Chapter 36: Symphonic Seduction

When the first movement finished, Roxanne, overjoyed at what she just heard, clapped her hands. All the rest of the audience stayed silent, knowing that clapping in between movements was uncouth.
Tom patted her knee and put his finger to his lip to indicate she needed to be quiet at that moment. Roxanne couldn’t believe her faux pas. Why hadn’t Tom warned her? At least when their plan included Tom going to the construction site, Roxanne had given him lessons. Where was her instruction?
The next movement sounded slower, and Roxanne settled back in her seat. She liked watching the players maneuver their fingers on the keys and the strings. She pointed to one player who looked to be playing a long stick with a reed and whispered to Tom, “What’s that instrument?”
“The bassoon,” he said in her ear.
Once the concerto was over and the audience started to clap, Roxanne clapped too. So impressed with their musical ability, she stuck her two fingers in her mouth and whistled like she had at the construction site. Tom put his hand on her arm to lower her fingers out of her mouth and shook his head gently.
“That’s a little much,” he said.
Ruby smiled and applauded.
“Sorry,” Roxanne said.
“Don’t be. We all like to have a little fun,” said Ruby.
At intermission, they headed to the bar for drinks. Ruby and Tom enjoyed a white wine, while Roxanne sipped a juice.
“How are you liking it so far?” Ruby asked Roxanne.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you for inviting us,” she said.
“My daddy used to bring me to the symphony. I even took violin lessons for a little while. It didn’t take,” she shook her head. “But I loved to hear it all put together and then my daddy would take me for ribs afterward.”
“Ribs?” Roxanne asked, not quite believing the story.
“Yeah, my mama hated ribs because they’re messy. So my daddy used to take me in my fancy dresses and stuff the napkin down the front.” She indicated stuffing something down the cleavage of her dress. “He’d do it, too, so as not to get any on his tux. Our faces would be full of barbeque sauce.” Ruby laughed.
“My dad’s like that with spaghetti and meatballs. He gets it all over.” Roxanne gestured making a big mess on her chest with her hands.
“But the fanciest place he ever took me was the circus. I remember wearing a bright red dress and feeling so special when he bought me popcorn and peanuts. It was right after my mom left. I think he was trying to cheer us both up.” Roxanne’s face clouded with the memory.
Tom puts his arm around Roxanne’s waist. “Don’t worry. We’ll take our child to all kinds of fun events.”
“You know my daddy grew up on a farm. He didn’t know all this finery either,” Ruby said, scanning her gaze around the theater.
Then she focused on Roxanne. “I think he would have really liked you. H*ll, I like you.” She laughed, and Roxanne laughed too. “You’ve certainly had an effect on Tom, and I think my daddy would have liked to see his land go to someone so down- to-earth – and fun.”
She turned her gaze toward Tom. “Plus, I admire the kind of community you built with those shops and apartments. You’re the kind of developer I think my daddy would appreciate.”
Roxanne looked up at Tom, and her eyes brightened. He squeezed her waist a little tighter.
“Why don’t you have your lawyer contact mine so we can work out a deal?” Ruby said to Tom.
“We’d like that,” he kissed the top of Roxanne’s head and put his hand out for Ruby to shake. She looked at his hand, then, drew him in for a quick hug. Roxanne hugged Ruby, too, she was so happy their deal would work out and Tom could get to work on his dream development project.
It all seemed to be falling into place. Their plan to develop Ruby’s land looked like it would succeed. Tom would cut the loan shark in on the deal, and everyone would be happy. There was still a lot of work ahead, but for the first time in awhile, Roxanne believed everything would be alright.
They settled into their seats for the second part of the concert. The music grew louder and more intense, heightening Roxanne’s feelings of jubilation. Then it settled down, flowing smoothly, the strings easing into a calming melody. When the next section featured an upbeat tempo, Roxanne felt like she wanted to dance.
After the concert, they said goodnight to Ruby and walked to the car. The night air felt cool and refreshing on Roxanne’s face. She gripped Tom’s sleeve, happy that for the first time, they were on an official date in public without any drama or hysteria.
“Maybe we didn’t need to have a baby together after all?” Roxanne asked.
Tom stopped walking. His body next to the lamppost looked identical – tall and rigid. He swept Roxanne up in his arms, carrying her like a bride over the threshold. Next, he twirled around and shouted, “We’re having a baby.”
Roxanne laughed. His sudden display of emotion was uncharacteristic of Tom, and she couldn’t figure out what had set him off.
He placed her on her feet carefully and held her cheeks in between his hands.
“Roxanne, it’s you I’ve always wanted. Baby or not. Development deal or not. I need you.”
“Even after I’ve caused you so much trouble? I mean, it’s my fault you got arrested, endangered because I was kidnapped, and almost mauled by a construction crew.”
“Don’t you see?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “It’s like Ruby said. You’re the one who brought me out of my shell. You’re just what I need.” He kissed her passionately and she melted in his arms.
That night, their lovemaking proved more intense and sensuous than before. Knowing how Tom felt about her, Roxanne shared her body more freely, letting Tom discover new areas with his fingers and lips. When he entered her, she moaned, their connection creating an overwhelming feeling of pleasure inside her.
Playing her like a violin, his fingers continued to explore her neck and back. Like the crescendo of the symphony, the tension in their bodies continued to build until the final moments of symbol crashing ecstasy. Together, they made beautiful music.