RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 2019
PREFACE
“Round and round and round we go…if you waltz your girl around the hall…then you’ll see that she is…the Belle Of The Ball! (From The Movie The Harvey Girls)
No couple, or lovers rather, enjoyed the Latin Sway; Tango; Foxtrot; and Walt quite like Mr. Dominick and his Lady Elle! The two lovers fit into one another like the proverbial “hand in a glove.” All the
while onlookers marveled as they swooned with approval. However—-it is said by many a polite societies…. that “The Mass Of Men Live Lives Of Quiet Desperation” (Thoreau). Perhaps within one of the lovers their desperation could no longer remain silent!
Intro – A FUNDRAISER FROM HELL
On an, unusually, warm Saturday night in January of 2003 Mr. Dominick Radiccio Segretti (Esquire)—now turned political philanthropist—-hosted Georgia’s Republican Gubernatorial Fundraiser—-at his breathtaking Johns Creek estate. The Lord of the manner, so to speak, hosted this wondrous event that, particular night, under a moon that was full and filled with endless possibilities (donations—donations— donations) . Little could he have known the wonders that were about to unfold in the later part of this glamourous event. No…Dominick—The Dapper Don”—as many of his southern cohorts duly named him—-stood on the side curb; statuesque; astute; sexy; and rather impatient in his Armani Tux. The gentleman posted himself there, anxiously, awaiting a special arrival (one of the most illusive lovers of his life). The host and philanthropic billionaire was waiting for one of the most nortorious and intriguing mistresses he had ever encountered in his lifetime of courtships.
He was awaiting his notorious—- Mistress Elle, truth be known. The tardy Southern Belle was fashionably late on purpose. She loved the way The Don waited for her with unbridled anticipation to those events—often held at his estate. Her limo pulled up to the curb directly in front of the gettie gent—-just in a nick of time. Before the chauffer could exit his vehicle…it was too late—the Don was on the job. Mr. Inpatient swung the door open, poked his head inside slightly saying not a word. Donald Ray just smiled and winked at his stunning mistress— affording the elegant lady a few moments to gather her sable mink stole; diamond studded clutch; and pearled opera length white gloves. “You are always late to my events Mademoiselle—and on purpose, of course!” The elegant and excited beauty looked over towards him swiftly—–only to glare directly into his steel and slate blue eyes with a smile— that could stop rush hour traffic at Lenox on Friday! The Don was beyond elated. It really didn’t bother him, all that much, because he knew his nortorious lady Ellle. She had to make her debut for those who didn’t know her: and a grand entrance for the guess who did. The lovely southern belle (Elle) emerged from the far side of the limo straight into the Dapper Don’s arms—-as a small kiss on the lips accompanied her. Oblivious to the fact—-Elle and Don began strutting down the estates enchanted walkway as if they owned the night—unwise to the fact that the night’s mischievousness would own them both—-before its all said and done. However, they were living in their moment of, utter, enchantment—-not fate nor destiny dared to disrupt the Dapper Don or his “Elle of the Ball.”
Caution was tossed to the wind the moment the starry eyed lovers locked arms. Elle gazed giddily at Donald Ray, because his face was lit up like the “Chinese New Year”…no kidding. “You know Donald Ray, you charming devil you…your ass is just too damn sexy…in that Armani Tux! The Don chuckled with utter delight—just knowing his Mistress was as taken, as he was. Within a twenty-five minute window—-Elle and Don entered his estate, mixed and mingled with guess in a forward like motion (they were literally sprinting)—making their way through the crowd of high dollar donors, career politicians, and of course, social climbers (new money). It didn’t take the lady and gent long to cross the crowded dance floor ;where the orchestra played loudly above the crowd. “Hun…can you slow down a bit”—Elle yelled in his ear with her cupped and covered opera gloved hand. “We have the entire night to make our way across this damn ballroom”…she chuckled slightly in his ear. Don carried on with the mission and journey—manners and protocol be damned! He never wavered in his determination to get Elle to a more intimate location on his estate, that night.
Suddenly the Don turned into her—- grabbed her by the waste—-and began to spin and twirl her in the direction of the terrace doors. “Damn girl….you look like old money tonight beautiful!” Elle bowed her head in a soft curtsey; as she laid her head with auburn laced tresses; slightly on his broad and brawny shoulders. Very surreptitiously—the Dapper Don led his beautiful mistress down his estate’s stunning and manicured garden path: which led to his mansion’s solarium. A few minutes earlier—-the two lovers, waltzed gracefully around and across the dance floor; as the tunes of the “Blue Danube” furtively directed their feet from the ballroom to the patio: virtually without noticed. This all took place in the middle of a Republican fundraiser’s pomp and circumstance; at the political operative’s estate; that New Year’s starry night. He did not mind that many of his male donators, to the cause, were as smitten by his mistress as himself. Truth be known—he reveled in the fact! However, at that moment, his primary objective was to waltz Elle to the estates solarium, with as little notice as possible, and as swiftly as their feet would carry them both!
The gentleman was on a secret mission that peculiar night. He had to get her to that chaise lounge where he would own all of her attention, thus igniting a vigorous debate on how they were to move forward in the future. He knew once he accomplished this task it would be his “moment of truth”──Elle, he felt, was better handled when caught off guard. When it came to Elle, Don dropped everything…and I mean everything…for her attention and affections! No other woman could command his heart, in that particular manner—suffice it say—this woman just had this extraordinary and powerful alluring quality about her. Very few men could resist this attribute in her. Needless to say, the Lady Elle was that quintessential “it girl”! She simply had a way about her that commanded men’s hearts, and intelligence…for that matter. They all loved it! The Dapper Don would be no exception to this rule: no matter how much he loved and endeared this striking and very peculiar creature!
Elle—of course—at times pretended to be oblivious to this fact. Still—she adored him as well, though she would never fully admit it openly. This southern belle, and or, “iron magnolia” had a very odd manner about her. Her disposition was not negative, but just different and strange to those outside their tiny social circle of die hard friends, so to speak. Certain traditions Elle held in the highest of regard. And she would never concede on these traditions just for a man’s affections—no matter how far they dared to push the envelope with one another. Oh, she loved men…very much! However, ideally, suitors that captivated her interest were of a special caliber.Elle cared less if they were blue collar or white collar: but they must have southern traditional qualities that only a gentleman of good and proper breeding could possess—there was no in between! The Dapper Don fit the bill too fold! He was not only a southern gentleman and scholar, but a rogue and brut—who loved tip toeing with natives from the wrong side of the tracks. Mistress Elle ate that up, because she learned so much from him, and about life, love, and business.
Don had this beguiling “school boyish charm” that Elle found magnetically enticing──coupled with his Kentucky drawl. In many ways, the two were perfectly matched, but in other ways, the two lovers clashed liked two titans. What could you expect from two “Scorpio’s”──okay besides the heated magnetism? Don could have cared less! This beautiful Mistress was his for the taking and he would have her lock, stock, and barrel──or not all──the latter was not an option for consideration. However, on that particular night the beautiful swan (Elle) decided to open the gates of the “ice palace” (her heart) and allow her beau, of the moment, to enter it without incident. Little could she have known, by nights end, how that ice palace of hers would be spun into a total nuclear level melt down! She simply glided down that garden path completely oblivious of the mental and emotional peril awaiting her. Their bond and trust between one another was about to be place under the microscope—and the litmus test, as well!
The two lovers continued on the gracious walk through the night: entangled mentally and physically with one another, yet, trying desperately to keep a safe distance emotionally—which was nearly impossible. What a sight to see, two lovers who felt they had control of destiny. Yet and still—together they were like two magnets. The couple would be forever drawn to each other, but they would never ever stick quite they way the two wanted. There was just far too much sparring power and control from both sides. Realistically, there would never be an acceptable balance from either OCD neurotic. I think deep down in places these two “control freaks” will never admit existed, Don and Elle weren’t as oblivious as they would have liked outsiders to believe. This explains why the Lady seem to of concede to many of his charades—one could only guess. Like “Maggie the Cat” curiosity always got the better of her ambivalence. Especially…when it came to the Dapper Don!
While wrapped tightly in Don’s arm, Elle walked slowly and proudly by his side. This woman walked with a stellar glide down that garden path──she seem to glide in the air—in her black satin Versace gown: accompanied by her favorite perfume (Killians…Dangerous Liaisons) which filled the air with quite an enigmatic and spellbinding aroma. One would swear the very fragrance itself took on a life of its own—either way—Don’s will always gave way to it. Moreover, you knew his Mistress suspected as much, herself! She often remarked to the Dapper Don that she wore the scent just to drive him wild with desire──hell it worked! His will power literally drowned itself in it!
No one needed to tell this neurotic beauty that she looked beautiful: you could look at those sparkling deep chocolate eyes of hers, and naturally full ruby red lips,and tell she not only knew it—but she also chose to flaunt it! There was not a,would be, suitor in Elle’s tight circle who endeared this revelation more than the Dapper Don, himself. Many close to him swore he undressed his Mistress every time she entered the room, or his personal space…well…I would gesture to say…his colleagues and wealthy donors did, as well. Elle and Don wasn’t new to the game…they were true to the game! If beauty and enticement turned on and turned up the Dapper Don—-Elle used it to her advantage at every turn. It was the ties that would come to bind them.
As Don continued to lead his darling beauty further down the moon and star lit path, he would steal subtle kisses here and there: on the back of hand, her soft perfumed shoulder, even the nape of her narrow neck, ever so subtlety. Elle would only smile, cringe with absolute glee, and return the gestures. You could hear the couple laughing and cooing at one another’s jokes, and light teasing. Neither of the two gave notice to the on lookers, as the couple swiftly glided up to the garden’s tranquil waterfalls: the waters coolness was not only soothing but mesmerizing! The two lovers strolled hand in hand, as if they were the only people on the grounds—totally blacking out any would be voyeurs—of course.
Finally, Don and his Mistress reached the entrance of the his enormous solarium. The lady stopped to look him eye to eye. She said not a word, at first, only raised the back of his large hand to stroke the side of her face with it softly. “Well”…she asked softly. “Will you please lead the way”? I have never been inside…you have only afforded me two opportunities to admire the greenery from the lover’s bench there to the side of the door.” The spellbound southern gentleman smiled slightly: smirking with joy. “Well…we will just have to change that tonight…now won’t we”—he recanted with his deep, proper, and wealthy Kentucky drawl. That gentleman knew how to stroke her modesty. And he was relentless with it!
One – A LOVER’S UNCHAINED FAUX PAS
Suddenly, Don cupped her chin, kissed her softly on the lips, and swiftly scooped her off her feet. He opened the door, and raced through it, as if he were carrying his new bride over the threshold for the first time. Once inside, he began to walk slowly towards the beautifully gilded gold and ivory chaise lounge where he cleverly placed her by the exotic indoor fishpond: where the fish seemed to danced inside of it. He laid her backwards on the lounge, and centered the patient beauty comfortably in place. As she pulled herself together, Don sat beside her, and began to slowly lock his fingers in her beautiful auburn tresses. She, in turn, slowly stroked his curly black locks.
Don and Elle glared at one another eye to eye again, instead of kissing again the lovers began to exchange coy little smirks. “Donald hun…what is it darling…that you want from me?” His Mistress knew she had to ask the question, or bust. Her curiosity was getting the very best of her. Before he could respond she kissed him, giving way to his obvious nervousness. A true southern bell would have done nothing less. His eyes lit up, and he took in a long deep breath──knowing full well he had better choose his words carefully. “I want you right here with me tonight, tomorrow night, and every night after that.” A few seconds elapsed, but it may as well have been minutes! The look of a lost wounded child raced upon Don’s face immediately. He knew…that was it! He had just fucked it all up!
Elle jumped to her feet in total outraged: literally knocking the stunned gentleman to the floor! He was stunned and shocked by her reaction to his profession and desire to keep and make her a permanent part of his life. “Damn you Donald Ray—we had an agreement”! “You said nothing permanent and nothing serious”! Elle paced faster and faster half crazed and angered! “Don—why here—why now? She turned to him and began to scold him with her gloved fingers. “I will tell you why…goddammit──you tried to out flank me!” The bewildered gentleman starred at her like a wounded animal—not knowing what to say or do. She lifted her dress a little and began pacing from side to side even more—in appearance she looked like a darker version of Scarlet O’Hara. “You promised me…you promised me”…she yelled at him!” The Dapper Don lifted his arms towards her in an effort to calm and embrace his, now livid Mistress, but missed. He could only stand and take the defensive retort from his dearest Elle. “You promised me Donald Ray…you promised!”—her eyes clouded with hurt and tears. “Don’t you dare touch me…goddammit!”
Elle literally, sprinted back to the chaise lounge to gather her belongings, and her wrap. Undoubtedly, it was time for her to take an early exit from the event and estate! As she leaned over to gather her personal affects a hurtful pain hit her gut: weakened from the moment all she could muster to feel better was a simple gaspe. The dismayed beauty stood tall and statuesque and grabbed Donald Ray tightly by the hands and shook them tightly three or four times. “Not you…I never expected this from you!” Her voice cracked, and she could no longer speak with clarity or coherency. Don’s beautiful Mistress was becoming unglued and unraveled right before his eyes. He had no idea what the hell to make of it! “Baby…what the hell have I done to suborn such hysterics from you?” Suddenly, Elle went completely silent, as her body began to shake or quiver.
“I asked you not to put me on the spot…I need time…I need more time! Elle’s entire silhouette grew rigid—like a knife. “Ohhhh…you fucking Guys!” That woman had spun into quite frenzy: just like that! The beautiful raven, there before Donald Ray, was almost tempted to raised her hand to slap his face, but quickly came to her senses. The Dapper Don was not the type for that──his nickname was given to him for a reason. He was a New Yorker by birth, not a southerner—he would hit back—love, lust, or not! His beautiful Mistress, though stressed, had the wherewithal not to go there! Plus, she knew the goons who protected him were not far behind them.
By this time Don’s guests, who were along the garden path and playing around the waterfalls, could hear his Mistress yelling to the top of her lungs. He reached forward towards his love, and tried to calm her, but it was to no avail. “What is wrong with what I said”—he tried to whisper. “I love you, and you know I love you. What the hell is wrong with that—tell me now?” He grabbed her by the arms, as she tried to steer her body clear of his clutches. She missed…the Dapper Don’s grip was too strong, but this Mistress was no lightweight either—she managed to escape his strong clutched grip on her.
His bewildered lover took a few steps backwards: to allow enough verbal sparring space between she and Donald Ray. “I gotta go she said”—as she began to flee the premises Elle snatched the Harry Winston Sapphire and diamond necklace from her neck (it was given to her specifically for the evenings event). “Take back your trinkets…you do not own me!” She turned quickly towards the door, and attempted to run towards it. Just as she approached the end of the pond, Elle completely slipped and fell in. The onlookers, outside the garden path and waterfalls, were completely flabbergasted i.e. the Dapper Don included!
A very stunned and disoriented Dapper Don looked on helplessly. “OOOHHH….my god”! Those were the only words he could possibly muster. Of course, Shocked and horrified at what he had just witnessed. He knew she would be livid once she emerged from the water. Suffice it to say, rather instinctively, Don knew—that the waters from the pond were not enough to put out the fire of anger simmering in her soul! That coupled with her embarrassing moment could have set the entire world on fire, all by itself—literally! The moment Don dreaded most was now upon him. He realized how badly he had fucked up and hurtthat girl! From there the Mistress of his dreams would take only one recourse—she would run as far from him and his estate, as possible! However, badly he fucked up with her this time would be different. He would not allow her to run too far from his grasp. What ,ever, made him feel the stakes were in his favor on that night—-was anybody’s guess? Nonetheless, his Elle of ball….didn’t just simply take a fall earlier. The elegant beauty fell into a full on emotional meltdown (nuclear lever)! BLESS HER LITTLE SOUTHERN WHITE BREAD HEART!
TO BE CONTINUED—I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER SAMPLE_—-
AUTHOR: J. Z. LUCIANO'S - "S.G.L.S." BOOKS, BLOGS & WRITERS PEN 