Blind Seduction

[chanaud]

A closed thread!

“Did you hear who bought Howard’s cottage?”

“No…who?” I asked, keeping my eyes focused on the coffee being poured though there was a promise of juicy gossip.

“You didn’t hear???” Janet teased. She leaned close, her warm breath smelled of stale cigarettes and dime store perfume. Her fading blue eyes scanned for potential ears, and whispered.

“Honey…brace yourself…”

“Tell me!” My attention was on her now. This was going to be good. Janet always had good gossip.

“Fernando Ventas!”

A gasp flew from my mouth, my body froze in place. I couldn’t hear anything but the thumping in my heart, which was traveling rapidly to my head.

“Honey…Annie hon, are you ok?”

“Yes…yes… are you sure? Are you positive? The Fernando Ventas is moving here, in Howard’s cottage?”

“Yeah, I heard it from ole Howard himself. He’s movin’ in this week, somethin’ about workin’ on a new book.”

This was outstanding. No, outstanding is not the word for it. This was a dream come true. Ever since I’ve read his novel, “Bohemian Bovines”, I fell instantly in love with him. It had won the Pulitzer on top of every other award that year. He was compared to the great JD Salinger, and he even adopted the same reclusive lifestyle. And to think he was moving in to our sleepy town. To write his next great novel. His great novel.

I was on pins and needles the next couple of weeks. I drove by Howard’s cottage numerous of times, several times a day and only found it to be dark and lifeless. I would park my car to stare at times and the electricity stir in the air. It felt like the calm before the storm. I knew he was close. I could almost feel his warm breath whispering with the rustling of the treetops, against my skin. It left me breathless and pulsating each time. I reread his book, several times. I searched the internet for his profile. The furtive search only gave a small paragraph of his biography, nothing on his personal life or his picture.

Then one late night, as I was driving home from a creative writing class, I looked up sleepily and noticed lights. Instantly, my foot slammed on the brakes. And just sat there, staring up at the soft amber glow for a glimpse of a shadow. The house was still and eerily quiet. Still the light promised life. And I knew, no… I felt him. He had moved in.

I was on guard the next few weeks, searching for a strange smile in every town corner. But none were to be found. Nobody had seen him. Or will admit to seeing him. And nobody was curious. It frustrated me to no end. Here…in this tiny town, where I was raised and returned to after graduating cum laude with Liberal Arts Degree, without a promise of a career. I returned only to connect with my roots, and to write the next greatest novel. But nothing ever happened here, not even my writing. Life was mundane, I just existed. The boys I grew up with were too homegrown. I couldn’t see myself marrying them. I was made for something greater. Only I had no clue as to what greatness was in store for me. But now I know. Fernando Ventas will show me the path. He will inspire to write! I will feed off his greatness.

So it was decided -- if the great Mohammad won’t come to the mountain, this mountain was going to him. I decided the only way to meet him was to knock on his door. Live, in person.

Donning a simple pair of jeans, a crisp white linen blouse, and open-toed sandals, I decided I looked casual, yet respectable without trying too hard. I didn’t need a lot of makeup. Mascara and lipstick were my only accessories. My auburn hair hung loosely over my shoulders and accentuated my summer tan. After a close inspection in the mirror, I knew I was ready. I will figure out what I will say, my reason for being there when he answers the door. That is...if he answers the door.

rap….rap

 

[Urico]

rap....rap

Now who could that be at this time of night, he thought. It had been almost a month since he had moved in. He was sure no one had noticed. It was supposed to be a get away, a relief from the literary hum drum that his life had been sucked into.

A ruse of sorts, he told his agent and publisher that it was a way to plan for his next work which they were already foaming at the mouth for in light of his recent success. "Money grubbing scum," he thought. They could give a rats ass about him if not for the bags of cash that were piling up a their feet.

Then there was his on again off again bitch of a girlfriend. He would've told her anything just to get away with his sanity but he settled on the same story for everyone...he was going to be working and he was not to be bothered.

In fact there was only one person who even knew where he was, his friend Darlene. He checked in with her every couple days to let her know he was OK. She was the one person who came close to understanding him. His best friend with a splash of lust thrown in every now and then.

Yes, Fernando Ventas came here to get away from the clamour of the fame that had finally found him and that he wasn't sure he was totally enjoying. He always thought himself the average guy and no one really fell over themselves before he hit the "list" as they say. So, needless to say he was suspicious of peoples' motives to some degree and he had a damn good sense for the ones that would look to take advantage of his abilities.

Then there were the women. Another thing he wasn't sure if he would ever get used to. Half smiling to himself, another voice inside his head reminded him that he probably would never tire of them either. But in some respects it was the same thing. He never was a "ladies man" in his previous years but now it was a vertitable buffet of pleasure. If he accepted every advance, he would never have time to write and/or die of exhaustion in the process.

rap..rap...rap

"Oh yeah," he had gotten lost in his thoughts to forget there was someone at the door. He concluded as he walked to the front of the cottage that it had been a little strange to have only been jerking off the last few weeks, but then again this hiatus was what he wanted...right.

He took a quick look around to make sure the place was presentable and shrugged it off. He turned the knob and opened the door and as he looked out into the night he wondered if someone had been listening to his thoughts.

She was beautiful...not in the overdone, made-up way, a "natural" as he liked to say. He briefly looked to the sky as if to thank the heavens for dropping this lovely creature on his doorstep.

He tried to conceal his excitement and manged to ask her, "Can I help you?"

 

[chanaud]

Anne Poston

Without even asking I knew it was him. A bright stream of sunlight shaded his features; all I saw was his large frame in the doorway. When he shifted, he became more focused. I gulped at his handsomeness. Somehow I knew he would be handsome, his writing proved his inner beauty; I just never expected him to be physically so. He had jet black hair, slicked back against his head. His eyes were dark coals, always shiny and ready for any amusement. His moustache was neatly trimmed, and there was a tiny goatee below his lip, giving him a raffish look. He looked just like…. Clark Gable.

A long moment passed, he looked at me with all the patience in the world, with one corner of his mouth upturned, ready for a quick smile.

“Hello…I hope I’m not intruding. My name is Anne Poston..”

“Hold it right there!” He barked out. “I’ve bought enough Girl Scout cookies these past few months to feed China, I’m not interested in God’s existence unless you have actual proof, and I’m definitely not interested in buying your magazine of the month. Unless, you have some naughty ones.” He finished with a wink.

My knees were shaking. I felt my bones melting at his rich, deep bark. The very tip of my tongue ran over my lips, and gave it just enough fuel to continue.

“I’m not selling anything. sir. I’m just trying to offer my services. For free. ermm.. I mean.. I just wanted…”

Oh my God! What am I really offering him?

 

[Urico]

Fernando Ventas

"Ohhhh, this is just great," he said smirking. By what she just said, there was no way she didn't know who he was. Looking beyond her to the left and right, "Is there anyone else who knows that I am staying here?", he questioned as he pulled her in through the door by the sleeve of her blouse, which he noticed was rather thin and showed a lacey bra underneath.

After taking a quick inventory glancing around the room her eyes came back to his and as soon as he saw the look on her face he already knew the answer.

"Alright...well, I guess it was bound to happen eventually," he said dejectedly. Raising his voice just a touch he added, "I just wanted to get away and not have to think about writing or book deals or signing books or even pencils and paper." He noticed her discomfort and said, "I am sorry...you see Anne, I just wanted a little down time.

"And what of these FREE services you speak of...I am too burnt from the last ten months on the circuit to even think about starting something," he stated. A bit more tender than he had been previously speaking.

"What can you possibly do for me?" He asked. In the back of his mind as he looked at her glowing skin, he could very well think of a few things right away.

 

[chanaud]

A weird sense of inferiority overcame my whole being. I felt myself shrink before him, even digress a few years. It was eerie, really. I’ve never felt like this before, even when I had chaired a literary festival and was in the throng of great literary minds. But somehow Fernando Ventas was different. He was above everyone I’ve ever known before.

Stop acting like a bumbling idiot, I berated silently, snapping myself from my reverie. A deep breath fueled enough confidence to continue.

“Anything, Mr. Ventas. I can do anything for you. Clean your house, run errands, yard work, even….” A blush filled my cheeks. I looked at him; my eyes peered up at him under long, dark lashes and smiled shyly. “Even do research on your new book.”

I was begging. I knew it. And yet, it felt just right…

 

[Urico]

Fernando Ventas

"OK...slow down just a sec here, " I said. "First things first, what's this Mr. Ventas crap...you call me anything you want BESIDES that," I added. I looked deep into her eyes and thought that this all just seemed too easy. Someone has to be playing a joke on me. "I've been here for a month all by myself," I started to say.

"I know", she interupted.

"WHAT ?!?!" I replied in disbelief. "You mean to tell me you have known who I am and how long I have been here...all alone?"

"Yes," she responded meekly, looking down a bit.

"Ohhh, my little flower," I cooed. "What took you so long?" I asked, putting my hand to the side of her face. The blood inside me was warming and I could feel it rising.

"You see...," I told her,...I didn't come here to work and if I wanted someone to do chores, I would've hired a maid...I came here to relax and enjoy this beautiful place...and seeing that you are also so beautiful maybe you can help me do just that."

"Does that sound like something you would be interested in?" I asked.
I was hoping she needed me as much as I needed her.

 

[chanaud]

Allison

Did I hear him correctly? Was he coming on to me???

A blush filled my cheeks. My heart was pounding loudly. He thinks I came up here, and knocked on his door to offer my body. I should have been insulted and storm out right then and there. Instead I stood paralyzed, totally entranced by him. I found him absolutely thrilling. Exciting even. His hands, so large and warm were cupping my face. He had called me “little flower” in a voice so low and sensual.

Clearing my throat, I started with a shaky voice. “Mister..”

The look on his face stopped me. Straightening my spine gave me just enough encouragement to continue. “I mean Fernando… Of course, I would be interested. You are, after all, the Fernando Ventas. I’ve had a crush on you since your first novel, Bohemian Bovines. But… I’m not one of those girls, who will jump into your bed just because you are who you are.”

I stood silently. My nails were digging into my palms, waiting for his answer. Please God, don’t let him send me away.

 

[Urico]

Fernando

"Annie my dear," I said calmly. "I appreciate your modesty and by no means am I insinuating that you are some kind of floosy, but I can also tell you did not walk up to my door, a half hour before sunset, to do my dishes."

I walked into the adjoining kitchen to the refrigerator and took out the bottle of wine I started the day before. Grabbing two glasses, I raised my hand with the glasses in a voiceless jesture, asking would she like some, to which she nodded a yes.

I led her to the couch and motioned her to be seated as I poured the delicious fluid into the glasses. I sat as well, plucking my glass from the table, giving hers a little clink, taking a sip before I began to speak again. She was watching every move I made in silence and I was hoping I wasnt scaring her away.

"You can finish your wine, and walk out no harm done...or you can sit awhile, talk of many interesting things and enjoy the evening that the gods have given us...It is totally up to you."
OK, I thought, now it was she who had the power. The power to get up and leave or to the power to stay and possibly make two people feel really good....it was all up to her.

 

[chanaud]

I was powerless. Completely, utterly powerless. And the wine didn’t help either. In fact, it had the opposite effect. The room was getting cloudy. Our conversation was getting lighter. Fernando was the perfect host. He regaled a few tales, dramatically in his commanding voice of his visit to our little town. I laughed and laughed. I was drunk and giddy, and was totally smitten with him.

One glass after another, I drank the wine in my glass. It seemed my glass was a bottomless pit. It never emptied and I continued drinking.

The room was warm. Stifling even. Unconsciously I kept on pulling on my blouse, to allow some relief to my scorching skin. Unknowingly to me, Fernando was able to glimpse at the lacy bra I was wearing. He stopped for a moment and had the oddest look on my face.

“What?” I asked, cocking my head. My hand reached for my face. Perhaps I grew a large zit within the last hour?

“Do I have something on me?” A sudden panic filled my every nerve.