Ride to Restoration (Ride Series Book 2) (6 page)

Chapter 10

V
ic
and I walked into the Inn at dusk to find Josie putting out paper plates and
silverware for a feast. Before us were an enormous Greek salad and a large
deep-dish pizza from Nikko’s Pizzeria. “Please excuse me for not cooking
tonight, but we’re celebrating. Vic, you and D take a seat while I go round us
up a bucket of beer.”

“
Beer and pizza, no better way to celebrate an occasion, any
occasion for that matter,
”
I
offered in a toast to Vic and Josie.

“
Not just any pizza, D. Vic, this is the best pizza in all
Alberta. Their salads are almost as good as mine. The best part is, I didn
’
t have to cook. That way we
can spend some quality time together without me worrying if you
’
ve had enough to eat.
”

“
Works for us. Thank you, Josie.
”

“
D, promise me, you
’
ll come back when the storms
subside in your life. I know you
’
ve got quite a bit going on right now. I
’
ve really enjoyed having you
around. Oh, and you too, Victoria. He can sure pick his women.
”
Realizing the hole she was digging, Josie attempted to fast
forward the subject.
“
The Calvary, as you call them, were extremely cordial to
me. All of them asked if they could come back next year during the Stampede.
”

Vic,
answering for the both of us, my mouth stuffed with salad,
“
I
’
m sure we
’
ll gladly come back whenever
we can get our schedules on the same page. Why don
’
t you just plan on us coming
back for the Stampede as well? We
’
ll take your Inn that entire
week, if it
’
s OK?
”

“
That sounds wonderful. I
’
d like that. You
’
re welcome any time before
then, you know. I
’
m sure by early spring, I
’
ll have quite a few letters
from the children to make into a book, just as you suggested.
”

“
I got it, Josie. We
’
re family, even after this
twenty-year hiatus. I promise it won
’
t be that long again. You
have problems with the construction, just let me know and I
’
ll be up here within a few
days. That is if I
’
m not off in Europe somewhere chasing down Frank.
”

After
cleaning up the leftovers from our feast, Vic and I adjourned to the patio
overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens and fountain. Even at night they
were inspiring, complimented by the soft glow of low voltage lighting,
strategically placed among the trees, waterfalls and boulders.

This
is relaxing, not a care in the world
.
“
Wouldn
’
t it be great if we could just stay here, D?
”

“
It
’
s
tempting, girlfriend. Candi asked me the very same thing. I
’
d venture to guess you and I would both be barn butt wide
within six months. Josie reminds me of my mom and how she was never satisfied
until everyone was bursting at the seams from her home cooking.
”

“
D, did I tell you I can
’
t cook? You wind up staying
with me for a while and I promise you, you
’
ll lose weight. However,
what I lack in culinary skills, I make up in other ways.
”
I giggled.

“
Of course you do, I bet few of which require clothes.
”

Smart
boy, this guy.
“
How
did you know?
”

“
Call it my sex-th sense. Speaking of my incredible senses,
let
’
s
go upstairs and rummage through Candi
’
s road gear and see if I can
outfit you with enough clothes to get you home on the bike.
”

I
am not Candi
!
“
Seriously
D, you don
’
t expect me to wear her clothes do you?
”

“
You
’
ll need leathers, boots and silks. Surely, if they fit you
can wear them for a few days, can
’
t you? Candi has excellent,
by that I mean expensive tastes. They
’
re worth trying on, I
promise.
”

I
relented.
“
All right D, let
’
s do it. If they
’
re expensive, they can
’
t be all bad.
”

“
In every woman lurks a clothes whore longing to get out. I
saw your eyes brighten just now when I said excellent and expensive. You, too,
have been gifted with the desire for the finer things.
”

“
I believe that to be true. I heard that for the very first
time when I was sixteen, serving as a page in Congress.
”
Catching myself, I dared not go further, immediately
changing the subject before D could ask me to explain.
“
Hey, what about my overnight
bag? Can I take it on the bike?
”

“
You can if it
’
s the size of a backpack.
Otherwise, we
’
ll need to ship it.
”

Once
in the room, I brazenly stripped down, revealing nothing but my bright green
thong and matching bra.
“
What should I try on first, D?
”

Grabbing
the backpack, I tossed it on the bed,
“
Try on the silks,
”
realizing the befuddled look on her face needed further
explanation.
“
They're black and look like long underwear for women silly.
”

“
Found
’
em.
”

Watching
Vic slip into them comfortably, I realized how close she and Candi were in
size.
“
Try
on her chaps and jacket. Now her boots, please.
”
Seductively, Vic peeled off the silks before holding up the
chaps, questioning in her mind just how she was supposed to attach them.
“
Here, let me help you.
Buckle them around your waist and I
’
ll zip them from the top
down.
”
I couldn
’
t help but laugh,
remembering in vivid detail the first time these chaps were tried on by Candi.
Les, from Leather Outfitter
’
s was way too touchy-feely
for her liking.

“
Why are you laughing? Are my legs fat?
”

“
Nope, your legs are perfect, so
’
s your ass,
”
I replied, complimenting her by playfully slapping her on
the rear.
“
I
’
ve decided my next side job should be in a leather store. I
mean where else can you cop a feel over and over, helping women try on tight
fitting attire and get away with it?
”

“
What do you mean, I haven
’
t felt you...
”
My voice trailed away as he used both hands to lift the
chaps as high as they would go into my crotch while purposely running his
fingers across my mound.
“
Yep, that would do it,
”
I purred sheepishly.
“
Higher D, higher. I can
’
t wait for you to put my
other leg on.
”

“
See. I told you it
’
s a tough job, but somebody
has to do it. Success,
”
I
announced as I managed to zip down the other leg without lingering too long
near her lady parts.
“
A little long in the length,
”
I guessed,
“
but I can take care of that. Put the jacket on for me. That
works. Now the boots, I believe they
’
re a size nine.
”

“
I wear an eight.
”

“
I got it, Victoria. With two pairs of socks they should fit
just fine. It
’
s not like we
’
re going on mile long day
hikes.
”

“
They fit, D, but just barely. Two pairs of socks help. What
else is in this bag that I might need?
”
Digging through the bag I pulled out two matching red
thongs, one definitely for a woman, while the other confused me a bit because
of the pouch. Twirling it round and round with my forefinger,
“
judging by it
’
s little size, I
’
m assuming this banana
hammock belongs to you. These have a story to tell, don
’
t they, big fella? I
’
d like to hear it
…
now.
”

“
You want the long version or the short one? There
’
s not much to tell really. I
mean it was a little innocent fantasy I played out in my mind.
”

“
So you and Candi played make believe? I can
’
t see that coming from you.
I
’
m
sorry D, but you
’
re a doer. If you dreamed it, then you damn well did it.
”

Remembering
I did it and how I did it, two times as I recall, caused my skin to flush pink.
“
You
’
re embarrassing me, Vic. I
’
m not sure I know where to
start.
”

“
At the beginning, big boy. That
’
s usually the best place.
”

Chapter
11

Tampa Bay

P
ulling
up to the gated entrance of our — excuse me,
his
— eighth
floor condo overlooking beautiful Tampa Bay, I couldn’t help but think how much
I welcomed the opportunity to bath in the wall-less rain shower I left behind a
little over two years ago. “Joseph, when we get inside, the first thing I’m
going to do is take a long hot shower, in private. Please open a bottle of
Pinot noir.” Waiting not for a reply, I scurried past ‘my furniture’ in the
great room and into our bedroom, which by the looks of things was now his
playroom. Mirrored panels adorned the ceiling over the bed, while a 72-inch
widescreen TV took up almost an entire wall where my armoire used to sit.
Surround sound speakers filled every corner, suspended from the ceiling along
with a plain giant silver ring that somehow conveyed something more sinister,
than simple.

In
the bathroom, hanging on the inside of the door, were his and her robes, while
an assortment of lubes, massage oils and pot were lined up along the edge of
the Jacuzzi.
Oh my, if these walls could talk
, I murmured to myself, as
I stripped off my clothes and tossed them on the floor. Turning the shower to
hot, I stepped inside, breathing deeply the steam that rapidly enveloped me.
Lingering
for what seemed like an eternity, I didn
’
t want to leave the sanctity
of the cleansing water that flowed across my body. It may seem surreal, but I
can empathize with date rape victims and their desire to immediately scrub the
memory as well as the evidence away. Sadly, I
’
m on the front end of his
forthcoming madness and I still can
’
t get clean enough.
A loud banging on the
locked door brought me out of my dream like stupor and back into my present
sordid reality.

“
Candice, are you done? I need a shower to wash this God
awful smell of your insides off me.
”

Turning
off the healing water, I stepped onto the heated tile floor, grabbed the
‘
her
’
robe and wrapped myself in it before unlocking the door.
“
Next.
”

Joseph,
stripped down to his boxers, was holding an opened wine bottle in one hand and
two goblets in the other.
“
It
’
s all up to you now. Make yourself comfortable. I
’
ll be out in a few.
”

Grabbing
the wine and glasses from his hands, I poured a generous amount. I drank it,
and then repeated the process.
If this
coerced lovemaking scenario was going to happen and I
’
m damn well
sure it was, I deserved to be under the influence of something. Juggling the
current men in my life based on what is and what was is daunting. On the one
hand, Joseph and I had something, and could very well have something again. He
’
s got a good
pedigree, he
’
s
super smart and he
’
s
a great lover
—
a little kinky maybe, but still a great lover. That being
said, I don
’
t
appreciate being forced and or blackmailed to do something I don
’
t want to do.
By all accounts that's rape. I can, however, make a concerted effort tonight to
reconnect with him, emotionally, as well as physically. I
’
m
rationalizing I know, but what other choice do I have? I mean for all I know, D
’
s banging
Victoria
’
s
brains out right now, falling for her just like he did for me. That
’
s his right
mind you, after what I did to him. What am I talking about, what I did to him?
I saved him. I put his and Vic
’
s
safety above what I wanted. I wanted him then, I want him now.

Holding
up my hands, I started counting off with my fingers the reasons why it would
not work between us.
One, he
’
s in WITSEC.
He
’
ll
always be looking over his shoulder. Which leads me to number two, my mom will
say no. Not just no, but hell no! Three, he won
’
t be able to trust me ever
again, even if I convince him that at the time it was best for all concerned.
Four, D, could never love me for a lifetime, the spoiled brat that I am.
While reaching out for
reason number five, the opening of the bathroom door interrupted my
well-rehearsed arguments to my self.

“
Pour me a glass please, Candice, while I turn on some music
and a few other things. I would hate for you to drink alone.
”

“
Pandora, Joseph. I would enjoy hearing Sinatra. By the way,
I don
’
t
mind pouring you wine, but shouldn
’
t you stay with liquor? I
mean putting wine on Crown may not sit well with you.
”

“
Let me be the judge of that. You
’
re not talking to a girl
scout here. I appreciate your concern for my well being, really I do, but I can
take care of myself.
”

Sitting
down on the bed next to me, wrapped in his robe, Joseph poured his own glass of
Pinot over my objections.

Holding
the goblet in his left hand, Joseph began stroking his fingers through my hair
with his right.
“
Candice, what happened to us? We were happy once. We were
madly in love.
”

“
Times change, Joseph. People change. The more you immersed
yourself in the Family business, the less I saw of you. Then when I did see
you, it was only for casual conversation and sex, nothing more. Believe it or
not, I am worthy of mutual admiration. Getting my Masters in Nursing wasn
’
t enough. Earning an
appointment to become the Director in Risk Management at the All Children
’
s Hospital wasn
’
t enough either. Why do you
think I moved to Tennessee and attempted to find the ledgers on my own?
Because, I knew if they were in D
’
s possession I could find
them. I could prove to my Mother and everyone else, including you, that I have
much to contribute to this family whether I choose to or not.
”

Taking
the goblet from my hand, Joseph gently pushed me back on the bed. Playfully
unwrapping my robe, he pointed to the big screen that had come alive,
succinctly starring me.
“
Now you can watch me making love to you from every angle in
the room. Doesn
’
t the thought of that make you hot?
”

“
Truthfully, it unnerves me. Why would you want to watch
yourself having sex? I mean you
’
re already as close as you can get, live and in color.
”

Removing
his robe, before sliding on top of me, Joseph continued,
“
It adds another sensual
element, just like the mirrored tile I installed on the ceiling.
”

Massaging
my temples with both his thumbs, I closed my eyes, losing myself in the
familiar music of Sinatra. Minutes passed, before I felt his lips touch mine,
while his tongue darted and probed, leaving in my mouth the taste of expensive
whiskey and wine. His hands moved swiftly to my chest,
 
as his lips kissed the nape of my neck.
Grabbing, twisting my breasts simultaneously, I felt his hot breath and lips
replace his fingers as he kissed and tugged them, one at a time, before
pressing them together and taking them into his mouth.

The
results of the little blue pill were evident. His hardness pressed between my
thighs hoping to find a wet spot that had sadly failed to materialize. Wrapping
my arms around him, I rolled Joseph onto his back and using my hands, guided
both my nipples back into his mouth.
“
There you go; don
’
t stop,
”
I directed, while I moved my body up and down his generous
package, using the expertise of my gyrating hips to engage him all the more.

So
help me, he does feel good.
Yet without protection, he was never going inside of me
tonight. That, I am sure would be another argument in itself. Taking matters
into my own hands, I slid down the length of his body, before coming to rest on
the generous manhood I used to lovingly adore. Enveloping him, I guided him
through my lips, barely taking time to breathe, hoping that I could quickly
make him explode and appease his lust-driven appetite for the moment.

Grasping
his hands, I placed them where mine had been so that he could hold himself
firmly in the soft sleeve of my breasts while my palms slid firmly under his
thighs. Using my hands to thrust him upward and forcefully into the oral vacuum
of my making was more than enough to take him to the edge. Pressing his
perineum with my left forefinger and thumb lifted him over the top, his legs
tossing me up and down on the bed as he exploded multiple times into the far
recesses of my throat.

“
That was incredible, Candice,
”
mouthed Joseph, just above a whisper, his legs shaking, the
color draining from his face.

“
You
’
re welcome. I forgot all the fun we used to have making
love. Thank you. No arguments please. We need to get dressed. I have to go
home.
”

“
Wait! You
’
re not staying the night? I
’
ll be ready to go again in
ten minutes, thirty tops.
”

“
Slow remember? We
’
re taking it slow. What you
’
ve had is but a small taste
of what
’
s
to come if you continue to play by my rules. I
’
m making a sincere effort
here,
”
I plied, wiping
his remnants from my chin, before swiping them across his lips.
”

Taken
aback by the taste of him, Joseph quickly regrouped his thoughts.
“
I got it Candice, we can get
as kinky as you want. You can tie me up, spank me, whatever, I
’
m yours. Just stay. I don
’
t want you to leave tonight.
Give me the chance to do you.
”

“
Not tonight, Joseph. This evening was all about you.
”

“
Candice, damn you, I want things back the way they were
before D started messing with your mind.
”

“
I keep telling you, D has nothing to do with it. Sure he
was fun, but to me it was nothing more than gamesmanship. For the record, I
won. Excuse me;
we
won. Now get dressed and take me home ... or not.
Otherwise, I
’
ll call a cab. I
’
m tired. It
’
s been a long day ... a
long, long day.
”