The Power of Tess

by Angelina J. Windsor

  His snort of laugher lifts my spirit.

  “How did your exam go today?” He gives me a quick look of inquiry.

  I’m impressed that he remembers and feel further buoyed by it. Especially since he seems to have forgotten our kiss.

  “It went well. Thanks for asking.”

  “How long until you graduate?”

  “One more term. I’ll finish in December because I took extra courses to speed things up.”

  “That’s quite a load, considering you work part-time.”

  “It’s worth it because I’ll finish early and get a head start on the competition in the job market next spring.”

  “Good point.” His voice holds approval. I enjoy the sensation until a chill runs down my spine at the thought that he is hardly my friend, but a man looking to make a lot of money off my labors.

  I spy the police station sign just ahead and my heart misses a beat. I mentally gird my loins for the interview as he pulls into the parking lot.

  The station bustles with activity and I find myself mesmerized. Two ladies-of-the-evening are conversing in the corner with necklines plunging and tight short skirts. The overwhelming scent of perfume does nothing to cover up the residual odor of unwashed bodies. I try breathing through my mouth in self-defense. The sounds of clacking keyboards overrides most of it and the people behind the computer screens seem oblivious to what they must see all the time.

  Jonathon directs me to the policeman behind the desk, giving him our names and getting a quick official response that someone would be out directly. He indicates for us to take a seat on one of the benches and we comply with his wishes.

  I sit next to Jonathon, placing my purse primly on my lap, and watch the antics around me as if I’ve been taken to the circus.

  It seems forever before my name is called and I jump up so quick that Jonathon gives me a sympathetic look.

  “This will be a piece of cake, Tess. Just take a deep breath.”

  I nod and we follow the officer down the hallway to his office.

  In less than twenty minutes I’ve shared what I know about the robbery and my part in stopping it, and then we are heading out the front door.

  “You were right, Jonathon, easy peasy.” I smile with delight at him, glad to have that behind me. I think it’s innocent people that get most worried about policemen. Their conscience works overtime and they fear all kinds of things.

  “There were a lot of women there that had clothes on so tight that if they farted they’d pop a seam,” I comment, feeling such relief I just want to have some fun with it now.

  Another snort of laughter and I join in this time. The sense of relief feels palpable as we get into his black Porsche.

  “I don’t think I should be letting you out of my sight, Heavenly Tess, you are far too precious for LA.”

  “My mama loved the name Heavenly, but I just couldn’t take the wise cracks, so I stopped using it years ago.” I pretended that his words weren’t lightly meant, that he did think I was special and I add, “And in LA they’d probably think I was a stripper with that name.” Or an escort.

  “Well, truthfully, you don’t fit in with my idea of a stripper or an escort. I really didn’t think you’d come back after that first interview when you looked like you had fallen into the second circle of Dante’s Hell.”

  “Things change,” I reply noncommittally, uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was heading. I didn’t want to feel his judgment for making the choice. And why would he judge? I would bring in a hefty sum and we’d all get what we wanted. I steel myself. I want to get back to Shenanigans and have some fun. And it doesn’t help at all that my girl parts are mooning over how very delicious he is in his earnestness, making my panties damp. Maybe I need to get rid of my virginity once and for all so that I can give in to my desires. If it weren’t for the money that losing my virginity could claim, I could see bedding the very desirable Jonathon Rothschild AKA Kennedy ASAP.

  Shenanigans’ parking lot is full when we get there. Good. Lots of people will keep my mind off of the multitude of things I have no control over— my need for money, my job, my worry for Gran, among other things.

  “I was thinking, Jonathon,” I start off. I’ve prepared my plan of revenge for his over-the-top kiss and I’ve decided to launch it right now on the spur of the moment and leave him to think about it. “I know next to nothing about the ins and outs of sex, pardon the pun, and I was hoping you’d be my practice partner. I have a lot to learn, no doubt—I mean you didn’t even bat an eye at our first kiss. So, since you’ve demonstrated you can handle yourself, and since I’ll be paid an obscene amount of money for this auction, I want to perform well.” His eyebrows rise in shock. “I mean, we can try everything but penetration, correct?”

  He’s swallowing hard now, taken off-guard. That’s for the kiss, buster, and having it mean so little.

  “Uh, yes, I can see your point. Practice makes perfect. Fortunately we have lots of time to prepare you for your, uh, debut. It would be my pleasure to assist you in whatever way I can, Tess.” The last is said with more confidence and I thrill with the knowledge that I have managed to thoroughly surprise him. And the fun that awaits us is too delicious to imagine.

  “Would you like some company now?” His leading question makes me nervous. I was thinking soon, but he’s suddenly turned the tables on me. I push a trembling hand through my hair and lick my lips with indecision. A big part of me does want this now. But now that he has accepted my idea so readily I see that I should have thought beyond his saying yes.

  “It’s not going to be the kind of night you’d enjoy, just college buddies hanging out.” I have a ready excuse and I quickly use it. It’s all happening too quickly.

  “How do you know what I would enjoy?” he asks.

  “I figure a man of your position, your tastes must run in different directions than the usual college crowd,” I answer him with a half-smile purposely lingering on my lips, my mind happy to trade jests with him. Sure, I would enjoy his company—anytime. But was it right tonight? No. He was definitely not the college crowd type.

  “Are you suggesting I’m old?”

  “No, my goodness, no! I didn’t mean it that way!”

  “Then how did you mean it, beautiful?” he teases.

  “I meant you are just so different than the guys I know. You’re—” I stop for a second trying to find the words as fast as I can to backpedal out of this ludicrous situation. “Just so much more than the usual kind of guy I meet. You’re a man. The guys I know are just overgrown adolescents.” Shoot. Now I sound like a pandering idiot.

  He leans over and runs a finger gently across my lips and I shiver all over with anticipation and swallow hard. My panties dampen further.

  “I think we have a lot in common, you and I,” he suggests.

  “I find that hard to believe. You’re involved in a pretty different kind of occupation, Jonathon—at least at the moment.” I add this because, if truth be told, I really hope that it truly is just a passing thing while he helps his sister.

  “Well, so are you, Tess. I predict it won’t be long and your college friends will look different to you. You’ll outgrow them.”

  I frown at this idea. I’m loyal if nothing else and I would not just drop my friends because they don’t fit in with my new lifestyle, if that is what this rightly could be called. I see it as a necessary bridge between where I was and where I’m going, to be abandoned as soon as I have enough money.

  “I don’t see that happening at all. But thanks for taking me to the police station. I’ll call you soon with a time for our first practice.” I move to open the car door and he places a hand on my arm.

  “I meant no offense. But you should prepare yourself. Things will change. You’ll have more money for one thing and you’ll also be exposed to many cultural events.”

  I take offense at this. “Cultural events! That ‘client’ just wanted to see my, my vagina. There was nothi
ng cultural about it.” I can’t believe I’ve said that word and I pull away embarrassed, open the door and clamber out.

  Deciding I’d better get away before I’m saying something else I shouldn’t, I slam the door shut and I’m safely inside the bar in no time.

  Chapter Eleven

  A throbbing beat lets me know that the bar band is going all out tonight. My anticipation of a good time intensifies as I spy my friends at a table near the back. I worm my way through the boisterous crowd, dodging waitresses with heavy trays of drinks and all manner of people getting up to get their own drinks, dance or visit the bathroom. I paste a smile on and plunk myself down on a spare chair reserved for me.

  “Thanks guys, for saving me a chair.” I know how hard it is on a busy college night. Especially since the place is packed with celebrating students just finished with finals.

  “You’re welcome, though Andy had to step in when one gal thought she was entitled to it,” Sally says.

  “Thanks, Andy.” A fellow classmate, the proverbial tall-dark-and-handsome type has hinted that he’d like to take me out, but I have consistently resisted, always blaming work and school. I always seem to reject fun in favor of work. And the one time I think maybe a fun job is in the offing, look what happens—I find myself working as an escort of all things.

  “You can plant one right here, beautiful!” He uses the opening and I lean over and give him a quick smooch on the cheek, much to his surprise. I guess I’m not known for being demonstrative.

  “What do you want to drink, Tess? I’m getting a round.” I can barely hear him over the pounding beat of a new song that the band seems to like too darn much.

  “White wine, please,” I lean over and speak loudly in his ear. I don’t believe in mixing my drinks and I began the evening with wine.

  Sally’s sitting on my other side and she leans over and stage whispers in my ear, “Andy’s a good guy, Tess, you should give him a chance. He’s always talking about you. Though I think Jonathon’s a real hunk.”

  “Yeah, but he’s my new boss and the agency doesn’t allow fraternization.” Then I think about what we can do now after our recent conversation and my body breaks out in a sweat, my mind stirring with possibilities.

  She looks at me skeptically. “Well, he looked friendly enough tonight. Why did you meet at the bar?”

  I avoid her eyes. “It was just business. He’s kind of in charge of seeing I get off on the right foot and wanted to check in with me about some stuff.”

  I ignore her continuing knowing expression and smile brightly at her, but she’s not going to let it go.

  “Well, he could do that during the day. I think he’s interested in you, Tess. Mark my words!”

  “Nah, he’s a guy who goes by the book. Warned me up front about his not getting involved with the es—models.” Good grief! I’d almost blown it and I’ve only had one drink.

  Andy arrives with the tray of drinks, interrupting the conversation much to my relief. But the slip has thrown me back on guard and I pass the rest of the evening differently than I expected. I drink slowly with a glass of water between drinks and leave before the worst of the excess begins. So much for letting my hair down.

  I prepare for bed and then check my phone messages one last time and spy one from Jonathon. “Stay safe, Tess.” I think it’s him I need to stay safe from, but I know in my heart that nothing will keep me away. I pull the comforter up to my chin and fall asleep in record time, my brain just plain tired from all the changes.

  Jonathon kisses me, his lips firm and yet tender, directing me to open mine. His tongue invades my mouth and our tongues intertwine sending signals of acute need directly to my throbbing clit. He rubs his large hands all over my flushed, overly sensitive body. I’m astonished to realize that I’m completely naked, but then I notice he is too and that makes it okay. I try to protest at the insistent and carnal nature of the way he is touching me, probing me, but it feels so darn good that I let him do anything he wants. Just don’t stop. My body opens of its own accord and I want to feel him inside. His fingers gently circle my nipples and they tighten with want and need. He tugs on them harder and it becomes a greedy pleasure as he sucks on them until they throb almost painfully. I moan as acute desire sparks through me, feeling myself getting wetter and wetter. My body is melting and an overwhelming ache between my thighs begs for attention.

  He takes my hands and ties them one at a time with a silken tie to the bedposts, and then does the same with my feet. Spread-eagled, I watch his blue eyes smolder. Though exposed and vulnerable, I love being totally open, totally ready for him. I expect him to be gentle. He knows it’s my first time. But I don’t think I can be patient. I want him to stretch me open with his huge cock. To make me his.

  He leans over me and takes a nipple back into his mouth and I can’t stop him and that feels guiltily oh-so-good. He sucks it to full attention, his lips pulling more and more firmly and my body involuntarily shudders with the exquisite torment, waves of pure pleasure make my clit throb, teasing it mercilessly. He gives the same thorough attention to my other nipple and then trails a line of kisses down my body to my belly. I wiggle in acute anticipation, not believing that it’s finally going to happen. His hand rests fully splayed on my belly, warm and strong. I look at him. He gives me a look of such lust my toes curl. Using his whole hand, he cups my sex with his palm and its heat sends shock waves into me. I’m soaking wet and I don’t care, all my attention focused on desire.

  I feel him pull my pussy lips gently apart and he touches my clit. It is screaming for attention, for stimulation, pulsating with need. Swallowing hard, a moan escapes my lips. He looks up and grins wickedly. And then his tongue is licking my sex and I cannot believe the sensation. I’m totally on fire. My need has become too extreme. His tongue licks quicker and rougher, and then he dives into my channel. I never knew it could feel so overwhelmingly good—all my girlfriends’ tales aside. My pussy is throbbing mercilessly. It is all I can focus on. And when he spreads my lips even further with his fingers and slips one inside me my body arches off the bed. I buck against him but he won’t let me come and he stops. Why? I whimper with need. He gets up and I see his cock looming between his thighs, rigid with excitement and larger than I thought. I feel my first trickle of fear. Would it even fit in me? But I’m tied up and I can’t stop him. I don’t want to stop him.

  Jonathon pushes my thighs further apart and then uses his fingers to open me up once more and pushes the head of his hard cock against the tight opening. I feel the obstruction and I try to push against it. I want this more than anything. Daylight is softly filtering into the room and I can see into his deep blue eyes as he claims me—

  My cell phone ringing interrupts my glorious dream. I wake up sweating all over from the insistent throbbing between my thighs. I so want to go back and finish the dream, to experience relief, but I’m obviously not going to get that opportunity anytime soon. He’s going to pay for this, I irrationally promise myself. Then I remember we are discussing practicing the fun stuff together, that exciting things are on the table, and I reach for my phone.

  My heart skips a beat as I fumble with the phone. Is Gran okay? Did I get that bit part I auditioned for two weeks ago?

  I take a deep breath and realize it’s neither Gran nor the casting director on the other end.

  “Tess, it’s Jonathon. Have you checked your messages today?” His voice is brisk but low and sexy as usual and I sigh—the throbbing was increasing again—and not only in my brain. Of all the callers I didn’t need right now it was the one that had just featured so prominently in my first truly erotic dream. I was going to have to learn how to control myself if I wanted to have the upper hand when we practiced.

  “No, I just got up,” I answer, feeling cross but hoping it doesn’t show too much in my voice. My Gran’s a sticker for politeness. I sit up straighter, twiddling with my hair.

  “Okay. Would you be so kind as to do so?”

  �
�Yes, I’ll go right now.” What was up that it couldn’t wait, buster?

  “Good, I’ll pick you up for lunch, say one o’clock.”

  “Fine, see you then.”

  Sally is suddenly in my bedroom doorway and gives me an inquisitive look.

  “Was that Jonathon?”

  “Yeah, we’re going to meet for lunch,” I add the last part without thinking and wince. Being woken too abruptly has addled my brain.

  “Really…?” Her eyes widen with interest.

  “Don’t read too much into it. It’s just business, Sally.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  I ignore this and hurry over to my laptop and sit down at my desk. I need to know what’s going on.

  Firing up my laptop seems to take forever and I wait impatiently, tapping my foot.

  There’s an encrypted message from him: Your client has been re-approved. Will give details later. J.

  I know exactly who he means and I’m not certain how I feel about it. I was originally scheduled to see the client tomorrow at five, but it had been up in the air since Jonathon said he’d have to look into it. What had changed? How had the client explained it? I’m full of questions and have to wait till lunchtime to find out the answers. I check my watch and realize it’s not as far away as I thought. What I need is some girly time, I decide, knowing I can achieve some peace through pampering.

  I spend the next two hours luxuriating in a makeshift spa before surveying the results in the mirror. Sally had to go to class so I’ve had the place to myself and I’ve enjoyed the solitude. I’ve painted my neglected toenails, plucked my eyebrows and shaved everything that needs it. My hair gleams in soft waves down my back. Now what to wear?