Chapter 5, Part 2

Portrait Of My Desire
by Rhonda Findling

(Page 10 of 11)

Sharon was instantly impressed with the suave looking apartment. The living room was furnished with a large, slick, dark, leather looking couch, several matching plush chairs, and a glass coffee table. An entire wall was covered with shelves filled with books. The other wall was taken up with an elaborate looking stereo system, and the largest TV screen she had ever seen. There was a large, black lacquered bar on the other side of the room that stood in front of a spiral staircase. The room was lit by track lighting in the ceilings. She could see sliding glass doors leading to a terrace.

"Make yourself comfortable." David said, taking Sharon's coat. "Would you like some champagne?" he asked

"Sure."

David came back with a bottle of champagne and two thin, crystal glasses. Sitting down next to her on the couch, he poured the drinks. "La Chaim," he said raising his glass to Sharon's.

"What does La Chaim mean?"

"To life. You're such a shiksa," he smiled as if amused.

"What's a shiksa?"

"A girl who isn't Jewish."

"Oh. Is that bad?"

"Well, my parents wouldn't be too happy if I married a shiksa," he answered teasingly.

Sharon wondered if that meant that there was no chance of his getting involved with her because she was a shiksa? "Are you religious?"

"Well, I went to a Yeshiva when I was a kid."

"What's a Yeshiva?"

"A religious school for Jewish children. Sounds like you don't have a lot of experience with Jewish men," David smiled, then finished his glass of champagne.

"Not really," Sharon smiled back demurely.

"What religion are you?"

"Protestant. But I haven't been to church in years. This is such a beautiful apartment," she said, looking around the room. "It looks like its right out of decorating magazine."

"Thanks. What's your place like?"

"Not as elegant," she giggled. "Much more simple. I think I'm getting a little tipsy from the champagne. I usually don't drink so much."

The phone let out a shrill ring.

Ignoring the phone David took a little vial filled with white powder from his jacket. "Try some of this." He poured the white powder on the glass coffee table. "It'll help you relax."

"Is that coke?" Sharon asked.

"Yes," he answered, making thin white lines with the razor.

"I've never seen coke before. I mean in real life. I've seen it in the movies."

"Well this is the real thing."

The ringing started again.

"Someone's trying to get me on the phone. It may be important. Excuse me for a minute."

David went into another room leaving the coke on the glass table. Sharon heard him talking, but couldn't make out what he was saying. Looking around the apartment she could see the skyline through the sliding glass door. Sliding open the door, she walked out onto the terrace.

The view of all the illuminated buildings, blazing like jewels across the pitch black sky was spectacular. Looking down over the railing Sharon studied the tiny specks of people. Closing her eyes she listened to the sounds of the city and thought about how thrilling it was to be in New York City on this beautiful night with this magnificent man. The amazing nightclub with so many glamorous people. She never dreamt she could ever be so happy. She was so glad now that she had the strength to finally leave home.

A breeze, probably the kind from being so high up near the sky, ran across her body and underneath her dress, causing her to shiver.

"Trying to run away?" David asked, startling Sharon.

"I just wanted to see the view."

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"It's breathtaking."

"Sorry about the phone call."

Sharon continued to examine the skyline. "Have you lived here long?"

"A few years."

"You must love it up here."

"It's a great place, but it gets lonely sometimes."

Sharon turned around and looked at him, trying to imagine him ever feeling lonely.

"You're very beautiful Sharon," David said, gazing deeply into her eyes. "And very sweet." He ran his fingers through her hair. "You're warm and sensitive. I like that in a woman. It's very feminine."

Sharon couldn't believe he was saying these things to her.

"Look, there's a falling star," he said, looking up.

Sharon saw a light flash across the starlit sky.

"Are you going to make a wish?" he asked.

"Yes." She closed her eyes and wished that David would fall in love with her, and they would be together forever. All of a sudden, Sharon felt David standing behind her, kissing the nape of her neck. She felt faint, as if she barely able to stand up. He spun her around and kissed her. She kissed him back with a hunger, knowing for the first time how to kiss deeply. He scooped her up and carried her up the spiral stairway to his bedroom, just like in the movies.

It was completely dark, except for an entire wall of windows where the city lights were streaming in. He placed her on the bed and lay down next to her. Kissing her again, he gently caressed her neck, stomach, then her breasts. She felt a yearning between her legs, something she never felt before. The sensation froze her in alarm. Her body stiffened.

About the Author

www.rhondafindling.com
Rhonda Findling, M.A.,C.R.C. is the author of "Don't Call That Man! A Survival Guide To Letting Go" (Hyperion), "The Commitment Cure" (Adams Media) and "The Dating Cure" (Adams Media) and her debut novel "Portrait of My Desire". She is a dating coach and psychotherapist. She has been in private practice in New York for the past 20 years and consults (by telephone) with clients all over the world.