12 comments/ 48815 views/ 5 favorites A Cautious Man Ch. 09-13 By: coaster2 Chapter 9: Bill returned to his church the following Sunday morning. He was welcomed personally by Pastor Markham. David Markham was in his mid-thirties, and one of the new-age ministers. He had a better understanding of the youth of the day, and he was able to communicate with them. Bill had stopped attending church when he met Zena. She had not been to church in many years. Bill thought of himself as "living in sin" in an old fashioned way, and didn't think he could sit in his church and be a hypocrite. His mother and father had been disappointed when he had dropped out, but he was a grown man and could make his own decisions. Bill shook Dave Markham's hand at the end of the service, and asked if he could talk with him some time. The young pastor immediately agreed and they set a time for three that afternoon. As Bill sat down in Pastor Markham's office, he felt a sense of peace as well as a strong need to explain why he hadn't been at church and what had happened in his life. As much as he could talk to his father, this was a man who could look at things more dispassionately, and perhaps give him some guidance. He badly needed a sense of direction right now. Pastor Markham listened patiently to Bill's recounting of his meeting Zena and his feelings about living with her, and then his discovery of her other lover. "That's quite a story, Bill. You've been badly hurt. I can't make that go away. Only you can. I think you need to talk to this woman and try and understand why she behaved the way she did. You won't have any peace until you understand that." The young pastor paused for a moment to see if Bill wanted to continue, but he seemed to have finished for now. "About this business of living with someone out of wedlock. These are modern times. The orthodoxy might condemn it, but in real life, we know its common behavior. I'm not so much against it if it's a way to determine whether two people are truly suited to each other. There's nothing worse than finding out after marriage that you're incompatible. It may not be church doctrine, but in the right circumstances, it can help prevent a mistake. In your case Bill, it prevented a mistake. Don't feel you're not welcome in this church if you are living with someone who is not your wife. We're a lot more understanding than that. "Thank you, sir. I feel a lot better talking to you about this. I don't know how I'm going to talk to Zena, but I know I have to. You've been a big help." Bill stood with a sad smile on his face and shook Dave Markham's hand. As he left the church, he knew what he had to do, but he hadn't worked out how or when he would do it. He wasn't looking forward to it either. -0- "Hello?" Her voice was soft and quiet and sad. "Hello, Zena. It's me, Bill." There was silence for a few moments. "Hi Bill. I've been expecting your call." "Zena ... I ... we ... we need to talk," he stammered. "Yes, Bill, we do." "Where can we meet? I don't think here ... I mean ... my place ... is a good idea." "I'm here alone tonight. Why don't you come here ... my old apartment? Say eight o'clock?" Her voice continued to be quiet and without any emotion other than the hint of sadness. "I'll see you at eight. Goodbye." He hung the phone up quietly, overcome with a feeling of melancholy. He wasn't looking forward to their talk, but he knew he needed to try and understand, or at least allow her to try and make him understand. He didn't have much hope that she would be able to accomplish that. He knocked softly on the apartment door and in a few seconds, Zena opened it. "Come in," she said, again in a subdued, resigned voice. Bill walked slowly into the apartment and looked around. It hadn't changed much from the days before Zena had moved in with him. "Would you like something to drink, Bill?" "Maybe some water, thanks." Zena walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass, handing it to Bill. "Please, Bill, sit somewhere." Bill chose an armchair not unlike the one he favored in his living room. He took a sip, all the while watching Zena as she seated herself on the sofa. He waited for her to begin. "I can't tell you how sorry I am that you saw what you did, Bill. I never wanted ... I would never ... try to hurt you. You are a good man and I love you with all my heart, but ... there is something about me that you didn't know ... that I didn't tell you." She stopped, waiting for a reaction from Bill. When she saw none, she looked down at her hands before beginning again. "The woman you saw me with ... her name is Maureen. I've known her ... been friends with her ... forever, since we were teenagers in high school." "That looked like a lot more than just friends, Zena," Bill said with an even tone. "Yes ... I ... we have been lovers for a few years now. I'm very attached to Maureen and she is to me, too." "I don't understand. You and I ... we were in love. I thought ... I thought you loved me." It was a bewildered Bill Orton that tried to grasp what Zena had been telling him. "I do love you, Bill. I've never loved any man the way I love you. I was hoping we would marry. I wanted to be with you forever." "That doesn't make any sense. How can you say you love me when you admit you and that woman are ... involved?" "I can and do love both of you. I never thought I'd ever find a man to love until you came along. But I can't betray Maureen either. I love her as well. Bill ... I'm sure you don't understand this and maybe you never will, but I love both of you. I want to be with both of you." Bill was silent for a few minutes. He put his head back in the chair and closed his eyes. He tried to untangle what she was telling him. She wanted both of them. Could he live with that? In his heart, he knew the answer to that question. "I'm sorry Zena. It may sound selfish to you, but I can't share you. I want you to be with me and no one else. I can't handle sharing you with someone else, even if it isn't another man. Can you understand that?" He had spoken in a quiet and controlled voice and he was aware that he had no anger, just disappointment and sadness. "Yes, Bill. I understand, and I expected you to feel that way. It doesn't change the way I feel about you. I do love you and I always will. But I've lived with you long enough to know what you believe in and how you would react when if you found out my secret. I am so sorry I have hurt you. I never wanted to do that. Never." "I believe you, Zena. Thank you for being honest. It hurts ... it hurts a lot. I don't think I'm going to be able to get over this very soon, but at least I know the truth. Thank you for that." The sorrow in his voice was unmistakable and it brought tears to Zena's eyes. He stood and slowly walked to the door, turning back to her when he reached it. "Goodbye, Zena. I'll miss you." She stepped to him and embraced him and kissed him gently. "Goodbye, Bill. I'll miss you too. Good luck. I hope you find someone. You deserve it." And with that, he left. Chapter 10: For the second time in his life, Bill Orton was on his own. First Darla had reconciled with Gordy and now Zena was gone, unable to choose him over her female lover. It was demoralizing. He could understand Darla because she had made it clear right from the beginning that she would take Gordy back. But Zena! Zena had deceived him. She wanted both of them and only his accidental discovery exposed the truth. And with all that, he still loved her. He truly believed she didn't want to hurt him and that she loved him. But, he couldn't live without her total commitment to him. The whole episode had left him depressed and morose. He met with Pastor Markham, and told him of the meeting and the outcome. He was typically sympathetic, but optimistic that Bill would find someone. After all, he was just 23 years old, still a very young man and if he thought about it, he had packed a fair amount of living into a short period of time. Bill hadn't told the pastor about his interlude with Darla, but when he thought about it, he felt better. There was plenty of time left for love. Zena proved to him that he could be attractive to a beautiful woman by just being himself. He would just have to be more cautious the next time. He told his father what had happened, but didn't go into any of the lurid details. He simply explained that Zena had another friend and that she had to choose between him and her. In the end, she was gone from his life and he was upset that she hadn't chosen him, but understood that she had known the other woman much longer than him. Bill now set his mind to implementing phase two of his business plan. He needed help. Skilled and reliable help. He put an ad in the local paper and waited to see what response would be forthcoming. He was heartened when he received more than twenty applications. It was going to be a challenge to interview everyone and he needed to weed out the unlikely candidates. He would do the interviews in the evenings and if necessary, on the weekend. He couldn't afford to use his valuable shop time and fall behind. Of the twenty three applications, he whittled away eight of them almost immediately as being either unskilled or inexperienced. He wasn't sure if he wanted a full time man yet, and he was intrigued by a couple of applications from older men who were looking for part time work. He decided to talk to them first. Brandon "Buck" Kinsey was a retired aviation mechanic whose wife, Bernice, had virtually kicked him out of the house for getting on her nerves. She was used to his daily routine when he was working and now with him wandering around aimlessly, she was being driven crazy with his constantly getting under foot. Since Buck had been married to her for almost forty years, he knew when she was serious and when she was not. This was one of those serious times. It took Bill about thirty seconds to determine that Buck had the skills he was looking for. On top of that, he was as meticulous as Bill. In his former occupation, aircraft tended to fall out of the sky if you weren't careful. His only shortcoming was his inexperience with the type of equipment the business was required to service, but when Bill handed him a couple of service manuals, Buck felt right at home. He was familiar with schematics and when Bill showed him the complexities of the washing machine transmission, Buck declared that it looked pretty simple, compared to helicopter rotor transmissions. If it hadn't been for Bill's inherent cautiousness, he might have hired Buck right on the spot. However, he had an obligation to interview the other candidates and he would honor it. On the other hand, there was no reason not to prepare a potential candidate, so Bill gave Buck several spare service manuals and asked him to review them. Buck picked up the books, thanked Bill for the interview, and said he hoped he would get the opportunity to work with him. Buck had no reservations about working for this very young man. He wasn't like any of the younger men he had encountered outside of the aviation business. He was thoughtful and his methods were to deliver on promises with the job done properly. It was an ethic that Buck could relate to, and he felt confident he could work well with Bill Orton. Over the next week, Bill methodically worked his way through the other candidates and in the end, the two that had jumped out at him in the beginning were the two he chose. He decided to introduce the men to each other and make a proposal to both of them that he hoped they would accept. Sam Carstairs was a retired appliance serviceman with wide and varied experience. His job had become redundant when people stopped fixing small household machines that could now be replaced with cheap new products. Bill knew this developing trend would change his business, just as it had changed Sam's life. Sam was a widower. His wife of thirty two years had died five years ago of a heart attack and Sam had been on his own ever since. When he was forced into early retirement, he was upset. He had nothing to do and no one to do it for. If Florence had still been alive, he could have invested his time around the house, doing odd jobs and gardening. It had been their plan all along, but that was all gone now. He tried the seniors club, but ironically, he found it full of "old people" who had little ambition to do much more than watch TV and play cribbage. He needed something more challenging. When he saw the ad in the paper, he thought this would be an opportunity. He was a bit leery of Bill at first. He looked awfully young to be running a business. But it didn't take long to realize Bill had a wealth of knowledge and experience well beyond what he would have expected. On top of that, Sam could specialize in the machines that he had been fixing his whole working life. It seemed like a perfect fit. He hoped Bill would think so too. Bill called the two men and asked if they could meet with him to discuss a job on Saturday afternoon. He would supply some sandwiches and soft drinks and they could hear what Bill had in mind. Both Buck and Sam immediately agreed and both arrived within seconds of each other at Bill's front door. They eyed each other suspiciously until Bill opened the door and ushered them both in. Introductions were made, and Bill passed around the tray of sandwiches with a variety of soft drinks. They sat, ate and chatted with each other about their backgrounds and even about their personal lives. Buck made no secret of his wife's desire to get him out of the house and Sam told some very funny stories about the people at the seniors club and made his point about not ending up there. When they finished, Bill decided to let them in on his plan to expand his business. Bill intended to develop contracts with major and mid-sized institutions for service on their domestic equipment. He already had a standing invitation to bid on the service contracts for the local hospital. It was currently undergoing renovations and among the new components would be a new laundry facility which would have the latest in large capacity, heavy-duty washers and dryers. Bill had an inside track as his bid included the disposal of the existing equipment through auction. Any monies over and above the auction fees would be returned to the hospital administration. Bill knew from experience that few, if any bidders would make a serious move for the older equipment. He also knew that with a "rebuilt", he had ready customers for them in a couple of the small motels as well as the vocational school. He would guarantee the machines for a year (with the usual disclaimers) and satisfy two markets at the same time. The contract for the new machines would bring in additional cash without much inventory. Other contracts would be offered on miscellaneous equipment that he was confident he could properly repair and/or service. His proposal would involve Buck with the heavier equipment and Sam at the shop on the smaller, miscellaneous items. The pay was modest at $10 per hour, but both men realized they wanted the job more for the time it would consume and the satisfaction they would get from it. As the business grew and the contracts became more complex, their earnings would naturally increase. Bill had one other incentive. With the assistance of a lawyer, and on the advice of this father, he would draw up an agreement that would issue twenty shares in a new company called Cambelltown Services Inc. CSI, as its mission statement proclaimed, would supply contracted services to companies for various repairs and maintenance. As the first employees of CSI, Buck and Sam would be issued two shares each, giving them both 10% ownership in the business. Any profits, after taxes, would be distributed to the shareholders. If either of the men were to leave the company, they would surrender their shares and they would be given the cash value based on the most recent annual audit. Both men happily accepted. It may not have been worth much then, but the business plan, and Bill's already established reputation gave them some confidence that the company would do well and they would enjoy the fruits of that success. To begin with, they would work 25 hour weeks, with shifts to be decided between them. Sam had the most flexibility while Buck knew the best time for him was the morning when Bernice was busy with housework and most likely to be snarly. It didn't take long for the two to work out a schedule. What neither of them knew was that Bill already had the promise of at least two contracts in his back pocket. The local hospital administrator, Thad Lindstrom, and Miriam Venables at the school board, had approached him after he had discussed the possibility of forming CSI. His reputation, reasonable costs, and prompt service were key factors in their support. Bill would now have the time to solicit new business while Buck and Sam looked after the day-to-day affairs. Chapter 11: CSI bloomed almost immediately. It was a success because Bill had done an immaculate job of planning and preparation. It was a success because he had wisely chosen the two men to become his first employees and partners. It was a success because the people who supported the business with their commitment and contracts believed in Bill Orton. The business showed a handsome profit in its very first year and both Buck and Sam were very happy with their first annual profit share. No one could have been happier than Fred and Violet Orton. They never imagined their son would turn out to be the accomplished businessman he had become. Fred's part-time accounting assistance to Bill had been replaced by a professional firm. As the business grew, Bill had seen his father committing more and more time to assisting him and he quickly realized he needed to relieve that pressure. He replaced his pickup truck with two leased vans with low-step wide-door side-loading. He bought a used, portable lift to load and unload heavier items from the shop and the vans. The pick-up was traded in on a used, low-mileage Buick sedan that was more appropriate for a businessman. He was invited, if not pressured, to join the Chamber of Commerce and while he had little time to devote to the organization, he realized it would be an opportunity to become more visible in the business community. Bill Orton was twenty-four years old and on his way up. Unfortunately, while he enjoyed his business success, his personal life was still barren. He had thought about the church social route, but just hadn't gotten around to it. He had allowed the business to consume all of his time. His father, once again, gently reminded him that there was more to life than work. It was a business appointment that brought him in contact with Marion Adams. He had obtained an informal contract with several elementary schools for minor repairs. It wouldn't produce much revenue, but he felt it was important to establish contact with all the possible future clients. Sooner or later, the Cambelltown School Board would co-ordinate their systems and he wanted to be at the head of the line when the contracts were considered. The Northridge School had called about a couple of faulty heaters in the portable classrooms that had mushroomed with growth of the town. The new school wouldn't be ready until the following year and thus the portables were essential to handle all the students. They were little more than aluminum-sided plywood boxes with a few windows and some electrical heating. Bill was glad it was never part of his school experience. Bill made the service call himself when both Sam and Buck were occupied. He headed for the administration office and was directed to Portable P105 on the west side of the main building. He found the unit and was about to open the door and enter when he suddenly thought there might be students inside and had better check first. He knocked on the door. A Cautious Man Ch. 09-13 Within a few seconds, the door was opened by an attractive young woman, wearing a blouse and skirt under a parka. Aside from the winter coat, it was the uniform of a school teacher just as Bill remembered it, right down to the sensible shoes. But, there was no denying she was pretty, Bill thought. "Hello, I'm Bill Orton. I'm here to see about the faulty heaters," he said, smiling. "Hi ... I'm Marion Adams. I should be teaching here, but the kids had to move to another class. It's been pretty cold today. My feet are frozen." She was shivering and she stepped from one foot to another. "Why don't you go inside and warm up. I can work here and maybe get things going again." "Thanks. I'll be in the staff room or in the office if you're looking for me." She hurried off toward the main building and Bill watched her go, admiring the attractive body almost hidden under the parka. He turned to the inside of the classroom and set about his work. Forty minutes later he heard the door open and Marion Adams stepped in, carrying two mugs on a small tray. "I brought you some hot tea. I hope that's OK," she said brightly. "Oh ... that's great. Thanks very much. My hands are a bit cold." He smiled broadly at the young woman and accepted the steaming mug from her. He leaned back against the window sill and took a sip of the tea, all the while admiring Miss Marion Adams. "I just realized who you are," she said. "You're 'Silent Bill.' I haven't seen you in years." Bill looked at her quizzically. "You were in a few of my classes in high school. I guess you didn't notice me," she said coyly. "To be perfectly honest, I really didn't notice many of the girls. I started my business when I was in grade eleven and it took up most of my spare time." I was an explanation he had given many times to the various people he couldn't place from his school days. He wondered sometimes if he had been unconscious for a period of two years. "Was that my nickname? 'Silent Bill'"? "It was ... with the girls. You were a real mystery. A lot of the girls thought you were gay," she laughed. "Really?" He had been completely unaware of the talk about him at school. He didn't know whether to be insulted or not. He certainly wasn't gay, but who knows how many people might think that today. "I gather you're not. I think I saw you with a nice looking lady a couple of months ago and you seemed pretty close." "Yah, we were pretty close for a while." "What happened?" She was poking at a sore spot. "I'd rather not talk about it." "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to pry. Anyway, I gather you're not attached?" She was quite forward, he thought. "Nope. I'm still single and available," he grinned. "Good. Then there's a chance for me." "Sure." He had stopped sipping his tea and was warming his hands on the sides of the cup. He was appraising the attractive woman and wondering what her next move would be. Marion Adams was five foot six and her physical appearance was quite striking. She was a full-figured woman with large breasts, wide hips and lovely shaped legs. Bill found himself imagining her nude and was sure she would be quite something to see. It was all he could to keep from staring. She had short, dark blonde hair, light blue eyes, and pert, upturned nose and a wide mouth, highlighted by a subtle pink lipstick. He blouse was a simple white and her skirt was navy blue. The belt and shoes were black. It was the prototypical dress for a school teacher. "Are your feet still cold?" he finally asked. "A bit. If I'd known this was going to happen, I'd have brought my winter boots with me." "Tell you what, you sit on your desk and I'll give you a foot massage to get the blood flowing. That will help warm them up." His offer was made in a serious vein and delivered without any innuendo whatsoever. Marion appeared startled at first before a smile broke out; she walked to her desk, and pushed herself up on the edge. Bill moved to her chair and sat down facing her. He looked up at her and then, lifting her left leg, removed the shoe and began massaging the sole of her foot with his thumbs. "Oh ... that feels nice," she cooed. "Good!" He worked slowly and methodically on her arch before moving to the ball of her foot and finally to the heel. He had spent a good five minutes on his task and was receiving appreciative sounding feedback from her. When he began, he could feel the cold skin on his hands. She wore nylons which offered no insulation whatever. When he had finished, the chill had disappeared. He left her shoe off as he picked up her right leg and removed the shoe from that foot. He repeated this process until he could feel the warmth return to her skin under the stocking. When he had finished, he slipped her shoes carefully onto her feet and stood up. Bill had no idea that Marion had become aroused by his massage. He had not only restored the circulation and warmth to her feet, but he had accelerated the circulation in her sexual center. She was wet and worried that he would detect the scent of her arousal. Bill was nervous that he too had become stimulated by his attention to this woman. Marion's eyes were locked on Bill's head as he completed the massage. She almost willed him to look up at her. When he did, she couldn't stop from saying what she felt. "God, Bill. That was sooooo good. You made me feel warm all over -- not just my feet." Bill smiled at her and recognized the look in her eyes. It was lust and pleasure combined. He remembered that look in Darla and Zena. It was a look that invariably turned him on. It was time to strike. "I'm glad you liked it. Was it enough to earn me a date?" "Oh ... well ... of course. It was definitely enough," she laughed. She had hoped he would ask her out and he didn't disappoint her. "Good. How about Saturday night and I'll take you to dinner? I know a great place to go." "That would be great. Where do you have in mind?" "Ambrosia. I've never had a bad experience there." "Oh, wow. I've been there. It's fantastic. You're going all out." "Why not?" he grinned. "A girl might think you have ulterior motives, Mr. Orton." "What me? Silent Bill? Never!" he laughed. "How times have changed," she thought aloud. Chapter 12: Bill picked up Marion Adams at her parents' house just after six thirty on Saturday evening. He had made a reservation for seven and had allowed himself plenty of time for the drive. Marion had not disappointed him. She had chosen a dark red dress with deep cleavage and a tight, knee-length skirt. It displayed her assets in a most stunning manner. She wore a simple, black wool coat and a pair of black leather gloves to keep out the cold of the February night. Her high heels brought her height up almost to Bill's. She smiled as Bill held open the door of his immaculate Buick. The man had manners too, she thought. Bill had been to Ambrosia at least a half dozen times. Twice with Zena and four times that he could remember with business associates as well as Sam, Buck and Bernice at Christmas. The head waiter now recognized him, welcoming him and the attractive blonde accompanying him. Mr. Orton had very good taste in women, he thought. Apparently, several of the men in the restaurant agreed. She was being watched as they were guided to their table. Their dinner was perfect, as expected, and the service matched it. Marion was impressed with Bill and she was determined to get to know him. She had been waiting for "Mr. Right" and Bill was the first man to come along that gave her the signals that he might be the one. He was more mature than the men she had been dating and, for a change, was more interested in her than himself. Bill drew Marion out about her life and hopes and experiences since they had left school. She had attended four years of college to obtain a teaching certificate and now, as an elementary school teacher, she was truly enjoying her job. She had no ambition to climb the ladder, opting instead for the pleasure of teaching very young minds. Her third and fourth grade classes were exactly what she wanted. She had no current boyfriends and she echoed the words of many other young women of her age when she noted that she was having trouble finding a man who was ready for marriage and could provide for a family. She wanted two children and a nice house and, when the children were nearing teenage, a possible return to teaching as a substitute. Bill got the impression she had given quite a bit of thought to her future and seemed to have responsible and realistic goals. He found he was quite comfortable with Marion and would happily date her again, if she was interested. When Bill walked Marion to the door at her parent's home after their third date, she was frustrated. It was one thing to be polite and attentive, but Bill was showing no signs of seeking intimacy. She wanted to have sex with him. She wanted to find out if they were compatible in bed as well as the more conventional relationship. So far, a few less-than-passionate kisses were all they had shared. She was looking for a way to speed things up. When Bill asked her out on their fourth date, she had decided to be direct and blunt. No more beating around the bush. As they were sitting in the car after a nice evening at the playhouse, she turned to Bill. "Bill, I know this may sound very unladylike of me, but I want to know something. Is there a reason you haven't asked me to have sex with you?" There it was. No subtlety, just plain speaking. "Ah ... uhmmm ... Marion. I don't know what to say. You are a very beautiful woman and I am very attracted to you. I guess the answer to your question is that I'm being very cautious. I didn't want to rush you, but ... I didn't want to rush myself, either." "What is it about me or our relationship that you are uncertain about?" "You and I are looking for the same thing, Marion. We're looking for a partner for life. I'm being careful because I thought I had found that person before and it didn't turn out to be her after all. I was just at the stage when I was going to ask her to marry me when I discovered her secret, a secret that changed everything between us. I thought I knew her and I was wrong. It was only a fluke that I found out. Only a fluke!" Bill was looking directly at Marion as he told her of his broken dreams with Zena. She would never know her name or the nature of her secret, but she would know that he valued honesty and trust above all other things in a marriage. "I can understand that, Bill. But sex is about two people getting to know each other in the most intimate way. I find you very desirable and I hope you find me desirable too. I want to make love to you ... with you. I want to share that special feeling with you. We can decide later about where we go from there, but right now, I just need you to make love to me and show me who you really are. Can you understand that?" Bill smiled. "Yes, I can understand that. I want nothing more than to make love to you. I didn't realize how you felt about it. I wouldn't know how to ask you. I'd probably mess it up," he laughed. "Well, now that it's out in the open, what's left to decide?" She was grinning at him and a tense moment had turned into something lighter. "Uhmmm ... I guess we can go to my place, if you'd like to?" "OK, that's fine. We sure can't go my place," she laughed. They drove to Bill's apartment, talking to each other as if they were on their way to a movie or a coffee shop. It was a strange atmosphere and he was uncertain just what would happen when they reached his place. Marion seemed to be in playful mood, despite what Bill viewed as the seriousness of the occasion. She was almost giddy and he wondered if it was nerves and she was trying to hide them. As they climbed the stairs to the living area, Bill wondered just what was likely to happen. He had no strong feeling of lust or desire for this woman despite her obvious charms. He was definitely going to need some "warming up." He was about to get a lesson in "warming up" that he wouldn't forget. Bill took Marion's coat and hung it in the closet. He asked if she would like something to drink and she suggested a white wine. Fortunately, Bill had a bottle in the refrigerator and opened it, pouring each of them a glass. They sat together on the sofa, saying nothing and sipping their wine. Bill was about to turn to Marion when she stood up, placed her wine glass on the side table, walked to the compact stereo, selected an FM station with some romantic music, kicked off her shoes and walked back to Bill. She knelt down and pulled off his shoes and then stood, held out her hands to him and helped him to his feet. They began to dance to the music. Not a word had been spoken. Marion pressed her voluptuous body into Bill. He was about to get a demonstration of a wanton woman on a mission. She began undulating her hips and rubbing her belly against Bill in time with the music. Her eyes were watching him, just as his were watching her. He had a small smile on his face, but inside, he was beginning to boil. She turned around in his arms and began to rub her lovely, round butt into his crotch. Bill's hands went immediately to her breasts and with his forefinger and thumb, he probed and pinched and plucked her nipples as she ground her glorious backside into his groin. Meanwhile, Marion was sensing his rising erection. It was the reaction she had been expecting to achieve. She could feel now feel the heat building inside her lower body. She sensed the wetness in her pussy. She continued with her hand, carefully gripping his erection through his trousers. She continued to grind herself into him, with her hand between her butt and his cock. He reached for the tab of her zipper on the back of the lovely red dress and pulled it down. As it opened, he confirmed his suspicion that she was not wearing a bra. He reached around her again and slipped his hands inside the top of the dress and ran his palms and fingers over her breasts, making sure he stroked the nipples. Marion moaned at his touch and her hand squeezed his cock before turning again toward him. He pushed the wide straps of her dress off her shoulder and began to push the garment down, revealing her upper body and her most impressive breasts. She reached for his belt and undid it before pulling down the zipper of his pants. Her hand snaked inside, finding the opening in his shorts and finally making contact with his now fully erect manhood. The dance had now progressed to a sexual arousal contest. Bill pushed Marion's dress down over her hips and as it fell to the floor, she stepped deftly out of it and began to strip her fully clothed partner. His jacket and tie had long since disappeared and she was now unbuttoning his shirt and with one hand and stroking his cock with the other. His pants had fallen around his ankles and with a shake of each foot, he was free of the legs. And there they stood, Marion in panties and thigh-high stockings, while Bill was in shorts and socks. Neither of them was much interested in anything but getting to the next stage. Marion pulled Bill back down on the couch and within seconds, his socks and shorts and her panties had joined the other clothes on the floor. Bill had liked the look of the decorative tops of her black hose and had suggested she leave them on. Marion mounted him, grasping his erection and gradually lowering herself onto him. It took some time for her to work his cock all the way into her, but the immense feeling of satisfaction she got from being so completely filled was worth the wait. She began to move, and as she did, her breasts began to bounce with the rhythm of her movements. When she was younger, she had learned to make her already large boobs orbit in tandem, in the same manner as an exotic dancer, but without the tassels. It was a skill that she used to entertain the girls in the locker room at school, and later, the boys who were lucky enough to get her to show them her little trick. Bill was enjoying the show. She was bouncing in time with her rotating breasts, and she was enjoying every second of it. Marion was issuing little grunts each time she sank onto him, all the while watching Bill. Suddenly, she stopped and climbed off Bill. She crawled up to him on all fours and announced her next preference. "Take me from behind, Bill. I love it doggy style." It was an order, not a request. Bill had done this many times with Darla and a few times with Zena. He enjoyed it too, but he would let Marion tell him how aggressive he could be. Zena preferred it slow and steady, while Darla was much happier with a more powerful stroke. As he entered Marion, it didn't take long to find out what she wanted. "Yah ... do it, Billy ... hard ... drive it, Billy. Fuck my hot pussy with that big cock." She had turned to look back at him and he saw wildness in her eyes. Bill was unaccustomed to the language, but there was no mistaking what she wanted and he was determined to please her. He gripped her hips and began to rapidly slap his groin into the lovely, round mounds of her ass. She wanted it hard and fast and he was going to give her just that. "Oh, fuck, Billy. Drive me baby. Hammer me. I love that big cock of yours." Her head was down on one of the pillows and she was talking back under her body and she watched his rigid manhood driving into her relentlessly. He kept up the pace for several minutes until Marion began to exhibit signs of her impending orgasm. "Shit, here it comes ... here it comes ... oh fuck ... it feels so good. Billy, it feels sooooo ..." she never completed the thought. Her cry of release was incomprehensible -- a long drawn-out call of pleasure. When it ended, she sank slowly to the bed on her belly and let out a loud sigh of contentment. She was silent for a while as she recovered from the experience. "Bill, that was fabulous. That was so good. You really know how to make me come." She rolled on her side to look back at him as he was recovering his breath from the frantic exertion. What she saw made her eyes widen in shock. He was still erect. "Jesus, Bill. You're still hard. You're a regular sex machine." She wasn't laughing, it was a statement of admiration. "You're going to be all I can handle tonight, aren't you." Bill was still breathing heavily, but had not responded to Marion's compliments. He was trying to get used to the language and the wild sexual abandon she had exhibited. It was all new to him and he wasn't sure he liked it. And the name, Billy. Where did that come from? He hadn't been called that since his was six. It was childish, but in the heat of the sexual moment, it was her spontaneously created name. Marion Adams was a very different woman than he had expected. Marion was a good deal more experienced than Bill realized. She had been sexually active at sixteen and had been with a large number of boys and men over the past seven years. She knew exactly what she wanted in a bed partner. Bill was a very good candidate. He had size and he had skill. More importantly, Bill had something else Marion desired -- a future that looked like he could provide the niceties of life for her and their children. He had moved to the top of her "Mr. Right" list in a very short time. With typical woman's intuition, she sensed Bill's reserve and discomfort with her uninhibited behavior and foul mouth. Perhaps she had gone overboard. She wouldn't compromise on the aggressive sex she craved, but she might be smart to tone down the language. She had never heard Bill swear, not even once. It was something she would have to discipline herself to control, even in the throes of an orgasm. Her pet name for him, however, would stay. She was determined to make him hers in every respect. A Cautious Man Ch. 09-13 As Bill moved up and lay beside her, she put her arm over him and kissed him softly on the cheek and then, as he moved his head, on his lips. "I'm sorry about the language, Bill. It was ... in the heat of the moment. I know you don't feel comfortable with it. I'll try and stop ... if I can. You just make me so excited and so full, I lose my self-control." "I understand. It's OK. I'm just not used to it ... that's all." Inwardly, Bill was happy that she acknowledged his discomfort with the swearing and crudities. She was like two different people. One moment she was the demure school teacher and the next, the wanton harlot, complete with gutter language. His little alarm bells had gone off again. It was, once again, a time to be cautious. Chapter 13: Marion and Bill dated regularly over the next three months. Whatever Bill would suggest, Marion would happily agree to. She was determined to demonstrate her devotion to him and by that third month, she expected him to propose. As the month came and went though, she became frustrated once again as he continued to act as if they were just close friends. She had restrained herself in their intimate times, as she knew he was unused to the wilder side of sex, and wasn't comfortable with it. Now and then, she wondered if she had chosen the wrong man, but his attentive nature and simple honesty helped push those concerns in the background. Marion spent a good deal of time discussing business with Bill, and she was impressed. For such an unassuming man, he was very bright when it came to finding opportunities and quickly taking advantage of them. In the short time she had known him, his workforce had grown from ten to twenty when he opened two new branch offices of CSI in adjacent counties. Both new offices were opened with contracts in hand to guarantee their financial viability. It was this bright future, and the comforts that would accrue to Bill and his family that encouraged Marion to be patient and wait for him to proclaim his intentions. Bill had a burning memory of the hurt that he felt when he lost Zena. He had loved her unconditionally and still did, when he was honest with himself. Marion was completely different. She was in love with him, he was sure, and he was trying to decide if he could push his reservations to one side and commit himself to her. She had taken a sincere interest in his business and talked often with him about his plans. She rarely disagreed with him on anything and their sex life had calmed down from its raucous beginning to a more comfortable and controlled union. She still displayed her aggressiveness on occasion, but only when he was also in the mood for a more assertive romp. The little alarm bells had been quieted and his cautiousness was ebbing. Bill found the ring he was looking for in a local jewelry store. It was simple and elegant and, with a large diamond, quite expensive. However, a lifetime commitment meant the cost was not the issue. It was the statement that this was to bond both of them together for all time. He had talked to Dave Markham about his intentions and Dave was visibly happy for him. They had become very close friends and saw each other regularly. Dave was also pleased that Marion attended church with Bill every Sunday. It was a good beginning for the handsome, young couple. Both of them were only twenty-four and had a long, happy life ahead of them, God willing. Bill proposed to Marion on Thanksgiving Day, before they left for Bill's parents' home and the holiday meal. Marion hadn't expected it, resigning herself to a long wait before he asked for her hand. Now, as he knelt before her in the living room, she saw the ring that she so hungered for and was overjoyed. She had captured the man she truly wanted for her husband. "Bill, I'm so happy. You've made me so happy," she said through her tears. The tears were both of joy and relief. The Thanksgiving dinner was a happy one in the home of the elder Ortons. Their son was marrying a school teacher and a very attractive one at that. His was becoming a prominent businessman in the community and his name was spoken in appreciative terms around Cambelltown. The wedding would be a social event, Violet thought. It was something that she would never have anticipated. No son could have made his parents more proud. Her only wish for him was that his marriage would be as happy and long as hers was with Fred. Marion's parents had arrived from their home in Sweetgrass a week ahead in order to participate in the arrangements and various parties. She was their only child and her choice of husband was very important to them. It was their first opportunity to get to know Bill and his family. They got on well with the Ortons and were impressed with Bill. Marion had told them numerous times about his successes in business, but what impressed them the most was his modesty and politeness. They were certain their daughter had made a good choice. Bill had paid for the wedding because he didn't want that costly burden on either of the parents. He could afford it and he was proud to take responsibility for the festive occasion. They were married at St. Luke's and Pastor Markham proudly conducted the ceremony. They honeymooned in Florida, a most convenient warm weather location in late January. When they returned, they went house-hunting. Bill had promised to give up the apartment when Marion pressed the point. A successful business man and his wife shouldn't be living above an old shop, she proclaimed. Bill could hardly argue with her. They found their home on the south side of the city, bordering on a more elite neighborhood. It was a simple three bedroom, two story house with a double garage and a full, unfinished basement. Bill had chosen the house, while Marion had chosen the neighborhood. They moved into their new home at the beginning of May and by the end of June, Bill had built a large patio deck off the kitchen and family room. Marion was content with choosing the drapes, furniture and wall colors. She approached Bill about a swimming pool, but Bill was reluctant to add that to the growing list of expenditures. Marion had expensive tastes and he wanted to rein in the budget for a while. She was disappointed, but knew that he would give in sooner or later. She would just bide her time. Their sex life settled into a routine. Bill was very attentive to her needs and Marion was appreciative of his skills and the satisfaction he gave her. They were making love at least three or four times a week, except when she was having her period. For Marion, it was a perfect life for a young bride. She had been able to take a leave of absence from the school and as she became familiar with the neighbors, made it known to them that she was the wife of a successful man. It was only four months later, in October, that she became pregnant with their first child. It wasn't planned, but neither of them was unhappy with the news. The grandparents, of course, were delighted. In late June of the following year, Marion gave birth to a girl, Alexis Tanya. They were Marion's choices and she had stewed over the selection for weeks before the birth. If it had been a boy, he would have been named Stephen James, after her two favorite male movie stars. Marion proved to be a fine mother. She was attentive to her baby and rode out the difficult times of teething and colic with stoicism and generally good humor. Bill was pleased and proud of his wife's easy adaptation to motherhood and they spent many hours holding, soothing and playing with their daughter. When Marion became pregnant again, two years later, they were just as happy as they were with their first. On March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, she gave birth to an eight pound boy. This time, Bill intervened, and he was named William Patrick Orton, Junior. Marion was not pleased that Bill had chosen his own name for their son, but to keep peace in the household, she chose not to make an issue of it. On their fifth anniversary, Bill and Marion celebrated at Ambrosia while the grandparents minded the children. They had reason to celebrate. The new year had begun with Bill acquiring a competitor in town, and now boasted four operations dedicated to CSI. Along with the new business, came two valuable contracts, and it was the springboard Bill had been looking for to really become a factor in a much larger region. His corporate influence now reached to five major centers and his employee list now numbered almost one hundred. It seemed like a perfect life.