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Part 2

Erin woke late on Saturday.  Even as she took a moment to stretch before getting up, her thoughts turned unbidden to Antoine and how he made her feel.  She felt a momentary flutter in her stomach as she remembered how his strong arms felt around her and how solid and smooth his chest was and how broad his shoulders were - she groaned as she rolled over and forced herself out of bed.  Meandering into the kitchen, she smiled warmly at the coffee maker, which had fresh coffee waiting for her.  She pulled the note from atop the coffee maker:

            Erin,

            Thanks a mil for doing this for us.  Hope eight thirty for coffee is good on a Saturday morning.  Feel free to entertain any suitors while we're gone.  Just kidding.  Much love,

                                                                                                Ange and D.

Erin sighed in satisfied contentment as she poured herself a cup - the strong aroma of fresh coffee surrounding her - settling her nerves.  For a brief moment she considered adding her customary cream and sugar, but decided against it this time.  Heading over to the sliding glass door, she stepped out onto the balcony to enjoy her coffee in the morning sunshine.  Walking over to the balcony wall that faced the ocean, she leaned forward so that her lower stomach rested against it.  Sipping her coffee, she let the sight and sound of the ocean waves crashing against the sandy beach below lull her into a temporary state of contentment. 

"Good morning." 

Her blissful moment shattered, Erin turned in the direction of the greeting with a frown.  For some reason she had thought this was a private balcony, yet there was Antoine sitting at a small table at the other end drinking orange juice and reading the paper.  His smile spread slowly across his full lips as his dark eyes traveled down the length of her body - lingering for a moment on her long legs - then traveling back up again to see a moment of panic flash through her pretty blue/gray eyes.  Erin felt her cheeks flame once more as she suddenly realized her state of dress . . . or undress as the case may be - she wore only her silk sleep shirt that ended about mid-thigh.  "Morning," she answered and moved as casually as she could to the stuccoed railing that separated the two balconies.  Funny how she hadn’t noticed before that there was another balcony on the other side of that waist level wall.

"Beautiful isn't it?"  He suppressed a knowing grin as she moved closer to the wall between them - effectively shutting out his view of her lovely legs.

"Very," she answered vaguely - staring out at the ocean - listening to its music.

"Not much of a morning person are you?" he asked putting his paper down and pointing to her coffee mug.  He noted that she still wore a dreamy somewhat sleepy expression.  I bet she looks beautiful first thing in the morning, he thought.  He mentally kicked himself.  Where was this coming from?  Who cared if she was beautiful in the morning or not? 

"Not really,” she answered turning her head back to look at him.  “You seem to be though."

He shrugged his broad shoulders lazily and stood.  “I just happen to be one of those ‘any time of day’ kinds of people,” he replied wandering over to where she stood by the half wall. 

Erin’s mouth went dry when she saw him stand up.  Up till now she had kept her eyes either on his face or the ocean below, but with his sudden movement to stand her eyes had dropped down and she realized that he was wearing just about as little as she was.  A silky dark blue robe that he wore unbelted so that it hung open revealing the hard muscles of his chest, clung to his shoulders and billowed out as he walked towards her and matching silk boxers.   Fighting the urge to run, she tensed up as he approached.  "Don't you have someone to be entertaining right now?" she asked a bit hastily suddenly feeling nervous and jittery.

He chuckled softly as he stopped before her.  "I had a cancellation.  Would you like to be penciled in?"  His chocolate brown eyes gleamed with unvoiced mirth.  He knew she would refuse him, but, a part of him hoped she didn't.  He was getting into his character of the gigolo, getting to know a woman, seeing what buttons to push, using them for mutual pleasure; THIS he knew.  THIS is what he needed to stick with.  Otherwise... he stifled the thought before it happened.

Her eyes widened for a moment in near panic - her face flaming again.  "No, thank you.  That's quite alright."

"You're sure?"  He teased enjoying the crimson color that had quickly spread across her already rosy cheeks.  Her blush made him react like a school boy.  He wanted to know if it was as warm to the touch as it looked.  Antoine, he warned himself, don't EVEN go there!

"Positive."

"I could make it worth your while."  He mentally kicked himself, what was he doing?  Almost begging this woman to let him have sex with her?  Yes, it was time for him to quit his profession.  Not that he didn't have enough women beating down his door.  It was just wrong to see every woman as a possible client.  He did a double take, he knew this woman would never be a "client".  Why was he relegating her to the rank of one?  Why was he even TREATING her like one?  You know why, Laconte, it's a security blanket. 

"I'm sure you can, but I'm not interested, Mr. Laconte."  She was beginning to get annoyed now.

He chuckled again. "You use formality as a way to distance yourself don't you?"

She glared at him then over her coffee mug causing him to chuckle even more.  "I didn't realize I was being that humorous," she commented sarcastically.

He moved from looking out at the ocean and giving her his profile, to bracing his arms on the rail that faced her and giving her his full attention.  "It's not what you say but how you say it that I find humorous.  I am not used to meeting a grown woman who blushes.  It's very... " he paused as if trying to find the proper words

"If you say alluring I will have to hurt you."

This brought out a deep belly laugh. "I was going to say sexy.  But really, I'm more intrigued now with how you would hurt me."

"I did take self defense."

"Do you really feel you need to defend yourself against me?"  His eyes bore into her with a seriousness she wasn't expecting.  Even though that seductive smile was upon his face - a face that was at this present moment so close, she merely had to reach up her hand to stroke his cheek.

She slammed the door shut on that thought.  "I don't know exactly what to do with you, Ant-I mean Mr. Laconte."

"I think I know what you would like to do with me," he taunted her - deliberately lowering his tone so that it sounded deep and sexy.  You're FLIRTING with her!  Antoine chided himself.  He paused a moment, how long since he had flirted for real?  Not to seduce, not for anything but fun?  He couldn't remember the last time.

"You conceited ass!  Have a good day, Mr. Laconte," she retorted haughtily as she turned on her heel and walked back inside the condo, locking the sliding glass door.  Such a conceited man!  She fumed to herself.  She didn't know if she wanted to hit him or kiss him.  He knew what he did to her.  He KNEW.  Not only that he didn't even have the decency to keep the knowledge to himself, he had to go and throw it back in her face.  She quickly pulled on her swimsuit and went down to the pool for a couple of laps.  She'd be damned if she was going to let the conceited man ruin her day.

****

It was the afternoon and nothing was on TV.  She booted up the computer and signed in as Ldyintrigue.  She didn't even have any junk mail to go through.  She started perusing the web for information on the Mayan Civilization.  Only because that was coming up in History class this coming week and she thought it would be good to know if there had been any more discoveries since she had taken notes over the summer.  She heard a thump against the wall and went to see if Tiger was getting into something he shouldn't have been.  She rose from the computer and followed the sound to the master bedroom.  She found Tiger on the middle of the down comforter staring at her with a look of I was asleep and you woke me.  Obviously it wasn't Tiger who had caused the thumping sound.  That's when she heard it.  The constant thumping and this time she could hear the moans of someone having sex.  She realized Antoine was entertaining.  For some odd reason she blushed at the thought.  She scooped Tiger up into her arms and walked out of the room and sat back down at the computer.

She had had left over pizza for dinner and was relaxing on the balcony reading a book when her cell phone rang.  She grabbed it off the table next to her and answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, Erin.  Long time no hear."

"Hi, Ray, I've been busy."

"I'd say so.  You haven't been home all day and I could only get a hold of you on your cell.  What have you been up to, Princess?"

"Nothing really."

"Want to take in the late show?"

"Ray, I'd rather not.  I've already explained it to you."

"You said you didn't want to sleep with me that was all."

"Yes and you said that you didn't want to date a woman who after six months wasn't willing to put out remember?"

"I'm willing to give you another try."

"I'm not."

"You don't know what you're missing."

"I may not but I know that I prefer my life at the moment over having to constantly battle you and your roaming hands."

"You are such a Prude, Erin.  Maybe that's why it’s such a turn on.  Why do you think Needlehymer wants you?  He thinks you’re a God Damn virgin."

"What is wrong if I am?"

"I know better.  But he wants to be your first.  Be careful, Erin.  I may have to tell Mrs. Needlehymer that you're leading the wonderful Chair on."

"What good is that going to do?"

"I know he's been buying you pink roses.  I also know he has asked you out at least twice."

"Yes and both times I refused.  You have nothing on me, Ray."

"We shall see.  Who are you taking to the faculty party this Friday?  You know the one party where all of the nice people that donate money to the University come to rub elbows?"

"I wasn't planning on going."

"Just remember, this is your first year here, it's expected of you."

"Ray, you're not taking me."

"I may not be taking you there but I'd be interested in who does.  Rumor has it that Needlehymer is shipping his wife off to Club Med somewhere so he can entertain you that night.  Bye for now, Princess."

She didn't even say goodbye.  She walked inside, shutting the sliding glass door behind her.  She threw her cell phone onto the couch.  Tiger twined around her ankles in an effort to soothe her.  She picked the cat up, stroking under his chin as she sat down at the computer.  He jumped down and meandered over to his food dish.  She signed on to the internet in the hopes of distracting herself.  As usual while checking email the chime went off to say she had an IM.

<Hello, Lady.>

Erin couldn't help but smile.  <Evening, Des.>

<How are you this evening?>

She thought about saying fine, and leaving it at that.  But she decided against it.  <My ex just called.  He's trying to coerce me into a date.>

<Coerce?  How?>

<Long story.  I'll just talk to my boss come Monday.>

<Are you okay?  Do you need to talk?>

<If I didn't know any better, Des, I'd say you were concerned.>

<I'm not just after you for sex, Lady, I do care.  Do you need to talk?>

<We are talking.>

<I mean over the phone.>

<I'm fine, Des.>

<If you say so.>

She finished what little e-mail she had.  She IM'd Des,  <No teasing tonight?>

<You didn't seem in the mood for it.>

<It seems abnormal when you don't tease, Des.>

<You know, I can be serious.>

<I know. I've just been too serious for both of us.  So let's lighten the mood.>

<Have you run into the man of your dreams again?>

Erin glared at the screen, speechless.  <I told you before it was a chance meeting.>

<It was a stab in the dark.  Does this mystery man live close to where you are house sitting?>

<Why don't we talk about you for once, Des?>

< I must have hit a nerve!>

Erin smirked, he was starting with the winky smiley faces.  <What's new in your life, Des?>

<I met a woman.  Are you jealous?>

<Does she like to have phone sex?>

<I don't know, I haven't asked.  Something tells me probably not.>

<I find that funny.>

<I thought you might.  Do you feel better, cara mia?>

<Yes, Gomez, I do.>

<Good.  I hate to cut this short, but I have things to do.>

<Have a good evening, Des.>

<Ciao, my Lady>

Erin signed off.  Then after playing a few hands of freecell she shut down the computer and got ready for bed.

Erin awoke with a sigh.  She glanced at the bedside clock.  "Three am." She grumbled aloud.  Tiger was lying on the pillow next to her.  She flopped onto her back and folded her hands atop the covers, visions of coffee colored eyes and a full bottom lip firmly embedded in her thoughts.  The soft smile which was tugging at the edges of her lips quickly vanished when she thought of what had woken her from what had been a pleasant dream.  Images of Ray.  She reached over and scratched Tiger under his chin.  After a moment she got up, put on her robe, and without tying it stepped out onto the balcony, hoping the sound of the waves gently caressing the shore would ease her taut nerves and she'd be able to go back to sleep.

"Damn him!  She muttered angrily.  "He's using blackmail to get me to sleep with him.  I need to go to the President of the University and tell him about Needlehymer.  That is the only way."  She braced her arms against the rail and looked out at the ocean lost in thought.  The normally soothing sounds of the ocean did nothing to calm her this evening.

"Good evening, cara mia."  Erin was clearly agitated.  Why, he didn't know.  He heard her mutter 'Damn him' and that peeked his attention.

She turned her attention to Antoine who was lounging on the top of the rail that separated their balconies.  She managed a weak smile, "Sorry, Antoine.  I was lost in thought."

"So I noticed,” he replied immediately noticing that she’d called him ‘Antoine’.  Oddly enough, he decided not to call attention to that fact.  “It's a bit early for you isn't it?"  He sipped his drink and stared at her intently.  Once again he had on his robe, which was untied.  She was clearly upset.  Her face was drawn, no twinkle in her eyes; even seeing him clothed the way he was didn't bring a blush to her face.  He had just been thinking of her, wondering what to do about her.  Now, he saw THIS side of her and it had caught him totally off guard.

"Couldn't sleep."  She was leaning against the balcony overlooking the ocean.  She knew Antoine was there, but was too caught up in her thoughts to care.

"Why couldn't you sleep, cara mia?" he asked softly, gazing at her profile as she watched the ocean.  He smirked then, "Dreams tormenting your rest?"

She looked at him, smirking herself, "Not the kind you are implying."

His smirk turned into a grin, "What type of dreams do you think I am implying?"  And yet, that tell tale smirk said that he had made her feel better; if only a little.  This made him feel warm and proud that he helped, if only a trifle. 

"The erotic variety, Mr. Laconte," came the quiet husky reply. 

"Ahh, there we go with the formality once again, Ms. St. Martin."  He hopped over the balcony and before she could react, he pressed her against the rail. "Which tells me…" his voice had dropped to a seductive growl, "that you were having thoughts of the erotic variety."  He stepped back then, giving her enough space to breathe, but not far enough to let her run into the house.  He knew her defenses were down; why he didn't care at this moment.  He was going to take full advantage of her openness and pay for the consequences later.  Maybe, find a way to get Ms. St. Martin out of his system, or even more in his system.  Either way he didn't care.

Erin felt the frantic pulsing of her heart.   Here was Adonis standing mere inches away.  She wanted to run - this was too close - she had been so lost in her troubles she hadn't seen the attack coming.  The attack on her body.  This man didn't even have to touch her in a sexual way and suddenly she was aroused.  He was definitely good at his trade, she thought to herself.  Trying to remind herself that he did this for a living; her sex starved body wasn't listening.  "M-m- maybe I had a couple of stray thoughts along those lines,” she answered breathlessly.  "Really, don't flatter yourself."  She felt herself start trembling.  She turned and faced away from him, hugging her body with her hands, willing herself to please calm down.

Antoine moved to stand next to her, leaning against the rail and facing her profile.  He still sensed that she was upset, but he also could tell that he was getting to her.  He smiled to himself, he really hadn't been trying.  Maybe he would finally find something out about her besides the fact she was a teacher and she had a nice body.   Leaning down he whispered into her ear, "I specifically asked if your dreams had tormented you.  You are the one who put the question in a sexual context."

Erin felt the shiver course through her as his breath played along the bare skin of her neck as his softly accented words teased her ears.  "You are correct, Mr. Laconte, I do apologize," she answered with a slight tremor to her voice, looking out at the ocean.  This man had set every nerve in her body on meltdown with just a whisper.  How was she going to survive him for the next two weeks without giving in?  She mentally shook herself, she didn't want to have sex with someone on the grounds that she just "gave in”.  There had to be more to it.  Ange would have told her she was living in her fairytale world again.  She wasn't a prude, she just thought that you should know someone well before you had sex with them, that's all.  Hopefully have deep feelings for the person, hopefully the man returned those deep feelings.

Antoine noted the slight tremor that was coursing along her arms.  He regarded her quietly, enjoying the play of moonlight across her pale skin, especially at the expanse of cleavage that her chemise was showing off with its "v" neck.  He enjoyed the silence that had fallen between them, it gave him a moment to appreciate her beauty.  He noticed several things while standing there gazing at her: she had a mole on her cheekbone, right before the hairline; she had a small scar atop her nose; but more importantly, he noticed that she was completely ignoring him… it made him smile.   "I know what you need," he said after a moment, his voice still husky.

"To be left alone?" she answered offhandedly.  Dearly wanting to be left alone with her anger.

"No."  He stepped behind her and placed his hands on either shoulder. "A shoulder rub," he whispered in her ear as his fingers expertly began their massage.  Her skin was soft under his callused fingertips.  He felt her let out the breath she had been holding.  Her shoulders started to relax under his expert fingers, only to tense up once again as she tried to build her guard up against him.  For a brief moment he wondered what made her feel as if she couldn't relax around him and then mentally kicked himself.  You idiot! He berated himself silently.  She knows what you do for a living!  Still, he couldn't help but enjoy the feel of her against him.

Erin became quite aware that his silk boxers and her silk robe and chemise did not hide the contact of their bodies.  She could feel his hard maleness against her and this caused another shiver of longing to course through her body.  If only Antoine didn't have an ulterior motive, she sighed inwardly.  She could really use a male friend right now to help her figure out what to do.  A friend with an unbiased opinion.  The massage was nice though, she had to admit.  But she could never tell Antoine, least he got the wrong idea.

Antoine stopped the massage and placing a hand on either side of her he firmly pressed himself into her.  He could feel the tautness of her body, "Would you care for further administrations?" 

Erin gulped.  She could smell the musk of his cologne; he was standing so close.  It would be so easy to give in.  No one would know.  It could be their little secret.  She had never been one to have a fling and she knew she wasn't about to start now.  Antoine nipped at her ear.  With a gasp she turned, a tight smile on her face, "How much do I owe for the shoulder rub?  That is probably all I can afford on my salary."  Her voice was devoid of any emotion.  She thought she saw hurt flash across his coffee colored eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.  Still, she hated herself for it.  She could not bring herself to admit the truth and prayed somehow in the long run he would understand.

Antoine recovered quickly and pulled away abruptly.  He put on his professional smile and answered with a coldness that sent a different kind of shiver down her spine. "I was just giving you a sample of what I could do to pleasure you, cara mia."  With that, he was over the rail and back on his side of the balcony.  Erin heard the slide of the door as he opened it to go inside and she shook her head mournfully.  She hated herself for the pain she inflicted, and she had hurt him.  Regardless how quickly he’d covered it up, she’d seen it in his eyes.  With a heavy sigh she went into the house.

Antoine stood just inside the door holding his breath.  What did you think she would do, Laconte?  He scolded himself.  Normally he'd have come back with an equally scalding remark, yet this time the knife had sunk in with a final twist and the wound was open and bleeding.  He felt the sting of unshed tears and he wanted to laugh at how pathetic he was becoming.  He had wanted to be a friend, a true friend to her, possibly more and yet she had hurt him with those few words.  When was the last time a woman had ever hurt him?  When was the last time he cared enough to allow it?  He was never "PROUD" per say of his work, but he was good at it and he wasn't ashamed of it either.  Yet, he realized, something in him was changing.  He was tired, tired of what he did for a living.  He had already planned to quit in the next couple of weeks, but Erin's words brought it home as to WHY he HAD to quit.  No self respecting woman would EVER date a gigolo.  And yes, Antoine wanted to date.  He wanted to court, to get married, to have children and to grow old with someone.  THAT was his secret dream.  To some day fall in love, like his parents, and grandparents.

Disgusted with himself, he pushed away from the wall and went to bed.

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Desperado – Part 3