By Micki L. Bailey

"So Vince wants to stop in for a short visit," Roger was saying as he looked down and stirred his pasta and shrimp. "He says if it’s okay with you."

Only vaguely aware that she was doing so, Maggie stared across the table at him adoringly. Even the way he gracefully held his fork gave her erotic shivers up and down her spine.

"Okay with me?" she forced out, realizing it was her turn to speak.

But he didn’t seem to notice her semi-trance. He glanced up, focusing his piercing eyes on her – and stealing her breath away.

"You live here too, and you been busting your ass lately with the new place and all…….Ya might not want any company……...Anyway, I’m supposed to ask." He smiled with twinkling eyes and bit into his bread.

God, has it been three years already? she thought. All that time together, and still you upend my universe with a mere smile. How do you manage such power over my heart? Maybe I just fell in love with you all over again on our little Valentine’s getaway. Is that what you intended?

But what came from her mouth was, "Vinnie’s welcome here anytime, Roger. You know that. And I’d love to see him again. When’s he coming?"

"Thursday……..Said he’d probably hang out through the weekend, if that’s cool. He’s headed down to San Francisco from here for some job." He’d returned to his plate, from which he ate greedily.

And greedily, she still watched him. Her appetite matched his, toe to toe. Electric Light Orchestra screamed an oldie in her mind: "Never seen nothing like you."

"Oh, good. He’ll be here for Benjamin and Elyse’s party Saturday night."

Roger looked over at her again with a full mouth, dramatically faking an expression of surprise. She frowned.

"Don’t gimme that look, Roger. I told you ‘bout that party in the mountains. Don’t even start with your antics and pretending you can’t make it."

He swallowed and lightly touched his face with his napkin. "Ah, baby, if your shopping buddy’s here, then HE can take ya……..I took his ass to plenty of parties. He owes me."

She dug into her own food now, looking away from him. "My shopping buddy? We went shopping for ONE leather jacket months ago! I don’t care what he owes you. I want you at that party with me. Not some substitute. It’s an important event."

She felt him glance up, so she met his gaze. "Sweetheart, parties ain’t my favorite thing, ya know……..And this is delicious pasta. You’re a genius with the edibles." He winked at her with a tiny flirtatious smile.

Ignoring his attempt to sweetly sidetrack her, she continued, "Roger, you used to help me give parties back at The Sanctuary. Remember? What’s the deal now?"

He shrugged. "That was then. This is now, baby. I was still trying to impress you and all then so you’d stay with me……Cut me some slack." Now the tiny smile turned down into a mock pout.

She rolled her eyes. "And now that the chase is over, I don’t need any special favors anymore? I don’t really matter as much?"

He laughed quietly. "You matter more than anything now, baby. I’m just not up for the party scene this time……..Okay?……What’s in this sauce? It’s excellent."

Maggie locked eyes with him for a moment and then smiled. She had no choice. "What will you do? While I’m at the party?"

He reached across the table and touched her hand. "Wait for you to come back to me. What else would I do?"

"But Roger—"

"Maggie…….if you’re gonna wig on me here, then I’ll go with ya. But I’d really rather just have some downtime that evening. Okay?" His voice was soft and pleading.

Saddened, she felt deflated. And defeated. "Okay. If that’s what you want……It’s just that this party’s the first big social function for us in Portland. Tons of influential people will be there……And with Renaissance scheduled to open next month, it’ll be great for publicity if we’re there." She prayed she didn’t sound "whiny."

Roger put down his fork, still looking at her. "If you’re there, sweets. Not me. I’m not the chef of the newest five-star restaurant in the city."

"Ah, but you’re the one person alive that I need—Never mind." She stopped herself. "Whiny" tones were creeping into her voice. "Vinnie will be a fine and handsome escort. You stay home and rest, sweetheart. I’ll be okay." There. She corrected it.

He smiled. "You’ll come back to me when it’s over?" Still the soft, pleading voice.

"What else would I do?" She returned the smile and willed threatening tears to remain inside and not contaminate her dry eyes.

"So how DID you do this sauce, hmm?"

Involuntarily, she laughed. Those dancing eyes of his got to her every time. "I peeled the shrimp and used the shells to boil a broth. Then I strained it and added lime juice, butter, and sautéed garlic. And wallah."

"It’s exceptional……..really," he said just before consuming another bite heartily.

"Thanks," she responded, looking down.

"Hey……" He waited for her eyes to meet his again. "I love you."

She laughed again. "You love the shrimp and bow-tie noodles. Oh, and the damn sauce."

"No, baby. I love you………..And you’re gonna be the most successful restaurateur in these parts. Trust me."

"I always trust you, Roger."

Maggie retired to bed before him that night. He was still heavily involved in some Internet research, and she was mentally as well as emotionally exhausted. She really had been "busting ass" over the past few days, organizing the renovations to Renaissance, securing the necessary supplies/equipment, etc. And now, as she lay in their bed and waited for Roger, she recalled their weekend in the mountains. His gift to her.

"Utterly and deliciously romantic" is how she described it to Elyse. He’d seen to every small, important detail – votive candles and white roses everywhere; bottles and bottles of excellent champagne; acres of firewood for a never-ending, warm blaze; and, Maggie’s favorite of all, Roger himself at her side every second of those beautiful days and nights together.

It had seemed to her that rarely were their bodies separated from each other. And never were their souls. Yes, she’d definitely fallen into a deeper, stronger stage of loving him, if that was possible. He, she rediscovered, was her be-all, end-all. Her consummate everything.

She must have been projecting that raw, unfettered emotion from her eyes in bed one night in the chalet. Roger was on his side looking down at her. Only the flames in the fireplace behind him lit the room. He lightly brushed his lips over her nipple which was still hard from their intense love-making. Lying back on the pillow, she smiled, satiated and happy.

"Jeez, Roger…..You’re treating me like a queen here…….This is so……..surreal," she whispered, touching his damp, tousled hair.

He rested his head between her breasts and wrapped his arms around her. "Well, you are the queen, baby……of our little world."

"Yeah, I’m sure you’ve got a few ample-bodied ladies-in-waiting stashed somewhere too, don’tcha?" She softly caressed his face, down along his sharp jaw line.

"Nope. You’re it."

"Happy Valentine’s Day, Roger."

"Ya know, don’tcha, that I love you every day……….not just today, but every day of the year……..I don’t think I’d wanna try to live without you, Maggie."

Instantly, she slid down in bed so that they were face to face, holding each other. "Ditto for me on that one, honey. You’re the center of my being."

He kissed her then, taking his time, proving to her what he’d just told her. And they fell asleep in each other’s embrace. During the night, they both awoke, seemingly spontaneously, and came together again, coupling with a fierce, quiet intensity. He’d been cradling her as they slept in a "spooning" position, and entered her from behind.

"Ah, baby, you feel so damn good………I love being deep inside you," he had gasped just as he came once again.

For days later, Maggie felt the strong spiritual and emotional bond remain between them, as if only they existed in the world. They both worked hard all day and came back together at night to share everything. Until the slight roadblock at dinner this evening, ten days later. She felt selfish and childish for wanting to cry now.

If he doesn’t want to go to the damn party, then he doesn’t. Accept it and move on, she told herself. It wasn’t the apocalypse. Vinnie would be an outstanding date. And Earl Ray and Deena would be there too.

Around midnight, Roger crawled quietly into bed beside her, and, as usual, nestled up close to her. As he shuddered and wrapped himself around her, she smiled to herself in the dark.

"Hey, you," she whispered.

"Oh, hey, baby. You awake?"

"Duh."

"You’re so warm………It’s freaking cold in this room." His tone was hushed and muffled against her.

"I’m so very glad to be of some service to ya. Thank goodness we don’t live in tropical Costa Rica."

"Ah, Maggie……Don’t be a smartass. You’re my anchor……wherever we go. I gotta have you." He squeezed her tighter.

"Well, then……..Do ya think you could pull that blanket up over us a little more and make love to your, uh, anchor while it’s ten below outside? It was, after all, your brilliant idea to move up here."

She felt his grin through her gown. "I can probably manage that, baby." And then what she felt was his hands and mouth begin a familiar yet terribly exciting exploration of her body – one that would end with both of them panting and sweating feverishly, making them forget the blistering cold outside.

* * *

Two days later, the day Vinnie was due to arrive in town, Maggie had a strange encounter with Deena, Earl Ray’s girlfriend. She dubbed it "strange" only because she couldn’t remember ever having a one-on-one conversation with Deena before this one. And this one might well be the last one.

She had just been thinking of Earl Ray. As she glided along comfortably in her "golden pearl" Lexus over to the small "office" that Roger had set up in January for the vintage auto business, Maggie realized suddenly that she hadn’t seen Earl Ray since they returned from their mountain retreat.

Her restaurant renovation project had absorbed most of her time, and apparently he’d been occupied as well. Their contact in that almost-two-week span had amounted to a couple of brief phone calls.

So when she drove into the parking lot and found Deena sitting there in her Range Rover, she parked beside her and waved. Both exited their automobiles, and Maggie noticed right away that the other woman was somber and downcast.

"Hey, Deena. Looks like Earl Ray and Roger must both be gone. How long you been sitting out here in the frigid weather?" She grinned, attempting to be friendly.

Deena didn’t. Her face was dark. "Not long. I had the heater on in the truck."

"Well, c’mon. I’ve got a key. We’ll wait inside."

There was no secretary or receptionist since Roger didn’t see a need for one. So when he and Earl Ray were away simultaneously (most of the time), phone calls were forwarded to an answering service, and the office stayed locked.

"I thought one of them would show up by now," Deena said as she stepped into the warm, sparse room.

"Did ya try paging Earl Ray or getting him on his cell phone?" Maggie laughed as she removed her coat. "He hates that damn thing, but Roger insists that he carry it."

Deena wasn’t really amused. She seemed distracted, standing there and looking around nervously. "I forgot the number………since I haven’t used it lately."

"Alzheimer’s is a bitch, ain’t it?" Maggie wrinkled up her nose and grinned again. She’d missed the hint. "Here. I’ll write it down for ya." She spun around quickly to find a pen on the desk behind her.

"Thanks, Maggie, but that’s not necessary. I need to see him face to face." Deena was still quiet and almost forlorn.

Maggie finally sensed a real problem. She turned back to her slowly. "Is everything alright, Deena? You’re throwing off some pretty ominous vibes here."

Deena’s eyes were cold and sad. "He didn’t tell ya, did he?"

"Tell me what?"

"Maggie, I ended things with Earl Ray……….I assumed you knew………you of all people."

She was appalled. Why hadn’t he told her? "No……I didn’t know. I haven’t seen him much lately……When did this transpire?"

They were sitting down now in the "guest" chairs, facing each other intently. "Valentine’s Day." Deena hung her head.

"Jesus. Couldn’t you have picked some other day? ANY other day? What happened with you two? I thought you guys were great together."

When Deena looked back up, her eyes were wet. "He’s too nice, Maggie. That’s the bottom line…….He was always far too good to me…….pouring on the kindness nonstop…….never wanting to argue ‘bout anything……..I just couldn’t take it anymore………..I guess I need more adversity or something……..I don’t know," she said, desperately pleading her case.

Maggie took a deep breath and let it out. "There are worse sins than being too nice……..Actually, it’s really amazing to me that Earl Ray’s still like that after being shit on so brutally by his ex……But don’t let me bore you with crap you’re no longer interested in."

Deena cringed at the sarcasm. She hadn’t expected sympathy from Earl Ray’s best friend. In truth, she’d dreaded this meeting. "I’m sorry if I hurt him…….really…..And I’ve told him that…….I came over here today to give him back this necklace he gave me at Christmas."

Maggie smirked. "I’m sure he’s dying to get it back."

"I’d really like to be friends with him still, Maggie."

"But not lovers," she said.

When Deena’s response was just a silent downward look, Maggie continued. "So what exactly ARE ya looking for, Deena?"

Raising her head, she answered, "Somebody who’s sleek and mysterious……….with a dash of danger and recklessness…….and maybe with a dark, sordid past…….a bad boy."

"Interesting," Maggie lied.

"You got one."

To this, Maggie widened her eyes in imitation alarm. "Roger? That’s what you want? Should I be worried that you’ll maybe……….snatch him from me?"

For the first time, Deena laughed. "Right. Like Roger’s got eyes for anybody but you."

As if on queue, a door in the back of the room opened, and Roger sauntered in calmly. He wore faded jeans, a dark blue sweater, his black leather jacket, and brown boots. They stopped talking and watched him.

"Ladies! What’s the fine occasion? A little knitting party of some sort, hmm?" He smiled for a second.

"Hey, honey. Deena was just filling me in on some, um, juicy and important stuff," Maggie said cattily. She turned her eyes back to Deena.

Roger sat down at the desk and looked over at them. "Is that right?"

Flushed, Deena stood up. "I gotta get going…….I’ll, uh, catch up with Earl Ray later."

With his best "customer service" smile, Roger informed her, "He’s in Seattle today. Won’t be back ‘til tonight. I’ll let ‘im know you were here."

"Actually, Roger, since you’re here now, maybe Deena would like—"

"That’s okay, Maggie. I really need to hit the road. I’ll see you guys." And she was gone out the door in a flash.

Maggie turned to Roger, laughing. He raised his eyebrows. "What the hell was that about?"

She got up walked over to where he sat. "You light Deena’s fire, sweetheart."

"So?" He shrugged nonchalantly.

"So why didn’t you tell me that she dumped Earl Ray?"

As she sat down on his lap, Roger slid one arm around her waist and the other snugly between her thighs. He looked at her, genuinely surprised.

"Maybe ‘cause………I didn’t know? When did that happen?"

"While we were screwing our brains out in that chalet. He didn’t mention it to you?"

"Maggie, we don’t sit around and pour our bleeding hearts out to each other."

She hit him on the shoulder. "Wiseass."

He laughed almost silently. "No, he hasn’t dispensed any personal information ‘bout that or anything else……..But he’s been busy. Haven’t seen him much."

She sighed. "Fine. I’ll have to speak to him harshly on this matter. Oh, and I came by to tell ya Vinnie called. His flight number’s changed to 428."

"Thanks, baby. I should get on out to the airport."

"Not before I get a taste." She leaned closer to him, entranced by those stunning eyes. "Must be the full moon. I can’t seem to get enough of you," she whispered.

"So? Is this a problem?"

She bent down to kiss his mouth, and he swallowed her up.

* * *

Saturday evening when Maggie entered the den, dressed for the big soirée, Vinnie whistled at her admiringly, and Roger simply stared, looking her over the way she’d come to love. She wore a long-sleeve, dark red dress of velvet that fit her slim body tightly, except at the bottom where it flared elegantly just above her knees. The scooped neckline was low enough to reveal the diamond solitaire which Roger had given her.

"You look HOT, sweetheart!" Vinnie declared. "I’ll havta bring my gun along to keep the animals off you."

"Wrap it up. I’ll take it," was Roger’s quiet verbal reaction.

"Thank you, gentlemen. I wanna make a decent impression tonight. You know…….for the restaurant opening next month and all."

"Well, ya got my business." Vinnie was sipping a mug of beer.

"What exactly are you selling, Maggie? Entrées?……….Or yourself?"

Stung by his arrogant rudeness, she felt a sudden surge of wrath flare up in her, and her face must have broadcast it. Roger quickly jumped up from where he sat, chuckling, and headed towards her.

"Don’t get all ruffled, baby. I’m just playing with ya."

"You’re so not funny, Roger." She narrowed her eyes and watched him approach. He wore her favorite ensemble – light, old jeans and a wrinkled blue denim shirt that hung casually outside the jeans, sleeves slightly rolled up, of course.

"I’ll get my jacket, Maggie." Vinnie had stood up too and finished his beer. "We’ll leave him here to ‘play’ with himself." He left them alone.

Roger stood in front of her now, looking into her eyes, caressing her arm through the velvet. Effortlessly calming her. "You look sensational," he said softly. "Did I mention that?"

"I kinda gathered as much from your gaping-mouth stare."

He smiled. "You’ll have ‘em eating outta your hand, not to mention off the tables in your new place."

"Flattery, my love, will get you everywhere," she said, relishing his touch.

"I just call ‘em as I see ‘em, sweets."

Then she abruptly changed the subject. "Roger, Earl Ray still didn’t call me back. Didn’t you see him yesterday?"

He glanced down at her necklace and chuckled. "Actually, Maggie, that may be the problem. I relayed to ‘im what ya said about ‘speaking harshly to him’……….Hell, I’m surprised he didn’t skip off up to Canada." His mischievous eyes met hers.

She wasn’t amused. "I swear to God, Roger, you need your very own HBO comedy freaking special."

"Okay, kids. Break it up. Time to go," Vinnie chimed in as he shuffled back into the room, donning his coat.

Mischief gone from his face, Roger reached down and took Maggie’s hands in his and stepped closer to her. With their bodies barely touching and their hands clasped together at their sides, he kissed her good-bye – a warm, delicate kiss, lips on lips, tips of tongues lightly brushing, a kiss filled with intimate promises for later.

As she swooned and floated out of her strapped pumps, she heard Vinnie in the distant background. "Give it a rest, you two. Let’s go, Maggie. I’m starving ovah heah."

* * *

On to Part II