by Amanda Boone
Not bothering to change, as she arrived in sweatpants and a t-shirt, Raine pressed the controls on one of the surprisingly advanced treadmills and set up a routine, beginning slow and then increasing her pace.
Two minutes passed and she heard the doors open behind her, but Raine chose not to turn around. If this was the manager to ask her to leave, she was ready with the list of insults the receptionist had battered her with.
Raine began to wonder if she had been hearing things, as no one approached or spoke to her. Looking at the display, Raine noticed almost five minutes had passed, according to the display, and she made her first mistake.
Looking behind her revealed a man who was watching her with the same kind of intensity an air traffic controller studies their computer screen. Shocked, Raine made her second mistake by trying to turn around on what amounted to be a conveyor belt. Less than a second after she had managed to make her half-turn, Raine found herself thrown into the arms of this stranger. As Raine realized she was falling, she bareley had time to think, Hi, pleased to meet you. My name’s Raine, and I’ll call the paramedics now. Images of her crushing him as she landed on top of him flashed though her mind.
Nothing like that happened. Raine found herself pressed up against an extra wall which had somehow materialized behind the treadmill. That the wall had arms, strong, muscular and slightly hairy arms, was her next discovery. That those strong arms were snugly ensconced beneath her mountainous breasts was another.
“Are you all right?” A deep voice asked from behind herin a smooth tone and with what sounded like a French accent. Raine found herself wanting him to ask him something else – immediately.
“I am, thanks to you, ah?” Raine wondered as she struggled to free herself from his arms. She stopped struggling as soon as she caught her first proper glimpse of him.
“Antony,” he said, offering her his hand. Raine took it and blushed when he kissed her knuckles.
The gym doors slammed back on their hinges, and the slight receptionist followed in behind a brutish looking man wearing a stained boiler-suit.
“Allow me to apologize, Mr. DuBesne,” Ru Paul started, “But this woman,” he spat the word as if it tasted poisonous, “forced her way in here. I’ll have Buxo here remove her.”
“No need,” Antony old him. “She’s my guest. I should have told you she was coming. This is entirely my fault. Please feel free to return to what you were doing.” Even though he was addressing the receptionist, Antony’s eyes never left Raine. She openly appraised him in return.
He stood at around five foot ten with lustrous black hair, which he wore in a messy style. He had a square jaw and winning smile – complete with dimples – which he was dazzling Raine with. If her body could be described as being built for comfort, his would be built for pure pleasure. He was skinny but in that violently muscled way. His dusky skin was stretched, smooth and tight. It stretched tautly over the corded muscles.
And what muscles!
Raine’s eyes roved over his arms, and what she could see of his chest under the vest he wore. She knew, without having to see, he would have a delicious set of rippling abs.
She assessed all these things in a heartbeat, but what captivated Raine more than anything was his eyes.
His irises were green but the exact, specific green of clover leaves in summer, his eyelashes so thick and lustrous, it looked like he was wearing guyliner and, she noticed, his pupils were huge.
Either he’s on some kind of drug, or he’s checking me out and liking what he sees. Raine thought. For her own part, her body had responded of its own accord. Her heart rate had increased far in excess of what it had done on the treadmill. Her abdomen throbbed deep inside of her, and her nipples had started pushing against the reinforced framework of her bra.
“Raine Daniels.” She found herself speaking without knowing if she had said anything else – anything dumb. Not good Rainy, not good at all.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Daniels. Do you mind if I join you?”
“Of course not!” Raine realized, if the receptionist wasn’t just being a bitch, this might just be the man who had rented the entire hotel for some reason. And he’s asking me if I mind?
“Will you run with me?” He asked. Raine nodded and got back on the treadmill, self-conscious over how she looked. They set up their machines, and a hum filled the room as the motors cut on. Antony was soon pounding along, but Raine confined herself to a slow trot.
“You don’t come from around this area, do you?” Antony asked, wiping the perspiration from his forehead.
“What makes you say that?” Raine replied as she lumbered along. “Have you been counting my teeth?” Antony barked a laugh as he ran, slowing his machine so he could talk more easily.
“No, but you’re not riding a horse on that treadmill, so I just assumed...” He trailed off.
Raine smiled. “I grew up here, moved away for a while, and now I’m back.” She told him simply.
“Now that is a concise history.” Antony said. “Where did you go?”
“Went to Chicago, became a journalist and had to come back to look after my mom.” Raine wasn’t comfortable with telling this to a complete stranger.
“Chicago? That must have been a culture shock.”
Raine snorted. “You’re not wrong. I couldn’t wait to get away from this place, but as soon as I got to Chicago, all I wanted was to get back here.”
“I bet that didn’t last very long.” Antony said.
“No. No, I soon got used to big-city life. Now I miss being there,” Raine said.
Why are you blabbing on about this rubbish? Raine thought to herself.
“What brings you here?” she asked bluntly.
“Business,” he told her. “Pure and simple.”
“What kind of business are you in?”
“My personal role is in acquisitions,” Antony said, “but the DuBesne Company covers many different sectors.”
“And you’ve come to acquire Crutch Junction?” Raine joked.
“Maybe sections of it,” he said seriously.
Her interest was piqued. “Whatever for? Most of this place has packed up and left.”
“We have our reasons,” he said with a grin. “I couldn’t reveal them to the press.”
“Ex-press,” she corrected. Antony halted his machine and walked over to her. Raine stopped her own treadmill and turned, looking into his gorgeous eyes.
“There is no such thing as an ex-reporter,” he said. “You will always have a tenacity to you, always have to find out the story.” He was right, of course. He had stirred her interest in his company as much as she was interested in him personally. “Still, I would like to ask you to have dinner with me this evening, if you are available.”
Well that was a quick turnabout. Am I available tonight? Hell yeah!
“Sure, but there’s just one problem.”
“What?” Antony asked with a puzzled expression.
“Are you taking me to McDonalds or White Castle?”
***
Nerves had gotten the better of Raine as Antony’s arrival approached. They had exchanged numbers, and he had taken down her address. Then Raine had watched as he walked out of the gym. He paused for a final look back at her before he left. She had driven home in a kind of daze, managing to find her way on autopilot, thinking about his eyes.
“A date?” Her mother asked, as if it was the most outrageous thing in the world. “Who would ask you on a date?”
Raine had ignored her mother’s spitefulness, knowing it was a symptom of her illness, even though it hurt.
“You’re supposed to be here looking after me,” her mother had added in a sulky voice a little later. “Not going off with some stranger.”
“You’ll be fine, mom.” Raine said to her. “Dr. Hernandez told you I didn’t have to be here full time.”
Her mother had grunted. “That dyke of yours called from the paper again.”
Raine took a
deep breath and let it out slowly.
“You can’t go around calling people names like that, mom.”
“Well, lesbian then,” her mother growled out in response.
“Lisa Gomez isn’t a lesbian, either. What did she have to say?”
“Said you should drop by if you wanted your old job back.”
Would that be a bad career move? Going back to the local rag I worked at when I was at high-school? I’ll have to think about it, but I’ll go and see Lisa anyway.
While her mother had an afternoon nap, Raine scoured the Internet for anything on the DuBesne Company or Antony. Google supplied her with thousands of hits, and she picked their website first. The DuBesne Company had fingers in many pies, from pharmaceuticals to healthcare, mining to manufacture, and these were just the obvious ones they promoted. Raine knew many of the larger businesses and corporations had shell and subsidiary companies, which did their dirty work for them. Antony had a page introducing him as a partner in the business and head of acquisitions.
So he told me the truth about that at least.
Raine ran a search for him and found a number of articles with photographs of him at charity or business events. Raine looked with dismay. It looked as if he was with a different woman in each picture, usually some long-legged, blonde thing, who looked nothing like Raine with her black hair and fuller figure.
“What am I even doing?” she asked herself as she dabbed perfume on her neck and wrists, “I’m not his usual type, so what’s his game?”
Keep your eyes open tonight, Rainey, stay on the ball.
The doorbell chimed at exactly seven that evening, and her heart started beating as soon as she heard it.
“He’s here, mom, I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, Rainey. Hopefully, the house won’t get burned down by arsonists.” Her mother called back cheerfully.
Opening the door, Raine paused at the sight before her. A middle-aged man with white hair stood on her mother’s porch. Raine looked past him for Antony but couldn’t see him anywhere.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“I’m Carson,” the man said. “Mr. DuBesne sends his apologies, but he has been delayed.” He spoke with a pure Louisiana drawl. “If you would care to come with me, I would be honored to drive you to meet him.”
Raine tried not to show her surprise as he offered his arm to escort her down her own front path. As they approached the curb, Raine saw the car she had parked beside that morning. The chrome trim and gray paintwork combined to make a thing of exquisite beauty. Carson opened the door and offered his gloved hand as she slid into the back seat. Inside, the leather interior was pristine white, and Raine felt the comfortable seat molding to her contours as she relaxed. Carson closed the door and made his way round to the front, slipping gracefully behind the wheel.
Raine should not have been particularly surprised, considering they were in Texas, but she did feel a jolt of shock as she realized Carson was carrying a gun.
“So ah, where are we going?” she asked nervously as he pulled away.
“I have been asked to convey you to the airport, Miss Daniels, just north of Crutch Corners.” He glanced at her in the rear-view with a kind smile.
The airport? Where the hell are we going for dinner?
While Raine pondered this question, her cell phone bleeped at her, a number she didn’t recognize appearing on it.
“Hello?”
“Raine,” Antony’s voice dripped from the speaker. “I can’t apologize enough for not being there in person.” His French accent was as alluring as it had been that morning, and she smiled.
“I suppose I’ll have to make do with Carson for company.” She glanced at the older man but he was concentrating on the road, “What’s all this about an airport?”
“We will be taking a short flight, and for this, we need an airport,” he teased.
Raine shook her head. “Yes, I know you need an airport to catch a plane, but why do we need to catch a plane?”
“Because it is faster than driving.” She could hear the humor in his voice and gave up. “Tell me what you are thinking?” he asked.
“I’m thinking this is all a surreal dream, and I’ll wake up soon to find I’m in my old room in Crutch Junction.” Raine replied without thinking.
“When you get here to me, I’ll make you see this is no dream.” Antony promised, “See you soon, mon cher.”
Before Raine had a chance to reply, he hung up. She looked out the side window, seeing the dereliction and decay of her hometown fully for the first time since being back. It was disheartening.
Carson drove straight out onto the runway and parked beside a Learjet, right next to the lowered stairs. The driver opened her door for her and escorted her to the bottom of the stairs. Looking up, she saw Antony beginning to descend towards her. He was immaculate in a tailored black suit and tie with a single white rose in his lapel. He halted as soon as he saw her, his eyes roving over the black dress she had chosen to wear. While it wasn’t too revealing, Raine had made sure she had a little cleavage showing. It was tight, clinging to her curves and showing off her ample body. Carrying a small bag in both hands made sure her breasts were shown to full advantage, and the look on Antony’s face was priceless. As if awestruck, Antony reached out and took her hand to lead her up the steps.
“You look...magnificent,” he said as she boarded the private plane. His compliment made her stomach flip and brought a blush to her cheeks.
Dark-brown leather seats and a deep pile carpet graced the jet’s interior. The cockpit was curtained off as was a section at the rear of the plane. Raine picked out a couple of seats and a small table, a monitor or TV set into the side of the plane and a laptop which had about eight different windows open.
Antony escorted her to a seat and held her hand as she lowered herself into it.
“Something to drink?” He asked as the stairs folded into the side of the aircraft.
“White wine?” Raine asked. This whole experience was way out of her comfort zone and she didn’t have a clue as to what she should ask for.
I don’t think a beer’s the right choice though.
Antony spoke to someone beyond the curtain and Raine heard the engines begin to cycle up while he poured a glass of wine and grabbed himself something in a small glass containing ice.
“You should wear your belt as we take off,” He advised her, setting her glass down and taking a seat opposite and fastening his own.
Raine gripped the arms of her seat as the Learjet taxied down the runway, gathering speed for takeoff.
Antony studied her as he sipped his drink. “Not much of a flier?” He asked when she had finally managed to open her eyes again.
“What gave it away?” She said, panting and reaching for her glass and draining half in a big gulp.
“Intuitive guess,” he replied glibly. “You’re completely safe.”
“As if telling anyone that made a difference when they’re scared,” Raine chided him. Antony smiled and her stomach clenched again.
“How was the rest of your day?” he asked as the jet streaked East.
“Monstrously uneventful,” she said, happy when he chuckled at her. “I drove home so my mom could tell me how awful I am, did a little reading and prepared for tonight. You?”
“Business meetings all day. I did a little reading of my own though.”
“Really? What are you reading?”
“Articles from the Chicago Tribune,” Antony replied, meeting her eyes.
“Really?” she said in a false voice. “Whatever about?” She couldn’t stop her smile from spreading.
“Oh, you know. This and that, many topics.” He said with a grin. “One of the journalists seemed quite talented,” he added.
“Yeah? Would I have heard of them?” She was quite enjoying this little back and forth they had going, and it took her mind off the fact she was airborne.
“Possibly, have you heard of Sam Carter?�
�� He grinned. Raine almost spat her wine all over him, not expecting that answer.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of him,” she admitted.
Lived with him, shared his bed.
Antony studied her face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It was supposed to be a joke.” His look of contrition seemed genuine.
“No, I’m sorry. It’s just Sam and I...we had a little history and of all the names you might have picked...” She was unable to think of what to say next, so they both fell silent for a while. “How long have you known Carson?” she asked.
“Carson?” Antony asked, genuinely shocked, “Carson’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.” His eyes went distant. “It feels as if he raised me, sometimes.”
“Why did you ask me out tonight?” Raine asked abruptly. Antony looked at her in shock for a second before bursting into laughter.
“So I could get to know you better. Why else?” He finally managed. Raine sipped her wine, and Antony frowned. “What is the problem?”
“I’m not your normal type, so I just wondered why you asked me out.”
Antony’s face changed. “Ah, so now I know what you were reading about.” He smiled, “And of course everything you see and read on the Internet is true so...” He shrugged. “Let me guess, you looked at a few articles which showed me with tall, thin, blonde women?” Raine nodded. “And you assumed they were girlfriends of mine?” She nodded again, and he smiled. “Did you bother to look up anything about them? Find out who they were employed by?” Raine shook her head. Antony paused and rolled his glass between his palms, “They were all escorts.”
“What?” she asked in surprise.
“Escorts. I don’t even know what their names were. The company arranges them for me to maintain some kind of...image.”