Taking anything at face value, is an oddity, thought Sheila. If Marcus had only taken her for what she was and is versus turning into what… her thoughts struggled. At first she enjoyed his “honey I only want the best for you” routine. The stores… the shopping… the outfits! She was impressed how good she could look in one of those tight fitting designer gowns. She was quite uncomfortable with the low necks. He kept insisting she show off her best assets… she should have known… taking his hints. But she honestly believed that Marcus loved her. How could she have ever known he could never love, and especially not her.

She met him like you always meet a guy, when you are not looking! Sheila was spending a long wonderful weekend, alone as usual. She had driven up the coast in her old little car. She would look at it and wonder, “is today the day you are going to fall apart!” She had no desire to buy a new one. Her car was like a pair of old comfortable shoes… when do you get rid of them… when the heel starts pulling away, or when there are just two too many holes? She knew that the under cage was all rusted, because as she moved along at any speed, she felt a cold wind under her feet and seat. She had the perfect “Flinstone” car. When she needed to stop all she had to do was place her feet down and stop like Fred did!

She was relaxing near a fruit stand and enjoying the vine ripe peach she had just purchased. She reminded herself that she had to take a few with her, before she left. She looked up and saw Marcus for the first time. A smooth walker. He climbed out of his low sports car like a tiger. It was one smooth fluid movement… with such grace. Sheila wondered if maybe he was a dancer. But no… she corrected herself. He must be in some type of business. He was dressed for it. A gorgeous designer suit. One of those suits you see in the window of fine Gentleman Stores… the one’s that cost not only the leg, but an arm and a few fingers too!

Sheila turned her head away from him. Giving him no further attention. She had no desire to meet anyone, and besides, she chided herself… he would not be interested in a weeping willow such as myself! The juice from the sweet peach was running down her fingers. Instinctively she placed her fingers in her mouth and started sucking off the sweetness. She was unaware that Marcus was watching her. Actually, she was the reason he had stopped. She was one fine peach. Perfect for the picking!

He calculated her cost and her profit, all in his head; as if she was a piece of merchandise on display. He thought in numbers and figures, that is the reason he was so successful. He discovered his talents early, starting with his sisters… no remorse, just financial success. He had no time to think about what he was doing… the morals did not bother him, until night. Each night he closed his eyes, his mind reviewing each case. He would toss and turn… and wake sweating and panting. He did it for them… he kept screaming at his consciousness… for them! He had improved their miserable little lives for the better! So what he made some hard earned dough! He had expenses… That had to mean something!

But his mind would not offer him any relief… he knew deep down in his heart what he was doing is wrong… and what he was going to do with this new southern peach… would be wrong. But it did not stop him… he had a need to fill. And she would do it just perfectly.

The approach was easy, as usual. It would be easy all away up to the final sale. That’s when it usually turned ugly. He had to make sure… that this time… he did not get attached.

Sheila was shocked when the man approached her. He not only approached her, but persuaded her to leave her precious car at the side of the road, and take a ride with him. She felt some stirs of danger, but she really didn’t care. She was swept off her feet. He said she wouldn’t need any of her cloths, he would provide everything she would need. An adventure….

The adventure ended in his arms… later at night… in a faraway hotel, outside of Monte Carlo. He had stayed there before… numerous of times. The staff greeted him like an old friend, asking if the young lady was the one… The one what Sheila had no idea… and a part of her had no desire to find out. He persuaded her gently and she yielded. It had been a long time between lovers… her last had been almost 5 years prior. But like riding a bicycle, you never forget how to peddle. Her body moved with his, molding her form perfectly.