Patty lightly rested her hands on Gerard’s shoulders. His hands gently held her waist. They swayed to the band’s tune.“This afternoon you said you were in telecommunications, correct?” he asked.Patty glanced down. “Actually, Jackie said that. I’m afraid she made my job sound more . . . professional than what it really is.”“Oh,” he said as his eyebrow rose.Oh god, he’s going to think I’m a loser who’s desperate for a man.“I’m . . . a switchboard operator. I’m the lead switchboard operator, but a switchboard operator just the same,”He smiled. “Don’t be ashamed of having an honest job, my dear.”“I’m not ashamed . . . it’s just that . . . I thought you might not . . . approve,” she said bashfully.He tilted his head. “You think I’m that much of a snob?”Shit!“Oh no,” Patty said quickly. “It’s just that . . . you’re a diplomat and a businessman . . . and I’m sure you usually spend time with people who. . . have more to offer.”“It appears you have plenty to offer,” Gerard said as
Patty was having a great time. Gerard’s offer was professionally generous and personally promising, but it had a time limit. He gave her three weeks to think about it. Gerard wanted to find someone to take over Dawit’s administrative duties soon. He offered to fly her to New York for a few days to look around and get a feel of the city.She expressed concern about Rufus. Patty wasn’t going to leave him behind no matter how great an offer was. It turned out that Gerard loved dogs and he had two dogs in Africa. He agreed to help Patty acquire accommodations in New York where Rufus would be welcomed. He also expressed interests in learning more about English Mastiffs.She still had Gerard’s business card from this afternoon, so if she had any questions, concerns or if she just wanted to talk, he invited her to contact him.They quietly swayed to the music. Gerard gazed upon Patty's face with a relaxing smile. Dalton and Jackie walked on the dance floor. They started to dance. It was obvi
Jackie, Goldman, Dalton, and Patty ended up staying at the gala for another hour and a half because they didn’t want to disappoint Billy and Gabriella.It had started snowing on their way back to the chalet. When they got back to the chalet, Dalton and Goldman practically ran to the kitchen.Jackie, Patty, Billy, and Gabriella went into the game room. They had drinks and played pool. Jackie and Patty won one game and Billy and Gabriella won a game. They were talking about doing a tiebreaker when Dalton entered the room.“Having fun?” Dalton asked Jackie as he approached her.“Yes,” Jackie said. Dalton gave her a smooch on the lips. “You full?”“Yep,” Dalton said with a smile. “We had hoagies and chips.”“Where’s Goldman?” Billy asked.“He went upstairs with a bottle of scotch. He said he was tired,” Dalton said.“Or perhaps he’s waiting on someone,” Gabriella said with a sly smirk.Everyone looked at Patty.Her eyes widened. “What?”“Okay, let’s cut the bull,” Gabriella said flatly. “
Patty didn’t know how long she and Goldman tongued and lapped at each other’s lips, but she knew she was under a spell when they finally stopped. Her lids were heavy. Her breathing was deep and shallow. Patty was in a haze. She felt his hands move from her waist to her back. Goldman was standing behind her. He expertly untucked and loosened the ribbon to the bodice of her dark red dress. He gently shoved the dress down to her hips. Patty slowly switched her hips as he pushed the dress to the floor, covering her feet. She heard the ruffle of cotton. He was taking his shirt off. Patty was still in a haze as his hands glided up the waist of her red, longline strapless bra. That’s when she remembered she was wearing one of the pieces of lingerie Jackie bought her. The red bra came with matching panties and a garter belt. The garter belt held up her black thigh highs. Goldman kissed and licked her ear as he slowly squeezed her waist. She le
Patty was roused from her slumber by a titillating sensation on her hard nipples. She felt lips on the curve of her breast. She stirred as she slowly opened her eyes. Goldman was lightly kissing her breasts. His thumbs were grazing her nipples. Her womanhood was warm and moist because of his applications. His erection grazed her inner thigh.She lightly exhaled.“Morning, Patty Cake,” he mumbled against her tit. “How’d you sleep?”“Wonderful,” she breathed. She wished she could wake up like this every morning. What a sensual wake-up call. “You?”“Great,” he groaned and lightly bit the curve of her breast.She smiled and turned her head. The fire was still going in the gas fireplace. The morning light was trying to shine in from the curtains. The jazz music wasn’t playing anymore. “What time is it?”He raised his head to look at her. “Does it really matter?” he asked in a deep tone. His eyes were full of mischief and promise.“I guess not,” Patty said as a smile slowly spread across
Goldman watched Patty’s luscious apple ass sashay away. She looked good from the back, too.“Goddamn,” Dalton said with astonishment. “What the fuck has gotten into you?”He turned to look at Dalton.Dalton’s eyebrows were raised. His brown eyes were wide.“What do you mean?” Goldman asked.Dalton laughed. “Jesus, you’re obsessed with her.”“No, I’m not,” he said. “I just enjoy a good lookin’ woman. You know that.”“Goldman, I’ve seen you with your . . . women,” Dalton said. “And you’ve never been so - how can I say this . . . clingy. Not the way you were with Patty, anyway. Why did you make her stay in here with us to make a phone call?”“I wanted to see if there really was nothing going on between her and Carter,” Goldman answered bluntly.“What?” Dalton chuckled. “Her and Carter? Man, shit.” He laughed.“You’re laughing, but it’s possible,” Goldman said. “Did you know that Carter goes over to her house at least twice a week?”Dalton laughed again. “I don’t care if he goes over the
Goldman froze. He had no idea what was going on or what was happening. Did Patty say that she was in love with him?Dalton looked at Goldman like he was supposed to do something.Goldman glanced at Jackie who stood with the door open and looking at him with her mouth open. “Don’t just stand there like an idiota!” Gabriella exclaimed. “Go after her!”Goldman swallowed hard. He was stupefied. She was in love with him? Patty?Billy walked in the room. He looked at everyone’s faces. “What I miss?” -------Patty had rounded the chalet and made her way back to the front door. When she saw that the coast was clear, she sprinted upstairs. When she got to her bedroom, she closed and locked the door.Patty jogged on her treadmill so she could run if she had, too. What she never counted on was having to run in ten-degree weather without a coat, gloves, a scarf, or a hat. She was shivering and she was out of breath. Her teet
It had been four days since Goldman had returned to Arizona, and he was a wreck. He had gone to Patty’s house as soon as he got back into town. Her car hadn’t been home. Goldman had gone back that evening, and her car was still gone.Monday and Tuesday, Goldman had gone to her house, again. Patty was home, but she wouldn’t come to the door. He had pleaded for her to let him in. She wouldn’t. Patty wouldn’t even give him a verbal response. The only response Goldman had gotten was Rufus barking when he had rung the doorbell and yelled at the door.This morning he had gone to her house - again. The same process was repeated. The only one that wanted anything to do with him was Rufus – barking his head off that a visitor was at the door. Goldman had done one thing differently. He had yelled at the door that he wasn’t going anywhere until she let him in. He had hung out in Patty’s yard for an hour and a half. Goldman would have stayed all day if that’s what it took. But, Williamson had cal
After Juan had left, Cindy had asked Mindy to grab items to put on her Nicolette persona before they left for Phoenix. Cindy wouldn’t tell her why. She had said they were going somewhere that she needed to see and it was a surprise. Five miles outside of Phoenix, Cindy stopped the SUV at a rest area, grabbed a bag out the back, and told Mindy she had to go to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, Cindy returned, but she didn’t look the same. Cindy had on a pile of make-up and a red-wig, and it wasn’t the red wig Mindy had given her. When Cindy got back in the car, Mindy asked what was going on and where were they going. Cindy begged her patience and assured her that everything would become clear. They were in the downtown area of Phoenix. They parked on the street. Cindy walked Mindy to a building that looked like it had glass for walls. They got on the elevator and went to the twelfth floor. There were two businesses on the floor; Grass
It was late Tuesday morning. Mindy was packing a gift basket. She was going to drop it off as she and Cindy rode out of town. Cindy wanted to go shopping in Phoenix. Of course, Mindy couldn’t afford to buy anything but she didn’t mind keeping Cindy company on her shopping trips. Cindy walked in. “Whoa,” she said as she took in the basket on the kitchen table. “That’s a big thank you.” “Well, it is from both us. Can’t have it skimpy,” Mindy said. Cindy shrugged and opened the refrigerator to retrieve a can soda. There was a knock on the back door. “Who in the world could that be?” Mindy asked. Cindy walked to the door and opened it. The man raised his head so they could see his face from under the wide brim baseball hat. “Hey, girls,” Juan greeted. “Juan, come in,” Mindy said with a smile. He darted inside and closed the door. “I parked my car two blocks away and walk
By the time Matt had found out what was going on, it was over. He and Jodi were having a hot romp in the kitchen when Patty tried to call him. He had left his cell in the living room.Two ambulances, the forensics van, two cruisers, and Williamson’s truck were outside. Matt and Jodi walked into Garvey’s bar. “Son of a bitch,” Matt sneered as he put his hands on his hips, taking it all in.Otto was taking pictures of the body on the floor. Goldman stood tall as he was taking notes while Mindy and Cindy Pandock sat at a table talking to him. Juan was sitting at the bar looking like he had never been more relieved in his life as Carter took his statement.“Oh my god,” Jodi said with a shocked look. “I’m going to check on Juan.”“All right, just don’t interfere with the questioning. I’m heading for the lobby to see what else is going on,” Matt said seriously.Jodi nodded and walked away.Matt strode to the lobby doors which were propped open. There was a body on a gurney covered by a shee
Tyrone told Juan how they had tracked Chip down in Chicago. It wasn’t hard. Chip had left a rowdy drunk trail so anyone who wanted to find him could. Tyrone described how they worked Chip over for thirty-six hours. After being beaten for that long anyone would tell what they knew. Chip had given Juan, Sam, and Zeke up. He had even told them where he hid his cut of the money. During the conversation, Tyrone had given the girls more change to play more tunes on the box. Just like before, Chavez had walked with them. When they returned, Ginger got back in the booth and Nicolette remained standing next to a table. She didn’t look as petrified as before. Tucker James had taken a seat at the table with Juan with the gun still on him. Juan guessed he got tired of standing just as much as Nicolette got tired of sitting. It wasn’t hard for Tyrone to track down Zeke either. At least Zeke didn’t lose his mind with the money. He was enjoying a comf
Juan had gotten Tyrone to chat a little. He got detailed about how Sam suffered before he died to Juan, Nicolette, and Ginger’s horror. Tucker even had the nerve to say that at least Sam wasn’t a rat - if it was any consolation to Juan. Now, he was talking to the girls as Nod Ya Head by Will Smith played on the jukebox. Chavez was bobbing his head to the song. “Are you two sisters?” Tyrone asked. “You look like you’re related.” “Cousins,” Nicolette choked out. “Ah,” Tyrone said with understanding. “It’s shame we didn’t meet under different circumstances. You two are cute. Oh, well, back to our friend Juan. So, Juan, where the hell is my twenty million dollars?” Mindy and Cindy’s eyes bugled. “I’ll tell you, but I have to know something first,” Juan said. “Yeah, what’s that?” Tucker said and put the barrel of the gun to Juan’s temple. “How’d you figure out it was us?” Juan asked ask he foug
Tucker had Juan sit down in a chair out on the bar floor. The silence made the situation more terrifying. Tucker pointed his pistol at his chest. How the hell did they figure out it was us? “Ladies, do you want to listen to some music,” Tyrone asked. “Huh?” Ginger said. “Music,” Tyrone repeated. “No reason for the situation to be unpleasant for you because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. What kind of music do you girls like?” Nicolette shrugged stiffly. “Some country and . . . I just started to listen to some hip hop lately.” “Okay,” Tyrone said as he nodded his approval. “What about you, babe?” he asked Ginger. “Same including R&B,” she answered. Tyrone dug into his pocket and pulled out some change. He took Ginger’s hand and placed the change in it. “Play some hip hop. I don’t like country music – oh, and no Eminem, Justin Bieber, or Justin Timberlake. I hate t
It was Sunday morning, and Juan was feeling pretty good despite what had happened last Sunday. No one in town or the surrounding areas knew about Sam being found dead at the hotel, which surprised Juan because he was sure the EMTs would have talked, but it didn’t seem like they had. Juan just thanked his lucky stars.Matt and his team were still working on Sam’s case. Forensics believed Sam’s death was an accident per cloth fibers that were found on his body and the ice bucket bag. Matt tended to agree based on the staff statements and security camera footage from the lobby and exit doors down stairs. He did have Juan come in to look at some of the footage that Matt found suspicious. Juan identified the two blondes Sam had been with. They had appeared to be in a hurry and they went out the side door exit. Juan only knew their first names. Matt had put in the Arizona state police database that they were wanted for questioning, but he didn’t suspect them of foul play. Sam’s valuables ha
Monday afternoon, Juan prepared himself for the verbal assault as he settled in the office with Jodi and Jackie. He had asked Matt not tell the twins about Sam Ellis. Matt had said that it should come from Juan since they still own a part of the business, so they had a right to know. Juan didn’t want them to know because he knew they would blame him somehow. Sam was Juan’s friend not some random guest off the highway. In the end, Juan had refused to call them about it and told Matt to do what he felt was right in regards to informing the twins. “What’s up?” Juan asked. “I think you know what’s up,” Jackie said. “Jackie, what happened yesterday couldn’t be avoided. I don’t know how you think I could have prevented -” Juan began. “Of course, you couldn’t stop it,” Jackie interrupted. “We came here to see how you were and how we can help.” “Yeah. You can’t stop someone who really wants to kill themselves – or partici
The forensics team combed the room over while Matt and Juan waited in a room across the hall, so Matt could take Juan’s official statement. Both room doors were propped open. Otto was able to just walk a few feet to give Matt immediate need to know information.Matt noted Sam’s license information on a pad so his license could stay in an evidence bag. Sam had one suitcase filled with clothes, normal toiletries in the bathroom, a bottle of aspirin, a hundred and fifty dollars in his wallet, a paper bag with eight thousand four and thirty dollars in it, no credit cards, a cell phone, a photo of a woman, a man, and three girls, a key chain with a car key, two regular keys, and a lock key, and a few business cards.“Do you know why he had so much cash on him?” Matt asked.“Sam still lived the life of a drifter,” Juan said. “Plus, he liked casinos. He stopped at a couple in Arizona before he came here. Probably had a good run.” “Hmm,” Matt mused. “Yeah, but to keep that much cash in your