by Cara Addison
Join me for a drink on the 19th. Better yet…join me for dinner.
Make a reservation. You’ve got yourself a date.
At half past six, Kate arrived at the club, just as Bradley returned to the clubhouse. She ordered a round of drinks while he changed for dinner. It was early in the season, and the clubhouse was quiet as they sat and enjoyed an intimate dinner together.
“Do you golf, Kate?” he inquired as the water was poured.
The waiter smirked and pointed to the wall of plaques. “She was club champion for five years running,” he offered, before slipping away to the kitchen.
“Is there anything you can’t do?” Bradley mused.
Kate smiled at the off-handed compliment, as she reflected inwardly on her inability to provide a grandchild for her father.
“Can you get away for a few days?”
Kate hesitated. She had accomplished so much on the digital infrastructure project that she’d been working on, but still had more work to do. “I’m sure I can put things aside for a few days,” she responded. “What did you have in mind?”
“Richard Bannerman and his wife are heading down to their vacation home, and they invited us to join them.”
Richard Bannerman was a billionaire, having parlayed his old family money into exceptional new wealth through his expansion into software and new media. Kate knew that Brad and Bannerman were business acquaintances, but hadn’t realized that they had a tendency to vacation together. “Richard Bannerman? The billionaire? You’re talking about his vacation home in the Virgin Islands?”
“That’s the one.”
“When are they…when are we…going?”
“This weekend. Richard has an event to attend on Friday night, so I think they want to fly out first thing on Saturday morning.”
“This Saturday?” she asked, incredulously. Clearly, men had no concept of the preparations that were involved in escaping to a luxury island vacation. Her mind raced through an elaborate list of tasks that would have to be completed. Pedicure, waxing, hair, shopping, and packing all had to be squeezed into the hours that weren’t consumed with work.
“I need to start packing.”
“Pack a bikini and a toothbrush,” he replied. “I promise, you’ll be naked most of the time.”
* * * *
Over coffee the next morning, Kate pulled an archived copy of the Architectural Digest magazine that had featured an extensive article on the secluded private island that she would be visiting. According to the article, the sprawling island estate was affectionately known as Sandy Sheets, and Kate had every intention of dividing her getaway time between the crisp white sheets and the luxurious sandy beach portrayed in the magazine.
Her phone rang, and she smiled as Bradley’s photo appeared on her caller ID. She swiped the screen and answered, “Morning, handsome.”
“How’s my girl this morning?”
“Delightful now.” Her day was off to a splendid start.
“Will I see you at yoga this morning?”
“I’ll have to skip class today, Bradley. I’ve got back-to-back meetings and so much to do before the weekend.”
“Okay. I wanted to firm up the details. Richard called to confirm our travel plans. I have to dash out of town for a few days, but I’ll pick you up early Saturday morning. The jet is scheduled to take off at 7:30 am. We’ll be back late on Monday.”
At the mention of the jet, Kate realized that they wouldn’t be flying on a commercial airline, but rather they would be travelling on Richard’s private jet, a reportedly luxurious Dassault Falcon.
“I assume you’ve flown on the jet before?”
“A few times, why?”
“I guess I’ll get to see how the other half lives.”
“It’s just an airplane, Kate. Money aside, I think you’ll be surprised at how average Richard and Isabelle are.”
Kate put aside her getaway preparations for now, and prepared for a busy day at city hall. An hour after she arrived at the office, her PA carried in an extravagant bouquet of delicate sterling roses offset by deep purple Lisianthus cascading over the edges of an exquisite crystal vase.
“Five dozen,” her assistant gushed. “I counted. Someone is either celebrating an event, or someone has been really naughty.”
A little of both, Kate thought, as she opened the sealed envelope containing the handwritten card. With her PA still arranging and admiring the flowers on her desk, she smiled wildly to herself, holding back her delight as she read.
I’ve kept count. A flower for every orgasm.
When her assistant left the room, Kate quickly placed a call to an acquaintance, asking for his suggestion for a unique box of cigars. Upon his recommendation, she placed an order for a box of the Partagas Salomones. The description of the cigar’s characteristics matched Bradley perfectly. They were made in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba, and were known for their excellent taste and full flavors of leather, earth, and a hint of spice. Kate quietly sent an intern to pick up the package, while she crafted a note to accompany her gift.
One for each time I’ve dropped to my knees. Shall I place a weekly order?
The courier delivered the package.
Late on Friday night, she returned home from the office, finally wrapping up business for the week. She carefully packed her selections into a Louis Vuitton Keepall and laid out her travelling clothes for the early morning start.
Chapter 9
Kate woke early, showered, and dressed in a pale pink empire-waist cotton dress and pulled on a pair of knee-high boots. She tossed a pair of sandals into the outside pocket of her handbag. The weather was still cool in Lowden, but she was certain that she could transition to sandals at the airport and brave the elements for the short walk to the plane.
As promised, Bradley picked her up at 7:00 a.m. for the short ride to the commuter terminal at Lowden Airport. They parked at a private hanger. Bradley grabbed their bags from the car, which were quickly whisked away by a staffer. Brad escorted her through the waiting area toward the sleek white jet, which had just landed.
The door to the jet opened with Richard and Isabelle quickly descending to greet them. Richard hugged Brad warmly before Kate was introduced to the power couple. Richard was an average looking fifty-something man with thin blond hair. Isabelle was slender and elegant. It was impossible to estimate her age. Kate was surprised to discover how shy she was, as she greeted her in a soft Portuguese accent.
“After you, GQ,” Richard said, motioning them up the stairs.
“GQ?” Kate questioned, raising an eyebrow at Richard. “Do tell!” Richard and Isabelle ascended up the short staircase behind her. Kate was pleasantly surprised at how high, wide, and handsomely proportioned the executive suite was. The layout featured three spacious lounge areas accommodating up to twelve passengers. Richard and Isabelle settled quickly into two captain’s chairs that swiveled to face two more luxurious, buttery-soft leather chairs that Bradley and Kate picked and settled into as the cabin door was closed and the jet began to taxi toward the runway. In less than ten minutes from stepping from the car, they were wheels up. They quickly ascended to the jet’s cruising altitude of thirty-six thousand feet.
Richard swiveled his chair around to face them. “You haven’t told Kate your nickname?” he asked, with a wide grin.
Isabelle turned to her and laughed adding, “It was three years before I knew that his real name was Bradley.”
Richard explained, “I’m trying to remember who coined it, but during our senior year of college, one of the freshman addressed the coiffed, confident, entitled Bradley as GQ…”
“…and it’s been with me ever since,” Bradley added with a slight grimace.
Kate spent the ninety-minute flight getting to know her gracious hosts, discovering that Isabelle was born and raised in Brazil before arriving in California to pursue a modeling career with a subsequent scholarship to study marine biology. Arriving at their destination, they disemba
rked the jet as quickly as they had boarded. The fresh crisp smell of the salty ocean air pierced Kate’s nostrils. A customs official who had boated in to meet them checked their passports, and they were off to the open-air all-terrain vehicles that whisked them to the main house.
Richard turned, and with hands gesturing to the paradise surrounding them, greeted, “Welcome to my Sandy Sheets, Kate.”
“He never gets tired of saying that,” Isabelle said with a big grin. Stepping off the plane had transformed her.
It was obvious that staff outnumbered them, as Brad and Kate were escorted to their room while Richard and Isabelle bustled off to another wing of the sprawling villa.
The walls and floors of the villa were a crisp, clean white that reflected the brilliant colors of the ocean and sky. The room they were assigned was breathtaking. A large four-poster bed was accompanied by a room of furniture to welcome any guest, no matter what the nature of their visit. Kate pulled opened the folding glass doors and stood overlooking the railing, soaking in the panoramic view of ocean, palm trees, and pink sand. Brad joined her, gliding his hands down each of her arms, spooning her. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Hmmmm,” she purred, turning her head slightly to accept his kisses. “I can only imagine how beautiful this is at night.”
“I can’t wait to show you,” he replied, beginning to tug at her dress.
The butler, who had been assigned to them, interrupted as he tapped on the open door. “Mr. Richard requests your presence.”
They returned to the main entrance, where Richard introduced them to the remainder of the staff who would be taking care of their every need during their visit. Isabelle had already transitioned into a micro bikini with a rich and silky sarong loosely tied at her waist. Kate could already see her relax, knowing that this was the place that she was most comfortable.
“I’m off to the beach, Kate.” Isabelle said, “Get changed, and I’ll show you around.”
Kate returned to their room to slip into a tri-top bikini with a country plaid pattern in ivory and slate. She added lotion, a hat, and sunglasses to her collection of beach essentials. She watched as Brad pulled on a pair of two-tone brief-style swim shorts. They provided a snug fit, and a tantalizing tease of his ample package. She groaned inwardly, eager to be with him.
Isabelle escorted her down the many tiers of decks with inviting seating areas, fountains, and lush tropical plants, pointing out unique and interesting species along the way. She showed her around the beach before they settled into two separate oceanfront cabanas. Isabelle effortlessly shed her bikini top, lying topless on her back as Richard generously applied lotion.
Laying relaxed and peaceful in the lounger, soaking up the sun, Kate heard the distinct accent. “Feel free to take off your top, Kate. You have beautiful breasts.”
“You’re right, Isabelle,” Brad purred leaning over her. “She does.”
“No one here to see you, Kate,” Richard added. “Take advantage. It’s the one place on earth where we’re all equal. No one cares who you are, what you think, or what you do.”
Casual attire took on an entirely new meaning at Sandy Sheets, as Kate slipped her tri-top off, and relaxed against the plush fabric of the cabana bed. “Lotion?” Brad asked suggestively, anxiously holding the bottle in his hand.
“Please,” she responded, giving him the, don’t start something you can’t finish look. He poured a spot of lotion into his hands, warming the liquid before placing his hands on her hips, slowly gliding his hands from her abdomen toward to her shoulders. His touch was divine. She pressed her eyes closed, unconsciously holding her breath as his hands slipped over her breasts. She was thankful that their hosts were deep in conversation about the evening menu, not witnessing her sensitivity to his touch.
Lying back down beside her, Brad leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I haven’t seen you all week,” his voice hovering on a sexy growl.
“Trust me, I know,” she responded, biting her lip.
“We could close the panels, and have a little privacy,” he whispered suggestively.
She was tempted. Very tempted, but knew that it would be marginally rude to indulge themselves just feet from their generous hosts.
Richard interrupted the notion, “Tell me about your plan to transform Lowden, Kate. GQ tells me you have some ambitious ideas.”
“Ambitious? Perhaps, but very achievable and completely necessary if we’re going to remain competitive in this tight economy.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I believe we need to transform ourselves into a smart city.”
“What’s a smart city?” Isabelle inquired.
“Good question. My goal is to have a city that embraces innovation, technology, and sustainable energy…a city where businesses can provide higher-value jobs based in the knowledge or creative economy.”
“That does sound ambitious. How do you do that?”
“I’ve developed a ten-point plan to facilitate transition. First, I had council approve a motion to abolish development charges on greenfield development for the next five years.”
“What’s a greenfield?” Isabelle interjected.
“Greenfields are undeveloped lands. It is green, raw, land that the city owns and has designated for commercial or industrial growth. We’re located in the heart of an industrial basin, and because of the recent downturn, there is a large inventory of brownfield lands in the region.”
Isabelle again queried, unsure of the unusual terminology, “Brownfield?”
Kate smiled. “I know…it’s like learning a whole new language. Brownfields are land or buildings that have been shuttered or abandoned by the former occupant,” she continued to explain. “In theory, it is cheaper to convert a brownfield for a new use, but with the relief of impact fees and development charges, I want to make greenfields more attractive, especially to businesses in the knowledge or creative economy…engineering, design, high tech, clean technology, new media…”
“Is it feasible to waive fees?” Richard asked.
“My analysis of the numbers indicates that it is. The greenfields we have in inventory have already collected enough fees to cover the cost invested in infrastructure, so we won’t be taking a loss on those properties. If we exceed the capacity, within my four-year term of office, we’ll be so far ahead on tax assessment that expansion of infrastructure will be a moot point.
“Interesting.”
“There’s more. I’ve asked council to declare all vacant municipal land and buildings, technically known as greyfields,” Kate added for Isabelle’s benefit, “as surplus land. I’d like to make those greyfields available to nonprofit or startup companies for a below-market value rate.”
“Why?”
“Well, they’re surplus…empty and useless to us, and they aren’t generating any tax assessment,” she rationalized. “If a business or nonprofit can get a head start in an existing facility, the city is ahead in taxes, while at the same time, fulfilling the mandate of supporting new growth. We’ve already sold a former equipment yard that was located in the downtown core, to a car-share organization. We’re supporting our environmental goal, generating new taxes, and providing a service that our workforce is seeking.”
“That’s one point in the ten-point plan,” Bradley explained, standing and walking to the water’s edge, beckoning Kate to join him for a swim.
“How long have you been mayor, Kate?” Richard asked, quizzically.
“Four months,” she answered,
Richard whistled. “Impressive. I can’t wait to hear more. “
They waded into the clear blue waters that sparkled in the sunlight. The waves were low, without the fuel of high winds.
“So…GQ.” Kate smiled friskily. “Interesting nickname.”
“You think it’s cute, don’t you?”
“I think I do. Can we keep it? Huh? Huh? Can we?” she teased playfully, wrapping her legs around his torso as they sunk into chest
-deep water.
“It’s not a puppy.”
“It’s as cute as a puppy. Can we keep it?” she begged. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll feed it and pet it…and when he rolls over, I’ll rub his belly.”
He kissed her hungrily, licking the salt from her lips. She could feel him harden through the thin suit. “I’m taking you back to the room,” he whispered between kisses.
“Wait,” she asked naughtily, “are we continuing the doggy theme there, or has that run its course?”
“You’re incorrigible, girl,” he added in playful disgust as they swam to the shore. Exiting the water, Kate tossed him a towel to cover his bulging cock that his suit could no longer contain, his swollen head peeking out over the waistband. They stopped at the outdoor shower, just long enough to rinse the sand and salt from their bodies before hastening back to the privacy of the suite.
They slipped out of their suits, and Kate flopped onto the luxurious white comforter, not bothering to pull back the sheets. He leaned over her, kissing her softly before lying on her, enveloping her in his warm, damp skin. Flesh pressed against flesh as they kissed. He dipped his lips to kiss her neck, as she spread her knees for him. He ran his hands up her thigh and then urgently slid his engorged head into the moist pussy that awaited him. He thrust gently and then pulled out, dripping with her juices.
She whimpered.
He slipped his glistening head up, and swirled it playfully against her clit. A cry escaped as she ran her fingers through his hair, clutching the curls at the base of his neck. He plunged his cock back in her hole, moaning as he delivered another series of short thrusts. Again, he pulled out and swirled his cock against her. Kate’s muscles tightened, then released in delightful spasms.
He slipped into her again, thrusting before he pulled out. “Taste it,” he murmured, tilting forward. She hesitated briefly, before leaning forward to lick the moisture from the head of his cock. “Do you like it?” She wasn’t entirely sure if she did, preferring the taste of his fluid to her own, but eagerly took his head into her mouth, sucking lightly. “Damn, girl,” he exclaimed. He slid back into her pussy, leaning heavily against her body. “I’ve teased you enough.” He thrust slowly, entering deeper and deeper into her as he kissed through her moans. With increasing intensity, he thrust, sending crashing waves of pleasure through her body. She tightened her internal muscles around him.