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Changing Sisters

By: Egmont Grigor



CHAPTER 1

When Charlton King bellowed 'Come here!' people jumped although that command would be rare. He was more inclined to yell "Fuck Off!"Usually all he had to do was to mutter, "This is making me angry" and his support staff either jumped to pacify him or fucked off to a remote part of the building.

That was one of Charlton's strengths. He communicated well, so rarely were people left in doubt. 

The company made dog biscuits at four plants across the country, with the head office in Chicago. Charlton's father had run the company as executive-chairman but after suffering severe injury going over a bluff attempting to keep with his young mistress skiing, Bruce King retired. He insisted Charlton, aged only twenty-nine with business and law degrees, take over the helm of a multi-million dollar company with highly automated systems employing 960 people. 

Charlton refused but when his mother said she'd return to live back home with them if he took over the company he capitulated because his mom was expert at keeping his father under control. Bruce's temper had become diabolical since he'd been confined to a wheelchair recovering from back surgery and it being uncertain whether he'd walk again.

The jump for Charlton from being vice-president (legal) after only nineteen months to executive chairman was a big one, and the strain soon began to tell.

"You're too grumpy for me," said girlfriend Susan, dropping him for an accountant. 

Beth replaced Susan in Charlton's apartment and lasted three weeks, being tossed out after complaining, "All you want to do is fuck. I want to be taken out and have fun."

There was a huge row as Beth left with her bags packed and Charlton was heard to yell, "What's wrong with you women these days -- you want everything and more? As a student I could get what I wanted by buying a dame a hamburger."

Well he'd been a student for eight years. Perhaps females had become more sophisticated over that period?

Alice lasted three months, leaving a note saying she hoped he'd get it because recently she'd not seen him. Charlton switched to Magnolia, thinking a polite Asian woman would be content to know his greatest need was to know he just wanted her to be there. But Magnolia left a note saying, "Very sorry. I want a life WITH a man. Goodbye."

At that Charlton found call girls were handy but he hated the smell of cigarette smoke in their clothes -- they usually fucked with most of them on unless he requested removal -- and disliked them chewing gum while waiting for him to fish out bills from his wallet.

So Charlton became more and more grumpier at the office and workers tended to F-O as he approached. He hired a business psychologist to advise him and chose the prettiest one but that was a mistake. He went off her as an adviser in a big way because she was unprofessional and allowed him to fuck her.

"Christ, what's wrong with women," he fumed and his sympathetic PA said, "Charlton, cool down. What you need is a business management consultant."

"What?"

"A business management consultant is a person..."

"I know what they are. Why do I want one?"

"To reorganize the top structure of this company to allow you to supervise the running of the top structure and not the entire company. You are so busy day after day you never stop running your motor, never have thinking time."

Heavenly bells rang out over Charlton's head. He kissed the unattractive Mrs Upton and pulled out five bills from his wallet and spread them out in front of her. Remembering that's what he paid the call girls he added another $100 and said, "Mrs Upton, that's a great suggestion. I feel relieved all ready. Take tomorrow off as well. You are worth your weight in gold but I'm right out of gold."

She giggled, feeling like a princess. "Charlton, you are now operating this business with presidential flair." 

Mrs Upton gathered in the loot and tucked it away in case her boss had second thoughts.

Charlton, knowing he'd pick the sexiest applicant, informed the manager of HR of his requirements, saying, "An experienced person Janice, male or female, the best person to advise on upper echelon reform. I'm staying out of the election process to avoid past mistakes."

"Fully understood Charlton. Are you sure you don't want the final say?"

"I thought I just heard you say you fully understood?"

"Ah yes, I fully comprehend your explicit instructions."

Janice chaired the selection committee that included vice-president of administration and vice-president of marketing, it being the turn of those vice-presidents to sit on the next selection of a senior Grade One appointment, Despite Janice repeating the briefing she'd received, the committee appointed the sexiest applicant after the company psychologist convinced everybody including Janice that the interpretation of what the boss wanted irrefutably was dolly bird to assist with his thinking and be available to bed.

"Any other requirement," asked the vice-president of administration, a grandfather.

"I would be exceeding my professional mandate if I were to be more explicit," said the psychologist.

"This is all too airy-fairy for me," said the ageing executive, adding another of the irreverent comments of people of his generation: "In the old days we just pulled someone in off the street."

* * *

The blue-eyed blonde with swaying hips, aged twenty-seven with very little practical experience although holding a doctorate in business management, walked into Charlton's richly carpeted office.

She'd said good morning Mr King with confident authority, adjusting the lapel of her jacket to ensure her new principal would notice she was high-powered at that level as well. They would be working together very closely for six weeks and she'd suggested she be permitted to set up office in his home as well so they could work weekends in a more relaxed atmosphere and in more casual clothing.

"I didn't want a babe with promiment boobs."

"I beg your pardon?"

Charlton said he'd given strict instructions that the best applicant for the position was to be recruited, not the one with the best face and boobs."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Wait outside while I call the HR manager."

Becky walked out on the boil. She'd sue the trousers off the jerk. Who'd want to fuck him?

Janice the HR manager of course had covered her back, being able to say two vice-presidents sat in for the final selection and the decision had been unanimous. Miss Rebecca Hartford was the best consultant of the thirteen in that final selection.

The response was 'Fucking idiots' and the boss cut the call.

Charlton went to the door and invited Rebecca in and was told to call her Becky. Standing close to her he said, "I must apologize for commenting on your appearance. I though HR had given me the applicant from the bottom of the pile. But no, I find you come to me highly recommended."

Becky adjusted her lapel. "I was insulted by your reaction. Have you got something against blondes?"

"Not at the moment...er...I mean no. I have been advised to ignore your good looks and great body because they hide a brilliant student of business teaching with a doctorate and educated in the latest practices and trends. Please allow me to apologize properly over dinner this evening."

"Dinner?"

"Yes it's something one has after dark when becoming hungry or to stave off hunger."

"But isn't that rather like dating me?"

"Oh, what was on your mind?"

"Er...um...professional thoughts."

"Oh what a relief. I was thinking business, a business dinner. I had no thought of sex but now you mention it..."

"I haven't mentioned it."

"Did you think it?"

"Yes, of course, when wondering if you had an ulterior motive."

"Then you have mentioned sex as an ulterior motive."

"Mr King..."

"Please, I understand your excitement in receiving this appointment but could we just go to dinner with business on your minds."

"Yes of course. An excellent idea."

"But wear something sexy."

"Mr King..."

"It will be a top restaurant and patrons are expected to dress up."

"Oh, you meant to dress up. Yes of course."

"Please meet me at Rafael's. I have no wish to be so informal as to pick you up like a common date. We must think business."

Becky left the office, her mind reeling. Janice the HR manager had told her the boss was a superb communicator. What she'd just heard from him was unprocessed garbage.

The PA took her into an office on the other side of Charlton's with a new sign on the door headed Consultant Rebecca Hartford. At least someone around here was efficient and should be running the office rather than HIM.

"Charlton ordered the sign as soon as you were appointed, wanting you to feel at home as soon as you arrived."

Becky cringed, thinking she'd totally misjudged Charlton thinking he was an incompetent, befuddled asshole.

Mrs Upton pointed to the door to an ante room as Becky noticed a wide sofa in her office. "That is your bathroom and make-up room and wardrobe.

"Wardrobe -- why would I want a wardrobe at the office?"

"Miss Hartford, have you not had a senior consultancy appointment to a top executive?"

"Well so far..."

"I thought not. The sofa is for sex, the bathroom is for cleaning up and you'll need to keep a range of clothes here in case Charlton decides to take you away for a naughty weekend or even a week with skiing, boating and hiking thrown in. It's common business practice," 

"Oh yes, so I recall," Becky lied. God the man was a brute; she was practically engaged to marry in the summer. "Please call me Becky."

"Very well. Charlton calls me Mrs Upton so everyone calls me Mrs Upton. I was personal assistant to his father for thirty-one years.

"Did you have a office suite in those days Mrs Upton?"

"Ah, we have an intelligent woman on this floor at last," Mrs Upton said, catching the innuendo. I'll call to take you to mid-morning coffee and introduce you to people who count."

"Thank you Mrs Upton."

Sitting behind her desk Becky had only time to sharpen two pencils before Charlton came through the connecting door to his office.

"Come over here on to the sofa."

"But it's only 9:30," Becky said, assuming the usual time for office sex would be early evening. 

"Your working hours are 9:00 to 6:00 unless I require you outside of those times. If 9:30 is too early to click into working mode then you'll have to adjust, and adjust very quickly. Call me when you feel in the mood to begin work."

"Oh Charlton -- I apologize. I was just confused by... er... my surroundings. I'm ready."

"Excellent, I know you are female but could you try to eliminate moments of confusion. I need you as a well-honed working machine."

Becky sat on the sofa confused, wondering was what he'd just said was a euphemism for office sex. She couldn't believe office principals could be so gung-ho about having such high priority for office sex. During lecturers at university it had been mentioned, several times, but even so there had been no suggestion of sex having such huge importance in modern business management. Her professors should have prepared students for this. Slowly Becky turned red thinking of the private tuition she'd received from one particular professor. Then to her astonishment in an hour's time when Mrs Upton called to take her to coffee she realized Charlton hadn't touched her and had talked totally about his expectations of her in her critical analysis of the tiered governance of the enterprise. How far away from sex was that?

On the way to the cafeteria Becky ask, "Mrs Upton, how do you rate the importance of sex in office management on a scale of one to ten?"

"At my age dear I'd rate it at 0.125 and would have difficulty coping if it were offered. However when at your age I quickly learned that Mr King senior lifted his business performance after sex so took that part of my role very seriously."

"And Charlton?"

"Oh darling he'd be too large and far too robust for me at my age."

"No, I mean in business mode is he sexually driven?"

Mrs Upton said she'd answer when they were at a quiet corner table.

"I don't know how thoroughly he's briefed you Becky but the reason why you have been engaged is to ease his sexual problem."

"That is absolutely disgusting. I'll be taking this company to the employment court. I was engaged as a management restructuring consulted, not as a hooker."

Mrs Upton looked bewildered. "What ever are you talking about dear? He's groping to keep his head above water here and the strain has disintegrated his sex life. He's gone through four women in three months and now is frantically worried that his libido is ebbing and that's one of the six deadliest things a man can face."

Becky wondered what the other five things were but had to listen.

"Charlton has engaged you to reform the structure to ease pressure on him so that he can get back to his outside interest of chasing after sluts and bagging them. Hasn't he explained this to you?"

"Well yes. Yes he had. During the past hour he spoke to me about restructuring but he didn't give his reasons for that. I just assumed the company wished to modernize."

Mrs Upton patted Becky's arm. "Confidentially you weren't supposed to happen. Charlton gave HR strict instructions to find the best consultant for the job, male or female, and to totally disregard personal appearance. But those idiots assumed he was attempting to mask his well-known habit of mixing only with beautiful women and so they recruited you."

"Ohmigod, he wanted to be working with someone where sex wasn't on his mind."

"Exactly. If the consultant was female he expected her to be hatchet-faced and perhaps with whiskers."

"Oh the poor darling. That explains why he was so confused when he first saw me. Should I resign?"

"No, reduce your make-up, wear very loose clothes and try to flatten your boobs, don't bend over in front of him and don't fuck... er seduce him."

"And you think that will work?"

"No."

Becky left the café confused but more enlightened.

That evening after dinner Charlton accompanied her home in a cab and she stupidly invited him up to her parent's apartment, knowing they were away for a few days with her recently divorced sister Maggie.

Bang! As the door shut Charlton had one of her boobs out, was kissing her hugely and had the back of her skirt up and his hand attempting to slide under the back of her panties. Becky did what any warm-blooded woman would do in the circumstances. She opened her legs.

Becky didn't remember too much after that. The guy had electrical shots pulsating through her body and she heard herself calling out wantonly, 'Fuck me, fuck me' and he did just that, nailing her against the front door. She gushed hugely and must have fainted because the next thing she knew she was fully undressed and in bed. She felt so fucked. Smiling she went out to find him and dissolved into tears and began kicking furniture when finding he'd gone. "Typically male," she howled. "Got what he want and bolted."

Up tight and ready to castrate him next morning, Becky met his level gaze and cute smile and hesitated. Then he said, "Move in with me this evening?" She melted and threw herself against him. He tossed her on to her office sofa, locked the doors and unzipped. It was only 9:02 but who cares, Becky thought, pulling off her panties.

Becky finished her report on schedule two weeks later and presented it to the board of management. It was accepted with a few amendments and one deletion and she was given two weeks to implement it, working with department managers.

* * *

Becky's mother Francesca Hartford had a problem. With both daughters now around her although Rebecca had recently taken up with a guy and was living with him, she was acutely aware one daughter was behaving tragically while the other was acting like a radiant princess. Simple logic suggested one daughter was not getting sex and the other had it coming out of her ears, figuratively speaking. There could be other explanations but Francesca didn't think so.

That evening after dinner when the girls were watching TV and drinking, Francesca put her theory to the test and consulted her husband, Dr Arnold Hartford, a noted obstetrician.

"Our girls Arnie. How would you describe them at the moment?

"Unhappy and happy."

"Be precise darling."

"The divorce has knocked the stuffing out of Maggie. I thought she'd gotten over it a few weeks after the break-up but notice of dissolution has all but shattered here. The calming medication I prescribed is assisting but it's going to be an uphill struggle for her. Thank god she's living at home. I'd like to see my elder daughter healed and am glad Becky is coming back home occasionally to be with her. Becky on the other hand is blooming. She's possibly getting sex three times a day."

"Three times a day? Nobody wants that much sex."

Arnold pursued his lips.

"Do they?"

"Yes."

"Oh god, the poor things wanting nothing better out of life. Go on."

"Becky is walking taller, her color is high, her breasts are full and taut and she wears that lightly open mouth look almost constantly. I often catch that far-away look in her eyes, she walks with an exaggerated hip sway and when she stands she stands as if she can't get her ankles close together."

"And from that your conclusion is excessive sex?"

"Well I can't use the term excessive without knowing her range of what constitutes normal frequency for sex, but I can say she's getting heaps."

"Ohmigod, who'd want heaps?"

"Becky and probably Maggie."

"No, there must be something wrong with them."

Arnold pursed his lips and didn't reply.

Francesca pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Do you think having sex would drag Maggie from this hole she's in."

"I'd say it would be a promising possibility, the best option available to her. But don't think about renting a man for her. Maggie has probably decided, because of the state she's been in, that she never wants to touch a guy again. I think the guy she has teamed up with is gay.

Francesca gulped, sat down and just avoided fainting.

Arnold went off to visit his favorite adult websites, leaving Francesca to brood. She thought Arnold had been so informative she might rub up against him later than evening and take what was offered.

After sex Francesca lay awake wondering what it was people saw in recreational sex. She heard muffled laughter across the passage and was pleased. The girls had gotten half drunk and had decided to sleep together. She heard a buzz, giggling, and another buzz start up and more giggling. Francesca smiled and thought good girl Becky, you'd gotten Maggie into playing with her rabbit again. She turned over and went to sleep only to be rudely awakened by her husband wanting more sex. God, didn't men have anything better to do? 

To Francesca delight she found Becky alone in the kitchen reading the morning newspaper. She hatched her long-term plan. Kissing Becky she asked, "Well you'll be back to stay Wednesday night as usual?"

"Yes providing that suits you."

"Of course it does. Bring your man with you darling. I'll cook a full dinner."

"Why?"

"Because it's the right thing to do. If he doesn't want to accept the invitation then that's fine."

"I asked why do you want him here?"

"It is normal for a mother to take an interest in her daughter's love life."

"Oh, is that all? Okay, I'll ask Charlton. If he comes I don't want him been shown nude photos of me when I was a baby."

"No, of course not. I'll show him nude photos of me when I was a baby."

"Mom, he'll be too big and too vigorous for you."

"Ohmigod Becky. You can't talk to your mother like that."

"Can't I. How often do you and dad do it?"

Becky, for goodness sake, be quiet and read the newspaper."


Changing Sisters



* * *

It disturbed Charlton that Becky's mother wanted him to visit for dinner. Whatever for? Well Becky completed her contract on Friday so perhaps mother was worried her baby might be tossed out of his home. Hadn't Becky told her Charlton had said she could stay with him as long as it suited them both? Oh well, never mind.

Becky had said her sister would be there but after the mother finished smearing her lipstick over him Charlton noted that four-second eye contact with the sister was the best he received all evening. She was a frumpy, surly bitch and only spoke when spoken to. He'd been expecting a vivacious blonde who'd look interest in having a piece of him. Their father was okay -- and they nodded with slight recognition. When shaking hands they eyed one another steadily, Arnold aware the young fellow had seen him occasionally at parties, Arnold with never-the-same blonde bimbo in tow.

"This rack of lamb -- absolutely exquisite Mrs Hartford."

She swelled up and showed she had breasts and invited Charlton to call her Francesca.

"Exactly what do you do at Wholesome Canine Foods Charlton?" she asked. "My daughter talks about you but never has discussed what you do or anything about your company for that matter."

"That is your daughter being profession discreet."

"Oh yes, quite. Are you a salesman?"

"I couldn't sell a handle off a bucket."

"Well I couldn't either," Francesca laughed. "Then are you a line accountant?"

"Mom, Charlton probably doesn't know the term. He's executive chairman and owns the company along with his parents."

Francesca looked astonished. "B-but that's a top 100 privately owned company, or at least it was when I was working in accountancy."

"Some people have to own those companies Francesca. I'm sorry if my position has given offence."

Charlton caught the smile tottering on sister's lips and made three-second eye contact before she hung her head again.

"No," Francesca laughed. "No offence taken. But why would a guy in your elite position want to associate with a young woman like Becky?"

"Because so-called elite women are usually self-centered and boring. I associate with Becky because she's very interesting as a person and is awesome at sex?"

Becky and her father laughed heartedly, Francesca looked as if she was waiting to sink through the floor and Maggie ran from the room and was not seen again by the visitor.

On the way home Carlton said, "I guess I was a dinner disaster?"

"Perhaps only mildly so," smiled Becky, reaching for his hand and ignoring the beady eyes of the cabbie in his rearview mirror. "It was funny really. Dad looked to be slightly nervous of you, mom was fawning you and Maggie was initially resentful, then seemed to be warming to you when you made that outrageous remark about sex and that tipped her over."

"Doesn't she like sex?"

"She's recently divorced because of the infidelity of her ex who is about to marry one of her best friends who was center of the bust-up."

"Oh, I didn't know. You said nothing about that."

"True and that's why I'm not mad at you. I know I should have prepared you."

"No sweat. Soon she'll be back fucking again."

"God you men. That's all you think about. What about the plans she had for her future?"

"Did she have plans?"

"Grrrrrrrr!"

Next morning Charlton personally sent Francesca flowers, thanking her for her wonderfully hospitality and flowers to Maggie apologizing for apparently upsetting her over something." 

* * *

"Oh god, look at these unseasonable flower," Francesca crowed. "I knew Charlton would be well-mannered. He'll have a lovely mother. Why two bouquets I have no idea. Oh, this smaller one is for you dear."

"Me?"

"Yes Maggie. Perhaps he finds you attractive?"

"Me?"

"Well you were before your let yourself go. Read the note to me dear."

"They are really beautiful flowers."

"Maggie, the note."

"I apologize for apparently upsetting you last night. I now know I was suppose to act sensitively in your company. Get your head above water Maggie -- you have a life to live. Love Charlton."

"Oh the darling man."

Francesca couldn't believe what she was hearing... interaction from Maggie, the first time to an outside person since the bust-up. This was a miracle.

"Go to your bedroom and phone him to thank him darling. I'll send him a note."

"Why can't I send him a note?"

"He believes he has hurt you; only a personal call will reassure him you're okay." Francesca said, wondering why she was doing this.

"Okay."

Francesca watched open mouth as Maggie ran to her room and slammed the door shut. What was this?

Maggie re-merged and said, "He was surprised that I called and was ever so nice."

"And?"

"That's all. There was nothing more either of us could say. He's Becky's boyfriend mom."

Francesca thought that was true but the situation should be reversed. Becky had the body and the personality to land almost any guy she wanted. Maggie had always waited for a guy to take an interest in her and then was hopeless choosy and had made a huge mistake with David-lay-any-woman-in-sight. If any guy deserved to have his penis chopped off it was David.

Becky called, very excited. She'd won a contract in Texas and had to leave on Sunday and would be away for two months.

"Are you sure you want to go and leave Charlton unattended?"

"Yes, why not? His interest in me is to take me to bed, He rarely takes me out and when he's not fucking me he's watching TV. Our interests beyond the bed and talking business are poles apart."

Francesca thought that was the first time either daughter had used the F-word to her. God standards were slipping.

Two days later Maggie went out alone and that was a first since the breakup. She returned with her hair cut and reshaped and highlighted. It was a daughter Francesca hadn't seen for a very long time. She wanted to urge Maggie to buy stylish new clothes; Maggie has no shortage of money. But she thought she shouldn't push it. During dinner Maggie said, "I'm going to the mall tomorrow to be some new stuff mom. You are welcome to accompany me and advise during try-ons."

"You mean clothes?"

"Yes."

"Oh darling, I would love to do that. Thank you for asking."

* * *

The restructuring was working well now that fine-tuning was almost finished. Charlton almost imagined stress was sliding off him. He noticed more and more personnel were smiling at him when they passed and the vice-presidents were looking happy although under stress now they had greater autonomy.

He called Becky in Dallas, Texas. She sounded pleased to hear from him and to be advised the restructured management at doggie poo-makers as she called the company, now she was no longer drawing down her large fee payments, was going well.

"I'm up to my tits in work here."

Charlton thought the usual phrase was 'up to my eyeballs' but refrained from commenting. He then explained the real reason for calling.

"Your mother called me to ask if I would take Maggie out to dinner."

"My mother called you?"

"Yes, is that odd?"

"Very."

"She says Maggie's mood has taken a big turn for the better but still won't go out with anyone but her parents. She wants me to attempt a break-through. I don't mind trying but through I should get your permission."

"You don't need my permission. There's nothing between us. You failed to commit."

"Sorry."

"Well it happens. I reckon Maggie will go out with you because you're different."

"Is that good?"

"Yes, I'll give her a call if you wish."

"No, if she doesn't want to go out with me that's fine. I've taken out frumps before."

"Mom phoned on Sunday night and said Maggie has had a makeover and is looking great, but she didn't mention sneaking behind my back."

"Perhaps she didn't regard it as sneaking."

"Probably not. Maggie won't allow you to fuck her at least not unless you put in the hard yards."

"Becky my intentions are honorable. Maggie is still wounded."

"Yeah, quite right and good for you. Getting her out of the house may be enough to get her going again. It would be great if she returned to the workforce; she's worked for years as a marketing consultant."

"Well I'll try to help out. Are you getting your fill down there?"

"Yes the senior vice-president of the company and I have found we have a similar interest. I'm shifting in with him over the weekend for a trial. He divorced three years ago and received a big settlement from his bitch of a wife who has more money than morals."

"Keep safe darling. Rest easy that I will be patient and supportive in doing my bit to get Maggie socially rehabilitated."

"Thank you and good luck. You probably have just the right touch to kick-start Maggie. I'm surprised you want to bother."

"Well I hope I don't screw up for her. Bye."

CHAPTER 2

Maggie was unsure. "Why would you want to take me out to dinner?"

Charlton knew that being an internal auditor Maggie was bound to have a tidy mind. He said, "May I share something confidential?"

"Very well."

"Your mother suggested it to me, wanting you to get out socially. She couldn't think of anyone better than me to ask and I called Becky and she agreed and said to take it easy with you."

"You're lying."

"Goodbye Maggie," Charlton said and put his phone down and waited for it to ring.

"Charlton, I'm sorry I behaved badly. I have trouble getting into my head that potentially all men are bad. I now realize that you knew I could have called mom and Becky to verify what they had said to you. Yes, I would be delighted to go out with you if the offer is still open."

"That's great Maggie. We can go to the restaurant under your apartment block."

"No, we go there a lot. You may wish to take me to one of your favorite restaurants."

"Okay, when?"

"This Saturday unless you are otherwise engaged."

His voice smiled. "Saturday night at Rossini's at 7:30. I'll book now and will pick you up."

"No, I'll come to the restaurant. I need to get my confidence up. Could we have coffee back at your apartment? Becky told me about it in detail and I'm interested to see it but I'll leave after an hour of chatting, if you know what I mean."

"This date is about friendship and helping you to re-establish. It's not about sex."

"God, how can you be so casual in your use of that word?"

"It comes easy Maggie because I've never been really hurt. We'll talk about it in due course."

"Mom told me this would be a oncer, that you'd not be really interested in me."

"That could be true. On the other hand Maggie mom's are not always right. If I don't call back within the hour you know I have secured the booking. I'm regarded as a preferential client. Wear something sexy."

"What?"

"Some people use the phrase dress up."

"Oh, yes. Bye Charlton. I feel good about this."

"Good girl. Bye."

Charlton went back to work grumbling in his mind. Why was he bothering? It was like dealing with a shy kid, making him feel he was on his first date. He could be doing something far more productive. What did he care about the Hartford's and the messed up sex lives of the parents and the elder daughter? 

Two nights before Becky had left for Texas they went out to a black tie dinner and who should be there, much to his embarrassment at seeing them, but Arnold, Becky's father, with a bimbo holding on to his arm and during the night when people were becoming half-drunk she was all over him. Daddy had come over and said something feeble like, "I don't really know her Becky; she's just someone from the nursing pool and Becky said scathingly, "If I catch you out dad I don't expect you to lie to me."

On Saturday night Charlton was at the bar keeping an eye on the door, waiting for Miss Misfit to come through the door. An attractive woman smiled at him and said, "Hello Charlton." He recognized her by her voice -- Maggie! 

Recovering without showing it, Charlton kissed her cheek, smiled and said hi, that he'd missed seeing her coming in and go to check in her coat.

She smiled back.

He attempted not to stare. She had real boobs, though not the melons of her sister. She wasn't beautiful but was... um, smiley attractive without blemishes, or at least none that he could see. It was amazing what an improved attitude, a decent splash of make-up including around the eyes and a big smile could do to chase away frumpiness. 

He had to say something. "You look great."

"And you're not too bad yourself."

Where was all this confidence coming from? Had her mom taken her to a shrink? He offered Maggie a drink and she asked what he was drinking.

"Sorry, this is alcohol."

"Placing sex out of bounds doesn't mean a girl can't drink Charlton."

He ordered a vodka martini for the lady and a fresh one for himself.

"Yes Mr King," said the attractive bartender, probably a university student, who ignored Maggie and looked Charlton in the eye unabashed.

When Maggie had her drink she was even more surprised when the maitre d' arrived with menus and bowing said, please come this way Mr King and your companion."

"Thank you Ivan," Charlton said and as they walked to the table, his right hand resting on Maggie's right hip, "I assume you have reverted back to Miss Maggie King, legally?"

"Yes."

"You have only the one sibling?"

"Yes, and you?"

"I have two older sisters."

"That's nice. You don't have to engage in small talk unless you want to. I've become used to long silences."

"I bet you have. My two sisters are not small talk to me. They love me and I love them."

Maggie stopped and said, "I'm sorry. That was a careless comment."

They moved to the table. "It's fine, I'm satisfied, having explained myself. Our situations are somewhat similar -- strong mothers and fathers who play around."

"My father doesn't play around," Maggie said quietly and then catching Charlton's expression said, "Oh God, he does."

As soon as the maitre d' had department Charlton said, "I had no wish to catch you by surprise. I just assumed you knew. There is no need to continue this topic."

"I wish to know. Mother suspects it. I rather suspect mother is not comfortable about sex."

"Well your father appears to be, although I'm without evidence, only having seen him on occasion with nubile blondes and never the same one."

"Well obviously daddy likes his sex and goes top shelf. Good on him."

Charlton shook his head. "I can't believe I told you that, considering you've been on a big downside."

"Well a fortnight ago I went to bed crying and said enough. And that's when I began to spin out of my depression. I guess you won't be surprised to know I'm really pleased to know about my daddy. Why should he allow himself to be held back by my mother's lack of appetite for sex?"

"I haven't the faintest idea. Both my parents play around and have done so for goodness knows how long. I've never made it my business to know but have been saddened that it has blighted our family life. The younger of my sisters is promiscuous like her parents and the elder one is a right... well, they both are married and have children.

"And you, what are you Carlton? You don't have to answer."

"Thank you but I must say I am very promiscuous, but only because I enjoy the sport."

"Sport?"

As Maggie laughed the movement of her shaking breasts caught Carlton's gaze and when he looked up he caught her gaze. He observed she also blushed.

"We seem to be relating well, better than I had expected."

"Yes," she answered. "That has surprised me as well.

After dinner they went to his apartment for coffee.

"This is luxury, sheer luxury," she said.

"Although I'm paid a great deal this apartment its not mine. My father owns it and kept his current mistress housed here. At present it is surplus to his requirements," Charlton then told Maggie about his father's skiing accident and how he'd taken on running the company to get his mother to return home.

"But now thanks to the good work of my sister, you have lost your stress?"

"Yes. I knew enough to restructure the company but also knew my personnel would be more agreeable if an independent person drove the restructuring."

"And that's what has happened?"

"Yes, we have a head office management team of thirty-three people and only one person resigned as a result of change."

"All other objectors being appeased with receiving more money?"

"Yes. Look, I understand you are experienced in internal auditing. Would you be interested in working for us -- on a three-month contract to examine the new structure looking for weaknesses and whether personnel feel comfortable with the corporate change and to visit our production plants here in Chicago, New Jersey, Fort Worth and Los Angeles to assess their respective overall performances and then write a comparison report for me to present to my board of directors?"

"Well, yes. It would help get me back on to my feel commercially. I could find it a bit of a struggle as some area would require specialist appraisal."

"Then you'd call me seeking authorization to hire specialist support but you will have to manage them."

"That's fine. I've have had to do that on routine audits when detecting instances of serious fraud."

"Good, I shall brief our HR manager Janice and she'll be in touch with you. She'll write a report about you in connection with my proposal. Janice and two vice-presidents along with two or three other key will consider that report. You will be invited to be in attendance but because I'm proposing this as a personal initiative I will be not sit on that appointment committee. That committee will know they are expected to appoint you unless they find reason to block that appointment."

"That sounds fine. Initiate it as soon as you wish. I am very grateful, very grateful. Well, my self-imposed hour is up and I must be off. It has been so lovely associating with you. You are like a elixir to me."

"Wow, that's a first."

They went down and Charlton hailed a cab for her. He decided not to kiss her but just as Maggie was about to enter the cab she turned and kissed him, on the cheek. He caught the blush and loved it. In some respects she was like a female on her first date. 

* * *

Maggie was given a three-month contract and Charlton asked Mrs Upton perform the induction. He hesitated and Mrs Upton looked at him curiously.

"What is it?"

"Could you make a point of NOT saying why there is a sofa and wardrobe space in that room?"

"Yes of course but may I ask why?"

"Her sister was promiscuous but this one is anything but."

"And you're employing her?"

"She is well-equipped for the task. If she asks about the wardrobe say that office is often used by visiting executives."

"You think this is the one, don't you."

Charlton jumped up to the window and looked at the cityscape. "That's all."

Mrs Upton left with a fat-cat smile.

Damn the women. What was wrong with them? Maggie's mother had called him to thank him for getting her troubled daughter back on track so substantially. Francesca had asked, "This hugely responsible task you have given Maggie so early in her comeback, "Have you fallen for her?"

"Why would you think that Francesca?"

"I really don't know. Instinct I suppose. Your behavior puzzles me. You can have any woman you wish and yet your attention is on poor Maggie."

"Maggie is okay, just give her time."

"Oh god, I have no wish to anger you. Then it's true."

Charlton grunted goodbye and snapped his phone shut. Fucking women but none had even confused him more than Maggie. She was attracted to him, very much. He could feel it but she wouldn't allow him to touch her and he had no idea why he was putting up with this. She should be fucking him in gratitude.

His phone went. It was Maggie.





Changing Sisters



"Hi, I've been appointed. Dinner tonight?"

"Sure thing."

"At your place. Call the desk to admit me to your apartment. I'm cooking for you."

"Er, can you really cook?"

"Yes of course. I'm my mother's daughter."

Charlton assumed that meant her mom was a fine cook, and he'd tasted her expertise. But did it also mean like mother the daughter was uncomfortable at having sex? God, how could she be Becky's sister?

The meal was lovely and the conversation was rather intellectual. Sitting on the sofa Charlton made a point of looking at the sweet curve of Maggie's breasts long enough for her to notice. The color in her wine-flushed cheeks deepened. That was a good sign. He took her hand, expecting it to be withdrawn after the obligatory polite fifteen seconds. But no she held on and actually squeezed his hand. His cock stirred optimistically but it was for naught; as soon as he bent over to kiss her Maggie jumped up and said, "Help me clear away."

"I'll get your coat," he said, a little sullenly. "Room service will fix the kitchen in the morning."

As Charlton helped Maggie with her coat her French perfume drifted up to tease him. He so much wanted to be thrusting into her, to hold her. 

She turned and saw the look and drew her hand down his cheek. "Oh Charlton, I'm so sorry. Please get someone else. I feel I cannot submit to you until I feel I can trust you. I know I can trust you but I must feel that, if you know what I mean. Can you understand that?"

"Yes. It makes sense to me."

At the cab door Maggie turned and said, "Kiss me lightly Charlton and then go back to your apartment and ponder why are you heaping me with all this attention. I don't deserve it."

"Good night Maggie and it was a magnificent thank you dinner. When do you start?"

"Tomorrow."

"I'll look forward to that."

Back in his apartment Charlton began pacing. He looked at his watch -- 10:15. He called Bob Marsh's wife Cynthia, two floors below his penthouse.

"Hello."

"Hi Cynthia, is Bob still away?"

"Yes Charlton. You woke me."

"Sorry."

"I suppose you want to come down?"

"Yes, I need it bad."

"Well so did I earlier this evening. I almost called you. Come on big boy."

Cynthia virtually had no tits or hips. She was a gym freak. But she loved to fuck and was almost acrobatic when engaged in sex. Charlton and Bob were members of a business club and he often went out with them. Cynthia occasionally began calling Charlton as their friendship developed when Bob was away on a business trip and one night instead of calling she knocked on Charlton's door. The trouble was Bob was only away three or four times a year. Charlton cleaned his teeth, patted his dick affectionately in the elevator, a big grin on his face. Charlton thought Maggie could approve of this.

* * *

During the next the next month while Maggie worked either at the corporate office or the Chicago plant she and Charlton went out every second night and kicked around together at weekend, Maggie opening a whole new world for him because they went to art galleries, museums and the theatre including a touring Russian ballet group. He'd previously had some exposure to the arts but usually was working at fingering his companion to take much notice of what was going on stage and he went to museums or galleries for opening nights where he concentrated on making the bright contacts and being seen with the right women and, of course, ignoring the canapés and having more drinks instead.

The difference with Maggie was she explained things to him and slowly his interest increased and Charlton began to make sense of what she was talking about and he read the books she got out of the library for him and they sat at the computer together and went to appropriate sites and we soon doing this in reverse -- boning up before they went to an event of note.

Of course they went out to dinner after a movie and eventually Maggie suggested they go to a dine-and-dance. It was high-class and before anyone took to the floor there was a half hour show by Latin America dancers that finished with a sexy Argentine Tango.

"God, I need a cool drink," Maggie said, fanning her face and Charlton ordered her mineral water on heaps of ice. She dabbed her cheeks and when finished dabbing under her chin they both watched the trickle of liquid run down between her breasts, the tops being slightly exposed.

Charlton took a deep breath and whispered, "That was every bit as sexy as the tango."

"Down boy," she whispered. It was the first time she'd ever made such a personal comment to him. They danced, up close, and later in the night he pressed even closer so there was no chance of her not feeling his erection against her. But she said nothing and at her request they left in difference cabs, Maggie said she had to be up for an early flight to the Los Angeles plant. When they kissed her wondered if her mouth was open, confirmed when their teeth touched before she pushed him away, smiling and eyes flashing.

They talked each day on the phone and he was at the airport five evenings later for her arrival back at O'Hare. Maggie found Charlton in the bar when they'd arranged to me. He'd explained he didn't like waiting with everyone to greet passengers. Maggie looked pretty with her hair down up and a light blue suit and, sheer blue stockings and dark blue shoes and carrying her black overcoat and pulling her suitcase on wheels as well as holding a bunch of flowers.

They kissed, enthusiastically.

Charlton said honestly, "I missed you."

That pleased Maggie and she pushed the flowers at him.

"Here -- for your apartment. May I stay the night?"

It was said politely, without any hint of reservation.

"You mean...?" Charlton tapered off, unwilling to push it and received back a wise smile. I've had so much time thinking about you. It hit me two days ago...I feel I trust you.

Charlton grinned and said it with his eyes.

"Yes," Maggie said.

He looked at her tits and she giggled. "Down boy. We'll be arrested if you try to do it here.

Charlton wiped his hand across his jaw. "It seems more sensible to eat near here; it's almost midnight rather than race home and..."

She didn't let him get away with it. "And what?"

"Um...for you to allow me to undress you."

"Oooh, that sounds nice. I thought you were going to say something crude?"

"Actually I was going to suggest we eat near the airport. I ate only lightly on the aircraft. Would like a chicken fillet now -- a steak restaurant will have that." 

They walked out like lovers, Maggie carrying the flowers and linked arm-in-arm; Charlton pulled her suitcase.

* * *

They entered the apartment, the lights switching on by sensor.

Charlton asked, "Would you like a nervous drink?"

"A drink, yes please. I'm nervous...it's been rather a long time since...well, you know."

"Well, how about this: you set the pace," Charlton said, turning the cork off a bottle of champagne with that delightful small 'Plop' with the promise.

"Oh champagne, how lovely," she said. "Oh I'm not thinking straight. I heard the sound of the cork didn't I?"

"I feel sure you did. Oh I'm so nervous I can't think straight. It will be best if you take charge."

"Okay, removed you panties before I hand you your drink."

"Pardon me?"

He just smiled and when Maggie lost her confused look she lifted up and removed her panties, as elegantly as anyone could when sitting on a sofa under the bemused look of a male bordering on the cusp of seduction mode.

"Oh I feel so clumsy."

"You did that beautiful. Here's your wine. I looked not to embarrass you but to get my first real look of your legs. They are what I expected, top shelf."

"What you expected?"

"Yes, your neck, breast, waist and hips appear beautifully in balance and you are tall so I did not expect your legs to be thick and stumpy. The appear to have exceeded my expectations."

"With my pants off already no doubt you will see my legs very bare very soon."

"That is a reasonable expectation. Cheers."

"Ohmigod, I really need this drink. You have gotten me so uptight."

"Hopefully I can make you come and then you'll be so relaxed."

"Charlton, must you talk about this in such detail?"

"Yes, I'm attempting to keep you relaxed."

"Oh yeah? Perhaps the champagne will."

He smiled, thinking he'd wound her up enough. This had to be a good one otherwise it could put her off sex for life.

Charlton kissed, burrowed, nipped and licked for almost an hour before she said, "Charlton, put it in now; I'm almost about to explode."

He unzipped and watched her highly red face turn pale.

"God, do you think..."

"Shhhh. It will be okay, I promise. You might be tight from lack of activity but you have used a toy of two haven't you.

Her face was now scarlet.

She nodded.

He said good and noticed the furrows on her brow said, "I'll take it slowly. Please feel free to communicate. Do you wish to dribble on me and lick it about to make it easier on you?"

"You do it."

"I've never been able to get my cock in my mouth."

He held his breath and then saw her head dip and began breathing again. As he felt her pushing the spit along it with his fingers he said, "Put it in your mouth. You need to get used to doing the real things."

His lips closed around his bulk and her pushed more of it into her. "Okay."

"Mmmm-imph-mm-mer."

"Sorry I'd forgotten you had your mouth full."

Her body shook and she pulled off it, laughing heartedly. 

"Great, you are relaxed. Back you go and I'll push in."

"Don't you want my breasts out?"

"No, not this time. Let's keep this first and short one uncomplicated."

"You're not short," she cackled and then sounded as if she were gargling as he pushed in.

Later he though he'd better stop, but she rocked hard against him and pulled his butt, forcing him all the way back into her. So he pounded her until she shrieked. He pulled out and finished himself off, Maggie still panting heavily watching wide-eyed as he picked up her panties and jerked into them.

They were in the bath, she laying against his chest beautifully relaxed as he played with her tits when he suddenly remember Maggie was only thirty, well within child-bearing age. "Ooops, we did that unprotected. Sorry. Won't happen again."

"It's fine, I went back on to the pill weeks ago, planning for this night if it happened."

Weeks ago? Her thinking and being so far-sighted impressed Charlton.

Maggie would go to New York in five days and then on to Fort Worth for seven days, staying with Becky in Dallas. He had the spicy thought of the sisters exchanging notes and inviting him down for a couple of nights to see what the nights might bring. 

"Want to stay here until you fly out? You could spent the days with your mom."

"Good idea. I don't feel tender. Want to go again?"

"Nah, let's work up slowly and start again in the morning with a full-out missionary. Am I free to shoot us inside you?"

"Yes, I'd find that preferable than you hosing my panties thank you."

CHAPTER 3

At Maggie's suggestion Charlton went to New York to spend the last night with her before she flew to Dallas-Forth Worth. He was a little anxious about calling Maggie after her first day in Texas, assuming Becky would want to speak to him. She did and she was great with no sign of resentment.

"You marvelous guy. Mom had told me you have really pushed Maggie along and now she's to shift in permanently with you. Well I was expecting her to be more than halfway back to normal but she's the best I've seen her in years. There's nothing that looks better than a well-fucked woman, is there?"

"Er... er..."

"Of course you know. And thank you for making the psychological break-through. I knew her problem would relate more to bad sex than the divorce and she's told me so. Ha, she's just called out she's getting nothing but great sex now. Good boy. Keep it up. No, that wasn't an unintentional pun." 

Charlton, a little long for the bath, contemplated his toes from his prone position, his feet on the far rim of the bath. Well, he'd fucked both of the Hartford sisters in recent months for which was top cat? He hesitated thinking what was this: the pause indicating maturity and the need to take time to think? Was the overall top cat the one who fucked the best by far or the other one? He decided that life wasn't all about fucking so had ended up with the better sister for his requirements. Maggie was now more than adequate in bed but also had far greater depth. She was both sophisticated and urban with very deep knowledge about all sorts of things and although lightweight in her interest in sports she was a heavyweight in her knowledge and interest in the arts thanks to an education strong in the classics. He should marry her because she would be a great business asset socially and would far exceed Becky at being domestically supportive. Who'd be the better mother was anyone's guess. 

He yawned and went to sleep in the bath and had a real scary dream about getting married: Becky insisted on sharing the marital bed and Maggie stabbed her and continued on to perform a double mastectomy. He awoke, heart-pounding and shivering, his skin wrinkled.

* * *

Maggie looked at Charlton quite shaken, her nose still turned up after she'd said in disbelief, "Marry you?"

"Well it's generally accepted the question, "Maggie, would you please consider marry me' means exactly that."

"But why?"

"Well, to give you security."

"I married four years ago for that reason and look where it landed me?"

"Very well placed I must say."

"Pardon me?"

"My respect and affection for you is growing into love Maggie."

"You are incapable of loving anyone."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

"Well I am. Marry Becky... she loves you."

"Eh?"

"Are you deaf as well as stupid?"

"Maggie, darling... um... ah. I know what to ask, do you love me?"

Maggie collapsed on to the sofa and began to cry.

"So you do?"

"Yes."

"Please understand I wish to marry you, not anyone else and that includes Becky."

"But why? I'm used goods, unworthy of you."

"Look, that's absolute crap and you know it. In the short time we've been living together we have proven to be unbelievably compatible. I'm walking about the office whistling and confused people are rushing away from me thinking I'm about to swing an axe."

"Pardon me?"

"I doesn't matter. They remember not so long ago I was running on a five-second fuse as the result of stress. Then the Hartford sisters, first Becky and then you, entered my life and helped sort me out by vacuuming stress-inducing pressures from my environment. Your report shows company personal and our bottom-line are benefiting from restructuring and in your role you managed to do what none of us had managed to do -- to identify some if not all reasons why productivity at the LA and Fort Worth plants lag behind New York and Chicago plants. The check you'll receive as your share of increased profitability at those two plants as a direct result of implementation of remedial measures is likely to be perhaps $35,000 to possibly $50,000 when returns for that bonus period are known after quarterly returns have been analyzed."

"Well throwing money at me doesn't mean you also have to talk marriage to me."

"Maggie, please... look, let's go and see the person who will tell you within an hour whether or not it's acceptable for you to marry me."

"Who's that, Milton your best buddy?"

"No, my mother. Come on, do your hair and we're off."

"No. I'm not having your mother tell me what I can or cannot do. She's one of the most influential women on the social circuit in this city."

"So?"

"She got there be being a bitch, stamping out the opposition and the more influential women ahead of her. I read that somewhere."

"That will be a gossip magazine I bet. My mother built her personal prestige but being very successful as a charity fundraiser and throwing big money herself into worthy causes. Listen to this: My father and I rarely find reason to dispute my mother's judgment. Please Maggie, let me announce my attention and she'll ask me to leave the room when she talks to you. You'll be surprised just how practical she is and how analytical her mind is."

"Why do you want to me through this?"

"To leave you with no shadow of doubt that my mother thinks you are a suitable person for me to marry."

"Well, I doubt she can do that but I commend you for a very strong answer to my question. All right, I'll go. Give me a couple of hours to get ready."

"One hour and not a second longer."

"Very well. You can be such a damn hard man at times."

Maggie allocated time for having a restful bath, doing her nails, changing her mind about the clothes and jewelry she'd wear and then changing items to get the coordination right, brushing her hair, make-up, dressing, checking. The estimated times added to one hour, twenty. He'd have to wait, wouldn't he...or go without her?

She was rather overwhelmed Charlton had suggested marriage. She'd not even begun aligning herself for such an offer. It was too early into their relationship. Yet what was the right time? At least with him blurting it out she knew what was on his mind. Knowing what was driving him was so difficult at times. He didn't like talking about it. Men!

And why were they going to his mother over this? They were adults. Well, she'd gone though a huge down period, hadn't she? It was true what he'd said: this was to give her reassurance. But why? 

Maggie sighed. She was back to normal and had proved that just two nights ago, Sunday, when as usual for a weekend they had been at it during the day in three sessions. They'd been really steamy and he had her fully wound up, the best she'd been for years, wanting sex more than anything and for the session to never stop. She'd know he was fully stretched as well, all that puffing and grunting and raining endearments on her. Usually he was pretty quiet and the puffing and endearments came when he was resting. Without thinking she'd pulled his hand over her butt, making it quite clear it was all right for him to finger her. He did and oh boy did that light her wick. The poor guy must have wondered what had hit him -- she acted like a storm and came like a tsunami. She had to fetch the coffee. Never had she seen him so legless.

Maggie was aware she'd brought greater dimension into his life to show him there was more to existence that working, eating, fucking and planning vacations. Only last week he'd suggested they go to a visiting jazz group she's not spotted was performing for a very limited period. The guy was now actually looking beyond the sports and business pages of his newspaper! Well it had been made easier by the fact the guy acted tough but he really had quite a soft center. His father was a tyrant by all accounts so who had cultivated his sensitivity? His mother your dummy. Maggie swirled the scented bathwater around her. Of course. So what was she so uptight about -- shadows!

"Charlton," she yelled.

"Yeah?"

"White wine please."

"Oh yeah. That could help to relax you. Don't be too long in the bath."

At last Maggie was ready. She came out of the bedroom and shrieked, "You can't go to your mother dressed like that."

He was dressed in his old university sweater, ill-fitting plants and shoes that politely could be called scruffy.

"But I usually visit her dressed like this."

"Well not when accompanied by me you don't."

She smiled inwardly when Charlton adopted his rate little boy look and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"First of all have you called her?"

"No, it's not necessary. She calls 4:00 to 6:00 her quiet time unless she's out to cocktails or an early film preview."

"Is she doing that today?"




Changing Sisters



"I wouldn't know."

"You would have had you thought of calling her. God, why do adult sons take their moms for granted?"

"How would you know?"

"I know heaps of things you don't. Call her please Charlton."

Charlton came back and said almost surly, "She's expecting us. She wondered why I was bringing you, saying I've never brought a female home since I was a teenager."

"Well that's going to be telling her something, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Oh Christ!"

"That's strong language for you. Should I wear a suit?"

"What a lovely idea Charlton."

The car wouldn't start. Well he rarely used it. The novice captain of industry said a little angrily, "Flat battery."

Miss Smart Ass said, "It sounds very robust to me. Look your fuel gauge is low; it's probably stale gas."

"How do you know?"

"I don't, I only know theory. But tomorrow have a mechanic look at it. Suggest a big can of gas and drain stale gas. The bill will be $100 including callout instead of perhaps $700."

"What if you're wrong?"

"Who cares? The guy is a mechanic."

"Oh yeah."

It didn't surprise Maggie that the address Charlton gave for Mr and Mrs Doggy Biscuit was an exclusive area. The company's annual turnover was plus $120,000,000 minimum. It was a gated community -- containing only one grand house. She grinned: Two bronze doggies guarded each side of the wide concrete steps leading up to the fancy glassed front door.

"This house is rather unsuitable for dad although it has an elevator. He'll be grumpy, confined to a wheelchair, but don't mind him. Mother will take us to her lounge."

There was no problem in recognizing mother. Her photo was often in the newspapers and magazines Maggie read. She was in her mid fifties and younger than grumpy who wheeled out to greet her and then wheeled himself away to his cage of wherever he sulked.

Maggie and mother smiled and shook hands.

"Maggie, one of my favorite names and every so often it makes a comeback. Please call me Clarita or Mrs King if you prefer.

"Thank you...Clarita."

"Come through to my lounge away from Old Grumpy."

Maggie loved it, "Oh, do you have a cat?"

Clarita just smiled. Inside the beautifully furnished room of Yesteryear Clarita kissed Charlton and said, "You are ominously quiet darling."

"I'm okay. Should I go and sit with dad. I want you two to talk."

"Why is that darling? Is Maggie soliciting on behalf of her favorite charity?"

"No, you told me she is the first female I've brought to this home since I was a teenager although of course I took heaps to our summer house at Cape Cod."

"That's true. So why don't you tell me why Maggie is here and then you can fetch us both a drink and then you have a whisky or two with your father?"

"Maggie wants to marry me but has a problem. I'll get the wine."

"Thank you dear. I do hope you are more fulsome at briefing your executives when attempting to direct them."

As Charlton scuttled away Maggie said, "You handle him very well. He speaks very little about his parents but I assume it's from you he has inherited his soft center. From this I believe you will gather I am living with Charlton."

"Yes, as did your sister before you. I'm on a committee with your mother and see her once a month."

"Oh, how nice. I'm here because three hours ago Charlton presented his concept of a proposal of marriage to me. I am a divorcee and..."

"We can skip that. Your mother informed me about that and how badly it affected you but now you are over that and now work as a consultant to Doggy Empire."

"Doggie Empire?"

"My private name for the business that largely consumed my husband, taking him away from me most of our married life, which is why I had affairs."

Maggie laughed and said, "You are not at all like what I had expected."

"Likewise my dear. Ah, here are our drinks. My initial reaction is Maggie is eminently suitable for you Charlton. Now run along and swap lies with your father."

"Maggie, do you understand what my mother is saying...that she accepts you?"

"Yes I do but as she has indicated it's early days yet and I accept that. Please go to your father and he probably is in need to talk to someone like you. He'll think he's in danger of being confined to that wheelchair will drive him batty. You can join us later."

"Right, like my mother you think soundly. I knew you two would hit it off. Please excuse me ladies."

"And so, I gather you declined his proposal saying something like a young person like him had no need to marry a previous married woman and risk some social stigma attaching to him?"

"Something like that, but more basic."

"To shock?"

"No, to make him think beyond making an actual proposal."

"Good thinking. So he took the easy way out and said," Right, you are coming to talk to my mother."

"Yes, exactly. You know your son."

"I know men my dear."

They laughed and Clarita said, "Tell me about yourself, I mean from your point of view."

Back home, with all tension gone, Charlton and Maggie fucked so tenderly that she was brought close to tears and thought had she not been protected she would have become pregnant. It was sex with love, not that that was a prerequisite for pregnancy but rather just how she felt. She'd felt open to him.

They went out to dinner and Charlton asked, "Should we become engaged?" 

"Yes and I'd like that very much. Could you leave it for a couple of months?"

"Good thinking. That will allow us to settle into the idea of marriage and to get our thinking sorted. I'd like you to consider taking a permanent position within the company."

"Your mother suggested if that offer came I should accept. She says she received a similar offer and rejected it, probably the biggest mistake of her life because her husband was wedded to the company, leaving her life practically empty."

"Thanks to the reform, there is no need for me to be wedded to the company."

"That's true but the company is a big interest we could share. If the offer is made I'd like to fill a gap, to be the person to bridge research and marketing. Good liaison exists but my thinking the company is big into aligning production to nutrition and dollar-value as seen in production and at the other end as seen by the consumer. But I believe the company could improve on inter-facing with the buyer."

"We clearly recognize owners buy the product, not dogs."

"Yes, and the emphasis is on trials with dogs with a range of product and of course packaging. But are we really into the psychology of the buyer?"

"Yes we are, a little."

"A little? That should be yes we are, in a big way."

"I see. Well that is something to investigate. In the meantime what say I arrange for you to become the assistant to our person analyzing production, distribution and sales trends within our business? That woman complains she is overworked and was the person who originally pointed out the possibility of internal theft being the reason for so-called 'abnormal wastage' at our LA and Forth Worth plants and subsequently detected by your onsite investigation."

"That's a great idea and then a period in marketing and then I'll be better equipped to become 'the bridge'."

"But we haven't investigate the need to create such a position. If we did fine it necessary it would have to be a senior person higher rated that the director of research and the director of marketing."

"I anticipated that. But the investigation will establish what I'm saying. What I'm saying is logical and supported by the unstated company philosophy that people, not dogs, buy biscuits. I have the academic qualifications for the role and with practical experience under my belt would be accepted as the right person for that bridging position."

"At first I thought you were creating a position for yourself but now I'm becoming convinced you are on to something. I'll work on setting up an appraisal subcommittee tomorrow."

"Good boy. How many children do you want?"

The piece of steak on the fork stopped halfway to Charlton's mouth. "Darling, please slow down a bit. You know I'm only a male."

"That's a copout Charlton King and you know it."

He smiled. "God, you are so much like my mother. I guess that's why I became attracted to you."

Maggie looked at him, her mouth open in shock.

THE END