Madam Mom

by Lynda Rees

  Her brunette hair fell messily around her shoulders framing the look of glorious abandonment on her face. Hands on his chest, fingers tangled through the light film of fuzz she found, while the scorching, sweaty, solid frame beneath her drove to the hilt.

  Sam lifted her, enough to make visible the view between them as he entered her. Their erotic, intimate connection fascinated him, watching his rock-hard penis penetrate her body. Tisha smiled wickedly captivated by the sight.

  Unable to contain himself further, ready to explode, he groped her to him with unadulterated bliss. They rocked together climaxing perfectly a tuned. Nothing held back. Resistance relinquished. Spent.

  Tisha fell beside Sam and curled into his shoulder, flawlessly fitting into his arms and smiled to herself. She couldn’t remember experiencing three orgasms at one love-making session. Her incredible lover provided an amazing gift. She felt like the luckiest woman on earth.

  Her head on his chest, one hand on his taunt, rippling belly, she fingered his appendix scar. Crossing his legs with hers, she covered them. He held her while they slept. They moved to a comfortable spoon position during the night, securely together.

  Sam woke around five a.m. to her hot bottom against his belly and long legs resting parted as though in invitation. Snuggling sent testosterone soaring through his veins giving him the hardest erection ever. A gentle exploratory finger made him grin discovering even in her sleep Tisha stayed hot and ready for him. She wiggled in response to his probing, and moaning awakened stretching like a cat, pushing her soft butt against him.

  Kneading her breast with one hand he held her against him as he entered her from behind. One hand reached around to pleasure her from the front while they rocked furiously bucking beneath the covers.

  Quickly they came. Tisha screamed, “Sam,” as she drove against him, her orgasm overwhelming. Her climax vibrated around him as he spilled inside her. Spent gasping for air recovering, Tisha rolled onto her back with a wicked grin.

  “Morning, Sam.” She loved the combination of garlic and sex. Who knew?

  “Morning, my angel, glad you recognized me.” Totally relaxed with the gorgeous female in his arms, protectiveness and possessiveness swept over him. He’d made her his in the most primal way and craved her in every way. He pushed a stray tendril from her face. He was falling in love with Tisha McClain. Finally he’d met a woman who captured his heart and drove him to distraction with hunger for her. It wasn’t merely the sex—but stronger, more solid. He reveled in the delightful realization. His emotions didn’t translate to her loving him. What would take to compel her to love him?

  “I’d recognize you anywhere.” Turning toward him, Tisha curled a palm around his five o’clock shadow.

  “Thank you for a wonderful night.” Sam kissed her lips seductively then planted a sweet smack on her forehead.

  “It’s delightful and the morning’s magical. Want a shower?” Her brows wagged seductively.

  “I’d love one, if you’ll join.” Standing blatantly naked, he flipped the covers off her splendid nudity.

  Observing propped on one elbow she scrutinized his frame appearing to enjoy the view. Well-built, slim and muscular from working out, he proudly tolerated her perusal. Well endowed, he’d never had complaints about his size. She brazenly grinned her approval.

  “Should I pose?” He preened a mock weight-lifter stance. His spent erection dangled between his legs. Her ogling him expressing sheer lust on her exquisite face made his mouth water.

  Giggling like a girl, she bounced from the bed. “A fine view—really fine.” Boldly she strutted proudly leading him to the shower. He eagerly followed, drooling at her sweet behind swaying before him.

  They made love again under the showering water, sensually soaping each other—another first for Tisha, having never showered with a man. She’d never consider showering the same way.

  After drying off, Tisha slipped her robe on not bothering to close it and sprawled atop the bed, her body seductively displayed for his pleasure. He appreciated how she strategically propped it open and how she made no bones about enjoying watching him dress.

  “I like the expression on your face when you look at me.”

  “It’s good because I can’t get enough of the sight of you.” His erection came to life, but work called, and he must leave soon. He barely resisted. “I wish I had time to jump your bones again.” His brows wiggled comically. “Besides, I’d better get out of here before Lola catches me. She might shoot me.” Lola would not like finding him half dressed in Tisha’s bedroom.

  “Gran likes you. She might put the moves on you herself.” She wagged a teasing finger then dressed for the day. Their laid-back mood felt comfortable and casual, as though meant to be.

  Glancing at the weapon on her nightstand. “I doubt Carlo will come back to your house. You know how to shoot the thing?”

  Nodding she grabbed his hand. “Yep, I’m a good shot, but I don’t have a concealed weapon permit, so can’t carry it on me.”

  “I’m filing a restraining order today. If you see him anywhere near you, call the cops.”

  “Thank you. I’ll do it. Will I see you tonight?”

  He hated disappointing her. “I’m sorry, but I have a dinner meeting I can’t miss.” He wished he could invite her along. Too soon and he couldn’t control the stir it would cause. “Let’s plan on the following evening. You free?”

  “No, but I’m available.” She winked slyly.

  “Wonderful. I’ll call you.” They slipped down the stairs and outside.

  Leaning against his car, Sam held Tisha close. Rubbing her temples with his thumbs while his hands caressed her head he planted a sweet kiss on her forehead. “Be safe, my love.” He hadn’t spoken the words I love you. She wasn’t ready to hear it yet.

  He kissed Tisha long and deep, a kiss filled with promise. Then he drove home to change before going to the office like he’d won a major prize.

  CHAPTER 16

  “My, my, you’re in high spirits, Gran,” Tisha grinned after Ms. Flanagan left the room. “You should shoot people more often.”

  “Morning, Tisha, dear. I would but most thugs have the curtesy to stay out of my house. I’ll not stand for Tallarigo pushing you around. Steer clear of the bad dude.”

  “No worries. I plan to. Sam filed a restraining order today against him. So if he comes near you or me in the future, we’ll have him arrested.” She laid the napkin across her lap and reached for coffee.

  “A load of good, it’ll do. Guys like Tallarigo don’t play by the rules, Tisha. Stay leery of him. He won’t bother you much longer.”

  “What’s he want, anyway? He mentioned a book. What book?”

  “I’m not sure. You best ask Vinnie. Roberta kept me out of her business—deny-ability you know.” The old gal dug into her eggs heartily while Tisha’s stomach sank at her words.

  What else would she face? Damn. She’d hoped she’d gotten to the bottom of her family’s messy life. More to come. Bracing for it, she forced breakfast—enough to sustain her.

  “I take it your date with yummy Sam went well. I heard you letting him out this morning.” She winked slyly.

  “I can’t put anything past you. Can I?”

  The old gal chuckled.

  “I told him about Tallarigo. I hope you don’t mind. He’s our attorney and needed to know in case Carlo presses charges. Besides, I needed someone to talk to. I felt shaken.”

  “I know, dear. I don’t have any problem with you confiding in Sam. How did he take it?” She patted Tisha’s hand eyeing her curiously.

  “Thanks Gran. I told him everything—about the clubs, and your suspicions of Carlo and the mob. He knew about the clubs and told me Mom went to prison for pandering. He doesn’t hold any of it against me. He likes me despite it all.” Tisha gauged Gran’s reaction.

  “Carlo won’t come back. Mark my words. Guys like him aren’t brave. They work in the shadows. I have no idea what he wants from yo
u, but suspect you aren’t going to like it is. I’m sorry, I never told you about the prison sentence. Roberta swore me to secrecy. We hoped you’d never learn of it. You went away to school. She got out early on good behavior. Timing worked out well. Afterward, I don’t know of any illegal involvement. If so, she kept me out of it. She made a lot of cash, worked hard and invested mostly in real estate. I’m sorry you uncovered this. I wish another way existed.” She patted Tisha’s hand with her quivering one.

  “It’s much better having it out in the open with Sam. I like him—more than I should. He’s concerned for us, and sweet to me. I’m not used to a man worrying about me. I’m on my own and handle my own problems. Sharing isn’t in my DNA.” She burst into laughter at the irony of the statement. “You’re probably right about Carlo. I saw him limping badly last night. He’s holed up somewhere with his foot propped up. He’s dangerous, but I doubt he’ll go the legal route to get justice. I don’t think we’re in mortal danger as long I have an item he wants. Damn, I need to figure out what it is. Once he has what he’s after, he’ll likely seek revenge against you for the shooting. He’s not the type to let bygones be bygones. I need to figure out how to handle him. Take care. Keep your ears open, and your pistol handy. If you’re the least bit scared, call 911. I’ll call Daniel today to arrange a bodyguard.”

  “Okay, fine. Make sure he’s a looker with a good body. If I’ve got to spend time with this dude, he better prove worth it.”

  Tisha laughed. Lola never ceased to tickle her funny bone.

  “Now tell me, how was the sex, better or worse than at the airport?” She wagged perfectly manicured, grey brows.

  “He’s not like other men. He’s amazing. I’m different around him. It’s as though I’m the center of his universe, when we’re together.” She squirmed, remembering his firm sex flexing inside her and curling her bare bottom against his belly while they slept. Scent of their sex on his gorgeous body intoxicated. Even her dreams filled with more than one climax.

  Tisha forced her thoughts away toward her day. She must remain alert and aware and deal with Carlo Tallarigo once and for all. He scared her more than she cared to admit. His potential for violence loomed imminent. He’d direct it toward her to get what he wanted. She needed to find the root of her Carlo problem and fix it.

  Gran and Mom pegged Carlo correctly.

  An-eye-for-an- eye. Would Talarigo’s karma work in Tisha’s favor?

  Probably not. Up to her to stop the dangerous man.

  ♥♥♥♥

  Tisha saved the visit with Uncle Vinnie Russo at the antique store on York Street in Newport for last. Meaty arms engulfed her, towering over her by ten inches, safe and protected by his familiar bulk. Breathing the familiar scent of Old Spice comforted her anxiety. The burly man, who had always been part of the family, loved her. Like Mom, he’d do anything for Tisha.

  “How’s my girl doing?” He held her at arms’ length looking her up and down. A grin proved she met his approval. “I can’t get over the fact you’re a grown woman. You should be ashamed. I blink an eye and you have nerve enough to grow up on me. You’re making your uncle an old man.” His grumbling voice rang with love.

  “Uncle Vinnie, you’re ageless. You know it.” She laughed taking a seat across from his ancient, cluttered desk. He settled into his chair. “I need your help.”

  He always looks the same. The big, man with an ample belly dressed smartly in an expensive pullover sweater and black Hermes slacks. A matching blazer hung on a coat rack.

  “We’re finally gonna have ta’ do this?” Vinnie stared apprehensively.

  “Afraid so, I inherited everything from Mom. I don’t understand. I’m sure you do, so yes. We need to talk and I must make some vital decisions. You’ll help me with this.”

  She adored Vinnie, and it was mutual. Vinnie would help with whatever she needed, totally devoted to her and Lola, never having a family of his own. He’d been a bachelor his life, Tisha, Lola, Roberta and Tony his only kin.

  He straightened in his chair. “So, baby, you know some of it. There’s a lot you don’t know. When you turned twenty-one and again as you graduated college, I begged your Mom to explain. She refused. Stubbornly Roberta thought herself invincible. She sheltered you, not wanting to burden or worry you by bringing you into it. She kept you and Lola in the dark. What a mess?” Vinnie’s fleshy hand slid through his thinning hair.

  “Something strange is happening with the antique store and bakery. These properties draw way more capital than rents in the area should. They’re totally out of whack.” Tisha’s nervous system sprang to high alert, humming with electricity. “What the hell is going on?”

  “It ain’t right. I should have to tell you.” He fisted thick fingers on the desktop.

  “Spit it out, Vinnie.” Tisha tried calming herself, willing her hands clasped in her lap to stop quivering.

  He heaved a heavy breath then met her eyes. “I run the antique store. It takes in a decent living, but nothing to shout about. It barely pays for itself.” His face filled with remorse. “Profit comes from rentals of the apartments upstairs.” Profusely sweating, concern filled his eyes as he fidgeted in his seat. “They’re not regular apartments, sweetie. The efficiency suites rented to working girls, decorated by the renter, include a bedroom, private bath, no kitchen, but has a wet bar. The renters don’t live there. They work there. They’re working girls.” He leaned back awaiting her reaction.

  Her gasp escaped and her hand covered her mouth. “Vinnie, you’re mistaken. You’re joking. Right? Mom got out of the business.”

  “No, sweetie, no mistake—Roberta worked as a madam running a high-priced prostitution ring. She did it in a way barely outside of legal. The girls didn’t work for her. They’re independent agents, working for their selves. She didn’t charge her girls per trick, but knew how many tricks each turned in a month. Roberta charged an appropriate amount for rent based on production, so to speak. Roberta got her portion of profit from each business, without charging for sex. She collected rent. Make no mistake, no one messed with Roberta’s girls. She covered their backs.”

  “Ridiculous.” The blood drained from her head. She shook it. “The strange women who banded together at her funeral—Mom’s girls?”

  He pursed his lips and nodded. “Sorry, sweetie, I didn’t want to tell you. Roberta put us in a bad position.” His deadpan face proved serious. “Most such activities are caught for tax evasion. It’s how they get you. Roberta paid taxes on rental income. No fear of the IRS catching her due to odd records of spending versus income. Everything happened above-board on her end, clear and legal. On paper it looks legit.”

  “I don’t understand.” Her face grew hot and scorching tears welled up. She reached for her hanky. “How did she get mixed up in this? Why? Geez, Vinnie, she went to prison for selling sex.”

  “Along story—in the old days, before the renovation in Newport, the mob had a strong presence. Pretty much, anything goes. I first met Lola as a young punk fresh out of foster-care old enough they shoved me out on my own. I tried making a rep for myself, hanging out with the wrong crowd, landed in trouble trying to get involved with the mob. The syndicate had money and power. I started hanging with a young group of made men. Wanting money and to make something of myself, I headed downhill fast in the wrong direction.” He wiped sweat forming on his brow. “I worked the dives as a bouncer and accepted a job in Lola’s club. She saw and actually cared. She took an interest in me. No one had ever done it, ‘cept my old man. He bet the shit out of me and Ma. Eventually he put a bullet between her eyes then his. He must’a figured I’d stop him. Cause he done it when I was out, so he spared me. I’m surprised he didn’t do me, too. Vinnie went silent for a while.

  Tisha reached for his big round hand and he let her hold it. “I’m sorry, Vinnie.”

  He wiped a tear from his pock-marked, red cheek. “Lola made me listen. She told me if I’d stick with her away from the Mob, she’d help me
get rich in what she called the old fashioned way.”

  “Gran took you in?” Tisha muttered with a small voice. She’d never bothered to wonder how Vinnie and Tony became part of her family.

  “Yeah, she sure did. She gave me a room to live in, in back of her club. She paid me a fair wage, taught me stuff like how to mix drinks, and how to run the business. She helped me understand the books and taught me how to read people. She’s good at it.” He snickered.

  Tisha nodded.

  “She tried helping me stay out of trouble, a tough job. Your Gran comes closest I’ve had to a ma. Mine was a loser, a druggie who only loved a hot needle in the arm.” He wiped a tear with his sleeve sitting straighter.

  “It’s how you met Mom?”

  “Yep, when Roberta got out of college she started working the clubs. She treated me real sweet. A good woman, and a looker, she had brains and vision—really smart. I knew she’d go places. Lola paid me extra to watch out for Roberta, kind’a like a bodyguard. I didn’t watch her twenty-four-seven.” Vinnie’s eyes eyed a faraway place on the distant wall. “I watched out for her at the club, and before and after work. She wouldn’t stand for someone following her around. No sir. Your Mom had guts, really something, that one.” His hearty laughter sounded joyful.

  “She sure was.” Tisha wished she could laugh about this too. What she’d learned so far was no laughing matter.

  “I liked your dad. A fair man, Asher McClain’s nerves made of steel, wouldn’t back down from anyone. A tough son of a bitch, that one.” Realizing who he talked to, Vinnie apologized. “Sorry, no disrespect intended.”

  “How did he come by a nickname like Snake?”

  “I liked Asher. Roberta and he were my best friends and your granny of course. I loved ‘em all—still do.” The big man wiped a tear from the corner of his puffy, wrinkled eyes.