10 comments/ 11995 views/ 2 favorites Belief By: sojourner2001 I know, it's my first time posting here and it's a story where they don't even kiss, so go figure. Probably belongs on some kind of "Twilight Zone" type of site but I don't know of any. I still like it though. * Karen knew she should not stop for the hitchhiker. It was just not a good idea for her to do that, but she did anyway. She just had to. It was pouring rain, almost a deluge and none of the three cars a head of her even slowed down for the drenched, soggy looking man. So, she honked her horn and moved over to the shoulder and backed up a little as he ran up to her minivan. "Much obliged," he said with a thick Texas accent, shaking off the water as he tried to slide into the front seat. "Don't worry about getting it wet," she added as he slid a knapsack into the back. "Name's Tom," he said as he fastened the seatbelt and shut the door. He finally had a chance to look at his savior. She was in a wheel chair in the van and she had hand controls. "You sure are a brave woman stopping for a hitchhiker." "I've always been like this," she smiled. "Not even this has stopped me." "Well, I sure do appreciate it. Been out here a while and it is pretty nasty." "Where are you headed?" she asked trying to keep her eyes on the road. "Nova Scotia," he replied. "'Bout as far away from what happened as I can get I guess." "You're not in trouble with the police are you?" she asked a bit nervously. "Nope, had one problem and took care of it. Nothing you need to worry about. Just had my world turned upside down, that's all. If I make you nervous, just say so and I'll get out, but no, I've never harmed anyone, anyone at all except by accident." "No, that's OK. I'm headed to Albany. I can take you that far anyway." "Sounds good to me." They drove in silence for about half an hour as the rain slowly started to let up. "You haven't asked me what happened," she said. "Everyone else has." "One of the rules of being a good hitchhiker is that you don't ask too many questions. If the driver feels like talking, you listen, if not, then you keep your mouth shut unless they want you talk. I always try and be a good hitcher." "I was eighteen," she began, "and my boy friend Zak was nineteen. Just went to the movies, don't even remember what we saw. Nothing to drink or anything and on the way home got hit by a drunk driver. Zak died and they kept telling me I was lucky. Sure didn't seem like it to me. I'll never walk again. I just kept believing that God works in mysterious ways. Sounds corny I guess, but I believe He has a plan for everyone, including me and this is just part of it. Don't know what it could be but I just decided to make the most of it and do the best I can so I went right on living. Going to become a teacher." "My guess is a pretty good one at that." "I sure hope so. Can't just sit around feeling sorry for myself. That just won't work." She paused. "I was the drunk driver," he said a moment later. "I had a few too many and my wife and two daughters were in the car when I hit a tree. I lived and they died. They were my life," and he almost started to cry. "Sorry, but you're one of the very few people I've ever told." The rain started to let up. "I wish I had your faith. Not sure there is a God or that he has a plan of any kind." "Trust me, I know He does," she replied sincerely. "God always has a plan for us." Right about then he thought she was just one of the bravest people he had ever met. "I'm glad it works for you." The rain eased up and then stopped all together as they got closer to Albany. There was a truck stop just off the interstate outside of town. He put some gas in the van for her. "I'll bet one of these truckers is heading east," he told her. "I'm sure someone will give you a ride," she smiled at him as the sun started to shine. "I really hope you find whatever it is you're looking for. I know I have. Just remember, God does have a plan." With that, he grabbed his knapsack from the back of the van, waved and took off for the parking area where the trucks were idling. Three and a Half Years Later It was a warm spring day, the kind that makes you want to rush outside and just do something, anything at all anything other than be cooped up in a stuffy class room with thirty other students who were already looking forward to graduation two weeks down the road. The class let out and everyone made their way outside, including Karen. The other students knew her by then and mostly just took her for granted. She knew where all the wheel chair ramps, elevators and wheel chair accessible bathrooms were by then. It was her last class of the day and she was in no hurry to go back to her lonely apartment. Taking her time, she rolled along the campus sidewalks, taking the long way back to her minivan, hoping to meet a few friends and checking her voice mail to see if there were any messages -- there weren't. At last, she was back at the van. A tall, vaguely familiar looking man in a brown cowboy hat and faded jeans was standing near it. She reached for her cell phone in case she needed to call the police, but as there were a number of other people around, she didn't think it necessary. Besides, there really was something familiar about him. "Howdy," he smiled at her. "Do I know you?" "Not exactly," he replied. "Three and half years ago, on your first trip here, you picked me up in the rain outside Buffalo." "Now I remember," she said. Now she was nervous. What could he possibly want after all this time? "I've come to repay your kindness," he answered. "It really isn't necessary. It was raining and I was actually glad I had some company. You helped me concentrate." "Actually, it's necessary for me. Something I've got to do, something wonderful." His eyes and face almost lit up and she half believed him. "Don't mean to frighten you and certainly not harm you or anything. Hell, I never did that before, never. Just made the one mistake you know about and almost made another that you don't. I found my answers just like you said I would and now I've got to do something really wonderful for someone and I've picked you." "Why me?" she asked. "Why not someone else from wherever it is you're from?" "If it hadn't been for you telling me to trust that God has a plan, I never would have found out what it is. I would have died after I left you, just made my way out to Nova Scotia and taken a long swim until I drowned. Instead, I found something else, something really wonderful. I'd tell you what it is, but heck, you'd never believe me. You'd think I was a crazy person or something and maybe I am a little bit." He could tell she was a bit reluctant and nervous about the encounter and he really couldn't blame her at all. "Tell you what. It's a really nice day so why don't you and I just find a spot to sit in the sun and I'll try and explain what's going on and what I need to do and if you think I'm a crazy son of gun, then you have my word that I'll leave you alone and never bother you again." "OK, I guess," she half agreed. She had trusted him once before under much more dangerous circumstance. Now they were out in the open with other students all around them. She pointed to an open courtyard and she aimed her wheel chair in the direction. "So, how did you find me after all this time?" "I suppose I just could have asked around for a pretty young woman in a wheel chair. Aren't too many here I guess." "You could have, but then I could have changed schools too." "Could have but didn't, did you? Nope. I was told you were here." He paused as they entered the courtyard. "You see, after I left you, I continued to wander around for a bit and I did make it all the way east, out where you just can't go east any more. I really was going to just start swimming and not stop until I died. Figured that was the only way to escape what had happened. I was pretty stupid, I guess. Anyway, met some people and spent a lot of time with them. They showed me who I could be and what I could do and what I could become. In order for all that to happen, I got to do something really nice for someone. I picked you and said what I wanted to do for you and they just told me where you were and told me to do it." "And what is it that you're going to do for me?" "You get to close your eyes for just a moment and make a wish. I get to make it happen." "No one can make that happen." "You ain't closed your eyes yet and besides, you did say something to me about God working in mysterious ways and having a plan for us, didn't you? Don't tell me you don't believe all that now." "Honestly, not any more. I just don't." "Now, ain't this a hoot? There I was, havin' no faith at all and you believing and now here we are three and half years later and I'm the one that believes and you're the one that don't. How about that?" "I'm sorry but after all this time and a lot of other things, I just don't believe that He can do what the doctors have said is impossible and I really don't believe you're God either." "Well, you are right about one thing. I sure ain't God, nope, not at all. Can't say as I've even seen Him even. Not somebody or something you can see anyway. You just know. As for the other part of what you said, well, you just have no idea at all what He can do once He makes up His mind to do it. Sometimes He needs a little help and sometimes He just delegates the whole shebang." "And he's delegated you?" she asked. "You sure don't look or sound like a doctor to me." "Never said I was." He paused. "Tell you what. Let me tell you a couple of things you probably don't think I know about you. I know that when you were six years old, you and your older brother Gary stole a couple of apples from Mrs. Taylor's porch and ran over to the park and ate them and when you were confronted by your mother a couple of hours later, your brother tried to lie his way out of it but you fessed up and admitted. The next day, he gave you a black eye as result, but you returned the favor and gave him a bloody nose and even broke it. You both figured you were even and you're still close. He was the first one there after your accident and the first one to give blood that day too." "He really liked Zak too," she said. "We were all such good friends." "Somethin' else nobody knows but you and Him. How about the time when you were fourteen and ran away from home for all of what was it, six hours one day? Took the bus into Columbus did you and just wander around for a couple of hours, then decided it wasn't to your liking and then took the bus back in time for dinner. Nobody even knew you were gone, did they, not even your brother." That was something nobody knew. "That's really scary," she said. "Nothing to be afraid about," he said, "nothing at all. What happened to you was not supposed to happen. You were supposed to get thrown through the windshield like you did but you somehow landed a little bit too wrong. Now I get to make up for it." "How can you possibly do that?" He smiled. "You know, I just don't know. I just got to decide to make it happen and it will happen. How about that?" "Just like that?" "Yep, just like that, but first you got to believe. If you don't, it won't happen. Just like those Wright Brothers at Kittyhawk. If they hadn't believed, it never would have happened." "Their plane would have flown," she said. "Maybe, but if they hadn't believed, they never would have done all that work to get it to fly in the first place. Just like you. You've got to believe to make it happen. Then, when it starts, you'll have a lot of work to do." "What do you mean?" "You think that if I suddenly said you could walk that you actually could? Your leg muscles aren't up to it and they've actually forgotten how to work together to make you walk. Nope, it won't happen over night, not at all." "I haven't thought about that lately," she agreed. "I guess you're right." He nodded. "First though, you still got to close your eyes and make a wish." She did and wished she could walk down the aisle at her graduation. She kept her eyes closed for a moment and when she opened them, he was gone. Startled, she wheeled her chair around and almost ran over a friend of hers. "Did you see him?" she asked. "Where did he go?" "Who, Karen? I didn't see anyone, anyone at all." "I was talking to a guy, just now, in a cowboy hat and jeans. He asked me to close my eyes and I did but only for a second and now he's gone." "Karen, I didn't see anyone. I've been walking on this sidewalk and I've had you in view for oh, a minute or two and I didn't see anyone, especially not some guy in a cowboy hat, not here in Albany of all places. Are you sure you're all right." "Positive. Look, I was talking to him, right here," she insisted. "If you say so." They chatted for another minute or two and then Karen made her way to her minivan, drove to her apartment building and wheeled into her two-bedroom apartment. Inside, she realized that whoever he was he was just another disappointment for her. How could he possibly do what doctors insisted could not be done for her? She wheeled into the kitchen and accidentally hit her knee on one of the cabinets. "Damn that hurts," she said out loud. Then she realized something. "It really does hurt!" Nothing below her waist had hurt for almost five years. She pinched her leg and felt it. It too hurt. It was truly amazing. She could actually feel her legs and toes! It was the most wonderful sensation she had ever felt. "Let's see if I can wiggle my toes," she said. "Damn, how do I do this?" No matter how hard she tried, no matter what she said or did, nothing moved. After half an hour, she gave up. "At least I can feel my legs," she said. "Better than nothing." The next morning, she was pleasantly surprised to find that she could still feel her legs and this time, after a few minutes, she was able to wiggle her toes. "Maybe this is happening slowly," she said. As she went about her day of classes, she looked constantly for the man in the cowboy hat and didn't see him until after her last class where he was once again, standing by her mini van. "Thank you," she said. "Ain't done nothin' yet," he replied. "You disappeared yesterday," she said moving closer. "My friend said she never saw you either." "I blend into the back ground." "So, what are you really?" "Can't say as I know really. 'Sides, don't know that you're ready for the answer either." "Will I really be able to walk down the aisle in two weeks?" "What do you think?" he asked her. "I really hope so. I really, really hope so." "You got to believe first. You got to believe and act as if it really will happen." "I know it. I know I will." "Good, 'cause I got me a ticket to your graduation and I intend to see it. Never saw anyone graduate from college myself. Not much a one for pomp and circumstance but I guess it has its place." "You must have graduated from highschool, didn't you?" "Oh, sure I did, back in Galveston Texas. I barely got through though. Not the best student in the world but was real good with my hands. Became a cabinetmaker of all things, working in wood. I did all right for myself and my family until...." "And how are you living now? Are you getting by?" "Don't need much money now," he laughed. "As they say, 'God provides'." "Karen, are you all right?" She spun around to see another friend behind her. "Were you talking to yourself? That's not a good sign." She spun back around and he was gone. "No, I'm OK, really, I'm OK." "You look a bit tired," said the friend. "Yes, maybe I am. Finals start next week, you know." Over the next few days, she slowly improved. One day, she could move her ankle, the next, her knees. Three days after seeing him, she stood up on her own for the first time. "This is truly amazing," exclaimed her doctor five days later during a routine visit. "I've never seen anything like it. It almost looks as if you're having spontaneous regeneration of your nerve tissue. Are you doing anything different?" 'Talking to God maybe,' she thought but did not say. "I need you to start some physical therapy right away," he said. "Come back tomorrow and we'll get you going." "Count on it," she said. "I'm going to walk down the aisle for graduation next week." The doctor shook his head not believing but the next day, even he began to wonder. She was improving almost hourly. A day later, she took her first steps in four and a half years. A day later, she made it slowly half way down a hall and back. On her very last day of class, two days before the ceremony, she walked into class on crutches instead of the wheel chair. Most just barely noticed her but the few that did were completely taken by surprise. One of the people who was most surprised was Jeff, a modestly handsome young man who had once taken an interest in her. He tried to talk to her after class that day. "I'm sorry," she explained walking away from him, "but you left me saying something about not being able to deal with a handicapped person and wondering how we could have sex with me like that. I mean, if that was all you were thinking about with me then I guess it's just as well you did dump me." "It wasn't like that," he complained. "No? Then what was it like? Do you even know? I did almost everything for you and what did you ever do for me? Did you ever take me to the doctor's office? How about go grocery shopping for me? Take the van in when it needed work? Nope, not a damned thing. Well, all that will be coming to an end. I'll be walking soon and then I really won't need you, at least not for any of that." "I loved you." "You don't even know what the word means. I was just your poor little crippled girlfriend, someone you could show off to get sympathy for and maybe something on the side from some other young woman. Sorry, but never again." She made her way back to her van, and then to the doctor who was still amazed at her progress and then finally back to her apartment. "Howdy," smiled Tom as she entered. "Hope you don't mind me being here." "Of course not," she beamed. "How can I possibly mind you being here after all you've done for me? I really am going to walk down the aisle Saturday morning." "You sure are," he agreed. "Nobody believes this, nobody at all." "I know, but I also know that you believe and that's what most important, more important than what anyone else thinks or cares." "Including Jeff?" "Of course," he laughed. "Young fellers like him and I can be a bit dense, you know. Don't always think straight." "Goes for women too," she agreed. "Should I take him back?" "He ain't ready yet, I reckon. You ain't the woman for him and he sure ain't the man for you either. Besides, you ain't sure who you are yet. Lot of changes comin' for you now, what with you're walkin' again." "I told my parents," she began, "and my brother. They'll be here tomorrow," she smiled. He nodded. "They can't believe it either but they will, they will," she beamed. "Don't know quite what to think, do they?" "No, they don't and neither do I honestly." She sighed and sat down. "I had everything all planned out about what I was going to do after graduation. Now it's all changed." "Why?" he asked. "You were going to teach handicapped children in Columbus. You've got a job lined up there to start in the fall. No reason why you can't. You just won't be wheeling around in your chair that's all. You'll still remember what it's like though. You'll never forget it, never and that will make you a better person. You can be a big help to those kids 'cause you'll know what it's like to be laughed at and made fun of and ignored by the other kids, even if you only lived it for a few years where some of them will live it for their entire lives. You will still know it forever." Belief Copyright 2000 Pete stared down at the turgid waves washing against and through the Jarlin wall. He admired the way the rectangular gaps in the concrete allowed the waves to break their force through a path of least resistance. On top of the wall was the platform. An oil producing platform. Tens of thousands of tons of concrete sat towering from the seabed, reaching up, stretching slimmer as it rose until it broke free of the water to support the steel topsides. A magnificent construction and a triumph of engineering that Pete stood uncaring on. He stared again, blinking away the tears the coldness of the wind induced. He shrugged, it was too chilly to linger, and he had another mile to walk. Straightening he strode off around the Moon Pool, counting the times he circled around the void, making for his last mile of the session. He had to laugh at himself. Here he was, bloody freezing doing his distance, simply because he could not stand the sniggers as he fell off the treadmill in the gym. He had tried, really tried, but he just could not get to grips with using the machine. Well, fuck them, he thought he would do his walking in private. There it was again! What was it that kept catching his attention in the froth, the so dangerous froth inside the wall? Annoyed now for allowing himself to be distracted, he leant on the yellow handrail and carefully studied the water. Fifty feet below the reach of Pete's gaze, Junior Mermaid Marga, slowly exultantly swam. She had him, she had him, she cheered. Ha, she would show them. The jeers rang in her ears yet. Never get, they said. No chance, they said. Too clever, they said. Oh, they had a lot to say, and all because of her bloody eyes. She was a very fine specimen of the Mer species. Very fine indeed. Her breasts were absolutely magnificent, one of the best pairs of her year (if not the best she thought). Even the swimming teacher said so and she was as acid as pure brine. But, the big problem was her eyes. All Mer folk had green eyes: fact. Marga's eyes were seaweed brown. A simple thing that was a source of shame to all her family and she thought ruefully against which her brains counted for naught. It was time; she shot up through the frothy foam layer created by the aerating of the water surging through the wall. All she needed was the five seconds of eye contact and he was hers. Yes! He was staring at the water, her tantalizing had worked as she had planned. She shimmied her chest to catch his gaze, and... yes, she had eye contact. She counted mentally, four, five, six, and seven. Oh yes, well and truly, she had him. Now she had to avoid an overdose, damn. With a huge mental effort she broke loose and dived again. Shaken she recalled her lessons. Hearing about it was one thing, experiencing the near thrall was another. Her nerves jangled throughout her slim body, tingling in protest at the strain she had imposed. Down she swam and deftly out through the wall using the lower level of the perforations, where there was almost no turbulence. Pete shook his head. He would have a quiet chat with the medic in the morning. With the new health initiative on the go, it would be easy enough to get a check up. He was definitely seeing things. A nude woman in the water when there were no women on board. A woman in the moon pool where swimming was impossible. Therefore it was a fucking mermaid: err no. That was impossible for a start, unlikely for a finish and oh to hell he was off to his bed to try to convince himself he was as sane as he had thought half an hour ago. Oh, but what a pair of breasts she had. No lover of 'big ones' as he thought of them, he had to admit even from 80 vertical floodlit feet they were special. But not real of course, as neither was she. He blinked away tears as he climbed the interminable stairs to the accommodation from the lower deck. A mermaid: he almost laughed aloud at the memory. He stopped suddenly on a stair tread, half way up a flight. How could he have a memory of Marga the mermaid? Where had the name come from? He was definitely seeing the medic in the morning. After his shower he went straight to his bunk. He organized himself for some serious self-pleasuring, he had to hand the sexy book and the skin magazine. He played with himself for a while but despite his erection, he just didn't feel that interested. Oh well. With a shrug he put off his bunk light and rolled onto his side to sleep. Her image appeared in his mind as he had expected. Well, how often had he seen a mermaid he thought? Finally, he slept, uneasily though: restlessly. How he dreamed that night. Erotic dreams, that he had not had since puberty. The real shocker was waking up to find he was coming. It felt as if he was being expertly masturbated, as he shuddered and shot his semen into the bedding. Half asleep he climbed out the bunk, wetted a towel and cleaned the evidence away. Satisfied he clambered back in and tried to sleep again. Something was bothering him, flitting on the edge of his awareness, ah; he gave up and some unhappily went to sleep. Marga collected her pearls carefully and tied the bag shut. She had found a safe place from which to work Pete. When she was with him she was not really in her body, so a refuge was essential. The sea was ever a dangerous place to be, and even the Mer folk descended from elves as they were; even they had their enemies. Jim the medic, prodded, probed, and put him through what seemed to Pete to be an exhaustive batch of tests. " Well, given your age, and that you are an ex smoker I'd say there was still some hope. At least I don't think you are going to die on me just yet." He gave him a friendly slap on the shoulders and sent him on his way. Back in his office, Pete worried quietly about what he thought he had seen. His duties finished for the day, he had a quick evening meal, changed back into his boots and overalls then set off down the stairs. Glancing down into the Moon Pool as the circular area within the wall was called, he saw nothing but foam and froth. Good, he thought that is just what should be there and bugger all else. Reassured he strode out. He had his distance worked out and knew his four miles would take an hour, then off to his cabin for a nice shower. He almost consciously kept his eyes away from the water. Funny stuff when floodlight: water. His thought back many years to when he was working on a semi submersible rig. One night there had been serious trouble and he had shared a "Bubble Watch" with the others on his crew. They had had to stand at the handrail of the Moon Pool and look for gas bubbles. After a while the water almost seemed to be calling, to beckon, to invite as a mistress might: seductively. An experience he had almost forgotten about. Near against his will he glanced down at the surging water. Oh no, not again. There she was smiling up at him, thick long hair looking dry, flaunting her lovely breasts. How was that possible? Oh well, why not he thought resignedly. He waved. She merely enigmatically smiled and dived. He stared at the empty space where she had been. Legs. No tail: legs. And a very pretty bare bottom too. He was definitely cracking up. Marga counted carefully. She needed fifty pearls to achieve Senior status, and one full-blooded belief. Or a hundred tinges. Plus the vote of course. Well, she had to try, she sighed deeply. The pearls were the easy part, getting the vote with her eyes was near impossible. Tears welled up; she felt it was all just so unfair. She had three pearls from Pete last night. If only he knew, if only. He had felt so warm, so friendly; she had rather enjoyed it. Some seniors had said it was a nasty business the pearl collecting. For her first time, she thought it was quite fun. She had even well, she blushed at the thought, she had found it rather ummm, interesting herself. The pearls really were neither here nor there. They were the distraction, the bribe. The Mer folk felt that there had to be a gift, a compensation for the mind rummaging they did. It was the mental searching that was the onerous part. The Merfolk needed belief to survive. It was getting harder and harder to find the belief to harvest. Whilst the subject was being "treated" and thus the guarding part of the brain distracted, the Mer person could search for the hints even the tinges of belief and garner them. When sufficient were harvested the next two lucky Mer folk on the list could mate and produce a youngster. Sadly though such youngsters were now a days all too few. The Mer folk had learned very early to read Morse code from the Trans Atlantic cables and then later the telephone and radio messages were in clear anyway. As the traffic increased the belief diminished 'pro rata'. A phrase Marga's teacher was very fond of. There seemed to be no answer to this intractable problem. A situation that the finest minds of the Mer folk considered daily. Her friends had laughed at her as they had all matured and she had matured as the finest of them all. That was when the teasing really had become vicious. Her eyes had become a real issue "pro bloody rata" she thought viciously, as the size of her chest had grown. Now, she thought sadly her tears welling again, she had no friends at all and she was all alone. Even the seals disdained her company. Her resolve not to weep collapsed and in her loneliness, she sobbed. That night she visited Pete again. Now she had established the link she could visit when she liked, provided he was asleep. She had been some scared the night before and had hurried. She was in no hurry now as she had her confidence established. He breathed a sigh. She flinched at that, suddenly nervous again. Although she was there she was really not, in two places in reality but based in only one as her teacher had put it. Pete sighed again and half rolled, the duvet sliding off his powerful shoulders. She sighed to herself he was handsome, so handsome. She knelt beside his bunk and eased the duvet away, ah there he was, half erect as her lips enclosed him. She used her tongue gently to erect him. In the cave, her body her reality, followed these actions oblivious to her surroundings. A more experienced Mer person might have considered with care why such a cave was unoccupied. The massive eel watched Marga with considerable interest. She was wise to the Mer folk, she knew the dangers of them, the steel they carried hurt, she remembered that from her youth, but this one carried no brightness at her side. Also this one seemingly paid no attention to her surroundings, ill perhaps, she wondered, easy prey within her reach she hoped. She had not survived all these years by being impulsive. Oh no, she knew to wait and carefully watch. Pete woke to his alarm, grabbed his towel and entered the shower. As he shaved he had sleepy memories of a rather good orgasm during the night. As he became more alert, his penis told him quite distinctly that it had seen action very recently. Bemused, Pete finished his ablutions and sure enough as he dried himself off his cock was tender. Curious now, he checked his bedding for tell tale signs but there was nothing to see. Strange indeed he thought. Marga now had eight pearls to give to the oysters. As they were short lived she swam to the oyster beds where a supervisor took her pearl pouch and deftly popped one into each of eight baby oysters. Marga left very satisfied that Pete's unwitting donation would grow on to become the solid variety the humans so prized. It greatly amused the Mer folk especially the maids, that the "distractions" from the human males were grown into oyster pearls for the adornment of human females. Forty two and a belief to go. That night emboldened by her run of success she entered Pete's mind. Good grief it was full of rig files and bees. Extraordinary. Oh and what was all this. Marga blushed. Well well, he did, did he, he wrote naughty stories. Hmmm, well she liked a good read and he was sleeping deeply. She giggled: her own personal library. As she read she became rather excited. She completely forgot where she was and why. The watching eel knew exactly where they both were, and it was after all she reasoned, her cave. She sidled out of her interior crevice and coiled silently around Marga. Marga had found a problem. Yes she could get very excited indeed in this other state. Very, very excited. But, she sighed, she would have to be one to finish herself to a climax. She wanted, she bloody needed a climax after reading his unpublished stories. Wow! She came to herself only to find the eel about to consummate their relationship in a very unloving way indeed. The slimy coils were constricting her chest already. Marga had trained for years for just this situation that she was now in. She breathed out and twisted suddenly. As neatly as if on the practice ground she slipped free. Just as she was leaving the cave she spun and clouted the eel between the eyes. "Ha, have that." She grinned at the nonplused beast and swam off to find a safer refuge. Further down the reef she found a suitable hidey hole which she claimed by marking the outside with her symbol. No other Mer person would intrude on that space now. She had given Pete a night off to recharge. As he slept she made her way into his mind. She saw again the store of his literature but she hardened her resolve and moved on. She found a door with a huge "?" on it. She carefully entered and there it was. Treasure beyond belief. He believed. She had that most valuable of humans she had a believer. Well almost. It was nearly a finished belief but not quite yet alive, she had studied this deeply. It needed her to complete the construction. Her busy mouth while she was searching through Pete's mind had him just at the point of ejaculation. She eased off and felt his tremors subside. He stirred restlessly in his sleep. She whispered. "Pete, Pete." He grumbled and turned over on his back. She giggled quietly, his erection was sticking right up and pointing back to his belly. She felt a surge of passion and threw caution to the currents. She straddled him and with one squirm had him netted in her sex. Pete was having a wonderful dream, a dream of sexual tension and warmth that was just so good. His sleep became shallower, as reality demanded his attention. His penis was sending him urgent signals, high priority signals in fact. He felt odd, constrained, bloody duvet had gotten trapped around him. He tried to shake free but something was even holding his mouth shut. He opened his eyes blearily. This he decided immediately was a waking nightmare. It had to be. His wife would fucking kill him for a start, and the platform boss would fire him instantly. This was a one way ticket home offence. His cock seriously disagreed. This was as tight and snug and as fucking sexy as all get out he was informed. Get thrusting his cock said. Marga gave his cock a friendly squeeze and leant forward to kiss him. As her slightly salty lips met his, those last ideas about insanity and disbelief went flying. This was really real. Marga bounced slightly, just a little jolt with her hips. He took the hint and thrust, and again and again and off he went in the age old rhythm. She neatly harvested his belief and triumphantly popped it into her pouch. She bent and kissed him in thanks. He grimaced and she wondered what was ado. I need my contacts in to see you properly." He explained and Marga met in with tinted lenses for the first time. Her eye colour was going to have a solution after all. Now, as she bounced very happily all she needed was another forty two pearls and all was just fine. As Pete could only give her so many pearls at a time he had to go home and return before her score was complete. Finally she had her quota and suitably demure (but green eyed) she presented her prize to the elders. They were delighted. She also discovered she was pregnant too. Distracting, should always be done orally she finally remembered. Pete created a mermaid club on board the platform. Once the members experienced the benefits, the numbers blossomed. Like a secret society it spread across the oil business and wives wondered why husbands were some lackadasicial on their return home. The Mer folk would survive. Oh, Marga had a bonny bairn with blue eyes. Ah well... Belief "I was actually thinking about getting involved in Church work again, maybe volunteering or something, something to repay for this." "First of all, you've got nothing to repay. Like I said before, this wasn't supposed to happen. Second, if you're thinking you ought to do something for God, just remember, he doesn't live in a Church, doesn't practice a religion, and most of the time, doesn't even care if you believe in Him or not. It's more about how you live your life and what you do with it than whether or not you go to Church on Sunday that matters the most. There's atheists in heaven you know. Bit of a shock for them I guess, but they're there. There's also some serious bible thumpers that are nothing more than two-faced liars. Trust me, those clowns are not in heaven. Got a special place for them and from what I hear, it ain't too pleasant. Don't know that I really want to find out either." She laughed a little. "OK then, maybe I will go back home and teach." "Sounds like a good idea, but don't just do it because I said so. Make sure it's what you really want to do. And by the way, it's OK to be wrong about this. I mean, you don't have to do this for the rest of your life you know. You can change your mind. People like your parents and grandparents got a job out of school and did it for the rest of their lives. Don't think you will." "You almost sound as if you know the future," she said. "Do you?" He smiled and laughed. "Ain't no fortune teller, but I do know people a bit, know who they are I guess. You're on the right track now. Things will work out. Might hit a few bumps and potholes in the road. Might get lost once in a while." "If I do, will you help me?" "Of course I will. It's part of what I got to do. It's what I'm here for." He stood up as if to leave. "Young man's going to be here in a moment. Nobody you know yet, so it's best I disappear now." "Will I see you again?" "Of course you will." He vanished with a knock on the door. "I'm looking for Emily Barnes," said the young man. She had seen him around campus off and on over the years and not paid any attention to him. He seemed to be the typical computer geek and horribly shy. "Nobody here by that name," she said standing by the door for perhaps the first time. "Very odd. I was told to come here by a man in a cowboy hat. Said Emily had a computer that wasn't working and I offered to fix it. Said it was very important. Even gave me fifty dollars in advance." 'Man in a cowboy hat?' she wondered to herself. "Come on in and use my phone and computer if you want to track her down." "You sure you don't mind?" "Not at all." He came inside and sat down at her computer. "I'd call 411 except she probably has an unlisted number but I know how to hack into the phone company's files easily enough," he explained a moment later. "Didn't I see you in class in a wheel chair?" he asked looking up a moment later. "Yes, I was paralyzed from the waist down but as you can see, I'm walking now. It's a strange story." He merely nodded and looked at the computer again. "Very odd but there's no Emily Barnes around here and she's not enrolled in the University. Odd, but the man didn't seem like the type to pull a prank on me." As he used her computer for a few minutes, she paused and wondered if she shouldn't try and look Tom up on the internet and then decided against it. She really did not have enough information to do a proper search. Sure, she knew he had been in a car accident that killed his wife and two daughters a short time before she met him that August afternoon, but that was all she really knew. She wasn't sure where the accident happened or really even when either. In the end, she realized that there were some things she would just have to take on faith and believe in and she believed in Tom. She was walking again. It really didn't matter to her how he came to be wherever it was that he was. She chatted politely for a few minutes with the young man and then he smiled and said, "You know, I could use something to eat. Why don't you and I go and get a burger or something?" He was very nervous about asking her. He thought her very cute and unlikely to accept but she smiled and said, "Yes, I think that would be nice." She wondered if this was the man for her. Was Tom setting things up or just offering her a brief choice for a while? Then again, did it matter? It was only an offer of dinner, nothing more or less. Saturday morning was flurry of activity. She was almost petrified. The day before there had been a rehearsal for the graduation and she had politely informed the people running it that she would not need special arrangements for her wheelchair. She would be sitting and walking like everyone else. In cap and gown, she waited for her name to be called. Sitting next to a stranger, she looked around, not only for her proud and amazed parents, but for Tom, knowing that only she could see him. She followed the lines and cues and walked slowly up to the podium, took her diploma as her name was announced and made her way back down to her uncomfortable chair. As she did, she looked up into the audience and closed her eyes. She could see him clearly, sitting there, smiling, beaming as if he was a proud parent. The next couple of days were another whirlwind. She barely had time to slow down and think. She packed up her belongings and with her brother in the van, drove back to her parent's home. It was two more days before she saw Tom again. She had traded in the handicapped van for a regular car. It was small and used but it would get her back and forth to her teaching job in the fall. He was standing beside it, still wearing his brown cowboy hat and jeans, as if nothing had ever changed. "Thank you," she almost cried. "Can I hug you? Are you real?" "Don't know as you need to know the answer to that one," he nodded. "Something things you get told and some you got to learn on your own. That's one of them." "Maybe I do know the answer," she smiled. "Anyway, again, thank you." "Thank you," he said. "Like I said, I had to do something nice for someone and I picked you. Now that I've done it, I can move on." "Will I ever see you again?" "Of course you will. Like you said, 'God has a plan,'. Just close your eyes and believe." Believe I have to give a very very very special thanks to a wonderful editor and even BETTER writer. She edited this piece and I'm so grateful for that. Hope you guys enjoy this story. There is not sex in this chapter, but it gets a little hot. Enjoy August Lennon flattened out her long gray skirt, fixed her favorite white button down blouse, and put on her favorite pumps. She looked in the mirror admiring her curvy figure; her caramel skin complication contrasted with her honey brown eyes, and she had had a plump bottom that all her lovers captivated, since she was of average height. Even though she had a nice body, her face wasn't that appealing to her. Sure people called her beautiful, but they never looked her in the face. Her body attracted many, but that was all they saw. A body. Not an intelligent woman that's the VP at her firm, not the women that ached for someone to actually love her for her, and not what she can could offer. She made breakfast then grabbed her coat, suitcase and left. She was walking towards her office when she saw a man sitting at her desk. "Mary, who's that in my office?".She asked her assistant. She knew Mary was leaving due to being nine months pregnant and moving to Chicago. She was the only assistant she had in the past two years that she actually warmed up to. "Dreya Lawrence. She came for her interview. Remember? I told you Tuesday before you left." Dreya? August thought. That is a weird name for a man. Mary was right though, Tuesday was her spa day. She usually forget anything that didn't have to do with that on Tuesday. She chuckled. "Oh yeah, you know my Tuesdays." Mary just nodded and waddled to the ladies room. August wondered what was with Mary's odd behavior. She blamed it on the pregnancy and walked to her office. When she got there she realized why Mary left without saying a word. This was a woman. A fine woman, she thought to herself. She sat down at her desk and fumbled in a draw like she hunting for something. But what she was really doing was taking a second to check the woman out. Even though she was sitting she looked pretty tall; she had broad shoulders, and small breast. Her face was flawlessly beautiful; she had skin that glowed with health with blue-gray eyes that seemed to sparkle. Her hair was fashionably braided and went all the way down her back. She felt her present, yeah they were in the same room, but it was strong. She quickly stopped staring and tried her best to get on with the interview. "So Ms.Lawerence, what are your skills?" Dreya smirked, then Dreya smirked, then licked her lips making August shiver. "Well Ms. Lennon, I can word process, spreadsheets, presentations, calendar and docketing, interpersonal skills, writing skills. You name it." The smirk never leaving her face. "Well I'm impressed. I also like your spunk; you're the first person I've interviewed since anyone found out about this job. How did you hear about this job anyway?" She smirked again. Damn her and that sexy smirk. August thought. "Well, I went to high school with Mary. She knew I was looking for a job and she gave me a chance, now here I am." I'm going to kill Mary, she thought. This time when she smiled, August heart swooned; she had perfect white teeth, and deep dimples; August almost fell out her chair. She heard a light chuckle and redness crept up on her cheeks. She cleared her throat. "I'll call you tomorrow since tomorrow is Mary's last day. You can start Friday." Dreya furrowed a brow. "I'm starting already?" she asked, curiosity filled her voice. August smiled. "Since you have everything that I'm looking for, plus more. And Mary put in a good word in for you so I think I'll give you a shot." I can't wait to strangle Mary, she thought to herself. They both stood and August reached for Dreya's hand. She felt a stirring between her thighs that she'd never felt by just taking someone's hand, and she was as tall as August thought she was, a good 5'11 to August's 5'5. August knew she felt it to by the way her long fingers tightened around her small hand. August gave her a professional smile. She reluctantly let go and watched Dreya leave the room. She watched as her pants suit clung to her firm bottom. She was very masculine but she still knew she was a woman. Which August loved about a butch. She walked out of her office, leaned against her the door jamb of her office door, and stared daggers at Mary. Mary didn't want to look up knowing the face she was going to get, a frown and a furrowed brow. When she left her head slightly, she saw that face she came to love and hate. "So you sent her to me Mary." August said as she crossed her arms against her chest. Mary gave a half smile. "Well, I mean... Um, it wasn't a match making thing if that's what you think. She's... um, a good assistant?" It sounded more like a question than an answer. In the two years she's known Mary she wasn't a very good liar. Even though her heart was in the right place, August didn't like match making. It made her feel as if she couldn't get a date on her own, or attract one for that matter. She slowly walked up to Mary and wrapped her arms around her friend. She knew she couldn't stay mad at her, plus she was leaving tomorrow and she would miss her. "It's okay Mary I know you, and I know why you try to match me up with people you know, remember that time you tried to hook me up with your cousin Ronda? That was the most low down thing you've ever done and you know it!" They both double over in laughter. Ronda was also a VP at another firm. August, Mary, her husband Lonny, and Ronda, we all went out to dinner. Mary and Lonny made some lame excuse so they could leave and left August and Ronda sitting there, not knowing anything about each other, or having interest in each other for that matter. So they sat there ate silently and then parted ways as soon as the meal was over. August didn't talk to Mary for a whole week. August went back to her office and started on some paperwork she needed for her conference on Monday morning. She loved her job, so getting lost in her work wasn't anything new. Before she knew it; it was close to 6pm. She went to Mary's desk and told her she could go home early. She gave her a hug, rubbed her tummy and walked her to the elevator. She would most defiantly miss her friend. **** When August woke up Friday morning, it was just like any other morning. Got dressed, sighed at her appearance in the mirror, ate a quick breakfast, grabbed her suitcase and scurried through the door. She woke up earlier so she could call Dreya when she got to work. She thought about her eyes, they way her full lips curved into that sexy smirk, the way her eyes burned into her own. She shivered and felt that tingle between her legs again. She wanted Dreya in the worst way, but she didn't even know her. I will get to know her, she thought, or at least try to. When she got in her office, she found Dreya's file and called. It didn't even ring three times before she heard that deep, raspy, sexy voice. "Hello?" "Um... yes, hi Ms Lawrence, it's Ms. Lennon. I just called to fill you in—" "I'm sorry to interrupt you, but if you're calling to inform me on my schedule, Mary already called me and let me know." August swore under her breath; Mary needed to quit trying to get her a partner. "Well, um okay, that's good. If you're planning to come in anytime before seven feel free. I'm going to be here already and I really need your help on my presentation on Monday," she said. "Of course Ms.Lennon, be there in thirty minutes." They said their goodbyes, and August felt a smile touch her lips. She was going to love coming to work from now on. And as she promised she was there in thirty minutes. August wondered if she was just trying to win her over, or this was how she really was. She made a note to ask Mary. "Get settled at your desk, and then meet me in the conference room so we can get started." Dreya smiled, nodded and went to her desk. August was trying to find ways to ignore the butterflies she got when Dreya smiled at her. About ten minutes later, Dreya walked in the conference room. August tried to be sly and get a good glimpse of Dreya today, and boy did she look ten kinds of sexy. She wore a black suit with a grey vest underneath, womanly but still masculine. She had on glasses, which made August a little crazy; she loved a woman who looked educated. It was a major turn on, and boy did Dreya turn her on. As soon as Dreya sat down they got right to work. Dreya was all business which August liked, but she also wanted to be friends with Dreya. Maybe even more, it was just the way she made her feel when she looked at her or gave her sexy smirk. The way she tilted her glasses up when they slid down her noise it was just too much for August. August looked at her watch, and noticed it was lunch time. She always went to lunch with Mary, so she straightened her back and went with her gut feeling that Dreya wanted to get to know her, too. "Ms.Lawerence, do you want to go to lunch?" August didn't change her facial expression the whole twenty seconds she waited on a reply. "Well, I already made plans to go to lunch with my girlfriend, but thank you anyway."Girlfriend? I'm going to kill Mary! Why didn't Mary mention that she had a girlfriend? She took a breath, smiled, nodded and told her to be back by one, so they could finish up their work. With that she hurried out of the room. She felt a twinge of jealous, and pain. I don't even know this woman, why am I so affected she thought to herself. She kicked herself for even thinking that Dreya was attracted to her, or even had any interest. Maybe it was all in her head, or maybe she was just seeing what she wanted to see and not seeing what was really in front of her. No wonder she was all business. ***** While Dreya was at lunch with her girlfriend, August ordered in and tried to get more of the presentation done. Not noticing Dreya leaning against the door jamb watching. Dreya thought that the woman was very enticing, and her mind was filled with such knowledge, she loved a smart woman. She smiled as she watched August grumble under her breath, brushing the golden brown curls from out of her face every five seconds: they framed her beautiful round face perfectly, and those eyes held a story. Finally, August looked up. And Dreya acted as if she just walked in the room. August looked at her watch, and it was exactly one. Maybe the woman was messing with her mind on purpose, but she didn't want to lead into it for the same reason she didn't before, but she really wanted her to want her as much as she wanted her. They got back into all business mode; Dreya kept 'accidently' rubbing against her, and every time she did it made her body an inferno. She didn't look her way, but she could feel Dreya's blue gray eyes on her. Why would she be giving someone so much attention if she has a girlfriend? I don't think her girlfriend would like that very much, August thought. As they were finishing up, Dreya placed her hand on August shoulder. "I have a confession to make." When August didn't respond Dreya continued. "I don't have a girlfriend, I was just shy. I know I seem like the most confident person, and usually I am, but you are just too beautiful. I would like to take you to dinner, but if you don't want to because I lied before I understand." August couldn't believe her ears, did she just call me beautiful? Maybe she wants to just get into my pants like everyone before her. No jumping to conclusions this time August, thought. That's what ruined her last relationship. She and Janna were making out heavy on her couch, there was a lot of grouping and rubbing, but August just wasn't ready for that kind of intimacy, she wanted to be in love first. So she quickly sat up, and told her she wasn't ready, it seemed to upset Janna. Or at least that's what she thought; she went off on her and called her almost every word in the book. Janna just stared at her in disbelief, and got up from the couch and told her the words that would stick with her for the rest of her life. "If you weren't such an uptight bitch you would see that I didn't just want pussy from you, I could get that anywhere, but your just too insecure to see that. Don't call me."And with that she left. August quickly rattled her brain, and got out of her daydream. And just nodded not trusting herself to speak. Dreya smiled her that million dollar smile, and left the room. August sat there completely stunned for a good five minutes, before she could move Dreya came back in the room. "I just made a reservation at this restaurant called Montrose." "How did you get a room there? That place is always booked" August asked curiously. "Don't worry I know they owner. What's your address, I'll pick you up at seven." August found a piece of paper and jotted down her address. Dreya brought her hand up to her lips and kissed it. "See you tonight gorgeous." August blushed a deep chrisom. Damn her caramel skin. She looked at the time and noticed it was time to go home; damn Dreya was good, she thought. She went to her office got her coat and her briefcase and headed home. ******* When she got home, she quickly hopped in the shower. She raided her closest; she found her favorite red dress. It came to mid-thigh, and was cut into a V in the front to show her perfect breast. She slipped on her 6-inch pumps that had cheetah print on them and made sure she put lotion and perfume on every inch of her body. She re-curled her hair so it framed her face perfectly and put on light makeup. Before she knew it the door bell rung. When she opened the door her jaw dropped, every inch of Dreya looked sexy. She had on a black muscle tee, and Levi jeans. With a burgundy jacket, and some Jordan's to match. She looked casual yet dressed up. They just stood there for a minute taking each other in. Dreya smirked. "C-come in." August stammered, she couldn't keep her eyes off of Dreya. Before August could say another word, Dreya's lips were pressed down on hers gentle yet demanding in the beginning. Then it became urgent and needy, August body responded to her so quickly, her mind could barely register what was going on. Dreya had her pressed against the door so tightly August could barely breathe. Dreya nipped on her jaw line and her neck, making her feel how much she wanted her. Dreya stopped herself. "August," She whispered. "We have to go before we miss our reservation." "Fuck the reservation."August said drawing her into another sensual kiss, but Dreya broke the kiss. She chuckled. "No, no, no, now." Dreya said sternly. "Let's go to the reservation, you'll like the food very much." "Tease." She mumbled under her breath. Dreya chuckled and retorted. "You have no idea." With that she winked and opened the front door for August. August sighed this is going to be a long night. When she saw Dreya's car, she was flabbergasted. It was a 2011 Nissan sports car; it was black all over, literally. It was pretty sexy; she looked the type to own this type of car. She opened the passenger's side for her and, helped her get in, or maybe she just wanted to feel her body again. Who knew? On their way to the restaurant they were relatively quiet, both of them had the same thing on their mind. They had to take things slow, and with them working together, it would be difficult. How would they act at the office? Well I guess it's too early to think about a relationship both of them thought. As they pulled into the valet area of the restaurant, Dreya shut off the engine. August was staring at Dreya's profile; she had a perfect nose, but had a little bump on the top. What she didn't realize was that Dreya was starting inattentively back at her, saying something but August wasn't quite sure what. She was too busy staring at those beautiful blue gray eyes that were staring back at her. "Did you hear me August?" Dreya asked while smirking. August shook her head, Dreya softly chuckled. "Let's get out of this car instead of sitting here staring at each other; I'm sure the valet is confused as well." August blushed profusely, and just nodded not trusting herself to speak. They exited the car; Dreya gave her keys to the valet and they walked into the restaurant together. They walked up to the hostess, and Dreya gave her last name and the hostess walked them to their table. A waiter appeared seconds later. "Hello Ms.Lawerence, it's a pleasure to see you, it's been a very long time. What can I get you and your lovely date?" The waiter winked at August. Dreya cleared her throat. "Get me the usual Kenni and the same for my very lovely date." August blushed again, if not for the hundredth time tonight. "Well do Ms.Lawerence."With that the waiter was gone. "Ms.Lawerence? Hmm. I'm guessing you come here a lot?" August asked looking Dreya directly in the eye. "Well, I use to, This is my mother's place." August just nodded. There something there, but she wouldn't push for answers. Dreya would tell her when she was ready. "We'll, tell me about yourself." August said trying to change the subject. It seems likes that was a painful subject, for a later date. "Well, I grew up in Long island, and moved to Philly to go to college. When I found out my mom was sick I decided to move back here, and help her until she passed." Dreya looked down, not wanting her to see the saddened look in her eyes. In the nick of time, the food came. And August was very delighted at Dreya's food choice; it was the same as hers. Bourbon chicken, teriyaki rice, with a special dipping sauce. August mouth watered, being around Dreya made her forget how hungry she really was. Dreya sensed it and chuckled,"Someone's hungry." August ducked her head, and blushed. She never had anyone make her feel so shy. She looked up to see blue gray eyes staring into her own. She fidgeted in her seat, trying to be very discreet. Not wanting Dreya to know the effect her voice, her eyes, her attitude had on her. But Dreya already knew, she liked watching August squirm, and her beautiful face blush. She liked knowing by just speaking her name she would have those honey eyes staring at her with fear but also desire. "August..." Dreya finally spoke. August looked up" she seen hunger in Dreya's eyes, and quickly looked away. "If you don't eat your food will get cold." August looked at her food, she nearly forgotten that it had arrived five minutes ago. She picked up her fork, and took her first bite of her food, and moaned. She looked up to see Dreya's eyes intent on her, her eyes were darker than before. The gray became more prominent. Without a word Dreya decided it was time to eat before she went across the table and ravished August. They were silent for a while, enjoying their meal when August finally decided to break the ice, and break through her shyness, and say how she felt. "Would you like to come back to my place?" She looked up to see mostly gray eyes gazing into her honey brown's. Dreya just stared at her for a while. She would love to see August's face when she came: have her whimpering under her begging for more, hearing her cries of pleasure. But she also liked this woman, and wanted a relationship with her that was not just sexual. "I would love to, but I have to be somewhere early in the morning." Disappointment spread across August face but she did her best to mask it and just smile. After they finished their meals, they decided to go for a little walk before August went home; they chatted a little more, and got to know each other a little better. "So August, why is someone so beautiful single?" August blushed at the compliment, but frowned because she wasn't ready for her to know that part of her story yet. Believe "Let's just say I have a hard time trusting and believing in people." Dreya just nodded, sensing that that was another story for another day. It started to get a little chilly and August shivered. "Let's get you home." Dreya said. The drive to August house was silent, but a very comfortable silence. August looked out the window. How someone so confident and so sexy could want her out of every beautiful woman at her firm? She didn't have much time to think about it, when suddenly she felt Dreya's hand on her face. She hadn't realized the car had stopped in front of her house. She turned to look at the now blue-gray eyes looking at her curiously. August took the next step and closed the gap between them. Bringing Dreya into a passionate yet reluctant kiss, Dreya fought for dominance and won as August finally submitted to her by opening her mouth and letting Dreya's tongue ravish it. Her mind was reeling; she couldn't think being this close and intimate with Dreya. She finally broke the kiss and kept her eyes shut not wanting to look into those dangerous blue eyes that did things to her, she could never imagine, No one had control over her mind before, this was all new boundaries for her, and perhaps she liked it. She finally opened her eyes to see gray eyes looking at her with such intensity. She backed away still looking at the beautiful woman in the driver's seat. "I'll call you tomorrow, sweet dreams beautiful." Dreya leaned in and kissed her one more time, she just had to have another taste of the beautiful woman who tested her strength to stick to her plan. August nodded not trusting herself to speak. Got out of the car and quickly walked to her front door. Once she got into her house, she threw her purse on the table by her door, hurriedly went to her room, undressed and laid on her bed. She wanted to keep the scent of Dreya on her skin. She felt her Egyptian cotton sheets beneath her skin, sending goose bumps all over her body. She slid her hand down her curves, and flicked her finger over her engorged clit. And sucked in a ragged breath. She slid her hand down further to her hot wet center, and pushed her index finger in her opening. She moaned and images of Dreya's eyes forced their way in her mind, and she added a second finger and feverishly pumped in and out of her. As she used her free hand to pull and twist her rock hair nipples. She went deeper and deeper within herself; she could feel coolness on her skin from being covered in a fine sheen of sweat. She could feel herself teetering on the edge of a massive orgasm, she felt it coming. When it came it racked through her with such force, she saw lights behind her closed eyes lids flashing brightly then darkness. ******* She woke up the next morning to her cell phone ringing: she answered and cleared her throat not wanting to sound so groggy. "Hello." she said. "Hi, how did you sleep August?" The rich deep voice that gave her chills, she sounded as if she knew what August had done to herself. "Uh-I sleep good, and yourself?" August heard a soft chuckle on the other end of the phone and she could see the smirk on Dreya's face. "Well, I was just calling to her your voice. I'm at my aunt's house helping her with some stuff, and I must say it's pretty boring. I rather be with you, and do what you did to yourself last night." August almost dropped the phone, she was stunned. She couldn't even make words. "It's okay; you don't have to say anything. But just know pretty soon, you'll be screaming my name, before your mind even knows what's going on with your body. I'll call you later on tonight. Bye August." Before she could reply, Dreya hung up. She laid there with her phone still to her ear shocked: she needed Dreya to touch her where she hasn't let too many people touch before. She quickly went to her bathroom, and got her morning bath ready. She put her bath beads in to relax her body, because it was defiantly on fire, and she needed to put it out. She could feel the wetness soaking her thighs, and hurried to get into her bath before she added more fuel to the fire. After she got out the tub, the rest of her day flew by, and once again her phone rang. "Hey you." She said, trying not to sound too happy to hear Dreya's sexy voice. "Hey, how are you this evening?" "I'm pretty good, just sitting here drinking a glass of wine." "Oh really? What's on that beautiful mind of yours?" She didn't know where this conversation was headed but she surely was hoping it was the way she wanted. "Yes, it's like a ritual, and just thinking about our date. Would you be able to handle whatever this is at work?" "What about it? And yeah I'm a big girl; I know how to handle this like. It won't be a first." August knew she just destroyed the sexual conversation that was going to take place, and kicked herself. "Just how I feel around you." August didn't want to pour out her whole entire feelings on how Dreya made her feel so she just left it at that. "Hmmm okay, well I was just calling to say goodnight, and I'm going to be busy again tomorrow helping my aunt so I will call when I can. So see you at work Monday." "Goodnight." August was very disappointed that she had to go another day without seeing Dreya. She went to the kitchen rinsed out her wine glass, and trudged to her room, got in her king size bed, and quickly went to sleep. ***** Before she knew it, it was Monday. And she was excited to see Dreya's perfect face. On her way to work, she stopped for some gas, and smiled her whole way to work. When she got to work, she quickly made her way towards Dreya's desk, she seen Dreya. And she looked as if she didn't know who she was, she looked angry about something. She looked at August with a fire in her eyes, and not the pleasant kind. "Your girlfriend is in your office, Ms.Lennon." She felt as if she was going to cry. She couldn't think who could be in her office, she was afraid to even check. She walked carefully to her office, slowly turned the knob, and stepped in. She saw a short woman with baggy clothes on. As soon as the woman turned around she knew who she was. The short woman walked quickly towards her, and kissed her deeply, but August didn't respond to the kiss. She felt like she just fucked up fucked things up horribly with Dreya. There was a burning lump in her throat, she thought she was going to be sick. "Hi, Janna." August turned around to look out of her office window. She had a clear view to Dreya's desk and could see the look of disgust on her face. She felt tears fill her eyes, and she quickly blinked them back. She knew right then and there, she wouldn't be able to fix what just happened. To be continued. . .