The barter system, p.7
The Barter System, page 7
He gave a small grimace and nodded, “I knew it would be soon.” Sighing, he added, “I’m not happy about it, I can’t…I won’t lie about that. Anyone could get used to having a woman like you around, Riya.” He resumed his task, more slowly this time, “But I’ve got everything set. We can leave in the morning.”
Riya said, “Thank you, Sean” before turning away. She could feel the lump in her throat and cursed herself. After she’d sent a confirmation email to Victor, she went back to the kitchen and sat at the bar. She was surprised when Sean came to sit beside her. He was smiling again. She didn’t feel like smiling right now, but she made the effort.
“I haven’t told you how I’m getting you to Savannah. I think you’re going to like it.” He leaned in and gave her a light kiss. She appreciated what he was doing, trying to make it easier on her. “We’re taking my boat up the coast. I have her fully stocked and ready to go. It will take about thirty-six hours to get there by water. If we leave in the morning, we’ll have time to dock at the marina I called and spend some time together before you leave.”
Riya hugged him. “Thanks. I mean that, Sean. This isn’t as ‘clinical’ as I’d hoped.”
His face tightened almost imperceptibly, “I know what you mean. I can’t say with any honesty that I’m good with knowing you’re going off to interact, in similar ways as we have, with other men. I’m a man, honey, which means I can get territorial and I apologize.”
Sean looked away for a moment then added, “You’re young, Riya, and by your own admission, you’ve had little experience with men. You should have that. And this is a great project, what you’re doing.” His next words came out sounding falsely cheerful. “Now go throw on shorts and sneaks because we have a bike ride today.”
They set out the next morning at dawn. They crammed so many conversations and sex sessions into their time on the water it was a wonder they made progress at all.
Nights were spent on an air mattress on deck so they could sleep under the stars. During the day, she worked in the air conditioned cabin between meals and sex while he captained the boat.
They arrived at the marina the evening before Riya was due to meet with Victor. They strolled the boardwalks together and ate at a raw bar. When Sean held her hand, it was firmly. When he kissed her, it was as if he wanted to imprint himself on her. When they fucked, he never took his eyes from hers, like he wanted to stamp the memory of his face above her in her every thought.
Sean brought her to ecstasy again and again, trying different positions and techniques every few minutes to keep her disoriented and wanting. He held back his own orgasms to give her more, something that must have taken Herculean strength of will. They were physically exhausted and she felt dehydrated by the time they crashed out around midnight.
She realized as she drifted to sleep that, as an alpha-male, Sean would be unable to resist the feeling of ‘marking her’ for any man that came after. It was sexy, actually.
The next morning, it was time to meet with Victor. Riya’s emotions and her stomach were churning but she put on a happy face for Sean.
“Sean, thank you for everything.”
He said nothing at first, just pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. His lips were next to her ear and he whispered, “I can tell you’re nervous, Riya. You shouldn’t be, every man in this study is going to love you…a couple more days and I really would have lost my heart to you. Thank you for choosing me. I hope I get a chance in the future to see how it all turned out. I wish you the very best of everything, baby. Anything happens, you need help, all you have to do is call me. You’ve got my friendship for life.”
She nodded against him and felt like crying, which she hoped he didn’t notice. He kissed her once more then let her go. Riya watched as Sean jumped back on his boat and pulled out of the marina. There were tears in her eyes. She watched until he was out of sight and then swiftly kicked herself for it.
If she ran the risk of this much emotional attachment with each subject, this was going to become her own private hell…one she’d purposely created.
Chapter Five – The Fisherman
First week of September…
Riya took a few minutes to pull it together and gather her thoughts. She sat on the bench in confusion. One subject and she was a mess.
She pulled one of the emergency cell phones out of her bag and called Tawny. Her friend answered before the phone finished ringing once. “Riya? Are you alright? Riya, I can tell you’ve been crying. Based on the time frame, I’d say you just left the first subject. You got a little attached and you need to talk. If you have any hope of completing this, you’re going to need an outlet. Come on…spill it.”
And Riya unloaded. True to her word, Tawny said nothing, just let her get it all out. How she felt like the biggest whore to go on to another man when she was still tingling from what Sean had done to her less than six hours ago. That she was putting herself through this over a fucking dissertation. She finished with a huge sigh.
“Riya, I love you and know you better than I know myself. If there is one thing you are not, it’s a whore. The fact is you’ve been starved for male attention in the emotional and physical sense for a long time. Who knows? You may be attaching more to what you’re feeling right now than there is. You’re greedy to have him keep fucking you because you’ve been so hard up. Eventually, you’ll publish a book and he is going to see in gory detail everything you do or don’t do with the other subjects. That said, you have another subject waiting for you. Sean isn’t the only subject with a cock, I hope. My advice to you, as your friend, is to keep going. Finish what you started.”
Riya sniffled loudly. “Surprisingly, that is the last thing I thought you’d say. You are the best friend anyone could ever ask for.”
“Yeah, I know. I think you may need to ‘download’ like this after each subject. I promise not to offer anything regarding the subjects themselves. You okay now, Riya?” she asked softly.
“Yes, I think I am. I know I will be. Thank you. I have to go clean up to meet Victor. Tell the parents things are great.”
They said goodbye and Riya rushed into the nearest public restroom to wash her face and put herself in order. Giving herself a onceover, she figured she’d do.
She picked up her things and walked out of the marina and onto the street. The area bustled with activity, even this early in the morning. Victor was picking her up at the produce market, just up the street. She was dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and her favorite worn-in boots. She hadn’t fussed with her appearance for the simple reason that she suspected Victor wouldn’t either. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, neat but understated.
As she approached the market, she realized she’d forgotten what Victor looked like. Her mind had gone blank. Give her a few healthy orgasms and she was putty apparently. Loser.
“Riya, you’re an idiot. Cowgirl up before you totally jack up your project.” She must have looked deranged, standing in the middle of a busy market, bags on her shoulders and muttering to herself. She chuckled in spite of her nervousness.
She was about to take out one of the cell phones to call Victor when a loud whistle caused the market to go momentarily silent. She turned toward the sound and, sure enough, she remembered what he looked like now.
There he was, standing on the driver’s side step of his late model Chevy truck; waving at her like they’d known one another for years. When he yelled, “Riya!” she wanted to hide. Instead, she plastered a big smile on her face.
Deep breath, shoulders back, and here we go.
She walked with purpose to the street as he walked around the truck to grab her bags and drop them in the back. When he turned back to her, he smiled.
Okay, really big guy. Around 6’6” with dark everything…eyes, hair, and skin tanned brown from hours spent in the sun. Happy smile just this side of shy, but attractive. Enormous hands. Hell, enormous period. If she stood behind him, no one would catch a glimpse of her. Huge barrel chest tapering to slim hips and long legs. He was dressed just like she was, only he’d added a baseball cap.
She smiled, “You must be Victor?”
He grinned crookedly, took off his hat - they still did that here? – and raked a hand through his shaggy hair, “Yes, ma’am. I’m sure pleased to meet you in person.” She didn’t have time to reply before he was lifting her into the cab of the truck, going around and jumping in himself, then tearing off down the street.
He talked a mile a minute while he drove city streets like an interstate highway. Before they’d made the first red light, she learned he’d taken a few days off to spend with her. His cousin, Jason, was going to cover for him, but only if he could meet her. At her startled look, he added, “They think we met during one of my fishing charters to the Keys, they don’t know anything.”
Some of his family would be at the house the next day since his loud-mouthed cousin had spilled the beans about her arrival.
“Sissy is bringing her famous fried chicken and Aunt Cyndi is making her cobbler. You won’t want to miss that.” He gave her a sideways glance and said, “You look like you need to eat, Riya. Not that you’re not pretty, you sure are pretty. God knows you’re pretty. Just a mite skinny’s all.”
Riya tried to respond but could barely get a word in edgewise. So she let him talk about anything and everything. When he asked how the first part of her trip had been, he looked wary…maybe wondering if he’d measure up to the first guy? Well that would not be part of the equation. Each subject had to stand on their own.
She cut that conversation off at the pass, “It was great, I’m glad to be here though.”
Obviously he got the hint, since the conversation turned to his fishing business. A source of pride for him and a big part of what defined him as a man. He discussed his clients, his boats, the weather, what different kinds of fish sold for, and so on. She’d give him one thing, he could hold a conversation.
They’d left the main part of town, taking a smaller county road. In moments, there was nothing but green farmland surrounding them. When they turned onto a dirt track leading seemingly into wilderness, she held on to keep from flying forward as they hit one pot hole after another. She was nervous and she wasn’t too proud to admit it to herself.
They drove down the dirt road for what seemed like a mile and suddenly entered a clearing. On the other side of it was a pretty farm house complete with a front porch and swing. “This used to be my Grandmama’s place and she left it to me when she died. Said I’d need a place to raise a family one day.” Riya noticed the guarded silence after this statement but didn’t push.
They slid to a stop on the gravel drive and he was around the truck, bag in hand, before she’d had a chance to unbuckle her seatbelt. He yanked the door open and manhandled her to her feet. She wasn’t in danger of falling but got the impression he’d been around more men and dogs than women. “Thanks,” was about all that came to mind.
Victor led the way to the house, stopping every three of his giant steps to let her catch up. He kept up a steady stream of conversation and she suddenly realized he was much more nervous than she was.
He opened the front door she doubted had ever been locked and she was ushered into a lovely great room. Wood floors gave way to braided rugs scattered around the open space, the furniture was large and looked comfortable. Strangely, there was also a lot of pink and roses. She’d ask him about that later.
Now Victor looked completely unsure of himself and went utterly silent. She’d been absorbing so much of his non-stop talking that it was like someone cut the sound on a radio. He stood at the foot of the staircase and stuck his hands in his jeans pockets.
She asked if there was a bathroom she could use and he looked relieved to have something to do. Up the stairs, two at a time, her bag over his shoulder. He paused at a door with an old glass knob and pushed it open for her as she caught up.
“This is the big bathroom. I’m sure you’ll want to freshen up and all so I’ll leave you to it. Still has one of the original lion foot tubs if you want a nice soak. My mama swears by those for tiredness and stress. Sure you might have a bit of both.”
He pulled the door closed behind him. Riya decided to take him up on his offer. A nice bath would be lovely. She started the water running and found an old bottle of Mr. Bubble under the sink to add to it. It was steaming up the bathroom as she located towels and stripped out of her clothes. Sinking into water almost too hot to bear and sighing in happiness as she leaned against the back of the huge tub. She practiced clearing her mind and relaxing one muscle at a time. As the tension began to ebb away, she vowed to keep doing this until the exercise took permanently.
It was time to put things in perspective. Sean was amazing but he was her first subject. She had miles to go before she’d sleep, so to speak. The investment in her project was literally years; she’d known Sean a week. Not to mention, there was a possibility of a long-term relationship for him with Alyssa who would be a perfect fit in his current life. She was going to do what she had to, what everyone involved was aware of before she’d accepted a single application.
Riya was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of footsteps down the wooden hallway. Spur of the moment, she called out, “Victor, why don’t you come in and keep me company? You can talk to me while I soak.”
The footsteps sounded like they tripped then froze. There was a definite throat clearing cough, and the door knob was turning. She took a quick glance at herself to ensure she was covered with bubbles. Something told her she had to baby-step this subject.
The door creaked open and Victor stayed just outside. Clearing his throat again, he said, “Um, you sure? I mean, I don’t want to bother you.” He was pointedly not looking directly at her.
With a smile in her voice she replied, “I’m sure. Why would you think you’re a bother? Why don’t you pull up that vanity stool and talk with me a while?”
The big man moved stiffly across the room and picked up the stool. He didn’t seem sure where to place it so she motioned him to the side of the tub.
When he sat, it was with his back rigid and his feet together. “Tell me about yourself, Victor. Not your business or family, though all that is very interesting. I’d rather learn about you. What makes you tick?”
He looked truly taken aback by her question and looked through the big window to gather his thoughts. “I don’t really know what makes me tick. I mean, working and spending time with my family is really all I got most days.”
Riya thought that was one of the saddest things she’d ever heard coming from a grown man. “Don’t you date at all? Isn’t there anyone special? A woman, I mean?”
“Not nobody who’d have me, that’s for sure. I guess I’ve had a girlfriend or two, but they always go off to some other guy. I’m not real exciting. I work six days a week and have chores to do around my place. Doesn’t leave much time for socializing, you know.”
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. It brought them much closer and it was a good sign he was relaxing, Riya thought.
“Work is very important, Victor, and you certainly seem to be a man who takes it very seriously. But at thirty-one, you need more in your life than just work. Everyone needs companionship. Don’t you get lonely?”
He seemed to really consider this before answering. “Well, sure. It’d be nice to have a girl to come home to. I guess sex is a big thing, you know, but I eat by myself most days and that sucks to tell you the truth. Nobody to watch television with at night or talk to on the porch while you’re having a cold one at the end of the day.”
Victor paused and met her gaze for the first time since entering the bathroom. “I’m kinda stuck in a rut. That might be the real reason I thought your website looked interesting. It was sure different than anything in my life. My days are all the same, over and over.”
Riya considered the big man for a moment and smiled genuinely for the first time since stepping out of Sean’s boat at the marina.
She’d heard these same concerns from single women. People needed interaction. Sex was a big part of that, sure, but so was just having company while you plodded through the necessary, often boring, parts of your life.
Her self-doubts about continuing the project evaporated. Victor would be ideal.
Chapter Six
She reached over the side of the tub and held his hand. The contact startled him but he gripped her hand back just the same. “I think you’re a good man, Victor. You deserve the kind of simple happiness and companionship you’re looking for. I’m glad I came.” She sat forward in the tub and pulled the plug to drain the water. “Can you hold a towel for me?”
Concealing the fortifying deep breath she had to take in, Riya stood in the tub and Victor was completely stuck in place. Her firm breasts, dripping with soap bubbles, were at his eye-level. “Victor…a towel?” He jumped up so fast the stool went flying behind him. She suppressed a smile.
