No Reservations

by Natalia Banks

  Lorraine’s head fell forward, the smell of his hair racing into her nostrils, his essence poured up and out of him and into her. She breathed deep, Griffin’s energy filling her lungs, fulfilling her soul.

  His face meeting Lorraine’s, their lips meeting at long last, tongues probing, smashing and dancing in relieved reunion. His strong arms wrap around her, pulling Lorraine close with command and certainty, her own arms meeting behind his neck, chins, noses and foreheads rolling against one another.

  There was no time to wait, not even time to lay down. Lorraine was overwhelmed with taunted lust, her orgasm possessing her, inhabiting her body, possessing her soul. She pushed Griffin backward, hands flat against his chest as she forced him against the bedroom wall. He smiled at her, devilishly. He knew what she was going to do and he was ready.

  Griffin hit the bedroom wall with a loud thud. Taller than Lorraine, he lowered himself just a bit, his powerful legs splayed and bent at the knees. She climbed up on Griffin’s legs, hands gripping the back of his thick neck, the other pulling at his long, muscled arm. With her feet flat against the tops of Griffin’s thighs, Lorraine lowered herself down onto his huge, hard cock. She clung to him with one hand and guided him in with the other. His massive member was familiar to her pussy, the only cock she’d ever known. But each entry was special, every moment of contact between his hot hammer and her curling, waiting clit was like magic, like an impossible lie come undeniably to life.

  Lorraine’s feet slid off of his legs and she slid down a bit, gravity doing its part to bring the two even closer together. She groaned as she descended, her legs shaking, feet pressing against the back of his calves to support her. Lorraine pushed up against Griffin’s legs, the wall supporting him as she went up and down, deep and slow, her legs and arms guiding her, hips adding the sensual detail.

  A shake of her body, Griffin unyielding in front of her, Lorraine’s strength grew and her orgasm grew with it. Deeper and faster, She began to bounce on Griffin’s dick, circular rotations and a flutter of pumps released her orgasm at long last, the walls of her discipline crumbling as the waves of heat poured over and threw her. It pushed up into her throat, filling her ribcage to drown her heart, lungs filling with her own cum.

  Lorraine pumped harder, her body shaking and cumming and that shaking made her cum even harder, her orgasm shaking her further in a cycle of energy and release that threatened to tear her apart. There was only one remedy; to pump harder and wriggle on that huge cock as it filled her. Griffin was leaning against the wall and looking at her in amazement, love overwhelming his eyes as he stared at her with an otherworldly lust. Pump and shake and cum and quiver, Lorraine couldn’t stop herself even if she wanted to, and she didn’t.

  Griffin pumped, pushing himself from off the wall for the first time and Lorraine knew he was cumming. She could sense it, feel his long, thick dick flinching and spitting out that massive blast of hot, salty cum. Lorraine spilled out a cry of relief and release to feel that surge pouring into her, her own orgasm still bubbling and raging to mix with his own. She was a vessel of their energy, the center point of their colossal, earth-crushing desire for one another. Her eye sight went blurry, hearing dull, unable to breathe as she leaned back, clinging to Griffin, their naked legs pressing… a twisted statue dedicated to their passion and their love.

  Chapter 5

  “I dunno, Grif,” Lorraine said, just a touch of whine in her voice, “a press conference, really?”

  “Absolutely,” Griffin said. “You were amazing at that press conference back in Denver, not to mention what happened at that rally.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  “Lorraine, why do you brush that off? Not only did you save my life, literally, but you were a national hero, your face was everywhere for six months.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  Griffin smiled, resting his hands on her arms, gently stroking her smooth skin and inspiring goosebumps to rise up in the wake of his powerful fingers. “I will remind you. Our rally was a hit, the Springsteen show in New York, but there was no promising it would ever happen again. Now they call it Lorraine Devonshire Day! You’ve got a day named after you, Lorraine, you know how big that is?” Lorraine nodded, not wanting to admit the truth of what Griffin was saying. “That’s clout, Lorraine, that’s like currency. Now it’s time to invest it in your learning center program.” He paused, and although neither of them really thought it was necessary, he added, “I’m investing, we’re investing as a family, you need to throw in everything you can, Lorraine. And this is something only you can do.”

  Lorraine knew he was right, but she dreaded facing the press for all the reasons Griffin had just made so terribly clear. “All right, well, I guess we’ll have it in the lobby?”

  Griffin smiled. “Best spot for it. How’s tomorrow morning at ten?”

  Lorraine tried to smile, but it wasn’t easy. “Sounds perfect.”

  What was left of a free New York press corps came out to the lobby of the Phoenix Enterprises building the next day. Griffin and Lorraine had been pseudo celebs ever since the shooting, and even before that when their library rallies had become front-page news thanks to superstars like Bruce Springsteen. But after the shooting, the story of the lonely billionaire and the shy librarian reached epic proportions, getting coverage on broadcast television, cable, internet, and the tabloids.

  Lorraine never liked the vulnerability, the sense that somebody could burst out of the crowd at any time with guns blazing, this time with better aim and better luck than Donal Roland had possessed. Fame was the last thing she wanted.

  Griffin began the conference with, “Phoenix Enterprises is proud to announce a new and sweeping project, one we hope will continue our efforts to keep America well educated. Keeping the libraries open was a good first step, and of course we have Mrs. Phoenix here to thank for that.” The reporters clapped, Lorraine nervously surveying the crowd. But she saw no Tony Gardner creeping up with a murderous sneer, no old Mrs. B. coming back for her final revenge. Lorraine smiled and took a deep breath, only a bit less nervous as Griffin went on, “But, we’re embarking on a new venture, also my wife’s brainchild, so I’ll turn the mic over to her as she can better explain it. You folks remember my wife, the brilliant Lorraine Devonshire Phoenix.”

  Griffin stepped back as the reporters clapped, and Lorraine knew it was her time to take the mic. Do it, she silently urged herself, don’t be afraid, not anymore. You can do this, you’ve done a lot more and been through a lot worse. Prove to Griffin he made the right choice, prove it to everybody in the room, Lorraine Devonshire Phoenix more than anyone.

  Lorraine stepped up to the mic, memories of that violent day in Denver flashing in the back of her imagination: the terrified screams, the gunshots, the burning pain in her gut, bleeding out, lightheaded …

  She cleared her throat and looked around at the faces of the reporters, men and women waiting to hear her speak, increasingly worried expressions on their faces. Feedback bled out from the mic and Lorraine ease back an inch or two.

  “Thank you for coming,” she finally said, noting the nervous quiver in her own voice. She couldn’t help but notice Griffin looking at her with a reassuring half-smile on his concerned face. Focusing on the crowd, Lorraine went on, “I’m very proud to announce the Phoenix Enterprises Educational Centers, which we’ll build, staff and fund as a part of the nationwide PEEC project,” which Lorraine pronounced peace. “Every educational center will provide free tutoring in all the core subjects during after-school hours. We’ll offer other types of guidance as well, I should think: family therapy, the arts. These centers will be established in lower-income areas where schools are lacking in funds and effectiveness, where more and better education is especially and desperately needed.”

  The reporters clamored, one introducing himself and then asking, “What are you going to do to prevent these centers from attracting various criminal elements?”

  “We’re
planning for an armed guard at each center, actually. These centers should be a refuge from the chaos of street life and from the downward cycle of ignorance and crime.”

  One reporter asked, “Are you saying that all minorities are ignorant criminals?”

  “Not at all,” Lorraine said, fear slipping away to be replaced with stubbornness and willfulness. “People in all corners of this country are poor and poorly educated, and we hope to build centers in each of these areas. It’s not about race, it’s about income inequality. Education is the best way to reverse a downward spiral and create an upward spiral of achievement and success. I don't think anybody here would argue against a better education for our kids, all of our kids. It takes a rare man like Griffin Phoenix, a rare company like Phoenix Enterprises, who are willing to sacrifice their own funds, their own resources, to make that happen.”

  “You’re not looking for donations then?”

  “Of course we are,” Lorraine said, the reporters all chuckling. “This is a big project. It’ll take a lot of time and a lot of money, yes. But, Phoenix Enterprises is funding the pilot center right here in New York. Once we’ve proven that this will work, we will need some help opening up similar centers across the country. When we called upon America’s biggest companies to contribute to the public library system, they did. When Phoenix called Ringo Starr, Ringo didn’t say, ‘It don’t come easy,’ he said, ‘Hold on, I’m comin’!’”

  The reporters laughed, Griffin smiled to see Lorraine loosening up, once again finding that blossoming strength she’d discovered in the first few weeks of meeting Griffin.

  “I know that other companies, other men like my husband, will come forth, that these centers will bring a dramatic change to the tenor of our streets, instantly enriching the lives of poor American children everywhere.”

  There was a rumble of questions, another dominant reporter asking above the others, “Are you worried things will get out of hand?”

  “Out of hand?”

  “Well, the last time you did something like this — ”

  Griffin eased Lorraine away from the mic and leaned in. “I’d like to remind you all that the rally you’re referring to three years ago in Denver, Colorado, resulted in a shooting incident against me, I was the target. My wife, then my fiancee, was willing to sacrifice her life for mine, stepping in front of me to take bullets that were meant for me.”

  “But he was in love with her, wasn’t he, Donal Roland?”

  “I’d made a fool of him in public, and yes, he was heartbroken over an unrequited love for my wife here. But, the shooting incident was my fault, not hers. There’s no reason that should reflect on my wife's experience or her talent. She’s capable of anything she puts her mind to, this project in particular. She has my utter and complete confidence.”

  Griffin leaned back and let Lorraine resume her place at the mic as the questions crackled out of the crowd, cameras flashing.

  “What do you make of Albert Jenkins’ run for governor of Colorado?”

  Lorraine shrugged. “I think Albert’s a good man, I know he’s done well as city councilman. If the people of Colorado have confidence in him, then I wish him well.”

  “Even though he left his wife to marry a fellow library employee?”

  “Yes, actually. That’s none of my business and none of anybody else’s business. I know Carmen Jenkins personally, I worked with her for many years. I can’t say I approve of anybody having an extramarital affair and I do feel badly about Deloris Jenkins, though I understand she’s doing just fine. Basically, I don’t think that reflects on Albert or Carmen’s characters, certainly not on his ability to govern … or hers, for that matter.”

  Griffin leaned forward into the mic. “That’s all, thanks for coming everyone.” The reporters muttered as Griffin led Lorraine away from the mic and toward the private elevator.

  Chapter 6

  The Phoenix family had dinner at the penthouse that night. Jeremy fixed one of his famous casseroles and a nice garden salad with warm almond dressing. Lorraine was feeding Kayla, happily forgoing her own meal for the pleasure of wearing half of Kayla’s.

  Jeremy ate silently, much less enthusiastic and flamboyant than in months past, never mind years. Lorraine and Griffin kept exchanging glances, but neither of them cared to broach the subject over dinner.

  Instead, Griffin said, “That was a great press conference today, honey. You knocked it out of the park again.”

  “Sorry about talking up Albert’s campaign like that, I didn’t think — ”

  “Well, it wasn't the best thing to associate ourselves with his run for governor, that’s true. But, you’re old friends and he was there with us in Denver, there’s no secret about that. But, I’d like to keep politics out of it, for obvious reasons.”

  “Yes, definitely,” Lorraine said. “They only muck things up.”

  “Talk about draining the swamp,” Griffin said, having a sip of Stella Artois to wash down his casserole. “They take the swamp with them where ever they go.”

  Jeremy looked down at his plate until Ashe said to him, “Jeremy, are you all right?”

  Jeremy was quick to snap out of it. “I … yes, I’m fine, Ashe, sorry, I … just a little distracted, that’s all.”

  Griffin asked, “What’s up, Jer? Anything we can help out with?”

  “That’s sweet, Grif, really, but … I’m fine, just a bit … ”

  “Distracted?” Lorraine guessed.

  “Right, exactly.”

  Griffin returned his attention to Lorraine. “You seemed a little distracted, too, Lorraine, in those first few seconds of the press conference.”

  Lorraine knew what he was talking about, but it was another subject she would just as soon have left alone, especially in front of the kids. She also knew Griffin saw it as a teachable moment for Ashe and for her as well. Lorraine saw it as a lesson for Jeremy, too.

  “I guess I was a little disoriented by it all, maybe intimidated. But, it passed quickly enough. And of course I had nothing at all to worry about, just my own nerves really.”

  “That’s right,” Griffin said. “It can be scary to make a big move like this one, there’s a lot at risk for us all. But, we’re taking those risks together, that’s why we don’t have anything to fear.”

  Jeremy’s eyes shifted up from his plate, but they returned quickly and he kept eating in silence.

  After dinner, Griffin was playing with the kids in the living room, he and Ashe role-playing as unicorns at Kayla’s fanciful command. Lorraine helped Jeremy with the dishes, putting away the leftovers and cleaning up the table.

  “Jeremy, I appreciate how much you care, I really do. But, I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. What are the odds that something like that would happen twice?”

  “Better than you think,” Jeremy said in an urgent whisper. “There are copycats, more and more people getting pissed off at you, at him.”

  “Jeremy — ”

  “You don’t know what it was like, Lorraine, standing over your body. You were so pale, even more than usual, all that blood, God it was horrifying. And a lot of it was my fault — ”

  “No, Jeremy — ”

  “You said so yourself. I encouraged you to take those early risks, to write that letter, to date Griffin, and it’s worked out great and that’s great. But, what if it didn’t? What if that ambulance had been just a couple minutes later?”

  Lorraine smiled, setting a comforting hand on his arm. “But it wasn’t, Jeremy.”

  “What about this time? What about the next time?”

  “There isn’t any this time, Jer, and there won’t be any next time, either. Nothing like that is going to happen again.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  After a long uncertain second, Lorraine had to say, “No, I can’t say for sure.”

  “And you have kids now. Even Ashe was on that stage when the shooting happened.”

  Lorraine’s smile disappeared
. “You know how I feel about that, Jeremy. I wish you wouldn't bring it up. I didn’t mean to endanger him, I’d never do that.”

  “But losing you is endangering him, Lo’. You’re a parent now, you owe them everything you’ve got, don’t you? Aren’t they the most important thing?”

  Lorraine didn't have to think about it for long. “Of course they are, my family is everything to me and you’re family, too, Jeremy.”

  “And that’s … that’s beautiful, Lo’. I … I just want it to stay that way.”

  “It will,” Lorraine said, “of course it will.” But, both knew the futility of that promise, though neither one could know how right Jeremy was, or what kind of peril awaited them all.

  Chapter 7

  Lorraine and Jeannie sat on the other side of the big mahogany desk in accountant Dennis Douglass’ office. He leaned back in his luxurious leather chair, springs squeaking under him. He smiled, his shaved-bald head resembling a chocolate Easter egg.

  “So, Griffin’s briefed me on this project,” he said, his voice very low, reverberating effortlessly out of his lean chest. “I must say, I’m quite impressed.”

  “Why must you say that?” Lorraine sat calmly, dispassionately, waiting for an answer.

  Dennis smiled; teeth white, gums pink. “Because you’re quite impressive, of course. A lot of women in your position would be content to go shopping, taking day trips, going to the spa, playing with your children. You could raid Fifth Avenue every day for the rest of your life, I’d never even notice a difference in the ledger.” He chuckled, but Lorraine didn’t.

  Jeannie said, “You don’t know Lorraine the way I do, Dennis. She’s a real warrior.”

  “That much I do know,” Dennis said. “Nobody here at Phoenix Enterprises has any doubts about that, never mind the rest of the country. Pity they never made that movie of the week.”