Paradise - Part One (The Erotic Adventures of Sophia Durant) Read Online Free Page B

baby. As I sat with her, she fell asleep in my arms almost immediately and I carried her down the labyrinthine corridors till I found a maid who took her to her room.
     
    At first I moved just an overnight bag into the quarters allotted to me. It was a pleasant three-room house with a bathroom and laundry room to boot. The house was as tasteless in layout and décor as all the others, but, with a little work, I would make it my own. There was a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape on the kitchen table with a ribbon around it.
    The last red rays of the evening sun spread themselves in shafts like fingers across the walls in my bedroom. I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, making shapes and faces out of the finish. I mustered what energy I had left and got ready for a shower. I removed my vest and skirt in front of the mirror, unhooked my bra and slipped off my panties, placing them in a pile by the door. Note to self: buy a clothes hamper at first opportunity. Standing before a full-length mirror, I gazed on my body in all its full-frontal glory. My hair was a mess, mostly because of the storm, and I had a five o’clock shadow over my sheath. There was some trimming to be done. I was not Lady Anais, though I respected her for the way she wore it. The shower was refreshing, though I felt like I was being watched through the steamed glass. I sat down on the bed, opened my MacBook Pro on the nightstand, sipping a glass of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
    I checked Facebook—nothing worthwhile there—and Twitter for the news. It seemed a storm had killed some people in the Midwest and Europe was in trouble economically again, if not in many other ways too.
    I found a note from Julie in Gmail.
    How is life in the dacha? I’m sure it’s blowing your mind. As for me, what can I say? Our last night was among the most spectacular of my life. But perhaps it’s better if we never speak of it, as not to diminish the quality. I’m very happy for you and your new life. May you receive all that your wonderful big heart deserves and then some! I’ll visit you in a week. I can’t wait to continue our affair – seaside.
    Tears filled my eyes. I don’t know whether they were of joy or sorrow, but I needed sleep badly. I turned off the bedside lamp and rested my eyes.
     
    The sound of shattering dishes greeted my entrance to the dacha. It was before six a.m., and Anna was there to greet me with the baby in a downstairs parlor. The room was unique in my experience because it gave the distinct impression of being in the middle of an Amazonian rainforest. The trees and flora were so thick I could scarcely see the walls and the high, domed ceiling was painted like a cloudless sky. There were streams running to and fro between plants and sand-covered walkways. It was like a scene out of Oliver Stone’s Alexander after the conqueror had defeated Darius and entered his Babylonian palace. In my imagination I saw a harem of beautiful Persian women ready to meet any demand, to fulfill any desire, at the drop of a hat.
    In reality I heard shouting and more crashing of china coming from the next room. For a split second I saw Isabella’s face before she slammed the door to the adjoining dining room. And in that moment, I felt sympathetic toward her. Her face was red, all flush with tears, and she seemed short of breath.
    “She’s fighting with Mark,” Anna said.
    “What about?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. Take the baby. I have work to do.”
    She handed me the baby and abruptly left the room. I cradled little Savannah in my arms. She was very tired, her eyes rolling back up into her head and shutting as she tried to force them to stay open. This was a baby who did not like to go to sleep. After she did go to sleep, I surveyed the room, walking around looking at the various streams and small waterfalls. So, this is what people do who have exorbitant amounts of money . They indulge every single architectural fantasy they ever had—if they’re so inclined.