The Family Business

“Nice to meet you, Ruby,” I said, giving her firm body the once-over.

“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Orlando,” she said softly in a strong Caribbean accent that almost melted me on the spot. Maria and Remy had outdone themselves this time. I had only a few requests when it came to the women I dealt with from their agency. Two were mandatory, and the other three were a wish list of sorts. Ruby had already satisfied number one on my wish list, because she was not American born. Their country of origin wasn’t important, and even race didn’t matter that much, as long as the women they brought me had some kind of accent. That was so damn sexy to me.

Ruby turned to Maria and spoke to her as if I weren’t even in the room. “I did not expect him to be so handsome and fit.” Remy had told me once before that most of his clients were older, overweight white guys, so the girls appreciated the time spent with someone as youthful and in shape as I was.

“Yes,” Maria said, “Orlando is quite handsome and very capable in the bedroom. I can assure you that there is no better man to cut your teeth on in this industry. Sometimes I think we should be paying him, but we must not forget this is business. Nonetheless, I’m sure he will make you scream like he did me. Just don’t expect to see him again, because he only sees each girl once.”

I tried to contain it, but I was sure I was blushing. I mean, you couldn’t get a bigger compliment than to have a woman who charged ten grand for a roll in the hay say she should have paid you.

“Sooo,” I said, changing the subject, “I’m starved. Ruby, what do you plan on making for dinner?”

“I was going to whip up some jerk chicken, cabbage, and rice and peas. Do you like spicy foods?”

I loved it when women cooked their native cuisine for me.

“I love spicy foods. And for the record, I can’t wait to taste you. I hope you’re hot and spicy.” I licked my lips, and my eyes didn’t leave hers until I saw both her dimples twinkling back at me. I glanced at Maria and winked, letting her know that she had done a great job.

“Well then,” Maria interrupted. “Why don’t I leave you two lovebirds alone? Ruby, the car service will be here to pick you up around seven-thirty tomorrow morning. That work for you, Orlando?”

Both Ruby and I nodded, prompting Maria to walk to the door. “You two have fun. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Ruby, enjoy it while you can, girl. He’s one of the special ones.”

I watched Maria leave, then turned toward Ruby, who was now in the kitchen, searching for the cookware she needed. Neither of us said a word as I sat on the stool that faced the center island she was working on. She tried to be nonchalant and ignore me as she prepared the food, but I caught her sneaking a glimpse at me every few seconds.

Finally, about five minutes later, her eyes shifted in my direction. “Is it true what she says?”

“Is what true?”

“That you only see the girls one time?” she asked.

“Yes.” I nodded without going into detail. “Why? Do you plan on changing that?”

Carl Weber with Eric Pete's books