The door opened the width of the security chain and a gray eye peeked out. “Hi, Jim. Hold on a sec.” She closed the door, and Jim heard the rattle of the chain being pulled away.
When he saw her, he felt a stirring that had little to do with the romantic pleasure of enjoying the company of a lovely woman, and everything to do with pure lust. He had to grit his teeth a bit to remind his parts to behave. She wore a dark blue, knit dress, low cut in the front. It showed off her curvy hips to perfection, and made her long, gorgeous legs look even longer.
A little tongue tied, all he could think of to say was, “Hi.”
“Hi there. Want to come in?”
“Sure. Are you about ready to go?” The apartment was small. No, it was tiny. It appeared to be one room, an open kitchen, and a bathroom. He’d lived like this in college, unwilling to believe that the software he’d invented would be more than a flash in the pan. In Kiki’s case, every available space, except for a spot for the bed, was taken up with bookshelves. She had hundreds of books.
She pointed to her feet and held up a pair of strappy black shoes with ankle bands. “I just need to get my shoes on. The goddamn buckles are driving me crazy. They’re so fuckin’ small, I can barely deal with them.”
“Let me help you, then. And honey, watch the language.”
Her teeth worried her lower lip for a moment, then she agreed, dropping the shoes on the floor.
He squatted down and helped her with the left shoe, enjoying the smooth curve of her delicate feet as he slipped the shoe on, and the turn of her ankle as he fastened the ankle strap buckle. He did the same for her right foot, then stood, smiling. “Done. Grab your purse.”
Kiki’s smile warmed him to his core. She slid into her sturdy cloth coat and they made their way to the car. Her eyes widened as she took in the expensive vehicle, then she looked suspiciously at him. “No Volkswagens for you, I guess.”
Jim felt his face flush. Maybe he should have simply eschewed drinking and driven himself. “We could take a cab, if you’d prefer.”
“You don’t drive?”
“Not when I plan to drink. I thought we’d have a little wine with dinner.”
She appeared to ponder this. “Well…here you are, and I guess it’ll be okay this once. We’ll take your car.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you see it my way.”
Although she mumbled, he understood her when she said, “Fuckin’ rich guy, thinks he can get in my panties by showing off his goddamn car.”
“Language,” he said softly as Ernie opened the door.
Kiki shot him a dirty look then slid in.
They rode silently for a few minutes and then Cal called. Jim considered letting the call go to voicemail, but he didn’t like to do that with his little brother. Well, maybe he was not so little.
“Joe’s morgue. You stab ‘em we slab ‘em.” It was an old joke, but it always got a chuckle out of them both.
“Dinner at Mom’s on Saturday. You coming?”
Jim thought about it, looking over at Kiki. His parents weren’t ready for her potty mouth. More was the pity, too. Cal would get along with her, though. “I don’t think so. How about the Rosicrucian’s new exhibit opening?”
“You’re going to that? I thought it might be kind of dull.”
“Maybe. But I’m going anyway.”
“Okay. I’m dating someone new. Ginny is her name. You’ll like her.”
“I’m sure. Hey, I’ve got to go. Bring Ginny to the Ros, why don’t you?”
“Good idea. ‘Night, bro.”
Jim rang off, hoping that Cal would finally find a girl he could be serious about. Jim didn’t like to give advice about Cal’s love life, though. It wasn’t really any of his business unless Cal brought up the subject first.
He turned to Kiki with a smile. “Sorry about that. The restaurant isn’t far. You’re familiar with the Crescent Inn?”
She pushed a silky-looking lock of hair off her face; a slight hint of her perfume wafted toward him—vanilla and cloves. “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never been there.”
“I like it because the chef is a guy I went to elementary school with.”
“No kidding?”
“Really. His name is Ozzie. We were in third and fourth grade together. Inseparable.”
“And you’re still friends?”
“Yup.”
“Neat. My family moved a lot as I was growing up. I wasn’t able to keep most friends from grade school. But I still have college friends.”
Jim reached out and stroked her hand, noting that it was fisted on the seat next to her purse. “You’re tense.”
“Yeah, I guess so. I don’t often go on dates with millionaires.”
He hated to talk about money. At least this appeared to be one woman who wasn’t particularly motivated by cash. “Just forget that stuff for tonight. I’m just Jim. Jim, the guy down the block.”
She snorted, then looked askance at him. “Sorry.”
He grinned, charmed by her lack of guile. “Just be yourself.”
* * *
The restaurant was elegant, and Kiki immediately felt uncomfortable. The Maitre d’ greeted Jim like royalty, leading them to Jim’s “favorite” table. The sommelier brought three bottles of wine for Jim to choose from. Also his “favorite” selections. His friend, Ozzie the chef, came out and served them the evening’s amuse-bouche himself, then stood and chatted amiably with his childhood pal for a few minutes.
Kiki didn’t even know such a thing as an amuse-bouche existed before their date, but it seemed to be a very tiny appetizer. Tasty stuff. She’d have liked to have more of it, but the dishes just kept coming. They were small portions, but there were so many of them, by the time they got to a cheese plate and dessert wine, she was stuffed.
“How the fuck do you stay thin?” she asked Jim.
“Language, young lady. You really need to fix that.”
“I’m not a kid, Jim. I resent that you call me ‘young lady.’ I’m twenty-six years old.”
He frowned. “Let’s have this conversation in the car.”
“No, let’s have it right now!” She tried to keep her voice low; she didn’t want to embarrass herself, but he was being insufferable.
“You’re acting like a spoiled little girl.”
“You’re acting like a fucking pompous jackass.”
His frown deepened and he slid out of the booth, dragging her by the arm. “You deserve a spanking. Into the car. Now.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed.
“Oh, but I do dare.”
He pulled her along by the hand and they exited the restaurant quickly. “Don’t you need to pay the check?”
“They run a tab for me. Don’t change the subject.”
They’d reached the car and Ernie opened the door for them. “Thank you, Ernie. Take us on a trip around the local shore.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get in, Kiki.”
“What if I don’t?” She pulled her hand free and crossed her arms over her chest. The nerve of the man. He’d as much as promised to spank her once they were in the car, and he expected her to actually get in?
His voice was low, almost a growl. “Then I’ll leave you here to take a cab home. And that will be the end of that.”
She was being difficult and she knew it. She didn’t think he’d really spank her, though she did deserve a little telling off, maybe. It seemed like she’d lost control of herself, and it was not the first time. Her foul language had bothered him all along, and now she was using it to keep him at arm’s length, sabotaging any chance of simply having a good time and seeing what the other half lived like. But he was pissing her off with his parental attitude. She wasn’t a child. Still, if he left her in the parking lot, she’d have to call a cab, and she had no money to pay for it.
“You know I don’t have money for a cab!”
He pulled out his wallet, and offered her a $20.00 bill.
Sh
e was instantly furious. “As if I’d take money from you for a date! Fuck you!”
“As if I date hookers,” he replied tightly. “Take the cab money, or get in. Your choice.”
It looked like taking a chance and getting into the damn Rolls was her only alternative to feeling like the financial failure she really was. She hated having no options. “Yeah, okay. But quit with the spanking crap.” She slid in and he followed. The car rolled out of the parking lot sedately, and Jim pressed a button to raise a smoked glass partition between the front and back seats. They were effectively alone now.
“You need to learn to control your tongue,” he told her.
“If you don’t like the way I am, you don’t have to go out with me.”
“Raise your skirt,” he said, looking at her, his lips set in a grim line.
“You must be kidding.”
“No. You’re going to get the spanking you deserve.”
“But…”
“Yes, on your butt. Raise your skirt and lay down on my lap.”
Nothing had changed between the parking lot and their current location. She had been bratty and vulgar, and he was going to spank her. She hadn’t been spanked since she was eight years old. This was different. Being half-naked on his lap lent the idea a kind of sexual mien, and she was actually getting excited about it. It was an amazing idea. She wasn’t sure she should explore it, but, maybe it would be interesting. He was damned attractive, after all. And a few swats on the butt were not like falling into bed with him.
Slowly, grudgingly, not understanding why she didn’t simply hit him, she squirmed her skirt up over her hips and then, as gracefully as she could, draped herself over his knees. Maybe this would be playful. A little dominance game.
His hand slid over her behind and she began to relax. She was no fragile virgin, and his touch on her bottom seemed sensual. The first whack on those tender globes, though, was a shock.
“Ow! That fuckin’ hurt!”
“Watch.” He punctuated his orders with slaps on her behind. “Your. Tongue.”
Every strike hurt worse than the last, and they just kept coming. He wasn’t holding back; he was punishing her. Her bottom was on fire after two minutes, and she shrieked with every slap. After three minutes, and who-knew-how-many hard whacks, she started to cry in earnest.
“I’m sorry! Ow! It hurts so much!”
“It’s supposed to hurt, Kiki, it’s a punishment. Don’t let me hear you cursing again,” he told her, finding her sit spots with another series of stinging slaps. “Every time you do, you’ll end up over my lap.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I won’t curse anymore!” Her butt was in flames and tears were pouring from her eyes. She was positively blubbering, and she’d never been so humiliated and sore in her life. “Please!”
He paused, his hard hand sliding over her stinging behind slowly and gently again. His fingers slid into her thong and found their way to her feminine center. She could feel the pleased exhalation of air from his chest as he explored her dripping quim. “Wet. I expected as much.”
She was panting, the pain of her bottom fading slightly as he stroked her sex. “Oh God, I’m so embarrassed.”
“It’s over. Go back to your seat.”
The marble hard erection she felt against her belly told her that he didn’t want to stop at all. She wanted him to take her, right there in the big car, but she’d insisted on no sex. It was confusing and discomfiting.
“You hurt me,” she hissed as she slid her stinging butt into her skirt and onto the leather seat.
“I didn’t harm you. I may hurt you, but I will never, ever harm you. I give you my word.”
“Yeah, right.” She bit her lower lip and decided to ask the question that was chapping her. “Why did you stop touching me?”
“Punishment isn’t supposed to be fun, Kiki.”
“So…if it makes a person excited, it’s all part of the punishment not to get to, well, f- er…fool around?”
He nodded.
“But you didn’t get anything out of it either.”
“Didn’t I?”
She swallowed hard.
He patted her hand. “Just watch your language, okay?”
Kiki nodded and then realized that he wasn’t looking at her. Maybe he was uncomfortable, too. Well, of course he was. He’s got a throbbing erection. I wonder how it would feel… She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’ll be more careful. Are we still going out on a second date?”
“You agreed,” he pointed out. “Chickening out?”
Rummaging around in her purse for a tissue, she looked up at him as he handed her a big, monogrammed handkerchief. Who used handkerchiefs anymore? “Thanks. No, I’m not chickening out. I won’t renege on a deal.”
“Good enough.” He toggled an intercom switch. “Ernie, take us back to the young lady’s apartment.”
Chapter 2
“I cand made our dade donighd, Jim.” Kiki had shoved cotton wads up her nose just to make sure she sounded convincing over the phone.
“You sound like you have a cold.”
“Yeah. I do. I’b sorry.”
“You were fine yesterday, Kiki.” He sounded suspicious.
Kiki decided to lay it on thick. She really needed to postpone the date. If only for a few days. He confused her and had her thinking all kinds of crazy, unrealistic things about him and her together. She was afraid of her own feelings. “I hab a feber.”
There was a sigh at the other end of the phone. “I’ll send my doctor.”
“No!”
Silence, and then, “Why not?”
“I cand afford do pay.”
“I’m not asking you to pay. He’s on retainer. I pay him to see me on request. I’m sure if I ask him, he’ll come over and see you, just the same.”
“I’ll be bedder domorrow.”
“You sound awful. I think I’d better send him.”
“I jusd need sub soup and resd.” The doctor would know in a second that there was nothing wrong with her. And then she’d look like she was backing out of their deal. She wasn’t…not really. She intended to go forward, just not tonight.
“I’ll be right over to help you.”
“No!” This just wasn’t working.
“Kiki, are you sure you’re sick?”
She could practically see his frown and the irritation on his lips. “I’ll be bedder domorrow, Jib. Really.”
“I insist. I’m worried about you, honey. I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone.
Panic assaulted Kiki as she realized she was going to be caught in the lie. He was going to be furious, and who could blame him? She decided to tough it out, put on her jammies, robe and slippers and get out a few boxes of tissues. If she could fake it on the phone, she might be able to fake it in person. At least until she could coax him to leave. A small part of her reveled in the fact that he cared enough to want to help her, but she forced that tiny voice right out of her head.
He was there in fifteen minutes. Kiki had just finished putting her hair up in a ponytail and messing it up like she’d been in bed. She had no makeup on, and was wearing her oldest and most threadbare pajamas and robe. She hoped she looked sincerely miserable.
“Hi, Jib.” She opened the door just enough to let him in.
His blue eyes swept over her. “Hi, yourself.” He took off his overcoat and revealed another black t-shirt and expensive suit, much the same as he’d worn the day before. It was a little incongruous with his unshaven face, but he made it work somehow. “You should be in bed.” He nodded toward the mussed up bed in the corner of the single-room apartment.
She nodded, trying to look abject. “I god up jusd do answer da door.”
“Go crawl back in and I’ll make you some tea.” He shrugged off his suit coat, revealing thick and toned biceps and forearms. This guy worked out big time. No wonder his spankings hurt so much.
Kiki tried not to stare. “No! I dond hab any dea. You should jusd go.”
“I’ll find something.” He gestured toward the bed. “Go on.”
His helpfulness really got on her nerves. Why couldn’t he just leave her to be miserable all by herself? Or not miserable. Whatever. Argh.
Jim moved to the kitchenette and began opening cupboards. He rifled through the boxes of macaroni and cheese, ramen soup and bargain cereal, finally finding a can of condensed chicken broth. “This will have to do.”
She felt stupid just standing there watching him make himself at home. “I’ll do id.”
He didn’t even look up from reading the label. “No, you won’t. Get into bed!”
Raising her hands in the air in a gesture of irritation and submission, she got into her full-sized bed as he opened the refrigerator.
“Not into health food, I see.”
“Dere’s celery id da crisper,” she pointed out.
He opened the drawer. “It’s limp as a noodle. How long has it been in there?”
“I dond doe.”
The fridge closed and he rummaged around in the cupboard again until he came up with a coffee mug. The broth followed shortly thereafter, and he brought the steaming mug to her as she lay there. “Drink this.”
Exasperated, she nevertheless took a sip. “I really don’t need your help, Jim.”
He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You’re sounding better already.”
Kiki quickly took a gulp. “Go away.”
Jim sat on the edge of her bed and put his hand against her forehead. “Not too warm. You said you had a fever.”
“See I’b feeling bedder already.”
“Hmm. You know, there are no used tissues in your trash can, Kiki.”
Oh no. “I flush dem.”
“I don’t think you’re sick.”
“Bud I ab!”
“Why fake it? You could have just broken our deal. Instead you chose to lie to me.”
She put the mug down on the little table by the bed and rubbed her temples. Her head was beginning to ache. “I’m sorry.”
“I don’t think I deserve being lied to, much less made to worry about your health.”
He didn’t, that was true. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, Jim. I just wanted a little time.”
Kiki's Millionaire Page 2
