A Portrait of Emily Read Online Free Page A

out to fondle Jeff’s crotch, but Jeff moved away to the comparative safety of his desk.
    Joey smirked. “You are obviously very pleased to see me.”
    Once again in control, Jeff’s gray eyes glittered with anger. “You walk in here after six years using a false name and expect me to just fall into your arms like nothing happened?”
    “Well, you didn’t resist my kiss… and you got a hard on. Don’t deny it—I felt it.”
    “I won’t deny it. You always did have the power to turn me on instantly. It was always about the sex with you and me. But things have changed now…”
    “Oh yeah, I know all about that. ‘ The gifted artist, Peter Bra ndon …’ I read all about you two in the magazines. Well, you certainly landed yourself a big fish! He’s loaded , I understand.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “This Peter is wealthy, no? Well, I could use some of that wealth. I’m in a bit of a mess financially. I owe to some people who are getting impatient. What about talking to your wealthy boyfriend and—”
    “Stop right there,” Jeff cut in. “Whatever you have in mind you can forget. Jesus, you think I’m with Peter because of his money?”
    Joey laughed. “Oh, come on . It doesn’t hurt that the guy is loaded. Makes things a lot easier for you, eh?”
    Jeff sat down behind his desk and stared at Joey, the first traces of dislike on his face. “This is why you’re here? To see if I could get Peter to float you a loan?”
    “No, not a loan, amigo. I have a loan. I want to be free of that loan.”
    Jeff fought back the angry retort that trembled on his lips. “Why don’t you tell me what kind of trouble you’re in? Maybe I can figure out a way to help.”
    “Oh, always Mr. Nice-guy. There is only one way to help—get me the money.”
    “No way. That’s not going to happen.”
    Joey came round to where Jeff sat and knelt at his side. “Please Jeff, please? I beg you…help me.” He put his hand on Jeff’s thigh and began to stroke it, his fingers inching near the zipper of Jeff’s slacks.
    Jeff knocked Joey’s hand away then stood, pulling Joey to his feet. “I’ll help you, but not that way. You don’t have to give me a hand job to get what you want.”
    “Believe me, the pleasure would be mine.”
    “It’s over, Joey. I’ve moved on.”
    “You think so, eh? I think you’d like to fuck me right now.” He reached out and tore Jeff’s shirt open, pressing his lips against his bare chest.
    “Stop that!” Jeff pushed him away roughly. “What don’t you understand about ‘it’s over’?”
    Joey’s expression of disbelief quickly turned to anger. His eyes blazed as he hissed at Jeff, “Asshole. You want to see me dead? That’s what I’ll be if you don’t help me.”
    “Calm down, for God’s sake.” Jeff grabbed Joey’s arm. “Tell me what happened.”
    “You don’t give a damn what happened.” Joey pulled himself from Jeff’s grasp. “All you care about is that prissy artist guy you live with—who you say you love. You don’t care what happens to me.”
    “Stop being such a drama queen Joey. Just tell me who you owe the money to and how much.”
    “A syndicate in Puerto Rico.” Joey began pacing the office floor. “I owe them five hundred thousand.” He slumped down on Jeff’s desk as though suddenly deflated .
    “ God Almighty .” Jeff gasped. “Five hundred thousand? How the hell did that happen?”
    “My partners ripped me off. They left me high and dry, owing the money.”
    “And the syndicate is only after you? What about your partners? Don’t they want them too?”
    “They disappeared.”
    “And you couldn’t disappear? I thought that was something you were very good at— disappearing .”
    “I tried, believe me.” Joey ignored Jeff’s barb. “I came back here, but they caught up with me somehow. They know where I am and they’ve given me five days to get the money—or it’s over.”
    Jeff leaned back in his chair and stared