Hey, it's Groundhog day this week and Jake may see his shadow self. What do you think? Take a peek at the next episode.
Nan
Please visit my website and read more about my books.
http://nandarnold.com
A Tale from Eve’s Garden
By Nan D. Arnold
Part 5
Morning. Sue nursed the predicted hangover - plus that lump on her head. What a night! Darling Art’s evening was probably ruined and I don’t remember most of mine…except for Jake Will.
Breaking the silence, the phone rang, Sue glanced at caller ID. – Jake Will. She answered more calmly than she felt. “Yes?”
“Hey Sue, just checking on you,” he said brightly.
“Thank you for calling.” Her heart fluttered but she must be cool. “I’m fine. Nothing food couldn’t cure. But maybe not, at least not now. Later, perhaps.” She threw out an opening, would he take it?
He should hang up. Jake’s growing attraction to Sue tamped down his head’s call for caution. “Well enough to have dinner with me tonight?”
“Lovely.” Her lip curled. “But why don’t we dine here? I’ll have the concierge arrange it. Seven o’clock okay?”
Startled, Jake agreed and ended the call. Pleased with the world, he headed off to a day of fittings for his new role.
At six forty-five, sharply dressed and carrying a bottle of Marie Brizard Apple Liqueur, a libation perfect for a variety of naughty cocktails like: Sex on the Beach #3, Intimate Moments, or Absolute Suicide, he walked up to the doorman and saluted. He signed in at the desk, waiting for the doorman to ring Sue. Squirrelly looking man. Jake didn’t appreciate the intense stare down before SC finally signaled Jake to go on his way.
Jake rode the now familiar elevator to the 16th floor.
Sue greeted Jake warmly, dazzling in an apple green, Asian print skirt and jewel button top, open to the cleavage. Her long, tan legs and tall sculpted sandals caught his eye. He watched her moves appreciatively as she poured two glasses of Chateau Margot.
They sipped their wine then, turning to face Jake, she ran freshly manicured nails down his chest. Without warning, she pushed him against the counter and planted a long, intoxicating kiss. Sliding her hand down his pants leg and running her tongue across his lips, she smiled. “Dinner can wait, can’t it? She pulled him into the bedroom.
Time fell away as passion rose and fell in waves, followed by ebbs of release and finally exhaustion. Lazing in the soft glow of candles, Jake was startled by Marley’s ring on his cell phone. Glancing at the time, he saw it was 10:30PM. Sue had fallen asleep. Her golden hair and naked shoulders drew him to her again, but the phone rang on.
Finally Jake gingerly climbed out of bed, tip toed to the living room and answered the cell. “Hello Marley.”
“I know where you are, you bastard. I’ll break you for this, both of you!” Marley hung up. Not as confident as she had sounded, she wondered what to do.
Panicked, Jake dressed quickly. Hungry and eyeing the beautiful spread on the table, he grabbed what he could carry and made a fast exit, past that pesky doorman as heedful as a doberman. He hailed a cab himself to avoid another encounter with SC then rode to Marley’s brownstone where he rang the bell repeatedly. Finally, Marley opened the door, silent and furious.
“Marley, I swear I’ll never go near her, or any woman for that matter, again. Believe me. It was a mistake,” Jake beseeched her. “You were right. She is high on something all the time and just plain trouble.”
Marley softened a little, pulling him in and closing the heavy door behind her. Within a few days, Jake moved into her guest floor and the trap door slammed behind him. As he and Marley’s driver struggled to get his things into the tiny elevator, he could swear he heard a voice inside the mirrored cubicle warning, “Don’t do it Jake. It’s a big mistake…big mistake…big mistake…” This was followed by what sound like a… sneeze.
Overhead, SC grumbled to himself, “Marley should have a talk with her housekeeper. Moldings in this thing could use some dusting.”
Watch for More Next Week: Will Sue go to the dark side?
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Uptown girl falls for actor, what’s his role? Superhero, super cad or sap?
Are you frosted? Warm up with the latest episode of A Tale from Eve's Garden.
Nan
Please visit my web site and read more about my books.
http://nandarnold.com/
A Tale from Eve’s Garden
By Nan D. Arnold
Part 4
After that dizzying collapse at her door, Sue awoke on her bed, supported by her familiar plush pillow farm. Jake bent over her applying a cold compress against her head, Art by his side. “What happened,” she whispered.
“You fell and bumped your beautiful noggin.” I called Art and he came right over. I think a trip to the ER is in order. He’s not as certain.”
“No. I’m fine.” Sue stumbled off the bed, and Art and Jake each grabbed one of her arms. “Whoa, my legs feel like Jell-o.”
Art smirked, “Bet your skull feels like Marley’s inside, playing a xylophone.”.
“Clever. Please, I’m sick, don’t mention the woman. Call Dr. Zeus.”
“Who?”
Art interjected, “a physician we know.”
“Yes. He could take a look. I don’t want to end up in the morgue…hey, I suddenly remember everything, meeting Jake, the cab ride. Oh, the singing cab driver, aspirin, quick!”
“Not sure about analgesics, but I’ll give the good doc a call. Probably busy after last night. For now, let’s walk, shall we? All together, and one, two, three.”
“Shut up, Art.” She looked at Jake Will. “Quite the gentleman. Thanks for sticking around.”
“Art’s right, walk.”
“Seems I’m out numbered.”
Fortunately,” Art sneered, “that Vera Wang dress is short and I suppose comfortable, so apropos a forced march.” After a long while, and eschewing coffee, Jake coaxed her to drink a Coke.
Slowly, the color returned to her face. “See, I’m walking and talking normally. All fixed. No need for Dr. Zeus.”
Art kissed her cheek, “Good night, I’ll call later. Coming Jake?”
“Nope. I’m sleeping on that lounge across the room.”
“Noble gesture. Sure you don’t play both sides of the street? No? Well, ta ta, I’ll let myself out.”
“Jake Will. Will you what? Be my hero?” Back on the bed, Sue snuggled into the pillows and in no time fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. .
Hours later, Sue squinted at a rude blast of sunlight and heard the deliciously gravelly sound of a male voice engaged in an intense phone conversation. Oh yes. She smiled ruefully. Jake Will, would-be superhero. She lay quietly and listened.
In the other room Jake defended his actions to a female fury. “Marley! How many times can I apologize? How was I supposed to know you know Sue Blu? Personally? She’s what? Oh, God. I didn’t know. Look, all I did was help her home. She hit her head and I ended up sleeping on a not so comfortable lounge to make sure she didn’t cop a concussion after. Okay, she was a tad high. But harmless to my virtue, believe me
“I’m well aware of that audition you set up for me. I’m leaving—now. First, a brief stop at home for a quick shower and change. I’ll meet you there at 1:00PM. I promise. Thank you, Marley. You know how much I appreciate your help.” He hung up and shook his head. “The price we actors pay for success,” He looked up and saw Sue was awake. “Hey, how’s your head?”
Sue smiled weakly, head still pounding. “Okay. So you and Marley Winthrop are an item, huh? What awful things did she tell you about me?”
Flustered, Jake gazed out at the view of Central Park. “Nothing worth repeating.” He rose from the damask clad sofa. “She’s angry because I left her last night and she couldn’t reach my cell phone. I’d turned it off so as not to disturb you. Marley’s convinced I’m in bed with you.”
“Oh, this is scrumptious.” Sue laughed, feeling stronger. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
“Hard feelings between you two?” He cocked his head. “As I’m in the middle, I’d like to know.”
“Marley’s family has been a pillar of New York society for decades. But, she is not dependable and has alienated many of the do-gooders,” Sue explained.
“And, you’re reliable ?”
“Depends. Anyway, through my Gran’s connections, I wound up replacing her on a couple of prestigious boards. Seems she’s determined to undermine me.”
“So, it’s not some squabble over men?”
“No,” Sue smiled coyly. “But it could be now that I’ve met you.”
They stared at one another for a long moment. Then Jake edged for the door. He shrugged. “I’m not a toy to be fought over.”
“Call me sometime,” Sue called after him. “You’ll like me even better when I’m sober.”
“Yeah?” he shouted. Jake closed the apartment door and bolted for the elevator.
Sue’s words, ‘Marley’s not dependable’, worried Jake as he race walked toward his place a few blocks away. Well, Marley, am I just another diversion for you?, What about all the evenings he’d “played” her charming escort to this soirée or that. And all the nights we’ve slept together. “Hardly the best lay I’ve ever had,” he sputtered , startling an older couple walking nearby.
Showered and dressed, Jake grabbed a cab for the theatre district. Having made a name for himself years ago in Rent off Broadway, he had risen through big time roles. But since the recession, good parts and successes were much harder to come by. His agent quit taking his calls, leaving him to his own devices.
This audition was vital – an opportunity to play lead in a new Andrew Lloyd Weber production. Jake couldn’t screw it up. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Sue and the heat of her attraction. I’m skating on razor thin ice between a couple of flighty trust funders at play. Jake’s last thought before smoothing his suede jacket and walking confidently into the audition.
Marley met him in the lobby. “I’ve been watching the others. You have an excellent chance,” she winked. She was right. He landed the part and fell more deeply into her trap.
Lying in bed with Marley that night, all Jake could think about was Sue. What harm could a phone call do? To see if she was still all right.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………………
Watch for More Next Week:
Morning brings a reality check for Jake. Will he sell out to Marley?
Nan
Please visit my web site and read more about my books.
http://nandarnold.com/
A Tale from Eve’s Garden
By Nan D. Arnold
Part 4
After that dizzying collapse at her door, Sue awoke on her bed, supported by her familiar plush pillow farm. Jake bent over her applying a cold compress against her head, Art by his side. “What happened,” she whispered.
“You fell and bumped your beautiful noggin.” I called Art and he came right over. I think a trip to the ER is in order. He’s not as certain.”
“No. I’m fine.” Sue stumbled off the bed, and Art and Jake each grabbed one of her arms. “Whoa, my legs feel like Jell-o.”
Art smirked, “Bet your skull feels like Marley’s inside, playing a xylophone.”.
“Clever. Please, I’m sick, don’t mention the woman. Call Dr. Zeus.”
“Who?”
Art interjected, “a physician we know.”
“Yes. He could take a look. I don’t want to end up in the morgue…hey, I suddenly remember everything, meeting Jake, the cab ride. Oh, the singing cab driver, aspirin, quick!”
“Not sure about analgesics, but I’ll give the good doc a call. Probably busy after last night. For now, let’s walk, shall we? All together, and one, two, three.”
“Shut up, Art.” She looked at Jake Will. “Quite the gentleman. Thanks for sticking around.”
“Art’s right, walk.”
“Seems I’m out numbered.”
Fortunately,” Art sneered, “that Vera Wang dress is short and I suppose comfortable, so apropos a forced march.” After a long while, and eschewing coffee, Jake coaxed her to drink a Coke.
Slowly, the color returned to her face. “See, I’m walking and talking normally. All fixed. No need for Dr. Zeus.”
Art kissed her cheek, “Good night, I’ll call later. Coming Jake?”
“Nope. I’m sleeping on that lounge across the room.”
“Noble gesture. Sure you don’t play both sides of the street? No? Well, ta ta, I’ll let myself out.”
“Jake Will. Will you what? Be my hero?” Back on the bed, Sue snuggled into the pillows and in no time fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. .
Hours later, Sue squinted at a rude blast of sunlight and heard the deliciously gravelly sound of a male voice engaged in an intense phone conversation. Oh yes. She smiled ruefully. Jake Will, would-be superhero. She lay quietly and listened.
In the other room Jake defended his actions to a female fury. “Marley! How many times can I apologize? How was I supposed to know you know Sue Blu? Personally? She’s what? Oh, God. I didn’t know. Look, all I did was help her home. She hit her head and I ended up sleeping on a not so comfortable lounge to make sure she didn’t cop a concussion after. Okay, she was a tad high. But harmless to my virtue, believe me
“I’m well aware of that audition you set up for me. I’m leaving—now. First, a brief stop at home for a quick shower and change. I’ll meet you there at 1:00PM. I promise. Thank you, Marley. You know how much I appreciate your help.” He hung up and shook his head. “The price we actors pay for success,” He looked up and saw Sue was awake. “Hey, how’s your head?”
Sue smiled weakly, head still pounding. “Okay. So you and Marley Winthrop are an item, huh? What awful things did she tell you about me?”
Flustered, Jake gazed out at the view of Central Park. “Nothing worth repeating.” He rose from the damask clad sofa. “She’s angry because I left her last night and she couldn’t reach my cell phone. I’d turned it off so as not to disturb you. Marley’s convinced I’m in bed with you.”
“Oh, this is scrumptious.” Sue laughed, feeling stronger. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”
“Hard feelings between you two?” He cocked his head. “As I’m in the middle, I’d like to know.”
“Marley’s family has been a pillar of New York society for decades. But, she is not dependable and has alienated many of the do-gooders,” Sue explained.
“And, you’re reliable ?”
“Depends. Anyway, through my Gran’s connections, I wound up replacing her on a couple of prestigious boards. Seems she’s determined to undermine me.”
“So, it’s not some squabble over men?”
“No,” Sue smiled coyly. “But it could be now that I’ve met you.”
They stared at one another for a long moment. Then Jake edged for the door. He shrugged. “I’m not a toy to be fought over.”
“Call me sometime,” Sue called after him. “You’ll like me even better when I’m sober.”
“Yeah?” he shouted. Jake closed the apartment door and bolted for the elevator.
Sue’s words, ‘Marley’s not dependable’, worried Jake as he race walked toward his place a few blocks away. Well, Marley, am I just another diversion for you?, What about all the evenings he’d “played” her charming escort to this soirée or that. And all the nights we’ve slept together. “Hardly the best lay I’ve ever had,” he sputtered , startling an older couple walking nearby.
Showered and dressed, Jake grabbed a cab for the theatre district. Having made a name for himself years ago in Rent off Broadway, he had risen through big time roles. But since the recession, good parts and successes were much harder to come by. His agent quit taking his calls, leaving him to his own devices.
This audition was vital – an opportunity to play lead in a new Andrew Lloyd Weber production. Jake couldn’t screw it up. But he couldn’t stop thinking about Sue and the heat of her attraction. I’m skating on razor thin ice between a couple of flighty trust funders at play. Jake’s last thought before smoothing his suede jacket and walking confidently into the audition.
Marley met him in the lobby. “I’ve been watching the others. You have an excellent chance,” she winked. She was right. He landed the part and fell more deeply into her trap.
Lying in bed with Marley that night, all Jake could think about was Sue. What harm could a phone call do? To see if she was still all right.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………………
Watch for More Next Week:
Morning brings a reality check for Jake. Will he sell out to Marley?
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