I Opia (18 page)

“Let’s get out of here.” Blaine said as she placed the velvet box in her bag. Vince looked around and then at Blaine. Blaine looked at him, “I know what you are thinking, but no. It is too risky. We only take what we have a buyer for. Plus this is going to be hard enough to get this out of the country. Any extra items will only make it harder.”

Vince sighed, “You’re right. At least I have pictures. I have never seen anything like this,” he said.

“And we might not ever again,” she responded.

He nodded in agreement.

They carefully closed the door to the vault. Blaine again placed her earplugs in and turned on her handheld device. She finally nodded satisfied that the code was again scrambled, leaving the vault locked just as they had found it.

They cautiously made their way out of the house. Blaine was careful to relock the back door. They carefully and deliberately made their way back to the dock. Vince once again sat on the dock and opened his laptop. As he reset the two firewalls of the security system as Blaine looked around. She was too nervous to even notice anymore how much she was sweating. When he had finished, he looked at her and nodded. He took her bag and placed his laptop back in. He helped her back into the kayak and then handed her the bag. He then carefully got back in the kayak and removed the bungee cords, setting them free.

The two paddled their way back to the tourist area in silence. This time there was no bickering over who was going to lead. They rowed in unison and pulled the kayak into the docking area. The young man Blaine had flirted with walked out knee deep to greet them and pulled the small craft the rest of the way onto the beach. He helped Blaine out the craft and she returned to her usual self—smiling and flirting. Vince felt like he could hardly breath. Almost two years for this acquisition. And another $1.25 million each. And the thought of what they left behind was still mind boggling to him.

Blaine looked at him, “Come on partner, we aren’t finished yet.” He followed her as she went from little gift shop to little gift shop. He knew what she was looking for. They had discussed it the previous night. Finally she spotted some junk jewelry that was perfect. She made the purchase and asked the shop owner for a box to ship. She refused his offer to ship it for her. Instead, she and Vince made their way to a quiet area. She threw the junk jewelry away and they placed the precious jewels in their place. They would ship it to themselves from the hotel. While somewhat risky, it was less risky than carrying them on the plane. No one would expect such rare jewels to be shipped in such a manner. As always, they would hide in the open.

Blaine had grabbed a six-pack of Belikin beer at one of the shops as they left the shopping area. They each drank one as they waited on the dock for the boat. Thankfully, the boat arrived on time and as forewarned, there were several other tourists on board. To their pleasant surprise, the tourists left the boat just as she and Vinny had done earlier in the day. She and Vince had the boat to themselves.

Once on board she handed Vince another beer and took one for herself. “Partner, we did it. We really did it.” She said as she raised her bottle.

He raised his in return and smiled, “We did! I never doubted us, but somehow this makes me so proud. When you first got me into this, I never dreamed we would be this successful.”

As Blaine enjoyed the breeze blowing through her hair, she took a sip of her beer and said, “I never doubted us Vinny. Never.”

Vince put his arm around her, “Well, at least you didn’t have to get naked this time!” And they both laughed as the boat made its way back to the hotel.

Richard Black sat impatiently
in the iOpia, Inc. conference room. He had refused Delores’ offer of anything to drink. Blaine placed a box before him. He slowly opened it. Just as Blaine and Vince had done when they first saw the jewels, he gasped.

“These are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. If only I knew what to do with them now.”

Blaine looked confused, “Sorry?”

He smiled sadly, “Well, I caught Tiffany with another man. Guess the promise of royal jewels weren’t enough to keep her interested.”

Blaine smiled and replied, “Sometimes women just prefer newer jewels to the older ones with out realizing the value.”

Vince shot her a dirty look for her obvious play on words.

If Black caught the jab, he ignored it. “Yes, I should know better. That said, a deal is a deal. Here’s the documents verifying a cash transfer.”

He slid an envelope across to Vince. Vince immediately took the documents to Delores to have her verify the transfer. No customer ever walked out with merchandise unless the partners knew for certain that payment had been made.

As soon as Vince was out of the room, Blaine couldn’t help but ask, “So what are you going to do with these now that your girlfriend is no longer in the picture?”

Black shrugged, “I don’t know. But I didn’t call you to stop looking because somehow I still wanted them.” As he held up an earring he smiled, “And, I am glad I have them. They are gorgeous. And somehow having them now softens the blow of her being gone. Maybe it is just a private revenge of sorts. Or maybe it is just that the object of my desire changed.”

Blaine nodded, “That happens sometimes.”

Vince reentered the room and nodded to Blaine to signal to her that all was well, and the funds had been transferred.

Blaine stood. “Mr. Black, it has been a pleasure. Please let us know if there is ever anything else we can do for you,” she said as she extended her hand.

He shook it and then turned to Vince and shook his. “Thanks, but if it is all the same, I hope I don’t make anymore rash promises. This one was an expensive one. Too many of these, and a man can go broke.” He said laughingly.

Blaine and Vince followed him out. No sooner had he walked out the door than Blaine’s phone went off.

Hey sexy lady. Have time for a fireman this afternoon
?
Ah, Stephan. You always seem to show up at the most opportune times.

She responded:
Yes! See you at my place in an hour. We will make up for lost time.

She looked up and saw Vince staring at her, “Let me guess . . . you will be gone the rest of the afternoon.”

She nodded, “Yep, and most of the day tomorrow.”

Vince just shook his head, “Oh, B, if only I had your energy. Have fun partner.”

“Thanks, I will. And, Vince, as for energy . . . well, you are only as old as the man you feel.”

Blaine found Charlotte
a bit annoying. First, there was the fact that Charlotte refused to age. Though her face didn’t move, Blaine could not help but marvel at the unwrinkled face and perfect complexion. Both the result of the best doctors money could buy.

What added to Blaine’s annoyance was that Charlotte had a unique talent for smacking gum while smoking a cigarette and drinking whiskey. The result was that regardless of the years erased by the surgeries, her husky voice and raspy cough gave away the true passing of time. It certainly didn’t make Blaine feel any better that she would owe Charlotte money after this golf round as Charlotte continued to sink putt after putt while Blaine played like a goat.

Playing golf with Charlotte was a necessary evil. Charlotte’s husband of 40 years was Fred Hunter, an extremely wealthy man and a collector of fine art. He was one of the few private collectors that had a Monet painting. As a trust fund baby, through no effort on his part, he had amassed even more wealth by investing in hedge funds. How Charlotte had managed to be Fred’s only wife was beyond Blaine. Most of the other golf girls were members of the First Wives’ Club.

Blaine and Vince had met with an important client, Christopher Alexander and his wife, Brittany. Smith’s current wife was not a member of the First Wives Club. In fact, probably more like the Fifth Wives Club. Blaine had to give Mr. Alexander credit though. At 70, he had snagged a beauty. Blaine guessed that Brittany wasn’t quite 30 yet.

As they sat across from the Alexanders at the conference table, Blaine couldn’t help but admire how perfect Brittany’s breasts were.
Damn! I wonder how much those cost? Maybe I should think about getting a boob job. Those are so nice and perky.
She realized she hadn’t been paying attention and turned her focus back to the conversation.

“Look I want to buy Brittany a nice painting.” Christopher was telling Vince, “It is important that she have some of the finer things in life.”

Brittany had sat staring into space and playing with her hair. She was obviously bored. Vince looked at Brittany, “Do you know what kind of painting you would like? Do you have a favorite artist? That might help us narrow down the list.”

Brittany sighed, “I really don’t care. This is Christopher’s idea. I would really rather have some jewelry or something like that. I don’t know anything about art.”

Oh great! I love when a woman’s IQ is the same number as her age. Puh-leeze.
Blaine hid her contempt and smiled, “Perhaps, Christopher, you could suggest an artist you would like us to obtain. There are many nice paintings available, but somehow I don’t think you came to us to buy something you could pick up in any gallery.”

“You’re right, I didn’t. How about a Monet? That would be an excellent find.”

Vince looked at Blaine who shrugged at him. “Sure, do you have a particular piece in mind?”

While Brittany continued to twirl her hair bored, Christopher reached over and patted her on the hand. “No, you just find one you think she will like. Just name your price. Nothing is too good for my sweet pea.”

Sweet pea? Oh for crap’s sake.

Vince and Blaine concluded the meeting with negotiating the terms. If Brittany were at all impressed with Christopher’s willingness to spend millions for her, she didn’t show it.

By the time they approached the 14
th
hole
, Blaine’s eyes burned from the smoke. She was fairly certain her ears were bleeding from the rawness of Charlotte’s voice and the incessant chatter. It was absolutely crucial, however, that she see Fred’s “inventory” and get a tour of their house. “Honey, are you going to putt or what?”

“Sorry, Charlotte, I was distracted there for a bit.” Blaine leaned over, putted the ball and watched it slide past the hole.

“Girl, I haven’t seen you play this bad in awhile. Everything okay?”

Blaine smiled, “Everything is fine Charlotte, just doesn’t seem to be my day. You know how golf is.”

Charlotte hit her second shot on the 15
th
hole and leaned down and picked up her cigarette from the fairway. She took a puff. Blaine watched as Charlotte’s ball hit the green and rolled toward the hole.
Crap! This bitch just can’t miss!

“Another great shot, Charlotte. Damn girl, you are on fire!”

Charlotte laughed and climbed back in the cart. “You know sugar, I know what you need. Do you have anyone?”

Blaine looked Charlotte with a confused look on her face, “Have anyone?”

“Yes do you have
anyone
. You know, a man? Or hell, I don’t know, maybe a
woman
? I was just asking if you are in a relationship. We never see you with anyone.”

Blaine smiled as she drove the cart toward the green. “No, I like keeping my options open. I am not seeing anyone right now.”
Not any ONE, more like two or three.

“Well, that’s your problem. You need to find someone special. Fred and I have the perfect guy for you. You simply must meet him.”

Blaine climbed out of the cart and grabbed her putter. The two walked up to the green.
Crap! Now what? How could I have walked into this one? How many times has the stupid question about a relationship been followed with the answer of a blind date. Seriously? But then again, I have to get into their house. Vince will kill me if I don’t seal this deal.

“Really? Sounds . . . nice,” Blaine managed to say as her putt missed the hole once again. Charlotte putted and the ball dropped into the hole. “Well, that’s another birdie for me.”

Blaine just shook her head and putted again. This time the ball dropped, but it wasn’t enough as she had lost yet another hole to Charlotte. She looked up and saw that Charlotte was puffing her cigarette, chewing her gum and looking very pleased with herself.
Is she gloating because she is beating my ass in golf or because she just trapped me for a date with her husband’s friend? Probably both!

As they drove to the next hole, Charlotte took a puff of her cigarette, “You are just going to love him, Sugar, you are. As a matter of fact, why don’t you plan on dinner with us tomorrow night to meet him? I can get it all arranged. It is going to be so fun.”

Holy crap! She isn’t wasting any time!
Blaine regained her composure, “Charlotte, I can hardly wait.”
Just kill me now please.

Charlotte spent the last few holes rattling on and on about how wonderful Fred’s friend, Bob was.
If Bob is so fucking great then why does he need you to set him up? Bet he is a real winner.

Back in the clubhouse, Blaine settled up her bet with Charlotte and sipped on her tequila. She needed something to numb the pain of not only losing the golf round, but also allowing herself to be trapped into a blind date.
Holy crap! The only thing that will suck more than this day will be tomorrow evening.

At the office
the next day
, Vince popped his head into Blaine’s office “Well? Are we in or not at the Hunters’? The clock is ticking. We need to get Brittany her painting soon or the old man is gonna change his mind or croak on us. We are lucky that we have access to one locally.”

Without looking up from the papers on her desk, Blaine responded, “Well ‘
we’
aren’t in at the Hunters’,
‘I’
am.”

“I’m sorry?” Vince had a puzzled look on his face.

Blaine looked up and Vince immediately realized that she was extremely agitated.
Shit! What the hell? Too late now to back out of her office and make a break for it.

“I am sorry too. Not only did that bitch Charlotte kick my ass yesterday on the golf course, but tonight I have a blind date with her husband’s friend.”

“A blind date?” Vince swallowed a laugh and tried not to show his amusement. He would pay dearly if he had a laugh at her expense when she was in such a foul mood.
Damn this is funny! Blaine hates, literally hates blind dates.
He stood uncomfortably in her office and shuffled his feet trying desperately not to laugh.

“So, are you just fucking going to stand there and gloat?” Blaine snapped.

“Um, I am not gloating, ” he replied as he tried unsuccessfully to swallow his laughter.

“You are gloating, I can feel it,” she responded as her eyes narrowed in anger.

“Um, well, perhaps I should just go back to my office so you won’t have to feel, um, you know, the gloating,” he said as the corners of his mouth twitched.

“Okay, I see how it is. Just get your happy ass back to your office. Don’t worry about me. I will be just fine. I am sure Bob is a lovely man.”

“Bob?” Vince fighting back his laughter.

I wonder how long it will take me to leap over this desk and slap the crap out of him.

Vince saw that she was livid. He couldn’t resist one final parting shot as he backed out of her office. “B, just put your big girl panties on. You just have to take one for the team.“ He dissolved into laughter as he sprinted back to the safety of his office.

“I have your fucking team,” she yelled after him.

Delores smiled as Vince sprinted past her desk giggling.
Never a dull moment
she thought as she turned back to her computer.

Furious, Blaine grabbed her phone:

I could use some stress relief. You up for it?

Stephan pinged back
, Always up for you. When and where?

My house. Now.

You ARE stressed. See you there babe.

Blaine stopped at Delores’ desk on her way out, “Tell
him
,” she said as she rolled her eyes in the direction of Vince’s office, “That I will see him tomorrow. He can run, but he can’t hide.”

Delores smiled, “Will do boss.” She watched Blaine walk out and shook her head smiling. Vince poked his head out of his office, “Is she gone yet?”

Delores laughed, “Yes, sir, she is gone. You are safe until tomorrow.”

“Whew! I was worried I was going to have to lock myself in my office all day.”

As always, seeing Stephan got her juices going
. He sat on the couch, his eyes smiling, his lips waiting, shirtless and with the top button of his jeans undone.
Damn he looks good. Just what I needed.

As she bent over him, he reached up to touch her. She grabbed his hands, “No sir. Me first. I will tell you when it is your turn.” There was something about being in charge of a sexual situation that always calmed her. She loved being in control.

She unzipped his jeans, so that his erection was free to grow. She loved the shape and the size of it.
A true work of art
. She spread his knees and knelt in front of him. He gasped as she held his erection with one hand and licked it from the base to the top, and down again. Licking just hard enough to stimulate him, but light enough to pace him so that he wouldn’t come.

As her tongue slid down, she rewarded him for his beauty by slowing caressing each ball with her mouth. He tasted as good to her as he looked. She took the fullness of him in her mouth while taking her finger and stroking his p spot—that delicious place between a man’s scrotum and his anus. The combination of the stroking and the sucking had Stephan gasping and grabbing her hair. “Baby! I. Can’t. Take. Much. More.” It made her wet to have that much control over him.

Finally, he grabbed her head and raised her face to look at him. His eyes were burning with passion. “My turn. Please,” he pleaded.

She stood and started to walk into the bedroom when he grabbed her hand. “Not so fast, baby,” he said as he kicked his jeans completely off. “I love how powerful you look in your suits. You know it drives me wild.” As he stood completely nude, he slowly began to unbutton her blouse, then slipped the cup of her bra off of each breast, just enough to expose each nipple.

Blaine tipped her head back and grabbed his forearms for balance as he returned the favor of lightly licking, moving from nipple to nipple to give each one its due. She felt her body relax as she gave into the sensation and her body responded by becoming wet and ready.

He surprised her by lifting her and carrying her behind the couch. He sat her down on her feet, turned her around so that she was facing the couch with her back to him. He lifted the skirt of her suit, and with one hand, took her thong and pulled it down. She closed her eyes in anticipation and tried to control her breathing. Every muscle between her legs responded to his touch.

With his right hand on her breast, he used his left hand to part her legs. Gently, he took a finger and placed it inside of her. “That’s my baby. Always wet. Always ready,” he whispered in her ear.

He then began to insert two fingers into her while caressing her breast. She desired his fullness inside her so much that this simple act became torture. Just as she thought she might explode, he took his hand off her breast and pushed her head forward while placing his other hand under her stomach and pulling her backside toward him. With his foot, he moved her legs further apart.

Finally, he placed his full erection inside her. He didn’t move for what seemed an eternity to Blaine as he filled her, but held off on giving her sweet release.