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  trust fund babies.”

  “Are you kidding. If any of us had tried that, our mother would have hunted us down,

  taken us by the ear, and yanked us back to the real world. That’s why my parents so much

  approves of your sister. And, I think, you yourself will do this family good, too.” “What do you mean?”

  Tanner gave a mischievous grin. “I heard about you said to Heron during the lunch he

  forced on you.”

  “You heard about that? How?”

  “From Heron. When he came back to the office that day, he was so shocked and angry

  over what you told me that he could barely speak.” Tanner laughed. “He actually could not speak

  for an hour or so. I’ve never seen Heron in all my life get so upset that he was lost for words. It

  was the funniest sight. I would have loved to have been there to see you tell him off. The last

  thing he ever imagined was being told that he was not good enough for a woman. That was

  completely incomprehensible to him..”

  When he started to laugh again, Riley looked at the open French doors. “Shhhh. Let’s not

  joke about it, at least in front of the others. It really upset Robbie when she heard about what I

  said to Heron. So, let’s just keep the joke between the two of us.”

  “Alright, future sister-in-law. But I’ll say it served him right. You were finally able to do

  what no one else has ever been able to do, and that is knock Heron off his high and mighty

  horse.”

  “You don’t resent him, do you?”

  “No, not at all. It’s just everything about Heron is bigger than life, how he looks, what he

  does, what he says. Everything he ever tackles he does with brilliance. He’s like that insurance

  commercial some years ago. When Heron talks, everyone listens. But that doesn’t mean he

  couldn’t stand being brought down a peg or two. He needs to be humanized, be brought down to

  earth.”

  “So, what, no one has ever told you brother that he’s a jerk when he’s being one?” Tanner shrugged. “There’s really been no one in his life who would tell him that.

  Everyone is so much in awe of him, by everything he does. Even my parents. Even me. And,

  anyway, he’s really never been an ass to his family. He’s pretty decent to me and Beth Anne.

  The people at the company and at his firm wouldn’t tell him because he’s the one in power.

  Women certainly wouldn’t tell him to his face when he’s being less than stellar in his beside manner, because they take one look at him, and they’re instantly entranced.” He leaned over his forearms which were rested on the balcony, and looked out at the dark city. “Oh, yes, I look forward to this marriage, because it might bring about some needed changes in our man of the hour.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Once every few months or so, Riley would conduct an open house of her bar that allowed

  the public to join with the rest of the members of the exclusive sex club and socialize. If an

  entrant was daring enough, he or she could arrive sporting a highly provocative attire. Many

  guests arrived wearing a BDSM thematic outfit.

  Riley considered these open houses more as a festive event, and offered a variety of

  entertainment, besides the usual dancing and drinks. Shows were put on, such as professional

  dancers moving to fast gyrating music, their pulsating muscled buttocks and thighs exposed by

  g-strings and their breasts barely covered or only had nipples covered with glittering stick-ons.

  For the women, Chip & Dale dancers flexed their muscles and strutted their buttocks. On a

  second stage, a burlesque type of musical extravaganza was exhibited, with bawdy songs and

  skits and dances, much in the spirit of the Beach Blanket Babylon. The finale was a Can-Can

  routine where the girls kicked high their legs, revealing that they wore no undergarments. Riley used the upstairs as a demonstration forum, having invited hostesses who

  conducted pleasure parties and makers of sex paraphernalia. As well, lecturers, from sex

  therapists, social research professors, to philosophers, were brought in for the more intellectual

  approach to sex, illuminating the mind to the nature and philosophy of sex and its incredibly

  complex and integral role in human society.

  To join in the event, she herself dressed more provocatively than her usual professional

  clothes of pantsuits or a sedate black evening sheaths, taking advantage of her most sexual

  attributes. Tonight, she wore a barmaid-style corset in black satin, the boning pushed up her large

  round breasts, making them pop out of the wide square neckline, creating a blatant décolletage

  because the bodice barely topped over her nipples. All around the neckline was a narrow white

  lace ruffle that gave the daring outfit somewhat an impudent charm. The corset ended at her hips.

  There, all around it, edging the corset were long white fringes that created a silky, shimmery

  skirt that reached her calves. Underneath the white fringe skirt, she only wore a white g-string.

  This left her buttocks bare beneath the fringes. When she walked, her thighs and round bare globes flashed tantalizingly between the swaying fringes. On her feet, she wore the black paten leather sandals that had the wide silver buckles on the ankle straps. She let her long curly hair fall free down her back, pulling it back from her face with a wide black velvet ribbon that was tied, rather incongruously at her temple in a wide bow. All over the curls, she brushed glitter, giving her ethereal quality to her overall sexy appearance. On her face, her makeup was heavier than usual, with eyes rimmed heavily with black eyeliner and black and silver eye shadows, heightening the pale gray hazel of her pupils and bringing out the yellow specks in them. Her lips were painted deep, deep red, the color of blood, making the pedals look soft, full, lush. With her heavy eye makeup and her red lips, there was a lazy expression to her face, her eyes often

  hooded, her lips curved slightly into a mocking, secretive smile.

  By ten o’clock, the entire establishment was crowded, practically drinking the liquor off

  the shelves. Anticipating such a rush, Riley had set up a second bar down at the dance floor and

  hired two temporary help to man it. Standing at the main bar, she watched her bar manager, Joe,

  and the two other bartenders rushing back and forth making drinks while customers crowded in

  several layers over the bar, holding out cash or credit cards. When Joe saw Riley, he waved a

  bar boy to take over the drinks he had been mixing.

  Joe took a white towel and wiped his face that had a fine film of sweat. “They’re thirsty

  tonight, boss.”

  “Are we going to hold with the drinks?”

  “I don’t think we’re going to run out tonight. But I’m going to be putting a lot of double

  orders on Monday. You might want to go over to the east corner end of the dance area. There’s a

  group of five or six from the city. And they’re not ordering the house drinks, either. Their tabs

  already over a thousand bucks. One of the bloke asked for you.”

  Riley frowned. “He’s not one of those who thinks he’s going to get a …” “No. He seems okay. Pretty nice chap. He looks like that good-looking guy who brought

  your sister down from the city that night.”

  Her face brightened. “Oh, that’s Tanner, my sister’s fiancée’s brother. I’ll go over there

  right now.”

  “Oh, one more thing, boss. I thought I saw Thomas Whooten walking around here.” “I wonder what’s he doing here? Did he order drinks?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Thanks for the heads up, Jo
e.” Riley was about to walk away when she noticed a woman

  at the end of the bar, sipping wine, wearing a black Elvira outfit. “Isn’t that your wife, Heather?

  What’s she doing here?”

  “Keeping an eye on me.”

  Riley knew that Joe Monterey was the last man who’d ever cheat on his wife. They had

  been married for ten years and just had a baby. He was man of a steady character who was

  devoted to his family. But, nevertheless, he was human, and he was a man. She looked at the

  women around the bar, mostly scantily dressed, many of the bosoms in display, a few

  completely. She smiled at the bar manager. “Your wife’s no fool.”

  Joes wriggled his eyebrows. “Plus she’s getting some ideas about things she could do to

  me.” Then his eyes went flat as a blank expression came over his face. He muttered, “There he

  is, by the water fountain.”

  Riley turned and spotted the gray head of Thomas Whooten. She watched him for a

  moment, her eyes coldly assessing, wondering if she should get the bouncers to kick him out.

  She knew that behind his bright blue eyes, the man was calculating his moves. Not all of the community of Northern Bay Area were accepting of Riley’s informal sex

  club. And not surprisingly, the most vocal of those who decry the private group were some

  churches and religious organizations. The most virulent of these was Thomas Whooten, a fiery

  minister from a small Baptist church that was just on the outskirts of town. He was originally

  from Tennessee, and was raised by a minister who hauled his family in a small caravan from one

  town to another, setting up a makeshift parish where the town people could gather to witness the

  miracle healing that he performed.

  Thomas, when he grew to be an adult, followed his father’s footsteps in spreading the

  word of God. However, he was driven more by ambition than any inspiration from God, and

  entered a seminary and graduated with a masters in theology. But the need to cry out to the world

  the wrath of God had deep roots within him, and he reverted to the fiery preaching of his father.

  But Thomas was also driven by the need to fight for redemption for his people, feeling that he

  was appointed by God to battle what he saw were sins that kept the people away from God. This

  fueled his social and political ambition, aligning himself with politicians and law enforcement

  agencies who were of like mind with Thomas in their desire to wipe from the community

  decadence and corruption.

  For a few years, he had tried to get the authorities to shut down Riley’s establishment, but

  always the district attorney would drop the charges, saying there was nothing he could do,

  because they could not find anything that Riley was doing illegally. At few times, Whooten had

  organized a crowd that had picketed in front of the club. He often stood in front of the crowd

  with a bull horn and proclaim that such acts of blasphemy were being allowed inside the

  building, spreading corruption in their fair town. Riley or Joe or one of the bouncers would call

  the police, who would come down and manage to disperse the protest.

  Riley saw Thomas stop one of the cocktail waitresses and order a drink, more than likely

  a glass of water. The waitress gave him a cold look and indicated with a tilt of her head to the

  water fountain just a few feet away and walked away. Riley smiled a little. This had not been the

  first time the minister had visited the bar. His stingy habit of not tipping despite his numerous

  orders for water was quite known to her staff.

  Thomas turned and saw Riley. Looking quite at ease, he made his way to the bar. “Good

  evening, Ms. Calderon.” He cast his eyes over her attire. “This is especially a busy night.” Riley studied him for a moment. The minister was of average height but quite

  overweight, almost obese, with a large protruding stomach. He liked to sport expensive threepiece suits, which was adorned, rather dandily, with a gold pocket watch in his vest pocket, a fob

  dangling from one pocket, and a gold chain draped across his round stomach. His face was round

  and quite cherubic with pink cheeks, framed by thick white-gray hair that curled all around his

  head in a cupid-like manner. His eyes were round and blue and twinkled often. He presented a

  jovial mien to the public, a man who was good-humored, sure of his destiny.

  But Riley knew that for all his display of cheerfulness, Thomas Whooteen was ruthless

  with a streak of meanness, which stemmed from ill will towards those he felt hindered the

  progress of humankind to the will of God.

  “I’ll dispense with the question of if you’re having a good time, Mr. Whooten,” Riley

  said coolly. “For a man who so energetically decries the reprobate practices of society, you

  certainly expose yourself often to such licentious environment.”

  Thomas gave friendly smile. “You might say it’s the old adage of keep your friends close

  but keep your enemies even closer, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I think it more of a man being overly fascinated with what he tries to reject so wholeheartedly.”

  The minister’s smile turned a bit nasty. “It would be a mistake to try and find a kinship

  with me, Ms. Calderon, in an attempt to have me turn away from my life-long cause.” “I would never do that, Mr. Whooten. I don’t share in your glee of the type of fun you

  like to engage in. Good evening.” Riley walked away, feeling his animosity on her back as he

  watched her.

  As she tried to make her way to the dance lounge through the thick throng, Riley was

  suddenly caught at the waist and swung around. She lifted her face, about to tell off whoever it

  was that dared to manhandle her in such fashion, when she saw Tanner’s laughing face. “Tanner!” She hugged him with welcome gladness. “I was coming in search of you.” Tanner stepped back and surveyed her and gave her a low whistle. “I don’t know if it’s a

  good thing or a bad thing that you are going to be my sister-in-law. Every time I see you, you

  make my blood pressure rise.”

  Riley wrapped her arm around his waist and the two walked towards the bar. When she

  felt his hand at her back slipping to her buttocks, she pulled it back up. “Behave yourself. Now,

  tell me, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? George, can you

  make Mr. Wait here a drink?” she asked one of the bartenders. “It’s on the house. What’s your

  poison, Tanner?”

  “A bottle of Anchor Steam would be good, and put it on my tab. Don’t protest,” Tanner

  put a finger to Riley’s lips. “Now, I’m the last person who needs to get his drinks free.” He

  kissed her on top of her head.

  “You just insulted a perfectly good gesture of friendship and goodwill,” Riley grumbled.

  “I hear you’re with friends up here.”

  “They were bored in the city. So, I thought I’d bring them here for kicks.” “By the way, when you see my sister at work, tell her to give her loving sister a call once

  in awhile. Being driven to distraction by a wedding nazi is no excuse for her to neglect her

  family.”

  “Actually, Robbie’s in New York on business. I drove her to the airport two nights ago to

  see her off. She won’t be back until Wednesday. She normally hates these trips, but this time, she

  was quite relieved to go. You know, to get away from Commandant Hildy. I’ll tell her you said

  hi, though, when I see her on Thursday.” Then He smil
ed down at Riley impishly. “Now, about

  me. I’m in desperate need of some entertainment.”

  Riley tilted her head to one side and gave him an assessing look. “You know what I think

  is the matter with you, my boy. I think you weren’t punished enough when you were younger.” Tanner’s eyes lit up. “Ah, yes, I think you are right, Ms. Calderon. Severe punishment

  has been lacking in my upbringing. I’d be grateful if you would oblige it upon yourself to make

  up for what has been remiss.”

  “No, no, I don’t partake in these little sessions upstairs. Is there a particular person in

  your crowd that you wish to engage in some experiments? If so, I could make private

  arrangements. Or, if you wish to explore it in a more anonymous fashion, that can be arranged,

  as well.”

  “I had a nanny when I was a little boy. She was very beautiful and had these enormous

  breasts, and she used to hold me close against them when she was comforting me. I always

  imagined what I would do had she been naked while she was holding me. Alas, she left me when

  I was ten, because she married.”

  “Oh, you poor boy.” Riley put her hand to Tanner’s face. “We’ll see what we can do,

  shall we?”

  Tanner’s eyes gleamed as he rocked on his heels. “That would be greatly appreciated.” It took Riley nearly ten minutes but she was finally able to corner Wendy Casper. She

  was a platinum blond member of the sex club and a particular favorite for many of the other

  members, with big blue eyes, quite buxom and very sweet with a round, pretty face. Riley found

  her cozied up in a corner table with a state congressman. She pulled Wendy aside. “You know he has four children and seven grandchildren, all of whom are older than

  you,” Riley pointed out.

  Wendy’s eyes widened with innocent astonishment. “I wasn’t going to do anything with

  him. He was telling me that he just lost his wife of forty years to cancer.”

  “His wife’s in Geneva at a Red Cross conference and in perfect health the last I heard.” Wendy stared at the older man who was waving at her from his booth. “You don’t say?

  Now, why would he have made up all those lies?”

  Riley took her by the hand and led her from the lounge. “Now, Wendy, see that young