Fallen Too Far (25 page)

She sold her Escort client list to a woman in the life she respected, so now her nights were free. She gave up her apartment and moved in with Tom. They left home at the same time, and returned home within a half hour of each other. She was starting to understand the term ‘domestic bliss’ and loved it.

It was the Saturday afternoon before Christmas and they were enjoying a leisurely brunch in Tom’s kitchen. They were going to spend the afternoon doing some shopping and buying a tree. Annik went to the counter to get the coffee pot and top up their cups. As she was pouring, she noticed Tom’s eyes staring intently at her.

“What’s up?” She set the pot down on the counter and turned to face him.

“Let’s get dressed up and go out tonight. I’ll make reservations at Munchkins.” He tilted his head and looked at her, a small smile on his lips.

She exhaled. “You had me worried for a moment. Your face was so serious. I’d love to go out. It’s been a while.”

“Good. Y’know I’ve never been so happy, Annik.” Tom rose and put his arm around her shoulder. “Having you here with me, and the job you’re doing with Pandora’s… I knew it was going to be good between us, but I didn’t realize how good. ”

Annik kissed his cheek. “Ditto for me.”

“I was thinking…maybe in January we should take a vacation. You’ve been working pretty long hours with Pandora’s. And we’re due for a break. I’ve never been to Barbados.”

“Are you kidding? To go home, show you where I grew up, Poppa’s hotels…That would be great.” Barbados. It had been over fifteen years. For the first time since Poppa died the idea of going back to his flagship, The Pelican felt good. She nodded to Tom again. “Yes, I think it’s time.”

****

That evening they held hands in the taxi on the way to the restaurant. Snow had been falling steadily throughout the day, a sparkling blanket on the trees and ground. Christmas lights in all colors adorned the houses and businesses they rode by. It had been a long time since Annik let herself feel the Christmas spirit. For too long it had been just a day she hadn’t worked, spending it with Auntie May in the nursing home. With Tom in her heart she was experiencing it again for the first time.

The taxi pulled up to Munchkins. It sat sparkling on the shore of Lake Ontario, renowned for its ambiance and food. It was ironic. In all the years she’d lived in the city this was her first time dining there. And she knew the owners—Daphne and Lola. She pulled the collar of her coat up when she stepped out of the car. Snowflakes alighted on her cheeks as she looked up at the night sky.

If she could just stop time and be in this moment forever.

Tom placed his hand on the small of her back and they walked into the building. They checked their coats and waited in the foyer to be seated. He smiled at her. He had been quiet for most of the day. Usually he made her laugh when they were out with quips and bon mots. Tonight he was gentle, subdued. Every time he looked at her, his eyes lingered. What was he up to?

“Tom, Annik. How are you? It’s so nice to see you.” Daphne appeared in front of them. She placed her hand on Annik’s and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful tonight. Will we see you in a corset again, now that you own Pandora’s? Lola and I have been looking at the progress on the website and the place looks great.”

“Thanks Daphne. And yes, Tom and I will play again; I can’t wait.” She looked around the dining room. The fawn theme and burgundy accents made her feel comfortable and she had yet to be seated. “Speaking of places looking great, this is beautiful, Daphne.”

“Well, I had some good ideas, but my contractor made them special.”

Annik arched an eyebrow. “Pierre, right?”

“Yep.” Daphne turned to Tom. “I have a table for you in a quiet corner as you requested.” Daphne turned and they followed her across the room.

The dining room was almost completely full. It was lucky they knew the owner or they probably wouldn’t have got a reservation at such a last moment call. Drifting by candle lit tables filled with people dining, their low conversation and laughter, the delicious aroma of food, made Annik smile. Yes, it had been a while since she and Tom had done this.

Daphne stopped at a table set for two and slid the chair out for Annik to be seated. It was set in an alcove next to a window. The crystal water and wine goblets sparkled in the light of the candle burning brightly on the damask table cloth.

“I’ll send your server over. Enjoy.” Daphne smiled at Tom and Annik and left.

When they were seated the waitress appeared carrying a bottle of Dom Perignon on a tray.

“Compliments of the owners.” She said, as she poured the champagne into the glasses on her tray.

“Please thank them.” Tom replied. He turned to look at Annik and held up his glass. “To you, Annik.” He sipped the drink and set the glass down. He reached into the inside pocket of his coat, removing a small velvet box.

OhmyGod. Could that be?

His fingers popped the lid of the box open and he held it for her to see. It was! Her eyes opened wide looking from the diamond ring to his face and back again.

“Annik, I know this may seem soon, to be asking this. But we’ve known each other for years. And in the last few months, I’ve grown to love you more and more. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

“Tom.” Annik paused. Her eyes filled with tears and words caught in her throat. This wonderful man. She reached across the table and placed her hand on his. “Yes.” It came out like a croak.

He snickered. “Could you repeat that? Without the Phyllis Diller imitation?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.”

His eyes met hers and he slipped the ring from the box. She watched him slide it on her finger, saw the flash as a facet of the stone sparkled in the candle’s flame. With her other hand she wiped the tears that were running down her face.

****

It was almost midnight when Annik and Tom arrived home. He opened the door and bowed, “After you, Mrs. Eldon.” He watched her waltz by him and twirl around.

“Tom, not until next year. Then I’ll be Mrs. Eldon.” She grinned at him and stumbled into his outstretched arms. “Oops. I think I had too much champagne.” She started to laugh and bent over unable to stop.

Tom closed the door and smiled at her. She really had celebrated tonight. He’d never seen her tipsy. It was charming in a weird way, that she had let herself go. “What’s so funny?”

“ ‘OOPS’ is funny. That was what I called my business, remember?” She threw her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. Her eyes were half closed and her grin was infectious.

“Okay, I think we did a little too much celebrating with Daphne and Lola tonight.” He helped her out of her coat.

“Oh Tom, I had to share the news with them. I only wish Jessica and Craig had been there. Maybe I’ll call her now.” She reached for her purse.

“No you don’t. That can wait till morning. I’m taking you upstairs and putting you in the shower. And then you’re going to drink a large glass of orange juice and take some aspirin and vitamins. You’ll thank me in the morning.” He took his coat off, hung it up and put his arm around her guiding her to the stairs.

“Oh Tom, you take such good care of me. Where would I be without you? I want to celebrate our engagement properly, if you know what I mean.” Her hand rose to stroke his face, invitation in her eyes. He almost lost his balance when her other hand thrust out to admire the diamond ring. “It’s so beautiful.”

“We’ll see how you feel after your shower. And if you fall asleep when you hit the bed, it’s okay. I’m not going away. We have many tomorrows to celebrate.” He kissed the top of her head and edged her up the stairs.

Annik was smiling as she took her dress off in the bathroom. He turned the water on in the shower and turned to help her. Drunk or sober, she was so beautiful. She reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor. Her thumb hooked in the slender elastic of her panties and she pushed them down over her hips, till they fluttered to her feet. Her lips parted, the tip of her tongue slowly caressing the ruby surface.

His hand reached out to hold her breast and rub her button nipple. At his gentle pull, she stepped forward and grasped the back of his neck pulling his head down to kiss her. He sighed when her other hand stroked his hard penis, constrained by the fabric of his trousers. His Annik. His wife to be. He placed his hands on her shoulders and eased away from her. For her own good, he needed to hydrate her, to take care of her. Now and for the rest of his days.

“Shower please Mrs. Eldon. I’m going to get the juice and aspirin.” He held her hand while she stepped into the running water. He heard her humming a tune as he left the room.

Five minutes later, he was back in the bathroom to help her out and hold a towel for her. Her eyes looked clearer now; the shower had been a good idea. He reached for the juice and handed it to her along with the pills. “Drink this. I’ll dry you off and take you to bed.”

Tenderly he patted the fluffy towel along her back and legs as she downed the glass. He took it from her, placed it on the vanity and dried her arms and her front. When he placed the towel between her legs, her hand covered his, holding it there. Her large brown eyes looked into his.

“There’s only one thing that would make me happier than I am right now.” She strained up on her toes and kissed him long and deep, her tongue flirting with his.

He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the surface. Standing above her, his fingers flew over the buttons on his shirt. He dropped it to the floor watching her. She opened her legs playing with herself, her writhing hips as inviting as the smile on her slightly open mouth. He slipped his pants and shorts down and stepped out of them, his thick cock brushing against his thigh. Her fingers slid deep inside and her breathing was ragged. Never before had she looked so open and erotic.

She withdrew her hand and pinched her nipple hard between her fingers while sliding over on the bed to make room for him.

“Don’t stop. Make yourself come. For me.” He stepped close to the top of the bed, his cock almost bursting. He looked into her eyes as she rose higher to take him into her mouth, stroking him with one hand while her other played with herself. Her hands stroked both of them faster and faster. With a moan her mouth released him and her head fell back onto the pillow.

“Open your eyes. I want to see you.” His voice was a growl in his throat. Her body jerked as her orgasm flooded through her. In the dark liquid pools of her eyes, he could see her soul, the honesty, love and longing she had for him.

He laid on her and thrust himself deep within her, felt her grip his cock as another orgasm wracked her body. His hands cupped her face and he kissed her, his Annik. She was everything he’d ever dreamed of. He fell into the depths of her being as his own orgasm exploded. He broke their kiss crying her name over and over.

Her hand was soft on his back as his spent body laid on her. He raised his head and gently kissed her.

“I love you.” Her whisper was balm to his ears.

The words—to love, honor and cherish resonated in his soul as he held her through the night.

Chapter 20

“No, turn it a little to the left. That side of the tree is bushier.” Annik stood across the room from Tom as he held the Scotch Pine tree upright.

“Like this?” he twirled the tree about three inches. It was the fourth time he’d done that and his voice was heavy with exasperation.

“Perfect. I’ll hold it while you tighten the screws on the stand.” She skipped across the room and grasped the tree trunk.

He crawled under the lower branches and worked on securing it upright. “You realize that
you
have to decorate it. I’m doing the manly stuff here. But I’ll keep you company and supervise. See how you like that.” The last sentence was muttered under his breath.

He rose to his feet and looked at the tree. “Do you think it’s a little crooked?”

“No. The only thing crooked is you.”

“I heard that. Get decorating wife.”

“How many times do I have to remind you? It’s fiancé now. Wife in the new year.” She grinned at him and opened the plastic box containing the ornaments. There were so many. They hadn’t needed to buy any yesterday but it was nice to have the star—their very own for the first Christmas together.

She saw Tom flop into the large upholstered leather chair. She took the set of lights out of the box and began to untangle them.

“I remember when Bonnie and I were kids. We always decorated the tree with Mom. Dad would usually do just what I’m doing—watch.” His eyes were half closed.

Annik plugged the lights into the extension cord Tom had found earlier. “Presto! I remember those stupid lights that we used to have. The ones where the whole strand wouldn’t light if there was one bulb burned out or missing. That was almost the only time I heard my Poppa curse.” She picked up the end of the strand and placed it high on the tree.

Tom rose to his feet and took it from her. “Here short stuff. It needs to go higher.”

She smiled at him before he returned to the chair. Absently humming a carol she continued stringing the lights. Occasionally, she glanced at him. Was he asleep? He was being so quiet.