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Side Bet Bluff Ch. 01

By: statsultan



*** This story has also been posted on another site under the pen name Hal C. Rex. Hal and Stat are the same person. ***

Part. 1 -- The Poker Game

"Zack's not coming," I said angrily while putting away my cell phone. Damn all women and their meddling, controlling, and manipulating ways. "His new fiancée has better things for him to do." 

Our once regular weekly poker game of eight guys had slowly whittled down over the last few months to four. Now we only had three, and that just didn't sound appealing at all. I wondered, not for the first time, if I had finally outgrown my gang of college buddies. One by one they had bought in to society's delusional path to happiness of settling down and getting hitched.

"Oh goodie," said Susan turning to her boyfriend Aaron. "Now you can spend the evening with me!"

"I think you've reached your twelve hours of Aaron quota already today," growled Hannah, beating me to the punch.

Susan had been about to walk out the door with Hannah and Jaycee to see a movie, an infrequent group outing since Susan had started dating Aaron. Jaycee looked exasperated while Hannah looked pissed off. I had seen that expression of Hannah's more than enough for one lifetime. 

Hannah was my ex-girlfriend. She was pretty, curvy, very smart, and also performed a great impersonation of a parasite. Our break-up had been the worst I'd ever had, which I guess was to be expected considering our three year relationship exceeded my previous record by two years and seven months. Hannah and I had been tolerating each other's presence for the last ten minutes for the sake of our mutual friends, and it had been the longest we'd spent in each other's presence in well over a year. I will admit that she was looking a heckuva lot better than when we were dating. Scratch that. I'll admit it generally to my friends, but not where she can hear.

"Oh, gosh, Hannah, Jaycee, I'm sorry," apologized Susan. "But the only reason I had agreed to go out tonight was because Aaron had his silly poker game that he insisted on doing. Now that it's not going to happen, we can be together. Maybe he could come with us to the movie?"

Aaron grimaced at the idea of being dragged to the chick flick. I didn't know why he put up with Susan's overbearing possessiveness. Sure, they were a cute couple. Both had that shiny, high glossed, preppy All-American look straight out of a teen clothing ad. I had no doubt that Susan fit Aaron's physical ideal of the perfect girlfriend. But she had been glued to his side for three months now, ever since Jaycee had set them up on a blind date, and I knew for a fact that the goodie two-shoes still hadn't slept with him. Aaron whined about it on the phone to me at least once a week, including last night when I had called to verify that he could still host the game. They were hot for each other, but their energetic make out sessions only added to Aaron's nightly case of blue balls.

"Poker?" asked Jaycee. "And we weren't invited?" 

Jaycee was Hannah's long-time roommate and she was different from most women. She was very attractive, with a great body but one she had to work hard to maintain. But it was her personality that was ideally suited to attract guys. She could walk into a nightclub wearing jeans and a baggy sweatshirt and would still know every guy's name within fifteen minutes. Within thirty, every woman would be pissed off at her. Jaycee was extremely outgoing and uninhibited, and a great conversationalist. She could discuss anything you were interested in and make sharp, insightful comments and questions without resorting to the vapid cliché's or overused fallbacks used by most people. Jaycee also enjoyed bringing up subjects that usually weren't appropriate - as I said she could discuss anything. She was also the type to avoid relationships, leaving a trail of broken-hearted suitors in her wake. If I hadn't already been dating Hannah when we met, I would have joined the long line of sad-eyed men I'd seen pining for her over the years.

"Why would we?" asked Tim, the last of our group. "Girls don't play poker." As soon as the muscle-bound idiot said that I knew what the girls' reaction would be.

"What?!?" "I can't believe you said that!" "You're just afraid I'd take the shirt off your back."

Leave it to Jaycee to make her comment laced with sexual innuendo. I won't bore you with the challenges, put-downs, and wrangling that went on for the next five minutes. I'm sure you could see where this would end up as soon as Tim opened his mouth. Except that he was right, at least concerning these girls. So we spent fifteen minutes teaching the three of them how to play Texas Hold'Em. It's a pretty easy game to learn the rules of, but most of the time was spent teaching them how to be conservative with their bets so they didn't blow through their chips too fast.

"Alright," I said in trying to bring the training to a close. "Since y'all are beginners, we'll keep it to low stakes tonight. Shall we say twenty five dollar buy-in?" Tim and Aaron shrugged their shoulders at me, signifying this seemed like an acceptable amount.

"Um, how much do you normally play for?" asked Hannah.

"Two fifty to start, with another hundred dollar re-buy if you run through that before eleven o'clock," I answered. Of course I had to follow that up with an explanation of what a re-buy was. 

"You spend up to three hundred and fifty dollars a week on this?!?" Susan demanded of Aaron. I momentarily grinned at that. We thought we were such high rollers when we had originally set that amount.

"Whoah, whoah, whoah, Susan, settle down." Aaron tried to mollify the leach. Sorry, I mean, the overly attached girlfriend who not only wanted to monopolize Aaron's time but now apparently his money as well. "I haven't lost the max in over a year. We're all pretty evenly matched players so usually at the end of the night we're pretty close to even, and lately I've been on a hot streak which has allowed me to take you out to some really nice places." 

That last line was bullshit, but lying is perfectly acceptable when it comes to trying to get into a girl's panties. Tim and I did our wingman duties and immediately backed him up, and through our combined efforts appeared to calm Susan.

Then Jaycee surprised me. "I don't think you should cut us any slack. Once again you're saying that we can't hang. Well fuck that. I'm good for two fifty."

Hannah and Susan just goggled at her. Hannah was incredibly tight with her own money (mine, not so much). At the same time, though, she's a strident feminist who is quick to anger at any perceived slights to her gender, so a big part of her wanted to agree with Jaycee. I assumed Susan could afford it, she was the type that wore designer everything. But from the training session it was apparent that she was going to be the worst player and could just kiss that money goodbye.

"Umm, Jaycee. Could we speak to you a moment?" asked Hannah. The three girls sequestered themselves into a far corner of the room. They looked like they were having a very animated discussion, with the main conflict between Hannah and Jaycee leaving Susan trying to mediate. If I knew Hannah, there was no way she was going to agree to this.

They soon returned and surprisingly announced that Susan and Jaycee were going to make a quick run to the ATM before we got started. I couldn't believe they were going to play for those amounts. Now us guys would have to go easy on them and, oh joy, I first had to endure more alone time with the ex. 

I parked myself in front of the idiot box instead. 

By the sound of it, Hannah was flirting with Tim. I didn't know whether to cringe or laugh my ass off. I had heard plenty of women talk admiringly about Tim's physique, but no one ever called him a good conversationalist. He was an old frat brother of Aaron's and thus a semi-permanent member of our crowd, and I seem to recall him being on some kind of athletic scholarship when he was in school. He was an o.k. guy, I guess, but I learned long ago that I shouldn't bother even trying to have a conversation with him about a subject other than sports or women. It was a huge effort to pull more than two words from him about any normal subject. I have a deep love (some say unhealthy obsession) with all things football, but eschew almost all other sports. So I always tried to steer any conversation with Tim to pro football, especially the recent success of the local team. But Tim always made a point to brag about his latest conquest, or denigrate the woman who just turned him down, or even the ones he had 'bagged.' 

Tim and Hannah would not be a good match. And Hannah knew this, which meant she was only interested in using him to either make me jealous or get laid. The former wasn't going to work -- I didn't give a crap about what she did any more so long as it didn't affect me -- but the latter may just affect me through Tim's bragging. If those two hooked up, I would have to avoid Tim for a month minimum.

Finally the other girls came back and the six of us set up at Aaron's round dinner table. We collected the bank and divided out everyone's chips while once again reminding the girls how the blinds worked. If you're reading this with little to no familiarity with Hold'em, don't worry. I'll say some things that might confuse you but I won't go into too much detail here. You'll be able to follow along so long as you know the general ranking of hands. And if you're a poker expert you'll probably get a good laugh at my dumb moves. Like I said, this was a friendly game. 

We ended up sitting guys on one side, girls on the other. Aaron and Susan sat opposite each other. I was to Aaron's right and next to Jaycee. Tim was on Aaron's left and next to Hannah, who was directly across from me.

The first few hands went by with small bets and nothing out of the ordinary happening. The third hand though, Susan won by completing her gut shot straight draw on the river, a horribly bad beat for Tim. Her betting completely showed her lack of understanding and she would have lost her money nineteen of every twenty times playing that hand. Alas, Tim's two pair lost him a big seventy dollar pot. The girls all loudly celebrated Susan's win, while Aaron and I commiserated with Tim, but only through murmurs and facial expressions.

It was the next hand that was a little wonky. Jaycee bet into me pretty aggressively. Normally I would have backed off, but I had Ace-King as my hole cards, a very rare, outstanding hand. I put her on a high pair with her lead out betting and quick raises but I matched her. The flop was King-Ten-Two rainbow (meaning all different suits). I now had a pair of Kings. It was possible that she had been dealt a pair of Aces, and still had a better hand than me. But that was really unlikely and I was ahead of any other hand that she could have been dealt. Nevertheless she bet strongly into me again. I raised, and she quickly re-raised. 

These were relatively small bets, as us guys were still going easy to start in the hopes that we could make this game last a while. I worried that if one of the girls lost a good chunk of her money early then the other girls wouldn't want to play any more. So I called Jaycee's new raise, whereas if I was playing normally I would put out a big bet trying to take the pot now rather than risk my opponent getting lucky with a low probability winner on the final two cards. 

The "Turn" (the fourth community card, also nicknamed "fourth street") was a nine of clubs, so now there were two clubs in the community cards. But I wasn't worried. If she was going for a flush draw she never would have been betting so hard after the flop. Again Jaycee bet out, though she was acting very cute tilting her head at me while twirling a finger through her hair. This time I just called, trying to minimize the pot as much as I could. Mostly for her sake, though there was still that small chance she had pocket rockets.

But that chance evaporated for her on the "River" as the final card was the suicide king, the King of hearts (take a look at it, he's sticking a sword through his head). I now had trips Kings. There was no realistic combination of cards among her hole cards that with the community cards could beat me. I guess technically she could have had a pair of tens or a pair of twos as her cards and now had a full house, but that was extremely unlikely considering her betting so far. 

Finally, she checked. What I should do is make a big bet, forcing her to fold. But either betting or checking, she wouldn't be putting any more money into the pot. So instead I checked, just to see what she had. Jaycee turned over a Jack-Nine of hearts. After totaling up the pot, she had thrown away almost a hundred dollars. Was it that she saw Susan hit the gut shot straight draw the previous hand and decided that it could happen to her as well? But Jaycee was making strong bets pre-flop. I didn't get it. 

Jaycee's intermittent and erratic betting would continue for the next half hour. Her next big loss was when she folded after the river to clueless Susan, who was suddenly the chip leader. Three hands later she was going heads up against Aaron when she asked for the Re-Buy in order to make yet another raise. After our futile attempts to slow her down, she tossed another hundred dollar bill into the bank for its equivalence in chips, and then lost twenty of them to Aaron.

After that, Jaycee seemed to calm down. She limped in as the big blind to see a flop but folded afterwards, then folded the next five hands. She was down to forty-five dollars in chips and was about to be hit with the big blind again. One more hand like the one's she'd been betting into and she'd be done. I had won a few hands here and there and had overtaken Susan as the chip leader, especially thanks to a couple bone-headed bets on Susan's part. Really, it was tough not to take money too quickly from her. Most everyone was doing well, though, since we were all feasting on Jaycee's mistakes. All except Tim, who had received another bad beat, this time to Hannah. 

This game had a very different feel to our previous poker nights with the girls present. Sure they weren't the best players, but that hardly counted. It was mostly the topics of conversation. With a bunch of guys together, we'd mostly talk sports, or reminisce about old times. Occasionally we'd talk about work, especially if one of us was facing a situation that he was unsure how to handle and wanted advice. But with three girls, they dominated the conversation. You'd think they'd have gotten it out of their system from talking to each other on the phone fifty times over the previous week but apparently not. When the topic veered towards celebrity antics I started making snide remarks about the insipidity of those people's lives only being surpassed by those who thought celebrities' lives were worth caring about. Jaycee smirked at me but you'd have thought Susan had never been so insulted. 

Finally, we got an exciting hand. I was dealt a pair of fours, clubs and spades. I was the first to bet and made a small pre-flop raise just to create a little bit of action. Everyone quickly folded around the table, but Susan in the small blind called me. Hopefully I'd be able to take a little bit more of her money.

"All in," Jaycee announced, pushing her remaining chips into the pile. The pot was now $95, and it would cost me $20 to call. I thought that was worth the risk for a pair of fours and threw my chips in. Susan also tossed in another $20, which really shouldn't have surprised me. The pot was already the biggest of the night.

The flop came Ace of spades, Queen of diamonds, Two of spades. No help from me here, and probably a very good flop for either of the girls. Susan was the first to bet in this round as she was to the left of the dealer. She checked. Jaycee couldn't bet and I was all set to say "check" when Jaycee surprised us.

"I want another re-buy," she announced.

"Sorry," responded Tim. "Only one re-buy per evening. House rules."

"Surely you can make an exception for me," said Jaycee. "Not only am I good for it, but this is likely the only time we're going to play poker together. So it's not like you have to set a precedent for your regular game."

"No," Aaron responded. "This is really for your own protection. You probably think you have the best hand, and who knows you may be right. But a lot of crazy things happen in poker. That's why they call it gambling. Tim has already lost a couple hands tonight that he had big odds in his favor. This is one rule we don't dare change."

I was glad that the guys not involved in the hand were being so firm, since I was a little biased. I was now convinced that Jaycee had an outstanding hand, a sure winner. I was also pretty sure that she'd been intentionally losing up until now, kind of like in that movie Maverick. Maybe she was a really good player and now knew all our tells. Maybe she was an overconfident player and was being an idiot. Who knows? I decided I was going to have a little fun with the situation anyway.

"Well, maybe if she was paid with money already at the table it would be ok," I ventured. 

"You mean, someone loaning her the chips from their own pile?" asked Aaron. "No way. You should know better than that." 

"No, I wasn't thinking of a loan per se. But maybe payment for a service, or in exchange for an item like a sale" I answered.

"Like what?" asked Jaycee, more intrigued than hesitant, which is what I was counting on. 

"Well, earlier in the evening you did say something about taking the shirt off someone's back," I said with a leer on my face.

Tim and Aaron launched into laughter. Hannah groaned "I should have known" while Susan started calling me a long line of invectives, beginning with male chauvinist pig and continuing with several more things which I ignored. Jaycee just smiled.

Tim called out "her bra's not worth much. Has anyone here not seen Jaycee's tits?" producing even more laughter from Aaron. Did I mention Jaycee's proclivity to flash people? I did say she was uninhibited.

"That is very true," I concurred. "This would be for a small amount."

"Oh come on. Breasts as great as mine are don't just come around every day. That's why you want to see them again. Fifty bucks?" Jaycee asked.

"I was thinking more like twenty. After all, I've been over to your place and seen them dozens of times."

"Forty?"

"Twenty-five."

"I won't go lower than thirty."

"I think you'll take any amount I offer, but I'll give you thirty."

"I don't believe this," Susan gasped as Jaycee quickly started stripping off the clothes covering her torso.

"Goodness," I said, "I didn't think we were done negotiating."

"We weren't?" Jaycee said, freezing with one arm twisted behind her back searching for the bra clasp.

"You're so confident that you're going to beat me that you haven't even considered what's going to happen when you lose," I replied.

"Oh, I'm very confident," said Jaycee, as she resumed taking off her bra. Her breasts came into view, and they were glorious. Hey, there was a reason why she flashed people all the time. She was rightfully proud of her tits. They were probably a C cup, maybe a little larger, but stuck out proudly with virtually no sag after being removed from the bra. I once asked Jaycee why she even bothered with a bra since she obviously didn't need the support. She said it was actually to hide her nipples, which tended to harden at the most inconvenient times. They were hard now. And stuck out a good inch from the dark pink aureole. Ok, maybe half an inch. But still, longer than any I'd ever seen in person.

"Fine," I responded with a brazen leer on my face. "Then you won't mind being our permanent dealer and cocktail waitress if you lose instead of running home in shame and embarrassment."


Side Bet Bluff Ch. 01



"Will I get to put my shirt back on?"

"Of course not, you'd have to buy it back from me and you wouldn't have any money to do so. Though even if you had the cash, I doubt you would, you exhibitionist."

"I don't believe this," Susan repeated.

"Deal," confirmed Jaycee with a bright smile on her face. "Put that thirty dollars into the pot, then match it if you dare."

"I have to admit," came Hannah's voice from the other side of the table, "you're outdoing yourself tonight Jaycee." 

"Jaycee, stop this right now," said Susan. "You can still back out. Just put your clothes back on. I'll give you whatever amount of money you want."

"No way, Susan," replied Jaycee. "A deal's a deal. I wouldn't want to go back on my word." A woman of her word? Will wonders never cease? Jaycee mumbled something I didn't quite catch, though I thought I heard the words "the only thing I have."

I called, putting sixty dollars into the pot. 

"Umm. Maybe I should fold this. You guys must have really good hands," said Susan, still gawking at Jaycee's bare breasts. "Yeah, I fold."

"Ok, whaddya got?" asked Jaycee.

"What? You don't want to sell something else for another bet after either of the next cards?" I asked.

"Nah. I don't want to take too much money from you," Jaycee parried.

I flipped over my fours. Jaycee smiled and turned over an Ace and Queen of hearts. Unbelievable. She had flopped a super high two pair. 

"Well this is going to be over fast," said Tim. "I think I'll have to just stare at Jaycee's chest for the thirty seconds they'll be available." Jaycee smiled broadly. Hannah rolled her eyes. Susan shot daggers at Tim, which was just as well since her boyfriend Aaron was taking Tim's comment to heart.

 "That thirty seconds only counts if Hannah would deal the other cards," prodded Jaycee.

"Oh! Sorry," said Hannah. She buried the next card and then flipped over a three of spades.

Aaron was the first to see it and whistled. "Uh oh," Jaycee said next. 

"What?" asked Susan.

"I've got a chance at getting either a flush or a straight," I replied. "Actually I've got a shot at a straight flush! Look. I've got the four of spades. There are an Ace, two and three of spades now on the table. So any five will give me a straight. Any spade will give me a flush. And the five of spades will give me a straight flush."

"That's thirteen outs!" exclaimed Tim.

"Outs?" asked Susan once again.

"If I get any of thirteen different cards, I beat Jaycee," I explained. "Except Tim's double-counting the five of spades and a couple cards that benefit both of us. He's also forgetting my fours. If I get another four I'll have three of a kind which will beat her two pair. So I've got twelve outs." 

"You mean, Jaycee could really be topless all night?!?" gasped Susan. 

"It all depends on the last card Hannah turns over." 

Jaycee didn't seem put off by this. In fact, based on how far her nipples were protruding from her chest she seemed rather excited, though I couldn't tell if that was nervousness or eagerness. I would guess nervousness, but eagerness wouldn't surprise me. She still had about a 70% chance of winning.

"Ok, here it comes," said Hannah. She buried one more card and then slowly flipped over the last card.

It was a Spade! Oh no, it was the Queen of Spades! Everyone went just nuts, hooting and hollering. 

"What? What? What?" yelled Susan. She still didn't see it. "Did he win? That's a spade! He got a flush!" 

"In your face!" yelled Jaycee. "My money, my money, my money." I thought it was fitting that Jaycee was raking in the chips before looking for her shirt and bra. 

As Aaron explained to Susan that Jaycee's full house beat my flush, and Tim and Hannah talked about how crazy the hand had been, Jaycee organized her chips without a care in the world that she was still topless. I loved it. I reached over and grabbed Jaycee's clothes from her chair.

After Jaycee finished organizing her chips into neat, color coordinated stacks, she reached behind her, and found nothing. She then turned around, and saw nothing.

"Looking for these?" I asked, showing her the shirt and bra.

"Yeah, playing keepaway for a few more minutes of gawking is a little childish, even for you," Jaycee said.

"Keepaway? No, I bought these, for thirty bucks. Maybe I'll take them home with me."

"Oh, right," Jaycee realized, "you want your thirty bucks back." She looked down at her pile of chips. "Maybe I'll just let you hold onto that for awhile."

"What?" said a surprised Susan. Actually, she wasn't the only one surprised. 

"Maybe I won't buy them back until after my next win."

And here I had been thinking I was going to hold her clothes hostage and demand more money back than what I paid for them. There went all my leverage. Though Hannah was looking at me keenly, as if she could read my mind.

"No, you can't do that," said Susan. "Really."

"Fine," said Jaycee, and she held out thirty bucks in chips.

I reluctantly gave her the clothes and she turned her back to change. I thought I heard Tim sigh forlornly at the other side of the table. When a covered Jaycee turned back around, she immediately looked at me again. I gave her a wink and started organizing my chips, then had to look back. Her bra was still dangling from the back of her chair. She'd only put on the shirt. 

"So whose deal?" Jaycee asked, with a small smile on her face, and her pointy nips swaying back and forth under her shirt. Us guys smiled back at her.

The game proceeded nicely from there, with most of us taking turns winning some hands. Except Susan, who all of a sudden had become hesitant with her betting and seemed to fold at the first challenge, a fact I used to my advantage by bluffing her out of her blinds twice. Conversation seemed to flow more evenly around the table with a newly subdued Susan. Tim had to make a re-buy to stay in the game, but immediately won two of the next five hands. Jaycee was doing better now, slowly building up her pile, and then she got the bulk of Hannah's chips when my ex over bet a post-flop high pair. I expected Hannah to have a fit after losing a chunk of money like that, but after a few seconds of grimacing she actually helped Jaycee with the chips. Odd. 

Jaycee had become the chip leader, and kept that title for all of one hand before I took sixty bucks from her and regained the top spot. 

During the evening I thought I had picked up a tell of Jaycee's. I wasn't positive, since I hadn't actually seen her flip over many hands, but I was pretty sure that Jaycee liked to bluff. And when she did she'd play with her hair. When she was bluffing but thought the other person had a good hand, she'd chew her hair. Like I said, I wasn't sure of this, since I'd only seen her cards after her bluff in that early hand when she was intentionally losing. But even then she'd been playing with her hair. It seemed to be a subtle but consistent tell.

After a few more hands, I found myself putting that belief to the test.

I was dealt the red eights while in the small blind. Jaycee was the first to raise, though I thought she was just trying to steal the pot. I called and then Aaron raised from the big blind. The other three folded and Jaycee and I both called. The flop came Queen and Jack of diamonds, and the Eight of spades. Now I was the first to bet. I had three of a kind, an outstanding post-flop hand. Aaron's raise in the first round of betting scared me. You have to have a monster of an opening hand to raise after two people have already gotten in. But having played with him for years, I had a pretty good idea that Aaron would only make that bet with Aces or Kings, or maybe Ace-King. He was an extremely tight player. I couldn't see any way that the flop helped him out. I checked, thinking that if I showed some weakness then maybe Aaron would take a stab at the pot and I could get some more money out of him. Jaycee was a mere afterthought. 

Aaron announced he was betting [yes!], but then he almost seemed to change his mind as he was counting out his chips, and led out with just a $30 bet. That was very unlike him. Normally, in this situation, you bet strong or you don't bet at all. Anything that Aaron put into the pot was going to be mine, so I was pretty disappointed he changed his mind. Did I somehow telegraph to him that I was going to check-raise? At least, that was my thought process until I looked over at Jaycee. She was smirking at Aaron and raised him $70 for a hundred dollar bet. It was easily the largest bet of the night and was almost a third of her remaining chips. So far in this hand Jaycee had made bets that were bigger than Hannah's total chip count.

Now it was to me, and I was kicking myself. My second decent hand in the last half hour and I run into this? This put her initial raise before the flop into a totally different light. I thought she had just been trying to chase me and Aaron out of the pot without wanting to defend our blind bets. But now she had to have a monster hand of her own, probably her own set of Queens or Jacks. Jaycee was showing too much strength for it to be anything else. Then all of a sudden I saw it. Jaycee was playing with her hair. Not chewing her hair, so she didn't think either Aaron nor I had a hand, but what could she have? If not a pair to start, then she couldn't have any hand just yet. Maybe a flush draw? A straight draw? Maybe complete junk? 

I was still the chip leader. I could afford to play a little, right? Well, if she was really ballsy she'd bet back into me after the turn and then I'd have to commit to almost my entire stack. Was I ready for that? Screw it, that's why they call it gambling. And Jaycee's tell was telling me to go for it. 

"I call," I announced. Jaycee's hand froze in her hair as I pushed one hundred dollars in chips into the middle of the table. Hell, it was only a quarter of my pile. Aaron decided his strong pre-flop hand didn't look nearly as good after the flop and folded his hand. 

Jaycee's eyes met mine. We both knew this was serious. The two chip leaders locking horns with a pot already twice as big as any yet won. Jaycee was the dealer this hand, so she refocused on the table, sloughed off a card like she was supposed to, then flipped over the Nine of diamonds. 

I still had three of a kind, and now I even had a chance to get either a straight or a flush on the river. If Jaycee had been on a flush draw, then she just hit it. There were now three diamonds among the common cards, so if she had two more in her hand then she was probably going to go all in with her next bet. She may have made a straight, too, if she was on that kind of draw. This was not good for me at all. But if she really was bluffing with a whole lot of nothing, then she'd use this scary card to help her in chasing me out of the hand. I desperately tried to resume my poker face as Jaycee's eyes came back up from the table seeking mine. Once again we stared at each other, trying to discern some little sign of what the other was thinking. 

I turned back to my chips and tried to figure out what kind of bet to make. I already had a good hand, and had ridiculously good odds at improving my hand even more on the river. If I got a Queen, Jack, or Nine I would have a full house. And another diamond would give me a flush. Heck, if the ten of diamonds flipped over then I would make a straight flush. I'd never hit a hand that big in my life. 

If Jaycee had hit a winning hand, then she would respond to any bet of mine with an all-in raise. However, if I checked and she had nothing, she would probably make an all-in raise bet as a bluff to push me out of the hand, and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I needed to make a bet large enough to scare Jaycee into folding if she had been bluffing, but not large enough that it killed me if Jaycee came right back over the top of me with a big raise. 

"Another hundred," I announced, counting out the chips and pushed them out. It suddenly struck me how before this hand, no one had made a hundred dollar bet all night, and suddenly I was considering this a "mid range" bet due to the suddenly higher stakes. I quickly looked around the table. Aaron was shaking his head, probably reliving his mistakes earlier in this hand. Tim was staring at Jaycee intently, either trying to figure out what she was going to do or trying to make out the shape of her bra-less breasts, I couldn't tell. Hannah had her mouth dropped open, clearly in disbelief at the size of our bets, and Susan looked from one person to another, wanting someone to explain to her what was going on but understanding that she wasn't supposed to talk at this moment. 

I turned back to Jaycee, and she was staring intently at the pile of chips in front of her, obviously doing calculations in her head, and she was BITING HER HAIR! I almost laughed in glee. I know that my face portrayed something before I got it under control, because Jaycee glanced in my direction. But her expression didn't change, and I stared into her eyes as intently as I could. She looked down, as if afraid to meet my eyes, briefly back up to me again, but then looked down and kept her eyes there. All she had to do was fold and I'd have my proof of her tells.

At last she removed her hair from her mouth and announced "Call."

Oh crap. 

Was I toast? I had to be toast. How could she just call that bet?!? Either she had to be convinced that she had me beat, in which case she should have gone all in; or she should have folded and kept her two hundred in chips. Now she was down to about a hundred, and I had no idea what she had. She must have been completely flummoxed at what I had in my hand. Or maybe she had me completely figured out and was hoping she could still beat me. Was that it? Did she hit the flush with an Ace of diamonds, thus guaranteeing her the highest flush, and thus she was now unconcerned with whether I had either a flush or straight? 

I had to admit to myself that I had no idea what was going on, but now a very sickening thought entered my head. ... Maybe Jaycee really was a very good poker player. ... Maybe I had just fallen for a fake tell. ... Maybe she was moving in to take everything I had. Then she would gloat over me forever, and I deserved it. If she had re-raised, I would have folded immediately thinking I was beat. But by just calling, she was staying in it, but showing insecurity. She wanted me to raise again after the River, so that she could take as much money from me as possible. And she had set this one hand up by doing those fake tells all night! That had to be it! Damn, she was good. Hell, she was magnificent! And yes, I was really toast! I should probably bet into her, knowing it was hopeless, just to show my appreciation for her superior play. 

Jaycee picked up the deck, sloughed off another card, and then flipped over the final community card. 

I just about fainted. 

It was the eight of clubs. The final eight. I had four of a kind. 

I hadn't looked at Jaycee yet. I hadn't moved my eyes yet from that beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous black eight. And I knew this was a mistake. I must have been projecting to the entire table "I HAVE FOUR EIGHTS!" like there was a neon lit sign behind me flashing that out. I tried to fake my way out of it. I started moving my fingers like I was doing math calculations in my head. And I kept doing that for about a full minute, with no one else talking.

Finally I lifted my head up, looked at Jaycee, and said "Check." 

I hadn't meant to say that. I had meant to say all in. To act just like I figured Jaycee wanted me to act so that she wouldn't be thrown off her game plan. So why had I said "check"?!?!? Was there some part of my brain that thought going all in was a big mistake? Then I saw it. Among the common cards was the nine, jack, and queen of diamonds. Would Jaycee have made the bets she had with the king and ten of diamonds as her hole cards, thus giving her a straight flush -- a hand even better than four of a kind? I replayed her betting throughout the hand. If that was her hand, then she would have been bluffing right from the start, and her tell told us she was. But then after the flop she has both a straight draw, a flush draw, and a straight flush draw. Was that enough to prompt that huge bet? She didn't have a hand yet at that point, but she still made the big bet. But that's when she showed she was bluffing, not before the flop. So that's still consistent. Then she gets the straight flush on the River. Somehow, miraculously, she gets the one card that completes an outrageously high hand. But instead of just going all in, she decides she's going to try to squeeze every last cent she can out of me. I had to admit, it was a plausible scenario. An unlikely scenario, but plausible. 

"You both don't know what the hell you're doing, do you?" asked Tim. I kept looking at Jaycee, wondering what she was going to do.

"How much you got left?" Jaycee asked me. I looked down and quickly calculated.

"Two forty," I replied.

"I've got a hundred and ten. You wanna buy my clothes off me again?"

I was stunned. Did I hear that right?

"You did not just say what I think you said!" screeched Susan.

"Hell, yeah!" yelled Tim. "Dude, you've got to do this!"

Jaycee was giving me this predatory look, but with a shit eating grin on her face. "Well I don't figure you'll buy my bra and blouse again," she said. "And frankly I want more than just thirty dollars from you. So how about the whole set for sixty-five?"

I did the math, and had to grin back at her. "In other words, we'd have even pots, and you'd go all in, and I'd call, and it would be winner take all." 

"I always knew you were real smart," Jaycee replied.

"Dude, you have to do this!!!" Tim yelled again. "Hell, I've got sixty-five bucks that I'll pay for your panties!"

"Shut up, Tim," yelled Hannah, Susan, and surprisingly Aaron, all at the same time.

"So you're going to take all of my money away from me, show me how you're this superior poker player, and gloat about this every time we see each other for the rest of our lives. But you think I'll be ok with it because I'll get to see you entirely naked for a few minutes?" I asked, getting into the spirit of the dare.

"Yep," said Jaycee.

"You realize that you have to get completely naked for me before we flip over the cards?" I asked.

"Yep," said Jaycee.

"Jaycee," warned Hannah, "even if you win, you're going to have to give him all that money back to get your clothes back."

"She knows," I replied. "But she'll still gloat over me, because she took me for everything I had with me knowing that she was both better in poker and because I couldn't control my overpowering lust. And giving me a little control back over the price of her clothes will be her act of charity to really rub my face in it." Jaycee raised an eyebrow at me with a classic 'what the hell are you smoking' look on her face - clearly that wasn't it. "OR," I continued, thinking fast. "She doesn't plan on buying back her clothes." Jaycee smiled broadly. "She wants to leave me with nothing ... except for her clothes ... and the knowledge that that's all I'll ever have of her." Jaycee's smile now went from ear to ear.

"That's right. Destroy him," said Hannah, with surprising vehemence. "Show him he's not close to being your equal, and leave him drooling."

It sounded like Hannah was living a little vicariously through Jaycee.

"Done," I announced.

"Ermph," grunted Aaron. He thought I was giving in, acknowledging Jaycee's superiority over me in all ways, including her forcing me to give in to my lust, knowing that I was paying all this money all while publicly acknowledging the fact that I wanted her but could never really have her. If I hadn't caught that last eight on the river, maybe I would have made the same deal. I don't know. Hopefully I'll never know. Because that's not the deal I made. I made the deal playing the odds. It's true that there is a scenario where she has me beat. And if so, then she deserves everything I just described. But there had to be several other card combinations and scenarios that explained her betting, and were more likely to have occurred. And those couldn't beat four of a kind.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 01



Jaycee calmly stood up and slowly proceeded to strip. After each article of clothing she would again, slowly, fold it and place it on her chair. 

"Don't forget the shoes," I reminded. I know some guys like to have their women keep their high heels on when they're otherwise naked. At least, I assume that's the case considering how much porn is out there with the women in nothing but their heels. I wasn't one of them, though.

Jaycee had skinny legs that widened slightly to wonderfully rounded hips. She had cotton pink panties on with some kind of blue and purple starburst design on them. As she pushed them down her legs and stepped out of them one leg at a time I got brief tantalizing glimpses of her neatly trimmed pussy. But when she stood up completely she just put her hands on her hips and smiled at me, showing me everything. No she wasn't a photo-shopped looking centerfold. She had moles and other imperfections. I didn't care, though. A pretty, naked girl in the flesh is a thousand times more attractive than some unrealistic and unobtainable image of the female form. 

I made a circling motion with a finger. Jaycee smiled again and slowly turned in a complete 360. She looked skinnier than when I had seen her in a swimsuit over the summer. Actually, she looked a lot skinnier, but not in an unhealthy way. How that happened without losing any of her boobs I have no idea. She had also complained about having a cottage cheese ass at the time, but there was absolutely no evidence of that now.

Jaycee picked up her pile of clothes (giving me a wonderful moment to admire her ass) and then presented them to me. 

"I believe these are yours, sir," she said. 

I liked the 'sir'. 

I set the clothes down on the table to my left, in between me and Aaron. Jaycee went to sit back in her chair, but I blocked her and then pushed slightly back from the table and opened up my arms in invitation. Jaycee looked me in the eye and seemed to say 'why not', then settled into my lap confident that I was too much a gentleman to try anything more, and confident enough in her victory to even taunt me a little more with her body.

"And now for the grand unveiling," Jaycee said.

"Too late," said Aaron, to giggles from Susan.

Jaycee looked questioningly towards me. "I called your bet," I reminded. Jaycee turned back to the table and reached for her cards. "Can I guess?" I asked. Jaycee glanced back at me and nodded. "Ace and King of diamonds," I announced, praying that was it instead of the King-Ten combo. 

She smiled once again, said "even better" and flipped over two Queens. She hadn't been on a straight draw, nor a flush draw. But she had flopped the highest three of a kind, and then added later to make a full house, her second of the night against me. 

"How ..." started Hannah.

I gave Jaycee a small smile. Jaycee couldn't stop smiling, so confident was she in her win. Hell, if I was in her shoes I would have been too. She probably had me figured for either a straight or a flush, and she beat both of those. "He only figured out he had a losing hand after he'd committed almost all of his money, and then he decided he was willing to lose the small amount he had left in order to get me naked," she declared.

I had to compliment her play. "Your fake tell was exceptional," I said, giving her leg a little squeeze.

Jaycee grabbed a strand of her hair and stuck it into her mouth. "Wasn't it?" she agreed.

Aaron whistled in appreciation and shook his head. I don't think Tim had enough blood in his brain to follow the conversation. It had all collected in his dick. Hannah was looking at Jaycee with some mix of admiration and annoyance.

Susan couldn't help herself. "So who won?"

As I reached for my cards Jaycee asked, "Can I guess what you have?"

"Sure," I agreed.

"Two diamonds, one of them the eight," she proclaimed. "The other's probably the seven because suited connectors was probably a good enough hand for you to pay to see the flop. Then you flopped the flush draw with a pair kicker. Then you made the flush and almost, almost, almost had that straight flush. But you were still worried that your diamonds weren't high enough to beat my diamonds. So eight and seven of diamonds." 

I flipped over my top card, the eight of diamonds.

"Wow," said Susan.

"You are very, very good," I told Jaycee. "Much better than I suspected, and I even suspected you were snowballing us. But I still didn't have a clue how good you were."

"No kidding," muttered Aaron. Jaycee smiled beautifully at me, loving the accolades I was placing upon her.

"However," I started. "Sometimes it's better to be lucky." And I flipped over my other eight.

Jaycee just sat there in stunned silence on my lap, staring and staring and staring at that fourth eight. 

Aaron quipped, "Well I'll be a monkey's uncle."

"So Jaycee lost?" asked Susan.

"Yes," I replied. I grabbed Jaycee's hair at the back of her head and turned her towards me until she was looking into my eyes. "Jaycee lost."

Jaycee shuddered, and I could really feel it considering she was sitting in my lap. And, very curiously, her nipples hardened. The way she was sitting in my lap, her back was turned to most of the table.

"Remember," I told her, "like we said earlier -- no running away now. You have to stay and serve us refreshments until the game is over."

I swear Jaycee's eyes dilated a bit as she looked at me. And were her nipples hardening even more? Very curious. Jaycee looked down, with me loosening my grip on her hair to let her, and she nodded in acquiescence while shifting a bit on my lap.

"Of course," she said, still not smiling. "Let me just go collect myself first." And with that she stood up and walked out of the room and down the hallway towards the bathroom. Hannah and Susan quickly got up and went after her. I thought I overheard Jaycee saying "sorry" to the other two but maybe not.

I turned back to the other two guys, shaking my head and smiling at them.

"Dude! You are the man!" said Tim.

"Dude, you are the luckiest man ever," said Aaron.

"Don't I know it," I agreed, and started collecting and organizing my now enormous pile of chips.

"It's getting late," said Aaron. "And after that hand, the girls aren't going to want to play much longer."

"No way man!" disagreed Tim. "We've got to drag this out! I want that hot little bitch to sit on my lap and serve me grapes, one at a time!" he laughed.

I smiled at Tim, but said "if you think you can just grab Jaycee and pull her into your lap, you'll end the night right then and there, and you know it. The girls are going to be very upset about this whole situation, and they'll just look for an excuse to come to Jaycee's rescue. But if we're polite, and courteous, and keep our bets small, then we can enjoy the sights for a little while longer."

Tim seemed to think about that for awhile, and finally said. "Jaycee's right. You are really smart." Then he smiled really big and said, "ok, I'm game."

Just then the girls came back, with Jaycee wearing nothing but a big smile. "So, can I get you boys another round of refreshments?" The smile looked a little fake, but I appreciated her putting on the brave face for us.

"Hell, yes!" yelled Tim. "Oh," he immediately glanced at me. "I mean, yes Jaycee, that is very nice of you." He then winked at me. Cripes, I swear I needed to figure out what village he came from and send him back there, they were obviously missing their idiot.

The big surprise for me was after Jaycee had gotten everyone new drinks, and had refreshed the bowls of nuts and chips, she settled back into my lap. I couldn't believe it, but of course tried to play it cool as if I didn't expect her to sit anywhere else. 

We proceeded to play a bit more, keeping the bets small. I stayed in every pot, just to give the winner a slightly bigger payday. I figured it would keep the game going a bit longer, and I could certainly afford it now. I did make an effort to prevent Jaycee from seeing my cards. She looked at me curiously the first time I did it but shrugged. Maybe she thought I was afraid of her sending signals to her friends. But she soon clued in to my running up the pots only to lose (usually folding immediately after the river) and smiled at me. I took the chance to leer at her, and she shook her head and smiled again.

Tim finished his drink in record time and called for another refill. Jaycee rolled her eyes at me and I gave her a wink and a squeeze before she got up. This time I didn't ogle her as she trekked back and forth from the kitchen. Oddly, both Susan and Hannah did. After Jaycee settled back in and play resumed, I started seeing some interesting glances from the other girls. Susan would look my way often, but no, she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at Jaycee. Was she turned on by Jaycee? She was also casting frequent, fertive glances at Aaron. And she was obviously very frustrated with her cards, folding one hand after another with disgust.

Hannah was also giving odd glances in our direction. Looking at Jaycee, but also at me ... with ... longing? No, couldn't be. At times she also looked seriously pissed, but at Jaycee instead of me. She would occasionally steal looks at Tim, but would then curl her nose in disgust at his blatant drooling over Jaycee. Tim was just acting like an idiot. We would often have to remind him when his turn was up, so intent was he staring at the naked girl in my lap.

Finally it appeared that Susan got the hand she wanted, and she raised with a strong push of chips into the center of the table. This girl definitely didn't have a poker face. I called as usual, tossing my chips into the center. Everyone had become so used to this by now that Susan didn't even glance my way. Aaron looked at his cards, then at Susan, back at his cards, back at a smiling Susan. He must have liked something he saw, because he called. Tim and Hannah folded. The flop came ten-nine-four rainbow. Susan bet strongly again, and Aaron and I called again. The turn came with an eight of clubs, doubling up the clubs in the community cards. Susan bet half her remaining chips, and once again Aaron and I called. Normally I would fold, but with Susan betting so much it looked like this was going to be the last hand of the night, so I decided to give the winner a little extra present of a big payday. The river was an Ace of clubs.

"How many chips you got left, Aaron?" Susan asked, with a weird tone in her voice. She sort of sounded like a muppet.

"A hundred and thirty," Aaron slowly answered, with a tone that matched Susan's. Whatever it was they were doing, I had a hunch this call and answer was part of their foreplay routine.

"I only have thirty." Susan said, and then pushed it into the pot. "You think we can swing some kind of deal where you put your remaining hundred in there too?"

"I'm not going to let you get naked in front of everyone," warned Aaron. 

"Oh, no. I'd never do that!" said Susan, still in that weird voice. "But I was thinking that for an extra hundred, I'd let the winner of this hand finally get what I've been holding onto for so long." 

"What?" croaked a stunned Aaron. 

"That's right," said Susan. "Is that widdle 'ole small bit of money something you could part with for a chance at my cherry?" 

Again, with the weird voice. I'm telling you - it was a little creepy. Wait. Did she say cherry?!? She was a virgin? I knew she was younger than me and Aaron but she was at least twenty-one! The only women that old and that good looking who are still virgins are religious wackos saving it for marriage, and they don't offer it up at a poker game for a hundred bucks! What the hell was going on?!?

Apparently this conversation was enough to drag Tim's attention away from the naked Jaycee. "Wouldn't that make you a ..." Tim began, "Ow!" but never finished thanks to a quick kick to the shins from Hannah. She wears pointy shoes. 

Jaycee got up out of my lap and went over to Susan. They whispered together for a bit, then Susan started to show Jaycee her hole cards, but Jaycee pushed Susan's arm back down. Jaycee bent down and whispered something else and Susan winked at her. I wasn't thinking about much other than the fact that Jaycee had cute little dimples at the top of her butt. Hannah decided she didn't want to be left out of the girl pow-wow, so she joined the other two and there was even more whispering. Hannah sat back down and Jaycee stood slightly behind Susan and to the side. I found it interesting that both girls were backing Susan's play here.

Aaron couldn't even talk, or didn't trust himself enough to open his mouth. He started grabbing at his chips when I spoke up. "And what happens if you win, Susan?"

Aaron froze. Obviously this was an unexpected, but very important, piece of information.

"I'll get all the money," Susan said, confused that there could be another option.

"That's it?" I asked. 

Susan looked at Aaron. "That's it," she said.

Aaron quickly threw his chips into the pot.

Susan smiled and moved her hand to her cards. 

"I'll call that bet, too," I interjected.

There was a collective gasp from Hannah and Jaycee.

"You can't!" said Susan.

"Of course I can," I said as I started counting out enough chips. "I'm still in this hand."

"But that offer was just for Aaron," whined Susan.

"No, you said and I quote 'I'll let the winner of this hand get my cherry.' You specifically said the winner of this hand, instead of naming Aaron. I'm pretty sure I know what your hand is based on the betting. I'm pretty confident of what Aaron has. And I'm certain I have the best hand. I'm still in this hand, and I'm calling your bet, as well as the extra hundred dollar offer."

"No! You can't do that!" squeaked Susan.

"Dude ..." Tim began in a low, warning tone. I was surprised. I expected Aaron to speak up, but Tim? I thought he'd be all over this. I guess he really was a good friend to Aaron. I turned sharply to Tim, pointing most of my face away from the girls, and winked with my left eye so that the girls couldn't see. Meanwhile, I pretended to glare menacingly at Tim. Aaron looked very unsure of everything. Actually, he had looked pretty unsure of everything since me and Jaycee's big hand. It looked like his confidence was blown. I hadn't counted on that. But once you start a play you have to follow through and see where it leads. 

Tim backed down, and I started counting my chips over again since I had lost count.

"Hannah, do something!" screeched Susan.

"Err ... um ..." said Hannah. I glanced up at her with an 'are you kidding?' look of contempt on my face. "I'll buy off that bet," she said.

"With what?" I replied. Hannah knew nothing else she said could stop me. If anything, it would only make me more determined. Susan came to that same conclusion.

"Jaycee?" cried Susan. She was really getting hysterical. I loved it. I paused in my chip counting and glanced up at Jaycee. I tried to do my best Mr. Spock impersonation where I raise just one eyebrow, but I really couldn't do that.

"Could I perchance offer you something to buy out your bet?" Jaycee, rather formally, asked.

"Oh, I'm always willing to listen to serious offers," I responded.

Jaycee nodded her head over to a corner of the room away from the table. I nodded my assent and we removed ourselves from the others.

"Ok, why are you screwing this up for her?" asked Jaycee in a low voice.

"You heard my reasons," I answered. "Besides, I'm really starting to look forward to breaking Susan in. She's been such an annoying shit to Aaron that she's been driving me crazy." 

Just for the record - I didn't mean that at all. I had no intention of actually going through with the bet. I just wanted to shake Susan up. I had thought it would be Aaron 'saving her from that horrible man.' I had been trying to help Aaron get the upper hand back in Susan's virginity giveaway, especially since he was going to lose to Susan's three aces. I had not even considered Aaron's failure to challenge me. And with Aaron failing to step up, I doubted his and Susan's relationship would last another week. Susan would lose all respect for Aaron, and he'd undoubtedly blame me. I had really screwed this up not realizing Aaron's confidence was shot. But Jaycee could be a hell of a consolation prize. Not for Aaron, for me.

"You know I can't let that happen," said Jaycee.

"You can't let that happen? Just what do you plan on doing to stop me?" 

"By imploring you not to?" she asked hesitantly.

"HA!" I answered rather loudly, causing the others to look our way. Jaycee glanced over at her nearly hysterical friend.

"Then by offering you whatever it takes," she said.

I just looked at her, trying to shake her a little bit. Throughout this story I've often mentioned that Jaycee's nipples noticeably got hard, and elongated. Did I mention elongated? They definitely got elongated. I found them fascinating. Each time though, they weren't getting longer and harder on top of their previous hard and long state. I just haven't been mentioning when they would go back to normal. I'm bringing this up now, because while I was stonily looking at Jaycee, her nipples definitely were once again getting harder, and longer. I swear, this girl must get excited by evil. I was doing my best impersonation of the devil himself and Jaycee looked like a cat going in to heat. Why is it that women are attracted to assholes? Maybe I should have been acting like an arrogant prick a long time ago, instead of letting Hannah push me around for years. Well, shit, even if I didn't want to act like a prick I shouldn't have let Hannah push me around.

"Whatever it takes?" I finally asked.

"Just name your terms so we can go back to the table."

Hell, the number one rule in negotiations is you never state how high you're willing to go, yet Jaycee was giving me carte blanche. I decided to push a little at that and name the most outrageous thing I could think of as my starting position. 'Whatever it takes'?!? Sure. Just then I remembered when Jaycee called me 'sir' a little while ago. That sparked an interesting idea. I'll just open with the top fantasy of every red blooded male on the planet.

"You become my sex slave for a week," I declared.

"A weekend," she countered. That was a quick comeback. She'd obviously been expecting something along these lines. And better yet she was agreeable to it. Was she really serious? Though come to think of it, maybe she wasn't offering that much. Before this conversation I thought it was pretty obvious that she was going home with me tonight regardless. I decided to stand firm to see how much movement she made off her initial counteroffer.

"Oh, now we're negotiating? I thought you said whatever it takes. I'm telling you what it will take. Otherwise, I'll take Susan's cherry. I understand a cherry is a prize. I've never had one before. I'm particularly looking forward to it."

"I ..." she began. "I've got one cherry left," she whispered.

"What?" I asked. What was she saying?

"My ass," Jaycee whispered, while looking down at the floor. "You can take my ass. I ... I ...I know you'd like it, so I'm giving it to you." 

She 'knows' I'd like it? Well, well, well. I should have known. Everyone knows women talk about sex in more intimate details with each other than men would ever think of doing. And Hannah and Jaycee had been roommates since second year of grad school. But Hannah always swore to me that she wasn't like that. Obviously, however, she told Jaycee a lot. I loved anal play, though Hannah never consented to anal sex. But she would let me slip a digit in occasionally while we were going at it. Jaycee had just informed me that she knew this about me.

What was even more surprising was how big an offer Jaycee was making. Jaycee, in one of her all too candid conversations, had once told Hannah and me how she was petrified of anything sexual having to do with her ass. Any of the few guys who she'd fuck weren't allowed to get his hand anywhere close to her asshole without her freaking out. They were given the "no touching of my butt" talk early and often before they'd be let near her bed, and apparently she still had to kick one of three out the door before consummation. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 02



Part II -- Late Saturday Night (Jan 17)

The cold of the night's air was quite a shock exiting Aaron's condo. 

"Wait, wait," called Hannah, who came running out the door. "Your coat!" And she hurried over to Jaycee with a purple coat outstretched in front of her.

Jaycee, who had been squeezing her arms around her naked self and had already started shivering, looked over to me. I nodded and she quickly shoved her arms in and zipped up. The jacket was long enough to cover the upper half of her ass, barely hiding all the naughty bits.

Just then Tim came out of the house. "Aw, man!" he complained at seeing the covered Jaycee.

Jaycee turned to me and said, "Hannah rode over with me" and nodded towards her old, beat up, rusting red pick-up truck. The damn thing looked like it could fall apart any minute.

"Fine. Give her your keys. You won't need them until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Oh no," said Hannah, who suddenly clutched Jaycee's arm. "She can drop me off at our place first. She shouldn't be without a way to leave you if she wants."

What bullshit. Undoubtedly this was their plan to get Jaycee away from me, whereupon Jaycee would back out of the deal.

"The clock has already started," I declared. "So she has to do what I say. Jaycee, give Hannah your keys, and get your pretty little behind into the passenger seat of my car. Either that, or me and Tim will forcibly put you into my trunk."

"I like that second option," said Tim. "Let's go with that."

Jaycee held her keys out to Hannah. Hannah was surprised ... then she looked pissed. 

"Fine," spat Hannah. "Take the little strumpet. She's not welcome in my home any more anyway." And with that she grabbed the keys out of Jaycee's hand and stormed off to the truck.

"Dude," added Tim. "How did you put up with that bitch for all those years. She kicked the crap out of my leg earlier." 

Hmm. Maybe that's where my wanting women to remove their shoes came from.

"Even if she showed up in my bed naked I'd kick her out," Tim continued. "And yet you willingly fucked that bitch for how many years?"

"Goodnight Tim. Thanks for your money," I called out as I walked towards my sedan. 

"Not my money, I came out even," Tim said, looking at Jaycee's bouncing bottom as she rushed to the other side of the car, hurrying to get out of the cold. Apparently he'd forgotten about his hundred dollar re-buy that was sitting comfortably in my wallet.

Very shortly Jaycee and I were seated, belted, and on our way to my apartment building downtown. I turned the car seat heater on to warm Jaycee's derriere, and she gave me a small smile.

"Well, now that you've got me, what are you going to do with me?" asked Jaycee.

"What am I not going to do with you," I laughed. 

I was silent a moment, and unfortunately had a bout with my conscience. I had been playing the asshole inside the apartment, but that wasn't the real me in any way, shape, or form.

"Ok, now that you brought it up, I need to tell you that of course slavery is illegal, and that if you are going to do whatever I say, it will be purely voluntary. Even my punishing you, if I ever do, is done with your consent, and that you can walk away at any time." 

And here's where she tells me to just drive her back to her place.

"How can I walk away when you said you'd ignore whenever I told you 'no'?" she asked. 

"That's a good point."

After a moment's silence, Jaycee said "I should thank you for telling me that. I mean, I know you're a good guy and would never really hurt me."

"Right," I answered.

"Though," Jaycee continued, "you really have a killer instinct. I guess it makes sense considering your job and all, but I've never even seen that side of you before, let alone been on the receiving end of it."

We were silent for a bit. I wasn't sure what to say at this point.

"Umm ...," Jaycee stammered. "When you take my ass, I might freak out. You know that about me, right? I mean, I've been thinking about it lately, kinda. Just thinking about what it would be like, you know? And yet when you try I might just flip out and start hitting and kicking you or something."

"You're serious," I said in amazement.

"Of course I'm ... you didn't think I was? Then what the fuck am I doing here buck naked in your car, Billy?"

"Sorry. I guess I thought that when push came to shove, you would flip out and run from my apartment at something approaching the speed of light."

"Well, the thought had crossed my mind," admitted Jaycee. "But we made an agreement, and I don't go back on my word. Besides, I decided a while ago that if I was ever going to do something really kinky and naughty it would be with you. I trust you, and like I said, I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

She really was serious. It took me a bit to let that sink in. I had been so sure she was bluffing just to get me out of the room. Now it looked like I was going to have Jaycee at my beck and call for a whole week. Oh, the possibilities.

"While I appreciate you saying that, and believe me I think that's one heck of a compliment," I replied. "I also see it as a potential problem, because if we do this then I do want to start with some ground rules, and I want to be able to punish you if you don't follow them. Otherwise, we're missing the point of this entire role-play." 

"Then don't worry about it," Jaycee said. "I'll try to follow your rules and will submit to any punishment you think is appropriate."

"Even if you ..."

"I trust you," she interrupted. 

Huh. That's a hell of a lot of trust. A lot more than Hannah ever gave me, that's for sure. Ain't that a kick in the head.

"Well then," I said with my demeanor changing. "You will follow these rules or you will be punished." I tried to give her my best serious face.

"Rule number one, you will not call me 'Bill', or 'Billy', or 'Willie', or 'B.J.'." 

These were her nicknames for me that she used to tease me. Check that, more like belittle me. 

"You can only call me 'Will', or 'William' or 'Sir'. I liked it when you called me 'Sir'."

"When did I do that?" she asked.

"When you presented me with your clothes, which I may never let you wear in my sight ever again."

"Rule number two," I continued, "and you should really like this one, I want you to have as many orgasms as you can with me. Do not hold back."

"Oh really?"

"Not that you would ever fake one, but don't. I want you to have as many real orgasms as you can."

"I'll give it my best shot," she smiled. "So, you're going to punish me if you catch me faking an orgasm?"

"Absolutely. That has to be one of the biggest insults to a man's ego ever devised. Alright, rule number three is I want to be able to give you those wonderful orgasms. So even though you have to do what I tell you, you also have to tell me what is working and what isn't. Just don't give me orders. But ask nicely and there's a good chance I'll give it to you."

"I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it," Jaycee said, "I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. You've always been a sweetie. There's a reason I said I trusted you."

I arched my eyebrow at her. "Don't read too much into it. I'm still doing it for my own benefit. I was stuck doing the same things with no variation for so many years that I've forgotten how to be a good lover. You're going to have to tell me what you like a lot."

"Also," I added, "Just because you ask me to do something doesn't mean I'm actually going to do it. If I want X and you want Y, I'm still going to do X."

"Yes, sir. Of course, sir."

"Hmmm. Sarcasm may be as punishable as outright rejection of an order. Depending on my mood, of course."

"Oh, of course," her smirk now plastered on her face. 

"Actually, I'm going to expand that tell me order to a 'you have to be truthful about everything I ask' order."

Jaycee stopped smiling.

"That sounds dangerous," she said.

"Maybe so, but let's make that official regardless," I ordered. "So tell me, why did Hannah say you weren't welcome at her place any more?"

Jaycee grimaced. "Oh that. Well, I'd rather not say."

"You tell me that right after I order you to be honest? Spread your legs."

"What?" Jaycee asked, confused at the sudden change in topic.

"You heard me. Besides, I think the seat warmer has worked long enough to make this a pleasant experience for me."

Jaycee spread her legs wide just as we came up to a red stoplight. I leaned over and squeezed my hand down between the seat and her crotch. Jaycee actually scooted forward and lifted her hips slightly to help with access. That was awfully nice of her. I stroked her pussy lips from bottom to top several times, feeling her sparse hair on my knuckles and collecting a small amount of moisture on my finger tips. I could see the stoplight cycle was scrolling through rather quickly so I dipped my middle finger just inside of her and then returned to my normal driving position.

"So again, what did Hannah mean by what she said?"

"If that was supposed to be my punishment for not telling you," said Jaycee, "then I'm never going to tell you anything."

Grinning, I replied "no, that was a small taste of how nice we can make tonight, but only if you're nice to me. So come on. Spill it. And this is your last warning for the entire week. I really don't want to have an argument with you every time I ask you to do something or answer a question. Every other time you don't do immediately as I say, I'll turn your cute bottom red with my hand."

Jaycee paused for a few seconds and then opened up. "I'm behind on the rent, like, a lot."

"Don't say 'like'," I said reflexively.

Jaycee sighed. "Ok. I'm behind on rent. I owe Hannah over a thousand bucks."

I whistled in appreciation of the amount. "So what were you doing betting, and losing, three hundred and fifty dollars tonight?" I asked.

"Trying to sucker you guys out of my rent money, that's what," she answered.

"Yeah, that blew up in your face." 

Jaycee nodded. "I got really cocky. I wanted to start in a huge hole, try to get one of you guys to have the biggest pile, then I'd get both Hannah's and Susan's pots, challenge you to an all or nothing bet, and walk away with everything. ... Oops."

A light bulb went on in my head. "That wasn't your money you lost tonight."

Jaycee hung her head, still with her legs spread on the seat. "No. I convinced Susan to spot our stake. Hannah wasn't having any of it. She was furious I wanted to borrow more money from her when I already owed her so much. Susan's been wanting to move out of her parents' house, and Hannah is done with having me as a roommate. So I'm having to move out anyway."

"With Susan taking your place," I added.

"Right. I could have probably still camped out on the couch for a week or two. At least I could have until I decided to go with you. ... Hannah will never forgive me for that," she added.

"So instead of winning enough money to keep your place, you now owe two of your best friends a lot of money and you're homeless," I concluded.

"Yeah, well, it's only money," sighed Jaycee. 

I guess that response was typical of her care-free outlook, but it was also damn irresponsible. I knew that she was better friends with Susan than with Hannah. Why I have no idea since I thought Susan was one of the more annoying people I've met. But tonight, not only had Jaycee lost Hannah as a friend forever, it had to put a severe strain on Susan's friendship as well.

"So why are you behind on rent?" I asked. "As a physical therapist, you should be able to pick up extra shifts and high paying part-time work anytime you want."

"That may have been true a year ago. Heck, maybe even six months ago. But the economy the way it is, that's just not the case any more."

"What? That doesn't make any sense. There's always a need for health care, especially with the population getting older all the time," I reasoned.

"Well, I wasn't actually a full-time worker at the hospital. I liked my freedom, and I didn't see the need for benefits, so I was working just two or three days a week at contract rates," Jaycee responded.

I knew a little bit about this from being with Hannah for so long. Hannah and Jaycee were friends and roomies from grad school, and worked in the same field. Working contract paid you twice as much on an hourly basis (and that was a good chunk of money) but gave you neither benefits nor security. Luckily, almost all hospitals and other health care facilities are permanently understaffed, so there's always a demand for contract workers.

"So what changed? How did the economy hit health care?" I asked.

"Not health care, health care workers," Jaycee explained. "Do you know what kinds of guys are most therapists married to? Plumbers, electricians, guys who work in the housing industry. When the market dried up, all those guys were laid off or had their hours cut way back. So all their wives who had only been working on reduced hours suddenly started demanding full-time work and overtime. And they are all more senior than me, so I'm left holding the short end of the stick."

"That sucks. And you had some kind of side business?" I prompted.

"That very few of my clients want to spend money on now since it's a luxury that they can no longer afford."

"You've always been very secretive about that." Jaycee remained silent. "Us guys sometimes joked that you must have been a high priced escort." 

Jaycee laughed at that. "And to think I was embarrassed to tell you. If I had known you guys thought that then I would have spilled the beans a long time ago. No, I'm a masseuse."

Hot damn! My week just got even better!

"Wait a minute! You used to get me to sneak you back massages behind Hannah's back, and you're a damn masseuse?!?"

I tore my eyes away from the road to peak over at Jaycee's side of the car. She was biting her lip and nodding her head.

"Damn. If I wasn't so committed to being fair and only punishing you for things you do wrong starting tonight, I'd give you a good spanking for that just on principal," I laughed.

"You're not going to spank me really hard, are you Will?" asked Jaycee.

"So long as you're good, you need never find out," I answered.

I pulled the car into my parking garage, remotely opened the security gate, and found my reserved spot. We kept up the conversation as we walked inside.

"So where do you play poker?" I asked. "You have to play regularly."

"Online. Maybe two to three nights a week," she responded.

"Jaycee, you didn't learn how to give that fake tell by playing online. Those tricks don't work when no one can see you."

"Oh that," Jaycee giggled. "I learned how to play poker in college. I dated this boy who had a regular game with his frat brothers and he used to humor me. When he got tired of answering my questions, or realized he didn't know the answers, he bought me a few books. Then when I turned twenty-one I used to hit the riverboat casinos back home. That was before I came out here for grad school. How about you? Do you play online? You're good enough to do well there."

"Thanks, that's sweet of you to say, but I'm not really. Besides, I don't trust those sites. Once I took a day and drove out to the Indian reservation casino a few hours west of here. But really I've just been content to play in our friendly weekly game." 

We came up to the security desk. The guard on duty tonight was Paul, a gentlemanly ex-cop in his late fifties. He took one look at Jaycee wearing nothing but her too short winter coat and raised his eyebrows at me, as I was obviously carrying Jaycee's still folded up clothes.

"Paul, this is Jaycee. I got her in a poker game tonight and it's going to take me at least a week to figure out what to do with her. So you'd better give her a guest pass." Jaycee just smiled at Paul and batted her eyelashes at him a few times.

"Sure thing Mr. Jennings, though won't that mean she can leave whenever she wants? I'd be happy to swat her back into the elevator for you if she ever tries to escape," offered Paul.

Jaycee's mouth dropped in faux surprise. She could tell we were joking around. Paul was actually getting things organized to create Jaycee's guest pass.

"That's awfully nice of you to offer, Paul. But if Jaycee wants to escape she's more than welcome to. I've spent a few nights at her place over the years and she snores like a hibernating bear that's allergic to winter. When I said I got her in a poker game, I didn't mean I won her as a prize. I had to take her with me 'cause I lost!"

Jaycee turned and punched me in the arm for that comment. "Asshole!" she said, but she was smiling.

Paul shook his head and then pointed at a piece of red tape on the floor. "Miss Jaycee, if you would just stand there I'll take your photo for the guest pass and then you two can get upstairs and warm up. You just remember to give this back to me when you're done. I've got to keep track of every one."

Jaycee and I went up to my apartment on the twelfth floor, as I walked in I turned up the heat to make things more comfortable for Jaycee, hung my coat up, placed her clothes in the top of the coat closet, and then held my hand out for her coat. She slowly slid the zipper down the front and wiggled slightly side to side as she peeled the two sides back and slid the sleeves down her arms. That was very well done. 

I took her coat, hung it up, then turned back to her. She was posing like a bashful tease. She had her right hip jutted out to the side, allowing her to squeeze her thighs together with one leg slightly in front of the other. Meanwhile, her right arm was imperfectly crossed across her chest, hiding her right breast but falling under her left. Her left hand was holding the end of a strand of hair to her mouth and her head was tilted down slightly so she could look up to me through her eyelashes. I soaked up the sight of her so that I could remember this moment for a long, long time.

I smiled at her, and then crooked my finger at her in a come hither. She smiled, dropped her arms and slowly walked to me. I put my hands around her face and kissed her, just wetting our lips with each other's. Then we kissed again, and again, and then opened our mouths to accept the other fully. Damn, she was a good kisser. My hands fell to her back and I pulled her tightly into me as we kept kissing. Her hands gripped the front of my shirt and pulled me towards her. My left hand then moved from the small of her back down to her butt. It was surprisingly cold, and Jaycee jumped back when I touched it. That reflex again. Well, the only way to break her of that was to get her used to my touching her there. 

"Sorry," mumbled Jaycee.

"Come with me," I ordered. I returned my hand to the small of her back and led her through the living room and down the hall past the guest room and guest bath to the master bedroom.

I made a beeline for the bed and then quickly grabbed Jaycee, sat at the edge and forcibly maneuvered Jaycee face down over my lap with her beautifully, bouncy bottom as her highest point and the blood rushing to her head as it dangled near the floor.

"Will!" she screeched.

I placed my left hand firmly on her back to hold her down and gently rested my right hand on her butt.

"This is the position you'll end up when you're bad," I told Jaycee. I started rubbing her behind gently. "The first time you're bad, I'll only give you one spank," and I tapped her butt once. "Since it might take you a bit to learn to follow my orders, I won't want to get a sore hand. But the second time, I'll give you two spanks," and I gave her another two little taps, then went back to rubbing her. "I'm sure you can figure out the pattern from there."

Jaycee was shaking, and I was pretty sure it wasn't shivering from the cold. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 02



"Please," begged Jaycee.

"Please what?" I asked, as I slowly moved my right hand down.

"Eek!," squeaked Jaycee as she jumped away from me, and fell off my lap to the floor.

"You may have a fear of having your cute little butt touched, but I swear to you, Jaycee, you'll be over it by the end of our week," I predicted.

"I don't know that a week is long enough, Will," Jaycee said solemnly. 

"Well you can have your butt touched lovingly with my caresses, or harshly with my spanks. The choice is yours," I said while helping her up to her feet.

"Your little fear there must make doggy-style particularly difficult," I added.

"I ...," she hesitated. "I've only ever had sex in missionary and cowgirl."

"Really? Well, we'll definitely have to fix that."

"Will," a very nervous Jaycee said, "I don't think I can do this."

"Jaycee," I said in as calm yet commanding a tone as I could muster, "you don't have any say in the matter." I half expected Jaycee to show some defiance or protest, but she just looked nervously down.

"Now, I think one of us is wearing too many clothes, don't you?" I asked.

Jaycee looked back up at me and smiled. She then proceeded to strip me of my clothes, and she was as careful in folding each item as she had been when she had taken off her own clothes back at Aaron's place. After removing my sweater and shirt, Jaycee looked at my chest appreciably.

"I don't remember you looking this firm over the summer," she said.

"I don't like to expose myself too much at the beach," I replied. "I'm pretty paranoid about sun damage and so I usually cover up."

"Too bad," she lamented. "Maybe I would have considered you datable material if I had known how well built you were." 

"That's a little shallow, don't you think?" I asked. 

"Weren't you the one who told me I could get any guy I wanted? After that I started setting pretty high standards."

"Touché," I replied.

Jaycee then knelt down and undid my belt and snap to my jeans. 

"Shoes and socks first," I ordered. There's nothing more ridiculous looking than a man naked except for socks, except for maybe socks and shoes. Jaycee nodded and took care of my footwear. 

"In retrospect," Jaycee said, "I think I haven't had much dating success because of that."

"How so?" I asked.

"The guys I started going out with were the types who could get any girl they wanted," she said as she kneeled at my feet. "Good looking, confident, rich. They didn't have the patience to deal with my crap. And I've never been very good at letting guys get close, and have a big problem with guys who don't respect the boundaries I set."

"Until this week," I reminded her.

She looked back up at me, gulped, and then returned to my pants. She moved my zipper down while gently grazing her fingers against the bulge underneath. Jaycee then grabbed the sides of my pants and pulled them down. I lifted up from the edge of the bed to help, and soon she was folding my pants to put with my other clothes.

When she turned back to look at me in my boxer briefs, she smiled. I looked down to see the very large stain of pre-cum right in the middle of my shorts. Jaycee knelt back down in front of me and slowly slid her hands up my legs about halfway. She then stopped, moved them down, then back up a little further. I idly wondered if this was one of her masseuse techniques. It certainly felt good, but at the same time I thought she might be teasing me a bit to try to exert some control, to make me react to her. Instead I just leaned back slightly and enjoyed it.

Eventually she had her hands at the top of my underwear and she grabbed and pulled down. When they were about halfway down she froze, and just sat staring at my cock. 

I know in these stories every guy has a huge cock that he uses to ravage women left and right. So I guess it will seem cliché when I say I've got eight inches when I'm fully engorged. Maybe eight and a half, I haven't actually gotten out the freaking ruler, and besides it's got a bit of a curve, to make it harder to measure. But I estimate eight inches. 

Still, I'm here to tell you that having a big cock can be a curse. This is a big part of the reason why I demanded a full week instead of just the weekend. I've never successfully concluded sex on my first attempt with any woman. It takes a while to stretch out a woman to accommodate me. Or, at least, it takes a while to stretch out the few women I've been with. Maybe I've just been unlucky. But this has meant that when I finally was able to have sex with a woman where it was enjoyable for both of us I had invested a good amount of time and energy (and sweat and frustration) and was loathe to go looking for someone new. Since breaking up with Hannah I'd had a few one night stands, and came close in my last one to having good sex, but got a little too aggressive when I got excited and started hurting her. So the next couple days would prove interesting to say the least.

"I've never seen one that wasn't circumcised," Jaycee said, still staring. 

Oh. Well, so much for why I thought she was staring.

She then resumed lowering my underwear, set them aside, and returned to staring at my cock.

"Suck it," I ordered.

Jaycee gulped, then nodded and leaned in. She gently grabbed my dick with both hands to steady it, and softly, almost reverently, kissed the tip. She then started stroking with one hand while scraping my upper thighs with the nails of the other. She soon added her tongue, slowly licking up the underside. Pretty soon Jaycee was sucking on the head while pumping me with her fist. 

Jaycee came up for air and said breathily, "are you going to cum all over my face?"

"Don't," I ordered. Jaycee froze and looked at me questioningly. "No sex talk. It doesn't turn me on. Quite the opposite in fact. At least, that's the case when it sounds contrived. Just concentrate on making me feel good. Everything will flow naturally from that."

Jaycee nodded, gave me a little understanding smile, and then resumed my blow job. After a minute she took me out of her mouth and smacked my penis on the side of her face. I had never experienced this before and it was unexpectedly exciting. Going from a moist, warm environment out to the open air with sudden staccato bursts of sensation sent shivers up my back, especially when she immediately plunged my cock back into the heat of her mouth.

After the third time she did that I was so excited that I grabbed big handfuls of hair at the back of her head to control and guide her and started fucking her mouth. I was careful not to go too deep, but I definitely wanted to set the pace and penetrate just a little further than she had taken me to that point. 

"I want you to swallow," I told her.

"Mrmph," said Jaycee as she tried to pull back. I increased my grip on her and resumed my pace.

"Yes," I said, "you will swallow."

Jaycee looked up at me as my cock sawed in and out of her mouth. Her hands now held me at my waist and I picked up the pace slightly while trying not to go deeper. Finally I reached my peak and gripped her hair tightly as I held her in place and started coming into the back of her mouth.

Jaycee didn't move a muscle at first, letting my cum gather in her mouth, but after a few seconds I felt her neck muscles move, contract and release. After she swallowed, I laid back on the bed to recover. Jaycee stayed in her position, lightly kissing my cock and lightly stroking my legs and upper torso with her fingertips. I thought I could occasionally feel her stiff nipples touching my inner thighs, too. 

Now for stage two. I wanted to return the favor. Eating pussy was one of my favorite things to do. I loved the taste, and loved being able to focus such pleasure on a woman I was with. I'd made sure to eat all of my one-night flings to an orgasm so that they left with something to remember fondly of me. However, I needed to maintain my dominance over Jaycee, and having my face stuck in her crotch was hardly a power position. I thought about it a bit as I recovered.

Finally I got up and turned to Jaycee. "Lie face up on the bed with your head here," I said, pointing to a spot about a foot below the top right corner.

I made my way to my closet without looking to see if she was following my instructions. I grabbed an old necktie I hadn't worn in months and returned to the bed. Jaycee lay where directed but over to the far side, looking expectantly at me. 

I got up on the bed, grabbed her far hip and dragged her back to the center of the bed so that she was now at a diagonal angle, then threw my right leg over her so that I sat lightly on her stomach. 

"Put your arms straight up, placing your hands past and on opposite sides of the bedpost," I ordered. Jaycee stared at me for several moments then got a bit of a panicked look in her eyes. 

"No. I can't do this. Will, I don't think this is a good ...," she began when I grabbed her, rolled her over quickly and [SMACK!] delivered a strong, open-palmed slap to her exposed butt. It wasn't just a casual swing of the arm either. I really put some strength behind it.

"Ow!," screamed Jaycee. She tried to move out from under me, bracing her hand and knee on the mattress to spring upwards. "That hurt you prick..." [SMACK!] "Ow!" [SMACK!] "OW!"

I rolled her back over, quickly sat on her stomach again trapping her, and pressed my hands down on her shoulders immobilizing her torso. "Place your hands on opposite sides of the bedpost," I calmly ordered.

Jaycee's eyes looked a little watery and she half-raised her arms to the top corner of the bed and stopped. I slightly raised my eyebrows at her and she slowly and with small jerks raised her arms the rest of the way. I lifted my weight off her, took the necktie and tied it to her right wrist tightly, then wrapped it several times around the post, tied it to her left wrist, and lastly tied together the ends of the necktie that dangled off of each wrist. Halfway through the procedure I realized, somewhat embarrassingly, that my semi-flaccid cock and nutsack must have been dangling right above her face.

I then scooted down, putting my weight on her thighs, and looked Jaycee straight in the eyes. She was looking hurt, and scared. 

"Jaycee, I have two purposes here that are sometimes going to be at cross purposes. Firstly, and primarily, I want us to both give each other pleasure. Ideally, we will give each other more pleasure than we've ever experienced before. I doubt we'll actually accomplish this, but I believe in setting high goals." Jaycee's eyes softened a bit. I took that as an opportunity and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. She even returned it, albeit half-heartedly. I decided to give her more kisses, working my way slowly down her body. 

"Secondly," I continued. [kiss] "I want you [kiss] to obey my orders. If we [kiss] were involved in a relationship, [kiss] then I wouldn't have this as a goal. [kiss] Instead [kiss] we'd be engaged in constant negotiations [kiss] and bartering, [kiss] trying to seek advantage [kiss] in some endless power struggle [kiss] even while we should [kiss] be going about the simple task of giving each other pleasure." 

I decided to concentrate on her breasts, slowly working my way in towards her nipples and frequently alternating between them. 

"But here tonight, [kiss] and for the next week, [kiss] there is to be no negotiating, [kiss] no bartering, [kiss] no power struggle. [kiss] I have the power." I gave her a little nip, with teeth, and could hear (and feel) her suck in her breath. "You have no power. [nip] I know this, [kiss] because you gave me all the power [kiss] when you agreed to be my sex [nip] slave. [nip]."

I stopped and raised my head up to look her in the eye. "I've told you how I will deal with your attempts to not do as I order, and now you've experienced it not once but twice. The third time will be as bad as those two put together. I don't want that to happen. I assume you don't want that to happen. Especially when we could single-mindedly be pursuing that first purpose of giving each other extraordinarily amazing pleasure."

"Now, will you be a good girl?" I asked. "Will you follow my orders not only because you gave me your word that you would, but because you trust me to act for our mutual pleasure?" Jaycee was trembling slightly. And her long nipples looked like they were about to start firing bullets like Austin Powers' Fembots. She nodded her head in the affirmative. "Good," I said. 

"Will," she said, "you told me to tell you what turns me on and what doesn't. Being tied up really doesn't turn me on."

"See?," I started. "Wasn't that a much better way of getting your point across without directly telling me 'no', calling me a 'prick', and getting your fanny spanked?"

"So you'll untie me?" she asked hopefully.

"No," I said quickly. "I want to tie you up, and so I will. My wants trump yours."

"Also, you're lying," I added. And I moved back up to kiss her lips. 

"Lying?" she protested. "About what?" 

From mere inches from her face, I said quietly, "about being tied up not turning you on." I kissed her hard. Jaycee quickly opened her mouth and accepted my tongue. I stroked her arms up and down as I kissed her, then grabbed them and tugged downward slightly to feel the resistance from being tied. Jaycee groaned in mid-kiss and then aggressively thrust her tongue back into my mouth.

I once again moved down her body, kissing along the way. 

"I'm turned on by other things that you're doing," she took the break to explain. "Having my arms tied has nothing to do with it."

"Still lying, though maybe you're lying to yourself." 

As my hands moved down her arms and across her armpits, Jaycee squirmed a bit. So she was ticklish. That's good to know. I concentrated on her breasts again, this time suckling on her nipples. This was a little different, as I'd never experienced being with a woman with such unique protrusions before. They appeared to be very sensitive as well, considering Jaycee started squirming a bit and was audibly groaning. 

After a good five minutes of working over her breasts, when I was sure that she wasn't going to cum just from tit suckling (for a while it seemed like she might, and I wanted to make sure), I started moving further down her torso. As I did so, Jaycee flung her legs apart. She was obviously looking forward to my continued travels. 

I briefly slipped my tongue into her belly button, and felt her body twitch and her stomach muscles writhe from the ticklish sensations. Then I continued my downward trek before she would be overcome enough to complain. I really didn't want to interrupt right now for her third spanking.

I skipped over the most sensitive, and obviously aromatic, area and placed small kisses and licks on her inner thighs. Jaycee was now rhythmically pulsing her butt slightly off the mattress as if I was already fucking her. 

"Oh Will, please," pleaded Jaycee. I continued the slow build-up, now kissing an orbit all around her pussy. Finally, when I was out of my own patience, I hooked my arms under her upper legs, took hold of her hips, and gave her one long, slow, strong lick from the bottom of her opening lips to the top. "Ooooh-oh-oh-oh," Jaycee moaned. She tasted wonderful. A bit strong, but sweet. I never understood when people said this was gross. This was the elixir of the gods, sweet ambrosia, the potion of love and the fountain of youth.

I licked, I lapped, I nibbled, and I nipped. I experimented to see what she liked the best and then repeated those, while still giving her some variety. But I stayed away from her clit, and I didn't penetrate her with my fingers, only my tongue. Jaycee placed her heels on my back, slowly pushing me with them to set a rhythmic pace. 

"Oh God!", she moaned. I immediately stopped and pulled my head up, looking at her.

At first her hips still bucked up at the same pace, but now with a bit of urgency looking for her lost lover. Finally she looked down. "Wha? What?" she groggily asked. 

"That's not one of the names I told you to call me," I answered.

"What?" she repeated.

"God is not one of your approved names for me. You may only call me Will, William, or Sir."

She giggled. "Yes, sir."

"Good girl," I approved. "I'd hate to have to spank you for such a small transgression as that." And then I plugged back in to her pussy.

She ground back at me. "Oh, Will!!!!"

After a few more minutes, I pulled my left arm out from under her, and snaked it around so that it was poised just below my chin. Then I edged up slightly, planted my mouth directly over her clit, and went to town on it while pushing two fingers up her surprisingly tight pussy.

Jaycee came unhinged. She bucked wildly, with her ankles now slapping my back. 

"OOOHHH-AHAHAH-ARUMPHAH-AG-G-G-G-GOOO-RRRR-AIIIEEE!!!" Or, at least, that's my best approximation of the noises she made. She came. And came. And came. 

Damn, I was good. Her pussy clenched my fingers again and again. Her back arched off the bed. Her ankles slid off my back and she used her feet as leverage to shove her pussy even more into my mouth. 

Finally she collapsed. Her back flopped back down onto the bed. Her legs splayed out to the sides. And she gasped and heaved for breath. I pulled my fingers out, with a giant spasm coming from Jaycee and a squeaked "Oh!" from her mouth. And I rested my head on her right inner thigh. After thirty seconds or so when I had caught my own breath, I pushed my left arm back under her leg and re-positioned myself for another round.

With my first new lick, Jaycee clenched her thighs against the side of my head. "No, don't! I'm too sensitive!"

She was squeezing me tight. I tried to pry her legs apart with my hands. "Jaycee ..." I warned.

"No, Will, you can't."

I move backwards to extricate myself, moved to her right side, then rolled her over. 

"Oh, no, Will!" [SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!]

I rolled her back over. 

"Spread your legs," I ordered.

Jaycee spread her legs. "I'm sorry, Will. But I'm really sensitive after coming. It won't be pleasurable for me."

I had my own theory about that. We'd find out who was right. But I definitely liked it that Jaycee was apologizing to me for making me spank her. And I was obviously still keeping a dominant position over Jaycee even while eating her out. It looked like my plan was working nicely.

I returned to my position and once again started with soft kisses on her thighs. But only a few, and then I went right back to her glistening pussy. 

"Oh! Er! Oh! Rmph!" went Jaycee. Then I grabbed her tightly and went right back to her clit.

"NNNOOOOOO-EEERRRRR-AAAA!!!"

Back to long licks up and down her pussy lips as her bucking slowly lessened. Jaycee was still whining, and crying, but as soon as she was almost back under control I went back to her clit.

"IIIEE-EEK" and then silence. But her body started vibrating and her back was once again arched up. Before she blew a blood vessel I went back to licks.

"[GASP!] OH! [GASP!] What [GASP!] are you [GASP!] doing to me?" Jaycee managed to get out. "OH!" I continued to alternate between her pussy and her clit with each length of time getting shorter. Finally I thought the time was right. I pulled both hands out from under her legs and placed my hands on either side of her stomach above me. Then I gave her clit once last lick and suck and pulled myself up above her. I grabbed my dick, placed it right at her opening and plunged in so that my head was captured by her soaking pussy. 

Jaycee's eyes snapped open and seeing me hovering above her she shouted "YES!" and brought her legs up, rotating her hips upwards, and then placed her ankles across my ass. Even though my face was drenched in her juices I forced myself down on her. Jaycee didn't even hesitate. She opened her mouth wide and tried to suck my tongue down her throat. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 02



I pushed in further, making sure not to just jam myself all the way in her. I started slow strokes, waiting until there was little to no resistance before trying a little further. I pushed both my hands under her, putting my left hand across her back and pulled her tightly to me. My right hand moved up and once again grabbed the back of her head by her hair. 

Jaycee broke the kiss, looking at me wild-eyed. "Please! Please Will! More!" Well then. I resumed kissing her and pushed another inch into her before pulling out. "Grmph!," Jaycee grunted. I pulled back and then fed her another half an inch beyond that. "Grmph!," Jaycee grunted again, but she kept her lips plastered to me. By now I had almost three quarters of my dick crammed into her. Jaycee still had her legs clutching me tightly as she shook violently in my arms. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut yet her tongue was in constant motion. 

It was really hard for me to control myself right now but I desperately held on. I wanted nothing more than to just let myself go, pounding Jaycee for all I was worth. She was easily the sexiest woman that had ever been in my bed. That's not saying a lot considering I wasn't the most experienced guy in the world, but our relationship had been on the friends level for such a long time for a reason. She was out of my league. If I hadn't already come once just in the last hour I never would have lasted this long. Hell, one time I came with a girl while I was just eating her pussy. So, really, I was trying to focus on my control. Not just over my upcoming volcanic orgasm, but over Jaycee herself. The longer I could make this last, the more ... too late.

Jaycee, with surprising strength, had lunged her hips upwards while pulling down on me with her legs. The result was my final three inches entered Jaycee in one big push. She threw her head backwards and wailed! I was stunned. I was entirely inside her. That usually doesn't happen until the third, fourth, sometimes the fifth try at sex. I don't know if it was something about the angle we were at, or some unique aspect of Jaycee. Though the brief moment of surprise and wonder at it may have been the thing to save me from completely losing all control.

Jaycee's hips came back down to the mattress as her wail ended and I automatically pulled an inch out. I kept the momentum, pulling all the way back until just my head was left inside, then reversed myself. Jaycee once again thrust and pulled with me until I was filling her up one more time. Again, back and forth, push and pull, and now once I was all the way in I ground myself against her clit.

Jaycee's eyes locked on mine, her eyes fully dilated. "WI-I-I-I-LLLLLLLL!!!!" she shouted.

Once more, then back and in again, relax and thrust, push and pull, and don't forget the grind. Once more, and that's all I could last. As the tip of my cock crashed against her cervix, it spasmed and spewed forth my second batch of cum for the night. 

"Aie," Jaycee squeaked and her eyes rolled up into the back of her eyelids. 

"AUR-OR-UGH!" I grunted loudly as my dick continued to shoot out its contents.

Finally, my orgasm over, I collapsed deadweight onto Jaycee's limp body. My cock continued to twitch uncontrollably but regularly, probably pushing out the last amounts of my body's essence. 

After a minute, neither of us had moved, but my now rapidly softening cock slipped out of Jaycee's slicked pussy. I raised up, kissed Jaycee lightly on her cheek. Her eyes remained closed while her mouth hung open. 

I got up on my knees and went about untying her arms from the headboard. It took awhile. Damn, those knots were tight. Jaycee must have pulled on them strongly during our lovemaking. I got the second knot undone and, leaving the necktie wrapped around the bedpost, brought Jaycee's arms down into a more regular position. I slowly rubbed her wrists where the necktie had dug into her skin, trying to make sure her circulation was going. Then, with Jaycee still unresponsive, I went to the bathroom and wet a washcloth with warm water. I also washed my face (and my dick) while I was inside. Before grabbing the washcloth, I grabbed and donned a pair of silk boxers from my armoire. Then I returned to the bed. 

Jaycee was a bit of a mess. She was glistening with sweat, and her thighs were drenched with our combined fluids. I set about washing the worst of the mess with long, slow strokes.

"Will?" came Jaycee's weak voice. Thank goodness, I was beginning to think I may have killed her. I've often joked that death by orgasm would be the way to go, but now I didn't think I wanted to be on the giving end. That would be a weird combination of arrogance and guilt.

"Hey there, darling," I responded. Jaycee was looking at me through half-lidded eyes. 

"That was ... that was ...," she started. Then shook as the warm washcloth came a little too close to her sensitive areas.

"Shh. It's ok," I told her. 

"No, it's not ok," she mumbled. "That was too good."

"There's no such thing as too good." I smiled and finished up my washing of her body. 

Normally I'd insist on a shower, but she obviously wasn't ready to move anywhere. I got up, putting the washcloth back in the bathroom sink, and returned to the bed. I carefully picked her up, pulled the blanket and sheet back, balancing Jaycee precariously on my lap with one hand, and then slid her back onto the bed. I got myself situated in the middle of the bed on my back, pulled the blanket up, and then pulled Jaycee back to me. She moved her left arm and left leg over me, and used the left side of my chest as her pillow. 

I basked in the feelings of what I'd accomplished this night for a few minutes before letting myself sleep.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 03



Part 3 – Sunday Morning (Jan 18)

I slowly awakened to a very pleasant sensation on my cock. Jaycee was no longer curled up next to me but had instead scooted down to my lower half.

"Oooh, does Billie's willie want to be sucked?" asked Jaycee quietly. I opened my eyes slightly and gazed down at her. She was on her side looking intently at my dick, which she had pulled through the opening in the front of my silk boxers. "Does B.J. want a B.J.?" she asked again. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was smiling.

"Huh-hm," I cleared my throat. Jaycee changed her attention up to my face, still smiling. 

"Stand up, Jaycee," I ordered. Confused, she slid off the bed and stood beside it. I pulled myself up, swung my legs over the side of the bed, but didn't put myself away. 

"Assume the position, Jaycee," I ordered.

Jaycee just looked down at my cock still poking up proudly.

"What was my first rule," I asked. Understanding slowly came to her.

"Sorry, I didn't ...," she started. I held up my hand to stop her.

"Assume the position," I repeated.

Jaycee stepped forward, then leaned over and placed her hips against my legs. Slowly she folded herself over and gripped the blanket tightly. I placed my hand on her butt and squeezed. Jaycee jumped. 

"What did you do wrong?" I asked.

"I called you Bill and B.J.," she said.

"And why did you do that?" I asked.

"Because I thought you were still asleep," Jaycee explained.

"Is that a valid excuse?" I demanded.

"Apparently not," she whispered. 

"Disrespect behind my back is still disrespect, Jaycee," I said.

"I'm sorry, Will. You're right. I was wrong," Jaycee agreed. Yes! If someone had told me this time yesterday morning that I would soon be in this position with Jaycee I would have had him committed.

I spanked her four times, hard, but not as hard as last night. She started to get up, but I kept her down with my left hand on her back. I slowly stroked her reddening butt with my right hand.

"Jaycee?"

"Yes, sir?" 

Sir? I almost burst out with maniacal laughter.

"Spread your legs," I gently ordered.

Jaycee sighed, turned her head to look at me while placing her right cheek down on the mattress. She then spread her legs wide. I continued stroking her behind, but slowly lengthened my strokes to go lower towards the back of her thighs, and then angled towards her pussy. Jaycee would occasionally jump, or maybe spasm would be a better description. But she would quickly bring herself back under control.

"What am I doing now Jaycee?" I prodded.

"Playing with my ass, sir," she softly answered.

"Does it feel good?"

"It still stings a little, from the spanking, but in a good way with your touch. ... and ..."

"And?"

"You're making my pussy twitch."

"Has your pussy ever twitched from someone playing with your ass before?" I asked.

"No. Never. Only you," she responded, with little hitches in her voice. I now placed my palm down on her lower rear and slid my fingers towards her pussy. Jaycee spread her legs slightly wider.

"And why do you think that is? Why are you responding like this to my touch?" I asked.

"I ...," she started. I slid a finger slowly into her nicely wet pussy. "Oh ..., umm ...I ..." she stuttered.

I moved my left hand up to her head and began stroking her hair, while my right hand continued to slowly move in and out of her pussy.

"Sshhh!," I soothed. "It's ok. You don't have to come up with an answer right now. Just enjoy, and remember my second rule."

"Ok," Jaycee said, and just like that she started moving, trying to pick up the rhythm of my stroking. I wasn't trying to get her off fast, but she was throwing herself into it. Within minutes her pussy started twitching and her hips began slightly moving up and down. She was coming. I marveled at the female body and its greatest advantage over us males' make-up. I slowed my right hand as she trailed off, then removed my fingers and went back to slowly stoking her ass. All the while I had continued to run the fingers on my left hand through her hair.

"Will? Would you like me to service you now?" Jaycee asked. 

Service? I had really unlocked Jaycee's hidden submissive. I just hoped I hadn't bitten off more than I could chew. 

"Yes," I replied. Jaycee smiled and eased herself up. "But in the shower," I continued. 

There are few things in my overly expensive apartment that I had learned to appreciate more than my master bath - stone tiling, dual sinks, a deep, garden bathtub underneath a large, glazed window that let in plenty of natural sunlight while still maintaining privacy, and to top it all off, the multi-head, multi-angle shower "system." Jaycee looked around in wonder as I led her in, turned on the shower, and adjusted the temperature. 

There was plenty of room inside the shower stall for both of us and we had a great time soaping, shampooing, and rinsing each other off. I stayed hard throughout thanks to Jaycee rubbing herself against me frequently, including plenty of "accidental" gropes. Her laugh was musical and her smile brought happiness to my soul. Yeah, I know. I already sound like a lost cause, but this was a real-life fantasy that had a fixed expiration date. I was going to enjoy every minute so that I could replay the memories for the rest of my life.

When we were squeaky clean, I turned the temperature up slightly, turned Jaycee so that she wasn't directly in the line of one of the sprays, and then pushed down gently on her shoulders. She smiled sweetly at me, then dropped to her knees and proceeded to give me another sexy blow job. Just like last time I played with Jaycee's hair, but with it slicked back and wet I didn't grab it to control her. Instead I added conditioner to her hair so that I could pull my fingers through it. It made the whole experience much more sensual. As I was approaching the end, I bent over, reached down, and grabbed Jaycee's breasts. Jaycee increased her pace and somehow managed to get a little more of me into her mouth (maybe she had a better angle from me leaning down). I pulled and groped her tits, getting more and more forceful. As I did this, Jaycee increased her pace again and started emitting little grunts. Just as I was about to blow, I grabbed Jaycee's distended nipples, squeezed, then pulled.

"Erroomp," came from Jaycee as she gave a giant suck, the vibrations from that sound was the coup de grace and she took all my sperm for herself.

When she was done, Jaycee smiled up at me and said "I like rule number two." 

"You came when I came?" I asked wonderingly. 

"Yep. First time I've ever come giving a blow job," she admitted. "Though what you did to my tits certainly helped." 

We got out, toweled dry, and I then found Jaycee an unused toothbrush. We did the usual morning rituals and then exited the bathroom. I put on my bathrobe, then went into my closet to grab an old one for Jaycee. When I came out I offered it to her, but she shyly shook her head no. 

"You want to stay in your birthday suit for me?" Jaycee nodded. "Alright then," and I gave her a small slap on the butt. Her eyes got big around and then she leaned over onto the bed, sticking her ass back out while looking back at me. "What are you doing Jaycee?"

"You gave me something to wear and I refused you. Weren't you showing me that I should be punished?" she asked. Was she now going out of her way to get me to spank her? 

"I appreciate the thought, and how you want to be a stickler for obeying me. But I was offering the bathrobe to you, not ordering you to wear it. It was purely optional."

I added, "If I order you to do something I'll try to make it very clear that you cannot refuse. Like last night, I made long-standing orders by saying that they were 'official' orders. And then when I wanted you to do something immediately I tried to use a very stern tone of voice. If there's any confusion I can say something else to make those orders extra clear as well," I offered.

"No, I think I've got the difference. I'll figure it out," she said. She stood up, came to me, and kissed me oh so sweetly.

"Why don't we get some breakfast," I said, taking her by the elbow and turning her towards the bedroom door. 

As we walked down the hall towards the living room, Jaycee seemed to return to her normal self. It was as if 'Submissive Jaycee' was restricted to the boudoir. She started looking around with interest. "I haven't been here since that weekend you and Hannah moved in," she reminded me. I suppose it wasn't surprising she brought Hannah up. Hannah was how I knew Jaycee in the first place.

"Yeah, I was originally pretty upset when Hannah insisted I get this place. I really couldn't afford it at the time," I added.

"What are you talking about?" asked Jaycee. "You're swimming in money. Hannah was seriously pissed when you dumped her, and before that she would complain non-stop about how you were so cheap and never spent any of the money you were making." And she looked around the apartment at my nice furnishings to subtly enhance her point.

"Oh, I'm very familiar with her point of view. Looking back, I guess it's kind of ironic. Hannah has a better concept of money than a lot of women I've met since. But still that's not saying much."

Jaycee looked at me questioningly as I went over to the kitchen to see what I had to offer for breakfast. After all, I had to keep our energy levels up if I was to make the most of my time with Jaycee. I pulled milk and eggs out of the refrigerator, and then pulled a box of pancake mix from the cabinet. 

"Here, let me do that," said Jaycee. She started looking around, trying to figure out where I kept certain items. I pulled open a drawer and got out a mixing bowl, and pulled a spatula from a container next to the sink and handed it to her. She started putting together a batter while I pulled out both my waffle maker as well as a skillet, to give her some options. I saw that she glanced over to my spice collection. 

"Do you have student loans you're still repaying?" I asked Jaycee. She nodded yes. "Does Hannah?" 

Jaycee looked at me for a second then shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really know."

"She does not, and no, it isn't because I paid them off for her. Her dad paid her tuition, as well as the rent on the college apartment that she shared with you but never spent any time at." I explained.

"I didn't know that," repeated Jaycee. "Hannah doesn't act like a spoiled Daddy's girl." 

"For the most part, she's not. Her dad would give her money for very specific 'big ticket' items, but for everything else she was on her own."

"Now, do I have student loans?" I asked Jaycee. Slow comprehension came across her face. "I didn't go to the local state school like you two did. Though that's really not fair to you since you were paying out-of-state tuition. So you have some idea what kind of debt I incurred from the highly prestigious private school up the road. Plus you went to grad school for two years for your Masters, not four years like I did for my two degrees," I added. "I didn't have rich parents to pay my tuition, or help me out on rent, and because Hannah didn't want to get a job while in school or ask her parents for more money, guess who paid for her living expenses as well?" I asked.

Now Jaycee's eye's got wide in understanding. "How did you afford that?" she asked. 

"I took the max amount of federal and private loans possible, every single year, and dedicated every dollar I earned over the summers towards maintaining her lifestyle."

"So sure, I got this nice paying job after school, and a big chunk of my paycheck went straight to pay my outrageously high loan payments. On top of all that, I got talked into moving into this extremely expensive apartment building with the assumption that Hannah would be moving in with me and paying for half to make it affordable. But no, she kept her apartment with you, because her parents wouldn't like the idea that their twenty-four year old daughter was shacked up with a guy that she wasn't married to."

"Didn't you explain that to Hannah?" asked Jaycee. 

"I tried to ... repeatedly. Hannah didn't believe me. Or maybe refused to believe me would be a better description. Now I did have some money left over, which I wanted to save for a rainy day, or maybe an engagement ring, or the down payment on a house. But Hannah complained that I wasn't spending any of my high salary on her, and she had waited so long and put in so much time and effort in our relationship waiting for it."

"Maybe that's how you interpreted what she was saying, but I'm sure she meant something else," said a shocked Jaycee.

"Oh, no, that's pretty much a word for word quote," I sighed. "She let me know in no uncertain terms that I was just a meal ticket for her. I suppose I kinda looked at her as an investment as well. I mean, I'm not the kind of guy to run up a lot of debt, I was extremely thrifty in undergrad. But I did when I was dating her in school thinking that I'd get it back once we both had jobs and were married. But as time went on, she got more and more demanding, and we did fewer things that I wanted to do. That was especially hard on me since I had so little free time from working so much. She started dropping hints about not working at all once we got married. Then she made that comment that shocked you so much, which started the fight to end all fights. And I mean that quite literally. It was then that I realized how miserable I'd become with Hannah, and how stupid it was for me to stay with her. That's when I dumped her."

"I'm sorry," said Jaycee. "It's so odd to finally hear your side of the story. Hannah made you out to be selfish and always taking her for granted. Since then Hannah's always talking about how she's making enough money to not need a man, and putting her career above having kids and all that." Jaycee was being really sweet, and the situation was more than a little surreal since we were having this conversation while she was making me breakfast buck naked.

"Well, it turned out for the best," I said. "And I really mean that. I spent two weeks feeling sorry for myself and then completely changed my life. I started working out. I took a roommate for six months, saved every dollar, and refigured some of my finances a bit to actually do some investing. I did the things I wanted to do. And for the most part, I still kept you and some of the others from the old gang as friends. That really surprised me, by the way. I didn't expect you, being Hannah's roommate, to still want to hang out and talk with me."

"I've never understood why people get upset at those types of things," Jaycee responded. "I mean, you were never mean to me, so why was I supposed to now think mean things about you?" 

This was definitely very un-chick thinking, in my experience at least. 

"I suppose that was my first strike with Hannah," she added. "But she and I were never really that close. Even though we were roommates, we really weren't for the longest time. She was always with you instead. I mean, her bedroom furniture was in our apartment but she never slept there. I was already used to going off and doing things without her. So if the gang I hung out with occasionally included you, I didn't think it affected Hannah in any way. ... Besides, of all my guy friends, I liked hanging out with you the most."

"Oh?" I asked, genuinely surprised. 

"Easily," Jaycee affirmed. "You're the smartest, so we always had interesting conversations. And every other guy I spent time with could never leave things at just friendship. They were always trying to get into my pants. You and I had this sexual tension, and you'd tease me which I really liked, but then you never made an overt pass. Being with you was like having a constant, small, sexual buzz going, but one which would end if we ever did anything about it."

"And now here you are my sex slave," I said, making the obvious rejoinder.

"Yep. Funny how that worked out," Jaycee laughed. "Ok, go relax while I finish your breakfast."

I moved back into the living room, turned on the news, and grabbed my phone to check my email.

Sunday mornings were usually pretty slow for web traffic, though I could always count on a few work-related emails no matter what. But this morning, one really stuck out and had me swearing at the idiocies of the manager mentality and their constant need to reinforce the power they had over their underlings. 

When Jaycee called me to the dining area for breakfast my mood hadn't improved. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, just a stupid email I got from one of the partners at work, making some ridiculous demands," I replied.

"So? Tell me about it."

"Things have been really slow at the office lately. The financial crisis hit us right where we make our living. A lot of other firms in town have had layoffs and I wouldn't be surprised if we're headed that way, too. But this partner Mike Reynolds, who isn't one of the partners I regularly do work for, sent me an email accusing me of working abnormally slow on the projects I have in order to stretch them out."

"That sounds like something a lot of people would do," Jaycee responded.

"Maybe in most businesses, but not when you bill the clients by the hour," I explained. "Doing that wastes your client's money, and is a fast way to lose a client. It's also fraudulent, and I happen to pride myself on maintaining high ethical standards with my work."

"What pisses me off most is that he didn't ask me for a status update on the projects, he just flat out assumed I was jerking the client around."

"Well, don't let that make you do something you'll regret," Jaycee warned.

"Oh, I already replied to him saying that I could account for every minute of time I worked on these projects."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad," said Jaycee. "You're standing up for yourself without calling him a jerk."

I thought so too. But it didn't appear to satisfy Mr. Reynolds. By the time breakfast was concluded, I had received another email saying that if I could justify my billing that was all for the good, but he still wanted the projects to be concluded by noon Monday. He was obviously sticking with his original wrong assumption about me. That meant I would have to put in many hours of work today, and I explained as much to Jaycee.

"Good, after last night I could use a few more hours of beauty sleep," she said. And she stretched and yawned - her arms out wide and her chest jutted out. 

Oof! 

I was so tempted to just grab her and throw her down right there on the carpet.

But duty calls. Besides, vigorous exercise isn't good immediately after a meal. I pulled out my laptop and briefcase with the documentary support I needed. Instead of sitting at the desk in my pseudo-home office-slash-guest-bedroom, I decided I was going to have some enjoyment around and set myself up on the couch in the living room with the football playoff pre-game shows going at low volume. 

When Jaycee came out of the kitchen after cleaning the dishes (I never ordered her to do maid service, she just decided that came with the sex slave duties), I was fully engrossed in five hundred page loan contracts and creating checklists for what needed to be done to adjust and alter some of the key terms to minimize potential client liability. Are you still with me, or do you need a nap now too? Jaycee broke my concentration to plant a nice, wet kiss on my lips, then laid down on the couch, raised my arm, and nestled her head on my lap to use me as a pillow.

For the next three and a half hours I worked. Occasionally I would distract myself with some riveting football analysis. And occasionally I'd distract myself with rubbing Jaycee's back or stroking her hair. Jaycee really was dead to the world. She wasn't kidding about her beauty sleep. Jaycee's friends were constantly bewildered at her need for ten hours of sleep a day. She didn't always get it in one stretch, she was a big nap taker, but ten hours was her standard amount. I'd been going on five hours daily since law school and my body had adjusted. Even if I wanted to sleep in these days I couldn't. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 03



It was just after noon before my body's needs overcame my desire to stay there with Jaycee. I had been resisting my need to use the bathroom for half an hour but enough was enough. I grabbed a throw pillow and slowly eased it under Jaycee's head as I slid myself out. Amazingly, she didn't wake up.

When I came back, Jaycee had shifted a bit. She was still facing the back of the couch, with her pretty ass towards me. Once again I was tempted to just take her right then and there, but I figured I'd already cum three times in the last twelve hours, and I had some plans for tonight. Plus, there were some things I needed at the office if I was going to get this work done, and I didn't want to just leave Jaycee here to wake up by herself. 

I sat down next to Jaycee and stroked her back down to her butt, gave it a little squeeze, then reversed course and moved my hand up, over her neck, and into her hair. I grabbed it and pulled slightly, released it, then repeated the cycle over again. 

"Mmmm," Jaycee purred. "I'll give you all day to cut that out." She stretched, and rolled over on her back to look at me. I still had my hand behind her back, so I pulled her up, wrapped my other hand around her, brought her close to me, and planted a firm and wet kiss on her mouth. Within seconds we were seriously making out, with Jaycee's arms grabbing hold of my shoulders.

I let it go on for another minute, then broke it off. "Ok, enough of that," I announced. "We've got things to do, errands to run. So you need to get dressed."

Jaycee seemed a bit bewildered that I could transition so quickly from serious make-out session to giving unemotional orders. But she rolled with it, answering with one of her now patented yessirs and went to get ready. She also insisted on making sandwiches and chips for lunch before we went out. But we scarfed everything down fast and in less than fifteen minutes were headed down the elevator. Jaycee was doing the "walk of shame" - wearing the same clothes from the previous night. Well, everything but the underwear, which I ordered her to leave behind. Maybe it was a sophomoric gesture, but I wanted a constant reminder for her that I was in charge of her sexually. 

"I guess we should talk about our schedules for the upcoming week," I said.

"This should be a pretty short conversation then," Jaycee quipped. "I'm at your complete disposal. I don't have any work scheduled, and don't expect any. I can make myself busy while you're at work, but I also can follow you around every minute of every day if you want me to."

I had to smile at that. To think I thought she was bluffing about this agreement last night and was going to slink away at the first opportunity. Jaycee really was a woman of her word. I don't mean to denigrate the female half of our species with those kinds of comments. My mother is a woman of her word. It's just that Jaycee was apparently the first woman I'd encountered other than my mother I could say that about. 

We stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor and made our way to the parking deck.

"You coming in to my office with me tomorrow does have some merit. As I said earlier, we have been slow. So while it looks like my morning will be busy, most of the support staff are bored out of their minds. Giving them someone new to talk to will make me pretty popular for the rest of the week. And I will likely be able to take you out to lunch, then cut out afterwards."

"So I should wear something nice tomorrow?" Jaycee prompted.

"Not overly nice. Business casual is fine," I answered. "But pack a couple nice outfits for sometime later in the week. And what else should I have you bring? Oh yes, some lingerie."

Jaycee gritted her teeth. "Ummm. ... I'm not much of a lingerie girl," she admitted. 

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm more of an au naturale type." 

"I'll have to remedy that particular drawback," I said. We got into my car, buckled up, and pulled out, beginning our trek first to Jaycee and Hannah's place.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jaycee asked.

"My rules, my checkbook," I replied. "Let's extend that for the entire week. Don't you worry about money at all. I'll take care of everything. Especially since I feel obligated to spend last night's winnings on you." That last line should get Jaycee to accept without putting up much of a fuss. I was actually looking forward to spending some money on her. It's been a long while since I splurged on anything. I'd been putting my money to other uses recently.

"You do, huh? That does seem only fair," she laughed.

"You're pretty used to guys buying you things, aren't you?" I asked.

"Ummm, well, if a guy wants to take me out to a fancy restaurant, I certainly can't contribute anything to the bill."

"Some of the guys I've seen spending money on you knew it was part of the whole game. But there were a couple guys over the years who I really felt sorry for."

"Oh yeah?" Jaycee asked concerned. "Like who?"

"How about that dorky therapist who worked at that place you interned at, I think he was partially deaf in one ear?"

"Jeff. He was a sweety," Jaycee answered. "Why did you feel sorry for him?"

"Did you ever consider him as a potential serious boyfriend?" I prompted.

"Serious boyfriend? I don't ever consider anyone a potential serious boyfriend. I mean, if it happens then it happens, but I don't go around looking for that."

"But you accept expensive gifts from guys anyway," I said. It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"Guys who spend money on me are just trying to jump immediately into my pants without getting to know me first. Jeff did get to know me. And though I didn't have sex with him, I got naked with him."

"Was that the night Hannah and I were spending at y'all's place and you were on the pull-out sofa instead of in your bedroom?"

"Wow, you've got a good memory," answered Jaycee.

"Of course I remember that night. I felt horrible for Jeff then. It's actually why I brought him up. When I went into the kitchen to get a glass of water, you called me over, made no move to cover your tits, and asked for a goodnight kiss from me, which you'd never asked for before! All with Jeff under the covers beside you. And you're saying that was the only night you spent with him and you didn't let him go all the way? Damn, I feel even worse for the poor guy now."

"I don't understand," said Jaycee. "We had a good night together. I sent him away happy."

"I seriously doubt that," I responded. "Did he call you after that?"

"Ummm, I don't remember."

"Did you call him after that?"

"Will, what's your point?"

"How much money had he spent on you? Now that this is coming back to me, didn't he buy you something nice that day? I seem to remember shopping bags."

"Oh? Well, I did come home that day with my nice satin sheet set and a new duvet," Jaycee recalled.

I couldn't help it. I erupted in laughter. "Oh, the poor schmuck!" Oh crap, did I say that out loud?

"What? Why?!? Don't call him that, he was sweet!" whined Jaycee. "Why do you think he was a schmuck?"

"Let's see, one look at him and I could tell he was completely infatuated with you. He followed you around like a puppy for at least three, maybe four weeks. He bought you whatever you asked for. The last big present was a bedding set which had to set him back at least five hundred dollars, maybe more. He finally gets you to invite him to spend the night, but he doesn't even get to sleep on the nice things he bought for you. Instead you insist on sleeping in the public area while your roommate and her boyfriend are nearby. And then just after you get naked and he thinks that you really do care about him and are going to give him what he's been wishing and fantasizing about for so long, you invite your roommate's boyfriend over, flash me like I'd seen it a hundred times, kiss me on the mouth like you've done it a hundred times, and then don't have sex with him. ... Do I have that right?"

"Ummm. ... yeah, that seems pretty close," Jaycee answered, seeing things in a different light. 

After a bit of silence, Jaycee asked me "are you saying that I should put out if a guy spends money on me?"

"No," I answered, "not at all. But with that little goodnight kiss stunt you telegraphed to Jeff loud and clear that you were free with some things and weren't with others, that seeing you naked wasn't that big a deal since you were letting me see you naked. And Jeff wasn't good enough for the good stuff. For guys like Jeff, you need to treat them a little differently than the guys you hook up with at the bars. For 'sweet' guys like Jeff, you shouldn't encourage them to spend money on you if you're not interested. That's just taking advantage of them." 

"You really think so?" she asked. "I figured if he wasn't getting something out of being with me he wouldn't be spending time with me in the first place."

"No, you're not selling great conversation and hanging out time with Jaycee. You're selling lottery tickets to Jaycee's pussy."

Jaycee laughed. "Oh shit, Will, do you just think of me as a whore or all women?"

"All women. They're either whores or sluts. Of course, all men are either johns or dicks whether they want to be or not."

"You are so jaded," Jaycee said. "Did Hannah do this to you?"

"I am nothing but my life's experience," I replied. 

"In that case, Jeff got the same lesson on the cheap, don't you think?" Jaycee asked. 

"Ouch." 

I guess looking at things that way I was a much bigger schmuck than poor Jeff. 

"Put in that light, you're a veritable saint," I agreed.

"Ok, here we are," I said as I turned into Hannah and Jaycee's apartment complex. "Do you need me to go up with you? I didn't bring my suit of armor to protect me from the evil witch inside."

"You might as well join me. It will probably take me fifteen minutes or so."

As I pulled into the parking lot, I spotted Hannah and some guy, impressively muscled, at a rusted, beat up, red pick-up truck fully loaded with furniture. In fact, I was pretty sure that it was Jaycee's rusted, beat up, red pick-up truck.

"What the fuck?!?" whispered Jaycee.

It looked like Hannah had disassembled Jaycee's entire bedroom and loaded it into the truck. There was a mattress and bed spring, a chest of drawers, night stands, and other pieces of random furniture as well as plenty of boxes, lamps, and I think I spotted a couple overflowing trash bags near the back.

"It's about damn time," the harpy shrieked. I mean, Hannah said snidely as we stepped out of my car. "I want the rest of your stuff cleared out in an hour."

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!?" screamed ... well, you can guess.

The two wailed at each other one right over the top of the other. "WHY DID YOU DO THIS" "I TOLD YOU YOU WERE NO LONGER WELCOME" "YOU CAN'T JUST GRAB MY STUFF" "MY NAME'S THE ONLY ONE ON THE LEASE" "YOU VIOLATED MY PRIVACY" "YOU OWE ME MORE THAN A THOUSAND BUCKS" "WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT" "YOU'RE LUCKY I DIDN'T SELL YOUR SHIT ON EBAY" "BITCH" "NO YOU'RE THE BITCH, WHORE!" "HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK" "NO MONEY NO APARTMENT" "I'VE NEVER ...!" "I WANT YOUR SKANKY ASS OUT"

I finally pulled Jaycee away and placed myself between the two women. I held on tight, too, as I was thinking Jaycee might soon resort to violence. I twisted my head around and said, "Hannah, regardless of your take on the issues, I'm pretty sure you broke the law when you forcibly removed Jaycee's things from the apartment."

"I beg to differ," said Mister Muscles.

He talks? "Who are you?" I asked.

Hannah responded, with a sneer in her voice. "You can't push me around any more Mister Lawyer. I knew you'd take your whore's side, so I got my own representation."

My brain almost melted from Hannah saying I pushed her around. But I refocused on her helper and eyed the guy warily. No lawyer should have muscles like that, or wear such a tight t-shirt. It wasn't professional. 

"Will Jennings," I nodded.

"Blake Thomas," he grinned.

"Will ..." Jaycee started. 

I gave Jaycee a little squeeze but kept my eyes on the hired gun. I decided to try and channel my first year Torts professor. "Well Mr. Thomas, why do you think Ms. Gerry had the legal right to physically remove Ms. Wade's personal possessions from their domicile without Ms. Wade being present?" I asked. I don't think it worked. Neither Hannah nor her guy looked at all intimidated.

"I'd be happy to explain, Mr. Jennings. Number one ..." (you may have noticed, us lawyers love to number things. They teach us how to do that school) "Ms. Wade is not on the lease for Ms. Gerry's apartment. Number two, she is seriously in arrears on their private residential arrangement. Number three, she waived her normal notice of eviction when she previously offered to move out at a quote "moment's notice" in their conversation of three weeks ago. Number four, she received that final notice last evening. And lastly, Ms. Wade gave voluntary access to her vehicle when she gave Ms. Gerry the keys immediately following her receipt of said final notice."

I blinked a couple times in surprise. Hannah was smiling like a cat looking at a trapped mouse.

I turned to Jaycee and said, "Jaycee, this is really not my area of expertise, but although what that guy said sounded really impressive that isn't the end all be all." I paused momentarily in order to make a decision. "Even though it might be against ethics rules, would you like me to represent you in this matter?"

Jaycee looked up at me with watery eyes. "Why would you representing me be against ethics rules?" she asked.

"Because you two fucked like animals last night," sniped Hannah. My body involuntarily shuddered. Now I hoped Jaycee said yes just so I'd have official permission to figure out a way to screw that bitch royally.

My head snapped around towards Hannah. "No, it's because I had a long-term sexual relationship with the person she'd be suing and that might be considered a personal conflict that would bias me to such an extent I would be unable to provide objective counsel," I lectured. 

"You vicious, spiteful cow," I added. Damn, I had been doing so well to control myself and sound all lawyerly-like.

"Don't insult me you fucking asshole," the harpy shrieked yet again. "You two giant fucks are perfect for each other. I hope you fall into a fucking fire and fucking die!" Hannah allowed Blake to draw her off some distance. As far as he was concerned what's done was done and he had a strong theory to defend Hannah's actions, so that was that. Plus, he figured (correctly) that he had won since I had let slip my control and resorted to personal insults. 

Jaycee was pretty wound up as well but she was just glaring evilly at Hannah. 

"One hour, fuckers!" called Hannah. "After that I throw the rest of your shit off the balcony!"

As soon as Hannah was out of sight Jaycee collapsed against me. She may have cried a bit as well, but she was being pretty quiet.

"Ok, first things first," I said, putting my arms around her. "You've lived in that apartment for years. How is it you're not on the lease?"

Jaycee sniffed. "Our lease was up for renewal last month. I was already behind on the rent. And I had started thinking that if things didn't turn around soon for me that I would probably move back in with my parents, so it just made sense for me to not be locked up with a lease for another year," she explained. 

I pondered that for a moment. "Well, regardless, you're a long-term tenant. Even if your name is no longer on the lease, I'm sure the landlord, or the management here, knows you're living here. Therefore, I'm pretty sure that they're the only ones who can evict you. All that blathering about your volunteering and being given final notice last night, that was just old-fashioned lawyer bullshit."

Jaycee actually grinned a little. "And you're an expert at that, right?" she asked.

"Heck no," I quipped. "That double-talk is meant for the ambulance chasers. I'm a distinguished white-shoed gentleman of the profession."

"A gentleman, huh?" she asked. "The kind of gentleman who has a sex slave?"

That was a good point. "Shhh!," I whispered. "A gentleman is defined as a guy who's good at hiding his sexual appetites. It's the lowly ruffians who just flaunt the baser parts of man's existence."

"Are you sure you don't do the lawyerly bullshit?" she inquired. I gave her a grin and a pinch on the rear.

"Oh!" Jaycee jumped. She then gave me a little smack on the chest.

"So what do we do now?" she asked.

"I can think of a few options," I said. "Number one is we can call the police and they can force Hannah to let us put your stuff back inside."

Jaycee eyed the truck, estimating how much work that would be. "What's option number two?" she asked.

"Number two would be we pull out a gun and force Hannah and Blake to do the heavy lifting," I said, now eyeing all of that furniture. Which actually wasn't much, but enough that I didn't want to carry it all up the stairs.

"I think you'd probably get disbarred for that. What's option number three?"

"Good 'cause I don't have a gun. Number three would be we try to find a storage unit that we can stash your stuff in, and then we use the rest of the week figuring out where you're going to live while we proceed with the original plan of you spending all week with me."

Jaycee nodded. "That sounds do-able, and I like it better than option number four."

"And what's that?" I asked.

"Call up my parents and tell them I'm on my way," she answered.

"Are your parents still in Indiana?" I asked.

"Yep."

"I don't like option four very much," I said.

"Well then oh master, which option will it be?" Jaycee asked, looking up at me with a small smile and the first light in her eyes I'd seen since the yelling.

"Master, huh?" I said. "I think I like that." Jaycee grinned at me. "I am hereby amending Rule number one to add 'Master' to the list of approved names you are allowed to call me."

Jaycee actually broke into a smile, instead of rolling her eyes or shaking her head 'no' like I was expecting. I think she was really getting into this role play of ours.

"Ok," I continued. "Let's grab the rest of your stuff as quickly as possible to minimize our time spent in Hannah's presence, and then we can blow this taco stand."

Once we got into the apartment, it looked like we wouldn't have to spend all that much time there. Six boxes were stacked in the foyer, with piles of what I could only assume were Jaycee's clothes on top. 

Jaycee grabbed a sleeve of a shirt, I guess not quite believing that it was in fact hers and removed from her bedroom closet.

"That bitch," she whispered. We slowly edged past the pile and could see down the hall to Jaycee's now completely bare bedroom. I'll give one compliment to Hannah, when she set her mind to something, she was motivated to get it accomplished. She wanted Jaycee out last night. It wouldn't surprise me to find out she worked without sleep to get everything organized. How and when the big muscled lawyer entered the equation I didn't know, ... and really didn't want to know.

I picked up a partially filled box and handed it to Jaycee. "Go through every room. Make sure you don't leave anything behind. I'll find a storage place." And I pulled out my phone. 

All in all, it still took us a little over an hour and a half to get Jaycee's stuff packed in both of our cars. I had found a storage place about two miles away. We probably could have gotten out of there in half the time, but Hannah and Jaycee had argued over who was the rightful owner of no less than twenty-two different items (yes, I counted), and having lawyers on both sides made the process all the more complicated. Hannah's attorney, Mister Blake Thomas, made the process especially painful with his incremental negotiating style. He encouraged Hannah to make unsupportable claims of ownership to items, including one dress of Jaycee's that Hannah couldn't possibly fit her curvy figure into. But they did so in an effort to force Jaycee to give up a claim on an item during negotiations when they finally removed their claim. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 03



This kind of tactic is partly how lawyers have earned a bad reputation, and was particularly loathsome to be on the receiving end on, especially when I tried not to sink to his level. Particularly frustrating was that Jaycee's credit card receipts, which could have possibly helped to prove her claims to some items, had been packed away by Hannah, presumably in a buried and unlabeled box in her truck. However, at one point when it was just me and Blake in the same room, he started talking to me as if this entire episode was just a game, and while he had 'scored' on me with his arguments outside, the real chumps were our clients. If he had said that to me just about anywhere else, I would have probably gone off on the guy. Instead, I was so ready to be rid of him that I just gave him a disgusted look, one that prompted him to drop the matter and leave the room. I wondered if he was charging Hannah for his time, and if not, what else he was demanding of her in compensation.

After finally leaving Jaycee's apartment, or I should say her former apartment, Jaycee followed me to the storage facility in her truck. I went in, paid for three months (shhh, I wasn't telling Jaycee that, it was the smallest payment they'd accept), got the key, and found the unit. As I opened it up, Jaycee was surprised.

"I don't think I need one so big," she commented. 

"Why'd you get out of your truck?" I asked. 

"What do you mean?" she replied.

"Just drive on in. That's the reason why I got one this size."

Jaycee laughed. "You lazy bastard. You just didn't want to unload the truck."

"Of course," I agreed. Besides, I thought having Jaycee relying on me for transportation would just increase her overall feelings of dependency on me. We also unloaded the majority of the boxes and clothes from my car. Jaycee had a suitcase with just a few outfits, her old bookbag, a box of her toiletries, her portable massage table, and a big, old, outrageously heavy bag of what she said were her massage supplies transferred into my car. She was looking at the back of her truck and grimacing.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Now that I'm thinking about it, there are several outfits that I'd like to pull out for this week, including some exercise clothes and my sexy black dress" she replied.

"Oh?" my ears perked up at that. 

"You've seen it, it's the dress I wore to Matt and Dina's engagement party."

"Oh," I said, disappointed. It wasn't that sexy of a dress. "Is that the same black dress you wore to Stacy's wedding?" I asked.

Jaycee smiled at me. "Probably. If it still works, don't try to fix it." Stacy's wedding was almost three years ago.

"Yeah, about that, you deserve better. C'mon," I told her while walking back to my car.

"Where to?" she asked hopefully.

"Before I go into work, I'm dropping you off at the mall with my credit card," I said.

Sometime in the midst of packing, I had called Aaron to see if he could help us unload at the storage unit. As expected he was working. He was a real estate agent, and even though there was nothing going on thanks to the housing slump, he refused to leave his desk in the hope that a customer would walk in. Sundays used to be the busiest day of the week for him. I filled Jaycee in on the conversation as we made our way to the local Mecca of All that is Retail.

"So did Aaron get lucky last night?" Jaycee asked.

"You know better than that," I replied.

"Couldn't beat her three aces, huh?" she laughed. "So why'd he see her bet?"

"Why do you think? He's a nice guy who only wants to give Susan what she wants."

"Ah," Jaycee said. "Is he one of those nice guys you warned me about?"

"Actually yes, he is" I said. "Do you want to know something else I find surprising?"

"What's that?" Jaycee asked.

"I wasn't the only person shocked to his core last night to find out that Susan still had her v-card," I answered.

"Really?" Jaycee said. "I didn't realize she was going to keep it a secret so long."

"You knew?" I asked.

"Of course," Jaycee giggled. "She was tired of the lame guys she was meeting at church and asked me to set her up with someone else. And she begged me not to say anything about that part of her, afraid that it would scare the guy off."

"Well, she was right about that," I muttered.

"Oh, is Aaron running for the hills?" she laughed again.

"Let's just say that Aaron is being forced to re-evaluate his concept of their relationship," I said. 

"Well, if you don't mind, I think I'll get her side of the story," and she opened her cell phone.

"Susan ... Hey girl, how's it going? ... oh you heard about that, huh? ... yep, she tossed me out on my rear. Thank God for Will. ... No, that's not blasphemy ... No ... I'll be with Will for the week, thanks though. ... Of course I'm going through with it. ... No ... No, really, I'll be fine. ..." Jaycee stole a glance at me and winked. "Well thank you Susan ... yes, it is a big sacrifice. [another smile and wink] ... what do you mean? ... oh yeah? ... He had a two and a six, huh? ... No, that doesn't mean he cheated ... No, Susan. Bluffing isn't cheating, it's part of poker. ... Yes, that means I'm still staying. ... I gave my word, Susan. ... a deal's a deal. ... what? You want details? [giggle] ... oh, I'm sure your imagination won't come close. ... no, really. You have no idea. ... So what did you do to poor Aaron last night? ... Really? ... You didn't! ... Are you sure that was right? ... James? Who's James? ... Uh-huh ... No, no, I guess I'm just a little surprised. ... Uh-huh ... Uh-huh. ... Ok, yeah go talk to Hannah about that, it's ok. Though really if you had seen her today you'd think twice about rooming with her. ... No really, she was the biggest b-i-t-c-h I've ever seen. I mean, I knew she had a vicious side to her personality when she thought someone had crossed her, but I never imagined I'd ever be on the receiving end of it. ... No, I don't think it's possible to be friends with her again. ... yes, really ... you have no idea. I swear Susan, if I ever see her again I may just claw her eyes out. ... oh yeah? ... well, you'll have to tell me about that later. I don't think I've got the stomach for it now. ... yeah, ok, be good. ... oh you know I won't [giggle]. .. Ok, talk to you later, girl."

She was getting off the phone so soon? I was surprised. I thought girls had a thirty minute minimum per gossip session. 

"So," I started. "How's Susan?"

"Aaron told her you only had a two and a six," she replied archly.

"Oh, is that what he told her?" I asked.

Jaycee blinked. "Are you saying you didn't have a two and a six?"

I looked at her, and kept my mouth shut.

"She would have said if they were clubs. Or would she? Aaron didn't say. Oh shit, you did have the flush! Did you?"

"One of the benefits of laying down your cards is that no one gets to see them afterwards," I reminded.

"You didn't have it. You had nothing. At least, I hope you had nothing," she said. "That would have been a brilliant bluff!"

"All I'll admit to is that I had a two and a six."

"Oh, you're making me so hot right now," Jaycee purred.

Smiling I asked, "how come women always say things like that when there's no chance of actually taking advantage of it?"

"Just part of the master plan to infuriate and frustrate men everywhere!" Jaycee tittered.

I was pulling up to one of the mall entrances. "Alright. Option A is I drop you off, drive over to the office, grab five pounds of files, come back, help you with some shopping, then work for another three to four hours at home. Option B is I drive over to the office, work for three hours, leave with only two pounds of files. Pick you up, work for an hour or two at home, and go in to work early in the morning. Actually, check that, I'll have to go into work early regardless."

"Option A," Jaycee answered. "If I'm spending your money then I want Will approved outfits."

"Ok, I'll call you when I get back in a bit."

Before getting out, Jaycee leaned over to me and gave me a big kiss. "Thanks for everything, Will. I mean it. You're my knight in shining armor."

"Don't worry about it."

"No, really," she implored. "I don't know how, but I'm going to pay you back for as much of this stuff I can. Despite our earlier conversation, I really don't try to take advantage of guys and you are offering way too much."

"No, I'm not," I said firmly. "Jaycee, for this week you are my responsibility. My rules, my checkbook."

"With great power comes great responsibility?" she asked with a smile. I caught the movie reference and nodded.

"Now, here's my credit card. If you have any problems using it have them give me a call."

"What's my limit?" Jaycee asked hesitantly.

"I'll be back in less than an hour. How much damage can you do?" I joked.

"That sounds like a challenge to me," she smiled.

"Out," I ordered.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 04



Part 4 – Sunday Afternoon

Fifty minutes later I was walking into the women's section at our mall's biggest department store with my computer bag over my shoulder and one of my three pound contract binders loading me down. Jaycee had two bags from just one other store and was wrapping up a transaction for a dress here. It looked black. Good, at least she got the minimum. I just shook my head in disgust as I walked up to her.

"What? What's wrong?" she asked.

"I bet you haven't made a dent in spending my winnings, have you?" I asked.

"Hey, I'm good," she replied as she handed me back my credit card. "I've gotten two outfits and a dress for less than two hundred."

"If I was married to you, I'd be overjoyed," I deadpanned. "Come with me," I ordered, and led her back out into the mall.

"Will? What's going on?"

"Jaycee, let me give you my general philosophy on shopping," I answered.

"You have a general philosophy on... of course. You know, Will, you really picked the right profession."

"You will attend to me diligently as I instruct you on life's lessons," I said haughtily. 

"Yes, master," Jaycee said coquettishly. Ooh, I just loved it when she said that. It sent tingles down my spine.

"If one can afford it, one should always buy quality, focusing on clothing or items that never go out of style. Make your purchases last. Not only do you develop the reputation of someone with refined tastes, but it is actually more cost effective in the long run." 

"Ok," Jaycee replied doubtfully. "How is spending twice as much money on an item more cost effective?" 

"It is if it lasts three times as long," I answered.

"Well, then what's the matter with my black dress?" asked Jaycee. "It's lasted me a good while."

"No it hasn't, because it looks old. It no longer looks black but more of a darkish grey, and it hasn't faded evenly either. If that dress had been made of qualify fabrics, then you'd still easily be able to wear it out to a nice dinner without embarrassing your date."

"And what if you can't afford silk and satin and the hot new fashion label?"

"Then make do with the bare necessities, and go without until you can save enough to buy quality."

I led her into the really nice department store. 

"Will, you're going to blow all your winnings in fifteen minutes here," she warned.

"Don't you worry about it, this isn't even our last stop." I led Jaycee around until I spotted a saleswoman in her forties who looked like she was both professional and refined. It's a hard combination to pull off. I walked over and introduced myself to her. "Hello, I'm Will Jennings."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jennings. My name is Rebecca Thornton."

"Hello, Rebecca. This young woman behind me is Jaycee Wade. She is in need of a number of outfits that are sadly lacking from her wardrobe. I was wondering if I could impose on you to help her for the next half hour or so?"

"I'd be delighted Mr. Jennings. And what types of outfits did you have in mind?"

"Jaycee needs two outfits for the office. Not a suit, but a nice professional looking blouse and either slacks or a skirt. She'll need an outfit for a cocktail party, and another for an elegant dinner on the town."

"Of course. I'm sure I can take care of that for you."

"Oh," I added. "And a new pair of nice jeans and a couple of tasteful sweaters she can lounge around in instead of her old college sweatshirt."

"Anything else?" she prodded. "Shoes? Belts?"

"Definitely, whatever is necessary to complete the outfit."

"And price range?" 

"Don't go running for the most expensive items in the store, but other than that ... the emphasis is putting together the outfits that Jaycee will look best in."

"I think I understand," she assured. 

"Jaycee, just give me a call when it's time to pay the bill. I'll be in the coffee shop trying to get a little work in." Jaycee looked at me completely shell-shocked.

After I was five steps beyond her, Jaycee called out, "Will, wait!" She ran up to me and quietly said, "Will, you don't have to spend all this money on me. I'm already yours for the week, remember?"

"I know, darling," I returned. "I'm doing this for the both of us. I'm buying you things because I like buying you things. But also because now that I've got you for a week, I plan on showing you off to everyone I know. And if I'm going to make every guy in the world jealous, well, you've got to dress the part."

Jaycee giggled, but said "that's nice Will, but there's no way I can pay you back for a purchase of this size."

"I don't want you to," I answered. "Now go back there, do everything that Rebecca tells you to do, trust her judgment when it comes to how good you look, there's a reason I picked her out. And don't look at a single price tag. That's an order."

Jaycee smiled at me and gave me a smooth as silk "yes, master." Ok, this time the tingles weren't in my spine. She then pressed up against me and gave me a sultry kiss, right there in the middle of the store. After she broke it, she gave me one last smile, turned around, and walked away with an extra swing in her hips. To think last night I implied I'd take one night of a blathering Susan over a week of this woman? I must have been out of my mind.

On my way out, I stopped by the men's department for a couple dress shirts and neckties. My favorite sales lady Ruth hooked me up. When I was growing up poor, I never would have imagined that I'd have a job where I went through so many dress shirts and ties in a year, least of all be on the first name basis of a salesperson who kept me in good supply. 

It was at least forty-five minutes before Jaycee called me to come back. They weren't by the cash register but back in one of the dressing areas. It had a seat all ready for me before an elevated platform surrounded by mirrors. They had arranged a fashion show for me. I would have preferred to just pay and go, but I recognized this was part of showing my appreciation to Rebecca for her selections. And by the comments Rebecca was making to Jaycee, it was obvious that she viewed Jaycee as a project and was trying to teach Jaycee not only how to dress like an impressive yet refined woman, but how to act as one. I hoped it didn't stick. Jaycee had a lot of rough edges, and that was part of her charm.

At one point while Jaycee was in a dressing room changing outfits, Rebecca turned her attentions on me.

"Miss Wade informed me of the nature of your relationship," she stated.

"I'm not surprised," I admitted. "Jaycee tells everyone everything."

"You don't seem embarrassed by it," she said, seeming astounded.

"Embarrassed about what? Jaycee's lack of a filter or the nature of our relationship? Either one, no, I'm not embarrassed at all."

"I guess you two are a good fit, then. Miss Wade admitted to me that she found the whole experience rather liberating."

"Oh, yeah?" I asked, with a broad smile forming on my face.

"Yes, even when you were ... punishing her."

"Ah, yes. Well, Jaycee has a bit of a phobia that her punishment is designed to overcome."

"Do tell," implored Rebecca. 

Too late, Jaycee came out of the dressing room with her final outfit. A light blue blouse that could be worn under a suit just as well with jeans, and a grey pencil skirt with matching light blue pinstripes. To complete the outfit were dark blue shoes with a two inch heel that looked professional yet feminine. 

"This outfit costs more than my last paycheck," Jaycee muttered to herself as she got up on the platform.

I looked at her sternly. "I thought I ordered you not to look at a price tag."

Jaycee gasped and turned towards me. Then scrunched her eyes together in frustration and clinched her hands into fists. 

"Assume the position," I ordered.

"What? ... Here?"

"If you want to avoid public punishments, then you need to be extra careful not to break any rules in public. Now, how many spanks do you get?"

"Ummm, five?" Jaycee asked, still not moving from the stand while placing her hands behind her in a protective position. "Will, please, not here. Can't we do them at home?"

"I'll let you choose, your regular amount here, or double at home."

"Mr. Jennings," Rebecca said strongly. "You cannot possibly take your hand to this woman. Not here, not for so meaningless a transgression," she sputtered.

"It wasn't a meaningless transgression. I only give orders that I want obeyed. And are you going to force Jaycee into taking the greater punishment by preventing me from attending to her now?"

"I ...," began Rebecca. "You ..." 

I turned back to Jaycee. "Jaycee, that outfit looks very nice. Now slip the skirt off and hand it to Rebecca, then assume the position."

And Jaycee slowly, meekly, maybe even nervously, did just that. She unhooked, unzipped, then removed the skirt, folding it neatly before handing it to Rebecca. Did she fold everything? She then came over next to me, and folded herself over my lap. I pulled up the ends of the blouse and pushed them up her back a bit, then pulled down her silky black panties.

"Where did these come from?" I asked, holding the underwear in my hand. I didn't think Jaycee had changed at her old apartment.

Jaycee looked back at what I was referring to. "They're being added to the bill," she admitted.

"Nice," I commented. "Count them out for me, my darling Jaycee."

[SMACK!] I wasn't going easy on her.

"Ugh," Jaycee grunted. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Rebecca jump. She was still facing us. "One," Jaycee said softly.

[SMACK!]

"Ermph" In between spanks I was softly touching Jaycee's ass, as had become my habit. It was such a beautiful ass. "Two"

[SMACK!]

"Ah!" Jaycee said softly, then took a big breath. "Three."

[SMACK!]

"OH!" Jaycee cried out. But she kept the same pace with her counting. "Four." That last four sounded odd, like it was in stereo. Now that was interesting.

[SMACK!]

"FIVE!" Jaycee all but screamed.

I stood Jaycee up, and she pulled her panties back into position. I grabbed her left arm and turned her to me. Then gently placed my left hand on her cheek and gave her a kiss on the lips. She had tears in her eyes, but she wasn't crying.

I turned her towards Rebecca, who was standing with her right hand over her chest in a classic "oh my!" expression right out of old movies. "Thank Rebecca for allowing you to receive your punishment here," I instructed.

"Thank you Rebecca," Jaycee said, while rubbing her bottom. "I don't think I could have handled ten."

I then walked Jaycee back to her dressing room. "Now take all the clothes that we're getting and hand them to Rebecca to ring up for us."

Jaycee nodded as Rebecca, hearing us, followed us to the dressing room door. Jaycee re-opened the door, wearing just her black panties and a matching strapless bra, with everything else on hangers. Rebecca took them, gave us one long look, then turned and walked away.

"Will, I'm sorry," Jaycee began. "I'll never disobey another order, ever."

"Good," I said, "that's the primary point of the punishment." And I gave her another kiss, one which she returned in a manner that was somehow both sweet and passionate. I pushed her back into the dressing room, and hearing the door close automatically behind us, broke the kiss and pushed her panties down past her hips, whereupon they fell to the floor. 

Jaycee looked at me with eyebrows raised as I repositioned us with my back to the bench. I unbelted, unbuttoned, and unzipped my pants, pulled them down to my knees, then sat back onto the bench. My cock pointed straight up, a missile on its launching pad.

"Oh," Jaycee said, eyeing my dick. "Spanking me created a different primary point."

Without another word, Jaycee straddled me, took hold of my dick, positioned it at her entrance, and slowly lowered herself onto me. I slid in easily, as Jaycee was already soaked. Since I was sitting, Jaycee set the pace, raising up and lowering herself back down, each time taking a little more of me. But this wasn't a slow build-up. We were ready, and we wanted to get off. Within seconds I was sucking on her neck and grabbing her hair. We tried to keep it quiet, but the wet sounds of our bodies slapping against each other permeated the area.

She leaned back to give me access to her breasts, and I dove in with gusto, licking, sucking and nipping at them. She then leaned back further, threw her head back, ground herself fully down on me and screamed, "MASTER!!!"

That did it for me. I pulled her hips to me as strongly as I could, then unloaded into her. I pulsed with Jaycee, and she shook above me, our combined vibrations adding to our sensual sensations.

Before we could finish calming down, Jaycee pulled herself upright and looked me straight in the face. She didn't say anything, just looked at me. Next thing I knew we were kissing, passionately and wetly. 

I hated to end it, but we were still in a semi-public area. I pulled back and pushed slightly on Jaycee's hips, letting her know through touch that she needed to get up. As she did, we "disengaged" from each other, leading to both of us giving a little moan. We followed that up with grins at each other. It seemed we were perfectly in synch, thinking and feeling the very same things.

I pulled my pants up, tucked my shirt in, buttoned, and was ready to go. Jaycee, not so much. 

"I'll be paying for your clothes. Why don't you go get cleaned up?"

Jaycee nodded. "Thanks. And Will? You weren't the only one turned on by my punishment."

I laughed and headed out towards the shopping area. It suddenly struck me that I didn't know who Jaycee meant with that last comment, herself or Rebecca? 

As I emerged from the dressing area, Rebecca was taking down a large ribbon from next to the door. She glanced at me, and quietly led me to the register.

"I take it you approved of everything I selected for your young paramour?" Rebecca finally asked, though she couldn't bring herself to look at me for more than a fleeting moment.

"Everything looked fantastic on Jaycee, I'm very pleased."

"Very good, Mr. Jennings," she answered.

"I'm a little surprised that no one else entered the dressing room while we were back there. I know the store doesn't appear to be very busy, but ..."

"There's a way that us salespeople signal to each other for privacy when we have a special client."

"In that case, Rebecca, I'm even more pleased. Thank you for everything."

"My pleasure, Mr. Jennings."

I eyed a purse, a wallet, two belts, and four boxes of shoes to go along with all of the outfits, plus the empty packaging for the underwear that I guessed Jaycee would be wearing out of the store. 

Rebecca saw me eyeing everything and said, "Miss Wade tried to resist me adding most of these items, and she was successful in declining the winter overcoat, saying that .. that ... purple ... thing ... more than sufficed."

I could tell what Rebecca was doing, but it was definitely working. "Why don't you include the overcoat."

"Excellent sir. In that case, your total purchase comes to ..." Ok, I'm not going to give you that piece of info. I don't want you dropping dead from a heart attack at your computer.

After I got everything squared away, Jaycee re-joined us. Good, I needed her to carry at least half of this stuff.

"Well, it was very interesting meeting you both. You two make me wish I was young again," Rebecca pined.

"Oh now Rebecca, you're only as old as you feel," I told her. Jaycee smiled and nodded in agreement.

"As I said, you two make wish I was young again."

"I think you were feeling very young just a little while ago," laughed Jaycee. And with that we walked back into the mall, leaving a blushing Rebecca behind.

We swung by the car to drop all of Jaycee's clothes off before hitting the final store. And I know it's cliché, but I did much the same thing at the mall's lingerie shop. Hey, I told Jaycee I was going to make her get some. 

I instructed Jaycee to look around while I went in search of an able professional. It seemed like the store had hired only teenagers from the local high school and I was starting to despair when out from the back came a woman probably in her thirties. She was wearing a form hugging short, black skirt with matching jacket, patterned black hose, hair pulled back, and fashionable eyeglasses. 

She introduced herself as Bethany. I pointed out Jaycee, and then explained what I wanted. She had good follow-up questions.

"Colors you prefer?"

"Black and white predominantly, and I like solid colors, not mixes or patterns. I'm not a big fan of all this red, but maybe one outfit wouldn't be bad. An occasional alternative color could signal a fun, playful night. But absolutely, positively no animal prints."

"Materials?"

"I'm not a fan of a lot of lace. Other than that, I don't really have a preference."

"Ok, now most important – style. Do you prefer classy, flashy, or trashy?"

"There's a reason I picked you out instead of going to any of the teeny-boppers. Classy. Mostly classy. I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to lingerie."

"I could have predicted that, though with the distaste for lace I couldn't be sure. Ok, I think I understand. And I've got the number of outfits. So, is that the only limit, or do you want to set an overall price limit?

"No price limit. The limited number of items should hold you two back enough. And don't let her buy things that you don't think I'll like. Not even if she tries to use her own credit card. Ok?"

I signaled Jaycee over, introduced them, and explained to her that I didn't want a fashion show this time. She was going to have to show everything to me one outfit a night for the rest of the week. Jaycee seemed to like that idea. I handed her my credit card once again, then already shifting back into my work mindset went next door to yet another coffee shop. I swear there were more of them in this mall than department stores.

"Here's your credit card back," Jaycee said, while leaning over my table with what looked like six pink bags in her hands.

"Thank you," I said putting it back in my wallet and stealing a glance at my watch. I don't know how it's possible, but Jaycee took almost as much time buying lingerie as she spent with Rebecca. 

"Can I ask you a question?" Jaycee asked.

"You can ask me anything. Of course, rule number three about absolute honesty doesn't apply to me, but I strive to speak truthfully."

She hesitated a bit, like she was working up the courage. "How come you said this morning that you and Hannah broke up after three years together because you couldn't afford to spend any money on her, and now you're spending gobs of money on me after only one day?"

I finished packing my things up and directed Jaycee back towards the car.

"It wasn't that I would never be able to spend money on Hannah," I explained. "It's that I didn't have the money to spend on her at that particular time. I've got more money to spend these days."

"But," Jaycee protested, "you said you invested money, and everyone's lost their shirt in the stock market this year. Plus, you said that your firm could start laying people off. You should be saving your money instead of wasting it on me."

I stopped walking, turned to her, and kissed her. "That's very sweet, Jaycee. You're just going to have to believe me when I say I can afford this. And spending it on you is not a waste."

"Well," she began nervously. "I'm just thinking that maybe you're one of those nice guys you were warning me about. You know, who spends more money on me than they can afford in the hopes to get into my panties."

"I'm already getting into your panties," I reminded her, turning her to start walking again.

"Right, so if you're not hoping for that, maybe you're hoping for something else?"




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 04



"Like what?" I asked her.

"Are you hoping I'll become a serious girlfriend?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. "No."

"You sure?"

"Ok, I'll admit that I've had a crush on you for a long time, and that if somehow this crazy roleplay turns into some kind of serious relationship ... I don't know, but we'll just have to see what happens. But that's not why I'm spending money on you. ... Jaycee, I've been living well within my means for a long time now. I'm making excellent money. I can actually afford to pay off my student loans right now but with them at such a low interest rate why should I? For the first time in my life I want to splurge a little and try to make this such a great week that I'll be remembering it years from now. In spite of Hannah's best efforts, I still think that's possible. Now I appreciate you worrying about me, and about all the money I'm spending on you. It's very sweet, but probably more an indication of how you're perceiving my actions through the lens of your own financial situation."

Jaycee looked thoughtful. "You may have something there."

"Alright. Then let's put this behind us once and for all. Don't worry about anything this week. I officially declare this a worry-free week. Anything I do for you ... or to you ... is with the intention of giving both of us pleasure. Hopefully a lot of pleasure. And there's more than just sex to do that, too."

Jaycee smiled. "Ok, I'll try to put aside any worries."

"Good," I said. "I know real life has and will continue to intrude upon us, but I want your normal carefree, roll with it, attitude. After all, 'it's only money', right?"

"Right," Jaycee laughed.

"Good, now there's one more stop to make before we head home."

"Another one?!? Criminy, what now?"

"Criminy? Who says 'criminy' any more? Besides, that sounds like you worrying," I warned.

"Ok, ok. Please, sir, could you deign to tell little old me what might our next destination be?" Jaycee said playfully.

"Cute. We're going to ... the grocery store!"

Jaycee cracked up. "Good! I used the last of your eggs this morning."

We got in the car and headed out, going over a list of dishes that Jaycee said she could cook. The way she had slimmed down since the summer, I had my doubts. Grocery shopping took another hour. This had become pretty ridiculous. What I had intended to be a two hour excursion had become a seven hour epic. The sun had long since gone down, and I still had several hours of work I needed to do tonight. And once again I was reminded why one should never go grocery shopping while hungry. I was surprised my credit card company wasn't putting a block on my card from all of the atypically large activity.

It took us three trips from my parking garage to the lobby to bring in all of our stuff. Paul was working the security desk again and gave us a cart for everything so we didn't have to go all the way up to my apartment first before getting the other rounds. All I had to do was send the cart back down in the elevator once we were done. 

I gave Jaycee the closet and the chest of drawers in the guest bedroom for her clothes, though she insisted in surrounding the second sink in my master bath with all of her make-up and toiletries.

"Ok, you can finish that up later," I told her. "I'm starving."

"Yes, sir. Just let me change out of yesterday's clothes and I'll be right out."

I set myself back up at the dining table (if you could call it that – it fit the area, but I lived in an apartment, so it was pretty small). I had decided to let Jaycee have the guest bedroom as her private area, so my desk in there was off limits. Hopefully I could get my work done in another couple hours, though the intermittent nature of my work today hadn't made me very efficient. And I was worried how much time I should actually charge to the clients.

Jaycee walked out of the hall wearing a deep purple camisole that tightly hugged her torso, showcasing the rigid bumps of her nipples. She also had on a tight, matching, deep purple boy short, and a loose, untied robe of the same material and color. Her legs and feet were bare.

All thoughts of asset-backed securities and derivatives disappeared. She came to stand before me with her head tilted down but a grin on her face. I made a circling motion with my finger and she smiled, then slowly turned for me. When her back was to me I stopped her, and reached down as far as I could. I started just above the knee and slowly slid my hands up the backs of her legs, up under the robe, and onto her tightly enclosed butt. Jaycee twitched slightly, which was quite an improvement for just twenty-four hours. I put my hands on her hips and had her complete the turn to face me. I then continued my hands upward path over her encased stomach and up to her breasts. I didn't know what this material was made of, but I liked it, and I could only imagine it was incredibly comfortable. I rubbed my hands lightly over her breasts but didn't linger, continuing up her chest to her bare neck. I then pulled her to me and gave her a firm kiss, one that I hoped promised much more pleasure later this evening. 

"Do you approve?" Jaycee asked, after finally pulling back.

"Very much so," I nodded.

"Good. I spent the longest time fighting with Bethany over this outfit. She kept telling me that you wouldn't like it."

I smiled at her. "I'm glad you won."

Jaycee nodded. "Ok, I'll get started on dinner. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I looked at the clock. How did we stay out that late?" I assumed that question was rhetorical, and went back to work. 

Thirty minutes later I had to break for a scrumptious beef stroganoff and a side salad. Jaycee said it was low fat, but I certainly couldn't tell. 

She tried to make dinner conversation by asking what I was working on. After two attempts to beg off I gave in and tried to explain it to her. I don't think I went more than thirty seconds before her eyes glazed over. I had warned her.

Jaycee cleared the plates while I went back to work, telling her I should be done in about an hour. God damn all asshole managers and their power trips. I could be spending great quality time with Jaycee right then instead of doing work. And tomorrow, I wouldn't have any work to do in the afternoon, but would probably be dragged into a stupid meeting that shouldn't have been called in the first place to be lectured at on something I didn't do.

A little over an hour later as I was wrapping up, I noticed I was almost sweating. That was odd. Yes, it was definitely warmer in here. Jaycee came out from down the hall, with the purple robe tied tightly around her. As I looked closer at her I didn't think the matching lingerie was being worn underneath.

She asked "All done?" I nodded. "Good, because I want to show you how much I appreciate what you did for me today."

"Sounds good to me," I agreed happily.

Jaycee led me into the guest bedroom where she had removed the blankets and laid down her portable massage table on top of the sheeted mattress. Covering it were a number of towels, along with a really heavy looking blanket made of an odd material. She had started some soft classical music playing and her massage oils were arrayed on the nightstand. 

"Sir, if you'd please disrobe and get under the blanket, I'll begin your massage shortly."

I've had just a few massages in my day. Normally when the masseuse says that, they leave for a few minutes to give you some privacy. Jaycee just stood there looking at me expectantly. I gave her a smile and a wink, then began to disrobe. Jaycee took each article of clothing from me with hangers at the ready. When I was naked, I awkwardly maneuvered myself up onto the bed and table but under the blanket. It was an odd set-up. But soon I had my face sticking down into the hole for it, except instead of staring at the floor below I was looking at the mattress about a foot away. 

I could hear Jaycee remove her own robe, then walk around to grab her oil bottles. 

"Just relax," she murmured. "Remember, this is a worry-free week. And I'm here to give you pleasure and attend to your every need."

She was good. She was very good. I don't understand how she could have lost clients. I think I'd give up a lot of things before I gave up a regular Jaycee massage. She spent time massaging my back, my neck, my arms, my butt, my legs, and my feet. Then she turned me over, and did my front. She massaged everything but my hair and my prick. And her avoidance of that was more than a little frustrating because while my body was flopping around like a bowl of jello, my cock was hard and raring to go.

I don't know how long it lasted. It seemed to both go on forever and yet was over in the blink of an eye.

When she stopped stroking me she said, "just take your time and relax. Only get up when you feel ok to do so."

My eyes remained closed and I floated along. Even my dick started to relax. Only a little, though. After awhile I thought I was ready to see what else we could do this evening. I opened my eyes slowly and saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. A naked Jaycee was sitting in a chair by the bed fingering herself while tugging on one of her nipples. My cock sprang back to full life so fast it looked like a catapult launching. I sat up and got off the massage table.

"Thank God," Jaycee spluttered. She lunged at the bed and shoved the table off the other side. She then grabbed me and maneuvered me so that I was again lying on my back, this time on the mattress. She threw her right leg over me, raised up on her knees, grabbed my cock, and pointed it to her. After spending all of a few seconds adjusting, "OORUMPH!" she exhaled as she impaled herself on me. 

Jaycee began frantically riding me. She seemed desperate to get off. While I, as a result of my massage, had almost entered a zen-like state. I was completely calm and relaxed, except for the cock that Jaycee was riding for all she was worth. I rubbed her thighs for awhile, then her sides, and finally her breasts. Jaycee groaned when I did that, and soon positioned her tits within easy reach of my mouth. I granted her request and began sucking. She made an open mouth groan and really started grinding herself down onto me.

"Oh Will, Oh Will, Oh Will," she chanted, while grabbing me by the hair. "I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna ... CUM!" I nibbled and bit her nipples while she shook above me. All too soon she collapsed, with me getting my head away and over her right shoulder quickly before it got stuck beneath her.

"That was so good," Jaycee mumbled. Now her body felt like a boneless mass on top of me. 

I slowly stroked my fingertips up and down her back, then up and down her thighs which were still bent up towards me and hugging my sides, then back to long strokes on her back. As Jaycee relaxed, my strength was slowly returning. I started giving her little kisses on her shoulder and neck, while my strokes on her back got a little faster and firmer.

"MMmmm, that's nice," Jaycee murmured.

Jaycee had just used me as a masturbation toy. Now it was time I returned the favor. I put my right hand on the back of her head and placed the rest of that arm across her upper back, pressing her down to me. With my left hand I lengthened my last stroke on her back all the way down to her ass and then pressed firmly down there as well. 

"MMmmrrmmm," Jaycee groaned in approval.

I bent my knees until I could place my feet flat on the mattress. Then pushed against it as leverage to thrust my hips upward, penetrating my cock further into the relaxing Jaycee.

"Oh! You're still hard? Oh! ... Oh!" she cried. I worked to control my pace. It felt like I could last a while.

"Will, I ... Ugh! ... I ... Umrph! ... Oh! ... Ple ... MmMm ...PLEEeeeEEEeeeEASE! ..."

My torso being all slicked up from the massage oil meant that Jaycee moved up and down over me incredibly easily. My chest was practically a frictionless surface.

"WILL!!! ... OH!!! ... PLEASE!!! ... OH!!! ..."

I tightened my grip in her hair and sucked on her neck. "RRRUUUU!!! ..." she called. 

After a few minutes I could feel Jaycee's pussy contracting. I was glad to feel she was taking rule number two to heart. Another minute later I increased the pace slightly. Jaycee had stopped groaning with every thrust, but she was gasping for breath in time to my movements. 

I increased my pace again.

"OOOHHHHHH COME IN ME!!!" Jaycee yelled. And I felt her pussy convulse again. 

"Who does this body belong to?" I asked her into her ear.

"OOHHH!!!"

"Huh? Who does this body belong to?" I repeated.

"YOU! WILL! YOU!"

"And I can take my pleasure from it?" I asked, still keeping the rhythm of my thrusts.

"YES! TAKE IT! USE IT!" 

I moved my left hand on her ass down a little bit, and touched the pucker of her asshole with the pad of my middle finger.

"And who does this ass belong to?" I asked.

"AEIEOH!" she screamed, and reflexively tried to jump up. I had too strong a grip on her upper body for it to go anywhere, but she got her ass about two to three inches up in the air, which was great. She just gave me more room for my long strokes, which I took advantage of.

Jaycee let out a loud and long moan. I was really letting her have it now. I had great leverage to move my full length out until just the head was in, then send my cock crashing back into her until it was fully sheathed and pressing against her cervix. 

"Who owns this ass?" I asked again into her ear.

"MY MASTERRRRRRR!!!" she yelled out.

"And who is your master?" I asked.

"YOU! WILLIAM! MASTER!" Jaycee cried.

I removed my hand from her ass, but she stayed in place, still letting me pound away from underneath her. I reached to the nightstand with my left hand for one of her massage oil bottles, grabbing one that had the flip top still up. I upended it, and squeezed some of the slippery liquid down into the crease between her butt cheeks. Knowing I couldn't control my movement enough to replace the bottle on the stand, I just tossed it off the side of the bed. I moved my left middle finger again into that tight crevice, slicking my digit as it went. Making sure I spread the rest of my hand across the middle of her behind, I pressed the middle finger up against her asshole, and then through. 

"OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" she screamed, while clenching her ass and trying to buck me off. I held her down firmly, trying to maintain the rhythm of my movement, and patiently waited for her to unclench. After about fifteen seconds she did, and I quickly pushed my finger further inside before she tightened back up. All the while I was still fucking her pussy at a steady and strong pace.

"WILL? WILL? WILL?!?" she cried.

"SShhhh!!!" I soothed. "You're doing great. Relax." 

"Huh! Huh! Huh!" she grunted, then unclenched again. My oiled finger burrowed even further inside, and this time her clenches came in spurts. Within seconds I got my finger buried past the second knuckle. While Jaycee's ass was loosening, her shoulders and torso were as stiff as a board. I gave her neck a little bite, then slowly pulled my finger almost all the way out. Her ass was tight, but the massage oil was doing its trick. I quickly set up a counter-rhythm, pushing my finger in as my cock pulled out, then vice versa. I was getting close too. Those feelings of bliss were slowly building.

"Hrur! Hrur! Hrur! Hrur! Hrur!" She gritted out between clinched teeth in time to the double-thrusts. She suddenly thrust her stomach down onto me while all the tension in her shoulders released and she gasped a breath.

"SO FULL!" she wailed. "I'VE NEVER ... NEVER ... OOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

I was steaming home, building the pace up even further. Jaycee was now moving with the rhythm, her body naturally flowing in an undulating pattern that pressed against my body in time to both penetrations. I shifted my hand on the back of Jaycee's head to grab a bunch of her hair. I used it to turn her face to me and jammed my tongue as far down her throat as I could get it. She kissed me back, but couldn't concentrate much on it. She was back to an irregular grunting, this time with a high pitched and staccato keening.

The pressure built and built. The time had come. I released her from my kiss and moved her head to the side. I whispered into her ear "MINE!" then bit her neck, all while shoving my hips skyward, penetrating her pussy fully. I was also pressing down hard with my left hand on her ass and pushing my middle finger as far inside as I could. And I screamed into the delicate and smooth skin that enveloped my teeth.

Jaycee came with me. 

That really doesn't sell it properly. 

Jaycee violently convulsed on top of me. Her whole body clenched, squeezing both my cock and finger. But the only sound she made was a quick, incredibly high pitched squeak. 

My cum shot up like my dick was a fire hose. Though I doubt I had much cum after the last twenty four hours, my dick didn't seem to care. My ass squeezed a strong pulse to help send my cum on its way. With each contraction my dick spasmed inside of Jaycee and her pussy rippled all around. This went on, and on. Ten contractions? Fifteen? Twenty? I have no idea. Longer than it seemed possible. Far longer than my balls could adequately supply sperm to support. And Jaycee stayed clenched and rippling throughout. 

When my hips collapsed back onto the mattress, the air just whooshed out of my lungs. Jaycee stopped holding her breath and started sucking in huge lungfuls of air. Her sphincter pushed my finger out of her ass just as easy as you please. My heart was racing, I couldn't get enough oxygen to say a word, and my muscles felt like I had just run a marathon. 

Orgasms are so bizarre. One minute I felt like I was an athletic machine, then just seconds later I was so wrung out I didn't have the energy to lift a finger. A chainsaw wielding mass murderer could have burst into the room at that moment and I'd have just stared dully at him.

Jaycee moved slightly off of me to my right, allowing air to rush in between our sticky, sweaty bodies. As we gasped for breath, Jaycee turned her head towards my face, and placed her hands on me. She looked at me wonderingly, and kept changing where she put her hands, one minute on my chest, the next my cheek, then my shoulder. 

"Are you for real?" she whispered in between breaths.

I guess I had enough energy for a smile. That was it, though, as I proceeded to close my eyes and lull my head back.

Slowly ... very, very slowly, our breathing returned to normal.

"I can't ... believe ..." Jaycee started, "I'm going to take another shower today."

"HA!" I laughed. "Yes, I definitely need that."

But we didn't take a shower. Instead, I filled my garden tub, and we both soaked away all the physical manifestations of our lovemaking. From there we got under the covers of my bed, ready for sleep. All throughout we didn't go more than a minute without maintaining physical contact. I don't know if it was a need to touch each other, or a desire. Not a sexual desire, but something more than just a mere transient want. We barely spoke to each other. We didn't need to. Something special had happened. And neither of us wanted to talk of mundane things that would detract from what we had experienced and were still feeling. 

When we were in bed, I lay on my right side, Jaycee on her left. We were facing each other, but somehow we found a comfortable position where our arms and legs were intertwined. Our faces were just an inch apart, and we could gaze at each other, and feel our breath caress the other's lips. All I had to do was move my head the smallest amount to kiss her, which I did several times. 

When I was drifting off to sleep, the last thing I heard was Jaycee whisper, "Yours."



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 05



Part 5. MONDAY (Jan. 19)

I woke up a few minutes before six a.m. just like normal. It didn't look like either Jaycee or I had shifted in the night. We still faced each other, though Jaycee was using my right arm as a pillow. I was glad she wasn't awake yet. I have the worst morning breath ever. I'm sure if the pentagon learned of it they'd subject me to all sorts of tests in an attempt to weaponize it. 

I slowly extricated myself from Jaycee and managed to turn the alarm clock off before it signaled. As I got ready for work I wondered if Jaycee would wake as I was moving around, but she was dead to the world. I was a bit jealous. I re-set the alarm to go off at eight-thirty, taped a short note to call me on the front of the clock and left for work.

Normally I'd hit the gym before heading into work, but I still had plenty of work to do to meet my noon deadline. Besides, from carrying the heavy contract binders around plus all the sex Jaycee was giving me, I thought I'd gotten enough exercise anyway. The nice thing about living downtown was that work was just a short ten minute walk away. Being in a southern city, even in late January it really wasn't that cold. Instead it was just cool enough to prevent my from sweating from my heavy load.

I was still only the second one into the office. Ms. Wilkinson, the matronly legal secretary I shared with four other attorneys, was already at her desk. She wouldn't let any of the attorneys call her by her first name, even though we were a very informal office.

I learned early on how indispensable a good legal secretary was for my work. Being a young associate, I had to keep a lot of people happy if I wanted a future in the firm. Even though our office was only a small cell on the firm's multi-national org chart, it was still possible to rise through the ranks to partner here. As such, I needed to keep the partners happy with the quality of my work and high billable hours (in order to make them money), as well as the clients happy with the quality of my work and low billable hours (in order to save them money). A nice tightrope act that very few could effectively manage. Ms. Wilkinson would check over the memos I wrote, the letters I sent, and prevented me every once in a while from making a stupid and costly (thus, stupid) mistake. But even more importantly, she helped with the social side of things. She kept me informed of the personal lives of the partners and clients, reminding me of birthdays, anniversaries, major and (sometimes) minor events, and most important above all - the latest gossip. It struck me as sheer idiocy my fellow associates didn't cultivate a friendship with her, or others like her, who could help in such a manner. And if I tried to suggest doing so, they probably would have dismissed anything the guy with less seniority had to say about the subject anyway.

"Even though you're carrying that burden, I can still see you're strutting like a proud rooster this morning," Ms. Wilkinson called to me.

"Ms. Wilkinson, what a glorious morning. Your smile is a beacon of sunshine that warms my heart," I schmoozed.

"So ... what's her name?" she inquired.

"That obvious, huh?" She followed me into my office and sat down for the details. Hey, I had to provide my own gossip to her. That was part of our deal.

"Her name's Jaycee Wade. I won her in a poker game Saturday night. She's now my sex slave."

"Quit your joshing. Really, how's your ... wait, you said Jaycee?" I nodded. "As in Hannah's roommate that you're half in love with?" 

How the hell did she remember the name of my ex's roommate?!? The woman had a mind like a steel trap!

"I was not half in love with her. Seriously in lust with her, yes, but not love at all." 

"You just keep on telling yourself that," she chided. "But if you weren't in love with her before, you are now. I recognize that look in your eye."

"Whatever. Anyway, could you clear it with security downstairs for her to visit? She's coming in around mid-morning."

"I'll take care of it. That's J-a-y-c-e-e?" she spelled out.

My mouth flopped open in shock. "How ...?"

"Please, William. There's very little about your life I don't know."

I was simply dumbfounded. 

"Now, onto other topics," she continued. "I discovered who those men were who met with Mr. Wiseman late Friday afternoon."

"Oh, yeah?" I hadn't known our managing partner had met anyone unusual that afternoon, but if Ms. Wilkinson was telling me about it then it was important.

"They're all partners from other offices. Two are from the New York office, one from the D.C. office." 

So far, no big deal. 

"And they're all on the executive committee."

Oh, shit. 

Layoffs were coming, and they were coming today. 

Shit, shit, shit!

"Mike Reynolds instructed me to have all current projects completed by noon today," I told her.

Ms. Wilkinson's eyes saddened. "Oh," she said.

What the hell? This didn't make sense. There were all kinds of deadwood to pare away here before they should even consider dropping me. I was barely into my fourth year but I was already starting to generate good business for the firm. I'd even brought in The Beck Fund, one of the fastest growing hedge funds around. Granted we weren't handling anywhere close to their entire legal work, but I had it on good authority that was going to change for the better, and soon. There were several fifth, sixth, even seventh year senior associates making a lot more money than me who were so useless it was a wonder they had managed to stay as long as they had. There was a rumor that one only had a job because he had blackmail material on Mr. Wiseman.

"You may be thinking the worst, but that might not be it," she said trying to cheer me up.

"How do I get that instruction and it not mean my butt's hitting the sidewalk?" I asked.

"Maybe you're just being considered for lay-offs, and they're still debating who gets the axe?" she ventured.

"That's not much better," I sighed.

"I'll see what I can find out for you," she said while standing up.

"Thanks."

I knew I'd be ok if I had to leave the firm. But there's a big difference between walking away on your own terms and being thrown out on your keester, even if it had nothing to do with one's on-the-job performance. 

I turned my attention to work. Or tried to. I was easily distracted. It took me a while but I finally got into a flow and started flying through pages. Occasionally I'd hear some muttered curse or exclamation from the hallway as the office slowly filled up and the gossip mill captured a new victim. But for the most part I ignored it. Heck, over half our attorneys didn't normally come in until between 8:30 and 9:00. The expletives had not yet begun to expectorate.

About 8:15, Ms. Wilkinson re-entered my office. "So far I've discovered that Andrea, Brian, Jeannette, Jasmine, and Woody all received the same instructions." That was almost a third of the associates on the transactional side. "Buddy, Janet, and Pamela have also come in, but I haven't been able to find out about them."

"What about on the litigation side?" I asked. 

"Not a peep," she answered. "But it's kind of hard to stop a lawsuit on a dime. Besides, they've got less going on over there than we do. Some of them were watching movies on their laptops all last week."

"Ok, thanks for keeping me informed, though I'm not sure I want a running commentary on the carnage. How about you have lunch with me and Jaycee? You can update me then and we can talk it out."

"That sounds good. And I'll be able to see if this girl gets my seal of approval," she teased.

A few minutes later my cell phone rang, showing my home number.

"Good morning, my Jaycee," I answered.

"Good morning, Will. Thanks for letting me sleep in," she yawned. "And thanks for having a phone next to your bed. I'm able to follow your instruction and stay under these warm covers."

"Enjoy these last few seconds of warmth, because I want you to dress in one of your new outfits and come down to the office. I've already invited my secretary out to lunch with us."

"You have a secretary?" Jaycee asked.

"My own? No. I share her, though sometimes she acts like she only works for me. Anyway, today looks like it's going to be a calamitous day for the firm and I'd like a distraction that only you can provide."

"What?" That perked her right up.

"I'll explain when you get here."

"OH!" she loudly moaned.

"You ok?" I asked, concerned.

"No, I'm sore."

"From what I wonder?" I teased.

"From you shoving large appendages up my cunt and ass! Fuck! I'm going to walk bowlegged for the rest of the week." 

Well that certainly cheered me up. There's nothing like a beautiful woman pandering to a man's ego to make an imminent job loss not seem so bad.

"Alright, just bring your expertly stretched out self down here." And I gave her directions.

It was almost two hours later before I came up for air from my work and realized that Jaycee should have been here by now. I also heard a great deal of hushed giggling coming from Ms. Wilkinson's desk. That would have been unusual on most days, but especially today with the headman's axe poised to fall. I got up to investigate only to discover a gaggle of women in a compact circle. They ran the gamut from the front desk receptionist to legal secretaries (including of course Ms. Wilkinson), paralegals, and two of my fellow associates. They all surrounded Jaycee, who was spreading the collar of her blouse to show off the bite mark I'd left on the right side of her neck last night.

"Good morning, Sir," called out Jaycee. A lot of heads whipped around to look at me, with more giggles and blushes than I could stand. I heard at least three additional "Good morning, sir's" as well.

"Good morning, Jaycee." I eyed the group, deciding to bluff my way through this instead of be embarrassed. "Doing a little recruiting?"

I heard a couple gasps, and there was definitely more giggling and blushing. All except for Jaycee, who smiled at me broadly, and the shy and mousy paralegal Allison, who was looking at me like she'd just discovered God.

You'd expect at least a few people in any group to be disgusted with the admitted details of our sex life, but Jaycee had an ability to disarm even the most opinionated. She had such a zest for life that even if you vehemently disagreed with her, there was no sense in arguing since it was obvious that she was doing exactly what she wanted and enjoying every minute of it. I could just imagine some uptight busybody calling Jaycee a sinner and her responding with "Yep, and let me tell you all about it!"

I decided to pretend I wasn't coming out to check on Jaycee and instead strolled down to the break room to get a soda.

"Billy Boy!"

Ugh. There was only one person in the world who called me that, and I braced myself for the coming conversation.

"Buddy Boy," I returned. "How was your weekend?"

"Great, as always, hit the town, went to a game, the usual big and bodacious life that only the Buddy Boy can do. Speaking of which, did you hear the big news?" Buddy, the obnoxious and clueless senior associate, asked. 

This should be good. I wondered how he was going to incorporate the coming mass lay off into this delusional life he lived. 

"I just bought a brand new 2009 Corvette Z06. Picked it up Saturday morning and turned in my Viper. It's candy apple red, which matched the color lipstick of the babe I picked up with it later that night."

Was he serious? I've always known Buddy was obtuse, but this surprised even me. Oh, and to not give you the wrong idea - there was no babe Saturday night, unless he had to pay for her. He thought being a high-priced lawyer automatically came with a certain lifestyle, which he proceeded to pretend he lived rather than do anything to proactively get it (like lose his beer belly, take something to reverse his early onset male pattern baldness, or treat anyone other than his bosses with basic dignity and respect).

"Speaking of babes, did you see that HOT little brunette number walking the halls earlier with Allison? Man! If she's not a client I'm going to be giving her the "Buddy Boy Bounce"TM before the night is over."

Ok, he didn't actually say trademark, but it was assumed the way he said it with a corresponding full body gyration that I'm not going to even begin to describe for fear of becoming nauseated.

"That's probably Jaycee," I said.

"Billy Boy! Coming through with the 4-1-1! You know her?"

"She's mine," I said in as firm a voice I could muster.

"Oh-ho-ho! You dog you! I can see that I taught you well. Now all we have to do is get you into a high quality American babe-mobile and my job will be complete."

"Um, thanks. I'll catch you later." And with that I turned the corner and walked quickly away, making sure I didn't look back and make eye contact.

When I made it back to Ms. Wilkinson's office, the crowd had dwindled down to Jaycee, my secretary, Allison the aforementioned shy paralegal, and Jenny, the receptionist.

"Jaycee, could I see you in my office please?" I pseudo-ordered.

"Of course, Master," she replied, uncrossing her legs and hopping off Ms. Wilkinson's desk. Jenny and Ms. Wilkinson smiled at Jaycee. Allison just stared at me.

"See you at lunch ladies," Jaycee said. "Allison, Jenny, Karen." 

Karen? Who was Karen?

"Bye Jaycee," said Ms. Wilkinson.

No.

I turned to Ms. Wilkinson with a questioning expression on my face. She smiled at me and gave me two thumbs up. I shook my head to clear what was obviously a hallucination and led Jaycee into my office.

Jaycee was wearing the last outfit that she had tried on for me in the private fashion show -- the light blue blouse and grey pencil skirt. Only this time she had on grey heels and light grey hose with some kind of Celtic looking pattern that ran up the sides.

"Nice outfit," I commented.

"Thanks. When I was deciding what to wear, looking at this outfit gave me all kinds of tingly sensations in my tooshie. Do you know what might have caused that?"

"I can't imagine," I deadpanned.

She walked up to me and kissed me. "Thank you for a wonderful evening last night. I don't think I'll forget it for as long as I live."

"It was pretty special to me, too," I told her. Then I kissed her again.

"Wow. What a view," she exclaimed and ran over to my office window. "How high are we?"

"Twenty seventh floor," I replied. "So, I don't know ... four hundred feet? Maybe four fifty?"

"That's it? It seems like it should be much more. Hey, have you ever had sex pressed up against your window? That would be exciting!" And she pressed her breasts up against the glass while crossing her wrists over her head and touching the window.

"Exciting how? Would we be turned on by the pseudo-exhibitionism, or the risk of the window breaking and plunging to our deaths?"

"Why the combination of course," joked Jaycee. 

At least, I hope she was joking.

"So Karen told me what's going on," Jaycee said as she plopped herself down on one of the chairs in front of my desk.

"Karen. Right." It was going to be difficult to get used to that. I'd been calling her Ms. Wilkinson since my summer internship with the firm four and a half years ago. "Yes, it looks like today may be D-Day."

"I invited Jenny and Allison to join us for lunch. I think you should take them with you to the next place you work," Jaycee said.

"What?" 

This day was throwing me too many curveballs. 

"A secretary, a paralegal, and a receptionist," she ticked off on her fingers, like she was stating the obvious.

"What?" I repeated.

"What's the matter?" Jaycee asked.

"Just how long have you been here? An hour? Less?" I asked in return. "And in that time you've not only discerned the goings-on of the office, but selected the people that I should 'take with me' to my next job?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded. "Is there something more you'd need?"

"Well, a job for one. Which is going to be hard enough to come by in this market. Wait. This is just too much for me to digest."

"What's the matter, Will? Have I upset you?" she asked concerned.

"No, no. I'm just trying to come to grips with your declaration. I've seen you work your Jaycee magic before, but this may be a new record."

"My ... Jaycee ... Magic?" she asked, like she suspected I might be on some kind of recreational drug.

"I've seen you walk into a place and know everything about everybody just fifteen minutes later. But that's when I didn't know anyone there so I could pretend you either had a very superficial understanding of everyone or knew most of them already. But here, you're telling me that I should hire some people who I've worked with in the same office for years and yet barely said more than a few words to."

"Oh, you mean Jenny and Allison? Yeah, well you always have some friendly words for Jenny every day as you come and go at lunch, and when you have to meet clients. She's very impressed with you. And really, why shouldn't she be? That she volunteered that unprompted just shows how she's actually clued in to how good you are compared to the other lawyers around here."

"Oh yeah?" I said, wondering how Jaycee could make any evaluation of my legal skills.

"Yep. She's very perceptive, and I think she'd be very loyal to you. And Allison just glowed when she talked about you. She said that you've gone out of your way to praise her, and that your words meant more to her than I could imagine."

"I've asked her to research no more than, well, maybe a half dozen things for me in the last year and a half," I said bewildered. 

"I know you, Will. How often do you praise someone for doing a good job?" Jaycee asked just like a lawyer would, leading a witness on the stand to an answer she already knew.

"Whenever they've actually done a good job," I replied.

"Not really. You expect competence, so you only praise exceptional work. You may not realize it, but everyone in this office knows that about you." 

"Really? I've heard some of the support staff call me an arrogant asshole on more than one occasion," I admitted.

"I'd bet money that it was only by people who did a half-assed job and you called them on it. Today, I only heard two people say unflattering things about you, and that told me more about them than anything they could have told me about themselves. Though from what I heard, 'arrogant asshole' is a pretty accurate description for a lot of the lawyers here. But Allison told me that you complimented her each of the last three times she did work for you, and that you went out of your way to praise her to her boss, helping her to get a raise a month later."

"I did?"

"See, you don't even realize the effect you have on people. Allison would literally walk through fire for you."

I gave Jaycee a little chuckle. She was laying it on pretty thick.

"And after the stories I told about what we did this weekend, I bet if you just gave her a wink she'd flood her panties."

"Jaycee!"

"I'm just saying the honest truth," she replied.

"Well, the only person's panties I want flooded is yours. Do you know any way I can ..."

Just then there was a quick knock on the door, followed by its immediate opening. Glenda Roberts, the partner who I did the most work for, stuck her head in. Glenda was in her mid-to-late-thirties, reddish brown hair, dressed in a black skirt suit with a dark blue shirt underneath. She was the consummate go-getter, and had made partner faster than anyone who started at the firm in the last twenty-five years. That's firm-wide, not just our office. She was also the first partner to be convinced that the gravy train of financial transaction work was about to run out, partially thanks to my arguments. She had been desperately trying to diversify our office's areas of expertise to weather the coming storm, including the move to expand the litigation department.  




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 05



"Am I interrupting anything?" she asked. 

"Not at all. Glenda Roberts, this is Jaycee Wade. Jaycee's a good friend staying with me for a bit."

"So I heard," said Glenda, eyeing Jaycee up and down as they shook hands.

"Nice to meet you," Jaycee said curtly.

Glenda turned to me. "How's the work coming along? You get the Dunham and Burbank contracts completed?"

"Burbank's done," I answered. "Dunham is just waiting on the early Q2 financial projections and the closing date for stage seven, both of which they should be calling into me before lunch. The only other things open are my pro bono projects. Also, I finished the 'Sasquatch report'."

"Why do you insist on calling it the 'Sasquatch report'?" Glenda asked, shaking her head. 

"Because it's huge and when you're done reading it you're not sure if it makes any sense, plus I don't want to say the 'Using State Statute of Frauds Precedent to Contest Security Transactions Based on Lack of Either Writing or Parole Evidence in the B of A's 47-17 Special Traunch Challenge' Report," I replied, blatantly ripping off a joke from a certain legen-dary sitcom.

"Yeah, I'd have to vote for 'Sasquatch report'," Jaycee agreed.

"Jaycee, he's just trying to impress you. He just made up that long name, except for the last bit of it. It actually is the 'B of A's 47-17 Special Traunch Challenge Report," Glenda explained.

"I'd still have to go for the 'Sasquatch report.' That just sounds way cooler."

Glenda shook her head. She was as by-the-book as any lawyer I'd ever met. "Will, I know the rumors are running rampant. Just promise me that we'll have a serious talk in the next couple days. I can't say much, or really anything, right now. Except to say that I really appreciate your work and the foresight that you bring to every assignment, and your dedication to the clients. It's certainly been noticed, and not just by me."

"Thank you , Glenda," I said. "I appreciate you saying that. And I'll eagerly await your call."

"Ok, then. And drop Dunham off at my office when it's done. I'll send Gary around to pick up Burbank and the ... 'Sasquatch ... report'. ... That just doesn't sound right."

I actually laughed. It didn't sound right coming out of her mouth. But it did sound hysterical.

"Nice to meet you, Jaycee," Glenda added. And she turned and left.

Jaycee turned to me. "So that was your boss?"

I shrugged. "The closest analog in a set-up like this," I answered.

"That was very nice of her to say, those things about you," Jaycee said.

"Yes, it was. But she also all but told me I was being fired."

"Everyone's being fired, Will."

"What? They can't fire everyone. That doesn't happen."

"That's what they're doing. They're closing the office," Jaycee explained.

I just looked at her, trying to wrap my mind around what she'd said. Firms just didn't close entire offices. That was practically unheard of. Even when Baker, Oakeshott, Oswald, & Baxter laid off over a hundred people three months ago, they still kept the office going with a mere dozen attorneys.

"At least, that's the conclusion Karen and I came to when we were swapping notes. It's the only thing that fits all the facts. Maybe you can think of some other thing it might be," she added. "I mean, you're smarter than us, but ..."

"No. No, you're probably right. Right now, you two are better informed than I am. And I'm enough of an arrogant asshole to think that if a lawyer as good as me is getting let go then it must be because everyone is getting let go."

"You're not an arrogant asshole to think that, Will. You're self-aware." Then Jaycee laughed, "which would be a first for a man."

Just then my phone rang. Ah, back to work. I might as well enjoy it while it lasted. Jaycee gave me a kiss on the forehead and then left. It looked like the info I needed was going to come in piecemeal, but that just meant the work would be stretched out until lunch.

By 11:45 the work was done and dropped off, I had given my billable hours from the last two days to Ms. Wilkinson for her to enter into the computer, and I was putting the few personal items from my office and the files to complete my pro bono work into my briefcase. An email marked 'Urgent' popped up in my work account from the managing partner.

"This is it," I thought as I opened it. It said there was a mandatory meeting for all recipients of the email at two o'clock in the large conference room. I decided to print it out to take with me to lunch. I wanted to see who was, and wasn't, invited to this meeting. I needn't have bothered though. The answer was every single associate.

"You ready?" Ms. Wilkinson said from my doorway. 

"As ready as I'll ever be," I smiled.

"Good. We've got reservations for noon at The Vault." That surprised me. The Vault was a very pricy restaurant on the top floor of the banking building, the next skyscraper over. It wasn't the type of place paralegals, receptionists, and secretaries normally ate.

"Who's buying?" I asked, knowing the answer already.

"Don't you want to take us out on our last day?," Ms. Wilkinson said while batting her eyelashes at me. I swear, she treats me like I'm her son (or maybe a favored nephew) for years and thanks to Jaycee she's suddenly flirting with me.

"Did Jaycee tell you what I would expect in return?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows at her.

Ms. Wilkinson laughed. "Yes. Actually, she did." 

Crap. I think I was blushing.

We met the rest of our party in the lobby. 

"Allison, Jenny, so nice to see you again." 

As I mentioned earlier, Allison was a paralegal, and was a great legal researcher. She could go through a legal database like a hot knife through butter. She was also particularly adept at tracking the myriad documents, with drafts, that went into the most complicated of transactions. She was very petite, barely five feet tall and I doubted she weighed much more than ninety pounds soaking wet. She had slight curves, just enough to let you know that she was still very feminine. Her hair was a shiny copper, like some combination of blonde and red, cut short in a pageboy. Freckles dotted her nose and blended in to her upper cheeks, though they were hard to notice as her face was dominated by thick, coke-bottled glasses with dark, tortoise-shell frames. She clutched her hands together in front of her. Allison had always been very shy, never saying any more than was necessary. Even now her eyes spent more time looking down at the floor than at me. But the few glances I got showed me they were blue. I hated to admit it, but I couldn't even remember her last name.

One of the legal secretaries was covering for Jenny at the front desk. I did a double-take. That wasn't 'one of' the secretaries. That was the managing partner's personal secretary.

"Yes," Jenny sighed, seeing where my attention had been drawn. "It would seem I've been replaced even earlier than the rest." 

Knowing how much of a misogynist Mr. Wiseman is, I at first had assumed Jenny had been hired entirely for her looks. She was the quintessential eye candy. Gorgeous, young (at least, younger than me), blonde, skinny while still having breasts a man would love to peak at (D cup? Maybe between a C and a D). She was perfectly coiffed. I'd never seen her looking less than perfectly tailored and elegantly put together. Yet she had kept her job for two years now because she knew how to handle herself among the rich and powerful who walked into our offices. Jenny was always formal in her dealings with clients and attorneys. If someone made a pass at her, she pretended she had no idea what the guy was talking about. I think the only informal thing about her was her preference for being called Jenny instead of Jennifer or Miss Daniels. 

We made the kind of grim facial expressions that one makes when you recognize a difficult situation but don't really know how to talk about it. Ms. Wilkinson broke the tension.

"Ok gang, let's get a move on. I don't want to lose out on my first meal at The Vault in five years because we were late."

"Will doesn't take you there?" Jaycee asked as we began our short journey, that would consist mostly of long elevator rides. She then turned on me. "Shame on you."

"Oh, don't you worry about it Jaycee. Will does treat me to lunch at a nice place occasionally. And he's the only one of the attorneys here who bothers, too."

"Really?" asked Jaycee. "Not even the partners?"

"Especially not the partners," answered Jenny. "They wouldn't deign to recognize the support staff existed unless they explicitly needed something work-related from us or were with a client and wanted to make a show of how much everyone here is just 'one big family'."

I was about shocked to my core to hear Jenny say that. I'd never heard her say a negative word, or anything that could even be interpreted as criticism, in the two years she'd been working here.

"You're exaggerating," responded Jaycee. 

"No," Ms. Wilkinson answered, with both Jenny and Allison backing her up. "There's a strict no fraternization rule that they enforce. Of course, officially it states that attorneys cannot engage in romantic or sexual relationships with the support staff. But they try to put the kibosh on any kind of social interaction. Will is one of the few exceptions."

"Ms. Wilkinson, you make it sound like the Dark Ages, with nobility and serfs," I said. 

She turned to me and said, "William, I'd like it if you would call me Karen."

I laughed. "Oh, is all of us getting fired all that it took for that to be ok?"

She smiled at me. "Yes," she answered simply.

"Well, then. Karen. I am honored that you have allowed me this informality." Jaycee was smiling broadly at me. I didn't know if it was for my choice of words, or the fact that she was allowed to use Karen Wilkinson's first name before me.

"You're very welcome, William. And you're right, the law world is very much like nobility and serfs. Including attempts on both sides to circumvent the rules of separation for sex."

"That sounds like the perfect opening for some juicy gossip," said Jaycee gleefully.

Jenny nodded. "I don't know if I can count the number of times I've been solicited for sex by the attorneys here. Including offers to 'set me up' and 'make me a kept woman'. Most of those offers came from married men, of course."

"I'm not sure I wanted this kind of gossip," I said. "I'm becoming rather depressed."

"I don't think it's depressing, Mr. Jennings," Jenny said. "It's simply the way the world works."

"Jenny, I insist you call me 'Will.' You too, Allison."

"Of course, Mr. Jennings," Jenny said. What?

I looked at Allison. "Yes, Mr. Jennings," she said meekly with her eyes downcast.

Jaycee giggled, then said "I told you girls - the four accepted names are 'Will', 'William', 'Sir', and 'Master.' That was rule number one." Ms. Wilkinson, sorry, I mean Karen, smiled.

"Oh, I wouldn't presume," said Allison. What the hell did that mean?

"So," said Jaycee. "If the rules against fraternization didn't exist. Is there an attorney you'd try to fraternize with?" 

Allison stared at Jaycee, shot a quick glance over to me, then back down to the ground. 

"That's not a fair question," said Jenny.

"I've always had a crush on Glenda Roberts," said Karen. Ok, that didn't get a double-take, that deserved a triple-take.

"Really?" asked Jaycee. "Isn't she a little ... serious?"

"Oh, yeah," replied Karen. "She gets me seriously wet."

And my brain melted.

Maybe this was the influence of the office closing. But I think it had more to do with Jaycee's presence. I swear, the girl had a knack for getting people to open up and tell their deepest, most intimate secrets. And they'd do it just minutes after meeting her. She'd make a great private investigator.

We made it up to The Vault and gave the hostess our reservation. I found myself turned toward Allison and we made eye contact. Then I winked at her.

"Eep!" went Allison as her eyes shot wide open and her mouth clenched tightly shut. "Excuse me," she said and walked briskly towards the bar.

"What happened to her?" Jenny asked.

"William winked at her," Karen said.

"You didn't," Jaycee laughed, then slapped me on the arm. "I'd better go check on her. She's probably shaking uncontrollably in the ladies' room." And she followed Allison's path through the bar.

"You winked at her?" Jenny asked.

"Just wanted to test something that Jaycee told me earlier," I tried to answer cryptically.

"I hope the little pixie has got a spare set of panties in her purse," Karen said. I was beginning to think that Karen was how Jaycee was going to be in about three decades. Well, hopefully not the lesbian part. But now that Karen had dropped the formalities she definitely seemed to share with Jaycee the lack of any filter for their mouths.

We were shown to our table, and were shortly joined by Jaycee leading an obviously embarrassed Allison along by the hand. Service was prompt and lunch was a brisk affair, as is typical with a place used to business deals being hashed out in an hour over fine food and stiff drinks.

The conversation quickly revolved around office gossip -- who was sleeping with whom, who deserved to be let go if there had only been layoffs, what were the worst examples of idiocy or despicable behavior they'd witnessed. Jaycee ate it all up and kept prodding everyone for the more outrageous secrets to be spilled.

Eventually, the upcoming events of the afternoon came to mind, and discussion centered on each of our future prospects.

"I'm confident I'll land on my feet," Jenny said, in her usual, unflappable manner. And she probably would too. She struck me as the type who could be tossed into the briar patch and walk away without a scratch. "Businesses are always on the lookout for a good receptionist, and if push comes to shove I can always go to work for my father. But I worry about you all. This town's not a good place to be right now if you're in the legal market."

"It is kind of ironic," I admitted. "The worse you are, the earlier you get fired during the downturn, the better chance you have of finding one of the few openings out there. Right now the market is just saturated with out of work people from other firms, and there's no work to be had." I was starting to get depressed.

"Don't worry about it, William," said Karen. "You'll have at least two, probably three, offers of employment by the end of the week."

"I appreciate your vote of confidence, Karen, but ..."

"That's not a prediction," she cut me off. "It's a fact as sure as the sky is blue and Jaycee's bottom is red."

"Not that you need the work," she added. 

"What does that mean?" asked Jaycee.

"There's a reason why I didn't even ask your William if he'd pay for our lunch. He can afford it, he's loaded."

My eyes popped at that.

"Karen, I don't think you should assume that just because I'm a fourth year attorney, I am set ..."

"You forget, Will," she cut me off again. "I've already shown you once today. There's very little of your life I don't know. By the way, Steven Beck's secretary Belinda is a doll. She actually invited me to her wedding even though we've never met face to face. Anyway, he'll probably be calling you before the day's out."

Have you ever gone through a day that took everything you thought you knew about the people around you and the way the world operated and turned it on its collective ear? 

Really? 

This was my first.

"Will?" Jaycee asked.

"You think?" I asked Karen. I hadn't taken my eyes off her.

She nodded. "By the way," Karen added, "I got Belinda to allow me to invest in his fund, too."

I glared at her. This was troubling news. "Karen, you shouldn't have ... well, actually, I'm sure that investment made you quite a bundle. But we're not supposed to enter into new business ventures with our clients."

"Yes, we're not supposed to, but everyone does it anyway," stated Karen.

"Not me. I told Mr. Beck that I couldn't ethically represent him and invest my money with him. It's called commingling of funds."

"I'm confused," said Karen. "I know for a fact that a good number of lawyers at the firm have done similar deals."

"I don't doubt it," I added. "I've found that I interpret the ethics rules on this more strictly than others, but with Beck it would still have been a no-no."

"Still?" Karen looked worried.

"Don't worry, you're in the clear," I assured her. "You aren't providing objective, professional legal advice to our client. That's my job. So your investing in his fund shouldn't be a problem, especially if I can honestly say that I didn't know about it, which I didn't."

"That's really weird," Karen continued. "So it's ok if you didn't have knowledge?" 

"I'd argue so, since it would be impossible for me to lose my objectivity if I didn't know about how it would affect you," I continued to assure her. 

Karen continued, "And you really haven't done any side deals? What about all those companies calling you up and the meetings you attended over the past few weeks that you didn't bill for?"

"How much did you invest with Beck?" I asked her, trying to divert away from that line of conversation.

"My entire life's savings," she replied just as our waiter arrived with the check. Karen proceeded to make a big deal out of whipping out her credit card and holding it out to him, all without glancing at the check, or even breaking eye contact with me.

"Well," I said, stunned, " ... as a good friend of mine is wont to say ... I'll be a monkey's uncle!"

"Do either of you understand what's going on?" Jaycee asked Allison and Jenny.

"I'm afraid I am quite bewildered," said Jenny.

"I think ..." said Allison's hesitant voice. "that Karen is saying that she is rich, and Mr. Jennings should have become even more rich, but not as rich as this Mr. Beck, who I can only assume has something to do with The Beck Fund, one of our clients."

"Right," added Jenny. "Steven Beck runs The Beck Fund, which is a hedge fund. And while Ms. Glenda Roberts is the partner in charge of that account, Mr. Jennings was the one who got the Beck Fund as a client, and Mr. Beck always insists on Mr. Jennings being present for all meetings when he visits the office."

"But how," started Jaycee, "did The Beck Fund make all this money when the stock market crashed and everybody lost everything?"

"Enough," I said, probably a little too loudly. "Karen, I love you dearly, and am very happy you were able to take that opportunity that has, at least temporarily, turned out well for you. But I humbly ask you to drop the subject of money."

"As you wish, William," Karen said. "And I do apologize. I did get carried away a bit there."

"Will?" Jaycee asked again. 

"Jaycee, remember when I told you not to worry about money this week?" I asked. "Well you're lucky I didn't make it an order. Otherwise you'd be taking that skirt off for the second time in anticipation of a good, public spanking."

That broke whatever tension remained from Karen's admission. This time I found myself making eye contact with Jenny and I winked at her. She smiled and winked back. Ah well, I guess they can't all respond like Allison.

The rest of our time in the restaurant passed rather quickly. Jaycee, of course, made sure the topic of conversation made its way back to sex.

"Ok, my bad first experience," she said, clearly enjoying being the center of attention. "We're all of ten seconds into the deed when I have a super loud queef."

"Queef?" I asked.

"It's like a fart but from the vagina," Jaycee laughed.

"There's a word for that?!?" Karen bellowed. Jenny was covering her mouth in a desperate attempt not to laugh. "Did you know that?" Karen asked Jenny, laughing uproariously. 

"I'm sure I don't know what Jaycee is referring to," said Jenny, with her upturned mouth and embarrassed expression showing it to be a lie.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 05



We were getting a lot of looks from the surrounding tables, but screw it. In the face of losing our jobs we needed to blow off a little steam. And the girls were really letting loose.

As we made our way to the elevator my cell phone rang, and I recognized Steven Beck's private number on the id screen.

I glared at Karen as I answered it. "Good Afternoon, Mr. Beck." I heard Jenny let out a small, light giggle.

"Will, I just heard. What are your plans?" the always going a hundred miles an hour Steven Beck said.

"You just heard? What did you just hear?"

"That your office is closing. Glenda just got off the phone with me."

"Well that's good to know, Mr. Beck. They haven't officially announced it to the rest of us."

"Yes, yes, but you were already in the know. I know you, Will. The very fact that you didn't act shocked proves it. Now before the offers come flooding in to you, you have to promise that you'll have a sit down with me. Really, the timing of this couldn't be more fortuitous. I'll tell you all about it. Belinda! When can I sit down with Will? What? Ok, Wednesday. Lunch. I'll send a car."

"This Wednesday?" I asked, surprised. I didn't know he was going to be in town. 

"Is that alright? Of course it's alright. You promised. Ok, I'll see you on Wednesday. Don't let anyone talk you into anything before then. Ok? I gotta go. Oh, and tell that Karen Wilkerson or something to tag along. Belinda wants to meet her."

"Certainly, sir. Karen has been wanting to meet her face to face ..."

"Sure, sure, sure. She's probably been nagging you almost as much as Belinda has me. Just don't be surprised when I try to steal her from you. HA! Just kidding. Ok, I'm off, kiddo. See you Wednesday."

"See you [click] ... Wednesday."

And the call was over. He's kind of like a steamroller -- hard to change direction once he gets going. 

"Told 'ya," said Karen.

"Looks like you're going to finally meet Belinda," I told her. "He's sending a car for us to have lunch on Wednesday."

"Mr. Jennings?" asked Allison. "Do you think you'll need a paralegal when you go to work for Mr. Beck?" My heart just about broke when she asked that. The job market had to be just as bad here for paralegals as it was for attorneys.

"We'll see what happens. I guess I should ask this ahead of time -- how do you feel about moving to New York?" I asked her.

"New York?"

"That's where his fund's headquartered. I've gone up there about half a dozen times. The office is a nice place, but smaller than you'd expect."

Karen looked like she was going to say something but Jaycee filled the moment first. "Of course he'll hire you, Allison," Jaycee assured.

"Jaycee ..." I warned her.

She closed her mouth but gave me a look like it was inevitable that her predictions would come true and I was just being stubborn to resist it. Women drove me absolutely crazy sometimes (or maybe I should say most of the time). Their general attitude seems to be 'ooh, you're so gruff, strong, masculine, and in control, I love it, and now I'm going to change everything about you and get you to do everything I say.' 

Jaycee spent the rest of the walk back to the office trying to pry information about Steven Beck - from what he looked like, to how he acted and treated people, even asking about the clothes he wore when he came to the office, and to how I'd gotten him as a client for the firm. I kept the fact that I had originally met Steven Beck through a fantasy football league to myself, because of all the ways to get a client that had to be the most ridiculous. I tried to give her some small tidbits on everything else. I allowed Jenny to do the most talking, and would give warning glares at Karen whenever she started to add something. I could tell it was driving Jaycee crazy. Hey, she said she liked it when I teased her.

As we returned to the office, Jaycee made sure we all promised we'd meet again at Pip's, the bar down on the ground floor, for "happy hour" after our respective meetings were over. The irony of the popular drinking time's name was not lost on anyone. Jaycee herself was going to run some errands and then head back to the apartment. Before leaving, she pulled me into a dark corner out of sight, gave me a deep kiss, and had me glide my hand up her covered legs. As my hand moved up, Jaycee had to grab hold of her skirt with both hands and raise it up. It was so tight I wouldn't be able to do much exploring otherwise. It turned out those grey hose were in fact thigh high stockings. And no underwear? No, she was wearing a thong, which allowed me a nice firm hold of her ass as she wrapped one of her legs around me. Her breath caught in her throat when I touched her butt, though she didn't flinch. My prediction of her getting over her ass phobia by the end of the week looked like it was practically fulfilled already.

After we put Jaycee's outfit back into place, we exited the dark corner only to find Karen, Allison, and Jenny all still waiting for us. Karen gave us mock applause. Jenny smiled at us. Allison was looking at us like ... I really don't know. I just could not get a very good read on her.

I could go into minute detail about the meetings that afternoon and how an office goes from full-blown economic endeavor on Friday, to closed for all-time by Monday, but it doesn't really suit the purpose of this story. I will call attention to a couple things, though. They gave all of us associates the option of remaining on the payroll for four months while we looked for another job, in order to not show any gaps in our employment record. And if we got another job before the four months was concluded we'd have to inform them and the paychecks would stop. Or, we could take the entire four months worth of paychecks up front in a lump sum, and our employment would officially come to an end at five o'clock today. It really wasn't a choice at all. The legal community is actually incredibly small. By noon tomorrow every firm in every major market in the country would know that our office had closed. To pretend otherwise by stretching it out and perhaps not getting as much money was just silly. Surprisingly, a few people took the extra time. Maybe they thought they could take a four month vacation before starting the job search? I don't know. I gladly took the lump sum and headed for the door. 

The bigger issue was when they asked everyone to turn in our cell phones. I thought the associates were going to turn into an ugly mob, complete with torches and pitchforks. It was only resolved when we called a representative from the cell phone service, who promised to switch us to personal plans for the same rate and using the same phone number so long as we bought a new phone within thirty days. I could tell the entire group was going to go en masse to the closest store immediately. The only time I've ever even heard of a lawyer without their phone is on a family-imposed do-this-or-I'm-divorcing-you vacation (which every married lawyer has to take once a year, otherwise the spouse starts thinking divorce with alimony won't be much of a change from staying married). The cell phone rep gave us a special code to use in the store and that was that. 

The IT rep told us our email addresses would continue to work for thirty days, but made us give them our personal addresses so they could auto-forward everything there, as well as set up auto-responses with instructions to use the different email for all personal correspondence. 

It looked like they had procedures in place for everything. And there was a lot of paperwork. We had to sign documents promising not to reveal confidential client information (which we'd already signed when we were hired, but lawyers believe strongly in 'cover-your-ass' letters and overkill). Promises not to sue the firm for breach of contract. Promises that we'd completed all of our assignments and had not kept any necessary information from the clients. Promises that ... who knows? It took way, way, way too long. 

When I signed my name on the last piece of paper, the administrator said that Mr. Wiseman, the managing partner, wanted a quick word before I left. 

I found him in his office along with a small grouping of other expensively dressed individuals. 

"Ah, William, please come in," he said. "Christie, will you and the other ladies give us the office please?" His personal secretary, Christie, and a few others whom I didn't recognize quickly gathered up their things and left.

Mr. Wiseman then introduced the two remaining gentlemen to me. "William, this is Jonathan Toons and Frank Mason from our New York office." They moved with the deliberate slowness and elegance of men who were used to giving orders and having them obeyed. 

"Oh yes, of course," and I shook their hands. "Mr. Toons, I read your article on international hedging using financial derivatives during the Asian financial crisis. Quite prescient analysis."

Mr. Toons looked surprised. "Oh, did a partner force you to read that in case I called down?"

"Of course not, sir," I laughed. "I just had a strong interest in the subject matter."

The two New York attorneys shared a look with Mr. Wiseman, who appeared smug.

Mr. Wiseman took control of the conversation.

"William, I know that today's events were probably a shock to you. How are you holding up?"

"Fine, sir. I think everyone here has been aware of the economy and the possibility of layoffs. I must admit that the complete closing of our office took me by surprise," I guardedly said.

"Yes, of course," Mr. Wiseman agreed. "In anticipating layoffs, did you put any feelers out for other job offers?"

"It's a bad market out there for attorneys, as I'm sure you know," I conceded, "but I'm confident I'll land on my feet."

Mr. Toons jumped in. "William, the firm has decided to close this office because most of the work that was done here can easily be incorporated into that of our New York office. For the most part, it's pretty generic financial work for large clients that don't really need a local presence down here."

I happened to disagree with that last statement. Even though most of my work was done via conference calls and emails, the fact that I could be at someone's office for a face-to-face meeting was a marked advantage. I'd frequently have attorneys from our New York office defer to my opinion on how our local clients would react to certain proposals since I was the 'man on the scene' and thus must have a better understanding of the clients.

"We've decided to extend offers to a few select attorneys from this office who we think show particular promise," he continued, "and whom we'd like to have stay within the family." 

"Would you consider relocating to New York?" asked Mr. Mason.

I had to think very fast while slipping into negotiation mode.

"A big reason why I selected this office, apart from my growing up down here and being immersed in the culture, is because it paid New York salaries while having a much lower cost of living," I divulged. "A lateral transfer up to New York would be a big step backwards for me in effective salary."

"So you're saying that you should be paid more than a fourth year associate in New York" asked Mr. Mason "even though you'll be coming in as an outsider not, as you put it, immersed in the culture, and having to pick up the details of our New York clients?"

"I thought you implied that we would be keeping the clients from this office," I parried.

"Obviously our clients will be notified of our closing of the local office," stated Mr. Toons. "Just how many do you think would stay with us if you were named as their lead attorney?"

So. There it is. They were really asking me how many of Glenda Roberts's clients I could steal from her. There were a few other partners who I did work for, but I knew what they meant. Of course, if I decided to part ways with both the firm and Glenda I'd be fighting over the same clients, only then it would be a three-way battle.

"Off the top of my head, I'm confident in ... eleven," the three exchanged glances again, "and I think I'd have a fighting chance on another seven or eight."

"What do you mean by fighting chance?" asked Mr. Toons.

"This is under the assumption that Glenda Roberts will be staying in the area, and probably joining on to another major firm. It would be her longer experience with the clients versus the fact that I'd personally done the bulk of their legal work for the past two years. Inertia, and the selling of our firm's great resources I think gives me an edge for a good number of them. But I'll have to do a hard sell, and not being here locally would hurt," I calculated.

"Would your eleven confident picks include all five clients you brought in to the firm?" asked Mr. Wiseman.

"Yes," I stated.

"Including the Beck Fund?" asked Mr. Mason eagerly.

And there it was out in the open. This is what the entire conversation and transfer offer was about.

"Not only will I keep the Beck Fund as a client, but I anticipate an expansion of the legal services I," and I put special emphasis on the word 'I', "provide them." Ok, that may have been a bit of a stretch. But I had to present as strong a hand as I could conceivably get away with in this negotiation.

Again the three exchanged glances, with Mr. Wiseman's face showing an 'I told you so,' look.

Mr. Toons picked up the conversation. "I think we could take the opportunity of your transfer to bring you up to a fifth year associate with the commensurate bump in base salary," he offered. "And you would find your annual bonus to be heavily influenced by the clients you bring with you."

"How heavily influenced?" I asked.

"Potentially ... seven figures," he said.

"What?," gasped Mr. Wiseman. "For a fourth year associate, that's unheard of!"

Pfft. For such an experienced attorney, Mr. Wiseman was surprisingly not a good actor. I spent a few minutes trying to nail down exactly how my bonus would be calculated. They tried to give the firm as much wiggle room as possible. 

"Why don't you go back to the compensation committee and figure out exactly what formula you're going to use," I offered, "with whatever variables you think are appropriate, number of clients kept, value of legal services provided, what have you. Then commit it to paper for me. I can't make a decision until I've got that information."

"I'm sure we'll come up with something that is more than fair," Mr. Toons answered. 

"Good," I concluded, "I look forward to looking it over."

[to be continued]



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 06



Part 6 - Monday Evening

When it was all over I went back to my office and grabbed my briefcase and put my diplomas and my framed print of Muhammad Ali standing over a K.O.'d Sonny Liston in a cardboard box. I ran into Allison in the lobby, and I had a sneaky suspicion that she had been instructed by a certain lascivious sex slave of mine to wait for me. Allison was carrying a small file box with her personal items. She told me that Jenny had been let out long ago and Karen was nowhere to be found. Since I was now phoneless, I suggested we start walking towards my place as there was both a bank to deposit our severance checks and a cell phone store along the way. 

Now that it was just the two of us, I got her to open up a bit more. Well, not really. She still refused to call me anything but "Mr. Jennings," or occasionally "Sir." She admitted to taking public transportation in, and that she shared a townhouse with three other women. I couldn't imagine. The last time I shared a place with more than one person was when I was an undergrad, and Aaron and I shared a two bedroom apartment with two other guys (which we all vowed never to do again). Oh, and her last name was Grimsley, which I discovered by stealing a glance at her severance check, sitting atop of her things in her file box. Not a very attractive name, I must admit. I also got a glance at the amount of her check. I really, really, really hoped that wasn't four months salary, even after taxes. If it was, well, no wonder she had three roommates. 

As we approached the phone store I asked Allison if she needed a new phone. She informed me that the paralegals didn't have their phones provided by the firm, though she'd be completely lost without her cell. With four people in the same house, they had decided to use their cell phones as their only phone and had never had a landline installed. I asked if she'd call Jaycee and ask her to meet us at the store and she jumped at the chance. She didn't just dial Jaycee's cell number, she immediately programmed it in. See? Jaycee'd known this girl for all of a couple hours and now she was Allison's new best friend. I found her side of the conversation a little humorous.

"Hi Jaycee? It's Allison. ... Uh-huh ... Yes, he's ... Yes ... Ummm ... No, it's just us ... Yeah ... Oh Jaycee, stop ... no, really ... ... yeah ... Ummm ... Jayyyceeee [in a petulant whine] ... please ... no ... no, I didn't mean ... [gasp!] No!, I ... what? ... really? ... no, I couldn't. ..." 

By this time we were standing in front of the store, but I didn't want to go in until I discovered if Allison was going to be able to actually invite Jaycee to meet us. 

"You promise? ... really? ... ok ... yes ... yes, I'd like that. ... Ok, I'd love that. ... yes ... yes ... ok." And then she held her phone out to me. So no, and no more than four words in a string together.

"Hey Jaycee"

"Hey, where are you?"

I laughed. "They took my phone. We're at the store two blocks down on Buchanan getting me a new one. Allison was supposed to be telling you this information."

Allison gasped. "Sorry, sir." She seemed quite upset that she'd failed me. I waved her down.

"And you want me to come down? I can, I was just going to straighten up a little after taking my nap. We spilled quite a lot of massage oil on the floor last night, and I'm still trying to figure out how that happened."

"I'll probably be here a while, these places work on glacial time. So if you want to come down, you can. We'll be here."

"If it's optional, I think I'll stay and do some things up here. I'll let you spend some quality time with Allison, your next employee."

"Jaycee," I said exasperated. 

"Ok, I won't bring it up again. But you know I'm right."

"I'll call you when I'm done." And I turned off the phone and handed it back to Allison.

"Um, sir?" she asked. "Would it be ok if I programmed your number into my cell?"

I looked down at the cheap phone in her hand. It looked like the giveaway phone from several years ago.

"Allison, would you like a new phone?" I asked.

"Oh no, sir. I couldn't let you do that."

"Of course you could," I answered.

"Sir, Mr. Jennings, really, I just ..."

I leaned in close to her. "Allison? Jaycee told me you'd walk through fire for me."

Allison face turned beet red. "She said that?"

"Yes, and I've found that Jaycee is almost always right about those sorts of things."

"Ummm, well, she is very smart."

"So, if I insisted on getting you a better phone, you'd let me, right?"

"Ummm."

"Is your cell phone plan through this company?" I asked.

"Y-Yes."

"Good. Then it's settled. Let's go pick out our new phones."

I decided on getting both of us the store's latest and greatest model. It had some brand new features I was intrigued about. Allison kept protesting that it was too much, but I pushed her into it anyway, and paid the amount to upgrade her service plan up front for a year. That way Allison would continue to make the same monthly payments as before, maybe less since she now had unlimited texting instead of pay as you go.

By the time we got out of there it looked like we were going to be late meeting the others because I still needed to drop my stuff off at home. Allison and I walked back to my building, playing with our phones' new features. She was finally smiling when she looked at me. That alone made my purchase of her phone worth it. The silent staring was starting to freak me out.

When we walked into the building I got a visitor's pass for Allison and told the security guard on duty that we'd need a cab in five minutes. We went up to my place, entered, dropped our stuff in the entryway, got a quick kiss from Jaycee in greeting (yes, both of us), and away we went. I offered my arms to both ladies and surprisingly Allison took one.

Ten minutes later we walked into Pip's in much the same position (the ladies had switched sides). Several of my fellow associates were also there, along with both Karen and Jenny. Unfortunately 'Buddy Boy' was among the crowd, and he was being disgustingly aggressive with Jenny. 

"Come on, you know you'd love to see it. Custom leather upholstery, all the latest gadgets, and it will go from zero to sixty so fast it'll knock your dress right off, leaving you in just your dripping panties."

"I'm not in the least bit interested," Jenny replied. "You, sir, are rude, uncouth, and outright vulgar."

"You don't have to play hard to get any more, Jenny-girl, the old rules are gone. We can be together now, just like you've always wanted," Buddy practically drooled in her ear.

"Look, Jenny," said Karen trying anything to come to her friend's rescue. "Our friends have arrived."

"Oh yeah?" Buddy said, looking forward to more women to hit on.

"Yes," Jenny said pointing at me. "I'm sure you'll excuse us."

Buddy turned around and gaped at me. "Billy Boy?" 

"Sorry, ol' Buddy Boy. Do you mind if I take your seat? Thanks." And I put my hand on his upper arm and strongly pulled him away from Jenny.

We quickly surrounded Jenny to insulate her from Buddy, with me standing protectively behind her.

Jenny turned partially toward me and placed her right hand on my chest. "Your timing could not have been better," she sighed. "I was getting quite frustrated at his heavy-handed manner." And with that she rested her head next to her hand. Not knowing what to do I put my arm around her and hugged her tenderly. Allison smiled at me. 

"What a jerk," Jaycee said. "He saw me earlier at the office and I thought he was going to trip over his tongue."

"How did he ever keep his job?" asked Allison.

"Oh I can tell you that," piped in Karen. "There were two clients who were just as inane as he was. They were in some kind of boasting competition and neither of them ever clued in that Buddy was nothing but talk. Maybe they weren't either. But they kept sending him business just for the opportunity to have their joint meetings and try to one up each other."

"There's got to be more to it than that," I said.

"Not so far as I can tell," Karen lamented.

"Well, we'll see just how he fares on his own," I said. "For now, let's turn our talk to brighter things, like to friends we can lean on in troubled times."

"Some of us are doing more leaning than others," quipped Jaycee. 

Embarrassed, Jenny removed herself from my chest. "Sorry, Jaycee."

"Oh, don't feel bad. I was just teasing. He sure is a comforting rock to cling to, isn't he?"

Now I was beginning to be embarrassed. "I meant," trying to change the subject, "that we'll be leaning on Karen. She's the rich one, remember?" Allison, Jenny, and Jaycee all laughed and turned to look at my former legal secretary.

She shook her head. "I've worked with gold diggers my entire life, but this is the first time I've been their target," she joked. "I must say, it feels rather ... empowering. Which of you lovely morsels can I nibble on first?" Allison blushed and looked down. Jaycee leered at Karen and gave her a wink, and Jenny laughed out loud, then quickly brought her hand up to cover her mouth and stifle it. In the two years I'd seen Jenny, that was the first time I'd seen her make an audible laugh. 

Just then Adam Goldberg came over to talk with me. Adam had been the most newly named partner in our office, holding the position for just two months. He was a decent sort, if a little self-involved (I know, I know, all corporate lawyers are self-involved).

"Will, Buddy was saying something about you having a harem," Adam started. "I decided I should check this out with my own eyes."

"Good idea," I returned. "Anything Buddy says should be verified before taken as fact."

Adam laughed and then placed his order with the bartender. I made introductions all around. The only one Adam appeared to recognize was Jenny.

"I'm surprised to see you down here so quickly," I said. "I thought you partners would be going over the details of your partnership agreements for the next week to determine who gets how much and all that."

"Well, there are partners and there are partners," Adam lamented. "As a junior partner, my partnership agreement was much more like an employment contract."

"Really?" I said surprised.

"I hadn't even seen the blasted thing until today."

"How is that even possible?" I asked.

"I know," Adam said shaking his head. "You'd think a guy who makes his living working on contracts would actually, you know, negotiate his own. But when you've put in eight years for one goal and they finally hand it out to you, it's not like you're going to turn them down. It pretty much removes any leverage you have."

"I guess that makes sense," Jaycee said. Adam was taken aback that someone besides me talked, giving Jaycee a look that showed annoyance that she intruded.

"But you'd never even seen your contract?" I prodded to get Adam back on track.

"That's right. I requested to take a look at it a couple weeks ago. I was actually laughed at. Can you imagine?"

"It would appear the haves and have-nots exist at every level of a law firm," chimed in Jenny.

Once again Adam seemed annoyed. "Yes," I added. "We were all talking earlier about the overly restrictive rules regarding interactions between the lawyers and staff."

"Well, those rules are necessary," Adam said. "We need strict professionals there, not people whose primary purpose is to find a husband."

"I thought almost half the attorneys in your office were women?" Jaycee inquired.

"Half of the associates are women," Adam said, as if that required no further explanation. I wasn't going to touch this topic. Adam could dig his own grave. When Jaycee gave him a blank stare he continued. "While it is true that more women are entering the profession, they rarely have what it takes to achieve success in the field. The extra hours and constant need to attend to clients interferes with a woman's biological drive towards settling down and raising a family. There are, or I should say were, only two female partners in our office, compared to eight male partners."

"So you're saying that women are not cut out for the legal profession?" Jenny asked, rather icily too.

"Not as an absolute rule, but generally, yes." He was met with frosty stares by the ladies, even Allison.

"Adam," I argued. "Even you must admit that Glenda and Cathy are the two most impressive lawyers in the firm, present company included. And Cathy does have a husband and a kid."

"I think that only proves my point further," Adam said. "Only truly exceptional women can overcome the natural obstacles to such professional success."

"Anyway, that has nothing to do with why I came over," Adam said while turning back to me. "Glenda has noted in our partner meetings how you have been slowly convincing her of the turn in the market and I had to ask ... how long ago did Mr. Beck tell you?"

"Actually, I told him when I first met him two and a half years ago," I said. "Of course, he already knew. And he filled in a lot of missing pieces or gave me data to back up some of the assumptions I was making. I just wish I had been able to convince Glenda a lot sooner, or that Glenda had convinced the rest of the firm for that matter."

"Uh huh," Adam said, clearly not believing me. "And when is the market going to rebound?"

"It isn't," I said. Adam blinked at me, still not believing me. "Well, the stock market will shortly go on an upwards bump for a few months based on government spending and the promise of better financial statements from trimming so many payrolls plus some unfounded inflationary worries, but financial rebounds always happen much earlier than an economic one. The economy will have a "W" shaped recovery. And the financial market is never coming back to the point it was, not with the kinds of pricing and profit ratios we got used to over the last decade. At least, I truly hope it doesn't. The whole thing was a giant Ponzi scheme built on credit." 

Now he was looking at me like I had two heads. He didn't even say another word to me; instead he just shook his head and wandered off.

"Is that true?" asked Allison. 

"About the market? Yes."

"We're never going to find new jobs, are we?" 

"Never say never," I tried to comfort her. I decided not to share the firm's offer to move up to New York with this group. I didn't want to run the risk of my former fellow associates overhearing. 

"This city added a lot of legal jobs over the last six to eight years in what was just a temporary spike to take advantage of this credit bubble. But just because it's going to go back to about the same level of jobs as there were doesn't mean we won't get two of them. I'll be happy to be one of your references. And when a potential employer calls me up I'll tell them they'd be a fool not to hire you for a nice, fat salary." That got a small smile back onto her face.

"So, William," said Karen, "do you have a plan on how to get one of those rare jobs?"

"Mr. Beck certainly sounded like he was going to make me an offer, though it would take a truly special offer to get me to move to New York. There was a reason why I stayed here when most of my classmates headed off to the bigger markets. I happen to really like this town. If Glenda hooks up with another firm here I think she'll ask if I want to go with her. I shouldn't just wait around for that to happen, though. I'm going to hit the phones tomorrow, touch base with some of my old classmates at other firms as well as with the clients I spent the most time with. Maybe I'll even find myself going in-house somewhere."

"In that case, maybe I can give you a hand," Karen said. "I know more about your clients than you do. I'll try to see what's available for us." 

Us?

That conversation repeated itself several times in the next hour as different people from the firm stopped by the popular watering hole to commiserate. 

In between I returned to my attempts at getting Jenny and Allison to use my first name. I was finally successful with Jenny, though I think the two cosmopolitans she drank may have been the key factor. Allison still stubbornly held fast to calling me Mr. Jennings.

The most entertaining event of the hour was a visit by the aforementioned other female partner, Cathy Flannery, master litigator, who was hopping mad over the day's events. She was making all kinds of statements regarding suing the firm for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, and constructive fraud. She had been brought in not too long ago in Glenda's plan to beef up the litigation team, and it sounded like some big promises had been made to get her. Now that those were torpedoed, Cathy was in a fury.

In ten minutes at the bar, she'd downed three shots, gone through a list of some partners' least flattering attributes, and even shouted a couple insults across the bar at people looking at her in a manner she didn't like. That provoked the unexpected reaction of vociferous applause from Karen and Jaycee. Cathy seemed pleased with that, but then showed some surprise to see me smiling at her from within her cheering section. Finally, after apparently getting most of the rage out of her system, she sighed, announced she was going home to her son, and left. She was a very intense woman. 

"I can't believe she's got a kid," commented Jaycee.

"He's a beautiful little boy," said Jenny. "You should have seen her with him at the fall social. She was wonderful with him; quite the opposite of her work demeanor."

As it was getting on towards dinner time, Jaycee asked (after getting my permission) the others over to my place for a home-cooked meal. Karen and Jenny claimed to already have plans for the evening. Jaycee wouldn't let Allison escape, though. I clued in that Jaycee had already invited Allison over during their phone conversation in front of the phone store.

We made our way out to the street and said our goodbyes. "Jaycee, it was so wonderful to meet you today," said Jenny. "You must promise me that we'll get together the next time your master grants you permission."

"You betcha," said Jaycee. "I'll give you a call tomorrow and we'll chat. And don't think that just because you're weaseling out of dinner tonight I won't get you to Will's dining table soon."

"Are you sure? I might not want to leave," she teased. "And I do apologize for tonight, but I must go and console my mother. She's convinced that I'll never be able to find another job and will end up destitute on the streets," she laughed.

"Ok, Boss," said Karen. "I'll call you tomorrow morning and we can brainstorm who to call."

"Boss?" I asked.

"Always my boss," Karen answered.

Jaycee decided Karen's response deserved a hug from her. Don't ask me why, I don't know.

"Now, Jaycee," lectured Karen. "Don't keep William up too late tonight. He's got a big day tomorrow."

"Don't you worry about our William," Jaycee said. "He'll knock me out cold and still wake up hours before I regain consciousness."

Karen and Jenny smiled again and waved farewell. Allison was back to looking at me agog. I swear, that woman took everything Jaycee said way too literally.

Jaycee, Allison and I walked back to my building in the cool evening air with Jaycee driving the conversation and looking extremely well put together in that winter overcoat — thank you again, Rebecca. Jaycee had me laughing and Allison blushing and stuttering the whole way, mostly by questioning Allison's sexual experiences, followed up by giving her advice on how to please a man. I almost ordered Jaycee not to keep embarrassing Allison, but I was enjoying it too much.

When we got back inside my apartment, I noticed that Jaycee had turned the heat back up to where I had raised it for her two days ago, to better make her comfortable in no clothes. I eagerly shed my shoes, jacket, and tie, while also aiding Allison out of her heels and jacket. Jaycee excused herself down the hall. Allison and I made small talk in Jaycee's absence, with me promising to drive her home when dinner was finished. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 06



Jaycee returned wearing a partially see-through grey camisole with the same Celtic design going up the sides as on her stockings and panties and that's it. Allison gasped when she saw her. I may have done the same.

"Jaycee, what do you think you're doing?"

"What? I had to change. It's too warm in here for me to keep those nice clothes on."

"We have a guest," I admonished her.

"Yes, Sir. I thought I'd try to vie for Allison's attention. She's been mooning over you all afternoon and I was feeling left out," Jaycee teased. She then marched into the kitchen, calling attention to her beautiful ass, not covered in the slightest by her thong. 

"Allison, would you like to give me a hand in here?" Jaycee called out while grabbing an apron a friend had gotten me as a gag gift a year earlier, patterned with the Wildcat logo of the local pro football franchise. 

"Allison, you're supposed to be a guest ..." I started.

"I don't mind," Allison called out, already hurrying to Jaycee's call.

I shook my head in disbelief, and then decided the heck with it. I may as well enjoy this bizarre situation I suddenly found myself in. I turned the stereo to some light music and relaxed on the couch with a magazine. 

A little while later Jaycee came out of the kitchen with a glass of white wine for me. After she set it down on the coffee table I grabbed her and threw her across my lap, ass up.

"Oh!" Jaycee gasped.

"Jaycee," I began while placing my hand on her ass. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't spank you for embarrassing our guest like you have."

I could feel Jaycee flex the muscles in her behind while she thought of what to say.

"Sir, I know I'm embarrassing Allison, but I'm also giving her what she wants."

"What she wants?" I asked.

"Oh yes. Even though she's been fired, she'll probably look back on this as one of the best days of her life."

I was silent as I tried to grasp how that could be true.

"She's trapped herself in this cocoon for so long, I'm basically blowing it wide open. I promise you, Will, if you disagree with me by the end of the evening then you can give me a double-punishment."

I thought about that and slowly stroked Jaycee's rear. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of Allison peeking at us from the kitchen. When I turned to look at her she ducked back out of sight. 

"Fine," I said, giving Jaycee's ass a little squeeze. "But don't push me to do anything sexual with her. Not if you want me to find her a job later." And I let her up.

"Will, trust me," Jaycee said as she stood up. Then she gave me a nice, soft kiss, turned and sashayed her way back to the kitchen, showing how her behind could undulate.

I guess I gave in to Jaycee because I could tell she was having fun with Allison. I still worried about Jaycee going too far. This evening's actions could really put the kibosh on my working with Allison in the future.

Later on I overheard a bit of their talk in the kitchen. Jaycee was threatening to spill sauce all over Allison's blouse unless she removed it. I almost marched right in there to get Jaycee to stop but I had promised to trust her. It seemed as though Jaycee was going full speed ahead, damn the consequences. 

Finally Jaycee came out to the dining area to set the table and announced that dinner was ready. After I was situated at the head of the table, both ladies came out carrying plates. Jaycee had removed the apron, once again revealing her body through the semi-transparent lingerie. Allison was in a basic white cotton bra and panty set. She also was blushing so much that the entire upper half of her chest was red, setting off her freckles nicely. And she refused to look up. Allison set my plate down in front of me, a nut-encrusted tilapia with sides of cooked broccoli and mashed potatoes with gravy. 

"Thank you, Allison," I told her. She briefly looked up at me, and then curtsied! Jaycee giggled a bit, and Allison adjusted her glasses which had slid down her nose. Jaycee returned with the opened bottle of chilled pinot from the fridge and refilled our glasses. After everyone was settled I made a toast. 

"To new adventures," I said. "New adventures" said Allison and Jaycee together and clinked glasses.

We began eating, with Allison clearly nervous. I probably wasn't helping that much with my stealing glances at her. I thought if we could keep the sexual tension from escalating any further, then maybe I could escape this dinner with our dignities intact. Jaycee, of course, had other plans.

"Doesn't Allison look beautiful, Will?" she asked. "I especially love her skin. It's like porcelain china and with a designer's pattern. Allison, how do you keep your skin so delicately light?"

I was glad that Jaycee hadn't stopped with her question to me. It would have gotten me in trouble no matter how I answered it.

"Oh, well, I stay out of the sun as much as possible," Allison said. "I've already got too many freckles and don't want any more."

"But your freckles are part of what makes you so beautiful!" declared Jaycee. "Don't you agree, Will?"

Allison nervously looked at me. 

"Yes, Allison, Jaycee's right," I affirmed. "Your freckles are very lovely." 

"Thank you," said Allison softly, looking first at me, then at Jaycee. 

I wasn't sure how to follow that. The silence was unbearably uncomfortable. I desperately tried to think of something benign to say, though the only thing I wanted to talk about was Allison's dress, or lack thereof, and why she let herself be put into this situation by Jaycee. Come to think of it, why had I let myself be put into this situation by Jaycee? She was supposed to do my bidding this week.

"As the master here, Will," said Jaycee, "which one of us do you plan on having for dessert?"

Allison gasped.

"Jaycee!" I exclaimed. She just looked at me smugly. "I ordered you not to cross that line earlier. You have just earned yourself another punishment, which I will administer once Allison is safely home."

I turned my attention to Allison. "I'm sorry that Jaycee is embarrassing you. I should have put a stop to it earlier and I apologize for that. It appears that both Jaycee and I often tease and make embarrassing comments as a way of expressing our affection. So I beg you to assume that our comments are made with that purpose and not to cause you any harm or intentional discomfort."

"Oh," replied Allison, looking back at Jaycee. "Ok."

"Also," I added, "I feel awful that Jaycee has twisted your arm into helping her cook and to change your outfit. You are a guest here, and as such it is my responsibility to make sure you are comfortable and that your wants are met."

"You sure about that, Will?" Jaycee asked. "You may not realize all of her wants."

Allison's blush returned, and deeper this time. "Allison's doing exactly what she wants to do," said Jaycee. "Otherwise she wouldn't do it."

"In fact," Jaycee continued, "Allison, would you get the pepper shaker for me? I left it next to the stove."

"Jaycee!" I reprimanded, though Allison had already braced her arms on the chair to push herself up. "You will stop giving orders to Allison or I will be giving you two punishments."

Jaycee stuck her tongue out at me, like I was preventing her from playing with a new toy or something. Unbelievable. I continued to glare at her and nodded my head towards the kitchen until Jaycee got up from the table to get the pepper herself. Of course, I couldn't tear my eyes away from her once her body was in motion, with those perfect breasts bouncing ever so slightly underneath their grey enclosure.

"It's ok, Mr. Jennings," said Allison. "I really don't mind."

"Allison, she has you stripped down to your underwear in front of a man whom you hope will one day soon be your boss."

Allison looked down at her clothing. "Yes, that's true. But this is just plain white cotton. I'm really not showing anything more than I would at the beach."

"That may be true," I conceded, "but context matters." 

"Maybe, but it's nothing compared to what Jaycee's wearing. And there's really no comparison about what's underneath our clothes either. I mean, just look at her."

I had to admit, she had a point. Once I started looking at Jaycee it was difficult to pull my eyes away. But damn it, now I was going to have to compliment Allison without making it seem like I was making a pass at her.

"Allison ..." I began.

"No, it's ok. I'm just really grateful to be able to spend more time with you, and to have met Jaycee today. You two have made getting fired not so bad."

"You weren't fired, you were laid off," I corrected. "That's an important distinction. Being fired implies you did something wrong, and we all know you didn't. So stop thinking about it using that term."

Jaycee decided to play the waitress. She came over and stood to my right. "Would you like some fresh, ground pepper, Sir?"

"Yes, thank you, Jaycee." And I started to reach out to take it from her, but instead Jaycee leaned over, placing the pepper grinder over my plate while also calling attention to her breasts. Allison giggled at her position.

"Ummm, yes, that's enough Jaycee."

"Very good, Sir," she said, then walked around to place herself in between me and Allison. "Fresh ground pepper, ma'am?"

I could only assume that Allison nodded, because once again Jaycee bent over to deliver the spice. Only this time she was shoving her thong-covered ass at my face. I gave it a little swat, and Jaycee immediately stood straight up, placing a hand over her butt. 

"Sir!"

Allison giggled. I had to give it to Jaycee. She had returned the feelings in the room to one of playfulness and fun. We returned to eating our meal, and this time Jaycee turned the conversation to the poker game of Saturday night and how I had been so incredibly lucky to take all of Jaycee's money.

"No, Jaycee, we're the lucky ones," Allison said. "Imagine what would have happened if you had won that hand? We wouldn't be here right now. I'd probably be crying at home for my lost job over a microwaved meal, and you'd be with that horrible roommate. And neither one of us would be a part of Mr. Jennings' future plans. But now maybe we are. No, it wouldn't have been good at all if you had won that hand."

"You do have a point there, Allison," said Jaycee. "Though I still am in even more debt with no way to pay it back any time soon."

"Mr. Jennings will think of something," said Allison fervently. I groaned a little inside. It seemed my responsibilities were growing.

As dinner concluded I announced that it was time to take Allison home. Both of the ladies seemed disappointed with this, but I really wanted to spend some alone time with Jaycee.

"Alright, then, Allison, put ..." started Jaycee, when she stopped herself. "Will, would you please rescind that order that I can't boss Allison around? It's very frustrating. I've had to stop myself four times already and it's just a matter of time before I slip."

"I'll tell you what," I said. "That order will expire once we let her out of my car and she is no longer my guest."

Jaycee bit her lip in a bit of frustration. But learning to control her impulses was good for her. And learning to follow my orders was even better for me.

"I guess you'd better get me home quickly, then," said Allison with a smile.

I handed Jaycee her overcoat to wrap around her outfit, while Allison disappeared into the kitchen to put her clothes back on. I grabbed my own overcoat out of the closet, even though it didn't appear to be too cool a night. 

We returned Allison's visitor pass on the way out, then got into my car. I had Allison ride shotgun with Jaycee in the backseat. As soon as we pulled out of the parking garage I ordered Jaycee to remove her overcoat. I doubted anyone would see into my cramped backseat to the lingerie-clad woman there, but I hoped the possibility added a bit of excitement to her feelings. Allison seemed to enjoy it, too. She frequently turned around to talk to Jaycee as they discussed where Allison lived and the pluses and minuses to different areas of town. It seemed as though Jaycee was probing to see if Allison would need a new roommate in the future. I had some misgivings to that possibility. I'm not sure Allison would survive it.

When we arrived in front of Allison's rented townhouse, I bid her goodnight and she opened up the door. As soon as she had one foot out of the car Jaycee said, "Allison. Tell my Master thank you for a wonderful evening." 

Allison turned to look at her, then launched herself at me. She threw her arms around my neck and placed a very strong but close-mouthed kiss on my lips. Her eyes were squeezed shut, I could tell because mine were wide open in surprise. When she released me from the kiss, she pulled away slightly and said, "Thank you, Mr. Jennings." Then, with her eyes still on me, she backed out of the car. 

Jaycee was outside, with her overcoat on but unbuttoned as she waited to get into the front passenger seat. Allison turned to her and gave her a big hug, completely disappearing inside the overcoat. 

"Thank you, Jaycee," she said. 

Jaycee grabbed Allison by the head, and gave her a very strong kiss right on the lips. Allison grunted surprise, but within seconds was returning it with vigor. 

Jaycee broke the kiss and said, "Call me tomorrow, ok?" Allison stepped back, touched her hand to her lips like she didn't quite believe what had just happened. Then again, I was in much the same situation. She nodded yes as Jaycee squeezed her hand, and then stood rooted to the spot while Jaycee got back into the car. 

I waited until Allison was safely inside her house before beginning the trek back home. That took some time as Allison turned back to look at us five separate times. I was half expecting her to return to the car as if she forgot something, but she eventually let herself into her house.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"What was what all about?" Jaycee replied.

"The kissing at the end, and not just with me but especially with you."

"Will, am I getting a double-punishment when we get back?" Jaycee asked, in reference to our little bet about Jaycee giving Allison what she wanted.

"No," I said. "I don't know for sure, but I think you may be right in that you treated Allison like she wanted to be treated." 

"And yet you interfered with that," Jaycee said.

"Yes, I did," I replied. After a moment's thought I continued. "Jaycee, what is your role this week?"

Jaycee smiled. "I'm a sex slave."

"A sex slave? Or my sex slave?" 

"Definitely your sex slave. I'm not ok with you handing me off to someone else."

"That's good to know, since I have no intention of sharing you. And not just with another guy. I don't intend on sharing you with anyone."

"Oh," Jaycee said. 

"Yes, 'oh,'" I added. "You may have been giving Allison what she wanted. You may have been doing with Allison what you wanted. Hell, you may have even been doing with Allison what you think I wanted. But it wasn't what I wanted. Maybe I should have been more firm, but early on I was having a lot of fun with us teasing Allison. I think my comment earlier about both of us using teases as a way of saying we like someone is accurate. But when I tried to pull back on your reins a bit, you just kept going, pushing things way beyond what I was comfortable with."

"Sorry, Will. I didn't realize."

"No, don't apologize," I quickly interrupted. "I have only myself to blame. I wasn't firm enough with you, and so you had no way of knowing what I really wanted."

"I thought you would really like having Allison," Jaycee said, still trying to keep the subject open.

"I'd rather have you. You've only agreed to be with me for one week and I want to maximize my time with you. My failure to tell you that was my fault. I actually do appreciate you thinking of things that would give me pleasure. That's going to make this week really special. I just need to be firmer when you think of something that isn't really what I want."

"Ok, Will. I'm sorry. I'll try to be more in tune with your wishes."

Though I had fleeting thoughts over the last two days of Jaycee continuing in this role past the one week limit, I needed to stop it. She was already trying to find me a replacement, maybe so that she could get out of the deal sooner than the end of the week. It was just yesterday that I had assured Jaycee I didn't want her as a serious girlfriend, and that remained true. Today was an example of why. She had been manipulating me all day, getting me to do what she wanted. Even now she was continuing it, talking on and on about how wonderful both Allison and Jenny are, how pretty, sweet, sexy, smart, and so forth. I'd had more than enough of a woman's manipulations for one lifetime. No, the current situation of me as master and her as my slave was exactly what I wanted. I just needed to exert myself more. 

Once I parked at my building's garage, I grabbed Jaycee and pulled her to me as soon as we got out of the car. I plastered my lips to hers, driving my tongue deep into her mouth while holding her tightly to me. As Jaycee wrapped her arms around me, in return I dug my arms down into the overcoat and wrapped them around her. I grabbed her by the ass with both hands and lifted her up. 

"Yes!" Jaycee exclaimed, throwing her legs around my waist, then plunging back in to continue the kiss. I kneaded her ass with my hands, then leaned back to shift our center of gravity slightly so that I could remove my left hand and slide it down under her behind and rub her pussy through the thin material of her panties.

"Yes!" Jaycee exclaimed again, breaking the kiss and then latching her lips onto the side of my neck. "Take me! Take me now!" she implored. "I'm so hot for you," peppering my face with more kisses as I continued to rub her. "My Master."

I could hear another car entering the garage and decided to move this back up to my apartment as quickly as possible. I set Jaycee down, pulled her overcoat together and ordered, "Follow me." I then made a direct line for the lobby and then the elevators. I could hear the click-clack of Jaycee's heels as she struggled to keep up. I nodded to the night guard. I wasn't on a first name basis with this one as I think he was just a part-timer so I dug into my pocket and flashed my pass and Jaycee's guest pass as we walked past. He didn't look, though. His eyes were glued to what was attached to those noisy high heels.

As soon as the elevator doors were closed I again pulled Jaycee to me and tried to suck out her soul through her mouth. She whimpered briefly and then once again grabbed me, but without as much strength this time. I broke this kiss, turned her around so that she was facing the reflective elevator doors, reached my arms around her front, grabbed her breasts and pulled her back to me. I kissed the side of her face, her jaw line, and her neck as I fondled her breasts through the stretched camisole. 

Luckily no one was in the hall on my floor as our walk from the elevator to my apartment took much longer than usual. Only my desire to get Jaycee into my warm apartment and me plugged into her carnally gave me any focus to figure out which key opened my front door. As soon as we were inside, I pulled the overcoat off her, picked her up in much the same situation as I had her in the garage, and carried her into my bedroom. 

As I set her down next to the bed, I made a decision based on how high my mattress was. "Take off your heels," I ordered.

Jaycee was breathing heavily. I enjoyed the sight of her breasts' movement as her lungs powerfully filled and emptied. Jaycee lifted one heel and reached down, while I feverishly worked the buttons on my shirt to remove it.

When she was in her stockinged feet, I ordered her to turn around. I kicked off my shoes and got my socks off.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 06



"You've got another punishment coming, haven't you?" I asked.

"Oh!" squeaked Jaycee. Her head bent down a bit. "Yes, Master," she said. 

I grabbed the sides of her panties and pulled them down her legs. Jaycee alternately raised her feet to allow their full removal. 

"Bend over. Put yourself face down onto the bed," I ordered. "Spread your legs," I added. Jaycee moved her feet about a foot apart. "More." Now they were about two feet apart. "Good."

"I'm not sure I like being in this position without feeling your body beneath me," Jaycee admitted.

"Oh?" I responded. "How come? Why is this so different?"

"I liked that I could feel your excitement when you spanked me," Jaycee said. "I always pressed against you so that I could feel your cock along my left side."

So she needs to feel my cock, does she? I took off my pants and underwear in one motion; my cock springing forward, ready for its target. I knelt down and placed my hands on the back of Jaycee's ankles. Then I slowly slid them up the back of her legs, enjoying the feel and look of them encased in the unusually patterned thigh high stockings. When I came to her bare skin, I moved my hands out to the sides, stroking her upper thighs to the side, and then back. Jaycee widened her legs more, giving me greater access. 

"What did you do to get this coming punishment?" I asked her as I moved my hands up to her bare ass.

"I teased Allison sexually after you told me not to," Jaycee answered, in a less than even voice. She really tensed up as I touched her behind. That's disappointing. I thought we had made such great progress.

"Do you think you deserve this punishment?" I asked her, and I moved my hands up her back, up over the grey camisole.

"I deserve anything my Master decides to give me," Jaycee said. Her words countering her body's tension.

"I like that answer, Jaycee," I said, leaning far forward to push my fingers through her hair. "In fact, this punishment is going to be a little different from the others. I don't want you to count this time. Because I'm not sure how many times I'm going to smack that wonderful ass of yours."

"Yes, Master," Jaycee said. She sounded a little pitiful, but I could tell she was still very turned on, in spite of her tension. I lined my cock up with her pussy and slowly pushed in.

"OH! SIR!" a surprised Jaycee emitted. 

I eased out quickly, making for a very shallow stroke, then reversed course again. I kept my strokes shallow but ever so slowly deepening. I hadn't met any strong resistance so far and I wanted to keep it that way. Jaycee immediately relaxed into the bed and began groaning beneath me. She wasn't in much of a position to move with me since her legs were right up against the side of the bed. I pressed down on her lower back to keep her immobilized while I continued to fuck her. 

After a couple minutes I still had only half my cock inside her. Jaycee would try to move backwards to force more of me into her but I wouldn't let her speed up this process. The tension in her butt and her stomach slowly returned as a result.

"Please, Sir, you're torturing me."

I smiled but didn't change my strategy. This was Jaycee's first time with doggy style and I didn't want to ruin it. I knew I could get deeper penetration than usual in this position and the one time the uptight and repressed Hannah had let me try it she had screamed bloody murder when I jammed it in too quickly and stabbed her cervix hard with my dick. With Jaycee, I was determined to go real slow, teasing her and slowly working her up. Maybe I could use this as a way of reinforcing my control over her. That is, so long as I kept control over myself. 

Another minute and I was now three-quarters in. Jaycee was now whimpering beneath me. 

"Please!" she screamed out. Her pussy was tightly clenching my dick. The effect on me was pronounced and I was in serious danger of getting overly stimulated. I pulled out completely and positioned myself to her side while still keeping weight on the small of her back to keep her in place.

[SMACK!] went my hand on her behind. I hadn't originally intended to spank her. I had thought I would be cute and 'spank' her with my entire body against her ass as I strongly pumped in and out of her. But I needed a break and the promise of a spank was a good excuse. I gave her two more hard swats, just because I could. 

I took three deep breaths and then resumed my earlier position. Only I seemed to go in even further on my first stroke. I found my earlier rhythm quickly and within a few strokes felt myself pressing against her cervix. Jaycee groaned and arched her back strongly. That changed my angle slightly so that, although I was still rubbing on the same spot, now I was gliding along it while still going a little further inside. Jaycee held herself in that position for a good five or six strokes as my penetration became progressively easier. As soon as I was fully sheathed within her, she collapsed. My dick pressed tightly against her. I wasn't sure I could pull out. I felt momentarily trapped by her cunt.

"Gurghjiggl," Jaycee emitted. 

I repositioned my hands on her ass cheeks for leverage and slowly pulled myself back. Jaycee instantly stiffened. Her hands clawed at the sheets. This new angle made the going slow as it felt like my dick was wanting to point straight up but was instead being forced horizontal by the shape of her pussy. As I got near to her entrance I worried about accidently popping out and slowed to a crawl to keep the tip inside. 

When it was time for a new inward stroke, my hands gripped Jaycee's ass and I started pushing back in. Jaycee suddenly sank into the bed a little more. Confused, I looked down only to see that she had taken her feet up from the floor and her legs were shaking. I continued my inward progress and her legs started kicking the air to either side of me. I looked back to the bed and Jaycee had her arms suspended in the air with her hands as fists like she wanted to punch something but was holding herself back. As I got fully ensheathed, her back arched again and a little "Eep!" escaped from her mouth. Her hands and legs both dropped back down, hands to the mattress and feet awkwardly hitting the floor.

I pulled back again, a little quicker this time, using my grip on her behind to keep her in place. Jaycee again arched her back as she gurgled a noise that was part whimper, part groan. As I came to a halt just inside of her, she pounded the mattress with her right hand. I could also feel her legs vibrating on either side of me. As I reversed direction, moving much faster within her, I realized why she was acting this way. I was holding onto her ass, that beloved part of her that had produced such violent reactions against her former lovers. I guessed that while she had gotten used to one form of touching, i.e. spanking, I had never firmly gripped her like this before, and she was reacting against it but fighting to control it.

I was just going to have to give her something else to concentrate on. She was loose enough for me to pick up the pace, so I did. Still gripping her ass cheeks, I increased my tempo while maintaining the length of my strokes, the tip of my head pushing against the firm face of her cervix. I focused my eyes on Jaycee's cute little dimples where her behind met her back. 

"Yes, yes," Jaycee murmured. My tempo continued to increase. Now the contact my hips made with Jaycee's rear became audible, thanks to the violence of our motions and the emergence of a light sheen of sweat. I was finally engaging in my intended 'punishment' of Jaycee, spanking her ass with my entire body.

Jaycee was slowly pushed further onto the bed by my thrusts, to the point where it was becoming difficult to maintain my hold. I let go of her ass cheeks, repositioned my hands on her hips, and dragged her back to the edge of the mattress. Jaycee moaned strongly as her stimulated nipples brushed against the sheets. 

With this new handhold I had better leverage to really start ramming her, yet Jaycee seemed more relaxed. The tension in her frame was lessening. Ah yes, I was no longer engaging her phobia. I didn't want her sliding up the bed again, but I wanted to re-engage that tension. What to do? I had better think of something fast, because I wasn't going to be able to last much longer, not with Jaycee's pussy gripping my cock like it was. I reached up and placed a hand on her shoulder, but after a few strokes I couldn't tell any difference.

I pulled out, took a step back and commanded, "Jaycee, grab your ass cheeks!"

"Wh-What?" she asked, confused.

[SMACK!] I spanked. "Do it now. Grab your ass cheeks."

Jaycee reached back and placed her hands on her bottom.

"Now pull them apart. Let me fully see you."

Jaycee hesitated. I moved my hand back to give her another spank when her hands slowly began moving outwards. While her hands moved a few inches apart, they hadn't gone far enough for me to see anything.

"More," I commanded.

Jaycee whimpered again, but pulled her cheeks further apart, this time showing me her hidden and sensitive little star. 

"Good girl," I said soothingly.

"Will, I'm not ready yet," she began but stopped when I placed my hands on top of hers, pulling them even wider. Now she was really stretched, with her pucker even slightly gaping open.

But I wasn't going to try anal with Jaycee tonight. I wanted to prep her first. This was merely to keep her off balance. Instead I lined back up with her pussy and slid in.

"Ohherrour," came from Jaycee. Was that a sigh or a moan? 

I quickly returned to a fast pace while trying to maintain my hold on Jaycee's hand-covered rear. I wasn't all that successful, but the importance was keeping Jaycee both stimulated and feeling vulnerable. I kept at that as long as I could, but I didn't have a firm enough grip on her to really keep the pace I wanted. 

"Keep yourself stretched," I told her and then removed my hands. I used my right hand to grab her waist and brought her more fully downward as I impaled her, penetrating her deeply and more quickly. I snaked my left hand underneath her from the left until I could feel her clit. It was an awkward position for me, forcing me to hunch over her, but I could still get full penetration and power. As I rubbed Jaycee's button, she went nuts. Her hips began bouncing up off the bed while her pussy vibrated with need. I desperately tried to maintain control, but it was a losing battle. As I could feel my orgasm approaching, I let go of Jaycee with my right hand and placed my thumb right up against her asshole. I used the palm of my right hand to hold her in place. Still rubbing Jaycee from below, I pushed all the way in and let loose. 

"Hai-eek-ay," said Jaycee as her body locked in place, fully tensed while my cock surged within her.

As my orgasm concluded, my body went limp and I collapsed over Jaycee's back. I could still feel Jaycee's pussy trying to hold on to my dick as it slowly lost its rigidity. This provoked occasional reactions from my cock, which would spasm in an attempt to shoot some now non-existent cum further into her. Jaycee would jump in response to that, but her pussy would go right back to trying to milk and grip me. After a few minutes, I finally slipped out of her, though still gasping for breath while sprawled out over her back. My weight pressed her down but I still had plenty of contact with the bed as well.

Feeling the slickness of her skin, the movement of her lungs, and the occasional twitch and vibration of used muscles, I was struck at how different sex with Jaycee was from everyone else I'd been with. As I've mentioned earlier, I haven't had many lovers. My first serious girlfriend had been an on again, off again relationship where I had picked up some very bad habits. Those had complicated my two short relationships in college. My long relationship with Hannah hadn't really helped things much. Though one thing I had developed with Hannah was staying power. But I had always thought that was mostly from boredom. 

When Hannah had been in the mood, she would insist on riding cowgirl, and would bring herself to a powerful orgasm, usually bringing me right along with her. But those times were few and far between. For the most part, Hannah thought that we should have sex at least once every five days. If it went beyond that, then she would get paranoid and think I wasn't interested in her any more or must be getting sex somewhere else. So she would instigate sex, but merely out of what she saw as a necessary act to keep me, rather than any romantic or even physical desire. I was then expected to get turned on and fuck her while she just lay there with her legs spread, patiently waiting for me to get myself off. A number of times with Hannah I had lost my erection before I had cum, simply from lack of stimulation. In the back of my head, I had always thought that if I were truly excited, then I would cum quickly. 

Yet I was disproving that to myself each time I was with Jaycee. Sometimes I was very conscious of my body's attempt to cum to completion, and willed myself to hold off. I was now rather pleased with, well, everything about our lovemaking so far. 

I had originally told Jaycee that I would need her to help me become a better lover, but instead things seemed to flow very naturally. Almost all of my actions were a direct result of the things I swore to change as a result of how I was with Hannah. That seemed to be working. Even being able to fully enter Jaycee during that first time together seemed like another serendipitous piece to the puzzle of how she and I just clicked. In fact, from Jaycee's perspective, it probably reinforced my being her master. I mean, I seemed to be able to give her pleasure while projecting an image of control over not only her but myself. Did that give her an excuse to acquiesce in this master/slave role-play we were doing? Or was her pleasure enhanced, or maybe even solely derived from that image of control? Just how much of this was physical and how much psychological? And could there be one without the other? 

Ah, the questions that pop into my head when my body has shut down. Maybe I'd have a better perspective after a night of dreaming.

I slowly pulled myself up towards the head of the bed, giving Jaycee a kiss on her forehead along the way. I decided to forego the bathroom trip to clean myself. Sleep beckoned me. Even with Jaycee weighing down the covers on the lower half of the bed I managed to pull the sheets back enough to crawl under.

After a few minutes I heard Jaycee get up and use the bathroom. She came back with a warm washcloth and washed me down. I was so comfortable that I didn't even bother to open my eyes, though I think I sighed appreciatively.

"That was exactly what I needed," she softly whispered.

My consciousness faded into sleep.

----------------------------------------

I'd like to thank Erik Thread and DisMan for taking the time to edit this chapter. Their expertise in grammar and proofreading vastly exceed my own. Any remaining errors were most likely left intentionally by me for stylistic reasons. 



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 07



Part 7 – Tuesday (Jan. 20)

"Sure, Will, I can find some work I can throw your way once you land somewhere, but you have to know that all of the origination work has just vanished completely."

"Yeah, I know, Dan," I said into my phone to the sixth potential client I'd gotten a hold of this morning. "But there's going to be some statutorily mandated loan modifications coming down the pike soon, and that's going to be overly complicated by CDO's and other asset backed securities. It will cost a lot more in legal fees to have another lawyer work on it other than the one who did the origination."

"Mandatory? You think so?" Dan expressed with surprise.

"Of course. And while the feds will probably drag their feet on it, thanks in part to your bank's lobbyists, the state government will have something done pronto. And since your bank falls under their jurisdiction ..."

"Crap. What a total mess," he said dejectedly. "Ok, I'll run that past my boss."

"Thanks, Dan. How are you doing? Are you worried about your job?"

"Oh, man, more and more every day," Dan sighed. "There's going to be massive layoffs over here. We acquired JLB. Well, forced by the feds to acquire JLB is more like it. And now that transaction is threatening to bring us to our knees. There are all kinds of wild rumors flying around here, like how we're going to be acquired by another bank."

"Who the hell's big enough to acquire you? Is the Fed just going to buy you out on its own?"

"Like it hasn't already."

"I hear 'ya," I sympathized. "Well, hang in there."

"You too, Will. Let me know as soon as you get settled somewhere. Meanwhile, it looks like I should be sorting out everything by lawyer and start tracking them down."

"Did you have any particular lawyers who did the bulk of your work?" I inquired.

"I think we've hired every lawyer in town at some point. Though, come to think of it, Bocksington did a ton, but they laid off most of their attorneys. As to which attorneys within, I have no idea. Brad Pike was my main contact over there, but I think he used to delegate that work out to the associates."

"Right. I remember you mentioning Bocksington before, though I don't recall Pike as someone I'm familiar with."

"Yeah, he wasn't a partner," Dan supplied. "I think a senior associate who got put on the task of managing the inflow and outflow of loans they were doing for us. Pretty much a glorified project manager if you ask me. I don't want to even think about how much he was billing us. It's insane how much some of you lawyers make for just doing rote work."

"I couldn't agree with you more."

"Really?" Dan replied, genuinely surprised.

"Absolutely," I said with conviction. "And you, or at least your bank, are partially at fault for that. You're the client. It's your money being spent. If you think money is being wasted, then challenge it. If and when I'm on my own, I'd hope that I'll have the common sense to hire a project manager for a job that's best suited for his skill set and salary level than let a much more expensive attorney do it. That's just damned inefficient."

"You know, Will, you may be the only lawyer in this town who thinks like that? Ha!"

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment," I replied. "So how's Emily? Are you going to take her to the game on Sunday?"

"If I tried to stop her from coming she'd just throw her beating my fantasy team in my face again. Thanks for bringing that up. I must be the laughing stock of the whole town."

"Hey now, little girls who love football are a precious resource," I joked, "we need to encourage them wherever we find them."

"Ain't that the truth!" agreed Dan. "Though I wouldn't call her little any more. She's growing like a weed. Ok, I need to get back to work here, but I'll talk to you soon."

I ended the call and updated my contact sheet with that little tidbit on Emily, Dan's twelve-year-old daughter. I also typed up the info on Brad Pike, in case I ran across that name again sometime in the future. I then emailed the file back to Karen, who was maintaining the master copy for me. Networking is a pain but must be pursued with vigor, and an elaborate computer file was how I managed.

The wind threw a spray of sleet against the window off the living room. It was an ugly winter day outside, adding to the ill feelings I felt from being unemployed. I pointedly turned away from the window. I needed to stay positive and present an image of confidence and competence on these phone calls.

Jaycee padded into the main living area wearing one of my t-shirts, which hung down to mid-thigh on her. I turned in my chair to face her.

"Good morning, sunshine," I greeted her. It was actually 10:30. So while I guess it was still technically morning, it certainly no longer felt like it to me as I'd been up since 6:30. Since I didn't have to go into the office I slept in an extra half hour.

As Jaycee approached, she whipped off the t-shirt, revealing her wonderfully nekkid form beneath. She knelt by my feet, her hands going straight for my waist, undoing and trying to pull down my pants and underwear. That would require my assistance to elevate my rear, and I didn't give it to her.

"Jaycee," I said. "After the last couple days, I need time to rejuvenate."

"That's ok," Jaycee said. "You don't need to cum. I just want to suck on it for a bit. You can keep making your calls."

I must have looked at her like she was crazy.

"What?" she asked. "Can't a girl suck on her Master's dick if she wants to?"

"Ummm, sure, I guess so," I said hesitantly.

Within seconds Jaycee was gently licking and sucking on my still soft form. While it felt pleasant, it was also a little surreal. And though I'd like to just sit here and enjoy the experience, I unfortunately did have to make a bunch of calls this morning. It was going to be very difficult twisting my torso to the right to deal with my laptop on the dining room table while fulfilling Jaycee's request. 

"Hey Jaycee, can you help fulfill a fantasy of mine? I occasionally dreamt at work about having a girl sucking on me from beneath my desk who was completely unseen to passersby outside of my office."

Jaycee gave me a wry smile. "Oh yeah? Too bad you didn't tell me this yesterday or I would have made it a reality. I know you've got a good imagination. I bet getting on the phone would be the next best thing." And with that she scooted underneath the table. In order to give Jaycee the best access, I had to scoot my chair as close to the table as possible, then slide down on the seat a bit. It was actually a little awkward; making it difficult to pretend this was in my office.

She started up again, but with very gentle sucking. I tried to focus on the personal details of my next call target, but to be honest I was a little weirded out by the situation. After a minute the phone rang, with the caller id showing it was Ms. Wilkinson - dammit, I mean Karen. 

"Hey there William. I got your notes on Dan's daughter. That's really cute. I think you should call Shelly Wajochofsky next."

"Who? Oh, right Shelly. Ummm, why?"

"Because she's always had a thing for you and might be able to convince Evan and Diane to keep you on as their primary attorney rather than Glenda."

"She has? But she's ..."

"Yes William? She's what?" Karen asked dangerously. Shelly was probably older than Karen. I'd guess upper fifties. 

"I'm sorry. I made the mistaken assumption that if she isn't my type, then I wouldn't be hers."

"Mmm-hmmm," Karen grunted, unconvinced.

Shelly's marketing firm was one of Glenda's more important clients. The possibility of winning them away from Glenda was unexpected. Though thinking of the frumpy Shelly in a sexual context, while Jaycee was sucking on my now slowly engorging dick, was not a very pleasant feeling. I pushed Jaycee gently away.

"I'm just giving you a hard time, William. She's really not my type either."

I sat thinking for a few seconds. "Even though there's a good chance Glenda and I will end up working together, it's still probably a good move to lay some groundwork with Shelly just in case."

"Oh?" Karen asked. "That makes it sound like you're leaning towards going with Glenda if she asks."

The impatient Jaycee decided to test the waters with a new lick, causing me to jump a little and bang my knee on the underside of the table.

"What?" I suddenly realized that Karen had asked me a question, as Jaycee sucked my cock into her mouth once again. "Oh, right, Glenda. Umm, yes, I do think that's the most likely option. I'd rather not relocate up to New York, for any reason. I'm assuming Beck is going to make me a really good offer, though I'd be tying myself to him completely and immersing myself in the world of New York City finance." I hissed as Jaycee swirled her tongue over my head. 

"Are you ok, William?" Karen asked. "You seem distracted."

"No, no, no," I quickly replied while desperately but unsuccessfully trying to ignore what Jaycee was doing to me. "Ummm, just thinking."

"Ok," Karen said hesitantly. "Well, come to think of it, I can start poking around to see what Glenda is up to. That way you can have some idea of how strong your position is when she comes begging for you to go with her."

"Right," I said, while moving my right hand through Jaycee's hair. "Comes begging." Jaycee was really sucking at full strength. Damn that felt incredible.

"William!" shouted Karen into my ear.

"Ow!" I exclaimed. "What?"

"What is wrong with - oh no," and then Karen started laughing. "Ok, you gotta tell me. What do you have Jaycee doing for you right now? Or should I say to you?"

"What? No, it's not " I had to stop and groan. Jaycee had used the strongest suction yet on my dick. It felt like she was going to swallow it whole. Damn that girl had a talented mouth!

Raucous laughter came from the phone.

"Just call me back when you've regained the ability to speak!" exclaimed an uproarious Karen, and she switched off.

Jaycee backed off momentarily to take a breath, but I eagerly pushed her head forwards again to re-engage. Jaycee's suction went into overdrive and in what must have been seconds I was cumming. Again.

Jaycee extracted herself from under the table, tousled my hair, and gave me a wink, looking like the proverbial cat that ate the canary. She then turned, grabbed the discarded t-shirt, and walked back down the hall towards the bedrooms, giving me an exaggerated sway of her hips.

As the lingering feelings of pleasure slowly faded, a dark mood settled over me. I was disturbed by something and I didn't really know what. I quickly scanned through different areas of my life, and it seemed to be tied to what I had just experienced. If it was focused on Jaycee - why? She had just given me possibly the best blowjob of my life, and while it wasn't exactly like my office fantasy she had willingly tried to accommodate me. So what was the problem?

I sighed and looked at my client list, glancing at the names of people who I'd already called and those I still needed to contact, but this feeling preoccupied me. 

I heard Jaycee's voice from down the hall. "Yes, I need to cancel my cable and internet service. ... yes ... no, I've moved out. ... No, I'm sure the next tenant will call you when they are ready. ... no, I don't know when that will be. ... Could you have it done today? I don't want to pay any more than I have to. ... Yes, I'll hold."

I had to smile at the thought of Hannah coming home tonight to no TV or internet. But the schadenfreude was merely momentary. 

Did I care for Jaycee? Certainly, I always had. While Hannah and I were dating, Jaycee had become a friend, though one whose loyalties I always assumed ran to Hannah more than me. Plus, there was that sexual attraction that was present right from the start. Not that I would have made a pass at her while going out with Hannah. I wasn't the type. When I made a commitment to someone, I tried well past the time I should reasonably cut bait. But how did that attraction affect my feelings for Jaycee? Was I more willing to do things for her because of it? During that time, Jaycee had certainly fed off that tension, teasing me with her body to see if I'd do anything about it. Her asking for massages when Hannah wasn't around was a perfect example. And I would over think things afterwards when I was next with Hannah. If I jumped Hannah, would it be because Jaycee had gotten me excited? If I didn't jump Hannah, would it be because I was thinking of Jaycee more? The girl had gotten into my head several times.

After Hannah and I broke up, I didn't see much of Jaycee. Maybe little more than once a month as part of a group get together, but nothing more. There was that one time, though, shortly after the break-up, when Jaycee and I had bumped into each other downtown and decided to have a quick bite together. She had tried asking some rather explicit questions about my relationship with Hannah but I had forcefully changed the subject as that was the last thing I wanted to think about at the time. 

There were several nights over the past year when a group of friends had gone out to hit the clubs. We'd spend a minute here or there together, but Jaycee is in her element when given the opportunity to meet new people. I was but an afterthought. And at a couple of those outings she'd asked me to take her home. That always made me think she viewed me as her loyal lapdog. Dependable and completely taken for granted. 

Our relationship was certainly undergoing an overhaul this week. But had we progressed as much as I thought? And did I really have the time to think about this right now? The immediate answer was no. I needed to make contact with as many potential clients as I could today, and that had to be my top priority. With that I zipped up my pants and grabbed the phone.

I talked with Karen and then Shelly. I felt a little skeazy about that call, being all too cognizant of the unintended innuendos in the conversation now that I was aware of Sherry's attraction to me. After another client call an idea came to me. I had determined last night that I needed to be more assertive in my relationship with Jaycee. Well who said that had to be limited to the sexual aspects of what we were doing?

I got up and went in search of my so-called 'sex slave,' finding her propped up on some pillows on my bed, back in my t-shirt, with one of my books and a pencil. 

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Hmmm? Oh, I like to write in the margins of books. It's a way to have a more interactive experience with the next person to read it. I tell everyone who borrows my books that they have to write their thoughts as they go. I've got some books with as much writing down the sides as on the printed page."

"That's ... something I've never heard of before," I admitted. I liked the idea. Though I wish she'd asked my permission before defacing my property. "Regardless, I've got something for you to do. I've got two loads of laundry that I want done. I want the second load in the washer within thirty minutes. Plus, I've got several items to go to the dry cleaners. You'll find everything already sorted in the back of my closet."

"But I just gave you a great blowjob," Jaycee complained.

"Oh, so you think sex should give you a reprieve from being my slave?" I asked her.

"I guess not," Jaycee grumbled. "But some appreciation for it would be nice." 

"What were the terms of our deal? Do you remember?"

"That I'd be your sex slave for a week," Jaycee said, in a 'yeah, yeah, I know' type of voice.

"And how did I describe your being my sex slave?"

That caused her to pause and think. "I seem to recall you saying something like I had to do anything you asked, at any time," Jaycee replied, now seeing the absolute nature of the language of our deal.

"I've noticed that you've taken on several duties around here on your own initiative, like cooking meals and cleaning dishes," I commented.

Jaycee shrugged. "It just seemed to make sense."

"As should this," I concluded. "Now, first off, bring me that necktie still attached to the corner bedpost."

Jaycee gave me a questioning look, but unwrapped the tie left there since Saturday night, got out of the bed, and handed it to me.

"Now, for whining when I gave you a perfectly valid order, and questioning my authority to give you that order, I could give you a punishment. We're up to six spanks I believe. In fact, that might be the quickest way to bring you to accept my authority."

Jaycee whimpered a little. I knelt down at Jaycee's feet and started wrapping the tie around both of her ankles.

"But as I said originally, you'll take some getting used to following my orders, and this is the first order of this kind I've issued. So instead you will receive a minor obstacle to completing your assignment instead. Only if you fail to complete the task as instructed will you receive the spanking. While you are performing these tasks in the apartment, you will be hobbled by the necktie. You are not to allow it to fall off of your ankles for any reason. And when you leave to attend to my dry cleaning, you may only take the necktie off once you exit the apartment." I had a brief vision of Jaycee being unable to put on her pants for the errand until she was outside my apartment in the hallway.

I had tied the silk around Jaycee's ankles to leave approximately eight inches gap between them. Jaycee looked unsure of herself. 

I stood back up and looked at my watch.

"This is weird," Jaycee told me.

"The thirty minute clock starts - now," and I hit a button to begin the stopwatch feature on my wristwatch.

Jaycee started moving as quickly as she could towards my walk-in closet. She immediately lost her balance on her second step and only a desperate grab at one of the bedposts prevented her from hitting the floor.

"Frick! This is going to be difficult. How much time does your wash cycle take?"

"I'm not sure," I answered. "A little less than 30 minutes on the full cycle. And you will use the full cycle."

Jaycee swore under her breath and started shuffling again towards the closet. She moved her feet very quickly in tiny steps, very much like a Japanese geisha girl in those overly restrictive kimonos. 

"Careful Jaycee," I said. "That almost sounded like another complaint. If you think you could use another obstacle to overcome ..."

"No, no need. I can handle this," Jaycee said as she finally reached my closet. 

I chuckled to myself as I went back to the living area. 

I settled back into my chair, but instead of making my next call I decided to wait a few minutes to see how Jaycee handled this task. Just seconds later Jaycee came hopping down the hallway with one of my laundry baskets in her hands. My t-shirt flopped up and down with her wild motions, giving me temporary views of her non-panties-wearing crotch. That gave me an idea for another task later this afternoon.

"Where's your laundry machine? And please don't tell me downstairs!" the rushed Jaycee desperately asked.

"Through the pantry in the back of the kitchen," I answered. She started a shuffle to get around the dining room chairs, and the motion caused a couple of articles of clothing to fall out of the basket.

"Fuck!" swore Jaycee as she glanced at them but kept moving into the kitchen.

"Jaycee, you swear too much!" I admonished. 

Jaycee started fake swearing instead, "razzin', frickin', frackin' ..."

I heard her raise the washer lid, and then a good deal of commotion from the back of the kitchen. The washer started, followed by Jaycee hopping/waddling out from the kitchen. She knelt down, grabbed the fallen clothes, and hopped/waddled back towards the laundry machine.

By this point I was desperately trying not to laugh out loud. She looked completely ridiculous, especially when she returned from the kitchen and began hopping back towards the bedrooms. Because she wasn't holding a laundry basket, her breasts bounced heavily underneath my t-shirt.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 07



She returned with the second laundry basket and with a smirk on her face. If I had the ability to read her mind, based on her facial expression I'd guess it would be 'I really wish I could get you back for this, but I can't, so screw it I'm just going to laugh at how absurd this is anyway.' Of course, I could be wildly off the mark. The minds of women are mysteries, especially to themselves.

On her way back after dropping off the second basket next to the washing machine, Jaycee made sure I was looking and then mooned me. She then stuck her tongue out at me before hopping back to the bedroom.

"Can I throw my own dirty clothes into your loads?" called Jaycee from her room.

"Go ahead," I yelled back. And Jaycee re-hopped back into view with more clothes in her arms. I could hear her open the washing machine lid and close it again. And once again she sashayed, waddled, and hopped back towards the bedrooms. I really should get back on the phone, but watching her body in motion was just too much fun.

She came hopping back with several dirty dress shirts and other items I had set aside for dry cleaning. I had thought I had told her she could do the dry cleaning after the second load was in the laundry. Was I not clear?

"How am I to do this?" she asked. I grabbed my wallet and pulled out a fifty. She grabbed it. "I saw a dry cleaners one block over. Is that the one you use?" 

"Yes, back down Buchanan, maybe even less than a block from this building," I informed her.

She started moving towards the front door. 

I decided to give her a warning. "I don't care if you get the dry cleaning in now or later. The only time requirement on the tasks is that you have my second load of laundry in the washer in," I looked at my watch, "twenty three and a half minutes."

"I've got time," Jaycee said as she bent down next to the front door to pick up her shoes.

She opened the front door and started shuffling through it, semi-fumbling the clothes and shoes in her hands.

"Aren't you going to put something else on to wear?" I asked, hinting that running out wearing just a man's t-shirt and two-inch heels wasn't an appropriate outfit, especially in January.

"No time!" Jaycee called as the front door closed shut.

She has time to do the dry cleaning but only if she doesn't take the time to get dressed? Did she not hear the light metallic tinkling against the windows and recognize that it's sleeting outside? There goes yet the latest example of the pretzel-like logic of women.

I picked up the phone fully expecting Jaycee to return as soon as she saw the weather. Instead I made two phone calls, sent four emails and heard the washer finish its first cycle, and Jaycee had still not returned. Looking down at my watch I saw she had just ninety seconds left. I pulled up the weather on my laptop. The sleet was expected to continue for another hour and the current temperature outside was thirty nine degrees.

The landline phone rang, and it was the security desk downstairs. 

"Yes, Mr. Jennings? This is Scott at the security desk. There's a Miss Wade down here who ..."

"Let her up immediately," I interrupted. I didn't want Jaycee to use me as her excuse for why she didn't complete her task on time.

It seemed to take forever before I heard her running down the hall. She burst in through the front door and hurried towards the dining table. 

"Thirty five seconds," I called out, fudging the numbers a bit. There were actually only five seconds remaining.

She slammed my change and the dry cleaning ticket down, pivoted, and ran into the kitchen. I heard both the washer and dryer doors open, and lots of additional noise coming from the kitchen pantry. 

"I can't believe I forgot my guest pass," Jaycee called to me.

"Fifteen seconds," I warned.

I heard Jaycee grunt, and more commotion.

"Five ... Four ... Three," I counted.

The washer door slammed closed and I heard the machine start filling with water.

"Ha!" Jaycee gleefully emitted in triumph.

She then started the dryer and then strolled back to stand in front of me, and she was an obscene sight. The t-shirt was plastered to her torso, and partially see-through. Her heavy breathing forced her prominent nipples up and down, stretching my shirt to such an extent I knew I could never use it for myself ever again. Jaycee's skin was very flushed, and goosebumps stood up on her bare arms and legs. If any cop had been stupid enough to be standing outside in the bad weather, Jaycee would have been arrested for indecent exposure. It probably would have made his year, too. And yet she smiled at me, pleased with completing the task I had given her. Too bad I was going to pop that bubble.

"Ummm, Jaycee?" I hesitated for dramatic effect. "Where's my necktie?"

The smile was wiped from her face instantly and her jaw dropped open. She looked down at her heel-clad feet, then whipped her face towards the front door of the apartment and then back to me. Her eyes scrunched up in frustration and she yelled, "SHIT!"

"And you cursed again," I chided. 

Her mouth clamped closed, "Err, rmpff," she struggled to control herself.

Finally she looked me straight in the eye and said, "You set me an impossible task." 

"No," I calmly replied, "I said that I didn't care when the dry cleaning was done. You set your own schedule based on my lone time constraint, and you still failed."

Jaycee seethed. "Well, if I'm going to be spanked again then fuck it. Shit! Goddamn! Mother fucker! Fuck! Fuck! And Shit again!" 

"Are you done?" I asked, disappointed.

"Maybe," she answered petulantly.

"I'm tempted to just order you to stop cursing but I won't because - well, for two reasons. The first is that cursing has its uses. A well-timed expletive can emphasize a point or be used for great comedic effect. So I'd feel like a hypocrite giving you that order. But I'd set that aside for your own good and make it an order but for the fact that I'm sure I'd damage my hand from spanking you so many times."

Jaycee now looked embarrassed. 

"Would you make me a promise to try not to swear so much?" I asked.

"Yes, Will. I'm sorry," Jaycee agreed. "I'll do it if it will make you happy."

"Now then, back to your punishment." 

It did seem unjust for Jaycee to get a full punishment for coming so close to accomplishing more than my assigned task. 

"First off, take off that shirt. You must be freezing wearing it. Oh, and retrieve my necktie from the hallway," I ordered.

Jaycee peeled the soaked t-shirt up over her head on her way to the front door. She then peeked out into the hallway before making a mad dash to retrieve the necktie before she was spotted.

"Oh, now you're modest?" I laughed at her. 

Jaycee looked both embarrassed and annoyed by my mirth. Though as she walked back towards me, I became concerned. The skin on her torso was bright red from being out in the cold, and with white splotches that didn't look good at all. But when I looked back up to her face to instruct her to immediately take a hot bath, my words froze on my lips from the look on Jaycee's face. Her mouth was turned up in a smirk and she had a dangerous glint in her eye.

The wet, and very cold, t-shirt smacked into my face with force, Jaycee's hands still behind it. I grunted in shocked surprise, the shirt instantly adhering to my skin, making it difficult to breathe. I felt Jaycee's fingers scrape my cheeks as she bunched the shirt together and squeezed. Cold water rushed out of the ruined cloth and sought the warm, protected haven of my neck and chest. My hands jerked up to grab Jaycee's wrists, and I caught her left in my right hand, but the water created just enough slipperiness for Jaycee to pull out of my grasp. 

High pitched, manic laughter fled down the hallway as I removed the shirt from my face and stood up. I noticed and picked up the discarded necktie from the floor. Jaycee's laughter became muffled as she closed my bedroom door behind her.

The chase was on. I felt adrenalin kick into my veins and my senses became heightened. It seemed like I was hyper-aware of my surroundings, but I forced myself to calmly follow Jaycee down the hallway.

"You are in so much trouble young lady," I called out to her. I wonder if she could hear the smile on my face. To think I had intended to allow Jaycee a way out of her spanking. Now she was forcing me to give her not one but two punishments.

Unsurprisingly the door was locked. I could hear nervous laughter coming from the far side of my bedroom. I almost called out an order for Jaycee to unlock the door, but that would mean I'd have to give Jaycee a third consecutive punishment when she didn't comply. Jumping from five spanks to thirteen in one session was going to be a big shock as it was. I don't think my hand could take twenty-one spanks, not with the force I was accustomed to using on Jaycee's bottom.

I retrieved a flathead screwdriver from my desk in the guest bedroom / home office. Returning to the bedroom door I began fitting the screwdriver head into the lock, though my hand shook a bit from my excitement. My hearing was heightened enough that I could hear the master bathroom door swing slightly on its hinges.

A few seconds more and I was slowly opening the door inwards. 

"That's six spanks for failing to complete the task I assigned you," I called out as I softly stepped towards the closed bathroom door. "And seven spanks for the attack on my person and attempting to escape your punishment." 

I turned the latch and burst into the well-lit bathroom, the bright lights forcing me to blink several times. Too late, I heard a noise behind me. Jaycee was already in a full sprint from her hiding place on the other side of my bed. I turned and ran after her but she had a good head start. She let out a squeal when she saw me at the bathroom door, but by the time I entered the hallway Jaycee was already closing the door to the guest room. I glanced off the door with my shoulder, causing it to momentarily shift open. Jaycee screamed and put her weight behind the door to force it closed and got it locked before I could organize a solid push. 

"What's the matter, Will?" mocked Jaycee from her safe confines. "You slowing down in your old age?" 

That was a silly taunt. I was maybe all of two years older than her. But the spirit behind it incensed me just enough to favor an immediate resolution to this confrontation. After taking a moment to determine that Jaycee was away from the door, I focused all of my strength and slammed my right foot just below the door knob. The results surprised both of us. The door flew open, ripped away from its anchor to the door frame. A thin strip of wood fell to the ground.

Jaycee screamed in surprise. I stood there dumbfounded, looking at the wreckage that I'd created.

"Oh my God, Will," Jaycee said, with her breath caught in her throat. My attention focused on the naked Jaycee facing me on the edge of the guest bed, her hands up over her mouth and her eyes staring at me in shock. A couple of very pointed nipples peaked out at me from behind her raised arms.

I moved towards her hurriedly, my motion knocking Jaycee out of her reverie. Jaycee screamed again as she turned around, desperate to crawl over the bed. She was too slow, however, and I was upon her, forcing her down onto the mattress with my weight. I found the misused necktie still in my hands and immediately immobilized Jaycee's flailing arms by tying them together behind her back. Jaycee's struggles didn't help her. 

I manhandled her over my lap into our standard position for administering spanks. Jaycee kicked her heels back towards me in an attempt to interfere with my giving her a good swat against her rear. It was annoying but I found it a little humorous that she was beating her own butt as a result. Her flailing also caused her to start sliding off my lap towards the floor. 

"Enough!" I declared and forced her tight to me. Jaycee instantly calmed down, though she was still breathing heavily. Remembering her admission from last night, I became aware of how my turgid erection pressed solidly into Jaycee's left side. I adjusted the necktie's knot, ensuring that Jaycee's arms were secured well away from her butt and wouldn't interfere with her punishment. 

[SMACK!] I let fly with her first spank. In spite of the chase, Jaycee's skin was still very cold. Would that provide a numbing effect to the pain from my spanks? 

[SMACK!] [SMACK!] I gave her a spank on each buttock, possibly with too much force as I was still amped up on adrenalin from my short-lived pursuit.

"Oh, what have I done?" Jaycee moaned.

"You have openly rebelled against me, testing my willingness to impose my authority over you," I answered, giving her another hard spank. 

"Oh, Will," Jaycee whimpered. 

"No," I cut her off. "Until I tell you otherwise, you will only call me 'Master.' Is that understood?"

It sounded like Jaycee's breath caught in her throat again. I gave her another hard spank.

"Yes, Master!" she exclaimed.

I briefly rubbed her behind, feeling the raised bumps on her skin that had begun as goosebumps from the cold but were likely now raised for a different reason. I gave her one last hard spank right in the middle of her behind.

"Errnmmm," Jaycee let out in pain. I went back to lightly petting her behind, but thought this wasn't enough to soothe her. I took my left hand from her far side and began stroking her unevenly wet hair.

"So that was six spanks," I explained. "That was the punishment you earned from not fulfilling my assignment. Tell me, Jaycee, do you think it was fair for you to receive that punishment?"

"Yes, Master," Jaycee softly said.

"Are you sure? If that was so, then why did you hit me in the face with the wet t-shirt and then run away?" I asked.

"I'm sorry. I was just playing," she tried to explain.

"But why did you choose that moment to act that way?" I prodded.

She sighed before answering. I moved my hand from her butt to her side to keep her in place and just focused on caressing her hair.

"I guess I wanted to get back at you for deciding to punish me," she answered.

"Because you didn't think it was fair," I added.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Master."

"I didn't think it was fair either," I told her.

"You didn't?"

"No. You failed at the task I gave you, but barely and only because you tried to do more for me than what I had instructed. So while I technically had to punish you for your failure, I was going to allow you a chance to get out of it. I was thinking of making your punishment double or nothing for your next task, which I'd make easy so that you could escape the punishment completely," I explained.

"But why didn't you tell me that," Jaycee began.

"You didn't give me the opportunity, did you?" I demanded.

Jaycee mulled that over for a second. "I guess not," she admitted.

"Because you didn't trust me to be fair. You didn't trust me to abide by my promise to keep our pleasure foremost in my mind."

"Oh," a thoroughly chagrined Jaycee realized.

"You didn't trust me," I said simply.

"No, Will, it wasn't like," Jaycee began.

"Will?" I interrupted her, and gave her a moderate smack to her bottom.

"Master!" Jaycee blurted. "Sorry. Master. Master, I'm sorry if you think I don't trust you. I should have known better."

"So by rebelling against me, you forced my hand. I had to give you the six spanks as a result. Didn't I?" I prodded her.

"Yes, Master," she agreed.

"And so what happens now?" I asked. "You've completed the punishment for failing your task. Are we done?" 

"No, Master," Jaycee softly replied. 

"No?" I asked, sliding my fingers into her hair and giving it a light tug.

"No, Master," Jaycee continued. "I defied you and earned another punishment."

"And what will be this punishment?" 

"Seven spanks, Master," Jaycee allowed.

"And do you deserve this punishment?" I asked, wanting to make sure that we were on the same page before I really gave her more pain than, to be completely honest with myself, I wasn't sure I wanted to inflict. My original intention of giving her spankings as a punishment was to focus her attention on my touching her butt, something I knew she didn't like. The touching alone was enough of a punishment. But now things were escalating to the point where pain was the punishment. That made me uneasy. If she balked, I'd go along with her and try to come up with an alternative.

"Yes, Master," she concluded. "If anything, I deserve more than that," she added.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, confused.

"The act of rebellion by throwing the shirt in your face is deserving of a punishment, and the act of not trusting you is deserving of another punishment. I'm really sorry about that," she explained. "Master," she added.

"So even though you just took six spanks, you'd be willing to take another seven plus an additional eight spanks, or fifteen more spanks?"

Jaycee shuddered, and I could feel her tensing her shoulders and stomach as she lay on my lap. "Yes, Master."

"No," I declared. "I appreciate that you're sorry for what you did. And I forgive you."

Jaycee turned her head to look at me. Surprisingly she didn't seem very happy with my response. Then her eyes softened and she gazed at me with affection.

"Thank you, Master. You're just showing me even more that I should have trusted you, and proving with your words how wrong I was not to trust you. But I need you to punish me, Master. I'm glad that you forgive me. But I need it in order to forgive myself."

This was really messed up. 

"You need me to punish you?" I asked, bewildered.

"Yes, I understand now. I failed you and by doing so I caused you pain. I was wrong. I need to feel an equivalent pain before I can forgive myself for doing that to you. I see it so clearly all of a sudden. And I need the punishment to come from you. From your hand. I need you to be my Master."

"Suddenly this doesn't seem like it's about my exerting my dominance over you," I hesitantly said. "But about you surrendering yourself to me?" 

"Why can't it be both?" she asked.

I sat and pondered all of this for a bit, while stroking Jaycee's lovely bod. 

"Ok, yes, you didn't trust me," I agreed. "However, chasing you through the bedrooms was actually a lot of fun, albeit short-lived."

"Oh, you broke your door," Jaycee glanced back at the thin piece of wood on the carpet that had been separated from the door frame by my kick.

"Yeah, talk about a rush. I felt like William the Conqueror forcing my way into this room." 

Jaycee giggled at me.

"I wouldn't have had those good feelings unless you rebelled," I continued. "So that has to offset your need to be punished. Right?"

What an odd turn. I had started this whole chain of events wanting to exert more control over Jaycee, and now here I am debating with her over the level of pain that Jaycee needed me to provide to her.

"Ok, maybe it cancels out the eight spanks," Jaycee agreed. "But not the seven."

I looked at Jaycee's hot ass, still a very bright pink from my earlier spanks. 

"You're sure," I prodded. Jaycee nodded her head underneath my hand. "Ok, prepare yourself."

I proceeded to give her seven hard swats on her rear. I paused between each one, as I had with my previous punishments, so that I could rub Jaycee's butt and hopefully express my affection for her to counteract the pain of my hits. But I made a mistake after the third spank and moved my hand down between her thighs and rubbed her sex. She was surprisingly wet. I hesitate to say that she was turned on from the spankings. Maybe there was some line associated with her aversion to having her butt touched that by crossing it represented a taboo that she was getting off from. But maybe it had as much to do with the chase through the apartment or my manhandling her, or even her feeling my cock pressed against the side of her ribs. But I say that rubbing her was a mistake because hitting her bottom with a wet hand stung. Certainly it hurt her as she let out a scream. But my hand exploded in a thousand needle points. 




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 07



I certainly didn't look forward to four more hits, and my next hit was nowhere near as hard, probably out of self-preservation. Jaycee still let out a little cry from the spank, however. It was about this time that she started saying a mantra of "I'm sorry, Master" which she said over and over. By the time I was done with my seventh spank, my hand throbbed in pain. Jaycee's ass was now a deep red. I doubt she'd sit well for the rest of the day.

I untied the necktie from around Jaycee's arms and helped her off of my lap. Her discomfort was obvious, both in trying to work blood back into her arms, and her delicately avoiding anything from touching her bottom. I finally got a glance at her face and there were well-marked tear tracks down her cheeks. I rubbed them away with my thumbs and drew Jaycee to me in a hug.

"Thank you, Master," Jaycee said quietly.

"Alright, let's go back to rule number one. I'd really like it if you called me 'Will' right about now," I instructed.

Jaycee gave me a little smile, then reached up and grabbed both sides of my collar to lift her face close to my face.

"Anything you say, Will," she whispered into my ear, and gave me a soft, lingering kiss on my earlobe. I held her tenderly and continued to rub her back. But I could hear my cell ringing in the dining room, calling my attention back to my own tasks for the day.

The moment broken, and Jaycee sensing my attention being drawn elsewhere, she pulled back slightly from my embrace.

"Why don't you go take a nice, hot bath, and then we can have some lunch," I advised. Jaycee nodded her assent and made her way out of the room, pausing momentarily at the door to inspect the broken lock. She gave me one little smirk and a shake of her head before turning down the hall towards my bedroom. 

Shortly after lunch the landline phone rang, though the call was from an unexpected source.

"Yes, Mr. Jennings? This is Scott, again, at the guard station downstairs. There's a Mister Blake Thomas here looking for Miss Wade."

"Who's down there?" I asked.

"Blake Thomas, sir. He says he's an attorney. I think he's trying to serve Miss Wade with some papers."

"Blake Thomas? I don't know any ... wait. Is he a big guy? Short, blonde hair, looks like his jaw takes up half his head?"

"Yes, sir. I think that's an accurate description," said the guard.

"I'll be right down," I told him.

"You sure, sir? I don't think you're going to like what he says."

"Probably not," I agreed, "but avoiding your problems never solves anything."

"Of course, sir."

I hung up the phone and turned to Jaycee. "It looks like Hannah's lawyer has talked her into suing you for back rent."

"Really? Why? What does that mean?" Jaycee panicked.

"It really doesn't change the situation. You still don't have any money to pay Hannah back. This seems way too soon for such an action."

I tried to think of their possible reasons to initiate the lawsuit. Maybe Blake would tip his hand in conversation.

I started putting on my shoes to go downstairs. "You want to come along?" I asked Jaycee.

After Jaycee quickly threw on some clothes, we went down to meet the overly muscled attorney. Jaycee looked nervous, so I gave her a little pep talk in the elevator. I also instructed her how to act and to let me do all the talking unless I asked her a direct question, and then to only answer the question and not provide any additional facts. 

I had originally intended to let Jaycee deal with Hannah on her own, mostly because I didn't want to spend any time this week thinking about my Ex. I had no doubt that Jaycee would pay Hannah back eventually. But Hannah was escalating things by bringing in a lawyer, probably at this guy's insistence, and the only way you combat a lawyer is with another lawyer. I could only assume that they intended to involve me, especially by confronting Jaycee here. 

Blake was on his cell phone by the security desk. He was wearing a brown suit that didn't appear to fit him very well.

"Yeah, I'll be over there in about ten minutes," he said into the phone, "right after I finish dropping something off for a friend. Yes, one of those kinds of friends. Ok, see you in a few, man."

"Counselor," I greeted him, "what brings you downtown on a nasty day such as this?"

"Will, good to see you," he returned with a confident smile. "And I see you brought Miss Wade down with you. Good. Miss Wade, this is a copy of a complaint and summons I filed with the local magistrate's court on behalf of Miss Hannah Gerry. It seeks monetary compensation from you for money owed for back rent plus interest and to recover possession of personal property."

Jaycee took the envelope and immediately handed it to me as I had instructed her to do. 

"Will, would you take a look at this for me?" Jaycee asked. 

"This was filed with the clerk of the court?" I asked, taking the papers from her. Blake hesitated before answering my question, giving me a moment to look over the papers.

"Yes, though I thought I'd deliver them myself as I was going to be down here anyway. Miss Wade, I think you should take this opportunity to compensate Miss Gerry now and keep the legal fees to a minimum," he responded.

"Legal fees? So you are charging Hannah for your services?" I asked.

"That isn't your concern, Mr. Jennings," he answered.

"I'm sorry, but I see that you filed these papers with the court, and they list you as the attorney of record for this complaint," I insisted.

"Oh, right. So?" Blake returned.

"Well, looking over this complaint, it states that Hannah is insisting Jaycee return a number of items that I can only assume you assisted in helping Hannah place in Jaycee's truck two days ago."

"What?" he said, his eyes going wide.

"And two other items that I particularly remember being included when you and I successfully mediated their division of personal property, which was agreed to by all parties, including yourself. I can only interpret their inclusion as a spurious attack meant to inflict Jaycee with emotional distress."

Blake grabbed the complaint out of my hand and started scanning the document before I had finished speaking.

"Also," I continued, "from what I know of their situation, the back rent seems abnormally high. Jaycee, just to inform Mr. Thomas here, what was the personal arrangement you had with Hannah concerning rent?" I asked her.

"I still owed her a hundred dollars from November, and then the full amount of rent since then, but I did pay up all utilities for those months," she answered.

"And how much was your portion of the rent?"

"Five hundred and fifty dollars," she replied.

"And am I correct in assuming that rent was paid at the beginning of the month, and for the month to come?"

"Yes," Jaycee answered while nodding her head.

"Then that means," I concluded, "that you owed one hundred for November, five fifty for December, plus a prorated amount for January through the 17th, which I'll estimate at about three hundred dollars. So that puts you at, let's say, nine hundred and fifty dollars for back rent."

"Ok," said Jaycee, a little confused. She had probably included the full amount of January's rent in the figure she thought she owed Hannah before being thrown out.

"Yet the complaint states that Jaycee owed one thousand three hundred and sixty six dollars, and change. Why the discrepancy Mister Thomas?" I asked.

"Umm, hmmm, well it does say that it includes interest," he responded.

"Over four hundred dollars in interest on debt that's only a couple months old? I don't know what that would make the exact calculated interest rate off the top of my head, but it must be well above the statutorily mandated eight percent, and probably beyond usurious rates."

"Umm, er," Blake mumbled, desperately looking through the two pages of the complaint for some spelled out explanation. 

Let me explain something quickly. Magistrate court was another name for small claims court, and almost no one sought out an attorney to handle small claims. The court tried to make things easy for people by providing downloadable forms off of its website. Blake had probably told Hannah how to find those forms, but nothing more. It was obvious to me that Hannah had filled them out without Blake's supervision, and he hadn't verified any of the claims therein. By filing it with the court and naming himself as the attorney of record, Blake had to declare personally that everything contained within was accurate to the best of his knowledge. He now knew that was incorrect, and I could have him sanctioned for it. It's amazing how often people don't read what they sign their name to, even attorneys.

Now, the disciplinary sanctions against Blake wouldn't be much, but still would go on his permanent record with the state bar and could make things difficult for him down the line. But another possible ramification is that the court could also decide that sanctions warranted the payment of the opposing side's attorney fees. Blake knew I charged a heckuva lot compared to the attorneys he normally squared off against. Whether a court would deem my normal rate as an appropriate fee for this was questionable, but I could still use it as leverage.

"Jaycee, was there any clause in the rental agreement you had with the apartment complex about interest accruing on past due rent?" I asked her.

"No, I don't think so," she said. "But I think there was something about an immediate penalty if we went beyond five days past the first of the month without paying," she volunteered.

I flashed her an annoyed glare and Jaycee looked immediately chagrined.

"That must be it," Blake said, clinging desperately to the rope Jaycee had just thrown him.

"Oh," I declared, "then it is your contention that Hannah and Jaycee agreed to continue the terms from the apartment complex lease into their personal arrangement? I believe all such contracts require a written notice of eviction, making Hannah's eviction of Jaycee without providing that notice illegal?" Ok, I had no idea if there was such a term in that contract. I was just riffing.

"Yes, or no, umm," Blake said, twisting in the wind. 

"Which is it Mister Thomas?" I badgered.

"I don't know, but I can go back and amend the complaint," he replied.

"Only with the court's permission and I will insist on letting them know that it was because you had allowed your client to fill out the complaint, which you then filed affixing your own signature without validating any of its contents," I warned. 

"Oh c'mon," Blake complained. "This is just a pissant little small claim!"

"I don't care," I answered. "You signed your name to it, so you own it. And you goddamn well know that." See? That's how you use an expletive for emphasis.

If I played by Blake's scumbag rules, here is where I would start making counterclaims, knowing there wasn't anything factual to back them up. And, to be honest, I had already hinted at it with the emotional distress comment. Instead, I went for explaining how aware I was of the unsympathetic facts of life, and that I wasn't going to be the guarantor of Jaycee's debts for Hannah.

"And besides," I continued, "even if the court grants you the amendment and you even get a judgment, good luck collecting on it."

"I'll get a judicial lien immediately after judgment." Blake started, but lost steam as he realized where I was going.

"And assign it to what? Jaycee doesn't own any real property," I returned. Jaycee could only be forced to give Hannah money under a judicial lien once she sold a house that she currently couldn't even conceive of purchasing. Garnishing wages was theoretically possible, but very unlikely for this type of debt.

"From what I've seen of Jaycee's finances, she could declare bankruptcy at any time, and since her lone assets of any value are a four-year-old laptop and that decrepit pick-up truck, I'm pretty sure the bankruptcy attorney would gobble up all the money for his own services, leaving nothing for Hannah or you for that matter."

Blake was not a happy camper. Come to think of it, he looked pretty miserable. This favor he was doing for Hannah was potentially going to cost him money, a potential sanction, and way more time than he had anticipated. 

Well, I guess now was a good time to throw him a bone.

"But that would be after a lot of hassle and headaches. Tell you what - Jaycee, how much can you honestly afford to give Hannah right now?" I asked her.

"Right now?" she asked. "Well, keeping enough money to make the minimum payment on my credit card, plus my upcoming student loan payment ..." 

Her mentioning those debts just reinforced to Blake that Hannah wouldn't be seeing a dime on her claim in bankruptcy since Hannah would be given a much lower priority on her claim than either student loans or credit cards.

"Umm, maybe I could scrounge together a hundred and fifty bucks?" Jaycee calculated.

"So how about this," I offered to Blake. "Jaycee writes Hannah a check for one hundred dollars right now, and they both sign a release of all claims, and that will resolve their entire relationship with each other? I can type up the release in five minutes."

"A hundred bucks?" Blake asked. "Why not a hundred and fifty?"

"Because we're offering one hundred," I answered stonily.

Blake sighed heavily. "There's no way Hannah will agree to that." 

"Then it looks like I've got some counterclaims to file," I declared. 

I grabbed Jaycee by the elbow and directed her back towards the elevators.

"Wait," Blake called. We turned around but didn't move back towards him.

"I'll get her to accept the hundred," he acquiesced. 

"Very well," I agreed. "I'll be back down in five minutes with Jaycee's check and the release." And we kept marching towards the elevators.

Once in the elevator, Jaycee barely let the elevator doors close before she attacked me with what had to be the strongest hug she was capable of. 

"I don't believe it," she said. "How did you do that? Well, I mean, I watched you do it, but I still don't understand how."

"A big part was just capitalizing on his mistakes. As soon as I saw that fill-in-the-blank complaint I knew that Hannah had written it. That reclaiming personal property thing was bogus. There's no way he would have ever allowed that to be filed with the court if he had asked her a single question about it. After that it was just me expressing to him your willingness to utilize all of your legal options available to reduce the money you owed and waste his time."

"I didn't hear that," Jaycee said.

"Oh, it was definitely there. For example, the emotional distress claim was a crock and he knew it. By his filing a spurious claim there was the chance that Hannah would be on the hook for paying your attorney's fees, i.e. my rate, and I think she'd sooner go to jail herself than be forced to pay me anything. The bankruptcy possibility is certainly there, but you don't want to do that if you don't have to. But by bringing that up I was telling him that I was going to make this as hard as possible for him. After that, it was just about throwing him some small amount as an easy alternative." 

"Really? Wow. I thought I was going to faint over the possibility of declaring bankruptcy. Hearing you talk about it made me think I'd have to do that."

"You don't. It actually won't help you much at all since you'll still owe the full amount of your student loans, which I'm assuming is your largest debt?"

"By far," Jaycee affirmed. "But why did you offer just one hundred instead of one fifty?" 

"Oh that?" I chuckled. "That was just telling him that I may be letting him have something right now, but I was still punishing him, and her. You know, I'm pretty sure their intention wasn't even to get any money out of you. They knew you couldn't pay it. I was Hannah's real target here."

"Why do you say that?" Jaycee asked.

"Blake had to know that you couldn't pay. Instead it was done just to harass you, and thus make you miserable and ruin your week with me. And then I would probably pay Hannah off just to try to get you to stop worrying about it."

I laughed a bit. "That was not at all how he expected that to go! I bet Blake end's up eating the difference to pay off Hannah."

"He'd do that?" Jaycee asked.

"If I know Hannah, she won't let Blake go until she extracts her pound of flesh. Especially if he admits that he just cost her money. No, he'll definitely be paying out of his own pocket."

Thinking more about it, I think Hannah might have had another reason for starting legal action. I think she may have been trying to show me just how much a mess Jaycee's irresponsibility made for the people around her. So this was an attempt to break me and Jaycee up before we even got started. I might be reading too much into it, but I wouldn't put it past Hannah.

"You know," I added. "The best thing Blake could have done would be to bring Hannah along. I screwed up on Sunday because I let my hatred for her interfere with my actions." 

"Then I'm glad we can both put her behind us and get on with our lives," Jaycee concluded, and gave me a quick smooch.

It took all of ten minutes to adapt a generic release form and return downstairs with Jaycee's check. And just like that, Hannah was out of our lives forever. It felt empowering, and fitting that it coincided with my change in employment from when I was still with Hannah. 

Now I really was turning a page in the story of my life. And just like with my last day at the law firm, having Jaycee as part of it made it fun? Cathartic? Maybe invigorating was the best word.

----------------------------------------

I'd like to thank DisMan for his time and efforts in editing this chapter. Any remaining errors are solely my own fault.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 08



Part 8 -- Tuesday Afternoon

Later that afternoon I took Jaycee to my gym. I have difficultly staying motivated to work out during the winter months as I hate running on a treadmill. I'd much rather be out at a park or riding a bike on one of several nature trails around the city. But as much as I hated running on a treadmill, I hated breathing in freezing cold air while exercising even more. At least the gym had televisions where I could catch up on the day's news, which today was dominated by the new president's inauguration. 

Unlike most of the women in the gym, Jaycee wore just a regular t-shirt and shorts instead of the matching, cutesy workout outfits designed primarily to capture people's attention. Even though a wardrobe designed to attract a man's eye on the right body shape will always be appreciated, Jaycee's lack of pretention had its own special charm. Jaycee had this odd, loping gait when she ran that I found humorous. I think the expression "you run like a girl" may have originated by watching Jaycee. You'd think being a physical therapist she'd have analyzed and corrected her gait, but no. It looked completely unnatural. Yet she threw herself into it with no thought to how she may look to others. 

After exercising, we cleaned up and I took Jaycee out for dinner at one of my favorite casual restaurants. Our conversation focused on the day's events. Jaycee announced that she had lined up two appointments with massage clients for the next day to keep her occupied while Karen and I would be meeting Beck. One of my best friends had called earlier in the day, saying that he and his wife Siri were going to be in town with Beck, and wanted to schedule a Friday lunch with our favorite business school professor. I found myself telling Jaycee about him.

Billy and I knew each other from high school. He was off-the-charts brilliant. That may sound like hyperbole, but really I doubt an IQ test could come close to accurately measuring his intelligence. I first met him by sitting next to him in our Advanced Placement Computer Science class. For the first three weeks of the year I thought I was failing that course. Only then did I realize that by trying to keep up with Billy, I was actually way ahead of everyone else. Even though he was a year younger, he and I became fast friends. It was then I started going by 'Will' instead of 'Billy' as I got tired of both of us responding whenever someone called our name. 

He went off to one of the Ivy League schools for college while I stayed local, attending the cheap, state-supported school. But we ended up at the same grad school. My joint degree program had me do the first year of law school, then the first year of business school, followed by a mixture of classes from the two schools the last two years. So even though Billy had been a year behind me in high school, he joined me for the first year of business classes. 

By luck, we had been placed in the same section and instantly formed the leadership of the single most dominant competition team the b-school had ever seen. His analytical brilliance combined with my persuasive arguing and presentation skills proved nearly unstoppable. We destroyed everyone in our path. All but for one loss, which is a story I'll leave for another time.

Billy had offers lined up from all the top investment banks well before he graduated. He joined the most prestigious and highest paying firm up in New York City and met Steven Beck there. All of a year later, Beck spun his division off to form his hedge fund and took Billy with him. I met Beck at Billy's wedding, and was surprised to discover that my biggest competition in our fantasy football league was twice my age and ten thousand times my net worth.

"So that's the secret?" Jaycee asked me. 

"What secret?" I replied.

"I asked yesterday how you got Beck as a client and you hushed up. And the answer is, through one of Beck's employees who is your best friend from high school. I was expecting something scandalous, like you had a sex tape featuring him or something."

I had to laugh at that. "You've been listening to Susan too much with all of her talk about celebrities and their sex lives. I guess I was embarrassed to admit I met him through a fantasy football league."

"Hey, whatever works," quipped Jaycee. "So you really think he's going to make you a job offer?"

"It certainly sounds that way, though I'm just hopeful I'll still be able to do some work for him down here. He's a hard person to say 'no' to, though. Thwarting his wishes while still staying on his good side takes a lot of effort. He's used to getting his way."

"You've had to 'thwart' him before?" Jaycee asked.

"A couple times when he wanted to do something that was barred by a law or regulation," I explained. "It happens with every business client."

Our conversation continued regarding my job situation. Jaycee expertly pulled information out of me with leading questions and a focused interest on my answers.

I had managed to get a little over twenty potential clients on the phone today, and left phone messages or emails with roughly another ten. I'd count myself lucky if I could get work from more than a handful of them. It was tricky trying to get them to commit to me while being vague about what resources I'd have at my disposal to use for their benefit. I couldn't tell them I'd be staying with the firm but in New York City, because I couldn't make that call yet. I couldn't tell them whether I would or would not be working with Glenda. 

For most of these clients, the best I could get from them was a promise not to commit to anyone else until I made a decision. All except Premolex Manufacturing, who hinted strongly that I could join them as in-house counsel if I wanted. Karen had recommended that call when I was starting to get discouraged, knowing it would boost my ego and pep me right up.

Included in those figures were the five clients that I had found on my own over the past two years, including Beck. I just needed to get signed letters from them saying that I was going to be their legal representative from this point forward in order to get all of their files back from the firm. It was merely a formality, but an urgently necessary one.

Four other newly laid off associates called me during the day, just checking in and looking for the latest gossip. I was surprised at how little they knew, both about what was going on and concerning their own future. All four put on a confident front, explaining how they were going to be just fine, how they had plenty in the bank just in case of a rainy day, how the firm had been stupid to lay everyone off and that other firms were going to be pounding down their doors to hire them. Yeah, right. It was easy for me to agree with them. After all, their lies were my truth, and I was confident that I'd have gainful employment again soon. But I wasn't as confident about them.

I paused momentarily to consider Jaycee's situation. Here she was wallowing in debt, with no steady work and really no prospects for a job until the economy turned around. Yet her unique attributes were immensely valuable. Jaycee's uncanny ability to get people to open up to her and tell them their secrets would be worth her weight in gold to a litigator. Heck, to a corporate attorney used to doing deals as well — any bit of extra information gleaned from those on the opposite side of the negotiating table could save millions. 

Could I really be thinking of offering Jaycee a job? I shook my head and refocused on the conversation. I needed to think about my own job prospects first and foremost. And I'd actually done enough thinking about that today already. Now it was time for some fun. 

We made a stop on the way home at a Pleasure Palace store, a rather successful local retail chain that sells costumes, games, and sex aids. 

"What are we doing here?" Jaycee asked.

"I've been thinking about what taking your ass is going to entail, and I think we may need some extra help for when we do the deed," I answered.

"Oh, like tying me down to the bed so I don't start punching and screaming?" Jaycee suggested.

"No, though that sounds like a good idea," I laughed. "I was thinking along the lines of prepping your ass for me." 

"Really? How would you do that?" 

"I don't know," I admitted. 

"You don't?" 

"No, I've never actually had anal sex. I don't know everything," I admitted.

"You don't?" Jaycee said, in what sounded like a revelation. "I guess I've been operating under the assumption that you did."

"Did what? Know everything?" I asked.

Jaycee gave me an abashed smirk and nodded affirmatively. I just laughed. 

As we walked inside, there were two women behind the checkout counters in the middle of the well-lit store. A collection of outfits clad on mannequins were displayed on all four walls, including a prominent window display to intrigue passing drivers. A series of display cases and shelves filled in the remaining floor space, mostly taken up with videos and magazines. I'd only been in a store like this once before, on a lark with Hannah and another couple. This wasn't some dark and dingy store for the perverse underbelly of society. Instead, this was a tribute to how pornography and sexual adventurism had gone mainstream. 

The younger of the two women gave us the once over. "Can I help you two find something?" she asked.

"I think we'll just look around at first," I replied.

Jaycee jumped in loudly with, "Are you sure, Master? Why not just ask what they have here to help prepare my ass for you?" 

I just had to sigh at her pronouncement. I should have predicted Jaycee's natural propensity to try and shock people would rear its head as soon as we stepped into this store.

The saleswoman turned to her co-worker. "Marie, these are for you."

Marie looked to be in her early 30s, displayed a Rubenesque figure, and had a heavy Southern accent. It turned out that Marie called herself a 'submissive', and had been with her Master for six years. She was very helpful in suggesting a range of toys and devices to help us explore this new channel for our sexuality. She also figured out very quickly that we were neophytes. 

"You do have a safe word, right?" Marie asked.

"A safe word? What's that?" I returned.

"Oh goodness, you two are just jumpin' into the pond without knowin' if you can swim, ain'tya? The first thing y'all should do when you get home is get online and start readin'. Actually, there are several books we sell here that you should take a look at, too, but I'll write down some websites for y'all to check out as well. But pick out a word right quick that will be easy to remember but won't come up reg'lar in conversation, or bedroom play neither for that matter. And then if you, William, ever do anything that Jaycee here really don't like, then she calls out the word and you stop."

"Isn't that cheating?" asked Jaycee. 

"Oh no, Sugar," Marie said vehemently, "no matter how similar your beliefs and kinks are to your Master's, there's always going to be some things he wants which you don't, and some things you want that he don't. So the safe word is your security blanket. It's there for when that situation pops up. And remember, you need to always be 'safe, sane, and consensual.'"

"Ok, but ... , I mean, ... take anal sex," Jaycee explained. 

"Yes, please," interrupted Marie. 

Jaycee bit her lip and looked chagrined. 

"Oh, look at you all flusterated," added Marie. "I'm sorry, girl, do go on. What were you fixin' to say?"

I don't think I'd ever seen Jaycee so 'flusterated.' I liked that word. Maybe I could incorporate it somehow into my next legal memo.

"I'm really scared of it. Anal sex that is," explained Jaycee. "I mean, petrified. But I want to do it. And more importantly, I promised Will that we'd do it. But if you gave me a word like that, I'd say it every time Will even touched my butt. I just know I would."

"Well, baby girl, you can either up the stakes for saying the safe word, or just make an exception for that situation. Like me, for instance. There's some things I never do, that's a hard limit. Some things I sometimes do, that's a soft limit. And some things I'll always do. So if my Master ever tries to go past one of my hard limits, then we're through. But on the other end, if I ever try to get out of something I've agreed to always do by usin' my safeword, then Master will just ignore it. Of course, neither of us would ever do that to each other, but it's good to tell you. It's only on the soft limits that the safe word applies. See? You talk it through beforehand so that there's no mistake. So for you and anal sex you could say 'You are allowed to do this and ignore the safe word, but not anything more.' And have a backup too. Sometimes my Master likes to gag me. Obviously I can't say 'radishes' in such a situation."

"Radishes?" I asked.

"Sure. They're red, which means stop. And neither me or Master likes 'em, so that's another reason. And because we don't like 'em, we never have 'em 'round the house, so there's no chance to accidentally say that word. See? You got to think it through. And when I'm gagged, he's very careful not to try anything new, or he'll give me a gesture to do instead. One time, when we were brand spankin' new at this, I was tryin' to do the gesture but we hadn't practiced it aforehand, and he weren't gettin' it. I was shakin' so hard, he thought I was havin' the biggest orgasm of my life, so he kept strappin' me harder and harder. Since that weren't workin', I started tappin' S-O-S out in Morse code against the headboard with the side of my handcuff. It took him a couple minutes before he finally got it figured."

"Yikes," Jaycee said. 

"Yah," agreed Marie. "Master was so upset with hisself. That's the awfullest he done ever felt," she said looking very pointedly at me. "So that's the 'safe' part of safe, sane, and consensual. Be careful. 'Cause accidents in this area really hurt."

"Communication is always a good thing," I added.

"Exactly," Marie agreed. "Communication is always a good thing. And the most important thing is figure out and do what makes sense for you. The books and the websites are there to give you ideas, and to explain some things to y'all. Just remember, there's no right way or wrong way to learn this lifestyle. Just don't bite off more than you can chew. You have to take small steps and figure out what you like and what you don't. But if it don't feel right, then don't do it. And who cares what anyone else thinks. This is as personal as it gets."

"So Jaycee, you care what anyone else thinks?" I asked.

"Never," she replied. "Speaking of which, I've been eyeing that black leather straight jacket with the boob cut-out over there. If I was wearing that then there's no way I could accidentally hit you by flailing about when you take my ass. That looks a lot more comfortable than tying my arms behind me with a necktie. Marie, do you think that would fit me?"

"That one yonder? Let's go try it out."

I wandered off on my own to do some browsing, and picked out a few items for purchase. I spent a good amount of time comparing the various forms of lubrication. I hadn't considered that there would be lube designed specifically for anal sex, though their labeling made a compelling case for it. Marie checked in on me a couple times and was very helpful with suggestions and even shared some ideas with me. Unfortunately she informed me that the straight jacket wasn't a good fit for Jaycee. Too bad. 

I found Jaycee looking at some of the books Marie had recommended. She seemed especially fascinated by a chapter on whipping.

"That's quite a leap from our present activities, don't you think?" I asked.

Jaycee jumped. "Oh, Will. You startled me." She looked a little embarrassed at being caught reading the book. "Sorry."

"Why 'sorry'? Is it interesting?"

"I hate to say it, but yeah, kinda. I'm fascinated by the anatomical knowledge being displayed in this book. There are a lot of similarities to gate control theory here in the focus on pressure points and the subsequent release of tension."

"Gate control theory?" I asked. 

"Think of it as one of the theories behind massage," Jaycee answered, "only here the purpose is to actually activate pain sensors instead of inhibit them."

"You think you'd be into that kind of thing?" I asked, with today's spanking session and Jaycee's assuredly still red bottom on my mind.

Jaycee took a few moments to think before answering. "Before this week, I would have automatically said 'no'. Now?" She shrugged. "I don't know. I do find it fascinating, though."

"Perhaps that's all of your training influencing you?" I suggested.

"Perhaps," she agreed. "I am engaging the material in this book on a more intellectual level than emotional."

"So grab a couple books on the subject and we'll add it to the bill," I urged.

"Oh, gosh, Will, I'm forcing you to spend another small fortune here, aren't I? Can I pay for my share?"

"With what?" I asked. "Your last fifty bucks? No. Everything's on me."

"Hmmm, well then it would seem a waste if we're just going to buy all this stuff and only use it through the end of the week," she hinted.

"You mean," I stalled, trying to decide if I wanted her for more than the one week. Part of the excitement of this week was having the fixed time limit on it. Extending it into an open-ended relationship certainly had its obvious attractions, but also increased my responsibilities and would likely lead to us falling into routine and eventual monotony. 

Jaycee grinned at me and gave me a little shrug of her shoulders, and a little twinkle in her eye.

"Really?" I asked with all kinds of loaded meaning.

Jaycee lowered her head and looked up at me through her eyelashes. Her grin slowly widened into a small smile and she batted those eyelashes at me. I wish I had more time to think about this. Best to leave myself open to the possibility.

"Hmmm, well, we'll see," I said, taking her by the arm and leading her towards Marie at the check-out counter. "That all depends on how good you are at following my commands for the rest of the week. You may not be worth the effort."

"Hey!" Jaycee said in mock outrage.

Marie rang up our purchase including books, padded handcuffs, butt plugs and dildos, a large black feather, two types of vibrators, a blindfold, lubricant, an inexpensive collar and leash set, a light bondage set specifically designed for a four-poster bed, and a large rectangular wooden paddle. Jaycee eyed that last item warily. 

"Will, why are you buying that?" she asked with a tone of warning in her voice.

"If you continue to be a bad girl, I'm going to hurt my hand on your bottom," I answered. "And we can't have that, now can we?"

Jaycee didn't take her eyes off the paddle until it was safely ensconced in the plastic bag and hidden from her view. I asked Marie if they had a book that dealt with the more in-depth technical aspects of whipping. She actually added two websites to her list for us instead. She also grabbed a bunch more lube than what I brought up to the counter. 

"Use it. Use a lot," she instructed. Ok, point made. 

For as much help Marie had been, I hadn't spent nearly enough money to properly compensate her for the value we had received. I gave her a fifty as a tip.

"What's this for?" Marie asked.

"Your helpful advice; a valuable service should be paid for." Marie shrugged her shoulders, folded the bill and tucked it into her bra.

As we left the store I overheard Marie's co-worker say, "Damn, maybe I need to get into this bondage stuff if it pays that well."

"Ok, so about a safe word," I brought up as I drove Jaycee back to my apartment.

"We don't need one," Jaycee answered.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 08



"Jaycee," I warned, "we actually talked about this problem that very first night. I told you I was going to keep going when you said 'no.' This is a way around that."

"Will, why didn't you buy a whip?" 

My head turned sharply towards her. Jaycee had pulled one of the books out of the bag at her feet and was flipping through it. "What?"

"Or a strap, or a flogger, or a crop, or" 

"What? No," I answered. 

"No? You bought the paddle," she countered.

"At Marie's suggestion as the best replacement for striking you with my hand," I explained. "I'm glad we didn't do that extra eight spanks earlier today, or I may have put my hand in a brace afterwards."

"Ok, what about nipple clamps? Or do you have clothespins you can use? Or needles?"

"Jaycee, what are you talking about?" I was completely bewildered. Jaycee continued to flip through the book.

"How about piercings? Or a tattoo? Would you like to brand me?"

"Jaycee, stop. No, I'm not going to do any of those things to you," I tried to assure her.

"Right," Jaycee said. "While you're getting off on the dominance and submissive part of our play, you're not into the sadomasochism part - only slightly with the spanking, but at least right now that's as far as you want to go. So there's really no need for a safe word, because even with the anal, what you want to do is never going to push me beyond what Marie called... wait, what did she call it? Oh yeah, a hard limit. Or even a soft limit."

"So you're basically saying you can handle whatever I'm comfortable in dishing out," I rephrased her answer.

"Yep," Jaycee agreed. Damn. I almost felt like a wimp for not pushing her limits. But that was a lie, anyway. Anal was most definitely a soft limit here, and probably a hard limit for her regarding anyone else.

And really, all of a sudden we're treating this like we're entering ... what did Marie call it? 'The Lifestyle.' We were just role playing. Weren't we? 

"Jaycee, would you want me to do any of those things to you?" I asked hesitantly.

"No," Jaycee too quickly answered. "Well ..." she added.

"What?" I pushed.

Jaycee still took some time before answering. "If you had some nipple clamps, that might create some ... Eek! Will!" I whipped the car around in a u-turn before she completed her sentence. I knew just what aisle they were located on.

Once we got back to my apartment, we spent the next couple hours reading together. At first Jaycee had grabbed one of her newly purchased books and a pencil, and settled in on the sofa to have another of her written conversations with the next reader. Since the next reader was going to be me, we cuddled on the sofa together, her reclining against my back as I read over her shoulder. It was rather fascinating reading, and got us both a little hot. But it also prompted a good discussion. Jaycee and I were close to the same page on what we liked and didn't like. For a lot of the things described as falling under the BDSM lifestyle, our response was 'no, or at least not just yet.' Face it, we were both brand new at this and while the idea of many of the subjects got us turned on, I was wary of putting them into practice anytime soon.

The subject did promote an admission on my part — a story that I hadn't shared with anyone before.

"Have you ever had thoughts or fantasies of being in a Dom/sub relationship before?" Jaycee asked me.

"Oh, pretty much ever since I entered puberty," I admitted.

Jaycee laughed. "Really? You've always been that kinky? I can just imagine you as a boy, with all the little girls bowing before you as you walked into the school cafeteria."

"Now look who's projecting me into their own fantasy?" I teased. Jaycee giggled again.

"There was actually one event that sparked it all for me," I recalled. "When I was thirteen, my mother took me to Vegas."

"Vegas?" Jaycee asked, surprised. "When you were that young?"

"Yes, her company held their annual convention there that year and she took me along. She told me years later that she did it to keep herself out of trouble. She was known at her office as the hot, single mom and had received some not-so-subtle messages that her male co-workers were looking forward to spending some time with her at the convention."

"So you're saying that your mom was a MILF," Jaycee teased back.

"I guess so, but I doubt that word was around back then," I replied. "Ugh, I don't want to think about my mom that way."

"So instead of her getting into trouble, you got into trouble?" Jaycee imagined.

"No, nothing of the sort. I was a little, nerdy kid at the time, just entering puberty. And a thirteen year old couldn't do anything in Vegas. I mean, there were only so many times I could watch the pirate show or the water fountain. I begged for my mom to take me somewhere. So she finally relented and took me to see a comedian."

"Which one?" Jaycee asked.

"George Carlin."

"He's dead, right?"

"Yes," I answered. "I was so upset when I heard the news last year."

"And you saw him when you were thirteen? That must have been interesting."

"Yeah," I agreed. "He closed the show with a collection of two hundred and some words and phrases he'd collected that are used to describe the act of masturbation. I don't think my mother looked me in the eye once over the next two days. She was too embarrassed."

"So," I continued. "The theater was set up like a dinner theater, with open-sided booths where if we were facing the table we'd be perpendicular to the stage. Or maybe it was just our section where we were seated and not the whole theater. Regardless, you get the picture, yes?"

"Sure," Jaycee answered.

"So my mother and I were sitting on one side of the table, and then this couple comes and sits down on the other side, facing us. And they were such a contrast. The guy, well, I didn't really realize this at the time, but he was the spitting image of a mobster."

"What? What do you mean?" Jaycee prodded.

"He had slicked back black hair, heavy set, looked like he was of Italian descent, wore a suit but with a white mock-turtleneck underneath instead of a shirt and tie, and had gold chains around his neck. But the thing was, he was incredibly ugly. Really, there's no way I could accurately describe how ugly this guy was."

"Ok," Jaycee interrupted. "Mondo ugly. Got it."

"Sorry. Right. But the girl. And I call her girl because in relation to him she most definitely was. She was gorgeous. Not in a fake, plastic, Vegas showgirl kind of way, but in that wholesome girl-next-door kind of way. You know, like you."

"Me?" Jaycee asked surprised.

"Yeah, pretty much exactly like you," I confirmed. "Except she had a lighter shade of hair, and her boobs were better."

"Hey," Jaycee protested. "No one's boobs are better than mine!"

"I stand corrected."

"You'll pay for that later, mister," Jaycee grumbled.

"It's Master," I countered, "and no, I won't." And I grabbed her a little stronger with my arms. 

Jaycee twisted her head around to show me the smirk on her lips. I gave her a quick kiss.

"Anyway, it was the nature of their relationship that was so mesmerizing. They hardly said anything to each other. But the way she looked at him. Complete adoration."

"Really."

"Yes, it was like he was the center of her entire universe. We didn't matter. The wait staff didn't matter. The show certainly didn't matter. The only thing that mattered to her, at all, was him."

"Ok."

"No, more than 'ok.' I gawked at her through the entire show. Really, I could barely keep my eyes off her."

"Did the guy do anything?" Jaycee asked. "Get annoyed with you or something?"

"Nope. I was beneath his notice. Maybe he thought stares like that were his due. I don't know."

"So what happened then?" Jaycee asked.

"What do you mean?" I returned.

"In your story. What happened then?"

"Nothing. That's it."

"That's it? You stared at them during a show. That's your entire story?"

"What do you think happened? He ripped her clothes off and did her right there on the table? No. It's what they represented. Here was, at least in my opinion at the time, the most perfect woman I'd ever seen and she was completely, helplessly, hopelessly, head over heels, gaga over this guy who looked like he had no business ever getting a girl like her. Yet, he barely noticed her. She was there for him. He wasn't there for her. It was that power dynamic, that study in contrasts, that idea that a beautiful woman's heart, her soul even, could be treated as a possession just like any other. A valued possession perhaps, but still something that could be acquired through money or power or even sheer personality, and then used just like any other item in one's possession."

"Oh. Wow," Jaycee breathed out. "Ok, I get it now."

"Good," I said, satisfied. "Then I hope it won't be too surprising to know that she became the focus of most of my sexual fantasies for the next ten years."

I stroked Jaycee's hair as I thought of all those late night fantasies where that girl knelt by my feet and looked up at me with those doleful eyes.

"So that's the standard you hold all women up to isn't it?" Jaycee concluded. "Complete surrender of her very soul to you?"

"Don't worry," I chuckled. "I realize it's a fantasy. It's not like I ever expect to actually find it."

Jaycee turned over in my lap so that she faced me. "Are you sure?" she asked. She batted her eyes at me a couple times and did her best to fake a look of awe towards me.

"Don't," I ordered. Jaycee stopped and looked at me questioningly. "Remember when I ordered you to be absolutely truthful with me? That incorporates this. Don't try to fake anything with me. It's insulting and disrespectful."

"Oh. I was just going to try to give you your fantasy. Isn't that what I should do?"

"Don't worry, Jaycee. You're more than enough of a fantasy come to life for me to have to fake anything," I tried to assure her.

That seemed to placate her and she rested her head on my chest. We both lost ourselves in thought for a bit

"I think," I shifted thought, "that it's about time we took a look at what trouble we can get into with this evening's purchases."

"I don't know if I should be excited-happy or excited-nervous, or maybe even excited-scared," said Jaycee.

"Are you inventing your own language now? Repeat after me: 'because I am;' as in 'excited because I am nervous.'"

"Lawyers," Jaycee muttered under her breath as she got up.

A short while later I had Jaycee spread-eagled and face down on my bed, arms and legs fastened one to each bed post. She had started off in an all-black lingerie set, featuring an impressive design of delicate ribbons. It looked spectacular on her, and quite expensive, and yet barely spent any time on her body before I just had to remove it. Meaning, I guess, that it had done its job superbly. Only the fingerless gloves, black and laced with ribbons, remained attached to her forearms. 

"Jaycee, I don't want you to worry about the ramifications from anything you say. Until I release you, you can call me names, yell obscenities, whatever you want. Ok?"

"Ok, but what on earth for?" Jaycee asked.

"Because I want to get the natural reactions from what I do to you, and if you were holding yourself back then I wouldn't be able to tell just how you felt," I explained. 

"So you won't punish me if I call you a dirty name or yell at you?" Jaycee asked.

"Nope," I answered. She looked like she didn't believe me. I tried to make my reasoning more clear. "Jaycee, before, I was trying to control you by getting you to control your own impulses, yes? Well, now I'm controlling you by having you all tied up. And you've got no safe word. So go ahead and yell and scream for all I care. It's not going to make any difference."

Jaycee pulled at her bonds. "Just remember," I added. "Rule number three is still in effect. Everything you say has to be honestly said. So how are you feeling?"

"Nervous. Really nervous. Exposed," Jaycee replied.

I began a very slow, full body massage beginning with her shoulders. I tried to remember the things that Jaycee had done to me a few days ago, and the things she had enjoyed from the previous massages I'd given her. This one, though, I planned to draw out as much as possible. I sat lightly on her rump, dressed only in a pair of silk boxers, and did my best to relax Jaycee as much as I was able.

I used a light amount of massage oil, just enough to ease the passage of my hands. I still wanted enough friction to work her muscles underneath her skin. I massaged her arms, and even her hands. Jaycee giggled when I sucked on her fingers for a minute. Even after I felt Jaycee relax completely into the mattress, I went a couple more minutes before shifting down towards the bottom of the bed. 

This time I started at her feet and worked my way up, alternating between the legs. 

"You, sir, are a very gifted amateur," Jaycee complimented following a particularly long groan of approval.

I paid particular attention to the backs of her knees. They appeared to be a strong erogenous zone on Jaycee. I could definitely smell a wonderful scent emanating from two feet north of where I sat. 

As I edged my hands upwards, I stayed away from the inside of her thighs. I wanted to work Jaycee up as slowly as possible. 

"You can get me off anytime you want to, sir," Jaycee hinted. I chuckled in response, and moved my hands up further but to the outside of her hips. Jaycee began edging her butt up in the air as an invitation to touch her sex. While I enjoyed the view, that wasn't in my plans just yet. 

Instead I began long, hard strokes from her back, over her butt, and down to the backs of her legs. Reversing direction, I finally pushed forward up the insides of her thighs, causing Jaycee to move her butt further into the air in anticipation. But at the last second I veered away from her pussy, already open for me, and began a strong massage of her still slightly pink behind. 

"Oh, you rat bastard," Jaycee hissed at me in frustration. That brought a smile to my face, especially since Jaycee didn't jump from her butt being manhandled. I swept my hands up to her back again and then repeated the entire process. 

On about the fifth repetition, Jaycee started responding to her butt massage — as in pressing her butt up to meet my hands. Finally, a breakthrough. Now I began pulling her cheeks apart, and including in my massage areas closer to her little pucker. 

"Oh, God!" Jaycee exclaimed, tensing up momentarily, but only momentarily. I continued for a few more minutes, continuing to both get Jaycee accustomed to my touching her in her most sensitive spot and in increasing her sexual excitement. 

Finally I deemed the moment right. I worked my left hand downward from her behind until I cupped her pubic mound. Jaycee hissed a little when I refused to penetrate her, but instead slowly and lightly caressed her.

With my right hand I reached over and selected the smallest of the butt plugs I'd purchased earlier. This was roughly the size of a man's finger; actually, maybe a little thinner. I applied a good amount of lube, having difficulty doing so one-handed but I managed. 

Jaycee by this time was fighting against her restraints, trying to move to force the contact with my left hand that she wanted. I finally gave it to her, gripping her mound with my palm while rubbing her clit with the pads of my middle and ring fingers. I then took the plug and eased it into her back passage. I don't think Jaycee realized I was penetrating her ass instead of her pussy until it was at least three inches inside. 

"Oh shit!" Jaycee exclaimed and tried to buck me off. I kept the plug in and re-focused on her clit. It only took a minute to get the plug fully inserted, with just a small tab sticking out for easy withdrawal. Jaycee was now bucking and shaking constantly. I removed my right hand from the plug, wondering if it would stay in. After a few seconds I moved my hand lower to join his partner in getting Jaycee off. My left concentrated on Jaycee's clit while my right began fingering her. 

"Master!" Jaycee screamed while coming. I kept at her for a full minute before allowing her to wind down.

"You are an evil, evil man," Jaycee said after a few minutes while looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

"I try," I replied. "Ok, time for you to turn over."

There were two ways to do this. I could release her completely and then order her to flip over spread eagled while I retied her, or I could move one appendage at a time until I'd made the correct sequence of moves to have her face up. I went for the latter, so that she would feel tied up and in my physical control as much as possible.

When I had her facing upwards, her wonderful nipples pointing straight at the ceiling, I got out the blindfold I'd purchased and placed it over her eyes.

"Now how do you feel, Jaycee?" 

"Like I'm your complete prisoner. My entire existence is in your hands," she answered. It felt like half the blood in my body rushed to my prick. My dick felt like it wanted to grow another inch but was stymied by the physical walls of my flesh.

"Yes, Jaycee. You are in my complete control," I said. "Which means you cannot stop me from doing this." 

I reached into the bag of goodies next to the bed and brought out the large feather I'd purchased. I started with light touches. Jaycee didn't know what it was at first. Her body would react with a jerk or a quiver, but even though she had a blindfold on, I could tell that her face was contorted with a questioning look. She finally clued in when I brushed the feather across her left armpit.

"Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. I hate being tickled," Jaycee exclaimed as her body jumped away from the soft feather. I switched sides and attacked her right armpit.

"Oh no. No, no, no, no, no," Jaycee said. Her body jerked, and she pulled strongly with her arms on her restraints. "Aiee! No!" she finally squealed. I had her now. For at least five minutes I tortured her with tickling. She laughed, squealed, screamed, and cried.

"Oh my god, my ass! I can feel it in my ass!" Jaycee exclaimed. Yes, she still had the butt plug inside of her. I guess it was giving her some interesting sensations as her abdominal muscles clenched and unclenched in response to the tickles.

She soon got to the point of laughing while crying. It sounded like I had broken her. 

"Please, no more. Please, sir. I can't take it. Master, have mercy. I beg you."

Since she called me Master, I decided to end the tickling. Instead I went back to the massage, using Jaycee's own oils against her. I diligently avoided her sexual organs, though. 

"Ohhhhh, this is nice," Jaycee sighed as her muscles lost their tension.

When it became obvious that I was touching her everywhere other than her breasts or pubic region, Jaycee became a little concerned. 

"Sir?"

"Yes, Jaycee?"

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Whatever I want," was my reply.

I started inching just a little closer to the untouched regions, brushing against the side of her breasts and touching just the top wisps of her pubic hair. Now the lack of sensation became its own tension. Her impatience got the best of her and she started twisting her body towards my hands to get me to hurry up. Instead I drew this out even further.

"Errrr," Jaycee groaned. "Please touch me, sir."

"I am touching you," I answered.

"You know what I mean. Get me off," she pleaded.

"Again? What a greedy, little slitch you are. I haven't gotten off once yet and you are demanding a second go?"

Jaycee whimpered loudly. I twirled a finger through her pubic hair and gave it a little tug.

"Oh!" Jaycee exclaimed. I just chuckled and unwound the hair from my finger. Then I moved up and sucked on her right tit. I sucked hard, right over the nipple. And then just a couple seconds later I released her. I repeated the random bursts of sensation upon Jaycee. I'd grab and twist the butt plug. I'd nip at her other breast. I'd grab her hair while giving a strong suck to her neck. And then I'd stroke up the sole of a foot with a fingernail. Her not knowing when or how I was going to strike next was driving Jaycee crazy.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 08



I left her alone for a minute to get some items from my bathroom. Jaycee could hear the water running and called out questions, which I decided to ignore. 

When I returned to the bed, I lifted Jaycee's torso and placed a folded towel underneath her bottom. Before Jaycee could ask any questions about it, I attacked her breasts with my mouth and hands. I tried to stimulate them as much as possible.

"Fuck me, Will. Please? Just do it. Ram me. Just take me. Sir? I'm dying here." Jaycee veered from whining to begging to demanding and back, all within the same stream of consciousness. 

I grabbed the nipple clamps and quickly read over the instructions. Hmm, for beginners it recommended not leaving the clamps on for more than five minutes. Bummer. I'll have to change my plans. But Jaycee didn't know of my plans nor what I had in my hand, so what she didn't know wouldn't disappoint her. I set the pack to the side and decided to pinch and tweak her nipples a bit to provoke another round of reactions. 

"Oh, you're killing me," Jaycee moaned. "And I hope you revive me afterwards so you can kill me again tomorrow night."

"Ok, Jaycee. I want you to hold still," I instructed.

"Why? What for?" Jaycee asked.

I placed a steaming hot and soaked washcloth over her pubis. I then removed the washcloth and squeezed out the water, letting it run through her pubic hair. Jaycee didn't follow my instructions very well. Her hips jerked and shook.

"Oh my god, my ass," Jaycee whimpered. Damn, what kinds of sensations was that butt plug giving her? It wasn't even one of those special vibrating or ridged plugs that I saw in the store, but was just a regular run of the mill phallus. 

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a bad girl," I chastised. "Believe me, Jaycee. Starting right now you really don't want to move." And I took a pair of scissors and started trimming her pubic hair. 

"You're ..." Jaycee began. "Oh no. Master? Are you going to shave me? Oh God! This can't be happening."

I chuckled at that. I was really enjoying treating Jaycee as a sex toy to play with. Jaycee had been trying to hold her breath as I worked, but that could only last so long. When she couldn't take it anymore, her large breaths moved her entire body slightly up and down. I was careful to pull the scissors away from her until she calmed down, but I still gripped and tugged her hairs lightly to provide her some sensation.

By the time I had finished trimming the hairs as short as I could easily handle, Jaycee had calmed significantly. In fact, it seemed like she was practically asleep. Her breathing was easy and regular, her muscles were relaxed, and her only movement came from the filling and emptying of her lungs. I did get a slight reaction when I applied a fine coating of shaving cream. But it was just as well that she was making like a statue. I was very nervous doing this for her, but so wanted to see the final result. 

I used light, even strokes. I frequently rinsed off the blade in a bowl of water I had on the mattress next to us. And I made sure to stroke my fingers over a just shaved patch to make sure no hair or stubble remained. The whole experience was incredibly intimate. Jaycee did have slight reactions from time to time, such as when I lightly pulled on her nether lips to make a more secure shave, or once when I exhaled a held breath right across her clit. Not once did Jaycee warn me off, make threats or tell me not to shave her. Not even when I focused on the area around her anus. I appreciated the level of trust she gave me. I was actually rather humbled by it.

When I was satisfied that Jaycee was as devoid of hair below the waist as the day she was born, I took the still warm washcloth back to the area to wipe any remnants of shaving cream or hair away, then took a moment to admire the view. Her vaginal lips were slightly parted, framing her inner treasures. Her clitoral hood was pulled back, proudly revealing Jaycee's excited clitoris. And lower still, the tab of her butt plug still protruded from her anus. I'd have to change that soon.

But first, this was just too tempting a vision. I leaned in and ran my tongue from just above the emerging plug, up through her lips, and then swirled around her clit. It felt incredible. No more little hairs stuck in my teeth. Now I had full contact with Jaycee's luscious skin. 

"Yesssss," hissed Jaycee. 

I continued to lap at her, and quickly got the first hints of Jaycee's wonderful taste. Within seconds I was feasting on her. And mere seconds after that I was drowning on her. Damn, talk about opening the floodgates. 

I reached under her and gripped both of her cheeks. This set Jaycee off with an enormous groan. She arched her back to thrust her ass even more firmly into my hands, and I picked up on some vibrations emanating from deep within her. Was she having an orgasm? It was difficult to tell, as it kept going. But if this was an orgasm, I was going to prolong it as long as possible and so kept at what I was doing. 

Jaycee kept groaning through an erratic pattern of breaths. She even threw in a rather pathetic sounding "Master" in the midst of it. 

I finally came up for air and decided to enter into the final stages of tonight's festivities. First, I grabbed the next larger butt plug and lathered it up with plenty of lube. I grabbed a pillow and shoved it underneath Jaycee's butt, giving me greater room to work with. I then returned to my oral ministrations and waited until Jaycee was once again into a rhythm before slowly pulling out the smaller plug. Jaycee's legs shook like she was trying to kick, but thankfully the restraints held fast. 

When it was clear I discarded and decided I had to feel her myself. I inserted my left pointer finger, which still had plenty of lube from preparing the second plug. There was resistance to my entry, but nowhere near as much as the first night I tried this. I quickly began sawing in and out of her, adding a twisting motion to loosen her up further. After guessing that was as much give as I could create, I replaced my finger with the second plug. I concentrated my tongue on Jaycee's clit as I inserted it. Jaycee began gasping with very short breaths, almost as if she was crying. But the second plug went in easier than I expected. 

"Oh Master," Jaycee cried in a near whisper. It had been far too long since I'd kissed her so I made my way up her body, leaving a trail of kisses and small bites as I went. When I kissed Jaycee's mouth, she readily opened her lips and accepted my tongue, but she barely returned the kiss. 

"How's my girl doing?" I asked her.

"Oh, Master. You're going to kill me tonight through sensory overload."

I chuckled at that.

"No, really," Jaycee said. "I don't know how much more I can take."

"You're going to have to take more, like this," and I eased my cock into her naked pussy.

Jaycee's mouth gaped open in an 'O' and she pressed her head backwards into her pillow. Damn she was tight. Really tight. Oh, it was the plug. Damn, I could feel it through her vaginal wall.

I braced myself up on my arms, my only contact with Jaycee being from within her. It seemed to take forever before I was fully sheathed. I gave a few full-length thrusts before realizing I was not going to last long. Not after this much of a build-up. If I wanted to complete my plan, I needed to get on with it pronto.

I eased mostly out so that I could reach Jaycee's nipples with my mouth. Just like before I ravaged her breasts with kisses, sucks, nips, grips, caresses, and light pinches. I received another four 'Oh, Master' cries as well.

When her nipples were appropriately engorged, I applied the nipple clamps. Jaycee emitted a high pitched whimper for each; her mouth showing a strong reaction to the pinching sensation. 

I then re-started my thrusts in and out of Jaycee. Unlike our previous acts, Jaycee didn't set up a counter-rhythm. Whether that was from her being restrained to the bed, or that I overwhelmed her so thoroughly I'd have to ask later. Right now, I wanted to see if I could fuck her into unconsciousness. Jaycee's mouth was frozen in semblance of a painful cry. I set a strong pace with a slow acceleration. 

After a few minutes I was really building a head of steam when the sensation from within Jaycee suddenly changed. 

"Sorry, Master. I didn't mean to," Jaycee cried out.

"Didn't mean to do what?" I asked, confused, though still continuing my rhythm.

"The plug came out. I tried to hold it in, sir. Honest."

"That's ok," I soothed. "Though I guess I'll have to do something else to give you some new sensations."

And I paused for a few moments to remove her nipple clamps. There was a delayed reaction of a few seconds, which allowed me to return to my previous rhythm. But Jaycee started wailing. Her body bucked, trying to throw me off. Her pussy convulsed, gripping me again and again. It went on for a good fifteen, maybe twenty, seconds. 

As soon as the violence stopped, Jaycee settled back onto the bed but began a fast breathing pattern of blowing out her breaths quickly through an 'oo' shape. Her pussy still continued its attack on my manhood, which I used to increase my pace even further. I eased my body down to smother hers, letting my elbows take some of my weight. Still pounding her, I began sucking Jaycee's neck while using my hands to grab her forearms and pull downward, increasing the tension from her restraints.

"My Masterrrrrrrrrr!!!" Jaycee called out. And I was done. My orgasm ripped down my spine, gathered in my ass, punched straight from my asshole through my body, grabbed my soul and poured it out my dick and into Jaycee. 

Nothing of myself was left behind.

All that existed was darkness. I'm not sure for how long. I slowly became aware of my breathing, and then something else — a shaking and vibrating. Jaycee. She was quivering beneath me. I tried to hold her. To soothe her. I was inside her. I was part of her. And she needed me. 

My senses slowly awoke from their temporary slumber, spreading my consciousness out to encompass my surroundings. Jaycee was saying something very softly.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master. Thank you, Master."

I lifted my head to look at her. Her blindfold was askew but still covered her eyes. I pushed myself off of her, my strength still hiding from me. I removed her blindfold to reveal Jaycee's tear-drenched eyes. 

"Oh, Jaycee, are you ok?" 

She smiled at me, even with more tears flowing. "Yes, Master, thank you," she said, with quick nods of her head.

"Here, let me remove you from your restraints." 

I quickly had her undone. Jaycee turned onto her left side and curled into a fetal position. I caught a glimpse of her butt plug still sticking out from her.

"Oh, Jaycee. Let me clean you up."

"I feel so empty all of a sudden," Jaycee said. "And like a mineshaft has been dug straight through my entire body!"

I put away all of our assorted devices used in this evening's action, including retrieving the second plug from the floor. Then I returned to the bed with another warm washcloth and I cleaned both of us of our combined fluids.

I soon climbed into bed and Jaycee turned over to curl her body into mine.

"I never thought I could feel anything like that. I didn't think it was physically possible to feel anything like that," she amended. "I may just become addicted to you." 

Jaycee looked up at me serenely. I moved both arms around her and pressed her tightly to me. My hands moved downward, caressing her body, an expression of both affection and ownership. My right hand moved over her ass and Jaycee neither flinched nor made any movement to express hesitation or rejection. I kept my hand there, gently squeezed, and smiled at her.

Jaycee returned my smile. And just for a second, I thought I saw the adoration of my fantasy girl looking at me through Jaycee's eyes.

-------------------------

I'd like to thank Erik Thread and DisMan for their editing efforts. Any remaining errors are strictly my own. Thanks for reading and, as always, feedback is greatly appreciated.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 09



Chapter 9 - Wednesday, Jan. 21

"Karen!" Jaycee exclaimed and ran towards my former secretary. They embraced for a surprisingly fierce hug.

"You finally decided to wake up and join us, huh?" asked Karen.

"Actually," I interjected, "Jaycee was very sweet this morning. She got up with me and insisted on making me breakfast. Of course, she went back to sleep immediately afterwards, but I very much appreciated the gesture."

"I've convinced Will that I require one hour of sleep for every orgasm he gives me from the night before," Jaycee joked. "So really I should be back in bed until mid-afternoon."

Karen looked at me with eyes raised. I rolled my eyes at the two of them. 

Karen and I still had a couple hours before Beck's car was due to pick us up. Karen had decided to come over early to talk about yesterday's client contacts and brainstorm potential plans. Jaycee mainly listened in, though she took every opportunity to touch or kiss me, or get me whatever I needed. When the conversation shifted to Beck and the upcoming meeting, Jaycee finally began asking questions.

"Karen, can I ask you a really personal question?" Jaycee asked.

"Shoot," Karen replied.

"How much money did you make by investing with Beck?" 

Karen hesitated, but only for a couple seconds. "Just over a million dollars," she answered.

"What? Really?" Jaycee all but squealed. "Wow. So you're, like, set."

"Don't say 'like,'" I said reflexively.

Jaycee shot me an embarrassed look.

"It would be nice to say I'm set," Karen said. "But really I've decided to set that money aside for retirement. I'm still going to work until then. I was all excited about all that money until I started working out how much I needed to retire. Then it seemed like it wasn't much money at all."

I nodded. But if Karen was smart with that money then she'd be more than ok. We took a few minutes to explain to Jaycee how a million dollars really wasn't the enormous sum of money she thought it was.

"Ok, so what I still don't understand is how Beck made all this money when everyone else was losing their shirts," Jaycee complained.

"In the most general terms, he bet against the housing market," I answered.

"That's it?"

"Yes, though that's a gross oversimplification," I said.

"So explain it to me," Jaycee requested. "How did he do it?"

I spent a few minutes trying to explain collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps to Jaycee, but I fell into technical jargon all too often without realizing it. Jaycee would rightly interrupt often to back me up. Finally, I decided to try a completely different tack.

"Ok, let's try an analogy. You know poker. Let me think of something. Alright. Say you go to a casino on your twenty-first birthday with your friend, Penny, and you lose all your money. So you're about to leave all depressed when this blackjack dealer takes pity on you and, seeing you are a hot young chick, decides to make up a game just for all single ladies who turned twenty-one that day so you can win some money back."

"Ok," Jaycee replied doubtfully.

"Just go with it," I said. "So we'll say he sets you up at his blackjack table. And for every hand you win, the dealer will give you a five dollar chip into a special pile. And you can walk away at any time and take that money with you, and you'll only lose it if the dealer gets an all-spades blackjack."

"That's crazy," Jaycee said. "The odds of them getting back that money would be ... one in ... I don't know. A lot."

"A little over one in twenty five hundred," I answered. Jaycee gave me a look like I wasn't supposed to know that better than her. I gave her a shrug.

"So, knowing that, and knowing that your friend, Penny still has lots of money, what do you do?" I ask.

"Easy. I borrow money from Penny and start playing."

"And do you think Penny would lend you the money?" I asked.

"Sure."

"What kind of deal would she want in return?" I pushed.

Jaycee thought about it a minute. "I suppose she'd want not just her money back, but a cut of my winnings." 

"Good," I said. "Now let's say that Penny, hearing the terms of the deal, sends out a message on every social networking site saying that she'll financially back any twenty-one year old girl who gets her butt down to the casino pronto to play this game."

Karen and Jaycee laughed. "I think Jaycee would soon have a lot of company at that blackjack table," Karen said.

"Right. Now let's say that the dealer takes out a huge shoe, using a hundred decks of cards. So you're going to play a long time before he needs to re-shuffle. And you start playing. And you're doing ok. And soon there are a bunch of other girls who show up, take Penny's money, and start playing. And they're doing ok, too."

"Sounds fun," Jaycee laughs.

"You bet," I agreed. "In fact, it becomes a lot of fun for everyone. The girls are having a great time. That attracts guys over. Soon it becomes a big show. The pit boss at first was pissed off at the dealer, thinking the casino was going to lose a bunch of money when all the other girls showed up. But now, with the guys having a great time and all the fun, he's thinking that this was a great idea."

"Sure, why not?" Jaycee replied.

"So you've been playing for a while now. And you've got a good chunk of change sitting in that pile. Enough that you really don't want to lose it, especially knowing you have to give a good chunk of that to Penny. And you suddenly realize that you haven't seen hardly any spades played. And you certainly haven't seen any aces or jacks of spades played. What does that tell you?"

"It tells me that I should start thinking about taking my money and getting out," Jaycee answered.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because the odds have changed. If there are a bunch of aces and jacks of spades left in the shoe, then the odds of the dealer hitting an all-spades blackjack is no longer one in ... whatever that was, twenty five hundred? It's come way down."

"Ok, so say you start collecting your pile in preparation for leaving, and the pit boss comes over to you and tells you that you've got nothing to worry about. That there's really no way for the dealer to hit the all-spades blackjack."

"Why? Did he fix the deck or something?" Jaycee asked.

"That certainly sounds like that's what he's saying, doesn't it? In fact, that's what everyone else decides he must mean, and Penny starts upping the loans she's making to the players as she now believes that it's a sure thing. But you watched carefully and didn't see anything funny take place with the handling of the deck. In fact, you remember that the pit boss wasn't even around when the deck was made. You're sure there are a ton of aces and jacks of spades waiting to come out," I said. 

"Now let's say that Beck had been there watching the entire time," I continued. "And upon hearing this latest pronouncement from the pit boss, Beck tells the dealer that he wants to place a bet that the dealer wins on an all-spade blackjack on the next hand. The dealer looks at him with contempt, of course. I mean, who does this idiot think he is? But if he's just going to throw his money away, then the casino will gladly take it. So they set up the bet where if the dealer hits, then all of the money in all of the players' side piles goes to Beck, which is up to about two grand, and in return Beck bets ten dollars."

"So that's two hundred to one odds? Is that about right for the cards in the deck?" Jaycee asked.

"Beck thinks the odds are lower than that, else he wouldn't make the bet. But he loses that bet and his ten dollar chip is gone, and again no jacks or aces are played. So Beck asks to make the bet again, and he loses again, and again and again, but still no jacks or aces are played. So what should happen?"

Jaycee thought for a moment. "The casino should start demanding more than ten bucks if Beck makes that bet again, because the odds of the blackjack hitting keep going down."

"Very good," I reply. "That's exactly what should have happened. Only they don't. In fact, Beck is viewed by everyone there as though he's just throwing his money away. With no aces or jacks being played, it looks like the Pit Boss really has fixed the game. And so people start getting really crazy. The girls start flirting with the dealer and promising sexual favors for help. They start pushing more than the five dollar chip into their pile and getting away with it. The behavior is becoming outrageous, and the pit boss doesn't seem to care. If anything, he seems to be encouraging it."

"Wow. It sounds like I really need to take my money and get out of there," Jaycee stated. 

"Why?" I insisted.

"With crazy things going on, you just know that the rug is going to get pulled out from under them eventually," Jaycee said, "and it's going to be ugly when it happens."

"Congratulations," I told Jaycee, "you are officially smarter than ninety nine percent of all financial investors." She looked doubtful. "Do you know what would happen at this point if this story actually happened in real life? A gaggle of twenty-one-year-old girls would show up and start throwing their money at the table, and Penny or the guys around the table with money would back them up, too."

"You're joking," Jaycee said in disbelief. 

"I wish I was," I lamented. "Now let's just say for argument's sake, that at some point the dealer is going to throw that all-spades blackjack."

"Beck's going to make a lot of money," Jaycee blurted.

"Only if he's still betting," I explained. "He may run out of money before then."

"Oh. Right. He's losing ten dollars a hand. That's going to add up. And even if he eventually hits, he may have spent so much money that he comes out close to even," Jaycee added.

"No. You're assuming that either the dealer starts demanding higher bets from him to cover the increasing odds, or that the money in the piles doesn't grow. But that money is growing, by more than ten dollars per hand, too. And the dealer is apparently clueless."

"So as long as Beck still has money to bet, then he's going to make a ton when it comes in," Jaycee saw.

"Right," I agreed. "Now Penny sees these bets of Beck's and she decides she wants in on that action, so she offers Beck the same bet."

"What?" exclaimed Jaycee. "That's crazy!" I was overjoyed at how she saw that immediately.

"Good," I said. "Why?"

"Because a blackjack is already going to wipe out all of her winnings. She's going to make a ton if she gets everyone to walk away right now, but a blackjack will not only take all of her winnings away but she'll then be incredibly in debt to Beck. And for what? A ten dollar side bet? She's already making more than that with every hand," Jaycee complained.

"But she thinks it's a sucker bet, just like everyone else. She thinks the game's been rigged," I said.

"She's an idiot," Jaycee mocked.

"Yes. Now Beck is going to make twice the money. And maybe more if he can get others to take that side bet. And that," I replied, "is how Beck made all that money."

"That?" Jaycee asked, "really?"

"Yes, really," I answered.

"No," Jaycee said in disbelief. "That's what was going on in the housing market? I don't understand."

"It may not be a perfect analogy, but I was making it up on the fly. So ... prices of houses started going up faster than they ever had. There was no way that those prices could be sustained, yet people were making a lot of money buying houses and watching their value appreciate, so they didn't want it to end. When asked, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, our pit boss, told everyone not to worry — that houses weren't priced too high at all. So people started going crazy with the house buying. It became the accepted wisdom that housing prices could not ever go down. It didn't matter if the person buying the house didn't have a job, or had horrible credit, or had no chance of making the mortgage payments, because the bank could just foreclose on the house and sell it the next day for even more money."

"You're kidding," said Jaycee.

"Haven't you watched the news at all the last two years? No, I'm not kidding. Beck saw that it was all just a house of cards, and started making bets against it. But because it went against what everyone else believed, he was ridiculed for it. And there were plenty of people willing to take the other sides of that bet such as pension plans, like your friend Penny in my example. That's ok, though, because it meant the perceived odds against his bets were a lot worse than they really were, and thus he didn't have to put out as much money each month in making those bets."

"So how much was he betting at a time?" Karen asked.

"Each month? Millions," I answered.

Jaycee gasped. "Millions? Where'd he get it from?"

"From people like Karen over there," I replied. "But because not many people believed him, not many people were willing to invest with him. So he put up a huge portion of his own individual fortune. And he was pretty rich before this. Now ... I don't know exactly how well he did. But I can guess if Karen's share netted her over a million."

"So?" Jaycee urged. "Guess!"

"I think," I said, "that Beck is now worth well over a billion dollars."

Jaycee gasped again. "A bi... billion? With a 'b'?"

I nodded.

"Will! You have to go to work for him!" she urged. 

"Why? Do you think that now he will just waste all of that money and give me much more than I'm worth just 'cause he can afford it?"

"Well why not?" Jaycee asked.

"Jaycee, Beck is a very smart and shrewd businessman. Shrewd businessmen don't waste money. I'm quite sure that Beck will enjoy haggling with me over my salary, keeping it as low as possible too," I said.

"Why? That's just mean," Jaycee replied.

"Not at all. And if I didn't get him to pay more than he was willing to, then he'd see it as a sign that I wasn't a good enough attorney to hire," I explained.

"That's messed up," Jaycee commented.

"Jaycee," Karen interjected, "do you charge your more well off massage clients more money for your services than your other clients?"

"Of course not," she answered.

"It's rather similar, don't you think?" Karen continued.

"I don't know," Jaycee replied. "I do like it when they schedule an appointment, though. Some of them tip really well."

I laughed. "I suppose I could say the same with Beck. While I doubt I'll be paid a better salary working for him, the end of year bonus may just be a lot higher."

A while later Karen and I were in the car Beck sent for us and on our way to the hotel where he was staying. 

"You know that girl's got it bad for you," Karen told me.

"Jaycee? What makes you say that?" I asked.

"If you don't see it, you're blind," Karen said. "Every movement and thought of that girl this morning focused on you. It was like she was revolving around you like the moon around the earth."

Jaycee was very touchy-feely this morning. I've never known her to be that way. But, really, did that prove anything? Karen was looking at me expectantly.

"What?" I asked. "Am I supposed to say something to that?"

Karen shrugged. "I was just wondering if you realize just how hooked the two of you are on each other."

"It's just for the week," I reminded myself.

"You really think that?" Karen laughed at me. "Will, that girl wants to crawl right under your shirt and build a home there."

I audibly sighed. "What's wrong?" Karen asked. "I know that you've been infatuated with her. I'd have thought you'd be pleased. Elated even."

"Yeah, I guess I have been," I admitted. "The problem is I don't know how many of these emotions are real. Jaycee's allowing me to explore some of my deepest sexual fantasies, and apparently they match up really well with her fantasies, too." I could just see the question forming on Karen's lips. "No, I'm not going to tell you what they are. Though I'm sure if you ask Jaycee she'll be happy to tell you since she tells everyone everything."

"So Jaycee and I have been having some incredibly hot sex," I continued. "And each night just seems to top the previous night. Does that mean we should be in love? Love is supposed to be different from lust, right?"

Karen had a thoughtful expression. "You may be right, William. At the same time, I've seen couples be together for years in happy relationships built on a lot less."

"Jaycee hinted last night that she'd like to extend this beyond our original one-week limit," I told her.

"There you go. You've got all the time you need, then, to figure this out," Karen said.

"It certainly doesn't seem that way to me," I replied. "I feel like I should only extend the timeframe if there are genuine feelings there. It's my own little catch-twenty-two."

"What?" Karen asked. 

"If I don't have genuine feelings for Jaycee, then I should keep the week limit and thus need to maximize the hot sex I have with her because I'm not going to get it again," I explained. "But it may be that the only way to truly know if there are real emotions there is to stop the sex and see what kind of relationship remains."

"Personally," Karen replied, "I think the only thing stopping you and Jaycee from falling madly in love with each other is that big brain of yours. You're over thinking things. If it feels right, then go with it, and stop worrying about the rest."

I smiled to myself thinking how similar Karen's advice was to Marie's from last night.

"Maybe you're right," I acquiesced. "Everything has felt more 'right' with Jaycee than anyone else I've been with."

"See?" Karen said, "there you go. I wouldn't even bring up extending the week with Jaycee again. Just take it one day at a time and you'll probably wake up on day eight to Jaycee giving you the greatest blowjob of your life."

I had to laugh at that image. 

A few minutes later we walked into the penthouse suite at Beck's hotel. I could hear Beck in one of the back rooms on the phone, so I took the opportunity to introduce Karen to the group of Beck's employees who had made the trek down with him from New York.

There was, of course, Billy, my best friend from high school, and his very pregnant wife, Siri. I told her that she looked radiant, which wasn't even an exaggeration. Also making the trip was Paula Taylor, a cocky financial trader, Alex Nguyen, a securities analyst specializing in foreign markets, and Belinda Campbell, Beck's long-time personal assistant. Belinda was sporting an enormous rock on her left ring finger.

Karen and Belinda started talking a mile a minute at each other. I caught snippets and figured it was relating to how Belinda's fiancé proposed to her. I pulled my attention towards Billy and Siri, catching up on recent events.

"Alright, gang," Beck called while entering the main room. "Belinda and I will be leaving with the realtor tomorrow at eight a.m. if any of you are interested in joining us. Will! Great to see you, and this must be Karen. Of course. I realize now that I've seen you a couple times before. So good to finally put a face to the name. Welcome, welcome. Grab yourselves some food. We've got quite the buffet here so dig in."

And he said all of that in less than ten seconds.

"Mister Beck, hi. Why do you need a realtor? Are you and ... wait, Belinda? You and Belinda? You're Belinda's fiancé?"

"He catches on quick, doesn't he?" Paula said to her compatriots.

"I thought you said he was smart," Alex sniped at Billy.

"Will, there comes a time in a man's life when he has achieved a certain amount of success in his career when he begins thinking about the larger picture," Beck began. "About life after work, and about even his own mortality."

"Oh no, not the mortality speech," joked Alex.

"Sush," replied Siri. "I happen to like the mortality speech."

Beck glanced at the others. "My team here takes all the fun away from my making speeches. It's not fair, I tell you."




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 09



"Congratulations, Belinda," I said to her, seizing the moment to wish her well before Beck got going again.

"Thank you, William," smiled Belinda.

"So, what?" I asked Beck. "You're going to buy a vacation property down here?"

"William," he announced in a grand voice, "I am strongly considering relocating The Beck Fund down here."

I was floored.

"Here? Why?"

"A number of reasons. New York City is nowhere to raise a family."

"Family?" interrupted Karen, looking at Belinda. Belinda nodded affirmatively and Karen and Belinda were once again hugging.

"Belinda originally grew up not too far from here and has been singing the South's praises for as long as I've known her," continued Beck, trying to ignore the female sentimentality to his right. "So that's one. Also, this is the second biggest banking town in the country next to New York, and with the barriers between commercial banking and investment banking falling even further I don't see any problems being able to run my trades and get the necessary talent down here. And then there's another reason that I'm not quite ready to share with you just yet," and he looked significantly at Billy as he said that last part.

This was unbelievably great news. I could work for Beck and not have to move to New York. And if I wanted to stay independent I could do that and still keep Beck's business. I was ready to leap out of my skin in excitement.

I tried to reinforce Belinda's glowing reports of growing up in the South, especially in this area. This was something I was passionate about and I'm sure the sincerity rang out through my voice. 

I did the sales job again, privately, with Billy and Siri once we had plowed through the buffet and sat back down with our plates.

An idea came to me and shortly thereafter I had my old college roommate and desperate for work realtor, Aaron, on the phone. 

"Aaron, you have to tell me straight up if you think you can handle this. We're talking about the best homes in the city, and yet you have to be ready to fight for the best deal you can get. No holding back to maximize your commission. You need to wow this group with not just your knowledge of the homes but with your negotiating skills."

"Will, you know I can handle this. I can do it, just give me the chance," Aaron practically begged.

"Ok, though something I want to make top priority with the homes you show is security. Mister Beck has to feel completely secure in his new home," I insisted.

"William, what are you talking about?" an eavesdropping Beck asked.

I placed my hand over the phone. "Sir, I have a pretty good idea how much money you're now worth. That news will become very public down here. You may think of this as a city, but it still has a small town mentality with all of the gossip that goes along with it. And you have to look after your family now. Security has to be foremost on your mind," I counseled.

Beck didn't look too happy about that. Belinda looked downright fearful. Good. They were both smart people. So long as their arrogance didn't get in their way I could keep them safe.

"Sorry about that Aaron. So as I was saying, top of the line security system, maybe security walls, gated communities, twenty four – seven guards, things like that."

"Damn, Will, who are these people?" Aaron asked.

"The best clients you'll ever have," I answered. "So keep them safe."

"Aye-aye," Aaron answered. "Ok, I'll meet them at their hotel at eight tomorrow morning to take them around. Are you going to join us?"

"Yes," I replied. "I think that's an excellent idea."

After setting up Aaron as the Becks' new realtor, we settled back into the socializing of the lunch. Karen and Belinda were glued to the hip and lost in their own world. I mainly stuck to Billy, but I was happy to see how at ease Siri was with Billy's co-workers. They had obviously spent a lot of time together and the jokes and put-downs flew back and forth.

As plates were put away, a seriousness settled over the group. Beck waited patiently for everyone to settle down and then turned his attention to me. 

"You know, Will, I try to hire people who see the world differently, who will challenge the establishment." 

That was as true a statement as I've ever heard from him. Billy, Paula, and Alex were as unconventional and audacious as any people I'd ever met. They had bet their own fortunes and reputations against the largest and wealthiest industry in the world and won. It takes a very special type of person to do that.

"I've been waiting for you, Will," Beck continued. "Waiting for you to gain enough experience to be a force to be reckoned with, while not waiting too long before the establishment captures you with their outdated paradigms. I may be jumping the gun on you a little bit, as you're just a young pup."

"I'm thirty years old," I protested.

"You are? Damn, you're not nearly the wunderkind I thought you were then. Maybe I should re-think this. No, I'm teasing. William, the way you addressed our concerns with the Securities and Exchange Commission last July. Outstanding. Truly outstanding. I don't think I ever told you this, but I gave that bigger firm who did the bulk of my work the same task. They were very conciliatory with the SEC and the 'I-bank' that was trying to screw me. It was all, 'we see a potential problem,' and 'we don't want to ruffle any feathers,' and 'we'd like to propose an accommodation that will be satisfactory to all parties' bullcrap. Then I see your letters, and it's flamethrower language, which matched how I viewed the matter exactly. The SEC actually complained to the other lawyers about you. Did you know that?"

"No, I can't say that I did," I answered, pissed that the SEC thought a different firm should 'handle' me and my firm. It's not like I didn't run what I did past a couple of our partners first.

"I swear, if I hadn't brought you into the loop on that issue, I probably would have lost a hundred million dollars. Ha! At least! Because of that, I've considered you part of my inner circle for the past year. Now I couldn't reward you with end of year bonuses like I did the rest of my team here." 

I suddenly wondered how much each of them had gotten from Beck? Twenty million dollars? Fifty million? A hundred?

"Maybe I can make it up to you now that I can hire you straight out instead of having to go through that firm. But regardless, even if you turn me down I wanted you to have some part of the Fund's successes. You know I gave all of the back office staff four shares in performance incentives when we first set up the fund. I may not have been able to give you as big a bonus as these pirates sitting here next to me earned, but I still feel good knowing I set aside those four shares for you in the original fund, which of course you know we closed out last month at just under a million dollars a share. We automatically rolled that over for you into the new fund, which is already up over 13.6%. So right now you're sitting on just over five million dollars." 

"What the hell are you talking about?!?"

Beck seemed immensely pleased with himself. I, on the other hand, was seriously pissed.

"You gave me shares in your fund?" I pushed. Beck nodded, still smiling. "My God, do you know what you've done? I told you I couldn't invest with you!"

Beck finally stopped smiling, sensing the panic in my voice. "I know. That's why I did it for you."

"I wasn't a partner at the firm. I was only an associate," I explained. "Associates aren't allowed to enter into separate agreements like this with clients, only partners. The firm is going to claim that this is compensation for legal services, and they are going to take that money for themselves.".

"So we'll turn that money into your signing bonus," Beck said unperturbed. "Or go set up your own firm and charge me a thousand an hour for all I care. Actually, you're probably a value play at a thousand. So charge me five thousand an hour. That oughtta do it."

"No." I tried to keep control of my emotions. I despised people going behind my back. "The account has already been created with my name on it. You can't just pretend it doesn't exist. And how did you manage that, by the way? I know your forms. I updated most of them. Even a share being given as a gift has to be signed for, and I never ..."

Beck's smug smile was back on his face, only he pointed his finger at the person next to me.

"Surprise?" said a hesitant Karen.

My anger found a new target, directing itself towards my former secretary. "What did you do, Karen?"

"Mister Beck said that he wanted to set up an account for you, but you wouldn't do it," Karen started to explain.

"Karen. What did you do?" I repeated.

"She got you to sign the form," Beck explained.

Karen looked worried and stole a glance over at Beck, then back to me. I had a feeling I hadn't signed that form. Everything would be ok if she was unable to trick me into signing it.

"Karen?" I asked, danger dripping off my tongue.

"No, you're always careful with what you sign. I couldn't risk it. So I forged your signature."

I leapt to my feet, my chair crashing onto the floor and bouncing several times behind me.

"You what?!?" I all but screamed. 

"It's five million dollars, Will," Karen implored. Tears were already starting to well up in her eyes as a response to the fury she must have seen in mine. "I thought you'd be pleased."

"Pleased? To find out that my secretary has been signing my name to legal documents without my knowledge?!? What else have you signed on my behalf? Huh?!?"

"Nuh-nuh-nothing!" she sputtered.

"Nothing? Are you sure?!? How can I believe that?"

I was at full volume now. Some part of me was still aware that this scene was being played out in front of Beck, Billy, and the rest. So my emotions didn't completely take over. But I couldn't recall ever being this mad at anyone in my life. My career was suddenly in jeopardy. 

I thought of how these facts would look to an outsider. An outsider such as an investigator with the state bar association. Here was my name signed to an agreement with a client, kept secret from the law firm, and worth millions of dollars. Billing records would show that the firm was charging, and being paid, good money for my legal services. So what was this extra payment for? What could I have provided to this hedge fund manager that would be worth so much money? What trades had the hedge fund done recently, and was there any connection to positions taken by other clients of the firm, such as banks or other financial institutions? What potential inside information did I have access to that Beck could profit on by its acquisition?

I'd be lucky if I was only disbarred. I could end up in prison.

"Do you realize the betrayal this represents?" I coldly asked Karen. "All I am is my good name. My reputation. And now you tell me that you've gone behind my back and done something that was against my principles. There's not just a level of trust here that you shattered, there are all kinds of legal issues involved that you didn't ... couldn't consider."

"But it's ok because you didn't know about it," Karen rationalized. "That's what you said. If you didn't know about it then you're in the clear."

"That argument was about your shares, not mine. It doesn't work for me. But you can't know those distinctions because you didn't go to law school, did you??? And that's not even what I'm pissed about, Karen. I TOLD YOU I wouldn't invest in the fund."

"Why? Why wouldn't you take the money?" she tearfully cried back at me. "Everyone else does it!"

"No, not everyone else does it. But even if they did, that would just mean that EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG!" I screamed at her.

We stared at each other, both of us breathing hard. She strained her neck to look up at my towering figure.

Beck tried to mollify me. "Don't blame her, Will. I told her she had to do it before she bought her share."

"What?" I said, my head snapping back to look at him. The blood drained from my face and a cold, hard rock formed in my stomach.

"I said, I made it a con..."

"I understand," I interrupted him. I really needed him to stop talking before I could get him alone.

"I would have done it anyway," Karen pleaded. "I did it for you."

The lie was so blatant I recoiled from it. I returned my glare to her. "No, you did it for yourself. You wanted a share of that money and you forged my name in order to get it. You betrayed my trust to feed your own greed." 

My face contorted as I viewed her with contempt. "You disgust me."

Karen started bawling. She got up out of her chair and turned away from me, searching for an exit. Belinda caught up to her before she got to the door and Karen immediately wrapped her arms around the younger woman, her crying increasing in volume.

When they exited the room I turned my attention back to the rest of the group. They all stared at me in stunned silence. I began pacing back and forth, calming down while also thinking things through. 

"Will," Billy started, but I held out my hand palm up towards him to stop him. I then caught sight of Siri.

"How're you doing, Siri? You ok?" I asked, concerned for her delicate condition.

Siri's expression changed from worry to warmth. "I'm fine, Will, don't you worry about me."

I broadened my view to all four of Beck's guests. "If you'll excuse us," I addressed the group, "I really need to talk to Mister Beck alone."

Billy, Siri, Alex, and Paula shared glances with Mr. Beck, who gave them a gesture to stay put. Beck got up and he and I walked out the door. I overheard one of the remaining team quietly mutter to the others "Holy Shit." 

"Will," Beck started once we were alone out in the hotel hallway, "you really shouldn't be so hard on Karen."

I held up my hand, stopping him from going further.

"First off," I began. "How did you set up Karen's investment in the fund. Not directly I hope?"

"Of course not," Beck replied indignantly. "I know she's not an accredited investor. I put her money in the feeder fund."

"So I assumed, which leads to my next question. Did I hear you correctly in that you made her investment conditioned on the exercise of a personal service to be performed on your behalf?"

"I," Beck began. "Oh. Is that bad?"

"Investment in the feeder fund is supposed to be free and open. Whoever can afford to can buy in, so long as there are open shares in the master fund. Have you made any other conditions to potential investors?" I pressed.

"No, no, definitely not," Beck replied.

"Are you sure?" I insisted. Beck gave me a look like he was insulted by the question. "You do understand why I have to press you on this," I said. "Think hard."

"No, I'm sure Will. No other conditions."

"Good," I sighed. "At least that's something."

"So what's the potential liability for what I did with Karen?" Beck asked.

"Hm? Oh. Sorry, so far I've been worried about the likelihood of my being disbarred and sent to prison. Give me a second and I'll shift my focus to your problems."

"Prison?" Beck gasped. "How? You didn't do anything wrong."

I explained my concerns to him.

"My God," Beck exclaimed. "I never thought ..."

"Precisely," I interrupted. "It's these types of situations, Steven, for which, in the future, you may want to consider seeking legal counsel," I said sarcastically. This attempted arrangement is exactly why he needed a lawyer, and yet because I was the intended beneficiary it probably never crossed his mind to ask me how it should have been handled.

That brought Steven up short. "Yes. Point taken," he murmured. "Ok, what about me? The liability for making Karen's investment conditional?"

"Oh, the SEC can come in and seize all of your profits," I answered. I wanted Beck's entire fortune to flash before his eyes. If I could impress on him the risks associated with not having legal advice readily available, I'd take the opportunity.

"Really?" a shocked Steven Beck answered. 

I gave him a look. "No. Well, probably not." 

In actuality, because The Beck Fund was a hedge fund there weren't nearly as many regulations they had to comply with as other investment firms. 

"The worst way to look at it is that you induced Karen to commit the fraudulent act of forging my signature in order to fulfill the illegal condition you placed on the issuance of that share."

Steven's eyes widened further. "Oh, shit."

"Yeah, that doesn't sound too good, does it?" I reinforced.

"But I would have allowed her to invest anyway, even if she hadn't gotten your signature."

"You think that matters? You think Karen is supposed to read your mind and know that your condition on her investment isn't real?" I asked.

Steven sighed, looking deeply worried. I groaned in frustration. This whole thing was a clusterfuck. 

"I really need to see the form with my signature on it," I told Steven.

"I can call up the office, have it scanned into a PDF and emailed to you," Beck replied.

"No, no. No email," I urged, afraid of the electronic trail, just to be on the safe side. "I guess I'll take a look in person."

"I don't see why you need to make the trip up. You know the form. It's the performance option form you made up for us," Steven explained.

I was about to explain that I needed to see how well Karen had mimicked my handwriting when I realized his answer wasn't what I expected. "What? Not the gift form?"

"Gift form? We have such a thing?" Steven asked, bewildered.

"The performance option form is for employees," I said exasperated. Steven just looked at me questioningly. "I wasn't your employee," I said, stating the obvious. I pinched my nose in frustration. "If you'll excuse me," I implored. "I need a few minutes alone, and maybe splash some water on my face." And I turned and walked down the hallway in search of a restroom. 

I needed to think of all the legal ramifications of what I'd just learned. I ended up in the rest room, pacing. I did splash some water on my face, and dodged looks from a hotel employee who came in and left. 

As far as I could tell, the attempt to give me those shares was an invalid transaction. The form was void on its face. I wasn't an employee of the Beck Fund, and I didn't sign it. So the shares were never transferred to me and they still belonged to Steven. And that was all to the good. I never would have been able to keep that money in the first place; the firm would have been all over it. Plus, the objective appearance of wrongdoing would have been so blatant that it likely would have sparked an investigation. Even accepting a higher than usual billing rate from Steven after the fact could look wonky. I'd have to think on that some more. But later.

I really needed to find out if there was either a legal or ethical duty to report this to anyone – either the SEC or the state bar. If there wasn't, then Steven and I were both in the clear. Karen wasn't going to report him for making the condition since she got her money anyway. But the issue was going to take some research.

I made my way back to the suite. The figurative pot of boiling water I found myself hanging over soured my mood. That's underselling it. I was terrified and still royally pissed. But I had to suppress it for the time being, and put on a brave and confident face. I still intended to have these people as my clients. So it was time to do a little damage control.

The rest of the group, sans Belinda, looked at me expectantly when I returned to the room.

"Steven used the wrong form to give me my shares, and since I never signed it, the transaction is void. So, congratulations Steven. Those shares stay under your ownership and you're even richer than you thought."

"You don't want five million dollars?" Alex asked.

"Want? Sure. But that money's not mine. Besides, I don't need it," I said.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 09



"Young associates must make even more money than I thought," Paula said.

Billy had another idea. "You did the trades yourself, didn't you?"

I gave a little shrug.

"I knew it!" Billy exclaimed. "As soon as I heard you had turned down a direct investment with us I knew you'd try to replicate our trades."

"Normally I'd be pissed at you," Steven said. "But now that I understand why, I'm very pleased. This only makes me want you on the team even more."

"So what was your return?" asked Paula.

"It took me months to find trades that didn't coincide with anything you were doing or using any information that could have been gleaned from any of my other clients, and even longer to rustle up enough money to meet the trading minimum. So I'm sure the return on my investment will be rather unimpressive to you. But in the end I did ok for myself," I demurred. "Not five million dollars ok, but ok. Don't worry. I'm still the poorest person in the room."

"Yeah, but now you're one of us," Alex enthused. "Before I just thought of you as 'the lawyer.' Ok, Mister Beck, I withdraw my earlier objections to bringing him on board."

Steven chuckled and gave me a grin.

I stayed a few more minutes to put everyone's minds at ease, then made my excuses. I really didn't want to be there when Karen returned, and I still had things to work through. So I reminded everyone I'd return at eight the next morning for the house hunting excursion. 

Steven walked me out himself to have a moment alone with me. He wanted to know how realistic my position on those five shares was. I had to admit that there was still a possibility of trouble, but I had to do some research first to get a better sense of it. He actually apologized for not seeking my counsel, and urged me to come up with a number for my base salary. Steven also promised to cancel the appointment with his previous realtor, getting yet another assurance from me that Aaron was ready for the big leagues. I hope he was. I bid my farewells and made my leave.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 10



Part 10 – Wednesday afternoon

As I exited the hotel, Glenda Roberts called on my cell phone. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, but this call would be important.

"Good day, Glenda," I started.

"William, how are you?"

"I'm doing just fine. It's already been a very busy week," I answered.

"No doubt," Glenda agreed. "I was hoping you could find time in your schedule to meet with me tomorrow afternoon? I have something very important to discuss with you."

"Of course, I'll gladly shuffle some appointments around for you. But is this a discussion we can begin now?"

"Not fully, William," Glenda answered. "But I do need to test the waters with you a bit."

"Ok," I prodded.

"I am in the process of negotiating with another firm," she informed me. "Obviously I will attempt to bring as many of my clients with me and I fully expect to remain the legal representative for most of them." 

Why did I have a feeling there was a bit of a threat underlying that sentence? 

"I've already gotten acceptance to bring two associates along with me and I was counting on you being one of them," she continued.

"I appreciate that, Glenda," I answered, "and am pleased that my work has impressed you, but I have to warn you that I already have several offers that I'm entertaining. While I would very much like to continue to work with you, you'll have to give me a competitive offer."

Glenda took a few seconds before responding. "I see," she said. "With the market the way it is, you must know that I'll have my pick of just about any associate out there."

"Yes," I agreed. "Just about any ..."

"I see," she repeated. "Well, would you still like to meet with me?"

"Of course," I readily agreed. "Even if you don't have an offer for me I'll always want to meet and talk with you."

"Fine, then. The Beanery at Maxwell and Greene? At two o'clock?"

"I'll be there," I said.

"Good. See you then," she replied. And that was that. I had a feeling I may have thrown a fly in her ointment. It will be interesting to see what kind of offer she can put together by tomorrow. And I wondered what firm she was joining?

The chauffer who drove me and Karen to the hotel had seen me and was waiting for my call to finish. I waved him off, though. I wasn't that far from my place, maybe a thirty minute walk. It was a relatively nice day out, and I found myself thinking a long walk would clear my head.

Alas, that didn't happen. When I wasn't thinking about my job options I was thinking about Karen. In fact, the second half of my walk was pretty much ruined as I thought of nothing else. I was in exactly the type of situation I swore I'd never let myself be trapped in. If no one else found out about the forged document, then everyone was in the clear. I didn't get the money, the firm wouldn't make a claim against it, Karen wouldn't face any legal complications for forgery, there would be no questionable hidden accounts that could spur an investigation of any kind, and I could forget this ever happened. 

But if I had an obligation to report the forgery, either to the SEC or to the state bar, or both, then that would be the first step in a long chain of events that could lead to my complete ruin. And it didn't matter one lick that I hadn't done a thing wrong myself. The mere appearance of wrongdoing would be so strong that I doubt I could prove my innocence. And what if after researching the issues, I found that I had a moral obligation to report but not a legal obligation to do so? Would I voluntarily subject myself to the mess that was to follow when, technically, I was not compelled to do so? And what kind of lawyer would I be if I took the easy way out? What kind of person would I be?

The more I thought about it, the angrier and more distraught I felt. The real possibility of taking everything I'd worked so long and hard for, the sacrifices I'd made, the relationships I'd squandered or missed out on, and the myriad options that would be denied to me in the future, all for naught because of someone else thinking they knew what I wanted or needed better than I did. All of it lost because a proper choice of mine had been overridden by others. It made me want to throw up.

And, unfortunately, that was the mood I was in when I returned home that afternoon.

When I entered my apartment I could hear Jaycee on her cell phone in her room. "Ok, he's here. I gotta go. ... Yes, I'll call you later."

By the time I had hung up my jacket, Jaycee had stormed into the living room and she did not look happy to see me.

"What did you do, Will?" she demanded.

"Leave it alone, Jaycee," I warned. "I'm not in the mood."

"Leave it alone? Karen said you destroyed her for getting you five million dollars. Is this true?"

"Jaycee," I warned again. "Sit down and be quiet. You don't know what you're talking about."

"No, not this time Will," Jaycee argued. "You need to tell me just what the fuck happened at that meeting."

I took a big breath to try to control myself. "At the meeting, it was brought to my attention that Karen had gone behind my back and forged my signature on a document when I had clearly and expressly stated that I would not invest in the Beck Fund."

"So now you hate her for trying to give you five million dollars," she paraphrased.

"Jaycee ..." I started, but for the life of me didn't know where to go in this discussion.

"It's five million dollars, Will!" Jaycee insisted. "Do you know what I'd do to get my hands on five million dollars???"

"No," I answered, "tell me."

"What?" she asked.

"What would you be willing to do for five million dollars?" I demanded.

"I don't know, a lot," Jaycee admitted.

"Really? I'm finding myself in the Jaycee market, what are you offering?" I asked.

"What?" Jaycee responded.

"Let's face it, you agreed to be my sex slave for a lot less than five mil," I sneered. "Plus, I know what dire financial straits you're in, so let's start things off low. How much would five thousand dollars get me? You could really use five grand. You've got a lot of bills to pay and no steady employment in sight. So tell me, how much Jaycee can I get for five Gs?"

"Fuck you, Will!" Jaycee cried.

"I'm already getting that, whenever I want," I taunted. "So you'll have to do better. What else are you offering?"

"All women are either sluts or whores, is that right?" yelled Jaycee.

"Hey, you brought it up. Now we're just negotiating over the price. Unlike you, there are parts of me that are not for sale. Not for any price!" I yelled.

"It's easy to say you've got morals when you've got lots of money and opportunities. The world looks a lot different when those things are taken away from you. So excuse me if right now I don't care about your vaunted moral code!" Jaycee yelled back. 

"What? You don't think I knew I was turning down millions when I told Beck I couldn't invest with him? I knew exactly what I was doing! Karen had no right ..."

"I don't care!" Jaycee cried. "I don't. All of that is beside the point. Karen is one of the best things that ever happened to you. You have to go get her back!"

"Have to? Have to?!?" I screamed. "No! You don't have the right to make those decisions for me. Nobody has that right. Not you, not anybody else! Only I say what I have to do. You don't ever get to tell me to do anything!"

After that it got a little hazy. You'll have to forgive me for jumping out of the conversation here. I know that's a writing no-no. But I can't tell you exactly what I screamed back at her. To be honest, I don't think I was fully conscious. I haven't lost control like that since I was a young teenager. While I can't tell you what I yelled, I do know I just kept yelling for some time, not giving Jaycee a chance to interrupt or respond. 

A big part of my rage was the unexpressed anger I felt at Karen and what she'd done. I couldn't fully vent that anger towards her at the time because of Beck and his group's presence, and so that anger was taking its first opportunity to escape. Looking back on this event now, I'm pretty sure that a lot of old frustrations from my relationship with Hannah were also boiling up to the surface, finally breaking through after years of suppression. At least, that's my two-cents worth of amateur psycho-babble self-analysis. But I still don't think this eruption would have happened if it had been anyone other than Jaycee confronting me. Because she was my purported 'sex slave,' part of me was enraged that she dared to order me to do anything. That's not what was supposed to happen. I was supposed to tell her what to do. So, again in my after the fact self-analysis, I think the fact that my 'sex slave' was challenging me was the trigger that set me off.

I do need to state right now, before I say anything else, that I did not place a hand against Jaycee in anger. But it was close. And I remain deeply ashamed over how close it was. The fact that I had been 'punishing' Jaycee with spankings meant that a part of me was tempted to 'punish' Jaycee for daring to confront me. I'm rather sickened by that. I now have firsthand experience with the old saying of 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' I was so angry that my 'fight or flight' response kicked in, and some powerful part of me demanded instant physical action. What little control I had over myself successfully redirected that focus away from Jaycee. 

I picked up a table lamp and, with a great primal scream, hurled it clear across the room at the glass door leading to my balcony. The lamp had a heavy clay base. Throwing it such a distance is a terribly impressive feat, if I do say so. While the lamp base didn't shatter the glass, it did a good job of punching a hole into it, with cracks splintering out from the impact point like a spider web. 

That burst of physical exertion was the last, big expression of my rage, though my mind stayed focused on the essence of that emotion. My 'normal' self slowly emerged to regain control as if swimming up from the deep depths of my soul. I gasped in great breaths of air as the adrenalin slowly bled off. 

I suddenly realized that Jaycee was no longer with me.

An image of Jaycee came to the forefront of my mind, her standing in front of me as the target of my emotional outpouring. Jaycee's eyes showing a lot of things: confusion, hurt, surprise even, but mostly fear — fear of me.

I don't know how long I stood there alone. It seemed that if I were to move it would be an acceptance that our fight had really happened, and I wanted to deny that reality for as long as possible. When I did finally take a step forward, it felt like I was dragging a ton of bricks behind me. And suddenly I was aware of all of these sensations when a second before I wasn't. I could feel a cold breeze coming through the hole in the glass door and circling around the room. I could feel a monster headache building right at the front of my brain. And I could feel soreness in the muscles of my neck after they had been clenched tight for who knows how long.

Each successive step was a little easier than the last, and I soon found myself in the hallway outside of the door to Jaycee's room. The still-broken lock meant that the door couldn't completely close. I could see through the gap between the door and the ruined frame that Jaycee was lying face down on the bed and crying.

I wanted to go in and say I was sorry. I wanted to comfort her, to apologize to her. But I didn't. It seemed wrong. The fight was too new, too fresh. And mostly, I didn't feel like I deserved Jaycee's forgiveness. She'd been sticking up for a friend. She hadn't deserved the things I'd said to her. Nothing she could ever do deserved me calling her a whore.

I moved further down the hall, walked into my bedroom and lay down. I stared at the ceiling wondering what I was supposed to do now. For the life of me I had no idea.

I don't know how long I lay there. I may have even dozed off for a bit. 

"Sir?" Jaycee asked. It took me a second to realize I hadn't imagined it.

"Sir?" Jaycee asked again. "If you don't mind, I'd like your permission to leave for a bit."

Jaycee stood there in the doorway to my room. I could still see the tear tracks on her lower cheeks and her hair was in disarray. Even in a sweater and jeans she looked awfully cute.

"You can do whatever you want, Jaycee," I said. "You don't need my permission."

Jaycee looked down, and then nodded. "You can call me if you need me," she said, "I'll have my cell phone."

"Ok, Jaycee," and I lay my head back on the pillow. I heard Jaycee move down the hall, open the coat closet door, gather her shoes, and then leave the apartment. I wondered if she'd ever come back.

It seemed like there was something I was supposed to be doing. Or even multiple things that needed doing. I felt a cold breeze come through the bedroom door and waft over me, chilling me. Crap. I broke the glass door. How the hell was I supposed to get that fixed? Well, it was something to focus my attention on.

I had broken two doors in two days. Even if Jaycee came back I don't know if my apartment could survive the rest of the week.

I called downstairs to the security desk and put in a maintenance request. Yes, it was an emergency. I was already starting to shiver. In the meantime I'd have to see if I could come up with some improvised fix. After half an hour of searching through my apartment and brainstorming, I ended up taping a towel sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard over the hole, and then taping the glass door surrounding the fractures in the hopes that more glass wouldn't fall out of the remaining structure. It looked awful, and I had little confidence in its efficacy.

I tried checking email and returning some missed calls, but my heart just wasn't in it. For the rest of the afternoon all I really did was mope around the apartment. When the sky was just about to lose its last rays of sun for the day, the security desk downstairs called again.

"Mister Jennings? This is Scott downstairs. There's a Miss Jenny Daniels here to see you."

"Jenny? Really?"

"Yes, Mister Jennings," Scott said. "And if you don't mind my saying so, sir, she is looking fine."

I looked at my ruined balcony door. There's no way I was letting her up to my apartment. "Could you put her on the phone please?"

I could hear Scott call Jenny over.

"William? Hello," Jenny said.

"Jenny, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Jaycee invited me over for dinner," she replied. "She didn't tell you?"

"No, that must have slipped her mind. When did she make the invitation?"

"When we talked on the phone yesterday. I'm sorry if this is an inconvenience. I don't mean to intrude," Jenny graciously said.

"No, no. It's just that Jaycee isn't here," I replied.

"Oh. Oh dear. Then this is an inconvenience," Jenny lamented.

"No, not at all. I'm glad you're here," I responded. "But maybe it would be better if we went out for dinner," I offered.

"Well, only if it isn't a bother," Jenny answered.

"Of course it isn't," I said. "Just give me two minutes."

On my way down to the lobby I called Jaycee.

"Sir?" she answered.

"Jaycee, Jenny is in the lobby of my building," I told her.

"Oh shoot, I forgot. I invited her over for dinner tonight. Ummm ..."

"It's ok, I'll handle it. How are you doing, Jaycee?"

"Me, sir? Umm. I'm ok," she answered.

"Good, good," I said. The elevator doors opened onto the lobby. "Ok, I've got to go." And I ended the call.

Scott insisted on taking a moment to talk to me about my emergency service request. Apparently the technicians were balking at a one-day turnaround, but he thought they'd be amenable to a little grease if I was so inclined.

"I don't really care about the money, but my apartment is going to be an icebox until that door is fixed. So whatever you can arrange is fine. I'll even give you a tip to get it done. Oh, but that reminds me. I've got another service request to put in. I've destroyed the lock and damaged the doorframe to one of the interior doors."

Scott gave me a questioning look. 

"Don't ask," I told him.

"Ok," Scott said. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

There was a nice Italian restaurant a couple blocks away that I took Jenny to. Just a few months ago you'd need a reservation to get in, but these days the place was only half full. 

The reminder of our dire economy didn't improve my mood much. Jenny was rather sweet and got me talking. I'm not normally one to open up and lay my troubles on someone, but tonight it just seemed right. I told her everything. 

"Jaycee was showing misplaced loyalty to a new friend, instead of trusting your judgment," Jenny analyzed. "Although I can't say I blame her too much. I doubt anyone but you could fully comprehend the danger that Karen's actions have placed you in."

Just then my phone rang. I'm used to letting my phone go to voicemail when I'm doing something, like having a nice dinner for two out with a beautiful woman. Ok, I have to be honest here. If I thought Jaycee was out of my league, Jenny was out of my universe. She's a supermodel come to life. That being said, I've always had no problems talking with her, because there was no pressure. I knew that she'd never be with me in a million years. Of course, I'd also known that we'd never end up having dinner, just the two of us, at a wonderful restaurant. Where was I? Oh, right. The phone call. I saw the call was from Karen. And she had also sent me a quick text stating 'I'm so sorry.' Yeah, whatever. I wasn't in the mood to deal with that just yet.

I was beginning to realize that every relationship with a woman should be entered into and constantly re-evaluated with a cost-benefit analysis. What were the positives and negatives associated with dealing with this woman? And, more importantly, what were the worst-case-scenario negatives, because eventually they were going to happen. 

Being here with Jenny ... was great. The jealous looks from other men throughout the restaurant. The furtive glances from people wanting to look but knowing they shouldn't gawk. Even from women. Maybe especially from women. Being seen as the guy Jenny was with was definitely an ego boost. But what were the worst case scenarios, I wondered.

"So what are you going to do about Jaycee?" Jenny asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. Jaycee. Right. Beautiful, uninhibited, reckless, outgoing, irresponsible, spontaneous, hot tempered, and hot blooded Jaycee. How did the cost-benefit analysis apply to her?

"I have no idea," I admitted.

Jenny didn't push the issue. I changed subjects by asking about her. I got her to talk about what schools she went to, how her parents divorced when she was in her teens and how she still lived with her mother. Jenny had an oddly smug expression on her face when talking about her mother, like she had a secret or something.

"Not that my father and I aren't close. We are, though I think he's disappointed in me," confessed Jenny.

"That's an uncharitable thing to think," I admonished. "What makes you say that?" 

"He's very successful, and I was never a very good student. I guess maybe I never had the motivation. So anyway, he supports me financially. He wants me to appear and act like a sophisticated and elegant young lady. On that he and my mother are in complete agreement. But it's like he's doing it out of pity. He's dropped some hints suggesting that by this time in my life I should be able to pay for everything myself."

"Well, have you thought of rejecting his money, and going it on your own? Maybe even moving out of your Mom's house?" I prodded.

"Sure, from time to time. It's kind of hard to do when I don't have a job," she explained. "Speaking of which, though, I've got news. I think my father may have a job for you."




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 10



"Really?" This came out of left field. "Your father needs legal services? What does he do?"

"He works for Atlantic Financial," Jenny said, naming one of the largest banks around, and my old firm's biggest client. "He worked his way up through the risk management department."

"Funny, that's where ..." wait. Daniels. Jenny's last name was Daniels. "Your father's first name wouldn't happen to be 'Richard,' would it?" Jenny nodded her head. "Dick Daniels. Your father is Dick Daniels."

Jenny just smiled at me. Dick Daniels was the new Banking Group President of Atlantic Financial. It was big news two weeks ago when the old prez got canned as the scapegoat for the bank's role in the current financial crisis. 

"Jenny, this is unexpected. Why me?" I asked. "Did your father ask for me?"

Jenny explained. "I told him all about you, and he seems intrigued. He was complaining to me about all of the changes to the law that are going to happen soon and how the bank's going to have to hire a bunch of new lawyers to make heads or tails of it. Since I've been working at a law firm, he asked if I could make any recommendations. Yours was the only name I gave him."

"The only ..." I gasped. "Jenny, why me?"

"Why not you?" she asked, still smiling at me.

Of course, a couple things fell into place. One - Jenny must have gotten her job at the firm through her father's connections. Two - Dick must have checked me out with his contacts among the partners at the firm. Either that, or that's what he was doing right now after receiving his daughter's recommendation. There's nothing like good old fashioned nepotism to supplement one's networking.

"Jenny, I'm flattered, and very grateful."

"Good," she replied. "I'll set up the meeting. Daddy said that he wanted me to be there, and that he'd like to meet you sometime this week. Is that ok?"

"Sure," I agreed. "I don't see any reason why not."

Our conversation continued from there, talking about job prospects for the both of us. Only now I was nervous around her. Before, there was no pressure. Now, she was a connection to a potential job — a job with her father, no less. You're damned right I was careful with what I said to her.

I even got a little flustered at one point, prompting Jenny to laugh at my embarrassment. How humiliating. Crap, how can I go back to viewing her as just the supermodel receptionist?

One thing I noticed that we most carefully avoided talking about was our romantic entanglements. Except for the earlier discussion of my fight with Jaycee, it seemed like it was a taboo topic. Part of me was all too happy not to hear about Jenny's current boyfriend as it allowed me to fantasize about being with her. Though that thought made me wonder why Jaycee had invited Jenny over in the first place. Which brought my thoughts back to Jaycee. I know, I was just a confused mess by this point.

Jenny was surprisingly sweet and thoughtful, and I was pleasantly surprised when Jenny seemed willing to linger with me at the table over coffee and dessert. But alas all good things must come to an end, be that a string of care-free days with Jaycee or dinner with a hot babe.

I walked Jenny back to her car and got a kiss on the cheek for my trouble. Jenny told me she'd call me tomorrow to set up the meeting with her father. That was one meeting I'd better come to prepared. I'd need to research the crap out of the current banking issues before I showed up to talk with him. Research. Shoot, I hadn't looked up the reporting obligations yet, either. Being scatterbrained was so unlike me.

As I walked back into the lobby of my building, I saw Scott had gone off duty and been replaced by Paul, the first security guard whom Jaycee had met Saturday night. And lo and behold there was Jaycee, doing her best to resist Paul's attempts to cheer her up.

Jaycee stood up as I approached. She gripped a white envelope tightly in her hands.

"Jaycee, have you been waiting long? Why didn't you call me?" I asked.

Jaycee shook her head no. "I haven't been waiting long. It's ok."

"Good night, Miss Daniels, Mister Jennings," Paul called.

We made our way up to the apartment not saying anything to each other. It was very uncomfortable, all the more so when we stepped into my freezing apartment. My makeshift barrier apparently had the effectiveness of a paper bag. 

Jaycee placed the envelope on the dining room table and hurried out of the room. I stood and stared at the glass door, doing not much other than wishing it wasn't broken. Should I move out to a hotel for the night? 

Jaycee came back in completely naked, and holding the wooden paddle I'd purchased the previous night. She knelt in front of me, lifted the paddle up towards me with both hands but kept her head lowered towards the floor.

"Sir," she said, "I am so sorry that I did not trust your judgment. I am sorry that I didn't learn my lesson from yesterday, even when I said I had. You were right to be angry with me, and I ask that you punish me accordingly as is your right."

My jaw may have hung open for a good five seconds before my mind even attempted to wrap itself around that statement. I took the paddle from her and immediately set it down onto the floor. 

"Jaycee, no," I told her.

"Please sir, I didn't trust you and I should have," she begged.

"Jaycee, here take my hands. Up you go. There. No, you shouldn't be asking me for forgiveness. I need to ask you for forgiveness. You didn't deserve what I said to you. Nobody deserves what I said, but especially not you."

"Sir?" tears were in Jaycee's eyes. 

"No, just stop with the 'sir's. Please," I said tiredly. "Jeez, you must be freezing, too. If you're going to follow any of my orders tonight follow this one. Go put on some warm clothes. Right now. Go."

Jaycee looked confused, and was hesitant to leave, but her feet seemed to move her even though her head wanted to stay. I thought of abandoning at least the living room and retreating to my bedroom where I could close the door, maybe put something on the floor to block air coming through and then burrowing under a mountain of blankets. I glanced at the envelope on the dining table and walked over to it. There was something bulky within. I turned it over and saw my name written in Karen's handwriting. I may as well get this over with now. I opened the envelope to find a single piece of paper and a flash drive within. Jaycee came back in wearing some flannel pajamas as I was holding the flash drive up.

"It's the master copy of your contact file," Jaycee told me. "Karen said to give it to you in case, you know." 

I set it down, opened the letter, and began reading.

William,

I am so sorry about what I did. Belinda explained to me all of the legal troubles that have resulted because of my actions and I can't believe it. I had no idea any of that was even possible, which, I guess, is the point you were trying to make. Again, I'm sorry.

I've worked for the firm a long time. I've seen lawyers come and go. The young ones who couldn't hack it leaving for lower pressure work, and the successful lawyers leaving with so much money they could retire before the age of fifty. And most of those got their money not from providing legal services, but in doing side deals with their clients. All of these opportunities, all of this money, just for the taking it seemed. And this whole time I just plodded away making next to nothing. The lawyers at the firm treated me like a tool to be used and nothing more. A secretary was a fax machine was a copier. No thought was given to making my life better, or even treating me like I was a person. 

That is, until you came along. You not only treated me like a person, you treated me like someone who was worthy of respect, and someone whose opinions and advice mattered. You were different. And so when you got your first shot at one of those side deals that would make you rich like the others before you, I thought maybe this once I'd be invited in, too. Maybe I could make enough money to not be treated like a piece of furniture. 

But that didn't happen, did it? You rejected the deal. And I was so mad at you when you did. I didn't understand. And when you explained it to me, I respected you all the more but also felt like it was just so unfair. Why should you, who was deserving of all that money, not take it while all those others whom I wouldn't trust with my debit card just walk off into the sunset? So I talked to Belinda, you know us secretaries talk to each other all the time. And Belinda talked to Mr. Beck. And Mr. Beck had that one request first. I saw my chance and I took it. Now I wish I never had.

William, you have to believe me that if I had known what kind of trouble you could get into I never would have faked your signature on that form. ...

"Jaycee, would you get me a highlighter from my desk in the office please?" I returned to reading.


... And now Belinda has told me that you're not even going to get to keep that money. So I went behind your back for nothing. 

If there's anything I can do to make it up to you I will. If I can use this money to pay for your legal defense then I'll gladly pay it all. If you tell me to give the money back I'll do that too. I just want to make things right between us. That means more to me than any amount of money. You're my boss. Always my boss. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it.

Love,

Karen

Jaycee handed me the highlighter and I used it over one sentence. Handing the letter back to Jaycee I told her to read me the marked passage.

"If I had known what kind of trouble you could get into I never would have faked your signature on that form," she read aloud.

"So what does that mean?" I asked her.

"That she's sorry?"

"It means that she's only sorry she did it because of its consequences. She's not sorry she did it even though I told her that my principles wouldn't allow me to do it. She still thinks she knows better than I do when it comes to my own future."

"No, Will, she did it for you," Jaycee cried. "She was trying to help you."

"Some help," I scoffed. I handed Jaycee the highlighter as I walked past her. "Tell Karen she can keep her money. I won't be needing it."

I left Jaycee crying behind me.

I made my way to my bedroom and took out my cell phone.

"Sir?" Allison answered.

"Allison," I said, "I'm sorry I'm calling so late."

"No, it's alright. You can call me whenever you want," she said.

"You still want to work for me?" I asked.

"Sir? Really? I mean, of course. Yes," she answered.

"Good. I need you over here."

"What? Now?" Allison asked.

I actually chuckled at that. "No, tomorrow morning will suffice. Though it will have to be very early as I've got an eight o'clock appointment. Can you be here by seven thirty? 

"Not a problem, sir," Allison readily responded.

"Good. Do you know how to get to my place?"

"Yes, I can find it. Do I need to bring anything?" she asked.

"No," I answered. "Wait. Yes. Bring warm clothes. I had an accident here and I've got too much natural ventilation for the moment. It should be fixed hopefully by tomorrow, but I may have to give you some hazardous pay bonus for your working conditions."

"Oh, Mister Jennings, you're so funny," Allison complimented. That was a bit too much ass kissing.

"Ok, then. See you tomorrow bright and early," and I ended the call. 

I could hear Jaycee on her phone, presumably talking to Karen. 

I sat down at my desk in my office. I'd been putting off this search for too long today, probably afraid of what I'd find. For the next half hour I searched for reporting obligations regarding forged documents, specifically for ineffective documents. I found a big fat goose egg. 

I had to report to the SEC any evidence of fraud related to material items related to the trading of a security. Was Steven's condition to Karen material? If you looked at it one way the answer was 'yes,' and another way 'no.' She thought it was required before her investment would be accepted, but it wasn't really. The state bar association had absolutely nothing on the situation in their guide to professional responsibility. 

I guess I would have to make a couple calls to both agencies tomorrow to determine whether I had to report. Dammit, I wish I had the answer before going to bed. And speaking of bed, I needed to get under some covers fast as I was freezing.

I grabbed the blanket off the guest bed and took it into my bedroom. Jaycee was already under the covers waiting for me. I spread the extra blanket out over her, then moved to the bathroom and got ready for bed. 

Jaycee made way for me as I got under the covers. Ooh, she'd already gotten the sheets nice and toasty warm.

"You really wouldn't bend your morals when the world turns on you, would you?" Jaycee asked.

"I'd like to think I wouldn't, though I don't know," I answered. "I said some really horrible things to you today when the world put me in a spot I didn't like."

"Not that horrible," she said. "Not any more horrible than what I've thought of myself the past couple months."

"No, Jaycee, you mustn't," I urged.

Jaycee shook her head. "I've thought a couple times this week that I've become your whore. But it was weird. I felt bad about myself, but not really. So when you told me earlier that ... how did you put it? That you were in the Jaycee market? A part of me leapt for joy, thinking maybe you'd buy me and keep me forever." She snuggled up next to me, throwing her right arm over my chest.

"And who would I buy you from?" I asked.

"Pshsh, I don't know," Jaycee said. "It wasn't that fully formed of a thought. It was just part of me wishing that you'd take care of me so I wouldn't have to worry about bills or jobs or anything really."

I stroked her hair and tried to comfort her.

"But that's not really possible, is it?" she asked. "Even this week I've messed things up and butted in when I shouldn't have."

I sighed. "Jaycee," I started but shifted a little so that I could place both hands in her hair and force her to look me in the eye. "I am sorry for yelling at you. I never should have done that. You didn't deserve it. You were sticking up for a friend and I was upset about different things. I took it out on you and for that I am terribly sorry."

"I have to admit that you really scared me there for a bit," Jaycee said.

"Let's talk about today, then. I take it from Karen's letter that both you and Belinda met with Karen tonight?" 

Jaycee nodded. "Belinda told us what the problem was."

"What did she say?" I asked.

"That you couldn't invest in the Beck Fund because to an outsider it would look like Mister Beck was paying you a lot of money for things other than legal services. And so it would be easy to conclude that you were passing along confidential information that allowed the Beck Fund to be so profitable."

"Very good, and that's what the big deal was today, but that's only part of it."

"There's more?" Jaycee asked.

"When I first turned the investment down, it was for a very different reason," I replied. "As an attorney, it's my job to give objective advice. I can't allow my judgment to become compromised by commingling my personal finances with that of my client."

"I don't understand," Jaycee said.

"When I was in school, we studied the heck out of the Enron scandal, both school and business school, probably because it was the newest and biggest scandal around and all kinds of new legislation was being passed as a result." I briefly thought of sitting in the b-school library, debating with Billy. "It made quite the impression on me. The underlying problem with Enron, and again in the current financial crisis, is that people whose job it was to give objective advice or to act as watch guards were compromised by being paid by the people who they were supposed to be keeping in check."

"So," started Jaycee, "if you were being paid by Beck, he'd get you to do something you shouldn't do?"

"Kind of. I'm sure that happened directly in a number of instances out there. But even if Beck didn't come right out and tell me to do something, there's the strong possibility that I would become biased to such an extent that I would rationalize doing something because it would give me more money whereas if I was actually objective I would have done the exact opposite."

"But you wouldn't do that, Will," Jaycee insisted. "I know it."

"You can't say that," I told her, "because I can't say that. Everyone becomes biased, especially if they help themselves in doing so. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Benjamin Franklin quotes: 'So convenient it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.' In other words, people do what they want and decide on a reason only after they've made up their mind. I am most definitely not immune from basic human nature. So it's best to try to avoid situations where you could become biased." 

"So that's why you're so upset with Karen?" Jaycee asked. "Because she went ahead and signed you up for those shares when you were afraid you'd change your advice if you had them?"

"I'm upset with Karen for two reasons. First is for thinking that her judgment is better than mine when it comes to my own behavior and principles, as you just said. The second is the predicament her actions have placed me in."

"So in her letter," Jaycee reasoned, "she apologized for the second, but not the first. And you're still mad at her because she didn't even recognize the first reason?"

"Pretty much, but I'm still furious at being placed in this position such that I don't think I want to accept her apology no matter how genuine it is," I admitted.

Jaycee burrowed her head into my side and hugged me tight.

"Can't you forgive someone who made a mistake because they were just trying to help?" Jaycee asked. "It's not like she was trying to get you in trouble. She loves you so much."

I sighed again. "Let's change the topic," I prodded.

"If you insist," Jaycee replied. "Ok, how was your dinner with Jenny?" 

"Surprisingly good," I answered.

"How so?"

"She was very easy to talk to. I wasn't expecting that. Plus, she thinks her father might have a job for me."

"What?" Jaycee asked, her head popping up in the air.

"Yeah, it turns out her father is the number two person over at Atlantic Financial. She's setting up a meeting with him in the next few days."

Jaycee looked like her brain was spinning. "So you're not going to work for Beck?" she asked.

"I don't know yet. If I worked for him as an employee then I'd have to abandon my other clients, and I'm not sure I want to do that," I responded. "Plus, I'd be more likely to lose my objectivity and become biased."

"So ... what? Jenny's dad would be another client?" Jaycee asked.

"I don't know, and I can't know until I meet with him to see what he wants. But it's always nice to have options," I said.

"I guess you won't need to hire her as a receptionist if she's got a rich father then," Jaycee commented.

"You're still thinking it's your place to decide whom I should hire, huh?" I asked.

Jaycee looked guilty at that line. "Sorry."

"Will? Don't you ever manipulate people?" Jaycee asked. "I'd think being a lawyer it would be your job to do so."

"I'd like to think there is a difference between persuading people and manipulating people," I replied. "Manipulating people implies you are getting people to do something that they otherwise would not want or do."

"I guess," Jaycee agreed. "Can I ask you a question?" 

"Of course," I said.

"Why did you blow up at me like you did today? After talking to Belinda, I understand why you were upset, and I'm sorry that whatever it was that I did pushed you over the edge like that. Really, I feel so bad that I had anything to do with upsetting you so much. But it was so unlike you. You're normally so ... so ..."




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 10



"In control of myself?" I asked.

"I was going to go with 'considerate', but you're right. You are always in control, too," Jaycee agreed. "It's one of the reasons why I feel I can trust you so much."

I rubbed Jaycee's back a bit while I thought of what I wanted to say.

"You should talk to my mother," I said. "She could probably tell you straight out. Of course a big part was I was really upset with Karen. And it seemed like once the floodgates opened; every repressed feeling of frustration and anger just came pouring out of me, no matter its source." 

"But I think a big part is that I hate being told what to do," I continued. "I had a couple years as a teenager where it was all but open warfare between me and my mom. And then all of a sudden one day it just stopped. And a week goes by, and a month, and things are going great, and I couldn't figure out why the change. So I asked my mom, and she said it was because she had stopped giving me orders. She would ask me to do something, and explain the reasons, and then I'd immediately agree, or sometimes even come up with a better solution. But if she told me what to do, then I'd just dig in my heels and tell her to go to hell, and damn the consequences. Obviously, I've had to learn how to deal with taking orders from senior attorneys, or clients. But if it's someone who I don't think has any right, or whom I haven't consented to accept orders from, then I will be expressing my displeasure soon thereafter."

"Especially," added up Jaycee, "if that person trying to tell you what to do is your sex slave?"

"I'm afraid so," I told her while looking down at her.

"Ok, good to know," Jaycee said, and maybe even grinned a bit. Damn, this girl was incredible. I entered tonight wondering if Jaycee was ever going to talk to me again, and instead she has been apologizing to me and caring enough to know how to never have a fight like ours happen again. I felt pretty lucky at that moment to have Jaycee with me.

"So, now that we've talked that out, is there something you'd like to order your sex slave to do?" Jaycee impishly asked.

"No, I think I'm through with ordering you around," I said. Jaycee looked like she was going to protest. "At least for tonight," I added. Jaycee's eyes softened, and some warmth and understanding came to them. "Besides, we've got an early morning appointment. You need your beauty sleep," I told her.

"We?" Jaycee asked.

"Yes, we're meeting the whole Beck group over at their hotel at eight along with Aaron. We're going house hunting for the Becks' new home."

"Belinda said that they were moving down here. So you want me along tomorrow?" Jaycee asked.

"I just said so, didn't I?"

"Ok," Jaycee said, "but I think I can manage on less sleep if you grant me one request."

"Oh?" I asked.

"I would very much like it if you made love to me," she stated.

I looked at her, seeking confirmation in her eyes that her request was genuine. All I saw in return was caring concern, and a fragile neediness that I'd never associated with Jaycee before. 

In answer I kissed her. It was a strong kiss, but not overwhelming. We wrapped our arms around each other and did our best to make amends for the day's troubles. Being with Jaycee that night was truly special. We didn't try to do anything. Instead everything just unfolded perfectly. We acted unhurriedly, neither rushing nor lingering. I'm usually not one to use the l-word, but Jaycee's request was phrased perfectly. We made love to each other. 

Even though I didn't intentionally engage our role-playing by ordering her to do something, we just naturally fell into our accustomed roles, regardless. I was in the dominant position on top. I drove my tongue downwards into her receptive mouth. I forced my cock down with my weight into her waiting pussy. But she didn't just lie there, either. She strongly held onto me. But perhaps a better way to describe it is that she clung to me. It felt as though she wanted to take me into her and never let me go.

Just when I was getting close, Jaycee's neediness tipped over the edge into a kind of desperation. She forced me down further into her with the heels of her feet. Her hands clawed at my back and she gripped the hair on the back of my head while wrenching her mouth away from mine to rain kisses on my neck. And then she whispered into my ear "you're still my master." That appeared to be the trigger for both of us. I shook as I came within her, and she pressed her breasts up into my chest while gripping me firmly and letting out a little squeak.

Afterwards I stayed between her legs, both of us sharing soft kisses. Nothing else mattered to me in that moment. My fights with Karen and Jaycee earlier in the day seemed like they had taken place in another era. My legal worries seemed small and insignificant. The only thing that really mattered at all was this beautiful girl that I could hold and protect. I felt so content that I fell asleep still inside her.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 11



Part 11 – Thursday (Jan. 22)

"Mister Jennings, what did you do to that door?" Allison asked. I hadn't taken her winter coat from her as I normally would for a guest. She'd be needing it. 

"Oh that? That is the result of some really wild sex with Jaycee," I said, straight-faced.

Allison looked at me wide-eyed.

"Allison, I'm kidding."

"Oh, ok." I'm not sure she believed me.

"Here, let's go down to my home office and I'll get you set up," and I directed her down the hallway.

I entered the room and made my way towards my desk. I'd already been up for hours and had made all sorts of preparations for the day. Allison stopped and stared at the broken door.

"Oh, that, right," I said. "Maintenance should be up sometime today to fix both doors."

"Uh-huh," Allison replied. Now I'm quite sure she really didn't believe me. Ah well. Her imagination must be giving her some white hot fantasies about now.

"No, really," I insisted. "One of your first responsibilities is going to be to hold down the fort here while I'm away. I'm going to be with Steven Beck and his group for a good portion of the day, and I've got a meeting with Glenda at two. So I'd appreciate it if maintenance does come in that you would look after them?"

"Ok. Are there any other things that you and Jaycee need fixing?" she asked, once again eyeing the door.

"Yes, the shower stall door, the master bathroom sink, the coat closet shelf rack, and one of the bed posts on my bed," I joked again.

"Maybe I should write this down," Allison said.

"Allison, I'm kidding again."

"Oh, right, sorry," Allison looked embarrassed.

"Will, who are you talking to?" came Jaycee's voice from the hallway.

"Jaycee!" Allison jumped up and ran to give Jaycee a hug. I didn't blame her. Jaycee is immanently huggable.

"Allison?" Jaycee asked. "It's great to see you again, but what are you doing here?"

"Mister Jennings hired me, just like you said!" I could practically see Allison's smile beaming through the back of her head.

"He did, did he?" Jaycee looked over Allison's shoulder at me. She looked awfully smug.

"Ok, enough of that," I called out. "You two will have plenty of opportunities for hugging each other later."

"Right," said Jaycee. "Go impress your new boss." And as Allison turned around to return to my desk, Jaycee gave Allison a big smack on her behind. Allison gave a squeak, but hurried over to me while clutching her bottom. Her smile was still fixed to her face, though. 

After Allison settled in and calmed down I got down to business. I only had a few minutes before Jaycee and I had to leave to meet Aaron.

"First off, how much were you making at the firm?" I asked. Allison looked as if she was too nervous to tell me. "Don't worry, no matter what you say I'll think it's too low."

"What if that's what I'm worried about?" asked Allison. 

"How about this? I'll make you an offer of ..."

"Eighteen dollars an hour," Allison answered. "That's how much I made. Well, technically, seventeen ninety-five."

"That's right, paralegals are hourly," I reminded myself. "I don't know if that will work for me, at least in the beginning."

"I'll work for less," Allison blurted.

"No, Allison, that's not my concern," I told her. "I'm not sure exactly where I'm going to end up, either working for a company in-house, working with a firm, or on my own. Regardless, I need help now, and a lot of it." I thought quickly.

"I wish there were a way around paying you hourly, but coming up with some excuse to make you salaried wouldn't be fair to you. How about I pay you ... twenty dollars an hour to start, and it's highly likely that I will ask you to work extra hours. So overtime rules apply — I'll give you time and a half for any time over forty hours a week."

"You will?" Allison asked.

"Yes, and I can pretty much guarantee that you're going to work a lot of overtime at first. I hope that's ok?"

"Yes, sir. I'll work as much as you need me to," Allison replied.

"Now when I do make a final decision regarding where I end up, then we'll have to revisit this. I'll do everything in my power to bring you with me," I promised. "And if I go it alone, then I'll find an office so you don't have to keep working out of my apartment. But regardless, we'll have to sit down at that point and have this conversation all over again."

"Whatever you say," Allison said. "Can you afford to pay me so much?"

"I wouldn't offer it if I couldn't, and that amount doesn't include any health insurance or other benefits yet, which is part of the reason why we'll have to re-visit this later. Do you have any health-related costs that you need help with in the meantime?" I asked.

"No, no, I'm fine," Allison said. "I was thinking of getting contacts, but I don't think the health insurance from the firm gave me any help with that, so I'm fine, really."

"Ok, then, I need to leave, so let me give you your two assignments for the day. First, on this flash drive is the master file for my contacts database. I want you to familiarize yourself with this as much as you are able."

"Why isn't Karen doing this?" Allison asked.

"Karen's rich, remember?" I replied. "She doesn't need to work for me anymore."

"Oh, well, sir, I don't think I can replace her," Allison complained. "A paralegal isn't the same as a legal secretary. We have very different skill sets."

Jaycee wandered back into the room holding my coat out for me. Yes, we needed to go.

"I know, Allison, just do your best for now," I said. "Second, I need as much information you can find about the legal liability facing banks for their actions related to the financial crisis, especially Atlantic Financial. Here's a preliminary outline I started this morning. Also, I need to know what's being debated regarding upcoming financial reform legislation, both in the U.S. Congress and in the state legislature. There are some banking-industry–specific publications I'd start off with for both matters. I've made a list here. Finally, I need a list of every current lawsuit in which Atlantic Financial is a party, with pertinent details about the largest as measured in dollar amounts. Got it?"

"Got it." 

She immediately added two more publications that I should have included on my list. Good, she was demonstrating strong familiarity with the subject matter. 

"There are some commercial databases that I had access to at the firm," she reminded me. "I don't suppose you have them on your own?"

"No, I don't," I answered. "Tell you what, I'm leaving you with one of my credit cards. Use it if you have no other way of finding the info. If you think a charge is high, then give me a call and we can decide together."

"That sounds good," she said. "Now, you two need to go." And she plugged the flash drive into my computer.

Jaycee looked concerned as I directed her towards the front door. "Will she be ok here all by herself?" she asked.

"I'll be fine!" Allison called out from the other room. Ok, I must always remember that Allison has excellent hearing.

On our way down the elevator, Jaycee turned to me and asked, "So, what made you hire Allison?" And she had a smirk on her face, too.

"I think she's motivated to help me, she'll be loyal, and I know she's capable," I responded.

"Uh-huh," Jaycee said knowingly. "And when do you think you'll be ready to hire a receptionist?"

I raised my hand in a mime of wanting to spank her. Jaycee turned away from me and stuck her ass out at me a bit. I gave her one swat just because she was begging for it.

Once we got into my car, I decided to kick off the special, private enjoyment I had planned for me and Jaycee today.

"Jaycee, this is your Master talking," I said.

Jaycee let out a little giggle. "Oh goodie," she said. "I mean, yes sir."

"It's going to take less than five minutes to get to the hotel. By the time we pull up in front I want your panties in my pocket and your pants back in place."

"Back in place?" she smiled. "What does that mean? Because I think their proper place is crumpled up on your bedroom floor."

It ended up taking us eight minutes to get to the hotel, mostly because I kept getting stuck at traffic lights staring at Jaycee instead of paying attention to the signal changing. Jaycee made sure her task took seven minutes and fifty nine seconds, and for some reason there was a lot of stretching and twisting involved. Jaycee was acting like yesterday never even happened, and she was back to her care-free, happy sex-slave existence. I'd have to ponder on that.

After barely avoiding rear ending a cab in front of me, I saw Aaron waiting just inside the hotel lobby. I pulled around into an open parking space and Jaycee and I went inside to meet him. I used the car to hide my adjusting the erection in my pants first.

"Hey Aaron, how're you doing?" asked Jaycee.

"If you're referring to this morning, I'm already jacked up on caffeine. I stayed up really late preparing for today."

"What else would she be referring to?" I asked.

Aaron and Jaycee glanced at each other, seeing if the other was going to answer my question first.

"Susan broke up with me," Aaron said.

"Sorry man," I said unsurprised. "Though weren't you thinking about breaking up with her?"

"I don't know if I'd go that far," he said. "I was just wanting to think some things through. I really didn't care that much about her being a virgin."

I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"No, really," he said. "I was just trying to figure out if she was the one I wanted to try to commit to, you know?"

Jaycee turned to me. "You were right, Will. He is one of the nice guys."

"Are things going to be weird between us today?" Aaron asked Jaycee.

"Not on my end. Are you going to hold a grudge against me for setting you up with Susan in the first place?"

"Are you kidding? I'll take another set-up tomorrow if you've got one," Aaron answered. "Well, maybe not tomorrow. Give me a couple weeks to mend my bruised heart and broken ego first."

"Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" Jaycee asked.

"Aaron loves to intentionally mess up clichés," I told her.

We made our way upstairs and greeted Steven Beck and the rest of his group, already up and ready to start the day. Once again they had a little buffet of breakfast foods for us. Jaycee and I grabbed some coffee while Aaron set up his laptop and a projector aimed at a blank, white wall.

Aaron really outdid himself. This was a smooth presentation. He started with a map of the city, highlighted the few neighborhoods which had homes that fit Steven's criteria, talked about the pluses and minuses for each using plenty of pictures to capture the look and spirit of each area, then sequentially went through the available houses one at a time with virtual tours. I began wondering if we even needed to bother with visiting the homes in person.

"I'm liking Lake Astin," Belinda said. 

"Yes," Steven agreed, "especially its surprisingly short commute to downtown."

"Good, because I've got one more to show you in that area," said Aaron. "This isn't officially on the market yet, but it is the grand jewel of the luxury homes in the city. I have it on good authority that it should be put up for sale in the next month." He hit a button on his laptop and up sprang another virtual tour.

Billy let out a whistle. "Who lives there? Louie the Fourteenth?"

"It was built just three years ago at a cost of twelve million," Aaron told us. "It was such a huge project that all but one bank balked at financing a private home of that scale."

All of Beck's group laughed. 

"What's so funny?" Aaron asked. 

"A house like that would cost five times as much on Long Island," said Belinda.

"Which bank pulled the trigger?" Paula asked.

"Atlantic Financial," Aaron said.

Jaycee leaned over to me and whispered, "You sure you want to work for them?"

"Jenny's dad was the lone voice in upper management railing against the excessive risks being taken," I explained. "That's why he's the new president. When the shit hit the fan, he's the one who had the track record to win the resulting power struggle."

If I'd thought the earlier homes were large, this was a monster. It might have to be classified as a castle. When the presentation shifted to interior rooms, there were similar noises of disbelief. I'd never seen so much marble and gilding in my life. At least, I hope it was just gilded, but given the ridiculousness of the entire structure maybe that stairway railing was a solid block of gold.

"What? No diamonds embedded in the walls?" Alex joked.

"Oh? You've heard about the master bath?" Aaron asked.

There were several disbelieving "no"s and "you're kidding"s from the group. But when the presentation made its way to the master bathroom, there were hundreds of diamonds glittering all around the primary mirror.

"Who built this monstrosity?" Belinda asked.

"Carlton Hinshaw," Aaron said.

"That name sounds familiar," said Jaycee.

"Owner of the Wildcats," I told her, naming the local pro football team.

"I want it," Alex said.

"You?" Siri asked.

"That house will be the ultimate pad for my harem," the nerdy analyst replied. "I'm thinking I'll offer it as the training facility for the Wildcat dance team, and then seduce them one by one."

Paula laughed at him. "Seduce them? You've got no game."

"Are you kidding?" he scoffed. "Money is the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world, and I'm going to put my new riches to good use. I am King Midas and ladies will beg me to polish my golden rod."

"That was bad," Billy groaned.

"I'm going to break off your golden rod if you keep talking like that," Belinda warned.

"What can you tell me of the owners of those other homes?" Steven directed to Aaron.

That brought Aaron up short. "The owners?"

I had my cell phone out a second later.

"Allison, I'm going to send you a list of five addresses. Pull up the county records and immediately send me back a list of their current owners, then start a search on any public information on them."

Three minutes later I had the list.

"Only one of these names is familiar to me — Archie Coxwold."

"That sounds like a name that would be hard to forget," commented Jaycee.

Steven grunted. "Just fired CEO of Hackimac Investments. He received an enormous and completely undeserved golden parachute. Ok, cross that house off the list."

"Why?" asked Aaron.

"He won't be desperate to sell," I told Aaron. "Steven here is looking for a deal." Aaron nodded his understanding.

"Of the remaining four, three of them have been put on the market in the last sixty days. The fourth has been sitting on the market for a year and a half."

"Then we'll visit that one last," announced Steven. "Let's head on out, then. Will can provide us with the necessary info on the owners when we arrive at each home."

Steven and Belinda went with Aaron in a luxury SUV he borrowed from his uncle for the occasion. Since Billy already knew the area, he had rented a car for his stay and he and Siri followed behind. Paula and Alex joined me and Jaycee in my sedan.

"So Jaycee, you're Will's girlfriend?" asked Paula.

"No, I'm his sex slave."

I turned towards Paula, sitting diagonally back from me in the rear seat and gave her a wink and a smirk. 

Meanwhile, Alex jumped all over it. "Bullshit. Will doesn't have enough money. Or are prices that much cheaper down here?"

"It's not about money, Alex," Jaycee answered. "It's about being the type of person who engenders so much trust that I can place my entire well-being into his hands. Oh, and of course it helps that he is capable of providing me with the greatest orgasms I've ever experienced."

"You're playing with me, right? You're getting me back for that harem comment."

Jaycee seemed to be imploring me with her eyes that I prove her status to Alex. What the hell?

"Jaycee, flash your tits at Alex."

Jaycee smiled, turned in her seat, grabbed her shirt and lifted up. She dug her hands underneath her bra and lifted that as well, proudly showing off her breasts to Alex behind her.

"I said flash them, Jaycee, not sit for a portrait."

"Sorry, sir," she answered and replaced her garments.

"What the fuck?" whispered Paula. I, again, turned to look at her, gave her a little head shake and a wink.

It took Alex a while to get his tongue back into his mouth. "Dude. You know any other chicks who are into that?"

"What did Jaycee tell you, Alex? I've known Jaycee for five years. It takes a long time to build up that level of trust."

"Well, that's just the way we did it," Jaycee added. "We met a woman recently who followed a different path. I don't know, maybe there's a black market in willing sex slaves out there. But if you talk to Marie at the Pleasure Palace, maybe she can point you in the right direction. If you're serious that is."

I guffawed and shook my head. I think Alex was going to look the fool if he did that.

"Well, if not," Alex said, "Will, could I rent Jaycee from you for a bit?" I knew Alex and the rest of Beck's inner circle liked to joke around. But this didn't sound like it. He sounded completely serious.

"Will you be satisfied with just a 'fuck you' or am I going to have to break a few of your teeth first?"

"You sure? Not even for a million dollars?" he asked.

"I'm about to give you a beating that will require a million dollars worth of plastic surgery," I warned.

"I don't think his face is worth a million," added Paula. "But if you throw in some damage to his scrotum."

Jaycee just smiled at me. I'd almost have to describe her as giddy.

"Ok, ok, I was kidding anyway," said Alex.

For the rest of the short drive, Jaycee and I made various comments about stores and restaurants we passed or made comparisons to other areas of the city. Paula asked some good questions. Alex, smartly, kept his trap shut.

It took a few minutes to get through the security gate into the neighborhood. Apparently, a realtor visit composed of three separate cars was atypical and the guards were suspicious. I was glad to see that they took their jobs seriously. 

When we exited the car at the first house visit, I quickly moved to Paula's side. Alex moved off to talk to Billy.

"Jaycee likes to say and do things to shock people. Flashing people is one of her favorites. It's one of the things I like about her, how free she is about some things, but you just have to not always take her at face value. It's just Jaycee having a little fun."

"Ok," said Paula uncertainly. "So she's not your sex slave?"

"We're doing a little bit of role playing," I admitted, "and Jaycee is running with it a bit."

After leaving Paula to look at the house, I found Jaycee patiently waiting for me.

"Jaycee, do me a favor and try to tone down the whole sex slave thing, ok?" 

"I will if you want, but I want to tell everybody."

"You love shocking people that much?"

"No, sir. I'm so happy that I want to tell everyone the reason why," she said.

"Well, hmm, that's rather flattering actually. But I know you well enough to know how much you like provoking people. Just be more circumspect with whom you provoke or I might have to start leaving you behind."

"Whatever you say," Jaycee replied. "But just to let you know, Karen and I told Belinda last night."

"It's probably bound to get around this group anyway," I said, "but at least they are an isolated unit for the moment."

We joined the rest of the group and I informed them that this particular house had been owned by an Arthur Millstone, whose obituary appeared in the paper three months ago and named seven children and nineteen grandchildren as his successors. We assumed the proceeds of the house sale were to be split amongst his issue with, of course, a good chunk set aside for their Uncle Sam.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 11



When the group made to move towards the home, I asked to speak with Belinda privately.

"Go ahead, honey," Belinda told Steven. "Inspect the outside of the house and I'll join you inside." She took her sunglasses off to look me directly in the eye, then tucked a strand of her dirty blonde hair behind her left ear. The morning sun reflected blindingly off her engagement ring.

I waited patiently for the rest of the group to move off, thus granting the two of us some privacy. Belinda took the opportunity to initiate the conversation.

"Did you get Karen's letter last night?"

"I'm not going to talk with you about that right now."

"No? What's up then?" she asked.

"I need to ask you about the condition that Steven placed on Karen's investment in the fund." Belinda's worry lines on her face disappeared as she relaxed. "And whatever you tell me cannot change when or if someone else asks you the same questions later." And those worry lines were back.

"Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?" 

"Probably not," I answered, "but I won't know for sure until you tell me what happened."

"Now then," I continued, "to the best of your knowledge, who first brought up the possibility of Karen investing in the fund?"

"Karen did," Belinda said. "She called me up and told me that she'd like to invest in the fund even though you had declined to do so."

"And what did you do with that information?"

"I talked to Steven about it. He first said to just give her Max's number for the feeder fund. Max is the ..."

"I know who Max is," I interrupted.

"Right. But before I could call Karen, he came back to me and told me he had decided to give you a few shares just like how he'd given shares to me and the other staff employees."

"So what were his explicit instructions? Please remember carefully. What were the exact words he used?"

Belinda took a second to concentrate, looking down and away. "He told me to set you up with the shares just like the office staff. But when I grabbed the form and showed him that it needed your signature, he told me to see if 'Will's secretary,' — that's how he always referred to Karen; he could never remember her name — if 'Will's secretary' could get you to sign the form. And then he came right back with 'better yet, tell her she has to do it to invest in the fund, because that way she's sure to do it.'" 

"So you're the one who grabbed the performance option form?" I asked. 

"I guess so."

"For that, Belinda, I could kiss you," I said. "Ok then, so that covers what Steven said to you. What did you say to Karen?"

"I told her that of course she could invest in the fund, but first there was something that Steven needed her to do."

"Those were your exact words?" I asked.

"I'm pretty sure."

"Was this the only time you talked about it?"

"No, we talked it through a number of times. We talk a few times a week, and during this time when she was trying to invest we talked even more frequently."

"So did the way you phrased the condition change at all?" I asked. "What are the other things you told her?"

"Let me think," she said. "I remember that she didn't think she could get you to sign the form. So I told her not to worry about it, that she'd be able to invest in the fund anyway, but she insisted ..."

"Do you think she thought you were talking for yourself when you said that, or on Steven's behalf?" I interrupted.

"What?"

"When you told her she could invest in the fund anyway. Were you telling Karen that you'd fix it so that she could invest? Or were you saying that you knew that Steven would let her invest?"

"What's the difference?" Belinda asked.

"Were you promising her that you, Belinda, would personally take action to ensure that Karen could invest in the fund? Or were you telling Karen that Steven had already told you that Karen could invest in the fund even if she couldn't get my signature?"

"Oh. The latter. That it was a done deal," she said.

"You're sure?" 

"Yes."

"And do you think Karen understood that?" I prodded.

"Oh yes, I'm sure," she insisted. That was one weight that just dropped off my shoulders. Now to see if there was any physical evidence to back up Belinda's claim.

"Were all of these conversations over the phone or were there e-mail discussions as well?" 

"I'm not sure but there were probably e-mails in which we talked about it," Belinda replied.

"I need copies of those as soon as you are able," I told her.

"This is that important?" she asked.

"Yes. And don't try to cherry-pick the e-mails either. Just send me every e-mail between the two of you during the surrounding few weeks."

"Is that allowed?" she asked. "That seems like an invasion of privacy."

"What privacy? Am I correct in assuming you were using your company e-mail account and sending messages to Karen's company e-mail account?"

"Oh. Yes, I suppose so,." Belinda answered. 

I shook my head. Why did people think any electronic communication was private? The vast bulk of evidence used in civil lawsuits these days were e-mails stored on some company server for posterity, until a court subpoena compelled the company to disclose them to the people who were suing them.

I think, if the e-mails supported what Belinda just told me, that Steven was in the clear. The key word to describe all of his attempted actions is ineffective. His gift to me was ineffective because he used the wrong form and because I didn't actually sign it. His condition he gave to Karen was made ineffective by Belinda's communicating to Karen that she didn't have to fulfill Steven's request to actually make the investment. 

For the rest of the morning I was with the group physically, but spent the bulk of my time on my phone. First was a call to my old ethics professor from law school, who urged me not to report this incident to the state bar.

"Will, I'm sure you've gone through the ethics council opinions and not found anything on the subject, because I'm sure no case has covered this to date," said Professor Quincy.

"Right," I concurred. "I was going to call their hotline to see what they would tell me."

"You can do that if you feel compelled to, but I would urge you not to. This falls under the broad rule that an attorney should report anything that has the appearance of a violation of ethics rules, yes?"

"I suppose so."

"But you would be self-reporting, even though you know you didn't do anything wrong. You would be inviting trouble merely for the appearance of good ethical stewardship, when in fact you would be calling your ethics into question."

"But wouldn't a later discovery of these facts make me appear even more guilty because I failed to report it?" I asked.

"I don't think so. You have already taken proactive steps to avoid not just the substance of impropriety but even its appearance, and everyone else involved can attest to that," the professor opined.

"I'm not so sure of that. Right now as we speak there is an account ledger identifying me as having title to shares worth a great deal of money."

"True, but knowing you, you'll have that remedied very shortly," he said. "And you can demonstrate in multiple ways how you have refused that money and it was never actually in your possession nor exercised on your behalf."

"I suppose so. Ok, professor. Thanks. You've definitely given me some things to think about."

"No. Thank you, William. I think you've just provided me with an excellent essay question for my next final exam."

With that conversation in mind, I decided to at least postpone my call to the state bar's ethics hotline. I hated to have this hanging over my head, but I wanted to think on Professor Quincy's arguments for a bit.

Belinda took the time in the car on our way to the second house to find and forward me the e-mails I requested. It took me but a few minutes to go through them, and in three separate e-mails the two of them discussed the fact that Steven's condition on Karen was ineffective. So Steven was in the clear. That was one problem resolved.

Jenny called to see if I could meet her father for lunch tomorrow. I told her I'd prefer another time since I had plans to have lunch with Billy and Professor Zenke, our mutual advisor from the business school. Surprisingly, Jenny knew of him. Apparently the professor was friendly with her father. She later called me back to see if all of us could have lunch together. That sounded like an odd setting for a job interview, but I wasn't about say no to Dick Daniels. Instead I went off to make sure that was ok with Billy and to call my old mentor to tell him of the change in plans.

My phone rang constantly throughout the morning. I had a few client calls I had to follow up on. Plus, Jonathan Toons, from the New York office of my old firm, called to say that their offer was on its way to me via e-mail. Tim called to ask about this week's poker game, which seemed pointless considering our diminished number of participants. We talked for a few minutes about Aaron's break-up with Susan, and we soon agreed that we would take Aaron out tonight and get him sloshed. Tim would come by my place after he got off work.

I checked in with Allison a couple times. She had received a call from Mike Reynolds, the partner from my old firm who had given me that 'wrap up your assignments pronto' order. Reynolds had called with a job offer for Allison, and had told her that I was already on board with joining the new firm along with Glenda. I had to repeatedly assure Allison that I had not yet agreed to anything and that she would be the first person I told when I made my eventual decision. Reynolds pissed me off to no end. I was tempted to give him a call right then and there to tell him off, but I figured I was going to see Glenda in a couple hours anyway.

Jaycee kept herself occupied while I was on the phone. She was her usual outgoing self, getting to know this group. I saw her spending a lot of time with Belinda and Siri.

At one point while visiting the third house I actually found myself alone with Jaycee in one set of rooms while I was in between calls.

"Jaycee, come here," I ordered.

"Ooh, is it more sex slave time?" she asked.

I pulled her into a bathroom and gave her a demanding kiss. She was into it immediately, clutching my back and the back of my head. I pressed her strongly into my embrace, feeling her firm breasts mashed against my chest.

"Turn around and face the mirror," I said after breaking the kiss. She did so without any hesitation. 

I proceeded to manhandle her however I wanted. I pawed at her breasts through her sweater. I buried my nose in her hair and inhaled her unique perfume. I pressed my growing erection against her jeans-clad ass, pushing her body against the marble countertop. 

I swear I heard, or maybe felt, Jaycee purr. 

I pulled Jaycee slightly away from the sink and slid my hands to her waist. I unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, then pulled them down her legs.

"Yes!" said Jaycee. "Please take me right here."

"Step out of your pants," I ordered. "Now spread your legs."

I once again enjoyed the smooth feel of her shaven skin surrounding her pussy.

"How does it feel to be shaved?" 

"Naked," she replied.

"You feel naked?"

"Uh-huh, even when I'm fully clothed, sometimes I'll shift my weight or come into contact with my jeans in such a way as to suddenly realize I have no hair down there and it makes me feel like I'm suddenly standing buck naked," Jaycee explained.

I had to smile at that. "Don't move until I tell you. That's an order."

I knelt down far enough to attack Jaycee with my mouth. I knew we didn't have a lot of time to ourselves, but I thought we had enough for me to enjoy a mid-morning snack.

"Oh, sir. Oh! That feels so good, but please fuck me. I want to feel you slide up inside of me," Jaycee implored.

Even while eating Jaycee out, I smiled at her request. I'd be sliding something up inside of her momentarily. Taking a momentary break, I reached into my satchel and retrieved the butt plug and lube I'd set aside for just this occasion earlier this morning. I went back to licking Jaycee sensually while I blindly lubed up the plug for Jaycee's benefit.

"Remember, don't move," I told her. I moved my left hand under Jaycee to rub her clitoris. Then I slowly inserted the plug up her ass.

Jaycee squeaked in surprise at first. "Oh sir!" she said through gritted teeth.

"Just relax," I ordered, and slightly sped up the circling of her clit.

"Ohhhh. Crap. Are you using the bigger size?"

"I said relax," I urged. "You do want to be my dirty, little sex slave, walking around with a constant reminder of what I'm soon going to do to that lusciously firm ass of yours, don't you? Can't you imagine walking and talking with Belinda, while being horribly distracted by the special present I've gifted to you that is making you squirm with each step?"

"Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh!" Jaycee groaned. That appeared to do it. The rest of the plug slid relatively smoothly into her.

"Good girl," I told her, and snuck in a quick boob grab before ordering her to pull her jeans back up.

"How long do I have to keep this inside of me?" Jaycee asked.

"Why until I tell you to take it out, of course," I replied.

For the rest of the house visit, Jaycee stayed by my side even if I was on the phone and had to ignore her. I don't think she even took her eyes away from me but for a few moments.

When driving to the fourth and final house of the first group, Paula rode with us but Alex caught a ride with Billy. Jaycee sat on her left side in the passenger seat, allowing her to face Paula to talk. But the way she entered and situated herself in her seat, I had a suspicion that she was also doing it to avoid putting any more pressure on the center of her butt. I found myself casting many glances towards her instead of keeping my focus on the road. Jaycee's smirk matched my own.

From what Allison could discern, the fourth house was bank-owned. It had been on the market for over a year with no offers, and so one would assume that the owner would be desperate to sell. But banks don't make emotional decisions. Instead it was all about putting numbers into a spreadsheet and determining whether the offer was above what its formulas said was acceptable. Therefore, Steven's potential lowball offer was a shot in the dark as to whether it would be accepted, assuming he made an offer in the first place.

After leaving the group to explore the house, I decided to finally call the SEC hotline to see what they said regarding any duty to report Steven's and Karen's actions. These calls were supposed to be anonymous, but I borrowed Jaycee's cell phone to make the call, just in case. I don't mean to be paranoid, but you never know when the government is concerned.

The call didn't go much like I expected.

"So let me get this straight," said the SEC employee on the other end of the call. "No money changed hands?"

"Well, an account was set up with my name on it. But I never signed anything accepting the gift and I certainly never made use of those funds," I explained.

"I see. And the money in the account will be transferred back to the donor? To the person who wanted to gift you with those shares?"

"That's correct," I answered.

"Then provided that occurs, I fail to see where the problem is," he said.

"Well, as I said, I'm wondering if there is a duty to report this event. Do I have to tell you the details so that you can investigate?"

"Just like with the condition that wasn't a condition, this would just be a waste of our time. Listen, I appreciate that you want to go out of your way to comply with all of our regulations. But we've got people who've ripped off grandma for her life's savings that we're trying to track down and arrest. Even if you were to self-report here, it would likely be years before we got around to you, if we ever did. Just make sure you get your name off that account and be done with it."

"And what about the forgery?" I asked.

"That wasn't on the actual security, right?" he returned.

"No. It was on a form stating that I would receive the shares in return for services provided to the fund."

"Then it has nothing to do with the SEC," he answered. "Sounds like it could be a criminal violation depending probably on state law. But that's only if you want to bring charges. It has nothing to do with us."

"Ok. Thanks." And a second weight just fell off my shoulders.

"Sure. I wish all my calls were like this. Usually they're about people trying to report scumbags without losing their jobs. This has been a nice change of pace."

"I'm glad to be of service, then."

The guy actually chuckled. "Alright. Then if there's nothing else, thanks for calling our hotline."

"No, thank you. You've been very helpful," I responded and then ended the call.

So all that remained is the question of whether I needed to contact the state bar, which my ethics professor counseled me against.

Jaycee, now back in possession of her phone, checked her messages. She grimaced and punched a button on her phone.

"So, good news?" she asked when looking back up at me.

I nodded. "Yes, you can tell Karen that she's in the clear. The only person who can get her into trouble is me, and I have no interest in doing so."

"In that case, why don't we go find the others. Belinda will be wanting to hear the news. And you can tell Mister Beck, too, of course," Jaycee suggested.

"Good idea," and we followed the voices emanating from the staircase. Halfway up I saw Jaycee glance at her phone and then stab a button again.

"Problems?" I asked.

"No. Just a pest. I'll have to figure out how to block the number later," she answered. A few steps later Jaycee stopped climbing and let out a little moan.

"You ok?" I asked.

"Sorry," Jaycee said. "Taking these steps is giving me some interesting sensations."

"Then keep walking," I ordered.

"Yes, Master," Jaycee smirked.

I spotted Steven, Aaron, and Billy in a room that had to be the library on my right. Jaycee went off to find Belinda.

"So, Steven, what do you think of the four houses so far?" I asked.

"I don't know. They all seem like a bargain, but that's just my being used to New York prices. At the same time, none of them really fits what Belinda and I want."

"No doubt," I agreed. "With the amount of money you now have, you're not really going to be satisfied until you build to your own tastes."

"Very true," he concurred, "but that takes time, and first we have to make the final decision to move down here. But this has been helpful in getting the lay of the land sort of speak, and to see what passes for luxurious living down here."

"What passes for? I love it. You keep saying things like that and you'll slide into the social circles of the moneyed elite just fine down here," I said.

"Really? They won't resent my New York sensibilities?" Steven asked.

"Of course they will," I said. "There's no getting around that. But condescension is the language of the Southern gentleman. You'll fit right in."

Steven glanced at Aaron for confirmation, who just shrugged.

I heard Jaycee's voice from the hallway. "What do you want? ... So? What's going on? ... What do you mean you don't ... What? ... Oh no! ... No. Don't do anything. Not 'till I get there. ... I mean it, don't you fucking dare do or say a word. I'll be there as soon as I can. ... Will!"

I stepped out into the hall to find a rather distraught Jaycee.

"Will, I've got an emergency. Can I please borrow your car?"

"Of course, Jaycee. Do you need me to come with you?"

Jaycee strongly shook her head in the negative. "No. It's something only I can do. But it's rather urgent."

"Ok. Whatever you need Jaycee. Just keep me in the loop with as much as you're able, ok?"




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 11



"Thanks. Yeah, I'll call you as soon as I can." She took my keys and departed quickly. It was only after she was out the door that I remembered my two o'clock appointment downtown with Glenda. And I soon remembered something else important, too.

"Yes, sir?" Jaycee said in answering her phone.

"You have my permission to remove your little present, my darling."

"Now you tell me," she responded. "I may not have the opportunity for awhile."

"Not my problem," I chuckled and ended the call.

_______________________________________________

I'd like to thank Erik Thread for editing this chapter. Any remaining errors are solely my own. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.



Side Bet Bluff Ch. 12



Part 12. Thursday afternoon.

"You know, Will, Belinda wants me to convince you to make amends with Karen," Steven said. "She's quite upset about it." He grabbed his water and took a sip, casting a quick glance at the departing hostess.

The ladies of our group had gone en masse to the restroom as soon as we entered the restaurant. I originally thought that behavior was exclusively for high schoolers, but had been proven wrong far too many times over the years.

"No offense to your Belinda, but my relationship with Karen is my own to determine," I replied.

"Yes, which is exactly what I told her," he said, smiling slightly and nodding his head. "She may not like it but she knows all about men with strong convictions."

"Jaycee and I had a big row about it yesterday, complete with yelling and throwing things," I admitted.

"And yet you and Karen are still on the outs, meaning that you didn't give in to your woman."

My woman? I guess that was as good a term for Jaycee as any. As much as I hated labels, they certainly were a desirable tool to help smooth understanding, including to myself. I'd love to be able to determine just what Jaycee meant to me and how she fit into my life. I've been using the term slave all week, but the more I used it the more unsatisfied I became with it.

"So you never give in to what a woman wants?" Aaron asked him. It was just the opening Steven needed to enter his lecture mode. 

"Men are all barbarians at heart. Women force civilization upon us. But the more successful men are those who have learned to tap into and direct that inner barbarian. We want to conquer and control. Women, as much as they hate to admit it, are attracted to that. It's all biology. They are looking for the mate most capable of giving them the healthiest offspring. Back in caveman times, that was the strongest and biggest, and part of that deep-seated evolutionary longing is still there. But in this day and age, health has probably more to do with financial resources than physical strength. And think of the type of people who can succeed in today's modern economy. They are educated, driven, dedicated, ambitious, and innovative. Those types of people aren't the type to easily change their mind. No, they have made it their specialty to change other people's minds, or circumvent people who cannot be convinced in order to get what they want. So when it comes to our romantic alliances, there's a pull and push within every relationship which becomes more one-sided with men like us. We aren't going to bend to as many of a woman's demands. In fact, we're going to force them to bend to our will many more times than they'd like. But it has to be that way or we wouldn't be who we are, and they wouldn't be so damn attracted to us in the first place. So stay true to yourself. It's why Will here is going to be so successful. His girl may be upset with him right now, but she'll come back around before he knows it."

The first of the women returned to our lunch table at that point and the conversation fragmented into small groups and moved on to different subjects. 

"Is that what you think, too, Will?" asked Aaron. "That you don't have to ever give in to a woman?"

As much as I wanted to agree with Steven, my legal training kicked in, forcing me to immediately see both sides of every issue and to find nuance and distinctions where before there were broad statements of principle. 

"I know that Steven's little speech there sounds appealing," I said. "And I agree that no one, man or woman, should have to give in on their core principles. That's why I haven't just forgiven what Karen did no matter what Jaycee, or I guess Belinda now, would like. But life is filled with compromises no matter what form of relationship, whether it's romantic or professional or even a chance encounter amongst strangers."

"I don't know," Aaron said. "Mister Beck is a really impressive guy. It's hard to see him not getting his way on anything."

"If Steven really did his own thing and never did what Belinda wanted him to do, then he wouldn't have even brought up Karen in the first place. His telling me of Belinda's complaints was his half-measure compromise. He wasn't going to tell me to fix the situation, but he was letting me know that my actions were making his Belinda upset and thus causing him some headaches."

Aaron didn't look like he believed me. "Says the guy with his own sex slave," Aaron quipped. "Alex kept talking about it all morning. So that's still going on? She's really following through with the bet, huh?"

"You know, it's funny. I give Jaycee orders, and she follows them. But the more she follows them the more thought I put into the orders to make sure they are things that she's going to like."

"Huh?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just saying that I wouldn't like it if Jaycee didn't enjoy following my orders. It's because she gets off on it that I'm enjoying it so much."

"Damn," said Aaron. "It sounds like you've got the perfect girl then. Susan always had to get her way or she'd turn into this incredibly whiny brat. I'd just give in to shut her up."

"Let me tell you something, Aaron. Susan wasn't the only person in your relationship who spent a lot of time whining."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"Oh Will, she still hasn't slept with me. Oh Will, doesn't she know how much I care for her? Oh Will, why can't she give me this one little thing when I give her so much of what she wants already?" I mimicked. 

"Shit," Aaron grumbled. "Was I really that bad?"

"Yeah," I sadly told him. "Maybe even worse."

"That's pretty pathetic," said an eavesdropping Paula. Ouch. It's one thing for a bro to say that to another bro, but Paula just figuratively mashed Aaron's testicles. I quickly tried to put the best possible spin on the situation I could come up with.

"Everybody should have a relationship like that," I told her, "so long as it ends soon enough. That way you have a strong memory to motivate you not to get in such a one-sided relationship again."

"Unless you get off on one-sided relationships," Paula said.

"Sure," I agreed. "There's an exception to every rule. But really that isn't so one-sided. Both sides are getting something they want, else they wouldn't be in the relationship."

After lunch, the group agreed to go back to Aaron's office and look into luxury condominiums. Too bad the Ajax Building wasn't completed. That had promised to be the nicest residential high rise in the South before the financial crisis came and the project lost its funding. The building had been sitting half-constructed and open to the elements for three months now, a rusting eye sore on the city skyline.

Billy and Siri agreed to make a detour and drop me off downtown for my meeting with Glenda. I'd get there a few minutes early. I took the opportunity to make some calls to arrange a special night for Jaycee the next night since I didn't want to make them while Jaycee was around. Once that was done I looked over the offer from my old firm. 

I was less than impressed. Sure it was possible to get a seven figure bonus, but barely. I'd make exactly one million dollars if I quintupled the business I got from Beck and succeeded in stealing every single one of Glenda's clients, including the ones I didn't even work with. But the way the bonus was structured I'd only get the bulk of that money if I came close to meeting those goals. If I moved up to New York and worked harder than I ever had in my life, became wildly successful but still realistic in getting the office's former clients to stick with me I'd probably only get a quarter mil bonus. A much more realistic expectation was half that. That was still good money, on top of my base salary. But nowhere near what I would likely make working directly for Beck.

Glenda still hadn't shown up. I decided to check in at home.

"Allison, how's it going?" I said into my phone.

"Fine, sir. You've got a couple of workers here installing a new glass door."

"Excellent. There's some cash in an envelope on the kitchen counter. Give that to them once you're satisfied they've done a good job, will you?"

"Of course. Ok, I see it. I'm glad you called. I'm having trouble with the list of lawsuits in which Atlantic Financial is currently a party."

"Oh? What's the problem?" I asked.

"There are so many, and I have to dive into the details to find out the dollar amounts, if they even list a dollar amount," she explained.

"Then start with litigation where the opposing party is a large corporation, particularly financial institutions, or the government. I especially want to know what Uncle Sam thinks Atlantic is doing wrong."

"Ok, that sounds manageable," Allison said sounding relieved.

"Have you heard from Jaycee?" I asked.

"Jaycee? She called me around mid-morning. Why?"

"She ran off with an emergency. I was just wondering." I saw Glenda walk in to the coffee shop. "Ok, I've got to begin my meeting. I'll be back home straight after."

"Ok, sir. Good luck!" Allison said.

Glenda got herself a large drink that sounded overly complicated to order. I waited patiently at a table in a secluded corner where we could talk. Finally she came over. I was still pissed over Reynolds phone call to Allison earlier. Let's see if I could use it to throw Glenda on the defensive.

"So apparently I've already agreed to your offer." I opened.

"Pardon me?" Glenda replied.

"Do you remember Allison Grimsley? She worked as a paralegal in our office? Reynolds told her this morning that I was on board with whatever the two of you are doing. That's awfully presumptuous of you, don't you think?"

That knocked Glenda off her game a bit, but I could only tell because I'd worked with her closely for years. The slight widening of her eyes and the sudden stillness of her body were her tells. Anyone else would probably have described her as unfazed.

"Yes. Presumptuous is the appropriate descriptor. I apologize, and I will speak to Michael about it promptly," she said.

"Thank you. Now why don't you tell me what the two of you are up to?"

"We're joining with three partners from Plimpton and Covey and a former partner from Bocksington to start a new firm. All of us have a significant book of business that is complementary to each other that we are confident will be able to expand upon during the foreseeable economic turmoil."

"You put that together in three days?" I asked, surprised.

Glenda shook her head in the negative. "Michael has been working on this for some time. Since I had been working so diligently to save our office he decided not to approach me with it until last week, but it's the scenario I would have created for myself as the next best solution to saving the office."

"Any conflicts of interest among clients?" 

"We're still working that out, but it looks easily resolvable," she answered.

"And how soon do you expect to be up and running?" I asked.

"Of course we all have an ongoing responsibility to our clients, so the work never really stops. But as to putting an office together, we're trying to minimize the timeframe. I'm hopeful to have everything up and running in three weeks."

Knowing Glenda, she didn't mean opening the doors to the office in three weeks. She meant being open and having all the kinks ironed out, everyone operating as if the office had been up for years.

"That timetable is ambitious but, knowing you, unsurprising," I told her. She actually gave her version of a smirk, an upturn of the corner of her lip so slight and short that it could be mistaken for a tic. 

"Then let me get straight to the point," she said. "You know a good number of my clients almost as much as I do. You're already familiar with their needs and I have always been satisfied with your efforts and work product. You are my first choice for my senior associate. After our brief conversation yesterday I discussed the situation with the other partners and convinced them to allow me a special dispensation to exceed our preliminary budget for you. It is still lower than you are probably hoping for, but I hope to convince you that our growth opportunities are unparalleled in this economy and that working with us is really your best option."

"Just how disappointed am I going to be?" I asked.

"We are offering you a base salary of one-eighty ..."

"One eighty!" I blurted out, interrupting her. 

Glenda waited for me to regain control of myself.

"I realize that's a drop in your last salary, but it's almost double what we'll be offering the other associates," she said.

"One eighty," I said again in disbelief.

"Supply and demand, William. I had to get special permission to get you this deal, swearing to the others you were worth it. Not even Reynolds backed me up at first. I even made it a condition for my joining them," Glenda admitted.

"There's no way I can accept that offer," I insisted.

"William ... Will, are you sure you want to push on this? You know what kind of market is out there," Glenda said. 

"I'm well aware. But I already have multiple other offers on the table, and all of them pay more than one-eighty," I explained.

"Multiple offers?" Glenda asked. "This isn't a naked power play, is it Will?"

"You mean a bluff? No. Most definitely not. In fact, one of my options is to stay with the firm in a lateral transfer up to the New York office. Of course, they had certain conditions to their offer," I hinted.

"Certain conditions ...," Glenda thought, then became more irate than I've ever seen her, that stoic calmness shielding her emotions shattering in an instant. "Those sons of bitches! My clients. They want you to steal my clients! And you told them you could, didn't you? That's why their offer is on the table."

"Yes," I admitted, as planned. "Though they have one very specific client in mind."

"Beck," Glenda realized. "Yeah, well that's perhaps the only client of mine you could actually walk away with." The only? Maybe I've been underestimating her.

"I've got Beck in the bag," I said. "As to the others, well, let's say that I'm just as unwilling to see how the cards land on that matter as you are. I'd much prefer that we continue to work together. But the only way that's going to happen is if I get a much better deal than what you just offered." 

The carrot and the stick is the key to any successful negotiation. Show them the nice, juicy carrot that they want and lead them to it, but also let them see the stick you can whack them with if they don't take it.

Glenda and I stared at each other unblinkingly. I had a sudden flashback to the poker game last Saturday night when Jaycee and I were going head to head and staring each other down. I needed a lot of luck to win that showdown. Let's hope I didn't need as much right now.

"I assume you have something in mind?" she queried.

"I want to buy in as an equity partner," I announced.

"Impossible!" she announced.

"Why not? Give me one reason."

"I'll give you two. You don't have enough money to put up a stake and you don't have the clients," she stated.

"How much money would it take?" I asked. "And think creatively. I don't have to be a full partner. I'm willing to accept some kind of junior partner status in light of my relative inexperience." 

I was rather curious about this insistence of putting cash up. From what I knew of the business workings of our old firm, all operational expenses were paid through a line of credit which was paid off at the end of the year when a full accounting was done. Sure you need some cash down to start a new firm from scratch, getting an office together, decorations, letterhead, computers, and the like. But how much would that cost, really?

"The only way to let the others know you're serious is if you can put up a million dollars," Glenda said in an empathetic voice. She was trying to explain to me why my idea was a pipe dream.

"No problem," I countered.

"You've got a million dollars lying around?" she asked. "Oh. Beck!"

I shook my head. "If you're thinking I invested with him, no, I didn't. But I did some of the same kinds of trades on my own."

"You? How? I tried for a month to find a broker who'd let me," Glenda said astonished.

"You should have tried harder. I kept at it for three months before finally getting a trade in," I replied.

"And you cleared over a million?" she asked. "Maybe Beck should make you an employee instead of his counsel."

"That's one of the offers I'm considering," I said.

"Then you should probably take it," Glenda replied. "There's no way Beck, all by himself, can provide the amount of work that supports your being brought in as a partner, and you won't have the additional clients to make up the difference."

She was throwing down the gauntlet, daring me to compete with her and the old firm in a three-way battle for her clients. And not all of her clients, just the ones of hers I worked with which was maybe a little over half her total book.

"Maybe," I conceded, "but then again maybe not. I've gotten some hints that Beck is going to require a much greater level of legal services, and he's relocating down here."

Glenda became very still, and her eyes widened ever so slightly. Good. Though I now had the feeling that Glenda's first call after this meeting would be to Beck to convince him that she was the better option. I needed her to do that. Beck rejecting her would be the fastest way for her to take my counter-offer seriously.

"I'm more familiar with hedge funds than you are, William. They don't normally have a high demand for legal services." She left unsaid the final part of that sentence ... "unless they are being sued."

"We'll see," I told her.

"Regardless," she continued, "we can hardly extend to you such a high offer based on the mere potential for greater work. You'd have to present to us strong and solid numbers, and even then your youth and inexperience works against you."

"How old were you when you first became partner?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Old enough to have several major clients, not just one client who wants to think he's a major player," she retorted. "I'll give you a week to think it over and get back to me. Alright?"

"Sure, Glenda. One week."

"That could have gone better," I thought as I walked back to my place. Did she really think she could get her pick of any associate attorneys out there for only a five figure base salary? I doubted it. Maybe if the associate had been laid off several months ago and had been unable to find any work, but my former fellow associates would hold out for something close to what they had been making. Their egos would have to be battered and bruised a great deal before they took a sixty or seventy percent cut in salary.

Even though it seemed I was being channeled towards taking Beck up on his offer, I suddenly felt very lucky to have these options when so many others had none. The thought of how desperate someone must feel to willingly take a sixty percent cut in salary was quite scary. But I thought of my former co-worker Woody, who was an all-too-young widower at the age of thirty-two, with three kids at home, one of them with special needs. Yeah, he'd jump at the chance to have any kind of income and just hope to find something better later on.

Scott, the security guard, waved me over as I walked into my building's lobby.

"Mister Jennings, the door installers left just a few minutes ago."

"Good news. I'm sure Allison will be happy to finally get out of that winter coat. Oh, and I promised you a tip if you could get it done so soon."

"Oh, right. Yes, thank you sir," Scott said while pocketing my bill. "About ... you said her name was Allison?"

"Yes, sorry, I should have cleared it with you guys before now. I'm going to be working out of my apartment for the next couple weeks and Allison is my assistant. So she'll be over just about every day."




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 12



"Ok, I'll make a note of it," he said. "I was quite surprised to have an unknown woman telling me that it was ok to send people up to your apartment."

"Sorry. Right. Yes, she has my authority to accept packages, invite people up, and the like. Do I need to provide you guys with a letter or something?" I asked.

"No, we already have her picture on file for her visitor's pass. I'll just make a note of it and I'll be sure all the other guards know."

"Great, then, Scott. Thanks again."

For the next few hours I read through the research that Allison had found for me, and created a much more robust outline in preparation for my meeting with Jenny's father tomorrow. It felt like I was just touching the tip of the iceberg. I could probably read, analyze, and plot for the next eighteen hours straight and still not feel completely prepared. What I needed was to ignore the areas where I was already expert, become at least generally familiar with the noted areas that were most discussed, and then come up with an original and brilliant thought that Richard Daniels hadn't heard of before, but one that I was correct on, too. Else it would just blow up in my face.

The phone rang and I heard Allison pick it up.

"Yes, of course they can come up," I heard her say. "Jaycee's on her way up!" she called from down the hall.

Jaycee was just showing up? I thought she'd promised to call and keep me in the loop. What was going on?

My eyes went back to the article I had been reading, but really what was the point? I set it aside and impatiently waited for Jaycee and whoever was with her to arrive. Soft voices in the hallway announced their arrival before my doorbell rang.

When I opened the door, Susan was the first through, though she looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. She made eye contact with me for just a moment before jerking her eyes downward towards my carpet. Her body was incredibly stiff, yet she was dressed rather provocatively -- no winter coat was to be seen and instead she was wearing a red, silk, designer blouse showing an impressive amount of cleavage, a short, black skirt bordering on too short, and three inch red heels that matched the shade of her blouse. And there was something else ... oh crap. I don't think she was wearing a bra.

Jaycee followed Susan in, and she also looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but for an altogether different reason. He face was filled with worry and sadness, almost on the verge of tears. 

She glanced at Susan, back at me, said "Sorry, Will," and then backed out of the apartment, pulling the door closed behind her.

"Will, Jaycee is unable to finish the terms of our deal," said Susan in a strong but wavering voice. "As agreed, I will take Jaycee's place for tonight only."

What the hell was going on here? 

"Excuse me?"

"Per the terms of our bet, my body belongs to you tonight." And Susan managed to raise her eyes to meet mine, albeit briefly. She was terrified, and yet I could tell she thought she was being braver than she'd ever been in her life.

"No. Susan, I'm sorry, that was a joke. It wasn't a serious deal. I thought Jaycee was bluffing and I was intentionally being a jerk to call her on it. I had thought Jaycee knew that."

"I don't understand," she said.

"I thought that Jaycee was lying about being my sex slave just to get me to not call your bet to Aaron. So I made up the other stuff like you having to take her place just so she'd back down, but she didn't. I was never serious about your part in it. So no, you don't have to take Jaycee's place." 

"You don't want to have sex with me?" she asked in a soft, high-pitched, almost whimper.

"Don't get me wrong, Susan. You're a very sexy girl," I told her. 

"Especially in that outfit," I mumbled, glancing away and briefly wondering what it would be like to have her. But no, that was just a passing thought and I needed to get out of this situation. 

"Any guy would be lucky to have you," I continued, "but no, I don't want to have sex with you." 

Susan's expression changed to some mixture of surprise and distress. 

"If you're here because you really want to lose your virginity," I added, "you should go see Aaron. He really cares about you and will treat you right." 

Apparently Susan didn't want to hear that at all because she burst out crying. No, crying doesn't really do it justice. She was having a full-on breakdown right here in my living room.

The door burst open and Jaycee was suddenly embracing Susan fiercely.

"See? I told you. I told you. I told you. Now believe everything else I told you," Jaycee told Susan, as they slowly folded their bodies down toward the floor. Jaycee began rocking the wailing girl back and forth while on her knees.

And then through the still open door walked Hannah. Now my mind was really reeling.

"Hi, Will," she said, and even gave me a little, embarrassed wave.

I looked from her down to the now crying girls on my floor, having to avert my eyes from Susan's breasts that were all too visible from her gaping blouse and my angle of view.

"Would someone please explain to me what the hell is going on?" I demanded.

It looked like both Hannah and I would have preferred either Jaycee or Susan answer that question, but neither of them were in any condition to do so.

"Fine. You, over there," and I gestured Hannah towards my kitchen. She looked like she wanted to protest my giving her an order, but one quick thought about the situation and she acquiesced.

"Spill it," I said once we were safely out of eyesight, though not completely out of earshot.

"Susan was raped last night," she told me in a soft voice.

"What?!?" I said, too loudly. "Are you sure? What happened?" I demanded in a softer voice matching Hannah's in volume.

"I spent the night at my parents place last night," Hannah started. "When I came back this morning, Susan was crying, and I got the impression that she'd been crying all night. I knew that she'd had a date last night with this guy, James, and from the state of the room and how she was acting, I put two and two together."

"Poor Susan," I said. What a horrible thought to have that be one's introduction to sex. While I felt awful for her, that didn't explain why she'd been in my apartment offering herself up to me with Jaycee and Hannah hiding in the hallway.

"The thing is, she wouldn't talk to me," Hannah continued before I could ask a question from my train of thought. "She'd only talk to Jaycee. I don't know why. I mean I'm her freaking roommate while Jaycee is just a ..."

"Hey," I interrupted.

"Oh. Right. Sorry," she said. "That was ... sorry. But I agreed to this cockamamie plan because at least it would put Susan in front of a lawyer. You've got to convince her to go to the police, and to the hospital to get a rape kit. She'll do it if you tell her to, Will." Hannah's voice was rising now. "You're always going on about your sense of justice. Well here's your chance, Will. You've got a rape victim in your apartment. What are you going to do about it? Huh? You're the persuasive one. You're the smart one. You're the responsible and ethical one! Tell her to go to the police and report the rape!"

Hannah stood glaring at me. I swear she was judging me not just as a lawyer, not just as her ex-boyfriend, but as a representative of the male gender. Normally I bristle at that form of challenge, but I was all too ready to rise to this one.

"It wasn't rape," came Susan's quiet and tear-filled voice from the other room.

"What?" Hannah said in bewilderment. We both walked out of the kitchen to look at Susan.

"It wasn't rape," she repeated. "I never told him 'no.'" 

So much for Hannah's demand. 

"What are you talking about? Of course it was rape," Hannah insisted.

"I didn't think we were going to have 'sex' sex. I thought we'd only have, you know, Christian sex," Susan half-cried.

"What?" I asked, trying to understand what the hell she was saying.

"Everything but penetration," Jaycee filled in for me.

"What?" I repeated. Jaycee just shook her head at me like she really didn't understand either, but whatever.

In stuttering gasps and in between sobs, Susan finally told the story that she apparently hadn't even completely told Jaycee. James was a new visitor to Susan's church. He was tall, handsome, charming, and apparently spoke all the right phrases and terminology to show that he was a true believer. Susan had been instantly smitten. He'd asked her out on Sunday, but before she could say yes she had to first break up with Aaron. And as soon as she'd done that, James was asking her out for the next night. 

He'd picked her up in his fancy car, worn expensively fancy clothes, taken her to a fancy restaurant. He appeared to be perfect. Susan couldn't help herself. She found herself breaking all of her rules for a first date. She invited him up at the end of the night, momentarily forgetting that Hannah wasn't home. She not only kissed him, but initiated a make-out session on the couch. When he took his shirt off, displaying his hairy chest and muscular physique, Susan found herself inviting James into her bedroom. And all the time she never imagined James may interpret this as an invitation for 'sex' sex. She willingly went along with the removal of her clothes. Only when he actually penetrated her did she realize her assumption that James understood the rules just as she understood them was incorrect. But by then it was too late. And she didn't, couldn't, say 'no' as she was too overwhelmed with the physical and emotional sensations.

"It's still rape," Hannah insisted.

"Of course it isn't," Jaycee replied, beating me to the punch.

"How dare you say that! What kind of a woman are you?!?" yelled Hannah. The yelling only set Susan off into another round of crying.

"Everyone who knows Susan would know that it wasn't consensual," argued Hannah.

"So telling a guy 'no' isn't the standard anymore?" countered Jaycee.

"It isn't. You have to give consent," said Hannah.

"So now even if you willingly get naked in a bed they have to get a clear, consenting 'yes' beforehand?" Jaycee asked.

"Yes, and I know that because Susan was raped!" yelled Hannah.

"So Will always got a 'yes' from you before you two had sex? I doubt it. Tell me, Hannah, how many times did Will rape you???" screamed Jaycee right back.

Damn, why did Jaycee have to bring me into this? The phone started ringing, and Susan's crying was getting louder. If I didn't put a stop to all this now I would get a migraine.

"Enough!" I yelled. "Hannah, go over to the kitchen to cool down until you can discuss things in a reasonable voice. Jaycee, go find something so Susan can change out of that ridiculous outfit. And Allison! Would you answer the phone?!?"

Amazingly, everyone did what I told them to do. That left me alone with a crying Susan. I reluctantly made my way over to her to see if it was possible to console her.

"I'm going to hell," cried Susan. 

Dammit. I should have been the one to find an outfit for Susan. This wasn't a conversation I could handle.

"Of course you're not," I tried.

"But I am. I wanted it. Jaycee's right. It was my responsibility to at least tell him 'no.' I wasn't strong enough. Because I was sinning. Maybe I didn't really understand entirely what he was going to do. But I wanted him to do more. I'm such a bad person." And she set off into another round of crying. 

Crap. I stood there awkwardly for a minute, not knowing what to do. But I had to do something. This was intolerable. I grabbed her by the shoulders to force her to face me.

"Sex is part of our beings," I tried. "We are all sexual creatures. And God made us that way."

"You son of a bitch!" a man's voice yelled. I turned around to find Tim charging towards me. Somehow I managed to roll with his punch at my head, getting only a glancing blow. His follow-up to my gut connected solidly. The next thing I knew, my butt was on the floor and I couldn't find my breath no matter how hard I tried. 

A woman was screaming. No, several women were screaming.

And other people were yelling. 

But the only thing I gave a damn about was getting my lungs to somehow fill with oxygen. 

I was quite desperate about it, in fact.

"Oh, Will!" Jaycee cried over me and clutched my head to her breasts. I appreciated her sentiment, but I pushed her arms away and turned over onto all fours. Maybe this position would allow me to breathe again? Jaycee proceeded to drape herself over my back. She was still crying.

"Why the hell did you hit Will?" demanded Hannah.

"The bet!" Tim said, as if that explained everything.

"The what?" 

"You know. You were there. The bet! That's why Susan broke up with Aaron. Will called in the bet. Isn't it? Wait, why are you here? Are you in on this?"

"Tim," said Hannah exasperated. "You're an idiot."

After my lungs started working again, we finally got everything explained. Tim came in; saw me grabbing a crying Susan and talking about how sex was good and immediately assumed that I had called in the bet and that was why Susan had broken up with Aaron. Of course, when he found out that I had, in actuality, just refused sex with Susan, he immediately asked if I was gay. 

"I think you should ponder this phrase, Tim -- 'tis best to be silent and thought an idiot than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt," I told him.

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

As to why Susan had appeared dressed for seduction, the best I could make out was that Susan was convinced that all men were completely controlled by our lust, including me based on the impression I had made upon her at last Saturday's poker game. Jaycee had decided to prove to Susan that this wasn't so, and I was to redeem all men by refusing Susan's offer. 

I guess it was that kind of afternoon. Normally I'd be furious, though right now I was just glad they hadn't chosen Tim.

As to why, Jaycee seemed to say that Susan was blaming herself for inviting the sex because she, being a woman, should have known better than to think any man could control himself. Why she was willing to ignore her months of experiences with Aaron, I had no idea. Really, the amount of irrationality displayed in all of these conversations was astounding.

Aaron called towards the tail end of the explanations, canceling going out. Paula, Alex, and Billy had all signed up as clients and wanted to look for potential houses tomorrow. He needed to do a good amount of work tonight to get ready. And he thanked me again for saving his job. It wasn't necessary. His performance with Steven today got him the others as clients, not me.

With that information, Tim shortly made his excuses and left. 

"Sorry again, Will."

"Don't worry about it, Tim. I'm sure someday we'll see how well you take a punch."

All throughout, Allison had been acting the hostess, or perhaps the maid. She was constantly getting people drinks or helping out in any way possible, even if it was just waiting attentively for someone to need something. 

"Allison, I think we're done working for the day. Why don't we pick it back up first thing in the morning?"

"Are you sure, sir? I'd be happy to stay and help out. I could cook everyone dinner since you all seem to be busy with other things."

"No, Allison, that's ok. It's been a long day already."

"In that case, I should show you what I found before all the commotion started. I think you'll want to see this," she said.

Allison and I spent about ten minutes going through a couple of active lawsuits she'd found that were bound to be discussed tomorrow. She left while I stayed in the spare bedroom/home office to skim through the salient points.

I heard yet another heated argument coming from the living room. It sounded like Hannah wanted to take Susan to a clinic to get the morning-after pill. I decided, in this instance, that discretion was the better part of valor and I'd patiently wait out of sight until that was resolved amongst the ladies themselves.

As I was about to re-enter the living room, I heard Susan tell Hannah that she didn't want to go back to Hannah's place because that's where it happened. I guessed her wanting to have a little space from Hannah played a part, too. Jaycee assured Susan that I would let her spend the night here. Even Hannah agreed, telling Susan that I'd make sure she felt safe.

Hannah spotted me in the hallway and walked towards me, gesturing for me to go back so that she could talk to me alone for a minute.

"Will, listen, I ... I want you to know that I'm sorry about my behavior earlier this week, and the whole ... well, all the things I said ... and everything."

Hannah was apologizing to me? It had been about four years since her last one. I guess she's about due. 

"Thinking that Susan had been attacked put things in a different perspective for me," she continued. "And I just wanted to tell you to not worry about the lawsuit. Jaycee and I will work something out."

"Umm, Hannah ... I thank you for what you just said. But when was the last time you talked to your lawyer?"

"Why?" she asked.

"When?" I repeated.

"Are you saying you talked with him already? What happened?" 

"You need to talk to your lawyer," I instructed. 

"Will, tell me! What did you do?" 

"Hannah, I am not your lawyer. In fact, I represent the opposing party in a lawsuit that you initiated. I cannot give you legal advice, especially in this matter. You want to know what happened? Go talk to your lawyer."

"You sent him packing, didn't you?" she concluded. "Damn it, Will. Sometimes I really hate you."

"Only sometimes?" I asked. She stormed off, right out of my apartment.

Now it was Jaycee's turn to talk to me alone while Susan, finally, changed out of her self-chosen 'slutty' outfit.

"Will, thank you so much for everything," Jaycee said. "And I'm not saying this as your slave, or your girlf ... or whatever. I'm saying this as someone grateful to have you as my friend. I threw a lot at you today, trusting that you would be able to handle it correctly. And I'm in your debt for that."

"I'm just glad you could trust me enough for that, and that I apparently acted correctly."

"You don't know how to act any other way," she told me. Had she completely blocked out yesterday's fight?

"Is there anything else I can do tonight?" I asked.

"Yes. I have another favor to ask. Of course you can do whatever you want and I'll go along with it, but Susan and I aren't done talking about last night, and, knowing you, I'm going to ask a really, really big favor of you."

"Ask away," I said.

"So much of Susan's identity is tied up in her religion. I sort of understand how she views things after many, many hours of talks with her about it. But it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I know that you'd scoff or ridicule her for probably most of the things she says, and my favor is that you don't do that."

"That's it?" I asked.

"It's actually a lot. I know your natural impulse is to attack things that don't make sense to you. And believe me, Will, this will really make no sense at all to you."

"Maybe I should hide out in here," I offered.

Jaycee shook her head. "No, that's the second part of my request. I think Susan will respond well to your presence. I think it will make her feel safe."

"So you want me to sit with you guys, listen while you talk about sex and religion, and not say a word?"

"Yes. Would you please do that for Susan?" she asked.

"No. I won't do it for Susan. But I will do it for you."

Jaycee smiled up at me. "Thank you, Master." And she gave me a full kiss.

I grabbed her strongly. "But I'll take it out on you later," I told her.

Jaycee gave my dick a little squeeze through my pants. "You promise?" 

"Oh, you are so going to get it," I warned.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 12



"Good," she giggled.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked her. "Sit and listen attentively yet never say a single word?"

"No, you can do whatever else you want. You don't even have to really pay attention to us. Just be with us, and let us have our talk without pointing out our inconsistencies and things like that."

"I can do that," I told her.

But first things first. I was hungry. I offered to order out but Jaycee said it wasn't necessary. 

"No, let me and Susan cook dinner. It'll be good for her to do something productive with her hands. Get her mind off of the particulars of what happened last night."

So I grabbed my laptop, and started reading my way through a list of legal complaints against Atlantic Financial. At the same time, I couldn't help but listen in on Susan and Jaycee's conversation a bit. The whole thing was surreal. Based on things Susan said, I'm sure she believed Jaycee was going to hell. Yet Jaycee was one of her best friends whom she was relying on for advice. And the particular advice Jaycee was trying to give Susan was that Susan was a good person who was not going to hell. Sometimes I found my eyes starting to cross involuntarily as I tried to make sense of their conversation.

That effect became more pronounced when Susan started using a few young Hollywood starlets as her role models for proper Christian virtue. I know I let out an audible guffaw, but tried to cover it by underlining a few sentences of what I was reading, as if I was responding to my reading material instead.

When we sat down to dinner, Susan succeeded in dragging me into the conversation, overcoming Jaycee's resistance.

"Will, why do you think men do such a poor job of controlling themselves when it comes to sex?" Susan asked.

"Suze, I don't think Will has to answer for all men," Jaycee said.

"It's ok, Jaycee," I told her. "Susan, before I answer, I have to first consider your premise, that men are worse than women in controlling their libido."

"Of course they are," Susan said.

"Really? Think back on how you felt last night. By your own admission, you ignored your own rules and lost control of your own actions because ... why exactly?"

Susan blushed. "That's not the same thing," she said. "I was reacting to what James was doing to me."

"No doubt," I agreed. "And I'd venture if he were here now he'd say that he was reacting to what you were doing to him."

"No," Susan urged. "He was the one who pushed things. He's the one who took my clothes off. He's the one who stuck his dick in me. He's the one who finished first."

It may be an unkind thought, but I wondered how much of Susan's anger came from regret over losing her much-cherished virginity, and how much from the sex not living up to her expectations. 

"Jaycee, you explain it to him," said Susan. "You've been in my shoes before."

"No, I really haven't," Jaycee answered. "I don't think you should equate the two."

"Fine, I wasn't raped. I admit it. But part of it feels like it."

"You were raped?" I asked Jaycee, alarmed.

"It was a long time ago," Jaycee said. "Don't worry about it."

"Jaycee," I said half-urging her to tell me and half-understanding that she didn't want to.

"But you told me recently that you were finally putting it behind you," said Susan. "Am I going to walk around with these feelings for years?"

"No, Susan, you're not. You had a bad first experience. Join the club. I think ninety-nine percent of the human race have that in common," Jaycee explained.

"You had sex before you wanted to," Jaycee continued, "whether you characterized that as being forced, being pressured, or just making a dumb mistake, again join the club. I think ninety percent of women feel the same way."

"But ..." Susan started, but Jaycee overrode her objection.

"I know that this was a very big deal to you. I'm not trying to belittle it, just trying to put it in a little better perspective. Sex can be a very big deal, even to non-Christian non-virgins. Sometimes it's even wonderful because of it being a very big deal. But just like everything else in life, it is what you make of it." 

"But Jaycee, you've been carrying this around with you for ... what? Ten years? How can you tell me ..."

"I'm telling you because I don't want you to be like me. I want you to do a better job of handling it than me. And I think I've done a good job of handling it. I just have some quirks that are now hopefully going away, but I made a conscious effort to do everything in my power to not be defined by what happened to me. And you should too. Now I doubt you would agree to my solution, which is to go have some really good sex right away and then do it again and again."

"Oh Jaycee, you are so bad!" Susan said.

"Think about it. I know what a horny little minx you can be."

Rather than deny it, Susan shot me an embarrassed look. I must admit to being surprised. Though in retrospect, maybe I shouldn't be. There had to be some commonality of interest for why Susan sought Jaycee's advice.

"Maybe you should take Will's advice and go pay Aaron a visit," Jaycee said.

"No, I ... oh, I don't know about anything anymore," Susan replied.

I wasn't going to order Jaycee to tell me her story. But Jaycee saw the expression of curious patience on my face and decided to tell me anyway.

"Fine, William, I'll tell you, but let me put away the dinner dishes first."

I decided, for once, to help out. Together the three of us had everything put away in minutes. It took such a short amount of time that we didn't lose the feel of the dinner conversation.

Jaycee and Susan sat down together on the sofa. I sat on my leather recliner closest to Susan, allowing Jaycee to look at both of us while Susan just looked at her friend.

"It happened the end of my freshman year in undergrad. I was a wreck all that summer and into the following fall semester. I wouldn't let my boyfriend even touch me. Looking back, I marvel at how he stuck with me for as long as he did. I mean, six months with me flipping out every time he tried to touch me?" And Jaycee shook her head. 

"When I went home for Thanksgiving break I finally decided that I wouldn't live like that anymore. I made a conscious effort to regain the 'care-free' Jaycee from before. And I succeeded for the most part, too. When I got back to school everyone was so relieved and happy to have the outgoing party girl back amongst the living."

"But ..." I said. There was always a 'but' to stories like these.

"Yes, but ... The only remnant was that I had to have strict control over my sex life. To counterbalance that, I became even more free in talking about sex. I don't know, it's weird. It was like talking about it made up for not having sex, or not having fun when having sex. The more I talked about sex, the less guilt I had about my limitations in the bedroom. My boyfriend was great through that whole process, but after a year of control-freak Jaycee in the bedroom he finally gave up and moved on to someone else. I gradually got better, and started enjoying sex again, but there were some holdover things that have stuck around all this time."

"I can certainly understand some things about you better," I told Jaycee. "I'm glad you were able to open up like this to me."

Jaycee nodded her head. "The rape itself," Jaycee started, and Susan immediately gripped Jaycee's hands to offer support. Jaycee stopped to smile at Susan, and I wondered just who was offering support to whom. "He punched me. Smacked me around a bit. I had been flirting with a lot of my boyfriend's frat brothers earlier that night, and this guy pushed me back into the bathroom when I tried to come out, and wanted a quickie. I told him off, and he just backhanded me right across the face, then punched me in the gut. I swear, Will, when Tim hit you earlier just that way I had the strongest flashback to that night." And Jaycee shivered a bit. 

"Then he bent me over the side of the sink, ripped my panties off, and started going to town. He clawed at my ass, and started telling me how he was going to jam his prick up there right after he made me cum. When I protested, he hit me again. Probably to keep me quiet but it had the opposite effect. I just started screaming bloody murder, and kept at it no matter how many times he hit me. Pretty soon some of the other guys, including my boyfriend, came in and pulled him off me. My boyfriend wanted to take me to the police right away, but his frat brothers started talking to him about how the frat would lose its license with the university, and how we shouldn't let one jerk ruin things for over a hundred of his closest friends. I told my boyfriend that I'd go along with whatever he decided."

"Why?" I asked. "Why wouldn't you go straight to the police?"

Jaycee shrugged a little. "I trusted my boyfriend — his judgment. And besides, my father doesn't believe in the police."

"Doesn't believe in them? Like they don't exist?" I asked, inappropriately making a joke when Jaycee was pouring out her heart. I immediately chastised myself. 

"No, of course not," Jaycee answered, maybe even with a bit of a smile. "He just thinks a man should handle things himself, instead of relying on anyone else. He doesn't believe in insurance, either."

"I'm guessing he doesn't have a good opinion of lawyers," I added.

"No," Jaycee told me. "He'd probably hate you."

Well that's just great.

"So I'm guessing your boyfriend didn't take you to the police, or a hospital," I said to get her back to her story.

"No. They took my rapist out back and beat the crap out of him. Or, at least, they say they did," Jaycee admitted. "I didn't check. You know, sometimes I think that if it had just been the rape, they wouldn't have cared. But I had been worked over pretty good. I went back home for the summer three days later, and my father took one look at me and started grilling me over what had happened. I wouldn't tell him. I knew what he'd do. But later my mom came to me, and she was so sweet, and I just found myself telling her everything. I don't know why. It's not like she was going to keep all of that to herself. I may as well have just been telling my dad. Anyway, Dad disappeared for two days, then showed back up with a cast on his hand. We never asked him a single question about it, though. Nope. Not one word was said. The day after that my brother and sister got back home from their schools, and wanted to know what happened. But they knew my Dad, too. And as soon as he told them to drop it, they did."

"You ever try to find out what happened?" I asked her.

Jaycee violently shook her head. "No. Though I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I know my dad didn't kill him. That would be letting the asshole off easy. My dad probably just put him in the hospital for a week. And probably with permanent damage to his genitals. I wouldn't expect anything less, actually."

"Well, I'm glad the statute of limitations has expired on this, so I won't feel guilty for not reporting it."

"Sorry, Will," Jaycee said.

"Why are you apologizing to me? You're the one who's had to carry this around with you all this time."

"Jaycee," started Susan. "What I don't understand is how you're ok with Will doing these very same things to you."

What?

"Like earlier today, you told me how Will bent you over and took you from behind. And how he's tied you up, and beat you with his hand and a paddle, and how he's going to force you to have butt sex with him."

Before Jaycee could answer I interjected. "Jaycee, have I ever forced you to do anything?"

"No, sir," Jaycee immediately answered. Susan looked confused.

"But you're telling her what to do and she's doing it," she explained.

"Am I forcing her?" I asked her.

"Maybe through force of will," she answered. I had to laugh. "What?" Susan asked, then got the unintended pun. "Oh!"

"Force of 'Will', indeed," Jaycee said.

"See if you can explain it to her, Jaycee," I ordered. I wanted to hear how Jaycee's mind worked on this, too.

Jaycee turned to face Susan directly, and re-took both her hands. "Susan, I trust Will. I trust him more than I've ever trusted anyone else. The few times I've doubted his judgment this week ended up with me feeling very stupid afterwards. He is deserving of that trust. As far as I'm concerned, anything he wants to do to me, he can. Because I trust him. And everything he's done to me so far has been amazing. This has been the best week of my life. Honest."

"But ..." Susan tried to interrupt.

"No, let me get this out," Jaycee insisted. She took a big breath and exhaled. "Have I been scared sometimes? Sure. Especially when Will unknowingly put me in a similar position to when I was attacked. He didn't know what was going through my head. But I knew that he wasn't my attacker, and that everything he did was to make me feel good. Not him. Ok, I'm sure it felt good to him, too. But I was actually the higher priority for him. When we started this week, he said that his wants were going to take priority over mine. But it hasn't been true. I can feel him holding back, making sure that my pleasure comes first. And sometimes cums second, and cums third," she laughed.

"Really?" asked Susan in confusion.

"Yes, really," insisted Jaycee. "And because of that, because of the trust that he's earned, I can completely surrender myself to him. Even if he orders me to do something mundane or even unpleasant, I know there's a higher purpose behind it because I know that Will always thinks through everything before he takes a single act. It may be that doing this mundane chore frees him up to get something else done so that we'll be able to spend more time together later. Or it may be for some other reason that I couldn't fathom. But I'll do it willingly anyway."

"But what about him hitting you? That can't be for your own pleasure. Can it?" said a less certain Susan.

"Ever since my rape, I've insisted on complete control over how I have sex," Jaycee started. "I was able to let go outside of the bedroom, and be happy and fun, and even flirty. But once I was with a guy behind closed doors, I struggled with all the fears from that night."

Jaycee took another big breath and let it out.

"One thing I never let guys do was touch my butt. Never. If any guy did, it was like that creep was touching me, and I would just flip out. I hated that about me. Hated it. Will didn't know why I had this fear, or phobia, or whatever you want to call it. But he knew of it. And so he introduced ... an incentive for me."

"Spanking you is an incentive?" Susan asked.

"No, or Yes," Jaycee sighed. "Not wanting to be spanked again was the incentive. And he would touch my butt." Jaycee smiled. "A lot! And this whole week started with my promising he could take my ass. That was part of the negotiations."

Susan turned to me. "You insisted on that?"

"Actually," I answered. "Jaycee offered it freely. She's the one who brought it up."

"Really?" Susan asked Jaycee.

Jaycee nodded. "Really. I'd been thinking of how I could finally get over this fear. To let it go once and for all. And I so desperately wanted to. And when the situation presented itself, I just knew that Will would be the one who could do it. I doubt anyone else could have. But he has."

"So you've had butt sex?" Susan timidly asked.

"The proper term is 'anal'" Jaycee smiled. "And no, not yet. Though hopefully tonight."

Oh? 

"Tonight? While I'm here? Oh God!" Susan looked like she was going to faint.

"Well, maybe not. Not while you're here. I don't know though. It's not up to me. I'll do whatever Will wants me to do."

"Goodness," Susan said. "I don't think I could ever trust someone else that much."

I'm not sure I liked the romantic mysticism that was implied by this conversation. 

"Jaycee," Susan began, "do you love Will?"

Jaycee was surprised by the question, and cast a nervous look in my direction. I'm not sure I wanted Jaycee thinking in those terms. Or, at least, not as an answer to a third party's question.

"I think," I rushed in to save Jaycee, "that trust and love are not the same thing here. Sure there may be overlap. But I think it's possible to love someone, yet not trust them this much. And it's possible to trust someone without actually being in love with him, or her."

Susan didn't agree. "I'd think you'd just have to be in love if you trusted someone that much," she pushed. I don't know why this was so important to her.

"It could vary based on a number of factors," I tried to explain. "For instance, Jaycee's desire to overcome her fear may make her place more trust in me than she otherwise would. That has more to do with her own personal motives than anything that I've done or earned. So Jaycee may trust me but not love me." 

"It also depends on what definition of love you're using," I continued. "And that's a big problem these days. We're all supposed to know what that word means, when usually we have no clue. One of my favorite authors defined love as that circumstance when someone else's happiness is more important to you than your own happiness. Or perhaps, your happiness is dependent on that other person's happiness."

"If that's the case," followed Susan, "then you love Jaycee. She said that you place her happiness as more important than your own."

Jaycee was staring at me very intently.

"By that definition, you're right," I agreed. "But at the same time, that can also be very situational. Maybe, based on that, I love Jaycee in the bedroom but not outside of the bedroom. Or maybe I love Jaycee when I'm with her but not when she's away. Or maybe I love her when she's being a 'good girl' and not when she's being a 'bad girl.' And that is also using just that one definition of love. I'm sure you could come up with many other ways of describing love, and how I feel towards Jaycee would fall within some of those definitions and not others. That's the problem with trying to jam everything under the umbrella of that one all-purpose word. Two people could both be using that one word to express their feelings for each other, and yet mean completely different things." 

"Then how are we supposed to express our feelings for each other?" Susan asked.

"By using lots of words — lots and lots and lots. Or even better, actions. You know the phrase 'actions speak louder than words'? It's true. Take Jaycee's explanation just a minute ago. I'll cherish Jaycee's expression of trust in me far more than if she'd just generically used the word 'love'. What she said tells me so much more about how she feels about me. Likewise, she was telling us how she interprets the emotion expressed by my actions. That, too, is more important, and more descriptive, than merely using that one word 'love.'" 

"So you'll never say that you love someone?" Susan asked. 

"No, I'm not saying that. But I place a greater importance on those other expressions of emotion. Using the word 'love' is lazy. Sometimes that's fine, as a shortcut to say that the way we better described how we felt about a person a few days ago is still in effect. But I think people should avoid falling into the trap of using only that one word. So I try not to use it. If I care for someone, I should be able to come up with a more creative or expressive way of showing it."

Susan gave Jaycee a look of wonder.

"Being with Will is hard," Jaycee told her. "Think of the pressure that puts on me. Even if I decide to tell Will that I love him, he won't believe it. I have to show him what he means to me."

"Jaycee, you show how you feel about me every time you follow one of my orders," I told her.

"In that case, that's an even better reason to do what you tell me to do." And she smiled at me.

The conversation soon turned back to Susan and her moral crisis, though I was still perplexed why she was seeking advice from the two of us in the first place. Perhaps she needed to know that morality could exist independent from the confined teachings with which she was raised. I wanted to help Susan for Jaycee's sake. But in my opinion, Susan was beyond our help and would have to muddle her way through this on her own.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 12



Eventually, even Susan tired of discussion and she and Jaycee started watching some crap television. If it wasn't for football, I'd have gotten rid of my set entirely, that was how low an opinion I had of current pop culture. I mostly tried to go back to my reading, but couldn't help but occasionally be distracted by how the top vote-getting housewife could cook gourmet meals while backstabbing her friends competition in order to win plastic surgery quasi-reality show. For each minute I watched, though, I could feel my brain cells liquefying and running out my ear. I left entertaining Susan to Jaycee and retired down the hallway. 

After making sure the guest room was acceptable for Susan's use tonight, I took my laptop to my bedroom and set up on my bed. It must have been a few hours later when Jaycee entered my room.

"Good, you're still up," she said. "I was worried I'd miss out on my punishment."

"Your punishment?" I asked.

"You said I was going to 'get it,'" she reminded me. "I've been looking forward to whatever 'it' may be all night. Just let me get ready first." And she grabbed some lingerie out of a drawer, being very careful to keep me from getting a good look at it, and then closed herself off in the bedroom.

I took a minute to make sure Susan was ok. I went down the hall and knocked on the newly repaired guest bedroom door. "Susan? It's me, Will."

"Just a minute," she called out.

"I just wanted to make sure you were all set," I said through the door. "There's a new toothbrush you can use in the cabinet under the sink and ..." The door opened.

Susan stood there wearing one of my football t-shirts. It fell all the way down to mid-thigh on her short frame.

"Where did you get that shirt?" 

"Jaycee got it for me. You don't mind, do you?" she said.

"No, I don't mind, but I'm wondering how she got it. She didn't come into my room."

"No, she got it out of that drawer there," she said, pointing to a drawer in a chest which I thought was empty. I walked over, knelt down, and opened it, finding three more of my shirts within.

"Did she steal these to start her own collection?" I didn't really expect an answer from Susan, but I was rewarded with a giggle. I also became aware of how pretty Susan's feet were with their light pink polish, attached to daintily thin ankles.

"Right," I said, standing up quickly. "Do you need anything else? Ummm, there are towels in the linen closet down the hall for a shower in the morning. Shampoos and the like in the guest bath. Ummm."

"I've got everything I need, Will. Thanks for letting me spend the night. I'm sorry I'm intruding on you like this."

"Don't worry about it. Whatever you need, if I've got it then it's yours, whether that's a temporary escape, my sage counsel, or letting you steal my sex slave away from me for a few hours." 

Crap, I made her uncomfortable with that last comment. "Alrighty then. Off to bed for all of us. Sleep tight." And I made my way back to my room, turning off the hall light along the way.

I found Jaycee wearing a bright red babydoll, the top starting halfway down her breasts and leaving the lower half of her breasts mostly exposed through gauzy panels. The rest of her torso was covered by a stretchy but opaque red mesh. The outfit was held up by two thin spaghetti straps over her shoulders. She had lit half a dozen candles and spread them around the room while I was gone.

"I'm sorry, Master, but I've been a very, very bad girl," she said.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes, I ran off without telling you why. I promised to call and tell what was happening and I didn't. I then let you believe that I was going back on my promise. I allowed Susan to try to tempt you and thus put you in a difficult spot, and then I ignored you for most of the evening. So, even though I don't know what 'it' is, I most definitely deserve 'it.'"

"I'm not sure what 'it' is, either, but I'll figure 'it' out along the way," I told her. "Now, undress me," I ordered.

I loved how Jaycee did this. She would throw in an occasional massage technique so that while she was undressing me, she was also caressing me, and exciting me. She removed everything but my underwear. Then kneeling down in front of me, she pulled the elastic top out and over my prick and immediately engulfed it into her mouth. She continued to suck and drive her head down and back up my cock all while pushing the last item of clothing down my legs and off of each foot.

"Good. Now lie face down on the bed," I ordered. "That's right. Put your hands up on the headboard."

Jaycee did as instructed and now waited for 'it.' Once again placing herself within my trust.

I crawled up next to her in bed and began stroking her back above the babydoll. She had such smooth skin. I can understand having smooth skin from applying lotions and the like and have seen several women doing the like to their arms and legs. But how did Jaycee get her back so smooth? It didn't seem possible. 

I passed my fingers down her back, feeling through the fabric the few moles and other slight blemishes to Jaycee's otherwise perfect back. These weren't detractions, though. They were just a physical manifestation of yet another aspect of what made Jaycee so wonderfully unique. 

My hand grazed against the top of her behind and my attention shifted down to those two dimples at the top of Jaycee's butt. The lingerie had bunched around her waist, showing that Jaycee had decided that panties didn't go with this outfit. 

I leaned down and placed a kiss over each dimple, while moving my hands further down and stroking her butt. I could feel goose bumps rise under my hands, adding texture on top of firm muscle and silky skin. How could anyone want to hurt Jaycee like that asshole had done? Jaycee was a spirit of pure joy and sensuality. Why would anyone try to diminish that spirit? Such an attack wasn't just a crime against Jaycee, or a crime against womankind, but a crime against humanity. It was an attack against all that is good and beautiful in the world.

"You're thinking about my rape aren't you?"

I looked towards the top of the bed to find Jaycee's head turned towards me. 

"I ..." 

"It happened a long time ago, Will. I almost never think about it anymore."

"You thought about it today. A lot, I bet," I proffered.

"Yes, but with a perspective of ten years and life's lessons learned in the meantime." She sighed. "But you just found out about it, so to you it just happened."

"I don't want you to be sorry that you told me," I started.

"Good," Jaycee interrupted. "Because you shouldn't change a thing about how you treat me — which is how I want to be treated by you."

"Yeah, but ..." I began.

"You think I couldn't stop you if I wanted to? You think I couldn't stop him if he tried to do that to me again? I've learned a lot in ten years."

I must have looked a little doubtful. Jaycee's facial expression changed from one of concern to determination. Next thing I knew I was being flipped face forward over the side of the bed and then tumbling so quickly that I landed on my back.

"Want to go for round two?" she asked from a kneeling position, looking down on me.

"You've been training in martial arts?" I asked.

"Nope. I'm a physical therapist, remember?"

Well what did that have to do with anything? I picked myself up and reached towards her. It must have been half-heartedly, because my right arm was wrenched behind my back and I was propelled towards my left and over the bottom corner of my bed. Jaycee released my arm and I struggled to right myself from being bent over the foot of my bed and jammed up against the bed post. 

"How do you keep doing that?" I asked.

"It's all about leverage and knowing the limited directions joints can turn and bend. I can get a four hundred pound man out of a hospital bed and into a standing position without help. You think you can take me down? Ha!"

Alright then, no holds barred. I lunged at her at my first opportunity and got both arms wrapped around her torso, taking her down to the mattress with me. She somehow twisted within my grasp and shot down, trying to escape my grasp. I brought my legs into it, trying to wrap them around her, but Jaycee was already applying pressure to my right knee and twisting it in a way that made the rest of my body want to follow. I gave in to that motion and accelerated my movement, whipping out of her grasp, but unfortunately allowing her to escape my hold as well. 

From there it was a vigorous, enjoyable, and erotic wrestling match. There's something both sexy and fun from breaking free from a hold and finding a tasty nipple dangling in front of one's face, ready for a quick suck, or getting a momentary advantage in position to then be distracted by a feminine hand lightly grasping one's balls.

She continued to take me by surprise several times. My favorite occurred when I was trying to twist her shoulders to lay flat and pinned to the mattress. She yelled out "Jaycee Hip Action!" and bucked and twisted, getting her hips beneath mine and continuing her twist to leverage me completely up off the mattress. I flew at least three feet over to the far side of the bed. 

"You didn't realize I had superpowers, did you?" she asked.

"No, but now that I know I think I can guess what your kryptonite is to render you powerless before me," I replied while laughing and returning to the action.

Wrestling Jaycee was fun, but there was also something very primal about it. We were engaged in a battle of strength for my right to mount her. Even though we often times laughed and teased, there was an underlying seriousness to it. And as good as Jaycee was, there was only one way this was going to end. Jaycee could have escaped if she had wanted to. She didn't. She wouldn't quit nor escape because she wanted me to earn the right to take her. 

I took my own sweet time about it, too. I out massed her by eighty pounds or so, as a guess, and I used that to my advantage. While she was a good escape artist, I tried to keep my weight on top of her as much as possible. By doing so, I slowly sapped her strength. Her lingerie first ripped a few minutes into our contest, and from then I made it a point to slowly open the rip further. Whenever Jaycee made to move, I positioned myself so that she would have to lift my body in the process. The next time took her longer to get out from under me; the time after that even longer.

When I fell, inverted, with my head bouncing off of Jaycee's cushioned behind and she didn't fight me off, I knew I had her. I reached down, grabbed the gaping hole in the lingerie and pulled it upwards, tearing the garment in half. Her left ankle was close to one of the top bedposts, so I scooted up the mattress a bit, grabbed her ankle, and secured it using one of the restraints left over from two nights previous.

I was still placing my weight at least partly on top of Jaycee and I wanted that to continue. So I moved back down her body, rolling her onto her back, and then placing more of myself on top of her. Jaycee finally groaned and made a weak attempt to push me off, but I wasn't having it. Instead I pressed her more fully into the mattress. 

I continued the move down her body until I had my legs completely off her, above her head. Jaycee looked up to see my erect and triumphant cock just inches in front of her face. I moved the head towards her mouth but she jerked her head sideways, denying me entrance. Instead I lifted my legs up, distributing more of my weight onto my torso and thus onto Jaycee. She groaned beneath me from the pressure. I also snaked my left hand down beneath her and grabbed a handful of her hair. I used it to manipulate her head back into position and pulled back further, arching her back even as she lay beneath me. 

I prodded her mouth with my cock and this time she surrendered to me. 

She lay beneath me, sweaty, exhausted, her lingerie torn and shredded, partly handcuffed to the bed, and her mouth open to my plundering cock. Her drool coated my rod and I pushed it further into her with each thrust. My inner caveman had come out to do what he does best, lay claim to the woman of his choice.

Jaycee grunted with the rhythm in which I ravaged her mouth. I would allow her an occasional break to catch her breath, but I made sure to not give her too many. After our struggle I was re-exerting my dominance over her. She was completely within my power, and I wanted her to feel that. That also meant continuing to penetrate a little further. If Jaycee gagged, I'd immediately pull back to let her recover. But not too much time lest she think I was going easy on her. 

When Jaycee started sucking and putting her tongue into it, that was too much for me. In just a minute she pulled me over the edge and I found my cock giving her a late night snack, bypassing her taste buds and instead delivered directly to her stomach.

When I removed my dick from her mouth, Jaycee's lungs heaved in an effort to get oxygen. Her breasts pressed into my stomach beneath me. After that, Jaycee deserved a reward. All I had to do is reposition myself slightly upwards and I could once again explore Jaycee's bare and beautiful, though glistening with sweat, pussy. I had to let go of the back of her head, but I still used my left hand beneath her to press her body up into my own to make her feel as much of my body as possible.

"OHHhhhh!"

The first drag of my tongue across her nether lips produced a much louder groan from Jaycee than I expected. 

My continued ministrations kept Jaycee's volume level up. She didn't appear to be engaging in fake bedroom talk, as I'd ordered her to refrain from the first night we were together, but her volume was about twice as loud as I'd yet heard from her. Of course, this was a different position, and a different experience. Maybe Jaycee was much more into it tonight, feeling my body weight on top of her? 

When I used my tongue as a spear, penetrating her repeatedly, her volume increased again.

"OH! OH! OH! OH! OH! Oh Will! Oh Sir! Oh Master! Master! Master! My Master! OHHHH!"

I varied my actions, building Jaycee's excitement, and brought my fingers of my right hand into the mix as well. That was soon difficult as Jaycee began writhing and jerking beneath me and, even lying on top of her, I frequently needed my right hand to control Jaycee's body. 

Jaycee gripped my legs with her arms, hugging them to her tightly while she loudly moaned and cried. Her reaction also allowed me to get more into the experience and I soon found myself re-engorged. 

I kept at my efforts, enjoying her uniquely wonderful flavor until I was sure I elicited a large orgasm from her. Jaycee stopped calling out loudly and instead her voice became high-pitched, letting out occasional, little squeaks, all while her back arched and she attempted to lift my body up off the bed. 

There is something ego-swelling about bringing Jaycee to an obviously strong orgasm. I wistfully wished I could add the skill to my resume. 'Special skills: expert pussy licker. References available.'

I took her post-orgasmic recovery to rearrange my position. I decided that the "it" that Jaycee was going to get was my using her body to get off one more vigorous time before calling it a night. Of course, I wanted to continue my prepping of her butt for me, as well. So I grabbed a dildo from my side table and prepped it with lube. 

I rolled Jaycee onto her left side, then hooked my right arm underneath her right knee and moved it upwards to her chest. With her left ankle still strapped to a bed post, this opened Jaycee up to me. I again lay on top of her. This time I lined my cock up to her side-facing pussy and penetrated her with one strong push. Jaycee let out a high pitched grunt, and her face scrunched up cutely with her eyebrows furrowing. But otherwise her eyes remained closed.

Now fully inside of her, I could reach up further with my right arm and brace myself by grabbing her right shoulder. This bent her right leg even further up than it naturally wanted to go, stretching her more and allowing me to slide another inch further inside. Of course, I had to grip her shoulder more firmly to maintain this position.

While holding in place, I then positioned the slick dildo up and into her ass using my left hand. 

"Oh, ummm, ugh!" Jaycee reacted.

"Feel that go deep inside you," I told her.

"Oohhhheerrrrrrrrr," said Jaycee as I slowly inserted the sex toy further inside. I could feel its progress against my dick through her vaginal wall. 

Jaycee arched her back again, turning her head up and crying "Oh Master!" And then she shook underneath me in another orgasm. Unbelievable, I wasn't even moving in and out of her, and I don't think I was making any stimulation to her clitoris or her breasts for that matter. I think she just had her first anal orgasm.

"Good girl," I chuckled. Then I started fucking her. And I do mean to use that term. I fucked her hard and fast. Jaycee's responding noises returned in rhythm to my motion, creating a counter tempo to the sounds of our bodies slapping together.

I'm not sure how long we went, but after one particularly deep penetration, I arched my head up and caught a shadowy figure in the hallway through my partially opened bedroom door. I distinctly remembered that door being closed earlier. 

I stopped my motion and lowered myself to Jaycee's ear.

"Susan is watching us," I whispered.

Jaycee turned her face to me and smiled at me. "You just now noticed? She's been there for at least ten minutes. Probably longer," she whispered back.

"You ok with that?" I asked.

"Why do you think I was being so loud? I wanted her to peek in on us."

I stayed low on Jaycee now and returned to a slow and steady pace of thrust and withdraw. But now I occasionally removed and then returned her ass intruder as well.

"Oh, yes, I love it when you take me like this!" cried Jaycee.

"You're such a naughty girl," I whispered into Jaycee's ear again. "Showing off like this to your friend."

Jaycee groaned loudly again. Though this one I didn't think was for show.

"Do you like the idea of Susan watching you getting fucked?" I whispered again. "Of her standing alone in that hallway wishing she could trade places with you? Wishing she could feel as much pleasure as you feel? Wishing she could experience being taken and owned so completely by someone?"

Jaycee's groans grew louder. "Errr ... Not just someone," Jaycee said. "Owned by you. Oh, William!" she called out, and I could feel her cumming again.

I raised up, threw her leg over to my left side so that Jaycee was on her back, and then resumed in an upright missionary position, grabbing and manipulating both of Jaycee's breasts and those wonderfully prominent nipples. 

"Oh Yes! Oh Yes! Oh Yes!" and Jaycee continued to cum.

Another minute or so of that, and then I settled down again on top of Jaycee, now in the traditional missionary. I burrowed both arms underneath her and hugged her to me tightly while increasing the tempo of my thrusts. 

"Oh Master! Fuck me forever!" Jaycee yelled as she shook and trembled beneath me.

Now I began grunting from the effort, in time with my thrusts. 

Jaycee's shaking and writhing increased. Her high-pitched grunting was back, a noise so sexy that it spurred me onwards towards my own long-delayed orgasm.

"I'm gonna ... I'm gonna ... I'm gonna ..." I grunted. "Oh! ... Err ... AAARRRRRGHGHGH!!!" I screamed as I came inside of her.

My body was weak and drenched with sweat. And I felt like I was lying on top of an electric blanket there was so much heat underneath me. Though that electric blanket was giving me light kisses and caressing my back. 

"You're not just my Master," Jaycee sighed, "you are the Master of all that is sex. How you make me feel that good ... it defies belief." She continued to stroke my back tenderly, mixing in the occasional kiss to my forehead or cheek. Then her attention was drawn once again to the hallway.




Side Bet Bluff Ch. 12



"That's how it's done right, Susan," Jaycee called out.

Susan let out a little shriek, and we could hear her run back to her room.

"That was mean," I told Jaycee.

"I'd like it if she learned that there's nothing wrong with sex," she said.

"That might be a bit much to try for in one night," I commented.

"Sure. But I've got to start somewhere. I need to go check in and talk to her. Do you mind? Of course I'll stay if you want."

"Go ahead," I told her, and I moved off of her. 

Jaycee got up and tried to get out of bed, forgetting that I had trapped her left ankle to one of the bed posts. 

"Oops!" I chuckled, then leaned over and unlocked her. She blew me a kiss, then immediately walked down the hall, not bothering to even put something on.

"Jaycee, no. I don't ... Ah! You've got his stuff running down your leg!" I heard Susan yell.

Well, at least one of us ought to clean up. I noticed the used dildo in the middle of the bed and took that into the bathroom, at least making myself comfortable enough for sleep. I returned to bed and put the dildo back on the side table, but wondered what I should do next. I suppose I should wait for Jaycee as she might want to talk about her conversation with Susan. Then again, that orgasm knocked me for a loop. The endorphin crash had left me incredibly sleepy, and I was yawning continuously.

The hallway door opened and Jaycee led a reluctant Susan into the room.

"Sit!" Jaycee ordered Susan, pointing at the foot of the bed. Susan looked at the bed as if a den of vipers lay hidden underneath the blankets. "I said SIT!"

"Good girl," Jaycee continued when Susan's butt hit the mattress. I scooted up in bed, moving into a mostly sitting position. Jaycee crawled into bed and right between my legs, then rested herself back against my chest and pulled the sheets up to at least cover her legs. Jaycee sighed as my arms automatically slid around her.

"Look at how you two fit together like that," Susan said in a near whisper. I couldn't see Jaycee's face, but I swear I could sense her grin.

"Alright," Jaycee said, "now ask your questions."

Susan flashed her eyes to mine, then turned her whole body to the side and looked down to the floor. "With him here? No, I can't do that!"

"You've seen him completely naked while he and I have sex but you can't have a simple conversation in his presence? Stop being so foolish."

Susan twirled the sheet between her fingers, still not looking at us directly.

"How did it feel?" Susan softly asked.

"Girl, you're not that naïve. If you can't tell from how it looked, and sounded for that matter, then ... I don't know ..." said Jaycee.

"Well, ummm, did you have an orgasm?" 

Jaycee just laughed. "Wrong question. You shouldn't have asked whether I had 'an' orgasm, but how many orgasms?"

"Really?"

"Even Will had two, and men hardly ever have more than one. I couldn't even count how many I had. One just tended to blur into the next anyway."

"Oh my God!" Susan exclaimed. I could feel Jaycee give a slight chuckle.

"Ummm, Will ... or should I call you 'sir'?" Susan asked.

"I'm not your master, Susan. Will is sufficient."

"Right. Sorry. Ummm. Will ... what were you doing behind Jaycee? With your hand I mean? I ... I couldn't really see."

"He was ..." Jaycee started, then looked around. "Where did it go?? She twisted around to look at the side table. "Ah, there it is." She reached down to the second stand below. "He was sawing this dildo in and out of my butt."

Susan sharply inhaled, seeing the sex toy in plain view.

"And you still had orgasms while he was doing that to you?" she asked.

"Oh yeah," Jaycee practically purred. "It was like Will was burrowing straight into the very core of my being. Like he was making himself part of me. I swear I can still feel him now, deep in those places inside of me that I cannot even reach myself. It's like he left a bit of himself inside of me for all time. Now wherever I go I'll carry around a bit of Will with me and I'll know what I should do and feel like he knows what I'm doing, or thinking."

"Are ... are you going to have the butt ... I mean, the anal sex now?" Susan asked.

"No," I told her. "We're done for the night. Besides, I've made very special plans for tomorrow night when we will finally do the deed."

"You have?" Jaycee asked, turning and looking up at me.

I nodded. "Only the best for my own very special sex slave," I told her.

Jaycee kissed me, strongly and wetly. I could feel her emotions through her tongue and her arms. She was thanking me for a great night, and for taking the time to make her feel special, even before she knew what the plans entailed. I tried to express to her that she was worth all that and more — that she made me feel like the luckiest man alive to have her in my life and in my arms.

When we came up for air, Susan was gone. Jaycee briefly got up, closed the door, and blew out the candles. Sleep was beckoning, but there was still time enough for one more lengthy tongue conversation.