By Micki L. Bailey

The Katz Bash at Palisades was in full swing when they arrived. Maggie and Vinnie eased through the crowd to the buffet table since he’d vowed again to be "ravenously hungry." She had laughed at his melodrama. Thank goodness he’d been so willing to be her spur-of-the-moment escort this evening. And he hadn’t been surprised whatsoever that Roger had passed the "honor" off on him.

"Don’t worry ‘bout him, babe," he’d told her on the way over. "I’m much higher on the social graces food chain than he’ll evah be. I’ll show ya a good time."

So they mingled, chatted, and carried on with all the proper party rituals. She didn’t worry about Roger. She’d already resolved herself to the fact that he didn’t care to attend this event for his own little reasons. And she was resigned to live with that. Move along. Nothing to see here, she’d told herself.

Benjamin and Elyse were both gracious hosts, a beautiful couple. Politely, they never inquired where her husband was. And Vinnie was a riot, tapping all the right nerves with his sometimes-brazen/sometimes-meek personality and his Brooklynese. The evening crept along perfectly.

And then Maggie finally found Earl Ray. Up close and personal.

He was leaning against one of the bars and talking to two women she didn’t know. But when he spotted her standing off to the side and glaring at him, he excused himself and walked over.

"Looks like I’m busted," he said with a smile. He held a glass of bourbon. She could smell it.

"Were ya just gonna avoid me from now on, Earl Ray?"

"You look magnificent, Maggie! That dress is killer……….How’ve ya been?"

"Earl Ray—"

"Ah, don’t scold me, sweetheart. I’m really not in the mood." He smirked. "So Deena took the high road…..…So what? Who cares?"

"I care, Earl Ray. I care what happens to you. You could’ve at least let me in on it. I haven’t seen you for two damn weeks!"

He drained his glass. "Let’s get a drink, baby." He turned back to the bar, and she reluctantly followed.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

He smiled at her again as the bartender poured. "I’m fine, Maggie. This ain’t my first rodeo………I just felt like sticking to myself for the past few days……..just some hibernation time, ya know? This weather is rough on an ol’ southern boy."

She accepted the glass of wine from him. "Tell me about it. I never had such an appreciation for flannel in my life."

Earl Ray laughed. "So what else is new, baby? Got that restaurant up and running yet?"

"I saw the printer yesterday ‘bout the menus. The ones that won’t change daily, that is. I’ll be ready to open in a few more weeks," she replied.

"How was Valentine’s Day in the foothills?"

She wasn’t prepared for that question and felt her cheeks blush. "Great………very……..relaxing……" Then she caught her breath. "Vinnie’s here this weekend. I guess you saw him yesterday, huh? He’s over there in the corner with some chick that latched onto him."

"How ‘bout a dance?"

He seemed jovial enough. Even if it was alcohol-induced, he was at least being sociable. So she set down her glass, took his outstretched hand, and let him lead her to the dance floor just as U2’s "The Sweetest Thing" began playing.

A slow dance.

She halted. Why did she suddenly feel so uneasy? "I dunno, Earl Ray."

"Aw, c’mon, Maggie. It’s just a little twirl. No big deal."

So she followed him and allowed him to slide one arm around her waist and his other across her shoulders. As he pulled her to him, she put her arms around his neck in the requisite slow-dance form.

"Relax, baby," he whispered in her ear as he held her gently.

Doing just that, pressing against his body and smelling his skin, she felt thousands of old memories flooding over her like the ferocious high tide. Picnics in bed, quiet candlelit dinners, silly moments. Small fights that seemed like the end of existence; making up that took long, silent hours; dark, hot nights of bursting passion; and rainy afternoons of just holding each other.

Like they were holding each other now.

"Mags," he said very softly. "You’re the sweetest thing I’ve touched in years."

And Bono wailed in the background, "I’m losing you."

"Earl Ray, forgive my insensitivity, but I’m not really interested in ‘rebound chatter.’ Save it for somebody else. Besides, you need to be cruising this party for single women, ya know. The room is swimming with ‘em."

"It’s not rebound chatter, angel. And you know that……..Fuck that bitch Deena…….She was the rebound victim. Hell, honey, they all were……..Everyone of ‘em after you."

She stiffened. "Don’t start, Earl Ray. You’re dangerously close to drunk."

"No, baby. I’m dangerously close to you………where I’ve always wanted to be."

She chose to not answer him, to simply ride out this dance, and in a couple of moments he spoke again. "Is he still good to ya, Maggie? Cause if he’s not—"

"Alright, Earl Ray. That’s enough." Now she bristled and tried to leave, but he tightened his grip on her.

"Don’t make a scene now, sweetie. We’re just dancing," he murmured.

"You’re not just dancing. You’re turning into that monster that I rode to Tucson with back in the summer. And I’d like to escape now if you don’t mind." She struggled again, but it was useless.

"Settle down, Maggie. You’re way too feisty………..Now where was I?………Is Roger still satisfying ya or not, baby?"

"That’s none of your damn business," she growled.

"I don’t see ‘im here with ya is all I’m saying. You two having trouble?"

"No, Earl Ray. Now let me go. The song is over." She was absolutely powerless against him.

"Ah, but there’s always another song, angel………You smell so damn good."

She fought back tears of frustration. "I’m trying to play nice here…….What do you want?"

"Honey," he whispered as he drew her even closer. "Whadaya say we pretend we’re still married……..for old times’ sake, huh? Ya know…….We could sneak in a little quickie while he’s not around. How ‘bout it?"

Again she struggled, vainly. "Fuck you," she hissed. "How utterly ironic that Deena accused you of being ‘too nice,’ you drunk asshole."

"Aw, Mags…….Ya screwed ‘round on me……..Why not give Roger a taste of the real you?……..I know I’d like to taste it."

Unexpectedly and almost violently, she broke free of him and barely restrained herself from slapping him. Instead, she threw daggers at him from her eyes and said, just loud enough for him to hear, "Thanks for the fucked-up dance. Don’t ever ask me to dance with you again. In fact, just stay the hell away from me."

Walking away swiftly, she went straight to the ladies room to gather herself, which she did calmly and without tears. The fiery anger inside her now would have dried up said tears anyway. Vinnie waited patiently outside in the hallway as she exited.

"Yo, Maggie! You okay?"

She jumped, surprised to see him. "Hey, Vinnie. Yeah, I’m fine. Whassup?"

"Elyse said I could find ya here…….Said ya didn’t look well. Something happen?"

"Nah. Everything’s kosher." Good ol’ Elyse, she thought. Probably witnessed the whole ugly little dance floor fiasco.

"Ya wish Roga was here, don’tcha?"

This surprised her too. Had she been projecting that? "Vinnie, news flash: I miss Roger every second I’m not with him……..It’s a relative thing……But he’s not here, and you are. So let’s go and have some fun while we can. Okay?" She took his arm.

He lit up. "That’s cool with me. I met this girl who knows somebody I grew up with back East."

"Yeah, I saw. Well, if ya get lucky, I can call Roger to come and get me. You can take the Lexus ‘til tomorrow."

Vinnie laughed. "No fucking way, gorgeous. Lococco left you in my care, and in my care you shall remain ‘til I can get ya back to him. Got it?"

She rolled her eyes, feeling much better now. "Whatever……C’mon. Let’s rejoin the living."

"Hey, Maggie." He stopped. "Is Michaels alright? He’s a little high-strung tonight."

She smiled. "It’s just the full moon. Don’t mind him."

"I’m with you, ma’am. You lead the way."

She and Vinnie danced, and then he left again, at her behest, to find his "friend." She mixed and consorted with several people before running up on Benjamin and Elyse once again. Elyse watched her as she scanned the room.

"I believe Earl Ray left not too long ago, Maggie"

Maggie’s eyes landed on hers. Silent understanding. Elyse knew what had occurred, but wouldn’t talk about it until Maggie brought it up. Both smiled.

"Oh, okay. I thought he might need a cab," Maggie said.

"Guess not. Some kind lady was leaving with him."

"Oh," she said again. "That’s good."

"Forgive me for changing the subject, but would you be so good as to accompany me on the dance floor, Maggie? I haven’t had the privilege all night." Benjamin extended his hand to her.

"Absolutely, Mr. Katz." She accepted gladly. Elyse winked as they walked away.

Another slow dance. Celine Dion this time. But this time was different. Maggie rested comfortably against Benjamin and hardly thought about the tense, nightmarish other slow dance that she’d by now almost completely forgotten. Almost.

Benjamin was his usual guarded, genteel self, and she allowed her mind to shut down temporarily and enjoy the music and the swaying. His cologne pleasantly filled her head. It was lovely. Then…….

"Excuse me, Katz. Would you mind terribly if I cut in?"

Maggie’s heart stopped at the hushed, familiar voice. Music to her soul. She raised her head up off Benjamin’s shoulder and looked into Roger’s face. He’d addressed Benjamin, but he gazed at her, smiling.

"As long as the lady approves," Benjamin was saying. Maybe he said that. She wasn’t sure. She was mesmerized.

"Thanks, Benjamin," she uttered quietly, still intent on Roger. And Benjamin disappeared quickly into the crowd.

As Roger assumed his place and pulled her to him, she melted against him, breathing in the scent of leather from his jacket and feeling his hands roam gently over her back. "Are you a figment of my imagination, or am I one of yours?" she asked him.

"Hey, baby. How’s the party going? Having fun?" His voice was cool bare skin lying down on silk. Who needed music? She was lost in everything that was him.

She snuggled closer. "What made you change your mind? Or was this all just one big setup so you could waltz in here with your grand, stunning entrance and surprise the hell outta me?"

"What’s up with the cynicism, Maggie. You’re not glad to see me?"

Reaching up to kiss his neck, she said, "Ah, I’m more than glad to see you, sweetheart……..no matter what got you here."

"Purely selfish motives, baby………I missed ya……..and I wanted to touch ya in a poorly lit room full of strangers." His palms slid easily over her hips and ass.

She giggled. "Well, whatever starts up your engine, Roger……..and I can feel that something has."

When that song and another one had ended, they made their way back to where Benjamin and Elyse still stood. Both of them greeted Roger warmly as Vinnie wandered up at the same time.

Maggie "attacked" him playfully. "Were you in on the masterplan? Did you know he was gonna show up, Vinnie?"

"No, can’t say I did. But I’m damn glad he’s here………Ya know that chick I was telling ya ‘bout?"

Roger stopped him. "Give ‘im the valet ticket for the Lexus, Maggie. I’ll take you home in the Benz."

"Be careful, Vinnie," she said as she dug the little ticket out of her purse at coat check.

"I’m always careful, babe." He kissed her cheek and went back inside to find "that chick."

When she rejoined the conversation, Roger was saying to Benjamin, "It’s just a little friendly touch-football game, man. C’mon on over to the field ‘bout two or so. The weather tomorrow is supposed to warm up some."

Benjamin was shaking his head. "Athletic I am not, Roger. But I can bring some sandwiches and beers. If that is acceptable."

"That’ll work. See ya then." He glanced over at her. "Ready, baby?"

"Ready, Roger."

He hadn’t utilized the valets, so they walked briskly to the Benz in another section of the parking lot. As he opened her door for her, she realized the car was still running. She looked up at him.

"So it would be warm," he explained.

When he got in behind the wheel, she said, "Thanks…….You don’t havta keep trying to impress me, ya know."

"Sure I do, sweets. I don’t wanna be replaced."

She laughed. "Ah, Roger………That’s hardly possible………You’re my…..my other half, my soulmate."

He placed his palm on her knee. "You hungry?"

"What?" He’d thrown her off balance yet again.

"You look too good to go home yet, baby. Let’s get some Italian over at Donato’s. It’s not midnight yet. They’re still open."

She leaned back on the headrest and smiled as he drove. At Donato’s, they sat at a small, tucked-away table that was lit by a single red candle. The restaurant was almost empty and quiet. Perfect. Roger’s face seemed to glow pleasantly in the light of the candle as she sipped Chianti and ate manicotti.

For dessert, he ordered tiramisu, for which he slid his chair closer to hers so they could share. "This is my fave," she whispered as she eased a forkful into her mouth.

He watched her sensually. "You got some chocolate syrup on you lip."

"I did not!" she protested when her napkin came away from her face clean.

Then Roger dipped his index finger into the syrup on the saucer and wiped it across her lower lip, slowly and gently. "Yes, you did, baby…….Here, lemme help you." And he leaned over to her and gently kissed the dark sweetness off her mouth.

Delicate areas of her body tingled and swelled as she imagined those warm, sucking lips on them. She sighed as he backed up. "Roger." It was almost a pant. "Can we go home now? I’m about to burst."

"Let’s go."

Outside at the Benz, Maggie glanced up and gasped in childlike wonder. "Look!" The huge, round moon shone down on them, lighting the area around them beautifully.

Roger pressed against her from behind and bent down to kissed her wetly on her neck. "I’m freezing my balls off, baby. Get in." So she jumped into the car, and they sped home.

The sex that night was "astronomically fantastic," in her opinion. Laid back and languid at times as they tarried over each other’s body. Intense and hurried at other times as they ravished each other.

He grabbed the bedsheets under him as she slowly and methodically devoured him. Clutching the base and testicles with both hands, she moved moistly up and down the rigid shaft with her tight, suctioning mouth. She licked and sucked lovingly, then swallowing every drop she’d coaxed out.

Poised above his face on her hands and knees, she trembled with pleasure as he grasped her hips and sank his lips and tongue into those delicate spots of hers that were swollen and engorged with anticipation. When he finally permitted her overdue release to come, she squeezed her eyes shut and shivered against his mouth.

Later, as he hovered over her and looked down, she smiled up at him as she felt him pump into her. They were both drenched in perspiration despite the cold outside their window. The bond she’d thought was sickly and fading was actually still alive and fairing very well.

After he’d arched his back and let the orgasm roar through him, he laid his heaving body down – half on her and half on the bed beside her. She cradled his head in her arms.

"It gets better each time, Roger," she said quietly in the dark.

"Must be that damn moon, sweets." His voice came out on her skin, and she giggled.

"I love you."

He kissed her chest. "I know ya do, baby……..You’re my strong, loving force……my positive energy……….what keeps me going………I love you too……..more than ya know."

* * *

Maggie sat alone on the bleachers in the park and watched the guys play their "touch" football game the following day. There was more tackling than touching going on, but who was even keeping score?

Mother Nature had come through gorgeously. The sky was clear and sunny with temperatures warming up to near forty degrees. She wore a turtleneck sweater AND a woolen jacket with her jeans and heavy socks and hiking boots, but they players seemed heated up with their rigorous activity and wore less.

Vinnie, who was accustomed to hard winters, seemed in good spirits today. He’d come back to the loft sometime during the night after she and Roger had finally fallen asleep. Roger had let him in without ever waking her.

She watched her lover now while she waited for Benjamin and Elyse to show up with lunch. His face lit up with laughter as he caught the football. Faded gray sweatshirt, old, scruffy jeans, baseball cap. He hadn’t shaved yet, and the stubble was beginning to show plainly on his cheeks. Another endearing feature, she thought.

"This seat taken?"

She turned sharply, unaware that she’d been approached. And then the cold outside her body was rivaled by the frigidity inside her.

"Get outta my face, Earl Ray."

He looked hurt, sad. "You pissed at me, Maggie? Can’t blame ya, I guess."

"I’m not pissed anymore." She stared ahead at the game. "I just don’t wanna be around you. You got that?"

"I’m sorry, sweetie. I was a jerk."

Still she didn’t look at him again. "I’ve heard your sad little ‘I’m sorry,’ Earl Ray. Too many times…….You’ve done the dickhead routine twice now while I was at your mercy, and more than likely you’ll do it again……….So I’ve decided to simply not get myself into your mercy anymore." Turning quickly to glare at him, she ended, "Capeesh?"

He was stunned by her calm resolve. "You hate me, baby? I can’t apologize?"

"I’m done talking to you, Earl Ray. And I’m not your CAPTIVE audience this afternoon."

"I got carried away………again."

She steeled her eyes and spoke deliberately. "You are Roger’s business partner as far as I’m concerned, Earl Ray. And that is all. Please go away and leave me alone."

He sighed. "Okay, Maggie." It was no use penetrating her icy barrier now, he knew. He stepped off the bench sullenly and walked away.

Maggie returned her gaze to Roger, of course. Her prince. Her comforter. Her protector. As she watched him out there on the field with the new friends they’d made, she gloated within herself that he was hers. That he loved her. That they exchanged strength and support. That their little world was so………so solid.

"Oh, that somebody would look at me that way, dear. Just once in my lifetime. I’d give the world."

Maggie whirled her head around for a second time. Was she deaf or what to not hear these people coming into her immediate presence? Was she that distracted? Yes. Absolutely.

"Hey, Benjamin. Sorry. I was in my own little universe."

"I could see that. And it was nice. That look on your face, however, is illegal in most states." He laughed as he set down a huge cooler.

She blushed and smiled. "What can I say? I’m in love."

"And you are positively glowing, Maggie. It’s a wonderful thing. Roger is indeed a fortunate man." He smiled back, and his exquisite teeth glistened in the sunshine.

"Well, love ain’t gonna feed our empty stomachs. Can I help you guys?" She jumped down off the bleachers.

"Sure, dear. Come on along."

As she walked towards their Land Cruiser, Maggie couldn’t help but steal one more glance over at Roger. This time, magically, he was standing still and watching her too – and blew her a quick, silent kiss through the cool air.