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Chapter 36
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Abegail's diminished convoy pulled across the small end of a huge oval parade ground, around which were clustered a breathtaking array of magnificent temples and ceremonial buildings, and turned sharply to the right, sweeping into large iron gates in a high compound wall that opened, almost by magic, upon the convoy's approach and clanked shut almost as quickly in their wake.
They were in a large, crushed-seashell covered courtyard before one of the tallest, most ornate pagoda pavilions Abegail had seen in her various trips through Southeast Asia. The steps leading up to it and the platform on which it's white-painted, gold-leaf topped columns stood was well-scrubbed white marble. And its roof was of golden fish-scale tiles with borders of emerald green and sapphire blue tiles.
And standing at the foot of the stairs up to this structure was a diminutive Thai man, short and thin as a rail, a monocle in one eye, but decked out in an exquisitely tailored dark suit, his ey
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COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 37
"But so quickly, Dan? Why with all that was happening across the world—in Pearl Harbor and all across Asia. Why was anyone so concerned about me or found the time to do anything for me?""As for the latter," Dan said, "we can thank your congressman, Peter Fair. I knew you two knew each other, but I had no idea how interested he was in your welfare. He's a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, you know, in addition to being your congressman. He called me. I had no idea the plight you were in until he called me. And he called the Thai ambassador too, who knew you as well. They greased the wheels. We just provided the means. Vaughn Enterprises has stores throughout South America, as I'm sure you know. The South American countries are still recognized as neutrals in the building war. We regularly import tapioca from Thailand to Rio de Janeiro. So the means is right here, at the Klong Toey docks. We sail on the tide for Rio, Mother."Having it laid out, and especially hearing of
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 38
Abegail still full of guilt, decided this was as good a time as any to start making amends."Dan, about your father . . ." she started to say as the launch approached the side of the steamer."I know, Mother. I've know for some time I've had two fathers. Two wonderful fathers.""You know . . .? You know that George Vaughn was your father?""Look up there, Mother, up at the bow of the boat, just below the railing."Abegail's eyes followed the direction of Dan's pointing hand. Written on the side of the ship, the name of the ship, the Abegail George. Dan had named the vessel after his mother and true father, the founder of the Vaughn department store enterprises.But even before this could sink in, Abegail's eyes continued on up to the rail above the name plate. Standing there, looking ever watchful and steady, was the man who had waited patiently for her since she was a girl of eighteen in Slater, Missouri, Wally Holland.Wally Holland
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 39
Later in the evening, after they had taken a light dinner, Kolester at last was able to isolate Abegail enough from her son and Holland to whisper a message in her ear."Tonight, my love. I will visit your cabin tonight."But she whispered back. "And if you do, you'll find the door locked."He did visit and the door was locked. He tapped on it for a few minutes, but Abegail was planted on the bunk of her cabin, her eyes held tightly shut, her fists covering her ears, and her mind summoning up the visage of Sun Li and calculating how she could return to his side—just as soon as it was safe enough to do so.Abegail had resolved after she had awakened from the harrowing nightmare the previous afternoon on the Maha Chakri, and able, even if she hadn't wanted to, to remember every damning, guilt-ridden aspect of it up until Sun Li had entered the dream and had entered into her and calmed her, that she would return to him as soon as possible. It would only add shame to guilt to reject all o
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 40
"Yes, there's someone else, I'm afraid," Abegail answered in a small voice, her thoughts going to that waterfall cascading outside the Genting Highlands open pavilion of her lover tribal chieftain.Abegail's return to the Water Creek Ranch for the duration of the war years was a period of fantasy isolation from the world gone mad around them punctuated by shocking reminders that they were part of that world.Jezzica proved to be a real delight for Abegail—the daughter she had always wanted but that the Spanish flu had ripped out of her arms. Abegail didn't know how she ever could have gotten the notion she'd had that being the daughter of a Hollywood movie star would make Jezzica's adjustment to life in the Water Creek valley an impossibility. The ranch did, indeed, need Abegail's guiding hand, but Jezzica had done very well in managing both the ranching part and the celebrity entertainment part of the business. The clientele now was slightly different than it once had been, being com
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 41
"Yes, there's someone else, I'm afraid," Abegail answered in a small voice, her thoughts going to that waterfall cascading outside the Genting Highlands open pavilion of her lover tribal chieftain.Abegail's return to the Water Creek Ranch for the duration of the war years was a period of fantasy isolation from the world gone mad around them punctuated by shocking reminders that they were part of that world.Jezzica proved to be a real delight for Abegail—the daughter she had always wanted but that the Spanish flu had ripped out of her arms. Abegail didn't know how she ever could have gotten the notion she'd had that being the daughter of a Hollywood movie star would make Jezzica's adjustment to life in the Water Creek valley an impossibility. The ranch did, indeed, need Abegail's guiding hand, but Jezzica had done very well in managing both the ranching part and the celebrity entertainment part of the business. The clientele now was slightly different than it once had been, being com
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 42
"I'm sorry. I know I haven't been pulling my weight these last two weeks," Abegail said."Please, Abegail. I know you've had some sort of a shock. I didn't mean what I said to be criticism. You've more than earned your way here. If you want to rest, by all means rest now. We're doing fine. Even little Jasper is becoming a work horse. He's growing up just like Hammer. He loves it here.""Yes, yes, just like Hammer," Abegail replied. And then she leaned over and patted her daughter-in-law on the arm. "But nothing would be working here, Jezzica, if it wasn't for you. You are the greatest gift to this valley in years. Just give me a bit more time. I'll pull myself out of this state I'm in.""Those paintings you did in Malaya are beautiful," Jezzica said, embarrassed at what her mother-in-law had said, but glowing at the praise."Thank you dear.""About those pills, Abegail. Do you think . . .?""Just for a few days," Abegail answered. "They help me sleep. Just for a few days more.""You s
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 43
v6.12.1Welcome to Radish for Writers.Log OutEpisode PreviewStories/Story/Season/Episode PreviewChapter 43An episode can only be edited for 7 days after its publication.Chapter 43The Walker sisters didn't approve of her painting, of course. They didn't approve of any commercial work, and what Abegail painted she was able to quickly sell through her Chicago agents, which meant the Walker sisters could not, no matter how much they tried, make Abegail dependent on them. Although Abegail was now painting dead things, her talent and the strength of her art didn't fail her; the paintings were still magnificent and, if anything, more moving to the beholder than anything she had painted before.No, Abegail was in no way financially dependent on anyone else during this segment of her life. For some reason her paintings, any painting by her, were in great demand. There was a rumor that some rich collector was searching them out and buying them up. The probable truth to this was evident w
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 44- END OF BOOK SEVEN
At one point during the reception, Abegail thought Hammer was about to say something to her, but then J. Henry wafted by and the moment had passed. Abegail ached for it all just to come out in the open. Having to work their way out of reality couldn't possibly be worse than what they had now, Abegail thought.Immediately after the wedding reception, Abegail and Wally were off on the road for the long drive through the Rocky Mountains and over Rabbit Ears Pass and down into Denver, where Abegail commenced a life that was as different from her cloistered years in exile in New Hampshire as it possibly could be. The Hollands, major art patrons now that they had opened their own museum to the public not to mention all of the other cultural endeavors they supported, became the talk of the town, cultural moguls and benefactors. Wally's construction company worked on some major public buildings and monuments gratis, and the acclaimed artist, Abegail Raven, became not only the hostess of choic
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Our kisses continued. It was as if once we started, we couldn’t stop. I managed to unbutton several of the buttons on Lyca’s dress and, when I slipped my hand inside it, I made a delightful discovery. “You…you aren’t wearing a bra!” I whispered between kisses.“I know, I feel so naughty,” Lyca whispered in reply. Her hand slid up my leg and encountered my swollen organ, which was straining uncomfortably against my slacks. A smile formed on Lyca’s lips “What’s this?” she murmured. She gently moved her hand over it.“Uh!” I moaned softly. I knew we had to be careful because we certainly didn’t want the other passengers waking up and seeing what we were doing. “What...what do you think it is?” Delightful sensations were sweeping through me as a result of her gentle caresses and kisses.Lyca kept stroking me, making me even harder. At the same time, I was caressing her breasts and nipples, which had grown erect. I could feel her shudder when I flicked my thumb over one of them. I slipped m
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 52
It was a while before either of us had enough strength to move. Finally, Lyca put her arms around me and laid her head on my shoulder. “You are incredible!” she murmured. “I...I can’t get enough of you. The minute you touch me I want you!”“I feel the same way about you,” I told her.She looked at me and smiled. “You know, we should really get out of the shower before we wind up looking like a couple of pink prunes,” she giggled.We finished washing, then got out and playfully toweled each other dry. While Lyca finished doing what she needed to do in the bathroom, I went back to her bedroom and got dressed.Wearing the purple robe, Lyca walked into the bedroom a few minutes later. “After I get dressed, I’m going to call the travel agent,” she said.“All right,” I said. “I love you.”She smiled at me and said, “I love you, too.” Then she walked across the room and hugged me fiercely. “I didn’t ever think I’d say that to anyone,” she said softly. “You can’t imagine how wonderful it feel
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 51
We got up. Lyca began clearing the table while I rinsed off the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. After I put the last of the dishes in the machine I dried my hands on a dish towel, walked over to the table, which Lyca had just finished wiping. I put my arms around her, and kissed her. She returned the kiss avidly.After the kiss ended, I cupped Lyca’s delectable bottom in my hands and pulled her middle against mine. Then I turned her around, backed her to the kitchen table, lifted her up and sat her on it.“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” Lyca asked.My lips again covered hers and I untied the belt that held her robe closed. My hands slid inside the robe, onto her soft, warm skin, and I cupped her breasts and my thumbs tweaked her nipples to full, tingling erection.My penis grew erect and tented the front of my slacks as I worked on Lyca’s glorious breasts. I spread Lyca’s robe even farther apart, moved between her bare, silken legs, cupped her buttocks, and pressed a
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 50
Lyca rolled over and was kissing me, hugging me, and babbling excitedly. "I love you! Oh, God, I love you!" she gushed. "That was fantastic! I never knew making love could feel that wonderful! God! I love you! I love you!""I love you, too," I told her, returning her kisses. "What just happened was the best it's ever been for me."Lyca gazed down at me, her eyes wide and filled with adoration. "Was it really?" she asked, looking surprised. "Not even with your wife?""It never came close to that with Natalie," I told her. "I never knew making love could be that wonderful." I kissed her again."I'm glad you came back into my life," she whispered. "You can't imagine how glad." Her hands were traveling over me and her face took on a serious expression when she touched the bandage on my shoulder. "How is your shoulder?" she asked."It's getting better all the time," I replied."It terrifies me to think you could have been killed," she said as her hands continued moving over me."It kinda s
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 49
My emotions were in turmoil. From dreading what she was going to say I'd gone to a state of near-euphoria. "I...love you, too," I stammered. I took another sip of my coffee, another deep breath, then said, "I'm in love with you."Lyca gazed at me, her expression unreadable. My heart thudded like a jackhammer. What was her response going to be?She squeezed my arm, smiled, and said, "I'm in love with you, too. I knew it the minute you walked back into my life the other day."I couldn't breathe. Lyca had just told me she was in love with me! I couldn't believe it! My fondest dream had become reality!Then, for some reason, things seemed to get strained between us. For some reason, having admitted our love for each other left us not knowing what to do or say next. We at there on the sofa, looking at each other.It was clear to me nothing was going to happen unless one of us did something, so I slid closer to Lyca. She kept staring at me.When I put my arm around her shoulder, she sighed
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chaoter 48
“No, and I’m not sure I want to again,” I replied. “I’ve never seen anyone as wild as Gleason was.” My ribs still hurt like mad. I winced when I opened the door of my car.Harkins shook his head. “You ought to get those ribs looked at,” he said. “He coulda broke one, kicking you like that.”“Probably did,” I said. “Maybe I will stop at the hospital and have them checked.”“You take care,” he said. “I’m not sure I’d have done it the way you did, but you got two prime assholes out of our hair this week. I’d say that’s enough for anyone. Take it easy for a while, OK?”“You have my word on it, Lieutenant,” I said.The doctor in the emergency room told me my ribs were seriously bruised, but not broken. “Take it easy for a while and you’ll be just fine,” he said. “And I’d stay away from strenuous exercise for a week or so.”“Doc, I plan to sleep for a week or so,” I told him.I left the hospital and drove home. I wanted to see Lyca, but I needed rest, too, and she probably could stand some
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 47
I dropped the binoculars, stood up and, standing in the combat position, aimed my pistol at him. He fired another shot. Before he could work the bolt action on his rifle, I yelled, “Freeze, Gleason! Drop the gun!”He stiffened, turned, and continued working the action on the rifle. I fired at him, aiming for the middle of his body. The rifle flew out of his hands and he went over backward.Moving carefully, I approached him, holding my gun on him. I was pretty sure I’d hit him. I seldom miss what I’m shooting at. He laid there on his back, very still, with his eyes closed. I peered at him, trying to see where the wound was. I couldn’t, so I stepped closer. Too close.Gleason suddenly came to life. His leg came up quickly, too quickly for me to avoid it, and he kicked the gun out of my hand. The next thing I knew, roaring like a wild man, he was on me, his weight carrying me back, taking me off my feet. When we hit the ground, the wind was knocked out of me and, before I could get to m
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 46
“Noticed that he checked the brakes,” Moose said. “You’d think he’d trust a couple of trustworthy-looking guys like us.”I handed Moose a hundred dollars.“What’s this?” he asked.“A bonus for doing a good job today,” I said.“What do you think he’s going to do when he hears that tape you put in the car?” Moose asked.The only thing I did to Gleason’s car was put a tape I made up in the tape deck. It was set to run quietly for a while before the message kicked in, so he’d be well away from the building before he heard it. The message said, “We could have gotten you again today, but we didn’t. This is your last warning. Leave Mrs. Wilkins alone or we’ll get serious. We’ve already proved we can get to you any time we want. By the way, have you gotten your place cleaned up yet?”“I hope he cans this shit he’s been pulling on our client, but I don’t think he will,” I said.“So that shit you planned for tonight is still on?” Moose asked as he wheeled the van through traffic.I nodded. “I t
COLLECTION OF LUST AND LOVE Chapter 45
“You want me to call the police, Mr. Gleason?” the security guard asked.Gleason looked at the guard, then at me. I tried to look impatient. Moose shuffled around, looking as if he wanted to go, too.“They’re not going to find anything, any more than they did yesterday, the incompetent fools,” Gleason said finally. He looked at the car, then at me. “You sure you can have it done and back here by three?” he asked.“No problem, Mr. Gleason,” I said. “Me and Moose, we’ll do the job ourselfs, won’t we, Moose. We’ll tell the boss it’s one ‘a them priority jobs, right?”“Yeah, we’ll do that,” Moose said.Gleason looked at the security guard. “File a report on this with the police, but tell them I sent the car to be repaired and they don’t have to come over,” he said. He turned to me. “Go ahead and fix it. If I have the damn lease company fix it, they’ll just charge me extra and they probably wouldn’t get it fixed today.”“Where do you want me to bring it at, what, three?” I asked.“Be out f
