Chapter 2

Ray sat on her bed in her room at the Hampton. "I'm stunned," Rebecca said. "That punk will be disappointed -- there's not much of value in my bag."

"He would've done better if he'd taken my laptop case instead," Ray remarked.

"Yeah -- but you had yours slung across your shoulder -- how my mother always tells me to carry mine."

"You've already called to notify your credit card companies," he said. "You can replace your driver's license."

"I'll need a new cell phone -- that's a hassle."

"Did you already have a return bus ticket?" he asked.

"It's here."

"You shouldn't have any problem checking out. They imprinted your credit card and got pre- approval. I'm sure that'll go through okay. If not -- a phone call should straighten things out."

"I don't know how I'm going to get back to the bus station. I was going to get some cash from the ATM in the lobby before checking out and going to my interview. Without my debit card..."

"I can help you out. I'll get some cash for you."

"No, Ray -- I can't impose on you."

"Consider it a loan. You can send me a check when you get home. You have my card."

"No I don't."

He handed her another from his wallet. "Now you do. Will fifty be enough?"

"I think so."

"I'll be right back."

Ray returned to her room with some bills. He rapped on the door. She opened it and he stepped in. "Here," he said, "it's sixty. The machine didn't have any tens." He regarded her in a robe that came to her knees.

"The shock is wearing off and the outrage is setting in," she said. "I feel so violated I'm shaking."

"You washed your face," he remarked.

"Yes ... so?"

"Rebecca -- I think you look so much better without all that eye makeup. You'd certainly look better for Kirk without it."

"I don't have much choice -- my makeup kit was in my purse. I feel naked without it."

He stepped closer and regarded her face. "Really, much better."

"I've always worn it that way -- ever since I was in high school."

"You're all grown up, now, Rebecca."

"Why do you think I look better without it?"

"You have a natural beauty."

"With my lines and crows' feet?"

"You're seasoned. How old are you? Thirty? Thirty-one?"

"I'm thirty-seven," she replied.

"With it, you looked like some Nephretiti wanna-be. Without it, you look wholesome and approachable. Please take my word on this."

"All right ... since I don't have an alternative. There's no way I could buy the stuff tomorrow and still make my interviews."

"Remember -- you do have a good story to tell. Good luck..." He regarded her. "You still have the shakes, don't you?"

"It's anger, now," she replied. "I feel so violated."

He opened his arms and embraced her. "Put it behind you. Look forward and you'll be fine."

"I'm still furious..." She rested her face against his shoulder. "Ray -- do you wear cologne?"

"No."

"You have a scent that's ... vaguely like some cologne but I can't place it."

"No, I don't use any. Mrs Harrington..."

"Who's she?"

"My housekeeper. When she does laundry she uses an organic, herbal preparation. Maybe that's what you smell."

"Maybe ... mixed with your own body chemistry." She looked into his eyes. "You smell good."

Ray returned her gaze, looking into her blue eyes. "Are you all right, Rebecca? You seem to be hyperventilating."

"I hate this phase of it," she replied.

"What phase is that?"

"When I'm with someone ... I'm interested ... I think he's interested ... I just can't seem to pull the trigger."

Ray caressed the back of her head. He brought his face to hers and kissed her lips. "This trigger?"

"That's the one. I don't live like a nun, Ray ... I have been on dates. But when they find out I live with my mother and have two kids -- one with a disability -- it seems to put a damper on things."

He kissed her again. "It's been three years for me ... three years since ... I never thought I'd meet someone who'd ignite that spark."

"Do I?" she asked.

"You do." He kissed her again, this time caressing her lips with the tip of his tongue. "You sure do."

"That was a good kiss," she said. "Ray -- this is foolishness. We'll probably never see each other again."

"Ace your interview tomorrow and we could see plenty of each other. My office is two floors above Kirk's."

Ray eased his way toward a sofa in the room. Rebecca slipped her robe off her shoulders. Underneath she wore a pale blue cotton nightgown that came halfway to her knees.

Ben coaxed her onto his lap.

"Before we go any further," she said, I have a rule. First time it's fingers only -- no oral, no..."

"No real fucking," he interjected. "Is there a reason?"

"It's a little test of mine."

"I'm okay with it. I don't have any condoms and running out for some would be a real passion- killer."

"It doesn't matter -- my tubes are tied. Vadim insisted on it after Sonay was born."

"That sounds so draconian. Why didn't he just get a vasectomy?" Ray asked.

"He blamed me for her defect and wanted to make sure we didn't bring any more defective children into the world. I was so co-dependant then, Ray -- I was in his thrall. I'd do anything he told me to."

"Okay -- fingers only. Does that rule out kissing?"

"No -- kissing's okay."

"Good..." He kissed her again and they explored each other's mouths with their tongues. Ray put his hand on her knee. He could feel her breath on his face. "Relax," he said.

"My heart's pounding so fast ... it feels twice its size and like it's going to burst out of my chest."

Ray unbuttoned his shirt and guided Rebecca's hand to his chest. He smoothed his hand along her shin; then up and under her hem to caress her thigh. "You have nice legs, Rebecca," he said. With the backs of his fingers he stroked her breast. A lump formed as her nipple firmed under his touch. Rebecca's breathing slowed. "Are you relaxing, now?" he asked.

"A bit. What you're doing feels good."

"Are you ready to get horizontal?"

"About ready," she replied.

"Do you want the lights on or off?"

"I don't need it dark."

"I'll leave on the ceiling fixture by the closet."

She stood. Together they went to the bed and turned down the covers. Ray shucked off his shirt and stripped to his briefs. He turned down the covers and sat with his back against the headboard.

Rebecca leaned against him. He held her around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. "Mmm ... This feels nice..."

He kissed her shoulder and neck, nuzzling under her ear. "Do you like this sort of thing?"

"I like what you're doing ... I like feeling your arms around me." Ray cupped his hand over her breast and nuzzled her other ear. "That feels good, too. Your hand is warm."

He traced the neckline of her gown, hooked his finger under its shoulder strap and slipped it down her arm. He peeled back the bodice and beheld her ample left breast. "My God, Rebecca," he exclaimed, "you are gorgeous..." He traced the outline of her large, tan areola and brushed his nails across her thick nipple. "Your breasts are perfect."

"Perfect? They're a bit saggier than they used to be," she replied.

"They're perfect on you." He slipped her other strap off her shoulder and uncovered her right breast. "Seeing them for the first time is a real thrill, Rebecca. I feel like a high school junior on lovers' lane..."

Ray began fondling her breasts, ending each stroke with a pinch on her nipple. She gripped his thighs, digging her nails into his skin as he stroked her. "I think I want to lie down," she said.

She lifted up. Ray grasped the hem of her gown and lifted it from her. She lay on her side and he lay beside her, stroking her face. He kissed her lips. She caressed the back of his head and as they kissed again. Rebecca relaxed her jaw so he could explore her mouth with his tongue.

Ray covered her face with kisses and then moved down, kissing her shoulders and chest. He caressed her breast and kissed her nipple; then tongued it, drawing it into his mouth.

Rebecca's lips parted and she drew in a deep breath. Ray could feel her ribs and belly heave. "Your nipple is so hard," he remarked.

"This feels so good," she replied. Ray tongued her right nipple and she drew in another gasp. "It feels good when you switch sides."

Ray worked his knee between her legs and could feel her squeeze it with her thighs as he mouthed her breasts. He coaxed her onto her back and began caressing and kissing her abdomen. "Your belly is so smooth and taut," he remarked. "I don't see a stretch mark. Are you sure you carried two children?"

"Oh, I'm sure. I carried them high, so I never developed a beach-ball belly. When I was carrying Kamelya I didn't even look pregnant 'til I was well into labor and she moved down."

Ray continued to caress her belly, fingering and tonguing her navel. He grasped the waistband of her briefs. Rebecca lifted her hips and he slid them off her legs. He ran his fingers through her light brown pubic hair. She eased her thighs apart and he slipped a finger into her slit. "You are very wet," he observed.

"I am very horny," she replied. "It's been a while and it all feels so good, Ray."

He lay beside her, his knee between hers and holding her with his left arm as he began languid stroking of her clit, keeping a slow but steady cadence. Ray gazed into her eyes. Rebecca placed her hand on his chest and stroked his nipples.

Her breathing deepened and he watched as her ribs and belly heaved. Rebecca parted her lips. "Oh, God Ray -- this feels so good..." She opened her mouth and panted.

Ray brought his face to her breast and began tonguing her nipple. She held his head against her chest and he could hear her heart racing. "Almost," she panted. "Almost -- don't change it." He increased the pressure on her clit and kept as steady a rhythm as he could.

"More," she gasped. "MORE!" He began stroking her furiously. Rebecca moaned and clamped her thighs tightly against his knee. Her legs shook and she let out a long, throbbing cry. "OH!" she gasped. "Oh, God, stop Ray ... stop..."