The Remote Seduction

by Joany Kane

  “About dessert…” Sully begins.

  Katrina interrupts. “Too full.”

  Sully continues. “Me as well. That's why I suggest we take a walk across the way to the amusement park.”

  Katrina smiles at the idea. “Sounds like fun.”

  *****

  The amusement park is more like a county fair than a full-fledged theme park; it’s a mix of games, food booths and rides. Sully and Katrina walk the fairway checking out the colorful sights.

  Sully spies a sharpshooter game. He takes Katrina’s hand in his. “Come on, I'm feeling Clint Eastwood lucky.”

  Sully and Katrina approach the booth. “Step right up. Five shots for one dollar. One dollar only,” the carny worker shouts.

  Sully hands a dollar to the carny worker. “Here's your buck.”

  The carny worker takes the dollar from Sully and hands him a rifle. Sully aims and shoots. He hits the target dead center.

  “Lucky shot,” Katrina says.

  Sully cocks the gun. Aims and shoots. He hits the target again. He cocks the gun. Aims and shoots. Another direct hit.

  The carny worker, Katrina, and those around are looking pretty impressed.

  Sully cocks the gun. Aims and shoots. Fourth direct hit!

  “One more shot,” the carny worker directs Sully.

  Sully cocks the gun. Aims and shoots. Direct hit. Bells ring announcing a winner. All those around, including Katrina, cheer for Sully.

  “Pick a prize from the top shelf,” the carny worker tells Sully. The top shelf features large cuddly stuffed animals.

  Sully looks at Katrina. “You pick the one you want.”

  “I don't want to deprive you of a cuddly critter.”

  “It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.”

  Katrina regards the stuffed animals like a kid in the candy store. She points. “I'll take that one.” The carny worker hands Katrina an adorable gorilla.

  “Thank you,” Katrina smiles warmly at Sully. Sully and Katrina resume their walk down the fairway.

  “You're quite the shooter,” Katrina proclaims.

  “I was in the service for twelve years. An Army Ranger.”

  Sully stops to watch the merry-go-round, his expression has gone serious which is in stark contrast to the fun the kids and parents are having on the ride. Katrina notices.

  “I was dishonorably discharged,” Sully offers quietly.

  Katrina senses that this is a sensitive topic for Sully. She’s thinking maybe this is why Paolo wanted to hide behind anonymity. “Do you want to talk about it?” She asks.

  He does, but he can't bring himself to look Katrina in the eyes as he does. “My sarge was bullying this old guy who had mouthed off to him. The old guy was no threat, he had to have been at least eighty, he was just pissed at the circumstances of the war and taking it out on us. But sarge, he kept shoving the old guy. And then kicked the old guy when he fell down.

  I stepped in between sarge and the old guy before he could kick him again. Sarge told me to stand down. I wouldn't. So he shoved me. I shoved him back. He stumbled, hit his head, just right, on the corner of our jeep. He lingered in a coma for two months before he died.”

  The pain in Sully’s eyes breaks Katrina’s heart, she tries to offer comforting words. “Sounds like an unfortunate accident to me. You tried to do the right thing by helping the old man.”

  “I disobeyed a direct order. I was told to stand down and I didn't.”

  “I think it’s true that there’s a higher order and you stood for that, you did what was right and not what was expected. That takes guts.”

  Sully’s not buying it, his guilt is too deep. Katrina tenderly touches Sully's hand, trying to offer comfort. “You can't change the past. You need to make peace with it and let go.”

  “It's been defining my life ever since,” Sully’s eyes are filled with sadness, regret and guilt.

  “Today, tonight, is a fresh start,” Katrina encourages, hoping to pull Sully from his sadness. He turns and looks her in the eyes where all he sees is compassion and it touches his heart. Maybe somehow tonight could be a fresh start for him, her eyes are certainly encouraging him and believing in him.

  Katrina gives him a warm smile as she nudges him towards the merry-go-round. “Come on, let's go on a ride.”

  “Not that one.” Sully points to the ferris wheel. “That one.”

  “Not a fan of heights,” Katrina shares.

  Sully takes her hand. “I won't let anything happen to you.”

  They approach the ferris wheel in time for a new ride. The carny worker fastens Sully and Katrina into the bucket seat.

  The bucket swings as the wheel begins to move. As they climb higher Katrina holds her breath, clutching the gorilla for dear life. Sully gives her a reassuring smile. “Breathe,” he tells her. She does.

  When they reach the top and the spectacular view becomes clear Katrina's worry turns to wonder. Sully puts his arm around her - and she lets him. He snuggles her close to him. She rests her head in the nook of his shoulder. He tenderly kisses the top of her forehead. At this very moment his feelings for Katrina have turned real. Very real.

  When the ride is over, Katrina and Sully walk away from the ferris wheel.

  “What a view,” Katrina marvels. “And to hear the sound of the waves and see all the stars in the sky.”

  “Pretty amazing, huh?” Sully offers.

  “Yeah, pretty amazing,” She agrees.

  “This whole night so far has been pretty amazing,” he says truly believing it. He looks at her, vulnerable, hoping she'll agree.

  Katrina smiles warmly as she flirts. “Anchovies and a stuffed gorilla, what more could a girl want?”

  Sully twinkles. “How about something fun to drink?”

  *****

  Inside the Cantina a Mariachi band plays a festive song. The stuffed gorilla sits in a chair with a Sombrero on its head. Sully and Katrina suck a slice of lime, down a shot of tequila and then lick the salt off their hands. Katrina winces at the taste.

  Sully grabs Katrina's hand. “Come on, let's dance.”

  And they do. Exuberantly. To the lively Mexican music. Sully dances over towards the waiter. “Dos disparos de tequila, por favor.”

  Katrina and Sully finish the dance, do another shot, and then some more festive dancing.

  The band plays a slow sensual song. Sully takes Katrina in his arms and they dance. Ignited by the night’s events and the tequila, sparks are flying between them. He pulls her closer, as close as he can. As they continue to dance Sully kisses her neck. He whispers in her ear...

  “Francesca.”

  Katrina stops dancing and locks eyes with Sully. In this exact moment she one hundred percent believes with absolute certainty that Sully is her Paolo. The look of love and longing in her eyes is too much for him. He pulls her close and kisses her. Kisses her hard. This isn’t a tender, romantic kiss, this is a kiss combusting with passion and desire. Their tongues dance together, their bodies desperately wanting more.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Sully utters, barely able to control his longing for her for another minute.

  *****

  On a grassy knoll above the beach, secluded by rocks and a stones throw from the parking lot, Sully and Katrina are in a passionate embrace. The kissing is intense; they are both consumed with combustible desire.

  Katrina pulls off Sully's jacket (with the bug still attached) and tosses it on the ground; it lands next to the gorilla.

  Sully runs his hands along the outside of Katrina’s thighs where he grabs the edges of her cotton dress. He draws the dress up, the backs of his fingers running along her skin as he does, his touch sending shivers throughout her body. He pulls the dress up over her shoulders and discards it.

  Sully unfastens her bra and removes it. He cups her breasts and runs his fingers around her hard nipples. She moans with pleasure as she presses her nearly naked body to his feeling his desire for her growing and hardening. She
pulls off his tee shirt and unzips his jeans. They work frantically together to disrobe Sully’s pants and their bottoms. They embrace, reveling in the feel of their warm naked bodies molded together.

  Then Sully pulls back, confusing Katrina. He looks her in the eyes, and with heartfelt honesty tells her, “This is real. So very real. No matter what happens after this night, please know this is real. Please know what I’m feeling for you is real.”

  Katrina replies presuming he’s Paolo. “I'm so glad this is finally real. You have no idea how I've longed to know you. To be able to touch you in person.”

  Sully grabs her as close as he can while nuzzling his face in her neck so she can’t see him wince. He knows that she’s with him only because she thinks he’s Paolo and he’s totally conflicted knowing he’s scamming her while desperately wanting her at the same time - and wanting her to want him, no one else. He blocks out all of the conflicting thoughts to focus on the lovemaking. Nothing else matters to him at this moment, only her, only Katrina.

  Sully kisses Katrina and kisses her hard. She meets his passion, her tongue seducing his. He lures her down onto the soft grass. They lay embraced and kissing, their hands exploring each other’s firm bodies, Katrina responding to his strong touch. Sully runs his hand along her thigh moving it up seeking her special spot. She spreads her legs to welcome his caress. His fingers find her wet and aroused; she arches her hips into his probing fingers.

  He spreads her legs further apart as he moves on top of her. As he thrusts his hardness deep inside of Katrina, he whispers in her ear, “I want you so desperately.” He thrusts deeper and deeper into Katrina as if he could consume her and make everything all right with the passion that was exploding between them.

  A year of pent up desire for Paolo and the exquisite joy of having him make unbridled love to her is too much, she erupts concealing her joyous cries against Sully’s bare chest. Her consummated pleasure and the writhing of her body inspired by his caresses and his thrusts overwhelm him and he joins her in experiencing ecstasy.

  After the explosive lovemaking, Sully remains inside of Katrina as he tenderly kisses her, holding her close. “I’ve never felt this way before,” Sully reveals to her in all honesty, baring his feelings to her.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this, Paolo.” she whispers. She says the name with so my love and desire it nearly breaks Sully’s heart.

  *****

  Nearby in the parking lot, the dark SUV is parked amongst a couple of dozen cars.

  Inside the SUV…

  Walter and the two agents have been listening to the sexual encounter as heard from Walter's mechanical spy bug attached to Sully's jacket collar.

  Walter grins lasciviously. “He's got her. Get ready to move.”

  On the grassy knoll by the beach…

  Sully and Katrina lay spent, still entwined. They hear loud noises from the parking lot, breaking their passionate ‘rendezvous.’ They quickly redress, Sully puts on his jacket, they grab the gorilla and, holding hands, head for the parking lot.

  In the parking lot…

  Sully and Katrina look around, no one is there.

  Sully presses the alarm button on his keychain. A nearby car flashes its lights in response. Sully and Katrina head for Sully’s car.

  The two agents jump out of the shadows with guns drawn and pointed at Sully and Katrina. Sully stands in front of Katrina protectively blocking her from the guns pointed at them.

  “What the hell do you two want?” Sully demands.

  “You and Miss Brice are coming with us,” one of the agents says.

  “Think again,” Sully quips.

  Sully jumps into Army Ranger mode easily disarming both agents. Sully is about to kick the crap out of the agents when Walter grabs Katrina, pointing a gun at her temple.

  “Stop it, Sully. Or I will shoot,” Walter commands.

  Sully stops, he glares at Walter. “No you want. You need her.”

  Walter points the gun at Sully. “But I don't need you.”

  Walter cocks the gun.

  “Wait!!” Katrina yells, scared for Sully. “What do you need me for?”

  “I'm sure Sully told you,” Walter states.

  “The black hat hacking job,” Sully elaborates.

  Walter glares his ultimatum at Katrina. “I kill him or you do it. Your choice.”

  “I'll do it!” Katrina quickly responds out of her concern for Sully whom she believes to be her great love Paolo.

  Walter pulls Katrina towards the SUV as the two agents escort Sully. When they reach the SUV, Walter motions for Katrina and Sully to get in the far back. “Get comfy boys and girls, it's a long ride back to base camp,” Walter smirks.

  The SUV drives along a highway. Traffic is pretty sparse this time of night.

  It's quiet in the car. No one is speaking. Sully looks out the window as Katrina fights to keep her eyes open. She finally succumbs to her sleepiness, resting her head on Sully's shoulder.

  The SUV passes a road sign for a rest stop. Walter turns to the agent driving. “Let’s stop, I could use a cold drink.”

  The SUV pulls off the highway into the lot of the rest stop. There are so many tractor trailers in the parking lot, the SUV has to park a fair walk from the food court and restroom building.

  The two agents, Walter and Sully get out of the SUV. Katrina sleeps soundly in the far back seat.

  “Stay with her,” Walter instructs one of the agents.

  Walter, Sully and the second agent head for the building. Sully is wearing his leather jacket.

  The agent remaining behind waits until the three men have left, then he walks a short ways from the vehicle, lights a cigarette and makes a cell-phone call.

  Inside the SUV…

  Katrina awakens. She rubs her head as if the tequila was pounding on her forehead.

  She gathers her bearings. Looking out the window she sees Walter and Sully standing outside of the building. From her point of view, the discussion between Sully and Walter looks fairly chummy.

  Katrina moves up to the middle seat. She finds Walter's computer bag and removes his laptop. She powers up the computer and easily accesses his programs.

  She finds the file on her and all of the intel that the FSSU has gathered, including photos of her rowing on the river and the footage from Sully's American flag pin surveillance.

  She finds the Paolo/Francesca cyber chat downloads and the false email that was sent to her. Heartbreak and devastation washes over her. Sully is not Paolo, she’s been played all along.

  She finds the Bug surveillance icon and clicks on it. She listens to the conversation between Walter and Sully. As she listens she watches the men from the SUV window.

  “You had us worried there when you told her you were no longer with Hamilton Dynamics,” Walter says to Sully.

  “I had to say what would get the job done,” Sully replies just to keep face with Walter, he’s now more into snowballing Walter, not Katrina.

  “Was she as good of a bang as that hot chick in Copenhagen?” Walter asks.

  “You're a pig,” Sully shakes his head in disgust.

  “Your job gets all the perks,” Walter admires.

  Katrina clicks out from the program. Tears stream down her face. She is distraught at the realization of being completely used, and by a guy who seduces women as a job requirement.

  Katrina spies the other agent, yards away from the SUV, preoccupied with his cigarette and phone call. She quietly opens the door facing away from the building. She sneaks out of the vehicle and hurries for the edge of the parking lot and towards a town off in the distance.

  At Sully’s and Walter’s location…

  Sully thinks for a moment and then looks intently at Walter. “Hey, how did you know what I said and what happened between Katrina and me? You were only supposed to be tailing us, not surveilling us and certainly no attacking us.”

  Walter shrugs. “The game changed, we thought it best that you were s
urprised as it went along, that way you’d come across as sincere with your little lover.”

  “I am sincere with her!” Sully affirms, deeply believing it.

  “Yeah, I heard your ‘this is real’ plea,” Walter quips. “Doubt she’ll ever believe it when the ruse is up.”

  Sully looks away from him, disgusted by his co-worker and heartbroken by the fact that Walter is most likely right.

  Walter's cell-phone rings. He answers it and listens to an FSSU tech tell him his computer has been hacked.

  “My computer has been hacked!” He hollers at Sully as he bolts for the SUV.

  “Shit!!!!” Sully exclaims as he hoofs it towards the SUV looking just as devastated as Katrina did.

  Walter and Sully, followed by the agent, have just about made it back to the SUV. Walter motions to the agent on the cell-phone, pointing to the SUV. That agent, the one closest to the SUV, hurries back to the vehicle. He sees that the door is open and Katrina is gone. “She's gone,” the agent says.

  “Damn it!!!” Walter snarls.

  The agents, Walter and Sully look around searching for a clue as to where Katrina headed. Sully thinks he spies some movement off in the distance near the wooded area in front of the town in the distance.

  “She's heading to town!” Sully informs them as he takes off on foot after her.

  “Go with Sully,” Walter instructs one of the agents. The agent heads after Sully.

  Walter and the second agent hop into the SUV. The vehicle peels out of the parking lot.

  *****

  Katrina has almost made it through the wooded area; the town is in sight.

  Sully is not that far behind her. He can hear her up ahead. “Katrina!” He calls out.

  Inside the SUV…

  Walter has the Bug surveillance activated. He’s heard Sully call for Katrina.

  Walter speaks into his Bluetooth talking to the agent pursuing Sully. “Where are you?”

  From his location, not too far behind Sully, the agent answers Walter. “We're nearing the edge of the woods, the town is in sight.”