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Chapter Eleven
The property rambled along the edge of a lake; meadows, forest, meadows again and green lawns, gardens of flowers, giving way at last to the house. I expected a stately mansion and was surprised to find a modern home of glass and wood. It sprawled atop the rise of a grassy hill, blue spruce and pine trees framed each side. Towering maples rose in front and back. The woodiness, manliness and darkness of its appearance was broken only by pots of deep red geraniums decorating the walkway to the front door. I would have thought the entire scene pleasant if it wasn’t for the foreboding nature of my visit.
I’d told myself I was doing this for Will and our relationship; but I knew inside that I was doing it for me. Three days before, I’d told Will I was ready. I made my announcement over dinner in a wooden-tabled, red-checkered establishment that served hearty red wine with rich continental food. It was an electric moment when I was purposeful and unwavering in my determination to set the adventure into motion. Desire in me was alive and I felt more certain of myself than ever.
Now, however, my raw intention was accompanied by an exhilarating mix of excitement and fear as we approached the house, walked up the geranium-lined walkway, and rapped the brass door knocker on the massive door.
“I’m scared,” I said to Will.
“This is what you want?”
“Yes, I know it is.”
“Then your fear will pass.”
Will had been cool and competent that morning, not without his usual gentleness, but cautious. I suspected he was just a bit afraid, too.
“I’ve so much riding on this, what if…”
“You’ll find Reggie Harold absolutely enticing. You’ll want to do as he says. Trust me.”
I expected a servant to answer, but it was Reggie himself who swung wide the massive door. At first glance I felt I knew him, and I nearly gasped aloud when we were introduced. He was remarkably handsome, with an air of sophisticated aloofness that was absolutely breathtaking. He was simply dressed in a pair of gray slacks and a stiffly starched white shirt that was open at the neck. His blond hair was trimmed short, professionally styled. His eyes were blue and intense, startling even; his square-cut jaw aristocratic. He displayed an incredible sense of himself, a confidence that I rarely see in anyone. I’d felt the same about Jane and Will, but with Reggie it was different, although I wasn’t exactly sure how to define it, except that he seemed driven by some dark, mysterious and restless force beneath the elegant cool reserve.
I was immediately uneasy.
“Come in, Alex,” he said. We followed him through the door, then he turned to Will saying, “I need to talk with Alex alone.”
I glanced at Will, sharing my fear with him – legs trembling, stomach doing flip-flops, my sexual desire shooting darts through me that I could hardly bear.
“I’ll be here,” Will said quietly, flashing his charming grin in my direction, then he walked down a short flight of stairs and out a pair of large doors to a pool, around which several people were reclining in the sun.
The spacious foyer where I stood with Reggie was tiled in gray and white marble. I gazed above to an elegant glass chandelier that could easily have graced a fine museum. To the left of the foyer was a wide staircase leading to the second floor; and to the right was a large living room raised about four feet above the entry level with a steel and glass balcony around two sides. Both entry and living room looked out of the back of the house through a towering two story glass window. The spectacular view included the rolling hills beyond the estate, while nearer to the house was the patio, pool and tiered gardens leading to a pond below.
I stood in awe, unable to move, until Reggie finally shocked me back to the present. “Come with me,” he said, pulling me away from my amazement.
The living room was furnished with expensive leather, dark woods, more glass and steel. Textured pillows, artful baskets and expensive art with a few splashes of color softening the masculine look – though it remained unmistakably a man’s domain. Reggie sat in a comfy-looking leather club chair, motioning me to the chair opposite – an upholstered, armless chair that was obviously designed for style not comfort. I sat up straight, almost primly, which made me feel even more awkward in his imposing domain.
“So, tell me why you’re here, Alex,” Reggie began.
“Will asked me to come see you,” I replied.
“No,” he immediately contradicted. “You chose to come, so why are you here?”
I was flustered by his abruptness. “Will thought you could help me.”
Still he wasn’t pleased. “You chose to be here, Alex, because you desire something from me.”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“There’s no guessing here. You’re no victim. You came because you wanted to. Because you wanted what I could do for you. You’re a strong woman and you’ve created this moment. If you insist on blaming your presence here on Will, you can leave now.”
Whoa! I almost gasped for air. No one had ever spoken to me like that before.
“Well yes, I’ve chosen to be here, but even so I’m scared.”
“Be fearful, it will excite you more.” His piercing eyes looked into me as if he could see my soul. I was fascinated by the power he had over me, over my body, my thoughts, my emotions. We had just met and he wielded such amazing authority.
“Since you can’t seem to answer my
