An hour and a half later, my hair is trimmed, shaped, and blown out perfectly. I marvel at what a difference a little TLC has made as I see the long waves lying shiny above my breasts. Even though I’ve hit the town many times since my arrival back in the States, it’s been awhile since I’ve let the sexy, dolled-up side of me out like this. I happen to like what it stirs up inside of me. An odd sexual energy flows through me, a feeling of expectation. I could just be high-strung from watching Lily and Ross’s sexy Tantra session. I should’ve taken the time to calm the definite ache between my legs. The thought makes me shift in my chair
I meet my mother’s stare, and I smile at her reflection in the mirror along the wall in front of us. We’re sitting next to one another in counter-high chairs as we have our faces perfected by two very capable makeup artists.
“Look at you, Kathryn,” my mother says sweetly to me while taking my hand in hers. “You’re simply beautiful. So much of your father’s coloring. Stunning.”
“Thank you, Mother.” I can’t ignore the tears in my mother’s eyes at the mention of my father. “You’re beautiful, too. And Father would be so proud of you. The lives you’ve touched and the bridges you’ve mended in Africa. The work you’ve done is phenomenal. I couldn’t be more proud.”
“Thanks, darling. I’ve tried to live as Richard would’ve wanted me to. Wealth isn’t something to hoard. We’re very blessed, and it would be a sin not to help others. Someday, I hope you will carry on with the foundation. I’m not getting any younger.” My mother doesn’t look anywhere near her age of sixty, but what do I say to her desire to appoint me as her successor?
“You’ll be at the helm for years to come, Mother. Besides, I haven’t a clue about running a foundation.” She releases my hand, and I hope I haven’t offended her by my slight rebuff.
“I know, but think about it. I know you’re invested in your business, but I’d love for you to be involved with the foundation in some way. Even coming in a day or two a week.” The hopefulness I see in her is something I can’t dismiss.
“We can talk more about it later, but a day a week seems doable. I’d love to learn more about what you’re doing.”
“Nothing would make me happier. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’d love to see you find love again.”
Her last words were spoken cautiously as if trying them on for size. Frankly, I’m not sure how well they fit me right now. I don’t know if I’ll ever find another love like Jean-Paul, and the saps I’ve met have been far from encouraging. I miss the feeling of being loved and loving someone with my whole heart in return.
“As you know very well, there’ll be no replacing Jean-Paul.” She nods and understands since she hasn’t remarried after my father’s passing. “But I am open to seeing what fate has in store for me. I haven’t met anyone I’ve had an ounce of chemistry with.”
“Ah, yes. Chemistry.” Mother rolls the word over her tongue, slowly drawing out its sound. “The much-needed but often overlooked essential to long-lasting love.”
“Exactly. After experiencing it, I’ll never settle for anything else.”
“And you shouldn’t, dear.” My mother knows a lot about chemistry. What she and my father shared was nothing less then an electrifying love. I remember my father staring at her longingly across the dinner table. The man was head over heels for her. He always had his hands on her in some manner, touching her shoulders, smoothing her hair, even a few pats on the ass. They loved each other with a deep passion.
“There’s a man coming tonight I want you to meet.” I begin to protest, but my mother cuts me off with a quick lift of her hand, a familiar gesture from times past when I tried to interrupt her and was overruled. “He’s something else. Tall, dark, and handsome. Best looking man I’ve seen in years. I swear if I was younger...”
I watch in shock as my mother transforms into a giggling schoolgirl in front of me. Holy hell. Who is this guy?
“Okay, Mother. Now I’m super curious.” I tip my head to the side, trying to process this person she’s become in front of me. “I have a strange feeling you want to live vicariously through me.”
“That’s silly. I’m nearly double his age.” She waves me off. “Just wait until later tonight. You’ll see what I mean. He’s giving a large donation to our foundation, and I’ll be sure to introduce you.”
“Who’s this man and how old is he?” I’m failing terribly at appearing uninterested, but I wonder if I’ve ever heard of him. Although it’s unlikely, considering I’ve been out of the New York social scene for years.
“His name is Adam Kingsley.” The makeup artist applying my eyeliner stops cold and almost inaudibly gasps. I look up at her and find horror written all over her face.
“I believe he’s your age, dear.” My mother must not have heard a thing because she continued on with her description of Adam Kingsley.
“So I take it he’s single, then?” Observing the alarmed woman in front of me, I notice her eyes have widened further, possibly thinking I’m interested in the man. One thing’s for sure, I’m as curious as hell to meet him now... I think.
“Yes, he’s very single and dates aimlessly, I believe. He’s one of those men who needs the right woman to cross his path—very much the bad boy needing to be tamed. Much like your Jean-Paul.” My mother adds the last comment with a wink. I’m not sure whether to be appalled or ask her more questions, but I do want to know more.
Before I can think of another question, my mother continues. “Trust me on this one, Kathryn.”
I nod, not wanting to argue this point with her any longer. I’ll meet this man if it’s meant to be, but I have a feeling she’ll make it happen one way or another.
“Mrs. Swanson, what do you think?” My mother’s makeup artist pulls away and directs our attention to the mirror. There’s no denying my mother looks every bit as lovely as she did twenty years ago.
“Wonderful job, Francis,” Mother says, beaming while Francis smiles, satisfied with the result of her handiwork. It doesn’t hurt that her canvas was beautiful from the start. “You have a magical way of making the years disappear. Thank you.”
“Mother, you look great.”
She scoots off her chair and straightens her casual black dress.
“Thanks, dear. I need to get moving, so I’m going to get my nails done now. I’ll meet you back in the Relaxation Room.” She kisses my cheek as I did hers when I left her alone with Marcus.
As soon as she disappears behind the frosted glass doors, my makeup artist spins around and faces me. I didn’t miss the scowl that spread across her face at the mention of Adam Kingsley, and I’m rather certain she has more on her mind than the shade of my lipstick as she stands in front of me with her hands on her hips.
“It’s none of my business, really. I do love your mother. She’s probably the spa’s favorite client, but this Adam Kingsley...” She begins to tsk-tsk me with her pointed index finger while shaking her head back and forth. It’s easy to see’s he’s definitely not a favorite of hers.
“So you know him?” I give her an opportunity to spill what’s on the tip of her tongue. I raise my brows to encourage her, hoping the floodgates will open up.
“I’ve never met him personally. I steer clear of men like him. He’s a player of the worst kind.” She bends toward me as I sit in my chair, and her voice becomes softer.
“I have this friend,” she says out of the corner of her mouth as if she’s giving me some super inside information. “She’s a pretty well-known model in town. Gorgeous. Legs to die for. She had a little romp with this Kingsley guy. They met at some charity thing. She left with him, thinking they were bound for his apartment or a hotel room.”
“Really?” I’m surprised this woman is ratting out her friend’s secrets to me. I’ve always hated torrid gossip, but for some reason I’m thankful she’s decided to share this with me. I feel as if she’s trying to warn me after my mother’s enthusiastic endorsement of h
im.
“Yes, but they didn’t even make it to a hotel room. His driver drove the streets around her apartment for an hour while they had sex.” She draws even closer to my ear. “That’s not all. He dumped her right out in front of her apartment building—without even an awkward handshake good-bye.”
“Wow. How did your friend take that?” This man sounds like a complete piece of work.
“She tried to brush it off as a lesson learned, but I think this man is very charismatic, and uses it to keep his dick happy.” She shakes her head in disgust. “Good news, though...my friend’s engaged now. To a nice, respectable man, too. For what it’s worth, stay away from Adam Kingsley. I’m pretty sure your sweet mother has no clue what this man’s really like.”
I nod, agreeing with her assessment and warning. As she finishes my makeup with a nice red color on my lips, I can’t deny I’m curious about this man, warts and all. It’s likely the professional psychologist in me is raising her curious head.
Once the last bit of makeup has been applied to my face, I head back to the Relaxation Room and wait for my mother. I select a comfortable chair and find a complimentary mimosa has been set next to me. The sweet drink goes down smoothly and quickly to my rather empty stomach—empty because I had to rush out of my apartment without lunch to make it here on time.
By the time I’ve finished my drink, my mother still hasn’t arrived. I rest my feet on the ottoman in front of my chair and gently lie back, careful not to mess up my freshly styled hair.
I close my eyes and recall my earlier Tantra session with Ross and Lily. Ross has begun to master the tantric sex trifecta I prescribe to: touch, simultaneous breathing, and constant eye contact.
I began my Tantra journey after Jean-Paul’s death, and have refrained from fucking any man. There had been countless experiences of intimate touching, but no actual penetration. Right now I’m certain any sort of touching will not take away the sexual ache that’s building up within me. It’s making me so damn restless. Lately I’ve been getting lost in my own desires during sessions, which would be unethical and unprofessional if any of my clients were to find out. But unbidden I start to imagine practicing Tantra with a man I am truly attracted to, his hands caressing my body. Our breaths become synchronized while we stare into each other’s eyes
I feel my skin warm under my clothes, and my nipples harden as if they long for the lover’s touch I’ve created in my mind. The familiar ache between my legs makes me uncomfortable in my chair.
Damn if that mimosa didn’t go straight to my head. I open my eyes and take a few calming breaths when my mother appears in the arched doorway, looking like a million dollars. She’s ready for the event with her tea-length gown of navy blue fitting her exquisitely. I can only hope I age as gracefully as she has.
“Oh, Mother.” I rise up out of my chair and walk across the small room to meet her, hoping the sexual fantasies I had just dreamt about don’t show on my face. “You look wonderful and ready to go. I guess you have to head over there now.”
“Thanks, darling,” she says to me while reaching for my hands. “And yes, I have to get to Lincoln Center. Natalie just texted me that I’m needed.”
“Yes. Time for you to kick butt and take a few names.” She cringes because she’s always hated the word butt.
“Kathryn. You and that mouth of yours.” I want to tell her what I said was tame in comparison to my normal conversation, especially when it comes to my sex sessions. But I refrain and play the well-mannered daughter for her.
“Yes, Mother dear,” I say mockingly, adding a smile to match. As I do, a woman from the spa crosses over the threshold of the arched doorway with a garment bag in her hands.
My mother turns to the woman as if she was expecting her and takes the bag. “Thank you for bringing this to me.”
“My pleasure, Mrs. Swanson,” the woman responds and quickly pivots to leave as she came.
“What do you have in there?” I nod toward the bag draped over her arm.
She locks her free arm with mine and walks us out of the Relaxation Room and back toward the women’s lounge. “What do you plan on wearing tonight?"
"A little black dress I bought in Paris. It’s perfect for an early spring night.”
"I hope you don't mind, but I brought a new dress for you at Barney's yesterday. I was walking by a mannequin and saw it.” She unzips the garment bag and pulls out a chartreuse-green dress. The shimmer from the rich silk makes me want to touch the fabric. It’s so soft and luxurious. I also notice it’s very low-cut, and my cleavage will be on full display.
“It’s beautiful.” I can’t deny it. She picked out a stunner.
“You like it?” I nod in reply. Who wouldn’t like it? “It looked like it was made for you. I couldn't pass it up. Black is the color for mourning. You need to be colorful tonight, Kathryn. I'd love for you to wear it."
I sigh, knowing she means well, but I hate to be pushed into anything. Deep down I know the dress would’ve drawn my eye, too. So I cave and take it from her, holding it up to my chest.
“Look at yourself in the mirror.” She places her hands on my shoulders and gently spins me toward the vanity mirrors. “That color green, your light complexion, and the color of your hair. It’s like the designer had you in mind when they created it.”
“Thanks, Mother.” I turn to face her and reflect her beaming smile. Who can turn down Ava Swanson when she’s happy like this? I can’t because her enthusiasm is contagious.
Chapter 5