Chapter 1
"She said no."
"Definitely no?"
"I would have to say yes, definitely. If it's any consolation, it wasn't because it was you. I just think the whole idea made her uncomfortable....I think she thinks it will hurt our marriage."
"That's too bad. If you ask me, it would only make it better....well, damn.....listen the offer is still open if you want to come out. Carmen's definitely up for it."
"Really?. . .I thought it was a package deal."
"I would have liked that, man. You know I've always had a thing for Stella, even if she is a prissy little thing. But, it doesn't mean you have to sit around on your hands. . . it's time to live a little. You've earned it."
"You are so right...I'll call you tomorrow after I think about my alibi."
"All right, talk to ya then."
Jonas Elliot placed the phone back on its cradle and stared out the window wall of his 19th story Century City office. It was a relatively smogless day in Los Angeles and he could see the blue Pacific way out beyond Santa Monica.
Well, just when things were getting a little dull,
he thought.
My brother makes me an offer I can't refuse? The lucky son-of-a-bitch shouldn't be the only one having fun. I'll just drive out and screw this new chickie.
He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out the Polaroid Lance had sent him. Carmen was one hot looking woman. In the photo, she was wearing a skimpy white bikini that contrasted nicely with her deep tanned skin. Long, dark-brown hair with some blonde highlights.
She must have some Latin blood in her. . .maybe even some black mixed in,
Jonas mused, trying to remember who she reminded him of. Then it came to him - Paula Abdul, the singer. His daughter had pointed her out to him at a Kings game a couple of years ago. Carmen's face had that same look, the full lips, longer legs though. And Carmen's chest was much bigger; obviously she had had some work done.
"I'm going to enjoy doing that," he said out loud. He could almost kiss Lance for even bringing up the idea. He'd been talking to his brother at a cook-out at his Brentwood home several weeks ago and Lance, who was ten years younger than he, had started kidding him about slowing down at his old age of 41. Of course, he was referring to the number of women he was sleeping around with behind Stella's back.
Years ago, Jonas had sold his soul to the Devil - namely the former owner of the law firm he worked for, Stella's father. Jonas had seen the opportunity of marrying his way to partner status. He'd tried to remain faithful for five or six years, even had a child because Stella wanted one so bad. But temptations were around every door and once Stella's father passed away, leaving him firmly entrenched in the law firm, he'd begun to open some of those doors.
He'd been discreet and the thrill had been good. Finding willing partners had not been a problem; he worked out at the LA Sports Club several times a week and was in pretty good shape. 6'1", black hair with a smattering of gray, a mustache that was going grayer faster, good definition on the chest, legs in pretty good shape from racquetball.
Women wanted him and didn't care if he was married. Clandestine motel meetings with secretaries, an occasional female lawyer or even some escort girls. He'd pay for it if it was good stuff, no problem with that. Hell, he had enough money to retire on comfortably even if Stella found out and took him for half.
Anyway, Lance had been kidding him about whether he could still get it up. He'd remarked to Lance that he was getting enough on the side but he did wished he had Lance's life once in a while; Lance's life seemed to be a string of parties and loose women, many of them in their 20's.
Lance had gotten sort of serious and had taken him aside and told him that he had fallen in with a crowd out in Palm Springs that liked to swing, wife-swap, fly in call girls from LA or Vegas. There was a lot of money in Palm Springs, old and new, and Lance had made some connections and gotten invited to some parties, swinger parties. His good looks and the ability to bring some hot girlfriends had made him a regular. And he said they were always looking for new faces, preferably people with money to minimize the chance of someone going to the press.
So, that's how he had arrived at where he was today. He'd tried to talk Stella into trying a little swinging with Lance and Carmen to begin with. He'd known the odds were stacked against him but he'd pitched the idea with all his might. If Stella would agree, their marriage would have gone up to the point that he could stand it. Of course, Stella, the ice queen, had vetoed the idea before it saw the light of day.
Well, you can't teach an old dog new tricks,
he thought, knowing it applied to Stella and himself also. He put the picture of Carmen back in his drawer and got up and walked to the window, rubbing the back of his neck as he pondered how he should proceed.
* * * * *
Jonas waited three days before he took the plunge.
He'd originally thought he might tell Stella he was going to San Diego on an overnight business trip or maybe to Vegas for a convention. But he was worried she might try to call him and the whole secret would unravel. Talking it over with Lance, they had decided he should just drive out one work day.
"Just drive the hell out. . .tell your office you're at a meeting and you'll call in for messages. Easy as pie, Jonesy," Lance promised.
"You know, I think that's the best. . .I should get out there around lunchtime. Let me buy you two a lunch. . .someplace nice."
"Shit, partner! The only thing you'll be eating when you get out here is a little Carmen pussy!"
"Lance, I better not be wasting a day driving out there. . your little piece of ass better put out," Jonas said.
