"All The Way"

Rating: M- Strong sexual content. Adults doing what adults do.

Chapter 10

Boston, Massachusetts

Julia had assembled a portfolio of contacts from the AMA Convention, copies of her professional vitae and a list of several promising opportunities. She would need to make choices, whether she would stay in research, return to general practice in hematology, or continue her psychiatric work. Her career could resume as though the last five years had been a dream. Would it be that easy?

Slowly she sipped her coffee and stared at the bread on the kitchen counter. Eliot would be planning the new semester and resuming the comfortable routine of his university duties and she…. well, she could resume her medical practice. The challenges and excitement they had shared would become only a recollection. She lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. The phone rang. Diane had left for work, perhaps she had forgotten something.

She picked up the phone. "Hello."

"Hello, Julia. I'm sorry did I wake you?"

Julia listened carefully trying to recognize the smooth masculine voice on the other end.

"No, you didn't wake me. Richard?"

She heard a soft laugh on the other end.

"It's only been a few hours, have you forgotten me so quickly?"

Julia straightened in her chair, recalling the cold shower from last night. "No, I just didn't expect to hear from you."

"You didn't think I would forget about you."

Julia's eyes watched the smoke from her cigarette drift to the ceiling.

"I assumed you were being polite, considering I'm a little mature for your taste."

Julia noticed a slight hesitation in his voice, had she struck a cord. She smiled slightly.

"Could you meet me for lunch? I have some business I would like to discuss with you."

Julia's eyes narrowed. "Last night you wanted me for my body, today it's my mind. How interesting!"

Richard laughed again, "You're not the slightest bit curious?"

"Should I be?" she asked toying with him.

"You have my number Julia, think it over."

Julia frowned. He had tossed the ball in her court letting her make the next move. Yes, she was curious. What possible business would he want to discuss with her? She rustled the paper on the table pretending to check her schedule.

With an exaggerated sigh, "You're in luck it looks like my schedule does allow for a brief meeting at lunch today."

"Wonderful, I'll meet you at O'Malley's near the river. Have you heard of it? It's a nice little bar and grill and they have great sandwiches. How about 11:30?"

"I've heard of it," Julia rustled the paper again. "Yes, 11:30 will fit into my schedule."

"I'll see you then, Good-bye."

Julia hung up the phone, ground out her cigarette and began to undress.

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O'Malley's near the Charles River

O'Malley's catered to the professional crowd. Richard had arrived early and settled in one of the corner tables and ordered a drink. As Julia entered the bar he motioned for her to join him, politely stood and pulled the chair out for her to sit next to him.

"Thank you for joining me on such short notice."

Julia nodded taking in his relaxed attire, a navy polo and khaki pants.

"You wanted to discuss business."

Richard nodded as he motioned for the server.

"Iced tea," Julia ordered, took a Tiperello from her purse and lit it. Richard watched the thin, dark cigar placed between her full lips. Julia studied him, removed the Tiperello, and used the tip of her tongue to slowly moisten her lips. Richard nervously moistened his own lips, as Julia smiled.

He cleared his voice and began, "Would you consider collaborating on a research project?"

"Collaborating?" Julia repeated, gently stroking the tapered end of the Tiperello against her lips as though in deep thought. She could see the tension in his eyes as he watched. Two can play this seduction game she thought.

"What is the project?" she finally asked.

"The project is an Anasazi village in Utah. I need someone to analyze blood samples from the remains there. The arid climate and the cave site have helped preserve the tissues. The site is very isolated and we'll need you to serve as the site physician as well."

Julia's eyes narrowed, tapped the ashes into the decorative tray at their table.

Carter had not anticipated her hesitation. Why didn't she eagerly agree, this was a golden opportunity? She should be leaping at the chance to work with him.

"I would want equal credit," Julia began coolly, "and I want it in writing."

Richard's eyes widened. Fifty-fifty, in writing, he had never shared anything with anyone in his life. His graduate students felt the honor of working with him was compensation enough.

"Are you saying you don't trust me?" He asked incredulously.

Julia smiled sweetly, elegantly holding the Tiperello between her fingertips. "Let's just say I don't want any misunderstandings. It will be fifty-fifty, all conditions specified, in writing, or it doesn't happen. You have your attorney write it, I'll have mine read it, and if it's fair, you have a deal."

Richard's eyes blinked rapidly for a moment considering the change of events. She's intelligent, independent, a hematologist, but she's still a woman. Yes, she's a woman. Richard smiled. He could handle women.

"O.K. Julia, you have a deal."

Julia gave a slight smile trying not to show her feelings of triumph.

"When you agree, Julia, we need to begin the preparations right away. Tomorrow night we could have dinner at my townhouse and work on the project."

"If I agree."

"While we're in New York City for my book signing you could check the supply houses and continue your research. We will leave for Utah a few days after my book signing."

"Are you asking me to travel with you to New York as well?"

Richard tried hard not to appear nervous. She had caught him by surprise, and her apparent reluctance after last night was unexpected. He had not met a woman who could resist the Carter charm.

"It wouldn't be all work. We could take in a few Broadway plays, museums, fine restaurants, whatever you like," Richard smiled, feeling he had sweetened the deal.

Julia's face was expressionless as she leaned back in her chair. Richard's eyes moved over the feminine exterior, the simple gray suit, white pearl necklace and earrings, and marveled how the deceptive feminine facade covered such a shrewd negotiator. Where did she learn this? Playing poker?

She and Diane had played in many poker games on their road trip. Julia enjoyed the tension of their game, knowing he wanted her in more than one way sweetened the experience. Carter's tastes were for a young, inexperienced woman. Julia smiled. However, she was sure Richard would not be able to resist the challenge and excitement of chasing an older and more experienced woman.

The physician finished her ice tea and ground out the Tiperello.

"I look forward to hearing from you and your attorney," She announced checking her watch, "If you'll excuse me I need to leave."

Richard stood and watched with astonishment as Julia Hoffman rose and moved across the busy restaurant, stopped at the door and gave a quick wave before disappearing.

Carter slowly sat down. "Damn," He muttered.

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Julia called upon the services of Ana-Gen's legal counsel before signing Richard's agreement. The conditions were quite generous and with her attorney's blessing she signed the documents.

Diane shook her head and gave Julia a motherly look.

"You're playing with fire, Julia. You're playing a risky game with Richard Carter. Men like Carter never lose, they make sure of it."

Julia lifted her chin, lower lip set in determination.

"I'm not use to losing either, I'm sure of it," Julia replied in defiance before leaving to join Richard Carter for dinner, a working dinner.

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Richard Carter's townhouse

Julia was glad she had chosen to wear one of her simple dark suits. She wanted Richard to know this was a working dinner and nothing more. On arrival the physician's eyes moved appreciatively over the burgundy polo and black pants and decided Carter would be handsome in whatever he wore.

Richard confessed he was not the most creative cook. He explained the last six months in the Yucatan jungle his group had cooked for sustenance not creativity. The meal was simple, New York strip, baked potato and a spring salad, their conversation light, both contemplating the details of their project together.

They sat on one corner of a large dining table looking out on a great room where a large leather sofa sat in front of a spacious fireplace. Richard had a small fire burning to remove the evening chill. A hallway to the side led to two bedrooms and a bath. The furnishings revealed a man who traveled extensively; the woods and styles from different countries, the figurines and artifacts spanned the globe. Yet there was a quite elegance, the intricate pattern of the Persian rug by the fireplace, the expensive crystal chandelier hanging over the table. Richard Carter projected himself well in his furnishings. He had an image to maintain.

She watched as he quietly cleared their plates and refilled their wine glasses. Julia pulled paper, pencil and catalogs from her briefcase and spread them on the table. Richard returned with his briefcase and joined her. The next 45 minutes they discussed the details of the site and the extent of their research.

The physician had pages and pages of notes and questions. The task of setting up a mobile lab in the middle of nowhere might have caused other researchers to stop in their tracks, but Julia's experience in the old house at Collinwood had prepared her. The old house had some of the same obstacles to over come, the lack of running water and electricity. The dark, moldy confines of the cellar were as inhospitable as the heat and sand of Utah.

Julia easily created an equipment list, jotting down supply houses she would check for available equipment. Her collaborator insisted money was not a concern and to purchase only the best supplies and equipment.

Richard watched with admiration as her fingers moved across the paper, her lips pressed together in concentration. He had given her the most basic information and with a creative and intellectual prowess she filled in the details of his simple plan. Why was he not able to perform these mental gymnastics with such ease? He had spent his whole life compensating and stepping on the shoulders of others to reach his goals. For what end he often wondered. He moved the pencil across his own paper creating elaborate doodles, feeling the pressure to succeed from Blair and Huntington Carter. Richard watched Julia drain the last of the wine from her glass and resume her work.

His mind fondly recalled her hand covering his. She had been quick to express kindness and sympathy, caressing and soothing him with her touch and her eyes, and for a moment the pain seemed to vanish. He wanted to recapture those feelings.

Julia stopped momentarily to think and felt his eyes. The smile and tenderness in his eyes surprised her. Compassionately she returned his smile and covered his hand with her. Looking into his warm brown eyes she saw the same haunted eyes as the photo taken by the fire, just like the fire glowing in the fireplace behind them. She had spent so many evenings with Barnabas Collins, looking into his tormented eyes, trying to save the man from the monster he had become? She could see the same torment in Richard Carter.

Gently he caressed her fingers, the warmth of her eyes a welcome invitation, "My great uncle, Howard Carter, became immortal with his discovery of King Tut's tomb. His name and face are in every textbook in the world."

Julia watched his face soften, eyes growing moist and glistening.

"My father, Huntington Carter, a great Harvard alumnus, is known throughout the world as a great Egyptologist. Scholars still come to him for advice and knowledge. They pay homage to his greatness."

The bitterness in his tone slipped through as he continued, "Can you imagine what it's like forever walking in their shadow? You're the next in a line of great men. How will you compare to their greatness. Will your best be good enough? The idea of mediocrity and failure are out of the question."

Julia leaned forward, her hand caressing his cheek, trying to comfort him.

"Your father should love and be proud of who you are, Richard. You are successful in your own right," She said reassuringly.

Richard pulled her hands together and brought them to his lips and kissed them. How wonderful it felt for her to touch him, to dispel the demons that gnawed away at his soul, to feel the warmth of her understanding.

She wanted to comfort him, hold him in her arms and share the pain she saw in his eyes. Richard dropped to his knees by her chair, his arms circling her waist, his face pressed against her neck, feeling her hands gently stroking his back and shoulders.

"Julia, your touch," he whispered.

She felt his body tremble as he stood taking her in his arms bringing her close to him, kissing her lips, the angle of her jaw. Yielding to him, eyes closed, her arms circled his neck, fingers running through his hair not wanting the moment to end. Suddenly she felt him lift her in his arms, her body floating light as a feather.

The light around her became soft, her feet touching the carpet, while hands gently removed her jacket, fingers moved over the soft, thin fabric of her blouse skillfully unfastening each button. Tenderly she kissed the angle of his jaw, then his neck, her fingers pulled on the polo and felt it disappear. In the dim light her eyes enjoyed the muscles of his chest, while her fingertips moved across their firmness, along a trail of soft hair disappearing below his open waistband. Emitting a moan of pleasure he kissed her neck and shoulders, his fingers slipped the blouse and straps of her bra down her shoulders. Julia's head began to spin, as blood drained and flowed to areas that throbbed with desire, five years of desire.

The waistband of her skirt loosened, strong fingers slipped beneath the fabric of her skirt, caressing and kneading. She could not stifle the moan as the remainder of her clothing and shoes dropped to the floor. Reclining on the bed, the softness of the comforter on her back and legs, his warm body covered her, pressing against hers. Fingers ran through his hair, trailed along the muscles in his back and waist, and the firm muscles of his bare buttocks. His hips pressed urgently as her legs wrapped around his. Her back arched as his lips caressed and sucked each nipple, his fingers squeezing the flesh of her bottom.

For five years she sat by the fire waiting and hoping this moment would happen.

Carter studied the face below him and felt something new. He didn't feel his usual sense of power and conquest but something different….something akin to love.

He felt love in pleasuring her. He enjoyed the sight of her parted lips, the soft breasts and nipples firm and erect moving gently with each inhalation. What had she done to him? His lips began to form words.

Julia looked up at him dreamily; saw the perspiration forming on his face and chest, his lips moving as he poised over her. Her eyes were filled with such tenderness. He wanted to tell her how he felt. Was he being foolish? He wanted to tell her he loved her.

No one had ever told him they loved him, not even his parents. Throughout his life he had never formed any true loving attachments. Women were made for pleasure and seeing their pleasure only fed his feelings of power. He always had the power to make them feel whatever he liked.

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The next morning, Richard Carter's townhouse

Julia stood in the shower letting the hot water run over her body, enjoying the pleasurable endorphins that still coursed through her body from their night of lovemaking. She could hear Diane's voice.

"You're playing with fire, Julia. You're playing a risky game with Richard Carter. Men like Carter never lose, they make sure of it."

Had she really lost to Richard Carter or was it a standoff? Their game of cat and mouse had been sidetracked by their own needs. Their night together had been long, passionate and satisfying. They had satisfied a need for each other, a need to love and be loved. Would their game resume as though last night had never happened? She sighed and turned off the water. Time would tell.

Julia dried and wrapped the towel around her and slipped back into the bedroom. Searching the floor for her clothing she discovered a wooden crate near the bed, the lock hanging loosely in the hasp. Richard's name was on the side with 'Personal' stenciled in red. What could he possibly keep in a locked crate in his bedroom? Julia lowered her head to the lid of the crate and listened. A nervous laugh almost escaped her lips as she recalled the Leviathan box. Peeking above the edge of the bed she found Richard sleeping peacefully. Carefully she touched the lock making sure it did not scrape against the hasp. She would only take a quick peek. With surgical precision her fingers expertly moved the lock from the hasp and raised the lid. Julia gasped as Richard turned in bed, his arm dropping over the side and across the lid pressing it shut. His face rested on the edge of the bed, eyes fluttering slightly but remaining closed. Julia quickly replaced the lock and gathered her clothes from the floor.

'The box will have to wait for the moment.' She moved into the bathroom to dress.

~~~tbc~~~