Four Shades of Recovery: Boxed Set by J. S. Luxor

powerful.”
     
    I give him a seductive stare before responding, “It was certainly powerful and the speed was perfect.”
     
    His corresponding smile reflects satisfaction with our status. We eat our breakfast in the comfort of our post-coital bubble. He’s attentive and nuzzles me while we eat and drink. It’s so easy between us this morning. I wish the feeling would never end. The angst of last evening evaporates in the light of day.
     
    “Matt, I’m going to meet a friend for lunch today in the Pearl District,” I announce with a breezy tone to my voice.
     
    “Fine. Who would this friend happen to be? Anyone I know?” he asks while already showing some tension in his forehead.
     
    “Remember the fellow, Jacob, from last night?” I’m trying to keep it light.
     
    “Of course. The persistent pest from the restaurant. A friend of Michael Kingsfield’s,” Matt’s very quick to make the connections.
     
    “Yes, although, I just want to make it a quick lunch. To catch up on the real estate scene in Miami.” I try not to dwell on the issue of Michael today.
     
    “As long as we have dinner together this evening and you tell me all about your luncheon date,” he negotiates. Matt’s look is cautious and dark.
     
    “Sure. What time would you like to meet for dinner, Matt?” I’m keeping my attitude upbeat.
     
    “Let’s make it around six at Le Pigeon,” he suggests. I nod my agreement and kiss his lovely face.
     
    We finish preparing for the day and before we go our separate ways, Matt takes me in his arms for an embrace. “Megan Pine. You’re the most alluring, seductive, and altogether dangerous creature I know.” His hazel eyes burn with intensity as he looks deeply into mine. “You know how much you mean to me. Just don’t let anyone get between us,” he cautions me.   
     
    I look into Matt’s eyes with equal intensity and kiss his lovely mouth before assuring him, “No one compares to you. You know how much you mean to me, baby.”
     
    “You haven’t yet lived up to all of my conditions, Megan,” he reminds me with gravity. Then he pulls me in for a quick kiss.
     
    “But, I’m getting there,” I retort after returning his peck and then pull away from his arms.
     
    My morning at the newspaper passes quickly as the columns absorb all of my attention. Before I have a chance to notice, it’s nearly noon. I wave to my editor and let her know that I’ll return from lunch in one hour. Then I’m off to see my former colleague, Jacob.
     
    Jacob’s already waiting for me at our rendezvous spot and looks more than happy to see me. He hugs me with meaning. “Megan, I’m sorry to have interrupted your date last night. I just never expected to see you tooling around Portland.”
     
    I hug him briefly and smile in a restrained manner. “Jacob, it’s a small world. I live and work here now.”
     
    “That totally floors me, Megan. What kind of job have you found in Portland?” Jacob’s friendly smile doesn’t extend to his eyes.
     
    “I’m actually working for the local Oregonian newspaper now. I’ve returned to a job I held in the past. There’ll be no real estate deals for me in Portland,” I declare with a phony southern accent and laugh.
     
    “But, Megan, you’re really skilled in real estate sales. Why the switch?”
     
    “You know why, Jacob. It was all just too much for me with Michael Kingsfield.”
     
    “I guess you really didn’t want any regular contact with Michael, then,” Jacob broaches the issue quickly. He’s nearly aggressive in his approach to the person we both know is at the top of our agenda. I try to shift the topic.
     
    “Well, my degree in journalism makes a good fit with editing. What about you Jacob? Why are you in town?” I ask to change the topic quickly. I know it’s useless to dance around the issue of Michael Kingsfield for long.
     
    “I’m looking into the national market. We want to develop a bunch of projects similar