Opposites Attract Read online

  ‘Alexis?’ Susan yelled, sounding oddly excited for such a horrible day. They were being kicked out on the streets like hobos and her friend was yelling in her happy voice. ‘Alexis, are you here? Come on, I’ve got some great news.’

  Alexis plucked a tissue from the box next to her on the floor. They were cheap tissues. She couldn’t afford the lotion kind any more. She could barely afford a free drink of water. What was she going to do?

  She didn’t feel like talking to Susan, so she stayed hidden in her corner, sitting on the floor of her former home. The hotel manager had agreed to let her stay a few weeks to have time to pack. He was a nice man, one Alexis wished she had paid more attention to. But now her two weeks were up and she had to go. Susan convinced her to sell some of her clothing. She did, getting maybe a quarter of what she paid for it. Still, it wasn’t a whole lot of money after she paid the bills her mother no longer could cover. Not paying wasn’t a choice. News like that would’ve spread through her social circle, destroying her reputation. Alexis might be debt free, but she could barely afford a week at the Flea Bite Inn.

  Susan said that Ted offered his place. The last thing Alexis wanted was to live with Susan’s boyfriend. But where else was she to go? What was she going to do? He’d probably gloat that he was right when he’d said Alexis couldn’t live off her mother for ever. How in the world had he known? Was it so obvious to everyone else that her mother was a criminal? Alexis had known the woman her whole life and didn’t know she was a criminal.

  She glanced around the living room. The penthouse boasted enormous windows that gave a panoramic view of the city in every direction. There was a concrete fireplace wall. The hotel provided big-screen televisions in both the master and secondary bedrooms and a flat screen in the living room, all of which included surround sound and DVD players. They even had a television in the bathroom and kitchen area.

  The suite had hard-wood floors, vintage chandeliers and a sound system on the terrace. In the bathroom there was a two-person steam shower and a separate cast-iron, claw-foot bathtub. In the bedrooms they had king-size beds with feather white comforters and six full-length pillows.

  The furniture was all custom-made. Alexis had chosen the mohair fabric sofa with the red fabric pillows and matching chair. She insisted the hotel decorator buy the Monaco hand-painted end tables and matching plant stand. She was the one who said hang neutral beige curtains to offset the red of the furniture. She picked the hand-woven rugs and Tiffany lamps. This was her home and now it was going to be rented to strangers.

  ‘There you are, Lexy,’ Susan said, coming around the corner. ‘What are you doing on the floor?’

  ‘Why are you so chipper?’ Alexis grumbled, blowing her nose.

  ‘I was just over at Ted’s.’

  ‘What, so you get laid?’ Alexis frowned.

  ‘Well, uh, yeah,’ Susan said, looking slightly embarrassed.

  ‘Lucky. I couldn’t get laid if I paid a man,’ Alexis said. She hadn’t got laid once since her life had crumbled. It would just be her luck if her body had already rusted shut. A month without sex? If anyone asked her, that was the real crime in this whole situation. Did she even need to recall the fact that the agents had taken her ‘toys’ as well? Yeah, like she was going to have the lawyers get her vibrators back for her. The newspapers had been bad enough without adding that fuel to the fire.

  ‘Lexy,’ Susan said, her voice mildly scolding.

  ‘I don’t understand how my mother’s bad decisions can affect me so much. Just because an ill-gotten fortune paid for my life doesn’t mean my life has to be put into the newspapers. Have you looked at today’s headlines? The tabloids are interviewing ex-boyfriends I never knew I had. Apparently, I’ve had sex in some fetish club with a whole group of them. They would never have dared to say that about me before. Now, there is no fortune, there is no life, no respect. My life is over. I’d be better off dead.’ Alexis sniffed, feeling very fatalistic.

  ‘Forget the papers. Didn’t we say we weren’t going to read them? I’ve even stopped watching the news, so you shouldn’t start listening to it now.’ Susan stroked back Alexis’s hair. ‘What’s really going on, Lexy? Did you see your mother and her lawyer today?’

  ‘He can’t do much else for us,’ Alexis said. ‘He said it’s better for my mother in the long run, if we just let the government have the rest of my things since I can’t produce receipts for them. Who the hell keeps receipts for everything?’

  Alexis took a deep breath, trying not to cry. Thanks to her mother’s lawyer, Alexis managed to get some of her belongings back – clothing, her camera, Susan’s stuff. But almost everything else had technically belonged to the hotel.

  ‘We don’t have a home. We don’t have a car. Crissakes, I can’t even hold down a job. I barely have an education, unless a mail-order diploma from the Photography Institute and a fluency in Italian counts as a worthwhile education.’ Alexis started crying anew, weeping into her hands.

  ‘We have each other,’ Susan said, sternly. ‘And don’t you forget it. Now, I want no more talk of dying. You’re a fighter, Lexy. Now, what happened today with your mom? Did she look well?’

  ‘It was awful, Susan.’ Alexis sniffed, grabbing another tissue. She dried her eyes. ‘I had to look at her through a pane of hard plastic. She was always so elegant and now she’s been reduced to a cheap orange jumpsuit. I’m sorry, but that colour was all wrong for her. It drained her face of all life and she always had her hair perfectly upswept, you know. Now it’s in an ugly bun. They didn’t let her have make-up, so she looks all old and tired. I barely recognised the woman.’

  ‘Well, Lexy, maybe make-up isn’t what is important to her right now,’ Susan said. ‘What did she say?’

  ‘You’re on your own, kid. Find yourself a rich first husband.’ Alexis swallowed, near tears as she thought about it. ‘How am I supposed to find a rich husband in Manhattan? The whole city knows about Francine Grant’s arrest. No decent family will touch me with a ten-foot pole.’

  Susan opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  ‘Then to make matters worse, when I went out last night to the clubs to relax and forget, the doorman wouldn’t let me directly in. He told me to wait in line like a damned poser. Alexis Samantha Wellington Grant is not a line-waiting poser. It isn’t fair. I’ve done nothing to deserve this. I’m a good person. Well, in my heart I am. I never talk shop owners down on their prices. I always tip the wait staff – the ones who’ve done a good job anyway. I gave all of last year’s designer clothing to charity auctions.’

  ‘You’re right, nobody deserves what you’re going through,’ Susan said.

  ‘Oh, and three years ago, remember I hosted and planned that event to benefit a local children’s hospital. What was the name of that hospital again? St Hope? St Kids? Well, the event was fabulous. We raised several thousand dollars for the poor sick children and I wore the most beautiful black and gold lace, imported Victoria Royal gown.’ Alexis cried harder. ‘But there isn’t going to be any more imported Victoria Royal gowns. No more Vera Wang or Helen Wang. No more DKNY. No Via Spiga or Versace. No more shopping in Italy. There isn’t going to be any more designer anything. My life is over, Susan. I’m a nobody. I’m nothing.’

  ‘Oh, OK,’ Susan said, her voice so soft Alexis could barely hear it. ‘Just calm down. We’re not homeless. We’re going to be just fine. That’s what I came to tell you. I have a plan.’

  ‘A plan to get our home back?’ Alexis asked, hopeful.

  Susan glanced around. ‘No, that would require a miracle. We can’t afford this lifestyle any more but, don’t worry, I have a great plan. A perfect plan.’

  ‘What?’ Alexis was almost afraid to ask, but she was getting desperate.

  ‘Remember I was telling you about that guy, Ethan James, who’s going to California?’

  ‘You mean the cousin’s uncle’s sister’s brother guy?’ Alexis sniffed, blowing her nose again. Her skin felt chapped and she
reached next to the box of tissues for her La Prairie day lotion. She dabbed it under her nose. She wouldn’t be buying any more of that for a while.

  ‘Yeah, him. Well, he hasn’t left yet. In fact, Ted said he met him and that he’s still willing to take on passengers.’ Susan smiled. ‘You said you wanted to get out of here and get a fresh start. Well, let’s do it. Let’s go to California. It’s summer and school isn’t in session so it’s not like I’ll lose my job if I leave. Ted has said he wants to come. He has his laptop so I can check my email if they need me for any reason. It’s perfect, Lexy. It’s just what we need.’

  Alexis baulked. Her nose was stuffy and it made her voice sound a little funny. ‘No.’

  ‘What? Why?’ Susan sat back on her knees and grabbed Alexis’s hands. She squeezed lightly. Then, feeling the used tissue wadded in Alexis’s palm, she grimaced and let go. Susan wiped her hand on her faded blue jeans.

  ‘There’s one small problem,’ Alexis said, throwing the tissue away, only to grab another. ‘The guy wants someone to help pay for the trip. I can’t even afford a cab ride across the city, let alone a ride across the whole United States.’

  ‘Ted doesn’t think it’ll be a problem,’ Susan said. Alexis was really getting tired of what Ted thought. If Susan hadn’t seemed so happy with him in the past, she would’ve tried to break them up. ‘He says that Ethan’s going to be working his way across. We can too. We’ll find work. It’ll be an adventure and Ted says that people are friendlier in the Midwest. They’d be willing to help a stranger out and give us jobs to do.’

  Alexis studied Susan carefully, not relishing the idea of holding up a sign that said, ‘Will work for food.’ She started to protest, but her friend had a look of hope and excitement that she’d never seen in her. It sparkled in her blue eyes and shone like a beacon from her face. In light of her own uncertainties, Susan’s enthusiasm was a great influence.

  ‘What kind of job?’ Alexis asked. She dabbed at her eyes. They were puffy and sore. ‘I won’t clean toilets.’

  ‘Deal. I promise I’ll clean any and all toilets we come across.’ Susan stood up, reaching down to pull Alexis to her feet. ‘Come on, Lexy, let’s say goodbye to this place. Our futures might be a little simpler for a while, but when we get to California things will get better.’

  ‘Promise?’ Alexis faced Susan, needing someone to take charge, to tell her that everything was going to be all right.

  ‘Promise.’ Susan tilted her head to the front door. ‘I’ve got doormen waiting to take our bags down. Ted is downstairs with a cab. We’ll spend the night at his place and then tomorrow the four of us are off to California. Oh, this is going to be so much fun, Lexy. I promise you’ll have a good time.’

  2

  Ethan moaned, quickening his thrusts as he plunged into the blonde beauty beneath him. Ah, she felt damn good. Sex had to be one of the best inventions ever given to man. He was really going to miss New York City for this very reason. Not to worry, a man in his profession could easily get more sex buddies and they’d all be just as pretty as Sandy here. There was just something about a tattoo artist that drove the women wild. He was like a rock star without the music.

  Sandy panted, spreading her legs wider, screaming, ‘Fuck me! Fuck me!’

  Ethan frowned, automatically leaning over to kiss her to keep her quiet. He’d told her before to stop doing that. He had neighbours. Then, remembering that he was leaving the next morning and this was his send-off present from her, he grinned. He stopped thrusting and flipped over on his couch, taking her with him.

  Sandy was a stripper by profession and had the sexy body that went with the job description. Ethan reached for her fake breasts. They were enormous in his palms, a little stiff, but really fun to look at. She rode him harder as he tweaked her nipples.

  Sandy screamed like a porn star. Ethan grinned. He knew she was screaming for effect more than from a natural physical reaction. He didn’t care. It made him feel like a king all the same.

  ‘Say my name, baby,’ Sandy demanded, tossing back her head and swinging her dyed blonde locks back and forth as she wriggled around on his body. ‘Tell me how you want it.’

  Ethan took her hips and arched himself deep into her. ‘Give it to me, Sandy. Ah, yeah. Just like that.’

  Sandy tensed, looking down at him. She stopped moving. A pout on her face, she said, ‘My name’s Cindy.’

  ‘That’s what I said,’ Ethan lied. ‘Of course I know your name. Now, give it to me, Cindy. Ride me, baby. Ride me, just like a naughty little cowgirl.’

  ‘Cowgirl?’ Her frown deepened and she looked confused. Ethan wanted to growl in frustration. He bumped his hips, trying to get her to ride him to release. Damn, but he was close! ‘You said you wanted me to be your princess.’

  ‘And now I want you to be my dirty little cowgirl,’ Ethan said. He pushed up, knowing he needed to take over the pacing again before he exploded in agony. If she kept stopping, he’d have to work twice as hard to get her to climax. ‘Get doggie style for me. I want to ride my nasty little cowgirl.’

  Cindy instantly flipped over. Ethan came up from behind her and slipped deep into her wet body. He thrust like a madman, reaching around to play with the swollen nub he found hidden in her soft curls. He could’ve finished if he wanted to nearly ten minutes ago, but it was a matter of male pride that he got the woman to climax. ‘Mm, ride me, cowboy. Break this dirty little cowgirl in good. Yippee-ky-yi-yaaa!’

  Ethan was glad she was turned around, because he had to suppress a laugh as she attempted her cowgirl screams. He felt his body nearing the end. He was close. He was coming . . . coming . . .

  ‘Yee-ha! Ride ’em cowboy.’

  He pumped harder, losing all amusement at her continued yells as he grabbed her hips. He held back, tensing as her body caught up to his. The moment she began to clamp and spasm, he let loose of his control, coming heavily into the condom he wore.

  ‘Ah,’ he grunted, going rigid as his hips jerked on reflex. Cindy fell forwards on the couch, panting and whimpering. Ethan fell back, lying on the opposite side.

  ‘What time is it?’ Cindy asked, breathless. A light sheen of sweat beaded her flushed features as she flipped over onto her back.

  Ethan glanced around his barren two-room apartment. Basically there was his living room that doubled as a bedroom and tripled as a kitchen, and a bathroom. Everything but the couch and his alarm clock was packed up. Whatever couldn’t fit into his suitcases had been sold for cash. Seeing the clock, he answered, ‘About midnight.’

  ‘Ah, shit!’ Cindy cried, jumping up. ‘I’m late for work again. Sal’s going to be so mad at me. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t fire me for sure this time.’

  ‘You’re his best dancer. He won’t dare fire you.’ Ethan watched her get dressed, finding it a particularly interesting show. He put his hands behind his head, not bothering to hide his nudity. Why should he? He worked hard for his muscled physique and liked showing it off. The small apartment reeked of sex, giving him a sense of satisfaction. Cindy fitted her tight body and large breasts into a barely there slip of a sequinned dress.

  Hurrying over to him, as she put on her impossibly high heels, she leaned over and quickly kissed his cheek. ‘Drive safe, stud. I’ll look you up if I’m ever in San Fran!’

  Ethan just smiled. He didn’t move until he heard the door open and shut. Then, reaching down, he felt around in the dim light for his cell phone. Without bothering to sit up, he hit a button and began scrolling through his list of phone numbers. ‘Let’s see . . . Rachel, Janet, Mandy, Tracy, Lindsey, April, Ginger . . . Mm, Ginger, hello.’

  He grinned and hit the button. Ginger was a freak who especially liked to be taken in the behind. Ethan chuckled. After his and Sandy’s . . . er, Cindy’s session, he needed to take a shower anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. The phone rang, and Ginger picked up with a breathy, ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hey, baby, it’s Ethan. It’s my last night in town an
d I was lying here all alone thinking about you.’ He used the persuasive tone all women loved. ‘Yeah, I’m going to California tomorrow to tattoo on movie stars. Want to come over? I really would like to see you. Ten minutes? Perfect. I need to take a shower, but I’ll leave the front door unlocked. Yeah, baby, I’ll see you in a few minutes. Oh, yeah, sure we’ll watch a movie or something. Good idea.’ Ethan glanced around. He didn’t have a television anymore. He’d sold it for the trip. ‘Yeah, me too, can’t wait. Sure, I still got the piercings. I’m counting the minutes. Bye, baby.’

  Susan shut the French door between Ted’s bedroom and living room. Seeing Ted lying across his bed in black silk boxers, she sighed and made a face of relief. Alexis was finally asleep. Susan felt bad for her friend, knowing she needed her right now. Thank goodness Ted was such an understanding boyfriend. She knew Alexis wasn’t the easiest person to put up with. Alexis was dramatic, demanding and a borderline diva. But she was also Susan’s best friend and Ted respected that, even if he didn’t understand it at times.

  Ted wiggled his eyebrows and reached over to pat the bed next to him. Damn, but he was one of the sexiest men she’d ever seen. He had dark hair that flopped down over one eye and always looked as if he’d just woken up in a pleasurable mood. He wasn’t too muscled, but was definitely toned. His broad chest had a small sprinkling of hair in the middle. It matched the dark treasure trail leading beneath his navel to his crotch. But Susan’s favourite feature was his brown eyes. They were the kindest she’d ever seen on another human. It’s what first made her ask him out six months ago. Even though she hadn’t said it to Ted, or anyone else for that matter, it’d been love at first sight.

  Susan grinned at his invitation and untied her black silk robe. It glided to the floor, revealing the metallic cross-lace corset she wore underneath. The underwire cups pressed her breasts up, giving her a decent amount of cleavage. The silver thong panties matched perfectly. Ted liked getting her pretty lingerie and she liked wearing it for him.