The Barter System (3 page)

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

I don't overcomplicate things but I take
life seriously.           

Do you have any negative assumptions
regarding this study?
 

There being either NO emotional impact
or TOO MUCH.   

What is your most secret sexual fantasy?
 

Experiencing that "chemistry"
I hear people talk about.  Being on the water with a willing partner who isn't
looking over her shoulder or asking for constant reassurance about sharks.   

Have you ever told anyone else about
this fantasy?
 

Yes, but no one gets it.           

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

Not yet.  I rarely take women out on my
boat - never for sex.           

How have you utilized the Internet in
your sexual life?
 

Light porn.  I tried online dating three
times and regretted it almost immediately.    

Looking once more at his
online profile and the photo he’d mailed as part of their arrangement, she
decided it was time to quit stalling.  She returned to the bungalow style home
on a quiet residential street a couple of miles from the gas station.  The yard
was well manicured and the house in good condition.  There was a white Ford
Explorer parked in the driveway and she pulled in behind it. 

Taking a deep breath, she
opened her door and made her way up the stone walkway to the front door.  She
lifted her hand to knock when the door was thrown open wide and she was
embraced in a strong hug.  Caught off guard, she inhaled sharply and evaluated
the mixture of scents that assailed her. 

Clean cotton, a hint of
cologne, and a light aftershave. 
Nice.

She hugged him back and then
leaned to the side for a good look at Sean.  Late-thirties, strong build, about
6’, friendly gray eyes and a bright smile.  Dark hair cut short in military
style with a scattering of silver at the temples.  Dressed in khaki cargo
shorts to the knee and a clean white polo, ratty canvas sandals on tanned
muscular feet.

Riya realized she wasn’t the
only one looking, and felt a light blush creep up her neck and face.  His eyes
traveled from her shining hair, loose down her back, to the ultra-soft pale
pink cotton shirt and linen mini skirt.  Her leather sandals highlighted her
coral polished toes.  Her legs were tanned and smooth. 

He nodded once in
satisfaction and smiled again.  “Even better than your photos, I have to
admit.  I’m impressed.”  He cupped the back of her head with a large, strong
hand and pulled her in for a kiss.  It started light but his exploration of her
lips and tongue soon took on an urgent quality. 

Fresh breath, slightly salty
tang on his sensually firm lips…and very good at kissing.  When he raised his
mouth from hers, he murmured against her skin, “Much better than I expected.” 

They stepped away from one
another and he looked at her car.  “Do you have a bag?”  At her nod, he took
her hand casually and led her back to the driveway.  He waited as she unlocked
the doors then reached in for her duffle, the perfect gentleman.  She grabbed
her backpack and Tawny’s CD from the front seat and locked the car.  He made
sure she was ready and led the way into the house. 

Her initial impression of
the house as a bungalow was carried through on the inside.  There was a
beautiful lake view behind the house, and the open floor plan brought an
abundance of light into the rooms.  The living room was essentially a ‘man
cave’ with a leather sectional, big screen television and plenty of electronic
equipment.  Classic movie prints in matching frames adorned the pale mocha
colored walls.  Very few knickknacks other than some black and white photos of
people Riya figured to be family and friends. 

Sean carried her bag down a
short hallway.  He paused in a doorway, showing signs of uncertainty for the
first time.  “I…well, I wasn’t sure if you wanted the guest room or if you’d
rather…share space…while you’re here.  I didn’t want to assume.  I made up the
guest room if you prefer it.”  He glanced quickly at her then away. 

Hmm.  She decided to go with
what he obviously preferred, the entire point of her being here.  “I’d like to
share space with you.  I think it’s important to spend as much time together as
possible while I’m here.”  It sounded much different when she spoke her
thoughts aloud.  “I mean, there is a lot to do together.” 
No better.
 
Lots of innuendo. 

He smiled and seemed to
regain his footing.  “Excellent.  I’ve cleared space in the dresser and
closet.” That confirmed his preference, she thought. “There’s an empty top
drawer in the bathroom, right through there, if you need it.”  He placed her
bag on the bench at the end of the bed and turned to go, “I’ll give you some
time to get settled while I make drinks.” 

At the door, he stopped and
turned back to her, “I’m glad you’re here, Riya.  And not just for the obvious
reasons.  I feel like I kind of know you after all our emails back and forth. 
I think this is going to be very interesting.  I’ll be in the kitchen, straight
down the hall and on the other side of the living room.”  One last smile and he
was out of sight. 

Riya pulled her backpack
from her shoulder.  As she set it beside her duffle bag, she released a
relieved sigh, so far so good.  Sean was good-looking, charming, and an
excellent host subject.  She really couldn’t wait to get started with him. 
“I’m just dropping innuendos all over the place,” she muttered to herself and
laughed. 

She took her toiletry bag to
the bathroom, placing it in the drawer he’d considerately cleared for her.  She
glanced at herself briefly, deciding she was still in decent condition.  She
removed her laptop and typed a few initial impressions before closing it and
heading to the kitchen. 

Sean was blending fruits and
alcohol when she entered.  He was comfortable in his space and it showed.  He
dropped freshly chopped pineapple into the blender and she found a seat at his
bar so she could watch him. 

“You mentioned you’re a
lightweight so I’ll go easy on you.”  He chuckled at her expense and she
smiled.  “I’ve mixed my own concoction, there’s a little vodka in this first
batch.  Not trying to get you drunk, I swear.” 

He added coconut milk while
he talked, “I’m nervous, I’ll admit it.  To actually have you sitting in my
kitchen is surreal.”  He blended a moment longer before removing the carafe and
pouring the frosty mixture into two tall glasses.  “This drink is more for me
than you.”  They toasted over the bar and Riya took a sip. 

“This is delicious.  I can’t
even taste the alcohol!”

He nodded seriously, “Those
are the ones that knock you on your ass.  Be careful.  Want to sit out on the
patio?”  She nodded and slipped off the stool to follow him outside. 

The deck was Mexican tile
and there were two chaise lounge chairs in the shade.  He pulled one around so
they could see one another.  She stretched out and waited for him to sit.  The
breeze off the lake was fantastic and privacy fencing almost to the shoreline
prevented her from seeing the houses on either side of Sean’s. 

They sat in silence with one
another for a few minutes, and it was surprisingly comfortable.  Finally he
said, “I’m not asking anything about anyone else, but there was one thing I was
curious about…how many applications did you receive?  Overall, I mean?” 

She couldn’t help but laugh,
“Total?  Hmm, more than I thought I would.  More than thirteen thousand…” His
eyes widened in shock, “I know, right?  It added months to my deadline just to
go through them all.”

“Whoa.  I am so much more
flattered than I have any right to be.”

Riya shook her head, “Not to
put too fine a point on it, but I got rid of almost ten thousand liars and perverts
in the first few weeks.  My proposal was…unorthodox.  It brought out some
pretty scary people.”  A small shudder passed through her, “There are some
truly unbalanced people in the world.  It was the remaining three thousand plus
that were harder.  That took me the longest.”

“Can I ask why you chose
me?”  He seemed truly interested.  Almost as if he didn’t quite believe he
had
been chosen.  Riya found the modesty endearing.

“You were one of the first I
chose, actually.  Physical attributes have something to do with it, I hope you
understand.  That’s human nature.”  She was warming to her topic and he smiled
with a certain degree of male satisfaction. 

“Then, I split everyone into
age groups, then ethnic, then field of industry, then smaller things like
preferences on my looks, my race, my religion…that kind of thing.  I had one
guy tell me I’d be perfect if I got a boob job and colored my hair.  Since I’m
the control, I couldn’t start changing myself.  Physicality was the easiest. 
You found me attractive, I found you attractive…one marker down.”  She laughed
at herself, “All very scientific…kind of silly when I say some of this stuff
out loud.” 

“I don’t find any of it silly. 
I find it fascinating,” he replied honestly.

They talked for a couple of
hours, getting to know one another.  Riya felt more at ease with every moment. 
He asked what she was thinking on her drive to Orlando. 

“I was nervous, but got it
under control.  You were the closest person to me, and my best friend insisted
you be my first subject…I’m sorry, that sounded horribly cold and impersonal.”

He shook his head and she
continued.  “I tend to be conservative, but the subject matter interests me,
even if it’s outside my personal comfort zone.  Maybe
because
it is. 
This is what I’ve worked for.  I have a lot of time and effort invested in
it.” 

“This is very enthusiastic
for a first venture.  How do you think it’s going to change you?” She realized
she was doing a lot of talking to someone she’d known for a few hours and
reminded herself to document her open reaction to her first subject.

“I think it will open my
mind.  I was sheltered regarding men and honestly I’ve just not had time to
really deal with them much until now.”  She laughed, “You don’t have to look
quite so surprised, Sean.  I’m no vamp and most men bore me.  I’ve had two
long-term boyfriends.  I’m not complaining.  It gives me a unique perspective
most women in my age group are sorely lacking.  I focused on myself first, able
to take or leave men in general, and now I feel more equipped to handle what I
put in place for my dissertation.”

“I have to say I’m more
impressed by the moment, Riya.”    

She insisted they talk about
him.  They discussed his business on the Internet.  His company facilitated
research and resources for small companies without the capital to hire their
own teams.  He dabbled in just about everything, from databases to security to
marketing. 

When she asked about his
divorce he shrugged, “There are no hard feelings or anything.  I was in the
military for too long and she just got tired of sleeping alone.  We didn’t have
kids or property.  She had her own family and business interests.  When she
made the decision, she was just gone.  There was no drama or tears.  We still
talk if we run into one another.  She’s remarried with babies.  She was a nice
person.  I figured it was time to settle down.  Turned out I was wrong.”

“How was your sex life?”
Riya asked bluntly.

He grinned, “I’m enjoying
myself so much I really forgot why you were here.  Our sex life was fairly
vanilla, I suppose.  When I was home on leave, we took care of a need but there
was nothing overly exciting.  Nothing kinky.”  He winked at her, “Not that I
have a problem with kinky.”  They both laughed. 

“The freakiest person I’ve
dated was about your age, into some Goth crap that scared the hell out of me. 
Wanted to tie me up and drip candle wax on my dick.  I like my dick, and wish
him only good things.  He wasn’t into it so I deferred to his choice.  I also
wasn’t letting someone I didn’t trust tie me up.”