Escape

By Denise

My marriage to Daniel was finally over after 5 long years. The marriage had been prearranged since the day we were born, by our parents. We grew up together and were friends, but it was on my 18th birthday when I was told about this marriage. I refused to accept him as a future husband, but then my parents told me if I didn't marry Daniel I wouldn't get my inheritance from my Grandfather's estate. So, I finally agreed to marry Daniel. We were married a short time after he graduated from business school. I was told I would fall in love with him in time, but it never happened between us.

In the beginning we made an effort to make it work, but as time went on we grew further apart. He spent a lot of time away from home, while I spent many lonely nights in this huge empty house alone. I had an affair with the pool man, Juan, he kept me sexually satisfied until Daniel found out and fired him. It was okay for Daniel to have affairs but not me. So, I decided it was time to end this marriage. I was about to meet a man who would change my life forever…

***

I looked in the yellow pages and found a, Ricardo Jose Dominguez, on the first page I turned to. There was a picture of him in the ad, he was strikingly handsome and had a beautiful magnetic smile. I noticed his dark enchanting eyes, even though the photo was in black and white, they seemed to control me and I hadn't even met him yet. So I jotted down the phone number and called to make an appointment.

I don't know why I chose an attorney who worked downtown, but my instincts told me that I would be making the right choice. I parked my car in the all day lots not knowing how long I would be there. Luckily it was a warm spring day and I wore sensible shoes. I then walked several blocks towards the building he was in. It had been years since I last went downtown, so I gazed up at the tall buildings, looking and feeling like a tourist. I finally arrived at his building and went through the revolving door. Once inside I glanced up at the high ceilings; there were beautiful lights and colorful decorations that hung down. I wanted to go find a restroom before I got into the elevator, so I asked the security officer who was checking everyone in; asking for identification and the reason for the visit.

My golden blonde hair was still neatly pulled back from my face, as I checked myself out in the mirror. I stepped back to check out my dress. It was powder blue with an eggshell white collar and belt to match. I then sprayed some White Shoulders cologne on my neck and wrists. I took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves and then I headed for the elevator.

I got into the elevator and rode to the 12th floor. I found a directory that pointed me in the right direction towards his office. The door into the reception area was open as I went in. I saw a brunette haired woman sitting behind a desk. She looked up at me as she pushed her eyeglasses back up her nose. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, my name is Annalie Snyder and I am here to see Mr. Dominguez."

She looked over her appointment book and then said, "Please have a seat and I will tell him you are here." She picked up the telephone and called his office.

"Thanks." I sat down in one of the soft leather chairs that were positioned around a glass top table with a vase of arranged fresh flowers sitting in the middle of the table. I picked a magazine from the magazine rack and thumbed through it when the office door opened. I looked up and saw this gorgeous man come through the door.

"Mrs. Snyder?"

"Yes." I stood up to greet him, as I looked over this tempting, attractive man. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit. The shirt was a silvery color with matching charcoal gray tie with specks of silver through it. His hair was black with a touch of curls. His lips were firm and sensual. His eyes were a rich nutmeg color. He was devastatingly handsome.

"I'm Ricardo Jose Dominguez." He reached out his hand to me. "You can call me Ricardo." His mouth curved into a smile as he spoke with a beautiful accented voice.

"My name is Annalie." His eyes and his voice captivated me, as I returned his handshake.

"Let's go into my office." He stepped aside as I went though the door he had came out of. "My office is the one on the left." I walked in and noticed the incredible view of the mountains. "Have a seat. Do you need anything?"

I looked into his dark magnetic eyes as I sat down. "I could use some water." I felt a surge of anxiety swell up inside of me.

He stepped away from me and left me alone for a few minutes. He then reappeared a few minutes later with a pitcher of ice water and glasses. He sat the tray on the desk and then poured some water into a crystal glass handing it to me.

"Thanks." My hand was shaking as I took the glass from his hand. "My mouth was so dry." I took a drink and then sat the glass down the edge of his desk.

"So, Mrs. Snyder…I mean Annalie. What can I do for you?" He sat down in his mahogany leather chair.

I folded my hands together and laid them in my lap. I seemed to have regained my confidence when I remembered why I was there. "I want to divorce my husband."

"Have you told your husband that you want a divorce yet?" he asked as he got up from his chair and went over to his filing cabinet. He pulled out some forms and then returned to his chair. He opened the manila folder.

"No, but I don't think he will fight me for one." I reached out for the glass with my hand and took another drink of water. "You see this was a bad marriage to begin with."

"How so?" He sat back in his chair again. His eyes were so intense as he listened, giving me his full attention.

"Well…" I explained my situation with my family.

"Are there any children?"

"No, I thank God for that. I made double sure that I wouldn't get pregnant. Especially when I was having the affair with our pool man."

"I see. Well, I will be happy to represent you." He then handed me some forms. "Take these home and read through them, okay?"

"Yes. Thanks." I rose from my chair as a sigh of relief broke from my lips.

"It will be my pleasure." He met me at the door and opened it. "I'll walk you out." We walked down to the elevator and waited in silence. Once in the elevator he turned to me and asked, "Would you have any plans for dinner tonight?"

"Excuse me?" I faced him puzzled with his question. "I shouldn't be dating my attorney."

"I didn't say it was a date. I have found it was an excellent way to get to know my clients on a more personal level, so you would feel more comfortable around me."

The elevator stopped half way down as several people got in. Ricardo and I were separated, but I caught him looking at me through the crowd. I inhaled deeply as we made eye contact. I moved away from his view as my pulse raced as I felt this undeniable attraction building towards him.

As the elevator descended down to the 1st floor, I had plenty of time to think about my answer and it was definitely yes. The door finally opened and everyone got out, but for some reason we lingered behind. His magnetism was incredibly strong as we stared at each other. He pushed the close the door button with his finger. Fear went thought my veins as the elevator doors slowly closed.

"What are you doing?"

He then pushed the button that would take us to the 50th floor. My heart danced with anticipation as he came closer to me. He reached out his hand lightly touching face with his fingers. His hand slid down my arm and then tightened around my waist. I sighed deeply at the tantalizing smell of his after-shave as his lips came within inches of mine. The touch of his lips was a delightful sensation. He raised his head searching my eyes for my approval of his forwardness.

I stared into his dark eyes not sure of my feelings. I knew it was wrong to do this but at the same time I wanted it to happen. His nearness excited me. I wanted him to kiss me again but then the elevator stopped and the door opened, we had arrived at the 50th floor. He moved away from me and I looked out noticing it was an observation deck. I walked around enjoying the incredible view of the city and the mountains. Ricardo came over to where I was standing and rested his arms on the railing that was in front of the windows.

"Why did you do this?" I nervously asked.

"Do what?"

"Bring me up here."

He continued staring out the window as he spoke. "It was the only button that prevented the elevator to stop at every floor and I wanted to kiss you."

"But why? We shouldn't be doing this."

He stood up and ran his fingers through his hair. "I just needed to do it…all right?" He then looked at me. "Besides now we will work better together without that tension between us."

"Oh. I didn't know there was tension between us."

"Okay, maybe there wasn't. I hope I didn't offend you."

"No, you didn't offend me," I smiled shyly.

"Good."

"But, what will people say when they find out I am having an affair with my attorney?"

"No one needs to know. I won't touch you again until you are free."

"How do you know I want to start a relationship with you?"

"I don't…but I can see it in your eyes…that you do."

I bit my lip and looked away from his eyes. I'm not sure what I want as I moved away from the window and back to the elevator. "I should be going." Once inside the elevator I hit the button for the 1st floor. This time we exited the elevator.

"Mrs. Snyder."

"Yes, Mr. Dominguez," I responded as I searched my handbag for my car keys.

"Will you have dinner with me tonight?"

I looked into his dark enchanting eyes. "Yes, I would love to have dinner with you."

He then walked me to the front door. I thanked him as I left the building.

***

Several weeks went by and we continued meeting at various restaurants around town. We would talk for hours. I told him about my family, my relationship with Daniel and Juan. He would tell me about his family and coming from Spain when he was a child. We were becoming quite close, but he never crossed that line again between us, even though at times, I wanted to.

It was the night before my divorce was to be finalized when things started to happen between us. Ricardo invited me to his home, for the first time, for dinner. He lived down in Greenwood Village, where the upper class lived. I arrived at his home around 4.

When he opened the front door he took my breath away as I looked him over. He was dressed in a denim shirt that was a bit worn with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I gazed down to his jeans they fit snuggly in the right places.

"Come on in," he said as he held the door open for me.

"Thanks, I think I am overdressed." I looked down at my black skirt and the white silk blouse that buttoned up the front.

"No, you are fine."

"I didn't know this was going to be casual?"

"I said you are fine."

***

He then gave me a tour of his beautiful home inside and out. I noticed he had a pool table in his game room so I challenged him to a game of pool. He found out quickly that I knew how to play.

"You are good. Where did you learn to play?"

"My cousins taught me." I leaned down to make my shot. I moved the cue stick back with my arm and was ready to strike the cue ball when he blew softly into my ear causing me to lose my concentration. I hit the cue ball but it went directly into the side pocket.

"Oh…looks like you scratched."

"Damn it! Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" He grinned mischievously as he went around the table looking for the perfect shot. He set up the shot and made his mark. "Your turn."

So I chalked up my cue stick again, searched for a shot I could make. I was ready to strike the cue ball when I noticed he was moving around the table towards me. "Don't touch me!"

"Why would I do that?"

When I leaned down to make my shot I felt his hand go under my skirt, caressing my ass. Oh it felt good as I gasped at the gentleness of his touch. "Stop it!" I stood up as he removed his hand. "I told you not to touch me." I turned around to face him. His closeness just made my senses spin with confusion as my heart pounded an erratic rhythm.

"Why not?"

The touch of his hand sent shivers down my spine as he lightly traced the outline of my lips with his fingers. I sighed as his lips gently brushed against mine and then moved away from me.

"I thought you said that you wouldn't touch me until I was free."

"Yes, I know I did." He walked around the pool table. "Do you want me to stop?"

"Yes."

"Okay." He leaned over the pool table to make his shot. "But I don't believe you."

"Why don't you believe me?" I asked as I sat up on the barstool and leaned against the wall watching him as he walked around the pool table. My eyes were focused on his jeans as he walked towards me noticing the bulge in his pants. He stopped in front of me and placed his hand on my knees and started to slide his hand up my thigh. I closed my eyes as I spread my legs apart giving him permission to touch me. "Touch me!" I sighed as his lips gently touched mine. I wanted him to embrace me but he then removed his hand and moved away from me as I opened my eyes.

"Let's finish our game and then we will have dinner, okay?"

"Yes." I was trembling as I got down off the barstool. "I'll be back in a minute." I put the cue stick back into its holder and started to leave the room to go find the bathroom.

"It's up the stairs to your right."

"Yes, I remember."

***

Later in the evening we sat on the sofa and shared a bottle of wine after a fabulous Italian dinner that he cooked himself.

"I sure have enjoyed spending time with you and I don't know if I want this to end." Ricardo spoke softly.

"I have enjoyed it too." My hand trembled as I took a drink of wine.

"What are your plans, once your divorce is final?"

"Well, I thought about taking a vacation and get away from here for awhile."

"Where were you planning on going?"

His eyes were so dark and intense as he took a drink of wine. I gazed down to his full succulent lips they were still wet from the wine. I stared at him longing to kiss him. "I really hadn't thought about it."

"Well I have…I would like to invite you to go to St. Croix with me."

"St. Croix? That's in the Caribbean, right?"

"Yes, it's part of the US Virgin Islands."

"You're serious about this aren't you?"

He took the wine glass from my hand and sat it on the end table. His eyes smoldered with fire as his fingers lightly touching my lips and then around my face. He then removed the barrette from my hair allowing my long hair to cascade down around my face. I sighed a ragged breath as his warm, supple lips finally touched mine. His arms went around me pulling me into a tight embrace. I took in the sweetness of his kiss savoring every delicious moment. He then paused and drew back I could see the passion in his eyes as he began to speak. "As you can see, I am serious. Annalie, I want to make love to you." I heard a low growl deep in his throat as he kissed me again. His tongue traced the fullness of my lips and then darted his tongue inside my mouth, wanting a response from me. I was shocked at my own eagerness and arousal. I gave myself freely to the passion of his kiss. He was bringing out feelings that I thought was dead. I was also becoming frightened of the strong passion that was surfacing from deep inside myself. I couldn't do this. I had to stop it before it went any further. I had never experienced anything so intense before, torn by conflicting emotions.

"No, no…no!" I cried as I pulled away from his arms.

He stared at me baffled. "Annalie, what's wrong? I thought you wanted this."

I quickly got up from the sofa and put my shoes back on. "I can't do this…I can't!" I picked up my things up off the chair across the room. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"What am I doing?" He was concerned as he followed me to the door.

I stopped in front of the door and looked back at him. "You are making me crazy. I can't..." I ran my fingers though my hair. "Damn it! I can't think about a relationship with you or anyone else at this moment."

"Why not? You are free of your husband as of tomorrow."

"Yes, I know. I just need some time alone to think about things and…" My heart was beating wildly as I stared into his dark eyes that made me melt inside.

"And what?" He dragged me back into arms. His lips touched mine with tormenting persuasion.

I trembled as he released me. "I…I…have to go," I said as I slowly backed away from him. "Thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome," he smiled as he opened the front door. "I'll see you tomorrow. Drive safely."

"Thanks." I turned away and quickly walked to my car. I looked back at him as he waved goodbye to me. I sat in my car touching my still swollen lips remembering his kiss and his invitation. My stomach churned with frustration knowing I should have stayed and made love to him. He's probably angry since I left so suddenly, but I was afraid of him and myself. I don't know if I am ready to jump into another relationship.

When I walked in and checked the messages on my answering machine. I pressed the button and a voice said, "I hope you are thinking about my offer. I know we would have a wonderful time." I sat there listening to his voice, thinking about what I should do. I know it would do me some good to get away from here, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to go anywhere with him. I took a long hot shower and crawled into bed thinking about him as my body ached with desire.

***

The divorce proceedings went smoothly, I got what I wanted and that was my freedom. I received some money from Daniel to cover my attorney's fee and to have some for myself to live on until I found a job. I gave Ricardo a hug and thanked him for the job he did. He handed me an envelope and I opened it finding two plane tickets inside. I looked up into his eyes and then nervously looked around noticing Daniel watching me. So I stuck the tickets back inside the envelope and stuck them into my purse as I went over to Daniel and said, "I am sorry it had to end this way."

"I hope we can remain friends."

"Yes, I would like that."

We then hugged each other.

"Take care of yourself." He said as he let go of me.

"I will." I started to cry as I left the courtroom, alone.

I was walking down the steps of the courthouse when I heard Ricardo calling my name. "Miss Nelson." I looked back surprised hearing anyone using my maiden name. I saw Ricardo coming out of the door of the courthouse. "Wait!" I stopped and waited for him to catch up with me.

"Yes, Mr. Dominguez." I smiled as I longed to be swept up into his arms and have his lips on mine.

"Why did you leave so quickly?"

"I just wanted out of there." My eyes filled with tears as I turned away from him.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am fine." I looked at him again as he reached his hand out to touch me. "I should be happy that it's finally over, but at the same time I am sad because it did end."

"I understand." His hand touched my face put quickly pulled away when we heard voices coming towards us. "Let's go to my office, so we can have some privacy."

I sighed as I stared into his eyes wanting to say yes, but I decided I needed to go home. "No. I think I should go home." I moved away from him and headed for my car.

"Okay, how about lunch?" he asked as he walked along with me.

"No."

"What about dinner?"

We stopped at the street corner and waited for the green light. "You don't give up, do you?"

"No," he laughed as we crossed the street and then walked through the parking lot towards my car.

"I hope you will understand, but I need some time alone, okay?"

"Yes."

"By the way…thanks for calling me Miss Nelson. It feels great hearing that name again." I unlocked my car door and then turned around looking into his eyes.

"You are welcome, Miss Nelson." He gently kissed my lips. "So, when can I see you again?"

"I don't know…maybe in a few days."

He then opened my car door. "Well, take care of yourself."

"Thanks, I will." I bit my lip as I looked into his eyes for the last time. I got into my car as he closed the door. He waited for me to start my car and then I backed out of the parking space and made my way home, thinking of him the entire time.