"Please, call me John."  The gentleman in him shinned through in his smile and grace.  He seemed to sincere to her.  Yet there was a mystery surrounding him that she would have to discover on her own.

"Well, John, tell the guard at the door who you are and I'm sure he will escort you right in," she said as she climbed into her Explorer.

"I was hoping you would escort me in."  His blue eyes sparkled in the light.  They were the bluest she had ever seen in a man.  Perhaps they were so radiant from the contrast of  his dark tan.  Whatever the reason, she was intrigued by this man.

"I've got to get these home.  I'm sure I'll see you around again."  Although it could have been the sun's reflection, he could have sworn she winked at him as she shut the door.

Marlena's finger lingered across the top of the cherry colored desk, "Who is John Black?"

Her husband peered over his laptop screen, "How do you know Mr. Black?"

Her tone was casual, "Oh... I met him in the parking lot of the club one afternoon.  I was about to drop an armload of papers and he rushed to help me." 

Tony Dimera didn't seem to curious about his wife's questions.  If he were, he was too busy with work to show it.  "He's the club's new lawyer."

"What happened to the other firm?"

He never looked up from his screen as he seemed very submerged in whatever he was researching.  "I'm tired of dealing with those big firms.  They're money hungry and not loyal enough.  Mr. Black is a sole man business.  And he came highly recommended."

"Oh."

"Do you remember that club in New York that had that lawsuit slammed on them two years ago?"

"Sure, I do.  An accident like that... Well, it's a fear of any club owner."

"Yeah well, Mr. Black won the case for the club."

"Darling our club isn't... in any trouble, is it?" she wondered.

"Not at all.  I hired him to work solely for me," he snarked, "I pay very well for loyalty.  And I want someone on demand at all times."

"Sounds like a high profile lawyer would want action on a regular basis, not just processing licenses and pushing new contracts.  If Echelon isn't in trouble, what on earth is he going to do?"

She had finally gotten his attention.  "What's with all the questions regarding Mr. Black?"

"I'm just curious, that's all.  I'm always looking out for you sweetheart.  John just seemed like..."

He quickly cut her off, "John?  I give him the respect of calling him Mister and you're on a first name basis with the man?"

"Oh, honey, think nothing of it.  He was too kind in the parking lot and he insisted on me calling him John.  Chivalry is still alive, you know."  Her finger was now trailing the back of his neck causing him to fade in and out of their conversation.

His face grew grim with suspicion, "Something else bothering you, my love?"

Her hands slid down the front of his shirt and popped the first button.  Her hot sultry whisper danced on his earlobe, "I've just been so bored lately.  You've been working an awful lot."

Tony stood from his leather chair and scooped up his wife in his arms and carried her to their bed.  "Well then.  I wouldn't be much of a man if I didn't do something about that, now would I?  Especially if there is a stranger in town who you're already on a first name basis with." 

His implication was evident.  And direct.  She knew what he was implying and he knew the thought had already crossed her mind.

"You are mine, Countess Dimera.  I shall not let you forget that."