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Excerpt
Carol Price is 27 and especially attractive. She is single and owns a woman’s shop on Rodeo Drive that caters the rich. In no way frigid Carol is searching to find and marry a man she can love. A handsome man enters her store and she waves her clerks back to personally wait on him.
“May I help you?”
The customer stares at Carol; she matches his mind’s eye of the gorgeous woman his dreams fantasize. He recovers presence to say, “I wish to buy some sexy lingerie.”
Carol asks, “For your wife?”
“No, my boss’s wife. He’s getting a divorce.”
“Why would he…. I have some nice things over there.”
“You are gorgeous. You should own your own store.”
“I own this store.”
“You don’t look old enough. Are you married?”
Carol is used to being hit on. “No. Are you applying?”
Jerry grins. “You’re probably engaged?”
“I date occasionally. What color preference would he like in the sexy lingerie?”
“Anything transparent. How’d you like to attend a party tonight? The Bushard mansion. I’m their accountant.” When she was slow to answer he said, “Help your business. A lot of rich men buy young women expensive clothes. Wear a sexy red dress. I’ll pass the word you own a Rodeo shop and the women will want to dress like you.”
Carol smiles as she says, “I don’t know you.”
“Sure you do. I’m the guy that came in wanting to buy sexy underwear for his boss. I’m a well-behaved guy and never force myself on a lady. If she says no a dozens times I won’t keep asking. Not until our second date.”
“You’re crazy. I assume you’re not married.”
“I’m not. Women spurn me. I worry if one learns I’m rich they’ll marry me for my money. So I dress in rags and ask them buy me drinks and dinners.”
“How wealthy are you?”
“See. Already you want to know my worth. Okay, since you refuse to marry me, I’ll tell you what you’re missing. In my breadbox I’ve hidden twelve hundred dollars.”
Carol is amused and asks, “What time is the party?”
“Eight. That means we make our grand entrance at nine-o’clock. Where do I pick you up?”
“I send the employees home at five and stay open until seven. I’ll be ready at eight-thirty. Pick me up here.”
Jerry Monroe has hope of courting the blonde Carol Price. He would marry her just on her looks alone. She has the attributes of intelligence and congeniality to find his humor amusing. Why hadn’t some man snapped her up?
Jerry gives a low wolf whistle when he sees Carol in her red dress. There is a live band and over a hundred people in the Bushard ballroom. Jerry knows most everyone there and he introduces Carol to his friends. They are impressed with Carol’s sensual beauty. She had taken his advice and is wearing a form-fitted fire engine red dress. Jerry Monroe sees Thomas Bushard watching them. He has to guide Carol over to Thomas and make the introductions.
Carol said, “You have a lovely home here.”
Tomas surprises her. He takes her arm and says, “Let me show you around. You don’t mind, do you Jerry?”
Jerry couldn’t say he did mind. Bringing Carol to this function was a mistake. Thomas Bushard is on the prowl and he wants Carol. His only hope is that Carol is a mature young woman with brains and won’t fall for Thomas Jon Bushard’s line.
Tomas guides Carol to the bar and they pick up highballs and walk out on the veranda that overlooks the gigantic pool. Thomas said, “I’ve fallen in love.”
Congratulations. Is she here? Or is she a he?”
Thomas smiled. “A beautiful young lady with wit.”
“I’m flattered. Do you have a vacant bedroom?”
“Now you astound me. Am I dreaming?”
“You sneak away to it and dream. I’ll join the party.”
“Thomas Jon Bushard is relentless in his pursuit of Caroline Price. He musters a group of young secretaries and takes them in his limousine to Carol’s women’s shop. He has them all choose dresses, lingerie, stockings, gloves shoes and purses. They nearly deplete Carol’s entire stock.
While he is counting out stacks of hundred dollar bills to pay her Carol said, “This is crazy.”
“I know you pay your staff commissions. They appear as happy as the customers. Will you date me?”
She said in jest, “I’m afraid of you.” She had no way of knowing she should be. Monsters disguise themselves.
Their first date he took her to dinner and then to a stage show. Afterwards to a nightclub for a couple of drinks and Carol noticed he did not get a bill and asked him why not?
Thomas Jon Bushard smiled. “I think I own it. My staff buys and sells many establishments, factories and buildings. I have an office to catch up each day with my attorney and head accountant. Monthly meetings with managers.”
Thomas Bushard is courteous and attentive. He does not have to boast of his accomplishments; the media heralds his life. Even his first date with Carol made the society pages. Carol was astounded to see a photo of her and Thomas having dinner. Their second date they kiss goodnight and Carol feels he is struggling to hold back his passion. On their third date he has his chauffeur drive them to an isolated pond surrounded by green trees. It is a beautiful spot behind the cabin he owns. He tells his chauffeur, “Take a walk, Ralph. Don’t return until you hear the horn.”
Thomas smiles at the brown eyed blonde beside him. He has never dated a more desirable girl. “I guess you know I want to make love to you?”
“I expect you’ll offer me money I can’t refuse.”
“What is your price?”
“You’ll have to be more original. I know that joke.”
“You excite me.”
“I’ve heard that since I was twelve.”
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