Chapter 2
Amy felt the now-familiar sensation of release as soon as she left the house. After six years of marriage, six years during which Rick had been the family breadwinner and Amy little more than an all-purpose appliance, she was still basking in the independence and pride she had regained by working for Robinson and Klein. She regretted the fact that her time to spread her wings had come just at the point when Rick's career had taken a turn for the worse how nice it would have been, she thought for the hundredth time, if we could both be independently successful at the same time but she now felt that nothing could make her return to her old subservience.
If Rick weren't so resentful, she thought, then things would be better. But the sudden change in their roles had required an adjustment that Rick didn't seem to be up to, so that instead of supporting her and enjoying her success, he became more demanding and intolerable than ever. It was "Amy get me this," and "Amy what am I going to do about dinner," and "Amy I don't like that dress you're wearing;" until his wife felt like jumping out of her skin every time she was around him. But instead of fighting back and confronting him, she simply kept quiet and allowed her feeling for him to die a slow death.
The only thing that was still keeping them together, she was sure, was their sex, and even that was changing. Physically it was still as good as it had been in the old days, but there was an emotional quality which now seemed to be almost entirely lacking. Whereas before she had always looked forward to Rick's homecoming so that they could while away the after-dinner hours in their extra-firm bed, now the thought of making love to Rick had become almost repulsive. Luckily, her body still seemed to be in command of her feelings, and once she overcame her initial reluctance she could enjoy lovemaking, for awhile longer, at least.
As it had been every weekday far the last month, all thought of Rick and their marital problems disappeared as soon as she walked in the hand-carved oak doors of Robinson and Klein's luxurious Montgomery Street office. There was something so solid and reliable about those doors, that office, that once inside she found it hard to imagine anything being wrong anywhere. Maybe that's it, she thought as she walked through the massive doors: maybe I'm married to this office. God knows it's more satisfying and exciting than what's going on at home.
As always, Ginny the receptionist gave her a knowing smile when she walked in, but today the smile seemed to have taken on an extra ingredient.
"Robby wants to see you," she grinned. "Right away."
Amy tried not to look flabbergasted. She had actually laid eyes on the senior partner only once, and that had been the day she was hired. She remembered that he had given her an appraising look, but had said nothing. Now he wanted to see her. What could this be about? she wondered, not having the slightest idea what Mr. Robinson might have in mind. She had been treated very well there up to now, and everyone had been very encouraging to her, complimenting heron the job she was doing, but she couldn't help feeling a little anxious at this summons from a man who had a reputation of never going out of his way to get involved with his employees.
She straightened her skirt, licked the tip of her little finger and ran it along her eyebrows. Trying to control her galloping rear, she walked down the hall to Mr. Robinson's door and gave it a timid knock.
A muffled voice came through the door. "Come in.".
Amy walked in, arranging her face in a nervous smile. Surprisingly, Mr. Robinson's office was quite small and plain, small and plainer even than hers. Robinson himself was bent over a stack of papers, working furiously.
"Yes?" he said, not bothering to look up.
"I'm Mrs. Barker," said Amy. "Ginny said you wanted to see me."
"Right," said the boss, looking up. "Mrs. Barker, I've been hearing very good things about your work."
"Really?" said Amy. "I'm glad to hear that."
"They say you're bright, enthusiastic, and responsive," Robinson continued. "I've been hearing it so much that I've decided to send you on a very important job."
"Fantastic," Amy said. "What is it?"
"You may not know this, in fact if you do know it somebody's going to get fired for gossiping, but we've decided to move into the music business. Concert promotion, to be precise."
"Sounds great," said Amy enthusiastically. "Any type of concert in particular?"
"All types, eventually. For now we're going to do a few rock concerts, which are actually the most difficult to arrange. That's why we're starting with them, because they're the most difficult."
"An admirable philosophy."
"Admirable, maybe, but we're in business for profit, not admiration. I hope you realize that. At any rate, we want to start big we want to sign the Primordial Ooze for a show at Candlestick."
Despite herself, Amy gasped. "That's pretty big fish," she managed to say. "I understand they only do one concert a year they've got so much money already."
"Well," said Robinson, "we're going to try to get them anyway. Now I've made an appointment for you to see their manager, Danny Richman. He also manages Tyrone and that other group, what's their name? The Marauding Hordes."
"I know," Amy gulped. "I read it in Rolling Stone." The three groups Mr. Robinson had mentioned were the hottest properties in the rock business, and had been for many years, despite all challenges.
"Your appointment is for eleven o'clock this morning, so I don't have much time for briefing. Let's get to it."
Amy listened carefully as Mr. Robinson explained the details of the firm's proposal, taking notes and nodding occasionally. When he had finished, he sat back. "The big thing," he said, "is to know when to stand firm and when to make an appropriate compromise. This Richman is very shrewd, and not too easy to deal with. I'll rely on your judgment."
"I appreciate your confidence," Amy said. "I'l do the best I can."
"As for the confidence," Mr. Robinson replied, "you've earned it. As for doing the best you can, that might not be quite enough. I want you to do the best that anyone can."
"I understand," Amy said. "Okay," said Mr. Robinson, getting up and offering his hand. "Now get going."
As Amy was driving toward Tiburon, where Danny Richman had his office, she couldn't help wondering why Mr. Robinson had chosen her for such an important assignment. True, her work up to that point had been high quality, but she was so new to the firm and to the business world in general ... If she had been the boss she doubted that she would have taken such a risk with a new and basically unproven employee. Well, she decided finally, it's his decision, so I'd just better try to get the job done.
A receptionist showed her in to Richman's office, poured her a cup of coffee and asked her to wait a moment. "He's just going over some record contracts," she said. "He won't be a minute."
Amy glanced around the office. It was a one hundred and eighty degree contrast to Mr. Robinson's: a room just slightly smaller than Madison Square Garden, with a full bar, an elaborate stereo set-up, a small screening area, and a redwood hot tub in one corner. The walls were festooned with gold and platinum records, and with pictures of Danny Richman being embraced by some of the biggest names in rock and roll. She could pick out the Primordial Ooze and Tyrone, and also Mindy MacPherson, who was her own personal favorite. She had just gotten up to examine Mindy's picture more closely when she heard the door open and turned around. A tall man with long blonde surfer-style hair was walking across the room.
"Hi," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Danny Richman. And you're Amy Barker from Robinson and Klein. I've heard good things about you."
"And I've heard equally good things about you," Amy lied, shaking Richman's hand. Jesus, she was thinking to herself, this guy is handsome.
"Let's get it on, then," said Danny, offering her a chair and taking a seat behind his enormous chrome and glass desk. He smiled charmingly. "I'm surprised to hear that Robinson and Klein is interested in rock and roll. Old Robby going into second childhood, or what?"
"Either that or senile dementia," Amy replied, and they both laughed appreciatively.
"What's he got in mind?" Danny said.
"He wants to do a concert with The Primordial Ooze."
Danny whistled through his teeth. "Guy doesn't fuck around, does he? Right to the top."
"Right," said Amy, waiting for the handsome manager to make his move.
"Where?" said Danny.
"Candlestick Park."
"44,000 seats," Danny said. "How many shows are we talking about."
"Two," said Amy.
"You know that the Ooze only does one show a year."
"I know."
"Very tough," said Danny. "In fact, I'd say you've got a lost cause."
"Why?"
"Well," he smiled, "you may not know this, being new to the business and all, but the last show the Ooze did was at the LA Coliseum. Now the Coliseum seats 102,000, and the Ooze sold it out for three shows at $15 a head. But you know what? Wolf and Reismuller, probably the most experienced stagers around, promoted that show, and they just barely broke even. That's how expensive the Ooze are."
"Give me a figure," Amy said, beginning to enjoy the wheeling and dealing.
"For one show the Ooze's standard guarantee if 100K plus ten percent of the gross. For two shows it goes up to 300K and twelve percent."
"That's ridiculous," said Amy.
"That's what I'm trying to tell you," Richman said. "The Ooze is a ridiculous group. The thing is, they hate live concerts, so they try to price themselves out of the business. But people still take them up on it every once in awhile."
"I wonder why."
"So do I." Richman broke into another charming grin. "I'll tell you something else. The Ooze doesn't just hate concerts, they hate music. They'd much rather spend all their time raising greyhounds and fucking around with computers."
"Lovely," said Amy, getting up to go. "Well, I'll take your figure back to Mr. Robinson, but I'm sure he's going to allow your clients to go on with their dogs and all."
"Wait a minute," said Danny, getting up and walking around to the other side of the desk. "I told you their standard fee. They have been known to make exceptions."
"Oh?" said Amy, still standing. "Under what circumstances?"
"Once in awhile for charity, but only if it looks like good business. Then sometimes as a personal favor to someone."
"Someone like you?" Amy smiled.
"Maybe," he shrugged. "Anyway, I'm sure we can discuss it further, especially since it's you I'm discussing it with." He gave her a knowing grin and looked her body up and down.
Ah, thought Amy, so that's it. Before she had a chance to think further, Richman walked over to the hot tub and pressed a switch. Immediately steaming water started billowing out from a wall faucet and filling the tub, giving it the .appearance af a witch's cauldron.
"Sorry," Amy said. "I've already showered."
Richman laughed again in his easy way. "This thing is to a shower like a saltine is to beef bourguignon," he said. Then, in front of the startled Amy's eyes, he began stripping off his clothes. "Come on," he said. "Let's give it a try. It'll set you up for the rest of the week, not to mention improving your bargaining position."
"I think I know what sort of position you have in mind," Amy replied, as Danny removed his socks and shoes and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Thanks, but no thanks." Still, she found it hard to take her eyes off the young man's chest as he stripped off his shirt.
Danny shrugged. "It's up to you," he said. He paused, then quickly striding over to her, he surprised her by taking her in his arms in a strong embrace. "But maybe I can help you make your decision," he said, whispering in her ear.
The combination of surprise and the feel of Danny's strong arms turned Amy on in spite of her best instincts. She thought fast: if I go back to Mr. Robinson with the figure Danny gave me, the boss is going to forget the whole project and maybe lose confidence in me at the same time, so maybe I should just forget about principles and go ahead. But what about Rick? No matter how she felt about him at the moment, she was still his wife, .and wives were supposed to live up to certain standards. Oh, the hell with standards, she thought, as Danny began massaging her back. Let's just make this deal.
"All right," she said, breathing in Danny's ear. "But why don't we skip the formalities and the hot-tub seduction scene? I really did shower this morning."
"Fine with me," Danny said. He stepped back and quickly unzipped his pants, letting them slide to the floor. He wore no under wear, so Amy could immediately see his naked hardness pointing straight at her, the throbbing cock-head seeming to have a life of its own.
Within moments Amy was stripped and lying on the plush carpet, already moaning with desire. "Cone on," she groaned, thrashing her head from side to side. "Let's close the deal." . Danny Richman stood over the small woman, his eyes devouring her bare beauty. Her small, slender, graceful body made his mouth water. She lay on her back, one knee bent, concealing nothing from him. The light brown brush of her pussy seemed to almost tug at his cock from a distance it was like a magnet pulling at him.
Bending over, he closed his hands over the soft mounds of her breasts. Her skin was warm and satin smooth. Her nipples burrowed into his palms as he mashed the fleshy globes against her graceful ribs.
"Aaaaaah," Amy moaned softly as fire rushed through her. She knew she shouldn't be enjoying this it was just business, after all but knew too that she was going to. Her head rolled with building excitement, her fingers curled.
Releasing one of Amy's breasts, Danny reached down and touched the inside of her knee. Gently he pushed outward, spreading her legs to expose more of her pussy. Huddled far down between her graceful thighs, deep in the heart of her pubic bush, nestled in the crevice between her pouting, full labia, was a flash of exciting pink flesh.
He stroked the back of his fingers down the silken flesh on the inside of her thigh. Reaching her pussy, he spread her labia carefully. Her inner folds were a brilliant pink, shining wet, slick and juicy. The bud of her clitoris gleamed like a pearl in the fluorescent light. After coating his finger with her juices, he gently teased that nerve-loaded button.
"Aaaaaaaah," Amy moaned at the ceiling. Her toes tensed, her hips rolled and twisted. Fire was slashing through her tingling flesh as she lay naked and unresisting under Danny's explorations. "Aaaaaah," she moaned again as her lust soared higher. She tried to tell herself that she was impatient for him to get it over with, but she knew that wasn't really it. She wanted his cock in her, deep inside her, that was what she was impatient for. She reached out blindly and found the hot, hard shaft. A burning drop of slippery fluid seared her fingers as she curled them around the knob-head of Danny's hard pulsing prick. She stroked the powerful, heavy cylinder, trying to build his excitement, encouraging him to thrust his prick into her belly.
Amy found that his cock was writhing like an animal. His hands looked tan and strong and lovely against her pale flesh. One hand still engulfed one of her breasts. A pert, pink nipple peeked out from between his pinching fingers. He diddled the steaming folds of her dripping pussy with the fingers of his other hand. Her slick secretions had coated his fingers and her hot milking grip around his throbbing, ready prick was lifting him higher and higher.
Finally Danny lowered himself onto the petite promoter. The pile carpet depressed and lay flat as his weight was added to hers. Her skin felt like satin against his smooth body.
Amy spread her thighs wide as he came down on her. She kept hold of his cock until she had nestled its head at the opening to her hungry vagina. Then she awkwardly pulled her hand from between them and clutched his hard, muscular back. She heaved her hips up in an attempt to get the cock she needed so desperately to feel inside her.
Amy's pussy embraced the sensitive head of Danny's cock like a velvet glove. Thrilled with the hot, gripping tightness of her tunnel, he eased his phallus into her with gentle, careful pumps of his hips. She was tight, deliciously, delectably tight, a hot clinging sheath of living flesh embracing his stocky cock. He could feel wisps of wiry pubic hair scratching the skin of his shaft as he eased it into her.
"Ohhhhhhhh, fuck me," Amy moaned, wrapping her legs around his muscular hips and urging him deeper. She spurred him on with her heels, urging him further into her hot, hungry hole. "Fuck me," she whispered. Her animal lust had burned away all of her hesitations and inhibitions. All that mattered now was reaching that wonderful, burning peak of pleasure.
Danny was grinning ferociously, his muscles knotting as he bored his explosively swollen prick into the hot, willing, eager body beneath him. He clutched her firm flesh with his powerful fingers as he pistoned his cock into her clenching pussy.
Amy was jerking and heaving underneath him, her hips lifting and driving against hers, pulverizing her clitoris into a patch of fiery pleasure. She clawed at his broad, tanned back, kicked his muscular heaving buttocks with her heels to spur him deeper, then pushed her feet against the desk in an attempt to raise her pelvis higher. The floor resounded with the slapping, heaving, panting, gasping juicy sounds of their abandoned linking.
"Aaaaaaaaah, aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, ah, ah, I'm com I'm cooommmmiiiiiinnnnnnn-nnnggggg," Amy gasped. Her athletic young body arched off the carpet as she climaxed.
With an animal whoop of pleasure, Danny slammed his cock deep into the straining body underneath him, riding out her violent, orgasmic coming. His own coming was hanging barely out of reach as he brought her off in a gush of juices so copious that they drenched their tangled pubic thatches.
"Mmmmmmmmm," Amy sighed, her muscles relaxing as her orgasm faded away. She lay limp under Danny, fighting for breath. It wasn't until he began to move again that she realized that he hadn't yet climaxed. She lay on her back, dazed, feeling his huge phallus pistoning and squishing in her fulfilled vagina. She was too exhausted to do anything other than just lie there limp, taking his powerful, demanding thrusts. Then suddenly, she was soaring up that searing slope of pleasure once again.
Danny heaved his cock into the lax body under him, pounding his shaft into her. His head nestled into the curve of her neck, he rammed his hungry prick into her clinging sheath again and again and again. He felt her breasts mash flat against his unforgiving chest, felt her nipples burning into his skin. He was aware of her pubic bush scrubbing against his, her sleek, smooth thighs rubbing against his muscular ones. It all added up to an incredible symphony of sexual sensations, a blazing orchestration that was building toward a crashing carnal finale.
He heaved and thrust and felt the fire explode outward from his groin. Rippling pulses of thick semen spattered deep in the heart of Amy Barker's body as he poured his load into her. His body knotted and strained as he speared her guts with his sprouting tool.
"Aaaaaaggggghhhhh," Amy wailed. She felt limp as an old dishrag as a second orgasm blazed through her. She felt every quiver of the cock convulsing in her vagina, and instinctively milked the pulsing, pumping organ with her muscular channel.
Then the pulsing inside her slowly died away, and Amy's pleasure faded. As her lust went away, nausea and disgust at what she had just done filled her. Remembering Rick, she had to squeeze her eyes shut to fight back tears of shame. Her vagina seemed to snap shut as the man climbed off her, his dripping cock spraying her thighs with their mixed juices. She didn't get up from the carpet until she heard the splashing sound Danny made as he eased himself into the simmering hot tub.
Finally she got up and slowly put her clothes on, her back to Danny all the while. When she had herself arranged, she walked toward the door, hearing Danny's voice behind her:
"Hey, Mrs. Barker," he said, gloating a bit. "I'll let you know what kind of deal we can workout. But tell Robinson not to hold his breath; these things take awhile. Lots of negotiation, you know?"
"I can imagine," Amy said, without looking back. She walked out the door, closing it to leave the, grinning Danny to poach in his own water.
Although Mr. Robinson quizzed her carefully when she returned to the office, Amy refused to reveal any of the details of her meeting with Danny Richman. "You'll just have to trust me, boss," was all she would say. "It's in the works."