Her Own Undoing

First date?

                         CHAPTER 8

Rochelle was dressed in a pair of white shorts and a blue and white tank top with her bathing suit underneath by the time Ian pulled up in front of her house. On her way out she picked up her beach bag and slipped her feet into a white pair of flip-flops. The black Mercedes jeep the rental company was happy to bring to their client was sitting outside her driveway. The passenger side windows rolled down as she came out the gate.
"Good morning, " Ian said cheerily.
"Good morning yourself." She said as she climbed into the cool interior of the jeep.
She felt uncomfortable as he looked her over, his eyes settling on her legs for a few seconds then back to her face giving her a friendly smile.
"Cute house," he commented as he pulled away.
If you only knew, she thought but just said, "Thanks."
"Left or right?" Ian asked. From then on till Maraval, Rochelle only spoke to give him directions. Ian continued thinking that it was a bad idea to ask her out. She was somber, in her own mind, no doubt thinking of something while staring off in the distance beyond the dashboard.
"Where are we?" Ian asked curious about the area. It looked serene, rich, the sort of thing he was accustomed to.
"This is Moka Maraval. Not unlike Sherwood Hills.  Big houses, high walls, the Haves." It was the most she had said to him in answering  one of his questions. Was there something about it she had strong feelings about?
"Does that bother you?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I thought I sensed something there. Like rich people are a thorne at your side."
"Only because of what they think they can get away with but as far as my comment, you read too much into that." She replied dryly.
"Was this a bad idea? Cause I ...I don't think you're very much into it." He told her.
"I'm sorry. I've got alot on my mind." She kept going over last night's fight, the sex, the messages on her phone this morning about canceling her plans with Ian. She let him know she was not going to do that but he need not worry. She would never be interested in Ian in any way.
"Obviously. Anything u wanna talk about?" He asked.
"No." She answered a bit quickly.
"Okay." He resolved to keep quiet until she decided to speak. After a minute Ian glanced in her direction.  "Wow. What a view." He remarked having seen palatial homes with pools and a golf course in the Valley below.
"Yes it is but you better keep your eyes on the road. There's alot of winding curves up here and many cars have gone over those cliffs. Up here you always have to look out for the other driver."
"Duly noted. Do you drive?"
"Yes."
"I didn't see a car is why I'm asking."
"My mom used to have one but it was more trouble than it was worth so we got rid of it."
"I was going to ask you to drive back but that sounds like a while ago so..."
Rochelle answered, "Yeah." And left it at that. There was no way she was driving back a Mercedes rental.
Ian was pleased that they were carrying on an actual conversation. He decided to keep things going. "So what do young people do for fun here?"
"Lime, which means to hang out. Go to the movies, malls, party. We've got alot of great clubs here. I'll show you what liming is all about later today. It's not going to be anything fancy let me warn you. You'll get fancy some other time."
"When are you going to take me to a party?"
"Uh..."Rochelle thought of how unhappy and uncomfortable it made Lawrence to think of her parading in front his son in a bathing suit. To know they're going to a party to dance and very possibly be rubbing up on each other would drive him crazy. It would not be a good idea but how could she tell Ian that.
"When your mind is working it shows on your face and you are doing some serious thinking." It was an adorable look on her he found. "What are you worried about, the boyfriend you don't have finding out you're going out with someone else?"
"I was thinking about my schedule."
"Whatever." He said with good humor.
"I don't have a boyfriend. "
"Bullshit. I can see the emotional involvement all over you but that isn't my business... for the most part." he added. "I guess this is an uncomfortable subject for you or you would have admitted to it already. He's not violent with you is he?"  With the way Rochelle kept denying that she was involved in a relationship he hoped it wasn't because of some sort of abuse.
She replied quietly,"No one hits me."
Ian smiled a smile of victory." That's good enough for me."
The exchanges soured the mood a bit. Thankfully they were getting near the beach which still seemed to have quite a few people for a weekday. They parked the Jeep in a visible spot from the beach and convenient enough to the changing rooms and went in search of food.
Rochelle took Ian to get the only thing you have to have when you go to Maracas; bake and shark. Ian enjoyed the experience so much he went back for another and waited anxiously until he could get in the water which Rochelle warned him about numerous times.
Ian thoroughly enjoyed himself at the beach. It wasn't something he did, not with the work schedule he had.
Looking around at the bikini clad group of girls trying to play volleyball, to the blue waters, the clean sand, Rochelle drinking a beer, her eyes already on him. All this beauty. Trinidad could become a very addictive habit.
"I'm going in. Coming?" Ian pulled off the vest he was wearing exposing a fully formed six pack and well developed pecs. Rochelle's breath caught. From the close-fitting jersey he wore yesterday Rochelle knew to expect a good body but seeing it in the flesh was something else. Despite herself parts of her started to tingle. She reached up and took her sunglasses off her head and placed it on her face trying to hide what she felt her betraying eyes would tell. She held up her beer as an excuse. Ian shrugged his broad shoulders and started to walk to the ocean still facing her. After a few steps he turned breaking into a run straight into the water.
Ian was the sexiest thing she had seen in awhile. She wondered about his sexual capabilities. If he was as good a lover as his father. If he could make her cum as many times as Lawrence did.
Rochelle leaned back in the shade of a coconut tree her head resting comfortably on her tote bag, the beer cast aside half way finished. Ian's face stayed even when she closed her eyes, smiling at her, reaching out his hand for her to take. They danced spinning around and around. Suddenly Ian became Lawrence. His eyes twinkled as he smiled. Her heart made a leap of joy, his presence rendered her speechless. Too soon he was gone, features got younger, He stood taller. The change confused her.
Raindrops started falling from the night sky of her dreams dropping on her forehead and nose. The sky was dark and stormy when she looked up at it. Ian and Lawrence just kept coming and going, the rain falling harder. Rochelle released the hands that held her and ran to the Gazebo behind her. Strange enough under the shelter she continued getting wet. A low laughter seemed to accompany the bigger raindrops. Was God laughing at her? The drops fell heavier causing her to open her eyes only to see Ian standing over her with a child's pink beach bucket full of water in his hand  and a  mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"Why the hell did you do that?" Rochelle was upset.
"Cause you look like a stoned drunk. Come in with me." Ian pleaded.
Rochelle looked at the way the beads of water rolled down his chest, how the wet surf pants clung to him. He could be doing a photoshoot, he looked so perfect.
"Alright," she finally agreed and got up to take off her shorts and vest while Ian ran off to return the bucket to the little girl.
"Damn ma!" Ian exclaimed when he saw her in her bikini. When she looked around a few people were staring in her direction. Not unaccustomed, she has modeled bathing suits in rooms full of people. Playfully she cuffed him on the chest for bringing all the attention to her and ran off into the water.
They spent the next several hours at the beach getting to know each other. He told her of the great life he lived in NYC. His work, his friends and some of the innocent things he did for fun. Rochelle reciprocated, telling him about her Island life upbringing and plans for the future.
This made for an easier trip back to the city. Less tense and more conversational to the point where she hardly thought of Lawrence.
Rochelle took Ian on what was supposed to be a drive-thru tour of Port of Spain but when he spotted trendy stores on Frederick Street he expressed a desire to see what they had to offer. He bought casual tees and pants as he thought the small wardrobe he packed to be too serious. He bought for her as well even through her objections, things he thought would look beautiful on her.
On their way back to the west they stopped off at a popular bar in St James and stood on the corner drinking beer. Ian wondered what the big deal was even as he enjoyed the beastly cold lager. But as night started to fall he got into the music blasting from the speakers and more people came out to socialize. Ian looked on incredulously as a poorly dressed man built a tower of beer and rum bottles at intricate angles until it came crashing down. He watched as crossdressers paraded themselves and danced unashamedly. He laughed until beer came through his nose.
Next they went to the Courtyard at MovieTowne to have dinner and bought desert to have back at Rochelle's place. They settled on the couch with the television on enjoying the ice cream and cheesecake and indulging in light conversation when Ian's phone buzzed.
"Hey Dad," Ian said making Rochelle pause.
"Well I really didn't check it, I didn't think any one would be trying to reach me." He listened and responded. "That's true but I'm still with her. We had a really good time...when I get home. Alright Dad. Tell her she shouldn't worry."
Rochelle looked on as he hung up, shook his head and checked his phone.
"Missed calls from my parents and a couple from home." He tossed the phone aside and looked at her. "They thought something happened.  Dad sounded a little pissed." Ian laughed, "I feel like fifteen again."
Rochelle smiled hoping it looked appropriate but she was wondering about all the missed calls and messages to her own phone that she intentionally left at home.
"Did they think I kidnapped you?" Rochelle joked.
"Or were in an accident or something. I just wasn't thinking they would want to get in touch with me. I can see it's going to be hard living with them again."
She nodded staring at the melted ice cream in her bowl. It turned her stomach thinking of having one more bite.
When she looked up from putting the plate on the table she found Ian looking at her with an odd smile. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"You're perfect. A little moody but perfect."
"No, I'm not." Rochelle replied honestly.
"How long ago was your last relationship?"
The question surprised her a little and she wondered what he would say if she gave him the honest answer. "About four months ago." She replied instead, not missing a beat.
"Well how is it," Ian began, reaching out his hand to her and gently pulled at her neckline with his index finger. She pulled back disengaging his finger from her top. She thought he was making a pass. What kind of person would she be to sleep with both father and son one night after the next? Ian was attractive but Lawrence had her heart.
Ian looked at her with a trustworthy face but questioning and determined eyes. He reached across again catching the fabric. "Then why do you have..." He continued,slowly gliding his finger along the fabric until he got to where he wanted."...a love bite on your breast?"
Rochelle looked down startled. It was clear as day, a red mark close to her nipple on her right breast. She wiped at it hoping it would rub off but it didn't.
Evidence of last night's love making.
"It, it's probably a mosquito bite or something."  She pulled the material up higher than it was supposed to be to hide the mark, wishing it would go over her head to hide her shame.
Ian was amused, at her reaction and her excuse. "Or something," his hearty laughter sinking her further into the ground. His laughter tapered off when he saw the embarrassment on her face.
"Listen, I used to have a girlfriend used to keep me covered in them so I know one when I see one. It just means you were lying to me and I was right about the emotional involvement  you have with someone.  I'd like to think we're friends now and we're both adults here. You had sex, or something recently. There's nothing wrong with that. What I'm concerned about is that someone you keep denying exists comes and meets me here and my vulnerability in that situation." Ian stood and looked at her a bit disappointed.
Rochelle could find nothing to say, no excuse good enough to create for he read her like an open book. She just sat there numb not saying a word.
"So, with that and you're guilty silence, I will make my exit. I hope this doesn't aruin my chances of seeing you again once you've straightened out your situation."
"There is no situation to straighten out." She finally found her voice even though she knew what she was saying was a lie.
Ian shrugged, "If you say so. Doesn't take away from the fact that I had a really good time today. Thank you for your hospitality." Then he left.
Rochelle remained rooted to the chair going over in her mind what just happened. 
There really was no attachment to Ian at all. Sure he was a nice guy but she was only just getting to know him therefore she really didn't care what he thought. They had a great day in each other's company but her loyalty remained to Lawrence.
While it should have been a way to get him to leave her alone it seemed it wasn't as he still hoped to see her again.
Finally she got up and removed the dishes to the kitchen and went to the bedroom to get ready for bed, chancing a glance at her blackberry on the bedside table. It's led indicator blinked furiously. She ignored it until she finished shower and changed.
From tweets to bbms and missed calls. Rochelle was in high demand today and didn't know it.