Sleeping with a Friend

What the F@$&

From the pep talk in the car to making our way up the driveway to this immaculate lake house, I felt my panties moist amazed at how much money this man must truly have. The home sat perched at the top of the mountain side overlooking Phelam Reservoir. The reservoir was a stone throws away from this house. Looking like a dark bottomless abyss, but the still water reflected everything like a perfectly polished mirror. The moment we exited the car, the smell of pine penetrated my nose. The door was already open and hoards of people were fixed in every corner of the room. Many more people then what I had anticipated. It was a contemporary lake house. The foyer had a huge vaulted ceiling which displayed a delicate frosted glass chandelier. Looking around the house there was no space that provided privacy. The house walls were made of glass, but advertised a spectacular view of the grounds outside. The floor was made a dark hard wood, which made the house smell like a saw mill. Most of the furniture looked like it had been moved for the anticipation for the guests that had arrived, it provided some much needed standing room. Glancing up to the second floor resembled more of a private loft, most likely for the owner. That too had rails that were made of panes of glass. This was not the house I'm sure he would ordinarily entertain employees. The kitchen had a country look to it, mainly colored in whites and creams, but the counter was full black marble. A fireplace was planted directly in the center of the room, and it hurt my neck to lean all the way back to try to calculate exactly how high up these ceilings were.

Xander had such a tight grip on my hand, it felt as though my fingers were going to start to go numb. As we made our way to the bar to get a couple of drinks, there were a few familiar faces that I had remembered from prior engagements he had me attend. We looked for a place to settle into, just like the good old days. We found one of the French doors that lead to a huge deck that was connected to a dock right on the lake side. "So what does he look like? I really have no idea what your boss looks like." I looked over to see Xander scanning the crowd trying to locate him on his own. "Edison Cole. He's about five eleven, light brown hair, and cold looking features." Cold features? Frosty the Snowman had cold features, what the f**k was that supposed to mean? "I don't see him anywhere. He might not be here yet." I didn't know why I bothered looking through the crowd, I still had no idea who the hell I was looking for, and his description was not helpful at all.

"So are we to mingle with people, or just sit here and keep on the look out for your boss like flies on the wall?" Just as we were making our way back into the crowd to chat, I happened to see some movement in the loft area. Someone was up there, maybe that the man of the hour. "I think someone is up stairs. I just saw... " He hadn't bothered to hear the rest of what I was saying, but it was only a matter of time before the man made his appearance to his own party. As I hear Xander talking with a few o-workers, his demeanor had changed suddenly. He spoke with a little more confidence, with no fear, and planning on taking over the world. Just as I was finishing up my drink, I felt him grab for my hand once more with an even tighter grip then when we first arrived. "He's here."

He gulped down the rest of his drink and he started to turn a pale shade of white. His palm had started to become sweaty, and I feared he wasn't going to be able to pull this off. I could only see his head through the crowd of people as he neared our direction. Once I was able to see a quick silhouette of him, but it couldn't possibly be. He looked like "Kevin" a little bit. "He's headed our way." Xander intertwined our fingers together, he felt as though letting go of me that he would drift away and be lost forever. I wrapped my arm around his, making sure that he kept his balance. It only took one person to move before I was able to see him once and for all. HOLY s**t!!! In all of my years, I never expected it to happen to me, but it was him. It was "Kevin". "Kevin" is Edison Cole! The man who just recently informed me that he had feelings for Ziva. The same man who just last night was groveling at my feet. I have never met a client in person before, not without my mask. That's what made Ziva, I wasn't sure how to act, but I tried to maintain composure and stay calm. I felt my grip on Xander's hand tighten. It was enough for him to look over at me and question why. "I'm going to use that favor now. Remember how you would never break a promise. You are going to be MY boyfriend for the night." I whispered in his war as I heard his name being called out. "Xander." Cole came straight to him, with his hand extended out to shake his. I had absolutely no idea how to deal with this situation. I was so used to shutting off all of the emotions when Ziva was around, but since she wasn't here I felt so vulnerable and weak. Years of confidence wiped away within a matter of seconds. "Good evening gentlemen and... ladies."

Xander was eager to inform him that his helpful friend was present for him to meet as well. But I stood there, quiet, fragile, and helpless. He shook everyone's hands in our group, and of course saving me for last. His eyes were intense and dark. I could see how so many people thought he had such an icy disposition. He looked as I finally let go of Xander's hand and arm, preparing myself to shake his hand. "Xander", he said with a deep voice. I saw his eyes widened as he felt Edison shake his hand. It looked painful. He then turned and focused his attention on me. I reached out my hand, and gave him a firm and steady shake. I wasn't sure if he knew it was me, without my mask. How much could that think possibly conceal? I could only hope that it wasn't too firm, because I was not feeling confident at that movement. "Mr. Cole, this is Lee. This is who I was telling you about. She is the one that Virgil had been chatting about at the meeting." I elbowed him in the ribs for him to also mention that I was currently his girlfriend.

I didn't want to make eye contact, but I felt that my ignoring him would only bring more attention to myself, so I tried to stay cool, calm, and collected. My hesitation of looking up made matters worse, because I could feel his eyes burning into my skin. "Call me Cole, Xander." Again he spoke with a stern emotionless voice. He never took his eyes from mine. He still hadn't let go of my hand, but pulled me in closer, and I heard him take a sniff of my hair. As he leaned away from me, that was it. That was the catalyst that exposed my truth. He knew it was me, and that before him stood Ziva, finally unmasked. He smiled, and still kept his eyes on mine as he walked away.

"What the hell was that about?" I immediately raced to get to the bar again. I ordered a few shouts and walked to the deck. No one was there, and I felt safe, not thinking anyone would notice that I slipped away. After inhaling the shots I had ordered, and feeling the night air whipping against me I was finally able to clear my head. The moon was above shining bright and I felt completely and totally at ease. Listening to the creatures stirring about and seeing the reservoir before me, the moon shining it's reflection it couldn't have been a better place to relax. As I was embracing the chill in the air and allowing the tension to leave my shoulders, I could hear footsteps approaching me from behind.

"So. Lee... is it?" His voice made my thighs quiver. I could only think of the one moment I was weak and willing to expose myself to him, when I had him at the brink of submission and ready to climax. "Do you know how many private detectives I hired to try to find out your identity? How many years I have spent to find out who you really are? And all it took was but two seconds at a party of mine, by one of my employees none the less, for me to finally meet the real you." He kept his distance from me. Still waiting for me to turn around and acknowledge his presence. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction to have him think he had the upper hand this evening. I hated that tone in his voice, that arrogant level almost mocking me and talking down to me. As Ziva, there was not leverage of anonymity that he held over me, no name and no face to put to an actual human being. But Lee did, Lee was a real person. She had emotions, feelings, incidents, things that molded her into the person she is today. "The real you holds someone very close to your heart. And it seems as though he is your date this evening. "Boyfriend?" His words rang constantly in my ears, "the real you". Have I always hid myself behind Ziva's mask? Did I feel as though I wasn't capable enough to live my life without knowing I could portray her at any time? If he thinks that he has the upper hand tonight, he is mistaken.

"You paid people to hunt me down? Am I a trophy to you? Is this your victory speech, because you were able to get what you wanted? And I do not think it is any of your business if Xander and I are together." I finally turned, and even without the mask I was still able to show Ziva's eyes. I was still able to intimidate him. He knew my one and only secret. As I met his eyes, I saw his breathing begin to change. It was different now that we were not behind closed doors. Even though I had been revealed, he still feared and knew what I was capable of doing to him, since I did have his heart. "This does not change a thing. You just know my name now. If we happen to meet again, nothing will have changed. You will still be my submissive and I will still be your dominant." I could hear my name being called in the distance, and I saw Xander closing in on us. He was shocked to see Cole standing there with me. He looked at us with concern in his eyes.