Opposites Attract (3 page)

‘Then to make matters worse, when I went out last night to the clubs to relax and forget, the doorman wouldn’t let me directly in. He told me to wait in line like a damned poser. Alexis Samantha Wellington Grant is not a line-waiting poser. It isn’t fair. I’ve done nothing to deserve this. I’m a good person. Well, in my heart I am. I never talk shop owners down on their prices. I always tip the wait staff – the ones who’ve done a good job anyway. I gave all of last year’s designer clothing to charity auctions.’

‘You’re right, nobody deserves what you’re going through,’ Susan said.

‘Oh, and three years ago, remember I hosted and planned that event to benefit a local children’s hospital. What was the name of that hospital again? St Hope? St Kids? Well, the event was fabulous. We raised several thousand dollars for the poor sick children and I wore the most beautiful black and gold lace, imported Victoria Royal gown.’ Alexis cried harder. ‘But there isn’t going to be any more imported Victoria Royal gowns. No more Vera Wang or Helen Wang. No more DKNY. No Via Spiga or Versace. No more shopping in Italy. There isn’t going to be any more designer anything. My life is over, Susan. I’m a nobody. I’m nothing.’

‘Oh, OK,’ Susan said, her voice so soft Alexis could barely hear it. ‘Just calm down. We’re not homeless. We’re going to be just fine. That’s what I came to tell you. I have a plan.’

‘A plan to get our home back?’ Alexis asked, hopeful.

Susan glanced around. ‘No, that would require a miracle. We can’t afford this lifestyle any more but, don’t worry, I have a great plan. A perfect plan.’

‘What?’ Alexis was almost afraid to ask, but she was getting desperate.

‘Remember I was telling you about that guy, Ethan James, who’s going to California?’

‘You mean the cousin’s uncle’s sister’s brother guy?’ Alexis sniffed, blowing her nose again. Her skin felt chapped and she reached next to the box of tissues for her La Prairie day lotion. She dabbed it under her nose. She wouldn’t be buying any more of that for a while.

‘Yeah, him. Well, he hasn’t left yet. In fact, Ted said he met him and that he’s still willing to take on passengers.’ Susan smiled. ‘You said you wanted to get out of here and get a fresh start. Well, let’s do it. Let’s go to California. It’s summer and school isn’t in session so it’s not like I’ll lose my job if I leave. Ted has said he wants to come. He has his laptop so I can check my email if they need me for any reason. It’s perfect, Lexy. It’s just what we need.’

Alexis baulked. Her nose was stuffy and it made her voice sound a little funny. ‘No.’

‘What? Why?’ Susan sat back on her knees and grabbed Alexis’s hands. She squeezed lightly. Then, feeling the used tissue wadded in Alexis’s palm, she grimaced and let go. Susan wiped her hand on her faded blue jeans.

‘There’s one small problem,’ Alexis said, throwing the tissue away, only to grab another. ‘The guy wants someone to help pay for the trip. I can’t even afford a cab ride across the city, let alone a ride across the whole United States.’

‘Ted doesn’t think it’ll be a problem,’ Susan said. Alexis was really getting tired of what Ted thought. If Susan hadn’t seemed so happy with him in the past, she would’ve tried to break them up. ‘He says that Ethan’s going to be working his way across. We can too. We’ll find work. It’ll be an adventure and Ted says that people are friendlier in the Midwest. They’d be willing to help a stranger out and give us jobs to do.’

Alexis studied Susan carefully, not relishing the idea of holding up a sign that said, ‘Will work for food.’ She started to protest, but her friend had a look of hope and excitement that she’d never seen in her. It sparkled in her blue eyes and shone like a beacon from her face. In light of her own uncertainties, Susan’s enthusiasm was a great influence.

‘What kind of job?’ Alexis asked. She dabbed at her eyes. They were puffy and sore. ‘I won’t clean toilets.’

‘Deal. I promise I’ll clean any and all toilets we come across.’ Susan stood up, reaching down to pull Alexis to her feet. ‘Come on, Lexy, let’s say goodbye to this place. Our futures might be a little simpler for a while, but when we get to California things will get better.’

‘Promise?’ Alexis faced Susan, needing someone to take charge, to tell her that everything was going to be all right.

‘Promise.’ Susan tilted her head to the front door. ‘I’ve got doormen waiting to take our bags down. Ted is downstairs with a cab. We’ll spend the night at his place and then tomorrow the four of us are off to California. Oh, this is going to be so much fun, Lexy. I promise you’ll have a good time.’

Ethan moaned, quickening his thrusts as he plunged into the blonde beauty beneath him. Ah, she felt damn good. Sex had to be one of the best inventions ever given to man. He was really going to miss New York City for this very reason. Not to worry, a man in his profession could easily get more sex buddies and they’d all be just as pretty as Sandy here. There was just something about a tattoo artist that drove the women wild. He was like a rock star without the music.

Sandy panted, spreading her legs wider, screaming, ‘Fuck me! Fuck me!’

Ethan frowned, automatically leaning over to kiss her to keep her quiet. He’d told her before to stop doing that. He had neighbours. Then, remembering that he was leaving the next morning and this was his send-off present from her, he grinned. He stopped thrusting and flipped over on his couch, taking her with him.

Sandy was a stripper by profession and had the sexy body that went with the job description. Ethan reached for her fake breasts. They were enormous in his palms, a little stiff, but really fun to look at. She rode him harder as he tweaked her nipples.

Sandy screamed like a porn star. Ethan grinned. He knew she was screaming for effect more than from a natural physical reaction. He didn’t care. It made him feel like a king all the same.

‘Say my name, baby,’ Sandy demanded, tossing back her head and swinging her dyed blonde locks back and forth as she wriggled around on his body. ‘Tell me how you want it.’

Ethan took her hips and arched himself deep into her. ‘Give it to me, Sandy. Ah, yeah. Just like that.’

Sandy tensed, looking down at him. She stopped moving. A pout on her face, she said, ‘My name’s Cindy.’

‘That’s what I said,’ Ethan lied. ‘Of course I know your name. Now, give it to me, Cindy. Ride me, baby. Ride me, just like a naughty little cowgirl.’

‘Cowgirl?’ Her frown deepened and she looked confused. Ethan wanted to growl in frustration. He bumped his hips, trying to get her to ride him to release. Damn, but he was close! ‘You said you wanted me to be your princess.’

‘And now I want you to be my dirty little cowgirl,’ Ethan said. He pushed up, knowing he needed to take over the pacing again before he exploded in agony. If she kept stopping, he’d have to work twice as hard to get her to climax. ‘Get doggie style for me. I want to ride my nasty little cowgirl.’

Cindy instantly flipped over. Ethan came up from behind her and slipped deep into her wet body. He thrust like a madman, reaching around to play with the swollen nub he found hidden in her soft curls. He could’ve finished if he wanted to nearly ten minutes ago, but it was a matter of male pride that he got the woman to climax. ‘Mm, ride me, cowboy. Break this dirty little cowgirl in good. Yippee-ky-yi-yaaa!’

Ethan was glad she was turned around, because he had to suppress a laugh as she attempted her cowgirl screams. He felt his body nearing the end. He was close. He was coming . . . coming . . .

‘Yee-ha! Ride ’em cowboy.’

He pumped harder, losing all amusement at her continued yells as he grabbed her hips. He held back, tensing as her body caught up to his. The moment she began to clamp and spasm, he let loose of his control, coming heavily into the condom he wore.

‘Ah,’ he grunted, going rigid as his hips jerked on reflex. Cindy fell forwards on the couch, panting and whimpering. Ethan fell back, lying on the opposite side.

‘What time is it?’ Cindy asked, breathless. A light sheen of sweat beaded her flushed features as she flipped over onto her back.

Ethan glanced around his barren two-room apartment. Basically there was his living room that doubled as a bedroom and tripled as a kitchen, and a bathroom. Everything but the couch and his alarm clock was packed up. Whatever couldn’t fit into his suitcases had been sold for cash. Seeing the clock, he answered, ‘About midnight.’

‘Ah, shit!’ Cindy cried, jumping up. ‘I’m late for work again. Sal’s going to be so mad at me. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t fire me for sure this time.’

‘You’re his best dancer. He won’t dare fire you.’ Ethan watched her get dressed, finding it a particularly interesting show. He put his hands behind his head, not bothering to hide his nudity. Why should he? He worked hard for his muscled physique and liked showing it off. The small apartment reeked of sex, giving him a sense of satisfaction. Cindy fitted her tight body and large breasts into a barely there slip of a sequinned dress.

Hurrying over to him, as she put on her impossibly high heels, she leaned over and quickly kissed his cheek. ‘Drive safe, stud. I’ll look you up if I’m ever in San Fran!’

Ethan just smiled. He didn’t move until he heard the door open and shut. Then, reaching down, he felt around in the dim light for his cell phone. Without bothering to sit up, he hit a button and began scrolling through his list of phone numbers. ‘Let’s see . . . Rachel, Janet, Mandy, Tracy, Lindsey, April, Ginger . . . Mm, Ginger, hello.’

He grinned and hit the button. Ginger was a freak who especially liked to be taken in the behind. Ethan chuckled. After his and Sandy’s . . . er, Cindy’s session, he needed to take a shower anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. The phone rang, and Ginger picked up with a breathy, ‘Hello.’

‘Hey, baby, it’s Ethan. It’s my last night in town and I was lying here all alone thinking about you.’ He used the persuasive tone all women loved. ‘Yeah, I’m going to California tomorrow to tattoo on movie stars. Want to come over? I really would like to see you. Ten minutes? Perfect. I need to take a shower, but I’ll leave the front door unlocked. Yeah, baby, I’ll see you in a few minutes. Oh, yeah, sure we’ll watch a movie or something. Good idea.’ Ethan glanced around. He didn’t have a television anymore. He’d sold it for the trip. ‘Yeah, me too, can’t wait. Sure, I still got the piercings. I’m counting the minutes. Bye, baby.’

Susan shut the French door between Ted’s bedroom and living room. Seeing Ted lying across his bed in black silk boxers, she sighed and made a face of relief. Alexis was finally asleep. Susan felt bad for her friend, knowing she needed her right now. Thank goodness Ted was such an understanding boyfriend. She knew Alexis wasn’t the easiest person to put up with. Alexis was dramatic, demanding and a borderline diva. But she was also Susan’s best friend and Ted respected that, even if he didn’t understand it at times.

Ted wiggled his eyebrows and reached over to pat the bed next to him. Damn, but he was one of the sexiest men she’d ever seen. He had dark hair that flopped down over one eye and always looked as if he’d just woken up in a pleasurable mood. He wasn’t too muscled, but was definitely toned. His broad chest had a small sprinkling of hair in the middle. It matched the dark treasure trail leading beneath his navel to his crotch. But Susan’s favourite feature was his brown eyes. They were the kindest she’d ever seen on another human. It’s what first made her ask him out six months ago. Even though she hadn’t said it to Ted, or anyone else for that matter, it’d been love at first sight.

Susan grinned at his invitation and untied her black silk robe. It glided to the floor, revealing the metallic cross-lace corset she wore underneath. The underwire cups pressed her breasts up, giving her a decent amount of cleavage. The silver thong panties matched perfectly. Ted liked getting her pretty lingerie and she liked wearing it for him.

‘Come here, gorgeous,’ Ted said, his voice dipping.

Susan crawled up onto the bed. ‘We have to be quiet. Alexis is sleeping.’

‘Uh,’ he pouted, giving her the ‘I don’t wanna’ look.

‘Sorry, marathon man,’ Susan giggled.

‘But it’s going to be such a long drive. Who knows when we’ll get another chance?’ Ted said, reaching to pull her on top of him.

Her body settled into his familiar one. She instantly nestled her legs between his thighs, leaning over to kiss his mouth. He was aroused, the hard length of his cock pressed against her stomach, as his hands roamed down over her corset to grab her butt and squeeze. Susan pulled back with a half laugh, half groan. ‘Oh, we’ll get a chance.’

‘Promise?’ He grinned, looking so sexy her thighs tightened.

‘Mm, yeah, I promise.’

‘Can we still have quiet sex right now anyway?’ he asked, again squeezing her butt and pulling her tighter to his body. The motion drew her cheeks apart in a way that drove her to distraction. Ted knew it too.

Susan leaned over and began kissing his neck. ‘Mm, I don’t know.’

‘Well, how about a hand job?’ he asked. Susan knew he was teasing. ‘Can I get at least that much?’

‘Sure, I’ll go get you a box of tissue and some alone time,’ she teased back. Ted growled, flipping her over onto her back. Susan giggled. ‘Shh, you’ll wake Alexis up.’

‘You made sure to pack sexy underwear, right?’ Ted leaned over to kiss the top of her breasts, stopping to flick his tongue down into her cleavage.

‘Maybe,’ Susan answered.

‘Can we have sex in every state along the way?’ He drew his hand up, cupping her chest as his legs settled between her thighs. Burying his face in her cleavage, he pushed her breasts up to smother his face, stifling a groan.

‘Maybe,’ she giggled.

‘Damn, you smell good.’ He took a deep breath from between her breasts and let loose a throaty groan of appreciation.

‘I taste better.’ Susan parted her thighs.

‘Oh, yeah?’