Love and Possibilities

Green Eyed Monster

The next morning Alexei wakes up to an empty bed. He takes a quick shower, gets dressed and heads out to find Luna. He hears her talking as he takes the steps down to the lower floor.

“Yes, have Antonio get the plane ready, I’ll be there in an hour.” Luna taps a button on the phone and sets it on the table next to her. She is sitting on her white, leather couch in a dark blue silky robe and her hair drapes around her.

“Something wrong, Luna?”

She heaves a sigh. “There are problems in California and I have to leave for a few days.” She stands up and pulls him into a hug. “Good morning, Alexei.” She leans in and kisses him.

“Good morning, Luna.”

“Unfortunately I don’t have much time or I’d take you back to bed. I’ll see who is available to drive you back.” Her phone chimes a notification and she picks it up. After a moment she says, “Actually, you can take Bella Lucia’s car, she stayed the night at your place and is going to make breakfast for your guests.”

He looks at the time on his phone, it is only seven a.m. and he knew most of who would stay wouldn’t be up for a couple more hours. “Tell her she doesn’t have to as I can get back soon enough to make breakfast.”

“You would take this pleasure from her after she took care of your friends?” Luna is frowning.

“What? No, I didn’t want to inconvenience her anymore than she already has been. I’m sure she has other things to do.”

“Alexei, she is not inconvenienced. She only does what she loves and cooking breakfast for your friends would be a pleasure to her, go, I’ll let her know you will be there in about two hours and she will make it so that breakfast is ready when you get there.” She leans in and kisses him hard. “I look forward to seeing you when I get back, Alexei.”

The housekeeper/maid is suddenly there and his eyes move up immediately to her head.

Luna notices and chuckles, “Does it bother you how Clara chooses to display herself for me?”

He chokes, “She chooses?”

“Of course, the only requirement is for her to wear a black and white maid’s uniform. She chose the one she’s wearing as she chose others she wears.”

He looks at Clara’s face and she is smiling and he looks back at Luna. “Is she your submissive?”

“Yes, Alexei, she is. Does that bother you?” There is concern in her eyes.

“Um, no, it just surprised me. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to judge, Luna.”

“No harm done, Alexei. Clara will show you to the elevator I need to hurry and get ready. Be careful driving home, sweet man.” She gives him one last kiss, gentler this time.

“Yes, I will. See you when you get back.” He follows Clara to the elevator doors and keeps his eyes on the back of her head. Clara presses the button to call the elevator and turns to look at him.

“May I ask you a question?” He keeps his eyes on her face, her eyes.

“You want to know why I choose to dress like this?

Heat spreads across his cheeks. “Yes.”

“Because I like being completely accessible to my Mistress, I would serve her in the nude if she would allow it, but this is the most she will allow for me to have uncovered. She owns everything you see and I am proud she is my Mistress.”

“So you don’t work for her?”

“I serve her exclusively and she takes care of me.”

“So you live here?”

“Yes.”

“How old are you?”

Her left eyebrow rises. “Twenty-four, how old are you?”

“I’m 32, how long have you been Luna’s submissive?” He speaks quickly as he knows the elevator will be here any second.

“Two years and I hope to be for many more.”

The elevator chimes and the doors open.

“The car will be waiting for you downstairs. It was lovely to meet you, Alexei Mishkin.” Her eyes sparkle at him as she steps back.

“Thank you, nice to meet you as well.” And the doors close.

He knew Luna had an open relationship with Bella Lucia, but he hadn’t thought about her having submissives let alone one who lives with her. She had said she had a large appetite and having one in her home she could, “play” with anytime she chooses isn’t all that surprising when he really thinks about it. Clara had been so unashamed to show off her body and he wasn’t used to that. Is that what Luna wants from him? To be in a uniform in her home and be at her beck and call? No, she knows he has a life, has a business, has friends. He didn’t think she would expect that from him. Would she?

He gets into the Porsche and continues thinking about how complicated his life has become.

He pulls into his circular driveway. He counts four other cars, one being Charlie’s. His skin prickles as he realizes Charlie and Bella Lucia were both here over night. He doesn’t have any right to be jealous, he doesn’t even have a claim on her, but the thought of his best friend sleeping with her has him boiling inside. He storms inside and heads to the kitchen. She is there, in the cute dress she’d been wearing the night before, dancing around his kitchen as she makes breakfast. Charlie is sitting at the kitchen island.

“Hey, Buddy.” Charlie grins at Alexei wickedly. “I take it you had a good night.”

“What about you, Charlie, did you have a good night?” Alexei takes a menacing step toward him.

Charlie’s hands shoot up in front of him. “Hey, cool down, Alexei. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but nothing happened, I swear! She slept in your bed, alone.”

“Alexei…” Bella Lucia is frowning at him.

He takes a quivering breath, turns around and walks out to the back deck pacing back and forth taking long slow breaths. Anger has never been one of his problems. He’d also never been jealous before and this feeling is eating him up inside. He feels a soft touch on his hand and whips around. Bella Lucia is standing there.

“Alexei…”

“He may be my best friend but he is a man w***e, he has slept with more women than I can count.”

“He did not sleep with me. Why are you so upset, Alexei?”

He practically falls to the step. He had hoped his friend was telling him the truth but hearing her say it takes all the heat out of him.

“I’m sorry. I am having trouble with all of these feelings, I’m not a jealous person, at least I didn’t think I was.”

She sits down next to him and takes his hand. “Charlie told me you have never had a girlfriend before.”

He groans. Damn Charlie and his big mouth.

“So it seems you may have lots of feelings you have not had before, yes?”

He looks at her heart shaped face filled with compassion. “Do you have submissives too?”

She smiles, “You met Clara. Not anyone full time like Luna has, only those I choose to play with on occasion. Does that bother you?”

“I…fuck!” He gets up and starts pacing again and then he is leaning over, hands on his thighs as he is gasping for breath.

“Alexei, slow your breath. Charlie!” She yells for him and he comes running out.

“Hold your breath Alexei.” Charlie says as he puts his hand on his back.

Bella Lucia grabs Alexei by the hair and kisses him, slowly at first and then she deepens it. When she pulls back Alexei’s breathing is more normal.

“That works.” Charlie chuckles. “I’ll be inside if you need me.” And he turns around and walks through the doorway.

Bella Lucia takes Alexei’s hand and leads him down one of the paths. “Your gardens are beautiful, Alexei.”

They walk until she sees the wooden bridge leading to a bench tucked in under the trees. “So lovely.” And she leads him over and they sit down.

“Talk to me, Alexei, tell me what you are upset about.”

How can he explain? She and Luna have an open relationship so they are obviously allowed to play with others, but the thought of someone else touching Bella Lucia has him seeing red. He takes a long slow breath trying to stay in control.

“It bothers you, thinking of me with someone else doesn’t it?”

“I’m sorry, Bella Lucia. First, Charlie was right, I’ve never had a relationship before let alone an open one. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around all of it. It is why I was taking time to process everything.”

“Would it make you feel better if I said I will only play with you and Luna until you are comfortable with it? You know Luna will not agree to such terms though, you know that right?”

He lets out a long breath.

“Yeah, I know that. Why would you be willing to do that?”

She smiles and brings his hand to her lips. “Like you, I am willing to see where this will go and I am willing to change a little to be open to it, to you.”

“God, Bella, I don’t know how I’m going to survive this.” He pushes his hand through his hair.

She pulls his face around to her. “One step at a time, mi amor, one step at a time.” Her lips brush over his. “Come, breakfast is finished and getting cold. I’m sure you haven’t eaten because Luna doesn’t usually think of such things.”

“She is probably halfway to California by now. Does she take a lot of business trips?” He stands up and she takes his hand as they walk back.

“Yes, a fair amount. What are your plans for the rest of the day, Alexei?”

“I haven’t made any yet. Why?”

“I thought it would be nice if we could get to know each other a little better. I have a few hours before I have to get ready for tonight.”

“Oh, yeah, you have your…friends coming over for dinner.”

“Would you like to cook with me, tonight?”

“What? Really?”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind seeing how we work together in the kitchen. I haven’t decided on the menu yet and was going to the market later, why don’t you come with me and we can decide together.”

Alexei is amazed she would even consider letting him help her. “I think I’d like that.”

Charlie, Jonas, Samantha, and Teri are sitting around the kitchen table eating. “Sorry, we were hungry and couldn’t wait.” Charlie says.

“No worries, um, sorry about earlier.”

Charlie laughs. “No problem, nice to see you’re human after all.”

Alexei shakes his head. Bella Lucia plates up food for them and they sit down next to his friends. “So what did you guys do last night?” Alexei feels Bella Lucia’s hand on his thigh.

“We sang karaoke if you can believe it.”

Alexei chokes on his food laughing. “What?”

“It was Bella Lucia’s idea and it was a lot of fun. Of course I can’t carry much of a tune but we were getting kind of drunk so it didn’t much matter. I think that was part of what made it so fun. By the way, your, um, new friend has a set of pipes on her.”

“You can sing?” Of course she can, there probably isn’t much she can’t do.”

Bella Lucia smiles at him. “For fun, yes. What about you, can you sing, Alexei?” He loves how his name sounds on her tongue.

“Like a drowned cat.” Charlie adds as he laughs. “All of his talent is in his hands and completely missed his vocal chords.”

“Yeah, remember in high school when Suzie tried to get him to sing in choir. The teacher forced him to switch electives.” Teri said.

“Ha Ha, very funny.” Embarrassment reddens his cheeks. He looks at Bella Lucia and he feels her hand gently squeezing his thigh as she smiles.

“I know you are very talented with your pottery and gardens, Alexei, what else can you do with your hands?” She asks him.

Laughter rings out. “Yeah, Alex, what else can you do with your hands?” Charlie smirks.

“Cut it out, Charlie.”

The rest of breakfast they all chat about high school and college and Bella Lucia seems to fit right in, sharing some of her own stories of school in Italy and life on her family’s farm. His friends finally get up and carry their dishes to the sink. Alexei cleans up quickly as his friends say goodbye and head out. It is only Alexei and Bella Lucia in his home and for a moment he feels awkward.

“I enjoyed working in your kitchen, Alexei, everything was pretty much where I would have put it and that isn’t usually the case when I’ve worked in other’s kitchens. You are very well organized.”

“Thanks, I hate when I can’t find things. That’s why my friends know not to help clean up very much because I have my own way of doing things. I want to change my clothes real quick and then we can head out.”

“Make sure you bring a change of clothes for later, something more formal.” In fact, pack a bag and you can stay the night, if you want to.”

He thought about it. He would like to spend the night but tomorrow is Sunday. He makes a decision. “Okay, I’ll pack a bag. Be back down in a minute.” He takes the stairs two at a time. Once in his room, which looks like it hasn’t been touched since he left except he can smell a bit of her floating though the air, a soft musky scent. He pulls out his phone and dials his mom.

“Oh, baby boy, how has your week gone, how is Luna?”

“Great mama, she is currently on her way to California on business. I’m calling because I’m going to New York for the weekend and I won’t be back until probably late Sunday night so I won’t be here for brunch tomorrow. Sorry.

“No worries, baby boy. There isn’t a problem between you and Luna is there, I mean, why are you going to New York if she isn’t there?”

He didn’t know what to say, how to explain. Should he tell her about Bella Lucia? No, not yet.

“Mama, things are a little complicated but she will know where I am and what I am doing so don’t worry, things are good between her and I.”

“Lexei…”

“Trust me, mama, things are good.”

“Alright, but don’t you dare be disrespectful to her.”

“Never, mama.”

“I love you, baby boy.”

“Love you too, mama.”

He disconnects his phone and walks into his closet. He pulls down his black suit, white button up shirt, black vest and a thin, black, leather tie. He also pulls down a clean pair of jeans, a stone purple t-shirt and then grabs extra pairs of underwear and socks. He takes out his garment bag for his nice clothes and put the rest in his small overnight case, grabs a few things from his bathroom and then quickly changes his clothes into another pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. He doesn’t normally wear black t’s even though he owns a couple of them, but he thought Bella Lucia might like it. He grabs his dress shoes and a pair of loafers that he puts on and is back downstairs within fifteen minutes.

“That is one nice thing about most men, they don’t take long to get ready. You look…delicious, Alexei.”

He grins. “I thought you might like this.” He pointed to his black t.

“Yes, it is a good color on you and happens to be one of my favorites.”

They head out to her car and he starts to give her the key fob but she refuses it. “You can drive, mi amor.”

“What, I thought you would want to drive.”

“No, you can drive, Alexei. I do not have control issues like Luna.” She chuckles.

Alexei opens the passenger door for her. “Thank you, Lexei.”

He leans in and kisses her cheek. “You’re welcome. Bella.”

She smiles. “You know, I’ve never liked anyone to shorten my name, but, I like it when you say it.”

“I’ve noticed and my mother is the only one who has ever called me Lexei, but you can call me whatever you like.”

He closes her door and goes around to the driver’s side. Thank God he had driven this already and knows how to start the car. The dash lights up and she leans over and pulls up the GPS, scrolls through and taps on an address.

“We will go to my place first so I can change clothes and you can put your things away.”

Bella is much chattier than Luna. “I like your friends, Lexei, we did have a lot of fun last night. They made me laugh so much.”

“Yeah, they are good people and I’ve known most of them since college and a few since high school. I’ve been cooking for them every Friday night for about three years now. Ever since…” He hesitates.

“What is it, Alexei?”

He takes a deep breath. “I invited them over the first time because I wanted to celebrate the end to therapy. It became a regular Friday night after that and evolved into Friday with Friends.”

Her hand strokes his thigh. “You never have to tell me anything you don’t want to tell me, Alexei.”

“Thanks, it’s okay. I had been going to therapy for so many years so it was a huge milestone for my therapist to say I didn’t need it anymore. Though I did go back and see him last week and have another appointment on Tuesday.” He feels like he is babbling.

“Because of us?”

He looks sideways at her and then back at the road. “Yes.”

His hand goes to his lap and over her hand on his thigh. “I have a hard time with change, as I’m sure you figured out. Grant, my therapist, helps keep me grounded and helps me work things out.”

“Whatever helps you is good, Lexei.”

He pulls up to Bella Lucia’s building and the valet opens his door. He hands the fob to him, comes around the car where Bella Lucia is waiting for him. She holds out her arm and they walk up to Franklin.

“So good to see you again, Mr. Mishkin.” Franklin is beaming at him.

“Franklin, please call me Alexei.”

“Yes, sir, Alexei. I’m so glad you decided to join us again. Madam Bella Lucia.” He nods at her.

“Thank you, Franklin.” They walk through the doors and to the elevator. “You have certainly made an impression with Franklin, I can’t remember the last time I saw him so happy to see someone.”

“We had a nice chat the last time I was here.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he um…” He stopped himself because he didn’t want to get Franklin in trouble.

“What did he say?”

“He just hoped I’d keep an open mind and imparted a bit of his wisdom from a submissives point of view.”

She chuckles, “He must really like you. I’m glad he felt free to talk to you.”

They get on the same elevator that he and Luna had used the first time he had been here. This time Bella Lucia takes his hand and leads m through the main room and up the stairs instead of out onto the patio. They enter through large double doors and it looks like a whole other apartment. There is a decent sized living room with a large, dark brown leather sectional, an open kitchen and there is a wall of windows looking out over the city. “Make yourself comfortable, Lexei, and I’ll be right back.

Alexei walks over to her kitchen. He had thought she was talking about her kitchen downstairs when she said hers was set up similar. He opens drawers and cabinets and each one holds exactly what he thinks should be in it. He hears something behind him and turns around.

Bella Lucia is watching him, smiling. “I told you.”

“Well, at least we won’t be lost in each other’s kitchens.” He grins. She is wearing white deck shoes, ripped blue jeans and a white t that hugs her nicely.

“You like, yes?” She spreads her arms out.

“Oh yes, definitely.” He devours her with his eyes.

She laughs and grabs his hand. “Come on or we’ll never have enough time to do all the shopping for tonight if we allow ourselves to be distracted. Did you look at the email I sent you?”

“What email?” He looks down at his phone and taps several times until he sees her name in his inbox. “How did you even have my email?”

“Luna gave it to me.” She pulls him to the elevator.

Alexei pulls it up and reads through it. “These are the choices you are thinking about for tonight?”

“Yes, I always have to make more than one choice if I make pork because not all of my members eat it.”

The elevator doors open and she pulls him inside. “How about making the stuffed acorn squash, but with veggies and mushrooms with balsamic and spices, the pork tenderloin with the berry salsa, and the homemade ravioli with spinach and cheese and roasted green beans and garlic.” The stuffed acorn squash on her list originally had chicken in it and he added the roasted green beans and garlic to her list.

She laughs, “I think it sounds perfect and with you by my side I’m sure we can accomplish all of that.”

Franklin opens the door for them and there is a black Range Rover with the engine running and Timothy holding the door for them.

“Hey Timothy, nice to see you again. Your Mistress not available today?”

“Yes, sir, glad to see you too. Madam Bella Lucia, always a pleasure to serve you.”

Bella Lucia chuckles, “Timothy.” She nods at him.

Seated along the bench seat Bella turns to Alexei. “Another friend I see.”

“Timothy took me home last week.”

“And let me guess, he gave you words of wisdom as well.” She’s smiling.

“Well, only after I asked him some questions.”

“Where to, Madam?”

“Union Square Green Market, Timothy. Thank you.” She looks back at Alexei. “And what did you ask him?”

“I asked if he was a submissive and he told me what it was like for him.”

“And what did you think about that?”

“I understand it gives him pleasure to serve. I can relate a little in regards to cooking for my friends and that is a form of serving, but you do that too with the members of your private restaurant. Are you a switch?”

Bella Lucia laughs. “Have you been doing some research, Lexei?”

Heat spreads across his cheeks. “Yeah, this past week I’ve been reading things online and I ordered a couple of books. So are you?”

She looks at him and takes his hand. “Mostly I am a top.”

“Mostly?”

She lets out a long sigh. “I do switch with Luna. She and I are both tops and taking turns is the only way we are able to come together.”

His mouth drops open. “She switches?”

“Only with me, Lexei, don’t get your hopes up. Make no mistake; she wants to claim you as hers.”

“But if she claims me how does that affect you and I?”

“She will give you to me, and you will belong to both of us.”

His head is spinning and he is short of breath. He leans forward and puts his head between his knees and feels her hand stroking his back.