by LB Shaw
“This is true. I just don’t want to see you get hurt. But you’re a big girl, and you know I support you no matter what.”
“I know, Beth. And that’s why I love you so much. And why I allow you the honor of being my friend.”
“Pfft. What the crap ever! If I wasn’t here to keep you in line, you’d be slutting it up every weekend with a different guy. You’d probably have three or four kids running around. You’d have a FUPA bulging through your mom jeans and a cigarette dangling from your mouth, squinting through one eye. You’d probably live in a trailer park with a guy named Shins, curlers in your hair, strutting around in a terrycloth bathrobe and slippers shaped like Dora the Explor—”
“Okay! I get it! God, where do you come up with this stuff?” Ana choked on her laughter.
“I don’t know. It’s how I imagine you might be if I wasn’t around,” Beth replied straight-faced.
“Well, I think it’s more accurate to what your life would be like if I wasn’t around. And there’s nothing stopping me from slutting it up, as you call it, right now. I do have my dignity, you know. And by the way, who the hell is Shins?”
“Oh, he got that name because he breaks the shins of anyone who owes him money. He’s a dangerous contender.”
Ana’s eyes widened in horror. “You know this guy?”
“Oh no,” Beth said, tapping her head. “Again, it’s just what I imagine.” Ana stared at her blankly then Beth added, “Look, it’s either him or Jebediah the snake pariah.”
Ana pondered for a moment, smirking. “I think I’ll take my chances with Rob, thank you.”
“Ehh, you know,” Beth said in her best Boston accent. “I tink dat’s a wise choice ovah theh. You got a good shot with dat, uh, Rob charactuh.”
Ana took the blouse from Beth, grateful to have such a good friend.
“You better go before Rich wonders where you are. You wouldn’t want your own version of Shins coming and looking for you.”
“Call me!” Beth yelled as she breezed out the door.
* * * * *
Rob sat at his desk typing up a business proposal when one of the secretaries buzzed him.
“Mr. Goings? You have a visitor at the front desk. It’s your sister.”
“Thanks, Taylor. Send her on back.” he replied.
Alyssa walked in to his office, a look of shock drawn across her face. At the doorway, she did a double take into the hall and motioned for her brother.
“Hey, Rob, who is this guy?” She spoke quietly, nodding across the hallway.
“Who?” Rob peeked out the door.
“That guy there in the kitchen.”
“Oh, that’s Carl Dunlap, one of our attorneys. Why?”
Alyssa snapped her fingers and shut the door. “I knew it! Small freaking world. Don’t say anything, but he’s been a regular of mine at the club for several years now.”
“You’re kidding! Carl? Hmm, it’s always the ones you least expect.”
“Yeah, he’s into some kinky shit, too.”
“He didn’t see you come in here, did he?” Rob asked.
“Nah. Even if he did, I doubt he would recognize me with my clothes on.” Alyssa let out a mischievous laugh. “By the way, how long has he worked here?”
“Oh, he’s been here for at least twenty five, thirty years… a long time. I know he looks a lot younger than he is, but trust me, he’s too old for you.”
Alyssa slapped him on the arm. “That’s not why I’m asking, perv! I was just curious. I guess you guys will be sad to see him go.”
“Go where? What are you talking about? He’s not leaving.”
“Really? Because according to what he told me, he’s moving out of the country soon.”
Rob stared at Alyssa. Surely she must be mistaken.
“You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost,” Alyssa said.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just surprised is all. What are you doing here anyway?”
“Oh, right.” Alyssa reached into her pocket and pulled out a roll of money. “Here’s some of the cash you loaned me. It’s not much, but believe it or not, I’m trying really hard to catch up on my bills. I’m thinking about applying for a job at Bill’s diner, and they don’t pay nearly as much as what I make at the club.”
“Alyssa, I told you that you didn’t have to pay me back. But I’m glad to hear you’re looking for a new job.”
“Yeah, well, I’m trying to better myself. I thought a lot about what you said, you know, that I’m selling myself short and all, and you’re right. Plus, if I take you up on your offer for school, I’m going to need a more normal schedule. So that’s that.”
Rob smiled at his sister. He had been trying for years to get her to quit her job as a dancer, and it looked like she might actually do it. “Well, I’ll take the money,” he said. “But I’m putting it in your education fund.”
“Alright, thanks big brother. I’m going to let you get back to work. Any ideas on how I can get out of here without Mr. Skeevy seeing me?”
“Shit, I need to talk to you about that, Liss. Are you absolutely sure he said he was leaving the country?”
“Yes, one hundred percent. The reason I remember it was him—other than my photographic memory—is because he calls me his Lolita. I specifically remember him saying that wherever he goes, he hopes he can find a hot, little Lolita like me.” Alyssa paused. “Flattering, I know.”
Rob knew she was right. She did have a near perfect memory, and she never forgot a face. If she said Carl told her he was moving out of the country, then he believed her.
“Did he say why, or where he’s going?” Rob asked.
“No clue on where, but he said he was getting ready to come into a large sum of money, and people would be coming out of the woodwork to get their hands on it.”
“Any idea on when he’s leaving?”
“Hmm, he didn’t give a date, but he did say something about hoping to be gone soon after the summer holidays. I’m not sure if he’s referring to Memorial Day or the fourth of July. Why are you asking all these questions? He still has plenty of time to give Signify some sort of notice, don’t you think?”
“I suppose. He is approaching retirement. It just think he would have said something to us by now if it was a done deal.” Rob’s gut was screaming that something was really wrong here.
“Well, I don’t know, but you can’t say anything because everything I just told you is confidential, comprende?”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it. I won’t say anything.”
“Good. Now can you check and see if the coast is clear? I really need to get to work. And make sure that skanky bitch isn’t out there either, because if I see her, I just might throw up in her face.”
Rob laughed at Alyssa’s reference to Stephanie. His sister always took his side, and he loved her for it. He opened the door, glancing in both directions down the hall and into the kitchen. “Coast is clear. I’ll call soon, okay?”
“Catch you later!”
Rob thought about asking Alyssa if she could get more information from Carl, but he didn’t want to put her in any sort of jeopardy. He wondered if there was a connection between this large sum of money Carl is supposed to come into and the issues with Signify. Probably the two were completely unrelated, but suddenly his radar was up and he felt he should get more information before completely brushing off the idea.
Ten
The following Friday, Ana and Rob had another event to attend. It was a smaller, more intimate dinner, and a few of the managers were expected to simply go and entertain some potential investors. Rob told her this was a really big deal for Signify. Therefore, she should plan on coming to his house early in order to have plenty of time to relax. This time, she packed her swimsuit.
When she arrived, he wasn’t home, but he had left a spare key for her in the limo and told her to make herself at home. He would be there by 5:30, he had said. Ana was flattered that he trusted her enough to allow her to spend the
whole day at his house alone. She wasn’t sure she knew anyone, other than Beth, whom she would let stay at her apartment, and she didn’t even have anything of real value. His trust in her spoke volumes.
She spent the afternoon swimming and sunbathing. Mid afternoon, she went inside to get a snack from the fridge and found it appallingly empty. She sent Rob a text:
Ana giggled as she sent him another text:
Rob’s comment about the former victims? Holy shit, she knew he was just joking, but something about it stirred up some weird feelings within her. It made her a little scared and a lot turned on. Truly, she trusted Rob almost completely by this point, but there was something about a man who liked to tease and keep a woman on edge just a little that drove her wild with lust. He was the shit-bomb master of seduction by her standards with his little game of see if you can figure me out… The mysteriousness that surrounded him made Ana want him all the more. How the hell could Stephanie let him get away, she wondered.
After munching on some crackers she found in the cabinets, she went back outside to finish her afternoon of relaxation. Around 5:00, she decided it was time to get out and dry off. She dipped her head under the water and was stepping out of the pool when she saw Rob standing in front of her.
“Ah, I see your arm’s still intact. I trust you’ve had a nice afternoon?”
“Yes,” she laughed. “Thanks for letting me come early. I really needed this.” As she made her way up the steps, Rob slowly looked her up and down. For the first time, she was confident that he liked what he saw. Feeling brazen, she stepped close to him. “What, no hug?”
“New suit,” he replied, seemingly distracted. She could feel her nipples getting hard from the breeze kissing her wet skin. He let his eyes trail to her breasts, took a deep breath, and his lips formed the shape of an Ooh.
“Don’t be a wuss. You can get a new suit. I need a hug.” Ana opened up her arms to receive a body press from Rob.
She wasn’t sure what had gotten into her. Well, she was sure, but why here and now, that she wasn’t sure of. Whatever it was, she went with it. Challenging him further, she stepped even closer, dazed from the dynamic surge of energy flowing between the two of them. The result was a magnetic pull that was getting harder and harder for her to fight.
“Come on and hug me before I drag your ass in this pool and totally ruin your new threads.”
“Not. Going. To happen,” Rob muttered before picking her up. He slung her over his shoulder and threw her into the deep end of the pool with the ease of tossing aside an article of clothing. Ana let out a scream and spanked him as hard as she could before hitting the water. She sank quickly to the bottom, pushed off the cement with her toes, and came bounding out of the water like a shark attacking its prey.
“Asshole! You’re going to pay for that!” she yelled.
Rob still managed to get the last words in. “Feisty! I like it!” He brushed his hands clean and strode into the house, leaving Ana all alone with her embarrassment. She waited a good five minutes before going inside. Really, she wasn’t all that embarrassed, but she wanted him to think so. Maybe send a little guilt his way for being so harsh. The truth was, she kind of liked it. Any excuse for physical contact was good enough for her, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. Not yet anyway. After entering the house, she passed him in the hallway and said, “Next time, I pull you in with me.”
“Good luck with that,” Rob responded. Ana laughed and pulled the bathroom door closed and got in the shower. After putting on another beautiful dress that had been bought just for her, they headed to the meeting.
* * * * *
The dinner was at an upscale restaurant near Beverly Hills. Ana had never eaten anywhere in that area, so she felt positively spoiled. On the way, Rob briefed her on who would be there.
“You remember Jack and Caroline, they were at that first banquet you went to. And of course Dan and his wife will be there. You met him last month.” Ana raised a brow as Rob continued. “Stephanie will be there as well. I’m not sure if she’s bringing someone. These investors we’re meeting with are pretty important to the future of the company. Now, there’s no pressure on you. Just be yourself and have fun.”
Ana had seen Stephanie at some of the other dinners, but Rob had never taken the time to introduce the two of them, and Stephanie hadn’t bothered to take the initiative to introduce herself. And she was still waiting for him to admit that Stephanie was a former lover, but he had yet to say anything. She speculated that he chalked the whole thing up to irrelevant information. Why would he need to discuss his romantic past with her, anyway? She felt the need to know more, to get inside his head. Recalling a comment that he had made not long ago, she decided to probe a little.
“Do you remember last month when we were getting ready for our first dinner? You made a comment that someone might only want you for what you can offer them?”
Rob pulled into an empty spot, put the car in park, and looked at Ana curiously. “I think so, why?”
“Is that what you think of me?”
“What? Of course not. Why would you ask that?”
Ana looked down and fiddled with the strap of her purse. “I have a confession. I’ve always had this… thing… about finding a sugar daddy.” Ana laughed. She couldn’t believe she was confessing something so deep, so intimate. But somehow, she trusted that Rob would understand. And besides—technically, he wasn’t her sugar daddy. They weren’t together, together.
Rob looked out the window and nodded. “Well, what girl hasn’t?”
Ana examined his profile as he watched the sun setting in the distance. She wanted to lean in and fall on him, wrap herself around him, but she restrained herself. When he looked at her, she smiled. “So you’re not upset?”
“No. I know you. You’re not the kind of person who would take advantage of someone.” Rob pulled the keys out of the ignition and let them fall in his lap. “It’s just that… years ago I had met some women who—for lack of a better word—were gold diggers. We’d go out a few times then they’d come back to my place, and before you know it, they’re on the verge of bankruptcy and can’t pay any of their bills.” Rob blew out a little laugh. “One time, this girl I had been involved with for several months actually asked me to give her my car so she could sell it and pay off her credit card. When I told her no way, she got pissed and told me to go fuck myself, even though I offered to loan her a couple grand. She didn’t want a loan, she wanted a handout. Nothing I ever did for her was good enough. Since then, I’ve been a little gun shy, especially about letting my dates come over.”
Ana wasn’t sure if she was comforted by his openness or intimidated. She sure as hell didn’t live a life of luxury, but she also would never ask Rob for money. Outside of her paycheck, that is. She had been taking care of herself for over four years now, and she always bounced back from financial woes. But he had let her into his home. Was that because she was only in the friend category or did he really trust her that
much?
“Well, you’re right. I wouldn’t ever take advantage of you like that.” Rob looked at Ana, his eyes filled with compassion and understanding. There was that pull again, damn him.
“Oh, I almost forgot… speaking of handouts,” Rob said rubbing his hands together and breaking the momentary magic spell. “I have something.” He reached under the seat, pulled out a long, black suede box, and handed it to Ana. “I picked these out yesterday. I thought they’d look nice on you.”
Ana opened the box to reveal a beautiful black pearl necklace. She looked at him, shocked. “These are for me? They’re gorgeous, Rob.”
“Glad you like them. Here, let me help you put them on before we go in.”
Ana pulled her hair out of the way and swiveled her back to him so he could fasten the clasp, then pulled the mirror down to look at herself.
“They look even more beautiful on you,” Rob said. Ana’s approval was easy to spot in the smile that tugged at both corners of her mouth.
“I am supposed to accept these guilt-free, right?”
Rob smiled and reached over to tuck some hair behind Ana’s ear. “Yes. They’re a gift.”
“Thank you,” Ana replied, reminded of something that her high school guidance counselor once told her: “Always, always accept a gift. You never know when the next one will come along.”
They were the first ones to arrive, and the host seated them at a large table in a quiet room towards the back of the restaurant. A few minutes later, Rob glanced up and quickly hopped out of his chair. For a split second, Ana thought something had bitten him. When she saw the reason for his hasty jump, she grunted. Stephanie was approaching, a broad smirk across her face. Ana could swear she saw two red horns projecting from the top of her head.
“Stephanie, good to see you here early,” Rob said.
