«Hi!» he grunted, his puffy red face caught in an alcohol smile. «Wondered how your air conditioner was working. It gave me some trouble for awhile before you moved in.»

Carol felt the tightness catching at her throat at just the sight of him. There was something about the almost leering expression in his lead-gray eyes, and the twisted smiles he had shown her the short time she'd lived in the building that gave her a clammy feeling. From the beginning, she had tried to avoid contact with him, wondering in the back of her mind how such a sweet person as Peggy could stand him. He had to be twenty years older than she … his hair was snow-white!

Sultan growled at him.

«Whatsa matter, mutt? Don't you know me?»

«Back, Sultan!» Carol commanded, catching hold of the animal's collar. «I-It's fine … working fine, Mr. White. Thanks, though …»

«Just wondered,» he repeated, and Carol saw his liquor-glazed eyes drop almost lecherously to the deep cleft between her full breasts which her still partially open blouse revealed. Reflexively, she drew the silky white material together, an inner feeling of thankfulness for Sultan's massive protection steadying her.

«Y-Yes, it's fine, thank you,» she said, half-closing the door.

He stepped back then and nodded, but the lurid smile she thought she read was still there. «Just let me know if you need me … or anything … I'm right next door, you know,» he said, then licked at his lips. «Anything … anytime …»

Carol closed the door and shot the bolt to lock it, a cold chill shuddering upward along her spine. God, he'd been drunk, too! But … but, she hadn't really seen him any other way since she'd been there … those lewd, raking eyes … and that goatish grin …! How could Peggy stand him? Didn't she know …?

Sultan whimpered, looking up at her and she let go of his collar. «Thank goodness for you, darling!» the curvaceous blonde girl whispered, dropping onto her lushly rounded haunches to take his big head between her slender white hands. «You wouldn't let anyone hurt your Carol, would you, baby? My sweet, sweet angel!» She kissed him on his wet nose as he instantly licked out his long pink tongue to lave warmly over her lips in retaliation. «You handsome fellow! What girl could ask for more … that's what I want to know?»