Her father had continued in his deep voice. "Well, Frank and I have reached a decision—haven't we, Frank?" He didn't wait for him to say, if in fact, he had or had not been in on the assumed decision reached. It didn't matter. Paisley's father wanted to share their revelation. "Son, what you need to do is learn how to control your wife." Men laughed. Backs were slapped.
The young doctor had asked for an immediate explanation. He received a simple one. Paisley thought it was complicated when she heard it fall from her father's lips. Though now, she understood.
"Son," her father called everyone younger than him ‘son', so it was often ignored altogether, “You have to get a handle on that woman of yours. Listen to me. Learn to control a woman's pussy, and you control the woman—you have all the power."
There were some snorts, loud chuckles, and slaps. She remembered the back slaps. The air of arrogant men giving sound advice rang throughout the tent.
She turned now to look at Frank. He spoke in a low tone as he gave his son last minute instructions. Brogan tried, barely attempted really, to run interference.
"Paisley, are you ready? Do you have any questions?” He held her wrist in an attempt to hold her back. She shook him loose. “Tell me something, Brogan. How far do your services extend outside of the bedroom?"
With colony officials standing around to hear her, his face flushed instantly. He released her and then lowered his voice. “Phillip wouldn't appreciate this. At least not right now."
Paisley politely asked a few men to excuse her and quickly pulled Frank aside. Phillip followed them.
She quickly revisited the summer day she recalled only moments before. “Control a woman's pussy, and you control the woman—you have all the power.” She glared at Frank.
"Paisley, what are you talking about?” His gaze darted across the crowd before settling back on her.
"You know what I'm talking about. My father and his philosophies."
Frank reached behind his back in an effort to tuck his shirt in for the fifth time. “Your father was a man whore who didn't know who he was going to fuck from one day to the next. If your mother hadn't killed him, then disease surely would've because he didn't care where he slept or who joined him in his bed.” He turned his back to Paisley then and began talking to Phillip, but just because Frank dismissed her didn't guarantee Phillip would as well.
"What is she talking about?"
Paisley's temper reared its sassy head, and she leaned in for the fight. “Don't you dare play stupid with me! You can do so much better than that. Be a man for crying out loud! Evidently, I have more balls than you!” She stormed off in pursuit of the podium, but Phillip caught up to her fast.
"Oh, no you don't. Not here. Not now. We've come too far for fits now, darling.” His jaw set in determination, and he didn't offer a reassuring smile. He was all business, and since she related well to people of the same mindset, she understood.
She felt the coolness sweep over them. Phillip's anger took her by surprise, and she quickly looked for some kind of formidable sign. Ah yes, there ... just as she'd suspected. The man's provoked anger would appear for show.
* * * *
Frank's brow gathered as he observed them. Threads dropped from Phillip's chin, and he swiped at them fast and furious, realizing she drew out the strength of the insect, the vile nature of the creature within. Frank tried to push him back away from the crowd. “You two go settle this.” He placed his hand on the small of Paisley's back and rushed the couple to a nearby cobblestone alley.
Once there, Phillip tilted his chin up and held an arrogant as hell expression. “I don't think you have any idea of what you're doing here, Paisley.” He swiped at his face in an effort to rid himself of the evidence looming. The spider from within waited. The deadly nature of its poison tempted him in the deepest sense.
"Isn't this exactly how you wanted it? Isn't it?” She glared at him, ready for a war of words, fought with lips, smacking bodies, or even the meeting of minds. Hell, she didn't care. What she wanted him to know was she was not just a pussy a man could control.
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Chapter Thirteen
After they moved away from the crowd, it took him a minute to regain his composure but once he had it, he took a deep breath and stood back to watch her. “You like me."
"What the hell does liking anything or anyone have to do with anything else, let alone my feelings for you?"
"I just asked you if you liked me, and now you've admitted to feelings, and since you weren't able to respond with a simple yes or no, I know we're in trouble.” He grabbed at her waist then. “Deny me and you deny yourself."
Her lips pursed then, and she moved closer to him with the intent, at least at first, to kiss him, but of course, she changed her mind because a woman—even a confident one in high heels and a short skirt—could certainly change her mind. The way he worded the sentence sparked her interest. “You're not talking about sex."
"Sure, I'm implying the obvious, but no, right now, I'm not talking about sex."
"How would I deny you and myself?"
Phillip moved closer to her. “Did you ever stop to wonder why the colonies are able to float in this galaxy and remain in a precise pattern?"
Her mouth dropped open, and she wanted to say something, anything remotely resembling some measure of intelligence, but she didn't have anything to say, and she didn't think she would come up with anything in the near future. She shut her mouth, and her lips formed a tight line.
"No? I didn't think so.” He strutted over to a brick wall very similar to the one where they'd disappeared behind earlier. He studied a few of the pieces there and with an odd expression turned toward her again with absolutely nothing relevant to offer to their pending conversation.
"The Zahur is an odd place—not at all like the other colonies. Sexual gratification is the order of the day. Public displays of sex will always be welcome, and fucking anywhere is commonplace here—against the flat surface of any chosen wall, in public restrooms and anywhere the urge hits. We aren't going to condemn those who are serving the best of nature's calls. In fact, we'll watch, if we're so inclined, just as you and I watched earlier..."
"Where are you going with this, Phillip?"
He didn't bother to look at her but instead led her to another side pathway further away from the crowd waiting for his important announcement. “Where am I going? Well, that's entirely up to you, because you see, unlike what you said back there, I believe the woman with the power is in the position of strength because of the hold she can have over a man's cock and...” he hesitated, “Perhaps even his heart."
Paisley watched him closer. “You need me for a business arrangement."
"We need each other, and our colonies will not continue to thrive and survive without the joint venture."
"Why not?"
"Come here; I want to show you something.” She followed him down a small circular walkway and realized they were approaching the landing pad for the shuttle back to earth. There, he led her into a control center where the latest in technology and transportation monitoring systems were evident everywhere. On one wall, large screens displayed weather Doppler maps along with graphs and charts. Most of the center followed suit, and most of it she'd seen before in pictures. However, she focused on the bay window.
Moving closer, she stared into the galaxy. “It's magnificent, truly divine.” It took her breath away. The colonies always left her speechless, but seeing them so close now, so perfectly shaped and holding true to their pattern, was humbling at the very least.
Phillip joined her. Side by side they stood and looked out over the colonies. “Paisley, I know you're just beginning to find out more about your company holdings, but Father tells me you've also been very active in the business from a young age. Did you ever stop to wonder what keeps each of these colonies floating in sync?"
"No. I didn't.” Now, she wondered why it slipped her mind to ask questions or r
esearch the historical beginnings. In fact, watching the colonies float along behind them now, she questioned herself and thought about it more and more by the second. What kind of CEO ignores the foundation for which their company stands?
"It's your mother's web.” He seemed pleased to inform her.
"It's what?"
"It's the only thing strong enough to hold the satellite bases together. The colonies, thanks to your mother's ingenious and original designs, are able to mobilize as one unit, but no one ever notices it, and of course, it isn't widely discussed because of the obvious—no one would believe it."
"I'm having a hard time understanding the magnitude of it.” She walked to the glass and pressed her face up against it. “Already everything here is so beautiful and yet you want an expansion,” She paused and turned to him again. “You are after an expansion aren't you?"
"On a massive level, yes, I'm interested in an expansion."
"And the bases, those are readily available?"
"Absolutely—the infrastructure for several proposed colonies have been developed. What we need, as you may well understand, is a stronger cable and the capacity to strengthen the existing ties to the current colonies."
"And you can't do this on your own?"
"It will be more interesting with you.” He winked and then added, “No, there's actually no way I can succeed without you. I've tried, and it can not be done. The webbing underneath the satellites will continue to hook each of the colonies together. We have to entangle each with enough of a base to ensure its strength is much more reliable than cables."
"Phillip, let me ask you something.” She turned away from the picture window and moved closer as she spoke. “How long have you been thinking about this?"
"Since the first day I laid eyes on you."
"I see.” She moved by him then with a brisk walk, calling out to him as she did. “Then with your mind, I would imagine at least another thirty colonies are waiting for designs and innovative solutions."
"With your body, I think I've grotesquely underestimated our potential.” He called after her and hoped like hell she took it as a compliment worthy of repaying immediately with sexual gratitude.
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Chapter Fourteen
Phillip took his place at the podium within the circle wired for sound. He moved around the area, talking to a small, attentive crowd while explaining his vision for Paisley Properties. Paisley was drawn to him in a way she never quite expected.
The man had charisma, sure, but it stood out as only one element in a very complicated package. Phillip Phillips wasn't just a man's man. Oh no, Phillip Phillips was a woman's man—and not just any woman could handle him, she decided.
His long blonde hair cascaded over his shoulders as he spoke. He used his hands, those large manly hands, to drive home a point when necessary by simply opening one of them palm up and crossing it sideways with the other a few times. He would walk a few steps and then stop abruptly when he wanted to be sure his crowd paid closer attention. And they did—they clung to every suggestion made or fact offered.
Paisley was so captivated by him that she almost didn't hear him when he introduced her later in his speech. In fact, she vaguely remembered the introduction, and it wasn't until she heard, “Ladies and Gentleman, I introduce to you the woman behind Paisley Properties—my friend and lover, Paisley Phillips."
She froze.
He reached for her, but it didn't matter. Her mind churned, and the thoughts running through it were quite devious. He introduced her as his friend and his lover. And he damn well changed her last name without any fair warning. She stepped closer to the inner circle where he stood and was careful not to cross over into the areas where sound would be traced.
"What are you doing?” She whispered to him as he approached.
"What do you think I'm doing?” He smiled.
"Have you ever heard of formalities or asking the lucky bride-to-be to marry you?"
"Here, we're married."
"We're no such thing.” She snapped back.
"We are what we say we are, and right here, right now, we're married."
"For the love of...” She glared at him with full purpose to burn his ass. “Then how soon can we state the intended divorce?"
The crowd fell silent, and she realized he'd lured her into the circle. Those in the crowd were very attentive now, and all eyes seemed to set on Paisley. She waved her hand up in the air. “Hello, my friends."
They cheered.
She sneered. Again. “How could you?” She whispered, and yet the entire area echoed her words.
He shrugged. “I guess I couldn't resist your charms."
The people below seemed to ripple in effective chuckle, and a lot of ahs reached the podium, too. Even there, in a galaxy where anything goes and everything typically did, some there in their presence must have enjoyed the idea of love and romance.
She looked beyond Phillip and saw his father. He looked smug. Oh, but yes, they'd strong armed her into a quick decision, but she wasn't really all that opposed to it. She didn't have time to meet young men for courtship, let alone a serious relationship, and she really liked Phillip. Okay, so she really enjoyed Phillip. She didn't think she'd tire of him easily.
Phillip turned to her and led her into the conversation he wanted her to initiate. “Ladies and gentleman, my wife would like to explain to you how the infrastructure of the colonies will remain intact even with the addition of other developments. She'll also give you a little history on Paisley Properties, and later, if you have questions, you can fire them our way.” He turned to her and winked before he stepped back out of her way.
Glancing at Brogan and his father, Phillip nodded his unreserved approval. Was his pride in her or his ability to control her? Hell, who would know? Either way, the man got his way, and men, she had discovered early in life, liked to get their way. They felt like they'd earned and deserved to have it.
Clearing her throat, she began. “My father was a great visionary. Together with my mother, they created The Colonies of Our Galaxy with the initial goal of developing an upper scale, high end retreat for couples, families, and corporate entities. Soon, as you know, the goals changed.” She stopped abruptly and then continued. “Looking around here now, I see why. Sex definitely sells us on the ideas of which these colonies were founded.” Most of the shops at The Zahur proved sex didn't just sell well, but there were plenty of buyers found for anything stimulating the principle of pleasure.
* * * *
The crowd liked her. They shook their heads in positive affirmation when she first nodded to ask for their unspoken approval. They laughed on cue and basically tried to get to know her through the question and answer segment at the end. Phillip felt unbelievably proud.
"Are you ready to go?” He approached Paisley and Brogan at the rear of the stage.
"Where?” She chirped. “Oh, wait a minute, we've flown by the seat of our pants so far; why stop now?” With sarcasm rampant, she continued. “I tell you what. You just pick me up and take me wherever you want me to go, and if I oppose, I'll let you know.” She all but spat the words at him. The crowds were gone, his father had conveniently disappeared, and she had time to stew. What did he expect?
"Fine,” He set his jaw, rubbed his temple, and then nodded his head at Brogan. “Have it your way. I'll see you later tonight."
Before she had the opportunity or perhaps even the desire to stop him, he was gone. Now why on earth did she have to go and piss him off? She wondered, but she didn't worry. A man like Phillip Phillips would reappear, and he'd come back soon.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Fifteen
"How long will you stay in his employ?” Paisley wanted to know how long she had to put up with Brogan running interference.
"For as long as he needs me."
"According to the liaison, you were booked up for several months."
Brogan winked. “I certa
inly hope so."
They'd strolled around The Zahur for a few hours, and now, she stood in front of the most palatial of properties there. She started to walk up the front steps and then stopped.
"How old are you?” She asked with adamant curiosity.
"What difference does it make?"
"A lot."
"I'm a lot older than you, so we'll leave it at that.” He placed one hand in the small of her back and extended the other in front of her.
"Where were you cloned?"
"The States.” He continued to hold his hand out, only this time, he placed pressure on the small of her back. He wanted to avoid her questions.
Tough shit.
"What State?"
"What difference does it make?"
"I'd like to know. State?"
"California."
"Really, I've visited there a lot. What city?"
"San Francisco.” He didn't rush to answer, and she didn't dismiss it. In fact, she was quick to turn simple questioning into a morbid interrogation.
"Hospital? Date of birth?” She remembered the clone status and changed her form of questioning. “Date of contract?"
His blank expression quickly turned into a hateful stare. “Where are you going with this?” He removed his hand from her lower back.
"I like to know who I'm dealing with in business, but after we...” She seemed to stumble over thoughts and her choice of words, but once she had them, hell, she had them. “Brogan, the fucking is a whole different story. I should've performed a background check myself.” She noticed a spot on his jacket, and she started to swipe it away with two fingers, but he caught her wrist.
Before she protested, they were interrupted.
Phillip appeared in the parting door just in time. Imagine the luck. “That's enough, Paisley.” Firm and authoritative, he really knew how to piss her off—and he also knew how to keep her in check something no one—except her father, ever accomplished.
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