“Carmen helped me understand. The old Tessa shut herself off from some of the best things about being human. And I don’t mean just the sex itself.” Tessa grinned. “Though I’m beginning to understand how really nice that is.”
Russell raised his glass of Chianti in agreement.
Tessa thought about her milkshake meeting with Shawntay, a few months and a lifetime ago. “Traditional talk therapy probably works for most women. Apparently, I needed something waaaay out of the box.”
Russell chuckled. “Well, you certainly got it.”
“I want to feel and experience…”
Russell held up his hand and interrupted. “Tessa, you need to feel and experience…”
“Always the teacher,” she said. “Yes, I need to feel and experience and open myself to healthy emotional—and sexual—relationships. Talk therapy was the roadmap. Field therapy is getting behind the wheel and driving.”
Russell grinned. “Nice analogy. And by the way, you’ve done some pretty remarkable driving, for a woman with a learner’s permit.”
“I’ve had remarkable driving instructors.” Tessa drained the last of her—third?—glass of Chianti. She was feeling bold. “Just how good of a driver are you, and can you teach as good as you drive?”
Russell leaned against Tessa. He slipped his fingers under the red and white napkin draped across her lap and rested his palm on top of the silky dress Tessa wore. His finger immediately located Tessa’s clitoris, as if it came equipped with sonar. Tessa gasped, partly because of the surprise and partly because he was already igniting sparks. Reflexively, Tessa relaxed her thighs to give Russell greater access. He circled Tessa’s sweet spot and watched her eyes. They were beginning to show signs of dilation.
“I’ve not even backed the car out of the drive and you’re almost fully aroused.” He abruptly pulled his hand away. “I think I’ve demonstrated my point. Waiter,” Russell said, raising his hand, “When you can, the check please.” To Tessa, he whispered, “It’s time to get behind the wheel for real, don’t you agree?”
Tessa nodded. Driving had never sounded so good.
-23-
“It’s only five blocks, I can walk it,” Tessa said as Russell hailed a cab.
“We’re not going to the hotel.” Russell opened the back door and gently pressed Tessa to slide in. When he was in beside her, he gave an address to the driver.
“Where are we going?” Tessa asked.
“A private club.”
“Why?”
“Because you don’t back out of the drive going eighty.”
Tessa thought about it and said, “Oh…”
Russell rested his hand on the back of her neck and played with wisps of her hair until the cab pulled up to a small brick building. Lights were on inside and music oozed from the door and windows. Tessa listened closely, made out the song, and said, “Sinatra?”
“And the like. Some contemporary versions, like Bublé.” Russell rang the bell and a man dressed in a tuxedo opened the door. “Russell Thompson and guest,” he said, showing the doorman a card from his wallet.