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Drifter McLeod & Desiree

By: Egmont0409



CHAPTER 1

Two unhappy years post-graduation spent working for his father in a small-town store dealing in rent-to-own furniture, appliances and electronics had convinced McLeod Jones he was becoming brain dead. His father refused to introduce innovations or allow McLeod to modernize the premises and at least half the customers resented dealing with Jones junior because of his young age, thinking he knew nothing.

McLeod quit.

His father shut himself in his office with a loaded shotgun, staring at the formal notice of resignation and McLeod's young step-mom tried unsuccessfully to farewell McLeod carnally which was rather innovative of her. All that pressure accomplished was to confirm to McLeod he'd made the right decision to move on.

McLeod went by bus to Charlottesville where he booked a seat and waited to board the Amtrak train to Cincinnati. He went into the lower deck of a car and found it unoccupied and that unnerved him a little but he thought it was preferable to a car filled with screaming kids and nagging women and bitching fathers.

As a stranger to the city he poked around Cincinnati and early on the third morning took a bus and got off when it appeared they were leaving the city. It must have been a ring route because he could find no return bus stop. He cursed for being so stupid not asking the driver for details. The area had a small shopping area. He was walking along the street when a young woman stepped out of a convenience store in front of him staggering under the weight of two cartons.

"Ma'am, may I help you?"

"It's miss."

"Leaving aside the semantics may I carry that load for you?"

"God you sound educated. You can't be around from here?"

That's the trouble with women, McLeod thought. They feel compelled to talk about a problem or an action before committing. He took the two cartons.

"I didn't say..."

"Lead me to your vehicle."

The black SUV was only ten feet away.

"This is so unnecessary of you," the woman fluffed, opening the rear door.

"How would you have opened that door weighed down by his load?"

"Easy. I would have... oh. Mother always says I'm too impetuous. Oh I guess I would have had to put the cartons down on the wet ground, opened the door and lift them in one by one and the wet one may have dirtied my dress. Thank you kind sir."

"Impetuous women are far more interesting that self-controlled, measured women."

"You mean in bed?"

The young blonde, now with a flaming face, now looked as if she could sink through the ground.

"No I didn't," he grinned, "but you raise a valid point. Perhaps we could debate that some time? I've just arrived off a bus feeling like a decent breakfast. Could you recommend a suitable establishment?"

"A 24/7 diner is now open and two cafés open within the next hour but if you want a decent breakfast you'd better come with me."

"Thank you ma'am but I really can't impose like..."

"It's impolite to turn down an invitation like that and will you stop calling me ma'am. I'm Desiree King, Miss King to most people but I'll make an exception for you. Usually men with whom I come in close contact wish to undress me rather than assist me with my shopping or other chores."

"Perhaps we could debate that interesting dilemma for men at a later date?"

"God can you turn anything into a debate?" she giggled. "My first thought was you looked sexually threatening but already I'm becoming glued to the idea you might be rather charming without having to make the effort."

"Glued to the idea?"

She smiled and said her late paternal grandfather tended to use that expression when making an emphatic point.

"I'm rather glued to the idea of placing myself into your lovely trustworthy hands Desiree and being taken to a great breakfast."

"God talk like that and my mother will warn me off you."

They laughed and she told McLeod to get in.

"Um first allow me to introduce myself Desiree. I've just resigned my job and am wandering, so I guess my status right now is vagrant. My name is McLeod Jones."

"Oooh, strong name and no crap with the declaration you are a vagrant. Does that mean you are a beggar?"

"No I have money. My personal status at present remains undefined because I left home for good yesterday just before 9:00 am. I'm seeking my future. As for my name, my mom before my birth decided with a surname like Jones it needed a strong handle. Her mother was born a McLeod."

"Oooh, you phrase words well. Are you a romantic?" Desiree asked as she started the vehicle.

"My pragmatic experiences so far don't indicate that I can generate such a quality."

"Local and college sluts eh?"

McLeod considered his reply and said, "Something like that."

"You have the appearance and speak like a college graduate and your easy manner with me suggests you are used to be surrounded by heaps of intelligent women. Town boys are not like that."

"Very perceptive. What do you do?"

"A little like you, college graduate with a MS in Management and waiting for my future to arrive."

"Unless you have something lined up you'd be best taking off and looking for your future, increasing your chances of finding a good one."

"You've arrived."

They traveled almost a mile in thoughtful silence until McLeod said, "All I'm saying you are in your mid-twenties and you owe it to yourself to consider all options."

"Yeah right. I am aware working six hours a day as assistant cashier in my family's lumber yard means I'm only marking time and the contrary argument to your premise is if I stay put I'll be found."

"I can buy that. Who can predict with absolute accuracy the throw of the dice? Do you have a steady guy?"

"God you don't hold back. If you must know there is no regular guy escorting me out at the moment. Here we are."

McLeod looked at the imposing three-level rough-sawn wood house.

"Granddad began building it, helped by his father, when he was twenty-five. Dad helped by granddad increased it in size another 40%."

"It looks impressive. So am I likely to get lucky with you?"

"If you stay around your chances would be good. But if you decide to get flirty watch out for my two brothers."

McLeod carried in the two cartons into the kitchen for Desiree where they found the family waiting for breakfast, mom, dad and two guys in their early twenties.

"I can see what took you so long," said the mother. Taking a carton from McLeod she said, "Hi I'm Michelle King."

"Desiree's sister."

She smiled. "Please stay for breakfast young man."

"Thanks. I'm McLeod Jones from a little ways east of here. I got off the bus when looking around the city and saw Desiree with the cartons and I offered to lug the weight. She politely offered me breakfast. I think I'd made a good impression."

"I bet you did. This is my husband Jake."

Jake remained seated when shaking hands.

"And my youngest son Harry."

"Hi. You delayed our breakfast."

"And my eldest son John."

"Hi McLeod," said the broad-shouldered guy of about twenty-eight. "How's the grip?"

He grinned and gave McLeod plenty of time to avoid his fingers being mangled and then applied pressure.

"Stop it John, behave," his mom sighed.

"He can stop this anytime he says submit."

Desiree said, "Oh grow up John."

"I'll try not to hurt your son Mrs King." 

"Stop it both of you."

"He won't let me go Mrs King. I submit."

John grinned and pulled his hand away. "Gotcha."

Desiree said angrily, "Now let's run a quiz to test which of you two has the best knowledge and probably the greater intelligence."

"McLeod's a clear winner," John grinned. "He's a college grad isn't he sis? You don't team with dummies."

"I probably can run faster, swim faster and climb faster that you John but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm a better person," McLeod said thoughtfully. "Could you just try to like me for how you find me without physicality or brain-power being involved?" 

"I guess so."

"Ohmigod, is that my John being reasonable," Michelle laughed, hauling out steaks from one of the cartons while Desiree, smiling cutely at McLeod, lifted tomatoes and frozen fries off the top of the kitchen provisions in the other carton.

The two women worked quickly and had breakfast on the table in good time, allowing Jake and his two sons to head off for work only a little late.

McLeod stayed for two days before his investigations showed there were no suitable work for him in this locality, in fact no work at all although Jake did say he could work at the yard for fifteen bucks an hour, twenty hours a week.

Desiree allowed him to work her up a bit but as soon as he attempted to free a breast or go below her waist he had his hand pulled away and was told to behave himself. Not good but Desiree said her loose ways were behind her, that she was saving herself for Mr Right. She must have said something to the family about that because they all appeared to lose their warmth toward him. 

McLeod took the hint. He left behind a goodbye and thanks note addressed to everyone when he left at 11:00 on that third night and caught the 11:45 out of town and was pleased to find it had a café service. Later that evening he transferred to a train to St Louis where he looked around for a couple of days, booking a coach seat on the Texas Eagle before beginning his short stay.

The forgettable journey on the Texas Eagle of 939 miles and taking a little over twenty-three hours should have been broken with a stopover, preferably two he thought but too late. He should have gone by airplane. They also have screaming infants, noisy children and coughing old men but they also greatly condense the journey by their superior speed.

Aunt Rhonda, his father's youngest sister, met him at the station and kissing him in delight saying he was much better looking that her brother had been at McLeod's age of twenty-four. She asked, "And how was your great train journey?"

"Oh fine apart from appalling dumps of rubbish alongside wide of the railroad and a few other things I'm eager to forget."

"Oh. Well come home and shower and I'll feed you and you can go to bed."

"A shower and food would be okay but no sleep until late tonight. I slept quite a bit on the train, in a great number of broken intervals."

"You should have taken a roomette."

"I wanted to conserve money."

Rhonda smiled. "Oh yes, my conservative brother said you walked out in a huff. God I remember him being a self-righteous guy when I was a small kid. I guess you found him too conservative to work for?"

"That's exactly it."

"Well I'm delighted you are putting down anchor for a while. Ted said if you know anything about computer servicing he could get you work at the university. They have a backlog of maintenance."

"I'm handy with computers. I took computer science as part of my university studies."

As they reached the SUV Rhonda's phone went. McLeod only heard her side of the conversation.

"What this evening?"

"I'm not reluctant. It's just my nephew has just arrived..."

"Twenty-four."

"Well his father, my brother, is eleven years my senior."

"Chris that's disgusting."

"All right I'll ask."

Rhonda said a friend was calling with a late invitation to go to her home for dinner. McLeod would probably like Chris who was very hospitable and vivacious. She explained both husbands were at a university dinner.

McLeod said yes that would be fine.

"Yes Chris. We'll be with you within the hour. McLeod has been a night and a day on a train from St Louis so needs to shower and shave."

As Rhonda slid her phone shut, McLeod asked innocently, "What did Chris say that made you brand it as disgusting?"

"She said you and I ought to... Ohmigod, what am I saying?"

"You mean having it off?"

"Yes. Perhaps when describing her earlier I should have said she's rude and vivacious and over-sexed."

"It doesn't embarrass me."

"Thank god for that. Since you appear ready to call her Chris you best drop auntie when referring to me."

"Okay Rhonda. Anything else?"

"Yes, forgot what that disgusting Chris suggested about you and me."

"Why?"

"Because... because I said so that's why."

"Well sure as hell I won't be mentioning it to Uncle Ted if that's what you're worried about."

"I... um... appreciate that assurance. Oh god, I'm flushing."

"That's only a mild precursor to sexual stimulation. Nothing to worry about."

"McLeod!" Rhonda shrieked, dropping her phone. McLeod shot out his foot to cushion the impact and the phone slid off his sneaker to land on the concrete gently.

"Oh fine save, thank you."

"A thank you kiss?"

Rhonda flushed and kissed him chastely, like an aunt.

McLeod sniffed rudely as said, "You smell swell."

"Oh god," Rhonda muttered, opening the back door of the SUV with her remote. McLeod tossed in his backpack and carry bag.

As they started off she said, "Ted and I were thrilled that you called a few days ago to ask if you could stay with us. With the two kids at boarding school we feel rather lonely at times in such a large house."

"As his second wife do you feel they're your children."

"Yes I do."

"I'm glad about that. I recall mom saying you could have children because of a malfunction."

"She makes me sound like a car over due for repair."

"So the problem is surgically reversible?"

"Yes but it is difficult, not always successful and complications can result. I'd already decided not to have the surgery before I met Ted after my divorce and he agreed that was the smart decision to make."

"How old are you?"

"Thirty-three but the children were quick to point out I'm not the youngest stepmother of children at their school by a long shot."

"How old is Chris?"

"Thirty-four and McLeod, let me warn you: she is very promiscuous."

"Okay, I hear you. So what do I say if she suggests we three indulged in a threesome?"

"McLeod! God you are provocative."

"Have I touched a sensitive nerve?"

Rhonda now looked truly embarrassed and the vehicle lurched as she over steered and then over corrected.

"Do you and Chris sometimes have sex?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Okay neither Chris nor anyone else needs to know I know. So you're quite a hottie?"

Rhonda squirmed in the driver's seat and tugged pointlessly at her hem that was probably down as far as it would go. McLeod being an adult male had already noticed her figure when first sighting her half an hour earlier. In comparison his mom was built like a breakfast cereal box; Rhonda's figure was like one of those sexy French perfume bottles.

* * *

McLeod was bored mindless at lunch. Only a handful of times the conversation had included him. He was thinking sex whereas the woman talked about the rising price of meat, their mutual friends, movies, books, soaps on TV and for fuck's sake the weather!

When Chris went off to make coffee, the table already cleared, Rhonda said, "Chris is eyeing you. I'll go soon and she can bring you home later."

Eyeing him? McLeod hadn't noticed. Well he had a choice, a quarter horse that was a sure thing or the thoroughbred who just might come across. He said casually, "Nah, you are my preference; I'll come home with you."

They sat, staring at the ceiling. She was sitting on his left and Chris had been sitting on his right. He placed a hand gently on Rhonda's thigh and she jumped a foot. However the hand was not pushed away. Nor was he scolded.

"Rhonda..."

"Shut up McLeod. Not a word."

When they finished coffee and Chris had her hand on McLeod's thigh and was asking how would he fill in his nights while in Austin, McLeod began yawning. Rhonda stood and said, "You poor boy. You need sleep. Chris we must go."

"Christ I almost had to drag you from her, "Rhona thundered as they drove off. But her rage subsided instantly and she opened her legs as McLeod's hand went in search of pussy.

She was screaming for it as they got inside the house and she pulled him to the floor of the passage as soon as McLeod had closed the connecting door to the garages.

"How long have we got?" he grunted.

"Possibly only twenty minutes and for us to be in our respective beds when your uncle comes home."

"Right, straight into it," McLeod said, his slight shyness with his aunt evaporated. He ripped her panties off and she squealed in delight and said, "Ohmigod, I've cum already. Feed it into me handsome young man. Ohmigod, do I need this."

They banged as McLeod had never been banged in his life. She matched him stroke for stroke and rolled him, bit his tongue, pulled his hair and had him practically deplete his tank.

Wow.

"God that was good," she said panting, pulling off her skirt to use to stem the flow of liquids. "You fuck brilliantly."

"Inspired by you ma'am," he grinned.

"Jesus here's Ted."

They began to panic but she said, "No it's the neighbors next door arriving home."

Rhona settled McLeod in and kissed him goodnight.

"We can't do this every day," she said tentatively.

"Would you settle for twice a day?"

She left the room giggling.

McLeod showered and half an hour later heard Ted arrive home. He dragged on his pants and went out to meet him. They greeted one another warmly and sat over coffee and yarned for almost an hour until McLeod yawned.

"Oh pal, sorry. I'd forgotten you'd been on a train for almost twenty-four hours. You'll be deadbeat. Off to bed. We breakfast at 8:00."

McLeod stayed three weeks with Ted and Rhonda. Ted found him work upgrading computers and the two guys got on so well that McLeod backed away from Rhonda and she appeared happy about that, saying she'd been scared they'd be discovered. 

At the end of an action-packed stay, because his host were big into socializing, McLeod boarded the Texas Eagle to begin the 1500-mile journey to Los Angles, waving to the smiling Rhonda. They'd had a great time together the previous day. Being more experienced about train travel, he'd decided to break the trip midway and Rhonda had arranged for him to spend two nights with her maternal grandparents who were conveniently located midway at El Paso. McLeod finally arrived at LA knowing he'd have to find work because paying for a room would eat into his savings. Standing outside Union Station just before 10:00 watching early-morning bustle McLeod wondered what now? He had no idea where he was heading. 

"McLeod Jones, drifter you idiot," he muttered.

A woman pushing a baby in a stroller stopped and asked, "Are you okay or just lost?"

"I've just arrived from Austin, Texas, without a clue of what I do next."

"How stupid."

"Thank you."

"No I apologize. I didn't mean to say what I was thinking. Do you have money?"

"Yes."

"Well go to an Internet café and do a web search in Los Angeles for a site called Craiglist, all one word, plus backslash and the words 'rooms and shares'."

"Right thanks. I'll try that."

"Be careful about the caliber of co-tenants unless you wish to end up with a gay male or bi-sexual couple who prey on tenants."

"Oh I will. Any idea of fair-price monthly rental?"

"Expect to pay $800 to $900 for a reasonable location, a quality room and quality shared amenities. You could get condo accommodation at that level. You can of course pay $300 and live amid squalor."

"Thank you ma'am you have been most helpful. I never thought anyone in a city the size of LA would stop to ask if I were okay."

"Well you are lucky mister. You appeared wholesome and I'm a former country gal from Utah."

"Thanks, you have been awfully kind."

"Well aren't you polite. Look here's my card. Call me when you are settled. My husband Al and I and baby Karen would like to have you over for lunch one Sunday. You appear very interesting."

"Nah, I'm not interesting and..."

"Here, please take the card. And you call me, do you hear?"


Drifter McLeod & Desiree



McLeod grinned and said how could he refuse.

She smiled and said good luck.

At the Internet café McLeod noted details of three advertisements that appeared to have some promise. There was no answer to the first two and the guy who answered the phone at the third address qualified McLeod and then asked him over.

It was a condo building and appeared in good condition.

Paying the fare McLeod asked the cabbie how far was the beach away.

"Four blocks."

McLeod was delighted.

The condos off Second Street were on three levels and the prospective one was at the second level.

A bearded guy answered the doorbell and appeared hassled. "Oh it's you."

Although there was no invitation McLeod followed him, closing the door.

"Fucking computers. I've worked all morning since dawn on a spreadsheet and now it won't open. I'm locked out."

"Want me to take a look? I have experience with computers and software."

The guy rubbed his beard and his wife/girl friend/overnight pal appeared from nowhere and said, "Give him a go Athol. You've tried everything."

"I'll have to start all over again," Athol whined.

"Come with me and take a look," said the woman. 

The couple appeared to be in their late thirties.

McLeod sat at the computer, attempted the recovery process, brought up the restored file, renamed it, closed the software, reopened it, opened the renamed file and it came up stable.

"Walla!" said McLeod, the procedures having taken ninety seconds.

"Ohmigod Athol, he's done it," shrieked the babe, kissing McLeod. 

"I'm Cynthia, Athol's wife. We are out-work business contract workers, operating from home. We can't afford computer fuck-ups."

"Er no, of course not," McLeod said soothingly, aware his hand was being pulled on to Cynthia's breast and she was kissing him again.

Athol charged in, holding a glass of whisky. 

McLeod and Cynthia separated discreetly.

"By god, you've done it," Athol said, slapping McLeod on the back with the force of a young kid. Athol led them to the kitchen where they sat and chatted.

McLeod took the spacious, beautifully clean room and share of all amenities for $885/month.

"But you don't share Cynthia."

"It wasn't Cynthia I was worried about; it was the thought of sharing you," McLeod joked.

The Carson's cracked up. 

"Mitch who has the other room ought to be no problem for you," Cynthia simpered. "He's a gay dance instructor. I have a married sister who lives near here who's always complaining she is sexually undernourished if you're interested. Breakfast is included but if you eat with Athol and me that's twenty bucks per dinner."

"Very reasonable. I'll eat in some nights and I'll pass on your sister."

"That's fine, good decisions on both counts," Cynthia said. "Cathy would leave you half dead."

They shook hands on the deal and McLeod took his bag and backpack into his room and unpacked.

They went out for lunch, he being asked to pay only a third after attempting to pay the total bill.

"No said Athol, we desire a democratic living arrangement with no exploitation. Oh, remember to keep your hands off Cynthia."

"But I may kiss her?"

"Yes of course."

After lunch Cynthia took McLeod to Santa Monica Beach. It was only three blocks, perhaps four blocks away, and they walked around for a bit, Cynthia taking his arm.

"If you ever decide you want sex just let me know. Athol sometimes spends all day away from home."

"That is very kind of you but I gave Athol my word I'd not touch you."

"God you're naïve. Not for a minute does Athol expect you to honor that commitment."

CHAPTER 2

McLeod spend the next few days looking for work. At last Cynthia got the message and stopped pestering him for sex. The downside he really felt like sex and she appeared built for it. God he was an idiot.

On his second Saturday, still without work, McLeod felt settled in so called Janice, the woman's he'd met outside Union Station when he first arrived in LA.

"Please may I speak to Janice?"

"She's out. Are you the guy she met with you first arrived in LA, from Dallas I think she said?"

"Actually it was Austin."

"Right, I was just testing for security. She'd been waiting for you to call."

"That's good. How's baby Karen."

The guy sucked in breath. "You remember my daughter's name from just that one meeting?"

"Actually I didn't really meet her. Karen was asleep. But your wife said when I was settled her husband Al, she and baby Karen would like to have me over for lunch one Sunday when I'd settled in."

"She told you that?"

"Yes the offer was genuine, wasn't it?"

"Yes but you remembered that brief conversation and my name and Karen's name."

"Well I didn't have a lot in my mind at that moment and Al and Karen are easy names to remember in comparison with say Osvaldo and Inocencia."

"My god, Janice said you were open and interesting."

"Who me?"

"Yeah or do we have someone else involved in this conversation?"

"Sorry."

The guy laughed. Come to lunch tomorrow at 1:00. My parents will be there but they would be delighted to meet an interesting stranger.

"But I'm not interesting."

"That's exactly what Janice said you alleged. Well if she and I am wrong you just sit quietly and drink beer or wine and let us make the conversation."

"That you Al, I'll look forward to enjoying some homegrown hospitality."

"Fine, meet us just inside the main gates to the complex. We have booked the Number 3 cooker poolside. You'll recognize Janice by her breasts, but they'll appear larger because she'll be in a bikini. The weather forecast is great."

"Does Janice have breasts?"

"Oh very droll. I'm beginning to see what she'd seen in you. Our more interesting friends are Janice's finds."

The condo complex took McLeod's breath away. He recovered enough to give his name and was admitted to the security guy who found McLeod's name on the visitor's list.

He looked around for Number 3 cooker and found a cool hand being slid into his.

"Hi McLeod. I'm glad you accepted my offer."

"Hi Janice. How the hell did you have a baby and manage to keep that figure?"

"Oooh, only a country boy would ask that. Where do you hail from?"

"I was born and raised at Farmville, Virginia."

"Oh my, you're a long way from home. I grew up in Wyoming."

A smiling woman came forward. 

"Mom, this is McLeod Jones from Virginia."

"How did you do Mrs Ryan?"

"Fine thank you young man. You may call me Helen."

"Okay Helen but what's your real name?"

She looked confused.

"It's a joke mom."

"Oh I see, I think."

"Apparent I appear reasonable when people get to know me Mrs... um... Helen."

"I'd like to think that's true."

"This overweight guy is my dad. I suppose I'll look like him in thirty years. Dad, this is..."

"McLeod Jones. Hi McLeod, called me Joe that's short for my real name Joseph. What do you think of LA?"

"Overly large, ugly in some ways, quite beautiful in others, great beaches, great weather so far and I think people who identify with their local community rather that attempting to take on the entire metropolis would probably get alone just fine."

"Did you read that in a travel brochure?"

"I don't think travel brochure's are that forthcoming." 

Everyone laughed and Joe asked was McLeod a business analyst?

"Nope but I possess just a humble masters in business science with emphasis on business strategies and that did involve computer studies."

"Including the integration of computerization into the corporate structure?"

"Yes of course."

A slender blonde apart from a big chest wearing a bikini joined them. 

"This is Al's sister Dana," Helen said.

"Oh hi. If I'd know we had company I would be worn a wrap."

"Hi Dana. I'm McLeod and you look great just as you are. I'm the one feeling out of place dressed like this. I'll change into my swim trunks. Are you married?"

"What interest would any answer to that be to you McLeod?" she replied coolly.

"If I pulled your bikini bottom off in the water and you were married, your husband, if you have one. might decide to shoot me."

"My father would be equally capable of doing that."

"Steady on you two. Why this complexity and hostility?" Helen asked.

"It revolved around McLeod wondering whether I'd be a good lay mother."

"McLeod?"

"I have little knowledge of the deviousness of the female mind Helen."

"Janice?"

"Dana is teasing in response to McLeod's teasing so don't be alarmed because it's your turn to be teased."

"Oh this is much too complicated for me," Helen sighed.

"I was teasing to test Dana's reaction," McLeod confirmed. "It is not necessary to understand such byplay. It's meaningless unless Dana decides to get serious."

"You guys have lost me Joe said. Is it bordering on courting."

"What's courting?" McLeod asked straight-faced and the two younger women laughed unrestrained.

McLeod walked off to change.

* * *

Helen said to her 21-year old, "Dana, would you please stop this nonsense. You're not going to have sex with him are you?"

"First things first mom. He hasn't asked and if he does ask I have to think carefully."

"But what about Daniel?"

"I've decided he's a ship that passes in the night."

"Well what about this McLeod?"

"I've decided nothing about him mother Please don't pressure me."

"Joe act like a responsible parent."

Joe took another beer. "I am. Our daughter is twenty-one, an adult. How she frames her life is her business within reason."

Janice said she agreed with that reasoning. "Ohmigod, look at him!"

The group turned to look.

Al said, "The guy must have been a top athlete at university with a body like that."

"Oh I want him," Dana gurgled.

Her mom gurgled too, but in anger. "Stop it Dana. We know nothing about him."

"Well first let's see how well he can swim," Al said and challenged their guest for a race over two lengths.

Lanes one and two were roped off for swimmers in serious training but were empty.

"Start us off dad," said Al, a good swimmer.

Al was halfway down the second lap when McLeod finished to be congratulated by the family.

As the family sat round with drinks McLeod was quizzed. But he stymied them apart from telling him about where he was born and grew up and going to college and on to university for his masters. He was not particularly forthcoming about family and described himself as a drifter who was looking for his future.

Joe said sternly, "Most of us stay put and work hard to attain our future through promotion and mixing with the right people."

"Well that's fine but what kind of self-determined future is that?"

The family found that difficult to answer but Janice had a response.

"Were you looking for your future outside Union Station when I first met you? And there was I thinking you were lost."

"I'm no visionary Janice. I knew exactly where I was on the planet at that moment but was disappointed with myself because despite all that thinking time on the train I had no plan for moving forward when I arrived in LA. I was cross because that was so stupid being so ill-prepared. But I'm set-up for the next month renting a room from a very pleasant and intellectually stimulating couple. As for looking for my future, my great fear is I might fail to recognize it when it confronts me."

"Ohmigod, you poor darling," Janice cried.

"And you have a heart of gold," McLeod hastened, correctly judging the family might think Janice had gone too far.

After lunch baby Karen was restless so Al said he'd walk her around the block.

"May I accompany you?"

"Sure McLeod," Al said in surprise.

Once out of sight of group McLeod asked very politely, "May I push Karen? I've never pushed a stroller or had much to do with babies." 

"Sure, here you go. Look ahead to avoid bumps or obstacles and tilt the stroller up to go off the sidewalk and roll down any dip on the rear wheels and tilt back again to mount a sidewalk to get the front wheels on to the surface and then lift the back."

"Wow, all the things a mother has to think about."

"It comes naturally over time buddy but when a women gives birth what she'd capable of doing after that and how she copes will open your eyes about women."

"God they must think we guys are drones."

"Yeah right. They get over that by giving us jobs to do. You know Janice is right: you are a thoughtful and interesting guy. She calls most guys jerks."

"Well that tells me what she thought of you."

"Ah yes. As I said a thoughtful guy. Ask dad for a job. He'll fix you up."

"Thanks Al but no. That's begging for a future, not finding it."

"Sheet, with that conviction you are destined to find you future McLeod. Look at Karen, she's turning to look around at you. She knows there's something about you."

"Yeah, yeah. Nice try Al. How old is Karen?"

"Racing towards becoming a little girl; she's seven months."

When they returned to the family Janice came forward and unbuckling the baby harness cooed, "Did you have a lovely walk with these two handsome men?"

Karen of course said nothing. But when she was lifted out she twisted and held out her arms at McLeod.

"Ohmigod, she never does that to anyone but Al, me and Grandma Helen. Here take her McLeod."

McLeod leapt back two paces and said he knew nothing about babies.

"Think of babies as little people and not aliens and you'll be fine McLeod. Just do everything softly."

He gingerly took hold of the blue-eyed little bundle. She looked up at him and without due consideration said "dada".

"No," McLeod yelled and tried to hand Karen on to her father but Al placed his hands behind his back. Like the others he was laughing at McLeod's concern.

"She calls almost everything dada," he soothed.

Janice came up against McLeod, taking his arm. He could feel her breast against him and he was almost hyperventilating. God she and Al were so trusting. Suddenly he was wondering if he'd found a real family to love ahead of his near-dysfunctional family and began stroking the side of Karen's face with a finger.

The following week McLeod dated Dana twice, the second time reluctantly. She was far too light-brained for him, not that he was a snob, but he really had no interest in discussing Hollywood stars, favorite cocktails and peering into store windows after the movies. But each time he delivered nothing more than some hot kisses and some light groping at the movies. Each time they arrived home at her place Helen opened the door beaming and invited him in for coffee. McLeod found Dana's whispered cussing rather amusing and when he was leaving on that second evening she asked could they book into a hotel next time. He replied no, that she appeared a little too young for him. He was pushed out over the front step and the door slammed.

Goodbye Dana.

After three weeks McLeod told Cynthia he'd decided to move on at the end of the month and she said she'd be expecting that.

"Come in, there's someone here interested in meeting you.

Denise, Cynthia's sister, was in her mid thirties and worked as an office manager. They went out twice and got along very well, sharing similar interests. There didn't seem to be eleven years difference in ages.

On his second-last night in LA Cynthia invited McLeod to dinner at her apartment and also invited him to stay the night. Being smart, McLeod accept both invitations. The next night he took Cynthia, Athol and Denise to dinner at a delightful Thai restaurant and again he experienced the feeling he was amid family. Perhaps he meant he was in the company of real friends. Yes that was it. He was learning the art of making quality friends. 

At the station it seemed everyone was there to see him off: Janice and Karen and Al, Helen and Joe (but not Dana) and Cynthia, Athol and Denise plus a couple of guys he'd befriended at the gym and had accompanied on runs and bike rides.

He was waved off on the Southwest Chief and felt like a prince. Then as he settled in he smiled knowing a courier delivery would be made to Janice next day, the Italian coffee-maker he'd heard her say to Al she hoped to possess before too long. Al had said they should wait till they'd saved and got her and Karen a car. The note would simply say, 'To Janice. Thanks to your initiative my month in Los Angeles turned almost into a dream existence. McLeod'. 

God he wished he were there to see her face when she opened the delivery.

McLeod was near broke thanks to that extravagance of not working for that month in LA and buying that expensive gift. But he grinned, thinking he was much richer in life experience.

He'd booked a roomette for the long haul to Kansas City and spent three days looking around before boarding the next Chief through to end that leg of his journey in Chicago. It was inexplicable but as McLeod stepped on to the platform he knew this city was right for him, at least for a time.

On the train he'd thought about this arrival. He narrowed down the type of start-up employment he'd seek and would use that to launch into a real career and as soon as he was settled he'd call Desiree and invite her...

Who?

McLeod was shaken. He'd though the first name to jump to his lips would be Janice, despite her being taken. But Desiree? Jesus, that was weird. Apart from Dana she'd be the most unlikely...

"Who says?" he said aloud. He thought about that and then it boomed into his brain, Yes, the most logical choice. She was waiting for her future to come to her. Well she'd thought person would arrive but why not a phone call coming to her?

Yes!

He purchased a card and envelop, wrote his message saying hi and he was doing fine, and addressed the letter to 'Miss Desiree King, Kings Lumber Yard, Cincinnati', thinking there would be only one King Lumber Yard in a city of that size. He posted it and only then he thought he ought to have made the effort to find the full address on a station directory or gone to an Internet café. Well he was a bit dozy with all the travel and wandering around places.

McLeod took a cheap room in a cheap rooming house Downtown to use as his base. At an Internet Café he built up a list of twenty-two recruitment and job placement agencies and next day began visiting each one. But on the second-one the woman taking his application said, "I was born not far from where you lived in Virginia. My father was in the military and stationed at Fort Pickett."

"I know that area well ma'am."

The matronly woman looked at him closely and sighed. "My son went to France at your age looking to gain business experience in Europe and received a lucky break. Let's see what I can find for you rather than put you on a waiting list."

She worked at her computer for fifteen minutes and printed out a sheet of paper, attached McLeod's registration number to it and signed it and scanned a copy into their system.

"There you are. It's the best I can do. If it doesn't suit come back and ask for me."

"That is exceedingly kind of you Mrs Blackwell. I'll not forget this."

She smiled and said under her breath, "Oh but you will." At least that's what McLeod thought he heard.

The sign on the building stated Fyffe's Electronic Business Solutions Ltd.

Well the business category embraced his area of business interest, 

Miss Fyffe, a craggy-faced women in her mid-forties said, "We have salespeople who sell the concepts. Our technicians come in behind and install the new systems and behind them come our experts who demonstrate the equipment and get employees up and running with it. Our need is for concept sellers who are more than sellers; we require them for have a broad business base. Your credentials indicate you have that depth but no apparent sales expertise?"

"What part of the job spec do you need most?"

"The broad business base to avoid under or over-selling. We want satisfied customers."




Drifter McLeod & Desiree



"Okay attach me to a senior person going in to make the examination and then the pitch."

"We sent in teams of three."

"I can understand that, so make it a team of four and give me a month to settle in."

"I'll think about that. But first I wish to test your ability to conceptualize in a business environment."

Two hours latter Claire said, "Are you ready for the result."

"You call that a test?"

"God you have lip for a guy looking for work. It's based on what we do and what we find in the business houses were deal with. We deal down a little way from the top corporate businesses."

"Fair enough."

"Now don't get too humble. Returning to the test results, no one in the fifteen years I've been general manager for my father has anyone come near posting this level of marking. You will receive a contract offer to start as a member of a three-person team. Lance Leggett would be the best person for you but he won't take kindly to having his crack team reconfigured."

"Poor Lance."

"Just don't let Lance hear you tossing off at him."

"Thanks for the advice."

Claire asked McLeod to come back at 3:00. "So your mom was a McLeod and thought the surname Jones needed beefing up for your name?"

"Great guess. God I'm going to have to watch you with a mind like a rat-trap."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Yes."

"Lucky for you. Now get your ass out of here."

McLeod thought Claire Fyffe was a gem and would have probably had a brilliant career if she'd started off as a university tutor.

* * *

Jake King handed Desiree the letter. "Who do you know in Chicago?"

"No one."

"Okay lie to me. I don't care."

"It's the truth daddy, honest."

"Oh god," she gasped as she looked at who'd signed the card.

"Bad news?"

"No daddy, it's from that guy how passed through a couple of months ago and stayed two nights with us."

"McLeod Jones."

Desiree stared at her father.

"Well it's an unusual first name. I also thought we'd be seeing him again."

"For what reason?"

"I thought the way he looked at you quite frequently meant you rang his bell."

Desiree blushed. "I'll read what it says. 'Hi since seeing you last I've been to St Lois, Austin where I stayed with my uncle and his second wife, El Paso, Los Angeles where I stayed for a month, Kansas City and I've just stepped on to the platform at Union Station, Chicago. I have a feeling this is it Desiree. If I can accelerate into a career in three months I'll be sending you money to join me here. Don't ask me how I know. I just have those thoughts and know you'll come to me. There will be no hard sell. You'll receive an offer and you'll have to make your decision. McLeod."

"Jesus," said Joe. "He wants you to live with him but makes no love talk or any other form of persuasive argument. He gives it only as a concept in unemotional language. Doesn't the guy have a heart?"

"Yes I'm sure he does. He's a really nice guy."

"Did he try it on when he was here?"

There was no answer.

"Well did he."

"This is confidential dad; yes he did twice but my days of dropping panties for guys wishing to be lucky are over. I'm saving myself."

"Christ, you are just like your mother. She was doing exactly that but unfortunately or fortunately got drunk and I'd drawn the short straw to take her home."

"Daddy!"

"Oh sheet. What have I told you? That was extremely confidential baby."

"Likewise daddy."

"Okay but what about remaining confidential about that at your wedding?"

"You'll have to talk to me about that at the time."

"Look baby don't tell your mother about this letter. She'd nag you to death and when the offer comes, as I'm sure it will, she'll capitulate and want you to go."

"But I'll want to go."

"Of course you will; what choice do you have? You've always said your future will come to you. Well it will be in the form of an invitation from Mr Jones."

"Oh daddy, do you think so? Do you really thinks so?"

"The guy will be brainless if he doesn't make the pitch darling."

CHAPTER 3

Within two days McLeod had proved himself to Lance the team leader and the three guys ripped into their work and twenty-eight days later posted a dollar record in total contract signings. As one IT manager told Claire when she made her routine call to assess customer satisfaction, "I didn't feel I was dealing with a systems salesman when McLeod began talking to me; I though I was dealing with a systems guru."

On the sixth week Claire invited McLeod to dinner with her father and her Uncle Max. McLeod had to look hard to spot the difference in appearance between the brothers. However Claire's father Clem had retained some of his Scottish accent. Max had a transatlantic corporate accent.

Terms of transfer were negotiated at the table, with McLeod having as much input as he desired. The deal was he'd go across to Max's firm, Corporation Business Systems International Inc, a director of training and new business development on a salary of $90,000 and Max would pay his brother $120,000 in compensation for losing such a enterprising recruit. McLeod's suggestion that his current position be kept open for three months was initially rejected by Max.

"Uncle Max, you have ample evidence of this boy's track record and you conceded to me he appears an exact fit for your business. What have you to loose? If you are a rotten employer of course he'll come back to us and we'd return your $120,000."

Max's nostril's flared briefly and then he said, "You're quite right Claire. The terms and condition as outlined are accepted.

McLeod scratched his ear. "Clem I'm surprised you cooperated in letting me go?"

"Claire and I discussed it," he said. "We agreed you'd be gone in a month or two, probably head-hunted as word about you was getting about. Both Claire and I have invested in Max's firm so it seemed sensible to negotiate a decent career path for you and keep you in the family, so to speak."

"Well with almost 200 on the payroll I'm likely to disappear from sight."

"Laddie, if Max had thought that he would have offered you a mere $45,000."

McLeod had one hell of a week on his first week. He reported to Max at the end of that first week as required and related the resistance he was facing.

"I'll fix that McLeod," Max grinned. "You and I will swap PA's for a month."

On Monday McLeod arrived at his office at 8.55. A scrawny woman possibly in her early sixties greeted him abruptly. "I'm Miss McTavish. You're late."

"You watch is wrong. Any more trumped up complaints?"

"And how would you like your coffee McLeod?" she grinned. "I've taken the liberty of shifting my desk into your office for two days during this tutorial."

"Tutorial?"

"Never mind."

At 9:30 Miss McTavish toured the new business development office with McLeod. Personnel including the manager appeared to lean away from her as she approached.

"Good morning everyone," she said.

"Good morning Miss McTavish, McLeod," everyone replied.

"Right that slave driver called Max Fyffe has demanded this department must lift its game and has brought in Mr Jones to wind you all up a little. I'm taking a special interest in Mr Jones and will be working with him for a few days to help bed him in. This is on Mr Fyffe's instruction."

At 10:00 Miss McTavish and McLeod were in the training room, standing with the harassed-looking trainer. They waited until the last of the ten personnel entered ten minutes late, apologizing for lateness.

"Everyone, this company invests in you by training you. Lateness at training sessions is inexcusable. If you can't make it on time it's because you are dying. Need I make myself any clearer?"

"No Miss McTavish," chorused the ten people.

"Thank you. Carry on please Miss Smithers."

Next day McLeod was reviewing on of the training manuals. "This is outdated crap. I'll have to rewrite it."

"Miss Smithers is the training officer, a recent graduate. Your job is to delegate. If she is incapable of rewriting most of that manual to your satisfaction she should not be employed here."

"Yes Miss McTavish."

"Well just don't sit there. Look at Miss Smither's schedule and get her in here to be briefed as soon as she is free."

"An excellent suggestion Miss McTavish. May I respectfully ask what level of business qualifications you possess?"

"That is damn impertinent and lucky for you the word respectfully was inserted. I left school at seventeen and during the next year trained as a stenographer, typist and received instruction on basic business practice. I then entered the employ of Mr Fyffe's father. What I know is what I've seen and heard while working for forty-three years. I'm sorry to disappoint you by being unable to say I have an MBA."

"Well I think perhaps you have."

"Oh dear boy, flattery will get you everywhere."

* * *

A month later McLeod received a bonus for outstanding achievement in his department's writing up of new business. McLeod had put the department of seven people through intensive training. Five of those people worked out of the office seeking new business. He'd found those outworkers didn't feel connected to the department although they had desks there. McLeod instituted Monday morning business meetings where attendance was compulsory unless people were dying and compulsory training and review meetings for everyone ran from 3:00 to 5:00 Fridays. The team then was taken across the street to a bar where McLeod bought the first drink for everyone and shortly after he left.

The scheduled month-long swap of PA's ended after five days when Miss McTavish announced she was no longer required and McLeod could have Elaine his younger PA back. McLeod and the somewhat prim 29-year-old Eva developed a cordial and very effective working relationship. She had neither the figure nor the personality to attract McLeod and in all probability she disapproved of his touch of aggression and openness in the way in which he looked at women.

One day when they were proofing the rewrite of the fifth training manual it had gone 1:00 before McLeod yawned and declared he was hungry. 

"Christ, it's gone 1:00. All the good food in our café will be gone. Let's go out for lunch."

"A dry sandwich is okay for me."

"Come on, be cooperative Miss Stewart."

She grinned and grabbed her handbag.

They were eating chowder with crusty bread when a sexy although a little overweight brunette dressed entirely in black apart from a silver medallion on a chain came up to the table and said, "Hello darling," and kissed Eva." She then said, "Fancy you eating out at midday. Is this the guy you slave for?"

"Um McLeod, this is my sister Crissy Blackman. My married sister."

"No need to put him off me darling. Hi Mr McLeod. Do you have a first name?"

"Yes, it's McLeod."

"What McLeod McLeod? How awkward for you."

Eva said, "Crissy, his name is McLeod Jones."

"Oh Jones. I can see where the need was to come up with an usual first name but with McLeod you mom must have been very brave."

"She was and dived into a icy river attempting to save a neighbor's boy when I was seven. They both perished."

Both women looked distraught.

"Oh god McLeod, me and my big mouth. It always has gotten me into trouble."

"It's a lovely mouth, don't change it."

"Oh what can I do to make up for my blunder?"

"The best thing is to pretend it didn't happen. I'm quite okay about it. You weren't to know."

"But I must do something."

"Then sit down and have a drink with us."

"I can't, I'm with four girlfriends. It's my birthday. Time is precious for us together because we all have child minders at home."

"Then off you go and happy birthday."

"Please give me your card."

McLeod did that and Crissy kissed them both and left.

"She shouldn't have kissed you."

McLeod grinned. "Do I look as if I'm objecting?"

"You shouldn't have given her your card."

"She wants to send me a bottle of wine so why should I deny her?"

Eva squirmed in her seat. "McLeod be warned. Crissy is promiscuous."

"Oh I think that's my favorite word. It looks pretty when written, it flows off the lips and yet it has dark meaning with possibly menacing undertones."

Eva snapped, "It's impossible to tell you anything."

"Is that the way to talk to your boss?"

"Ohmigod. McLeod I'm sorry, ever so sorry."

McLeod smiled and told her to stop groveling, that she was doing fine. "I need someone like you to keep me in line Eva."

They left soon after that, returning to the office rather cheerful. It appeared their relationship had now acquired a touch of friendship.

As usual McLeod went a little too far for prim people. As they entered the office he slapped her ass.

"Ohmigod McLeod," Eva said blushing, "You can't do that. I'm a married woman."

"See what I mean," he countered. "I need training."

She laughed. 

Next morning Eva bought in an oblong box. "This was left for you at the front desk."

"Do you recognize the handwriting," he asked.

"Yes," she said, returning to her work station outside the door.

McLeod called, "Eva, call internal services and have your desk shifted in here where Miss McTavish had hers. You can train me better from there."

"You're joking."

"No. Please do it Eva unless you have strong objection."

McLeod found it was a bottle of French champagne with a note, 'You may wish to drink this with me sometime. Crissy'.

"Wow!" McLeod ran a finger round the inside of his collar. He left the bottle out for Eva to see.

"Hi it's Crissy."

"McLeod Jones calling."

"Oh hi. I'd almost given up on you."

"Sorry. I have no explanation to offer."

"Are you feet warmer now?"

"I don't understand."

She replied sarcastically, "I bet. My husband has Friday nights out to do whatever he wishes. I have either Tuesday or Thursday nights as my night off. I usually go out with girlfriends."

"I see."

"If we start up a casual relationship is that likely to impact adversely on Eva if it should turn sour."

"I wouldn't think so. Do you mean sexual relationship?"

She laughed and said oh were there other kinds of relationships and that got him laughing and he relaxed.

"Well this Thursday night would suit me."

"Good, so do we meet on the steps of the cathedral or at my apartment?"

"Um I'm not a churchgoer." 

* * *

Crissy swept into the apartment without greeting McLeod's nervous 'Hi'. She sniffed. "At, we're eating in?"

"Yes but only meat balls I'm afraid."

"One of my favorites."

"Oh really?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Have you a boner just at the sight of me?"

"We'll er..."

He paused. She stepped up and slammed into him and as they kissed she reached down and said, "Well a boner is certainly on the way."

McLeod immediately relaxed. He couldn't believe it. He'd been uptight ever since arriving home, wondering whether he should kiss her on the lips or just on the cheek when she arrived and he'd rehearsed the seduction steps, hoping her responses would be favorable. Now it didn't seem to matter. Crissy thought she was in control.

As Crissy nosed around the two-bedroom, clean and reasonably well-furnished rented apartment McLeod poured the champagne. When they clinked glasses he said, "I thought it would be a good idea to have one glass and then fuck and then eat."

"You read my mind," she cooed. "Please don't expect me to be like one of your prissy nymphs. I'm a bit overweight and am developing a tummy."

"Can you get your heels back beyond your ears?"

"Yes, she said in surprise and laughed when he smiled and said no problem.

"I have a well-formed body that I work hard on to keep at near-perfection," he boasted. "You are welcome to lick it, kiss it, suck it and worship it."

"Oh god," she gurgled and began to unbutton his long-sleeved shirt.

McLeod looked down at Crissy who was on her knees. She looked up at him and he could see the bulge of his cock pushing out her nearest cheek and felt a little guilty knowing this was someone else's wife. But the technique was to put away such righteous thoughts at times like this. So he brushed aside hair on both sides of her face and she smile gloriously... er gloriously? Yes she smiled gloriously at him. Well that's what it looked like with her mouth full.

Crissy had deep green eyes and they were definitely smiling. Yes definitely. McLeod felt so good and her teeth raked over the head of his cock, her fingers dug into his butt and he ejaculated three times with three groans. The groans must have warned her. 

McLeod looked down but where was the cum. She'd swallowed the lot, apart from a bit on her fingers she was now licking off.

Fuck me, McLeod thought. What a winner he had here.

The first fuck was pretty ordinary but they walked around nude as he served dinner and after clearing away she held on to the top of the table while they did it doggy. That was a sign of experience, he thought. She'd kept weight off her full stomach.

They rested for an hour and chatted, getting to know one another and then she looked at the wall clock. "I must go soon. I'd love to take it up the butt."

McLeod shied away from that, saying he didn't do butt.

"You're the biggest I've had up this far," she puffed, with holding her lower legs behind her ears and feeling him touching her cervix, or so she imagined.. That of course only served to made McLeod's cock thicken.

Crissy just puffed a bit more and eventually she began smacking her his ass cheeks and they both got off.

When she was leaving Crissy asked, "Is this just a one-off?"

"I'd like to think not," he smiled. "We fuck great together Crissy. Let's keep in touch."

"Yes, I'd welcome that. No one must know about this, right?"

"Absolutely."

* * *

The day McLeod received his bonus as the weekly management meeting he called on Miss McTavish and invited her to dinner that evening.

"Yes I am free but I'll not be coming if this is an overture to seduction."

Initially she didn't smile but as McLeod's panic built she smiled and asked, "Is this a thank you for what I did for you?"

"Yes but I also want some advice about handling a personal relationship."

"Take Max rather than me. I'm a spinster. What do I know about personal relationships?"

"I would have thought for forty-four years you would have watched and listened?"

She smiled. "Get your ass out of here Mr Jones. Get Eva to make the booking and email me. Tell her I eat early."

"Oh you know how to open emails?"

Miss McTavish looked at him as if she were dealing with a village under-achiever.

* * *

At dinner at a French restaurant, Miss McTavish opened a big parcel, saying to McLeod he had no right to spoil her and he could damn well return it and get his money back. But when she saw the Alpaca hand-crocheted shawl her heart melted.

"Oh you wonderful boy. How did you know to buy this? It would be terribly expensive."

"The expense was incidental. I regard it as an investment in my career. I called my mother and explained the circumstances and she made only the one suggestion for the gift and this is it."

"Well, I suppose I already knew you were a clever boy."

They chatted over a cocktail at the table and when they'd ordered Miss McTavish asked, "What is this personal relationship query of yours?"

McLeod told her about meeting this young woman nearing his age that was almost twenty-five in a satellite village on the outskirts of Cincinnati.

"How on earth did you get out in a remote area like that?"

"I was dozy, got on a bus and got off when I saw it was heading into the country. I made the mistake of not asking where I was but what to do next. But I had confidence something would turn up and it did. I wasn't that dozy. I found Desiree."

"Oh I say. Suddenly this weird story seems to have taken a lift. So it's Desiree I have been brought here to discuss?"




Drifter McLeod & Desiree



"Yeah. She appears to be a bit slightly old fashion..."

"You mean she didn't allow you to paw her first date?"

"Yeah and also the second date. How did you know that?"

"I was an old fashion girl in my day," Miss McTavish sniffed.

McLeod thought he'd bet she was and remained just like that. She probably wore nightdresses to touch the ground and a cat called Samantha went to sleep at the end of her bed. Miss McTavish tapped her fingers impatiently and so he continued the story.

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"So you wish to bring this charming lady to Chicago to prepare her for a ravishing?"

"Did I say that?"

"Well I suppose not."

"Well don't exaggerate. My term for it would be to woo her."

"Oh I see. You'll host her in your apartment but will not touch her until several weeks of wooing reach a climax."

McLeod's face dropped. "Several weeks?"

"Ah, impatient are we? Well let me tell you this. No way will that innocent girl's mother allow her to come to Chicago to be groped by you on her first night in the city."

"Damn."

"Now is that being a gentleman?"

"Ah no Miss McTavish. I apologize."

"A friend of mine runs a hostel for young business women coming to Chicago to further their business education. Is Desiree well educated?"

"She has a MS in management. She told me her studies concentrated on change management and leadership development."

"Hmmm very interesting because we are about to launch into internal restructuring. I'll check to see if we can place her somewhere suitable. You would find her mother may object less if she knows Desiree will be housed in a hostel for young business women and you have found her suitable employment."

"She helps out in the office at the lumber yard where her mom is admin boss. She appears to be a very capable young woman and is restrained and conservative."

"I already gather she is restrained and conservative. I'll contact you Monday with a job offer."

On Monday a major announcement was made. Max had returned from a business trip to announce he'd successfully completed negotiations to purchase a similar business in San Francisco.

"It's been a hectic weekend talking to people here about being relocated in 'Frisco because that business needs a major overhaul before being built up substantially."

McLeod guessed he wasn't going to the West Coast because Max hadn't spoken to him.

Max read out to the assembled management team the names of people who would be transferring and the names of two who would be arriving from 'Frisco to integrated into the Chicago team. With a start McLeod heard one of the newcomers would take his job.

"McLeod sorry about this but I hadn't gotten round to you to discuss this. You are taking over here as director of field operations. Is that okay?"

"It's swell boss," McLeod said, his heart almost bursting with pride. Holy smoke, this was a promotion he'd believe would be perhaps five years away."

Max continued outlining other ramifications.

"It's all happening for you," Miss McTavish said, entering McLeod's office. "Max is up to his neck with contract so I'm assisting. Here is your new contract and Miss King's, plus details of her living arrangement and my letter to her mother asking her to contact me if she has any concerns. It's all in an envelope addressed to Miss Desiree King, with the correct address. All you have to do is to add her train ticket. I suggest you book her into a roomette because it's substantially a night journey. Any questions?"

"H-how could there be? You've thought of everything," said McLeod. "Thanks a million."

"My pleasure. You may have gathered I'm treating you much like a male nephew. Oh, one more thing. I suggest Eva's sister is out of the picture by the time Miss King arrives, if she arrives?"

"Great idea. I'll action it," McLeod said, his confidence falling around him in pieces. How the fuck had she found out? Eva hadn't indicated she knew, either telling him she knew or giving him the cold shoulder. How the hell?"

"S-should I deliver the package personally?"

"You decide McLeod. My view is this is the way to do it, remotely. There's not nearly as much emotion involved and it greatly negates family interference. I believe it will become a debate between Desiree and her mother. Desiree may well tell her mother to butt out but that shouldn't matter. Desiree should make her decision or rejection unaided as this entire wacky thing is between Desiree and you."

CHAPTER 4

Desiree came down late for breakfast. She was moping, bored out of her mind. She was itching for something to happen but it never did. God was this how most people in the world lived, unhappily.

The family was looking at her rather oddly. Well that was odd. Had she left all her panties on the drying rack? No, she'd collected them last night.

Then she saw it.

Obviously someone had been out for the mail.

But why were they acting oddly?

"It's a package from Chicago," her father drawled. "Who do you want invited for your farewell party."

"What?"

"No way is my Desiree going," her mom shrilled.

"What?"

"It's an offer from your boyfriend," said John. "My thinking it will be a good one because he doesn't appear to be the type of guy who doesn't waste his time. I can't believe you didn't give it to him."

"John King, shut you foul mouth," yelled his mom.

The brothers grinned, thinking this was a ripper of a breakfast gathering. Usually breakfast was a boring event.

The big envelope was on Desiree's place at the table. She sat, put a hand out and then withdrew it.

Harry said Desiree was frightened it was a bear trap.

"Shut up Harry," said his father Jake. "Desiree thinks her future has arrived."

"Oh god," Michelle sobbed into her apron.

The others ate silently as Desiree opened the package.

First she pulled out the ticket.

"It's on open ticket for a roomette on the F1 Cardinal to Chicago."

"Holy smoke, McLeod has style," John said. "I picked he was a good guy."

Desiree pulled out a piece of letterhead paper.

"This is from the proprietor of a rooming house for businesss women arriving in Chicago to upgrade their studies. She will keep a room available for the next two weeks and says she is a friend of Miss McTavish."

"Who's Miss McTavish?" Jake asked.

"I have no idea."

Desiree pulled out a document envelope and opened it. "Ohmigod, it's a contract from a Chicago company for me to work as assistant to the change manager for six months when I could be offered alternative employment, subject to my performance history. My salary will be $3000 a month."

"Christ that's more than I'm getting," said John and you've never worked.

"There is a brief description of the company. It says it's called Corporation Business Systems International Inc. and has an annual turnover of about 1.5 billion dollars."

"Million," corrected her father.

"No the 1.5 billion is in figures and spelt out in brackets."

Father and son stared at Desiree, mouths open.

"Ohmigod, you're going, aren't you," her mother sobbed.

"Yes mother. My future is calling me."

"That's bullshit," Michelle screamed and her boys grinned delightedly. Their mom never used bad language.

Jake growled, "Steady on darling. The girl is entitled to her dream."

"I fear for not only losing her but what might happen to Desiree in that wicked, wicked city."

Harry, the pragmatist said, "Mom the good people in Chicago will vastly outnumber the baddies."

"Oh mom," he's a letter addressed to you. It's an elderly woman's handwriting."

"How the fuck can you can you tell that?"

"Watch your mouth John."

"Sorry everyone."

"Yes it is an older women's handwriting," Michelle said, leaving the three guys looking nonplussed.

"You don't have to read it out to us," Desiree said, taking her mom's free hand.

"No it's fine. It will be connected to your future."

Michelle blew her nose and commenced reading:

'Dear Mrs King

Forgive my intrusion in this matter that may be heart wrenching for you. Even in my forty-four years of active business life I've never been associated with such an extraordinary proposal at this. But I'll try not to influence you unduly because you have to make a mother's decision.

My name is Emily McTavish (Miss) and I'm personal assistant to Mr Max Fyffe, chairman and chief executive officer of Corporation Business Systems International Inc, as I was to Max's father before him. Young Mr McLeod Jones came to work for us almost five months ago and has being an inspiration to everyone he is in control of in his executive position.

McLeod and I, who are both of Scottish descent, for some reason really hit it off. I do suspect on my side it's because he treats me like a young woman and I know he regards me as a good sounding board and good advisor. Because of this relationship, and I recently told McLeod that I now regard him like a nephew, perhaps meaning great-nephew, he confided to me about his attraction to your daughter Desiree, but his interest goes even going beyond that/ He has this desire to give her the opportunity to find her way in life.

I thought that was one of the most romantic concepts I'd ever heard or read about. He asked whether he should go to you and your family and appeal to Desiree to return to Chicago with him or to do it this way. I took heed of what he'd said about Desiree waiting for her future to come to her. I had to say this was the appropriate way to achieve the result McLeod desired for Desiree.

I suggested we find employment for Desiree and find her accommodation of which you were likely to approve Mrs King. I anticipated you'd not take kindly to Desiree going off to a new city, to begin a new job and immediately be living with someone she scarcely knows.'

"Damn right," Michelle said, rustling the sheet of paper and sniffing.

'Well there it is. Desiree will be located in an office very close to me while McLeod is at the other end of the building where at the end of this week he takes over as director of our entire field operations on a very impressive salary and a company car goes with the job plus an expense account. I'm telling you, he is doing very well."

I guess we will meet soon Mrs King. If Desiree comes here then when you visit her Mrs King you are welcome to stay with me in my apartment. I always enjoy good company and I understand you are, quote, a real honey, unquote.

Think carefully Desiree but remember none of this is irreversible.

Emily McTavish.' 

"This is a fucking set-up, a fucking conspiracy," John yelled.

"I agree," Jake said.

Desiree burst into tears.

Harry looked at his mom. "I'm with you mom. What do you decide? You always handle these crises the best of us."

"Jake, begin organizing the farewell party. Desiree is going to Chicago. Er, if that's what she wants."

"Oh mom," Desiree said, leaping on to her mom's knee and hugging her. "You are the greatest mother in the world. I know I'm rising twenty-five but I would have been reluctant to go against your wishes."

Harry looked on the back of Miss McTavish's letter.

"Hey Bub," he said to Desiree. "Here's prince charming's mobile telephone number and email address. Don't keep him waiting longer than necessary."

* * * The Amtrak train pulled in early, just after 9:15.

"Go to her McLeod. I'll wait here," said Miss McTavish.

McLeod had no idea where she was on the train and he missed spotting her at first and then on the way back saw her with two large bags, standing and smiling at him. She looked lovely.

He skidded to a half in front of her.

"Good morning Mr Jones."

"Er, good morning Miss King."

"We must be meeting like this. It's very improper."

"Eh?"

She smiled and then he knew he was being teased.

He moved in, she tilted her face and he kiss her lips firmly.

"Ooh Mr Jones. Very improper but very lovely."

He grinned and said welcome to Chicago.

"You said on the phone last night you'd have Miss McTavish with you."

"She's here. I'll take you to her. She insisted I have a few moments alone with you. She is very precise like that."

"Oh I do hope I'll like her. I'm not all that good with older women."

"Treat her exactly as one of your friends. Make no concessions. You may be surprised."

They went to Miss McTavish. She smiled and waved. She was on the phone.

"Here you are Desiree, it's your mom. I called her as soon as I saw McLeod greeting you."

"Oh hi mom..." 

They delivered Desiree to here accommodation and Miss McTavish went in with her, saying she'd return to the office by cab. McLeod had already arranged to pick up Desiree at 7:00 to take her to dinner. She'd been to Chicago several times so found it unnecessary to be shown around.

McLeod knew Desiree was unlikely to fall into his arms, that she'd require a bit of persuading, but felt up to that. The only problem he anticipated was she'd slow things to her pace. He wondered about Saturday night. Perhaps they ought to try to get cancellation tickets to a show but what shows did she like? He had no idea.

When parking under the office building he took a call from Crissy. Well they had agreed to continue as friends.

"Hi, has she arrived?"

"Yes and looking good."

"I'm pleased for you. Look I'm celebrating my twenty-eighth birthday at home on Saturday night. I'd like you two to come."

"Well, um..."

"Please, I'd like you both there. This young women will need friends in this big city and there will be mostly younger people there."

"Um okay. But how do you explain knowing me to your husband. Saying you've only known my carnally won't be a good idea."

"God you're funny," Crissy said laughing. "I thought about that before calling. We both are members of Gulliver's gym."

"Yeah but I've never seen you there. I go mornings."

"Well add some early evening sessions. I go early evenings Tuesday and Thursday."

"Okay, I'll be there this Thursday. It could pay to introduce me to some of your friends if any going to the party will be there. Tell them I sometimes help you adjust your rowing machine."

"Oh yeah, good thinking. Actually I never get it adjusted how I would like it."

Reaching his office McLeod thought of another complication. Eva would be at the party.

Oh crap.

He went in and she greeted him brightly and said he must be pleased about reuniting with his sweetheart.

"It went fine. Um, she's not my sweetheart yet."

"May I talk to you very personally McLeod."

"Sure, shoot."

"Have you given up my sister yet?"

"What?" McLeod asked in shock.

"Very well... if you don't wish..."

"No, listen. I was coming in to tell you about it."

"What I wish to hear is you saying it's off, ended."

"Yes it's ended, absolutely. We decided to continue as friends and Crissy has just called to invite Desiree and me to her party on Saturday night. I accepted and then realized you'd be there and knew my cover would be blown. We tried to be very discreet." 

"But not discreet enough. Miss McTavish saw you two enter a restaurant where she was with friends, eating very late for her she said. She confided in me and asked me to ask you to break it off before Desiree arrived but I decided you beast I'd leave you to fry in your own mess."

"Beast? I don't think Crissy would accept that term."

"I bet she wouldn't. She always had loose morals even as a kid though not sexually at that time."

"Well it's over to you."

"It's none of my business. I'll not say anything."

"Crissy will explain to her husband we've become friendly at the gym and she found you were my PA."

"God you two are connivers of professional standard. You are aware that having sex with Crissy, a married women, is adultery don't you?"

"No.

"Oh come on."

"Yes I do. I'm sorry to have offended you. I'll support your transfer application."

"I'm going nowhere. You are great at your job and you brought me across to this new position with an increase in grading and pay. Also for your information I haven't decided I won't have sex with you if asked when we are away overnight at that workshop next week."

"You thinking about sex er adultery with me? But I thought you were unobtainable?"

"McLeod for goodness sake, don't embarrass me. I only said I hadn't decided against saying no to the possibility."

"Isn't that a double negative."

"You'd do better taking a lesson on morality rather than attempting to lecture on English grammar."

McLeod laughed and stroked down the side of her face, breaching office guidelines covering intimacy. "There's a little tiger in you. Please fetch us coffee."

"God McLeod Jones. No wonder my sister rolled over for you."

* * *

McLeod and Desiree connected well over dinner as an inexpensive restaurant where McLeod sometimes went and knew it had the right atmosphere where she could relax. He confirmed she was very polite, had good manners and spoke thoughtfully. He told her about the company and she listened attentively and again when he described how he landed in Chicago jobless and since that first lucky break at the job placement agency he'd been in a roll.

Desiree appeared nervous about starting her job in the morning. He said she must relax and remain confident.

"It's my first job working outside the family and during term breaks at college."

"I know, but nothing will be all that different, only perhaps things will appear a little more switched on. You have studied change management and your manager Carl might even think you know things he doesn't but don't be over eager to demonstrate that."

At the door to the hostel just when McLeod was wondering about going to Desiree's room she pointed to the notice, 'No male visitors on these premises between the hours of 8:00 pm and 8:00 am.'

"So it's good night here in the porch?"

"Yes I'm afraid so. I had a lovely evening. Thank you for everything."

Desiree kissed him sweetly and then skipped into the lobby and used her key to enter the building proper, waving good night.

Well if he wanted Desiree he'd have to play it her way plus with a bit of persuasion.

Saturday was a fun night.

The house was large and being a fine evening the party started outdoors with drinks and nibbles.

Eva had told McLeod Crissy was eight years younger than her husband Morgan who was a defense attorney of rising acclaim. The guy appeared very friendly and said Crissy had said she'd met McLeod at the gym.

"We have a gym at our offices," Morgan said and they were discussing fitness regimes when Crissy arrived champagne for Desiree and beer for McLeod.

"Come along Desiree, I'll introduce you to some of my friends and get you away from boring men's talk."

"How did you meet Desiree?"

"I was lost in the outskirts of Cincinnati some months ago and saw her struggling with two cartons of food so helped her out. We got talking and she took me home for breakfast. I stayed a couple of nights with her family and could get to lay a finger on Desiree and that rather interested me. And then she said something that would later ring a bell with me. She'd told me about her background and education and then made this statement: 'I'm waiting for my future to find me'. I thought that was pretty cool."

"Ah, so do I. Neat phrasing. And so when you became established here you found an opening for her?"

"More or less but with help from senior management."

"Crissy had told me after she met you she found you were Eva's boss."

"Yes, a remarkable coincidence in the city the size of Chicago but to tell you the truth I saw her with Eva once and at the gym I thought she looked familiar. I'd not long arrived here so didn't know many people so I helped her adjust her rowing machine. She just couldn't figure it out."

"Yeah she'd not mechanical. Come and I'll introduce you to some of the partners. Doing this keeps us away from women's small talk."




Drifter McLeod & Desiree



"You're kidding me that you think men talk big talk at parties?"

Morgan grinned and said, "That's what men like to tell women so McLeod you better assist to keep up the pretence. Oh, do you play tennis?"

"Yep and I'm reasonably handy with the racquet, squash as well."

"You seem my kind of guy," Morgan said. "My parents have two all-weather courts with night-lighting. We must get you over for one of our tennis parties."

"Sounds great. Thanks."

On Sunday McLeod took Desiree to places he'd been saving to experience for the first time and with her. They visited the Museum of Science and Industry, had a leisurely lobster salad lunch and in the afternoon went on the highly rated Architectural Boat Tour downriver and out into Lake Michigan.

Leaving the boat they went window shopping, then to a movie and then McLeod apologized saying, "We've going to a restaurant that is superbly located on River North. I've heard it's a bit touristy but serves great steaks. Anyway I went ahead and booked."

"Well we are acting like tourists and I do like a good steak," Desiree said.

They went to Smith and Wollensky.

When parting at the hostel, Desiree thanked McLeod, kissing him.

"It was a wonderful day."

"You're welcome."

She said, staring at him. "You are being so terribly kind to me."

He took the plunge. "When you are tired of the hostel you have an open invitation to come and live with me."

"I thought as much."

"Does my offer offend you?"

"Not at all," she said. "My mother warned me men like their little treats."

"Did she now."

"Yes and I say thanks for that invitation and I feel I shall be warming to the idea. At present living surrounded by other noisy women has it appeal but I suppose it will wear thin."

"Just remember in time everything wears thin."

"That is very astute. I hear you are away Tuesday and Wednesday at a senior management workshop in Houston?"

"Yes I'm representing the company."

"Do you go there alone?"

"No I take my PA Eva, you met her last night."

"Oh yes. I bet you wish you were traveling with her sister. God Crissy is HOT."

"Yes, no comparison is there? Well that's the way the cookie crumbles. Actually Eva and I have become good friends. She is hugely competent as a support person."

"She admires you. Eva told me you insisted she transfer with you to your new department, hugely embarrassing her because it began such a rumpus with the incumbent gathering support."

"Well yeah. I didn't handle it well. I ought to have arranged for the other woman to slip into a slightly better position but in the excitement of receiving such a high elevation I overlooked that and the crap then hit the fan."

"Yes, Eva told me. The remarkable Miss McTavish intervened, smoothed feathers, placed Elaine into the position Eva was vacating with higher pay and grading and all was well."

"Yeah, remarkable she is. You must understand I didn't go running to her sniveling. It was the grapevine that alerted her."

Desiree asked, "She's acting more or less as your surrogate mother isn't she?"

"More or less. That was a perceptive comment. Look if you shine in your role you can be expected to be promoted and don't be surprised if the person pulling the levers is Miss McTavish."

"Why would I be surprised?" Desiree said. "Well I must go. I've had a wonderful day. Oh, have you had a relationship with Crissy?"

"Desiree I won't lie to you. It's over."

"At least four times I saw her looking at you. It was not the look of a party hostess. Thank you for being honest with me. It makes no difference to me. As mom suggested, men like their little treats."

"Well here's my question. Are you a virgin?"

"No, well short of it. Good night. You have been so kind."

McLeod watched her into the lobby and unlock the inner door. She turned and waved. He blew her a kiss and she laughed and blew one back. He was delighted to see that. It possibly was a strong indication she'd not gone off him.

CHAPTER 5

Job pressures were beginning to get to McLeod and he knew there were two reasons for that. The economic recession was biting, hitting sales and associated revenue-producing activity and he was forced to fire some field workers to cut costs. He knew the theory of this but he was now up to his neck in it, facing the ugly side to business. He knew office jobs would be the next to go.

He went to Max and suggested he not go to Houston.

"I want you to go." Max said. "You've had rapid promotion and must fill in some holes on practical knowledge. That workshop will accelerate your personal development."

"Well I'll go alone."

"That will only save petty cash but please yourself."

Remarkably when McLeod returned to his office Eva said, "Do you mind if I cancel going to Houston. I have a cold coming on. It could be the flu."

"Is that the reason you want out?"

She didn't answer and didn't meet his gaze.

"I see. Well your health comes first Eva. Please advise the workshop organizer."

Later when bringing in the coffee Eva said, "Regarding me pulling out of Houston. I've decided I should not extend my personal relationship with you if you know what I mean. My marriage and my son are important to me."

"Fine and I understand but you were going as a support person."

"Really but me not going leaves you without a partner unlike other delegates?"

"Well that too, yes."

"You could arrange to take Desiree."

"She and I am not into intimacy yet and anyhow she is on a steep learning curve and ought not be distracted."

"You are not intimate with her? Well that is astonishing news."

"Well news it might be but keep that to yourself."

"Yes of course."

McLeod had not been to Houston before so after registering at the hotel boarded a mid-afternoon tourist bus to have a look around. At the workshop introduction cocktail party he was only a little conscious of being without a partner. He knew no one and being a newcomer to this specialist group, regulars were interested to talk to him. He was invited to dinner with a group and sat beside a female presenter who was also solo so didn't feel left out.

It was early to bed that night for McLeod but because he wasn't a regular on the conference circuit he thought that was normal. The workshops next day were fairly uninspiring and he mainly kept his mouth shut, being a new boy, but participated when required. He wondered what the hell was he doing there and thought perhaps many people who attended conventions, conferences and seminars probably thought the same.

After the final session he went for a walk instead of heading to the bar with the crowd and a delegate he knew as a professor in computer science joined him and they walked for more than an hour. Evan asked didn't McLeod have a partner and when told no asked did he want one to be with him at the dinner dance that evening. McLeod shrugged and nodded.

"It's my wife's sister, is that okay? She's staying with us."

"Yep that's fine."

The evening went very well. The sister who was forty was very lively and intelligent and made it clear at the outset she was happily married and was only doing this as a favor for Evan.

"That's okay. So it's definitely no hands on or is a bit of mild hoo-hah acceptable?"

Rebecca asked what hoo-hah meant.

"I have no idea."

She giggled and said she didn't believe him. "If it means nothing below the waist then after a few wines I guess my objections will be weak."

"Okay, that's what hoo-hah means."

They joined Evan and his wife Savannah with another two couples and dinner went well and the guy who took the rostrum halfway through was a superb comedian, having everyone in stitches.

As soon as dinner finished Rebecca wanted to go. Savannah was equally adamant she wanted to stay for the cabaret because she liked to dance.

"Can you dance McLeod?"

"I can get around missing toes."

"Evan you take Rebecca home and then come back."

Evan agreed and as the two women went to the women's room, Evan said, "Savannah has her eye on you pal. I'll not be back unless you insist."

"God I can't have any part in this."

"Well it's your decision. Just dance with her and when you ready put her in a cab."

"Are you sure that's okay with you?"

"Yes. It's happened before so don't fret. I'll go out and wait for them. If Savannah returns to you then it's all on."

Savannah returned and looking at McLeod when she sat down and picked up her glass, said to him coolly, "I suppose Evan said I'm yours for the night."

"Something like that."

"Well?"

"Let's dance."

Savannah was into fitness and taught yoga to businesswomen. A close-cropped blonde she wore a skimpy dress that showed off pointy boobs. As she swung into McLeod's arms on the dance floor he realized she was exactly his height. She was endeavoring to push her crotch through his. Well it made for easier dancing.

"Will you be fucking me tonight, hopefully all night?"

"Sorry but no."

"Why not."

"You won't accept the answer so why say it."

"Try me."

"It just doesn't feel right."

"Oh Christ, another fucked up night. When this dance finishes put me in a taxi."

"Thanks for not giving me a hard time over this Savannah. This is not about you; it's about me. There's this girl see and she'd proving very difficult to reel in and..."

"Christ how romantic. Well I wish you well. You're the youngest guy at this event McLeod so you must be doing some things right. I hope you get your gal. Can we go now?"

Evan and McLeod sat together through the next day's sessions. No mention was made of Savannah or her early arrival home the previous night. Evan was called up to give the closing address. 

As soon as McLeod got to the airport and confirmed his flight would be on time he called Desiree.

"Hi, where are you?

"Due to fly out of Houston in twenty minutes. Meet me at Rock Salt for dinner. I land about 8:30 and will go straight there."

"Okay. I noticed Eva had obviously not gone with you. Aren't you exhausted?"

"What from boozing and whoring?"

She laughed and said she would have put that more delicately.

"No women and I didn't over-imbibe in alcohol. A quite gorgeous woman made a pitch for me but I said no."

"My goodness."

"I didn't think you would approve."

"And since when I have been in control of your behavior?"

"I'm more than attracted to you Desiree. I'm yours if you want me."

The silence was to be expected.

"Come on Desiree, you know what to say. No crap."

"This is what I've been hoping for. A conclusion that leaves you with me."

"Fair enough," McLeod said easily. "There's no need to rush. While away I began to focus and you were in the center of my focus."

"How romantic."

"Well believe what you must Desiree but unfortunately I have the feeling I'm not longer in ascendancy."

"I don't know what that means."

"Something tells me that the business balloon that has been carrying me much higher than my expectation is about to burst because of deteriorating global economics. Our clients and potential clients are beginning to cutback. The cutbacks will slowly gather momentum."

"Are you expecting to be fired?"

"Either that or encouraged to walk."

"Ohmigod, you'll be devastated."

McLeod turned a little thin-lipped. "Maybe, maybe not. I know how to drift."

"Well if you go so do I."

He sighed. "And then what?"

"Perhaps we should go home to my family."

"They will be hit as well."

Desiree said determinedly there was only one way to find out.

* * *

Desiree's heart sang as she got ready to go out. From the outset she'd written McLeod off as an opportunist. After one night it would have been thanks for the memory Desiree. You were swell but you must slam back into your guy harder, or something like that. Women talk about things like that because women know what men are like. She'd been told men have this funny idea women can perform like acrobats.

She wasn't surprised McLeod was feeling a little out of his depth. One of the girls from administration had told her that McLeod had catapulting to a salary of $125,000. Ohmigod. She thought what he'd been telling her he'd survive if he returned to being jobless. Well she'd stand by him. He was okay and there was no one else waiting in the wings except guys looking for a one-off bang and they were usually married. 

Desiree was already at the table when he arrived, carrying an overnight bag and his laptop. She thought he looked exactly like an international business guru should look like and obviously the boss Max Fyffe had seen this in McLeod.

She stood and they kissed in a tight clinch and she whispered. "I've very capable of loving you."

He kissed her nose and his smile almost melted her. Ohmigod, she'd be giving it to him across the table in the middle of the restaurant if she failed to maintain control.

"How's it going babe?"

"Very well thank you. I did miss you."

"Imagine what future separations will be like when you are accustomed to me shafting you."

"McLeod, really!"

"You don't fool me Desiree, you want it as much as I do."

"Oh god, he was on to her. How on earth had he found out? He must... oh no, the sly jerk, he was guessing!"

Well he didn't get it that night but got a warm hand on to one of her boobs without objection. 

* * *

People on the payroll were just disappearing ... here today, no show the next day. 

Everyone began fearing for their job.

Desiree called home and spoke to her mom Michelle.

"Hi mom, things are not looking good here because of the economic downturn. Firings have comments and I feel under threat.:

"Well just leave and come home darling. At least you've tasted the dream."

"May I bring McLeod? He's expecting the axe to fall on him."

"Yes and we can find him a job like stacking lumber."

"Oh god."

"Well challenge him to do better darling. Sometimes there are rough times in life."

* * *

McLeod was called to Max's office. Miss McTavish came to escort him to the office. "So I'm done for," he smiled.

"I'm afraid so. I did everything I could to save you."

"I know and thank you. Miss McTavish please stay in touch and when you retire we must talk. I want you living near me. It will be a turnaround, my turn to keep and eye on you."

"You don't mean that.

"Emily," thundered McLeod, using her forename for the first time, "You behave yourself and do what you're told. I mean it and you know I do."

Miss McTavish grabbed McLeod's arm and said, "That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Thank you dear boy."

Max, in a dark suit and looking grim, held out a severance check and said, "I'm sorry McLeod. I have to let you go. Speak to no one apart from Eva. I launched into expansion at quite the wrong time, failing to read early warnings. It will now be a struggle to keep afloat and one of the drastic measures is to cut the payroll."

"I understand completely Max. In your shoes I'd do exactly the same thing. It's not your fault and please sleep easy at nights."

"Your one in a million McLeod. A bit more experience under your belt and you would have cut a scythe through corporate America."

McLeod didn't believe that extravagance but smiled and shook Max's hand and took the check. He looked at the check walking back to his office and whistled. It was for $40,000."

He murmured, " Naughty boy Max, knowing if he hit the road without Desiree that much money could last him up to four years.

Eva gave him the expected tearful farewell and down in the lobby McLeod met a tearful Desiree.

"Hi, what's up?"

"I saw you going with Miss McTavish into Mr Fyffe's office so guessed what that was about. I've resigned with immediate effect and have received pay till the end of next week, other entitlements and a gratuity of two hundred bucks. How much do you get?"

"Um a little more than that," McLeod said, his only reason for evading the question being he had no wish to humiliate her by announcing his big number."

It was only 2:00 pm. He asked what did she want to do.

"Nothing."

"Oh come on; it's not the end of the world. Let's go to a fish restaurant and tank up on white wine."

"That sounds good."

"Oh come on Desiree. A little more enthusiasm would be appreciated."

"Oooh yes, fish and white wine. I'd really love that, especially being in your company."

"Good one baby, I like that," McLeod said kissing her.

McLeod handed across his company card, company keys and parking card to the security guy waiting at the front door.

"Oh you poor darling," Desiree dry-sobbed. "You must feel practically emasculated."

"No Desiree. I feel as you should feel, free."

"God how can you be so optimistic?"

"Because something will turn up. It always does. He pulled out his personal cell phone from his attaché case and said, "Let the phone ring."

They grinned when nothing happened.

Over lunch Desiree said, "What is the situation with your apartment? I'll paid up with my room to the end of this month with another month paid in advance which equates to the notice I'm obliged to give. But they can have it. I'm out of expensive Chicago."

"Yeah, that makes sense," he said.

"You may come home with me. Mom is expecting we might arrive. I gave her my pessimistic report before anything actually occurred."

"Would you like me to do that?"

"Yes. I'll go to the hostel and sign out. Then may I spend the night with you."

"What on the sofa?"

"In your bed with you. I'm more comfortable about that know I know you better and feel we are now more or less on equal footing."

"McLeod said carefully, "What a great idea."

* * *

They reached McLeod's apartment after Desiree had collected her possessions from the hostel. McLeod had waited for her in the cab.

It had been a long and emotional day for them. At his apartment he'd now quit, Desiree was in the shower and McLeod was thinking about the best way to lay his hands on her to inaugurate their sexual coupling when Desiree called.

As he entered the bathroom she called, "Come and join me."

He grinned, thinking what a masterstroke; his lady had intelligence.

Her hair was wet and her arms opened wide as he entered the shower box.

Gleefully McLeod went to work, moving slowly, doing nothing to disgust or frighten her but soon found she was not at all timid, she saying, "And what's this?" grasping his erection and squeezing gently.

In the morning as their first day as an unemployed duo, McLeod awoke to find Desiree's hand wrapped round his morning erection.

"And what's this?" she giggled, noticing he was awake and making it sound as if she'd made a discovery of the century.

Sex the previous night had been accomplished successfully but McLeod would have preferred it to have been much more robust but knew it was up to him to try to up-tempo. She was a fit, strong young woman and would be quite capable of swinging from the rafters, so to speak. Well, what was the rush?

They kissed and stroked one other. He played with her hair and Desiree appeared to rather like that. McLeod waited patiently and finally she climbed on to him. He placed his hands behind his head, smiling at her. She dribbled on his dick, worked the moisture around the shaft and then in a delightful study of concentration she fed it in, unassisted. Slowly she began moving and soon was bouncing. 

Oh boy. McLeod drew his hands from under his head and went after her flying tits. She leant back, staring at him and puffing and he began pushing his hips back at it and suddenly Desiree's face darkened, she squealed and climaxed.

Breathing heavily she slumped beside him and said, "Wow."

"Was that good?"

"Oh yeah," she smiled grabbing a towel. "I was surprised how so passive you were last night. I'd picked you for a guy who would be in the wall-to-wall sex category.