THE COMPLETE TIERS CHRONICLES

by S. Pratt

  ‘So, what do I have to do to make you mine for good?’

  I smile against his chest. I have just the thing in mind.

  Five

  A plan of this magnitude takes careful consideration and a seamless execution. Jake and I, whilst impetuous, are willing to bide our time while we put things in motion. More than anything I want Harold to be completely and utterly shell-shocked by what we have planned for him.

  In the meantime I play the dutiful wife and attend to my husband’s whims, although at Jake’s request I avoid sex with him at all costs. He isn’t jealous or angry about my still being Harold’s wife; he just wants the situation rectified as soon as possible. There is a lot of empathy on my part as I would certainly let the green eyed monster rear her ugly head if another should put her paws on him.

  For the sake of authenticity, we take a good three months to compile the necessary documents. It is tedious work and involves a lot of illegal forgery on our part. We both are willing to take certain risks to see this to fruition as we both will benefit immensely.

  The night before we decide to drop our little bomb at Went and Worth’s monthly board meeting, we are all required to attend a charity ball being held by the Sabioux family.

  Francoise Sabioux is a wealthy entrepreneur who has invested heavily in Went and Worth. He is pushing seventy years of age and still likes to keep his finger in the financial world pie. His wife had been claimed many years before by breast cancer, and so in her memory he hosts an annual charity ball for all of his associates, donating the entire proceeds from the tickets to cancer research.

  I am particularly looking forward to this evening because it means I get to see Jake. We have been careful about keeping our relationship secret and have made certain never to be seen together.

  I dress carefully, wanting him to desire me from afar, even though he cannot touch me. Now more than ever we can’t risk being seen as a ‘thing’. It would arouse far too much suspicion from Harold. He calls me from downstairs, notifying me that our taxi has arrived.

  Last minute touches are made to my makeup before I descend the stairs. Harold is waiting at the bottom and, admittedly he looks quite handsome. But nothing compared to Jake.

  ‘Katherine, don’t you look ravishing! Who knows, you may even get lucky this evening.’ He winks at me as though we are sharing some private joke. I smile, but all I want to do is poke the toothpick that holds the olive in his martini straight into his eyeball. He offers me his arm and we head outside to the waiting car.

  The ride to the venue is short, but rather uncomfortable in my dress. I wish I were out of it which elicits naughty thoughts about Jake and his tongue. Scolding myself, I focus on getting out of the taxi without tripping on the hem of my gown. It is gold and shimmery and hugs my body in all the right places. Harold offers his hand as assistance and I accept with a fake smile plastered on my pouty red lips.

  An outsider would misinterpret Harold’s chivalry for love. I know the truth.

  I excuse myself to get champagne and head towards the bar. The room is enchanting. We are hosted by Helliers, the oldest hotel in London. There are chandeliers on the ceiling surrounded by stunning ornate cornices. Paintings that should really be in museums adorn the walls and tables are set with the finest bone china. I place my order with the bar tender and admire the sparkly glint off the crystal glass he serves my champagne in. I thank him and turn to leave only to come face to face with Jake.

  He instantly puts my heart in my mouth and my lips part expectantly. So many times he has kissed and sucked them till they are plump and swollen and I wish he would do the same right now. He nods though, and says nothing as he passes by me to the bar.

  There is no way I can socialize now I know he is here. My body is responding to him in all kinds of ways and I feel physically compelled to be near him. I stand nonchalantly, as though I am merely enjoying people watching to pass the time.

  My drink almost spills as I am startled by the husky voice behind me.

  ‘Don’t turn around baby.’ Jake.

  ‘We’re not meant to be seen together,’ I murmur.

  ‘That may be so, but you can’t wear that dress and expect me not to be turned on as all hell.’ I grin – he knows just how to make me feel wanted.

  ‘Well you won’t have to wait too much longer to have me anytime or anywhere you want,’ I say suggestively. Behind me I can hear him choke on a mouthful of his drink and I would have given anything to see the look on his face. But I do not turn or pay him the slightest bit of interest.

  I feel him move closer to me and I know this is a dangerous game we are playing. Scanning the floor I relax slightly when I spy Harold on the far side of the room cozying up to some dark skinned beauty with the smallest waist I have ever seen on a woman.

  Content that he is otherwise occupied, I turn ever so slightly to the side so I can view Jake’s profile in my peripheral vision. His wolfish smile is directed hungrily at me.

  ‘I want you now.’ His tone is demanding and the blood that races through my ears sings yes, yes, yes. My lips curl into satisfied smile. ‘I want you too.’

  ‘When can I be inside of you again? When Kate?’ Urgency radiates off him. Jake presses his hip against my backside as he leans forward silently to my ear. His voice is breathy against my skin and I get goosebumps on the back of my neck.

  ‘I want to make love to you all night long,’ he says.

  ‘Would you settle for a quick fuck in your car?’ He slaps my ass immediately and walks off. I’ll take that as a yes!

  All the people in the room fade into the background as I follow a safe distance behind Jake to the exit doors. My eyes only see him. He swaggers down the long hallway to the lift. I sashay like a supermodel after him. By the time I reach him the doors are already opening and I walk on seamlessly without stopping. We stand apart on opposite sides of the car – that is until the doors close.

  Then he is on me, hungrily pawing my ass and tracing his tongue along my teeth. He nips me softly on the lip and I wish we could press the emergency stop button. As the elevator reaches the ground floor we tear ourselves away from each other and I make a quick check of my lipstick in the mirrored walls.

  The doors open and he no longer cares if anyone sees us. After all, the most important people are upstairs. He takes my hand in his and leads me to the private garage where his car is parked in the basement. The concrete echoes our footsteps back off the floor to us as we make our way to his car. He opens the passenger door and hops into the seat. I watch as he reclines it slightly and slides it as far back as it will go in its tracks. My eyes glow wickedly as Jake undoes his belt and pulls out his already enlarged cock. I lick my lips in anticipation and he pats his thigh as if to say ‘hop on baby’. Jake watches my hands creep my dress up my thighs and he grins when I move towards him. It is a tight fit, but I manage to straddle his lap and close the car door.

  ‘God I’ve missed you. Do you know how tortuous it is to pretend I don’t even see you when I pass you in the building or run into you at one of these functions?’

  ‘I think I have some idea,’ I purr as I take his jaw in my hands and kiss his mouth hungrily. His face is prickly from the couple of day’s growth he has left there. It suits him and makes him sexier, if that’s even possible.

  He pulls my panties to the side and slips me onto his shaft slowly, making me tremble with pleasure as he fills the void.

  ‘Oh Jake,’ I breathe.

  ‘Yes baby, I feel you too. You’re so warm and hot – I fucking love it!’ I start up slowly, rocking back and forth on him as my knees hit the shift stick in the middle and the arm rest on the side of the door. His strong hands grab my hips firmly and pull me down to take in all of him at once. As our rhythm increases I can feel his balls slap the back of my ass when I land back down in his lap.

  This man makes me want to behave like a feral animal. I want naughty, dirty, horny, lusty uncontrollable sex with him. At the same time, I want his
heart too. Flowers, diamonds, poetry and all the things a girl desires from her one true love. He already has my heart, but I will not tell him this. I want to hear those words escape from his lips first. For now though, we have unbridled passion and the car rocks in its parking bay as we reach the pinnacle of our lovemaking. Jake blows first and the pulsing of his enlarged cock inside of me sends my body into a spate of earth shattering convulsions.

  ‘Oh God … Jake!’

  ‘Give it up for me baby,’ he yells as I fist his hair in my hands. With one last thrust we collapse against the car seat and still as our bodily fluids mingle with each other’s. Best quick fuck ever …

  ‘We better get back before your husband starts to miss you,’ Jake says regretfully.

  ‘He’s not even aware I exist half the time, let alone at an event like this.’ There is no malice in my tone; I am simply stating a fact. I fell out of love with Harold a long time ago and now I just observe our relationship like an outsider looking in.

  ‘Even still, we don’t want to be gone too long, just in case.’

  ‘Okay,’ I grumble. He laughs at my mood. I love his laugh. ‘You know I’m not happy about you going home to the house you share with him, but all being well, tonight will be the last night baby.’ His grin is infectious and I offer him my own in return.

  ‘Fine! I will play the dutiful wife one last time. But then I am so done with him!’

  ‘That’s my girl! Now hop off and fix your panties,’ he says as he playfully slaps my ass.

  ‘Ow! Just as well I like you Mr. Shore.’

  ‘And I you Kate.’ His eyes roam over me appreciatively and I blush under his gaze. I open the car door and get up to stand on wobbly legs. He smirks, pleased that he is the source of my instability. I wait for him to lock the car while I right my dress and then let him lead the way back to the party that is going on in the building above us.

  For now we reluctantly part ways, but we are happy in the knowledge that tomorrow promises to be the start of a whole new future for both of us.

  Six

  Harold didn’t arrive home until three a.m. I can only surmise he was spending his time with the woman from the charity event. This is no surprise as I have come to expect this behavior from him. I purposely set his alarm to wake him later than usual. This way he will be rushed to get to work and hopefully forget his briefcase. All my plans rest on the hope that he will telephone and request I bring it to him.

  I nurse a cup of tea with bated breath as he rushes out the door while doing his tie. The company car has been waiting for half an hour now to take him to the office so I know he will be well and truly late. The car door slams and gravel kicks up as they head off down the driveway. I exhale and rush to hit the shower.

  I put on a pair of tailored pants with a severe business shirt. The bold red lippy is applied and I top the crème blouse off with a simple string of freshwater pearls. I wear my hair á la Katharine Hepburn i.e. down, wavy and side parted like she did in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. My overall look is sophisticated with an aura of power. Perfect.

  The bar stool at the kitchen bench is where I seat myself as I wait for his call. My bright red nails drum the counter top impatiently and I am startled out of my reverie the minute my phone starts to chirp loudly. It is Harold. He wants me to bring him his brief case for his meeting.

  ‘Of course,’ I chime, before disconnecting. Blood begins to course through my body rapidly and I have to take a few steadying breaths to calm myself. You can do this, for God’s sake Katherine, get a grip!

  I hurry to my bedside drawer and grab the documents Jake has given me the week before. This is going to be the nail in Harold’s coffin. I put the papers into Harold’s briefcase and rush to my car.

  Show time.

  ****

  Margaret Dawson, Harold’s secretary is waiting behind the desk in reception and she greets me kindly.

  ‘Good morning Mrs. Sable, Mr. Sable has asked you to wait here until he comes out for his briefcase.’

  ‘Of course Margaret, that’s no problem.’ I smile like butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth. The all-important briefcase is placed next to me on the floor as I take up residence in a chair closest to the boardroom door.

  Patience is not a shining virtue of mine, but I try to exercise some as I glue my ear to the chatter seeping through from the other side. I know the top tier of Went and Worth’s associates are seated in there, Jake included. As time passes the discussion becomes more animated until it is obvious that there is much anger in the boardroom.

  Oh my word! He’s done it! He’s really done it! I have to admit I am a little freaked out right now. I steady my breathing so that I don’t hit panic mode. This is what all my careful planning and scheming has come down to and I’m not willing to admit I may be having second thoughts about all of this. If even the tiniest thing goes wrong I could end up in a jail cell myself. My mouth is dry and I swallow like I have a furry tennis ball lodged in the back of it.

  Get a grip!

  All of a sudden I can hear Harold’s voice boom closely near the door and Margaret and I jump out of our skin when the door bursts open.

  Harold has a crazed look in his eyes and for once his slicked back hair looks a little wild. He stops abruptly in front of me and lets a sneer reach his lips before he reaches down and grabs his briefcase. As he storms back into his office I lean forward in my chair to get a glimpse into the room. Jake is sitting directly across from the door and allows me a peek at his dimples while he smiles victoriously. He winks at me right before Harold slams the door in my face.

  Fuck! All manner of shit is about to hit the fan and I cannot believe that Jake and I are the instigators of all of it. The plan had been rather brilliant actually. I had, of course, wanted to get out of my divorce from Harold. Two could play the manipulative game, only I had hoped that for once I would be better at it. Jake was my knight in shining armor. Young, hot as hell, cultured and sexy … what more could a girl want? Oh yeah, he’s into me too. So I had already started to form a plan in my mind when he proposed he was willing to do whatever it took to make me his.

  So I took him up on the offer.

  Firstly Jake took care of Went and Worth’s accounts. Did I forget to mention he is a genius with computers and could hack the computer’s mainframe? Just another one of his many talents. He set about leaving an electronic trail of fraudulent fund transfers from the company’s bank account into Harold’s personal one. We wanted it to look legit, so he back tracked and made it look like old Harry boy had been embezzling funds from the company for years – well before we were even married in fact.

  We wanted Harold’s bank in London to see that money as well, so it briefly made an appearance before it left for another destination. The stolen money needed an offshore account that it could go to so Jake set about creating one. We settled with a bank in the Cayman Islands so the money could sit earning interest for the last three months. Just long enough to register that the funds were there in the first place. The account is of course in Harold’s name.

  Now, there would be no point leaving the money there. Once it is discovered that Harold has taken the money, it will be returned to the company at once. Under normal circumstances that might not be a bad thing, but Jake and I were willing to make the money work for us on many levels.

  First of all we had to consider the matter of my impending divorce. Harold would surely file for one the minute he realized someone had dumped him in the shit. That someone being me of course. So enter the pre-nup which dictates that I get nothing. Not so. Jake took a third of the money out of the Cayman account and pinged it to several banks around the world before it made it to a Swiss bank in Zurich. A girl has got to love the Swiss and their privacy. No one would be able to access the details of that account unless their name was on the database.

  Next up, was Felix. Now in order for Jake to have access to the top spot at Went and Worth he had to make it look like Felix was part of the embezz
lement too. So he wired ten million Euros to Felix’s Barclays bank account in London the same day he made the other transfers. This for Jake was comparable to killing three birds with one stone.

  First of all Felix got a silent, but very big, fuck you from Jake for him cheating with his wife. Secondly Felix gets dismissed from the family company in disgrace and thirdly, Jake gets his seat on the board and now will have full control over Went and Worth’s future financial investments. Not bad for a few month’s work.

  There was, of course, the matter of Harold’s personal bank statements. Can you believe Jake actually hacked into Lloyd’s bank and changed their registry of his transactions? Me neither but when he printed out the new copies of the statements I rewarded him with a blow job that left his knees shaking. Harold keeps all of his financial paperwork in a portfolio in his briefcase, which is precisely why he was so eager to grab it not five minutes ago. The thing that makes me laugh the most is that he will be held responsible for the missing millions I am soon to take possession of.

  The shouting has escalated in the boardroom. Mrs. Dawson is looking back and forth from me to the door in alarm. She is only interrupted when the phone on her desk starts ringing.