Lloyd Came home early and found Lizbeth sleeping in front of the television set again. Since moving in she'd become a lazy slob. The house work went, then laundry, and now he was lucky to find anything to eat because after sitting around all day Lizbeth ate up everything in sight.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you feeling all right?" Lloyd asked. He was a patient man. He gave Lizbeth the benefit of the doubt.
"Mmmm, what, leave me alone?" she said, turning over.
Lloyd Hamilton worked at the Lake View Country Club as tennis pro. He was a handsome man, young, tall, good build and a tremendous capacity to forgive the human condition. His idea of arguing was discussing what to watch on television. Lloyd didn't enjoy rough rides. He liked everyone to be happy and everything to sail smoothly. Unfortunately, he was the best kind of target for girls like Lizbeth.
"When did you get home?" Lizbeth asked, yawning and stretching.
"Just a minute ago, are you feeling all right?"
"Mmmmm, yeah, fine."
"I'm starving, Lizbeth, is there anything made?"
He wasn't the sort who expected a clean place and supper on the table when he came home. Before Lizbeth moved in he took care of that himself, but Lloyd figured if Lizbeth wasn't going back to work she could at least stick to their arrangement.
They had been dating for a long time. Lizbeth used to work for a real estate company on the outskirts of town, but she wanted to quit and go back to school. She offered Lloyd her services in return for support and promised to clean, cook, take care of the laundry, plus fill his sexual needs if he'd let her move in, but so far the only part of the bargain she'd managed to keep was the sex.
"No, I haven't had time. I've been studying all afternoon and I'm beat." she said. Lloyd's eyes scanned the room. The overflowing ashtray on the table and the empty coke bottle and cookie crumbs all over the coffee table suggested a different story. Lloyd didn't want to appear unreasonable, but there wasn't a school book in sight.
"Where's your books, Lizbeth?" he said in a calm voice.
"Whadda you mean, where's my books?" she snapped.
"You say you've been studying, so?"
"Are you going to start on me again, Lloyd, because if you are I think it only fair to warn you I'm not in a real good mood right now." Lizbeth said, sitting up on the sofa and plopping a pillow to her lap. She was difficult most of the time, but Lloyd tried to understand. He'd graduated college last year and remembered how hard it was to study for classes. He gave Lizbeth every opportunity hoping their relationship would go back to running smoothly the way it did in the beginning.
"I'm just curious, Lizbeth. You said you've been hitting the book, but as far as I can see you've been watching soaps all day."
"Oh, I get it, so now you're my father, right. You have to scold me when I don't do my school work." she snapped again.
"Why are you jumping on me like this?" Lloyd asked, tenderly. "It's a reasonable question. Where have you been studying all afternoon, that's all I'm really asking. Where's the books?"
"I don't have to take this from you." Lizbeth said, jumping up and throwing the pillow to the floor. She stormed into the kitchen and Lloyd followed.
"Forget I asked, Lizbeth. It's not important. What do we have around here to eat?" Lloyd asked, opening the refrigerator. She had left an open can of soup on the door shelf and when Lloyd flung open the door it spilled all over the floor. He didn't utter a word. He bit his tongue watching the slimy noodles and tiny chunks of chicken meat flow over his shoes.
"Way to go, Lloyd." Lizbeth smirked seeing the mess. I'm not cleaning it up. You made it, you have to clean it up." she added.
There was a silence in the kitchen so stark it was deafening and Lloyd fought hard to hold back his anger. Lizbeth was pushing him to the edge and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on.
"I think I'll grab a bite out." he said.
"I'll come with you." she said, springing into action like a long distance runner starting down the track at the sound of the gun.
"I think I'd like to go alone." he said. Lloyd had never done that. He was always loving and sweet, but he was angry and Lloyd felt that if he didn't get away from her he'd lose it and really let her have an earful.
"Fine, okay, go on. Have a good time." Lizbeth said sarcastically. "Never mind I've been busting ass around here all day. Never mind I've been studying until I'm half blind. Go, be alone. I'll find someone to eat dinner with, no problem."
"Lizbeth, don't do this." Lloyd pleaded, but his girlfriend could be as hot as fire one minute then freeze his face the next.
"No, don't think a thing about it, Lloyd, go. Eat until you fucking bust." she shouted, grabbing her cookie bag and running to her room.
Some men would do almost anything to keep peace in a relationship and Lloyd Hamilton was top on that list. Lizbeth had him right where she wanted and there wasn't anything Lloyd could do to break free from her hold. She could manipulate him easier than a child molds clay and as frustrating as it was he took it because he cared about her.
Lloyd followed Lizbeth to the bedroom begging her to come out to dinner with him and when she refused, he went back to the kitchen and made a peanut butter sandwich. Lizbeth was happy. Her childish tantrum managed to keep him from going out and that's all she wanted.
She kept him in knots most of the time, but Lloyd didn't know how to avoid the situation. He wanted them to get along. He hated discord and strife. He bent over backward to make her happy and even further trying to keep her that way. The only tool Lloyd had was sex, but even that didn't seem to please her. She was becoming impossible and Lloyd knew something had to be done about it.
After the sandwich he took sat down to go over his lesson schedule. His students were increasing and he needed to shuffle the court time making room for everyone. Lizbeth hadn't shown her face since the tiff and when she finally did she was decked out like a showgirl on her way to opening night.
"Why so dressed up?" Lloyd asked.
"I'm going out." Lizbeth said, sternly.
"Where to?"
Lloyd thought it odd that she would be leaving. He wished he could ruin her night too, but Lloyd Hamilton wasn't the type of man to use manipulation. He was better at taking it. He thought his question was reasonable, but Lizbeth lit into him with her equal rights speech number five hundred thirty three and Lloyd went back to scheduling classes.
"Don't wait up." she said.
Lizbeth Arnell was a beautiful girl. She had skin like rich cream and a body so shapely, top models looked like rag dolls next to her. Lizbeth's eyes were rich brown and her long flowing auburn hair shone with sparkling highlights. She had pouty lips and a button nose and Lloyd became aroused just sniffing her perfume, but the price he was having to pay for all this feminine wonder was rapidly becoming too steep.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked, putting down the tennis court roster.
"Doing what?" Lizbeth smirked.
"You know what."
"Are you telling me I can't go out now? Didn't Lizbeth earn privileges today, daddy? Has she been a bad little girl and now has to stay in her room?"
"Lizbeth, you act as if I treat you like a child. You know I don't, hell, I treat you as an adult, you act like a child."
"And I suppose you don't?" she snapped.
"All I want is for us to get along the way we used to. We used to have a good times together, remember?" Lloyd said.
Lizbeth listened. She didn't say a word.
"Come on, sit down. Let's talk about this. If we can figure out the problem I'm sure we can. I'm sorry I upset you earlier, Lizbeth. I was tired. I was hungry, okay, I'm sorry."
Lizbeth took a seat next to the front door. She made a pouty face then told him it wasn't fair.
"You come home after a lousy day and you take it out on me. That isn't fair, Lloyd."
"I didn't have a lousy day, Lizbeth, I ... "
"Well, what would you call it then? You wake me up saying it's time to get up, time to get up, then you have a fit because supper isn't on the table. What's your problem, Lloyd, I'm not your personal maid you know. I'm not your live in cook and care taker."
"We made a deal, Lizbeth. We had an arrangement."
"I'm keeping up my end of the bargain, what do you mean?" she shouted.
Lloyd didn't like where the conversation was leading. There was no talking to her anymore. She was like a spoiled rich kid at her seventh birthday party and he thought it better just to drop the subject.
"Fine, never mind. Have a good time." he said, waving her good-bye. Lizbeth made another face then shook her head. She stormed off leaving him alone again.
Lloyd held his cool until after she was gone, but as soon as the car swung out of the lot he became furious.
"Damn!" he said, pounding a fist to the window sill. Lloyd looked around the place. The dishes needed washing, the laundry was piling up. She hadn't so much as emptied the trash and the place was starting to smell.
"Keeping up with her end of the bargain, my ass!" he snapped. As important as rescheduling his classes was, Lloyd couldn't stand sitting in the mess. He put the roster aside and took out his cleaning supplies.
It was close to nine when he finished cleaning the apartment. The kitchen floor shined and the place looked like the home he'd known before Lizbeth moved in. Lloyd was beat. He made a pot of coffee then he settled in to work oh classes. When the phone rang he wanted it to be Lizbeth. He wanted to give her a piece of his mind. He wanted to shout at her and tell her to just stay gone, and if it had been her, Lloyd would have said it, but it wasn't.
"Hey, buddy." Geoffrey said. "What's going on?"
"Not much. Scheduling classes." Lloyd said, disappointment in his voice. He wanted the call to be from Lizbeth.
"Hey, forget that shit man, I got a deal for you."
"No deals tonight, I can't take any more deals, beside, if I don't get this work finished I'll have a court full of angry students next week."
"Aw, come on, Lloyd, we've got a hot one going. Do it later."
"I can't, Geoffrey, I've been trying to get to it all night and this is the first chance I've had."
"Oh, I get it, you and Delilah been dipping the wick?" Geoffrey said jokingly.
"No, not a chance." Lloyd said. The anger he felt for Lizbeth at that moment was enough to keep his wick dry for a long time. "She's out greeting the masses. It's just me and the dust."
"Hasn't cleaned up the place, huh?" Geoffrey said. He knew all about Lizbeth and her cleaning habits.
"It's clean now." Lloyd said.
"Been busting hump all night?" Geoffrey asked, knowing the answer.
"Lizbeth's had a lot of studying, besides, it's my place too."
"Give it a rest, Samson, I don't buy it. Delilah use to work in this camp, remember?"
"Come on, Geoffrey, not tonight, okay. Hell, I've had enough for one night. She's just in a slump. Maybe she's got a lot on her mind these days. She'll come around."
Geoffrey took a deep breath then let it out into the phone. Lloyd heard it and knew a lecture was coming.
"Geoffrey, please, I can't take it," he pleaded, but Geoffrey blurted it just the same.
"Listen to yourself, Lloyd, you're making excuses for her like she was your wife. You don't have to put up with Lizbeth till death do you part, buddy, that's the beauty of living together. Dump the bitch. Do yourself a favor and just toss her out."
"I can't." Lloyd said.
"Why not? Give me one good reason why and I'll never open my mouth about her again." Geoffrey shouted.
Lloyd thought about it. They weren't married, that much was true, and Lizbeth wasn't living up to their agreement, but he loved the girl, and love isn't rational, it's just love.
"I can't, Geoffrey. I love the girl."
"Give me a break, Lloyd, that girl doesn't know love from a five dollar vibrator. Dump her! She might be good looking, Lloyd, but there are plenty of lookers around."
"It's not just that, Geoffrey."
"The hell it isn't hey, I've seen the goods a few times myself, but there are women out there, Lloyd, who have great goods and they don't sit on them all the time. What you need is new blood, my man. You need to get back in the ball game and find a team mate who'll follow the rules."
Lloyd knew Geoffrey was right, but he couldn't just throw Lizbeth out. He wasn't that sort of man. He hoped she'd just leave on her own, but it had been months now and there was no sign of that happening. The situation was only getting worse and Lloyd felt powerless to change it.
"I can't handle her anymore, Geoffrey. She's so damn angry all the time. I don't know, I guess I should just toss her out, but I can't. I keep thinking there's a chance she'll come around."
"You know, I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, Lloyd, but your Miss America isn't keeping her crown pure."
"Whadda you mean?" Lloyd asked.
"Lizbeth's been over to see Len twice since you two started dating and he told me she wasn't stopping in just to say hello. She's cheating on you, man, the woman is a pig."
Lloyd couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. In all the months he'd been seeing Lizbeth he'd never even looked at another girl, and Len? Len was his friend. How could he do such a thing?
"Why didn't say something before, Geoffrey?" Lloyd asked with mixed feelings of anger and hurt. "Why am I the last one to know?"
"Come on, man, what's the point. Most guys who date Lizbeth find out sooner or later. You're just finding out later, that's all. Besides, it's not my place to tell what I know about every horny chick in town, Lloyd."
"Why are you telling me now then?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's time you knew."
Lloyd and Geoffrey finished their conversation and for the rest of the evening, Lloyd couldn't concentrate. He kept thinking about Lizbeth and wondering if she was with another man. Len wasn't to blame and Lloyd realized that. She probably pressured him the same way she pressured Lloyd and he couldn't hold it against any man to make it with Lizbeth Arnell. She was one hard lady to pass up.
He gave up on the class schedules. Instead, he sat up watching a late movie waiting for Lizbeth to come home. He ran the scenario over and over again in his mind hoping to rehearse it to perfection. He imagined Lizbeth walking in all ragged and worn out from rolling around in bed with some guy and he was prepared to force her to sit down and listen to what he had to say.
"I wanna talk to you, Lizbeth. Sit!" he'd demand, and she'd sit. "I know all about it. I know you've been seeing other men and I'm telling you I won't stand for it. I want you out by morning. No, not morning, right now dammit, I want you out tonight." He visualized Lizbeth bursting into tears then begging him to reconsider, but he would hold his ground. Lloyd wouldn't give in this time. He was going to let her have it.
Lloyd thought out every word he planned to say and when Lizbeth finally did come home, he was ready. She came in and asked why he'd waited up, but Lloyd told her to sit down.
"I want to talk with you, Lizbeth. Sit!" he shouted, assuming she would cower on command.
"I'm tired, let's talk in the morning." she said.
"No, we're going to talk now." he said, shutting off the television. Lloyd stood in front of the couch and motioned for her to sit down. She did, but not without huffing and puffing like a little girl who's mommy had just told her to clean her room.
"I know all about it, Lizbeth."
"Yeah, so what, Lloyd, you know all about everything."
"I mean the men?" Lloyd snapped.
"What in hell are you talking about, Lloyd? It's late and I'm tired. Can we just go to bed?"
"Len, Lizbeth, I know all about you and Len."
Lizbeth looked at him. She grinned and shook her head.
"So? You know about Len. I told you about us a long time ago, Lloyd. What's the big deal?"
"You've had sex with him since we've been dating." Lloyd said.
"Have you been listening to Geoffrey again?" she asked with disgust. "You know why he's doing this, don't you? Geoffrey is pissed because I turned him down. Sure, I went to see Len. We talked. Geoffrey was there, he knows we just talked. Len went into the kitchen to get me a coke and while he was gone, Geoffrey hit on me. Lizbeth, baby, let's do it." he said. "Come on, fuck me, I gotta have you, Lizbeth, I've wanted you since day one. give me a break, Lloyd, Geoffrey's had his puny ego bruised and he's jealous of you. The man wants us to split up so he can get back at me."
Lloyd didn't know what to say. What if she was telling the truth? What if Geoffrey really did want her for himself? He had to decide. He had to reach some decision or nothing would be right. Lloyd looked at her. She was a lovely thing. He would miss the way she squeezed his cock with her tight pussy muscles and the way she licked his ears, but he'd have to pay her way on everything just to get a piece of tail once every other week.
Lloyd looked around the apartment. The tables were clear, the rug vacuumed. Even the newspapers were stacked neatly and not strewn all over the room the way Lizbeth left them. He had to bust ass around there to keep things neat and not only did he have his washing, he had hers as well.
"No, Lizbeth, I think we've reached a cross roads here. Something has to change if this relationship is going to work."
Lizbeth smiled with her sexiest grin then stood up and came to him letting her hands wrap around his waist. She kissed his mouth. Lloyd didn't respond. She tried again, but still nothing. He kept his lips still and tight. Lizbeth reached down and cupped her small feminine hand over his balls, but Lloyd, looking into her eyes, reached down and pulled it up and away.
"Not this time, Lizbeth." he said in an even calm tone. "I want you out."
"Out? What do you mean, out?"
"Out of my apartment, that's what I mean."
"What's the matter with you?" Lizbeth asked, trying her soft innocent ploy.
"Nothing's wrong with me." he said, feeling stronger by the minute. "As a matter of fact, I feel terrific!"
"Did Geoffrey put you up to this, Lloyd?" Lizbeth snapped.
"Geoffrey hasn't got a thing to do with this, Lizbeth. This is between me and you."
"He's made up some bull shit story about me and Len and you bought it. How can you be so stupid, Lloyd? Why do you listen to that dick head? I am not seeing Len, Lloyd. I'm not cheating on you."
"That doesn't matter anymore, Lizbeth." Lloyd said, feeling the power. "I still want you out."
"Lloyd?"
"Tonight, Lizbeth. I want you out now."
"Lloyd, I can't leave now, where will I go?"
"I don't care." he said, feeling the weight lifting from his shoulders.
"No, I won't!" Lizbeth shouted, going over to the chair and planting her ass firmly. "I won't be put out into the street like some old alley cat."
"Lizbeth, I'd let an alley cat stay." he grinned. "But, you? You are leaving."
Lloyd pulled her up and demanded she get her things together. He wasn't backing down this time. It felt too good throwing her into the streets.
"I didn't do anything, Lloyd! Why are you doing this to me?" she asked, trying to stall for time.
"That is exactly the reason I want you out of here, Lizbeth."
CHAPTER 2
The morning dew was still covering the playing court when Claire arrived. Today was the day of the tennis tournament and she had to get an early start.
The court was wet, but Claire stretched the net across the poles getting ready. She'd worked at Arlington Country Club last summer, but came to Lake View in the fall. Aside from a few problems the jet setter housewives caused, Claire liked her job. She coached tennis every other weekend and served as life guard at the pool during the week.
Claire Banner was a pleasant young lady. She had a personality other were drawn to. The other instructors at the club got along well with Claire, especially the men. They enjoyed watching her work because she put as much effort into the art of flirting as she did the art of teaching.
Claire set the court up then double checked the net. Her bright yellow short shorts hung loosely around her firm thighs and the T-shirt she chose offered a healthy view of cleavage every time she bent over. Randall Weidemeyer was scheduled to help with the tournament but as usual he was late. Claire took her job more seriously than the other instructors. She made it a point to be on time and she was the one Stanley Lane could count on to keep things moving along smoothly.
Stanley was club manager. An older man, Stanley liked Claire's style. He was married with three small children, but that didn't keep him from trying to get inside Claire's bright yellow shorts. She encouraged him to a point then cut him off faster than scissors cut paper, but Stanley enjoyed the chase as much as he would the kill.
When Randall finally showed, Claire told him they needed to organize the team list. There would be four intermediate teams this season and the beginner team needed to be dissolved and divided.
"Why don't we split up Weston's team and spread them around in the other teams. We could formulate four teams each having three beginners?" Claire said.
"Fine with me, however you want to handle it." Randall said. He was a the go along sort. Randall Weidemeyer was a skinny guy, tall and lanky, but strong. Claire saw him pick up a net pole once and throw it across the playing area when Stanley asked him to take a Saturday shift instead of his usual Monday. In addition to strength, Randall had a temper.
"Okay then, let's divide the players up and we'll even out the teams. They'll all play two sets each." Claire said. Randall watched the way she organized everything and he found it amusing. He liked Claire. He liked her perky little breasts and her firm little butt. Randall was almost twenty three and he'd never made love with a women, but he fantasized about getting Claire in the woods and seeing what was under those nylon shorts.
The tournament lasted all morning. Randall was there watching every move Claire made, as were Duke and Ronnie, two other instructors, but that didn't keep her from jumping up and down wiggling and jiggling her tempting little body. Duke Dillon came to work at the Country Club last week. He instantly took to Claire and was planning to ask her out, but Duke wasn't the type to secure his dates in the usual fashion. He preferred waiting until the girl gave him the eye before making his move.
Duke was from the city. His jet black hair was slicked back behind his ears like a fifties teenaged rebel, and when he smoked he'd roll the pack up in his T-shirt sleeve. He was a tough guy, at least he sounded tough. Claire hadn't spoken to him much since he came to work. She smiled at him twice and got his attention, but she wasn't interested in the big city boys. Claire Banner liked the small town men with their gentle ways and shy innocent faces.
"Yo, Claire." Duke said, coming up to her after the tournament. Claire stopped and turned around. "Wait up, I wanna ask you something." She readjusted the mesh ball bag over her shoulder and when the rope caught against her shirt it pulled the fabric tight against her breasts. The closer Duke got the faster he slowed down. Running after some girl wasn't a cool thing to do so Duke eased up then sort of shuffled up to her.
"Listen, I was thinking." he said, bobbing his head up and down. "I'm goin to the Storm Club tonight and I was wondering, how's about you coming with me?"
Claire grinned. She didn't reply for several seconds. She was trying to hold back a laugh. Duke and his colorful city lingo was amusing.
"I can't." she finally said.
"Why not?" he snapped impatiently.
Claire smiled. She looked at his hair and his rumpled appearance. Duke looked Italian or Greek or something. He had olive colored skin, fine black hair and a set of dark brown eyes with long lashes that looked like fans.
"I'm busy, that's why."
"Come on, you ain't busy tonight, I checked."
"You checked?" Claire laughed. "Who with?"
"You'll have a great time, Claire, I swear, hey, seven, okay?" Duke said, pointing at her. He ran off toward the locker rooms and Claire just shook her head. She tossed the ball bag again then started for the club house.
"What did he want?" Randall asked, catching up with the blonde beauty.
"A date."
"Yeah, are you going out with him?" Randall asked with surprise. Randall didn't think Claire dated. There was no reason to think that, but Randall sort of had it fixed in his mind she didn't.
"No, I'm not going out him, give me a break."
"Not your type, right?"
"Duke isn't anybody's type. He's a relic from a time long passed, and besides, what business is it of yours?"
"Hey, Claire, how about going out with me?" Randall blurted. He said it jokingly, but Randall Weidemeyer would have climbed a mountain if it meant a date with her.
"Sure, where to, Mars?" she smirked.
"Hey, if that's where you want to go, we're out of here." he said, hurrying to keep up with her.
"Thanks, Randall, but I can't. I went last week and the manager told me never to show my face up there again." Claire teased.
Randall stopped following. He took the message to heart and figured, what the hell. He'd never stand a chance with a girl like Claire anyway. She was too too pretty.
She took the bag into the office and laid them on the floor. Stanley was there, grinning as usual. He always gawked at Claire. Stanley was the type of man who thought about sex every hour. He spent the better part of his life thinking about it, but never did it. He didn't have the nerve. He was the type who enjoyed the fantasy more than the reality and Claire knew it. When she dropped the bag, the waist band on her shorts got caught and the weight of the balls tugged her pants down over one hip. Stanley made his eyes wide and she just shook a finger at him.
"Naughty, naughty, Stanley. You musn't let your imagination get away from you like that." she said.
"I'd like to speak with you a minute, Claire." Stanley said, still grinning.
"Sure, what's up?"
"In my office, okay?" Stanley turned around and started for his office and Claire looked up at him. She wondered what the problem was. Stanley never called her in there. She quickly followed feeling her nerves on edge. Claire didn't know what to expect.
"Sit down." Stanley said, opening the door for her. He closed and locked it when she came inside, but Claire didn't notice. She was too worried about the reason he'd called her in.
"How did the game go?" Stanley asked, sitting behind his desk. He had a big wooden desk, about the size of a washing machine box, and when he sunk back into his chair Claire was only able to see his face and the tops of his shoulders.
"It went great. The ladies had a good time. Is everything all right?" she asked, cutting to the chase.
"Sure, fine, why do you ask?"
"You never talk to me in here, that's why. I'm not getting fired or anything?"
"Fired, you?" Stanley grinned. "Heavens no, what gave you that idea?"
"I don't know, why did you ask me in here then, what is it you want to talk about?"
Stanley cocked his head a few times then cleared his throat. He was visibly nervous and Claire watched his every move. She could see his face and shoulders and the way they moved she could tell he was squirming in his chair.
"Well?" she asked, still waiting for him to say something.
"I ah, well, I was wondering if you were free tonight?" Stanley asked putting on a matter of fact expression.
"Free?" Claire repeated.
"Yeah, you know, not busy. Will you be home tonight?"
"Why?" Claire smiled looking at him. Stanley squirmed more when Claire's green eyes looked into his. She aroused him and Stanley hadn't felt that way in a long time. His wife lost interest after child three and for a long time he'd gone without.
"Well," Stanley said, clearing his throat. "I've got some ideas for a new facility and I was wondering if I might run them by you." he stammered.
"Run them by me, why?" Claire said. She didn't have authority to approve new ideas.
"I wanted your opinion, that's all. Can you meet me somewhere?"
"Stanley, what's this all about?" Claire asked with a smile. She always knew when Stanley was fibbing. His forehead broke out in a sweat and he shook like Barney Phife.
"What, I've got some good idea's here, that's all. I just thought we could go over them and you could give me an opinion."
"Where are these new ideas of yours?" she asked, still grinning.
"I've got them." Stanley said, defensively.
"Where, Stanley?" Claire said, looking at him with those deep green flares.
"In here." he said, pointing to his head. Claire knew what he was up to. Stanley tried many times to get her aside somewhere, but he'd never gone this far. She was flattered. Claire wanted to shake him up a little, give old Stanley something to think about. She got up from her chair and sensually walked around behind his desk. She sat on it, letting her foot rest between Stanley's legs, and as her legs spread apart, his eyes scanned the lovely soft pastel colored lace on her panties.
"Why can't you run your ideas by me here, Stanley?" Claire asked with a teasing tone. "We could lock the door. We could be completely alone in here and you could show me all your new ideas. I'd like that, Stanley, I'd really really like that," she said, giving him her best Monroe pout.
"It is." Stanley said, looking at her face.
"What is?" Claire asked.
"The door, it's locked already." he said. Claire looked over to the door then back at Stanley. She quickly took her leg off the chair and stood up.
"What's the door doing locked?" she said, insisting on an answer.
"I just didn't want to be disturbed, that's all." he said, squirming.
"I'm really surprised at you, Stanley." Claire walked toward the door. "I didn't think you were like the rest of them. I figured you to be a good guy."
"I'm a good guy, Claire, what makes you thing I'm not?" he said in his own defense.
"Good guys don't lock innocent women in their offices, Stanley, what's the matter with you?" Claire started to turn the knob to leave, but as soon as the door opened, Stanley's wife knocked.
"Mrs. Lane?" Claire said with a startled tone.
"Claire. How are you?"
"Fine, just fine."
"Were you just leaving?" Mrs. Lane asked. She smirked at Claire asking in a telling sort of way.
"Yes. I'll see you later Stanley." she said. "Oh, and any time you want to come over to my place is fine. We can go over the new ideas for the club whenever you're up to it." Claire loved getting Stanley into the dog house. It gave her a laugh. Mrs. Lane may have lost interest in giving it to him, but she hadn't lost interest in seeing to it no one else did.
* * *
Duke caught up with Claire in the parking lot. He reminded her of their date and she laughed. She told him no again, but Duke wouldn't accept her answer. He insisted that if she didn't have plans there was no reason for her not to go out with him.
"You're a little full of yourself, aren't you, Duke?" Claire said.
"Hey, I like you, okay, I think you like me. Let's cut through the crap and go out, what's the problem?"
"Duke, I don't have any interest in dating you, besides, I don't date the men I work with, it's bad business."
"Don't give me that, Claire, you date them, you date everyone, I know, I ..."
"Checked." Claire said at the same time he did.
"That's right, I checked, so what's the problem?"
"If you had checked, Duke, you'd know what the problem is. I'm not going out with you, okay. I don't know you well enough, now run along and find someone else to bother. I've got to get home and shampoo my hair." Claire said sarcastically. Duke glared at her then turned and stormed toward his car. He was just about to drive off, spinning gravel at Claire, when he saw Randall running toward her car. Duke waited to see what was going on.
"Claire, hold up, wait." Randall shouted.
"What is it?" she said, annoyed with Duke still.
"What in hell did you and Lane do in his office?" Randall asked with a grin on his face. He was almost out of breath from running such a long way hoping to catch her before she got away.
"Why?"
"His old lady is killing him in there."
"Is she?" Claire smiled.
"Christ, she's shouting at him and things are flying around the room crashing against the walls. What the hell were you two doing?"
"Nothing, we were talking." Claire said with a laugh. "Is she really killing him?"
"I'm telling you, the place sounds like war night at a survivalists convention. Old Stanley's going to get permanent residence in the dog house this time. She sounds serious."
"You heard her?" Claire asked.
"Everyone up there heard her. She told him off good. Your name came up twice."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, that woman is nuts." Claire laughed turning around leaning against her car. Randall stood close to her and Duke watched. He wasn't able to hear the conversation, but he saw how Randall was making her laugh and Duke was jealous.
"Can I get a ride with you, Claire, my car's in the shop." Randall asked.
"When are you going to junk that thing, I swear, the shop has it more than you do."
"I know, I know, but I can't afford a new car right now, please, just to Bentley Street. I'll walk the rest of the way."
"Get in." Claire said. Randall moved close to her nestling quickly between her legs and he kissed her lips kiddingly, but Duke didn't think so. He didn't like being told a lie, and when Claire and Randall drove off, he followed.
She took Randall to his apartment and Duke wasn't far behind. He pulled his car over and watched them talking before Randall got out.
"Thanks." Randall said.
"Any time."
She started out of the parking lot. Claire spotted Duke's car, but she didn't let him know it. She pulled out and went along at normal speed. Claire thought it odd Duke would go to all the trouble to follow her. In a way, she was flattered, but in another way it made her uneasy. What did he want, she wondered. She drove on. A few times she almost lost him, but Duke's car appeared again and Claire was getting nervous.
When she reached her apartment, Duke didn't pull in. He passed the driveway and took a right at the next corner. Claire figured he just wanted to know where she lived and she didn't see the harm in that. She went inside and got her telephone messages off the machine then went to take a shower.
The water felt soothing running over her tired body and she lingered in the shower for twenty minutes letting the heat of the spray wrap her body. Claire didn't have a date, but she did plan to see a movie then visit her brother's place. He always had poker games going and some of the guys he invited were the best looking men in town.
When Claire stepped out of the shower she thought she heard a noise in the living room. She listened for it again, but didn't hear anything. She toweled off then wrapped the towel around her head and slipped into her robe, but when she came out of the bathroom, Duke was waiting for her.
"What are you doing here? How did you get in here?" she shouted.
"The door was open." Duke said.
"It was not, I always lock my door!" Claire snapped. "Get out! You have no right to just walk in here this way."
"Calm down, Claire, calm down, I just want to talk, that's all."
"Look Duke, I already told you my answer, now, you just get out of here before I call the police."
"Jesus Christ, Claire, what's the problem? We work together, don't we? I'm not planning to rape your ass if that's what you're thinking. Damn, woman, I just wanted to talk with you." Duke said, sitting down hard on the sofa.
Claire didn't say anything when Duke plopped down. He had verbalized her worst fear and somehow she felt better.
"Why didn't you knock?" she asked, firmly.
"I did, okay."
"I locked my door, Duke, I know I did. How did you get in here?"
"The window." Duke admitted.
"God, Duke, you can't be breaking into people's homes like this."
"Claire ... " Duke shouted, getting her attention. "I'm gonna kill a man." he said.
CHAPTER 3
"Sit down, Stanley!" Claire said, storming his office and slamming the door. "We have to talk!"
Stanley looked up from his desk and when he saw the irate little tart, he agreed.
"You're damn right we have to talk!" he shouted back. "What in hell are you trying to do to me? Margaret was pissed as shit yesterday! She thinks you and I are fooling around. She reamed my ass all last night about it."
"That is not what we have to talk about, Stanley." Claire said, shaking her finger at him.
"It sure as hell is! I can meet you anytime? What was that? Margaret is difficult enough, but now! You've really gone and done it, Claire. The woman won't leave me alone. She's convinced you and me are having sexual intercourse. Margaret takes things to heart. She believes everything she hears. You've really caused problems for me, girl. She told me to fire you, did you know that?" Stanley shouted.
"That's exactly what we have to talk about, Stanley. Firing someone. I insist you get rid of Duke Dillon!" Claire said, pounding her fist to his desk.
"Duke Dillon?" Stanley shouted. "What's he got to do with this? You're the one Margaret wants me to fire."
"I don't care what your wife wants, Stanley. She doesn't run this place, you do, and I want Duke Dillon fired. He broke into my apartment last night. He came in my window, can you believe that?"
Stanley calmed down. He could see Claire was furious, maybe just as furious as himself.
"What do you mean he broke in, why?"
"I don't know why, Stanley. He just did. I was in my bathroom taking a shower and Duke Dillon broke into my apartment and was waiting in there when I came out. He's nuts, Stanley. You don't know what I had to do to get him to leave." she said. Stanley didn't know, but he wanted to. He calmed down and sat in his chair. Stanley imagined Claire having to give head before Duke agreed to leave, or maybe she had to strip and dance for him. Stanley would like that himself.
"The boy is three bricks shy, Stanley, and I want you to fire him today, right this minute." Claire shouted again.
"Calm down, calm down, what did he do? What did he say to you?"
"He told me he had to kill a man."
"What?" Stanley said with disbelief.
"He was talking about Randall. He didn't mean literally, at least I don't think he did. The weirdo said if I wouldn't go out with him he'd have to eliminate all other men in the world so there would be no one left except himself and then I'd have to date him. Stanley, you have to get rid of him, he's crazy."
"What happened ? How did you get him to leave?"
"I said I'd go out with him, what the hell do you think I did?"
"Did you go, what did you do?"
"I told him I'd be glad to date him and finally he left, but Stanley, I'm not dating that weirdo, he can just forget it. He's lucky I don't turn him in to the cops!"
"Claire, Claire, Claire, calm down."
"You calm down, Stanley! How would you like it if some weirdo girl broke into your house and demanded you go out with her? You wouldn't like it, would you?"
"Hey, how would you like it if I told your boyfriend you and I were seeing one another on the sly, would you like that?" Stanley shouted.
"I don't have a boyfriend." Claire shouted right back.
Stanley calmed down again and tried to get Claire to do the same, but she was livid. She couldn't and wouldn't talk about any other option except firing Duke, and Stanley had no choice but to suggest she be the one to leave.
"Are you crazy?" Claire screamed. "Me? Why?"
"Maybe that's the best way. Margaret wants you out and if you're not here then Duke Dillon won't be bothering you anymore either."
"I don't give a damn what Margaret wants, Stanley. She's not my boss. She has no say what goes on around here. You can't fire me, I won't go, and besides, if you try it I'll sue."
"Claire, calm ... "
"Don't tell me to calm down, Stanley." Claire shouted leaning in over his desk and shaking her finger at him. "You have no legal right to fire me. I do good work around here and I'm not leaving."
"Fine, so does Duke Dillon." Stanley shouted.
"He's a mad man, Stanley, how can you say that?"
"Why, because he's got the hots for you he's crazy? Please, Claire, give me a break. Every guy in this club must be crazy then. Every one of them is dying to get inside your pants, or haven't you noticed?" Stanley shouted.
Claire didn't answer. She just sat down.
"Look, you're upset, I understand that, but I can't fire Duke Dillon just because you don't like him."
"He broke into my apartment, Stanley."
"And you agreed to go out with him! I know how you feel Claire, but if you didn't want to date him you should have called the police or somebody. What he did has nothing to do with his work here at the club. I can't fire him just because you and he had an episode."
"Stanley!"
"Claire!" he shouted right back. "Be reasonable. The man did nothing wrong. If you have a problem with him you need to handle it on your own."
"Oh, so you're saying it doesn't matter what your male employee's do in their spare time so long as it's not connected with the job. Like, Duke Dillon could have busted in my window, raped me, sodomized me and it would be my problem alone, he'd still have a job next day, right?"
"Claire, did Duke Dillon rape you?"
"No."
"Did he sodomize you?" Stanley asked with a deep sigh. Claire was quiet for a second or two. She felt the frustration in her body.
"No." she said hatefully, "but he broke in and forced me to say I'd go out with him."
"How, did he twist an arm? Did he hold a gun to your head? How did he force you, you tell me."
"He told me if I didn't go out with him he'd die, that's how."
"Some threat."
"It's the way he said it, Stanley, he scared me. I thought he'd hurt me if I said no."
"Why, did he threaten to beat you up, Claire."
"No, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't have."
"I think you're just bent out of shape because he came into your apartment without permission. If Duke had knocked on the door, you would have let him inside and we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"No, I wouldn't have either!"
"Come on, Claire, yes you would."
"He didn't knock on my door, Stanley. The man came through my window for God sake."
"So, you should be flattered."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Claire, it's over with. Tell him you're angry about what he did. Tell him not to do it again. He'll listen to you. Duke is a reasonable guy."
"Stanley!"
"What?"
"How can you ignore this? The man is dangerous. I'm not working here with him, Stanley, you have to get rid of him."
"Claire, you're putting me in a very difficult position here. My wife is extremely upset about you. Margaret told me to get rid of you or she'd take care of it herself. Don't give me an ultimatum this way because you'll lose."
Claire couldn't believe her ears. She had worked there for a year and Duke Dillon had been there a few days and Stanley was willing to drop her to keep him.
"I don't believe you'd do it, Stanley. I'm one of the best workers you have."
"Margaret, Claire. What you said in here yesterday really angered Margaret."
"Piss on Margaret, Stanley! She's your wife. She doesn't work here and she can't tell you what to do!"
"She may not work here, Claire, but believe it, Margaret can, and does, tell me what to do. Do you have any idea what it's like to live with a person like Margaret? She can make life so unbearable it isn't funny. The woman torments me, Claire and I don't wish to be tormented."
"Are you saying you'd keep Dillon over me?" she asked.
Stanley pursed his lips and shrugged his shoulders.
"I can't believe this."
"Margaret is serious, Claire. She'll make my life miserable if I don't get rid of you."
"If you let me go I'll sue, Stanley. I'm going to the head of the club and I'm going to tell him about this. I'll tell him about what Margaret said. She can't do this, Stanley, it isn't fair."
"Do what you must, Claire, I'll deny everything. I'll even deny this conversation."
"Stanley, I thought we were friends?" Claire asked, lowering her voice.
"Friends?" he questioned.
"Yes, I thought you liked me. We've always gotten along fine."
"Claire, if I had the courage I'd bust through your window and force you to do more than just go out with me. I'd strip you naked and fuck you until my cock fell off. I rather envy Duke Dillon's nerve. For the past year I've suffered watching you parade your little ass up and down these halls. I'd get worked up and break out in a sweat then at the end of the day I'd have to go home to cold fish Margaret. That woman could freeze the balls off a bull, Claire. She just lays there with her legs open. She never moves with me. It's like humping a corpse. At times, it took every ounce of strength I had just to keep my hands in my pockets when you and I were together. I've wanted to fuck that sweet little cunt of yours for months, so don't talk to me about friendship, okay."
Claire was stunned. She had no idea Stanley was that hot for her. He joked around, sure, but struggling to keep control? Claire saw there was no hope. She would lose her job while Duke kept his and Stanley would be keeping himself out of the dog house in the process. She got up to leave, tears in her eyes.
"You know, it's true what they say, Stanley." she sobbed. "Men rule the world." Claire walked to the door and opened it. She turned around for one last look at Stanley Lane. "Weasel." she said under her breath. Claire walked out. She dried her eyes and went to the employee lockers for her things. She couldn't believe it, she was unemployed. All those times she'd come in early and stayed late didn't amount to anything. As she rounded the corner she saw Duke coming up the pathway.
"Hey!" she shouted to him. Duke waved. Claire started toward him like a locomotive out of control and when she got up close she waved a finger in his face and glared.
"If you were the last man on earth I wouldn't go to the zoo with you, Duke Dillon. I'll never go out with you. Not tonight, not the next night, not ever!"
"We have a deal, baby."
"No, we don't have a deal, Duke. The deal's off!" Claire said, turning and walking briskly toward the locker room.
"Hey, wait a minute." Duke said, running after her. "You can't call it off, I won't let you. Wait a minute, slow down."
Claire kept walking. She was pissed. She wanted to get away from Duke and the club and the locker room and Stanley. She was more angry than she'd ever been in her life and the more Duke talked the angrier she became.
"You can't break a promise like that, Claire, a deal's a deal. I'm coming over after work and we're going out just like we agreed."
"I'm off now, Duke." Claire said, stopping in her tracks and swinging around almost knocking Duke off his feet. "I just got fired."
"Fired, why?"
"Because of you, that's why."
"Me, you're crazy, what did I do?"
"You broke into my apartment! You forced me to be nice to you just to get you the hell out of my apartment and when I told Stanley I wanted you fired, he fired me!" she screamed.
Duke laughed. He thought she was joking, but when Claire packed up her locker and started to leave he realized she was serious.
"Wait a minute, how come you told Stanley anyway? It's none of his business what I do in my off time." Duke said.
"Well, isn't that odd." Claire said, sarcastically. "That's the same crap Stanley gave me. Look, I don't like you. I didn't like you when you came to the club and I don't like you now."
"But what about those things you said last night, Claire? You said I was sexy. You said you liked me."
"I only said those things to get you out of my apartment. You disgust me!"
"You're lying, Claire, you're just making this up. You smiled at me the first day I came to work here, admit it. You like me and you know it. You're hot for me, babe. Hey, there's no shame in that. Plenty of chicks are hot for me."
"You're a scuz bucket, Dillon, and I wouldn't be seen in public with you, okay, now get out of my way." Claire said, walking away.
Duke grabbed her arm. He whipped her around and she swung at him hitting him in the face.
"Don't you ever touch me again, you sorry little bastard." Claire yelled.
"You little bitch!" Duke said angrily.
Duke rubbed his lip feeling for blood and Claire stormed off. When Duke looked around he saw two of the other instructors looking on. He felt humiliated. He'd let a girl strike him and get away with it. Duke turned and walked the other way into the woods behind the locker room. He was pissed.
Claire was heading for her car when she passed the main building, but when she saw Margaret's car in the drive she changed her mind. Randall and Ronnie were outside Stanley's office looking over the new schedules when Claire came in. She didn't speak to them and Randall wondered what the problem was.
"Claire, hey, what's the hurry?" he asked, seeing her rush toward Stanley's door. Claire didn't answer him, she just looked straight ahead and barged into Stanley's office leaving the door open.
"I'm going to give you one last chance, Stanley. If you promise never to do it again I'll change my mind and stay."
"Claire?" Stanley shrugged. He wanted her to know Margaret was standing in the corner of the office.
"I know you said it was Margaret's fault, Stanley, but having sexual intercourse with another man just isn't the answer." she said.
"What the hell are you talking about, Claire?" Stanley shouted. He felt his pulse racing and the sweat beads forming over his upper lip felt like tiny ants.
"This is all your fault, you frigid bitch." Claire said looking at Margaret. It you hadn't cut him off none of this would have happened."
"Stanley!" Margaret shouted. "Are going to sit there and let this little witch speak to me that way."
"Oh, Stanley, it could have been so good between us. You said yourself this cold fish wife of yours had to go. She fucks like a corpse, Stanley, don't you remember telling me that. We could have had a great time in Atlantic City." Claire went on.
"Stanley! What is she talking about?"
"Shut up, Margaret. The least you can do is allow Stanley and me a minute alone."
"You get away from him, you little bitch."
"Oh, that's what Stanley's boyfriend called me today. He's upset about all this too, Stanley. Duke's dying to make it up to you. He wants you to meet him later in the locker area, I can't keep you from your true feelings, Stanley. I know how you must feel. It isn't easy living with Ms. dead fish over there, I know."
"What are you accusing my husband of, you little witch?" Margaret shouted.
"Let me tell you something, moron breath." Claire said, pointing at Margaret. "Stanley and me were doing just fine together, weren't we sweetums." she said, puckering her lips and gesturing a kiss. "At least I participated. Stanley told me all about you and your sexual hang-ups." Claire turned back to Stanley and spoke again. "I'll miss you, Stanley, but you be careful with Duke. You can catch all sorts of ugly things by having sex with a man." Claire said convincingly.
Margaret's eyes got huge. They bugged out of her face like two giant marbles and she looked at her husband with disgust and disbelief. Randall and Ronnie could hear every word Claire spoke and they couldn't keep from laughing. They knew it was Claire's way of getting even.
"Just say the word, Stanley. One word from you and I'll stay. You can divorce Margaret and me and you can run off together, you can bring Duke too, Stanley, oh, let's do it, sweetums, just like you said we could."
Stanley couldn't believe it. Margaret was glaring daggers at him and Claire was making him sound like the sex pervert of the year. He felt sick to his stomach.
"Get out!" Stanley screamed.
"But, Stanley, you told me what a corpse Margaret is. Just dump the bitch. Let's do it together once more in your office, Stanley, just once more for old times sake. I promise I won't get mad at you again when Duke ass fucks you. Oh, please, Stanley." Claire moaned.
Randall and Ronnie were rolling. They knew Margaret, and they knew how she was. This was Stanley's last moment of life without complete misery and they couldn't stop laughing.
"Stanley! What is she talking about?" Margaret demanded.
"Get out, Claire, just get out of here right now." Stanley said.
Claire looked over at Margaret then back at Stanley. She had calmed considerably. It was obvious her ploy was working.
"Okay, Stanley, I'm going, but don't think you can call me up anymore in the middle of the night for sex over the phone because I won't let you have it. You'll have to go back to calling Stephanie." she said, looking at Margaret.
"Stephanie!" Margaret screamed. "Stanley Lane, you sick, sick, bastard! My sister Stephanie? You've been calling Stephanie for sex?"
Margaret chased him around the office with her pocket book swinging at his head and Claire walked out and slammed the door.
"We'll sure miss you around here, Claire." Ronnie said.
"Yeah, we will, Claire." Randall agreed.
"I'll miss you guys too. Take care, come see me." Claire said. She left the building and started for her car, but before she could get away, Randall ran up to her.
"Claire, hold up a minute." he said.
"Not your car again, Randall?"
"No, no, it's not my car, Claire, I just want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
Randall hesitated for a minute. He didn't want her to get away, not like this. He'd never see her again if he did.
"Claire, would you let me take you to a movie sometime?" he stammered.
"A movie?" she repeated with a smile.
"Yeah, maybe dinner first. I don't want to lose out on seeing you anymore, Claire. I'll miss you too much."
"Randall, it just so happens I'm free tonight."
"Seriously?" Randall said, a smile broad enough to trap elephants.
"Absolutely, pick me up at seven."
"Okay, sure, okay, you've got it, Claire, sure thing." Randall said. He was babbling like a school boy. Claire got into her car and sped away. Randall watched her drive off and his heart felt light. He mustered the courage to ask and she said yes. He was on top of the world. When he turned around, Duke was standing behind him.
"What do you want?" Randall asked angrily.
"Claire Banner." Duke sneered.
CHAPTER 4
Claire dated Randall all week. The first night he told her what Duke had said, but neither one of them had seen Duke since. Stanley fired him after Claire left and not even Stanley knew where he was.
Claire wasn't seeing Mark this night. It was her brother's poker night and she wanted to go over and flirt with some of his friends. Claire had it made at Geoffrey's house. He wouldn't allow his friends to hurt her and she could flash a glimpse of thigh at them or lean over showing them cleavage and they'd have to leave her alone.
Claire was a flirt. She was the type who liked working the guys into a lather with her looks then letting them stew over it. She'd never actually had sex with a man. She came close a couple of times, but that's as far as it went.
When she got to her brother's place, Phillip and Quinton were arm wrestling on the coffee table and Geoffrey was out buying beer. Claire came in and plopped down on the sofa. Her tight shorts rode high as she sat, but Phillip knew better than to look. He got burned too many times for that. Geoffrey caught him in the kitchen one night trying to cop a feel and from then on Phillip left her alone.
"Where's Geoffrey?" Claire said.
"Store." Phillip grunted, trying desperately to down Quinton's wrist.
"Who's coming over tonight?"
"Looking for new blood, Claire?" Phillip asked.
"Looking for new blood, Claire?" she mocked. "You're a prick, Phillip, you know that?"
"You're a cock tease, Claire, you know that?"
"Children, children!" Quinton said, downing Phillip's arm. "Let's not fight."
"Dick breath." Claire said.
"Ball crusher."
"Dork."
"Virgin." Phillip said, poking her arm with his finger.
"Kiss my rosy ass." Claire said, bending over.
"Come on, you two, enough already. God, you sound like a couple of school kids at recess."
"Shut up, Quinton." Claire said.
"Fine, I'm outa here." Quinton said, throwing both hands up and going into the kitchen for a beer.
"So, what are you doing here tonight, Claire?"
"I came to watch the game, if that's okay with you, your majesty."
"Come mere you little pussy." Phillip said, pouncing on top of Claire and play wrestling her to the floor. "Get over here. Give Phillip a kiss, you little cock tease." he said.
"Aaaaah, let me up, you bone headed macho man. Aaaah, no tickling." Claire said laughing. She and Phillip got along well when they weren't calling each other names.
Phillip pinned her to the floor holding her arms down with his knees and sitting across her stomach. Claire wiggled back and forth twisting and squirming under his weight, but she couldn't get free.
"Whoa, little girl, lay still or you'll wake the Loch Ness Monster from his sleep." Phillip joked, humping his ass a couple of times.
"Get off me you pervert."
"Oh, oh, oh, here he comes, I feel him waking up. You'd better sit still or he'll spring up and bite you right between your smooth little legs, Claire Baby." Phillip said, lowering his mouth to her lips and pretending to kiss her. Claire didn't pull away. Instead she looked at him and opened her mouth sensually. Phillip stared at her. She was making it too real, he had to get off. Phillip tried, but Claire grabbed him.
"Stay." she whispered.
Phillip's mouth was watering. He desperately wanted to kiss Claire, but was afraid Geoffrey might come in and catch the two together.
"Let me up." he said with a serious tone. She looked deep into his eyes then let go.
"Geoffrey's here, you'd better get off, Phillip." Quinton said, and Phillip leaped up and back onto the sofa. Claire got up too. She sat in the chair hoisting both legs across one arm.
"Check it out, dudes, I offer proof of life after death." Geoffrey said, coming in the door. "Lloyd, hey man, we haven't seen you in a long time."
Claire's eyes fixed onto Lloyd's face. Never in all the poker games Geoffrey's ever had did she remember seeing a more handsome player.
"Hey, good seeing you, Quinton. Phillip, what's happening?" Lloyd said.
"Some big shit, man."
"Grab yourself a beer Lloyd." Geoffrey said, holding open the bag. He took one then made his way into the living room. Claire watched every move the man made. He was dressed neatly and looked like a model. His features were so masculine and his body turned her on.
"Hi." Lloyd said.
"Hi." she said, sitting upright in the chair.
"Lloyd, this is Geoffrey's sister, Claire."
"Hi." Lloyd said again.
"Hi." Claire said grinning.
"Let's do it again, Claire. Hi." Lloyd said.
"Hi."
Lloyd winked.
"You playing tonight, Lloyd?"
"I didn't come all the way over here to babysit you dogs." he answered, winking at Claire again. She just knew if he winked at her one more time she'd melt.
"Let's get at it then. Claire, how about making some popcorn for us, would you?"
"Sure." she said, hoping to make a good impression for Geoffrey's new friend.
She jumped up and went into the kitchen while the guys got started. They were a rowdy bunch, but fun.
"So, Lloyd, how's it feel to be paroled?" Phillip asked.
"Yeah, right."
"The man paid his debt, didn't you pal? Damn, what a sentence though." Quinton said, waving his hand back and forth gesturing heat.
"Yeah, well let me tell you guys, that old saying about there being more to life than sex? It's true."
"Ooooh, poor Lloyd, love slave." Phillip snickered.
"Laugh, go on. I hope it never happens to you, Phillip."
"Leave the man alone, you two, he's gone through enough." Geoffrey said. "Okay, who's deal is it?"
"Mine."
"Anti up dudes, and watch your pocket books tonight. I feel lucky." Geoffrey said.
Phillip dealt the first hand and the guys played half before Claire came back with the popcorn. She put four small bowls next to each man and the only one to say thank you was Lloyd. Claire grinned at him.
"Welcome." she said. Usually she'd read magazines or watch television at Geoffrey's poker games until the men had a few beers in them, but this night she wanted to watch the new guy. She pulled a chair up to the table next to her brother and Claire watched them play.
Lloyd didn't ignore Claire, he just didn't pay attention to her the way she wanted him to. He was playing cards, not flirting. She stared at him through most of the second hand then asked if he wanted another beer.
"Sure, but I'll get it." he offered.
"Let Claire do it, Lloyd, she likes waiting on us guys, don't you sweetheart." Phillip said.
"On some of them, yeah, but you ain't one of them." she quipped.
"Come mere you little pistol pot." Phillip said, jumping out of his chair and running after her.
"Aaaah! get away from me." Claire screamed, trying to get away, but Phillip caught her and tickled her until she laughed out loud.
"Come on you two." Geoffrey said. "Claire, grab some beers."
"I'll help you." Lloyd got up.
"She can handle it, Lloyd, go on, Claire."
"I've gotta stretch my legs anyway, come on, Claire, show me where." he said. Lloyd followed Claire to the kitchen.
"You didn't have to help, I could handle it."
"Yeah, I know that, but why should you have to. Give them to me, I'll carry them in for you."
"How about you getting two and I'll get two." she said compromising.
"Okay."
Claire handed Lloyd the two beers and for the first time he looked at her.
"You're Geoffrey and Len's sister?" he asked.
"Yeah, you know Len?"
"Oh, sure, we're old friends. I didn't know they had a sister."
"Yeah, well I'm the baby in our family. They don't talk about me much. How do you know Len?"
"School."
"Did you graduate with him?"
"No, with Geoffrey."
"Oh, so you're Geoffrey's age?" Claire said, getting an idea of his age.
"One year younger actually. Geoffrey flunked seventh grade, remember?"
"Right, oh, that's right, isn't it. He's such a dummy."
"Naw, not Geoffrey, he's a good guy."
Lloyd felt himself staring at Claire and he didn't know why. She was a cute girl, young, pretty. She was too young actually. Lloyd was almost five years older.
"So, are you ready to get back in?" he asked. "Are you?"
"Maybe we should."
"Let's see how long it takes before they start yelling for it." Claire suggested, pulling out a kitchen chair and smiling. She wanted to keep Lloyd all to herself for as long as possible. She sat down in the chair and let her elbows rest on the table top which pushed her boobies together creating massive cleavage for Lloyd's view. He grinned at her.
"Naw, come on, they'll get cranky." he said, walking toward the kitchen door. Claire didn't understand. All the other guys when they were new stayed and looked. Some of them even tried to get a feel, but not him. He was different.
Claire made sure her breast flesh showed as she set the two beers down next to the players and Lloyd kept his eyes averted the entire time. She was annoyed with him for not drooling over her the way the others once had. Lloyd was becoming a challenge.
During the next three games, Claire watched him play. His mannerisms were masculine yet gentle and she liked the way he held his cards. Lloyd was getting sexier every minute. The more she looked at him the more she wanted him. Claire went to the couch and lay down for awhile. Phillip's back was to her and Geoffrey and Quinton took up the side chairs. Lloyd could look up and see Claire of the couch if he wanted to and she positioned herself so that if he did he'd get a great view.
Claire lay on her side with her breasts pressing against one arm creating mounds of flesh poking out from the v-neck of her shirt. She was hoping he'd look over and discover the treat then she'd be able to hold his attention while he played a little poker and looked at her breasts between cards, but Lloyd didn't look up. He all but ignored her.
She watched a detective program for the next hour while the men played and when it was time for their mid-game break she sat up making room for Lloyd to sit beside her.
"You guys want pizza?" Geoffrey asked.
"What else is there?" Phillip said, plopping down next to Claire.
"Don't touch me, you fool." Claire said.
"Fool?" Phillip said, reaching over and tickling her. Lloyd grinned a little watching the two play around.
"Don't mind them." Quinton said. "You know what a pervert Phillip is. He sniffs little girls bike seats in the park."
"Fuck you, dick face." Phillip snapped, letting Claire go.
Lloyd didn't comment.
"You guys want another beer?" Claire asked.
"Why don't we wait until the pizza get's here." Lloyd suggested.
"Not me, Claire Belle, I'll take one now." Phillip said.
"Yeah, me too." Quinton said.
"Wanna help again?" Claire asked Lloyd.
"Sure, why not." he got up and followed her to the kitchen but when they got inside Geoffrey was using the phone. Claire forgot about her brother being in there ordering the pizza's. She wanted to get Lloyd alone.
"Are you still in school, Claire?"
"No, graduated last year."
"Why do they call you Claire Baby?" he asked.
"Oh, that's mostly Phillip. He's a dork." she said. "Your name is nice. Lloyd, I've never heard that before."
"Not many people have. It was my grandfather's name and I wound up with it. It's really sort of corny."
"No, I like it."
"Well, I'm glad." Lloyd smiled. "So, do you have a job, one besides running beer?"
"I did, I got fired last week."
"No kidding, what did you do?"
"Nothing. The boss was a dork."
"Where did you work?"
"Lake View Country Club."
"Stanley Lane?"
"You know Stanley?"
"Yeah, unfortunately. You're right, he is a dork, whatever that is. Stanley and my father used to play golf together. He's got a strange wife, have you ever met her?"
"Margaret, oh sure. She's a cross between tinker belle and Atilla the Hun." Claire smirked.
"You've met her." Lloyd laughed.
"I used to date her sister."
"Stephanie?" Claire asked with amazement.
"No, Lizbeth."
"I didn't know she had a sister named Lizbeth. I knew about Stephanie though. She's another ditz."
"Yeah, the whole Arnell family are ditz's."
"Arnell? I thought their name was Alberts?" Claire said.
"No, that's Steph's married name. They're Arnell's. Lizbeth's the only one not married.
"My brother dated a girl named Lizbeth Arnell." Claire said. "But he dumped her. She was a real dork. That girl led him around by the nose. Geoffrey hates her. We called her Dizzy Lizzie Arnell all the time because she was always saying stupid things and riding somebody's ass."
Lloyd turned around and stuck out his butt and Claire watched. She couldn't imagine what he was doing. He looked back over his shoulder and asked if she saw any marks from being saddle broken and Claire laughed.
"No, why would I see any? Did some girl ride your ass too?" she asked.
"Yeah, Dizzie Lizzie Arnell." Lloyd said.
"Not the same one?" Claire roared.
"The very same."
"Oh, God, Lloyd, how could a guy like you get stuck with a girl like, Dizzie Lizzie, I mean, well, you know, she's so argh and you're so mmmmmmm."
"Thanks, Claire."
"I'm serious, God, she is such a bitch."
"I don't see her anymore." Lloyd said, with a distant grin.
"Glad to hear that, she's pure poison."
The kitchen door opened and Phillip stuck his head inside.
"Hey, where's our beer?" he asked.
"It's coming, what a dork." Claire said, shaking her head. "Now there's a classic example of what a true dork looks like, Lloyd."
After the poker game Phillip and Quinton left. They were pretty well bombed, as was Geoffrey, and Lloyd and Claire sat on the couch talking. He didn't pay much attention to her during the rest of the game, but he was making up for it now.
Geoffrey was bobbing in and out, swaying in his chair, and Lloyd suggested they get him into bed. Claire agreed. They each took an arm and walked Geoffrey to his bedroom then Lloyd took off his pants while Claire got his shoes
"Oh, oh, he's not wearing underwear." Lloyd said, thinking about Claire being there.
"Geoffrey's my brother, don't worry about it."
"Yeah, but he's not a little boy, Claire."
Claire looked at her brothers cock. It was hanging out over one leg. She smiled at Lloyd.
"No, he isn't, is he." she said, and Lloyd just laughed.
"I don't know about you, Claire Baby." he said. "Maybe a tender young thing like yourself shouldn't be looking at naked grown men?"
"Geoffrey isn't a grown man, Lloyd. He's a little boy trapped inside a big boys body, that's all, and besides, it's not the first one I've seen."
"Oh, not the first one?" Lloyd laughed again.
"Oh, you know what I mean, give me a break." They finished getting Geoffrey to bed then went back to the sofa. Claire sat next to him and for a minute or two the room was quiet.
"So, it's late." Lloyd said, looking at his watch.
"It's only one."
"Only one, listen to you. Are you sleeping here tonight?" he asked.
"No, I'm going home."
"Do you live with your parents?"
"No, I've got my own apartment."
"I guess you drive?"
"No, I'm going to hitch a ride in this neighborhood at one in the morning, are you nuts, of course I drive."
Lloyd nodded his head up and down while looking at Claire. They sat close on the couch, his arm touching hers. He looked at her romantically and Claire returned the stare. With a voice as soft as he could manage, Lloyd said,
"Come over here you little tart, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget." He mimicked Phillip, but sensually and Lloyd sat motionless waiting for Claire's response. She looked up at him, his handsome face serious, and she came to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Claire felt the tingling in her lips and spine and Lloyd was shaking with sexual excitement. She put her mouth close to his and they held their positions for several seconds before Lloyd took the lead and gently kissed her lips.
His eyes closed and his mouth surrounded hers. His lips were hot and wet and soft and Claire moaned when he let his tongue slip between hers. Lloyd pulled her closer, tenderly enveloping her mouth with his and they stayed locked in a controlled passionate embrace for a full minute.
"Lloyd?" Claire whispered as his mouth left hers.
"I'm sorry, Claire, I guess I've had too much to drink too."
"No, please, don't be sorry. I liked it."
"I'd better get going." he said.
"Why, you don't have to leave right now, do you?"
"Yeah, I should go."
"Why? It's still early."
"I don't know, this is Geoffrey's place. You're his little sister. I shouldn't have kissed you that way, it wasn't right."
Claire stood up and looked him in the eye. She pressed her thighs to his groin then moaned.
"I'm not a little girl, Lloyd, I'm full grown."
Lloyd squirmed a few times then grunted a laugh.
"That's all the more reason for me to leave, Claire." he said.
"What if we went someplace else? My place, I live alone?"
Lloyd thought about it. He wanted to be with her, but Geoffrey's baby sister? He couldn't. Geoffrey was his friend.
"I don't think so, Claire." he said, trying to convince himself it was wrong.
"Why not?"
"You'll still be Geoffrey's sister."
"So?"
"I wouldn't feel right." he said.
Claire came closer. She pressed her breasts to him and rubbed a thigh to his semi-hard cock. She whispered sensually and Lloyd was quickly becoming aroused.
"I can make it feel right, Lloyd. Come home with me."
CHAPTER 5
Lloyd followed Claire to her apartment. She pulled into the parking space and waiting for him to park his car. When Lloyd got out he looked nervous. Claire giggled at him. A grown man acting like it was his first time. She was the one who should have been shaking, but Claire wasn't nervous. She was anxious to be with Lloyd Hamilton, even looking forward to it.
"It's this way." Claire said, taking his hand.
"Claire, I don't know about this." Lloyd stammered.
"You've come this far, come on. Good grief, Lloyd, you act like I'm going to bite you or something. I promise I won't hurt you, okay."
"It's not that, Claire."
"Well, what then?"
"I don't know, I'm afraid I won't be able to behave myself."
"Yes you will, I promise." Claire said, taking his hand and pulling him toward the building.
Lloyd followed along, but not without reservations. Geoffrey and Len were his friends and Geoffrey was home drunk, passed out in bed. He couldn't just waltz over and make love to his friends sister this way, it wasn't right. And what about Len? Lloyd was feeling weaker and weaker with each step. Claire's gorgeous ass wiggled in front of him and he was feeling the booze. Even though he'd been living with a woman for the past several months, Lizbeth didn't make love with him regularly and Lloyd was horny as hell.
"I live on the bottom floor." she said, leading the way. They walked down the dark apartment corridors to Claire's apartment and when she turned the key and flipped on the light, Lloyd hesitated before coming inside.
"What's wrong now?" she asked with a grin.
"Claire, really. I should go."
"Lloyd, I promise I won't lay a hand on you, okay. Just come in and have some coffee. We'll talk."
Lloyd thought about it. "Okay." he agreed.
When he came in Claire locked the door and tossed her keys onto the table. She told him to make himself at home and that she'd be right back. Lloyd asked if he could have some aspirin and she told him where to find them. Claire was amused by his nervousness. She like it. Lloyd Hamilton was just the type of man she could have fun with.
Claire came out to the kitchen after changing into a nightie and Lloyd's eyes bugged out at the sight of it. She had on a long silky black gown with delicate lace resting over the tops of her breasts and two revealing lace panels on the sides. Claire knew it was driving him wild, but she pretended not to notice.
"I hope you don't mind my changing," she said, getting the coffee on, "but, I like to be comfortable. Why don't you make yourself comfortable, Lloyd. We can go in the living room and talk."
Lloyd didn't respond. He was too taken by her loveliness. She moved like a graceful swan and he watched as her nightie swayed back and forth when she made the coffee.
"What would you like to talk about?" Lloyd asked, just to get conversation rolling again.
"Oh, I don't know, whatever you'd like, I suppose. What sort of work do you do?" she asked.
"Teacher." Lloyd said abruptly.
"Oh, where?" she asked with a grin. Claire knew he was struggling and she loved it.
"Ah, the high school. I coach football."
"Terrific." Claire said. "So, let's talk about your job, okay."
"Well, there's nothing to tell really."
"There must be, Lloyd. Come on, we can go to the living room while the coffee is perking." Claire led the way and Lloyd followed. The light in the room filtered through her nightie and Lloyd could see she was completely naked underneath. Her curves were silhouetted in the light and he felt his heart skip a beat seeing her trim form and tight little butt.
Claire lit three candles then put out all the other lights. She created a romantic atmosphere for them to talk in and Lloyd liked it. He took off his shoes and had a seat in the chair. Claire asked him why he chose to sit across the room from her and his reply was honest.
"I don't think we'd talk very much if I sat next to you." he said.
"Why not?"
"Claire, you've got to realize, I've been without a woman for months, I mean, Lizbeth and I lived together yes, but she wasn't very warm or affectionate. I've been lonely for female company for a long time now and seeing you there with that sexy gown on, well, I don't think I'd be able to control myself."
"I think you would, Lloyd, try. Besides, I've never been with a man before and I'm not sure I'm ready now. I'll keep you in check." she said. Lloyd was shocked. Claire a virgin? He never would have guessed. The whole idea made his head dizzy. Lloyd had never spent time with a virgin before. He'd never dated anyone young enough to still be one. He was excited by the idea and immediately decided to join her on the couch.
When he sat down, Claire's warm sexy body closed in toward him. She lifted her knees to the side and rested them across his legs then wrapped one arm around his neck.
"There." she said smiling sexily. "This isn't so bad, is it?"
"No."
"Good, so let's talk."
"Claire, I can't do this." Lloyd said, pulling away.
"What's wrong now?"
"The same old thing, you're Geoffrey's sister for God sake, I can't do this."
"Lloyd Hamilton, you're taking a lot for granted, don't you think?" Claire snapped.
Lloyd was silent. She was raising her voice to him and he was stunned.
"Just because we sit close and we're alone together and just because I'm in my nightie doesn't mean I want to have sex with you, okay. You're doing all this talking about controlling yourself like it is all up to you. I have some say in the matter too." she said.
She was right, Lloyd thought. Claire was a person too. She had a good fifty percent say in the matter.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."
"Well, stop acting as if you were the only one with control around here."
Lloyd sat down again and let her resume her position. He calmed down considerably and finally, Lloyd looked at her. Claire's lips appeared shiny in the candlelight and we wanted to taste them again.
"May I kiss you?" he asked softly. She moved closer. Lloyd's mouth enveloped hers and they kissed again with the same controlled passion as before. His cock was thumping like a rabbits foot and he had to pull away to quiet it down. Lloyd seemed out of breath, but Claire wouldn't let him get up. She wrapped herself around him more and they kissed again. Lloyd's hands began roaming over her body. The silk fabric of her nightie gave him chills and as her tongue ventured inside his mouth, Lloyd moaned.
"Claire, wait a minute, Claire, wait." Lloyd mumbled through their kiss.
"What?"
"I can't ... " he said, but Claire moved closer almost on his lap and kissed him letting go of a little control. She pressed herself to him until Lloyd was losing control too. His hands roamed over her body like a sculptor feels his work and when he got to her breasts she let his fingers nibble at the flesh. Lloyd was breathing heavily. His cock wanted out of its cage, but Claire wouldn't make a move to free it and he wasn't about to make the first move. She was squirming onto his lap now, wiggling and twisting, mashing her soft thighs on his and placing the v of her crotch over his dick.
"Claire, we need to stop this." he said, huffing and squirming.
"Why?" she asked, kissing his mouth between words.
"I, I ... "
She held tight forcing her lips to his and she pressed her pussy to his lap rubbing and squirming over his cock until she felt Lloyd letting go of all control. He gave up wrapping both arms around her and giving his all into the kiss. Lloyd's cock was twitching wildly. He reached down and unzipped his jeans then started to pull it out, but Claire wouldn't move aside letting him get a good grip on it. Lloyd tried to move her so he could get it out, but Claire stopped kissing him and got off his lap. Lloyd was left sitting with his hand inside his jeans, shortness of breath and a silly look on his face as Claire sat on the cushion next to him and said maybe he was right.
"It might not be a good idea for us to do this after all." she said.
"What?" Lloyd asked, his hopes dashed.
"You know, what you said about being my brothers friend and all, it makes sense, I mean, if it makes you this uncomfortable, maybe we should just forget it."
"Well, I've thought about it and to be honest, I guess I over reacted, Claire. Hey, when you think about it, Geoffrey should be thankful it's me and not some weirdo he doesn't know."
Lloyd was scrambling. He didn't want to stop now, not now. He was ready for her.
"I don't know, Lloyd. Maybe we should think about this awhile longer." Claire said. "Oh, coffee's ready, would you like a cup?"
He caught his breath and took his hand out of his pants. Lloyd couldn't believe this was happening. He agreed to have coffee and Claire went after it alone while he put himself back together. Claire was giggling to herself while she arranged the coffee tray. She enjoyed teasing men and Lloyd was playing right into her hands. Claire had no idea how much it hurt a man to tease him that way. She was playing with fire and was about to get burned.
When she came back inside, Lloyd was combing his hair. He stood up when she entered the room and Claire could see his erection had gone down. She was hoping to bring it back up as soon as the coffee was gone.
"Cream?" she asked, sensually.
"Yes." Lloyd said, averting his eyes from her.
"I hope you're not angry with me, Lloyd." she said. "I just don't want us to do something we're not ready to do."
"I'm not angry, no."
"Good, because I really like your company. I hope we can see each other again." Claire said, sitting next to him and letting her nightie rise above her knee.
"After this I think I'll go home." he said, taking a sip.
"Why, Lloyd, you are angry, aren't you?" Claire pouted.
"No, I'm not angry, it's just that, well, it's really late and I have to work tomorrow."
Claire knew she had to work fast. She didn't want him to get away. She put down her coffee then moved close to him again. Lloyd still held his coffee mug, but she took it from him and set it next to hers on the table.
"Claire, please." Lloyd said with a helpless moan.
"Please what?" she said, kissing his mouth again.
"I, we, I ... "
Claire sat up in his lap again and kissed his mouth so tenderly it send chills through his body. She put her tongue inside his mouth and made tiny flitting movements with it sending chills up Lloyd's back bone. He tried to stay calm, not getting an erection, but the more Claire moved over him the more difficult it became. Lloyd felt himself giving in again. Little by little he ventured into passion until she had him in the same state he was in before coffee.
"Claire, please." he begged, kissing between the words again, but Claire refused to let up. She writhed over him, rubbing, squirming, gyrating on his lap until Lloyd was ready for a fuck. He scooted forward and tipped Claire over onto her back then mounted her on the sofa. Lloyd's legs nestled between hers forcing Claire to spread apart until one of her feet rested on the coffee table and the other was stretched up across Lloyd's back.
He kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth and he managed to release his dick and guide it to her pussy, but when Claire felt it hitting her bare flesh she moaned and grunted trying to throw him off.
Lloyd didn't realize she wanted him to stop. He was too engrossed in passion. He thought she was squirming to get it inside, but as the tip of his cock slipped into her wet virgin hole Claire broke away from him and screamed.
"Get off!" she cried.
Lloyd froze. He didn't know what was happening. He was confused. When he realized what Claire meant, he got up immediately.
"Lloyd, damn, you're moving so fast," she said.
"I thought you ... "
"Well, you thought wrong!" Claire snapped, pulling her nightie down around her knees. Lloyd felt the sexual tension in his body and when he realized she was teasing him he got angry.
"I'd better leave now, Claire." he said, standing up and poking his cock back in his pants. "Thanks for the coffee and everything."
"Lloyd, wait." she said, jumping up and taking his hand. "Will I see you again?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know, tell me?"
"Maybe, sure, I'll see you sometime."
"When, where?"
"I don't know Claire, maybe over at Geoffrey's again. I'll be playing poker over there next week, maybe I'll see you there." he said, taking his hand free and starting for the door.
"Lloyd, wait a minute." Claire said, running after him. "I'm sorry about this, really, but I've never done this before. I'm a virgin, Lloyd, I'm scared, that's all."
Lloyd felt compassion for her then. He remembered his first time and how scared he felt. He put his arms around her neck and pulled her to him.
"I know, Claire, and that's one of the reasons why I'm leaving now. I'm not a virgin, okay. I can't pretend I am. Being here with you is kind of hard on me." he said.
"Why?"
"Why, huh, well." Lloyd laughed through a frustrated grunt. "Let's see, Claire, probably because touching you and kissing you is making me crazy. I could make love with you right now, Claire. I'm ready for you. I could put my cock inside your sweet feminine body and feel the warmth of you smothering me with sensual love, but you don't happen to be ready for that yet and it's making me sort of anxious."
"You're saying you want me, Lloyd?" Claire asked, knowing her questions were making it more difficult for him to leave.
"You might say that, sure." he said with a grin. "I'd better just go. We'll see each other again."
"Lloyd ... " Claire said. She was stalling him. She wanted him to stay.
"I'd better go." He whispered, looking into her eyes. Lloyd opened the apartment door and stepped out to the corridor. He turned around and looked at her standing there. Claire's gown was transparent in the candlelight and Lloyd grunted another laugh looking at her. He wanted to ravage her right there on the spot. He wanted to slam his cock so far in her body she'd beg for mercy, but he couldn't do that, she wasn't ready for it.
"What's so funny?" Claire asked.
"Nothing."
"But, you just laughed at something?"
"No, I wasn't laughing." Lloyd said, putting on a serious expression.
"May I kiss you good-night?" she asked.
"I don't know, Claire, maybe that isn't such a good idea."
"Please, just once. We can do it right here in the hallway, Lloyd."
He desperately wanted to. Lloyd tilted his head and nodded yes. He moved to her and Claire wrapped herself around him again. Lloyd was prepared to remain calm this time. He wasn't going to let himself be disappointed again. Claire kissed his mouth. She tried to get her tongue inside, but Lloyd refused it.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Claire, you're killing me." Lloyd said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're not making this easy for me."
"I just want a kiss good-night, Lloyd." she said with a girlish whine.
"No, I don't think that's all you're after, Claire." he said, sternly. "I think you want me to get worked up again so you can turn me down."
"That's not true, Lloyd."
"No, well, I think it is. You may be a virgin, Claire, but you're no innocent little girl. You know exactly what you're doing to me and I can't go through it anymore. I'm not a saint, you know. I'm a man, Claire and you're making it real difficult for me to control myself."
Claire didn't speak. She could see he was upset. Lloyd was letting his frustrations vent and she let him do it.
"If you didn't want it why'd you climb up on top of me that way, Claire? Why'd you lead me on? I'm not a little boy, okay. I'm a full grown man and I'm just not used to women climbing on top of me and wiggling their ass over me just to turn me down when we're about to make love."
"I told you why." Claire pleaded.
"Yeah, I know, a virgin, well, good-night, Claire Baby, I've gotta get going. Maybe I'll see you later." Lloyd said, huffing a deep sign then walking quickly to his car. Claire stood in the hallway watching him storm off. She felt terrible about upsetting him. She wished he'd come back. Claire knew she'd make love now, she wanted to. She liked Lloyd Hamilton and didn't want to lose him because of a silly game she was playing.
Claire saw his car lights then watched him drive away. She stepped back into her apartment and was about to close the door when suddenly, it flew open knocking her back against the couch.
"Hi, babe." Duke said.
"What are you doing here ? Get out of my apartment."
"Not tonight, Claire. Tonight you and me have some unfinished business."
Duke closed the door and came over to Claire. She was scrambling to get up and he helped her grabbing her arms then yanking her to him.
"So, you don't date, is that a fact, Claire Baby, so who's the dick who just left here?"
"Let me go, Duke! You let me go or I'll scream rape."
"Hey, no point in screaming about something unless it happens, babe." Duke reached down and unzipped his pants. He held Claire to him with one hand then pulled out his cock with the other.
"Don't worry, baby, Duke will give it to you." he snickered.
Claire started to scream, but Duke covered her mouth and knocked her to the floor. He forced himself on top of her and told her if she didn't shut up she'd be sorry.
"One more sound and I'll bust your face, Claire. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
Claire shook her head no.
"Good, so you just keep quiet and this won't take long at all. I'm just here to collect a debt, Claire Baby. I just want what's coming to me."
"What are you going to do?"
"Hey, baby, you have to ask? You know, I didn't realize your were virgin cunt. That makes it a whole lot nicer. Yes, ma'am, I can't remember having virgin pussy."
"Don't touch me, stop that." Claire said squirming under his weight. Duke was feeling between her legs. He was trying to finger her slit before giving her his rod.
"Hey, no shouting, Claire Baby, remember, you don't want that pretty little face of yours to look like raw meat, do you?
Claire quieted down.
"Good girl, now you just lay back and enjoy this baby, I'm gonna make it real real good."
CHAPTER 6
Just as Duke was about to slip his cock inside Claire's pussy, there came a knock at the door and she screamed out.
"Help me, pie ... " she shouted, and the apartment door flew open. Lloyd barged in and saw Duke on top of Claire. He reached down and grabbed the young man then pinned his face against the wall jamming one arm behind his back and raising up on it until Duke screamed for him to stop.
"One move and I'll break your damn arm." Lloyd shouted.
"Oh, Lloyd, you came back." Claire said, running to him and hugging his neck. "He was going to rape me."
"Do you know this guy?"
"He's Duke Dillon, he works at Lake View and he's a creep."
"Not anymore I, aaaahhh!" Duke wailed. Lloyd bent his arm up further.
"I told you to keep quiet." Lloyd said, twisting Duke's arm further behind his back. Lloyd was in trouble now. He knew Duke. They were buddies. Lloyd didn't want Claire to know he worked for Lake View too. He worked the club on the west side while Claire and Duke were over on the east.
"He's the one who broke into my apartment last week, you stupid bastard, I ought to kick you right in the balls." Claire shouted. "I lost my job because of him. He's still got his."
"No I don't." Duke shouted.
"You don't work there anymore, why, what happened?" Claire asked Duke.
"Let him talk, Lloyd."
"Stanley fired me last week right after he fired you."
"No kidding, well that's a pure shame, Duke, a pure shame." Claire said sarcastically.
"Maybe we should call the police and have him arrested, Claire." Lloyd said.
"Yeah, maybe I will." she said, hoping to scare Duke, but Duke Dillon wasn't the sort of man to scare easy. He'd spent plenty of time behind bars and didn't care whether he went back.
"Go ahead, call them, I don't give a shit." Duke said. Lloyd pinned him tighter.
"I swear to God, pal, I'll bust your ass if I get loose from here." Duke said.
"Yeah, right punk, you're busting my ass now." Lloyd said.
"Lloyd Hamilton, is that you?" Duke asked, recognizing his friends voice.
"Call the cops, Claire. This scuz bucket will try it again unless you have him put away."
"That's what I called him, Lloyd, you know, you and me have a lot in common." Claire smiled.
"Claire!" Lloyd shouted. "Call them!"
* * *
After they took Duke away, Lloyd and Claire sat down on the couch. He held her close comforting her. She was upset about the whole thing, angry too.
"He broke in here last week, did you know that?" she said.
"That's what you said before, what happened, did he rape you?"
"No, he didn't even try."
"What's the guys problem, Claire. Did you do something to him to make him angry at you or what?"
"Me? Why do you think that, Lloyd. Are you saying his busting in here is my fault?"
"No, I'm just trying to figure out the guys motive. I mean, what's he after you for?"
"I smiled at him once, you know, just the way I'd smile at any new employee, but Duke's not playing with a full deck. He thought I wanted to date him or something, the man is a case, Lloyd, a real case. Hey, how did he know you anyway? I heard him ask if it was you, Lloyd?"
"He was being a jerk, that's all. He doesn't know me."
Claire broke into tears. Her feelings were hurt plus she was upset by what almost happened. She didn't mind being forced to have sex, but not with Duke Dillon. If Lloyd forced her she'd feel better about the whole thing, but Lloyd wasn't the type to use force. He was too much a gentleman for that. Lloyd pulled her close and held her tight. She shook in his arms and the more she did the gentler Lloyd became.
"Are you going to be all right, Claire?"
"I think so."
"Can I get you something?"
"No, I'm fine." she said. "Lloyd, I just thought about something." Claire said, pulling away and looking at him. "Why did you come back?" Claire asked.
"I just felt bad about the way we left things. I shouldn't have yelled the way I did."
"It's a good thing you came. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't. Duke was just about to let me have it. He said he'd break my face if I screamed, but when I heard you out there I had to chance it."
"I'm glad I did too, Claire. I'd hate it if something happened to you." Lloyd said, kissing her cheek. "I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Lloyd, it was me. I teased you too much and I'm sorry." Claire heard herself saying the words and even she was surprised. She never thought she'd admit being a tease, but there was something special about Lloyd Hamilton and she didn't want to play games with his feelings anymore.
"It's my fault too." he said.
"How, what did you do?"
"I just assumed you wanted to make love. I should have realized you didn't."
Claire cuddled closer and rested her head to his chest. She put her hand to his lap and rubbed over it. Lloyd was wary of her actions. He didn't want to go through it again even if he did understand how she felt. He wasn't up to being teased, but he decided to keep calm and let Claire make all the moves. Maybe she wasn't teasing this time, he thought.
She rubbed his leg then inched closer to his crotch. Lloyd didn't flinch. He held steady feeling the soft warm hand of Claire Banner run up and down his thigh.
"Let's go into the bedroom." she said softly.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Claire nodded.
"I don't know if that's a good idea, Claire, I mean, maybe we shouldn't tonight. Everything has happened so quickly and you said yourself you weren't ready to make love. Maybe we should just wait for another time and gradually work into it."
"No, I'm ready, Lloyd. I've made up my mind about it."
"Are you sure, Claire, I mean really sure. I don't want you thinking you have to. That wouldn't be right either. I want you to feel ready."
Claire got up. She grinned at him.
Lloyd got up and followed Claire. She took his hand and brought him to her bed. Claire slipped off her nightie and climbed in under the sheets. She watched as Lloyd undressed. He seemed nervous, but he managed to strip down and crawl in beside her. They didn't speak. He came to her and they embraced then kissed. Claire was sure. She wanted to make love with him and he could tell she did.
Lloyd was glad he'd come back. He was glad to save Claire from Duke, but even more pleased with his reward. She let him touch her anywhere he wanted and Lloyd's finger's roamed all over the young girls body.
His lips kissed hers and Claire kissed back. She wasn't nervous about being in bed with Lloyd, she was ready to give herself to him. She wanted him more than anything and was prepared to let him have his way.
Lloyd felt like a hungry pirate at a raid. He was dipping his fingers into every crevice Claire had and discovering more as he progressed. He wanted her worse than he'd ever wanted another girl. There was something special about Claire Banner. Maybe it was her virginity, Lloyd wasn't sure, but he did know he'd never feel happy until he made love with her.
He got on top and spread Claire's thighs wide. Lloyd was rock hard. His cock throbbed and pulsated up and down with eager anticipation. He was going to get her after all and it felt great. He guided his cock to her slit and poked it inside. Claire moaned at the girth of the thing. Lloyd was a full grown man, just like he claimed to be. He sported a full cock complete with protruding veins and a thickness that would make any man proud and any woman drool.
Lloyd slid himself further inside and Claire asked him to go slow. She was afraid it might hurt, but when Lloyd showed her there was no worry she relaxed and it went in easier. Claire loved the feeling of his body being in hers. He felt wonderful pressed close to her and she wanted to feel the ridges of his penetrating cockmeat tickle her swollen virgin clit.
It didn't take the two long before their rhythm was in sync. Lloyd and Claire moved together like musicians, making beautiful music and keeping perfect time. He used controlled pumping and she met every stroke. He was moaning with excitement and Claire was grunting with delighted surprise. She fantasized about making love with Lloyd but never dreamed it would feel this good, she wanted him all night. Claire wanted to feel his long hard cock inside her pussy slit until dawn.
"Lloyd." she moaned.
"Am I hurting you?" he asked.
"No, no, it's good, real good."
He let her have more. Lloyd inched further giving Claire everything he had to offer and just as the feeling began to well in his body she asked him to drive it harder.
"More, Lloyd, I need more." she screamed out.
He pounded her, driving his length deep and it satisfied her. She made moans of pleasure and Lloyd was becoming excited listening to her.
He gave her his all and as his balls tightened and his dick spewed the creamy thick jism into her slit, she moaned out saying something was happening.
"What is it, Lloyd? What's that feeling?" she moaned. Lloyd finished spraying his manhood inside Claire then collapsed onto her.
"I came, Claire, that's what it was."
"No, I did, Lloyd, I felt it, God it was like electricity or something."
"Yeah, you did?" Lloyd asked feeling pleased with himself. He'd made a virgin finish and it felt great. Lizbeth was no virgin, but Lloyd was never really able to satisfy her. She play acted all the time, but he saw through it. She was always wanting more even after extensive foreplay and Lloyd never felt completely satisfied with their relationship, but he didn't know that until this minute. Until he had Claire he thought Lizbeth was as good as it got.
They talked for awhile then Claire fell asleep in his arms. Lloyd liked the feeling of having Claire in his arms. He hoped Geoffrey would understand.
* * *
The next morning Lloyd woke before dawn and looked around. His eyes were red and tired and he felt as if a tractor trailer had come in and run over him three times during the night. He had to be to work in an hour. He was careful not to wake Claire. Lloyd got ready then left her sleeping. He rushed out of the apartment to his car and when he got inside, Geoffrey was just pulling into the lot.
"Hey?" Geoffrey asked with a twisted face. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi," Lloyd answered apologetically. He knew what Geoffrey was asking. "I uh, I stayed at Claire's last night."
"Oh? Where's Claire now?"
"Sleeping."
"You balling my kid sister?" Geoffrey asked, getting out of his car.
"Come on, Geoffrey, what kind of thing is that to ask a guy?"
"What, I wanna know, Lloyd. Are you balling Claire?"
"It's none of your business is it, Geoffrey." Lloyd said. He wasn't in the mood for this. It's not like Claire was under age.
"You are, aren't you?"
"Hey, Claire is a grown woman, Geoffrey."
"I can't believe this, Lloyd, you'd take advantage of my only sister this way, you're a pig, man, a pig."
Lloyd shook his head. He thought Geoffrey was over reacting. He kept silent for a few seconds letting Geoffrey stew and then Lloyd spoke.
"You know something, Geoffrey." he said. "Your sister and I like one another. It's not like I came over here to get inside the little girls pants. I happen to like her. Hey, there was some guy over here last night trying to rape your sister, pal, and it wasn't me."
"What the hell do you mean?" Geoffrey asked with anger.
"She'll tell you. Go ask Claire." Lloyd said. "I've got to get to work. Hey, I like Claire, Geoffrey. I'm not using her if that makes you feel better."
Geoffrey didn't wait to answer. He ran toward his sister's apartment to find out what was going on.
"Claire! Claire!" he shouted, pounding at her door. Claire heard the racket and when she saw Lloyd gone she ran to the door.
"Claire, what's going on?" he asked, coming inside the minute she opened up.
"Nothing, what's the matter with you?"
"I saw Lloyd in the parking lot and he tells me you were raped last night. What's he talking about?"
"Oh that." she said.
"Oh, that ... Oh, that, what the hell do you mean, oh that. Did he rape you or what?"
"It was Duke Dillon. He broke in here last week, you remember me telling you about it."
"The bum raped you?" Geoffrey said with fury.
"No, Duke came here last night and sort of tried to rape me but Lloyd saved me."
"You balling Lloyd?"
"Geoffrey?"
"Are you?"
"We made love last night, if that's what your asking, but it's not any of your business and besides, I love Lloyd."
"You don't even know him."
"I know him well enough, Geoffrey. I'm in love with him and I'm going to make it with him again the first chance I get."
Geoffrey sat on the sofa and put his feet up on the table. He looked ragged and Claire offered to make some coffee.
"Yeah, would you?" he said.
"Why are you here this early anyway?"
"I woke up, you were gone, hell, I passed out last night and I was worried about you."
"I'm not a baby, Geoffrey, God you treat me like I was twelve or something."
"I know that, but you're still my baby sister, Claire."
"Brothers!" she laughed, going to the kitchen.
* * *
When Lloyd got to work Stanley was waiting in his office. Lloyd greeted him then offered the man some coffee, but he refused.
"I've got to talk with you this morning, Lloyd."
"Shoot."
"I've heard from the Board on this assistant thing and they passed their ruling last night."
"Great." Lloyd said. "It's about time, hell, I can't get anything done around here without some more help. So, what's the rest of it, when?"
"They want a woman." he said.
"Again? They just fired one, Stanley. Why are they looking for another?"
"I know, I know, but they said the pressure is on. They need one in here to balance the roster. Who do you know? They want her yesterday."
"Who do I know?" Lloyd asked, drawing a blank. He didn't have any idea who could take over the job with him. He sat down and thought about it. "I've got one." he said.
"Is she available?"
"Absolutely, let me give her a call." Lloyd said.
Lloyd dialed Claire's apartment and Geoffrey answered. He apologized to Lloyd telling him he knew all about the Duke Dillon thing.
"Don't worry about it, it's over. I doubt if he'll bother Claire again." Lloyd said. "Besides, I won't let him. I plan to see a lot of your little sister Geoffrey. I think I love her."
"Who is that, Geoffrey?" Claire asked.
"Lloyd." he said.
"Give me the phone." she said.
"Here's Claire, man, and hey, I'm sorry about this morning. You understand, she's my kid sister, Lloyd, I look out for her."
"No problem, and don't worry, Geoffrey, I'll look out for her now."
"Hello?" Claire said, taking the phone.
"Hi, it's Lloyd."
"I know, hi."
"Listen, I've got a job for you if you're interested?"
"Are you serious?" Claire asked with surprise.
"Absolutely."
"Doing what?"
"Tennis instructor." he said proudly.
"Where, with you?" Claire said beaming.
"None other, will you do it?"
"I don't know Lloyd, I mean, sure I'll do it, but how can you arrange that?"
"It's already taken care of. When can you start, they needed you yesterday."
"How about today?"
"Are you joking?"
"Nope, this morning. I can be there by ten?"
"Better make it eight. I can't wait to see you again, Claire."
Claire got off the phone and told Geoffrey all about the offer. She was really excited. She wanted to work with Lloyd all day and make love with him all night.
"Can you believe it, I start today."
"That's great, Claire, but do you think it's a good idea to work with the man you're sleeping with?"
"I can handle it, Geoffrey." Claire smirked.
"I don't know about that. What happens when you wiggle your ass to those other guys and he see's, Claire. Lloyd Hamilton isn't the sort of guy to share his lady."
"Geoffrey, what are you talking about? I don't wiggle."
"Come on, Claire, this is Geoffrey, remember me. I'm the one with the hot friends you want to fuck."
"Geoffrey!"
"It's true, you know it is. Hell, if it hadn't been for me putting a stop to it you'd have fucked Len by now."
"That's enough, Geoffrey." Claire shouted. She didn't want to hear it again. What happened with Len was over with.
"All I'm saying is Lloyd Hamilton won't stand for it, Claire and what happens when you two break it off. How can you still work with him?"
"That won't happen!" Claire snapped.
* * *
She got dressed and ready to go. When she got to the address Lloyd had given her the sign read, Lake View. She wondered what was going on, but Claire went inside to look for Lloyd. She was so good looking she attracted the attention of every man in the building, but Claire wasn't interested in flirting. She wanted to know what was going on.
"Do you know where to find Coach Hamilton?" she asked.
"Coach?" the man laughed.
"Yes, is he here?"
"Let me take you to him."
The man walked her over. He talked with her along the way and discovered she worked with Stanley Lane at the other Lake View.
"Stanley and I are good friends, Claire, I'll have to mention you to him the next time we meet for golf."
"That might not be a good idea. Stanley fired me last week and we don't get along real well. Mentioning my name might not be wise."
"Oh, you must know Margaret." the man smiled. "She'd never stand for a lovely lady like yourself working with her husband."
"You're the second person to say that." Claire smiled.
They came to Lloyd's office and the man left them alone. He could see why Lloyd said Claire was perfect, but he wondered if she could teach.
"Okay, so, you have a job." Lloyd said, smiling.
"What are you doing here, Lloyd?" she asked with curiosity. "This is Lake View Country Club West."
"I recommended you."
"You work here?"
"Yes, and Stanley specifically requested a female and when I heard the word I instantly thought of you. I've never met a girl more female in my life. I think I love you." Lloyd said, looking into her eyes.
CHAPTER 7
Weeks passed and Claire settled into her new job at Lake View West. The others loved her and she like working with them. Lloyd was happy to. Claire not only was a good assistant, she was great to work with. During lunch breaks they'd lock the office door and the guys knew not to disturb them. Randall didn't take it well. He'd been dating Claire regularly when she met Lloyd, but he left her alone. He spent his spare time visiting Duke Dillon down at the city jail. Claire was scheduled for trial in another week and Lloyd and she talked with a lawyer.
It was Wednesday, Geoffrey's poker night, but Lloyd and Claire hadn't gone over for the past two weeks. Geoffrey called and specifically asked if they would come tonight and Claire said they would. Lloyd and she were planning to move in together. She wanted to be with him all of the time and he felt the same, but Claire had another month left on her lease and she didn't see the purpose of letting it go to waste.
When they showed up at Geoffrey's place, Len was there. He came over to join in for the first time in ages and when Claire saw him she felt uncomfortable.
"Hey. I haven't seen you in some time." Len said, kissing his sister's cheek. "I heard you were dating this dork."
"Lloyd is not a dork, Len." Claire snapped.
"Whoa, lighten up, just a joke."
Lloyd noticed the tension between the two siblings, but he didn't say anything about it. Len and the other guys said hello then Geoffrey asked if Claire would make some popcorn.
The same old thing, Claire thought. She was beginning to wonder why she'd ever come to those stupid games in the first place, but remembering that's where she met Lloyd helped her to have a better attitude.
"So, Lloyd, how's it going?" Len asked.
"Great."
"I mean with the kid?"
"Claire isn't a kid, Len."
"You better hope, right." Len laughed.
"Len, I asked you not to start this, okay." Geoffrey said.
"What, I'm asking the man a few questions here, what's the big deal."
"Just get off it, okay."
"Yeah, yeah, Jesus, is this man sensitive or what?" Len said, asking Lloyd. Lloyd didn't reply. "Oh, guess who's coming over later, you'll love this." Len said.
"I don't have a clue." Lloyd said. He didn't like Len when he'd been drinking because he got out of hand at times. Len never did handle booze well and tonight he'd downed three six packs since noon and was working on his fourth.
"Lizbeth Arnell." Len said. Lloyd's face flushed.
"What is she coming here for?"
"We're on again, man, since you tossed her out. Lizbeth didn't have any place to go so she came to me."
"Just great." Lloyd said, jumping up to get Claire.
"Where you goin, man, she ain't here yet?" Len laughed.
"Yeah, well I won't be here when she does show. Thanks for the invite, Geoffrey, but Claire and I will take a rain check. Claire!" Lloyd yelled. "We're leaving." Lloyd said.
"We just got here."
"And we're leaving, let's go."
"Why, what happened?"
"Your macho man here is afraid of Dizzie Lizzie Arnell." Len laughed.
"Shut up, will you." Geoffrey said.
"No, that's okay, Geoffrey, the man's cool. I just don't want to be around Dizzie Lizzie when the house falls on her." Lloyd said. "Come on, Claire, let's go before the witch arrives."
"Wait a minute, you mean we're leaving because she's coming over?"
"Yeah."
"Why should we? She should be the one to leave, she can take him with her." Claire said, pointing to Len.
"You little cock teasing cunt." Len said, springing from his chair and running after his sister. "I'll bust you up, you little fuck."
"Hey, leave the girl alone, Len." Geoffrey shouted, jumping up to stop him. Claire ran to Lloyd and he hugged her close.
"What in hell's the matter with you, Len? She's your sister, man, are you nuts?" Lloyd said.
"Fuck her! She's a cock teasing little ... "
"I told you to shut up, Len, now God dammit, I'm serious!" Geoffrey shouted.
There was enough tension in that room to spring load a cannon and Lloyd wanted to leave. Claire got her coat and as they were gathering their things, Lizbeth showed up. Len let her inside and the shit hit the fan.
"What is he doing here?" Lizbeth asked Len?
"I was just leaving, Lizbeth, don't get your balls in an uproar."
"Oh, really, with Pippy Longstocking over there?" Lizbeth said.
"Hey, who are you calling names, you scabby cunted whore." Claire said.
"Claire!" Lloyd said with shock.
"Oh, that's right, Lloyd, keep the little girl in line. Musn't say such naughty words dear, poor daddy can't handle it." Lizbeth smirked.
"Put a lid on it, babe." Len told Lizbeth. She almost took his head off for that. Lizbeth Arnell didn't take orders from anyone, especially Len Banner.
"Don't you tell me to shut up, you sorry sonuva bitch! You don't own me."
"Hey, just shut your mouth, okay, this is my brother's house." Len snapped.
"Yeah, my house is right. Come on people, I've got neighbors, okay. If you must fight do it someplace else. I don't need this crap in here." Geoffrey said.
"She started it, Geoffrey." Claire said.
"Hey, Len's right, put a lid on it."
Claire became furious. She never expected Geoffrey to take his side in this, he hated Dizzie Lizzie Arnell.
"You always do that!" Claire shrieked. "You take Len's side even when he's wrong!"
"Claire, come on, I don't do that."
"You do! You do! She has no business being here, Geoffrey. She's a scab and a pig, get rid of her."
"Hey, cunt, get rid of yourself." Len shouted. Claire lunged toward Len with fist flying and Lizbeth laughed seeing the young girl go after her brother. Lizbeth knew how they felt about one another. When she dated Len regularly, Len told her all about Claire.
"Jesus, Claire!" Geoffrey yelled grabbing her off Len. "Settle down, and Len you and Lizbeth better Leave."
"Why us?" Len asked with annoyance.
"Because I said so, dammit, just do it, will you."
"What's the matter, Claire, can't stand the pressure?" Lizbeth smirked.
"I'll show you pressure, you little witch!" Claire ran after Lizbeth with a vengeance. She knocked the woman back against the door then pulled her to the floor. Claire's fists were swinging wildly and she caught Lizbeth several times in the face. She pulled her hair then scratched her face with her nails and by the time the men could pull Claire off, Lizbeth was bleeding.
"You little bitch!" Lizbeth screamed, jumping to her feet.
Lloyd held onto Claire trying his best to keep the girl away from Arnell, but Claire struggled and broke free landing yet another blow to Lizbeth's lip.
"Claire! Settle down." Lloyd said, grabbing her again and holding tighter. Lloyd didn't like seeing the women fight, but he was getting a kick out of seeing Lizbeth get the worst of it. Secretly he wanted to sock her a good one himself.
"I want her out of here, Geoffrey, get her out." Claire shouted, angrier than she'd ever been.
"Len?" Geoffrey said, motioning for him and Lizbeth to leave.
"Come on, Lizbeth, we don't need to be with these scum." he said.
"Scum! Scum? Look who's calling who scum!" Claire shrieked. "You're the scum, Len Banner. You and your sick habits, I hope you drop dead. I hope you get hit by a truck and die!"
"Claire, settle down." Lloyd said, holding the girl tight.
"I won't settle down, how dare he stand there and call me scum, he's the one."
"He called us all scum, Claire, not just you." Lloyd said.
"No he didn't! He called me scum, didn't you, Len, go on, tell the people why." Claire shouted angrily.
"Len, just go, okay." Geoffrey said with anxious worry. He was hoping the subject wouldn't come up. Not here, not now. Not in front of Lloyd anyway. It happened a long time ago and he didn't see the need to dredge up family dirt in front of others.
"Oh, come on, Len, do what she asks." Lizbeth said, with a smirk on her face.
"You're the cause of this in the first place. If you hadn't cut him off the way you did none of this would have happened."
Lloyd didn't know what was going on but he could tell something happened between Len and Claire. He listened to them argue and wondered what it might be. Claire was upset to the point of tears and Len was defensive, but Lizbeth was enjoying it. She thought the whole thing funny.
"I'm asking you as civilly as I can, Len. Take Lizbeth and just go before things get out of hand."
"No, you say it, Len, just say it." Claire shrieked. "Tell us how you came home from Dizzie Lizzie's place that night and she had humiliated you in front of the guys, remember that, Len. Remember how Dizzie Lizzie over there made you feel?"
"Just shut up, Claire." Len said.
"Go on, tell us how she whacked your balls clean off that night, Len, right in front of the guys. She was over here watching poker one night. All the guys were around and big mouth Lizbeth got drunk and made an ass of herself as usual. She went off into the bedroom with Wes, and Len caught them fucking, go on, Len, tell us what she did, tell us how she embarrassed you that night and how you took your frustrations out on me!" Claire cried.
"This is enough!" Geoffrey shouted, forcing Len and Lizbeth out the door. He didn't want this thing to break. Claire had never gotten over Len's actions that night. She still carried tremendous anger toward him for hurting her the way he did. Len became so outraged toward Lizbeth he grabbed Claire and beat her up as his way of getting back at Lizbeth. Len lost control. He forced his baby sister into the bedroom and he stripped her then raped her after everyone had gone. Claire never forgave him even though the next day Len felt remorse for his actions. He was out of control and it was Lizbeth's doings.
"Okay, we're out of here, fine." Len said, grabbing Lizbeth's arm.
"Let go of me!" Lizbeth said angrily. "I don't have to take this shit from her. What you did wasn't my fault and I won't be blamed for it," she snapped.
"Lizbeth, don't you think it's better if you and Len just left?" Lloyd asked.
"You keep out of this, Lloyd Hamilton, this doesn't concern you, and besides, you're balling the baby girl now so you can't say a word about it."
"You make me sick, Lizbeth. I don't know why I put up with you all those months."
"Because you love what I have, Lloyd, why else." Lizbeth smirked.
"You're a witch, Lizbeth Arnell, a sick, twisted witch." Lloyd said with disgust.
"That's it, just go, both of you. I can't have this in my apartment, Len, the landlord will have me evicted. Just take Delilah and get the fuck out, now!"
Len and Lizbeth left and Claire broke into tears. She pulled away from Lloyd and ran into the bedroom and slammed the door. Geoffrey told Lloyd what had happened and he was furious about it.
"How could you let him get away with it, Geoffrey?" Lloyd said.
"What was I supposed to do, I didn't find out until it was over."
"Beat the crap out of him for one thing, that's what I would have done."
"What would that have solved? The damage was done."
"God! How can you speak to him now? How can you let him in your house that way?"
"Hey, he did a terrible thing, but Len's still my brother." Geoffrey said, defending his actions.
"And, Claire is your baby sister, remember?" Lloyd said, the look of utter disgust on his face. He went to the bedroom and knocked on the door. Lloyd wanted to take Claire out of there and never return. He was outraged by what Len had done and he didn't want Claire to suffer anymore.
"Honey, it's me, open up." Lloyd said.
No answer.
"Claire, it's Lloyd, honey, open the door."
Still, no answer.
"Is she all right in there?" Lloyd asked.
"She's all right, she's just pissed off." Geoffrey said.
"Claire, come on now, open up. Let's go home, okay?"
When she didn't answer, Lloyd became worried. He pounded on the door and tried the knob several more times then he kicked the door in, ripping the wood from the hardware. The door flew open and Claire was lying across the bed. She was holding a razor blade in one hand thinking about ending it all when Lloyd came in.
"Give me that!" he shouted, taking the blade away. Lloyd threw the razor blade on the floor then scooped Claire into his arms. He carried her out of Geoffrey's bedroom.
"I'll tell you what, Geoffrey Banner, if I ever see that mother fucker again, I'll personally bust his face. You tell him. You tell Len I said I'll kill his ass if he comes within ten feet of this girl!"
Lloyd carried Claire out to the car then took her home. He drove like a mad man, but they made it back to his place unharmed. When they got there, Lloyd carried her inside and put her in bed. He was in love with Claire Baby. Lloyd realized how much when he saw her attempting to end her own life.
"You stay right there." Lloyd said. "I'm going to make you a nice hot cup of tea, would you like that?"
Claire nodded.
Lloyd ran to the kitchen and made her Toasty Spice then came back to the bedroom and sat with her while she sipped it.
"Look, Claire, I know how you must be hurting, but what Len did wasn't your fault. He had no right to do that to you."
Claire's eyes squinted then closed. She wasn't so sure it was Len's fault. Claire was there. She remembers it too.
"He's a dog, a filthy dog."
"I made him do it, Lloyd. I teased him that night."
Lloyd was quiet for a time. He wasn't sure that made a difference. He knew how she had teased him and he could think back to the feelings she forced him to feel, but Len was her brother. He could have controlled himself.
"Claire, I know what you're saying, but Len had no right. You teased me, did I rape you?"
Claire shook her head. The tears were flowing faster now, she was feeling the pain of her actions too.
"A man has no right to rape a woman no matter what. So, you teased him, so what? Len's a big boy, he should have controlled himself."
"I tried to fight him off, Lloyd." Claire said, crying.
"I know you did, Claire, I know. Don't think about it now, just drink your tea and get some rest. He won't hurt you again, Bonn, I won't let anyone hurt you again. I love you too much for that." Lloyd said, leaning over and kissing her forehead.
"I love you too, Lloyd." Claire answered.
* * *
They slept together until five in the morning when Lloyd woke suddenly. He sat up in bed and looked around the room. Claire was asleep next to him. All was well. He snuggled with the girl, kissing her shoulders and neck and when she awoke, Lloyd was fingering her pussy and preparing to mount her. He wanted to make love with Claire and she let him.
Lloyd got on top of the girl and eased his cock between her warm legs. His eyes looked into hers and he felt such tenderness for her. She was the one woman who could make him happy. He slipped the length of his rod into her slit and moved in and out slowly, forcing it deeper with every move. She moaned for him. She cooed and purred under his body making him feel like a man as he fucked her pussy.
Lloyd climaxed inside Claire's body and she responded to him with her own version of lustful gratification. They feel into each other's arms and were soon back to sleep nestling close to one another like two river reeds in a wind storm.
When morning came, Lloyd woke Claire and they took a shower together. He didn't say much while they dressed for work and Claire didn't say anything. She seemed upset still, but Lloyd figured she needed time.
When they got to work, Claire seemed fine. She went through the paces instructing and carrying on her duties as if nothing had happened, but during lunch she didn't show up back at the office and Lloyd went looking for her. He was worried she might try to harm herself again. He couldn't bare the thought of something happening to his Claire Baby, not now, not after realizing his feelings for her. Lloyd checked all over the building with no success then he looked in the cafe'.
"Have you seen, Claire?" he asked the others.
"No, not lately, why?"
"Just looking for her, that's all. If you do see her will you tell her to go to the office?"
"Sure." the guys said. They could see Lloyd was worried. Everyone knew they were seeing one another. At first, some of the guys were pissed about it, but when they asked themselves what they would have done in the same situation, they understood. If they had met her first they'd be all over Claire Banner, and they knew it.
"Have you seen, Ms. Banner?" Lloyd asked his student.
"Yes, awhile ago."
"Where?"
"She was over by the locker room a few minutes ago." he said.
Lloyd thanked him then started toward the locker room. He couldn't imagine why Claire would be there. The locker room was for the men members. He ran over to the gym then rounded the corner. When Lloyd got close to the locker room he heard noises coming from inside. He stopped outside the door and listened.
"Uuh, uuh, yes, do it." he heard a female voice saying. Lloyd knew it was Claire. He couldn't imagine what was happening and he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
"Harder." she said, and Lloyd felt his heart come up to his throat.
He wanted to barge in and see what was going on, but he couldn't. His body wouldn't move from the sport where he stood. He listened as Claire moaned louder saying things he only thought a woman would say in a bedroom and when she finished, Lloyd felt the blood in his body boiling. "She's in there with a man," he mumbled. "She's fucking with him. I can't believe she would do such a thing, but she's fucking another man in that locker room." he moaned. He couldn't stand it anymore. He had to know.
Lloyd went into the locker room and saw Claire sitting on the bench adjusting her shirt. Cavenaugh Jarmon was sitting next to her, his shirt off, his pants undone. Lloyd didn't like what he was seeing, but he didn't lose composure.
"Claire?" he said with question in his tone.
"Lloyd, what are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here, Claire, this is the men's locker room?"
CHAPTER 8
"Oh, Stop worrying, Len, you are such a creep sometimes. So what if Lloyd knows. He's not God you know, hell, he's nothing. Claire had it coming and you know she did. It wasn't your fault if the little cunt led you on. You gave her exactly what she wanted."
"I don't like it." Len said.
"It's over with, damn, you are so fucking boring, Len. Just drop it. The girl is a devil, she's always been a devil. He'll find out about Claire, you wait and see."
"I still don't like it."
"You piss me off so much. This is why I left you in the first place. You sit around moping all the damn time worrying over things that happened years ago. I get so tired of it, Len, I really do."
Len smirked at Lizbeth. He was pretty tired of her too. He didn't know why he'd gone back with the witch. All she wanted was his money. She didn't care about him or any man. Dizzie Lizzie wanted to use him just the way she used everyone.
"Get the fuck out, Lizbeth." Len said.
"What?"
"You heard me, just get out. I don't want this anymore."
"Give me a break, Len, you can't do without it." Lizbeth said, lifting her skirt and exposing her panties.
"I used to think so too, but I don't think like that anymore, baby. I am sick of the sight of you."
"Len, if you do this to me again, I swear, I'll never come back to you. You throw me out again and I'll make you pay dearly for it."
"I'll take my chances, Lizbeth. Go on, get out. I'm sick of you and your twisted philosophy."
"What are you going to do, Len, make it up to her? You can't you know, and besides, Claire begged you for it, you said so. She's a cock teasing she devil, Len, it wasn't your fault."
"I raped my own sister, Lizbeth!" Len shouted.
"She wanted it."
"No! Claire didn't want it, okay. I was angry. I was trying to get back at you for humiliating me in front of the guys, Lizbeth. You're the pig around here. I lied to you about what happened. Claire fought me like a tiger. She was in tears. She was hurting and I didn't care. I beat and raped my own sister, Lizbeth, and it was your fault. You drove me to it and I won't let you do that to me again."
Len ran to his dresser drawer and pulled his pistol. He pulled back the hammer and cocked the thing, putting it to his head. Lizbeth was frantic. She couldn't imagine he'd do it, not really. She reasoned he was trying to scare her.
"Come on, Len, stop this okay." she asked with a cautious tone.
"I've lived with the nightmares long enough, Lizbeth. I can't stand another one, not one more. I had no right to hurt Claire that way. She's my sister for God sake."
"She's a bitch, Len! A cock teasing bitch who used you. It wasn't your fault, you told me she wanted it, now put the ... "
Len fired the pistol. The bullet flew through the air hitting Lizbeth in the face. She fell to the bedroom floor.
"You've done it now." he said out. Len was smiling. He enjoyed seeing Dizzie Lizzie on the floor, but Len knew he had to finish the job and he turned the gun on himself.
* * *
Claire was being paged when Lloyd found her in the locker room and she excused herself. Lloyd asked to meet her as soon as she was free and Claire agreed. She ran out leaving Lloyd and Eddie alone.
"Hey Lloyd." he said.
"What were you two doing in her, Eddie?" Lloyd asked, his face flush and angry.
"Nothing."
"Don't give me that, I heard the noises. Were you and Ms. Banner getting it on or what?"
"Hey, give me a break." the young tennis player said nervously. "Me and Claire were just talking."
"Claire? You call her Claire?"
"Hey, it's her name, okay."
Lloyd got up and came up to the boy. He stared him in the eye demanding he answer the question, but Eddie held off.
"You better start talking, boy." Lloyd said angrily.
"Come on, man, I can't tell you what was going on, it wouldn't be right."
Lloyd didn't need to hear anymore. He knew by Eddie's answer that he and Claire were having sex together. It pained him to think of it. Claire with a student. Claire with anyone but himself made his stomach turn. She said she loved him.
Lloyd ran out of the locker room and went back to his office. He sat down hard in his chair and cried for a long time, then he jumped up and started clearing out his desk. He was leaving Lake View, there was no other answer. He couldn't stay knowing Claire was making it with the students. He had to get away.
"Lloyd?" Claire said, coming into his office and closing the door. "I just talked to Geoffrey." she said. Her face was pale. Lloyd's was red with rage.
"Geoffrey found them." Claire said with shock.
"Who?" Lloyd asked.
"Len and Lizbeth. They're dead, Lloyd, both of them."
Lloyd felt more and more confused. His emotions over the locker room incident had his stomach in knots, and now this. He didn't know what was going on. Everything was happening too fast.
"What do you mean they're dead?" he asked with a nasty tone.
"Len shot her then himself. Geoffrey is at the morgue now. I have to get down there, Lloyd, will you drive me?"
Lloyd wanted to smack her, not drive her, but his gentle manner took over and he agreed to take her down. He figured there was plenty of time for them to talk about Eddie after they got back. Lloyd and Claire drove to the morgue. Geoffrey met them in the lobby. He looked as pale as Claire.
"I can't believe he did this. Len and Lizbeth, gone. I can't believe he'd do such a thing."
"I know, Geoffrey, I know." she said.
"What happened?" Lloyd asked.
"He shot her then killed himself. I think he couldn't take it anymore, Claire. He was upset over what he'd done to you."
"Oh, God, Geoffrey." Claire said realizing Geoffrey was right.
"Lloyd, take her home for me will you. I have to make the arrangements." Geoffrey asked. Lloyd agreed and they started out of the building.
"Claire?" Stanley said, coming in as they were leaving.
"Stanley? What are you ... Oh, God, Lizbeth." Claire said, realizing.
"Stanley, don't speak to her." Margaret said, tugging at her husband's arm.
"Margaret, leave me alone!" Stanley snapped, pulling his arm away. "Claire, I'm so sorry about your brother." He said.
"Sorry? Stanley, it was her brother who murdered my sister!" Margaret shrieked.
"Lizbeth got what she deserved, Margaret so just shut up!" Stanley shouted. "I knew all about her, Claire. Lizbeth was a terrible person."
"Stanley, I've got to go." Claire said, lowering her face.
"Claire, wait, please. I want you to come back and work with me again."
"Stanley!" Margaret shouted.
"Will you, Claire, will you come back?"
"Stanley, this isn't the time or place, okay. We can talk about this some other time. I've got to get going. Call me later, we'll talk then."
Claire took Lloyd's arm and started out of the building, but Margaret turned around and ran after her grabbing her hair and yanking her backward.
Lloyd tried to get Margaret off Claire, but she was too vicious. Stanley grabbed his wife kicking her until she let go of the girl. Claire was shaken but unhurt.
"You little bitch! This is all your fault." Margaret screamed. "You never liked Lizbeth, you and your brothers never wanted her around. She told me all about you and your brother Len. Lizbeth knew all about you, Claire Baby. She told me how you made him take you. Lizbeth told me everything."
"Shut up!" Claire screamed and Lloyd pulled her out of the building then whisked her off to the car.
"What in hell is going on, Claire?" Lloyd demanded, driving away faster than a race car driver during the big race. "I want to know what's going on here. You better tell me what happened between you and Len. You owe me the truth!"
"Nothing happened." she screamed.
"Don't give me that, something did happen and I demand to know the truth!"
Lloyd was livid. He wanted answers. First the fight at Geoffrey's and then the locker room incident and now this with Margaret Lane. Lloyd wanted some answers and he wanted them now.
"I don't have to take this from you." Claire said, opening the car door and jumping out. Lloyd couldn't catch her in time. Claire jumped out of the car as he was rounding a corner. He slammed on the brakes bringing the car to a stop, but Claire had already fallen out. She was in the road not moving and Lloyd got out and ran back to her.
"Claire, my God, why did you jump?" he said.
"Go away." she said, her voice weak from pain. Blood dripped from Claire's nose and mouth and Lloyd almost fainted seeing her leg bone sticking out of her flesh. He jumped up and shouted for help.
* * *
Lloyd made supper and took it into the living room. The apartment seemed too quiet without Claire and he began to sob. She'd knocked lose three teeth and broke a leg in two places, but she was fine. They had her resting peacefully and planned to release her in the morning. Lloyd wanted to see her, but Claire refused to talk to him. He was heartbroken about everything. He still had no idea what Claire was doing in the locker room with Eddie but he didn't care anymore. He just wanted his girl back safe in his arms.
Len and Lizbeth were gone now. No longer would Claire have to suffer worrying if Len might try raping her again, at least, that's the way Lloyd saw it. He believed Claire was telling the truth about that awful night. He had no choice but to believe. Lloyd loved the girl and wanted to marry her.
Lloyd wasn't expecting company and when his door bell rang he jumped from surprise. They rang it again just as Lloyd opened the door.
"What are you doing here?" he said.
"May I come in?"
"Why, there's nothing we have to talk about." Lloyd said.
"Oh, I think there is." Geoffrey said, stepping past his friend and coming inside. Lloyd was angry with Geoffrey. He didn't like the way Geoffrey treated Claire at the morgue. He blamed her for Len's death and Lloyd yelled at him for it.
"I think you need to hear this, Lloyd." Geoffrey said, sitting down.
"I've heard enough for one day, thanks."
"You need to hear more, Lloyd."
"What are you doing here, Geoffrey? I meant what I said this afternoon. You shouldn't be here."
"Listen to me, Lloyd, there's something you need to understand about Claire."
"I don't want to hear any more about Claire, Okay. I'm tired, Geoffrey, I'm sick to my stomach with this. I know all about Claire Baby. I know she's lied to me. She wasn't a virgin, I know all that."
"That's not all, Lloyd." Geoffrey said, sitting back against the cushions. Lloyd looked at his friend. He wasn't up to it, but it was obvious Geoffrey intended to tell him just the same.
Lloyd wanted everything to run smoothly again. He wanted his sail boat to glide through the water like a knife through warm butter. No more stories about Claire, no more revelations to destroy his fantasy about loving her. Lloyd wanted to wake up and find out it was all a bad dream. The deaths of Len and Lizbeth, the accident with Claire, the locker room. He wanted to wipe it all from his mind and wake to find Claire Baby asleep in his arms.
"Sit down, Lloyd." Geoffrey said. "I know you don't want to hear this, but it's important for you to understand what's taken place here." he said.
"Geoffrey?" Lloyd begged.
"I'm sorry, Lloyd, but you deserve the truth."
"What difference will the truth make now? Will it bring back Len and Lizbeth, will it heal Claire's leg? The truth is I'm tired of all this, Geoffrey. I don't want any more surprises tonight, I can't take any more tonight."
"Len did force himself on Claire, Lloyd. He raped her just like she said." Geoffrey blurted. Lloyd listened. He needed the truth even if he wasn't quite up to it.
"Len used to play poker with the guys every Wednesday night. You knew him, Lloyd. You knew how he was always looking for the easy way. Good old, Len, hoping to strike it rich without working for a living. When we were younger, Claire and Len used to get along. They'd play together and sometimes take showers at the same time. Mom and Dad never knew it. They'd have had a fit if they had known. Hell, for a long time I didn't realize, but then one day I caught them together."
"I don't want to hear this, Geoffrey."
"You have to, Lloyd." Geoffrey said sternly. "I know it's uncomfortable for you. I know how you feel about Claire, but that's why I have to tell you the truth. You're my friend, I care about you. I don't want to see you hurt anymore and if you don't hear the whole truth you will be." Geoffrey said. "Claire and Len were in our bedroom when I caught them. He was holding a wad of money big enough to choke a mule. Len had hundred dollar bills in his hand, about fifteen of them. Claire was tied up on Len's bed. He'd bound her with my mother's stockings. Her wrists were tied tight and she was strapped to the headboard. Her legs were apart and she didn't have a stitch on."
"Geoffrey, please." Lloyd begged.
"Two of Len's friends were holding Claire's legs apart and she was being fucked by some guy I didn't even know, hell, Len didn't know him either!" Geoffrey shouted.
"Please, Geoffrey, don't. I don't want to hear this, okay." Lloyd begged. He got up and paced the room. He felt sick hearing the truth, but Geoffrey continued.
"I didn't know what to do, Lloyd. Len was counting money and poor Claire was being taken by these guys, it was awful. The man wouldn't stop when I told him to get off. He kept humping my little sister. He told Len to get rid of me when I tried pulling him off. I wanted to kill him, Lloyd. I swear to God, if Len hadn't held me I'd have murdered the bastard right on the spot, but Len held me back. He just held me until the man finished with Claire."
"God, Geoffrey, please don't say anymore, I get the picture." Lloyd said.
"No, not quite, Lloyd, I thought the same thing. When the man left, he went out the God damned window, Len let me go. I ran over to Claire and untied her. I pulled her off that bed and was rescuing her from Len and the others, but Claire struck me, Lloyd. She's the one who put this on my face." Geoffrey said, showing Lloyd his scar. It was a long scar to his face running from the corner of his left eye all the way down to his chin. Lloyd had seen it many times before, but he never asked Geoffrey where it came from. He figured it was better to ignore it.
"Claire gouged me, Lloyd. She screamed at me for busting in without permission. She wanted things the way they were. Claire and Len had been doing business for months and Claire was making money hand over fist. She wanted those men to fuck her, Lloyd. She and Len were doing what they wanted to do. It was only when Claire tried to pull out of the business a couple of years later that Len raped her. He'd never touched her before."
Lloyd didn't flinch. He didn't make a sound. He listened to Geoffrey and felt sick. He wanted to forget he'd ever heard it and just wake up to find it all a nightmare.
"Claire was over at my place one night. We were playing poker. Len was there too. He'd invited several guys to join in the game. Hell, I had no idea he'd collected from them already. He'd gotten a hundred a head from them with the stipulation that while the rest of us were laying poker the odd man out would be in the bedroom poking Claire."
"Len was scrounging. He'd managed to find two guys who looked like left over's from a gang fight. He brought them to Claire and told her what she had to do. They paid for head, Lloyd, but Claire refused to do it. She said she wouldn't not suck cocks like theirs and they told Len they wanted their money back. He was pissed."
"So, he raped her, right?"
"Yeah, right. Len had gambling debts and he needed that money from those guys, but when Claire refused he became angry. She tried telling him she wanted out of the business, but Len wouldn't hear of it. Hell, after two years of making close to three grand a week, Len wasn't about to give it up. He beat her, Lloyd. Len beat the crap out of her and then he raped her."
"Where the hell were you when this was going on, Geoffrey? Why didn't you stop him?"
"I couldn't. He had his friend hold a gun to my head while he did it."
"He raped her at your place?" Lloyd asked.
"Yeah, in my living room."
"Where were you?"
"In the living room. I was made to watch the whole thing."
Lloyd sat down. He was shocked and stunned. He couldn't imagine a brother treating his sister that way. Not a sister as sweet as Claire Baby. She was good and pure, he thought.
"She tried to fight him off, Lloyd, but she couldn't. She scratched and clawed at him, but Len kept on until he was finished."
"What happened then?"
"The other guys took her."
"The scuzzy ones?" Lloyd asked making a face.
"Yeah, both of them. They sodomized her."
"What did you do after it was over?" Lloyd wanted to know. He was heartsick by it all.
"Nothing, what could I do?"
"Jesus, Geoffrey, something!" Lloyd yelled.
"Claire wouldn't let me, she said the whole thing was her fault. She knew the risks, Lloyd. Claire wasn't a naive little girl. She'd been fucking guys for two years that way, she knew the score. Len just got angry at her, but Claire said it was her fault. There was nothing I could do."
"I'd have killed him." Lloyd said.
"Claire wouldn't allow it."
"Did she quit after that?" Lloyd wanted to know.
"Sort of."
"What do you mean, sort of, did she or didn't she?"
"She quit charging."
"What, she did it for free after that?"
"Yes, she tried to quit all together, but after so long in having men she couldn't do without it. She took on as many as she could, always teasing them and sending them away, but always giving in eventually. Claire is what Lizbeth said she was, Lloyd. A cock teasing devil. Claire is a whore, man, the worst kind of whore. She takes on as many men as she can get, Lloyd, she loves cock, the girl can't go more than two days without fucking. She likes it, man, she thrives on it."
Lloyd said nothing.
"Do you hear me, man? I'm giving you the truth. The girl is BAAAAAD news, man!"
Lloyd heard.
CHAPTER 9
Lloyd felt like an orange after it came out of the juicer. His emotional well being was like a roller coaster that had gone off track. His mind was racing a mile a minute and he felt like a grist mill grinding out a year's supply of corn in one afternoon. He felt drained and tired, but somewhat relieved in knowing the truth.
Geoffrey finally went home. Lloyd asked him to leave. He couldn't bare having him stay. He needed to be alone with the information. He needed time to think. It wasn't every day the woman he loved turned out to be the sexual toy of half a town and he wanted to digest the information and sort out his feelings. Claire Banner was a cutest, most sensual girl he'd ever made love with and Lloyd was hurt deeply by the truth, but he desperately wanted to hang on to what they seemed to have and he needed time to think to make sure what they did have was worth the bother.
He lay down in his bedroom and listened to the gentle raindrops as they hit against the roof. They were coming down gently. It was getting late and Lloyd's plans for visiting Claire at the hospital were slipping further and further away. He knew she didn't want to see him and maybe that was for the best, but something deep inside his body kept whispering for him to go anyway. If he could just see her he'd know how he felt. If she would just see him he'd be able to sort things through easier.
Lloyd watched the ceiling fan spinning overhead. The whirring of the blades felt soothing to his ear. He wanted so much to look over and see Claire sleeping next to him, but the bed was empty just as it used to be and Lloyd felt the void in his heart. He'd fallen in love with Claire. It was after that he learned the truth and feelings as deep as Lloyd's couldn't be turned on and off like a common kitchen faucet. He wanted to hate her for what she had done with those men, but he couldn't. The more he thought about her the more he missed her.
"Oh, Claire, why?" Lloyd asked out loud. He couldn't understand why she'd lied to him. There was no shame in not being a virgin. There was no humiliation in having sex with other men before him. If she loved him truly, she would have been truthful right from the start. Why did she have to lead him on that way?
Lloyd wondered about it. When he first made love to Claire it was as if she were a virgin. She seemed to be experiencing her first orgasm and her first taste of real love. Lloyd thought about that. He wondered if it wasn't so. She played the part well, he thought, but maybe she wasn't playing. If Claire had never experienced real love making then in a way she was a virgin. Something triggered in his memory that gave him the answer. Claire was, in a sense, a virgin of love. She had never experienced love making, just sex.
Lloyd felt a rush of hope filling his veins. He reasoned that because she had never made love before she was a virgin of sorts and it made him feel good knowing he was the first man she'd actually made love with. He almost went to see her, but memory of Eddie stopped him. He could see Claire in that locker room standing next to him and he could see the boys bare chest and unzipped pants. If she loved him as she claimed then why was she in the locker room fucking another man? Lloyd reasoned he hadn't actually seen them making it, but he remembered what the boy said. What else could it have been, he thought.
Lloyd lay back down and stared at the fan again. He watched the blades going round and round. He tried to focus on one blade and when he managed to follow one the others appeared to be going the other way. He counted the tiny holes in the filigree pattern then found himself trying to count the plaster peaks on the ceiling design. Lloyd felt so alone.
He wanted to turn back the clock and start again. He'd take it back to the night he met Claire then up to the night they made love for the first time. He wouldn't go to Geoffrey's for poker again. If he had it to do over again he would erase all of that. Len and Lizbeth might still be alive then and Claire would be home with him now, lying next to him in his warm bed.
He wondered if Duke Dillon was one of her Johns. Lloyd imagined Claire had teased him just the way she had teased him and Duke got carried away. Lloyd knew he was a gentleman, but he also knew how rare that was. Most men who underwent the sort of teasing Claire gave would have taken it from her no matter what. They wouldn't have excused themselves or given themselves time to cool off. Maybe Duke came over for his piece and Claire had changed her mind and he became angry, or maybe he wasn't trying to rape her after all. Maybe he just caught them in the act. Lloyd thought back to the night. He remembered seeing Duke on top of her that way, his cock about to penetrate, Claire's legs wide. He remembered hearing her call for help.
"That isn't the answer." he said aloud. "If she were just doing it with him the way she did with the others she never would have screamed for help when I knocked at the door."
Lloyd drifted off to sleep. He was worn out. His eyes closed and before he realized it, he was dreaming. The locker room was dark and when Lloyd walked in he saw Claire. She was standing next to the drinking fountain and her dress was up over her face, but Lloyd could still see her eyes. She looked sensually at him, but there was a glint of fear as well, enough to make him believe she didn't want them touching her that way. She was letting all the Tennis players have a feel of her body and Lloyd had to get over to her and stop them from fondling her. He was fighting through heavy fog to get across the room, but the more he struggled, the further away he got.
"Lloyd, help me." she called out, and he struggled more.
"Claire, I'm trying." he shouted, but his voice came out of his mouth in the form of musical notes and the black tailed figures rose up to the ceiling then popped like bubbles.
Lloyd tossed and turned during his dream. He wanted to get to her and save her from them. He gave one hard shove through the fog covered room and broke through winding up at Claire's side and as he took her hand to lead her from the other men she reached up and smirked at him. Her eyes were the color of pink grapefruit and her teeth had low hanging fangs. She tried to bite him, but Lloyd pulled away. Just as he looked at her the second time, Claire struck him leaving a gash in the side of his face. Lloyd woke in a cold sweat.
"Claire, no." he mumbled remembering the nightmare. Lloyd looked at the clock. It was eleven. He had to see Claire. He had to ask if she really loved him.
* * *
When Lloyd got to the hospital it was quiet. No visitors came in after eight and he had to sneak quietly to her room. The nurses at the nursing station were busy and he managed to sneak by without being noticed. He stepped down the hall toward Claire's room, but as he got closer he noticed the light still on. She was awake and there were voices coming from her room.
"In the morning."
"Okay, can you pick me up then, I don't think they'll let me drive."
"Sure Claire, I'll be here."
Lloyd tried to make out the man's voice, but he didn't recognize it. He wanted to know who would visit her this late. He was jealous all over again.
"I'd better be going, Claire, if they catch me they'll get angry."
"Okay." she said.
Lloyd slipped behind the water fountain and ducked down pretending to tie his sneaker. He didn't want the man to notice him. When the man came out, Lloyd took a look. It was Stanley Lane. He couldn't imagine why Stanley was there after eleven. Lloyd went to Claire's door. The light was off now. She must have just turned it out after Stanley left and was planning to go to sleep. He stepped in and softly called her name.
"Claire." he said in a whisper. "Claire, are you still awake?"
"Who is that?" she asked, turning on the light. She saw Lloyd and was happy to see him.
"What are you doing here, it's late." she asked.
"I had to see you, I had to."
"Did the nurses see you?"
"No."
"Close the door, Lloyd."
He did. Lloyd could tell Claire was glad he came. She looked surprised, but happy. He wanted to talk with her and tell her he knew and that it didn't matter.
"I've been thinking about you tonight." she said.
"Me too, about you, I mean."
"Lloyd, I'm sorry about before."
"That's okay, Claire, I understand. You were upset."
"It's more than that, Lloyd."
Claire began to sob. She wanted to hug him and tell him how she really felt. She outstretched her arms and he came to her.
"Oh, Claire, don't cry, I still love you, I do, I always will."
"I've been so bad." she sobbed.
"Forget it, it's in the past." he said.
"You don't know ... "
"I do, I know everything, Geoffrey told me, it's okay." Lloyd said. He knew for the first time that everything was, in fact, okay. It didn't matter to him what her past was like, it only mattered that they were together. He loved Claire and that was the only fact he wanted to deal with.
"But I lied to you, Lloyd, I've done it with so many different men." she said.
"Claire, don't think about it, okay."
"How can you say that, Lloyd, I've slept with scum, I've balled my own brother?"
"Let's forget it now, we'll worry about it later. I just want to hold you, Claire. I just want to feel you in my arms again."
* * *
Claire came home from the hospital the next morning. Stanley was there to pick her up, but Lloyd was there too. The two men spoke civilly to one another. Stanley wanted Claire to return to work at the club and she promised to as soon as her leg healed. Lloyd didn't like the idea, but he figured Claire was free to do as she pleased, and besides, having her away from Lake View West might remove temptation.
Margaret left Stanley after Lizbeth's death. She just ran off leaving him a note. Stanley couldn't have been happier. He wanted Claire back at the office. Stanley had plans for Claire.
Lloyd took her home to his place and moved her things in the next day. They talked it over and decided to give it a try. Lloyd wanted to be close to Claire and she wanted to be near him too. He watched over her for the first few days. Claire was able to get around, but not without pain. She had crutches, but her tiny frame had difficulty maneuvering around the apartment. She was able to make lunch for herself, but when Lloyd came home he prepared supper and they spent evenings together watching TV, talking and laughing.
"Lloyd, how do you feel about me going back to East Lake View?" she asked when he came in with supper.
"What I feel isn't the issue, Bonn. You have to do what you have to do."
"Stanley wants me back."
"Yeah, I know." he said, with frustration in his tone.
"I swear, Lloyd, I won't let anything happen between Stanley and me. I never did it with him." she said.
"Please, Claire, I don't need a run down here, just go back to work and we'll forget any of this happened."
"We can't ignore it, Lloyd."
"Why not?"
"Because, that's why. It happened, I lied to you. We can't just sweep it under the rug and pretend none of it took place. That's no way to start a future together."
"On the contrary, Claire, I think it's the only way." Lloyd said, sitting on the edge of the bed. He didn't want to drag up the ugly past for either of them. To Lloyd's way of thinking the past was the past and no amount of remembering seemed healthy. "I think we should begin our relationship from this day forward, Claire."
"But, I lied to you."
"So, you lied, so what. That was then, this is now."
"How can you be sure I won't do it again?" she asked.
Lloyd looked at her with concern. What was she trying to say? Did she plan to lie to him? Was she planning to make it with the guys at Lake View East after all, including Stanley?
"I don't follow you, Claire."
"Nothing, forget it."
"Yes, let's okay. Just get well and forget what's gone before us. We can start fresh and if we trust each other and remain honest our relationship will be a god one."
Claire ate in silence. She didn't want to talk about it anymore and Lloyd didn't either. He felt uneasy about what she implied though. Claire as much as admitted she couldn't be trusted.
The next day Lloyd went off to work and worried about Claire all day. What did she mean last night, he kept asking himself. Did she plan to make it with men again or was she really going to try and be faithful to him and him alone.
Lloyd tried to forget about it, but the harder he tried, the more impossible it became. He went home early telling his boss he was coming down with the flu. Lloyd wanted to have a long talk with Claire. He wanted to settle things once and for all. When he arrived home, Claire was gone. Her crutches were gone too, but there was no note. Lloyd checked the closet for her things. He felt better seeing her clothes still in the apartment, at least she hadn't run off the way Stanley's wife had. "Stanley." Lloyd said.
Lloyd rushed out to his car and drove toward the club. He knew Claire had gone to see Stanley. Why else was he in her hospital room? He came to tell her how he felt about her. Lloyd figured the only reason Stanley wanted her back was so he could make it with her in the office. Lloyd was jealous of Stanley. It was a feeling he'd carried around for a long time. Stanley and his mother had an affair once and Lloyd felt it was Stanley Lane's fault his parents broke up. He'd hated the man since then and he wasn't about to lose his girl to the man too.
Lloyd sped on toward the club wondering how he might approach Claire. He didn't want to come off too jealous, but he didn't want her walking all over him either, the way Lizbeth had. It was time to toughen up, Lloyd thought. No more could he be the patsy for these women. He had to lay down the law and be a man.
When he got there all was quiet. He saw Randall over by the lockers and he went over to talk with him. Claire's car was in the lot and before he barged in he wanted to ask the guys if she'd mentioned why she'd come by.
"Hey, you must be Lloyd?" Randall said, shaking his hand.
"That's right, how'd you know."
"Claire told me about you. She described you to me. I was dating Claire before she met you."
"Oh, right, she talked about you. Claire really likes you."
"Yeah." Randall laughed. "Not enough though."
"She break your heart?"
"You might say that."
"Have you seen her, Randall?"
"Yeah, she's in with Stanley. Claire is laying down the law to him about what she expects around here, she's a real tiger that one. Stanley will give her whatever she wants, I'm sure. He's been miserable since she left."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, moping around, he's been a real pill. I'm glad Claire will be working here again, I can use the rest. She sure did a lot here."
"She's a pretty bright kid, I'll say that."
"Hey, would you give me a hand with this fence over here, Lloyd. One of the boys broke it last week and I've been trying to get it fixed since. I need you to lift this post for me while I pull out the wire, okay."
"Sure." Lloyd said.
He helped Randall with the fence post and together they managed to fix it so the members wouldn't accidentally cut themselves. Lloyd liked Randall. He could tell Randall was one Claire didn't sleep with because if she had he wouldn't be so hungry for her.
After they got through, Lloyd said he was going over to the main building to find, Claire and Randall said he'd come along. He needed to reschedule Ronnie's hours and the sheet was on the board outside Stanley's office.
"If we're lucky we'll be able to hear Claire setting him straight. She's a real pistol, that one. She's the only employee we've ever had around here willing to speak up to Stanley. He's a dick most of the time, but Claire just tells him where to go. I like Claire. She's got guts."
"I like her too, Randall, as a matter of fact, you're the first to know this, but I hope to ask Claire to be my wife."
Randall was stunned for a second or two. He was happy for Claire, sure, but he secretly hoped now that she was coming back they might get together again. He was in love with her too.
"Oh, that's great." Randall said, halfheartedly.
"Sorry, I should have realized." Lloyd said, seeing the hurt in Randall's eyes.
"No, it's okay, Lloyd. If Claire is happy then I'm happy for her. I'll miss her, sure, but she couldn't ask for a nicer guy."
"I appreciate that, Randall, I really do." Lloyd said.
Lloyd felt pride in having the reputation he had. It was something he worked at and something he wanted others to admire. Most of the men he knew were animals when it came to the ladies. They would use the girls and treat them disrespectfully, but Lloyd held them in high esteem.
His father was that way too. His dad was a gentleman and treated his mother with respect. It was Stanley Lane who broke them up. He went after Lloyd's mother with a lust so strong she couldn't resist. Lloyd's mother was a lot like Claire. She loved to flirt. She, too, was a virgin when she married and Lloyd figured it was too much for the woman having only known one man in her life.
"You know, Randall, I really love Claire."
"Yeah, I can understand the way you feel. She's always been special to me too. Hey, I can't complain though. Claire went out with me for awhile. I never expected that much from her if you want to know the truth. I'm not the best looking guy in the world. She's a real beautiful lady, Lloyd. I've never been out with a girl as pretty as Claire. Most of the girls I see are hags. It made me feel important to date Claire Banner."
"There's nothing wrong with you, pal, you're a good guy. I know, because some of my friends are the worst. You seem to me like one of the best."
"Yeah, well, I might seem like a nice guy, Lloyd, and I guess I am, but when you have a face like mine it doesn't matter how nice you are. The girls laugh and they won't go out with you. When you have a mug like mine it's a pretty lonely life."
"She really means a lot to you, doesn't she?" Lloyd asked.
"Hhmmm." Randall sighed.
"I'm really sorry, Randall. I know how you feel."
"Yeah sure, look at your ugly mug." Randall said sarcastically. "Hell, I'll bet you have the broads coming to you. Lloyd. Nice looking guys get all the women, that's just the way it is. Hey, it isn't so bad. I'll get to see her at work and we'll always be friends. I can live with that, Lloyd, and besides, I feel good knowing Claire will be taken care of. She deserves a man like you."
CHAPTER 10
"Claire, what are you doing here?" Stanley asked.
"We have to talk." she said.
Stanley helped her to a chair and he closed his door then had a seat behind his desk.
"It's good to see you up and around again, how are you getting along?"
"Good, Stanley. Lloyd is taking real good care of me." she said.
"He's a nice man, Claire. Lizbeth treated him poorly, I know that. Lloyd took a lot of crap off her. I guess he's told you about it though? It's so good to see you back here, Claire. I've really missed you."
"Cut the crap, Stanley." Claire snapped. She rested her crutches against the chair and told him to get her a coke.
"I want a classic, Stanley, get me one and get yourself a soda if you like." she said handing him some change.
"I'll buy you a coke, Claire." Stanley smiled.
"I'd rather pay for it myself, okay, just get it and get back here."
Stanley did what she asked and when he came back to the room he asked why she seemed angry. He couldn't imagine what was wrong. She was getting her job back along with a healthy raise and now that Margaret was out of the picture he'd be free to spend time with her and Stanley thought that's what Claire had wanted all along.
"What's bothering you, Claire?" he asked.
"Plenty, Stanley."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, oh." she said before taking a gulp of coke. "I want to get a few things clear before I come back to work here, Stanley. You'd better get out some paper because we've got lot's to do."
"Claire, everything will be as it was, why do we need paper?" he said, shaking his head with curiosity.
"Fine," Claire said, making an effort to stand up. "Where are you going?"
"Stanley. If things stay the way they were around here I may as well leave now, because there is no way I'm coming back to work at this place if things aren't going to change." she said.
"Claire?"
"Stanley!"
"Wait," he said, standing up and coming around to get her to sit down. "Let me hear you out, Claire. I'm sure we can make some adjustments."
"You'll have to do better than that, Stanley. Mere adjustments aren't what I'm looking for. Try reform, Stanley, this place is a fucking zoo and I won't be sucked back here unless some things change, and I don't mean adjustments, I'm talking changes."
"Okay, okay, calm down, damn, we can talk."
Claire decided to give him the opportunity. She sat down again then rested the crutches to the chair and took another sip of soda.
"Now, what's this all about?" Stanley asked.
"This, Stanley, is about you and me." Claire said sternly. "I want a few things understood before I agree to work here again."
Stanley shrugged his shoulders. He was willing to listen.
"First of all, I expect a raise." she said.
"We agreed on that, Claire. I told you in the hospital you'd be getting one."
"I want it now, Stanley. I expect to be reinstated here with no interruption of benefits and I also expect my medical benefits to pay the bills for this broken leg of mine"
"Claire, I can't."
"Yes you can, Stanley. You just tell them it was a clerical error. You tell the department head there was a mistake and I never left. I want my back pay and these bills paid for." she snapped.
"All right, Claire, I'll see what I can do." he said.
"No, Stanley, you will do!"
"Claire, you're being unreasonable."
"Stanley, you did it for Wesley Mann last summer remember that?" Claire yelled.
"Oh, right." he said. "Okay, consider it done, was that it?"
"Not by a long shot, Stanley, you'd better get out the paper now. We'll be here a long time."
Claire proceeded to go down her list of the changes she was demanding before coming back to work. They covered everything from the way applicants were screened for employment to repairing the employee's shower facilities and when Stanley heard the entire list he shook his head and broke out in a laugh.
"You are one hard cookie, Claire Banner, but these things will be taken care of, you have my word."
"That's what I've always liked about you, Stanley Lane. You're so fucking cooperative." Claire said sarcastically.
"I try, Claire."
"Stanley, what is the matter with you anyway. You look strange today. Are you feeling all right?"
"Fine, sure."
"Have you heard from Margaret?"
"No," Stanley smiled. "I don't expect to either. She's left me, Claire and I'm a happy man now. Margaret was a burden, Claire. She never understood me the whole time we were together. I hated her for making me fire you. I've never felt good about my relationship with that woman, but hell, she's gone now, out of the picture, we don't have to worry about Margaret anymore. She's gone, Claire, it's just me and you now." he said. Stanley got out of his chair and came around to the front of his desk. He sat in front of Claire looking her up and down with his eyes. Stanley figured for all his trouble he'd be getting just about anything he wanted from her out of gratitude and he couldn't hardly wait to get started.
Claire could tell something was wrong. He was acting strangely.
"Stanley?" she said.
"What?"
"Are you okay?"
"Now."
He put his knee close to her leg and let his bare skin rub over hers. Stanley wanted to feel the smoothness of her feminine body next to his for the first time. Since Margaret left him he hadn't been able to think of anything else.
"There's more, Stanley." Claire said, rubbing her leg to his in return.
"I figured there would be." he smiled sensually.
"I expect you to keep your cock inside your shorts at all times and I expect you to treat me like your sister, Stanley. Like the little girl you always wanted to have but Margaret was too damn cold to give you."
"What?" Stanley said, taking his knee from her leg.
"You heard me, no hanky panky between you and me," she said.
"Claire, Claire, Claire." Stanley laughed. "You don't seem to understand. Margaret is gone now. There's no more wife in the picture. I know I seemed shy before, you know how it was. Margaret isn't here anymore so I can relax with you, Claire. I asked you back so you and me could, well, you know ... " Stanley said with a grin.
"No, what, Stanley, say it?"
"You know, Claire."
"Say it, Stanley, fuck, isn't that what you mean?"
"Yeah."
Claire laughed out loud. She had no intention of humping Stanley Lane before or after she lost her job. He wasn't her type and besides, Lloyd and she had an agreement. She wasn't going to sleep around anymore. From now on she was going to be faithful and love only Lloyd.
"Stanley, you are a riot." she said.
"What's so funny, Claire?" he asked, his ego feeling bruised.
"You don't really think I'd do it with you, do you?"
"Why not, what's wrong with the idea?" he asked.
Claire hung her head and fought back a laugh. Stanley was a card. He was the only man stupid enough to believe he had what every girl wanted and Claire found it laughable.
"Stanley, you're a geek, do you know what that is?" she asked.
"No, I don't think so, what is it?"
"A geek is a guy who's personality screams boring. A geek is a guy who dresses like a dork, walks like a spaz, has breath like a dog and an ego big enough to fill Grand Canyon. You are a geek, Stanley Lane, and with or without Margaret, the answer is no, I wouldn't fool around with you if you were the last man on earth."
Stanley got up from his chair and grabbed Claire's crutches away.
