Page 18 of Dirty Diana
I slipped away from him briefly and shifted onto my back so I could watch his face. I opened my legs and pulled my knees to my chest.
“Diana.” His voice was strong and deep and I wanted him back inside me so badly my entire body trembled. When he entered me again, I knew I could never let him go.
Oliver brushed the hair from my face. He kissed me slowly, his mouth open wide like mine until we were no longer kissing—just lips pressed against each other, breathing the same air.
“You feel too good.”
“It’s okay,” I whispered into his ear. “Come inside me.”
Oliver’s entire body shuddered, and then he collapsed onto me, burying his face in my hair. All I could think was,Who cares if I getpregnant? Because this is who I want to be with forever.My desire was for something so much bigger than sex. With Oliver, I could picture an entire life—time moving in breezy, gentle circles, the air around us always soft and sweet-smelling.
“Did you come?” he asked.
“Yes,” I lied. Then I curled up against him and we both drifted to sleep.
Chapter 7
—
L’Wren stands on my welcome mat holding a hairless rescue cat with goopy eyes and a hangdog face. “He comes with free antibiotics!” she offers. “The eye thing is really no big deal. It’s kitty herpes, if you can believe it.”
“Is it contagious?” I take a noticeable step back.
“No! Not to humans. God, Diana. Look at him. He’s a gift. A belated birthday gift!”
My birthday was a month ago. “I didn’t think you were actually serious.”
“I have three litters of kittens in my catio right now. Kevin is a patient man, but I think I may have pushed too far. Listen, if you like him, I’m waiving the adoption fee. It’s a great deal.”
“What if Oliver’s allergic?”
“This one is hypoallergenic,” L’Wren lies. “And if he isn’t, Oliver can take some Claritin with his vitamins. You look great by the way.”
“Thank you.” I’ve dressed up for tonight. This black dress I’ve had since before Emmy was born, but I like the way its thin straps make my shoulders look. And on my lunch hour, I bought new heels that give me three inches. When I put them on, even in the overcrowded shoe department of Macy’s, I felt like someone else. I also spent real, concerted effort on my hair so that it looks more like L’Wren’s, smooth and purposefully placed.
“Here.” L’Wren, still holding the kitten, pulls a red lipstick from her purse and blots some on my lips. “I’d die to have your full lips.” She stands back to admire her work. “Ooh, perfect. Keep it. It looks much better on you.”
As soon as I had mentioned that Oliver and I might try for a night away, L’Wren jumped in and insisted she’d stay overnight with Emmy. At first, I was more embarrassed than grateful—was it that obvious how much Oliver and I needed this? That we’d been trying and failing at a kind of intimacy that should come so much easier? Or maybe it was shame at feeling like a bigger person would own it.Oh god, sex with my husband—help!!is what I imagine someone more evolved would lament. I take the lipstick from her and squeeze her and the kitten into a hug. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Please.Halston’s at my mom’s all weekend and Kevin’s working late. And Liam refuses to watch Bravo with me. Emmy will be way less judgy company.” She slips off her boots. “Where are you offto?”
“I’m not sure. Oliver’s going to text me.” After my birthday, I decided what we need is a change of scenery. When I suggested the idea of a night away, just the two of us, Oliver took over the planning, telling me he wanted to surprise me.
“Hmm, well,” L’Wren narrows her eyes. “I have faith in Oliver. If you were Jenna, I’d say change your outfit ’cause—surprise!—you’re one hundred percent being dragged to nosebleed seats at a Mavs game. But Oliver…he won’t let us down.” The kitten meows inL’Wren’s arms as if to agree. “Emmy!” she calls up the stairs. “Come look what Auntie L brought you!”
My phone chimes with a text from Oliver.Rosevale Hotel. See you soon.I kiss Emmy good night and L’Wren shoos me out the door.
—
At the hotel, I park the car and call Oliver’s cell. “I’m here.”
“Good, good. I’m upstairs.”
“What’s the room number?”
“Oh, right.” I can tell from the smile in his voice that this is exactly what he wanted me to ask. “When you get to the front desk, tell them Hugo Drax left you a key.”
“Who?”
