Twisted Love and Money (14 page)

Cradling each
other they drifted slowly off to sleep.

Jeremy was up
early the next morning and he woke Dorothy to breakfast in bed
consisting of tea and toast with cereals. He was still naked and
the whip marks on his posterior were turning from red to blue
bruises.

“Poor thing,”
Dorothy said. “Get in beside me and don’t spill the milk.”

Jeremy cuddled
in beside her. He had no breakfast for himself and he watched
Dorothy eat. Occasionally she fed him a spoonful of cereal or a
bite of toast.

“Are you sore?”
she asked softly.

“Not too
bad.”

“You were a
naughty boy, Dorothy had to chastise you.”

“I deserved
it.”

“Do you still
feel guilty?”

“No, it was
like a release. At least for the moment.”

“Do you still
belong to me?”

“Yes
Dorothy.”

Dorothy kissed
him. Passively he received her kiss. She put the tray on the chair
beside the bed and turned to him.

“I have an
instruction for you Jeremy.”

“Yes
Dorothy?”

“Make love to
me. You get on top. Service me.”

With a
submissive smile and a “yes madam,” Jeremy went to work. When he
showed signs of flagging she dragged her nails across his bare
behind and each time this renewed his energy. Finally she came and
he collapsed against her.

“Did it not
work for you sweet?” she whispered.

“Don’t mind me.
It’s amazing I can do it with you Dorothy.”

Dorothy pushed
him back and began to nibble at him. He arched his back and came in
seconds. She smiled at him. Jeremy reached for her and held her
tightly to him.

“My word you
are strong big boy,” she teased.

“I have got to
go,” she added eventually. “I’ll shower on my own this time.”

In the end
Dorothy had to rush to avoid being late for the office.

“There is a
spare key in the bedroom drawer,” she said. Jeremy was out of bed,
still naked, fussing over her needs like a personal servant.

“Thank you
Jeremy,” she said, now fully dressed to go out. Then as an
afterthought she went to the bedroom.

“Bend over,”
she instructed as she reappeared.

“How many do
you deserve?” she asked, amused at him.

“Whatever you
say madam.”

“One then,”
Dorothy said and whacked him across the rear with the riding crop.
Jeremy jumped, holding his behind and then resumed the
position.

“Later
perhaps?” Dorothy said rubbing the handle of the crop along his
body. She was pleased to see he was excited by the gesture.

“I’ll be home
at six,” she said.

“Dorothy,” he
hesitated, his face screwed up with anxiety.

“Yes?”

“Dorothy I have
a lot of business appointments. I have to go out. I may be back
late.”
“How late?” Dorothy asked coldly.

“Not too late,”
Jeremy stammered.

“Bold boys who
are late get sore bottoms,” she remonstrated.

“Yes
Dorothy.”

She smiled and
handed him the riding crop and with a “Bye” she was gone.

Chapter
sixteen

Alone in the
apartment, Jeremy wandered from room to room. Bedroom, Diner,
Kitchen, bathroom. In the bathroom mirror he looked at his marked
behind. He smiled. His mother would hardly have done a better
job.

When he was
washed and fresh he retrieved his clothes including his jeans from
the drier. His notebook was intact, except for damp around the
leather binding. He checked and found his wallet in his jacket.

He rang George
his architect. Now he was back in role as Jeremy the businessman,
all brisk and efficient.

“I checked out
the people in the apartment development George,” he explained. “I
like the look of them. If you are happy with the details I will go
ahead.”

“Good, good,”
George was pleased.

“I was supposed
to call to see Paul, their architect this morning. Will you do it
for me George? Also I was a bit drunk last night and rude to Paul.
Frankly I am embarrassed.”

“Not like you
Jeremy. But don’t worry I’ll smooth it over. And I’ll tell them you
are in on condition that I sign off that I am happy with the
drawings.”
“Thanks George. Get them to send me the contract, Banker’s
references, the lot. I’ll sign up next week. And George?”

“Yes
Jeremy?”

“We can squeeze
that deal. I’ll give you one percent for every extra ten you get
me. Do your thing and get me at least another ten percent of the
equity.”

“I’ll do my
best,” George said, understanding now why Jeremy had cut his
original commission. He was confident he could force a better
deal.

“I know I can
rely on you,” Jeremy replied.

“All right, but
don’t forget you have to bring your David to see the Grafton Street
store.”

“I won’t. I
have to collect him at the Airport.”

Jeremy hung up,
happy to have delegated to George. That left him free to deal with
his David. When he thought of meeting David he began to tense up.
Actions, actions, he thought. He got dressed. When he saw the state
of his clothes he decided to buy a new outfit.

Finally he
tidied up the apartment and made the bed. He put the riding crop
under Dorothy’s pillow. He got the spare door key and tried it for
size. When he was sure it would work he left the apartment.

It took Jeremy
a moment to get his bearings when he reached the street. Then he
began to walk towards the centre of town. On route he hailed a
passing Taxi.

“Grafton Street
I have to get some stuff in Brown Thomas.”

“Have to drop
you near Grafton Street, it’s pedestrianised,” the Taxi-man
explained.

When Jeremy
arrived, the reception area in the Airport Terminal was crowded.
The London flight had just landed He was just in time. A stream of
passenger came through the green channel from customs.

Then he saw
him.

David was tall
and thin with a flowing tan coloured raincoat across his shoulders.
His casual clothes blended well in brown tans and leather. Jeremy
first felt an empty fright in his stomach. Then his feelings
jumbled up. He was delighted to see his partner and him looking so
well. Anxious about how to handle himself Jeremy held back,
watching David come through the throng.

Jeremy was
standing in an area where friends were greeting passengers
effusively. David was pushing a trolley with two suitcases and
concentrating on steering. He stopped and looked around. David
spotted Jeremy. Jeremy smiled and stood a little straighter.

“Jeremy
darling, there you are,” David’s strong voice stopped a number of
conversations and heads turned. Spreading his arms apart, David
abandoned his trolley and walked confidently up to Jeremy.

Jeremy was
rooted to the spot with a wan smile on his face. David wrapped his
arms around Jeremy and kissed his forehead. Then he stood back,
holding Jeremy at arms length.

“Jeremy, you
look a little peaky. Not looking after one self when David is not
here?”

David has an
educated upper crust English accent that carried. A number of
people turned and looked in amusement.

“David this is
Ireland. You cannot carry on like this,” Jeremy hissed, very
conscious that he was the centre of attention.

“Why not
darling?”

“Come on,”
Jeremy hissed, taking David’s elbow.

Jeremy
retrieved the suitcases and led David to the exit. David followed
him, taking in the sights. All airports are much alike, but this
was David’s first visit to Ireland and he was full of
curiosity.

As they emerged
Jeremy led to the taxi rank and hailed a taxi.

“Shelbourne
Hotel,” he instructed.

David was in
fine form on the way into town. He prattled on unaware that the
Irish taxi driver was drinking in every word and phrase. Gossip,
friends in London. He prattled on in a camp upper class accent.
Jeremy squirmed when he noticed the Taxi driver observing them in
the mirror. He would have a fine story for the pub that evening,
taking off the Englishman’s accent.

Jeremy paid the
Taxi driver off at the hotel and they took a case each.

“Hope we have a
nice room?” David remarked as he went into the lobby.

“Rooms,” Jeremy
replied.

David stopped.
“What?” it was beginning to dawn on him that all was not well with
Jeremy.

“What do you
mean?” he asked, anger slipping into his tone.

“In Ireland,”
Jeremy hissed, his eyes moving around to see if he was to be
overheard, “under Irish law, gay is illegal. We cannot be too
blatant. Publicity and so on. Can’t have it. Not with the new Store
opening, bad for business,”

“Rubbish, it’s
not illegal, can’t be.”

“Sorry David,
we run a big business and we are opening a new high profile store,
we can’t afford a scandal.”

“Rhubarb! We
are moving into a suite. I have had enough nonsense Jeremy,” David
said firmly and pressed on to the reception desk. Jeremy hung back,
indecisive. In minutes David had it arranged with charm and
grace.

“Come,” he said
crossly and led the way towards the lift.

Jaw stiff with
tension, Jeremy followed.

In the lift
David regarded him crossly, but said nothing. They let themselves
into the suite. It had a kitchen, a living room and two
bedrooms.

“Looks
respectable enough,” David said dryly and tipped the luggage porter
as he departed.

“My things…”
Jeremy began.

“All arranged.
The housekeeper will transfer them from your room. Now come over
here Jeremy.” David’s voice deepened in command and Jeremy put down
the suitcase he was carrying. David put his arms around Jeremy and
kissed him.

“Nice to see
you Jeremy. To see you nice,” David said softly with a smile.

“David I have a
problem. I cannot do this in Ireland,” Jeremy protested still tense
in David’s arms.

“Do what?”

“Us.”

“For Christ
sake, come on Jeremy. I don’t complain as long as you are
loving.”

He grinned, “I
have enough for both of us.”

And then, with
a gleam in his eye. “Do you want to lie down?”

“No,” Jeremy
spoke abruptly, just stopping himself from shouting. What if David
saw the marks on his behind?

“Come on,
Jeremy. Give us a kiss sweetheart.”

“David,” Jeremy
protested, unable to suppress a smile at the expression on David’s
face and his coaxing manner.

“Please listen
to me David.”

“All right I am
listening.” David said crossly, letting him go and standing hands
on hips staring a Jeremy.

Then he stood
back from Jeremy and sat on the back of a couch, continuing to
closely observe him. “Tell me?” David added in a more understanding
tone.

“This is
Ireland,” Jeremy began, “where I trained to be a priest, where I
have a catholic background, family.”

“I thought I
was family?” David said simply.

“Yes you are
family. That is not the point. The point is that in Ireland I do
not want anything physical. Let us just be friends.”

“Is there
someone else? Have you met another man?” David asked anxiously.

“Of course not
David. You are the only man in my life.”

David smiled,
“Then kiss me.”

Reluctantly
Jeremy approached and kissed him gently on the lips. Tenderly David
began to stroke his cheek.

“I believe you
Jeremy. You are a crazy mixed up kid. I do not really know how I am
going to straighten you out.”

“Don’t try,”
Jeremy smiled.

With a devil in
his laugh David pulled Jeremy over the back of the couch. They fell
and Jeremy rolled over onto the floor. As Jeremy tried to scramble
to his feet David playfully, but with considerable strength, pulled
on Jeremy’s pants. They came down to his knees together with his
underpants to reveal his behind, covered with the marks of
Dorothy’s riding crop.

“Good God,”
David exclaimed, shocked. “Jeremy, what have you been up to?”

“Penance,”
Jeremy said tugging to pull up his clothes, but David held them in
a strong grip.

“Jeremy,” David
said letting go. His voice was choked and there was a tear in the
corner of his eye.

Jeremy saw his
distress and began to cry.

“Jeremy, Jeremy
baby,” David crooned, holding Jeremy in his arms. “Jeremy you
better tell me,” he added softly.

Jeremy told
David about Dorothy. He explained about drinking too much. His row
with Dorothy and her taking the riding crop to him because he was
useless and he deserved it.

It all came out
in a jumble. Jeremy was afraid to reveal all, and left out the fact
that they’d had intercourse.

“I’d like to
meet that Dorothy. She sounds like a total bitch,” David said
harshly.

Jeremy felt
warm and comfortable in David’s arms as they sat on the floor
together.

“I want to
bring her to see my mother,” Jeremy said finally looking David
straight in the eye for the first time.

David was
silent for a long time.

“I understand,”
he said finally. There was a deep sadness in his normally happy
voice. Jeremy held on to him and began to stroke him. David began
to undress the two of them and then he made love to Jeremy.

Afterwards they
had a bath together.

“We have to go
to see the new shop with George,” Jeremy explained and David nodded
agreeably. His full humour was restored and he luxuriated as Jeremy
soaped his back.

“Also,” Jeremy
continued, “ I am looking into a private investment in an apartment
complex. Tax implications, George has put me on to it. Tax
considerations involved and all that. You don’t need to worry about
it David. I have to see an Accountant tonight. After we see the
shop. Will you take George to dinner? I’ll see the accountant and
then meet you later.”