Arranged

© Copyright 2013 Arlene Valle.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-7320-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-7321-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013901175

Trafford rev. 01/25/2013

7-Copyright-Trafford_Logo.ai    www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

phone: 250 383 6864 ♦ fax: 812 355 4082

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1    Let’s Dance

Chapter 2    The Lost Weekend

Chapter 3    No Excuses

Chapter 4    Take the Long Way Home

Chapter 5    Paradise Lost

Chapter 6    Welcome, Bienvenido

Chapter 7    Private Tour

Chapter 8    No Free Ride

Chapter 9    One Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

Chapter 10  Welcome Aboard

Chapter 11  All on the Same Page

Chapter 12  Secrets

Chapter 13  Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

Chapter 14  Take the Long Way Home

Chapter 15  A New Day

Chapter 16  Nothing Ever Changes Unless There’s Some Pain

Chapter 17  Come Fly Away

Chapter 18  Picking up the Pieces of Love

Chapter 19  The Spanish Inquisition

Chapter 20  You Can’t Hold on to What Is Already Gone

Chapter 21  Breaking the Chains of Love

Chapter 22  Who Are You?

Chapter 23  Apology Not Accepted

Chapter 24  The Way You Are

Chapter 25  Second Thoughts

Chapter 26  The Glass Penis

Chapter 27  Surf’s Up

Chapter 28  Come Sail Away

Chapter 29  I’m So Moved

Chapter 30  Benny and the Jets

Chapter 31  Not a Perfect Paradise

Chapter 32  Secret World

Chapter 33  No Monkeying Around

Chapter 34  Closest Thing to Heaven

Chapter 35  The Way You Are

Chapter 36  Small Packages

Chapter 37  It’s a Boy!

Chapter 38  Finally It Clicks

Chapter 39  Mother’s Talk

Chapter 40  The Tests Don’t Lie

Chapter 41  Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

Thanks to

My best friends. To Nancy for being my first content critic.

If you don’t tell me the truth no one will. To Jan for encouraging me to

try something new at a critical time in both our lives. I love you

both for caring. And to Dan my new friend and fellow Canadian

on Isla de Margarita.

To

Justin Tyler

I love you so much and

I think of you every day.

Prologue

S he adored him, and he seemed to worship her. He lavished clothes and jewelry on her not only because of the great sex or how virile she made him feel but because they truly seemed to have a connection.

Reid Harris, sole owner of Harris Enterprises and many other companies—from R. Harris International to R. W. Harris Holdings Inc.—a so-called Captain of Industry, was a pushover for Samantha. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he was mush in her hands. He was in his middle fifties, a self-made billionaire. Millionaire just doesn’t cut it these days, and he definitely qualified. He was her protector, her provider, and most of all her lover in every sense of the word. He was tall—six feet two inches—and slim in all the right places, with his shock of wavy dark hair sprinkled on the sides with sexy gray, as she liked to call it. He had a strong, rugged jawline and looked every bit the business executive. He had kind eyes that could turn to fire if taken to anger, and as far as Samantha was concerned, she never had to see that look in him.

Reid was divorced and the father of two sons grown and now part of the Harris Empire, and for some strange reason Samantha and Reid seemed to click. It could be the gentle concern she gave him, gathering back on all the experience she had gained making so many sex therapy videos. Maybe it was because she felt sorry for him, alone with all his money and no one to share his life with. Whatever it was, it worked for them, and they genuinely trusted each other so explicitly that Reid almost acted like a pimp this last year, searching for suitable one-night stands for his insatiable princess, but guarding her virtue with his very life.

It had been a rough start for Samantha. Her father had left her mother when she was only two. They had moved in with her maternal grandmother in a small Texas town, and at fifteen Samantha had endured the pain of losing her aunt and within six months her mother to ovarian cancer. Her doctor gave her a choice of taking Seasonale type birth control pills; and for her, if she faithfully took it every day of her life, she would never have a period. This would help her body avoid scarring from a follicle producing an egg, which in turn scars the ovary and causes trauma with a monthly cycle. This, her doctor told her, would dramatically lower her risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. The doctor advised her against even thinking about having children, and with her mind resolved, she knew this was the only way of hopefully guaranteeing a chance to live beyond thirty.

She finished high school at seventeen, took community college courses, and at nineteen packed her bags for California much against her grandmother’s wishes. Everyone had always told her she should be in the movies and television. She was just so pretty, but as everyone knows or should know, that ain’t how it works in Hollywood.

She realized early on that her soft Texas drawl wasn’t going to get her any leading parts, and she quickly dropped it for a more snobby East Coast accent.

TV parts came slowly, maybe only one or two a month and only walk-ons and background parts. Getting past a casting director’s assistant proved to be quite a bit tougher than she ever expected, and steady parts weren’t enough to keep up with her studio apartment rent and pay for acting classes. It was then that she saw the ad for Sex Therapy Video Participants, and the rest is history as they say.

During the making of twelve videos, you certainly learn every technique the therapists can teach, and it was then that she learned her libido despite no monthly cycle was doing just fine. Everything her partners did to her seemed to heighten her sexual appetite, and she felt she could never get enough, and the directors and therapists greatly appreciated her enthusiasm.

At a typical Hollywood party she sneaked into, she was approached by a big-time porno director to star in his next movie. That was when she knew she had to get out of the video business. Meeting Reid at that party saved her from what probably would have been a downward spiral into the truly seamy side of Hollywood.

Chapter 1

Let’s Dance

T he party was glamorous just like she imagined the parties of the thirties and forties had been. Samantha Beck had been anticipating the night for well over a week. It was San Francisco’s most famous elite party of the year. The Renaissance Ball always attracted the very best from the area, actually from all over the country. It was a who’s who of the wealthy and famous, and she wasn’t going to miss a minute of it.

They walked up the staircase to the glittering entrance to the ballroom. Gorgeous-looking people were everywhere. Sparkling chandeliers and the glistening diamonds that seemed to be on so many of the women. The music from the big band was loud as they made their way around the room. Samantha looked amazing. This was not only Reid’s opinion but hers also. She had spent the better part of the week preparing for tonight. Her dress was designer, her jewels were real, and she was on the arm of the man she adored.

Reid was older than her, many years older, but there was something about him that drew her to him from the first night they met. He was tall, over six feet, and carried himself like the rich man he was. His dark brown hair was starting to recede at his temples, but she didn’t care. His mustache was starting to gray, but she just thought that made him look more dignified and sexy. Yes, she really adored this man, and she held on to his arm as they studied the single men in the room.

White-clothed tables circled the room, and Reid led her to an unoccupied one. Do you want the usual or champagne tonight? he asked.

Let’s make it the bubbly, sugar. She grinned.

She watched as he slipped through the crowd and was quickly out of sight. Her eyes trolled the people dancing and drinking around the room. Everyone looks super, she thought. There has to be someone here for me tonight.

Reid was back with two glasses of champagne. He placed them on the table and kissed her on the top of her head. Let’s dance.

She quickly took a sip of champagne while Reid grabbed her other hand. He eased her onto the dance floor. He was holding her close, and her breasts seemed to rise even more from the low-cut dress.

Jeez, he thought to himself. I am the luckiest SOB in this room, maybe in the world. She is absolutely breathtaking tonight, and she’s mine. She’s all mine. Unfortunately, he also understood some days she was insatiable. Some days he just wasn’t enough. They held each other for a couple of dances, and then he walked her back to the table.

I’ll be back in a few, he whispered in her ear, as she sat and sipped her champagne.

This was the first time Reid had been out of her sight for more than five minutes. Suddenly he emerged from the crowd with a handsome man much his junior. He was very well built, tall, had dark brown hair and a rugged but gentle look about his face. She could tell how muscular he was even through his white dinner jacket.

Babe, I have someone for you to meet. Reid seemed excited as he approached her side. She smiled up at him. The games would begin just as they always had—an introduction, meaningless chitchat, and then on to the next step. Even though she had been in therapy for some time, her libido can sometimes rule, and Reid is always ready to please her.

Samantha, I want you to meet Maximillian Wollf. He’s German and Austrian, and he’s a Wall Street attorney. You two have a lot in common. You two might just hit it off.

For a brief moment, Samantha thought he might be something a little bit more as he gently squeezed her hand during introduction. She was immediately drawn to him, with his Adonis-like good looks, and something deep inside her did a flip-flop.

Very nice to meet you. His voice was soft and clear.

You too. You don’t have an accent! She quickly queried, Where is your accent?

I was born here. My parents emigrated in the ’70s. He grinned. "My mother is German and worked for Vogue in New York. My father is an attorney and worked with foreign banks. After my mother’s passing, he moved to Upstate in New York."

They all smiled and nodded, and she could see Reid’s look of approval. Reid just needed to see hers.

*      *     *

Men think about sex every seven seconds, some people contend. If that were true, it would be a whopping eight thousand times for each sixteen-hour day that a man is awake, and what about them finding time to think about sleep and food? It is more likely it’s once an hour or roughly nineteen times in a sixteen-hour day, and anything can be turned into something sexual if you give a man enough of a chance whether they would admit it or not.

Samantha had no doubt he knew why they were going up to Reid’s hotel room.

Walking from the ballroom to the elevator took all of two minutes, and no one spoke a word. The ride in the elevator to the top floor was somewhat uncomfortable and also silent. The doors opened, and Reid stepped out first, then Samantha and Max. Reid whistled lightly as they approached the door; he pulled his key card from his pocket, and they quickly entered the suite.

As I told you before, I am going to stay in the room, Reid reiterated as he closed the door behind them. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, anything bad. You understand.

Max nodded his understanding.

This certainly is something I’ve never done before, he said. Well, not completely, but you know what I mean. He pleaded for acknowledgment almost pathetically, but all that would go away once he touched her gorgeous firm body.

Reid walked to a corner far from the bed. Just pretend I’m not here, he said, as he sat in the enormous wingback chair and appeared to fade into the dimly lit room.

Max turned his head to face Samantha as he removed his dinner jacket and tossed it on a bench.

Are you all right with this? He seemed to beg as he loosened his bow tie.

She approached him and began to unbutton his shirt; as she reached the bottom button, she slid his cummerbund to the front and deftly unclipped it. Her hands were on his waistband and then on his zipper. She pulled his trousers down, then rubbed her hand up his beginning erection, emitting a soft purr as her eyes lifted back up to his face.

Samantha backed away from him and stood beside the bed. She slipped the dress from one shoulder and then from the other. Her silky gown fell to the floor.

Max quickly removed his shoes and trousers and began to approach her as she slid on top of the crisp sheets still wearing her stilettos.

He removed his briefs and knelt on the bed, bending his head down to her lips.

Samantha welcomed his open-mouth kiss. A secret surge swept through her eagerly waiting body, as she gasped at his already firm generous cock. Her arms reached up to his neck, and she pulled his heated body closer as he moved his weight on top of her.

His tongue probed the inside of her mouth, and she responded with a sense of hot urgency, arching her back and pushing into his rock-hard body. Max grasped one firm, upturned breast. He frantically massaged it with his large hand, while his mouth devoured the other one, sucking and pulling her nipple until it glistened with his saliva.

Once again, Samantha arched her back in approval, as his hand slid under her waist. He quickly caressed her back and firmly moved down her thigh. He reached for her white lace panties, tugged quickly, and they ripped from her body.

What the hell am I doing here? The thought breezed through his mind. What the hell am I doing? His brain began to race as their foreplay reached a fevered pitch. In his wildest dreams did he ever think the night would end up like this.

Her manicured nails streaked down his back and onto his buttocks. She murmured her approval as she pulled him closer to her, feeling his erection push into her leg. Samantha reached for her throbbing clit as she whispered a needy plea into his ear, Max, oh, Max.

Max brushed her hand aside and laid gentle kisses down her firm tanned center, sucking briefly on her belly button. He nudged her thighs wider with his knees and continued a soft slow peck down her body, his tongue stopping at her neatly groomed patch of light brown curls. He briefly looked up to her face for approval as his fingers parted her wet folds. He devoured her quickly. His warm sharp tongue found her sweet moist button while his fingers made her twitch in electrically charged pleasure.

Max directed her legs to rest on his shoulders. Samantha, still wearing her strappy stilettos, quickly complied. He moved even closer to her on his knees, his hand bracing one leg, as he guided his penis to her pinkened slit. He could see the anticipation on her face, as he moved slowly inside her. Max watched her mouth form an O shape, as she licked her lips, raising her hips to meet his thrusts. Samantha closed her eyes as she clenched around him for added pleasure. Her whole being rocking with the stranger in her bed, her mind whirling with the elicit thoughts she wished she could control.

Their bodies thrashed together, small beads of sweat forming on his brow. He flexed his hips, pulling back and then sinking deep into her again and again. He moaned loudly as he tensed and released unexpectedly inside her. His body melted to hers, not even sure if she had any kind of orgasm or even if she wanted one.

Max rolled his body beside her, sighing deeply. Samantha lay still with a smile on her face. Max heard a slight cough from the other side of the room and then remembered they weren’t alone. He detected the aroma of a cigarillo and could faintly see Reid, his fingertips on his right hand inside his waistband.

There was little verbalizing between them, as awkwardness set in on Max.

It was sex, purely sex—two consenting adults fulfilling a need. The only difference was there was a third person in the room.

God, he thought, this can’t be some kind of kinky threesome! It can’t be. And he certainly didn’t consider himself some kind of gigolo or swinger. He got up and began to dress quickly, as Samantha slid to the end of the bed. All he wanted was to get out of that room as fast as possible.

Reid didn’t move from the chair. Thank you, he said. You were very gentle with her. I knew you were a gentleman. You’re going to be down in LA next week, right?

Max wasn’t sure what to say as he reached for his jacket.

Yes, he said, never really thinking Reid would take him up and actually call him. I’ll be at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

He opened the door, threw his bow tie into his pocket, and slipped quietly into the hall. The door gently closed behind him. He exhaled deeply. What the hell did I just do? I must be crazy. No condom! If that bastard is lying, he will definitely see more of me.

Reid walked to the end of the bed. He sat down beside Samantha and put his arm around her waist. Are you okay, sweetie?

Look what he did to my panties. She laughed as she twirled them on the end of her finger.

He chuckled and with his other hand ran it from her stomach down to her warm moist crotch. He gave her a peck on the lips, and they both grinned as she slipped back into her gown.

Anything to keep my princess happy.

Chapter 2

The Lost Weekend

T hey pulled up in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel promptly at noon. He was standing there just in the shadow of the front entrance, a small suitcase at his feet. Reid beeped the horn, and he picked up his bag and approached their Mercedes. As Max stretched his arm in front of Samantha to shake Reid’s hand, he brushed her breasts. As he pulled away, he could see her nipples protruding beneath her white silk dress, and it brought back memories of that Saturday night.

I hope you don’t mind riding with the top down, Reid said.

No, of course, Max replied. I really enjoy the sunshine. You never get enough of it in New York.

Samantha leaned forward, and he pushed the back of her seat slightly and slipped in.

Well, buckle up, yelled Reid, as he turned up the CD player, glanced at his side mirror, and sped out the driveway and into Friday-afternoon traffic. You’ll get plenty of sun in Palm Springs. He continued, It’s a different kind of sun out there. It seems more pure. He turned to Samantha, and they both giggled.

Reid merged the car onto I-10. Samantha glanced back at Max and lowered her sunglasses back over her eyes. She crossed her legs, and Max had no way of avoiding her ever-increasing thigh, thanks to her short dress. Samantha placed her hand on Reid’s inner thigh and gently caressed him as they flew along the freeway.

Approximately two hours later, they drove onto the palm-lined street and the circular driveway of the palatial midcentury-style ranch. Before Reid had the luggage from the trunk, a middle-aged woman descended upon them from the front door. Adriana hardly ever appeared to Reid without a smile on her face. Her ruddy complexion and dark hair pulled back in a sleek bun, her compact body always in motion guiding and directing anyone she came in contact with. It was just her nurturing nature, and Reid always appeared to succumb to her way of doing things.

I will get those, Mr. Reid. I will have Armando bring everything in," Adriana said as she ushered everyone in the front door.

Adriana, Reid said. This is our guest for the weekend. This is Max. Please see that his bag is placed in one of the guest bedrooms.

Yes, Mr. Reid, right away. She motioned to Armando, Reid’s gardener and assistant for Adriana, as he entered the front hall with all the suitcases.

If you’re as stiff from sitting as I am from driving, you’ll probably want to take a long walk. Laughed Reid. Even better, how about a couple of laps in the pool before everyone gets here tonight? If you didn’t bring trunks, there are some in one of the drawers of every guest bedroom. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding them. We’ll meet you out by the pool. Don’t be long. And with that, Reid and Samantha walked down the other wing of the ranch that wrapped around the large backyard.

Reid was in the pool, his arms crossed on the coping edge, gazing up at Samantha lounging in a chaise wearing a barely there black bikini. Max emerged from the living room sliding doors. He was handsome, tall, and muscular; and even Reid seemed to stare at him as he approached the two of them.

You don’t have to tell me it’s inviting. Max laughed as he dove into the pool. He swam underwater to the far side and emerged from the refreshing blue liquid shaking his head. He turned and braced his elbows on the edge of the pool and faced his hosts. I needed that. He grinned. There’s a lot that I need. He thought to himself, And I’m looking right at her.

By seven o’clock, the doorbell was ringing; and from his bedroom, Max could hear voices laughing and Samantha squealing as she yelled out the name Kristi several times.

He walked from his room and back up the hall to where the raucous voices were emanating.

Max, Max, over here. Gestured Reid. I want you to meet our other guests for dinner tonight.

Max put out his hand to shake the small wiry man.

Max, this is an associate of mine, Barney Nichols. He always has my back.

Max gave a firm handshake and was greeted by a limp dishwater response from him. He turned to the woman standing beside Barney.

And I bet you’re Kristi, he said with a big grin on his face.

Yes, how did you know? She confessed as her heels jumped up and down.

While still shaking her hand, he turned to Samantha. A little birdie told me.

After drinks in the living room, the five of them moved to the patio. It was still hot. The sun was setting, but it was still in the nineties. The pergola shaded a tiled table set for dinner off the kitchen. They sat down. Reid at one end with Samantha going to the other. Max held her chair for her, and he took in the intoxicating smell from her perfume. He wanted to be with her again, but he had to try and put those thoughts in the back of his mind at least for now.

Off in the distance, the sun was beginning to set behind Mt. San Jacinto, the pinks and oranges streaking across the sky. Their wine glasses were full. To the good life. Reid gestured as he stretched his arm to the center of the table. To the good life, he said again. For as long as you can grab it!

Everyone picked up their glasses and along with Reid all did the traditional clinking and muttering of their own favorite salute.

Adriana emerged from the kitchen with Armando in tow. He was carrying a tray; when they approached the table, Adriana removed a large tureen from it and placed it in front of Reid.

You are a saint, Adriana, Reid said. I hope everyone is up for paella. This is Adriana’s specialty.

Everyone mmm’d their approval, and Reid began to scoop generous bowls for each of his guests.

It’s excellent, said Max after a couple of mouthfuls.

Kristi and Samantha were talking and giggling to each other in low voices, and Barney seemed to be just pushing everything around in his bowl and consuming a lot of wine.

She’s from Spain, you know. Adriana, she’s from Spain, not Mexico. I bet you thought she was from Mexico. She has been with me over twenty years, and I don’t know what I would do without her, praised Reid.

The importance of her nationality seemed somewhat lost with the rest of the table members.

Max quickly nodded an oh and continued eating his dinner.

The sun was down now, and twinkling lights on the pergola over the patio made an eerie effect as the overhead fan lopped around and around. Barney was obviously bombed, too much to drink before dinner and not enough dinner; all the wine with his meal, and his small stature, made for an obvious combination.

Barney, before you put a hole in the bottom of that bowl and really piss Adriana off, let’s move back inside. I have a special beverage you gentlemen might like.

Reid stood, and as if on command, everyone else also got up from their chairs. The girls, arm in arm, led the way through the patio door and into the dimly lit living room. The three men went off to a small but comfortable study just to the right as they entered.

*      *     *

It was almost three in the morning. Max glanced at his watch on the night table. The air-conditioning was on. It was always on in Palm Springs; he still couldn’t sleep, partially because of the heat and partially because he couldn’t get Samantha out of his head. She barely had said two words to him since they arrived. He knew she was excited to see Kristi, but god, she gave him that look in the car. She had turned and taken off her sunglasses, and he could see her beautiful big brown eyes. She had stared at his face with those deep eyes and then glanced down. His legs were spread apart as he consumed the backseat of the Mercedes convertible, and she definitely glanced at his crotch before turning around to grab Reid’s leg. He lay there thinking about her. She was probably in bed with Reid. He was screwing her. He knew he was.

He threw his legs over the edge of the bed, slipped into his trunks, and quietly walked down the hall to the living room. The lights were still on inside the pool. He pushed open the sliding glass door and walked to the pool’s edge. On the far side, he saw her floating on her back gently pushing herself along. She was naked. He could see her clearly in the moonlight. She was as beautiful as the night he had her in the hotel room in San Francisco.

What are you doing out here so late at night? he questioned.

I’m a nymph, she exclaimed. Don’t you remember? Tonight I’m a water nymph. Well, are you coming in? She laughed softly.

She didn’t have to ask him twice. He dove in and was over beside her in one underwater push. She giggled and lost her balance. She was standing in front of him, the underwater lights bouncing off her gorgeous wet body. Without saying a word, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her close to him. Samantha immediately felt a charge surge through her body. He kissed her softly. Slowly, she parted her lips and aggressively pushed her tongue through his teeth. He took that as an approval, and his hands began to caress her breasts. Max pushed her up against the edge of the pool, and she started to giggle.

How long can you hold your breath? Come on, how long?

Without hesitation, he took a deep breath and went under the water and up to her legs. His tongue reached for that very special spot, and her eyes lit up in surprise. While he held on to her hips, his tongue moved vigorously up and down. It isn’t the best, but I would certainly have to give him an A for effort, she thought. His head bobbed to the surface in front of her breasts. He gasped fresh air and devoured them one at a time. Samantha threw her head back and squealed with delight.

*      *     *

Saturday morning came with a heat vengeance. It was only 9:00 a.m., and it was already in the high eighties. A knock on his door brought Max awake with a startle. He looked around the room. She wasn’t there. He was alone.

Yes, he groaned. Who is it?

Mr. Max? Adriana asked. If you can, they are waiting for you on the patio.

Yes, yes, he replied. I’ll be there in five minutes. Max quickly dressed and joined the four outside.

Max, Max, come join us, exclaimed Reid. "Adriana, one more coffee, por favor."

Max pulled out a chair next to Samantha and waited while Adriana placed a steaming cup in front of him.

Do you golf? questioned Reid. Do you play at all?

A smile came over Max as he thought about the early morning hours in the pool with the nymph sitting beside him. Yes, he thought to himself, I guess I do play.

Well, is it yes or no? queried Reid again.

I used to play in college, Max replied. Not the best, but I was on the Yale golf team. We finished second my last year. Harvard got us again.

Well, then you’re perfect, exclaimed Reid. I’m a duffer, and I don’t think Barney is completely sober yet, so we will be a great threesome. I made reservations down in Rancho Mirage for ten. I have clubs reserved for you, so we’d better get a move on. The ladies are going shopping, of course.

Reid stood and walked to Samantha’s side. Don’t buy out the stores, and don’t drink your lunch. He chuckled as he put his hands on Samantha’s shoulders and drew himself down to her lips. He also gently kissed her breasts rising above her low-cut tank top.

I won’t, sugar. She grinned. "You know I won’t. Don’t forget everyone else will be here by seven, so don’t