Brad knew more about women than most guys his age, so he sensed that any girl with a face and body like Linda's had to be a dynamo in bed. And even though his own wife hadn't exactly been a novice in the nooky-department, Brad had, nevertheless, been intensely jealous of David's endless nights in bed with Linda Fortune. And if David was now so hot and eager to play the field, it meant that Linda had grown tired of him in bed and desperately needed the kind of stimulation which he, Brad, was so willing to supply her.
… JesusGod, I'm gonna rape my best friend's wife…!
No, I take that back-ex best friend. That two-faced sonofabitch, if only he could watch me give it to her. Sure, maybe he'd learn something… maybe he'd never want to stray again, once I showed him where and how to shove it!
RAPE!
The mere thought of the word left him breathless; especially since he planned to do it in such a way that it wouldn't even be a crime. Wouldn't make Page One, nor need any charges be pressed, except, of course, during the remedial act itself. The non-violent sex-offense, an art-form which he feared was slowly becoming defunct. Admittedly, it was a real guts-nuts-and-groin problem to take a woman by force, but without pain or vivisection. The trick was to make her want to be overpowered. To do that a guy had to forget all about acting like a gentleman, because it was in his manner that the violence was needed. The power of a threat could move mountains of otherwise pure and unattainable-type broads. Once a woman was convinced that she'd suffer the tortures of the damned if she didn't submit, she'd sigh stoically, then lean back and open up. But to do this the man would have to act and sound like a snarling brute, so that the woman could keep telling herself: "He'll kill me if I don't give in to him." And since she'd much rather be defiled than dead any day, this makes her feel utterly helpless to prevent the atrocity, which, of course, is why she'll be enjoying the biggest thrill of her life, a girlhood dream come true: "There he was, so big and loud and swearing… and poor little me! I was defenseless and in his power. Oh but please, don't ask me any more… I can't talk about it!"
None of them ever wanted to go on about it, thought Brad, for fear of letting it slip what a big ball they'd had.
Brad had always considered himself more manly and rugged than David-wasn't he bigger and huskier and better at sports? He had the most consummate faith that after one tangling blast with him, Linda would want an affair. So the hell with the old computer-route this time out. By betraying him and taking advantage of Joyce's vulnerability, David had broken some ground he'd probably been itching to plow for years. Which Brad saw as the all-clear for him to go and do likewise.
When he went back to the auto lot that day, Brad thought about the quick plan he'd devised. A sure-fire winner, he decided, and thank God all the facts and fates were with him. He went to his office at the back of the show-room and dialed Linda's number. Flora, the children's nurse, answered and said that Mrs. Fortune was busy in the kitchen. Then Linda picked up her extension and said: "That's all right. Flora, I've got it," and the nurse hung up. "Hello… who is this?" Linda asked pleasantly.
"Linda, this is Brad Grogan, which isn't going to make you jump for joy, but I've got a perfectly legitimate reason for calling you, so please don't hang up."
There was a tense pause, as Brad clocked the vibrations: lofty Queen wondering how to handle one of her ex court-jesters. Then, in her characteristically gracious tone of voice, Linda said: "But of course I shan't hang up, Brad. Nice of you to call. How are you?"
… I've got hot planets for you ass and your mink-lined pussy, that's how I am!.. thought Brad. Aloud: "I'm just fine, Linda… doin' real great."
"Well…" soft chuckle, "I hear you've gone over to General Motors." Little acid creeping into her voice now.
"Now Linda, if I could afford a press-agent, that's exactly what I'd want him to say about why I quit my job at All-Planet Insurance, but as you might have heard, I'm managing a used-car lot now, but with an adjoining showroom where we also sell late models…"
"Sounds interesting, Brad. Must be a splendid opportunity for you to meet… oh, all kinds of people."
… Aw you bitch, I'd much rather meet 'em in person than insure 'em on paper, which is what I did when I worked for that rich gravedigger you call a father. And ooh!.. How I'd love to have that old geezer see what I'm gonna do to you later, baby, with your pearl-studded vulva spittin' all that cream and chemistry! "Oh, it's fascinating work all right, Linda. In fact, right now, if it weren't for my job, I wouldn't have this wonderful opportunity to be talking to you."
Another pause op the wire. "I'm afraid you've lost me there, Brad…"
… Ah, but not for long, Lady Fat-Tits!.. "Linda, you have a birthday coming up in a few weeks, and I know I shouldn't be letting this cat out of the bag, but David is planning a surprise for you. And if I remember correctly, you absolutely hate surprises, right?"
"Well… yes. Brad," as if reluctant to admit anything to such a low-life and a bum, "that's quite true. But, I don't see…"
"You like everything scheduled and pre-arranged, which is why you should have the chance to drive your new station-wagon around the block a few times. That way it won't be such a shock when you see it in the driveway on your birthday."
Brad heard her gasp, wondering how many of those sounds he'd worm out of her later. "You mean David's buying me a new station-wagon?" Hmm, no wonder he'd seemed rather quiet and preoccupied the past few weeks, thought Linda; and here she'd been afraid he was coming down with something! "Brad, that's wonderful, although the car I have now is only two years old, and I really don't drive that much, except to take the kids back and forth to school and shop. But… yes, you're quite right, I would like to see it and… get the feel of it first…"
… Aw you'll get the feel of it, baby… it'll be up you so high your teeth'll ache!.. "That's fine, Linda. I'll have one of our demonstrators drive it out to your house within the hour," Brad said aloud.
"No, no… wait," she said, and Brad's heart flipped over and he thought: don't fight this, baby. You need this gift! "You'd better tell your man not to park right in front of the house," she said. "The children are at school, but I wouldn't want any of the household staff to see it. That way everyone'll think I'm genuinely surprised later, which is really what counts the most. With me, anyway; although really, David's such a tease to be doing this, knowing how I am about these things…"
"Yeah, well… maybe he just wants to get a festive little rise out of you," Brad chuckled, "but, well fine, Linda, I'll tell our demonstrator to park around the corner, on Taylor Street. He'll be waiting for you there in exactly one hour."
"All right, Brad, and listen… thanks. You were right to call. Things will go much more smoothly this way…"
… Ahh yes, my love, he thought, as he hung up; smoothly is the word for it. Smoothly in and smoothly out, kneeling, humped or sitting. How do I rape my buddy's wife? Let me count the ways!
It was about two that afternoon when Linda Fortune hurriedly left the house, after telling the servants she was going to have lunch with a friend in the neighborhood who would then drive her into San Francisco to do some shopping. This would explain why she set out on foot, instead of taking her car.
It was a warm late-September afternoon, and she wore only a thin shantung dress with a cardigan slipover draped about her shoulders. Her pale-gold hair was styled loose and casually about the lovely cameo of her face, and she might easily have been taken for a teenager. As she strolled around the block and turned the corner on Taylor Street, she stopped in her tracks and let out a little squeal of delight. For there it was, a brand-new '69 Belvedere station-wagon. And her very favorite color (next to sunny-yellow)… sky-blue! It was long and roomy enough to hold the whole family. This sort of gesture was a bit unlike David, but yet, it was rather dashing and romantic of him to be throwing caution to the winds for once. An occasional change in their rigid pattern of living was exactly the touch of drama they needed, although she'd never dream of making such a request to David, for he seemed so content with his lot, so inexorably set in his ways.