For Love Or Money

FOR LOVE OR MONEY By

Samantha Gentry Triskelion Publishing www.triskelionpublishing.net

Triskelion Publishing 15327 W. Becker Lane Surprise, AZ 85379 Copyright 2005 Samantha Gentry All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the publisher except, where permitted by law. ISBN 1-933874-68-6 Publisher’s Note. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to a person or persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is purely coincidental.

For Love or Money

3

Chapter One Rhonda Dumont’s naked reflection stared back at her from the full length mirror. Her silky skin shimmered in the subdued light. She took critical inventory of what she saw, pursing her lips as she stared at the reflection. She grabbed the comb from the vanity and fluffed the neatly trimmed auburn curls covering her pubic mound, the entrance to her most intimate recess—that hot moist receptacle that provided a thousand pleasures. She cupped the underside of her breasts, gently bouncing them up and down. She was pleased with the way they stood out firm and uplifted. She considered them one of her best features. A little scowl crossed her forehead, then she tugged on her dusky pink nipples until they puckered into taut peaks. A hint of a smile came to her lips. That was much better— picture perfect, to be exact. She thrust her hips toward her reflection, rotated them in a slow grind, then leaned forward and kissed her image in the mirror. “Very hot…very, very hot.” Rhonda glanced toward the bedroom door where Tony Gregg leaned casually against the doorjamb. She snapped out a retort, her irritability a result of rattled nerves rather than anger. “How many times have I told you to knock before entering my bedroom?” “The door wasn’t closed.” “That’s not the point.” She returned her attention to her preparations, checking her makeup in the mirror. He visually traced the curves of her body, a body he intimately knew in every way possible. “Looks perfect to me.” “It better be. Tonight is very critical.” “Oh?” He sauntered across the room until he stood behind her. “A special party for two? Who’s tonight’s target? I’d ask if it was business or pleasure, but for you they’re one and the same thing.” The dazzling smile spread across her face. “I’m a firm believer in people enjoying their work.” His gaze drifted across her naked form again. “That you are. In fact, you do more than enjoy it. You really throw yourself into your work, body and soul.” He ran his hands across the perfect globes of her bare bottom, then up the sides of her rib cage and around to her firm breasts. “Well…body anyway.” He pulled her into his embrace. His gentle touch conveyed a much deeper emotion and an intimacy beyond the realm of sex. He made eye contact with her, holding her in his command for a long moment. His words were soft, yet carried a definite double-edged meaning. “The jury is still out on whether you have a soul.” She shot him a harsh look. “You couldn’t possibly be trying to tell me that you don’t enjoy your little escapades with lonely older women who relish the attentions of a virile young stud.” She paused a moment as she turned a thought over in her mind. “Of course, the profits derived from those associations are far more important.” “Yeah…” a slight frown wrinkled across his brow as the twinge of guilt poked at him. He turned loose of her. “—the profits.” It wasn’t as if he was prostituting himself or functioning as a gigolo and being paid

Samantha Gentry

4

money in exchange for sex, although he had to admit sometimes it came a little closer than he liked to acknowledge. This was business and an extremely profitable business. Rhonda trafficked in insider information and he was her best operative. Which companies were talking merger, what large corporate conglomerate was attempting to buy out a competitor, who had a hot new product that was about to be announced to the public – information she guarded as closely as the combination to the vault at Fort Knox, information that provided the basis for Rhonda’s investment strategy. And playing the stock market was the other area where she excelled. They made a great deal of money on stock dealings and no one got hurt. Then he would think about the heated rush of unending sexual satisfaction and it smoothed away his concerns…for a while. “Some of them have been a little too old.” “You know as well as I do that neglected corporate wives and widows trying to run their husband’s company are a marvelous source of insider information.” “Not at all like the treat your dates get to enjoy. There have been times in the past when I had to fantasize in order to keep myself hard and primed for action. I would close my eyes…” he ran the tip of his tongue across the back of her neck, “and picture you writhing on those silk sheets in the throes of orgasmic ecstasy, your body shimmering in the candle light, your eyes burning with passion…” He suppressed the wry grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Whew, is it hot in here or is it just me?” He reached around her and hefted the underside of her breasts in the palms of his hands. His burgeoning erection stretched his jeans tightly across his groin. He rubbed it along the crevice separating the perfect rounded globes of her ass. “How about we indulge in a quickie before your date arrives? Something to whet your appetite for later?” Her words spewed out in an angry rush. “Not now. I’m not ready for my guest yet.” His presumptuous attitude was beginning to grate on her nerves. He was very good at what he did, a valuable employee who had an appeal for older women, especially neglected wives. They seemed to naturally trust him with all their intimate secrets, and more importantly the secrets of their husband’s business dealings. But every now and then Tony needed to be put in his place. She would remind him exactly who was in charge, show him who made the rules…as soon as she had the time to give it the attention it deserved. Then an unwanted wave of tender warmth told her she couldn’t stay angry at Tony, no matter what. It may have started out six years ago as nothing more than incredibly hot sex between them followed by a very profitable business arrangement, but over that time it had evolved into more—so much more. She allowed the caring moment to linger in her consciousness, then quickly shook away the dangerous thoughts. She clenched her jaw into a hard line of determination. There was no place in her life for sentiment or tenderness. She had learned that lesson in a most traumatic way, a lesson she would never forget. Love and tender emotions were not a part of real life. No caring feelings or sense of loyalty would ever control her life. She would maintain total control of everything around her. She had been on her own since the age of sixteen and it was the only way she knew how to survive. No one would ever dictate to her again.

For Love or Money

5

Yes, indeed, she would remind Tony of his place if for no other reason than to maintain discipline within her organization, but tonight she had more important things on her mind. “You never did say who tonight’s victim is.” Tony had not been put off by her admonishment and attitude. He knew her many moods and also knew that her outbursts of anger were a façade she hid behind for fear of appearing somehow vulnerable and revealing her true feelings, something he knew she considered a weakness. He knew what lived inside her—anger, doubt and hope. The anger lived on the surface. Doubt was just below, feeding the anger. And buried so deep inside her that he wondered if it would ever be allowed to surface was hope. What he didn’t know was why. What had happened in her past that made her so fearful of any hint of vulnerability or the slightest display of tender emotions? He knew she didn’t have any family, at least none that she admitted to. He also knew that she was highly intelligent with a mind like a sponge, soaking up any and all knowledge that came within her reach. She was especially good with numbers and financial matters. She devoured the business section of the newspaper and poured over the stock quotes every morning. What had happened to her so many years ago to make her so fearful, so afraid that someone might find a chink in her armor and take advantage of a vulnerability? He nipped at the side of her neck with his lips, then tongued her ear. She was a very complex woman, an enigma tied up inside a riddle. To the casual observer, sex was her credo and carnal pleasure the core of her existence with no depth beyond that. But he knew her far better than anyone else. He knew the anxiety attacks and the nightmares that plagued her. He knew the frightened girl that lived underneath the tough exterior. As far as he could tell, he was the only one who truly cared about the person behind the façade. It was up to him to take care of her on those dark nights when she could no longer live the lie. It was also up to him to find out what had happened to cause her so much pain. She pushed his face away, firmly but not harshly, showing her irritation at the liberties he seemed to claim as his right. “Go fuck the maid if you’re that much in need. Monica can’t seem to get enough of your dubious charms. I’m sure she’ll welcome you with open legs.” “Dubious charms?” A lewd grin played across his lips. “That’s not what you said last time you had a new assignment for me,” he ran his fingers seductively through the fluffy curls guarding the entrance to what he knew was paradise, “or last night when we generated enough heat to almost set the sheets on fire.” He rubbed his thumb against her clit and slipped a finger between her feminine folds. “I’d much rather nibble on this tasty treat. You know Monica is nothing more than a convenience for me—a means of scratching an itch.” “Damn—you’re constantly in heat, aren’t you?” She slapped his hand away even though his sensual touch sent a tingle of excitement jittering through her body the same as it always did whenever he touched her. She didn’t like to admit it, but couldn’t deny it either. “Does a day go by when you aren’t on the prowl looking for someone’s bones you can jump?” He tilted his head to one side and raised a questioning eyebrow. A teasing grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “And that’s a bad thing because…?” She glared at him without responding to his comment, then returned her attention to her reflection in the mirror. She studied her body from all angles. Everything had to be perfect. She didn’t like the nervous tension that continued to churn just below the surface of her skin. She kept telling herself that tonight was a business venture, just like all the others, but

Samantha Gentry

6

she knew it wasn’t true. It was nothing like the others. And the business was personal—very personal. It was about revenge. Rhonda reached for her gold ankle bracelet and handed it to Tony. She sat on the edge of her bed and extended her leg toward him. “Make yourself useful.” He fastened the bracelet around her trim ankle, then ran his hand up the inside of her leg. “And just how useful would you like me to be?” She pushed his hand away, but it was more of a playful shove than anything else. “So, tell me,” he tickled his fingers up the inside of her thigh, “who gets to enjoy this delicious treat tonight? It must be someone special for you to go to such elaborate preparations, not to mention keeping everything about this little venture of yours a secret from everyone…even me.” She paused a moment, as if turning the decision over in her mind whether to tell him or not. “It’s Brad Wilton.” Tony jerked to attention, then staggered backward a couple of steps. A cold shiver washed through his body. Had he heard her correctly? All the teasing, all the playful touches quickly drained away from his reality. “Did you say Brad Wilton?” She pinched her nipples until they darkened in color. “The one and only.” Tony let out a long, low whistle as he tried to gather his wits about him. He knew he needed to be careful in what he said. “Are you sure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew—no pun intended?” This was a recipe for disaster. He knew Brad Wilton casually, but it was as well as he wanted to. He knew she was no match for Brad’s ruthlessness and cruelty, no matter how much control she thought she had or how enticing her charms were. Brad’s demeaning treatment of subordinates was common knowledge in the darker circles of society. His employees were paid very well, but they earned every dollar by having to endure Brad’s little eccentricities. Brad ruined people, destroyed companies and there were even rumors that he had certain business rivals murdered in order to get what he wanted. What Tony and Rhonda did made them lots of money by taking advantage of insider trading information, but didn’t hurt anyone or damage any of the companies involved. “It’s going to be a challenge, but the rewards are worth it. We’re talking information that has a potential of being worth millions of dollars. Besides,” she turned her attention to her reflection and fluffed her curly bush again, “from what I’ve heard about him he has unlimited stamina and a cock that can make you wet just looking at it.” At least that’s the rumor on the streets, one I originally heard thirteen years ago when I was an innocent girl of sixteen, right after the bastard tried to rape me. A night I’m sure he won’t remember. At least I hope he doesn’t recognize me. The memory of that horrible night triggered a sick churning in the pit of Rhonda’s stomach. She swallowed several times in an attempt to keep her throat from closing. She had spent a lot of time and energy setting up this meeting. It was too late to back out. She fully intended to extract her revenge from the despicable piece of low life named Brad Wilton. The thought of him putting his hands and mouth on her body and his prick inside her made her skin crawl. Somehow she had to pull together the strength she would need in order to carry out her plan. A plan that included ruining him financially. She had charted every business move he made, every deal he had been involved with for the last thirteen years. He had been

For Love or Money

7

her vengeful obsession ever since that night. There was nothing about him or his dealings that she didn’t know. Yes, indeed. The information she intended to pry from him would be worth millions of dollars added to what she already knew, if she chose to use it as the basis for stock market investments. But financial gain was not her objective – not with Brad Wilton. Nothing less than his total business destruction, the collapse of his empire, would satisfy her. A scowl marred Tony’s handsome features as he measured his words carefully. “Do you really think it’s a prudent business decision to go after Brad Wilton? Aren’t things going along fine just the way they are? Do we really need the complication of becoming involved with someone of his power…and ruthless reputation? Something like that could end up being big trouble for us. Everything we have is going along very smoothly. You have your regular contacts, some you sleep with on a regular basis and others are trusted sources who provide personal information about potential targets. Do we really need to make waves with such a smooth running operation?” She covered her true thoughts and feelings with what she hoped was a confident sounding answer. “I think he’ll be an interesting challenge, especially if the rumors of his sexual prowess are true.” Tony unsnapped his jeans, then yanked down the zipper. He reached inside his briefs and wrapped his hand around the thick shaft of his stiff erection. He spit out the angry words. “I’ve never had any complaints about the service this fine fellow provides.” She allowed a solicitous smile. “Wasn’t it Benjamin Franklin who advised a young friend to take an older woman as a mistress because older women were always so grateful? I’m sure you keep the mature ladies of your coterie so satisfied that they wouldn’t dream of offering any complaints.” Her expression quickly changed as she made eye contact with him in the mirror, giving him an angry look of disapproval along with a warning in her tone of voice. “I’m not hearing jealousy, am I? You know how I feel about that. Or are you unhappy with your place in the organization? Are you considering a move to another line of work?” “You know better than that.” But he had to admit that a hint of jealousy had been creeping into his thoughts of late. The night he met Rhonda Dumont had put him on a path he had never dreamed would be part of his life. Whatever she wanted from him he gave and in return his life had been a series of orgasmic pleasures and a very healthy bank account, certainly not the type of existence that someone would complain about. But there was a new restlessness churning inside him, an uneasiness he had difficulty keeping under control. But his objection to Brad Wilton had not been a matter of jealousy. Brad Wilton was a very dangerous man and Rhonda was ill-equipped to deal with him regardless of what she believed. For as long as Tony had known her, Rhonda had made it a point of staying away from physical violence and she didn’t like the idea of anyone being purposely humiliated or degraded. Her commodity was recreational sex with the payoff being profitable stock market transactions. He also knew her head-strong stubbornness wouldn’t allow her to back down once she had set her mind on something. “I won’t tolerate jealousy from my employees.” He emitted a weary sigh. “We’re back to that again? Employee?” The employee connotation never used to bother him. He had all the sex he could handle, a lot of money and he lived in a magnificent mansion at Rhonda’s large country estate. But that was then and this

Samantha Gentry

8

was now. She turned to face him, leveling a hard stare in his direction. “No one in this organization is indispensable—no one except me. Do we understand each other?” “You’re right, Rhonda. You are definitely indispensable.” At least as far as my life is concerned. If anyone could settle the nervous tension churning inside her it was Tony. He was good for her in every way possible and she knew it even though she hated admitting to the weakness of really needing someone. A jolt of irritation hit her. Admitting to a weakness was the same as giving up control. She couldn’t allow it to happen again. Someone else exercising control over her life had almost destroyed her thirteen years ago. Worse yet would be having someone realize they had that power over her. And it was becoming more and more apparent to her that Tony potentially possessed that power whether he knew it or not. She dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Tony wisely chose not to say anything, but the pained look that crossed his face did not escape her attention. She watched as he left her bedroom. A quick pang of remorse confirmed what she already knew. She had gone too far. She had purposely treated him badly rather than confront her fears or admit that she actually needed someone. That she needed him. Tony was her favorite and he seemed to know it. He had been from the moment she first set eyes on him six years ago when she was twenty-three and he was twenty-seven. He had an uncanny way of knowing when to be aggressive and when to retreat. He understood her many moods. And her failings. Maybe at some time in the future…perhaps the two of them could seriously…she shook away the errant thoughts. First and foremost on her agenda was her conquest of Brad Wilton, the capture of his power and his secrets—then his total destruction. She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her tautly strung nerves. She shouldn’t have sent Tony away until after he had soothed her jitters. Perhaps she shouldn’t have sent him away at all. ***** Rhonda settled back into the large floor pillows in the playroom. Scented candles gave off a soft glow and a large bowl of condoms sat on a table close at hand. She carefully appraised Brad Wilton. He had not aged gracefully. The once handsome features of the fortyfive year old man she had encountered thirteen years ago had hardened into a look of cold calculation. His eyes were cruel. The hardness triggered a shiver of anxiety. An air of absolute authority emanated from him, an all-encompassing power much stronger than she remembered. She found it more frightening than she anticipated. Not even a flicker of recognition passed through his eyes. Her initial concern about him remembering her had been put to rest. She parted her legs, revealing the hidden delight so many men had lusted after and ended up paying dearly to possess—not with cash, but most certainly with whatever Rhonda wanted from them. She steeled herself against his touch, guarding against showing any signs of how repulsive she found him. Brad stood over her watching as she went through her seductive little ritual, first

For Love or Money

9

cupping the underside of her breasts then playfully jiggling them as she pinched her nipples. Her long copper-colored hair fanned out around her head. She slowly ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. It was a teasing game and one he had to admit that she played with considerable skill and expertise. He had participated in more than his share of hot sex and wild orgies, more women than he could possibly remember or even care about. But the moment he saw her he knew she was someone special who would provide him many hours of whatever pleasure he desired— once he tamed her for his purposes. He fixed his stare on the petal pink folds peeking out from her neatly manicured auburn bush. His cock jumped and twitched in anticipation. He tried to sound casual as he spoke, but could not keep a touch of huskiness out of his voice. He controlled the quick surge of anger generated by her ability to affect him in that way. He forced a grin. “I see you’re a natural redhead.” He knew about her—rumors of unbridled lust coupled with dark secrets. Unsuspecting men who had been driven to ruin by her hold on them. He didn’t know whether any of it was true, but where there was gossip something had to have happened to start people talking. The rumors stimulated his curiosity. When she made overtures toward setting up a meeting between them, he immediately jumped at the opportunity. He wanted to experience her charms for himself, to see just what it was that caused lesser men to succumb to her will. He had plans of his own for Rhonda Dumont. He would soon own her body and whatever secrets she possessed on his terms, not hers. He scratched his fingers through the coarse dark hair at the base of his cock, then wrapped his fingers around the shaft and slowly pumped his hand along the length. Rhonda watched his erection grow to full length. She licked her lips again in an outer show of delight at what she saw in spite of the dark hidden memory that became more vivid than it ever had before, sparking a sick churning in the pit of her stomach again. She doubled her determination to go through with her plan even though it was proving more difficult than she had anticipated. Her throaty voice purred a feigned appreciation of his masculine display. “You have a very impressive piece of equipment and it’s definitely primed and ready for action.” A shiver of anxiety tried to take hold, but she shoved it firmly aside. It was all frighteningly familiar, as if the terror of her past had been dredged up from the depths of her darkest nightmares and stood over her leering at its helpless victim. She ran the tip of her tongue sensually across her upper lip. “And delicious looking grade ‘A’ prime it is, too.” She splayed her fingers across her stomach and inched her hand downward. She ruffled her fingertips through her bushy mound, all the while keeping a watchful eye on his intense expression and the way his gaze remained riveted to the juicy treat displayed for his benefit. She slipped her finger between her feminine folds into the moist heat of her body, teasing herself as much as she teased him. Her sharp intake of breath accompanied the stimulation. The words flowed from her throat as smooth as honey. “Why don’t you come down here and join me instead of standing there like a statue? I’m sure we can find something interesting to do to pass the time…don’t you think?” Rhonda touched the tip of her tongue to her finger taking the wetness into her mouth,

Samantha Gentry

10

all the while watching Brad for any sign of what was going on in his mind. She refused to allow any of her inner feelings to seep into her voice, or show any irritation at the way he taunted her by standing there with his fist wrapped around his hard shaft. His grin was cruel rather than one of mere sexual desire, a cruelty she immediately recognized. A cruelty that sent a sharp chill through her body. She held out her hand and smiled as she beckoned him to join her on the pillows. He finally answered her, his voice conveying the same arrogance that surrounded his physical stance. “Yes, I’m sure we can find something interesting to do.” Brad studied her deliberate moves. He would never be just another nameless piece of cock meat under her control—there for her pleasure one moment and the next willingly giving away his secrets for the promise of just one more fuck. She would be the one doing the begging and giving him anything and everything he wanted. And before he was done he would own Rhonda Dumont. She would be his personal property, doing his bidding just like so many other women before her. He allowed her to pull him down on the pillows. She was definitely a treat for the eyes. For a moment a hint of something familiar tugged at his senses, but it disappeared when he inhaled the intoxicating aroma of her sex. He could see why the others had totally succumbed to her charms. But for him this encounter was more about a test of wills and control than hot sex. The hot sex would come later, after he had taught her exactly who was in charge. And his will was stronger than anyone’s. She was the one who wanted the meeting. He was positive she would do whatever was necessary in an attempt to get whatever she wanted. Even though it had only been two hours since he had inflicted his pleasure on one of his subservient conquests, the sight of Rhonda’s delicious body had the heat churning in his balls and his cock throbbing. He wanted a hot wet home for his rod and her mouth looked as if it had been created for just that purpose. He slowly pumped his hard shaft a couple of times. “Let me see you wrap your lips around this.” “Mmmm…it will be my pleasure—and yours, too.” It was all she could do to keep the words from dying in her throat. Brad straddled her body, pinning her shoulders down and severely restricting the movement of her arms. Her shoulders ached where his knees pressed against them. A moment of panic tried to surface. He literally had her pinned so that she couldn’t get up if she wanted to. He shoved his hard sex against her lips triggering a wave of revulsion. She had created this role to play and orchestrated their meeting, an unpleasant yet necessary means to an end. She knew she would need to indulge his desires to some degree, but it would be worth it because she would end up with what she wanted. And what she wanted was to see Brad Wilton destroyed no matter what it took to do it. She gathered her determination. She had put her plan into play and it was too late to back down now. She slowly ran her tongue around his swollen cock head and along the underside of his shaft. She felt the shudder ripple through his body followed by a deep guttural growl of primal need that told her exactly what she wanted to know. He would quickly succumb to her will. Some of her earlier trepidation melted away. He would soon be hers, willing to do anything she demanded of him in exchange for whatever treat she was willing to allow him.

For Love or Money

11

Even though he had caught her by surprise with the quick way he had taken the upper hand, she felt confident in her ability to control what was happening. If his ego dictated that he think he was in charge, she would allow it…for the time being. It suited her purposes. He would be far more receptive and compliant once she had fucked the repugnant bastard into exhaustion. Tony’s earlier words about fantasizing popped into her mind. Tony would be the perfect fantasy image, a means of getting through this ordeal. She took just the helmet into her mouth. She closed her eyes, then forced a sensual moan as she feigned an excitement she didn’t feel. She went about the task she had set for herself. She tongued the smooth cap, then sucked in more and more of his length. Some days work was more fun than other days. This, unfortunately, was definitely one of the other days. She visualized Tony’s beautiful penis standing proud and strong and focused on the comfort she always found in his arms.

Samantha Gentry

12

Chapter Two Brad took a deep breath as the first wave rushed through his body. “That’s a very talented mouth you have. I’m going to enjoy fucking it.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of Rhonda’s head while shoving his groin close to her face. His words came out in a harsh rasp. “Let’s see how much of my dick you can take.” Her lips formed a perfect seal around his shaft, creating a tight, wet friction as he moved in and out with an intensity that soon had his balls churning and his chest heaving as he gasped for air. He silently cursed her for being able to push him to the brink so quickly. Fucking little bitch, she’s trying to rush me. He had no intention of releasing her from his control yet. In fact, he fully intended to leave her hot, panting and unsatisfied. Begging for release. Willingly complying with whatever he wanted. Needing him to fuck her whenever and wherever he dictated. One more element of his power and control. He wanted her totally submissive to his will in order to set the tone for their future encounters. He wanted to see the hunger in her eyes and hear the need in her voice as she begged him for more. She might own other men’s cocks, have the ability to lead them around by their dicks, but she would never own his. He slid in and out of her mouth, each stroke becoming more forceful than the last. She took in all of him until he was buried to the root. He withdrew leaving only the tip in her mouth, then plunged to the depths again. And each time she tongued the length of his rod with what he had to admit was an incredible amount of expertise. Her little moans of pleasure and the wanton expression that covered her face spurred him on to harder and faster thrusts. He teetered on the brink. All he wanted at that moment was his own quick release, then he could settle in for the game. He growled his pleasure as the hard spasms swept through his body. For the first time in years, sex brought Rhonda no pleasure. She forced the sounds she knew he wanted to hear, the whimpers and moans confirming that merely having his cock in her mouth had put her in a highly aroused state. She purred softly as she tongued his still hard sex. She made sure that her breathless words matched the huskiness she put into her voice. She would play his game for the time being, lull him into a false sense of being in control. Then she would work him without him even realizing what she was doing. She refused to acknowledge the reality trying to force its way into her consciousness. She needed to know her plan was valid and would work. Even though he seemed to have control, she had to believe the control was ultimately hers, otherwise she had endured sucking his ugly prick for nothing. She released his hardness from her mouth long enough to murmur in a throaty tone, “That was a delicious treat, Brad.” She took care to put just the proper amount of urgency in her voice. “I have a tasty treat for you that I’m sure you’ll find every bit as delicious.” A cruel grin played across his lips. He leaned back on his haunches and surveyed what he decided was his newest possession. He reached up to her breasts, squeezed the flesh and rolled her hard nipples between his fingers. He could tell from the feel that her boobs were real and not the result of a plastic surgeon’s talent. He tweaked her clit with his thumb and

For Love or Money

13

forefinger, pleased at the way she gasped. “And just what would that tasty treat be?” “It’s something hot, juicy and all yours.” He picked up on the need that accompanied her words. She was trying to hide it, but it was there. “I’ll take a look at it, make sure it’s a succulent piece that’s ripe and ready to eat.” He moved his body down hers until his belly snuggled up against her pussy and his torso pressed down on hers. He had her trapped so that she couldn’t move the lower half of her body. He scraped his teeth across one of her tautly puckered nipples before sucking it into his mouth. He rolled and tugged on her other nipple with his thumb and fingers. He sucked voraciously, first at one tit then the other, all the while feeling the rise and fall of her chest with her ragged breathing. She ran her fingers through his hair, then pulled at his back. Her movements became erratic along with her moans. Her muscles tensed and strained as she tried to rub her clit against his belly. He allowed the red swollen nipple to fall from his mouth. He ran his tongue around her navel, trailed it down her belly, then flicked it through her bush. As soon as she was free from beneath his confining hold she bucked her hips upward several times trying to make contact with his mouth. She momentarily shoved aside how repugnant she found him as the ever increasing need churned inside her. It was no longer an act. She had to have sexual gratification, even if it was from Brad Wilton. He slid farther down and combed her damp pussy fur aside with his fingers so he could get a close look. Her petal-like lips glistened with the moisture flowing from the honey pot mouth they guarded. He buried his nose in her muff, being careful to avoid touching her stiff, swollen clit. He inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of her wet sex. A potent jolt of pure lust shot directly to his already throbbing dick. Rhonda’s entire body quivered. She knew she had totally lost control of the situation. Her clit throbbed and tingled. It felt as if it would burst into flame any second. She wanted to reach it, to touch it. But more than that, she needed it inside Brad’s mouth. She had to have the sweet sensations of release. She managed to get her hands at the back of his head. His mouth was so close, if only she could maneuver just a couple of inches while preventing him from moving his head back. She jerked her hips in a desperate attempt to force her swollen throbbing clit into his mouth. She screamed her frustration at him. “Oh, God…suck me now, dammit…I’m on fire.” He responded to her pleadings with a wicked chuckle. He had her exactly where he wanted her. “You’re one hot bitch, aren’t you? And you want it real bad. Tell me how much you want it.” “Suck me…suck me…do it,” she demanded. “Do it now!” Her pleadings had turned into demanding desperation. But he wasn’t ready to satisfy her needs. He teased her wet opening with the tip of his tongue, then licked her hot swollen clit, but didn’t take it into his mouth. Her entire body quivered beneath him. She gasped for air while trying to rub her pussy against his mouth. He thwarted her attempts, one after another. He lapped at her flowing juices, then pulled his head away from her steaming pussy. He licked his lips, taking in more of her addictive taste. He ignored her desperation, moving to pin down her shoulders again. He shoved his

Samantha Gentry

14

stiff rod at her mouth and fucked her face with hard short jabs until his cum boiled up from his balls. He took several deep breaths, pulled out of her mouth, then leaned back on his haunches. He thrust his face between her legs and tugged on her clit with his teeth, then released it and rose to his feet. Everything he had heard about her body was true—and then some. He looked forward to their next encounter and he knew for sure there would be one if for no other reason than he was leaving her primed without giving her any relief for her throbbing pussy. It was exactly the way he had suspected – a game of control. She would do everything in her power to restore her feeling of control…something he would never allow. She tried to collect her wits. It had been a disaster. Nothing had gone as she had planned. She had opened the old wounds from the past, allowed her pain to rise to the surface. She had started something and now she had to finish it. But was it going to be worth the psychological price she might end up paying and the emotional toll it would extract from her? She renewed her determination. Yes, the ultimate destruction of Brad Wilton was something she had to do no matter what the cost or consequences. She slowly became aware of the malevolent gleam in the depth of his dark eyes and it frightened her. She tried to salvage what she could from the disaster. She forced as much of a calm to her voice as she could manage. “That certainly was fun, Brad. I can’t remember ever sucking on a more delicious lollipop.” “As much as I’d like to stay and spend hours fucking your pussy, I’m afraid this is all the time I can spare tonight. I have a meeting to attend and some other pressing business to take care of.” His words cut through her like a hot knife, igniting her anger. He was dismissing her? No one had ever turned down an opportunity to be in her bed. She tamped down her anger before speaking. “At this time of night? A business meeting?” “My business dealings don’t function on a nine to five schedule. But I definitely want to get together with you again.” He pumped his shaft one more time while thrusting his hips toward her. “I can work you into my schedule at ten o’clock three nights from now. I can give you four hours of uninterrupted fucking.” Rhonda fought to suppress her mounting anger. There was no way she was going to allow him to get away with humiliating her like that. No way she was going to let him call the shots with that arrogant attitude of his. The old pain exploded full force along with the memories she had unsuccessfully tried for years to erase from her mind. She quickly gathered her composure and attempted to regain control of the situation. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it at that time. Perhaps tomorrow night instead?” She saw the quick hint of displeasure dart through his eyes and it gave her a moment of satisfaction knowing she had surprised him by defying his instructions. But her victory was short-lived. “No. Three nights from now. Ten o’clock at my beach house. That’s my only available time. Take it or leave it.” He reached for his clothes and dressed without looking at her. He had laid down not only the day and time, but also moved their next meeting to a location of his choosing. He wanted her at his mercy. He had plans for her.

For Love or Money

15

There was nothing he liked more than sinking his hard cock into a beautiful woman who was hot, wet and oh so ready. Nothing—except power and control. For Brad Wilton, power and control were the ultimate aphrodisiacs and he couldn’t get enough of them. When he finished dressing, he took his business card and brushed it back and forth across her clit, then dropped it on her stomach. “Here’s the address.” With that, Brad Wilton turned and walked out the door leaving a startled, angry and frustrated Rhonda Dumont to wonder what went wrong. She grabbed the card and stared at it, not sure what to do. He had used, humiliated and dismissed her as if she were nobody. The painful memories from long ago continued to flood through her mind. She trembled as the sick churning in the pit of her stomach tried to make its way up her throat. She clenched her fists and fought back the tears trying to well in her eyes. She hadn’t cried since that night when she was sixteen years old and she was not going to cry now. She would make Brad Wilton pay for what he had done thirteen years ago. And for what he had just done. She scrambled to her feet, pulled on the sheer negligee and stormed out of the party room. She shouted down the hallway as she charged toward her bedroom. “Monica…get the party room cleaned up right now and tell Tony I want to see him. I don’t care if he has his cock shoved inside you and is well on his way to shooting his load. I want to see him in my room now!” Rhonda stomped through her bedroom and into her private bathroom, slamming the door behind her. She used half a bottle of mouth wash in an effort to get rid of Brad’s taste. She stood in the shower and scrubbed her body with the scented bath gel hoping to wash away the feel of Brad Wilton’s body on top of hers and the smell of his sex. The warm water cascaded over her skin, rinsing away the suds and some of her anger with it. She emerged from the bathroom several minutes later to find a bare-footed and bare-chested Tony framed in the doorway, his sweatpants slung low on his hips. The bulging crotch displayed a perfect outline of his cock, making it evident that he wasn’t wearing anything underneath. “For the record, I didn’t have anything shoved inside any part of Monica’s anatomy.” He closed the door and sauntered across the room to where Rhonda stood. The fragrance of her jasmine body lotion tickled his senses. Her smooth skin glistened in the soft light. Her natural beauty never failed to leave him short of breath. “What’s the matter? Didn’t things go as you anticipated?” A hint of smug satisfaction clung to his words. “Wasn’t the mighty Brad Wilton able to get it up? Or maybe the problem is that he couldn’t keep it up long enough to do any good.” He grabbed his crotch and did a quick pelvic thrust. “As you know, I don’t have that problem.” She glared angrily at him. “Neither does Brad. Believe me, that wasn’t the problem.” His brow wrinkled into a confused frown. “Then why are you so pissed?” She snapped out angry words at him. “I didn’t call you in here so you could give me the third degree about something that’s none of your damn business.” He folded his arms across his well muscled chest. “Then exactly why did you demand my immediate presence?” She seemed momentarily stunned, as if she didn’t really have an answer for his question. She grabbed the first thing that came to her mind.

Samantha Gentry

16

“Keep away from Monica. Keep your mouth off of her and your cock out of her. I’m sick and tired of you running around fucking the hired help as if they were your personal play toys. I’ll decide who you screw, when you screw and where you screw.” She fixed him with a hard stare. “Do you understand me?” “I understand you.” “Then let me hear it.” A touch of weariness surrounded his words. “You own my entire body. I’m yours totally and completely to command and use as you wish.” Yada…yada. It was a litany he had repeated often, whenever Rhonda was royally pissed off about something and felt the need to regain a feeling of control. They were meaningless words as far as he was concerned, but they seemed to calm and reassure her so he indulged her need. Her anger subsided, but the disappointing and frustrating encounter with Brad Wilton coupled with the heated confrontation with Tony left her aroused and hungry for physical attention. Dear dependable Tony. Her entire manner softened as she allowed her buried emotions and a hint of her vulnerability to seep into her reality. She knew Tony would take care of her needs, whatever they were. What would she do without him? It was a question that had presented itself to her several times over the last couple of years, one that left her uneasy and confused about the answer. An answer that smacked of feelings and emotional need. And she did what she always did when deep emotional issues threatened to surface. She buried them under the pleasures of the flesh. She tugged at the waistband of his sweatpants while flashing a lewd smile that spoke volumes by itself. “Do you suppose you can do something about this bothersome itch between my legs?” The glow of pure lust lit up his eyes and it pleased her. She was in control again, something Brad Wilton had denied her. Rhonda leaned back on her large bed. She spread her legs, opening the way to the core of her femininity. Brad Wilton had taken his pleasure, then he had walked out. He had turned the tables on her even though she knew it was only a temporary thing. But he had left her angry and frustrated. Tony quickly doffed his sweatpants and climbed on the bed with her. She was the most exquisite woman he had ever seen and the type of ultimate sex partner that most men only dreamed about, but he had to admit in the deep recesses of his soul that she seemed to be on a path of self-destruction. And whatever she had in mind with regard to Brad Wilton only went to validate his concern. She was playing with fire and if she continued there was no way she could keep from being severely burned. He also had to admit that his allegiance to her was as much emotional as physical. Maybe even more so. He had true feelings for her, ones he had never experienced in connection with any other woman. Feelings that went far beyond the physical. Did he love her? He didn’t know and refused to speculate on the possibility or where it could lead if he were to share those feelings with her. One thing he did know, though. She depended on him. Regardless of what she said or how she acted, there was an unspoken bond between them that they each recognized and accepted as fact. She needed him as much as he needed her.

For Love or Money

17

Something had happened in her past that had set her life on a dangerous course. He didn’t know what it was, but he did know how truly vulnerable she was underneath that tough exterior she used as a barrier between herself and everyone else. He couldn’t control her, but he could protect her and always be there for her no matter what she needed him for. He tried to project a cool sex machine image which was apparently what she wanted at that moment, but he wasn’t sure how successful he had been. He shot her a wry grin. “Just what is it that will please you? What kind of an itch do you have? Whatever it is, you know I’ll take care of it for you—and then some.” His voice softened to a whisper, his emotion laden words spilling out in the open. “You know I’ll take care of you.” They exchanged a long moment of intimate eye contact. She tickled her fingertips against his cheek, then tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Her words came out as a mere whisper, as if she hadn’t meant to say them aloud. “Yes, you always do.” She wrapped her hand around his rigid shaft, flicked the tip of her tongue across the darkening helmet crowning his sex, then pulled him toward her. She placed a soft kiss on his lips, as much emotional as sexual. Her breathless words rasped against his ear. “Make love to me, Tony. Help me forget—” He took her in his arms. As many times as she had started that exact sentence, she had never been able to finish it. It would be one of the special nights they shared, a time of intimate togetherness that he relished. The pulsing beat of hot frenzied sex would be relegated to another time. They snuggled into the softness of the bed. He stroked her hair, caressed her shoulders and placed soft kisses on her forehead and across her cheek. Fucking and making love—other than the fact that the two activities utilized the same body parts, they were worlds apart. Tonight they would make love with all the caring and tenderness that was absent from hot sex. And he knew making love was far more fulfilling. Fucking was immediate, but didn’t last any longer than the time it took his cock to get hard again. Making love lasted forever. It lingered on the senses and lived in the heart. He brushed his lips across hers, then captured her mouth with a loving kiss that quickly deepened in its meaning. Tony’s strong arms encircled her body, protectively holding her close. His gentle touch and tender caresses warmed her heart. Her fears, her problems…everything bad seemed to melt away when he held her in his embrace. She felt sheltered and protected, as if at last someone truly cared about her. It was something she had never known before. She had no memories of her mother who had died when Rhonda was only two years old. That had left only her drunken father, a man she grew to despise. A man who committed the ultimate betrayal when he tried to trade her away. The warmth of the intimacy settled over her, washing away the tension that had set her nerves on edge. It momentarily settled the anger and vengeance surrounding her plans for Brad Wilton and her failure to have accomplished what she wanted to accomplish that day. Rhonda twined her leg with Tony’s and ran her fingers through his thick tawny hair before circling her arms around his neck. She totally and willingly gave herself over to him and his expert ministrations, to the excitement his gentle touch created. She didn’t need to be in control, she didn’t need to be in charge. She didn’t need to be aggressive or shrewd— always making sure she was one step ahead of everyone else. When Tony made love to her she wasn’t afraid to let some of her vulnerability show and let go of some of the control. With

Samantha Gentry

18

Tony she didn’t need to be constantly protecting her most private thoughts and feelings, lashing out in anger in order to maintain her control and cover her vulnerabilities and insecurities. Tony’s fingers skimmed over her silky skin, traced the outline of her hip, then cupped her beautiful rear end. He kneaded the perfect globes, his sensual manipulations eliciting soft moans of delight from Rhonda. He made a subtle shift of position, enabling him to roll her onto her side so that he could reach both her front and back. And still their mouths remained pressed together as the tender and loving kiss slowly built in intensity and meaning. Even though the sensations were the same ones he experienced at other times, they weren’t frantic and needy. They were beautiful and meaningful. Her breasts rose and fell with her breathing, each breath coming just a little quicker than the one before as her efforts turned ragged. She felt his labored breath against her skin as he slid is mouth from hers and smothered her face and neck with a series of kisses, slowly and sensually working his way toward her breasts until he captured one of her delightfully puckered nipples in his mouth. He suckled, first one nipple, changed to the other, then back to the first. She arched her back, thrusting her breasts more fully toward his mouth. Each sucking motion sent a tingle through her body that connected directly to her vagina…and to her heart. Her clitoris peeked out from its hood, swelling in response to the on-going stimulation. The sensations building inside her were so different than what she normally experienced. These were as much emotional as they were physical. She reached her hand down between their bodies until her fingers touched his erection. His penis was perfect in size and shape—beautifully sculpted and exciting to see whether in a state of repose or strong and proudly erect. She loved the texture of the veined shaft, the velvet smoothness of the helmet when it rose to full attention. She slowly stroked his sex, careful not to rush things. His earthy moan reverberated through his body, reaching even her fingers where they touched his hardness. He ruffled his fingertips through the downy softness adorning her pubic mound, then circled her erect clitoris. Her gasp told him how sensitive it was. He slipped a finger into the moist heat of her sex. Her vaginal walls closed around it in a welcoming fold. He slowly moved his finger in and out while further stimulating the core of her sexual delight with his thumb. His highly stimulated desires matched her excitement, each of them drawing in ragged breaths—him stroking his erection into her hand and her thrusting her mound against his touch. He rolled her onto her back and gently nudged her legs apart with his knee. The head of his sex probed her opening, then he slowly entered her body inch by inch until he was fully enclosed in the slick walls of her sheath. It was a perfect fit. Slow…sensual…deliberate…tantalizing…they remained lost in the golden glow of their physical union, each of his strokes met by her enthusiastic response. The escalating sensations intensified as the emotional cloak enveloped their bodies as well as their feelings. His thrusts quickened and became more intense. Her physical arousal matched his as they moved closer to the delicious rapture. Her convulsions tightened around his shaft, squeezing rhythmically as each new

For Love or Money

19

orgasmic wave surged through her body. She moaned loudly as the ecstasy claimed her entire reality, her orgasm intense and beautiful. Her arms and legs wrapped themselves tightly around his body as he gave one last plunge deep inside her. His low groan of earthy pleasure accompanied the hard spasms that shuddered through his body. Her vaginal muscles continued to contract, squeezing and tugging at his penis as his seed boiled up from his testicles, enhancing the already profound impact of their lovemaking. He held her in his arms until they both were able to breath normally, all the while placing loving kisses on her face and neck and lightly fondling her breasts. She drew lazy circles on his chest and thighs with her fingertip. It was a time of quiet togetherness and tender moments. They continued to hold each other and savor the emotional sharing. It felt so comfortable, so calming and so very right as if it were meant to last a lifetime— a notion that truly frightened him.

Samantha Gentry

20

Chapter Three Rhonda managed to open one eye. The morning sunlight streamed in through her bedroom windows. She closed her eye and rolled over. The events of the night before began to swirl through her mind. Tony had made love to her with all the tender caring and gentle passion that she craved. He seemed to instinctively know what she needed, what she wanted, whether it was to propel her to screaming multiple orgasms as she writhed in total wanton abandon or to give her tenderness and gentle lovemaking with a completely different type of orgasm but one equally satisfying. He had taken her mind off the troubling situation with Brad Wilton and provided her a safe haven where she could escape from her inner turmoil and torment. Tony had always been her favorite. She had feelings for him that frightened her, feelings she didn’t want to acknowledge. Feelings she was afraid to explore. So she buried those feelings deep inside multiple orgasms and unbridled sex. But she recognized the subtle change that had happened over the six years they had been together. More and more he drew that vulnerability out of her, digging into her hidden fears and trying to bring them out into the open. And that exposure frightened her almost as much as her hidden fears. But now was a different story. Brad Wilton—the anger again welled inside her. Just who the hell did he think he was telling her she would appear at his beach house at a specific time on a specific night? The smug bastard definitely needed to be taken down a peg or two and she was just the person to do it. She was highly motivated in that direction. Then he needed to be humiliated in the eyes of the world and destroyed. Again the dark disturbing memories from so many years ago flashed through her mind. She forced them aside. She would begin by not appearing at the appointed date and time to let him know who was really in charge. The tension built inside her, pent up frustration fed by her doubts and fears. She needed to bury them. She needed her morning orgasm, a quick slam bang to get her day started the way other people needed that morning caffeine fix they got from their first cup of coffee. She moved her hand down her flat belly, over her mound, then slipped her finger between her nether lips. She closed her eyes and slowly drew her finger in and out of her wet opening while stimulating her erect nubbin with her thumb. A smile of pleasure spread across her face as her walls grabbed at her finger. Since she already had things in hand, she would satisfy her sexual appetite herself rather than having Tony service her immediate needs. She slowly worked her hard little nubbin, taking her time and enjoying the increasing sensations building inside her. If it wasn’t for the necessity of sleeping and eating, she was sure she could fuck twentyfour hours a day seven days a week. It was her one great passion in life along with the control she exerted over those who provided her with lucrative information—superseded only by her obsession with destroying Brad Wilton. A drive that had been propelling her actions for thirteen years. Yes, indeed. Rhonda Dumont was very content with her life. A slight frown interrupted her thoughts. Maybe it was more accurate to say that she

For Love or Money

21

wanted to believe she was very content with her life. The disturbing thought intruded into the carnal sensation pulsing inside her. Her pussy tingled. Her juices flowed onto her hand. She increased the pressure on her clit and added a second finger inside her muff. She worked her fingers, touching places that never failed to send her into an orgasmic spiral. She tried desperately to chase the demons away, but they refused to leave. The pulsing delight faded as her fears invaded her mind again. A whimper escaped from her mouth. The frustrations built in layers. She tried harder, putting more pressure on her clit and plunging her fingers in and out with increased intensity. Her hips bucked as her need for release increased. Her head thrashed back and forth against the pillow. Her hips jerked with a series of sharp pelvic thrusts. Her need turned to desperation. She flailed about, her trembling hand finally locating the button on the nightstand that summoned Tony. If she couldn’t banish the thoughts with her hand, then she would fuck them into oblivion. She tugged on her engorged clit, twisting and squeezing until she cried out in pain. Whimpers of unrequited need filled the air. She plunged her two fingers in and out of her wet opening, stroking faster and harder. Her breath came in hard gasps. Her hips bucked as she continued to jab her fingers in and out of her wet pussy. She couldn’t do it fast enough. She couldn’t get them deep enough. She couldn’t do it hard enough. Her chest heaved. Her erratic, frenzied manipulations screamed out her distress. Her high state of arousal demanded release, but the much sought after climax refused to materialize. Cries of need filled the air as her frustration grew. Tony arrived, immediately sized up the situation and rushed to her. He yanked her hands away and buried his face between her legs. He sucked her swollen clit into his mouth and performed a seductive little ritual with his tongue that never failed to drive her wild and send her into immediate spasms of orgasmic rapture. And today was no exception. Her frantic thrashing settled into excited thrusting as she humped her sex against his mouth. Her cries of frustration turned to moans of delight. He continued to manipulate her clit, concentrating his efforts on her climax. She exploded in hard convulsions, relief finally coursing through her body. Tony pulled her into his arms. “What brought that on?” He asked the question, but he was pretty sure he already knew the answer. If only he could get her to talk about it, to bring it out in the open so she could deal with the demons that continued to haunt her. And he knew those demons were somehow wrapped up with her obsessive pursuit of Brad Wilton— her need to conquer him. Rhonda tried to squirm out of his arms. “It was nothing. I just didn’t…I guess—” He placed his fingers against her lips to silence her denials. “Hey…you summoned me while in the throes of a full-fledged anxiety attack. You couldn’t even successfully get yourself off. I’ve never known that to happen to you before. In fact, I don’t know of anyone who can get off quicker and easier than you can. So, cut the bullshit because I’m not buying it. I want to help you, but I can’t do it if you won’t tell me what’s wrong.” He stroked her hair and placed a tender kiss on her lips. His voice softened, his inner emotions showing through. “What are you running away from? What is it that frightens you so much?”

Samantha Gentry

22

She tried to pull away from his comforting embrace. “Fuck you! I’m not running away from anything.” His attitude turned matter-of-fact. “Okay, you don’t want to talk about it. I’ve got a busy day today, as you know. And I have problems with it, which you probably don’t know. If you don’t want to tell me what’s going on with you, then perhaps you wouldn’t mind wrapping your lips around this.” He flashed a teasing grin hoping it would soften what had been harsher words than he had intended. “Especially since you’re the cause of it.” He rubbed his hand across the crotch of his jeans as he thrust his hips toward her, his bulging erection straining against the denim. “As soon as this goes away, I can get on with my business. A lot of work to do…people to fleece.” She glared at him. “You’re giving me ultimatums? Two choices? Spill my guts to you or suck your cock?” “No, I’m giving you three choices. If you prefer, you can hop on top of me and lower that juicy honey pot onto my towering inferno and see if you can quench the fire you lit.” She glared at him trying to look angry and tough, but couldn’t suppress the grin that quickly turned into a laugh. “Your towering inferno? You’ve got to be kidding.” He rubbed his bulging crotch again. “Does this look like I’m kidding? Put your hand over here and feel the heat for yourself.” She glared at him, then captured a moment of eye contact that melted her attempt at toughness. She pulled down the tab on his zipper and reached inside. She fondled his balls through the fabric of his briefs. Her voice dropped to a sexy whisper. “I think I’ll take door number three.” He shot her a look of pure lust. “Door number three it is.” He undressed and stretched out on his back, his rigid shaft bobbing in the air. “Come on, cowgirl. Let’s see if you can stay on this bucking bronco for the full ride. Or maybe my stallion can stay up longer than you can stay on.” She laughed, an open easy laugh that said she was relaxed and comfortable. “You’re certainly full of colorful little sayings this morning. Towering inferno? Bucking bronco? Stallion?” She shook her head as if trying to fathom what he was talking about. “And cowgirl? Where did that come from?” “Just my humble little way of trying to keep you entertained.” “And if I do manage to stay on that bucking bronco, what do I win? What’s first prize?” He lowered his voice to a seductive whisper. “That will be my little surprise.” But I know you’re not going to like what I have in mind. It was a decision he had made after leaving her room early that morning before she woke. He had stayed awake after she had fallen asleep, turning everything over in his mind and finally coming to a decision. He wasn’t completely comfortable with it, but he knew it was right. A quick intake of breath and the sensation of a talented tongue laving the head of his stiff cock immediately moved the center of his focus from worrisome thoughts to feelings of sexual arousal. He closed his eyes and allowed the sensations to wash over him. Rhonda studied his body. Her gaze drifted from his handsome features across his muscular chest and broad shoulders to his marvelous erection standing tall and sure between

For Love or Money

23

his long legs. Her breath caught in her lungs, then came in ragged gulps. The heat spread across her mound and settled in her still tingling clit. A jittery intensity fluttered inside her honey pot. She climbed on top of him, straddling his body with her knees on each side. He grasped her hips and guided her onto his hard shaft. He took a deep breath as he slowly lowered her pussy inch by inch until she was fully impaled with his entire length buried deep inside her. She moaned softly, closed her eyes and began to rock back and forth. Her engorged clit scraped against the thatch of hair surrounding the base of his sex. Tremors of delight rippled deep inside her body, tremors that clamped tightly around his embedded sex. She rocked harder and faster, the delicious sensations quickly building toward a crescendo peak. She had enjoyed hot sex and multiple orgasms on an almost daily basis, but it was never the same as what she shared with Tony. Everything with Tony felt so good, so right. Could there possibly be some kind of a real future for her that included Tony? Did he need her even half as much as she needed him? Would he even want her if it weren’t for all the sex he could handle coupled with lots of money? She shoved the troubling thoughts away and concentrated on the very real exhilaration of Tony’s hard cock buried deep inside her pussy. He grabbed her breasts and pulled her body forward until he could tongue her nipples. He thrust his cock in concert with her rocking until he had her leaning so far forward that her breasts slapped against his face as her hips humped his stiff cock. He urged her into a faster rhythm, one that matched his escalating needs. He looked up at the overhead mirror. The sight of her incredible rear end bouncing up and down as she bucked on his cock sent an extra surge of primal need rushing through his body. He reached down and grabbed the perfect globes in his hands and squeezed each time her honey pot came down fully on his throbbing pole. His heart pounded so hard in his chest, the sound so loud, that he was sure she could hear it. He could tell she was very close to orgasm, but so was he. He knew her body so well, everything and every place that excited her, exactly where and how to touch her to provide her maximum pleasure. He ran his index finger along the tantalizing crevice separating her bottom cheeks. Then, without warning, he rubbed her rosebud opening. She let out a startled cry and fell forward against his chest. Her body shook, then convulsed in waves of orgasmic spasms. The walls of her sex squeezed him like a tight cocoon as he shuddered with his own intense release. His words came out in a breathless rush. “Looks to me like it was a draw. No winner, no loser.” She rose up, her forearms braced against his chest. She flicked the tip of her tongue across his lower lip, then flashed a teasing grin. “A tie goes to the house and I’m the house. So, what’s my prize?” He saw the sparkle in her eyes. “What do I win?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down so that her head rested against his shoulder. “You’ll see, my pretty one. You’ll see.” The decision swirled around in his mind along with the possible consequences that it could provoke. But he knew what he had to do for her sake…for both of their sakes. What he didn’t know was how and when to do it. There was so much at stake. There was a future that they could share. A moment of panic seeped into his awareness, a troubling moment that tried to gain a

Samantha Gentry

24

firm foothold. They remained enfolded in each other’s arms for several minutes enjoying the warmth and closeness. He stroked her hair and gently caressed her shoulders. It was a time of tender togetherness enveloped by the soft cloak of love, an emotion neither of them was willing to admit. A frightening emotion for each of them. ***** Rhonda leaned back in her chair and took a sip of her coffee. Once again Tony had made everything okay and on top of that, he had finally admitted defeat in the cowgirl versus the stallion contest. He agreed to award her the prize. That pleased her. Everything about Tony pleased her. He was whatever she needed—a tender lover, a voracious sex partner, her best friend and…she allowed the thought to fade away without finishing it. Or more accurately, she shoved it away to avoid the emotional turmoil. She took another sip of her coffee, then stared at Tony for a moment as he sat across the table from her. “You said you had a problem with today’s schedule? Something I wasn’t aware of?” He withdrew a folded piece of paper from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of her. “It says I’m supposed to be with Lenora at ten this morning,” he glanced at his watch, “that’s in an hour and a half. Then I’m supposed to be initiating a relationship with the new subject at lunchtime. There’s no way I’ll have time to properly attend to Lenora without making her feel like I was rushing her out the door and still be able to meet Alice at lunch, even if it’s a late lunch. “And someone new—well, you know it takes extra time to evaluate the situation at a first meeting. How much coercing it will take, how shy and embarrassed she is. You may have investigated her financial status and determined what type of valuable information she has access to and done a report on her background, but there’s still all that other shit I need to figure out so that I don’t scare her off before we can get down to serious fucking and the resulting business benefits.” Rhonda picked up the piece of paper and studied it. “You’re right. This schedule Claudine did is pure bullshit. I don’t think she’s going to work out, at least not where she is. I may have to find some other use for her. If not, I’ll have to let her go and hire someone else.” She looked up at Tony. “Can Lenora be changed to tomorrow without it upsetting her? I’d rather not screw with the schedule we’ve established for our new target until we have her firmly in tow. I think your personal appeal will be to Alice’s liking.” A teasing grin tugged at the corners of his mouth accompanied by an exaggerated groan of despair. “Uh oh. Are you saying that Alice is one hundred and ten years old with boobs sagging down to her knees and a pussy as dry as the Sahara and as cold as Antarctica?” “Not at all. She’s a relatively attractive forty-nine year old widow. Her husband died five years ago leaving her controlling interest in his company in addition to a huge estate. The company has many vital government contracts. She’s actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business, but has stayed away from dating. She’s very concerned about inadvertently being involved with someone who has designs on the company and is trying at the least to obtain privileged information and at the most trying to initiate a takeover, which is unlikely since the company is not publicly held.”

For Love or Money

25

She handed the schedule back to Tony. “And there’s a second reason. According to my sources, she doesn’t feel that she’s ready to become intimate, as she phrased it, with another man yet. They tell me that it’s a matter of guilt. Some psychological thing where she feels as if she would be cheating on her husband.” “Her dead husband?” “Yep, that’s the one.” Rhonda leaned back in her chair, a contemplative expression on her face. “I can’t begin to imagine how anyone could actually go five years without sex.” His open, easy laugh filled the room. “You can’t imagine how anyone could go five days without sex. Sometimes I wonder if five hours pushes your limits.” Her laugh joined his, showing she was not offended by his comment. “Of course she could own the world’s largest vibrator collection, but even if that’s the case I’ll bet she’s hungry as hell for the real thing. Besides, a vibrator can’t tongue her pussy or suck on her clit.” She took another sip of her coffee. “All-in-all a package perfectly tailored for your specific talents, wouldn’t you say?” Tony grinned. “I think I can postpone Lenora until tomorrow. I can appease her by promising a future weekend at the mountain cabin and all the pleasures that go with it.” “Good. Now, what cover story do you plan to use on Alice at your accidental meeting?” “I’ve been giving it some thought. Since one of her concerns is industrial espionage, I think something as far removed from the world of big business, board rooms and industry as possible will be the key. I think the struggling artist concept will work best. That will allow me to be earthy, unconventional and as eccentric as I want, someone with no interest in the staid world of big business and therefore no reason to arouse any unnecessary suspicions. I’ll have my props moved into the condo this morning.” A teasing grin told of his amusement at his own thoughts. “That way I can invite her back to my place to see my etchings.” “That sounds good. The concept of an artist will put you far removed from her day-today world. Call Lenora, but don’t promise her the cabin this weekend.” Her voice trailed off as a moment of uncertainty crossed her features. “I…I may have other plans for it.” Tony shot her a troubled look, but didn’t say anything. She watched as he left her bedroom. Yes, indeed—other plans. She had been toying with the notion of having Brad Wilton meet her at the cabin rather than her going to his beach house. After the way he had taunted her while at her estate, she certainly didn’t like the idea of being on his turf. He had already proven himself to be a more difficult challenge than she had originally anticipated. She didn’t want to give him any extra advantages. The mountain cabin would be perfect. It would leave her in control of the setting. A dark feeling tried to intervene, the same feeling that had so frightened her earlier, but she refused to let it in. He had purposely humiliated her, then dismissed her needs as if they were totally unimportant. She intended to get her revenge no matter what, even if that meant foregoing his secrets. ***** Tony chose the appropriate artist’s props and had them delivered to the condo. He would arrange them personally and check out everything to make sure it was perfect before he

Samantha Gentry

26

initiated the meeting with Alice in the park where she always ate her lunch, weather permitting. Before he went to the condo, he reached for the phone to call Lenora. “Hi, luv. It’s Tony. I have an emergency that just hit me and I need to meet with my attorney.” “Oh, no.” Her disappointment was obvious and genuine. “I was looking forward to seeing you. It’s been almost two weeks since we—well, you know.” He liked the sound of that. It was the first time she had verbally expressed a need for sex. “Isn’t there anything you can do, Tony? I cleared my schedule for this morning and early afternoon. My husband will be back in town tomorrow afternoon.” “Now, luv, you know I’d never cancel our rendezvous unless it was absolutely necessary.” He dropped his voice to a seductive whisper. “I was thinking about you while I was in the shower this morning, about our being together today, and I became so excited that I ended up with an incredibly hard erection.” “Oh, Tony.” Her embarrassed giggle traveled the phone line. He could picture her cheeks flushed with a deep crimson color. “You say the naughtiest things.” “I can’t help it, luv. You bring out the naughty boy in me.” “I hope no one’s there who can hear you saying those wicked things.” “Those words are for your ears alone, my luv, not to be shared with anyone else.” It always amazed him at how naïve Lenora was. He knew she had blushed the moment he said the word erection. “Do you think there’s any possibility that you could steal away for a while tomorrow? If your husband isn’t going to be back until tomorrow afternoon, maybe we could meet at that charming little inn north of town late morning?” “I’m sure I can arrange it.” Her enthusiasm traveled over the phone line. “I’ll call you later today.” “You’d better make it later tonight. I’ll have my cell phone turned off during my meetings which will probably include dinner, too.” “Oh, of course. I should have thought of that.” “I want to make it up to you for having to cancel our special time together today. How about this? The first weekend your husband is out of town I’ll make arrangements for us to use my friend’s mountain cabin. We’ll have the entire weekend for just the two of us. Would you like that?” “Oh, Tony. Could we? That would be simply enchanting. I think he’s going to be out of town for five days the first of the month, including the weekend.” “Consider it done, luv.” He whispered into the phone, his voice taking on a seductive quality he knew she couldn’t resist. “We can spend the entire weekend doing naughty things to each other. We won’t even get out of bed until the second day.” “Oh, Tony! You make me blush with talk like that.” “I look forward to hearing from you tonight, luv.” Tony disconnected the call, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. With Lenora’s husband going out of town again so soon and for five days, he could look forward to her providing him with lots of interesting tidbits of information. Lenora was the stereotypical neglected wife of a workaholic husband and seemed to derive a lot of personal pleasure from gossiping about his business activities. That made her a

For Love or Money

27

perfect subject. But her sheltered upbringing and background meant he had to take her seduction slowly and carefully otherwise he would have frightened her off. It had been their fifth date before she had allowed him to even fondle her breasts. At that time she had confided to him that she had been a virgin when she married and her husband had been the only man she ever had sex with…the only man to ever touch her body. The topic had embarrassed her, but Tony had been able to subtly manipulate her and coax the information from her. That had been almost six months ago. Considering where she was sexually when they started, he had made marvelous progress with her. The resulting information had been worth all his time and the patience it took to turn her into a pliable and willing asset. He soon found out that sex for Lenora had consisted of laying on her back, spreading her legs and staring at the ceiling as her husband banged her until he squirted his load, something that seldom took longer than a couple of minutes. Then he would roll off her, tweak her boob while telling her how great it had been and fall asleep leaving her confused and frustrated and not knowing why or what to do about it. That’s how it had been for her for twenty-six years of married life. She didn’t have any idea what she was supposed to do or how it was supposed to feel. Her husband had provided her with all the material things she needed or wanted, but what she wanted most from him— tenderness and reassurance of his love—had been missing from their relationship. She had been genuinely shocked when Tony had introduced her to her first orgasm. The overwhelming sensations had been so foreign that at first they literally frightened her. He had elicited an incredible amount of valuable information from her, but he had also introduced her to pleasures she never would have known otherwise. He had watched as she changed from a lonely, neurotic and neglected wife to a glowing and vibrant woman. It seemed to be a fair trade. And besides, he genuinely liked her and always made sure she never felt as if she was being used for any reason. He had carefully planned out every step of Lenora’s seduction. At first she had been reticent in her behavior, uncomfortable and ill-at-ease. She was embarrassed and guilt ridden about the very thought of having illicit sex with a man who not only wasn’t her husband but was almost a complete stranger and many years younger. The first couple of months she had insisted that they make love in the dark. It was obvious that she had been embarrassed. Tony’s carefully planned out seduction had worked perfectly and she had eventually been able to willingly participate in each and every new adventure in sexual pleasure he introduced into her life. And there were still many new things for her to learn. Yes, he liked Lenora much more than the other women he had plied with sex at Rhonda’s direction, but it did not interfere with his job. His loyalty first, last and always was to Rhonda. He knew there could never be a more perfect way of earning a living than the one she provided him, to be well paid for having all the sex he could ever want and living in the most luxurious surroundings. Then there was the incredible Rhonda Dumont herself—that very special prize, the ultimate treat to be devoured as the most delicious dessert anyone could ever imagine. But things couldn’t continue the way they were, especially not with Brad Wilton in the picture. She was no match for Brad’s cruelty regardless of what she wanted to believe.

Samantha Gentry

28

Chapter Four Tony put his thoughts away and turned to the business at hand. Lenora was tomorrow. Today was the start of a new seduction with a new subject that Rhonda judged to be ripe for the plucking. He had made it a standing rule, one of the very few things he had insisted on with Rhonda, that he dealt with no more than two subjects at one time. He wanted to be able to spend quality time and not feel as if he was being rushed from one bed to the next. And he didn’t want the ladies to feel short-changed because his schedule was too busy. He wanted to get to actually know the women even though they would never know who he really was, to establish a relationship of sorts beyond just sex. When they had served their purpose and the arrangement needed to be terminated, he didn’t want to leave them feeling humiliated and betrayed. He wanted to be able to end it on a positive note knowing that they were better off because their lives were fuller and at least physically, if not emotionally, richer. He needed to get over to the condo and take care of things before heading to the park for his accidental meeting with Alice. He stopped by the office wing at the front of the house and Claudine handed him a large envelope containing a photograph and detailed information about Alice and her company, more so than the quick rundown Rhonda had given him. He paused for a moment to take in Claudine’s physical assets. Unlike Rhonda’s perfect body that was a gift of nature, Claudine had acquired her large boobs from a plastic surgeon and paid for them, according to her own words, by sucking and fucking the doctor on demand at least once a day for an entire year. Her payment to the doctor also included being his birthday present to twin brothers who were close friends of his where they spent the day with the three men all fucking her at the same time. That disclosure was usually followed by a giggle. “How are the tits today, sweetheart?” Tony sat down in a chair and pulled her into his lap. He ran his hands under the front of her tight sweater, squeezed her melons, then gave a little tug on each nipple ring. “Everything seems to still be in the right place.” She eagerly pulled her sweater up, exposing her charms. “Would you like to suck on them right now?” He ignored her almost childlike desire to please, choosing instead to run his hand up her skirt. “How about that wet pussy of yours? Still creaming your panties whenever you get excited?” Then his fingers reached her fuzzy mound. “Well, I see you decided to stop bothering with panties.” Claudine wiggled her rear end back and forth across Tony’s lap. The burgeoning swell of his arousal strained against the front of his jeans—an involuntary reaction, not actual desire. He liked teasing her, but for him there was nothing personally enticing about Claudine. He tweaked her clit, withdrew his hand from between her legs, then eased her off his lap. She smiled and reached for his crotch. He quickly stepped out of her reach. “What’s the matter, Tony?” She looked at him with wide-eyed innocence. “I thought you wanted to stick that nice big cock of yours inside my pussy?” She smiled sweetly. “I sure want you to. I’m all wet and ready.” He flashed a practiced and calculating lewd smile. “Can’t right now, sweetheart. It will have to be some other time.” He held up the envelope she had given him. “I have to get to

For Love or Money

29

work.” She stuck out her lower lip in a petulant little pout, something she apparently thought looked cute and enticing. He acknowledged her attempt by tweaking her boobs before walking out of the room. Tony hurried to the condo and carefully arranged his props—a couple of easels, numerous brushes of various sizes, tubes of oil paints, turpentine, linseed oil, paint rags, blank canvases on stretcher bars, several completed paintings and some charcoal sketches. He turned one of the bedrooms into a studio, then gave the other rooms the type of lived in look that would belong to an artist whose interests were aesthetic and far removed from the corporate world. He hoped it was a look that would convince Alice he had no interest in big business. He studied the scene and decided it was the look he had been going for. He glanced at his watch. His little side trip with Claudine, even though it only took a few minutes, put him behind schedule. He wanted to arrive at the park before Alice so he could ensconce himself at her favorite picnic table rather than run the risk of having her wonder if he had chosen that table because she was there. He did not yet know how deep her suspicions ran, how prone she was to jump to conclusions. He grabbed a sketch pad, a couple of charcoal pencils and headed for the park. He was pleased to see her regular table empty. He quickly situated himself and began sketching the hot dog vendor with his cart. Alice arrived about five minutes later. She took her regular seat at the table, removed a chicken sandwich from a small paper bag and opened her bottle of mineral water. Tony studied her. She had good features and bone structure. At first glance she looked older than she was, but it was primarily because of the way she dressed and her hair style. All she needed to do was fix herself up a little with different makeup, change her hair style and buy some more youthful looking clothes that fit her better. “Why are you staring at me, young man?” Her voice held a nervous edge to it, but it was well modulated and had a bit of a throaty quality that could almost be called sexy. Her words broke into his thoughts. She had given him the opening he was looking for by initiating the conversation so that he didn’t have to. He smiled, an open friendly smile that was in no way aggressive or threatening. “I’m sorry, Miss. I’m an artist—a painter. I was just noticing your superb bone structure and exquisitely sculpted features.” He made some quick strokes on his sketch pad as he talked. “I didn’t mean to upset or embarrass you. It’s just that I so seldom run across anyone with such beautifully luminescent skin and expressive eyes.” She blushed, genuine embarrassment covering her face. Tony set down the sketch pad, but in a manner that allowed her to see the drawing of her face he had started. Among his many talents was a true artistic gift, something he had always enjoyed and had at one time thought about pursuing as a career. “Please…don’t be embarrassed. I’m a very forthright person. I was merely telling you the truth of what I see.” She reached out and picked up his sketch pad. She studied the drawing, then returned the pad to him. “You’re very talented. Would I have seen some of your work in any of the local galleries? Or perhaps in a museum?” He laughed, a casual easy laugh that in no way threatened or embarrassed her. “No,

Samantha Gentry

30

not here. I do have some of my paintings in various galleries and even a couple of museums in Europe, but I’ve only been back in the States for about a year.” “You live here?” “I do for the time being. I don’t know how it’s going to work out, though. I might end up moving again. I’ve never really stayed in any one place for very long.” He resumed work on his sketch of her. He could tell from her body language that she was warming to their conversation—the way she turned in his direction, leaned toward him as she spoke and hadn’t touched her sandwich. “What brought you here? Do you have family in the city?” “Not any more. I had an uncle who died last year. He left me his condominium and a small inheritance. That’s where I’m living now, but I haven’t decided whether to keep it or sell it. I’m not big on owning property or anything else that will tie me down to one place longer than I want to be there. I guess it’s the gypsy artist in me. I can’t seem to stay in one place for more than a couple of years at the most and I’ve already been here almost a year.” He tore the completed sketch from the pad and handed it to her. “With my compliments to a lovely lady.” The flush of embarrassment spread across her cheeks again. He had her sniffing at his bait. It wouldn’t be long now before she bit and he could slowly reel her in. He allowed a quick fantasy about what he would find under the matronly dress she wore and what she would look like with her hair down in a wind blown earthy style. She took the sketch from him and studied it for a moment. “Thank you. That’s very considerate.” She handed it back to him, her gaze demurely cast downward. “But I really couldn’t accept it unless you signed it.” She looked up and met his steady gaze. She ventured a shy smile. “That way when you become famous I can point proudly to my original drawing signed by the artist.” “It would be my pleasure.” He signed it Tony DeMarco, the name he used whenever he took on his artist’s persona. He continued to engage her in casual conversation, making a point of never asking what she did for a living or making any attempt to delve into any personal areas. He didn’t even ask her name. He wanted her to feel comfortable with him and in no way concerned about who or what she suspected he might be. He needed to gain her total confidence and keep it. She glanced at her watch, started to look up, then quickly returned her attention to her watch. “Oh, my goodness.” Tony looked around as if trying to find what had caused her outburst. “Is something wrong?” “We’ve been talking for almost two hours. I’m an hour late getting back to my office and I haven’t even eaten my lunch yet.” “I’m so sorry—” He tilted his head to one side. “What is your name? We’ve been talking for two hours and I don’t even know who you are.” “My name is Alice—” “I must apologize, Alice.” He cut her off before she could tell him her last name, one more manipulative ploy to ease any suspicions or concerns she might have about what he really wanted. “I forget that other people work on schedules. My time is my own. I work

For Love or Money

31

when I want to and play when I want to.” He extended a wry smile and winked at her. “And I definitely prefer to play.” “What a marvelous sense of freedom that must be.” He saw it in her eyes and heard it in her voice, the wistful yearning to rid herself of the regimented time schedule. He had been right in choosing the artist as the persona she would respond to, but had been surprised by her reaction to his words. He reached out and placed his hand on top of hers as if it were an impulsive gesture rather than a calculated move. He felt her muscles tense, but she didn’t pull away from him. He filled his voice with an enthusiasm he hoped she would embrace. “I have a marvelous idea, Alice. Why don’t you call in sick and we’ll spend the afternoon at the art museum?” She shook her head. “I couldn’t do that. I’ve never done anything like that in my entire life.” “Not even when you were in school? You never played hooky and cut classes?” “No, never.” “Then you’re way past due.” He saw the reticence form on her face. He quickly gave her hand a little squeeze to stop whatever she had been about to say. “Alice, where’s your sense of adventure? Surely your boss allows his employees to have sick days.” “I’ve always led a very orderly and regulated life. I couldn’t just take off like that. I shouldn’t…” He heard the hesitation in her response and knew she was wavering. A little bit of gentle prodding and he’d have his way. “Couldn’t and shouldn’t are not in my vocabulary. If you’ve never done that before, then you must have lots of sick days piled up. What would it hurt if you used one of them?” He flashed a confident smile, one intended to placate her doubts and lull her into acceptance of the adventure he offered. “I promise you’ll be home in time for dinner.” He slowly turned his smile into a questioning expression of sincerity. “Unless I can talk you into having dinner with me, too.” “Well, I don’t know…” He rose to his feet. “Good, then it’s all settled. We’ll go to the museum and then have dinner. You can use my cell phone to call your office.” She tentatively reached into her purse, hesitated for a minute, then withdrew her own cell phone. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt…just this once.” She moved a few feet away from the picnic table to make her call. He knew she was attempting to put enough distance between them so he couldn’t hear what she was saying. His mind raced in several directions. Vital government contracts with insider information worth a great deal in stock investments. A straight-laced woman to be indoctrinated into the many pleasures of the flesh, one who would end up willingly giving him whatever he wanted just like Lenora. Just like all the others before her. Rhonda had once again picked the perfect subject. His thoughts turned to the charms he hoped to find hidden under Alice’s matronly clothes. And if her charms turned out to be far from charming, he would do what he always did. He would fantasize about Rhonda—the taste of her honey pot, the incredible jolt of ecstasy as her pussy walls closed tightly around his hard cock and milked him of every last drop of his cream, the teasing flicks of her tongue as she laved the purpling head of his sex.

Samantha Gentry

32

He quickly returned his thoughts to the reality of the moment before he ended up with an erection and no immediate way of relieving it. Alice extended a tentative smile to Tony. “Well, I did it. I called in sick. This is a first for me.” “I knew there was a spirit of adventure in there somewhere. Hopefully this will be the beginning of many firsts for you.” Firsts you never dreamed in your wildest imagination would ever be a regular part of your life. Firsts that will send you into spasms of ecstasy and show you how much pleasure you’ve been missing. And it will all happen very soon. He held out his hand toward her and smiled pleasantly. “Shall we head across the park to the art museum?” She paused, then took his hand. Her touch was hesitant and sent the message that she was not comfortable with physical contact. He would certainly fix that problem. Before he was finished with her she would be completely open to anything and everything he wanted of her. She would refuse him nothing in her desire to please him. And he would see to it that she experienced things she had never dreamed of, excitement and rapture for her to enjoy for years to come. He looked forward to inspecting every inch of Alice’s body, to discover what she had hidden beneath those matronly clothes she wore. But in the interim he continued to outwardly play his part. Tony and Alice toured the art museum. He pointed out the work of his favorite artists and discussed their careers. He made sure she was focused totally on him. He initiated as much physical contact with her as possible while doing it in a manner that seemed innocent and non-threatening. He was thankful for the distraction presented by the museum and his genuine interest in art. It kept his attention from drifting to Rhonda and the difficult decision he had made—a decision he would need to confront her with very soon. Tomorrow would be Lenora—sex games interspersed with valuable tidbits about her husband’s business matters. But for tonight he still had dinner and seeing how far he could take Alice without scaring her away or making her suspicious. It would probably be an early evening. As he saw it, there was lots of potential but some sort of chaste goodnight kiss would probably be it. Maybe a little bit of tongue just to see her reaction. Hopefully he would be able to pull her into an embrace long enough to get an impression of her body. They left the museum and walked a couple of blocks to a small, intimate restaurant hidden down a narrow side street. Dinner went well. He turned on the charm, and Alice seemed more relaxed and comfortable with the situation. They finished at the restaurant with an after dinner drink. It was close to eight o’clock when they left. “I must tell you, Alice, this has been the most delightful afternoon and evening I’ve spent in a long time. I hope you aren’t experiencing too much guilt about not going to work this afternoon, but didn’t you find it exciting to sneak out and do something just a little bit naughty?” He particularly wanted to see her reaction to his use of the word naughty. It was a word that never failed to generate a positive response from Lenora. A shy smile appeared on her face. “I have to admit that I really did enjoy myself and after the first couple of hours I forgot to feel guilty.” She looked at him, her eyes searching as if trying to find some truth. Had he somehow screwed up and given himself away? Was she on to his deception? He forced a smile. “I’m glad you had a good time.” “Do you know what I’d like to do,” a quick hint of embarrassment crossed her face, “if

For Love or Money

33

it’s not too presumptuous or inconvenient?” “Tell me. If it’s possible, we’ll do it.” “I’d like to see some of your paintings.” Had he heard her correctly? Had she invited herself to the condo, to the place where he supposedly lived, on the pretext of seeing his paintings? “I have several paintings at my condo. We could go there, if you’d like.” Was it really going to be this easy? “Maybe for a few minutes if you wouldn’t mind.” “I’d be honored. The only thing I ask is that you forgive the way the place looks. I wasn’t expecting company. A bachelor artist living alone…well, you can imagine the mess.” “I promise not to say anything about it.” She smiled, a nice smile that said she had become more comfortable with him, comfortable enough to ask to see his work. He wondered what else she’d be comfortable with before the night was over. Tony’s mind raced as they headed toward the condo. He ticked off a list of items he had carefully placed around the various rooms to make it look like someone actually lived there. He unlocked the door, flipped on the light, then stepped aside as she entered. He waved his arm across the expanse of the living room. “As I said, you’ll have to pardon the mess.” He indicated the hallway that went to the bedrooms. “My paintings are back here.” He led her to a bedroom devoid of furniture with paintings on the floor and leaning against all four walls. The bedroom across the hall displayed an unmade bed and a hint of carefully staged items that made it inviting without being threatening. “Would you like a glass of wine while you take a look at what’s here?” “Yes, thank you. That would be nice.” He left her alone with the paintings, then returned with two glasses of wine and handed one of them to her. He held up his glass in the form of a toast. “Here’s to what started as a routine morning and ended as a delightful day due to the company of a charming new friend.” He tilted his head to one side. “And to many more delightful times together?” “How nice. Thank you.” She took a sip from her glass, but didn’t acknowledge his comment about the future. He indicated the paintings. “Well, what do you think? Does anything catch your eye?” “Yes, two of them.” She indicated which paintings she found interesting. “How much do you want for these?” “I couldn’t take your money, Alice. I know secretaries don’t earn that much, certainly not as much as the going rate for my work. I’d be very pleased if you would accept one of them as a gift. My way of thanking you for the pleasure of your company.” She seemed genuinely surprised and touched by his offer. “That’s very generous of you, but I couldn’t do that. I insist on paying you for them.” Tony played it just right, objecting enough to make it seen genuine, then reluctantly giving in and accepting her check. Then he moved in for what he thought would be the payoff for that first evening. He pulled her body against his and kissed her, making sure he kept it relatively chaste and didn’t hold her in a threatening manner. The curves beneath her matronly dress surprised him. He made his kiss a little more aggressive, then flicked his tongue lightly across her lower lip. He

Samantha Gentry

34

felt her body tense and her hands went to his chest as if she was about to push him away, but she didn’t. Tony’s decision was an experienced judgment call. He chose to not turn loose of her. He probed her lips with his tongue until he was able to insert it into her mouth. He brushed the edge of his tongue against hers while running his hands down her back until he could cup her bottom cheeks in his hands. And a very nice rear end it seemed to be, too. He pulled her hips tightly against his and gave a little pelvic thrust to show her his burgeoning arousal. To his surprise she didn’t immediately pull away. It was several seconds before she pushed against his chest to break the hold he had on her. She quickly backed up, but only a step or two. The confusion on her face told him she really didn’t know what to do. For Tony, the fact that she didn’t slap him or run out the door said it all. It wouldn’t be tonight, but she would be a willing playmate very soon—open and eager for all new experiences. From what he could tell of her body it wasn’t the stuff dreams were made of, but it was nicely proportioned. He was going to find this more enjoyable than he originally thought—a lot more enjoyable. He placed his fingertips under her chin and lifted until he caught her gaze. “I’m sorry, Alice. That was a totally unacceptable thing for me to do. It’s just that I really like you. I don’t have very many friends and I can’t remember when I formed such an immediate affection for someone. I was hoping we might be able to be—” He adopted a remorseful posture, bringing all his acting skills into play. “Well, as I said, I’m sorry.” He looked at her, judging her reaction to his words as much as he was attempting to portray his chosen role in the charade. Alice was an assignment. It was his job to take it to completion and that meant plying her with however much pleasure it took to possess her secrets. But first he had to gain her confidence and figure exactly what it was that would please and satisfy her the most. He liked it better when he was with a subject who was self-centered and shallow. Someone he would never be friends with or carry any real affection for. Someone hot and ready so he could spend the night fucking while she screamed and whimpered in the throes of orgasmic delight without his having any guilt feelings. And he had to admit that sometimes he felt guilty. Lenora had elicited occasional pangs of guilt, but he was able to assuage them by telling himself that he was bringing real enjoyment and excitement into her life. He truly believed he had given her a level of happiness she never had before. He knew he had introduced her to new things she genuinely enjoyed. He wondered if Alice would fit into that same category. “That’s all right, Tony. I suppose I did mislead you with my suggestion that we come here even though that wasn’t my intention.” He held out his hand and smiled. “Friends?” She hesitated, then returned his smile and accepted his handshake. “Yes, friends.” She took the two paintings she had purchased and he called her a cab, but not before securing her phone number and the promise that he could see her again very soon. Once she was in the cab and safely on her way down the street, he locked the condo and returned to his living quarters at the large isolated estate where Rhonda conducted her business.

For Love or Money

35

Chapter Five Tony went immediately to his room, peeled off his clothes and stretched out on his bed. He glanced at the clock. Lenora should be calling any minute. As if his thought triggered the call, his cell phone rang. He pumped his voice full of enthusiasm. “Lenora, luv, I’ve been anxiously waiting for your call. Please tell me you’ll be able to steal away for a while tomorrow.” “Yes, I can meet you at the inn at eleven tomorrow morning and will have about three hours before I need to leave. I have a hair appointment tomorrow afternoon, then I pick up my husband at the airport and we go directly to a political fundraiser tomorrow evening. Those things are so ghastly boring. At least I’ll be able to reflect on our time together to sustain me through those endless conversations about political action committees, lobbyists and all that political insider stuff.” His body jerked to attention. Holy shit! Political insider stuff? It was a whole new area of information Lenora now had access to. He knew Rhonda would eagerly jump at the opportunity of having access to a few elected officials. Or more accurately having them between those long sleek legs of hers. “Only three hours? Do you think it’s possible to stretch it to four hours? Maybe meet at ten o’clock rather than eleven? I want to be able to thoroughly enjoy all your tempting delights and provide you with the pleasure you deserve. I also thought we’d have lunch in our room.” “There you go again, Tony, saying the most outrageous things. If my friends ever heard the type of things you say to me I’d absolutely die of embarrassment.” “But, luv, I’m not saying these things to your friends. My words are for your ears only. Will I see you at ten o’clock rather than eleven?” There was a brief moment’s hesitation before she answered. “Yes, I’ll work it out somehow. I’ll be there as close to ten o’clock as I can make it.” “I’m counting the minutes until then.” “Me, too.” A soft moan accompanied her words, a sound that told him she was already creaming her panties in anticipation. “Are you free to stay on the phone for a little while?” “Yes. There’s no one here.” “Good. I’m naked, in bed and just the thought of seeing you tomorrow has made my penis hard as a rock.” “Tony! I’m shocked.” That may have been what she said, but the familiar giggle told him his words and what they promised had the desired effect. She willingly engaged in sex with him, but talking about it still seemed to embarrass her and dirty words were not the turn on for her that they were for several of the other women with whom he had shared a bed. As he had when he was with Alice earlier that evening, he was careful of his language when he was with Lenora. “Are you in your bedroom, luv? Are you as naked as I am? I’d like to tell you what I had in mind for us to do tomorrow and then—” “Oh, no. Call waiting…it’s my husband. I’ve got to go, Tony. I’ll see you in the

Samantha Gentry

36

morning.” The line went dead. He took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled a sigh of resignation. So much for phone sex. He grabbed his hard tool and pumped it a couple of times. He hadn’t been lying to her about his hard on and now he needed to satisfy it. His first thought was having Monica wrap her lips around it, but Rhonda had been pissed about that so it would probably be better if he avoided Monica for a while. Claudine? He slid his fist up and down his shaft a couple more times. Well, any port in a storm and she was better than jerking off in bed by himself. Of course, the ultimate release would be if Rhonda were amenable. Did he dare take his primed tool to her room? He turned it over in his mind. No. He had made his decision about the future and about her meeting with Brad Wilton a second time. He wouldn’t feel right expecting her to accommodate a quick fuck just to satisfy his own needs. And if a couple of days from now ended up being the end of things, he wanted to remember a night of tender lovemaking, not a quick fuck for instant relief. He reached for the phone and dialed Claudine’s extension. “I’m in my room and have a raging hard on. Get over here and take care of it for me.” “I’ll be right there, Tony.” He heard the eagerness in her voice. “Two minutes.” He hung up the phone and leaned back on his bed. Claudine had worked for Rhonda only a couple of months. She was so eager to get it on with anyone at any time. When Rhonda eased off on her tirade against Monica maybe he could get Monica and Claudine into a threeway. A couple of minutes later he heard the soft knock at his door. Claudine entered, dropped her robe on the floor revealing her naked body, then climbed onto his bed. “I was so thrilled when you called me, Tony. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.” She leaned over, licked the tip of his stiff pole, then kissed his cock head. He didn’t want to work for it. All he wanted was for her to suck him off as quickly as possible then leave him alone. “Wrap your pretty little lips around my prick, sweetheart. Make me come so hard that it will feel like a volcano erupting in your mouth, like I’m shooting jism so far down your throat that it’ll come out your pussy.” Dirty talk never failed to turn Claudine on. He threw it in for her benefit, not his. “Oooh, Tony. You know how much I love the feel of your big cock pushing against my tongue and scraping my throat.” She immediately wrapped her hand around his girth and sucked his shaft into her mouth. With her other hand she cupped his balls. He closed his eyes and allowed the sensations to wash over him. He felt better already. Yep, she was definitely preferable to the ol’ five finger fuck. A quick blow job and he’d go to sleep. A moment of regret told him it wasn’t fair of him to take advantage of her eagerness. She deserved better than that. He thought about it for a minute while the sensations built inside him. His thighs tingled as the heat churned in his balls. He would give Claudine a really good fuck as an apology for his selfish attitude. Claudine sucked harder while laving his cock head with her tongue. He gave several thrusts jamming his cock deeper inside her mouth as he encouraged her into a rhythm that suited him. He teetered on the brink. A moment later he jerked his head back into his pillow as the release he sought flooded through him. She continued to suck his softening cock while fingering her wet pussy in an attempt to satisfy her own needs. It didn’t take long before he was hard again and ready for action. He withdrew from her mouth, gently pushed her down on her back and flashed a lewd grin.

For Love or Money

37

“Spread your legs, sweetheart. I have a nice present for you.” Claudine beamed at her excitement over his words and eagerly complied with his orders. “I’m going to fuck your wet pussy until you come hard enough to knock your socks off…if you were wearing socks.” His only sexual contact with her since her arrival at the estate had been a few blow jobs that he had found to be mediocre at best and a couple of quick fucks against the wall of the storage room which had been nothing more than instant relief for him with no concern about her needs. She spread her legs wide, opening herself to him. The glow of gratitude in the depth of her eyes truly surprised him. He inhaled the aroma of her sex, a scent more tantalizing than he thought it would be. Certainly not the quality of Rhonda’s instantly addictive scent that acted like an aphrodisiac luring any man who was still alive into her delicious honey pot. Or even as intoxicating as that of many of his other bed partners, but better than merely acceptable. Better than he thought it was going to be. He reached out and tweaked her engorged clit, eliciting an instant gasp of pleasure from her. He inserted his finger into her slit and wiggled it as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. She thrust her hips upward, forcing her pussy more fully against his hand. He obliged her desire for harder stimulation, working the swollen bud with his fingers while licking and sucking her dark nipples. Claudine writhed beneath his expert touch, her features contorted into a mask of pure ecstasy. A moment later she burst into orgasm, the walls of her tunnel grabbing at his fingers. He moved quickly. While she was still convulsing in orgasmic spasms, he positioned his cock at her opening and shoved his length all the way in. Her folds instantly wrapped around his tool, holding it in a surprisingly tight sheath. He aggressively pumped in and out of her, each down stroke culminating with his thatch of pubic hair brushing her sensitive clit. She moved her hips with him, bucking wildly as she rushed toward orgasm. Her head thrashed back and forth against the pillow, her eyes tightly closed. She grabbed her breasts, squeezing and pulling her nipples as she gasped for air. Then her climax exploded deep inside her. A moment later Tony’s body shuddered in hard spasms of release. Tony rolled onto his back with his arms out at his sides and took several deep breaths. Claudine placed soft kisses on his chest as her breathing returned to normal. He sat up. It was far from the best sex, but it had done the job. He climbed out of bed, picked up her robe from the floor where she had dropped it and held it out to her. He offered her a sincere smile, pleased that he had taken the time to thoroughly satisfy her. “Good night, Claudine.” “Good night, Tony.” She started toward the door, then turned back to face him. She offered a shy smile. “Thank you.” He headed for his bathroom. Ten minutes later he stepped out of the shower and realized his in-house phone was ringing. Shit. It’s probably Claudine wanting a repeat performance. Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to be nice. He grabbed the receiver and barked an angry greeting as he stood naked, dripping water on the carpeting. “This fucking well better be important.” Rhonda’s sultry voice responded to his less than cordial words. “And hello to you, too. If I’m not interrupting something important, I’d like to see you in my room.”

Samantha Gentry

38

“I’m on my way.” He pulled on a pair of jogging shorts and towel dried his wet hair as he hurried down the hall to the wing of the house she occupied. He slung the towel around his neck as he approached her door. He didn’t know why she had summoned him. Her tone had been inviting, even teasing, but he had detected something else…a hint of stress. She seemed to have been under a lot of stress the last few days. He suspected it had to do with Brad Wilton. And it worried him. He knocked softly at her door, opened it and entered her room, then closed the door behind him. “You caught me stepping out of the shower.” A quick glance around didn’t show anything out of place, nothing to indicate why she had called him. “What can I do for you?” He fought the sly grin that tried to take hold. “Is it personal or business?” His cock twitched in anticipation of what he hoped would turn out to be both personal and pleasurable. Rhonda leaned back against the large pillows situated at the head of her king size bed. Her sheer negligee left nothing to the imagination, just as she had planned. She gave him a sultry look, one that both teased and invited. “I have a little job for you to do, if you don’t mind.” “Whatever you want. Just name it.” His intense stare was riveted to her body. He felt the potent rush of hot blood to his groin. His breathing became labored. Just being in the same room with her could make him hard. He rubbed his hand across his crotch, his breath rasping in his heaving chest. Rhonda opened her negligee, exposing her nude body. She spread her legs and arched her hips. She smiled appreciatively at the sizeable bulge in Tony’s jogging shorts and the dark purple helmet wiggling out from behind the elastic waistband. He was fully erect and hard— just the way she liked. “I’m considering nipple rings.” She placed her hands on the underside of her breasts and bounced them up and down. “What do you think? Would nipple rings make this more alluring?” He rubbed his hand against the large bulge in the front of his jogging shorts again as if seeking some relief from the intense throbbing that had him in desperate need of a place to bury his hard cock. Pure lust coursed through his entire body as he raked his gaze over each and every one of her curves, finally landing on her perfect petal shaped pussy lips. “How do you think gold rings would look dangling from each of my nipples, especially when they’re puckered into sharp peaks?” She pulled and twisted her hardened nipples, then again bounced and jiggled her boobs. “The way they are now.” He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, again inhaling the addictive fragrance that was uniquely hers and hers alone. “Are you teasing or serious? You know what this does to me. I’m going to be hard as a rock all night long.” He pulled the front of his jogging shorts down far enough for his erection to spring free of its confines. The engorged veins stood out in sharp contrast to the tautly pulled skin covering his thick shaft. The deep purple helmet pointed straight up toward the ceiling. “There are only two things that can ease this swelling. The first one is time and a long cold shower.” She arched her hips toward his face. Her juices seeped out from between her delicate

For Love or Money

39

folds, matting her bush with the sticky secretions. She seductively slipped her finger into her honey pot, then withdrew a sample of her nectar and touched it to his lips. “And the second one?” He took her finger into his mouth along with her taste. He inhaled deeply, again filling his senses with the spicing of her sex. “Make that three things. The second and third, not necessarily in this order, are your hungry mouth and that magnificent velvet lined love box of yours, a honey pot sweeter than anything I can imagine.” “Wouldn’t someone else’s mouth and muff do just as well?” “Nope.” He wrapped his hand around the girth of his rigid shaft. He felt the pulsing heat, so intense that it was almost uncomfortable. He had to sink his throbbing dick into something and quickly. His husky voice spit out the words so raspy that they were barely recognizable. “Only you can put out this fire.” Rhonda’s breathing had turned ragged. She licked her lips as she stared at his formidable erection. Her need pulsated through her aching pussy. The time for teasing and playing games was over. “Well, I don’t want to see you suffering so I guess I’ll have to help you out.” She heard the low growl of primal need rumble up from his chest, matched by the incendiary lust burning in his eyes. And right now that’s what she wanted. She didn’t want just good sex. Not even great sex. She wanted an orgasm that started the moment he entered her and continued until she felt as if she would pass out from the intense pleasure—that incredible orgasm she had never experienced with anyone other than Tony. The type of hot sex where she could lose herself in the intense rush of orgasmic rapture. For the last hour she had been turning the Brad Wilton situation over in her mind. Years of pent up hatred, her need for revenge. But there was the dark malevolence that surrounded him. He frightened her. She needed something to make her forget those fears, if only for a little while. She needed Tony. With jerky and barely controlled motions he yanked off his jogging shorts and tossed them across the room. A moment later he thrust his length deep inside her hot, wet honey pot. Her walls closed around him, enveloping his cock in a tight cocoon. And the games began. The endless orgasm Rhonda craved washed through her body in wave after wave. She bucked her hips in an erratic frenzy matching his driving strokes. Hard jolts of orgasmic ecstasy continued to pound through her body with increased intensity. His mouth found hers, his tongue aggressively seeking out every hidden corner it could find. And she reveled in every delicious moment of it. Tony couldn’t get enough of her. His cock throbbed and pulsed in the hot confines of her honey pot. Rhonda Dumont was the epitome of everything he had ever wanted. And he knew he wanted her forever. When the day came that they were both too old to remember what sex even felt like, he would still want to be with her—to hold her in his arms, stroke her hair, caress her. The time passed and minutes turned into hours. Hot sweaty bodies rubbed together. Slick skin radiated intense heat. Tony and Rhonda voraciously devoured each other while consumed in the throes of the hottest sex each had ever known.

Samantha Gentry

40

They rolled over so that Rhonda was on top of him. She knew exactly what he wanted from her and she willingly gave it without hesitation. She rode him as if the devil himself was chasing her. She bucked back and forth, grinding her ultra-sensitive clit hard against his pubic bone. She humped his cock with a nearly out of control frenzy while her tunnel walls spasmed with sharp contractions. Her pussy muscles squeezed his thick shaft. Her screams and cries of intense rapture competed with his moans and gasps of rapture. He grabbed her bouncing boobs, squeezing and twisting her already hard nipples. The pain was as exquisite as the hard orgasmic jolts that continued to pound through her body. He pulled her face down to his. Her scream rose from the very depths of her most primal needs, a sound joined by the raspy growl that clawed its way out of his throat. He jammed his tongue between her lips, silencing her cries of ecstasy. It invaded her senses, increasing the intensity to the point where she feared she might actually lose consciousness. Tony finally let out a deep guttural growl of pure animal lust. His orgasm exploded with so much power that it flew off the Richter Scale in its magnitude. Rhonda let out one final scream as her pussy muscles squeezed and pulled at the incredible piece of male sex buried deep inside her body, then she collapsed on top of him. Hours of literally non-stop super hot intense sex had left Rhonda and Tony completely exhausted. It seemed as if an eternity passed before either of them had the strength to move. He wrapped her in his embrace, the mood turning from frantic to tender. He held her in his arms, brushing aside some loose tendrils of hair that clung to her damp skin. They needed to talk. He had to approach the subject of Brad Wilton, to tell her that he refused to allow her to pursue the situation. He was fully aware of the dark and malevolent deeds attributed to Brad. No amount of money was worth the damage Brad could inflict on her, both physical and psychological. He knew how important control was to her, how much she rebelled against being told what to do. But this time he wasn’t going to let her have her way in the matter. He had to protect her. He also knew if he handled it wrong she would get her back up and purposely defy him just to prove that she was in charge. He couldn’t take a chance on her doing something emotionally impulsive—and very stupid. He stroked her smooth skin as he turned it over in his mind. It was a tricky situation and he needed to handle it very carefully. He stifled a yawn as exhaustion tried to claim him. He attempted to fight it off, but without much success. His eyelids grew heavy. As much as the hot frenzied sex totally satiated Rhonda, she enjoyed the quiet time when she and Tony savored the tender closeness. It was a time she cherished, a special feeling that she had only when she was with him. Was it love? She didn’t know and the prospect of exploring the possibility left her very uneasy. But right now she had something more pressing on her agenda. She had called Tony to her room to talk to him about Brad Wilton, but got cold feet and chickened out. Instead, she asked him about nipple rings, something she had honestly been thinking about off and on for the last couple of months. She didn’t know what to say about Brad. Should she tell Tony the truth? Bare her painful past? Share her hurt and anger with the hope he would somehow understand why she needed to do what she had to do? Was she foolish in wanting her revenge? Intellectually she knew revenge was wasted energy. Hate was self-destructive behavior. She had even gone so far as to read a psychology

For Love or Money

41

book dealing with the very dynamic that consumed her. The best thing was to put the past to rest, to let it go and concentrate on the future. But she hadn’t been able to do that. She had been living with it for too many years. She couldn’t let go of it. She couldn’t afford to let Brad Wilton slip away, especially after all the years of work she had done to gain a position of notoriety where she could set up that initial meeting. But the black cloud of trepidation continued to hang over her head, refusing to go away. A chill of foreboding sent a cold shudder through her body. Once again her need to bury those fears presented itself. She spread her legs, then cupped her hand over her honey pot. Intense heat radiated from her wet pussy. How could she possibly have a twinge of desire left in her after the wild and frenzied sex she had just shared with Tony? She tentatively inserted a finger between her swollen pussy lips. The soreness had already set in, confirming the intensity with which they had banged each other while gripped in the clutches of totally out of control lust. She carefully touched the tip of her finger to her tingling clit. Her muscles jumped and twitched as the tightly entwined combination of pleasure and pain shot through her body, confirming how sensitive her clit still was. She glanced over at Tony who had already fallen asleep. He hadn’t even made an effort to get out of her bed and return to his own room. She snuggled her body against his. She liked seeing him in her bed. She drew comfort from his quiet strength. She didn’t know what she would do if something happened and he wasn’t a part of her daily life. He was her center, her ground, the one person she could depend on totally and completely. She studied his sex, that marvelous tool that had provided her with hours of indescribable pleasure and incredible orgasms. She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the helmet, then laved it with her tongue. She loved his penis—the hardness, the shape and size, the texture, the taste. She gently suckled the helmet that crowned his organ. She loved the way it felt on her tongue. She loved the way it made her feel. She loved the way Tony always took care of her. She loved Tony. The realization of her thought shocked her. It hadn’t been mere speculation, wondering what if. It had been a definitive thought. She stopped her suckling, but continued to hold the helmet in her mouth. Where had the realization come from? How had it managed to seep through all her defenses into her conscious reality? Tony’s voice broke into the panic rising inside her. His words came out as half teasing and half sincerity. “Your tender touch woke me up.” He glanced at his rapidly swelling shaft. “Apparently in more ways than one.” A pained expression crossed his face. “Please don’t tell me that you weren’t satisfied and are wanting more. I don’t know if my heart can stand the strain.” He grinned at her. “The mind is very willing, but I’m afraid the flesh is momentarily weak.” She returned his teasing grin, pleased to be able to bury the frightening realization of love that had assaulted her senses. “Really?” She leaned forward and placed another kiss on his helmet, then trailed her tongue along the underside of his shaft. “This fellow doesn’t look weak to me.” “Trust me. Looks can be deceiving. He may be standing at attention, but he doesn’t have the strength to do any work.”

Samantha Gentry

42

Rhonda fell back into the softness of the bed, her head resting on the pillow. “It’s just as well. If he was looking for some action, I don’t think I’d have the energy to give it to him.” Tony placed his hand over her honey pot. “Really? That’s some hot fire you still have burning in there.” She responded to his observation with a soft laugh. “Your cock is standing at attention, my pussy is on fire and neither of us have the energy to get them together.” He ran his fingers through her auburn tresses, cupped her chin in his hand and placed a tender kiss on her mouth, a kiss filled with honesty and affection. He put his arm around her and pulled her body close so that the length of her bare torso rested against his. He continued to hold her in his embrace. Every few seconds he placed a soft kiss on her forehead or her cheek. It was a time of sincere closeness, a sharing that superseded sex and sex games. It was a time that each reveled in. A time of affection and emotional intimacy. A time that rekindled her thoughts and fears about where her realization of love might lead. Did she dare mention it to Tony? Would it scare him as much as it did her? Would it drive him away from her? She was so confused. She needed to change the subject, to clear her mind of the worrisome thoughts.

For Love or Money

43

Chapter Six Rhonda snuggled her body closer to Tony, ran her foot along the edge of his calf, then rested her head on his shoulder. “As long as we’re sharing this cozy moment, do you think you can stay awake long enough to discuss a little business?” “Sure.” He pulled a second pillow under his head. “Who’s the topic of conversation?” “Alice, Lenora…” she tentatively continued, “and Brad.” Tony stared at her for a moment, mentally testing his words before saying them. “You want to discuss Brad Wilton with me? I thought he was your personal project.” It was the topic he knew they needed to talk about, the exact subject about which he had already come to a decision—one he intended to impose on Rhonda whether she liked it or not. “He is. But I want to discuss Lenora and Alice first. Give me a status report.” “I think my meeting with Alice went quite well. The artist persona worked perfectly. I’ll give her a call tomorrow and see if I can set up our next meeting for tomorrow night.” “Good. How about Lenora?” “I’m meeting her tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. I’m taking her to the cabin the first weekend next month while her husband is out of town again.” He stroked and caressed Rhonda’s breasts. It was a gesture of contentment, not a sexual overture or form of seduction. “She mentioned something on the phone tonight that should have your pussy gushing with excitement.” He traced circles around her nipples, then leaned forward and tongued each one until they had both formed into puckered buds. “I think a gold nipple ring with a little teardrop shaped diamond hanging from it would be perfect for you—very elegant. But only one. If you do both nipples it will be every day common, just like Claudine and thousands of others.” He knew he was avoiding the topic of Brad Wilton, but he wanted to get all other distractions and topics of discussion out of the way first. Rhonda considered his words. He had started to tell her something important about Lenora, then had abruptly changed the subject. He had obviously picked up some valuable information and wanted to string it out to his advantage. Besides, he was right about the nipple ring. The diamond would give a touch of class and doing just one nipple would be much more enticing. Tony sucked her left nipple into his mouth, tugged on it gently with his teeth, then ran his tongue over the tightly puckered flesh. “This one.” She looked at him quizzically. “This one? This one what?” “You were wondering which one to pierce. You’re right-handed. Do the left one. That way you won’t be constantly brushing against it with your arm, especially while it’s healing.” “That’s very perceptive of you.” She seductively ran the tip of her tongue across his lower lip. “Maybe I should consult you on fashion matters more often.” Quiet moments of playful banter—it was a little game they had become comfortable with over the last six years. She had first encountered Tony at a charity affair. He was the handsome twenty-seven year old escort of a wealthy divorcee almost twice his age. He looked great in a tuxedo and she immediately recognized his potential for her business needs. She

Samantha Gentry

44

recruited him the next day, an interview that included a personally conducted test of his bedroom skills. She gave him straight A’s for his performance in all categories. The next day he moved into the large house at the isolated estate. “So tell me, what did Lenora have to say that will have me creaming my panties?” “Well—” He pulled her body on top of his, lovingly caressing her back and shoulders before sliding his hands down to cup the rounded halves of her perfectly shaped bottom. He kneaded the tantalizing globes, but in a way that said he was not trying to arouse her or himself. “It seems her husband has become involved in politics on a high dollar level, what she referred to as ‘political action committees, lobbyists and all that political insider stuff’. Now, doesn’t that little tidbit make your pussy twitch?” “Mmmm.” She did a quick pelvic thrust, rubbing her honey pot against his cock. He had been right. Her pussy twitched the moment she heard him mention politics and insider information. And it was still twitching as her excitement over this new element to their business relationship with Lenora fueled her list of possibilities. “In that case, you’d better get some sleep. I want you bright-eyed, alert and fully recovered for your little rendezvous with Lenora tomorrow—” she glanced at the clock on the nightstand, “make that later this morning.” He trailed his fingers along the crevice separating her bottom cheeks. “I’m feeling pretty rested right now.” She rolled off him. “No you don’t. I don’t want Lenora to be short-changed because you’re all fucked out.” She noted that Tony didn’t look the least bit disappointed at having his overtures for more sex turned down. He cradled her in his arms again, stroking his fingers softly over her smooth skin. In response, she ran her foot along his calf and placed a tender kiss on his chest. Her voice was soft, her touch gentle as she trailed her fingertips low across his abdomen. “Tony?” He shot a questioning look in her direction. “Yes?” A salacious grin slowly spread across his face as he cupped her breast. He whispered the teasing words in her ear. “Changed your mind? Hungry for more?” She playfully slapped at his hand, then her expression turned serious. “I want to tell you what I’ve decided about Brad Wilton.” A cold tremor shot through his body. He fought to keep the anxiety out of his voice. “Yes?” “He informed me that I was to meet him at his beach house. I’ve decided not to show up.” Tony breathed a silent sigh of relief. “I think that’s a wise decision. You don’t need—” She placed her fingertips to his lips. “I am going to meet with him again, just not on his turf.” He propped himself up on one elbow as he studied her for a moment. “Why do you insist on going through with this? Especially after what happened in the playroom?” If he could talk her out of it without issuing an order, it would be better for all concerned. She placed a tender kiss on his lips. She was torn in two directions. She had to go through with her plan for Brad Wilton. It had been her obsession for thirteen years. She had to have her revenge. But on the other hand she wanted to stay far away from him. Everything

For Love or Money

45

was so simple and easy when Tony held her, but she knew that wasn’t an answer to her problem. “It’s something I have to do.” Her voice trailed off as a moment of sadness washed over her. “You wouldn’t understand.” He looked into her eyes, trying to find the truth that she kept hidden away. His soft voice carried an emotional quality that usually wasn’t there, but he couldn’t keep it out. “I might surprise you. Why don’t you try me?” She forced an upbeat attitude. “You need to get some sleep so you can be alert for Lenora tomorrow. I want to know all about her husband’s new political connections.” He offered a half-hearted smile. “You’re right.” He started to slide out of bed, but she reached out and caught his hand. “Tony…” He stopped her words with a gentle kiss, then cupped her face in his hands. “Neither one of us will get any sleep if I stay.” “Good night, Tony.” He brushed a loving kiss across her lips. “Good night.” She watched him leave. She wanted to call him back, to spend the night cradled in the security of his arms. But that was not a practical solution. Brad Wilton was something she had to tackle by herself. He was her problem and hers alone. She allowed a sigh of resignation and slowly climbed out of bed. She picked up the phone and dialed Monica. “I want the sheets on my bed changed right now while I’m in the shower.” She grabbed a clean negligee from the closet on her way to her bathroom. She heard her bedroom door open, then heard Monica changing the bed. She stepped into the steamy shower and washed away the intoxicating aroma of sex that clung to her skin, the unique masculine scent that belonged to Tony. She had experienced an undeniable sense of loss when he slid out of bed, but he had been right to leave. She carefully dabbed at her swollen pussy and avoided her still sensitive clit, but she couldn’t stop the tingle of excitement at the prospect of having access to a powerful politician. Control a man’s cock and you control his life. It was a motto she had lived by for the last several years and the financial rewards had been far greater than she had ever imagined they would be. Then her thoughts returned to the problem of Brad Wilton and what to do. She had wanted to discuss the matter with Tony, but she couldn’t. For him to fully understand meant telling him her deepest secret, revealing the pain she had lived with all these years. She weighed her options as she rinsed the soapy lather from her body, but it didn’t produce any answers to her problem. A ripple of anxiety tried to tell her something, but she didn’t want to listen to the message. ***** Tony checked his watch. Five minutes until ten. Lenora was always very punctual. He surveyed his preparations. The chilled bottle of champagne in the ice bucket along with two champagne flutes. He had turned back the bed and placed a single long-stemmed rose on the pillow. Room service had delivered the lunch tray just a couple of minutes ago. He lit the scented candles, then stepped back and took in the overall effect. It was perfect. Enough romance to counter the lack of those little touches in her home life. Enough

Samantha Gentry

46

sensuality to excite her needs without being overtly aggressive. It was the exact mood he had wanted to create. It was Lenora. His mind wandered for a moment to the incredibly hot sex he and Rhonda shared for those many hours. Nothing Lenora, or anyone else for that matter, could do would come even close to that. Lenora had come a long way since the first time he plunged his cock into her previously neglected pussy. Since that night she had surprised him on a couple of occasions with her quick response to a new treat and on one occasion she had even been the one to make the first move. The soft knock on the door told him it was time to wipe Rhonda from his mind and concentrate on the business of the day. He opened the door, took Lenora’s hand and escorted her into the room. She looked around, taking in all the little nuances of romance he had prepared. She picked up the rose from the pillow, inhaled its fragrance, then looked adoringly at him. “It’s all so lovely.” He raked his gaze over her body, then smiled seductively. “As always, you look ravishing. Even tastier than the lunch I had the inn prepare for us.” Lenora blushed a pretty pink and demurely cast her gaze to the floor. “That kind of flattery seems to come so easy to you.” He placed his fingertips under her chin and lifted her face. He placed a tender kiss on her lips, one with just enough heat to whet her appetite for what the next few hours would bring. He pulled her into his embrace. “It’s not flattery, luv. It’s the simple truth.” She put her arms around his waist, rested her head against his shoulder and emitted a soft sigh of contentment. “Oh, Tony. You make me feel so alive in every way. I never knew anything could be like this. If only my husband would…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but he knew what she was going to say. She loved her husband, but he was oblivious to her emotional and physical needs and wants. He took her totally for granted. He either couldn’t or wouldn’t recognize that being the little woman was not a very fulfilling situation. Lenora was a lovely lady and had so much more to offer to a marriage than her husband was allowing. She deserved more than what her husband gave. Tony could tell from her tone of voice that this was going to be one of Lenora’s talkative days. It was a good news-bad news situation. He had to listen to a lot of mindless drivel, but he also gleaned several pieces of profitable information. He caressed her shoulders and back as he continued to hold her, drawing her body tighter against his. He thrust his hips forward ever so slightly, just enough for her to realize that his cock was beginning to harden. Just enough for her to believe that the prospect of being with her had him instantly excited. “I’m sorry I had to hang up on you so suddenly last night. I’m not even sure why my husband called me. He didn’t have much of anything to say.” A thoughtful expression crossed her face. “Perhaps he just wanted to see if I was home.” Tony nibbled on her earlobe with his lips, then placed a soft kiss behind her ear. His touch traveled down her back until he could cup her rounded bottom cheeks in his hands. Her off hand comment struck a troubling note with him. “He wouldn’t be getting suspicious, would he? Has there been anything else different about his actions or words? What we have is very special, but I certainly don’t want to cause you any problems in your marriage.” She paused as if turning a thought over in her mind. “No, I’m sure he really doesn’t care what I do one way or the other.” There was a sadness to her voice, one that held a touch

For Love or Money

47

of anguish. Tony pulled her against his arousal. His words tickled across her ear, his tone of voice teasing. He tried to put a casual spin on his deeper concerns. “I even accept the fact that you and your husband make love.” She uttered the words in a matter-of-fact tone of voice, holding a hint of despair. “We don’t make love. He has sex.” It wasn’t the response he had been looking for, but he allowed the subject to drop. “The champagne is chilled and I ordered cold salmon mousse with dill sauce from room service. I know it’s a little early for lunch,” he gave her another tease of his arousal, “but we’ll have more time to work off the calories before you have to leave.” Tony pulled his head back so that he could see her reaction. “How does that sound to you?” A shy smile spread across her face. “That sounds wonderful. I never knew what making love was all about until you came into my life and showed me how beautiful and incredible it can be.” He escorted her to the table and held the chair for her. He served lunch, poured each of them a glass of champagne, then seated himself across from her. Ever solicitous and charming, the spider continued to spin his web around the fly until she was totally ensnared in his clutches. He listened attentively as she prattled on about her husband’s latest business doings. His attention became riveted when she began talking about the political fundraiser they were attending that evening, especially when she recited the guest list. He continued to make mental notes of everything she said that was pertinent and dismissed the drivel. After they finished a leisurely lunch, he clicked the rim of his nearly empty champagne glass against hers. “Here’s to a lovely lady.” “That’s very sweet, Tony.” She leaned across the table and kissed him. “My life has changed in ways I never dreamed it could since that day your shopping cart got away from you in the grocery store parking lot and crashed into my car. I never thought a dent in a car door could bring me so much pleasure.” “And speaking of pleasure—” He took the glass from her hand and set it on the table along with his. “Let’s see how many ways we can excite each other, how many guilty pleasures we can indulge in.” She started to say something, but he quickly stopped her with a kiss. He pulled her into his arms as he slipped his tongue between her lips and seductively brushed it against hers. It had come as quite a surprise to him when he did that on their second date and discovered she had never been on the receiving end of any tongue action. That she didn’t even know what a French kiss was. He slowly unbuttoned her blouse. His voice lulled her into a sensual arousal even though his words teased. “You weren’t about to tell me that I was saying naughty things again, were you?” Her cheeks flushed with excitement. Her body trembled beneath his touch. He knew the signs, indicators that he would find a wet and willing pussy waiting for him. And today he would add a new element to their sex play. Her words were breathless, her voice husky. “You always say naughty things to me. Naughty and exciting. Things no one has ever said to me before.”

Samantha Gentry

48

He slipped her blouse off her shoulders and dropped it to the floor. It was a ritual he wished they could dismiss, but she seemed to still need the illusion that she was being coaxed into sex rather than being hot and ready. It’s something he would soon eliminate from their sessions. He didn’t need any type of ritual to put him in the mood. He was always in the mood where sex was concerned. Rhonda was right—he was always in a perpetual state of heat. He had attempted to lick Lenora’s pussy once before, but she had refused to allow it. The idea of a man putting his mouth down there, as she had phrased it, had been too shocking for her at the time. In retrospect he realized it had been too early in her indoctrination for him to have tried it. But this was another day. If things went well, he might even get her to lick his cock before it was time for her to leave. As soon as she was naked, he spent the required amount of time admiring her body as he ran his hands over her boobs and ass. He kissed each puckered nipple, then escorted her to the bed. Next on the agenda was the slow striptease he performed in front her. He discovered early on that watching him take off his clothes was a tremendous turn on for her. With the ritual concluded, it was finally time to get down to the business of the day— bringing her to orgasm at least twice, then eliciting more information as she basked in what she liked to call afterglow. And today he would be able to hopefully add some more variety to the proceedings by burying his face in her wet pussy. He stretched out on the bed next to her. Thank God all her chatter happened before and after sex rather than during. He didn’t want to have to listen to her chatter during sex for fear that he might miss something important. He licked each of her puckered nipples and listened to her soft moans. As soon as he poked a finger into her pussy and rubbed her clit with his thumb her soft moans became more urgent. With Lenora he always made a point of getting her off at least once with his hand before actually fucking her…although he would never say that word out loud in front of her. He pussy juices seeped out and ran down his fingers. Her hips jerked to meet each stroke of his thumb against her clit. She was well on her way to her first orgasm when he abruptly removed his hand and quickly replaced it with his mouth. He flicked his tongue in and out of her wet pussy several times, then sucked her clit into his mouth. He could tell from the way her body shook that it was a potent jolt of rapture, immediately confirmed by her gasp and cry of pleasure. “Tony…Tony…” Her whispered cries were a strange mixture of shock and delight. He could tell the moment that her delight won out by the way she shoved her pussy against his mouth, silently urging him to give her more of this marvelous new treat. It was exactly what he wanted from her. He reached up and fondled her breasts as he sucked on her engorged clit. It didn’t take very long before she cried out and burst into orgasm. He continued to tongue her clit and caress her nipples to keep her in a state of high arousal. He wanted to give her a second orgasm immediately on the heels of the first one. With this new found source of political information, he wanted to make sure Lenora would have more reasons to continue their trysts—more pleasures available to her that she wasn’t getting from her husband. As soon as her second orgasm died down, he grabbed a condom packet from the night stand and quickly rolled it on. He moved up her body and eased his rigid shaft inside her. He

For Love or Money

49

didn’t want to frighten her by fucking too aggressively. She was still in the middle ground where she was learning to enjoy but could just as easily end up withdrawing from him. He set a smooth rhythm, relying on a technique that he knew excited her, not giving her any time to analyze or make decisions. He wanted her to respond to what she was feeling rather than thinking about what he was doing. And that seemed to be what was happening. She arched her hips to meet each of his down strokes. Her chest heaved with her ragged breathing, her boobs rising and falling with each breath. Her little whimpers of delight told him how close she was to orgasm. His balls tightened, his seed churning toward release. He quickly brought his mouth down her hers. He thrust his tongue between her lips filling her mouth with her own taste. A moment later she cried out as the convulsions claimed her. The way her pussy walls grabbed his rigid shaft told him it was a more intense orgasm than she usually experienced. He knew it was because of the new treat he had introduced into their sex play. His own release boiled up inside him, then the spasms shuddered through his body. He slowly rolled off her, pausing long enough to tease her nipples with his tongue. “That was wonderful, luv.” He scratched his fingers through her damp bush, then slipped one finger into her wet opening and left it there. It was a calculated move, one he intended should appear casual as if it was a natural part of their afterglow. “I hope I didn’t upset you by what I did. You were just too tempting and I couldn’t resist.” “It surprised me, but I must admit…well, I…I don’t know what to think.” He began to slowly move his finger in and out of her wet slit. “For what it’s worth, luv, I think you taste sweeter than honey and I hope you let me taste you again and again.” He had learned to read Lenora like a book. There was no doubt in his mind that lapping her juices and nibbling on her clit would now be a regular part of their trysts. He climbed out of bed as he glanced at the clock. “I certainly don’t want to rush you away. In fact, I would be very content to spend the rest of the day right here in bed with you.” He leaned over her and kissed her nipples again, then impulsively flicked his tongue against her clit. He was pleased with the soft moan that met his efforts. “I know what a busy schedule you have and I don’t want to be the cause of you being late for your hair appointment. I think there’s just enough time for us to take a shower.” A sly grin slowly spread across his face. Both his voice and words teased as he moved things to a lighter mood. “But you’ve got to promise that you won’t try to seduce me once we get our naked bodies in that hot steamy water.” She again flushed a pretty pink. “Stop that, Tony. You’re embarrassing me.” He tongued her ear, then whispered, “You know you love it when I say naughty things to you.” He needed to get her into the shower, dressed and out the door. He had other things to do and had to get Lenora on her way. Their next meeting should prove much more profitable since she would have the information from the political fundraiser. That’s what he wanted, what he was hoping for. He hurried her along as fast as he could without seeming to rush her. He walked her out to her car. “I’m going to be counting the minutes until the next time we can be together.” He leaned his face in the car window and placed a tender kiss on her lips, then watched as she drove out of the parking lot. As he returned to the room he spotted the man parked three spaces down who seemed

Samantha Gentry

50

to be staring at him. The man started his car and left, following Leonora’s car out to the street. An uneasy feeling jittered in the pit of his stomach. He forced the feeling away. Coincidence, nothing more. At least that’s what he tried to tell himself, but the incident continued to linger in the back of his mind. He turned his attention to the next item on his list. He grabbed his cell phone and dialed Alice’s work number, what she had told him was the direct dial straight into her desk. “Alice? It’s Tony. Am I calling at a bad time?” “I am kind of busy, but I can spare a couple of minutes.” “I’ve been thinking about you ever since you left my condo last night.” “I must admit that you’ve crossed my mind, too. I found the perfect place for the two paintings. I’m very pleased with them.” He heard her voice soften from business to personal. It was a good sign, but the thought had continued to linger in his mind. Her reaction when he stuck his tongue in her mouth and rubbed his hardening cock against her didn’t seem to be in line with Rhonda’s profile. Alice hadn’t gotten angry nor had she seemed particularly offended. She appeared to be embarrassed and definitely surprised, but that was all. He had expected more of a reaction from her. It was a bothersome little detail that wouldn’t go away. “I was hoping I could see you again. Maybe we could share a bottle of wine, grab something to eat—whatever pleases you. I know it’s awfully last minute, but would it be presumptuous of me to ask if you might be available tonight?” There was a long pause that began to make him nervous. Had he misread her? Then her words alleviated his growing concern. “As it happens, I am free tonight.” He pushed as much enthusiasm into his voice as he could even though it was relief that he felt, relief that he hadn’t been so aggressive that he scared her off. “Hey, that’s great, Alice. Would you mind meeting me at the condo?” “No, I wouldn’t mind.” “I’d like to do some sketches of you.” He dropped his voice to a seductive level. “Maybe paint you, if you’d allow me to.” “You want to paint me?” Her surprise sounded genuine. “Very much so.” Body paint was what he had in mind—some tasty concoction that he could lick off her skin, then just keep licking until he found something else equally tasty. “How about six o’clock? Will that work with whatever time your boss lets you off work?” He was very conscious about keeping up the pretense that she was just an employee like everyone else rather than the person who owned the company. “I think seven o’clock would be better for me.” “Seven o’clock it is.” He paused for dramatic effect. “I’m looking forward to seeing you again. I really enjoyed our afternoon and evening together. It’s been a long time since I’ve met anyone I felt so comfortable with, especially so quickly. Like I said, I don’t have many friends. It’s probably because I move around so much—you know, never staying in one spot long enough to really fit in. Of course, fitting in isn’t what’s important to me. I’d much rather be free to totally enjoy what life has to offer.” “That sounds wonderful.” He heard it in her voice again, that wistful longing that he knew he could exploit to his

For Love or Money

51

advantage. And to a very profitable end. “I’ll see you at seven.” He poured the last of the champagne from lunch into a glass and downed it. His next meeting with Lenora would be a telling one. Would the political information be as valuable as he anticipated? Would Rhonda be as pleased as he hoped she would be? His cock twitched and grew as he thought about Rhonda Dumont’s many charms. He closed his eyes and allowed an image of her body to play across the screen of his mind.

Samantha Gentry

52

Chapter Seven Tony responded immediately to the sound of the condo’s doorbell. He had carefully chosen his wardrobe—a pair of sweatpants slung low on his hips and an unbuttoned paint spattered shirt that showed off his hard muscled chest. “Alice, it’s great to see you.” He held his hand out to her, then led her inside. “You look lovely.” He took in the blah dress she wore and the way her hair was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. She looked matronly, dowdy and boring. However, the brief encounter his tongue had with her mouth and the short time he had her body pulled against his told a different story. A sensual woman was hidden in there somewhere and he was determined to find her. “You, uh, look like you’ve been working. Do you have a new painting you’re doing?” “I’ve been cleaning brushes and priming canvasses. I was hoping my next project could be a portrait of you.” He saw her embarrassment, but he also saw something far more important—a flicker of hidden longing. Yes, indeed. With each passing minute he became more and more convinced that there was a sensual woman hiding under those matronly clothes who had denied herself for too long and desperately wanted to indulge in the carnal pleasures. “I’ve got plenty of wine, but I’m afraid my refrigerator is a little bare.” He caressed her cheek with his fingertips, then brought his mouth against hers in a brief but decidedly hot kiss as if it were an impulse he couldn’t resist. He saw the excitement in her eyes and noted that her breathing had quickened. “I’ll call and get something delivered.” He tilted his head to one side as he flashed a sexy smile known to melt the coldest of exteriors. “I have menus from every place that delivers. What are you in the mood for?” “I, uh, I had a late lunch and I’m not very hungry right now. Maybe something later. I will take a glass of wine, though.” “Go into the living room and make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Tony disappeared into the kitchen and returned with an opened bottle of wine and two glasses. He placed the glasses on the coffee table, then poured the wine. He handed her a glass, then took a drink from his glass as he watched her. Even though it was obvious she was trying to appear casual, she couldn’t hide her uneasiness. Her gaze darted around the room from one object to another. And everything that fell within her line of sight had a sexual connotation, something he had taken time to carefully arrange. She took another sip of her wine as her gaze took in everything again. “Did you decorate this room yourself?” “Yes. Do you like it?” “Well, it’s…uh…it has a very sensual feel about it.” He seated himself next to her on the sofa. He nuzzled her neck and kissed behind her ear while making sure he didn’t touch her with his hands—seducing in a non-threatening way. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a very sensual man. I guess it’s that wild artistic blood that courses hot through my veins.” He saw it in her eyes, her desire to indulge the things she had denied herself since her husband’s death, things she wanted to experience—things that she had buried in the secret

For Love or Money

53

hidden depths of her dormant sexuality. He picked up his sketch pad, then frowned and tossed it on the coffee table. “Something’s wrong.” He tilted her head to one side and raised her chin slightly. “Nope, that’s not it.” Tony took the pins from the bun at the back of her head. She instinctively raised her hand to stop him, but a moment later she dropped her hand back into her lap. He ruffled his fingers through her hair until it fell in loose disarray. Next came the step that would tell the tale for that evening. He reached to the top button at the neck of her dress and started to unfasten it. Alice moved her hand to brush his away. Her words came out before she could stop them. They were spoken as a reflex action rather than words from her heart. “What are you doing? Do you think I’m some kind of pushover just because we met in the park rather than being properly introduced?” Tony recoiled as if she had physically struck him. He put the proper amount of hurt into his voice. “Alice? You think I’m trying to take advantage of you? All I wanted to do was unfasten your top button, soften your persona a little. I wanted to capture on my sketch pad the quality of that earthy, uninhibited woman I know is hiding in there. I’m so sorry. It certainly wasn’t my intention to make you feel uncomfortable.” He picked up his wine glass and took a large swallow, as if he were trying to drown his hurt. She had reacted to what he had done exactly as he thought she would. Now he put a critical eye on her response to his well rehearsed words. If she bought even a fraction of it, then he knew her pussy would be his to do with as he pleased—her entire body would be his to both give and receive the pleasures of uninhibited sex play. The shock spread across her face, quickly followed by a look of deep regret and guilt. “No, Tony. That’s not what I meant.” “Well, it’s certainly what you said. I don’t know what to do now. I wanted to sketch you and then turn that sketch into a painting. I wanted to capture what I see as the real you, not that staid façade you hide behind. I wanted to paint the temptress fighting to rid herself of the constraints of the life she has chosen.” He brushed his fingertips gently against her cheek. “Or more accurately, the life you have settled for. You’re a fascinating woman with a free spirit to match my own. You just need to unleash that spirit.” “I’m sorry, Tony. I didn’t mean to accuse you of trying to—” He placed his fingers on her lips to stop her words. The gesture was intended to appear that he felt an apology was unnecessary. In reality, she had said plenty. He was confident that he had played the scene to perfection. He might not fuck her tonight, but by their next date he knew he would know exactly what excited her. He played her emotions to the hilt until she was almost begging him to sketch her. He also took every opportunity to arouse her desires, starting by making sure his unbuttoned shirt stayed wide open revealing as much of his bare torso as possible. His sweatpants rested so low on his hips that they looked as if it wouldn’t take much for them to slip down far enough to reveal his impressive equipment, something he helped along by not wearing any underwear. Alice’s fingers trembled slightly as she unfastened the top two buttons at the throat of

Samantha Gentry

54

her dress. Her voice carried the nervousness that invaded her body. It conveyed that she knew he was seducing her and that she had decided to allow it. It said that he was like a breath of fresh air invading the stuffy room of her life, beckoning to her with the freedom from regimentation and a silent promise of untold excitement. “Should I sit here or do you want me to stand? I’ve…uh,” her gaze darted toward the floor and her voice turned very quiet. “I’ve never posed for an artist before.” “You know that’s not true.” He gave her his sexiest smile. “You posed for me just yesterday in the park.” “Well, that didn’t count. That was like taking a candid snapshot rather than a quality photograph.” “It most certainly did count. You were my model yesterday and I’m asking you to be my model again tonight.” He eyed her carefully and decided to take a calculated risk, one that could either pay off handsomely or be a total disaster. Tony grasped her hand and pulled her up from the sofa and into his arms. He whispered into her ear. “I can’t help myself, Alice. If you want to slap my face and leave, I’ll understand. But I find you such an incredible turn on. There’s a sensual earthiness about you that I don’t think you’re even aware of. It grabbed me yesterday in the park the moment you sat down at the table and it wouldn’t let go. Even after you left last night, I couldn’t get you out of my mind. I hope I don’t shock you with what I’m about to say, but it’s the truth. When I went to bed last night I couldn’t go to sleep. Just remembering the taste of your kiss gave me a stiff erection.” He felt her body tremble, but when she didn’t make any attempt to work her way out of his arms he knew he had her. His risk was about to pay off big time. He ran his hands down her back and then cupped her bottom just as he had done the evening before. He pulled her hips against his and rubbed his hard shaft against her crotch. Time for politeness was almost over. Just a few more minutes and he would have her naked, hot and ready. His words were ragged, his voice thick with desire. “Share this evening with me, Alice.” He slowly inched up the back of her dress until he could slip his hands underneath. “Let me know your many charms. Let me provide you with all the pleasure you deserve. You won’t regret the decision.” What he found surprised him and confirmed his assessment that she was ripe and ready for an affair. He had anticipated pantyhose. What he found were silky bikini panties, certainly not the lingerie of choice for a woman with no interest in sex. She hadn’t provided him with any answers, at least not a verbal response, but her willingness to allow him to run his hands under her dress gave him the green light he wanted. Polite questions, mindless flattery and tentative forays were no longer on his agenda. He would keep her at the condo for as long as he could, plying her with as much sex as she could handle. If Rhonda’s information was true, she hadn’t had any sex for five years, ever since her husband’s death. He intended to have her clawing the walls and screaming for more within ten minutes. “Let me provide you with so many pleasures. I want to know your body, Alice, and I want you to know mine.” He slipped his hands inside her panties, then slowly inched the silky garment past her hips and down her legs as far as he could from his position. Her soft moan and trembling legs pleased him. He dropped to his knees and tugged her panties the

For Love or Money

55

rest of the way down until they fell to the floor. He gently prodded and she stepped out of them, leaving only her thigh high nylons. That left her exposed pussy available to his touch. He quickly ducked his head under the front of her dress and touched the tip of his tongue to her protruding clit. Her response was immediate and totally unexpected. Her thighs spasmed. She thrust her pussy forward until it made solid contact with his mouth, then let out a frenzied cry of delight. He flicked his tongue at her clit again, teasing her as he tasted the wetness. “Oh, my God…Tony…wait…stop…” There was an urgency to her voice that grabbed his attention. Her words were slurred, but said loud enough for him to hear them. He pulled his head out from under her dress and stood up just in time for her to collapse back onto the sofa when her legs gave out. “Alice?” He kneeled next to her. A hint of panic grabbed his reality. “Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She gulped in a deep breath. “No, quite and contrary.” He licked his lips, taking more of her taste into his mouth. It was surprisingly good. “I don’t understand.” He reached for the buttons on her dress and continued to unfasten them until he had the last one undone. “What happened? Why did you pull away from me like that? Did I offend you with my actions? Please tell me what I did wrong. I only wanted to give you pleasure.” “I’ve never had anyone do that to me. The sensations…the intensity…I’ve never experienced anything like it before.” “Never?” He continued to talk softly to her, his voice sensual and seductive, as he maneuvered her out of her dress. “You told me that you’re a widow. Are you now telling me that in all your years of marriage your husband never satisfied you in that very special way? Not even once? You’ve never before experienced one of life’s truly intense and marvelous joys? You and your husband never explored the wonders of oral sex?” “Well—” He saw her embarrassment, but it was mixed with something else and he needed to know all about that something else. “What is it, Alice? Please share you feelings with me. I don’t want to inadvertently offend you. You’re a fascinating woman and I care very much about you, but I don’t know what I can do to help if you won’t confide in me.” Being father confessor was not the role in life that interested him. Especially not when the taste of her sweet nectar still filled his mouth and her nearly nude body called to him—a delicious pussy covered with damp sandy colored curls. It was a muff he wanted to taste and thoroughly explore with his tongue, then fuck with his hard cock. Alice had turned out to be quite a pleasant and enticing surprise. He pulled her into his embrace. “What is it, Alice? Please tell me.” It worked. As Rhonda said, older lonely women seemed drawn to him and felt compelled to confide their most intimate secrets to him, things they would never tell anyone else. He leaned back on the sofa and pulled her body on top of his. He ran his hands over her nicely rounded bottom, then unhooked her bra. He wanted a look at her tits, but it would have to wait for a couple of minutes. He also wanted to get rid of his shirt and sweatpants.

Samantha Gentry

56

“My husband…” He felt her body tremble in his arms and knew she was about to reveal something intimate and very personal. He also felt an emotional connection with her, something equally personal and intimate. “—he never once touched his mouth to my vagina, but he…uh, he frequently made me take his penis into my mouth.” Her words truly surprised him. He knew he had to be careful in his response to her confession. “I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, Alice, but that was certainly very selfish of him to deny you the same pleasures that he demanded for himself.” An interesting bit of information. Her husband insisted she suck his dick, but he refused to reciprocate. Having tasted that very same treat, I know for a fact that the bastard missed out on something good. And the way she gushed the moment my tongue poked her clit…well, that speaks for itself. “Let me show you, Alice. Let me show you what you’ve been missing all these years. Let me show you what he denied you. I want to pleasure you in so many ways.” It was finally time to stop showering her with flattery. It was time to get down to the basics of sucking and fucking. Time to let the games begin. He rolled her body off of his, then quickly pulled off his shirt and sweatpants. His hard cock jumped free of its confines, standing tall and ready for action. He removed her bra, leaving her dressed in only her thigh high nylons, a look he found very sexy and arousing. He cupped and jiggled her boobs, then plucked at her nipples until they formed stiff peaks. Her tits weren’t as big as he liked, but they were a nice handful with large nipples perfect for sucking. Her body was far better than he had anticipated—certainly not as welltoned and svelte as Rhonda’s, but nicer than Lenora’s and far superior to most of his business assignments. He put his face close to her pussy and inhaled her scent. He felt her heat and saw the glistening moisture on her clit surrounded by her damp curls. Her juices trickled over her quivering pussy lips. It was a tantalizing combination that he intended to fully enjoy again and again. He flicked his tongue into her love box, then closed his lips around her hot little nubbin and sucked. Her response was once again immediate and intense. He rammed his tongue into her tunnel. Her walls grabbed hold and tried to pull it farther into her dark cavern. She repeatedly bucked her sex against his mouth and he enthusiastically devoured it. Her moans turned to cries of passion and finally screams of ecstasy. He scoured the walls of her love tunnel, milking her with his expert tongue lashing. Then he sucked on her clit again, propelling her to yet another screaming orgasm. His hard cock throbbed, the head a dark purple. He needed release. He couldn’t wait any longer. Tony made the quick decision to not expect her to suck him off. That had been what her husband had done. He didn’t want to evoke any unpleasant memories for her. He grabbed a condom from the end table, rolled it on, then probed her slit with his cock head. A moment later he inserted it into her juicy pussy. He paused to savor the way her walls closed around him as her convulsions squeezed and pulled at his cock. He slowly shuttled in and out, each stroke diving into the incendiary depths of her body. Her hips rose to meet each of his down strokes. Five years of abstinence had obviously left her hot, horny and very ready. His pace quickened. His chest heaved, his balls churned, then the hard spasms of release

For Love or Money

57

shuddered through his body. He pulled one of her puckered nipples into his mouth and sucked as the tremors of orgasm began to subside. Alice gasped for air. She tried to speak, but couldn’t get any of the words out. She tried again. “I’ve never experienced anything like that in my entire life. It was…I can’t even describe it.” He slipped his finger between her swollen pussy lips. “I’m so glad I was able to please you.” He slowly moved his finger in and out of her slit as he brushed his thumb gently against her engorged clit. He felt her jump and heard her soft moan. “You taste so sweet. It’s too bad your husband never discovered this savory treat so uniquely yours or ever pleasured you in this special way.” She thrust her hips to meet the renewed sensations he stirred in her. Her voice was husky, her words thick with the passion surging through her body. “If someone had told me this morning that I’d be here this evening with you doing this to me, I wouldn’t have believed it. But it must be true because here I am and my vagina is still…and what you’re doing now…” Her words trailed off as the delicious surge crushed inside her, propelling her toward another searing orgasm. “There are so many ways I want to please you, Alice, so much pleasure we can share, so many incredible sensations we can provide to each other.” It was a practiced routine, using the woman’s name as often as possible so she would feel special. And now it was time to move on. He didn’t want to exchange intimate little chit chat morsels. He wanted to make sure he had her permanently hooked. He withdrew his finger and placed a kiss on her clit, then sensually drew it into his mouth while lashing with his tongue. She cried out as the rapture of another intense orgasm ripped through her body. He continued his lingual assault of her sex as she writhed almost out of control, her whimpers of delight telling him everything he needed to know. He whispered his breathless words in her ear, putting the frosting on the cake and insuring that she didn’t feel as if he were using her. “You are so delicious, Alice—so sensual, so responsive, such a delight to be with. I’ve never met anyone like you.” He rose to his feet. He wanted to get his sketch pad. It was an image he wanted to capture—her hair spread out in wild disarray, the look of earthy abandon on her face, the lust burning in the depths of her eyes. Everything he wanted to see. He gave her his sexiest smile. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Yes, indeed. Alice was his—body and soul. His to take what he wanted. His to devour whenever he wished. Things had gone much better than he had anticipated and the night was still young. He would suck her to many more orgasms before the night was over. He would feast on her pussy until she was totally satiated. Then, and only then, would he take the rest of his pleasures. She would be his, under his sexual control for as long as he wished. And she would never know that was what had happened. He returned with a large sketch pad and a couple of charcoal pencils. He stood next to her as he began to sketch. She had been so totally consumed by her orgasms, so into what was happening. “I see you as the woman you want to be—free, uninhibited, a wild spirit who wants to experience life to the fullest rather than be confined to the prison you’ve created for yourself. You want to frolic naked in the surf, make love in a mountain meadow filled with wildflowers. You want to allow me to please you in so many different ways that you never

Samantha Gentry

58

dreamed of before, ways that will give us both an immense amount of pleasure.” He saw it in her eyes. His words had hit home. He had tapped into the longing she had buried under sensible clothes and a dull, routine lifestyle. He did a sketch of her face and bare shoulders, her hair flared out around her head, the expression on her face one of wanton abandon that radiated a sensual earthiness. His drawing made her look so sexy, so desirable. He knew it would please her. He also knew that he would not feel guilty. He had shown her that she could let go of constrictions and break out of her self-imposed prison. He handed the sketch to her. “This is how I see you, Alice. I hope you like the drawing.” She sat up straight, her eyes growing large as she stared at the sketch. She looked up at him, her eyes questioning more so than her words. “This is what I look like to you?” He tilted his head and looked at her quizzically. “Does it displease you? I certainly didn’t mean to offend you.” He shrugged his shoulders in an off-hand manner. “I draw what I see. I paint what I feel. I depict the truth.” “No…I’m not offended. It’s just that…well, it’s a little startling, that’s all.” “It’s how I see you. It’s the woman you want to be, not the repressed persona you choose to present to the world.” He saw her gaze drift from the sketch to his body, then become riveted to his sex before regaining eye contact with him. Alice searched his face looking for some sort of hidden truth. He saw it written across her features. In an incredibly short amount of time he had introduced her to the type of wild abandonment she had only dreamed of in the secret recesses of her mind. The type of excitement she never thought would ever be a part of her life. He had opened her eyes and mind to a world of possibilities that she had been afraid to even think about. “You frighten me, Tony.” Tony didn’t like the sound of her words. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her to be apprehensive and scared. It was totally counter-productive. He quickly tossed the sketch pad on a chair along with the charcoal pencil, then kneeled on the floor next to the sofa. He wasn’t sure what to do. He put just the proper amount of concern into his voice hoping it would draw in her confidence. “I frighten you? I don’t understand, Alice. Have I touched you in a way that caused you pain? Am I forcing you against your will? All I want to do is give you pleasure and share it with you, to unleash that exciting and vibrant woman you keep hidden away from the world.” “No, I don’t mean that you frighten me in that I’m afraid of you. I mean that you frighten me because you challenge everything I’ve always thought of as the little niche in which I was supposed to live my life, my concept of what was proper and acceptable, what others expected of me. None of that ever included what was best for me, what I wanted…” her shy smile slowly spread over her face, “what would please and excite me.” “Life’s too short to deny yourself.” “You’ve definitely opened my eyes.” She began to get dressed, a thoughtful expression on her face. A hint of panic pushed at him. He reached out and grabbed her hand. “Are you leaving?” Her actions had caught him totally off guard. She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “You’ve given me a lot to think

For Love or Money

59

about.” “Will I see you again, Alice? Can I call you tomorrow?” She hesitated a moment before answering. “Give me a few days, okay?” The hint of panic became a surge as it attacked his senses. Had he so completely misread the situation? How had he totally fucked up his plans for the evening? Had he blown the whole deal? His mind darted to several possibilities to try to save the evening. He offered his best smile as he slowly pulled her into his arms. He whispered the words seductively across her ear. “Please don’t leave. I can promise you a night to remember.” He placed a gentle kiss just below her ear, then nuzzled the side of her neck. “You’ve already given me a night to remember and I thank you for it.” She placed a soft kiss on his lips, then turned and crossed the room. Tony watched as she walked out the door, not at all sure how to interpret her words and actions. His feelings confused him. He didn’t know if he was angry, concerned…or sad. Perhaps it was none of the above. A fleeting thought told him he had truly done something worthwhile, made a positive difference in the life of a very nice lady. He also instinctively knew his relationship with Alice had come to an end just as it was getting started. He would call her, of course, but he knew he would not be seeing her again. He had unlocked the door and she had ventured out into the world leaving him behind. All-in-all, he felt surprisingly positive about the way things had turned out. Then his thoughts turned to Rhonda. The loose ends of his plan were beginning to fall into place on their own. His arrangement and obligation concerning Alice no longer existed. Now he needed to finalize his situation with Lenora. And he had to put a stop to Rhonda’s seeming obsessive need to conquer Brad Wilton. And he had to do it tonight. He couldn’t put it off any longer. He might be digging his own grave, but the time had come to sever ties with the destructive elements of his life.

Samantha Gentry

60

Chapter Eight As soon as Tony entered his bedroom, the phone rang. “Lenora, luv. This is a surprise. I thought you and your husband were at a political fundraiser tonight.” “He knows.” Tony’s body stiffened. A nervous jitter assaulted his senses. “He knows? Your husband knows about us?” A myriad of thoughts ran through his mind. He quickly sorted them out. “Are you sure? How do you know?” “He told me so. He got back in town yesterday, not today. When I arrived home from the beauty shop to change clothes before picking him up at the airport he was there waiting for me.” Tony immediately flashed on the image of the man in the parking lot at the inn. “What did he say?” Tony suddenly felt very protective toward Lenora. “Are you all right? He hasn’t threatened you, has he? Has he hurt you?” “No, nothing like that. In fact,” an audible sob caught in her throat, “he’s been very understanding, much more than I deserved.” Tony’s voice was stern, his thoughts and feelings centered around her well-being, not what the consequences might be for him. “Don’t do that to yourself, Lenora. Don’t you allow him to put all the blame on you.” “That’s just it. He didn’t put any of the blame on me. We talked for a long time, the first real communication we’ve had in years. He said he understood and apologized for putting me into a position where I felt I needed to turn to someone else for what he should have been providing me all along. I love him, Tony. I always have. You know that. I never claimed otherwise.” His words were soft and heartfelt. “I know, luv.” He took a calming breath. “And I hear the goodbye in your voice.” “Thank you, Tony. I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me. You’ll always have a place in my heart. You’re a very special man. I hope you can find a woman equally special to share your life. I wish you well.” “Goodbye, luv. I wish you well, too.” It was a bittersweet moment. He didn’t know exactly what to think or feel. First Alice, then Lenora. On one hand it solved his problem about how to end things so that the ladies felt good about themselves. Those loose ends were now neatly tied up with each woman retaining her dignity while walking away with a renewed sense of self worth and well being. For that he was grateful. But on the other hand it left him with an oddly empty feeling as if he, himself, was now a loose end that needed to be wrapped up. There was only one item remaining on his list, the most difficult task he had ever set for himself. He walked down the hall toward Rhonda’s bedroom, pausing a few feet short of his destination. He took a deep breath, held it for several seconds, then slowly exhaled. It didn’t help. He stood at Rhonda’s opened bedroom door watching as she checked the latest stock

For Love or Money

61

quotes on the computer. She was dressed simply, a chenille bathrobe rather than one of her sexy sheer negligees. Her long hair was pulled back and held with a ribbon at her nape. She wore no makeup. He much preferred her this way, the real person underneath the façade. He wondered how upset she was going to be when he told her the arrangement with both Lenora and Alice no longer existed. But that was the least of the problem. The major obstacle loomed on the horizon—her obsessive need to conquer Brad Wilton. He had always gone along with Rhonda’s wishes, but not now. This was one time she would not get her way. It was time to turn their lives around and start anew. His current liaisons were terminated and he knew she wasn’t currently working on anyone other than Brad Wilson and he fully intended to put a stop to that. He loved her. There was no other way to say it. He had to tell her of his deep feelings and let the chips fall where they may. A heavy sadness churning inside him said he also needed to be prepared to walk away from her if that was what it came to. He drew in a steadying breath. It could not be put off any longer. He entered her room and closed the door. She glanced up from her computer, shot him a questioning albeit somewhat distracted look, then returned her attention to the monitor screen. “You’re back earlier than I thought. Did everything go okay with Alice? When are you seeing her again?” He sucked in another lung full of air in an attempt to calm his tautly stretched nerves. “I won’t be.” Rhonda’s head snapped up. She swiveled around in her chair until she faced him. Had she heard him correctly? “You what?” “I won’t be seeing Alice any more. And as long as we’re on the subject, Lenora is also out of the picture.” She jumped up from her chair, her eyes flashing a combination of anger, confusion and wariness. “What the fuck are you talking about?” He quickly grabbed hold of her and pulled her into his arms, primarily to restrain her. “Stay calm. There’s a lot more that I have to say and I want you to listen to all of it before you explode in one of your fits of anger.” Rhonda’s anger immediately gave way to panic. He had never talked to her that way before, never taken such a forceful stand even though she knew he was fully capable of it. She didn’t know what he was going to say and was pretty sure she didn’t want to hear it, but she did know that it frightened her. She tried to exercise some sort of control, but any hopes of being in charge of what was going on had deserted her. Despite her efforts to the contrary, her fears managed to seep into her voice. “What…what are you talking about? What’s going on?” “It’s this way, Rhonda. We’re finished here—” “What?!” The shock spread across her face and surrounded her words. A catch in her throat told of her increasing panic. “You’re leaving? You’re walking out on me? What’s going on, Tony? I don’t understand.” Her body trembled as she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on very tight as if she was afraid he would physically walk away right then and she had to do everything in her power to prevent it. His hold on her turned from a need to restrain her to a tender embrace of comfort and caring. “Let me continue. Don’t say anything until I’m done.”

Samantha Gentry

62

He gathered his composure. “I have severed my ties with Alice and Lenora. Neither one of them know what was really behind my relationship with them. It was done amicably and they’re both fine. There won’t be any repercussions from anything that’s happened. I have all the money I’ll ever need and you have even more. I’ve given this a lot of thought. It’s time to walk away and start a new life.” He felt her body shake almost uncontrollably, but she didn’t say anything. He pulled her closer as he brushed a loving kiss against her forehead. “And that means turning your back on this obsession you have about Brad Wilton. I don’t know why it’s there or where it came from, but I do know that it will destroy you if you don’t let go of it.” She couldn’t stop the quaver from seeping into her voice as she forced the words. She continued to cling to him, desperately needing his strength. “You don’t understand. It’s something I have to do.” “I don’t understand? Then explain it to me. What happened to you so many years ago that continues to cause you so much pain? What is it that haunts you and causes nightmares? What is in your past that seems to be tied up with this obsessive need you have to exert control over Brad Wilton? What is it that started you on this self destructive path?” He stroked her hair, then buried his face into the side of her neck. He breathed the words as much as spoke them. “I love you, Rhonda.” Once the words left his mouth, the rest of it became so much easier. “I don’t want to lose you, but if you continue the way you are there’s no hope for us. Turn your back on it and come away with me. Let’s start a new life.” “Oh, Tony. I’ve been doing battle with my feelings for you for so long. I didn’t want to admit it. I didn’t want it to be so…not yet…not like this…not until I had finished what I started.” “You mean Brad Wilton?” “Yes.” He felt her slipping away from him. Maybe not physically, but it was a subtle sensation and it frightened him. He tightened his hold on her. “What happened? Why are you letting this consume you?” “I’ve never trusted anyone enough to reveal my past.” She looked up at his face, at the deep concern and loving care. It melted her heart and touched the very core of her soul. “You don’t trust me? I love you, Rhonda. I want to help you through whatever this is, but I can’t if I don’t know what happened.” “I love you, Tony. I—” she took a calming breath in an attempt to settle her queasy stomach, “I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone in my entire life.” He started to walk her over to the bed, then quickly realized what a bad decision that was. He steered her toward the large, overstuffed easy chair by the bay window. He sat down, then pulled her onto his lap. He felt the tension coursing through her body and her tautly drawn muscles. Her obvious stress marred her features. He continued to hold her in his embrace, to provide her with comfort and give her his strength. He whispered the words. “Tell me what happened, honey. Talk to me.” There was a long pause, as if she was considering her options. Then her entire body went limp as the fight and determination drained away. “My mother died when I was two years old. I don’t even remember her. I was raised by my drunken father, a real bastard who was always in some kind of trouble. An unemotional, selfish man who used everyone around

For Love or Money

63

him without conscience or remorse.” A cold shudder ran through her body and the sick churning in the pit of her stomach tried to rise in her throat, but she had to finish. Now that she had started to tell him, she needed to get all the words out. She had opened the flood gates and knew she would not be able to close them until the reservoir holding her fears and secrets had been drained. She swallowed several times before she could speak again. “Thirteen years ago my father owed money to Brad Wilton. He didn’t have the cash to pay. When Brad threatened to break his legs, he struck a deal to cancel out the debt and save his own neck.” A sob caught in her throat, but she forced out the rest of the words. “He told Brad he would make his sixteen year old daughter available to him as payment in full.” She looked up at Tony, the hate in her eyes defining her inner turmoil. He cradled her head against his shoulder. He knew she needed to get it out in the open, to let go of her demons, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear any more. “My father took me to Brad’s house saying he wanted me to meet someone who would give me a job. When we got there, he took me into a room where a naked Brad Wilton waited. My father grabbed me by the arm and told me to be nice to the man, then shoved me toward him. At that moment I hated my father so much I actually could have killed him if I’d had a weapon. He gave me one last stern look, then left me there.” Rhonda’s body shook in hard spasms as the devastating emotional turmoil shoved to every corner of her reality. She had to finish while she was still able to talk…still able to force out the words. “Brad told me to take off my clothes. I just stood there, scared to death. I didn’t know what to do, but knew I didn’t want to take off my clothes. He grabbed me by the hair, slapped me across the side of the face, called me a fucking bitch two bit whore and shoved me down on a sofa. He thrust his hand inside my pants, then poked his finger into my pussy. He stopped when he came in contact with the proof that I was a virgin. A cruel smile spread across his face. I’ll never forget those words. Well, it’s been a long time since I popped someone’s cherry. He tore at my clothes, fully intent on raping me. I was so scared I couldn’t even think. I acted on pure instinct. I kicked him in the balls so hard his eyes rolled back in his head. Then I ran out of there into the night and never looked back. I’ve been on my own ever since that night. As soon as I was of age, I legally changed my name.” Tony held her trembling body as he fought down the anger surging through him. He gently caressed her shoulders and stroked her hair. His voice was cold and hard, his words menacingly quiet. “And where is your father now?” The dark evil thoughts going through his mind at that moment caught him totally by surprise. Tony Gregg was actually entertaining the notion of murdering the low life scum who would do that to his own daughter. “He died two days later, murdered in a dirty back alley.” She paused to gather her composure. “I’m sure Brad Wilton ordered it done. I could never muster any sadness or feelings of loss. As far as I was concerned, my father got what he deserved.” Tony held her tightly, not sure what to do or say. It certainly was not what he had expected to hear. He placed a tender kiss on her lips. “It’s over now, honey. We can leave here. We can put the past behind us. We can go where no one knows us and start a new life.” Rhonda raised her head and looked at him as if she couldn’t get a grip on what he had said. “I can’t leave, not yet. You can see why I have to take him down, can’t you? I have to

Samantha Gentry

64

show Brad Wilton who is in control, to humiliate him in front of the world—to destroy him.” “No, I can’t see it. As long as you continue to carry around the hate and desire for revenge, you’ll never be in control. It’s the hate and revenge that are in control. I’ve never directly challenged your sense of authority. But this one is non-negotiable. I won’t allow you to go after Brad Wilton. Turn it loose. Put the hate and the quest for revenge behind you so we can get on with our lives—so we can have a future together.” He cupped her face in her hands and searched the depth of her eyes. He saw her pain, but he also saw something else. Something he didn’t want to see. He saw her revenge driven determination. “I’ve got to finish it. I started planning for this on that very night, only my original plan also included my father. It’s taken me thirteen years to be in a position where I could bring my plan to destroy Brad Wilton to fruition. I can’t walk away from it when I’m this close.” With a deep sigh of resignation, Tony eased her off his lap and stood up. His heart had never felt heavier or his spirits as low. He felt as if his entire life was being pulled apart at the seams. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I love you dearly, Rhonda, but I can’t watch you destroy yourself with this hate-filled quest of yours.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips, then turned and walked across the room. Panic grabbed her. “Wait…Tony…where are you going?” He paused at the door. The pain tore at his insides, ripping him apart emotionally. “I’m going to pack my clothes. After that…I don’t know where I’m going.” He slowly turned around to face her. “Come with me, Rhonda. Now. Walk away from this before it destroys you. We can have a new life. I can pursue my art and you…well, with your intelligence, gift for finance and knowledge of the stock market you could do any number of things. You could go back to school and get your certificate as a financial planner. You have the possibility of an unlimited future. Don’t throw everything away on revenge.” He held out his hand toward her. “Come away with me.” Her words came out in a barely discernible whisper. “I can’t. Not yet.” She watched as he walked out the door. It was almost surreal, as if it wasn’t really happening. Raging panic grabbed her and refused to let go. A shortness of breath caught in her lungs. It felt as if her heart had been wrenched from her body. This couldn’t be happening. It was another of her nightmares. She would wake up and Tony would be there— comforting her, giving her his strength, holding her until the dark memories had passed. She closed her eyes, then opened them again. Nothing had changed. The tears stung her eyes, then silently trickled down her cheeks. It was the first time she had cried since that horrible night thirteen years ago. The sick churning in the pit of her stomach tried to work its way up her throat. She had never felt so empty or alone in her entire life. Not even that night when her father had sold her virginity to Brad Wilton to pay a debt. She could still exist if she didn’t bring down Brad Wilton, but she knew she couldn’t live without Tony. He was her life. Brad Wilton was her past. Tony Gregg was her future. She finally forced her legs to move, one step in front of the other until she was running down the hall toward Tony’s bedroom. She burst through his door and threw herself into his arms. Her words were filled with anxiety and fear, but also a spark of hope. “You win. Don’t leave.”

For Love or Money

65

He took a step back. A hint of confusion covered his face. “I win? This isn’t a contest. There isn’t a winner and a loser. It’s our entire future that’s at stake.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his shoulder. “You complete me, Tony. You are what makes me a whole person. Without you there is no future.” “What do you want from me, Rhonda?” “I want to put everything behind me – all of this. No more using people to get information, no more deceit. I want you to love me. That’s all I want from you.” “Are you sure you can turn your back on all of this? Just walk away without looking back?” “Yes, as long as you’re still part of my life.” “I do love you, Rhonda. I love you very much.” He enfolded her in his embrace, pulling her body tightly against his. The emotion laden words filled her ear. “We both win.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his bed. She shot a questioning look at him. “I have just one thing I need to know.” He ran his hands inside her robe, tickled his fingers across her mound, then slowly inserted his finger into the moist warmth of her body. He brushed a loving kiss against her lips. “And what might that be?” She paused a moment as the delicious sensations flowed through her body putting to rest once and for all the turmoil that had lived inside her. “We’re not going to become so conventional that our life will be dull and humdrum, are we? Will we have chicken for dinner every Wednesday night, only fuck on Saturday night and always in the missionary position?” He stimulated her clit with his thumb. “Hell will freeze over first.” She smiled seductively. “Good, because this is Wednesday and it’s not a piece of chicken that I want in my mouth.” His lascivious grin told her exactly what he had on his mind. In less than a minute there were pieces of clothing scattered around the room and they were ensconced in the middle of his large bed. Tony stretched out on his back with Rhonda straddling his thighs. His cock stood at full erection, the head turning from a rosy red to a purple color. She bent forward and ran the tip of her tongue along the underside of his hard shaft, then slowly sucked the helmet into her mouth. She held it there, savoring the velvety texture. His low moan of pleasure reached her ears. A gush of wetness dampened her pussy curls, then tingled inside her. His hands skimmed across her breasts. He manipulated her nipples into taut peaks. Tony grasped her hips and lifted her so that her wet pussy hovered above his stiff cock. He slowly lowered her until he was fully embedded deep inside her tunnel. He closed his eyes. A contented smile turned the corners of his mouth as her pussy walls tightened around him. He had been buried inside her literally thousands of times, but this was different. This time it felt like forever. As if reading his mind, Rhonda leaned forward and placed a loving kiss on his lips. “Forever.” The End