Lori was on pins and needles when she arrived at work Friday morning. She hadn't heard from Ray in several days and was frightened. Had he forgotten about her? Had she done something to make him angry with her? Despite her fears that Ray might not appear for their date, she made arrangements for her friend Marie to take care of her son Donnie for the weekend.
By quitting time she still hadn't heard from Ray and was almost convinced she'd seen the last of him. She shut down her computer, made sure all the files were locked, then she got her coat and prepared to leave for the day.
Ray walked in. "Hello," he said, smiling at her.
"Hi, Ray," Lori replied. Her heart was pounding and she couldn't breathe.
"I must apologize for not getting in touch with you earlier," he said. "Things in Boston were absolutely bizarre. I thought I'd never get them straightened out. I hardly had a moment to think. Are we still on for tonight?"
"Of...of course," Lori replied, delighted.
"Well, then, it looks as if you're through for the day," he said. "Why don't we get going?"
"Ah...sure," Lori said. Even though she hadn't been sure she'd see him she had put on a turquoise surplice top that rode low on her shoulders and a sweeping white wrap skirt that fastened only at the waist with two buttons. When she walked her spectacular legs flashed from the folds of the garment.
"You look fantastic!" Ray said.
Lori felt herself blushing.
He led her out to the limo and they got in. "I thought we'd stop and get something to eat before we went back to my suite," he said. "I still feel guilty about not feeding you Wednesday."
"Oh, Ray, that's silly," Lori said. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You're so sweet."
"Are you still mine?" he asked.
"Of course," she replied, thrilled.
They went to the same restaurant the had gone to on their first date. This time, both of them had filet mignon. Lori ate more than she'd eaten in months. The wine Ray selected this time was different. He explained that was because they had meat instead of fish. She loved the way he explained things to her without sounding patronizing.
After dinner, it was back to the hotel. This time, Ray was staying in a different penthouse suite.
"You have a different room this time," Lori commented once they were inside.
"This one's bigger," he replied. "It has two bedrooms."
"Oh," Lori said. She wasn't sure why he needed two bedrooms. Maybe, since he'd gotten in late, he had to take this suite because it was the only one the hotel had left.
Ray headed for the bar. "Would you like a drink?" he asked.
"I'd love one," Lori said. She wandered over to the bar and watched as he mixed their drinks. It seemed like he put an awful lot of liquor in the drinks, but she didn't say anything.
Ray finished mixing the drinks and handed Lori hers. She sipped it. It tasted very good, almost as if there were any alcohol in it. "This doesn't taste like a mixed drink," Lori commented. "It tastes more like fruit punch."
"Be careful," Ray warned. "It does taste good, but it's a really potent mixture. If you aren't careful, it will sneak up on you."
"Is that your plan?" Lori asked, smiling at him. "Do you plan to get me drunk and take advantage of me?"
"You never know," Ray said, grinning back at her. He came out from behind the bar and they walked to the sofa and sat down.
Ray wasn't pushing sex so hard tonight, Lori noticed, and she liked that. Their previous times together consisted mainly of sex and, as good as that sex had been, there were things she didn't know about Ray, but she wanted to. If she was going to be "his woman," she wanted to get to know him.
"You know," she said, "you never told me what you do for a living." She knew it had something to do with investments, but she wasn't sure exactly what it was.
"Mostly I play the stock market," Ray said. "I received a substantial inheritance and I've managed to make it grow."
"That's...that's all you do?" Lori asked, surprised. She had never known anyone who didn't have a job.
"I also serve on the board of several corporations," he said. "And of a few charities as well. It keeps me busy. I suppose it isn't what most people would call a job, but I like the freedom." He smiled, then he reached out stroked her face lightly. "It allowed me to meet you, didn't it?"
"I guess so," Lori said, thrills beginning to rush through her. "I'm glad about that. I really am."
"Then I'm glad," Ray said. He set down his drink, bent his head, and covered her lips with his.
Lori felt familiar emotions sweeping over her the minute Ray's lips contacted hers. She was so happy she felt faint.
"Why don't we go into the bedroom?" Ray suggested after the kiss ended. "By the way, I think your outfit is lovely..." He smiled gently. "But I know you'll look even lovelier out of it."
Lori felt her face grow hot and didn't know what to say, so she took another sip of her drink, then set it down.
Ray stood up, pulled her to her feet, and led her into one of the suite's bedrooms. The bedroom in this suite was more opulent than the one in the other suite had been. The bed was king-sized and there were mirrors on the ceiling.
"Oh, wow!" Lori exclaimed, looking around the ornate room. "This is incredible!"
"I'm glad you like it," Ray murmured. He started kissing her neck and, at the same time, he pulled her blouse out of her skirt.
Lori raised her arms so he could pull the blouse over her head. The buttons holding her skirt were quickly undone, then she stood before him wearing only a thong bikini. She'd purposely gone without a bra, even though she felt terribly daring doing so.
