Chapter 45

Cindy stirred, feeling the erection inside her, she smiled.

But something seemed wrong ... feeling a moments alarm she realized the figure beneath her wasn’t breathing. Then what was under her came back to her. She sighed heavily and rolled off to the side.

The room was lit by a very dim glow from the tracking mirror system. It must be very early morning, About a half-hour or more before sunrise Cindy reasoned. She turned on the lights and went to relieve her bladder. She returned, now dressed, and muscled the mannequin back onto its hook. Pulling the shorts onto it once more. Then folded the blanket and put it away with the pillow.

Finding her way into the kitchen she started breakfast. John never left her mind the whole time.

Sally woke feeling wonderful like a scene from the Shirley Temple movie “Little Princess” where she awakes from a life of poverty into a heated room in a warm bed. Like it was all a dream. She was in a luxurious hotel room. A comfortable bed, firm mattress with soft clean sheets. She herself was clean.

Her mind pondered over how this could be. The previous morning had been nowhere near as pleasant. Waking in a cardboard box in an alley. Looking for any privacy to empty her bladder. She had dropped her pants behind a dumpster, finding another body watching her from another box. Shrugging she had completed her task. Now as she slipped out of bed and found the clean, private opulence of the rooms bathroom, she remembered John.

While she still didn’t understand his motivations, she no longer distrusted him. He’d made not the slightest move towards her the previous evening. She realized with a start that she would have been much more than receptive if he had. But the fact that he hadn’t, made him even more attractive to her, if somewhat of an enigma.

She’d heard the first opening lines of his tirade at the hotel clerk the previous evening. The sound coming through the elevator doors just before it started up. She connected that with the changed behavior of the waitress from the diner while she had been cleaning up. The man was defending her honor! The sweetheart.

She finished up on the toilette and moved to the sink, washing her hands and then brushing her teeth. She wondered how she could get John to remain in her life. More than a little surprised, that she wanted him to.

“God, he’s over twice your age. Close to three times it.” she thought to herself. Another part of her mind asked: “So what? He’s cute. He’s kind and generous. He defended your honor ... which is more than you’ve done at times.”

She tried to shrug off her thoughts as she found a disposable hair cap and donned it. She adjusted the water and stepped into the shower.

She luxuriated in the hot steamy water for a bit before she soaped herself and washed her privates. Thinking of what a luxury it was even to have toilet paper, let alone the luxury of a shower afterwards.

The touch of her fingers between her legs coincided with John’s return to her thoughts. The touch became more insistent. Probing her most sensitive parts repeatedly. Her face flushed and her breathing became hurried. Her other hand roamed freely over her breasts and nipples. Sometime later she fought to muffle her cry as her body convulsed. Leaning against the wall of the shower for support as she caught her breath once more. She wanted John, in a big way.

She rinsed her body and then shut off the water, reaching a towel and daubing the drops of water from her body. She stripped off the shower cap and tossed her hair. Combing it out and then into some sort of order, its Auburn luster seemed to come to life, subtly matching the glow of her flushed cheeks.

Exiting the bathroom she donned the luxurious terry robe.

The phone rang and she answered it.

“Yes, this is the desk. Mr. Stevens left a wake up call for you just before he retired. It’s now eight o-clock.”

“Thank you ... How do I get room service?” Sally asked.

“I’ll connect you.” the voice said.

A moment later room service came on the line. She was told there was a menu in the drawer beside the bed. Sally looked it over while they waited and ordered a large breakfast with lots of coffee. Cringing at the prices listed. But somehow she knew John wouldn’t mind.

A knock on the door a short time later delivered her meal. The steward didn’t linger for a gratuity. A good thing as Sally had nothing to give him.

She dug in. Her body fairly tingling in response to the delicious food.

Sally was well into her meal when a soft knock came on the door. She opened it to find the woman from the previous evening laden down with several boxes and sacks. Sally admitted her and helped her set them down.

“Good morning ... I hope you slept well...?” the woman said, a question lingering.

“Sally, Yes. Like a baby. Thank you...?” Sally responded, in kind.

“Marie. I’ve found several things I think will fit you ... God, I wish I had access to the clothes Mr. Stevens purchased. There must be ... thirty thousand dollars worth of clothing in his room.”

“Thirty thousand dollars worth?!” Sally gasped.

“At least. Uh ... why don’t I lay these out for you while you finish your breakfast.”

“Thank you.” Sally said, sitting back at the table.

It took her a while to finish her breakfast, because she kept jumping up each time Marie laid out a new outfit. They were gorgeous! Sally had never seen the likes of them. She flipped over an emerald green evening dress that matched her eyes.

“I didn’t notice your hair color last night. That suits you quite well.” Marie said.

“When it’s dirty it sort of turns ugly brown.” Sally said.

“Of course ... I think this outfit would be better suited for a job interview though.” Marie said, diplomatically.

“I think you’re right. I wish I had some makeup though.” Sally said.

“I’ll be glad to let you use mine. Why don’t you dress and I’ll just run get it.” Marie offered.

“That would be great ... Thanks, Marie.” Sally said.

“You’re quite welcome.” Marie said, squeezing her hand and then leaving the room.

Sally sorted through the undergarments. Each incredibly lovely. She selected a matching bra and panties. Lacy and elegant. She was amazed how well they fit. She pulled on the silk blouse and the lower part of the elegant tan pant suit. A pair of knee high silk stockings and a practical but lovely pair of pump shoes completed the lower half of her wardrobe.

A soft knock on the door and Marie was back with her makeup.

“That fits you perfectly. Oh it’s so lovely.” Marie said, admiringly.

“Thank you ... it feels like a million bucks.” Sally said.

“I’d think it was closer to a thousand, but I know what you mean.” Marie said.

“This is worth a thousand dollars?” Sally asked, aghast.

“Oh, at least. I think just a hint of eye shadow and some mascara.” Marie said.

She advised Sally on just how much to wear, selecting the right shade for her. She finished off with a subtle smudge proof lip gloss.

She helped Sally on with the jacket and then dug into a sack for a small box. A simple set of gold earrings completed her outfit.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Tears in the corners of her eyes.

Marie caught her: “You look lovely. Hey, none of that. You’ll run your mascara.” she said, though it was waterproof.

Sally hugged her and thanked her for all her help.

“You’re very welcome. Knock em dead, kid.” Marie said.

“Thank you ... I feel like I could.” Sally said.

“I have no doubt of it. Lovely tall, shapely red heads - in thousand dollar outfits- always get noticed.” Marie said.

She selected a few items from her makeup case and left them with Sally. Then hugged her a moment before she left. Sally put the makeup in a small, lovely clutch purse, which she found contained four twenties, a ten and two five’s. A hundred dollars! More than she’d seen in months.

Sally just stood before the mirror ... admiring herself in the gorgeous outfit. Thinking that there was just one person she wanted to notice how she looked. The one who had made it all possible. The ringing of the phone pulled her away from the mirror. It was John.

“Good morning. Sleep well?” he asked.

“Like a little princess.” Sally replied.

“Did you get the clothes? Do they fit okay?” John asked.

“Oh god, they’re lovely, John. Thank You.” Sally said, feeling her eyes water.

“Great. Did you have breakfast?” he asked.

“Yes. Though it cost you a bunch.” Sally said.

“That’s okay. I can afford it. Listen, if you’re ready. Could you meet me in the lobby in ten minutes?” John asked.

“I’m ready now.” Sally said.

“Ten minutes will be fine, I’m not quite ready myself...” John said.

“Okay, see you in ten minutes ... and Thank you, John ... for everything.”

“No problem kid. See you in ten minutes.” he said, breaking the connection.

“Kid huh?...” Sally mused to herself... “Just wait till you see this kid!”

She picked up the elegant coat Marie had brought with a white scarf. She slipped the purse into a coat pocket and draped it over her arm as she walked to the elevator.

The doors opened to the lobby and heads swung in her direction as she exited. Every male in sight started salivating as she made her way to some seats in the lobby, blushing from all the attention she was getting. The night clerk was just leaving the hotel and nearly walked into a pillar in his shock. Sally chuckled to herself.

John left the elevator carrying his top coat. He was somewhat casually dressed for business. Wearing a sweater with a knit tie rather than the traditional three piece suit. Sally stood and turned to him and he stopped in his tracks.

Before him was one of the loveliest young women he had ever seen. She was looking straight at him. It took him a moment to realize who it was.

“Oh fuck!” he thought to himself. “I hadn’t planned on this!”

He moved the arm holding his coat in front of him to disguise his reaction. Moving forward again he approached her.

“My, you certainly clean up well. You’re gorgeous! I didn’t even notice your hair color last night.” John stammered.

She beamed at him and gave him a big hug. He became blatantly aware of her firm body. The blood rushing to his head.

“Shall we go?” he asked.

“Yes ... Where are we going?” she asked.

“I think if you just make the rounds with me to my appointments, then a job will turn up for you.” John said, helping her on with her coat.

“Whatever you want is fine by me.” Sally said, returning the favor. She couldn’t help but notice his reaction to her. She beamed over it as he quickly buttoned his coat to cover it.

He took her arm and heads turned as they exited the hotel. The doorman flagged them a cab. This time John tipped him well.

In the cab Sally leaned over and kissed John on the cheek. He blushed.

“Thank you for the money ... and everything else, John.” she said.

“No problem. It will go fast enough. Just hang onto it while I’m here. Let me pay for everything.

I’m going to tell the companies where we go that I hired you as an assistant for while I’m here. One of them should bite and offer you a position for after I’m gone.” John said.

“If you think so...” Sally said, doubtful.

“I do ... Just relax and do as I say. You’ll do fine.” he said.

“If you say so ... I’m just along for the ride ... and loving it.” Sally said.

“Just seem to pay attention to what is said in the meetings. If I ask you a question it will be a yes or no one. Just nod and say yes.” he said.

“Okay...” she said. Aware of his body beside her in the cab. She caught a whiff of his after shave and felt a wave of desire for him.

He took her hand and squeezed it to reassure her. That it did, but it wasn’t her only reaction to it. She kept hold of his till they reached their first destination. John rented a post office box for her before they stopped at their first appointment.

At each appointment John introduced her as his assistant while he was here. It took several before one bit. At the small fashion house that John had thought of the previous evening.

John was impressed with the organization, but they still floundered with paper tickets and an unorganized inventory.

“You ought to hire Miss Thompson when I leave. She’s a wizard with the computer. She could organize your whole inventory and accounting system for you.” John said, nonchalantly.

Sally was off with one of the secretaries, presumably viewing a production technique.

“It just so happens that we’ve been looking for somebody like that. How much do you think she’d accept.” the manager asked.

“Oh ... She’s just getting her start here. She’s been staying in a hotel and I think her funds are getting low. I think you could steal her for thirty thousand a year plus benefits. We were going out to try to find her an apartment this afternoon.” John said.

The manager looked out of his glassed office at the stunning well dressed redhead. His wife wouldn’t be happy at all, but his business needed it.

“That’s a bit steeper than I had in mind ... but I just happen to have a nice apartment for rent. Perhaps we could work out a deal.” he said.

“I couldn’t speak for her. You’d have to ask her. I don’t think she’s really hurting. Her father’s a large book distributor in Pittsburgh.” John said.

“How did you happen to come by her?” the manager asked.

“Just lucky enough to stumble over her, really. She’s just what I needed for an assistant while I was here.” John skirted the question.

“Well ... You say she’s a wizard with the computer?” the manager asked.

“Oh yeah, Word processing, spread sheets the whole works. She organized her father’s whole operation for him.” John said.

“Well ... I might be able to go as high as twenty-eight. And throw in the apartment as a bonus. That would work out to closer to forty thousand a year. But it wouldn’t be so hard on the cash flow for the business. Would you talk to her for me?” the manager asked.

“Be glad to. When could we see the apartment?” John asked.

“How about this afternoon. I think I can get free about four o-clock.” the manager said.

“That would be fine. I’ll talk to her about it over lunch. But I’m sure if she likes the apartment she’ll be interested.” John said.

“Thanks that would be great. I really need to get organized here.” the manager said.

He wrote down the address for the apartment and said he’d meet John there. If he couldn’t make it he’d call John on his cellular, which John had supplied the number for. John thanked him for the tour and information. He collected Sally and left.

Over lunch at a nice restaurant he informed her she had a job for twenty-eight thousand a year plus bennies, plus rent.

Sally launched herself around the table for him.

He hugged her and then pushed her back into her seat. Embarrassed by the looks of envy from the other patrons around the restaurant.

She was shaking and about to cry.

“Listen ... just play it cool. Look at the apartment with a critical eye. Frown a bit here and there. Don’t go around looking like Alice in Wonderland. You’re a computer wizard. Remember that. You’re a business professional, just getting started, but not willing to shortchange yourself. After you’ve looked at the apartment, he’ll ask if I’ve talked to you. Tell him that you will accept the terms I’ve mentioned. Twenty-eight thousand plus bennies and rent. That you have some things to wrap up but think you can start Tuesday.” John told her.

“What if he asks how we met?” Sally asked.

“That’s a tough one ... tell me about last night. Did any of the kids around you say anything to you about me?” John asked.

Sally chuckled and blushed a bit.

“Come on, it could be important.” John insisted.

“Yeah, one of the girls said ‘Here comes a live one, if you like old men’ “ Sally said, embarrassed.

John dismissed his pang of pain.

“Perfect. Just tell him that a friend of yours recommended me ... as an old friend.” John said.

Sally chuckled.

“Oh ... you’re not so old.” she said. Admiration in her eyes.

“Old enough. Anyway, you’ll do fine. Just play it by ear. Don’t mention anything you don’t have to.” John said.

“But the Job! I don’t know if I can do it!” Sally said, worried.

“Piece of cake. You remember how you did it with your father’s book store. Just do the same thing for them.” John said.

“But I knew his book store. I’d worked there off and on. I knew what needed to be done. How he did things.” Sally protested.

“So ... ask. Find out how they do things here. Find out how they keep their inventory. Find out what customers they have and what suppliers they have. Then just organize the information. That’s all they really need. Take your time. Do a good job. Show up for work a little early every day and stay a little late each night. He won’t expect it to happen overnight. If he asks, show him what progress you’ve made. They’ll love you for it.” John said.

“But what about when I get it organized. Won’t he fire me.” Sally asked.

“No. He’ll beg you to stay to run it. His business will become so dependent upon your work that he won’t dare lose you. I’d be surprised if he didn’t offer you a raise to stay.” John said.

“I don’t know...” Sally said.

“You’ll do fine. If not, just give me a call. If you have any questions about anything, give me a call. If you get in a bind, or even if you just want to talk, give me a call.” John said.

“Where? I don’t know where you live.” Sally said.

John took out a note pad and wrote his address and the silo’s phone number. He added his e-mail address and his cellular number. He handed it to her.

She glanced at it.

“A post office box?” she asked.

“Not much mail service out in the desert.” John said.

“You live out in the desert?” she asked.

John chuckled and then told her about the silo. She listened in rapt attention as he described it in detail.

“It sounds wonderful. I’d love to see it sometime.” she said when he finished.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea right now. My lovelies aren’t very happy with me at the moment. But maybe after you get this guy organized we can arrange a visit. I figure that should take you at least four to six months.” John said.

“Lovelies? You only mentioned one before.” Sally said, a little dejected.

“I live with two women. There might soon be three, if the other two don’t kill me first.” John said.

“You live with two women? And you expect a third?” Sally asked, her hopes fairly dashed.

John saw her face and took her hand. She trembled a bit at his touch.

“There’s some things I should explain to you ... The women I live with ... Well ... they’re ... Bisexual ... I hope that doesn’t offend you.” John said.

“Bisexual.” Sally said, testing the word. Reflecting a moment to let it sink in.

“No, it doesn’t offend me. I’ve had gay friends. But I’ve never... been with one.” Sally said.

“One offered?” John asked.

“Yeah. I got scared and turned her down. We’re still friends though ... at least we were before I left.” Sally said.

“Well, I’m still not sure how I got into the middle of all this ... but I’d be a fool not to appreciate what I have. I love those girls. They seem to love me. Even with all the bullshit I put them through at times. I can’t imagine why they care for me.” John admitted.

“I can.” Sally said, quietly.

John looked at her a moment. Her eyes hung. Her hand quivering in his. He squeezed it and then turned to his coffee.

The apartment was clean, and in a nice neighborhood. It didn’t have much of a view, but was in a fairly secure building.

“I keep a security guard in the lobby twenty-four hours a day.” the manager bragged.

Sally just nodded, trying to play it cool as John had instructed. She had to look hard to find things to frown at like he said. When the manager broached the question she seemed reluctant, but nodded her acceptance. Stating the terms John had told her. The manager accepted, beaming at his new employee.

“Great. Here’s the key. We’ll sign the papers Tuesday.” he said.

“I’d appreciate if you’d let me see a copy of them, before I leave.” John said.

“Certainly, I can have them ready Monday morning.” he said.

“I just like to be certain someone I recommend gets treated fairly.” John said.

“Of course. No problem. Uh ... You don’t mind if I set up the apartment as a separate agreement. I can list her as house-sitting for a mythical absent tenant.” asked the manager.

“No ... as long as you state the duration of occupancy as at least a year. With rental and services included in lieu of salary for the house-sitting service.” John said.

“That’s agreeable.” said the manager.

“Assuming the contracts are in order, are the terms acceptable to you Sally?” John asked.

“Yes, quite acceptable.” she said, suppressing a smile.

“Great. I’ll see you Tuesday and John on Monday morning.” he said, taking his leave.

He’d barely left when Sally was hugging and kissing John. Bubbling like a seltzer.

She finally pulled her head back, her firm body still against him. She looked up into John’s face. He succumbed to her lovely green, teary eyes. He kissed her softly on the lips. She trembled as her lips parted and her tongue met his. The kiss lasted much longer than John felt comfortable with and much shorter than she wanted.

“Come on. We’ve got some shopping to do. We’ve got to get you some furniture and clothes for work.” John said, hoarsely.

“Thank you ... any chance you’ll help me break in the bed?” Sally asked, boldly.

“A chance ... but I shouldn’t. We’ll see.” John said, trying to ignore his erection.

She softly touched the front of his trousers. Feeling his manhood through the cloth.

“I hope it’s a good chance. I really want to ... And not just for all you’ve done for me.” She said.

John reluctantly pulled her hand away.

“Sally, you’re a lovely woman. And believe me I want to ... but I’m involved with at least two women I love very deeply. Even if we did it would have to be a one time thing. I couldn’t begin to offer you any long term relationship now ... or in the foreseeable future.” John told her.