The Barter System (18 page)

Chapter
Nine

When Riya left the salon,
she had a huge smile on her face.  Her diabolical plan was working out exactly
as she’d hoped.  While two lovebirds were getting to know each other as man and
woman rather than asexual beings, she was going to get some work done.

She checked her email and
had the next subject’s message: 

Hey, Riya!

Damn, this is awesome.  Don’t know why
you picked me, don’t care.  Glad you’re coming.  Ha ha, no pun intended.  See
you in a couple days.  I can pick you up from anywhere.  Can’t wait to see you
in person, you’re totally hot, hope you don’t mind me saying. 

Joshua

SURVEY ONE

Subject Name:  Joshua

Subject Age:              22

Subject Career:  College Student

Marital Status:  Single

Children (Y/N):  N

Annual Income:  College student - LOL

Location:  Austin, TX

What was your primary motivation for
applying to this study?
 

You’re hot and I thought the idea was
inspired.

What do you hope to gain by your participation?
 

Better understanding of women, and maybe
have you show me some grownup class.           

What is one thing you wish the
investigator to know about you?
 

I’m too nice but I’m not a wimp.  People
think that about me sometimes.    

Do you have any negative assumptions
regarding this study?
 

That I’m going to like be all over you
like it’s my first time or something.  That would be embarrassing.  Not as bad
as blowing early tho.  That would really suck.    

What is your most secret sexual fantasy?
 

I’ve always wanted to watch two girls
together, live.  Even if I can’t join in.

Have you ever told anyone else about
this fantasy?
 

Sometimes, it depends on the situation. 
Guys get it, girls think it’s pervy.   

Have you attempted to realize this
fantasy in your daily life?
 

I wish.  No.    

How have you utilized the Internet in
your sexual life?
 

Porn, dirty chat, virtual rooms and
whatever a friend points me at.  I love the Internet but I’m sure there are
days I should maybe get outside and get some fresh air.

“So young.”  She laughed to
herself.  “He’ll be fun.” 

Riya wasn’t surprised to see
a couple from Tawny ‘just checking in’.  She answered them quickly and with as
little detail as possible.  One from her dad threatening to disown her if he
didn’t hear back. 

Riya replied and talked him
down from the ledge, reminding him she had her own money and that threatening
her was beneath him.  She ended with ‘hugs and kisses, Riya” and sent it on
its’ way.

The email from Sean made her
heart race with guilt and she couldn’t make herself open it.  Good lord, she’d
had multiple…and really fantastic…orgasms with another man since leaving him. 
What kind of person did that make her? 

Victor’s Aunt Cyndi took
that moment to come out of the kitchen.  She scooted into the seat opposite and
put her hand over Riya’s.  “Honey, you look like a woman who needs to talk. 
I’m not only a great listener, I go completely against the Southern Belle
stereotype and keep my mouth shut.  Spill it.” 

Riya couldn’t remember if it
was the way Cyndi said it that reminded her of her mom, or the reassuring
smile. 

For thirty minutes she told
her everything about her life, her father, her dissertation and her subjects,
then begged her to understand Victor belonged with Shay and if it took her
coming here to wake them both up, it was a happy side effect. 

At the end, Cyndi glanced up
and motioned to one of the waitresses.  When the perky blond bobbed over, the
older woman said, “Tina, bring us a couple slices of pie and some coffee. 
Thanks, hon.” She turned back to Riya and smiled.  “You’re so lovely.  And
obviously very bright.  I think you’re also very brave to risk your heart over
and over like this.”

Tina arrived with the coffee
and pie.  Once she was gone, Cyndi continued, “Now, with that said, you owe it
to yourself to finish your dissertation.  Men are wonderful.  I’ve had a few in
my time.  One left me this diner when I was twenty; the other left me a house
when I was twenty-seven.  I’ve never married nor had children.  I’m in my
sixties and have been an independent business woman since the early 70’s. 
Uncommon back then, especially in the south.  I’ve seen a lot, and your idea is
unique.  I can see how much Victor already benefited from the short time he’s
known you. 

“You haven’t dated, gave
yourself a long damn celibacy which I could not have done in my twenties…oh,
honey don’t look so shocked.  Men don’t give you houses and businesses for
smiling pretty.” 

They both laughed.  “You
read that email and I want you to take my info.  If you’re on the road and need
someone to talk to, you can get in touch with me anytime.  And I’d love to hear
from you after it’s all done.”  She jotted her phone numbers and email
addresses on the back of an order slip and gave it to her.  “You sit here and
sip your coffee.  We’ll keep it full.”  She patted her hand and stood. 

Left with her thoughts, Riya
realized how much she liked these people.  She keyed Cyndi’s contact info into
her address book.  Taking a deep breath, she opened Sean’s email.

Hey there, Riya:

I wanted to check in, see how you’re
doing.  If I know you, you’ve had a few bouts of guilt.  You have nothing to
feel guilty about.  This is something you’ve worked hard for.  You owe it to
yourself to see it through to the end.  It is not your responsibility to make
everyone around you feel better.  However, for the record, you do a damn good
job at it! 
J

It wasn’t easy to leave you on that
dock.  I wanted to tell you to quit, but I had no right to do that and I’m glad
for both of us that I didn’t.

Since then, an interesting development. 
Alyssa called and asked if we could go swimming.  Said the A/C was out in her
apartment and she was about to die.  Being the gentleman I am, I agreed (I know
you find me so wonderful and selfless here). 

Needless to say, I’ve made her come back
every evening after the office closes.  We like to call it “working” but
without clothes.  She finally told me you told her to stop mooning and go after
me.  I didn’t know at first if I wanted to throttle you or hug you.  Hugging
you won by a landslide. 

I’m no one to judge you, sweet Riya. 
Kind of a pot-and-kettle situation.  You’re a great woman.  You’ve made me
realize all the things I’m missing, that suddenly I’m really wanting.  Don’t
forget to keep in touch.  I mean it.  Miss you…be SAFE!

Sean

Riya could see him standing
in his kitchen, drinking coffee while he wrote to her.  Pulling her laptop a
little closer, she wrote back.

Sean, I was so happy to hear from you. 
All I can say is that I’m very proud of Alyssa for going after you instead of
looking like a starving woman in front of a steak.  LOL

I helped someone here who didn’t know
they needed help.  It makes me realize I’m on the right track.  I did have a
lot of guilt but not so much after your message.  Thank you for easing my
mind…and figuring out I’d need it.

I miss you, too and I promise to be
safe.  Say “hey” to Alyssa, poor Mark – The Traitor, and your mom for me.

Riya

She hit send then made more
notes and backed up her stuff to Tawny.  Riya was staring off into space when
she realized she had company.  She looked up distracted to see Victor and Shay
standing next to the table.  “Oh hey, you guys.  You look great!” 

Shay slid into the booth on
the other side of the table, Victor right beside her.  Riya was thrilled for
both of them.  Shay said, “Girl, are you sure you haven’t bitten off more than
you can chew here?  You aren’t in love with Victor, I know that, but you care
for him.  I think, as sweet and good as you are, you’ll love them all a
little.  That has to be spinning the shit out of your brain and heart.” 

She reached in her pocket
and pulled out her business card.  “I wrote all my personal info on there.  I don’t
care what happens.  If you need anything, ever, no matter the time of day or
night, you call me.”

Taking both the other
woman’s hands in hers, she nodded with a grin.  “Oh, honey, enough about me. 
How did things go?”  Riya asked excitedly, not caring that Victor was sitting
right there with them. 

Shay’s entire face lit up. 
“Oh my god, Riya.  He is…everything I wanted and more.  And some stuff I didn’t
even know I wanted.  I…I don’t know how to thank you, I really don’t.”  Victor
was nodding in agreement.

Riya shook her head, “No,
Shay.  That has nothing to do with me.  Eventually you guys would have found
one another.  I just sped things up.  I don’t think he could have stayed away
from you much longer.  I’m really happy for you both.”  Her huge smile was
sincere.

Victor reached across and
held her hand, “You’ve done so much for me.  For both of us.”

She flipped her hand over
and patted his.  “You’re welcome, you deserve all possible happiness.  Listen,
I have to be in Austin day after tomorrow.  I’d like to take the bus if that’s
okay.  I could use a little time to collect my thoughts and get work done.  I
expect you guys to keep me posted on everything.”

Both of them scowled at
her.  “Oh
hell
, no.  You are not going to totally change our lives then
leave like five minutes later.  No, no, no.  We’ll take you out to the house
and you’ll stay there tonight.  We can take you to Austin,” Shay insisted.

“Really, Shay, I am
not
having you guys drive me to Austin.  Victor has to work and you have your shop
to run.  I really will be okay.  Promise.”  She started gathering her stuff and
putting it in her backpack. 

When she moved to put cash
on the table, Cyndi called out, “You drop one penny on that table and I will
whoop your behind.”  She came across to see them to the door.  The moment she
heard from Shay that Riya was leaving that night, she was concerned.  “Hey, why
don’t you stay with me tonight?” 

“Thank you, Cyndi, but I’m
going to go so I can get some time alone before the next phase…I think I need a
tiny break, you know?  I’d like to bring my best friend Tawny by here on our
way back.  She’ll fall head over heels in love with all of you.  That will be
sometime after Halloween on our way back to South Florida.”  She hugged the
older woman and turned to Victor’s truck.