Sleeping With The Enemy Page 2

  She complied.

  ‘I agree with Mr. Sheindlin,’ said the Chairman. ‘We are operating on a string budget, and to be quite frank, we cannot afford the luxury of a show that taxes heavily on our resources.’

  ‘Excuse me, Sir, to be quite frank, my show needs only minimal funding from the studio, and statistics elsewhere will show that it is the most watched show at that time on any given Sunday across all the major TV networks.’

  The Chairman stared at her thoughtfully for a long moment and then made his decision. ‘Let’s go for a vote.’

  The members of the meeting cast their votes, and when the votes were counted it was revealed that the members had voted 7-1 to scrap Rosina’s book show and begin a new, totally different one as its replacement.

  ‘I’m sorry, Miss Ameliano,’ said the Chairman. ‘Congratulations, Mr. Sheindlin.’

  The spineless bastard. Rosina could have castrated him right then and there. But she held on to the rapidly thinning shred of sanity inside her and swallowed her pride.

  The Chairman left, followed by the other people who had been part of the meeting. As if to add salt to injury, Sheindlin held back, such that there remained only him and Rosina in the conference room.

  With a disappointed sigh, Rosina gathered her things and went to the door. Sheindlin walked round the table and met her at the door. Rosina gave up all pretenses at decency and charged at him. ‘What grudge do you have against me, Eric? Is it because I beat you in the seniority race?’

  ‘I shall not be tempted to make a comment on the subject of your baseless conjectures, Miss Ameliano.’

  ‘I hope you rot in hell, you bastard,’ she said strongly.

  He smiled contemptuously t her. ‘One’s triumph is always a loss to another.’

  He walked away and she leaned against the door and sobbed bitterly.

  Eight

  Cambiaso was having breakfast in the dining room of his heavily guarded mansion. Dressed in a white morning gown, he ate clumsily with his hands. He licked his hands and barked an order. His ever-present bodyguard jumped and came closer. ‘Get me Terry.’

  The bodyguard rushed out to carry out his boss’ wish. Shortly he returned with the said Terry, a character of average build and good looks, which were currently spoiled by his unsightly blue-black eye and a plaster on his nose. He looked like someone who was in excruciating pain. Cambiaso stared disdainfully at the man and was reminded by the cast in his right hand that the fool had also suffered a broken finger.

  ‘Come on over here, Terry. Come sit down.’

  Terry didn’t respond. He went silently and did as his boss had ordered. The bodyguard took a position a distance behind Terry.

  ‘Hey, grab a bite, Terry. You had something to eat yet?’

  ‘No, thanks, Mr. Cambiaso, but I’m okay.’

  ‘How’re you feeling, Terry?’ Cambiaso asked in a voice of one who was really concerned and sympathetic about the injuries of the man opposite him.

  ‘Better, Mr. C.’

  ‘How’s your finger, Terry?’

  ‘It’s healing, boss.’

  Cambiaso stared at the man, who could not hold his gaze and looked down. Cambiaso gave a nod at the bodyguard and this latter came forward quickly and noiselessly behind Terry. The bodyguard grabbed Terry in an arm-lock and forced his right hand palm down onto the table.

  Cambiaso slowly, with a dispassionate expression on his face, got up and picked up a chopping knife from the table. Slowly he came round the table to where Terry was now trying to break free of the hold of the strong bodyguard. Terror seized his face as Cambiaso approached closer.

  ‘I sent you to watch a man, Terry, ‘said Cambiaso quietly. ‘There’s nothing in the world as simple as that. But what did you do?’ He quickly answered himself. ‘You not only let him see you, but he hit you, and even elicited some information from your filthy mouth. By doing that, he was asking if you’ve got balls.’

  Cambiaso stopped talking and breathed heavily in anger. ‘Do you have balls, Terry?’

  The terrified man nodded quickly.

  Cambiaso smiled. ‘Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we? Spread your fingers, Terry,’ he said softly, but the menace was heavy in his voice.

  Terry did the opposite. He knotted his hand firmly into a tight fist.

  Unperturbed, Cambiaso stared at the frightened man. ‘You have two choices, Terry. You close your fingers, you lose your whole hand. You spread your fingers, you lose only one of them.’

  Reluctantly, Terry opened his hand and spread his fingers. He closed his eyes firmly, unable to watch the atrocity that was about to be meted out on him.

  Cambiaso’s face twisted into a malicious and violent rage as he raised up the chopping knife. He slashed it down and Terry hollered like a pig on the slaughter. He grabbed his bloody hand in the other and cried aloud in agony.

  Mr. Cambiaso went back to his chair and picked up a slice of bacon. He stuffed it into his mouth and ate silently for a moment, and then stared lazily at the crying man. ‘Quiet!’ he barked.

  Terry immediately shut up.

  Cambiaso licked his fingers and pushed away the plate in front of him. Without prompting, the bodyguard came forward and cleared the table.

  Cambiaso stretched his fingers, pulling their sockets and making them produce a crackling sound in turn. ‘We’ve been lions, Terry,’ he said to the whimpering man. ‘We’ve been lions, and that has been our weakness. Lions re hunters, but 70% of their hunting missions end in failure. The leopard is a much more diligent and efficient hunter. It hunts during the day, when most other predators are hiding from the heat of the sun. It hunts alone, eliminating mistakes and cross-referencing. And most of its hunting missions will more often than not result in a kill.’ He closed his eyes, a menacing grin on his face. ‘Our prey has hidden himself in a populous place. He’s like a needle in a haystack. To sift him out and get to him, we have to be leopards. And I promise you, Terry, we’ll get him.’

  He opened his eyes and looked at Terry, the smile disappearing from his face. ‘We’ll get him.’

  Nine

  When Paulina arrived at the apartment her sister sat with her legs crossed on the floor in the living room, leaning against the wall and drinking from a bottle of Budweiser with a sad expression on her face. Sad soulful music came softly from the music system. Concerned, Paulina quietly went and sat before her sister on the floor.

  ‘Rosie, what’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Rosina answered, her eyes glazed and unfocused.

  ‘The signs are not good,’ said Paulina. ‘You don’t drink. I do.’

  ‘They took away my show, Paulina…’ Her voice broke and she cried. ‘…They took away my show…’

  ‘The book show?’ Paulina was stunned. Sympathy covered her face. ‘Oh God, I’m so sorry, Rosie.’ She leaned forward and hugged her sister. ‘I’m really sorry.’

  After a long moment, they let go of each other.

  Tentatively, Paulina asked, ‘Has he called?’

  Rosina wiped away her tears. ‘No.’

  He doesn’t have your number, and he doesn’t know your name,’ Paulina pointed out in a gentle voice.

  ‘What do you think I should do?’

  ‘The way I see it,’ Paulina said with a naughty smile, ‘you go up to his place and tell him you want his cock inside you—.’

  ‘Seriously, Paulina,’ Rosina said in a reproachful voice.

  Her expression becoming serious, Paulina suggested, ‘I really think you should go to his place and talk to him.’

  ‘What will I say?’

  Paulina shrugged. ‘Don’t know. Ask him out for a drink.’

  ‘You’re right,’ Rosina’s face brightened up. ‘You know what? You’re right. As a matter of fact, I’ll go to his place right now.’ She leapt up to her feet. ‘What’ll I wear?’ Suddenly, a distraught look covered her face.

  Paulina rose to her feet too. ‘You know what? I got exactly the right outf
it for you.’

  For a long time, Rosina tried several different outfits before eventually choosing a white knee-length dress that spread out from her hips. It fitted her so nicely that Paulina exclaimed, ‘O baby, you’re hot!’

  * * * * *

  ‘You look stunning.’ His voice came behind her as she was getting ready to knock the knuckles of her right hand on his door.

  She turned around with an embarrassed smile. ‘I…I didn’t know you weren’t in,’ she stammered.

  ‘I love that thing you’ve done with your hair.’

  Paulina had helped her do her hair in a “bangs” style, formed into waves that framed the forehead on both sides.

  ‘Thank you.’

  They stared at each other in silence for a long moment.

  ‘I brought back your book,’ she said.

  He accepted it from her hand. ‘Did you enjoy it?’

  ‘It’s a beautiful journey into the mind of a young adult trapped in a life of impossibilities and improbabilities. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.’

  He brushed past her and unlocked the door. ‘Come on inside.’

  ‘No,’ she declined, but her voice was not convincing. ‘No, I gotta go.’

  He stopped and looked at her. ‘Before you go, let’s have a drink. I know exactly the right place. It’s not far from here.’

  She screwed her face pensively. ‘Okay, I guess I can fit that in.’

  ‘Let’s throw this in.’ He opened the door and threw the book onto the kitchen counter. ‘Okay, ready?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  He smiled at her and led her to the elevator. They left the building and went to nearby Old Town Bar and Grill, found between Broadway and Park Avenue.

  * * * * *

  They sat down at a table for two.

  He said to the waiter. ‘Give me whatever the lady wants.’

  ‘Lemonade, please,’ she said with a wonderful smile at the boy.

  He smiled at her and said to the boy. ‘Right, two lemonades.’

  The boy walked away.

  He stared into her eyes and smiled. ‘Rosina Ameliano…you’re Italian, right?’

  ‘My grandparents emigrated from Italy. I’m more American than Italian, really. But my work takes me there sometimes.’

  ‘What do you do?’

  ‘Guess.’

  ‘I don’t have a clue.’

  ‘You really don’t have an idea, do you?’

  ‘Uh-uh,’ he lied.

  ‘I’m a news-anchor on Channel 5.’

  ‘I’m sorry, but television is not one of my weaknesses.’

  The waiter returned to their table with a big smile, especially for the lady, and gave them their drinks.

  She took a careful sip of her lemonade and stared at him as he pulled out a business card out of his inside coat pocket. ‘This dropped out of your purse the other day. I didn’t want to call you—.’

  ‘Because you didn’t know if it was me or not,’ she finished for him.

  He ignored her interjection. ‘And I was preparing a surprise for you. I only finished it today.’

  She took another sip of her drink before replying. ‘A surprise?’ she was genuinely amazed. ‘For me?’

  ‘Yes. We can go have a look at it at my place if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Now?’ she asked skeptically. ‘I promise I won’t harm you.’

  ‘Honestly?’ she asked jokingly.

  ‘Cross my heart.’

  ‘Okay.’

  They left with their drinks in their hands and walked back to his apartment. She really looked stunning in her white dress. He enjoyed stealing glances at her fine figure as she walked beside him. ‘Did I tell you that I was once a boy scout?’

  ‘What was that like for you?’

  ‘Tremendously fabulous…Tremendous, it took me almost 2 years to pronounce that word properly.’

  She laughed.

  ‘Yeah, it was a mind-opening experience. I think it was the happiest moment of my life.’

  They took the elevator to his apartment and he unlocked and opened the door for her. ‘Here we are, safe and sound.’

  She looked round the place and not for the first time liked it. ‘It’s a lovely place you got here.’

  ‘They call it open-plan-living. I love it. I’ve the freedom to do whatever I like within this space. I sleep over there, eat over here, and wash over there.’

  ‘Impressive,’ she said, going to stand before his book shelf. Her eyes went over the volumes of books he had there, and then she went to stand before a painting on the wall adjacent to the book cabinet. ‘Who is this?’

  ‘Me,’ he replied. ‘My imagination carries me far sometimes.’

  ‘Everything you can imagine is real,’ she recited.

  ‘Pablo Picasso,’ he said with a smile.

  ‘Do you know that France has won the most Nobel Prizes for literature?’

  ‘Really? Let’s move to France then.’

  She laughed. He took off his coat and went to the sleeping area. He threw the coat on the bed and from it picked up a parcel enclosed in a gift wrap.

  Hanging from the same steel bar that had the feet fasteners for when he was doing up-side-down crunches, was a big red punching bag. He came now and stood next to it, looking at her. ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’

  She stared back at him. ‘No.’

  Their eyes met and several messages passed between them in that short space of time.

  ‘Do you want a man in your life?’

  She looked away and admired an African sculpture on top of the chest of drawers next to the door. ‘Where did you get this?’

  ‘Zimbabwe. Did you know that it’s the last country when you arrange the countries of the world alphabetically?’ he said cleverly, coming closer to her.

  She didn’t answer, but turned to look at him.

  He handed her the gift.

  ‘Should I open it?’

  ‘Please.’

  After tearing away the wrap, she discovered that it was a knitted scarf, with her name engraved on it. Her eyes bulged in surprise. ‘Did you make this?’

  ‘With my bare hands. With the help of that machine over there in the corner, of course.’

  ‘Oh gosh! It’s unbelievable.’

  ‘Do you like it?’

  ‘I love it.’

  ‘Put it on.’

  She wrapped it round her neck with a beautiful smile on her face. ‘How do I look?’

  He looked into her eyes. ‘You’re beautiful.’

  She smiled her thanks. ‘I gotta go.’

  ‘Of course,’ he said, smiling back at her.

  She walked in front of him to the door, and he took the opportunity to analyze her ass. She was a well-proportioned woman, and the little sway of her hips suggested limitless pleasures between those legs.

  ‘You have a gorgeous ass,’ he complimented.

  ‘You are naughty.’

  ‘I’m a boy scout, remember?’

  She laughed delightfully. She opened the door and stepped out. ‘Bye.’

  ‘Go safely.’

  She paused and looked back at him. ‘I still don’t know your name.’

  ‘I’m Ferdinando Imposimato.’

  She smiled at him and waved him goodbye.

  He stood there at the door and watched her walk away. Then he shouted. ‘Can I take you home?’

  She stopped and stared back at him. ‘No, thanks, I’m okay.’

  She turned away, took four steps, then turned back and walked back determinedly to him. She jumped onto him and he welcomed her expectantly. They kissed furiously and passionately for a long moment.

  * * * * *

  He turned around with her legs wrapped round his torso, and pushed the door shut with the heel of his left foot. He went a little forward into the room and placed her on her buttocks on the chest of drawers by the door. Still kissing her hotly, he pushed her dress down her shoulders and exposed her breasts. He cupped them in his hands and then pus
hed her dress up her thighs. He placed his hand between her white satin thighs and stroked her crotch. Impatiently, he yanked at her panties and tore them off her body.

  He quickly unzipped his trousers and brought out his erect penis. She gasped at the sight of it. He grabbed her waist and pulled her towards his manhood. He thrust himself into her and was welcomed by a moist warmth. He vigorously thrust himself into and out of her until she farted aloud and collapsed against him. ‘I’m sorry,’ she gasped out of breath. ‘It’s been a long time.’

  He just smiled and stroked her hair. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He threw her onto the bed and quickly took off his clothes. He went to her on the bed and pushed her dress into a rumpled mass around her waist. He positioned himself in between her thighs and shoved his thick erection inside her warm hole. She gasped aloud and held firmly onto his body as he began to dance his pelvis back and forth. He took her breasts alternately in his mouth and stroked them with his teeth and tongue, giving her exquisite pleasure she had not known in a long while.

  He moved his mouth from her breasts and brought it down to her mouth. Their lips locked in a passionate kiss that made her come. Unable to control herself, she bit his lip hard and he grimaced in pain. He released her and stroked her soft neck while he continued making deep and fast thrusts inside her. She heard him groan aloud in excitement and for a while his body stopped moving, and he was still for a long moment. She felt his juices flowing inside her. Then all of a sudden, frantically, he pulled himself out of her, and she noticed that his penis was still erect. She felt herself needing him some more. Frantically, he rolled her around onto her belly and caressed her buttocks with his hands.

  She backed her ass to him and welcomed him as he sliced in between her buttocks and stuffed his whole length inside her. A wonderful feeling of pleasure washed over her and she closed her eyes and flew high above in the skies. He slammed himself onto her ass, groaning noisily and pasting his pelvis to his ass as if they would be joined together forever. When he came, he grunted like a wild boar and collapsed onto her back, crushing her onto the bed. For a while he lay on top of her back, his hot breath coming in sharp breasts against her neck , and then he rolled off her and lay on his back beside her on the bed.