ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 11
rancine's phone vibrated in her pocket as she F stood in her office. Who the devil wants a piece of me now? I hate people interrupting me all of the time. I don't see how Jim kept his sanity in this job. Damn, everyone is so helpless.
Caller ID said it was Frank Wright. "Good morning, Frank. It's nice to hear from you on this sunny day," she said with feigned enthusiasm after she saw it was her boss. "What can I do for you?"
"This is an easy one, Francine." There was a moment of silence on the other end. "I know Jim used to wait for the other shoe to drop whenever I said something similar to him, but you're a different person. This really will be easy."
Francine's voice had a touch less enthusiasm than her initial greeting. "Oh, for sure. Jim used to tell me getting an unexpected call from you used to be like watching a ramming spar on a Viking warship coming at him at full speed. But I just want you to know I've never thought that about 105
you, Frank. What's up?" She shifted nervously from foot to foot. I hope I didn't have the suck-up-to-your-boss vacuum turned up too high. She could hear Frank's chuckle at the other end of the phone. I wonder if he's laughing because he saw through me or thinks he already won a victory?
"Great to hear, Francine. I've always enjoyed working with you." Is this an opening for me? she thought. His wife did pass away a couple of years ago, and he IS good looking and has money.
"And I've always enjoyed working with you, too, Frank," she said with a new, pleasant tone.
She unconsciously rocked her solid hips forward and back as she stood. "But this is more than just a social call. I'm assuming it has something to do with Ana and Rhett."
"You are always correct. Yes, it does. Do you remember when we set Gabriella up in her apartment to see if she could function alone?
Well, we will do the same thing with Ana and Rhett. AI Concepts still holds the apartment, so let's put it to use. They will be moving in as a married couple."
Francine took a breath and held still. "Wow, Frank. Moving in together as a married couple is 106
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quite a step. How do we convince them to do that?" She maintained a mock-innocence in her voice.
Frank chuckled. "Francine, everyone already knows the two of them are compatible. A little testy at times, but overall compatible. Plus, they spend all night together in the lab. Who's to say they don't already sneak onto the break room couch?"
"Frank, our sensors have recorded no such thing."
"Okay, possibly not, but those extra nerve endings you guys built into strategic areas must tingle at times, wouldn't you think?"
Is he coming on to me? Her hips continued a slow, subtle rocking. How I wish Jim were still alive.
I would take his head and bury it... NO... stop this!
Frank continued, "I would like them in the apartment by a week from this Friday. The Tuesday after that at the latest. Any questions?"
"Yes. Will you or the General have all the paperwork and cover stories in place by that time?"
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"You bet. We'll have all their paperwork and history documentation by then. We've already done it with Gabriella, so there should be no problem now. We're just walking down a known path. Thank you for letting them know about it. I would like both you and Martha to accompany them when they move in. Clothes for Rhett will be in the closet. Thanks again for your help.
Francine, I really do enjoy chatting with you. One day soon, we'll have to get together over lunch and discuss your career."
She sucked in her breath, then gulped. Did I hear him right? Oh, what the hell. Take the shot. "Frank, it's just a thought, but since we want everything to run smoothly, should we check out the apartment to ensure everything is okay for them?"
There was silence on the phone for a long several seconds. "Francine, I like your corporate vision of doing all we can to ensure success, but I think it's too early to worry about that now. Let's meet for lunch."
The phones disconnected.
"Damn," Francine said to her desk chair.
"Damn, damn, damn. I almost blew it. But lunch 108
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with Frank certainly seems intriguing. Crap! I'm talking to my chair about how horny and needy I'm feeling!"
***
It was three o'clock on Friday afternoon as the cab with Ana, Rhett, Francine, and Martha, pulled up to the luxury apartments on 200 69th Street. Rhett, sitting in the front seat with the driver, was the first to get out. He opened the curb-side door for Martha and the other women, then generously tipped the cabbie for carrying extra people.After swiping a proximity badge to enter, Francine gave a low whistle as they stepped into the security lobby. "I'm jealous already," she said.
"Marble floors, gold wall sconces, very high ceilings, and fresh flowers on the Duncan Phyfe table in the lobby past the guards' desk. Yeah, I'm jealous, Ana."
The elevator moved them quickly and quietly to the 43d floor. Their ears popped from the rapid change in altitude. Ana smiled as she recalled how little Alexi told Pastor Paul her ears didn't pop at all on the way up and suggested it was probably something that happened to old people.
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The elevator signaled a cheery "thank you for riding with me" tone as the doors swished open.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lit the hallway from either end during the day, and gold wall sconces when the sun was low.
"Rhett, would you do the honors of opening the door for the women?" Francine asked as they found door 43A. He waved the key card in front of the reader and heard a quiet click as the lock disengaged. Rhett pushed the door open, gave an exaggerated bow, and hand sweep towards the apartment, saying, "Ladies first."
The three others smiled and entered the apartment.
The apartment overlooked Central Park.
Floor-to-ceiling windows maximized the city view. Light muted-gray paint on the walls made the apartment seem more spacious than its square footage indicated.
The builders fit the kitchen with brushed stainless steel and chrome appliances accented by tasteful black trim on their operating panels. The counter area over the sink provided a low, open division between the living and dining areas. A small balcony promised the occupant a Central 110
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Park view while having breakfast at the table nestled next to the flower boxes on the patio deck.
Gleaming white iron railings guarded the perimeter of the balcony.
Ana decided to stage a little performance for the only one in their group present when Gabriella first saw the apartment. She looked at Martha, winked, and moved slowly and deliberately through the rooms, looking like royalty in her form-fitting white knit dress and red curls.
She moved fluidly from the dining table to the overstuffed upholstered chairs in the living room.
Ana smiled, brushing her fingertips lightly over each item as she passed by, enjoying their texture.
She hesitated in front of the white couch for a moment, then sat. Ana leaned to her right and put her elbow on the sofa's soft arm. She kicked off her shoes and curled her long legs onto the cushions. The smoothness of her motion enhanced the sensuality everyone already felt.
Martha rolled her eyes at Ana but still felt a sense of warmth flush over herself.
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Rhett was motionless, his cheeks trying to blush if they could. Martha's breathing rate increased. Francine watched the performance with rapt attention.
Everyone stood in silence for a few moments, immersed in their thoughts. Ana analyzed their reactions to her purposefully sexy pose.
Martha broke the silence, rubbed her hands together, and cleared her throat. "Well then, shall we look at the rest of the apartment?" She knew Ana was playing the role of Gabriella, but the rest had no idea they were watching the rerun of a play.
Ana enjoyed the show. She smiled seductively at everyone and answered in a soft, low voice with her slight Aussie inflection, "Yes, Martha.
Let's look at the rest of the place. I love it so far, don't you?"
The bathroom was small and served both bedrooms, but it was luxurious with its marble countertops and imported Italian tiles on the wall and floor. Two sink basins sat below upscale gooseneck faucets. A counter-to-ceiling mirrored wall made the room seem twice as large as it was, but it was the shower that caught everyone's 112
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attention. The stall filled the entire wall opposite the mirror. A misting showerhead at either end spoke of showering with a friend. It did not require doors or a curtain with it’s extra depth and misting showerheads. A lipless floor sloped almost imperceptibly toward the drain. A person would have an uninterrupted view of themselves in the wall mirror.
The marble bench built into the back wall of the shower was perfect for seated washing. It was large enough for two people. Rhett's imagination galloped away with him with fantasies of Ana and himself on the bench, steaming water pouring over their bodies.
It was Francine's turn to shake her head and break the spell. "Okay, guys, let's check out the rest of the place." She turned and walked out of the bathroom with thoughts of Frank and their love-making warmly drifting across her mind.
A master bedroom contained a plush, king-size poster bed with a high headboard and hand-carved posts. Solid cherry spoke of polished luxury. Milk chocolate brown walls provided a cozy, warm feel to the room. The dust ruffle around the bed's base was lacy, feminine, and 113
added to the atmosphere. The designers ensured the room would heighten the senses and put romance at the top of the list for any occupant.
Ana sat on the edge of the bed and caressed the white comforter with a slow, sweeping motion of her hand. She patted the bed next to her twice, smiling ever so slightly at Rhett, and said, almost to herself, "Yes, this will do nicely."
No one missed the purposefulness of her touch or choice of words. The palms of their hands moistened.
Francine looked on, her hips rocking slightly.
"How do you like the apartment, Rhett?" Ana said, "You've been silent."
"Well, our clothes are here, so we'll just see everyone back at the lab Monday morning," he blurted out with a sparkle in his eyes. "Have a great weekend, everyone! Thanks for coming. Bye now," as he rushed them out so he and Ana could be alone as husband and wife.
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