The Sackler Trap

Pearls of Wisdom

"You're a man of many hidden talents, Mr. Sackler," I said teasingly as I sat cross-legged on the floor, drinking coffee watching him. "I wonder how many actors in New York have a circular saw and a workshop in their lofts?"

He replied, "It's a...what did you call me last night? Oh, a throwback."

I giggled and blushed, cupping my hands around the steaming cup of coffee and taking a sip. I was wearing nothing but a tee shirt of Adam's which, despite its size, barely covered my lap.

Adam was sitting shirtless amidst the wreckage of his bed, the mattress propped against a nearby wall. I had watched him for the last hour, cutting, sanding, and nailing. The replacement wood didn't exactly match the wood of the bedframe, but Adam only grinned at that and said every time he saw it, it would remind him of me.

"I don't think I'm the only one culpable here!" I teased.

"Well," he said pulling the last nail from his mouth, "you're gonna take the blame anyway like a good girl."

My insides clenched at his words and I felt all molten and soft. I took a moment to slowly sip my coffee and admire his naked flesh, the muscles and sinews of his back and arms, and the stirrings such a sight caused inside me. I shifted my position on the floor, setting my coffee down in front of me. I uncurled my legs and settled down on my stomach, chin propped on my hands. I bent my knees and crossed my ankles in the air behind me. Adam glanced over me and saw my change of position and eyed my circling feet, mid strike with the hammer.

"Ouch!" he yelled loud, jerking his hand back quickly. "God dammit!" He threw the hammer down and shook his hand in pain. "Shit!"

I was up in a flash and kneeling at his side, grabbing his hand. "Oh my God, Adam! What did you do?" I gasped worriedly.

He moaned convincingly. "I think I fucking broke it."

"Jesus, Adam!"

I examined his fingers and, finding no apparent injury, looked up at him and raised my eyebrows in mock concern.

"Oh no," I cried softly, lifting his hand to my mouth. "Which one's broken?"

"This one."

He shoved his middle finger into my mouth and began pulling it back and forth along my tongue. I made a little sound of dismay even as my eyes closed and I sucked gently on his long finger. He inserted his forefinger beside it.

"Maybe this one too," he murmured.

I moaned. "Poor baby," I mumbled around his fingers, glancing up at him.

His eyes had darkened as he watched me, the bed repair forgotten for the moment, and I knew that look. A corner of my mouth lifted in a little smile.

"Fuck, Julie," he muttered under his breath. He pulled his fingers out of my mouth.

Just as he was grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me in for a kiss, a loud knocking at the door caused us both to jump and spring apart.

"Shit!" he swore.

I smirked at him. "That's what you get for that dirty trick," I teased.

He unfolded his large frame and stood up, stepping over the bed frame and striding to the door. He didn't even look to see who it was, just flung the door open, a curse already on his lips to my great amusement.

"Who the fuck..." he began, then stopped. "Eve? What the fuck's wrong with you?"

I glanced over my shoulder and, sure enough, Eve was stepping into the apartment, her eyes red and wet from crying. I hurriedly got to my feet, pulling self-consciously at Adam's tee shirt, making sure I was decently covered.