Читать книгу Wheatleigh's Golden Goose - Georgia St. Claire - Страница 7

“Wake up and drink this.” Rich shoved a bottle of water at her. Audrey struggled to sit up and take the water at the same time. She spilled some in the process, before she realized that he had removed the lid before handing it to her, and sent him a reproachful look. “Oh, sorry. I’m slipping; I should have had you drink that before letting you go to sleep. That much crying dehydrates you. How are you feeling?”

“So you are a Dom.”

“Yes, but it’s an often misunderstood term. We’ll discuss it another time. Right now you need to drink that down and then get up and get ready. The shrimp always goes quickly, we don’t want to be late.”

An hour later they were dressed and on their way, strolling through the crisp autumn evening towards the Baldwin Science Center on the Fenton Campus. A residential neighborhood separated the two parts of the school and the lighting was haphazard, some houses had outside lights turned on and some were completely dark. “Wheatleigh keeps asking the town to put in street lights to increase safety, but the town doesn’t have the budget.”

Audrey’s foot caught a raised edge of sidewalk that had been lifted by a tree root and she nearly fell. Rich grabbed her and then kept hold of her arm after that. Tears of pain gathered, “That fucking hurt!”

“No more swearing,” he warned quietly. “Too many faculty members are headed the same direction at the same time. I don’t know why women insist on wearing impractical shoes. If you were wearing sensible flats instead of those shoes with your toes sticking out and high heels, you wouldn’t have nearly fallen and your toes wouldn’t be hurting right now.”

“You wanted the History Department to look good tonight. These shoes make my legs look great and you know it. I saw you checking them out before we left.”

He chuckled, “Guilty as charged. I can’t really deny that I will look when presented with a work of beauty. But I like all women’s bodies.” He leaned close to her ear. “Especially a nice naked ass presented per my instructions.”

Audrey squeaked and couldn’t help the shiver that ran through her, as her mind shot to the scene that first night, of her standing in the corner with her bare bottom displayed, knowing that he was standing behind her looking and knowing that the alternative was a spanking.

Rich laughed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be teasing you. We’re supposed to be striving for decorum here. Change of topic. Resolve a bet for me. What were you lecturing about this morning in your Ancient World class, was it literature, mythology, politics perhaps?”

“Trade routes. What was the bet? Who made it?”

But Rich couldn’t answer. He had stopped walking and was laughing so hard he was bent over with his hands on his thighs.

Audrey had taken an extra couple of steps before turning to look back at him. Her heart lurched. “God, you’re gorgeous,” she whispered. The spontaneity of his laughter opened up his whole countenance, his eyes sparkled with the humor, his lips stretched wide over his perfect white teeth. She had always loved his hair, it was a thick sandy colored mop that seemed to call to her fingers to run through it, but now a stray lock had fallen onto his forehead and she was practically twitching to smooth it back into place.

“No, gorgeous would describe you.”

Audrey squealed, spun around and stepped back, losing her balance and starting a slow topple backwards. Rich leapt forward and managed to catch her under her arms before she hit the ground. “Marcus, must you always scare women like that?” he scolded. “Are you all right, Audrey? This lout is my best friend, Marcus Webster; he’s the Philosophy Department. He tends to forget how big he is and how he comes across in first impressions.”

“Especially sneaking up on a woman on a dark street at night,” Audrey muttered.

Marcus had the sense to look abashed, although his eyes were twinkling, “I’m sorry, Audrey. I was quite mesmerized by the scene before my eyes and forgot myself.”

She shot him a dark look, but refrained from commenting. She knew Rich hadn’t heard what Marcus had said to her, but she couldn’t mention anything about it without giving away what Marcus had overheard her whisper. Her frustration ran strong and she stamped her foot.

Rich promptly gave her a hard spank. “We’ll have none of that.” He was standing directly behind her and with Marcus blocking the view from the other direction, he knew that no one could see what he had done, not that there was anyone in sight. “Okay, I obviously missed something in those opening few moments, but get yourself under control. Remember why you are wearing those shoes.” She growled. “What the hell did you say to her, Marcus?”

“I told her that she was gorgeous,” came the prompt answer.

Rich raised an eyebrow and turned Audrey to face him, but kept her between them, tucked out of sight from any bystanders. “I’m failing to see why that is so objectionable to you.” She rolled her eyes and he spun her and spanked her again. “Marcus knows about my ‘hobby’ shall we call it? I have no problem delivering as many behavior correctors as I need to, to get you back on track for this Gathering. In the meantime, all the shrimp is being gobbled up by everyone who isn’t hung up on a street corner trying to maintain order in their departments. Explain why you are angry about Marcus giving you a compliment.”

Since Rich had spun her so he could spank her, Audrey was facing Marcus. She bit her lip, tears gathered and she shook her head, refusing to answer. Marcus reached out and freed her lip just as Rich’s hand smacked her again. “Enough, Rich. She almost bit through her lip on that last one. I caught her voicing a private thought and embarrassed her. I’m sincerely sorry, Audrey. It will remain private, I promise you.”

She hung her head and whispered, “Thank you.” She sighed, but her voice was stronger, “I apologize for my temper about being embarrassed. It certainly wasn’t your fault. I’m just a bit emotional today.”

Over her head, the two men snapped their eyes to each other in sudden suspicion. “Are things good between the two of you now?” Rich asked sternly. Audrey and Marcus both nodded contritely, caught each other’s eyes and laughed. “Now what?” Rich demanded.

“Pax, Thornton Wellington Hamilton,” Marcus pleaded.

Rich started to round on him, but was distracted by Audrey’s giggles. After a lifetime of experience he knew what was coming and sighed. Well, at least the sparkle was back in her eyes, replacing the temper and the tears before that, probably Marcus’ intention when he’d uttered his complete name. God, if she was this mercurial every month he was in for a very rocky five years. “Okay, go ahead and explain,” he growled, “But let’s keep walking while you talk, at least you are capable of doing both at the same time. I have my doubts sometimes about that ability for my colleague here. The shrimp is going to be completely gone by the time we get there.”

Audrey reached out to slap his arm, caught herself in time and changed it to a caress, but knew she hadn’t fooled him. “I’m sorry, Rich. Maybe after the Gathering we can go somewhere and I’ll buy all the shrimp you want since the delay is my fault. But I really want to know how you came to be called Rich when your name is, is…” she giggled unable to complete her sentence.

“We all know, now, what my name is,” he said darkly. “And I want a lot of shrimp.”

“You’ll have it,” she promised, “Please don’t be angry, you’re really just embarrassed like I was. We were having such a nice walk, shall I tell you about trade routes again?”

He chuckled, “I wish I had been able to sit in on that lecture. It must have been a doozy. I was trying to guess what your topic was, based on watching you, and I was way off.”

“Trade routes?” Marcus echoed in confusion. “Is that why you were laughing when I came up? I haven’t seen you laugh so hard in years. What is so funny about trade routes?”

Rich shook his head, “Sorry, you had to be there. Actually, you had to be inside my head. Go on and tell her how come I’m called Rich.”

“I named him,” Marcus said proudly to Audrey. “I moved to town when I was six and here was this geeky kid, owned every gadget you can ever imagine, wealthy only child, indulged by his parents. When I learned that his name was Thornton I just laughed and refused to call him that. I called him Ritchie Rich after the cartoon character. The other kids thought it was a good name and started calling him that, too. Thornton didn’t seem to mind it too much. When our teacher was in a car accident and we got a long-term substitute she thought his name really was Ritchie Rich for the first couple of days. He finally told her to call him Rich and that’s what he’s been called ever since.”

“I didn’t like Ritchie, but I don’t mind Rich,” he explained mildly. “People assume that it comes from Richard since very few people know my real middle name. And it had better stay that way,” he added menacingly.

“Yes, Boss,” Audrey said with a giggle as they entered the conference room. The room had an unusual design with the main space two steps down from the entryway. They were, in effect, on stage.

Every person in the room turned at the sound of her giggle and saw Audrey clinging to Rich’s arm and laughing up at him; there were several sharply indrawn breaths. “Damn lucky dog,” one grey-haired man muttered to another and there were many ‘here, heres’ echoed around them.

Boxford put his drink down on a nearby tray and swept towards them. “You’ve finally consented to grace us with your presence,” he snapped.

His display of temper surprised her, and Audrey’s eyes grew wide as she took a half step back, attempting to get behind Rich. He patted her hand, clearly comforting her; he knew they were playing to the room and Boxford had botched it. But he didn’t let his small victory show. “So sorry sir, Audrey tripped on the dark sidewalk and hurt her foot.” As he knew they would, every eye in the room ran down those incredible legs to check her feet for injury. There were assorted murmurs of concern.

Marcus, who had ghosted in behind them, and was now situated halfway across the room leaning against a wall, laughed and silently applauded them. He leaned over to check out the refreshment table and sent a sorrowful negative shake of his head. The shrimp were all gone.

Rich sighed. “We had really hoped to be here for the very beginning of this celebration. Congratulations Martha.” He bowed in her direction. The woman blushed with pleasure.

Audrey perked up, ignoring the hovering college president. “Oh, yes! Congratulations, Martha! I’m so excited that my first time attending one of these Gatherings is to honor the accomplishments of another woman. Especially,” her eyes swept the room as she descended the steps and moved through the crowd to approach the scientist, “since there are so few of us here at Wheatleigh. I am so sorry we were late arriving and distracted everyone from your triumph.” She leaned down and lowered her voice, and yet, everyone in the room could hear her clearly as she confided, “Those dark streets are so dangerous; I’m lucky I didn’t break my leg.” The collective eyes made another journey down said appendages and heaved a collective sigh of relief that they had remained undamaged.

Ignoring the rest of the room, Audrey picked up a glass of wine and turned towards Martha. “I’m sorry if I’m asking you to repeat yourself since I was late, but please tell me all about your research. However did you come to suspect that fruit flies had a homing instinct? I have to confess that I am fascinated that you ever had that inspiration. Tell me, please.”

Every single word came across as absolutely sincere and Martha blushed again. No one else had bothered to ask her about her work, they had all just headed straight for the refreshment table. She began outlining the steps of her research and Audrey listened, asking relevant questions, totally immersed in their conversation and leaving Boxford, who had trailed behind her, standing nearby fuming with frustration.

Ten minutes later Audrey had a new friend for life and a more thorough knowledge of fruit flies than she knew what do with. She rather felt like she should deliberately leave bits of fruit around to bond with the things, as clearly Martha had done. “Thank you. I’m so sorry to have monopolized you like that, but I wasn’t sure that I would be able to hear what you said when someone else asked you. I’d love to hear all about what you plan to do next.” There was a low rumble of groans across the room. “But perhaps we should get together to talk about that over lunch next week. I’m completely exhausted after lecturing four straight hours, so it will have to be on a Tuesday or Thursday. How does that work for you?” The two women settled down to compare calendars; Boxford still hovering nearby.

Rich and Marcus were leaning against a wall watching the show. Rich felt obligated to add a bit of explanation, “She’s hoping to get her schedule changed. Now the whole school knows that she’s exhausted by the routine that has been in place at least twenty years. Care to guess whether it will remain unchanged for another twenty years? And you know, she’s right; no one else has to teach their entire course load back to back like that. I bet she’s just built herself a lot of ground support because no one wants to think that it might happen to them.”

“She’s damn dangerous,” Marcus noted. “Never get on her bad side.” The two men chuckled at the idea of not being able to deal with the woman. But that reminded Marcus of something, “You’re going to have to watch the random spanks, she’s a lip biter. I got her teeth off her bottom lip just in time tonight. Would have been interesting to see how you would have explained showing up with her lip bleeding.” He raised his glass in a toast. “The foot thing was sheer genius. Every man in this room wants to be head of the History Department.”

Rich chuckled, “If it’s as bad every month as today was, I may be willing to trade.”

“I’ve heard the pill can help with that.”

“We’re colleagues!” Rich hissed. “I can’t go there. We’re stuck sharing space for at least five years. Gotta remain professional.”

“Yeah, while you tan her hide.”

Rich groaned, “I don’t know how that’s going to play out, but I am going to do my best to keep things professional. The History Department is not going to be brought down over this.”

Marcus gestured at the scene in front of them with a nod of his head. “Boxford is getting really pissed. Are you going to try to smooth that over?”

Rich shrugged, “He was obnoxiously pompous when she had her entrance interview. Now that I know that he is apparently rooting for her to be spanked, I’m going to let her handle him.”

“Maybe she’s wrong about that.”

“No. She’s right. Reviewing things now that I know what to look for, it’s easy to see. He’s hoping to make me a villain and get his rocks off at the same time he makes a fortune for the physical sciences. Women have an extra sense for spotting voyeurs, you know that.” His friend nodded in agreement.

“We’d better circulate or I’ll hear about it next time Boxford wants to make me dance. You’re joining us later for shrimp, right?”

Marcus was surprised. “I’m invited? I figured you’d want her to yourself.”

“You missed the shrimp because you were just as delayed by her antics as I was, sure you’re invited. And get over the idea that we are a couple. She is my, our, colleague.”

Shaking his head and chuckling, Marcus slapped his friend on the shoulder. “Sure, thanks. I’ll walk back with you; let me know when you’re ready to head out. Gonna go over and talk to Martha. Audrey made me realize how rude we’ve all been.”

Rich nodded and headed over to a group of some fellow squash players.

Audrey had finally decided to acknowledge Boxford. She finished making a lunch date with Martha and turned, pretending to just notice him standing nearby. “Cecil!” Again she had the attention of the room; no one dared to call the president by his first name, although now they were all wondering why. “You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?” she followed up, ingeniously. Now he would seem ridiculous if he refused her permission. “I’m having a wonderful time. I’m so glad that you insisted that Rich make sure I attended tonight.” Rich and Marcus exchanged glances, wishing that they were still standing together to discuss this new shot. “I was wondering if you might introduce me around a bit. I don’t know anyone here.” She sounded a bit reproachful, as if Boxford had been remiss.

Grinding his teeth that his planned dramatic presentation had gone so badly awry, Boxford tried for a graceful recovery. “Of course, Audrey. Come with me, my dear.”

There was a muted gasp from the women and some of the men in the room. Audrey and Martha were still standing close enough to share an eye roll (Audrey, having turned slightly away from Boxford, to hide it). Marcus saw it and shook his head at her, although most witnesses assumed he was reacting to Boxford’s words.

Rich ground his teeth, there was going to be some serious payback heading his way; no one got away with showing up the president like Audrey was doing. What part of ‘under the radar’ did she not understand?

A muscle ticking in his jaw, Boxford escorted Audrey to a nearby group and made introductions. He kept her moving throughout the room and they had made a circuit of most of the room when he was forced to excuse himself and answer a summons from a group Audrey had already met.

But before he left her, Audrey stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I want to thank you for your patience with me, Cecil,” she said quietly, attempting to mend some fences. “I know it would have been easier to present me to the faculty in a general introduction, but that would have taken the focus away from Martha, who deserves to be the center of attention tonight and I wouldn’t have known anyone. I’m sorry to have monopolized you for so long, but I really do appreciate your kindness taking me around like this. Thank you.” He nodded abruptly and moved away. Audrey turned back to the group to rejoin the conversation.

“Very pretty manners, Miss Worthington,” commented the man standing next to her, ‘George Bingle, Government’, had been how he was introduced by Boxford. “You were very deft at making him appear silly and then you turned it so that he couldn’t do anything but be gracious about it.”

She had the grace to blush. “I’m sorry for my behavior, gentlemen,” she said to the group at large. “I know it was rude, but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do. He has put me in a position where I am powerless and he has not been at all gracious about it.” She shook her head at the looks of inquiry. “No, I’m sorry, it is a private matter I am unable to discuss. You agree that my way of meeting people was better, don’t you?” she pleaded. “Martha was standing there being ignored, even though she was standing right by the shrimp bowl.” A few of the men dropped their eyes. “I just wanted her to have her moment to shine. We all get so few opportunities in life to be honored for our hard work.”

George shook his head. “When you take away a man’s dignity, he may respond in ways that you will regret. Hamilton will undoubtedly pay for your actions tonight.”

“No!” Her hand shot out of its own volition and shoved George’s shoulder, causing him to jostle his drink. “Oh, God! I’m so sorry!” She tried to caress the hurt away and realized that it was foolish. “Please forgive me! I’ve picked up some bad mannerisms from my younger brother. I am so, so sorry!” Flustered, she stood on tiptoe and reached up to place a quick kiss on his cheek. Realizing that she had made things worse, she looked around, saw the expression on Rich’s face, abandoned all hope of recovering from the situation and ran for the nearby exit.