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Lyon's Den

By: wilderness



The passenger jet taxied from the terminal, carrying away Mary's reason for living. The tears she held back a few minutes ago now streamed down her face.

"Excuse me. Is everything all right?"

Startled, Mary swiped her cheek with a palm. "Yes. I'm fine."

In a whisper, the cultured voice said, "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

She laughed, turning toward the stranger. "Yes, it is." 

The man's gray temples and sparkling eyes made Mary's chest tighten. Her gaze returned to the plane. "But it's not Romeo and Juliet sorrow. Just a worried mother, sending her son off to college."

"Ah, I understand." He handed her a tissue. "Mother is the bank where we deposit all our hurts and worries."

She laughed. "So, you're a philosopher?" said Mary, dabbing her red eyes.

"Hardly. I'm just an old man with experience." 

Glancing back, she said before thinking, "Not so old."

His smile broadened, revealing straight white teeth. "Thank you. I feel younger for hearing it."

Mary's face warmed. 

Suddenly awkward, she said, "I'd better get going, and beat the rush hour traffic. Well... thank you for your thoughtfulness." 

"It was nice talking with you," he said, while reaching into his suit coat pocket. 

Holding out a business card between well-manicured fingers, he added. "If you're ever bored, stop in and say hi."

Without looking, Mary hastily took the card and put it in her pocket. "Thank you." 

Four days later, while preparing the laundry, Mary found the card in her jeans pocket. The card read, 'The Lyons Den Gallery' -- Daniel Lyons, proprietor. Along the bottom, a lion reclined in gold relief. 

"An art dealer. Nice."

A week later, bored, lonely, and full of self-pity, Mary picked up the business card on her dresser and decided it might be fun to pay a visit to the 'Lyons Den'. 

On Saturday, she locked her car and hurried toward the gallery storefront. An autumn wind chilled the afternoon sunshine. Mary's cold legs made her regret wearing a dress. The warm anticipation she felt, while getting ready for Mr. Lyons, evaporated. It was a silly, girlish notion to think he'd even be here on a Saturday, or unattached for that matter.

A small, silver bell tinkled when she opened the gallery's front door. 

A familiar voice yelled from somewhere in the back, "I'll be with you in a moment."

Mary's skin warmed again. She tried to calm herself by perusing the photographs adorning the walls -- some of them were landscapes but most were portraits. There were pictures of men and there were pictures of women. As her gaze swept toward the back wall, she spied photos of men and women together, captured in romantic embraces. 

"Well hello!"

She jumped at the sudden exclamation. Her voice cracked when she said, "Hi. I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop--" 

"I'm so glad you did. Welcome, mother-from-the-airport." He took her hand and held it gently with Old World charm. "Would you like some tea or coffee? I also have some fresh Danish that will melt in your mouth." 

The way he stared at her lips gave her goose bumps. Mary looked away and studied the nearest photo. The nervousness receded to where she could breathe. "No, thank you."

His grip turned into a friendly handshake. "Let me introduce myself officially. I'm Daniel Lyons, photographer, entrepreneur, and libertine." 

Mary's throat constricted again, to the point where her voice squeaked. "I'm Mary Fuller. Nice to meet you, Mr. Lyons. Libertine? Well... thanks for the warning."

"Very nice to meet you, Mary. I'm harmless, really." He released her hand and stepped back. His eyes wandered over her, as if he were appraising her value as a potential conquest. "Please. Call me Dan or Danny. There are no pretensions here." 

Mary found his candor refreshing and little disarming. Bad boys were in her past, way in the past, she didn't think they had any power over her anymore. She turned back toward the wall, and said, "I like the way you captured the reflected sunlight in this shot."

He stepped beside her and looked at the photo. "Ah, yes. This is one of my best sunrises. I remember it well. I froze my wide angle ass off to get that one just right." Once again, his gaze fell heavily on her profile. "You have a good eye for composition, Mary. Are you an artist?"

She steeled her heart and met his gaze. "Yes, I paint when I have a chance."

Daniel smiled. "I knew it." Pointing at the next photograph, he said, "I prefer doing portraits. What do you think of this one?"

The picture was taken in black and white. A gray-haired man sat behind a large desk, talking on the telephone with his feet up. The desktop was empty, except for the phone and a miniature cannon. Through the window behind him rose a towering city skyline along a curved lakefront. 

"Hmm, it's very powerful. It says, 'I'm the man'."

He laughed. "That's exactly what he wanted it to say, too." 

"Is that Chicago?"

"Why yes, it is -- 1989. That's my father. He had a corner office in the Hancock building. A captain of industry." 

"You captured it perfectly."

"Thank you." His searing gaze returned to her face. "I think you're very photogenic, Mary. Have you ever modeled before?"

"As a matter of fact, I have." To put some distance between them, Mary strolled to the back wall. The pictures of embracing couples did nothing to relieve her tension.

She felt him close behind her, before he spoke again. 

"Interesting. When did you pose?"

Not to be intimidated, she straightened to her full five-foot six-inch height and faced him squarely. "When I was young. I made some extra money posing for figure drawing classes."

His knowing smile made her face hot. Afraid of the next obvious question, she turned back to the wall of romantic portraits. Thankfully, he moved away without asking, 'Nudes?'

"Mary, I have some clients arriving shortly, so I have to prepare. Stay as long as you like. If you're interested, I have more explicit photographs in my private gallery through that door." 

He pointed to the left at another door. A sign read, 'No one under 21 admitted'. 

"You're welcome to have a look. But I warn you they're explicit. I think the body is beautiful, and I'm not ashamed of my work. I'll be in the back. If you need anything just give me a shout." Daniel disappeared with a smile and a wave. 

Alone, Mary fought the desire to look inside the explicit room. Although she'd been celibate for a decade, she wasn't a prude. Instead, she studied the photographs in the main gallery. The portraits of couples were beautifully arranged. The subjects were in various states of undress, but all were tasteful and discreet. They looked truly affectionate. She wondered if they were actual couples or just posed models. 

Mary had put her life on hold for her son. These pictures dredged up desires long suppressed. The air temperature in the room seemed to rise. Her heart double-timed as the wall clock tick-tocked. 

The front door creaked opened and the little silver bell tinkled. 

Mary jumped with embarrassment, caught with her mental pants down.

A young couple entered, and Mary recognized them immediately. She was standing in front of their semi-nude portrait. Her face burned when they both smiled, like they read her dirty mind.

The man grasped his companion's hand, and said to Mary, "Hi. We're the Baxter's. Are you our Clotho?"

Flustered, Mary said, "No. I, I... I'm Mary Fuller... just visiting."

Their look of disappointment made Mary tingle.

The petite brunette smiled, and looked Mary up and down as they walked through the door to the back room. "Maybe you'd like to be. Maybe the Fates brought you here for us."

Frozen, Mary stared at the door they entered and listened closely, trying to overhear the indistinguishable conversation. 

A minute later, Daniel came out and, as he walked to the front door, said, "Mary, I'm going to be busy for a while with the Baxter's. So I'm going to lock the front door. When you leave, please pull it closed and make sure it's secure." 

The metallic clunk from the lock had a trapped finality about it. 

"If you'd like to observe the shoot, the Baxter's are fine with that. I told them you're an artist, as well. But I warn you; this is an erotic photo shoot. If explicit sexuality offends you, then please stay out."

His abrupt departure left Mary a little insulted for some reason. Or maybe it was something else, a different emotion. Disappointment perhaps. 

Faintly, Beethoven began to play. Mary loved Beethoven. The idea of porn being shot to classical music made her uncomfortable in a peculiar mix of disdain and curiosity. She turned to leave, walked to the door, and had her hand on the doorknob. Then she heard them laugh. They were enjoying themselves. What kind of people are they?

Pensively, she toured the main gallery again, until she stood by the door leading into the Lyon's den of iniquity. Ten feet inside the door, the hallway turned right. Mary tiptoed to the corner and peeked down another hallway. Five feet away, a door on the left was brightly illuminated. The music came from there. That had to be the studio. Quietly, Mary moved to the edge of light and glanced inside. 

Mrs. Baxter spotted her immediately. "Mary! Come in! Join us!" 

The men turned and smiled.

Daniel poured a third glass of wine. "Here, Mary, a little vino to calm your nerves?"

Hesitantly, Mary entered the studio. It was a big room, as large as a theater stage. There were different areas sectioned off by backdrops. Most were storage for furniture and props. The area lit up by the bright lights resembled a Victorian bedroom. A white-lace canopy bed gave the scene an air of innocent femininity. 

Mary took the offered wine, and said simply, "Thank you." 

As she sipped, the others returned to their interrupted conversation. 

"Okay. The consensus from the feedback on your last post is that your subscribers want to see Jennifer in some light bondage." Daniel nodded toward the bed. "Nothing better than a four-poster for that." 

He led them to a wardrobe and opened the doors. "I have a night gown for you Jenny, and a top hat, ruffled shirt and breeches for you Bruce." 

Jennifer pulled out the gauzy nightgown and smiled. "So, what scene are we acting out?" 

Bruce began removing his clothes. Briefly he glanced at Mary, and said, "This is going to be fun."

They all looked.

Mary, feeling self-conscious, turned away to study other areas of the stage. 

The threesome began to speak in secretive tones.

This really wasn't something Mary wanted to be involved in, but to leave now would mark her as uptight. She was above this sort of tawdry quirk, but it would be interesting to witness how these porn shoots were done. On an empty stomach, the wine was soon doing its job by numbing her anxiety.

After inspecting a stuffed Grizzly bear for minutes, Mary turned back to the bedroom scene in time to see Bruce pull his breeches up over his bare ass. His back was well muscled and flexed as he buttoned his fly. 

Jennifer had already donned the translucent nightgown. Her erect nipples marked by dark circles beneath the fabric. A pubic shadow accentuated her groin.

Bruce finished buttoning up a ruffled shirt, picked up a riding crop, and said, "I'm randy. I mean... ready."

Daniel placed his arms around the shoulders of his models. "All right then. Places everyone!"

The way he let his hand slip down to Jennifer's bottom did not go unnoticed by Mary. Neither did Jennifer's return wink.

Bruce exited through a door next to the bed and Jennifer lay down on her back. 

Daniel turned down the music, grabbed a complicated looking camera and tried the flash a few times. Remote strobes went off around the bed. Nothing would be left hidden in the shadows today. He stood beside the bed and focused the camera on Jennifer. "All right, Jenny. Action!"

The camera flashes went off in rapid succession, as Jennifer began to writhe sensuously. She removed a clasp and untangled two feet of dark, chocolate-colored hair. Her hands slipped down over her chest and then back up. The motion pulled the fabric above her waist, exposing her sex. 

"Nice. Very nice, Jenny." Daniel's camera clicked away as he encouraged her. "Everyone that sees this will feel your desire."

Jennifer looked at Mary, and said, "I hope so."

Mary's face smoldered.

Daniel laughed. "They'd have to be dead not to." He knelt on one knee. "Now remember, you're husband has neglected you for weeks."

Jennifer closed her eyes. "I'm so horny." One hand slipped down and rubbed between her legs. "I need a release to ease the tension." 

Mary drained her wine glass, her body feeling what her eyes witnessed. She never was someone who needed to masturbate often. She just lived without. Watching Jennifer brought new desires. How many years had it been since her last orgasm?

Mary refilled her wine glass, while the woman on the bed filled herself with one finger, and then another. She held her legs up and wide open, bent at the knees. They pumped against the air.

It was a wanton display, and Mary was strangely entertained. 

The half naked woman knew no shame. Her body, under the glaring lights, became shiny and taut with effort.

Daniel's camera clicked away. "Whom are you fantasizing about, Dear? What's his name?"

Jennifer's hands were busily at work, distracting her mind. "Not a man... Woman."

Daniel climbed up and stood on the bed for a bird's-eye shot. "What woman, Jenny?"

She pushed up her nightgown, exposing her breasts. While twirling a nipple with her fingertip, she looked at Mary longingly and whispered, "The governors wife." 

At that moment, Bruce burst into the room, and yelled, "Jennifer! What in God's name are you doing?"

Quickly, she sat up and covered herself. "Nothing."

"I saw you! I know what you were doing!" 

Daniel backed away to get both of them into the viewfinder. "Good. Make it real."

Bruce swatted the bed with the riding crop. "You're acting like a slut again. I told you what would happen if you didn't stop."

Jennifer covered her face with her hands. "Please, forgive me. I won't do it again." She jerked away when he tapped her leg with the riding crop.

"Roll over."

Mary tensed. Her heart thudded in her chest. Jennifer's fright looked authentic and she pitied the girl.

Jennifer didn't obey.

"Roll over now. It will be much worse if I have to make you."

Reluctantly, Jennifer whispered, "Yes, Sir," and rolled onto her stomach.

Bruce marched to the wardrobe and grabbed scarves from the shelf. "I don't understand you, Jenny." He strode to the foot of the bed and began to bind her ankles to the foot rail. "Get on your knees." 

Jennifer obeyed without comment.

"You knew I would be home today, and yet you can't wait for me to satisfy your need. In fact, it's as though you want to be caught abusing yourself. Why did you do it?"

Jennifer didn't answer. 

Her husband moved to the headboard and bound her wrists to the posts. When he was done, her face was pressed into the mattress, her knees were tucked underneath, and her bottom stuck up.

"Any last words, before punishment?"

"I love you."

"I don't believe it."

Mary flinched when the first stroke landed on Jennifer's white buttocks. 

Jennifer whimpered.

Daniel moved in for a close up of the red stripe.

Bruce's voice cracked, when he added, "If you loved me, you'd wait for me." 

He applied another lash and Jenny cried out in pain. 

"Who were you thinking about, Jenny? What's his name?"

No answer.

Bruce threw down the crop and spanked her with an open palm, leaving a pink handprint. "Tell me his name, damn it!" Another loud thwack punctuated the question.

Several blows later, Jennifer yelled, "Please! Stop!" 

With his hand poised to continue, Bruce asked, "Are you going to answer my question?"

Between gasps, Jennifer whimpered, "It wasn't a man. It was a woman."

The puzzled grin that Bruce gave to Daniel revealed a change in plot. "A woman?"

Daniel clicked the camera and smiled. "Just go with it."

"A woman! What woman?"

Mary put down her empty glass and decided she'd seen enough. This just wasn't her 'thing'. Regretfully, she didn't have a 'thing'. In fact, she didn't have a life, but this was not doing it for her. She decided on a quiet and hasty retreat, until she heard Jennifer's answer.

"Mary Fuller, the governor's wife."

Mary's head snapped around at the mention of her name. 

Daniel pointed the camera at her. "Say cheese."

Startled by the flash, she recoiled.

Grinning wolfishly, he looked down at the camera's digital display. "You should see your face, Mary. Priceless." 

Hot with embarrassment, she said, "Delete that! I didn't say you could take my picture."

"The camera likes you. You're beautiful. Very photogenic."

Mary marched over and grabbed for the camera. 

Daniel pulled it away. "Go easy, now! I'll erase it." He showed her the display and hit a button. Her wild-eyed portrait vanished. "There now. All better?"

She turned and started to walk away. "You people are crazy."

Bruce asked, "How'd you like to make $200?"

Mary spun around and glared. "I'm not a whore!"

"Of course not. No one thinks that. I was just wondering if you'd like to play a small role. Act the part of Jenny's governess in one, quick scene. All you need to do is rub some lotion on her sore ass. Daniel will take some pictures of your hands, soothing her red bottom. That's all."

"Great idea!" said Daniel. "Your subscribers will love it!"

Tied Jenny turned her head and smiled at Mary. "Couldn't you use the extra money?" She wiggled her ass back and forth, pleading her case.

The proposition caught Mary off guard. She could use the money. It would be nice to send her son some extra cash. 

Bruce walked to the wardrobe and pulled out a bonnet. "Wear this. It'll hide your face and hair. Put on this black dress and no one will ever recognize you."

Soft Beethoven filled the room, as Mary actually considered the offer. After all, she'd modeled before for money. She'd modeled nude, in fact. This one scene would be like a day at the beach. It would be like rubbing sunscreen on a friend. She could do that. 

"Okay, I'll do it. But... I want to see the pictures afterwards and have the right to delete any that I disapprove of."

Bruce clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "It's a deal. Fantastic!" He held out Mary's costume, and said, "There's a dressing room in the back. Put on your costume and Daniel will prepare the consent form for you to sign."

A little dazed by her rash decision, Mary wandered to the dressing room and slowly put on the Victorian costume. She stood before the full-length mirror and didn't recognize herself. When she turned sideways the bonnet hid her face completely. This would be the easiest money she'd ever made.

A knock on the door was followed by Daniel's warm voice. "Mary. I have the form for you to sign."

When she opened the door, he looked her up and down, smiling. "Is Mary here?"

"Very funny." She took the paper, pretended to read every word, signed it, and handed it back. 

"Okay. Wait outside the door. Bruce will bring you in when he's ready. Act demure and embarrassed when you come in."

"That'll be easy."

They shared a laugh.

Daniel stepped back into the bedroom and, like a big-time director, said, "Places everyone." 

Seconds later, "Action."

Mary waited and listened, hoping to be summoned right away, get this charade over with, and leave.

In the other room, Bruce said in a mournful tone, "Jenny, haven't I given you pleasure? Doesn't my touch, doesn't my caress, fulfill your needs?"

The rapid click of Daniel's camera, and the low moaning from Jenny, indicated Bruce was also talking with his hands. 


Lyon's Den Ch. 02



Two weeks passed since the photo shoot with Daniel Lyons, and Mary realized she could not return to her mundane existence. As a substitute outlet for her confused emotions, she threw herself into her painting, but landscapes were just not fulfilling the desires percolating inside. She discovered Danny Boy the dildo did fulfill those desires to a certain degree. After each self-indulgent orgasm Mary felt slutty, and swore she'd throw 'him' out. But the dildo had such a seductive allure, always hard and ready, demanding her acquiescence when she glimpsed him in the bedside drawer. Reluctantly, Mary submitted to its summons, and reveled in the euphoric climaxes, but then regretted her weakness. Her thoughts inevitably turned to its previous owner, and how skillfully he used the phallus for her pleasure. The last conversation with the real Danny Boy replayed in her mind:

"I'll stay completely dressed. It's all about you... this time, Mary.3 I'd like to see you again. Just the two of us. Have dinner. Maybe you'd show me your artwork?"

Putting the dildo back in the drawer, she declared, "There will be no next time."

But after a long boring day of filing and answering phones, Mary bought a bottle of wine on the way home. After two glasses, she picked up the slip of paper with Daniel's email address and wrote him a quick note.

'Dear Mr. Lyons,

Last time we spoke you showed interest in seeing my artwork. I would gladly bring a few pieces to your gallery for consideration.

Regards,

Mary Fuller'

The computer cursor hesitated over the send button for a full minute. 

Finally rationalizing, 'It's only business,' she clicked, and waited a few more minutes, anxiously hoping for a quick response. Nothing. 

"Stupid me. He's a busy man, probably in the middle of a gangbang." She clapped her hand over her mouth, and thought, 'I can't believe I even thought that.' 

Draining the last of the wine bottle into her glass, Mary meandered into her studio/living room. Canvases leaned against all four walls in various states of completeness. Tubes of paint and tin cans full of brushes adorned the furniture. 

"What a mess. It would be nice to have a real studio for a change." 

Now fully inebriated and depressed, Mary placed the empty bottle in the recycling bin. Before shutting down the computer for the night, she made one last email check, and found a response from Daniel. Her heart rated double, as she clicked 'open' with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. 

'My dear Mary,

So glad to hear from you. I would love to see you and your work. If possible, stop by the shop on Saturday around one o'clock. We'll catch up over dinner. I've missed you since our last time together. 

Warmest Regards,

Dan'

Just thinking about their last time together made Mary's face flush, her body responded in ways she'd forgotten were possible. Quickly, she accepted the offer before common decency kicked in. 

When Mary woke up sober the next morning, she looked in the mirror and said, "What have I done? At least I have a couple of days to back out."

Saturday came without cancelling. Mary convinced herself this was business. She was proud of her artwork and wanted it on display. Although Daniel's gallery contained nothing but photographs, maybe he'd be willing to show her work, as well. 

Feigning confidence, Mary entered the Lyon's Den carrying two of her best landscapes. When the silver bell above the door announced her entrance, Daniel yelled from the back, "Be right there!"

Hearing his voice made her knees weak and her throat dry. She sat on a bench and tried to control her shaking hands by clasping them together on her lap.

Daniel appeared a minute later, all smiles. "Mary, so glad you came back." His hands beckoned her to stand, "Give me a hug."

Unable to refuse without appearing prudish, Mary stood and walked into his embrace. She inhaled deeply when his scent engulfed her. Her voice cracked, when she said, "Nice to see you again, Daniel." 

Holding her out at arms length, he said, "You're trembling. No need to be nervous." He took her hand and walked over to her paintings. "Let's have a look." Picking up the mountain landscape, he placed it on an easel and took four steps back. He studied it for so long she worried he was having a difficult time thinking up a complement. 

"Mary, it's breathtaking. I love how you captured the sunlight through the clouds, the way the shadows and light play across the valley, amazing work. How much do you want for it?" 

Mary's mouth dropped open in surprise. After a few seconds to gather her wits, she said, "I didn't come here to sell my work. I was hoping to display it."

Daniel looked at her with confusion. "Just to show it? You don't want to sell your work? Really?"

A little annoyed by the offer, Mary said, "Well... of course I want to sell it, but I didn't come here for a pity sale." 

"Pity?" said Daniel, obviously miffed. "I'm not taking pity on you. I see what I want and I go for it, full tilt, and I want that painting."

"You want the other one, too? Flatter me a little more, and maybe I'll sleep with you."

It was Daniel's turn to look shocked. His jaw set and he glared at the floor. Then his face softened. "I think I see the misunderstanding." 

She took a step back when he approached, her mind a muddled mess. 

Daniel took her hand, and said, "Mary, this has nothing to do with what happened between us. Sure, I'd love to sleep with you. I've thought about you every day, but I really like this landscape. You can walk out right now and never see me again, right after I buy it." 

He'd thought of her every day? Well, hadn't she thought of him ever day, too? The self-righteousness hypocrisy she displayed felt dishonest, a neurotic mechanism designed to keep her from being the free spirit she'd always wanted to be. What she really feared was getting hurt by him, but Daniel had been upfront and honest about everything. 

"I'm sorry." She met his gaze. "I'm an emotional mess, right now. My life is at a crossroads, and I'm not sure which way to go."

"Well, Sweet Mary, I think our meeting at the airport was fate. I will gladly help you decide a direction, any way I can. I believe I have discovered a great untapped talent in you. Allow me to be the first to purchase your work, before I can't afford it."

His disarming smile broke down her defenses. She moved close, leaned in, and whispered in his left ear, "Five hundred dollars," then sealed the deal with a friendly, get-reacquainted kiss on the cheek, one that might portend the possibility of future kisses. Mary's face burned hot when they broke apart, her impulsiveness so out of character. 

Daniel's grin broadened, "Cash or check?"

She giggled girlishly, and felt her self-control ebbing away like the tide before a tsunami. After a deep breath and slow exhale, she said, "A check is fine."

The silver bell over the door dinged. They both turned to see who entered. It was Jennifer and Bruce.

Jennifer squealed, "Mary!" ran over and hugged her. "I'm so glad you came. Danny said you might stop by."

Mary looked suspiciously at Daniel. He shrugged. "They asked if I'd heard from you."

Softly patting Jenifer's back, she said, "Hi, how are you?" She waved to Bruce, and he wave back.

Jenifer finally let her go, and said, "You are a hit on our website. Everyone wants to know who the mystery woman is, and when will they see her again." 

An awkward silence filled the room. 

"Uh, how about never?" Mary couldn't believe they would expect a repeat performance. 

"But it was so much fun!" 

No way was Mary going to admit to getting aroused by any of it. "It was a spur of the moment, once in a lifetime experience. It was real, and it was fun, but it wasn't real fun."

Jenifer's bottom lip stuck out in a pout. "I don't believe it. You must have gotten a little turned on." 

Daniel changed the subject with, "Mary brought some of her artwork for me to see." 

Bruce picked up the unsold landscape. "Wow, beautiful work. You really are good, Mary."

"Thank you. I'm kind of tired of doing landscapes, though. I'd like to try my hand at a portrait. I wish I had a studio to work in."

"Why don't you set up shop here?" said Daniel. "There's plenty of room. Just move your things in. Use whatever space you want."

"Wow... That's a... that's a generous offer." Mary considered her other options, but there were none. "I can't afford to pay rent."

"You don't have to. Just consider it my gift to the art world."

"Then, I accept." Mary held out her hand to Daniel, and they shook on it.

Daniel winked, and said, "Now all you need is a model to paint."

Jenifer's hand shot into the air. "I volunteer."

Bruce shook his head and laughed. "That's a shocker. I volunteer too, if you need a male model."

Mary waited, but Daniel didn't volunteer. Although she felt sure he had plans of his own about how to spend time with her. 

"Thanks guys. You are all so generous." 

After locking the front door, Daniel took Mary's hand and led her into the back. Jenifer and Bruce followed.

"Sweetheart, take your time and look around, while I take some quick photos to update their website. Down the hall and to the right are rooms with large windows that provide natural light." Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he added, "Then, we will have the rest of the day together."

Jenifer and Bruce made a suggestive "ooo" sound and laughed. 

A flush of embarrassment blossomed on Mary's cheeks. Daniel did nothing to dissuade their dirty minds. 

She thought, 'Why should he? Isn't that one of the reasons I'm here?' 

Once again her physical desires and prudishness battled for dominance. 

Jenifer, Bruce, and Daniel turned into the photography studio, while Mary continued down the hall. It didn't take long for her to find the perfect room for the studio. Huge factory windows flooded the area with light while their position high on the wall provided privacy. Located on the south side, the light would last throughout the day, year round. In her minds eye, she set up shop, deciding what goes where. All that remained was moving in. 

With time to kill, Mary wandered around, checking other rooms until there were no more to explore. She headed back to the gallery to wait for Daniel. As she approached the photography room, the pleasant sound of laughter caught her attention. The way they could be so casual about their sexuality both attracted and repelled. 

Staying in the shadows, Mary peeked in and drew back suddenly, what she saw burned on her mind's eye. Jenifer and Bruce were naked on the four poster bed. Jenifer's head lay on his stomach as she slowly pumped his erection. Mary decided to eavesdrop instead of peep. She heard a slurping sound and several flashes brightened the door. 

Bruce nonchalantly said, "You really like Mary, don't you?"

"I do," said Daniel. "I like her very much." Several more flashes, and then, "Jenifer, straddle him and hold is cock against your pussy." The bed springs squeaked. "Perfect." Several more flashes. 

"I do too," said Jenifer.

Daniel said, "Okay, sit down on him."

There was a long groan from Jenifer. Mary couldn't resist another peek. Bruce's cock was halfway home. She watched it disappear and then returned to the listening position.

Daniel continued, "Don't spoil this for me, Jenny. Leave her alone. She's not pervy like us, but she may be the one."

"The one?" Jenifer said, rather breathlessly. 

"She's sensitive, caring, and artistic. Being around her makes me feel ready for commitment again. It's the first time since Laura died." There were more camera flashes, and then, "Okay, whenever you guys are ready."

Jenifer laughed. "Daniel's smitten." 

He answered, "I'm not getting any younger. I'd like to find someone to share my life, and grow old together."

The bed springs began to complain in earnest. Bruce moaned, "Oh god... that feels so good."

Mary realized she'd been holding her breath since Daniel's confession. Didn't she want the same thing? Didn't she feel smitten as well? If these feeling were the real thing, she had to find out if their lifestyles could co-exist. 

Straightening her spine, Mary tried her best to just wander into the room, like it was natural to see people fucking. She sat in the computer chair, trying not to stare at the action, but it was difficult. Finally she gave up trying. 

Bruce reclined against the headboard and noticed her first. They made eye contact, and he winked. 

Jenifer saw his wink and looked back over her shoulder. "Silvia!"

Daniel, too busy taking photos, remained oblivious.

Bruce and Jenifer immediately fell into their role-play. 

"You're making love with me and you call out your governess's name?" Bruce grabbed her ass and flipped over. "Say my name, damn it," he demanded, pounding his cock into her.

Jenifer's legs wrapped over his hips and locked ankles. "Oh Bruce, Bruce I love you. But I can't help my fantasies." 

The camera flashes continued, as Daniel moved around the bed, taking shots at different angles. 

Jenifer and Bruce regressed into grunts and groans. When the grand finale hit, Bruce drove in hard, while his wife thrashed and pumped in erotic spasms. 

Mary realized she was breathing hard and her panties were soaked once the couple relaxed into each other's embrace. 

Daniel's pants sported a considerable bulge when he turned away to set down the camera. With a look of surprise, he said, "Mary? How long have you been sitting there?"

Feigning composure, she smiled. "Not long, a minute or two." Motion on the bed caught her eye. Bruce pulled out of his wife, causing a flood of semen to run out. He kissed down her chest and suckled her breast. Jenifer's hands ran through his hair. 

Daniel's voice broke the spell. "They are a beautiful couple. Don't you agree?" he said. His eyes shifted from the bed to Mary. 

Mary averted her eyes from the lovers to meet Daniel's. "Yes, they are very attractive... and they like to be watched, obviously."

"Yes, they are rather kinky... but very devoted to each other."

"Really? They don't get jealous of the other... lovers?" 

Daniel lowered his voice so only Mary could hear, "Would it surprise you that Jenifer is the jealous one?"

Mary's eye arched up. She glanced at the bed and found Jenifer staring at her, while Bruce continued to kiss his way around her torso. "Yes, I am shocked, actually."

"Her promiscuity stems from a bad childhood and failed relationships. Superficial connections help to keep her demons bottled up. The fact she accepted Bruce's marriage proposal two years ago says volumes about her feelings toward him." Daniel glance at the bed, and Jenifer's eyes shifted to him. He looked back to Mary. "Plus, their website is making them a nice little nest egg. Since the last update that included the governess, word of mouth has doubled their subscribers." 

The bed springs squeaked. Jenifer dismounted the bed and walked toward them, her inner thighs glistening.

Mary looked from her to Daniel. Daniel watched Jenifer approach with a big smile.

Totally at ease, Jenifer put her hands on her hips, and said, "That went well," and laughed. Her eyes purposely traveled down Daniel and stopped at his groin, "Need a hand with anything here?" 

The words, "No, were good," came out of Mary's mouth without thinking.

Jenifer winked at Mary, and said, "Good for each other. That's what I think," then turned and sashayed away. 

Mortified, Mary stood, said, "I'll wait in the gallery," and walked out. 

Daniel yelled after her, "I'll be out in fifteen."

After ten minutes of Mary pacing from wall to wall, Jenifer, Bruce, and Daniel entered the gallery. 

Jenifer approached Mary and kissed her on the cheek. "You two have fun today. Hope to see you soon." 

Bruce waved. "Bye, Mary."

The little silver bell rang their departure. 

Mary stood frozen, staring at the door. Daniel walked up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and said, "I think Jenifer may be right. I think we could be good for each other."

She couldn't argue with that, because she was hoping the same thing. Neither could she verbalize her hope. Instead, she remained silent and noncommittal. When Daniel's fingers gently raked the hair from her neck and his lips nuzzled under her ear, Mary audibly inhaled from the sensation. Pleasant shivers tingled down her spine.

She didn't protest, but remained still, watched cars drive by, and wondered if anyone could see in. Daniel's hands slid down her arms and rested on her abdomen. She recalled his earlier declaration, "I see what I want and I go for it..." 

He continued to kiss her neck, while his hands began a gradual slide up, stopping when their edges touched the bottom of her bra. 

Mary closed her eyes. This was the moment of decision, in or out. His right hand slipped up to cup her breast, lightly fondling it through the fabric. She groaned with pleasure, announcing her decision. 

Suddenly, Daniel's arms swept under her knees and under her back, and lifted her, carrying her down the hall, into the photography studio. Mary opened her eyes. The lights were dim and the bed was made, like this was planned. Still no words had been exchanged. Daniel was going for it full tilt, unless she resisted. 

They landed together on the bed without injury. His weight held her down, as his lips sought hers. She felt trapped and panic began to build. Turning her head, Mary said, "Wait." 

As quick as that, Daniel hesitated and looked into eyes with concern. "Mary?" It was a one word answer to her one word question. The fact that he stopped was all she needed to know. 

Mary cupped his face in her hands, and said, "Go lock the front door, first. Then come back and let's take our time. We have all afternoon."

Concern vanished, replaced by his warm smile. "Good idea. I can get carried away, at times." Walking from the room, he said, "Don't do anything without me."

Mary didn't move. She closed her eyes and tried to breathe normally. "I want this. I want him."

When Daniel returned he appeared much more composed. He sat on the edge of the bed and put his hand on her blue jean covered thigh. "I'm sorry if I frightened you, Mary. I get the feeling you haven't... it's been a while since you've been intimate with a man?"

"Well... I guess if you don't count Danny Boy, it's been years. I felt a little overwhelmed by your passion." 

"I understand. Then... what can I do to seduce you?" 

They both laughed. 

Mary sat up and began unbuttoning Daniel's shirt. "I think it's only fair that I get to see you naked, since you've already seen me. Besides, I think I need to set my own pace." 

"I hope you won't be too disappointed. I'm no Bruce."

"And I'm no Jenifer."

"No, you're not. You're a beautiful, mature woman."

After removing his shirt, Mary pulled the tee-shirt out of his pants. "Hands up!" She slipped it off over his head and sat back to take him in. She liked what she saw, a little chest hair that would tickle, nicely muscled, but not chiseled. Some softness around the belt. A real man. A normal man. She placed the palm of her hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat. Looking into his eyes, she said, "You're a handsome, mature man."

Placing his hand over hers, he said, "Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, 'As we grow old... the beauty steals inward.' But you are living proof that it can be inside and outside, Mary."

Mary felt emotions tightening her chest. Afraid she would cry, she said, "Stand up." 

He faced her. She undid his belt and unzipped his fly. Still self-conscious about touching him 'down there', she grabbed the sides of his pant legs and pulled the down. Then, not looking at the bulge, she grabbed the waistband of his briefs and pulled them down. Blushing furiously, she sat up to be face to face with his penis, and it was growing before her very eyes. 




Lyon's Den Ch. 02



She smiled up at Danny sheepishly, "Very nice." A little giggle then, "Better than Danny Boy." 

He laughed, "I certainly hope so." 

Mary watched a little longer, until it wasn't getting any longer. She nervously bit her bottom lip, and then gently wrapped her hand around the shaft. "I'd forgotten how it felt to hold one. So soft... and hard," she gave it a couple of strokes, "and warm." Her vagina responded with anticipatory quivers and lubrication. 

"Okay, now it's my turn. Lay back, Mary." 

Releasing her hold, Mary did what she was told, which felt much more comfortable than being in control. She was ready to give in to his passion, at ease knowing he would be considerate.

Daniel moved in the opposite undressing direction, starting with her jeans. A rather snug fit, they laughed as he dragged her down the bed before the pants gave up and slipped off. His hands teased up her thighs and grabbed her panties. They came off much easier and were tossed somewhere. 

Daniel worked her legs apart and lay down between them with his head at their juncture. Mary propped her head on a pillow to watch. First he inhaled as if smelling something delicious. Then his head dropped, and she felt the first tickle of his tongue. 

"Oh my god." She closed her eyes to bask in the physical sensations. His tongue probed, investigated and learned her most intimate secrets, and soon his fingers were competing for her attention, eventually plunging in and out. Her hips began their own involuntary thrusts to match Daniel's fingers. When she approached sensory overload, he stopped. 

Her hips continued to thrust, as she groaned her disappointment. "Why'd you stop."

"I want you naked. That's why." 

Anxious for play to resume, Mary yanked off her blouse and undid her bra. Daniel pulled it off her arms, and dropped down to suck a nipple. 

Mary arched and moaned with the new thrill. Her vagina clenched, aching for insertion. "Please Danny, fuck me."

They looked at each other and laughed. 

"I can't believe you even know that word, Mary."

She began thrusting her hips and chanting, "Fuck me, Fuck me, Fuck me..."

Daniel move into position and stopped. 

Mary felt his stillness and looked.

"I just want you to know I had a vasectomy four years ago, and I was tested last month. No diseases. You are my first partner since then. No reason to be concerned."

Warmth and gratitude filled her. "Thank you for telling me. I never thought about it. She closed her eyes, and, moaned, "You've got me so turned on. I can't think rationally." Then a rational thought found a crack and snuck in. "Wait a minute, didn't you have sex with Jenifer a couple of weeks ago?"

"What? No! Jenifer and I haven't been together since she's been married. Where'd you get that idea?"

"Bruce thought you were... doing it last time I was here."

Daniel pushed his hips forward. "He's wrong. There's nothing going on between us."

Mary felt his cock push between her lips. She spread her legs farther apart, and whispered, "Okay, I believe you."

He began to gently thrust, adding a little more depth each time, easing his way in. Mary wrapper her legs over his back and thrust back, a wild look of abandon on her face. When he was fully inside they lay still, enjoying the moment. They kissed gently at first, growing in passion. Daniel started his thrusts and Mary matched him. As he drew close to orgasm, he snaked a hand between their bodies and fingered her clitoris. That was enough. Over the cliff she went, and as she arched into her climax, Mary screamed his name in passionate release. Daniel came with her in perfect symmetry, just as they hoped.



Lyon's Den Ch. 03



Mary floated on a warm cloud of satisfaction. Through the euphoric haze, she felt Daniel breathing against her neck as his inhalations slowed to normal. She had just stopped panting like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. Orgasms with a partner were so much better than alone with a dildo. 

Daniel's lips began to softly kiss down across her clavicle, down the slope of her breast, until they encased her still swollen nipple. 

Mary gasped and shivered. Sparks flew to her clitoris and her eyes squeezed shut. "What are you doing?"

His index finger began to lightly twirl the other nipple. "You can't tell?" 

She felt him smile against her skin, and then his lips tightened and sucked as another hand pushed down between them. When it reached its destination, Mary's hips jumped in response. This was another new experience. One and done, that's how it always worked before. 

"Look at me." 

Mary opened her eyes to see his warm smile. "When a man finds a woman irresistible, sometimes there's no waiting." His erection had softened, but now Mary felt him growing hard again, inside. 

"Oh god!" All her nerve endings still tingled from the first time. Now this new mounting pleasure felt like Everest erupting like Vesuvius, an unimaginable explosion imminent. 

When Daniel slowly pumped his hips, the squishy sound of their mixed juices created an erotic accompaniment to her unbridled moans. Soon he was pumping hard, holding her tight, chest to chest. He finally came again, but continued to gently thrust and finger her clit.

Mary's climax broke in a never ending skipping flood of peaks and valleys, until she laughingly said, "Please stop. I can't take anymore." 

Once again, they lay in a warm embrace, caressing, kissing, and dozing. Daniel's cock finally deflated and withdrew. Mary felt the finality sad, but with no regrets. Now... what was there to say? Her physical needs sated, and her mind at peace, it felt like love, but it couldn't be. Was this new inner calm just the result of giving in to temptation? 

Daniel lifted his head from her shoulder and kissed her lightly. "That was wonderful, Mary. Thank you."

"It was wonderful, wasn't it?" She kissed him back. "Thank you for being so... giving." 

Stroking her hair, he said, "Oh, believe me, it was my pleasure." 

Their lips met in a final, lingering kiss. Daniel rolled onto his back, and said, "I have an idea. Let's take my van and collect all of your art supplies, go to dinner, and come back here. We'll set up your studio together." 

Mary rolled over, half covering him. "That sounds perfect." Cupping his cheek, she kissed him, sat up giggling, and said, "Where'd my panties go?"

They dressed watching each other, with no qualms about appearances. Daniel brushed her mussed hair with his fingers. "You are adorable."

She pushed him away, "Let's get going before we end up naked again."

Twenty minutes later, self-conscious Mary unlocked the door to her modest Cape Cod. "Excuse the clutter." 

Daniel stepped inside and looked around. "What clutter? I know what it's like to live alone. There's no reason to put things away when it's not in anyone's way." 

"I was much neater when Willie was here. I mean Will. My son doesn't want to be called Willie anymore, too childish." Mary felt a swell of emotion, and fought to control tears. Clearing her throat, she said, "All my art supplies are in the living room." She hurried ahead; moving forward was the best defense against reminiscing the past. 

Daniel quietly followed. He seemed subdued. When Mary stopped in the middle of the room, he put his arm around her shoulders. "I think you will be much more productive in your own studio. This," he motioned around the room with his hand, "is not a creative atmosphere." 

Bristling a little, Mary said, "Well, it's the best I could do."

Hugging her sideways, he kissed the top of her head, "I know. I meant no disrespect. Just looking forward to helping you free your mind." 

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Sorry. I guess I am a little defensive because I feel like a failure in so many things." 

"Well you're not, Mary. You've succeeded against the odds." He spun her face to face, and said, "You're inspiring." 

Her face reddened, as she felt the heat of his gaze, and thought, 'Inspiring what, promiscuity?' Walking away, she said, "I'll be right back." 

Closing the bedroom door behind her, Mary sat on the bed, removed her jeans, and semen soaked panties. After staring at the stain and smiling, she threw them in the hamper. Opening her underwear drawer, she paused. This was the first time in years she wondered what panties to put on for a man who might see them that wasn't a doctor. She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle and picked the red ones. 

Back in the living room, she said, "Okay, let's get this stuff loaded."

An hour later, they were on the road. "I think you'll like this restaurant," said Daniel. "The owner's a friend of mine, and an art collector. I'd like to show him some of your work, since we have it with us."

"You don't waste any time, do you." She glanced down at her jeans and blouse, "Am I dressed well enough?"

"Yes, you look fine. It's a rather bohemian place. They don't conform to social standards."

Mary swallowed hard, and said, "Why am I not surprised." After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "Are these people part of your... libertine crowd?"

Keeping his eyes on the road, he smiled, "Some are. Some aren't. I don't have sex with just any one, Mary." Turning to look at her, he continued, "You are the only person in my sex life now. But don't be shocked if some people we meet think you are available. I'll set them straight. Don't worry."

Once again, Mary grew warm with an awkward mix of titillation and repulsion. "Thanks for the warning."

They drove into an old area of the city, where young professionals congregate in renovated storefronts. There was a 1920's vibe mixed with LED technology. 

Daniel pulled into a parking lot and opened his window. The attendant came out of his shack, barely fitting through the door. Tattoo sleeves covered arms the size of an ordinary man's legs. "Hi Boss, how's it hangin'?"

"Fine, Gary. How are you?"

"Couldn't be better." He bent down and looked across at Mary and smiled, "Good evening, Ma'am."

She shivered, "Hello."

Standing up, he slapped the van roof, "You know the way."

"Have a good night."

"You too."

Mary looked at Daniel, "Boss?"

He parked the van next to a wooden deck that used to be a loading dock. Daylight fading, a single bulb with a metal shade, held up by a goose neck bracket, illuminated a rivet covered door. 

"I keep telling him to call me Dan, but I guess he wants to keep it formal. I own the lot and this building."

Stepping out of the van, Mary realized how little she knew about him. "So this is your restaurant?" 

He punched in a code on a keypad and the door clicked open. "No I'm just the landlord." Holding the door open, he waved her in. "After you."

They walked down a short hall, through a swinging door, and into the dining room. Romantically lit by recessed lights and wall sconces, the room was large and open. Candles flickered on each table. A small, empty stage sat to the left of the door. What looked like original artwork covered most of the red brick walls. 

"Wait here Mary. I want to find Martin, the owner."

She watched him walk toward the front of the room. As he passed tables, several people stopped him and exchanged pleasantries. Some glanced her way, smiling. She felt self-conscious, wondering if he was telling them she was off-limits. To avoid further discomfort, Mary began studying the abstract artwork closest to her. 

A skeletal, long haired man dressed in black, stepped onto the stage. Mary turned to watch. Bending down, he picked up a microphone from the floor, flipped a switch on the bottom, and tapped it. It was on. Unfolding a paper napkin, he said, "A poem entitled, 'Too much hate'.

Why hate?

Life's a drink, inebriate.

Touch with affection,

Not with infliction. 

Domination breeds annihilation.

Stench of hate in the air,

Suffocates everyone, everywhere."

He turned off the microphone, placed it in a corner, and left the stage, while the patrons snapped their fingers in applause.

Mary rolled her eyes and turned back to the painting, "Seriously? Beatniks still exist?" 

Footsteps approached. She turned to see Daniel in the company of a young, pregnant woman. "Mary, I'd like you to meet Crystal. Crystal is Martin's life partner. Crystal, this is Mary."

They exchanged pleasantries, while Mary resisted asking the question, 'What is a life partner?' Obviously, it had a sexual component of some kind. 

Still holding Mary's hand, Crystal said, "Martin is away on business, but I'm the interior decorator. Daniel suggested I may like to hang some of your work."

The word 'suggested' jumped out. Mary wondered if Crystal really had a choice. Was Daniel pulling the landlord card? Is he manipulating her? Is he manipulating me?

"I would be glad to show you my work and get your honest opinion. Would you like me to bring some inside?"

Crystal pulled Mary toward the back door, saying, "I'd really like to get some fresh air. I'll open the overhead door and turn on some lights."

Soon Mary's paintings were lined up along the deck rail as Crystal scrutinized each one. "You're very talented. I think we have room to hang four of these," she said, pointing at her selections. "If you want to sell them give me a price list. We charge ten percent commission on every sale."

After finalizing the deal, Mary and Crystal shook hands.

"By the way, Mary, do you paint portraits?"

Again, Mary looked suspiciously at Daniel, who acted oblivious. "I haven't lately, but I am interested in working on one."

"Great! Would you be willing to do me? I want to surprise Martin with a portrait while I'm pregnant," she said, rubbing her belly. "He seems to think I'm beautiful like this."

Mary smiled, "You are. But are you able to sit for long periods of time?"

Daniel broke his silence. "Would you be able to paint her from a photograph?"

"I suppose, if it captures the light the way I want it, and Crystal likes the pose."

"Daniel, do you have time to take my picture tomorrow morning?" asked Crystal. "Martin will be home after lunch."

"I do." He turned to Mary, "Can you come to the studio early tomorrow to set things up?"

Excited about her first commission, Mary said, "Absolutely. Can't wait. But if it turns out you don't like it please tell me."

Crystal glanced at Daniel and then the landscape paintings, and said, "I'm sure I'll love it."

Once again, Mary wondered about Daniel's part in this. Was he manipulating people behind the scenes? Was he the puppet master? 

"It's settled. I'll come by the studio around 10:00," said Crystal.

Now that arrangements were finalized, Mary and Daniel put all but the four paintings that were staying back in the van, and then carried the four to a storeroom. 

Placing his arm around Mary's waist, Daniel said, "This calls for a celebration. Are you hungry?"

Just the mention of food made her stomach rumble. "Starved."

By the hand, he led her back to the dining room. Instead of going to the front to be seated by the staff, Daniel went right to an open table next to the stage. "Best seats in the house," he said, holding Mary's chair while she sat.

"Thank you, sir." In the middle of the table there stood a place card that read 'Reserved'. Mary pointed, and said, "Are you sure we can sit here?"

"Positive." 

In a matter of seconds, a twenty-something waitress with a basketball size afro approached, all smiles. "Hi, Danny. It's good to see you. How are you?" 

"Fantastic, Monifa. How are you?"

She smiled coyly, and said, "Happy to be here with you." 

The innuendo made Mary uncomfortable. 

Appearing totally oblivious, Daniel said, "Monifa, this is my friend Mary. She's an artist. You'll see her work on the walls here soon, and in my gallery. If my instincts are correct, also in art galleries around the city."

With no indication of competitiveness, Monifa smiled and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Mary. Can I get you guys something to drink?"

Mary released the warm hand, and said, "Just water for me, thanks."

Monifa turned to Daniel, and asked, "The usual?"

"Not tonight. Just a Coke, no rum."

"Okay, coming right up."

"You must be an honored guest here. A reserved table. The waitress knows your drink," said Mary, feeling a little overwhelmed again. It was becoming a problem. She thought 'How do I fit in? What does he expect?' 

Daniel leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. He reached across and lay his palm open on the table. After a moment of hesitation, Mary placed her hand in his. "Am I making you uncomfortable, Mary?"

She smiled weakly. "A little... things are moving so fast. I don't feel in control. After being alone for so long, it feels unnatural."

His thumb slipped back and forth across her knuckles in a comforting gentleness. "I feel a little like that myself; out of my element, trying to win a beautiful woman's trust... and affection. Help me. Tell me what I'm doing wrong."

She sighed, "Nothing, it's just me. I wonder how I fit into your big world. Mine had only two people for ten years."

"You must have friends and family."

"I have a half-sister in Arizona, but we're not close. As for friends, not really. I go to work events now and then. I used to go to my son's school events, but that's over. I made William my life," she said, with a catch in her voice. Determined not to cry, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 

Daniel squeezed her hand. "Time to make a new life then, isn't it?"

Afraid to speak, she nodded agreement.

"Here you go," said Monifa, setting down their drinks. "Are you ready to order?"

"How about I order for both of us. Is that all right, Mary?"

Her voice wasn't ready for primetime. With whispered relief, she said, "Yes, thank you." 

As he ordered for Mary, he looked to her for approval, guessing correctly on her taste in food, except for the salad dressing. "I'd prefer creamy blue cheese, please."

Daniel smiled, "No diet food for you, I take it?"

"This is a special occasion."

Monifa flipped her order book closed. "Great! I'll give this to the chef and Marty will bring it to you when it's ready." She placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "I'm going to dance tonight. I hope you enjoy the show."

"You'll be wonderful," he said, patting her hand.

Monifa practically danced away, and Daniel watched her departure with a wide grin.

"Have you slept with her?"

He turned to face Mary, and frowned. He looked angry, and then his face softened. "Is that important?" 

"Yes."

"No, I have not."

"Have you seen her naked?"

Leaning back, he folded his hands in his lap, arched an eyebrow, and smiled. "As a matter of fact, I have. Are we going to do this every time you meet a friend of mine?"

Mary leaned her head on her hand, covering her eyes. "Sorry. Maybe we should just keep our relationship all business from now on."

Quiet moments passed, as Mary avoided eye contact with the man she wanted to know and, at the same time, was afraid to know. They chatted about impersonal subjects like the art on the walls until their meals arrived.

The food was delicious, and Mary was happy to chew and not have to talk. 

Suddenly, a spotlight turned on and drums began to beat out an African rhythm. From behind a curtain a young black woman leapt onto the stage dressed in a skin tight leotard. It was Monifa. She performed a type of tribal dance that expressed fear, then battle, and finally victory. 

Mary couldn't help noticing how the leotard left little to the imagination. Monifa's areolas and labia were clearly outlined by the thin fabric. Mary's face flushed from the stimulating performance, and thought how her own body had no comparison. 

When the drums stopped and Monifa stood tall and straight in defiance, the audience applauded and cheered. She made a small bow and then scampered back behind the curtain.

Mary glanced at Daniel and found him staring at her. "Monifa's very talented," she said.

"And beautiful," said Daniel, picking up his fork.

"Yes, very." Mary returned to her meal, more uncomfortable than before.

The waiter returned to clear away their empty plates. "Can I interest you in dessert this evening?'

Without a questioning glance at Mary, Daniel said, "No thank you, Marty. Just the check, please."

The party must be over.

"I'll be right back with it," said Marty.

A fully dressed, bubbly Monifa appeared at their table. "Well, what did you guys think?"

Daniel took her hand. "It was tremendous. You have a bright future ahead of you. That was inspiring."

"Very moving," said Mary.

Monifa bent down and kissed his forehead. "Thank you so much for all you've done." She gave Mary a goodbye wave and bounced away. 

Marty returned with the check, and soon Daniel and Mary were on their way. 

Now dark outside, the ride was very quiet, until Daniel said, "Monifa was a baby when I saw her naked in a photograph."

Confused, Mary said, "What," suddenly afraid she'd become involve with a pedophile. 

"You asked me if I have ever seen her naked. I did, when she was just an orphaned baby. You didn't ask when I saw her. You just assumed I'm a total letch."

She looked over at his shadowed face, "You knew her family?"

Eyes never leaving the road, Daniel explained, "Twenty years ago, my wife, Laura, was involved in a charity that helped orphans in Rwanda after the genocide ended. We couldn't have children of our own, so we began adoption proceedings." 

When he paused, Mary saw him blink several times and swallow hard, trying to control past hurt. 

"Laura became ill. The adoption never went through. I was in no condition to raise a child, but in my wife's memory, I have taken care of Monifa's financial needs, kind of a godfather role. When she came of age, Monifa moved here. I help her with dance school tuition." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The name Monifa means 'I am the fortunate one'.

Mary reached over and touched his arm, "That's very kind of you, Dan. She is very talented." 

Clearing his throat and still keeping his eyes on the road, he said, "I'm sorry that what you know about me has made you think the worst."

"I'll try to keep an open mind from now on. We are still in the 'getting to know you' stage of our relationship."

He smiled. "Relationship... I like the sound of that."

Mary felt her face warm, and was glad it was too dark to see her blush.

A few minutes later, they pulled up behind Mary's car, parked in front of the Lyon's Den gallery. Placing a hand on her knee, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "You could spend the night here. It would save you the drive in the morning." 

Mary patted his hand. "Thanks, but I think I should go home. I need some time to digest all that's happened today." She leaned toward him over the center console. Daniel met her halfway. It was a friendly goodnight kiss. She placed her hand on his cheek, and said, "Thank you for a wonderful day, Dan."

"It was a wonderful day. Thank you, for letting me introduce you to the local art world. I'm going to enjoy watching your work progress." He pulled out a pen and a business card, and began to write on the back. "You remember where the door to my apartment is, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Here is the keypad code. Come around 8:00am and I'll make you breakfast." He held out the card to her. "You'll need it anyway, when you want to work in your studio and I'm not here."

Instead of asking, 'How many other women have this code', Mary asked, "What about the front door to the gallery?"




Lyon's Den Ch. 03



"This will be safer. You can park in the alley next to the door."

"Well, okay. Thank you." Mary felt another surge of warmth and indebtedness. She leaned in, and they kissed a little longer. "Goodnight."

"Sweet dreams."

On the drive home, Mary's emotions bounced and flipped like they were on a trampoline. At the peak, she felt excited about her future. Then her thoughts plummeted into alarm that she'd been gullible, easily manipulated. 

As she walked from her garage into the kitchen, the solitude felt smothering. There was no life here anymore. No future here, just sameness. A colorless life. 

Quickly, before she could change her mind, Mary packed an overnight bag, locked up behind her, and soon stood outside Daniel's door. She smiled, thinking, 'He'll be surprised,' as she punched in the door code. There was an annoying beep when she entered it wrong. Reading the numbers again, she reentered the code, and the lock clicked in welcome. 

Tiptoeing up the stairs, heart pounding, she wondered about the best way to announce her presence. Should she crawl naked into bed? Should she knock on his bedroom door? No, the best plan was to sleep in the spare room and make breakfast before he woke up. 

At the top of the stairs, Mary opened his kitchen door to find out her plan didn't matter. The overhead light blinked on, temporarily blinding her.

"Mary?" Daniel held something in his hand, swiftly hidden behind his robe. His stern face faded into a grin. "This is a pleasant surprise."

Feeling deflated, she coyly said, "Well, it made more sense to stay here and get an early start."

"Good idea."

"What're you hiding?"

He gave her a sheepish look, while bringing out a large handgun. 

"Oh my god!" Her shocked eyes traveled from the gun to his face. "You could've killed me."

"Not really. When you punched in the wrong code it sent an alert to my cell phone." He pulled the phone from his pocket. "I didn't have time to load it. If you were a burglar, I would've tried the scare tactic, until the police arrived." 

"Are they coming?" 

"No, I didn't hit send. I wanted to make sure first." Putting the phone away, he held out his empty hand, and said, "I'm sorry I scared you. Come to bed."

She placed her palm over her pounding heart. "I don't think I can sleep."

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Who said anything about sleep?"

"Oh!" This was not part of her plan, but it wasn't unwanted, really. The fact that he didn't ask her where she wanted to sleep, or if she was even interested in sex, kind of turned her on. He looked so manly in his robe, holding a gun. This was a new and unexpected thrill. Demurely, she took his hand, and let him take her to bed.



Lyon's Den Ch. 04



Bacon and possibly eggs woke Mary. The delicious smell made her stomach rumble. The bedside clock read 7:42. She stretched, and felt sore body parts she hadn't felt in years. Aches left from a night of lustful amour. The cotton sheet pleasantly chafed her raw nipples, as a reminder of Daniel's five o'clock shadow. A lower ache made Mary wonder if she'd be walking bow legged. Her body wasn't used to a man's sexual fervor. Smiling at the memory, her cheeks held the same warm tenderness as her breasts. Funny how, in the height of passion, pain turns to pleasure. 

Slowly, Mary sat up and placed her legs over the side of the bed. After a minute of self-assessment she stood and saw herself in the dresser mirror. She grinned at the appearance of her thoroughly used body -- pink skin, messed hair, and matted pubes. Rubbing her rosy cheek, she said, "Sex looks good on you." 

Grabbing a robe from the bedpost, she headed to the bathroom. A few minutes later, she paused in the kitchen doorway and leaned against the frame to watch Daniel flip a pancake. "Nice catch. You look like you know what you're doing."

He turned and smiled, "Good morning, Beautiful. Sleep well?"

"Mmm, like a rock." She pushed off the wall and walked up beside him. Laying her head on his shoulder, she grumbled, "My plan was to make breakfast for you."

Putting his arm around her waist, he pulled her tight, and said, "I beat you to it. Besides, I couldn't sleep through your snoring."

Mary's head shot up. "Oh my god! That's so embarrassing. I'm so sorry."

He laughed and kissed the side of her head. "Just kidding. You didn't snore. I just can't sleep past 6:00. It's a habit instilled in me by my workaholic father." He flipped another pancake, "Although, with you beside me it wasn't easy to leave."

She kissed his cheek, and said, "I need some coffee."

"Help yourself. The pot's fresh. How do you take it?"

"Black." She walked over to the coffee maker and filled a waiting mug. "Mmmm, that's so good."

"I hope you're hungry. I didn't know what you like," he turned and shrugged, "so I made everything I had."

"I am famished." She sat down at the table, sipping. "I'm not used to," she paused, trying to say 'sex' without saying 'sex', "so much exercise." Her face warmed when he turned and smiled. "I'm a little sore."

"Sorry, Mary. I got a carried away. I hope you won't hold it against me in the future."

So he thinks there's a future. A tingly thrill ran down her spine. "Well, I'm going to need some downtime to recuperate. Maybe next time you should keep one hand tied behind your back."

Daniel laughed, and said, "I haven't known you long enough to let you tie me up, but I'm glad there will be a 'next time'"

Mary snorted some coffee, "No, I didn't mean..." She flushed, thinking she wanted lots of next times.

"Relax. I know you were kidding." He brought over a platter with pancakes, bacon, and slices of toast, along with a bowl of scrambled eggs. "Let me get the orange juice, and I have some sliced melon."

"You're spoiling me."

"I love to cook. It's a pleasure to have someone to cook for."

"Well, thank you. You're very kind."

"Say that after you've tasted it."

Mary filled her plate, and sampled a little of everything. "Mmm, delicious."

They settled into a comfortable silence.

When they'd eaten their fill and the kitchen was clean, they went to Daniel's photography studio to prepare for Crystal's photo shoot. After testing his equipment, Daniel asked, "Anything in particular you need in the picture for your painting?"

Mary's brow wrinkled in thought. "It depends on what she wants for a background. If I'm inventing my own, then it doesn't matter. We'll have to wait and see."

He looked at his watch, and said, "We have an hour before they arrive. Why don't we move your stuff into your studio."

By the time all of Mary's artwork and supplies were moved from the van to her studio it was almost 10:00. "Crystal should be here any minute. I'll unlock the front door," said Daniel.

Mary busied herself organizing her paints and canvases until Daniel yelled down the hall that Crystal had arrived.

Excited and nervous about stretching her abilities from landscapes to portraits, Mary strode into Daniel's studio and stopped abruptly. Crystal and Daniel were there, as well as a young woman in a wheel chair. 

Walking further into the room, she said, "Good morning."

Everyone turned to look at her, and said, "Good morning," back. 

The wheelchair woman rolled up to Mary and held out her hand. "Hi, I'm Sally."

"Hi, Sally. I'm Mary. Nice to meet you."

Sally twirled around and rolled next to Crystal. "Let me clear up any confusion before we start. I don't want any misunderstandings." She grasped Crystal's hand and smiled up at her. "Crystal has been my best friend since high school." She let go and placed her hand on Crystal's pregnant belly. "After my skiing accident, having a baby was out of the question. So, we had my eggs harvested, artificially inseminated by Martin, and implanted in Crystal. She agreed to be our surrogate, our life partner." 

The two women smiled at one another, holding hands once again. 

Mary's heart swelled. "That's wonderful!" She thought a moment, and added, "I think you should both be in the painting." 

Crystal beamed, "That's what I said!" She knelt down next to Sally, "Martin would like that even more. I'm sure."

Sally looked down at the chair and frowned. "I don't want a painting of me... in this."

"The chair won't be in the painting," said Mary. "I can paint you any way you want."

Sally's face brightened. "Really?"

Crystal said, "Let's be in it together, Sally. Martin will be so pleased." 

Sally's eyes filled with emotion. "Can you paint us sitting together on a blanket in our garden?"

"Yes, Daniel can take photos of you here on the bed, and then I can use a picture of your garden to fill in the background."

"Then let's get started." Sally looked at Crystal. "What should I wear?"

"Well..." Crystal opened a shopping bag, "I brought a couple of Martin's favorite outfits to try." She pulled out a shear white negligee and a jade green one. "Which one do you want?" 

Expecting chaste garments, Mary's eyes grew big at the sight of such revealing lingerie.

"I'll wear the green. Martin always liked my dark hair and eyes with green. It'll be a little big in the middle, but I'll sit on the extra material. "Sally rolled over to the canopied bed, locked the wheels, and easily pulled herself on top. "Help me undress."

Unfazed, Crystal assisted in the removal of Sally's clothes. 

Daniel busied himself with light measurements and equipment settings. 

Mary tried not to stare, but the women's lack of inhibitions seemed natural and comfortable. Sally's toned upper body reflected her athletic ability. The withered legs didn't match. 

Catching Mary's glance, Sally said, "I want normal legs. Not these twigs."

"I can do that," said Mary, smiling.

Sally scooted back against the headboard. 

Crystal stripped down and slipped into the white, gauzy, nightie. Her swollen belly and breasts stretched the thin fabric. "It's too small."

"No, it's perfect," said Sally, her eyes brimming. A tear slid down her cheek. "You are so beautiful." 

"Aw, Honey." Crystal crawled up next to Sally and pulled her head down against her chest. "This should've been you. I know how hard this must be," she said, stroking her friend's hair. 

Huge tears started flowing as Sally began crying in earnest. 

There was a bright camera flash, as Daniel said, "You're both beautiful. Martin's a lucky man." 

The emotional scene on the bed touched Mary's heart. Friendship like that must be wonderful.

When Sally stopped crying her hand moved to Crystal's belly and rubbed gentle circles. She looked up at her friend, grinning. Crystal's palm rose to cradle Sally's chin as her lips dropped in for a tender kiss. 

Daniel's camera clicks increased. "Very sensual, ladies."

Mary's mouth dropped open when Sally's hand slid up from the baby bump to cradle and stroke her friend's breast.

An audible intake of air came from Crystal lips, still pressed to Sally's. Their kiss became more than friendly. Mary could see tongues moving between active lips, and she wondered what kind of painting they'd want. 

"Very nice," said Daniel, clicking away, strobes flashing.

The women broke their kiss and smiled brightly at one another. 

Crystal said, "I love you, Sally."

"I love you, too." 

When they turned toward the two other occupants in the room, Mary closed her mouth and put on a happy face.

"I hope we didn't embarrass you," said Sally. "We've been... close friends for a very long time."

Mary nodded, unsure what to say. She was sure her face was beet red because her heart was pounding. 

One final strobe flash, and Daniel said, "That should be enough. I will email you the photos. Pick out the one you want for the portrait and keep the rest as a gift."

Mary glanced at Daniel, noticing a prominent bulge in his pants. Everyone seemed cool with their sexuality, except her. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and said, "Send back the picture you choose for your portrait, along with a picture of the garden and any blanket you want to be sitting on."

"Okay," said Crystal, her arm around Sally. "Do you know how long it will take to finish the painting?" 

"Um, not really. I have to work, so I can only paint in my spare time."

Sally began pulling the nightie off over her head. "There's no hurry. It will be a surprise no matter when he sees it."

Crystal got up on her knees and helped her friend get dressed. "As long as you're done in time for my baby's portrait."

Sally glared at Crystal. "That was supposed to be a secret."

"Sorry. It'll be at least a year and a half from now. No one will remember," said Crystal, trying to act nonchalant. 

Surprised, Mary said to Crystal, "You're husband is very understanding about this arrangement."

"I'm not married. I'm Martin and Sally's life partner. Martin will be the father. We're a family, just a little unconventional."

"A little! We don't want people to gossip. You never could keep a secret." Sally was not happy about Crystal revealing their lifestyle. 

Crystal kissed the top of Sally's head. "She's Daniel's friend. I'm sure she understands people like us. She'll keep it a secret."

"Sure." Mary feigned an acknowledging nod and smile. "I'm going to get to work in my studio." She walked over to the bed and shook hands with both women, while ignoring their seminude state. "It was nice meeting you both. I'll keep you posted on the progress." She wave to Daniel who winked at her. Blood rushed to her face, once more.

Minutes later, sitting on a stool in her unorganized studio, Mary wrestled with what to do first. Her mind kept wandering back to the two women, kissing. What must it feel like? No whiskers, soft skin, a totally different sensation than she knew. How did Martin fit into this triangle? Were they all sleeping in the same bed already? Crystal said Martin will be the father of her baby. Will he have sex with Crystal, or will it be by artificial insemination? She didn't know Martin, but in her mind's eye, she pictured him having sex doggy style with Crystal while Sally kissed and fondled them both. Was Sally still able to have an orgasm? 

Mary jumped when someone knocked and said, "Good morning." Jennifer stood grinning in the doorway. "I heard you moved in already. I came to take a look at your studio, and say hi."

Feeling like her dirty thoughts were printed on her face, she stumbled from the stool, and began to unpack a box of acrylic paints. "Good morning, Jen. How are you?" 

"By the look of your whisker burn, not as good as you last night. Or was it this morning?"

Mary ignored the comment, but her face heated. "What brings you here, another photo session for your website?"

"No, Bruce had to work. I'm just out looking for something to do. Can I help?"

"Um, sure. The stuff in that box can go on the shelf over there." When Mary pointed her hand shook. She quickly sent it back to unpacking.

"Okay. Glad to help." Jennifer went to work and remained quiet for a few minutes. "I saw the pictures Daniel took for your painting. Those women are hot, don't you think?"

"They are very attractive," Mary conceded. 

"Have you ever painted sexy pictures before?"

"Honestly, no. I have painted nudes in college, but nothing... erotic."

Jennifer walked over close to Mary, and whispered, "It turned you on, seeing them like that, didn't it?" 

Mary pulled things out of the box and carried them to the shelf, just to create space and time between herself and Jennifer. "Their affection for each other was very heart warming."

Jennifer laughed. "If your heart is between your legs. That was no sisterly kiss. Not with a handful of boob." 

Mary kept busy.

"You have a lot of sunlight in here," said Jennifer, walking to a sun drenched patch of floor in the middle of the room. "Where would you want your models to pose? Here?"

Mary looked up. Jennifer stood with her eyes closed, face to the sun, arms outstretched. Her white blouse became transparent, the shadowy curve of her breast obvious.

'I'm a professional, act like one,' thought Mary. "Yes, that's where I would have the model sit, and I'd spin them around, depending how I wanted the shadows to fall."

Jennifer grabbed a stool, placed it in the sun, and sat down. "I want you to sketch me. It'll be a surprise for Bruce."

"I have a lot to do. I don't think..."

"I'll pay you a hundred dollars, cash." Jennifer pulled the bill out of her jeans back pocket. "I was going to go to Victoria's Secret, but this will be so much better."

One hundred dollars for a sketch -- Music to Mary's ears. Then it dawned on her. "What kind of sketch?"

"Nude, of course. You need the practice, and I want a gift for my man. Timing couldn't be better." 

As she thought it over, Daniel walked in. "I have to run some errands. I'll be back by dinner time. The doors are locked and the 'closed' sign is in the window, so you won't be disturbed." He kissed Mary with a passion that left her breathless and a little embarrassed, then waved goodbye to Jennifer. "Have fun, you two."

"We will," said Jennifer, with a suggestive lilt. 

Was this a setup? Mary continued to unpack, more nervous than ever, but the allure of quick money and the desire to act like a worldly adult stiffened her resolve. She was, after all, an artist who thought the human body beautiful. 

"How do you want me to pose?"

Mary looked up from the half empty box of canvas stretchers to see Jennifer tossing her panties on top of her piled clothes. 

"What? I didn't say yes."

"Too late. I'm going to stay naked until I get my portrait," said Jennifer, as she went back to work carrying unpacked items to the shelves. When turning back to collect another load, she caught Mary staring. "Like what you see?" she teased, placing one hand on her hip and the other behind her head.

Mary quickly turned back to unpacking. "You just surprised me, is all." She pulled a charcoal sketch pad from the box. "Okay, let's get this over with before you get a sliver in your foot." 

"Yes!" Jennifer pumped her fist in triumph. She strode to the sunlight and waited with her hands clasped behind her back, slowly twisting back and forth at the waist, grinning. 

Looking at her subject as objectively as possible, Mary said, "I'd like to draw you in a classic reclined pose. I need the futon in the photo studio. Be right back."

As Mary left, Jennifer said, "I'll be in here, getting hot."

'Did she mean hot from the sun, or... never mind. Mary, focus!' 

After loading the futon and some pillows onto a hand cart, she returned to her studio to find Jennifer bent over, hands on her knees, looking at an unfinished painting that leaned against the wall. Although the cart wheels rattled, announcing Mary's arrival, she stayed in that position until the noise stopped. Jennifer wiggled her ass, her unabashed erotic disposition on display.

Remaining bent at the waist; Jennifer looked back over her shoulder, and said, "You are so talented. I wish I had a talent." She then walked over and helped unload the cart. 

Her close proximity made Mary's heart flutter. "I'm sure you're talented in something. What are you good at?"

"Sex. I'm good at fucking, sucking, bondage, you name it, I'm an expert." Jennifer dropped a pillow onto the futon, turned, and suddenly wrapped Mary in her arms. She pressed tight against her. "Would you like to find out how good? I'd love to show you."

Mary fought to retain the appearance of composure. "Very funny, now lay down. Let's decide on a pose you can hold for 15 minute intervals." 

After a few lingering seconds, Jennifer said, "Yes, Ma'am." Frowning, she added, "You're no fun." She released Mary and flopped down on the futon. 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Mary tried to view the nude Jennifer in an artistic light. The sun on her unblemished skin gave her an ethereal glow. "What kind of pose were you thinking of?"

Jennifer lay back, spread her legs, and began stroking her clitoris. "How about like this?"

Mary rolled her eyes. "I was thinking something less pornographic and more sensual." 

"What do you suggest?"

"How about the classic, reclining nude -- lie your head on a pillow, one arm over your head, the other across your stomach."

Rolling onto her side and propping her head on her hand, Jennifer gave her a confused look, "I don't know what you mean. Pose me how you want me."

Mary shook her head in skepticism. "You're so transparent," but then bent to the task. "Lie on your back and put this pillow under your head." 

Jennifer smiled and did what she was told. 

"Lift your head." When she complied, Mary gently pulled Jennifer's long hair from underneath and fanned it out over the pillow. 

"Now give me your left arm." Mary gripped the wrist and made it bend at the elbow, then placed it on the pillow behind Jennifer's head.

"Give me your right arm." This one she placed across Jennifer's stomach with the fingers slightly spread.

"Now bend your right knee," said Mary, guiding her leg with a hand under the thigh. The feel of her warm, soft skin sent an unexpected tingle through Mary.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll set the timer for fifteen minutes. Stay as still as you can." Mary grabbed her pastel chalks and a pad, and then positioned a stool with a side view of the subject. After a few awkward starts, the chalk seemed to float across the paper. Art class instructions returned like muscle memory. Mary loved drawing, becoming totally engrossed with the picture. When she painted a landscape, she mentally escaped into the forest or climbed the mountain. She imagined the spray from the waterfall on her face. But drawing a nude brought different sensations. She felt every curve of Jennifer's body, became intimate with every freckle, every crevice. Drawing Jennifer's breast, Mary felt the erect nipple as though her finger tips traced it. Mary's nipple responded in kind. She became aroused. 

The timer went off.

"Let's take a five minute break." 

Jennifer sat up, facing Mary. "You're flushed. Are you all right?" 

"I'm fine. It's just a little warm in here."

"Maybe you're overdressed." Jennifer stood, and stretched. "I'm very comfortable."

Mary looked away, as Jennifer approached. 

She stood behind Mary, and leaned against her back to look over her shoulder at the sketch, placing her arm around Mary for support. In a breathy whisper that tickled Mary's ear, she said, "Wow, that's beautiful. You are so talented." 

Frozen by conflicted emotions, all Mary could say was, "Thank you."




Lyon's Den Ch. 04



"You're welcome," said Jennifer, giving her neck a gentle kiss. Her hand slipped up to cover Mary's breast as she hugged her tight from behind.

Mary stood up. "Break's over."

Pouting, Jennifer said, "Are you sure?" 

She wasn't sure. "Just lie down."

Sensing Mary's indecision, Jennifer sashayed back to the futon while coyly looking back over her shoulder. 

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Mary went back to work, capturing the sensual mood of her subject. Trying to calm the situation, she asked, "Jen, how did you meet Bruce?" 

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious. Bruce said Daniel introduce you to him."

Jennifer's brow furrowed. "When did you talk to Bruce? Where was I?"

Sensing the woman's anxiety, Mary said, "The first day we met. After the photo shoot, you and Daniel left the room. Bruce and I just chatted." Mary decided to be blunt. "Bruce said you were probably giving Daniel a blowjob." 

Jennifer laughed, and then in a serious tone, asked, "Did he seem jealous?"

"No, not jealous, I thought he seemed sad. He said you guys have an open relationship."

Silence filled the room, and then Jennifer sighed. "I wasn't giving Daniel a blowjob. Bruce should know I wouldn't do that behind his back. He can be a little insecure." 

Relieved to know Daniel wasn't getting a blowjob, Mary said, "That's interesting, because I would've sworn you just acted a little insecure when you thought I was talking to Bruce behind your back." 

No response. Mary continued to draw, concentrating on the perfection of her subject's body.

"Bruce was a virgin when we met."

The pastel chalk slipped from Mary's hand. Stunned, she didn't move to retrieve it. "What?"

"Bruce was building a website for Daniel's gallery. It's not surprising that the subject of sex came up. Bruce grew up in a very puritanical home. He was homeschooled, and wasn't allowed to socialize with anyone his parents didn't approve of."

Mary picked up her pastel. "Let's take a break." She reset the timer, and Jennifer began pacing nervously.

"When I met Bruce, he was painfully shy around women. I think Daniel thought a dose of my aggressive sexuality was just what he needed."

"I think it worked," said Mary, with unintended sarcasm. "Sorry. What you guys do is none of my business. But the day we met, Bruce showed no shyness around me. In fact he tried to recruit me into Daniel's group of," Mary made air quotes with her fingers, "special friends."

"Really?" Jennifer sat down on the futon and frowned.

"Yes, and he said I'd be great for the part of Clotho in some scenario Daniel dreamed up for your website."

"Wow, this is huge." Jennifer began pacing again. "You could really help me out with something."

Mary continued to work on her sketch from memory. "I doubt it."

"No, really. Bruce and I are so opposite it scares me. I'm afraid, actually."

Surprised, Mary watched Jennifer pace. "Afraid of what?"

"You're the first woman, other than me, he's spoken to about anything sexual." 

"So?"

"I'm the only woman that he's had any form of sexual contact with."

The obvious look of disbelief on Mary's face stopped Jennifer's march across the room. 

"It's true... and it scares me. The thing is... I was raised by an alcoholic mother with plenty of dirt-bag boyfriends." Jennifer's voice cracked with emotion. "I grew up thinking all I had to offer a man was my body. I ran away from home at 17, and lied about my age so I could support myself by doing porn." She sat back down on the futon. "I'm afraid Bruce will get disgusted with me. But... if he had more experiences with other women it would level the field. I'd feel more secure." She looked up with tear filled eyes. "Am I crazy?"

Putting down the sketch pad, Mary said, "No, you're not crazy. But maybe Bruce loves you, and doesn't need anyone else. Maybe he just goes with the flow to make you happy."

Anger clouded Jennifer's face. "Are you saying that I NEED to have sex with other people?"

Not backing down, Mary nodded. "Yes, that's what I'm suggesting; maybe it's your way of creating self-esteem." 

Hanging her head, Jennifer mumbled, "You're not the first to tell me that." She stood up and began to dress. "Can you finish the drawing without me?"

"Yes."

Jennifer handed the hundred to Mary on her way out. "Let me know when you're done, and I'll pick it up. Daniel has my number."



Lyon's Den Ch. 05



Mary lost all track of time as she worked on Jennifer's portrait. While her artistic mind tried to focus on the memory of Jennifer's nude body, their conversation about how Mary could help with her husband's inexperience with women kept sneaking into her consciousness. It seemed as if Jennifer was suggesting that she should have some kind of physical involvement with Bruce. How that would help Jennifer's marriage was beyond comprehension. Did Jennifer think her vast experience with other lovers and his inexperience would someday become a problem? So then, was Jennifer's plan to get him to have sex with other women just to make him as jaded about love? The whole situation seemed ludicrous. Still, the thoughts of Jennifer and Bruce kept Mary titillated throughout the day. 

Finished at three o'clock, she stepped back to admire her work. Success! The Jennifer on paper was just as visually alluring as Jennifer in the flesh. Well... as close as two dimensions could get. 

"I love it!" Mary's confidence soared. If she could do justice to Jennifer's portrait in spite of all the distractions, then she could paint anyone. A rumble from her unsatisfied stomach brought her back to earth. Mary carried the finished portrait up to Daniel's apartment. 

Disappointed he hadn't returned, she decided it was time to go home and settle in for the night. Normal workdays resumed in the morning. She gathered her belongings and left a note for Daniel with the drawing, "Please let Jennifer know her portrait is done."

A few hours later, sitting at her kitchen table, Mary fretted over a stack of bills. She so wanted to help her son with college expenses. Getting a good start in life was hard enough without the burden of large student loans, but her salary barely paid the mortgage, gas, and electric. The six hundred dollars she made over the weekend was a godsend. If only she could keep it up by selling all of her paintings. 

Her cellphone chimed with the ringtone she'd dedicated to Daniel. A pleasant shiver ran down her spine. Grinning, she answered, "Hello, Gary, darling."

After an extended silence, he said, "Hi, Mary. This is Daniel." 

She laughed. "I know. I'm just trying to make you jealous. Are you the jealous type?"

"I have to admit, I felt... disappointed." She could hear the smile in his voice. "I'm sorry I missed you."

"I needed to get some things done at home. How was your day?" She began walking from room to room like a nervous school girl.

"Good. I got all my errands run. I stopped by the restaurant, and guess what?"

Mary stopped, suddenly aware of her own heartbeat. "What?"

"You sold another painting."

"Really? That's fantastic." She twirled and fell onto the couch. "Which one?"

"'Autumn Country Road'. The buyer wants to meet you. He wants to meet the incredibly talented and beautiful artist."

"He did not say that." 

"Well, I added the beautiful part, but it's still true."

"Aw, thank you. You're not so bad yourself, Danny." Her face burned, flirting was not something that came naturally.

He sighed. "I wish you were here."

She thought, 'So do I.' But said aloud, "I really enjoyed our time together. Thank you for everything."

"It was my pleasure. I didn't do anything, except give you an opportunity to shine. By the way, I love Jennifer's portrait. Bruce will be very pleased."

"Thank you. I'm happy with it. She didn't make it easy, though. If her sex drive could be turned into electricity it would power Manhattan."

Daniel laughed. "No doubt. Did she succeed in seducing you?"

Taken aback, Mary snapped, "No, of course not. Why would you even ask?"

"Weren't you tempted?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

Mary's doorbell rang, startling her. Sitting up straight, she whispered, "Someone's at my door."

"Were you expecting anyone?"

"No."

"Find out who it is. Keep me on the line so I know you're safe."

"Okay." 

Quietly, Mary eased to the front door and turned on the porch light. Then she stealthily moved to the window and pushed aside the drape to scrutinize the visitor. She smiled. "It's some weird guy, holding a bottle of what looks like champagne. I think he wants to party. I'm going to hang up now and have some fun. Bye, Danny."

She hurried to the front door and threw it open. "Hi, Mister, come in. Let's celebrate."

"Weird guy?" Daniel frowned, and then smiled. "I wanted to stop by and give you the check."

Grinning brightly, her eyes traveled from his face to the bottle in his hand and then back. "Really? Just to drop off the check?" 

Acting uncharacteristically unsure of himself, he stepped inside, and said, "Well, a man can hope, can't he?"

Happiness at new heights, Mary threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Breaking the embrace a little breathless, she said, "You can do more than hope, Weird Guy." 

"I'm beginning to like my new nickname," he said, closing the front door with his foot. "I resemble that remark."

Mary led him by the hand into the kitchen. "I have champagne flutes somewhere. I'll find them. You find the cork screw. It's in the drawer, left of the sink." 

The cork pop, as Mary washed dusty glasses. "Have you eaten, Dan?"

"I did. I grabbed a quick meal at the restaurant. Martin is back from his business trip. He doesn't have a clue about Crystal and Sally's portrait. But he was impressed with your work hanging at the restaurant." Daniel poured two glasses of bubbly. "A toast to the hot artist." He winked.

Mary blushed at the double entendre. They clinked glasses, as she replied, "And to the man behind the artist. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all you've done for me. This has been a weekend for the ages."

Daniel gave her a crooked grin. "It's been my pleasure, in oh so many ways."

Mary took a large swallow, and held out her glass for a refill. Softly, she said, "Mine too."

"Let's go sit on the couch. We'll be more comfortable." Daniel carried the bottle out of the room before Mary had a chance to offer any alternative. Not that she had one. She followed. 

Sitting in the middle, he patted the cushion to his right. 

Beginning to feel the rush of alcohol, Mary plopped down rather awkwardly, leaned her head on his shoulder, and sighed.

"This is nice," said Daniel, placing his arm around her and kissing the top of her head. 

They sat quietly cuddled together for a few minutes, as Mary drifted on a pleasant cloud of champagne fuzziness. 

Daniel leaned forward and placed his glass on the coffee table, then took Mary's empty glass and placed it next to his. Taking her by the shoulders, he pulled Mary face down across his lap and began massaging her shoulders and back.

"Oh, that's so nice," she mumbled into his thigh. There was a tug on her shirt, and then his hand was underneath, working north along her spine. 

"Lift up."

Suddenly, feeling a little less fuzzy, she obliged. The shirt popped above her breasts, and she tensed.

"Relax, Baby." Daniel began to massage under her bra strap. "I just want to get this out of the way."

She felt him fiddling with the clasp, until the bra lost all tension. 

"Much better. Doesn't it feel better?" His hands resumed kneading her back. 

It did, but something unexpected came to mind. "Was Bruce really a virgin when he met Jen?"

Daniel's hands stopped momentarily. "It's what he told me, and I believe him. Bruce acted painfully shy around women, but he's changed immensely since they met." 

One hand worked on her back, while the other moved lower to her waistband, then lower still, until it fondled her derriere.

Mary sighed, enjoying the sensation. She felt her body respond and, guessing where this was headed, felt she had to send a message. "I'm still a little sore from last night."

"I'll be gentle. Stop me if I go too far."

She wasn't sure she'd know until tomorrow. 

Another thought popped unbidden into her mind. Jennifer worried that Bruce would become disillusioned by all her past sexual encounters. Did Daniel worry about her feeling the same way? She had to admit a high level of discomfort about his sexual exploits, and whether she could live with his lifestyle. But those hands, the warmth she felt when near him, how could she not indulge her long ignored sexuality? Feeling a new champagne boldness, and wanting to send another message, Mary rolled over on his lap. Her bra fell to the floor, unwanted. 

Daniel smiled down. She smiled back, and then closed her eyes. His hands went to work on the front side. An appreciative, "Mmmm", escaped her lips. 

As his fingertips softly trace her erect nipples, the other hand unfastened and unzipped her jeans. The warm hand worked down into her panties. When it reached her most sensitive spot, her hips twitched and she moaned her pleasure.

Daniel continued the assault on her pleasure centers, starting soft, building her level of arousal. Mary slipped her arm around his waist and held tight, allowing him to have his way. His fingers became slick between her folds, so he advanced inside her fortress walls. 

She moaned, "Oh, Danny," as her hips began to meet the forward thrust of the two digit invader. Soon she came, and he buried his hand against her pussy, rubbing fiercely, while lifting her torso and suckling a nipple. 

"Oh, god..." Mary arched, pulling his head against her heaving chest. "Okay, okay... stop, stop." He palmed her vulva, while stroking her mons gently with his thumb. She became a puddle in his lap, melting in his arms. 

Moving his lips to hers, he said, "You're so beautiful when you come. I love watching you." Then he kissed her gently.

Mary cupped the back of his head in her hands, forcing a passionate kiss. There was no pain now, tomorrow didn't matter. "You make me feel things... so amazing."

After a long pause for recovery, Mary fastened her jeans and sat up. She pulled her shirt down over her chest, and took Daniel's hand. "Time for bed."

He raised an eyebrow in question, "You want me to stay?"

"You've had too much to drink. I can't let you drive home. It would be irresponsible."

"I'm totally in control of my faculties, Mary. There's no need for me to-" She put her finger on his lips to shush him.

Taking his hand, she stood and pulled, "No, you're coming to bed. Let's go." 

Practically dragging Daniel to her bedroom, Mary considered her actions. In her possession was a man who'd given so much without making any demands, who seemed to want her unconditionally. How could she not want to repay like for like? How could she not want to hold on to someone so caring for as long as possible? How could she do this before sobriety returned? Mary giggled.

"What's so funny?" said Daniel, as they passed through her bedroom door.

"Nothing. It's just... I'm having fun," said Mary. Turning to face him, she pulled his lips to hers for a quick kiss, and then pushed him down onto the edge of the bed. "Sit! Stay!"

Grinning, he said, "You're the boss." 

After gathering clean towels from the linen closet, Mary quickly cleared the bathroom clutter and turned on the shower to let the water warm up. Daniel was still seated when she returned to the bedroom. She stood in front of him and removed her shirt, undid her jeans, and pushed them down along with her panties. 

His eyes, wandering over her skin, kept her warm. 

Mary reached out. He took her hand. She pulled him to his feet, and unbuttoned his shirt. "I need a shower. Would you wash my back?"

"I will wash anything you want," he said, as she slipped the shirt off his shoulder and down his arms. Pulling his tee-shirt out of his pants, she said, "Arms up!"

Grinning obediently, Daniel raised his arms, as Mary pulled it up and over his head. Throwing the tee-shirt on the corner chair, she took a moment to indulge her sense of sight. He was a strong man, thickly muscled, but with age, not as defined as a twenty-something. Running her fingers down his chest made him shiver. 

"Like that?"

"Love that!"

She leaned in and kissed the center of his chest, while her thumbs swiped across his nipples. 

Daniel groaned his pleasure.

Sliding her hands down to his waist she unfastened his pants, while moving her lips to a nipple, wetting it with her tongue, and blowing on it.

Goose bumps rose in response. 

"Oh, Mary. What you do to me."

"I'm just getting started," she said, squatting as she pulled down his pants and briefs. Her heart pounded, kneeling face to cock. This was so unlike her, yet so exciting to be in control, to take the lead in seduction. Was she seducing him? Was it working? By the expanding erection in front of her, it was.

"Step out," She said, removing his last vestige of clothing one foot at a time. 

Folding his pants and laying them on the chair, she looked back to see him standing calmly with a fully developed erection pointed in her direction. A thrill rushed throughout her body in response to his obvious desire for her, forming a new slickness between her legs. 

Boldly, she walked back to him, maintaining eye contact, and grabbed his cock. "Come with me." 

He leaned forward, and they gently kissed. "Gladly."

As she led him down the hall by his hard-on, her hand slowly pumped, keeping him at the ready.

Filled with steam, the bathroom was warm and cozy. Mary pulled back the shower curtain about to step in, when Daniel said, "I need to pee first."

"Okay." Mary pulled him over to the toilet, lifted the lid and pointed his penis toward the bowl. He had to put his hand against the back wall in order to lean in a downward direction. She kept her hand wrapped around him. "Fire away."

He laughed. "Honey, I can't go while I'm hard. You'll have to stop turning me on for a little while."

"Oh? Do I turn you on?" She pumped his shaft and rubbed his ass. 

Groaning he said, "Yes, you do, very much." 

Kissing his cheek and releasing him, she said, "Then, I'll wait for you in the shower." 

Mary adjusted the water temperature and stepped into the tub. After a couple of minutes, she heard the sound of intermittent splashes and then a steady stream. 

"Finally," he muttered. 

She laughed, feeling powerful and in control of her lover. Tonight, she'd show him. She'd take a man the way she wanted to.

The curtain slid aside, as Daniel stepped in behind her. 

"About time," she said, soaping up her hands. 

Cupping his balls with one hand, she wrapped her other hand around his cock and scrubbed back and forth, until he was hard again, while she sang, "That's the way, uh huh, uh huh, I like it. Uh huh, uh huh." 

"Glad to oblige," he said, pulling her against his chest and taking the soap. 

"Hey, I wasn't done with that!"

"My turn." His lathered hands ran up and down her back, gently scrubbing, while their slippery fronts created a pleasant surface to surface friction. After reloading fresh soap, his hands went back to work- lower, kneading her bottom. Gradually they eased their way into the cleft. 

Such an intimate touch had her moaning against his neck. 'So much for being in control.'

Daniel leaned forward, forcing Mary to bend backwards. She wrapped her arms around his neck for balance, while his hands slid down, gripped the back of her thighs, and lifted. Mary was airborne. 

She pulled her head back to look at his face. "What are you doing?"

Suddenly, she felt his cock poke between her labia, and she knew the answer. "Oh my," she whispered, locking her ankles behind his back. 

As the warm water cascaded down Mary's back, Daniel eased her down onto his shaft. They both moaned their pleasure as they kissed. When fully penetrated, Daniel asked, "Are you all right? Does it hurt?"

Mary laid her head against his neck, and whispered, "No, it feels wonderful."

Cupping her ass in his hands, Daniel slowly lifted and lowered, while Mary pushed with her thighs against his hips and arms on his shoulders. 

The intimate embrace, as pleasant as it felt, was tiring. After a few glorious minutes, Daniel lifted her off and she let her legs fall to the floor. 

Again, they kissed with renewed passion, tongues exploring, hands slipping and sliding along heated flesh. 

Breathing heavily, Mary broke free from Daniel's kiss, and said, "We'd better get out before we end up in a cold shower."

"Agreed," said Daniel, quickly grabbing the soap to finish washing himself, while Mary stepped out and dried off. 

Once they were both dry, Mary, again taking the lead, grabbed his cock and pulled him to the bedroom. 

Standing beside the bed, Daniel tried to pull her to him, but she put a hand on his chest, and said, "No, lay down."

With a puzzled look, he asked, "Face up or down."

Pulling back the covers, she answered, "Down."

Sensing her need for control, he winked and said, "Your wish is my command."

When he was in position, Mary straddled his legs and began massaging his back. "I think I owe you a little TLC after all you've done."

He sighed, and said, "Well, I don't know about 'owe', but I won't turn it down."

Time slipped quietly by, as she massaged Daniel's back side from head to toe. The only sound was his occasional moan of satisfaction.

Mary dismounted, and said, "Turn over."

"Yes, Ma'am." 

He appeared totally relaxed, even is penis. She straddled his hips and began massaging his chest. Soon after, something moved beneath her, and became less relaxed. While her hands rubbed his chest, her hips added a rubbing motion of their own.

"Oh Mary, what you do to me," he whispered with eyes closed.

"I'm glad you like it." Then, insecurity reared its ugly head. "I'm sure you've had better... massages." 

His eyes opened, and locked with hers. Obviously struggling with a response, he finally said, "This is special, because you're special."

Wanting to believe, but finding it hard, she slid down to his shins and grabbed onto the hard fact between his legs. Slowly pumping her hand, she asked, "Why am I special?"

He groaned and closed his eye. "You're special to me. I feel a connection with you that I haven't felt... in a long time."

Mary moved her head down. "A connection like this?" she asked, taking the tip of his cock between her lips and running her tongue over it. His hips jumped, and she let him penetrate halfway. 

Huskily, he said, "This is wonderful, but I meant... a deeper connection."

"Like this?" She buried his cock deeper in her mouth, until the gag reflex kicked in.

He laughed. "Again, this is fantastic, but... you've touched my heart. I want to know you with the height and depth my soul can reach."

Mary choked up. Not from the cock sliding in and out of her mouth, but with new emotion. Wanting to lighten the mood, she said, "Are you plagiarizing Elizabeth Barrett Browning for a blowjob?" 

His eyebrows knitted together into a perplexed expression, "Well, better words escape me at the moment."

She smiled, "Plausible deniability, I'll accept that excuse," and then dropped her head 

down to continue the deeper connection. 

Pumping and sucking, Mary soon had Daniel at the brink. His hands gripped the sides of her head and tried to lift her off. "I'm coming."

No one had ever come in her mouth, but she wanted him to. She wanted to give him something special, and it felt thrilling. Pulling him halfway out, she tasted the first blast and swallowed. His hips became uncontrollable, as wave after wave pulsed between her bobbing lips, until the last spasm ended. 

Lifting her head, she grinned at Daniel's smiling face. 

"You are so beautiful," he said, as his finger wiped some escaped fluid from her chin.

Quickly, she grabbed his wrist and licked it clean. "Mmm, mmm, good."

He growled, and pulled her down into a toe-curling kiss.



Lyon's Den Ch. 06



It took a while, but Mary finally fell asleep. Having Daniel's warm flesh against her back was nice, but unfamiliar. 

Monday morning came too soon. Slamming her palm down on the blaring alarm clock, her eyes flew open. She rolled over to find the other side of the bed empty. 

"Dan?"

No answer. 

Throwing back the covers, she stood, and slipped on her robe, smiling at the fact she was naked underneath. Mary never slept naked. Well... never used to. 

As she approached the kitchen the smell of fresh coffee grew stronger. Someday she'd have to wake up first and make him breakfast in bed. Someday - a wonderful thought, because there was absolutely going to be more days and nights with Daniel. 

Before entering the kitchen, Mary untied the robe and let it fall open. Teasing a man became a new found thrill. Maybe there was even enough time for a quickie. That would be a wonderful way to start the week. 

Unfortunately, the kitchen was empty. In front of Mr. Coffee sat a note that read, 'Sorry to leave without saying thank you and goodbye. I have an 8:00am meeting. You looked so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you. See you soon, Dan.'

"Oh well. Maybe next time." She carried the note and a cup of coffee to the table, reminiscing about last night. 

Mary returned to her mundane life, and made the twenty minute commute to the office. The parking garage seemed peculiarly empty for a Monday. She grabbed her lunch bag, rode down the urinal-smelling elevator to the ground floor, and walked two blocks to One Financial Plaza, a drafty two story cube farm built in the sixties. A small group of her coworkers milled around out front, and they didn't look happy.

"Hi, Guys. What're you doing out here?"

Larry, one of the office managers, spoke up. "Haven't you heard? We've been locked out. The Feds have a warrant for Frank Sloan's arrest on embezzlement charges."

"What!" Mary looked at the front doors for the first time and saw the chain threaded through the handles, held secure by a monstrous padlock. "How long? What're we supposed to do?"

Larry put a hand on her shoulder, and in a voice of despondency said, "The company is broke, Mary. Frank stole everything - the health benefit withholdings, social security, 401K money. The rumor is Frank left the country. We're screwed. Time to look for another job."

The group wandered away, while Mary stood staring at the doors, her secure life gone in an instant. When a cold wind penetrated her shock, she walked back to her car and sat inside for ten minutes, trying to decide where to go. Heartbroken, she drove home and cried for an hour.

"You are the Sunshine of My Life" began to play on her cellphone. Mary wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and answered her son's phone call. "Hi Honey."

"Hi Mom."

She knew by the tone of his voice something was wrong. "How's school going?"

"Great! I love it, but..." then silence.

"But what? What happened?"

"Well... someone stole my backpack. My laptop was in it. I know you told me a hundred times not to leave it lying around, but I was studying in the library. I thought it would be safe while I went to the bathroom. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Honey." Tears began to well up in her eyes, "Sometimes bad things just happen when you least expect them. I'll transfer some money into your checking account. Can you get a new one soon?"

"After my classes tomorrow. Thanks, Mom. Bye."

"I love you. Bye, bye."

"I love you too."

Realizing she was in financial trouble, Mary switched from mother mode to accountant mode and tallied up her liquid assets. She had two thousand dollars in her checking account, plus the money she received for her paintings. Something had to go right soon or she'd be homeless.

Quickly, Mary updated her resume΄, knowing she was competing with everyone else in her office for open positions. Next she searched online job listings and applied to a number of local openings, even though they were well below her previous salary and experience. This was survival of the fittest, and as the day wore on, Mary realized her meager office skills and age didn't make her very competitive. So many people were looking for work that employers could hire MBA's for less than her salary. Seniority became another lost benefit. 

The unemployment office was next on the to-do list. She filled out all the appropriate forms, but then learned she'd have to wait weeks, and the payout would barely cover her living expenses. Nothing left for emergencies, much less William's college expenses. No health insurance. No dental plan. 

When she couldn't think of anything else to do, Mary drove home, turned the thermostat down to sixty degrees, and sat in the dark shivering, not from the cold, but from fear. Life suddenly became directionless, like landing in the middle of a mine field, not knowing what the next step would bring.

In the morning, after a restless night, Mary began her day differently. Instead of dressing in her office attire she donned jeans and a sweatshirt, no makeup required. She scanned the job websites for any new openings and found none. She checked her cell phone for messages and discovered she had one. The phone had been set on vibrate since the unemployment office. She'd forgotten to turn the ringer back on. 

Daniel's pleasant voice made her smile. He just wanted to say hi. How sweet. Since she had no other place to go, Mary decided to go to her studio and start on the portrait of Crystal and Sally. It would bring in some money eventually. 

With her phone pressed to her ear, Mary walked out to her car. Daniel answered on the second ring.

"Good morning, Mary. How are you?"

"Good morning, Dan. I'm fine." She swallowed the lump in her throat, and started her car. "Has Crystal sent you the pictures they chose for the portrait?"

"Is everything all right? You don't sound yourself." 

"Well..." she wasn't sure if she could talk about losing her job without crying. She choked up just thinking about it. "I have some free time. I'd like to get started."

"Let me check my email. I'll call you right back."

"Don't bother. I'm coming over to work in my studio. I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Okay, Mary. See you soon."

When she arrived, Daniel was already in her studio setting up large photos on easels. He turned at the sound of her entrance and smiled. "Good morning. What do you think? Can you work from these?" His smile disappeared. "What's wrong?"

Trying to be strong, she walked up beside him, and stared at the photographs. "Nothing. These are great." 

One photograph depicted Crystal and Sally on the studio bed, smiling at each other. Sally's palm cradled Crystal's baby bump. Mary had forgotten how transparent their lingerie had been. The other photo was taken of their garden and showed a patch of grass in the middle of an explosion of flowers. 

"Something's wrong. You look like you've been crying."

A tear ran down her cheek, but she ignored it.

"It's personal."

He took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "Mary, tell me. Let me in. I want to know everything about you - good and bad. That's what lovers do."

She wouldn't look at his face, knowing if she did all self-control would be lost. 

When she didn't respond, Daniel pulled her to him, wrapped her in his arms, and hugged. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

The thin veneer of strength cracked. Mary hugged him tight and sobbed. Daniel held her until she regained some composure. 

She spoke into his shoulder. "I lost my job."

"I'm so sorry," he said, stroking her hair.

"I need to find a new one soon. Do you know anyone looking for help?" She broke free from his embrace, and busied herself setting out art supplies. "I've been a waitress before. Is Martin looking for anyone?"

"Would working part time be enough money?"

"No... not really?" Mary stopped, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "I just don't know what else to do."

"How much were you making?"

She looked at him and frowned. "Why do you ask?"

Now it was his turn to take a deep breath, as he appeared to be thinking. Then he said, almost in a sad voice, "I'll hire you." 

She gave him a puzzled look. "Hire me? To do what?" 

Daniel didn't answer right away. He just stared at her with a blank look for long seconds. The he said, "I've been thinking about renovating my photo gallery into a real art gallery. Your work has inspired me to create a place where emerging artist can display their work for a minimal commission. Maybe even for free." Daniel began pacing, becoming energized. "If things go well, this building has plenty of space for other artists to have a studio." He turned to study her. "With your office skills and artistic talent, you'd be the perfect person to manage things. I don't have time, but I can provide financial support. Besides," he gave her a shrewd grin, "I can always use another tax deduction." 

"You're serious?" Mary felt a rush of excitement, already thinking about what could be accomplished. 

"What do you say, Mary? I'll match the salary you lost, set you up with health insurance. All I need to do is call my accountant to get things started." 

"It sounds great, but -" 

"No buts, Mary. No guts, no glory."

A little less animated, she said, "Okay. I'll do it. When do I start?"

"Follow me."

They walked down the hall to the photo gallery, and approached the room that had the 'No one under 21 admitted' sign over the door. 

"The pictures in here need to be taken down. You'll find empty boxes in the storeroom behind my photo studio. Put the full boxes back in there when you're done." 

"Yes, Boss." Mary smiled warmly at him to show her appreciation. She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him, but that would feel awkward now. 

Daniel asked again about her salary. When she told him he frowned. 

"Too much?"

"No, it's fine." He patted her shoulder, as he walked by. "I'll see you later," he said, and headed toward his apartment. 

Mary had too much pent up energy to start on the portrait, so she decided to pack up the photographs first. After loading the empty boxes on a cart, she wheeled them into the over 21 room and turned on the lights. 

"Whoa." The photographs were explicit, with more positions, variations, and combinations than she thought humanly possible. They were strikingly composed, but the raw sexuality overwhelmed any artistic value, at least in Mary's opinion. Still, she couldn't help looking from one photo to the next. Who were these degenerate people? Then she recognized one, Jennifer. 

She appeared in a string of photos with multiple partners, men and women. Jennifer hadn't lied; obviously she was good at sex. Seeing someone she knew in such intimate detail made Mary warm. She felt her body respond to the pictures, felt aroused at the sight of Jennifer having sex, knowing Jennifer had tried to seduce her. A tingle ran down her spine. 

After looking at the photos for a few minutes, another observation came to mind. In all the photographs, Jennifer was the submissive partner and her lovers much older. Knowing Jennifer's aggressiveness, this seemed oddly backwards. Daniel said Jennifer had been abused as a teenager. Were these photographs some kind of emotional exorcism, casting out her demons by role play? 

The next picture in line showed Jennifer with just one partner, her husband. Now the content of subsequent pictures changed dramatically. Jennifer and Bruce having intercourse in many positions, but Jennifer shared dominance. She was equally the aggressor, to the point of tying and blindfolding Bruce. A carnal metamorphosis occurred in Jennifer. 

As Mary moved down the row, she came upon a sequence of photographs with other familiar faces - Crystal, Sally, and an unknown man, probably Sally's husband Martin. These shots were taken after Sally's accident. Some showed her in a wheelchair, most were in a king-size bed with Sally sandwiched between Crystal and Martin. Although sexual in nature, they evoked poignancy in Mary, about a love shared beyond the physical world. 

Finally, at the end of the row, Mary stared at the last picture. Two naked people entwined on a blanket. In the background was a lovely stream, the water frothy from its speed across boulders. She could almost hear the soothing sound as it rushed downstream. She recognized the man. He was a much younger Daniel. The woman must've been attractive at one time, but in the photo looked emaciated, skin and bones, hips like sharp outcroppings, arms puny. They smiled sweetly into each other's eyes. The woman had to be his deceased wife, Laura, closer to death than life when the picture was taken. Their love had endured in sickness and in health. 

All these pictures, salacious as they were, seemed to show a transformation from tragedy to happiness, all except Daniel and Laura's. Were these photographs his way of celebrating life in the face of adversity? 

Mary wiped away a tear from her cheek. "Enough already. Get to work." 

In an hour the walls were bare. The emotional turmoil they created remained. Mary felt a powerful desire to be in Daniel's arms, to be his transformative muse. Until he returned, she focused her energy on the portrait of Crystal and Sally. 

So engrossed in her work, Mary lost track of time, until hunger began to dominate in the middle of the afternoon. She put down her brush, and went to see what Daniel had in his refrigerator. But when she tried to enter, the door was locked. 

"That's strange." Instead, Mary walked a block to a sub shop and had a quick bite. When she returned to the studio, she heard voices coming from the storefront and went to investigate.

Daniel was there with Bruce and two other people she didn't know. One man had a measuring tape extended along the wall and made notes on a legal pad. A svelte redhead in a business suit stood quietly off to the side, while Daniel and Bruce spoke to each other. 

Mary moved into the room, and said, "Hello."

Immediately, the redhead approached. "Hi, you must be Mary. I'm Daniel's accountant, Gail Ferguson."

They shook hands. Then Gail opened her briefcase, handed over several documents, and said, "I need you fill these out as soon as possible. Give them to Mr. Lyons when you're done." 

"Okay."

Gail turned away, saying, "Daniel, I have to go. I have a meeting in 30 minutes."

"Thank you, Gail. I'll be in touch."

Mary walked over to Daniel and Bruce. They continued their discussion for a little while without acknowledging her presence. Then Daniel turned to her, and said, "Mary, Bruce is going to build a website for the new gallery. Talk to him about it. Let him know your ideas. The man taking measurements is Fred Drake, my contractor." 

Fred raised a hand like attendance had been taken, still concentrating on his legal pad.

"Let him know what you need for display purposes. I have to run."

Overwhelmed by the sudden responsibilities, Mary stood with her mouth open, as he walked away.

Bruce laughed. "Don't worry, Mary. He's in business mode. Fred and I know what he wants."

"Okay. Good. I wasn't expecting this."

Fred walked over and handed Mary his business card. "Nice to meet you, Mary. My email address is on the card. Send me yours, and I'll send you my preliminary drawings. We can work out a plan of attack. I have a key to the front door, so I won't bother you when we start work. Have a good day."

After Fred walked out the front door, Mary and Bruce stood quietly for long seconds.

Bruce walked to the front window. "This is a surprise."

"I know! Daniel offered me a job just this morning. He moves fast."

"He's a good man."

She walked up beside him to stare out the window. "I know. I can't thank him enough for all he's done. I'm very fond of him."

"From what he's told me, he's very fond of you. So don't hurt him."

Stunned, she turned to look at him. "Hurt him? Why would I? How could I?"

"You'd be surprised how vulnerable he can be." Bruce looked at her and pointed at the 'over 21 room'. "What did you think of the pictures?"

Sensing he was asking about more than their erotic nature, she said, "At first I saw only the sex. But as I looked at the series with people I knew, I saw a... story... or maybe a transformation. The pictures touched me emotionally, because the people in them had overcome a tragedy."

"That's very astute of you. Most people just see porn." He turned his gaze back to the window. "Did you notice anything else?"

"Yes," she paused to control her emotions. "Daniel didn't." 

Bruce nodded. "He sacrifices a lot for the people he cares about. I thought maybe you were the missing piece to his happiness. But now..."

"What do you mean, but now?"

"Now that you're working for him it's over."

"Over?" Mary frowned. "It's not over. We're just beginning."

"Now that you're working for him, your relationship will be strictly business. He dated a woman he hired a few years ago. Turns out she was just after a quick buck, and sued him for sexually harassment."

"I wouldn't do that!"

"Doesn't matter. He won't put himself in that position again. He'd rather sacrifice his own happiness to help you, than risk another legal nightmare." 

Mary's heart sank into her stomach. Just when all the parts of her life seemed to come together fate took her down a dead end street. "What can I do? I want him, but I need this job too."

When Mary looked up, Bruce smiled and waved out the window. From half a block away, Jennifer waved back. 

"Are you guys taking pictures for your website, today?"

Bruce continued to smile and watch Jennifer, his love evident. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

"There is no website. It's all fake. Jennifer thinks we have a website, and that it makes money. I post the pictures on a private server and fabricate all the people who are subscribers. Until Jennifer overcomes her lack of self-confidence we'll keep posting pictures." The look of surprise on Mary's face made Bruce laugh. "What can I say? I want her all to myself, but she thinks sex is all she has to offer, all she's good at. So, I will play along for as long as it takes."

"Aren't you afraid she'll find out?" 

"A little. But look at her, she's happy."

Mary looked at Jennifer. She was smiling, until she saw Mary standing in Bruce's shadow. "I think she's worried about losing you."

"I know. She's worried I'll leave her because I want to start a family. Her bad childhood left a lot of emotional scars. She's afraid. Afraid of failure as a mother, afraid of... well... a lot. Sex is her comfort zone. That's why she's been acting so... uninhibited lately."

"Oh? I hadn't noticed."

Mary and Bruce looked at each other and laughed.

Coming in the front door, Jennifer asked, "What's so funny?"

Bruce put his arms around her, kissed her forehead, and said, "I was saying how hot you look, just walking down the street." 

"You were not. Tell me the truth."

Taking her hand, Bruce led her toward the photo studio saying, "You can't handle the truth. Now show me this portrait you've been so excited about."

Jennifer looked back at Mary and winked.

Alone once again, Mary retreated to her studio and filled out the employment paper work, all the while feeling despondent over the loss of Daniel's affection. Why couldn't she have it all? 

'There must be something I can do to reassure Daniel I'd never intentionally hurt him.'

Nothing came to mind. Mary picked up her completed forms and carried them to Daniel's photography studio. Camera flashes illuminated the open door, the session apparently in full swing. She braced herself to witness sex in progress; feeling less disgusted knowing it was all for the benefit of Jennifer's ego. In fact, she felt compassion for Bruce. 

That's when the 'What if' moment hit her. 




Lyon's Den Ch. 06



'What if I was in the pictures with my face exposed? If Bruce's website is fake then I don't have to worry about being recognized on the Internet, and Daniel would have pictures of me doing embarrassing things. I'd never risk public humiliation.'

Confident this was the way she could keep Daniel's affection, Mary strode into the studio loaded for bare.



Lyon's Den Ch. 07



Mary stopped just inside the photography studio door and remained hidden in the shadows. She wanted to see what kind of fantasy Jennifer and Bruce were acting out before committing herself. Bruce wore a waistcoat, ruffled shirt, and breeches like the first time she participated, and Jennifer wore a blue, colonial gown. A tight bun held her long hair on top of her head, while a few loose wisps framed her oval face. 

Mary thought, 'I wonder if Miss Silvia's costume is still in the dressing room?' She slipped back out into the hallway, went around backstage, and there it was, hanging right where she left it. "Perfect!"

Quickly, she removed her 21st century clothes and dressed as Miss Silvia - Jennifer's pretend 18th century governess. Moving to stand next to the stage door, Mary listened for the appropriate moment for her surprise entrance. 

"That was a lovely party," said Jennifer in full fantasy mode.

"And you were the belle of the ball, My Dear," said Bruce, followed by the rustling of fabric, and Jennifer laughing.

"What do you think you're doing? You'll ruin my dress."

"If I do, I'll buy you a new one."

More of Jennifer's giggling as the rustle of fabric continued.

Bruce said, "Did you notice how big the governor's wife's belly has gotten? She looked glowing, beautiful in fact. She's been with child six months now."

In an unconvinced tone, Jennifer said, "Beautiful? You think so?"

"I do."

Bruce must've removed enough of Jennifer's clothes to reach skin, because she groaned with pleasure and the camera flashes came in a bunch.

Regaining some composure, she said, "But after the child is born she'll be fat and ugly."

Bruce responded, "You wouldn't be. You'd be more beautiful than ever with my child suckling at your breast ... like this."

Jennifer giggled. "Not quite like that."

What was Bruce doing? Was he using their fantasy to convince Jennifer to have a child in reality? 

"I'd be a terrible mother."

"No. You'd be a wonderful mother. And I'd be a doting husband and father. We'd make a loving family."

There were more camera flashes, as Jennifer's moans increased. 

"Make me a proud father, Jenny." 

Jennifer laughed, and said, "I don't know. I can't think. You're distracting me."

This sounded like the perfect opportunity for Miss Silvia to appear. Maybe she could keep Daniel's affection and help Bruce convince his wife to get pregnant, all at the same time. She walked through the door, saying, "Jennifer, did I just hear you're having a baby?"

All eyes fell on Mary. First she smiled at Daniel, who looked over the top of his camera, stunned. Then she turned her gaze to Jennifer and Bruce on the bed, both naked from the waist up. 

Jennifer appeared excited to see her, and spoke first. "Miss Silvia! Don't you knock before entering a bedroom?"

Staying in character, Mary turned away embarrassed, and said, "I'm so sorry! I heard Bruce say 'proud father' and forgot my manners."

"We are discussing the possibility of starting a family." said Bruce. "But Jenny has some reservations."

Feeling bold, Mary said, "It looked like you were doing more than talking about it."

Jennifer slid from the center of the bed, and sat on the edge, patting the mattress next to her. "We were about to practice our baby making technique. But since you interrupted, you can sit here and answer some questions." 

Mary sat down, choosing this time to remove the bonnet and expose her face to the camera. "Okay, ask me anything."

"You had a child, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"But you raised him alone. What happened to the father?"

This was something Mary hadn't foreseen. It became personal. "Well, we were young, and not really in love. He didn't want to settle down."

Bruce sat on the other side of Mary, and said, "But I do, Jenny."

Jennifer slid closer to Mary, until their legs touched. She stroked Mary's cheek with the back of her fingers, and said, "You're a beautiful woman, Miss Silvia. Didn't anyone else want you after you had your baby?"

The caress sent tingles throughout Mary. Trying to stay focused, she said, "Maybe I could have found someone else, but I wasn't looking. I loved my son so much. I put all my effort into raising him." 

Jennifer tucked one leg underneath and turned to face Mary. She leaned close, her naked breast pressing against Mary's arm. "And now that you're alone, do you regret not finding someone else to share your bed?" 

The room temperature rose dramatically, as Mary pondered the question and felt conflicted about Jennifer's physical link. She made eye contact with Daniel, who seemed engrossed in their conversation. The camera hung loose from his neck. 'Why isn't he taking pictures?'

"I did find someone, and it was wonderful. But he's been hurt by other women and is wary of lovers having ulterior motives. I'm afraid I may have lost his affection." Mary couldn't hold his gaze any longer, and looked down at the floor. "I'm hoping to win him back by showing him he can trust me. I'd never hurt him." 

Jennifer whispered in her ear, "If you want affection, Mary, I would gladly provide it." The use of her real name signaled the charade had been paused. Placing her hand on Mary's leg, Jennifer spoke loud enough to be heard by everyone, "I wish I could be sure having a baby wouldn't ruin my body." 

She looked past Mary and spoke to Bruce, "I do enjoy sex, don't I dear?"

"Yes, you most certainly do."

"Does sex still feel good to you Miss Silvia? Are your nipples still sensitive? Is your pussy still tight enough to please a man?"

"I can testify to that," said Daniel, smiling brightly, as he took a picture of Mary, Jennifer, and Bruce, sitting side by side. "It absolutely is!"

Mary felt the blush of embarrassment warm her face, but also the thrill of Daniel's confession. In unfettered honesty, she said, "Sex feels better than I remember."

Without explanation or consent, Jennifer took Mary's acquiescent hand and placed it on her bare breast. The warm flesh was firm and soft against her palm, the nipple noticeably hard. Mary reflexively gave it a gentle squeeze. 

Daniel took a picture.

Jennifer giggled, "That felt nice. Do you think it will feel that nice after a baby?" 

Mary became tongue tied, and just nodded, while staring at her hand covering the young breast.

"You two look beautiful together," said Daniel, obviously enjoying the interaction. "I like the vintage look of the costumes."

Jennifer let go of Mary's wrist. 

Unsure of what to do, Mary folded her hands in her lap. The arousal she felt while drawing Jennifer nude returned, but now there was nothing to keep her mind occupied other than the tactile experience. She was pleased that Daniel looked happy, and was hoping to focus her sexual arousal on him very soon. But he had other ideas. 

"Bruce, kneel behind Mary and unbutton her dress."

The bed shifted, as Bruce obediently slipped behind her.

'What's happening?' thought Mary, as she sat frozen, staring at Daniel who seemed to be enjoying the show. The bodice of her dress lost tension with every button undone, until it became so loose she had to hold it up with her palm. The unforeseen consequences of her actions were taking over.

Flashes came in rapid fire. Daniel looked over his camera, and smiled. "The conflicted expression on your face, Mary, is very erotic. You look both nervous and deliciously aroused."

She gave him a weak smile, her heart pounding, unsure what she wanted to do. 

Jennifer reached over and gently gripped the hand holding up the dress. "You know what? You've seen everyone here naked, but we haven't had the pleasure of seeing you. That's not fair." She pulled on Mary's hand. "How about giving us a little peek?" 

Emotionally confused, Mary gave in, and let Jennifer pull away her supporting hand. The dress fell to her waist, exposing her heaving bra covered chest. 

"You're lovely, Mary," said Jennifer, tracing a finger along the top edge the bra, up the shoulder strap, and hooking it with the finger. "I can tell you like this. Your nipples are trying to poke holes to get out." She pulled the strap down Mary's arm and the bra cups became loose. 

"Wait! Stop!" Mary doubled over and covered her face with trembling hands.

Daniel quickly knelt down at her feet. "Mary, it's okay."

After several deep breaths, she said, "I'm sorry. This is my fault. I gave you all the wrong impression. I didn't come in here for... sex."

Daniel gently pulled Mary's hands away from her face, and asked, "Then why?"

She couldn't look at him. Her embarrassment overwhelming, she said, "I'm afraid of losing you. I thought if you had pictures of me in a compromising situation you would have evidence to keep me from suing you for sexual harassment. Then we could continue our... relationship. But now I see how stupid I was. You all thought I just wanted sex."

Bruce cleared his throat, and said, "That's my fault, Dan. I told her what happened with Becky."

Mary continued, "When I heard Bruce and Jennifer talking about having a baby I thought maybe I could help Bruce convince her. But, instead, everyone just wants to see me naked!" She looked accusingly at Daniel. 

"Not just," Mumbled Jennifer.

She stood, pulling up her shoulder strap, "Now I see I don't really fit in here. I'm not an orgy girl." Running back to the dressing room, she yelled over her shoulder, "Excuse me. I have a portrait to paint."

Mary entered the dressing room, sat down on the bench, and cried into her hands. "What was I thinking?" she moaned, rocking back and forth. 

Soon, there was a soft knock on the door, and Daniel asked, "Mary, are you all right?"

"No, I'm not all right. I'm a mess. Go away."

Instead the door started to open. She stopped it with her foot. "I said go away, Dan!"

"Not until I know what's going on. Talk to me." 

He kept gentle pressure on the door, so Mary kept her foot against it, and spoke sadly, "I don't know what to say. I thought we... just us, had a good thing going. But now I realize you'll never be satisfied with just me."

"We do have a good thing, and I am satisfied with just you. I don't need anyone else."

"Then why did you look so excited when you told Bruce to..." She couldn't say it out loud. "You know what happened."

There was a long pause before Daniel replied. "I was excited, Mary. At first I was shocked when you walked in. I couldn't believe you were inserting yourself into their fantasy. It was so unlike you. But you seemed to want to be involved, so I was happy to encourage you." Another pause and then, "I thought you wanted a new sexual experience, but you were too nervous to be assertive. I was just trying to help you along... Mary, I want what you want. I don't own you. We're both old enough to separate love from sex if we want something new and different."

She sighed. "I don't want 'something different'. 

"That's fine, but how was I supposed to know?"

He had a point. Mary's intentions were easily misinterpreted. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone in there."

"Why did you?"

"You heard what I said."

Daniel's tone of voice became angry. "I trust you, Mary. It hurts me that you'd think I'd want photographs as blackmail collateral. It hurts that you didn't just talk to me about it."

She moved her foot away from the door, and sobbed into her hands. 

Pushing the door open, Daniel once again knelt at her feet and pulled her into his arms. 

At first she resisted, but then fell against his chest and let him hold her. This was what she needed, comfort from the storm, a sheltering oasis. "I'm sorry I didn't talk to you. My life has changed so much for the better since I met you. I went temporarily insane when I thought I might lose your..." she wanted to say love, but knew it was too soon, "affection."

He laughed. "Wow, temporary insanity? Should I get a restraining order?"

"No, I'm over it." Mary leaned back, and extended her hand. "Let's just be friends."

"Like hell, just friend." He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately, running his hands up and down her back. Then, cradling her head with fingers tangled in her hair, his lips moved down her neck.

"Oh god," groaned Mary, grief suddenly overcome by repressed desire. 

Daniel must've felt the same pent up frustration, because his hands began an unrestrained tearing at her clothes. He stood over her and pulled.

She lifted off the seat to allow the dress to be yanked over her head. Seeing his bulge at eye level, her fingers worked frantically to open his pants and free his cock. She pulled it to her lips and his erection grew to full size in seconds. 

"Oh Mary, that feels so good," groaned Daniel, leaning with his hands braced on the wall. After a fleeting silence, in a breathless voice, he said, "Not yet," and grabbed her under the arms, forcing her to stand. Kissing her roughly, he worked loose her bra and pushed his hands underneath the cups, groping and squeezing. 

Mary kissed back with just as much heat, stroking his cock with one hand, while pushing the other up under his shirt. Daniel's hands slid down her sides. She felt her panties being pushed down and then her bare ass clutched in his strong grip. 

His lips broke away long enough to say, "Put your foot up on the seat."

When Mary complied, he bent down at the knees. She knew his intentions and helped by placing his cock between her well lubricated lips. His hips pressed up and forward, and she felt him slide easily in. This was what she wanted, what she craved. "Oh Daniel, fuck me."

Her uncharacteristic obscenity triggered something in Daniel she hadn't experienced. He became forceful, demanding, punishing in his thrusts. It was an animalistic coupling, and it turned her on more than ever. "Oh yeah, fuck me, Danny. Give it to me hard." It became so violent that Mary's ass thudded against the wall. She felt close to orgasm when he suddenly pulled out and pulled her away from the wall. Confused, she moved with his hands. 

Daniel sat and then pulled her down onto his lap with her facing away. It took a few seconds to get her positioned, but soon she was pounding up and down with his hands firmly gripping her hips. 

"Yes, Danny. Oh god!" She was rapidly nearing her peak, feeling weak in the knees. Leaning forward, she grabbed the open door for support as the first orgasmic wave washed over her. She couldn't hold back the scream of ecstasy as she met each thrust with a thrust of her own. The feel of her breasts bouncing with every slap of skin added to the sensual cacophony. Daniel groaned, and there was a sudden wetness running down her thighs. 

Gradually the motion stopped. Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the air. Mary leaned back against Daniels chest. His arms surrounded her, one hand on her breast, the other at their juncture, caressing softly. 

She sighed with complete fulfillment. "That was wonderful."

"That was so fucking hot!" 

Mary's eyes flew open to see Jennifer in the backstage shadows, smiling at them through the open door. Bruce stood behind, fondling her bare breasts, and grinning over her shoulder. 

Mary screamed and kicked the door closed.



Lyon's Den Ch. 08



Mary wouldn't leave the backstage dressing room until Daniel made sure Jennifer and Bruce left the building. A soft knock on the door startled her. 

"They're gone, Mary. You can come out now."

Her heart was still pounding and her face flushed from the unintentional public sex act, although she felt conflicted about the reasons why. Opening the door, she said, "Thank you for checking."

Daniel smiled, and said, "Well, now we've all seen each other naked. We're even-Steven."

"Seeing me naked, and seeing me have a huge orgasm are two totally different things," she said, trying to sound humiliated, but feeling more than a little titillated by their unplanned exposure. After all, she didn't know they were watching, and Jennifer said they were hot. Mary felt hot. The sex had been unbelievably hot. 

"Don't be too hard on them. They didn't expect to see us like that. They came backstage because they were concerned about you." He laughed, and said, "Then they hung around for the show." He took her hand as they walked, "They'll be very discreet. You'll never hear another word about it unless you bring it up."

"Aren't you embarrassed?"

"Why?" He stopped, put his hands on her hips, and pulled her close. "I made passionate love to my beautiful friend. I feel ecstatic and totally smitten. If anything, they should be happy for us, maybe even envious." Daniel gently kissed her.

Mary couldn't help but smile in agreement when he broke away. "It felt so amazing. I lost all inhibitions... wild abandon, like nothing I've ever experienced."

'Wild abandon', she'd never used those words to describe anything she'd done before, and wondered if she'd ever feel that incredible again.

"I almost forgot," said Daniel, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a key. "This is to my apartment. Feel free to stay over if you work late, or if you want to raid my fridge. I'm away on business quiet often. There's plenty of closet space if you want to keep some things here."

The rest of the week flew by. Between painting Crystal and Sally's portrait, and working with the contractor on the gallery renovations, there weren't enough hours in the day. Visits with Daniel were fleeting, but always pleasant. He would stop in unannounced to check on progress and fit in some discreet fondling and smooching. 

On Friday, Mary received an email from Bruce with a link to a new gallery website. It looked very professional, with easy navigation and detailed graphics. Her paintings were the only works on display, but that would change soon. She was glad that Bruce didn't come in person to show her. It would've felt awkward. But sooner or later, Mary would have to face them, and come to grips with her embarrassment. 

Saturday morning, Mary checked her bank account to make sure the automatic payroll deposit went through as planned.

"Oh my god!" She called Daniel's cellphone, forgetting he had flown to San Diego the day before on business. 

Groggy Daniel answered, "Hello... Mary? Is something wrong?"

"Did I wake you? I'm so sorry, Dan. But I just checked my bank account and there's been a mistake. Twice my salary was deposited."

"Wait... tell me exactly how much?"

She told him the amount, and heard his tired sigh. 

"No, Mary. That's right. That's what I pay an executive assistant. You have a lot of responsibility, and doing a great job from what I hear. I'm going back to sleep now, hopefully I'll dream about you. Bye." She heard an air kiss before the line went dead. 

It took a minute for the shock to wear off. She'd never dreamt of making so much money, enough money to have disposable income. But with great money comes great responsibility. Instead of goofing off on Saturday morning as usual, Mary got dressed and went to the gallery, like any conscientious executive assistant would. 

The contractors' trucks were parked in front of the gallery, so Mary entered through the open front door and found herself in the middle of a shouting match. 

"What's going on, Fred?"

Fred took a deep breath, and said, "Hi Mary. I was just about to call Daniel." He pointed at the man holding a spotlight fixture, and said, "This is Greg Lunsford. He's the electrician. I told him we want LED lights, but he didn't quote LED fixtures. They're more expensive, and he'll lose money if he switches them."

"Well you can't call Daniel. He's unreachable at the moment," said Mary, as she walked over to the men. "What's the difference between the two types of fixtures?"

Greg explained, "The LED's are expensive –"

"But the bulbs last longer and are far more efficient," interrupted Fred.

"But you didn't put that in your job specs. I can't afford to take a loss like that!" Angry, Greg shook the spotlight at Fred.

"Whoa, calm down both of you." She moved between them, saying, "Daniel put me in charge of this renovation, so here's my decision. Put in the LED fixtures and we will pay the difference. No one will lose money. We'll make up the difference in the long run by saving on the electric bill."

"If I return these fixtures I'll get hit with a restocking fee," complained Greg.

"We'll pay that too. How soon before you can replace them?"

A pacified Greg, answered, "I can come back on Monday."

"You okay with that Fred?"

Fred nodded. "I can use a Saturday off."

"It's settled. See you guys on Monday."

Both men picked up their tools and walked out the front door smiling. Mary was about to lock the door behind them when she saw Jennifer get out of a car and head her way. Mary's stomach did a somersault. It felt too soon to face her after what she witnessed in the dressing room. Mary wanted to lock the door and run before Jennifer saw her, but even from this distance Mary could see the tears running down her cheeks.

So Mary acted like she was inspecting the renovation's progress when Jennifer stormed in, and shouted, "Where's Dan?"

"Uh... he's in San Diego on business. What's wrong, Jen?"

"Fuck! Fuck it all!" 

She turned to leave, but Mary grabbed her sleeve. "Wait! Don't go. You're too upset to be driving. What's going on?" 

Turning back, she hugged Mary like a needy child and sobbed on her shoulder, "I'm leaving Bruce."

"What? Why, what happened?" Mary put one arm around Jennifer's back and stroked her hair with the other, trying to console the distraught woman.

Finally composed enough to speak, Jennifer said, "Bruce lied to me. We don't have a website. We don't have subscribers. I'm not making any money. It's all been a fake." She broke free in an angry mood-swing and began to pace. "I want to know if Dan was in on it -- taking pictures, coming up with porn scenes... I can't believe I've been such an idiot!" She kicked over a box, scattering electrical fittings. 

Mary, fearing the consequences, softly said, "I don't think he knew, but I did."

Glaring at Mary, Jennifer growled, "What did you just say?"

"Bruce told me a few days ago, in confidence."

"Why? Why would he tell you that?"

"I don't know. I think he was secretly worried about what would happen if you found out, and was trying to justify it in his head. He only made it all up to keep you happy."

Jennifer flopped down on a step stool and covered her face. "Guess what, I'm not happy about it at all."

"Well... I'm not surprised." Mary sat down on a nearby crate, and asked, "How did you find out?"

She looked up at Mary, obviously conflicted. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Fine." Mary stood, and said, "Then come and hangout in my studio. I want to get some work done." She held out her hand, and Jennifer took it. Mary helped her up, and then tried to let go, but Jennifer held on. They walked hand-in-hand to the studio. 

When they entered the room, Jennifer let go and stood in front of the partially completed portrait of Crystal and Sally. "You are so talented, Mary. You've captured their expressions of love for each other perfectly."

"Thank you. I'm very pleased with it. Painting portraits makes it difficult to use artistic license. They have to be an exact likeness of the individuals, or else it fails its purpose."

"Well it looks just like them, except for Sally's legs. They look great. I'm sure she will be very happy to see herself with good legs again."

Mary moved up beside Jennifer. "She'll probably feel happy and sad. Tragedy never goes away completely."

"Don't I know it," said Jennifer, without looking away from the painting. "Crystal looks gorgeous, even pregnant."

"Yes, she does."

"Her breasts are huge!"

"That happens when they're preparing for 'little mouth on the dairy'."

Jennifer laughed, then was silent a moment, before asking, "How does it feel to paint someone? It must be an intimate experience." 

"It is. I've painted landscapes for so long; I'd forgotten the connection I feel with the people I paint."

Jennifer turned to look at Mary. "How did it feel to draw me naked?"

The heat rose in Mary's face. Unable to come up with a spontaneous lie, she walked away saying, "Honestly? Unsettling." Then, to change the subject, she asked, "Now that you're calm, tell me what happened between you and Bruce."

No response. Jennifer began to stroll around the studio, picking up items from the shelves to inspect. 

Mary pulled off her heavy sweater and put on her painter's smock. She rolled the cart full of acrylics and brushes over to the canvas, and patiently went to work. "I'm going to start on the garden area, less demand for accuracy. I can listen and paint at the same time you know."

The futon where Jennifer reclined for her portrait sat folded against the wall. She pulled it out, lay down, and closed her eyes. After a while, she said, "Well, you're to blame."

Mary's brush stopped halfway between palette and canvas. "Me? How am I to blame?"

Jennifer let out an annoyed sigh, before saying, "Because Bruce said that if you still looked that good and had sex that hot after having a baby then I shouldn't be worried about it. So we argued about me having a baby, again. When I tried to make the point that it would hurt our online business, he said it wouldn't hurt business because there wasn't any... You can guess how it went downhill from there." 

"I'm sorry you found out during an argument, but I'm glad you know the truth. Now I think you should go back home and talk to him. Ask him why he did it."

"I can't go back. I can't live the life he wants. It's too confining, too conforming."

Mary began to outline a daffodil. "He loves you. What he did was out of concern for you. He's sensitive about your past."

With a suspicious tone, Jennifer asked, "What do you know about my past?"

"Not much. I know you were abused as a child, ran away, and survived by doing porn." 

"That's me in a nut sack. I'm a damaged human being." Jennifer rolled onto her side, facing away from Mary. 

"Only if you let your past define you. It's up to you to decide who you are today and tomorrow." Mary took a deep breath and sighed. "Listen to me. I sound like a bumper sticker." She put down her brush to mix a dark green for the flower stem. "At least you have someone that loves you, who will stand by you. I was an unwed mother back when it still had the stigma of shame. I'm proud of myself for raising such a good kid alone. He's my pride and joy. But I would've liked to have a husband to share the journey."

Jennifer laughed. "How quaint." 

"Do you love Bruce?"

After a prolonged silence, Jennifer mumbled, "I'm not sure I know what true love feels like. Do you?" 

"Well, I know I love my son. I would die for him. I'm happy when he's happy, doesn't matter what's going on in my life at the time."

Jennifer rolled over and sat up to look at Mary. "You sacrificed for him, centered your life on him. What's left for you now that he's gone?"

Recent feelings of a purposeless future and loneliness began to well up inside Mary. She fought back threatening tears. "I'm figuring that out. But I have the satisfaction of a job well done. I tried to do my best as a mother. Now I'm enjoying life one day at a time. It's been a wild couple of weeks, but things seem to be going well."

"I need a hobby to keep my mind off my problems." Jennifer walked over and stood close behind Mary. "Maybe I should take up painting."

Mary tried to ignore the warm breath on her neck. "It's very therapeutic."

Picking up a brush from the cart, Jennifer dabbed it in the stem green paint. "I bet I'd be good at painting people."

"It would take practice, but I'd help you learn if you want."

"Great! You can be my first subject." 

Mary jerked her head away from a cold wet touch on her cheek. 

She turned to see Jennifer holding the green tipped sable brush, evilly grinning. "Yup, you look better already."

Mary touched the wet spot on her cheek and then looked at her green fingertip. She laughed, "Why you brat!" and reached over to load her fan brush with green paint as Jennifer slowly backed away. "Let me show you how it's done."

Jennifer squealed and turned to run, but Mary grabbed a fistful of tee-shirt and pulled her back, swiping the brush across the side of her neck.

Jennifer wiped her neck and then stared at her green palm. Instead of appearing mad, she smiled. "This is war!" She marched over to the pallet and pressed her open palm on all the available colors. 

"No! Peace, peace!" But Mary wasn't fast enough to escape from the studio. 

The younger woman caught her from behind, and with one arm holding her around the waist, she pressed the painted palm firmly over her left breast. "How's that feel, Mom!" Instead of stopping, she shoved Mary roughly against the wall and spun her around, pinning her shoulders to the sheetrock. 

She leaned in until their noses touched. "Let me tell you something, Mary. I loved being drawn naked by you. I kept thinking about your eyes wandering over my skin, seeing every freckle, every hill and valley. It turned me on more than I can remember. I think it turned you on too."

Mary couldn't speak because she couldn't lie well enough. She just stared into Jennifer's eyes while gulping deep breaths.

"I think it turned you on last week when I put your hand on my boob. You didn't pull away. I felt you squeeze it. I think you want to know what it's like to be with another woman. Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me to stop."

The old, stick-in-the-mud Mary wanted to deny it, wanted to say stop, but the new free spirit Mary wanted to say, 'yes, I admit it. I liked seeing you naked. I liked touching your firm young breast. I want to know. I want to experience wild abandon again.' 

But when she remained silent, Jennifer smiled knowingly, then tipped her head, closed her eyes, and moved her lips in against Mary's. The soft kiss was a momentary feathery touch, brushing back and forth. Jennifer pulled back to see what effect it had. Mary's eyes stayed closed and she made no effort to get away. The pulse on Mary's neck throbbed visibly. 

"Your heart's racing, Mary," whispered Jennifer. She kissed the pulse, and then tickled it with the tip of her tongue. "You want to know something else? I've wanted to seduce you from the first day we met. Did you know that?"

"No," said Mary softly, but then confessed, "Well... maybe a little."

Kissing her way up Mary's neck, Jennifer whispered back, "Now I'm going to take my time getting to know every inch of you, like I'm painting you with my fingers... my lips... my tongue." Covering Mary's mouth with her own, Jennifer plied her tongue between her lips. 

At first Mary tensed, but then moaned and let her in. A few passive seconds later, she began to kiss back. Wild abandon seemed close, close enough to touch. The hands pinning her shoulders to the wall slipped down her chest. She felt fingers grabbing the fabric of her smock and pull in opposite directions. The snaps gave up their hold slowly, one at a time. Mary's body twitched with every release, as Jennifer continued kissing her. 

Jennifer broke off the kiss, but kept lip to lip contact, and said, "Mary, you're going to be my MILK." 

In a husky, distracted voice, Mary asked, "Your what?"

"Mother I like to kiss." 

The last snap popped, and Mary's knees buckled for a moment. 

Jennifer pushed the shirt open and dropped her head to kiss Mary's sternum. "You're going to be my MILL, too. Mother I like to lick."

Mary's face burned hot, as the aggressive woman kissed down to her heaving chest, playing along the top edge of her bra. Mary's hands automatically moved to tangle in Jennifer's hair, not to stop her, but to encourage. 

When lip clamped down on her bra covered nipple Mary groaned, "Oh my."

So distracted were both woman, neither heard the little bell over the gallery front door. Bruce stepped inside and looked at the GPS locator on his phone. A muffled sound from somewhere further inside caught his attention. 

"Jen!"

There was a startled shriek and sudden commotion. 

Bruce moved down the hall toward the noise. "Jen, is that you?" 

No answer came. Concerned, he strode through the only open door, into Mary's studio, and stopped abruptly to take in the room. Jennifer stood with her hands behind her back, a red face, and green paint on her neck, glaring at him. Mary's back was turned, but it looked like she was fastening her smock. 

"What are you doing here?" demanded Jennifer.

"I tracked your phone. I want to talk--"

"I'm done talking to you," said Jennifer, as she tried to walk out. But Bruce grabbed her arm. "Ow, you're hurting me."

Alarmed, Mary turned around to see what was happening. Bruce's eyes immediately spotted the multicolored hand print over her breast and the green spot on her cheek. 

He pulled Jennifer's hand up. It was clean. "Let me see the other one."

"No! Go away!"

They struggled, but she was no match for his size and strength. He looked down at Jennifer's paint covered palm. Anger clouded his face. "Really? We have an argument and the first thing you do is run away and find someone for sex! We had an agreement. No sex with other people without mutual consent."

Jennifer pulled her arm free, and said, "Well you lied to me first. That made our agreement null and void." She backed away, saying, "I can't trust you anymore."

The comment seemed to gut punch Bruce. He winched and his posture softened. The anger drained from his face. "Honey, you can absolutely trust me. I was trying to protect you. The problem I had... even if only subscribers had access to our photos doesn't mean they won't be downloaded and end up god knows where. I was hoping you'd get bored with posting to a website and wouldn't find out about it being faked."

Jennifer sighed, and looked down at the floor. "But it was exciting for me. I love pretending with you."

Bruce moved close to Jennifer and gently put his arms around her. "I know. I love it to. You've opened my life up to so many new, exciting things. I don't want to lose that with you."

As the couple kissed and made up, Mary's thoughts were in turmoil. A minute ago she was at the height of arousal, on the brink of wild abandon, and now just a fly on the wall, the third wheel. Her mind, still aroused, wandered back to when the three of them sat side by side on the stage bed while Daniel took photographs. He told Bruce to unbutton her dress. She remembered how unexpectedly turned on she felt as each button was undone, but didn't want to reveal it. She wondered if Bruce, being a virgin when he married Jennifer and never having another woman since, felt the same emotional conflict. How far would he have gone? Was he as nervous about the experience as she? Would Jennifer be jealous? 

The couple broke their embrace when Mary tapped their shoulders. Turning to look, she put a hand behind each of their heads. First she pulled Jennifer's lips to hers, and then Bruce's. "Never go to bed angry," she said, and, taking a step back, she waited.



Lyon's Den Ch. 09



After Mary kissed them both, Bruce and Jennifer stared at her for a few seconds. Bruce's brow was knit in a confused look, while Jennifer grinned with the confidence of certainty. Taking her husband by the hand, Jennifer led him out of the studio. 

Mary walked over and picked up the brushes dropped in the heat of passion. She inhaled a deep calming breath and let it out slowly. Hearing the front door bell ring, she decided the couple's departure was the best outcome for their marriage. They definitely had issues to work through.

The brushes needed to be cleaned before they could be used again. Mary's hands trembled from the excitement of recent events as she stood at the sink and rinsed them off. When finished, she turned around to see Jennifer leaning against the door jam, smiling. 

"The front door is locked. No more interruptions."

Frozen in place, Mary's heartrate soared and words escaped her. 

"Bruce has given me consent," said Jennifer, as she approached. Taking the sable brush, she painted a wet line from Mary's ear to her chin. "I told him how excited I was to be your first woman... and how excited I'll be when I get home."

Mary shivered from the tickle of both the brush and the comment. 

"You know what I'm going to do when I get home? I'm going to kiss Bruce with your pussy residue on my lips. I think he'll get a thrill out of that, don't you?"

Mary didn't know what to think. Her mind went blank at the mental image of Jennifer's lips down there.

"I think you need to sit down, Mary. You look a little dazed," said Jennifer, leading her by the hand and pulling her down onto the futon. 

Finding a small voice, Mary asked, "Bruce isn't mad anymore?"

Jennifer brushed the hair away from Mary's neck, leaned close, and whispered, "What can I say? He wants me to be happy. This will make me happy, and then I will make him happy. Everyone wins, right?" 

The only answer Mary gave was a sigh of pleasure, as Jennifer's lips played along her throat. Goose flesh rose on her arms. 

"Now where were we? Oh yeah, I remember." 

With a sudden yank in opposite directions, Jennifer ripped opened Mary's smock, causing her to squeak in surprise. 

"Ooo, Mary, your chest is turning pink. You liked that didn't you. Maybe you like to be dominated."

Jennifer's lips began to nibble a trail down the ridge of Mary's shoulder, while pushing her down, until she was lying flat. She moved aside to lift Mary's legs onto the futon. Once her initiate was fully reclined, Jennifer removed her own sweatshirt, then unsnapped her bra and shrugged it off, never losing eye contact with Mary. 

Mary once again felt the marvelous sensation of wild abandon building up inside. Jennifer's young, supple body that she'd appreciated as an artist was about to be experienced as a lover. This rarified moment in time was all that mattered - the quickening pulse, the warm flesh, were all indications her body was readying for physical pleasures previously unknown. 

Jennifer hastily stripped off her remaining clothes, as if she feared a change of heart. She straddled the futon above Mary's waist and put on a show, running her hands over her body. She fondled her breasts for Mary, twisting her nipples and sighing. She ran her palms up her inner thighs and pinched her labia between the edges to tease her clitoris, groaning her pleasure.

Mary witnessed a shiny effluent coat the enflamed petals, making her own juices flow in response. 

"I want you, Mary. I'm so excited about having you touch me with more than your eyes." Jennifer knelt over Mary's hips, bent down, and kissed her passionately. 

While they kissed, Mary felt Jennifer's hands work their way underneath. She arched up, and was rewarded by the release of her bra. She moaned into Jennifer's open mouth.

Jennifer sat up, pulling Mary's smock and bra free and tossing them away. She smiled down, eyes switching from one breast to the other. "Not bad for an old lady."

Mary laughed. "Thank you, I think." 

Once again picking up the sable brush, Jennifer traced the soft tip down the center of Mary's chest and around each nipple. They responded by tightening up into hard points of sensation, pleading for attention. The damp brush left a shiny trail that Jennifer gently blew on, making Mary shiver. 

Then suddenly, the younger woman sucked the left nipple and pinched the right. 

Mary involuntarily arched up, hit by a jolt of synaptic pleasure, and groaned, "Oh god." 

The experienced hands of Jennifer teased her newbie flesh in unfamiliar ways. Mary reveled in the delightful feel of another woman's soft skin and delicate touch. Hands that now slid down and worked at unfastening her jeans. 

"Lift up." 

Mary obeyed, and felt the cool room air wash over her hot skin as pants and panties where tugged down. Sneakers and socks, blocking the descent, were forcibly removed. Then a new sensation, woman to woman flesh, as Jennifer lay on top of her.

"Mmm, that's much better. Doesn't that feel nice?" she said, rubbing their bodies together, and smiling.

Mary, still without words to express how she felt, responded by cupping Jennifer's face and drawing her down into a lingering kiss. 

Jennifer picked up the fan brush that Mary dropped in the heat of the moment. She sat up, straddling her thighs. Testing the bristles with her fingers, she said, "This one's a little stiffer," and swiped it experimentally across her own nipple. "Oh, that's nice. What do you think?" she asked, flicking Mary's with it. 

"Oh, that is nice."

"She can talk!" 

Mary felt her face warm by revealing the enjoyment of such unorthodox titillation. 

"But can she suck?" Jennifer leaned forward and dangled her nipple over Mary's mouth. 

After a moment's hesitation, she lifted her head and gently gripped Jennifer's swollen bud between her lips. She played her tongue over it while sucking the way she enjoyed it. 

Jennifer pressed into the pleasure. "Mmm, you're a natural."

Encouraged, Mary rolled the other nipple between her fingers, making Jennifer groan with satisfaction.

Pulling free, Jennifer slip down and began kissing lower and lower. Soon she was kissing just above Mary's pubis. One hand fondled a breast and the other played in Mary's pubic hair. "I haven't eaten a bearded clam in a long time."

Mary's hips bucked when Jennifer ran a finger up between her labia. She lifted her head to see, but Jennifer's hair blocked the view. Then, a little wet tickle that could only be a tongue teased around her clitoris. 

"Spread your legs for me, Baby."

Placing her feet on either side of the futon, Mary bent and parted her knees. She heard, "Thank you, Sweetie," and felt a warm, moist suction enclose her clit, while fingers played around her entrance. Her legs reflexively twitched closed, and then she relaxed and let them fall open. It felt wonderful, and she wanted to see as well as feel. Propping up on one elbow, Mary reached down and brushed aside the young woman's hair.

Jennifer looked up and smiled, her chin glistening. "You want to watch?" she asked, pulling her air over her shoulder in compliance. Her head dropped down and she licked a wide swath up between the swollen lips. "Mmm, yummy." Then her middle finger began to twist its way inside. 

Mary collapsed back down, weakened by the thrill. She felt her vagina prepare with a gush of lubricant, encouraging penetration. It didn't seem to matter who was coming in, it wants what it wants. As the finger entered, she couldn't help compare the feeling of this finger with Daniel's. The sensations were similar, but different enough to excite anew - smaller, thinner, attached to another woman. A woman who liked to talk.

"How's that feel, Sweetie? God, you're tight. I thought after having a baby I'd be able to stick my fist in there." Jennifer added another finger, thrusting in and out, while her thumb rub Mary's clitoris. 

"It feels..." Mary's hips began to respond to the building pleasure, "good." 

"Oh, I think it feels better than good. Your body tells me you love it." Jennifer moved up and sucked in a nipple. 

"Uh!" Mary's legs opened and closed against Jennifer's hips. Her feet pushed down on the floor to pump against the growing sexual pressure. The suctioning lips left her breast, and were replaced by a squeezing hand. The traveling lips soon arrived back on her clit, while a middle and index finger slipped in and out, faster and faster.

The climax broke hard and sudden. Mary screamed and arched up against Jennifer's insistent mouth. Shuddering waves came one after the other, until Mary forcibly pushed the other woman from between her legs and rolled onto her side. 

"Wow, that was hot!" Jennifer stretched out behind Mary, spooned her, and gently rubbed her belly. She whispered, "I can still feel your muscles quivering. I love the aftershocks. They're like skipping, tingly stones of joy." 

After a few minutes of recovery, Mary turned to face Jennifer. "Thank you. That felt amazing."

Jennifer kissed Mary's forehead. "It was my pleasure. You were an itch I needed to scratch. I think you're beautiful and talented, and sexy-"

Mary pushed her finger against the praising lips. "Shush, I'm just an old lady. You said it yourself."

"I was kidding. Besides, being your first, well... I have a fetish for firsts. Ask Bruce." She smiled.

Mary smiled in return, her eyes focused on her lover's lips. She felt their pull. Closing her eyes, she kissed them softly. When Jennifer moaned, she kissed harder. Tasting herself on another woman felt so naughty, so unlike anything she'd ever done. She kissed harder, forcing Jennifer onto her back and rolling on top. Any inhibitions she had melted like icicles on a summer day. Jennifer's silky skin against hers rekindled her cravings, and she began to copy the southern trip she'd just experience. Kissing down the center of Jennifer's chest, she paused to look at the firm breasts. Pushing them together, she sucked from one to the other. 

"Mary, Mary, Mary, that feels so good," said Jennifer, massaging the back of her partner. 

Flicking the now hardened nipple with her tongue, Mary said, "I have to confess, drawing you nude did turn me on. I wanted to know how the beautiful woman my fingers drew on paper would actually feel. It's exciting to find out."

Jennifer laughed. "I knew it! Feel free to take all the time you need."

"Maybe I have a fetish for firsts too," whispered Mary, as she kissed below Jennifer's navel. 

In response, Jennifer spread her legs without being told. Her hands pushed Mary's head lower to the clean shaven pussy, opening to reveal a slick pink center. Mary covered it with her palm and rubbed up and down. "How do you keep it so smooth?"

"Laser hair removal. To really appreciate it you have to put your mouth on it." She pushed down on Mary's head for emphasis. 

Laughing, Mary said, "What happened to take all the time I need?" 

"I'm sorry. I'm just so hot right now."

Mary pressed her hand flat against the damp pussy. "You feel hot." Mary inhaled the young woman's aroma. "You smell hot. Maybe I can blow out the fire." She blew a hard stream of air onto Jennifer's clit. 

Her legs twitched in response. Jennifer moaned, and said, "Oh, you're a tease. C'mon then, tease me, please me."

Mary had been orally pleasured enough to know what felt good, but what she didn't know was how it would feel to give oral to another woman. Her heart pounded as she dipped her head and gently circled Jennifer's clit with her tongue. 

Jennifer's hips bucked. "Fuck!" 

"You have a potty mouth." Mary kissed the clit, giving it a little suction.

Her hips bucked harder. "Fudge! That better?" 

Mary smiled with her lips against the focus of her attention. "Much," she said, and then plunged her tongue into Jennifer to extract the full flavor of another woman. 

"Ah... shoot, Mary. I'm so freaking horny." 

Mary licked her lips, taste testing Jennifer's goo. "You know what; I don't think an old woman like me tastes much different than you." 

Putting her index and middle fingers together, she quickly rubbed east and west across Jennifer's clit, eliciting a squeal and involuntary muscle spasms from her paramour. She liked the sound of that word, paramour. It sounded sophisticated, although, at the moment, the stream of obscenities spewing from Jennifer didn't sound very sophisticated. Still, giving pleasure to another woman felt unbelievably exciting and worldly.

Mary reached up and pinched a nipple while thrusting two fingers and sucking clitoris, just like she'd experienced. 

Already at a high level of arousal, Jennifer's orgasm exploded. A gush of warm fluid ejaculated out around Mary's fingers. She'd heard of women squirting, but seeing it and causing it was a new sexual high. She slowly eased her caresses, as Jennifer's body relaxed. 

Breathing heavily, Jennifer panted, "Wow that was... effing unbelievable."

"You made quite a mess," said Mary, laying her head on Jennifer's chest, listening to her pounding heart. 

"I only do that when I'm extremely turned on." She kissed Mary's head, "Thank you. I really didn't think you'd want to touch me. You surprised me."

Mary sucked on her fingers, and said, "I surprised myself. It was a thrilling first, and firsts are always unforgettable. Thank you for making it so wonderful." 

Putting an arm around Mary, Jennifer said, "Believe me, it was my pleasure."

They snuggled for few minutes, until their bodies cooled and they needed to get dressed.

"I guess I'll be going home. Bruce is expecting to hear all the details, and then I'll get a good... what do you old people call it? Oh yeah, a good jostling." 

Mary laughed. "Come on, I'm not from the Victorian era." She thought about what Jennifer said, felt her cheeks burn, and asked, "You're going to tell Bruce everything?"

"Of course. That was the deal." Grinning, she asked, "Does it embarrass you to be an aphrodisiac?"

"A little."

"Well don't let it bother you. After we watched you and Dan screwing in the dressing room we had amazing sex. So, you've already crossed that bridge."

Mary's face grew hotter. "Okay then." 

Jennifer kissed Mary one last lingering kiss, and said, "I'll see you soon, Lover Girl," and left. 

'Lover girl?' Mary hadn't thought that far ahead. Would she want to be lover's with Jennifer? Wasn't this supposed to be a one and done experience? She sighed heavily and looked around the studio. She felt emotionally exhausted and didn't feel like painting. 

After cleaning up her paints and wiping Jennifer juice off the futon, Mary decided she was hungry. 'Time to use Daniel's apartment key and raid his refrigerator.' 

Entering the silent apartment, Mary went to the bathroom and showered. The hot water jets massaged a new tension in her body. Repercussions, and unintended consequences of her dalliance with Jennifer were now crowding her thoughts. Should she tell Daniel? They weren't an exclusive couple. In fact, he tried to instigate just such a sexual encounter for her. But he was in the room then, today he was not. She felt an emotional connection with Dan and didn't want to jeopardize any possible relationship. Sex with Jennifer was simply acting out wild abandon, but what she really wanted was a long term love. Recreational sex didn't meet her need to love and be loved. 

'Besides, I love men's bodies. I love cock.' The thought of Dan naked and erect sent a quiver down her spine.

Mary slipped into Daniel's terrycloth robe, strolled to the kitchen, and cooked up a grilled cheese sandwich. She noticed they both liked sharp cheddar cheese, skim milk, whole wheat bread, and Lay's potato chips. Good relationships needed things in common, even small things.

Now that her stomach was full, Mary decided a short nap was in order before heading home to wash clothes and clean house. She crawled naked into Daniel's bed and buried her face in his pillow. His smell brought back lovely, intimate memories. Soon, she fell fast asleep.

***

Business in San Diego finished ahead of schedule. Daniel caught an early flight, and climbed the stairs to his apartment, happy to be home and hoping Mary was free for dinner. The smell of cooking hung in the kitchen air. He saw unwashed dishes in his sink as he passed by. A smile brightened his face at the thought of Mary eating in his apartment. When he entered the bedroom his smile broadened at the vision of Mary sleeping in his bed. Her shoulders were bare. Seeing her panties on the chair and picturing her naked under the covers made his cock stir. 

'I couldn't ask for a better welcome home.'

Quietly, he slipped off his clothes and climbed into bed. Mary stirred, but didn't wake. Facing her, Daniel enjoyed watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful at rest. Soon he drifted off to sleep, as well.

***

Mary floated between asleep and awake. In her dreamland, she was in a wonderfully warm embrace that she didn't want to leave. All dreams must end, and Mary's eyes fluttered open. But the pleasant embrace remained. There was an arm over her back and a warm body pressed against her side. Her hand lay on firm rounded flesh that felt like an ass. Suddenly remembering where she was, she turned her head to look. There was Daniel, sound asleep next to her. She smiled and cuddled closer, turning sideways to press against his hip and throw a leg over his thigh. Rubbing her leg up and down over his buttocks caused a sleepy groan. 

When his eyes cracked open, Mary whispered, "Hi, Lover Boy. Welcome home."

"Glad to be home," he said, turning to embrace Mary front to front. 

They kissed with soft lingering lips. Soon Daniel's erection grew between their stomachs. 

"I believe you," said Mary, snaking her hand down to grip his cock, loving the unique feel of a man. "Viva la différence."

"What?" Daniel asked, not understanding the context. 

Realizing she'd accidentally opened the conversation up to disclose her time with Jennifer, she hesitated. "I'm just saying..." again she hesitated because she wanted to say I love you. "I love how your body feels different than mine."

"Well then. Let me give you the total experience," he said, and rolled on top. 

His lips trailed a path south, similar to the path recently taken by Jennifer. The experience so fresh in Mary's mind, this comparison became a new sexual high. Daniel's head disappeared beneath the covers and Mary closed her eyes to revel in the tactile sensation of his bristly chin scuffing against her breasts and nipples. Then came the suction of his lips. Then came the invasion of his large man hand between her legs. Then came the hot man breath between her legs, and the man chin, tongue, and lips scouring her sensitized clitoris beyond containment. 

Mary screamed her release, arching against the man's wonderful offensive. And then, before the last wave of release faded, Daniel did something Jennifer could not, he covered her with his body and entered. 

"Oh god!" Another orgasm exploded, as Daniel took charge, and fucked her hard. She locked her ankles over his ass; her fingers raked his back, as his mouth devoured hers. She rejoiced in the feeling of his release. His hips pressed down, his ass flexed, she gripped the back of his head, kissing him roughly as she swallowed his grunts and groans of completion.

They lay quietly recovering for long minutes, with lingering caresses; his shrinking penis encased in her warmth, another sensual amusement. 

"Thank you, Mary," whispered Daniel, as he reached for the tissue box on the bedside table.

Plucking several from the offered box, Mary beamed a radiant smile at her lover, and said, "You are most welcome. Thank you..." suddenly her voice cracked as emotions welled up, "for everything you've done for me." 




Lyon's Den Ch. 09



Feeling totally foolish about the tears that began to flow, Mary said, "I'm sorry. These are tears of happiness, believe me." She rolled onto her side and wiped away his leaking seed.

Daniel cuddled her from behind, and whispered in her ear, "I'm in love with you, Mary."

Her body stiffened in surprise.

Before she could respond, he continued, "Don't say anything. Let me finish." He hugged her back against his chest. "Ever since I met you at the airport I've been intrigued. But getting to know you over the past weeks I've come to love the person you are. I love your artistic talent. I love your sense of humor. I love your intelligence. I love your body," he said, kissing her neck, "and I love your integrity. So, what I'm asking you is... This is going to sound like high school foolishness, but Mary, will you go steady with me? Be monogamous? I don't want to share you with anyone else."

A long silence followed. Mary wanted to scream, 'Yes!' But after the events of the day, she felt Daniel may change his mind. Integrity may not be one of her virtues any longer. She started to breathe again, and said, "Dan, something happened today I think you should know about." Again Mary paused. How could she tell the man she wanted a relationship with, who wanted to be monogamous, about her affair with a married woman? Even worse, at the moment she kissed Jennifer and Bruce, she was encouraging them to have a threesome.



Lyon's Den Ch. 10



Mary's hesitation in answering the question made Daniel tighten his embrace and whisper in her ear, "You don't have to decide now. I know I may be rushing things and I don't want you to feel pressured into anything."

"I don't feel pressured," said Mary immediately, not wanting him to misunderstand her silence as indecision. "You may want to rescind your offer after I tell you what happened day."

"Why? What did you do? Did you commit a felony?"

Laughing, she said, "No."

"Did you commit a misdemeanor?"

"No." Mary swatted his hands folded across her stomach. "Stop asking questions and I'll tell you."

Daniel rested his lips on her neck, and said, "I'm all ears."

"Doesn't feel like it." She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing, "After we talked this morning, I was too excited about my generous salary, thank you very much, to stay home and putter around the house. I felt like I should get to work on the portrait." 

Mary proceeded to tell him about the contractors' L.E.D. lighting argument and how she resolved it. 

"Sounds like a wise decision," said Daniel, as his hands began to wander.

"After they left I was going to lock the door, but I saw Jennifer coming, and she was crying."

This got Daniel's attention. The wandering hands stopped in place. 

Continuing on, Mary summarized the couple's argument over the nonexistent website. Daniel sighed and rolled onto his back. 

She turned over to see his face. "You knew it was faked, didn't you?"

Daniel stared at the ceiling. "I did. I told Bruce it was a bad idea, but he insisted she wouldn't find out." 

He shook his head sadly, and said, "I didn't expect him to be the one foolish enough to tell her." 

"Why would you do that? It sounds like a terrible idea."

"Because I felt responsible for bringing them together. They are so opposite, I never thought for a minute they'd fall for each other. I was surprised when Bruce came out of his prudish shell, or maybe it's more accurate to say Jenifer yanked him out. Then I was shocked when she accepted his marriage proposal. He doesn't want to be in the porn business, but Jenifer wants to hold on to her independence, and the only way she knows how to survive is by exploiting her body. Bruce's plan was to eventually get her involved with something less risqué. It had some merit, and I thought we could control it long enough for her to stop on her own."

"You mean control her. Really bad idea."

Daniel sat up. "I should call him."

"Wait, I'm not done telling you what happened," said Mary, pausing to gather her thoughts. "Jenifer wanted to leave when she found out you weren't here. I thought she was too upset to drive, so I convinced her to stay, and we went back to my studio so I could paint." 

Because Mary couldn't continue while looking at Daniel, she lay on her back and closed her eyes. "To make a long story short, while I was painting, Jenifer came on to me... and I... I liked it. But then Bruce showed up and interrupted. He figured out what was about to happen and they started arguing again, but they seemed to kiss and make up. So I kissed them both and they left the studio. I heard the front door bell ring and thought they'd left. But..." She swallowed hard to clear the lump in her throat, "only Bruce left." 

Mary stopped there, knowing Daniel could fill in the climax of the story. The silence that followed caused her heart to pound. She opened her eyes to witness his reaction. His expression was an unreadable mask as he stared at the wall. 

Putting her hand on his arm, she said, "Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm feeling a little foolish for asking you to be monogamous."

Sitting up, she threw her arms around him and hugged. "No, don't! I want to. I want to pursue a relationship with you."

He gave her a weak smile. "Did you enjoy it?" 

Mary rested her forehead on his shoulder, as her face warmed. "To be honest, I did."

Twisting in her embrace, Daniel lowered her to the bed and lay on top. While combing his fingers through her hair, he said, "I've never been monogamous. But I offered it because I thought that's what you wanted to hear. If you want to have an open relationship I'd be fine with it as long as we agree on certain boundaries."

Wrinkling her brow, she said, "Really? You wouldn't be jealous? I don't think I could be so indifferent about sharing your affection."

"Well, let me ask you this, after your dalliance with Jenifer do you feel differently about having relations with me?"

"No... I guess I see your point. Physical pleasure doesn't always equal romantic involvement, is that it?"

Daniel kissed her and smiled. "It can work as long as we don't keep secrets. Trust is the key. If either one of us is uncomfortable we need to be honest about it."

"That's probably why Bruce was so upset that Jenifer didn't get his consent to be with me. She broke that rule."

Daniel nodded his head, "Yes, I'm sure that's true, among other things."

"He really wants a family, but Jenifer doesn't want kids."

Turning on his side, Daniel said, "When you consider her childhood, I understand her reluctance. I think she's afraid of being a bad mother more than anything." Supporting his head on his forearm, he casually circled Mary's nipple with his finger. "I wonder if part of her attraction to you is because you were such a good mother. You would be a great role model for her."

Mary rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, great role models always have sex with their protégée."

"Don't you see? Now you're someone she can relate to. You don't condemn her for her past. Part of seducing you may have been her subconscious way of getting your approval and making you equals."

She laughed, "Okay, Dr. Freud."

Daniel bent down and kissed the enlivened breast. "I'm no shrink, but I know human nature, and this beautiful bit of nature is asking for more." 

Cradling her untouched breast, Mary asked, "What is this one saying?"

Daniel grinned, and said, "Don't forget about me," and he didn't. 

***

Earlier that day Bruce reluctantly left the art gallery, walked to his pickup truck, and drove home with a heavy heart. Sure, he'd given his consent for Jenifer to have sex with Mary, but he wasn't happy about it. The problem was, he couldn't say no after lying to her about the website. 

Sex, and everything about human sexuality, had been a forbidden mystery to Bruce before he met Jenifer. But even after her thorough, hands-on education, it only felt acceptable to enjoy other people's sex acts voyeuristically, and immoral to participate. After their morning argument, the hope that Jenifer would change her ways now seemed obviously unrealistic. Try as he might to please Jenifer, he just felt uncomfortable with the idea of having sex with someone else. Initially he was drawn to his wife's free spirit like a thirsty man to an oasis, but now he was drowning in a flood of debauchery, unable to find solid ground. He wondered if she really loved him, or was he just another virginal notch on her bedpost, someone she could depend on to be boringly the same, her vanilla lover, her fallback missionary position when life got hard. 

Opening the truck windows, Bruce inhaled the crisp autumn air, feeling the stress drain away the farther the city fell behind. The red and gold autumn foliage drew him back to nature. Pulling into the driveway of their old farmhouse, he paused to scan the rustic surroundings. He bought the property three years ago hoping someday to have a family. Not raising children in such a wonderful environment would be a tragedy. They could ride horses; they could plant a garden, cross-country ski in the winter, build a treehouse, swim in the pond, and jump in piled leaves in the fall. These were the ideas that kept the future exciting for him. Making babies with his beautiful wife would be the cherry on top of the perfect country life. The unwelcome thought of Jenifer and Mary together, right now, made him shake his head in dismay. 

At first, when they started taking erotic pictures for a website, the sex was exciting because it was all a fantasy. Bruce justified it in his head as a fun, kinky thing to do. Daniel knew them both, knew Jenifer intimately before they married, so he felt somewhat comfortable with him behind the camera. When Mary became involved in their play acting it was okay, because it was all make believe. But today, it wasn't pretend. They weren't just acting out roles in a scene anymore. It became real and personal. 

Bruce decided he needed to do something to keep his mind occupied for the next few hours. Grabbing his tool box from behind the driver's seat, he went to the barn and measured the rotted stall dimensions for new lumber. The Salvation Army drop box was on the way to the lumber yard, so he went to their bedroom and collected all the old clothes he hadn't wore in years to make more room for Jenifer's growing wardrobe. Grabbing the nearby duffle bag, he hastily stuffed them in. Since it was almost lunch time, he grabbed his laptop to do some work on the local diner's free Wi-Fi.

Time slipped away. Three hours later, Bruce pulled back into their driveway and parked next to Jenifer's car. Stepping inside the quiet house, he felt unsure of what to say to her. She'd probably want to tell him every juicy detail. He was surprised when Jenifer wasn't waiting for him with bated breath. Instead, what sounded like muffled sobs came from their bedroom. 

"Jen?" 

She sprang up from the bed and turned toward the door to face him, her face streaked with tears.

"What's the matter, Sweetie."

"Nothing," she said, pulling her knees into her chest, and wiping her eyes with the heel of her hand. 

"I've never seen you cry like this, so it must be something," he said, sitting on the bedside. 

She rested her forehead on her knees, refusing to meet his intense stare. 

Her legs pulled up the tee-shirt. He couldn't help observing she wasn't wearing any panties. Her long hair was wet, like she'd just showered. 

Jenifer mumbled, "Where were you?"

"Just running some errands." He reached out and touched her foot. "Miss me?" 

"Why didn't you answer your phone? I called you a bunch of times."

He pulled out his phone and looked. "The battery died. I didn't notice."

"You took clothes out of the closet and your duffle bag was gone. Your laptop was gone."

Suddenly he realized what she implied. "Did you think I left you?" 

She nodded her head against her knees, seeming unable to speak, and then a sob escaped.

"Aw, Babe... No way. I love you." Quickly he moved beside her and pulled her close. 

Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face against his neck. "Are you sure? I'm not the wholesome girl next door. Isn't that what you want? I know I'm a disappointment."

"Shush," he rubbed his cheek against her damp hair. "You're not a disappointment. We just need to work things out, like any dysfunctional married couple." 

'Dysfunctional' made her laugh. She lifted her head and kissed him. "I love you." 

Then her head turned suddenly.

He followed her line of sight to the bedside table. A full glass of water sat next to a brown prescription bottle. "What's that?"

"Nothing," she said, putting a hand on his cheek to turn his head away, while the arm on his back pulled him tight. 

Breaking free, Bruce picked up the bottle and read the label. "These are your sleeping pills."

Jenifer grabbed for it. "So?"

Scared and angry, Bruce held the bottle out of reach and yelled, "What the fuck were you thinking?" 

He threw the bottle across the room, hitting the wall hard, and scattering pills. 

Grabbing her shoulders, he glared at her. "Suicide? Is that what you were planning?"

"No." Her downcast eyes told him she lied.

Something primal gripped Bruce's heart. He had to make Jenifer understand how much he loved her and how afraid he was of losing her. Pulling her down across his lap and yanking up the tee-shirt, he spanked her hard, over and over, shouting, "Don't ever do that! I love you... Need you... Don't ever think about..." Finally seeing the red handprints on her bottom, he pulled her up and hugged her, "I'm sorry. So sorry..." 

Jenifer sobbed against his shoulder and clung to him with a desperation Bruce never felt before. He didn't know what to do except hold her until she calmed. When Jenifer finally lifted her head, he expected a tirade of expletives, describing what a barbaric asshole he'd become. 

But instead, her eyes were soft and her lips smiling. She kissed him gently, and said, "Thank you."

Bewildered by her reaction, he said simply, "You're welcome."

Laying her head on his shoulder, she clarified, "I'm sorry for believing you abandoned me. I did consider ending it all. My life was a fucking disaster before I met you. The thought of losing you was too much. I should've trusted your commitment to me. I cherish our marriage, even if I don't show it. Your kind of faithful love is scary. I fall back to my old ways when I'm scared. Until now, I've never felt important or essential to anyone's happiness."

Bruce clasped Jenifer's cheeks between his hands, looked into her tear-filled eyes, and promised, "I will love you until the day I die." He pulled her lips to his and kissed her with heartfelt passion.

Jenifer pressed into him, kissing back with a fevered passion of her own. Pushing him over, she lay on top while her hands worked frantically to open his jeans. She broke away, slipped down to his feet, and tugged them off. With renewed fierceness she yanked off his briefs, and straddled his waist. "I want you inside me so bad, Baby," she whispered, leaning on her arms, rubbing her pussy along his growing cock. 

Bruce grabbed her tee-shirt and pulled it off. His hands cupped her breasts and teased the taut nipples. 

She groaned approval, sat up straight, but then fell back against his chest, laughing. "My ass is sore, but I kinda like it. It reminds me how much you care." 

He rubbed her bottom soothingly. "I lost control. I didn't know how to get your attention, how to show my fear of losing you."

Unbuttoning his shirt, she said, "I know what you can do. Let's practice making a baby." 

"Don't joke. You know how I feel about having children."

After pulling his shirt off, Jenifer left the bed, and walked into their bathroom. 

He winced at the sight of her bright red buttocks oscillating through the door. 

Soon Jenifer returned with her long hair tied in a ponytail. She knelt beside him, and handed over the round birth control pill dispenser. "It's up to you. I can't do it alone. You'll have to promise to stay and help me. I'm afraid of being a mother. There's no backing out on that. No walking away, ever."

Bruce sat up, kissed her hungrily, and said, "We are going to make beautiful babies." Then, with a wide grin, he threw the dispenser against the wall, adding more pills to the debris field. 

"Babies? Who said anything about more than-"

She couldn't finish the thought as Bruce's mouth covered hers, but she did laugh at his enthusiasm. 

He held her on her side to avoid pressure on her sore bottom. Pulling her top leg up onto his hip, he probed between her legs with his erection. She reached behind and pushed it into place, and then moaned at its slow penetration. 

With sweet affection, Bruce made tender love to his wife.

"You're too good to me," she whispered in his ear, as he held her tight, slowly thrusting.

"I'm in love with you. I want our love to grow, every day." 

"I'm a skeptic. You'll have to convince me." She rolled him onto his back, keeping him inside. Lying on his chest, she rode him slowly, dragging her breast over his chest. "I love the feel of your hair on my nipples. Did I ever tell you that?"

"No, but good to know." He soothingly rubbed her ass, and said, "Did I ever tell you how much I love the feel of your nipples on my chest?"

"Of course not," she said, and grinned. "When it comes to talking dirty, you're verbally constipated." 

"I can't get enough of your smokin' hot body. I'm going to fuck you all night." 

"Nice try. Didn't sound authentic." She smiled, "Besides, at the moment I'm fucking you. You'll have to wait your turn."

"How about this, I loved the way your rosy ass looked walking away."

Jenifer closed her eyes and started riding him faster. "Don't let this go to your head, but I liked your forcefulness. This probably sounds weird, but it made me feel safe, like you'll take care of me, no matter how stupid I am."

"Hey!" Bruce wrapped his arms around her waist and flipped her onto her back. "No one calls my wife stupid, especially you." 

"Stupid is as stupid does."

"Shut up!" 

"Shut me up." She grabbed his hips and pulled him in hard. "Come on; punish me with that big fucking cock."

Bruce slipped his arms underneath, gripped her shoulders for leverage, and pounded into her. 

Their faces inches apart, breaths coming in grunts and gasps, Jenifer whispered, "That's it. Fuck me hard. Show me whose boss." She crossed her ankles over his back, and pulled up with his every down stroke. "Oh fuck yeah, that's it. I'm coming!"

Her arching release almost threw Bruce off. He clutched her hips and road her climax to completion. 

They lay quietly entwined, catching their breath together.

Jenifer stroked his back, and asked, "Why haven't you come yet?" 

Rising up on his arms, Bruce looked down at his beautifully raunchy wife, and said, "I'm just prolonging my enjoyment." But in reality, recent events had affected his performance, like a libido anxiety attack.

"Oh, I forgot. You're going to fuck me all night." She pulled his head down to her breast. "Keep going, Stud." 

His rapidly softening cock was not cooperating. How could he explain his sudden impotence after her complete submission? He kissed her breast, and said, "Not yet. Let's take a break."

Appearing confused, Jenifer said, "Oh, okay." 

"It's a beautiful day. Let's walk out to the pond and have a picnic. This may be the last warm day before winter."

"A picnic? We've never done a picnic." 

"I know. We have all this land and you've never walked with me. How come?"

"Well, I guess because I'm a city girl. I walk in malls."

"You'll love it. And I'll protect you from the wolves."

Her eyes grew big. "There are wolves out there?"

"Well, only me."

She pouted. "You're teasing me. I'm not outdoorsy like you."

"Give it a chance. I'm going to make sure our kids love nature. You have to at least try it."

Jenifer sighed, and said, "Okay, what should I pack?"

"Just some sandwiches, a bottle of wine, and a blanket to sit on. Put it in my backpack." 

"What should I wear?"

"Jeans and a tee-shirt. There's an old tractor path to follow, so your sneakers are fine. We'll have to go boot shopping some time."

"Oh, I like boots, especially the mid-calf ones with four inch heels."

"Not those kind of boots. Hiking boots."

She wrinkled her nose, but made no comment.

They began to dress. When Jenifer pulled a bra out of her dresser drawer, Bruce said, "No bra."

She dropped it like a hot coal, saying, "You're the boss, or should I say, the trail guide?" 

"Stud Guide will do, S.G. for short."

Jenifer laughed, and said, "It fits you." After pulling her tee-shirt on, she teased her nipples back to attention through the thin fabric. "Is this what you were hoping to see, S.G.?"

You're a natural wonder, Jen, a feast for the eye."

She gave him a little curtsy before leaving to prepare the food, while Bruce stayed to clean up the bedroom floor, the sleeping pills a frightening reminder of how tragic today could have been. Was he doing the right thing, hoping to start a family with a woman who thought of suicide? 

'Stay positive,' he thought. 'We love each other. Love conquers all.'



Lyon's Den Ch. 11



Bruce entered the kitchen to find Jenifer holding a bottle of wine in each hand.

She lifted them up, and said, "Hey, Stud, all we have to make sandwiches is peanut butter and jelly. Which goes best with P. B. and J., red or white?" 

"Hmm, good question." He pondered the dilemma for a few seconds, and decided, "I say we take the white, only because it won't stain your skin when I lick it off you."

"Good point, very logical and, may I add, seriously arousing," she said, wrapping the bottle in the blanket for protection before slipping it into the backpack. 

"Do we need this Rodney King in here?" She pulled out the heavy, 4 D-cell flashlight that looked and felt like a nightstick. 

He laughed, "Rodney King? I don't expect to club anyone, but I do expect to be walking home in the dark. Leave it."

"Okay, you're the Stud Guide. I guess we're ready, let's hit the dusty trail." She handed him the backpack and swatted his butt on the way by. 

Bruce smiled, picked up the pack, and followed Jenifer out the door.

****

"I'm telling you, dude, she's the hot piece of ass that got me fired. I owe her a bitch slap, and she owes me at least a blow job." Carl looked in the rear view mirror to make sure the coast was clear, and said, "Gimme some."

His best friend, Lou, or what passes for a drug pig's friend, reluctantly handed over the crack pipe. 

Carl took a deep drag, held it in a while, and blew the smoke sideways through the half open window. 

"Working security for the porn studio was an awesome gig, until she popped me for doing a little blow on my break, the bitch."

Lou watched the pipe with a soul felt need. Carl didn't look like he was giving it back anytime soon, so he pulled out a bone of his own and fired it up. 

"Man, how do you know where she lives?"

"I spotted her in the city walking to her car and followed her home. She's all alone, too. We are going to have some big fun tonight!"

He slowed the car, and said, "This is her crib -- in the middle of fucking nowhere. Gotta love it."

Ever observant Lou, said, "There's a truck and a car. I think she's got company."

Carl pounded on the wheel. "Shit!" 

Driving by, he spotted Bruce and Jenifer cresting the hill behind the house. "Looky there! Just the two of them out for an evening stroll. We should pay them a surprise visit."

"That's a long walk," said Lou, not feeling Carl's motivation. "Let's just wait for them to come back."

"No, this is perfect. We can keep an eye on them, like wolves stalking a couple of sheep, waiting for the perfect time to strike."

A mile up the road, Carl made a clumsy five-point turn, drove back, and parked in the driveway, blocking both vehicles. "Dude, grab my gun and knife out of the glove box. Nobody's leaving until I say so."

*** 

The red and gold foliage reflected brightly in the mirror surface of the pond.

Jenifer moved close beside Bruce and hugged his arm as they walked. "Wow, it's so quiet back here, so peaceful and private."

Bruce turned and kissed the top of her head. "It's a beautiful spot." 

"How deep is the water?"

"The realtor said it's about 15 feet deep in the middle. It's spring fed, so the water's clean and stays pretty cold until the middle of June. We'll have to go skinny dipping next summer."

She let go of his arm and put her hand in his back pocket, giving his ass a squeeze. "I'm not a very good swimmer. In fact, I've never swam in water without chlorine."

"You never went to the beach when you were a kid?" 

"Well, once we almost made it to the state park, but Mom's boyfriend at the time ran a red light, got pulled over, and failed the sobriety test." She shrugged, and said, "Life's a bitch and then you die."

"Life is what you make it, so let's make it worth living." 

"Having kids will do that?"

Bruce put his arm around her shoulders as they walked while contemplating his answer. 

He thought, 'Together for almost two years, and we've never talk about things like this before. I've been an idiot, thinking with my dick.' 

Aloud, he answered, "Well... for me, yes. I think it will make me unselfish. Instead of focusing on what I want, I'll be focused on being a good father. I'll focus on your welfare, our children, and their future. There's no more important job than that. They'll be our legacy, our contribution to a better world." 

Jenifer rested her head against his shoulder, and said, "Sounds like hard work. And how many children are you talking about, exactly?"

He laughed, and said, "Let's just take it one at a time. But twins would be cool."

Jenifer groaned, but playfully squeezed his ass again.

They reached the gently sloping bank of the pond. Bruce removed the blanket and wine bottle from the backpack, and spread the blanket out in the sunshine. 

"Uh oh, how are we going to open it?"

Bruce looked up, and his breath caught at the vision of Jenifer in the low angled sun. Loose strands of hair fluttered in the soft breeze against her radiant smile. Her left hand rested saucily on her canted hip with the wine bottle held up in her right, the shadows of her nipples elongated in profile to the light. 

Jenifer grinned knowingly, and said, "The bottle? Focus, Daddy."

Snapping his thoughts back to the left hemisphere, Bruce unzipped a side pocket of the backpack. Holding up the shiny red survival tool, he said, "Swiss Army knife. Don't leave civilization without it," and unfolded the cork screw accessory. 

They sat side by side facing the pond. Bruce worked the cork out of the bottle. 

Jenifer unwrapped the sandwiches, saying, "This is nice. Very relaxing and the air smells so fresh and clean. The tree colors look neon with the water reflecting the sunlight on them." 

"And the company couldn't be better."

"Aw," she leaned over for a kiss. 

Bruce met her in the middle. When they broke apart, he offered her the bottle, "Ladies first."

"Thank you," she said, accepting the bottle and handing him a sandwich.

"You cut your sandwiches in half diagonally."

"Wow, very perceptive." She sipped some wine and set the bottle between them. "Something wrong with that?"

Bruce picked up the bottle, took a swig, and said, "No, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just a psychological indicator that you like to have sex outdoors."

She covered her mouth and snorted a laugh. "Stop! You almost made me pass PBJ through my nose."

They finished the sandwiches without the need of medical attention, quietly enjoying the warmth of the company and the relaxing effect of wine. 

Bruce stood. "It's getting chilly. I'm going to start a fire." 

Jenifer pushed the cork back into the bottle and got up to join him. They walked to the edge of the woods, picked up armfuls of dry deadfall, and carried it back to the picnic site. Bruce collected rocks from the shoreline, made a ring, and stacked the wood in the center. From another pocket of the backpack, he pulled out a lighter and ignited the tinder at the base of the stack. 

"That should do it." 

When he stood and turned, he was surprised to find Jenifer next to him. 

"You're very quiet tonight."

"I'm just enjoying my husband's resourcefulness."

The softness of her voice, and the sweet smile, touched his paternal nature in a new way. The thought that he could be the first nurturing male in her life combined feelings of both joy and compassion. 

Carrying wood for the fire left dirt and crumpled leaves clinging to Jenifer's chest. He lazily brushed it off, saying, "I'm enjoying my wife's appreciation." 

Jenifer closed her eyes and shivered. "Thank you."

From another backpack pocket, Bruce removed a blue plastic box that held a bar of soap. He took Jenifer by the hand and strolled down to the pond, where they squatted and washed in the cold water. 

"I love you," said Jenifer, turning to him with puckered lips.

"I love you too." Bruce kissed her, and then recoiled at the jolting touch of an icy wet hand on his neck. 

Laughing, Jenifer ran away, back toward the blanket. 

After plunging his hands, he gave chase, shouting, "You're in trouble now! Come here Sweetheart."

Diving onto the blanket she rolled herself up for protection. "I'm sorry. Really. Forgive me."

Bruce grabbed the edges of the blanket and pulled it open. 

Jenifer squealed and curled up in a ball. 

He forced her onto her back, pulled her arms apart, and grabbed her breasts with his wet hands.

"Oh, that's so cold!" she yelled, pulling on his wrists. 

"You started it," he answered, letting go to witness her distended nipples in the middle of his hand prints. 

Bruce sat on his heels between Jenifer's splayed legs, the heat from the fire warming his back. The sun was now below the horizon, so she lay in his shadow, her chest heaving from exertion. Their eyes met, faces grinning. She made no move to get away or retaliate. She made no sound to express her thoughts. He felt as though another woman blossomed before him, like a dead leaf that falls at the end of its season is replaced by new growth in the spring. Bruce's heart swelled with the idea today might be the first day of Jenifer's spring. She seemed renewed, a softer, trusting soul waiting for direction. 

Bruce bent down and kissed her stomach through the shirt. Biting the fabric, he pulled it up, exposing her navel. Kissing the exposed flesh, his hands moved to the small of her back, lifted, and pushed the shirt up until it caught on the swell of her breasts. 

Jenifer moaned as his mouth caressed her stomach and his strong hands held her arched. 

"You're salty. Now I'm thirsty." He lowered her flat, picked up the wine bottle, and pulled the cork out with his teeth. 

Jenifer laughed, took the cork out of his mouth, and sucked on the wet end. Her body jerked when Bruce poured a little on her stomach and licked it off. He filled her navel and sucked it clean. 

"Want some?"

"Yes, please."

He took back the cork, held the bottle over her open mouth, and poured in an ounce, then pushed the cork back in the bottle. 

"Thanks."

"You are very welcome," he said, leaning down for a kiss. His hands moved to her sides and pushed up the tee-shirt until he felt it finally break over her breasts. His lips left her mouth to suckle the left breast, while his hand fondled the other. Moving his hands down, Bruce worked open the button on her jeans and pulled down the zipper. He continued to pleasure her breasts with his lips while slipping a hand into her panties. 

Jenifer's hands raked through his hair and around his ears, drowning out any other nearby sound. Her own senses captivated by his touch. Neither one heard the hushed steps of approaching danger. 

Suddenly Bruce found himself retching on the ground from a kick to his stomach. Jenifer screamed. He tried to get up, and was kicked again for his effort. Breathing seemed impossible. So much pain, he couldn't move.

He heard Jenifer shouting, "Stop it! Leave him alone!" then a loud slap, followed by her distressed shriek.

"Shut up bitch, or I'll stick my knife in 'em next time. Lou, hold the gun on him while I have some quality time with May Flowers here. If he moves, shoot 'em."

Jenifer sat up, rubbing her cheek. 

Bruce turned his head in the dirt and vomit to see what was happening. 

"How do you know that name?" she asked, pulling her tee-shirt down.

"I'm hurt you've forgotten me after all we've been through. No, don't hide those tities. Don't give me that fucking modest act. You're a whore, so act like one. Take it off." 

Bruce forced himself up onto his hands and knees, and with great effort croaked, "Leave her alone."

"Lou?"

Instead of a gunshot, an explosion of white light flashed inside Bruce's head, as the butt end of the pistol met his skull. He dropped to the dirt and fought to stay conscious, as his vision blurred. 

"Stop it, Carl!" Jenifer pulled off her tee-shirt. "There. You win. Happy now?"

"You do remember me. That's much better, but I'm not happy... yet." Carl squatted down and pinched her nipple hard while hold the knife in front of her face. "You got me fired. I want my severance pay."

Jenifer winced, and said, "What'd you expect? You were doing coke in the back seat of my car."

"All I wanted was a little party with you. That's all."

"I wouldn't party with a piece of shit like you."

The sound of another slap enraged Bruce. He fought hard to regain control of his body. His outrage fired adrenalin into his bloodstream. He had to stop this. Jenifer needed him. He couldn't allow her to be abused by anyone ever again. 

"Be a good little whore. Give me and my friend a blow job and we'll be on our way. If you don't," Carl nodded at Lou, who kicked Bruce in the side, making him roll farther away, clutching his stomach. 

"If you don't, things may go really bad for both of you."

Jenifer looked at her husband writhing in pain, and then at Carl. "You promise?"

Carl drew an imaginary X across his chest with the knife. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

He stood, moved close to Jenifer, and said, "Be a good girl, and take it out."

She looked fearfully at her husband, and their eyes met.

Bruce mouthed the words, 'I love you,' before turning away. He couldn't watch, but he could still hear. The metallic sound of a loosening belt buckle rattled loud in the quiet night. The zzzz of a falling zipper and the rustle of falling pants told the horrible tale. 

Regaining some bodily control, Bruce opened his eyes. He was staring into the open backpack. His flashlight, the Rodney King, sat only inches away. Slowly, he reached into the bag, hoping Lou wasn't paying attention to him, dragged the heavy truncheon out, and gripped it against his chest. He steadied himself, coiled his muscles to spring a surprise attack, realizing this may be his only chance to save their lives. Once Jenifer admitted she recognized Carl, he'd be stupid to let them go. It was up to him to save her, be her protector. 

Fighting against the pain and dizziness caused by sudden motion, Bruce rolled over and swung the flashlight as hard as he could at the arm holding the gun. Almost simultaneously, there was the dull crack of bone and a loud bang. He stood and swung again, this time connecting with Lou's chin. One down, one to go. In his peripheral vision he saw Carl turning toward him with the knife, but his pants around his ankles made it impossible for him to move quickly. His cock swung lewdly as he turned back toward Jenifer, but she was faster, and punched him hard in the groin, sending him to his knees. 

As she tried to back away, he grabbed her ankle and pulled her flat. He raised the knife for a deadly strike, shouting, "Fuck you bitch!" 

"No!" Bruce yelled, filled with panic, knowing he could reach her in time to stop it.

Another gunshot rang out. Carl's body jerked from the impact, and the knife fell out of his hand. Jenifer pulled free and scooted away as he collapsed.

Bruce dropped to his knees with relief, feeling woozy and confused.

Then Daniel walked into the firelight, holding a smoking gun. Mary appeared just a few paces behind. 

Daniel's concerned face turned to Jenifer, "Are you all right?"

Jenifer nodded, "I'm okay." Then she looked at her husband, smiled briefly, and then a look of horror marred her beautiful face. "Oh no!" She stood and ran to him.

A feeling of euphoria filled Bruce. She was safe. His beautiful wife wasn't hurt. But he felt so weak. Bruce sat back on his heels, and then toppled over.

Jenifer was with him now. Her hand pressed against his chest. Tears streamed down her face. 

"Stay with me, Baby. You're going to be all right."

He saw blood on her hand. Concerned, he whispered, "You're hurt."

"No, Baby. You're hurt. Stay still."

Mary's face appeared above him. "An ambulance is on the way. Keep pressure on the wound."

Jenifer pressed hard on his chest and it hurt. Bruce tasted blood for the first time. "What's wrong?"

"Lay still. You're shot, but you'll be okay."

Bruce heard distant voices. Daniel yelled at someone to sit still or he'd shoot him, too. Good old Dan. He'd take care of everyone, like always. 

"I love you, Jenny." He tried to raise his hand and wipe away her tears, but he didn't have the strength. So tired, he couldn't keep his eyes open. He heard Jenifer faintly calling him, but she sounded so far away.



Lyon's Den Ch. 12



Jenifer sat alone in the hospital waiting room. It had been over an hour since they arrived by ambulance, but still no word from the operating room on Bruce's condition. She couldn't seem to get warm. Her hands shook whenever they weren't clasped together in her lap. 

A short, stout man, and a tall, thin woman, both wearing rumpled suitcoats, walked in. The woman sat down beside her, flashed a badge, and said, "Hello, Ms. Baxter, I'm Detective Madeline Greene and this is Detective George Firestone. How are you doing?"

"I'm worried, that's how I'm doing," she said, in a tone harsher than she intended. 

"I understand. Waiting is the worst. Would you mind answering some questions about what happened?"

Warily, Jenifer said, "Okay."

"Is that blood on your shirt?" 

Jenifer glanced down. She'd forgotten it was there. "Yes." 

Detective Greene looked up at her partner, and said, "See if you can get Ms. Baxter some scrubs to put on. We're going to need the shirt for evidence."

"Why?" asked Jenifer.

"It's just a formality. We have to gather all the evidence we can. Probably won't even have it tested. This sounds like an open and shut case of justifiable homicide."

"Is Daniel in trouble? He saved our lives! That maniac was going to kill me!" Her volume increased with her anxiety, "My husband got shot!"

"Please calm down, Ms. Baxter. I'm sure everything will be fine. We have to do our jobs - dot all the I's and cross all the T's." 

Jenifer inhaled a deep breath, let it out slowly, and said, "I'm sorry. It's just... everything is so..." Her voice cracked, and she couldn't go on without crying, so she stared at her folded hands. 

Firestone returned carrying a blue top and a plastic evidence bag.

"Thanks, George," said Greene, as she stood and took them. "Come on, Ms. Baxter. I'll walk you to the ladies room, and you can change shirts." As they left the waiting room, she turned to her partner, and said, "See if you can get an update on Mr. Baxter's condition."

"You got it."

Having something to do eased Jenifer's tension. She entered the ladies room, replaced her shirt with the scrubs, and put the evidence in the bag, all under the watchful eye of Detective Greene. 

"Some blood leaked through. I'll wait outside if you want to wash it off."

Jenifer turned to the mirror and lifted the shirt. A large, brownish stain marked her left breast. Wearing Bruce's blood seemed appropriate and made her feel connected to him.

"No, I'll shower later," she said, choking up.

They walked silently back to the waiting room. Detective Firestone stood as they entered.

Afraid to ask, Jenifer stared at him expectantly.

"He's still in surgery. The doctor will speak with you when they're finished." 

Sinking into a chair, Jenifer sobbed. "At least they're still working on him, so he's alive."

No one spoke for a minute, letting emotions settle.

Detective Greene sat down beside Jenifer again, rubbed her back soothingly, and said, "Let's get this over with, so we can get out of here and stop bothering you."

"Okay, what do you want to know?"

Detective Firestone flipped open a notepad, and prepared to write.

"Did you know your assailants?"

"I recognized one of them. All I know is his first name, Carl."

"Which one was he?"

"The one that Daniel shot."

"How do you know him?"

"He was a security guard where I worked a couple of years ago."

"And where was that?"

Afraid of being judged unfairly, Jenifer answered, "The Barkley Building, downtown."

The detectives glanced at each other with sudden interest.

"What company did you work for? There are several businesses there?"

It wouldn't do any good to lie to the police, so she answered truthfully, "Virile Desires."

Detective Firestone blurted out, "V.D.? What did you do at V. D.?"

Jenifer cringed at the unfortunate abbreviated nickname of her former employer, while Detective Greene scowled at her partner's crudeness.

Staring at her folded hands, Jenifer said, "I was an... actress." Saying it out loud made her feel pathetic and small. 'Actress' sounded so presumptuous to her own ears. The job she thought set her free from past abuse now seemed to be the cause of her current nightmare. 

"How old are you, Ms. Baxter?"

"Twenty-two."

"When did you first work for Virile Desires?"

The questioning took an ugly turn. Her past was none of their business. Jenifer began to feel trapped by her own admissions. "Why are you asking? What does that have to do with anything?"

Detective Greene's voice softened when she answered. "I'm sorry, but your case just became more complicated. Virile Desires was shut down about a year ago, and the owner, Vladimir Kolinski, is going on trial for sex trafficking and prostitution. He was using underage actors - taking advantage of runaways he found living on the street. Did you know that Daniel Lyons owns the Barkley Building?"

It was Jenifer's turn to look surprised. "No, I didn't."

"How did you meet Mr. Lyons?" 

"We met at a restaurant."

"When was that?"

"A few years ago."

"Ms. Baxter, were you under the age of 18 when you started acting in the Virile Desires movies?"

Anger began to well up inside Jenifer. "I'm sitting here in the hospital because my fucked up past has come back to turn my life to shit. I may lose the love of my life tonight, and you're hounding me about something that happened years ago. I'm done with that life, and I'm done with answering your questions. If you're going to arrest me, then do it!"

Detective Greene sighed. "I'm sorry. You misunderstand. You're not a suspect. You're a victim in this. We have circumstantial evidence, but we need a witness willing to testify against Mr. Kolinski. Everyone we've talked to has refused to cooperate. We need to put predators like him away, but we need help."

"I didn't know Kolinski. I never met him."

"I see." Detective Greene paused to collect her thoughts. "Let's get back to what happened tonight. Tell us what you remember."

Jenifer recounted the nightmarish events without interruption, while Detective Firestone scribbled notes.

"So this man, Carl, he was threatening to stab you when Mr. Lyons shot him?"

Jenifer whimpered, "Yes," the blade, glowing in the firelight, ready to strike, vivid in her memory. "But he wasn't just threatening to do it. He was going to do it; because he was angry I hit him. If Daniel hadn't shot when he did... I'd be dead."

"I see." Detective Greene stood, and held out her hand. "We have enough information for now, Ms. Baxter. I hope your husband pulls through. Thank you for your time."

Jenifer remained seated, but shook her hand, and said, "Thank you."

Greene handed Jenifer a business card, and said, "Call us if you think of anything that can help us with the Kolinski case." 

Left alone once again, her thoughts slipped back five years to when she was 17 and living on the streets, doing whatever it took to survive. She still had the stolen driver's license she'd used to pass for 19. The Virile Desires talent agent just glanced at the date of birth, and said, "Okay, fine, let's do a screen test," and the rest was sordid history. She'd survived and made a better life, or at least she thought she did. 

Her mind wandered back to the first time she met Daniel. It was on her nineteenth birthday. Some of the actors took her out to celebrate what they thought was her twenty-first birthday. 

***

Daniel walked into the restaurant, Brenda whispered, "Oh my god, wouldn't he make a fine Sugar Daddy." 

Jenifer turned around, and remembered how distinguished he appeared with his greying temples and wearing an Armani suit. "Hey, it's my birthday. I call dibs." 

Thinking fast, Jenifer picked up her drink, stood, and turned into him as he passed. The collision caused her cranberry daiquiri to spill down her white blouse. Her impromptu idea was to extract a little money from the rich stranger for a better blouse, and maybe even a free meal. But the unforeseen consequence was the thin fabric, cold drink, and lack of brassiere created an instant wet tee-shirt contest winner. 

"Shit!" She wouldn't be able to stay and party with her boob on display. 

Daniel came to her rescue for the first time. "I'm so sorry," he said, removing his suit coat and placing it around her shoulders. "Here, take this. I know the owner. Come with me and we'll get you cleaned up."

As they walked toward the kitchen, her friends oo'ed, and Brenda yelled, "It's her birthday!"

Jenifer looked over her shoulder and glared at them. 

"It's your birthday?"

"Yeah, I'm twenty-one today," she said, enjoying the warmth of his coat and the hint of expensive cologne. 

"Well, happy birthday! I'll get you back to your party as soon as possible," he said, holding open the kitchen door. Unfortunately, the kitchen staff didn't have any clean uniforms left. Daniel, unruffled by the turn of events, said, "I guess you'll have to keep my jacket until you get home. Here's my card. Call me and I'll pick it up. And let me give you some money to replace the blouse I ruined." 

Jenifer, unaccustomed to chivalry, felt an uncharacteristic flood of warmth. "That's so cool of you. This is an expensive suit. I don't want to ruin it."

"Don't worry about it. It's an old suit."

"But still, I should be careful not to stain it." She walked into the secluded pantry, took off Daniel's jacket, and handed it to him. Turning away, she said, "My shirt is wet," and proceeded to remove it. With her bare back exposed to Daniel's gaze, she dropped her shirt and held out her hand. When she felt the jacket on her fingers, she said, "Thank you," and put it on, turning back around to show off a nice vee of cleavage. The sleeves hung down below her hands. "It's a little big."

"But it looks good on you," said Daniel, grinning.

"Thanks," she said, grinning back. 

"Well, I'd better let you get back to your birthday party." He offered her his arm, another gentlemanly behavior she'd never experienced before. 

But when they returned to the table, no one was there. The unpaid check lay in front of her chair.

"You have got to be kidding me! Those assholes skipped?"

"Nice friends you have. It's kind of an opposite birthday gift."

Jenifer dug into her jeans pocket, "Tell me something I don't know."

"I guess they thought the old, rich guy would foot the bill after ruining your blouse."

"What? No!" she said with too much emphasis.

Daniel waved to the waitress, who hurried over. "Laurie, put this on my tab, please."

"Okay, Mr. Lyons, no problem."

Jenifer picked up on Laurie's ingratiating tone and flirtatious glance, while Daniel seemed oblivious. 

They left the restaurant together. Daniel opened the door, saying, "Do you need a ride home?"

She lied, "No, I have a car around the corner."

"Well, I have some business to attend to. So, when you're done with the jacket, give me a call, or drop it off at my studio if you have time. I'm usually there on Saturdays. The address is on the card."

"You're a photographer? Do you hire models?"

"Occasionally. Are you interested?"

"Maybe. What kind of photographs are we talking about?"

"Stop by on Saturday, and I'll show you my work."

And that's what she did a week later. Daniel unashamedly showed Jenifer his sensual and erotic works of art. They drank wine. He told her she was a beautiful woman. He took her picture. He took a lot of pictures. It wasn't long before she was modeling semi-nude, and that was the start of a yearlong sexual relationship with her first gentleman lover. The first lover that helped her feel something more than a tolerance for an intimate touch. Daniel helped her find something profound and beautiful in sex. He introduced her to his circle of friends with benefits. They also made her feel special, not just a sex toy, not just a depository for sexual relief. Performing in porn soon became burdensome, an affront to the beautiful sharing that sex had become. Daniel did that for her, intentional or not. She wouldn't believe he could be involved with taking advantage of children in distress. 

And then Daniel introduced her to Bruce. 

Jenifer sighed, and looked at the clock. He'd been in surgery for almost two hours, now. 

She thought back to the day she met Bruce. In the middle of a torrential downpour, she'd run from her car to Daniel's studio, looking like she'd been hit with a fire hose when she entered dripping wet. 

"Fuck! I'm soaked!" Jenifer looked up to see Daniel standing next to a tall, well dressed, young man. The stranger looked her up and down, and then turned away, seeming embarrassed.

Jenifer looked down at the wet tee-shirt clinging to her chest, and pulled it away from her skin. 

Daniel laughed, and said, "This reminds me a little of how we met, Jen."

She laughed. "It's my signature introduction to attractive men. I'll go to the studio and put on something dry."

"This is Bruce Baxter. He's my new real estate web designer. Bruce, this is Jenifer Clark." 

Bruce locked eyes with her, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jenifer."

"Hi." They shook hands. She was intrigued by his formal and respectful manner, uncommon in her life before Daniel. He was also the first man near her own age she'd met in Bruce's company. Speaking to Daniel, but smiling at Bruce, she said, "I'll get ready for the shoot." 

"Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes. I'd like to do something different today. Put on the wedding gown. I want to try some formal shots."

The uncharacteristic attraction Jenifer felt for someone she'd just met made her exaggerate the sway of her hips as she walked away, hoping he was watching. 

Jenifer put on the gown and stood in front of the 3-way mirror. Her shoulders were bare and the tight bodice accentuated her breasts. Her heart fluttered at the thought of being a bride. She felt fresh and clean, wearing the white, satiny brocade. 

"Wow, Jen, you look fantastic!" said Daniel.

"Thank you!" she turned to see both Daniel and Bruce staring transfixed. "It's a beautiful dress. Where'd you get it?"

"It was my wife's," said Daniel, with a little hitch in his voice. "I was hoping to give it away to a deserving young woman someday."

"Well, she'd be lucky to have it," said Jenifer, spinning to make the gown bloom like a flower. "What do you think, Bruce?"

"It looks like it was made for you." Abruptly, he turned to Daniel, and said, "I should be going. You have work to do." 

Disappointed he wanted to leave, Jenifer thought fast, "Dan, wouldn't Bruce make a perfect groom for your pictures?"

Picking up on her interest, Daniel said, "He would. I don't have a tux that would fit him, but his suit is formal enough. How about it Bruce, be a model for a day."

"I don't know anything about posing for pictures."

Jenifer reached out and took his hand. "Please? For me?" 

Bruce looked at her hand in his and seemed to hold his breath. When he looked up into her eyes she felt magnetism between them. She swore to this day it was love at first touch. She'd seen it in a movie once, and thought it sounded corny, until then. 

Daniel had them pose in all the traditional wedding poses - looking at each other while holding hands, dancing, Jenifer standing in front with his arms around waist. Bruce finally relaxed and became amenable to instructions. 

"Okay, now let's have the 'you may now kiss the bride' shot." 

Jenifer spun around with eagerness. 

Bruce's face reddened. "Is that necessary?"

"Bruce, you're blushing!" teased Jenifer. Then, another thought came to mind. "Oh no, I'm sorry, are you gay?"

That made him laugh. "No, I'm not gay, just... shy about public displays of affection."

The use of the word affection threw her. This was just pretend, just acting. But she liked that he called it affection. Kissing meant something personal to him. 

"Okay. I understand, I guess. We'll make up some ground rules. Lips stay closed, no tongue. How's that?"

Bruce looked at Daniel, who said, "All I want are lips touching. However you make that happen is fine with me." He brought the camera up, ready for action.

Bruce looked at Jenifer and shrugged. He took her in his arms, and she delightedly pressed against him. When he tipped his head down, Jenifer ran her fingers into his hair and held his lips firmly to hers. Disobeying the rules, she opened her mouth and tickled his lips with her tongue. At first he recoiled, but she held fast, continuing to give her best. Finally he relaxed and opened his lips to her probing, and soon tangled tongues with her. He became overwhelmed by the sensations, pulling her tighter, kissing her passionately. It felt amazing, and she groaned with the pleasure of his embrace. 

"Okay, you two. Very nice. I've got what I need. Do I have to get the hose?"

Bruce pushed away, suddenly releasing her. "I'm sorry. I went too far."

Laughing, Jenifer fanned herself, and said, "I don't know. Maybe we're just getting started."

The pronounced bulge in his pants showed parts of him wanted to continue. 

Half kidding, she said, "Maybe we should shoot some of the wedding night."

This seemed to really embarrass Bruce. His face turned beet red, and he stammered, "I really have to go. I have a... thing in a little while."

Not willing to let him getaway that easily, she said, "Okay. But I'd really like to see you again. Daniel has your number, right? Would you mind if I called you sometime?"

As he buttoned his suit coat to hide his erection, Bruce said, "Yes, I'd like that." He turned quickly and walked away. Over his shoulder, he said, "I'm free most nights and weekends. Bye, Daniel. Nice meeting you, Jenifer. Uh, thank you."

After he left, Daniel looked at Jenifer with a raised eyebrow. "That was some kiss you planted on him. What was that about?"

Unashamedly, she looked at the exit, and said, "I don't know exactly. But I want more, lots more."

***

Noise in the hallway brought Jenifer out of reminiscing. She glanced up at the waiting room clock. Bruce had been in surgery for two-and-a-half hours now. His parents should be told, but her phone was home charging and she didn't know their number. Besides, they didn't approve of her as a daughter, and hadn't spoken to Bruce since they married. Was she really that awful? Wouldn't he have been better off if she'd never pursued him? But she had. She fell in love with him - his maturity, his determination, and his innocence. Bruce was the only man she'd ever really seduced, the only one she'd wanted too. 

***

Their first date was so uncommon that Jenifer didn't know how to react. They met at a coffee shop, sat across from each other, and engaged in chitchat - mundane, getting-to-know-you conversation. The young men she knew were always coming on to her and bragging about themselves. Bruce seemed genuinely interested in learning about her, which scared her, considering her life experience and her job. So, she just kept deflecting his curiosity by asking him questions. 

Eventually, he forced the issue. "Jenifer, I get the impression you don't want to talk about yourself. Why is that?"

It was now or never time. So, she bluntly and briefly told him about her screwed up childhood, about growing up with an alcoholic mother and her deviant boyfriends. Then she lied, and said, "I'm an exotic dancer. That's how I make a living."

The angry look on his face made her stomach drop to the floor, and thought, 'I'll never see him again.'

"Hmm... Wow that is sad, really sad." Then he reached across the table, took her hand, and smiled. "But now you're out of there, making a better life for yourself. I admire that."

Her stomach returned, bumping her heart up into her throat. She choked back tears at the relief and joy she felt from his acceptance. "Thanks. I am free now. Free to be me."




Lyon's Den Ch. 12



His thumb languidly stroked across her knuckles. "I like the free you."

They saw or spoke to each other every day for two months after that, but he never asked about her work, or wanted to meet her friends. Jenifer saw that as a blessing. Then she realized he never talked about his friends, either. Was he ashamed of being seen with her? And why hadn't they had sex yet? The goodnight kissing was fabulous, but it didn't go anywhere. He hadn't even tried for first base yet. Sexual frustration was a new experience for her. Even a porn actress can have unmet needs and desires. 

They'd just left a theater production of 'Annie Get Your Gun', and Jenifer was feeling her aggressive feminine side. She reached across the car and ran her fingers through his hair. 

"Bruce, I want to sleep at your place tonight. Don't you think it's time we take this relationship to the next level? Start doin' what comes natur'lly"

The smile left his face. He cleared his throat several times, and finally said, "I've never..." That's all he got out before shutting down, but it was enough.

Holding back her gasp of surprise, she calmly said, "Oh... Really? Why not?"

"Well... my parents raised me to believe that intercourse outside of marriage is a sin."

She removed her hand from his hair. "I see. So you're saving yourself?"

"I am. I'm saving myself for the woman I love. The first time should be about making love, not just having sex."

Her heart sank. "That sounds wonderful. I wish my first time..." That's all she got out before shutting down and turning to look out the window.

They drove on in silence for a while. After several miles, Jenifer realized they were heading in the opposite direction from her apartment. She wiped her eyes before turning to look at Bruce. 

He glanced at her and smiled. "I love you, Jenifer."

Without hesitation, for the first time in her life, Jenifer truthfully said the words, "I love you, too."

Jenifer discovered something new about herself. With Bruce, she could turn off the past. 

As he led her by the hand to his bedroom she felt virginal. His first time became her first time, and allowed him to set the pace. It was a slow pace, like an unwrapping of a cherished gift, an exploration of discovery. The anticipation of his touch was a high she'd never experienced; his gentleness a wonderful tease. 

They didn't speak more than a few words, instead communicating in gasps, moans, and laughter for a night and a day. 

***

"Excuse me. Are you Ms. Baxter?"

Jenifer's head snapped up from her hands. "Yes, I'm Mrs. Baxter."

A middle-aged man in clean scrubs sat beside her, and said, "I'm Doctor Jacobs. Your husband is being moved to recover."

"Thank god, he's alive."

He offered a weak smile, and then went on, "He's alive, but there were complications. The bullet missed all the vital organs. It's the after effects the blow to the head may have caused that I'm most concerned about. I've put him in a medically induced coma to minimize any damage caused by brain swelling. We'll keep him sedated for a few days." 

"He'll be all right, won't he?"

Placing his hand over hers, he said, "We won't know until he's conscious. I'm sorry to say, I'm not sure if he'll ever regain consciousness or how much brain damage he suffered. I will say that the bullet wound may have been a blessing in disguise. The loss of blood pressure may have prevented severe brain damage. Only time will tell."



Lyon's Den Ch. 13



Doctor Jacobs patted Jenifer's hand one last time and stood. "A nurse will take you to see your husband as soon as he's settled."

She said, "Thank you," and sat quietly with eyes closed, until the patter of hurried steps entered the room. 

A breathless Mary Fuller sat down and hugged her. Fresh tears began to flow. 

"How's Bruce? Any word?"

Jenifer told her everything she knew. 

Leaning over, Mary kissed her hair, and rubbed her back. "I'm sure they're taking good care of him."

Resting her head on Mary's shoulder, Jenifer sighed. "All I can do is wait and hope he comes back to me."

They sat huddled together until a nurse came in. "Ms. Baxter, you can see your husband now."

"Can my friend come, too?"

After a brief pause, the nurse said, "Sure. That's fine."

They followed her down the hall, through automatic doors that seemed to moan as they opened, and into a patient care area filled with wall hung, flat screen monitors, displaying wavy lines of vital signs. Jenifer grabbed Mary's hand for support. 

The nurse stopped outside room number 12 and motioned inside. "He's heavily sedated, so he won't know you're here. Don't be alarmed by his appearance. He's still filled with IV fluids from the operation. The puffiness will go away in a few hours. If you have any questions, go to the nurse's station over there." She pointed, smiled, and left them alone.

Squeezing Mary's hand, Jenifer edged inside the dim room. Bruce's head was encased with bandages, his face swollen and nearly unrecognizable. Bags of intravenous liquids hung bedside. A catheter bag hung below, hooked to the bedframe. 

Jenifer placed her hand over mouth and stifled a mournful cry. "It's all my fault. He'd be better off if we'd never met."

Mary hugged her sideways. "This is not your fault. Don't blame yourself for something you had no control over."

Reaching out, Jenifer lightly stroked Bruce's bare arm. "He feels so cold. Maybe he needs more blankets."

"We can ask, but I bet reducing his body temperature is part of the treatment."

Jenifer turned to face Mary, and asked, "Why isn't Daniel here? I need to talk to him."

"The police still had some questions. He wants me to bring you to his place for the night. You shouldn't be alone."

"I can't leave Bruce. I'm staying here."

"There's nothing you can do here. You need to clean up and rest, and be here when he wakes up."

After much back and forth, Jenifer felt exhausted and agreed to go with Mary. They gave the nursing staff several emergency cellphone numbers to call if anything happened. 

"We'll stop at your house and pick up some clothes," said Mary, leading Jenifer by the hand to her car.

"Okay. I need my cellphone, too." 

The next thing Jenifer knew, Mary was gently shaking her. 

"Wake up, Jen. We're here."

Together, they entered the silent house and gathered toiletries and clothing. More tears flowed down Jenifer's cheeks as she stood at the foot of her marriage bed, staring at the rumpled sheets left by their love making just a few hours ago. 

"Come on, Honey. Let's go." Mary took her hand and led her away.

They drove separately to Daniel's, so that Jenifer would be free to leave at a moment's notice. They climbed the stairs to the apartment and entered the kitchen. Daniel sat at the table, nursing a glass of whiskey, no ice. He stood, opened his arms, and Jenifer fell into his embrace.

"How's Bruce? Is he going to be all right?"

Jenifer retold everything the doctor said with a shaky and strained voice. 

"I'm sure he'll pull through. He's young and strong," said Daniel, looking over her shoulder with questioning eyes at Mary. 

Mary stepped forward and rubbed Jenifer's back. "Why don't we get you cleaned up and ready for bed. You must be so tired."

Pushing away from Daniel, Jenifer held him at arm's length to look him in the eye. Her voice suddenly anxious, she said, "Detectives came to the hospital and asked questions about you. Are you in trouble? Are you involved with Virile Desires? Why were you at our house tonight with a gun?"

"I think you should sit down," he said, leading her to the chair opposite his. 

She flopped down heavily, reached across the table to take possession of his whiskey, and drained it in one swallow. The burn going down ignited a new fear that she was about to learn something she'd rather not know.

Without being asked, Mary retrieved two more tumblers from the cupboard, and carried the half full bottle of Jack to the table. She sat next to Daniel and filled all the glasses. 

After a sip, Daniel said, "Let me answer your questions in reverse order. Mary and I came to your house tonight because we were worried about you and Bruce. Mary said you had a fight earlier." He paused to consider his words. "Neither one of you was answering your phone. We came out to be... mediators."

Mary interrupted. "I wanted to make sure you and Bruce were okay after what happened in the studio."

This made Jenifer smile into her glass. "We made up." Then she frowned. "We were planning to have a baby. But now..."

"You two have plenty of time to make babies," said Daniel, reaching out to stroke her forearm. 

"I hope so."

Daniel continued, "When we arrived at your house, a strange car blocked the driveway. The house was dark, but the firelight in the distance revealed two silhouettes that appeared to be sneaking along the path. The gun was in the car," Daniel paused and took a sip with a trembling hand, "I locked it in the trunk before my flight to San Diego. I'd been to the range the day before my flight and forgot about it." He took another drink. "It was a fortunate accident that I had it," although the sadness in his voice did not echo feelings of good fortune.

They all sat quiet for a while, sipping their drinks.

"As far as Virile Desires is concerned, a few weeks after you met Bruce, he asked me where you worked and I told him. He seemed surprised, but didn't say anything more. I found out later that he went there secretly to check it out, and became suspicious with what he saw. He came to me with his concerns about the company's hiring practices. Bruce wanted to take you away from that life, and he succeeded. But then he wanted to shut them down." Daniel sipped his whiskey before continuing. "Frankly, I took advantage of a great deal on the property, which helped Bruce, as my web designer, to keep an eye on the place. He began making anonymous calls to the police, even after you stopped working there."

Jenifer sat back and stared at her glass. "I can't believe he did all that without telling me. That he still loved me even after he found out I lied to him." She glanced from Mary to Daniel. "When we first met, I told him I was an exotic dancer. I didn't want him to know I made porn. He never asked me about work again. Now I know why."

"He wanted to protect you. You'd been through enough. If you were part of the investigation it would've dredged up your past." 

"God, I don't deserve him."

"Yes you do," said Mary. "Now stop it. This self-pity isn't helping anyone. It's time you cleaned up and went to bed."

Jenifer smiled. "Yes Ma'am." 

They all stood and walked down the hall together. 

Daniel asked, "Jen, do you remember where everything is?"

She glanced at Mary to see her reaction, and said, "Yes. I remember. Thanks for everything, Dan." Jenifer kissed him on the cheek, and then hugged and kissed Mary on the cheek. "Thank you both for being wonderful friends."

After sadly washing Bruce's blood from her chest, the hot shower felt wonderfully comforting. She stayed until the water began to cool, but forgot to bring her clean clothes into the bathroom. Jenifer wrapped herself in a towel and went to the kitchen where she'd left her bag. But it wasn't there. She went back down the hall, past the bathroom, and looked in the guest room. There was her bag, on the bed. She sat down and took a deep breath. Everything was so quiet. So lonely. With nothing to do and no company for a distraction, her fears started to crowd in on her again. Staying in this room would not help. No rest would be found. 

Jenifer pulled a pair of clean panties from her bag, slipped them on, and went further down the hall to Daniel's room. The door was closed, but when she put her ear against it she heard movement. They were still awake. Well, she'd been intimate with both of them as individuals. Why would they deny her the warmth of their company tonight? There was no reason for her not to find comfort in their bed. 

She opened the door and let the hall light wash over the king sized mattress. Mary, who sat naked astride Daniel, yelped is surprise and pulled the sheet up to cover her chest. 

Daniel, much more casual about his nudity, propped himself up on his elbows, and said, "What's wrong, Jen? Do you need something?"

"Sorry to barge in like this, but I can't stay in the guest room. Can I stay in here with you guys?"

Mary looked at Daniel with her mouth open, apparently at a loss for words. 

Before anyone answered the question, Jenifer closed the door, returning the room to black. She walked to the bed and sat on the end, saying, "What were you guys doing? Don't let me interrupt. I just don't want to be alone." 

Mary found her voice, and said, "I was just giving Daniel a massage, is all. He's so wound up from everything that happened, he can't relax, can't sleep."

Jenifer grinned in the dark. "Just a massage? I know a better way to relax a man, don't you, Mary?"

Daniel laughed. "I'm sure Mary was going to do whatever needed to be done. Right, Honey?"

"Uh... I was," she said, unsureness in her voice. "I will."

Jenifer's eyes finally adjusted to the dim light of the bedside clock, and watched Mary's shadowy form drop the protective shield of sheet and slide over next to Daniel. She kissed him, and said, "Absolutely," as her hand trailed down his chest and stomach to tickle his scrotum. 

Mary was asserting herself as the alpha female in this bed, and Jenifer had no problem with that. She didn't want to usurp anyone's position; she just didn't want to be alone. To show her willingness to be the submissive third and not the third wheel, she moved behind Mary, pressed against her back, and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for letting me stay," and kissed neck. She felt Mary shiver - a good sign.

Daniel groaned. 

Mary moved closer to him. 

Jenifer felt the unmistakable rhythm of cock stroking through contact with Mary's body. 

"You two are so good for each other." 

This seemed to encourage boldness in Mary. She bent over and kissed him with a fierceness that could have been mistaken in the dark for cannibalism. 

Jenifer let her hand slide down Mary's back, to her bottom, and began to knead a soft cheek. The muscle tensed at first and then began to writhe under her hand.

Daniel's arms wound around Mary and pulled her all the way on top. She straddled him again. At first she lay still while Daniel rubbed her back as they kissed. When he began to move his hips, she began to massage his cock with her pussy. 

Jenifer propped up on her elbow to watch, excited by Mary's new heightened sexuality, her willingness. Jenifer loved sex, and she loved watching people enjoy it. She thought of Bruce, and how turned on he had been after watching Daniel and Mary fuck in the dressing room. They went home and made love for hours that night. Bruce had to get better and come back to her. She wanted him now more than ever. Tears welled up, but she wouldn't let her sadness spoil their fun. So she cried silently.

Daniel's hands slid up Mary's sides and fondled her breasts. When she moaned her pleasure, he reached behind her to position his cock for penetration, but Mary kept missing the connection in her highly aroused state. 

Unable to resist temptation to lend a hand, Jenifer grabbed Daniels erection and pushed Mary up and into position. "There you go."

Mary sat down, fully sheathing him. "Oh god!" Placing her hands on his chest, she began to ride him hard, while Daniel continued to tease her breasts with pinches, and squeezes. 

He started to buck upwards with her down stroke. "Mary, I'm close."

"Yes! Do it! Come in me!"

"Are you close?"

"Close. Not yet."

Jenifer slid her hand between the lovers and began to vigorously rub Mary's engorged clitoris to help her along. Mary's body gushed in response. She glanced over at Jenifer, and then closed her eyes. Her thrusts quickly became erratic. She shuddered and screamed in climax. At the same time Daniel reached his tipping point, arched up, grabbed her hips, and pulled her down tight, as his release pulsed into her. Then they both collapsed into a panting heap of sated bliss. 

Mary cupped his face with her hands and kissed him sweetly, while Jenifer rubbed her back, happy for them. 

"That was beautiful. You two are made for each other," said Jenifer, her voice cracking with emotion. She rolled away to hide her tears. There was movement behind her and then Mary pressed fully against her back. 

She hugged Jenifer close, and whispered, "It's going to be all right."

Unable to speak coherently, Jenifer whimpered, "Mm hm." 

Surprisingly, she soon fell asleep in the warmth of Mary's embrace, believing no matter what happened she wouldn't have to face it alone.



Lyon's Den Ch. 14



Jenifer lifter her head and peeked at the bedside clock. Five-thirty glowed in neon green. She rolled over to look at her companions. Mary was snuggled against Daniel, his arm over her shoulders. 

-'Aw. They look so good together.' Daniel seemed to be in love for the first time since she'd known him, and Mary seemed to be sexually adventurous. She hoped they'd be happy together for a long time. But she didn't belong here with them.

Quietly, Jenifer alighted from the communal bed and returned to the guest room where she dressed in clean clothes, and then left for the hospital. Visiting hours be dammed, no way would they keep her out. She wanted to be with her love, her husband, the father of her someday children. 

The young guard at the hospital front desk didn't need much persuading to let her in, after telling him about her comatose husband in the ICU. 

"I hope he gets well soon, Ms. Baxter," he said, handing her the visitor name tag.

She smiled, and said, "Thank you, and that's Mrs. Baxter," sending the message she wanted to be known as a happily married woman. 

The hallways were practically empty. Half the lights were turned off. The ICU doors didn't open automatically. She pushed a wall plate that read 'Open', and the doors whirred apart. A grey haired nurse sat with her back to the door, tapping away on a computer keyboard.

As she approached Bruce's room, Jenifer thought it strange that his doorway was brightly lit, the light spilling out into the darkened hallway. As she drew closer, unmistakable female giggling quickened her steps. She turned in and stopped abruptly, shocked by the scene before her. Two young nurses held her nude husband on his side. His erect penis with the inserted catheter stuck out lewdly, the medical adhesive tape no longer able to secure it to his abdomen.

"What the fuck is going on in here!"

Smiles drained from the girls lips. The one holding Bruce on his side, said, "Who are you?"

"I'm his wife! Get your fucking hands off of him."

The young nurses seemed unable to move or talk until the grey haired nurse from the computer, disturbed by the commotion, interrupted.

"Please keep your voice down. Patients are sleeping. What seems to be the problem?"

Jenifer hissed, "These nurses were molesting my husband. He's naked and has a hard-on." Her voice cracked as tears welled up, "They were laughing about it."

The grey haired nurse glared at the girls. "Karen... Tameka... explain yourselves."

Tameka the bold, answered, "We were doing the 6:00am sponge bath and diaper change. He got an erection." She shrugged, and continued, "We did giggle, but no disrespect intended, he's a handsome man. Our usual patients are over 80-years old and wrinkled prunes. It was nice to work with a young man for a change, but nothing inappropriate was going on." 

"Okay, you two can go. I'll finish up here." 

"Yes, Ma'am." 

They filed out of the room. On the way by, Tameka whispered to Jenifer, "Sorry. Your husband is a hottie," and winked.

The grey haired nurse went to work. "Mrs. Baxter, you hold him up while I slip the diaper under him."

Calmly, she said, "Call me Jenifer." 

She assisted with pulling Bruce back up onto his side. "I'm sorry if I caused trouble. I didn't know what was going on."

"You can call me Cindy," said the nurse, washing Bruce's backside and placing a diaper under his buttocks. "Okay, lay him down." 

When Bruce was on his back, Nurse Cindy reached under and pulled the diaper over his still erect penis.

"Is safe for him to have a hard-on with the catheter in him?"

"It'll go away on its own. You know how healthy, young men get erections in their sleep. This is no different. It has nothing to do with what the nurses were doing. They'd just started, hadn't even gotten to the sponge bath yet. But they're young, and were acting unprofessional. Sorry you had to see that." 

"Well... I hope they're not in any real trouble."

"No. I'll talk to them, but I won't make an official report." She placed a plastic basin onto the bedside tray. "But since you're here, you can help give him his bath. Comatose patients get bathed at least once a day to keep their skin healthy and clean and it also aids in circulation. I'll show you how. Okay?"

Jenifer smiled. "I'd love to." She thought of bath times they'd shared in the past and fought back rising emotions.

After washing his back and explaining the procedure, they laid Bruce down. Nurse Cindy removed the heart monitor electrodes from his chest to allow Jenifer to wash, and then reattached them. Cindy checked the IV's and electrode connections. Next she replaced the dressing on his gunshot wound. The hole was neatly stitched, but there was a yellowish stain on the surrounding skin. 

Jenifer pointed. "What's that?"

"Betadine, it's a disinfectant they spread on the skin to clean it before surgery to prevent infections. Go ahead and wash it off."

"Okay." Jenifer gently dabbed the cloth against the stain. "It's not coming off."

"You can scrub harder. He won't feel a thing. Just don't pull against the stitches."

Gradually the stain disappeared. Jenifer noticed his nipple had hardened from the stimulation. The temptation to bend down and kiss it surged within her. 

'Please come back to me.' Aloud she said, "He looks so much better. When will they decide to bring out of the coma?" 

"He's scheduled for an MRI at 8:00. Then the doctor will know if the brain swelling is down enough." 

She threw a switch that began inflating and deflating compression bags on Bruce's legs. "That keeps blood from pooling."

She patted Jenifer's arm on the way out. Pulling the door closed behind her, she said, "He's doing fine, Dear. Push the call button if you need anything." 

After dragging a chair to the bedside, Jenifer sat down and entwined her fingers with Bruce's free hand. She rubbed her cheek against it and kissed it. What would she do if he never touched her again? How could she go on without him? 

She gripped his wrist and brought the palm to her lips. His hand felt comforting, so she pressed it against her cheek and smiled. "Baby, I want you to touch me again, so much." She guided the hand down, the fingers dragging across her neck and down her chest, until the veiny hand covered her breast. She held it tight against her and swirled around. "Can you feel my nipple? You're making it hard. It wants you to play with it, pinch it, suck it. It wants to feed your babies." A weak sob escaped her lips. 

Laying her head on the mattress, she lifted his arm and placed it across her shoulders. He was holding her in his sleep, like always. And like always, Jenifer fell asleep, too. 

"Wake up, Jenifer." Nurse Cindy gently shook her. "Time for your husband's MRI."

"Oh... okay." 

Orderlies wheeled the entire bed out of the room and down the hall. 

Nurse Cindy said, "Why don't you get some breakfast. He'll be gone for at least an hour."

Jenifer followed her advice, and the signs down to the cafeteria. While she sipped coffee, her cell phone buzzed. The display read 'Dan'. "Hi, Dan."

"Hi, Jenifer. Where'd you go? We missed you this morning."

She smiled, and said, "You two looked so cute cuddled up, I didn't want to disturb you. I'm at the hospital. Bruce just went down for an MRI."

"We'll be there in about an hour to keep you company."

"You don't have to--"

"I know we don't have to. We want to. So, I'll call when we get there."

"Okay, thank you both." She hung up, sighed, and finished her breakfast burrito. 

The wall clock showed twenty minutes had elapsed -- too soon to go back to the room. She wandered out into the hall and spotted a sign that said 'Chapel'. Feeling the need for divine intervention, Jenifer followed the arrows down to the first floor. The chapel door was open. A man in a black suit sat in the front row, and appeared to be praying. It was a small room with a just a podium and a few rows of chairs. There were no crosses or stained glass, in deference to all faiths. Jenifer sat in the back row and wondered what to do. How do you approach a god you don't know?

The man finished praying, stood, and turned around. He was tall and thin, austere in appearance. The suit seemed to hang loose on his shoulders, but when he smiled his face seemed to shine with friendliness. "Good morning. I'm Pastor Alex, the hospital chaplain. May I help you?"

Suddenly nervous, Jenifer stood and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be in here."

"Why? Are you perfect? Because, the chapel is for sinners only." 

His disarming smile put her somewhat at ease. 

"No. I'm just not religious." 

"Do you believe in God?"

"I've never really thought about it. But my husband comes from a very religious background. And I thought..." Jenifer's voice trailed off.

So Pastor Alex picked up the thought she was laying down. "Is your husband a patient here?"

"Yes."

"Would you like me to visit him?"

Emotions began to well up. In a tight voice, Jenifer looked at him, and confessed, "He's in a coma, and he got shot because he's married to me." 

He motioned with his hand, "Please, sit and tell me what happened."

Tears began to flow. Her legs weakened, so she sat before she collapsed. Resting her elbows on her knees, she covered her face with her hands and cried. Between sobs, Jenifer said, "I'm sorry. I'm just so afraid my husband won't come back to me, or he'll hate me."

Sitting down beside her and rubbing her back, Pastor Alex said, "Tell me what happened. Why would he hate you?"

"This is confidential, right."

"Yes, this is just between you, me, and God."

Jenifer uncovered her eyes, stared at feet, and began slowly rocking. "My life has been so fucked up... I'm sorry... messed up for as long as I can remember. I don't know where to start."

"Then start at the beginning."

Feeling compelled to be understood and to understand herself, she began with the childhood abuse. It felt like a weight lifted from her heart, as she told her life story from beginning to end. When she finished, Jenifer looked over at Pastor Alex to see his reaction, and was surprised to see tears. 

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just saddened by what your life experience has been." Then his face brightened. He smiled at her, and said, "But your husband must love you very much. He stayed with you, even after he found out the truth. He willingly laid down his life for you. Jesus said, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends', or in this case, his wife. Whatever happens now, you can believe that he loved you dearly." 

He stood and retrieved a box of tissues from the front. Handing her the box, he said, "I'll pray for you both. You can pray too. The Bible says, 'The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us' if you are a believer." 

Jenifer stood. "I appreciate your listening to my troubles and your prayers. I don't think I'm ready to face god."

"Well, He's there whenever you're ready. God bless you, Mrs.--?"

"Baxter. Thank you." After a brief hug, she hurried out, feeling lighter, with a renewal of spirit. The phone in her back pocket buzzed. She looked at the display, and answered, "Hi Daniel. I'll meet you in the lobby."

After a brief introduction to the security guard, Jenifer, Mary, and Daniel rode the elevator up to the ICU and waited in Bruce's empty room for his return. Jenifer filled them in on current events, leaving out the misunderstanding about the sponge bath. Daniel asked medical questions that Jenifer didn't have answers for, while Mary sat quietly subdued. 

Jenifer noticed. "Is everything all right, Mary?"

She answered with a nod and a weak smile. "I'm okay. Just a little overwhelmed by everything."

Daniel clarified, "She's fine. What happened in bed last night has her, for lack of a better term, muddled up."

"Daniel!"

Reaching out and placing her hand on Mary's knee, Jenifer said, "I'm sorry if I intruded last night. I was being selfish and needy. You guy's helped me not to feel so alone. Thank you."

Mary's smile broadened. She patted Jenifer's hand, saying, "We're here for you, Sweetie."

At that moment the orderlies appeared with Bruce. "Would you please all step into the hall so we can get Mr. Baxter situated."

Jenifer first moved to the bedside, looked at Bruce's face, and asked, "How is he?" 

"The doctor will be up in a little while to fill you in on his condition," he said, as they centered the bed in the room and closed the privacy curtain. 

A heavy silence was broken by Daniel. "I'm going to the cafeteria to get some coffee. You ladies want anything?"

They said yes to coffee, and he walked away.

A shift change must have occurred, because a new nurse went into the room to hook up all the monitors. Mary held Jenifer's hand as they waited. The flat screen display above the door began to beep softly and show wavy signs of life. 

"His BP and pulse look normal," observed Mary.

"He had a hard-on this morning. That's a good sign. Right?"

"Um... I would think so." Mary squeezed Jenifer's hand, supportively. 

They reentered the room as soon as the hospital staff left. Mary sat in a chair by the window. 

Jenifer stood next to the bed and held Bruce's hand. She brought it up to her cheek, and said, "I hope he forgives me."

"Stop saying that! This is not your fault."

"It feels like it is." 

Daniel walked in with a tray of coffee and an assortment of danish pastries. "Who's hungry?" 

The conversation stopped as they consumed snacks and beverages, until Daniel stood and looked closely at Bruce. "His color is good. He looks like he's sleeping peacefully. I wish I could say that."

"It's an awful thing to kill a man," offered Mary, "but he gave you no choice. You couldn't let him stab Jenifer." She stood up and put her arm around his waist. "You're a hero."

"You're my hero," said Jenifer, "standing on his other side and resting her head on his shoulder."

"I know I didn't have a choice. But I relive it every time I close my eyes."

No one had an answer to that, so they stood silently holding on to one another. 

A dark haired and almond-skinned man wearing a white coat and a badge that said 'Doctor' strode into the room. "Mrs. Baxter?"

Jenifer raised her hand, "Yes?"

"Hi, I'm Doctor Kumar. I have the results of your husband's MRI. Would you like to speak privately?"

"No. These are my close friends. You can tell me here."

He opened a folder that was tucked under his arm and referred to the report. "Okay then. Well the good news is there is no brain swelling. I spoke with his attending physician, Doctor Jacobs. We'll stop the anesthetic and bring Mr. Baxter out of the coma early tomorrow."

"Oh! That's great news!" 

"But," he referred to the report once again, "there are indications of some damage to the temporal lobe. I'm afraid we won't know how it will affect him until he's conscious."

Jenifer's short-lived happiness receded to fear. "What does that mean?"

"Again, we won't really know until he's conscious. But the damaged area is involved with the senses of smell and sound, the processing of speech and vision, and plays a major role in the formation of long-term memory. Usually it's the memory that's affected the most."

Jenifer's lip started to tremble.

Dr. Kumar patted her shoulder. "Not to worry. The brain cells in this area are very resilient. They can reroute neural pathways to bypass the injury. I'm giving you the worst case scenario as a precaution. He'll probably be confused for only a few hours." Closing the folder, he said, "Get a good night's sleep tonight, and I'll see you in the morning." 

"When will he be able to come home?"

"We'll see how he feels, before we decide."

He held out his hand and Jenifer shook it. "Thank you, Doctor."

After Dr. Kumar left the room, Daniel spoke first. "That's great news. They always tell you the worst possibility so you feel relieved when it's not so bad. Bruce will be fine." He hugged Jenifer sideways and kissed her hair. "You'll see, Jen. He'll be as good as new in no time."

"I hope so."

He looked at his watch. "I'm afraid I can't stay. I have an appointment in an hour." Speaking to Mary, he said, "I'll get the car and pick you up out front in ten minutes," and left the room.

"Wow, that was abrupt," said Jenifer, as she sat down.

Mary sat beside her, and said, "He told me on the way here that he hates hospitals. He hasn't been inside one since his wife died. When we pulled into the parking garage he said it brought back painful memories."

"It means a lot to me that he came anyway. He's a good man," said Jenifer, and then added, "most of the time."

They smiled knowingly at one another. 

"Give us a call if you need anything."

"Us?" questioned Jenifer. "Are you guys an 'us', now?"

Mary thought a moment, and answered, "Yes, at least for now. I'm still unsettled about some things in our relationship, but... I'm in love with him."

"I see the way he looks at you. I've never seen him so hooked on someone."

Mary asked, "Even you?"

"Me? No, he was never in love with me. We've always just had friends-with-benefits relationship. But he gives great benefits, doesn't he?"

Blushing, Mary said, "Yes." She kissed Jenifer on the cheek, and stood to leave. "We'll be back tomorrow and be here when Bruce wakes up."

"Okay. Thank you for your understanding last night. I'll be going home tonight."

Standing halfway out the door, Mary paused and appeared to struggle with words, finally saying, "Well... it was my pleasure." She glanced at Jenifer, smiled, and left.

Two hours later, Jenifer couldn't stand the boredom of sitting and waiting any longer. Time would pass quicker if she kept busy. There was grocery shopping and housework to do. Mundane chores would at least take her mind off the uncertain future. So she left Bruce to fill the refrigerator with his favorite foods, to vacuum and dust every room, and clean the bathrooms. Mission accomplished. The day turned to night. The effort left her sweaty with sore muscles, but not sleepy. 

'Maybe a hot shower would help me relax.'

It didn't. Her mind returned to Bruce. What was life going to be like after tomorrow? 

Stepping out into their bedroom, Jenifer looked at the still rumpled sheets, smiled, and thought about the last time they made love. 'God, now I'm horny.' Bruce had always made her feel things no one ever had, wonderful things, but the best of these was the feeling of worth, worthy of love. He was the only man she ever truly loved and made love to. She thought about seeing him this morning in the hospital with an erection. Even under those circumstances, she felt a warm flush just thinking about his body. At least it still worked. He could still make love to her... if he still loved her. 

Lying naked on the bed, Jenifer buried her face in Bruce's pillow and inhaled his scent, which only made her want him more. Rolling over with the pillow covering her face, she pictured him, while her hands wandered freely over her body the way his would. Very gentle at first. Teasing. Arousing. 

Early in their love life, Bruce asked her to be still and let him explore. He said he wanted to discover what turned her on -- wanted to find the touches, kisses, and caresses so stimulating that she couldn't help but writhe in pleasure. Ground rule number1 -- no tickling. He found those ticklish spots early on and avoided them to keep the discovery tour on track. Over time, it developed into a game of sensual torture. How much pleasure could she endure without flinching, flexing, convulsing? Finally, when her desire peaked, when she craved his body beyond denial, she begged him to fill her.

Her fingers slipped between her thighs and came away soaked. 'Fuck, I want his cock. Now!' 




Lyon's Den Ch. 14



Jenifer jumped off the bed and began digging through a box in the closet. "I know it's in here somewhere. Come on... where are you? Yes!" She lifted out a flexible dildo with a suction cup end. "Hello there. Long time no feel," she said, and ran to the bathroom to wash it. Then, returning to the bedroom, she pulled the wooden chair away from the dressing table and slapped the dildo suction cup down hard, ending with a satisfying "Fwhop." 

She stood back and admired its phallic fullness, an obelisk like staff for sexual gratification. "Hello, substitute stud. But something's missing," she said, tapping her lips in thought. "I know!" Stepping to the bed, she grabbed Bruce's pillow, returned to the sub-stud, and folded the pillow over the back of the chair. Spreading her legs, she straddled the seat and slowly lowered herself, filling her pussy while filling her head with eau de Bruce. Once completely settled, she pressed her face into the pillow, and groaned, "Oh, Honey. I need you so bad." 

Hugging the pillow against the chair back, she imagined Bruce, and began to ride the sub-stud. Gradually her speed increased, as her desire grew – for Bruce. "Oh Baby, I love you so much. I love your big, stiff cock in me." She liked talking dirty, and Bruce had made a discovery of his own -- it turned him on. "I'm going to fuck you hard, Baby! Fuck you and make you come deep inside me. We are going to fuck a lot to make a baby!" 

Bouncing like a paddle ball on a short string, rubbing her clit to wring out every last jolt of climatic release, Jenifer came hard, crying out as multiple peaks and valleys rose and fell, until finally spent, she collapsed with quivering exhaustion onto Bruce's pillow. 

As her breathing slowed to normal, the heavy silence around her crept in like an evil spirit, opening the door to the two headed ogre, loss and loneliness.

Filled to capacity, yet feeling hollow inside, she moaned, "Bruce, please come back to me."



Lyon's Den Ch. 15



Pain, that's the first thing Bruce noticed. His head throbbed. His ribs ached. When he opened his eyes for the first time, the light pierced like needles. When he moved his hand to cover his eyes an IV tube taped to the back of his hand caught his attention. 

"Hello, Bruce. Welcome back. I'm Dr. Jacobs. You're in the hospital, but you're all right. You've been asleep for a few days. Do you remember why you're here?"

Bruce squinted at the smiling stranger in the white coat. In a soft, gritty voice, he said, "What? Hospital? Why? What happened?"

The doctor flicked a penlight in his eyes, and asked, "Can you tell me your full name, Bruce?"

"Bruce Samuel Baxter." He tried to lift his head, but suddenly felt dizzy. He closed his eyes to stop the room from spinning.

"Can you tell me what year it is?"

Well that sounded like a stupid question. He told the doctor the year. A sudden intake of breath by someone else in the room gave him a clue it wasn't quite accurate. 

"What?" He lifted his head again to see who it was. There was only one familiar face. "Mr. Lyons, what're you doing here?"

Mr. Lyons answered, "We're here for you Bruce."

Dr. Jacob's placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder, gently pushing him back down. "Relax. You've suffered a head injury. Your memory is a little fuzzy, but it's not uncommon in these situations. Everything should come back to you in a few days. But you have your wife and friends to help you sort this all out."

"Wife? I don't have a wife." He looked at his empty ring finger for confirmation. 

A pretty, young woman stepped forward and slipped a ring on his finger. "I'm your wife... Jenifer. They took your ring off before an MRI."

He stared at the gold band for long seconds, and then at Jenifer. "What? No..." God, this can't be happening, but why would they lie, "How long...?"

"A little over a year."

This felt like a Twilight Zone episode. His head fell back and he closed his eyes. "Are my parents here?"

The hand of his mystery wife covered his. "No, they're not. I called them this morning but..." 

When she didn't continue, Bruce looked up to see tears pooling in her eyes.

In a broken voice, she continued, "They hung up when I told them who I was, and then they wouldn't answer when I called back," followed by a small sob.

"So... they don't approve? Well... that's a point in your favor." Bruce gave her a weak smile. When she laughed, tears rolled down her cheeks. He started to laugh too, but then groaned in pain. He lifted his hand to feel the extent of the head bandage, and then he lifted the sheet to inspect the bruising on his torso. "What exactly happened? Why's there a bandage on my chest?"

"You have a bullet wound," said Dr. Jacobs. "But there's no permanent damage. It'll just take a while to recover your strength."

This can't be happening. It must be a nightmare. "And my memory?"

"There's a good chance it will come back in time. I'll let your wife fill in the details."

His mystery wife squeezed his hand, and said, "I'll take good care of you, Sweetheart."

Already feeling exhausted, Bruce closed his eyes. Answers would have to wait. 

Dr. Jacobs turned to a nurse standing by the door, and said, "I want him to start on solid foods at lunch. You can remove the IV and the catheter as soon as possible. Give him plenty of water. Have him transferred to a standard ward."

Mr. Lyons spoke up, "Get him a private room."

The nurse apparently didn't like being bossed around by visitors. She scowled, and answered tersely, "I'll see if one is available."

Dr. Jacobs, placed his hand on Jenifer's shoulder, and said, "He'll be fine. I'll start the paperwork and he'll be release tomorrow morning." He walked toward the door, telling the nurse, "If he has any relapse, call me."

Jenifer quickly said, "Thank you, Doctor. Can I ask you a few questions in private?" 

"Of course."

She followed him out into the hallway. "Do you really think his memory will come back?"

He looked at the floor, in contemplation. "Honestly, I think there's more than a fifty percent chance that it will. We treated the swelling quickly and he wasn't in a coma very long. The brain has amazing recuperative power."

"Should I tell him what happened during the missing time?"

"It's best if you just answer his questions. That way he won't get overwhelmed about forgetting important events, or depressed about not remembering even the simple things. Depression is your enemy now. Keep his mind occupied with current events and future plans."

They stood silent for a few seconds until Dr. Jacobs said, "I need to see other patients. If you have any more questions you should consult with your general practitioner. He will be able to help you, or provide a referral to a specialist." 

When Jenifer returned to the room, Bruce appeared to be sleeping. Daniel talked on his cellphone. 

Mary came over and put an arm around her. "He's going to be fine, Jen. It's just going to take time. He's going to need your support more than ever. Be patient with him. I know he still loves you. He'll just have to figure it out again."

Daniel hung up and joined the conversation. His furrowed brow and wandering eyes made it obvious he was unsure about the right words. "Jen, tell Bruce to take all the time he needs. No rush. His job is waiting for him when he's ready. I have to go. Call me if they can't find him a private room. I'll twist some arms." He kissed her hair and walked out. 

Then Mary kissed Jenifer's cheek. "Dan's my ride, so I have to go. Call me anytime, Sweetie."

Feigning sleep, Bruce listened, trying to put memories together. So, he still worked for Mr. Lyons, and his mystery wife knows Daniel and his lady friend. But did they meet Jenifer before or after they were married? His head throbbed from thinking. 'How can I be married and not remember?' 

Two nurses came in and asked Jenifer to leave the room. One placed a pitcher of water on his tray and then removed his IV. The other nurse pulled up his covers to expose him from the waist down. "I'm going to remove your catheter Mr. Baxter. It may feel a little uncomfortable." She removed the surgical tape, deflated the balloon inside, and said, "Take a deep breath. Ready? Now exhale." 

He felt a gradual relief of pressure and a slight sting as she slowly pulled out the tube. "All done," she said, pulling the covers over him. "We need to check your first void, so drink plenty of water. Okay?"

"Can I use the bathroom?"

"Not yet. You'll have to use a urinal." She held up a plastic bottle with a handle. "Hit the nurse call after you're done."

The nurses left and the mystery wife returned. She stood by the bed and smiled. "How're you feeling?"

"Tired. Confused." he said, closing his eyes. It felt rude, but he felt no connection. No desire to share with her. Soon he fell asleep.

A nightmare invaded his slumber. Alone and lost, he wandered around a dark city in the rain. A clap of thunder startled him awake. It really was raining, and the drops tap loudly on the window. He turned his head in search of his mystery wife. She sat in a chair against the wall - head back, eyes closed. This ordeal must be a strain on her as well. Practically newlyweds, she's probably rethinking her commitment. He felt a twinge of sorrow for her predicament, but also a pinprick of happiness that he'd found someone so beautiful to love him. While her eyes were closed, he could shamelessly stare. Her long, braided hair lay over her shoulder and down her chest. The dress vee-neck allowed a glimpse of cleavage. Her long, slim legs were crossed at the ankles. White sandals and red toenails showcased her feet. If she'd dressed to make a good first impression, it worked. She knew what he liked. 

Another thought unnerved him. 'I'm not a virgin anymore? How could I forget making love to my wife?' As he admired her legs, Bruce imagined their silkiness on his fingers. He imagined them spread wide for him, and then wrapped around his back. His eyes wandered up above her knees to the dark, cloth cave between her legs. His penis began to respond. The heart monitor beeped with increasing frequency. Slowly, the knees began to part, revealing shadowy inner thigh, all the way up to their cloth covered apex.  

Bruce glanced up to see his mystery wife staring back at him and smiling. He released the breath he didn't know he was holding, and turned away. "Sorry." 

"Don't be. I'm your wife. I love when you look at me."

The growing erection was becoming distastefully obvious. He had to think of something else to distract his thoughts. "Do we have any kids?"

"Not yet. But we will," she said, walking to the side of the bed and brushing his cheek with the back of her hand.

The blood flow change of direction from north to south made his head throb. He couldn't take it. "Stop touching me! It hurts!"

"What hurts, Baby?"

"My head." But he covered the growing problem with his hands.

"Oh! I'm sorry." But the giggle didn't sound sorry. "You... um... rest. I'm going to the cafeteria to get some coffee. Out of sight, out of mind." She kissed his forehead before leaving. 

After a few minutes, the throbbing stopped above his shoulders and below his waist. But his whole body ached from injuries he couldn't account for. 'It must've been a terrible beating. A beating followed by a bullet meant to end it all. Why?' 

A nurse entered, halting his rumination. "Time to move you to a new room, Mr. Baxter." She unceremoniously pulled down his sheet and began removing the monitor pads from his chest. 

"Okay, but my wife-"

"We'll tell her where you are when she comes back. We need this room right away for a new patient. Do you think you can get into a wheelchair if I help?"

Bruce wasn't sure, but he hated this helpless feeling. No matter how much it was going to hurt, he said, "No problem." 

Although his balance was a little off, he was able to get into the wheelchair without much assistance. The ride to his room involved an elevator trip up to the sixth floor. As they rolled down the hall the motion made him feel queasy, so he closed his eyes. He didn't see the policeman dozing outside the room next to his. He didn't see Lou Tabor, the man his wife accused of assault and attempted murder, laying in there with the wired jaw and broken arm. 

But Lou saw Bruce, and it filled him with a hatred and contempt only people going through heroin withdrawal feel. Facing a lifetime in jail without the comfort of anesthetics, Lou felt the burn of retaliation, and yanked on the handcuff locking him to the bedrail. 

The police officer glanced into the room. "Knock it off!" 

"Fuck you!" he replied, although it sounded like "Muck ooo" through his clenched jaw. With his one good hand, he began feeling for the bolts that fastened the rail to the bed.

The officer laughed and closed his eyes. "Muck ooo, too."

In the next room, once again comfortably situated in bed, Bruce pondered the missing time while drinking his third cup of water. A short list of questions to ask his mystery wife compiled in reverse chronological order.

What happened?

How did we meet?

Who are you?

He sighed heavily with dismay and reached for the urinal to complete his first, all important, void. The proof isn't always in the pudding. Sometimes it's in the pee. The thought made him grin. 'I need to have a sense of humor about all this.'

Just as he felt the relief of release, the mystery wife, Jenifer, opened the door and walked in carrying coffee and a brown bag. 

Embarrassed, he clenched to stop the flow and covered up with the sheet up. 

"I brought an English muffin in case you're hung..." Seeing she'd interrupted, Jenifer paused against the door, "...gry."

No one spoke for long seconds, just awkward silence, until she walked to the bedside and set down the food and drink, and said, "I'm your wife." 

Not quite comprehending what she meant, Bruce gave her his furrowed brow look of confusion.

"Don't be embarrassed. Go!"

Doubtfully, he looked at the urinal bump in the sheet. "I don't know if I can with you here."

"Bullshit!" She sipped her coffee. "I've seen you pee before. In fact, I wanted to know what it felt like to pee like a man, so you let me stand behind you and hold your dick while you peed. You weren't embarrassed then. So I'm not leaving now. Get over it, or burst your bladder. Your choice."

He sighed, and said, "Don't be mad."

She answered gently, with a voice filled with regret, "Oh, Baby, I'm not mad. I'm just frustrated that you don't remember how close we were before all this happened." 

Softly, he laughed. "Well...That makes two of us."

Picking up her coffee, Jenifer walked to the chair by the wall, and sat down. She pulled out her smartphone and earbuds from her purse. "I'm going to listen to some music. Let me know if you need anything." Eyes closed, her crossed leg bobbed with an unheard beat. 

He couldn't resist watching for a while. 'Man, she's gorgeous. Nice legs.'

But the call of nature returned, and without further delay, Bruce lifted the sheet and discreetly completed the task at hand. 

It took a minute for the nurse-call to get a response. When the nurse stuck her head in the room, Bruce held up the urinal. "First one."

She entered to retrieve the warm container. "We'll check it for blood. If there isn't any, you can use the bathroom next time. I'll be back to let you know. In the meantime, there's another urinal in the drawer if you need it."

"Okay, thank you."

Jenifer removed her earbuds. "If he's hungry, can he eat the English muffin I brought?"

"Yes, that's fine," said the nurse, closing the door behind her.

Jenifer got up and began pulling things out of the bag she'd left on the tray. "Are you hungry, Lover?"

Bruce couldn't help but smile. He had the impression his mystery wife was trying hard to please him. "Yes, starved. Thanks... Honey."

She paused in mid-muffin extraction to smile at him, eyes filling with tears. After a deep breath, she said, "Okay. Let me fix it for you," and went to work. 

He watched her spread butter on each half of the muffin and then add a layer of strawberry jam from little peel-off-top containers. 

Presenting it to him on a napkin, she said, "There you go. Just how you like it." 

"Thank you. You're very thoughtful."

"I missed breakfast, so I'm going to eat with you." She reached into the bag. 

"Plain bagel with cream cheese."

Jenifer's jaw dropped. "You remembered what I like! That's great, Bruce!"

He just smiled, and didn't mention he looked in the bag earlier while her eyes were closed. 

Fifteen minutes later the nurse returned with good news. "No blood in your urine. You can use the bathroom. Let's get you up sitting in a chair, Mr. Baxter. You've been laying around long enough."

Surprisingly, he felt stronger already, and was able to maneuver to the chair with minor assistance and minimal pain. After the nurse left, Jenifer closed the hallway door. She pulled her chair next to his, sat down, held his hand, and rested her head on his shoulder.

The silence became uncomfortable for Bruce. It felt wonderful to have a beautiful woman close and cuddly, but where was the husband/wife emotional bond he'd always imagined? 

He whispered, "Are you awake?"

"Mm hmm."

"Can I ask you some questions?"

"Of course," said Jenifer, sitting up at attention, folding her hands in her lap like a schoolgirl ready for a quiz.

Was that nervousness he detected in her voice and posture? "What happened?"

"What happened when?"

What a dumb question. He felt sure she was acting intentionally obtuse. "When I got shot - how'd that happen?"

"Do you remember where we live?"

"I remember where I lived. I bought an old farm. Is that where we live?"

"Yes, it is. I love it. It will be a wonderful place to raise our kids. I've always wanted a horse. Do you think-"

Cutting her off, he said, "Maybe. But tell me what happened."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "We were having a picnic by the pond. We were attacked by two men. You were beaten and shot protecting me."

"You weren't hurt. So... I saved you. How did I do that?"

Jenifer sat quietly staring at her hands for too long.

He asked again. "How'd I do that?"

"Well... you were beaten pretty badly. One of the men was going to... assault me... sexually. You fought with the other one, and got shot when you broke his arm. We'd probably both be dead if Daniel hadn't stopped by the house. He shot the guy who was about to stab me. Mary called the police and an ambulance, and here you are. Getting better. Coming home with me tomorrow. Getting on with our lives... together."

"Mr. Lyons saved us?"

"Yes. But you would've died trying." Jenifer wrapped her arms gently around Bruce and kissed his cheek. "I'm so glad you didn't."

"Yeah, me too!" he said, giving her a small smile, while feeling sad at not being the happy-ending-hero. "So... who were these guys?"

Resting her forehead on his shoulder, Jenifer spoke softly. "The guy that attacked me... the one that died, was stalking me, I guess. He worked where I worked."

"Where was that?"

Jenifer lifted her head and pinched her nose. "Your breath really stinks. I brought your toothbrush. Think you can brush your teeth for me?"

The change of subject worked. Bruce said, "I think I could manage that."

"Great!" Jenifer picked up her purse and went into the bathroom, saying, "I'll get everything ready for you. Do you want to shave, too? I'd be happy to shave you, if you want." 

'She's avoiding the question,' thought Bruce. 'Why?' 

Determined to test his physical limitations, he stood on his own. There were aches and pains all over. He stood still for a moment to make sure of his balance, then gingerly walked to the bathroom, and leaned against the door jamb to rest. 

Jenifer, seeing his reflection in the mirror, turned quickly, "Whoa, slow down big guy. Don't rush it. Let me help." Placing her arm around his waist and his arm over her shoulders, they moved to the sink. 

He leaned on the porcelain with both hands and stared at the pale, bristly, face in the mirror. One hand rose up to feel the bandage covering his scalp. "I need more than a shave. I need a head transplant." 

Rubbing his back soothingly, Jenifer said, "No you don't. I love this head." She kissed his cheek. 

Not knowing how long he could stand, Bruce proceed to brush and floss quickly, while his mystery wife pressed against his back with her arms around his waist. She continued to smile over his shoulder at his reflection. Physical contact with her proved very distracting. When he bent over to spit and rinse, she tightened her grip and pressed her stomach hard against his buttocks for leverage. Even through the pain of bending, physical arousal surprised him like a rainbow after a storm, beautiful with no real beginning or end. 

Exhausted, Bruce said, "I'd better sit down."

Jenifer slipped under his arm and helped him back to the chair. 

She picked up a plastic bucket, and said, "I'm going to shave you. You'll feel so much better." 

Bruce closed his eyes and floated on the edge of sleep, until a warm dampness touched his face. 

"Feels good, doesn't it," said the mystery wife, as she coated his stubble with shaving cream. "I soaked the can in hot water for a while."

"It feels great." 

Pulling a chair directly in front of him, Jenifer sat with her legs open around his and leaned forward to get close. For steadying support, her free hand rested on his shoulder. 

She brandished the razor in front of his face, and in a husky whisper said, "Now don't move." Then, with great concentration, she started at his left temple and eased the razor down his cheek. 

When Jenifer bent down to rinse the razor in a tub of hot water on the floor, the vee of her dress fell away from her body to reveal an unrestrained breast. A surprised Bruce was caught staring, and quickly looked away. "Sorry."




Lyon's Den Ch. 15



"Sorry?" Jenifer grinned wickedly, and continued to shave him. "There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm your wife. You can look all you want. Maybe it will help you to remember me. Remember how in love we are." She bent down to rinse again. 

Bruce closed his eyes, trying to control his physical response to a woman he didn't know. 

But Jenifer continued to explain how she felt. "I want you back. I want you to want me." The razor lazily scraped up his neck to his chin. "You don't remember, but being your first love really turned me on. So now, if I get to do it all over again, well... let's just say I'm getting horny just thinking about it." For a while, nothing more was said. Jenifer continued to shave. 

Bruce opened his eyes, feeling frustrated by not remembering, but undeniably excited by her words and touch. His chest ached, his head throbbed, and in spite of all that his cock stirred. After all, she was his mystery-wife, giving him clues to their love affair, expressing her marital desire for him. 'Why should I fight it?'

Jenifer didn't meet his gaze, but continued to smile while she worked. 

"All done," she said, dropping the razor into the sudsy tub. "You look human again."

"Thank you, Jenifer."

"You're very welcome, Bruce." She stood, pushing her chair back. "Do you mind if I check out how well I did?"

Not sure what she had in mind, Bruce simply said, "No, I don't mind."

Pulling the hem of her dress up to her hips, she straddled his legs, and sat on his lap. "Tell me if I hurt you," Jenifer whispered, as she covered his lips with hers. 

Her fingers teased the nape of his neck, as her mouth melded with his. A subconscious memory must've been triggered, because Bruce knew how to kiss back. Their tongues toyed with each other, tickled each other's lips. His hands cupped the back of head, fingers rubbing, running down her back. She moaned in response, and pressed her hips forward against the thin hospital gown. 

Now, fully erect, all the aches and pains disappeared. The only ache was a pleasant one, and it throbbed against her stomach. Suddenly, a hand gripped his cock through the gown and began pumping. 

Shocked, Bruce pulled away, looked down, and then looked up. 

"Relax, Baby. Enjoy. I love you," she said, and then pressed her mouth to his, kissing with passion. Seconds later, Bruce groaned in orgasm, his cum soaking the gown. Jenifer kept working him, until his stiffness began to subside. 

Bruce sighed, and let his head fall back. Now that the pleasure was over the rest of the aches crept back. His heavy breathing pulled at the chest wound and bruised ribs. The throbbing rose back up to his head. But he smiled at his mystery wife, and she smiled back. A new ache grew. His heart had an ache all its own. A good ache. An ache to know this woman that said she loved him.



Lyon's Den Ch. 16



"Take this off." Jenifer pulled at Bruce's semen stained gown. "I'd better get you a clean one."

"I think you're right," said Bruce. Feeling awkward in unfamiliar emotional terrain, he added, "Thank you."

Jenifer kissed the tip of his nose, and smiled with a self-satisfied quirk to her lips. "I thought it might take your mind of things and relax you." Dismounting from his lap, she held out her hand. "You'd better get back into bed... unless you want to sit naked in the chair." 

Bruce laughed, and said, "I think I'll get back in bed." He took her hand, and with a little assistance, stood without unbearable pain.

She smiled up at him, and said, "I can't believe I fell in love with an uptight prude. Turn around."

He complied, but the comment jarred him. "Prude? Is that how you really think of me?"

Gently, Jenifer ran her hands across his shoulders and down his back to the first bow. 

"Well, let's just say I've loosened you up considerably." 

She deftly untied the three knots that held the gown in place. 

"Take it off." 

Her hands cupped his bare bottom and squeezed while he shrugged it off. 

"I love your butt. It's so cute!"

"Thanks... again," he said, as his face warmed with this new intimacy. But she was his wife, after all. She had exclusive rights, and he began to warm to the mystery marriage concept. That meant he had exclusive rights to her, as well, and wondered if she would be as accepting of his explicit fondling. Apparently they had a very satisfying sexual relationship, something he'd always wanted with a wife. Would she be as happy with him now? Would he meet her expectations? She said she liked being his first lover, which meant she must have been more experienced to begin with. 

Breaking into his thoughts, she said, "Let me help you to bed, Sweetie."

Turning to face Jenifer, Bruce felt a twinge of embarrassment. She seemed so unaffected by his nudity, the feeling quickly disappeared.

Tucking him in, she said, "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."

"Don't worry. I'm too tired. You wore me out."

She grinned, and answered, "I'm very good at that, Lover."

Bruce fell asleep, and didn't awaken until lunch was delivered. His empty stomach rumbled at the sight of just a sandwich. The meager offering looked delicious, including the green Jello. An hour later, strength began to return to his limbs. 

Restless and tired of bed, he said, "What are you doing?"

Jenifer looked up from her phone, and said, "Nothing. Just reading the news. The weather is going to be cool and dry tomorrow. I'll have to bring you warm clothes to go home in."

"I think I'd like to get up and walk down the hall."

Jenifer smiled, popped up out of her chair, and said, "The nurse told me you should walk, so they gave me two clean gowns. Stand up. I'll help you dress. You don't want to distract the nurses with your cute butt hanging out."

She sandwiched him between the two gowns, and helped him slip on nonskid socks. 

They linked arms, and stepped into the hall. 

Bruce looked both ways. "Why is there a cop sitting there?" 

"I don't know. There must be a prisoner in the room."

They turned and walked in that direction. As they passed the door, Bruce looked inside. A man lay on his side, staring out through the door with unseeing eyes. A gloss of sweat coated his skin. 

Jenifer gasped, and said, "That's the man who shot you."

Hearing her comment, the officer looked up from his magazine, suddenly wary.

Bruce stopped and stared back at the man in the room for long seconds. "I don't remember... anything."

The man in the room blinked, and his expression changed to one of recognition. 

Bruce thought, 'he looks crazy,' and took a step closer. 

Suddenly, the man yanked on his hand cuff and started to thrash angrily.

The officer stood and looked in the door. "Knock it off, or I'll have you strapped down." He turned to Bruce, and said, "Glad to see you up and around, Mr. Baxter. Don't worry about him. He's not going anywhere. But please move along. He's going through drug withdrawal. I'd like to keep him calm, so I can stay outside the room. Otherwise, I'll have to sit inside and close the door." His nose wrinkled when he said, "He stinks."

"Sorry officer." said Bruce, as they continued down the hall. 

"You're an animal!" shouted Jenifer over her shoulder. 

Bruce smiled at his mystery wife's outburst, and thought, 'She's a fighter. I like that.'

They walked quietly to the elevators, and Bruce felt the tug of freedom. "Let's sneak out. Take me home now."

Laughing softly, Jenifer hugged him sideways, and said, "Aw, Baby. I like that idea, but let's not rush it. I don't want to risk your health. Tomorrow will be here before you know it."

"You must be bored, just sitting around."

"Not when I'm with you." She kissed his cheek.

"Oh yeah, I'm the most exciting prude in the world." Reluctantly, he turned around and headed back to the room. Even the short walk drained him of energy. He moved to the handrail lining the wall for additional support. "Would you do me a favor, Mrs. MMW?"

Jenifer looked up at him with a puzzled expression. "MMW?"

"My mystery wife."

"Oh." Her puzzled expression transformed to stricken, and she looked away. "What do you want?"

He saw the hurt he'd caused, and tried to repair the damage. "I mean... you are a mystery to me right now. I'm sure my memory will come back, and we'll go on with our lives, better than before."

Jenifer hugged his arm. "And if it doesn't, we'll just start fresh. Right?"

"Right," said Bruce, "Would you go home and bring back my laptop? I'd like to see what's new on it." Trying to sound optimistic, he added, "Maybe it'll bring back memories. How can I go back to work if I don't know what I've been working on?" 

"Are you sure? You should rest. Don't rush it. Things will come back in time." 

"Rest? How can I rest while the missing years of my life haunt me?" A surge of panic caused an adrenalin rush, giving him new strength and he walked faster, sliding his hand along the rail, consciously pulling away from Jenifer. "I'm married? When? Where? Did we have a honeymoon? How'd we meet? Where's your family? Why aren't they here to support you?"

His voice had risen to a level that drew attention. As they walked by the prisoner's room, the officer looked at him with concern. The man on the bed grinned like he was laughing on the inside. 

Bruce pointed at him, and said, "That asshole knows more about you than I do!" He let go of the rail and started across the hall toward him. "Maybe I should get some answers myself." 

The addict's eyes grew big, but the officer stood and blocked the door. "I'm sorry, Mr. Baxter. I can't let you near him. It would only hurt your case. He can't talk anyway. You broke his jaw."

"Yeah?" He glanced over the officer's shoulder, and said to the man who now pointed and pretended to shake with laughter, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry I didn't break your neck!" and lunged weakly toward the door.

The officer gently guided Bruce away, moving him in the direction of his room. "Believe me. When he gets to prison, he'll wish you did break his neck. A jellyfish has more spine than he does. They'll eat him alive. His life is over."

Jenifer regained Bruce's arm, as the anger subsided and he visibly slumped. 

"It's okay, Baby. Let's get you back to bed."

"No! I'll sit in the chair. I'm not tired."

"Okay, okay. Just calm down before you pop your stitches." 

In truth, Bruce felt exhausted, barely able to stumble to the chair. It hurt when he flopped down, pain shooting from his head to his chest and out to his fingers and toes. 

Jenifer brought him a cup of water. "Want me to ask a nurse if you can get a pain pill?"

Rudely, Bruce dismissed her with a wave of his hand, and said, "No." 

He sipped the water, and thought, 'Get a grip. You're still alive. You'll get better. Praise God!' 

God? He hadn't thought of God as a part of his life since he left home. 

Handing the cup back to Jenifer, he asked, "Do you believe in God?"

By the look on Jenifer's face, the question was unexpected. "Uh, no... I don't, or I didn't. I mean, I wasn't raised in a religious family. I know you do, or did, but it didn't seem important to you anymore. While you were unconscious, I did talk to the hospital chaplain about... what happened to us. I have to admit, it made me feel better. It's comforting to think there's something, or someone, in control of this fucked up... sorry, screwed up world."

"Did we go to church, ever?"

"No. But I'd go with you, if you want to."

"Maybe."

Jenifer bent down and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be back in a couple of hours. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." 

"How would I know?"

"That's my point. Don't do anything." She picked up her purse, waved goodbye, and disappeared through the door. 

Bruce dozed in the chair, occasionally waking from a disturbance in the hall. Once, a nurse stuck her head in to make sure he was still alive. Strength returned enough to make him restless. So he forced himself up and stood shoulder against the doorjamb to see what the world was like outside his room. It was almost as boring as inside the room, until a white collared preacher, Bible in hand, left the nurses' station and headed in his direction. 

Holding out his hand to shake, he said, "Hi, Mr. Baxter, I'm Pastor Alex Pembroke, the hospital chaplain. I spoke with your wife, Jenifer, yesterday. I'm happy to see you up and around. This is an answer to prayer. Your wife was very concerned."

Bruce shook hands. "Funny thing, we were just talking about you."

"She must be thrilled to have you awake and doing so well. Is she here?"

"No. She went home to get some things for me." Bruce turned sideways and waved his hand into the room, saying, "Would you come in and answer a few question?"

"Of course, I'd be happy to." 

Bruce sat in his hospital recliner, while Pastor Alex dragged a visitor's chair closer, and asked, "What can I help you with?"

"Well... here's the problem. Since I woke up, I don't have any memory of being married, or of Jenifer. I don't remember anything about us being together. They said my memory would probably come back in a few days. But it's... unsettling to have someone tell me they love me, someone who wants to be affectionate, when I don't feel any kind of emotional bond with them. Can you tell me what you know about her, about us? Jenifer said she spoke with you."

Pastor Alex leaned forward and rested his chin on his entwined fingers. "Hmm. Well, I can't reveal her exact words to me. They're confidential. But I can tell you she loves you very much. In a way, you saved her life long before this recent attack. She'd had a terrible childhood. I believe she was on a path that would have destroyed her chance for true happiness. You have made her see the value in..." he paused in thought before continuing, "Let me explain it another way. She said you were from a religious background. Is that right?"

Bruce sat back in silence for a moment, and then answered, "That's right." 

"Are you familiar with the four Greek definitions of love used in the Bible?"

"Yes, a little. They are Agápe, Éros, Philia, and Storge."

"Wow! Very good. I'm impressed." Pastor Alex patted Bruce's knee. "Jenifer is very fortunate to have found a man like you, who understands the differences. She has a hungry heart, and it sounds like you've been satisfying a need in her." 

"How so?"

"Let's speak hypothetically, and leave Jenifer out of the conversation for the moment," said Pastor Alex, meeting Bruce's unwavering gaze. "What do you think would happen to a child who'd only experienced the Éros kind of love while growing up?"

Bruce frowned at the disgusting thought. "You're talking about sexual abuse. I think that child would be emotionally damaged." 

Pastor Alex nodded sadly, and then said, "But there is always hope." He rubbed his chin, and continued, "Now this child that survived the physical abuse would grow up with emotional scars. She wouldn't know how to cope with affection. That is until she finds someone who relates to her with Philia - a dispassionate love, a virtuous love, and enjoyment of companionship. Someone that showed her how to love as friends and equals. Do you see how that would be attractive to her?"

Bruce nodded, his mouth suddenly too dry to speak. 

"Studies have shown that abuse destroys the trust a child should feel toward adults. They feel betrayed. They develop a negative outlook on life. This pessimism affects a person's ability to establish and maintain relationships and attachments throughout life. Adult survivors often enter into relationships filled with conflict. They don't know how to form mature, intimate, connections and often act out in ways that threaten to disrupt close, personal bonds." Pastor Alex smiled warmly, and said, "However, it is possible to overcome the past, to live a meaningful life. It is hard work, but they can develop new coping skills. But first they have to understand the relationship between their early abuse and their current behavior. That's the first step toward healing." 

Bruce cleared his throat, and simply said, "I get it."

"I'm glad. I think you two were meant for each other." Standing, Pastor Alex held out his hand, and they shook again. "Mr. Baxter, as afraid as you feel about not remembering Jenifer, think how afraid she must be about losing the one person she'd finally come to trust enough to love and marry." He grinned, and added jokingly, "But don't feel pressured." He moved toward the door. Turning back, Pastor Alex set his Bible on the sink and said in parting, "I'll keep you two in my prayers." 

Alone with his thoughts, Bruce mulled, cogitated, and pondered for the next four hours all he'd learned about his mystery wife. When dinner arrived he ate without tasting, because worry began to invade his thoughts. Jenifer should've been back by now. Ignoring the pain, he rose, walked over to the sink, and picked up the abandoned Bible. A new rejuvenating strength of will and purpose compelled him to open it to verses he remembered fondly. They spoke about the relationship between a husband and wife. 

1 Corinthians 7:2 But because of the temptation to impurity and to avoid immorality, let each [man] have his own wife and let each [woman] have her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights (goodwill, kindness, and what is due her as his wife), and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority and control over her own body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority and control over his body, but the wife [has her rights]. 5 Do not refuse and deprive and defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire.

Although he thought the Bible wrought with inconsistencies and archaic language, he loved the idea of the description of married life. Two people satisfying each other's desires without restraint. He loved the idea of sharing one flesh, each having rights to their partner's body. To refuse Jenifer's affection would be to defraud her of her rights. But where the hell was she?

Eventually he dozed off, until a hand gently caressed his cheek. He opened his eyes to see his smiling mystery wife. 

"Hi."

Bruce sat up straight. "Hi. What took you so long? I was getting worried." He noticed a significant change in her appearance. She'd changed into jeans and a plain, white tee-shirt. The makeup she'd worn earlier was now scrubbed away. Her eyes looked red like she'd been crying. 

"Are you all right?"

Jenifer placed a notebook computer on his lap, and said, "I'm okay." She sat in the chair next to him. "I am worried, though. I'm worried about what you'll find on your computer. You have some image files on there you may find shocking. I tried to erase them, but you have them password protected. So I couldn't." Her eyes closed. "I thought about smashing it."

"They upset you that much? You were crying?"

Jenifer nodded as a tear ran down her cheek.

Bruce opened the lid and pressed the power button. When it completed its boot-up he opened the file menu, and asked, "Which folder?"

Leaning over, Jenifer pointed. "The one labeled 'website'." She stood, anxiously saying, "I'm going to the bathroom."

His fingers flew over the keyboard. "Wait a second." With an exaggerated, swirling motion, his index finger pressed one final key, "There. The file is gone. Deleted."

"Really?" She sat back down to look for herself. "You remembered the password?"

"I tried the same password I used in college. It worked."

Did you empty the recycle bin?"

After a double click, the wastebasket icon opened to a 'this folder is empty' message.

"Yes. See."

"Thank you." She kissed his hair. "You've always been so patient and kind with me." Jenifer gingerly sat cross his lap, making sure to lean against his chest on the opposite side from the bullet wound. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him chastely on the lips and then buried her face against his neck. "I love you," she whispered. 

Reflexively, Bruce wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her secure. His heart swelled with new warmth. He couldn't say he loved her, but he could give her the loving embrace a husband should give his wife. 

'She's entitled to this,' he thought, although the softness of her breath on his neck and the warmth of her embrace wasn't exactly a hardship. What did surprise him was how fast she fell asleep in his arms. Her breathing became slower. Her muscles relaxed. Bruce held her like a sleeping child, safe and secure. Maybe Pastor Alex was right. She was more afraid about the future than he was. 

Thirty minutes later, Jenifer stirred. "Oh god, I'm sorry." She sat up and looked into his eyes.

"I'm not. You felt good in my arms. And you smell really good." Grinning, he added, "I even nodded off for a while."

Touching her lips to his ear, she whispered, "I taste good too."

Heart thumping, a lump in his throat, he said, "Good to know. I look forward to finding out."

"Well tomorrow we can hold each other and taste test all day and all night." She kissed him before getting up. "I should get going. Our cupboard is bare. Is there anything you want me to pick up at the store?" she asked, combing her hair through her fingers. 

He thought a moment, and said, "Something to barbecue, like steaks or chicken. I want to eat outside if the weather is good."

"And if you feel up to it." She kissed his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Baby. Sweet dreams."

"You too." 

Bruce blankly stared at the empty doorway. His mind's eye still envisioning the sway of her bottom in the tight jeans. Eros, his mystery wife seemed to personify the horny Greek god. 

He reached over to the empty chair, picked up his laptop, and opened the file manager. 

"Time to see what I've forgotten." He opened the recently named 'financial' folder and entered his longstanding password. A list of .jpg files appeared. At the top of the page, Bruce elected to list the files by date - oldest first. "Might as well start at the beginning."

The first file was a picture of Bruce and Jenifer together, posing in what appeared to be a wedding photo. Recognizing the background, Bruce thought, 'Daniel must've been our photographer.' There looked to be over a hundred files in the folder. 

'Must've been some wedding.'

But after the first few wedding shots, the photos drastically changed. 

"Holy shit!" Bruce closed the lid and looked up anxiously, making sure no one heard the exclamation and came running. When no one did, he reopened the screen and began a slow click through, file by erotic file. 




Lyon's Den Ch. 16



'We did this? I did this?' Suddenly it dawned on him who was taking the pictures. 'Daniel took these. He watched us doing this.'

The temperature in the room seemed to rise. His bullet wound and bruises along his side ached from the heart beating wildly against his ribs. But the worst thing, or most embarrassing thing, was the erection that throbbed under the computer. By the time Bruce reached the last few files, a new level of sexual tension had him near exploding. Eros was in the house, shame thrown out the window. 

Bruce groaned audibly when he opened the tenth-to-last file. There was Jenifer, tied to Daniel's stage bed, while a disguised woman rubbed ointment on her red buttocks, his ejaculate shining wetly between her thighs. After viewing the remaining photos, he closed the folder and turned off the computer. Shutting his eyes, he realized why Jenifer wanted him to delete them all. What's been seen cannot be unseen. He wondered who'd been the bigger influence in their relationship. Obviously they'd made some kind of compromise. Or, more accurately, he did. At first, he'd hoped the photos would trigger some memories. Now, he wasn't sure what he wanted. 

'That's not true,' he thought, rubbing his erection through the hospital gown. 'I know what want.'



Lyon's Den Ch. 17



Eleven fifty-two Post Meridian, Bruce closed the last explicit picture for the last time. He took a deep breath, right clicked on the 'financial' folder, selected delete, and, before any lustful second thoughts could prevent his hand from completing the mission, he hit 'ENTER', and then quickly emptied the Recycle Bin. If nothing else, he felt better, lighter in spirit, for not having totally lied to Jenifer, because he did eventually delete the pictures. 

Rising from the hospital recliner, Bruce glanced at the bed. Erotic images still swirling in his mind's eye, he felt anything but sleepy. In fact, some of Bruce's missing memories seemed to be returning. Nothing substantial, just flashes of Jenifer, Daniel and, strangely enough, Daniel's new friend Mary. Or maybe it was just the photos playing tricks with his libido. Whatever the cause, a nagging headache drove him to the door to ask a nurse for an Excedrin to help relieve the pain of what must be headache number 69.

Stopping just outside his room, Bruce looked left and right. No nurse in sight. 

'The night crew must be busy.' 

He looked left again. The daytime police guard had been replaced by a much older officer. 

'This must be an easy assignment. No stress. Comfortably warm and dry.' 

In fact, with his hat pulled low and his chin resting on his chest, he looked asleep. 

Movement inside the prisoner's room, a shadow darker than the doorway itself, caught Bruce's attention. Then a soft clink of metal and the rustle of fabric reached his ear. Not wanting to alarm the officer for no justifiable reason, Bruce warily crept along the wall to peek into the room. Just as he reached the open door, a handcuffed man stepped into the hallway with a detached bedrail held above his head, prepared to strike the unsuspecting officer. 

Reacting on instinct, Bruce grabbed the bedrail and shouted, "Stop!" 

He pulled backwards and kicked the criminal's knee forward. The man fell hard on his back, screaming through his wired jaw. 

The startled officer sprang to his feet. "What the fuck!" Quickly assessing the situation, he said to Bruce, "Shit! I'll take it from here. Go back to your room, Sir." 

Bruce raised his hands 'no problem' and eased back to his room with a new throbbing pain in his chest. The aggravated bullet wound replaced the discomfort of his headache. Resting in the recliner, he watched nurses and security personnel scurry past the doorway. 

Twenty minutes later the police officer entered, hat in hand. "Mr. Baxter, thanks for stepping in like that. I really appreciate it. I'd also appreciate it if you kept what happened to yourself. If anyone finds out I was asleep on the job... well... I'm retiring at the end of the month-"

"I understand," said Bruce. "Congratulations."

Relief flowed into the officer's face. He shook Bruce's hand. "Thanks again."

A nurse entered and interrupted. "Mr. Baxter, how are you doing?"

The officer, eager to leave, waved goodbye and quickly exited the room.

"I'm a little sore. Can I get something for the pain? I need to get some sleep."

"Sure. I'll be back in a minute."

The pain medication was much stronger than Excedrin. Bruce fell into a dreamless sleep and didn't awaken until Jenifer stroked his cheek with the back of her fingers. 

"Wake up, sleepy head. Time for breakfast." 

Her hand slipped down over the bed covers and briefly covered the lump created by his morning erection. "I miss waking up with this bad boy pressed against me." 

Groggily, Bruce smiled back at the beautiful woman bent over him. Her touch, like an electric jolt, brought him fully awake. His face warmed. "Wow, I was out. What time is it?"

"Eight twenty." Rolling the tray near the bed, and lifting the plastic cover off his breakfast, she asked, "Are you hungry?" 

"Yeah, I could eat." Bruce sat up and looked over the powdered scrambled eggs. "I won't promise to keep it down, though." 

"Well try," she said, while removing the cellophane from the plastic fork. "You need your strength for the trip home. The doctor is coming before lunch to release you." 

"Can't wait." With renewed determination, Bruce began to eat. 

Jenifer patted his thigh, "Neither can I," then sat in the recliner and stared at her phone.

Between bland mouthfuls, Bruce glanced at his mystery wife. She looked different today - relaxed. No makeup, a natural beauty in faded jeans and a pink sweatshirt, sporting a no nonsense ponytail. She'd smelled good - clean, not perfumey. He felt the opposite - apprehensive and dirty.

"What're you reading, Jen?" 

"Well, Bruce," she smiled. The use of her name seemed to please. "I'm thinking about taking some business classes. I have a job offer."

"Really? That's great!" Then an unpleasant thought crossed his mind - the thought that she might be trying to distance herself from him. His stomach twisted. "Is it close by? In town?"

Her eyes narrowed, and the phone dropped to her lap. "That's a weird question. Are you hoping it's not?" 

Bruce's mouth went dry as the toast, making it difficult to swallow for long seconds. "No," he finally blurted, "Just the opposite. I was thinking you might want to... get away."

"Seriously?" Tears welled up. "You took a bullet for me. You love me that much... At least you did. You think after that I'd want out? No such luck. I want you back. I want us back. You're stuck with me." She wiped her eyes and lifted her phone back to read. "Daniel wants me to take over running the gallery, so Mary can focus on her painting, and travel with him on business trips. It's nice to finally see him in love."

Although Bruce didn't remember their life together, he felt comforted by her commitment. Knowing a little about the abuse in her past, he wondered if she would want to escape from this recent emotional upheaval. But for now, at least, he wasn't alone. 

Then another disturbing thought came to mind. Bruce remembered the pornographic photos in Daniel's erotic collection, and his mouth dried up again. He wondered if some of their explicit photos were hanging in the gallery. 

"I remember that place... from before. It's almost a porn shop." 

Once again the phone dropped onto Jenifer's lap, as she looked at her husband in dismay. "There was never any pornography there. Yes, they were explicit. But the pictures are of friends and lovers enjoying life, enjoying one another, sharing their bodies for mutual pleasure. Daniel is a sensitive and artistic photographer, trying to capture human sexuality in all its variations." She lifted her phone back up, and continued, "Besides, those photos were taken down. Mary is turning the place into a studio for struggling artists. She's an amazing painter, herself."

"You sound like you're familiar with Daniel's work."

"I am." She looked up and met his gaze. "We both are... or in your case, were." 

Uncomfortable with where this conversation might lead, Bruce changed the subject. "So, what kind of work have you done in the past?"

"Menial stuff. Nothing worth mentioning. The past is the past." But her suddenly bobbing foot indicated the question made her nervous.

That seemed to end all conversation. Bruce silently finished breakfast, a cloud of uncertainty hovered over him.

"I should get dressed," he said, pushing away the tray and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. 

Jenifer lifted a duffle bag next to her chair. "Want some help," she asked, giving him a wink. 

Bruce smiled, and said, "Thanks, but I can manage," while thinking, 'Why am I embarrassed by the suggestion? She's my wife. I need to remember at least that much.' 

"Party pooper." 

He carried the duffle bag into the bathroom and closed the door. The reflection in the mirror looked haggard and scruffy. Today, he'd brush his teeth and shave himself. It felt uncommonly good to do something so common. When done, Bruce removed the hospital gown. A bright red spot on the bullet wound bandage gave him pause. The brief altercation last night must have opened the wound. He pressed a finger to the bandage. Didn't feel any worse. He reached into the duffle bag, and pulled out a pair of boxer briefs and black sweatpants. Once they were on, he pulled out a tee-shirt and a zippered hoody. The navy-blue shirt had a design on the front. Shaking the folded garment open, he spied a familiar red and yellow logo - Superman. Glancing at his reflection, he couldn't help but smile at her choice of shirts. Afraid of getting blood on it, which would be inconsistent with a bulletproof superhero, Bruce put it back in the bag and donned only the loose fitting hoody. 

When he stepped out of the bathroom, Jenifer sat up at attention and smiled brightly. "There's my handsome hero."

Bruce took a step.

"Wait, stop!" Jenifer stood, "Do the reveal thing for me." 

"Reveal thing?"

"You know." Jenifer pantomimed pulling apart her shirt at the chest.

Bruce laughed, "Sorry to disappoint, but I didn't put it on." In explanation he unzipped the hoody and pointed at the bloody gauze. "He must've used a kryptonite round. I didn't want to stain my uniform."

Her smile was replaced by a frown of concern as she approached. "Baby, you need that checked out," she said, placing her warm palms on his flesh, pushing the fabric apart for a closer look. "Does it hurt more? Maybe it's infected. Let me get the nurse." 

As she turned to go, a sudden affection swelled within him. Bruce gripped her shoulders, and looked down into anxious eyes. "I'm fine. I don't need a nurse. This is what I need." Slowly, he lowered his head. 

Her expression changed from concern to anticipation. 

Just before their lips touched, Jenifer closed her eyes, and whispered, "Fine. Whatever you need." 

Whether it was a memory or just instinct, when their lips touched Bruce slipped his hands across her shoulders to cradle the back of her head. While his thumbs traced behind her ears, his kiss deepened. His tongue probed, and she allowed entry, groaning with desire. Her arms wrapped around his back and pulled him tight. But the pressure against his bruised side caused a sharp pain that made him wince. 

"Sorry! Sorry!" she said, breaking the connection. "I got a little carried away."

Bruce smiled, "I'll survive. My side is still pretty tender, but 'carried away' sounds very reassuring." 

Jenifer gently stroked his cheek. "I know the feeling... wanting reassurance that is. And I want more of it like that!" She left his arms and headed for the door. "Let me find a nurse before I get so carried away I block the door with the bed."

He laughed as he watched the sway of her jean clad bottom leave the room, and thinking 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'

A few minutes later, Jenifer returned with a nurse in tow. The nurse removed the bandage from Bruce's chest and gently pressed around the stitches. "They're not broken, but it looks like they were stretched. Did you strain them somehow?"

Thinking fast, Bruce said, "I stubbed my toe on the way into the bathroom and tripped. I grabbed the doorframe to keep from falling." 

Wiping the wound with an alcohol swab, the nurse said, "It's not bleeding now. I'll bandage it back up. You be more careful. Don't do anything strenuous."

Looking over the nurse's shoulder, Jenifer winked at Bruce and said, "He won't. I'll do all the work for a while. He'll just lie in bed and relax." Then she slowly sucked her index finger into her mouth. 

Bruce felt his face warm, as the nurse answered, "A little physical activity is good for healing. Just no heavy lifting." 

Jenifer replied, "Good to know. I have ways to get his heartrate elevated without him lifting a finger."

Laughing, the nurse taped on clean gauze. "I'm sure you do." The nurse now winked at Bruce before turning to go. "You two enjoy the rest of your day."

"We will." They answered at the same time, and then grinned meaningfully at one another. 

An hour later, Bruce rolled down the hall in a wheelchair with a list of wound care instructions in his lap. The door next to his was closed, but he could hear loud groaning from inside. He felt sorry for the guard stuck listening to that whiney prick. 

He recognized his pickup truck waiting for him at the curb, with his mystery wife holding open the passenger door. A more inviting chauffeur could not exist. 

She surprised him with a quick kiss, and said, "Let's go home, Sweetie." 

"I'm all for that!"

They exchanged a few pleasantries, but most of the ride was filled with an electric silence, both of them seeming on edge about this relational reboot. 

"I bought chicken," said Jenifer, as they turned into driveway.

Bruce, caught off guard trying to remember living in his farmhouse with a wife, didn't catch on. "What? Chickens? We have chickens?"

She laughed. "No, not alive anyway. Yesterday, you asked for something to barbecue. I bought chicken."

"Oh yeah, I remember. Good." He looked at the barn. "But do we have any animals?"

Turning off the engine, Jenifer looked at Bruce, sadness in her eyes. "We don't. I know you want some. We talked about horses the day you... were hurt."

He nodded. "Okay. And how do you feel about it? Do you like animals?"

"I've never had pets. Well... I brought home a stray cat once, but my mother's boyfriend was allergic. It disappeared the next day. So I have no experience with animals, but I'm willing to try anything, for you." 

The flirty wink that followed sent a pleasant shiver down Bruce's spine. 

Apprehension about the forgotten years occupied Bruce's thoughts as they entered the backdoor. Stopping to look around, the kitchen was as he remembered - bright, clean, utensils in crocks, organized how he liked it. 

Jenifer put her arm through his. "Glad to be home?"

"I am. I know this house. It's familiar," said Bruce, as he walked into the living room on the way to his office. Stopping at the sofa, he studied the room, and was struck by its sameness. Where were his wife's things? Where were her influences?

"How long have we been together?"

Jenifer looked surprised by the question. "Why?"

"I just thought the place would look different." Bruce smiled, and added, "You know... chickafied." 

She didn't laugh. Bruce missed the hurt look on her face. 

He stepped into his office, still as he remembered. That was to be expected. Placing his laptop on the desk, he turned to see Jenifer leaning against the doorjamb. She'd released her hair from the ponytail, and it cascaded across her shoulders, one eye hidden by the soft curtain. 

She gave him a half smile, and softly asked, "Are you feeling up to cooking the chicken?"

"Sounds good. I'll start the grill after I use the bathroom."

"Do you want me to slice up some tomatoes for a salad?"

"Okay." 

She turned to go, and then looked back. "It's so nice to have you home."

Bruce stood for long seconds staring at the empty door. Finally breaking the spell she'd cast, he walked to the master bedroom. This room too, was just as he remembered except for one thing, a new work of art hung on the wall. It was a magnificent rendering of a reclined nude, a beautiful woman ablaze in the sun's glow, who also happened to be his wife. 

He used the bathroom, contemplated the artwork once again, and then returned to the kitchen.

Jenifer stood at the counter, slicing a third tomato. "You think that's enough?"

"What do you think?"

She looked at the juicy pile. "I guess. Do you want carrots in the salad?"

"Do you like carrots?" 

"Not really."

Walking over, he stood beside her at the counter. "Make the salad the way you want it. That'll be fine with me."

"Are you sure?"

He said, "Surprise me."

"Isn't everything I do a surprise now?"

He laughed, as he left to go outside and start the grill. "That's true."

In his opinion, burning real charcoal briquettes was the only way to get true barbecue flavor. But lifting the heavy bag sent a sharp pain down his side. He switched hands, and that didn't hurt as much. Even squeezing the lighter fluid can caused a twinge. While the black cubes caught fire, he sat at the picnic table lost in thought. The cool, autumn breeze smelled invigorating after the clinical hospital odor. He took deep cleansing breaths, and thought about the best way to get reacquainted with Jenifer. 

When the coals glowed red, Bruce went inside to fetch the chicken. 

Jenifer stood bent over, looking into the freezer. "What kind of vegetable do you want?"

He sat on a counter stool. "What do I like with chicken?"

She looked up. "Corn."

"What do you like with chicken?"

"Why?"

"You know all about me. I don't remember anything about you. I need to get to know you again."

She rolled her eyes. "What kind of vegetable do I like? That's on the top of the list?"

"It's a start."

"Okay, I like peas."

"Then let's have peas."

"We don't have any."

"How come?"

"Stop with the interrogation. Corn it is." She pulled out a bag, and then opened the refrigerator. "I marinated the chicken in your favorite sauce." Holding out a plastic tub of legs and breasts, she said, "I'm hungry. Get to work."

"Come outside and sit with me."

"In a minute. Let me put some fries in the oven. You want fries, right?"

"Love some."

A few minutes later, chicken sizzled on the grill, wafting a stomach rumbling aroma into the light breeze. Bruce stood upwind with tongs, turning the meat to prevent burning. The fire flared up when drippings ignited. He turned to retrieve the spray bottle of water from the table and found Jenifer sitting quietly watching. "How long have you been there?" 

"Not long." She handed him the bottle. "How are you feeling?"

"So far, so good," he said, as he doused the flare-up with a couple of squirts. "Have you decided on some business classes?"

"Nah, college is not for me."

"Why not? You seemed excited about it before."

No answer. He looked to see her staring off in the distance. 

Changing the subject to something more immediate, Bruce said, "That's a beautiful portrait of you in the bedroom. When was that done?"

"A couple weeks ago. Mary did it. I asked her to, as a gift for you." 

"She's very talented, and the subject is breathtaking." 

Jenifer got up, laced her fingers through his, and rested her cheek on his shoulder. 

Bruce asked, "Are you and Mary close?"

"Getting there. I think we'll be good friends for a long time."

"Do you have a lot of friends?"

"You ask a lot of questions."

"Sorry. Just trying to get up to speed on the whole 'us' thing."

"Believe me, the less you know about my past the better."

Taken aback by the sudden frostiness in her voice, he said, "That can't be true. I fell in love knowing who you were."

Separating from him, she said, "The chicken looks about done. I'll bring out the rest."

Bruce sighed heavily. The distance between them seemed to be widening, not shrinking. He knew she was embarrassed by some things from her past. She'd had a horrific childhood. But ignoring it wasn't going to make it go away. 

Before the attack, maybe he had been unhappy with their marriage. Maybe they'd been on the verge of a breakup, and she's trying to hide it.

Sitting across from each other at the picnic table, they ate silently for a while.

Breaking the somber mood, he asked, "How's the chicken?"

"Delicious. You didn't forget how to cook." Then she added in a sullen tone, "That's good, because I don't know how." 

"What's the matter? Your mood seems to be going down hill since we've been home."

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?"

Jenifer looked away in contemplation, then pushed her plate off to the side, and folder her hands on the table. "Us. This fucked up situation. Now that you're home and healing up, I'm thinking it would be best if I left."




Lyon's Den Ch. 17



Bruce stopped in mid-chew and met her determined glare. The pronouncement so unexpected, he was left speechless.

"Yeah, I think I should go. I'm not cut out for this domestic bullshit. I had a career, before. I made good money. I gave it up for you. I realize now I'm not cut out for monogamy. Marriage was a mistake. I took your virginity, and it was fun playing house for a while, but I'm feeling trapped." 

Stunned, Bruce watched her pick up her plate and disappear into the house. This was not the homecoming he'd envisioned. But as he sat stewing in his own juice, he remembered the conversation with Pastor Alex. She doesn't trust me anymore. She's afraid I'll reject her if I remember.

Quickly as he could manage, Bruce went in search of Jenifer, and found her in the bedroom stuffing clothes in a suitcase. 

"No! You are not leaving!"

But she didn't stop stuffing. Finished, she zipped the bag closed. "I'll be happier without you," she said, lifting the bag. "Now get out of my way."

Spreading his arms wide to block the door, he said, "You'll have to hurt me to get by. Go ahead. Punch me in the chest. Right here." He pointed to the where the stitches were located. "Did you forget I took a bullet for you? Doesn't that mean something? The least you can do is talk to me. Make me understand."

Her bottom lip began to tremble, as tears pooled and spilled down her cheeks. 

"I think I know why you want to leave." He walked over and stared at her portrait. "A beautiful woman like you can have any man she wants. Why would you stay with me and put up with my memory bullshit. If you have to start over, you want to start over with someone better." 

"No. That's not true."

"Yeah, that's it!" 

He turned to find her sitting on the bed, the quilt clenched in her fists and eyes staring at the floor. She began to rock back and forth. 

"I see how it is. You waited to make sure I was okay, but you were never committed to this marriage. WERE YOU!" 

Her body jumped at the shouted demand, but she remained expressionless. 

"I come home, and the place looks the same. No evidence I have a wife anywhere. No sign you were invested in the relationship. I expected to see feminine touches in every room, but nothing's changed." He walked over to her, grabbed her chin, and lifted her head to make eye contact. "You think you're too good for me now. Don't you. You can do better. That's it, isn't it?"

Pulling away from his grip, she covered her face with her hands. "No! I'm the one that's no good. I'm a bad influence. I can't do anything useful. I can't even go to college, because I never finished high school. I know you want children, but I'd be an awful mother." Between sobs, she shouted, "I'm not worthy of you!" 

Finally some honest feelings. He sat down, and put his arms around her, ignoring the pain it caused. "What you're worth to me is not for you to decide," he whispered into her hair. "I know you're scared. I am too. But running away isn't going to resolve anything. There's no hurry to have children. We're still young, still growing up. I want to grow up with the woman I married." 

Bruce kissed the top of her head. "I will help you earn your GED, and you'll be ready for college in no time. There are lots of online courses you can take right now to prepare you for the new job." 

Gently, he lifted her chin and smiled at her questioning eyes. "No quitting. No giving up before we even try. Okay?"

Jenifer gave him a weak smile and a nod. Then her gaze dropped to his lips and she ever so slightly leaned in, saying, "I do have some transferable skills I'd like to show you... get your opinion."

Bruce cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly. The kiss deepened. Lips parted. He took the initiative, and used the tip of his tongue to tickle her lips. 

She smiled against his mouth, and then her tongue returned the caress. "You still know how to kiss," she whispered. 

"Some lessons are unforgettable." 

Then a new idea sprang up in Bruce's titillated mind. Pushing her away at arm's length, he said, "I, Bruce, take thee, Jenifer, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, again."

Her brow wrinkled in confusion for a few seconds, and then she echoed, "I, Jenifer, take thee, Bruce, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, again."

"There. Done. We have renewed our vows. Now it's time for our second honeymoon."

Giving him a wicked smirk, she said, "Ooo, I like the sound of that," as her hands moved to the zipper on his hoodie. 

"Not so fast!" Bruce stopped the downward progress by gripping her hand. "I need a shower first. And I want you to put on something lacey and sexy, something that'll make my heart jump out of my chest. Do you have something like that?"

"I think I have just what the doctor ordered." If the smoldering look she gave him was any indication, this would be a wedding night he'd never forget. 

Getting up from the bed, he said, "Fantastic! I'll grab some clean clothes, and go shower in the other bathroom. Meet you back here in a little while." 

"Okay. I'll be waiting. Don't forget." 

He laughed, "Not possible."

Twenty minutes later, Bruce stood in front of a steamy mirror wondering if this wedding night replay might be a mistake. His body was in no shape for any kind of physical contact, no matter how much he looked forward to it. Everything ached, and he looked as shitty as he felt. A lack of potency might be the last limp straw that broke the marriage back. 

"She'll understand," he said, unconvincingly to his black-and-blue reflection. 

He put on his red silk pajamas and headed back to try his best.

The bedroom door was locked. He knocked, "Hello? Anyone home?"

"Coming!"

'I hope I hear her say that again soon.'

The door flew open, and Bruce stared at an unexpected vision. Jenifer stood with one hand on her hip and the other on the door. She wore a skintight, white uniform with a red cross emblazoned over her left breast. The front had a zipper that ran from top to bottom, and the zipper was halfway down, revealing an ample view of cleavage. Atop her head she wore a white hat with a red cross in the center, her long hair tightly wound in a bun. 

Jenifer smiled broadly at her gawking mate, then reached out and grabbed his hand, saying, "You're right on time for your physical therapy session, Mr. Baxter." 

She pulled the confused patient toward the bed, while clarifying, "The doctor wants me to check all your responses to stimuli. Sometimes head injuries can result in a loss of motor skills, and physical abilities. So I am instructed to test your sensory receptors to make sure there's no permanent damage to your central nervous system." At the bedside, she turned with a serious face, and asked, "Are you ready to be thoroughly tested?"

Still not with the program, Bruce looked her up and down, and said, "Where did you get this-"

Jenifer placed a finger against his lips, "That was a 'yes' or 'no' question, Mr. Baxter."

Finally Bruce grasped the unfolding performance, and was reminded of the explicit photographs he'd seen on his laptop. Role playing must be an important part of their sex lives. Maybe acting out fantasies gave Jenifer the control over her body that she never had as a child. Whatever the reason, Bruce decided he was all in, hopeful the result of this play acting would be a romantic comedy and not a tragedy. 

"Yes, I'm ready. But I have to tell you, I'm a little nervous and afraid of a less than satisfactory outcome."

Jenifer, staying in character, said, "Don't worry, Mr. Baxter. You're in good hands. And this is only the first of many sessions with me. I'm sure that when your wounds are completely healed you'll be as good as new."

Giving her a crooked grin, Bruce said, "Well, I feel a little renewed already."

Jenifer stepped back, and folding her arms over her chest, said, "First, I need you naked. I can't judge your physical responses to stimuli with your clothes on. I've raised the room temperature so that you'll be comfortable nude."

After a brief moment of reflexive modesty, Bruce began unbuttoning his pajama top, saying "Okay, I may be nude, but I don't feel all that comfortable."

A smile appeared, as her eyes followed his fingers from button to button. "I understand how strange this must feel. I'll do whatever I can to make this a pleasant experience." 

Bruce removed the red silk top and dropped it on the floor. Jenifer looked over his bruises and uncovered stitches and frowned while shaking her head. "You poor man. Now take off the rest so we can get started."

With a little reticence, Bruce dropped his pants and stepped out of them. He hadn't put on any underwear. The silk felt too nice against his skin. When he looked up at Jenifer for further instructions she was staring at his slightly engorged penis. Her exposed chest turned a rosy pink and previously hidden nipples made their appearance through the uniform fabric. 

Her eyes rose to his. "Thank you, Mr. Baxter, and may I add you're a fine specimen of a man." 

"Thank you, and call me Bruce. What should I call you?"

"No need to be formal under the circumstances. Call me Jenifer, Jen, or Jenny. Whatever you prefer." From a pocket, she pulled a small flashlight and stepped close. "Look straight ahead," she said, shining the light in one eye and then the other. The hem of her dress chafed nicely against him. She seemed to intentionally shift her weight from one foot to the other. 

"Pupils react normally and equally to light. How's your vision, any blurring since your injury?"

The growing erection made Bruce feel anxious and foolish at the same time. After all, she was his wife, and this was foreplay all in good fun, but still, role playing as a patient and a nurse felt subconsciously inappropriate. His strict childhood resurfaced, and guilt blossomed. "Nope. No blurring."

"Good." Jenifer stepped back. "Please take a seat on the bed." 

It felt good to sit. Tired yes, but he could also lean forward with his elbows on his knees to cover up.

Nurse Jenifer took a few steps away and turned to face him. 

"I'm now going to test your physiological reaction to visual stimulation," she said, reaching up to remove her hat, and throwing it across the room. She unfastened her bun of hair, shaking it out until it flowed wild and free. 

She gave him a serious glare, and said, "Bruce, this is a test. I can't observe your physical reaction when you're sitting like you're on the toilet waiting for a bowel movement. Lean back on your elbows, please." 

He did as he was told, and laughed, "Sorry, Jen. I didn't mean to test your patience."

"That's right. You're the patient here. Be compliant or I'll have to strap you down." Her hand rose to the zipper of her dress. "Now don't take your eyes off me."

Bruce stared at the hand and zipper as they slowly moved downward. At the bottom, Jenifer used two hands to separate the garment, and still keep everything covered. She turned her back and shrugged the dress off her shoulders. Putting her arms down, the dress fell in a pile at her feet. She hadn't put on any underwear, either. 

'God, she's beautiful.' 

Her ass cheeks flexed as she swayed side to side a few times. Then she spread her legs wide, bent at the waist, and grabbed her ankles. Bruce could see the cleft of her sex, open and inviting. 

Her right hand rose from the ankle, up between her legs, to her bottom, and then slowly stoked down to cover her sex. Her middle finger pushed between the lips, seesawed back and forth, and then slowly disappeared inside. She groaned from the sensation. 

Bruce watched mesmerized, his heart pounding, while his erection, fully formed, bounced with every heartbeat.

Jenifer stood up and turned around, with one arm covering her breasts and her right hand covering her sex. Seeing her husband's aroused condition, she smiled. "You pass the visual stimulation test with flying colors, Bruce." 

His face felt hot, and he wondered if he was blushing. "I'd have to be blind not to. You're a gorgeous, sexy woman, Jen."

Letting her hands drop to her sides, she said, "I'm glad you think so." Jenifer stepped close, breasts swaying free. She knelt at his feet. "I think you're swell, too." She blew softly on his cock. "I'm particularly attracted to this swell," she said, eyeing it and licking her lips. 

"Next is the touch stimulation test - my personal favorite." She placed a warm hand on each of his feet and teasingly slid them up his bent legs, palms pushing them apart and moving onto his inner thighs, stopping short of his scrotum. 

Bruce sucked in a lung full of air.

Never taking her eyes off his erection, she smiled and said, "I think you are responding well, Sweetie."

'Sweetie?' Bruce liked the use of the endearment. It felt personal, and loving. "Glad to hear it. I have to admit, I'm dying to return the favor... Sweetie."

Her happy eyes looked up to meet his as she leaned forward and gently kissed, then licked, and then sucked a testicle between her lips.

Closing his eyes, Bruce groaned with the sensation. Seconds later, something new was happening, so he opened his eyes to watch her tongue travel up the underside of his cock and twirl around the bulbous head. She wrapped a hand around its base, stood it up straight, and made half of it disappear between her lips. A humming sound sent new shivers up his spine, the pleasure so great, Bruce dropped back flat on the bed. 

Her head began to bob up and down, faster and faster. He could feel the tingle of orgasm begin. Clasping her face between his hands, he shouted, "Stop!" 

Immediately she released him and, ignoring the pain of sudden movement, he back peddled onto the bed. 

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" 

Bruce positioned himself in the middle, on his back, before he met Jenifer's concerned look. She hadn't moved from her kneeling position, appearing to be frozen by fear. 

He smiled at her, and held out his hand. "I am hurt. I'm hurt that this is our second wedding night and you are having all the fun. Now come up here next to me, and let me have my way with you." 

Her face still looked concerned. "Are you sure? I don't want you to reinjure yourself." Then she grinned, and said, "I'm more than happy having all the fun."

"Don't be selfish. Get up here where I can grope you." 

She laughed and stood. "Okay. Just tell me what hurts."

"I can't lay on my front, and I can't lay on my side. So this is it. Come here by my head and straddle my face. Hold onto the head board for support." 

"Ooo, that's sounds like a great way to check out your reaction to taste stimuli," said Jenifer, as she spread her legs and knelt over her man's face.

"Glad you agree, but I'm also testing my sense of touch." As a demonstration, he cupped and fondled her bottom. 

Jenifer laughed, and said, "Take all the time you need. There's no time limit on this test." She grabbed his pillow and folded it in half. "Here, put this under your head. I don't want you to strain your neck."

Following her instructions, Bruce's face was now close to her pleasure center - kissing close. His hands snaked around her thighs to pull apart her labia, exposing her clitoris, now swollen with desire. Gently, he kissed it and then sucked it. Her hips bucked involuntarily in response, and they both groaned. 

The combination of her taste, her smell, and the pictures he studied on his laptop last night, brought back memories, or at least an idea, of their forgotten love life. Now glad that he looked at the pictures, he thought he knew exactly how to please her. His confidence grew. Slipping two fingers inside, he pressed her tight to his face, working his lips and tongue over her clit, changing up the sensation by unexpectedly rubbing his thumb over it and scissoring his fingers in and out. Her wetness grew rapidly, suggesting a high level of arousal. Bruce rubbed his free hand up her flexing stomach to play with her free-swinging breasts. 

"Oh god. That feels amazing." She pulled her hair over one shoulder and looked down to watch through heavy lidded eyes. "How... are... you?" she whispered breathlessly. 

Surprised by the question, he replaced his lips on her clit with his thumb, and answered, "Great. No pain. Whatever chemical gets released during sex must be a powerful anesthetic. I'm hooked. I might as well face it, I'm addicted to love. Robert Palmer was right."

Jenifer laughed, and then growled her affirmation, "Whenever you need a fix you come to me. I'll be your personal dealer, Baby." To seal the deal, she removed one hand from the head board, reached back, and stroked his cock. "I'll make you feel so high."

Jenifer rose up on her knees, breaking his connection, and knee walked back with her hand on his cock as a beacon. When the distance was right she lowered her body, lodged his tip in her juicy center, and slowly encased his erection with her slippery softness. 

When their pelvises met Jenifer leaned down and surrounded their faces in a curtain of hair. She inhaled, and said, "Your face smells like pussy."

Bruce licked his lips. "Tastes like it too."

"Let me see," she said, and then smooshed her lips against his, her tongue came out to lick around his chin. "That's fucking hot. You're so fucking hot, Baby." 

She clamped down on his cock with her Kegel muscles. 

Bruce responded by flexing his. "You are fucking hot, Jen."

"Mmm, it turns me on when you talk dirty. Remember?"

He didn't remember, but that didn't mean he couldn't try. "Ride me, my hot, horny wife. I want to see your come face. I want to hear your come voice and feel my sperm shoot inside you."

She laughed at his lewd attempt. "You do, huh." Jenifer began the motion, slowly rising and falling. "I think I can manage that without too much trouble." She moaned and then laughed. "Yup, no trouble at all." 

Jenifer looked down at his stitches. "God, I'm fucking the man who took a bullet for me. I can't believe someone would do that for me. That is so hot." She bent over, curved her spine, and teased her nipple over the wound and threads. "How's that feel, Baby?"

"It tickles."

Jenifer slid forward, tracing her nipple up to his lips. "Suck it," she hissed. 

He did, gladly, while worming his hand between their stomachs to finger her clit. When he touched it, her hips bucked in uncontrolled response. 

Getting serious, she held her torso away from his with straight arms on the mattress above his shoulders, and began thrusting in earnest. The jarring impact of her body didn't hurt until he tried to meet her thrusts halfway. His ribs just could handle the lifting. So Bruce concentrated on using his hands to help Jenifer rise to climax - fingers pinching, palms squeezing, fondling. 

As their bodies smacked together in the hot room, her body glistened from the effort. She groaned and her head shook from side to side, sending hair across her face, where errant strands stuck against the perspiration. Then it happened, the suddenness surprising. Her thrusts became erratic, her stomach muscles contracted in waves, her arms became weak, and he held her up with his hands cupping her breast and rolling her nipples. Finally finding voice, Jenifer cried out with the final shockwaves of release. 

The vision of his wife, writhing in erotic pleasure, brought Bruce to his peak, making his hips spasm as his seed pumped into her. She felt it, and began pumping hard again. 

"Yes! Give it to me, Baby! Fill me up." 

As the sensations dissipated into blissful satisfaction, Jenifer dropped to her elbows and covered his mouth with hungry lips. She rolled off to his good side, and cuddled against him, draping a leg over his. 

Running her fingers up and down his softening cock, she kissed his cheek, and whispered, "I love you."




Lyon's Den Ch. 17



Warmth, greater than the room, spread out from his chest to his extremities, as his heart swelled from her declaration. Bruce turned and kissed the tip of her nose. "I love you too, Jenifer Baxter."

A teardrop appeared and slipped down the side of her nose. "How do you know?"

"Because I married you. If I loved you before, then I love you now. It's just a matter of renewal, a renewal of mind and body." He grinned, and added, "And with the kind of therapy you give, I'll be like new in no time." 

They lay quiet for a few minutes, their foreheads touching. 

Bruce, half asleep, broke the reverie with a question. "Did I pass the test?"

Sounding drowsy herself, she said," What?"

"The stimulus test."

Jenifer stretched her arms and arched her back, before answering, "You did okay, but you'll have to be reevaluated on a regular basis to track your progress."

The End



Lyon's Den



Mary's brain painted graphic images of what Bruce might be doing. She had a sudden desire to peek, but didn't dare. 

Jenny groaned louder, and said, "Yes, Honey. Everything you do thrills me. It was just a simple fantasy."

The bedsprings creaked, as someone got on the bed. "You are so beautiful, Jenny. I get excited, just looking at your body." 

"Untie me. Let me hold you."

"No. This will be your punishment. Since you wanted someone else, I will take you like a stranger, and just use you for my pleasure."

Jenny groaned again.

"You're so wet! You like to be tied, don't you?"

The sound of a slap and Jenny's yelp startled Mary. 

"Don't you!"

"Yes. I like it. I like to feel powerless to you. I like it when you control me, dominate me. I love to be taken by you."

Simultaneously, Jenny and Bruce moaned. 

Mary envisioned Bruce's cock disappearing between Jennifer's legs. The quick clicks from the camera reminded her of what was really happening in the other room. The bedsprings began to complain in rhythmic squeaks. Soon, she heard the sound of flesh slapping together in time with the bed. No one spoke. An erotic pressure grew between Mary's legs. She was sweating and straining to hear. She pictured Daniel watching it all through the camera viewfinder, his cock straining against his pants.

Jenny began to chant. "Oh god, oh god..."

Daniel said, "Bruce, pinch her nipple. Good... excellent."

Mary recognized Jenny's successive screams as those of orgasmic release. In reaction, her nipples strained to push through the thick costume.

"Uh, uh, uh," and then Bruce moaned, long and low. 

The bedroom became silent for long seconds. 

Then the springs squeaked, as Bruce got off. "Thank you wife. That was very satisfying."

Mary heard the rustle of clothes, as Bruce continued, "I will reward you by making your fantasy come true. I'm going to bring in your old governess to rub ointment on your sore backside."

Jenny shouted, "No! Please don't shame me in front of her!"

"But, Jenny, don't you wish to feel the hands of another woman on your bare flesh? Hmm? I'm just giving you what you want. You satisfied me, and now I'll satisfy you. I can't bring in the governor's wife. But, I can bring in Silvia. She loves you. Besides, she needs a roof over her head. She wouldn't dare say anything and risk eviction."

Mary jumped when Bruce stuck his head through the door, and said, "We're ready."

She kept her eyes downcast, as she entered the room. The camera clicked and lights flashed. 

Bruce, still bare-chested, handed her an open jar of ointment, and said, "Miss Sylvia, Jennifer has been punished for her sinful behavior. Please apply salve on her welts." 

Several seconds past, while Mary stared at the jar in her hand. Finally she looked at the woman on the bed. Jennifer was lying flat on her stomach, the nightgown up around her shoulders. Her crimson buttocks glowed bright against the white sheets. 

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Mary dipped her fingers into the jar and reached out to apply it. She warned, "This may sting," and then gently smeared it over the red skin. 

Jenny moaned. 

The angry flesh felt hot under Mary's fingertips. "Does it hurt?"

"No it feels wonderful. Soothing and cool." Jenny raised her bottom by pulling her knees underneath. 

Mary continued to apply the ointment and Daniel continued to move around for different picture angles. Jenny's inner thighs were shiny from sex and he seemed intent on getting shots of Mary's fingers close to Jennifer's cleft. 

Lathering up both hands, Mary decided to give them their money's worth. She knelt behind Jennifer and massaged both cheeks, working them apart and then back together, exposing her sodden lips. 

Jenny moaned into the sheet, "Oh, that feels good, Miss Silvia. Thank you so much."

Click, click, click. "You're doing great, Mary. That's very erotic."

When semen began to drip from Jenny, Mary stopped and got off the bed. 

Bruce looked into his wife's face and asked. "Are you going to be good now?"

She grinned wickedly, and said, "Probably not."

"Miss Silvia, untie her ankles, and then you may go." 

As she did, Bruce kissed his wife and untied her wrists. 

Mary had enough pretending and went directly to the dressing room. The beet red face she saw in the mirror belonged to someone else, not her. 

"I did it for the money," she said to the condemning reflection. Quickly she changed her clothes, ready to collect her $200 and pass go. 

When she reentered the bedroom set, Bruce was the only one in sight, and still wearing the ruffled shirt, unbuttoned.

He saw her confusion, and said, "They'll be right back. Daniel had something for Jenny to take care of." He smiled as if it were a joke. "More wine, Mary?"

"No thank you. I'd like to look over my pictures, collect my money, and leave." 

"We appreciate your willingness to play along today. It was an... exciting addition. Actually, when we arrived, Jennifer and I were hoping you were the person willing to play the role of Clotho in another scenario Daniel has dreamed up. He has quite an imagination." Bruce sipped some wine. "You'd be perfect for the part."

"I'm not interested. Today was a fling, a walk on the wild side." Mary sat down in a chair beside the bed. "What are Daniel and Jennifer doing, exactly?"

He looked off into space, thinking for a second. "I'm not going to lie to you. She's probably giving him a BJ. Taking pictures of people having sex creates a certain... pressure that needs to be relieved. Jennifer is helping him out. They have a history together. In fact, he introduced us."

Shocked, she asked, "Aren't you jealous?"

He sipped and smiled. "No, I'm not. We have an open relationship. We belong to a very select group of friends that we... how should I say... mingle with? Daniel is the ringleader. He's very adept at finding new and intriguing members."

Taken aback by this disclosure, Mary didn't know what to say. The room fell silent. She felt uncomfortable left alone with a swinger. 

"I think I'll have that wine after all."

Bruce poured and handed her the glass.

"Thanks." After a few sips, she asked, "Did you think I was a new member of this group?"

"Yes, I did, until we talked to Daniel. If you're interested, I'll ask him about it." 

"Oh no! Don't do that. I just didn't want any misunderstandings."

Bruce walked over to the wardrobe and began to undress. "Don't worry. 'No means no', with us. If it's not consensual, it's not happening."

Mary caught a glimpse of his bare ass again and turned away. "Good to know you swingers have some principles." 

"Hey, just because we think sex is fun and shouldn't be limited to monogamy, doesn't make us barbarians. Also, in case you were wondering, Jenny likes to be tied up and spanked once in a while. It turns her on. I think she finds it a release from life's responsibilities and pressures. But I'd never hit her in anger. I want you to understand that."

"Okay, okay! I didn't mean to insult you." She thought a second, and said, "Well, maybe I did. But, I'll get off my high horse now. I'm sorry."

Bruce stepped into view, wearing his street clothes. He smiled, and said, "Apology accepted."

He is quite nice, thought Mary. If I were younger, I wouldn't mind some of that. "So, hypothetically, if you and I had sex right now, Jennifer wouldn't care?"

Placing his hand up in a defensive posture, Bruce shook his head. "Yes, she'd care. She'd probably beat the crap out of me. We have strict rules that must be followed, in order to keep trust in our primary relationships. The biggest rule is: no sex without your partner's or spouse's consent."

"Does Daniel have a wife?"

"He did. She died, years ago."

Silence followed. 

Bruce sat heavily on the bed. He didn't look very happy at the moment. 

"Do you have anyone special in your life, Mary?"

The wine loosened Mary's cautious personality. "Not right now. My life has been all about my son, William. He's away -- a freshman in college. So, I'm kind of in between chapters of my life."

"Do you have any regrets?"

Before Mary could formulate an answer, Daniel strode into the room. Picking up the camera, he said, "All right. Lets get these pictures on the screen where Mary can see them." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. "Oh, before I forget, here's your money. No strings attached."

Mary reached for it and suddenly felt dizzy. "Thank you."

"Thank you. You were a good sport about it."

"Well, you guys were good sports for letting me participate." The wine was talking now. Mary blushed at the suggestion she enjoyed any of it.

Quietly, Jennifer entered the room, walked to the wardrobe, and pulled off the nightgown. Shameless in her nudity, she smiled and winked at Bruce. 

Mary thought she saw relief in Bruce's smile and return wink. Maybe he didn't feel so secure with this arrangement, after all. 

Daniel rolled a large LCD screen to the foot of the bed and connected his camera. "Now we can all see the results." Sitting on the bed next to Mary's chair, he leaned back against the headboard and pushed buttons on a wireless keyboard. The screen came alive with the first picture of Jennifer on the bed. 

"Honey, you are so sexy."

Mary's chair was lower than the mattress, but she caught a glimpse of Jennifer, still nude, climb up onto the bed and situate herself on her stomach, facing the screen, between her husband and Daniel.

"Thanks, Sweetie. You're pretty sexy yourself."

Mary's senses were on fire. Her skin tingled with anticipation. For no special reason, she asked, "How's your bottom feel?"

In a disappointed tone, Jennifer said, "Did you forget already?" and laughed. "You can feel it again if you want."

A littler disconcerted, Mary said, "That's not what I meant."

"I know. I'm just teasing." A few seconds later, Jennifer moaned, and said, "Right now, it feels very special."

Sitting up straight to look over Daniel's legs, Mary saw both men messaging her bottom, each with their own cheek to sooth. A spike of jealousy disgusted her. She sat back down and stared at the screen. "Can we just jump to my pictures, so I can get out of here?"

"Certainly, Mary." Daniel opened the file folder on the memory card and chose the last picture. It showed Jennifer and Bruce on the bed kissing, after she'd been untied. "Let me back up." Several more cuddling shots flashed by. "I took a lot of pictures." 

Suddenly, a picture of Mary's hands on Jennifer's bottom appeared. 

"Here we go."

Mary felt her color rise, as he clicked through about 20 photographs. None of them revealed anything about her identity. But seeing them on the screen was like an out-of-body experience. She relived the moments in slow motion. 

"Very nice," said Daniel.

Bruce said, "Yes Mary. You and Jenny look great together."

"Felt good together, too," whispered Jennifer. 

Mary wasn't sure if she was meant to hear that or not. 

"Okay, I'm satisfied. No one will recognize me." She stood up to leave, and suddenly felt dizzy.

Jennifer said, "I think you're wrong, Mary. You're the only one here who hasn't been satisfied."

Mary had to grab the bedpost for balance. 

"Maybe you should lie down for a minute." Daniel got up and steadied her. 

"I should've eaten something. I drank the wine on an empty stomach, and it's gone to my head." Mary leaned against Daniel, his touch electric on her skin.

"Just relax. Let me get you some of that Danish and a glass of water." 

The room spun and went dark.

Someone in a dream was tugging on her dress. Mary's eyes fluttered open to see a bare breast jiggling above her. 

Jennifer sat back and smiled. "You fainted, Honey. I'm loosening your clothes to help you breath."

"Thank... you..."

Mary's nipples tickled, and then the tingle began to slide lower... 

******

Mary floated inside a warm fog, neither conscious nor unconscious. It felt safe, like a good hiding place from a thunderstorm. She was waiting with dreamy anticipation. She yearned for the thrill of being found.

From outside, a serious voice whispered, "Why did you take her dress off?" 

The voice belonged to that handsome man, Daniel. A ray of concern filtered through Mary's cerebral mist. But, if someone was going to find her without clothes, she wanted it to be him. Mary drifted toward the light, happy to be seen. 

She felt a refreshing dampness lave her forehead and cheeks.

A woman said, "Well, I had to do something. I couldn't tell if she was breathing... and she looked hot. What's the big deal? She still has underwear on. No different than a bikini."

Another male voice, said, "I think she looks hotter now."

They laughed. 

Mary remembered them, Jennifer and Bruce, the wild couple. 

The conversation brought Mary closer to solidity. She didn't want to come out of the fog just yet. This sensation of helpless exhibitionism was furtively exciting. She wondered if this was how Jennifer felt tied up.

"When she wakes up she'll be scared. We'd better cover her, or we'll never see her again." The cool cloth soothed the top of Mary's chest. "I like her."

He wants to see me again! He wants to be with me! 

"Daniel, you like everyone."

Perverts. They're perverts, Mary. Wake up! Get out!

Fabric tickled. Once again, she felt safely hidden from view. 

"Maybe we should call an ambulance."

The fog began to evaporate. Reality pierced the blurry shroud in Mary's head. The bed became a firm object. Light burned like the sun through her eyelids. She squinted. Groggy, she whispered, "What happened?"

"It's okay, Mary." Daniel's reassuring hand rested on her arm, keeping her from sitting up. "You fainted. Lay still for a little while."

"I fainted?"

Jennifer came into view, still nude. "Yes, you did, right into Daniels arms. Charming."

In a harsh tone, Bruce said, "Jenny, put some clothes on." 

"Oh, all right."

Concern on his face, Daniel dabbed Mary's forehead with the damp cloth. "Do you have a medical condition we should be concerned about?"

"No." Mary closed her eyes. It felt wonderful to be fussed over. No one had worried about her in years, but then again, she never let anyone get close enough to care. 

"Then I guess we just overloaded your circuits today. All the lights, heat, wine and... eroticism were too much."

"Where's my dress?" Her shock was edged with déjà vu. 

"I took it off -- to cool you down and help you breath. You were sweating." The bed sagged as Jennifer climbed on, just wearing panties. She smiled down at Mary. "Personally, I just think you need a good orgasm. That would relieve a lot of pressure. Works for me. It sure beats passing out."

The way she stared, Mary was sure that Jennifer wanted to help her with that pressure release. What surprised Mary most were her mixed feelings about the possibility.

Daniel frowned. "Jenny, sometimes you're too direct." 

Mary closed her eyes to temptation. "Thanks for the advice. But I think I'll just go home and take a nap." 

Bruce grabbed his wife around the waist and pulled her, giggling and squirming, off the bed, saying, "We need to get going, too. Our cupboard is bare and our laundry hamper is full. Get dressed, Baby."

"Reality sucks."

Bruce leaned against the post at the end of the bed, watching his wife dress. "Daniel, when do you think you'll send us those pictures? I'd like to write the storyline and post them on Monday."

Daniel continued to swab Mary's face. "I'll email them tonight."

"Sounds good." 

Jennifer finished buttoning her blouse.

Bruce waved. "Bye. Nice meeting you, Mary. Thanks for an exciting afternoon."

Mary laughed. "Maybe a little too much drama."

Jenny slipped on her shoes and followed Bruce toward the door. "Bye, Mary. I promise, next time will be better." She ran over and kissed Daniel on the cheek. "Bye, Danny boy. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

He laughed and stroked her hair. "I don't think that would be possible."

Strangely ambivalent, Mary said, "Bye, Jenny. It was quite an experience. But, there will be no 'next time'."

Jenny bent down, and whispered in Mary's ear, "Too bad. You are so doable," then kissed the ear and sucked the lobe, sending sparks through Mary's body. "Ciao."

Outwardly, Mary didn't react.

The couple waved once from the door and disappeared. 

Alone with Daniel, Mary couldn't relax. This was so improper. "Where's my dress?"

"It's hanging up in the wardrobe." Daniel stood. "You rest as long as you like. I'm going to edit the photos on the computer out front." 

A sense of relief washed over her. "Thank you." For a pornographer, he seemed like a gentleman at heart. 

She watched him collect his camera and leave, and then closed her eyes. 'What have I done?' 

She thought about the days events, and decided, 'I've become a porn actress.' 

Her leg touched something on the sheet. "Eww, the wet spot." 

Mary rolled off the mattress and held onto the bedpost until she was sure the room wouldn't spin. Once steady on her feet, she walked to the wardrobe. The inside of the doors were mirrored and she paused to study her reflection. She looked good for 36. Turning side to side she smiled, today had been fun, really. The kind of attention that she'd rejected all these years felt exquisitely flattering today. Now that her son was away at college and she was home alone, it was time to have fun. Gratification postponement was officially over, her life no longer on hold. 

Reaching for her dress, Mary noticed a box sitting on the bottom shelf beneath the clothes. Curious, she opened it, expecting to find shoes. Instead, it was a box of toys -- adult toys. 

"Yuck!"

She stared for a while, and then tiptoed to the door, looked, and listened. Daniel was nowhere to be seen or heard. 

Quickly, she returned to the box and pulled out a dildo -- a truly substantial, realistic specimen. 

"Wow! Hi, Danny boy." Suddenly, she felt hot and horny again. The day's excitement had left its mark, a wet spot on her brain. 

Throwing her dress over her shoulder, Mary ran toward the backstage dressing room with the toy in hand. Worried that 'Danny boy' wasn't clean, she hunted around for a sink to wash him in. Mary felt outrageously wicked, holding a fake cock, while opening doors wearing just a bra and panties, but she was determined to try something new and carnal.

"Finally." Mary found a bathroom and quickly scrubbed the phallus. "Mmm, Danny boy you are going to be so good to me."

A voice said, "What a lucky toy."

Mary screamed in surprise.

Daniel stood grinning in the open door with his arms across his chest. "I guess I don't have to worry about you anymore. Looks like you've recovered..." His eyes wandered over her, "beautifully."

She stared at his lips, unable to formulate a reasonable thought. A dripping dildo named Danny boy was hard to explain logically. 

"I guess you've decide to take Jenny's advice, and relieve some of the pressure." 

"I--"

"Shh, I understand." Daniel reached in and took Mary's dress off her shoulder and laid it over his arm. "Come with me," he said, holding out his hand.

Mary looked at it. His fingers were long and thick, the palm invited contact. Slowly, she placed her hand over his, covering only half. She watched his fingers fold around and squeeze warmly. His hand forced her to follow. She didn't refuse. A heady silence enveloped them, as they wandered down another hallway. 

They entered a large apartment. The bare brick and high ceilings suggested an old a warehouse. 

Daniel continued on without a word, until he opened a bedroom door. "You can use my guest room. Make as much noise as you want. No one will hear or disturb you." His hand drew her in and then snaked around her back. "If that's what you want."




Lyon's Den



Mary's confusion about what she wanted became clear without words. 

Daniel kissed her unresisting lips and eased the dildo from her hand.

When he broke away. The room air felt cold against her skin. Mary wobbled without his supporting strength. 

Placing Danny boy on the bedside table, Daniel opened the drawer, removed a tube of lubricant, and placed it next to the phallus. "Just in case."

Lost in unfamiliar territory, Mary remained motionless, unwilling to make any kind of move to indicate a decision.

Daniel pulled back the bedcovers and sat on the edge. He smiled warmly. "You are lovely, Mary. It would be my pleasure to assist Danny boy in being good to you."

Her face heated, as those dark eyes wandered down. Her nipples betrayed their enthusiasm. 

"I'll stay completely dressed, of course. It's all about you... this time."

Words cracked as they struggled to get out of her dry mouth. "This... time?"

"Yes, Mary. I'd like to see you again. Just the two of us. Have dinner. Maybe you'd show me your artwork? I'd like that." He stood and approached.

Mary stared at his shirt buttons, afraid to betray the desire behind her eyes. "I don't know--" When he touched her arm, the thought vanished.

"Come, sit on the bed. You've been through a lot today."

"I don't know what I'm doing. This is so unlike me." Mary followed the lead of his warm touch. 

"I believe you." He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. "That make it all the more exciting." His arms encircled her and he kissed her neck. 

Mary inhaled sharply at the sensation. Closing her eyes, she put her arms around his shoulders, and then felt the world tip. She floated down onto the cool sheet. Effortlessly, her body slipped to the center. She kept her eyes shut, afraid to make a move that might spoil the enchantment. Mary surrendered. 

Daniel kissed her cheek and nuzzled her ear. His hands cupped her head, and the manly fingers raked through her hair, down her shoulders. They pushed underneath and massaged her back. A sudden lack of tension on her brassiere made her quiver.

His lips kissed down, until she felt the bristle of his cheeks on the sensitive inside swells her breasts. With every touch fireworks exploded inside, brilliant sparks of delight in all directions. Her breathing became ragged gasps as his lips teased around the edge of the bra, gradually pushing it away and revealing the tender nipple.

The fabric slipped off, and he said, "Beautiful." His breath tickled. She groaned loudly when he engulfed the tip and hummed. His fingertips found the other side and teased its twin. 

For the first time, Mary opened her eyes and watched. 

He caught her eye, and smiled around her nipple.

It was too much, and her head fell back.

Daniel's weight shifted and her breast was left damp and cold. 

Determined hands pulled her panties down. When they were off, they removed the bra from her arms.

Completely nude, she shivered.

"Cold, Mary?"

She just shook her head.

Daniel lay back down, his needed warmth returned along with his desired fingers. He grasped her thighs and pushed them apart, then traced up the inner flesh. He teased her -- exploring around the edges, building her up and up. The pressure became unbearable. 

His tongue circled an areola, like a tribal dancer around a fire. When his lips finally jumped into her flame, his fingers threw themselves into her volcano. Her feminine lava flowed hot and copious. Her hips quaked. An eruption was imminent. 

"Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling." His touch vanished.

Mary felt him reaching to the bedside table. 

"I find you very exciting, Mary. You're a lovely woman. It's my absolute pleasure to pleasure you like this." 

She felt him return to her side. 

"Are you ready for the grand finale?"

A little fearful, Mary refused to acknowledge the question. How long had it been since anything had been inside her? 

"How about this? If you say 'no', and I'll stop." Daniel gently wedged the phallus between her folds. Using the tip, he rubbed it lightly over her clitoris and vagina. "You're very wet, Mary. You smell delicious."

Daniel's fingers entered first, and then they returned to her nipple. She could smell her sex, too. 

Danny boy began to oscillate in and out about an inch. He felt huge. 

Gradually she relaxed and it slipped in deeper. Mary's body exposed its desire by humping into each insertion.

"That's it, Mary. Let go. Oh, you are so beautiful. I love watching your body respond to me."

The oscillations continued. The toy moved faster, as her vagina grew wetter. When Danny boy first bumped her cervix Mary arched up and moaned unrestrained. 

Taking advantage of her upraised hips, Daniel bent down and sucked her clitoris, while pumping the dildo in and out.

That did it. Mary exploded in a spectacular climax. She writhed and flexed as its power rose up and up, until the sensations crashed and broke into a thousand sparkling tingles.

Daniel stayed with her, increasing his caresses. When she relaxed, he worked her body into another and then another, until she finally plead for mercy. "Please... stop."

Danny boy came out with a wet slurp. "That was spectacular, Mary. What a release. That must've felt fantastic. You're a very responsive woman." Daniel lay down, took her in his arms, and kissed her.

She tasted herself, and felt the pleasure between her legs struggle to rise up again. "Thank you, Daniel. That felt amazing."

"Believe me, the pleasure was mine."

For the first time, Mary noticed the erection inside his pants that pressed against her thigh.

Before she could respond, Daniel rose from the bed. "I'll leave you to recuperate. Feel free to stay as long as you want. Wander about -- get a drink, use the bathroom. I need to get some work done. I'll be in the gallery, if you need anything."

It wasn't long, before Mary became uncomfortable. Quickly, she dressed and left the bedroom. After a visit to the bathroom, she walked around the apartment, trying to come to grips with what happened. What should she say to him, if anything? 

Standing in the front window, Mary spotted her car across the street. 'Maybe it would be best to just disappear quietly. Today was an aberration, never to be repeated. There must be another way out of the building.' She stepped into the kitchen and saw a door. 'That must be the private entrance.'

On her way out, she passed a brown paper bag on the table with the words 'For Mary' scrawled on it in big black letters. 

She peeked. 

Inside was Danny boy and a slip of paper with an email address. She didn't think twice. It was all right. The bag went along for the ride.