Chapter 9

"So? Spill it. How good was he?"

Elizabeth was shocked but not surprised by Vanessa's question. She looked at her longtime friend from college, an attractive woman standing at five and a half feet with auburn hair, green eyes, and figure that was every man's wet dream. Vanessa Straits was an eye turner and she knew it but she was as smart as she was beautiful. "Damn, can't get anything past you, can I?"

"Nope," Vanessa chirped. "You're absolutely glowing. I could probably use you to guide airplanes in on a foggy night. So spill."

Elizabeth sighed and then started giggling hysterically at the memory of her and Sean's very busy Sunday. She was still sore from the marathon sex but in a good way. After Elizabeth got her giggling fits under control she took a calming breath and told it all. "Sean says he loves me. He loves me, Vanessa. And yes, he said this before we had sex and without any hint so much as leaning towards it when he said it. He's genuine. As soon as we were alone I pretty much pounced on him. He may have said that he's only had one lover in high school but you sure couldn't tell from Saturday night... and all... day... Sunday! Oh my God Vanessa I can't even begin to tell you how good he is in, and out of, bed. He did things to me I didn't think were even possible."

Vanessa herself was glad to hear that Elizabeth had found a guy that treated her right but she couldn't be sure of this guy Sean until she met him herself. In a way she was a test. She knew she was attractive, model material if she ever wanted to capitalize on her looks, but instead she got her degree in administrative business and was now successfully running the rat race in the corporate world. If she could get this super-stud alone for half an hour and he didn't make a pass at her of any sort then she could believe that his eyes were only for her friend. After the catastrophic marriage with Charles, Vanessa was very protective of Elizabeth. "Wait, he did what?"

"He made me pass out, but only for a minute. And then there was the morning after..."

Vanessa listened in astonishment as Elizabeth spun the tale. There was no way a guy could be that good, twenty-two or not. Hell, they had sex in the coatroom! By the time Elizabeth had finished talking Vanessa was not only curious, but wet. Seemed like Elizabeth landed herself a stud. "Of course, now you're going to have to introduce us."

"Oh no you don't, this ones mine," declared Elizabeth. "I'm not sharing him. But he did say that he wanted to meet you. I met his friends Saturday night and he asked about my friends." She paused. "Well, you're it. Charles pretty much scared away everyone else."

Vanessa reached out across the table and held her friends hand in a comforting gesture. Vanessa didn't like Charles from the start and she told Elizabeth immediately but the girl thought she was in love then, too. And her jumping from a divorce and into the arms of another man so quickly just didn't seem sensible. And then there was the age difference. An obviously spry man, he sounded like he would have a better time with girls his age but according to Elizabeth he was much too mature for them. There were too many mysteries around him. If he were a millionaire why did he still go to college? What about his family? Perhaps she should look into it herself without Elizabeth knowing about it. Best way to save her any hurt feelings. He just sounded too good to be true.

"Friday night," Elizabeth said.

"I'm sorry what?"

"I said that you'd meet him Friday night. He said that he wanted to meet you and that he'll pay for dinner. Says he wants to splurge a bit since he never gets a chance to around his friends. I think he just wants to impress you. He's so sweet. Sean's not miserly but he doesn't like spending his money frivolously although he can afford it. He doesn't want people to know he's rich. Almost like he's ashamed of it or something." Worry began to crease Elizabeth's brow. "God I hope I'm not making a mistake with him. He just seems so..."

"Perfect."

"Yeah." Elizabeth quieted. Charles had seemed perfect, too, rich, successful, and good-looking. He had it all. The bastard dazzled his way into Elizabeth's heart and then he slowly crowded out everything in her life. He liked to dominate, that was his thrill. Soon after they married the thrill wore off, he had taken her for everything. Family and friends were soon muscled out, discreetly of course. And then he simply ignored her. Then he started playing out his sick perversions on her. Elizabeth shut that door immediately. There were things there she didn't even tell Vanessa although she was certain her friend had already guessed at some of it.

"Hey," Vanessa's hand squeezed her own. "This Sean sounds like a really nice guy. And since you've met him you've been nothing but happy. That's all I could ever wish for you. And hey, he kicked Charles' ass three times in a row. That'll always win him brownie points in my book." The two laughed at that.

"Thanks, Vanessa. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Oh, that's what friends are for," the two hugged. "One thing though, does he have an older brother?"

Friday night rolled around and Vanessa slid her sporty red Audi in front of the house. She did do a background check on him and found some interesting things. Sean was an almost overnight rags to riches story. He was raised in a lower-middle class family with his parents, Jane and Arthur Lee, and older sister, Stacey, had rich family ties back in Taiwan but Sean was never steeped in it. The turning point was when he was seven, his mother died of some post-surgical complications from a routine kidney removal. That was when things fell apart. A year later Stacey took to the streets and basically became a washout ever since, mixing it up with a few drugs to boot. Sean's father remarried to a woman who brought her own daughter into the family. Was hospitalized on two occasions, one for an ulcer when he was seventeen and another for stopping an armed burglar at his friend's apartment just last year. Sean's grandmother died overseas and gave Sean and Stacey a small inheritance. His sister squandered it while Sean bided his time and invested all of it into a then unknown upcoming biotech company, GenenCorp. That was when things started getting peculiar. Sean's father died of a heart attack and Sean immediately filed for financial independence by the age of nineteen. He worked at laboratories part-time under professors and made mediocre grades for his biochemistry major. The report said a lot but missed a lot of other things. Such as where he got the tip off on GenenCorp, why he basically cut himself off from his family, and why he was simply sitting on millions of dollars.

Vanessa arrived at the front door and rang the bell. Elizabeth answered the door in a delightfully cut dark blue dress. Her hair was done artfully up and only a light touch of make-up made her look beautiful and Vanessa said as much as she greeted her friend.

"I'd have to agree," came a deep voice from behind the door.

"Oh, sorry," Elizabeth said as she opened the door wider. "Vanessa, this is Sean, my boyfriend. Sean, this is Vanessa, my best friend from my college days.

"Pleased to meet you," Sean said and offered his hand in a shake. She took it and felt how warm and firm his hand was. He was dressed impressively in a tuxedo by Armani, judging from the cut, and sporting a fine looking cane with an ebony carving of a raven on the end. But she was paying attention to his face. No sign of anything else besides warm, greeting eyes in friendship. "Well, this pretty much proves my theory."

"And what would that be?"

Sean wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's waist. "Beautiful women tend to hang around beautiful women." He gave Elizabeth a peck on the cheek. "Both of you look gorgeous tonight. That's a lovely green dress you're wearing."

Vanessa thanked him for the compliments while the back of her mind processed any hidden meaning but found none. Elizabeth and Sean led the way to the living room where they introduced themselves more thoroughly. Again, Sean didn't say anything about who he was. "So, when's the reservation for?"

Sean looked at his watch. "Not until eight but I guess we should get a move on if we're going to catch the opera. Elizabeth told me you like Italian so that's where we're headed after. I heard of a nice place with a great outdoor patio. I've been dying to go there but never really had an occasion. Besides, none of my friends would be comfortable there. Reviews say it's a very quiet place with good music and great wine."

"Sounds great. Let's go."

When they arrived at the opera house Sean admired her car as the valet drove off with it, he was veritably drooling. "Now Sean, you have a perfectly serviceable car right now. No need to buy a new one," Elizabeth teasingly chided him.

"But..."

"Uh-uh," Elizabeth's eyes shined with mirth, "You said it first. Not going to buy a new one until your current car breaks down."

Sean made a big production of sighing. "Yes, dear." And then he laughed with her.

"What's so funny? What does Sean drive now?" Vanessa had to ask. She noticed they took Elizabeth's car.

"A used '98 Corolla," Sean said with pride. "Why'd I have to buy a car I knew would last?"

"Because you're a sensible man, love."

"Why don't you buy a new car? From what Elizabeth told me you could afford it."

"It's the ethics of the thing. Besides, it has a sort of sentimental value. I bought it with my own money that I earned working as a grunt cashier in a video store. Here's a thought. Maybe next time we come here I can drive up in my car. That'll make an interesting entrance. What with all the fancy cars coming through here."

"You're kidding right?" the two women asked.

Sean slid around the question. "Man, I haven't been to the opera in ages. Thank you, ladies, for giving me a proper escort. Shall we?" He offered his arm to Elizabeth. She took it like a virgin schoolgirl. Vanessa marveled. Somehow he tapped into the sweet and innocent side of her friend. Maybe he was the right man for her. He definitely treated her with respect. Sean surprised Vanessa when he offered his other arm to her. "You're without a date. And I definitely will not leave so a beautiful woman unescorted if I can help it."

"Just remember he's my man," Elizabeth called out across his shoulder. Again Vanessa checked for the slightest hint of secondary intentions and met only warm, friendly eyes. Feeling foolish, Vanessa accepted his proffered arm and let him lead them up the steps.

Madame Butterfly was well performed although Vanessa would have done a thing or two different. But that's just personal taste. She thought the opera was Elizabeth's idea; she loved it, but turned out it was Sean's. He listened avidly to the music and always touched the back of Elizabeth's hand at particularly dramatic scenes. Vanessa had to admit, they made a good couple and he really was a good guy. She decided to put away her interrogative cynicism and just enjoy their company. Guys like Sean gave her hope that maybe she could find a man of her own. So far her luck hadn't been the greatest. She sighed inaudibly and found Sean's hand patting hers. She looked up and found Sean looking at her almost understandably and then he shifted his attention back to the performance.

After the opera the three of them exited the theatre and stepped into a cool autumn night. Sean took off his coat and draped it over Vanessa's shoulders then stepped over to Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her as they waited for their cars. Their cars were brought to them and Sean tipped the valets as Vanessa got into her own car after she handed back Sean's coat. She got directions from him earlier but still let Sean take the lead as they headed for the restaurant. Vanessa had heard of Allesio's but had never gotten around to dining there. From what she heard it was very classy and hard to get into. She let the valet take her car and then joined Sean and Elizabeth at the door.

"Looks nice from the outside," Vanessa commented. "I heard it's pretty hard to get into. How long did you have to book that reservation?"

"Three months," Sean answered. Both girls looked at him. "I planned on bringing 'Liz here when I heard it was one of the premiere restaurants in town so I booked a reservation three months ago. Truth be told, the fact you're here with us is just coincidence but a nice bonus. Besides, I get to make a grand entrance into a fancy restaurant with two beautiful women draped on my arms. I doubt there are many men that wouldn't envy me right now. Come on, let's eat."

"No pizza," Elizabeth said.

Sean stepped dead in his tracks. "What?"

"You heard me, no pizza. We had it last week. You eat too much pizza."

"But that's part of a perfectly unbalanced diet of every college student."

"No."

"But..."

"No."

He sighed, "Yes, dear." Sean kissed her on the temple then addressed Vanessa. "The things I do for love. Sigh."

The three of them laughed and were showed to their table. "I doubt they have it on their menu anyways," Vanessa heard him grumble.

When their waiter gave them their menus it turned out they did have pizza. Sean spoke to the waiter in Italian and the man bowed and left in hurry. "Wine," was all Sean said while he looked over the menu.

"I didn't know you spoke Italian," Elizabeth said.

"Umm, surprise!" Sean said. "Took a few language courses for fun. German, Spanish, Italian, French, and Latin amongst a few others just for kicks."

"You never cease to amaze me." Sean smiled at her and held her hand. But then his smile wavered as his eyes shifted focus to the reflection in the window.

"Uh-oh, incoming." Sean stood up and greeted Charles as he made his way over. Elizabeth's ex put on a smile thick with sarcasm and malice. If he tried any harder, his face might have shattered. Although the large man was confident nothing could happen in such a public place he was nonetheless slowed by Sean's stone hard glare. "Oh Charles," Sean barked out and slapped a hand on the other man's shoulder in friendliness. The shift in attitude was so quick Vanessa was amazed. "So nice of you to join us. You left so hastily last time we met I didn't have a chance to properly speak with you." Vanessa saw Sean squeeze deliberately with the hand on Charles' shoulder and steered the man towards his seat. By the time Charles sat his face was pasty and in pain. "Tell me, how are Albert and his friends. I hope that other fellow, forgot his name, can walk all right after they remove the cast. He really should watch where he's going in dark parking lots. Never know what you can trip on in the dark." Sean's grip tightened. "Is that Rebecca over there?" Sean turned around and waved to the pretty girl sitting at Charles' table with his other hand. She waved back happily. "Was there something you wanted to talk to us about? No? Well, then I really shouldn't keep you from your lovely date. Have a nice night." Sean released him and Charles got up shakily.

"You'll get yours," Charles muttered hastily as he turned to leave.

"Oh, Charles," Sean called to him. Sean's back was facing the women so they didn't see what he did. Whatever it was, Charles' face paled further and nearly ran back to his table, picked up his girlfriend, and left in a hurry.

Sean sat down with a tired expression on his face. "Sorry I didn't let you take care of him this time. But he is really starting to get on my nerves."

"How'd you steer him so easily," the girls asked.

"Pressure point on the shoulder, hurts like hell if someone squeezes it right. Kept him nice and docile, don't you think?"

"And his quick retreat," Elizabeth questioned. Sean looked at the two of them and sighed.

"Well, I guess you too won't let it go until you're satisfied." Sean looked around then picked up his cane. He gave it a slight twist and exposed an inch of steel. The two women gasped. Sean quickly clicked the blade back in place and rested it against him. "That's how I scared him off."

"You and I are going to have a long talk, Sean. Soon."

Seam winced at that and sighed disconsolately. Elizabeth placed her hand on his and held it. "Sean, things like that are going to take getting used to is all. I'm not going to ask you to get rid of all of your... toys. But we do need to discuss it. I love you. Now, what's good on the menu."

The rest of the evening went smoothly without any more surprises. The food, as could be expected, was excellent. Sean was the perfect gentleman, funny, intelligent, he was attractively plain to look at but he seemed to exude an aura that just drew your attention. By the end of the night Vanessa was jealous.

"So are you done interrogating me?" Sean asked.

The question took Vanessa by surprise. "I suppose so." She smiled sheepishly. "Am I that obvious?"

"Not really but I was expecting it," Sean said. "You care for Elizabeth and I respect that. I'm on your side. All I care about is her happiness, too. She's all I got."

Elizabeth blushed furiously as the two people she cared about most in the world looked at her. "Now that I can stop feeling like a bug in an observation box, how about some dessert."

The three of them chatted like old friends catching up and Vanessa spilled some very interesting, and funny, stories about Elizabeth's college years. When the evening was done Vanessa succeeded in mortifying her best friend and Sean had gotten a better understanding of his girlfriend's past before Charles. Dessert was over and the three of them got up to leave. Sean paid the tab and left a large tip for the waiter. As they made their way out the door their waiter called after them, carrying a large flat box. He caught up to them and Sean and the waiter began talking rapidly in Italian. The waiter handed him the box while Sean tried handing him some bills from his wallet. The waiter wouldn't accept the money and left, leaving Sean with a cardboard box and a big smile.

Vanessa could smell what was in the box already and could barely suppress her laughter. Elizabeth was simply exasperated. "Sean, I said no pizza."

"I know," he defended. "I swear I didn't order it. Apparently Charles is as much a pain in the ass as a customer as he is as a person. They were grateful for getting him out of here so fast and had heard our little one-sided argument as we came in. I swear I had nothing to do with it." He smiled like a big kid with a giant cookie. "Awfully nice of them though, don't you think."

Elizabeth screamed in mock frustration and planted a big kiss on Sean's lips, nearly knocking the pizza out of his hands.