Wicked Forest (DeBeers 2)

"I wasn't speaking of those."

He laughed.

"You make me sound like a Palm Springs

walker. like some international gigolo hovering

around wealthy available women whether it be in

Paris, on the Cote d'Azur, or on Rodeo Drive." You speak French. Italian, Spanish. You know

wines, and you've traveled all over the world. You're

like someone trained to escort sophisticated women.

Thatcher. It would be a waste to have you sitting at

home. I can't imagine you ever becoming a couch

potato."

He laughed.

"Well, from now on. you're the only woman

I've been trained to escort. Willow De Beers." We tapped glasses again and sipped our

champagne. He poured us each some more. Then the

music became a little louder and we ordered our food

and nearly finished the bottle of champagne before

starting on a bottle of wine. Thatcher was right about

it all. The food was delicious. and very soon I felt as if we were in some private place. The rest of the world

drifted away. The music was just for us.

Afterward. he talked me into leaving my car in

the restaurant's parking lot and going with him to his

friend's beach house.

"I don't want you picked up for DUI. I would

have to defend you, and the judge would quickly see I

have a personal interest in my client." he told me. We kissed in his car and held each other closely

before we drove off. I felt like someone being swept

away, but I was allowing it to happen. I was caught in

the wind of our passion. Resistance was futile. I hadn't

realized how much I wanted to surrender to its power.