Cutler 02 - Secrets of the Morning

the new show, it was hard not to celebrate." He kissed me on the back of the neck.
    "Then it all went well?"
    "Yes. You will soon hear and read about Michael Sutton opening on Broadway," he said proudly. I spun around in his arms.
    "Oh Michael, how wonderful for you. You're right: that is very exciting. I only wish I could have been with you to celebrate last night."
    "We'll celebrate tonight," he said. "We will take a cab to a small, out-of-the-way Italian restaurant I know in Brooklyn. No one will notice us there, but the food is great."
    "But Michael, do you think we should? If someone should see us . . ."
    "No one will. How sweet of you to be so concerned for me," he said. "Now, let me go look at the Christmas tree." He took my hand and we went into the living room. I turned on the tree lights. "Magnificent," Michael said. "On Christmas Eve you and I will roast chestnuts in the fireplace and drink eggnog and make love right beside the little tree. Our tree," he added, putting his arm around my shoulders and drawing me to him. "My little diva," he said again and kissed me gently on the lips.
    "But for now," he said, snapping back, "I'm starving. Let's have breakfast."
    The rest of the day went by quickly. Michael left to do some shopping. The telephone rang twice, but I didn't answer it. When I had first arrived, Michael had pointed out that if I did, someone would know I was at the apartment and that would lead to questions.
    "And questions," he had said with raised eyebrows, "lead to answers we're not ready to give just yet."
    When he returned in the afternoon, he had an armful of packages wrapped in holiday paper.
    "What's a Christmas tree without gifts beneath it," he declared, setting them out.
    "Who are those gifts for, Michael? Do you expect some of your family?"
    "Family? No. These gifts are all for you," he said.
    "All for me? Oh Michael, you shouldn't have bought so much!" I exclaimed, gazing at the enormous pile.
    "Of course I should," he declared firmly. "Who else should I spend my money on, if not you. Certainly not my ungrateful family." He smiled impishly and reached into his jacket pocket to produce a small box wrapped in pink paper with a pink ribbon around it. "This," he said, "couldn't wait. It's a Thanksgiving present."
    "People don't give each other presents on Thanksgiving, Michael," I cried, laughing.
    "They don't?" He shrugged. "Well, I'll start a tradition and from now on, they will. For you," he said, extending his hand.
    I took the small box and opened it carefully, my fingers trembling with excitement. There, in a bed of cotton, was a beautiful gold locket on a gold chain. The outside of the locket had tiny diamonds shaped in the form of a heart.
    "Oh, Michael, it's beautiful."
    "Open it," he coaxed.
    I pressed the release and when the locket opened, I saw a bar of notes etched within. I played them quickly in my mind and smiled. It was the first phrase of one of his own love songs, "Forever, my love."
    "Oh Michael," I cried. Tears of happiness flooded my eyes. "It's the nicest gift anyone's ever given me. And it's so special."
    I threw my arms around him and smothered his face in kisses.
    "Whoa," he cried, holding me back. "We don't want to get ourselves all worked up right now. We've got to get ready to go to our quiet little dinner, remember?"
    My heart was so full of happiness, I thought it was sure to burst. I had packed some things in my suitcase in anticipation of Michael and I having a night like this. Trisha had gone with me to buy an uplift bra. My deepened cleavage and my surging bosom made me look years older. I couldn't help the blush that settled at the entrance to the valley between my breasts, but I thought that made me look even more enticing in my black V-neck, three-quarter-sleeve dress. The tiny diamonds on my locket sparkled on my chest.
    I brushed my hair until it was silky smooth and it lay obediently over my shoulders, shining softly. Then I put on a little rouge and lipstick and some eye liner. Satisfied that I looked more like the women Michael was used to having on his arm, I emerged from the bedroom to let him inspect me. He had just finished speaking to someone on the telephone and cradled the receiver. He turned and smiled with his dark eyes glimmering and his sensual lips opening in appreciation.
    "You are beautiful," he said. "Very beautiful. I can't wait until I can introduce you to society. Everyone will be envious of my discovery, and," he added,