Indecent Proposition Read online

She took a deep breath, fighting back the wave of familiarity. No matter how she might feel, she couldn't' forget that so many years had passed. She might not have changed over the years, but he certainly had.

  "Why did you send me that picture?" she managed to get out.

  He rubbed the small of her back with one hand, brushing his fingertips over the top of her buttocks. "To get your attention. I have to say, you've fleshed out in all the right places, chere."

  She resisted the impulse to squirm and gritted her teeth. She didn't need to be reminded that she'd gained weight over the years. "Is it the only one you have?"

  He chuckled. "I wouldn' be stupid enough to give up my collection, or give you the only one. I held onto them all these years."

  Alana managed to shift until her hands were wedged between his chest and hers. With the small distance, she felt like she could breathe again. At least her nipples didn't feel so raw and needy now, without the heat of his chest pressed into her.

  "What are we going to do about these? How many do you have?"

  "Enough." He looked down at her a long moment then slowly released her, and she found she could breathe again without his arms so tight around her. He knew she wasn't going anywhere without those pictures. She might be naïve, but she wasn't a moron.

  Alana straightened her blouse, ignoring the look he gave her. She met his eyes. "What price are you looking for?"

  "I'm not lookin' for money."

  She furrowed her brow. "What then?"

  He gave her an indecipherable look, his eyes shielded from the sun and unreadable. "Submission."

  "Excuse me?"

  "Your submission," he said again. "I want your complete submission." His body was relaxed, but there was a tension in his face now. His jaw hardened, the muscles working as he bit back saying more.

  Her lower belly fluttered uncomfortably. "I thought you were being serious about this. I don't know what you're asking for." She moved to take a step back, but he seemed to expect that and grabbed her wrist in a vice grip. The bracelet of his calloused fingers felt rough and hot on her skin. She fleetingly wondered what they'd feel like on other parts of her body.

  "You know exactly what I'm asking for," he said in a growling voice soft with sensual menace.

  A shudder worked itself loose and rebounded down her spine. She shivered in the humid spring breeze and twisted her arm, trying to get loose. "I'm not willing to pay it," she gritted out.

  "I think you'll do anythin' you have to ta get those pictures back. For daddy's sake."

  Her father. She knew this would come up. It was his trump card. No matter what, she couldn't let this get out. They'd all be ruined by the scandal. She sighed, knowing it was useless to fight. He was offering her a way to get her pictures back, without breaking her bank account. Despicable bastard. "I'll do it. But no penetration."

  He stared at her a long moment, almost as if he couldn't believe she'd agreed to his demands. "Fine. One picture for every visit. And I won't put my dick in your pussy--no matter how you beg."

  Alana rolled her eyes and jerked her arm loose from him. "You're so convinced I want you still?"

  "I ain't blind and I can smell just fine."

  She couldn't help but be affronted. "What?"

  "That sweet little of pussy of yours is ripe for the takin'. I've been out long enough to recognize when a woman wants a man." He reached up and pinched one of her nipples--which was still a hard nub from rubbing on his chest.

  "How dare you! Get over yourself." She walked angrily away from him, mortified at his brazenness.

  "Better get used to it." He watched her walk to her car. "Come at dusk tomorrow."

  "Don't forget to bring a picture," she added, sliding into her car and turning the air conditioner on full blast. The cold air instantly dried the perspiration on her face and chest, sending chills through her body and making her nipples tighten unbearably hard. She didn't look back as she drove away, returning to town and her job.

  The trip back seemed to take longer than when she originally left. Perhaps it was because of her encounter with Rafe. She didn't want to think he could still affect her like this, but there was no denying the wanton reaction of her own traitorous body. Was she just so needy that the first man that grabbed her had her pussy weeping to be filled?

  She hated to think so.

  She tried not to think about what had just happened. Normally, she'd question someone's seriousness when delivering such an indecent proposition, but this situation was completely alien to her. It wasn't like she could go and ask someone, anyone, what she should do in case of blackmail. The smartest thing was to never get into a situation like this to start with, but she'd been a young, stupid girl when those were taken--in love--and she'd never imagined they could ever be used against her. One picture had escaped at some point and caused far more damage than she'd dreamed possible. How ironic that they could continue to cause heartache after all this time.

  Daddy told her she was too fat to get attention from the boys the way she wanted, and for the longest kind of time, it'd been true. When Rafe Beachamp came along and paid attention to her--acted like he wanted her for herself--it was like a dream come true. He'd transferred from the 'troublemaker's school' when they were juniors. He made her forget about everything, including her weight. She'd felt sexy and alive for the first time in her life.

  And then her father found out what she'd been doing, and her life seemed to collapse on itself.

  She blinked against the sunlight stinging her eyes and making them tear, shrugging off morose thoughts of the past. She was a grown ass woman now--not a love sick teenager. She'd grit her teeth and get this 'submission' done with. He couldn't and wouldn't affect her like he used to--her guilt would see to that.

  * * * *

  "Where've you been?" Alan Laroche bellowed as Alana came back through the door. His staff didn't look up, used to his loud outbursts throughout the day or whenever things didn't proceed the way he'd planned.

  She resisted the urge to cringe and hurried inside. "I'm sorry, daddy. I had some errands to run that I forgot about, and it took a little longer than I expected with the traffic."

  He said nothing but walked to his office, fully expecting her to follow. She was surprised he didn't let her have it right in front of everyone. Something was on his mind, and it didn't bode well for her.

  She shut the door quietly behind her and sat down in one of the two armchairs facing his desk.

  "Your old boyfriend, Rafe Beauchamp, got out of the slammer some time back. Pranced his purty ass straight back here, from what I've been told. I've heard that he's back in town though I haven't seen the little bastard yet. Living in his granny's old place out by the mill pond … so I've heard."

  How was it he always knew what was going on in his town? Her father wasn't the most likable person in the world, but those people that did like him were one hundred percent devoted to him and all his many whims. It wasn't surprising that he knew Rafe was back, but it should've been. Alana feigned surprise of her own. "Oh? Really?"

  He narrowed his eyes at her, looking her over as he leaned forward in his office chair. "You're to have nothing to do with him. Do I make myself clear?"

  She wanted to tell him she wasn't an idiot. That she knew perfectly well she couldn't have anything to do with Rafe, even if she wanted to. Did he think they were going to pick up where they left off, or did he really care? She rather thought he cared more about his reelection than whether or not she got laid by an old boyfriend. Instead of mouthing off, however, she bit her tongue and remained quiet, merely nodded her agreement.

  Her father continued carrying on his one-sided conversation. "He's bad for business. Bad for my image. If he starts making trouble like I think he will, I might have to get the Sheriff out there to pay him a visit."

  She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, crossing her legs and forcing her clenched hands to flatten out in her lap. "I'm sure he just wants to get on with his life. He's paid
his debt to society."

  He grunted. "Not that bunch. The Beachamps were always troublemakers. That's why they all died young. He's the last of his line in these parts."

  She'd forgotten his uncle and grandmother had died a few years back. It only served to make her feel worse. Rafe had had a hell of a homecoming. And now her father was aware of his return.

  Where did her father get his memory from? No matter how obscure, he always seemed to remember everything--especially when it came to her. She wasn't sure how she'd keep the blackmail from him. She'd have to get that envelope out of her desk today and destroy it before he had a chance to discover it himself.

  Just the idea of him finding something like that on her filled her with a sick dread.

  "I want you to let me know if he contacts you," he said, drawing her attention back to him.

  "Why?" she asked, frowning.

  "Don't ask why. Just do it. You don't know how to handle a man like that. And I don't need him turning your head with his bad boy charm. He's trash, and we don't keep trash in the house--we take it out and burn it."

  "Okay. I know you're right. I doubt I'll hear from him. I can't imagine anything he'd have to say to me."

  "I'm sure he has plenty to say to the both of us. He's just not going to get the chance, if he knows what's good for him."

  "Is that it? Can I go back to work now? I had some layouts I was working on."

  He waved her off, turning on his computer screen. "I'll see you at dinner tonight."

  Alana paused in her pursuit of the exit, remembering her prior engagement. She winced inwardly, wondering what to tell him to put him off. He was used to her cooking for him on Wednesdays. "I'm sorry. I actually planned to get started on a new diet tonight and I completely forgot to tell you."

  Alan scowled. "You and these damn diets. You should know by now you're not going to lose any weight on them."

  She sucked in an irritated breath. They'd gone through this countless times. "It doesn't mean I should give up either."

  "God knows you shouldn't just let yourself go. Fine. I'll fend for myself."

  She came forward and kissed her father on the cheek, as he expected. Catastrophe averted--for the time being. She'd never been very good at lying, and daddy was a crack shot at figuring people out. She'd have to work hard to make sure he didn't catch her at anything.

  She felt tired just thinking about it. A tension headache pounded her temples and the base of her skull. She went back to her office, popped some Excedrin, and went to work on her computer, hoping to take her mind off of everything save work. Work was safe and predictable. She knew what needed to be done each day, and she did it.

  Rafe coming into her life had thrown her for a loop. She had to get him back out of it as soon as possible. It was too much to hope he'd decide to leave them alone and move out of town. No one seemed able to escape from here long.

  * * * *

  The day seemed to end sooner than she expected. She'd buried herself in work, hunched over the computer like a troll until she was the last one in the office and the daylight was dwindling through the window blinds. She locked up and picked up some takeout for her supper. Her stomach was in knots, though, her throat dry, making it difficult to swallow the French fries and lukewarm cheeseburger. After about half of it, she gave up and trashed the rest, heading back out of town to the spot for their arrangement.

  She didn't know what to expect from him. He was so difficult to read--nothing like the boy she'd once known. He wasn't really a boy then, either, a young man, but it wasn't hard to tell that being locked up had changed him. Unless it was all in her imagination--which she doubted. She'd barely recognized him, and that fact alone had her swimming in guilt.

  She despised feeling like moral crap all the time, and refused to give in to those feelings. She couldn't change things now. She just had to get through this and then she'd be okay again--she could get on with her life.

  Alana parked deeper in the brush, behind an old oak, hoping it would shield her car from any late night passersby. Dusk deepened, and the moon rose like a great gold coin over the horizon.

  The fact that he was late should've bothered her. She didn't know what kind of transportation he was relying on. He couldn't be that well off, having just gotten out recently. There were many things she'd never know about him--and really, she shouldn't bother trying. Perhaps he wouldn't be able to make it tonight, and she could delay the inevitable. It might help her out to have more time to get used to the idea of doing whatever it was that he wanted her to do. In fact, if she could delay things, she might could strike a better bargain.

  Alana chewed her lip, thinking of different scenarios as she watched the dwindling light leave the sky.

  The night was devoid of people. She hadn't seen any other cars on the way out to the winding road. He'd picked a good night for their rendezvous.

  Mosquitoes and moths fluttered against her windshield, trying to get in to the soft green light illuminating her dashboard. The radio played 80s music softly, helping her feel less rattled to be in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, alone.

  It seemed like she might get away unscathed. He was unreasonable if he expected her to wait for him right on and on.

  Someone tapped on her window, startling her. She jerked away from the sound but relaxed when she saw it was Rafe. He motioned for her to exit the car.

  She reluctantly switched off the car and got out, inhaling deeply through her nose and catching his scent as he leaned forward to shut the door behind her. His proximity to her body made her warm and very aware of him. Her skin tingled with expectancy.

  She tamped it down.

  "Come on. We're goin' down ta the river." He took her hand without asking, giving her little choice but to follow behind him.

  His long stride covered distance with little effort. Along a small, beaten down path, long grasses and burrs that had sprouted since the last rain snagged her pin-striped skirt, scratching and tickling her legs. She swiped at them as she walked, nearly losing her balance and bumping into his broad back.

  He grunted but said nothing, stopping long enough for her to catch herself aright. When she was able to look around without tripping over her own feet, she saw that a grassy shore met the edges of the creek, worn down and flattened in some places by countless treads along its banks. A couple of five gallon paint buckets splayed over on their side, probably from someone fishing down here before.

  She'd never really come here when she was younger. She'd never really been welcome--always the rich kid but still an outsider. She had never had much interest in the 'in' crowd, and hadn't missed being a part of it. She'd mostly enjoyed being ignored. It meant she wasn't a target for bullies. It also meant she never had a boyfriend for most of her school days. Rafe was the first boy to ever pay attention to her in a positive way. She'd only been tormented by boys before him--or maybe they hadn't all been like that, she'd only seen it that way.

  "Take your clothes off," Rafe said, startling her with his sudden command. And it was most definitely a command. There was no hesitancy in his voice. The growling way he delivered it made her shiver inside.

  Rafe turned away a moment, as if he hadn't just asked her to bare everything to him--like it didn't really matter. He was doing this for torture's sake alone.

  "No," she practically yelped, covering herself with her arms as if she were already naked. It was just a gut reaction. She meant it, but she didn't … exactly. Her heartbeat quickened as she stared at him in the rising moonlight and saw the dead seriousness on his face. He'd known how she felt about her body back then. Why would she be any different now? Then again, this wasn't some secret rendezvous that she'd arranged willingly.

  She knew his ultimate motive was punishment alone. He wanted to punish her for what he'd gone through.

  God help her. She deserved it.

  "I didn' ask you," he said, a warning in the tone of his voice.

  "But. I don't think … I don't want--"
br />   "You don' want me to do it for you." He took a step toward her.

  No. She didn't. She really, really didn't. Her body tightened with nervous tension as she stared across the distance at him and his determined expression. He'd do it. And if he came over to tear her clothes off, she didn't know what could happen next. She wasn't about to find out.

  "Besides," he continued. "I brought you somethin'. As part of our deal." He reached into his tight jeans pocket, pulling out a small, folded up photograph. He smoothed out the creases with his thumb, laying it open flat in his palm to study it over.

  She knew what it was. She swallowed. Hard. "Out here? What if someone sees us?" she asked, looking around at their shadowy surroundings and wondering how quickly she could shuck her clothes and be done with his little game--before some bystander could come upon them.

  "Then you better give us all a show." His jaw clenched. "This ain't a joke. If you want this, you'll do exactly what I tell you to." He moved away to pull up a bucket and sit down, getting comfortable for the show. He took his hat off, combing his fingers through his shaggy hair. The dark brown locks curled around his ears and the collar of his shirt. He had to have been out a while to have grown his hair this long. How long had he been planning this?

  She wasn't that surprised that he remembered her after all this time. It was her fault he went to jail, after all. Her fault, and her punishment for her deceit was finally coming to pass. She could no longer blame her actions on childish stupidity.

  He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to begin.

  Alana shuddered as a mild breeze stirred her hair and the grasses tickling her shins. She took a deep, fortifying breath and focused on the sound of water drifting by, unbuttoning her blouse. She moved quickly, dropping it to the ground and shucking off her skirt. He hadn't asked for a production, and she wasn't about to give it to him.

  Goosebumps prickled her skin as she bared it to his view, making her feel nervous, expectant without reason.

  "Your bra and panties too," he said when she paused on them, his voice suddenly harsh in the quiet.

  Shame filled her with embarrassment. Alana looked at him, then turned her face away, covering her too large breasts with one arm while she struggled with the hooks in the back. She finally got the three hooks undone, and the bra gave way, threatening to spill her breasts out of her protective arm. She squirmed out of her panties, feeling ridiculous and glad for the dimness, and closed her eyes, resisting the urge to grab her clothes and run. She didn't even like looking at herself naked, with or without a mirror--let alone having a man look at her. She knew him. That didn't mean she wanted him to see her naked again--least of all like this.