The Tempted and The Temptress

Chapter 16

I’m not exactly sure how we got through the entire week without discussion the gallery opening.  Correction, who we were taking to the opening.  Maybe Tammy and I were just in autopilot, going about our usual routines.  On Friday morning, Tammy was up and out so quickly, after having only a few hours of sleep, which she would recover later than afternoon, that there just didn’t seem to be time.  Emilie and I had timed our arrival so there was no worries about who was going where and how the night would end up.  At least on our end.  Throughout the day, I told myself repeatedly, there would be no issue.  I’ll just be escorting Emilie for a few hours.  I think I had even convinced myself of the sincerity of my actions.  When I pulled into the parking lot of the gallery, I did a check over and made sure I was okay.  I gave myself one more pep talk before I got out the car, locking my Black BMW.

            Emilie was just getting out of her red Mercedes when I pulled up.  Perfect timing as usual.  The girl had a track for it.  She had on a black shawl that covered whatever slinky dress she chose for the occasion.  I waited for her to catch up to where I was standing.  It wasn’t frigid, but nippy enough to need a jacket.

            “You’re looking sharp as always,” Emilie said as she caught up to me.

            “And we will see him many hearts you’ll break in just a second,’ I replied.

            “Shall we?”

            “After you,’ I said, taking her arm.  As we entered the door, there was a short line at the coat check.  Emilie and I greeted a few people from the job as well as some other known art donors.  Just as we were getting to our space in line, a flash of dark green satin caught my eye.  I turned to look and was mesmerized by Tammy, standing in the short cocktail dress that was lined around the bottom with the velvet made her pregnancy look non-existed, she had simple drop earrings and a bracelet.  I was pleased to notice that she wore a necklace with her wedding ring around her neck.  I know that the entire room must have stopped while I watched her maneuver around the room.  She had yet to see me, giving me just a little time to appreciate her beauty.  Just then, Tammy turned to my direction and saw me stopping in her tracks as well, it was so good to know I had the same affect on her.  She started toward me then stopped cold in her tracks.

            I followed her gaze to see that she was has seen Emilie who had taken off her shawl to reveal her own silver dress, backless that accentuated every curve on her body.  I’m certain that no person in the room missed her entrance.

            “Are you ready?” Emilie said, taking my arm giving the impression that she was taken. As always this didn’t discourage those single ones who know her and her style.  It would only be a few more minutes before the accidental bumps occurred, with the not so inconspicuous introduction.  “She doesn’t look very happy.”

            I didn’t need her to tell me that Tammy was now shooting daggers at me. “No, she doesn’t.”

            “She knew I was coming, there should be no problem,” Emilie said, matter of factly. I sighed. “You didn’t tell her, did you?”

            “We just got busy doing other things this week.”

            “Haven’t you heard a cell phone? Scribbles on a blackboard? Smokescreen?” Emilie said.  Now two women were upset with me.

            “I just…”

            “Were being a man. Come on, let’s clean this up.  You have so much to learn.”  Emilie masterfully started to steer me toward where my wife was standing.  As we approached, a tall, light skinned man, with grey eyes came to Tammy’s side, grabbing hr arm. Who is the hell was this?

            Emilie spoke first. “Tammy.  It’s so good to see you.  Dear Max, told me his blunder just a second ago, so please be nice to him. And who are you?”

            Tammy couldn’t get a single word in edgewise, and I was grateful.  I knew I would hear about it later, but at the moment, the marketer in her went into full affect.  “This is Vince, the artist.  Vince, Emilie Amine, marketing associate, and this is Miaxwell.”

            “Pleasure to meet you both,” said Vince.  “Max, I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

            “I hope all good,” I replied.  I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, but Emilie seemed to take him.  I could fell her entire demeanor change into her typical seduction that happened when she was about to be on the prowl. 

            “Of course,” said Vince. “Tammy had done quite a bit to help with this exhibit.  I’m truly indebted to her. One day I hope to properly thank her.”

            “Your work is amazing,” Emilie interjected, and not a moment too soon.  I’m not sure how he meant it, but I wasn’t taking it very well.  “I’ve been following you since you first came on to the scene a few  years ago  How do you get the passion into your work?  It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

            “Focus and precision,” Vince responded.  “When it’s time to work, I channel all my energy into my art.  No distractions are allowed.  I pursue the goal with an unwavering dedication.”

            “Must get a little lonely,” Emilie said.

            “At times, but the final result is always worth it.  If you’ll excuse me, I must mingle.”

            “I’ll join you, if you don’t mind,” Emilie said. 

            “Just don’t stray too far,” said Tammy.  Emilie slipped her hand under Vince’s arm astray walked away.  Tammy and I were left to face each other.

            “You look stunning,” I said, hoping she knew the sincerity of it.

            “So do you,” Tammy responded.  “I see Emilie is looking well tonight. “

“She seems taken with Vince’s work and him.”

            “He’s too good for someone like her,” Tammy said.  “ I need to mingle.”

            “Please, allow me to escort you,” I said.

            “I’m okay,” Tammy protested.

            “But, what if you need something? I can assure you that I’m the best escort,” I said, getting close to her and placing my hand on the small of her back.

            “No.”

            “Shhhh, you don’t want to call attention to yourself.  Tonight is Vince’s night.”

            I knew I had her. Her body started to relax and I could smell her simpleness, the light ocean scent was filling my nostrils and I had to fight to overcome this. I proceeded to escort her through the crowd as she checked upon each of the patrons.

            Vince’s work was brilliant. There was no denying Emilie’s words that there was such passion and emotion in Vince’s paintings.  Absolutely breathtaking.  We stopped in front of one, Euphoria, that used reads, purples, and blues to convey the moment of ecstasy.  My mind immediately thought back to our most recent time together.

            “This is quite good,” I said softly  Subconsciously I had moved even closer to her, was now holding her in an embrace similar to the couple portrayed in the painting.

            “It is one of my favorites,” she replied, sighing a bit.  “I could never figure out how he could capture such strong emotions without the experience.

            “What do you mean by that?”  I said, running my hands along her shoulders and arms.  I bent my head to breath in her scent.

            “He’s vowed to wait until he’s married.  His father ran around with many different women and he vowed to never be that way.”

            “What keeps him so balanced?”

            “His faith and his art.  He was them to bring people together,” she said, as I placed a kiss at the temple of her head.

            “I can see that,” I said. “Emilie doesn’t know what she’s in for.”

            “Eheem,” a voice was heard clearly at that precise moment. I turned to see Emilie standing behind me, looking none too pleased.   “I hate to interrupt, but can you please escort me out?”

            “Everything alright?” I asked, dropping my hands reluctantly from my wife’s body, but not before I felt the slight tensing of her muscles.

            “Fine, I would just like to go.  It won’t take long.  I just can not stay another moment.”

            I turned to Tammy, who was shooting daggers.  I started to say something, but she just held her hand up and waited fro me to be quiet.

            “I’ll just see you,” she said tersely.  Just then I’d had it, was just tired of seeing doubt in her eyes.  I was shattering that wall once and for all.  I pulled Tammy into my arms and give her the most passionate kiss I could muster.  She immediately relaxed and her walls tumbled, the exhibit, the gallery, Emilie, all was forgotten in an instant.  We were getting caught up in a maelstrom, desiring some satisfying of euphoria we knew so well.  Some way through the kiss, which lasted for who knows how long, there was an applause.  We broke away slightly embarrassed to see Vince clapping and encouraging others to do the same.

            “Ladies and gentlemen, Euphoria at work,” Vince said.  “Let’s thank the happy couple for volunteering their love for this display.  They tole me earlier that they were still newlyweds and for their generosity, I am presenting them this painting as a wedding present.”

            Vince turned to each of us.  “If you will allow them a moment to recover from their vibrant performance, they will greet the audience later.  Emilie, if you would help to escort them.”

            Emilie plastered a smile to her face and miraculously led the two of us through the still applauding crowd.  Once reaching the entrance, I took action.

            “Emilie, get your shawl and I will escort you out.” She left and I turned to Tammy.  “Go clean yourself up.  They may know we’re married, but we still should maintain whatever professionalism we have left.  I’ll just be a second with her.”

            Tammy for once just nodded her head.  Emilie returned with her shawl.  I walked her out the door and asked, “What’s going on?”

            “Nothing,” she said laconically.  Something definitely hadn’t gone her way.

            “That’s a lot of nothing.  We’ve only been in a room for 30 minutes,.”

            “I’m going home. Thank you, as always, Max. And don’t worry about the display, Vince smoothed it over nicely, I’m sure.”

            “I’ll see you Monday.”

            “Yes,” Emilie said, hurrying off. She must not have gotten her way with Vince the artist.  I’ll find out what about later on, but right now I had more important matters. I walked back in and saw my Tammy waiting on my, touched up and straightened out.  She had moved her wedding ring from her necklace to her finger.  Whatever I primarily thought about the man no longer mattered.  He had a vote in my book.