Chapter Fifteen
I felt horrible about kicking out Ted last night, then not returning his calls. He’d left three of them, each increasingly desperate. I knew that my temper got the best of me sometimes, and he had a right to question the origins of my pregnancy. I hadn’t explained it very well, and it was a strange-sounding story if you’d never met God face-to-face as I had. I decided to dress up, go over and make amends for my highhanded behavior. I found a dress that was quite sexy though it showed off my slightly-bulging stomach. It was a moss green color and dipped to show my increased bust-line. I pinned my hair up in a ‘sloppy’ bun—which was artfully crafted, of course—before putting on the finishing touches. I left off the makeup because I hated smearing when I had sex. As I drove over, I felt happier than I had in a while. Ted was a reasonable man, and I knew that we could work things out.
“Margaret!” Ted said, looking shocked as he opened the door a few inches. I didn’t notice, however, as I was eager to say my piece which I’d rehearsed on the way over.
“Ted, I’m really sorry for springing the news on you that way. I know it’s a lot to deal with and—”
“You should have called. Now is not a good time, Margaret,” Ted said, trying to smile. He wouldn’t open the door any further, however, and his odd behavior reminded me of the night his ex had come barging in on us about to have sex. I looked closely at Ted and noticed that his hair was mussed, he had traces of lipstick on his lips, and he was sporting an erection.
“Oh, I get it,” I said, my tone frosty. I could feel my cheeks burning despite my attempt to stay calm. Motherfucker was playing me for a fool, and I didn’t like it one bit.
“It’s not what it looks like—”
“Teddy? Who’s at the door? I’m getting lonely all by myself.” It was the not-so-dulcet tones of his ex, and she sounded nicely lubricated. “Come back to Lucinda.”
“Margaret, listen,” Ted said, grabbing my arm. “We haven’t, we weren’t, that is, it was just kissing.” He shifted his eyes away, knowing that he sounded like a jerk.
“I see,” I said coldly, stepping out of his grasp. “Well, I’ll let you return to Lucinda, then. Wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.” I turned on my heel and marched to my car, tears blurring my sight.
“Margaret, please! Come back,” Ted called at the top of his lungs. I ignored him, however, as I didn’t do sloppy seconds. It sure hadn’t taken him long to go back to the bitch, had it? I jumped in my car and fumbled with my keys, finally inserting the right one into the ignition. As soon as I got the car started, I peeled out of his driveway, not caring if I got stopped by the cops. My cell phone started ringing immediately as I drove away, but I didn’t bother answering. I knew it’d be Ted, and the last thing I wanted to do was talk to him right now. Besides, I had to concentrate on getting home in one piece. Not that I had much to worry about concerning myself, but I didn’t want to cause any accidents on the way.
As soon as I was safely in my home, I ran into my bedroom and threw myself on my bed. I hated acting like a typical girl, but I couldn’t stop weeping. I hadn’t known Ted long, but I thought we’d been so simpatico. I thought he would be man enough to deal with my strange situation; I was obviously wrong. I could feel a migraine coming which occurred sometimes when I cried too much. I didn’t care, however, as I welcomed anything that would make me feel more miserable. My heart wrenched in my chest, causing me to gasp for air. I pounded the bed best I could and wished it was Ted’s face. Speaking of the devil, I could hear him talking to my answering machine.
“Margaret, I am so, so sorry. It’s just that your news shocked the hell out of me, then you kicked me out and wouldn’t answer my calls. I just—no. I fucked up. That’s all. Lucinda is gone. Please call me.” When Hell fro—never. I would never call him again. The one thing I couldn’t tolerate was infidelity, which he should have known. I closed my eyes and cried even harder until I felt someone’s arms around me. Without looking up, I knew it was Lucifer.
“Margaret Marilyn,” he murmured into my hair. “Let me comfort you.” I turned around, facing my nemesis. He glowed, even in the dark, and there was something almost angelic about his smile. I reminded myself that he was an angel, albeit one who had fallen to the dark side. It didn’t dim his allure, however. There was no trace of the whipping Li Ling had put on him last night, and he was beautiful. He was erect, but he didn’t press himself against me as he carefully enveloped me in his arms. His wings folded themselves around us, and I felt so safe—cocooned. “Cry, Margaret Marilyn. Get him out of your system.” I opened my mouth to protest that I wouldn’t get over Ted so easily, but Lucifer captured my mouth with his. Any thoughts, any words in my head were instantly forgotten as the white-hot pain/pleasure shot through my body when his tongue touched mine.
“Morningstar,” I breathed once we’d broken off the kiss.
