Chapter 4
“I wanted to come in here to explain myself. What happened last night was something that was long overdue. I think from that display you already know my decision. I remember everything, but I can’t seem to recall the sensation of having you in my mouth.” I was advertising my desire written across my face.
“I believe whatever business we have has come to an end.” I thought he was talking to me, but I could see out of the corner of my eye a tendril of smoke from somebody in the corner of the room.
“I would really like to stay and hear what this young lady has to say. It’s much better than the conversation we were having. Please continue. Pretend I’m not even here.” I was a deer in the headlights unable to say anything in response.
“That’s no way to act when you are in the company of a lady. I don’t think we have anything left to say to one another. Neither one of us is willing to bend. I’m trying to hold a civil tongue, but you don’t make it easy.” I had no idea what was going on, but the expression on his face told me it wasn’t anything good.
“Where is your sense of humor? You haven’t heard the end of this. We agreed to terms and I don’t take very kindly to somebody going back on their word. I’m going to give you one night to think about your current situation. Remember you’re the one that needed me. I have been generous, but my generosity is getting old quickly. It’s time for you to pick up the slack and follow through on your end of the bargain.” He was wearing the black suit of an undertaker and the black cloud following him was making me shiver in place.
“I can hear the veiled threat and I don’t like anybody giving me an ultimatum. I know what I promised, but that was the old me. I’m not going to let you pull my strings any longer. I will have your money with interest, but don’t expect me to do anything more for you.” He had gotten himself into something and was being dragged down into the quicksand of his desperation.
“I didn’t do this for the money. I have more than enough. What I don’t have is someone to introduce me to the players in this town. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for you to make some introductions. I can take it the rest of the way without you.” His thinning black hair did nothing to detract from the cold and calculating blue eyes.
“I know I said I would vouch for you, but I can’t do that to people I consider my friends. Your services come with conditions written in the small print. I want you to take the money with a sizable interest. It’s the only thing you’re going to get from me.” He was taking a stand, but the smile on this man’s face made me aware he wasn’t amused.
“Let me make my position clear. I have a certain reputation to uphold. I can turn my attention to another, but it would be setting a dangerous precedent. You are going to open up those doors for me. If it helps, my plan is to go legitimate, but I need the influence of those in the right places to make that happen.” He had his hands in his pocket, but I could see the bulge underneath his arm where his equalizer was waiting for him.
“If only I could believe you. It might make a difference. I can’t take the risk of you becoming the reason why some of my friends put a gun in their mouth. I can stick up for myself. I know how to resort to dirty tactics. It’s the reason why I sought you out. You have outlived your usefulness. Don’t make the mistake of coming after me. It will be the last thing you ever do.” They were at a stalemate and neither one was saying anything more during the staring contest.
“You still have time to make this right. I will expect you at the country club tomorrow morning bright and early. Making an example out of somebody is how I do business. I can’t exactly advertise my services in a conventional way. You’re not the first one and you won’t be the last one to try to renegotiate. It was a mistake then and it’s a mistake now. You have to have your priorities straight.” His heavy feet slapped against the floor.
He stopped at the doorway with the sound of his cigar being put out. He left a ring of black tobacco on the frame. He dropped the cigar onto the floor.
“I have more than enough friends in low places. I don’t need anymore. This is a warning to stay away from me and those that I care about.” Coleman was right to be wary of the stranger.
“I’m going to leave you with this one thought. I didn’t get to where I am today by making friends. Weaknesses are there to capitalize on. Family can be a hindrance in the form of leverage when necessary to squeeze someone.” He put his hand on my shoulder with his meaty paw making me cringe with how much pressure he was delivering.
Coleman had him by the throat up against the door.
“The one thing I can’t condone is cowardice. Pick on somebody your own size. Nothing good comes from threatening a woman. You didn’t say anything in so many words, but I know how people like you act in the shadows. I let you creep in and now I’m closing the door. Don’t try to open it. You never know what might be left behind as a booby trap.” He had influential friends ready to come to the rescue when he sent out the call.
“I always get what I want. That’s a statement of fact and not fiction. A handshake is legally binding in the state of Chicago. I could sick my lawyers on you. They will have you tied up in court with the expense of a lengthy trial for years. In the end, I will probably lose, but I will do it with a smile on my face to see you drown in a sea of legal debt and bad press.” He walked down the hall and I watched him from the doorway with a degree of respect.
He was the type to demand respect.
“Do I want to know what that was about? You could have said something. I’m mortified. I certainly didn’t want strangers to know my personal business. I should have made sure you were alone before barging in. I didn’t see him arrive in the lobby. He’s not the kind of guy that would want to announce his presence.” Their exchange was meant to find out who the Alpha was.
“I admit I could’ve used a little more tact. I didn’t mind seeing you sweating it out. It served you right for what you did last night. I was still pinching myself after you left. I tried to convince myself that didn’t happen, but the proof was between my legs.” I was drawn to the lump of persuasion between his legs.
“It was a social call. You still haven’t answered my question about your visitor. What exactly did you do to bring somebody like him to your doorstep? I know it’s about money, but I can’t understand how a billionaire would worry about that.” I wanted to leave it alone, but my curiosity wouldn’t let me.
“I wasn’t born with money. I lived in the shadows trying to survive. I had a good idea, but I needed capital. No bank was going to look at me crossways. I had no collateral. I heard from some reputable sources there was a place for entrepreneurs to get what they needed. I was terrified I was going to be shot on sight. It turned out to be a lucrative business acquisition. He told me one day he would return looking for the favor promised.” He wasn’t the kind of man who was responsible for his own financial doom.
“Dirty deeds sometimes come with conditions. I don’t want to pile on, but I have drawn up this document.” It took me hours to perfect it and I made some changes before something permanent was in front of me.
“I don’t mind giving it a once-over. It would be easier if you gave me the bullet points. I don’t want to get bogged down by legalese.” He wanted me to summarize the cliff notes without bothering to read the entire three-page document.
“I will get one million dollars for my virginity. I will need to be wined and dined ahead of time. I’m sure you have reservations at some of the finest restaurants on speed dial. A concert or some venue where they are having live music would be preferable. A horse-drawn carriage back to your penthouse would put me in the right frame of mind. The sex itself is going to be left in your capable hands. The only thing I ask is that you don’t leave any marks.” It felt good to make him see that I wasn’t just going to lie there and take it.
“The only amendment I would like to make is the horse drawn carriage. Let’s change that to a white stretch limousine with a hot tub in back. I will have a bottle of chilled champagne on hand.” It was agreed, but I was still worried about the stranger.
“You have always been the master of the game when it comes to seduction. It looks like I’m going to find out what you are like when you are dating someone. I have high expectations and I hope that you can exceed them. It’s not every day a woman loses her cherry. I don’t want to look back and feel I did myself a disservice by being with you…for the money.” I almost tripped myself up by showing my feelings.
“Every woman I have been with has been complimentary. I didn’t even give them my undivided attention. This is where they are going to differ from you. Wear something that is easily accessible. I would like to find you wearing no panties. It’s only a suggestion. Feel free to surprise me. I will pick you up in the limousine at 7:00 PM.” For the rest of the day, it was all about business and I heard several screaming matches on the phone.
I didn’t want him to be preoccupied. The aim was to find a way to make an awkward moment palatable. I had the perfect place to go shopping.