The Thrill of You Read online

  “Yes, of course. What’s the big deal? It’s just a gig.”

  “No, it’s a personal gig. It’s very different. Perhaps you should consider getting another gig elsewhere. That region of the world isn’t exactly stable at the moment.”

  “Yes, Qatar is in the Persian Gulf, but as I’m sure you’re well aware, Qatar has strong military ties with the United States and has a very solid U.S. presence.”

  “You still need to drop them,” he said.

  “Are you presuming to run my life again?” she asked.

  He held his hands up in playful surrender. “Just a suggestion,” he offered.

  “Duly noted,” she said, smiling tightly.

  “So, will you play for me?” he asked. She looked away. “What?”

  She took a deep breath. “Actually, my playing has been off.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She shook her head. “It’s off, it’s wrong, it’s gone. I can’t play anymore,” she said softly. “I’ve lost it.”

  He took her hands in his and kissed each finger lovingly and then the palms of her hands. “No, you haven’t. It’s there inside of you. You’re incredibly talented. Whatever you feel you’ve lost is still right there inside of you.”

  She nodded. “I hope so.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. She laid her head against his chest and relaxed in his comforting strength. They stood in silence as the brilliance of twilight beamed down and the flicker of candlelight behind them faded.

  They walked to what was now her cabana. She sat down on the chaise and lay back, looking up. He went to release the side drapes.

  “No, leave them open,” she said. “No one’s here but us.” He nodded and pulled the ceiling drape back, revealing the stars above. He lay down beside her while releasing the clamp. The chaise began to gently swing. Cyanna looked up and smiled. The stars shone brightly above them. “Wow,” she whispered as he held her tight. She snuggled into his embrace.

  “Was the grandson, Ammar, the other man you considered?”

  “Yes,” she said quietly. “But I’m glad you agreed.”

  “You realize, of course, you’re not going back there. Ever.”

  She chuckled. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

  “Consider it an addendum to the second condition.”

  “Sorry, it’s much too late to add addendums. And speaking of which, you never told me the third condition,” she said.

  “I will later,” he said, kissing her forehead. “So what are your plans for tomorrow?”

  “I don’t know yet. What do you do around here for fun?”

  “Sail, swim, snorkel, shop...”

  “I get it, anything that begins with the letter S.”

  “No, but this is Key West, the party town of the States. We have everything here, including a dozen festivals a week.”

  “Oh right, Natalia and Tatiana were talking about a few of the festivals this week. They mentioned one called the Midnight Madness Festival. It’s tonight, right? And it’s private and it sounded really fun and interesting. Do you know about it?”

  “Yes, I know about it.”

  “Is it in town?”

  “Not exactly,” he said. “It’s more private than public.”

  “So what kind of festival is it?”

  “It’s hard to explain.”

  She sat up and looked down at him. “Well, what happens there?”

  He took a deep breath and sighed. “It’s more of you have to see it to believe it kind of thing.”

  “Fine, let’s go see it. Is it far?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Actually, it’s by invitation only.”

  She looked at him slyly. “Can you get us an invitation?”

  “I already have one.”

  “Well, good. Let’s go then. I probably need to change and find something nicer to wear.” She got off the chaise.

  He sat up. “That won’t be a problem. It’s a clothing-optional festival. It takes place on a private beach at the end of an outlet and at the stroke of twelve all clothes come off. It’s mandatory. That’s why it’s called Midnight Madness.”

  Her jaw dropped, and she blushed. “I’m guessing you’ve gone a time or two.”

  “A time or two.” He winked.

  “Okay, I think I’ll pass. To tell you the truth, I think I’d rather just sit here and look up at all the stars. It’s absolutely amazing to see the sky lit up like this.”

  Mikhail got off the chaise. “Come on. I have an idea.”

  “Does it involve removing my clothes in public?” she asked.

  “Only in private and only for me, but you will see stars, a lot of them,” he assured her. “You’ll love it, I promise.”

  They got into his car and drove to the marina. It was dark and the place seemed deserted, but she heard music coming from one of the yachts moored on the dock. They walked down the familiar platform to the end boat.

  The boat drifted on the waves; then he started it up, turned on the running lights and steered it out of the marina. Cyanna stood behind him, watching everything he was doing. She was amazed at how proficient he was.

  Now, on the open sea, she was surprised that there were so many boats out so late at night.

  “What do all the colored lights mean?”

  “They’re the rules of the road. It’s nighttime etiquette. White lights on the stern, that’s the back of the boat. The green lights are on the starboard and red on the port. It’s all about who’s the give-way vessel.”

  “So where are we going?”

  “To a wildlife reserve.”

  “Isn’t something like that off-limits?” she asked.

  “We’ll be fine.”

  He continued out into the darkness for about fifteen minutes. Then he seemed to steer the boat in a large circle with bright lights beaming out in every direction. He slowed.

  “Why did you do that?” she asked.

  “I needed to make sure no other boats were around.” He cut the motor, and there was silence except for the lapping of gentle waves on the boat’s hull. He dimmed the boat’s bright lighting. “Come on—let’s go down on deck. You’ll see better,” he said.

  They stood in the center of the deck. “Are you ready?” he asked. “Close your eyes.” She did.

  He turned all the boat lights off. Mikhail stood behind her. “Open.”

  Cyanna opened her eyes and gasped as she slowly looked around her. The sky sparkled and shone. Brilliant stars surrounded them above and reflected on the surface of the water below. In the total darkness, they were completely surrounded by the radiant infinity of the heavens.

  “Oh my God, this is amazing,” she whispered in sheer astonishment. “What—what is this place?”

  “We’re out in the middle of nowhere and far enough away from Key West and the ambient lights of the city.”

  She giggled, stunned by everything she saw. “It’s incredible. It’s like drifting in space. I’ve never seen anything so magnificent,” she muttered softly. “Thank you for bringing me here. I never imagined such awesome beauty.”

  “I’d say this was much better than the Midnight Madness Festival,” he said in her ear as he loosened the tie around her neck and pulled her dress zipper down. The dress slipped to her hips, falling to the deck. He massaged her shoulders and her back. He cupped her breasts and massaged them as his thumbs stroked her nipples. His hands roamed all over her body. He pulled the elastic band down and slipped his hand between her legs.

  She moaned, knowing her panties were already drenched. She gasped loudly as his finger dipped inside of her and began tantalizing her already swollen nub. Her hips began to move of their own volition. Her legs weakened, and she stumbled back into him. He guide
d her to sit down. She did, but all she could see was his shadow and the surrounding stars.

  “I can’t see you,” she whispered breathlessly.

  “You don’t have to, just feel me.”

  “You still have your clothes on.”

  “This isn’t about us making a baby right now. It’s about your pleasure, and I’ve been needing to taste you again. It’s been way too long, and I’m a starving man.”

  Her thoughts spun wildly. She knew exactly what he meant. She remembered he’d done it before in her apartment. Her stomach clenched and quivered. Her hands trembled. Her breath halted as she sat.

  He removed her panties, then spread her legs and placed each on his shoulders. Yes, she knew exactly what he intended to do. Her breathing increased and her stomach jumped in anticipation. He kissed, licked and nibbled the insides of her thighs. She trembled in eagerness. The warmth of his breath seared her skin and made her body tingle. She closed her eyes and held tight to the edge of the boat. Her breathing stuttered and her gasps got louder. The starving man began to eat.

  He licked her core with the flat of his tongue. Her body quaked and her legs trembled to close, but she couldn’t. He was there, right where she needed him. Her ragged breathing seemed to spur him on. His tongue stiffened and spread her lips. She gasped as he entered her. She squirmed and moaned as his mouth widened to devour all of her. He was slow, gentle and thorough. He feasted like he had all the time in the world. After several minutes, hours, days, of sheer madness he took the nib of her pleasure into his mouth and suckled.

  She screamed her mindless pleasure instantly. His vigorous action increased. Sucking, licking, teasing her more robustly. The more she squirmed and moaned, the more he increased her arousal. Her body shuddered as she panted wildly. Her heart beat faster and faster. She was quickly reaching her point of no return. Seconds later, she screamed her pleasure out again into the place called nowhere.

  Over and over again she climaxed in spasms of rapturous ecstasy. She quivered and trembled. Then just as she caught her breath, he started again. Slow to fast, then fast to slow. Her legs opened wider and Mikhail gorged himself on her wetness, licking and devouring her. The wicked, wonderful feel of his mouth in constant hunger spurred her to want more each time and go further. She couldn’t stop herself. The freedom of being out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the stars with Mikhail between her legs was beyond mind-blowing exhilaration. After one last heart-stopping, body-tensing, nerve-tingling, mind-bending orgasm, she yielded, lying back, completely worn-out.

  She closed her eyes as his tender kisses touched her body. His hands and his lips were everywhere all at once. Moments later she opened her eyes, still breathless. She reached out to him, feeling his hardness. She smiled to herself in the sparkling darkness. She stroked the length of him, then unsnapped and unzipped his pants. “Take your clothes off,” she said boldly.

  “It sounds like you want more,” he said.

  “Oh yes, much more. I want all of you,” she said. He removed his clothes. She lay back and pulled him on top of her. He entered her in one smooth motion. His first thrust was slow and controlled. The second and third increased slightly as he held her tighter and pushed deeper and deeper inside. Then the pace quickened faster and faster. Her breasts bounced, and she held tight to his strong muscled arms. Within moments his pleasure erupted and then hers once more.

  They lay naked in each other’s arms on the cushioned deck, completely surrounded by stars for what seemed like forever. Without words, they both knew without a doubt, this was more than just making a baby, this was falling in love.

  Chapter 9

  Three days had passed since their wondrous night on the boat beneath the stars. For her, that night had been the pinnacle of romance. Being in the middle of the ocean surrounded by sparkling stars was like nothing she had ever experienced. It was beyond magical.

  Since that time they’d eased into a perfectly comfortable routine with each other. When Mikhail went to work at the marina in the morning, Cyanna stayed around the house, venturing out only once or twice to walk around the grounds, sit out in the veranda or swim in the pool. Late in the afternoon, when he returned, they’d eat an early dinner and spend the evening exploring the wondrous sights of Key West together.

  Every day there was something new and different to do. They snorkeled in the reef, toured the area museums, took a boat ride around the island’s nature reserves and reveled in the island’s outrageous nightlife. Later at night they talked, danced or just relaxed and enjoyed their time together. But whatever they did, the end was the same: they made love. It was perfect.

  But this morning started off differently. It was still early when Cyanna woke up. She rolled over and reached out for Mikhail, but he wasn’t there. She leaned up and looked around the bedroom. He had obviously left earlier than usual. She lay back in bed for a few minutes, feeling a complete sense of satisfaction. She was happy. No, she was deliriously happy. It had been a long time since she could say that and really mean it. She yawned, stretched and closed her eyes. The sheer joy she felt lulled her right back to an easy, peaceful sleep.

  She woke up again. It was much later than she’d expected. What had seemed like just a brief nap was actually two and a half hours. She sat up and looked around. She was still alone. She sneezed. Great, that’s all she needed—a cold. She dragged herself out of bed and padded barefoot into the bathroom. After a nice, long, hot shower, she ran through her usual morning routine, including taking her basal body temperature.

  To her surprise, her temperature was slightly off. She sneezed again. She went back to the bedroom and sat down on the side of the bed. She sighed. All of a sudden she was exhausted. Maybe she had been overdoing it the past few weeks.

  She pulled out and consulted her electronic ovulation calendar. She hadn’t checked it in the past couple of days. At that time her hormonal estrogen levels were high and within the optimal parameters for conceiving. This morning they had leveled off. Her conception time was well over. She looked at the date on the calendar and realized what it was. Somehow in all the excitement of being here, she’d lost track of the date.

  A consuming sadness washed over her. It was the anniversary of her parents’ death. This was the first year she’d be alone. Since Derek was dead she was the only one left to celebrate their life and mourn their death.

  When she went downstairs, the first thing she saw was the violin still sitting on the foyer table. She picked it up and examined it. She tucked it beneath her chin. She picked up the bow. She cradled the neck, positioning her hands on the fingerboard. In one smooth motion she gently touched the hair of the bow to a single string. A single note flowed freely. She adjusted her chin on the chin rest and pulled through the next three strings.

  After a while music flowed from her with brilliant ease. She played Mozart’s Concerto no. 3, her favorite. The sparkling melody had her fingers tenderly touching as she pulled and pushed the bow grip to dance over the four synthetic strings. When she finished the piece, she stopped, holding the bow in midair. She released a long, even breath, then let the instrument rest on the table. She smiled. It felt good to play again. It felt right.

  She went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. As she drank, her cell phone rang. It was Donna. “Hello,” she said softly.

  “Hi. I just wanted to call and see how you were doing.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Cyanna, I know what you’re doing is important to you and I know this day is a hard one, but if you want to just pause everything for the next week or so—”

  “No, I’m fine. Yes, I am a little sad and—”

  “A little?” Donna asked.

  “Okay, I’m enormously sad, but this is my life now. I have no choice but to get used to it,” Cyanna said. Donna sighed. Cyanna knew something was up. “Spill it.”


  “What?”

  “I know that sound in your voice. What’s up?”

  “Ammar called again this morning asking for you. He said that he’ll be in the States in a few days and wanted to know if you were ready to play for his grandfather.”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “I told him that,” Donna said. “We talked some more and that’s when he offered to double the fee.”

  “Double the fee. What?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I said. One hundred thousand dollars to play a private concert is crazy, but they have money to burn, literally. That kind of money can go a long way when you’re raising a child alone.”

  Cyanna shook her head slowly. Donna was right. It was a lot of money. Truth be told, she did just fine making the money she made, but having a small cushion only made sense. But that would mean she’d have to leave Key West and Mikhail, putting everything on hold. She couldn’t do that. “Donna, please thank Ammar for me, but I’m still going to have to pass on his very generous offer.” She paused a few seconds. “Are you disappointed?”

  “No, not at all. Yes, it would have been a nice job and commission. But you need to stick to your guns. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Donna, wait. Thank you for being so supportive,” Cyanna began. “And thank you for sending the violin. It sounds perfect.”

  “You played,” Donna asked, surprised.

  “Yes, just now. It was good. I think I’m back.”

  “Honey, ya never left. Call me if you need me.”

  “I will. Talk to you soon.” Cyanna hung up, smiling and feeling much better.

  She picked up the violin and bow, went into the living room and began again. She played, and it felt fantastic to feel her music again. She flowed from one piece to another, back to back, she performed a solo concert of Mozart, Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Strauss, Brahms, Bach and—of course her absolute favorite—Beethoven’s violin Concerto in D major.