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 Content Rating Notice: Recommended for Readers 18 Years and Older Only |
| >> Static Item >> Novel >> Horror/Scary >> ID #1639917 |   |
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Unholy Embrace Author Neil Benson Night to Dawn Publisher Night to Dawn www.bloodredshadows.com ISBN: Copyright by Neil Benson First edition 2010 http://www.bloodredshadows.com Printed in the United States of America Editor: Front cover illustration: Esther Sanz Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental, and are not to be construed as truth or fact. All rights reserved: It is illegal for you to copy or distribute copies of this or any copyright written work in print or electronic form without expressed written consent from the publisher. Please do not purchase unauthorized copies. For information: Barbara Custer, c/o Night to Dawn, P. O. Box 643, Abington, PA 19001. I owe a major thank you to my wife who has been a major source of support and has read the novel more times than she cares to admit; a thanks to Louise Bohmer who edited the novel and gave me some critical ideas for revisions; and a thank you to my publisher Barbara Custer. 1 An Unwanted Surprise “Literature and most movies have accurately described the speed and strength of the vampire. Few mortals have witnessed a vampire in the fighting mode and lived to tell about it.” In The Vampires among Us by Thaddeus Romans On a cool April night, Nessa and I held hands as we walked back to Broadway from a theater on the upper West side. I heard a shrill howl that made my neck hairs stand. Nessa pushed me behind her and turned to face the alleyway. A dark, hairy body raced at her, emitting a growling sound I had heard only in horror movies. Nessa ducked, put her hands under the creature, and flipped it headfirst into a dark blue delivery truck. A second, dark hairy body emerged from the alleyway, growling as it displayed three-inch incisors glistening with saliva. When the second creature tried to bite Nessa, she grabbed its throat and snapped its head backward. She snarled, sank her fangs into the creature's neck, and ripped through an artery, killing it instantly. The first creature rose and started to charge Nessa when I moved to tackle it. “No,” Nessa yelled, putting herself between the creature and me. It swiped a hairy paw at her head, but she ducked, spun about, and grabbed its throat from behind. With a squeeze of her hands, I heard bones cracking. When she let go the creature, it fell to the ground. Nessa looked around us for several minutes, sniffing the air with her eyes closed. “Any more of them?” I asked. “Whatever they are.” “I don’t smell or hear anything for several blocks,” she replied. “You just had your first opportunity to see werewolves in action.” Nessa glanced at the creatures she had killed. “They weren't in action for long.” I examined the paws of the nearest werewolf. Five inch-long claws, tapering from one inch around at the base to a razor-sharp tip, were lethal weapons. “That’s why I screamed at you,” she said. “I appreciate your courage, but the creature could have eviscerated you in one swift stroke.” “I’ve only seen werewolves in the movies. It was much more terrifying watching real ones in action.” I shook my head, shivering at the thought of what this creature could have done to me. Nessa stared at me. “Frank, are you okay?” I nodded. My heart still beat rapidly, and I could barely swallow. I looked up at the night the sky, noting the three-quarter moon. “No full moon?” “They can inject themselves with a serum that enables them to take on a werewolf shape whenever they choose,” she said. The werewolves terrified me, but the creature Nessa became frightened me almost as much. I stepped back and watched her fangs disappear as her eyes returned to normal. She stared at me, and then reached out. I moved away from her. “What's the matter?” “Seeing you like that. What you did. I'm shaken.” “I never wanted you to see me as a vampire. I am sorry the attack by the werewolves put you in danger. Please come to my apartment so we can talk about what happened.” Nessa rubbed my back. “A strong drink will calm you.” I took another step backward, not sure if I was safe with her. “I would never hurt you.” She sighed. “Please trust me.” “Okay,” I whispered, still numb from what I had just witnessed, wondering what she would tell me. The bodies of the werewolves began to turn human while we stood there. “What are you going to do with them?” I asked. “Not to worry.” Nessa took out her cell phone, punched a few numbers, spoke softly into it, and then put it away. “In a few minutes a truck will come, and the bodies and blood will be disposed of.” “Is there a special werewolf removal service you know of?” My mind spun like a top rotating at high speed. The woman, or rather the vampire I loved, had just killed two werewolves and had casually called someone to remove the evidence. “In New York you can get anything done for the right price.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled. I tried to return her smile, but couldn't find it in me. After we walked to Broadway, Nessa stepped into the street and snapped her fingers. A cab appeared less than a block from us. When we got into the taxi, we sat apart. She leaned back, resting her head against the cushion, while myriad questions ran through my mind. “Lincoln Square,” she said to the driver. “You got it, lady.” Heavy traffic at this time of night made for a long ride. She sat quietly looking straight ahead, while I wondered why I remained in the cab. As I leaned my head back against the cushion, I thought about the previous three weeks. 2. Three Weeks Earlier: Meeting in the Dark “Undead vampires are real and travel among us despite what most people believe. These vampires survive by their stealth and cunning as well as our disbelief.” In The Vampires among Us by Thaddeus Romans. I drank a Heineken while sitting at the bar in Dark Cavern, the most famous underground vampire club in Manhattan. It was an upscale gathering place for people who considered themselves vampires, and those who enjoyed watching them. I didn't believe in real vampires. I'd read about the subculture in which some people drank blood from people, while others supposedly took psychic energy. My friend Bill told me he had seen real vampires in Dark Cavern, and I should check it out. Bill, a diehard a vampire freak, had never exaggerated. A baldheaded man guarded the entrance, examining everyone's identification. After he waved me in, I walked down a flight of stairs into a large room lit by red lights. The band played eerie Goth music. In the center of the room, some people danced, while others just held on to each other. Some of the dancers displayed fangs in their mouths. I assumed they were implants or purchased from a local costume store. I made my way to the bar at the back of the room and ordered a Heineken. From there, I observed the people at the tables nearby when I first saw her. She caught the attention of one male admirer after another, each rebuffed until she sat alone. Her tight black sweater accentuated her full breasts. I studied her copper hair, framing her fine-boned, pale face. She was stunning, unattainable by any of the men who sought her. A heavily muscled blond man sat down beside her without invitation. She shook her head before he had a chance to say anything. When he put his left hand on her shoulder, she grasped his forearm with her right hand and twisted. The force of her motion lifted him out of his chair and spun him on to the floor. He landed on his back and slid a few feet. He shook his head, as if to clear his mind, and then rose. He rolled up his shirtsleeve and examined his forearm. Even from where I sat, I could see the marks of her fingers. The man backed away, and then walked quickly to the other side of the room. A few people looked over, but turned away. I couldn't imagine how a petite woman could generate such force. As I gazed at her, she gave me a bemused smile. I hesitated, even when her smile widened. She beckoned me with her finger, and I walked to her table and sat down opposite her. “Hello, I'm Frank Thornton.” “Nessa Harcanu,” she said in a husky voice with a trace of an accent. “I assume it's safe for me to sit here.” “I invited you, but he made an unwanted boorish advance.” Her glinting eyes accentuated her message. “I've seen judo and karate, but nothing that explains how you flipped a large man over so easily,” I said “It's all in the wrist action.” She winked at me. “Why me?” Tall, with dark hair, I never had any problem meeting women. However, she could've chosen other handsome athletic types, and even a few businessmen, “You're not an overgrown boy or a self-styled stud eager to add me to his sexual trophy case.” “You can tell that just by looking at me?” “That and much more.” “Okay, tell me what you know.” Her gaze caught mine as I issued the challenge. “You're an architect in his mid-thirties who would rather be a painter,” she said without hesitation. She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers, her bright green eyes studying my every move. “How do you know that?” Was she a mind reader or something? “There are traces of light green ocher paint under the nails of your index and middle fingers on your right hand.” I couldn't see anything, even when I held my nails under a light. “I have excellent vision, especially at night.” “There's nothing there to see,” I said. “You failed to wash off all the ocher and pale yellow egg tempera paint you used.” She licked her lips. Nessa had just described the colors I had been working with earlier in the evening. “I don't know how you guessed what I was using, but there's no way anyone could see the paint in this dim light.” “A vampire could.” She leaned forward, opening her mouth, and showing the tips of sharp pointed fangs. “Are those real?” I asked in a voice barely a croak. My heart beat faster and the hairs on the nape of my neck stood up. “There’s only one way to find out.” She raised her upper lip, giving me a better view of her fangs. I backed away and started to rise, when she laughed. “Sit down. I've no intention of hurting you.” “That's good to know.” I laughed nervously. “What do you want from me?” “To get to know you better.” “Why?” Considering what I had seen in the last five minutes, a little caution seemed appropriate. “Because you're passionate about art, and that's something I value highly.” “You could've found an artist.” “I've done that. They're too egotistical and usually unstable. You strike me as being grounded, not having an overly high opinion of yourself.” “How can you know so much about me?” I asked. “Did you have me investigated or something?” I couldn't understand how she knew so much about me. She laughed again. “I would never have to resort to that.” “Are you going to tell me how you do this?” She was playing with me, but at least she wasn't doing it with her incisors. “Another time.” “Can I buy you another drink?” “Fine.” Nessa appraised me with a directness I found disconcerting. I used a fifty-dollar bill to signal the waiter. “What are you drinking?” “A dry martini,” she said to the waiter. “I'll have a Heineken.” The waiter pocketed my bill and went to get our drinks. “A vampire wouldn't drink a martini.” “I love a clever man.” I decided to change the direction of the conversation. Her slight accent intrigued me. “Where were you born?” “Hungary,” she said. “I'll save you the next question by telling you I came here sixty years ago.” She leaned closer to me. Her musky fragrance inflamed me, and I had to restrain myself from kissing her. Suddenly warm, I wiped perspiration from my forehead. “Would you be interested in going someplace quieter?” she asked. “What did you have in mind?” I was with an amorously inclined beautiful woman, who was a vampire. Despite that knowledge, I could feel the rising desire in my groin pressing against my common sense. “Let's go to your place,” she said. “I would like to see the home of an artist and architect.” “That would be fine,” I stuttered. The game was cat and mouse, and I was the catnip. By the time our drinks arrived, we were leaving. When we stood, I noted her slender, elegant figure. She picked up a black cape and threw it over her shoulders, and I put on my black leather jacket. When I opened the door, the wind struck us. I shivered, but Nessa appeared unaffected by the weather. She put her right arm around my left arm as we walked to the end of the line of people waiting to get a taxi. “Let's move away,” Nessa said, guiding me from the crowd. I had just raised my hand when a taxi passed by everyone else and stopped in front of us. I opened the door and followed her into the heat of the cab. “Devonshire apartments on Fifty-First Street,” I said to the driver as he merged into the traffic. During the ride to my apartment, I studied Nessa out of the corner of my eye. She sat with her lips pursed, giving me a slight smile. I was glad that she kept her mouth closed because that way I couldn't see any fangs. I didn't know what to say and felt uncomfortable breaking the silence. When the cab stopped, I paid the driver, and then we hurried to the entrance. After we exited the elevator on the tenth floor, I opened my door and took Nessa's cape, which I hung in the closet. She stretched, raising her hands over her head, causing her black sweater to pull tightly against her ample breasts. “Do you like what you see?” She smiled like the famous Cheshire cat. "Yes, yes," I stammered, feeling like a teenager. Nessa walked up to my two abstract paintings hanging on the living room wall and examined them for several minutes. “Do you like what you see?” I asked her. “Both.” “The paintings?” “The paintings and you,” she said, eyeing my body. Once more, I became aroused and blushed, unable to control my responses to her boldness. “You need to pace yourself. Would you be willing to show me your studio?” “My pleasure.” I was happy to change the subject so I could steady myself. I opened the door, turned on the light, and she followed me into my work area. She walked to the far wall and looked at my Japanese sword and scabbard. “Where did you get these?” “They're old family heirlooms.” She looked at them a little while longer then walked over to my draft table. “This is marvelous. Your lines are original and unconventional. You have a special talent.” “Thank you.” “You’re an exceptional man.” Her gaze caught mine, telling me that she was not playing any more. “That’s quite a compliment.” I got the impression she measured me in ways I didn't understand. “May I look through your library?” she asked, examining my bookcases. “Sure.” I was uneasy with her tendency to ask permission after the fact. She looked at the titles for several minutes then pulled out Dr. Bova’s book on immortality and extending life. “Immortal life holds a fascination for you,” she said. “You’ll find living a long time doesn’t bring the answers to the questions you seek.” “Am I to assume you know that from personal experience?” She put her finger under my chin and kissed me on the lips. “I’ve seen the passing of more seasons then you could ever imagine. Perhaps, if I like you, I’ll tell you about them.” “That would be interesting.” I'm being seduced by a vampire. Am I out of my freaking mind? “Hush,” Nessa said, as if she could hear my thoughts. She brushed my cheek with her fingertips, pressed her lips to mine, and parted them with her tongue. “Come.” She led me to my bedroom. As Nessa moved me to the foot of the bed, I reached for her. However, she was quicker, putting her arms around my neck and pulling my head toward hers. Her mouth sought mine and we kissed passionately for several moments. She broke off the kiss, stepped back, reached for the bottom of my dark blue merino sweater, and pulled it over my head. Nessa kissed my chest and flicked her tongue over my left nipple, causing me to tremble with pleasure. She unbuckled my pants, dropped them to the floor, and pulled down my briefs. She lowered me to the bed, handling me like a small child, despite my outweighing her by more than seventy pounds, She pulled her black sweater over her head, and then she unhooked her black lacy bra, which barely covered her breasts. Her pear shaped breasts peaked upward, her pale brown nipples erect. She unbuttoned her black silk pants and dropped them to the floor with her black lace panties. She smiled as she lowered herself just below my feet. Then she leaned forward, kissing the inside my thighs, working her way upward until she had me in her mouth. I arched to meet her, but she withdrew her mouth after a moment. Nessa lifted her body above me, lowering it as I entered her, rotating her hips while she made a deep-throated moaning sound. She aroused me to intense passion as she continued her supple movements. She sensed when I approached orgasm, and would become motionless until I backed away from the peak of pleasure. I don't know how long she did this, but when she let me orgasm I was covered in perspiration. While I breathed heavily, my body drained of all energy, her head nestled on my chest and her left hand stroked my face. Nothing like this had ever happened before. I was a former college tennis player and routinely ran 10k races, but I had never made love with a vampire. The next thing I knew, her lips were pressing against my forehead. “How long was I asleep?” “Not long,” she said. I slid my right hand to my throat, feeling for punctures. “You don't need to do that.” She flicked my hand away. She leaned forward and caressed my throat with her tongue, causing me to shiver with delight. If she was going to take blood from me, she could have done it while I was asleep. I had to assume I was safe, or at least as safe as any man could be with a vampire he had met several hours ago. “Are you up for more?” She stroked me until she brought me to erection. “Oh my.” This time, I pulled back the covers so we made love on the sheets. However, the intensity, and passion she aroused in me, and gave in return, was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I fell asleep once more and awoke to find her looking at me with a catlike grin. I don’t remember how many more times we made love. Despite my exhaustion, she would arouse me, and I would find strength I didn’t think I had. Finally, I fell asleep and didn’t wake until after sunrise. From the moment I saw Frank, I was attracted to him. Though handsome, there was nothing extraordinary about him. However, when we went back to his apartment, it took great effort for me to wait as long as I did before taking him. I wanted to possess him sexually in every way possible. By the time I left, I had worn him out, but I was more satisfied than I could ever remember. I wanted to see him the next night, but I knew if I moved too swiftly and powerfully I would consume him. In addition, I wanted to keep him off balance. That way I could maintain better control of the relationship. Relationship? What was I thinking? We had only been together one time. I didn't see a particular path with him. Rather, I thought it best to let things take their course and see what developed. I had several brief affairs during the past fifty years, but none of them prepared me for my feelings for Frank. 3. Work and Play: Twenty Days Earlier “When a female vampire takes a mortal lover, she assumes complete command of the relationship. The so-called Alpha Male among mortals is a mere plaything compared to the power of the female vampire.” In The Vampires among Us by Thaddeus Romans She was gone when I reached for her, but the heady smell of her perfume was so intoxicating I lingered in bed inhaling the fragrance on the pillows. I was more tired than I could remember after a night of making love. My body felt drained, as if I had expended every ounce of energy. I put on a robe and wandered through the apartment, reliving my night of erotic wonder with a vampire. I remembered how cold she felt at first, but became warmer as we made love. I walked through my living room and questioned my sanity for spending the evening making love with Nessa. She had promised not to hurt me, but I examined my neck for bite marks anyway. I was relieved to find none. When I went into my study, I saw a note on my drawing board. "Later," was all it said. I knew she wanted to see me, but did I want to see her? After I dressed, I ate a walnut croissant, washed it down with instant coffee, and went to work happy, but exhausted. “Good morning, Mr. Thornton,” Melissa, the receptionist, said, putting her hand over her mouth to hide her smile. She was hired to answer the phone for her decorative abilities not intellectual ones. “Good morning Melissa.” When I touched my face, I felt the stubble, realizing that in my haste to get to work I had forgotten to shave. I hurried to my office where I kept a spare electric razor as well as extra shirts and ties. I opened my door as Bob Smithers, a senior partner, approached. “Out late?” he asked with furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips. He was short, balding, and portly. Though he could be pedantic and boring, his bright blue eyes and stern gaze reminded me he wasn't a man to underestimate. “Working late on the Emerson home renovation. I'll tidy up in a moment. Is there something you need?” He wasn't a creative or imagina-tive architect. His main skill was closing important business deals. “No. Just make sure you take care. You're working on an impor-tant project.” “Sure,” I said, entering my office. When I put my briefcase down and looked into the mirror, I was appalled by what I saw. With my bloodshot eyes and unshaven face, I looked more like a panhandler than a hotshot architect in a small but well-known architectural firm. I plugged in the razor, and as I shaved, I thought about my time with Nessa. The evening had an unreal quality to it, as if I was watching myself in a mysterious movie with Nessa, who was always one-step ahead of me. Being one-step behind wasn't as much a concern as the fact she was a vampire. I assailed myself with questions. Why didn't I leave when she revealed she was a vampire? Why did I take her back to my apartment? I wondered if I had any choice because of her strong aura of power. She took control from the moment she invited me to her table until she led me into my bedroom and overwhelmed me with her sexual prowess. When I finished shaving, I slumped in my chair wondering how I was going to make it until five o'clock. I made no progress on my project because Nessa was on my mind throughout the day. The vivid image of her face possessed me, even without closing my eyes. Whenever I examined my plans, her green eyes, sly smile, and copper red hair dominated my thoughts. When my mind on her lovely face, I sighed. I swallowed a hot coal when the vision changed to her razor sharp incisors. It wasn't long before I got the antacid. I sent out for a sandwich so I could eat lunch in my office and rest a few minutes. I kept the door closed throughout the day to minimize contact with other members of the firm. I was in no shape to carry on a rational conversation with them. Happily, I made it through the day without more than a passing encounter with anyone else. As soon as I arrived at my apartment, I undressed and fell into bed. Although I slept for an hour and felt refreshed, I couldn't relax. I wasn't in the mood to cook, and I didn’t want to go out to eat, so I called in an order from the small Chinese restaurant around the corner. An hour later, I paced as I ate Kung Pao chicken out of the con-tainer and washed it down with a Heineken. After I tossed the beer bottle into the trash, I put on my coat and was out the door on my way back to Dark Cavern. When I stepped outside, the cool evening air revived me. I was calm during the cab ride to the bar, but my tension returned when I exited the taxi. I sat on the same barstool, sipping Heinekens as I watched the door until two in the morning. I was disappointed; her vague note left me wondering when I would see her. The next morning I shaved and put on one of my better suits. The last thing I needed was for anyone at the office to wonder about my personal habits. I worked late to make up for the lost time I had spent daydreaming about Nessa. How could I be so obsessed with a woman who was a vampire, based on a one-night stand? Thinking about my obsession didn’t make it go away. Later that evening I once again headed for Dark Cavern. It was the end of the week, and I made my way through the crowded bar before I saw Nessa seated at the same table, declining the importunities of a tall Nordic-looking man. Wearing a black camisole and black fitted pants, she was as lovely as I remembered. She gestured for me to sit next to her after the blond Viking left without his trophy. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said, as if I had missed a previously agreed on meeting time. “I was here until closing last night, wondering if I would see you again.” “My note made my intention clear,” she said, her voice a bit clipped. “Your one-word note was cryptic and gave me no clue where or when.” She touched my right hand. “Calm yourself. We’re together now.” Her touch aroused me so much I felt like an overeager teenager. She purred as I ran my finger from her shoulder to her lips. She kissed me, stood up, and put on her cape. “My place?” I asked. Nessa smiled and nodded. After I closed the apartment door, I turned around and was surprised to see her standing naked. I stared at her for a moment, admiring her body, bereft of speech. “Are you waiting for an engraved invitation?” she asked mischievously. I scooped her up in my arms and walked into the bedroom. I awoke to a hazy morning sun brightening the living room, covered by a blanket Nessa had placed over me during the night. I pulled the blanket around me, went to my studio, and was relieved to see her note, “Later, again.” She had me, in the way men are most vulnerable. I should have been contemplating exit strategies, but all I could think about was how much I wanted to see her. Saturday, I went to my office to work on the Emerson home redesign, now more than a week overdue. I worked until dinnertime, satisfied that I had made up for lost ground. When my stomach growled, I realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I went to Luigi's, my favorite local restaurant, ordered fried calamari and lasagna, which I washed down with a couple of glasses of Chianti. I remained at home that night thinking about Nessa, aware that I knew nothing about her except her passion for sex, she probably came from Europe, and she was a vampire. I tried to think about the last piece of information as little as possible. I had once read an article on the concept of healthy denial, but I didn't think it applied in this instance. On Sunday, I played racquetball with Jack Hershkowitz at the Midtown club for over three hours to relieve my disquietude. Because he had also played college tennis, our match was even. After playing four games, which we split, we showered and made plans to play another match. I ate at a small sushi bar around the corner then went to bed early and slept well for the first time since I met her. Monday night, I sat by her at the table confused about the rules of the game being played. “So, we play by your rules or not at all.” Nessa stroked my arm, smiling at me. She was playing with me, but I felt helpless before the onslaught of her power and sexual provo-cations. I was relieved she didn't reveal her fangs when she smiled. I responded, despite my intention to remain aloof. When she kissed me on the neck, I groaned. Moments later we left the nightclub. This time we made love languidly in front of the fireplace, and I managed to I stay awake. As we gazed into each other's eyes, I worked up the courage to ask, “Is there any chance we could go out on a real date?” “Like dinner and the movies,” she said, mocking me. “Well, not for dinner.” “Let's go to a movie,” she countered. “Do you have something in mind?” “There's a foreign film playing in a theater on the upper West side that I would like to see. It's called Rashomon. A famous film made by the great Japanese film director, Akiro Kurasawa.” “I've heard of it, but I've never seen it. That's fine.” “Now that we have a formal date, there are other things to attend to. Come to me,” she said. She wrapped her arms around me, and we made love until I was exhausted by her passion and fell asleep. After I woke, for the first time I knew when I would see her. The next day I worked hard to finish my plans for the renovation of the Emerson House in Brooklyn Heights before the deadline. “Frank, what are you up to?” a familiar voice asked. When I swiveled around, I saw Ed Rabinowitz standing outside my office. We’d become friends when I designed the plan for renovating his home outside New Haven. Ed was a tall, gray-haired, patrician man who walked with the style and grace of someone who was sure of himself and his place in society. “Come in Ed. I'm trying to update a late nineteenth-century house while preserving its distinctive characteristics.” When we shook hands, I noticed more liver spots on his hands since we last met over four months ago. “How are you doing?” “Just fine. Can't complain, especially for a man as old as I am.” “And how is Myra?” “Trying to be with the grandchildren as much as possible, which leaves me with too much time on my hands. Sometimes I daydream and long for the days when I was the young entrepreneur.” He sighed. “What's happening in your life?” “Just fine,” I smiled without meaning to. “Do I detect a hint of something new and exciting in your life?” He had a twinkle in his eye as he held my gaze. “Well, I did meet someone.” Exciting wouldn't begin to describe Nessa. How do you tell a good friend that you're in a love affair with a vampire? “That much I gathered. Tell me about her.” In many ways, he was the man I wished my father had been. “She's beautiful, and she's…” I found myself at a loss for words. Ed smiled. “I'm sure she is. I can still remember when I was young.” He chuckled. “She's elegant and unlike any other woman I’ve ever met. She's quiet, but not shy, and has a way of expressing herself in just a few words.” Deftly done. “Sounds like you met someone special,” he said. “I would like to meet her, and I'm sure Myra would. By any chance are you going to the fund-raiser for the Children's Hospital?” “I'm well-paid, but that's a little out of my league.” “I'll see to it that two tickets are delivered to your home tomorrow.” “Thanks. That's very generous.” “You're welcome. It will be my pleasure to meet the new woman in your life.” He winked at me then looked at his watch. “It's time to pick up Myra. We're going out to dinner tonight. It's been good talking to you, and I look forward to seeing the two of you next week.” “Sure. Give my regards to Myra.” We shook hands and he turned and left. I wondered how I was going to ask Nessa to come to one of the city's most notable fund-raising events when we hadn't yet spent any time together outside my bedroom. Perhaps our date would be the start of a more meaningful relationship. I would ask her to go to the benefit with me, depending on how well it went.
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