“New look, Mr. Vockelman?” said the smart aleck on the back row.
It was Sandy’s second day without shaving and his third day in the same clothes. If his students thought he looked bad, they certainly wouldn’t want to smell him.
He opened his grade book and picked up a pencil. “So, I take it you’d like a big fat ‘F’ for today, Mr. Kelley?”
“Uh, no Sir. I was just kidding…Sir.”
“Well, Mr. Kelley, I am impressed. That’s the most ‘sirs’ I’ve heard from you all year.”
The class laughed.
The students might have thought Sandy would be in a bad mood, judging by his appearance. But they didn’t know about Rebecca.
“Alright. Time for a little melodic dictation.”
They got their staff paper and pencils ready to go.
Melodic dictation is an exercise wherein the teacher plays a melody on the piano while students listen and attempt to write it down.
Normally, Sandy played from a book of melodies. Today he was making it up as he went along. Would he be able to remember what he had played so he could grade their papers? Hopefully. But he was so lost in his newfound joy that he just didn’t care. Everybody would get an ‘A’ today.
**********
Larry’s perfect plan to win Cynthia had failed miserably. But he saw it as only a temporary setback. He might not ever win her heart, but he would win her body. If she didn’t give it up willingly, he would just take it.
What bothered him most was the thought that Cynthia might be somehow immune to his powers of luck. Ever since high school, ever since the big game, Lucky Larry had always seen things work out well for him.
When he had decided to drop out of college after just one year, his parents were very upset with him. But he tried to make amends by taking over the yard work and promising to get a job. He had even helped his dad work on his car.
It had been unfortunate that Larry had not fully tightened the brake lines though. His father had been unable to navigate the curve in the road and had rammed into a telephone pole at 65 mph. The police said he might have survived the crash if his seat belt had been functioning properly.
Then there was dear old Mom. Larry had been talking with her at the top of the stairs when she lost her balance. It was the broken neck that had killed her. He had made a heroic effort to catch her when she started to fall. He could still remember the look in her eyes as her fingers slipped through his, just before she tumbled down the long staircase. She seemed to be saying: ‘Don’t worry, Larry, you will inherit a small fortune. We planned ahead. We thought of you.’
He sat down in the chair and took off his shoes and socks. He needed a good nap before making the long drive. Taking a plane was out of the question. The authorities might already be watching for him.
Greg and Cynthia would be arriving at Walt Disney World soon. They would check in to the Grand Floridian Resort. And then, no doubt, she and Greg would consummate the marriage. The thought of it made him sick. So, he tried not to dwell on it.
The perfect couple would enjoy a blessed night of bliss. And the next day, he might even let them have some fun with Mickey for a while. But soon he would intervene. He would find an opportunity to snatch Cynthia away again—just when they thought they were safe.
He stood up, took off his shirt and pants, and laid them across the chair. Then he picked up the yearbook and studied the picture. She was so much prettier than the other cheerleaders. No surprise that she had been elected captain.
He took off his underwear and threw it on top of his other clothes and admired his naked body in the full-length mirror. He checked himself out from several angles. In his mind, he was muscular and well-toned.
He slipped between the sheets and turned off the lamp. The drapes blocked out most of the sunlight. For the first time since the start of puberty, he would skip his bedtime self-gratification ritual. Because he knew his dreams would be vivid. And that when he woke up, the sheets would be wet from virtual lovemaking. No matter how exhausted he was, he knew these would be the most sex-filled dreams ever. How could they not be? He was sleeping in her bed.
30 - PLAN B
Larry stepped into the cloud of steam and shut the door. He closed his eyes and stood still for a few moments, inhaling the mist of Cynthia’s shower. His hand tingled when he picked up her half-used bar of Dove. This is her soap, he thought. He pictured her rubbing it on her arms, her breasts, and her legs as he lathered himself to immense pleasure.
He had only slept three hours—until noon. But that would be enough to sustain him for the 15-hour drive to Orlando. He didn’t need much sleep—especially when he thought about her.
Soon Greg and Cynthia would be in bed and Greg would finally have a chance to prove his manhood. But, of course, he would not be able to satisfy her. He seemed like a nice guy, and Larry was certain Greg would give it his best shot. But anybody could see he was way out of his league.
Cynthia needed a real man—not some girly man. Greg would be kind and gentle, and say sweet things to her—like a woman would do. That just wouldn’t cut it for the super-hot redhead.
Larry was what she really needed—even though she might not realize it. He would tear her clothes off, throw her down and ride her hard. That was the only way to make her happy. Domination.
So, he would rescue her from the sad disappointment she had married. She would resist—but mostly to spare Greg’s feelings. Why should a fine woman such as Cynthia be sentenced to life with a limp lover?
All Larry had to do was rent a motel room near Disney World, catch her alone and take her away. Once she had a good taste of Larry Lover, she would never want to go back to Greg.
**********
Greg pushed the third floor button and the elevator doors closed.
“Can’t wait to get in the shower,” said Cynthia.
“I hope the bed is comfortable.”
“Right now I think I could sleep on the floor if I had to.”
They walked off the elevator and down to their room. Greg sat the overnight bags down, unlocked the door, pushed it open, and held it with his foot.
“I think we need to try this again,” he said, extending his arms.
“Good idea.” She smiled and let him pick her up.
“My dear Mrs. Tenorly, this is the official carrying over the threshold.”
“So noted, Mr. Tenorly.”
Greg carried her into the room. He expected a quick peck on the lips before she got down, but instead she gave him a soft, sensual kiss and then looked deep into his eyes. “I love you so much, Baby.”
Then she jumped down and ran for the bathroom. “First dibs on the shower.”
“Cheater,” said Greg playfully.
He opened the door and grabbed their overnight bags from the hallway. Their suitcases would be delivered soon.
Greg could hear the shower running.
“Okay if I bring your bag in?”
“Sure, Honey. Come on in.”
Greg opened the bathroom door just enough to slip the bag in. Then he closed it, walked over to the TV, and picked up the remote.
When Cynthia finally came out, he was sitting on the bed watching the Disney promotional channel.
“Look at this cool new ride, Sweetie,” he said without turning around.
“Can’t wait to ride it with you.”
Greg glanced up and saw her in the mirror standing behind him. She was wearing a lacy red nightgown. It was conservative—not too revealing, but very sexy. But then again, Greg thought, she’d look just as sexy to him if she was wearing overalls. How about when she’s wearing nothing? He feared his head would explode. Well, maybe not his head. He turned around “You look amazing, Cynthia.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I feel a lot better now.”
“Okay. My turn.”
He picked up his bag and walked way around her to get to the bathroom.
“Afraid I’ll try to attack you?”
“No.
I’m afraid you’ll smell me—now you’re all clean and fresh.”
Greg went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Cynthia teased him through the door. “That’s right. I’m fresh as a daisy, waiting to be picked. And I want you to pick me, and pick me good. You can pick me all night long.”
Greg cracked the door and peeked out. “Look, it’s hard enough to wait as it is, without you saying stuff like that.” He stuck out his tongue at her and then closed the door.
“Oh, really? So, I’m making it harder to wait? Well, that’s good. I like it harder.”
“Quit saying that or it may not be harder by the time I get out there.”
“Okay. I’ll leave you alone. Happy showering, Baby.”
Greg stripped quickly, throwing his clothes in the corner. Then he stopped and took a deep breath. He wanted to get out to her as soon as possible, but he decided to slow down just a little. If he tried to break the world’s record for showering speed, he might slip down and break an arm. And the emergency room was the last place he wanted to spend the night. Not that it was nighttime. It wasn’t even dinner time yet.
Why was he thinking about the time of day and dinner? He was about to get into that king size bed and make love to the most beautiful, caring, loving woman he had ever known. His only regret was that he hadn’t met her much sooner.
Why not ten years ago when he was only 25? No, he thought, that was too far back. She was only 20 then. Maybe five years ago when they were 30 and 25. And why had they both fallen for the wrong people and had to suffer through unhappy marriages?
But maybe they wouldn’t have been right for each other five years ago. Perhaps the exact time they met was the only perfect time for them to meet. Did God plan it this way? He didn’t know for sure, but he did thank God for her every day.
When he walked out of the bathroom he was disappointed to see that she was already asleep. That was okay, he thought. They were both exhausted.
He turned off the TV.
There was a knock at the door.
It was their luggage. He had the man quietly carry it into the room. Then he tipped the man, and closed and locked the door.
Just before turning off the last lamp, Greg took a few seconds to savor the vision before him. His lovely bride looked like a sleeping princess. A sleeping beauty, he thought. How fitting.
He couldn’t remember the last time he had taken a nap in the afternoon—and under the covers.
Once his eyes had adjusted, there was just enough light seeping through the drapes that Greg could see Cynthia lying there—three feet away. He slid over, trying not to wake her. But when he leaned in to kiss her delicately on the lips, she immediately began to kiss him back.
She scooted closer to him and put her arm around him under the covers. He responded in kind. It was then that he realized she was naked. What had she done with the gown? Who cared? “I thought you were asleep.”
“I was just resting.”
“Your body feels so amazing.”
“Well, thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
He kissed her cheek and then began to nibble on her ear lobe.
She moaned and moved in closer.
Greg could feel her firm nipples against his chest.
He felt like the man who received a huge refund check. The guy was overjoyed—until the IRS realized their mistake and took the money back.
He looked into her eyes, which were barely visible in the faint light. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes, you do. And I deserve you. We deserve to be happy together for the rest of our lives.”
Greg thought about it for a second. One thing he knew for sure: there had never been and would never be another man who could love Cynthia as much as he did.
“You know what?” he said. “You’re exactly right.”
“I’m glad you agree. But is that all you have for me today, Mister? Just a lot of talk?”
As she spoke, she ran her soft hand down his back and across his butt.
He watched her lips form a sexy smile as she said, “Don’t you have something more substantial for me?” She slid her hand around to the front. “Oh—wait a second. This is what I want.”
And he was more than happy to give his wife exactly what she wanted.
31 - CHAUCEY AND CROW
“I don’t know if I feel like watching a movie, Crow,” said Chaucey.
“Ah, come on—it’s supposed to be really funny.”
She sat down on his couch. “What’s the name of it?”
“Flushed Away. It’s animated.” He handed her the pizza box. “Here—dig in.”
“Thanks.” She took out two slices and put them on her paper plate.
“So, they got your door fixed?”
“Yeah.”
“How much did they charge you? I want to pay for it.”
“That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
“Hey, I’m the one who busted it.”
“Yeah, but you did it to save me. There’s no way I’m letting you pay for it.”
Crow slid four slices of pizza onto his plate. “Did you get any work done today?” He took a big bite out of a slice. “Or did you rest all day?”
“I worked for a little while, but I had trouble concentrating.”
“You’ll feel better tomorrow. I’m sure your bed is lot more comfortable than mine.”
“It was fine, Crow. And you were so sweet, letting me have your bed while you slept here on the couch.”
“Happy to do it for you.”
He took a sip from his Dr. Pepper and then clicked the remote to play the DVD.
Just as the movie as started, he heard Chaucey sniffling. “You okay?”
She nodded.
But Crow noticed that her eyes were puffy. “Are you sure?”
She broke down and wept.
He stopped the movie, sat his plate down and slid across the couch to her.
“What’s the matter?” He put his arm around her.
She dropped her plate on the coffee table and put her head in her hands and cried.
“He gave me nightmares last night.”
“I’m sorry, Chaucey.”
“And I was so tired all day, but every time I tried to take a nap I saw his face.”
“I just want to break his face,” said Crow.
She looked at him and smiled for a brief moment, and then started crying again.
“I just don’t understand how you got involved with the guy.”
“It was stupid. He’s writing a novel online and I was reading it, and I thought it was really good. So, I left a comment and he responded.”
“Okay. So, how did that lead to you meeting him in a motel room?”
She cried louder. “I was an idiot. He could have raped me and killed me right there. I was lucky to get away.”
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking. And he had that other woman with him—it must have been the redhead from the novel. Apparently, his book is not fiction. No wonder it sounded so real when he talked about the main character poisoning his girlfriend and burning up her body in a barbecue pit. He must have really done that!”
“That’s awful.”
“And if he murdered his girlfriend, he wouldn’t have hesitated to kill me—at the motel or in my apartment. I’m telling you, Crow, you got there just in the nick of time.”
Crow felt a sudden rush of anger. He wanted to take Barry out into the woods, grab him up in his powerful, big hands and break him over his knee like a skinny, dried-out tree branch. Then he would use his body for kindling to build a roaring campfire.
Having those thoughts made Crow think he was no better than Barry. He couldn’t really do that, could he? But it was painful to see Chaucey hurting so much. And would she ever really feel safe, knowing Barry was still out there somewhere? Crow wouldn’t necessarily have to kill him. He could just torture him for a while and then turn him over to the
police. But first he’d have to find him.
Then he had an idea. “What was that man’s name who came by with his friends last night, asking about his wife?”
“The redhead’s husband.” Chaucey had a talent for remembering names. “It was Greg…Tenory. No—Tenorly. Greg Tenorly.”
Crow said the name in his head repeatedly. “I’ll be right back. Gotta go to the ‘little boy’s room.’”
He walked to the bathroom. Once inside he pulled out his cell phone and recorded a voice memo: Greg Tenorly. Greg could probably give him some clues to help him find that sleaze, Barry.
When Crow walked back into the living room he could see that Chaucey had pulled herself together.
She said, “Now, what’s this movie about?”
“Let’s see.” Crow picked up the DVD box and read the blurb. “It says it’s about this well-to-do mouse living in London who gets flushed down the toilet to the world of the common mouse.”
“Gee, I don’t know, Crow…”
“It stars the voice of Hugh Jackman.”
“Okay. Sounds good.”
“I knew it.” He pointed at her, grinning. “I knew you were hot for Hugh Jackman.”
She tried not to smile, but couldn’t stop herself. “Okay, yeah, I like him. But who’s the leading lady?”
“Kate Winslet.”
“Your girlfriend,” she teased.
His face turned red. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Do you dream about her?”
“Maybe. Do you dream about Hugh Jackman?”
“Just day dreams.”
Crow thought a second. “So, you’re gonna be getting all turned on hearing his voice in this movie?”
“Well, that’s not so bad. ‘Cause maybe when it’s over I’ll let you kiss me.” She couldn’t believe she had just said that.
Crow couldn’t believe she had said it either.
She slapped him on the arm. “I’m just kidding. Start the movie.”
But he wasn’t absolutely sure she had been kidding. Maybe she really did want him to kiss her. But he wouldn’t try it unless he was sure.
How could he be sure?
**********
Greg Tenorly Suspense Series Boxed Set Page 54