One Poor Choice (The Citadel Series Book 2), page 17
Gabriella looked sincerely concern. “Oh no! Is she all right?”
“I don’t think so. I think she’s pretty upset.” Tony was a little more than shaken himself. He never could’ve anticipated what was happening, not in a million years.
“Oh, god, I never meant to upset anyone. I’m so sorry. Maybe you should go talk to her.”
Tony shook his head. “I can’t. She’s gone to the ladies’ room.”
“Then I’ll go.” Before he could stop her, Gabriella took off for the restroom. Tony was pretty sure that would only make things worse. He was feeling a bit lightheaded himself, and he glanced around the rooms for a familiar face. When he spotted Vic, he headed that direction, hoping maybe his brother could give him some advice or encouragement. It was a sure thing he’d need it – that or a bodyguard.
Nikki stood over the toilet, palms on the stall walls for bracing, and head down. She’d been so excited to be there, and now this, her husband standing in the gallery in front of photos of her naked, talking to a woman who’d taught him how to have mind-blowing sex with her. Great, just peachy, she thought. Happens every day. To me. No one else, just me. Her stomach heaved and everything, the wine, the hors d’oeuvres, the soles of her feet, everything came up in one horrifying hurl. She waited for a few minutes, trying to collect her faculties and control her thoughts, before she finally stood and wiped her mouth with some toilet paper, then opened the stall door.
Just when she thought there was no way things could possibly get any worse, who should she find waiting for her but Gabriella, sitting in the lounge area of the restroom, those long, tan legs crossed, her come-fuck-me heels jacking up her knees as her toes tapped the floor. How lucky could she be in one night?
“Are you okay?” Gabriella’s voice was soft and gentle.
Nikki walked to the lavatory in silence, turned on the water, cupped her hands, and brought them to her lips to suck the water from them. She swished it around in her mouth a couple of times and spit it out into the sink before she turned to the lovely woman sitting in the chair and waiting for her reply. “No. I’m not. And I think you can understand why I’d be upset, can’t you? Why are you here? What do you want?”
Gabriella looked surprised. “I came to see the photos. The photographer is a friend of mine. I was invited.”
“José is a friend of yours?” Now it was Nikki’s turn to look surprised.
“We used to tend bar together at Steve’s club when he first moved to town. I had no idea some of the photos in the exhibit were of you and Tony. José didn’t have any idea that we knew each other, so he never mentioned who the subjects of the photos were. It was as much of a shock to me and him as it was to you and Tony.”
Nikki eyed her suspiciously. It sounded like too much of a coincidence. Could she really believe that story? “I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going home. It was nice meeting you.” Nikki opened the restroom door and, in a burst of movement, the taller woman pushed it closed.
“Wait!” Gabriella almost recoiled at the flash from Nikki’s eyes directed toward her, but she desperately wanted to salvage the situation. “I don’t want your evening ruined. This is about José. It’s a celebration of his hard work and talent. And it’s a celebration of the love you share, you and the other couples in the photos. Do you know them all?”
Nikki sighed and nodded. “They’re our relatives and friends, our daughter and her wife, son and daughter-in-law, my brother-in-law and his wife, our friends and their spouses. All people we know and love.”
Gabriella smiled. “Then you have one amazingly beautiful family, know that? I’m so jealous of all of you. Robert and I have only been married about six months. Neither of us really have any family. You’re so lucky.” She stopped for a second, then said, “And Tony is so in love with you. I could hear it in his voice when I looked at some of the pictures and asked if you were his girlfriend. He was pretty quick to tell me you’re his wife, and he was practically breathless just talking about you. You’re a lucky woman.”
Nikki’s heartbeat started to stabilize. “Thanks. I’m very much in love with him too. We’ve gone through some horrible things together, and I really believe there’s nothing that can tear us apart.”
“I’m so glad. The one thing I remember most about Tony was his sincerity. There was nothing fake about him, not one thing. He was open and honest and really wanted to learn, and I could tell he was thinking that maybe he’d eventually find someone who really cared about him. I’m glad he did. It’s obvious that you do. I’m happy for him; he’s a good guy and he deserves to be happy.”
Nikki leaned against the closed door. “I suppose I should thank you. I think you gave him the confidence to try to start a relationship, and what you taught him must’ve taken because he’s unbelievably amazing in the sack.”
Gabriella giggled. “I do remember that. For all his inexperience, he was pretty damn good, great, in fact. Very considerate, very gentle. Great respect for women. Just a prince of a guy.”
Nikki blushed. “He calls me his princess.”
It was Gabriella’s turn to blush. “That’s so sweet.” Then she grinned. “I bet he calls you his slut sometimes too, huh?”
Nikki let out a tiny giggle. “Actually, yeah, he does.”
“I taught him that.” Gabriella started to laugh. “I wasn’t sure he could ever bring himself to say something like that to a woman. Maybe you set him free.”
There was a wistful gleam in Nikki’s eyes. “Yeah, maybe I did set him free.” She put her hand on the door handle and looked Gabriella in the eyes. “Thanks. Thank you for giving my husband his sexual confidence back. He’s a fantastic lover, and I guess you’re responsible.”
Gabriella shook her head. “I just gave him tips and techniques. He was already there. I remember him saying, ‘I just want to know how to satisfy a woman. If I ever meet someone I can care about who cares about me, I don’t want her to ever go wanting because I didn’t know how to meet her needs.’ And he really meant that too.” She put a hand over Nikki’s. “I’m sorry I upset you tonight. I had no idea the two of you would be here. But please know that I didn’t come here to cause trouble or look for Tony. We were never more than teacher and student.”
“You were a good teacher. I’m sorry I reacted the way I did.” Nikki opened the door and held it for Gabriella. “Let’s go back out and try to have a good time. I’m sure he’s looking for me, and your husband is probably looking for you.”
Gabriella walked through the doorway and before she took another step, she reached out and took Nikki’s hand, leading Nikki back out into the gallery. They hadn’t taken two steps into the bigger room when Tony made a bee-line to Nikki and wrapped his arms around her. When he did, Gabriella dropped her hand, gave the little blond a wink, and strode out into the front gallery to find her husband.
“God, baby, I’m so sorry. I had no idea that . . .”
Nikki kissed him to shut him up, then grinned up at him. “It’s okay. She and I talked. Everything’s fine. Let’s go back out here and try to have a pleasant evening, okay?”
Tony kissed her forehead and breathed in her scent. “I love you, beautiful girl. I don’t want her or anyone else, just you.”
“I know. And I don’t want anyone else but you.” She started to say something else when José burst into the room.
“Are you guys ready? I need you out here. Hurry!” He spun on his heel and took off back into the big gallery room, Tony and Nikki right behind him.
The gallery owner, Sandra, stood in front of a large, covered frame on the wall. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for being here tonight for the opening of the ‘Of Love and Lust’ exhibit. Mr. Flores-Stokes is a truly talented photographer, and I’m sure you’ve enjoyed the exhibit so far. And now, we’d like to unveil the centerpiece of this show. José, would you please come up and say a few words?”
José moved to stand in front of the covered piece and looked out over the crowd. “There are so many people I’d like to thank, but there’s something I want to say to everyone whose photos appear here. I love all of you. You’re beautiful in these photos, but you’re even more beautiful in your lives. You’re loving and caring and generous, and you’ve made my life a wonderful place to be. I never dreamed when I approached all of you that you’d say yes to having these photos made, but every one of you did, even though it would leave you feeling vulnerable and exposed. I hope the beauty of what you see here takes some of that sting away and you can enjoy just how striking you look together as lovers. I’ve certainly never seen anything that inspired me more than your love for each other and for me. Once this photo is uncovered, the locked gallery on the east wall will be opened and you may enjoy the photos there in all their glory. And now, it’s with great pleasure that I bring to you the anchor piece for the ‘Of Love and Lust’ exhibit.” With a flourish, he snapped the cover off the enormous photo and everyone in the room gasped.
There, in a frame eight feet square, was a black and white of Tony and Nikki. He stood facing the camera and she knelt in front of him on a pillow of satin. His hands were woven into her curls and, even though the view was at a discreet side angle, it was obvious his cock was down her throat. And that wasn’t the most amazing part.
The photo was greyscale except for a few touches of red – the pillow she knelt on, the blindfold with its ties hanging down behind her head and falling down her back, and the six inch stilettos she was wearing. But even more impressive was the rope. Her arms were behind her and bound together in an intricate pattern of bright red twists and knots, all perfectly formed and designed to constrict her erotically. That same rope wound around her torso just above and below her breasts, as well as being crisscrossed between them, and it held them up in a way that made the viewer want to reach out and fondle her nipples. The tails of the rope hung down her ass and pooled on the floor, and she wasn’t wearing any panties, not even a thong. Tony’s head was dropped as he watched her take in his length and please him, his eyes betraying every feeling of passion and raw sexuality his body held. The effect was breathtaking, and murmurs and whispers echoed softly through the gallery.
“Feel free to ask questions of either myself or the subjects of the photo. I’m sure they’d be glad to talk to you.” He pointed at the gallery door, which Sandra held open. “I hope you all enjoy the artwork in the previously locked gallery.”
The crowd parted to let Tony and Nikki step into the room first, and what met their eyes was both startling and overwhelmingly arousing. The photos were everywhere, and they all featured the shoes, blindfold, and rope. In one, Nikki bent over the end of the bed, cheek pressed into the comforter, as Tony stood behind her, his cock buried in her ass, and he leaned down to kiss the back of her neck. In another she stood, back against the wall and the chain of her nipple clamps dangling between her breasts, as Tony knelt on the floor in front of her, his face buried in her folds, his back to the camera. Farther down the wall was a photo of him kneeling on the bed and her astride him with her back to his chest, seated firmly on his shaft as he reached around her and stroked her clit. Everything about the photo screamed out her orgasm just as she did, that moment captured forever in the black and white of the camera.
But it was the last photo in the collection that took Tony and Nikki by surprise. There was their love, for all the world to see. They knelt together on the bed, upright, her breasts pressed firmly into his chest, their bellies touching. The red rope lay pooled between her calves, her stilettos lay empty on the bed, and her arms gripped his neck, the rope marks still plain on her flesh. His arms encircled her waist and held her tight, and they were locked in a kiss so passionate that it was almost painful for the rest of the room to view.
It was Vic who broke the spell when he purred, “Oh my god, these are gorgeous. Unbelievably gorgeous.” Then he began to applaud. Within seconds, applause spread like wildfire through the room as José made his way through the crowd straight to Tony and Nikki and the three embraced each other.
“Thank you,” he whispered to the two of them.
“For what?” Tony whispered back.
“For loving me. For loving us. For giving me the most wonderful evening of my life short of being with my two,” he whispered back, thinking of Peyton and Molly.
Nikki leaned back to look into the young man’s face. “Oh, sweetie, they’re so beautiful. You even made me look good.”
“That’s because you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, baby,” Tony said with a smile, and kissed her forehead.
Doug stepped up to Tony’s side. “I didn’t know you knew shibari.”
Tony grinned. “I don’t – I’m learning. Vic taught me a little bit, but that’s not his thing either. I don’t have anyone to teach me, so I’ve been trying to teach myself.”
“I’d say you were doing a great job. Do you know Bo? Xiabo? Member of the club?”
Tony shook his head. “Nope. Don’t think I do.”
“Bo’s very into shibari. He’s been doing it for years. Maybe he’d teach you. Want me to ask him?”
“Would you, Doug? That would be so great. Thanks.” Tony patted Doug’s shoulder. “I noticed a couple of pics of you and Viv out there. Lovely. You look so good together – well, your body parts do anyway!” Tony laughed.
“Thanks – I think!” Doug laughed back. “Speaking of which, I should go and find her. Last I saw her she was with Annabeth, Katie, and Brittany, and I think they were up to something. I’m almost afraid to find out what it is.”
“Atta boy! You’re learning. Good luck with that!” Tony grinned, then wrapped an arm around Nikki’s waist as they stood together, looking at the photos. “Well, precious, whaddya think?”
“I’m in awe. Do we really look like that?”
“I don’t know if I do, but you sure do.” He leaned down to her ear and whispered, “I especially like that one of you sucking my cock. I think that’s my favorite.”
“It would be. Not the one of you returning the favor, huh?”
“Nope. My cock. Your pretty pink lips. As I recall, that’s a winning combination. Was last night anyway!” Tony laughed and gave her a squeeze. At that moment there was a commotion near the door and, to their delight, the governor strolled into the gallery with Evie on his arm. He greeted both of them, Tony with a handshake and Nikki with a hug and kiss on the cheek, and Evie hugged and kissed both of them, then did the same with Laura and Vic, who’d just stepped up to the four of them. They laughed and talked, asking the four Walters about the photos and chatting away.
From across the room, Jared watched everything but did his dead-level best to stay away from everyone. He really didn’t want to be engaged in a conversation; silence had become his friend, and if anyone mentioned Bernie, he shut them down immediately. Any mention of her, even just her name, and he’d leave the room. He was horrified to see Kyle and Lisette enter the gallery and he scanned the room, but Bernie was nowhere in sight. When they finally made their way around the room to where he stood, Kyle looked up in surprise. “Well, Jared! How are you?”
“Fine.” His tone was clipped, and he knew it, but he just couldn’t help it. “Where is she? Did you bring her with you?”
Lisette shot both men a withering glare and Kyle told her, “I’ll be right back, honey.” He turned from Lisette and took Jared’s arm. “Let’s go over here and talk.” They found a corner and Kyle spun to face Jared. “She’s gone.”
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Jared spat out.
“I mean she’s gone. I wouldn’t continue to support her sponsorship here since I found out what she’d been doing, so she went back to Paris. I bought her a plane ticket and she left.”
“When?” Jared felt a funny little spark of panic in his chest.
“Last Friday.” It was Wednesday. That meant she’d been gone for five days. By then she’d surely gone back to her old life. He wouldn’t see her again. The relief he thought he’d feel on knowing that with certainty just instantly evaporated and pure despair took its place. He hadn’t anticipated that feeling, but there it was, overwhelming him and wounding him to the core. “So you won’t have to worry about her. She won’t be embarrassing you or causing you any more problems. That’s all over and I’m sorry for the pain she caused you.” He patted Jared on the shoulder, then reached for Lisette’s arm, leading her out into the gallery and toward Tony and Nikki.
She was gone. And that felt nothing like what he’d thought it would. He hadn’t thought his heart could be broken more, but he felt it crack once again, another fissure shooting through it and increasing the ache. Well, that was that. It was over. And he could move on.
Problem was, it appeared his heart didn’t want to.
Chapter Ten
“So do you have anything I could do? I could sweep and mop. Do you need someone to do that? Please?” Bernie was desperate. The money she’d brought with her hadn’t lasted very long. It had seemed like a lot when she left Kentucky, but having never paid rent or bought things for herself, she’d sorely underestimated what it would take to live in a city like Paris.
The old man looked her up and down. “I could use someone to do the neighborhood deliveries. Could you do that? You would probably make very good tips.”
“Yes! Oh, yes, that would be wonderful! You won’t be sorry, I promise!” Bernie shook his hand. “When do I start?”
“Tonight. Be here at half past five.”
“I’ll be here!” She was all smiles when she skipped out of the small eatery. It wasn’t much, but she had nothing, so it was better than nothing. Her limit on days was about to be reached at the women’s hostel where she’d been staying, and she’d have to find somewhere else to stay. She’d checked with a couple of friends, but they’d either changed their phone numbers and she couldn’t reach them, or they’d turned her down cold, saying they already had too many people in their flats or that their boyfriend or girlfriend wouldn’t like it.
