Chapter 13
Eva Stillwell's answer to Toni had been direct and logical. She couldn't just fire Elliot Barnes without a good reason. A good reason, that is, to present to the company as an excuse for letting him go. Of course, if Toni could supply that reason....
So Toni had lied. She'd told her how much Elliot despised Eva. How he'd been spreading rumors about Eva's sexual preferences....
Toni thought that would surely do it. But Eva wasn't as impulsive as she'd hoped. The woman merely took a deep breath, as if to steel herself against a hurt that was forever recurring. This told Toni that Elliot's big mouth simply wasn't enough. There had to be something concrete. Something for which Elliot could be nailed.
The challenge was issued. But Toni decided that she could meet it. And within minutes, she'd thought of a way.
The television show coming up was more important than any other facet of Elliot's job. Toni had listened to Stan ranting on about how much pressure was being brought to bear so that everything would go off smooth as glass. Toni knew that a great deal of the responsibility for that show rested on Elliot's shoulders. What better way to foul him up in his job than to make sure he didn't show up at the studio?
It was perfect. If she could just arrange it.
She had left Eva's apartment without mentioning her plans for Elliot. Eva had been happy. The woman seemed to believe that Toni was really attracted to her.
And no wonder, Toni thought, as she sat alone in her living room on the afternoon of the show. Last night, Eva had gone wild. Toni remembered the woman, panting and breathless as she pulled off their clothes and used Toni's body. Toni remembered how Eva had kissed her, caressed her-taught her how women can be satisfied. Without men.
Toni jumped off the sofa and looked around the room for something to distract her. She didn't want to remember what Eva had taught her. It was something that belonged in another world-a world far removed from Toni's own. A world for women who just couldn't bring themselves to submit to what was normal.
For the third time that hour, Toni checked the clock above the mantel. Three-forty. She still had time. Elliot wasn't due for another twenty minutes.
It had been easy to convince Elliot to take the afternoon off. As a matter-of-fact, he'd practically suggested it himself, Toni remembered. His presence at the television studio required that he work half the night. Nobody would object if he took off the afternoon-especially with Stan around to handle the last minute details.
Toni had recoiled at the thought of Stan working himself into the ground on the last day, while Elliot played hooky from the office. Still, she knew it had to be done. She had to keep Elliot out of that studio. No matter how.
At least this time would be the last time, Toni encouraged herself, as she mixed a shaker of martinis and sat down to wait out those final moments before Elliot's arrival. Whatever Elliot did to her, or whatever she had to do to him, she knew she could survive. Eva had practically agreed in so many words to get rid of him, once the excuse was provided.
Poor Eva, Toni thought. The woman was so strong, and yet, so blind. She believed what she wanted to believe, what she had to believe. That Toni desired her. That Toni wanted to get rid of Elliot because he was taking advantage of Stan, and Stan, in return, was making her life miserable.
Toni tasted the martinis she'd mixed and shook her head in amazement. She didn't even really remember half the stories she'd told Eva. She recalled saying something about how the added responsibility of Elliot's job would keep Stan very busy. Too busy to notice that his wife was slipping out to meet another woman.
Yes, Eva had liked that lie the best. Perhaps that was the final incentive to make her willing to fire Elliot. And once Elliot was gone, Toni assured herself, there wasn't a damned thing Eva could do to make Toni come back to her bed.
Four thirty-five. Toni was starting to worry. She finished her martini and walked to the window. Outside, a golden autumn day was beginning to fade into early evening. An electric current of excitement charged her body with sudden energy. She savored the lingering taste of gin and smiled happily. She was so close, now. So excitingly close to all the things she'd always wanted. And she was even beginning to like martinis. Yes, she told herself, she'd fit in well with the executive set. At last, she'd be right where she belonged.
Five o'clock. Toni poured herself another cocktail and carried it back to the window. Where was Elliot? She peered down the street for a sight of his car. Nothing. Quickly, she emptied her glass and tried to console herself. He'd be there. That was for sure. The invitation she'd placed in her voice when she spoke to him should have registered its effect. He couldn't have questioned the sincerity of her desire. He'd had to believe her when she told him she'd be alone, and she wanted him to come over.
She laughed out loud. What an egotistical dope Elliot was, to think that she was actually beginning to enjoy their horrible moments together. He deserved everything he got.
The shiny black sedan rolled silently around the corner and up the block. Toni saw it and raced to the mirror to freshen her appearance. Now it was going to happen. Her final surrender. And her final triumph.
"Sorry I'm late." Elliot hurried inside and closed the door behind him. "Irma was giving me a hard time."
"You didn't waste yourself on her, I hope." Toni tried to sound coy ... available.
"Don't you worry about it, sugar." Elliot walked up to her and wrapped her in his arms. "There's enough for everybody."
Toni let him kiss her and slide his rough hands down over the front of her sweater. The points of her breasts jutted out against the soft wool and yielded to the pressure of his sweaty palms. She heard Elliot suck in his breath as he fingered the rigid tips. He was ready, she knew. Ready to fool himself into thinking she enjoyed him. Ready to hang himself....
"How about a drink?" Toni pushed him back and smiled up at him.
Elliot glanced over at the cocktail shaker and back to Toni. "Looks like you started without me."
"A girl has to get herself ready," she crooned, knowing he'd interpret her remark on the crudest possible level.
He chuckled and slapped her bottom on his way to get the liquor. "I'll take scotch."
"Let me mix it for you. Please."
Elliott stopped walking and looked down at her body. His eyes travelled slowly from her tight green sweater to her straight, rust colored skirt. He stared hard, as if trying to penetrate the material with the force of his desire. "Anything you say," he drawled, reluctantly forcing his eyes back up to meet Tom's. "I'm with you."
Toni winked at him and turned toward the bar. She wriggled her hips skillfully as she walked, knowing he'd be watching. Let him get a good look, she thought, as a sudden surge of power filled her with confidence. This was going to be his last time.
"You're looking for trouble, you know," Elliot said, when she leaned down to hand him the drink she'd mixed.
"Gladly." Toni took a deep breath, filling her sweater. She didn't move a step. She wanted Elliot to concentrate on her, and her alone. Then, perhaps, he wouldn't notice that she'd poured a double shot into his glass.
It worked. Elliot finished his drink in a few gulps without flinching or questioning. When he handed the glass back to her, she headed immediately back toward the bar.
"What's your rush?" Elliot began to sound suspicious.
"I just want you to catch up with me," Toni quipped. "I had two before you arrived." She mixed another double.
And another.
And another.
Elliot was stoned. She sat on the chair across from him, instigating conversation and beaming at her achievement. Time was passing quickly. He was ranting on about something, but she didn't listen. All she heard was the ticking of the clock above the fireplace-the ticking that meant the passing of Elliot's job into Stan's hands.
"How long you gonna just sit there, making me want it?"
The sudden intensity in Elliot's tone forced its way through her thoughts. She glanced furtively toward the clock. Six-ten. By the time she finished with him, he'd be good and late for the studio. At least. But if she had her way, he wasn't going to show up at all.
"Not a minute longer." Toni got herself up from her chair and walked toward him. Now it was coming. The most important part. The big test. Elliot's downfall.
He grabbed her and Toni winced at the pain. He was going to be cruel again. She knew it. She felt it. But she was prepared.
"Let's go inside," she whispered. The fact that it was Stan's bed too, had stopped mattering a long time ago.
"No." Elliot's answer was sharp. "I want it here. In the light.
She smiled, determined not to let her annoyance show. What was the difference, she told herself. As long as he wanted her ... as long as he forgot about the time.
Slowly, provocatively, she undressed. Wordlessly, she posed, hesitated, smiled. All the things he told her to do. All the things he thought she was enjoying, too.
Her skirt fell to the rug on top of her sweater. Toni leaned down to unfasten her stockings. She saw Elliot's glance leap to the tops of her breasts. Impulsively, she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. The material slid down her arms and off. Her breasts hung teasingly, in full view.
Elliot rushed for her and almost knocked Toni over. She straightened up immediately as he caught her breasts in his hands and squeezed, hard.
"That's a girl...." Elliot sighed drunkenly, rubbing her body back and forth against his own. "Now take off the rest."
Toni peeled the nylons from her legs and stood, wearing only her panties. "You or me?" She smiled knowingly. Elliot looked like he was on fire.
With one anxious lunge, he grabbed her and pulled her down to the rug on top of him. Toni gasped and pretended arousal as he tugged off her panties and forced them from her naked limbs. Then she waited, while he undressed....
Their hips met. Toni reached over and grasped his shoulders for balance. Then she moved herself toward him....
She listened to the arc of Elliot's excitement, for she felt none of her own. He was an animal to her. Wild, hungry, inconsiderate. She let him satisfy his initial need. And then, when she felt he was sufficiently rested, she moved closer to him.
"How about doing me a favor now?" she asked softly.
"Name it baby."
"Come into the bedroom with me?"
"What?"
"I want to have some fun, too."
Elliot looked over disbelievingly. Then he smiled. A proud, self-assured, revolting smile. "Sure thing, honey. Sure thing."
Toni led the way, smiling also. She didn't know exactly what she was going to do, once she had Elliot in bed, but the details weren't important. The only thing that was important was that she keep him happily and busily occupied. Until he was fast asleep.