9 comments/ 29886 views/ 11 favorites The Holiday Shopping Interlude By: chateneau "'Bye, Hon." Robert said as he kissed her on the lips. "Have a great day and remember that we're having dinner out tonight-just the two of us. Love you." Cathy, his wife, had impressed upon him years before that they needed to make time alone as a couple a regular part of their life. Thus, 'dinner out' had become a weekly date that they both considered of utmost importance. Robert, once an associate lawyer for a very large Seattle firm, was now the head of Millstone Ministries, a non profit, non-denominational organization helping the disadvantaged with free or low cost legal services and in three more months he would be celebrating his ninth anniversary as CEO. During the stressful period following his resignation from the large law firm nine years prior, he had slowly come to the realization that his home life needed to be the most important part of his life. "Mom, Dad said I can take the old car to school today since both Kyle and I have practice this afternoon. Okay?" "Sure, Kelly. Just be real careful. I mean it! It might be slippery out. It was in the mid thirties when I got up." She blew a kiss at her seventeen year old, marveling at how handsome he and his twin brother were. Life was such a precious and beautiful thing, she thought as the flickering light from the fire danced on the soft folds of her bathrobe. As the snow gently drifted down outside the window, she gazed out into the creeping light of the dawn. Cathy smiled as the wintry sight stirred powerful memories of a past time. Tucking her feet more tightly under her thighs in the comforting bulk of the large wing back chair, she glanced down at the book in her hand. Her diary, that constant friend for more than twenty years, lay open to that December day exactly ten years ago. Returning her eyes to the page before her, Cathy continued to read the words she had entered so many years ago while she had been still glowing with the excitement that had begun on that distant evening. The day had started out as most of hers did in those days. As the trim, blond 32 year old mother of seven year old twins and stay-at-home wife of an ambitious attorney, her normal day consisted of getting their two rambunctious boys up, dressed, fed, into the car and off to St Mary Magdalen elementary school. This was a task that was easily described but not so easily accomplished. Since her husband, Robert, was usually out the door at 6:10 am sharp to catch the bus to the ferry, this normal morning ritual was hers alone. But, this particular day, the knowledge that, by 8:20 AM, she would be alone with her thoughts and her projects was an eagerly anticipated promise. Little did she imagine that after nine years of marriage the 13th day of December, 1997 was the day she would be offered an opportunity to change her tidy, ordered life with an experience unlike anything she could imagine. 1997 had not been a particularly promising year for Cathy. Robert had been passed over for partnership in his firm early in the year and had gradually become more and more argumentative and cynical. He became more and more withdrawn and Cathy could see that he was feeling the desperation that comes when one realizes that life isn't going to play by one's own rulebook. Cathy couldn't really blame him. The mechanical rabbit of corporate success had been placed on the rail, the bets had been laid and the veiled promise of success had been offered. The only problem was that Robert hadn't bet on the right dog. He had believed that character and honor was the winning combination only to find out that the final payout was dependent more on cunning than craft. His disenchantment with law, as practiced by his firm, had become an increasingly painful element of his life and, therefore, their lives. Cathy commiserated with him and recognized his deep disappointment as valid but living with him had become a daily bath of anger, depression and loneliness. She attempted to cheer him. She tried to persuade him to consider other avenues. She cajoled and, yes, she even tried using her feminine "wiles'. Nothing succeeded in bringing Robert into a more pleasant frame of mind. But, despite any dissatisfaction she may have been having with their relationship Cathy not once had entertained any thought of leaving Robert. Her wedding vows to him had been made as a one-time deal and there was no thought of changing midstream. It was true that between the demands of caring for two lively children and dealing with Robert's career doubts, their sex life had taken a back seat. Oh, they still made time every two or three weeks to "get together" in a rather perfunctory way but the days of daydreaming about an exciting night to come had come and gone. But, Cathy reasoned, every marriage moves into a state of dulled sensations just by virtue of the familiarity that two people develop over a period of years. Knowing this, when her attempt at "wile-ry" fell flat, she consoled herself that this was the natural course of events. That is, that was the natural course of events until the great snowfall of '97. The morning of December 13, 1997 began with the normal rituals in place. Robert had climbed out of bed and trudged into the shower while Cathy got up from bed and threw on her robe and stepped into her fuzzy pink rabbit slippers with the curled over ears. Still wiping the sleep from her eyes she went to the kitchen and filled the coffee maker with water, separating the filters that insisted on sticking together, and measured out the coffee. She heard the television go on in the bedroom as Robert began his daily toilette. There was something grating in the harsh sound of the television. She shut the door between the kitchen and the family room to keep this intrusion at a minimum. She knew she would have to rouse Kyle and Kerry in twenty minutes so she poured herself a cup from the still brewing coffee maker and sat on the kitchen stool. Opening the door from the family room, Robert walked into the kitchen. Freshly showered and shaved and clad in a dark blue suit, Cathy could see why he had so caught her eye twelve years earlier. "Why did you have the door shut?" Robert asked in a not entirely pleasant tone. "I just wanted to enjoy some quiet time with my coffee", Cathy replied. Robert grunted and poured himself a cup from the carafe. "Are you eating on the ferry?" Cathy asked absent mindedly. "Well, let's see... I've eaten breakfast on the ferry for what, six years now? I would imagine that I will eat breakfast on the ferry today also." Cathy didn't even want to respond even though she was stung by such a curt reply. She took another sip of coffee in response. "The weatherman on the news said that it may snow today. Did you get the snow tires on the Mercedes as you said you would?" Robert asked. "I'll do it today. You know that it never snows around here. If they say six inches that means we may get a dusting. An inch or two means that it will rain." Cathy replied. She got up to go wake the kids and as she opened the door to their bedroom she heard Robert close the back door. She paused, thinking how ten years earlier Robert wouldn't have dreamed of leaving in the morning without giving her a passionate kiss-at the least. More often than not, along with the kiss would come a cupping of her breasts under her robe and lovely sliding fingers over her nipples, down between her legs and then, with a tantalizing slowness, up and over the warmth under her panties. She gave a slight shudder at the memory. She always looked forward to that little bit of playfulness in the morning. But this morning had been like so many mornings the last couple of years and not only was there no kiss or touch but no goodbye. Walking into Kyle and Kerry's room, she turned on the light. "Time to get up, troopers!" Four sleepy eyes slowly opened as their curled up bodies realized that another day was at hand. And then four sleepy eyes returned to their main task of the minute-being closed. "C'mon, Kyle. Kerry, get your feet on the floor." Kyle crawled out of bed and then took his pillow and made a wide arc with it, striking Kerry in the face. Kerry cried out "Mommmm! Make Kyle stop." "Kyle, stop it. Now, you two get up and get dressed. I'm making French toast this morning and if you don't hurry I'm going to eat all of it myself." "Mom, you wouldn't eat it all yourself." Kerry said with a slight laugh. "You can eat Kyle's". And with this Kyle stuck out his tongue at Kerry. Cathy walked out of their room towards the kitchen. "Oooh great, it's starting already." she said to herself with a slight smile. The two boys were, indeed, a handful at times but sometimes she marveled at the beauty of these two imperfectly perfect kids. "Now, remember, you kids will be taking the bus to Aunt Jeanne's this afternoon because I have some shopping to do and will be gone until late. So, what will you be doing this afternoon?" she asked, seeking verification that they had indeed listened to her instructions. "Taking the bus to Aunt Jeanne's." replied Kyle. "Kerry?" Kerry made a face at his mom. "I heard you, mom." he said with that touch of impatience that only a seven year old can have with a parent. The ride to school was quiet, the silence being broken only when Kyle asked if Cathy had made his favorite sandwich of honey and peanut butter. Assured that his sandwich was made as requested the two boys jumped out of the car as they arrived at school. Closing the car door they walked off to St Mary Magdalen's front entrance, their back packs dwarfing the seven year old bearers. Cathy eased the 420 SEL out into traffic, waving to fellow parents on the same mission. A light blue Subaru Outback started to pull out in front of her but quickly came to a stop as the driver saw Cathy moving towards him. Cathy waved as she recognized the driver. It was Dennis, the father of one of the twins' best friends, Chloe. She had worked with Dennis on the Art Fare at school the year before when their children were in the first grade. She had caught him looking at her numerous times as they worked together and she was secretly flattered at his surreptitious attention. He was a building contractor and owning his own business allowed him the freedom to be more active than some fathers in his young daughter's school life. She found something very attractive about this parental involvement. To see this strong, rugged man bending down, with no sense of embarrassment, to help his small child with an art project touched her in both an emotional and sexual way. She remembered wondering what he might look like under his dark green flannel shirt. But then, the Art Fare ended and they both went back to their lives, running into one another only occasionally at school functions. Clearing the stoplight, Cathy headed toward the shopping mall. She decided to go to the more upscale mall about fifty miles away rather than the closer but less attractive shopping area near her home. She had the day to herself! She didn't have to rush home. Jeanne would be taking care of the kids and Robert would probably work late as usual. "I'll take care of the snow tires after I shop.", she thought to herself. She glanced at the outside temperature gauge on her dash-37 degrees. "Well, I won't have to worry about snow, at least." she reasoned. With no kids and no pressing obligations, the drive to the mall was pleasant. She turned up the radio. Nat King Cole was singing one of his beautiful Christmas carols. This particular song reminded her of how, as a child, she would kneel on a stool in the kitchen and help her mother mix up cookies. While she and her mother mixed and baked and decorated they talked. Christmas carols would be playing on the stereo. "Gee, I loved that" she said to herself. As she drove, she could almost smell the cookies baking and wiped a slight tear that had formed at the corner of her eye. Searching for a parking space in the huge lot was going to be an exercise in patience, she thought. But, luck was with her and she actually found one almost opposite the entrance to Nordstrom. Entering the mall's flagship store, she was immediately taken aback by all the wonderful smells, beautiful decorations and holiday music. Immersing herself in the Christmas spirit, she spent the next three hours slowly inspecting all the possible Christmas presents throughout the store. Kyle and Kerry were fairly easy to buy for because their wish list contained mainly video games and toys. Those they would receive but they also would get the obligatory "from Mom and Dad" clothing. They weren't at the age yet where they had to have only certain "with it" brands. Thank God! They were too rough on clothing to spend a fortune on expensive brands. As the cashier rang up the leather jacket Cathy got for Robert, she overheard a fellow shopper mention to her friend how deep it was getting. She thought that an odd remark. How deep was what? Shrugging off the comment as none of her business she continued down the mall to the video gaming store to search for the kids' much desired games. And, then, it was on to Macy's for Mom and Dad's blanket throw, to the electronics store for her brother's laptop computer and then on to the cheese specialty shop for the annual "mall offering" of sausages and cheeses for holiday snacking. It was at the jewelry store where she was picking out a watch for Robert that she again heard the words "getting deep" from the girl who was helping her. "I'm sorry. What were you saying?" "The snow. I was saying that I guess it's really getting deep. My husband just called and he said that cars are barely moving on the freeway." the girl replied. "Are you serious?! I didn't even know it was snowing! I have been in the mall since about ten this morning and it was dry when I got here. Maybe I should consider cutting my shopping short and heading home." "I hate to say it but if what people are saying is true then maybe it would be a good idea to do that. Do you live close by?" she asked. Cathy groaned. "Not really. I live on the island." "Vashon?" "No, Bainbridge." Cathy replied. The girl looked concerned. "Ohhh. You might consider getting a hotel room. If the roads are as bad as my husband says then you are going to have a loooong ride home in this weather!" Cathy left the store and headed straight toward the mall exit. As she neared the doors she could see the snow blowing and swirling in the parking lot lights. "It's really coming down." she muttered to herself as she stepped out into the blowing snow and stumbled through the whiteness toward her car. She found it almost next to impossible to distinguish her car from the others in the lot. All had at least six inches on snow on them. The wind had whipped the snow into drifts around the wheels of the cars and the light standards. She finally located her car by repeatedly locking and unlocking her car with the remote and looking for the flashing lights. When she was able to make out a slight, flashing red glow through the snow she went to her car and brushed the snow from the driver's door. As she climbed in the car, the loose snow tumbled in onto her lap and floor. Starting the car she put it in gear and gingerly stepped on the accelerator. Nothing. For all the commotion that she could hear she might as well have been in an igloo as far as going anywhere. Rear wheels spinning, the car would not budge. "A lot of good this so-called traction control does." she thought. Just then there was a rap on her window. Quickly locking her doors, she rolled her window down a couple of inches to see who was there. "Hey Cathy! Fancy meeting you here." Through the blowing snow it was hard for her to clearly see who was speaking. "Yes?" she said hesitantly. "As I was going to my car I noticed you coming out of the mall. I don't think you are going to be going anywhere very quickly." the voice said. As the snow ebbed for a moment Cathy saw that it was Dennis. "Dennis! What in the world are you doing here?" she asked incredulously. "I might ask you the same, O Shopping Princess" Dennis replied jokingly. "Are you going to make me stand out here in the snow or do I get an invite into your less than moveable car." Cathy laughed. "Oh God, I'm sorry, Dennis! Quick. Get in before you freeze." Cathy unlocked the doors and Dennis gingerly walked around the front of the car and opened the passenger door. "So, what are you doing down here?" Cathy asked as he climbed in. "Well, I had a meeting in Tacoma with a client and his architect about a house that we'll be starting on soon. You know, that lot that has been cleared on the water near the mouth of the bay? If I had known that the weather was going to be like this I would have told them to forget it. Anyway, I figured that on the way back home I would stop and pick up a couple of Christmas gifts for Amy. I didn't realize that it was going to snow like this." "How is Amy? The last time I saw her was the day before Thanksgiving and she was rushing around the grocery store like a woman possessed." Dennis laughed. "Yeah, her parents were coming over for Thanksgiving and I think she was a little uptight with all the preparations. I wasn't able to help much because I was totally tied up with the initial negotiations on this project." The smooth engine of the Mercedes idled quietly as the heater poured out welcome streams of warm air. There was a momentary silence in the car as they both sat there. "I heard on the news just before I saw you that there was a semi truck accident on the Narrows that did some damage to the bridge. DOT officials figure that they won't have temporary repairs on the bridge done before tomorrow noon." Dennis said. Cathy groaned. "How are we supposed to get home?! We surely can't drive all the way to Seattle for the ferry in this weather. We'd never get there!" "I think that the point is-we're not going home tonight. There is no way that we'll be able to get to Seattle for the ferry in this total gridlock. I already called Amy and told her that I was going to look for a room down here and wait out the night to see what it's like in the morning." Dennis replied. "Were you able to get a room?" "I haven't looked yet but I thought I would check the Marriot on the other side of the boulevard. I can walk there from here so I can leave the car and not worry about driving anywhere." "Well, I better do the same because, without any snow tires and with the bridge out of commission for the evening, I'm pretty much stuck here also." Cathy lamented. "If you want to brave the weather, come with me and we'll struggle over there and see what's available." Dennis said. "Let me just call Robert and Jeanne and tell them what is happening so that no one worries." Cathy dug in her purse for her cell phone and dialed Robert's number. Dennis could hear only one side of the conversation but it sounded like Robert wasn't real happy about the situation but was doing the same in Bellevue because roads were almost totally impassable there. "Jeanne has the kids and I'm sure she won't have a problem keeping them for the night." He heard her say. As she hung up from Robert she turned to Dennis and said that she wanted to call Jeanne quick. Dialing again, Dennis heard her tell her sister that she wouldn't be home and then a heartfelt "Thanks, Jeanne. I'm glad that school got out early." "Sounds as if that problem is taken care of also." Dennis said. "Thank God." replied Cathy. "Well, are you game to go?" she asked. "Let's go!" replied Dennis as he opened the car door. The snow swirled around them as they stumbled off through the drifting snow. Dennis held out his hand for Cathy and she took it as her feet sunk into the snow. The hotel was only about a quarter of a mile away and yet it seemed like a lifetime as they both trudged through the storm. Cathy felt a strange comfort in holding Dennis' hand that went beyond safety. There was a strength there and yet a gentleness that she sensed. With snow blowing in their faces, she grasped his hand tighter as they weaved their way across the boulevard of idling but unmoving cars. The Holiday Shopping Interlude The sliding doors of the hotel were a welcome relief from the cold as they walked into the building, stomping their feet and brushing the snow out of their hair. Walking up to the registration desk Dennis told the clerk that they would like two rooms for the evening. "I'm sorry, sir, but we have no rooms left. This storm has just swamped us. Oh, wait a minute. The computer says just now that we have one room that has become available. Evidently the guest's flight has been diverted." Dennis looked at Cathy. "You go ahead and take it. I'll look somewhere else for a room." The clerk looked at Dennis. "I can almost guarantee that you won't find another room anywhere tonight, sir. Our lines have been deluged with calls by people looking for a room. You're very lucky that this cancellation came up while you were here. Cathy said "We'll take it." Dennis looked at her. "Okay, I'll sleep on the floor, then." he said. Cathy smiled. "Well, since we don't have any luggage we might as well go into the bar and have a glass of wine or something until dinner time." he offered. The lounge was softly lit with a large gas fireplace glowing in the center. Arranged in front of the fireplace were two easy chairs and a loveseat. Dennis sat on the loveseat and Cathy sat in one of the easy chairs. "I'll have a Chardonnay." Cathy told the waitress. "Bourbon neat." said Dennis. They both sat forward to catch the heat from the fireplace and looked at each other. "So far, so good." Dennis joked. "I have to admit that this is infinitely better than fighting the snow and then sitting in the car for god knows how many hours waiting for the bridge to be repaired." Cathy said. The waitress arrived with the two drinks and set them on the low table in front of them. Picking up his glass Dennis motioned to Cathy who picked up hers also. "Here's to a snowy adventure, Cathy." he said as their glasses clinked together. Over the next two hours their conversation ranged from school to children to jobs to housing to marriages. Dennis learned that Robert and Cathy were in a bit of a rough spot in their marriage and Cathy learned that Dennis and Amy were both so involved in their respective careers that they saw each other really only on weekends and then much of that free time was spent with Chloe and her activities. "It never turns out quite the way you think it will when you're all starry eyed, does it." Cathy said wistfully. "No, it doesn't but don't get me wrong", said Dennis. "I don't regret any of it but sometimes I just wish that I could capture a piece of that magic again-even if for just a short time." "I know what you mean, Dennis." They looked at each other and took a sip from their drinks. "Waitress? Two more, please?" said Dennis. "Excuse me, but I have to visit the powder room" Cathy said to Dennis as she got up from the comfortable chair. Dennis sat there in the dimly lit lounge, looking into the fire. The liquor and the fire and the company had resulted in a warm, comfortable glow. He saw Cathy coming back from the powder room and moved to one side of the loveseat. Cathy hesitated for a moment and then sat down next to him. "Isn't this cozy." she joked somewhat nervously. There was silence for awhile as they both fully realized the fact that they were sitting next to each other, thighs touching. "I can sit in the chair." Dennis offered solicitously, sensing some uneasiness in Cathy. Cathy turned to him with a smile. "No, don't. I like this." And they both settled back into the loveseat. As the waitress picked up the empty glasses and set two full ones down, Cathy said "I guess we're going to have to eat at some point." but she really didn't feel hungry. Neither of them wanted to break the unacknowledged spell that was slowly being woven. Cathy sat back more deeply into the cushions and as she did, Dennis gently put his hand on her thigh. "Oh God, what am I doing?!" he said to himself. "I've probably pissed her off now." he continued to himself as he saw her lift her hand. He waited for the hand to lift his from her thigh but instead it rested itself on his. Cathy turned to him with a questioning look and said nothing. Tentatively they moved their faces together ever so slowly as their eyes remained focused on each other. Gently their lips made contact, at first very, very softly and then more forcefully as Dennis brought his hand up to cup Cathy's head. Their lips parted and the two of them turned toward the fire. Their hearts were beating so hard that each was sure the other could hear it. They said nothing as they each took another sip of their drinks. The silence was broken by Dennis. "Whew!" he said. "Look, Cathy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. The fire, the bourbon....I , I just got kind of carried away." Looking straight ahead Cathy replied quietly "I'm not sorry." She was pressing her thighs tightly together trying to subdue the rising feelings of passion between her legs. Dennis moved his hand slowly from the top to the inside of her thigh. Cathy laid her head on his shoulder and he heard a soft moan escape her lips. She pushed her thighs against his urgently. "Cathy, are we going to regret this?" Dennis whispered softly in her ear. "I don't know." she cried so quietly he barely heard her. "All I know is that right now I have never wanted anyone so much in my life. Let's go up to our room." Leaving their partially drained glasses on the table they got up to walk to the lobby and the elevator. Cathy noticed Dennis surreptitiously adjusting himself as he rose from the loveseat and she smiled. As the elevator door closed they were in each other's arms, passionately kissing and caressing each other. Their tongues began a primitive dance of longing as their bodies pressed hard against each other. The elevator chimed as it stopped on the fourth floor and they quickly broke their embrace as a young woman entered the elevator. Dennis stood facing Cathy so as to hide the swelling in his slacks from the woman. Cathy looked at him and giggled. On the fifth floor the elevator again stopped and the woman exited. Cathy reached down as the doors closed and gently caressed Dennis through his pants. Despite the fabric of his slacks and his underwear she could plainly feel the firm outline of the head of his manhood. She shuddered as the elevator stopped again and both of them stepped out. They hurried down the hall looking at room numbers as they went. "It has to be the next one on this side." Dennis said as they passed another door. Sliding the key card into the lock, the green light invited them into a small but clean room with a queen bed, bistro table with a couple of chairs, a dresser and armoire with a television. Dennis shut the door and stood looking at Cathy. They gathered each other into their arms and kissed, deeply, unapologetically, passionately. He pulled Cathy tightly against him, feeling her breasts against his chest. Releasing his hold on her he moved back, slowly, almost reverently unbuttoning her cream silk blouse. Her firm breasts heaved beneath the fabric as she anticipated his touch. "God, you have beautiful breasts." he whispered as he undid the front clasp of her bra. Her nipples were free to his touch and ached for the slightest contact. She jumped as his fingers made contact and gently circled them. He lowered his head to touch first one and then the other nipple with his tongue. Her head tilted back in pleasure as his lips and fingers lovingly stimulated the swollen ruby tips. "I have to taste you." she said softly in a voice wavering with desire as she dropped her hands to the belt on his slacks. He helped her undo the buckle. She unzipped his pants, and slipped her hand in through the fly on his boxer shorts. Freeing his penis from the confines of his shorts she let out a low moan as she wrapped her lips around the large cock standing out from the fly of his boxers. His hips thrust forward as he urged his hardness into her waiting mouth. Eyes closed, he cradled her head as she swirled her tongue around and around the head of his cock and sucked it deeply into her mouth. Leading her to the bed, he laid her back onto it and stood over her, silently admiring her body. Her blond hair, fanned out on the dark bedspread, highlighted her beautiful facial features. Her open blouse and unclasped lacy black bra showcased her nipples as they stood proudly on her firm breasts. Her black woolen slacks served as sharp contrast to her milky white skin. He could see the hunger in her eyes as plainly as she could see the strength of his desire in his hardness. She undid the clasp on her slacks and lifted her hips so that he could pull them down over her shapely thighs. As he slid them down he unveiled her black lace panties. He could see already that the crotch of them was an inkier black than the rest and knew that her sex was welcoming him into her world of passion with its wetness. "I want you in me." pleaded Cathy. "I want to feel your cock deep in me." They were beyond foreplay. They were beyond postponing their passion. What remained now was that raw, unrestrained sexual hunger that demanded not that they make love but rather that they fuck. Fuck hard and loud and lustily. She moved herself back on the bed as Dennis ripped off his shirt, shoes and pants. With his rock hard cock swinging from his body, he lowered himself to her. There was no need for lube or tentative probings. Her vagina was dripping with her sexual juices and with one thrust he was deep inside her. She let out a loud, animal-like groan as the pleasure started washing over her. Slowly Dennis thrust in and out of her, each thrust burying his penis deeper in her folds. "Oh God, you feel so good, Dennis. So fucking good." The way she growled "fucking" added fire to his lust and he pumped his hips faster. Cathy was feeling things she hadn't experienced for years-maybe never had experienced. She was totally enveloped with desire, her body and mind blending into one enormous ball of pleasure. The room resounded with their groans and moans as their bodies slapped together. And then Dennis started thrusting harder. With the angle that he was at it seemed as if her whole body would explode in a fireball of pleasure. The softly firm ridge of his cockhead firmly caressed the g spot in her soaking vagina until, trembling and shaking with passion, they both exploded, crying out as every wave of their sexual pleasure racked their bodies. He collapsed onto her, his breathing gradually slowing as her own, too, began to slow. They held each other tightly not wanting to move for fear of destroying this beautiful moment. They kissed deeply, their sweaty bodies still trying to maintain their oneness in each others arms. "Oh God. Oh God." Cathy began. "God, I can't believe that!" and she started to laugh. It was the laugh that comes with the release from an enormous orgasm. That two people could be joined in such delirious pleasure amazed her. Dennis softly chuckled. "Oh God is right." he said. "Wow!" They rolled onto their backs alongside each other, Dennis' right hand in her left. They turned their heads to each other and laughed again. Their eyes stayed focused on each other. Their laughter slowly quieted and they brought their lips together. Cathy rolled over on top of Dennis and his arms wrapped tightly around her back. He could feel the moisture of her sex against his semi erect member. As she ground her mound against his penis she could feel it becoming erect again. Sliding down his body she caressed his firm cock with butterfly kisses until his movements told her he needed her mouth on him. Running her tongue up the underside of his shaft she slipped her mouth over the waiting crown and then down the length until he was at the back of her throat. Moving her mouth back up his cock, she followed it with her hand, twisting as she went up. Dennis lay there, his legs splayed, the beautiful blond hair of this goddess resting on his thighs as her mouth brought him to new heights of pleasure. Raising her head she looked up at him, reveling in the sensuality of his open mouth, closed eyes and moving hips. She found she loved the taste of her arousal mixed with his ejaculate that remained on his cock after fucking. As she sucked, she reached down between her legs to touch her sex, to tease that lovely nub of flesh that crowned her moist cleft. She masturbated fairly regularly, especially since her and Robert's love life had wound down lately but this was different. Her clitoris was on fire with a newfound sensitivity and her circling finger soon had her hips squirming against the bedspread. Dennis opened his eyes to this vision of total arousal, this beautiful woman with her mouth covering his cock, her right hand stroking him as she sucked and her left hand feverishly fingering her clit. "Show me, Cathy. Show me how you please yourself." Dennis softly said. Cathy raised her head from him and rolled to her side all the while keeping his penis in her right hand. Spreading her legs so he could see, she continued teasing herself, rubbing, circling faster and faster. Her right hand continued its journey up and down his sex until she felt his muscles contracting and his hips starting to pump. As her stomach muscles started to ripple and her hips became a sharp arch off the bed, both of their cries of release flooded the room. The milky ejaculate surged from his cock as she urged spurt after spurt onto his stomach and over her slender fingers. Her thighs were clenched tightly together imprisoning the fingers that had given her so much pleasure. She pressed down hard against her clit, barely moving her finger against it as the spasms from her orgasm continued rushing through her body. Slowly the muscles in Cathy's legs and arms relaxed. With her right hand she spread his cum over the head of his penis. Her left hand lightly petted her wet sex. Her eyes opened to see Dennis looking at her in awe. "That was so beautiful and so hot, I don't know if I could describe it if I had to." he said. "Watching you just then probably blew my whole fantasy life to smithereens. Nothing could compete with the vision of you totally lost in pleasure." His smile assured Cathy that her moment of personal vulnerability was worth every risk. His semi erect shaft was slowly returning to a state of rest. "Maybe we should get some dinner, Dennis." Cathy offered. "You're right. I just want to shower quickly and then we can go down to the restaurant." he said. "I'll jump in with you and rinse off also." Cathy said. Dennis looked at her with humorous skepticism. "Dennis, we have to save some strength for after dinner." she chided smilingly. They walked into the restaurant hand in hand and asked for a table in the back corner. Surprisingly, the restaurant wasn't very busy and they soon had their food before them. "Is this real?" Cathy asked. "Are we really sitting here, looking at each other after having made love for two hours?" Dennis took a sip of his wine and passionately looked into Cathy's eyes. "So very, very real. Unbelievable but real." "Are we two horrible people?" Cathy asked earnestly. "I have never, ever done anything like this before or even considered it. I am more surprised at myself than anyone else could be. But, I don't feel horrible. I don't feel bad. I don't feel ashamed. I just feel so.... damn good!" she exclaimed. "I know." said Dennis. "I'm asking myself the same question. As long as Amy and I have been together I never once have cheated on her. I don't think I was even ever really tempted to until I saw you today. I mean, I was very attracted to you when we worked together on the Art Fare but I didn't consider anything like this." He reached his hand across the table and rested it on hers. She turned her hand over so that their fingers could intertwine. They were silent as they looked at each other. Cathy broke the silence. "My Dad always said 'Life is a ride only poorly controlled by our minds but expertly steered by our soul.' "I guess I'm letting my soul steer right now. I don't want off the ride." The waiter brought the main course and the two of them began to eat. As they ate they talked about their childhoods, their families and their mates. "I have no desire to leave Robert." said Cathy. "He really is a wonderful guy and I really do love him but..." Dennis looked at her quizzically. "Well, it's just that we are going to have to "tune up" our relationship. I know that he is terribly unhappy as an associate at his law firm. I have suggested counseling a couple of times but Robert always poo-poos the idea as if that's just for people who are in real trouble. I try to explain to him that it isn't. It's really for people who don't want to get into real trouble." Cathy said quietly. "That is kind of where Amy and I are at also." Dennis offered. "We have a good, sound relationship but, between work and parenting, we have pushed our love life into the background and we need to find a way to bring it back to the forefront. We haven't talked about counseling but I think that maybe that is a good idea. It's so ironic that no one ever feels the least bit diminished by going to a medical doctor for a physical problem but, somehow, seeing a "shrink" means that you are weak and out of control." "And the truth is that it is absolutely the opposite of that!" exclaimed Cathy. They both laughed. "If someone could hear us and know what we are doing they would just shake their head in disbelief." "Well, I don't care, Dennis. Something or someone, God, life, the universe, somebody has given us this night and I think we should pull it over us like a blanket and enjoy every bit of heat it offers us. " Dennis silently lifted his wine glass in agreement. "I want to go up." Cathy said quietly as she leaned across the table. Without a word Dennis got up and took her hand. They walked to the hostess' stand and asked that the tab be put on their room bill and then they went to the elevator. In the elevator, they leaned together, Dennis' arm around Cathy. They watched as the floor numbers flashed on and off. There was an ease this time, a warm comfort. Once in their room Cathy said "Now, we get to take our time. I want as much of you as I can possibly have." Undressing, they turned back the covers of the bed and climbed in, their naked bodies pressing against each other as they lay on their sides with their arms around each other. Their lovemaking was slower this time, much like a vintage wine that must be sipped and savored. Their kisses were deep and unhurried. His hands caressed her face as she pressed her hips against him. Softly he moved his hand over the swell of her breasts, her firm nipples bending as his hand passed over them. And then his hand was back again, his fingers teasing, pinching, circling the turgid flesh. Cathy's eyes were closed and her mouth opened slightly as her arousal began to build. Her hands moved to the back of Dennis' head as he brought his lips down onto her mounds. His tongue darted out, teasing her and then sucking the firm nubs between his lips. Soft sounds of pleasure escaped from her pursed lips. Trailing his tongue down her creamy tummy he arrived at her hooded button, the apex of her pleasure. She greeted his tongue by thrusting her hips upward, urging him on, silently pleading with him to continue his delicious ministrations on her swollen clit. Her juices mingled with his saliva as Dennis moved his tongue up and down between her engorged lips and then up and over and around and around her swollen and sensitive center. Her breathing was becoming heavier now, more intense as her body responded to the touch of his tongue. His hands caressed her exposed breasts as she twisted and turned in her passion. The Holiday Shopping Interlude Moving her hands down to his shoulders, she slipped them between her thighs and his upper torso, silently urging him to mount her, to slide his insistent hardness into her warm cleft. As she felt his cock enter her womanhood she gave a gasp and then a long, low moan. He moved slowly this time, pulling his shaft out until just the head remained in her pussy and then sliding it in, in, in until she thought she could take no more. And yet her hips demanded more, arching upward with each inward thrust to feel him more deeply inside her. At the end of each inward stroke her clitoris would rub firmly against him sending delicious sparks of pleasure through her. Withdrawing from her, he lay on his back. His thick cock, covered with her juices, glistened in the soft light of the room. "I want you on top of me." he said gently. Rising from the bed, she straddled his body and then slowly lowered herself onto his erect member blossoming proudly from his loins. A sound almost like a prolonged hiss escaped her lips as her wet sheath slipped over him. Moving up and down on his hardness, her breasts bounced in harmony with her motion. Dennis' hands moved up to cup her swaying tits. As he caressed her nipples she intensified her actions. Soon she was moaning with pleasure. "Oh God, Dennis, I'm going to cum." she moaned. Dennis continued thrusting his hips up to meet her every movement. His breath was coming in ragged gasps now as his exertion increased. Suddenly, Cathy's hips were snapping in a blur of back and forth action as his cock moved in and out of her. Her face contorted by the sensations, she was crying out her pleasure as her climax hit her again and again. And then Dennis, sounding much like a wounded animal, was crying out as he felt his molten cum erupt from him, shooting into Cathy with an almost paralyzing pleasure. It was 3:30 am when, their bodies spent after hours of intense lovemaking, they fell asleep in each other's arms. Dennis was awakened by the sound of a neighbor's door being slammed and by voices in the hallway. He looked at the clock radio on the night stand to see that it was 7:30. So as to not wake Cathy, he gently slipped out of bed. Moving the closed drapery aside a bit, he looked outside. The snow had stopped and the sunrise was showing its beautiful colors in the east. Dennis went to the small, two-cup coffee maker on the bathroom counter and filled it with water. Shutting the bathroom door, he turned on the shower and stepped in. As the hot water cascaded over his body he shut his eyes, reliving the previous day's sexual and emotional feast. His penis, responding to the reverie, started to stiffen in response. Suddenly, he felt fingers closing over his erection and opened his eyes to see Cathy standing nude in the shower, one hand on him and the other between her legs. Turning to her, they kissed. The warm water flowed over them as their tongues played and their hands caressed. Moving his hand between Cathy's legs, he slowly dipped his fingers into her soft folds and curled them towards him, pressing firmly against her spongy g spot. Wrapped around his cock, Cathy's right hand moved in unison with Dennis's fingering. Wrapping her left arm around Dennis's shoulder, she supported her quaking body as fiery sensations began striking at her lower body. She pumped his cock feverishly as he increased the tempo in her pussy. Suddenly, cum was erupting from the head of his penis, shooting up against her belly and over her hand. The throbbing, spurting shaft in her hand sent her over the top and her knees buckled as she came. Shuddering against the heaving body of Dennis, she moved her hand, sticky with the cum-water mixture, around his back and held him tightly. With the hot water washing over their bodies they stood still as their breathing slowly returned to normal. The morning news was on the television as they both dressed. Channel 7's helicopter was reporting that the Department of Transportation had bettered their forecast of noon for repairing the bridge to the pennisula. State and local road crews had been busy during the night clearing roads and traffic seemed to be moving fairly well throughout the region. Many people must have decided to stay home from work so traffic was much lighter than normal. "I think our special Christmas present is over, Cathy." Dennis said wistfully as Cathy buttoned her blouse. She looked over at him standing near the window and sadly acknowledged his comment. "I know." she said very, very softly. He turned and walked to where she was standing near the bed. Taking her head into his hands, he looked deeply into her eyes. "Remember this, Cathy. Remember this day and know that I will never forget our time together. We were given something extraordinary and we embraced it. " He kissed her softly. Walking out of the hotel, they walked on freshly shoveled sidewalks toward the mall parking lot. Both of their cars were still pretty well covered with snow but the exits between the rows had been plowed and salted and were clear. Dennis helped Cathy clear all the snow from her Mercedes and stayed until he was sure she was on clear pavement in the parking lot. "I'll follow you to make sure you get home safe. The Subaru is great in snow so I shouldn't have any problem getting out." With those words, he leaned into her car, gave her a kiss and walked to his car. Dennis followed her all the way home to her driveway and then, with a couple of short honks of his horn, continued on home. She sat in her car in the garage for a few moments. The lone light from the garage door opener cast slivers of light into her car. Robert was still in Bellevue and Chloe was still at Jeanne's. She walked into the house, turned up the heat and lit the gas fireplace. The quietness of the house, the snow covered ground and the fire in the fireplace helped to bring her back to her real world. She went to the bureau in the bedroom and took out her diary. Returning to the family room, she sat down in the large wing back chair. A few wisps of snow floated down before the window. She tucked her feet under her thighs, unlocked the journal and began to write. "The snow that started yesterday is still with us. It was so beautiful....."