Isabel looked at the caller ID on her cell phone. She didn’t want to answer, but pressed the receive button anyway. “Hello, Carmen.” She tried to sound as pleasant as she could.
“Drop the act, Mother.” The pleasantness wasn’t reciprocated. “We need to talk. I’m coming to see you.”
Isabel raised her eyebrow instinctively. She couldn’t help but be slightly impressed by Carmen’s tone and assertiveness. She is certainly her mother’s daughter. However, somehow that thought did not please her as much as she once thought it would. I guess I don’t-
“Mother, did you hear me? I need to know what’s going on. Are you home? I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”
Isabel glanced around her apartment. “I’m not home right now, Carmen. I have some business to attend to. But, I’ll be back around 5. Come over then.”
“5 it is then.”
Isabel looked despondently at her phone as she hung up. The call symbol still registered 7 missed calls along with one voicemail. She had seen each call from Matty, but let every one of them go to voicemail. She debated for a moment before finally calling her voicemail.
Matty’s voice was that of restrained excitement. “Isabel, it’s over. That scum Marella is dead. I did it for you. I told you I would. Now we can take over and run this town. Just one thing: Vincent was there. I’m gonna trail him and make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. If he does... Oh well, sacrifice pawns, right? Hahaha.” His attempt at levity bordered more on maniacal before transitioning to a quiet, longing tone, “I can’t wait to see you and celebrate. I- I- love you, Isabel.”
Isabel stood frozen, unable to remove the phone from her ear. What the fuck?!? You definitely underestimated this guy, Isabel. And now this is one more thing to tell Carmen. You’re slipping. Thank God Phil’s dead, but now... The whole family is going to rest in the hands of a dumb kid and your wet-behind-the-ears daughter. You’ve got no one to help you. If only Frank- Isabel dropped onto the sofa behind her at the thought of Frank. She knew it was pointless to lie to herself anymore.
The news had finally confirmed the body counts at the warehouse. Only two people were unaccounted for: one dock worker who had apparently been taking his break in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the other a man in his early fifties who reports said an eyewitness had seen leave the building seconds before the explosion. Both bodies were believed to have been lost somewhere in the waters surrounding the docks. “No chance of survival” was what the news had reported.
Isabel rose and walked to the bar. She poured herself a healthy glass of scotch and sloughed onto one of the barstools. She let out a long sigh and gulped down the drink. As she reached for the decanter, she thought, Frank... Looking back on their last night together, his final words to her echoed in her head: “I’ll wait as long as I have to, Isabel.”
Isabel felt a tear on her cheek. She looked surprised as she wiped it away. How long has it been since you’ve cried a real tear? Too long, Isabel. Too long. She swallowed her second drink and was about to reach for another when she heard a knock on the door. “Carmen?” she called out as she walked through the hall. But, as she looked through the peephole, she saw nothing. She walked away from the door. Probably one of the neighbors’ friends at the wrong door. It happened from time to time. Before she could return to her seat, the knock came again. When she approached the door this time, she disregarded the peephole and threw open the door. “Wrong place-“
Isabel’s face turned ashen. She felt her legs weaken and the world started to spin. Despite all her years of living a remarkably dangerous lifestyle, despite having had more close calls with death than anyone would believe, Isabel Abbate fainted for the first time in her life.
Isabel’s eyes opened slowly. Her head was still slightly spinning, but she could tell she had been moved to the couch. The lamp on the end table shone in her eyes and a large blurred figure sat next to her. As she tried to sit up, a gentle hand held her in place.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Isabel couldn’t believe her ears were hearing the familiar voice. It wasn’t until the figure leaned forward and blocked out the light that Frank’s soft smile and caring eyes were plainly visible. “Are you okay?”
Isabel looked up at him. “What? How are you – They said you were dead!” She tried to sit up again, but Frank kept her prone on the couch.
“Don’t move yet. Get your bearings.” He stood and went to the kitchen. He returned with a cold washcloth and placed it on her forehead. “I left the building twenty minutes before the explosion. Joe was on a hell of a trip and told me to leave. I never thought I would ever be grateful for any decision he made. I guess I was wrong...” Frank smiled.
Isabel slid up on her elbows on the couch as Frank related his story. “Where have you been? Everyone thinks you’re dead. I don’t understand.”
“I was in a cab about seven blocks away when the explosion occurred. I knew what it was the instant I heard the sound. I had the driver drop me at a hotel across town and I checked in under a false name. Since then, I’ve been watching the news and making anonymous phone calls, trying to find out who was responsible. I had a few cabs bring me here and park outside so I could stakeout your building. Once I was convinced that you were safe, I made some arrangements and came to find you.”
Frank turned to face Isabel and placed his hand on her arm, “I want you to leave with me. Tonight even. I don’t know who is behind this attack, but if it’s a play for power, no one will be safe.” He looked deep into her eyes, “I love you, and I’m going to protect you.”
Isabel’s head cleared and her confusion turned to an unfamiliar feeling as Frank told his tale. Longing, comfort, happiness... Love... She reached up and touched Frank’s cheek as tears crawled down her face. Twice in one day? Who’d have thought? Smiling, she coughed out a giggle at her own thought. Frank held a look of surprise. Isabel shook her head, reached up to grab him and pulled his face to hers. She kissed him deeply.
Frank was caught off guard for a moment, but quickly returned her kiss. Isabel wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. He’d never felt her hold him like that. Isabel’s desire to simply be close to Frank drove her to pull him nearer. She pulled fiercely at his neck and all Frank could do was wrap her up in his arms as well. Their slow, warm kiss lasted several moments.
When Isabel pulled back from the kiss, she looked into Frank’s eyes. Tears still trailing down her face, she chuckled out a couple laughs as she took her hand and wiped some of the tears she left on Frank’s cheeks. Frank smiled back at her. Finished, Isabel studied every inch of Frank’s face before burying her head in his chest. She hugged him tightly. Frank reciprocated.
After a few minutes of silence, Isabel raised her head and looked at Frank once again. “Frank, I want you to know something. I’ve got a secret that I need to tell you.”
Frank shook his head, “I already know, Isabel. You love me.”
In Frank’s smile, Isabel felt something that she had never before thought she would feel. She felt herself become completely powerless. And in that instant, she knew what he said was true.
“I do love you, Frank.”
They smiled at each other like a couple of love-struck teens, each of them feeling the exquisite rush of a requited love. Years, no decades, of history, occasional trysts, business dealings and friendship had finally culminated in their mutual love. They both knew it and felt it; there was no more tip-toeing around it. Their hearts had finally found each other.
With their arms holding each other they joined at the lips one more time. A soft warm kiss never felt so different yet so good. They both felt as though they were kissing each other for the first time. Not quite the nervous teenagers under the bleachers, they were still anxious about kissing someone they cared about so much. They gently felt each other out while desperately attempting to restrain their excitement. Each movement by their hands was a slight test of bravery. Every touch caused a spark of electricity to spread over their skin. The anxiety slowly eroded to genuine excitement.
Isabel pressed against Frank as they kissed and shifted her legs under her on the couch. Frank edged as far as he could before standing, yet Isabel didn’t let loose of his neck. So, Frank reached down, hooked his hands under her knees and around her back and lifted her from the cushions. He carried her across the room, neither of them breaking eye contact as he walked. Kicking the door to the bedroom open, Isabel pulled her chest to his and rested her head on his shoulder.
Once inside the bedroom, Frank softly crossed the room and laid Isabel on the bed. She stretched out on the bed, watching her lover remove his shirt. The room was dimly lit by the light from the living room, but she could still see his eyes affixed on her. Frank tossed his shirt to the floor and reached down to remove his shoes. Isabel felt the anticipation building and again felt like a teenage girl about to make love for the first time. She almost felt paralyzed by the build-up.
The soft thud of his belt hitting the floor accentuated the quietness of the room. Every move resonated in their ears: the slight creaks of the bed, the ruffling of the carpet under Frank’s feet, the rustling of the sheets whenever either of them moved. The tension seemingly made every one of their senses heightened. Every move, every sound, every look, and every breath was perceived with acute awareness.
Isabel felt the mattress shift under her as Frank climbed over her on the bed. As he straddled her and placed his hands on either side of her, Isabel moved her arms from over her head. Reaching up, she felt his bare chest. They shared a look as her hands quietly roamed over his chest, around to his back and powerful shoulders. He slowly lowered his body to hers and kissed her. With their lips locked in a passionate kiss, Isabel let her hands drift to his waist. She felt the waistband of his boxers. Her mind randomly flashed back to her first experience with a man while she slid a finger underneath the elastic. The feeling was the same this time with Frank. Anxious, excited and a little nervous with nearly every move, Isabel briefly pictured the young man, now faceless after all these years, with whom she had first been naked. This too, was a ‘first time’; the first time Frank and she were going to make love as a loving couple.
She nearly jumped when she felt Frank’s hand at her abdomen. He paused while she caught her breath, but quickly continued gently pulling at her blouse. Soon, it popped free from her skirt. His hand touched her bare skin. The slight touch made her take a breath. She smiled broadly interrupting their kiss. Frank backed away for a brief second before Isabel pulled him back to her. She was giddy with excitement, enjoying every moment.
Isabel felt Frank’s hand attempt to unbutton her blouse, but she decided to assist him. Frank returned his hand to her side while she undid her shirt for him. She pulled the shirt open and Frank helped her remove it from her shoulders. Frank took the opportunity to slide a hand behind her back after Isabel’s shirt was tossed aside and he lowered himself upon her.
Their chests pressed together and Isabel felt his entire weight on top of her. It was a safe, secure feeling. His warmth embraced her just as his arms did. She held him close, not wanting him to move and to kiss her forever. He rolled to one side, pulling her with him. Still locked in a tight embrace, their legs intertwined as they lay side by side.
Isabel nearly shuddered as Frank slowly ran his hands over her body. She felt completely comfortable, yet anxiously on edge as they continued to kiss. She felt his hands slowly drift to her skirt and below. His strong hands massaged her soft skin both over and below what clothing she still had on. She noticed every single movement.
After several loving minutes, Frank’s hand located the zipper on her skirt and pulled. Once it was completely lowered, Isabel became aware of the desire building within her. Frank slipped a hand underneath the now loose garment and felt the lace underwear beneath. This intimate contact shifted her attention from their warm kiss and embrace to something more carnal. She was suddenly aware of her body’s reaction.
Frank rolled back on top of her after removing his hand. Pushing himself over her, he shifted lower on the bed and went about removing her skirt. Isabel lifted her hips allowing Frank to slide the skirt down her legs. She sat up on her own and lifted her legs. Frank guided the skirt past her calves, past her feet and then tossed it off the edge of the bed. Isabel adjusted herself to reach behind her back and removed her bra. As she slipped the straps off her shoulders, she watched Frank watching her.
He looked at her with a quiet, simple smile. It wasn’t the look of a teenage boy seeing a naked woman for the first time; it was the loving look of man who wanted a woman more than anything he had ever wanted before.
She paused after she dropped the bra to the floor. She drank in the admired look from Frank as she faced him. It was as if she were naked with him for the first time. Frank didn’t move. He just stared.
Isabel looked back at him for a few seconds before taking the initiative. She hooked her thumbs into her lacey boy shorts and rocked back to slip them over her hips. She pulled them over her legs and kicked them to the end of the bed. Frank still simply stared.
Extending her legs on the bed, she sat before him, completely naked in the dim light. Her skin was alight with anticipation. She felt so vulnerable, so open. She hadn’t felt this way in a long time. She didn’t even recall feeling this way with Carmine. She was slightly scared, yet completely at ease with this man. The space between them was charged with electricity, but they chose to look upon each other for a few more seconds.
Finally, Isabel reached forward and wrapped her hand around his neck. Pulling him to her, she kissed him. Their lips locked, Isabel slowly leaned back, towing Frank along with her. Frank climbed back over Isabel as she settled back onto the mattress. Lowering himself upon her once again, he sensed every inch of skin on her naked body. Snaking his arms underneath her, he held her tightly as they continued their kiss.
Isabel loved the feeling of this man holding her. His muscular arms engulfed her and she felt so safe, so secure, so loved. For a few moments she had even forgotten about her body’s natural response. But, after they shifted on the bed, Isabel suddenly noticed Frank’s own reaction pressing against her leg.
Isabel suddenly longed for this. She wanted to be as close as possible with this man. The feeling of his arms around her, his legs over hers, his body protecting her was suddenly not enough. The desire to make love to Frank was overwhelming her. She wanted him inside of her, to feel his love deep within, to be one with him.
With him over her, she reached down and started to push his boxers down his sides. Frank rose up enough for her to slide them past his hips and mid-way down his thighs. Isabel deftly brought her foot to his thigh and worked the underwear down the length of his legs. A few quick kicks of his feet and Frank once again rested on top of Isabel.
Their kiss quickened somewhat as each of them felt the excitement suddenly come to a peak. They were locked together in a passionate kiss, held tightly together by their arms, skin pressed to skin. Isabel felt Frank’s erection between her legs. She had never wanted anything more in her life.
Isabel shifted underneath Frank and felt him positioned right at her opening. She spread her legs to accommodate him when Frank’s body stopped moving. He broke from their kiss and fixated his eyes on her. Isabel looked back at him with the slightly timid look of a virgin, yet gave him a slow nod.
With that, Frank pushed forward with his hips and he entered her. Isabel’s mouth opened wide as she drew a deep breath, but she never broke her gaze into Frank’s eyes. Another push and Frank plunged deeper into her.
Frank withdrew slightly then pressed into her one more time, filling her.
Isabel bit her lip as he drove into her completely, but she never stopped looking into his eyes. The sensation was incredible. Frank held there for a moment. They each drank in the moment, literally joined together like never before. They felt the mutual love between them and they were physically expressing it for the first time. Every small twitch from Frank was felt deep within Isabel; and Frank could feel every little contraction from Isabel. Together, they were finally one.