The Barter System, page 26
Location: Manhattan & Manhattan
What was your primary motivation for applying to this study?
Max: Insane curiosity.
Micah: Intense attraction.
What do you hope to gain by your participation?
Max: Satisfaction of my curiosity.
Micah: Pleasure and fun, for starters.
What is one thing you wish the investigator to know about you?
Max: Our lifestyle isn’t what you think.
Micah: We’ll take good care of you, Riya.
Do you have any negative assumptions regarding this study?
Max: Getting attached to you.
Micah: And not having YOU attached to us.
What is your most secret sexual fantasy?
Max: Finding the perfect woman
Micah: To complete our life.
Have you ever told anyone else about this fantasy?
Max: I doubt it’s truly uncommon.
Micah: I tell everyone!
Have you attempted to realize this fantasy in your daily life?
Max: No, never anyone truly worthy.
Micah: No, still looking but hopeful.
How have you utilized the Internet in your sexual life?
Max: Reality is so much more…tactile.
Micah: The Internet can’t compare. Not even close.
Whoa. Riya couldn’t think…again. Her mind went blank as it always did when she communicated with these two subjects. So many questions and hardly any of them were scientific. Most could be chalked up to pure sexual curiosity.
Sending the confirmation of her arrival before she could chicken out, Riya sat back and stared into space. Could she truly wrap her mind around this situation?
Were they gay? She loved gay men, especially beautiful ones. She and Tawny ran with an entire posse to local gay clubs in South Florida. There was nothing like gay men for a woman’s self-esteem. If Max and Micah were gay, she’d have no problem with that but what did they need her for?
Then her mind went the next logical place. It was a familiar path she’d tread since reading their essay and application and it never failed to make her body come alive with interest and anticipation.
What if they weren’t gay?
She’d only recently experienced having more than one person in a sexual situation at one time with Joshua and Jessica. How to reconcile two obviously powerful men sharing one woman? Was that even possible outside of porn?
She may have bitten off more than she could handle with these subjects but this was the battle she’d fought against herself since the day she’d decided to expand her number of subjects to specifically include them.
Riya’s need to know as well as a deep attraction to both men was like a slow fire under her skin. They were incredibly attractive and she’d never lied to herself about her curiosity or how curious she was.
Having blocked them out of her mind throughout the project just like the others, never allowing herself to think of the next subject, the sensations about Micah and Max rushed back on her with a vengeance.
She was such an utter mess both sexually and emotionally at this point. She’d likely never be normal again after all the insanity of her project. There was a strong chance she’d suffer from nymphomania now.
Then she laughed at herself; talk about melodramatic.
She gave Tawny another call and they discussed possibilities. She told Riya to not bother getting cold feet now. They talked for another hour and in the end, she decided to go with her instincts. They had served her well so far.
The next morning she checked out of the hotel and stepped into a beautiful day to see Ricardo waiting for her. He looked gorgeous leaning against the Jeep while he waited. She approached and gave him a shy kiss before climbing in to head to the airport. “Where’s Malina?” she asked him cautiously after he settled in his seat.
“She went to pack up her stuff at Greg’s.” As he pulled into traffic, he cleared his throat, “So. How were things?”
“Oh, Ricardo, you aren’t concerned about your rep? Baby, your rep is firmly in place. Why are you worried about this when you had Malina right where you wanted her after all this time? Angry face…okay, let me give you enough to calm you down, though I never talk about my sexual partners. Lord!”
He was giving her a tense glare, “Greg was a kind and considerate lover. I came each time, but I wasn’t coming hard every fifteen minutes for like two hours like I did with you. He went down on me but not as well as you. I went down on him and could take more of him than I could you…yeah, I see you get what I’m saying. He has a great body, but not a stunning body. Strong but not fierce. Okay? That enough for me to get a smile?” His grin was all teeth and she laughed. “So male. Damn, Ricardo. I wouldn’t ask you for details.”
Ric responded immediately, “Malina is a kind and considerate lover. I came each time we were together, but it didn’t blow my fucking head off like it did with you. She went down on me but not as well as you. I went down on her but she wasn’t as responsive as you were…yeah, you get what I’m saying. She has a great body, but not a stunning body. A good woman but not fierce.”
He pulled into a parking space at the airport. They turned to look at one another and came together hard, devouring one another’s mouths. Riya shelved the guilt for just a little while and enjoyed the taste of him one more time.
He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, “All I ask is that God never let me say your name when I’m with her, Riya. I’ve wanted her for so long. I pray I’ll want her like that again…and soon. I’m settling. I know I’m settling because now I know there is something better. Someone more matched to my every need roaming around in the world. I don’t want to be unsatisfied.”
Riya hugged him. He pulled her over his lap and they just held one another for a long time. Then she leaned back to look at him, “Ric, you are a good man and you’re right, you’ve wanted her for so long. You never wanted to lose her in the first place. Once I’m gone, time and distance will fade what we shared so briefly and life for you will go back to normal.”
She kissed him one last time and hugged him hard. “Time to see me off, lover.” He ran his hands over her and nodded.
After they checked her bag, got her tickets printed, and he hugged and kissed her again and again, he watched as she disappeared to her gate, blowing a last kiss to him as she turned a corner and was gone.
Chapter Seventeen – The Business Tycoons
First week of October…
Manhattan was one of Riya’s favorite places in the world. Both her mom and Maggie were from New York City and they’d spent a lot of time here over the years. When the plane landed, she couldn’t wait to grab her bag and go. She headed to baggage claim and introduced herself to the driver sent to pick her up.
He wore an expensive tailored suit and held a card with her first name printed professionally. Lifting her bag off the carousel, he led her to a black Lincoln Towncar and asked her about her experience with Manhattan. When he realized she was familiar with the city he laughed and said he’d keep his tourist chatter to himself then.
As she stepped in, he blatantly checked her out and she smiled. She was wearing black skinny jeans, a soft gray sweater, and black heels. Her hair was pulled into a sleek chignon at the base of her neck.
She liked to work a more cosmopolitan look when in Manhattan. Sleek, stylish, simple. She wore almost no makeup, sticking with eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss.
She spent the drive chatting with the young driver, Rodney, who was from Jamaica with the most gorgeous latte skin and a happy smile. He asked her questions about Florida and she answered them, asking him about Jamaica in return. He told her was originally from England. He’d met Max and Micah when they were in Jamaica on vacation and they’d offered him a job.
“I didn’t realize you were their permanent driver.”
“Yes, miss. I’m on-call with the Towncar or the limo and also maintain their personal vehicles though they rarely have time to drive them in the city.”
“So you’ve been with them a while. What are they like, Rodney?” she asked him quietly.
“Oh, you mean the ménage thing?” Laughing when she stared at him in the rearview mirror in shock, he explained, “No worries, Miss O’Connell. They take very good care of any women in their care and as much as I drive them, I was bound to figure it all out.” She glanced out a side window, deep in thought. He added cheerfully, “They aren’t gay, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She turned back to him in surprise, “You read people very well, Rodney. Just so you know, I adore gay men. But I was…wondering, you know…how that was going to work.”
“Oh sure, two alpha males who live together? People have wondered but they’re secure. You’ll have to meet them to understand. I’ve driven some of their friends from the circle they run in and I like them all. I don’t know that I have the personality for the lifestyle but they all seem happy.” His words seemed meant to calm her.
“Rodney, I get the distinct impression you were instructed to put me at ease.” At his innocent smile Riya laughed, feeling much calmer. “That speaks well of them.”
They drove in silence for a while when Rodney said, “I’m generally not so forward, but you are so much prettier than your website leads one to believe.” Now she was truly shocked.
“They told me about your research so I would know you weren’t just another pretty Betty making them look good. I’m discreet, Miss O’Connell, in my job you have to be and you can trust me. Your research is interesting. I think it’s amazing what you’ve done. And you’re beautiful.”
He stopped at an intersection and she held his eyes for a long moment, “Thank you…I find I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. It’s been a lot to handle actually.” Glancing out the window again, she added, “I’ve learned more about myself than I thought I would. I’m not entirely certain I even know who I am anymore.”
“I can only imagine, Miss O’Connell. Keep the faith because it’s all coming to fruition now and sometimes the best things happen when you least expect it.” A moment later, he pulled to the curb and said cheerfully, “Here we are. Micah isn’t home yet, but Max is upstairs waiting for you.”
He stepped out and came around to open her door, offering his hand as she stood beside him on the pavement, looking up at a gorgeous building that had obviously been fully renovated.
Rodney grabbed her bags and guided her to the doorway. “Hey, Henry. This is Miss O’Connell; she’ll be staying in the penthouse for a while. Make sure you take real good care of her.” The doorman smiled and nodded.
Inside the stunning lobby, the concierge looked up and Rodney introduced her to Carlo with the same instructions. They rode the elevator to the penthouse apartment. As the doors opened, he set her bags in the foyer of an apartment that could grace the pages of any architecture or design magazine.
The entire wall facing the elevator was made of glass, with a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline. The floors were highly polished hard wood, likely teak, and reflected the late afternoon light. The furniture was classic but comfortable. Stickley pieces were scattered about the room and original artwork hung on the muted green walls.
The bottom floor was completely open, with a staircase to one side leading to the second floor, the stainless steel kitchen sat on the other end of the room.
Rodney told her, “It has been a real pleasure meeting you, Miss O’Connell. I’m sure I’ll see you often over the next couple of weeks. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Looking past her, he said, “Max, let me know if you’ll need the car. I’m picking Micah up in two hours.”
Riya turned and found herself staring at the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. Thankfully, her mouth wasn’t hanging open…but it really, really wanted to be.
The gorgeous person said in an equally gorgeous British-accented voice, “Thanks, Rodney. See you tonight.” With a nod, Rodney disappeared behind the already closing elevator doors. “Riya. At last. What a great pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m Max.” He stepped forward and kissed her cheeks, bending to do so. “You are positively stunning in person.”
“I…thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.” Riya caught a whiff of a subtle and delicious aftershave. The picture he’d submitted had simply not done him justice. At all.
He was about six-three with pitch black shaggy hair and electric blue eyes surrounded by long black lashes. His skin was tan, but she thought it might be his natural tone. He had dimples, sensual lips, and a body – oh sweet lord, he looked like a fallen angel. He was wearing black slacks and a blue dress shirt that matched his eyes.
“You are stunning in person. I’m not sure why you sent the photo you did, but, well, frankly it doesn’t even begin to…to represent you. Not even close.”
Max laughed, “I’m very glad to see you are as affected by me as I am by you.” He took her elbow and led her to the kitchen bar. “Are you hungry?” She shook her head.
When he had her seated, he stepped around the center island and pulled wine from the fridge. Pouring two glasses, he handed her one and made a toast, “To interesting possibilities and happy surprises.”
She rarely drank but the wine seemed to calm her. “This is the first time anyone has struck me speechless.” She felt herself staring and couldn’t seem to help it.
He inclined his head, “You flatter me and I thank you. Micah must have sent the picture of us skiing? Maybe one other while we were hiking?” At her nod, he smiled, “Taken from a distance wearing gear of one sort or the other. He may have done that purposely.” He was watching her carefully.
She sipped her wine, her expression bewildered, “Why would you deliberately downplay your looks?”
Max leaned toward her on the opposite side of the counter, his palms flat against the granite. “How do you see yourself, Riya? Truthfully. When you look in the mirror, what is your opinion of yourself?” His voice was gentle and hypnotic.
She gave a delicate shrug and an honest answer, “Average. I can be pretty or I can be dull, depending on what I’m wearing, I suppose. Kind of girl next door.” She finished her wine and he refilled it without hesitation. “I was a cute child, adorable almost. Some days I probably still look like that.”
“So you believe what you’re wearing determines your own personal beauty?” She nodded and he smiled. She had to blink, suddenly enthralled by the dimples and perfect teeth. “What would you say if I told you that you are so incredibly beautiful, neither Megan Fox nor Angelina Jolie could hope to compete with you? If they were on the red carpet, they could not hold a candle to the beauty you possess sitting here in jeans and almost no makeup.”
He smiled again at the tiny frown that formed between her brows. “I see from your expression you think the thought ridiculous. If I were to walk with you down the streets of Manhattan, dressed exactly as you are now, you would gain the attention and appreciation of some of the most discriminating people on the planet. That is why we downplayed our looks. It was clear from your website and the communications we’ve had since submitting our application you are quite unaware of your spectacular beauty.”
There was a hint of hunger as he regarded her now, “We were concerned that if we somehow intimidated you, there was too great a possibility you would think yourself no match for us even superficially. We didn’t want to run that risk.”
She gave herself a moment to recover from the delicious sound of his voice stroking her skin. “You are the most charming man I’ve ever met in my life.” Riya said sincerely. He topped off her glass without taking his eyes from hers. “Utterly ridiculous and obviously visually impaired, but devilishly charming.” She leaned on her elbows and added, “That is quite enough about my looks, it distracts me from yours. Now, tell me all about your life.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You’ll see, Riya. If that is the only thing we manage to convince you of during our time together…you are staying at least two weeks aren’t you?” She nodded. “Excellent. Then we have two weeks to prove your beauty to you.”
With that, he topped off his wine and then hers. He talked to her for fifteen minutes before he noticed her eyes were shut like she was gathering her thoughts. “Riya, are you tired, love?”
She opened her eyes and gave a small hysterical giggle, clapping her fingers over lips. “I never giggle…that was so silly. I apologize, I forgot how pretty you were and it startled me.”
“Darling, I do believe I’ve managed to get you drunk on less than three glasses of wine. Micah will have my head on a platter. When did you eat last?” he asked her, concerned.
She placed one finger against her lip and tapped it, thinking. “Yesterday. Perhaps…lunch? I was writ…I mean, working, I lose track. A salad maybe. Or was it breakfast?” She laid her chin in her palm and considered him with interest. “I’ve been a hermit for so long, I had no idea people as pretty as you existed. If it weren’t for Tawny I would never leave the house.”
