Chapter 51

ARTHUR

I brought Doris back to the apartment and paused, awed by what an amazing woman I had. I cradled Doris's cheeks in my hands and kissed her gently. "We'll experiment together tonight."

I kissed Doris again. "Sweet Dove, how do you manage to taste like pleasure, home, summer, and sunshine?"

Doris nipped my bottom lip, a quick bite as she rocked her hips against mine.

I hissed out an animalistic sound because what Doris felt so freaking good.

Doris ran her lips over my jaw, brushing against my chin's scruffy stubble.

Like everything Doris did, the motion of her caressing lips against my skin was extraordinary.

I snagged my hand through her hair, using it to bring her mouth back to mine for a searing kiss.

“You, Doris," was all I managed to get out when I came up for air. “You.”

I carried her to my bedroom.

I sat down on my bed without letting go of her, forcing her to straddle me as we leaned against the headboard.

Doris’ kept kissing mine, ferocious in her need.

Doris rubbed herself against me.

“You feel fantastic, baby,” I said. “If this is you teasing and climbing me, pre-ride. I want it. I want all of it.”

I threaded my fingers through her hair again. I pulled her even closer and tasted her deeper. "You're perfect, Little Dove."

Doris' mouth was sweet, plump, and soft. Even better, she made small sounds—whimpers, sighs, gasps—that cranked my excitement up even higher.

We were still fully clothed, but the way Doris was riding me, rubbing against my erection, made me remember how wonderful it was to thrust up into her.

I controlled the kiss, making it hotter. My tongue tangled and subdued hers.

I wasn’t waiting any longer.

“On your hands and knees, now,” I ordered. I didn’t wait for her to obey. I turned her how I wanted her, and shoved her skirt up her hips.

I caressed the red lace. “Now that’s pretty.”

“The underwear?”

"No, baby. The gorgeous curves underneath." I kissed one red-lace-covered hip and butt cheek, then gave it a small bite. "The muscles, the skin, the curves, and more importantly, the woman they belong to."

Doris looked at me over her shoulder. I saw when she got how great I thought she was.

Her smile was tentative, but mine was wicked.

“I’m ravenous for you, baby. I’m not going to be gentle.”

She nodded in agreement. I pulled her lace panties down to her knees, and when I saw how wet she was for me, I stopped thinking.

I freed myself quickly and plunged right into her. "Heaven," I mumbled before I started pumping, forcing myself to make the first few moves slow.

Doris squeezed her inner muscles, and that was it, my control was gone. She moaned as she squeezed, and it fired pleasure signals like lightning bolts to every nerve in my body.

I began grunting with every thrust. I was sure I sounded like a beast, some out-of-control combination between a monkey and a dragon.

“I want to live in this moment,” I panted out.

“Then do, Arthur. Us. Like this, every moment.”

Then she climaxed, and it squeezed me so hard I saw sparklers before my eyes, and it took away my breath before I could add the word that was on the tip of my tongue… 'Forever.'

DORIS

The next morning, I woke up full of ideas.

“Arthur, Arthur,” I said, shaking him.

“Hhhmn?” he said groggily.

“With your clout, the list of people Joe gave me, and Matthew’s help, I think we could apply enough pressure on the manager of the NYC building department.”

“I’m listening.” Arthur sat up and looked at me attentively.

“Okay, here’s my idea, at least the start of it,” I said, beginning to get worked up.

With his connections and resources, we could regain control of the land that rightfully belonged to my client.

The stakes were high, but failure was not an option.

Arthur and I formulated and refined our plan. We would throw a spectacular party for just for that reason. Our objective was to get to the building manager of the NYC building department, corner him, and completely frighten him.

We hurried to make it happen the next weekend. Like magic, the unsuspecting manager came, ready to fall into our trap.

I made my way to the manager while grinning slyly. My voice was confident, "We know you've received a bribe from Andrea. But we have something that will appeal to you far more."

Arthur chimed in, his voice smooth as butter. "We're not here to accuse or condemn. We're here to offer you a better deal." Arthur clapped his hand onto the manager’s shoulder hard and squeezed.

The manager's eyes widened in surprise, curiosity mixing with a hint of fear. We had his attention.

"Imagine this," I continued, leaning in closer. "Hollywood's latest 'It' couple, you know who I’m talking about, has just purchased the land next to the Brooklyn tract. How do you think they'd react if their property lost value all of a sudden?" I asked him, although it was hardly a question.

I continued. "If the media got wind of the fact you took a bribe to turn the land next to theirs into a cemetery, you'd be the one cremated. You know how the media loves a scandal. It would be a terrible shame if they discovered that it was your fault this historic area became an unwanted cemetery."

The manager's face paled, and beads of sweat formed on his brow. The weight of his actions began to settle on his shoulders.

“But…but…but…" the manager stuttered. I knew he was thinking about the bribe and also where to put the needed cemetery.

"Don't worry," Arthur said, "We have an alternative suggestion. Hart Island. It's a much more appropriate location for a cemetery, don't you think? It has always been used when NYC needed room for the dead."

Arthur gripped the manager's shoulder harder and gave him a look that said it would be bad news if he refused.

The manager turned red.

"Also," I said, pressing a folder to the manager's chest, "there's this."

“What’s this?” the manager squeaked.

I watched as the manager's fingers trembled slightly as he opened the folder. Inside were the names of fifty high-level politicians and executives, a powerful roster of individuals who held sway over the city.

Arthur leaned in closer, his voice low and dangerous. "You see, we have the power to bring down the wrath of all these important people upon your head if you choose not to release the Brooklyn land tract back to its rightful owner."

Silence hung in the air, pregnant with tension. The manager's face contorted with conflicting emotions, his inner struggle laid bare for all to see.

“We’ll give you one and a half times what Andrea paid,” Arthur said, his voice lethal, “but only if you resolve this…” Arthur gave a menacing false cough, “delicate issue in forty-eight hours.”

Finally, his voice barely a whisper, he said, "I... I will return the land to its rightful owner right away. Please, forgive me."

As the manager gave in, a wave of relief swept over me. Although this battle had been won by us, the fight was far from ended. Once more, we were in possession of the Brooklyn property parcel, but we were aware that we had to maintain our vigilance and be prepared to meet any obstacles that could arise.

We smiled triumphantly as we walked out of the gathering. Justice was being carried out, and we were in charge of it.

I waited until we were back in the limo before I let out a loud victory whoop.

Arthur grabbed me in a big hug.

"We did it!" I said.

"You did it, baby. It was your idea. I'm proud of you. Your client is going to be over the moon. You fought for justice and you won. You're the best."