Lemony goodness
Chapter 12: Wait a Minute
Keith
I let my lady straighten my tie while the reporters looked on the next morning, some recording the small act to my delight. In three minutes the press conference would begin. I'd taken my woman's advice and set it up for this morning. Diovan was in the crowd to show support and my employees knew not to come in until 10:00 this morning. It was only 6:57 right now, but we'd chosen to do it this way for 2 reasons. One, my baby had to work and I'd known she would insist on attending this conference. And two, I wanted Pam to wake up to the news that her plan had backfired.
"So, Keith. Can you give me an exclusive? I wanna be the first with your news," Karen Wesleyan of the Action News team asked flirtatiously, ignoring my baby completely. I looked over at Tamara to see her going through her bag obliviously. Smiling softly at her trust in me, I answered the reporter with a smirk.
"Not a word, Karen. You'll have to wait with the others. And I'm wondering if it's appropriate for you to be flirting with me." Karen blushed to the bleached blond roots of her hair, excusing herself immediately. That nuisance dealt with, I leaned over and hugged my girl, who sighed in relief.
"Thank you, honey," she breathed against my chest. I learned quite a bit about my girlfriend last night. She was not as oblivious or naïve as everyone around her assumed she was. Years of nursing experience had honed her already razor-sharp instincts. She was an amazing woman, hiding her brilliant mind behind her cute and cuddly persona.
But I saw right through her now.
Under my patient and relentless tutelage, my sweet, little Tamara had learned that when I asked a question, I wanted an immediate, truthful answer. I smirked at her as she settled in her seat for the conference, feeling smug that she looked slightly uncomfortable when sitting. I now knew the full story of Gretchen Landers, Raymond Simmons, and countless other people who had once posed a threat to her family and their peace of mind. Tammy was indeed the Silent Slayer; eliminating threats and putting out potential fires without looking for accolades or acknowledgment. I had to admire her ability to see the problems and head them off at the pass.
At seven on the dot, I started the press conference, not even nervous since my mind was on my wonderful lady. It was easy to explain what happened, citing different people to refer to for confirmation of my claims. Tammy stayed right in her seat, preparing to answer the questions any of the small crowd of reporters and live journalists had.
"... Any questions?" I concluded smoothly.
"I have one," Cindy Manson, another former lover, shouted over the others. "Cindy Manson, Channel 14 Action News. Why are you doing this?" People were taken aback by the question.
"I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do," I answered without skipping a beat. "So many of these types of stories are about the woman coming forward after years of abuse. I want people to see the flip side of it. Pam is trying to ruin my business because I would not date her. She sent me a summons with trumped-up charges to try and force my hand. Does that seem fair to you?"
"Yes, we understand that part," Whitney Bloomberg jumped in, making me shudder. Had the news stations sent old flames specifically, or was it a massive coincidence? "But the summons is less than a day old. Shouldn't you have waited for-"
"Waited for her next move? Waited to see what game she was playing? I believe in being proactive. This is my livelihood and it isn't a joke or a game. Pam's refusal to be an adult and come to work inconvenienced me for weeks. I had to pick up the slack for her lack of professionalism. To find out that this was all a bid to embarrass me to get me to be her boyfriend is very juvenile behavior that shows a lack of good judgment on her part. I refuse to play her high school games when my livelihood hangs in the balance." Nods of approval met my impassioned statement. I wasn't fucking around. This business, my business, would not suffer because of the teenage dreams of a thirty-something-year-old.
"That's fair," Jeff Cosler nodded at me. "Jeffrey Cosler, Let's Get It On dot com. One more question, though. Who is the lovely young lady sitting so prim and proper behind you? Why is she here?"
"That is my girlfriend, Tamara Saunders. She insisted on being here for moral support."
"You mean that you believe your boyfriend, Ms. Saunders?"
"Of course I do, Mr. Cosler," she said with a confused look on her lovely face. I had to commend her acting skills. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't. We wouldn't be dating anymore if I didn't."
"On what evidence?" Whitney asked abruptly.
"On the evidence that I was with my boyfriend at the gym at the time Ms. Henkelstein insists the supposed rape took place. And also based on my analysis of his character. Keith Rochester is not the type of man to need to resort to such measures for female attention. Look at him; he's a true Alpha through and through. It disgusts me to think that someone would attempt to hurt him and his business with such a dirty, disgusting accusation. To answer Mr. Cosler's earlier question, I'm here to officially throw my hat in the ring, so to speak. These allegations are wrong and that she would accuse my man of such a low-down, disgusting act angers me to no end." This hyped up the crowd and the next ten minutes were spent finding out exactly who my girlfriend was and why she believed so strongly in my innocence. Tammy didn't falter once, she answered the questions with an earnestness that showed both my innocence and her complete devotion to me.
"I really do have to go now," she said with a warm smile and a glance at her watch. "I can't be late for work."
"Darlene Andrews, The Sun newspaper. May we ask where you work?"
"Up until recently, I was employed as a Registered Nurse by the County Hospital. Now I work in the private sector as a hairdresser. Thank you again for coming to my boyfriend's press conference. What Henkelstein is doing is wrong and I'm so glad that people are willing to stand up for what's right." She kissed me sweetly on the cheek before going to her car and driving away from my place of business. I missed her already. I eagerly ended the conference so I could return to work.
It was all over the news later that morning and the internet within minutes. There was even footage of people waking Pam up with the news that her scheme had failed. She burst into tears, screaming that she was the only one who could ever love me. That she'd wasted years of her life pursuing me and that she would have her revenge. Adam laughed at that with Stephanie; apparently, Pam had been trying to boss them around behind my back for years, claiming that since she was going to be my wife soon, they'd better fall in line or end up fired. That made me laugh.
"As if I would choose such a selfish, self-serving woman for my bride," I chuckled. Teddy joined the conversation and laughed after being brought up to speed. Chris gave me a call that afternoon, congratulating me on my successful press conference and assuring me that our business would continue uninterrupted.
"I look forward to meeting your girlfriend officially, Keith. She's quite the little crusader."
"That she is. Tammy has a very black-and-white idea of right and wrong. I'm not surprised that she got herself so worked up yesterday. If I may ask, how did you know where to find me last night?"
"To tell you the truth, Pam came by my office yesterday, hinting that there may have been some sexual impropriety happening. I followed you to your gym last night intending to call you out on it publicly. But after watching you interact with the others about the news, and especially after seeing your girl defend your case so vehemently, I knew you were being set up."
"I thank you for taking the time to investigate this matter yourself, Chris."
"Anytime. The truth of the matter is I was so furious that I was ready to humiliate you in front of your Alpha buddies and use all my connections in the industry to destroy you and your business. I misjudged you. I'm sorry about that."
"I'm used to it," I reassured my business partner. "People see the muscles and assume that I'm capable of doing terrible things. Luckily my woman doesn't assume. She tends to take everything at face value. Mostly because of the way she was raised."
"Yeah. Having so many nationalities under one roof likely eliminated the need for stereotyping."
"Exactly. I have to go. I have a call on the other line. I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
"Definitely," Diovan laughed with a smile in his voice. I chuckled and disconnected, the other line picking up immediately.
"What the hell is this I hear about you raping your employees, Rochester?"
"I don't need to rape anyone. The press conference was specifically about the fact that I was being wrongfully accused. And who is this?"
"This is Wilson. I picked up on my sister's name on the net this morning and caught your press conference. Smart move having her there by the way. The way she defended you screamed your innocence."
"My innocence screamed my innocence," I corrected Tammy's brother, seeing the trap for what it was. The hacker snorted his approval.
"So, how are you doing today? I saw that Pam was not happy with your little wake-up call. That must have been gratifying."
"It was gratifying to have her plan blow up in her face. Pam had a bright future in engineering. Now it's going to be next to impossible to start over with her reputation in tatters. I mean, what did she think was going to happen? Did she honestly think she could blackmail me into being her man?"
"Mom says that 'some people don't have the brains they were born with'. Pamela Henkelstein is obviously one of those. I have her on my radar now. I won't have her messing with my sister over this."
"You guys are very close, aren't you?"
"Of course, Genghis. I love all my siblings, but Tammy and I have always been tight. She is a light in the darkness, proof that life is worth fighting for. We may have established her as a psychopath last night, but she's always been there for all of us."
"As you've all been there for her. I know blood relations that aren't as close as you Saunders Siblings. It's sweet."
"Yeah, sweet," the man said in obvious distaste. "We're fiercely loyal to each other, always have been. And if you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us."
I chuckled at the veiled threat. "Tammy has made that fact very clear to me." Threats established, we chatted about nothing for a while before hanging up. I worked hard after that, determined not to waste any time on my business with Pam's nonsense. Throughout the afternoon, I received two calls from Pam's lawyer, threatening me with a 'defamation of character' suit if I didn't retract my conference immediately. I finally asked if it was defamation of character if it was true. After that, he stopped calling.
Leroy called to arrange another band practice, casually asking if Rhea was joining the band officially. My growl shut him up. While I accepted the fact that Rhea was now a member of my band, I did not have to accept the budding romance between my cousin and my friend. Then my mind drifted back to my lady's assessment of the situation. She might be right. I might be holding on too tightly to my cousin. But the thought of ever having to go through what I went through a month ago… the guilt, the rage, the fear of discovery… I just couldn't handle it.
We set up a practice for Thursday. Leroy sent a group text to confirm with everyone. Unfortunately, he forgot to take Lisa off the list after adding Rhea.
Lisa Preston: What the hell are you talking about 'practice'? You can't practice without me and I happen to be busy on Thursday.
Leroy Gauze: We're not practicing with you. We're practicing with the band. I texted you by mistake.
Lisa Preston: Last time I checked, I was an essential part of the band. Keith insists on songs with a strong bass line. I am the bass player. I wouldn't piss me off. Don't want to lose out on income like last Thursday.
Donny: No income lost, Lisa. Do us a favor and stay gone. You're out.
CRAZY Harry: Amen to that. We don't need any member who would blow off a gig to make a point. We got a lot of compliments Thursday night. Not to mention a big, fat tip for our troubles. You're unprofessional, undisciplined, and unruly. Therefore you are out. To everyone else; I'll be there Thursday for practice with our new bassist.
Lisa Preston: You can't get rid of me! I've been a member of the band since it formed! It was my idea to form in the first place! Coveted is my brainchild! Try to take that away from me and I'll sue!
CRAZY Harry: Wow. Exclamation points much? We've outgrown you, Lisa. Go ahead and try to sue. Your drug habits will get the case laughed out of court.
Lisa Preston: Shut up about things you know nothing about! As for taking you assholes to court, what does one have to do with the other?
628-555-0956: There is no need to get nasty, Harry. 'Crazy' is not synonymous with 'Nasty' after all. I'm sure that Lisa will get the hint once you all calmly explain why she is out.
Lisa Preston: Who the fuck is this?
628-555-0956: I'm your replacement. Rhea Rochester.
Lisa Preston: This isn't fair! You can't just replace me! I won't allow it!
Donny: What are you going to do, Lisa? Even if you somehow win your lawsuit, we'll just form another band without you.
Lisa Preston: Look, I was wrong to blow off Thursday's gig. I admit that. But that's no reason for you guys to replace me with some inferior skank!
628-555-0956: As I told Harry, there is no need to get nasty. You left an opening when you stormed out like you did. From what I understand, it's not the first time your 'brainchild' has lost bread because of you. The guys had just had enough. And there is nothing 'inferior' about me, honey.
Leroy Gauze: Let's put it to a vote. Is Lisa in or out?
CRAZY Harry: Out
Donny: Out
Lisa Preston: In
Leroy Gauze: Out. That's three to one, Lisa. Even if Keith says you're in, the 'Out' votes are in the majority.
Lisa Preston: This is outrageous! I want to hear Keith's opinion on the matter.
Lisa Preston: Keith?
Lisa Preston: Keith?
I chuckled as I read the receipts after weightlifting with my girl hours later. Did Lisa really think I'd save her? After showering, I gave my response.
Me: I honestly do not know what you expect me to say, Lisa. You're obnoxious, rude, and perpetually high. Your boyfriends that you bring around to make me jealous all collectively suck. And Thursday was not the first time you've been a no-show to a gig, making us look like unprofessional fools.
Me: I do not enjoy looking like a fool for the sake of your ego. Rhea is a team player. She plays better than you ever have, and she was there when we needed her on Thursday. It doesn't matter since we already have a three-to-one vote, but I vote 'Out'.
Lisa Preston: Keith, you can't do this to me. Coveted is all I have. I literally have no reason to live if you take it away from me!
Me: Your attitude is garbage and I'm sick of it. Go clean up your life. We as a band are not therapists. We're not responsible for your mental health. I refuse to play your games anymore, Lisa.
I blocked her immediately after that, not wanting to hear her excuses. Harry gave me a call as I was helping my lady into her car. I was meeting her back at my house for sexual shenanigans.
"Are you okay, Keith? The things she said…"
"I'm fine. I blocked her after my last message. I didn't even wait for her response. I refuse to play her guilt-tripping games. I'm not responsible for her mental health issues or her behaviors. That was the final straw for me. I refuse to keep a subpar bassist around because she 'will do away with herself' if I don't. Coveted was my idea anyway. I'm done. I'd rather not play in a band at all than play with such a selfish person."
"Right on," Crazy Harry laughed. "She said she was going to kill herself if we didn't fire Rhea, give her Rhea's cut of the profits from Thursday, and let her back into the band. It's crazy what people will do when they're desperate. And stupid." I laughed with him as I started off for home.
"And she possesses both traits in spades," I shrugged. "How's your wife?"
"Mad as usual. She's going back and forth on whether we should have a baby or not."
"It's not like you can take it back once you decide. How is she managing that?"
"Easy. I refuse to have sex with her until she makes up her mind."
"That's why she's mad," I laughed.
"Hey, I look at it this way. Baby-making is a serious business. You're either all in or out. Her waking up one morning with 'Let's make a baby' and the next day with 'kids are the spawn of Satan' does not represent an 'all in' attitude to me."
"Man, you crazy! Don't you know you shouldn't second-guess your woman?"
"I'm all for that feminist stuff! Except when there's another life involved."
"This is true." I smiled, wondering how a situation like that would work for me and Tammy. It would be a considerably harder task as I was finding it impossible to keep my hands to myself any time I was around her. But a vasectomy was reversible… Hmm… "Say again?"
"You got it bad, boy," Harry laughed uproariously.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, feeling a little put out.
"I'm talking about knocking up my old lady and your mind went to knocking up your woman. Like immediately. Does little Tammy have any idea what's going on in your head? Or - more importantly - what is happening to your heart?
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, grinning like a madman. "I'll see you in two days, man. I got another call."
"Sure you do," he huffed good-naturedly. "You take care of that sweet little girl, Keith. And tell her how you feel. Billy Joel knew what he was talking about."
"Who?"
"You young whippersnappers! Look up Billy Joel's 'Tell Her About It'. It'll tell you what you need to do to keep your woman. Also, start listening to things from the last century."
"Never," I laughed, just to piss him off. He clicked off the line, making me laugh in earnest. Pulling into my garage, I hooked my phone to my sound system. Searching for the song proved difficult because there were a LOT of Billies on Spotify. My baby's knock on the door was a pleasant distraction.
"What are you listening to?" Tammy asked me as Billie Eilish's 'Bury a Friend' played loudly over the speakers.
"Crazy Harry told me to listen to a certain song and I can't find it."
"What song is it?"
"Something called 'Tell Her About It' by someone called-"
"Billy Joel," she said, blushing. "W-why does he want you to listen to that song?" she asked, blushing more. She held out her hand for my phone. I handed it over and soon the house was full of the 80's pop song. Listening to the lyrics, I suddenly understood her discomfort. I liked it though and saved it to my list.
"Interesting song, little one. Is there a reason you're turning so red?" She sat her overnight bag on the couch and took off running, laughter in her musical voice. I gave chase, hot for her body already. Cornering her in the kitchen by the stove, I attacked her hungrily, desperate for a taste of her sweet mouth. That taste only fueled my need and soon I was wrapped around her, consuming her. She moaned in the back of her throat and my body clenched remembering how that sound sent me over the edge last night with my dick in her throat. Wanting a repeat performance, I picked her up and sprinted for my dungeon. For some reason the feel of her innocent little hands inside my shirt made me want to fuck her relentlessly until she passed out from the pleasure of it. First though…
"On your knees, little girl. I need to test your gag reflex."
"Ooh, yes Daddy," she moaned, sliding down my body to rest at my thighs. She was already unbuttoning her shirt so that I could see those beautifully bruised breasts of hers. Every time I saw those chocolatey globes, I felt the compulsion to mark them. It wasn't a desire, it was a need. I couldn't help marking her for my own. Except… She wasn't naked. Oh… Oh my!
My naughty lady was wearing a nylon minidress under her conservative suit. No bra, just a sodden thong. I damn near had a heart attack thinking of all the ways I was going to violate her tonight.
"Do you… Do you like it?" she asked nervously. "Peggy said that you would but I-" I stuffed my throbbing cock in her mouth, reveling in her gasp of pleasure. I grabbed her by the hair and directed her, choked up for a moment.
"Suck it, baby. Suck it all, massaging me with those beautiful breasts of yours. I also want to feel your throat working on me while you do it." Directions given, I used her hair to direct her to the parts of me that needed the most attention. Her mouth was magical on my meat, riling me up, especially when she hugged me to her to get more of me in her mouth. She seemed to enjoy the taste of my semen. A lot, from her enthusiastic suckling. Tammy wrapped her soft boobs around the base of my dick and squeezed me in tandem with her suckling, causing me to groan and buck against her mouth. We spent a lot of time like this, her rocking against my body until I couldn't take it anymore and emptied myself into her forcefully. She swallowed me down before starting the process again to my delighted shock.
"You want me again, baby?"
"Uh-huh," she gasped as best she could with me lodged in her throat. We went for rounds two and three before I found the will to pull out. Still hard and ready for her, I groaned and picked her up, cuffing her to the table behind me. Her nectar was dripping from her encounter with my cock and I was eager for a taste. I removed her thong and attacked her nub enthusiastically, stroking her through two orgasms before me and my tireless tongue were ready to release her from our sexy spell. God, she tasted good! Again, I had the image in my head of licking her into a screaming frenzy over and over again one of these days.
Grabbing a condom, I sheathed my dick before I shoved it into her body up to the hilt. Tammy loved it when I did that, her inner muscles responding immediately and enthusiastically to my thrusting. It was like we were made for each other. I massaged her ripe butt while she drenched me in her precious essence, screaming for me. Yeah, my baby was a screamer. It made me feel powerful that I was the source of her joy at the moment. I couldn't take her in public without some kind of sound suppressor, but right now, it didn't matter as long as I had her in my soundproof room. Knowing that I could move her to my bedroom at any time and fuck her silly made my dick swell inside of her and I buried myself deep in her womb before exploding. She yelled out in ecstasy, squirting her love for me. I switched out the condoms and began anew, leaning over her so I could whisper in her ear.
"What do you think about me getting a vasectomy so I can cum in your sweet body without condoms, baby? I wanna watch my sperm leak from your pussy. The thought of claiming you that way-" She bucked against me and cried out her orgasm. I pumped into her body, drawing out her pleasure until she tripped into another climax. God, she felt so good! "You like that idea? You want me raw and inside you, shooting all my semen into your tight vagina, baby?"
"Oh yes, Daddy! I want to leak you after our trysts. God, that's so hot!" she came against me again, her dress damp with her sweat. I shook with the force of my emotions as we fucked, confessing my love for her, how I dreamed of a future with her daily, and finally asking her to move in with me. We went through four more condoms as all this happened. I was so hard and hot for her. My Tammy. My woman. My wife. I went under her dress, pushing it as far out of the way as I could, and squeezed her sensitive breasts to feel her orgasm again. She didn't disappoint.
"Ah! I need you, Daddy! Fuck me! Fuck me harder!" Who could resist such an enthusiastic invitation? I didn't hesitate to do exactly as she bade me, licking the sweat off her back as I marked her. This woman… This amazing woman had captured my heart without even knowing what she was doing. She was mine, yes, but I was also hers. I wanted her in my bed, in my life. And there wasn't anything I wouldn't do to keep her there.
Caught in a loop of my own thoughts, I continued to pleasure her sensitive body until I couldn't take it anymore and uncuffed her, flipping her over, switching condoms, and thrusting into her.
"If I had a vasectomy, we could do this uninterrupted," I said against her chest breathlessly. "Imagine long days of emptying every drop of my seed into your pliant body. Filling your womb up on the daily. I would let you drink me down like fine wine, then fuck you relentlessly with my hard dick until I was soft inside of you. How does that sound? You like the sound of that, baby?"
"Oh yes, Daddy! I want you buried deep inside me and exploding just for me! I love you so much! Please keep me cumming all over you! I want to feel you!" My poor girl became incoherent at that point, but I somehow understood as I fulfilled her every wish that night. Hours later, when I was properly sated, I pulled my long, limp cock out of her, marveling at the way she controlled me. I'd never offered my lair to any woman. It felt right though. Even though I could claim it was the sex that had me offering to house her, I knew that it wasn't. I wanted to be the one to shelter her, to provide for her. And something about giving her a key to my place made me feel like fucking again. Instead, I gathered her exhausted form to me and carried her to my bed - soon to be our bed. Resolving to make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible, I got us comfortable and let sleep claim us.