Paradise - Part One (The Erotic Adventures of Sophia Durant) Read Free

interest when Julie turned to me in the firelight.
    I saw her large eyes grow larger with a mixture curiosity and excitement dancing in them. Our knees were already touching. She had one hand on my arm. Julie looked very attractive to me in that light, and in that moment. Her lips parted. My heart skipped a beat. I closed my eyes and felt the fullness of her moist lips touch mine once, then press against them. My skin tingled and broke out in goosebumps. Our tongues were drawn together like magnets. The whole experience hit me like a bolt of lightning.
    Julie ran her fingers down my chest, over my breasts, along my stomach, and into my pants. At that point, I was overcome by exhaustion, and probably shock. I fell into a deep, languorous sleep. We hadn’t spoken of the occurrence since it happened, over a year ago. The unexpected result had been that our relationship deepened considerably, and we felt much more protective over one another than before. But it would be hard to say whether there were any possessive feelings involved. In fact, I would say there weren’t because she’d had lovers since, and it had no effect on me.
     
    The rain came in a torrential downpour when I pulled up on the cobblestone of 117 Evergreen Drive. It was a two-story, country home built in the late 1940s for veterans returning from the war that reminded me of an English country manor with the high arches over the windows that protruded from the attic, and the rounded chimney tops. It nestled among the trees on eleven acres of forested property. On entry, I noticed a bright blaze in the fireplace, and, as I took my shoes off, my smartphone sounded.
    “Hello, Sophia.” It was a faint voice I did not at first recognize.
    “Yes?”
    “It’s Isabella—Isabella Gardner. I’m calling regarding the position you interviewed for today.” She stopped, perhaps waiting for some reaction she wouldn’t get. I was quiet. My excitement had cooled, and I told myself I didn’t care whether I got the job or not. Still, my breath slowed as I awaited the following words: “The job is yours, if you will take it.” Again with the strange wording, I thought. “Are you there?”
    “I most definitely will take it. When do I start?”
    “You will move what items you require for your convenience at the nearest possible time.” Her speech was as studied as it was absurd.
    “Tomorrow?”
    “Tomorrow is fine.” There was a harsh click of the phone and three beeps to indicate the end of the call.
    “Jeez, I don’t know how I’ll stand that conceited bitch,” I said, my gaze landing on Julie who had just entered the sitting room. What she was wearing immediately caught my eye—a sheer halter top and a short silk skirt. This was not altogether unusual as we often traipsed around the house in various states of undress, but something about her dress combined with her manner made me feel there was some intention involved.
    “You got it!” she said. She raised a bottle of Champagne and shot the cork in my direction. I turned and ducked but it was too late—the cork made an unabashed direct hit on my chin, leaving a mark.
    “That hurt, Julie.”
    “Do you want me to kiss it to make it better?” she asked. “Come in the kitchen, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
    I followed her into the kitchen to the table whereupon I found a chocolate gateaux—my favorite—with burning candles on it. She poured the Champagne into flutes next to the cake.
    Tears formed at the corners of my eyes as I surveyed the scene. I couldn’t help it. I was deeply moved by the love and consideration of my dear friend.
    “There’s salmon on the stove too, but I figured we’d have the cake first.”
    She looked at me in a curious way she had in which she seemed to be able to look right through me. I shook the uncomfortable thought and suggested we get started. After dessert followed by dinner, we went into the upstairs master bedroom—her room—and snuggled under the covers as