Buying Thyme

by TJ Hamilton

  The beautiful Miranda,

  You were amazing last night.

  Sorry I didn’t say goodbye.

  See you soon,

  Michael Stephenson

  “So another for you Miranda?” Paris peers out of the kitchen as I stand reading the card, “That brings you in the lead again.” She giggles, and places a gold star next to my name on the chart stuck to the fridge. The chart is our in-house competition of how many flowers we all get sent from clients, “Followed closely by Sally and myself.” She gloats, “Why didn’t he say goodbye?” She asks, obviously reading the card before I did.

  I look around at her with a why-do-you-think raise of the eyebrow, no words necessary.

  “Fell asleep? Again? You must’ve fucked him like a banshee!”

  “Ha… you could say that.”

  My stomach growls, pleading with me to eat something. I pull out my long-awaited container of stir-fry, reheating the contents in the microwave. While I’m waiting for my dinner to heat, I decide to go for a wander around the penthouse, to see who’s here today. The place is like a ghost town. I remind myself that it is a Saturday after all. Being one of our busiest days, I’m not really surprised that all the girls are out on bookings. I make my way to Miss Stephanie’s office. As I enter, I see that she’s on the phone, so I take a seat on the low white leather couch, five metres away from the front of her desk, and wait until she’s done.

  “That’s fine Mr Jackson, we will have the transaction finalised before she even arrives…” She says into the slimline phone, “…No it’s our pleasure as always sir.” She replies with her sultry ‘phone’ voice.

  She places the phone back on the massive switchboard-like receiver, also doubling as her mini command post for the penthouse.

  Raising her eyes to me, she speaks in her monotone voice, “So darling, I see you got a delivery from Mr Stephenson today. He sounded happy to see you when I spoke to him this afternoon. He wants to book you again tonight, but unfortunately darling you’ve already been booked for the next two days by Mr Tench.”

  Mr Tench! I haven’t heard from him for a long time. I wonder where he’s been?

  “Oh that will be nice to see him. Two days? I wonder if we’ll be going anywhere again?” I try and sound as jovial as possible about it.

  “He didn’t say so darling, but his updated test results are in so you are all set to go.”

  Hmm… the allusive Mr Tench, also head of Sydney’s most formidable organised crime gang, although I prefer to act like I don’t know that, but it doesn’t take blind Freddy to work that out. After reading a few newspapers, and spending a few hours with him, you soon learn that some of his business is… slightly unconventional. American-born Joe Tench moved to Australia with his wealthy-businessman father in his late teens. He opened his first nightclub in the infamous Kings Cross district by the age of twenty. His desire for the party lifestyle meant that he quickly made a name for himself, climbing the ranks amongst other criminal entities in the area. Today, he is known as the power player of the nightlife in the city, owning most of the casino’s across the country and holding the monopoly over the nightclubs in Sydney, not to mention owning a few of the hotels throughout Australia. He is one client that Paris is crazy to get her hands on as a regular, but despite all my attempts in persuading him to book her more often, he always seems to want me. Though I would prefer it sometimes if he did book her, he can be quite the handful.

  “What time am I seeing him Ma’am?”

  “He’s sending one of his cars around to pick you up at seven, so best you be getting ready darling.”

  Shit! Do I ever get a break from these men? I leave the office to my awaiting dinner in the kitchen. Picking me up again? Hmmm… where could he be taking me this time? I think back to the last time he sent his car to pick me up. I was driven straight to the airport to catch a chartered flight to the Gold Coast, in the neighbouring state of Queensland, just to see him. He doesn’t like telling the Agency where he is too often. I guess he probably does have his phone tapped regularly, so there’s no doubt doesn’t trust too many people… particularly prostitutes! For some reason though, he likes my company the most. I’ve seen a few other working girls come and go in my time with Joe Tench. He even took me to one of his own strip clubs once, to select our girls for the night, something I’m only fond of doing if he’s willing to pay the extra money. In return, I put on a performance for him, with the other girls. I call it a performance, because that’s what it is really. I’m not into girls, but I’ll do them for the money. In my recent bookings however, he’s wanted more and more one-on-one time with me. Unlike the other clients, his judgement about our relationship doesn’t get clouded, never attempting to ask to see me outside of work. I like that about him. He doesn’t make it difficult by expecting me to be something I’m not… I’m simply his paid for company. Not too dissimilar to the rest of his entourage I suspect.

  Once again, I take one final look at my unrecognisable self in the mirror. Ben calls out from the stairs, my ride has arrived and is waiting in the basement garage. I love my Carla Zampatti hounds-tooth skirt suit. It shapes my figure into an elegant, long line of slimmed refinement. A far cry from the jeans and t-shirt that I would much prefer to be in tonight. I zip up my larger black Prada suitcase, packed with various outfits for my two-day adventure -to god knows where- and head down the stairs. I see Sally is finally back from her booking with her ‘favourite little politician’.

  “Aw, honey. I don’t even get to see you to catch up properly.” I give an exaggerated pout, much preferring to stay in and have some girly time with her than deal with an arrogant client tonight.

  “Well, such is the life of little-miss-popular. We’ll catch up soon hey? So when are you due back from Mr Mobster?”

  “Not till Monday evening, so could you go and check on Flossy back at my place for me? I’m sure she’ll be beside herself in my absence.” Thinking of my beautiful grey cat, left to fend for herself at my apartment. But I know full well that she’ll have Mrs Mapleson from upstairs completely wrapped around her little fluffy tail by now, and is no doubt curled up somewhere warm, positively stuffed to the brim with chicken wings.

  “Sure thing chicky, now go get you some mobster!” She says with a slight musical tone to her sentence.

  Shaking my head and laughing, I follow Ben out of the penthouse to the elevator.

  The elevator reaches its destination and the door slide open to the basement. I see Mr Tench’s huge black -top of the range- Range Rover, awaiting my arrival in front of me. Toni Toho, Mr Tench’s personal head of security is standing patiently at the rear passenger door.

  “Hey there Miss Miranda. Let me take your bag for you.” He bends down to pick up my suitcase. His voice is quite high pitched for a man of his size.

  “Thanks Toni, good to see you again.” I pass him my bag and climb into the Range Rover.

  Toni is a gentle giant, but I wouldn’t ever tempt my fate with him. I feel for anyone who is ever in his bad books. His hands are the size of baseball mitts. His Islander appearance is either Tongan or Samoan, I can’t tell the difference to be honest, but I know given the chance, he would crush a man with his bare hands. Luckily for me I’m not one of those people. He slides into the drivers side seat, causing the entire four-wheel-drive to tilt slightly to the side under the sheer weight of him. He looks at me in the rear vision mirror, his eyes squint in the corners as he smiles.

  “It’s nice to be back to see you again Miss Miranda. Hey, sorry for having to pick you up down here. We’ve had all kinds of dogs on our tail lately, that’s why we’ve been over in Vegas hey.”

  I realise that may be the reason why Mr Tench has been absent lately. I roll my eyes at the never-ending saga of Joe Tench, “Oh great! Is security in overload again? Mr Tench hasn’t had more death threats again has he?” I wonder why I really have to be involved in all this drama.

  “Pffft… death threats Miss? He gets at least one o
f those a day! Nah, just those vulture reporters and scum sucking dogs in the organised crime squad and shit hey. But not to worry. Mr Tench is just happy to see you again. I think you take his mind off all that bullshit.”

  This makes me smile, “I do my best Toni.” I give my best attempt of casually replying, trying not to seem perturbed by his blatant admittance into his boss’ underworld life.

  I watch absent-mindedly out the window as we drive through the city, wondering what I’m in stall for this time. We pull up at the huge black gates of Tench’s private home in the very exclusive suburb of Point Piper, in Sydney’s east. The small office to the side of the gates has three men in black suits inside, they nod their heads at our arrival and the gates instantaneously open as the car pulls in. Whatever is bothering Tench it must be serious. I have only ever been to his private residence on one other occasion, for a party that I was paid to attend for a few hours. The Range Rover rolls up the driveway and veers to the left, following the pebble-stoned drive around to a three-archway car park. We pull up in the third bay, along side a black Mercedes Benz R-300, station wagon and a silver Maserati Grantourismo. The mansion screams of its Tuscan influence, with sandstone walls and black wrought iron balconies on the second level. Two colosseum-style pillars surround a huge black wooden door at the front of the mansion. Toni leads me to the entrance. Inside, the foyer has a huge double-sided statement staircase with the most intricate, wrought iron balustrades, swirling into numerous outlines. An enormous crystal chandelier, hangs over a black round table, featuring nothing but an understated, yet modern black statue of a horse upon it. I instantly recognise the very sombre Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, resonating throughout the all-encompassing space of the palatial surrounds. As I follow Toni through the grand entrance and across the dark marble floor, I notice Mr Tench is sitting at his bar. The bar looks across the harbour, allowing an unobstructed view of the city skyline. I admire the gorgeous vista of the sun slowly sinking over Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance. As I take in the view, I can’t help but feel very overwhelmed by the entire place, but maintain my composure as I approach Mr Tench.

  “The sad sounds of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata for any reason Mr Tench?” I question with my most dazzling yet and seductive smile.

  My heels clip across the marble towards him. He quickly turns to face me, pulling him from an obvious state of preoccupied mind.

  “Ah… My beautiful Miranda, why is it that you are the only woman who truly understands me in this god-forsaken world? Your intelligence never ceases to astound me.” He says with his melting Chicago accent. He walks towards me with outstretched arms, embracing me with a lingering kiss on either cheek.

  Holding me back out in front of him, he eyes me off, “You look as radiant as always Miranda.”

  “It’s been so long Mr Tench.” I lean in to plant a delicate kiss on his soft lips that are surrounded by a constant five o’clock shadow.

  His eyes are the most alluring coffee brown. His complexion exudes the sun and the good life. His brilliant white teeth gleam with his luminous smile. Although he is only eight years older than me at most, he has the aura of a man well into his forties. His body is in impeccable shape, with muscles so large that they threaten to burst out of his expensive suit. The impressive crop of russet brown hair on his head always looks as if it has been perfectly blown into its sweeping shape.

  “Miranda, I have missed seeing your sweet face and please, call me Joe. We’re past formalities by now eh? Come. Let’s have a drink to celebrate me being back in this shit-hole of a city.” Placing an arm around my waist, he leads me over to the black marble bar. He pulls out a bar stool with a black and white striped cushion on it.

  “Why such hostility towards our fabulous city Joe?” I ask as I accept his offer of a seat.

  I watch him walk around to prepare my drink.

  “Agh… the place has me locked up like a prisoner in my own home. I can’t go anywhere without being badgered by dogs.” He takes a bottle of Ron Zacapa XO Rum from the shelf, and pours it into two large brandy balloons for the both of us, “Please, let’s not discuss my issues. How have you been? It feels like a lifetime ago when we were together last. Last I remember you were waiting on the arrival of some new handcuffs to play with. Did they arrive for you?”

  I chuckle at the thought of how much fun I’ve had with the introduction of the second pair of handcuffs, again thanks to my brother, whom I told they were for a friend to avoid any further questioning about my need for more handcuffs.

  “Yes they have come in handy indeed.” Our eyes linger on one another.

  I smile as I take a sip from my rum, closing my eyes as I allow the full flavour of the Guatemalan rum to hit the back of my throat. I tilt my head back, relishing in the moment. I hear Tench chuckle from his place behind the bar. Opening my eyes, I find him staring adoringly toward me. This is different. I haven’t seen Tench so… humble before. What is going on in his life? I shudder at the possibilities and try to shake the thoughts from my mind.

  “I’ve put your suitcase in Mr Tench’s room Miranda.” Toni interrupts as he enters the room from behind us, “But you can also use the spare room next door for hanging anything in the closet, if you need.”

  “Thank you Toni.” Both Tench and I say in perfect unison, immediately glancing at one another.

  I brace for the unpredictable nature of Tench, but find myself quickly relaxing as soon as he starts laughing with genuine sincerity. It too makes me laugh, mainly because this is not the Tench I am accustomed in dealing with. Not the angry, dominating and oh-so unpredictable Tench. No this Tench is calm and almost boyish in his charm. This may prove to be interesting for the next couple of days, to say the least. He saunters back around to my side of the bar and leans up against me. My pencil skirt restricts him from being able to spread my legs apart as he is attempting to do, so I slide off the stool and grip onto the lapel of his jacket.

  “Well shall I take you to the bedroom Mr Tench?” I slowly ask, while running my hand down his lapel.

  “You know I would love nothing more right now Miranda.” He replies.

  He serenely occupies my mouth with his soft tongue, sweetened with the taste of the rum. His kiss is soft and longing. I place my glass down on the bar to free my hand and feel around to the back of his neck. I run my fingers through his luxurious hair. He groans and pulls my head back. I feel his supple lips shift their way down the length of my long neck. I willingly oblige and whisper a long “Ah…” into the air when the feeling reaches the pit of my stomach. I feel an overwhelming intensity causing my butt cheeks to clench. He pulls away and I can see a fiery look of desire building up in his eyes. Withdrawing away from our embrace, he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs to his huge, opulent bedroom, also facing the harbour. He keeps glancing back at me every few steps with a look of anticipation. He leads me to his king size bed covered in the crispest white linen. His kiss is so intoxicating and overpowering. I feel a sudden urge for this man that I have never felt in all my time with him before. Attempting to gather my thoughts together while his hands run all over my alacritous body, I haul myself out of this state of lust enough to bring myself back to reality.

  “So would you like me to slip into something more comfortable Mr Tench?” I breathe into his open mouth, our lips brushing against one another as I speak.

  “Miranda, I just want you. Here. Now. I don’t care for all that bullshit. We have the next two days. We can have the next two weeks if you want. I just want to be inside you right now.”

  Whoa… What is happening here? This is not like him. Oh well, get in the moment for him Miranda. I prepare myself for some straight up ‘love making bullshit’… as Sally would put it. Tench slowly slides my jacket past my shoulders. Followed by the loose black blouse underneath, kissing my freshly exposed skin along the way. I do the same in return and slide his jacket down and throw it behind him onto a nearby armchair. He momentarily pulls out of our embrac
e and draws his shirt up over his head, without undoing any of the buttons. Now exposing his rounded chest where a dragon’s head stares proudly at me from his left pectoral muscle. It wraps its way across his shoulder and down to the elbow on his left arm. I gleefully remember this bad-boy yet oh-so-hot feature on him. I slowly trace my finger around the intricate art on his chest, feeling his perfectly smooth skin under my fingertips. He pushes himself up against me and I can feel the heat from his bare skin against mine. I feel his hard erection pressing against my pelvic bone. He reaches around and unzips my skirt. He gives it a subtle tug and it drops to the floor below me. I feel him as he unzips his own pants, my hands cup around his hot groin and he clutches his hand in mine. All the while we still lock lips, Tench continuing to suck gently on my lower lip. I hear his trousers softly land on the floor below, he steps aside of the crumpled clothing around his bare feet. I follow in his direction, and kick my shoes off along the way. Our breathing intensifies as I feel more of his exposed flesh against mine. The feeling causes my earlobes to start to burn. My whole body begins to tremble with sudden excitement. I realise I need to be prepared for the next few moments before I lose all control, “I just need to get some…” Tench cuts me off before I can finish.

  “I have condoms in the bedside draw.”

  “Oh” I breathe into him, “Very organised.” I feel him grinning into my mouth, as the words whisper slowly from my own.

  He gently lowers me onto his bed, his strong arms securely holding me around my neck’s nape, his other around my lower back. While our lips refuse to part from each other, I position myself around onto the vast bed. I vaguely hear beyond my heavy breathing, the music playing over the mansion’s internal sound system. Sade’s velvety voice is singing Somebody Already Broke My Heart. Interesting selection, I fleetingly think to myself, before I’m swept up again by Tench’s attentive tongue stroking the confines of my mouth. He finally sweeps his tongue from my mouth. His lips release their embrace of my own pouting hold. He begins his descent down my neck, to the red lace at the top of my Chantelle bra. He hooks his finger under the lace, and pulling down gently, exposes my ample breast. Tench’s tongue lightly rolls around my erect nipple, pulling at it with a sucking grip. Not allowing my other breast to miss out on the enjoyment, he slowly makes his way over to the other side and repeats his caressing demonstration. I feel the pull low inside me. My nether region begins to pulse under his incredible tongue. Tench kneels back on his knees and slowly tugs at the top of my matching red underwear. I lift my legs up vertically, allowing him to slide them off my extended legs. His hands run down the length of my legs. Pulling at the stockings sheathing either leg, he removes them completely. Tench slowly pushes his entire body up against my upstretched legs. He keeps my legs suspended in the air and throws my stockings to the side and reaches for a condom at the same time. His eyes draw back to mine and he leans my legs on either of his shoulders. Pushing his briefs off quickly, he rolls a condom over his solid, hard length... essentially doing my job for me. I see his eyes are soft as he gazes at me in such an unfamiliar but comforting way, sending a thrill throughout my body. He further parts my legs around him and pulls me against him. I wrap both legs around his torso, gripping him tightly as he knees over me. My arms remain stretched up behind me, submitting myself to him. Gripping behind my arched back, he slowly positions me, and gradually sinks himself inside me. My eyes automatically close, the stunning sensation floods my entire body. Feeling the incredible fullness deep within sends a jolt of electricity up my spine. He grips onto my waist and groans each time he jerks my body backwards and forwards over his bulging erection. I grip my legs around him as the rhythm increases. He then rolls himself forward and stretches his legs out behind, so that he’s now hovering above me. Both our bodies rub against one another with blazing friction. I curl my hips forward to meet his strokes. I feel the ripple of muscles along his back, as I slide my hand down to his tensed butt. He slides his hand under my back and unclasps my bra, sliding it off my arms, he throws it to the floor. Cupping my breast, he twists my nipple between his thumb and index finger. I moan at the feeling building up like fire inside me. Our motion begins to quicken in pace. Both of our hands feverishly feel around each other’s bodies as the tension continues to rise. He rests his forehead against mine and cups the side of my face. Rubbing my lower lip with his thumb, he whispers, “So beautiful.”