Afraid that he would take his frustration out on Olivia, James decided not to drive back to Manhattan. She would probably be at work by the time he got there, and he was unwilling to discuss anything work-related in public. Of course, he could always return to Slide Mountain, the only place in the world where he could find some peace of mind, but the fact that it was more than four hours away deterred him. James had to settle for something much closer. The text message he sent Olivia in the early afternoon revealed his intentions:

“Hudson River Park, Pier 46, west end. 8:30pm. We need to talk.”

The night was cold and drizzly, and the benches under the trees were empty. Still, James would not even consider sitting. He chose to stand behind the pier railing, gazing at the small boats across the river, as the tiny rain drops fell onto his head.

“It’s so close to the buzzing city, yet so peaceful. It’s just mesmerizing. It should be better in the summer, but way more crowded.”

“It’s a little cold to be out here.” Olivia’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. There was something different in it. The sweetness in her tone had vanished. She sounded businesslike and aloof. Her footsteps were slow as she approached him. There was no hug or kiss. Olivia preferred to stand next to him and gaze across the river as well. “What’s the matter? Couldn’t we do this in my apartment? I mean, it’s a lot warmer.”

“What’s wrong?” He asked with a tension filled voice,as he looked down at her.

“This.” Her response was sharp, as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Michelle’s twitter page was on the screen. Her latest tweet made his blood boil in his veins and pound in his temples.

@MADAMS: Met Jimmy X today. Hoooooooooooooooot! He’s huge, masculine… Gorgeous! He got me wet just by looking at him!”

@MADAMS: Just finished performing for him. He loved it! Couldn’t keep his hands off…

“Fucking slut…” James snarled, his chest rising up and down. “Fucking whore…”

“How was she?” Olivia’s question infuriated him even more.

“I never laid a hand on her.” He claimed, intensifying his stare. “It’s a lie: a big, goddamn lie.”

“It is?” She whispered, as her lips curled into a small smile. “Why would she say that?”

“Yes!” James let out an exasperated huff: “to attract attention, why else?”

Olivia’s eyes warmed, as she took his left hand into her palm. Her smile widened, as she interlocked her fingers with his.

“I’m sorry.” She spoke in her usual, silvery voice. “I never should have doubted you. I didn’t want to believe it, but then, you sent me that message. ‘We need to talk’ usually only means one thing.”

“Don’t do that again.” He attempted a more commanding tone. “I just didn’t want to bother you at work. You’d ask me how it went, I’d remember the whole thing and just…” He paused,“… snap. I asked you to meet me here, because it’s more romantic, that’s all.”

“It sure is.” Olivia agreed, her voice lowering to a soft, tender whisper, as he turned to face her. Her big, smiling eyes made his heart quiver , as he pulled her closer. James pulled his hand out of her grasp and cupped her face. Running his thumbs across her cheekbones, he gave her a sweet smile, before tilting his head down to meet her lips. Olivia’s kiss comforted him, as she put her arms around him. Caressing her face, he relished every second of this sweet moment, as small raindrops rolled down his forehead and his cheeks. His right hand slid up her face and into her curly hair. Knitting his fingers through it, he felt his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. She laid a soft kiss on his lower lip and gently leaned back.

“I’ve missed your cabin.” She whispered, opening her eyes.

“What’s so special about it?” He responded with a deep rasp in his voice.

“You’re asking the wrong question, Mr. Poet,” Olivia sing songed as a cunning smile spread across her face. “What you should be asking is ‘What’s not special about it’. It’s secluded; romantic, we can play music together, and…”

“Stop.” He interrupted, urgently. “I know what you’re going to say. You’ll…”

“Turn you on?” Olivia finished his sentence. “I want to do that.”

“If you do, we won’t make it to my cabin.” James grinned. “Save it for later. Besides, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “What kind of surprise?”

“Let’s just say it’s going to help you release all that tension.” He winked at her. “No more questions.”

“Are you going to spoil me again, Mr. Poet?” The blissful smile on her face amused him so much that he was about to burst into laughter.

“More than you can imagine, you little devil in disguise.” He continued. “A whole lot more than you can imagine.”