Indigo- The Complete Series, page 8
part #1 of Indigo Series
Hours later, he glanced at the time and was surprised when it was already midafternoon. He frowned when he picked up his phone and read a few messages from Phil Rothstein, but none from Lucy. He wasn’t sure what he should do. It wasn’t like him to be indecisive, but he didn’t want to come across as aggressive. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off.
He stepped out on the terrace, and tilted his head up, letting the sun warm his face. Damn! Why hadn’t Lucy replied? She must have received his text by now. Justin rubbed his hands over his face in frustration and concluded that as much as he didn’t like it, he would have to be patient. He believed she would come to him, in time. He smiled as he remembered the Elton John song. But for now, he had no choice but to wait.
Feeling restless, Justin took a walk on the beach. Families played along the shore, while couples strolled hand in hand. A white dog ran by him, but it wasn’t Lola. He sat down on the sand just as the sun touched the horizon. His phone pinged with a text from Lucy:
I’m not sure meeting each other is a good idea. Sorry for keeping you waiting.
What the fuck? He had no idea why she suddenly changed her mind, but he was certain they would meet again. He had her cell number, after all. He would just have to re-think his strategy.
It was growing dark and Justin decided to get something to eat at a small taqueria. He read Lucy’s text again before slipping the phone back into his pocket. Smiling to himself, he whistled one of his favorite Kinks songs, “Tired of Waiting for You.”
***
Later that evening, Justin was drinking a beer and trying to choose which movie to watch on Netflix when he received a new text. Rachel again:
I know it’s late, but I was hoping I could see you. Please?
Justin let out a harsh laugh. “No fucking way,” he said, tossing the phone on the coffee table. Stretching his legs out on the sofa, he settled with the first episode of Game of Thrones.
A few episodes into the fantasy series, there was a knock on the door. He hit the pause button and looked through the peephole. He sighed and opened the door.
Rachel Craig sauntered inside. “It’s rude not to answer somebody’s text, you know.” In her late twenties, Rachel was statuesque, with short blonde hair, green eyes, and a perfectly maintained body. She wore a miniscule black chiffon dress with four-inch heels. Justin was well aware of all her moods, and she was here to seduce him.
“Rachel,” Justin said in a tense voice. “How did you know I was staying here?”
“Phil’s a friend of mine. We were at the same party last night, started talking, and he told me you were staying here while working on a new project.” She walked to the bar and examined Rothstein’s liquor collection. “Hmm, this looks good.” She poured herself a shot of scotch and turned to Justin.
“Since when do you drink scotch?” Justin asked with a smirk.
Rachel looked over her shoulder. “Since when did what I drink become your business?”
Justin held his hands up. “It’s none of my business, and I don’t want it to be my business. I think you should leave.” He gestured to the door.
Rachel raised her chin, scrutinizing him. “You always did have a temper, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?” Justin asked, his voice tense.
Rachel took one sip of scotch, grimaced, and then set down the glass on the bar. “You’re right, I don’t like scotch.” She took two steps in Justin’s direction.
Justin backed up two steps. “What’s this all about, Rachel?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Not to me,” Justin said, shaking his head. “At the moment, I’m clueless.”
“Well, allow me to enlighten you.” Rachel pulled her dress up and over her head. She was naked. She walked toward him with deliberate slow steps, as if stalking him.
He had always enjoyed Rachel’s sensuous body. She had been an uninhibited lover and they had enjoyed their share of kink, but he didn’t trust her. She had used him and proved to be a selfish bitch.
“I think you should leave,” Justin said through clenched teeth.
“Hmm…Your mouth is saying I should leave, but your cock is saying something different.” She looked down at his growing erection and smiled.
Justin backed up, and Rachel took a few steps closer.
“I’m serious. I want you to leave right now.” Justin’s voice remained stern, and yet he was undeniably aroused.
“Or what?” Rachel asked as she rubbed her breasts, tugging her right nipple. “My nipples are aching for your mouth to suck them and your teeth to bite them. Just a little bit, but not too hard,” she purred with a sly grin.
Justin could not deny her words, because he was dying to touch her breasts and flick his tongue across her nipples.
He continued to look at her as she chuckled. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Yeah?” he replied huskily. “What am I thinking?” Justin asked, backing up until his knees hit the back of the couch and he sat down.
Rachel grinned as she continued to stalk him. “I think you’re wondering just how wet I am.” She gasped as her right hand traced the lips of her pussy, pushing a finger inside. Moving it in and out, she said, “Yep, I’m pretty wet.”
Justin remained silent, but he was turned on. This was not a good idea, but his cock had a different agenda. It had been six months since they had sex, and he wanted the release she could give him.
“Come on,” Rachel begged, her lips pouting. “Fuck me. You’re the only one who can make me come so hard.”
Kneeling down in front of him, Rachel ran her hands over his bulging cock through his jeans. “See how much you want me? You remember how good it used to be with us. Let me see your cock, Justin.” She licked her lips with slow determination. “I want to suck it until you come down my throat.”
Without taking another second to think about it, Justin stood, pulling his jeans and boxer briefs down enough to pull out his cock.
Rachel lunged for it, taking him in hard and deep, using the right amount of friction as she pumped him with her fist.
Justin’s eyes rolled in the back of his head. “That’s it.” He growled, gripping a handful of her hair and tugged hard.
Rachel let his cock pop out of her mouth and smiled as she licked him gently. “No one has ever had such a beautiful cock,” she cooed, rubbing her cheek next to it.
“Enough with the talking. Suck me hard,” Justin growled, guiding his dick back to her mouth.
Rachel sat back on her knees and turned her eyes up to him.
“What are you waiting for?” Justin asked. “Suck me.”
Rachel smiled and then leaned in and pulled him into her mouth, her tongue twirling around the tip.
Justin closed his eyes and groaned. “That’s it. Keep going.” He rocked back on his feet as Rachel moaned and pulled him all the way down her throat. “Take me down that throat. All of me.”
He could feel his balls tense up. He wasn’t going to last long. He came long and hard down her throat. After going in and out of her mouth a few more times, Justin opened his eyes.
Rachel lifted her eyes up at his. “I missed you, Justin,” she said, standing and wrapping her arms around him. “Fuck me now. Please. I want you to take me hard and fast.”
Justin’s cock twitched as it came to life again. He spun her around and threw her down against the couch. Rachel smiled in triumph and arched her back like a cat.
Justin pulled her hands above her head and aimed his cock into her cunt, staring at her swollen and wet entrance.
“Come on,” Rachel said, panting as she looked at him over her shoulder.
Justin jolted to a stop when he looked at Rachel’s eyes. They were green, but they were not warm. Not like a pair of blue eyes he couldn’t get out of his mind. He had an image of Lucy beneath him as he was ready to push inside, her eyes glazed with lust and her lips swollen from kissing. She was ready to be claimed by him. He had such a visceral reaction to the image that he abruptly pulled away from Rachel.
Justin ran his hand down over his face and blinked a few times as he realized Lucy wasn’t here. It was like a waking dream, but how was that even possible?
“What’s wrong?” Rachel asked, frustrated.
Why did he feel like he had been unfaithful? He didn’t even know Lucy. And the way things were going, he wasn’t likely to ever be with her.
“I can’t do this.” Justin pulled up his briefs and jeans. “You’ve got to go,” he said, zipping up his fly.
“What? What do you think you’re doing?” Rachel said as she sat up.
“Get dressed. Now.” Justin walked over and picked up her dress from where she left it. He was an asshole, but he didn’t want her here anymore.
“What’s the matter with you?” Rachel snarled at him.
Justin pulled her up to her feet, and shoved the dress in her hands. “Put this on and leave.”
“I came here to tell you we need to be together.”
“You broke up with me, remember?”
“It was a mistake. I want us to be together again.” She reached out to touch his face.
Justin jerked his head away, seizing her wrist. “It’s over. Get out,” he snapped.
“Or what? What will you do if I won’t leave?” She gave a bitter laugh.
Justin reached out and grabbed her dress and tried to tug it down her head, while Rachel tried to yank it off. The sound of material tearing filled him with dread.
Rachel yelped. “Now what? Are you going to push me out the door naked?” she cried, clutching the remains of her dress against her chest.
Justin glared at her. He was angry with himself for allowing her to stay and suck him off, but he had to get her out of here. He stalked off to his room and returned with a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. “Here, put these on,” he said, throwing them at her. “You’ll at least be able to get to your car. Now!” he shouted, trembling with anger.
Rachel sobbed and pulled the too-large clothes over her body. She stomped up to him and slapped Justin hard across his face. “You’re an asshole.”
Justin rubbed his face. He deserved it, but he no longer cared. “Go,” he muttered, watching her walk out and slam the door so hard he thought it would splinter at the hinges.
After Rachel had left, Justin took a scalding hot shower. His body felt contaminated, and he had to scrub Rachel’s scent off.
It was late now, but he couldn’t stay cooped up in the house another minute. He got dressed, took the keys to Phil’s car, and walked out the door to the garage.
“Nice,” Justin said, eyeing the sleek, silver convertible Porsche 911. He slid inside and turned the key, smiling when the turbo engine roared to life.
Justin raced up the Pacific Coast Highway trying to forget Rachel’s visit. Why the fuck did he let it happen? He yearned to see Lucy again, but she had refused. Suddenly, his earlier confidence about pursuing her faded. He had made a mess of things tonight, and felt unworthy of Lucy. And that image of her sensual and wanting? It seemed so real and yet impossible. Would he ever see her again?
After driving in silence for a while, Justin fiddled with the satellite station, and he sang with Bono to “Desire” as he drove alongside the ocean on a moonlit night. The song’s rhythm thrummed through his body, filling him with a yearning need for Lucy. Yes, he would see her again. He had to.
CHAPTER 10
Lucy
“So, will I be allowed to attend the Byzantine exhibit opening?” Cassie asked, taking a bite of spinach salad.
“Of course.” Lucy smiled, spearing a piece of chicken from her Chinese chicken salad. “I do know people who know people around here.”
“That’s great!” Cassie returned Lucy’s smile.
In the week since the party at her parents’ house, Lucy and Cassie had enjoyed lunch at the Preston a few times, and the two were quickly becoming friends. Cassie never mentioned her psychic “gifts” again, and Lucy never asked any questions.
“Ooh, it’s hot today,” said Lucy, fanning herself with a café menu. She was wearing a sleeveless black shift with a wide red belt and strappy red sandals. As a research fellow, Cassie could wear pretty much what she wanted. Today she wore a long, flowing, white linen dress. To Lucy, she looked as if she had never left Greece.
“How is it living on the Preston property?” Lucy asked. “It must be nice to avoid the horrible commute on the freeway.”
“It’s incredible.” Cassie nodded, sipping her lemonade. “In a way, it’s like being on your own island up here.”
“Do you ever go out in the evening?”
“I have a lot of work to do, so I don’t go out much,” Cassie said, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“It must get lonely sometimes.”
Cassie considered Lucy for a moment. “I’m used to it. It’s the life of a scholar, I guess.”
Lucy sat back and laughed. “Wow, it’s like you’re a medieval nun living in a cloistered convent, content to toil away as a scribe for the rest of your life.”
“That sounds like pure bliss to me.” Cassie stretched her arms above her head. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong in the twenty-first century at all,” she said wistfully.
“I can understand the appeal of immersing yourself in research,” Lucy said. “But I think most cloistered nuns must have occasionally wanted to go outside the convent walls.”
“Not everyone wants to,” Cassie said in a quiet voice.
She believed Cassie would be delighted doing just what she said, living apart from the world. Lucy recognized her own habit of withdrawing from her social life and it made her uncomfortable. Was she using her studies as an excuse to hide?
Lucy glanced at her phone. “Listen, I’ve got to get back to work, but I have an idea. My friend Colleen is always pushing me to go out with her. How about if you and I leave our cloistered lives behind and join her?”
Cassie grimaced. “Um, I’m not sure.”
“Think about it. You can always say no. I’ll be in touch about the exhibit invitation.”
“Great, I can’t wait to see it. I understand some of the objects have never left Greece or Constantinople before.”
“You know Constantinople has been called Istanbul since the 1920s, right?” Lucy said with a giggle.
“Not to me, it’s not.” Cassie shook her head. “To me it will always be Constantinople.”
Back in her office, Lucy grinned at the “Treasures of Byzantium” exhibition catalog on her desk.
“It’s on page thirty-five,” Greg said.
Lucy turned the pages until she found the photo of the Varangian Cross.
She hadn’t seen the cross since the day it arrived. And now, contemplating the photograph, it was hard to believe she ever had a reaction to it. She traced the image with her fingers.
Greg startled her out of her thoughts. “I reviewed your medieval manuscript notes for the elementary school docents.”
“Oh?” Lucy turned around to give him her full attention.
Greg leaned back in his chair. “This was a straightforward assignment that required you to update simple information for school kids.”
“And?” Lucy worked hard on this assignment and was aware she had taken a risk with her approach to the topic, but she didn’t want to disappoint her boss.
“It’s all great. Except for one thing.” Greg looked at her carefully.
“What’s the one thing?” His tone was serious, and Lucy’s stomach churned with uneasiness about the direction of this conversation.
He sighed, tossing his glasses on the desk. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to include a news story about terrorists plundering the lapis mines in Afghanistan for museum visitors.”
“Why not?” Lucy raised her eyebrows. “It’s current, it’s true, and it presents a threat to Afghanistan’s economy and the art world. I think visitors would be interested in that.”
Greg inclined his head, his mouth set in a hard line. “This information is for kids, Lucy,” he said with a sigh. “I understand your passion for lapis, but the average visitor to a museum wants to escape their everyday world, not have reality shoved in their face.”
“I disagree,” Lucy said, sitting upright in her chair. “I don’t think we should sugarcoat the truth. People deserve to know about this issue, even if they are children.”
“I’m deleting it.”
“How about high school students?” she asked hopefully.
“No.” Greg cleared his throat. “But I want to be clear about something. I agree this is a critical issue. It just doesn’t belong on a children’s tour.”
Lucy raised her eyebrows in surprise, waiting for Greg to continue.
“Maybe we can use this information at another time, in another context, but just not now. Okay?”
“Okay.” She gave him a half-smile. “I can accept that.” She had anticipated some resistance to including this information, but at least Greg hadn’t tossed the idea away.
“Great,” Greg said, with a clap of his hands. “Now have something ready for me by the end of the day that will be meaningful to young children.”
Lucy returned to her computer, thinking about what Greg said. She smiled as she thought of an idea that would be perfect for a kids’ tour. She rolled her shoulders and dove into her research.
***
It was a beautiful evening when Lucy arrived home, and she was too restless to stay inside and work on her dissertation. She changed into some shorts and a tank top and was on her way to the beach when she noticed the neighbor’s gate was open and Lola was about to get loose.
Lucy grabbed the dog by the collar just in time. “Oh, no you don’t, crazy girl.” Lola wagged her tail with enthusiasm when Lucy scratched the Lab behind her ears. “Maybe your paw mama will let me take you for a walk.” She knocked on the door of the Wilson’s cottage, but no one answered. Lucy sent Lois Wilson a quick text that she was taking Lola for a walk and picked up the extra leash from a hook. “Come on, let’s go watch the sunset.” Lucy clipped the leash on, and they set off for the beach.
