“Tony, you startled me. Catherine said you wouldn’t be home until late.” She couldn’t see his eyes. She waited for him to respond. He stood in silence for a moment, she thought about talking. While she debated, he walked to a chair hidden in darkness. When he returned she could only see his silhouette but knew he was now nude.
Still not speaking, Tony dove into the pool. He swam up to Claire and wrapped his arms around her. Within seconds, Claire’s bathing suit disappeared. His actions were fast and rough. Their mouths united as their tongues wildly searched for one another. He moved from her lips to the nape of her neck and all places in between.
The pool depth allowed Tony to touch but not Claire. She wrapped her legs around his torso, allowing him to support her. He continued to nuzzle her neck, lifting her body so that her round supple breasts found his lips. His kisses became nips and he gently bit the tips of her hard nipples. Claire groaned with pleasure.
His hurried movements caused his bristled face to scratch her soft skin. However, the pain of his beard was quickly forgotten as the pleasure from his touch filled her consciousness. His mouth tantalized and his hands explored. Claire’s back arched as she pressed her breasts toward his mouth and wrapped her fingers in his wet hair. In the silence of the country night her moans echoed as her body convulsed. Though the night was hot, Claire’s arms and legs were cloaked in goose bumps.
Tony eventually led Claire out of the pool, onto a chaise lounge. He resumed his exploration, but not with his hands. They still hadn’t spoken. Claire’s mind teetered between the cognizant he doesn’t seem upset and the unconscious ecstasy. His actions slowed, becoming more deliberate and sensual, causing sensations deep inside of her. She held on to his massive shoulders and accepted everything he offered.
The carnal heat was intensified by the night’s humidity which instigated perspiration. Claire could taste it as her lips and tongue seduced his neck. The salty sweat mixed with chlorine creating an amazing potion. When he finished they were both moist, more from one another than the pool.
Panting, they lay still, listening to the cicadas and crickets. Finally, with a grin, Tony spoke, “Good evening, Claire.” His eyes were soft as milk chocolate. “I wasn’t happy when you weren’t in your suite.” Claire started to speak but Tony put his finger lightly on her lips. “But your idea of a swim on this hot evening was much better than what I had planned.”
Claire smiled. They moved back into the water to cool off but found that even in the water they had problems staying cool.
Later that night in Claire’s suite, Tony brought up the situation at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital Event. He told her that it hadn’t been a planned test. However, had it been she would have passed. He believed that she could be trusted with more responsibilities and independence. Therefore, on her table was a wallet that contained her ID—a driver’s license and a new credit card. The card was on his account and was for her use when he wasn’t around.
“What do you mean when you are not around?” her voice didn’t hide her fear. Tony smiled at her trepidation.
“You will only leave the grounds without me with Eric and my permission. But I will need to travel to Europe for at least a week next month. You have behaved well,” he smiled and ran his hand over her bare thigh and buttocks, “very well. And you have followed instructions much better than I would have given you credit for a few months ago.” His hands now roamed and Claire’s eyes closed as her body responded. Tony’s voice was both masterful and playful, “As a matter of fact, I believe that right now you would do as I say.”
Opening her eyes, she gazed into his and answered, “I would.” Her voice yearned as her body mindlessly obeyed, responding to his touch.
“I think we should continue to test that theory.” He said with a devilish grin. “But first I believe you have earned the ability to do some shopping for yourself.”
Claire’s first thought was that she didn’t want to be by herself. What if someone like Mr. Jackson approached? But then again, isn’t that what she had wanted since she arrived, to be out, away, alone forever? She would need to file these thoughts. Compartmentalize and think about them tomorrow.
Tony was testing his theory. She needed to hear every word he said. The directives for this test were proving playful and exciting. Claire knew she could pass.
Life is not what it’s supposed to be. It’s what it is.
Thewayyoucopewithitiswhatmakesthedifference. —Virginia Satir
Chapter 10
Standing at the rail of her balcony, Claire stared at the scene in front of her. The rays of moonlight illuminated the yard and tops of the trees, changing the familiar objects to unfamiliar colors. Under its brilliance, the trees appeared black and the grass silver. The multitude of stars glistened as she listened to the sounds of coyotes in the distance. This noise worried her. She thought about the smaller animals in the woods and hoped for their safety.
The humid air caused her to perspire even though she wasn’t outside long. She could feel her hair stick to her neck and droplets roll down her back. Claire had received word that Mr. Rawlings wouldn’t be home until after ten, and she would dine alone. This was the third night in a row. Last night, he hadn’t come to her suite at all. The night before, it’d only been for a few minutes to touch base. Apparently, things have been extremely busy.
The clock said 11:00 when she retreated to the balcony. She hadn’t seen him or received a message and wanted to do something—anything. Patience wasn’t a virtue she possessed in her old life. Now as she gazed at the countryside, she knew she was losing what little she had recently been forced to acquire. She was thinking about how even the air smelled warm when the door behind her opened. “Oh, hi, Tony, you startled me.”
“I thought perhaps I would need to search for you again. Then I noticed the drapes.”
“I didn’t know if you were coming tonight.”
He indicated for her to come back inside. She complied. And he shut the door. “You didn’t get my message?”
“I did. It is just later than normal.” Seeing him in the light, she realized he looked tired and thought how he rarely appeared anything but ideal. Things must really be rough with work. She wanted to talk to him about it, but in the past, he didn’t or wouldn’t try to explain things.
“I came to let you know I need to fly to New York tomorrow. I have a business deal that apparently is going to fall apart if I don’t get personally involved.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Damn it, Claire, I don’t know for sure.” He told her to come to him, and she did. He held her so close that she needed to look up to see his eyes. He lowered his face to her hair. With her head against his chest, she heard him sigh. “This has been a pain-in-the-ass deal. It has been in the pipeline for years. The time alone has cost me millions, what with research and analysis. Now it seems like everything is going to fall through.”
Claire didn’t know anything about the deal. She did know that this was more than he’d disclosed to her at one time. She wanted to help, to make him feel better. She didn’t want to do anything because he owned her, but because she wanted to. As terrifying as Anthony Rawlings can be when he is strong and controlling, she didn’t like seeing him meek and worn down either. “Tony, is there anything I can do?”