Note: tags are for the book and not individual chapters.
Warning: For those of you that started with chapter 01, you should go back and read the prologue. It won't affect the read of most of the book but it is the only way you will understand the ending. I highly recommend you take the time.
Guardian Program : Chapter 03
A novel by R.C.PeterGabriel : All rights reserved.
'Julie Thornton' awaited me just inside the airplane with a slight glint in her eye and a smile that was full-on TV hostess. I smiled in return and was forced to brush past her as she motioned me onward, but didn't get quite out of the way. Again, the hatch was sealed as we sat and in only a few moments the engines started to spool up and we began to taxi out of the hangar.
Julie/Sam sat across from me in the same pose as before and commented, "I'll see to your needs as soon as we reach altitude, Mr. Smith."
"You look as if you have a secret, Miss Thornton."
Her left eyebrow lifted only slightly, "Why Mr. Smith, I have no secrets at all, I'm here simply to see to your comforts on this flight, but Sam has several," she responded with a light chuckle.
Her good humor was infectious. "Ah, in that case, Julie, may I speak with Sam? I'd like to inquire as to the nature of her secrets."
"I'm not quite sure if you have the necessary clearance to know my secrets," Sam replied. "However, I'll make you a wager. Are you a betting man Mr. Smith?"
"I don't gamble for money if that answers your question, but I've been known to wager on other things, from time to time that is."
"Excellent, I'll challenge you. When Julie returns," we both grinned at the situation, "if you order breakfast, she will make it to order in less than four minutes.
When she does, I Sam, get to ask you any question I like that does not violate what you would consider a security risk. You must answer truthfully until the end of the flight. Deal?" she asked while holding out her hand for me to shake.
"Well Sam, that's not much of a bet, I gain nothing in return. I'll agree only on the condition that the questions Sam asks me are not answered in front of Julie, and I get to ask either of you a question for each of yours. Assuming you win that is. If Julie is not successful ..." I paused to think of something outrageous. "Mmmmm, I get to spank Julie, for as long as I wish or until we land."
Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. "Do you still wish to make a wager?"
I had to start laughing, as Sam continued to gape at me for almost a minute. When her mouth closed, she started staring at the galley. I could almost hear the gears turning as she contemplated the possibility of a loss. Finally, she took a deep breath and turned back to me. "I agree to the terms as long as a partial win, allows for the questions as if it were a full win."
My turn came to negotiate. "All right, but a partial win, is also a partial loss so while Sam asks her questions, she has to give me a foot massage, and I still get to spank Julie, but at a later date and with a safeword."
"A 'safe word'?" she asked while looking slightly concerned, and her voice began to rise in pitch. "Do you mean a safeword like those used for BDSM?"
"That is exactly what I mean."
"So, I could potentially 'safeword' after the first swat?"
"That's true, theoretically, but I doubt you would. Something tells me, both of you would enjoy it." It was my turn to extend my hand.
Sam paused for several moments then slowly took my hand and shook it.
Then I realized I had lost some time. We had been staring into each other's eyes and I had been rubbing my thumb across her knuckles, never having let go after the shake. Sam and I pulled our hands back at the same time, and 'Julie' stood up.
"Mr. Smith, I believe we're at altitude. Would you like some breakfast now?"
I accessed my briefcase and plugged it in, then turned back to Julie. "Yes, that would be great." Knowing that I am very predictable about food, I considered my options for the best outcome, "I'd like two eggs, scrambled with diced ham mixed in, two bacon strips, one piece of wheat toast cut diagonally, with margarine instead of real butter, a small side of fruit, bananas, and strawberries, a glass of both orange juice and milk." Julie had been grinning like a Cheshire cat the entire order until I continued with, "Oh yes, and could you slice up a star fruit also please?" Looking at my watch I added, "Go!"
She had enough good sportsmanship to realize she'd been duped, but not complain about it, and reached beside her and pressed the 'start' button on the microwave, then pushed the toast down and reached into the fridge for the fruit and margarine. Sam poked her head out a few times glared at me, then shook her head and retreated back into Julie. My toast popped up about twenty seconds after the microwave dinged, Julie smeared margarine on my toast, cut it diagonally, retrieved the bacon and eggs from the microwave, and arranged it all on a gold-gilded china plate. She then retrieved two, already filled, crystal glasses from the fridge, one orange juice, and one milk, and brought it all to the cabin's table saying, "Your breakfast is served, Sir." Complete with a flourishing hand gesture. "Unfortunately, the kitchen has informed me that we're out of fresh star fruit."
I knew she was within the allotted time, but checked my watch and stated the time as three minutes and ten seconds. It being my turn to grin like the Cheshire cat, I stood and walked the few feet to the table but didn't sit. Instead, I picked up a strawberry and the glass of milk, then held the strawberry before her mouth and just stood there until she took a bite.
I ate the remaining portion then moved to the couch, and sat down while kicking off my shoes. I sipped my milk while Sam slowly approached the couch. She glared with her eyes but wore a sardonic smile on her surprisingly kissable lips. Strange I hadn't noticed her lips before.
"Mr. Smith, I do believe you've played me," Sam stated as she sat on the opposite end of the couch, picked up both my feet and laid them across her lap, then proceeded to remove my socks while she continued glaring at me.
"No, I played the odds. I order the same food almost every time I eat breakfast out, so I assumed you knew what to fix. I could have ordered sweet and sour cheesecake, but I didn't want to win outright. I don't think you're quite ready for a one-hour spanking. Besides, I enjoy pleasing women, not demeaning them. I could have refrained from ordering the star fruit, but I'm really looking forward to both the foot massage and especially spanking you. Even if you do 'safe word' after one swat. This way, we both win."
She started to massage my feet, and I almost spilled my milk. She was good at it. I mean really good at it. I had to call a timeout, then quickly ran to the galley, chugged half the glass and set it down, then ran back to the couch and put my feet back in her lap.
"I take it that you're pleased, Mr. Smith."
