Chapter 16

A Growing Airline!

Four more years have passed and my business had grown beyond my expectation. I purchased two twin turbo propjets and three Learjet's. Two Learjet's were six years old but had recently been refurbished and looked new for which I had bought at a good price. I now have five full-time pilots and three part-time. Charlie was my full-time mechanic and I had two others that worked for me part-time from their other jobs. I had run an ad in the paper for two flight attendants and had interviewed several for the position. I did not care whether they had any intelligence. I wanted them to be beautiful. Sue and I had discussed her sisters but I knew the type of people that we flew and they would sometimes get out of hand. I did not want to expose her sisters to that type of atmosphere. I hired two girls Julie and Rona. They were both nineteen and gorgeous. For some reason I did not feel like a predator around them.

Richard had been with me the longest, he was my chief pilot and assumed other responsibilities. Julie and Rona's' duties were assigned by Richard who knew all our clients and which ones to keep under control. I explained to Julie and Rona what to expect on some flights and to always be prepared to defend themselves. They knew exactly what I meant.

Often the pilots would come by the house to discuss matters. Sue or I would invite them to stay for dinner, as they would always accept. We all seemed to be happy working with one another and I was glad because it was hard to find pilots that I could trust. All of them had served in Vietnam, which gave all of us something in common, and we always had something to talk about, our tours in Vietnam. We began inviting them over on Sundays along with their families as we always grilled out. Julie and Rona often came along with their boyfriends.

Sue loved this time in our lives with our friends and family's. Mostly because my office was at the house and we had so much time together. I must admit I loved it too. More often, we began going out with friends, shopping and even to a few parties. Sue was always the center of attention with everyone because of her charm. Most men seemed to be speechless around her. Her beauty kept them in awe, as she did me. As I had become accustomed, my closest friends would tell me how beautiful she is. I could see it in their face when they looked at her. I loved seeing other men drool in her presence, which they did often.

I began getting offers for my company. It had been hard establishing a reputation for prompt service. I had often leased aircraft to meet the demand and maintain that reputation. It seemed no one was willing to start small in this business, they all wanted to jump in after all the work had been done. I declined the offers at this time because I had plans to venture into other cities where the demand was even greater. I could envision thirty aircraft within the next five years. I had not spoken to Sue of my plans but I felt she would be willing as long as it did not take me away from her. Although the offers were in the seven figures, I knew that in two years it could be eight. Either way I wanted to continue building something from nothing. Some of my clients had recommended my company to others across the country and I have been receiving calls for months.

Dallas, Atlanta, Denver and Miami were my best prospects at this time. It would take me four to six months to set up those operations and purchase aircraft to handle all of the business. That would take me away from Sue a great deal of the time unless I could persuade her to come with me. I knew how she felt leaving the kids and it would take a miracle to convince her of that.

I was also approached about going public but I would not hear of that. I wanted my company to be family owned and did not want to answer to anyone but the customer. My accountant disagreed saying there was more profit in going public but I had the final word on the subject.

Everything was moving forward so fast I could not handle everything myself. I hired Joni, Sue's sister who had just completed college a few months ago. She had a degree in business and Sue convinced me to hire her. As I had always said, Joni would be as beautiful as Sue, and "she was". Maybe too beautiful to be taken serious but I made her vice president of operations. That was a title to give credibility to act upon my directions. We would be together constantly for months as we went around sitting up operations and until she could handle it on her own. We would first meet with prospective clients and get them to sign contracts agreeing to fly with us beginning within two months, giving us time to purchase the aircraft. Her duties would be to oversee and schedule all flights according to the customers needs. Which she would find out soon enough that they could change from one day to the next. She seemed aggressive and intelligent enough to present our company to prospective clients and I could see right away that her looks were intimidating in itself.

The following week we flew to Dallas. During the first four days she had sold our company to seven of the eight clients I had given her that week. The one that did not sign, owned his own jet but wanted to keep his options open with us in case he saw the benefits in the future. I had met him once before and I knew he bought his plane for the prestige of owning one. I could not blame him. He was single and loved the women.

I was to look at several Lear-jets before we returned home but I wanted to celebrate our new clients by taking Joni to dinner. I would also present her with a seven thousand dollar bonus check for the contracts that she had signed. I told her to be ready at six thirty and to dress elegant. I had given her my credit card to buy something appropriate to wear for dinner. I had made reservations to one of the nicest restaurants in Dallas upon a recommendation from Jack Wilson, one of my friends that lived in Dallas.

Joni's room joined mine on the same floor. I walked out of my door and knocked on hers.

"Just a minute!" I heard her say. Her voice muffled by the door. It was worth waiting two more minutes just to look at her. When she opened the door, her beauty took me by surprise.

"You are gorgeous!" I said complimenting her but trying to be a brother-in-law to her at the same time. I had no intentions in trying to seduce her. I wanted the night to be enjoyable for her and still keep it on a professional level.

"Thank you! As usual you look good tonight too." She said with a smile.

"Are you ready? This is your night. I am going to take you to dinner and what ever you want is yours. You have made me a lot of money this week. I do not know why I did not hire you sooner. I would probably own American Airlines by now." I said joking.

"Lets go!" she replied laughing. We took a limousine to the restaurant.

"This is my first time in a limousine." She stated.

"At the pace you are going it won't be your last either. Besides, one of these millionaires you have met or will meet will probably ask you to marry him before long."

"It is exciting meeting all of them but I know where my roots are. I am not cut out to spend my life traveling the world. Besides, I am committed to you and this company for a long time."

"Well thank you. I was going to save this for after dinner but now seems more appropriate." I said reaching into my jacket and handing her the envelope containing the check.

"What is this?" she asked being surprised.

"That is your bonus for the work you have done this week."

I said as she opened it.

"Wow, are you sure this is mine? Thank you!" she said leaning over and kissing me. We both had a surprised look on our face when she did that.

"When you realize how much money you made me this week, that will seem like pocket change. Then you will come to me and ask where is the rest of it." I said laughing.

"I won't do that." She said with a serious look on her face.

"I know you won't. I was just teasing."

We sat at a very nice table at the window overlooking Dallas. The black dress she had bought was so revealing I had a hard time not staring. We ate dinner and talked of business in Miami for next week. We had talked for two hours and noticed it being dark outside with all of the lights in the city.

"Jay, Susan said that you were the best dancer in the world. Are you going to ask me to dance?" She said looking at me with her elbows on the table and her fingers locked together under her chin.

"Did she tell you that I only slow dance?"

"No, but she said you were the most romantic slow dancer."

"I'm sure she was in love with me when she said that! Otherwise she would have laughed in my face." I said smiling.

"Can I tell you something personal?"

"If it doesn't embarrass me."

"I remember back three or four years ago, maybe five. I overheard Genie talking on the phone to one of her friends. She never knew I heard her conversation. Nevertheless, she told her friend that you were the most wonderful person she knew and that she was in love with you but could not show it because of Susan."

"I'm sure she is over that by now!" I said interjecting.

"I don't think so. She asks me often if I want to drive down to see Susan. Of course, I was in school and could not go whenever she wanted to. But I don't think she wanted to see Susan."

"You know I am embarrassed by you telling me this. Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?" I said seeing what was in her heart but letting her speak without stopping her.

"I'm not trying to embarrass you, I'm trying to tell you something."

"Do you want to dance?" I said interrupting.

"Yes I do!" she answered as I got up holding her chair for her to stand. I took her hand as we walked onto the dance floor along with fifteen or twenty other couples. I noticed all the songs played were for slow romantic dancing. If I did not disappoint her, this could be a long night on the dance floor.

We danced three straight without saying a word to each other. We stood almost eye-to-eye with her high heals on which would put her about two or three inches shorter that me without them. Her blond hair was up with curls hanging down that made her look elegant. She wore a long black gown that fit her slender figure perfectly and touched the floor. Her shoulders were bare and the light cent of her perfume filled the air. She was every bit as beautiful as Sue was, as I predicted she would be when she was sixteen. She had her own beautiful looks though. I knew she would take many men's breath away as Sue.

I had mixed feelings now. I was trying to show her a wonderful time without taking advantage of the situation. She began putting her lips against my neck breathing on me, causing bumps to cover my skin. After the song, I suggested we get a drink. Maybe I could collect myself and get a hold on the situation. We sat at the table with our drinks looking at each other and out the window staring at all of the lights. I knew by her not having anything to say she was trying to get up the nerve to seduce me. I continued interrupting her thoughts with talk of business and even tried being funny to get her to laugh but she would fall back into the trance-like state. A while later I asked her if she wanted to go anywhere else before the night was over but she was content being here. Then I said we should call it a night and she agreed to that.

Arriving at our rooms, I said good night as I walked her to her door.

"Good night." She said as I walked to mine putting my card in the door. "Jay!" she said as I turned to look at her. "Would you come in with me?" I stood looking at her momentarily.

"Do you know what will happen if I do?" I said knowing she did.

"I want you to come in my room." She said with a scared look on her face not knowing what my answer might be. I have had that look on my own face more than once. I could see the butterflies were turning inside of her and knowing her throat was dry from breathing through her mouth trying to get enough oxygen to breathe. I walked over to her.

"You know I love Sue and could never leave her for anything or anyone. Can you sit at the dinner table with us and hold back your feelings. Can you masquerade as a sweet, loving and innocent sister around her if I come into your room tonight? Because if I do, that is exactly what you will have to do when we get home.

"I am a big girl now. I think I have proved I can handle myself this week." She stated confirming she understood what I had said. I leaned over and kissed her pushing the door open at the same time. We stood kissing in the hall a moment as I waited for her to make the next move, giving her one last opportunity to change her mind. She had made her mind up. Taking my hand, she led us into her room and stopping next to the bed. Turning around she looked into my eyes as though she wondered if I was going to make the next move.

I sensed this putting my arms around her. I began kissing her about the face and neck and caressing her bare shoulders.

"Jay, I have never done it before." She whispered. She was telling me that she was a virgin. That sent my blood pressure up and my adrenaline flowing. We continued kissing as I reached around and unzipped her. Pulling back, I looked at her as I began removing her dress, sliding it down her body slowly as I followed it down with my eyes. On my knees, I looked up at her breasts again, thinking they were perfect. She looked straight forward as I began kissing her belly and licking her. She flinched each time I kissed her skin. She had not worn a bra but was wearing panties. I put my fingers inside the top of them and slid them down and continued licking and kissing her skin as she stepped out of them.

I stood up quickly removing my clothes as she watched. I returned to my knees kissing up and down her thighs touching her skin with the tip of my tongue causing her to spread her legs allowing me to put my tongue inside of her. She began moaning as she put her hands on the back of my head, pulling my face into her. My head arched back as I tried to push my tongue all the way in. She began quivering and moaning louder as I licked all inside of her.

After pushing her back on the bed, I continued licking up and down the insides of her thighs. I pulled her legs apart holding them behind the knees. I buried my face in her and felt her body quivering again. Reaching my hands up to her breast I felt of them and moved my mouth slowly up her body until I had my mouth on her nipple sucking on them, moving from one to the other. Then tugging on her to roll over I began kissing over her back and moving down with the tip of my tongue over her cheeks and down her legs. Moving to her feet and toes sucking on the tips of them and again moving upward slightly biting her cheeks as she moved one knee up opening her legs. I put my palm between her legs as she slightly raised her butt. Putting my finger inside of her, I continued kissing her lower back and lightly biting her cheeks. She flinched when I tried to put more than two fingers inside of her. I could feel she was wet and tight so I took my prick and slid it in her at the same time pulling her hips up with my hands. Moving slowly in and out of her caused me nearly to come but I stopped myself.

Pulling myself out I asked her to get on top of me as she did willingly. With her knees on either side of me, she raised herself up enough for me to put myself back in her. We both looked down at me moving in and out of her as she moved her hips around. Her breast were so perfect I lunged my mouth up arching my back taking turns sucking on each of them until she leaned forward pushing them into my face. We did this for a while until I rolled us over and I got on top. She opened her legs and I plunged myself back into her as I watched myself until she began quivering and reached her hands around my neck pulling me to her. The thought of her having an orgasm caused me to explode inside of her in a way that caused my body to shake. Our bodies were locked and quivering together. I had never felt it of that magnitude before. I wondered as I rolled off her what it may have been that caused that great of a sensation throughout my body. It had never done that before. I said nothing lying there trying to catch my breath and relaxing my body mussels.

"I loved it. Will it be that way every time?" she asked.

"No! Sometimes the whole thing last about two minutes or less." I replied, as we lay silent.

"When I told you that I over heard Genie talking to her friend, that wasn't all I heard her say."

"What else did you hear?"

"That she had wild sex with you on the staircase."

"And you never said anything to anyone?" I asked.

"No! It has been my fantasy to make love to you all this time."

"Why?"

"Everyone has always made such a fuss over you and it made me curious."

"Was it worth it? Waiting I mean. You said you were a virgin." I asked being curious and wanting to hear her say it.

"Yes, you are everything I had imagined."

"Well thank you. That is a great compliment from a very beautiful woman."

"Thank you! That was a great compliment coming from you." I rolled over and put my arm and leg across her. We were still lying nude and uncovered. I propped my head up with my arm looking over her body. You are so beautiful, but I think you know that."

"Did you know this was going to happen? She asked.

"How do you mean that?"

"Sue, Beth and Jennifer, they all say you know things about people. Beth said she believes you can read minds. Can you?"

"Sometimes I know what is in peoples hearts."

"How do you know?"

"I sense things in here." I said taking her hand, placing it on her breast at her heart.

"Did you know this was going to happen?" she asked again.

"I realized the possibility at dinner tonight."

"How?"

"When I saw the expression on your face. It told me that you were thinking of a way to seduce me."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Yes."

"Can you read minds?"

"No I can't read minds!"

"What can you tell about me? Can you see in my heart?" she asked with a soft sexy voice.

"You don't want to know what I think about you." I replied acting serious.

"Are you teasing me?"

"Yes, I'm just teasing." I said kissing her ear. She responded by trying to tickle me in the groin. I grabbed her arm preventing her as we laughed and played. I rolled on top of her holding her arms beside her head, as I looked her over. "Damn you have beautiful tits." I said moving my mouth toward them as if I were going to bite them. She began squirming and shrieking, trying to break loose. I teased her slowly moving toward them putting my mouth on one and sucking it and moving the tip of my tongue around and over both of them.

"You're not getting out of it that easily. Tell me!" she pleaded. I laughed teasing her even more. "Ok, no more sex until you tell me." She said jokingly. I knew she was just teasing me in return but it hit me wrong. I felt a touch of anger by her comment. Nothing serious but I thought a little dramatic acting would get my point across. The smile was gone from my face and the fun stopped. I really felt the need to make a point on the subject of sex between us. I did not like being told no. I turned her loose, rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed picking my pants up as though I were going to put them on.

"What's the matter, did I say something wrong?" she asked as I looked back at her. Her expression was of concern and fear as I had hoped.

"You can tell me to go to hell, but don't throw me a bone." I said maintaining a serious look.

"I don't understand." She said sliding toward me putting her hand on my shoulder looking in my eyes.

"I think you do." I said as she turned her head with her eyes fixed in space behind me. Thinking for a second, she looked back into my eyes.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again." She begged.

"I'm not one of your college boyfriends with my tongue hanging out wagging my tail. I gave you every opportunity to consider what you were doing but you asked me to your room. I want to be here but that's one game I won't play." I explained with the sternest look I could put on my face.

"I'm sorry, please don't go. You're right, I won't do it again." She said sitting up on her knees putting her wrist around my neck and bowing her head slightly while looking at me with a sexy look. "Please stay, I'm yours anytime you want me." I stared at her for a moment as though I were contemplating what I should do but in reality, I was not going anywhere. I put my finger under her chin raising it leaned over and kissed her signaling I had accepted her apology. With our lips together, we laid back on the bed. I was ready to make love again but she was persistent.

"Tell me now." She insisted.

"Sue is a beautiful woman but she doesn't let her beauty get in the way of being a beautiful person. Everyone she meets becomes her friend because she is not untouchable. What I mean by that is she does not snub her nose at anyone regardless of their looks, background or how much money they have. She loves people and life and has the most wonderful heart of anyone I have known.

On the other hand, Genie has beauty and class but lacks in the heart department. She loves to use her beauty to get what she wants without regard for whomever it hurts. She feels that she is a little better than most people. She teases men and breaks their hearts without a second thought." I paused for a moment to let her think. "Do you believe my descriptions are accurate?" I asked.

"You are exactly right but what about me?"

"You are somewhere between them. You would like to be like Genie and have the men follow you around drooling and being one step above everyone. However, you see that not everyone can stand to be around her. On the other hand, you can see how much everyone loves to be around Sue for who she is. Sue has more outward and inward beauty than Genie and anyone for that matter and you know that. I am not saying you should choose to be exactly like either one. Nevertheless, I am saying that you will be happier if you do not put yourself above others. Do not be untouchable. Look at the good in people but be aware of those who have the appearance of good but are not. Does any of that make sense?"

"Yes but how can you tell if someone is faking friendship?"

"You can feel it. If something does not feel right, it should send up a red flag. Do not take anything lightly. Examine it in your heart and determine its significance. Then react within your mind to it."

We lay in silence as she thought of what I had just explained. The light was dim but I could see her perfectly. She had a natural beauty that required no makeup. Her natural hair was so blond it almost looked bleached but I knew better. Her smooth silky skin browned from the sun and eyes so blue they matched the sky. I pulled the spread over us as I felt a slight quiver in her body from the air and she thanked me. As I lay looking for comparisons to Sue, I could find none other than her soft voice. That was because she was lying here with me in these surroundings. Normally during the day, her voice was confident, concise and candid as we discussed business. Other than that, there were no similarities with Sue. However, in many ways she was as beautiful.

We made love again before I returned to my room. I felt it necessary to keep our relationship somewhat in perspective. I was well capable of working with her under any conditions but she is young and I felt she needed time to think. It took me awhile to fall asleep thinking of her.

The next morning after looking at two aircraft and making an offer on one, we flew home. I did not ride in the cockpit with Rob as I normally would. I think he had suspicions of Joni and me but he would keep them to himself unless I brought it up. Rob and I sometimes talked and joked about many things. He was a good friend of Lieutenant Samuel Davis, one of my chopper pilots in Vietnam. They were both from Chicago.

Joni and I sat opposite one another on the flight back as we discussed flying to Miami the following week. I suggested she could handle it alone but she insisted I be with her for support in the event she needed answers quickly. I would only be a phone call away but I wanted her to feel secure before she went alone.

We arrived home mid afternoon Friday. Sue and the kids were not home when we arrived at the house. Joni went upstairs to her room to shower as I made a pot of coffee. I had called Sue from Dallas and said we would be home early and that we would go out for dinner. I sat at the dining room table doing paperwork and drinking coffee as Joni came in. She sat across from me wearing a robe and her hair was still wet as she brushed it.

"What are you working on?" she asked.

"I'm working on what you will be working on soon, scheduling among other things."

"Do you want to show me how it's done so I can start on it?"

"Sure, if you want to." She sat next to me as I explained. It did not take long for her to learn. An hour later Sue came in with Jay and Lin. I got up and walked into the den greeting her and the kids.

"How was your trip?" she asked.

"Very profitable, that sister of yours has made us over a hundred and forty grand over the next year. She is a great salesperson."

"I told you she could do the job."

"Yes but I wasn't sure until she signed seven clients this week. I took her to dinner last night to celebrate. I gave her a bonus to give her incentive when we go to Miami next week."

"Do you have to go? Don't you think she can handle it by herself?"

"I do but she wants me to be there this trip for moral support. I think after next week she will be able to handle it alone."

"I hope so, I missed you this week."

"I missed you too. Where have you been?"

"I was at the dentist."

"How was it?" I asked putting my tongue in her mouth licking her teeth.

"You are so crazy!" she said as we laughed. "Where is Joni?"

"She is at the table working on the scheduling. I am going to let her take over that job when we get back next week.

I sat in the den reading the paper and playing with the kids until Sue mentioned we should get ready to go out for dinner.

Our plans were that Joni would watch the children while we went out but Sue asked Joni to go along with us. She would ask one of my sisters to baby-sit. I had no problem with that so Sue arranged for us to take the kids to moms house, getting their clothes together in case we were late they were to spend the night.

We dropped the kids off and drove to Chastens. The main parking lot was full so I parked in the additional parking across the street. We arrived early enough to get a good table. We ordered and ate dinner. The place was crowded before we had finished eating. We liked this place because it had everything. We could eat a nice dinner, listen to good music and dance all in one place. It was a little early for dancing so we sat and talked for a while.

"I love this place. Do you come here often?" Joni asked.

"Not often but we like it too." Sue answered. "Soon they will turn the lights down and everyone will get up and begin dancing." Sue continued. It was so busy I could not get the attention of any waiters so I told Sue I was going to the bar and get a drink asking them what they wanted. They both wanted Margarita's so I went to the bar. On the way, I was surprised as Brad stopped me.

"Hey brother, what are you doing here? Where is Sue?"

"Over there with her sister." I pointed to our table.

"I'm over there with Wes and them. Come over and say hi." He said pointing to his table. I glanced over and saw Wes, Cynthia and to my surprise Christi and the person she was with, Lindsay, the girl Brad had met that night at the bar when I was with Lonnie.

"I don't know, it might not be wise considering who is there."

"Come on chicken-shit! Nobody cares about that anymore."

"If you only knew brother!"

"Don't tell me you are seeing her."

"Not lately but I did awhile back."

"Well she and Rick are pretty serious and she has probably gotten over you. Come over and say hi to your old buddy Wes anyway."

"I suppose I should, but I am going to play it by ear." I walked over to their table and said hi. Brad had told them that he saw me so they were looking at me when I reached their table. In that few seconds, I had prepared myself for any reactions. Everyone said hi at the same time. I asked Wes how everything was going and his answered fine. I stood talking for a minute and said I needed to get our drinks.

"You all come over and sit with us." Wes said not sure how I would answer.

"I don't want to impose on your dinner."

"Come on join us!" Brad said. I looked at Christi to see her reaction. She smiled and said.

"Come on join us."

"Are you sure?" I asked. Everyone said yes. We will be over in a minute. I went back to our table and sat next to Sue.

"Wes, Brad and their group have invited us to their table. Christi and her boyfriend are there. Do you feel comfortable enough to go and join them?"