The Dark Lady Ch. 04

She punched my arm and said, "I'm beginning to see why your women are beating on you all the time. You are so much fun to be around, your girlfriends can't help but express their love and excitement on your body."

"But what about the bruises? I need constant TLC!"

She laughed at me, "Your idea of TLC has a lot to do with that big thing being in me."

"My god, Susan, I've been totally found out."

We rode the Keeler elevator up from the garage, punching at each other, and entered the main room to applause. "She's back, she's back!" I left Susan in the middle of a pack of admiring women and went to fix drinks. A low sultry voice at my ear said, "You just did her, didn't you?"

"It was sort of an accident. We got carried away."

She continued, "Every time I see you with another of these incredible women, a little voice says, "Why should he pay any attention to you? That makes me feel bad."

I turned around and gave Clara a big hug. "Then he comes along and says you are a bright light in his life and you are smart and beautiful and sexy and hot and a bunch of other good things, and the little voice is silenced."

She buried her head in my shoulder and sniffled. "God damn it, Theo. It's impossible to stay mad at you."

I realized the black sheath dress and heels were missing and said, "Where did you get this sexy outfit? What happened to Miss Black Sheath dress?'

She giggled. "Kim told us dresses weren't allowed and let us empty her old tee shirt drawer. And her old shorts fit too. Here, feel this." My hand was pushed against her flat stomach and into the shorts. Bare bottom!

"So I am surrounded by commandos?"

Clemmie was nudging into me from the side, "That's right. If there was a hot tub, you could have us naked in a second."

I was halfway back to Susan when Laura fell in beside me. "I see your sex targets for tonight have already hit on you." She gave me a sultry look, and added, "Your pianist is something else. I said something about how great she looked last night and how great she looks tonight and she said, "Yes, but something's changed since last night. I've joined Theo's special club." Her hip bucked into me. "We all cheered."

I gave Susan her drink and looked around for Karen. Her eyes were already on me. I motioned to the side of the room. She walked straight into me and said, fiercely, "Did I give you permission to do her in the afternoon?" Her tongue found mine and we dueled kissing. She put her drink down and gave me a full body press. At my ear, I heard, "I understand this is the approved position for getting Theo's attention." I kissed her again. She continued, "I can tell the two of you had sex, but why is she so happy? Did you make a deal to steal another teacher?"

My hands were on her ass and I didn't much care who saw us. "You know damn well why she is happy. You put her up to that cornball idea that the two of you could run an arts program that would impress the socks off Kim and me."

She kissed my neck and chewed on my ear. "Buster, I've got your number. You are a sucker for pretty girls who like to fuck and know what they are doing. Am I right?"

"Shit, Karen. You are not supposed to strip away my armor so fast."

I backed up and asked, "Is it ok for me to announce the new co-Directors of the Parsons Music and Arts program in the next few minutes?"

She socked me and said, "You better believe it. We are going to put you on the map, arts educationwise."

The last base I had to touch was with Clemmie. I looked around and saw that Kim already had her in tow. I mouthed, "Ok to announce?" and she nodded.

I tapped on my glass. "Dinner is just about ready. Just a few announcements about special people who are here with us tonight.

"You all know Clemmie, who keeps me and Kim organized and actually getting to meetings on time. She is a lot more than the secretary title she wears. As of now, Clemmie has been promoted to the new position of Personal Assistant to me. She is also, perhaps more importantly, going to be the first participant in the Parsons Gallery staff development program, which will provide time off and financial assistance for those who enroll successfully in degree programs at local colleges and universities. Erica will have details soon.

"Last night, you had a chance to meet and listen to Susan Kristoph's remarkable mastery of the piano. Like you, I was wiping my eyes at the end of the program. Believe it or not, Susan is also an extraordinary teacher of English at our high school. Whatever I know about language, Susan has pounded into me.

"I am very pleased to announce that Susan has agreed to join an expanded arts and music education program. Karen Thomson and Susan Kristoph will be Co-Directors of the program, which will be publicly announced as soon as arrangements can be completed for their replacement by the school district. Let's give these great people a welcome."

I had hardly finished when Clemmie was bulldozing into me. "You rat. You didn't give me the slightest warning of that. How did you know I was thinking of going back to school?"

She hugged and kissed and cried. I hugged her back and noticed lots of hands giving me the thumbs up signal.

It was Friday night of an incredible week. The dinner was great, and the twins had arranged for ice cream sundaes and espresso in the next room. Clemmie and Clara sat me down on a sofa in between them.

They leaned their heads in. Clara said, "Your new heart throb is cute. We talked to her and she said she knew we were your targets for tonight and said what we already know, you are a great lover. But then she said the two of you were leaving early in the morning to see her brother the geologist. And she said she hoped you hadn't worn yourself out with all the loving she got this afternoon."

Clemmie took up the whispered conversation. "So Theo, both of us have the same problem. You've been in us, but for a totally inadequate experience on our part. There seems to be a possibility of the same outcome as before. Inadequate performance. Do we make ourselves clear?"

The tone of voice suggested the two of them were not happy. "Does a raincheck offer help?"

"It shouldn't. It shouldn't at all. A promise is a promise and you are not keeping them."

"But just this once, considering how hard you have been working, and how successful your recruiting program has been in attracting talent, we are letting you off. Within seven days, you are to arrange a rendezvous with us, both of us at the same time in the same bed, for unlimited sex."

"Is that understood?" I cringed and nodded, letting them have their victory.

Susan stood next to the Steinway. "I don't know how to express my thanks for the warmth of my welcome. There is nothing more exciting in my life than to join you in designing and running an arts program. I have just a little night music to get us ready for bed."

A delightful forty minutes later, Susan didn't even let me get behind the wheel. I was out before I hit her sheets.

A good night's sleep, and the fresh hot coffee she waved under my nose at five am got us going down the highway to her brother's place.

"You were very funny last night." She looked across at me with a grin.

"You were evil, firing up those two about my deficiencies."

Her nipples were sticking out and the fingers of one hand were rubbing them on top of the thin shirt.

"Stop that. Today is supposed to be all business."

"I suppose there are rules about behavior with the boss? I will have to figure out what our new relationship is?"

While I thought about that, she loosened her belt and lay across the seat with her head on my thigh. She maneuvered my hand under the shirt so that it covered the dimpled breast.

"Tell me again about my boobs."

"You are trying to distract me."

"No, seriously. You are the first guy who ever tried to make me feel good about my flat chest."

I rubbed around and hummed in her ear. I pinched her nipple and asked, "Is this connected to your clit?"

"It sure is."

"So, your enjoyment of sex with me is not diminished by small boobs?"

"Your hand and this conversation are making me incredibly horny."

"Take that shirt off and sit up in your seat."

The sun was shining on her chest and she looked terrific.

"Adjust the rear view mirror so you can see your front."

"Now, repeat after me. 'I like my boobs. Theo likes my boobs. When I watch myself pinching them, it makes both of us really hot.' "

She did and was squirming around in the seat and the nipples were sticking out a mile.

"Now one final instruction. 'I am going to put my fingers in my bottom and get myself off because Theo says no fucking until tonight.' "

She looked at me, "Really?"

"Get busy, we are almost there."

Susan was screaming as loud as she could when we came to the turnoff for DR's place.

She stuffed her fingers in my mouth. "Clean those, beast." The other hand was beating my head.

"There should be severe punishment for doing that to me."

We were on the gravel road to DR's and I said, "Admit it, your body self-image is improving..."

"Right now, I'm putting on my shirt and getting decent again. I can smell myself."

"If your brother is half the man I think he is, your hot disheveled look will turn him on and get us a better deal. Keep it up."

The hands beat on me, but the lips found mine and the small voice said, "Theo, I am sinking, sinking into..."

"Stop! No more lovey dovey stuff. You know you have won my heart..."

"That's right! And don't you forget it! You told me you liked girls who liked sex and ...

I pulled to the side of the road and got her in my lap. "I don't know whether to beat you or kiss you. Your full court press takes me down every time. I am your helpless victim, but can we shift gears and concentrate on gold for a few hours?"

I found her lips for a long wet kiss. "God Theo, I am so in love with you. But I promise to cool it until tonight."

We were all business by the time I drove through a tattered gate and up to a strange house that looked derelict from a distance, but showed signs of careful maintenance close up. A large man with a trimmed beard walked out to greet us. He gathered Susan in a giant hug and kissed her cheek.

"You are looking good, sis. Is this the guy who needs a geologist and a goldsmith?"

We shook hands and I said, "Thanks for seeing us on such short notice. Susan says you go by DR. Is that ok?"

"Yep. You got that assay and samples? No point in wasting my time if you ain't found anything."

He asked us to take a seat on the veranda swing while he checked on our rocks.

Susan tried to snuggle but I gave her a look and she went to find a drink, bringing back two sodas.

In ten minutes, DR was back and took the rocker across from us. "That's from around here somewhere?"

"I dug it out of the creekbank myself."

"Well, it tests as high as I've seen. I think you do need a consulting geologist."

"What kind of a business arrangement suits you, and when can you start?"

"Don't like to fool around, do you. Good thinking. Word gets out and the goldbugs will be all over you like flies."

Susan took my hand and smiled at me. DR frowned, "You sweet on my sister?"

"Your sister and I are dating, yes."

The frown went away. "Good thing. She needs to settle down. Looks like you might even be able to afford her."

Susan groaned and the two men chuckled.

"Anyways, I like to have a contract that makes me part of the team and gives me a piece of the action. Don't know as I need a lot of consulting fees if you are willing to cut me in for 5%."

He added, "Up to some reasonable limit, of course. Like ten million." He laughed uproariously.

"DR, my mother is a tough woman. She gave me orders to find out if you are the real thing, and if you are, I am supposed to reel you in with a signed contract to be our geologist, field supervisor, and jewelry goldsmith. About the 5%. If you get ten million, that means Parsons has earned 190 million. Not a bad trade to my way of thinking. But that is a lot of ounces from a paydirt that may not be there."

He rocked back and forth, dark eyes drilling me. "Are you an athlete?"

"Yes sir, tight end." Susan jumped in, "DR, he caught ten touchdown passes this year and we won the conference."

"You're still in school?"

"Almost done, if Susan decides I can graduate." She punched me. "DR, he is also the smartest kid in school."

"So, if I was silly enough to go to work for Parsons Gallery, you and I would do the day to day stuff together?"

Susan was fidgeting with excitement. We had been at DR's house for less than an hour. Maybe dial things back a little.

"Your sister says you do beautiful work. Is it possible to see some?"

We walked into the house and he unlocked a sturdy steel cabinet. "Have to keep it pretty secure. There's maybe ten grand of gold in here."

He placed several display trays on the dining table. Perhaps a dozen pieces, all extraordinary. Clara and Kim were going to wet their pants. I hugged Susan and had an instant thought. "Pick out the one you would most like to have. We will buy it and take it back to show Kim and Clara."

"Theo! You can't be buying me gold jewelry!"

"Be quiet and stand still for a moment." I took the one I thought she would like best and placed it around her neck. Even against the ancient tee shirt, it looked marvelous.

"Now twirl around slowly so DR and I can see how it looks on you."

She closed her eyes, put her arms in the air, and turned slowly. Classy. Very classy.

"DR, will you take an IOU? Don't tell me how much I am paying, can't do that in front of the girl."

Susan screamed and ran from one to the other of us with hugs, the necklace bouncing around on her chest.

"DR, that's a fine necklace on a woman who is equally fine. She is stealing my heart."

Susan jumped into my arms. "Tell DR what we were talking about."

"Theo, I can't!"

"If you don't, I will."

"Nooo," she howled. And then giggled. "DR knows I'm sensitive about my chest. He teases me by calling them mosquito bites."

"DR, Theo makes me recite things about my chest. He says it is to improve my body self-image."

"Like what?"

"On the way here, he made me take my shirt off and say 'I like my boobs. Theo likes my boobs.' Then he made me chant that ten times. I got all pink and flustered."

DR said, "Go in the bathroom and take that dumb shirt off, leave the necklace on, and come back here."

"Oooh, you are so bad." In a few seconds, there was a squeal, and she appeared in the doorway, completely pink and shaking. She and the gold looked outstanding.

DR said, "I think you got a good deal, Theo. With the gold and with the woman, too. Better hang on tight. Now about that contract. I'll go get my standard form and we can talk about it. When that hot girlfriend gets her shirt back on, she can fetch us a beer."

We sat on the porch and I looked through ten pages of contract. I liked what it said about client confidentiality. "Was this done by your lawyer?"

"Yes, about five years ago. Needed it for a picky corporate client."

"What I would like to propose is that we do a one page term sheet that lays out what you are going to do, subject to mutual agreement on a detailed contract within a few days. We can sign that. In fact, if we have a handshake on confidentiality, we could go look at the site today. It is about an hour away."

Susan went over and climbed into his lap like a kitten. "Please DR, do it for your little sister." She kissed his cheek.

He looked at me, "Theo, did you put this hellion up to using pussy power on me?"

Susan tried to look outraged but didn't make it. We all laughed. "DR, you keep embarrassing me!"

He said, "I have a jewelry piece I have to finish for a client today, but tomorrow will work. Where should we meet?"

I gave him the highway directions to the turnoff for the mine and suggested 10 am. Susan added that he should come to town for a casual dinner to meet Kim and Clara.

"If you are sure no fancy duds?"

She kissed him, and repeated, "No fancy duds."

As we drove away, Susan could hardly sit in her seat. "Theo, OMG, we are so lucky. This is going to work, I'm sure of it."

She fingered the necklace, her eyes wet. "I am so lucky. If you weren't driving, I would have a good cry on your shoulder."

She didn't cry on the shoulder, she punched it. Her eyes flashed, "I am going to be in so much trouble with your other girlfriends."

She lay down with her head in my lap and closed her eyes. I palmed the mosquito bites and said, "It's a nice trouble to have. I'm going to tell Kim it is your finder's fee. She can tell the others and we can pretend it's simply a compensation item."

She was licking my finger. "That's not what you were thinking back there, is it?"

"No, back there I was thinking how beautiful you are and how I wanted you to have a beautiful present from me."

She turned her head into my leg, getting her cry in anyway. I was teary myself.

"Why don't you get on your cell and do a little digging in front. See if we can meet Kim and Clara at the gallery. They will love the necklace. I'm afraid we need to lock it in the safe there."

"Tell me how much it cost. I'll find out anyway when similar ones are for sale."

I looked at her and rubbed the chest some more. "I figured you would worm that out of me. Sixty-five hundred. He said retail would be ten in a regular store. I think he wanted to do something special for you when he saw you were paired up with me."

She said quietly, "Theo, this can't just be for me. I love you, but so do they."

"What if we tell Kim that we knew she would want to see a sample of his work. So the two of you picked out a necklace and made me model it topless because I didn't have a proper dress. When you saw it on me, you were convinced we had to have it. Then I will take off my shirt and model it there in her office!"

My fingers teased all around her, bringing on the giggles. "Brilliant. Then you ask permission to wear it when you give gallery concerts. She will think that is a terrific idea."

"And the others wear it when they are doing something special, or modeling for gold jewelry customers."

"Better and better. Get on the phone."

Around four, we were in Kim's office. We started our story slowly, with details about the road and the turnoff and how decrepit DR made his place look on purpose. We could see Clara and Kim fidgeting, and started to feed in the real stuff. We had agreement in principle. He would sign a term sheet tomorrow, subject to a detailed contract that his lawyer and our lawyer would review. He would look around the mine site tomorrow and come to a small dinner afterwards at Keeler.

Kim said, "You got all that done today?"

"Actually, there is one more thing. I'll let Susan tell you about it."

"Theo asked if we could see some samples of his work. He had a number of pieces on trays that were wonderful. Then the two of them said I had to model one of the necklaces for them, and made me do it topless because I didn't have a proper dress."

Susan stood and slowly raised the shirt over her head. The necklace rested on her chest looking every bit as gorgeous in Kim's office as it had out in the desert. The other two women drew in their breath and clapped wildly.

Susan surprised me by telling Clara to come closer. She reached behind her neck and undid the clasp.

"I think the program manager should model the sample too."

Susan got behind Clara, who had a blouse and bra on, and fastened the necklace. "Clara, that blouse doesn't do the necklace justice. Kim, perhaps Clara should model it topless too?"

Clara looked at Kim and me and knew she was stuck. We soon had a second chest, with bigger boobs, showing off the necklace. Susan and I clapped loudly.