Free Painted Black by Greg Kihn Page A

Claudine picked up her vodka tonic and smiled.
    â€œJust let me finish my drink.”
    Brian gently took it out of her hand and drank it down in one swig. Then he ordered four more. By the time they actually left the club, Claudine was well lubricated and had forgotten all about who might be watching.
    They wound up back at her Belgravia apartment. Claudine showed him her black silk sheets and her collection of lingerie. Brian forgot all about Anita. Conversation ceased. Claudine and Brian made mad, desperate love all night. Brian clung to her like a drowning man clings to a life preserver. He craved constant affection in order to feel alive.
    In the morning, with the sun peeking through the windows, Claudine tried to make Brian stay, but he was a restless, troubled man.
    â€œWhy don’t you relax and stay awhile and I can make some breakfast?”
    Brian got out of bed and paced the room.
    â€œI’ve got things to do.”
    Claudine pouted.
    â€œLike what? Find Anita? I’d appreciate it if you stopped thinking about her. Here we are, and we’ve been making hot, passionate love all night. It’s a beautiful morning, and all you can think about is her? I should be insulted. What’s so special about Anita? Why are you so obsessed?”
    Brian shook his head. It was clear he’d been asked this question before and had no answer then or now. That was the mystery of Anita. Maybe she’d used black magic to capture Brian’s heart and caught his soul instead.
    â€œI’ve never known a woman like Anita. She’s completely unique.”
    â€œIf you ask me, she’s making you crazy.”
    Brian paced a like a caged animal.
    â€œThere’s no denying that. But something deep and unforgiving has got its hooks into me. Maybe we were lovers in a past life.”
    Conflicting emotions tore Brian apart. Part of him felt wracked with guilt for spending a night of unbridled passion with another woman. Not that it would make a difference. Brian and Anita had a more or less open relationship. But she would find out anyway. She always did. And when she did, she would punish him. Anita could play high-stakes sexual politics with the best of them.
    Claudine said, “I shouldn’t say this because Anita is a friend of mine, but she’s making your life miserable. There’s something about Anita that’s affecting you in a very bad way, Brian. She has a natural sense of schadenfreudethat gives her that nasty edge.”
    â€œWhat’s schadenfreude ?”Brian asked .
    â€œIt’s a German word. It means taking pleasure out of other people’s misfortunes. Schadenfreude. Remember that.”
    â€œThe Germans actually have a word for that?”
    Claudine ignored the question and spoke frankly.
    â€œBrian, I’ve been worried about you since you met her. You’re too fragile for Anita. Get rid of her. Let her go. She’ll break your heart.”
    Brian listened to Claudine. She was a sensible girl and her words had weight and value. It’s just that everything she said went against Brian’s heart.
    â€œI have to go,” Brian said suddenly. “I’ll call you.”
    Their night of lovemaking had been magnificent. Brian needed to decompress. Afraid he might find Anita waiting at home and unwilling to confront her in his current state, Brian checked into a hotel instead of going back to Courtfield Road. He wanted to be where people couldn’t find him. He needed to be alone to sort things out.
    He felt tremendous guilt and at the same the same time he felt he needed to punish Anita, the ungrateful bitch. The yin and yang of these conflicting emotions ran through his head like a psychic speedball, pulling him apart. It gave Brian a headache.
    He took a sleeping pill, fell asleep, and slept for hours.
    Claudine met some friends for lunch and then intended to explore some new boutiques that had sprung up around Carnaby Street. She