Sporting Chance: A Raw Romance

by Penny Henry

  Alan tidied her clothes and kissed her forehead. “Uh, that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  “Hey, don’t apologize. “ She dropped a hand to the front of his jeans. “Now there’s a surprise. You’re still as hard as a rock. You are some man, Alan.” She squeezed his erection and dropped her other hand to the top of his zipper. “Let’s see what we can do about that.”

  Temple sank to a crouch and pulled his throbbing cock from his pants. She wrapped her fingers round the shaft and worked her hand steadily up and down before taking the purple crown into her mouth. It was Alan’s turn to groan as Temple continued to pump the base of the shaft and take him further into her mouth. She fell on him deeper each time dropping her hands to grip his thighs as she allowed his length to slide further into her mouth. She was fighting to control her gag reflex as she experimented with her first real deep-throat. Alan was grunting and lost in the exquisite pleasure of being fucked by Temple’s mouth. Then it was too late for either of them to pull away. Alan’s legs tightened and Temple swallowed. It took a minute for Alan to regain his normal breathing and for a coughing Temple to struggle to her feet. Then they looked at each other and laughed insanely before falling into each other’s arms. It had been a crazy, unplanned act. They both knew it was something they would never speak of to anyone and would never happen again. It was something that Temple had delighted in. For a few hours she had been lifted out of her depressed state of mind and behaved irresponsibly with someone she barely knew. It had been out of character and wonderfully wicked.

  “Now I really do have to go,” said Alan a little sadly. “The ship won’t wait for me.” He kissed Temple on the cheek. “Maybe I’ll send you a postcard”

  Temple grinned. “I won’t hold my breath for that. Have fun, Alan, and don’t fall overboard.”

  “Bye, Temple. Don’t go speaking to strange men in bars.”

  They both laughed and Temple watched him walk away before spinning to her own car. She kept the smile on her lips until she was almost home. Then she remembered where she was supposed to have spent the afternoon. She stiffened in horror at the missed appointments. Then she let it slip away Tomorrow was another day. She’d make her excuses in the morning and rearrange the appointments. It wasn’t the end of the world. Travis Campbell was taking care of that.

  Chapter Five

  Temple was back in Jill's office by late afternoon the following day. The appointments had been simple to rearrange. The meeting with Bob Laidlow had gone pretty much as expected. The portly and amusing attorney had been his usual charming self. Bob's rotund and cheerful exterior concealed a dangerous adversary in matters of Company law. But in this particular instance his hands were tied. As Temple had predicted, Travis' lawyers had left no stone unturned. A legal challenge was out of the question. As far as Bob Laidlow was concerned the contract was a registered legal document. But other contracts had been successfully challenged where an element of coercion had been established. If Temple could provide proof to support her belief that this was the case, then heaven and earth would be moved to mount a challenge. Quite simply the only person who could substantiate or refute the contact was dead. There was indeed, nowhere to go.

  Temple left the firm of Laidlow & Associates feeling deflated and depressed. Her mood was not helped by the enthusiastic response of her accountancy firm to her news of the deal with Campbell Properties. They were keen to manage the sizeable sum she would receive for her interest in the lease. That was not what she wanted to hear. There was no mention of the investment that Ben and her father had put into the building of the Hart Leisure. That had only been their lives. There was no commission to be earned from human endeavour.

  Jill was away on other business and Temple did not yet feel comfortable using Ben's office. She settled herself in Jill's chair to begin planning the closure of the complex. At least it would keep her mind from wandering to her dreams and Travis Campbell. Temple worked for an hour with the doubts niggling in her brain. Then she suddenly smacked her pencil on the desk and screwed up the bits of paper on which she had been working. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t give up so easily. All she had to do was fight the lawyers, Campbell Properties and Travis Campbell himself. And she would start by having dinner with Eliot Buchanan.

  The telephone call was the easy part. Elliot was delighted to take her call.

  "Temple, this is a surprise. It’s wonderful to hear from you." Elliot was alert and enthusiastic.

  "I'd like to talk to you, Elliot," began Temple in her most seductive tones. "It's just that … that with Ben gone, I don't have a man I can lean on. I need some advice, Elliot,"

  There was a pause while Elliot collected his thoughts. She could almost hear his natural caution kicking in. "I hear you, Temple. It’s perfectly understandable. When were you thinking of?"

  "Tonight, Elliot. Maybe we could meet for dinner." Temple put on her most vulnerable voice. "I don't know who else to turn to."

  "What did you want to talk about?" asked Elliot warily.

  "Nothing in particular," lied Temple. "I need some company… someone I can trust."

  Elliot's male instincts overcame his reluctance to be put on the spot by Temple. "You sound as if you need someone to confide in, Temple. I'd be delighted to meet you for dinner. I'm sure we can be of great help to each other."

  "I'll look forward to it," purred Temple.

  Elliot was becoming keener by the second. "Would you like me to pick you up?"

  "No. I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble." Temple was quick to refuse the offer. She didn’t relish the idea of being trapped in Orlando without a car if the evening turned sour. "I'll meet you at Giovanni's... say around nine o' clock."

  "I'll look forward to it," agreed Elliot warmly. His misgivings were now completely forgotten. He was already lost in the fantasy he was building around the desirable Temple Hart.

  Temple hung up the phone. At least she would be able to enjoy her favorite food at Giovanni's. She wasn't so sure about the company. But the dinner was about extracting the truth from Elliot. She wasn't expecting to enjoy the evening.

  She checked her watch. There was plenty of time to tidy up her work and go home to dress for dinner. She knew exactly how to gain Elliot's interest. The leisure centre was still busy as she slipped away, taking care not to become involved with staff or engaged in conversation with a star-struck client. She aimed her car towards the I-4 and planned her strategy for the evening as she drove. She would knock Elliot off-balance. He might just supply enough information to make her believe she wasn't completely mad.

  Molly and Angus were happy to see Temple home early. Molly asked the usual questions without waiting for the answers. She chatted cheerfully as Temple breezed through the kitchen, stopping briefly to say hello and pour herself an orange juice before skipping up the stairs of the split-level house to change for dinner. The shower was warm and luxurious. She had meant to make it quick but her flesh was more alive since her brief and thrilling encounter with Alan. She had always been highly sexed and enjoyed her own body. It had stopped for a while when Ben― She stopped thinking and allowed her hands to slide across her skin, soaping herself and enjoying the sensation. She flicked her fingers across her stiffening nipples before cupping her breasts and pushing them together. For an instant she felt what she was doing was wrong but her body craved her touch. Her nipples were crying out for more attention and she teased them into rigid stalks. She was beyond pulling back. She delayed the moment when her fingers would bring the satisfaction she needed. She closed her eyes let her mind wander. It wasn’t Alan she was thinking about. It was Travis. She couldn’t help herself. Her hand unconsciously slipped down to the burning cleft between her legs. She touched herself almost exploratory at first, giving small yelps of pleasure as her clitoris reacted to the delicate touch of her fingertip. Ripples of pleasure ran through her body as she circled the sensitive nub before her fingers slipped between her swollen lips and curled inside the hot tu
nnel. She was wet and receptive to the fingers that moved inside her in short firm strokes. She raised her hips and leant back against the wall as her fingers slid deeper. Travis’ face was close enough to touch. She moaned softly as she dropped the hand that had been pulling at her nipples and curved her fingers round the knuckles of her thrusting fingers. She forced them hard inside her, tossing her head as the orgasm seized her senses. Travis was driving into her and she trapped the slippery fingers between her thighs as she jerked in a powerful climax. The shockwaves rattled her knees and her breath hissed between her teeth. The image of Travis faded as she rested before fluttering her eyes open. She breathed deeply before allowing her mind to acknowledge the reason behind her raging sexual need. The rangy cowboy had dominated her thoughts and she hated herself for it.

  Thirty minutes later she emerged from the bottom of the steps looking like a centerfold. She wore a backless, shimmering blue silk dress that was chosen simply for the amount of flesh it revealed. The halter-neck top supported two narrow swathes of material that plunged to her navel, barley covering her breasts. Her makeup was light and devastating. The final rub of lip-gloss and the sparkle she added to her eye shadow completed the image. A dab of Chanel Allure and she was ready. Temple was dressed to thrill. She chose a small navy clasp-purse for her essentials and clipped on a pair of sapphire drop earrings to finish the drop-dead effect she knew she would have on Elliot. When she returned downstairs Molly and Angus were settled in front of the television. Temple decided against a well-meant lecture from Molly and the risk of causing Angus a seizure.

  "Goodnight, Molly. Goodnight, Angus. Don’t wait up," she called as she tiptoed to the door.

  "Goodbye, dearie," said Molly without lifting her eyes from the screen. "Have a nice evening."

  "Aye, and be sure to wrap up well, lassie," added Angus gruffly.

  Temple made a grimace as she pulled the door closed behind her. Thank heavens for Molly and Angus’ addiction to The Big Bang Theory. The absorbed couple would let the house burn down around them rather than miss an episode. She settled into the driver's seat and raised the hood. She wasn't dressed for open top driving. She slid in a Beyonce CD and turned up the volume as she headed for her dinner date with the tricky Elliot Buchanan.

  Her entrance to Giovanni's was not meant to be sensational. Her stunning appearance ensured otherwise. Giovanni was the first to greet her as every eye in the restaurant turned towards her.

  "Ms Hart, it’s lovely to see you again." Giovanni kissed her on both cheeks. He was third generation Italian-American and there was little trace of an accent. "And may I say how lovely you look this evening. Mister Buchanan is a very lucky man." He thought twice at Temples raised one eyebrow and calmly added, "To have the pleasure of your company, of course."

  Temple smiled. Giovanni was an old rogue and there was no mistaking the twinkle in his eye. "Thank you, Giovanni. I take it that Mister Buchanan is here then?"

  "Indeed, Ms Hart. Allow me to accompany you to his table." Giovanni led the way through the restaurant. He was pleased to have such a glamorous local celebrity as a regular customer. It was good for business. Temple spotted one or two familiar faces as she wound her way through the restaurant and nodded hello. Elliot was standing at a table set in a less-crowded corner of the dining room, shielded by an abundance of potted greenery.

  "Temple, you look stunning," Elliot greeted her arrival. His eyes were shining and sweeping over her body as if stripping the dress from her shapely figure.

  "Thank you, Elliot." Temple took the seat that Giovanni had pulled out for her. "You look okay, too."

  He was dressed in an open necked red CK shirt that suited his black hair and Latin good looks. Temple had no doubt there would be some envious female eyes upon her. But he was wearing too much gold for her own taste and he was having trouble raising his eyes above her breasts.

  “My eyes are up here,” said Temple lightly.

  Elliot flushed and jerked his eyes to her face. “Oh, god. I’m so sorry, Temple. I’m a bit overwhelmed."

  “Don’t worry about it.” Temple smiled naughtily. “Boys will be boys.” She had made a good choice with dress, she thought wickedly. Elliot was blushing like a schoolboy.

  “May I get you a drink?" asked Giovanni as the couple settled themselves.

  "I'll have a tall, cold glass of orange juice please, Giovanni," said Temple. She seated herself comfortably if immodestly, providing Elliot with the opportunity to sneak another peek at the exposed swell of her breasts.

  She caught a flicker of disappointment on Elliot's face at her order of a non-alcoholic drink. Perhaps he was hoping to make his task a little easier. Elliot ordered a Bourbon straight. Temple picked up the menu and ran her eyes over the familiar dishes. Elliot did likewise and they exchanged polite comments on what they fancied. Their drinks arrived as they were ready to order. A bottle of 1996 Rocca Guicciarda was recommended by Giovanni to complement Elliot's steak. Temple ordered water.

  As they waited for their meal Elliot began his charm offensive. "You look fantastic, Temple. You know, I've always regarded you as someone special. I'd like to feel that you look upon me as a friend too. It's a mean world out there. We need all the friends we can get."

  Temple leaned forward with her elbows on the table, causing the front of her dress to billow and reveal more of her breasts. Elliot seemed to be struggling for breath. "Thank you, Elliot. It's nice to know there's someone I can trust. It’s good to find someone that I feel comfortable with." Temple fed Elliot her line. She was out to hook him one way or the other. "I've always seen you as someone special too," she finished hesitantly.

  A flutter of disbelief crossed Elliot's eyebrows. He was starting to trust in his luck. "If there's anything I can do for you, Temple. And I mean anything at all. You only have to ask."

  "That’s very good of you, Elliot," Temple thanked him softly. "There's so much I don’t know, so much you can teach me. I don’t know a thing about deals and all this contract stuff. Maybe you can help me." Her breasts were almost tipping from the fine fabric of her dress.

  But it was too much too soon. Elliot backed off. He picked up a bread stick and fumbled with it as he weighed up his chances of getting closer to the tanned flesh of Temple Hart without giving too much away. "I'm... I’m not quite sure I follow you." Elliot wavered. "What is it you think I could tell you that you haven’t already heard?"

  Temple took a deep breath, pushing her breasts forward, accentuating the soft curves against the blue silk of her dress, barely within the bounds of decency. "Anything you can tell me about Ben's plans would help to ease my mind," breathed Temple seductively. "I'd be sooo grateful." Temple would never have believed she was capable of flaunting herself so brazenly. But desperate times called for desperate measures. It seemed to do the trick.

  "I'd gladly to tell you anything you want to know, Temple," Elliot rushed to assure her. His eyes were locked to her breasts as if willing her nipples to slip from the edges of the thin material. He took on a glazed expression as he partly capitulated in the face of such outrageous good fortune. "Ben was a good friend. I’ll help you as much as I can."

  Temple doubted Elliot on both counts. But it was a start. The food began to arrive and they talked through their meal. Elliot blithely informed Temple that it had been Ben who had first brought up the subject of generating capital. Surely, she didn't think that Elliot had been pressing Ben without first receiving an indication that Ben was interested in raising finance first?

  That was precisely what Temple did think, but she didn't argue the point. And no, Elliot wasn't absolutely sure what Ben wanted the money for. Perhaps it had been to fund a series of Hart on Heart fitness videos featuring, of course, Temple Hart. Maybe Ben had been planning a new career for her and had wanted to surprise her? Nice move, thought Temple. Elliot had not only managed to produce a motive that couldn't be checked, but subtly placed the blame squarely on Temple’s shoulders.

  "And what was Tr
avis' part in all this?" asked Temple as the dessert trolley appeared. Elliot made a fuss selecting a variety of cheeses, stalling for time; while Temple chose a piece of fruit. The coffee arrived and Elliot was still avoiding the issue. The bourbon and wine that Elliot had consumed throughout the meal was having its effect. Elliot's speech was slurred and his ogling of her breasts was bolder. "Tell me about Travis," insisted Temple. She leant forward, holding her shoulders back. The air-conditioning had done its work and the cool air had stiffened her nipples until the hard tips formed tantalizing peaks against the flimsy material.

  Elliot's eyes took on a glassy stare and he began to talk softly as if frightened of being overheard. "The great Travis Campbell," he muttered. "I wasn't good enough for his precious daughter." Elliot had lost the plot. But Temple listened without comment. Who knew what he might let slip. "Do you know why he keeps me around?" He continued talking without waiting for an answer. "He wants me where he can keep an eye on me. He blames me for Melanie's death. He never wanted me anywhere near his precious daughter, let alone marry her”