Odalisque

Mason took the notebook back. He took a long time to write, but it was only a few words. I’m not in love with my wife anymore. I don’t even think I like her at this point. He looked over at Constance, as if to see what she thought. Constance wanted to pull him close and cradle him in her arms. He looked so devastated. She ran a hand down his cheek, over the sexy stubble that set so many hearts aflutter, while his own heart secretly ached.

Oh, Mason, she wrote. Does she know?

I don’t think she cares. She barely acknowledges my existence anymore.

But you look so happy when you’re together.

When have you ever seen us together? Out in public? At events? That’s all an act. Public relations. She doesn’t even look at me at home. Spends all her time out dredging up new sex partners.

Constance gave him a reproving look. You have secret sex partners too.

You’re right, he wrote. At least she’s in my face about who she sleeps with. But you’re the only one, the only secret I’ve kept. To protect you. Otherwise she’d want you for herself. She loves pretty girls.

He put the pen down, and they both sat in stillness for a moment, shoulder to shoulder. Then Constance wrote, What are you going to do?

Mason smiled a self-deprecating smile and took the pen. Well, when I grow some balls, I’ll leave her. The tabs will have a field day. Hollywood’s premier marriage on the rocks. It’ll be a fucking mess.

Constance put her hand on the back of his and took the pen. But you’ll have to do it at some point. You shouldn’t be so unhappy. No matter the blowback, or the expectations, you have to be true to your heart.

Mason looked up at her from the page, and she couldn’t quite interpret his expression. Some fleeting accusation was there, perhaps, and then gone. He shrugged. It’s my problem, Constance. Don’t worry about it. But thanks for listening.

In the awkward pause that followed, Constance picked up the pen. So, do you want to have sex? This is a scatter party, after all.

But Mason still had a faraway look. He wrote, Constance, do you think I’m a good person? A worthwhile person?

Of course I do. Tons of people do. You have millions of fans.

He wrestled the pen from her. No. They don’t count. That’s not really me, that person they worship. You know what? My real name is Darwin. Darwin Kulik. He looked over at her. “It’s okay, you can laugh.”

Constance shook her head. I like Darwin as a first name. It’s original. Why did you change it?

He nudged her with his shoulder and wrote, If you ever tell anyone I’ll kill you.

Then, in a lovely release of tension, they both started to laugh. Constance watched Mason’s chest expand and contract with what must have been roaring laughter. But then he wiped his eyes. Constance sobered and scooted around to the front of him.

He shook his head at her, and let her read his lips. “No, no, I’m not crying. I’m just tired. Tired of feeling like a piece of shit ornament on my wife’s arm.”

Constance reached down for the notebook. You’re not an ornament. You’re not a piece of shit. You’re a warm, loving man and a faithful friend. You’re funny and talented. And very generous in bed.

Mason took her hand. “You know, it’s been so long since anyone’s said anything like that to me. When they weren’t, you know, obviously trying to suck up.”

Constance shrugged. I call it like I see it, she wrote.

Mason looked back at what she’d written, running his fingers over the paper.

“Can I tear out these pages and keep them? For when I need to read those words?”

She nodded and wrote, Maybe you should show them to Jessamine.

Mason chuckled as he ripped out the pages of their conversation and gave the notebook back. “I don’t know if I’m brave enough to do that.” He folded them over and held the paper in his palm. He rested his head back against the wall and toyed with his half-hard cock. “Ugh, one more round of this.” He looked at Constance. “How was your first guy?”

She lay down on her side, resting her head on her arm. She wrote, He was a very good lover. But a lot less enthusiastic than you generally are.

Mason leaned down to read her writing. “I’m not at my best tonight. Although things are looking up.” He gave her wry smile and gestured to his cock, which was definitely perking up. He came down over her, nudging her legs apart with his knees. Constance stroked his cock and caressed his balls. Within moments Mason was fully erect. He grabbed a condom and rolled it on.

Right before he entered her, Mason pulled back and touched her cheek. “Thank you, Constance. You’re so good at what you do.”

They fucked on the floor, there beside the door, and ended up returning to the living room a few minutes late. But Constance was heartened to see that by the time they did, Mason was nearly back to his normal cheerful self.

Chapter Sixteen: Scattered

After the second round, Constance expected everyone to be winding down, but they all appeared to be going strong. The guests had more drinks and grabbed some of the finger foods and sushi Kai laid out.

Kai came to meet Constance by the piano. “So you snagged Mason, huh? What took you guys so long in there?”

Constance frowned. “I’ll tell you later. And it’s not what you think. Who found you?”

“I ended up with your odalisque sister. She was lovely.” He leaned down to drop a kiss on Constance’s forehead. She shivered as his fingertips grazed her nipples in a teasing touch. “Lovely, but not nearly as lovely as you.”

“Such flattery,” Constance signed.

“You’re the loveliest girl here.” Kai tapped her chin, making sure he had her attention. “Jeremy noticed the bruises on your ass, and he happens to be a serious kink player. He’s already snuck up to the saray, waiting for you to ‘find’ him during the next round.”

Constance glanced around the room. No sign of Mr. Gray. “That was very forward of him.”

Kai smiled. “I told him to do it. He can be trusted. He’s a good guy--and from what I understand, very fun to scene with.”

“You share your toys so nicely.”

“Which toys?” Kai asked. “The ones in the cabinet or the one currently snarking at me? Anyway, he told me where his wife would be hiding, and I hear she’s pretty fun too.” Kai pulled Constance close and gave her a squeeze. “Just save some energy for after the ball drops, because you’re all mine then.”

Constance gave a little shiver at the promise in his eyes, and then lurked around the shadows of the room until all the other guests had headed off into Kai’s hallways for round three. Then she scurried up the stairs and snuck into her suite. It was dark in the odella, but a faint light issued from the adjoining saray. Jeremy Gray, the movie star, is waiting in there for me... Jeremy Gray, who must have been staring at her ass pretty intently at some point to notice those bruises, as they were nearly faded to nothing.

She walked in, searching for him, and found him standing beside Kai’s cabinet. Wow. She’d been surrounded by naked bodies for the last two hours, but something about Jeremy’s nakedness was impressive indeed. Maybe it was the authoritative nature of his stance, or the fact that his body didn’t have an ounce of fat--only lean, gorgeous muscle. Or maybe it was the size of his--oh my! She blushed when her gaze finally meandered up to his eyes. She found him watching her with a knowing smile.