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The Proposal Ch. 01

By: Rattlesnake1775



It was probably the first place she had ever been that truly could be called a "Lounge." After all, there had been many bars, joints, clubs and other assorted locales that had born such a title through their neon and plywood signs, but they all tended to lack that essential quality that let you truly 'lounge.' Most of them were loud joints, with music blaring, cheap beer on tap, and guys in dirty t-shirts and flip flops trying to look down your shirt while they tell you how big their dick is. Usually not in those words, but the message is the same, isn't it?

But this place was different. Named "Reflections," and hidden away on the 45th floor of the Hilton Downtown, it had elevated itself to #1 on her list of best kept secrets in the city. The view of downtown was breathtaking, the city lit up, the lights from the football stadium in the distance serving as a dramatic backdrop for the slow crawl of traffic down the main drags, and people scurrying through the encroaching cold. January around here could be a bitch. And the drink and cigar selection was extensive.

She turned back towards the piano sitting on an elevated platform, letting herself go in the song. The woman was not splayed across the black wood, but standing at the microphone, slowly swaying with her own voice, accompanied by the two men behind her. Amber loved it.

Unfortunately, it had been another failed date to get here. Spencer had seemed like a nice guy, a lawyer dealing with copyright law. They had meet through work, which should have been her first clue. An intern with an accounting firm, she had been tasked with helping the accountants hired by his team of legal beagles to find some discrepancies in a tech firms books. It had been two months of backbreaking labor, pouring over books that were shoddy at best, down right felonious at worst. 

But throughout it all Spencer had been an upbeat, friendly face. He was human to the people that worked for him, and managed to make her laugh when they were still in the office at ten at night. So obviously laughing had lead to a bit more, before they had managed to recover their professional decorum, and postpone any hanky-panky until after the project was complete.

Which had been last Thursday. So he had called her, and on this Friday they found themselves in the Hilton Queen's Ballroom at some charity function. It had taken him precisely 38 minutes to get sloppily drunk. At 55 minutes he had interrupted the keynote speaker by screaming out loudly, and throwing a tumbler of scotch at some of his friends at another table. At 1 hour, 6 minutes those friends had thrown two back. She had left not twenty seconds later.

The sign for the lounge had caught her eye on the way out, as she mentally calculated her chances of finding a cab, downtown, at seven at night on a Friday. Things did not look good. But the promise of a relaxed drink did, so she ascended upwards in the glass elevator, grabbed a seat at the bar, and let herself go in the music and atmosphere, the stress of the week and the pain and embarrassment of a bad date bleeding away.

Jonathan stepped out of the elevator, and looked down onto the city. He loved it here, loved living in the city. To bad that his ex-wife hated everything about it, and had done her best to poison the last ten years of his existence here. Which was amazing, seeing how she had been on the West Coast, three thousand miles away, for the last two of that decade. Women were another thing that fascinated him.

Turning to his right, he was greeted by Mario, who worked the Reflections coatroom. He handed the man his heavy overcoat and gloves, glad to be rid of the layer. He loved winter as much as the next man, but this one had not really been up to snuff. Little snow, lots of rain. If this kept up, he might have to permanently relocate somewhere with guaranteed annual snowfall. To bad most of those places were closer to the ex-wife. He really had to stop thinking about her.

The lights in Reflections were always dim, letting outside lighting play in, and giving the place an intimate, comfortable ambiance. He had seen that the charity ball downstairs was letting out, and he hoped that it did not filter up here. He doubted it, those things rarely did, but shit happened. He had an invitation to that abortion somewhere in his house, but he stayed away from such functions, sending a check instead. Nothing worse then a bunch of rich and wanna-be-rich people standing around telling each other how great they are because they gave peanuts to starving kids in Africa.

His eyes danced across the bar, and he spotted Rick trying to catch his eye. Heading his way at the back end of the teak bar, the massive black man leaned down to his friends level. "Seat number four, came up earlier. Bad date downstairs."

"What makes you think I'm here for that tonight?"

"You're always after that."

"Touché, touché."

He walked back down the bar, and sat next to the indicated seat, admiring the back view of a beautiful woman. Her hair was almost auburn in color, a deep, passionate flavor of hair. It even smelled good, and he was a good foot away from it. The gown she was wearing gave away that she not dressed up for a night at the clubs, but for something a bit more formal. It was a shoulder-and-sleeveless affair, dipping dangerously low towards her derriere, exposing a nice hourglass figure, tapering into a narrow waist, and a nice roundness sitting straight up and down on her stool. She was swaying gently back and forth with the music, one hand on the glass sitting on the bar. The fingers were long and elegant, with dangerously red nails tapping alternately on the bar and the glass. 

He did not realize it, but he must have been staring, because suddenly he realized that she had turned around, and was looking him dead in the eye. Her eyes were big and green, dominating a face that was the picture of angelic innocence, with pouty red lips, a cute small nose, defined cheekbones and a high forehead. Her make up was soft and accenting, drawing attention away from the small groups of freckles that spotted the otherwise flawless skin on her cheeks.

But looking at him she was, and the alarm claxons were going crazy in his frontal lobe, trying to get the Duty Brain cells to get the mouth into gear, fire up the conversation processors, DO SOMETHING! But duty brain cell was not answering the radio, mainly because currently his eyes had tracked down her front, and realized that not only did she have a nice ass, but that her gown had a slit up the side to the top of very nice legs, which gave way to a flat stomach, which gave way to a very nice rack, the top of her gown barely containing the breasts looking up at him.

"Hello." Her voice did not come towards him the way that normal sound waves do, did not vibrate the air between them and resonate in his eardrums. It was more of a wave, like a cloud of perfume that envelops and intoxicates you. It was low and smoky at the same time, with a gentle purring quality, with no hostility or aggression, just an offering of an opening.

Finally the Duty Brain cells ripped themselves away from the periscope, and hit the emergency startup button. The lungs fired up the oxygen burners, and the cortex spun into high gear, instantly developing a response, spitting out his most charming line.


"Hello."

She smiled, slowly, spreading from the edge of her lips all over her face, like the sun rising. It was all he could do to tear his eyes away from hers, her emeralds mesmerizing him. "Can I buy you another drink?" Somehow the message that her glass was empty had gotten through, and he was acting on it. Small miracle at this point.

"I'm not sure. Already had one bad experience with a man today, why ruin the moment and create the opportunity for another?"

"Yeah, Rick told me. I was just offering it out as an apology from the rest of us, who would never treat you like that." He was not really sure what last dude had done, but he was an idiot, and he was already thanking him. He had always been on his best at the rebound.

"You must come here often, if you know the bartender by name."

Jonathan shrugged. He did not think it would help his cause to mention that he was a co-owner of the place, and that Rick was his personal trainer with a need for extra income. So instead he just waved at the man, and made a motion that told him to refill her, and bring him his regular vodka and cranberry.

She watched as Rick poured the drinks and deposited them before them on the little stone coasters, sliding her now empty glass beneath bar with a smile.

"Well, thank you, I guess." She smiled at him again, and he told her that if she smiled like that again, he would buy her another one. Finally she laughed. "A charmer, are we?"

"Flattery gets you everywhere."

"Ain't that the truth!"

She watched as his eyes briefly roamed the room, tracing across the people, the piano, back to the massive walk in humidor, the bar, and then back to her. There seemed to be restlessness in him that she found rather alluring at the moment. "Am I keeping you from something?"

"No, I'm scooping out where I can abscond you to if the abortion from downstairs spills over."

"You look like the type that would go to such a thing."

"I hate them. I have an invitation somewhere at my house, but as you can tell, I did not attend."

They looked up at Ricky as he approached, indicating the racks behind the bar with his head. "Anything tonight?"

Jonathan cast a look at Amber, then shrugged, thinking why the hell not. "You smoke cigars?"

"Rarely."

"Good enough." He nodded to Ricky, who disappeared through the stained glass door, reappearing a second later with two aluminum cylinders.

He did Amber first, cutting the back, and then letting her roll the cancer crutch in the flame from the massive torch he produced. Jonathan almost forgot inhale as he watched her smoke, adding an extra couple of seconds to the display of flame.

It was an intoxicating sight; the way her slender fingers held the cigar, bringing it up to lips that slowly enveloped it. She closed her eyes, cheeks slowly sucking in, and the look on her face was one of relaxed bliss as she let the cancer stick slip out, and she exhaled up and away from him. It was a very sensual display, one he could have watched all night.

"Is this your usual Friday night pursuit, chat up lonely girls in cigar bars and watch them smoke?"

"No, I was actually just thinking that I should do this more often. And besides, Friday nights should not be spent in sobriety, nor in loneliness."

"You came in alone."

"But I come here, where I know everybody."

"Good one." She looked around, not really sure who he meant by everybody. Besides the bartender, there was the singer, her pianist, and a man stringing a guitar. Three waitresses prowled the place, and she could make out about ten or so more patrons. "I just found the place earlier."

"It is a bit of a secret." Makes it more exclusive that way, he did not add. 

"So am I into the secret club now, I have to keep the secret?"

"Sure do."

"You the club president?"

"One could say so. I'm Jonathan."

"Amber."

"Naturally."

"Excuse me?"

"Beautiful woman, beautiful name. Damn, that's a pretty bad line." They laughed together.

"You guys have a secret handshake?"

"Yup."

She offered her hand, and he shook it, up and down twice, then let go. She gave him a bit of a queer look, then turned her hand over. He had slipped a piece of paper between her fingers. Slowly she unfolded it, the writing simply reading "Room #2718." Her look turned questioning, and she saw something flash in his eyes.

"It's an offer."

"An offer?"

"Well, we can sit here all night, and I will do my best to dig you out of that dress. I put my chances at about 70%, gauging from everything I know. By the time we get through all that we'll be decently drunk, and it will be about eleven o'clock or so. We'll go to the room, and do our thing. It will be mind-blowing for me, but probably only ok for you. I'm not that young anymore, late hours and alcohol conspire to rob me of my athletic abilities. So instead, why don't we just go down there now, I rock your worlds as best as this old man can, and then we do whatever comes to mind."

He smiled as he finished his little monologue, realizing that his chances now were about an even 50:50. But it did conserve the rest of the night, which meant that if this did not work out, he had all night to try something else. But he really wanted this one.

She leaned back in her chair, slowly sipping her Cosmopolitan, her eyes roaming him. His suit was custom tailored, she could tell by the buttons on the arms and the material she had felt brush up against her when they had shaken hands. The white shirt and tie were of the same high quality. His skin was tanned and was the first indicator that he had passed the legal age for drinking a while back, probably about twenty years or so. But aging had probably made him more attractive, she admitted as she looked into his eyes. 

They were a deep brown, surrounded by small laugh lines and crows feet that joined the graying temples and black hair to give him a distinguished appearance. He was sitting straight up and down, and she could tell that he kept in shape by the way his body managed to hold the form and the suit with no problem. She had been with an older man once, a man who had probably forgotten more about sex then all the rest of her partners put together had known. He had displayed that same subtle confidence, a knowledge of self that was not arrogance but an understanding of ones abilities and limitations acquired through a life of living.

She set down the glass, and looked back at the piece of paper. "Meet you there in ten minutes."

He watched her slide out of her seat, smiling at him past hair hanging into her face, and then glide across the floor towards the ladies room. His eyes followed her every move, the way her hips moved, the flow her hair, the soft scent she left behind teasing him with what he hoped was to come. How delicious.

The elevator chimed as the doors parted, and she stepped out onto the 27th floor, already impressed. Unlike the Motel 6's and Quality Inn's that had defined most of her hotel experience so far, the lighting here was a bit more subdued, not the harsh hospital illumination favored by many. The artwork on the walls looked a lot better, and the carpet beneath her seemed to muffle her steps, absorbing her step as she moved along.

She came to the door with the ornate 18 on it, watching it glide open when she knocked. The click of the lock behind her sounded unnaturally loud, but she put that down to nerves. In here, the carpet was even higher quality, and the pictures on the wall were of vivid nature scenes. She walked down the short hallway, seeing a half bath in a hotel room for the first time. The living room she looked like it belong in an upscale private home, with the entire back wall being glass, looking down on the stadium. One could probably watch a football game from here, if you didn't mind the players looking like ants with jerseys on. 

He was standing by the glass, turning towards her when he heard her enter the room. She accepted the champagne flute he offered, and they looked down on the city, sipping silently. He could see her shoulders and back clench and relax, and he smiled to himself at the display of nervosity. 

"You see that line of lights down there, along the edge of the interstate."

"Yeah."

"That's City Park."

"Really?" He worked his way back, pointing out other city landmarks, including the university she attended. The conversation came easy and natural, moving from things they liked and disliked about the city to the professional sports teams that called it home, until they were both sitting on the couch, on their second glass of champagne, laughing together at her predictions for next years world series.

When the kiss came, it was natural, a slow, relaxed conclusion to something that they had both hoped for. It was not rushed, not frantic, but a peaceful enjoyment of each others lips and tongues that took their breathes away, and left them glued together by passion. He came back for more, and she willingly gave it to him.

Crawling into his lap, she felt his hands on her, felt him touch her, felt him kiss her. But there was no urgency, and he took his time, building her ember into a raging fire with his fingers. They seemed to be everywhere, and she felt his teeth on her neck, lips on her back, hair rising standing up to greet him.

She had never experienced it before, the slow enjoyment of the beauty she had to offer, never listened to the soft whispers of treasures discovered, never enjoyed the comfortable dance of mutual seduction. Jonathan took his time with her, and she greatly appreciated it.

The move to the bedroom was not a frantic race, but more a slow journey with uncertain outcomes, and many stops in between. It left him naked, and she marveled at the firmness of the body she had discovered. He was very fit for his age, not the bulging muscles and tendons of boys her own generation, but with the type of body built by a lifetime of hard work, a life fully lived, and the marks and stories that come with such work. 

When he finally slipped the gown over her head he marveled at what he found, kissing every inch of her skin, and leaving her wanting more. She offered it, but he refused, taking his time with her.

It was a match she could not win, no matter how hard she fought. The more she pushed it on him, the more he slowed her down. The more she fought it, the more he gained. She tried to speed up, but he only slowed down more, loving every inch of her with his lips and fingers. She cried and screamed in frustration as he pinned her hands above her head, sucking her nipples, teasing her pussy.

Her thong slipped aside, forgotten somewhere as he pushed his fingers inside, and she begged for relief as he toyed with her clit, licking her tits. Her whole body shook when he granted her wish, but he was not done, and continued to drive her higher and higher, promising sexual ecstasy while delivering excitement unlike any she had ever felt.

She writhed on the bed as he made another journey down her skin, out of breath already, and realizing that they had not even started yet. He was playing her like a violin, eliciting the sounds he wanted, and bending her to his will. His tongue on her clit drove her mad, and she screamed his name again as he tongue-fucked her.

He started at the outside, moving past her lips, pushing inside, stopping to take liberal time at her clit and pussy opening, before moving in and out, up and down, eating her, tasting her sweetness, licking her wetness, enjoying her body and soul. Her legs wrapped around his head, his hands continued their dance, and she cried, screamed and begged.

It was madness, it was stars she saw flashing before her eyes, it was the continuous shaking of her body from the orgasms he gave her; it was her sweating, panting, eyes rolling back in her head from the experience. It was too much, and it was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

It was an expected outcome when he entered her, but it was a release in and of itself when she felt him inside her. She clawed his back, tried to suck him deeper into her, her heels digging into him, her voice straining as she cried out. It was not gentle, it was not soft, it was hard loving, the kind she had dreamed of, the kind given to her by a man who was certain what he wanted, and knew for a fact what she needed. His cock felt massive in her, the big head teasing her lips and frigging her clit as he fucked her with strong, hard thrusts.

They were glued together by sweat, combined in panting and sucking air, their bodies moving independent yet together, driving each other higher and higher, the night seemingly endless as they lay together, enjoying the presence of the other, kissing, licking, biting, clawing, screwing. His release was just one more step in their journey, but one more that pushed her over the edge.


The Proposal Ch. 01



I couldn't help but laugh. "Are you serious right now Brittany?"

"Yes I'm serious. I want to fight you." She said with a smirk. She was standing up in the living room looking down at me on the couch while I was trying to play Halo 4. She had on what could only be described as an outfit that one would work out in. It consisted of a top that was like a smaller, thinner sports bra and a pair of booty hugging boy shorts, both the same color and both bright orange. 

I paused the game for a minute to really look at her. She is short, only five foot two and she can't weigh more than 110 lbs. She has a big ass and above an average chest, but a pretty skinny waist. She was still looking down at me with my controller in my hand and all I could say while starting to laugh again was, "Yeah right"! I un-paused my game and started playing again as best as I could considering my laughter. 

"I'm serious Keith. I want to fight you, but it's not really fighting, its more wrestling, no punching or kicking allowed."

"Your right, that's not fighting. Die alien asshole"

"Will you please pause that or turn it off so I can propose all this to you?" I could tell Brittany was getting a little mad at me from all the laughing and somewhat ignoring her, so I paused the game again.

"Okay, its paused now, what do you want?" I said to her in a sarcastic tone.

Brittany sat down next to me and pulled out a folded piece of paper from shorts. She unfolded it and handed it to me. It was some sort of contract with a line on the bottom of it for me to sign and a line with Brittany's signature already on it.

"What is this shit?" I asked her.

"It's a contract for you to sign if you agree to everything. You can read it or I can tell you, it might make sense if I tell you."

I just stared at her with a blank look and she started to explain.

"Okay, we are going to wrestle. It is going to be a submission style match with absolutely to punching, kicking, eye gouging, or anything dirty like that And illegal in most MMA fights. It will be a best out of 5 match. First one to make the other person tap out 3 times wins. You with me so for?"

"Yeah, I guess." I could tell she was dead serious so I wasn't laughing anymore.

"Good. We are going to do it right here in the living room on the carpet, after you move all the furniture back against the walls. Besides all the rules I have already stated, everything else is pretty much fair game, got it?" 

I started to look over the contract in my hand and everything she said was right there, almost word for word.

"Oh yeah, and you have to wear a pair of your boxer briefs, nothing more. I will be wearing what I have on."

I thought about it for a moment. "I can't fight you."

"It's not fighting its wrestling, and why not, I have been taking MMA classes at the gym, I will be fine." She said with a smirk, like she was waiting for me to react that way.

"MMA fights are based in weight classes. I am 80 lbs. heavier and 8 inches taller than you. It isn't fair by a long shot."

She pretty much just ignored my last comment. "If your too scared, just say so. But, do you want to know what the winner gets?" she purred.

"Yeah, I guess, and I am scared, that I will hurt you."

"Simply put, the winner gets the loser." She pauses long enough to see the confused look on my face. "Now I know we already have each other in the girlfriend boyfriend sense. That's not at all what I am talking about. The winner gets to do whatever they want to the loser for the rest of the weekend. Being that it is Saturday afternoon, the winner gets all night and all day tomorrow with the loser. It can be back rubs, cooking, cleaning, blow jobs, whatever your heart desires, the loser must comply no questions asked."

I could tell that she was getting pretty excited with all this part by her body language and the tone of her voice. I know where this was going, and if somehow she actually got me to tap out 3 times then I would be doing all the chores in the house and probably spending the rest of my time with my head between her legs. Brittany is a very sexual person, but in the three plus years we have been together, she hasn't been into anything crazy, just straight sex in many different positions. It wasn't until recently anyway. She wanted to fool around and I was tired after a 12 hour day in construction work. She kept bugging me and bugging me until finally she got up and slammed her pussy right into my mouth while I was laying in bed trying to sleep. She wrapped her legs around my head like she was sitting Indian style on my face and told me that the only way I was getting to sleep that night was if she came in my mouth. Ever since then, she has been addicted to having me going down on her and her being in control of it. I definitely don't have a problem with it, I love going down on her, and her being a little mean about it makes it even hotter.

"So you are trying to tell me that the winner gets the loser to basically be there slave for the rest of the entire weekend, no questions asked?" I asked her as I started to think of the possibilities and getting a little turned on with the situation. 

"Yes sir, that is exactly right. Make me tap out three times, and you can do whatever you want to me or with me."

"There has to be a catch. This all just seems too easy."

"Then you shouldn't have a problem then big boy." She said as she started to kiss my neck a little.

"No, but it still doesn't seem fair. I would love to win and all, but it just doesn't seem right."

Brittany stopped kissing me and looked in my eyes. "I already signed it. I am totally game. My classes have taught me a little and I think it is actually a fair match."

I looked at her with a slightly mad look at the fair fight comment which made this hot blonde that is basically sitting on my lap smile.

"Come on, don't be a pussy Keith. Just eat mine." Brittany laughed as she said. "Plus, haven't you always want to fuck my big ass? If you win then it's all yours to fuck as you please." Brittany turned around, stood up and stuck her ass in my face. "All yours."

My dick was rock hard now staring at this big ass swaying in my face. Then she pulled down her little shorts a little, grabbed that back of my shoved my head and shoved my face in her ass for a couple of seconds. 

"All yours." She chanted again.

I pushed her down to where she was sitting next to me again. I was still up in the air, but I had at least one more question. "If, or should I say when I win", I laughed, "and I make you my slave for the next day and a half, what kind of feelings are there going to be? Are you going to be pissed off because I fucked your ass hard and made you deep throat and gag on my cock, and made you pamper me and cook for me and whatever else I do to you? Are you going to leave me then? Are you going to kill me in my sleep or not let me get any air the next time you are sitting on my face? I don't want to lose you for all of this."

Brittany was starting to get a little irritated. "God, you really are being a pussy. I give you the opportunity to use me as your slave and fuck me in the ass and you are just back peddling like a little bitch. I am proposing this to you. I have thought about this for a while now. I should be making sure that when I win that you can take it if lose to a girl that is so much smaller than you. Are you going to leave me, or kill me?"

"No, I am sure there is nothing that you can do to me to make me feel less about you. I love you with everything I have. You are my everything. I just don't want any animosity towards each other." I said to her, trying to calm her down a little.

Brittany grabbed the contract from next to my Xbox controller on the table and handed it to me with a pen. "Here then, sign it. I am not going to leave you or kill you or anything like that. There will be no hard feelings after the weekend, and I won't be telling anybody about anything and I expect the same from you. It is supposed to be fun."

I looked at her eyes on last time for a few seconds, leaned forward, signed it, and handed it back to her. She hugged me tight and kissed me all over. She was as happy and giggling like a tween age girl at a One Direction concert. 

tight and kissed me all over. She was as happy and giggling l my proper attire on for the festivities. She walked out of the room towards the office and I could hear the filing cabinets open and shut. 

I moved all the furniture against the walls trying to leave as much space as possible in the center of the room.

I went to the bedroom and pulled out a pair of my all black boxer briefs that were a size too small, so I know they would be extra tight and maybe I could distract my girlfriend for a second. 

When I got back into the living room, Brittany was bending over touching her toes stretching, with her ass facing me. The boy shorts she was wearing were so short that her ass was hanging out of the bottom when she was bent over like that. I'm sure the position was completely on purpose. I walked to the other side of the living room and started stretching myself. 

"Are you sure you want to do this, I will let you back out?" I asked her while I was stretching my hamstrings.

"I'm sure. And I really don't care if you want to back out, because if you quit, I win." She snapped back at me.

She got up shaking her neck out and stood in the center of the room waiting on me to finish stretching. I was done and walked right in front of her. She held out her hand for me to shake it and I did. Then she nodded her head as if asking if I was ready. I nodded back, and it begun.

She started to circle around me make me circle around. I reached out and tried to half ass grab her arm, I was just trying to size her up. Next thing I know she grabs my arm and kind of jumps and plants the back of her legs into my chest throwing me down and on my back. At the same time she managed to get my arm in between her legs and set in a perfect arm bar. I was so shocked, surprised and caught off guard that until the pain started, I didn't know what the fuck just happened. She started cranking my arm downward, using a lot of force. I started to try to get out of it, but with her legs wrapped around my arm and firmly planting me to the ground, I couldn't even move without it hurting worse. I laid there for a little while longer trying to figure a way out of this until she gritted her teeth and cranked down real hard which made me tap out on the floor with my spare arm. 

Brittany let go immediately and stood up, leaving laying there holding my arm. "One to Nothing," she said as she let out a little giggle. 

I composed myself as best as I could and stood up. I looked at my girlfriend who is now smiling at me. "What are you smiling at?" I asked her in an angry tone. 

She smiled even bigger at me. "Nothing at all. But in case you didn't hear me before, the score is one to nothing."

That made me embarrassed and mad at the same time. How could I have been forced to tap out so fast? I'm in good shape, I know how to wrestle. All of this was bad enough, but the fact that Brittany laughed at me when she won that round, made it so much worse. 

"Alright, I'm ready to go again." I told her. I wasn't going to lose another round. I was committed to this and certainly wasn't going down without a proper fight.

Brittany walked back to the center of the living room, still grinning. This time she looked at me and said "ready, go."

She was really quick this time as she shot for my front leg. It was so quick that it caught me off guard again. This time I had enough balance to fall forward on top of her. She grunted as I landed on her back. Brittany was still trying to grab my leg. I reached my arm back and under her chin. I worked at it for a few seconds until I had a choke hold set in nice and deep. She started to go nuts in this position. I just leaned back, choking her even more and she had to tap out.

I let go immediately and mocked her by saying, "one all". She sat up and looked at me. The icy look in her eyes told me that she was furious. I couldn't help but smile a little, which I'm sure made it worse.

She stood up and pushed me back at the same time. I laughed as I got up and told her "in case you missed it, the score is now one all." She squinted her eyes at me as if trying to burn a hole in my head. She walked to the center of the room again.

"Ready, go." She announced, not caring if I was ready. She then swept in with even more force than the last time. With me not really being ready and the force in which she grabbed my legs, she sent me tumbling to my back. I was still trying to catch myself when she spun around and sat on my lower chest while facing my feet. She grabbed my arms and pinned them under her legs. I started to pull them out from under her when she grabbed my balls through my shorts, which made me stop in my tracks and let out a loud yell. She shifted her hand until she had a vice grip on my boys, squeezing them like she was trying to crack two walnuts in one hand.

"FUCK...That's cheating you bitch." I shouted at her.

"I don't give a fuck you price of shit. Just try and get out of it." Brittany snapped back as she rolled my balls around in her hands a little.

I started trying to move out from under her, but everywhere I would try to move, she would just squeeze harder. I tried pushing her off of me, but I just started buckling over from the tight grip. 

Brittany started to laugh with me struggling and groaning in pain. " All you have to do is tap out you little cocksucker, and the pain will stop" I started to say something back to her, but she squeezed my balls so hard I thought they were going to explode, which made me tap out as soon as possible. Brittany started to release her grip, but gave them one last quick squeeze to make me wince once more. She got off of me and said, "2 to 1 now bitchboy. Take a short break while I go to the bathroom for a couple of minutes. Don't go anywhere." She then skipped away and down the hall.

I just laid there trying to think of anything other than the pain radiating from my groin. I started thinking that losing wouldn't be that bad. I hated all the chores and didn't like to cook much, but I love going down on her. I thought about giving up, just to stop all this and give into the chance to spend the next day and a half fucking my girlfriend with my tongue. But my competitive nature wouldn't allow that. I knew she wouldn't just drop it, and would keep rubbing it in every chance she got. I wasn't going to lose this shit. Besides all that, I really didn't want to lose to a girl.

When Brittany skipped back into the room, I was in the same exact position that I was in when she left. Brittany smiled at me while towering over me. "Get up bitch. We only have one round left."

I started to inch my way up slowly, "one round left? We have two more to go."

"No, only one. Because, when I win it, it will be all over." 

"Whatever." I said as I finally got to my feet. I was still hunched over holding my groin.

"Look, I will let you start this Round." She told me, as if giving me a gift.

"Okay, give me another second. That shit really hurt." I stood there still trying to catch my breath. She just stood there smiling at me. Even though I was mad at her for hurting me so badly, I've got to admit, she is still so damn sexy. "All right, I'm ready, are you ready?"

"I've been ready, waiting on you." She said as got back in her fighting position.

"Okay, go". As soon as I said those words she swung her right hand in and planted a brutal slap on the left side of my face.

"That's for calling me a bitch, mother fucker."

My ear was ringing and I was a little dazed. This gave Brittany the perfect opportunity to take me down again. She pretty much shoulder tackled me. I was again on my back she flew up and grabbed my head and jerked it towards the ceiling, all while sliding forward and stopping to sit on my chest. She then brought her legs up and slid them around my head and locked in a head scissor. I grabbed her legs and tried to pull them apart, but they didn't even budge.

She squeeze harder leaving me more helpless. She raised her arms up and started flexing right in my face. "Haha, I've got you so beat. You are done for bitch boy." 

I was losing all the blood flow to my head, and I could feel myself getting dizzy. I tapped out on her leg. 

"What are you doing hitting my leg like that?" She asked as she was laughing hard at me. " Don't be such a pussy." As she said that, she released my head long enough to push my face into her barely covered pussy. She then squeezed again to keep me there.  

I felt like I was really close to passing out when she finally let me go and stood up. She put one foot on my chest and flexed her arms again. "Haha, I win, you lose, I am the champion of the whole wide world." She then let me get up and handed me a bottle of water From the coffee table. She took a drink from her bottle and then said, "good match. But you are my slave now and I want a clean slave. So you go and take a shower. And then you can cook dinner for us when you get out. But first, lay back down." I did what she asked. She then pulled off her tiny shorts and squatted on my chest. she looked at me for a second and then shifted forward so her pussy was right on my mouth.

She sat there, smiling down at me. "Well, first thing you are going to do is eat my pussy till I cum down your throat. Then you are to shower." She started to rock back in forth on my face. "Oh yeah, just like that." She purred. 

She grabbed my arms and put them over my head and pinned them in with her legs as she shifted until she was straddling my head. She started to grind harder and harder on my tongue. I could still taste her sweet pussy even though it was covered in sweat.

"Yes, That's it my little bitch boy. Make me cum".

Brittany slid forward so that her pussy was on my nose and my tongue was now licking her ass. She reached her hand down and stared rubbing her clit. Her squeals were getting loader and faster, making her sit down harder, blocking any air intake that I had. 

"Fuck yeah. Fuck yeah. Fuuuuccckkk.. I'm cumming. Oh my god." She screamed while bucking away on my face. 

Once her orgasm passed she sat back on my chest. I was gasping for air while she was smiling at me. 

"Goddamn that was good. You are so very good at that bitchboy. I have never had my ass licked before. That is something you are going to have to do more often." She hopped off of me and snapped her finger and pointed to the bedroom. I took that as my cue to get up and go get cleaned off. I was catching my breath so I couldn't say anything.

As I started to get up I was thinking that this wasn't going to be too bad at all. That was fun.

"Oh yeah, hey Keith." She yelled as I was halfway down the hall. I stopped and turned around. "I was fully expecting to win. This is going to be a great weekend. For me anyway. Remember now, you can't back out now. You signed the contract. You can't complain or bitch or anything. I'm in charge, whatever I say goes. I have a lot planned. If you think that you are only going to be licking my pussy and now my ass, then you are seriously mistaken. All I will say right now is, I'm going to break you and make you wish you never signed that contract. You will probably cry and I know you will be sore, and there is nothing you can do about it my little bitchboy. Now, go get cleaned up and hurry up, I'm hungry."

I was speechless. All I could do is turn around and walk to the bathroom. I leaned on the counter and looked at myself in the mirror. "What in the fuck did I get myself into?" I asked myself.

*

I hope everybody enjoyed this first part of the story. Comments are always welcome. I would like to know what you think, if you have any pointers or advice or whatever. Tell me what you think should Brittany has in mind for making Keith cry. Thank you for reading. 



The Proposal Ch. 01



AUTHOR'S NOTE

I am resubmitting these stories to the readers of Literotica for their enjoyment. Some may recognize the beginning of this story as I had started publishing the book here when I was picked up by a publishing house. They wanted to publish the Immersion Playground series, which they did. The catch was they wanted it to be exclusive and I wasn't able to continue publishing the books here.

The first two books sold slowly, but well enough that they asked me to write additional books in a different genre and style. Those have sold very well.

Now that the rights to the Immersion Playground have returned to me, I want to give a little something back to the community that gave me my big break in writing. Over the next several months, I will publish one chapter a week until all three books and two shorts are published. These are the reedited, published, versions of the first two stories.

Enjoy!

 CHAPTER ONE

Giselle Chamfer and Charlie Rose sit comfortably in Giselle's bright and airy kitchen, a glass of white wine in front of each of them, while engaging in a bit of girl talk. Giselle finds Charlie refreshing because she is everything Giselle is not. Giselle is quiet and reserved around everyone but her husband and closest friends, and chooses her words with care. Average in height and fair complected, with a trim athletic build, Giselle looks ten years younger than her forty-five years... her shoulder-length, polished, copper-colored hair is yet to show the first hint of grey. Charlie once called the way she presents herself, especially when she is wearing her stylish reading glasses, the sexy librarian. Coming from Charlie, the comment makes her feel good about herself.

Where Giselle tends to be quiet and reserved, Charlie approaches everything she does with boundless enthusiasm and is as apt as not to say the first thing that pops into her mind. Sometimes with hilarious results. At five-foot eight-inches tall, she is three inches taller than Giselle and while Giselle has enough curves to leave no doubt she is all woman, Charlie is a bombshell. A retired pinup model, she still models on occasion but now she spends most of her time managing a small stable of other models from her home office. At thirty-six, she has lost none of her charms and with her long dark hair normally tied up in a ponytail, and large dark eyes, she knows and enjoys the effect she has on men. While Giselle tends to dress somewhat conservatively, Charlie normally wears a light-colored men's style shirt, unbuttoned just enough to reveal the curves of her ample breasts, loose shorts, and sneakers... the relaxed and casual sexiness of a woman at peace with herself.

They have only known each other a few years but the bond between them is rapidly growing deeper and stronger. Giselle has other friends, but she doesn't feel as close to them as she does to Charlie. Rick, Giselle's husband, had introduced her to his surrogate family, Todd and Charlene "Charlie" Rose, over a quiet dinner not long after they started dating. She had been apprehensive about meeting them, feeling like she was being taken home to meet the family. In a sense, she supposed she had been, but Charlie's rapier wit and Todd's easy charm had quickly put her at ease and she had taken an immediate liking to them.

Giselle and Charlie have been enjoying their afternoon together immensely. Todd and Rick had left an hour before to play tennis, leaving them alone to gossip. Normally Giselle and Charlie would be on the court with them, either playing in a foursome with their husbands or playing as singles. Not this time, however. Earlier in the week, during a game with Rick, Giselle had taken a bad step while racing for a ball and is still a bit hobbled by a sore ankle. Rather than risk injuring her ankle further, she had elected not to play and give her ankle a chance to heal. When Giselle declined to play Charlie promptly announced she would stay home and keep her company rather than force someone to look for a pickup game.

Rick and Todd have played tennis together for years, but Charlie has taken up the game only after being introduced to it by Giselle. Giselle is a good tennis player, the best among the four, and regularly beats them all in one-on-one games. With her coaching, Charlie's game has improved to the point that she can now compete to win against the men, something Giselle finds immensely satisfying.

Giselle has just finished regaling Charlie with the story of how, the night before, as she and Rick were enjoying a Mexican dinner out, the restaurant ceiling had fallen in. The falling debris and water had missed Rick but the impact of the soggy mass on the floor had showered him in air conditioning condensate and saturated ceiling tiles. Not wanting to ruin the interior of their car, he had stripped down to his boxers in the parking lot before getting into their antique Aston Martin. Charlie finds the thought of Rick stripping out of his pants in public particularly amusing because, as much as she likes Rick, she thinks him to be terribly uptight.

Suddenly Giselle becomes serious. "Charlie, may I ask you something?" she asks.

"Of course," Charlie giggles, but sobers after seeing Giselle's expression. "Anything you like."

"How many times a week are you and Todd intimate?"

Charlie frowns. She didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't this. "Uhhh... three or four times a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It depends. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," Giselle responds cryptically.

Charlie has no idea where this sudden turn in the conversation came from, or where it is going, so she treads carefully. "How about you and Rick?"

"About the same, I guess. Do you think that four times a week is normal after you have been married as long as you and Todd have?" Though younger, Charlie and Todd have been married fifteen years, compared to Giselle's and Rick's two.

"Uhhh... " Charlie is stuck for an answer. "I don't know. I've only been married this long once." As soon as the words leave her mouth she regrets them. "Oh! I'm sorry, Giselle! I didn't mean..."

Giselle cuts her off. "No, no. It's alright. I was just wondering how long this level of intimacy will last."

Charlie's voice becomes hard. "Has Rick done something? Because if he has I will personally rip his dick off and feed it to him."

Giselle giggles a bit. She believes that Charlie can, and will, do it too. "No, nothing like that. It's just that we just celebrated our second anniversary. This was about the time that Jonathan starting having his affairs."

Charlie assumes that Jonathan must have been Giselle's first husband. "Okay... so?"

"Jonathan was so blasé about it too, it was almost like he didn't care if I found out. I just don't want the same thing to happen with Rick."

Charlie waits to see if Giselle will go on, giving her the time she needs to compose her thoughts. Finally, she does.

"I watch you and Todd, and I see a couple that seem so in love." She smiles again, a little sadly this time. "Rick and I, we're kind of like that now, but I am wondering how long that might last. I wonder if he will get tired of me and leave... or begin to shut me out." Giselle doesn't understand where this melancholy is coming from, but she has been struggling with it all week. Charlie always seems to have sound advice and she is hoping that talking to her can pull her out of her funk.

Charlie has heard enough. "Listen! Don't do this to yourself. Yes, after fifteen years of marriage I feel like our love life is pretty good. Better than most, I suspect, but even for us it isn't like it was. When we were first married, back in our twenties, we were like rabbits, but I don't think any marriage stays like that for long. I think you are worrying for nothing. Rick adores you. He would do anything for you. If you asked him to take you in the middle of a crowded restaurant, he would... and I don't see that changing for a long, long time." She acts as if she has more to say, but then snaps her jaws shut.

Giselle sits quietly, contemplating what Charlie has said. "You really think so?" she asks quietly.

"Giselle... I know so. Remember, I have known Rick a lot longer than you have. I knew him back when he was bringing around one bimbo after another. And let me let you in on a little secret. When he was with all those other women he was never satisfied. He was always looking for someone else. He hid it pretty well, but every now and then I would catch that look as he would watch another woman walk by. But he is different now. Oh, he still looks because," Charlie bobs her head quickly side to side while scrunching her face and rolling her eyes, "that's what men do. They look. I don't guess they can help it. And that look of lust, of desire, he still has it... but now it is focused on you. I don't believe he ever crossed the line, never slept around on who he was seeing at the time. But now I don't think anyone could tempt him across."

Giselle sits and stares at Charlie. Charlie simply looks back, then as casually as if they had been discussing the weather, takes a sip of her wine. "A crowded restaurant, huh?" she finally asks.

The dark mood broken, Charlie begins to giggle. "Well... you might have to ask him really, really nice."

Giselle continues to stare into Charlie's large, dark eyes, thinking about what she has said. She knows Rick loves her as much as she loves him, so why is she worried? Charlie's right, she is being stupid. Jumping at shadows. On a sudden impulse, she accesses the net with no more thought than she would use to start speaking and sends Charlie a link to a file on their server. She watches as Charlie defocuses to access the link that arrived in her mind like a sudden thought, and then comes back. "I want you to do something for me," she says. "I want you to experience that and tell me what you think."

"An immersion?" she asks, having examined the link. "An immersion of what?" Charlie asks.

Immersion is a relatively new form of entertainment that is just coming to market. Immersion is an artificial dream state that disconnects the person from reality and, while in the immersion state, supplies stimuli that the brain interprets as sensations. Anything that could be seen, touched, smelled... it can be captured and reproduced perfectly in the immersion state. While she has experienced an immersion before she doesn't know anyone that has a private copy of one. The technology to produce one is not readily available, but of course, if anyone has one, it will be Rick and Giselle.

"Something Rick and I recorded a few years back." Giselle says with a small smile, wanting to have someone validate her feelings, but still nervous about sharing something so special, even with Charlie.

"Oooooh... a mystery. Okay, where's your couch?" Charlie asks, though she knows perfectly well where it is. She rises, wineglass in hand, to walk to the family room to get comfortable for the immersion.

Giselle gracefully takes the glass and puts it back on the table. "You won't need that. It will get warm."

Charlie quickly checks the time on the immersion. "It's two hours and four minutes long!" she exclaims. This is the longest immersion she has ever heard of by far. Most immersions are short, just a few minutes in length.

"Yes, I know."

Charlie moves into the other room and settles into the couch as if to nap. The immersion state suppresses nerve impulses so that during an immersion, normal activities such as walking, talking, or eating all leave the body in a still state. But like a natural dream state, powerful impulses leak through causing the body to twitch. "But Rick and Todd will... "

"Shhh..." Giselle interrupts. "You have time. They will be gone for at least another two or three hours."

Charlie is intrigued by Giselle's unwillingness to give any hint to the content of the immersion, but she trusts her, so she starts the immersion. She is under only a few seconds before popping back out. "Are you sure you sent the right link?"

"I'm sure. But since you're back, forward your pings to me. I will cover them. Promise me you will experience it all the way through."

Now Charlie is really intrigued. She gives a curt nod in promise, then forwards her pings—thought controlled communication portals embedded on the same chip that provides the immersion experience via the Neural Network—to Giselle so she won't be disturbed by someone trying to reach her and intruding on her thoughts and settles back into the couch, getting comfortable. "Into the rabbit hole," she says as she begins the immersion.

Giselle watches Charlie relax on the couch as the immersion takes over. While Charlie is under, she lowers herself into her favorite chair and, with her glass of wine at hand, tucks her legs under her and settles in to watch.





The Proposal Ch. 01



Her passions are fully aflame now. Her knees pull up and her hips begin rocking of their own accord into his tight, firm stomach. As he moves down and begins kissing, biting, and sucking on her right breast, his hands join the fray. She pulls one of his hands to her mouth, sucking on two fingers, but he quickly removes them, seeking no pleasure other than what he is giving her. As his mouth devours one breast his hand teases the other with gentle kneads and pinches, before he switches, subjecting each breast to the sweet tortures the other has been enduring.

Rick's breathing is becoming hard, ragged, but he moves on slowly. Surrendering her breasts to what delights he can inflict with his hands, he moves down, but slowly, so slowly, subjecting every inch of her skin between the rise of her breasts and the vee of her crotch to his gentle exploration. She is desperate for his touch upon her womanhood, his fingers, his mouth, his penis, it doesn't matter. She pushes him down, urging him on, but he continues his slow, maddening march. Failing there, she begins to pull him upwards, inviting him to join with her, but he refuses to be swayed from his goal... unless it is to drive her insane with desire. If that is his goal, he is nearly there.

Finally, after seemingly a lifetime of the most wonderful of tortures, his mouth reaches Charlie's crotch. Her hips continue their autonomous thrusts as he removes his hands from her breasts and uses them to spread her knees. She moans in the anticipation of her delight but he isn't done with his maddening course. Continuing with his slow kisses, he bypasses her vagina and begins kissing and caressing the inside of her thigh. Pushing with her legs she tries to steer his mouth back to where she so desperately wants it. He ignores the suggestion and, moving with her, continues undeterred. If he goes all the way to her feet she is certain she will go mad, so she grabs his hair and pulls him hard to her while bucking her hips, seeking sweet release. He grunts, but holding her thigh tight to his lips, he simply waits for her to release his hair.

"Pleeease Rick, please... " she begs softly. He ignores her cries for mercy and as soon as she lessens her tug on his hair, he resumes his positively maddening kissing.

She can stand it no longer. Releasing the grip on his hair with one hand, she moves it to her clitoris. He sees the movement and takes her wrist and holds it firm. She then reaches with the other hand, which he grabs with his free hand. Without means for support or balance, he continues, clumsily. She pulls on her arms in frustration while squeezing his head between her knees. Once again he simply waits, tongue and lips busy in one spot, until she releases her knees, Rick following the opposite thigh with his mouth.

She stops pulling on her arms, silently signaling her surrender, and he releases her wrists. Charlie is beyond rational thought now, lost in desire. She pulls her hands to her cheeks and, using her elbows, gathers her breasts and holds them firmly together. She places two fingers from one hand in her mouth and suckles them, the other hand leaving her face and stoking the nipple of the opposite breast. She gasps as shivers of pleasure course through her. She gives her nipple another flick and stoke and an orgasm comes close.

Suddenly his mouth is on her vagina, his tongue probing, sliding, stroking her. Her orgasm hits so quickly and with such force she is unprepared. Her hands flash to his head, pulling him hard to her, her hips thrusting at his tongue, trying to drive it deep within her, her pelvis crashing into his face. His hands go her ass, pulling her to him has he gets to his knees, lifting her hips as he rises. She tries to thrust but has no purchase as he continues to pull her to his face. He probes her with his tongue, tweaks her with his lips, as he lifts her hips higher and higher. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over her, her orgasm breaking over her as the nearby ocean breaks on the beach. She writhes, her muscle control destroyed as nerve impulses are pushed aside by the all-consuming pleasure. A sound, not quite a scream but more than a moan, escapes her and still he tortures her, his lips and tongue battering her, pushing her beyond tolerance.

She begins to twist, frantic to be free of his mouth. Instead of pulling his head into her she now frantically pushes it away as her pleasure burns along her nerves, consuming her. For a moment he resists her attempts to escape and continues to pillage her with his lips and tongue, but then his mouth is gone. She can feel herself being lowered quickly but gently to the soft, warm, blanket-covered sand as she writhes in ecstasy, her hands traveling her body, stroking, trying to damp the fire that fills her. As she slowly, slowly, returns to herself, she becomes aware of Rick, kneeling between her thighs, his skin flush, breathing in ragged, bellows-like pants.

He does nothing for several long seconds. He simply waits, watching Charlie as her shattered nerves begin to function normally again. She stretches, lifting first hips then breasts in an erotic wave, both to make sure that she has control of her body again and to tempt him with the pleasures she is about to give him. She says nothing, but her look causes him to begin removing his swim trunks.

After his trunks join the growing pile of clothes on the side of the blanket, he once again covers her body with his own. As he lowers his weight upon her his cock presses deliciously against her pelvis, sending new shivers of pleasure through her. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him to her, mouth to mouth, breast to breast, pelvis to pelvis, as she kisses him deeply, forcing her tongue into his mouth. He responds eagerly and begins to slowly stroke his cock along her pelvis, increasing her ardor. She kisses him harder still, then with a gasp breaks away.

He is panting, and with the break in their kiss, instantly begins to kiss her under her right ear. "Take me now," she whispers. This time there is no hesitation. He lifts his thighs and, with a firm but gentle thrust, drives himself deep into her. The effect is electrifying. She wants to scream in pleasure but bites her lip, allowing only a whimper to escape, her head arching back, digging into the sand under the blanket, pushing her breasts skyward and harder into his chest.

He is stone still, wedged deep in inside her. "Are you okay?" he asks with concern, his voice muffled by her neck.

She relaxes and her back straightens. "Oh God, yes!" she breathes. "Fu... " Before she can finish, he pulls back and thrusts forward again, driving his cock deep into her once more, cutting her off. She gasps and squirms under him in intense pleasure from his passage. Once more he is still, waiting. As he begins to thrust again, she bites him gently on the ear. Again he stops, grinding his hips into hers with painful pleasure, a growl rumbling deep in his chest.

He begins to thrust again, repeatedly driving his manhood deep into her, the thrusts becoming firmer, more urgent. After only a few thrusts he again groans and presses himself up with his hands, arching his back, holding himself deep within her. His eyes are squeezed tightly closed, his face a mixture of pleasure and pain and she smirks evilly, understanding that he is battling against his orgasm. She pulls herself up and bits him gently on a nipple, increasing the pressure. A shiver runs through his arms and down his body from her nip as he continues to hold himself tightly in her.

Applying a twisting force with her hips she forces him to roll with her, his cock popping free in a bounce, causing him to groan in pleasure as she forces him onto his back. As they settle she moves to wrap her lips around his member. Time for some payback. He seems to sense her intentions and grabs her by the upper arms, holding her firmly but gently and prevents her mouth from touching him.

"No!" he gasps, "No. Don't. I'll come."

He continues to hold her, allowing his ardor cool. "Oh no, you don't," Charlie hisses and, taking his cock in hand, holding it erect as a flag pole, swings a leg over his body. Positioning herself, she lowers her body gently to check the alignment, then slams herself down on him as hard as she can. Sensation explodes in her as his cock slams into her depths. Rick, still holding her arms, pulls, trying to dislodge her, but she plants her hands on his chest and stiff arms him. Up she slides, and then down, ramming him home once more.

He is frantic. "No! Stop! Stop!" he all but shouts. He releases her arms and moves his hands to her hips at the top of the thigh, pushing her firmly down, trying to prevent her from rising again. She sits still, impaling herself with pleasure and panting with desire. As she feels him relax under her, she gives her hips a little nudge, just a tweak, and his hips to buck as if stung. She waits with him deep inside her, enjoying his warmth and the power she holds over him while he gets control of himself. Another twitch of her hips, and though she gets a little tingle, he remains still. His hands fall away from her hips and go to her breasts.

He gently kneads her tender flesh as he begins to flex his hips. He hasn't much range of motion as she is sitting on him, pinning him to the sand, but she takes it as a sign that he is ready. She unlocks her arms and moves onto her knees, offering her breasts to his mouth. He pushes her breasts together, alternating his attention between the nipples as he licks and kisses, adding to her pleasure. As he nuzzles her breasts, he slides his penis into her, slowly at first, then with increasing tempo.

She enjoys the feeling of his hands pressing her breasts together while his cock works her insides. She tries to hold herself still so he can enjoy his feast on her breasts, but the pleasure is too much and she began to rock backward to meet his upward thrust. Her rocking pulls her breasts away from his mouth so he lets his head fall back onto the blanket but continues to hold her breasts firmly in hand. She moans in pleasure as Rick take a nipple between the thumb and forefinger of each hand and, while still holding her breasts together, begin to knead the flesh again and ever so gently pinch and tweak her nipples.

She gasps as he works over her breasts with his hands and her pussy with his cock. Lost in pleasure, her rocking becoming more forceful, and he ups his tempo again. Another gasp escapes her, and once again he increases the pace. She begins to pant in pleasure, grabbing his wrists in her hands for balance and support as she levers herself up and backwards harder onto his cock. Straightening, she rises into a squatting position but misjudges his length and on his down stroke he pulls out, making several thrusts before he can stop his bucking hips. Her right hand grasps his cock, slick from her sex, the move making her slightly off balance. She leans into his hands for support, which creates a lighting storm of tingles, especially from her left breast as the nipple is compressed in his fingers by her weight. Gripping his shaft, she re-centers him and lowers herself slightly, sliding his cock into her wetness once more. As soon as she is certain he is where she so desperately wants him, she drops, shoving his cock as deep into her as she can.

Charlie is close to orgasm again, and while not as powerful as her first, it is building rapidly. She returns to her squatting position and he immediately slides up, then down, to check her position. It is perfect, she decides... if she can hold it. As soon as Rick hits the bottom of his stroke he begins to thrust into her once again. Her hand flies back to his wrist for support as he gives himself to her, the orgasm building with every powerful stroke of his cock. She fights for control but because of her semi-crouching position, and the strain of holding it, she knows she is waging a losing battle.

He moves his hands from her breasts, allowing her to fall forward onto her knees and alleviate the strain on her legs, his strong arms surrounding her, pinning her to him. With one hand on the back of her head, his other arm around her middle back, he begins to pound into her with the speed and violence of a jackhammer, a continuous growl issuing from him.

He is usually a gentle and considerate lover, but here, now, he is taking her with a passion and violence he has never shown before... and she is loving every pounding stroke of it. Bound in his arms and feeling completely safe, she lets herself go. Once again the orgasm comes fast and hard. Though not as powerful as her first, it is strong enough to cause a long moan to escape her as her muscles quiver from nerves misfiring in pleasure. He continues to pounds into her as her wetness pours out of her, causing Rick's balls to make wet, slapping sounds against her ass. Finally her orgasm crests, leaving her weak, spent, and gasping.

His strokes suddenly shorten as he begins to crush her into him. She resolves to endure but, perhaps realizing that he is hurting her, his arms loosen slightly. He pushes his hips high into the air, trying to drive his cock deeper into her as a loud gasping intake of breath escapes him. His hips crash back into the sand only to immediately rise high again, his seed pouring into her in a hot rush of wetness. Down his hips fall and then once again rise, but this time he holds them there, legs quivering, not breathing, as he battles for control of his body while in the throes of orgasm. Finally, with a great sigh, his hips fall back to the beach, not to rise again. She lies in his embrace, feeling his chest heave under hers as he catches his breath, enjoying having him inside her as his hands hold her head and back.

As his breathing slows, she pulls her head up. The movement causing her nipples to drag briefly across his chest and send little chills of pleasure skittering through her. Looking into his face she waits until he opens his eyes, tipping his head up and forward slightly to look at her.

"So, was it good for you?" she asks with a small smile.

As his head falls back he chuckles and she puts her head back on his shoulder as his hands continue to caress her skin in gentle patterns. They stay like this for many minutes, Charlie lying in complete contentment, the fingers of one hand lazily playing with Rick's hair. Finally he softens enough that his penis falls from her of its own accord and, with a deep sigh of regret, she pulls herself to her hands and knees and moves to kiss him. He gently tries to pull her down upon him again, but she resists and he lets her go.

She feels aglow as she begins to dress. She has been well fucked before, but never like this. He has given her his everything, holding nothing back, laying himself bare before her. He has always been a masterful lover, the best she has ever had, giving her pleasures she has never experienced before, but this time has been different. He has let himself go in a way he rarely has in the past and that passion has come through in his lovemaking. If today is any indication of how married life with Rick is going to be, she is looking forward to being married again indeed.

After dressing, she closes the distance between them and puts a hand behind his head, pulling his head down beside her lips. "I love you. I love you more than you can know," she breathes into his ear. Holding him thus she feels his hands come up onto her back, pulling her in close to him in a gentle embrace. She moves into him and they stand, like the two lovers they are, as the ocean crashes behind her.





The Proposal Ch. 01



He feels his face blush hot, but she turns away, walking to the passenger door before she notices. He hopes.





The Proposal Ch. 01



He was still moving in her, kissing her, whispering sweet nothings to her as his hands caressed her. She moaned and purred like the content cat she was, long legs draped across his body. Finally he released her, and she stumbled into the large bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror. Her face was a mess, but the contentment in her eyes was clear. Wow. That was great sex.

She cleaned herself up, trying to calculate her next move. The decision got easier when he wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her. His hands moved to her tits, rolling her nipples, and pulling them.

"You are a beautiful woman." His eyes roamed her body, admiring the symmetry in her features, the fire in her big eyes, the swell of her hips, her slender legs reaching down to the floor.

"Thank you. You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself."

He kissed down her back, tonguing her ass, and she moaned. Lifting her up, he turned her and sat her on the counter. Again he slipped between her legs, and she cried out his name, fingers running through his hair, pulling him this and that way to direct her. It was truly skilled in that area, and apparently enjoyed doing it. 

Carrying her into the shower, he let her slide to her knees to return the favor, the wet feeling of her mouth a truly divine experience. She was equally talented her, and she knew it. Her mouth moved back and forth, up and down, sliding across his cock in easy motions as she fondled his balls. He groaned and moaned, letting her take him places he had not been in a long, long time.

His fingers ran through her wet hair, the water pouring down on them from the rainspout shower head, his legs buckling, balls churning, the noises from her mouth driving him crazy. Pulling her up, he stopped it before it went to far. "Not like that. I want you again."

"Whatever you want, I'm yours." They kissed, long and hard, then he turned her around. She placed her hands against the wall, bending over, pushing up onto her tipsy-toes. He entered her from behind, and again they were connected, enjoying one another and the heights they took each other to.

"How did your date with Spencer go?" Allison shared the tiny cubicle with Amber, the two of them being students together in the accounting program, and fellow interns here at the accounting firm. So they were fast friends, and shared all their exploits. 

"I would not call it a date. He was drunk before I had taken my coat off, and made a complete idiot of himself. I left, found this really cool bar upstairs in the hotel though. Beautiful view of the city." She did not mention her tryst with Jonathan, not really sure why. "But he had the nerve to call me on Sunday, and complain that I left him hanging. Apparently he had big hopes for the night, and a hotel room."

"How classy. Can I have my lipstick back now?" The girls laughed as Amber dug into her purse. It was actually her lipstick, but Allison had been wearing it the night they were out at the bars, and she meet her now boyfriend of almost a year. 

Amber found the round tin, and pulled it out, handing it to her friend. Something fluttered out of her purse when she did so, but Allison ignored it laughing with glee at being able to sport her favorite color again. She was not sure why, but Amber had a secret power in selecting and finding lipsticks. Watching her friend suitably distracted, Amber bent down and picked up what she now realized was a check. Her eyes widened, and she stuffed it in her purse, spinning towards her computer to hide her face. She had to get to a phone. A private phone.

He could tell by the ringer that it was the private line that rang straight through, not the one that his secretary Madeline might intercept up at her desk. She served an important function as gatekeeper, but something's had to come straight in. So he picked up the handset, hit the green button labeled "personal", and pulled it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Should I be offended?"

"I was hoping you would call. Dinner tonight?"

"What?"

"You were in a bit of a hurry Saturday morning, so I didn't have time to talk to you. I would like to talk to you." He did not add that he had known better then to try to stop her. Girls her age were impulsive, and once in motion, he tried not to get in the way. Just let them run their course, and once they are out of steam, you can step in.

"Well…it was that post sex awkwardness! You were talking about breakfast and shit."

"I wanted to stay in bed with you all day." His voice made her cream herself, the thought of what that could have meant breathtaking.

"Pick me up at seven."

She had not been entirely sure what to wear, so after some deliberation with her two roommates, she had decided on a simple black dress, and heels. He arrived right on the dot at seven, so she was obviously not ready. Tammy made small talk with the gentleman in the living room, and she could hear her friend laughing after dropping of the flowers he had brought. The questioning look in her eyes told Amber everything she needed to know, but she just shook her head as a form of response. She would explain later.

Finally she got her earrings in, and they headed downstairs. The car was a BMW 745I, and she commented that she had expected a Lincoln Town car.

"Why?"

"I don't know. That's what old people drive."

"Damn. That's cold."

The place was a small affair downtown, with a name that looked Italian, but could have been French or Cambodian for all she knew. Jonathan was greeted by the Maitre'D like they were long lost brothers, then ushered to a small booth in the back. A bottle of wine was brought, and she watched him sniff the cork, nod to the waiter, and then pour them each a glass, ordering what was probably an appetizer in a language she did not understand.

"What was that?"

"Portuguese."

"You speak Portuguese?"

"Ex-wife is Brazilian."

"Really?"

"No, I just made that up." He smiled, and for a second she was not sure if he was kidding or not. So she let it go, and smiled back. His hands crept across the table, covering hers, and pulling them close to him. Her scent was intoxicating to him, and he kissed her red nails, tasting her skin.

"I did not mean to offend you. But you kinda shot my conversational plan in the foot when you suddenly got in high gear and burst out the door."

"Yeah well…it's not everyday I'm sitting at work, and I realize that the man I got lucky with that weekend slipped me a couple grand."

"Listen…Amber…you are beautiful young woman. You can have any man you want. And you could probably be happy with many of them. That is not what I'm offering."

"What are you laying down?"

"A offer of a different kind. I've been married once, been in a couple of other long term things, and I realize now that I'm not interested in that whole thing. I do want the female companionship, the intimacy, I want somebody to enjoy art and travel with, somebody who shares interest with me, somebody who will sit next to me when Aida comes to town, and who knows what I'm talking about, somebody who is intelligent and conversational, attractive to look at, and who will let me spoil them rotten, and be at my beck and call."

"You're not married, are you? I've been down that road before, and I'm not going back."

"No. I would not ask that of you."

"So…what? And how do you know I have all those qualities."

"I am a good judge of such things. I will pay you to be mine. I don't want any emotional bullshit. I don't want conversations about our feelings, or long term plans. I don't want to hear about headaches, heartaches, or your feelings. I want to buy companionship."

"You want an escort?"

"No. An escort is somebody who goes to dinner with you, and if you tip her really well she'll suck your cock in the back of the limo, then imply you to call her again next time you are in town."

"I take it you have been with one before."

"I try not to remember that period of my life."

"Sorry." She meant it, and he could tell in her eyes. He loved those eyes. He seemed to get lost in the deep green every time, the fire inside attracting him. God, he loved to play with that fire. "So not an escort…a concubine?"

"Why are you so intent on naming it? I want you. I do. I don't want any bullshit. I want you to be exclusively available for my cock, whenever I call. Screw the name."

"Well…if you put it that way…"

"And I love to eat pussy."

"When do we start?"

It was a lot less crass then she had thought. He was his charming self through dinner, and it was as if a layer had been stripped away, and he was more relaxed, finally himself. They laughed a lot, and she finally learned what he did for a living. When they ended up back at her place, it was not something either expected, but that happened because it was meant to happen, they had built that much sexual tension all night long.

She was beautiful in the moonlight falling through the window, her skin flawless when she stepped out of her dress. She let him tease her so long, then used muscles he did not know she had to push him down on the bed, and mounted him. It was his turn to scream as she rocked his world. He felt like he would drown in her ample breasts, and he could not think of a sweeter death.

Falling into the sheets drenched in sweat, barely able to breath he felt her kissing him, giving him what he had given her other night. It was a slow dance, a continuous give and take, a back and forth that left them both wanting more, and her underneath him, her ass pressing up into his crotch, his cock buried deep in her. It was her turn again to cry out as he enjoyed her tightness once more. She was amazed by his stamina, as he was amazed by her athletic abilities and flexibility. It was a beautiful event, one neither would soon forget.

This was important stuff. Really. There would be a test on it at some undetermined point in the future. Professor Soren never announced his tests ahead of time, so you had to go to every class, and be ready to be tested at any given point. She should be reading it. Should be studying it. Should be FOCUSED! But her mind was not in it.

Pushing the book away, she looked around the lobby of the student union building. Around her, other students were struggling with their own academic pursuits, while others rushed from class to class, trying to grab a bite to eat, coming in and out of the rain outside, shaking like wet dogs. She loved college. 

She had claimed one of the leather lazy boys as her own, books and such spread around her, laptop on her lap, logged into the schools wireless network. She cast a last glance at the page, but Accounting 220 was not holding her attention today.

Instead she pulled up her bank account again, and stared at the screen. She had never at one point in her life had that much money. Wow. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed his number again, waiting for his voice to reach through the ether.

"Hello?"

"I got a question."

"Can I just answer it? Every two weeks, direct deposit, check, cash, whatever you want. You can throw out a number, and we'll talk about it. The check I gave you is a signing bonus, and what I would consider a normal payment."

"But it's so much!"

"If you want less then that, if that is what you are more comfortable with, that's fine, too. Whatever you want here, baby."

"Half. But you still have to pay for everything when we go out." She enjoyed that part. She had always been old fashioned that way. If she went out with a man, he should pick up the tab.

"Naturally. We say half, I pay for everything, and I get to take you shopping once a month. We'll shake on it."

"You busy right now?"

"Never to busy for my sweet piece of ass. What are you wearing?"

"A skirt, crop top and heels. You'll like it."

The building was easy enough to find, holding the distinctive jukebox shape, and being the third tallest in a row of office towers that dominated the skyline of uptown. One of several towers that the banks had stomped out of the ground, the restaurant located at its apex was much more famous then Reflections, but lacked its ambiance. She had been to Upstairs before.

But today she pulled around to the ramp that lead underneath the building, rolling to a stop at the security barrier next to the guard shack. The uniformed man leaned out, handing her a green parking pass. He must have been expecting her. "Go down the ramp to the deck marked Zebra, it's the second one down. Then hang a right, and go to the far wall. The spots are marked reserved, and have green spade looking things painted on them. Pick any open one, and hang the tag in your rearview mirror." 

She thanked him, then slowly descended into the darkness. His directions were right on, and she spotted Jonathans Beemer at a spot right next to the elevator. Good location, she thought as she waited for the doors to slide apart. She had to walk across the lobby, then ascend another elevator to the thirtieth floor. That would be a bitch if they had a fire drill, she thought. 

The doors opened, presenting another lobby. From floor to ceiling this one screamed that you had stepped into a place with money to spend, meant to impress with accents, subtleties, and hidden charms. The receptionist sat behind a wood and steel counter, her headset small and almost invisible in her blond mane. A massive waterfall sat across from the elevator, with bronze letters proclaiming "Enders, Games & Robinson Capital Group, P.A." Wow, he had his name on the wall. Looking deeper into the lobby, she could see a sitting area with large leather couches, a glass wall that allowed you to see down onto the city, and wide spiral staircase that took you further up. 

The look the receptionist gave her was one of skepticism when she said that she was there to see Mr. Games. It turned to straight disbelief when she called upstairs, and was told to have the lady please wait, somebody would be down shortly.

The person that came down was an elderly lady, dressed in a purple kind of suit that women of her generation wore to work in offices, and other professional places. She had a massive smile on her face, and somehow Amber just pictured her making the grandkids happy on Christmas morning.

"You must be Amber!" Her way of greeting was a hug, which took the young woman by surprise. "Come, come. So glad to meet you. Mr. Games told me all about you. I'm Madeleine."

"You work with him?"

"I'm his secretary." They headed up the stairs as Amber firmly banished the "dick-tation" image she had envisioned for his slut-retary. So much for that idea. Showed how much she had to learn about him. "I've worked for Mr. Games for almost twenty years now. He always tells me to call him Jonathan, but how would that look after all this time! When he first started at the bank across town, I worked for him, and he took me with him whenever he started moving up. When he started this company with his friends, he brought me over."

"Wow."

"Yeah, I have certain skills he finds essential?"

"Such as?" She had probably been young when they had first started, she imagined, remembering that Jonathan was at least in his forties…

"I can read his hand writing. It's atrocious. His mother always tells me that she wanted him to be a doctor. It would fit so much better." The woman laughed, an infectious loud laughter of a woman who liked to laugh.

They went up four floors, and Madeline pointed out that she liked to use the stairs to help her stay young. Not that she seemed to need it, the woman had the energy of somebody half her age, and talked at a mile a minute about how great Mr. Games was as an employer and a human being, and how glad she was that he had found somebody to make him happy. "As long as you are not a witch in disguise, like his ex-wife. I'll scratch your eyes out." The announcement was followed by more laughter, and Amber was not sure how serious to take it.

They came to the proverbial corner office, with a large outer office, which held Madeleins Desk and a large sitting area. The double doors stood open, and she ushered her chargeling inside, closing the doors behind her.

Amber took the time to look around before approaching him. Two walls were glass, allowing a view down onto the city and other buildings around. She knew that they were mirrored from the outside, but from up here, they looked clear as day. The carpet was thick and firm under her shoes, muffling her steps as she approached him. There were two doors recessed, semi-concealed in one of the real walls, and there was another seating arrangement in one corner. These people liked to hang out. There was a small bar in one corner, along with a long conference table.

His desk was massive, covered in papers, magazines, and spreadsheets. The chair behind it looked huge, but slightly worn. He was standing with his back to her, talking on the phone, the cord wrapped around his shoulder as he looked down on the city.

She snuck up behind him, kissing his neck softly as she wrapped her arms around him. She could see his smile in the reflection in the glass. Slowly she traced her fingers down his body as she slithered around him, kissing his jaw and neck. He turned his head slightly, still talking into the phone as she inhaled his scent, wanting more.

Slowly she sank to her knees, finding him already hard and ready to be released. She slowly pulled down the zipper, reached inside, and giggled with glee at what she found. Her dear friend had missed her, and she could tell by the tear it shed. Licking up the precum, she kissed it gently, then slowly sucked it into the back of her throat. 

He almost gasped out loud, leaning his forehead against the glass, his free hand grabbing her hair. She took her time, sliding him back and forth in her mouth, her balls feeling his heavy balls, one finger teasing and sliding across his ass.

When her eyes looked up, she could see that his were screwed shut, his face beet red, breathing barely under control. He was talking about cost overruns, development timelines, something she did not care about right now. All that mattered to her was the feeling between her lips, his fat cock sliding across her teeth as she carefully closed them down, the head in the back of her throat spasming as she swallowed.

To himself he admitted that she was a very skilled cocksucker. The feeling of her tightly pursed lips, the sensation of her teeth dragging across wanting skin, the thing she did with the back of her throat (he had never experienced that, and he loved it!), the feeling of her nails scratching his balls. It combined itself into an experience that he did not want to end, a feeling that was heavenly.

His mind was a very organized, very tightly disciplined place. He was able to shut down just about everything, and focus clearly on tasks at hand that needed to be accomplished. He had great processing power between his ears, enough to grind through most problems that involved numbers and money with ease, and come to a solution that solved whatever problem he was currently facing.

But it was failing him, and failing fast. He had to get off the phone, and he knew it as he felt his cock twitching in her mouth. His legs felt like they might fail him, something he was used to when she used his mouth on him. But it still always took him by surprise. 

He slammed the receiver down, crying out as his cock shook in her mouth, shooting wad after wad of hot cum down her throat. She squealed, grabbing his hips, pulling him deeper into her throat, sucking him clean. It was unbelievable, as she licked him clean, and he collapsed into his chair, breathing heavy.

She climbed onto his lap, kissing him long and hard, cuddling up to her man, feeling him. They sat together, kissing and touching one another, until she pushed away, climbing onto the desk. Lying back on her elbows, she spread her legs, flashing him with the lacy white thong she was wearing, putting her heels on his shoulders.




The Proposal Ch. 01



"You like it?"

"I love it!"

"I meant the outfit."

"How you gonna ask me something like that when you are sitting here flashing me."

"The thong is part of the outfit."

"You are a dirty little girl, you know that? All I'm trying to do is bring the destitute people of Monroe a mall, and here you come, about to suck my brain through my dick."

"You bring it out in me. And besides, I'm from Lincolnton, we don't even have a mall yet."

"Well, I'll work on that."

Her legs wrapped around his head, pulling him down into her pussy. She knew what he wanted to do, and happily obliged. It was only seconds, then he had her thrashing around on his desk, her pussy flooded with juices, sparks racing up and down her spine as he dove in.

His tongue was strong and powerful, fucking in and out of her, sucking her clit, nibbling it. His hands seemingly were everywhere at once, touching, caressing, feeling, pinching. She was moaning, crying, screaming, begging for more, begging for him to stop, cursing, her hands flailing about, pulling him in deeper with her legs.

It was like being tossed about by the surf, wave after wave crashing into her, taking her places she had never been without him. He pushed his tongue in deep, then pulled it back and concentrated on her clit, tattooing it, then moving back in, back and forth, moving to a beat only he could hear, one that she felt pulsating in her body as he toyed with her, leaving her a blathering mess on his desk.

When he stopped she smiled down at him, letting him pull her into his lap. She kept her legs up over his shoulders, sliding right down on to his cock. She groaned as he filled her, pulling her top up around her shoulders to expose her tits. He was bouncing her on his lap like a little rag doll, her tits jiggling all around as he pinched her nipples.

The whole thing had a certain pornographic quality to it, so she got into it, making all the appropriate noises, playing with her tits, squeezing his cock with her pussy. He was moaning with her now, fucking her deep and hard. He slid one hand under her hips, lifting her ass to get deeper into her, making her cry out.

It was a beautiful union of two people who wanted to please each other, their bodies sweating, their minds focused on the pleasure they were giving their partner, the moment seemingly stretching forever, his cock pounding up and into her, driving her crazy.

He got into it with her, but by now the noises were real, her eyes rolled back in her head with the orgasms racing through her. He always seemed to last forever the second time round, like being screwed by a vibrator powered by the energizer bunny. Her legs were shaking, and her whole body joined in when he shot his load in her, screaming out loud.

They both had to catch their breath, kissing all over. Slowly he eased her legs down, holding her close. She got more kisses for her trouble, then he pointed her towards one of the two doors she had noticed when she came in. Behind it she found a small bathroom, and took the time to clean up, before coming back in. He was in the process of cleaning up his desk, and she joined in, not really sure where any of the papers went, or what they meant.

"You a mind reader?"

"No, that a job requirement?"

"Not really, but I was thinking how nice it would be to see your sweet ass, and then you called."

"Well, you know. I can't stay away too long, little Jonathan misses me." They both laughed, and then kissed again. She walked around the desk, and brought up the Internet on his computer. "You get in trouble for surfing non work related sites at work?"

"You think I do?"

"Guess not." He did have his name on the wall, she remembered. "Get me one of these. All good call girls have one." She turned the screen, showing him what she had heard about last night.

"How would you know?"

"Did some research. I have friends who've been with sugar daddies before."

"Is that what I am?"

"Well, what do you want me to call you to my friends?'

"What do I call you to my friends?" He thought that was a pretty good reply, fully expecting that his relationship speech had killed this topic.

"Your sweet piece of ass. Or your call girl. I like call girl."

"Really?" That took him by surprise.

"Yeah. I'm your call girl, you are my sugar daddy." She slowly stalked back around the desk, letting him watch her come. She knew fully well that he could not resist the smoldering look in her eyes, the flow of her hair around her face and shoulders, the way her hips swayed, and the way her tits seemed to come towards him as she approached him. The way his breath quickened told her as much. Slowly she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him long and hard.

"You said it yourself, I'm not some dumb bimbo. I know what I'm doing. And I'm doing you. As much as you want. I put in my two weeks notice at work. I'm all yours. I've been in college for almost three years, and I have enough credits to say that I'm almost a sophomore in accounting. Yay. I'm done wasting time screwing around. The only thing getting screwed is you. So you are going to put me through school. And I'm going to put you in happy land, whenever you say the word."

She kissed him again, reaching down and squeezing his cock. He moaned softly into her lips. "You know my cell phone number, call whenever you want some."

"You are amazing."

"And all yours. Got time to break in that couch?"

Jessica was the resident cook, based on the fact that she loved to be in the kitchen and her two friends would rather gouge out their own eyes with rusty spoons then attempt to burn the place down by touching something that might produce heat. So Amber and Tammy just sat around the counter that was the border to Jess's domain, a place they were only allowed to enter when told to.

Sometimes they would study, smelling the fragrances of whatever it was they would soon be devouring, but most of the time they just sat and talked, the way that girls in college will. They were all twenty one, and all had been in college for at least two years, and each of them had changed majors at least once. Like most students trying to achieve a B-something or another in one thing or something different, the road for them was not as straight and narrow as advertised, but rather swooping and swinging.


"So…what is his name again?" Tammy was on her fourth major in three years, and contemplating changing again. Her main problem was that she had no staying power.

"Jonathan." Amber was only on her second, but not really because she loved it, but more because accounting was a business that was not going to go away anytime soon, and promised a reasonable chance of the steady income and quality of life that she sought.

"He's not married, is he?" Neither Tammy nor Jessica had been big fans of David, her former married lover. It had been a textbook infidelity arrangement, with him telling her that he would leave his wife, stringing her along until she realized that he was not going anywhere, not while he could tag her during the day or whenever he snuck away, and then go home and impregnate his wife.

"No, he's not. Divorced, couple years ago. Did I tell you guys that he speaks Portuguese?" If there was one sore spot to her relationship with him, it was the ex-wife. He never mentioned her, and she only seen one picture of her at his place, but she was a stunningly beautiful woman, what you would expect from a Brazilian after seeing Heidi Klum in a magazine.

"Yeah, you mentioned it. You also mentioned that he is good friends with this Rick guy." A side benefit to knowing Jonathan was the amazing variety of people he was friends with. All three girls were now regulars at Work Out World! (referred to as WOW in conversation), where Rick was a personal trainer who always had time for friends of Mr. Games. 

"He is, why, you want his phone number?"

Jessica smiled a coy smile, turning away. If there was a girl with absolutely no sexual aggression in her, it was Jessica. At least until you got her behind closed doors. Everybody here had heard her scream and curse when anybody got her into a bedroom. And she had a particular thing for black men. Especially massive black men with forearms like a normal persons thigh. Rick fit the bill perfectly.

"I'll see what I can do." Amber wrote it down in her day planner, which brought another question from Tammy. "So…what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well…let's see. We used to have to beat you to go to the gym. Now you go at least four times a week. You are concentrating on school, and your grades are getting way better. You have a day planner, for gods' sake! By the way, can I borrow your Gucci boots tonight?"

Amber threw her head back, laughing out loud. Her first shopping spree with Jonathan had been last weekend, a day spent at the exclusive South Park Mall. She had been to South before, mainly to look at all the things she could not afford. He had started of small, in his world, buying her a diamond tipped stud for her belly button. She had been a fan of the stainless steel barbell, but why not? She figured that would be it, but he was only warming up.

It had been a continuous battle all day long, with her saying no, him smiling, and then waving his AmEx card. She did not know how much he ended up spending, but she knew it was over her strong objections, and way too much. She had told him that she did not like shopping, and she had meant it. He had not believed it at first, but by the end of the day he had admitted that she was right. Making the pleasure of spoiling her that much more exquisite. But once it was here, well, why not enjoy it?

"Sure. Don't scratch them, though. I haven't even worn them yet. And I don't know. There are only two things going on, him and school. So I'm focused."

"On both?"

"Oh yeah. He makes it easy." She even had him penciled in for the next day.

She had never been to a silent auction, but the concept seemed pretty fun. Go to an art gallery, write down numbers, sip champagne, and eventually go to dinner. She had not counted upon the beauty of the art, and the effect it had on her.

They wandered through the gallery, moving from piece to piece. He asked what she thought, and they would talk about it, the conversation going from factual to flirting to down right dirty and back in the turn of sentences. It was turning her on, and she told him so. He only smiled, and they moved on, his arm around her waist, feeling the heat from her skin through the dress.

"Can I ask you something?" She was looking around, and realized that she was not the only young woman who had come on the arm of an older gentleman.

"Anything sweety."

"How many of your friends have a trophy piece?"

He stopped, and turned her to face him. His kiss was soft and gentle, leaving her wanting more, pushing onto her tipsy toes to chase down his retreating lips to get what she sought. He gave it to her, and she pushed against him, her tits mashing into his chest.

"Well…I don't know. I do know that many of them have mistresses. I think the more successful and rich you get, the more likely it is. It's like buying another car. One hundred grand on a Porsche, or that much for some young thing with big tits. You'll drive the car a couple of times, then it is just a car. Or you can ride her for a couple of months, and then move on."

She nodded slowly, letting his words sink in.

"You, by the way, are not a trophy piece." They were heading into the next room, and he nodded to a man who had brought a young Asian lady with him. "You are my call girl." They kissed again, but she said nothing.

It wasn't until later that night at the Thai place he brought her for dinner, another place where he was greeted like royalty, that he could not stand the rolling in her eyes anymore, and asked her what she was thinking.

"What you said earlier. When this is over, what is going to happen?"

"I'll decide when I'm moving on, and we'll part ways friends. Or maybe you get tired of dealing with my cranky self, and you walk away. But I still hope we can be friends. You're fun to be around."

"Thanks." She smiled at him, her leg tracing up his under the table. "My friends want to know if you know anybody else looking for a call girl."

"You becoming a Madame now?"

She laughed out loud, a crystal clear laugh that always brought happiness to his face, a deep laugh that had her tits jiggling in the small dress, her foot vibrating against his crotch. He needed some more of that.

"No, no. It's like I have a great new boyfriend, and everybody wants to know if he has a brother."

"I'll ask around. I have something for you in the car."

She gave him a scowl. "No more presents."

"Why not?"

"I don't know! You spend to much on me as it is!"

"Amber…it is nothing. I gave a hundred grand to the Humane Society the other day, its nothing."

"You like animals that much? I didn't know that."

"I don't, not really. But I like tax refunds, and I like their donation to production ratio."

"Jonathan…you are a sweet man…"

"With too much money. Ride the gravy train while it lasts honey." He stopped himself, but she did not notice. 

After dinner they parked up by City Park, and he reached into the back, handing her the box. She undid the wrapper, pulling out another box, this one black and velvet. Pulling it open, she found the panties she had shown him on his computer that day in his office. Giggling, she felt the stubs that would reach up into her pussy, running her finger up the string that went up her ass, feeling the thin, flexible wire that was the antenna.

"They are not the exact ones you showed me. These are more advanced."

"Really?"

"You'll see."

She kissed him, long and hard, squeezing his cock. "Hold still." She climbed over onto him, sliding the seat back with fast fingers. Reaching behind herself, she hit the buttons for the satellite radio. He did not recognize the song, it was some kind of Rap, but a quick glance at the display told him it was 2Pac. 

She was dancing on his lap, the dress slowly easing upwards until it was off, her tits swaying freely before his face.

"Ever frequent strip clubs?"

"Could never see paying for something I couldn't take home."

"Now you don't need to, you have your own personal stripper."

Slowly she released his cock, sliding up and down on his lap, her tits in and out of his face. She was a beautiful dancer; he had to admit, even working in such cramped spaces as this. Her movements were with the beat of the song, and her movements along his cock were driving him mad.

It wasn't long, then he was inside, and she was riding him like a wild bull. Her screams echoed around the car as she took him higher, higher, higher, fucking him senseless, making him beg, her tits almost smothering him. It was heaven, a piece of heaven in his car, and he did not want it to end. They steamed up the windows, she let him blow it in her pussy then sucked him clean, and finally he turned the car towards her place.

"The bed you bought me got delivered the other day."

"You like it?"

"Why don't you come up and try it for yourself?"

"Trying to kill me?"

She purred, softly kissing his cheek. "You know, you can stay over. I'm ok with that." 

He smiled at her, his fingers nervously tapping the steering wheel. He was not sure when, where, or how it had happened. But somewhere along the line, power had shifted to the woman sitting next to him. The sweet little vixen with the magical pussy and the mystical eyes had slipped herself into his life, into his soul, and now he could not live without her. It was his discipline that kept up the few walls he had left, manned the last barriers and defenses. So he shook his head. "No. You have school tomorrow morning, and I have to go to work. If you screw me again, I'll be useless. Besides, I have a conference call on building a mall in Lincolnton tomorrow. You don't want to screw that up, do you?"

She smiled. "Speaking of school. I'm going to have a night class next semester. I couldn't get into the one in the morning, but I need the class to move on in accounting. So you'll have to get your fix on alternate days."

"What do you mean, a night class?"

She explained the way the school assigned times to go online and register for class, and how she had been just about last, due to her low class standing. "So by the time I got to register, the spots in the morning class were taken."

"That's crap. You still got the time open?"

"Yeah."

"I know the Provost, I'll call him. I'll take care of it."

"You know Provost Jenkins?"

"Yeah."

"Who don't you know?"

"You know students, right?"

"Yeah…."

"Well, in twenty years, those students will be Provosts. They will own restaurants, banks, and businesses. It's the flow of things, young grass hopper."

"Smart ass. Now come upstairs. And I hope you aren't building a mall back home because of what I said."

She took another look at the man who had entered her life, trying to gauge again where he stood. There was something to him, something beneath the surface, something he was trying to keep hidden. There was much about him she did not know, things she did not ask about, or had learned not to ask about. Business was one of those things. He did not like talking about work when he was with her, and she respected that. 

"Because of what you said I had some studies dug out. There was a company three years ago that wanted to do it, but financing fell through, and the group almost went bankrupt over it. We are trying to buy their development plans and survey rights."

"I'm going to ask a question. It means nothing. It is just something that popped into my head."

"Shoot."

"Do you own a plane? You spend all this money on nothing, you seem like you would own a plane."

"Yes. I have a yacht, too. And a house in Aspen, if you are going to ask that next."

"So I guess you have a pilot, too?"

"Yes, but I can fly it myself."

"I guess you're already a member of the mile high club, then?"

"I'll initiate you soon enough."



The Proposal Ch. 02



It was simply called The Club, something that the members often joked about. It was a total lack of creativity, just the thing one would expect from an organization founded by mining engineers well over a hundred years ago now. Then the bankers had taken it over, eventually joined by lawyers and doctors, until The Club was the premier social organization in the city. You had to be invited in by another member, and then screened by a board. The fee was exorbitant, but the connections, access, and perks it bought were well worth it. Or so everybody that was a member tried to convince themselves.

Jonathan had been a member for years now, and the price did not even register anymore. Years ago, he had written it off as a business expense, but it was more of a social thing, since most of his friends were members as well.

One such group of friends meet every two weeks, usually for golf and lunch. But today it was only lunch, the late winter weather not really supporting the whole golf thing.

"We should go to Hilton Head or something, get out of town for a long weekend." Randy had made his money in trees. With a city ordinance that required trees to be planted according to a complicated formula based on square footage of building space, he was guaranteed to be in business for a while. The city was growing.

"I don't know. If we are getting on a plane, lets go all the way to Arizona, Mexico, something really good." Markus was a lawyer as well as a doctor by trade. He was also probably the smartest man at the table, something he would deny if you asked him. The devout Catholic was the father of six, and the only one here to have never been touched by the cold hand of infidelity.

"South Florida. I was watching the weather channel this morning; it was 80's down there. Unfucking real. If we go, I want to bring the toy." Morrison had made his money in real estate, working closely with Randy. The two were peas in a pod when it came to money, but total opposites in most other things. The toy was his current mistress, instantly drawing a scowl from Markus. He rarely said anything about his friend's habits, but everybody here knew that he did not approve. But he also firmly believed that they would all just burn in hell for it. His priest had told him so.

Jonathan listened to the conversation, his mind turning over the things that his brain and his heart were telling him. The Duty Brain cell had been swamped along time ago, so he had turned down the normal glass of wine he indulged in at these meetings, trying to work through how he felt. The sudden silence at the table ripped him out of his thoughts, as he realized that everybody was looking at him.

"What?"

"Boca?" Randy rolled his eyes. He couldn't stand it when somebody did not keep up in conversation.

"What?"

"Golf. Boca Raton?"

"Fuck, let's go to Vegas."

"Vegas?" Markus was not a big fan of the gambling. But he salivated at the golfing offered there. He didn't like South Florida, either, convinced that it was a cesspool of sinning, so he was surrounded by bad choices.

"Yeah, Vegas. Markus, you know your wife wants to go to that stupid spa again. Wives or girlfriends, no toys. Be a good time." Jonathan made the finger motion for teeing off with his right hand.

There was more silence as everybody looked at the man that was their unspoken leader. Jonathan was the richest amongst them all, but that was not why. He was the most aggressive, and when many of them were still thinking about angels and consequences, he was plunging ahead. And amongst a group considered some of the most forward leaning businessmen on the east coast, that meant a lot. 

"Next weekend?"

"You fucking crazy? That's racing. We'll go in two weeks, after we hit the big laps here, and stay in that new place they just opened. Read about it in the Robb Report." Morrison was also a true redneck, no matter how rich he got.

The meeting broke up shortly thereafter, lunch all but forgotten in the decision to head out west. Markus waited for everybody head off, then him and Jonathan headed upstairs to the lounge that took up the top part of the four story suite that The Club occupied in the office tower.

"So what's going on? You've been giving me the eye all afternoon."

"I don't know. You know that girl I'm seeing?"

"Your call girl?" He said with a smile on his face. Jonathan had explained his arrangement to the group last golf outing, to much ohhs and ahhs. He was still conflicted about how he felt about it. Paying for it definitely did not help the karmic balance.

"Yeah, her. You know Robert Enders, right? He asked if he could call her some time, and I about choked his lights out." Despite the fact that Robert Enders, Jonathan Games, and Michael Robinson had started a very profitable and wildly successful Venture Capital firm together, they were not what one might call best friends. They were freaky brilliant when they put their minds together, able to look at raw data and brain storm out which company would make it, which would fail, which could be salvaged, and which would go big. 

This often involved a fair amount of conflict, and the three had a private conference room that was super sound proof, where they could scream, yell, curse, and throw things at one another. But they accepted their differences, because they were incredibly rich because of them. 

"You and Rob have never really gotten along. If it weren't for Mike, that thing would have never worked out."

"I know. Mike reminded him about our rule of not screwing each others women." It was a pact from way back when, three Harvard boys turning the banking world on its head with their use of data and information management technology to pick winners and separate the wheat from the chaff when it came to losers.

"So what do you want?" Markus had decided against another glass of wine, so he popped the top of a Diet Coke, his poison of choice when coffee was not available. He drank coffee like a fiend.

"I told myself after Angelina that I would never put myself through this again. You know how I get. You know what happens."

"But you think it is happening?"

"Yeah. That's why I want to bring her out. Let you guys see it. You and your wife, you guys are my emotional counter weight."

"Glad to help out. Speaking of my darling wife, her next book is finished."

"Send it down, I'll get that puppy published." One of the things that the firm had acquired was a small publishing business, which had become the outlet for a series of moderately successful books on faith and marriage by Markus's wife Margie.

"You're a scholar and a saint, I don't care what the others say about you."

"He's a NASCAR fan?" Tammy looked truly amazed. To her, NASCAR was a redneck convention, with 200'000 inbred motherfuckers watching cars go in circles, swilling beer and fighting in the stands. 

"No. But he says they do a lot of business there. His company owns a box at the track."

"They have boxes at the tracks?"

"Apparently so." Amber shrugged. All it meant to her was that he was not around right now, so she was catching up on studying. She was planning on packing for Vegas, as well, so that she would not do it last minute, as was her normal modus operandi.

"Well, it is Sunday, last day off before we have to go back to school from this beautiful weekend, and you should not spend it sitting here." Jessica was trying to decide if she should wear her short hair up or down. It was her first date with Ricky, and she wanted to make a good impression. Finally she just turned to Tammy, who indicated down with a wave of her hand.

"Don't worry about me. I have studying to do, and I've been out like the last three nights."

"You do go out a lot on school nights."

"Yeah, but my baby is not some spring chicken. He has me home early."

"Not that you go to bed when you come home." Tammy shot her friend a knowing grin in the mirror.

"Do, too."

"Not to sleep. You guys should be a bit more considerate of other people in the building."

"You didn't say anything about that."

The doorbell rang before either of the girls could say anything back, and Amber slid out of the couch she was sitting on, walking across the hardwood towards the banging noises. Jesus, these people really wanted in. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Pulling open the door, her parents threw their arms around her, screaming out loud. "SURPRISE!" They both kissed her, then stepped back, looking at their shocked daughter. "We were on our way down to see your Aunt Elsie, so we decided to stop by and see how you were doing!" Her mother seemed very satisfied with that, as they stepped inside, looking around. They always felt the need to inspect the living condition of their youngest when they came by.

"Glad you called ahead." Shaking her head at her own sarcasm, Amber led them back into the living room. Tammy and Jessica waved from the bathroom, and her parents waved back. 

"Want to go to dinner withy our old folks? Saw a new steak place up the road." Her father dropped onto the couch, stretching his legs out. It had been a three-hour drive, and they had two more to go.

"Sure, why not. Let me get dressed real quick." She walked into the back hallway, turned right at the bathroom, and into her room, which had its own bathroom. When they had first moved in, they had played rock-paper-scissor for the master bedroom, and she was the master.

"Nice bed." Her mother had followed her, giving her a questioning look. 

"Thanks." She avoided the question by hoping in the shower. But it hung there until halfway through dinner, when she finally broke it to her parents. She had always told them everything, a side effect of being the baby out of five.

"I'm seeing somebody. He's a bit older, and he's the one that bought me the bed."

"How much older?" Such details are important to mothers, but she had seen her dads ears perk up. "Is this the lawyer, Spike, what was his name?"

"Spencer? No. But I meet this guy the night I had my date with Spencer. Who was a total jackass. This guys name is Jonathan…and he's forty two."

"Forty two? He's twice as old as you!"

"I know that." She shrank back a bit, knowing fully well what was about to come.

"Where did you meet him?"

"A bar…"

"Just like that slut Kelly, huh? I told you, hang out in bars, you meet people that hang out in bars! I take it that he is…"

"Karen." Her fathers voice cut the stream of in mid sentence. He knew fully well that once his wife got going on the wife of their oldest son, it was time to step in. For one, he did not share his opinion of their daughter, but also he was pretty sure that berating their daughter would not do a lot of good. "What does this gentleman do?"

"He's a venture capitalist, or something like that. Don't worry; I'm not dropping out of college or anything. School is very important to him." She related how he had gotten her into the class she needed, only editing it slightly.

"Well, that's good enough. Do we get to meet him?"

Amber was about to respond when her jaw went into neutral. This was a safety switch that most children have when looking their parents in the eye that keeps them from moaning out loud from sexual arousal. She did manage to close her mouth before the second wave hit her, and excuse herself from the table.

She rushed to the bathroom, locking herself in a stall. It was coming on fast and powerful now, and she slammed her hand into her pants, finding the thong she was wearing vibrating out of control. It was the one he had given her, she realized for the first time. Her legs shook as she fingered herself, combined with the vibrator pushing against her clit.

She almost bit through her wrist to keep from screaming out, and sweat covered her brow before it released its grip on her, he body wracked with the feelings it had given her. She took a second to compose her breathing, then fixed herself in the mirror before heading back out.

"Sorry. Girl thing." She smiled graciously, and her fathers face turned sour, settling the whole thing for her. Her mother nodded understandingly. "Well…ahhh, I don't know." She knew for a fact that meeting the parents would fall into the category of relationship bullshit that he would not want to deal with. And for the first time, she realized that she wanted him to meet her parents. What did that mean?

"What do you mean?"

"Well…ahhh, you know. He's older, so I don't know how comfortable he would be with that."

Her dad nodded, as if that made perfect sense. Her mother did not seem convinced. "Well, I mean, if he is that age, doesn't he have kids of his own? I'm sure he would understand if you ask him." Amber nodded slightly. Did he have kids? He had never mentioned anything about it.

"I'll talk to him about it."

The BMW hit the interstate well ahead of most traffic. He was no fan of NASCAR, or any type of racing for that matter, so he rarely stayed the entire race. Nothing happened until the wreck, and unless you were watching the entire thing, you would only get to see that in replay. Screw that. But there was a lot of business done, so he went and suffered in silence. He had considered bringing Amber, but he knew that there were a lot of sharks in the water, and he did not want to put her into that. Would he have been possessive? And would that have been in keeping with his role? 

He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts away. Already the Duty Brain cell had organized his current predicament into a clear list he could work down and attack. First, how did he feel about her? He deferred that one until later. Second, how did she feel about him? He didn't know, and had no way of knowing. But reasonable estimate of the situation said that she felt some connection to him, after all, he was paying her. Probably the same kind that Madeline felt, a kind of symbiotic, platonic connection. Yeah, she flirted with him a lot, but how much of that had he bought? A lot, based on what he was paying her. It was a lot of money, even though she had cut it in half.

Next, what was his role in this thing? And how would he keep playing it? That's what this weekend is for, he told himself. Damn it! A chirping sound interrupted his deep thinking, telling him that somebody was trying to call him. He glanced down at the screen mounted in the dash, seeing her name. Tapping the button, the speakerphone came to life.

"Hey baby." Even through the ether, her voice sounded like smoked honey, making him weak.

"What's up?"

"Ahh…my parents just left, they stopped through on their way to see my aunt. And ahh…"

He knew what she wanted before she even said it. He fired off an internal curse, his mind turning in on itself as he tried to head it off, say something that was not harsh but slammed the door shut. Nothing came out in time.

"…well, they wanted to meet you. I think I stiff armed it."

"Good. You know how I feel about that shit." That came out a bit angrier then he wanted it to, but he didn't even realize it.

"Sorry. It won't happen again, I promise."

"Good." Still with the venom. Stop, he told himself, stop it.

"You ok?"

"Yeah. I told you about that." He clamped his jaw shut, almost biting his own tongue off, stopping himself before he threw out more anger. Jesus, what is wrong with me he asked himself.

"You hit me earlier with the thong. Did you do it through your cell phone?"

"Yeah."

"You coming over?"

He thought about it for a second, realizing that if he wanted to, the exit was ahead by four miles. Decision time, he would be there in about three minutes his brain told him. Damn it, he had meant to go over there, enjoy her sweet laugh and pussy, get recharged for the week, and make this fucking money. Now he was freaking out!

"No."

"Ok…"

"Listen, I have to go."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" His finger slammed the kill button, and he floored it, flying past the exit. Damn it!

She stared at the phone in disbelief. What had his ex-wife done to him that he hated relationships so much? Dropping it onto her bed, she sank into the duvet, trying to fight back the tears. What had he done to her that she felt this way about him?

"If you are calling me for conformation that what you did was a good idea, I'm the wrong person." Markus sounded much more intelligent and educated across the phone. It was his preferred medium of communication.

"You don't understand what this woman is doing to me. I can't let that happen."

"You know what I would tell you…"

"That God has a plan for me, yes, I know. Why do I ask you for relationship advice again?"

"Because I'm the only person you know who has been married to the same woman since college, and who has never cheated on said woman. Plus my wife has never cheated on me, and my kids adore you for reasons I do not understand."

"I guess it is not kosher to bring her over to your house for dinner tonight?"

"Be there at seven."

Normal clothes. What the fuck are normal clothes, she asked herself as she stared into the closet. Normal, like what I normally wear when you take me out? Normal, like I'm going to class? Normal, like business casual normal? Normal was not a fashion term for a reason. 

"Jeans. Normal means jeans." Tammy was trying to be helpful, but all she got was an angry look from her friend. "I'm telling you, jeans."

"You know how much these damn jeans cost?"

"$200."

"How did you know?"

"Looked it up online."

"So then, they are not normal jeans."

"Wear the damn jeans, and a t-shirt. I don't care if he spent a thousand dollars on the shirt, it is still just cotton assembled by some underpaid kid in Thailand. Put on the most expensive underwear you have, throw in some closed toed heels, and you're in business. Come on girl, your closet is worth more then my car, and I still need to dress you?" Of course Tammy was a fashion whore, who had made it very clear to the manager of a local Express that his willingness to give her free clothes was directly related to how deep she would let him put his cock down her throat.

"Shut up." She dug into her underwear drawer, then dropped the towel, feeling the satin slide across her skin. The jeans followed, then a white t-shirt that cost more then her accounting 212 books. Both made in Taiwan. "Happy?"

"Jesus, what is wrong with you?" Tammy gave her a look that made it clear that she did not relish being snapped at, and was not above throwing the can of coke in her hand.

Amber dropped onto the bed next to her friend, and almost burst into tears. She didn't, but being a girl, Tammy saw the signs. They sat, silently, listening to Jessica sing in the other room as she cooked.

"I don't know. Something has come over him lately. Since Sunday, he's been a total dick."

"Why does it bother you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if it bothers you, you are invested."

"Yeah, so?"

"I thought you said you weren't going to become invested. He's paying, remember. Call girl, sugar daddy."

"I know I said that!"

"Relax, I'm on your side here. Maybe you need to walk away."

"Maybe."

They heard the doorbell ring, and she stood, heading outside. He was still in his suit from work, instantly making her feel underdressed.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks. You said normal, you didn't change yet?"

"I can wear this where we are going."

"Which is where…"

"My buddies house."

That gave her pause as she slipped into the door he held open for her. She had never meet one of his friends before, and it had been a couple of months now. "We are going to your friends house?"

"Yeah. His name is Markus; I think I mentioned him before. Markus, Margie, Markus junior, Sarah, Kylie, Angela, Virginia, and Jonathan."

"What? How many kids is that?"

"Six."

"And they named one after you?"





The Proposal Ch. 02



Though it had felt like hours to them since they entered the pool house, less than thirty minutes after they began their passionate lovemaking, Charlie and Todd stepped from the shower they used to wash the sweat and sex from their bodies. Charlie moves like a lioness, all grace and strength, her eyes partially closed in the way of a well fed cat. After dressing in their swimwear, Charlie takes the top towel, damp with sweat, and tosses it on the bench with their clothes. The bottom towel joins it on the bench and the remaining clean and dry towels are refolded and placed back on the shelves. By the time she finishes Todd as folded and placed their street clothes on the shelves as well.

The pool house tidied, all evidence of their lovemaking removed, Charlie and Todd emerge from the pool house, the outside air feeling cool on their skin after the heat inside. Todd latches the door open to allow the interior to cool and to remove any lingering smells of their sex. Tossing the two towels they had set aside earlier onto a chaise, Charlie slips into the pool, sighing as the water cools her. Todd takes a less elegant approach and cannonballs into the deep end of the pool, splashing water everywhere. He swims from the deep end of the pool to where Charlie is standing, the water just covering her breasts, laughing at Charlie's disapproving look. He takes her in his arms, easily lifts her off the floor of the pool, and kisses her with gusto. 

Charlie and Todd are still in the pool, laughing and splashing when Giselle and Rick return home. Todd greets them as they step out onto the patio. "Hope you don't mind but we started without you."

Giselle gives them a big smile and wave. "Not at all. Rick and I will change then join you in a moment."

Charlie watches as Rick and Giselle enter the pool house. Giselle seems normal, upbeat even, but Rick appears tense and reserved. Moments later they emerge dressed in swimwear but carrying no towel. 

When Giselle emerges from the pool house, Charlie clambers out of the pool. Saying not a word, Charlie saunters over to Giselle, just settling into a chaise, and kisses her ever so lightly on the cheek before whispering into her ear so that no one but Giselle could hear, "Thank you." 

Giselle sits still for a moment, shocked by Charlie's kiss, then gives a near imperceptible nod. Giselle peeks over the top of her sunglasses as Charlie begins to dry herself. "So, how was it? The immersion I mean." 

Charlie answers after some thought. "It was fantastic. It was like I was you." Then looking to Rick, Charlie asks, "I thought you told me immersions can't capture people's thoughts."

"It can't," Rick replies. He was over his shock that Giselle would share something so intimate, her Sphinx like calm while they were gone effectively defusing his anger and frustration. 

Charlie settled into a nearby chair, still drying her hair. "But I could. I could tell exactly what she was thinking. When I, when she saw the pineapple I knew that was her favorite fruit. I didn't know that before," Charlie protests.

"That's just a biochemical reaction to her seeing something that gives her pleasure. The neural interface picks that up and boom! you know she likes pineapple." Rick explains. Rick would know as he was a key figure in developing both the original neural network and the immersion interface. 

Rick was born to two deadbeat parents that had little use for anything that involved work. While they were never abusive to Rick, he languished in benign neglect. The family never had anything that wasn't given to them and Rick hated his life and couldn't wait to get away. He threw himself into his school work and was accepted into Stanford with a modest scholarship. Though he qualified for grant money, he refused it, not wanting to feel indebted to anyone and with the aid of student loans and long hours working nights at whatever jobs he could get, Rick paid his way through college.

Rick excelled in all his computer classes and showed an affinity for writing elegant, easy to understand, interfaces. He worked hard and graduated near the top of his class with a BS in computer science. The workload of mornings spent in school, nights tending bar or stocking shelves, was beginning to break him so he decided not to pursue an advanced degree at the time. Upon graduation he immediately began his career working on what eventually became the neural net. 

His skill at interface design got him noticed at NIT, Neural Interface Technologies, and he was set to work, along with hundreds of other software and hardware engineers, solving the host of problems involved in integrating the human body with a computer network. Rick never advanced beyond lower-middle management, his career peaking when he was placed in charge of the interface group supervising twenty-odd programmers. The hardware engineers were the real rock stars of NIT, and while Rick never fully got his head around how the chip interfaced with the human body, when a hardware engineer would say, "When the chip," it was always just called the chip, "receives this signal, I need the chip programmed to return that signal," that he could understand so he and his group set to work making it happen. After ten years of grueling toil the net was born and those that had accepted stock options in lieu of pay, Rick among them, became wealthy, very wealthy. 

As NIT's business moved more toward hardware, Rick left NIT and, cashing out the bulk of his stock, poured the money, and his coding talent, into a new company, Feedback Alive. Building on the work done by NIT, Feedback Alive purchased the software rights from NIT and began to extended and refine the software interfaces between the hardware and the human nervous system until finally, just over a year ago the company brought to market immersion technology. The immersion is an offshoot of the neural network technology developed at NIT that is revolutionizing communications and data retrieval, replacing a host of now obsoleted technologies.

Early in the twenty-first century the amount of information available to people exploded. First there was the World Wide Web, then search engines, then intelligent search engines, each designed to better manage the ever increasing volume of data. But even with all the advancements, people and businesses were drowning in information, which was nearly as bad as not having enough. The latest advancement in data management is the neural network, or net. 

Using ultra-thin film technology it is now possible to implant the chip developed by NIT at the base of the brain, allowing access the vast amount of data available on the net. The chip is powered by the heat of the human body and once implanted is a totally self-contained device.

At first the chip simply functioned as search portal, but the neural interface technology didn't stay confined to data retrieval for long and a revolution in the way people interacted with each other and the world began. Through continuous improvement in the software interface to the body, the technology has become so pervasive it is now everywhere. Anything that can be automated is now controlled through the net. As you walk up to your car you want the doors to be unlocked, the engine running with the air conditioning on, cooling the interior, so it is. When you leave your house you expect the doors to be locked, so they are. This is all controlled by a series of hardware based encryptions keyed to each person's DNA. It is impossible to crack, and impossible to fake, so non-violent crimes like identity theft and fraud are effectively reduced to zero, which in turn has led to an explosion in the use of human/network interface, the immersion being only the first of what was likely to come.

Feedback Alive is a privately held company, owned by Rick and three other partners, but the fledgling immersion market was beginning to grow and the company should be revenue positive in another year or so. Or so Rick hoped. He was very nearly living as a kept man on Giselle's income. What they needed was a blockbuster immersion that could show what the technology could do, and use that to ramp up their licensing and hardware sales. 

"Well, maybe," Charlie mutters, "but I think there is more to it than that." She pauses and thinks a minutes. "But if you can't read thoughts, how does the search and ping, and all the other stuff work?"

"Okay, I misspoke," Rick says, "the chip can read your thoughts. The problem is that your thoughts are like trying to pick out a conversation in a crowd of people. Where you can't follow a conversation, you might hear your name. The chip works like that. It is looking for keywords among your thoughts. Take the ping for example. Do you know why you ping someone instead of call them or talk to them?"

"No," Charlie says shaking her head.

"Because when we were developing the interface we did start out having the ping interface open when you wanted to talk to someone. The problem was, every time you wanted to talk to Todd about something the damn interface would open, even if what you really wanted to do was talk to him when you got home. So we came up with a new term, the ping, so you had to think 'I want to ping Todd' before the interface would open. Don't ask me how the chip sorts out the keywords, that is beyond me, but while yes, the chip can read your thoughts, the bulk of the stuff that goes into the chip is ignored and never passed to the interface."

"I don't know Rick," Charlie says dubiously. "I swear I could tell exactly what Giselle was thinking."

"Trust me, you just think you could tell because of a very limited set of variables. Let me ask you this ... at the beginning, when we," Rick motions to Giselle and himself, "are walking along the beach, did you know that we were having a picnic?"

"Of course," she replies with finality. 

"Wait!" Todd interjects. "You were on a picnic with Rick?"

"Nooo," Charlie replies. "Giselle was on a picnic with Rick. It is where he proposed to her." Turning to look at Rick she adds, "Well done, by the way."

Todd looks from Rick to Charlie then back to Rick. "Well, buddy, I don't know what you got, but I want some of it."

Charlie and Giselle giggle while Rick blushes. "Annnyway," Rick says trying to steer the conversion back to safer ground. "Are you sure you knew or did you think you knew because Giselle wasn't surprised? See, Giselle knew we were recording the picnic. It was kind of like a field test for the recording equipment. She just didn't know about the rest of it."

"What's the difference?" Charlie asks.

"Well, granted it's small, but it is a significant difference. That is why immersions work so well for one or two people, but not particularly well for a group. Here's an example. Giselle is sitting in the chaise and is daydreaming in the sun. If you are in an immersion of that event you will feel the contentment of someone at peace, but you won't know what she is thinking about."

"Oh ... I think I would have a pretty good idea," Charlie says.

Rick blushes again and hears Giselle giggle in the chaise. 

"Maybe what you say is true, but I'm not sure I'm convinced," Charlie says. "Whatever the reason, that was the most moving and powerful immersion I have ever experienced. Ever. Would you mind if Todd experienced it?"

"What?" Rick says, louder than he meant to and he can almost feel his eye bug out.

"Would you mind if Todd experienced the immersion recording of you proposing to Giselle. I assume you have one."

"I do, but ..." Rick splutters. He looks to Giselle who looks back passively.

"But what, Rick?" Charlie says.

Rick nods to Todd. "What does he know?"

"He knows that I was Giselle when you proposed to her after a picnic on the beach."

"That's that it?" Rick demands.

"That's it," Charlie replies. "And that is all he will ever know unless you tell him, or he experiences it for himself." 

Todd has suddenly become very interested in this conversion but says nothing, feeling like he is on thin ice. 

"I don't know Charlie," Rick says. "You know until Giselle you were my rock." Rick see's Charlie's eye flick to Giselle, then back. "You helped me through some tough times. But this is asking a lot." Rick pauses for a moment, then continues, "Why do you want to do this?"

"Because, Rick, there is something very profound in that immersion. It touched me. I'm assuming that your immersion would be just as powerful. It seemed like it to me," Charlie says then corrects herself. "It seemed like it to Giselle. See, I can't even keep it straight. I know it was Giselle but it was so real, so vibrant, so alive, it was like it was me."

Giselle moves from the chaise and sits down in the chair beside Rick and puts her hand on his arm. Rick looks to Todd with an almost pained expression. 

"Buddy, it's your call. Don't do it if you don't want to. I don't mind," but ever the wit Todd waits just the right amount of time then adds, "but can Charlie experience it again sometime?" The heavy mood broken they all laugh.

* * *

A few hours later everyone has changed from their swimwear into street clothes, and now the women were in the kitchen slicing fresh vegetables for the grill, chatting and laughing. While Charlie and Giselle prepare the vegetables, Rick prepares the grill, the act of cooking together a ritual they both enjoy. Nothing more has been said about the immersion and they have been pleasantly chatting, four good friends, enjoying each other's company. 

Todd sips his beer and watches Rick fuss with the grill. Though curious to know what had happened on that beach that had so affected Charlie, it was obvious to him that Rick didn't want to share it, and that worries him. Todd knows how Charlie is when she wants something. She will worry the problem to death until she gets what she wants, something he knows from long experience. He and Rick have been friends for, Todd zones out into the interface, then has the answer in less than a second, thirteen years. That's a long time and this immersion isn't worth all that.

Charlie and Todd began dating in high school and have been together ever since. A swimmer on his high school swim team, Todd had turned in a state record setting time in a come from behind victory as the anchor in the four-by-one hundred meter freestyle relay to secure the their school's first state championship in swimming. The hero of the moment he finally gathered the courage to ask Charlie out on date. She accepted, and while it wasn't exactly love at first sight, they have been together ever since. Moving from the Midwest to Los Angeles, Charlie worked as a model while Todd worked on his BA in marketing.

Rick met Todd when a calendar company used Rick's antique 2010 Aston Martin in a photo shoot. Though the car was almost sixty years old it looked new and was the one thing that Rick had splurged on when he became wealthy. While Charlie worked with the car, Rick and Todd discussed antique cars, something that Rick enjoyed but Todd was passionate about. Todd knew more about antique English cars than Rick ever would and Rick was fascinated as Todd effortlessly recalled horsepower ratings, 0-60 times, prices, all manner of minutiae on vehicles made by Aston Martin, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Bentley or Land Rover. Anybody could do that now, but this was before the net had become pervasive and it was an impressive feat of recall. Rick still has the calendar featuring his car hanging in his garage, perpetually showing July 2068, his Aston overlooking the Pacific Ocean with Charlie, one hand pulling open her not quite fully unbuttoned shirt, the other pulling down on her unbuttoned shorts, wet with "sweat" from a spray bottle, hair flying away in the breeze from an unseen fan, vamping in front of the car. Only Charlie could upstage that car, but upstage it she does. It took four hours of hard work, Charlie doing the same poses over and over to get that one shot, so Rick and Todd had plenty of time to get acquainted. By the time the shoot concluded the beginnings of their friendship were firmly in place. 

From out of the blue Todd picks up the immersion topic again. "Rick, listen, don't sweat it okay?" Rick looks at him in confusion. "The immersion. You know how Charlie is. She will keep picking at this until she gets what she wants. But if you don't want me to experience it, I'm fine with that. Really. Give the word and I will shut her down." He then bangs his chest comically and exclaims in a caveman voice, "Me man. She woman. Woman listen to man." Rick raises one eyebrow in an uh-huh look, but says nothing. Todd, suddenly serious, puts his hand on Rick's shoulder, "It okay man, really."

"What do you know?" Rick finally asks quietly. 

"I know that you proposed to Giselle on a picnic on a beach somewhere."

"San Miguel Island," Rick supplies. 

"I know that you had a picnic with Giselle on a beach on San Miguel Island. That's where you proposed to her," Todd begins again, then waving his beer in the general direction of the kitchen window, added, "she accepted. I assume, based on Charlie's reaction, that you must have rocked her world on that same beach. What I don't know is why that has affected her so. Charlie I mean."

After a pause Rick speaks softly, "That's the sum of it." Another pause, but Todd waits patiently. "I don't know why Charlie is so jazzed up about this and I don't understand why Giselle did what she did." Pause. "You and Charlie are my best friends, but I don't know about this."

"Don't worry about it. I will talk to Charlie tonight," Todd says, then he puffs his chest out like he is going to beat on it again, then deflates it comically. "Oh never mind. Who am I kidding?" Rick laughs gently at his friend's antics as Todd adds, "Seriously, I will talk to her, okay?"

* * *

They all enjoy a meal of steak, roasted peppers and potatoes, all expertly grilled by Rick. Todd, feeling a bit guilty that Giselle and Charlie prepared the food and Rick cooked it, appointed himself errand boy and made sure no one wanted for anything. After the meal he insists that they sit and he would clean up. He didn't mind. At home Charlie cooks and he cleans up and he felt well rewarded for the effort. Besides, in a modern kitchen, cleanup took what, fifteen, twenty minutes?

Afterwards the four of them sit by the pool once more in comfortable silence when Charlie speaks up, "Rick, about the immersion." 

Todd pipes in, "Charlie ..."

Giselle interrupts, "Let her finish. I want to hear what she has to say."

Charlie pauses a moment and when nobody else adds anything, continues. "Giselle and I were talking. I understand what you are saying about the chip not reading thoughts. It comes down to feelings, right? If I say I feel hot, I feel cold, I feel hungry, I feel lust, I feel pain ... if I can say 'I feel' something and it makes sense it will come through on an immersion, right?" 

Rick nods.

"But if I say, I feel math or I feel blue sky, not only does that sound stupid but the immersion chip doesn't get it either. If I said I feel happy because I love a blue sky I would get the happy but not the blue sky. Does that about sum it up?"

"That's it precisely," Rick says. 

"Do you realize what you just said?" Charlie asks.

He didn't. "What did I say?"

"You said you can capture emotions."

"Uhhh ... okay. I guess. So ...?"

"Do you know what the most popular immersion is?" Charlie asks.

"Porn."

"Okay, you're right," Charlie agrees. "What I should have asked is do you know what the most popular non-sexual immersion is?"

Rick hasn't the first clue and shrugs his shoulders. "Uhhh ..." but then he thinks about it and the answer comes to him, roller coaster rides. Because of his expertise he could tell that the answer came from the chip. Damnit! That was one problem with the net, you couldn't play guessing games anymore. They, Feedback Alive, should try to fix that in the interface. "Roller coasters." he states.




The Proposal Ch. 02



"Yeah," Charlie agrees, "roller coasters. But I don't like feeling like I am plunging to my death in real life, and I don't think I would like it in an immersion either. Where I love tennis maybe not everyone would enjoy feeling hot, sweaty and out of breath. Well, not from chasing a little green ball anyway," she says then giggles. "My point is, not everybody likes the same things, but there are two things that everyone likes and wants. Triumph and being loved. Your immersion has both of those, and in spades. I was thrilled that you asked me, asked Giselle, to marry you. She had won you. Giselle and I both know you could nearly have your pick among women, you stud muffin you, but you picked Giselle. Her thrill was overwhelming. It made her cry. When was the last time you saw Giselle cry? Maybe never? And the love. I positively burned ..." Charlie stops, blows out a puff of breath in frustration at her mangled dialog, then tries again, "Giselle positively burned she loved you so much. And she knew you loved her too. The feelings were so incredibly powerful I'm still moved by them. What happened next ..." Charlie clenches her mouth shut realizing she almost said too much.

"Go ahead," Rick says, and while glancing at Todd adds, "He's guessed the gist of it already."

Charlie continues. "What happened next was wonderful." Turning to Todd she speaks directly to him, "They made love under the stars on the beach. It was sooo romantic." Then addressing the group again, "I was touched in ways I can't even express. I really liked Giselle before but now ..." Charlie speaks to the entire group put looks only at Giselle, "... I feel closer to her than I have felt to any friend I ever had. Ever."

They all sit in silence, taking in what Charlie has said. After a brief pause Charlie speaks again, "I want Todd to experience it. It is so profoundly moving, I want everyone to experience it. It needs to be shared with the world. I can't remember if I felt the same rush of excitement when Todd asked me to marry him that Giselle felt when you asked her. Maybe, probably, but I can't remember. But this is like it just happened. It is fresh, strong. I so wish I had a recording of Todd asking me ..." her voice trails off.

"How about I cut the experience after the proposal?" Rick suggests.

Charlie deflates just a bit, "I suppose that would be alright, but I think he would be missing a large part of the experience. He wouldn't, couldn't, get the full expression of your love for Giselle. Or Giselle's love for you, either. He couldn't. Rick, I'm telling you, this is some heady stuff. It's ..." Charlie stops, looking for the word, "It's ... I don't know, magical is the only word I can think of."

"Okay, I ..." Rick starts but Giselle cuts him off.

"Would you two excuse us a moment," she says rising from her chair, pulling Rick behind her. They move away, out of earshot.

Todd begins, his voice with a slight edge, "Charlie! Enough. It doesn't matter to me and it is obvious that what is in that immersion is intensely private and he doesn't want to share it, so drop it."

Charlie looks back and matches his steel with a bit of her own. "Trust me. You want this but Rick, he needs this. He needs to share this with someone; he just doesn't know it yet. I now feel closer to Giselle than I would to my sister, if I had a sister. I don't know how this would affect you men with all your macho bullshit, but I think the effect upon you, and Rick, will be profound. Rick always pushes people away, never lets them get close. Well, except for Giselle of course. He's not happy and he doesn't even know it." 

Charlie watches Giselle and Rick. Rick's head is down, as if in shame, while Giselle speaks to him softly. The conversion finished, Rick pulls Giselle to him and she wraps her arms around him, pulling him down to her. They stand like that for many seconds, then the embrace falls away. Rick straightens and he and Giselle walk slowly back to them.

* * *

Giselle pulls Rick to the corner of the yard so that Todd and Charlie can't hear their conversion. When she feels they are far enough away she turns to him and, stepping in close, says as gently as she can, "I think Charlie is right. You should let Todd experience it."

"Why, Giselle? Why?" Rick exclaims. "Why do you want to share something so intimate?"

"What are you afraid of? Do you think Todd doesn't feel love, or lust? Do you think he doesn't know we make love?"

"I don't know! I just don't want him to experience it, that's all. Not the last part anyway."

"Are you afraid you won't measure up?" Giselle teases. "Trust me big boy, you have nothing to worry about."

"It's not that. Well, mostly not that. It's just so damn personal."

"And that," Giselle says firmly, "is exactly why you should let him experience it. You always push people away, never let anyone get close. You still do that to me in some regards. I know it was tough growing up. Keeping people at a distance may prevent you from being hurt, but it keeps you from being loved as well. Jonathan hurt me. After I found out about his affairs I was hurt. I hurt inside and it wasn't until I finally took a leap of faith and let you into my heart that I healed. I still struggle with that sometimes. I wonder, deep down, if you will hurt me too."

Rick looks at the ground. "I will never hurt you. Not like that. Not intentionally," he whispers.

"I know. I really do know. But doubt is a terrible thing. It twists and turns and slips into every little crack." Giselle pauses and takes in a deep breath. "Do you want to know why I let Charlie experience the immersion?" Giselle doesn't wait for his answer. "It was because I was feeling sorry for myself. I was twisting myself up because we have been married about as long as Jonathan and I had been when I found out he was out banging other women. I don't know why I mentioned it, maybe because I was feeling particularly close to her right then, but I told her that I worried that someday you would tire of me, push me away too."

"I ..." Rick started to say but Giselle cuts him off.

"Let me finish. I told her I was worried that you would push me away like you do everyone else, Todd and Charlie included. But Charlie told me something that surprised me. She told me that even when you were with another woman you were constantly on the prowl."

Giselle couldn't see Rick's face flush red in the darkness, but she could see his body stiffen. "I never ..." Rick starts but Giselle cuts him off again.

"Tell me the truth Rick, tell yourself the truth. Charlie told me that she didn't think you ever cheated on the women you were with, and Charlie didn't say it so many words, but did you once lust after her? She told me you tried to hide it, did hide very well. She said she trusted you then to not do anything you shouldn't, so I trust you now, but tell me, truthfully, did you want Charlie?"

"No. I never ..." but then Rick pauses, and after a time in a voice so quiet that she almost couldn't hear, him he says, "Yes. Maybe once. But not now, not since you."

Giselle feels warmth pour through her. She truly had won him and her love for him at that moment multiplies a thousand fold. She could feel tears in her eyes so powerful were the emotions. Giselle issues a tearful little chuckle followed by a sniff as she tried to hold back her tears. She steps closer, taking him into an embrace. "She told me that too. We love you Rick, all of us. Let us in. Please let us in."

Rick wraps his arms around her and holds her, drawing on her strength. Her words have brought back all the old hurts, desires unfulfilled, the feelings of how utterly alone he has felt until he had fallen for Giselle and shame for treating Todd has he has. Todd is a good friend, his best friend, someone that had stood with him every time he needed a friend. And Rick tried to be a good friend as well, always willing to help out. But on the emotional side of things, the friendship was barren. When Todd's father passed away Rick watched his friend suffer but he didn't know what to do, no words to offer other than meaningless platitudes. What kind of friend is that? A single tear escapes and rolls down his cheek. He squeezes his eyes tightly shut, fighting to hold back the flood of tears that threaten. Holding Giselle to him, Rick realizes he is tired of being alone. 

Giselle feels a single tear drip on her neck. She has never seen Rick cry before, and the moment fills her with both joy that his walls were finally beginning to fall, and sadness that she had twisted his emotions so. She feels him straighten, breaking the embrace. She looks into his face and kisses his eye, drying the tear.

"Okay," Rick says very quietly, "for you."

"No!" Giselle whispers harshly. "Not for me. For you. Do this for yourself. Don't do it for me, or Todd or Charlie or anybody else. Do this only for yourself." Giselle's tone softens, "I'm here for you Rick. Always will be. We all are. Trust us." 

Stepping back from her, and after clearing his throat says huskily, "Let's not keep our guests waiting," and they turn to walk slowly back to Todd and Charlie, arms twined together as Giselle leans against him just for enjoyment of touching him. 

* * *

When Giselle and Rick rejoin their guests Giselle appears relaxed but Rick looks ... haunted. He sits, leaning forward, elbows on knees, looking from Charlie to Todd and back again. No one says anything; they simply wait while Rick battles his inner demons. Finally, after several long moments, Rick speaks, sounding as if he was heaving off a great weight, "Okay, fine. The whole thing."

Charlie immediately gets up, and rounding the table that separates them, crouches in front him and takes him in her arms. "Thank you," she says softly, "thank you so much." She hugs him tightly for a moment before standing and moving back to her chair.

With false bravado Rick says to the group in general, but looking at Todd, hoping he understands he is joking, "If you make fun of my technique I am going to kick your ass ... and do it in front of your wife." Rick hears Giselle giggle.

Understanding that Rick is yanking on him, Todd begins to speak, "I ..."

Charlie cuts him off, "Don't worry ... I'm hoping he picks up a couple of those techniques!"

Giselle begins to giggle harder, and Charlie soon joins in. Rick and Todd look at each other, neither sure what is so funny. 

Moments later two links arrive in Charlie and Todd's mailboxes, "Those are the links to the immersion," Rick explains. "The first one is an individual immersion stream. Charlie, you have Giselle's, Todd, you have mine. The second link is a shared stream. This is a little something I cooked up for Giselle and me. It's pretty rough but it works. The way it works is one of you links into the immersion, but the immersion won't start. You then crosslink to the other person. Only when both of you are in the immersion state will the actual immersion start. This way your immersions will be in sync. Like I said, it's rough, this is something else I never intended to share with anyone," Rick smiles at them to let them know he is not digging at them, "but if you are going to do this, I recommend using the shared link." Rick pauses see if they understand. "Giselle and I, we use the shared link exclusively ... it's better that way."

Charlie and Todd look to each other, then back to Rick. 

"I would recommend you try it, now, before you leave," Rick suggests, "that way if you have any problems we can sort them out. Simply follow the link, then crosslink to the other. Who wants to go first?"

"I will," Charlie says.

"Okay then," Rick says. "Charlie, start the immersion. Todd, you will get a ping from Charlie. Simply follow the ping like any other. Let the immersion run until something happens, something you will clearly remember, then end the immersion. The first one out kills the experience for both. Clear?"

Charlie and Todd both nod. Charlie settles a bit in her chair then fades out. A moment later she comes back. Okay, I started the immersion but then how do I crosslink over. I can't get my bearings in there."

Rick chuckles a little. "I told you it was rough. The immersion state is pending, and I know it feels weird, but it works just like when you want to end the immersion state. You just ask Todd to join you." Then, as an afterthought, Rick adds, "I'll try to clean the interface up so it isn't so confusing if you guys want to experience the immersion again,"

"Go ahead and get started on that," Charlie says just before dropping out again. 

A short burst of laughter escapes Rick as he turns and looks at Giselle, shaking his head in a "what can you to do with her?" gesture.

Rick sees Todd zone out into the thousand yard stare of someone accessing the net or experiencing an immersion. Charlie and Todd are gone for about two minutes then return to them at the same time.

"So," Rick asks, "who pulled the plug?"

"I did," said Todd. 

"What did you key on?"

"Giselle pushed some hair out of her eyes." Then looking at Giselle, "I had forgotten you used to wear your hair longer. I like it ... growl," Todd says, bobbing his eyebrows at her. 

Giselle give him an "Oh, stop it!" wave.

Rick looks to Charlie. "I know it probably ended unexpectedly for you, but what was the last thing you did or said?"

"Uhhh ... I think I was getting the hair out of my eyes. But I don't remember exactly."

"Okay." Rick says, "I think that's it." Looking pointedly at Charlie he remarks, "I'll see what I can do about the interface," and is rewarded with one of her beaming smiles.

"So, what's next?" Todd asks

"Nothing," Rick replies. "Just experience the immersion. You both are already cleared through the firewall, so you can experience it at your leisure." 

* * *

After the decision was made to allow Todd to experience the immersion, the entire subject wasn't mentioned again and the conversion turned to other interests, but Rick was still on edge about the entire affair. He couldn't figure out what was bothering him. Perhaps it was the intimacy of what he and Giselle shared on the beach that night. Or maybe it was just as simple as he didn't want another guy banging his wife, even in an immersion. Attitudes about sex have changed a lot in the last one hundred years or so, but there is still a limit.

On the other hand, Giselle didn't seem at all concerned that Charlie had experienced their moment on the beach. Giselle could hardly be called a prude, but she was certainly less vivacious than Charlie. 

Rick's emotions are in turmoil as he used his depilation on his face and rinsed his mouth. Spitting the new brand of rinse into the sink with a "bleh", Rick looks at the bottle, "Orange flavor my ass," he mutters. While Rick isn't vain, he does care about his appearance and is so glad he doesn't have to shave everyday like his father did. Well, when his father felt like shaving anyway. Now, a couple shakes of the depilation liquid into the hands, a quick wipe on the face and neck, wipe dry with a towel, no more hair for two or three days. He wasn't old enough to shave when the depilation liquids first hit the market so he has never used a razor, but he does remember brushing his teeth and he much prefers the swish and go ease of the sterilizers, even if they do taste like ass. White teeth, fresh breath and no cavities, all from a simple rinse two or three times a day.

Rick leaves the bathroom, clicking out the light has he goes. The automated switch would have gotten it eventually, but turning out the light on the way out of a room is an old habit, one that he doesn't even try to break. Giselle is turning back the bed, looking fetching in her silk pajamas. Giselle has three pair of pajamas, all basically the same, the only difference being color, cream, dark blue and red, and the depth of the plunge of the neck. The cream was the most conservative with a neckline that covered her completely without being tight on her neck. The red, the pair she was wearing now, was the most daring with a scooped neck that dropped about halfway to her nipples and showed off her curves perfectly, the ultra-thin straps of the top looked as if they could break at any moment, and that was part of the allure. The blue pajamas were somewhere between the cream and the red. Giselle usually wore the red pajamas, or the blue if the reds were dirty. The cream only came out in the winter or if she wasn't feeling well. 

Rick and Giselle settle into bed. Normally Rick, who slept on the left side of the bed, would lie on his right side so Giselle could snuggle her back into his chest, but tonight he turned his back to her. He didn't know why he did it, but he did. When Giselle was still he gave a low wolf whistle and the bedroom lights clicked out, leaving only the dim safety lights on in the house.

Rick feels Giselle snuggle into his back and drape her arm over him. "Are you okay?" she asks softly.

"Yes. It's just been a long day," Rick replies.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," but then Rick realizes he does so he turns over to face her. "Why did you do it Giselle? Why did you give Charlie the immersion? Help me understand."

"I don't know, Rick, I just did. It seemed like the thing to do at the moment." Giselle sighs, "I suppose had I thought about it more I wouldn't have. But I'm glad I did. Did you notice the way she looks at you now?"

"No," Rick says, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"It's hard to describe. I guess I would have to call it respect. She has a new found respect for you. It's like she see's something in you now she hadn't seen before and she respects you for it." Giselle pauses for a moment, then adds playfully, "Either that or she want's your hot little body." Giselle snuggles in a little closer.

"Sorry ... it's been bought and paid for and it's not for sale or lease."

"That good to hear because if it were I would have to kick her ass right in front of her husband," Giselle says, harkening back to Rick's words earlier in the evening, "then I would kick yours."

Rick is silent for a time before speaking again, "I just hope this doesn't screw up our friendship." 

Giselle understands he is speaking of Charlie and Todd. "My love, I think our friendship with them is just now beginning. I would like to try an immersion of Charlie and Todd making love to see if it affects me the way I affected her."

"Turnabout seem like fair play to me," Rick says.

"Me too," Giselle agrees. "Maybe I will suggest it. I feel like I can tell Charlie anything now."

"When you do," Rick says with an evil smile, "I want to be there to see Todd's face."

"Let's see what Todd's thoughts are. Maybe this is a woman thing and he will be like, 'yeah, whatever.' "

Rick gives that some thought. Maybe so he realizes. Women are certainly more in touch with their emotions than men are. Todd's entire take from the immersion might be "That's one hot babe you have on your hands there, Rick." Rick doesn't know what it was in the immersion that had Charlie so hot and bothered, it certainly wasn't her lack of sex. Though Todd never talks about it, he is pretty sure she and Todd have a hot and sweaty sex nearly every night, if not more often, so it must be something more, but he has no idea what it could be because he had no illusions he was that good in the sack. "Maybe you are right," he says finally. 

"I usually am ... and don't you forget it," Giselle teases.

"No ma'am, I won't," Rick promises solemnly. What's done is done, no reason to worry about it now. 

"Good." Giselle scoots in closer still and begins to stroke his thigh. "You want to make another immersion of our lovemaking?" Giselle suggests in a sultry voice.

"Ohhh no!"

"Okay ... how about we just make love then?"




The Proposal Ch. 02



"I like that idea much better," Rick says as he leans over to kiss her. Their lips meet in a gentle touch and as Giselle rolls to her back Rick follows. He kisses her slowly, gently, just enjoying the feel of his lips on her soft skin, the warmth that is spreading through him. He begins to kiss her nose, eyes, neck and ear. Giselle is still, letting him explore her at his leisure, her only movement is her hands slowly stroking his back.

Rick's kisses are gentle, tender and loving. Their tongues brush at their lips, just a merest touch in passing, but Giselle can taste the orange on him. Rick is a powerfully built man in fine physical shape, he could break her if he wished, but his touches are as careful as if he were handling the most delicate china. Giselle lies still, letting him touch her where he wished, as he wished, soaking up the pleasure as a sponge in water. 

Rick works his way around Giselle's neck and down her cleavage until he arrives at her left breast, which he pulls free from the top. Those straps ... they may look like they could snap any moment but they were surprisingly strong as he has performed this ritual many times and they haven't broken yet. His mouth covers her breast and he teases the nipple with his tongue. Giselle puts her hand on his head, holding it lightly in place, indicating her approval. 

Giselle, eyes closed in pleasure, feels Rick move from her lips to eyes, nose, then around to her ear. He nuzzled her neck as he works around, under her neck to the spot she likes so well, then down, between her breasts. She feels him expose a breast, her left of course as it was slightly more sensitive than her right, and he knew it. Rick begins to suckle on it and tongue her nipple, deft flicks of his tongue that send shivers through her. Giselle puts her hand on his head and pushes it down on her breast, just a bit, to encourage more of that. After a few moment of enjoyment, Giselle gives him a gentle push to the right. As Rick moves to the other breast she feels him move, repositioning himself for better access to her body.

Rick feels Giselle's gentle push to her other breast. He goes, but not too fast. No need to hurry, it's Saturday and they have all night. For a change of pace he mouths her right breast through the silk, pushing the material around with his mouth and tongue. It's a bit of strain to reach so he moves, placing one leg on either side of her left leg so he could reach either side of her body more easily. Rick sucks in two, three great lungful's of air, inhaling Giselle's scent of soap and rain, and while still supporting most of his weight on his hands and knees, lowers himself a bit more so more of her was in contact with more of him for no reason other than to feel her touching him. 

Giselle feels the silk material sliding around on her breast and nipple, sending little flashes of pleasure through her. She arches her back, just a bit, pushing her breasts up to increase the pressure of Rick's mouth as Rick settles more fully onto her body, his weight just enough to make her feel secure and protected. His tongue was doing wonderful things to her and she could feel her breath speeding up, becoming heavier.

Rick can feel Giselle's breathing becoming heavier as her passion rises. Rick takes one last gentle bite on the nipple, causing Giselle to sucks air in at the unexpected nip, before he pulls her up by the shoulders as he pulls himself up on his knees. With a practiced movement he removes her top and lowers her gently to the bed. Giselle helps with the pants by raising her bottom off the bed so Rick slip the silk pants under her. He then places both knees between her legs and slips first one leg, then the other, free of the pajama legs, kissing the inside of each knee as it becomes exposed.

Giselle feels a little nip from Rick's teeth on her nipple, the material between his teeth and her flesh preventing it from hurting, the sudden burst of pleasure causing her to suck in a gasp air. She feels herself being pulled up and Rick removes her top before letting her gently back to the bed. She helps him with bottom pants by lifting her hips and pushing the waistband down before Rick's hands take and slid it under her buttocks, the sensation of the long silk pant leg sliding along her skin as Rick pulls first one leg, then the other, free was almost as good as his lips ... almost. Giselle feels the bed move briefly as Rick repositions himself then his warm lips are upon her womanhood. Oh yes, that is exactly what she needs. Giselle takes Ricks head in her hands and pulls him firmly to her, encouraging him to give her more of that!

Rick moves himself into position and begins to tease her vagina with his tongue and lips. He starts out gentle, but her hands are quickly upon his head, pulling him in close, so he begins to tease more aggressively, tongue sliding, slithering, probing, lips gently pinching and tugging. Giselle squirms under his mouth, an occasional small gasp or sigh escaping her. Rick feels a small shudder run through her body and her hands grasp at his hair. He stops his tickling and lets her ride out her orgasm.

Giselle feels Rick become more aggressive with his mouth the moment she pulls his head into her. She holds him there as he works on her, her inner fire beginning to roar. As her orgasm begins to build she begins to twist and writhe, her muscles contracting and relaxing of their own accord. She feels her orgasm come and she lets it flow, washing over her in waves that cause her to quiver in delight. Rick stops his lovely torture and allows her to take her release. As she relaxes she can feel the bed move again, then Rick is beside her once more, kissing her. Giselle kisses him back, deeply, tasting herself upon his lips.

While Giselle comes down off her orgasm Rick removes his pajama shorts then lies down beside her. When Giselle becomes aware of his presence he kisses her, letting her decide the next step. She kisses him back, deeply, then pushing him over onto his back, kissing him all the way to the bed. Once she has him on his back she takes his manhood firmly in hand.

Rick allows Giselle to roll him onto his back, her mouth never leaving his. He begins to move to wrap her up, to hold her to him, but she takes his penis in a firm grip. She moves quickly, with only a few stops along the way for quick kisses, to take him into her mouth, the searing warmth enveloping his penis and he quietly gasps in pleasure. 

Giselle takes Rick's penis into her mouth, swirling her tongue around its head. She doesn't even try to take him all in, she knows she can't. Some other woman might be able to take his entire length into their mouth, he is only of slightly larger than average size, but she can't and gagging is so unsexy. Giselle feels Rick's hands feather light on the back of her head, never trying to push her farther than she wants to go. To be such a big man, he is so gentle with her, and she loves him dearly for it.

Giselle's tongue wraps Rick's penis in a loving embrace, sending electricity coursing through him. It takes every ounce of his control not to grab her by the head and shove her down on his shaft, spearing himself into her mouth. Giselle slides her lips, her tongue, along his length until she reaches her hand, still gripping him, pausing briefly, then works her way up. Occasionally she removes him from her mouth and goes all the way down the length of his penis from the outside, tongue dancing and teasing the entire way. Finally her caresses become more than he can bear, his pleasure threatening to overwhelm his control, so he pulls on her gently, a signal to her that his control is slipping.

Giselle feels Rick's gentle but urgent tug. Some nights, if she is unwilling or unable to take him, she will ignore his requests to stop and simply finish him, but tonight she wants him inside her so she abides his request and returns her mouth to his. He takes her kisses greedily, seeming not to notice slickness of his pre-ejaculate in her mouth. 

Rick is thankful that Giselle stopped her fellation. While any release is welcome, Rick much prefers his while making love to Giselle as opposed to Giselle simply pleasing him with her mouth until he reaches his orgasm. Giselle returns her mouth to his to accept his kisses while his ardor cools. Rick kisses her ardently for several minutes, stroking her skin, until by unspoken agreement they each realize the other is ready. When Giselle doesn't try to mount him, Rick rolls her over onto her back and once again placing himself between her legs, gently enters her.

After Rick rolls her onto her back, Giselle feels Rick's penis slowly slip into her as he begins a slow, steady rhythm, sliding himself into her womanhood. There is no urgency, just an easy pleasurable movement of his hips as he takes pleasure even as he gives it. Rick is pushed up with his hands, back arched, as he delves deep into her pleasures, his head slightly down, enjoying the physical manifestation of their love. Giselle takes his head in her hands and lifts it so that she can look into his eyes.

Rick allows his head to droop as he pushes himself into Giselle, the friction of her around him intoxicating. He feels Giselle's hands leave his sides and grasp his head, lifting it. She holds his head so that he can look into her eyes ... a man could drown in those eyes ... and he watches her for long moments as his hips keep up their rhythmic movements. Rick pulls himself out, seeing Giselle's eyes widen slightly in surprise and confusion. Rick moves from between her thighs and rolls her onto her side, away from him, then lying behind her on his side, lifts her hips slightly and tugs her back to him.

Giselle looks deep into Rick's eyes as he pleases her, his penis sending little waves of pleasure through her with every movement, but it's his eyes that capture her; it is like he is looking into her soul. For long moments their eyes are locked, never looking away, rarely blinking. Giselle feels Rick pull out, and as he moves away she feels herself being rolled onto her side. Giselle waits, not knowing what Rick is doing, but sure she will like it. More movements behind her then her hips are pulled strongly to him, pressing her buttocks into his crotch.

Once Rick has Giselle positioned, taking his penis in his free hand, he rocks his hips back and away from her bottom and gently tries insert himself back into her vagina. There are a couple of missed attempts until he finds the passage he seeks but once aligned, Rick moves his hand back to the top of her hips as he pushes himself into her, pushing as far forward with his hips as he can. He holds himself there and once more firmly pulls her back to him, one hand on top of her hips, the other hand underneath. Once her hips are positioned, Rick removes his hands from Giselle's hips and begins once again gently thrusting himself into her.

As Rick gently probes her, looking for her opening, Giselle lies still, not wanting to spoil his aim. This is an unusual position for them as she, and she assumes Rick as well, like to look at each other as they make love, but the feel of his crotch against her butt feels very erotic. Giselle feels his hands come away from her hips, somewhat to her disappointment, but then they are upon her ribs, and she once again feels herself being pulled backwards, until her back is against his chest. 

Rick pulls Giselle tightly against him. He needs her touch, as much of her as possible tonight, as his hands find her breasts, his mouth her neck. Giselle makes a soft cooing noise and one of her arms wraps around his head, holding his mouth to her neck. The feel of her firm bottom smacking against his crotch is stoking his fire and his hip thrusts become harder and more instant. 

Giselle can feel Rick's arms slither around her, taking her breasts into his hands, gently kneading them, caressing them, his kisses on the back of her neck feel exquisite and she can feel herself purr in satisfaction as she reaches behind her to hold his lips on her. Rick's gentle thrusts begin to become more urgent, not hard or violent, but more purposeful, as one's steps will quicken during a stroll as you near home. His increased urgency adds fuel to her own growing heat and she twists her hips, just a bit, to open her legs slightly and brace herself with a knee, to give him better access to her.

Rick feels Giselle twist her hips and he moves to follow. It is rare that Rick takes Giselle from behind, but the sensation of his crotch slapping into her firm, toned ass was incessantly pushing him toward his orgasm. Removing a hand from Giselle's breast, Rick reaches between her legs to find her clitoris and using his finger, gently begins to stroke.

Giselle can feel her orgasm mounting and she fights it, trying to hold it at bay to prolong her pleasure. She knows eventually the friction of Rick moving inside her will overwhelm her control, but she squeezes down on her orgasm, slowing its rush. Then she feels Rick's finger on her womanhood. He slathers his fingers around, picking up her wetness, then with one finger, presses in on her clitoris and begins to stroke it. The effect is immediate as her pleasure explodes and tingles race through her body. Giselle fights against her orgasm, trying to push it away, but it no use, it was coming and she couldn't stop it, she no longer wanted to stop it. With a gasp and a quiet moan, Giselle rolls farther over onto her stomach.

The moment Rick begins to stroke Giselle's clitoris he feels her stiffen as the effect of his touch courses through her. The hand holding his head, pressing his lips to her neck, falls away as Giselle rotates her entire body, moving away from him, splaying her knees and flattening herself onto the bed. Giselle traps Rick's hand between the bed and her pelvis and begins to thrust herself upon his finger. He moves to a better position and, using an elbow for balance and support, begins to drive into her in rapid thrusts, Giselle's passion inflaming his own.

With every hard thrust of Rick's cock Giselle can feel her clit being driven onto Rick's finger, sending a powerful wave of pleasure through her, the force of his crotch impacting her ass causing her tits to rub against the sheet, which only increased her pleasure further. Her orgasm was at hand and she opened herself to, welcoming the cleansing wash of pleasure, but it doesn't come, it simply builds upon itself, gathering strength.

Rick feels himself slipping over the edge, reaching the point where he can no longer stave off his orgasm. He fights to hold it back but the battle is lost. Rick pulls his hand from between Giselle's pelvis and the bed and, using the extra hand for additional balance, begins to drive his dick into her with more power and speed, trying to drive her to orgasm before he himself succumbs to pleasure.

Giselle feels a sudden intense pressure on her clit as Rick pulls his hand free, a pressure which sends a bolt of pleasure singing along her nerves. The bolt breaks the building wave of the orgasm and it collapses in on her, Rick's driving cock extending and prolonging the orgasm. Giselle squeezes her eyes tightly and allows the pleasure to wash over her, whimpering as she tumbles into the abyss.

Rick feels Giselle begin her orgasm as she stiffens, squeezing every last drop of pleasure from him she can, wringing herself dry of need. Knowing she has reached her orgasm, Rick ceases his struggle for control and follows her with his own orgasm barely a minute later, pushing himself into her with one last thrust, holding himself in her as his cum spills from him. 

Just as Giselle was coming out of the rush of her own orgasm, she could feel Rick tightening up as his own orgasm overtakes him. With a grunt and one final thrust Rick drives deep into Giselle as he empties himself into her. When the wave passes he relaxes and bends over her back to kiss her neck and shoulders. After a few moments of tender kisses, he slowly draws himself out and rolls onto his back.

Giselle crawls into his waiting arms and kisses him lightly on the lips. "That was a good one," she says teasingly. "We are going to have to do that one again."

"Woman!" Rick says in mock sternness. "You are insatiable. Give an old man a break," but his kiss offers much promise for later. Rick kicks and drags with the foot Giselle isn't laying on until he works the sheet to within reach, which he then smooth's and pulls to cover her, preventing her from getting cold. 

"Mmmm," Giselle says, snuggling in even closer, placing her head on his chest so she could listen to the heavy, but slowing, thudding of his heart. She lies there, still, quiet, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking until she drifts off to sleep.

Rick hears Giselle's breathing slow and deepen as she drifts away into sleep. He could feel himself becoming drowsy as he relaxes, listening to Giselle's peaceful breathing. In that moment between sleep and awake, when the world seems so clear, Rick wondered why he even cared if Todd experienced them making love on the beach. His experience would only be a simulation of the real thing, the woman he shared his bed with every night. Let him have Charlie, for hot as she was, and he allowed himself to admit she was damn hot indeed, she was still a mere shadow of Giselle. "I love you Giselle," Rick says quietly before joining his wife in slumber.



The Proposal Ch. 02



"I'm his godfather." He was rather proud of that one. But he turned serious again. "These people are very important to me. And they'll be going to Vegas with us, I thought you might want to know some before hand."

"Ok…we still going?"

"Why would we not be?"

"I don't know…" 

"Listen…Amber…I know I've been a dick lately. Work has me stressed. I apologize." That was a bold face lie, but he was a good liar. It helps in banking.

"It's ok. You pay me for this, remember."

He did, and cringed internally at the mentioning of it. They pulled into the long driveway, and up to the huge house. She figured you had to have a massive crib to house six children. She couldn't even imagine what that would be like as a woman, birthing all those screaming little toads, and then having to raise them, feed and clothes them. She was one of four, but six was a completely different order of magnitude.

She had been to his place, and it looked exactly what one would think a forty-year-old bachelor pad would look like, stuffed with expensive art and the latest technology. This place was a home, even if it was a huge one. The children ranged from eighteen to four, and she knew that she would not be able to keep their names straight, and instantly felt bad. The youngest was Jonathan; she hung her pride on that.

Margie was a beautiful woman with a ready smile who ushered her into the kitchen as soon as they walked in, and put Amber to work helping her put dinner on the table. Apparently the kids were all studying their age appropriate materials, and Amber wondered what their secret was. Powerful sedatives?

The kids were allowed to eat in front of the TV in the rec room after studying, and the grown ups ate at the dinner table. Except for Sarah, and Amber could clearly tell that the young girl had a crush on Jonathan. Was that healthy? And what about the fact that she felt jealous? She pushed those emotions aside and tried to focus on the conversation, seeing again how at ease he was. 

Even more so then when he was just with her, he seemed to be opening up, laughing, leaning back in his chair, as if the tension was visibly bleeding out of him. She sipped her wine slowly, trying to keep up with their conversation, but she didn't know the people they spoke of, had never been to the places they mentioned, and apparently Markus and Margie had been married longer then she had been alive. That was a kick in the uterus.

Finally Jonathan sat up, and she took that as the signal that they were leaving. He got the door for her, as always, and she slid inside, waiting for him to roll down the driveway.

"Nice people."

"Thanks. Bit much on the god thing, but they are strange like that."

"I noticed that. But you seemed very relaxed in there."

"My second home. Me and Markus go way back."

"I could tell. Listen. I'm sorry if I've caused any relationship looking drama lately. It is just that…I'm here. That's what you wanted, somebody to be here. I'm here. Anything you need, I'm here." She was not entirely satisfied with the way that came out, but she thought she had done a decent job of wrapping what she wanted to say in what she knew he wanted to hear.

He nodded, looking over at her. "Thank you. I'm glad I found you."

"I'm kinda glad myself."

"Pick you up Friday?"

"I gotta wait that long?"

"You gonna burst?"

"No, remember you bought me a vibrator."

"I gotta see that." They smiled at each other, and she knew that she would get action that night. A guaranteed recipe to kill whatever bad mood he might be in.

They all laughed at her camera, but it was her introduction to private air travel, and they could all go to hell. She told them that, too, and that brought out more laughter. Morrison had brought his wife, who was wildly suspicious until she spotted Margie. Angela's marriage to Morrison could be called unstable at best, dysfunctional being a more honest term. Randy, being the other single member of their little crew, had acquired his own arm candy, but she was mostly looks, and not much for conversation. Amber did see her eyeing Jonathan, and figured that she was trying for an angle to move up the wealth ladder. But this one did not worry her. You could poke her tits and let all the air out.

She had never been to Vegas, so he indulged her, and had the taxi driver take the scenic route down the strip on the way to their hotel. 

"You'll have time to explore. We have tee time tomorrow, so you can play."

"I'm going to the spa with Margie."

"Good, get all buffed for me."

"Anything for you."

The hotel room was very similar to the one in the Hilton. A bit bigger, a bit gaudier, but probably spoken of very well on the Travel channel. She took pictures of it, too. Dropping onto the bed, she watched him stalk across the room, sensing the restless energy in him.

"Come here." Her voice had him stop cold, and he came. She pulled him onto the bed, and before he could stop her, she had him naked. She moved fast, knowing fully well by now what he would do, where his hands would go. The stage where he could just push her buttons by knowing women was over, and now he was the one slightly behind. She was fast, kissing, licking, nibbling, and sucking him deep into her throat. He cried out as she worked him over, going up and down the hard shaft, her finger teasing his prostate.

He was gasping for air, his mind unfocused, sweat cursing down his skin as she sucked him off. She knew him, knew him well by now, so she brought him close, excruciatingly close. He could feel it churning, but then she backed off. It was sweet torture, taking him to the edge, leaning him over, and then pulling back. She did it again, and he screamed, begging for release. She dared again, but mistimed it by a hair, his cock twitching in her mouth. Jacking it with her free hand, she sent it shooting into her mouth, sucking it dry.

"Ohhh…ohhhh, my god."

"You okay?" She crawled on top of him, her tits and hair hanging down into his face.

"Well…my left side is not hurting, so I guess that feeling was not a heart attack."

"That's not funny."

"Easy, I'm not that old."

"I'm being serious, you okay? You have been all tensed up lately."

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Bullshit."

"I'm ok, I'm telling you."

She put her nipple in his mouth, and he sucked it like a little kid, his eyes closed, lying back on the pillow. Slowly she ran her fingers through his hair, kissing his forehead. "I'm here, my sweet little sugar daddy."

"So, does she call you daddy?" Morrison was a terrible golf player. But he made up for it with a talent for gratuitous shit talking, which always disrupted just about anybody. 

"You mean in bed?" Jonathan was the best player amongst them, so they were always paired up against Markus and Randy, who were currently trying to decide how they were going to get out of a sand trap, walking around the little ball as if it would levitate on its own if they stared at it long enough.

"Yeah." Randy and Jonathan were watching them from the shade of their golf car, enjoying the tasty refreshment of a cold beer.

"Sometimes. I'm telling you, it's like porno sex with that girl. Awesome. The noises, the way she looks, the whole thing. Unbelievable."

"Cool. But you think you are falling for her."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you brought her out here, and made me bring my wife. Which ensured that Margie would be here, who might as well be your emotional compass."

"You should be better to your wife."

"I know." Morrison shrugged, taking a sip from his beer. "Done a lot of damage there, though."

"With toys?"

"Come on."

"I'm being serious. This has nothing to do with my girl, or anything. Angela is a good girl."

"I know. I'm taking her to Sandals during the kids' spring break to patch things up. Honestly this time. I've been reading Margie's books. And I think that guy you told me about is really helping." He left it unsaid that if Jonathan told anybody that he was going to marriage counseling, he would kill him.

"Get the new one yet?"

"Yeah. So you and Amber…"

"I don't know dude, I don't know." Jonathan watched Markus chip the ball, sending it onto the fairway. Standing, he pulled out a pitching wedge, walked onto the grass to his own ball, looked downrange once, whacked at the ball, and listened to Morrison hoot and holler when the ball landed on the green, two feet short of the hole. Too easy. Too bad not everything was like that.

"I've never been to a Spa."

"It is heaven on earth, and I mean that." Margie smiled at the younger woman as they lay down on the massage tables. Amber had always assumed that two tables in the same room were a movie prop, but Margie explained that they were often used for couples. Which lead them to Jonathan.

"You can't tell him I told you this," because I'm not sure why I'm telling you, she didn't add," but I really like him. Not just…well…"

"I know about your arrangement."

"Oh…ok."

"It's ok, I don't judge. I was there when he brought the escort out."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Nice girl. We were in Lake Tahoe, skiing. They had some business thing going in conjunction with the trip, so he thought he needed a date, and got this escort. Big ol' tits, I mean DD, hourglass body, blond hair, from central casting or something. But really smart, said she went to school at UC Davis. Good conversational, really strong flirt. It was sad, really." She smiled knowingly. She knew how that night had ended.

"Huh. Well…"

"You know why you are here?" Margie turned her head to look into the big green eyes, seeing how nervous the girl was.

"So that he can…"

"No, so that I can. You know he made Morrison bring his wife? If he had let him bring his little mistress, Markus would not have brought me, because he knows how I feel about that. You have to understand…Jonathan is a very sweet man. But he does not trust himself."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, take Angelina for example. He loved that woman. I mean, devoted. Unreal. He would have given her anything, and did. You think he's rich now, you didn't know him before he got divorced. Just as a frame of reference. But she was totally wrong for him, cheated on him, all kinds of stuff. When he let her go, he still loved her, despite everything. Gave her millions of dollars above what he should have, could have gotten away with, and let her go out to L.A. or something to start a new life without asking for anything. She said things during their divorce trial, they were just not true. He was so hurt, he never fought for custody, nothing. He could not bring himself to drag her name in the mud, so he lost his daughter.

"He has a daughter?"

"Yeah. He has not seen her in four or five years now, except in pictures. She's Sarah's age. They used to be really good friends. He never mentions her because I think it hurts him to bad. And he told Markus that he's afraid he is falling for you. So he brought us out here to look at you. I write books about relationships, and he thinks I'm some kind of expert."

Amber sat in stunned silence, her mind trying to keep up with the flood of information. The masseuses entered the room, and they lay in silence, letting themselves be worked over. They did not speak about it anymore during the rest of the day, and then Angela and the other bimbo were around, so she let it go, but her mind kept coming back to it.

She watched him closely at dinner that night, trying to see the signs that would tell her what it all meant. But he was his charming self, flirting with her, but Angela and Margie as well. She knew that most of the people at this table had been friends for going on two decades or longer. She was an outsider, as much as she wanted to slip into their midst's and confront him.

It was not until that night, in the hotel room, that she brought it up. The sweat was sticky, the smell of sex pungent and powerful. He was trying to catch his breath, his hands running up and down her back, feeling her ass, eyes closed, enjoying the after glow. She had been aggressive tonight, he thought, almost attacking him once they came through the door. When she was on, there was no stopping her, and it was her show. The shyness of their first encounter had given way to a lioness that knew what she wanted, and what she wanted to give him, show him, do to him.

"Can I ask you something?" Her voice came from close, but it still retained that quality that always shook him to the core.

"Anything."

"Do you have any kids?"

There was a sharp intake of breath, and she screwed her eyes shut against any type of assault that might come. There was a whistling sound as he exhaled past pursed lips, his body deflating under her.

"Sorry, is that a relationship question?"

"No, its ok. Yes, I do. I have a daughter. She's eighteen now, living in California."

"Do you ever see her?"

"No. My ex-wife has total custody of her. I didn't really do that well in the divorce thing. Mostly my fault, I was an idiot."

She sat up, running her finger down his chest, then licking the sweat of her finger. "Well…why don't we go see her?"

The strip was lit up below, even at one in the morning cars snaked their way along the neon and mass of bodies. The city truly never slept. Unlike her. He looked back at her form underneath the sheets, the rhythmic slow rise and fall of her breasts telling him she was still in deep sleep.

What was this woman doing to him? He had wanted to cry at the mention of Samantha, and something had told him that if he had, she would have held him, and made the pain go away. But he had been there before, hadn't he? Standing by his parents gravesite, killed senselessly by a drunken driver, crying in weakness, Angelina holding him. Then during the reception she had screwed the caterer, wasn't it? No, it was the driver of the hearse. The caterer had been at Morrison's wedding. God damn it!

He leaned his forehead against the cool glass, exhaling sharply. He wanted to believe, really did. He had it all. He was top in his business, and he could buy any thing he chose. He was well regarded in all spheres of life, and could do whatever he chose. But this eluded him. Happiness. Looking back at Amber, a smile curled at the edges of his lips. And there it lay, sleeping. His for the taking. 

There were parts of him that really wanted to believe that she was in this for the money, for the free ride. An Anna Nicole Smith in a Pamela Anderson body, with a Condolezza Rice mind. But Duty Brain cell reported that the large part of his analytical brain did not agree. He could see it in her eyes, in the way she moved around him, touched him. And he could see it in the way that Markus and Margie looked at her. She was not some girl he brought around that might as well not be there, the way that Randy's eye candy had sat there at dinner, her tits about to pop out of her top. This was a human being to them. Had Margie said something to her?

He slipped into the sheets, kissing her softly. She purred, rolling away, but he was insistent. Finally she relented, her eyes opening. She had that amazing ability to be instantly awake, and he loved it.

"Get dressed."

"Where are we going?"

"L.A."

"You know how to drive a stick?"

"What kind of question is that?" She had dressed in what they now referred to as normal clothes, stalking through the lobby of the hotel. The casino was still in full swing, she could see through the massive arch. Everything they might need for a day was in a small bag he was carrying with them, brought up by room service.

"I ordered a car."

They stepped out into the night, and the doorman held open the door to blazing red BMW M3. Waving her around, he slipped into the passenger seat. She dropped into the driver seat after a second of hesitation. She had never driven anywhere with him around, and for all he knew, she might not even have a drivers license.

"You drive first. I'll navigate. Everybody knows women can't read maps."

"Aye, aye captain." The engine rumbled, then roared, and they shot out into traffic. She thought this a bad time to mention that her license was one point away from suspension. If he had asked she would have shrugged. Speeding tickets are a bitch.

The sudden movement of the car woke him up, and he looked around, not remembering where he was for a second. So he looked over at her smiling form, and asked.

"California. L.A. is about twenty miles down the road." Her smile was downright devious now.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"We were stopped, and we like jumped away from the curb."

"Ohhh…nothing."

"Right."

She laughed, and watched as he had his seat come back upright. He had been reclined back as far as possible, after she finally convinced him to go to sleep.

"How long we been on the road?"

"Just under three hours."

"WHAT?"

"Well, I'll just tell you. That was a cop. He was going to give me a speeding ticket, but I cried my way out of it."

He looked close, and he could see a bit of redness around her eyes. She had wiped the tears away, but he had no doubt that she could cry on command. She struck him as the type.

"Ahhh…"

"I've had six speeding tickets in my life."

"SIX? You barely twenty one!"

"My insurance is hell. My parents were paying for it out the ass, but with the financial support of a nameless benefactor, I've been able to relieve them of that burden."

He took the information in quietly, rolling his head a couple of times to work out the kinks. "How do you explain your sudden cash flow to others?"

"All my friends know I have a sugar daddy. And to my parents, I told them I had gotten a couple more scholarships. Well, they know you give me money. They know about the bed, the clothes, stuff like that."

He grunted as a way of response, then looked at her again. "We need to find an Internet café' so that I can get online. Maybe we can find them that way."

"Done already." She handed him a slip of notebook paper. Three phone numbers, all with L.A. area codes, and an address up in the hills graced the page.

"What is this?"

"I'm very charming, and that young Highway Patrolman was very helpful."

"You are out of control."

"Feel free to spank me whenever you want to. I've been a bad, bad, girl."

The house was not too excessive, and he guessed its price tag in the two to three range, based mainly on location. The Beemer fit right into the neighborhood, and nobody would pay attention to the Nevada plates. The thing working against them was that it was four in the morning on Sunday.

"She religious?"

"No." He chuckled at that one.

"Athletic?"

"Wife or daughter?'

"Either."

"No."

"Well, I guess we got nothing." Picking up his cell phone, she studied the three numbers, then dialed one.

"This is the house number. These two have the same predial, so they are cell phones on the same contract. I'm guessing she's the primary, so I'm hoping this is her." He nodded, hoping she was right.

The phone rang several times, then somebody answered.

"Hello?"

"Samantha?"

"Yeah, whose this?"

"It's Amber, from that party the other night. Listen, I'm outside, I need to meet you. It's important."

"Right now?"

"Yeah, please."

"Ok…"

The phone died, and she winked at him. He just stared at her. They watched the door, and when it opened, she heard him gasp. The girl that came out was a striking image of her mother, or at least of the picture she had seen. The same blond hair, the same athletic figure, the same deep blue eyes. She watched the girl look around, then come up the driveway towards the car. She let her get to the sidewalk, then kicked the door open, and jogged across the road.

"Samantha?"

"Yeah…" The girl stepped back, her body going into a kind of natural defensive position. "I don't know you."




The Proposal Ch. 02



"No, you don't. But I have something to show you. It's not bad, but I need you to come across the street with me."

Jonathan watched from the behind the mirrored glass of the Beemer. He could not hear what Amber was saying, but something told him to stay put. He was not entirely sure what was going on, but he felt a kind of peace, a kind of calm, and suddenly his mind went crazy. I bet she would take care of me when I'm old and decrepit, he thought.

"Across the street?"

"Right there, by the Beemer. I know this seems weird, but believe me, you want to do this. You can see your house from there, and there are cars on the street."

"Ok…" The girl followed her across the road, and stepped around the back of the red car, her eyes warily sweeping up and down the street. Amber pulled open the door, and Jonathan stepped out, looking at his daughter.

"Hey Sam."

They both cried as she jumped into his arms, and Amber watched them walk down the road a bit, then back up. Upon her suggestion they climbed in, and she spun it around, driving them back to a diner she had spotted up the road. The two got a seat and ordered breakfast, while she walked outside and called Margie.

"Hello?"

"Sorry to wake you up. I'm in L.A."

"What?"

"I guess I should say we. We drove out to find his daughter."

There was a short silence, and she heard the ruffling of sheets in the background, and could tell that the woman was moving around the room with what had to be a cordless phone. Wow, that was a great hotel they were staying in.

"Honey, I don't know what kind of hold you have over my friend, but you are amazing. How's he doing?"

"Crying into his oatmeal. Nice girl. Really beautiful."

"I hope that's all she gets from her mother. Proud of you, kiddo."

"Thanks. I don't know how the plane thing works, so I'm not sure if we'll be back in time for the flight tonight."

"Don't worry, we'll take care of it. Call me later and let me know what's going on."

Walking back inside, she took a seat at the counter, and ordered herself a coffee along with a bagel and cream cheese, and a massive blueberry muffin. This deserved comfort food. The conversation in the booth had turned animated, and she could tell that they were both laughing now. Her order was delivered and she thanked the lady behind the counter, then looked out the window the other way. She didn't want him to see her crying.

Amber encouraged him to spend the day with his daughter, but they insisted on dragging her with them, so she reluctantly tagged along until it was time for them to consider exit plans. Jonathan called Vegas, and had Markus get all their crap out of the room. Everybody would fly back on his plane, while Amber and him would just fly out of LAX. He cried again when he had to say goodbye to his daughter, but then she climbed back into her car, and disappeared into traffic, and he composed himself.

They walked in silence into the terminal, and she left him alone with his thoughts and emotions, until they were airborne and headed for home, the excitement of first class travel not really living up to traveling on a private plane.

"You ok?"

He turned to look at her, his eyes red from the tears he had shed. A weak smile crossed his face, and she leaned down, kissing him softly, and pushing up the armrests. He came into her arms naturally, and she cradled him, kissing him softly. 

"You are an amazing woman."

"I try. You are only part quasimodo, so I guess one good deed deserves another."

"What good deed?"

"You brought out things in me that I never knew were there."

"I didn't know they were there, either."

They kissed, soft and slow, the kind that could go on forever, that was not so much a beginning as an end in itself, conveying and communicating things that are hard to say otherwise, and in other ways. His fingers ran through her hair, she purred into their lips, and it left them both breathless, and wanting, needing more.

"Still want to join the mile high club?"

"President of that one, too?"

"Ohh, yeah."

She went first, finding the first class lavatory a bit bigger then the peon ones, but not by much. When he joined her, it was a squeeze. But she already had her pants off, which helped. So he pushed her into the wall, squeezing between her and the sink, letting her unpack him, and stroke his hardening cock.

She again impressed him with her athletic ability, holding on to him as her legs climbed onto the sink, then sliding herself down onto him. He held her, but her incredibly powerful legs took most of the weight. It was a slow movement at first, with her tits dragging up and down his chest, her mouth open, eyes screwed shut as she let him fuck her.

There were times when they were slow and passionate. This was not one of those times. This was a time for sexual fulfillment for expression of raw emotions through physical contact, for porno screwing, and loud moaning and screaming. They stifled that through a lot of biting, but she could not believe how hard he was doing her. 

He looked into her eyes, listening to her pant and moan, unable to contain it any longer. His breath was hot on her skin when he leaned down, his teeth digging into her earlobe before he released it.

"I love you Amber."

"OHH MY GOD!" She exploded in her strongest orgasm ever, her body shaking, his body unable to hold back, shooting its sticky goo up into her, filling her with jizz. She was shaking and trembling, thrashing around on his hard cock, and he could barely keep a hold of her. They had probably woken up most of first class.

Slowly he managed to turn, and sink down onto the toilet seat. She clutched him tight, and even though she tried, she was unable to hide the tears.

"I love you, too. God, I love you so much. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I know that is not what you wanted. I know this is not what you want. I'll understand if you don't want me around. I'll go quietly. I don't want anything…."

He silenced her by kissing her, hard. Wiping her tears away, he kissed her again, slowly turning her on his lap in the cramped quarters as his softening cock slipped out of her. "Crazy, crazy woman. You aren't going anywhere. You're mine."

"You don't want a relationship."

"Yes. Yes, I do. I want one with you."

"I'm not your girlfriend. I'm your call girl."

"Then I'll still be your sugar daddy."

She looked him in the eyes, through her tears, through the sniffling, through the initial shock and pain. Then she flung herself at him, squeezing him tight, and kissing him all over. "You are a wonderful, wonderful man. God, I love you so much."

"You aren't to bad yourself."

"I've been meaning to ask you…"

"What's that?"

"How you feel about me calling you daddy in the bedroom?"



The Proposal Ch. 03



"This makes no sense."

"I know."

"None whatsoever."

"But it should."

"It really should."

"Then why doesn't it?"

"No clue."

The three girls looked at each other one more time, then down at the notes and books spread between them, back at each other, back down, then sighed, almost perfectly in unison. They were trapped on the third floor of the university library, surrounded by a vast amount of knowledge on the topic of accounting, and yet they could not get it together. The series of problems that constituted their take home test was the Gordian Knot, and they lacked the sword to cut it.

Frustrated, Amber flipped open her computer pulled up the Internet, and googled the question at hand. A series of results popped up, and she clicked on the first one. A lengthy essay, posted by a professor from Cornell popped up. She groaned in frustration, and closed it again. Not what she was looking for.

"Any luck?" Melanie was trying the same thing, with equal results.

"None whatsoever."

"Great." Amy was the youngest amongst them, having come into college an accounting major, and having stayed that way. She was also set on graduating in four years, and anything that might in the slightest jeopardize that goal made her nervous. "What are we going to do?"

"Relax, and try to think of something." That was Ambers standard response, and when she noticed the flashing icon on the bottom right of the screen that told her she had a message, she double clicked it. Checking email is always a good way to relax.

It was a message from her bank, and she realized that it was Wednesday. Deposit day. Her brow creased and furrowed, and she slapped the computer shut.

"I have to go." The other girls just stared at her as she packed up her bags, and stormed off.

The guard just waved by now, and the movement up the elevator, through the lobby, up the elevator, through the lobby, by the receptionist, up the stairs, down the hall, was mechanical by now. She always stopped to talk to Madeleine, mostly to prevent herself from bursting in on anything important, but also because the woman was a treasure trove of information about Jonathan, and always seemed happy to see her.

This time was no different, if anything, she was even more ecstatic then usual. She came out from behind her desk, and hugged the younger woman in a tight bear wrap that squeezed the air out of Amber's lungs, holding her close.

"I can't believe you pulled that off. Mr. Games was in such a great mood today. He told me he got to see Sam, that you convinced him to go see her."

"It was his idea…"

"Don't be modest now. I remember when she was born! What a little angel. I hope her bitch mother didn't corrupt her too much. She was so sweet, even at a young age. He would bring her by the office so that we could meet her, and she was always very well behaved. What a lovely child. Thank you so much."

"You…you're welcome." She smiled, and pointed towards the door, getting a nod in response. Letting herself in, she saw him seated at his desk, face buried in one of the hundreds of reports and papers that always cluttered his desk. How he found anything was a mystery to her.

She approached him silently, knowing fully well by now which way to move across the carpet to get close before he raised his head to look at her.

"Hello there."

"Hi." She stopped where she was, adopting a posse that she knew he liked, cocking her hip out to the side, turning her shoulders just so that her tits were outlined in her blouse, skirt sliding up her leg. The smile she gave him was pure sex, and she knew that he was reacting just by the look in his eyes.

"What do I owe this rare pleasure to?"

"Got a minute for me?"

"Always." 

He stood, and they dropped onto the couches that crowed the corner of his office. She kissed him first, almost climbing into his lap, her lips ravaging his, her hands tracing his chest, feeling his shirt, and tasting him. She left him breathless, and herself flooded between her legs.

"The money." The emotion in her voice was very clear and apparent.

"Yeah?"

"You can stop."

"I don't want to."

"I don't want it."

"It's yours."

"No."

"Yes."

"Don't do this!" That came out louder then she had wanted it to.

She stood up, stalking across the room, turning, then coming back. "Why do you want to do this?"

"Amber…you quit your job for me. I am basically paying for you to go to college. The money pays for your apartment, your food, your car insurance, whatever other bills you have. Face it, you have no other income. This morning I closed a deal that paid me well over ten times in one hit what I pay you if this goes on all year long. You are halfway into a semester. Why create hardship now?"

"I'll get a job!"

He stood, sighed, and took his little lioness into his arms, kissing her long and hard. "My little tiger. Why? What has changed? I love you, and it has nothing to do with money. Let me give you the money."

"It's a lot of money!"

"It's a matter of scale. If Bill Gates gives some guy on the street a million bucks, it's a lot to that guy. But to Bill, it's pocket change. It's pocket change."

"You're not Bill Gates."

"I like to think I'm better looking then him, yes."

She sighed, sinking against his chest, and kissing him. "Listen to me. I know this is not what you dreamed of. Few women of your intellect and ability do. You want to be all big and bad, do your own thing, blaze your own trail. And you will. But you meet a man, and he loves you. And he hopes that you love him just a sliver of what he feels for you. I'm a old man, and I was brought up to take care of my girl."

She smiled at him, softly kissing his face, taking it into her hands. "You won't take no for an answer, will you?"

"What a silly question. You can not even imagine how happy you have made me."

"So why even bother fighting it?"

"Now you are getting smart."

"I want diamond earrings."

"What karat?"

"You are unbelievable." But she laughed, they kissed, and then they did what comes natural on leather couches. But if you asked, he would say that she did it to him.

"So what does he call you now?"

"I don't know. I've gotten used to being his little call girl. And if he calls, I'll still come running." She grinned at Jessica across the dinner table, slowly rolling another serving of spaghetti around her fork. "Nothing really changes. I mean, it just changes how we feel about what we do. All along he wanted somebody that he could do the things he enjoys with. Now he still has that, but the person he enjoys them with shares an emotional connection with him. And I think I have the advantage of already knowing things he does not like. He does not like to deal with emotional baggage, for example. He does not like to talk about work."

"So you just aren't going to show him negative emotions?" Tammy seemed unconvinced.

"No, I'll just have to package it differently." Amber shrugged. "I didn't say that I had all the answers. I just said that I feel in love with a boy, and that he was kind enough to fall back."

"Not really a boy."

"Rain on my parade, why don't ya?"

Putting her plate in the dishwasher, she walked into her bedroom, and dropped onto the massive bed. It was better this way, she figured, since he had managed to worm himself deeply into her life anyway. He had bought the bed, the nightstand, the couch, and the closet. All the clothes inside the closet had either been paid for by him, or the money from him. School, books, just about everything had been touched by Jonathan, so why not love him? And he was a hurricane in bed. What more could one ask for in a man?

"You going to run off again?" Amy was really nervous now. They had still not completed the take home test, and it had been a whole week since their last study session. So they only had until Friday. Crunch time.

"Relax, I'm at my best under pressure." Amber smiled at the younger girl, and opened her book. That, and she had cheated.

"Look here. I did some research on my own," which was a lie, but no need to inform Amy that she had clearly broken the rule about outside help. She could tell Melanie that later. She would understand. "This is what I found. We were looking at all backwards the entire time. You have to put the standardized income first, and then add the tax rates, see, like this." She slid the printed piece of paper across the table.

"Wow. Where did you find this?"

"Where do you think?" To which the standard response was Internet, and she left it at that. No need to mention that her boyfriend was an accounting genius, and had felt the need to point out the simple mistake that the three students had been making all along.

"This is awesome. We can solve the rest of the equations now!" Which meant she would, as Melanie and Amber watched the girl go to work. At times like this, the two had learned, it was best to stay out of her way. Melanie shot Amber a knowing look, and the girl smiled back. Why spoil it?

They were done a good hour later, after they had completely written out the entire test, and put their names on it. Amy was entrusted with carrying it to class the next day, because she was the most committed to this idea, and the one least likely to forget. That, and she was headed straight home.

Melanie and Amber turned right outside the library, heading towards the Student Union. Both of them had dates that night, but both not until later. So they ambled about a bit, laughing at how the test had been resolved, and watching the first of the spring flowers come out.

"So this boyfriend of yours…is he an accountant?"

"Kinda. He works in banking."

"Cool. I need to get myself one of those. The one I have works in nothing, but aspires to greatness in the rock music field." They laughed at that one together.

"If I come across another single one, I'll let you know."

"I bet you will." The sharp voice caused them to pause and turn around. Neither of them recognized the woman at first, but then she came forward, and when the light hit her face just right, Amber gasped. It was Angelina.

"Hello Amber. Nice to meet you."

"Hello…" The younger woman stepped back a bit, leading Melanie to do the same. 

"Good to finally meet the bitch putting the moves on my husband."

"Ex-husband."

"Don't get snotty with me, whore. Came all the way out to California, did ya? What for, to steal my daughter from me?" The last part was delivered in a shrill crescendo that caused heads to turn. Melanie took a step sideways, separating herself from Amber.

"We were in Vegas, and when he said that you guys were right there in L.A., I said why not…"

"Bitch, you ever come near my child again, I'll kill you with my bare hands." Angelina turned around, and stormed off.

"Who was that?"

"Look up crazy ex-wife in the dictionary, and you'll see her name there." She shook her head, pulling out her cell phone. He would probably want to hear about this.

He was wearing jeans, something she had never seen before, and she mentioned it. He shrugged, saying he had just come from the gym.

"You go to the gym?"

"Jesus woman, how do you think I build the stamina to keep up with you?" He held her door open for her, and she slipped inside, flashing him with her panties as she did so.

"Woman, thou art lose."

"I know, and you love it."

He pulled away from the curb, and they headed towards the interstate. "So what all did she say?" He was not looking at her, his eyes focused dead ahead as he listened to her recount the episode and what exactly had occurred.

"Get out my phone, call Samantha."

She dug through the center console, finally finding the small plastic device, and pulled up the number. "Hey, look at that, I'm on speed dial." Right next to his daughter.

"I need my call girl available."

"Always daddy." She listened to it ring, then the girls voice came across from a continent away.

"Hello?"

"Sam, it's Amber, your dads girlfriend?" He gave her a face, but she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Ahem…do you know where your mom is?"

"Cancun with her boyfriend, why?"

"Oh…ahhh, hold on." She handed the phone to Jonathan, shrugging as she did so. He gave her a look, but took it. She could only hear one side of the conversation, and since she didn't want to turn the music up, she played with the seat warmer instead, until he dropped it back into her lap.

"She wants to come visit me."

"Cool."

"I'll send her a ticket once this thing with her mother is sorted out. She said there is something she wants to tell me."

"That she's missed you."

"She already told me that."

"Maybe she wants to say it again." They pulled up to the marquee that marked the entrance to The Club, and the valet pulled open her door. She slid out, waiting for him to come around. They were almost at the door when she caught the flash of motion out of the side of her eye, pushing him aside.

She was not entirely sure where Angelina had come from, but the woman was there, and she had fire in her eyes, and claws bared.

"I can't believe you would bring this BITCH HERE!" Again the crescendo. Without even thinking about it, Amber had put herself between Jonathan and the raging ex-wife, bell boys and attendants scattering, and two men in suits trying to push through the door to get outside.

"YOU DIRTY FUCKING WHORE!" Angelina was in a full rage now. Amber would never remember what happened, but time seemed to slow as Angelina lunged at her, and without even thinking about it the younger woman slid to the side, brought her hands up, and jabbed her assailant in the face twice, pivoted, and threw a haymaker that almost lifted her off her feet.

Angelina stumbled backwards, stunned but not stopped. The two security guards were outside now, and Jonathan was trying to say something, but she came again. Amber faked left, her whole body going right, and threw a round house punch that set the older woman up, followed by a straight driving jab that spun her on her heels, and slammed her into the side of the idling Beemer. 

Time came back to its normal speed, and Amber realized that she had instinctively crouched down into a stance that had come back from way back when, throwing her body into gear when the moment had presented itself.

"You know…you're quite the bargain. Great sex, wonderful company, and a bodyguard." Jonathan took her arm, and ushered her inside. The look on his face was priceless.

"She beat her down?"

"Bitch slapped her. Well, more like bitch TKO'ed her. Right there, out on the street." Jonathan held up his hand as if he was swearing an oath.

"Did you talk to her afterwards?" Randy wanted all the details. He was a great fan of catfights. 

"Yeah. Apparently she has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, or something like that. Did it for like twelve years or something ridiculous, and then gave it up when she came to college. You should have seen it." He brought his arms up in a boxing pose, shadow boxing invisible ex-wives. "It was amazing."

"Why did Angelina come out here now?" Markus could care less who beat whom down. His legal mind had been consulted last night, and the request for a restraining order had been hand walked to a judge that they were all friends with this morning by an eager younger lawyer of his firm. A call to a fellow member of his parish had quashed the police report that Angelina had filed. Knowing the Chief of Police had its benefits.

"She probably found out that I came to see Sam. Sam turned eighteen a couple months ago, killed the child support. I still send some money out there, but she knows that when Sam goes to college, it's over. So she probably was trying for a cash grab." The fact that Jonathan even said those words stunned everybody at the table. A couple of months ago, the topic of his ex wife would have had him reaching for the tall glass of vodka, no ice, and no mixer. Amber's hold over him had to be truly powerful.

"What did your girl say?"

"Nothing. Just that if I had any other ex girls that wanted some, they could bring it on."

She danced back and forth, side to side, eyes closed, hands and feet whirling around her in motions that wanted to do things, wanted to move a certain way, but could not quite get it together. She had competed at the national level three times in Tae Kwon Do, making it as far as third place the last time she fought, harboring serious Olympic ambitions. But getting a date in small town Lincolnton was no easy task if you were known for your ability to break boards with your bare hands, so she buried that part of herself when she had come to college, deciding that it was time to become the girl that her mother had always wanted, the one that her oldest sister said she would need to be if she ever wanted to get a good man. As if Erica would know. At the tender age of 26, she had been married twice already.

And so she was a bit rusty, her mind still sharp in the kata's and forms, but her muscles and reflexes not quite able to keep up. But the thin layer that she had built over that part of herself had shattered when she had sensed the attack coming. Angelina was no brawler, no matter how much Latin fury she had. Her every move had been telegraphed, her movement slowed by the selection of shoes and fashionable clothing. Amber had been at some disadvantages herself, the skirt not exactly great fight-wear, but her flats giving her a mobility advantage. That and when she balled her fist she knew where to throw it.

She spun backwards, her feet leaving the ground and whirling through the air. She landed, punching in two directions at once, her kiap shattering the tentative silence of the empty gym. It was seven in the morning, too early for anybody but the most dedicated student. 

"Bravo. Bravo. But I don't want a rematch." The voice intruded into her personal space, and her eyes flew open, watching the woman come towards her across the half court that she had been working out on. The left side of her face was still swollen, and the eye would probably be black for a while. Apparently a dentist had fixed the two teeth already, though.

"What do you want?" The younger girl straightened herself, rolling her head from side to side, two nasty pops echoing of the wood floor.

"I want to apologize. I was kinda out of control the other day."

"You know you are not supposed to come within one hundred and fifty feet of either myself or Jonathan."

"Jonathan is my ex husband, and since we have a child together, I'll go to talk to him if I choose to."

"You do that. After all, why not try to include him now that Samantha is all grown up, and he does not have to send you any more money. Is that why you came out here?"

"No. I came out here because Sam told me that her dad had found himself another toy, another young girl that he cast his spell over."

"Is that right?"

"Honey, you have no idea what you are dealing with. How old are you, nineteen?"

"None of your business." Her eyes searched the woman's blue depths, but there was nothing there. Was she on some kind of drug?

"Well, I know how he is with women. I fell for it, too, once. He is a charming man, a man who knows words. And he will hurt you, the way he hurt me."

"Really?"

"You are playing with fire, kiddo. And you will get burned. Look at yourself. Red hair the flavor of the week? Right now you have hormones and age on your side. But you do realize that he is an older man, with almost unlimited resources, and broad access to girls of your age group. He'll have a new slut next year."

"That right?"

"Deny it all you want. I just wanted to see for myself. I see it has been a steep decline since I developed the power to leave him." Angelina smiled, then turned and headed for the door.

"I guess you didn't let him see his daughter all those years so that he could not corrupt her?"




The Proposal Ch. 03



Having elicited Todd's promise to not experience Rick's immersion without her, Charlie proceeds to torture Todd by not only refusing to experiencing the immersion, but withholding her sexual favors as well. "I'm saving myself for you on Saturday," was always her response to his seduction attempts, but she always softened the rejections with a long, lingering kiss. Todd has gone without sex for a week before, when he wasn't feeling well or she wasn't, or any number of other reasons, but never has he experienced such sexual frustration.

Tuesday evening, as they prepared for bed, Todd was playing grab-ass with Charlie in the bathroom. He had already caught into the game she was playing, but that didn't mean he couldn't try ... and if he got in a feel of her sweet ass, so much the better. But then he noticed the bruises on her buttocks and all the fun ended. "Did I do that?" Todd asked quietly, pointing to her bottom.

"Yes, you did," Charlie says somewhat sternly as she watches his face in the mirror. Just as it appeared he was about to say something, probably an apology, the big softy, she turns to face him. Bracing her bottom on the sink Charlie reaches out and, grabbing the front of his shirt, yanks him to her. Placing her lips mere millimeters from his she breaths, "And it was sooo worth it." Charlie covers his mouth with her own on the last syllable and kisses him with as much passion as she could muster, forcing her tongue into his mouth and pulling him into her.

Todd hesitates just a moment, caught off guard by her sudden change in attitude, and then responds in kind. He sucks in a great lungful of air and pushes his hips into hers, sending a pleasant little tingle through his loins.

After a moment Charlie pushes him away, "That's enough. I told you, Saturday. I need you fresh because I have plans for you," she says, before turning back to the sink to wash her face. Charlie waits a moment before looking the mirror again, only to see Todd standing there with an "Are you kidding me?" look on his face. She gives him a loud, lip puckered smooch in the mirror, causing him to lightly scream in mock frustration as he leaves the bathroom. She watches him go, smiling, but as soon as he is out of the room Charlie sags ever so slightly ... much more of that and she would have lost her resolve. Taking a deep relaxing breath, she begins to scrub her face.

* * *

After tennis on Wednesday evening Todd told Rick of his plight at home. Charlie did the same with Giselle in the next court where they were playing a slow easy game in deference to Giselle's ankle. Rick thinks it considerably funnier than Todd and Giselle and Charlie giggle like school girls doing something naughty.

Todd knew Charlie was playing him like an instrument. Each night she wore a little less to bed, something a little more sheer. He didn't know she had so many skimpy underthings until he realizes that he hasn't see the exact same outfit twice in the entire week. Not only is she undressing in the longest strip tease in history, each night her good night kisses become deeper, longer, more erotic and more promising, until Thursday she adds a gentle caress of his testicles during the kiss.

Never has Todd enjoyed a week so much, and at the same time so want to blow his brains out. Todd works in the advertising department of Quality Motor Cars. The Chinese, they have no flair for naming things in English, but then, that is why they hired him he supposes, where he, along with a half-dozen others, are working to introduce the brand to the United States. He is trying to get the advertising campaign underway but he can't get any straight answers from China on which car models will be arriving and when, their price points, their equipment levels, anything he can use as a hook. He has a meeting scheduled for Friday to do some bitching and yelling, demanding they get their shit together, but when Friday arrives he was so preoccupied with Saturday he reschedules the meeting to the following Monday because he can't focus.

When Todd arrives home Friday he finds Charlie working away in her office, a converted bedroom with walls covered in pictures of scantily clad, and very lovely, ladies. Todd notices, he was a male after all, but he really only had eyes for Charlie. Charlie looks up when he enters, "Oh good, you're home! I didn't feel like cooking tonight so I thought we would just have a salad. Is that okay with you?"

What Todd really wanted to eat, slowly, with a spoon, was sitting in that chair, but, "Sure. A salad will be fine."

When Charlie joins Todd in the kitchen he has already changed out of his work clothes into a comfortable pullover and shorts and he is busy ripping the lettuce into shreds for the salads. A dirty cheese grater and a bowl of coarsely grated cheese sits nearby. "Does this mean I have to clean up?" Charlie asks.

"Nope," Todd responds, "I'll take care of it. You can thank me in the morning."

"Oh, about in the morning," Charlie responds brightly, "Giselle pinged me today. Her ankle is feeling much better and she wants to get a game in early, before the rain is supposed to start. I told her I would love to play."

Todd's busy hands stop working on the lettuce. He doesn't groan, not verbally anyway, but Charlie could see it written all over his face. His hands start again, "I'll ping Rick and see if he wants to play," Todd says, doing a pretty good job of keeping the disappointment out of his voice.

"Yeah," Charlie says sadly, "That's going to crimp our plans a little."

"It's okay," Todd says, loading the lettuce into two bowls. Picking up two dressing bottles, wagging one Todd says, "Zesty Italian Vinaigrette, or," wagging the other bottle "Vinegar and Oil, or," Todd looks over his shoulder to check the third bottle sitting on the counter, then turns back to face Charlie, "Ranch?"

"What I think I really want for dinner," Charlie responds with a suggestive smile as she begins to slowly unbutton her shirt, "is you."

Todd looks at her for a moment then turns, saying nothing at all, and puts the dressing, lettuce and cheese into the refrigerator. When he turns back Charlie is pulling the tails of her shirt out of her pants, the front gaping open showing her breasts in a silky lace bra. Todd feels himself stiffening immediately as he rounds the counter extension between them and takes Charlie's face in his hands. She flinches slightly from their coldness but his mouth on hers warms her up again. "Suddenly I'm not hungry. For a salad anyway," Todd says as he pulls back. Charlie turns, and with exaggerated swishing of her hips, heads to their bedroom, saying nothing. Todd watches her go for a moment, admiring the view. She definitely still has it.

Only minutes later Todd and Charlie are spooning, nude, in the bed, Todd's front to Charlie's back. Normally they wore some form of sleepwear but Charlie crawled into the bed with nothing on, so he did as well. Charlie must not have wanted anything to slow them down like the last time they made love, Todd guesses. "Do you really have a game tomorrow?" Todd asks.

"Yes. You do too. We're playing a foursome. Boy's against girls?" she asks, her voice rising in query to see if that was agreeable to him.

Todd stops stroking the top side of her thigh and reaches over and down to the inside of her thigh, drawing his fingers along the inside of the thigh, up the crease where her leg joins her torso, along the hip and back to the place he started. "I love boys against girls."

Charlie giggles a little. "Me too, but I'm talking about in tennis."

"Oh. That will be okay too." After a pause Todd asks, "So you really were going to make me wait until in the morning?"

"That was my plan but I couldn't stand it anymore." Charlie feels Todd's lips on her neck, his stroking hand on her thigh warming her nicely. Todd is propping on an elbow so he only has one free hand, but he is making good use of it. "Are you ready to start?" Charlie asks.

"The immersion ... or something else?" Todd asks, pulling her buttocks more firmly onto his rigid penis.

"The immersion. The other ... that will come after," Charlie promises.

Charlie feels Todd move as he settles more fully to the spooning position, his knees tucked in behind hers, firm penis against her buttocks, chest to her back. He encircles her in his arms and pulls her snuggly against him. "Ready when you are," Todd says.

"Hold on tight my love. You are about to have a hell of a ride," Charlie says lightly. "And if you're lucky, you may get another one afterwards." With that promise Charlie enters the immersion, and moments later Todd joins her.

* * *

Todd once again finds himself walking along a deserted beach with Giselle. She is so beautiful in the late evening sunlight, the rich red light from the sinking sun playing in her hair, the wind occasionally blowing it into her eyes. Each time she looks at him, pushing the hair back, his heart leaps. There is an anticipation that makes the walk in the sand with Giselle even more pleasurable than normal, but there is a sense of dread as well.

Giselle's athletic build allows her to move with the economy of motion and constrained power of a jungle cat. She is wearing a black one piece bathing suit with a white gauzy wrap around her shoulders, and Todd once again admires the poise with which she carries herself. With her strength and beauty, and her copper colored hair and hazel green eyes, Giselle was an Irish goddess given life. Though Todd has had his share of women in the past, Giselle is the first woman he has fallen for, and he has fallen hard. As they walk along the beach, arm in arm, Todd occasionally, furtively, checks his left pocket, the side opposite Giselle, to ensure the lump is still there.

They turn away from the water's edge and head farther up on the beach to where four torches are flickering in the wind. Below the torches is a dinner of spiced meat, cubes of cheese, and fresh fruit along with a bottle of wine, all beautifully presented on a large red blanket spread over the sand, held down with a large smooth stone on each corner. A wicker basket contains more of the same, along with plates, utensils, and most importantly, wine glasses for two. "Oh, Rick, it is lovely!" Giselle exclaims.

Todd is flooded with a sense of relief. Todd has never been a romantic, all this was still new to him and he was always fearful of getting it wrong and disappointing Giselle, afraid she wouldn't like this attempt at a romantic dinner on the beach. Especially this night. Todd says nothing, afraid to speak lest his voice quiver, settling onto the blanket and reaching for her.

Giselle curls into Todd's waiting embrace, Todd slipping his arms around her waist and holding her gently to him. She is so warm, so soft, so beautiful. He bends and begins to kiss her gently on the neck, something he knows she likes. "I love you Giselle," Todd whispers in her ear.

Giselle makes a little sound of pleasure before twisting her upper body around. "I love you too," she whispers back, then, in a more playful tone Giselle adds, "But before that, let's eat! I'm starved!" Giselle pulls herself away from him and begins pulling plates and glasses out of the basket. Todd, the mood broken, laughs lightly then joins in to help.

They spend the next hour nibbling on cheese and meat, Todd so nervous that he doesn't have much of an appetite, so he pays special attention to Giselle. He feeds her bite size morsels, heavy on the cheese and fruit, since Giselle could take or leave meat as a general rule. Giselle and Todd have had many lovely dinners, but never one on a beach with the ocean rolling in on the sand and the lights of the California coast in the far distance.

After clearing away the dinner they lie back on the blanket, Giselle on her back while Todd, propping on his elbow, watches her, soaking in her beauty as she looks at the night sky. He lightly strokes her breast just for the pleasure of touching her and, he hopes, giving her a little pleasure too. She seems to be enjoying it well enough, but is this the right time? Maybe he should be more serious. Todd sees Giselle close her eyes. Afraid she might be starting to drop off Todd decides it is now or never. "Giselle?" Todd asks quietly.

"Hmmm?" Giselle says without opening her eyes.

"I want to ask you something."

Eyes still shut Giselle emits another questioning noise.

Todd takes Giselle's hands and carefully pulls her upright, causing her eyes to pop open in surprise. Todd reaches down and behind him and comes back with the small box he'd slipped from his pocket when they settled on the blanket so Giselle wouldn't see the bulge in his pocket. He opens the box to display a diamond ring inside, the stone, less than a carat total, sparkling in the dim torch light. "I know the stone isn't large but it is perfect, flawless. Just as you are," Todd, says, then taking a deep breath he plows on, "Giselle Siloque, will you marry me?"

Giselle stares at him, silent. As the silence lengthens Todd feels himself begin to flush ... how could he have been so stupid to think Giselle would have him? He sees the tears well in her eyes and Todd takes a breath, preparing to tell her it was alright, that he understands, when suddenly Giselle throws her arms around him.

"Yes. Yes!" Giselle says into his ear, holding him tight.

Todd feels a huge weight lift from his chest as relief floods through him and he clamps down hard on his emotions less Giselle see him cry in relief. Todd gently disentangles himself from Giselle's arms and, taking her left hand, slides the ring upon her finger. He continues to hold her hand briefly, looking at the ring, feeling like the luckiest man in the universe.

Giselle pulls her hand free and once again wraps her arms around his neck. "I love you soooo much." she says and then sniffs.

Had she been crying? He hadn't even noticed. Todd feels Giselle lean backwards, pulling him down upon her and he pulls hard against the tug lest he fall on and hurt her. Todd lifts his head from her shoulder and looks into Giselle face, seeing the tracks of her tears. No face so lovely should ever shed tears and he begins to kiss away their evidence. He kisses her cheeks and eyes gently, feeling his body warm with his love. He only thought he loved this woman before, but those feelings were insignificant compared the way he feels now. Giselle turns her head, offering him her mouth. Todd kisses her lips as gently as he had been kissing her eyes and cheeks, just a brush of his lips before Giselle grip his head, pulling him harder to her mouth. Todd responds by kissing her deeper, more passionately, their tongues colliding in a passionate embrace as he tastes the pineapple upon her, making her mouth sweeter to him still.

Todd feels Giselle pulls her mouth free from him and push his head down toward her breasts, but he moves his mouth back to her eyes, her cheeks, her ears, wanting to kiss every square inch of her. He nuzzles her neck in the way she likes, taking his time, kissing, teasing, enjoying her rising warmth, her increasing arousal stoking his fires. Todd feels Giselle push on his head again, trying to steer it lower, but he is enjoying her neck too much to be rushed.

Todd feels Giselle move and as he pulls his attention from the upper swell of her very lovely breast, he sees her squirm out of the upper half of her suit in a way that would make Houdini proud. Oh yes, that is much better. Taking the suit he slips it off of her and tosses it away carelessly. Never taking his eyes off of her, admiring her exceptional body, watching her nipples harden, he removes his own shirt and tosses it in the same direction as Giselle's suit. He begins to remove his swim trunks as well but changes his mind. Todd continues to watch Giselle, still in shock that she would have him, the poor kid from the wrong side of town. When Giselle reaches for him Todd places his knees between her thighs and lowers himself gently onto her. Supporting the bulk of his weight on his knees and elbows, Todd begins to once again kiss her, never removing his mouth from her body as he slowly works his way from her lips to her vagina.

Todd finally reaches Giselle's breasts and as he begins to kiss and lick them, he moves his hands to help with his balance and to further please Giselle by giving some attention to the breast not currently occupying his mouth. He swirls his tongue around her nipple, giving it little flicks, causing Giselle to moan and writhe, bucking her hips into him. He settles more weight onto her hips to give some resistance to her thrusts, the motion of her body adding fuel to his already roaring fire. He wants her so badly he can feel his penis throbbing, but tonight is her night. She has made it a night he will never forget and he will damn well try to do the same for her.

Todd moves on from her breasts, slowing kissing his way toward her womanhood, kissing, nipping, licking, sucking, Giselle's quiet moans, gasps and panting, her pushes and pulls, her need for him fanning his desire for her. He clamps hard down on his desires, his screaming lust, his need for her, focusing on her, refusing to yield to his body's desires.

Reaching her crotch Todd slides his hand between her thighs and his face, pushing her legs open so he could reach her inner-thighs, Giselle moaning loudly at his touch. He follows his hands with his lips, causing Giselle to push her thigh harder into his mouth. He moves with her, continuing with his kisses, her squirming exciting him even more.

Suddenly Giselle grabs his hair and pulls, hard, causing Todd to grunt in pain. "Pleeease Rick, please ..." Giselle begs softly. Todd starts to relent, but decides that no, she can take more, she will have to take more. He will make her as mad with desire for him as he is for her. Steeling his resolve, Todd ignores her cries for mercy and as soon as she lessens her tug on his hair, he resumes kissing, but moving faster now, with more urgency.

When Giselle releases the grip on his hair Todd sees her reach for herself, determined to take the release he will not give her. No! Tonight he will take the joy she has given him and return it to her a thousand fold, prove to her he is worthy of her affections, show her that he exists at her pleasure, for her pleasure. Todd's left hand snaps out and grabs Giselle by the wrist. When he feels her left hand release his hair, he catches her other wrist with his right hand. Giselle squeezes his head between her knees in frustration, trying to force her hands free from his grip, but he has her and he holds onto her firmly as she struggles.

Giselle stops tugging on her wrists, their brief struggle over; she has given herself over to him, allowing him to do with her as he wishes. Todd releases her wrists, and as she relaxes her hold on his head with her thighs, changes legs to begin kissing his way back to her vagina. He feels her shiver and he looks to see her fondling her breasts, seeking to drive herself into orgasm. Todd moves quickly to bury his face in her womanhood, his tongue probing, sliding, stroking. Almost instantly Giselle's hands are upon his head, pulling him hard to her, her hips thrusting, sending her pelvis crashing into his face painfully. Todd doesn't care, the pain no match for his desire to please this woman as she has never been pleased before. Todd grabs her ass, and while holding her crotch to him, struggles to his knees, his tongue fencing with her clitoris as he sits on his heels. He has removed her ability to pull away, forcing her to endure her orgasm as he pushes her farther into pleasure, assaulting her womanhood with his lips and tongue. Giselle writhes as a muffled scream of pleasure comes from her, and still Todd continues to probe and flick with his tongue, pinch and pull with his lips, driving her, pushing her deep into the flooding pleasure of her orgasm.




The Proposal Ch. 03



Giselle begins to twist, frantically trying to get free of his busy mouth, slapping at his head and back. Afraid she will hurt herself Todd releases his mouth's hold upon her and puts her down gently to allow her to ride out her orgasm. Todd watches Giselle twist and shudder, her hands stroking, grasping at her body as she orgasms, grunting, moaning, curling into a fetal position as her pleasure consumes her. Watching her Todd holds tight to his desire, waiting to see if she will want to continue.  

Giselle uncurls and begins to stretch, an erotic wave passing across her body. Watching the wave pass from crotch to breast, Todd looks into her face and sees a burning desire there, dark and sultry, a look that promises much pleasure for him. Todd removes his swim trunks and adds them to the growing pile of clothes. His desire for her is consuming him, his penis so engorged that it borders on painful, and that excites him even further.

Todd leans forward, pressing his penis into her pelvis, sending bolts of pleasure through him. Giselle wraps her arms his neck and pulls him to her, kissing him deeply, forcing her tongue into his mouth. Todd accepts the kiss and responds in kind while slowly stroking his penis along her pelvis, causing her to kiss him harder still, inflaming him even further.

Giselle breaks the kiss with a gasp and pushes his lips to her neck. He begins to nuzzle her, taking pleasure from giving it. "Take me now," Giselle whispers in his ear.

No more games. Todd positions his thighs and with firm but gentle thrust, drives himself deep into Giselle. Giselle cries out pulling her head back as if in pain. Todd freezes, not wishing to hurt her further. "Are you okay?" he asks with concern.

Giselle relaxes and her back straightens. "Oh God, yes!" she breathes. "Fu ..."

Todd, hearing that Giselle wasn't hurt, begins to take her by thrusting into her once more, the sensation of sliding through her wetness nearly overpowering, Giselle moving under him, as he thrusts into her. His orgasm is close, to close, so he stops his thrusts, his dick buried inside her, waiting, fighting for control, overriding his desperate desire to drive himself into her, knowing to do so will shorten their pleasure. As his ardor cools he begins to thrust again then he feels Giselle gently nibble on his ear. Fuck! He stops again, driving his pelvis into her, pushing himself as deep as possible, groaning in desire and effort to control that desire.

Again Todd begins to thrust, repeatedly driving his dick deep into her, the thrusts becoming firmer, more urgent. After only a few thrusts he feels his control slipping again. He pushes himself up with his hands, arching his back, holding himself deep within her, trying to hold his orgasm in check. As he struggles Giselle bites him gently on the nipple, causing a bolt of pleasure to sear along his nerves. Todd feels himself slip over the edge but in a last desperate effort squeezes the orgasm off before it overtakes him. As he struggles Todd feels himself being forced onto his back, causing his cock to pop free of Giselle's pussy. Todd groans again as he fights to hold in check pleasures of his cock sliding out of Giselle, but once free of her incredible warmth he can feel his control coming back.

Todd feels Giselle begin to move off of him and in an instant he knows what she is going to do. Grabbing at her, he holds her by the upper arms, stilling her, preventing her from using her skilled tongue to push him over the edge. "No!" he gasps, "No. Don't. I'll cum," Todd says, struggling to reassert control of himself.

Giselle makes a hissing sound before grabbing his cock in her hand, positioning her womanhood over him, and impaling herself on him, driving him deep inside her once again.

Todd gasps from the explosion of pleasure ripping through his body, pulling on Giselle, trying to pull her off of his dick, but she plants her hands on his chest and checks his pull. Another thrust from Giselle and Todd roars in pleasure "No! Stop! Stop!" Desperate to stop her thrusts he releases her arms, grabbing her thighs and pushing her firmly onto him, preventing her from rising again, holding her down on his dick.

For a time Giselle sits still, Todd's cock deep inside her, allowing him time to collect himself, before she thrusts her hips one more, causing another explosion of feeling in Todd's cock and making his hips thrust upwards of their own accord, before she is still again. A bit later Giselle gives her hips another thrust and while Todd gets another surge of pleasure, now it doesn't feel like every movement of her pussy along his dick is going to cause him to cum. Todd release Giselle's thighs and begins to caress her breasts, hanging temptingly close.

Todd begins to push himself into Giselle, taking what range of motion he has with her sitting on him. Giselle unlocks her arms and pulls up onto her knees, moving her breast to within reach of his mouth. Using his hands Todd pushes her breasts together and begins to suckle them while he begins to pump his hips, sliding his penis into her, slowly at first, then with increasing tempo. Giselle begins to meet him, thrust for thrust, a purring sound coming from her as he kneads her breasts. To help take his mind off what her pussy was doing to his cock, Todd focuses on her tits, kneading them, pinching and pulling at her nipples.

Giselle gasps and her rocking becomes more forceful, meeting him stroke for stroke. The pleasures of his cock thrusting inside her are building and Todd increases the force of his thrust, his body seeking pleasure without his consent. Giselle begins to pant as her orgasm builds and she leans into Todd's hands and grabbing his wrists, holding his hands to her tits. Giselle rises up in a squat, giving him more room to thrust into her, but his cock slips free. Todd, so deep in his pleasure, doesn't even realize at first that his thrusts are no longer penetrating her. He stops his thrusts long enough for Giselle to reposition him and lower herself onto him. As soon as Todd feels the head of his cock enter her, Giselle drops, driving him deep into her, the swift, powerful insertion causing Todd to suck in a rapid lungful of air as the pleasure tries to steal his control. Giselle leans harder into his hands, raising herself up in another squat, opening herself up for his final push to orgasm. Todd slowly slides himself out, to make sure he won't pull free. As Todd's ass settles on the blanket and he can feel he is still inside her, begins to thrust into her with long, powerful strokes.

Todd can feel Giselle stiffening as her orgasm begins to overtake her. He pulls his hands away from her tits, letting her settle onto his chest, wrapping his arms around her, pinning her body and arms, holding her head so his thrusting doesn't hurt her. Todd repositions his feet slightly then begins to drive himself into her with as much force and speed as he can. As he pummels her he begins to growl from the effort of this thrusting hips and the searing pleasure radiating from his dick as he drives himself into her again, and again, powerful strokes, lightning fast. Todd begins to fall, his orgasm causing such intense pleasure his cock feels as if it is burning, and it drives him even harder. He feels Giselle's orgasm crash over her and still he drives into her, his balls slapping wetly against her ass as she struggles in his grasp, and still he thrusts, needing his release, driving, driving, driving himself, the pleasure so great he can't accept it, but unable to stop, so it builds.

Finally, with the force a breaking dam, Todd's orgasm hits, his thrusts become erratic, his muscles clenching, as his body takes control of his will. Todd wants to pull Giselle more tightly still to him, to feel her closeness, but he forces his arms to loosen so to not hurt her, biting back a roar of pleasure as his hips thrust high in the air of their own accord, arching his back, trying to drive himself as deep into her as possible in some deep seated need to inject his sperm as deeply as possible into the female. Twice more Todd thrusts deeply into Giselle, his orgasm ripping away his will, his body controlled by the animal part of his brain as his conscious thought is buried under emotions and pleasure it can't handle. Finally his hips stop their mad thrusting and fall back to the blanket, finally back under his control.

Giselle lies on his chest, breathing heavily from her own exertions and orgasm. Todd lies there, holding Giselle to him, his penis still inside her, but spent and exhausted, stroking her naked back gently as his heart and breathing slow. After a few minutes, Todd feels Giselle move slightly. He opens his eyes to see her looking him in the face as she asks, "So, was it good for you?"

Todd, realizing any answer he could give couldn't describe what he was feeling, begins to laugh gently at the question. Giselle puts her head back on his shoulder and Todd begins to stroke her skin again, enjoying the feel of it beneath his fingers. They lie together for many minutes, Giselle stroking his head in small circles as he caresses her soft skin.

Todd feels himself softening but he remains still, enjoying their closeness until finally he feels himself fall free of Giselle. Giselle breathes a sigh of contentment and rises to her hands and knees before kissing him on the lips. Todd isn't ready to give up the closeness and pulls gently on her, encouraging her to settle back onto him, but she resists his pull so he lets her go.

Todd watches as Giselle rolls off of him and begins to put her swimsuit back on. She is so lovely that he simply wants to watch but, alas, if she is getting dressed he should as well. There will be many more opportunities to unwrap her beauty in the years to come. Todd has just pulled his swim trunks on when Giselle takes two quick steps to him, placing a hand behind his head to pull it down into her shoulder. "I love you. I love you more than you can know," she whispers into his ear.

Giselle was in her swimsuit, and while her naked skin would be better, just holding her close would be good enough. Todd encircles her with his arms and pulls her in close to him in a gentle embrace. Todd feels Giselle snuggle into his embrace and they stand, like the two lovers they are, as the ocean crashes behind her.

* * *

Two hours and four minutes after they enter the immersion, Charlie and Todd return from it, both sweaty from the immersion and the closeness of their bodies. Todd, first to come out from under the spell of the immersion, groans as he forces his hard penis into Charlie's buttocks. Not an insertion, but an increase in the pressure on his manhood has he presses it between them. Todd feels Charlie push back into him, apparently enjoying the pressure as much as he. Charlie begins to pump her hips, sliding his ejection along her ass, and he feels a slickness there. It only takes him a moment for him to realize what it is, his ejaculate mixed with their sweat. He had orgasmed while experiencing the immersion. He couldn't remember the last time he had a ... well, a wet dream for lack of a better term ... but he cared not at all. It wasn't the first time he has cum all over Charlie and it probably won't be the last, but just the thought of what she was smearing all over them inflamed his passions further. He had to have her, and now.

As Charlie surfaces from the immersion she feels Todd press his penis into her bottom. The feel of his hardness was intoxicating and she pushes back, listening to him groan in desire. She wants him so badly that she begins to pump her hips, sliding him along sweat slickened skin. Charlie feels Todd grip her by her hips and push her away from him, turning her ass to him, and with a firm but gentle push he enters her, causing her to moan. Charlie begins to move to make herself comfortable.

When Charlie started pumping her hips, sliding his dick along her ass cheeks he takes that to mean she is willing, eager even, to have him so he pushes her ass away from him to give him some room, then aligning himself, pushes his dick into her, gently at first to make sure she is ready. As her wetness engulfs him his need roars in him. It was like he was twenty again. He couldn't remember the last time he had so desperately wanted her. Todd feels her moving, opening herself to him, as he begins to take what he so wants, but then he changes his mind.

Charlie feels Todd begin to move, his dick sliding in her sending waves of pleasure through her, already feeling the beginnings of an orgasm forming. So soon! Charlie begins to revel in the sensations, Todd's hard cock inside her, their sweat soaked bodies gliding smoothly together. But only moments after he starts to fuck her, Todd stops and rolls to his back, holding Charlie firmly to him, trying to hold himself inside her. Charlie knows what he wants and she raises herself up upon him and taking his dick in hand, slips it back inside her as she settles her hips on his.

Todd moans as Charlie reinserts him inside her womanhood. He pulls on her, trying to pull her down onto him, putting them in the same position as they were in with the exception that Charlie would now be resting on top of him, but Charlie resists and instead leans forward, placing her hands on his knees for support. Todd's cock is now pulled past the vertical, bent at the base, jammed hard to the wall of her pussy as Charlie beings to rise and fall on him.

Having Todd's dick pushed so tightly against Charlie's vagina wall was sending a steady current of pleasure through her, but as she began to move, to slide him inside her, the pleasure increases, and increases again, and then increases again. Todd's hands began gliding over her back, slick with her sweat while Charlie rose and fell, rose and fell, increasing her tempo until she could go no faster. She begins to sweat with her exertions, the pleasure rippling through her, searing her nerves, as she uses her husband for her own pleasure.

Pinned as he was by Charlie's weight and the position of her hands, Todd could do nothing save let her use him. Her skin glows with her sweat as if oiled, her head down as she devotes all her energies to her madly thrusting hips. Charlie's sweaty body, her little sounds of a woman in pleasure, the slickness of her upon his cock, slowly begins to push Todd toward his orgasm. Todd tried to force his hips up, but she still has him pinned, his pleasure as much in her hands as her own, and he began to growl low and deep in his chest.

Charlie's muscles burn from her efforts, her breath deep and ragged. She has dragged herself to this peak, now she needs him to throw her into the pleasure waiting below. Charlie heaves herself off of Todd's cock, quickly turns and throws herself on top of him, their mouths meeting in a savage kiss, their tongues stabbing at each other. Todd meets her passion with his own and they writhe in mutual pleasure as each tries to give more pleasure than they take. Todd's hips, now free of Charlie's restraining hands, begins to thrust, sliding his cock between their sweat slick bodies.

Todd accepts Charlie's lunge, catching and controlling her fall so neither of them are hurt. She attacks his mouth with her own and he accepts her challenge, matching the ferocity of her kisses with his own. His hips, finally free, begin to stroke, sliding his dick between them easily with her wetness and their sweat. Holding her tight he rolls her onto her back then rips her arms from round him and pins them above her head. She doesn't struggle, accepting his power over her.

Charlie feels Todd begin to twist so she shifts her weight, allowing him to easily roll her onto her back. He pulls her arms from him and pins them firmly to the pillow above her head, looking into her face, breathing hard, his handsome face twisted with snarling passion, and she waits, not struggling, allowing him to choose the manner he will take his pleasure from her. He slides his dick once more into her and, starting slowly at first then with increasing power and speed, begins to thrust himself into her.

Todd slowly inserts himself into Charlie, luxuriating in the feel of his dick sliding inside her pussy, but a body will take what it needs and his thrusts become harder, more urgent, as his passions continue their rise, Charlie making soft moaning noises as her passions rise with his. Todd is not so far gone in the throes of passion that he doesn't realize that he may be hurting Charlie again, so he removes the hands he used to clamp her arms down and curls them around and under her, pulling her to him while he supports some of his weight. He looks at her as her flush of passion continues to rise. His orgasm near, Todd tries to clamp down on it as he felt Rick do in the immersion. It helps, some, but not enough, not nearly enough.

Charlie feels her orgasm teetering on the brink, waiting to fall and crush her. She holds her breath, waiting for the wave she knows is coming, until it finally rushes down upon her with the force of a tidal wave, the orgasm is so strong it overwhelms her control. With a near shout of, "Ooohhhh ... God!" Charlie surrenders to the orgasm, back arching violently as she spasms in pleasure.

Todd feels Charlie tighten, then crash into her orgasm with a shout, her back arching under him as she pulls her head down and back. Feeling Charlie thrash in her orgasmic throes pushes Todd over the edge, pushing him into his own orgasm with a drawn out grunt. Todd holds Charlie tight, emptying himself into her, until she relaxes under him once again.

Charlie rides her orgasm, the pleasure burning through her like a fire, helpless in its power. As her orgasm washes away from her she can feel Todd's wetness flood into her as he too falls, no longer able to contain himself, slowly pumping his hips into hers, not pulling back, just applying more pressure, then less, more pressure, then less, holding her tightly as he allows his release to consume him. Finally she feels him relax, just a bit, as his head dips to her neck.

Todd's orgasm pours over him, renewing him. He puts his head down into Charlie's shoulder and breaths deeply, taking in her scent of soap, sweat and sex. It is an intoxicating bouquet, and he drinks it in. "Charlie ... I ..." he begins, speaking into her neck, but then he stops, no mere words able to express what he wants to say. He pulls himself out of her then placing one leg to either side of her left leg, and supporting her head, he rolls over onto his back, taking Charlie with him so that she ends up, mostly, on top of him. Todd tries again, "Charlie ... I can't tell you how much I love you," he says tenderly, kisses her lightly on the lips.

"You can try," she teases him with a little smile, but then turning more serious she continues. "I love you too Todd ... more than you will ever know."

They lay together for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts until Charlie finally asks quietly, "What did you think?"

"Of the sex or the immersion?" Todd asks, taking his turn to tease her.

"I meant the immersion, but tell me how great I was. A girl likes to know she's still got it."

"Charlie ... if you don't got it, nobody does. These last two times were ..." he pause, looking for the right word, but gives up. "There is no word to describe it. Powerful. Magical. Fantastic. All these and more. I ..." he stops once more and his hands rise up and plop back into her back as he flounders for words.

As Todd struggles to find words he looks at Charlie with such love and tenderness she thinks she might cry. "Shhhh ..." she says, kissing him gently on the lips. "I know ..." She puts her head down beside his, "I know ..." Charlie knew Todd loved her, in their fifteen years of marriage Todd has never so much as glanced at another woman, but he had never seemed so emotional before.




The Proposal Ch. 03



They lay quietly for a time then Todd speaks again, "That immersion was amazing. It reminded me of how much I love you. I felt like I was twenty again, when I first fell in love with you. I had forgotten how powerful an emotion love could be. I have always loved you, but now I remember just how much I did love you, do love you still." Todd pauses, "If someone were to have asked me yesterday how much I loved you I would have said 'More than anything' but I would have been wrong. Because now I love you more still ..." Todd says, and he meant it, the immersion rekindling his love for Charlie. He had always loved her, loved her deeply, but now he remembers how he had once loved her more than life itself, how he lived simply to please her. That feeling was back and he rejoiced in it. "How about you? You have experienced it twice now. Tell me what you think of the immersion."

Charlie thinks for a time before speaking, her head still lying on his chest. "I can't say. I really can't. It just moves me is all. I can't describe the way it makes me feel. Maybe it is the fact that it reminds me of us when we were younger. I don't know. I can't remember the last time I came as hard as I came in these last two ..." she almost says fucks but changes it, "... sessions. They have been amazing. But its more than the sex, it's like ..." Charlie says before faltering. "I think you said it best ... I have always loved you, but now I love you more." Charlie pauses, then raising her head to look into his face. "It's like you're my favorite pair of jeans ... that I just found again."

"You're comparing me to old pants?" Todd asks with mock indignation.

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"On the other hand ... wrapped around your shapely ass all day isn't a bad place to be," Todd says lightly.

Charlie giggles, "Is that all you think about? Sex?"

"No ..." Todd replies, "but it is what I am thinking about right now." With that he tosses her off of him onto her side, then rolling her over onto her back, moving to her and covering her body with his own, kissing her lightly on the lips and face.

"Mmmm," Charlie says stroking his back and head, "it has been a long time since we had a two-fer."

"Too damn long," Todd agrees into her neck, "but that might be about to change."

"I hope so. I certainly hope so," Charlie says, pulling his mouth to hers for a passionate kiss.

They kiss, passionately, deeply, their tongues exploring each other's mouths for many long seconds. It is barely eight fifteen and they have plenty of time. Their kisses linger and they soak up the closeness. Where their previous lovemaking was fast and explosive, this was slow and erotic. They had quenched the thirst, now they were sipping, enjoying the closeness of their bodies.

Todd positions himself between her thighs and attempts to insert himself into her but quickly realizes she isn't ready, so he withdraws and focuses on pleasing her. He moves down and begins to tease her breasts with his mouth, Charlie making purring noises as he smothers her breasts in gentle kisses, flicking his tongue upon her nipples. She gently holds his head in place on her breasts, encouraging his actions there, and he obliges her.

After long minutes of Todd's gentle kisses and teasing flicks of his tongue, Charlie wants him inside her. She pulls his face away from her breasts, pulling him up, burying his face in her neck as she whispers, "I want you."

Todd feels Charlie pull him upwards, and he goes, reluctantly leaving her breasts. As he nuzzles her shoulder he aligns himself and slowly pushes into her. She isn't as wet as he expected, but as he slowly, gently, pushes into her he feels her wetness flow, lubricating his passage. Once fully inserted he lies lightly upon her, enjoying her warmth, her closeness. Todd lifts his head and once again begins to kiss Charlie's lips passionately, but gently, their tongues just brushing against one another in a slow dance.

Charlie feels Todd enter her. At first his passage was uncomfortable because of her dryness, but as he slowly, gently, forces himself inside her, careful to not hurt her, Charlie feels her body respond and the wetness increase until he was sliding smoothly, deliciously, inside her. Todd moves his mouth to her hers and they kiss, Charlie feeling his gently probing tongue. She probes back and their tongues slither about each other, slowly wrapping in a loving embrace as their bodies do. Charlie stokes his back, his arms, his warmth flowing through her. Charlie pulls her legs up, and placing her heels against his buttock, pulls him into her, encouraging him to start.

Todd feels Charlie spur him with her heels so he begins long, slow thrusts of his hips, taking his time, enjoying the feeling of his penis sliding inside Charlie's vagina, the sensations pleasant, very pleasant indeed, but he can tell that he hasn't it in him for another orgasm tonight. So he will simply make love to this fantastic woman and bask in the delights she gives him.

Charlie feels Todd begin to stroke slowly in and out of her. She can tell that there will be no second orgasm, but the feeling of his penis sliding inside her was intoxicating. Charlie lies still, eyes closed, caressing him as he gives himself to her while she gives herself to him, enjoying the tingles of pleasure he was giving her.

Todd makes love to Charlie, slowly, erotically, for the next hour until Todd could feel Charlie begin to dry. At one point during their lovemaking Todd felt that perhaps another small orgasm was building but as he reached out for it, the feeling slipped away and was gone, but he cares not at all. Todd takes a great breath, inhaling Charlie's scent, knowing he will have to withdraw before he begins to cause Charlie discomfort despite his desire to make love to her the rest of the night.

Charlie feels her lubrication beginning to dry and despite her desire to have Todd make love to her for hours more yet, she knows that she is going to have to stop. Charlie hears Todd take a deep breath and then remove himself from her, causing her to smile slightly, grateful to have such a considerate lover. "I'm sorry," she says quietly.

"Don't be," Todd responds, his kiss on her lips reinforcing his words. Now that the constant stimulation of his manhood has stopped Todd can feel himself shriveling rapidly so he rolls onto his back and pulls Charlie in the cook of his arm. He can feel her snuggle into a comfortable position, lying partially on him, one of her legs thrown over his for support. He kisses her on the head, the only part he can easily reach, and gently strokes her back. "Charlie?"

"Hmmm ..." she responds.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For talking Rick into sharing the immersion." Todd pauses for a moment. "I didn't understand why you were bullying him on this. But now I think I do." Todd pauses again before continuing. "I like Rick but I always thought him to be kind of aloof and standoffish. I knew he probably wasn't like that with Giselle, at least not in private, but I had no idea ..." Todd doesn't know what to say. "Rick's just a regular guy is all I'm trying to say."

"I wish you could see this from Giselle's perspective," Charlie says. "She was completely gob smacked by his proposal. I think she felt like we all did, that Rick was a nice guy but he never allowed himself to get close to anyone. I guess that is leftover from when he was as kid, I don't know, but she recognized what a big step it was for him to open himself up to rejection like that by asking to marry her."

Todd nods his head slowly. "I know. Remember how you said you could tell what Giselle was thinking? I feel the same way about Rick. When he showed her the ring and Giselle took so long to answer, I knew, I don't know how, but I knew that he felt she was going to turn him down. Why did it take so long for her to answer?" Todd asks.

"I told you," Charlie replies, "she was gob smacked. I couldn't ... she couldn't speak she was so surprised."

They are silent for a time, enjoying their closeness before Todd speaks again. "Charlie?"

"Yes?"

"I want to promise you something," Todd says quietly.

"What is it?" Charlie asks.

Todd's voice sounds ragged and stressed, "I want to promise you I will never forget these feelings again. I don't know when I forgot how much I loved you, but now that I remember, I promise you," Todd's voice breaks just a little, "that I will never forget them again." He kisses her again on the top of the head and pulls her just a little tighter to him.

Charlie melts inside from his words. "I know how you feel. I feel the same way. I bet there are a lot of people that would benefit from experiencing this immersion. I know it has brought back feelings that I didn't even know I had forgotten." Charlie is quiet for a time, then gives voice to a thought she has. "Do you suppose Rick and Giselle would agree to release the immersion?"

Todd is so surprised at her suggestion that he chuckles a little, "What?" he asks.

"Do you think that Giselle and Rick would agree to release the immersion so that others could experience it?" Charlie asks again. "Remember, he once said that Feedback Alive needs a blockbuster immersion to jumpstart the market. Well ... it isn't going to get much more blockbuster than this. There isn't a woman on the planet that wouldn't want to experience this, I guarantee it."

Todd mulls the idea over. "You may be right, but I can't see Giselle, not to mention Rick, agreeing to that."

"Let me talk to Giselle and get her take on it," Charlie says.

Todd frowns a bit. "Why, Charlie? What about this has gotten you so worked up?"

"Because, my love, look what this did to us. Imagine if millions of married couples suddenly rediscovered their love for each other. How often does a person get to bring such happiness to millions of people?"

"How do we know it will affect someone else the way it affected us? What if it affects us so powerfully because we know the Chamfers? What if it works for us because I already, we already love each other?"

Charlie makes some thinking noises. "You may be right," she allows. "Perhaps we need a small scale test first."

"Small scale test?" Todd asks confused.

"Yeah. Just a couple of other people, people that don't know Rick or Giselle, to see how they react. It may fall completely flat for them. Maybe try it on some singles too, people who don't have a partner, someone to love," Charlie muses.

"Uhhh, Charlie?" Todd interrupts. "Don't you think that before you setup your clinical trials that maybe you should talk to Rick and Giselle first?"

Charlie laughs softly, "You're probably right. I may talk to Giselle about it tomorrow."

"Okay, but don't push too hard. Rick and Giselle are our friends and I would like them to stay that way," Todd cautions.

"Don't worry. I got what I really wanted, which was for you to experience the immersion. Anything after this is ... not as important," Charlie says.

Once again they are quiet, still, basking in the afterglow of their love. Todd can feel sleep beginning to take him and he remembers that they haven't had dinner. He doesn't care, he isn't hungry, his needs completely satiated by Charlie. With his last waking thought of Charlie, Todd quietly falls into sleep.

Charlie hears Todd's breathing change as he slips into sleep. Charlie's mind has been racing with thoughts of the immersion, but Todd's deep breathing begins to lull her to sleep. As Charlie relaxes in the tug of sleep she realizes she is hungry, but with the choice of having a cold salad and lying here, warm and comfortable in Todd's arms, the decision on what to do was easy. A few minutes later Charlie joins Todd in a deep and peaceful sleep.

* * *

Rick raises his voice so Giselle can hear him in the bathroom. "It's happened. The Roses have accessed the link."

Giselle turns off the water after rinsing her face clean. "What?" she asks.

"I said the Roses have access the link."

"Really? When?"

"Today, early, about six."

"I guess Charlie couldn't wait any more," Giselle says as she walks out of the bathroom into their bedroom.

"Todd either," Rick adds. "That was mean what she was doing to him. Funny, but mean."

"I'm sure she made it up to him," Giselle says with a mischievous grin as she slides between the linens with Rick.

"It is going to be interesting at the game tomorrow," Rick says. Then with a mischievous smile of his own he adds, "I wonder how Todd feels now after having you and realizing how lacking Charlie is in comparison."

"Oh, stop it!" Giselle scolds him playfully. "This isn't a contest of who has the biggest dick or the hottest wife." Giselle pauses briefly, then leaning in for a kiss adds, "I do like how you think though."

Rick entertains thoughts of trying to seduce his wife, but Giselle had been feeling randy last night and they had very enjoyable tumble. Rick decides to let Giselle decide if she was in the mood for anything more than their normal pre-sleep cuddling.

As they lay comfortably spooning in bed, Rick's knees slightly bent and tucked in behind Giselle's, her buttocks in his crotch, her back to his chest, Rick gently caresses a breast. Giselle has given no signal that she was interested in anything more so he simply holds her, breathing in her scent, enjoying her warmth. He continues to hold her until her breathing grows deep and slow. "I love you Giselle," Rick says quietly.

Rick is surprised when Giselle mumbles "I love you to," her words thick, slurred and slow. Rick feels his mouth quirk in a smile knowing she won't even remember saying it in the morning.

Rick lies still, holding his sleeping wife, as he ponders the morning. Todd will have experienced the immersion and Rick tries to guess how their meeting would go, unable to pick which of the hundreds of scenarios he could think of was the most likely. The thoughts raced about in his mind, tearing at each other, until in a desperate attempt to shove them away so he could get some sleep, Rick starts thinking about all the wonderful things he could do to Giselle's body, if only she were awake. Rick didn't wake Giselle though, contenting himself with holding her close, remembering the pleasures she has given him until sleep, at last, claims him as well.



The Proposal Ch. 03



The ex-wife stopped dead in her tracks, spun around, and stared at the younger woman. "You leave my daughter out of this. He gave up joint custody."

"And he never called afterwards, or wrote, asking to see her?"

"You little fucking whore. Just because you can give him your O face right now, don't get snooty with me. I give you a year."

"I give you two minutes to get out of here, or I'll whip your ass again."

"You know, if you call ahead, I'll have breakfast waiting for you when you get here." He watched her drop the paper bag on the conference table, then stalk across the room towards him. She was dressed for school in jeans and a t-shirt, and yet he found her incredibly sexy. She was sexy when she was mad.

"Angelina came down and tracked me down in the gym." She related what the woman had told her, and he listened, having fully expected this turn of events.

"She must have come to see you right before she went to the airport. She flew out a couple of minutes ago."

"How do you know?"

"Friends in low places."

"Naturally." She came around the desk, and sat on his lap. "I want you to fuck me. Right now, right here, on your desk. Don't hold back anymore. I want it all. Show me how you feel."

He looked in her eyes, then he obliged. Their clothes formed a pile on the floor as they stripped each other, kissing and racing. It was fast, his cock already hard, her pussy sopping wet. She ignored the stabbing pain of whatever he laid her on, and once he entered her it disappeared totally from her conscious mind.

There was biting, clawing, scratching, screaming, begging, tears, release, tension and satisfaction as he alternated between eating and fucking her. She was out of control, thrashing around on his desk, her body on fire, her pussy sending out signals like never before. Her clit was in danger of exploding any minute, and her brain was unable to handle all the signals racing up her spine.

They were sweating, glued together, papers sticking to them, eyes wide and wild, breathing ragged and rushed, the moment eluding her until he granted it. She cried out his name, as he filled her, her nails breaking the skin on his back as she dug in, legs wrapped around his waist.

They lay together, panting and wheezing, trying to catch their breath, trying to not slip off the table. Finally he released her, and she collected her clothes, heading for the bathroom. She stood before him; naked as the day she was born, looking at the man in her life.

"I love you Jonathan. No matter what, I love you."

"I know you do." He stroked her cheek, kissing her forehead. "I love you Amber. You are a little angel."

She smiled, then turned and headed into the small bathroom, noticing that he had stocked the medicine cabinet with an almost exact copy of the hygiene products she used at home. At least he was putting that detail-oriented mind to good use. She smiled at the gesture. He had even invested in a hairbrush.

It was time to head to class, so she pushed back into the office, finding Mike and Jonathan standing over the conference table, looking down at what looked like some kind of massive blue print.

"Hello Amber." Michael Robinson looked like he was damn near seven feet tall, something not helped by the fact that no matter how much he ate, he was as skinny as a scarecrow. He had started balding a while back, and on a dare he had shaved his head. Now it glinted in the overhead lights, which he almost touched with his dome.

"Hello Mr. Robinson." He grimaced, but she smiled her best smile at him. He insisted she call him Mike, but she just could not bring herself to do it. She called Jonathan by his name, instead of Joni, or some other bastardized version, so it was either Michael or Mr. Robinson.

Jonathan came over, kissing his girlfriend on the lips before she had to pull away. She was going to be late for class already. "I'll call you later." She accompanied it with the sexiest smile she could muster, and the look on his face told her it had achieved its effect.

"Can you cook?"

"What do you mean, can I cook? I've been a bachelor for a while, I can take care of myself."

"I figured you had a chef on staff."

"Don't be ridiculous, of course I can cook. Come over here."

"Ok. Let the record show that I asked first, and gave you the chance to back out of this idea."

"You are getting a spanking when you get here."

"Ohhh…I feel speeding ticket number seven coming on." She dropped the phone onto the bed, and looked at her closet. What to wear to a dinner for two at his house?

His house sat on a two-acre plot in an older part of town, where the trees had been there long enough to grow into majestic creations of nature, and the houses didn't all look the same. Most of them had walls that surrounded them from back when that was still in style, and some of them even had functional gates. His house was one of those.

She had her own code to get in, and so the gate slipped into the ground, allowing her to roll up the driveway to the house, parking in front of the garage. The yard was beautifully maintained a crew that came by twice a week, and who put a lot of emphasis on flowers. Many of the ones he gave her were freshly cut from his own yard. That added a special touch.

She also had a key to the house, but he rarely locked his door, so she just let herself in. The entry was a huge and imposing, with two sweeping staircases leading upwards, and a large entrance down several steps to the living room. He had redone the whole place in granite a couple of years ago, which went well with the fire he had going in the huge fireplace against the far wall, and the white and black furniture he so favored.

The whole house was rigged with a wide variety of wireless gadgets and such, including speakers that softly played classical music. She had downloaded a wide variety of more modern fare to the server that ran the house, but she doubted he ever listened too much of it.

Something smelled good, so she turned right, and walked back up two steps stepping past the dinning area that was set for two, and into the huge kitchen. She had always just figured that he had paid somebody to install every type of kitchen device known to man, hang a bunch of pots from the ceiling, and then stock the house with enough food to feed an army. She had never thought he actually knew how to use any of it. She had been wrong.

He had his sleeves rolled up, and was standing over the indoor grill that sat next to the massive glass-top stove. The flame was roaring at a constant, controlled throttle, and she could hear him humming with the music. A series of bowls were sitting on the island between them, and she could see shrimp marinating in a shallow dish sitting off to the side. A wok was sizzling on the stove, and the smell filling the air was delicious. He had surprised her again.

Which gave her an idea. Without making a sound she slid to her right, and quietly pulled open the door to the pantry. She did not close it all the way, trying to minimize sound, but found what she needed in the semi-darkness, and managed to set up her little plan.

Jonathan had done a lot of things in his lifetime. One of them was a vacation that had been meant to reconnect him with a wife that was clearly on her way out of his life, spent at an old castle in France, being taught how to cook by three world class chefs', and lounging on the beach. He still stayed in contact with Pierre. If he ever saw Andre', he was going to punch that clown in the face for getting it on with his now ex-wife. Or maybe not. Most of his anger at that situation had recently dissipated.

But one of the things he had never seen was a naked woman standing in his kitchen. Well, she was not really naked. She was dressed in high heels, and an apron that had not been used in years, probably because it had several holes in it, and the lose strings barely held it back.

"When you got yourself a call girl, is this what you pictured?" She was in her pose again, hip cocked out, hair down, smoldering eyes and sultry voice. He grabbed the counter, his cock wanting to burst out of his pants, and sent a silent prayer upward, thanking his dear lord and creator for blessing him with such an abundance of lovely skin, a full harvest of incredible breasts, a flood of shining hair, and the beautiful hills of her ass.

"No. But let me tell you, the reality is outliving my wildest dreams by far." And had, since the day they first started screwing like rabbits. "Wow. You are incredible." He took her into his arms, feeling the heat from her body through the thin material, his hands tracing down her back and ass, squeezing it, listening to her giggle.

"What an amazing little woman I have."

"You like it?"

"Love it."

She slowly backed away, smacking his hands down. "Cause you don't get any until after dinner. I'm excited to see if your cooking is as good as your bragging."

"You are kidding, right?"

"Nope." She hoped up on the counter, crossing her legs, flashing him her pussy. He could tell that it was freshly shaved.

"I think I preferred the days when I would just tell you to have sex with me."

She giggled again, her breasts jiggling. "So what are we having?"

"Shrimp wrapped in bacon and cheese, with stir fried vegetables."

"Impressive."

And it was. She would never have thought that his many talents included gourmet cooking, but then again, why not? With his laser like focus on the smallest details, it would follow naturally that he would be a great chef.

He continued to try to talk her out of her apron as they sat at the table, the candle dancing with the wind from their voices and laughter, until finally they adjourned to the massive couch, and she granted his wish.

He took it off slowly, and she slid into his lap. She liked being on top of him, like the reactions it got from him. Climbing onto his face, she lowered her pussy down to his hungry tongue, and he went crazy on his desert. It took all her strength to keep herself upright over him, her body shaking and quivering as he grabbed her hips and ate her with his hearts content. She cried and bucked against him, fucking his tongue, her arms flexing and clenching, until finally she was not able to hold herself anymore, and she slowly slid down his body, her pussy leaving a trail of juices down his chest.

A big hungry cock was waiting for her, and she moaned out as it filled her. She slid right onto it, taking all the way into her. They sat like that for a moment, feeling connected, as she adjusted her legs under her, and looked into his eyes.

"You are so beautiful."

"You are sweet man. Now I'm going to fuck you senseless daddy." And she did.

There was a peaceful quality when she was sleeping, the sheet halfway down her waist, exposing her breasts, slowly rising with her shallow, easy breathing. She seemed to always be smiling when she slept, and he wondered what she dreamed.

He sat in his chair, watching her, hands folded underneath his chin. It was routine for him to get up in the middle of the night, a time for him to sit in the perfect peace and quiet, and let his brain roam over the problems that he had to crunch out.

To his very organized way of thinking, she was not a problem. Indeed, she was the solution to many of the things that ailed him. Like the ray of light that burns away the fog, she brought out depths of happiness in him that he had not experienced in a very long time, if ever. A woman who would love him no matter if he had nothing, and who care not how much he did have. A woman who laughed uncontrollably no matter where they were, and who was honestly awed by all the silly trappings of wealth. What an angel.

Angelina showing up was not something that had caught him off guard, or unprepared. He had known the minute she had stepped of that plane, and been ready for it. What he had not expected was for her to track down Amber, and confront her. But he was pretty sure that his ex had also not counted on getting her ass kicked by the little firecracker. He sure hadn't. It was common for her to pop up whenever he had a chance at happiness, and then piss all over it. Her usual displays had been enough to scare a different woman away, but he did not think that Amber scared easily. 

She rolled in his bed, the sheet pulling up with her, obscuring her tits now, but exposing her ass and back. He fondly remembered the first night he had been with her, the way she had been like a babe in the woods when it came to true intimacy, not the wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am screwing of inexperienced partners she was used to. That had been months ago, and since then she had grown leaps and bounds into the aggressive, self assured and self confident tigress that knew what she wanted, what she wanted to do, and was not to be deterred.

He had always considered himself fairly experienced, sexually. But he had never done it in a car until she had climbed on top of him, or in a commercial airliner. Her passion seemed to know no bounds, and the way she used her eyes, hips, and tits to entice him was something that made his heart skip a beat each time. As much as he had shown and taught her, she had done the same for him.

Slowly her left leg slipped backwards, backwards, backwards, sliding across the sheets as she rolled onto her stomach, clutching her pillow tight. A small droll spot former under the corner of her mouth, and he had a strong desire to go kiss those full lips. But there was a certain reality here that could not be denied. 

She was twenty-one, moving through college, not yet totally sure what her life would hold. He was approaching forty-three, twice her age, and well established in what it was he wanted to do. What if she wanted to leave the city when college was done? Would he go with her? Kind of late in the game to start moving around again. He could start, run, and be successful with a company anywhere in this country, but did he have the energy left for that? But would it even come to that? She could meet somebody in class tomorrow, some young stud with bright eyes, good hair, and white teeth, the kind of pussy hound he used to be in college. But even if they made it, where would they be when he was seventy, and she was hitting fifty? The gap looked a bit bigger then. And what if she wanted kids…how did he feel about that?

He stopped the spinning cycle in his brain, the duty Brain cell cutting off the power to a loop of thought that was not going anywhere. What was the alternative? Let this sweet piece of ass slip through his fingers, and hope against hope that there was a woman his age that could do the same things for him that this one could? Fat chance. 

One of the things he liked most about the business was grooming up and coming bankers. He used a lot of quotes and historical examples to illustrate what he tried to teach them, and one of those now came to mind. Anything worthwhile caries the risk of failure. Lee Iacocca said that, he remembered. If he wanted to be warmed by her fire, he would have to risk getting burned.

"You coming to bed?" Her voice ripped him from his revelry. She was sitting up, the green emeralds blinking in the moonlight, licking her lips.

"I'll be there in a minute." He watched as she slipped from the sheets, slowly stalking towards him. His breath caught as her fingers touched his face, drawing it in close, hugging him to her flat stomach.

"You okay baby?" Leaning down, she kissed the top of his head, scratching his back. He did not know what a light sleeper she was, and that she knew fully well when he slipped from the sheets, when he returned, and that he sat there and watched her between. It was still rare for them to spend full nights together, but she remembered each one.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He smiled up at her, watching her hair shine. She was lovely and he told her so. She giggled, then slipped onto his lap, legs wrapping around him, kissing him softly. She held his face in her hands, kissing him all over, pulling him close, and cuddling him into her. "Come to bed."

He picked her up, carrying her back to the massive four-post structure. They slid under the sheets together, but she saw in his eyes that sleep was not there yet. She had a solution for that, crawling onto him. He protested weakly, already having been ravaged by her twice that night, but she ignored him. Other parts of his anatomy were more accommodating, and soon enough he was screaming her name. She cradled him close, watching him pass into sleep in her arms. She loved her daddy.

The small white ball curved up, up, up, passing through its apogee, and began to curve back down. It had sliced slightly to the right, but landed almost perfectly at the two hundred yard marker, hitting the green, bouncing a couple of times, and rolling to a stop on the far side of the white sign.

"That's a dollar." Markus could not match Jonathan in straight drives, but he was known for his precision accuracy. He had pinged the sign a second ago, a feat that Jonathan had bet him he could duplicate.

"Take your stinking dollar." Jonathan watched as his friend picked up the greenback, sniffed it, and stuffed it in his pocket. "Dirty motherfucker. Put it towards little Jonathans college fund."

"I might buy my wife something nice with it. Like a pack of gum."

"You ought to, after she gave you six kids."

"I know, I'm a lucky guy. How lucky have you been lately?"

Jonathan laughed, teeing up another ball. "Five bucks says I can do it now."

"Go for it." Markus leaned back against the bench, knowing fully well that he was going to walk out of here tonight with at least twenty bucks. 

"This whole relationship thing is screwing with me. I mean…I don't think I've ever been this happy. You know what I did the other night?" He whacked the ball, watching it curve, curve, curve, and then slam right into the center of the sign, a loud clang echoing through the night. The massive spotlights lighting up the driving range applauded, or at least he liked to think so.

"What?" Markus slid the five bucks underneath the water bottle serving as their cash exchange.

"Went to a dance club. And danced. Or tried to, anyways. She more used me as a pole to dance around. It was awesome. One of those loud places full of college girls and cheap beer. Two dollar vodka drinks all night, pouring Absolute, so that wasn't that bad. She's an incredible dancer. So next time Margie is giving you shit about wanting to go out dancing, we're game. Five bucks I can do it again." He teed up, and resumed his stance. "But then, I lay awake at night, either alone in my place, or with her next to me, and I wonder what will it be like in fifty years. What if she wants kids? What if she meets some Giambi look-a-like with massive arms in accounting class, who's hung like a horse, and spits game like a Vegas casino? What if she gets tired of me in ten years."

His swing was beautiful, the slice of the ball flat, cracking off the tee like a rifle shot, cutting through the air, and slamming into the sign, bouncing back with a loud clang. Markus could not believe it, and forked over the next five. What the hell had gotten into his friend?

"But then…I think so myself that the other option is even worse. Three hundred yarder for five." He teed up, squared up, and looked downrange. "I mean, I could ditch her, and be alone again. Or I can hang on, ride this one till the wheels fall off, and then walk away with a smile." The ball raced into the night, high, high, high, high, high, then seemed to just drop, and bounce against the three in the three hundred yard sign. Markus almost vomited, slipping his last five-dollar bill underneath the bottle. This was unreal.

"Three fifty, double or nothing." Jonathan dropped his last ball onto the tee, took a deep breath, and squared up. "That mall we are going to build in Lincolnton? Apparently they have some kind of festival up there every year, something to do with something the farmers around there grow. The city council wants us to come up and see it, and display our final plan. So, I'm thinking I should go, and meet the parents while we are at it. What do you think?"




The Proposal Ch. 03



"Well, you are dating now, so you should go meet the parents."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. Let them see the dirty old man their daughter has fallen for. Come on, you're a charming guy; you'll be all right. They are going to love you, I'm telling ya."

"Thanks." The tee broke as he whacked the ball, driving it flat and long with incredible force, both of them holding their breath as it raced downrange, barely clearing the 300, and striking the bottom edge of the three fifty.

"Let's go get a beer. My treat." Jonathan smiled at his friend, who gave him the finger, muttering evil things under his breath. Damn that puppy love.

"You don't have to do this."

"I want to."

"I'm just saying. You don't have to do this. If you don't want to. I mean, don't pretend for me. Don't do something you think I want you to do. It's ok."

"Is there something you don't want me to do? I mean, do you not want me to meet your parents?"

"When do I get to meet yours?"

"They are dead."

That shut her up, sinking into the seat of the Beemer as they rolled down the interstate towards home. "That's not fair."

"What?" He was trying to decide if this was an argument, not really sure why.

"I'm sorry about your parents. But now I can't say anything else."

"You shouldn't. Listen, I want to meet the parents of the woman I love."

"You sure?"

"Yes, damn it!"

"Ok." She smiled at him, sliding out of her shoes, and pulling her legs up under her. "Want to see something?" She did not wait for a response, but slid her legs onto the dashboard, spreading them wide open, pulling her skirt up to her waist. She was not wearing any underwear, and he could tell by the sheen on her skin that her pussy had to be wet as could be. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a small vibrator, flipping the switch. The sound seemed unnaturally loud inside the very quiet car.

It took all his focus to keep his eyes on the road, as he listened to her fuck herself with the pink rabbit. The longer they had been together, the louder she had gotten. And that held true with plastic lovers as well. Unbuttoning her blouse, she began to roll her nipples, her descriptions of sexual activities getting very graphic, his cock getting very hard, and both their breathing getting fast and shallow.

He listened to her moan and cry out as she came, her body shaking in the seat next to his. She slumped into herself, trying to catch her breath, watching him reach down and adjust himself. Pulling his hand away, she giggled as she leaned down, slipping out of the shoulder belt, and unzipping his pants.

"Ever have road head?"

"No."

"Let me tell you. For a dirty old man, you are pretty tame." She felt him smack her ass, and yelped. She was trying to get him to spank her more, and he was slowly getting into it. "Ohh daddy…what a big cock you have." 

He wanted to scream when she sucked him in, her teeth dragging across the head, and down the shaft. She truly went to work now, stroking him, fondling his balls, swallowing the tip of his cock, slobbering all over him, moaning and panting against his cock.

Grabbing her head with one hand, he eased over to the right hand lane, slowing down a bit. His eyes were glued on the road ahead, his breathing now irregular and erratic, despite his best intentions to control it.

She was now kneeling on her seat, her ass high in the air, wiggling in tune to the music. She kept sucking him all the way in, deep into her throat, as if she was going to suck his very being out of him, and swallow him whole. Her long fingers squeezed the thick cock in her mouth, her tongue slathering the head.

She knew his buttons, knew what to do, knew what to give him. It was a dance, a game she gladly played for him, a show that she would keep up as long as he wanted her to. So she let him cum down her throat, swallowed it all, laughing and giggling with glee at his eruption in her throat, finally sliding back into her seat, smacking her lips.

"You are a great lover." Straightening her clothes, she smiled at him.

"Me? You do most of the heavy lifting."

"No, no, no. You are the one that brings all the good toys." She waved the rabbit, sliding it back into her purse. 

"Well, I'm not what I used to be, I have to keep up with the competition somehow." 

She leaned over, kissing his cheek. "There is no competition. Don't be silly. You don't think I see you at night, sitting in that chair, watching me sleep? You don't think I know you worry? I do the same thing. I am afraid." She pushed her face into his shoulder, and he reached over, hugging her to him. "But I love you, and I believe in that. Just believe."

They smiled at each other, kissed, then she pointed out the exit, and they raced up the ramp, turning at the top, and passing the city limits. Downtown lay right ahead. 

"Not much to see, I'm sorry."

"Well, I'm working to change that. Perfect bedroom community." Or so all the studies said. The problem were a couple of industrial plants that were not exactly what one might call environmentally advanced, along with a strong hog farming sector. This place was a goldmine; all you had to do was scrape away the pig shit.

She pointed him towards town hall, a new looking brick structure that combined the town and county administration, along with the sheriffs department, and the post office. "Efficient. I like it."

His appointment was not for another hour, so they walked around, browsing the small stores and shops that populated the "historic" downtown. She had never really taken the time to read the historic plaques that lined the roads, but he read each one, up one side and down the other. 

"You gonna hang around, or you want to take the car and do your own thing?" He was dangling the keys, and she gave him a queer look. "Where would I go?"

He shrugged, popping the trunk and pulling out his materials. "I don't know. Go home and prepare your parents, hide all your baby pictures, whatever, visit old friends."

"I'm good, thanks. I want to see you in action. And besides, everybody is going to be there tonight."

"Sweet." He shrugged his shoulders as a way of acknowledgement, that part of his plan still being a bit hazy. He had hoped for a quiet dinner with the 'rents, maybe take them to whatever limited fine dining options this lovely town offered. But apparently the Okra Festival always coincided with her families' annual family reunion. Why not? Have season kick off and the super bowl in one came, keeps it short and sweet.

The meeting of the county council was not really open to the public, but the usual senior citizens who were really interested in local government were sitting in the back of the room, and she joined them, greeting several. She realized that he was watching her, as she was watching him. They smiled at each other, and she watched as he set up his presentation. The Chairman of the council gave him the floor, and he launched into his pitch.

She had to admit, it was impressive. He played the crowd, including the people in the back row as much as those in the front. There was laughter, deep thought, question and answer, and in the end roaring applause. He slowly let the spell slip from his fingers, shaking hands with the County Council before working along the back row. He came to her, and clasped her hands in his, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

"My, this town has beautiful daughters."

"If I let you put it in my ass, will you buy me a set of tits?" He pulled back not sure if he had heard her right, but she only gave him a devilish smile, the momentum of his movement carrying him past her to the next person.

It wasn't until they climbed into the car that he finally had time to ask her.

"What did you say in there?"

"When?"

"When I kissed your cheek."

"Nothing."

"Yes you did."

"No, sure didn't." She gave him a million watt smile, making him weak. He shook his head, and they rolled out of downtown, towards the farms.

Her parents' house had been built on the edge of a shrinking forest, a fenced in horse pasture behind it, and a barn that looked freshly painted beside it. He already knew that her family had once been into farming, but that they had sold most of the land years ago, and both her parents had worked for the manufacturing plants ever since, making something or another. She was not entirely sure what it was, and he had not pressed the issue. It was not important, and he was not really interested in knowing everything about them upfront. It would bias the picture.

There was a long line of cars, trucks, and SUV's parked before the house, and he pulled to the end, aligning himself with the massive Chevy monster. "Do we need to go to town so I can buy a pickup truck to fit in?"

"Funny. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Don't start that again, please?"

"Well, just so that you know…this is my family, and I have no compulsions about punching somebody in the face if they say something to you."

"I know fully well that you have very little problems punching anybody in the face. I've seen you do it."

"Don't mention it. I'm like Kevin Costner, only better looking. And I won't leave you hanging when the chips are down." She left the implied message hanging between them for a second. Then she kissed him, hard and fast, stealing his breath, and leaving him heated. "Come on tiger, let's play.

Maybe it was better this way, he realized once they got inside. There were so many people! The anonymity allowed him to slowly move through the crowd, taking a look at the people that made up her family, near and extended, blood and marriage.

They finally made their way through the house, mainly by her pulling him along behind her, and stood on the massive wooden deck that spread out into the pasture that served as a backyard. Four long tables had been set up on the grass, and more people were seated along them. Along the back rail of the porch another long table served as a buffet, backed up by several smaller ones scattered around the perimeter.

Amber took a quick look around, then pulled him to the right, along the wall, waving to several more people, then pushed back into the house, standing in a kitchen that was nearly as big as his back home. But unlike his, this one was bursting at the seams, with people pushing, shoving, and sliding through the crowd. Holy crap. Where did all these people come from?

"See that couple back there?" She pointed through the crowd into a small alcove that probably normally served as a breakfast room. The table was probably doing duty outside, and a group of people was standing in the sunlight falling through the glass walls. He could clearly make out four couples, and he took the oldest one as the one she was pointing at. But he asked to be sure.

"Yeah. That's my parents. The guy to the right is my oldest brother Jack, with his wife Kelly, the one I told you about. Next to him is my sister Erica, with her husband Matt. On the other side is my sister Sarah, with her husband Ryan."

"You are the only one not married."

"Working on it." She pushed her ass back into his crotch, giving it a little wiggle. He smiled, and they pushed through the crowd.

He was not sure what he would say, not sure what he would do. But he rested his laurels on the fact that she would probably punch her brother in a heartbeat, most sisters were willing to. Same with the husbands. High hopes that no women would get ugly. That left mom and dad, the only ones he really cared about anyways.

"Mom, Dad, this is Jonathan."

And so the words hung out there, along with his hand. He already knew that her father was ten years his senior, her mother having crossed the start line eight years ahead of him. He could see their eyes focus on him, could feel the laser like intensity of parental scrutiny, feel the judgment. Then her fathers' hand closed around his, a solid grip. "Pleased to meet you Jonathan. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you, glad to finally be here. Nice house. Are all these people really your family?"

Amber quietly slipped away, going in search of the vodka. She knew her daddy, and knew by the rasp in his voice that the four second pause between her saying his name and her father grabbing his hand had probably seemed like an eternity to him, or long enough to dry out his throat anyway. She found the bar set up in the living room, grabbed a tall glass, some ice, and splashed the cranberry and vodka that he was so fond of into the glass. Slipping a plastic cup over the top, she shook it, then turned around, finding herself face to face with Erica, Sarah, and Kelly.

"Hello." Slowly she moved sideways, but the three older women mimicked the movement, all staring at her with what she thought was supposed to be a look to make her talk. "Can I help you?"

"You didn't tell anybody you were seeing somebody."

"I told mom and dad."

"You know they don't tell anybody, that doesn't count!" Erica was beside herself. How could her sister do this to her!

Amber let out a long, low sigh, and looking at her oldest sister. Erica was a self-described relationship guru, having written a relationship column for a newspaper in the states capital for a while. But her first husband worked there as well, so their divorce had made her move across town to the independent newspaper, where she wrote what could politely be called sexual advice. For her to not know what was going in her own family in such matters was tantamount to a personal failure to her.

"Hi Erica. I'm Amber, your youngest sister. Pleased to meet you. I don't know if you got that memo, but it said I have my own life, and I don't need to give you a transcript."

Sarah rolled her eyes at the youngest of the three sisters, then pulled her away from the other two. It was impossible for Erica and Amber to be in the same room for more then ten seconds without arguing. They were like that, and nobody really knew why. Probably too alike. 

"How long have you guys been dating?'

"Like half a year, something like that."

"Really? And you never told anybody?"

"Mom and dad."

"Yeah, I got that. What's up?"

They were standing at the threshold to the kitchen, and Amber cast a quick glance over to where Jonathan was standing. Her father and brother were laughing hysterically at something he had just said, and her mother was trying her best to look like a lady, covering her hand with her mouth while laughing. Her mother was so funny when she had people over.

"Come outside."

They walked onto the porch, and down onto the grass, then around the house towards the barn. Leaning against the fence, they watched the horses graze and gallop around their enclosure, ignoring the two girls. Amber offered her sister part of the drink she was still carrying, and they shared it she told her.

"I meet him back in January. I had a shitty date, and was relaxing in a bar before heading home, and he came in to hang out with the people he knows there. I found out later he knows them because he owns the damn place."

"He's a bar owner?" Sarah was another one who was not really a fan of Kelly. 

"Well, yes. But not really. Anyways…and this is between you and me!" Amber's eyes and voice told her sister how serious this was, and the other one nodded. Between the two of them, there were secrets that were holy. This was one of them. "I went back to the hotel room that he keeps in the hotel the bar is in with him, and he rocked my world. I mean, incredible sex. Best sex ever. And we started seeing each other."

"Just like that?"

"Well…he's very charming. And he pays well."

"Excuse me?"

Amber offered her the glass again, and while she was drinking, explained their initial arrangement, and how it had changed over time. "He really didn't want it, really didn't want to fall in love with me, I think. And I didn't want to, because I knew he didn't want me to. But neither of us could help it. And now I'm hooked."

"And he still calls you his call girl?"

"He never really did. To this really close group of friends he has, he did sometimes. But nobody else really. That was my thing. I still call him daddy."

"That's sick."

"Please, you have never called Ryan daddy when you guys are doing it?"

"Sure I have. But that's in bed. You can say whatever you want in bed, it's totally separate."

"Sarah! Don't tell me you are one of those sex only in bed people!" Amber was truly shocked. This was the girl she had watched her first porn with, trying to gleam what it was going to be like when Sarah went to her first prom a couple of weeks later.


"Well, the bed and one or two select other places."

"If both those places are in your house, I'm going to cry."

"Shed tears then, I know you can cry on command."

"That's so sad."

Amber shook her head, finishing of the rest of the red liquid in the glass, then crunching up one of the ice cubes between her teeth. It was a habit most of her family grimaced at, and Sarah was one of those people. The two girls turned as Ryan approached, and took his wife into his arms, kissing her forehead.

"Your boyfriend was in the same fraternity in college as your dad, so they are best friends now."

"Really? I didn't know he was in a fraternity in college."

"That's because you were not born yet when he went through college." Ryan laughed out loud at that one, ignored by both girls.

"Whatever. How do mom and dad seem?"

"They love him. Were you worried?'

"Him more so." Amber pushed herself upright, heading back towards the house to find a refill and her man. Didn't want him to have too much fun without her.

"You are sure your parents are ok with this?"

"When is the last time you slept in a girls room?"

"This week, your room."

"No, no, no. A girl's room. I still have Barbie's on that board over there, and all my stuffed animals and such."

"Yeah, the pinkish wall color is definitely in this year."

"Come on, does it make you horny?"

"Horny?"

"You are about to get raped, you know that, right?"

He did, he could tell by the look in her eyes. Ohh, and the fact that she had him pinned to the bed was a clue. The lights were off, and the only illumination was from the moon falling through the window. The extended Mathews clan had partied until late in the night, and he had found most of them very receptive. They got raised eyebrows and a few odd looks, but most of them were just glad that Amber had found man that made her happy. The only one that gave him bad vibes was the mother, but what could one do? Amber was the youngest, he expected that. The baby albums and high school yearbooks had come out over her strong objections, and she had insisted on sucking his cock earlier in the small half bath downstairs, despite the fact that he had physically tried to prevent her from sneaking in there with him. He really had to go.

"I want what you have!"

"Woman…you made me screw you this morning, sucked me off in the car, again downstairs, and you are going to do me again? I'm not a piece of meat that can perform on command, you know."

"Parts of you are." She grabbed his cock through his pants and squeezed, making him moan. "I need a big hard cock now, I'm all worked up."

"I can tell. Make you a deal. Lay on your back."

She did, and then grabbed a pillow when he went to work on her. His tongue always drove her crazy, and this time was no difference. Thrashing around on the bed she screamed into the pillow, trying her best to hold it in as her body shook under his treatment. Unbelievable.

"Good?"

"Oh hell no!" She rolled him back onto his back, mounting the man of her dreams. "Not a word." Then she sealed his lips with hers, and made him scream down her throat.

"So…this festival…"

"The Okra strut?"

"Yeah…"

"What about it?"

"What's it about?"

Amber's father laughed out loud, and Jonathan saw where his daughter got it. "The Okra. You, know the vegetable. There are huge Okra farms around here. So every year we celebrate the season, basically. Big to do for kids, beer tents, all kinds of stuff."




The Proposal Ch. 04



"Nice digs." Markus looked around the apartment, surveying the collection of posters, second hand furniture, and really nice bar chairs that made up the girls interior decorating. At least they had their priorities down.

"You want a beer, or something?" Amber seemed nervous, and he could only smile at the girl. Despite her ongoing relationship with his best friend, she could never really relax around him, or his wife for that matter. Little Jonathan reported that on the weekends when his godfather picked him up to hang out, she was a much more carefree spirit, the kind that would roll down the hill at the park with him, who would do cartwheels in the shopping mall, and eat ice cream with him until their tummies hurt. So he nodded, and watched her pop the top of the Corona bottle, and slide the slice of lime into the neck.

"I need your help. Ahem…Jonathans birthday is coming up, and I was just wondering what you guys normally do. I mean, he never talks about birthdays, and when I ask about it, he always gets really defensive."

"He's not a big BD fan."

"I can tell. Why is that?"

"The root of all evil." That's what they called Angelina amongst friends, and she picked up on it. Nodding her head slowly, she had to admit that the revelation was not all that surprising. The woman had an amazing ability to get under his skin.

"So…do I ignore it? Do I do something special for it? What?"

"Well…Margie and I usually take him out to dinner, since he can get a bit depressed. Sam always made a huge deal of his birthday, and so he really misses her around those times."

"Well…I don't think he knows that I know that his birthday is coming up. I had to look on his drivers' license to figure it out. So I want to do something special for him."

Markus nodded, taking another pull from his beer. The whole situation was a bit surreal to him, standing in the young woman's apartment, discussing how to pull of a surprise for his friends' birthday. Wow. It was like something out of a bad book, except that his friend was not married, and Amber was what he would genuinely consider a good girl. Despite his earlier misgivings about her accepting money for sex, basically.

"Well, I tell you what." He dropped the empty bottle into the trashcan, coming to a decision. "You been down to his place on the beach?"

"No. I knew he had a boat, he didn't tell me about a beach house."

"Boat?" Markus smiled. Yacht did not adequately describe the custom made vessel that graced a custom built slip down on the coast. "Yeah, well, we haven't been down there in a while. Used to be…in the days prior to your magic…that when he wanted to relax and get away, he would go down there. Last year we went down and fished the weekend after his birthday. There's a little island out of the coast, have a barbecue, hang out, do whatever comes natural." Which meant running in circles for his kids, and drinking beer for him. Until his wife winked at him, and they tried to see if they could have another one.

"So…I could propose going down there, he won't think anything if it's coming from me. But we won't make it. So you guys can go down there and…well…I'm sure you can handle the rest of the plan." He grimaced at her, and she smiled back. He understood how Jonathan could have fallen for those eyes.

He watched her hands, the clenching and relaxing of the muscles in her beautiful calves, the shifting of her eyes across the road, listening to the engine roar and growl under her instructions as they flew down the interstate. She saw him watching her, and blew him a kiss, but then her focus was back on the road.

The BMW owned the left most lane, racing down the interstate at well over eighty miles per hour. His eyes regarded the radar detector for what was probably the hundredth time, still trying to decide if he had made the right choice in letting her buy it. 

When Markus had approached him about the trip, he had been weary. He could tell by the unrestrained energy in his little call girl that something was up. She was not very good at the whole secret thing, her boundless ambition and uncontrollable giggling giving her away. But he had played along, even acting surprised when Markus begged off at the last minute. So when he came home that day and she was sitting on the stairs to his house with their bags already packed, he just threw them in the trunk, let her slide into the driver seat, and let her go.

He must have coached her pretty well, or she had been to one of the nearby beaches before, as she navigated the concrete cloverleaves that lead into downtown Charleston with no problem, having hoped interstates with practiced ease, and shaved a full forty-five minutes of his normal trip time. But she was relentless, and apparently pee breaks were not required for the two hundred mile journey.

They came out on the other side, hoped the new bridge out onto one of the barrier islands, and she rolled to a stop at the Marina gate. Finally he felt like a part of the game again, having to hand over his membership card. The security guard nodded at them, then the metal slid aside, and they rolled past rows and rows of vessels.

"Which one is yours?"

"Go all the way down to that big building." He pointed it out, and she almost floored it, but then thought better of it. He thanked her silently, and then indicated a parking spot with his name on it. 

"You have your own spot down here? Let me guess, you own part of this place, too, don't you?"

"Not directly."

"Such a cutie man." She grabbed his face, kissing him hard on the lips, leaving him gasping for air. "You sure you can handle a weekend with just me out on the water?"

"I don't know, you might kill me."

"I'm going to try my best!" She hoped out, and he took her hand, leading her inside.

The building was easily three stories high, and the length of two football fields. There was a small office in the front, but the rest of the cavernous interior was filled with boats of all shapes and sizes, sitting in large racks that kept them out of the water and elements. Down at the far end huge bay doors stood open, and a steady flow of boats was floating down the canal in the center of the concrete pad, coming in and out, the massive overhead cranes sliding back and forth moving boats to and for, in and out of their beds.

He walked past the office, and down past the racks. She had never seen so many beautiful boats before, but to him it was all routine, and she realized that he did not even notice anymore. She kept up, figuring they would be back at some point.

On the other side of the building, a large lagoon had been made through the addition of an artificial levee, where owners could climb aboard their just released yachts. 

"There she is."

He pointed to the gleaming white boat sitting in the water, her long, low slung form elegantly swaying back and forth in the water. Even sitting still it looked fast, the hull and topsides formed to reduce drag and air resistance, with the chrome fittings and trim that shone brightly.

"Wow." She walked up to the railing, and looked down at what looked like a massive cigarette boat. The top was painted the same white, with a flame motive along the edges. The word "Ambition" had been written in highly stylized writing on the back, beneath what looked like some kind of radar dome. 

He took her hand, and they walked down the plank, stepping onto the aft deck. There were stairs on either side leading up to the open bridge, with what looked like a massive roll bar above and behind it, with more antenna looking thingy's. There were benches, and what looked like two huge storage lockers recessed under her feet.

"Permission to come aboard?" Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him on the lips again, and he held her close, laughing at her request.

"Be honest." He kissed her back, and the realization that he knew was written in her eyes.

"What, I wanted to do something nice for your birthday!"

"I love you so much."

"I love you, too, Jonathan Games."

He shook his head, then gave her a quick tour, during which they discovered that Markus had been good to his word, and the vessel was fully stocked in the galley. Jonathan grunted, but she beamed, and he let it go. Finally they reached the cabin, and she returned to the car over his objections to grab their bags while he got the boat ready. She returned shortly later, and he could see her from the bridge, looking like a Sherpa, fending off helping hands from the dock help.

He watched her disappear below, knowing better then to offer assistance, and waited for her to slide into the bench on the back of the bridge, now suitably dressed in a very nice white bikini.

"A birdie told me this would go with the settings."

"A birdie, huh? You know, with the do-it-yourself attitude, you are never going to make a good trophy wife."

"I'll work on that." 

She watched as he pulled away from the dock, out into the open water, and away from the beach, heading out to sea. 

"Where are we going?"

"There is a sandbank a couple miles of shore were we can anchor for the night, set lights, and then fish or do whatever in the morning."

He looked down at her again, something seemingly slightly off. She was smiling at him with her eyes half closed, looking out towards the sun setting behind them as they headed east out into the ocean.

"What's up?" Even when she talked, something was off. He pulled back a bit on the throttle, his eyes now focused on her face, trying to discern what it was.

Amber realized the look, and stood slowly. Looking around, she gauged their distance from any other marine revelers, and the fading land behind them. Well, why not now?

"You're about to figure me out…so here is my first gift for your birthday."

Before he could say anything, she dropped to her knees, pulling down his shorts. He almost tripped over himself as she inhaled his cock, swallowing him whole. A cry raced across the water as he gripped the controls, feeling her tongue slathering across his cock.

School, work, and his lovely girlfriend had conspired against him for this moment. It had taken all her self-control to pull it off, but she had managed to stay away from him for a larger part of the week. So on Tuesday she had found herself Winged Dragons Tattoos & Piercing downtown, with a clamp on her tongue, and tears in her eyes.

Now the barbell that had become a part of her dental work was softly tickling the underside of his shaft, making his eyes bulge out and his breath come short. His hands gripped the wheel, her hands stroked his cock, and he blew his load before he fully realized what was going on.

He watched her swallow, then climb up his body, wrapping her strong legs around him, and hold him tight with her arms, kissing him softly, letting her tongue slip past his lips, teasing him with her new toy.

"You like that?"

"What's not to like?"

"I considered a diamond, since you seem to like those so much, but the dude that did it warned me that it might cut you."

"Flat tip grinding could alleviate that. You had a guy do it?"

"Jealous?"

He had to think about that one for a moment, as she continued to kiss him, slowly easing her legs down to stand on her own feet, and sat back on the bench behind him, digging in the cooler for something to drink.

"Well…I guess not."

"Still afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

"That I might leave you for some twenty year old stud."

"Who told you that?"

"Margie." She pulled out a bottle of peer, twisted the top of, and slid it into the cup holder mounted next to his control station, then placed herself in the captains chair, and pretended like she knew what all the dials and read outs before her meant.

"I thought she was my friend." He took the beer, thanking her with a kiss before taking a long pull from the bottle.

"She is. That's why she told me. And like I told you, you need to stop worrying, and start accepting the fact that you bought yourself a call girl for a long, long time."

He pulled her into his arms, kissing her full lips, hugging her close to his body. Wrapping her arms around him, she squeezed back, kissing his chest, feeling his heartbeat. They stood like that for what seemed like a short eternity, and then she felt the boat slow, and turn slightly sideways.

"We're here."

He moved to the front, dropped one anchor, then back aft, and dropped another. She watched as he secured the vessel for the night, set the lights, then they went below, and slid into the narrow galley. He started to make dinner, but she pushed him out of the way, stripped down naked, and started cooking.

"My own naked chef."

"What you always wanted."

"Can you cook?" He could not help himself, and her reply was to give him the finger.

Maybe it was the rocking of the ship. He wanted to believe it. Maybe it was the new place, the fact that they had never done it on his boat. Sure, why not, he told himself. Maybe it was the teasing that had gone on all through dinner, or that she had sucked him off without getting any gratification herself. Or the long car ride without sex. Driving and cars tended to make her horny. But as he lay quietly next to the woman that he had fallen head over heels for, he knew that it was none of those. The happiness he felt inside was not related to the awesome, mind blowing sexual experience he had just had at all, as much as he wanted to believe it. It was because for the first time in a long time, he was truly enjoying his birthday. 

Leaning down, he softly kissed her warm skin, listening to her rhythmic breathing, snuggling down against her soft body and warm skin. She seemed slide across him, naturally embracing her daddy, snuggling against him. She liked to lay on top when she slept, a position her body moved to naturally. "I love you Amber Matthews, and one day you will be my wife." She purred, drooling on his chest, and he smiled again. 

"So how did it go?"

"Great. She tried to kill me." The driving range was lit up like the Fourth of July, a by-product of all the spotlights. It was Thursday, and all four of them were there, drinking beer and losing money betting against Markus on precision drives. Even Jonathans luck had run out, and he was already forty bucks in the hole.

"Sorry we had to miss that." Markus grinned at his friend, teed up, and whacked the ball right into the center of the three hundred and fifty yard sign. Everybody paid up, and he made a slight bow.

"So you all settled into relationship mode now?" Randy was freshly tanned from his trip to the Caribbean, with that healthy glow. That, and he had made it clear that he could not stay long. His wife was waiting at home.

"Yeah. I think so. We are meeting in a bit to go out."

"Where are you meeting?"

"Some club down the road from her school. Now that she's got me into this dancing thing, she wants to do it every week. I told her that ain't gonna fly. I need to work." Jonathan stepped up to the tee, pointed out the two hundred yard sign, and fired the shot off. The ball hit the upper right edge, bouncing straight up. There was soft appreciate applause from his friends, so he shook his hands like a champion, and dropped down onto the bench next to Markus.

"Happy Birthday. Glad you had a good time."

"Thanks."

Banana Joe's would never compete with Reflections for Ambiance. But it did have three clubs, each of them with a distinctly different theme. The Speakeasy featured the dueling pianos, something she could never really get into. But apparently her friends liked it, so every now and then she indulged them. But not tonight.

Tonight they were on the dance floor of the Tikki Torch, a beach themed affair in which all the bars were predictably outfitted, and girls in short shorts and t-shirts tied around their waist served beer out of tubs. She had worked as one of those girls for a while, until she had gotten into her Accounting Internship. It had been a good time, and a wonderful opportunity to meet cute guys. But she didn't need that anymore, so she did not miss it.

Jessica was not much of a dancer, so she had let Amber borrow Rick, and the two were grooving on the wooden boards that had once been painted with scenes of water, sand, and palm trees. But shoes had long since scuffed all that away, and they were working hard to add their own friction to the aging wood.

Finally they decided to take a break, and she checked he watch. He should be here any minute now, and she could not wait. Dancing made her horny, even if he was not really all that good at it. She didn't mind, she loved him too much for that. He tried, what more could she ask for in a man?

She watched as Rick lifted Jessica out of her chair, kissing her hard. Tammy was standing by the bar, flirting with the bartender she had been trying to get a date with for the last three weeks. Amber was starting to suspect that he was gay. Who could hold out this long against her friend?

"Drink?"

The voice pulled her back, and she turned towards the source, finding herself face to face with a young man. She had seen him earlier, so she looked slightly past him, to the table he had come from. His friends were all looking their way, waiting to see what she would say, so she smiled at them, and accepted the cup with the red slush in it. 

"Thanks. What do I owe this to?" 

Directing her eyes back towards the buyer, she took a closer look at him. He was blond, with the cut so stylish right now, a bit much on top, and faded down to nothing at the neck. The black button down shirt was not tucked into his khaki shorts, but it was sized so that one was not mistaken that he saw the inside of a gym on a fairly regular basis. His blue eyes had a piercing quality, but somebody should have told him that the fierce gaze was not really the key to a woman's heart.

"Well, the dude you were dancing with is probably not here with you…"

"How do you know, maybe we get down like that?"

"Ahh, yeah, you might."

"In which event he'll probably be over here in a minute, whooping your ass. Rick benches 405 for reps, how much you put up?"

"Ahhh…"

"Probably not that much, huh? Well, that's ok."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Because he really is here with my friend."

He seemed to visibly relax at that, exhaling long and low, his shoulders returning from being hunched to their normal position. She found that funny, and her smile told him so. Or so she figured, since he was starring at her again.

"Well, I'm Jack."

"Pleased to meet you Jack. Listen…"

"Hold on now. Let me get my line out first."

"Go ahead." She even looked receptive.

"Well, I was just going to ask for your phone number, and tell you that you are one hot lady out there on the dance floor, and I would love to dance with you some time."

She smiled, then indicated the dance floor with her head. "Let's go."

He pushed through the crowd, always feeling a bit awkward at first. He was easily one of the ten oldest people in the packed place. She had told him to meet her by the front most bar, the one right by the dance floor, and he knew what that meant. She was in a frisky mood. Thank fully he had stretched after running that morning, and felt nice and limber.

He spotted Rick first, the massive black man easy to find even in the twilight that dominated the place. He waved towards him, then had to push his way over, finally coming to rest at the high top table that his friend had taken over. Jessica and Tammy were sitting on the high stools that surrounded the table, and Rick slid him a beer.

"Thanks, where's Amber?"

Jessica pointed out the dance floor, and he followed her finger, spotting the auburn hair out in the middle of the mass of people, dancing with some young guy. Taking a sip of his beer, he suppressed the feeling in his stomach, and watched his baby dance.




The Proposal Ch. 04



Saturday morning Rick and Giselle are on the courts early, wanting to get in a set before Todd and Charlie arrived for their foursome. As Rick and Giselle cool and rest after their games, the Rose's arrive. Rick studies them as they approach and notices there is something different in their manner. He can't put his finger on the difference, but there is certainly something there. 

As Todd and Charlie greet them, Todd walks to Giselle and hugs her like a long lost friend, then turns to Rick and grips his hand in a firm handshake, adding a slap on the shoulder that he holds for just a moment. It is odd that Todd would shake his hand in this situation as they have been friends long enough that the handshake has fallen out of use between them in such casual circumstances. Still holding Ricks hand, Todd gives it one more pump adding, "You are a lucky bastard, do you know that?" before he releases Rick's hand. Rick, somewhat addled by Todd's manner, smiles but says nothing. 

Giselle speaks up as she watches Todd greet Rick, "We're doing a foursome this morning, right?" Everyone turns to look at Giselle. Still watching Todd, Giselle continues, "Is it me and Rick against you and Charlie or men against women ... or what?"

Todd spins Rick around by the shoulder and steers him toward the court. "Come on buddy, let's show the ladies how men play the game."

Charlie looks at Giselle as they turn to their side of the court and smiles, "Let's kick their ass," Charlie says brightly. 

It starts out as a long day for the men, with the ladies besting them not only in the first game, 6-0, but the second game as well, 6-4, causing the third game to become deadly serious. All four players were serious competitors and were playing for pride, the men to salvage some and to avoid going down three games, and the woman to prove the first two games weren't luck. The game was at deuce and all four players were breathing hard and sweating in the mid-morning heat. 

After an extended rally, Giselle drops a little lob in behind a sprinting Todd, running the wrong way, for the game. Todd, knowing he had been set-up, falls onto his back dramatically, and lies there panting until Rick offers him a hand up. Todd, getting to his feet looks to his sweaty, panting, beaming wife and says in mock victory, "I guess we showed you!" while pointing his racket at her tauntingly. 

Charlie looks at Giselle and in a voice full of honey and cream says, "I like the way men play the game." The guys, their spirit broken, go on to lose five of the six games of the set. 

The friends typically play a best of three match, taking a breather after each set, so after the final game of the set the group gathers their gear and moves to the shaded tables to cool and catch their breath. Sitting at the tables Todd is mesmerized by a single droplet of sweat that survived Charlie's towel as it slowly ran off one lovely breast into her cleavage. "Todd!" Charlie says loudly.

"What?" Todd answers with a start. 

"I said, would you hand me a water. Please. And quit staring at my boobs."

Flushing furiously Todd mumbles, "Sorry. I was distracted." He comes up with a bottled water from the cooler and hands it to Charlie with a wan smile.

"Uhh ... yeah, we could see that," Rick says with a laugh. 

Todd, trying to save face looks to Charlie, "It's hard to believe how good you've become, and so quickly." Turning to Giselle, "Will you give me lesson's next? Please? It's going to be hard on my self-esteem if she," he nods to Charlie, "kicks my ass every time we get on the court." Charlie beams at the complement.

"I can, I suppose, but I suggest you let Charlie help you. Her style of play is the same as yours and it will help her improve her game as well," Giselle says, dabbing at her sweaty neck with a towel. 

"I don't want her to improve her game. I want to improve mine," Todd objects good naturedly. 

"What's the matter? Don't think you can handle me?" Charlie asks with a glint in her eye.

"My love, I've never been able to handle you," Todd says with a leer. Then he brightens as if another thought has struck him. "Oh, wait! Are we still talking about tennis?"

"Oh for God's sake!" Rick exclaims with a chuckle. "Do you guys want to forget the next set and get a room?"

Todd and Charlie look at one another and go "Hmmm" at the same time, but then Charlie says, "Nooo ... I think we're good. For now anyway."

Rick looks to Giselle and rolls his eyes. Charlie and Todd have always loved the double-entendre, but this is ridiculous. Giselle offers him a slight widening of her smile and a quick raise of her eye-brows. "Okay, what gives? You two are acting like hormone sopped teenagers. Well, more so than normal. What is going on?" Rick demands. 

Todd looks around and realizes this is a bit too public, "Why don't you and Giselle join us for dinner tonight. We'll tell you all about it then. Deal?"

"That will be fun, thanks," Giselle joins the conversion. "Can we bring anything?"

"Just yourselves," Charlie supplies. "About seven?"

"Perfect," Giselle says. "That will give Rick and me time to take care of a few things."

"I bet it does," Todd says slowly with suggestion dripping from his voice. Charlie slaps him on the shoulder. "What? We have laundry to do ourselves. Why are you hitting me?"

Giselle looks into her lap, her smile broadening while Rick just shakes his head in mock disgust.

"I'm going to do more than hit you if you don't straighten up!" Charlie informs him. 

Todd opens his mouth to say something, but then suddenly turns serious. He looks solemnly to Giselle, "You're right. I'm sorry. I had no right to suggest that you have dirty laundry at home. I apologize."

Giselle looks at Todd's oh-so-serious face for a moment and bursts into giggles. Rick simply closes his eyes. Oh yes, something is certainly different this morning and he is beginning to get an inkling to what it is.

* * *

The second set went much as the first set had except Rick and Todd won the first game. Todd, ever the clown, strutted around on his side of the net, full of swagger, after their win. "You know they are going to make us pay for that?" Rick said as they settled in for the second game.

"I know ..." Todd replies. 

And pay for it they did, losing the next two games. The men won the fourth game in a squeaker to tie the set at two games apiece but then lost the next four in relative blow-outs. Where Todd was all swagger after the first game, he was the picture of dejection after the last, shoulders slumped, head hanging low, racket almost dragging as he slowly walked off the court. "Woe unto me," Todd wails, "I have been emasculated by own wife." 

"Not to worry," Charlie says sweetly, "I have something at home that will make you feel better."

Todd had nearly reached where the group was putting away their equipment and patting dry with towels when Charlie speaks, causing him to stop his slow dragging walk. After just a moment of thought Todd suddenly appears vibrant and full of energy. "Okay people, let's get a move on!" he says, energetically putting away his equipment.

Rick and Giselle look at one another, Rick not quite able to hold in his chuckle when Giselle winks at him. "Todd," Rick says in mock seriousness, "did you forget to take your meds this morning?"

Todd quickly looks around and, realizing that there is no one within hearing, says quite seriously, "No. I just found something I didn't even know I had lost ... all thanks to you," he says before turning to address Giselle, "Well, you and Giselle." Looking past Giselle Todd sees a couple of guys approaching their court, "I will tell you more about it later, tonight, but I want to tell you both thanks for what you did. Seriously." With that Todd returns to loading his bag and zipping it up. 

Rick and Giselle look at one another, not knowing what to say.

* * *

Rick and Giselle throw their tennis gear into the trunk of Rick's Ford, not bothering to clean up since they came to the game in Rick's everyday car. Had they come in the Aston or Giselle's Audi, that would have been a different matter, but Rick would rather shower at home in private when he can.

"What did you make of those two today?" Rick asks as the car starts.

"I see two people hopelessly in love," Giselle states.

"They weren't like that last week. Or even Wednesday," Rick points out.

"And why do you think that is? Or a better question, what do you think has changed?"

"Okay, I know what you are driving at, but why would that make a difference?" Rick pauses while he backs the car out of the parking spot. "Why would the immersion make him fall in love with Charlie?"

"Remember what he said, 'I found something I didn't even know I had lost ...' or something like that. It didn't make him 'fall in love,' it just ... I don't know ... sparked something in him. Her too."

Rick says nothing, watching for and opening in the traffic. Turning the car right into traffic he accelerates the car smoothly to speed then pushes the autocruise button when the autocruise available light illuminates on the dash, locking the car into the grid embedded in the roadway so he can pay attention to Giselle. Once the car is locked onto grid he releases the wheel, allowing the car to drive itself until he has to take control to exit the autodrive road onto the side roads. "I just don't understand why our immersion would affect them so. I suppose I could understand why he might fall in love with you, but Charlie? I can't get my mind around it."

"You said it yourself. The chip can't read thoughts, only emotions, sensations. He couldn't tell the emotions you were feeling were for me. I suppose at some level he knows, after all it was just the two of us there, but he loves Charlie, so that is where his feelings go."

Rick thinks about what Giselle said. "I get what you are saying. I think. I wonder what happens if there isn't a person for the emotional spillover, for lack of a better term, to attach to?"

"I don't know," Giselle says. "It might be interesting to find out."

"But how?" Rick responds. "Everyone we know is married. At least anyone we know that I would even consider sharing this with." Rick thinks some more. "Actually, there isn't anyone else I would share this with. Todd was hard enough and I have known him forever."

Giselle says nothing, watching the scenery go by outside the car, until finally she says, "You're probably right. I'm not sure I want anyone else to experience it myself." Giselle sits quietly for a few minutes more. "I still think we should have the Roses do an immersion, to see if the emotional impact is there or if you caught something exceptional in our immersion."

Rick disengages the autocruise and takes control of the car, preparing to exit the boulevard onto the side streets. "Now there's an idea I can get behind. Turnabout is fair play."

* * *

Walking into the house ten minutes later Rick begins pulling his shirt off as soon as the door to the garage shuts. Throwing the shirt onto the floor in the laundry room he exclaims, "I reek! You want to take your shower first, or shall I?"

"Are those my only two options?" Giselle asks.

"No ... I suppose not. What else did you have in mind?" Rick asks with a twinkle in his eye.

"I thought you would wash my feet."

"Wash your feet?" Rick asks in surprise. "Uhh ... is there some special procedure to washing your feet?"

"Well ... you start at the top and work your way down," Giselle says, turning toward their bedroom.

"Oh! I think I can handle that."

"I thought you might," Giselle says, pausing in the door to their room and the bathroom beyond.

When Rick arrives in the bath Giselle was just turning on the second showerhead in their two person shower. Rick walks up behind Giselle, takes her in his arms, and kisses her gently on her neck as she tips her head down and to the side to give him better access. Giselle enjoys his attentions for a moment then turns to face him, "You're right. You smell. Into the shower," she says with a gentle push.

Rick removes his shorts, adjusts the water temperature then steps into the shower, pulling the glass door closed. Giselle reopens the door and steps into the shower a moment later, taking her place under the twin streams of hot water. 

Giselle hears the snaps and clicks of the shampoo bottle and as soon as she steps from under the blasts of water she feels Rick's hands in her hair. She turns her back to him and tips her head back a little to help keep the soap from her eyes as he lathers her hair generously before gently turning her and guiding her under the water. Eyes still closed, head back, Giselle feels Rick step in close as he works the soap from her hair. The feel of the soap running down over her breasts, knowing Rick was standing only inches away in front of her, begins to warm her in a way the hot water couldn't. She tips her head back a bit more, letting the water wash any soap from her face, before stepping out from under the strong streams of water and wiping her eyes, looking at Rick as he runs his hand through her hair, making sure no soap remains. 

Seeing Giselle looking at him Rick says, "You said start at the top."

"So I did," Giselle acknowledges.

Rick picks up the soap bar and begins spinning it in his hand, working up a lather. "Eyes closed," he says and she complies. Giselle feels his hands on her face, washing the sweat away, very gentle around her eyes, more vigorous on her forehead, cheeks and neck. "Rinse," Rick commands and Giselle steps back under the water, head back, allowing the water to sluice away the soap, becoming aroused by Rick's attention and slippery feel of his hands upon her wet skin. 

Giselle steps out from under the water and once again wipes her face and eyes as Rick pulls her to him and begins scrubbing her back, his soapy hands on her back and his erect penis pressing into her lower abdomen feeling very nice indeed. Rick scrubs her back, shoulders, ribs and bottom before crouching down and continuing down her legs. Rick kisses her, once, very suggestively, on the stomach as he works his way down her left leg before very gently lifting one foot to wash it. Normally ticklish on her feet, Giselle is surprised that the feel of Ricks fingers on her feet, fingers slithering between toes, didn't tickle, but did make her want to squirm for other reasons. Doing first the left foot then the right, Rick then begins to soap Giselle's right leg, working his way back up her body. Reaching her womanhood Rick stands and works the soap bar between her legs, causing Giselle to gasp and place one hand on his shoulder and the other on the wall for support. He spends only a moment scrubbing her womanhood before continuing with his washing, his soapy hands sliding easily along her body. Rick's hands travel out along the arm on his shoulder, the feeling of his hands sliding on the underside of her arm sending waves of tingles singing through Giselle, causing her to twitch and twist. He switches arms and washes the other from wrist to body, finishing up once again on her shoulders and neck, then down her front to her breasts. Giselle can't take it anymore, Rick's hands causing her to have dirty thoughts while he cleans her. Giselle's right arm, already on Rick's shoulder, wraps around his neck as her left leaves the wall and joins it, pulling him into a soapy embrace. 

Rick continues to wash Giselle's breasts, now pressed tightly to his chest, the soap and water acting as a lubricant, allowing his hands to move easily. As Giselle pulls Rick's mouth to hers for a deep, passionate kiss, Rick's pulls his hands from between their bodies, dropping the soap bar into the dish before putting his hands on her buttocks and pulling her more tightly to him. 

Rick takes a half-step forward, never breaking their kiss, forcing Giselle back under the water. As the water pours over their bodies Giselle breaks their kiss and pulls back from Rick, just a bit, allowing the water to flow between their bodies to wash away the soap before slapping at the shower control, killing both streams of water. Rick looks at her in surprise when the water stops.

Giselle wrings water from her hair, then turns and walks out of the shower. Sensing he isn't following, Giselle turns and looks over her shoulder at him, "Are you coming? I can't do this alone," she says before continuing into the bedroom, dripping the entire way.

Rick uses his hands to wipe the water from his face and squeegee his hair before following Giselle into the bedroom. Giselle is tossing the top linens of their bed into the floor when Rick comes into the room. Turning, Giselle embraces Rick as she settles into the bed, still dripping wet, pulling him into the bed with her. "I need you. Now," she purrs, steering him between her legs.

A good hard game of tennis, especially if she wins, always gets Giselle's juices flowing. Rick would never throw a game for the consolation prize, he was too much of a competitor for that and Giselle would be pissed if she found out, but Giselle's affections made winning all the sweeter and losing not such a bad thing. Rick climbs into the bed and without a word, slides himself into her, Giselle gasping and pulling him down onto her. The house is comfortably cool, chilling the water droplets on Rick's skin, though the coolness of his skin no match for the heat of his passion as Rick begins to thrust himself into Giselle.

Giselle feels Rick slide into her womanhood and the pleasure of his insertion rips through her, causing her to gasp and pull at him. The thrill of not just winning, but dominating Rick and Todd in tennis, along with Rick's oh so pleasurable wash of her body and the delicious contrast of the cool air and Ricks heat has her on edge, in need of release. She kisses Rick on the mouth, neck, chest, everywhere, rubbing his arms, back and buttocks as his thrusts drive her to orgasm. 

Giselle's frantic kissing and stroking fans Rick passions. He stops briefly to reposition himself before driving into her with new speed and force, Giselle's back arching as he pummels her, her hips thrusting to meet his own, making little whimpering noises as her pleasure builds.

Giselle feels Rick reposition himself before he begins his frantic, driving, thrusts, shoving his dick deep inside her, where she wants it, where she needs it. She begins to tense, striving to bring her orgasm, reaching for it, grasping for the release it will bring her. It's there, so close, but she can't reach it. She begins to keen for it, her body growing tense, twisting as the pleasure of Rick's thrusting cock burns through her, Rick hovering above her, using his arms to push himself up, giving him the leverage to drive himself into her with the power she wants. Giselle grabs him around his neck and hauls herself up, clasping herself to him.

Rick feels Giselle's arms snake around him as she pulls herself to him, her soft keening in his ear as she rides her wave of pleasure higher and higher causing him to lose himself in his pleasure as he drives into her, slipping over the edge. Too soon! It has only been a few minutes and his orgasm is building out of control, beyond his ability to stop. Rick's back arches even more as he gives one last thrust into Giselle, driving himself deep, as his cum flows from him.

Giselle is tottering on the edge of her orgasm, holding tight to Rick as she waits for it to crash over her, when Rick's wetness fills her. The heat of his breath on her neck, his deep thrust, held tight to her, the sudden heat and wetness of his release, push her over the edge and she falls, falls deep into her orgasm, quaking as the orgasm rushes through her. She tries desperately to hold to Rick but his still wet skin and her orgasm conspire against her and she falls back to the bed, her back arching, hands pushing against the headboard as she tries to drive him deeper still, her keening changing to a moan. 




The Proposal Ch. 04



Rick feels Giselle fall away from him. At first he is startled, afraid she will hurt herself but realizes as the bed lightly bounces with her impact she had only inches to fall. Giselle grinds her pelvis into him, arching her back and pushing herself down upon him. He relishes the pressure and pushes back with his hips until Giselle relaxes, her orgasm washing away. Rick, still inside her, lowers himself to kiss her on the lips.

Giselle becomes aware of herself again just as Rick's lips meet her own. She holds his biceps as she meets his kiss ardently, allowing the last of her orgasm to flow through her. "God, I needed that!" she whispers as he pulls his mouth from hers. 

"I guess so," Rick says with a smile. "What got into you?"

"I don't know," Giselle responds with a wan smile of her own. "When you started ... washing my feet ... you were driving me crazy."

"I will wash your feet anytime," Rick says, then feeling himself going soft, pulls out of Giselle and settles on the bed beside her.

"Mmmmm ..." Giselle purrs, "I think I will take you up on that," stretching luxuriously, like a cat in a sunbeam. "We need a shower again," she says seductively.

"Shall I wash the lady's feet?" Rick asks mischievously.

Giselle begins to massage his semi-erect penis while kissing him lightly on the lips. "Do you think you are up to it?" she asks.

Rick sucks in a deep breath. Just because he was going soft doesn't mean he couldn't feel that. "Washing your feet, yes. The rest of the service ... I might need a little help," he admits. 

"Mmmm ... I think I will save you for tonight then," Giselle says, voice full of promise as she continues to stoke and tickle Rick's manhood. "But you can still come wash my feet," Giselle says. "If you do a good job, then maybe I will wash yours." Giselle then rolls out of the wet bed and pads into the bath. Rick watches her ass until she disappears into the bathroom, then he follows with a smile.

Giselle is already in the shower, but out of the direct spray of the water as she adjusts the temperature. Rick steps in, shuts the door, and immediately takes up the soap bar. Giselle steps under the dual blast of hot water with a shiver, then steps out again. Rick pulls her to him for support as he vigorously soaps her back from neck to bottom, then turns her around and repeats the procedure on her front. Giselle sighs softly as he gently cleans her womanhood, then putting the soap back in the tray, rubs her soapy body as he kisses her on the neck. 

Giselle reaches a soapy hand behind her and takes Rick's flaccid penis in hand and begins to squeeze and stroke, smearing it around between their soap slickened skin, causing him to twitch slightly. Giselle releases him and turns around, pulling him back to her in a kiss, pulling him under the jets of water with her, washing the soap away. Without breaking the kiss, Giselle turns them around so the water was spraying directly on him, wetting his hair. 

Rick feels himself being turned then the water jets spraying on the back of his head and neck. Giselle pulls away and, pulling him free of the spray, begins to scrub his hair with the soap bar. Once she had a good lather worked up, she drops the bar back into the tray and works his hair clean, using some of the lather to do his face and neck. When he feels her hands drop away he takes a half-step back to allow the water to rinse away the soap. 

While Rick rinses his hair, Giselle again picks up the bar of soap and expertly soaps up Rick's back, the water washing away the soap as soon as she applies it. Rick steps out from under the direct spray of the water as Giselle washes his buttocks, then crouching down, his legs. Upon reaching his ankles Giselle stands up and steps around him to his back. Pushing Rick's arms up to expose his armpits Giselle vigorously washes him to remove any whiff of manliness, before washing his torso. Reaching his crotch, Giselle begins to scrub him with more enthusiasm and at greater length than strictly necessary to simply clean him before stepping from behind him and pushing him back under the water. "Rinse," she commands as she moves the nozzle of the second shower head for her own use. 

When Rick finishes rinsing, Giselle turns her shower nozzle so the streams of water once again intersect, their normal orientation, then steps into Ricks arms, turning her face up for him to kiss. Rick takes her offer and they kiss, gently at first then more passionately, wrapping each other in an embrace, until Giselle pulls her face away and places it on Rick's shoulder. They stand in their embrace, allowing the water to pour over them until the water begins to run cool. 

Stepping from the shower Rick hands Giselle a big fluffy towel, taking a second for himself. After drying Rick scrubs his face with his hands, feeling the beginning of a beard. He hadn't used his depilation in a couple of days, debating with himself on using it now, or waiting until tonight. Rick decides to go ahead and use the cream now in case things got ... hectic ... later tonight. Rick smears his face and neck with the depilation cream, combing his hair before wiping away the cream and his beard with a towel. 

After dressing in comfortable kaki shorts and golf shirt, Rick gathers the bed linens and towels for the wash while Giselle prepared lunch. While the washer was working on those Rick sorts the remaining laundry to make a second load for the washer to include his and Giselle's tennis clothes. As Rick was passing through the kitchen with the second load of clothes, intending to pile them in the floor in front of the washer, Giselle tells him lunch was ready. 

Lunch was light, a chicken salad with almonds and celery served over a bed of fresh lettuce. "After lunch I'm going to run to the office and get the recording equipment so I will have it if Todd and Charlie agree to have an immersion made," Rick says between bites. "I'm not quite sure how to make this work though. I think the key thing in our immersion is we forgot, well, I forgot at least, that the recording was running. I'm not sure how to get the same spontaneity from them."

"Maybe you could record them without them knowing," Giselle suggests with an evil smile. 

Rick looks at her dubiously. 

"Okay, how about this," Giselle suggests. "How about you don't tell them when you will record them?"

"I don't follow."

"Can you set the equipment to record between such and such times on particular day or days? That way you could tell them you are going to record them, but don't tell them which day it will be. After a few weeks they are bound to forget about it ... and there you have it," Giselle explains.

"But, what if they aren't ... uhh ... randy that night?" Rick asks.

"I assume you can check it after it records. If all you get is them fighting or sleeping, whatever, just erase that and set it again."

Rick thinks about it for a minute. "Actually, that's a pretty good idea. I will have to think about how to setup the delay like that, but it shouldn't be that hard to rig something up." Rick looks at her for a moment then says lightly, "Beautiful ... and smart too."

"Well, I married you didn't I?" Giselle teases.

"True. But everyone makes an error in judgment now and then," Rick replies with a smile. 

They finish their meal and Rick clears the table while Giselle loads the dishes into the washer. He make it a point to brush his hand across Giselle's ass each time he walks by behind her until after the third such brush, "You keep that up and we're going to need another shower," Giselle says without looking up from her task.

"Too bad the towels aren't dry," Rick says just before kissing her on the back of her neck. Giselle tips her head down and becomes still as Rick kisses her neck, but before it could turn into anything more, Rick moves on and leaves the room. As much as he would love to see if he had it in him for another roll in the bed, he had things to do if he was going to have the recording equipment ready for this evening.

Rick goes into their bathroom and gets ready to leave for the office, swishing his mouth with the cleaner and performing a few other preparatory tasks. Walking to the garage he notices that Giselle has settled in the family room with a book so he detours to give her a goodbye kiss and promises to be back soon. Returning to the kitchen he once again detours, this time to the laundry room, where he moves the linens from the washer to the drier then loads and starts the washer with the clothes he had dumped in the floor earlier. Finally ready to leave, Rick grabs the keys to the Ford from the pegs by the door and leaves the house.

* * *

Less than an hour later Rick is back home with a case about two feet square and about half that thick containing the recorder, the new, third generation recorder developed by Feedback Alive. Less than a third of the size of the original recorder Rick used to record himself and Giselle, this unit at less than a foot square was compact enough that it could be hidden anywhere, and with its mutable color plastic case, stylish enough that it didn't need to be. Also in the case were the four receiver panels used to capture the immersion if the unit was being operated as a standalone unit. The panels, about the size of a bath towel, were also made from mutable color plastic but were thin and pliable enough to be folded like cloth.

Rick brings the case into the family room where Giselle sits, apparently exactly as he left her, but he notices that her hair was now neatly combed and her makeup lightly applied. He quietly places the case on the floor by a chair and gives Giselle a kiss. She returns it readily enough but seems distracted by her book.

Giselle is an avid reader. While more and more books are being converted to, or released as, net downloads, Giselle still preferred to read the book herself, enjoying the process of reading as much as the satisfaction of finishing a good story. "The journey is the reward," she once said to a colleague who couldn't understand why Giselle would want to spend days or weeks with a reader in her hand when she could download the book off the net and have "read" the story in less than a second. 

Giselle wasn't above accepting reading materials as a download. Being able to download case law rather than spending hours upon hours in research was a boon to lawyers everywhere, but that was work. Reading for pleasure, that was something to be savored and enjoyed, not rushed through.

Rick watches Giselle read for a moment, still as a statue except for an occasional movement of one finger as she turns the page. Her reader, the latest in a long line of readers she has owned, is the latest in transportable readers. Collapsed the reader was about the same size and shape as a woman's lipstick tube. Pulling the ends of the tube extends its length. The reading film is then pulled from the side and with a slight twist of the wrists the film to goes rigid, giving a reading area about the size of a traditional hardbound book. Reversing the process collapses the whole thing down to a size that Giselle can drop in her pocket. It was an amazing piece of engineering kit that Rick admires greatly.

Giselle feels Rick watching her and without looking up from her book asks, "Don't you have some work to do?"

Rick laughs lightly. "Yes. Yes I do. I was just momentary captivated by your beauty," he says. Actually, the statement isn't that far from the truth. For reasons Rick can't easily explain, when Giselle slips her glasses on she become even more appealing to him. Giselle isn't impressed with Rick's flattery and looks at him, over those sexy glasses, with an "Oh, please," look. Chucking at Giselle's look, Rick leaves Giselle to her book and goes to their bedroom where he removes his shoes, noticing the bed is neatly made and the bath linens are hung tidily in place.

Returning to the family room Rick unpacks the recorder and sets it up on the floor beside his immersion couch but leaves the receiver panels in the case, the home's receiver will pick up his signal so the panels won't be needed. "Leave the laundry. I need that for a check later," he says before zoning out to get some work done.

Forty-five minutes later Rick comes back from the net. Giselle still sits in her chair, apparently unmoved, except her legs are now tucked under her facing the other way. Rick checks the time and sets the timer interface to start in thirty seconds. He then gets up from the couch and empties the dryer of the laundry, carrying it to the bedroom where he puts it away. Rick then returns to the family room and checks the time. Two more minutes until the timer ends the immersion recording he is making of his activities. Rick saunters over to Giselle and, crouching behind her chair, proceeds to kiss her on the back of the neck. 

"What are you doing?" Giselle asks.

"It's all part of the test," Rick replies.

"Uh-huh," Giselle grunts, but she doesn't object further to his tender kisses.

After a little more than two minutes of nibbling on Giselle's neck, Rick rises and goes back to the couch. "Let me see if this worked," he says before taking on the thousand yard stare.

Rick is gone for ten minutes then comes back into focus. "It worked," he said. "Now if Charlie and Todd agree to be recorded, I can set it and forget it."

Giselle says nothing for several seconds, then with a practiced movement collapses her reader and places it on the table. "Did Charlie or Todd tell us what we are having for dinner?" she asks Rick.

"No. They said not to bring anything, but they didn't actually say what we were having."

Giselle fades out for about thirty seconds then comes back. "We're having Charlie's lasagna," Giselle said. "She still said not to bring anything, but I think a nice bottle of white wine wouldn't be out of order, do you?"

"Do you have something in mind?" Rick asks. What he knows about wine he could write on his little fingernail. When he drinks wine he drinks what Giselle tells him to drink because she knows what she is talking about and he doesn't. 

"Mmmm ... no," Giselle says, "but I'm sure I could find something at Alberto's." Fortunately Alberto's, Giselle's favorite wine shop was, more or less, on the way to the Rose's.

"Well ..." Rick begins in mock seriousness, "I guess if you asked nicely I could be persuaded to stop on the way," though he knows full well they are stopping whether Giselle asks nicely or not. 

Giselle rises slowly out of her chair and with a slightly enhanced swing to her walk, slowly walks to Rick. Kneeling down in front of him she puts one hand on his inner thigh near his crotch and leans in close, placing her lips near his ear. "If you would agree to stop at Alberto's ... I would be sooo grateful," Giselle purrs into his ear, her voice dripping sex. 

Rick pulls back and looks at his wife in surprise. Giselle has always had a reserved sexiness about her but this was pure sex-bomb. 

"How was that?" Giselle asks brightly.

Rick starts to say something but words fail him.

Giselle answers the unasked question. "Charlie. I've been practicing!"

Rick finally finds his voice. "Oh. Well, okay. But do that anymore, okay?"

Giselle looks crestfallen. "Okay, but why?"

"Because, Giselle," Rick says gently, "I can't be walking around with a boner all the time."

Giselle looks at him in confusion for a moment then smiles brightly. "I was good, huh?"

"Uhh ... yeah," Rick says, drawing out the last word. "What, where ..." but then he stops.

"I told you, Charlie," Giselle explains, rising up. "She picked me up for lunch a couple of weeks ago and when we came out of the restaurant it was pouring. We were in Charlie's car so I assumed we would make a dash for it but she turned around and went back into the restaurant. When she came back she said, 'Wait here a minute. Donnie is going to bring the car up.' I'm thinking, 'who is Donnie' when our waiter shows up, takes Charlie's keys, and brings the car up right outside the door. Poor guy was soaked, but he positively beamed as Charlie thanked him. I thought I was going to pee I was trying so hard not to laugh. Once we were in the car I laughed my ass off at the way she played him. Charlie didn't understand why I thought it was so funny. As she said, 'You can get a lot if you just know how to ask.' And Charlie certainly knows how to ask. When she thanked that guy she didn't do or say anything much different than I would, but the way she said it ... it made me want her and I'm not even a lesbian. Anyway, on the way back to the office she gave me a few pointers. I've been waiting on a chance to try it out on you."

Rick stands up beside her. "Well ... I think you learned the lesson well. But I hope you know that all you have to do is ask, right? I would do anything for you. You know that right?"

"I know, Rick. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that to a perfect stranger like Charlie does, but I wanted to see if I could do it, see how you would react. I thought it would be fun. You didn't like it?"

"I didn't say that," Rick says. "I didn't say that at all. And hell yes I liked it. But I wanted you to know that you didn't have to act, be someone you're not, not with me." Rick picks up her left hand, holding it so she can see the ring he had given her. "I meant it when I told you that you were flawless." Rick holds her hand for just a moment before kissing her fingers near the ring.

"I know Rick," Giselle says softly, "I know."

"Will you do me one small favor?" Rick asks, almost as quietly.

"Of course. Anything." Giselle says.

"Will you do that to Todd tonight? I want to see his, and Charlie's, reaction."

Giselle begins to giggle and pulls her hand from his. "We'll see."

A few hours later Rick and Giselle arrive at the Rose's, a pair of chilled bottles of white wine in hand. They had come in the Aston with Giselle at the wheel. The Aston was an old-fashioned car that had none of the modern telemetrics such as autocruise and collision avoidance, but Rick loved this car like no other. Purchased as present to himself with stock from NIT, the 2010 Aston Martin DBS, though more than seventy years old, still exuded sex appeal like no other car. 

Rick pinged Todd as they turned into the drive and Todd told them he had unlocked the doors and for them to come straight in, dinner was almost ready. Even though Todd has told them to come in, Rick still rapped the door and stuck his head with a "Hello!" before entering the house. He didn't think he would ever be comfortable simply striding into some else house, invited or not. 

Todd, knowing Rick would be hesitant to enter their house unless greeted, was in the kitchen and waved them in as soon as Rick's head appeared in the door. Giselle followed Rick into the house and as Charlie strode into the kitchen, pleasantries were exchanged about the wine and the wonderful smell of Charlie's lasagna. Charlie's grandmother was Italian, or partially Italian, Giselle wasn't sure which and Charlie had learned to cook at her grandmother's knee, making some of the best Italian dishes Giselle has ever tasted. 

Todd offers Rick a beer, which he declines in lieu of water with a slice of lemon. Rick would have a glass of wine with dinner so Giselle wouldn't look at him funny, but he would stick mostly to water tonight. Rick took his driving seriously, knowing that if they were involved in a crash and Giselle were hurt he would never forgive himself, especially if he weren't as sharp as he could be. 

Twenty minutes after arriving, Rick and Giselle were sitting down with Charlie and Todd at a four person table draped in a white cloth. In addition to the lasagna, Charlie had prepared a zesty Italian dressing for their salads and homemade garlic butter for the bread. Todd pointed out that it was he that went to the store and purchased the bread, sliced it, and spread it with the garlic butter before Charlie placed it the oven to warm and everyone complimented him profusely on a job well done. And so the meal went, full of laughter and conversion. Rick has to admit Giselle knew her wines as the full bodied Italian white she selected complemented the lasagna perfectly, but he still limits himself on one glass. 




The Proposal Ch. 04



After the meal, while Todd scurries about the kitchen cleaning up, Rick props on the counter while the ladies talk and laugh in the other room, telling tales about Todd and himself Rick suspects. Rick and Todd chat about this and that, Todd doing most of the talking. Rick always likes hearing about Todd's work which seems so much more interesting than his own rather dull work. 

As Todd finishes the last of the cleanup and starts the dishwasher, he pulls a beer from the refrigerator and silently offers it to Rick but when Rick shakes his head no Todd twists the lid off for himself. Todd, leaning back against the counter as Rick was doing, begins, "Rick, I want to thank you again for sharing the immersion. I know it wasn't easy for you, but I really do appreciate it."

"Yeah, about that," Rick says. "Giselle and I talked about it on the way home. What did you mean 'you found something you didn't even know you lost?' Oh, and you're welcome."

"It's kind of hard to describe, but what I meant was that after your immersion I remembered what it was like when I first fell in love with Charlie. I didn't even realize how ... taking her for granted maybe ... I was until that immersion reminded me of how strong an emotion love can be. I thought I loved her before ... but now ..." Todd trails off. "It was amazing. Try to hold onto that feeling. I think it leaks away a little bit over time, so slowly you don't even realize it. Until you get that feeling again."

Rick looks at Todd, "I don't know what to say."

"Nothing to say. I am just thankful that I have the feelings back. So thanks buddy. I really mean it."

"Well ..." Rick begins, "I'm glad ... uhhh ... I could help?"

Todd chuckles and takes another sip of beer. "I'll take that. You did help, even if you didn't know you were at the time." Todd pauses again, before continuing, "And another thing. I know what Charlie means about being able to read Giselle's thoughts. I know you say it isn't possible, but I swear I knew what you were thinking. Like how you felt unworthy when Giselle didn't accept right away. How's does that happen?"

"How did you know that?" Rick asks, more sharply than he intended.

"I told you. I felt like I could read your thoughts. When Giselle just sat there I could feel myself begin to burn. I remember thinking how stupid I felt asking her to marry me. It was ... uncanny. Not like any immersion I have ever had before."

"I guess," Rick begins slowly, trying to work it out, "that given the situation, that flush of fear could only be interpreted one way, the fear of rejection. But that's pretty deep and subtle stuff," Rick finishes. 

"You're the expert," Todd says. "All I know is that was the most amazing immersion I have ever experienced. Charlie and I tried an adult immersion once. No, not adult immersion, it was porn. And yeah, it got my blood flowing, but it left me flat somehow. Like watching people neck. Interesting to look at, but you really don't feel anything. Your immersion, however, when I came out of that, I had an entirely new outlook on my marriage. I suddenly found myself more in love with Charlie than ever, or at least for as long as could remember." 

"I wonder why that is?" Rick asks aloud, not really expecting Todd to answer.

"Oh, that's easy," Todd says. "In porn the people are simply there doing a job. A pleasant job, a fun job, but a job nonetheless. There is no connection between them. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am, where's my paycheck? That's porn. Yours, I don't know what to call it, adult maybe, is as different from porn as War and Peace is from nursery rhymes. The sex, that's only a part, a small part, of it. It's the ... connection ... between you and Giselle that ... makes it what it is." 

Rick thinks about what Todd has said. "Shall we join the ladies?" Rick finally asks, to have something to say.

"I think that is a good idea," Todd answers. "No telling what lies Charlie is telling about me in there," he adds with a grin. As the two men round the corner and enter the comfortable den Charlie and Giselle look at them and suddenly stop talking. "See what I mean?" Todd says to Rick with a grin.

"What?" Charlie asks

"Nothing, sweetheart," Todd replies, "Just an observation I made to Rick in the kitchen."

The men sit down next to their wives, Todd on the couch with Charlie and Rick in chair across a small table from Giselle. Rick notices that as soon as Todd settles on the couch Charlie leans in a bit closer. 

Looking at Todd, Charlie says, "Giselle was just telling me how she and Rick want an immersion of our lovemaking and ..."

"What?" Todd interrupts loudly.

"Giselle and Rick, our best friends, you know, the ones that shared their most intimate moment with us? They would like an immersion of our lovemaking to see how it affects them," Charlie says as if Todd were a little slow. "It's an experiment, to see if our immersion affects them as profoundly as theirs affected us. I said sure. I would like to have the immersion anyway. For a little pick-me-up if we need it in a few years."

Todd hesitates, clearly torn. "I don't know, Charlie. It's kind of personal, you know?"

"More personal than the immersion from Rick?" Charlie asks rhetorically. 

"No, of course not. But ..." Todd's voice trails off.

Giselle looks at Rick then moves to crouch down front of Todd. "Todd ... would you please do this ... for me. It would mean a great deal to me," Giselle says using the same seductress voice she used on Rick earlier in the day. 

Todd's mouth drops open slightly as looks at Giselle. The room is quiet for a moment before Charlie begins to splutter then bursts into full laughter. "Damn girl! You're good!" Charlie exclaims, drawling out the first word.

Giselle waits, looking into Todd's eyes until finally he relents. "I'm sorry. Of course. I don't know what I was thinking. I was just caught a little off guard I guess."

Giselle rises up and kisses Todd on the cheek, "Thank you. It does mean a lot to me that would do this," she says normally before returning to her chair.

Todd looks at Rick with exaggerated expression of surprise as he fans his face with his hand and tugs at his collar as if hot. 

Rick grins lopsidedly back at him then stands up. "I'll be right back," he says before leaving the room to fetch the recorder. A few minutes later he returns, case in hand. "This is the recorder," he says as he unpacks the unit. Plugging it into the electrical outlet he waits for it boot before continuing. "Okay. The unit is online. You should see it on your net." He waits while both Charlie and Todd zone out to check. 

Todd is first back. "I see it," he says.

"Good. You and Charlie go ahead and log on." Rick waits until both Charlie and Todd access the machine.

"Done." Charlie and Todd say almost together.

"Okay. The unit is ready to record. You will be logged in automatically when you come into the house. You will need to open a hole in the house's firewall for me so I can access the machine from outside the home, to check on it occasionally, but other than that it is a self-contained unit." Rick explains.

"I've opened a port in the firewall," Todd says.

"Okay. Now, when do you normally ... uhhh ..."

"At night. After we go to bed," Charlie supplies so Rick doesn't have to continue. "We normally turn in about ten-thirty or eleven."

Rick's eyes defocus for a few seconds. "You're all set. I have set the machine to record from ten until one, one night in the next two weeks. If you need longer than that let me know and I will extend the time."

Charlie laughs and Todd says, "I wish."

"I can't record every night because the unit doesn't have that much capacity ... and besides, I think a key part of this is to not knowing the unit is recording. It makes things more ... natural, like candid pictures are usually better than posed pictures."

"So what night are you recording?" Charlie asks, missing the point.

"I'm not going to say," Rick says. "Just one night, between ten and one, in the next two weeks." 

"You know, that brings up an interesting question," Todd says. "Why did you record you and Giselle on the beach that night? It's so unlike you."

Rick begins to blush. "It was a field test of our first recorder," Rick explains. "I told Giselle that I was going to record our dinner on the beach. She didn't know about the proposal. Then I ... uhhh ... forgot the recorder was running," Rick said sheepishly. 

"As did I," Giselle offers. "By the time we finished eating I didn't think about it again until Rick mentioned it. You should have seen his face. I wish we had left that in the immersion, but Rick cut that part out."

"I was just sick," Rick takes up the story again. "I just knew Giselle would be mad. She surprised me though. I was going to erase it but she convinced me to keep it. All of it. She said she wanted to remember that night when she was a hundred."

Charlie looks at Todd. "Now you see why I want this?" she asks.

Todd nods slowly. "Yeah, I can see that I guess. It's like we're newlyweds again. Or at least I feel like that. In a few years we can take another hit off the loooove machine to spice things up again." Todd is quiet for a moment before adding, "I'm starting to warm up to this idea," he admits. 

"If you don't mind sharing, I want to experience your immersion to see how it affects me," Rick says. "I admit I don't understand how, or why, you say our immersion is so ... powerful. But you say you feel like newlyweds, so maybe it just that the emotions are unusually strong? I don't know but it will be interesting to find out." Rick pauses then looks at Charlie, "In the name of scientific progress of course," he adds. 

"Of course," Charlie acknowledges. "Now," Charlie says, clearly changing the subject, "I want to ask you a favor."

Rick's groan caused Giselle to giggle. "What is it Charlie?" Giselle asks.

"I think you have something special in this immersion. I remember how Rick said once that his company needed a breakthrough, a blockbuster I think was the term he used, immersion to put the company on the map." Charlie looks at Rick, "Do you remember that?"

"No," Rick says, "but the statement is true enough."

"Okay," Charlie says. "I think you are looking at your 'blockbuster' right here. Think about it. Beautiful woman, good looking guy, romantic setting, incredible sex ... I mean, my God, I have never cum as hard as Giselle did in that immersion, ever ... I'm telling you there isn't a woman alive that won't want to experience this." 

"No. No way in hell," Rick says firmly. 

"Just listen for a minute," Charlie says just as firmly. "All I want to do is let a couple of my girls, people that don't know you and Giselle from Tom's house cat, experience Giselle's immersion, if she is willing of course. I want to know if the power of the immersion is because Todd and I know and love you both, of if it affects a perfect stranger the same way. I suspect it will."

"Giselle and I are not starring in a porno immersion, Charlie. Forget it!" Rick says, his voice hard.

Charlie meets his steel with some of her own. "If you don't want to do it that's fine, but don't you dare call that porn. It most certainly is not porn. I don't know what to call it, but isn't porn." Charlie's voice softens, "Rick, it's wonderful. It is ... I can't even describe it. Giselle was so ... vibrant, so alive. I am, and always have been, very happy with Todd, my marriage. Life. But imagine all the women who have never had what I have. What you and Giselle have. Think of the joy you could bring them, even if it is only a fantasy. Sometimes fantasy is all you have." 

"Charlie I understand what you are saying, but ..." Rick's voice tails off.

"Rick, think of Giselle, if she hadn't found you, the way she felt after her first marriage." Charlie turns to Giselle. "What would have given after your first marriage to feel like you feel now, if only for a short while?"

"Anything," Giselle says almost in a whisper. 

"That's low, Charlie," Rick growls.

"It's not low, Rick. It's the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts. Life sucks sometimes. I see it all the time in models. They are hunted and bagged like trophies. I have two girls, just two, that I want to experience this immersion. One of them is ... hurt, Rick, but neither have been as lucky as me. As Giselle. I want to give them something, even if it is just hope that someday they will find someone that will care for them for something other than their looks or as bragging rights. I was incredibly lucky when I found Todd and didn't have to deal with that, but not everyone is as lucky." Charlie pauses as she gathers her thoughts. "Rick, I'm not going to try to make you do this. Or you Giselle," Charlie says, looking into Giselle's eyes, "I just want you to think about it, okay?" As Rick watches he can see Charlie tear up. "There are a lot of damaged women out there that you and Giselle could bring a little spark of happiness to. So just think about it, okay? That's all I ask."

Rick is touched by her compassion. "Why is this so important to you?" he asks.

Charlie sniffs once and wipes her eyes. "Because Rick, I have been modeling for more than twenty years and I have seen a lot of women get sucked into the whole drug, sex and rock and roll scene, mostly because, I think, they never found anyone who loved them, only people that wanted to use them." Charlie looks at Todd. "Do you remember Tip?"

"I remember," Todd said quietly. 

"Tip?" Giselle asks.

"Tip, Madeline Tipton, Tip to her friends. She was my best friend ... a long time ago," Charlie says quietly.

"Tip hung herself," Todd explains. "She left a note. It was sad. Basically she got tired of being treated as a sex object. I remember the last line of her note said, something like, 'All I want is someone to love me.' Something like that."

Rick looks to Giselle, seeing the tears in her eyes. "I know how she feels," Giselle tells Rick. "I felt the same way for a long time after Jonathan." Giselle clears her throat and says more forcible to Charlie. "I'm okay with the idea, so long as Rick is." Giselle looks to Rick. "I'm not going to ask you to do this. This has to be your decision and yours alone."

Rick looks to Todd for support, for guidance. Rick thinks it odd that he would even care what Todd thinks, but he realizes he does. "What do you think?" Rick asks him. 

"I think you should do what you feel is right. Charlie and I talked about this last night. This will be the only time this subject comes up." Todd looks directly at Charlie, "Isn't that right?" he says in a tone harder than Rick has ever heard him use with her.

Charlie looks first at Rick then at Giselle. "Yes," she says. "Your friendship is more important to me than some immersion." She then looks at Rick and smiles weakly, "Just pretended to think about it before you turn me down, okay?"

"I'll do you one better. Giselle and I will talk about it tonight and I will give you an answer tomorrow. Okay?"

Charlie sniffs again. "Thank you," she says to Rick and then looks to Giselle, "Thank you for understanding," she says. "No matter what, thank you for understanding."

Rick looks to Todd who says, "It was a rough couple of months after Tip. Charlie took it hard."

"I haven't thought about Tip in years," Charlie says, gathering her composure. "But when I started talking to you about this it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, if Tip had access to the immersion she might still be here." Charlie wipes her eyes again and then laughs. "Some dinner party, huh?"

"Good times," Rick says with a smile.

"I'm glad you felt you could talk to us about this. We'll," Giselle glances at Rick, "talk about this and let you know."

Charlie nods once in acknowledgement then says, "I need another glass of wine. Giselle?"

Giselle nods once, "Please," she says.

"I'll get it," Todd says standing up. "Sit down Charlie, I'll bring it." As he walks by Rick he gives a slight jerk of his head toward the kitchen and Rick follows.

Once out of easy earshot Todd turns to Rick, "Don't let her bully you. You do what you think is right," Todd says, pulls glasses from the cabinet as he talks. "If you don't want to do this, she'll understand. Really. You and Giselle are our best friends and this isn't worth losing your friendship over, and she knows it."

"I don't remember this Tip. When was this?" Rick asks as Todd begins to fill the glasses.

"About ten years ago I guess. Maybe a little more or less. We never told you about it. Nothing you could to do, so why burden your friends. Man that was tough. Seemed like Charlie cried all the time."

"About ten years ago? I remember this. I thought I had done something to piss you guys off because you got so distant," Rick says, realization dawning.

"Yeah. Sorry about that. But Charlie was a mess," Todd says quietly, remembering how helpless he felt. "Tip was the sweetest woman in the world. I guess we were in our mid-twenties, and Tip was a little older, maybe thirty. And she was stunning, I mean just drop dead gorgeous. But she had simply horrible luck with men. There were a couple of those assholes whose asses I wanted to kick, personally and with great enthusiasm. I know that she and Charlie had more than one conversion about why Tip couldn't find someone to love her like Charlie had."

"There is no doubt that we can be real assholes," Rick says, referring to men in general.

Todd chuckles softly. "Don't I know it. Anyway, I told Tip she needed to find an accountant or banker or someone like that. You know what she told me? Men like that wouldn't ask her out. They were intimidated by her I guess. In any case it was a constant round-robin of men in her life. At least she was strong enough to not let them abuse her. I wanted to introduce you to her but Charlie was against that. I think she was afraid of what might happen if it didn't work out."

"Was she high maintenance? Could that have been part of the problem?" Rick asks, interested now.

"I don't know. I wouldn't think so. Giselle reminds me of her in so many ways. Soft spoken, quiet. Not demanding, you know? At least that is the way she was when she was around me." Todd picks up the glasses and turns toward the den. "I thought Charlie was past this, but I guess not. I know she felt guilty over Tip's death, like she failed her somehow." Todd stops before entering the den and looks to Rick. "Let's keep this conversation between us, okay?"

"What conversation?" Rick says with a smile.

Todd smiles back, nods once, and continues into the den. Todd hands a glass to Giselle then the other to Charlie. "You okay?" he asks Charlie before kissing her on top of the head.

"Yes, I'm fine," Charlie says, sounding almost normal. She then looks at Rick. "Rick, I'm sorry. I had no right to ask what I did. Please forgive me and forget I said anything."

"No, no. I gave you my word. Giselle and I will talk about it. But you won't hold it against me if I turn you down?"

"No. I would never do that," Charlie says with a small laugh. "I'm just glad you aren't mad at me for being such a pushy bitch."

Rick laughs. "Charlie," Rick says, drawing her name out, "half the decisions in my life you made for me. Where would I be if you were any other way?" Rick gives Charlie an evil smile and then turns to Giselle. "Would you like to know the first thing Charlie said to me after you met them?"

"Rick Chamfer! Don't you dare!" Charlie says loudly.

Rick continues on as if he hadn't heard. "We hadn't even gotten in the car yet before Charlie pings me and says, 'If you let this one get away I will kick you right in the balls.' What could I do? I had to marry you then."

Giselle looks at Charlie quizzically. 

Charlie, blushing furiously, says, "What can I say. I liked you."




The Proposal Ch. 04



"So…come here often?"

"As often as they let me in." She turned, putting her back face to face with the young paramour, and inches between them.

"Want to come here again tomorrow?"

"I take it this is the part where you ask me to come with you, huh?"

"Yeah, basically."

"I'm here now."

"Listen…" He put his hands on her hips, pulling her close. "We could just skip it all. You're damn hot, and you know it. You look hot in this dress, and those heels are out of control. So how about we go back to my place just up the road from here, I've got music, booze, and I'll rock your world."

"What's the longest you've ever eaten a girls pussy?"

"Huh?"

"You muff dive, don't you?"

"Yeah, yeah! Of course I do!" He was unsettled, and she could see it. But he caught himself fast, pulling her closer. "Is that what it takes?"

"A lot of it. If you want to get between these legs."

"Thirty minutes."

She threw her head back, laughing out loud.

He saw her laugh, his hand tightening on the bottle. Rick saw it, too, and looked over at the man that he considered his boss and friend. Looking over at Jessica, she gave him a subtle no sign, and he looked back out to the floor.

"You've never eaten anybody out for thirty minutes."

"Never been with anybody as hot as you."

"You're girlfriend would not be happy to hear that."

"What makes you say I have one?"

"Educated guess." She was sliding in his arms now, side to side, moving away from him again, something he was fighting by pulling against her. But the song stopped, creating a natural pause in their movement, which she used to put space between them. She had seen Jonathan out of the corner of her eye, and she had to go.

"Listen, Jack, you seem like a really nice guy. If you want, I can introduce you to a friend of mine over there. But you have nothing to offer me. Thanks for the dance, and enjoy the drink." She shoved the cup back into his hand, gave him a million watt smile, and almost ran over to her daddy.

Jonathan saw her coming, but she was way faster through the crowd then he figured she could be in heels and the red and black dress, so suddenly she was there, jumping into his arms, her tits mashing into him.

"Daddy!" Kissing him all over, she sucked his tongue, tapping his lips with her stud. It tickled, and he tried to pull back, but she was having none of that. "What took you so long?"

"I've been over here watching you."

"Like the show?"

"Not really." The tone of his voice told her everything, so she backed off for a second, looking into his eyes. The second she did, he felt bad. He knew she meant no harm, and her enthusiasm was infectious. 

"Come on, I want to do something for you." Grabbing his hand, she dragged him from the room.

The hallway was a massive, two story affair, painted in green for reasons that only the owners understood, with various arcade games sprinkled throughout, two bathrooms for either sex, and entrances to the three bars. They turned right out of the Tikki Torch, and headed down the hall towards the Jukebox, sliding inside. She pushed him into a chair, kissed him on the forehead, then disappeared.

He looked around, but then she was back, putting another beer before him, and was gone again. He wanted to ask what was going on, but she did not wait, so he looked up at the stage instead. Jukebox's gimmick was Karaoke, and at the moment a very drunk man was doing his rendition of Elvis Presley's Ghetto. Horrid.

Leaning back into his seat, he waited, having a rough idea of what was to come. Elvis got done, and almost fell of the stage into the arms of his screaming and applauding friends. The lights dimmed a bit, then a single large spotlight hit a spot in the center of the stage.

She walked on, and from where he sat, the light on her did nothing but amplify her beauty. She was breathtaking to him, and he watched every ripple of her muscle, the soft shake of her hips, the strut in her legs as she walked to the mike. The music started and he did not recognize it, but he knew her voice when she started to sing.

While Amber had many talents, singing was not necessarily amongst them. But he got the message, knew she was signing for him, knew that she was looking right at him, knew that she meant the words of the song, was trying to tell him through the song. Something got in his eye, and he blinked it away, listening to everybody around him clap. She was back at his side, and he pulled her close, kissing her hard and fast. She clamped onto him, their lips locked, tongues dancing, until they were out of breath.

"I love you Jonathan."

"I know. God, I know. I love you, too."

They walked back over to Tikki hand in hand, a smile on both their faces. She didn't have to ask, they just walked onto the dance floor, and she went crazy. His only role was to face in the general direction she was in, and let her do whatever it was she wanted to. It was more a show for him then anything else, and he greatly enjoyed it. But even so, the movement that was involved wore him out, so he excused himself after several songs to go get a new beer, having abandoned his previous two each time before he could even drink half.

She stayed on the dance floor, not wanting to waste the energy she felt after her little rendition of "Underneath your clothes." She had figured that he would not know the song, but that helped, since it meant he would listen to the words to hear what they were, his analytical mind not allowing anything else, and would hear the message. It was almost too easy sometimes, and she loved it!

She was so caught up in it that she did not realize that Jack had approached her again, until he was right there, dancing with her.

"Hello again. Want to meet my friend?"

"Naah, I want to talk to you."

"I'm not buying what you're selling." She turned around, moving away, but he came around, and was in front again.

"Hold on, hold on. Come on little firecracker, give me a chance. I saw the guy you are with, what's he got that I don't?"

"Big dick, hurricane tongue, and a BMW 745."

"This about money?"

"No, the tongue is more important."

He took another step closer, putting his hands back on her waist, and moving with her. He could easily keep up with her on the dance floor, and she smiled up at him, giving encouragement and hope to boy who was drawing the wrong conclusions from her movements.

"Seriously…give me thirty minutes, and I'll take you places he can't dream of matching."

"I give you ten seconds to get the fuck away from me." She turned again, but he grabbed her wrist to stop her. 

She saw Jonathan coming towards her, saw Rick behind him, rising and flexing to his full height. And she knew that she could have just twisted her wrist and he would have let go. Knew that it was not in the kid behind her to actually do anything. But it pissed her off.

She was pissed at her family, at her mother for giving him shit. She was pissed at Jonathan for being so afraid of losing her. She was pissed at the idiot behind her for trying to ruin her night. But above all, she was pissed at herself. Pissed that she had let it get to this point again, pissed that this was so difficult, and pissed that she was pissed.

So there was only one thing to do, and she knew what it was. Jack never saw it coming, but she spun on the tip of her high heeled shoe, stepped forward as if to kiss him, yanking on her wrist to pull him towards her, and then smashed her forehead straight into his nose, feeling it crack underneath the assault of the hardest bone in her body against one of the softest in his.

Jack screamed out, stumbling backwards, his hands covering his face, blood squirting out between his fingers. The kid was a bleeder, wailing like a pig now as he tripped over his own feet, falling to the ground. She had taken two steps forward, following him instinctively to make sure he was down, but Jonathans arms pulled her back into the anonymous embrace of the crowd, away from the opening hole around the fallen suitor.

"Can't take you anywhere, can I?"

"You could take me home, and let me work of some of this frustration."

"Your wish is my command." He kissed the back of her neck, and pulled her from the club, knowing fully well how she intended to work herself out.

"I didn't know you were such a brawler." Tammy was twirling the glass of OJ in her hand, making the orange liquid squish around and up the sides, her eyes tracking Amber as she paced back and forth beyond the counter that separated kitchen from living room.

"Whatever. I should have never let it go that far. I wanted you to meet him, he was kinda cute, but I sent some wrong signals, I can see that now. I should have never let it come to that."

"Why not? I think it turns Jonathan on when you are at your most violent."

That gave Amber pause, and she looked up from her path on the floor to her friend, weighting her words in her mind. "You think so?"

"You always come back telling me about how you guys have great sex afterwards."

"We always have great sex."

"I don't know if it is normal for couples to have great sex after the woman goes out and gets into a fight with somebody."

"Why would it not be?"

Tammy shrugged, took another sip of OJ, and set the glass down to attack her bagel again. "Anyways, when do I get to see this boat of his?"

"Next weekend, if you want to come."

"You guys aren't going to screw like rabbits all weekend, are you?"

"Oh yeah!"

The Club was packed, so they had to move from their regular table upstairs to one of the small affairs that dotted the space around the bar, meaning that between four beer bottles and four lunch plates, there was little room for anything else, and they were a bit closer then usually. But they leaned in a lot to whisper as if conspiring, and looked around suspiciously. All a bit silly for four fully-grown men, but what else did they have going?

"I'm telling you, we should switch up!" Markus was more guilty of it then anybody else, at that moment basically blowing across the top of his beer bottle, to once again emphasize that their current golf pairings were bullshit.

"No way. That would mean that bad and bad would be together." Randy was adamant.

"I can't believe we are talking about this. You are just upset that your infamous line drive failed you, and you hit it in the rough."

"You said you would never mention that again." The voice of the lawyer was pure acid.

Jonathan shrugged. "I lied. I'm not Catholic, I can do that."

Markus shot him daggers, and changed the subject. "So now that you've been with Ms Mathews for almost a damn year, when are you guys getting married?"

The table got deathly silent, and everybody looked at Jonathan, who at that moment could have reached across and strangled his close friend. Finishing the piece of chicken that he was currently chewing, he put down his knife and fork, then looked around to make sure they were not being listened to by anybody, he leaned in closer.

"Not a word. I'm trying to think of a way to ask her."

"What?" Morrison could not believe his ears. "Why?"

"Why do you think, you idiot!" Randy wanted to slap him, but resisted the urge.

"Trip to Paris." Markus was the only one trying to be helpful.

"Why do you want to marry the cow to get the milk?" Morrison was still in shock.

"You are really retarded, you know that?" Randy did reach up to slap him, but his friend swatted the hand away.

"Or if you want something different, you could backpack across Europe, but that makes you look like you are trying to much. Play to your strengths, my dad told me." Markus had to think about it for a second, leaning back and scratching behind his right ear, always a sign of deep thought.

"You know, I mean I like the girl and all, good girl, so don't take this wrong…but she'll keep giving it up without a ring."

"That's it!" Randy almost lunged across the table, his hands latching onto Morrison's throat, and squeezing as sugar and salt packets went everywhere. Markus let it go on for a couple of seconds, then sucker punched Randy in the kidney, sending him back into his chair.

"Well…thank you that you guys are so passionate about this. But I've told you guys how I feel about her, and I think I want to be with her forever."

"Which in your case will only be about another twenty years or so."

"Why are we friends again?"

"Aspen?"

"I told you I own a house up there."

"I didn't think that meant we would actually ever go! Who does that?"

"What, visit the houses they own?"

"Own multiple homes!"

"People that can afford it do."

"No kidding. Let's be real. People don't fly to their multiple homes in their private jet."

"Why not?"

"Because! That would almost make this a fairy tale, and the sex in fairy tales is not nearly as good as this."

"How would you know? I've seen a porn or two in my time with fairly tale themes."

"Really?" That surprised her. She had never found porn in his home, and she had done some fairly extensive searching. That, and he did not strike her as the porn type.

"Yeah. I'm not a total prude."

"I see that. Proud of ya." So she kissed him, leaning across the table to make sure he got a good view down the top of her dress, leaving him breathless from the ministrations of her tongue, and the desire for more.

"Anyways, I want to take you skiing. I've seen all the sports you're good at, now it's time to show you one of mine." He had made the mistake of attempting to race her in swimming several weeks ago, not realizing that she had been on the swim team for three years in high school. Apparently Lincolnton did not offer much besides athletics, and she had tried them all.

"Easy enough, I've only been skiing in the mountains around here a couple of times. No trying to show me up."

"Never."

She leaned close again, her arms squeezing her breasts up towards him, her lips rolling her tongue back and forth as she smiled at him. "Just you and me?"

"Yeah."

"Like a romantic getaway?"

"One could say that."

"I'll make sure to pack all my nasty lingerie!"

The glow on her face had to be seen to be believed. He would have figured that she would tire quickly of the walking, the skiing, the sun, the cold, and all the things that Angelina had always hated about Colorado. All the things that had robbed him of joy the last couple of times he had come here, the reason he had stopped frequenting his house out here, the first true indulgence he had allowed himself after making it big.

But not Amber. The girls' energy was never ending, and the places she dragged him off to so that she could ravage him were rapidly growing to so many that he had a hard time remembering the first couple. He had paid for her to have private lessons, but like most sports, she was a natural at this one as well, and the next day she hit the powder with him. She could not keep up, so he slowed down, and she raped him in a small knoll of trees out in the two-foot deep virgin snow, unable to express with mere words how happy she was at being with him.

In the afternoons they would come back to the house, and she would lay out naked on the upstairs balcony, from where she could see down the main street, but the privacy barriers prevented anybody from seeing her. When he was young, he had envisioned it as the perfect spot for "public" sex, and with her that finally came true. She was very impressed when she learned that such activities had been the balconies original purpose, and his creativity was rewarded twice over by her enthusiasm.

She insisted that they make their own breakfast, unwilling to let him spend the money to eat out all three meals, so she would cook for him in the nude in the morning, but allow herself to be taken out at night, as they were doing now. She had also tried to resist his spending spree on her clothing, but since she had no ski clothes or other seasonable wear that was appropriate for the climate and place, she had relented.

And she had to admit that she looked good in the things he had chosen, as much as she had hated the money he dropped on her. But she was getting used to it, and he had joked that every time she punched somebody, he got to drop a grand on her. She had wanted to punch him, but knew that if she did, he would buy something. It was dangerous too test him.

They walked down Main Street, turned up one of the hills, and the ushered into a small restaurant that had been styled to look like something from the Swiss Alps. Or at least he had told her so earlier, having never been there, she had no way of knowing if the artist had been in any way successful or not. But she was fairly certain that her first trip to Europe was only a matter of time, he kept hinting at it, and she kept telling him no.

Like everywhere they went in the town, he was greeted like family, and they were lead up a flight of stairs, down a hall, and into a small, private dining room, where a bottle of wine already awaited them, along with a basket of bread, and salad.

"How come you don't like dining with the crowd?"

"Even you won't have sex with me in a public dining room." He had to smile at that one, having caught her at a loss for words for once. But she recovered quickly, and gave him an evil smile. He knew what that meant, and figured it bode well for the evening.

The fondue was served shortly there after, the broth already bubbling, the meats placed on two trays on either side of the open flame heating the pot, along with a variety of sauces, vegetables and more bread. She had only once experimented with this form of do it yourself dine out, and that had been her prom, the highlight of her hotel-sex career until she had meet him. The Hampton Inn had nothing on the Hilton. He laughed when she told him that.

"Well…I am really glad you did come to the room that night."

"Me, too." She could see the shift in his eyes, could see that something had changed, and she put down the fork she was twirling in the broth, trying to make the bubbles come up in designs. She really should stop playing with her food.

The look on his face was priceless, and to a woman that knew when her man was having trouble putting something into words, it was almost comical to watch. She was never sure what to say at such moments, so she gave him her most seductive smile, her foot toying with his legs under the table. The snow did not allow for open toed heels around her, but the high-heeled boots were rather pointy at the tip, so she could still get the message across.

Which brought a smile to his face, along with a sudden decisiveness, as he reached for her hands, and pulled them close.

"Amber…I can not even put into words how happy you have made me."

"You're not to bad yourself." She kissed his fingers, feeling their warmth over the bubbling liquid.

"I'm being serious. I'm glad you to came to my room that night." He smiled again, looked away, then back at her. "I'm no good at this. Will you come to my room every night?" He placed the simple black box before her, and she saw it flash in his eyes again.

She had seen it before, that very first night. The night sitting at the bar in Reflections, the night he had slipped her a piece of paper with his room number on it, the night she had first been entranced by the man who knew how to make her scream, who had since broken down every inhibition she had, and made her incredibly happy. It was that flash same flash now, and she finally realized what it meant. She was looking into his soul, and seeing his fear.

Slowly she pulled the box towards her, the wheels in her head spinning, the gears wildly out of control, coherent thought and strategy failing her. She was twenty-two, and nothing had prepared her for sitting in an exclusive restaurant in a ski town in Colorado, across from a man she dearly loved, and being asked to commit. Maybe she should have read Cosmo more, as her mother had often suggested. 




The Proposal Ch. 04



The springs in the hinges of the box pushed it open as soon as she barely touched the lid, revealing the three stone setting, placed atop a silver band with gold wrapping around it. The center diamond was the biggest she had ever seen in real life, but it was offset slightly by the ones surrounding it, both of which would do well on their own when stacked up against the average jewelry store diamond. She had nothing to compare it to, had never owned a diamond before he had entered her life, no frame of reference but to realize that neither of her sisters had this much glitter between their two combined. 

She looked up again, and realized that neither of them was breathing. His hands were gripping the table; knuckles turning white, his mouth half open, eyes fixated on her, unblinking, terror written on his face. He was afraid she would say no, she realized.

Her mind took itself back, racing back several weeks to Tammy's birthday. He had been out of town, visiting some conference in New York. He had almost begged her to go, but she had school, and had put her foot down with no. So the girls had sat in the apartment, drinking wine, and laughing about their lives until they got to that sweet wine drunken state of seriousness.

Jessica had revealed that she would be moving in with Rick when their lease ran out next semester, which Tammy and Amber had booed. But then the attention had turned to Amber, when Jessica pointed out that she had been seeing Jonathan much longer then she had been with her man, and when was she going to hop into his mansion?

She had turned quiet, and revealed her own fear, her fear that Jonathans inability to see past their age gap and possible future problems would keep them apart, would keep him from ever being able to truly see how much she loved him, how much she wanted and needed him around. She had almost cried, while both women reassured her that he would eventually ask, and her loudly proclaiming that when he did, she would take him, twenty one year gap and all.

There was a pain in her chest, and she realized that air was still not moving down her throat. He looked worse for wear, and for a flash she feared he might have a heart attack at any moment. So she surprised him again, leaping over the table.

Her body struck his with incredible force as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, screaming with glee and surprise, holding him tight, his chair toppling backwards, sending them sprawling to the floor. But she did not let go, kissing him all over, holding on to him, rolling on the wooden floor.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! I'll come to your room every night, forever! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Yes, I'll marry you!"

"Next time…try not to keep me waiting half a fucking eternity." He kissed her back, holding her tight, slowly sitting up on the floor.

"Crazy man, I was so surprised." Throwing herself at him again, they were on the floor once more, with her kisses all over him. "And now…for what you said earlier…"

"It's in the bag."

"So she said yes."

"Yeah. Kept me hanging for damn near three minutes, I thought my heart was going to explode." Jonathan could hear Markus laugh, and then Margie joined in after he relayed the story to his wife. "And by the way, we can't go back to Moritz Fondue and Grill anymore." It wasn't his fault the waiter had walked in on her riding him like a one horse sleigh. Should have knocked first.

"Congratulations. Does little Jonathan get to be the ring bearer?"

"I take it Margie has already been doing her prep work?"

"We never doubted she would say yes."

"Good to know. Tell him we'll go tux shopping soon. You, too, by the way."

Markus laughed again, before becoming serious. "I was your best man last time round, you think that's a good thing to try again?"

"Well, we were young then, and you failed in your best man duty to advise me in what a bad decision I was making. I think you've matured since then, and as a lawyer and doctor now, I'm confident in your ability to give better guidance now."

"You made the right choice, Jonathan."

"Thank you." He put the phone down, and looked over at the massive bed that sat in the center of the room. She was laying astride the sheets, dressed in a rather lacy purple teddy, and a brand new diamond ring, her ringed finger beckoning him to her. This was going to be fun.

While he had never been one for long engagements, he was one for giving her all the dreams she would let him, so after discovering that she had always dreamed of a summer wedding out doors, he offered to delay their nuptials until the warmer season, which also gave a wider time line then the 90 days he had envisioned. Amber was thankful for that, since she did not tell he parents that she was engaged until New Years, almost a full month after the event happened.

It could have gone smoother, could have gone better, but after a long talk with her father, Jonathan could solidly count Mr. Mathews in the "win" column. Her mother was more resistant, and not very happy about the tongue piercing either, but in the end bowed to the happiness of her daughter. The rest of the family just seemed glad that Amber had found somebody who was willing to put up with her crazy self, and who actually went so far as to encourage her athletic abilities, and her crazy desires for multiple degrees.

But she didn't move in with him, deciding to spend her semester of being engaged living with Tammy instead, not wanting to jinx the marriage thing through any statistics, no matter how much her pastor told her that premarital co-habitation was a form of test drive, and since she was already sleeping with him, why not try on the other shoe as well? Not that it made much difference, she spent much time over there, and he spent much time at her place.

But the one person he did not tell was Angelina, even though she called at an ever increasing pace to see if they had broken up yet, until he got a no contact order from both a local judge, and one in California. By default, he did not tell Sam, something he planned to rectify when she came to visit.

Which lead Amber to be standing in the arrival lounge of the cities airport, craning her neck to see down the concourse. He had tried to buy her a ticket, so that she could go into the secured areas to wait for her, but she had told him that she would refuse to go past the security barriers, that just being a total waste of money.

Finally she spotted the lovely blond girl, and the two embraced like old friends. Her dad may not have told her about the impending marriage, but he had started a regular email and phone call dialogue with his daughter, and she knew how happy this woman made her father. That, and she was glad that he had finally found somebody who pushed him to come find her.

"Where's my dad at?"

"Some emergency came up at work, we'll go meet him at his office." They picked up her bags, and walked out into the parking garage, dumping them into the trunk of her car. Along with not moving into his place, she had not let him buy her another car, either, even though the thought was appealing. Not like hers had not seen better days. But with marriage approaching, she was enjoying her last pieces of independence. It did not take a clairvoyant to see that one of the many gifts he would give her on that day would be a car.

And so Samantha cried that night over dinner at his place when he told her, Amber finally revealing the ring Jonathan had bought her, then leaving father and daughter alone to cry together, as she wandered the back yard. The house was only about ten extra minutes away from campus, and as much as Tammy bitched about having to find a new roommate, she was sure her friend would be ok. She had a magnetic personality, and was a member of a sorority. She could find somebody to live with.

She heard him approach, felt his arms sliding around her, and she reached back to wrap her fingers behind his head, his lips touching her neck, the heat transferring instantly.

"You make me so happy." He whispered in her ear, and she giggled when it tickled her, the hot breath turning her on.

"I'm glad. I should. You do the same for me."

"How can I ever thank you?"

"Don't spend to much money on this whole thing?"

"How about we settle for you never have to learn how much I'm going to spend?"

"You know, my dad should be paying for this."

"I told him I would not tell you, but I bribed him into being for this by telling him that I would pay for everything, and that I would recommend him for membership in the Lincolnton Golf & Racquet club."

"I should have known." She turned around, kissing him on the lips. "What's Samantha doing?"

"Going to bed. The time change has her all messed up, it should only be afternoon, but it's evening, so she's going to sleep through it. The thing she wanted to tell me is that she is going to go to college out here on the east coast, at Chapel Hill."

"Cool. She'll be right up the road." She kissed him again, and could read his happiness in his eyes. "Well, well, well. Looks like we are going to break in the back yard." She pulled him down onto the grass and went to work, muffling his cries with her lips, tits and pussy, and sucking him as if her life depended on it.

"I don't know. I'd have to see it in person." Amber flipped the page in the bridal magazine, realizing for the thousand time that she should have gone into wedding dress design. Apparently you could make a lot of money selling the same thing under twenty different names, and charging as if they were some kind of super designer thing.

"Hey, you are only going wear it one time, don't get pressured. Pick the one you want, he can afford it." Margie waved at Jonathan through the window. He gave a motion back that was probably supposed to mean that he was out of money, but only made the girls smile. 

Amber waved at him as well, eliciting a smile from his face, the flipped to the next page, still looking. "How did you find your dress?"

"Went to the store, tried on two, third time was a charm."

"Just like that?'

"Just like that. But I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted."

"So did I! Until I started seeing all these choices."

"We've confused the girl." Angela had noticeably changed in the last couple of months, looking healthier and much happier. Margie did not totally believe that Morrison had given up his philandering ways, but if his wife bought it, who was she to rain on the parade?

"You sure have." She smiled, and pushed the book like Marriage Magazine of her lap. Jesus. Ten bucks, and what you basically bought was a phone book worth of advertisements, with maybe forty or so pages of actual writing thrown in for good measure, giving such good advice as how to avoid paying the marriage penalty when you tied the knot.

"I can't look at this any more. Especially not when they are outside drinking beer!" Standing, she walked out onto the porch, where Jonathan was standing next to Markus, having an animated argument over the best way to grill venison.

Walking up behind him, she kissed him on the back of the neck, and he followed her over to the steps that lead down into the backyard. "Hey." She kissed him again, and again he smiled.

"Hey back."

"It's not fair. How hard is it to pick out a tux?"

"Pretty easy, actually." He had done so in a matter of minutes after walking into the store.

"Figures."

"You know, I could…"

"Don't even start with the designer dress crap again. I'll punch you in the throat, right here in front of god and everybody." She snuggled under his arm, kissing his neck.

"This dress thing really has you riled up, don't it?" He looked down at her, and they kissed. He tasted funny, and she could see beads of sweat popping on his forehead.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, why?" He stepped back from her, and their eyes locked. His were slightly unfocused, and she stepped closer, putting her arms on his. "Look at me."

His head turned, but something was missing. It was like looking into a TV that was on, but with no picture. The fire was missing. Her mind slowed down, as she recorded his slowing breath, the way he was opening his mouth to inhale deeply, but only taking a short gasp. The sweat, the eyes.

"Jonathan."

"I don't feel so good…"

"Jonathan…"

He sank back into the chair, flexing both hands. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Markus turn towards them, flipping a piece of meat with the tongs. The last thing he heard before he fainted was her scream.

At first she jumped back when his eyes closed, the loud screech tearing across the yard. Then she came forward again, still screaming, only to be run over by Markus as he slammed her aside, bouncing her off the wall, pulling his friend out of the seat, and sprawling him across the floor. She dove forward to do SOMETHING, but Randy grabbed her, coming out of nowhere, and pulled her aside.

She screamed again, kicking and clawing, but the man was to strong, and to ready. "AMBER! STOP!" But she was not to be deterred, watching Markus rip away his friends shirt, screaming for Margie to grab something as he flicked Jonathan's eyes and motioned Morrison for the phone.

"STOP! He's a doctor, let him help!" Finally she calmed down, standing by helplessly as Margie called 911. Then she hugged her future husbands namesake, and cried with the little boy.

He felt the vehicle moving, not sure what it was. He could hear her crying, not to far from his face. It had to be her touching him, nobody else felt that good. His arm would not move.

"I'm ok."

"Don't talk. I'm here baby." And she kissed him. That felt good. He passed out again.

"What are you going to do?"

"Get him in there, check if we have to cut him open, and make him better."

"You do this kind of thing before?"

"Every day hunny, every day." They looked down at him, and he smiled back up, having heard their every word. Her face was red and puffy. Wow, she was beautiful. 

"I'm ok."

"You've said that. I'll be waiting on you." She kissed him again, and his eyes closed once more.

He was not sure how long he had been out when he finally opened his eyes for good. Looking around the room, he realized that the extra insurance he had always bitched to his accountant about had paid off. He was in a private room, with real flowers, and furniture other then the bed he was occupying, and the towers of stuff hooked to him on either side.

Amber was curled up on the couch opposite the bed, still dressed in the jeans and t-shirt she had worn to their little barbecue. Her eyes showed the signs of lots of crying, and what little make up she had been wearing had either been rinsed away under what he knew to have been cold water, or smeared by her tears. Slowly he let his chest rise, then fall, the full breath feeling good. Wow, that was close.

Looking out the window, he could see that it was morning. So what, probably through the night? There was no watch on his wrist, but he could have turned on the TV in the corner. The remote was on his nightstand. But that would risk awaking his angel, which he wanted to avoid. Not yet. The clock on the dresser was straight up hotel issue, with only time, indicating that it was 7: 24 A.M. How useful. 

Looking around, he settled on the fact that it was Monday. He would have to sit with her for a second to make sure everything was ok, then he could send her to school, and hit the office. There were deals to be made, money to change hands, and all he was doing in this bed was taking up space.

Suddenly he realized that she was staring at him. He smiled back, and she flew of the couch, straight onto the bed, landing on top of him, holding him close.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god." She squeezed him tight, kissing him all over. "I was so scared, oh my god!" Slowly she eased him down into the pillow, kissing his face, neck, forehead, all over. "Don't ever do that again!"

"Did not plan on it."

"The doctor said that you need to exercise, watch your diet, and maybe take some drugs. He told Markus all the technical parts. God, I was so afraid." Again she squeezed him tight.

"But I'm ok now…"

"BULLSHIT! I talked to some people. Rick said you haven't been working out as much as before. I did a mental count myself, all the business dinners lately. And I heard you ride a cart at your golf games!" Her face was even redder now.

"Yeah, well…"

"NO FUCKING WELL! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!"

"Please, stop yelling at me." His head hurt already. He took a sip of water, buying himself some time. "Ok, so I didn't do…"

"Let me make something clear. I know what you are doing. You aren't fooling me. I talked to Mr. Robinson. He told me that here lately you've been on a frenzy, trying to break records on how much money you guys turn. You don't think I'll take you away from this if I have to?" He could see how serious she was in his eyes.

"I just…"

"Don't even. What did I say about that?"

"Amber. There are things that…"

"…that you can't give me yet?" He nodded, then looked away, unable to take the look she gave him. It was a combination of disgust, anger, and pain. "What did I tell you?"

"I'm sorry."

"Your ticker is working to hard. It can't drive it all. You have to decide. Is it going to be a life with me, or do you want to work yourself to death. Heart disease runs in your family. You are committing suicide."

"I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"You said it yourself. I can have any man I want. Even twenty something year old studs, who run triathlons for fun, and can keep up with me in the water and in the ring. But I don't want them, they have nothing for me. I want you. I want this man right here, the one who thinks he has to make up for something by buying me things, and taking me places." She kissed him again, sucking his tongue. "I loved you before you showed me all that, and if it is gone tomorrow, I'll love you still. Be my daddy again, let it go."

"I promise."

"I'll keep you to it. If you start slipping again, I'm going to kick you in the nuts." He knew she meant it.

She was not sure if there had ever been this many cars parked in her parents front yard. There were rows of white ribbon to mark off parking spots, and boys with matching fluorescent vests and ball caps made sure that everybody stayed in the boundaries. You had to show an invitation to get past the guys with the radios at the front gate to their property, and Angela was standing by the arch that lead into the meadow where the ceremony would take place, ensuring that everybody had dressed appropriately. 


Looking at herself in the mirror, she had admit that she looked good. The train, the veil, it was all what she had dreamed of when she had pictured her wedding as a little girl. It was all here, and she wanted to cry. Looking over at her dad, he nodded, and they walked out of the bedroom, turned right down the hallway, and stepped outside.

The two sections consisted of white folding chairs placed upon the meadow, with a podium at the front for the ceremony. A red carpet had been rolled down the aisle for her, and she stepped onto it, walking down arm in arm with her father.

She could see him now, standing at the end, next to Markus, Morrison, and Randy. They were all smiling at her, Tammy, Jessica, and Margie on the other side all tearing up. Either that, or they were wearing diamonds beneath their eyes. Her father shook the man's hand, then handed her over, and they turned to face the preacher.

"We have gathered her today to join Amber Mathews and Jonathan Games in holy matrimony…"

There were fireworks, organized through ways that she did not want to know about, along with a horse drawn carriage ride to the reception, lots and lots of champagne, and she danced until she could not dance with her husband anymore. He looked much better, fitter, and more alive. Rick had been working him hard, knowing fully well that all it would take was one call to Amber to have her down in the gym, screaming, ranting and raving. He only did it once, and it scared even the massive black man.




The Proposal Ch. 05



Rick opens the passenger door of the Aston and Giselle slips in. He closes her door then walks around the car and drops into the driver's seat. Starting the car Rick looks to Giselle and says with just a bit of sarcasm, "That was fun."

"Be nice Rick," Giselle says. "It was obviously important to Charlie. I had a good time anyway. Didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did," Rick admits, slipping the car in reverse and backing down the drive. 

"Do you know what you are going to do?" Giselle asks.

"What do you think I should do?"

"Oh no ... I told you, this has to be your decision and your decision alone. You do what you feel is right and I will stand with that decision one hundred percent."

Rick pilots the car through the neighborhood, thinking. "I have to admit, my first instinct is no effing way. But then I wonder if Charlie isn't right. You said yourself that ..." Rick trails off then changes tack. "Tell me something. When Charlie asked you what you would give to feel like you feel now, what did you mean?"

Giselle answers his question with one of her own, "Did you know this Tip girl?"

"No," Rick says. "This was the first I heard of it. Why?"

"Just wondering," Giselle says, then answers Rick's question. "After I found Jonathan cheating on me I was so hurt. I couldn't understand why he would do that to me. I loved him and I would have never done something like that to him." Giselle pauses to collect her thoughts. "After we broke up he didn't say anything nasty to me, but he didn't have to. I wondered what was wrong with me, what had I done to deserve this. I couldn't understand it and I felt so ... alone. Unloved. I don't know. I just know I was so depressed. I never thought of killing myself, but I can see how if that happened time after time, how you might get to that point.

"Anyway, I can see how capturing the feeling of love, even if it was only in an immersion, yeah I can see the appeal in that. It can't possibly be as good as the real thing, but on a sinking ship, anything that floats becomes a life raft. Know what I mean?" 

Rick is quiet as he turns the car onto the boulevard. It's only ten o'clock so there is plenty of traffic to contend with. "So," Rick begins, "you think that when you were down, feeling low, you would have drawn strength, comfort, whatever, from an immersion? Knowing the feelings were really someone else's?"

"I think so, yes." Giselle answers. "When you are hurting, to be able to get away from the pain, if only for a couple of hours, I don't know, but I can see the appeal in that."

"But, don't you think that would make it worse? Feeling so alone and abused and then feeling something that you think you will never find. That seems like watching a guy stuff himself on steak when you're starving."

"Or," Giselle offers, "it could be like you having just eaten beans for dinner because that is all you have, but in an immersion you enjoyed a steak dinner. In the end, you end up in the same place, but you substituted your dreary reality with a fantasy."

"Do you really think, deep down, that your immersion will affect people like that, that it will give them the hope to continue on, to give them a little happiness that they otherwise wouldn't have?"

"Honestly? I don't know. I can certainly see how it could. But then, what Charlie is suggesting would tell us that, now wouldn't it?"

Rick drives along in silence, thinking. He pulls the car off the boulevard and into their residential area. Rolling to stop at a light, he looks at Giselle. She isn't looking at him but staring out the front window, lost in her own thoughts. Rick stares at her until the light turns green, then he snicks the car into first and pulls smartly away, his attention once again on his driving.

Rick wrestles on the horns of his predicament. He wanted to help women, if he could. What man wouldn't? If a kind word or gesture makes someone feel better about themselves, he would do it in a second. Was this really any different? In the abstract, no, it wasn't, but it was so personal he wasn't comfortable opening himself up like that to a stranger. On the other hand, they didn't know him, as Charlie said, 'from Tom's house cat,' so was he really opening himself up at all? Rick was so deep in thought he nearly drove past their road, forcing him to brake and turn with much more aggression than normal. 

Rick feels Giselle looking at him. "Sorry," he says, "not paying attention."

A few minutes later Rick pulls the Aston into its bay in the garage and kills the engine, but makes no move to open the door. Giselle doesn't either. "Okay, he says finally. Let's do it. I will send Charlie a couple of one time use links tomorrow so it can't get out of hand."

Giselle looks at him impassively, her face giving nothing away. "Are you sure Rick? Are you really sure? Don't do this for Charlie. Don't do it for me. Do it only if you think it is right. You have to promise me, here and now, that you are not doing this for me. Because if I even think you are, I'll pull the plug myself. Understand?"

Rick looks her for a long time before he speaks. "To be honest, I don't know why I'm doing it. But I will promise you I am not doing it solely because I think you want me to." Giselle starts to speak but he holds up his hand, silencing her. "What I mean is I trust your judgment. Charlie's too. Charlie thinks this is important. I get the feeling you do as well. I ... I don't want to stand in the way of something important, if you know what I mean."

Giselle looks at Rick, really looks at him, trying to determine his feelings. She places a hand gently on his cheek, "You are a really sweet man, a good man, did you know that?" she asks. 

"If I am," Rick says, putting his hand over the one on his cheek, "it is because you make me that way."

They sit like that, looking into each other's eyes for several long moments until Giselle pulls her hand back. "My God, I need my feet washed. Come on," she says turning to open her door.

Rick chuckles briefly, opening his door as well.

* * *

As soon as the door closes behind Rick and Giselle, Charlie sags. "I hope I didn't fuck up," she says sadly. 

Todd takes her into his arm. "Shhh," he says quietly, "Rick understands. It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"I hope you're right," Charlie says into his shoulder. "I didn't intend to browbeat him about this. It just slipped out." Todd says nothing, just holds her tight. "Do you think I should ping him a little later and apologize and tell him never mind?"

"No," Todd says, "I think you should leave it as is and see what happens. I'm pretty sure he isn't mad and you just need to let him decide what he wants to do." Todd stands her up so he can look at her. "You've pled your case. Now the rest is up to him and Giselle."

"I suppose you are right," Charlie says quietly. "I hate it when I get all bitchy like that. I don't know why I do it."

"Because, my love, you believe in what you believe in," Todd says matter-of-factly. "If it makes you feel any better, the only time you really got 'bitchy' is when Rick called the immersion porn. I happen to agree with you. I don't know what you would call it, but pornography it's not." 

Charlie blows out air, trying to release the tension. She reaches into the cabinet for a clean wine glass. Todd gently takes the glass from her hand and puts it back in the cabinet. 

"You've had enough of that. It won't change anything and you will feel like shit in the morning. So why do that to yourself? Just relax. Everything is fine. Trust me, okay?" 

Charlie glares at Todd for a moment before softening. "You're right," she says. 

"Look, why don't you go hop in the shower. Take a nice long hot shower and unwind. I will clean up these few glasses, and if you are still all keyed up, we can talk about it some more," Todd suggests. 

Charlie sighs and turns away. "That sounds like a good idea," she says. She takes three steps to their bedroom, then comes back and kisses Todd lightly on the lips. "Thank you," she says.

"For what?" Todd asks in confusion.

"For taking care of me. Just for being you," Charlie says before turning and walking down the hall to their bedroom.

Todd quickly washes, dries and puts away the two wine glasses, making the kitchen tidy and ready for the morning. As he walks down the hall he can hear the water running in the shower. He briefly considers joining Charlie in the shower, but decided that now was not the time. He felt like she was vulnerable and he didn't want to push her into sex. Though he was typically the pursuer, tonight he would let her come to him if she wanted to be intimate. While Charlie stood in the shower, not washing, letting the water cascade off her body, Todd swished his mouth clean and depilated his face. 

Todd was already in bed when the water shuts off. He can hear the flap and pop of a towel in use then Charlie cleaning her mouth. Moments later Charlie emerges from the bath dressed in a low cut sleeping gown that, though it almost touched her knee, was slit in several places to well above the thigh making it far racier than it first appeared. Charlie quickly crawls into the bed and immediately cuddles up to Todd. Lying there, her back warming against Todd, Charlie shivers slightly. "The water got cold," she says. 

Todd doesn't say anything, but tucks the covers in around her more tightly, warming her with his body heat. 

As Charlie warms, Todd can feel her begin to relax in his arms. "That's better," Charlie says as another shiver passes through her.

"Yes it is," Todd agrees. "It was like hugging a frog before." Todd hears Charlie giggle and he smiles.

Charlie is gripped by an enormous yawn, "Goodness," she says, "suddenly I am so sleepy." She is wracked by another yawn as the warmth draws her toward sleep.

Todd pulls her in a little closer and he feels her wiggle a bit, getting more comfortable, knowing it won't be long before she drops off into sleep. He won't be able to hold her like this for long, he can already feel his arm under her head becoming numb, but he will hold her close and tight until she falls asleep if it kills him.

* * *

By the time Rick is done cleaning his mouth and getting ready for bed, Giselle is already in bed in his favorite red pajamas. She looks at him in a way that makes his manhood twitch and Rick wonders, not for the first time, if being able to look at a man like that is something women are born knowing how to do or something they learn. Rick stands there, soaking in her beauty, her sexiness, until she reaches behind her and pats his side of the bed. 

As Rick slips into the bed, Giselle rolls over to face him. She places her hand on his face again, and while gently stroking his cheek, looks into his eyes until Rick finally says, "What?"

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to have found you."

"Is it my stunning good looks, prowess in bed or my fabulous wealth that makes you say so?" Rick asks teasingly.

"Well ... those certainly help," Giselle teases back, "but I'm serious. I meant it when I said you were a good man. I'm lucky no one snapped you up before me."

"Maybe it is because you are the one that makes me a good man," Rick says. "I certainly have some old girlfriends that wouldn't agree with your assessment."

"Their loss is my gain. I'm glad they didn't know what they had."

"Me too," Rick says, leaning in to kiss her. It was a quick smooch used as a punctuation mark to his agreement. Rick rolls onto his back, tugging Giselle over onto her stomach. She scoots over to prop on his body. 

Looking into his face Giselle asks, "So ... when did you set the recording?"

Rick checks the time ...11:03. "It is recording now. I actually had it set for Wednesday but after that little show this evening I suspect Charlie will need some ... comforting. If I'm still awake in a couple of hours I will check to see if it caught anything. If not, I might set it to record in the morning."

"You think you'll still be up?" Giselle asks.

"I doubt it ... but I might still be awake," Rick deadpans before looking into her face and chuckling. 

Giselle giggles as well. "Okay, Todd Rose," Giselle says before stretching for another kiss, this one longer and deeper than the one moments ago. Ricks arms begin to encircle Giselle but she moves to sit straddle of Rick's bare torso. "I guess I'll have to do my part to keep you up," she says playfully, staring into Rick's face. 

"You already are," Rick informs her as he strokes her thighs, ribs and lower back, hands gliding over her silk pajamas. 

Giselle, in one fluid movement, crosses her arms over her head and slips her pajama top off and tosses it carelessly in the floor on her side of the bed before leaning down, adjusting her position to enjoy a long, deep, lingering kiss. As the kiss progresses it becomes more passionate, their tongues wrapping about each other as their bodies do. Giselle pulls herself higher up on Rick's body, never breaking the kiss, tucking her chin into her chest until she is in position to offer her breasts to Rick's waiting mouth. 

Rick pulls Giselle's mouth to his own. As the kiss becomes more passionate, Rick can feel his ardor rising. He finds it amazing how badly he wants this woman considering he and Giselle had a very satisfying romp just hours before. He feels Giselle slide her hips up, the silk of her sleepwear sliding across his bare skin sending erotic chills through him. Giselle breaks the kiss with a little gasp and pulls his head to her breasts. He takes a breast into his mouth and sucks gently, flicking the nipple with his tongue, his hands roaming her back. He spends several minutes sucking, kissing, licking and nipping as Giselle alternately purrs and sighs at his attentions.

Giselle enjoys the sensations she is getting from Rick's mouth on her breasts, his tender touches raising her color, but as her passions rise she wants more, so much more. Giselle pulls away from Rick and rolls over onto the bed and removes her pajama bottoms. Rick does the same then makes to roll over to her, but Giselle is quicker and recovers his body with her own, positioning herself so that she can take Rick's erect penis into her mouth.

When Giselle rolls off of him onto the bed Rick moves to follow her, but sees that she is removing her pajama bottoms so he stops and does the same. Before Rick can move back to Giselle she is moving to take him into her mouth so he rolls back over onto his back and guides her knee over his chest so that he can reach her womanhood with his tongue. As Giselle's warm mouth slides over the head of his penis, Rick tries to ignore the fire flowing through him as he focuses on giving her as much pleasure, or more, than she is giving him.

Giselle settles into position and grips Rick's member in her hand to prevent her from accidentally gagging herself, something which takes her right out of the mood. As Rick's strong arms wrap around her thighs Giselle gets a thrill of anticipation ... my God the things that man can do to her with his tongue and fingers. Giselle places her mouth on the tip on Rick's penis, and after caressing the head for just a moment, she slides it into her mouth, slowly taking him in until she feels she had reached her limit. Holding there she repositions her grip slightly, then slowly draws her head up, her tongue lashing at him as she moves. Giselle can feel Rick's first tender nibbles on her most sensitive area as he begins to warm her with attention to her labia and clitoris. Again, Giselle pushes her head down, more forcefully this time knowing her hand would stop her plunge, lips tight on Rick's penis, feeling his muscles contract and tighten with her actions, though he is careful to hold himself still so as to not force her farther down on his shaft than she wanted to go.

Rick starts out slow, teasing Giselle's labia, inner thighs and clitoris, holding her loosely in place with his arms wrapped around her thighs, teasing her with his fingers and tongue, alternating the stimulation. Giselle removes her mouth from his penis and begins to pump her hand up and down vigorously on his saliva slickened shaft, masturbating him, sending chills through his body. Rick ignores the sensations, as much as he can, as he focuses on pleasuring Giselle. 

Giselle's breathing is coming deeper as her passions rise. Needing more she removes her mouth from Rick's penis but uses her hand to stroke him as she licks and teases down the outside of his manhood. Giselle feels Rick tighten his arms down slightly on her hips, pulling her more firmly into his face as his movements become firmer, more deliberate. Once again Giselle takes Rick into her mouth, trying to break his reserve even as he breaks down hers.

Rick feels Giselle take him back into her mouth, but instead of sliding down his shaft, she remains high, at the head, and subjects the head of his penis to a vicious assault with her tongue. He ignores the searing electric current her tongue is delivering as long as he can until, unable to ignore the sensations any longer, he begins to groan in pleasure so intense he feels he can no longer tolerate it. His hips slowly rise, seeking to push his penis deeper into her mouth in a primal urge as Giselle continues her attack on the head of his cock before thrusting her mouth quickly down on him.

Giselle can feel Rick's control slipping has he fights to remain still, as if her fellatio was having no effect. She works her tongue rapidly and forcibly around the head of his penis until Rick begins to slowly raise his hips seeking to force her mouth farther down upon him, his attentions upon her stopping as he battles his body for control. She continues to batter the head of his penis for several moments more until she plunges him deeper into her mouth, Rick's growling groan becoming a sharp bark as she takes him as deep into her mouth as she can. Giselle feels Rick tighten his grasp on her thighs even more, holding her tightly to him as he begins to lash her with his tongue.

Now that Giselle was no longer tormenting him with her tongue on the head of his penis, Rick can once again focus, somewhat, on pleasuring this magnificent woman. He tightens his grip around her thighs and begins to slash at her with his tongue and lips, probing as deep into her vagina as he can, slithering his tongue around her clitoris, flicking it with his tongue, pulling at it with his lips. Giselle begins to squirm but he holds her tight to him, trying to inflict the same searing pleasure upon her as she has upon him. He feels her mouth leave his penis as she arches her back, driving herself into his face, panting and moaning softly.

Giselle can feel her orgasm begin to build as Rick thrusts his tongue into her vagina or uses it to flick her clit, the pleasure so intense that she can't remain still. She continues to suck Rick's dick but soon, afraid she will hurt him by accident as the pleasure robs her of control, removes him from her mouth and simply rides the pleasure, haphazardly pumping her hand on his dick. She can feel her back arching, hear herself gasping and moaning, as her orgasm builds. She thrusts her pussy down onto his mouth as the small but intense orgasm causes her to quiver in pleasure, and still he batters her with his tongue. As Giselle rides out her orgasm she once again takes Rick into her mouth, lost in her lust, focusing on the head of his penis, a near constant moan coming from her as pleasure roars through her body.

Rick feels Giselle push back into his thrusting, slashing, probing tongue, welcoming the push, taking it, pressing harder on her pleasure points, driving her deeper into her orgasm. As she begins to quiver slightly he tightens his grip again to hold her in place so she doesn't accidently hurt him or herself with an involuntary or ill-considered pelvic thrust. Giselle's orgasm fans Rick's passions as Giselle once again begins sweet torment on the head of his penis, the pleasure so intense that it borders on painful. He tries to hold on, to continue to probe and pull at her womanhood with his lips and tongue, but the sensations Giselle is giving him are so great that he is now afraid he will hurt her as he is overwhelmed with desire to pummel her with his dick. He pulls his face away from her pussy, fighting the urge to scream at the world in animalistic passion. Finally, unable to take her tongue any longer he rolls her off of him, forcing her mouth from him. She scrambles as if to take him into her mouth again, but he traps her against the bed, holding her until the electric waves of pleasure radiating from his cock diminish. 




The Proposal Ch. 05



As Giselle massages the head of his dick with her tongue she can feel Rick stiffen in pleasure. He presses his tongue even harder into her, forcing her orgasm on, sending pleasure screaming through her body, but as she continues to swirl her tongue around the head of his dick, he stops probing her with his tongue and begins to groan as if in pain. Now that he is no longer whipping her into a frenzy with his tongue Giselle's orgasm flows out her in blessed relief. She continues to thrash Rick's dick, sucking, and licking the head. Never has Rick allowed her to perform such a prolonged blow job, at least not without cumming, and she thrills in the challenge to see how much he can take. As she completes the thought she feels him raise and twist her hips, forcing her off of him onto her back. She tries to put his dick back in her mouth, wanting to drive him insane with desire, but he holds her away, Rick on his knees above her, holding her shoulders down against the bed, allowing only her gripping hand to touch his dick. After a moment of struggle she realizes she can't overpower his strength and relents. He lets her go and she turns around in the bed. Giselle sees the passion on his face and opens herself to him, her lust and desire flaming her passions. "You want me? You want to fuck me? You gonna fuck me good?" she asks seductively. 

Giselle's words inflame Rick's passion even more. Other than a little teasing during foreplay or the occasional word of encouragement during their lovemaking, he and Giselle rarely speak when making love, each knowing what the other wants. But Giselle's calculated words have their effect and Rick becomes lost in the red mist of lust. Rising up fully onto his knees, Rick pulls Giselle to him and gently but firmly turns her onto her stomach, pulling her ass up and placing her on her knees. Rick then pulls the bed pillows to him, stacks them, and shoves them under her hips. Taking his dick in one hand, using the other to hold Giselle's hips in place, he slowly inserts his engorged cock into her pussy, slamming his hips into her with as much force as he can as soon as his cock enters her opening.

Giselle expects Rick to take her right where she lay so she is surprised when Rick flips her over onto her stomach as if she weighed nothing at all, reminding her again of the strength he keeps in check so as to not hurt her. Tucking pillows under her hips for support he slips his dick into her, gently at first, then with a powerful thrust, ramming himself deep into her causing Giselle to moan as his cock slides along inside her. He holds himself deep in her, breathing deeply, then begins to thrust, pulling slowly out then ramming himself back into, Giselle grunting and gasping in pleasure with each powerful thrust. Giselle pushes her upper body up with her hands, changing the angle of his thrust, each impact of his pelvis to her ass causing her breasts to ripple and swing.

Rick begins to thrust into Giselle, slowly at first, but as he drives himself deep into her, he increases the speed of his thrusts, Giselle rising up on her hands as he begins to pound into her with a steady, machine like rhythm, balanced on his knees, hands gripping her hips to hold her in place. After the intensity of her fellatio, the intercourse is almost a relief and Rick settles into a steady rhythm. Rick bends over Giselle's back, moving his hands to the bed to support his weight, and begins to kiss her back and neck as he slowly lowers some of his weight onto her. Once she had accepted his weight, he slowly moves one hand to her breasts, the other to her vagina.

Giselle feels Rick lower himself onto her and she accepts his weight, enjoying the feel of him pressed into her, his thrusting a steady drumbeat of pleasures. She feels one hand cup her left breast, the other beginning to stroke her clitoris as his continues his steady thrusting. Giselle's head, hanging low in pleasure and to allow Rick access to her neck slowly pulls up as new pleasures from his stroking hands begin to course through her. Rick moves his hand to her other breast, gently tweaking her nipple, sending another wave of pleasure burning through her. Giselle briefly puts a hand over the one Rick has on her breast, but she feels unstable with his weight on her so she puts it back on the bed, but it is enough to signal Rick to continue his manipulations.

* * *

Rick hears Giselle moan again, long, low and deep, as he bends over her again and restarts his teasing of her clit and breasts as he continues to ram his manhood into her. His many minutes of exertion, the heat of Giselle's body against his own, and his own roaring blood have produced a fine sheen of sweat on Rick's body, his breathing hard, panting and ragged. Giselle lowers herself to her elbows and he can feel a slight quiver in her muscles as another small orgasm passes through her. Rick's orgasm is building and he increases the power of his thrusts, driving himself to his own orgasm as Giselle begins to squirm and pull away from his thrusts.

Giselle can feel an orgasm, a big one, lurking just out of reach. Another small orgasm, her third, washes over her as Rick's talented fingers stimulate her clit, but it isn't enough to release the explosive orgasm that Giselle can feel waiting for release. Though Rick has given her periods of rest, his weight on her as he kisses and fondles her has exhausted the strength in her arms and she collapses to her elbows. Rick's body heat and her own raging fire are making her sweat, making their bodies slick, a feeling that Giselle finds very erotic. But she needs a change so she tries begins to twist and pull. Rick at first resists her escape attempts, as she knew he would, but as she continues to struggle he lets her go. She turns, rising to her own knees, and pulls his body to hers in a deep and sweaty kiss, her body sliding against his in a raging storm of pleasure. Giselle throws the now sweat and sex soaked pillows into the floor as she kisses him deeply, their tongues locked in embrace as intense as their bodies. She pushes him onto his back in a twisting motion, riding him down to the bed. 

Rick realizes that Giselle wasn't merely squirming in pleasure and lets her go and she immediately turns on him and locks him a deep kiss, her own sweaty body sliding easily along his. He allows her to push him onto his back as she follows him to the bed, never breaking their kiss. Giselle positions herself, knees to either side of his hips, and rising up, slides him into her once again with a moan. Giselle looks at him with an expression of such desire and passion that Rick's level of excitement ratchets up another notch. Placing his hands on her waist to give her support and balance, he raises one knee to give him some leverage, and begins to thrust himself into her as she rides him.

Giselle moans as Rick slides deep inside her. This is what she needed, to see the passion on Rick's face, to feel their sweat soaked bodies sliding together. As Rick begins to thrust into her Giselle can feel her back arch as the delicious sensations of Rick's hard dick driving into her, rising up until she feels Rick's knee behind her back. She settles into his knee, letting the pleasure flow through her. 

Rick watches as Giselle twists herself up in pleasure, her eyes closed, back arching. Her weight upon him, seeing the pleasure he was giving her, inflames his own passions and he can feel his orgasm beginning to build even more. Rick runs his hand over Giselle's body, feeling her sweat, her heat, before taking her breasts in hand, pinching the nipples softly, causing Giselle to shudder and gasp in delight. Giselle begins to thrust herself on him, urging him on, pushing him to give her more.

Giselle feels Rick place his hands on her breasts and then gently pinch her nipples, causing pleasure to course through her like electric current. She is desperate for her release as her orgasm builds like a tidal wave. She begins to thrust franticly on him, meeting him thrust for thrust, taking her pleasure as it swirls around her, consuming her. She feels unsteady, off balance, so she throws herself forward, catching herself on her hands above Rick's shoulders. She continues to meet his thrusts, panting in exertion and passion, sweat beading on her body, as she claws for her orgasm. 

Rick is startled as Giselle suddenly flings herself at him, catching herself on her hands. As soon as he is sure she is stable, Rick draws up his other leg and using both legs for power and leverage, redoubles his thrusting, driving himself into her with more power and speed. Giselle whimpers and gasps as he pounds into her, her face a feral sneer of lust, her eyes squinted tightly closed. Seeing the titanic battle Giselle is having with her own body enrages Rick. He will make her cum, he will give her the release she is fighting for if it kills him. Rick grabs Giselle firmly on each side of her head and pulls her head to his, holding her forehead to his, as he begins to drive into her with as much force as he can.

Giselle feels her orgasm build, reaching for it as it doubles, redoubles, then redoubles again. Giselle feels Rick's hands on the side of her head, forcing her head down. She opens her eyes to see Rick, a snarl of desire on his face as he begins to drive his cock into her with such force it is nearly painful. Giselle becomes stiff, her muscles no longer under her control as her orgasm continues to build, when she feels Rick cum pour into her, hot and wet. She can't breathe, the building orgasm is too intense, and she begins to struggle to end the torture, keening in desire.

Rick can feel Giselle stiffen as her orgasm begins to take her. Rick lets his orgasm flow, wash over him, not fighting it, knowing she is close, continuing to thrust as he empties himself into her, driving her to her orgasm. His orgasm wasn't as intense as some, the edge taken off by their tryst earlier in the day, but the continued thrusting as he ejaculates is sending soaring waves of pleasure through him, pleasure so intense he moans as if in pain. She was going to have to cum, soon, or his body would betray him and he would be forced to stop. Giselle begins to flail, her body wracked with uncontrolled movement as she struggles in the throes of orgasm. "Come on. Come on, Goddammit! Come on!" Rick commands harshly, holding her tight, pounding his cock into her, trying to push her over the edge. "Come on!" Rick barks again, demanding her compliance.

Giselle hears Rick's commands as she flails, her muscles no longer her own. And still her orgasm won't come. Giselle is agony. She claws at him, desperate to make him stop, yet not wanting him too. 

"Come on!" Rick says again, his tone demanding. Giselle grips Rick's hair and pulls his head to into hers with painful savagery as Rick continues to pound into her. "Come on!" he almost shouts, his voice harsh and ragged, pushing her to take her release. 

Suddenly her orgasm is there, taking her with such force that she arches her back until it threatens to break. She pulls Rick head up as she rears and bucks, holding to him like a lifeline. Rick's hands snap from her head to her back, pulling her to him, holding her, protecting her from hurting herself as her legs spasm. They cling to each other, Rick taking the punishment she is dealing his body while her orgasm ravages her. 

As Giselle pulls up, arching her back as the orgasm crashes over her, Rick stills his hips in relief and holds her back to prevent her from toppling over backwards, rising up with her into a near sitting position. Rick holds Giselle tightly as she thrusts and bucks against him, the orgasm shredding her control, as she wails in the throes of her orgasm. Giselle gives one more mighty thrusts with her hips, then she falls limply against him, breathing in bellows like pants.

Giselle wants to scream in pain, in pleasure, as her body lights up in orgasmic fire, every nerve burning in pleasure so intense it borders on pain. She can't hold herself still, the muscles firing of their own accord, her scream choked off into a loud moan of torment. Giselle clings to Rick, holding on lest she fall out of control ... until ... finally the storm passes. Giselle begins to relax when one last trailing flood of pleasure washes out of her, causing her to shudder and thrash once more before relaxing into Rick, weak, shivering and spent. She holds him, head resting on his shoulder as he holds her tight, caressing her body, cooling the flames that were consuming her. Rick leans back, pulling her down with him, too weak to resist. Giselle wants to weep so great is her release as she lies there, soaked in sweat, basking in the glow of Rick's love, both physical and emotional.

Rick lowers himself to the bed, Giselle lying on his chest. She is covered in sweat, her hair plastered to her face, faint quivers still passing through her muscles. Rick is warmed, not only by her body, but by his love for her. He holds her against him, stroking her head, back and bottom, enjoying the feel of her against him. Slowly, almost as if in pain, Giselle levers herself up onto her hands and knees, pulling Rick from within her, pushing her damp hair out of her face with one hand. She holds herself over him, head hanging low as if she lacked the strength to hold it up, before lowering herself slightly to give Rick a gentle kiss.

Weak from her orgasm, Giselle lies on Rick's chest, his hands softly caressing her, resting until she finally as the strength to push herself up, her arms and legs feeling weak as if after a hard workout. Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she leans down and accepts a tender kiss from Rick before toppling sideways off of him onto the bed, still panting slightly from their lovemaking. Rick's face appears in her field of vision, apparently fresh as a daisy, a slight smile on his face. 

"You okay?" Rick asks, still smiling down at her.

Giselle nods her head, "Mm-hmm" she murmurs, closing her eyes. When Rick doesn't move or say anything she opens her eyes again.

"So ..." Rick begins, voice full of mischievous, "did I fuck you good?"

Giselle giggles briefly and slaps at his shoulder weakly. "My love, I have been well and truly fucked." Giselle lets out a long and contented sigh. "I hope you are proud of yourself," Giselle begins again. "I don't think I have ever cum so hard."

"What about that night on the beach?" Rick asks, kissing her between her breasts.

"Maybe," she allows. "This one was at least that hard, if not harder."

"This one certainly lasted longer. Our lovemaking I mean," Rick clarifies.

Giselle check the time, 11:44. "What time did we start, do you know?" Giselle asks.

"About eleven."

"Forty-five minutes!" Giselle exclaims. "No wonder I'm exhausted." Giselle lets out another deep sigh of contentment, her eyes growing heavy.

Rick kisses her on her neck and shoulder briefly before pulling the sheet over her sweat soaked but cooling body. He then gets out of the bed, pads to her side, and retrieves the pillows from the floor. He flips it end over end, looking for the driest side, then gently raises her head and slides the pillow underneath before laying her back. "Do you want me to get a dry pillow from the guest room?" he asks.

"No," Giselle mumbles, already feeling the pull of sleep. "Just want to sleep." She pats his side of the bed, inviting him back to her side.

Rick climbs back into his side of the bed, turning on his side to face her. Giselle turns her back to him and snuggles in close, allowing Rick to slip his arms around her, holding her loosely as she drifts away into sleep. As Giselle's deep rhythmic breathing begins to tug Rick towards sleep, he debates trying to remain awake to see if the recorder captured Charlie and Todd's lovemaking, but decides it doesn't matter ... If it did, it did, and if it didn't it didn't. He does, however, create a couple of one time links for Giselle's immersion and forwards them to Charlie with a ten am delivery. That task complete, Rick pulls Giselle in a little closer before whispering, "I love you Giselle," then gently stroking the curve of her breast slowly falls into sleep.

* * *

Sunday morning Rick awakes to find Giselle still asleep beside him. Sometime in the middle of the night she had turned onto her stomach freeing his arms so he carefully eases out of the bed and pads down the hall to the guest bathroom where he showers, not wanting to wake Giselle by showering in their adjoining bath. Shower complete he returns to their room to quietly dress. Before leaving the room to prepare breakfast he spends a moment admiring the curves of her body as she lies prone on the bed.

Rick proceeds to the kitchen where he makes eggs and toast the old-fashioned way, with a skillet on top of the stove and a toaster. The zapper would be quicker, and less messy, but this would be quieter. He prepares three eggs, lightly scrambled with a healthy portion of Greek seasoning as Giselle likes them, adding a slice of leftover ham to the skillet to heat. As the eggs cook he toasts two slices of bread, not too brown, and slathers them in butter. Rick debates whether to squeeze the oranges on the counter for juice or to use commercial orange juice. He knows where the electric juicer is but after looking decides they don't have a manual juicer, so he pours up a glass of the commercial juice to avoid the noise of the electric juicer. The prepared juice is what he and Giselle drink most weekday mornings anyway, saving the fresh squeezed for weekends. Eggs ready he slides them onto a plate, placing the ham and toast in open areas around the eggs. Pulling a flat serving tray from the cupboard Rick places the food, juice and the utensils on the tray and carries it back to their bedroom, wishing he had a flower to put on the tray. 

Giselle is still sleeping, her position unchanged as Rick sits the tray carefully on the chair in their room and begins to kiss the back of Giselle's neck until she stirs. 

"Mmmm," Giselle murmurs, "not a bad way to wake up." She lies still, letting Rick continue to kiss her neck until rolling over and pulling him down for a proper good morning kiss, noticing that he is showered, groomed and dressed. Frowning slightly she asks, "Did I forget something this morning?"

"Yes," Rick answers cheerfully, untangling himself from her arms. Hefting the tray he says, "You forgot that today you are having breakfast in bed. Don't worry about the crumbs. We need to wash the sheets ... again."

Giselle sits up in the bed, still blinking the sleep from her eyes. "Breakfast in bed? Why?"

"Why? Why not?" Rick asks, setting the tray in her lap. "Am I not allowed to serve the most beautiful and sexiest woman alive breakfast in bed?" 

"No. So I'll eat this," Giselle says, still struggling up from sleep, smacking her lips to clear the morning gunk from her mouth. Rick chuckles and turns to go clean the kitchen. "Rick!" Giselle calls as he starts to turn. "Thank you. It's very sweet of you."

Rick smiles warmly at her. "Anything for you," he says before turning and leaving the room. Rick tidies the kitchen, then returns to the bedroom with another glass of juice. Giselle is much more alert this time and making good progress on her breakfast as he asks, "Would you like some tea?" He changes her partially consumed glass of juice for the full one. 

"No, thank you," Giselle says before adding, "The eggs are delicious." 

"I'm glad you like them. I only prepared three, but I can whip up some more if you want them," Rick says. 

"No, no," Giselle says quickly. "Three is plenty."

Rick once again leaves the room to let Giselle eat in peace ... there are few things Rick dislikes more than having someone sit and watch him eat. Rick downs the remaining juice from Giselle's glass and places the glass in the washer. He then peels one the oranges for his own breakfast, hovering in the kitchen eating orange slices until he hears the water start in the bath. He pops the remainder of the orange into his mouth and retrieves the dishes from their bedroom. After placing the dishes in the washer, Rick strips their bed and loads the linens into the wash before retrieving another set of linens from the closet and quickly making the bed. 




The Proposal Ch. 05



Rick is just tugging out the last of the wrinkles in the bed when Giselle comes out of the bath, covered only in a towel. Surveying the room Giselle says, "You are going to make someone a great wife someday, Rick Chamfer."

Rick steps in close and gently removes the towel. Giselle lets it go without protest. "Then where would you be?" he asks, stroking her breasts.

"Lonely," Giselle says quietly, "but probably not as sore."

Rick chuckles as he swoops down and lifts her off the floor. "I know what you mean. I'm a bit tender in the nether regions myself this morning." Rick kisses her heartily before adding, "And I would do it again in a minute."

"Ooohh, yeah," Giselle agrees, kissing him in return. "Now, put me down. I need to get dressed. I'm getting cold," Giselle says kicking her feet gently in emphasis. Rick returns her to her feet, but gives her one more loving kiss before turning her loose. Rick begins to turn to go start the linens and dishes washing when Giselle asks, "Did you check the immersion from last night? Did you get anything?"

"You know, I forgot to check. I'll do that later. But I did send your immersion links to Charlie. Two one time use links. They should be delivered in," Rick checks the time, "about an hour."

"Let me know if or when you get something," Giselle asks. "I'm really interested in finding out what the hullabaloo is about our immersions."

"Yeah, same here," Rick says before leaving Giselle to dress.

* * *

Rick is in the driveway washing Giselle's Audi when the ping comes from Charlie. "Thank you Rick," Charlie says over the ping. "I know this wasn't easy for you and it means a lot to me."

Rick continues to wash the car as he answers, "You're welcome. Those are one time use links so when you give them to whoever it is that is going to experience it, make sure they don't drop out before they are done because they won't be able to experience it again ... well, unless they use the other link that is."

"I understand," Charlie says. Charlie hears the hissing noise of spraying water over the ping. "What are you doing?" she asks. Rick opens a video link in the ping so she can see for herself. "Oh! You want to come do our cars when you're done?" Charlie teases.

"No, I think not," Rick replies. I still have my car and the Aston to go. Then I need to mow the yard." Rick pauses, "I'll tell you what. You send Todd over to mow my lawn and I will wash your car while he's here."

Charlie trills a brief laugh. "I'll see what I can do," she says before dropping the ping.

When Rick enters the kitchen after washing the cars he sees Giselle slicing an apple and placing it on a sandwich. "Mmm," Rick says, crossing the kitchen, "that looks good." Rick hugs Giselle from behind and gives her a quick kiss on her neck. "The sandwiches look good too," he adds, causing Giselle to giggle. 

"Would you stop it," she admonishes gently. "You're getting to be as bad as Todd."

Rick gives her another squeeze before turning her loose and putting the plates on the table. "What would you like to drink?" he asks her.

"Water, please. With a lemon."

Rick retrieves two glasses from the cabinet and, after adding a lemon slice to each glass from the supply they keep in the refrigerator, fills them with water and sets them by the plates. Giselle places a small plate of washed grapes in the center of the table then sits down in her customary place.

Rick and Giselle have a leisurely lunch, the conversion wandering aimlessly as they enjoyed the smoked turkey sandwiches topped with cheddar and apple slices. As Giselle nibbled on grapes she says, "Charlie pinged me this morning to thank me for the links."

"She pinged me as well," Rick replies. "I hope she gets out of this whatever it is she is looking for."

"Me too," Giselle says. "I wonder if she is looking for atonement for her friend, what was her name, Tip?"

"Maybe," Rick considers. "I guess I can see how something like that might twist you up inside, though surely she knows it wasn't her fault."

"Knowing something to be true and feeling it is not always the same thing," Giselle points out.

"I remember when this happened. I didn't know what happened at the time until yesterday, but I remember that I thought I had done something to make one or the other of them mad. They were always polite enough, and they kept telling that 'no, you haven't done anything' but for two or three months they didn't want to do anything, or go anywhere. I haven't thought about it in a long time, but it bothered me because I never could figure out what I had done. I guess they were telling me the truth, I hadn't done anything." Rick pauses for a moment then continues, "You would think that after ten years, or whatever, she would be over this."

"I understand exactly how she feels," Giselle said. "I didn't do anything that would have caused Jonathan to start cheating on me, but after I found out it took a long time to get past the 'what did I do wrong' and the 'why didn't I do this' feeling. I'm not sure I am completely over it yet. It is kind of what started all of this."

Rick sits quietly for a while before reaching across the table and taking one of Giselle's hands into his own. "Giselle, believe me, I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you."

"I know that. I do! But ... knowing something to be true and feeling it is not always the same thing," Giselle says, calling back her own words. "I may never get completely over it," Giselle squeezes his hand, "but I'm getting there," she says with a small smile. 

Rick sits still, holding her hand, not knowing what to say. Finally he pulls his hand from hers, "Okay," he says, standing and taking their plates and loading them into the dish washer. 

Giselle laughs to herself at his discomfort and shakes her head slightly. Men!

After placing their plates in the dishwasher, Rick gives Giselle a kiss on her forehead before heading into the yard. He pulls the mower from the attached storage closet and wheels it to the starting point. Normally Rick likes to mow the yard himself so that he can vary the pattern, but today he has something else to do so he decides to let the mower mow by itself. He pushes the button to start the electric motors, folds the handle down to place the mower in auto mode, and pushes the repeat button. The mower sits for a few seconds until it establishes a GPS lock then it trundles off, exactly repeating the mowing pattern Rick used when training it. Rick watches the mower until it reaches the edge of the yard and makes the first turn, making sure it wasn't running amuck, then goes back inside. One of these days he is going to have to retrain the mower so it starts from, and returns to, the storage closet, something he hadn't thought of when he trained it the first time.

Back inside Rick finds Giselle lying on the bed, fully clothed. She waves drowsily when he looks into the room. He crosses to sit on the bed beside her. "Sleepy?" he asks.

Giselle nods her head slowly. "You kept me up too late last night," she says with a slight smile. "It took a lot out of me. Wake me in an hour or so?"

Rick leans down and kisses her quickly on the lips, "Will do," he promises before he rises and leaves the room. With the cars washed, the lawn mowing and the Giselle napping, Rick settles onto the couch to check the immersion he recorded last night. He decides that if he got anything he wouldn't experience it without Giselle. It wouldn't do to get himself all worked up knowing Giselle isn't going to be interested in another ... tumble ... tonight. And besides, he did mean it when he told Charlie and Todd the immersion experience is better when it was shared.

Forty-five minutes into the immersion Rick returns, surprised that the only thing on the immersion were the Roses sleeping. He had convinced himself over the years that Todd and Charlie had sex at least every day, if not more often. He didn't know why, exactly, he thought that ... maybe because of the way Todd looked at Charlie, or maybe just the way Charlie looked in general. Whatever the reason, he had been convinced they were screwing their brains out all the time. 

What did come through on the immersion was Todd's endless well of love for Charlie, the deep peace and contentment as he held her. He knew the feeling well, he felt exactly the same way when he held Giselle close. He could feel himself smile from the emotion, the same feeling he gets seeing an old couple walking along hand in hand, still in love. This was some powerful stuff. If the background hum of their love comes through the link when Todd is just talking too and comforting Charlie, what would it be like when they are truly expressing their love in the most manifest way possible? Rick has always believed that nobody could love anyone as much as he loves Giselle. Now he knows that isn't true, Todd loves Charlie just as deeply, and he suddenly finds that he likes Todd even more than he did before because of it.

As Rick sits pondering, his thoughts a whirlwind, he realizes that his entire outlook of what Charlie was trying to tell him has changed. No wonder she was so set on getting Todd to experience the immersion. The question remained, however, would an immersion like this affect a total stranger in the same way. After all, he already loved and respected Todd and Charlie; they were his only family until Giselle. Rick shakes his head, throwing off the thoughts. They will know soon enough, as soon as Charlie shares the experiences with whoever it was she was going to share the links with. Rick clears the immersion from the recorder and resets it to record tonight, starting an hour earlier, just in case. He's beginning to see that the lead-up to the sex is just as important, or more so, than the act itself. He really hopes that Todd and Charlie do the wild thing tonight as he is suddenly very keen to share this with Giselle.

Rick checks the time. He quietly walks into the bedroom and stops, looking at Giselle on the bed, one arm over her breasts, the other tucked under her head, her hand lost in the spray of red hair. His emotions, his love for her, threaten to overwhelm him. He had intended to wake Giselle, as she asked, but he must hold her first. Removing his shoes he eases himself onto bed and snuggles up to her. Giselle, still asleep, rolls onto her right side, allowing him to tuck in close. Rick slides one arm under her head and one over the top to hold her for several minutes until the flood of emotions he was feeling passes.

Feeling that he has himself under control once again, Rick begins to stroke Giselle on the arm, pulling her gently from sleep. "How long have I been asleep?" she asks, in a slow dreamy voice.

"Just over an hour," Rick replies.

"You been here the whole time?"

"No. Just for the last few minutes." Rick kisses her on the neck, just above her shoulder where she likes it.

Giselle sighs deeply and stretches as an enormous yawn escapes her. "I think I could lie here all day," she says.

"So why don't you?" Rick asks, pulling her in a bit tighter, still stroking her bare arm.

"Mmmm ... don't tempt me," she says, squirming in closer to Rick. When he doesn't say anything she continues, "Because I won't sleep tonight."

They are quiet for a while, enjoying their closeness, until finally Rick says, "I checked on the immersion while you slept."

"And?" Giselle queries, sounding more alert.

"It was nothing, just them sleeping. But there was something there. I wish I hadn't deleted it now so you could experience it."

"Something there? What do you mean?" Giselle asks.

"Well," Rick begins, "even though they only slept, I was getting this feeling of such contentment and love. It was ... well ... eye opening I guess is the right term. Before, if someone asked me, I would have told them that nobody could love someone as much as I love you. But Todd loves Charlie just as much. His feelings for her, I knew exactly how he felt because I feel them for you. Charlie was still upset, about Tip I guess, and he was concerned about that. And though he wanted her, he didn't make any move to seduce her. He just held her until she went to sleep. And the thing was, he didn't care, not really, that they weren't going to, err, make love. He was content to simply hold her." Rick pauses, then continues. "I'm kind of surprise that they only slept. I've always assumed they were having sex every night. Have you seen the way he looks at her?"

Giselle giggles. "You men. You think everybody is getting more than you are. I bet if you ask Todd, he thinks you are getting laid every night too."

"You think?" Rick asks.

"Count on it. You should ask him sometime."

"I don't know," Rick says.

Giselle giggles again. "Look, he has made love to me, sort of. Pretty soon, you will have made love to Charlie. If you can't talk to him after that, who can you talk to?"

Rick thinks about what Giselle said. He knows she is right, but his world is changing faster than he can keep up. "Maybe," he finally allows.

Giselle stretches again, slaps Rick on the leg, then tumbles out of the bed. "Get up. We can't lie in the bed all day," she declares.

"I don't know why not," Rick says, though he rolls out of the bed as well.

Giselle spends the rest of her afternoon engrossed in her book while Rick, after putting the mower away, worked on cleaning up the interface for simultaneous immersions. He wasn't sure why he suddenly felt it was important to improve the interface, but he did. 

Rick was about half done with his work on the interface when he and Giselle stop what they are doing to prepare a dinner of poached fish, served drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt, on a bed of rice pilaf.

The rest of the evening was spent much the same way, with Giselle reading and Rick working on the multi-participant interface. About half way through the evening Rick decides the entire concept of the original interface was flawed and scrapped any further work on it, preferring to attack the problem with a clean-sheet design. He had a feeling that he was going to need an interface that was written to the same high standards that he used with all the other interface work he does. Rick finds himself far more interested in the idea than he thought he would. It has been a long time since he wanted to work on something and he was excited to get started. He knew there was no way he could code the interface in the time remaining before he and Giselle retired for the evening, so he spent the time blue-skying ideas for how the interface would work until Giselle announced she was going to bed and he could either join her ... or he could sit up and work. Rick wasted no time in wrapping up what he was doing and following her to bed as sex or no sex, being in bed with Giselle was better than work any day.



The Proposal Ch. 06



When Rick arrived at work Monday morning he had a clear idea of what he wanted to do with the immersion interface and after a day of stealing snippets of code from here and there along with goodly amount of heads-down programming, he had a rough working framework in place. Now comes the hard part ... the polishing of the product and the bug fixes so that it worked the way someone intuitively expects it work ... in other words, another Feedback Alive product. 

Rick leaves the office tired and drained but well satisfied with the work done. Another two or three weeks of development and polish and the product would be ready to release. Driving home Rick wonders that he has set on this multi-person immersion interface for almost two years and never realized that the market would be clamoring for something like this if and when the immersion technology ever took off. While the Ford drove itself Rick had a dozen yellow roses sent to Charlie with a note expressing his gratitude for the idea. He wishes he had thought to send them this morning so she would have gotten them today, but tomorrow would be good enough. 

Arriving home he sees that Giselle's Audi isn't in the garage. It wasn't unheard of for him to beat her home, but it was unusual. He pings her as he pulls into the garage and immediately gets back her standard greeting that she is with a client and to leave a message. He ends the ping without leaving a message. She would see he pinged her and ping him back when she had a moment. As expected she pings him within twenty minutes.

"Just wanted to know when you would be home," Rick says after accepting her ping.

"I just finished with the client. I will be walking out in ten or fifteen minutes, so maybe thirty minutes, depending on traffic?"

"Perfect! Dinner should be ready about the time you get home," Rick says.

"Breakfast in bed yesterday, dinner prepared when I get home tonight ... you're going to spoil me," Giselle says and Rick can hear the smile in her voice.

"I try," Rick say teasingly. 

"You're doing a good job," Giselle says. "Let me go so I can get out of here. Love you."

"Love you to," Rick says in response just before the link ends.

The chicken is baking, and he has a salad planned, but Rick scratches his head trying to figure out what else to have. Rick doesn't mind the cooking, but he hates trying to plan a meal. After a few minutes he gives up and digs in the freezer for a zapper meal, finally selecting rosemary roasted potatoes. The zapper is an extension of the microwave and zapper meals are packed and encoded with instructions so you just toss them in the zapper, set when you want it done, and the machine does the rest. When cooking a complete meal, the packaging controls how much of the cooking energy reaches the various parts of the meals to ensure everything finishes cooking at the same time. The meals are quick, easy and tasty, and they work great on weeknights when time constraints make it difficult to cook. Or when you can't figure out what to prepare.

Rick wonders what wine to have with chicken, comparing what's in their "cellar," a small refrigerator tucked under a counter, to the list that suddenly appears in his head. Nothing exactly matches so he considers which of the whites in the cooler would be best, selecting the one most recommended. Rick decides right then and there to plan a trip to Napa with Giselle and spend a week having Giselle teach him about wine. She would enjoy the trip, the wine, and he would enjoy Giselle's company, plus afterwards maybe he wouldn't be so hopelessly lost every time he had to make a wine selection. 

Good as her word Giselle arrives home twenty-five minutes after her ping. He hands her a glass of wine, which she takes with a smile. He looks at her expectantly as she takes a sip. "Chicken," is all she says and Rick bursts out laughing, amazed that she can do that nearly every time. 

"One day I am going to pick something wrong, just to throw you off," Rick says teasing.

"And waste a good bottle of wine? Don't you dare!" Giselle takes another sip. "You're getting better at selecting," she says.

"The net knows all," Rick says with a smile. "I've learned what questions to ask. But left on my own, I'm hopeless," he admits sheepishly. 

"Philistine," Giselle mutters as she turns away, glass in hand, heading into the bedroom to change out of her suit. Rick grins as she walks away, knowing she is teasing him. 

When she returns, dressed in comfortable slacks and a loose blouse, the salads are on the table. They enjoy the meal of chicken and potatoes, discussing their day. Rick explains briefly about the new immersion interface he is working on and Giselle talks about how, once again, she is tired of the big law firm rat race and would like to go out on her own. This is a conversion they have had in the past, and while Rick fully supports the idea, the timing is bad. Rick, and the other three partners of Feedback Alive, draw a pittance in salary, preferring to put any of the company's meager income back into the company. While Rick is wealthy on paper, he has no real income until Feedback Alive begins to show enough income to allow him, and the other partners, to pay themselves a living wage.

After dinner Giselle helps Rick clean the kitchen then they settle into their evening routine. Giselle curls up with a book and Rick begins to noodle around on the net. He first thinks that he might work on the immersion interface some more, but decides that no, he has had enough of that for the day. Instead he accesses the immersion recorder he left at Charlie and Todd's house to see if it captured something more interesting than them sleeping. Rick logs into the recorder and begins the immersion. 

* * *

Rick finishes rearranging items in the freezer and places the leftover Alfredo sauce from dinner in the compartment. Shutting the freezer door, he feels an evil smile cross his face. Rick walks into the family room from the kitchen and sees Charlie setting in her chair, obviously accessing the net from the thousand yard stare on her face. He walks quietly around behind her chair and with a deft motion plunges his hands down the front of her shirt.

Charlie shrieks as if shot and jumps. "Shit! Your hands are like ice!" she shouts, peeling his hands off her skin. Rick begins to laugh heartily at her reaction as she looks at him with a dramatic pout. "That was mean," she says sulkily. 

"Kind of like dumping the cold water on me in the shower this morning?" Rick asks playfully.

"No. That was funny," Charlie disagrees. 

"For who?" Rick asks in mock outrage. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Why, me of course," Charlie states as if the answer was obvious. 

"Well, goose, meet gander," Rick says, beginning to chuckle again. 

"I bet Rick doesn't treat Giselle like this," Charlie says.

"I bet he doesn't either," Rick agrees, "because Giselle would kick his ass."

Charlie giggles. "She might. But then again, he might like it." Charlie pulls Rick's hands around from behind her, pulling him to the front of the chair.

Rick crouches down in front of Charlie and begins to slowly unbutton her shirt. "Maybe I can warm you back up," Rick says, as he works down her shirt.

"Or maybe I should just kick your ass," Charlie suggests, sitting perfectly still as Rick's fingers work the buttons.

"Oh yes, please," Rick says. "With leather and high heels?" he says hopefully.

Charlie giggles again. "You're a naughty boy. I may have to send you to my room," Charlie says just before Rick's lips begin kissing the exposed mounds of her breasts. "Or maybe, I should just keep you right here," she says seductively, placing her hand on the back of Rick's head. 

* * *

Rick comes out the immersion feeling flushed and hot. He looks at Giselle from the couch to see her looking at him. "So you have something?" she asks.

"What?" Rick says, still shaking off the effects of the immersion.

"You're color is up and you were laughing or something," Giselle says. "I asked if you had something on the immersion you recorded."

Rick is fully back now. "Yes, I think so. I dropped out before anything really started, but I'm pretty sure that they are going to ..." Rick trails off.

"Make love?" Giselle suggests.

"Yes, make love," Rick confirms. 

Giselle closes her book with quick and practiced movement. "It's only seven-thirty, but I suppose we could go to bed early tonight," Giselle says. "If you want." She sits perfectly still, waiting for Rick to make the next move.

Rick rises from the couch and in two quick steps is standing in front of Giselle, putting his hands down for her to take. She takes them and he pulls her gently from the chair, then in a quick movement scoops her up in his arms. Giselle clings to his neck, looking him in the eyes as he carries her down the hall to the bedroom where he lays her gently on the bed. Giselle continues to cling to him, so he settles on top of her, careful to not to hurt her. They lay like that for several minutes, locked in a loving embrace, until Rick breaks the embrace. He slowly begins to undress Giselle, and she doesn't resist, aiding him only enough by shifting her weight about so that he doesn't have to struggle. 

Once Rick has Giselle stripped he looks at her a briefly before bending over, taking a breast into his mouth. Giselle sighs quietly but after only a moment she pulls his head from her. "Not yet," she whispers as she begins helping Rick out of his clothes. Rick isn't as patient as Giselle and assists her in undressing him. Once nude Rick turns the bed back and lies down, pulling Giselle to him so she is lying on him. He pulls her mouth to him and he kisses her passionately, his desire for her rapidly growing. Giselle returns the kiss just as passionately, but then breaks the kiss again. "No. Wait. Not yet," she pants as Rick kisses her neck. "I want to experience the immersion first." Rick continues to kiss her neck causing Giselle to groan in desire. She once again covers his mouth with her own, kissing him, probing with her tongue as he does the same. Once again she breaks the kiss. "Rick, we've got to stop or I won't be able to," Giselle says as she covers his mouth with a hand, her breathing hard. 

Rick lies still for a moment then gently pulls her hand from his mouth. He rises up and kisses her lips chastely. "Just trying to set the mood," Rick says with a smile.

Giselle still wants him, wants his desperately, but now that he has stopped his maddening kissing her ardor is cooling. "You're not fooling anyone buster," she says, looking in his eyes.

"No, I suppose I'm not," Rick admits, wondering if he should just take her now, despite her protests. "We could have a go, then experience the immersion," Rick suggests with a gentle kiss on her neck. 

Giselle considers the idea, admitting its appeal, but instead begins to kiss Rick under his ear. "We could, but then we wouldn't experience it like Charlie and Todd did, would we," Giselle says between kisses on his neck.

Rick begins kissing Giselle's shoulder. "No, I suppose not. But if you don't stop that, I will take you right now and we can put off the immersion to another day," Rick says huskily, rolling her off of him onto her side. He tucks himself into her in the spooning position, his knees tucked behind hers, her buttocks in his crotch. His penis is caught between her legs in her spreading wetness. He takes himself in hand, and positioning his manhood, pushes it into Giselle with a deep intake of breath from the pleasure, Giselle gasping both in surprise and the sensation of him entering her. He wraps her up in his arms, and taking a breast in each hand, pulls her tightly to him as he starts the immersion.

Giselle feels Rick roll her off of him into her side so that he could spoon up behind her. She loves the feel of him pressed against her, holding her tight, causing her to feel safe, warm and protected. Rick's penis is pressing against her womanhood, sending a low level trill of pleasure through her, but before she can react to his member pressing against her, she feels it being removed. Giselle feels both relief and disappointment, but just as quickly she feels Rick insert himself into her. The sensation causes her to gasp as he gently slides deep into her. Before she can adjust to what is happening she feels his big hands cradling her breasts as he holds her tightly to him, surprised, but not disappointed, that Rick decided to have her before the immersion. Just as she completes the thought the immersion link arrives. Suddenly grasping what Rick is doing Giselle smiles. Since she shared the immersion with Charlie, her and Rick's sex life has become more ... interesting. The novelty of what they are about to do, starting an immersion while in the midst of intercourse, excites Giselle. She debates, briefly, starting to fuck him while he is stuck in the limbo of the immersion, waiting on her, so when he comes back she is already fucking the shit out of him, but decides that would be for another time, maybe with their own immersion. She accepts the immersion link and with the thrill of naughtiness still strumming through her, falls into the immersion. 

Rick finishes rearranging items in the freezer and places the leftover Alfredo sauce from dinner in the compartment. Shutting the freezer door, he feels an evil smile cross his face. Rick walks into the family room from the kitchen and sees Charlie setting in her chair, obviously accessing the net from the thousand yard stare on her face. He walks quietly around behind her chair and with a deft motion plunges his hands down the front of her shirt.

Giselle is reviewing a contract for a shoot with one of her girls on Tuesday when Todd's ice cold hands press against her skin just below her breasts. The shock of his hand cause her to lose her breath in a shriek. "Shit! Your hands are like ice!" she shouts, peeling Todd's cold hands off her skin. Todd begins to laugh heartily as she looks at him. She puts on a dramatic pout. "That was mean," Giselle says in mock sulkiness. 

"Kind of like dumping the cold water on me in the shower this morning?" Rick asks playfully.

"No. That was funny," Giselle disagrees. 

"For who?" Rick asks in mock outrage. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Why, me of course," Giselle states as if the answer was obvious. 

"Well, goose, meet gander," Rick says, beginning to chuckle again. 

"I bet Rick doesn't treat Giselle like this," Giselle says.

"I bet he doesn't either," Rick agrees, "because Giselle would kick his ass."

Giselle giggles. "She might. But then again, he might like it." Giselle pulls Todd's hands around from behind her, pulling him to the front of the chair.

Rick crouches down in front of Charlie and begins to slowly unbutton her shirt. "Maybe I can warm you back up," Rick says, as he works down her shirt.

"Or maybe I should just kick your ass," Giselle suggests, sitting perfectly still as Todd's fingers work the buttons.

"Oh yes, please," Rick says. "With leather and high heels?" he says hopefully.

Giselle giggles again. "You're a naughty boy. I may have to send you to my room," Giselle says just before Todd's lips begin kissing the exposed mounds of her breasts. "Or maybe, I should just keep you right here," she says seductively. The touch of his lips on her sending little chills of pleasure radiating out from each place his lips touch her. She places her hand on the back of Todd's head, lightly holding him in place, encouraging him to continue. Todd places his still cold hands on her back, causing a quick intake of breath, but she embraces it, the sudden chill of his hands an exquisite counterpoint to her rising heat. 

Rick begins to kiss the exposed skin of Charlie's breasts. He takes his time, enjoying the smoothness of her skin, the smell of her, of lavender. He slides his hands between Charlie's back and shirt, warming them against her back and the back of the chair. Charlie hisses through clenched teeth at the shock of their coldness and arches her back briefly before pressing his hands into the back of the chair, warming them. Rick pulls Charlie slightly forward, giving him room to work the catches on her brassiere. Once unclipped he slides the shoulder bands off her shoulders and helps her slip out of her loose fitting shirt, giving him free access to her. His hands, nicely warmed now, cup and support her as he suckles at her breasts, teasing her with his lips and tongue.

Giselle feels Todd loosen her bra and she helps him remove it with her shirt. Todd's mouth feels scorching hot on her skin as he licks, sucks and kisses her breasts. Giselle sits there, holding his head gently to her, enjoying the pleasures of Todd's mouth as his attentions send a spreading warmth through her. She pulls him up and away from her breasts so she can undo the two buttons on his polo shirt and pull it over his head. She then pulls him to her mouth for a deep, passionate and prolonged kiss. 

Rick slowly works on Charlie's breasts, warming her up. As a young man he was always in a hurry to get to the main event, but now he take as much pleasure from giving her pleasure as he does in getting it ... and their sex life is improved because of it. Rick feels Charlie push him away so she can take his shirt off, then pull him to her for a long, deep, erotic kiss. The feel of her hot skin against his chest and their tongues twisting and turning about each other causes his breathing to become heavier as his desire rises. Pulling out of the kiss he quickly unbuttons Charlie's shorts and pulls them, and her panties, down and off in one quick yank. Picking up his shirt he gives the bottom of her leg a tap, causing her raise her bottom, allowing him to quickly spread his shirt under her to protect the covering of the chair. 

Giselle feels Todd pull away from their kiss, his breath coming fast and strong. He quickly undoes her shorts and pulls them down and away. She begins to pull him back to her but she feels him tapping on the back of her leg, trying to get her to raise her bottom. When she does she sees him quickly smooth his shirt under her to protect the chair. She smiles at his thoughtfulness; she hadn't even considered the mess she might make on the chair. Giselle was feeling particularly randy, it has been a long time since they had sex anywhere other than the bedroom, at least in their own home, and having Todd ravish her here in the chair was exciting her more than normal. Shirt in place Todd moves back into her, kissing her neck as he slowly begins to work his way down her body. A quiet little moan escapes from Giselle as she recognizes what he is doing, covering her in kisses as Rick did to Giselle in the immersion, and the memory of the power of Giselle's orgasm causes Giselle's heat to rise again. 

After tucking his shirt under Charlie's bottom, Rick once again begins to kiss Charlie, starting with her neck. He begins to work his way down her body, trying to drive her as insane with desire as Rick did to Giselle in the immersion. He would love to give her such an orgasm, to have her flailing about, completely out control. Just the thought of having Charlie begging him to release her causes his penis to harden more, becoming uncomfortable in his pants. Rick moves a hand to his crotch for a little pulling and tugging, adjusting himself in his pants to reduce the discomfort, before returning the hand to Charlie's body. He gently massages Charlie's breasts, strokes her sides, tweaks her nipples, all the while working slowly, so slowly, down her body, caressing her skin with his lips.

As Todd is kissing every square inch of her skin, Giselle can feel a slow warmth spreading through her body. When Todd reaches her abdomen he tucks his hands into the small of her back and pulls her to the front he chair and more firmly into his lips. He kisses around her sides, to where normally she would be ticklish but now her squirms are not from being tickled, but from the electric pleasures his lips are causing. Giselle tries to pull her arms tight to her side, to force Todd to move away from the spot that he seems to have paused on, but his back is in the way, preventing her from pulling her arm down.




The Proposal Ch. 06



Rick can feel Charlie begin to fidget and squirm as he kisses her under the ribs. He slows, playing special attention to this sensitive place. He can feel her trying to push him away, but he holds his ground, kissing, sucking, nibbling on her skin. She knees him rather painfully in the ribs as a spasm passes over her, causing him to grunt, but he continues down her side as she twists and jerks. Rick gives her some relief when he gets to the top of her thigh by moving back to abdomen. Charlie places her hands on his head, relaxing under his tender kisses on her stomach with a slow exhalation. Rick slowly works his way down her stomach, and the nearer he comes to Charlie's womanhood, the more firmly she pushes his head in that direction. 

Todd finally reaches Giselle's thighs and moves back to begin kissing her stomach just under her ribs. The delicious tortures of his lips on her side removed, Giselle can feel the tension flowing out of her body and she gives a great sigh of relief. She places her hands on Todd's head, wrapping her fingers in his blonde hair, gently urging him lower, to hurry him to where she wants him. As he gets ever closer with his kisses she can feel herself anticipating the pleasures she will have and begins to push slightly harder, urging him to hurry, wanting desperately to feel his tongue in her most intimate place. As her excitement builds in anticipation, Todd gives a quick ducking movement with his head, dislodging her hands, as he moves back to her opposite side. The effects of his lips on her skin are instant and dramatic as Giselle gasps in surprise and pleasure. She twists in the chair as her muscles contract, rolling partially onto one hip. Todd holds her firmly as he continues his slow march down her side with his lips. "Todd, Todd! Todd, stop! I can't stand it. Please stop!" Giselle begs as she twists and squirms. 

Rick hears Charlie gasping as she twists and rolls in the chair but ignores her, knowing he isn't causing her pain, only the discomfort of intense pleasure from his kisses in a surprisingly sensitive area. Charlie's twisting and begging sets his passions fully aflame as he continues to work his way down her side, kissing and caressing. As he nears the vee of her crotch her squirming subsides as he moves from the area he knows her to be so ticklish. Reaching her thigh Rick pauses, looking into Charlie's face, trying to gauge her feelings. Her eyes are closed, her mouth slightly open, her color high. She opens her eyes to see him watching her. She looks back at him briefly before reaching for him, pulling him into a deep and passionate kiss.

Giselle feels Todd's lips leave her and after a moment opens her eyes to see him looking at her, his eyes full love and passion, his face flush from his excitement. Giselle reaches for him, pulling him to her in a deep kiss, Todd leans into the embrace, wrapping the fingers of one hand in her hair, the other on her back, pulling her upright in the chair and pressing her to him as he returns the kiss with as much passion, as much lust, as she herself feels. They remain locked in the embrace, their tongues probing and dancing, as their passions feed on each other, driving both deeper into their desire. Giselle reaches to begin unbuttoning Todd's shorts, breaking the kiss. As she works the button, Todd frantically kisses her neck, her shoulders, holding her as if she were a lifeline. Giselle feels the button come free and Todd pulls away, stands, and removes his shorts and underwear.

Charlie kisses him with such intensity, such passion, that Rick feels like he might have an orgasm right there, her skin so hot it feels as if it could burn him. Rick feels Charlie tugging on his pants, working to free the button so he can remove his shorts. He doesn't help, preferring to spend his time kissing her neck and shoulder, holding her tight. When Rick feels the button come free he stands, taking a step back, and slowly removes his pants and underwear, taking his time, letting his ardor cool. He takes a step forward, Charlie reaching as if to take his dick into her mouth, but he avoids her by crouching as he moves forward, settling on his knees. Once again he leans in, offering a kiss, a kiss which Charlie takes greedily, before he pulls away and pushes her gently back into the chair.

As Todd steps toward her, Giselle moves to take his fully erect cock into her mouth, but he deftly avoids her touch as he drops to his knees in front of her, leaning in and covering her mouth with his. Giselle kisses him with all the passion she can muster, her passions running high, keening with desire. Todd pulls away and gently pushes her back in the chair, causing her to fall back, giving him the room he needs, but he doesn't enter her as she expects but instead begins kissing her again on the upper breast. Giselle wants to scream in frustration. "No, no, no, no ..." Giselle says, pulling him to her, trying to get him to take her, now. He has her ready, she wants him, she needs him. 

Rick feels Charlie pulling at him, trying to get him to take her with her breathy begging but he continues to tease the erect nipples of her breasts. He is moving quickly, but not so quickly as to appear to be rushing, down her body to her woman hood. Charlie begins to slap and pull at his back and shoulders, trying to pull him into her, to have him join with her in passionate intercourse. 

"Take me, take me, take me. Please, take me. Take me now," Charlie begs, the words jumbled together. 

Rick continues to work his way down Charlie's body, kissing her briefly in the newly discovered area where ticklish becomes something more in the grips of passion. Rick continues down, reaching her vagina where he hesitates no more, pushing her labia open and begins to caress her clitoris with is tongue.

Giselle gives up trying to coax Todd to fuck her, letting him work his way down her body, every kiss a crackling current of pleasure. The moment Todd's tongue touches her clit, the crackle becomes a thunderbolt, a wave of pleasure coursing through her like a clap of thunder. Giselle grabs the back of Todd's head and pulls him in tight, her back arching, pushing her hips up to meet his flicking tongue and grasping lips. The electric fire spreads through her, firing every nerve end, causing her to whimper and moan. "Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ... right there, there, there ... oh yes, yes ..." She knows she is babbling incoherently, but she can't stop as she slowly curls into the fetal position, her legs pulling up, her head into her chest. Her orgasm is upon her, from seemingly nowhere, her words becoming the keening sounds of woman falling into a deep and hard orgasm.

Rick feels Charlie tense the moment he touches her clitoris, her hands pulling him down even as her hips push up. He flicks her more strenuously, pushing her toward orgasm, her body curling up, her legs pulling into her chest as her pleasure begins to overwhelm her. Her grasping hands continue to pull him hard into her as he batters her clitoris with his tongue, as he begins to probe her with first one, then two fingers, sliding them into her wetness and stroking the entrance. Charlie begins to twitch, lightly at first, but then more violently as her orgasm crashes down upon her, causing her to whimper. 

Just as Giselle begins to slide into her orgasm, Todd begins to finger-fuck her, causing her orgasm to build again. She begins to twitch as her muscles react to the misfiring of her nervous system. 

"I'm cumming ..." she mummers, clinching hard, to trying to control her orgasm, but it won't be stopped. "Oh ...." Giselle begins but the tumultuous waves of her orgasm steals her voice. Her back arcs and she kicks, once, violently, at the floor, her muscles beyond her control. She grabs the back of the chair and hauls with all her might, the chair creaking under the strain, fighting the orgasm for control, "... fuck!" Giselle shouts, the word drawn out before dropping into a throaty growl.

Rick feels Charlie kick the floor, hard, slamming the chair into the wall. Because the chair only slid inches before being stopped by the wall, Rick continues to bore in on her, twisting his fingers in her pussy, touching, stroking her in just the right place while pounding her clit with his tongue. He feels her hands leave his head, but he continues to molest her womanhood, pushing her orgasm, feeding the storm in her body. The chair creaks as Charlie squirms and thrashes in the chair until suddenly she stiffens, shouting as she strains through her orgasm before just as suddenly she relaxes, falling back into the chair, each exhalation a growl. 

Giselle feels the last of the orgasm wash out of her, a profound weakness left behind. "Fuck," she says again, as she pants, trying to catch her breath. Todd stops working on her clitoris and rises to her, kissing her gently, but passionately, her fire damped, his held in reserve, as he slides his penis inside her. "Mmmm ..." is all Giselle has the strength to say as Todd slowly moves deep inside her. "Fuck," she breaths again, as feeling and strength come back into her. 

Rick realizes that his manipulations are no longer having any effect so he stops battering her clit and rises up to kiss her, pushing himself inside of her with a deep intake of breath. He slowly begins to thrust into her, taking it slow, enjoying the feeling before his passions take him. He hears Charlie muttering as he moves, still coming down from her orgasm. "What do you think I'm doing?" Rick asks as he continues to move inside of her. He hears Charlie giggle briefly before she is pushing him out of her, backwards, and down onto the floor.

Giselle pushes Todd backwards, putting him off balance as she rides him to the floor. Giselle takes Todd's rigid dick, still slick with her wetness, and holds him tightly erect. "So, tough guy? Think you're funny do you? Let's see how funny you think you are when I get done with you," Giselle growls in mock anger before placing his dick in her mouth and lowering herself all the way down until her nose is touching his crotch.

Rick hears Charlie's threatening comments, but before he can answer she is swallowing him, stealing any smartass comeback he might have thought of. 

Giselle comes up for air after a few seconds, unable to control her gag reflex any longer, but it has the desired effect, causing Todd's eyes to tightly close, his face twisting in pleasure. She spits on his cock, stroking it vigorously. "Who's funny now? Huh? Not so funny now are you?" she says before lowering herself back over his dick, flicking the shaft with her tongue as she forces herself to not gag.

Rick closes his eyes, desperately fighting for control, the orgasm he had under control only moments ago now upon him. Charlie once again takes him fully in her mouth, teasing his balls even as she licks the bottom of his shaft with her tongue. He is lost, but he clamps down as hard as he can, like he felt Rick do in the immersion, trying to last as long as possible.

As Giselle pulls back she can tell Todd is on the edge. "No so fucking funny now is it, needing to cum and not being able to?" Giselle says, squeezes the base of his cock, hard, stifling his orgasm. "Don't you cum, don't you dare cum. I'm not done with you yet." Giselle continues to squeeze his member until she feels the danger has passed. 

Rick can feel himself start to ejaculate when Charlie pinches him at the base of the dick. Her grip is painfully tight but it does stop his orgasm, leaving only a bit of semen leaking out of the end of his dick. He groans in frustration as Charlie once again begins to plunge herself down on him.

Giselle uses her mouth and hand together, sliding up and down the length of his shaft. Todd places his hands on the back of her head and pushes her down. She lets him push her all the way down, allowing him to hold her there until she feels herself begin to gag. He doesn't hold her so tightly she can't back off, so she raise her head enough get her gag reflex under control, then plunges back down. She can hear Todd groan as she takes him all the way in. 

Try as he might, Rick cannot avoid putting his hands on the back of Charlie's head when she is deep-throating him like this. He is careful to not push her down to hard, but he simply must do it, as if it is as instinctive as the last thrust, holding himself deep inside her as he cums. As Charlie's head slides down upon him again, he groans in pleasure. His orgasm has been effectively killed by Charlie's swift action, but that doesn't mean the pleasures radiating from his dick are any less deep and powerful.

Giselle realizes that Todd, while apparently enjoying her attentions, seems to have lost his passion. Hoping she hasn't spoiled it for him she ratchets it up another level. "You want me? Do you?" Giselle asks as she masturbates him. She moves close to his face, whispering in his ear. "You want to be inside me? I want you inside." Giselle knows she isn't going to orgasm again, so she devotes all her energies to pleasing him. She straddles him, and taking his penis in hand inserts him into her as she settles back, pushing him into her. She moans loudly as he slides into her again, not holding back. She bends down and kisses him ardently, passionately, fanning his passion back into life. 

Rick quivers slightly as Charlie masturbates him, exciting him with her words. Watching her as she slides him deep inside of her, and that moan, Rick realizes that the orgasm he thought was dead is showing signs of life after all. Charlie spills forward onto him and kisses him like he has rarely been kissed before. The kiss leaves him panting with desire as Charlie begins to rise and fall upon him, her breasts swinging and quivering. She raises herself straight up then after a few thrusts in that position, leans farther back, bracing her hands on his legs for support. 

Giselle leans as far back as she can, bracing on Todd's legs for support, before thrusting herself on his cock as hard and fast as she can. Giselle knows she can be a vocal fuck sometimes, but normally she tries to contain it, temper it, but now is not the time. She wants to surround and drown Todd in her passion until his own passion reawakens so every grunt, moan or gasp she feels, she gives voice, letting her own rising passion fuel Todd's. As pleasurable as the current position was, his cock rubbing her in all the right places, she can't continue so she levers herself forward, once again lying on his chest.

Rick can feel the orgasm beginning to build as Charlie thrusts herself on his cock, grunting and panting in her exertions. She pulls herself back up to lay upon him, her breasts mashed into his chest, kissing him again on the lips, neck and shoulders as she continues to thrusts her hips, driving his cock into her over and over again. Rick begins to thrusts his hips in time with hers, but he needs more. Gripping her firmly to him, he rolls over, so he is on top of her, positions himself and putting her legs over his shoulders, and after reinserting himself, drives as deep into her as he can. Charlie gasps in pleasure as he enters her and she smiles at him, urging him to use her for his own pleasures. 

Giselle feels Todd grip her tightly to him as he rolls over, placing himself on top of her. Oh yes, her man is back and ready as ever. She smiles in satisfaction and relief that she that hadn't spoiled a very exciting lovemaking session with her little game. Todd places her legs over his shoulders and begins to drive into her, taking her for his own pleasure, as he gives it back to her. She wasn't going to cum again, but my God this felt good and she can feel her heat rising with his. "Come on baby, fuck me harder," Giselle urges, keeping him on boil, pushing him to orgasm. She begins to push back on her legs, making him lean into her, making him work for his orgasm.

Rick feels the orgasm coming and it is going to be a hard one. As Charlie coos at him, begging him for more, he grips her legs for added leverage. His head falls down as his pleasure builds and he can feel her pushing on him, trying to straighten her legs but he is too close and won't be denied. He changes his grip, grasping her around her thighs so she can't push him away and drives himself into her with as much force and speed as he can. Rick can hear himself begin to whimper as the orgasm builds. "I'm going to cum ... I'm going to cum," he says almost painfully. The orgasm, once denied, hits twice as hard causing Rick to throw his head back as if in pain. Charlie pushes hard on her legs, raising her ass off the floor, holding him deep inside her as he spasms and shakes from the power of his orgasm.

Giselle knows Todd is close even before he cries out his impending climax, but she was unprepared for the violence of his orgasm. Giselle pushes hard on her legs, giving him something to push against, driving him deep into her as his wetness fills her. He shudders and shakes as his orgasm crashes over him, holding tightly to her legs. He releases her legs and the pressure of his body against them causes them to slip from his shoulders. He lowers himself to her in not quite a fall, and begins to thrust himself into her again in mad, frantic, disjointed movements. He lies on her, gripping her, thrusting madly, making growling, gasping noises into her neck as he rides out his orgasm, then he is still except for his panting. Giselle holds him, quiet, still, letting him come back to himself. Finally after several minutes of panting Todd finally, slowly, rises up to his knees and elbows. "Fuck," is all he says into her neck.

Rick feels Charlie push, hard, with her legs and he grasps at them, pulling himself tight into her as he fights his orgasm. He wants to let it flow but it would overwhelm him, so he holds tight to Charlie, channeling the wave after wave of pleasure as he empties himself in wave after wave of semen. But even as he empties himself, the orgasm won't release its grip upon him. He releases Charlie's legs, allowing himself to fall to her, needing to feel her closeness. He pumps his hips, driving himself into her again and again, wringing every last bit of pleasure from his orgasm, feeding the whirlwind of sensations by thrusting into Charlie even as the orgasm continues to burn along his nerves ... until finally it is gone. Rick doesn't know if he has ever cum so hard, feeling that he has dumped rivers, oceans, of cum into Charlie, and still he is hard. Hard or not, he is through, spent, unable to continue. Slowly he pulls himself up, trying to make his limbs work properly. "Fuck," is the only thing that he can think to say. 

* * *

Rick pulls out of the immersion, dragging Giselle with him. It takes a couple of seconds for him to realize where he is, and to realize that his cock is still deeply inserted in Giselle's pussy. He grabs her hips and begins to thrust violently into her. Giselle gasps as he begins thrusting himself into her. Rick rolls Giselle more onto her stomach so that he can pound himself into her with greater force. Once she is pinned to bed, Rick moves his hands from her hips and again wraps Giselle in an embrace, hands on her tits as he kneads them, kissing her savagely on neck. Rick feels Giselle's arm wrap around his head, grabbing his hair, pulling his lips into her neck. There is no love, no tenderness, only two people using one another for their own gratification.

Giselle is pulled from the immersion when it suddenly ends. As the immersion state falls away she feels Rick beginning to drive himself into her, his hands on her hips, holding her in place. Her orgasm is instantly upon her, requiring only a push to send her over the edge. "Oh, God, yes," she breaths as Rick's thrusting dick sends shivers through her. Giselle feels Rick push on her, trying to roll her onto her stomach. She moves, bringing one leg up as a prop, opening herself to him. Rick renews his brutal, pummeling, attack, and she welcomes it, embraces his savagery as he roughly handles her breasts and kisses her neck. Giselle grabs Rick's hair with one hand, pulling his lips roughly to her neck, clawing at the bed with the other as her orgasm begins.




The Proposal Ch. 06



Rick can feel Giselle begin to shake as her orgasm takes her. She is silent except for a moan so low he can barely hear it over his breathing, but it is enough, and he follows her into his own orgasm. As he begins to spill his semen into her he holds himself to her as relief washes over him. His kisses, once rough, are now gentle and loving, the driving animal like need for her satiated. He feels guilty that he would use Giselle so, using her for his own needs without concern for her own. He pulls himself out of her and gently pulls Giselle over on her back. He doesn't know what to say to her, so he covers her with his body and begins to kiss her gently, lovingly, trying to make up for treating her as he did.

Giselle feels Rick cum inside her has he falls into his own orgasm, holding his hips against her ass as the orgasm washes over him, his kisses instantly changing from rough and forceful to sweet, tender and loving. She lets go of Rick's hair, knowing she had to have hurt him as she pulled roughly on him, lost in her own lust. As her own orgasm washes out of her, she feels him pull on her, turning her to face him. His kisses are so gentle, so tender, she can tell his feeling remorse for something, perhaps how he handled her, maybe for the quickness of his orgasm. As much as she enjoys Rick's gentle and considerate lovemaking, sometimes she just wants to fuck. He hadn't hurt her and she had enjoyed the slightly rough sex. "God, I needed that," she whispers into his ear, letting let him know she had enjoyed the experience, 

Rick continues to kiss her neck, cheeks, lips, but some of the stiffness goes out of him as he relaxes slightly. "You're not upset?" he asks, stopping his kisses and looking into her eyes, trying to read her mood.

"No ... why would I be upset?"

"Because I ..." Rick falters.

"Because you wanted me so badly?" Giselle suggests?

"Well, yes ... no ... not that exactly." Rick looks slightly sad. "I just don't feel like I treated you as I should."

"Rick, my love, that is exactly how I wanted to be treated. When you pulled me back from the immersion I needed you so badly I was ready to explode. Had you not started fucking me like you did, I would have done it to you. I need that, I enjoyed that, I needed you as badly as you seemed to need me." Giselle pauses, letting what she has said soak in. "It does my ego good to have you worked into such a frenzy," she adds. "It makes me feel sexy." She pulls him down for another kiss and she feels the tension ooze out of him.

Rick places his face into her neck where it meets her shoulder, his love for this woman reaching new heights. "I love you Giselle," he says into her neck as he holds her. 

"I love you too, more than you will ever know," Giselle responds, holding him to her, stroking his head in the afterglow of their lovemaking. 

Rick rolls off of her onto his back, pulling Giselle close to him. Giselle snuggles up and they settle into their typical post coital positions, Giselle on her side in the crook of his right arm, lying partially on him, her head on his shoulder and chest, Rick's arms holding her comfortably tight. Rick and Giselle lie together for a time, quiet, enjoying the afterglow of their lovemaking until finally Rick speaks. "What did you think of the immersion?" he asks her, still gently stroking her back.

"It was ... intense. I can see what Charlie was getting on about," Giselle says.

Rick has a sudden thought and checks the time, 8:11. "And quick. All this in less than twenty minutes." 

"Do you suppose they were done or just getting started?" Giselle asks. "I don't think Charlie was going to cum again. At least that is the way it felt to me."

"They were done. Whether Charlie was done or not, they were done. I ... Todd was spent. If he could get it up after that, he's a better man than me," Rick teases.

"Not likely," Giselle murmurs, beginning to feel drowsy. 

Rick kisses her on top of the head. "You're sweet," he says. Rick pulls the sheet up over them as he feels Giselle skin pimple in gooseflesh. 

"Mmmm ..." Giselle says, snuggling in a bit closer. After a pause she asks, "What did you think of Charlie deep-throating Todd? I don't know how she does that."

"What about it?" Rick asks.

"Did you like it? Did Todd like it, I mean."

"It was pleasant enough. It's not the first time that I've ... experienced it. It's not really my thing, you know? And yes, Todd likes it. I think any man would. But again, it's not really my thing, if that's what you are worried about."

"No, not really," Giselle replies. "I just wondered. It's not like I can do anything about it anyway. Just the memory of Todd's dick that far down my throat makes me want to gag."

"Giselle, I wouldn't care if you never gave me head again," Rick assures her. "What I enjoy, above all else, is the closeness I feel when I make love to you. That's what I like, what I crave. The rest is inconsequential compared to that." 

Giselle is quiet for a long time, so long that Rick thinks she had gone to sleep. Finally she says, "Same here. Not that I want you to stop though."

Rick chuckles, "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good," Giselle says with a slight giggle, "because I would miss it."

"Really," Rick says, drawing the word out. "Would you like another sample?" Rick asks, pulling her tight.

Giselle giggles again. "Yes, but not tonight. Tonight I just want you to hold me."

This Rick does until first Giselle, then himself, slides into sleep. 



The Proposal Ch. 07



A few minutes before ten Tuesday morning the doorbell rings at Charlie's front door. Charlie thinks it odd that Teri wouldn't ping her when she arrived, but pings her telling her the door is unlocked and for her to come into the office.

"Uhh, Charlie, I'm not there yet," Teri replies.

"Oh!" Charlie exclaims. "Sorry. Well just come on in and back to the office when you get here. Now, let me see who is at the door. See you in a bit." Charlie closes the link while she is walking to the door. She opens the door to see a smiling woman holding a dozen lovely yellow roses.

"Ms. Charlie Rose?" the woman asks.

"Yes," Charlie says.

"These are for you," the woman says, handing her the bouquet.

Charlie is stunned into momentary silence. "Who are they from?" Charlie asks, trying to figure out who would send her flowers, and why.

"Don't know ma'am," the woman says backing away from the door. "There's a card attached." The young woman nods curtly before jogging back to her delivery car. Charlie is still standing in the door as the young woman guns the car backwards into the street, stopping with a short squeal of tires before racing away.

Charlie places the roses on the counter as she prepares a vase, snipping the ends of the stems before placing the roses in the vase. She is still arranging the flowers when Teri knocks on the door lightly before entering.

Charlie hears her knock and waves her into the room.

"What beautiful flowers," Teri says, walking up behind Charlie. "Who are they from?" Teri asks.

"I don't know," Charlie says, finishing arranging the flowers. She picks up the card, "Let's see, shall we?" Charlie opens the little envelope and removes the card. Flipping it open she reads, "Charlie, thank you for all you have done for me over the years, but these flowers are to thank you for suggesting that I write a couples interface for immersions. I don't know why I didn't think of it myself. Hugs and kisses, Rick" Charlie smiles as she closes the card. Placing it back on the counter she turns to Teri. "They are from a friend. They are to say thank you for an idea I gave him."

"Must have been some idea," Teri says somewhat wistfully.

"We've been friends a long time, and he's a really good guy," Charlie says, escorting Teri to her office.

"Is he single?" Teri asks hopefully.

Charlie giggles. "No, I'm afraid that not only is he happily married, but he is old enough to be your father."

"Oh," Teri says in disappointment, settling into a chair across from Charlie. "All the good ones are taken," she says with a dramatic pout.

"Oh, I'm sure there are still a few good ones out there," Charlie reassures her. "Now, the reason I asked you here today. There are a couple of reasons actually. First, do you remember the shoot you did with William Barker a couple months ago? It was the shoot up in San Francisco for the fall line of Tindle's?"

Teri nods that she remembers.

"It seems you made a good impression on Bill. Bill is well known and respected in this area and that reflects positively on you and me as well. He was most impressed by your willingness to take direction, your work ethic and your, as he put it, 'lack of drama.' " Charlie takes a deep breath for effect. "It seems that Mr. Barker is the lead photographer on a major print campaign and he has asked for you specifically as the face of that campaign. I can't say more until you sign the non-disclosure agreement." Charlie sends the NDA to Teri. "I recommend you look it over carefully before signing," Charlie suggests.

"Should I sign it?" Teri asks.

"Teri, you know I can't give you that kind of advice. But if it were me, yes, I would sign it," Charlie says. Moments later the signed document arrives back.

"Okay, now that you have signed the NDA, here's what I can tell you. Peugeot, that's a French car company in case you didn't know, is going to try to reenter the US car market. There is going to be a lot of net media, a lot of signage, and Bill wants you to be the face of the company. There is no guarantee that you will get the position, but I think you have a leg up on anyone else because Bill selected you personally. The NDA you just signed states you cannot talk about this with anyone other than me, as your agent, Bill, and representatives of Peugeot. That means no mom and dad, no boyfriends, no girlfriends. In other words, if you want this, and trust me, you do, keep your mouth shut, okay? If this leaks and they track it back to you, you're out and you will be stuck modeling winter coats in the middle of summer for the rest of your career."

Charlie watches Teri sit in stunned silence. She can appreciate what Teri must be thinking. Teri Shorr, twenty-two years old, has just had the world open before her. At almost six-feet, Teri is tall, graceful and with her enormous brown eyes and blond hair, staggeringly beautiful. Charlie has been coaching Teri, steering her career for the last six years, since she first started modeling, and it appears that not only is Teri about to step into the major leagues of modeling, but Charlie's little podunk agency is the one that is going to put her there. Charlie has worked hard; selecting only those girls that she thinks will work hard and avoid the "drama" as Bill calls it. Finding beautiful girls is easy. Finding beautiful girls that have a good work ethic and are not too full of themselves, that's the hard part. "I don't know what to say," Teri finally squeaks out.

"You say," Charlie suggest with a big smile, "thank you Charlie for being such a good mentor to me."

"Thank you Charlie for being such a good mentor to me," Teri repeats with a laugh.

Charlie rises from behind her table and steps around to give Teri a hug. "Congratulations Teri. I think you are on your way to great things," Charlie says.

Teri hugs her back fiercely. "Thank you Charlie for all you have done for me. I will never forget it."

"I certainly hope not!" Charlie says with a smile. "I want you to tell all your high-powered photographer friends what great girls we have here at C. Rose Agency."

"That's not what I meant, Charlie ..." Teri begins with a sniff as she struggles not to cry.

"I know dear," Charlie says sincerely, "but I'm trying to not cry." Charlie hears Teri blubber once before sniffing again as she releases her.

"Do you think I have a shot?" Teri asks, settling back into her chair.

Charlie leans on the table she uses to sort pictures. "I think you are the candidate to beat. Just go in there and be yourself. Teri being Teri is what got you the opportunity ... Teri being Teri is what will clinch the deal."

Teri nods, understanding. "I will try," she says.

"No, don't try. Just be yourself. Trust me," Charlie says, driving the point home. "I will let Bill know that you have signed the NDA. In a couple of months we will probably get together and talk about your deal. There is going to be some time when it will appear nothing is happening, but trust me, the wheels are turning on this. Win or lose, I am very proud of you, Teri," Charlie says sincerely. "You have come a long way from that sixteen-year-old that came around looking for a summer job."

Teri sniffs again, the tears threatening. "I just wanted to be a go-fer or carry bags or something. I never thought you would want to put me in front of the camera."

"I know talent when I see it," Charlie says, patting Teri on her hand. "And remember," Charlie adds, putting a finger to her lips in the universal "quiet" symbol. "Any questions?"

Teri pauses briefly, thinking. "Millions ... but no," Teri says finally.

Charlie laughs, "I know exactly how you feel. Remember, you are my first 'big star' so this is going to be a learning experience for both of us. Bill is a good guy. Between the two of us, we won't let anything happen to you," Charlie says with more certainty than she actually feels.

"I don't know how to thank you for all you have done for me Charlie," Teri says again, her eyes filling with tears again.

"I didn't do it Teri, you did. I was there to offer a steadying hand if you needed it. You didn't. Please don't cry. If you cry I will start to cry, then I will have to go redo my makeup," Charlie says with a sniff, trying to hold back her tears. Charlie smiles at the young woman, "I'll always be here for you Teri, if you need me. But if you remember what I have told you, you will be fine."

"Yes, I remember," Teri says.

"Good!" Charlie exclaims. "Now, do you have plans for the next few hours?"

"No," Teri says. "I can be here all day if you need me to. What can I do?"

"Well, first I want to talk to you about something and then I think we should have celebratory lunch on C. Rose Agency. How does that sound?" Charlie asks.

"Sounds great," Teri exclaims. "I always enjoy hanging out with you, Charlie."

Charlie really does like this beautiful young woman and that is part of the reason she wants to try to help her again. "Follow me into the den," Charlie says, leading Teri out of the room. As they walk down the hall Charlie begins to explain. "Teri, I am going to ask you some questions. They are personal questions and have nothing to do with your modeling or your relationship with C. Rose. If you don't want to answer any question, don't. There won't be any hard feelings." Charlie motions Teri to a chair as she sits down in another. "Do you understand what I am saying? If you don't want to talk to me we can leave right now and go laugh ourselves silly over lunch, okay?" Charlie takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what is about to come. "After that nasty business with the vid, I know you are not a virgin. I also know from our past conversions that you haven't had a great deal of luck with men. Is all this still true? The problems you have been having with men I mean?"

A couple of years ago a boyfriend secretly recorded Teri and himself having sex. It probably happens all the time as there is no way to know it is happening and no way to prevent it, but in this case the boyfriend released it onto the net. When Teri heard him bragging about it to friends she was devastated. C. Rose Agency sued on Teri's behalf and won, forcing the removal of the vid, but Teri has never fully recovered from the betrayal. It breaks Charlie's heart to see Teri, a beautiful woman with so much to give, mistreated so. While Teri hasn't actually asked Charlie for dating advice, she has confided in her on numerous occasions her seeming inability to find someone who will treat her with the love and respect she deserves.

"Men can be such pigs," Teri says with some bitterness. "They start out all right, but it seems they always turn into such ... assholes. If I sleep with them they get all weird and if I don't sleep with them they get all bitchy then leave." Teri looks at her feet. "It makes me wonder sometimes if it is me."

"It's not you, Teri," Charlie says. "I've told you that several times and you need to believe me. It's not you. You have so much to offer and if the guy can't see that, well it's his loss." Charlie's words ring hollow, even to her.

"All I want to do is find a nice normal guy, like Todd, you know? That doesn't see like I'm asking a lot," Teri says, still looking at her feet.

"I know, and you're not. You just have to hang in there until your Todd finds you. Which brings me to the point of all this. Have you ever had an immersion?" Charlie asks.

"What?" Teri is caught off guard by the sudden change in subject. "An immersion? Sure, a few times. What is all this about?" Teri asks, looking up.

"Teri, I have an immersion that I want you to experience. It is about love, and passion, and, well, sex at the end. I want to get your feedback on how it makes you feel. I have experienced it and it affected me, and Todd, who has also experienced it, profoundly. I want to offer you this chance to experience it as well."

"Why me?" Teri asks.

"Because, Teri, I feel like you are the kid sister I never had. I think this immersion will affect you in some very positive ways. At least I hope it does. I think you will have a new outlook about life, and love, and men in particular."

Teri looks at Charlie rather dubiously.

Charlie laughs lightly, "At least that is the plan. But other than Todd and me, you are the only other person to have a chance to experience it."

Teri looks at Charlie, still unsure. "So it is some kind of porno immersion?" Teri asks.

"I know it might sound kind of like that from my description, but trust me, it is as far from pornography as it can be," Charlie says. "Look, if you're not sure, don't do it. It isn't going to make me mad or hurt my feelings. Really."

Teri stares at Charlie intently for several moments. "Sure. Why not. You haven't steered me wrong yet," she says at last.

"Okay. The immersion is about two hours long." Charlie pauses while Teri whistles. "After the immersion I would like to talk to you for a few minutes about how you feel. That will make the time," Charlie zones out for a half-second, "twelve-thirty-ish when we're done. After that we're off to lunch. I have no other plans so we can take as long at lunch as you like. I would just like to be back about five or so ... so I can make Todd feel guilty that he never sends me roses," Charlie says with a twinkle in her eye, nodding her head in the direction of the roses on the countertop.

Teri laughs, "Good plan. Are you ready to start?"

Charlie sends Teri the link. "Now promise me you will experience it all the way through. This is a one time use link so if we lose the link you can't try again. Suppress or forward your pings, okay?"

Teri does so and then asks, "It's not going to be scary, is it?"

"No. Trust me. You will feel wonderful after this. Oh, one more thing. I will be in my office when you come out of the immersion. Just come get me when you are ready to talk, okay?"

"You won't be here when I come out?" Teri asks in surprise.

"No. It's better this way. When you come out you will be in complete privacy. You'll understand after the immersion. Just come get me when you are ready to talk, okay?"

"Okay," Teri says a bit warily.

With that last cryptic comment, Charlie turns and walks away.

Teri watches her go and hears the door to her office shut. Teri sits in her chair a moment, trying to figure out what in the hell Charlie was not telling her. She feels that Charlie is offering her a tremendous gift, one that she would be stupid to turn down, but the comment about complete privacy was so ... strange. Teri likes Charlie, a lot, and she finds it humorous that Charlie thinks of her as her kid sister because Teri feels like Charlie is her older sister. Charlie has been nothing but kind and understanding as she dumped her troubles on her, unable to talk to anyone else. If Charlie thinks this immersion is important, and will help her, Teri is willing to trust her judgment. Rising from her chair, Teri settle onto the immersion couch, crosses her ankles comfortably, and drops into the immersion.

* * *

Just less than two and a half hours later, as Charlie sits slowly swiveling in her chair, daydreaming, she hears a light tap on her door. "Charlie?" a voice calls quietly.

"Come in Teri. The door is open."

Teri steps into the room, fully dressed and put together, though Charlie notices that her makeup is gone. Charlie doesn't like the look on Teri's face as Teri stands in the door.

"Teri, are you okay?" Charlie asks, rising from her chair, worry evident in her voice. Teri nods, her face twisting as she steps to Charlie and pulls into a fierce hug. Teri begins to weep softly and Charlie is aghast at what she has done. "Teri I am so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you," Charlie says, feeling herself beginning to cry.

Teri pushes her back and sniffs. "No, it was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. It is the greatest thing anyone has ever given me. I just ... I've never felt like that in my life. Is that what it feels like to be in love?" Teri sniffs again, and wipes her eyes on the back of her hands.

Charlie backs away, wiping her eyes as well. "Dear God! You scared me to death. I thought I ... I don't know what I thought, but ..." Charlie laughs a little, wiping her eyes again. "Yes, Teri, that is what it feels like to be deeply, truly, in love."

"Do you think I will ever feel like that?" Teri asks.

"Let's go sit in the den," Charlie suggests. "Would you like something to drink? I have water and a couple different wine coolers, and I think there may be a pop around here somewhere," Charlie offers.

"A cooler, please," Teri says. "My mouth is a little dry."

Charlie returns with two wine coolers and they sit. "Do you mind if I record this, for the Rick and Giselle. I think they will want to see what you have to say."

"Not at all," Teri replies, opening her cooler. "I have a few things I would like to say to them."

* * *

Rick and Giselle are watching the recording that Charlie dropping into their inbox an hour before. They waited until after dinner to watch the vid together on the screen in the family room. Charlie's attached description of "After immersion interview ... you have to see this!" had prepared them for what the vid contained.

"I'm recording," Charlie says, looking at a stunning young woman sitting across from her in another chair. The vid will capture everything that Charlie sees and hears for Rick and Giselle to see later.

"So, you have something to want to say to Rick and Giselle?" Charlie's disembodied voice asks.

"Yes. First, I want to thank you for allowing Charlie to share this experience with me." Teri says. "I also want thank you Charlie for giving me the chance to experience it." Teri pauses and looks at her feet in embarrassment.

"Go ahead Teri. I'm sure Rick and Giselle would be interested in anything you have to say," Charlie encourages.

"Well ... Giselle ... I don't know you. I may never know you. But I hope one day to meet you. You, through your experience, have shown me something I never knew existed. Every girl dreams of finding true love, but what does that mean exactly? I never knew, but now I do. I think you have saved me from ... a lot of potential pain." Teri pauses again, wringing her hands. "I haven't had very good luck with guys. I was beginning to think that maybe that all guys were like that and I was expecting too much. But having met Todd, and kind of meeting you Rick, I know that there are some nice guys out there. It has shown me that I don't have to accept some asshole and that maybe there is a nice guy out there for me too." Teri pauses again and takes a sip from her bottle. "Anyway, thanks. That's all I wanted to say."

"You enjoyed the immersion?" Charlie's voice asks.

"Oh my God! It was so amazing," Teri gushes. "I didn't know that is what love feels like. I have never felt anything like that! I felt all warm inside, calm ... uhh ... at peace, you know? I don't know how to describe it. But I have never felt like that about anybody, ever. And the sex! That was ..." Teri stops short, eyes widening at what she was about to say.

"Go on," Charlie encourages. "I would really like to know what you think."

"Well ..." Teri starts slowly, "I was good," she says, not looking at Charlie.

"Good?" Charlie says, voice rising in teasing. "You're a better woman than me then. I practically raped Todd after I experienced it."

Teri looks at Charlie, her brilliant smile returning. "Okay, maybe a little better than good," she giggles. "Actually I have never experienced anything like that. I've had sex before, and sometimes it felt pretty good, but that was so much more than just sex. I now see the difference in sex and making love. It's not just two ways of saying the same thing." Teri pauses for a moment. "I hope I can find someone to make love to me someday."




The Proposal Ch. 07



"What was your favorite part?"

"My favorite part? All of it. The walk on the beach, the picnic, the proposal. That Rick is such a romantic. I suppose they actually got married?" Teri asks.

"Yes. Happily married, two years now," Charlie replies.

"Happily married? Wait a minute. Is Rick the friend," Teri makes tic marks in the air with her fingers, "that sent you the flowers? It was, wasn't it?" Teri guesses.

Charlie trills out a giggle. "You caught me out. Yes, Rick is the one that sent me the flowers."

"Wow," Teri says. "My boyfriends never took me for a walk on the beach or sent me flowers. Well, not after we hooked up anyway. And he sends you a dozen roses for an idea? If Giselle ever gets tired of him, send him my way. I don't care if he is old enough to be my father," Teri laughs gaily.

Charlie giggles again. "Well, I guess I won't have to now since they will hear it for themselves." Teri blushes furiously but says nothing. Charlie laughs again, "Don't worry. I'm sure they will take it in the manner intended."

"Charlie, what do I look like?" Teri asks. "I'm sorry, what I mean to say is, what does Giselle look like? Do you have a photograph? All I know is I have red hair."

"How did you know Giselle has red hair?" Charlie asks in surprise.

"It was blowing in my eyes," Teri responds.

"Of course," Charlie says. "Giselle is very pretty, very athletic. She's a little shorter than me with, as you noticed, beautiful red hair. She walks into a room and every eye in the place is on her."

"No pictures? Is she one of your other girls? Someone I haven't met?" Teri asks.

"No, she's a lawyer. I have some photographs, but I didn't ask her permission to share them. I'm sorry, I should have asked. I'll ask her later and if she is okay with the idea, I'll ping one to you, okay?"

"That would be great. I would love to see what I, what Giselle looks like." Teri grows quiet for a moment then looks to Charlie. "Charlie, may I ask you a question? A personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Okay. What's your question?"

"Is sex, making love, always like ... that?" Teri asks, clearly wanting an answer but embarrassed by her question.

"No. Not normally," Charlie answers honestly. "I think they were both on an emotional high, Giselle from being asked and Rick from being accepted, that made their lovemaking more ... explosive than normal."

"That I know. But what I meant was, well, they seemed so in tune with each other. I've never felt like that with anyone."

"That's what love, and a steady relationship, gives you. Teri I wanted you to experience this immersion exactly because of how badly you have been treated. It's not fair the way guys have treated you, the vid and all the rest, and I wanted you to see what you can have once you find the right person. He's out there, I know he is. Just don't give up before you find him," Charlie says earnestly.

"Yeah," Teri says quietly, "but how do I find him."

"That, I wish I could tell you. I believe fate will eventually lead the two of you together, but you have to be strong and wait to find the right man. You will, I know you will. And when he comes along you will know." Charlie pauses for a moment, trying to think how best to boost the girls spirits. "I met Todd in high school, but Rick and Giselle were in their forties before they met. Look how happy they are now. Sometimes it just takes time to find the right person."

"Yeah, maybe," Teri mumbles.

"Listen, I want to ask you one more question. I need an honest answer, then we can go find us a cute waiter and talk about his ass while we eat lunch," Charlie says, clearly wrapping the interview up.

"Okay, what?"

"Do you feel better or worse about life, love, yourself, whatever, now than you did before you experienced the immersion?"

"Oh, that's easy," Teri says brightly. "Before I was kind of down on men. I was beginning to think they were all just bunch of lying asshole jerks after one thing. But now I see that there are some good looking guys out there that aren't total assholes. Or even little bit assholes. I told you this was the greatest thing anyone has ever given me. I meant it. I feel ... what's the word ... invigorated ... rejuvenated! That's it, rejuvenated. I feel rejuvenated. It gives me hope, and strength and ... I don't know ... it's so hard to put into words. But I feel so much better about life now." Teri suddenly grows more serious. "The only bad part is that it was a one-time thing. In a few months, a year, when life is grinding me down, it would be nice to get that pick-me-up again if I haven't found my Rick, or my Todd. I don't want to wait twenty more years to have the feeling that Giselle has, but I will if that is what I have to do. But it would be nice to have this as a ... crutch ... to help make the wait a little easier, you know?"

Charlie rises out of her chair and crosses to Teri, crouching in front of her. "I promised Rick to keep his identity a secret. But I will also send him and Giselle this vid, let them see how much this meant to you. I can't promise anything, but Rick is a good guy, a great guy, and Giselle is too. We'll see what happens, okay?"

"It's okay. Now that I have felt love, I mean real love, I'm not going to forget it." Even though Teri is talking to Charlie, her remarks are directed to Rick and Giselle. "Rick, Giselle, this is the greatest gift I have ever received." Teri's eyes begin to overflow with tears. "I don't know why you have given me this, but I can't possibly tell you how grateful I am for it. You both must be very special people to share something so personal with a stranger, simply to give them hope when I had almost lost mine." Charlie's vision begins to blur with tears as Teri speaks to Rick and Giselle through her. "Someday I hope to meet you so I can thank you in person. But until then ... just know ..." Teri begins to weep into her hands briefly before pulling herself together enough to finish. "... how grateful I am to you." Charlie moves in to pull her into a hug as the vid ends.

Rick and Giselle state at each other after the vid ends, Giselle beginning to cry and Rick has a haunted look on his face. Giselle pulls him in close as she draws strength from him. "That poor girl," Giselle says, sniffing back her tears.

Rick feels a deep burning shame. He was probably one of those asshole jerk bastards Teri was talking about. He never intentionally hurt any of the women he was with, but he never loved them either. He always kept them at arm's length, never letting them get close to him until they grew tired of him, or him of them. How many women had he hurt through his carelessness he wondered. He bites down on his emotions, trying to reel in the tears before they can fall.

Giselle can sense Rick wrestling with a dilemma. "Are you okay?" She asks as she pulls herself together.

"Yes. No." Rick croaks. "I'm not very proud of myself right now is all," Rick offers, but says nothing more. He scrunches his face as he fights for his composure.

Giselle looks at Rick, trying to understand what is happening as he seems to be coming apart right in front of her eyes. "Rick, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he says, pushing his emotions deep down, clamping down on the hurt and fear. "Nothing," he says more normally. "I'm alright."

Giselle lashes out at him. "Goddamn you Rick Chamfer! Don't you fucking push me away! Don't you dare!" Giselle stares into his face waiting. "Tell me what is wrong. Let me help," Giselle says gently.

Finally Rick's resolve breaks and he begins to speak, his eyes full of tears. "I've been such a bastard, and I didn't even know it. All those asshole jerk bastard guys that Teri was talking about, they could have been me." Rick looks at his hands, unable to look Giselle in the eyes. "I've treated you the same way, and I feel so ashamed," he says plaintively.

Giselle pulls him to her. "Shhh," Giselle says. "You were never like that, Rick. Never. I wouldn't have married if you were."

"But I was," he insists quietly, pulling back. "My girlfriends, if they were mad, well they could just get over it. Same if they were sad, or hurt or lonely. I just didn't care. It was their problem." Rick looks into Giselle's eyes, his own eyes full of pain and sorrow. "Have I hurt people being like that? I'm afraid that I have." Rick looks down again. "I never meant to hurt anyone."

"Rick, listen to me. Look at me," Giselle says and pauses until Rick looks her in eyes again. "You are not like that. You never were. You keep a lot bottled up inside, but that doesn't make you a bad person. Trust me, I like the fact that I don't have to worry about the emotional roller coaster with you that I have had in the past. But you have to learn when to let it go, to let someone else help you carry your burdens. You are always there for me, let me be there for you. That's all love is, Rick. Sharing. The good and the bad." Giselle pauses to collect her thoughts. "When I first met you, you would have never admitted that you were afraid you had wronged someone in the past. I don't respect you less for admitting it, I respect you more. I told you, you are a good man, doing what he thinks is best. That's all any of us can do. Our best."

"But ..." Rick begins.

"No buts," Giselle interrupts. "Rick, you are not a bad person. You're not. Maybe you weren't as emotionally giving in some in your past relationships, but that doesn't make you a bad person. It just doesn't. And it isn't who you are now." Giselle pauses. "I think you should talk to Teri. We'll take her to lunch or something. Let her tell you what real asshole bastard jerks are like. I think you will agree that compared to some out there, you are positively a choir boy."

Giselle is suddenly distracted. "Hello Charlie ... Yes ... Rick and I were just talking about it."

"Hello Charlie," Rick says, testing his voice to see how he sounds.

"Charlie says hello," Giselle says. "Hang on a minute Charlie, I'm going to pull Rick in."

Rick gets a ping and joins the conversion. "Hello Charlie," he says.

"Hey Rick. Thank you for the roses, they were lovely. You have a cold? You sound a little stuffy," Charlie asks.

Rick sees Giselle grinning at him. "No. No cold. Just a bit of stuffy nose is all."

"So you saw the vid? What did you think?" Charlie asks.

"I don't know what to think. It was beautiful and terrible at the same time," Giselle says. "What is going on with that poor girl that she would react like that?"

"She's just had it rough the last few years." Charlie explains. "She's a tall girl, nearly as tall as you Rick, so she tends to go for big tall guys. Jocks. And, well, they haven't been very nice to her. One recorded a vid of them having sex and posted it on the net. I don't know what he was bragging about, the prick, because it didn't look to me like Teri was enjoying it that much. That someone would do that without her knowledge and consent hurt her deeply. That's the worst of it. The rest is just men being men, no offense Rick."

"None taken. I know what bastards men can be," Rick says with a meaningful look to Giselle.

"I doubt it, Rick," Charlie says. "If you want to see men at their worst you should be a woman."

"But all the crying? That wasn't because she was upset was it?" Giselle asks.

"Not at all. She just gets emotional when someone is nice to her," Charlie explains. "She got some really great news right before the immersion and she was on top of the world. We had a nice lunch right after the vid ended and she was fine. Better than fine. We talked about a lot of stuff, but she kept coming back to how much she appreciated what you did for her, and how much better she feels about herself. It was a very positive experience for her and I wanted you to see that for yourself."

"I would like to meet her," Rick says, causing Giselle to look at him sharply.

""What?" Charlie says in surprise. "You want to meet her?"

"I think I would," Rick says. "I can relate to the whole 'somebody did something nice for me' thing. Does she, did she, have a rough life at home?"

"No, I don't think so," Charlie answers. "Her dad is a doctor and her mom is a musician, or a music teacher, something like that. Normal family I guess. She is an only child so I think she just needs someone to talk to and I got elected. Are you sure you want to meet her? I know she would love to meet both of you, but I thought ..." Charlie trails off in confusion.

"Things change," Rick says. "I have to tell you, I was struck by what she said. I don't know why, but it kind of got to me."

"Rick, you big softy," Charlie laughs. "Sure I will set something up. You want me along to help break the ice?"

"Please," Rick says.

"How about you Giselle. You want to meet her as well?"

"I would Charlie. I really would. Thank you," Giselle answers.

"How about something this weekend. Maybe dinner out? Todd and me, you two and Teri? She already knows Todd and me and that will help grease any sticky spots in the evening. How does that sound?" Charlie asks.

"Perfect," Giselle says. "Just let us know when, okay?"

"I will," Charlie says, then pauses. "I'm sure Teri will thank you for herself, but I want to thank you both as well. This was a good thing you did. I mean it. For both of us," Charlie says seriously. "I think Tip would approve of what you have done." There is a brief pause before Charlie finishes in a rush, her voice becoming ragged. "Okay, I have to go. I'll let you know something. Love you both. Bye." And with that, Charlie was gone.

Rick and Giselle sit looking at one another, neither saying anything until Rick says with a sigh and a weary smile, "Shit. I'm drained."

Giselle laughs lightly. "I know how you feel."

"I dread to think what she is going to do with the other link," Rick says with a wry smile.

"You could always cancel it," Giselle suggests.

"I could, but I won't," Rick says. "I've made it this far, I'll see it through to the end."

Giselle kisses him lightly on the lips. "See. I told you that you were a good man." Giselle looks into his eyes for a moment then adds, "Take me to bed, Rick. I need you to hold me."

Rick stands then pulls Giselle gently to her feet. "Okay, but you have to promise to hold me later," he says pulling her into an embrace.

"Deal," Giselle says, content to stand there as long as he holds her.

This is second night in a row Rick and Giselle have gone to bed before nine o'clock, but this night there is no carnal lust. Tonight they reaffirming their love with cuddles, gentle strokes, kisses and murmurs of love until, finally, they fall into sleep still wrapped in each other's arms.

* * *

"Kate! Good to see you. Come in," Charlie says Wednesday afternoon, stepping back from the door. Katherine Thompson steps into the room and Charlie invites her to sit down in the den chairs.

"You too Charlie. You have something for me?"

Charlie has known Kate for years, but where Charlie stopped modeling preferring to work normal hours and focus on the business side, Kate has continued with her modeling. Pretty in the outdoorsy, girl next door kind of way, Kate is the stereotypical gay divorcee, forty-two years old, loving the single life, and one of the rare models that can support herself on her earnings without having to work another job. "No, not today, but I think we are going to get a bite on the local car show in the Jeep pavilion again this year. I talked to the show promoter last week and I think they are going to want you back, but this time I think they are going to put you outside driving customers around some kind of obstacle course. Not sure yet what that means, but it has to beat standing around a car all day, smiling."

Kate makes a face. "Ugh ... my feet were killing me after two days there last year."

"Yeah, I know. All part of the glamorous life of modeling, huh?" Charlie quips.

Kate laughs, a deep throaty laugh that turns men's heads every time. "If people only knew. The upside was I got my toes curled by this Italian Stallion from the Fiat booth, and that made all the sore feet in the world worth it." Kate fans herself with her hands as if she were hot.

Charlie laughs at Kate's antics. Charlie would probably kill Kate if they were roommates, but in small doses Kate was an absolute hoot. "Were his toes curled in return?" Charlie asks.

Kate grins evilly. "Ooohh yeah. He was back for a second helping the next night. Hisa English wassa not so good, but hea spokea my language," Kate says in a horrible fake Italian accent.

Charlie shakes her head in mock disgust. "You are incorrigible," she says. "One other thing that I am working on. I had a ping from a firearms manufacturer. I can't say more than that. They are looking for someone just like you. That could be a big break for you if it comes through. How do you feel about guns?"

"The bigger a guy's gun, the better," Kate says. Charlie gives her a "would you be serious" look so Kate amends her statement. "I'm fine around guns. I own a handgun myself, a 9mm, and I have a concealed carry."

Charlie feels her eyebrows rise. "Really? I didn't know that!"

"Yep. Can't be too careful, ya know?" Kate states flatly.

Intrigued Charlie can't help but ask, "What are you afraid of?"

"Not a damn thing," Kate states matter-of-factly before bursting into laughter again. "Seriously? I've owned it for a long time, about twenty years I guess. I thought I was going to be raped once and that was a real eye opener. The guy, I was just starting to date him at the time, had a little too much to drink and, well, let's say he got a little grabby. He finally backed off and it was okay, but right after that I bought the gun. Now I carry it mostly for the feeling of power it gives me. Woe unto the man that catches my fancy after I have been to the shooting range." Kate laughs again. "There's a guy there that runs the range, I see him sometimes. He's a retired Marine, about fifty I guess, but my God is he good looking. I would like to take him out on the firing range and absolutely fuck his brains out. The problem is he has a wedding band on. Damnit." Kate sighs as if in longing.

Charlie stares at Kate in wide-eyed surprise. "I don't know what to say," Charlie finally says.

"Nothing to say. I was a little more ... pure ... back then. I've only had to use the gun one time since. I was at a bar with a girlfriend and another drunk was getting a little too familiar. With her, not me. Anyway, I pulled the gun out, holster and all, and simply set it on the table. I didn't say a word. That guy wilted faster than a dime store hooker in church and got real, real nice." Kate laughs again at the memory. "I find that most men are really nice guys, once you lay down a few rules, know what I mean?"

Charlie stares at Kate a moment before laughing long and hard. "I would have given a lot to have seen that," Charlie says, her voice full of admiration.

"Men are like dogs. They can be great companions, but they need a little training," Kate says.

"Kate, you are priceless. Don't ever change," Charlie says with a huge smile. "You are the perfect candidate for something I am investigating."

"Oh? What's that?" Kate asks.

"I have an immersion that deals with, well, let's just call it adult centric issues. Love ..."

Kate cuts her off. "Charlie! Did you and Todd make a porn immersion? That's fantastic! What was it like?"

Charlie begins to blush, "Noooo ... Todd and I did not make a porn immersion. While the immersion does have some great sex, it really isn't about the sex. Or at least it wasn't with Todd and me. And that is where you come in. I wanted to get your take on the immersion, someone that is free of emotional entanglements, and proud of it."

"But you and Todd are not in it?" Kate asks, sounding a bit disappointed.




The Proposal Ch. 07



"No, we're not in it." Charlie confirms.

"That's too bad. I think I could have gotten off on experiencing Todd banging the shit out of you." Kate says.

Charlie feels her mouth drop open that Kate would say such a thing, but then she sees the twinkle in her eye and begins to laugh. "Kate! You're awful!" Charlie exclaims.

"I am. I really am," Kate says, but she doesn't sound the least bit remorseful.

"So you're game then?" Charlie asks.

"The sex is good?" Kate asks.

"The sex is ... exceptional," Charlie says. "You will be only the third woman to experience it, but I guarantee it will curl your toes," Charlie says, give Kate's words back to her.

"That good, huh?" Kate grunts.

"Oh, yeah," Charlie drawls out.

"Okay, sure, I'm game. We gonna do this right here, right now, or are you going to send me the link when I get home, or what?" Kate asks.

"I would like to interview you after the immersion if you don't mind. Get your thoughts and feelings about it. Would you mind doing that?"

"Nope, not at all. So you want to do the immersion here?"

"If you don't mind," Charlie says. "The immersion is a couple of hours long and ..."

"Jesus!" Kate interrupts. "Two hours of exceptional sex? That'll wear a girl out! That must be a hell of a woman in the immersion."

Charlie begins to laugh again. "Well, she is, but not for that reason. As I was saying, the immersion is two hours long. I'll be in my office and you can come get me when you're done."

Kate looks at her confused. "Why don't you just ..." then the other shoe drops and Kate gets what Giselle wasn't telling her. "Oh ... gotcha. I'll try not to make a mess," she says with a smirk. "Now go. I'm getting all worked up just thinking about it." Charlie shakes her head again in resignation and rises to go. She makes it a couple of steps when Kate calls after her, "Charlie?"

Charlie stops and turns around. "What?"

"The link?" Kate asks.

Charlie begins to giggle. "Sorry. You got me so flustered that I forgot to send it." She sends the link. "This is a one time use link, so don't drop out and experience it all the way through."

"Gotcha," Kate says again, moving to the immersion couch.

Charlie smiles again at Kate's open attitude, then enters her office, and shuts the door.

* * *

Two hours after entering her office she could hear Kate in the bath stirring about. "Okay, Charlie, you can stop listening at the keyhole. I'm done."

Charlie rises from her chair and opens the door to her office. As she walks into the den she announces, "I'm recording this, okay?" she says.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Kate says, still smoothing her hair. Kate had a flush in her face and she looked like she had been sweating. "Who are you recording this for?" Kate asks.

"Rick and Giselle," Charlie answers.

"Why would they care?" Kate asks.

"They just do. Is it okay or should I stop recording?" Charlie asks, confused by Kate's attitude.

Kate waves her hand dismissively. "It's fine. I just wondered why they would care what I think is all."

Charlie changes the subject. "So, what did you think?"

"Pretty good. A little slow to get going, but it was a nice buildup. Kind of sets the scene. I would have liked to have him fuck her a little more, use some different positions, but overall it was good. Made me hot as shit, I'll tell you that."

"So the sex met with your approval," Charlie giggles.

"Oh hell yeah. I wish I were at home though. At home I have ... how can I put this delicately ... aids." Charlie bursts into laughter. "Why are you laughing?" Kate demands playfully. "I've gotten all worked up and no way to do anything about it. So let's make this quick, okay? I have something I need to do." Kate grins. "But the next time you decide to do an immersion with Rick, call me. Looks like we're about the same age and he was hot a shit. I wouldn't mind taking him for a ride, see if I can curl his toes."

"Uhh, Kate," Charlie says, "I think you have the wrong idea. That really happened. Rick really did propose to Giselle and they are happily married."

"I thought you said you made this immersion to sale?" Kate says in confusion.

"No, what I said was I had this immersion and I wanted your opinion on it."

"Why would you want my opinion on it if you weren't thinking of selling it?"

"That's a good question. You know, I never thought about that until just now. I just wanted you to experience it and tell me what you think of it."

"So these weren't actors? They're just real people, amateurs?"

"If by amateurs, you mean people who don't make immersions for a living, then yes. They are just a married couple, like Todd and me."

"Huh." Kate grunts. "That explains a lot. I wondered how you managed to get that connection they felt. Well, knowing that, I would have to say this is some seriously hot shit. If my ex had a tongue like that, I would still be married," Kate says with a grin. "I hope that Giselle chick knows what she's got there. If I were married to him I would wear his ass out in the bedroom."

Charlie giggles again. "I think she does. Know what she's got I mean. I don't know about the other. But the sex, that is the part you like best? What about the emotional bond between them?"

"Look, Charlie, I know you and Todd are all lovey dovey. And I'm happy for you, I really am. But I'm past that. I just need a man to keep me warm at night and that's it. Not exactly one night stands, although those can be fun too, but not big relationships either. I don't want or need the headaches. I think a lot of guys like it too. They come in, give me what I want, take what they want, then they get the hell out and I can go shopping. Simple, easy, and everybody is happy."

"Huh." Charlie says. "I have to admit that wasn't what I was expecting at all."

"Don't get me wrong, I think part of the ... hotness ... of this immersion is how Giselle feels about Rick. It makes it more, I don't know the word I am looking for, intense maybe, than the typical porn immersion. God knows it made me hotter than any porn immersion I have ever experienced but ..." Kate stops. "It just hit me what it is that makes this immersion special. It's real. That Giselle chick screaming in ecstasy, that was the real deal and not some put-on for an audience." Kate pauses, mulling over what she just realized. "Just thinking about it is making me hot all over again. I take back everything I just said. Yes, the emotional connection is the key. There is no way you can have an orgasm that hard without the connection. It takes more than simple physical stimulation to cum like that. I know."

"So the emotional element is important after all?" Charlie asks, trying to follow Kate's twists and turns.

"Yes. Look, it doesn't have to take years to develop a connection to someone. I can pick up some guy that is absolute hotness on two legs. We'll go somewhere for the weekend and the sex will be really good, and I will enjoy the hell out of it, but it lacks that certain something. It's kind of like masturbating. It feels good while you are doing it but it doesn't leave you satisfied. Then I will pick up some average guy, but there will be a spark between us. Same deal, but this time the sex will be fantastic and we'll fuck like rabbits for a couple of days." Kate wrinkles her nose. "Huh. You know, I never made that connection until just now. How lame is that?" Kate asks rhetorically, still sorting out her thoughts. "Well God-fucking-damn!" Kate finally exclaims, then looks at Charlie and grins. "I have wasted a lot of fucking on the wrong guys. Thanks for clearing that up for me."

"Uh, you're welcome ... I guess," Charlie says, wondering where this interview took the left turn.

"Personally, I think you should sell this immersion," Kate volunteers. "Do a package deal, the immersion and a set of batteries, if you know what I mean," Kate says waggling her eyebrows. "I'd buy a copy right now if I could. Could I get a copy of this?"

Charlie giggles again. "No, for the moment it is not for sale, but if that changes I will personally send you a complimentary copy. How's that for a fair?" Charlie asks.

"More than fair," Kate agrees then becomes more serious. "You know, I talk a lot of shit, but that immersion is really something special. You and Todd, or Rick and Giselle, whoever owns the immersion, could make a lot of money off of it. There are a lot of people, a lot of people, that would want to experience this, and will pay good money for the privilege. I wasn't kidding when I said I would pay for this. I assume there is an immersion for Rick as well?"

"There is," Charlie says.

"It felt like to me that Rick nutted pretty hard himself. I could see where a couple could make good use of this. Did you and Todd try it together?"

Charlie nods, not saying anything.

"Well?" Kate prompts.

"Well what?" Charlie asks, a bit uncomfortable with where this was going.

"Don't be coy with me Charlene Rose. We've been friends too long. Did you rip each other's clothes off or what?"

Charlie giggles again. "No, we didn't rip each other's clothes off. We started out nude. I experienced it first, alone, and I practically raped Todd. The second time we experienced it together." Charlie pauses before continuing, "I don't know how anyone could stand it without some way to ... uhh ..."

"Why do you think we need to hurry this along?" Kate asks before bursting into laughter.

Charlie smiles broadly. "I see your point."

They lapse into momentary silence before Kate asks, "Anything else you want to know?"

"No. I think you have told me far more than I really want to know as it is," Charlie says with a smile. "Thank you for doing this for me. You've given me a lot to think about."

"It was my pleasure ... really," Kate says, purring out the last word. As she gathers her things to leave she continues to talk to Charlie. "I'm serious about buying a copy. If that ever goes on sale I expect you to let me know, okay?"

"I will Kate, promise," Charlie says sincerely.

"I know you will," Kate says before giving Charlie an air kiss on the cheek.

"I'll let you know next week about the auto show. And don't forget your shoot next week with the Mom and me people," Charlie says, walking Kate to the door.

"Charlie," Kate admonishes, "have I ever missed a shoot before?"

Charlie smiles broadly, "No, I don't believe you have."

"There you go," Kate says smiling back. "I'll talk to you next week?"

"Probably."

"Okay, until next week then," Kate says as she turns to go, then stops and turns around, giving Charlie a hug. "Thanks for thinking of me. It was sweet of you to ask," Kate says before bounding down the steps to her car.

Charlie watches until Kate backs her car out of the driveway before she blows out air in exasperation. A little bit of Kate goes a long way. Standing there, watching Kate leave, Charlie realizes she is still recording. She stops the recording, steps into the house and closes the door. She returns to her office where she spends a couple of minutes trimming the last few minutes from the vid, packages it, and sends it with a six pm delivery to Rick and Giselle. Charlie smiles to herself as she sends the vid. She can't wait to get Rick and Giselle's reaction to Kate.

* * *

The ping from Charlie with the tag After immersion interview #2 - Now for something completely different arrives while Rick and Giselle are still eating dinner. Rick and Giselle look at one another, waiting for the other to speak.

Finally Rick gives voice to what they both were thinking, "Oh God. I don't think I can take another one like yesterday. I hope by 'something completely different' she doesn't mean someone who didn't like it. I don't think I could take it."

Giselle giggles. "Let's finish dinner and not let this excellent fish go to waste. We'll look at it together later."

Less than an hour later the dinner was consumed and the kitchen cleaned. Rick and Giselle were sitting in the family room, steeling themselves for what was about to come. "I have an idea, why don't you watch the vid and tell me about it later," Rick suggest hopefully.

"Ooohhh no. Remember what I told you yesterday, how love is all about sharing the good and the bad? Well, you have to carry your share." Giselle says in mock seriousness. "Now, if you want to protect your lovely wife and her delicate sensitivities from the rigors of watching this, then you are welcome to do so," Giselle adds sweetly.

"What happened to sharing?" Rick asks blandly.

"I am sharing," Giselle protests. "I'm giving you some of mine. That's sharing, right? I wouldn't want to be selfish." Giselle says, giving Rick her winningest smile.

"Jesus. This is like pulling a Band-Aid off. Let's just do it and be done with it," Rick says dropping into the ping interface to send the vid to the screen in the room.

* * *

When the vid ends, Rick looks at Giselle. "So?" Rick asks her, "what did you think of Kate?"

"That was her name? Kate?" Giselle asks. "I missed that."

"I'm pretty sure that was what Charlie called her at least once," Rick says.

"It doesn't really matter," Giselle says flatly. "I don't know what to think of this woman. I'm kind of put off by her brashness."

"I think she is great!" Rick exclaims. "God knows I wouldn't want to be married to her, but I'd go have a beer with her in a second. I bet she is a riot to be around."

"You liked her?" Giselle says with surprise in her voice.

"There isn't a red-blooded American male in the country that wouldn't like her. She's like one of the guys ... but better looking." Rick says with a huge grin.

Giselle snorts. "I can see that. She's like some of the men I know, but with breasts."

"So what did you think of what she said?" Rick asks.

"About what? How great the sex was? I think that is all she talked about," Giselle says flatly.

"I guess. It was kind of gratifying to know I've still got it though," Rick says gleefully.

"I didn't know your ego was so fragile I had to tell you that," Giselle says with a small smile.

"Ahh! Skewered. Right through the heart!" Rick grabs at his chest as if gripping a sword. "You know, though, I am warming up to the idea of releasing an immersion like this to jump start the immersion ... revolution ... for lack of a better word. It is a fact that pornography drives a lot of technology. I know there have already been some porn immersions released, but as this Kate woman says, ours is special because of the way we feel about each other."

"You want to release our immersion as a porn immersion?" Giselle asks, her voice completely emotionless.

Rick could tell from Giselle's tone she wasn't pleased at all with that idea. "Not ours, but one like it. Find a couple that would like to do something like this, record it, and release it. Maybe we could get Charlie and Todd to do it," says with a grin.

"I doubt it," Giselle softens considerably. "I'm not sure how I feel being married to a porn producer though."

"Well, first off, let's change the terms. I think everyone who has experienced this says the same thing, 'It's not really porn.' So let's find a new name for it. The first thing that jumps to mind it 'Adult' but that is the same thing in most people's mind, mine included."

Giselle thinks for a moment. "I really don't care about people like Kate. She can go somewhere else to get what she needs. But I do feel for that other girl, what was her name? Toni? Teri! I do feel for that Teri girl."

"Same here," Rick says. "But you know, even though we may target the Teri's of this world, there is no way to prevent the Kate's from buying it too."

"Yeah, I know. It's just that I feel like I'm helping someone with Teri and I feel like I'm helping someone get their jollies with Kate," Giselle says with a wry smile.

"So you're okay with the idea if doing something like this?"

"I'm okay with the idea of investigating the idea of doing something like this. But I have to tell you, I'm not too keen on the idea of hanging around some hairy guy with his shirt unbuttoned halfway to his navel and wearing a bunch of gold chains. Guys like that give me the creeps," Giselle says.

"Okay. Let's talk it over with Charlie and Todd. Charlie manages models, which to my mind are at least similar to actors, and Todd is in marketing, so he should know something about how to sell the idea, because I don't know the first thing about how to do something like this."

"I will tell you," Giselle says, putting in her two-cents, "We will need to create a company to shelter the profits or we are going to get killed with taxes. We can worry about that later though."

"So what I'm hearing is, you, Charlie and Todd are all important parts of this and I should just get out of the way?" Rick says in a teasing voice.

"Pretty much," Giselle agrees with a smile.

"Perfect. Seriously, what do you think about talking this over with the Roses and getting their take?" Rick asks.

"I think it's a good idea. Maybe after we meet Teri for dinner or something. I don't think there is any rush to do this, so this weekend should be soon enough. Speaking of dinner this weekend, have you heard anything?" Giselle asks, changing the subject.

"No, have you?" Rick says.

"No. You think we should ping her and find out if we're on?"

"She'll get in touch with us when she knows ... speak of the devil," Rick says as a ping from Charlie arrives.

He and Giselle say hello at nearly the same time. They look at each other and laugh.

"So, what did you think of Kate?" Charlie asks over the link.

"She's different than most women, that much is sure," Giselle says.

"That she is," Charlie agrees. "I don't know if I learned anything from allowing her to experience the immersion or not. All she wanted to talk about the sex. Of course, that is all she ever wants to talk about sometimes I think," Charlie says with a giggle.

"What we did learn was that she thinks the immersion would sell, which is what you suggested Charlie. Teri was really the eye opener for me, and I was just telling Giselle that I am warming up to the idea of marking an immersion like this," Rick says. "I thought maybe the four of us could talk about it sometime. I'd be interested in hearing your ideas."

"Sure, we can do that," Charlie says.

"Any news on meeting Teri?" Giselle asks.

"I think we're on. I have spoken with Teri and she is thrilled to meet you, but timing is a bit of a problem. Tomorrow works for Teri, but that is very short notice for you. She has to work Friday and Saturday night, but Sunday all day is open for her, as well as a couple of nights next week."

"I don't see why we can't meet tomorrow night," Giselle says. "It's Thursday so the crowds shouldn't be too bad. Do you have a place?"

"Sal's place?" Charlie asks with a smile in her voice.

"Done," Giselle says, looking to Rick for confirmation. Rick nods his head indicating that Mangia! is okay with him. "We'll see you there."

"Great!" Charlie exclaims. "Teri will be so pleased. See you there about seven?"

"We'll be there," Giselle says.

"Great! I'll let Teri know," Charlie says before dropping out of the ping.