But Griffin’s steady grind brought out Lorraine’s natural juices even more than before, their mutual heat rising up and filling the chamber created by that sumptuous fur coat. The collar rose up around her, smooth against her cheeks, surrounding her in luxury, enveloping her, swallowing her in elegance and decadence.
He pushed in deeper, the pressure and pain enough to push a joyous gasp out of her mouth. But she suppressed it, pressing her lips together, the wheeze rushing out of her nose as her body shook with the effort to remain silent, if not still. Her bare hips pushed against Griffin’s probing prick, arhythmic and chaotic and yet perfectly timed, a rousing meeting of meat and heat, sweat slick and sensual.
“Nice and quiet,” Griffin whispered, “they’re just outside, Lorraine; they’re only a few feet away.”
A desperate sob pushed up against the back of Lorraine’s throat, rising up into her brain for lack of any other release. Her ears were ringing with her own suppressed scream, leaking out through her gritted teeth.
“Shshshshshsh, little angel, my quiet little muse, you sweet pretty thing, you tight little treasure; God I love fucking you! And you want it, you need it, you can’t live without my cock inside you. You can feel it right now, every little movement, every shift, every inch. Clamp down on it with that pretty pussy, gimme all your strength, all that new power. You’ve held it in for so long; you fought that animal inside you, screaming to get out, you secret sexy little slut! Now you know how hard it is to hold it in, to keep that raging tide of cum inside you. Don’t you do it, Lorraine, don’t you make a single sound.”
Griffin started a faster rotation, in and out in countless strokes, Lorraine gyrating her hips to match him stroke for stroke.
He whispered, “You think they’ll catch us? You know they know, you know they’re staying away, but they know I’m fucking you right now, baby, right now!”
She wanted to cry out, Yes, they know and I fucking want them to know! But she didn’t dare utter a word. She knew that once she started she’d never be able to stop.
Lorraine’s orgasm came upon her quickly—a continuation of the brew she’d begun in the car, but it was seizing her now, pulsing, gushing. It shook her body, inspiring another loud call. But biting back on her groan only pushed the pressure back down into her body, loins already compressed. The pressure went up and then down again, finding no escape. Every orifice was sealed, all that power pouring into her with nowhere to go, no way to release all that lust.
I can’t take it, I can’t… Jesus God I can’t…I-I can’t…
Griffin pulled Lorraine even closer, sinking in deeper and harder and Lorraine could no longer restrain herself. She pushed her head into his chest, pressing her face against his silk shirt, his thick muscles flexing behind it. She screamed—a raspy convulsion—more animal than human, pouring out of her and into the muffling confines of his athletic chest. Her muffled cry mixed with his pounding heartbeat, as his own orgasm launched down from his cock.
Lorraine relished the heat inside her, the power of his package as it was pouring into her. More pressure overwhelmed her, from beneath and above and in front. She bit down into Griffin’s pecs, and she knew she was hurting him. But she didn’t care and neither did he, both eagerly stumbling past the point of no return. His big hand found the back of Lorraine’s head, pushing her into him, embracing the pain of her bite as her strength subsided, her body releasing its tension and melting into a numbness she couldn’t resist, exhaustion and exhilaration overtaking her.
They cuddled, nuzzling, wordless in the heated chamber of their passion. After ten minutes, Lorraine felt that she had the strength to stand on her own, and five minutes after that she let Griffin calmly lead her out of the bank, all eyes falling on them.
Chapter 14
“I dunno, Ashe,” Lorraine said, her eyes on the laptop monitor, Ashe’s words spread across the white digital sheet of paper. “The rally’s tomorrow; I’m not sure I can remember all this.” Ashe glanced at the screen and shrugged, to which Lorraine said, “That’s true, but I don’t wanna read from a sheet of paper, it just feels…forced, y’know?” He nodded, turning his attention back to the computer.
“You won’t be mad if I just kind of wing it?” Ashe smiled and shook his head, and Lorraine gave him a little kiss on the forehead.
Griffin was reading through his own speech, printed on a single sheet of paper in his right hand. “This is great work though, Ashe, really.” Griffin stepped over Ashe to put a loving hand on his cheek. Ashe looked up at his father, Griffin looked down, and the silent love that passed between them was palpable.
Lorraine only hoped they couldn’t see her staring so adoringly at them.
Missus B. stepped into the living room from her little bedroom down the hall. “Excuse me, Mr. Phoenix,” she said, very timid and sweet. “May we three have a moment…in private?”
Griffin and Lorraine glanced at one another before Griffin said, “Why not take your laptop into your room, Ashe? I’ll have a look in a few minutes.” Ashe looked at him, then at both Mrs. B. and Lorraine. He sensed what Lorraine did, that something was wrong, that something very bad was going to happen.
Ashe scooped up his laptop, pausing to give Lorraine an additional little glance, hope and sadness competing for control of his expression. But she offered him a reassuring smile, brushing his hair back and whispering, “Go on, we’ll see you soon.”
Ashe slumped off with the laptop under his arm, the three adults watching him go.
Griffin turned to Mrs. B. “What can we do for you?”
“Well, Mr. Phoenix, it’s…it’s my broach, it’s gone missing. You know the one, the ruby. It was a gift from you, Mr. Phoenix.”
“I remember it,” Griffin said, “your birthstone.”
“That’s right, Mr. Phoenix. You’re so kind and considerate to remember me that way.”
“All right, well, have you looked through your bedroom?”
“I have, sir, yes, all my luggage too. And it had a safety latch, sir, you remember? It wouldn’t have just fallen off.”
Lorraine’s eyes shifted from Mrs. B. to Griffin. It was quickly becoming clear what was unfolding in that room, but Lorraine was taken completely off-guard and she had no idea what to do other than stand there and let it happen.
Griffin seemed to be coming to the same ugly conclusions. “What are you saying, Mrs. B.?”
“Well, sir, I-I recall how our lovely Miss Devonshire here admired it. And unlike us, she… Well, we’re not all so fortunate as I am, or as successful as you are, sir.”
Taken aback, Lorraine said in shock, “You’re saying what, that I took your broach?”
Griffin said, “Missus B., Lorraine and I are going to be married. She’d hardly have need to steal your broach.”
“With all due respect, sir, things have happened quickly this week. Maybe earlier on she felt it wise to ensure that she’d…come out ahead, sir.”
Lorraine repeated, “Come out ahead? How dare you? I’m not here to profit in any way; I never was! This whole thing was Griffin’s idea!”
“Just as everyone is saying, dear.”
Griffin took a step forward, creating a wall between Lorraine and Mrs. B. “Okay, look, this is pointless. I’ll get you a new broach, Mrs. B.”
“It’s not just about that,” Mrs. B. said. “Shouldn’t we know for certain what kind of person is coming back to New York with us…if she is?”
“You don’t like me,” Lorraine stated, “you never have, you probably never will. What on Earth could I say or do—?”
“It could still be in your purse.” Lorraine stood stunned, Griffin watching quietly as Mrs. B. reasoned aloud, “You’ve been with us several days straight, it seems to me.”
“I’ve been in and out, Mrs. B. I could have dropped your stolen booty at my apartment, somewhere in the library—”
“Just let me take a look in your purse,” Mrs. B. said. “If it’s not there, I’ll drop the entire matter
.”
But Lorraine could already guess what they’d find in her purse. But she had little choice; at that point Mrs. B. was getting into that purse one way or the other. The stronger Lorraine fought against it, the more guilty she would seem and the sooner the contents of that purse would get spread out over the coffee table.
“All right, fine.” Lorraine crossed the living room to where her purse sat near the chair. She’d been in and out of it several times over the previous few days and was confident about what was in it.
She handed Mrs. B. the purse. The old woman took the purse to the coffee table. One by one, she pulled items out of the purse: Lorraine’s wallet, keys, a compact, some lipstick and eyeliner, her smartphone.
Lorraine turned to Griffin. “See? Griffin, I never would have done such a thing.”
“I know that, Lorraine.”
But Mrs. B. dug deeper. “Wait, there’s a pocket on the side.” With a sad little smile, she pulled out a white handkerchief folded neatly in a square. Lorraine’s stomach sank as Mrs. B. unfolded the handkerchief to reveal her ruby broach. Her gray eyebrows arched up into her furrowed old brow. “Oh, dear…”
Lorraine stammered, “I… Griffin, I didn’t do it! She must have put it there, framing me. She’s hated me from the start, Griffin! This is an obvious setup!”
Missus B. just shook her head. “I’m so sorry, dear.” But Lorraine could see through her bittersweet facade to the true malice of her unspoken gloating. With every shake of her little graying head, Mrs. B. was really saying, I win, you lose. Now go to hell, bitch!
“Let’s check it for prints,” Lorraine said quickly, noting the desperation in her own voice. “You won’t find mine, not on the broach, the napkin, none of it.”
Griffin let out a long disappointed sigh and turned to Mrs. B. “How could you stoop to such a thing, Mrs. B.?”
“I… No, I didn’t, sir. She’s the one you can’t trust. I’ve been with you for two years—”
“And that’s what makes this all the more troubling. I let you look after my son, and this is the kind of thing you’re willing to stoop to?”
“Mister Phoenix, please!”
“I’m sorry, Marion Beemish—”
“No, sir, please—”
“But your services will no longer be required.”
Missus B. looked at him, then at Lorraine. Lorraine took no joy in it, but she couldn’t deny the relief that was coursing through her. Missus B. said, “I-I’m alone here, we took the private jet out from New York.”
“There’ll be a first class ticket for you with United, and a generous severance…considering the circumstances, of course.” Missus B. slumped, setting down the purse and shuffling back toward her room. “We’ll have your luggage sent down to the lobby,” Griffin added, “and have a car take you to the airport.”
Missus B. stopped and turned, nodding as she crossed slowly to the suite’s front door, pulled it open, and walked out, letting it close slowly behind her.
Lorraine slipped into Griffin’s embrace. He said, “I’m sorry, Lorraine. That shouldn’t have happened.”
She sighed. “Thank you, Griffin, for believing me…and for believing in me.” He smiled and pulled her closer. But Griffin could obviously discern a deep sense of trouble stirring within Lorraine. Lorraine wasn’t sure if it was her lingering sense of insecurity, so deeply engrained in her that even Griffin’s influence wasn’t having much effect, despite even the amazing evolution she’d enjoyed.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Don’t worry about Mrs. B.; she’ll be all right.”
Lorraine leaned her head against Griffin’s chest. “It’s not that, Griffin, it’s just, I dunno, the rally’s tomorrow; it’s a big deal. I guess I’m just nervous about it, a little intimidated maybe.”
He gave her a little kiss on the forehead. “That’s perfectly natural. But you’ve got nothing to worry about. We’ll be there together, side by side, as a family.”
“You really think it’ll be all right?”
“No,” Lorraine turned surprised, but Griffin simply smiled and said, “it’ll be amazing.”
Chapter 15
The intersection was packed with traffic as drivers slowed down to honk at the protestors and gawk at the crowd. There wasn’t a single parking space anywhere within four blocks, parked police patrol cars blocking the side streets on each side of the library, further slowing the cars’ pace.
A news copter buzzed overhead, rotors clapping, a video camera pointing out the sliding door on the side. Its counterparts on the ground walked through the crowd, no fewer than three separate camera crews featuring interviewers and camera operators.
Lorraine, Griffin, and Ashe stood near the center of the crowd, glancing around at the frothing success of the rally. Lorraine glanced over to see Albert Jenkins being approached by a pretty Asian woman with a long black microphone, a videographer following behind her.
Albert said, “Well it’s…it’s amazing, of course. I think what we’re seeing here is the beginning of a whole new era for the public library school system.”
“They’re saying that, as the supervisor of this branch, where the whole thing began, that it’s really your doing.”
Albert chuckled and glanced around. “I wouldn’t say that, no, not at all. I was happy to do my part, of course. But I’m only a public servant, and I’m gratified that our community will continue to be able to enjoy the many services that a pubic library has to offer.”
“They say you’re being considered for a run at public office. Is there any truth to that?”
Albert seemed to give that question some thought. And it was then that Lorraine noticed Carmen watching the interview from just a few feet away, melancholy in her expression. Albert said, “My wife, Mrs. Jenkins, and I have given that some thought. Of course it’s a decision we’d have to make together. She’s a good woman, loyal, forgiving…” Lorraine watched Carmen turn sadly away and disappear into the crowd. “But we’re not ready to make any announcement on that just yet.”
Lorraine turned to Griffin. “I guess Albert and Carmen broke up.”
Griffin shrugged. “He’s married anyway, isn’t he?”
Lorraine nodded. “And I guess he’s gonna stay that way. Still, I think Carmen really liked him. She looks miserable. I should go talk to her.”
“Maybe,” Griffin said. “Or maybe you should just leave well enough alone. Let’s enjoy the day.”
More than five thousand smiling children and their corresponding adults mingled among the food carts and other attractions. The buttery, salty smell of popcorn was heavy in Lorraine’s nostrils, but it could hardly complete with the rich smell from the barbeque cart dishing out pulled-pork sandwiches, peppery and juicy on delicious potato rolls.
The music of folk singer Sheryl Crowe wafted over the crowd from the bandstand, near the bouncy house and face-painters, sending out countless cat girls and little boy pirates with painted scars.
But even Sheryl Crowe couldn’t drown out the chanting protestors lining up in front of the library. Jeremy was leading the chanting, a bullhorn lifted to his face, changing the slogan every couple of minutes: Save our li-brar-ies, save our li-brar-ies! Dig deep, read more! Dig deep, read more! Books have spines—do you? Books have spines—do you?
Jeremy shook his fist and walked up and down the front of the line as they circled up and down in front of the library. But others nearby, many of them local teenagers, held signs reading, Free popcorn! Library carnival! All are welcome!
Larry and Sally Devonshire approached Lorraine and the Phoenix men. “Hey, sweetheart! We found you.”
“Hi, Daddy, Mom.”
Sally looked around, brows forever hovering on her forehead. “I have to admit, you’ve really pulled something off here.”
Griffin asked, “You have to admit it? Is there some reason you wouldn’t want to?”
Sally shrugged in her perfect innocence. “Of course not. I’ve always been very supportive of my daughter
, Griffin. But this is a big thing, and I’m proud of her, that’s all I’m saying.”
Lorraine smiled warmly, slipping her arm into his.
The Denver Post’s Dorian Gale and his photographer, Stu Jeffers, crew came up to Lorraine, Griffin, and Ashe. “Here’s America’s new sweetheart and her Prince Charming. How do you think it’s going today?”
“I’m amazed by the turnout,” Lorraine said. “It’s obvious how much the library means to the good people.”
“Not to mention a free Sheryl Crowe concert,” Dorian said.
“Sheryl’s a personal friend,” Griffin said.
Lorraine turned to him. “Not too personal, I hope.” They all shared a chuckle, except for Ashe, who didn’t seem to know what they were referring to.
Griffin said, “We just hope that the other rallies are as successful as this one.”
Dorian said, “There are reports of fifteen thousand people at the New York rally. Springsteen apparently shut down half of Manhattan.”
“He is the boss,” Lorraine said. “What an honor it is to be associated with such talent—people with that kind of strength of character and dedication to their neighbors.”
Griffin looked at Lorraine even as he spoke to Dorian. “It most certainly is. Maybe we’ll tap him to play at the wedding.”
“Griffin, really?”
“It’ll be a special occasion.”
Dorian said, “Sure sounds like it.”
Stu Jeffers lowered his camera and asked, “Need a photographer?”
On the stage, Sheryl Crowe finished her song and waved at the cheering crowd.
Griffin said to Lorraine, “I think that’s our cue. Are you ready?” Lorraine nodded. Griffin turned to Ashe. “How about you, son?” Ashe nodded with a very serious expression. “All right then, let’s do this.”
The three pushed through the crowd, and so did Albert Jenkins from the other side of the crowd. Griffin helped big Albert onto the stage as the crowd gathered around. Albert approached the microphone, feedback bleeding out of the speakers pointing at the crowd from each side of the stage.
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