“Actually Doctor,” Kathy said. “Thomas and I were having a private conversation.”
Connor looked around at Dr. Blakely as he withdrew his hand from under Kathy’s, and picked up his coffee cup. She watched him for any sign of displeasure at her appearance, but he merely winked at her. “Dr. Blakely, how nice of you to join us. We were discussing living arrangements and crowds. I take it you two know each other.”
“We have met,” Dr. Blakely replied.
“As I said Thomas,” Kathy added. “I know just about everyone around here.” She got up and picked up her tray. “I hope I will see you again soon Thomas.”
“Thanks for the company Kathy. Take care.”
Kathy smiled at Thomas, and then nodded towards Dr. Blakely, before turning towards the front of the cafeteria. Connor took another sip of coffee, as he pondered his continuing good fortune. He sensed, rather than knew the blow was coming towards him. Connor avoided the elbow streaking towards his ribcage, and still managed not to spill his coffee. He reached across his chest to grab hold of Dr. Blakely, just in time to keep her from falling off her chair when her blow missed. Connor questioned his initial smugness, as he steadied her.
“I am shocked Doctor at this unseemly display. I believe you were about to try and crack one of my ribs.”
“I couldn’t reach the place I wanted to take a crack at.” She looked up at him sullenly as he released her. “We have a date tonight Thomas, and here you are holding hands with that tramp from administration.”
Connor shook his head wonderingly. “She was holding my hand Karen, and she could not be much older than twenty-two. Uh oh.” Connor saw the rising tide of rage come over his companion.
“So,” Karen replied coldly. “I am a senior citizen now. Maybe I should use my walker tonight on our date, and when did it ever matter to you men about the youth of some floozy expressing interest in one of you?”
“Karen,” Connor replied reasonably, and somewhat amused, “did we fly off somewhere this morning, and get married? Ms. Sorrenson merely wanted some company, and because I am not dead, and since she certainly brightens up the room, I invited her to join me. I must admit though, your reaction does surprise me. Don’t you feel just a little silly?”
In answer to his question, she blushed before reaching up to his face, and gripping it gently in her hands. She leaned into him and kissed him. Connor felt the warmth and passion through her hands and lips. She gasped as he returned her kiss for a moment before gently pulling away.
Karen returned his inquiring gaze without looking away. “I don’t know why I reacted the way I did. I saw you two back here, and I almost dropped my tray. She’s stunning.”
Connor took her hand in his and moved his fingers over it slowly, caressing her palm and the back of her hand until she trembled. “Yes, so what?”
Karen closed her eyes as the pleasure of his touch made the sweat bead up on her upper lip. She opened her eyes again. “You can have anyone Thomas, and for a moment I thought that…you…I mean.”
“You thought I put the mojo on her, right,” Connor asked laughing.
“The thought did cross my mind. All I could think of was her coming right there in her chair, while you stared into her eyes.”
“It seems not everyone has to have a mind meld to develop an attraction for me.”
Karen tried to retain a serious look, but burst into laughter instead. “I guess I have not really appreciated the real you until now.”
“I am just a scarred up irresistible Don Juan, or in your case, the Marquis de Sade.”
Karen laughed again, and then soberly regarded Connor. “You would have hurt me Thomas. I felt it.”
“Yes, so what. You would have hurt me without a second thought yesterday.”
Karen nodded, “I admit it. I think I have aged a few years since then. You never have to worry about my betraying you again.”
“Even if I decided to see if Kathy really does like me?”
“You wouldn’t…I…oh hell, I don’t know. Why would you do that?”
“Do what, act like a normal human being? Hell hath no fury.” Connor began.
“Shut up you. You are twisting my words,” she laughed. “What could I do?”
“The question was what would you do if you could? The answer seems I would be toast,” Connor said.
“She would be using you,” Karen replied earnestly.
“And you would be.”
“You are impossible. I.”
“Would be using me,” Connor finished for her.
“I give up on this debate,” Karen sighed, “but I am not going to let you go. More happened to me, mentally and physically, in the last day and a half than in the last ten years. I will not just forget about it and go on. Have you ever considered I might be in love with you?”
“Have you ever considered I might be in love with you too,” Connor replied, “and if I were, would I have to kill every man who admires what I see in you?”
“No, but. “ Karen paused. He had her, and she knew it. Karen thought about the utter nonsense of the present conversation. She knew her IQ to be measurable in the 160 to 180 range, and this grunt from the twilight zone could turn her inside out.
“I see the wheels turning up there,” Connor said amicably, “but I believe you have come to the conclusion they have begun to spin without moving you anywhere.”
“Perhaps I should just strip naked at your command, and let you ravish me at will, without any thought to your intentions beyond that point. Would that be more equitable?”
“Works for me.”
The blood rushed into her face once again, but Connor had already started laughing at her apparent rage. “You think you are so funny,” She hissed through clenched teeth.
“Why yes Karen, I believe I am. You can work on me anytime my dear. I can take it as well as dish it out. You have surprised me a bit already, but you have taken the more traditional roll in this particular play.”
“The idiot little woman, who cannot control her emotions. A woman who must try to possess what she loves,” Karen offered.
Connor perked up when he heard her last line. “Karen, you’ve seen Circle of Iron.”
“I researched all your little movie one liners you used when trying to bait Derek over your last few sessions. I was studying you, remember?” Karen asked playfully.
“You are the only other person I ever influenced into seeing it,” Connor said in delight. “It disappoints me to know you saw the movie, and still came in here, and acted as you did.” Connor shook his head sadly, “You have much to learn grasshopper.”
“That’s from Kung Fu, not Circle of Iron,” Karen replied smugly.
Connor shape shifted instantly into the blind old monk from the Kung Fu television series. Karen gasped in delight as the old monk shook his head in disgust. “Your arrogance defeats your intelligence grasshopper. You will never walk the rice paper with that attitude.”
Karen clapped her hands as Connor changed back. “If only you could take this show on the road, you could be rich.”
“I am rich. Through donations today, I am a millionaire many times over. We will eat at the absolute best place tonight. You will have to pick it out, as I have not had much experience in dining out. Remember, money is no object.”
“You still wish to go out to dinner with me, after my failure to heed my place in the force master,” Karen joked.
Connor laughed. “You are getting very good at this Karen. I have been pumping old Derek with this stuff for quite a while without one good zinger in return. Yes, I want to take you to dinner. You scared away my only other chance at a beautiful dinner companion. I was.”
Connor ducked the slap aimed at the side of his head. “Why you arrogant mime. That was a cheap shot.”
“You just called me an arrogant mime,” Connor protested. “Talk about cheap shots. I’ll have you know I do voices too. In case you were unaware of it, mimes are silent.”
“I
think I touched a nerve finally. Your full name is Thomas Michael Connor.”
“So?”
“So, I think I will call you Mike the Mime from now on.”
“Okay,” Thomas chuckled appreciatively. “Who am I doing now?” He mimicked her orgasm in his room perfectly, including the tremble and change in the tenor of her voice.”
Karen tried to get him to stop as she searched for anyone in the room looking their way. She reached across, trying to put her hand over his mouth. “You bastard, I thought you said mimes were silent. I have to get back to work. What should I wear?”
“I want to take you out right after work, so I will dress casually, and you can go as you are.”
“No way,” Karen stated. “You promised me the best. Get dressed in your suit, and you can go home with me while I dress for our date properly.”
“That would be entirely improper my dear,” Connor stated chastely. “We are both single. What would your neighbors think?”
“Probably that I am finally getting some.” She stood up, and touched his face, while balancing her tray. “I will come to your room at five, okay?”
“More than okay.”
Connor watched her walk away. He turned back to the table and finished his coffee. He smiled as he remembered her calling him Mike the Mime. His first impressions of her strength were proving correct. In only a day and a half, Dr. Blakely had recovered from their initial meeting completely, with full acceptance of his abilities. Connor stood up to return to his room, ready to acquire some money for a new grant to Harvard in the name of Derek’s daughter. Life was good for the moment.
Thomas opened his door in person at the first knock to greet Dr. Blakely. Her stunned silence threw him off momentarily. He stepped aside to allow her to walk into his room, and she stared at him the whole way in.
“You look incredible Thomas.”
“You saw me in a suit before,” he replied puzzled. “What’s the big deal?”
Karen shrugged, “I like the new clothes. They look a lot better than the company suit. I guess it surprises me how well you look in expensive clothes. Now, with your new found wealth, I.”
“Now don’t go paranoid on me woman,” Connor broke in. “You said dress up, so I dressed up. If I look good, let’s go to your place, and you can shock me with how good you look.”
“Okay, but I’ll drive.”
“Fine, now let’s go before you talk yourself into such an inferiority complex you blow our date off.”
“No way will I do that,” Karen chuckled. “You can be my Prince Charming tonight.”
“And you will be.”
“Cinderella, you fop.”
“Fop?” Connor asked.
“Yeah,” Karen replied smugly, “that’s a cross between a dweeb, and a dork.”
“Perhaps you would like to go say hello to the rats and the beetles. They just could not get enough of you yesterday.”
“I meant I was a fop,” Karen backtracked. “I would never call you a name master. I live only to serve your every whim. I.”
“Enough, I will let you live.”
Karen fell to her knees and grasped Connor’s hands, kissing them in mock gratitude. Connor pulled her up and held her tight to him. “You will need a shower now little missy.”
Karen felt the familiar surge of ecstasy course through her body. Her pulse pounded, and she gasped involuntarily. “No Thomas.no. I.” She climaxed in his arms as he kissed her face, and steadied her writhing body. She clung to him weakly, waiting for the strength to pull away. The soft, half focused look she gave him made Connor smile.
“You little hussy you,” Connor needled her.
“You made me this way, you pervert. How dare you.no Thomas. I was just joking.” He let her pull away and straighten her clothes.
“Jesus, I smell like a cheap tramp again,” she complained.
Connor leaned in to her and kissed her on the neck. “As I told you before, you smell wonderful. Let’s go to your place, and I will give you a bath and clean you up.”
“Promise.”
Connor laughed and led her out of the room.
They arrived at Karen’s apartment building twenty minutes later. The ride over had been quiet and comfortable. Connor got out of the passenger side and went over to open the door for Dr. Blakely. She smiled and modestly swung her legs out together as Connor chuckled. Up in her room, Karen hurried into her bedroom and shut the door. Connor sat down in her living room and relaxed.
Although clean and neat, the one bedroom apartment did not stand out as anything special. The little alcove, which encompassed Karen’s kitchen and dining room, had only a wall clock for decoration. As Connor looked around, he did not see a single picture. No flowers hung from pots on the walls, nor sat in water filled vases. A bookcase stood against the opposite wall of the living room, and housed her small combination television set, and VCR. A desk next to her bookcase held her desktop computer, monitor and printer.
Connor walked over and perused her collection of books. He saw Atlas Shrugged by Ayne Rand, one of his all time favorite books. He knew he had never quoted from it to Quenton, nor spoke of it to him. She also had a complete collection of Steven King’s novels, and many by Dean Koontz.
The more he saw, the more he realized why she had recovered so quickly from practically incomprehensible happenings.
She came out about twenty minutes later. Connor looked up from the book he had been reading. He stood up to face her, and the open admiration on his face made Karen blush. She wore a burgundy, shoulder-less dress, which dropped to mid thigh, and clung to her like a second skin. Her simple gold chain, and cross, sparkled in the light. The blonde hair, Karen always wore up, now hung just below her neck in waves of light color. With matching lipstick and high-heeled shoes, Connor thought she looked as beautiful as any model he had ever seen.
He walked over to her and took her hands in his. “My God, Dr. Blakely, you look wonderful. The song The Lady In Red should start playing in the background right now. Hell, I don’t need no stinking music.”
Dr. Blakely’s face lit up as Connor began to sing The Lady In Red, in perfect pitch, with Frank Sinatra’s voice. He held her close as he sang, and led her in a slow, sinuous dance in which she could feel his arousal. Connor ended the song and held her at arm’s length.
“If we do not proceed to dinner now, we won’t make it at all. I would love to be seen next to you Karen.”
“I already called for reservations, so we can leave whenever you wish.”
“Would you like me to drive?” Connor asked.
“I don’t think so. I know the way, and it would be nice not to have to give directions all the way there.”
“Good point,” Connor agreed. “From now on I will take you everywhere in a limousine.” Connor looked towards the door and it swung open. “Shall we?”
As they walked into the restaurant Karen had picked out, she noticed not only the men who checked her out, but also the number of women who could not keep their eyes off of Connor. His close-cropped graying hair, scarred face, dark magnetic eyes, and tailored clothing combined to make a very enticing prospect. She smiled and shook her head. He walked with such easy power; he gave the impression of a panther wearing a suit.
The waiter showed them to their table, leaving menus and wine lists. He then left to bring them water. He returned quickly, and took their order for coffee, and a bottle of the best Champaign the house had to offer. After popping open the Champaign for them and pouring, the waiter left them for a time to decide on their meal.
“Do you drink Thomas, or does that weaken the force?”
“I have a sip or two of Champaign once in a while,” Connor replied smiling, “but I love good coffee at any time. You looked so good walking in here, I thought I would have to fight my way to the table. We will have to go somewhere and find a place where we can dance.”
“I thought of that. They have a band in here after ten. Would you like to
&
nbsp; stay?”
“Do they know Lady In Red?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m in then,” Connor replied. “I just want to dance with you, while you wear that dress. If you keep teasing me like this, I might have to consummate our friendship.”
“Promises, promises.”
“Maybe I.” Connor stopped, and turned towards a waiter approaching him from behind.
The waiter stopped and bent down. “Mr. Connor?”
“I am Connor.”
“You have an urgent phone call Sir. If you would follow me please.”
He looked at Karen, “do not move until I find out how anyone knew we would be here.”
“I never said a word Thomas,” Karen said quickly, seeing the grim look on Connor’s face now.
“It was more then likely a bug on the car. I should have been more careful. Stay put.”
Connor got up and followed the waiter out to a place on the other side of the kitchen. Connor took the receiver from the waiter. “Hello.”
“Mr. Connor?”
“Yes, come on mister, it’s your nickel.”
“I run the department you and Quenton work in. My associates and I were very impressed with your performance today. We would like you to work directly for us.”
“Sorry,” Connor replied politely, “I work only for Quenton. Now I really have to get back to my dinner guest.”
“Yes, the lovely Dr. Blakely. I am so happy you two appear to be working well together. We really want you in with us Mr. Connor on a more direct basis. We have much time and money invested in you.”
“I gave more than I ever got, and we both know it. If you have nothing further, you can talk to me at work. I am off the clock right now.”
“You will find Dr. Blakely had to leave suddenly. There will be three men at your table when you get back. They will explain what happens next.”
Chapter 9 Nate
The phone went dead, and Connor hung it up. He controlled the rage building quickly within him. Making his way back quietly to the table, he saw three well dressed thugs sitting around the table. One was sipping Champaign out of Karen’s glass. They all wore their hair short, and were clean-shaven. All of them looked bored with their assignment. The older looking of the three leaned toward Connor with his hands folded in front of him on the table.
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