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Mika’s eyes opened with a pop, and her heart pattered with excitement. Today, she’d run her very first marathon. She sat up and crossed her legs.
“Hey, you.” She gave Breeze a scratch. “You are a bed hog, do you know that?”
Breeze lay corner to corner and, being a big shepherd, took up a lot of space. Her tongue slapped against Mika’s cheek with a big morning lick. Great! Dog breath. “Kisses won’t make it better.”
Breeze gave a soft woof.
Mika finished her morning routine and checked her phone, while her hand held down the top on the Magic Bullet. Inside was a concoction to give her energy for the race. It was supposed to be a wonder drink, but it was blue. How the heck could anything blue taste good? Cain hadn’t sent a text, and her heart dipped a little. She hoped he’d let her know he was on a flight back.
Yesterday afternoon she found his gift waiting for her. He’d bought her the Goodlife Marathon purple shirt, and she just happened to have a pair of purple running pants. She re-read his note twenty times since then. I believe in you. I love you, and I’ll be waiting for you at the finish line. HB.
At seven-fifteen, she’d received her number and milled with hundreds of other runners. Cain had constantly reminded her this wasn’t a race, but a marathon. Pace, rhythm, breathing, stop for water. Don’t push until the last five k, and then do it in degrees. She stretched out and shook off the angst in her belly. Her gaze fell across the crowd. She hoped he’d made his plane, but if he’d missed it, she wouldn’t be upset. The opportunity his father had offered him was more important than seeing her run the marathon.
As she loosened up, she tried not to think about the lesions that had sprung up. Dr. Whitti understood why she’d stopped the Humira, but warned her that more than likely it would come back aggressively. They would try to control it with creams, but she had to be prepared for the worst. A horn sounded, and she found herself in the middle of a throng of people.
She put her mind in what she called her running space. The horn blew again and her feet, along with many others, began to pad down Menzies. They would run south away from the inner harbor, and turn down Michigan, then left again on Government. The roadways were filled with cheering people. Family and friends called out, supporting their loved ones. The girls wanted to come and cheer her on, but she’d told them to stay home. There was really no point. After a couple “atta girls” she’d be gone, and they’d have to fight the traffic out of the city.
She ran past the Empress Hotel, the key landmark on the Victoria waterfront, sitting in all her noble glory, the vines covering her face, a deep autumn red.
Mika tried to keep herself from getting tangled up in the first two corners with the other runners who were in a tight pack. There weren’t many hills on this marathon, only a gentle lift of seventy-five feet or so. She checked her watch when she ran through Beacon Park. By the time she reached Dallas Road, she was ahead of her normal time. Her breathing was good, and the stitches in her right thigh didn’t hurt anymore. The cool day helped to keep her body temperature down.
Her legs burned, but nothing slowed her pace as she reached Richardson, the thirteen kilometer marker. Checking her watch again, she knew she was going to beat her best time. The course split at this point, and she turned right to follow the half marathon track.
She snagged her water as she passed by the station. She didn’t need to stop, she needed to keep running.
The pack had thinned out. Many of the participants walked the course. Now, she was in the company of people like her, trained runners. She imagined Cain beside her, running through the forest surrounding their home, the leaves turning yellow and crunching under their feet as they padded through the trails. She loved running with him. His words always encouraging her to push harder.
He’d be proud of her, she knew he would. At kilometer sixteen she began to push. Concentrate on your breathing, ignore the burn of muscles. She was circling back toward Beacon Hill Park and the Ogden Point breakwater. She’d taken her last water break, cementing her vow to break her best time, and put her mind on the end of the race to finish in front of the Legislature Building adjacent to the Empress. Every foot fall, every breath counted, and then she heard Cain.
“Push it, sweetheart.”
The sound of his voice juiced her adrenaline. She rounded the corner onto Belleville. The parliament building came into view.
Her target.
The end of the line.
Running toward one word—finish. She was breathing hard, her body exhausted.
“Mi-ka, I’m here. Run, baby, you’re gonna break your time.”
She looked around, but even her eyes were exhausted. All she saw was a blur of faces.
“Keep running!” Cain called out.
She stroked her arms and legs hard, every footfall a thud on the paved road. Cain broke from the crowd and into her view. She closed her eyes, and with one last burst of energy, she crossed the line and fell into Cain’s arms.
A race committee member called out, “Congratulations to Mika Makris on her first half marathon.”
Cain gripped her and kissed her cheeks. “Sweetheart, I am so goddamn proud of you. So proud of you.”
She nodded and bent over, trying to catch her breath. Cain pulled her to the side of the roadway. His suit was rumpled, and he looked like he’d been up all night.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now. Thank God, the cops were busy somewhere else. I was nothin’ but a blur down the highway.”
She laughed. He gripped her so tightly she could barely breathe.
He palmed her cheeks and stared into her eyes. “Fuck, I love you so god damn much.”
Her pulse at peak speed, couldn’t pump any faster, but hearing his words made her smile. “I love you too.”
“Next year, we’ll run together,” he said.
More people crossed the line and their names were announced over the speaker. She’d done it. Really done it.
“I need a bath,” she spouted. “Actually.” She concentrated on her breathing, inhaling and exhaling. “I need to fall down.”
They arrived at home at the same time, and the second she was out of the car, Cain was all over her. Holding her. Kissing her.
“Wow, I’d hate to see what would happen if you had to go away for a week,” she kidded.
He guided her into his house, and she flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Cain disappeared into the bathroom, and she heard the water pouring into the bathtub. When he returned, he was wearing his robe. Oh shit, if she got into the tub fast enough, he probably wouldn’t notice her new spots.
“Up you go,” he said, dragging her into a sitting position and peeling her shirt over her head.
“Think it’s all right for me to soak with the stitches?”
“Think it should be knitted together well enough for that.” He pulled her to her feet.
“How did the meeting go?”
Cain’s hands stilled for a second. “Fine.”
“Fine? That’s all I get is fine? Did you make the deal?”
“If you get in the tub, I’ll tell you all about it.”
Cain dimmed the lights, and she was glad for that as she stepped into the tub big enough for four people. The warm water flowing around her legs drew out a sigh. He slid into the bath, his eyes almost pleading with her when he held out his hand to help her sit. She kneeled between his legs.
“Something’s wrong, Cain. What is it?”
His gaze nearly shattered her, his dark blue eyes shiny as if they were misted with tears. His silky black hair fell around a shadowed rugged jaw. He looked tired. Sexy, but tired.
“I left here yesterday knowing I love you, but I learned that you own my heart. I’m just glad to be home.”
He leaned forward and kissed her mouth with such tenderness her legs trembled. That or she’d just run a twenty-one km race, and they were about to buckle. She smiled at him. Today was a very special day.
Mika turned and Cain pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her in a tight hug. She craned her neck, and he kissed her mouth, refusing to let it end.
“Cain?”
“Hmm,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
“I feel like eating an entire elephant in one sitting.”
He chuckled and bit her gently on the neck. “I feel like eating you.”
Pow! Just like that, her hunger evaporated, replaced by desire.
“And after I’m done,” he said, his palms cupping her breasts beneath the warm water and toying with her hardening nipples, “I’m taking you out for an early dinner. We’re going to be cooking all day tomorrow.”
“We? What’s this we stuff?” She couldn’t help but sigh with Cain’s fingers sliding down her stomach to the heat between her thighs.
“I’m helping you. I’ll be your kitchen slave and I-forgot-this-can-you-run-to-the-store retriever.”
“The girls are all bringing something.”
“Sure, but you’re doing most of the work.”
“Can we talk about food some other time?” she asked, reaching behind her to grip his hard shaft.
“Something particular you have in mind?” he teased.
A shot of regret passed through her, but she brushed it away for now. If her lesions kept growing, they only had so much time left. Shifting her view, she faced him and straddled his lap, looping her arms around his neck. He took the opportunity to pay close attention to her breasts as his strong hands massaged her butt. She kissed his forehead, his nose, then brushed his lips.
“Were you truly proud of me today?”
His beautiful eyes gazed into hers. “So proud. You beat your best time, and I wanted to be there for you when you crossed the line.”
****
“Mika, you in here?” She’d just disappeared and that wasn’t like her. Cain stuck his head in the cottage. Breeze sat on the couch. That was his first giveaway.
“In the bathroom,” she called back.
“Hey, Cain!” Dinky yelled out.
Uh-huh. What were those two plotting now? “You two make me nervous.”
They both appeared in the hallway. “Stitches are out,” she said. “Dr. Dinky removed them.”
“‘Kay.” He’d tried to do that yesterday, but she’d refused to let him near her.
Ten days had slipped by since he’d come home. Mika had only asked him cursory questions about his trip to L.A. When he told her he’d been successful at signing the account, she didn’t dig. She had no reason to.
Thanksgiving dinner had been a hit. The food was great. Having their friends and the kids was fun, but the best part was when someone knocked on the door. Mika opened it to find Stevie, Kevin and Cash standing there yelling, “Surprise!”
Mika had burst into tears while the sisters hugged, then got mobbed by the rest of the crowd. It meant a lot to him to see Mika with her family. He’d bought them the tickets to fly out short notice and made Stevie swear she wouldn’t tell Mika.
From the moment he got home, he’d put L.A. behind him.
Dodging Corrine’s sexual innuendos and touches over dinner that night, he’d pushed on to business. He’d wished God would strike him down for what he had to do before she’d sign the contract. He’d prayed, but saw his future with Mika slipping into oblivion. God wasn’t going to come thundering down from the heavens to help him. And then he was struck by an idea. God could help him! It was one fuck of a long shot, but he had nothing else. He began to drop religious references into their discussion. Slowly, but surely Corrine started to take note.
They were nearing the end of dinner. He’d tried to drag it out as long as possible, but she was getting impatient.
“Cain, you don’t seem like the man I remember.”
He smiled at Corrine warmly, although he was cold as hell inside. “That’s because I’m not.”
“Why did you close your business? I assumed you did very well.” She smiled at him. “I was always satisfied.”
He didn’t leap into the reason. He looked around then back at Corrine, as if deliberating on telling her. “The reason was a personal choice, something I had to do. You’re right, I was successful, but every time I saw a client I came away empty.” He frowned and paused. “I started searching, looking for something to feel whole again.”
Corinne listened attentively, the sexual light in her eyes dimming a little.
“I went home for a visit to Greece, and my mother begged me to go back to church. I’d always thought religion was a farce, but I joined her for mass, and I walked out of there feeling good about myself. I stayed for a couple months and kept going to mass. I confessed my sins to our Father, and we spoke many times. He made a lot of sense, and by the time I left Greece, I had made a decision.”
Corinne leaned over the table with rapt attention.
“I’d given my body to so many women. Gave them pleasure, but it was empty pleasure. I walked away from that life, and I’ve made a conscious choice to abstain and live my life as a Christian.”
She blinked. Her lips opened and then shut again.
“I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, but I have to stand by my choice. I hope you can respect my decision, Corinne.”
She sat back in the chair, her expression no longer heated with sexual desire, but stunned acceptance. “I think I do, Cain. I think I understand perfectly.” She stared off into space for a moment, then nodded. “I do understand, and I respect you for it.”
His heart galloped like a thoroughbred down the track. He’d rather live with this lie than to fail either his family or Mika.
“I’m truly sorry if I’ve disappointed you, Corinne, and I’ll understand if you don’t wish to do business with my family.”
“No.” She shook her head, reached for the contract and the pen. “Your family’s wine is some of the best ancient vine in the world. Taste of Grape and Sallas Wineries will have a beneficial business partnership. She scribbled her signature on the paperwork then rose. “Can I give you a ride back to your hotel?”
“Thank you,” he said, not believing he’d actually pulled this off. “I think I’ll walk.”
She leaned over, then stopped herself. He chuckled, meeting her halfway and kissed her cheek. “The best of luck, Corinne.”
“Goodbye, Cain.”
He watched her walk toward the entrance and did his damnedest not to do a football touchdown dance in the five-star world-class restaurant.
Cain had nearly shit himself when he’d called the airport. The Canadian Thanksgiving weekend had filled all the flights. He’d barely made it back to Victoria in time. With minutes to spare, he’d managed to see the woman of his dreams reach a goal she never thought she could reach, and he was there at the finish line, just as he’d promised.
Now, he had a new goal. The most important of his life.
Dinky and Mika sat down on the sofa, Breeze taking up most of the middle.
“Mika, I’m going to head into town. I’ll see you ladies later.” He leaned over the couch and kissed her.
“See ya, handsome,” Dinky said, and they fist-bumped each other.
Parking in front of the jewelers, he watched the tourists meander past. Folks loved the downtown core of Victoria with its English flavor, fine dining and British accents. The cobblestone streets were filled with tourists. Even bundled up because of the moist air flowing in from the ocean, they still wore smiles. He ducked into a coffee bar and picked up a cappuccino.
When he walked into the jewelry store, the gracious sales clerk named Rita saw him and smiled.
“Mr. Sallas, welcome. One moment. I’ll be right with you,” she said, and turned her attention back to the customers in front of her.
There were only a few custom design jewelry shops in the Victoria area. This one had been rated as the best. He’d found them to be completely forthright and accommodating. He wandered around the store, viewing the beautiful pieces in their glass cases, a little impatient to see the special design he’d created for Mika.
“Mr. Sallas,” Rita called as he approached a glass casement to browse.
He returned to the counter and she placed a velvet pad on the glass and opened a blue box to reveal the two rings he’d created. Beautiful. He hoped Mika would love them, because he’d put all his creativity and a little engineering into creating a one-of-a-kind engagement ring and wedding band. His phone rang, and he absently answered it.
“Hello?”
“Cain, hey.”
He excused himself for a moment and walked away from the counter to stand by the front window. “Everything all right?”
“Bro, are you at home?”
“No, I’m downtown. Why?” Abel sounded tense.
“Shit, man I—am—sorry.”
“For what?”
“Listen, I was talking with Corinne Cartright. She mentioned some crazy shit about religion and finding peace. I’m thinking maybe she was high or something. She said she needed to talk to you in person, and that she was in Victoria. She wasn’t sure where you lived.”
Cain’s fingers gripped his neck. “You didn’t tell her.”
“Man, by the time I figured out you’d fed her a bunch of bullshit about abstaining from sex, I’d already made some stupid comment about you’re probably overloading on it. I was kidding, but it went over like a lead brick. Do you two have history?”
“Fuck, yes,” he spit out, anger welling in his guts. “She was one of my clients. I cut her off when she wanted more than a date. In L.A. I was cornered. It was either fail the family or fail Mika. I couldn’t do either, so I told the woman I’d found God and was abstaining from sin. I had to do something. She’s a spiteful bitch. She never would have signed the contract without me being part of it.”
“Holy shit. Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Abstaining from sex?”
“No, you idiot. When did this happen?”
“About an hour ago.”
“I have to get home.” He hung up on Abel and swung around. “Rita, I have to go. I’ll be back.”
“Certainly,” she said and gave him a polite smile.
He jumped in his car and prayed to all that was holy, if there was any holy left for him, that he’d make it home before Corinne arrived.
****
Mika plucked a Kleenex from the tissue box on the kitchen counter. She and Dinky had a long conversation, and Mika showed her the toonie-sized lesions that spotted her entire body. Dinky listened and hugged her, telling her everything would be all right, suggesting she should just tell Cain.
Mika had tried a few times, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Dinky promised to call later and gave her a hug goodbye.
Thirty minutes later the doorbell rang, and she didn’t bother using the intercom, opening the door to see a very beautiful woman standing on the stoop, her rich, dark hair styled with a trained hand, and her dress a snug fit around a tall curvaceous body. Big blue eyes, with simple but effective makeup, looked up at her.
“Good afternoon, could you please tell Mr. Sallas, Corinne is here.”
Mika hesitated. She spoke to her as if she were the hired help. “Cain isn’t home right now. Was he expecting you?”
Corinne brushed by her without being invited. “Call him and tell him I’m here. I’ve tried several times, but the number I have has been disconnected. And get me a drink of ice water.” Corinne sat down on the couch as if she owned the place.
Mika didn’t know what to do. She followed Corinne into the living room and sat down in the leather chair. Breeze came to investigate and startled Corinne.
“Breeze, on your blanket.”
Breeze trotted to her mat by the fireplace and dropped down with a huff.
“I’m sorry, how do you know Cain?”
Corinne put her aloof attention on her.
“Did he know you were coming? He didn’t mention anything to me.” She wondered if this was another Sofia.
“Aren’t you the help? Who are you?” Corinne asked, her eyes narrowing.
Mika sat back in the chair and crossed her legs. “Well, you pushed your way into my home. I think maybe you should answer first.”
“Your home?” she spat out. “Who are you?” she asked again.
Mika cleared her throat feeling a little intimidated under this woman’s glare. “Yes, our home.”
Corinne’s steely gaze got even colder. “I’m Cain’s business partner and his lover. Now, it’s your turn.”
“Lover?” she repeated. Where in God’s name would he find the time to do that when he’s been here for months? He’d had a few short trips for the web business, but...
Corinne cocked her head. “Did he not tell you he was in L.A. recently? Maybe we’re both being deceived here.”
Mika slowly stood up. “I’ll get you that water.”
Corinne stood as well and walked around, stopping to look out the back windows toward the ocean. “Cain did quite well for himself fucking women, didn’t he?”
Mika brought the waters and set them on the stone table. “He did.”
“You know what he does?” Corinne backtracked and scooped up the glass.
“What he did, you mean.”
“Are you sure about that?” Corinne said, taking a deep swallow, then chuckled. “I’m sorry. I can see by your expression this is a shock. Cain is a master of deception.” Her gaze swept around the room. “That’s why he’s so popular. He doesn’t just fuck a woman, he makes her feel good about herself. It’s an ingenious ruse. Each client actually believes they are the only one who matters when they’re in his arms.” She paused, her brow creasing. “You must realize, as do I, that Cain is an incredible man. He’s generous and thoughtful. That’s why he’s so unique.”
Generous. “Yes,” Mika said. “He is generous.”
Corrine’s brow creased with concern. “Please, don’t feel threatened by me. I’m a busy woman. There’s no pecking order here just because Cain and I have been together for so long. I don’t mind sharing him with you.”
Mika remained silent. Suddenly, she wasn’t sure of anything, only that Cain had gone to L.A.
Corrine set the glass down. “I assume you’re his home base play toy.”
Mika’s anger began to burn in the pit of her stomach. He said he’d gone to Los Angeles to represent the family business. Had he lied to her?
“Are you trying to tell me, you were with Cain in L.A?”
“I don’t have to try. I was.” She smiled at her. “Like old times. We’re both busy people, but we make room for each other. I’m an executive member of Taste of Grape, a company his family does business with. My and Cain’s business is just a little more intimate.”
“I see.” She didn’t. She didn’t see any of this coming. Not a hint.
Cain’s car raced down the driveway, coming to a grinding halt on the gravel in front of the house.
“Looks like Cain’s home,” Mika said, suddenly numb. “Excuse me.”
She opened the patio door and walked out, not bothering to close it behind her.
****
Cain slammed on the brakes next to a white rental car parked in front of his house. Too late. He jumped out of the Jag. His heart deflated, seeing Corinne exit the front door. She stopped and glared at him.
“Religion, Cain, really? It was a good ploy, I must admit.”
“Where’s Mika?” he shouted, the talons of karma threatening to claw him back into the darkness.
Corrine offered a venomous smile. “I don’t know, but tit for tat, Cain. Your happily-ever-after is done.” She walked past him, a vengeful snarl on her features. She yanked the car door open. “I came in good faith. I believed you, Cain, but one manipulation is as good as the next.”
His pulse drummed with fear. “What did you tell her?”
“Something you’ll never be able to disprove, and with your history, I’d say whatever you thought you had with that woman is over.”
He didn’t bother sparing another glance at Corinne, bolting for the front door. “Mika!” He took the stairs two at a time and tore through every room, each one empty. “Mika!”
He ran through the open patio doors, searching the property, then his eyes turned to the cottage. When he reached it, his heart shattered on the ground. The front door was closed tight. He turned the handle, but it was locked.
“Mika, let me in,” he demanded, banging on the door with his fist.
He ran around to the patio and peered in the window. Mika sat on the floor, her head leaning against the front door and her eyes closed.
“Mika, open the door.” He slapped the glass with his palm. “Please, open the door.”
She pushed herself to her feet and walked toward him, her expression blank. Her eyes dark and unemotional. She gripped the curtain, yanking it across the window, shutting him out. He bowed his head and backed away, bumping into the patio chair. With shaking legs, he sat down and put his head between his knees, trying to calm down. He’d give her time. Then they’d talk. He’d explain everything. Everything would be okay.
Everything would be fine.
