READERS FANTASIES

MY FATE

 I was visiting my girl friend that I met in school. We were stretched out on her futon watching our two kids play. I had never been to her house and was awe- struck by the grandiose paintings that covered her walls. Angel and Goddess images were everywhere and they filled me with their beauty, they were so large in scale, I felt like I'd entered a sacred temple or shrine. I knew that my friend's ex-husband painted so I automatically assumed they were his. Cherise poured some tea and we made ourselves comfortable. Cherise and I had a lot in common. 

We were young mother's raising children on our own. As we discussed our hopes and dreams we were interrupted by some very exotic music coming from the next room. I tried to tune it out but a waft of cedar incense hit my senses and I couldn't help but ask "Who is that in the other room?" "That is my room-mate, Michael. He is the one that painted these." She gestured about the room with her teaspoon. "I noticed you couldn't keep your eyes off of them, these paintings have that effect on people." The bold peacock colors made the room heavy and emotive. "The faces stir my soul, can I meet him? I have to see who these came out of!" I asked hopefully. Cherise wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "I really don't like to bug him when he's painting."

We left it at that and ended up going out to eat. When we came back to her place we tucked the kids in, Cherise lit candles and I put on some music. I heard a man's voice from the living room and was pleased to see that Michael had come out of his den and was talking to Cherise. "Here's the mystery man, Michael, this is my friend Danika." As our hands touched in greeting an electric shock actually zapped between us and we both jumped back and laughed. "That's some static electricity," said Cherise. "We certainly are charged all right!" He smiled into my eyes and warmth filled my heart. 

His eyes are as blue as the sky. He is a little taller than I and has wavy blonde hair. His pants have brush stokes of brightly colored paint above the knees where he cleaned it and he's relaxed with a promising look about him. He smells of paint and cedar incense and radiates warmth like an early summer afternoon. This was my first of many times to come with Cherise, Raphael, and the kids. We would all pile into his van on the weekends and head to the used bookstores and thrift shops for treasure hunting, hit the museums, art shows and fairs. Someone always came up with something fun for the weekends. The kids adored Michael and I was in love with him. It didn't take me long though; I fell for him that first night.

My little boy, Nathan jumped in his arms at the park and they tumbled and roughhoused in the grass. Nathan looked up to him with leaves in his hair and asked "Is this what it's like to have a Daddy?" I pretended not to hear and Michael just picked him up and hugged him.

I surprised Michael one night with some homemade ice cream and fresh berries. Cherise and Kerry weren't home but Michael was very pleased to see me at the door. I already knew that Cherise had plans for that evening so I made a few plans of my own. Michael happily invited me in and we sat closely together on the couch. I spooned out a little bite of the dessert and held it up to his beautiful mouth. Looking deeply into my eyes he took the bite and then another. He took the spoon and fed me the same and then I asked, "Mike, I have noticed that you hardly paint anymore. What's wrong?" "Danika, he sighed, I don't need to." He took my hands in his and said, "I have found my Goddess and my Angel. I've fallen in love with you." He pulled me closer to him, and gently ran his hands over my ears and on down my neck to my shoulders and arms. I fell against him as he stroked my long hair, nuzzled and tenderly kissed my neck.

The energy quickly built into an electrical storm. The passion held back for each other all these months was unleashed. I burned as if struck by lightning. He touched me as if I were a goddess. Tenderly at first then as the surges of energy became overwhelming he stopped himself and got up from the couch. He pulled me up and hand in hand we went into his bedroom. His room was filled with houseplants as well as more beautiful paintings. He lit several candles and invited me to lie on the bed. At this point I would have stood on my head if he asked me to. The rose petals I had strewn on his floor several days before were still there and the room smelled sweet.

He started a fire in the wood stove and took off his shirt to reveal the taught muscular build of his upper body, his flat stomach and the soft golden hair on his chest. I was lying on my side with head propped in one hand. "Danika, you touch my heart like no one else. I've never known this depth of feeling before I met you. I have searched for you everywhere and when I least expect it there you are in my kitchen!" He leaned down and kissed me. Our lips conducted pure love that is rarely found. I swallowed hard and had to swallow again. I was burning to feel him closer. 

Michael unbuttoned my sweater and slipped it off. Then he pulled my skirt down and gently rolled me onto my tummy. I felt so warm and alive. The fire crackled and the smell of wood smoke made me feel at home. He started at my shoulders with the lotion and those strong hands. He squeezed and worked my muscles from the nape of the neck to my toes, then when I was so relaxed I thought I might doze, he started lightly tracing his fingers along the length of my body. My heart beat like never before as his fingertips circled my breasts and then moved to my thighs. Slowly, tortuously, Michael touched me, then moved to my Venus mound and lightly kissed it as if in worship. He was unrelenting.

I was burning again, so full and uninhibited now. He made me feel loved and whole. I reached out to him and pulled him to me. Our lips locked this time in a long, succulent kiss. The taste of him was wonderful. I held him to my body and whispered into his ear then nibbled and kissed him in return. We eventually came together into an ecstasy that made us see colors as we climaxed and I felt I was swept up into a tunnel of light above him. After we came together we rested, reposed for the moment as cherished silence held the glow. 

The energy between us was too intense to be quieted by just one union so we were drawn together once again. Michael began to caress me and I returned his attentions; He reached for another condom and let me slide it on. We made love again and fell exhausted into a heap on the bed. I awoke the next morning in the same spot and position. The scent of love, flowers and cedar keep me in the love mode. I stretched and groggily gazed about the room. There in the easel was my face my eyes focused into a painting, a beautiful painting of me embracing my son. I thought my heart would burst! A glowing, smiling Michael greeted me with breakfast in bed. He didn't forget a thing. We were famished and as I ate my delicious breakfast I realized that Michael was a gourmet chef as well!

We continued our love affair for several months and decided that it was time to give Nathan a daddy. You should have seen the look of joy on Nathan's face! He ran into Michael's arms, looked up at him and said, "We wuv you Michael!"