Bone Frog Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series) Read online

  “I was driven to become a success. And the woman I loved, I made her wait too long.”

  “Go back and get her, Marco. And tell these two other women who are fighting over you to—how do they say it, “put your big panties on?” The sultan laughed until he began the coughing spell again.

  “Are you sure you are well?”

  “Who cares? I am in pain, and I know there are things inside me that are not right. But as long as I can still fuck, I’m alive. In my mind, I go someplace else, and I cavort with all the nubile virgins who I haven’t tried yet.”

  Maybe the sultan was right. I was running from Rebecca, who wouldn’t let go. I was running into the arms of someone new. Perhaps I’ve been running away from the one I should have married, my dear, sweet Emily. And I couldn’t go get her because she was gone forever.

  “You are too pensive. I don’t like you pensive, Marco. I wish my sons had as much honor and commitment as you have in your little finger. I wish they thought more about their choices and the consequences of those choices. You’re too hard on yourself.”

  “You’re probably right. But my problem is that the first one I loved is no longer walking this planet.”

  “Yes, I think Harry told me about this. I am so sorry for you. So you cannot repair things with your wife, or is the new girlfriend too much of a temptation to walk away from?”

  “Neither. Rebecca, my wife, won’t leave me alone, even though I left years ago. And now she’s bitter, spiteful, and making my life miserable.”

  “You will really have a problem when she learns about the new one.”

  “She won’t.”

  He laughed again, this time surviving without the coughs. “Women always find out. You be careful. Your new one is tough?”

  “She’s strong, not tough. I don’t need tough. I need to feel like I did when I had Emily. She’s very much like her, in certain ways. In other ways, no. Emily was simple. She wouldn’t have cared about all the money I made or what kind of a house we lived in. In a way, I don’t think she would have loved the man I became when I was married to Rebecca. And all Rebecca wants to do is take everything away from me.”

  “Ask the favor you are afraid to ask, my son. I see no easy doorways open to you.”

  “No, I’ll think of something.”

  “Marco, you need a loyal friend who can play in your sandbox. You are going to help me with these kids of mine and their project in Africa. I don’t care if they lose money, I just don’t want them killed in the process. They don’t see danger all around them. They still think they’re in Disneyland. I send them to schools. They are indulged, fancy boys who make horrible decisions and even father children from low caste women. And why? They could have all the beauties they want. But no, they want the common girls, the street urchins. Why, I’ll never know.”

  “Well, I understand that a little, I guess. They want to do it on their own. I hope that they don’t realize too late what a gift having you for a father is to them. You are their greatest fan, their silent ally.”

  “Ally! That’s the word I was looking for. So. Marco. How can I help you? I want to be your ally.”

  I wasn’t proud of it but he was offering his hand. “I need a miracle, sultan.”

  “Done. You tell Harry how much.”

  “How did you know I wasn’t going to ask you to get rid of my wife?”

  “Because, Marco, you would never do that. You’d die first. And that’s why you are going to protect my sons. I won’t murder for you, but money? I can do money.”

  The station was just about to air Shannon’s interview when I got the call that the car had arrived. I slipped on some shorts and flip flops and dashed downstairs shirtless, doing a skidding stop on the smooth marble floor of the Oceanis grand lobby. I felt I was playing Poseidon in a movie or something, with all the colorful larger-than-life mermaids and sea creatures suspended from the multi-storied ceiling and depicted in beautiful stained-glass windows that gave the feeling of being under water. I was hoping I could get back upstairs and watch the news in time to see Shannon’s program.

  When my forward movement stopped, I noticed I’d attracted quite a bit of attention. A couple of ladies sitting in the bar gave me a loud whistle and a toast, already smashed at ten in the morning.

  I took my bow and ran outside to behold my new toy. It was cherry apple red—the most brilliant red I’d ever seen, that lipstick “I’m in trouble” kind of red, or the red a naughty girl would wear to church. The ivory and caramel leather interior was stunning. No one would ever mistake this beast for the cockpit of an airplane, and that was why I loved it so. Light Ash dash, heavily grained, made a gorgeous contrast to the sleek lines and tan colored top, which was down, of course. She looked dripping wet for me. I was going to have so much fun in this baby.

  “Mr. Gambini?” A tall, handsome twenty-something kid came toward me wearing one of Tony’s white polo shirts with the Bentley logo on it, extending his hand to give me the keys.

  “You won’t really need these, but you might have to valet park. Come on and let’s get your thumbprint recorded, shall we?”

  He looked like he was having as much fun as I was. I pressed my thumb against a tiny square piece of what looked like glass embedded in the shiny chrome of the driver’s handle. His fingers pressed tightly on top until the few seconds passed and a discrete beep came from somewhere on the dash, indicating my fingerprint had been stored.

  “So, if someone wanted to steal this car, they’d have to bring me with them, right?” I barked, turning heads in the entrance.

  The kid had a healthy laugh, showing perfectly straight and brilliant white teeth. “Well, your thumb, at least. And if it’s detached, before it gets too wrinkly.”

  It was funny. The kid was okay. I immediately wondered if he needed a job, since everyone was quitting these days.

  I focused back on my new ride. “Can I take it for a spin?”

  “Of course, sir. She’s all yours. You want me first to show you all the bells and whistles?”

  “I guess I can be patient. How long will this take?”

  “Seriously? About forty-five minutes.” He didn’t flinch, so I knew he was telling me the truth.

  About halfway through the demonstration, Corrine, the pretty concierge, came running out with her arms full of beautiful camel-colored blankets with the distinctive swimming O that was the logo for the hotel, embroidered in blue at one corner.

  “Pop the trunk and I’ll place these inside,” she said with a confident grin.

  I hit the wrong toggle and started the windshield wipers, getting water on the leather front seats. She handed the stack of blankets to me and quickly rubbed the seats down with one of the monogrammed towels she had also brought.

  “I’ll just get you another, Mr. Gambini,” she gushed, covering up my misstep.

  “I’m so sorry. I guess I should have paid more attention.”

  The delivery salesman pressed a button on the key fob and the trunk popped open slowly without making a sound. Inside was a matching set of his and hers luggage pieces, made from the same darker accent leather on the interior, so it tastefully matched the car. He found a space between the two pieces and laid the blankets down.

  Corrine was running off to the lobby area and as an afterthought, turned and waved at me. “Don’t go away. I have something else to show you. Wait right there!” She was jumping like an oversized piece of popcorn.

  The salesman completed his instruction, showed me the compartment where the leather-bound car manual was located. Tony had provided him with my insurance information, so that was tucked inside. The booklet holding everything was embossed with my initials, MG.

  Corrine came clickety clacking down the entrance steps, taking what sounded like little bird hops, carrying a wicker basket with a bottle of champagne nestled inside, surrounded by fresh towels.

  “It has no ice, just gel packs, which you can re-freeze and re-use.”

  “Or, you can s
tore them in your little cooler in your trunk, Mr. Gambini,” Tony’s guy said.

  “You have to be kidding me?” she gasped. “You have a refrigerator in your car? That’s amazing. You could drive from here to San Francisco, and never have to stop for cold beer!”

  Under her arm, she held another folded fluffy white towel to replace the one she’d used on the seats. They had my initials on them as well.

  “I guess you can steal the towels here, Marco,” said the kid.

  I knew I’d already missed Shannon’s show, and figured she might have saved me a clip. I really didn’t want to think about Rebecca, anyway. I hadn’t brought my license so Paul, the young salesman, accompanied me on the test run.

  When I pushed the button, the thing growled and idled like the racehorse she was. I commanded her with both hands on the steering wheel, released the brake, and away we went. The car’s pedal was going to take some getting used to, feathery light and so sensitive. I was getting turned on by how little I had to do to get such a complete monster reaction out of her. We drove down Gulf Blvd., turning heads everywhere. She wanted the freeway, but I wanted to treat her to a nice tree-lined pasture for her maiden voyage. She cornered perfectly.

  She was going to be my second love.

  I couldn’t wait to show her off at sunset.

  I left the keys with the concierge, who squealed with delight. “I want roses tucked in two bouquets on the rear seat floor, the champagne in the middle.”

  “Oh, and I’ve found some to-die-for grouper bites too, and some blackened shrimp. I’ll put some grapes in there as well. I didn’t have time to get the flutes monogrammed, sorry to say.”

  I kissed her on her cute little forehead. “Go make me proud Corrine!”

  “What time will you arrive?”

  I checked my cell. She is supposed to meet me at six. I’ve got the right spot picked out for our little picnic.”

  “Leave it to me, Mr. Gambini. And you’ll want roses in the suite as well? Some midnight snacks in the refrigerator? More champagne chilled in a bucket?”

  “Perfect. I’m hiring a car to go pick her up, so you can get the red-head ready. We should be here no later than six thirty, but I’ll text you.”

  “Oh, Mr. Gambini,” she said, her hand clasped under her chin, “You are such a romantic. She’s a lucky girl.”

  “I’m the lucky one.”

  I was at her house when she arrived home. I’d taken the time to study every piece of her artwork carefully. I didn’t want to pry, but something about this woman was a mystery, as if we’d been connected in another life.

  And I never believed in such things.

  “Is that your car outside?” she asked as she ran to me.

  “Of course it is. He’s waiting to take you to your surprise.” We kissed. She smelled so good, and with the good news I had with the sultan, I felt free to just enjoy her lovely body, her happy spirit. It was one of the things I did need from her. And I’d always been a man who didn’t need anything from anyone.

  “So, how did it go?”

  “You didn’t watch?” She wrinkled her forehead, disappointed.

  “I’m sorry, but I had something that I had to do. But you’ll get a copy of it, won’t you?”

  “Yes. I just hope that you’re not upset when you watch it.”

  “Why would that be?” I said as she folded into my arms.

  “At first, I thought she was just going after this project because it was something you felt strongly about. Now? I actually think she wants to do it. She’s hard to figure out. Could you ever see your way to letting her take it over?”

  “Never.”

  “But, if she left you alone?”

  “I don’t know what it would take to have her leave me alone.”

  She laced a forefinger over my lips. “I think she needs a job in life. Maybe she just wants to prove to you that she can do big projects.”

  “She can’t.” I separated us, walking over toward the kitchen, rubbing the back of my neck. “And I’m done talking about her.”

  My words must have been too strong because Shannon looked like she was about to burst into tears. I crossed the room like a flash, took her into my arms and rocked her. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”

  She broke away from me this time. “Give her a chance, Marco.”

  “Maybe I better see the video before I answer that.”

  “Fair enough. I can live with that.”

  She quickly showered and changed into a very low-cut black cocktail dress and some sparkly sandals that highlighted her slender ankles and beautiful, long legs. She wore a brightly colored scarf for a wrap, and as the car drove up the ten miles of beach homes, I could see that we were nearly out of time to watch the sunset, but we’d make it.

  When we pulled into the Oceanis entrance, we scattered a flock of flamingos who were crossing the approach. We stopped just behind the beautiful cherry red Bentley convertible. I pulled her from the back seat and sent the driver off. The bellman came running, bringing me the keys.

  “Sir, we were afraid you weren’t coming. You didn’t text.”

  “I was so happy seeing my girl, I completely forgot.” Shannon smiled back at both of us.

  “Ready to take her for a spin?”

  “This? This is yours?”

  “Yes ma’am and you’re going to drive us. Can you do that?”

  Shannon curled down her lower lip. “Is it a stick shift?”

  “Nope. Automatic. Twelve cylinders of pure cherry flavored pussy.”

  I loved seeing her blush. I helped her into the driver’s seat and strapped her in.

  “Marco, it has champagne. I don’t want to spill it, and flowers, OMG there are dozens of roses here. Did—”

  I stopped her with a kiss. “Yes, I sent them. Did you like them?”

  She didn’t answer.

  We headed up Gulf Blvd. until I found the beach access road I was looking for. She carefully drove the lush green jungle trail until we came to the clearing on a vacant lot I owned. I instructed her to face the car toward the street and aim the rear at the beach and ocean.

  “Come on,” I said, running to her side. I unlocked the trunk and pulled out the blankets, handing them to her, then brought the wicker basket with the treats and the champagne. I pulled her up, over the dunes and we lay the blankets on the white sand, sat and watched the orange globe of the sun begin to set. Everywhere we looked the sky was orange and purple. A warm breeze blew off the bay as I sat behind her, holding her in my arms.

  “I never get tired of this view. It’s the best thing about my little bungalow.”

  “Agreed. You have one of the best views. Tiny house, but big view.”

  “No one’s here.”

  “I know. That’s why I chose it.”

  The sun hung so low it nearly touched the water as I poured her glass and watched the bright orange glow in her face and shoulders, the way her eyes sparkled, the way she smiled at me.

  “To us, Shannon. I made this sunset for us.”

  “To us.”

  She touched her glass to mine, took a sip and watched the sun disappear.

  I parted the towels and found some still-warm cheese biscuits and grouper bites, which were amazing. They’d put grapes and strawberries in there, along with cheeses and some crackers. She fed me and I sucked her fingers if she wasn’t quick enough.

  It was beginning to chill with the sun having set, but the air was still streaked with color. The waves washed the beach clean as birds ran over the smooth sand foraging for food.

  “Wanna try something with me?” I asked.

  “Now you have me intrigued. I could sit here all night. It’s so beautiful.”

  “You can see it a little better from the car, Shannon. And I can turn the heater on, if you like. And it will smell like roses.”

  Her dancing eyes told me she was game.

  We gathered everything up and walked the tiny dunes trail to the car. I removed one of th
e vases of roses and the holder that was keeping them balanced and placed it on the ground. I pushed the seat forward, spread two blankets on the floor and the seat and directed her to kneel so she could see the view.

  I poured us each another glass of champagne and joined her. Bringing another blanket up to her shoulders, I whispered between nibbling kisses, “Take your panties off, Shannon.”

  She set her finished glass on the floor and blew back to me, “I’m not wearing any, Marco.” I let her remove my glass and then work on my pants buckle, unbuttoning my shirt as she did so. Her cool fingers slipped down the front where she gently squeezed my package. Her eyes didn’t divert from mine. Her tongue touched my lips, then my extended tongue until the kiss deepened and that glorious rush of adrenaline came over me.

  I palmed her bare ass, rubbing her up and down, then let one hand press between her thighs in front to touch her where she wanted to be touched.

  I held her by the waist and sat her sweet little bottom on the folded canvas top and parted her knees. I could still see her lips, swollen, abused and about to be abused some more. Two fingers slipped inside her as she moaned and leaned back, resting her torso on the canvas. I removed her sandals one at a time, kissing her up the inside of her legs until my tongue found the warm, pulsing folds of succulent flesh. She pressed one foot against the headrest of the driver side and slid back further and spread her knees wider.

  Her dress slipped off in my hands and then I slowly suckled, kissed and penetrated her with my tongue.

  “Oh, God, Marco! I’m going to come in your mouth already.”

  “Yes, Shannon. Give it to me.”

  Her sweet juices covered my lips, my chin and my nose. I nipped her clit with my teeth and she went wild with need. I savored and watched her squeeze her breasts, then sit up and hold my fingers as I entered her over and over again until she drew my face up to hers and took from me a long, lingering kiss.

  I carefully turned her over, her glowing ass making me hard just looking at it. Her elbows rested on the top. I rubbed her sex and then gave her space to think about what was coming next while I removed my shirt. I plucked one of the roses and let it tickle her from her neck to her anus. I crushed the flower and allowed the petals to fall all over her nude body now being illuminated by moonlight. My pants fell to my knees as I stood on the seat, kneeled slightly and pressed her body against the car. I positioned my cock so she could feel how engorged I was. I rubbed my tip over the crease in her ass, probing, sliding and then finally entering her fluttering labia. Holding her hips I pulled her back and onto me, rocked her with my thighs, allowing her to straddle my lap, and then rammed inside deep as if I could split her in two.