Breath

Breath

      While in Spain I had saved the company over a billion dollars over the course of two weeks. Our biggest supplier was looking to cut costs on their end which meant a massive layoff on top of down grading their products which in turn would effect our business and well, that's a problem. I was a newbie, still wet behind the ears but my boss was desperate and since I always had ideas he put the pressure on my shoulders and off I went.

     By the end of my last day in Spain I had three contracts signed ensuring the future of both business but I told our supplier that pen on paper means little to me. I said this in a room full of lawyers and big time business men. I wish you could have seen the look on everyone's face because the tension behind their eyes was slowly turning to rage. I simply stood up from the conference table and walked over to the big boss and held out my hand.

He looked me up and down for a moment, unsure as to what my end goal was. So I told him. I said anyone could sign a piece of paper but right now I give you my word that we will keep our end of the bargain, weather or not you hold up your end. Now I had no right to say such things but it meant the world to our supplier. He stood up, shook my hand and kissed me on the cheek before signing the documents. Handshakes went around the room and I could not have been happier.

     Naturally they all wanted to go out for drinks but after crunching numbers for two weeks I had no desire to drink myself silly. So I left my co-workers and took the long walk back to my hotel alone. The hotel I was in had a wedding earlier and so the entire place was decorated with flowers and fancy bows and ribbons. I noticed a sign that had a photo of the happy couple inside the lobby. The Groom looked Spaniard while the Bride looked African.

     “Good for them,” I commented more to myself than anything but the hotel's concierge overheard me.

     “The Bride was breathtaking,” he said with a wide smile. Indeed she was beautiful, eyes like Aishwarya Rai with Alicia Keys' nose. Her mouth reminded me of Charlize Theron while her body was like Beyonce Knowles. A unique and yet beautiful combination making her one of the most stunning women I've ever seen. Thunder then echoed from the outside breaking the trance the picture had clearly put on me.

     “Got here just in time!” the concierge commented before patting me on the shoulder and departing to continue his regular duties. I nodded my head as more thunder alerted us to the coming storm. Making my way toward the elevator when I heard my phone go off. Reaching for it I checked the ID I saw it was actually a text message from a number I wasn't familiar with. After hitting the elevator button I opened the message.

Billy, where are we meeting at tonight? I'm finished getting ready and can be at your house in an hour.

     I shook my head, a wrong message. Poor thing, I thought to myself when I heard some laughter along with the clinging of glasses to my left. I glanced over and saw a man and woman walking out the hotel restaurant arm in arm. The sight was beautiful to me as they made their way toward me, obviously trying to get to the elevator. Then it hit me, why deprive myself of one drink before going to bed. It's not like I had far to go before I was in my room. So I walked into the hotel's restaurant and notice the bar is empty with the exception of one woman sitting alone.

     I took a seat at the bar, ordered a rum and coke and sat silently on my end of the bar. I had been nursing my drink for no more than ten minutes before my phone went off again. Checking the phone I saw that it was another text.

Billy, it's Ashley. Why aren't you calling me back? Are we going out still?

I felt bad for Ashley since she had been looking for her friend. So I answered her text.

Hello Ashley, I'm sorry to tell you this but this isn't Billy's number. I hope you have another means of contacting him.

     I pressed send and placed the phone back in my pocket when it dawned on me who the woman was sitting across the bar from me. The bride from today's wedding was sitting alone in the corner of the bar. Now I should tell you that I do have an addictive personality my main addiction being beautiful women and as strong as this addiction is my second addiction kicks in. When a woman is in trouble I feel compelled to help. I don't know why but I feel this need to reach out to try and sooth their pain.

So I stand up and make my way to the end of the bar and before she could bring her cosmopolitan glass up to her lips I hovered my hand over her drink. Her quick glance at me was an infuriated one. Wouldn't yours be if a stranger came and hovered their hand over your drink?

     “Save yourself the trouble and leave me alone,” she snapped with a British accent.

     “Why don't you tell me what happened?” I asked removing my hand.

     “Two guys have tried to pick me up and their pick up lines were much better than that,” she took a sip from her glass. “If you have a better one let's hear it before you sod off,” her eyes looked into mine once more as her lips pursed and her hand tightened around her glass.

     “Okay,” I said taking a seat. “You talk, I listen and when you're done I will give you some input before bowing graciously and leaving you to contemplate your actions,” I said and when she opened her mouth to speak the words had escaped her.

     “I need you to use your words,” I said.

      “Are the drinks on you?” she asked.

     “Depends on how long you plan on keeping me here, I do have a flight to catch in the morning.” she laughed only to mock me but then settled down.

     “I got married today,” she began.

     “I saw the picture. Your family and friends must be furious.” I said snapping my fingers in the air to grab the attention of the bartender.

     “How would you know that?” she asked in confusion and then my phone rang again with another text message. I reached for my phone and read the text.

Sorry to bother you with the text messages

     “What can I get for you?” the bartender asked. I looked up putting my phone back in my pocket.

     “One rum and coke and another cosmopolitan for my friend here.” I glanced at her once more then looked at the bartender. “And two shots of the strongest stuff you have in the house,”

     “That can be pricey,” she said arching an eyebrow.

     “I just saved a bundle on my car insurance,” I said with a smile. The bartender nodded and walked away.         

     “Please forgive my rudeness. Continue.”

     “No, you were going to tell me how you knew my friends and family were upset with me,” I took a deep breath before finishing the last of my drink.

     “The simple or complicated version?” I asked but couldn't contain my smile when she answered back.

     “Both,”

     “Simple version, you've got a British accent and the man you married earlier today is clearly from Spain. The British and the Spaniards get along worse the Puerto Rican's and Cuban's.” I said and she dropped her jaw looking down in shock.

     “And the complicated version?”

     “Your ring finger is missing it's newly acquired jewelry,” I said pointing to her ring hand. I also noticed her clothes were off. “You're wearing a tee-shirt and jeans but your shirt is fitted.” she looked down at her shirt curiously.

     “So?”

     “The hour is late and you're suppose to with your husband and I believe you tried to be but something happened and you decided to leave your room in a rush. So much of a rush that you forgot to remove your embroidered outfit meant for your husband's eyes. You look lovely by the way,” she quickly pulled at her shirt realizing that parts of garment could be seen through her shirt.

     “Bloody hell,” she said in shock. “Notice anything else?” she said just as the bartender handed them their drinks and poured their shots.

     “This is the most fun you've had in ages but you feel guilty that your here with a stranger instead of in your room with your husband and yet after this conversation you feel compelled to stay here and see how it ends.” I said taking a sip of my rum and coke. She took a moment to think about what I said before finishing her first cosmopolitan.

     “How does this end?” She asked with tension in her voice.

     “It ends with us shaking hands and parting ways as what I call therapeutic friends. Nothing more,” she took a moment to contemplate what I said then nodded.

     “Therapeutic,” she whispered.

     “Therapeutic friends yes. I'm hoping that I can convince you to pick up the tab afterward,” we both shared a laugh before she shook her head.

     “I'll be your therapeutic friend tonight but I am not picking up the tab!” she said said.

“Then I should be telling you my problems then!” I laughed and it was at that moment all the defensive walls came down. She began to tell me how her family got into some financial trouble and her husband agreed to help the family if her father consented to give him her hand in marriage. She was like a character plucked from a fairytale waiting for her prince charming.

“It would be great if the right man came along and swept you away,” I said.

“I had a prince charming once,” she said sadly.

“All women think they do, but Prince Charming doesn't exist. Sure it might seem like it for a short while but in the end he ends up to be like all the others.”

“And why is that?” she asked putting her hand on my arm for a moment before removing it.

“It's because in reality Prince Charming represents something new, something noble and true like all people when you first meet them. But then you get to know the person and realize they have flaws too. Some more than others.” I said with a laugh. “Then the routine between you and Prince Charming gets old and you feel choked until another Prince Charming comes along and you can breath again. Then it starts all over again,”

“That was beautiful,” she said shaking her head. “Kind of sad but with enough truth that it makes perfect sense.”

“I try,” I say with a shrug.

“So are you saying that at this very moment you're my Prince Charming?” she asked grabbing her shot glass. I took my shot glass and clinked it against hers.

“No, I'm your therapeutic friend remember. Prince Charming is upstairs in your room.” we both placed the shots to our lips and took them back. She proceeded to tell me how she tried to like her husband. Looking for something to find in him but all she found was an ordinary man with wealth and while the money was appealing the idea of having to have spend the rest of her life with a man who could never truly satisfy her was daunting. She told me about her intentions to make her wedding night special by dressing in sexy lingerie only to find her husband passed out on the bed with a bottle of Dom Perignon in his hand.

     “I am so sorry,” I said.

     “I'm trapped.” she sighed.

“Leave. Get out of here with the clothes on your back and make a new name for yourself!” was all I could think of.

     “A romantic gesture but I love my family too much. My husband would destroy them if I did such a thing.”

      “So what other option do you have besides rebelling when he isn't around?” I asked and she simply shrugged.

     “I wish Prince Charming did exist,” she said softly. I reached down and grabbed her hand and held it firmly.

“You're a good woman,” I said remembering that the entire night I had been talking to her I never got her name.

“Harmony,” she said. “My name is Harmony. Thank you for listening to me, sorry if I was a bit apprehensive earlier.”

“Truth be told you were more than a bit,” I said with a straight face. She laughed tightening her grip on my hand.

“Why do you look so serious all of the sudden?”

“I feel bad that there's nothing I can do for you. That I'm not the Prince Charming you needed,” She pulled me close and gave me a hug.

“You're definitively a charmer.” she said as I held her in my arms. When we released each other we did so slowly, our cheeks brushing against one another softly before our eyes locked on one another. We were in such close proximity and the chemistry between us was exploding all around us.

“I never got your name,” she said just above a whisper.

“Art.”

“As in Arthur?” she asked and I shook my head. “Art as in Arturo?” and when I shook my head she waited for me to answer.

“As in work of.” I said and she nodded her head.

“Your mum named you well.” she blinked her eyes slowly, her lips inviting me to taste them. I pulled back, placed my room key on bar and took her by the hand. The bartender quickly swiped the card and placed the card back on the bar.

     “I hope this was therapeutic for you,” I said helping her to her feet. I turned to walk away, my hand releasing hers when her grip tensed pulling my attention back toward her. She wanted to speak, she wanted to say just the right thing but the words had escaped her. So instead she picked up my room's key card and placed it in my hand before she followed me to the elevator.

     The truth is a bit blurry after that. Did she part ways with me after I walked her to her hotel room? I remember doing that. Getting off the elevator and walking with her in silence right up to her door, shaking her hand and standing off to the side as she walked into the room and closed the door.

I also remember going back to my room and seeing a rainstorm hit the window with sheets of rain, the lighting illuminating my dark room before a knock on the door. I recall feeling puzzled as to why someone was knocking. When I opened the door I know I saw her standing in the hallway staring at me, her heart pounding out her chest with what she had just done.

     “I need my charming therapeutic friend.” she said walking into the room and closing the door behind her. The soft touch of her hands as they cupped my face to bring my lips closer to hers. My hands slowly removing her shirt before she tore my shirt open sending the buttons to bounce in all directions. Picking her up, our lips locked as we made our way to the glass windows. Like hungry savages we tore the rest of our clothes off.

I know I tore her expensive black lingerie open freeing her firm breasts as she gasped for air. Once naked I lifted her into the air once again, her legs wrapping around my head. Hands running through my hair as my tongue penetrated her, my taste buds tasting sweet nectar. It took a moment before her body began its uncontrollable shiver and she released a scream in unison with an orgasmic explosion.

Sliding her down slowly so my lips could leave a trail of kisses I stopped at her breasts while her hands took hold of my throbbing shaft. Her lips kissed my ear before she pushed me back. With such force this gentle women was now the aggressor pushing my back against the glass as she knelt down wrapping her mouth around me as her hands took a firm grip of my ass.

       It had to have been a dream. It could not have been real. Hours ago she had taken a vow, although to a man she did not want or love, a vow none the less. But her touch felt real...and had it been real I should have stopped her before letting her come inside my room. Though if this wasn't real and only a manifestation of my desires coming out through the alcohol then why should I deny myself?

Lighting flashed illuminating the room again as my hands stroked her hair and caressed her face as I moaned to to the silent rhythm we both danced to. Before I could cum I pulled her up and kissed her fiercely. After a moment she stepped back, took a moment to inhale the moment that now lingered around us. She took another few steps back until her legs were against the bed, only her silhouette visible. Slowly she turned around and crawled onto the bed stopping halfway where she lowered her head against the sheets, silently inviting me to enter.

     Without hesitation I walked to the bed and took the opportunity to indulge my tongue once more licking from the tip of her clit to the bottom of her wet arousal. I continued to do this, a form of sexual anticipation until her body exploded once more.

        “No more, I need you inside me.” she gasped as I stood up. Grabbing myself at the base I slowly guided my tip until it was enveloped inside the wet folds. A moan lost to the sound of lighting as I slid deep within her, slowly picking up pace until a steady rhythm was met. Her hands gripped the sheets and tightened as she screamed passionately into the bed to muffle her own voice. I know I did my best to hold out from finishing, no small feat knowing who was moaning to a higher power before me. Her body tensed after a moment then shivered before collapsing onto the bed gasping for air.

“Are you okay?” I asked kneeling on the bed.

“I've never came so much,” she said after a moment of panting.

“Do you want some water?” I asked but she was only interested in one thing.

“Lay down,” she said or rather ordered me. As I sat on the bed, my back and head propped up by pillows she slowly straddled me, guiding me inside her once more. Even in the dark, her light eyes fixed on mine while gyrating her hips. It wasn't long before she was moving faster then even I could handle as if in competition to finish before I disappear.

I grabbed her shoulders slowing her to a stop.

     “What? What is it?” she asked with confusion. I brushed the hair away from her face slowly.

     “Look at me.” I said. “I'm not going anywhere, breath.” I said running my hands down the side of her body, resting on her hips. “Stay in this moment,” I whispered while guiding her hips to rock back and forth at an even pace.

     “This isn't just fucking is it?” she asked with much confusion in her voice.

     “No. No this is much more.” I answered. She then leaned forward and kissed me while letting my hands guide her and after a moment she grunted.

“I'm cuming,” her hands clawed at my chest, before moaning aloud. She took a deep breath afterward then lowly came to rest on top of me.

“Breath.” I said stroking her hair. “Just breath,” was the last thing I recall before opening my eyes at the crack of dawn only to see her in my doorway.

“Harmony?” I asked half asleep.

“I have to go,” she said sounding sad.

“My flight doesn't leave for a few more hours.” I said trying to focus but my head was throbbing from the liquor and shots.

“Sometime today I should probably consummate my marriage.” she motioned for the door handle while saying. “Thanks for being a therapeutic friend.” and then she was gone and to this day I can't figure out if she really came to my room after we parted in front of her hotel room door or at that moment when she snuck out my room.

“Art, you live a rather interesting lifestyle.” Stephen asked from his chair in the corner of his office. Art slowly sat up from his psychologist's couch and nodded.

“Yeah I get that a lot,” Art said with a smile.

“Harmony seemed fixed on wanting to be alone and yet you forced yourself into her life when you tried to prevent her from drinking. Then you comfort her, speaking in riddles and creating a fantasy in her subconscious that she couldn't refuse. Don't you feel ashamed?” he asked adjusting his glasses while waiting for Art to answer.

“I didn't force myself. At least I didn't intend for all this to happen the way it did or may have happened. I know I tried to walk away but if I did then how did she know what room I was in?” Art asked shaking his head.

“You payed for the drinks with your room key. Couldn't she have seen the room number when you handed it to the bartender?” Stephen asked and Art agreed.

“But she came to me out of free will,”

“I don't believe so Art. You created a fantasy through your conversation that rooted into her subconscious and then you allowed her to come to what she believed she was her conclusion when in fact you had been guiding her all along. You were her 'Prince Charming' hiding behind the mask of her 'therapeutic friend'. Then you took advantage of her when she entered your room.

“And if it didn't happen? What if she did go into her room and dreamt the sex?”

“It wouldn't matter Art, because it was real to you and until you get these urges in check then the next time it might be real and some other woman will get her feeling hurt.” Art too a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“Now what about the text messages from the Ashley woman?”

“What about her?” Art asked.

“Where does she fit into all of this?” Stephen asked taking notes on his notepad. Art nodded his head and laid back down.

“Ashley was a slow occurrence entering into my life a text at a time.”