A Lifetime of Adventures

A Lifetime of Adventures - Ch. 04

By Ghostwalker

(With input by

TheIrishLass)

"

I can't believe it,

" I told myself as I watched my friends moving the few things I owned into Naomi's apartment, or rather OUR apartment. She and I had met just a few weeks before when her younger sister, Jennifer, aka Jen, had backed out of a weekend get-away with me and asked Naomi to take her place. One thing had led to another, and another, and WHAM here I was.

"Hey, Dan. Does Naomi have any girlfriends that might be interested in a bunch of nerds like us?" one of my friends asked.

"

It's no wonder they'd ask,

" I though to myself.

At 32 years old, Naomi was six years older than me and FAR more experienced in 'worldly' things. Though only 5-foot, 9-inches tall, in stocking feet, she seemed to tower over everyone as she directed us where to take each item as we brought it into the apartment.

Her raven-black hair was tied back into a ponytail that hung down to the crease just above her beautifully curved ass and seemed to shimmer with blue streaks when the sun reflected off of it.

At the same time, her blue-green eyes sparkled when she got excited, like now, and her tanned skin was the color of light honey without the slightest hint of any tan lines. All of which were part of a 36D-28-37-inch figure mounted on top of long, toned legs.

"You'd have to ask her," I yelled back.

"WELL?" my friend, Frank, called out loud enough for Naomi to hear.

She glanced at me and I shrugged. "Actually, I do have one or two girlfriends who might be interested," she replied as she looked at several of her friends that were also here to help.

A few of them giggled, while a few others blushed, and one even gave my friend, Frank, the 'once over' before smiling at Naomi and giving a slight nod.

After our friends had left, she and I moved a few things around to make more space and headed to a trendy furniture store to pick-up a dresser and a few other pieces of furniture that I'd need.

"You really did live like a vagabond," she murmured as we looked at a 5-drawer dresser.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think I've ever seen an apartment furnished like yours was," she chuckled.

"Hey!! It lasted me almost 4 years."

"I know, sweetie, but a dresser, if that's what you wanna call it, made boxes stacked on their side, a bed made with bricks for legs and a piece of plywood as the support for your mattress..."

"At least it was a good mattress," I replied half-heartedly.

She raised her eyebrow, questioningly. "If you say so... and chairs made of overturned milk crates?"

I shrugged. "Told ya I was a poor student."

"Luckily, I didn't fall in love with you for your money," she snickered as she lightly brushed her fingertips across the front on my pants.

As my body began to respond to her touch my mind reeled off in a totally different direction. "

Love.

" The word still made me feel giddy every time I heard her say it. "

How could a guy like me get a woman as beautiful, mature, and intelligent as her... who also happened to be a multi-millionairess?

" I asked myself over and over.

"Earth to Dan... Hellooooooo."

"Wha...? I'm sorry, just day dreaming."

"Hopefully, about me."

"Well, to be honest..." I started to say, only to be interrupted by her cellphone ringing.

"Hello?... Hey, girl. What's up?... Yeah, I remember her... she wants what?... When?... You've gotta be kidding... There's no wa... She's willing to pay HOW much?... Hold on... let me see."

I stood there listening to the one-sided conversation, until she placed her hand over the mouth piece while looking at me.

"Sweetheart, something REALLY important just came up. Is there any way you can make arrangements to have this stuff delivered to our apartment?"

The word OUR still made me shiver. "I guess so. Is everything okay?"

She returned to the phone without answering me. "Yeah, Steph. I can start working on it in... mmmmm..." she paused to look at her watch. "Say, half an hour. I can probably have a rough-draft done by tomorrow and then we can show the design to her on Monday morning. That will still give the dressmaker a week to get everything done in time for the event."

Now that I understood what was going on, I leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek, before whispering, "Take the car. I'll grab a bus and meet you at home."

She smiled, blew me a kiss, and headed for the exit faster than I though possible.

I made the arrangements needed and decided to walk back to the apartment instead of taking the bus since it was such a warm, sunny day. When I got there, forty-five minutes later, it was quiet as a church. I tip-toed down the hallway to her work room and slowly opened the door only to be met by a barrage of wadded paper being thrown at me followed by, "Out, out, out!"

So I spent the rest of the day rearranging things in the apartment as we'd agreed and then made a dinner of baked salmon, seared asparagus, pasta, and a small bottle of white wine. She joined me just long enough to wolf down the food and disappear back into her office. That night, I slept alone and I barely saw her the next day, though I did hear her yelling and throwing things around in her room more than once.

It wasn't until almost 10 o'clock that night that she finally came out of her 'dungeon' as she liked to call it. I couldn't help but laugh.

Her hair was tied back by a bandanna, and she was wearing an old, powder-blue, scrub top. Her legs were bare and she had on a pair of old, scruffy, 'bunny-rabbit' slippers. But what made me laugh was the different colors of designer's chalk streaked across her face.

"What's so funny?" she asked, placing her hands of her hips.

"Come here," I said, as I took a wash cloth and moistened it.

"What's that for?"

I answered by gently wiping the wash cloth across her cheek. "Here," I replied holding it up for her to see all the different colors and hues covering it.

"Ohmigod," she yelped, as she spun around and bounded up the stairs, her bare ass exposed with every step.

About 30 minutes later, she came back downstairs. It was obvious she's taken a shower since she was now dressed in a pair of straight-leg jeans and a white blouse that she'd tied under her breasts.

"Not so funny now, am I?"

"You're absolutely gorgeous."

"Still a flatterer."

"I try my best, ma'am," I replied in my best Southern gentleman accent.

"Well, I do declare," she replied in an equally fake Southern belle tone.

We started laughing as she slid into my outstretched arms.

"I found something out last night," I whispered into her ear.

"What's that?"

"I don't like sleeping alone, anymore."

"Mmmmmm... I like the sound of that."

I pulled her tighter, feeling her breasts pressing against my chest.

"You keep doing that and I'm gonna have a problem," she said, softly.

"Why's that?"

"I'm absolutely exhausted and would like nothing more than to go upstairs and climb in bed with you BUT I still have about an hour's work to do on the final draft of the dress design I'm working on."

"Ahhhhh," I replied. "Well, at least sit down and have something to eat."

"That sounds fantastic! I'm famished."

I held her chair for her as she took a seat. "You know you're spoiling me."

"You're already spoiled," I teased.

"Okay, okay. In that case, you're spoiling me even more."

I nodded my head as I went into the kitchen. Sauteed pork tender loin with parsley, twice-baked potato with chive and sour cream, along with fresh, garden-grown, carrots quickly filled the plates.

"Ohhhhh, that looks good," she said as I set a plate down in front of her.

I sat down, opposite her, and watched, amazed at how refined and 'lady-like' she could look, as she cleared her plate in minutes. "Want some more?"

"This is delicious," she mumbled between bites.

"Here," I said as I pushed my plate across the table to her.

"Aren't you gonna eat?" she asked, an almost pained look in her eyes.

"I probably shouldn't," I said as I patted my stomach. "You know us students. One meal a week is all we can usually eat. Anything more than that and we blow-up like a balloon."

"Seriously?"

"Nah, but I'm fine. If I get hungry I can throw a snack plate together after you go back to work. Right now, I just wanna spend time with you."

"What did I do to deserve you?" she asked as she continued to devour the food.

"Probably the same thing I did to deserve you."

"God, I love you," she sighed as she got up and placed a well-aimed kiss on my lips before scurrying off towards her office. "I'll try to be done by midnight," she called out just before she closed the door.

Midnight came, and went and then twelve-thirty, and then one o'clock before I turned off the light and rolled over. When I woke up the next morning, I could smell the delicate fragrance of her perfume and the spot next to me was still slightly warm so I knew she'd been there, even if for just a little while. When I got up, I found her sitting on the balcony, sipping a cup of coffee.

It was lucky that no one else could see onto the balcony because all she was wearing was a bathrobe that was untied and drawn back to give her body the advantage of the first rays of the morning sun.

"Morning, handsome."

"Morning," I muttered.

"I guess I'm in trouble."

"Not really. Just getting used to things."

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I said midnight but by time I looked up at the clock it was almost two-thirty."

"Hey, it's a growing process for both of us."

"I agree."

I hesitated before continuing. "Listen, Naomi..."

"Uh oh. The only time you call me by my name is when you've got something serious to talk about."

"Yeahhh... well... I... ahhh... I've just been thinking about what I want to do after graduation. I know the one thing I DON'T wanna do is rely on you for money. I've worked hard for my degree and don't want anybody ever saying I'm your 'boy toy'".

"Okay," she said, a glimmer of pride in her voice. "So what do you wanna do?"

"Well, I've sent over 50 resumes to different companies but with the economy as it is I don't know when I might hear back. In the mean time, I'll take any job I can get... even if it means flipping 'burgers."

She got up and moved so she was sitting on the lounge by my side. "Well, I have an idea that might help."

I opened my mouth but she put her finger to my lips.

"Let me explain it to you before you say anything."

I sat there waiting.

"I have a lot of different friends who are in similar situations as you. They're more than qualified for a job but for one reason or another they never get the offer, much less the actual job."

"Yeah...?"

"So, how about if we start our own company? I know people who are qualified in management, sales, clothing design, manufacturing, shipping, finance, record keeping, my friend, Steph, has contacts with women who want, and can afford, one-of-a-kind clothing, and you have your knowledge of advertising and marketing I even have an 'acquaintance' who's a manager at one of the better clothing shops in town. When he and I were 'seeing' each other he offered to put some of my clothes on display to help me out, if I wanted."

"You're crazy," I replied, though I was intrigued by the idea.

"Think about it. Right now, I have to get ready to show my design to my client and then, if she likes it, it's off to the seamstress so we can get the gown made before the weekend."

"You're sure putting a lot of hours into this project."

"Yep, but the paycheck will be worth it."

"Mind if I ask?"

"Mmmmmmm, somewhere around ten-thousand," she replied nonchalantly.

I sat there with my mouth hanging open, amazed by what she'd just said.

"Close your mouth, darling. Remember the old saying about catching flies," she laughed as she left the balcony.

I followed soon afterwards, and after a quick shower and shave, I was out the door heading for my morning lecture. The day slid by like most other's before it but in the back of my mind I kept thinking about what she'd said. "

Hmmmmm... our own company... With things as they are there are plenty of risks... but the benefits of starting now are just as good. What to do? What to do?

" I pondered. Not that it really mattered since fate had already decided for me.

The moment I walked into the apartment I was meant with... "SURPRISE!!" as handful's of money flew into the air.

"What...?"

"FIFTEEN!!"

"Fifteen what?"

"Fifteen thousand dollars!!"

"WHAT?"

"Yep. My client was so pleased with the design and the fact that I could get it done in time for the event she's hosting she paid me a bonus!!!"

I wrapped her in my arms and spun her around and around, congratulating her, before telling her what I'd been thinking about all day. "You know, I think you're right. We need to start our own business. With your skills and my education we should be able to make a go of it!" And so the decision was made.

She had never been one to let a good idea pass her by, so while I continued my studies she contacted a lawyer and had the paperwork written up for "

UNIQUE DESIGNERS, LLC.

" The company was described as a manufacturer of custom-designed woman's clothing specializing in casual-wear, office-wear, elegant apparel, and intimates.

She was also true to her word about the staff as I was to find out a few days later.

"Dan? Can you come here for a minute?"

"Be right there," I replied as I put down the book I'd been studying and exited the 'guest bedroom' that had now become my study.

"I'd like you to meet Tony," she said as she indicated the older woman I'd seen at 'Timothy's' restaurant.

I looked puzzled for a second as she held out her hand. "Antonia, to be precise, but my friends call me Tony."

"Pleased to meet you," I said, still not sure what was going on.

"I've asked Tony to be our company manager."

"Okay," I replied hesitantly. "So, I guess the next question I need to ask is why?"

"She...," Naomi began and then faltered. "Why don't you tell him."

Tony looked at Naomi and then at me. "Well, I have two degrees; one in business and the other in finance. And I've run a very successful business for the last 20 years but now I'm looking for a new challenge."

"What kind of business, if you don't mind me asking."

Once again Tony looked at Naomi before answering. "I understand that Naomi has shared all her secrets from her past..."

"Yeah."

"In that case... I ran the escort service that Naomi worked for."

"So you were her..." I stuttered looking for the politically correct word.

"I believe the word you're looking for is 'madam' and yes I was."

I stared at Naomi, looking for some kind of explanation.

"This is what I was taking about. I know over a dozen women who are highly qualified for jobs in their respective fields but can't get a job because of their past."

I stared at her for a few moments and saw how committed she to what she was doing, so I looked at Tony and stretched out my hand. "Welcome to the company."

And so for the next two weeks, I was introduced to Kimberly, Gretchen, Louise, Jessie, Stephanie (Steph), and a multitude of other women who were far more qualified than even some of the Ph. D.'s I knew.

And the whole time one of the most important days of my life grew closer and closer until suddenly it was here... Graduation Day.

That morning, I dressed in the traditional graduation cap and gown and then caught a ride with my friend, Frank, while Naomi picked up her friend, Jessie. When we arrived, Frank and I were directed to our seats while Naomi and Jessie sat in the visitors section.

Naomi was dressed in a royal blue, short-sleeve blazer, with a white blouse, a matching royal-blue skirt and dark blue high heels while Jessie was dressed in a silver-gray design of Naomi's. Needless to say, the duo drew the attention of almost every young man in the graduating class, especially those associated with the Athletics Department.

"Damnnnn. Look at the hotties in the visitors section." One of the men in front of me muttered.

"Yeah, I'd love to help them with some some personal training," the man next to him snickered, lewdly.

"You're not their type," I leaned forward and whispered.

"How would someone like you know?" the first man asked, sarcastically.

"Because they're here with me," I said, beaming with pride.

"Bullshit," the second young man sneered.

"I'll prove it."

"Yeah, how?"

"Just hang around after the ceremony. You'll see."

And so, one-by-one, each of us crossed the stage, receiving our diploma or degree.

When the ceremony was finally over, the two young men stood off to the side watching as the women came down from the stands. Naomi instantly wrapped her arms around my neck while Jessie fell into Frank's arms.

"Congratulations, sweetheart," Naomi said as her lips met mine.

"Fuckin A!!" I heard one of the men mutter.

Naomi overheard him too and pulled away, slightly. "I'm sorry. Is there a problem?"

"Ummm, no ma'am," one of them replied. "Just commenting about how some guys get all the luck."

"Actually, I'M the one who's lucky," she said, in a low, sensuous tone, as she pressed her lips back to mine.

Silently, the duo shuffled away.

"What was that all about?" Naomi asked when she stepped from my arms.

"Just proving that beautiful woman can be attracted to someone other than a jock."

She continued to look at me questioning until I looped her arm in mine and we headed to the parking lot for the trip home. In the mean time, Frank and Jessie disappeared into the crowd, not to be seen nor heard from for almost two weeks. (But that story's for another time).

"So what do you wanna do to celebrate your graduation?" she asked, once we were both seated in the car.

"Well, for one thing, I wanna get out of this 'monkey suit'," I groaned as I indicated my graduation gown. "Then I was thinking of a nice quiet day together. We can drive out to the beach, maybe dinner. I dunno, just so it doesn't include studying or the business.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for us and an hour later we were sitting on the living room couch watching lightning bolts flash across the sky. Naomi was snuggled up against me dressed in an old white dress shirt of mine, a pair of white panties, and, as crazy as it might sound, her dark blue heels. True to my word, I'd gotten out of my graduation gown the moment I'd gotten home and was sitting there dressed in a pair of dockers and a t-shirt.

"WOW!! That one lit up the whole sky," she said softly after a huge lightning bolt flashed through the air.

"Just so long as they're out there and we're in here," I chuckled.

"What? You a afraid of a little old storm?" she teased.

"Naw. I just happen to respect Mother Nature. She's a lot bigger and been around a lot longer than me and I've seen what she can do when I've gone backpacking."

"

BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM

," the sound from the thunder echoed in the room followed by darkness as all the lights went out.

"Eeeiikkkk," she yelped.

"So who's afraid of a storm now?" I chided.

"Okay, I admit it. I love to watch storms but they scare the shit out of me!" she said as she took my arm and looped it over her shoulder, protectively.

We sat there, wordlessly, watching the storm glide over the city until she slowly pulled away.

"I need to get these off," she said as she kicked her high-heels off and tucked her legs up on the couch. "I've only worn them a few times and they're killing my feet."

"So why'd you keep them on so long?"

"Gotta break them in somehow," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.