The Pussy Willow

"Joey, this could work out really well for us."

I couldn't believe Emma was actually considering this. Briar Remington, an associate of one of her clients, had invited us to spend the weekend cruising Lake Superior on his yacht,

The Pussy Willow

. As soon as the shoreline disappeared, he herded us into the lounge and introduced Mia, a stunning brunette in a sheer bikini. I assumed she was Remington's companion until he made the infamous indecent proposal.

"Remington," I roared, "you're out of line..."

That's when Emma interrupted me. "Joey, this could work out really well for us."

Her words stuck in my craw. I cleared my throat. "No, it couldn't."

"Baby, think of all the things we could do with that kind of money."

I was obviously not convinced. "It'll be okay, Joey. I'll spend the night with Briar, and you can spend it with Mia, then we can go home rich!"

I glanced at Mia. If looks could kill, Remington would be worm food. Unfazed, he merely smirked at her.

"It

won't

be okay.

We

won't be okay. I am

not

okay with this."

"Joey, please calm down. It's only one night. Think of the money, Joey! We can pay off the mortgage. We can be debt free and have plenty left over. Think about it, Baby."

"And if I say, 'No?'"

"Baby, this is too good an opportunity to pass up."

Remington coolly watched the entire confrontation. Phone in hand, he was ready to call security should things go south for him.

Emma had sucked the life out of me. I was too befuddled to think clearly. What was I supposed to do on a boat in the middle of Lake Superior. I left without another word, went to our...my...stateroom, and locked the door. I wasn't going to give implicit consent by staying in their company.

A bit later, Emma knocked at the door. "Joey, I love you."

"Bullshit," I croaked. Silence.

Later, I was roused from my melancholy by a gentle rap on the door. "Joe, it's Mia. I just want to talk. Let's go for a drink."

As we approached the lounge, she slipped her arm in mine and said, "They're in his stateroom."

Shit.

She poured me a whiskey and a tequila for herself. "I'm sorry about what happened, Joey, but if I'm honest, I have to say, for me it's bitter-sweet."

"What the hell does

that

mean?"

She sipped her tequila. "Eleven months ago, I was Emma. Briar made me the same offer, only I was cheaper. After the first night he amended his offer. If I stayed with him for another week, he'd set me up in a luxury hotel with the key to the city. I'd have everything I'd ever wanted. To my eternal regret, I accepted.

"When my divorce was final, he started pushing my boundaries. He wanted to know what it would take to get me to do things I never even thought of doing. Threesomes with other women. Sex in public. Nasty, dirty things, but I did those things, all the while thinking about the payoff."

Tears streamed down her face. She looked as shattered as I felt. I took her hand in mine. "It's okay," I said.

"Thank you, Joey. Then he tried pimping me out to his friends. I wouldn't do it.

"'Why not,' he said, 'you're already a whore.'"

Mia had to spend a moment composing herself. "I think that's when he decided to target someone else. I'm sorry it was Emma. You don't deserve this, but I'm glad to be rid of him."

"So, Emma...?"

She shrugged. "He'll try the same thing with her. Find her limits, then stress her boundaries. You'll know for sure in the morning."

We pulled into the marina late Sunday morning. Mia and I waited at the top of the gangplank. Remington was on the bridge, looking down on us. Emma approached us, sans the overnight bag she had brought with her.

She glanced at Mia, then focused on me. "Joey, Briar has extended his offer. If I stay with him for another week, we'll be so rich, Baby! We'll have everything we've ever wanted!"

"I had everything I ever wanted. You took it away from me."

"But the money, Joey..."

"You can have it, Emma. All of it."

Mia and I disembarked, hand in hand. "You know, I won't get any of his money by leaving. I have nowhere to go."

"It's okay, Mia. I'm taking you home."