In The Eye of the Beholder Page 5
Adam opened the door and smiled down at me, then pulled me close and dropped a gentle kiss on my lips before he shut the door and laced his fingers through mine. I loved it when he did that, it just seemed so natural and intimate. And I loved his hands--they were always warm, and his fingers were long and graceful, as well as exquisitely gentle. It was a shame that he couldn’t actively practice medicine, and sometimes I almost forgot he was a doctor. He was just so friendly and easygoing that he didn’t fit the stereotype of the tired, harried, standoffish doctors I’d dealt with in the business office. I sighed and smiled as he led me out onto the patio, and I finally began to relax as I sat down in a comfortable lounge chair and stared out at the calm, blue water of the pool. Adam sat down across from me and slid a soda across the table, then inquired, “Do you swim?”
“A little.”
“Good.” He opened his own soda and added, “Maggie made cheeseburgers and fries. I hope that’s alright with you.”
“Of course it is.” I watched as he got up and disappeared into the kitchen, and moments later he returned carrying two plates. I marveled at the huge cheeseburgers she’d made, as well as the French fries, but all I said was thank you as he set my plate in front of me and inquired, “I hope you like them medium well.”
“I do.”
“Good.” He sat back down and proceeded to devour his cheeseburger, and between bites he inquired about my week. I sipped my soda and replied, “It was alright, I guess. It can be stressful sometimes.”
“I saw my eye doctor and neurologist this week.”
“Oh?”
“They both said I’m doing well.”
“That’s good.”
“No luck finding a donor yet, though.”
“Maybe you’ll have one soon.”
“I hope so.”
I nodded and finished eating, then cleared the table and inquired, “Well? When would you like to go for a swim?”
“Maybe in an hour.”
I nodded and asked him if he’d like another soda, but he said no and seemed content to remain quiet. I took the opportunity to study the enormous courtyard that consisted of the pool, several palm trees, a guest cottage, and lots of wind chimes and potted plants. The faint smell of chlorine hung in the air, and even from here I could also smell the pleasant, tangy scent of the ocean. The sun was beginning to set, and I sighed as I glanced up at the pink and purple hued sky. Adam cleared his throat and inquired, “Is something wrong?”
“No. I was just admiring the sunset.”
Adam nodded and replied, “Yeah, I miss that.”
“Would you like for me to describe it to you?”
“Sure.”
“The sun’s setting, so the sky is getting darker. Right now it’s streaked with shades of pink, purple, orange, and gold. I can smell the chlorine and the sea breeze, and the water in the pool is rippling slightly.”
Adam smiled and said, “That was good. Have you ever considered becoming a writer?”
“No.”
“Well, you should.”
“Tell you what--I’ll consider writing, if you’ll consider a career as a massage therapist.”
He laughed and got to his feet, then peeled off his T-shirt and shorts and said, “Are you ready to go for a swim now?”
“Sure.” I got up and stripped down to my swimsuit, and I was pleasantly surprised when Adam pulled me into his arms and gently ran his hands along the outline of my body. He lingered on my waist and hips, then smiled and said, “Nice.”
I blushed, even though he couldn’t see me, and replied, “Thank you.”
He laughed again and said, “You’re welcome.” He pulled me closer and gave me a deep, gentle, thorough kiss, and by the time he released me, swimming was the last thing on my mind. I figured the cold water would do wonders to restore my equilibrium, but I soon discovered that the pool was heated. It was like getting into a warm bath, and I sighed and closed my eyes as my body relaxed. I stretched out on my back and lazily floated toward the deep end, and that’s when panic set in. Even though I could swim, deep water terrified me, and Adam seemed to sense my predicament as he swam over to me and gently put his arms around my waist. I threw my arms around his neck and clung to him as he easily swam over to the cool tile of the pool wall, and his voice was laced with concern as he inquired, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. I’m just a little terrified of deep water.”
“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, Sophie. Surely you know that by now.”
I simply nodded and swallowed hard as I tried to relax, but that was impossible to do since my feet weren’t touching the bottom of the pool. Alex shook his head and smiled just before he kissed me, and as I kissed him back I was surprised when I felt his hand slide ever so gently between my legs. I gasped softly and opened my eyes, then closed them again and moaned softly as his fingers found and teased the most sensitive spot on my body through my swimsuit. He raised his head and gently inquired, “Do you want me to stop?”
“No…Oh, God, No…,” I breathed as I threw my head back and wrapped my legs around his. He laughed softly and continued his slow, gentle stroking of my ultra-sensitive flesh, and I didn’t protest when he pulled the fabric of my swimsuit aside and eased a finger into me. I gave a ragged moan of pleasure and shuddered at this new sensation, and Adam’s voice was gentle as he inquired, “Am I hurting you?”
“No…”
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No…”
“Good.” He kissed me again as he gently caressed me with his finger, and I was certain I was going to die from sheer pleasure as he pushed his finger a little deeper with each exquisite, gentle stroke. My breathing had turned deep and ragged long before he caressed an exquisitely sensitive spot deep inside me, and I gave a strangled moan and shuddered as intense pleasure exploded deep within me. I fell against Adam’s chest as my entire body went limp, and long moments later he gently inquired, “Sophie? You alright, sweetheart?”
“Mm-hmm…” I finally raised my head from his shoulder and added, “Where’d you learn to do that?”
He simply laughed and replied, “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Hmm…You’re a gentleman?”
“Absolutely. I’ll never do anything you don’t want me to do.”
I fought the urge to ask him if that included breaking my heart, and instead I sighed and pushed myself away from his warm, solid body. He smiled and inquired, “Going somewhere?”
“Yeah.”
“Where?”
“To the shallow end.”
He laughed softly and effectively pinned me against the pool wall as he said, “There’s no reason to be afraid, Sophie. I’d never let anything happen to you.”
I was tempted to tell him that something HAD happened to me, that I’d fallen head over heels in love with him, but I knew that such a statement would have disastrous consequences. Instead, I kissed him gently on the lips, and I was surprised when he took the opportunity to pull me against him and kiss me deeply. Desire swept through me, and the intensity of my longing frightened me immensely. I desperately wanted to feel his gentle fingers inside me again, even though I knew that such actions would lead to something more. By the time he raised his head, I was trembling, and his voice was laced with a mixture of concern and amusement as he inquired, “Cold?”
“No.”
He simply smiled and pulled me away from the wall, and my stomach knotted in fear when I was reminded again of just how deep the water was beneath me. Since I’d stiffened in fear I immediately began to sink, but Adam pulled me up and murmured, “Just relax, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” He pulled me close and added, “I thought you said you could swim.”
“I can, but…”
“But what?”
“I fell off a boat when I was younger and nearly drowned. Even though I know how to swim, deep water still terrifies me. All I can think about is how helpless and terrified I felt as I sank to the bo
ttom. After a minute or two I was desperate for air, and even though I knew I was in the water I opened my mouth to breathe. All I did was suck water into my mouth, and I think that’s when my father finally found me and pulled me to the surface. But not before I thought I was going to die.”
“How old were you?”
“Maybe ten.”
Adam nodded and said, “Well, you’re here with me, and I’d never let anything like that happen to you. You’re always safe with me.”
“Unless you’re driving.”
He laughed and shook his head, then said, “Yeah, you’re right.”
“That didn’t make you angry, did it?”
“No, Sophie, it didn’t make me angry. I like a person with a sense of humor, and I’m able to laugh at myself now. Five years ago it would’ve made me angry, but not now.”
“I’m glad.”
“Would you like to get out now?”
“Sure.” We’d finally reached the shallow end, and I shivered as I climbed out of the pool and wrapped a warm, thick towel around myself. Adam did the same, and after walking back into the house he surprised me again by helping me into a warm terry cloth robe that came down to my knees and nearly swallowed me up. He donned a similar robe and cinched the belt at his waist, then said, “Swimming always makes me hungry. Would you like another cheeseburger?”
I laughed and replied, “We didn’t exactly swim, but I will take some of those fries.”
He grinned and inquired, “You liked those, huh?”
“Among other things.”
He laughed and walked into the kitchen, then prepared another cheeseburger for himself and handed me a plate piled high with warm, crispy French fries. We sat down in the kitchen and devoured the food, and several minutes later he inquired, “What time is it?”
“Nine o’clock.”
He got up and loaded our dirty dishes into the dishwasher, then sighed and pulled me into his arms before he kissed me. His kisses were enough to ignite my desire all over again, and as he raised his head he inquired, “Would you like to come over again tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“There’s supposed to be a blues concert on the pier tomorrow evening. Would you like to go?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. Be here at four-thirty so we can make it to the pier by five. Unless you want me to drive.”
I laughed and replied, “That’s OK--I’ll drive.”
“Good.” He seemed reluctant to release me, and I was reluctant to leave, even though I knew that I needed to. I knew that too much too soon would mean instant death for our relationship, even though I wasn’t clear on just how much of a relationship we actually had. I sighed and reluctantly eased myself out of his gentle hold, then said, “Well, I guess I’d better get going…”
“You really don’t have to, you know. It’s late, and do you really want to go back to an empty, dark apartment?”
“I left a lamp on.”
He laughed softly and said, “That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
I sighed and said, “Yeah, I know.”
“Well? Would you like to stay?”
I considered his offer for a few moments, and decided to go home instead. I’d learned a little something from reading all those magazines, and I figured a little mystery in the relationship never hurt anything. I gently framed his face with my hands and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, then said, “No. I need to go home. But I’ll be here tomorrow at four-thirty.”
“Alright. I’m looking forward to it.”
“So am I.” I smiled and forced myself to turn around and walk away, but deep down I knew it was for the best.
Chapter 5
The next day I arrived at Adam’s house at four-fifteen, and he smiled as he opened the door and casually leaned against the doorjamb. “You’re early.”
“I know. I figured I’d be a little early so we could get good seats.”
He laughed and said, “We’ll have good seats anyway. I know the owner of the restaurant.”
“Oh, we’re going to a restaurant?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
He laughed again and inquired, “For what?”
“I didn’t know you were feeding me as well.”
He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, then said, “I’m a gentleman, remember?”
I blushed a deep shade of crimson as I replied, “Of course I remember.”
He laughed softly and said, “So do I.”
His statement caused my cheeks to grow even warmer than they already were, and he frowned in concern as he inquired, “Are you feeling alright? You feel awfully warm.”
“I’m fine, Adam.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” I glanced at my watch and added, “Are you ready to go?”
“Sure.”
“Are you familiar with this restaurant?”
“Yes, as well as the pier.”
“Are you taking Mickey?”
“No. There’s no need to.”
I nodded and smiled when he laced his fingers through mine, and moments later we were in my car and on our way to the pier.
The restaurant was already crowded when we arrived, but the maitre d greeted Adam by name and said, “I’m glad you could make it tonight. And who is this lovely lady you’re with?”
I smiled at the maitre d and replied, “My name is Sophie. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The man smiled and led us to a table on the pier, and I was surprised to discover that our table was almost directly in front of the stage. The maitre d took our drink order and disappeared into the crowd of people, and as Adam relaxed in his chair I inquired, “So who’s playing tonight?”
“The Eagles.”
“Oh my God! You’re kidding, right?”
He grinned as he replied, “No, I’m not kidding.”
“And we have front row seats!”
“That’s right.”
“Adam--I don’t know what to say except thank you.”
He simply shrugged and replied, “I figured you’d enjoy a live Eagles concert, so here we are. Alex isn’t really into the Eagles, and I was planning to come alone. Until I met you, that is.”
“How long have you known that they were going to be here tonight?”
“Six months. A big name like The Eagles means that tickets would be nearly impossible to get, so I was standing in line an hour after I heard the announcement on the radio.”
“How did you manage to get front row seats?”
“Since the restaurant manager was selling tickets as well, he did me a small favor and gave me the best seat in the house.”
“Did you save his life or something?”
Adam smiled and replied, “Actually, yes, but I never use that as an excuse to wangle a favor from someone.”
“What happened to him?”
“Heart attack. I happened to be the doctor on duty when he was brought in and acted quickly enough to save the man’s life and spare him from risky surgery.”
“Were you already blind when that happened?”
“Yes. That happened last year.”
“I see.” I spotted the maitre d running around to different tables, making sure everyone had a drink in front of them and that they were in the right seat. I shook my head in amazement as I tried to picture the man clutching his chest in agony and fearing for his life; until he got lucky enough to meet Adam in the emergency room. I turned my attention back to Adam, who had his eyes closed and was simply enjoying the sound of the people around him, as well as the sea breeze that was stirring his soft, silky hair. At that moment I knew without a doubt that I loved him, and I had to bite my lip so as not to cry as I wondered if our relationship would ever develop into something more. I suddenly wondered how I’d ever enjoyed my life without him in it, and the thought of not having him in my life was enough to make my heart ache. He suddenly opened his eyes and seemed to l
ook right at me, and his voice was gentle as he inquired, “Is something wrong?”
“No. I’m just enjoying being here.”
“So am I.”
“What time are they supposed to start?”
“Seven.”
“Oh.”
“I thought we’d enjoy some dinner first. What would you like?”
I picked up my menu and glanced at my choices, and Adam laughed when he heard my stomach rumble. “Hungry?”
I smiled and blushed as I replied, “A little.”
“The steak and shrimp are excellent here.”
“Then you’ve talked me into it.”
He smiled and nodded, and moments later the maitre d returned to personally take our order. He disappeared into the crowd again and returned half an hour later with our dinner, and as we ate I inquired, “So what’s Alex doing tonight?”
“I think he has a date.”
“Have you met his girlfriend?”
“Yes. She seems to be nice.”
“That’s good.”
We finished our meal in comfortable, companionable silence, and as we waited for The Eagles to take the stage the maitre d returned and spent several minutes talking with Adam and me. He finally got up and gave me a smile, then said, “You two enjoy the concert. If you need anything, I won’t be far away. Just raise your hand, OK?”
Adam nodded and thanked him, then turned to me and inquired, “Excited?”
“Of course. This is probably a once in a lifetime thing.”
He laughed and teased, “What’s that? Having dinner with me in a restaurant?”
“No, silly. The concert.”
“Just sit back and enjoy.”
“I intend to do just that.” Even though I was thirty and liked to think of myself as worldly and wise, I couldn’t resist yelling and clapping like a teenager when The Eagles finally appeared on stage. Adam simply laughed and settled back in his chair to enjoy the evening.
We finally returned to Adam’s house at one a.m., after a glorious, if not rather loud, concert that had left my ears ringing and my equilibrium slightly off. Adam laughed softly as I stumbled up to his front door, and his voice was soft and amused as he said, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were drunk.”