to terms with Megan’s party girl behavior in Europe. I repeat Stone’s words about her return to me like a mantra. She needed a basis for comparison and once she saw the other side, decided that I was a great choice. I’m going to give her blog a rest and just enjoy Megan’s company for the time being. My heart feels peaceful and I want to enjoy the feeling for a while. I update Stone about our status. He’s encouraged by my attitude.

My brother Roger and his girl, Julia ask Megan and me to meet them at a local restaurant for a date the evening after our blog “event”. Roger seems mystified about Megan’s return and my attitude about it but Julia welcomes her back with open arms. They have no idea how desperately I love and need Megan.

There’s a lot of updating about jobs, events and people over dinner. Megan tells everyone more about the areas she visited in Europe. She entertains us with interesting anecdotes about the people and cultures. Roger seems fascinated with the Oktoberfest that Megan attended in Munich.

He even tries to organize a trip to the area. “Why don’t the four of us take a trek to Germany this fall?”

Since Megan and I haven’t decided about our future together as a couple, we’re both reluctant to commit. “It’s an interesting idea, Roger. Let’s think about it a little more,” I add while looking at Megan for confirmation. She nods to indicate that we’re both on the same page with the wait and see bit.

“Don’t wait too long, bro…the offer expires in thirty days,” he jokes while smacking me on the shoulder. “The airfares for October look very reasonable, kids.”

“Let’s not rush things, Rog. We’re interested but not ready to make long term plans.”

As the evening wears on and the drinks flow, I find myself touching Megan frequently. At first, my right hand finds the top of her left thigh. Soon, I’ve got my arm around her waist, then her shoulders. She’s kissing me softly on occasion and appears receptive to my touch. My cock’s twitching with desire.

Roger tells off-color jokes and stories about our childhood. Megan’s energetic and happy.

We’re having a wonderful time and soon I’m dreaming of making love to Megan this evening. I know that move violates one of my conditions. However, she did share her blog with me. That deserves some sort of reward. I know I’m rationalizing but I’m a fool for love. She wouldn’t object, I imagine. Our sex life’s always been incredible.

I’m feeling more excited about our future with each swallow of beer and soon I’m groping the love of my life. Megan turns to me with wide eyes and pats my thigh.

“Matt, you’re hot to trot this evening. I thought we agreed that there’d be no sex until I came clean with all my adventures,” she teases and bats her eyes. Then she licks my neck and I’m lost to her. She’d love to get some action tonight, I’ve no doubt.

“Since you’ve come clean with some of it, I think we can indulge in a few rewards,” I whisper to her with arched eyebrows.

She taps her lips with an index finger and thinks it over. “Hmmm, perhaps we can allow some serious make out sessions.”

“I fully agree, my dear Ms. Pine,” I ooze while pulling her in close with an arm snugly wrapped around her shoulder.

Roger and Julia look at the two of us drooling over one another and shake their heads. Roger grins devilishly and states, “Get a room, dude. Oh, that’s right you have a room, an apartment  with a great view.” I smirk at him. It’s time to leave with my ladylove.

I use the most seductive voice I can muster and suggest, “Megan, would you like to leave soon, for my place? I’d like to give you a little treat.”

She looks at me with desire, “Yes, sir. I’m ready when you are.” I stand up and pull her into my arms. She’s adorable with her flowing hair, flushed cheeks and big blue eyes. I run my hands up and down her back. She sighs with satisfaction. I’m going to get lucky tonight. My most prized body part nods its head in approval.

“I can’t wait to get you naked, baby,” I huff into her ear with enthusiasm. She nods with encouragement. She wants me, there’s no doubt. I’m harder than a granite counter top.

As we say our goodbyes to Julia and my brother, there’s a commotion near the bar across the room from our table. Someone sounds very belligerent. It’s probably some drunken fool. We ignore the sound and make our way to the exit. Just as we’re leaving, however, I hear a man’s voice calling Megan’s name.

“Hey, Megan Pine. Is that really you? Megan…wait for me. Don’t leave, Megan.” He sounds desperate and anxious to see her.

I turn to Megan and ask. “Do you hear that man calling your name? He really wants to see you.” My heart shudders as she turns toward the voice. It’s hard to see much in the subdued lighting near the bar.

She waves and continues to leave. “It’s probably someone from work,” she proclaims in an anxious manner. She’s strangely dismissive of the voice. I sense her anxiety and feel her need to flee from him.

However, the voice draws nearer. He’s not giving up easily. This man seriously wants to contact Megan and he’s making his way toward us. Once we exit the place, Megan picks up the pace we’re moving at but the voice follows us.

He’s running after us now. I put my arm around her shoulder to protect her. She’s uninterested in any contact. There’s  no point in running away though. I’m growing irritated at his pursuit. Can’t he see that we want to be left alone? Finally, it’s getting absurd. We turn and face the voice.

Megan groans when she sees who it is. “Hi, Jacob,” she finally greets him in a neutral manner.

I’m immediately suspicious of the man. He’s about her age, fit and dark. He’s beaming and garrulous.

“Megan, I’m shocked to see you in Portland. It’s been what…two months? What’re you doing here?” He ignores me and focuses all of his energy on Megan. I feel invisible.

“Jacob, this is Matt,” she introduces us hesitantly. We both nod in a cursory fashion at the other.

“What are you doing here, Jacob?” She avoids answering his questions but redirects their conversation in a detached way.

“I’m here on business, Megan,” he blurts out. Jacob seems more than familiar.

He’s a clue to her recent past. Though I desperately want him out of the way, my instincts and curiosity tell me to give him some time.

“Really? How long are you going to be in town?” She begins and tries to be friendly at last.

Megan’s attempting to divert Jacob’s questions with her own. She doesn’t want to give anything away. At least, not while I’m here.

“Unfortunately, my business here ends tomorrow afternoon. We should get together for lunch before I leave, though,” he’s still incredibly friendly and not easily dissuaded. Finally, Jacob realizes that she doesn’t want to include me in their conversation.

“I see that you’re busy here. Why don’t you give me your new phone number?”

“Yeah, we’re just heading out, Jacob. I’ll call you,” Megan says casually while shaking his hand.

He’s seems surprised at her obvious restraint and lack of enthusiasm. I’m boiling with jealousy. It’s obvious that she knows his phone number. He returns to the restaurant looking somewhat confused and defeated.

We turn away and continue our trip to my car. “Do you want to tell me what the hell that was all about?” I’m nearly shouting in her ear. I continue to wrap her in my arms. She’s mine and I want her.

“He’s someone I knew in Miami; a mutual friend of someone and myself, as I’m sure you can figure out.” Her responses are clipped and brief. She’s hiding something big.  My sexual ardor begins to fade as I consider the possibilities.

“A mutual friend of whom?” I probe as she begins to squirm. There’s something dangerous here that she intends to keep from me, at least for the time being.

“Someone that I used to work with in Florida,” she offers but doesn’t elaborate.

“You had a job? What did you do?” I’m now in my inquisition mode and we’ve reached my car. We get in and I start the drive to my condo.

“Do you really want to hear the story now?  I thought we were going to put the past off for a bit. You said the blog satisfied some of your curiosity.”

“Well, now that Jacob showed up, I can’t help resist knowing,” I argue and see that I’m holding my breath.

“My story’s a lot to cope with in a very short time frame, Matt.” She’s fearful about my reaction to what occurred in Miami. I should let it rest for now but I won’t. I know Dr. Stone would make similar arguments to what Megan’s suggesting, at this point. 

“I’m not sure I want to hear it, Megan. Since Jacob seems more than familiar with you, though, I can’t let it go.” My anxiety level soars as I speak. Could her adventures in Miami be any worse than what happened during her solo travels in Europe? I reason. After all, she was living with her mother.

Megan breathes out slowly before she starts her story. “Abby helped me find a job as a real estate agent. She’d been selling units in a new high-end condo development. We teamed up and sold quite a few apartments to up and coming professionals.” Megan’s rather proud of their success I notice.

“Well, that’s great, Megan. It explains the designer clothes and flashy heels,” I observe. At least she worked with her mother and not Jacob.

“Yeah, that’s all part of the package. I leased a BMW and drove clients to the development. The units practically sold themselves because of their location near the ocean and they were sleek, as well as new. They had stainless appliances, high counter tops, pendant lighting, views, underground parking and 1500 square feet of living space.”

“They sound high end and great,” I tell her. I’m proud of what my girl did after she came back to the states. I just hope she wasn’t dating Jacob or one of his friends.

“Of course, the condos could never compete with your place,” Megan admits. She looks into the distance as the memories return.

I sigh with relief that she’s so fond on my pad. “Will you tell me about Jacob and your mutual friend?”

“Jacob’s a real estate associate. He sold condos in another development on the other side of town.”

“So you knew Jacob from work?”

“Yeah, we referred clients to one another. He’s actually a lot of fun. I wonder what sort of business brings him to Portland.” Megan muses and appears distracted as she considers the idea.

“You haven’t mentioned the mutual friend, Megan. Who was that?” I see that she’s avoided the topic but I’m not letting her off the hook so easily.

“The mutual friend happens to be a real estate mogul from Atlanta. His name is Michael Kingsfield.”

“I think I’ve heard of Michael Kingsfield,” I reflect, “he’s quite powerful in the southeast. Did you know him well?” My guard comes up as I brace for the worst.

“I did get well acquainted with Michael. He’s a major real estate developer.” Megan pets my leg as we drive. I relax at the contact between us. She returned to me I keep chanting to myself.