CHARLOTTE
“Keep going, Charlotte,” says Richard.
“Okay, um, Richard’s over-written some of the estimates on income and expenses, some upwards and some down. Err…. you’ve scrubbed out interest payments entirely, but added in some legal fees….”
“If I put cash into the project to replace bank funding, there won’t be any interest payments,” comments Richard.
Of course, yes….
I work my way through the rest. “You’re offering to cover all the building and development costs, plus some marketing, in exchange for a thirty per cent share?”
“I think thirty per cent is a bit steep, don’t you?” says Michael calmly.
Richard sniffs. “Well, that’s open to negotiation isn’t it.… but you’ve not stopped talking to me….”
The two lean across the table towards each other, Alternately taking the pen from the other, scribbling amendments on the paper bag, crossing-out previous notes and over-writing them. Richard is clearly enjoying himself. Michael, for all his restraint, is also, I think, enjoying himself.
I glance at my Master, who, lips pursed, is suppressing a smile. In a low voice, he says, “They’ve already decided they’re going to do it. It’s just the thrill of the chase now….”
Men….
The pen is tossed to the table-top. Richard and Michael stand, shaking hands. “Done!” says Michael. “Charlotte, meet your new shareholder.”
?
“My new shareholder?”
He rolls his eyes. “Didn’t you read any of those papers I showed you? About the purchase of the hotel and house?”
“Er… well, I scanned them quickly, but it all seemed a bit….”
He looks at me, face blank. “Boring? Is that the word you’re looking for?”
I hang my head. “Yes.”
Richard laughs. “You’d better start taking an interest in these things now, Charlotte. It’s a bit odd that I should know already that you’re a shareholder in ‘Life and Beauty’, but you don’t.”
Blushing. “Sorry. I didn’t realise.”
Michael grabs me under the chin. “We’re getting married. Of course you’re a shareholder.”
“On that subject.…” continues Richard, “Have you set a date?”
Michael goes very still.
Waiting?
“Er, we’d not really discussed it,” I say. “With everything that’s happened….” I glance at my fiancée.
He still doesn’t speak.
What’s he waiting for?
My Master breaks in. “I was rather hoping that I’d be asked to be Best Man.” He swings to Michael, who is suddenly wreathed in smiles. “You can take that as a heavy hint.”
“Who else would I ask?”
All eyes fix on me. “So, when were you thinking of, Charlotte?” My Master gaze is level.
That’s what Michael’s waiting for….
only ever said
I
about the Spring? You should have the house and the hotel ready by
lights up. “That
one other
tense, “And what
have a father. But since it looks as though Beth and
beams. “Charlotte. I would be honoured. And
like that very
smiles as he watches me, and Michael is a man
*****
Three months later….
grassy slopes, cradling a mug of coffee. Beside me, sitting on a
of the workmen in the house, with occasional yelled instructions from Michael. His spa hotel is ready for
slanted sideways to me, my Master asks, “You’re not too upset
Doing it this way works just as well as actually attending.
sure of that? I don’t want any more
on the cheek.
hillside to join us, his blond hair, a bright halo, and his blue eyes, brilliant in the sunshine. “Room for another
of turf.” says my Master. “Everything going well
the house is beginning to look more like a home and less like
I say. “You promised me my home, months ago.
kissing my knuckles. Then, “I wanted to ask you something, Charlotte….” He
Choosing your words?
“Yes?”
chose to enter the auction, but you did that out of necessity. I’d like to know what you want. Now that
his knees, arms wrapped around his legs, quietly waiting
What do I want?
my Master to one
us, a breeze ripples the lake and sunshine dances over the water. The air is sweet and warm and
hold out my hands. “What more could I want? We’re all here, at
between
Oh…. Oh….
then, standing, takes my hand. “I think I’m
is a bang and a crash from the
at us, then goes back up the
Master chuckles. “You know, it won’t be that long before all the workmen go home. We could, um, prepare
Here, let
*****
thought we were supposed to just be
his head. “Yes, quite. I’m preparing you. I wouldn’t like Michael to find you non-prepared for him.” He returns his attentions to my inner thighs, where he is kissing and nibbling at the soft, delicate skin. Thus
“Please, Master.”
waiting for Michael. Don’t be impatient. And besides, I enjoy watching you like this. I can see you arouse, watch your pussy
me with his fingers. Instead, he laves my outer lips with long, languorous strokes
Aaahhhh……
yourself….” And as his tongue
Ohhhh…. Godddddd……
flex, to arch my spine, but since my hips are already pillowed up, my
a pleasant sight.” Michael is leaning against the door, looking down at
glances up from where his mouth is fastened
like a man enjoying oysters…. Love the starfish look, Charlotte. Nice ropes
there. Succulent lemon and brine…. Thought
heard Charlotte’s siren call. And that’s a noise that’s
recall, in the original tale, it was Odysseus who was
guys…. I’m still here you know. Listening. I can hear every word you
head from where he is licking out the inside of my
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