“You want me.” She reaches between us to palm my cock.
“Shit,” I groan. “Of course, I do. You’re not helping.”
“You haven’t been… I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I wasn’t sure if you were turned off or…”
“Turned off? What the… I thought we’d been through this.”
“I know you love me, but I wasn’t sure if—”
“Baby, loving you and wanting to fuck you all the time are inextricably tied together.”
“Then why haven’t you—”
“You have been really sick, Neevah. I know you don’t like to acknowledge that, but I’ve had to. In how I managed our workload and how I managed my own desires. I wanted to be careful. Istillwant to be careful. I know you’ll think I’m crazy, but I prefer to wait.”
“You may be the first man to ever say that to me.” She laughs.
“If anything went wrong because we… I wouldn’t forgive myself. Just let me suffer until you’re completely healed.”
She sets her pretty lips in a pout. “That means I suffer, too.”
“Then we are in this together.” I kiss her fingers. “And now we don’t have long to wait.”
SIXTY-SIX
Dessi Blue
INTERIOR – PARIS – NIGHT — 1956
In their Paris apartment, Cal is dressing for the evening, tying his tie in the mirror. Dessi sits on their bed wearing only a slip and stockings, hair and makeup done, a sequined evening gown laid out on the bed beside her. She’s reading a letter, and a diamond wedding ring glints on her ring finger. A young girl rushes into the room and crawls into Dessi’s lap.
DESSI (STROKING HER DAUGHTER’S HAIR)
Hey, kitty-cat. Shouldn’t you be in bed?
KATHERINE
I wanted a glass of water, and Madame Charbonnet said I could say good night before you and Papa leave. Where are you singing tonight,Maman?
DESSI
The band’s playing at Le Caveau de la Huchette. Go drink your water and then bed, you hear me, little girl? We’ll be home when you wake up in the morning.
KATHERINE
Oui, Maman.
DESSI (PATS HER BOTTOM)
Tell Papa good night and go to bed.
Katherine walks over to Cal at the mirror and he scoops her up, tickling her and making her laugh. A plump, dark-haired woman comes to the door.
MADAME CHARBONNET (WITH A HEAVY FRENCH ACCENT)
Katherine,ma cherie. Leave your parents to dress. They must depart soon.
Cal kisses Katherine’s hair and sets her on the floor.
