6 comments/ 16254 views/ 11 favorites Destinbury By: thornapple Philip Johnson Prologue An advisory to Literotica readers. This is a very long story involving photography for the first few chapters, and yes I do know that concept has been beat to death. I do hope that i've managed to give that idea a fresh treatment, and you'll stay with the story to see where things go. Good reading, Thornapple. Owen was forty one, but felt ten years older. It was because of that fact that for almost a year he had been working on the plan for changes in his life in the backroom of his mind. He grew up in a very comfortable home, and had received a very nice inheritance from his grandfather. The bottom line was, Owen didn't have to worry about finances. He was certainly ambitious enough, but something was missing. He wasn't enjoying life very much as he just plodded along, smiling when it was appropriate, playing golf with the right people, and keeping his boss happy. Or maybe, just maybe, none of that was the real Owen. Perhaps his whole upright and predictable life had been an act, while the real him sat just off stage waiting patiently for the right time to dash onto that stage and present his real self to the world. On his first day of self imposed unemployment he started by shaving off his mustache and decided to let his hear grow longer. He was going to reinvent himself from hair to the loose fitting deck shoes on his feet. Chapter One The day finally came when Owen announced to his best friend Perry that he had submitted his resignation to his boss a month ago, and then proceeded to share what he wanted to do for the next few months. Perry was stunned and disbelieving saying "That's just crazy and adolescent. That isn't you. You're about business and board meetings. And that big damn house you just bought. What the hell for?" "You're just now asking me that? Entertaining, enjoying, or whatever I feel like. It's all about following a new path in my life. About fun, excitement and adventure." "Owen, the word adventure has connotations of jumping off of cliffs, or kayaking around the world, not...not what you're planning. What you have in mind comes closer to sleazy than adventuresome. You suffer from mid life crisis." "To me, what I have planned will be adventure, and I can't wait to get started. I know what I want to do isn't what successful forty one year old men get involved in, but just maybe that's part of why I'm doing it. Besides, I won't spend all of my time with that craziness" "Well if you've resigned your job and bought that damn house, I'd say you have a great start on your...hell, I don't even know what to call it. Um...you do know that what you have planned has been done dozens if not hundreds of times before. It's easy to find on the internet in fact." "I know, but what I'm doing is for me and nobody else. I'm doing it because I want to do it, and not for profit. I won't be posting anything to share with the world. I'll know that what I see and experience will be real and not created by a staff of goons looking to make a buck." Perry shook his head, smiled and then said, "Oh, and by the way, you will keep me up to date with your sleazy adventures Right?" and they both laughed. "Of course I will. Now I just have to find a way to explain this to dear sister Kate." "By the way Owen, I assume that this is just between you and me, and not for Kathy's ears." "That's up to you. I'm not even sure how you'd tell her, but I suspect that she won't think much of me if you do. But if you do tell her, she has to understand that she can't repeat any of it to anybody no matter how trustworthy." Perry smiled and said, "I'd love to see her reaction if I told her, but maybe I'll just keep this to myself for now." His conversation with Perry bounced around in his mind until late in the day when he met Kate at Houlihan's for dinner. "Dinner in the middle of the week Owen?" she had asked him, and he just said, 'Yes, I just want to talk to you about something." "Is this going to be a bad thing that we talk about?" "Certainly not bad as far as I'm concerned," he'd told her. "You look great by the way." "Thanks, I just took Cliff to the airport. He's off to Saudi Arabia or someplace over there, but first he's going to San Jose, California for a few days of so called meetings. You and I both know those meetings will happen either on the golf course or in a bar someplace." "Or a topless nightclub." "Right, or there, and if he brings home any souvenirs it better be something like a negligee and not something that requires antibiotics or even worse." "You're being rather open minded Sis." "To you I am, but I'd give him hell just to make sure he doesn't take me for granted. So do you have your photographer lined up?" "No, got anybody you can suggest or recommend?" "Brother, my friends and acquaintances aren't the ones to consider for your...um, your endeavor." She hesitated for only a moment before she said, "Wait a minute. An acquaintance...I mean her son might...he's a photographer, and I guess a decent one, and you don't need anybody with world class skills." "Her son? How old is he?" "Twenty two or something like that." "What makes you think he'd be interested?" "I don't know if he would be, but he's worth a try. He's young and hungry for work, and maybe you could convince him this would be a good chance for him to learn while earning." "To learn? I thought he was a photographer." "Poor choice of words. To hone his skills I should have said. Oh, I know, you have that huge and impressive house. Why don't you do weddings there and you know, what with the reception, the drinking and getting wild. Just maybe you'll experience some of those things you mentioned." "Weddings? That doesn't sound...wait, maybe you have something there. What the hell, I'll give that some thought, but I'm not interested in doing any run of the mill wedding celebrations. Oh, and have that kid call me." "He's in his twenties Owen, so he isn't a kid anymore." "I stand corrected." "I'm still sitting here in stunned surprise. You're smart...well educated anyway, the smart part is questionable. You have enough money to do whatever you want, and you choose to..." "Nobody will know any details about me." "Want to bet on how long you'll be able to keep those secrets?" "A long time, and by then I'll have tired of the game and will go back to work someplace." "I just hope it all works out as you have envisioned. My only advice is, when you talk to others, try not to use big words. You'll be dealing with every day people with little and perhaps no college education." "Good point." "But whatever you do, don't talk down to them. Just keep things simple and straight forward." "I know, why don't you go along on my maiden voyage into my new life. You'd be a big help." She laughed and said, "I don't see that happening. My God, that would be so awkward." "I'll bet your feminine presence would do a lot to relax people." "I'm sure. Good luck to you brother." "Thanks, and thank you for not tearing into me about how stupid and irrational I'm being." "See, you brought it up yourself, so there's no point in my railing on about what you're already aware of. Like you being irrational." Chapter Two "Mr. Destin, this is Scott Aden. Your Sister said you were interested in some photography work." "Oh right. Call me Owen, and yes, but did you get any of the details from Kate?" "No, she got a funny look on her face and said it would be best if you filled me in. She mentioned something about a special and very unique opportunity though." "So that's how she phrased it. So...well we need to get together and talk about my project and money." "I could come to you if that would work." "That would be far better than trying to have a long conversation in a noisy restaurant." "Kate can tell me how to get there, so..." "Is my sister there now?" "That's right, she and my mother and they're smiling. So say...say an hour?" "Perfect Scott, and I look forward to meeting you." "Oh, and were you thinking stills, videos or both?" "Both actually." "Great, see you in an hour." He put the phone down and smiled as Scott's words ran through his head again. "She and my mother," and he shook his head. What was this Scott going to be like? When Owen opened his door an hour later, a lanky blond haired guy stood there smiling back at him. Loose fitting pull over shirt and cargo shorts and scuffed athletic shoes. "You must be Scott," Owen said as he opened the door wider. "Yeah, hi. You have a nice place," he said casually as he stepped inside. "Thanks. Get you something to drink?" "No thanks, I'm good." "Then let's go in here," and Owen led them to the den, and then subtly pointed at an oversized chair while he dropped onto the sofa. "So tell me a little about yourself." "I still have some credits to get before I graduate, I've been into photography since I was about ten or eleven, and yes I've done a fair amount of professional work. Portraits more than anything else, but an increasing amount of casual sittings. People in gardens and so forth. I like that more than perching them on chairs or stools and coaxing something like a smile from them. Natural is always better." "Interesting. How are you at candid work?" "Depends, could you be more specific?" "More specific? Okay Scott you got it. Now don't even bother to tell me I'm nuts because I already know that. Let's start with where...how much time do you have?" "Whatever you need." "I'm getting ready to move, so let's drive over there, because just maybe, at some point in the future, we could be getting some shots there. We can talk on the way." "Cool." Owen waited until they were well on their way and then said, "First of all, you have to keep what we talk about and we do a total secret. Now and forever. If you share what we do with anybody else, I'll sue your ass from here to hell and gone." "Damn, okay." "How well could you keep your mind on your cameras if a woman was stripping right in front of you?" His face split with a smile as he stared at Owen for a second, unsure how to respond. But then his youthful self confidence took over and he said, "I can handle that." "No questions to ask?" "Oh hell, I have a ton of them." It was Owen's turn to smile and then he said, "I'm sure you've seen or heard about this because it's nothing new at all but...I want to photograph women that I've convinced to strip for money. Maybe just a top, or top and bra or whatever. Of course I'll take it as far as she can be convinced to go, assuming she looks half way decent." "You're shittin' me right?" "Oh no, I assure you I am not shitting you." "So you'll just walk up to some babe and say, strip and I'll give you fifty bucks." "Well something like that, but I hope I can manage to be just a little smoother than that." "And all I have to do is take her picture?" "Right, and video when possible." "What if she calls the cops?" "We've broken no laws so that's not a worry. If she strips and gets caught, then she's the one breaking the law. There's nothing to say we can't photograph her. Well if I pay her, they might have us for something there, but I'm not worried." "Us?" "Well you would, or might be seen as an accomplice, but maybe not." "Shit." "I'll pay you a hundred for a day, and we'd never go more than a few hours a day at the most." "Cool, how often?" "Hard to say. That will depend on your schedule and mine, the weather and other factors. Of course a naked woman walking in the rain and carrying a colorful umbrella could be very hot." "Oh shit, I guess," and his smile threatened to take over his face. "So you sell the photos or set up a website and..." "Nope, this is all for me only. I will not sell or distribute the images. I assume you use digital only right?" "Well hell yeah." "Then at the end of each shoot, I'll take the memory card from your cameras and give you clean ones. I can't take a chance of any photos leaving my control." "Well damn, that's a downer." "Interested in the job Scott?" "Fuck...I mean hell yeah I'm interested, when do we start?" "I'll call you after I've moved, and also after I've scouted out some places to try our luck. In the meantime, if you can find some interesting locations. By all means we'll try them too." "Awesome, and I think I know just what you're looking for." They drove for a few more miles as they discussed little details and ideas, but when Scott saw Owen's new house he said, "Holy shit man, is this yours?" "It is. Far from new as you can see, but still pretty damn impressive." "Hell yeah it is, how big is this place?" "Five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, four car garage...pretty damn big. Picked it up for half what it's worth." "Damn, I hope so. It's a Goddamn hotel." "Hardly. Not much over five thousand square feet. Now another question. You've done weddings right?" "Oh hell yeah. Oh, you're going to rent the place out for weddings." "Not exactly, but you're close. I'm still working on those details though." "What about my mom?" Owen almost flinched when he heard the mom reference again. Damn was he really getting that old? "What about her?" "I mean she'll be so full of questions, but...all I can say is, it's a secret?" "How would you tell her that you'll be photographing women stripping in public for money?" "I don't know, but..." "How do you think she would receive that information?" "Damn. Well I guess okay. I mean it's not much different than any other photographer doing nude shots." "Well either way, keep it to yourself." "But what about Kate?" "She knows but is sworn to secrecy." "She won't even tell my mom?" "I told her not to, so that's the reason she didn't share any information with you." "Oh, I just figured she was embarrassed." "I doubt that." Chapter Three The old front doorbell chimed and Owen glanced at Scott and went to the door. "Hi, I'm June. I live next door," and she pointed to Owen's left. "I won't keep you, but I've been waiting for the chance to introduce myself ever since the sold sign went up." "Hi June, I'm Owen Destin, nice to meet you. Sorry I don't have anything in the way of beverage to offer you," and he stepped back and gestured for her to enter. "That's fine, and like I said, I won't stay. I don't want you to think you'll have a bothersome and nosy neighbor. She glanced around and then said, "I've been in this house a number of times, but I'm always struck by the size and grandeur." "It's huge, and far more than I need of course, but..." "But sometimes we just have to indulge ourselves, I understand." He smiled and said, "That's it, I'm totally indulging myself." She saw Scott across the room and Owen said, "I'm so sorry, this is Scott, my photographer. We were just discussing some work he'll be doing." "Then for sure I'll not stay. Nice to meet you Scott, and Owen, I do hope we get a chance to get acquainted over coffee soon." "I'll come to your door as soon as I'm moved in, June." She smiled at that and told him, "I'm looking forward to that. Bye Scott," and with fluttering fingers she waved at him and Owen walked her to the door. When he came back Scott said, "She could be your first nude boss." Owen almost laughed before he said, "Did you see the house she lives in?" "Uh...no." "It's impressive too, so I doubt me offering her even a few hundred bucks to strip would impress her. But I do have to admit that for an older woman she's pretty damn nice." "If she has that kind of money, I'm sure she takes very good care of herself." "I'm sure she does her share of pampering herself." As they left the house a few minutes later, Owen called Kate and said, "Got a minute?" "I do have, how did the interview go?" "It's still going, but I wanted to see if you'd join me for dinner." "Again, and in the same week? Brother, you're full of surprises. Sure, how about the Outback at half past six?" "Good. Oh and you're buying right." "Of course not silly." He smiled and said, "See you there at half past six," and he closed his phone as they went back to Owen's. As they got out of the car, he told Scott, "Okay, you're hired, but like I said, it will be awhile before you hear from me, but if I have my way it won't be all that long." "Cool, just call and I'll come running." As soon as Scott was gone and he was inside, he called Kate again. "Hey, I have a concern." "Of course you're nuts, so don't stress over it." "Gee thanks. What about Scott's mother?" "I don't think she'd strip for you brother." "Where the hell did that come from?" "Just letting you know." "I'm concerned that despite what I told Scott, he'll end up telling her everything, and I really don't want what we're doing to get out." "Like I said before, I don't know how long you think you'll be able to keep that secret. You've told Perry right?" "Yes, but he knows how to keep quiet." "And Kathy? Does his wife know how to hold a secret?" "Well...well she damn well better." "See what I mean?" "You scare me. So back to Scott's mother, how do you see her?" "Why don't I just invite her to join us for dinner. Then you can decide for yourself, but I say just tell her and be done with it." "Damn. Okay would you ask her?" "Okay. Want me to be the one to tell her your lurid secret too?" "No thank you, I can handle that part." "By the way, her name is Nila." "Interesting name." "You'll like her." "I'm sure I will. Later," and he closed his phone and dropped it into his pocket. Owen dropped onto the sofa and leaned back with eyes closed. He replayed meeting Scott, and thought about June his new neighbor, and that stopped him. What about June, he wondered. What if she ever learned about his secret? He didn't know her, so he couldn't begin to answer that question. She seemed very outgoing and was quick to understand self indulgence, and she certainly didn't seem the least bit stuffy or haughty. But June was one of those details that he would want to keep in mind in the coming weeks. Owen was at the restaurant just ahead of Kate and Nila, so he had a moment to study her as he watched them walk toward him. It didn't seem possible that Scott could come from her womb. He was blond and she was brunette. He was tall and almost skinny where she was...and he stopped himself, because for just an instant he imagined her stripping for him as he imagined what she might look like under her loose fitting slacks and almost baggy top. She couldn't hide her dark eyes though, and that's what he stared into as they were introduced. Now he was less interested in what was hiding under her slacks or blouse. As soon as they were settled into their booth, Nila said, "My God Owen, I don't know what you and Scott are into, but he came home with dancing eyes and boundless excitement and energy." "Good, that means I'll have an eager photographer." "To say the least. Within minutes he said he had research to do and ran up to his bedroom." Then looking at the waiter without pausing she said, "I'll have a cosmo." Kate ordered the same and Owen went with a Sam Adams. He had to keep his alcohol consumption down, because the last thing he wanted to do was get a loose tongue and say something inappropriate. Then Nila used her eyes to full advantage as she almost leaned across the table and said, "Kate told me just a little, but I just couldn't get her to tell me the whole story, so I guess your secret is safe." Owen smiled and silently sighed in relief, but he already knew that before dinner was over he'd tell Nila at least the basics. There was no way he would ever be able to explain why he was doing it though. In fact, as he sat there trying to decide how he would explain everything to Nila, for the first time he questioned his actions. What really was driving him to bribe women to strip and...and more? That stopped him for an instant. For the first time he was adding the word more. To have women strip and more for him. What more? What would he want them to do for him and the camera? That change in his thinking rattled him a little. Destinbury Their drinks came and Owen was thankful to have the beer that he drank from the bottle. He needed to make the beer last, so he was using the Brown bottle to nurse on and buy him time. That's when he realized that Kate had been talking to him, but all he heard was, "So anyway, that's all I've shared with Nila." In near panic he leaned back and smiled to stall for a minute, and then gave up. Chapter Four He didn't have a clue how much Kate had just said, so he took a breath and said, "Nila, are you a forgiving and tolerant person?" "I like to think I am." "Able to accept others as they are and not see them as you think they should be?" She smiled and said, "If you're trying to tell me you're gay, you're working too hard at it." "No...no that isn't it at all." "Owen," Kate said, "Just tell her. She'll realize that you're nuts and need professional help. She'll feel sorry for you, but she won't shun you," and she flashed a quick smile at Nila. Then for the next five minutes, Owen talked fast enough to prevent interruption. Nila stared at him as he laid out his plan, but he was unaware that the corners of her mouth would twitch in a near smile. "So poor Scott is going to be submitted to watching young women, that he doesn't even know, strip for you and the camera." His eyes dared to looked up at her as he said, "That's about it." "Interesting. Do you think you'll get the girls to cooperate for you?" "I have no idea. All I can do is try." "That's true. No wonder Scott came home almost foaming. I wish I had a picture of his face when he came in after meeting you." "So this wild idea doesn't bother you Nila?" "Let me ask you. How long have you thought about doing this?" "I can't say for sure, but thoughts like that came to me about...I'll guess six months or so ago, about the time a friend went through a very expensive divorce. Then he was downsized out of his job, and he was sued by a neighbor. That suit is still unsettled, but the attorney's fees about wiped him out." "Sounds very gruesome for him." "I can honestly say that he's a great guy that was caught by a string of disasters. I don't know that he'll ever recover from all of that. Anyway, all of that reminded me that tomorrows are so uncertain. I have the resources to do what I want for quite awhile, so that's what I'm going to do." "Sounds so carefree." He smiled and said, "But of course you don't approve and I can understand that." She looked across at Kate and then said, "Actually I'm not bothered by the idea. What will be the threshold of a young woman when money is dangled in front of her? Will she be quick to agree, or struggle between temptation and her sense of right and wrong?" "Or will she succumb to the temptation of the forbidden fruit, of a chance to rationalize being bad?" "That's right too. So will you keep notes or in any way track your successes and failures?" "That's funny, because I hadn't considered any of that, but maybe I should." "What about age group? No, never mind about that, it's only logical that you'll focus on the younger ones." "Another very good question. I should have met you much sooner. Let's see, youth has the advantage of firm bodies and smooth skin. Plus, perhaps a stronger sense of adventure and the devil-may-care approach to life." "Perhaps acting before considering the possible consequences." "Exactly." Kate sat there and tasted her drink and smiled, but she wasn't about to cut into the conversation that she was enjoying so much. "Also Owen, consider the risk of approaching an underage young lady. It's so hard to guess ages now." "That one I have considered. If there was any doubt in my mind then I'd move on to somebody else." "What about older women?" "You're asking me what my age limits might be, right?" "I guess that's right." "I don't have an upper limit. Only the appeal or interest I feel when I look at her, and study how she handles herself." "Really?" He glanced at Kate and then said, "For example, just today I met June, my new neighbor. I'm guessing fifty, very attractive and interesting." "So you're thinking about approaching her then." "No. Oh I would, but I don't see her as succumbing to temptation. She certainly doesn't need any money that I might try to tempt her with, so I've lost my whole approach." "What about straight honesty. You find her very attractive. Perhaps use the word alluring, or tempting or desirable. Of course you have to be careful not to offend your neighbor. Touchy situation perhaps?" "That could be very touchy, but I use her as an example. I don't say this to make you uncomfortable, but another example would be you." Her smile blossomed, but she put her glass to her lips and slowly sipped at her bright pink cosmo, and then said, "I'll take that as a compliment, but I don't see myself as being one you would approach on the street." "But why is that? You certainly look youthful and you're attractive. You have a brightness that is impossible to hide. I'll also add that...is this making you uncomfortable?" "Not at all, I'm flattered, but very surprised." "I'll also add that I think you have a bright aura, and yes I'm a firm believer of auras, that I'm sure would show on your photos as you undressed. There, I've said it. I could say more, but I don't wish to be crude or insensitive." She smiled and said, "Kate, I really like your brother. You're right, he is crazy and he does need help, but I still like him," and she returned her gaze to him. "Thank you again Owen. I don't feel like you're trying to talk me out of my clothes, so I take what you say as sweet words and nothing more." "Honest words." Then putting his elbows on the table, he leaned toward her and said, "I could never approach you because your son is my photographer." She all but laughed and said, "I haven't forgotten that detail. I have one more question for you Owen. Is it the thrill of the hunt, the voyeuristic excitement, or maybe a sense of power because you can bribe them right out of their clothes?" "That question requires that I be painfully honest with myself, and I'm not sure I have that ability. But okay, let's see. Thrill of the hunt, could that be part of it? I think I'd have to fold that into the voyeurism aspect and think of both of those issues as one thing to consider. Now to answer your question. Of course I hope to derive great hedonistic joy from watching a woman disrobe in front of me right there on the street, or in the park or...well or wherever. Shallow, of course, but that's the real me, and I have to accept the fact that is probably my only real reason." "Good, because had you said it was for some altruistic motive, I would have laughed at you." Chapter Five Owen had finally moved into his new house, and even before he'd finished unpacking he went next door and rang the bell. When June opened the door she was smiling and said, "I take it you're moved in." "I'm moved, but not totally unpacked. It was more important to me to come see my new neighbor if you have the time." "I have until five o'clock, and I'm sure we can cover a lot of ground between now and then." She stepped back and said, "Make yourself comfortable and I'll find us something to drink." June delivered tall sweating glasses of iced tea and then got comfortable on the sofa across from Owen. "Do you have a lot of unpacking to do?" she asked him. "Quite a bit, but I'm not rushed for time. I have the essentials unboxed, and the rest will happen in the next few days." "No time pressures, you're quite fortunate. What do you do Owen?" He smiled, tasted his tea and then told her, "I'm on hiatus from the working world." Her expression reflected her surprise before she told him, "Indeed you are lucky then, so how long have you been on this hiatus, or should I ask how much longer do you plan to be hiding from the grind of the business world? "I'm still adjusting to not working, and the second part of your question I have to answer with, I don't know. I'm making it up as I go along. The big house was an excessive indulgence, and if I had the ability to be totally honest with myself, I'd probably admit that my hiatus is another example of being a spoiled brat." He watched her smile at him before she asked, "So have you always been a spoiled brat?" "Spoiled certainly, and I mean all the way including now, but not a brat. Well until now perhaps. Only time will decide that for me. What about you, are you a little spoiled?" Another winning smile as she told him, "Of course I am. I'm not exactly used to having my way, but enough so that I should be carrying a guilt. Which I'm not by the way." "Good for you, excessive guilt isn't healthy." "Neither are too many chocolates, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying them to excess." "If you'll permit me a liberty, I must say, you show no ill effects of too many chocolates." "Thank you Owen. How do you manage to fill your days as you wander through the fields of your hiatus?" "I enjoy the wild flowers." "Oh, now wasn't that a charming answer, but is that true?" "I'll have to get back to you, because like I said, all of this is still pretty new to me. I've only been divorced from the slavery of corporate America for about six weeks or so." "Speaking of divorce, I lost my husband, my third in fact. I finally got it right with him and then he died twelve years after we were married. I don't see a ring on your left hand though." They were smiling back and forth as they enjoyed their little verbal exchanges, each very curious about the other, with just enough flirting thrown into the mix to make it more entertaining. "I am sans ring because I am sans wife. Never married in fact." "Oh, a confirmed bachelor?" "Well so far, but you and I both know how life can throw a curve right when we least expect it. A simple idea might explode into a whole new way of life. A woman with no intention of getting involved could come into my life and doom me to a life of marriage." "Oh honey, don't say doom. If it's a good marriage and you both really know each other and allow each other room to live, marriage can be fantastic. It's as simple as they say. You only get out of it what you put into it." "I do believe I'm going to become a better person just by having you as my neighbor." "Owen you darling man, you've just moved in and I'm thoroughly enjoying your company. Now would you forgive one more personal question?" "Ask and it's up to me to answer or pass right?" "True. Scott, your photographer. What might you be doing in your temporary retirement that would merit a young and wiry photographer?" "Oh June, if I answered that, you would without a doubt question my sanity, my motives and my moral fiber." She laughed loudly for just a moment and then studied him for long seconds. "Owen, you handsome man, you're up to something, and rather than answer my probing question you have tweaked my curiosity. Question your moral fiber and we're talking about a photographer. Oh darling, that sends my imagination flying in many directions. Now add...what was that again...your motives? Oh my God Owen, I'm going to lie awake tonight creating and putting aside all manner of scenarios that could fit those details." "I'm sorry to be so abstruse, but I'd truly hate to offend you or lose you as a friend just as we're getting to know each other." "Granted it is possible to offend me, but I'm more resilient and tolerant than you might think." "And I, dear lady, as tempted as I am to share my deepest secrets with you, I must pass for now." "But of course, I didn't mean to pressure you." "Perhaps over the coming weeks little things will be said by me that will slowly answer your question." "Oh, now Owen, that is blatant teasing. I do hope you realize that I'm going to pester you for morning coffee or whatever other excuse I can dream up for us to get together, just so I can mine you for little nuggets of information." "Well before I go, I'll share this with you. What I'm up to is not anything at all that a reasonable, and most would say, respectable forty one year old man would be involved in." Again she laughed and told him, "You, my new friend are a perfect shit," and he laughed and leaned back. "June, it's going to take me some time to get to know the real you." "That is true, because like you, I have my secrets." "I have no doubt of that. Where and when do you suppose our secrets will get to know each other intimately." She raised her eyebrows as she smiled and said, "Intimately?" "Yes, as in personally, or very well. Close or private and personal." "Oh," she said as she smiled over her glass, took one last sip, and put it aside. "I invaded your home without warning, so I better get home and be a responsible adult for awhile." "Sound perfectly boring, but okay." They stood up, and taking his hand in hers, she walked him to the front door. "June, have you worked outside of the home?" "Yes, I was a madam at a whore house in Grand Rapids, Michigan." He barely blinked before he laughed hard. "Well that will teach me not to ask personal questions." "I don't mind questions from you at all. I just couldn't resist the temptation to toy with you." "Toy with me, but don't ignore or neglect me." She kissed his cheek and then freed his hand from hers as she said, "I promise not to neglect you, and as to toying with you...I like how that sounds and I think you can count on that on occasion. I'm so glad you're next door." "Coffee tomorrow morning in my breakfast room?" "I wouldn't miss it. Say nine?" "The coffee will be fresh and ready." Chapter Six June was right on time Saturday morning, and Owen led the way to the breakfast room and served coffee and vanilla tea biscuits. "Owen, I see your laptop, so you must still be doing some work." "Oh that. I was just making some notes, trying to sort thoughts and that sort of thing. Nothing at all relating to work of any kind." "Sorry there I was prying again." "It's only fair, because I know that you were a madam in a whore house." She smiled and said, "I don't even know where that came from." "From the far reaches of your mind." "That would be the farthest corner of my mind. Now you men on the other hand..." "Men have corners of their mind that are rarely visited. I think that is why women are more complex and difficult to understand. You have access to so many little mental files, where men put things away where they have to struggle to find them." She smiled as she said, "So you think men have poor mental filing systems." "Right. We have a lot of information, but just like a messy desk, we lose things from time to time." "An interesting theory. But...let's say that some time ago, perhaps months ago, you saw a woman, or even a picture of a woman that really impressed you. Maybe she was naked, or nearly so, or she was a totally perfect woman in your eyes. Now, many months later you would almost certainly be able to recall a lot of the detail of that woman, and if she was a real woman and not a photo, you would remember nearly every detail about her, right down to her scent." He smiled and said, "I can't argue with that at all. Perhaps I should add that we have different priorities that influence how we file." "Oh I have little doubt of that. I'll bet you either have, or have recently had photos of naked women in your computer, or perhaps a short porn movie." "No movies," and he stopped and watched her smile at him. They're conversation finally wandered away from anything to do with sex, and moved on until he had told her about Kate, and she had told him about her daughter Lynn, who was married and lived in Boston. Owen's cell phone buzzed, but he continued his visit with his new and very interesting neighbor. Then it buzzed again, but again he ignored it. It was only after he'd kissed June's cheek and flirted with her a little before she left, that he pulled out his phone. The first call was from Scott, and the second was from Perry. He called Perry first. "Hey my friend, how are things with you and Kathy?" "Quite well, but...I told Kathy about your..." "Damn, how did that go?" "She's still too stunned to form an opinion." "Does she hate me now?" "I didn't get that impression, and of course I'll keep you posted. Are you getting settled in?" "Slowly, but I met my neighbor and she's taking some of my time." "Don't stop there my friend, tell me more." "She's probably slightly under fifty, very well put together, smart and fun to talk to. She's into flirting and teasing." "Did you tell her what you're up to?" "Oh no, and I don't plan to." "That might be the best route to take." "If Kathy comes around, think about coming over for coffee in the morning." "I'd like that, but I'll wait until later to let you know, if that's okay." "Of course. Talk to you then." Then he called Scott. "Hey boss, ready to go play?" "Not just yet, but I've been working on my idea." "Yeah, me too. I've been on line a lot in fact. Damn, everybody seems to be doing what you want to do." "I know, but I'm okay with that. I've been doing a fair amount of research too." "Got ideas?" "A few." "Listen boss...about that wedding thing." "Don't spend a lot of time on that." "I wasn't going to, but I met this couple." "No regular weddings." "I hear ya, but that's what made this couple stand out in my mind. I don't think they would be what you're calling regular. It will take time, but there might be something there for us at some point down the road." "Okay, keep me posted." Owen spent the rest of the day unpacking and deciding where to hang his small collection of art It was while he was trying to condense his pile of packing boxes and bubble wrap that the idea of a housekeeper came to him. There was no way he was going to sweep and dust that very large house, and he also knew he would never wash baseboards or do any deep cleaning. No, he had to have reliable help a day or two a week. He was cleaning up in the kitchen after dinner when the phone rang. He tapped the speaker button and said hello, and then he heard, "Hi, it's Nila." "Well this is a nice surprise, how are you?" "I'm fine. You came to mind as I was having dinner, and decided to call you. I got your number from Scott of course. How are you doing?" "Great actually, just taking care of the last of the moving details." "Scott has gone on and on about your house, but does it feel like home?" "It's getting there. If you're not busy come over and I'll give you the tour of excess personified." "I'd like that. I have a very nice malbec wine if you'd enjoy something like that.." "I've only enjoyed wine since I was fifteen." "Oh my, you did start early." "Mother thought it right and proper that I learn the basics of wine, and she wasn't about to wait until I was half way through college to see to it. Dad didn't argue with her except on very important issues." "He picked his battles." "Precisely." "See you in an hour?" "I'm looking forward to seeing you. Oh, and Nila...thanks for still speaking to me." She laughed and said, "You're welcome. I still haven't decided what to think about you and all of that, but I can't see any harm in any of that either. See you soon." Chapter Seven Nila's smile was impressive and genuine when Owen opened the door. "You look very nice," and he stepped back and cautiously studied her as she stepped in past him. As she glanced around the foyer, he said, "Yes, I know, pretentious as hell." "It's impressive to say the least. Beautiful woodwork." "Thank you. I'll not apologize for my icon to material excess, but we both know I'm being irrational." Destinbury She smiled and said, "Well your home is over the top, but I wouldn't say you're irrational. At least not about the house." "I'll have to think about that response," and they smiled at each other. She handed him the bottle of wine and said, "This is an Argentine malbec." "Sounds very good, shall we test it?" "By all means," and she followed him to the kitchen where she stopped and said, "Well the front of my house would fit in here." "You'd think I like to cook, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I cook to survive and nothing more." He was much better with the corkscrew than pots and pans, so minutes later they raised their glasses to each other as he said, "To your good health Nila," and they tasted the dark fluid. "Oh, very nice. This would do well with blackened prime rib." "Yes it would. Scott told me a little about you considering having weddings here." "I think I gave him the wrong idea when I mentioned that. I don't want to open this house to hordes of people just to provide them a place to say I do." She tasted her wine and said, "Oh he told me that you plan to be very selective, but he didn't go into details." "That's probably because I'm still working all of that out in my mind. Let's sip our way through the house and then we'll come back here for a refill." "Wonderful." As they went, Owen said, "Well you saw some of this when you came in, but as you can see this is the living room." "This is certainly large enough for entertaining." "This house was designed and built for entertaining actually, which makes it even more ridiculous that I live here, because I don't plan to entertain a lot of people at the same time." "Beautiful fireplace." "Thanks. I have the detailed description someplace about the woods used in the construction." On they went into the great room and the den area where she said, "My God Owen, get drunk and you might never find your way out of here." "I know, if it wasn't for the furnishings, it would echo in here like we were in a canyon." She looked around and casually mentioned, "Wet bar, nice seating groups and...did you furnish this?" "Oh no, it was furnished, and I sold my other place furnished. It was a much smoother move that way." "I'm sure it was." Then it was on to the ball room. "My God, I've never been in a home with a ball room." "That's what it's called, but as you can see it's furnished much like another living room." Then on through to the patio just off of the great room where she said, "Very nice swimming pool too. Of course I would have been surprised if there wasn't one." "There is a wet bar over in the corner of the patio, and all of the outdoor furniture is stored in that cottage off to the right. That's also a bathroom, changing room, and there's extra swim suits and so forth in there." "But of course. One must have a proper changing area. I suppose that's an awning that comes out and provides shade for the bathers." "But of course," he said and smiled at her. She stepped close to him and almost whispering she said, "Just between you and me, I have to agree. Over the top excess, but one step short of totally pretentious." "Gee thanks for agreeing with me." "Seriously though Owen, you have a wonderful place here. Great for weddings too." "Right, about that. If, and I must stress the word if, I was to host a wedding here, how would this sound to you? The couple, or whoever they designate, like a wedding planner for example, would work with a landscape designer that I would provide. If they choose I would provide the caterer, and I would insist of providing the staff to attend them through any meal, or hors d' oeuvres, cocktails or after dinner drinks. Also the photographers." "More than one?" "A minimum of two. I would hope for many candid shots." She had her glass to her lips, but slowly lowered it as her eyes danced. "Oh, now I'm getting it. You would be hoping for some special celebrating." "Most definitely. I would do all I could to provide an ultimate, intimate and memorable experience for the wedding party." "And what would you do to encourage that behavior?" "Provide a bartender that pours generously," and they laughed before he added, "I haven't worked that part out, but screening any potential couple would have to be the first and most important part. If I handle it right, I could make them feel like if they pass my interview, they will be very fortunate and special." "For a hefty fee of course." "Oh yes, both obviously profit for me, but also the high dollar would contribute to the feeling that they were going all out." "Part of selling the exclusive image." "Right. So what would you add to that plan?" "Well I'd have to think about that of course, but I do have a question. Your staff. Tell me how you see them. Men or women?" "Both of course. Good looking women to see to the men, and of course the men, all handsome naturally, would see to the women." "And their uniform?" "I may need some help in that area, but I'm thinking of maybe two different uniforms for the men and the same for the women. For dinner, I believe the shock of seeing the women topless would be just about right, and the guys would wear some sort of...I don't know, jock type thing, or..." "Have them custom made." "You're kidding, really?" "Really. Custom garb for the almost naked wait staff. How very decadent and surprising. I think that would fit your high standards that you would be pushing. Find a wardrobe specialist or something like that. You may have to go online and work it out long distance." "I'm sure there is nothing like that around here. That's great, anything else?" "I'll think about it and call you if I have any thoughts." "Thanks." "So Scott wasn't so far off was he." "I just want to be sure he understands what he's getting into." She carefully leaned against him for just a moment as she said, "Oh you don't have to worry about that. My son is getting a worldly education just from doing research." "And you're okay with that?" "He's an adult that just happens to be living with me. I lost most of my control over him long ago. I can suggest and even argue with him, but in the end he makes his own decisions now." "Is his father alive?" "Oh yes, and they get together frequently." "I hope Scott doesn't share this project with him." "I'll remind him that isn't to happen. Here's a question. Where will you be through the wedding and the aftermath?" "Right here and dressed for the occasion. Perhaps chatting with the bartender as I lean against the bar and watch the assembled group." "You'll get eye strain trying to make sure you miss nothing." He led her back to the kitchen and topped off their glasses, and then turned to Nila and said, "I'm really glad you came over, and that I can be so open and honest with you. I'm still surprised...impressed would be a better word, that you handle my crazy ideas with such aplomb. Thank you." She smiled, and delicately picking up her glass by the stem she said, "You're welcome, but I have to admit that you're taking me along on an adventure that I would have never even conceived of. I'm sharing your adventure vicariously. I'm safely and innocently enjoying this...this exciting part of your life." "I'm sure it isn't or wouldn't be exciting for you, but I'm glad you can manage to at least enjoy it on some level." "When a wedding does happen, and I'm sure one day it will, I'll be trying to imagine what is going on and what stories you'll have to share later." "I'll be sure to take detailed mental notes for you. Now be honest with me. In your teen years or whenever, have you ever done anything like what I'm going in search of? Flashed a guy or guys, or anything like that?" "I never have. Well, like most women at about any age, I've worn tops or dresses or whatever with a plunging neckline, or a skirt just short enough to require very careful movements, but that's the extent of my exhibitionism, and I haven't even done anything like that in a long time." "Okay one more personal question if I may." "Well try me." "Okay. I can picture Scott pouring over the internet looking for ideas, but I can also picture him coming to you with something that strikes him as special for some reason. The beauty of the woman, the setting, how daring or whatever reason. Has he done that?" She smiled and said, "Yes of course he has, but I'm sure he's seen much more than he's shown me." "What seems to strike him the most?" "Well he's young, so of course it's the younger women almost always. I was surprised when a few times it did involve the setting. He was really appreciating the artistic aspects of the picture. I'd put it all in this order. Good looking and young share first place. The pose a strong second, or if it's really candid, then the creativity of the photographer and the...let's call them models. Then I'd say the setting, because again that appeals to his artistic side." "Thanks, it helps me to understand him." "Good luck with that." "No older women though. I'm surprised, because there are some very attractive older women that would certainly deserve admiration." "He's showed me a couple that I have to admit looked amazingly well preserved, but that's about all." "Kids are never aware when their own parents can be very striking and worthy of praise, present company included of course." "Thank you Owen." "I've met my neighbor by the way and she's an excellent example of an attractive older woman." "Really? Will she be a good neighbor?" "I think I've been very lucky in that area. Of course we're still getting to know each other, but she's going to be one of those people that will just be your friend. It will just happen and it will be quick, as though you've known each other for a long time." "You are very lucky indeed." "I'm so damn lucky that I feel guilty sometimes." "That's a good thing. Keeps you grounded. Now I better go home because I have to think about your wedding project, and I need to get away from the wine." Chapter Eight Sunday morning, Owen opened the door and was greeted by a smiling Perry, but Kathy's smile was small and tentative. "Come in and give me my fate," but as soon as the door was closed she put her arms around him and said, "Damn you, I've spent hours and hours trying to decide what to think about you." "I'm glad you're even speaking to me, and your hug is priceless." She finally allowed a smile as she leaned back in his arms just enough to look into his eyes. "You were a respected executive. Successful and well paid. You had a career and a great future. What happened?" "Boredom happened. I was more than busy enough, but I suddenly just didn't care, and that's the beginning of the death of a career. This way I left while I was at the top of my game, so when I decide to return to the business world, I'll have a solid reputation." "That's it, just boredom?" "I'm not sure, but that's a big part of it. Also I've never done anything wild or crazy. Never taken a risk of any great measure. Kathy, just by doing what I have done, I feel younger and happier." "But to photograph naked women on the street..." "I know, and I won't try to defend that, but I want to try it and I can afford to. I have no family to worry about, no wife to divorce me for acting so irresponsibly." They walked into the living room with arms still around each other's waist, and as they sat down she said, "Okay, I still love you. Tell me how everything is going." "Everything?" "If I'm going to accept you as you really are, I better at least be informed." "Well you're safe because I don't have a lot to report." "No nude photos," Perry asked. "No, but as I showered this morning I decided the details of what I want to do tomorrow." "Anything to share with your friend that doesn't do anything exciting?" "You have Kathy to excite you." She smiled and said, "Thank you Owen." "Don't worry Perry, I'll keep you informed. You too Kathy, that is if you want to hear." "Of course I do. If I'm to accept you as my friend, I have to accept all of you." "Now, want to hear about my new neighbor?" Thankful for the change of subject, Kathy grabbed his hand and said, "Oh yes, tell us about her." Owen shared as much detail as he thought was at all interesting, and then Kathy said, "My God Owen, you're flirting with a fifty whatever year old?" "Honey, I'm almost forty one remember, and when you meet her you'll understand. She and I hit it off like old friends, and we enjoy teasing and flirting. She's obviously very comfortable financially and...well I'll describe her as very smoothly polished brass. She has an edge to her that she surprises me with, but at the same time she is smooth, fun, charming and easy on the eyes." "Sounds damn good to me," Perry offered. Kathy was watching Owen closely as he described June, but then she told him, "Sounds to me like you should marry her." "I can't see me married any time soon. Just imagine, you and I are married and I tell you I'm going to bribe women to strip for me? Would you play along?" "You know I'd kill you." "I rest my case." "But if you were married to the right woman, you might never have even considered your adventure." "We'll never know. Well I guess that's all that's going on in my life. I've told you about Nila and..." "Who's Nila?" Kathy quickly asked him. "Oh. Well she's my photographer's mother." "You're kidding, Scott's mother, and she knows about the naked woman project?" Owen smiled and said, "She wasn't supposed to know, but...well it was my fault, and I guess it doesn't really matter." "Don't stop there, how did she take that news, what's she like and will she keep your secret." "She handled it beautifully. Much better than I would have guessed. Nila is a friend of Kate's, so there's a chance that Kate had shared little tidbits, so maybe that's why my grand announcement didn't shock her a whole lot. As to what she's like, she has dark bright eyes, seems very happy and comfortable with herself without being arrogant. She was hiding her body behind baggy clothes, but I'd guess probably one of the nicest shapes on a woman I've seen in some time." "Will she keep your secret," Kathy asked him again. "I think so. Kate said she would remind her about that." "A great shape?" Perry said as he smiled at Kathy. "I think so. Just nice curves as near as I could tell, but then like I said, what she was wearing was quite loose fitting." Kathy leaned over and kissed Owen's cheek before she told him, "I'm going to make a prediction Owen. Before you get all of this out of your system, you're going to end up in a very committed relationship and very possibly a wife." "Now that's a long reach." "You've met Nila and your neighbor...June, and it's almost certain that you will meet more women over the coming weeks. Yes, I'll stand by my prediction." Chapter Nine "This is your late morning invitation for coffee handsome," "Good morning June, you're sounding lively this morning." "I feel lively, and I'm curious about how your project is going, whatever it is." "Slowly, but that will change soon I hope. I'm in grubby cut off jeans love." "Well I certainly don't mind. Come as you are and we'll have our drink of choice on the veranda." "Then appearances be damned, I'll see you in a few minutes." "Wonderful." June was standing in the doorway and smiling as Owen made his way up her walk. He stopped and told her, "To my great good fortune, before me stands a beautiful woman and quite sexily garbed I must say." "My God, you were in sales right?" He took the last few steps to her, kissed her cheek and said, "Most certainly not." Slipping his arm around her waist he asked her, "So what has you in such a great frame of mind today?" "I hate to admit this, but I'm celebrating my fiftieth birthday." He kissed her tenderly and then said, "That calls for more than a kiss on the cheek, congratulations and happy birthday." "Thank you very much." "Please tell me you're going to celebrate it in some fashion." "Out to dinner, a play, and too much to drink this evening." "Great. Damn, I'd love to see you when you've had just a touch too much to drink." She smiled and said, "I'd likely embarrass you." "I'd take that chance any day. I'm not exaggerating or just spitting out words when I tell you that you do not look your age at all." "Thank you again Owen. Now how about an Irish coffee?" "That sounds perfect for the occasion." She aimed him to the veranda, and a few minutes later served him a tall cup of Irish coffee with whipped cream floating on the dark hot surface. He picked up his cup and said, "June, I can only wish to live next to you for the next fifty years. Happy birthday love." "Oh, Owen you sweetheart, thank you. I'll tell you about my night on the town over our next coffee." "I look forward to hearing your tales of celebration." "Okay, so it's only fair that I know how old you are." "I'll admit to passing forty." "And look at you in your cute cut offs. Handsome manly legs and looking in your prime. By the way, you did cut them short, and you look sexy." "Thank you. I just hacked with scissors and hoped for the best." "You did a fine job. Now tell me about what is new since you and I were together." Not a lot, but I expect that to change, or at least I hope that will be the case in the next day or two. Oh, and would you forgive me if I took a call, should that happen while I'm here?" "Of course not silly. So you have no new clues for me?" "I thought about this as I walked over here, and here's what I've decided. I have two separate things going on, and I'm going to tell you all about one of them." She smiled and said, "Oh good, will your photographer be involved?" "Yes, in both projects in fact." She smiled and moved her chair around so she was very close to him and said, "Okay love, start your story." "Well as you know, my embarrassingly large home is designed for celebrations or parties. That isn't why I bought it, but that fact may prove to be a real bonus for me." "You're right about your house, and I like the direction this is taking." "I'm looking into being host for weddings." Her smile slipped away and she said, "You're not serious." His smile stayed as he toyed with her saying, "But not your average wedding." Her eyes drilled into his, but her smile was still lost as he told her, "I'm hoping to have a couple...how can I explain this? I'm hoping to create a setting; an environment where the wedding party will feel free to really cut loose." Signs of her smile showed as she said, "Now this sounds a little better." "For example, I would provide the decorations other than the wedding flowers. I would provide the caterer, the photographers, the limos and the staff and the setting." "Your grand home and all of those amenities would come to a pretty hefty sum." His smile returned when she said that, but he added, "That's very true, but that isn't my primary motive." "Oh? And just what might your real motive be?" "To get candid shots as the guests raise hell, to put it bluntly." She smiled and took his hand in both of hers as she said, "You're a pervert looking for dirty pictures then." "In just days you've found the real me." "Tell me everything." "I have many details yet to be worked out, but as I told a good friend, to help the party atmosphere, the bartenders would pour with heavy hands." "But of course. So the limousine would come up your circular driveway, disgorge it's load of celebrants and leave." "Right." "But what will be the trigger, the thing that will set the tone you're hoping for?"