Danielle Engle - Lavender Excursions

Taryn weighed her response very carefully. "The fee we charge is due and collectible after we complete our services. If for any reason the customer is not satisfied, the contract is void and no charges are due."

Kimberly rolled her eyes. "Pat, Pat," she muttered, shaking her head back and forth. "Is customer satisfaction guaranteed in the written contract?" she asked in her most earnest voice. She wanted Pat to believe she had her fooled.

"Yes, it is," Taryn informed her. "Taylor will give you a copy of our brochure and contract when she picks you up. I can tell you this, though. Our customers to date have been exceptionally pleased with our services. No one has refused to pay."

Trying to suppress a yawn, Kimberly suddenly realized how tired she was. How much longer could she hold up? "I'll give her ten more minutes, then I'm leaving," she told Taryn. Without giving her time to reply, Kimberly ended the call.

Taryn sighed and turned her attention back to Jennifer. She looked so delectable! Would she have time to engage in a little fantasy of her own tonight?

While Taryn mused, Kimberly gathered her things and turned to leave Gino's. Much to her surprise, she nearly collided with a short blond-haired woman. She measured about five foot three inches tall by Kimberly's estimates. Her head was barely level with Kimberly's chin and she was wearing a chauffeur's uniform. She reminded Kimberly of the jocks who played women's softball and soccer at her college.

"Kimberly?" the woman asked.

Kimberly gave her an affirmative nod.

Very politely, Taylor handed Kimberly a business card, a brochure and a copy of the contract. "I'll wait while you look this over," she informed her.

Kimberly perused the documents she'd been handed. It looked so real! She was very impressed with the time and money Pat must have spent on this. At this point, she felt it'd be mean to not go along with the prank a little while longer. She glanced at Taylor.

Taylor smiled and motioned for Kimberly to follow her. Although Kimberly did not fall into step behind her, Taylor continued walking.

Confident Kimberly would follow her, she patiently waited on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Sure enough, less than two minutes passed before Kimberly joined her. Taylor walked to the car and opened the door for her.

Wordlessly, Kimberly climbed into the backseat. Her heart was racing and her body was pumping with adrenaline. Where was she going and what would be waiting for her? While musing over the possibilities, she found herself wondering if Lavender Excursions might be a real business. "Nah, couldn't be," she muttered. "How would they know my name?"

Taylor closed the passenger door and hurried to the driver's side.

Within seconds, the motor was humming and she was part of the busy downtown traffic. She breathed a sigh of relief when the freeway ramp appeared.

Sitting in the backseat, Kimberly gazed out the window. As they approached the outskirts of Chicago, she started fidgeting. She couldn't imagine their office being located in one of the affluent suburbs of Chicago. Yet that seemed to be where they were going. If this was a legitimate business, Kimberly figured they must ask an exorbitant fee for their services. How else could they afford such a select location?

Taylor watched Kimberly in the rearview mirror. She was a very attractive woman, someone Taylor imagined must be a lawyer or other highly paid professional. She looked to be about Taryn's height, five feet eight inches or so. What struck Taylor most about her was her face. She had very patrician features, offset by a mane of flaming red hair and large green eyes that seemed to bore right into your soul.

Taylor sighed and took the next exit. "It isn't much further," she told Kimberly.

As she turned into the long driveway of Morgan Estates, Taylor wondered who this woman was and what her excursion would be.

The possibilities were endless. Even more interesting was the way Taryn had ordered her to bring Kimberly to Morgan Estates. As far as Taylor knew, Taryn always met with clients at the office until they signed a contract. Oh, well , she thought to herself as she approached the guard gate. She stopped and flashed her identification card to the guard on duty. Recognizing Taylor from her previous trips in and out of the estate, he made a cursory glance and motioned her through.

Morgan Estates was a bustle of activity. Protected by a high security and surveillance system, it presented women with many opportunities for those private moments considered so rare in a large city. On the outside, it gave the appearance of being home to some wealthy suburbanite. Very staid and conservative in its architecture, the main house gave no hint of the extravagant and erotic offerings contained within.

When the car stopped, Kimberly sat quietly waiting. She had no idea what was expected of her. A light came on over the entryway.

She suspected the guard had announced their arrival. Could this be a surprise party? She had no idea why Pat would arrange such a party for her, but in a way, the setting made sense. She recalled Pat mentioning an eccentric aunt who asked her to housesit for her when she traveled. Perhaps this was her aunt's home and Pat was taking advantage of her absence to throw a party. Perhaps it was a celebration for Kimberly's upcoming promotion. Ever the optimist, Pat was acting as if the promotion was already finalized. She referred to Kimberly as Madam Vice-president when she called her on the phone. Kimberly laughed thinking about her friend.

Taylor opened the door and offered her assistance to the now smiling Kimberly. "We're here," she announced. When Kimberly took her hand, Taylor noticed she seemed much calmer. "Are you feeling more relaxed?" she asked her.

Kimberly made a gesture indicating she was sort of relaxed but not quite. She wanted Pat to think the party was a complete surprise to her. Undoubtedly, Pat was behind one of those curtains watching her.

Taylor closed the car door and motioned toward the house.

The sight that unfolded caused Kimberly to gasp in awe. The door to the mansion swung open and long lavender colored carpet rolled out. Following Taylor, Kimberly stepped onto the carpet. It was so deep and plush; she felt as if she was walking on air. It seemed like something straight out of a storybook. Kimberly reassured herself once more that this was Pat's doing. No other explanation made sense. But, gosh, she didn't have to be so extravagant! How could Kimberly possibly return such a favor?

Taylor escorted Kimberly to the entry and turned her over to another woman in uniform. She returned to the car and waved good-bye to her wide-eyed passenger. Although Taylor was finished for the night, she sort of wished she wasn't. It'd be interesting to hang around and see what happened next. Unfortunately, she had a commitment that could not be postponed. Sighing, Taylor started for the garage.

She'd prod the other women for details when she came to work tomorrow.

The servant led Kimberly into the library. "Taryn, your guest is here," she informed the smiling hostess.

"Ah, Kimberly, how good to see you," Taryn said.

Kimberly watched as Taryn walked across the room. She was wearing a suit much like those Kimberly herself sometimes wore to the office. Her manner of dress suggested this was a place of business. However, in place of the customary handshake, she squeezed Kimberly's hand and brushed her cheek lightly with her softly colored lips. Kimberly immediately envisioned a lipstick mark on her cheek. Not used to such forwardness from a stranger, she felt hesitant and unsure of herself. "Good evening, Taryn," she said in a voice so soft it was barely audible.

Taryn smiled and released her hand. "Won't you sit down," she said, pointing to a couch near the fireplace. "Would you like something to drink? I thought we'd discuss business first and get it out of the way before dinner."