The Barter System Companion: Volume One Read online

  His boss offered to pay for a full funeral but he declined with gratitude. Instead, he held a memorial service in their fourth-floor walk-up in Brooklyn and people from all over the neighborhood came to pay their respects to a woman who had been kind and hard working all her life.

  Her only child had her cremated as she’d requested in the documents he found in her desk.

  Though he’d never met his father, Araceli filled his life with strength and love from his first memories.

  An orphan who traveled from Uruguay with an elderly uncle as a child, she soon became the only surviving member of her family. She was a beautiful woman who made friends easily but rejected the attention of men and never married.

  Hence, when she died, he was alone.

  A week later, he returned to work. There was no wisdom in sitting in the home they’d shared and allowing his grief to overtake him.

  Besides, he enjoyed his job and the people who were a sort of extended family for him. As he’d known they would, his co-workers welcomed him back with open arms and kind words.

  It was nearing the end of his third shift when a courier arrived with a package. Carlo was shocked when he realized it was addressed to him.

  He took the subway home, made a small dinner of beef and rice, and sat staring at the thick envelope from a lawyer’s office in the financial district.

  From inside, he took a sealed envelope with his name written in his mother’s handwriting, a sheaf of bound documents, and a stack of financial statements.

  The only thing important to him was his mother’s letter. He ripped the seal with shaking hands.

  My darling boy…if you’re reading this then I’ve died and you must be much like a kite without a string.

  I tried to avoid keeping you too isolated, keeping you too close to my skirts. I wanted you to feel strong and independent despite being raised by a woman alone.

  Less than a week after your birth, the man who is your father came to me and asked that he be allowed to care for you.

  I’m not proud of the fact he was married when I became involved with him, fell in love with him, and had his child. He’s married still and my heart was unable to belong to anyone else.

  I told him to open an account in your name and when he thought of you, to deposit money there. When you turned sixteen, he sent me a statement of the account he opened when you were born and I hope it brings you comfort to know he thought of you often.

  Use the money well, darling. I make two requests:

  Do not stop working or you will become a different person. Work keeps your mind sharp, your body moving, and your heart humble.

  Go to school, Carlo. If for no other reason than because you’re able. Education is a gift so many are denied. I want to know my child took advantage of such a gift.

  Be brave. Be brilliant. Be kind.

  Be true to who you are and make no apologies for it. Know you’re loved and accepted…exactly as you are…and I’m proud. Live your life with all the joy I wish for you.

  All my love,

  Mom

  He read the letter three times, uncaring of the tears that slid down his face. Leaving the documents on the table, he went to shower and change into comfortable clothes.

  Back in his small kitchen, he read the letter again before picking up the financial statements. The balance caused his eyes to widen and his heart to stumble in his chest.

  It was more money than most people made in their lifetime. Certainly more than he or his mother would’ve made in theirs.

  His mother’s request suddenly made sense and he took a deep breath. He’d keep his job at the building, get his education, and ask his boss to direct him to some investments.

  * * *

  More than ten years later, Carlo technically held the same position with Winters Enterprises even though he hadn’t needed the paycheck for a long time.

  Hudson Winters was personally invested in his employment; providing advancement, salary increases, and responsibility others wouldn’t have granted a man such as him. It wasn’t how the world really worked.

  To the outside world, he appeared as nothing more than a concierge. Carlo insisted on it and Hudson eventually agreed.

  It took him six years to receive his bachelor’s degree in business management remotely but the diploma hung on the wall in his apartment. The same snug apartment he’d shared with his mother.

  He moved into her room and made his old one an office.

  Eventually, his grief faded enough for him to date. Though he hadn’t found the right person for him yet, he lived his life with honesty and did what he could to make his mother proud.

  In all the years since Araceli’s death, he’d still not met his father. Despite that, regular deposits continued in the original account in far larger amounts than his son ever spent.

  Such blatant involvement would make it easy to discover his identity but Carlo did not search him out.

  He often wondered about the man who held his mother’s heart. The person who made such a substantial financial investment in a child who was unplanned, and obviously unwelcome, in the life he led.

  Day after day, Carlo worked and lived and searched for love. It was a legacy he received from his mother.

  Benevolent Masters

  New York City - November 2013

  Having two beautiful men who liked adventure and to fuck her until she couldn’t walk on her own was a magical side effect of Riya’s daily life.

  She planned treats for them to keep things interesting. Sometimes, even the old standbys were easy and unexpected.

  Working on the edits for her latest book, she decided she deserved a break. She called her men to check their availability.

  “Riya.” Micah released a small growl after her name that made her nipples tighten. “What can I do for you, pretty girl?”

  “I was wondering if you had plans for lunch.”

  “Is there a request in there?” She could hear the smile in his voice.

  “I want you and Max to join me at the penthouse for lunch.”

  “Bored, darling?”

  “Out of my mind. Tawny’s traveling, Brie refuses to leave her apartment but won’t let me see what she’s painting over there, and I’ve edited until my eyes are crossing. It’s not an attractive look for me, Micah.”

  “Hmm. Then we shall swoop in like gallant knights and rescue you from the tedium. An hour?”

  “That’s perfect. I’ll see you then.”

  Hanging up, she dashed upstairs. During her last shopping outing with her best friend, she stocked up on some silly little costumes she kept in the back of her closet for days like this.

  There was a boutique specializing in her type of fun. The gay proprietor adored the friends and often made them model the stuff they bought to wear for their men. He openly assessed their ensembles and suggested items if he thought they could kick things up a notch.

  Sometimes, she simply stretched out on the dining table and assembled appetizers on her skin until they ate all they could stand and took her almost violently.

  Max loved when she read poetry while they worshipped her. She had to read until she could no longer see the words or form coherent sentences.

  There were times she loved to surprise them alone, in the house or at their buildings. They were always sworn to secrecy and as far as she knew, they never shared tales of her scandalous escapades.

  No matter the outrageous hijinks she got up to, nothing made her as happy as entertaining her lovers together.

  She was addicted to their bodies, their minds, their hearts.

  Taking a quick shower, she worked herself into the French maid outfit she’d been saving.

  The bust of the black velvet dress was corset style. It pushed her tits up and together in the most flattering way. Her nipples were barely concealed behind the fabric. The skirt flared out, with crisp little petticoats underneath, and fell right below the slope of her ass.

  She piled her hair on top of her
head, glad it retained the curls she put in it the night before. She pinned the tiny headband hat in place and sat on the side of the bed. Rolling the fishnet stockings up her legs, she attached the garters and stepped into high platform pumps.

  A plain velvet choker and she pronounced herself done.

  Downstairs, she laid out appetizers and put her quiche in the oven. When the elevator dinged, she met them with a small tray holding their favorite scotch in cut crystal.

  One hand on her hip, she welcomed them home with an Irish accent she used to practice with Tawny. “So fine ta see ye, good sirs!”

  They froze, taking in her appearance. Removing their phones, she listened in silence as they called their assistants and cancelled the rest of their day.

  Her smile was victorious.

  They circled her hungrily. Handing them their drinks, she put the tray down in the kitchen.

  “Sirs, if ye’ll relax in the livin’ room, supper will be ready in half an hour. I’ll clean while ye wait.”

  Their home was spotless but it didn’t stop her from picking up a ridiculous feather duster and humming to herself as she dusted shelves high and low.

  After a few minutes, she brought out a tray of appetizers and bent over them to give them a great glimpse of her cleavage.

  “Milords, might I suggest the shrimp? Made ‘em meself. That’s it, young sirs. Enjoy. I’ll pop ta the kitchen and check yer supper.”

  She removed the quiche and opened the wine fridge to choose a bottle of their favorite white wine.

  Four hands moved over the skin of her legs under the skirt. “Sirs! It isn’t appropriate fer me ta entertain such attention! Ye’ll get me fired fer sure!”

  “You’re not going anywhere, lass. Come, let us play with you.” Max raked his lips over her bare shoulder.

  “Just a little taste, love.” Micah stroked over the slope of her ass, bare in her thong. “We wouldn’t dream of putting you in trouble.”

  “I have ta clean. Yer supper will be cold as ice. I don’t want ta get in trouble now…”

  “A bit of trouble, love. Nothing you can’t handle. Take a break. Let us touch you.”

  “Only touchin’ then?” She made her eyes wide and innocent.

  Max lifted her to the bar stool. “Touching inside and out, lass. It will make you feel top shelf. Won’t that be nice?”

  “I don’t guess a little touchin’ is so wrong.”

  “That’s the spirit. Let’s see what you have under these petticoats.” Micah lifted the skirts of her costume and smiled. “Tiny panties covering your little cunny. You’ll let us touch it, won’t you, love?”

  “Through me panties?”

  “Why don’t we take them off?”

  “Milord, not sure that’s what good girls do!”

  “You’re right. Only very good girls let us take off their panties and pet their soft places. Are you a very good girl, lass?”

  “I try ta be, sir. I surely do.”

  “That makes me happy, miss. Why don’t you come in the living room and sit with us?”

  “Sit with ye on the furniture? I’m sure I couldn’t! What if I’m discovered puttin’ on airs?”

  “We’ll cover for you, pretty girl. Come on.” They put her on her feet and led her back to the couch. Micah seemed to consider. “Let’s take those panties off first. Would that be alright?”

  “If ye think I shouldn’t wear ‘em. I guess that’s okay.”

  “Such a trusting girl. You can trust us to take excellent care of you, sweetheart. Relax and let us have the feast we really want.”

  Feigning shock, she said, “Ye plan to eat me?”

  “Gobble you right up and you’re going to love it.”

  From behind, Max lowered her panties and planted a kiss on her ass cheek. “Look at this pretty bum.”

  “Ye like it then?” Micah undressed and turned her to face him. “Ye’re naked as a newborn babe, sir!”

  “I am. I like your pretty bum so much, I want to touch it deep.”

  She watched as he stroked his fist up and down his cock. “Ye want ta touch me bum with yer willy?”

  Reaching into the side table, he removed a tube of lubricant they left there for such emergencies. Slicking his shaft, he smiled.

  “This is a hard cock. Perfect for touching your pretty ass.” He sat and pulled her over his lap. “Kick those shoes off, sweetheart.” She did and waited for him to tell her what to do. “Bend your legs. Let me in.”

  He positioned the head at the tight pucker as a naked Max knelt in front of them.

  “Oooh, feels too big ta fit, milord! Are ye sure ‘bout this?”

  “Certain.” Micah’s voice was strained as he worked himself inside her. She loved that it took less preparation than it did in the beginning. She panted as he buried himself to the root and pulled her back.

  Reclining on his chest, she adjusted her legs, letting her feet rest on the edge of the couch.

  “How’s that, lass?”

  “Full, milord. I don’t think most cocks fill up a bum so tight. Do ye want me ta move?”

  “Stay like this. Do you like the way it feels?”

  “I didn’t think ta like it but I surely do, sir.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that. I’m going to pull your little skirts out of the way so you can watch him devour your pretty cunny.” He pressed her thighs wide and used one hand over her ribcage to hold the costume skirts. “Let’s see what you have up here for me to play with.”

  She crossed her arms shyly over her breasts. “I shouldn’t!”

  “I want to play with your tits, lass. You have my cock wedged in your tight ass so letting me toy with your nips isn’t such a big deal is it, love?”

  “S’pose not now ye mention it, sir.”

  “There you go. Let me see your pretty nipples.” She tugged down the bodice and her breasts popped from the binding. “Makes my mouth water to see those cherry tips.”

  Max ran his palms over her inner thighs. “You ever have a man lick your cunny, lass?” She shook her head shyly. “Then you’re in for a treat.”

  He dragged his tongue from her pussy to her clit and she dropped her head against Micah’s shoulder with a gasp.

  “Lord have mercy on me, sir! Feels too good ta be real! Must have died and gone ta heaven.”

  “Mm, fairly sure we’re the ones who went to heaven, love,” Micah said at her ear. “You like the way it feels when he works your nubbin with his lips? Jesus, sweetheart. You’re working your ass on me so nice. Be still and enjoy it.”

  Max showed no mercy as he licked and sucked her with single minded devotion. Never in a rush, always willing to take his time, he pushed her up slow and easy.

  Fisting her fingers in his hair, she rode the first climax as he fucked her with his tongue and drank her down.

  Micah played his fingers over her nipples. “The way you clench your tight hole on my cock makes me want to pound you into this couch, Riya.”

  “Isn’t me cunny where cocks usually go, sirs?” she asked breathlessly. “Do ye think ye should fill it up as well?”

  Raising up on his knees, Max ate at her mouth as he positioned his cock at her pussy. “You need more, lass? You need to be filled all the way up with cock?”

  “Yes, milord. I think that’d be just the ticket. Filled front and back with hard cocks of me sirs.”

  “Take it then.”

  He powered forward and she screamed between them as they drove their cocks in and out of her body. They forced her over the edge of orgasm twice before they coated her with thick, hot release.

  Gasping for air, she chuckled. “Once we clean up, sirs, I’ll serve yer supper. I don’t want ta fall behind in me duties.”

  Max lowered his head to suck her nipples.

  Micah held her hips and pressed her down on his cock. She moaned in reaction. “Right now, I’m going to get my heart beating properly then we’re going to clean up and change places.”

  “Ye wish ta tou
ch me body more, milord?”

  “As much as you can stand, love.” Pulling her face to the side, he claimed her mouth aggressively. “After I sample your cunny, I want to try your mouth.”

  “Ye wish ta put yer cock in me…mouth?”

  “Until I pop a load for you to swallow, lass.”

  She looked at Max. “Does that idea please ye, too, milord?”

  “Oh yeah. We’ll show you all the tricks.” He pulled from her body and lifted her off Micah. “Clean up but leave the outfit on. All of it.”

  “Ye like, sir?”

  “The costume, the accent, and the incredible body that let’s us have our way…in so many different ways.”

  “I aim ta please me kind masters. Ye been so good ta me. Lettin’ ye touch me cunny and bum seem fair enough.”

  Micah stood and led her upstairs to shower. “Clean up and put the getup back on. I want you to suck my cock while I eat your quiche.”

  “Dress fer dinner, sirs. It wouldn’t be appropriate ta sit at the dining table without proper attire. What would the neighbors think?”

  They let her shower alone and appeared downstairs after their own showers dressed in elegant three-piece suits complete with watch fobs.

  Back together, she served them dinner and waited patiently for their direction as she poured the wine.

  “Lass?”

  “Yes, milord?”

  “Take out my cock. I asked you to suck it while I ate. Leave my clothes in place in case we have unexpected company.”

  Holding his eyes, Riya worked his cock through the narrow opening and stroked it lovingly.

  “Ye wish fer me ta suck this great big cock, sir?”

  “As deep as you can.”

  “How will I know when yer done?” she asked softly.

  “When I pump hot come into your mouth. I want you to swallow every drop. Once you drink me down, clean my cock. Then straighten my clothes and get back to work.”

  “As ye wish, sir.”

  Micah didn’t eat a bite of food while he watched her bend at the waist and take his cock between her lips. She used one hand to brace herself on the chair and the other to keep his skin away from the zipper of his slacks.

  “You’re doing it exactly right. What a quick study you are.” He used a fistful of her hair to hold her to him. “Swallow around the head. Fuck, yes.”