Stuart Woods - Hot Mahogany

“No, I won’t wait six months,” she said. “If we don’t have an agreed settlement by the end of the week, I’m filing suit, and I’m also going to ask the judge for a hundred thousand dollars a month in temporary support while we’re waiting for a trial date.”

There was an unintelligible squawk from the other telephone, followed by some sort of tirade. Tatiana softly replaced the receiver and smiled at Stone, who was applauding.

“Very good,” he said. “I couldn’t have done better myself.”

“He’s probably still yelling,” she said, “thinking I’m still on the phone. Would you like a drink, or shall we go?”

Stone winced and slapped his forehead. “I forgot to book at La Goulue, and they’ll be full by now. Shall we go to Elaine’s instead?”

“Oh, yes! I’ve heard a lot about it, but I’ve never been there.”

Stone glanced at his watch. “We’re a little early for Elaine’s. It will be empty, so let’s have that drink.”

She waved him through the kitchen, then the dining room, then into a lovely living room. “What, sir, is your pleasure?”

Stone smiled. “Well… for the moment, just that drink – bourbon, if you have it.”

She opened a liquor cabinet and checked. “I have four bourbons,” she said.

“The one in the rectangular bottle, there,” he said, pointing.

“What would you like in it?”

“Ice,” he replied.

She poured the drink, then a Scotch for herself, and they settled into the sofa.

“You are the first date I’ve had since Henry and I separated,” she said.

“I’m glad I got here first,” he replied. “After Harlan Deal’s party there would have been a line.”

She laughed. “He called me today.”

“Harlan?”

“Yes. Apparently, he was miffed that I left with you.”

“Oh, good. I’m happy to miff him. He’s a very annoying man.”

“I thought so, too.”

“Great minds… et cetera, et cetera.”

“Indeed. Henry, my husband, is in commercial real estate, and he sucks up to Deal at every opportunity.”

“Does your husband know a real estate guy named Charlie Crow?”

Tatiana rolled her eyes. “God, yes! I’ve had to suffer through two dinner parties with that man, one in his apartment and one here. Did you know his wife used to be a stripper?”

“I didn’t, but I’m not shocked. I’ve had occasion to learn a little about him recently, and I’m glad I don’t have to do business with him.”

“Henry was happy to do business with him. He invested his firm’s money in two Charlie Crow projects, and I’m sure he’s never going to see a dime of it again. Crow is in some sort of financial difficulty, Henry said, and he’s frantic that he’s been had by Crow.”

“You remember Barton Cabot, from last evening?”

“Of course.”

“Well, Barton was Crow’s commanding officer when they were in the Marines, and he has just as low an opinion of him as you do.”

“Barton was in the Marines?”

“Yes, a career officer, until he ran afoul of a superior.”

“He looks more like a slightly faded movie star,” she said.

“That’s a good description. You’d probably think his younger brother looks like the current item.”

“ Mmmm , I think I’d like to meet the younger brother.”

“No, you wouldn’t; he’s a spy and, as such, completely untrustworthy. Well, nearly completely. You can trust Lance to make the right decision if it’s in his own best interest.”

Tatiana laughed aloud. “That sounds very much like Henry!” She furrowed her brow. “You know, I think he may be having me followed.”

“Then we’ll leave through the garden,” Stone said. He looked at his watch. “I think we can go now, if you like.” He took out his cell phone, speed-dialed Elaine’s and made a reservation.

They walked into the garden, then to Stone’s house and out the front door. Ten minutes later, they were at Elaine’s. They had not been there more than five minutes when Tatiana suddenly held up her menu to hide her face.

“You’re not going to believe this,” she said, “but my husband just walked in.”

Stone looked up. “The one with the blonde?”

“Yes, with the blonde.”

“I know her. She’s an actress of sorts. She doesn’t work much, but she always seems to have money. There are many rumors about her.”

“Trust Henry to choose somebody like that,” she said.

“Actually, this is good. You should let him see you.”

She looked horrified. “Why?”

“Because New York is not a no-fault state where divorce is concerned. If he were here alone, he might think about accusing you of adultery, seeing you with me. As it is, you’ve both canceled out that option. If he sues you, claiming adultery, you can do the same to him. I’ll be your witness, and your lawyer could dig up enough dirt on her to make Henry’s life miserable.”

Tatiana put down her menu, caught her husband’s eye and waved gaily. Henry did an about-face and hustled his date out of the restaurant.

“I think you’ve just improved your chances for a negotiated settlement,” Stone said.

Stone let them into his house and locked the door behind him.

He didn’t turn on a light but kissed her in the dark. She leaned into him and gave him her lips and tongue.

“I think I’d like to see the master suite,” she breathed in his ear.

“Right this way,” he replied, steering her into the elevator. He continued kissing her on the way up. They reached the third floor and left the elevator.

“It’s very nice,” she said, looking around. “Where is the bathroom?”

He pointed to the door, then undressed, turned off the bedside light and got into bed. The moonlight flooded the room, as it had the garden the night before, and when she came out of the bathroom, naked, her body in that light might have been marble. She slid into bed beside him and snuggled close.

“Let’s not rush,” she said. “We have time.”

“We certainly do,” he replied, kissing her ear.

They kissed for the longest time he could remember since high school, until he pulled her leg over his and felt the wet on his thigh. He worked his way down her body, kissing and biting her nipples and feeling a satisfying response to each nip. He spent some time on her belly and navel, then she pushed his head farther down.

He used his lips and tongue for a very long time, until he brought her fully to climax. He waited until her last shudder, then asked, “Again?”

“Again,” she said, “but this time I want you inside me.”

He rolled on top of her and waited while she took him in her hand and guided him inside, then he moved slowly, while she became fully aroused again. He took her all the way before allowing himself to follow her, then let their passion cool before he moved beside her and took her in his arms. “More, later,” he whispered.

“ Mmmmmm ,” she said, burying her face in the hollow of his neck. In a moment she was breathing deeply.

Stone didn’t know how long he had been asleep when he was awakened by the sound of breaking glass and a soft pop . He laid Tatiana gently onto her pillow, got out of bed and listened. A flicker caught his eye, and he looked out the window into the garden. Inside Tatiana’s kitchen window he saw a flame.

Stone picked up the phone and dialed 911. “There’s a fire at the rear of a house in Turtle Bay,” he said, then he gave the address and hung up. He woke Tatiana gently. “I’m afraid there’s trouble,” he said.

She opened her eyes. “How could there be trouble?” she asked, raising herself on one elbow.

“Look,” he said, pointing out the window. They could hear the fire truck’s siren approaching.