During the boat ride back to the jetty, only the sound of the motor broke the silence. It’s thrum surged between them, heightening the sense of expectation, keeping pace with the heated blood pulsing through their veins.
Before long Jade was sitting in the front seat of Paul’s car. The convertible’s top was down. Eyes closed, she relished the caress of the air on her skin, her senses so aware of the man sitting beside her and the unspoken promise that linked them. Although she was seemingly relaxed, her body clamored to feel his flesh, smell his scent, be closer to him, as close as it was possible to get.
She had the fanciful notion the whole world was waiting, waiting for them to be together, wrapped in each other, lovers at last.
Tires crunching on the dirt, the car swung off the narrow side road. Ahead of them lay darkness, the unknown.
They bumped along and rolled to a stop. Her breathing hushed, she undid the seat belt and stood up. Car doors slammed. Paul came to her side, and her desire for him flared, making her miss her footing and stumble.
“Careful.”
He put his arm around her shoulders, somehow conveying reassurance, yet making her yearn all the more as he guided her toward the cabin. There it stood, nestled under a stand of birch trees, visible now by the light of the moon. Here they would be completely private, just the two of them. Jade shivered at the tantalizing thought.
“Cold?” Paul asked, releasing her so she could go ahead, up the two, shallow, wooden steps.
Jade swallowed, her throat dry from desire. Maybe his was, too.
“I’m okay. Just thirsty, I guess.”
The screen door groaned as he opened it for her. She stepped into the main room.
“I’ve a bottle of white wine in the fridge. Want some?” he asked.
What she wanted was long and warm and male and standing right in front of her. She curled her fingers into her palms.
“Sure.”
This jumping-bones business wasn’t quite as simple as she’d anticipated. To distract herself, she looked around at the log walls. A watercolor of the lake hung on the wall above the wooden love seat. Its cushions were covered by a linen fabric in a deep blue. On the floor, a rag rug enhanced the rustic theme.
“This is nice,” she said, watching Paul extract a slim green bottle. “Simple, but nice. I don’t really approve of some of these fancy holiday mansions. You’re inside and far away from nature instead of being at one with it.”
“A nature girl, are you?”
She was sure he wouldn’t sound so friendly if he knew who she really was.
“Sometimes,” she agreed, her eyes on his hands as they dealt with the metal covering on the bottle top and then deftly extracted the cork. The golden liquid glistened as he poured the wine into the waiting glasses. What would it be like to have those long fingers touching her? She gave another tiny shudder.
Glasses in hand, they went back out onto the stoop. Paul scooped up the throw that covered the back of the chair and took her hand.
“Come,” he murmured, “let’s go down to the beach.”
“Wait.” She pulled back, suddenly hesitant. “I want — I need — ” How to tell him she needed a moment to gather herself? He’d think she was having second thoughts.
“What do you need, Serendipity?”
Reacting to the husky rasp of his voice, she said the first thing she could think of. “ — to get rid of my shoes.”
With her free hand, she pried off the left one, then hopped on one leg. In her distracted state, she fumbled, not quite managing to grasp the strap of the right. She hopped some more and lost her balance.
Paul steadied her. “Here.” He gave her his glass to hold and knelt down. “Let me help.”
He took her foot in his hand, his fingers curling around her ankle.
“Moon and stars,” he commented, giving her tattoo a quick kiss. “How appropriate. Did you notice how brightly they’re shining tonight?”
He freed the sandal strap and stroked her instep. His touch sent a rush of heat shooting through her, making her all the more unsteady. She lowered her foot and glanced up at the sky.
“I never cease to marvel how sparkly the stars are here.” The golden wine she held glinted with pinpoints of reflection.
Standing up, Paul shucked off his own shoes.
The grass prickled under her soles. On the beach, soft sand embraced her feet. Ahead the inky black lake stretched to the horizon, the water whispering as it lapped the shore. The night drew its velvet mantle over them. Birch trees stood silent, slender witnesses to the coming consummation.
Paul spread out the throw. Jade lifted her glass to drink. She’d only taken one swallow of the cool, tart liquid when Paul, his movements lithe, came to stand in front of her. He took a sip, set both goblets on a nearby log, and stepped forward. Reading his intent, her body responded, thrumming with the knowledge that he was about to kiss her, that this was the overture to the music they would make together.
Lips still moist and cool from the wine met hers, the pressure soft yet firm. Then the kiss deepened. Her eyes drifted shut as she opened to him. She tasted Paul, the flavor that was his alone. The incredible feel of his arms firmly enfolding her, the scent of his skin, the sound of his breathing enhanced the heat, drove up the temperature as their mouths blended. All thought of past intentions and future considerations vanished. This was too encompassing, too compelling to deny. Jade was far away, left behind in the city, and Dipity could risk it. Neither of them would deny her the drugging pleasure of this kiss, which grew ever more passionate and intimate. His mouth asked and hers responded, then hers sought and his offered, until she was rendered boneless with want, her body demanding further intimacy.
“Mmm,” he murmured, changing the angle of his head and drawing her closer, closer, until she pressed tight against his body — hard male muscles, the ridge of his arousal pressed against softer, willing, feminine flesh.
His fingers moved at the back of her waist, tugging until he freed her tee shirt from her pants. Then his hands, warm and strong and big, stroked upwards, spreading out, so that they rested on her shoulder blades. He pressed her closer into him and took her mouth in a different kind of kiss — wide and hungry. Eagerly she met his demand, her response flaming wildly through her.
She clutched at his back, her fingers knotting in the fabric of his shirt. With a gasp, he broke away.
Those artistic hands of his moved around, feeling for the fastening on her bra. They stilled for a second when they found it in the front.
“Mmm,” he murmured. It took one deft movement. The clasp opened and he peeled the fabric away.
Her brain shut down as her body waited for his touch, her breath coming fast and shallow. She heard Paul swallow. Any second now, she’d feel his touch on her bare breasts.
And then, finally, his warm, clever hands cupped them. He began to stroke, featherlight at first, making her shiver, increasing her sensitivity. He touched her more firmly, his fingertips pressing, squeezing her taut nipples. Pleasure and urgency surged, while molten fluid gathered between her legs. She moaned.
“More, Paul. I have to have more.” The words came from her throat, husky with desire. She lifted her gaze and saw his face, tense with his desire.
He stilled and took his hands from her body. They stood facing each other, feeling the tension, the anticipation almost too much to bear.
“I want you,” she whispered.
Their mouths met in a new kiss. It began slowly, tenderly, as if vows were being exchanged. But soon their blood became hotter, more demanding, driving them onward, swamping them with sensation as they shared and explored, all the while becoming more attuned to one another, more urgent.
Suddenly Jade needed to be naked, to shed the last barriers, to feel Paul’s flesh against hers. With an impatient mutter, she crossed her arms, seized the hem of her tee shirt, and drew the garment up and over her head. Even before she’d freed her hands from the sleeves, he was all over her, his head lowered, licking, kissing, sucking, the moistness he left on her flesh cool in the night air. She held onto his shoulders, her fingers digging into hard flesh, letting her head fall back, surrendering to the erotic sensations.
His hands learned her curves, the dips and peaks and planes, as if he were already sculpting her. And she, with soft sighs and shuddering moans, slowly emerged from the waters of her dormant sensuality, Paul’s arousing touch helping her surface.
Jade felt the joy of her skin, uncovered. Something amazingly exciting, freeing took hold of her, being naked outdoors. That was a Dipity reaction. Somehow the two parts of herself she’d always worked so hard to keep apart had now melded together. Just as it said in Desiderata, the poem Marigold had hanging on her bedroom wall, she was a child of the universe, the crown of creation, a powerful human being. A woman.
The tide of affirmation flowed through her. Now she would have this man, this man who turned her body to molten fire, who made her want him so urgently. She reached for Paul, hastily helping him off with his shirt, baring his chest even as his nimble fingers moved to the button at her waist. He quickly undid it and pushed the garments down. She stepped out of them. There was a hushed moment when he looked at her, his gaze sweeping down and then up. Standing before him, she read admiration and awe in his expression. Before reaching for her again, he flicked open the metal button at his waist.
She moved forward to draw down the zipper and hold him, stunned by the knowledge that all this male power would soon be a part of her — and reveling in it. He caught her to him, pressing her against him so that she was in contact with the warmth of his taut chest. Together they sank down onto the throw and stretched out to be embraced by the earth, while above them arched the midnight blue vault of heaven. Limbs entwined, mouths melded, they took their explorations further with approving murmurs, caresses, and kisses, until Jade writhed with need.
“Now, Paul. Please. Now.” She’d surely faint if he didn’t fill her, make her complete.
Paul moved, poising himself above her. She opened herself to welcome him. He braced. Slowly, sliding silkily, he filled her, deeper, deeper, until at last they were fully joined. Then he stilled as if to savor this exquisite, defining moment of penetration.
A rush of delight coursed through Jade. This was incredible. She wanted to hold on to the moment forever. But something in her demanded she move, move with him, then counter to him. He set up a rhythm so that they each danced their own dance, and yet they were together.
Eyes closed, sunk in sensation, she surrendered completely, letting him take her where he willed. Higher and higher, deeper and deeper into delight, until a moan rose in her throat. She dug her nails into his back and urged him on, almost frantic with the driving urge for completion. And he obliged, surging into her until there, at last, was the opposite shore. Jade gave a shudder of ecstasy as the waves broke. Her inner convulsions throbbed around him, causing him to reach his own peak of pulsating pleasure.
Paul held still for a few seconds, then collapsed on top of her. They lay in each others’ arms, holding on to the moment while gradually limbs and muscles relaxed, their bodies sinking into the sand, allowing the earth to be their cradle. All was quiet, hushed. Only the sound of long, satisfied sighs wafted on the air.
Paul rolled to one side but kept his arms around her. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought she was floating above the ground. She opened her eyes. Hanging low in the sky, the full, pearly moon glistened and glimmered. Around it she imagined shimmering beings of wonderful colors — emerald and magenta moving across the sky in great swathes of light. Perhaps she was having a psychedelic experience; perhaps that was the reason for the euphoria that filled her. Or maybe Paul’s lovemaking was the cause of this incredible feeling.
She gulped, doing her best to absorb the sensations, not quite believing what had just happened. She’d always thought of sex as ordinary, a natural bodily function, never knowing it could be so much more, involve so much more. Something told her she’d just experienced the most wondrous encounter of her life.
Paul planted a quick kiss on her lips. His hand stroked over her shoulders.
“A beautiful night for a beautiful experience, wouldn’t you say?”
She nodded, touching her fingers to his forehead, following his hairline with gentle caresses, wanting to say more, yet knowing she’d better not.
The air had cooled. Jade shivered.
“Time to light the fire.” Paul knelt, took out a match and struck it. The kindling caught, twigs crackled, and soon flames shone on his face.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “Shall I cook the fish?”
“Not just yet.”
He leaned across, picked up her wine glass, and handed it to her. He lifted his own in a salute.
“Here’s to the spirit of the lake. I thank her for her favor.”
His mouth quirked. The dimple peeked. She sighed. Now she knew exactly how much pleasure that dimple promised.
Two hours later, after eating a simple meal, and making love again, Jade propped her head on one elbow and looked down at Paul.
“I should go back.” The words came out slowly, reluctantly.
“Don’t. The dawn will wake us.”
She was more than content to remain in this intimate cocoon they’d woven together. How close she felt to Paul. How glad she was to have experienced his mouth blending with hers, his body joining with hers. The journey they had taken tonight had changed her. Truth was she’d never be able to look at him, be around him without remembering these incredible hours.
Regret trickled through her as she reminded herself this could lead nowhere. Whatever they’d created together this weekend was destined to die, and soon. The moment she climbed on her Harley tomorrow morning and headed for the city, their fling would be over.
For a long while, she lay nestled into the crook of his shoulder, her head on his chest, his arm under her neck. Relaxed, her eyelids became heavy and she drifted off to sleep.
• • •
On Monday evening, beer in hand, Paul sat outside on the stoop watching the changing colors in the sky and thinking about the weekend. An image was imprinted on his brain and he saw, again, Serendipity standing naked before him, her skin silvered by the moonlight, a goddess. God, that woman was wonderful. If she were here, right now, they’d be able to do all sorts of marvelous things together. But she was gone.
How curious it was. With her he hadn’t felt that first, hesitant barrier he usually experienced in the early days of getting to know a woman. Somehow, she’d already felt familiar to him. Despite the fact that the time they’d spent together had been short, he felt connected to her. He’d sensed her amazement as her natural sexiness revealed itself and felt glad and, yes, powerful, that he’d been able to satisfy her.
Serendipity had set him free. She was special. A woman who could make the sun shine for him, set his life aglow. He wasn’t ready for this to end. Somehow or other, he had to find a way of seeing her again so they could take their relationship further.
His thoughts startled him. After such a short time, could he really feel so strongly?
The ringing of the phone interrupted his reverie. Had to be Steve, because he was the only person who’d call him at this number.
“Hi buddy. Feeling better? Had a good, restful weekend?”
“Yeah. I’m good. And the weekend wasn’t that restful.”
“No? Why not? Were the fish jumping out at you?”
“Pretty much. But that wasn’t all. See, I met this biker chick.”
“Ah ha, oh ho, now I’m getting the picture. I thought there was an up note in your voice … so what’s she like? Sexy?”
“You bet.”
“Stacked?”
That took him aback. “Well yeah. But it’s not like that.”
“Sure it isn’t. Some guys have all the fu — I mean luck.”
A tinge of irritation rose in Paul. “You’re so shallow, Steve. What do looks matter?”
“This, from the guy who works on visuals all the time? Come on, give me a clue what type she is … . Which kind of Jennifer — Aniston or Lopez? — that kind of thing.”
“Actually, the weird thing is, when I first met her I thought she looked exactly like Jade Jellicoe.”
“The iceberg? Hmm. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with her appearance. Maybe even quite a lot right. It’s the attitude that’s off-putting … . But doesn’t it feel strange?”
“Doesn’t what feel strange?”
“Doing it with someone who looks like the aloof J.J.?”
The crude expression annoyed Paul. Defining what they’d experienced in these kind of terms simply didn’t sit right. Serendipity was more than a set of perky breasts. So much more. This was something unusual. Even a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
“I don’t see Jade. Only Serendipity.”
“Serendipity? That’s her name?”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
“Well, I wish you — ”
“Wish me what?”
“I wish you serendipity of course.”
If only.
“Kind of you, but the pity of it is, the weekend’s over and she’s left.”
“Ah well. Find a replacement.”
Paul’s annoyance increased. Like Serendipity was interchangeable? For a few seconds he thought of hanging up. “We’ll see.” Time to switch the subject. “Everything okay at work?”
“Forget work. I’m not going to tell you a thing. All I’ll say is I’m missing my art director.”
“Well, so far, he’s not missing you,” Paul replied.
Steve was a good writer, and an even better housemate, but Paul didn’t want to be pulled back into the city world — or any further into this conversation. He was having much too good a time at the lake and Serendipity was just too special to discuss.
• • •
On Wednesdays, Jade had a regular lunch date with Suzy Wu, the creative director. Generally, Jade stuck to her policy of not socializing with anyone at the agency. Suzy was the one exception. Their personalities had meshed from the very first day they’d met, and she found she could relax with her.
Thin gold bracelets jingled as her elegant friend put down her coffee cup. Scarlet lipstick set off the pale perfection of her skin and contrasted with her dark hair, which she wore fashionably straight, the sides just touching her cheeks and framing her face.
“Did you have a good time over the weekend?” Suzy asked.
Jade pushed aside her own cup. She rested her forearms on the restaurant table, one hand clutching each elbow. If she didn’t share at least a smidgen, she was going to go into meltdown. Giorgio, the restaurant’s proprietor, would definitely not approve.
The discreet Suzy would be her ideal confidant, although Jade wouldn’t tell her the whole story. She wouldn’t mention Ontario’s greatest lover by his real name. No way. She’d call him … .
“Peter and I had the dreamiest time you could possibly imagine.”
“You met someone? You really did?”
Jade told how she and Peter/Paul had hung out together in Tobermory and how the next day he’d appeared in her hometown and they’d gone fishing. And met again the following evening.
Suzy’s eyes twinkled in amused understanding. “On the lake at night, huh?”
Jade nodded. In a habitual gesture, she touched a hand to the hair lying just below her jaw bone, checking that the smooth, ash-blond wig that she wore to work to further ensure nobody associated her with Serendipity was still properly in place. “Uh-huh.”
“With that beautiful full moon shining?” Suzy’s lips curved upward.
“Absolutely. The whole setting, the gorgeous night, all just made for romance.”
Suzy leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Soooooo, tell me. Was the sex good?”
Jade sat back and took in a long breath. She looked around. The restaurant, with its quietly efficient black-and-white clad waiters, soft lighting, and damask tablecloths, also gave an impression of discretion.
She let out her breath. “Youuuuu bet.”
“Ah.” Suzy’s fist hit the table. “I knew it.”
“You did?”
“Sure. The moment you walked into the office, I thought, Jade looks different. Something extra-specially good must have happened over the weekend.”
Jade grinned. “Your observation was correct.”
The waiter appeared, bearing two plates of salad.
“Glad to hear it.” Suzy shifted to give him room. He slid one dish in front her and the other in front of Jade.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
As soon as he left, Suzy said, “Tell me more. Tell me all, in fact.”
All? No, she couldn’t do that. But some of it. “Ho-kay. Otherwise, I’ll just burst from everything that’s bubbling and churning around inside me.” Jade bit into a round red tomato, and the sweet yet tangy juice filled her mouth. “Think a warm evening on a private beach, moon and stars shining up above.”
“Ah. Yes.”
Jade stared at the back wall, reliving their first time together. Amazingly, her body responded to the vivid images her mind conjured up. She sighed. “Never had better … or anything close.”
“Dynamite chemistry, huh?” Suzy began to pick at her salad.
“I guess that’s the explanation.”
“Makes all the difference. It’s why I got married.” Suzy gave a small, secretive smile.
“After this weekend, I’m beginning to understand the appeal.”
Startled eyes met hers. “You? I imagined you as the dedicated, independent bachelor girl.”
Jade took a last sip of coffee. Her fingers lingered on the handle of the cup. “I admit independence is important to me, but sometimes I get lonely.” She pressed her lips together. After a pause she went on. “It never bothered me before, but when I got back to my dreary apartment on Monday night, it felt, somehow, not just empty but soulless and a bit hollow.”
“This sounds serious, Jade. I think you’ve got it bad.”
Jade picked up her fork. She wasn’t prepared to consider such a possibility.
“It was a fling. Over and done with.” The fork stabbed the air, emphasizing her next words. “There’s absolutely no chance of taking this any further.”
“Why not?” Suzy looked puzzled. “Didn’t you get this guy’s phone number? Or give him yours?”
“No. I mean, yes. I mean, no.”
Up went Suzy’s beautifully defined eyebrows. “So which is it?”
“I didn’t give him my phone number, but I could get it touch with him if I wanted to.”
“Great.”
“Not going to happen.” Jade gave a quick shake of her head and munched in a deliberate fashion on parmesan-sprinkled romaine lettuce.
“Why not?”
“Because this was just a fling. We wouldn’t be compatible.” Rather, she thought, having her private life exposed wouldn’t be compatible with keeping her job. Which would mean no helping her parents with their mortgage and no more saving for her own place. Worst of all, she’d have to let go of her plans to pay for Adrian’s studies.
Time to change the subject before she was tempted to confide any further.
“So far this has been all about me. How are things with you?”
Suzy picked up her water glass and took a sip. “Actually, remember you were talking about bubbling and churning? Well, I have news.”
Having said that, Suzy went quiet. The waiter appeared, removed the salad plates, and placed the pasta they’d ordered in front of them.
Jade prepared to dig in. “Exciting?”
“And a bit scary.”
Thinking of the way she’d felt with Paul, she said, “I suppose the two can go together.”
Suzy bent her head, glanced from side to side to check if anyone was in earshot and then said in a low voice, “I’m expecting.”
Jade frowned. “You’re expecting what? A promotion? A transfer? You’re going on a trip?”
“No, no. I’m pregnant.”
Jade’s fingers opened. Her fork clattered onto her plate.
“Wow! Congratulations! How far along are you?”
“Five months.”
“Five months!” she echoed. “I don’t believe it. You don’t show at all.”
“Yes, I do. Why do you think I’m wearing loose overshirts?” Suzy patted her small stomach.
“Never thought about it. Just thought you looked elegant, as ever … maybe a teensy bit plumper, but it suits you.”
“Thanks.”
Jade was still trying to get her head around Suzy’s news. “So what’s your plan? Get someone to take your place while you have the baby and take your maternity leave?”
“No. I’m going to quit.”
“Quit?” Jade squeaked.
“Yes. We’ve tried a long while for this baby. A couple of years ago I had a miss at three months. That’s why I haven’t told you before about the pregnancy. I wanted to be as certain as possible everything would be okay.”
Jade’s eyes went round.
“You’re going to give up all this … and stay at home with the baby?”
“And I couldn’t be happier about it.”
“But, but won’t you miss the vibe — the frantic pace, the pressure?”
Suzy raised one eyebrow. “Listen to those words. No, I don’t think so. If I do, I can always work again or do something part time. But I want to do the best for this kid, bring him up myself. You know how they say the first years are so vitally important?”
Jade nodded, stunned at what she was hearing.
“Well, I’m going to bliss out with my baby boy.”
How warm, how motherly that sounded. Jade felt an answering chord deep inside and had the fleeting thought it sounded like Paul’s guitar. Perhaps there was something about the earth-mother instinct after all. Years ago, she’d slammed the door on thoughts like those. But now she remembered Marigold being with her, those early years, seemingly having all the time in the world to play with her, to sing to her, to look after her. Only, with the difficult times that had come later, she’d forgotten.
“Well, good for you,” she said sincerely, trying to quash the fluttering inside her.
Suzy sent Jade a glowing smile and tucked into her chicken tagliatelle. Jade poked her fork into her pasta, her mind absorbing and processing the surprising development. She’d always imagined Suzy to be quite the dedicated career woman, and here she was, happy to give it all up and be a stay-at-home mom. Well.
“You’re not quitting just yet, are you?”
“No, I’ll work as long as the doc says it’s okay. But if things get too stressful I might revisit that.”
“I can’t imagine the agency without you. Apart from losing my only friend, I won’t have anyone to keep me up to date on what’s going on in your department.”
“We’ll still be friends. That won’t change.” Suzy dabbed at the sides of her mouth with her napkin, then smoothed it across her lap. “But as for keeping you up to date … .” For a few seconds, she looked down. When she lifted her head again, her expression was serious. “Steve was muttering about the menace of pink slips the other day. Have you heard anything more about cutbacks?”
Suzy’s words reminded her of the rumors.
“Nothing official as yet.”
The horror of the threat was, if she lost that ultra-conservative client account, she’d be one of those let go.
“It’s unsettling,” Suzy said, “but I’m sure you don’t have to worry.”
Jade’s stomach roiled. Her job wasn’t as secure as Suzy thought. “Still, I hate the idea, especially as I’d probably have to do the dirty deed if the rumors are true.”
Suzy looked around for the waiter. It was time to return to work.
“Let’s hope they’re not.”
But if they were … . If they were, that was even more reason for her to stay far away from Paul.
• • •
At nine-thirty that night, Jade trudged wearily up the concrete pathway that led to the small, block building that housed her basement apartment. Too often over the last weeks, she’d returned home after the sun had set. Tonight the dusk hadn’t yet turned to complete darkness, but somehow even the spruce tree on the small patch of front lawn looked forlorn. Beyond that, the narrow oblongs of her living room windows were blank and dark. She should put a lamp on a timer switch so at least she had some glimmer of welcome to return to.
Once inside, she dumped her purse-type briefcase on the battered antique trunk by the closet, shed her jacket and high-heeled shoes, and headed for the kitchen. Her stomach ached from hunger, but she was far too tired to think of cooking, even though she normally enjoyed it. Which meant she’d have to go for cold comfort yet again.
Yanking open the freezer, she reached into its icy depths and took out a low-calorie frozen dinner. Pressing her lips together, she removed it from the packaging and placed the solid lump in the microwave. How distressed her mother would be if she could see her. Marigold hated what she termed nuked food. She muttered on about cell changes and the destruction of the vital life force.
Minutes later Jade stood leaning against the stove, eating her food while idle thoughts wandered through her mind. Yesterday she’d arranged for Paul’s sculpting tools to be couriered up to him, so he’d have them by now. She wondered if he was busy, chisel in hand, working at the wood, struggling to free the invisible, mysterious shape he saw entrapped there. The Spirit of the Lake. What a shame she’d never see the finished piece.
No use regretting things, although telling Suzy had brought the events of the time with Paul back to her in graphic detail. Now she had to deal with frustration as well as a wayward imagination, not to mention a recalcitrant conscience.
She put down the plate, reminding herself she’d made her choice and it was for the best. For herself, for her parents, for Adrian. For the agency. Whatever happened, the memories of the weekend would be hers forever.
There was no reason to feel so low.
Back in the living room she switched on her sound system and chose a CD. The Gypsy Kings. Always guaranteed to cheer her up.
• • •
On Steve’s lakeside property, enough light shone in through the wide doors and one single window for the shed to serve as a studio. Wearing only his shorts, Paul worked at the wood. He carved steadily, so absorbed in his task that he was deaf to the sound of the blue jay’s screech, the chattering complaint of the squirrel. He’d forgotten how wonderful it felt to be engaged in creating a sculpture, to be lifted into that realm where the muse seemed to whisper to him, “Take away a small piece here, mold that area more sharply.”
In his mind, he held the image of Serendipity, her slender waist, her curves, her shape, silvered in the moonlight. Thinking of her, his hands found the way to fashion the woman trapped inside the wavy log.
An hour later, he stepped away and wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his arm. Whew! Why had he left sculpting for so long when nothing else gave him quite the same sense of rightness, the feeling that this was what he’d been born to do? Somehow he’d gotten caught up in the chaotic energy of the advertising world and found himself putting in long hours, rewarding himself with a fancy car. But this kind of creativity let him focus on something larger, something beyond the brief he’d been given, or the purchase of his next toy.
He really didn’t want to go back to work.
The thought gave him pause. He laid down his hammer and chisel and wandered over to the doorway where he stood looking out at the silvery lake. At last, he shrugged. All this beauty and peace was wonderful, but it wasn’t part of the real world. In any case, his vacation wasn’t over yet. He still had a couple of days plus the weekend to indulge himself, to do whatever he wanted. Which, at the moment, was sculpt.
He went back and walked slowly around the upright log, considering. Yes, it was still very rough, but he could see the potential. He’d uncover the essence of the Spirit of the Lake. And of Serendipity, although she was still mysterious to him in some ways.
He smiled to himself. What a difference finding her had made. Ever since the weekend, he’d felt restored and yet also renewed, as if he’d taken a step forward, grown closer to what he was meant to be.
Sure, this had a lot to do with the tranquility of his surroundings, here at the lake, with having the time and space to simply exist. Please himself. But it was also connected with Serendipity. Being with her, having fun, making love, had shifted something within him, opening him to a larger, different future. Over the last months he’d become so focused on the various advertising accounts he’d been working on, conjuring up new ideas, suitable images, that his world had narrowed to a kind of prison. Maybe he needed to reassess his career, decide whether or not he wanted to continue in the advertising business.
Serendipity. He’d like to take things further with her. Sometime before he went back to the city, he’d ride around to the other side of the lake, visit her home, and find out how to get in touch.
He picked up the hammer and chisel again. Slivers of newly shorn wood fell to the floor and permeated the shed with the sweet smell of maple.
• • •
The rest of the week proved difficult for Jade. At work, she found herself unable to give 120 percent of herself, as she’d done before. Little scenes from the weekend kept stealing into her mind — sexy scenes, peaceful scenes, teasing scenes seasoned with laughter.
Then her computer decided to throw a hissy fit. Once that was sorted out, she discovered her email was playing tricks and she couldn’t access her messages. Hours were wasted and all she got was a promise her account would be back to normal by Monday. Added to that, she couldn’t ignore the atmosphere of unsettled uneasiness that pervaded the office as rumors of cutbacks spread. The undercurrents echoed in her and she suffered from an unusual moodiness.
By Friday she was completely exasperated. To make things worse, Serendipity had refused to be banished. Setting aside the experiences she’d led Jade into, the bewitchment she’d conjured up made Jade feel needy and mushy and dreamy — and brought an intense sexual frustration. Paul R.G. kept popping up in her mind, her dreams, her thoughts. She was about ready to strangle him with his own guitar strings.
Man, the guy had sexy buns. And next week he’d be back with them, right here in the agency. Dealing with him then would be the ultimate test of her determined path in life. No, it would be fine. Definitely. She’d close the book on their fling. Get over it.
Back on her computer, she realized she’d made yet another silly mistake, had allocated the travel budget to the radio-advertising cost column. Damn it. This was what it felt like to be discombobulated, a state of mind she simply could not afford.
But before many minutes passed she drifted off into another daydream. A sneaky error crept into the promo budget for the new ad campaign. With a mutter of disgust, she pulled her hands back from the keyboard, scooted her chair away from the desk, and twirled herself around, once, twice. She came to a stop facing the window. Feeling a little dizzy, she gazed out at the summer sky, hazy with the city’s pollution. At Lake Lauzon the day would surely be crystal clear … . And there she went again, about to fly into the air on another fantasy trip.
She touched her feet to the carpet and twirled back to her desk. Her hormones were obviously out to get revenge for these past couple of years of celibacy. Enough already. She got the message, thank you very much. It was time to take action.
She turned to her computer and found what she was looking for. Usually she didn’t make personal calls at work, but this time she was going to break her own rule.
Picking up her office phone, she dialed the number of the one man who could take her to the clouds.