Page 64 of Sex, Lust & Lingerie

I nodded. Tears were brimming in my eyes. How could I have ever doubted this amazing man? This god.

“Good. Then trust me to do this.” In a heartbeat, he crushed his warm velvety lips onto mine. My mouth sunk into his. A room full of people may have been watching us, but I was oblivious. At this moment, no one existed but Jaime and me. I never wanted to leave this man. Never! And then reality sunk in as our tongues entwined and did their last dance. In less than an hour, I would be on a plane running away—out of his life forever. Boris Borofsky would ultimately find me wherever I was, and I couldn’t put this man, this beautiful god of a man, who loved and protected me, in harm’s way. I had to pay the price for what I’d done without him. Tears leaked out the corners of my clenched eyes. I broke away and turned my head. I could no longer look this man in the face. It hurt too much.

Jaime cradled my head in his hands and gently pivoted it so that I was facing him. I kept my eyelids lowered to avoid his gaze. Tears poured freely down my cheeks. Every inch of my body was on fire as he flicked them away with his long tapered fingers. “What’s the matter, angel? Everything’s going to be okay.”

“You don’t understand.” My watery voice was just above a whisper.

“Angel, look at me.”

I stole a look at his face. His eyes were fiercely tender.

“The only thing I need to understand is how I feel about you. That night on the plane, when we were in turbulence, I realized that if we went down, I wanted to go down with you. Because I couldn’t live without you. I need you as much as you need me. When I’m not with you, I’m not whole; I don’t function. I can’t create. There’s a part of me that’s missing. And I think you have it…” His voice trailed off.

My heart was splintering; my bones liquefying. He was making me fall apart—this is not how I wanted to say good-bye. Rivulets of tears streamed down my cheeks.

He tipped up my chin giving me no choice but to meet his passionate gaze. The heat of our breaths filled the air between us. “Gloria, I’ve never said this to another woman before and if it comes out wrong, I’m going to say it again and again until I get it right. I haven’t perfected my pitch. Or even practiced it. My beautiful angel, I l—”

A loud clap of music cut him off. The award ceremony had begun. Strutting onto the stage to loud applause, the gala’s emcee, Oprah Winfrey, stunning the audience in a bronze sequined gown. She had readily agreed to host the event because, like me, she was all into girl power and supported underprivileged girls, though hers were in Africa.

While she welcomed the crowd and gave a rundown of tonight’s program, Jaime squeezed my hand. I forced myself to focus; my aching heart was elsewhere, caught between my desperate desire to stay with this magnificent man forever and my desperate need to get away from him as far and as quickly as possible.

In a moving video presentation assembled by Kevin, Oprah narrated the story of Girls Like Us and shared the accomplishments of my philanthropic organization. The beautiful faces of the young girls whose lives I’d helped to change for the better moved me like a tremor in the earth. Through my mentoring program, these underprivileged, neglected, and often abused girls had gone on to become successful professionals and community leaders. Many of them were here in the audience tonight. I felt proud to be among them. There was only one person who I wished could also be here to see me accept my award—Madame Paulette, my own beautiful mentor who had inspired me and changed my life.

The short film was met with loud applause and cheers. Oprah’s booming voice quieted the vast room. “And tonight we honor, Gloria Long, CEO of Gloria’s Secret, for the amazing work she’s done as the founder of Girls Like Us. Please help me bring it on as she comes to the stage to accept her Lifetime Achievement Award.”

“Gloria,” my signature song, blasted in my ears. My heart leapt into my throat. My big moment had come. But it was not accepting my award that had my nerves crackling with anticipation and apprehension. Immediately afterward, Kevin and I would be making our getaway. My life as I knew it was about to be over. The lyrics of the song resonated with me. Yes, this Gloria was always going to be on the run now too.

Jaime congratulated me again, his mouth crashing down on mine in one more fierce, passionate, all-consuming kiss. A deep pang of sadness stabbed at my heart. It was the last time I’d ever feel the touch of his lips on my flesh. I closed my eyes. On my brain, I immortalized the delicious taste of him, heat of him, and scent of him before pulling away and slowly rising from my chair.

My emotions in total turmoil, I used all my concentration not to stagger up the steps to the stage. With her radiant smile known to millions, Oprah handed me my award—a glimmering gold metal rose mounted on a plaque. Thanking her, I made my way to the podium. I inhaled a steeling breath and took in the sold-out crowd who’d given me a roaring, standing ovation. My heart swelled with joy when I caught sight of the adorable young girls I’d invited jumping up and down. The feeling was fleeting. My eyes lingered on only one person—the heartstoppingly beautiful Jaime Zander. He blew me another kiss, and I caught it with my heart. I held his eyes in mine knowing that in just a matter of time I’d never see him again. All I’d have to remember him by were a few tattered petals from his flowers that I’d packed last minute.

The crowd took their seats and the applause died down. I gulped another breath of air, thanked everyone, and then forced myself to wrap my head around my award. Focus, Gloria. My mind was in utter chaos, whirling with heartbreaking thoughts of Jaime Zander and my carefully planned escape with Kevin right after my acceptance speech.

I began to wing my speech. My voice was as shaky as my body.

I held up my award. “This golden rose signifies that all girls, regardless of race, looks, or socio-economic background, have the potential to bloom. I was one of those girls, from the wrong side of the tracks, who, thanks to one very special woman, had the chance to turn my life around and—”

My mouth froze as my jaw fell open.

Oh, God no!

---