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Finding an Editor Ch. 01

By: qhml1



This one came to me while I was at work, listening to some guys drone on and on about racing while more were agonizing over basketball brackets, and another guy was whining about his upcoming divorce. I threw in wrestling just because I've never liked it. All the wrestling, basketball, and race fans-GET OVER IT.

It's just a story. 

..................................................

I was sitting at the table gossiping with my friends when Hilda looked at the entrance.

"Well look at that! Benny Henson. I thought when his wife left him he shriveled up and blew away."

His breakup was pretty. Pretty ugly. Pretty painful.

Pretty much her fault, and it pretty much destroyed him.

She "traded up', taking off with a banker. Tried to rape him in the divorce. Had everything pre-prepared, sign here, sign here, initial this. I'm being fair honey, just sign. Bob says it's very fair. He'll get it notarized, just sign.

Benny was quiet, and people assumed because he didn't talk much, he didn't think much. He thanked her for trying to help, turned around, and beat the hell out of Bob.

He dragged him out of the house and threw him over the porch railing into the rose bushes. When his soon to be ex wife protested, he threw her into the rose bushes beside him. Then he decided the roses needed irrigating, so he pissed all over the happy couple trying to get out of the bushes.

Then he leaned over the rail and told them if he heard the first word about pressing charges, he would hunt them down, shove a thick piece of rose briar up their ass until it stuck out their mouths, and saw it back and forth until he got bored. They never said a word.

Unfortunately, a next door neighbor saw and heard it all, and it was just too good a story to keep quiet. His wife worked for Bob at the bank, and it wasn't long until bundles of briars started showing up on both desks. If his father hadn't owned a big chunk of the bank they would have both been out the door. 

Benny had a third cousin that turned out to be a hell of a divorce lawyer. When the smoke cleared, since she made more and cheated, she had to pay him maintenance for three years, or until he got married. When they filed papers on the bank for violation of the ethics clause of their employment policy, a quiet settlement for an undisclosed amount was reached. She desperately wanted the McMansion she had forced Benny to buy, so she had to give him half of full market value to keep it.

Benny walked away with a big chunk of change and a nice monthly check.

What he didn't walk away with was his pride. He didn't have a clue, and it shook his self confidence badly. When she found out she was going to get hosed in the settlement, she started a smear campaign about his character, his size and stamina, even his sexual preference. Only the threat of a lawsuit shut her up, but by then it was too late.

He held his head high, but it hurt and he withdrew into himself, disconnecting from any social interaction. Taking a delivery job that kept him on the road a lot, he all but disappeared from the local social scene.

Yet there he was, striding right towards us.

'Us' was the usual bunch of gals who got together every other Thursday at the local pub to let off a little steam. A little flirting, a little dancing, a good bit of drinking on occasion. Housewives, professionals, factory workers, our binding factor was a shared history going all the way back to grade school. No social distinction here, we were just 'the girls'. Some were married, some were divorced, and everyone knew who was who.

He stood before me awkwardly, before speaking rapidly.

"Bonnie, can I talk to you for a minute? I'd like to ask you something."

He caught me on my fourth whiskey sour, and I was feeling pretty good. I had known Benny since we moved into the house next door when we were five years old. We were inseparable until the start of junior high. Then biology took over and we went separate ways.

Benny didn't belong to any particular circle, but got along well with everyone. He was mostly a loner, but a friendly loner. I was in the cute girl club, and had the A list of boys swirling around us. Benny dated but strangely, never expressed interest in me. I always wondered why.

And here he was, out of the blue, wanting something from me.

The whiskey made me mouthy, honestly, I was just having a little fun.

"Ask away, big boy, but the answer will be yes. I knew you always wanted me."

The girls were smiling ear to ear, enjoying his discomfort. He seemed a little shocked.

"No, no. I need some professional assistance. On something I know you're skilled at. I'll pay you."

I couldn't help getting one more dig in.

"Benny, honey, I just said you can have it for free. And I am pretty skilled."

Giggles and light laughter swirled round the table. Benny got red, said just forget it, and headed towards the door. I jumped up and grabbed his arm, tugged him towards the dance floor. Luckily, it was a slow song.

He was stiff at first but gradually relaxed, even seemed to enjoy it a bit. I leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"Relax, Benny. It was all in good fun. Surely you remember what a tease I am."

He smiled.

"I remember. You spent your junior year in high school trying to give me a permanent blush."

"I couldn't help it, you were so serious all the time."

The song ended and we stood awkwardly for a second.

"Come back to the table," I urged him. "tell me what you need. You know I'll help if I can."

He was back to looking uncomfortable.

"This needs to be a private discussion. Why don't I call you sometime in the next few days. Still in the book?"

"No, I cancelled my home phone, couldn't see the point when I use my cell constantly. Here, give me your phone, I'll program it in."

I was surprised when he handed me the latest, top of the line Iphone. I know it showed.

It was his turn to smile.

"Can't be a technophobe forever, Bonnie. When would be a good time to call?"

"Right now. Saturday, 6:00. I'll be at your house. But I want fed, a rack of your ribs to be specific. All the trimmings, including dessert. Then I'll probably be more willing to give you help, whatever it is."

This threw him.

"Uh, Bonnie, I'll be glad to, but I don't want to mess up your social schedule. You sure you don't want to do it on a week night?"

"Honey, honey, look around you. When it comes to possibilities in this small town, I'm fishing in a pretty shallow pool. Everything available has been caught and tossed back so many times they have hook mouth."

"It'll be nice to spend an evening with someone I actually like."

I still made him come back to the table and sit with us until another slow dance came up on the jukebox. He felt really nice, I was sad to see him go.

And me? I had one more, a cup of coffee, and went home to my big divorce house and my little divorce life.

.................................................

I was a lot like Benny, I didn't see it coming. We had our lives all planned out. My husband was going to climb the corporate ladder, while I was going to be the best high school English teacher in the state. Judging by the awards hanging on my den wall, I accomplished my end of the deal.

He made it to VP, then decided an almost fifty year old wife wasn't the correct arm candy for his social functions. I got traded for a twenty something, cute as a bug, and dumb as a rock. He was slick though, taking a West coast assignment and most of the money. I ended up with the house free and clear, a little cash, my car, and bad memories.

I had just retired from teaching when me left. It was too late to go back to full time, so I did substitute teaching from time to time. It helped financially and relieved the boredom, but it wasn't the life I expected to be living.

Without embellishment, I was still a good looking woman. I exercised on a regular basis, ate right, and took care of myself. Most women will admit that at our age we agonize over every new wrinkle and blemish, and the ravages of gravity, but overall I was holding up quite nicely. Men from forty to sixty thought so, anyway.

I dated fairly regularly, but not seriously. Couldn't seem to find one that held my interest. Perhaps that was why I was looking forward to dinner with Benny so much.

I often wondered why Benny never asked me out. My marriage collapsed about six months after his, and we would see each other from time to time around town. He was always friendly but never made overtures. If you're female, this piques your interest and assaults your vanity.

Benny was a lot of things, but first and foremost he made the best barbeque in the area, maybe even the state. He was always in demand for private parties and fund raisers as a cook. The local Republicans almost canceled a rally last year because he wasn't available. This was why I pushed him into fixing those ribs. I knew from experience they would melt in your mouth, with the perfect blend of vinegar and spices.

I wasn't disappointed. Ribs just right. His secret recipe dressing coleslaw. He had a thing about that. Any fool can pour barbecue sauce over cabbage, he was fond of saying, but very few people could make good coleslaw. Potato salad with the same dressing. Cornbread pancakes instead of hush puppies, another one of his trademarks. Baked beans with shredded barbecue and large chunks of red onions mixed in. His wife was a fool to walk out on meals like that. 

I told him so as I slid back from the table.

He grinned, "She didn't like barbecue that much, not high toned enough for her I guess."

I patted my stomach, so glad I had worn a loose fitting sundress instead of jeans.

"Good. More for me."

I'm glad you said that. I haven't brought out dessert yet."

I groaned.

"Let's give it a little while. If I take one more bite right now a Bonnie bomb will explode all over your dining room. Take me for a walk, this is the first time I've been to your new house."

His ex choose the wrong time to trade up. It was just before the real estate market collapsed, and Benny made out like a bandit when she bought him out. When Bob left his wife for her he got hosed pretty good also. Word had it they were just barely making enough to cover the new mortgage. Maybe that's why we didn't see them out and about like before. Oh well.

Benny held onto his money for awhile because he wasn't sure he wanted to stay in the area. When real estate tanked bargains were everywhere, and he took his time, finally deciding on a small two bedroom house with four acres of land. He paid cash for it. It was in good shape and he kept it neat as a pin.

He let me hold his hand as he gave me the tour. For some undefined reason this pleased me no end. I admired his vegetable garden, and the flower beds would have put Martha Stewart to shame. I told him so.

He was looking right into my eyes when he said,

"I've always enjoyed looking at things of beauty."

For once he had me blushing.

We settled on the porch swing, watching the sun set over his pond. He reached over and flipped a switch, and three small fountains erupted in the center. The spray created mini rainbows against the setting sun. The man continued to amaze me.

I was as happy as I had been in a long time, so I decide to take up my old pastime, teasing him until he blushed.

"Benny, I know why you asked me out here. The secret must be killing you. I'm glad you decided to share it with me first. But it's pretty obvious to anyone who is around you for any length of time."

He indeed turned a deep crimson.

"What do you mean, you know? What have they been saying?"

"Benny, Benny. Everybody knows you hate NASCAR, professional wrestling, and basketball. We all know secretly you're a Yankee. Admit it, you'll feel better if you do. You're probably a hockey fan."

"Uh, Bonnie, I was living here when you parents moved here. NASCAR? Watching a bunch of guys turn left for four hours, that's entertainment? The only reason most people watch is for the wrecks, and you can see them on the highlights of the late news. Basketball? Watching tall guys running up and down a wooden floor trying to get a ball through a hoop? The only reason people watch that is to gamble."

"And wrestling? If your idea is watching pumped guys roll around in spandex panties in positions that would get them arrested outside a ring and trash talk to a script is fun, turn in your college degree. It's obviously not doing you any good. It's a soap opera on steroids, literally."

"As for hockey, guys skating back and forth hitting a piece of rubber and each other with sticks? I'll never understand it."

"Now, if you could get the wrestlers into race cars, have them run so many laps, get out and play the race car drivers a game of horse, then have the winners wrestle the basketball players, add in a few pyrotechnics, a buzzer beater free throw, a wreck or two, and some trash talk, that would be entertainment. If a few of them would wear hockey masks, it would damn near be perfect."

I decided to give it a rest.

"So, Benny. Why am I really here? What IS the deep dark secret?"

He told me to hold on for just a minute. He came back with a piece of paper and a check. He handed me the check.

It was made out to me, for one hundred dollars. The memo line read 'deposit for services to be rendered. The other piece of paper was a binding nondisclosure agreement from a law firm a few towns over.

"Sign the paper and take the check, Bonnie. If you don't I won't say another word."

Curiosity killed the cat and undid countless women. I signed and handed it back to him.

As soon as he had it in his hand he led me back into his house and into the spare bedroom. He had turned it into a home office. Tidy, efficient, a top of the line computer sitting on the desk. He gave me one more lecture.

"I know you signed the paper. But I need you to look me in the eye and say you won't tell a soul. Eventually, if things work out right, everyone will know anyway. I just want it to be at my pace. When it comes time, you can be the one to break the news, if you want."

"Benny, in all our lives, have you ever known me to betray a confidence? I thought not, but if you don't tell me what's going right now, I'm going to scream! Talk. Now."

"All right, take the office chair, it's more comfortable. This is going to take awhile."

He paced for a second, then plunged in.

"When Mariam left me, it shook me to the core. I didn't have a clue she had stopped loving me, and had found someone else. She was good, but then I wasn't looking. I thought we had a good life. Our kids were grown, we had the house to ourselves. I was looking forward to spending our time doing things we had put on hold for most of our lives. She actually seemed happy. Hell, the night before she sprang Bob on me we made love twice. I now see it was a 'I'm sorry and goodbye' thing."

"Looking back, I realize that a woman who could have sex twice with a man one night and profess love to another the next morning was someone I would never understand."

"Add to that the ruthless way she went about trying to take everything we had accumulated together. This type of person didn't exist in my world. I was numb, if it wasn't for family she would have probably gotten everything she wanted. I know I wasn't in shape to defend myself."

I interrupted him.

"I can't say I know everything you were feeling, but I can identify. I was almost as surprised as you when Dan left. It was cold, and vicious, and I didn't have the support you did. He got me pretty good. We're a pair, aren't we?"

I was trying to smile through tears. He surprised me by coming over and giving me a gentle hug.

"I'm sorry Bonnie, I know it was hard. Hopefully we're both better off now."

"That being said, at the time I was a mess. My old boss went through almost the same thing, and he insisted I get help, even set me up with the counselor he used. It actually did me a lot of good. In fact, it's led me to where I am now."

"My therapist urged me to write my thoughts down so I could discuss them during our sessions. I filled up about thirty spiral bound notebooks. It did help, but I discovered something. I loved to write."

"She encouraged me, complimenting me on my style. Told me to seriously pursue it, if nothing else to aid in my healing. I took a creative writing course at the community college."

"So I started to write, compulsively. I bet I didn't turn the television on for six months. Almost got carpal tunnel until I bought the computer and learned how to use it."

"At first, I wrote just for my own enjoyment. Then I started wanting to share them, get some feedback, see if people were actually interested in reading the stories. Since I didn't want anyone locally to know, I went to the internet. You'd be amazed at the sites out there for writers."

"And I got feedback. People actually seemed to enjoy them. One suggested that most seemed to be about my ex wife and the pain I was in, I should try a site called Literotica. Ever heard of it?"

I paled. Hoping he wouldn't notice my agitation I denied ever hearing of it.

"It's a site for erotic fiction, divided into categories. All types of things from science fiction and fantasy, romance, a section called 'loving wives', although it should be renamed 'cheating wives', stories about transsexuals, bondage, just about any part of the sexual spectrum is covered."

"I wrote a few rants against the ex, but in the end, while the opportunities for fantasy revenge are endless, it's hard to sustain the rage forever."

"So I stayed away from the hard sex, hurting stories, and concentrated on love stories. I've always been a sucker for happy endings, even though from experience I know it doesn't always happen. I primarily write in the romance category now, been at it for two years."

"I"m fairly popular, and love getting the comments, good or bad. It keeps me in perspective and helps improve my writing."

"Anyway, as to why I brought you here. One of the features of the site is a section that puts your work out there for publishers to look at. About two months ago I picked a few of what I thought were my best and submitted them."

"Two weeks ago I got a request to send some samples of my work to a publisher. I sent them a draft of a novel I just finished, along with some short stories. Much to my surprise they really liked the novel."

"I got a detailed email telling me to have a professional editor look it over and help polish it, send the end result back, and if they find it acceptable they would like to publish it. That's where you come in. I know you worked for a publisher right out of college as an assistant editor before you decided to teach. So, can you help me? We'll have to find out standard rates so I can pay you. Will you do it?"

I had worked for a publisher right out of college, even held the title assistant editor. That was a fancy name for someone who did the grunt work while real editors turned unknowns into best selling authors, and pandered to the ones already established. But I did learn a lot and enjoyed the time immensely.

"Well, will wonders never cease! A writer! Nobody saw that coming. I'd love to help, but my skills are a little rusty. When can I see it?"

He seemed really relieved.

"As soon as you want. I can pull it up now if you like."

"I think I'd like to see some of your old stuff first, kind of get a feel for your development. Would you mind?"

"Not at all, let me pull it up for you."

He went straight to the Literotica site and brought up his page. I was surprised to see over thirty stories, a few poems, and two novellas.

"Get comfortable, take your time, I'm going to wash up the dishes and get the coffee ready. Let me know when you need a break."


Finding an Editor Ch. 01



He leaned over me and kissed my cheek.

"Thanks, Bonnie. This means a lot to me."

My cheek felt a little warm long after he left the room. "Well", I thought to myself, "Let's see what he's got."

................................................

I smelled coffee and looked around to see Benny standing behind me.

"Time to take a break, it's been almost three hours. Stop before your eyes cross. I've sliced the cake I made for dessert, it's on the table. Get up, stretch, and join me."

The cake was great. It was a variation on the 'better than sex' cake that was so popular. Benny called it the 'no damn cake in the world is better than sex, but it's still pretty good' cake.

"I agree" I said with my mouth full.

"With what? That the cake is good but sex is better?"

How could he keep making me blush? I must be losing my touch.

"Yes" I said, trying to seem enigmatic. 

"Take it home with you if you like. I usually give it to people I work with. Let me find a cake plate."

He rattled around in the pantry cabinet until he found it. I glanced at the clock on the coffeemaker and was startled to see it was 11:30.

"I'm so sorry I ignored you so long. Why didn't you get me sooner. This must be a lousy first date for you."

That slipped out before I thought. This wasn't a date, not really.

He made my night when he said, "Actually, it's the nicest 'date' I've had in a long time. And it can't be classified as ignoring me for doing what I asked."

"Truth time now. What did you think about the writing? Am I wasting my time?"

"Definitely not. I can see the progress you've made, amazing really considering what I read was produced in an eighteen month span. When can I see the novel?"

"Anytime after tonight. It's almost midnight and I'm not fond of you driving alone this late. Call me tomorrow and we'll work out when to get together next."

He put the ribs, the side dishes, and most of the cake in containers and put them into my car. As he opened my door he made me promise to call when I got home. He thanked me again and was going to kiss me on the cheek when I turned and kissed him on the mouth. Just for a few seconds, with our mouths closed, and it was still the hottest kiss I'd had in what felt like forever. He was still standing in the drive as I drove away.

I did call him and he answered on the first ring. We talked about nothing for a few minutes before he made me promise to call tomorrow to set up our next meeting. I went to bed smiling for a change.

.................................................

Sunday I went to church, and all my friends noticed my smile.

"What gives?" said Hilda after the service.

"To quote my grandpa, You're 'grinning like a mule eating briars'. Hot date last night?"

My smile got bigger.

"Well sort of. I don't think it was meant to be a date as such, but it sure felt like one at the end."

"Who was it? Where did he take you? Did you get some nooky?" Sarah was married and true blue, but she got a vicarious thrill listening to us talk about our dates.

"A lady doesn't divulge such things, especially on church steps. Suffice to say, we didn't go anywhere but his house, and I was there until midnight. If you want any more than that, stop by my house, I'll feed you a nice lunch."

Sarah had to go home to hubby, but Hilda came right over. Benny had given me enough food for five people, and I knew if it stayed I would eat it all. I would love it, but my thighs and butt wouldn't.

She came in, took a big sniff and burst out "Benny Henson!" before dissolving into laughter.

"So you're the one who finally snagged him. Was he good, did he put up much of a fight? He must really like you to cook for you, I've never heard of him doing that before. Talk, girl, talk."

I wanted to prolong the suspense as long as possible.

"Eat first, talk later."

She sighed. "All right, but remember I"m the guest here. If the ribs come out to an uneven number, I get the extra one. If I find out you held out on me I'll stab you with my fork."

We ate like pigs. I did my best to ignore the screams of my thighs, after all, it's a sin to waste food, right?

Hilda was groaning about being stuffed when I brought out the cake. She hesitated before taking a big slice, then said she didn't want to be rude to her host so she would eat it just to be polite. When she asked for a second slice, I arched an eyebrow at her.

"The first was for politeness, the second shows appreciation." So we both had another slice, promising faithfully to do our best to wear out the treadmills and do extra Zumba classes at the gym for the next two weeks.

Meal over, dishes stacked, we flopped on the couch. Hilda grinned at me.

"All right, spill. I'm too full to beat it out of you, but I will plop my fat ass on your chest and sit until you can't breathe if you don't."

"Please don't. Remember when he came into the bar the other night? He needed advice he felt I was qualified to give, and no, it wasn't romantic. I kind of forced him into making me dinner in exchange. We started out as the friends we were, but he did hold my hand for awhile, and I got a couple of nice kisses. It made me feel like a teenager again. I loved it."

She sat up, interest perked.

"So, you going after him? If not, can I have a shot? I've always thought he was handsome, and he's so polite. I'm telling you, he practically has 'husband material' stamped on his forehead."

For about ten seconds I forgot she was my best friend and we were women in our fifties. Well, me anyway, she had just turned forty seven. Damn, high school all over again.

"Yes, I'm going after him, at least romantically. Husband material may enter down the road at some point. And you're not, not until I get my shot, understand?"

Laughing she said, "Okay, I get it. You're falling hard girl, admit it. But if you throw him back, I'll be there trying to catch him on the rebound."

Looking me in the eye, she started singing.

"Bonnie and Benny sitting in a tree, k i s s i n g, first comes love, then come marriage, here comes Bonnie with a baby carr--"

I shoved the piece of cake she had on the coffee table to take home with her in her mouth, spreading it all over her face. Her eyes got huge, then we collapsed into each other, hugging and giggling. She kissed me, making sure she spread the remains of the cake all over my face. We WERE teenage girls again, just for a little while. 

...............................................

Not wanting to seem anxious, I waited until five before calling. When the answering machine picked up I was disappointed. Leaving a message that I would be home the rest of the evening, I tried to occupy myself with dishes and lesson planning. For the next two weeks I was a teacher again, covering for a girl on the last of her maternity leave.

An hour later he called back.

"Sorry I missed your call, I was in the vegetable garden. Why didn't you call my cell? You have the number don't you?"

Damn, I had forgot to put it into my phone. I couldn't use reverse directory because we made our date in person.

"I do now, forgot to put it in the other day. When can we get together? I'm really anxious to read it."

I could have had him send it to my computer, but then I wouldn't have a chance to see him face to face.

"I'm home most every day by six. Come whenever you want, as long as I know you're coming I'll be there."

I pushed it just a bit.

"I can come over now if it's not any trouble. I just finished my lesson plan for the week, I'm subbing this week and next. You need to get this to them while they're still interested. Don't want to have other projects come up and get put on a back burner. I could get three good hours in."

"If you're sure it's not an imposition, come on out. I'll make you some supper, but after last night it will be something light."

"Benny, be careful. Feed me too many times and I'll be like a stray dog, you won't be able to run me off."

There was a little silence on the other end. "Please," I thought, "don't frighten off now."

"That doesn't sound like a bad thing. Come on out, I'll start cooking now."

I almost did cartwheels to the car. 

Something light was a whole chicken done on his gas grill, with sprigs of fresh rosemary pushed into the meat at regular intervals, covered with tarragon, chopped chives, and a few fresh sage leaves. Just a light sprinkling of seasonings, salt and coarse ground black pepper. A local wine, white with an infusion of raspberry. A nice side salad and sorbet for dessert. We ate on his deck. I could definitely get used to this.

"Please tell me you don't always eat like this," I said as I finished the last of the sorbet.

"No, I often just have a sandwich. But I love to cook, I used to do it all the time before Mariam left. Doesn't feel right, cooking for one."

He suddenly went silent, remembering.

I rubbed his arm. 

"As I said before, more for me. Her loss, I bet she misses it. I don't see Bob whipping up a little something. Bet he doesn't even know how to turn the oven on."

He had a small smile on his face when inspiration struck me.

"You know, we haven't finalized my fee yet. I'm going to put into the contract that every time I come over you have to feed me. A sandwich will be fine occasionally, and I may want to eat out once in awhile, but meals like this will be the norm. Deal?"

I stuck out my hand. He looked at it for a second before taking it. Instead of shaking it he took it to his lips and kissed it gently.

"Deal." He said quietly.

I didn't know what to say, just let the moment linger. Pulling myself together, I told him if I didn't get to work soon I wouldn't get anything done.

He turned into a writer again, not my Benny[ My Benny? Where did that come from?] and sent me into his office.

"All my passwords are on the desk. It's 7:30 now. work for an hour, then take a break. Don't want you to lose focus. Coffee when you break? All right, see you in an hour."

He practically shoved me in and shut the door.

I started reading and immediately became engrossed. The hour went by very quickly. He knocked lightly, calling out to tell me the coffee was ready. He had the cup waiting on the table when I came out. After I had a few sips I looked over the cup at him.

"Bodice Ripper?"

He looked down, reddening. Then he grinned.

"Everybody has a pen name. I chose that because it's the description used for cheap romance novels. Plus it's sexually indeterminate, I didn't give out any personal information except my age and geographic location. You know, most of my readers think I'm a woman."

"After reading the first three chapters, I've come to the same conclusion. I take it back, you're not a closet Yankee. You're really a closet Yankee woman. I bet you're a liberal too. Do you shave your pussy? I've always wanted to, I bet it feels great when a tongue runs across it. Tell me-"

He was beyond red, more a medium purple. With a strangled grunt he left the room. It took me five minutes to stop laughing.

I found him on the swing out front. I sat down and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Honey, don't be mad. It's just me doing what I've done to you our whole life. I would never say anything like that in public."

He sighed and I snuggled deeper, not about to miss this opportunity. His arm went around me. I closed my eyes, enjoying it.

"Forgive me?" I said in a little girl voice.

The small half smile I loved to see on him was back.

"You know I could never stay mad at you."

"Good. Make up kiss?"

I know, I know, I was pushing a little. But, to my astonishment he bent down and gave me a sweet, slow kiss that seemed to last forever, even though it was more likely just a second.

We women know when to push and when to back off, and this was the time to move back a little and let him digest what was happening. I moved back upright on the bench.

Did I see a little disappointment? I hope, I hope.

Back to business.

"The first three chapters are really good. Some small continuity and dialog issues, but very, very good so far. I need to print it out so I can read and make notes. Problem with that?"

"Just make sure you're the only one seeing it. Oh, and keep a record of your hours so I can pay you. This is mostly a business relationship after all."

Mostly? I liked the sound of that.

"Good, I need to go, I have school to teach in the morning, and if I don't get enough rest it's hard to stay focused. Shaping young minds, yadayadayada."

I'll be back Wednesday afternoon to go over what I've accomplished, all right?"

He agreed and walked me to the car after we were done printing out his work. Naturally I was loaded down with leftovers, and just before I got into my car he handed me a set of keys.

"Here, it's the spare set of keys to the house. Sometimes I run a little late on Wednesdays. This way whether I'm here or not you can work. See you then."

I got another nice kiss and a good hug. Progress.

As I drove away I knew. I wanted Benny Henson, and by golly, I was going to have him. Being alone so much for the last few years, I had developed a habit of talking to myself out loud.

"You don't know it yet, Benny boy, but you're mine now. I'm like quicksand and you won't even know you're standing in it until it's too late. You're already in up to your knees. I'm gonna swallow you up and you're gonna love it."

A car came up behind me and I saw myself in the rear view mirror for just a moment, and my smile was down right feral. I liked it.

.........................................

So began our semi business, semi romantic relationship. I would come over on Wednesday afternoons, Most Saturdays and Sunday evenings. While he was home I would have to fight the urge to just go out and be with him. It seemed to take him forever to call me to dinner. 

And the dinners, wow. He must have felt obligated to making them all special. Cuban pulled pork sandwiches with fruit salsa on the side. Steaks grilled to perfection, with roasted tomatoes and eggplant topped with mozzarella cheese and garnished with basil leaves rubbed with olive oil. Fried chicken with green beans and corn on the cob. Spicy meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Boned Boston butts with garlic cloves, rosemary and basil wrapped inside and oven roasted. 

Desserts, coconut cake made with freshly grated coconut. Pecan, apple, and chocolate pies. Banana pudding. Strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry fool. When he found out I was a chocoholic he nearly killed me.

"Chocolate overdose." His own recipe. Made from scratch chocolate pound cake, baked in a bundt pan. Chocolate pudding, cooked not instant, timed to be done when the cake was turned out onto the plate, hot pudding poured over and into the middle of the hot cake so it would absorb and meld together, topped with chocolate chips after it cooled a bit. I gained six pounds in three weeks. 

After weighing, I told him to ease off on the food.

"Stop feeding me so much. I'll end up looking like one of those porkers you barbeque."

He cut back, nice salads, grilled chicken, salmon, smaller portions. We made it a habit to walk about for a bit after dining, and I made sure at one time or another I snagged his hand and held on to it. He never offered to let go.

I got a week without interruption, and unknown to Benny I spent most of my time on the book. It was quite good, a happy, not quite tear jerker, just the thing romance readers would love.

He got a little overlong in some passages, and I didn't like the direction about two thirds through, but it worked out. He listened to most of my suggestions, but on some he wouldn't budge. I did get it down from 165,000 words to 120,000, mostly be removing redundancies and cleaning up dialog. It wasn't the work of a seasoned editor, but it was a good effort.

We had a little celebration when we sent it off, a couple of glasses of wine. I hated it, now I had no excuse to be at his house.

"Thanks, Benny. I enjoyed this. Too bad it had to end. hope it gets accepted and does well."

He made my day when he said, "End, what makes you think it's going to end? If they publish this and it's as well received as they think it might be, they're going to want another as soon as I can get it to them. I'm about two thirds through, you need to start editing now so we can stay ahead. Come on, let's go print what I've got so far."

...............................................

His next was geared towards a more mature audience, and I actually blushed at a couple of passages. Wonder if he could really do some of the things he'd written about? I had to change panties.

He was only two thirds through and I couldn't wait to see what direction he would take. I had a few ways I would like it to end, and he listened intently, then questioned me relentlessly on my reasons. He actually wrote two different endings, scrapped them both, and ended up with something totally different that worked much better.

It took four months for him to finish and me to edit. In my opinion, it was far better than his first. He sent it off to his publisher.

They responded by offering him a contract for three more books over the next eighteen months. He was over the moon.

................................................

You couldn't find his books in libraries, it was next to impossible to get a print contract without a good agent and a boatload of luck and talent. He wrote ebooks, available as downloads. Generally quick easy reads available for a very modest price. His first book, after seven months, had only made about seven thousand, and he had to pay taxes on that. I urged him not to get discouraged, and he laughed.

"If I was in it for the money, I would have quit before I even started. This is as much for me as the readers. If I happen to make a few bucks off it, good for me. And if I end up making a lot of bucks, better for us."

Us? What us? I could only hope.

I took his hand.

"Great! We're having too much fun to stop now. That being said, all work and so forth. Time to take a break, Benny. We're going down to the pub tomorrow, share a few drinks with my friends. They're thinking I'm making up the time we spend together. And Saturday, you're taking me to see the latest Nickolas Sparks movie. You can call it research if you makes you feel better, but I'm going to call it fun. And you have to buy me popcorn and candy. I plan to sugar up and get giggly."

I watched him closely while I made my little speech I had practiced for a week, hoping for a positive reaction. He looked startled at first, but soon had a tight little smile, trying not to grin, I suspected.

"You're right. Time to stop hiding out like criminals. Let's do it right. Wear a nice dress, and I'll get my best suit cleaned.

He was suitably impressed when he picked me up, and I just threw my ensemble together, if you count agonizing over every dress I owned for six hours, trying to decide which one to wear just tossing it together.

I settled on one I loved but never wore, because I thought it too daring for a woman my age. I bought it on impulse and had never worn it publicly.

It had a plunging neckline, and while I wasn't overly endowed I still had a nice chest. I was wearing a bra I had never worn in public either, an uplift number that basically just put my girls on a shelf for inspection. It had a matching thong, the first one ever to touch my fanny. It felt...odd, but pleasant. Thigh highs and three inch heels, something that hardly ever graced my feet, completed my outfit. 

I wore a single strand of pearls and matching earrings, my natural[bottled] auburn hair worn down instead of my usual bun.

He stood for just a second when I opened the door. Then he grinned.

"Young lady, is your mother home? We have a date tonight, and I want to see if she needs to take her walker with us."




Finding an Editor Ch. 01



I grinned and punched his arm.

"Seriously Bonnie, How could I possibly been oblivious to how beautiful you are all these years? Forgive me if I strut a little when we get to the pub, my swelled head will be hard to get through the door. Please, let's go, before I let my baser instincts take over and jump you here and now."

I glowed under his praise for a second before the tease in me took over.

"Oh, I'm in no hurry. And it's been so long since I've been jumped I might be tempted to jump back."

To my surprise me pulled me to him, firmly, and gave me a kiss that made my tongue feel blistered. He was in no hurry to let me go either. Then again, I never tried to get away. Finally, he pulled back, both of breathing heavily. I resisted the impulse to look down to check for leakage.

"My, you do a girl's ego good. Now, I spent a great deal of time to achieve this look, and I don't want it messed up now. Afterwards will be entirely up to you. Come along dear."

We felt the heads turning when we made out entrance. We were admittedly overdressed for the place, it was after all just a neighborhood pub. I had been there many times in just jeans and a tee. Hilda almost fell off her chair before she waved us over. I hesitated, halfway wanting to sit alone. I looked askance and he grinned.

"Whatever you want, but I think it would be fun to lead them along just a little."

Keeping a firm grip on his hand, we made our way over to the table.

"Hi girls! Remember Benny? Doesn't he look good enough to eat?"

I giggled while he went bright red. I pressed on.

"Before you get your hopes up, this diner is closed. The only one who gets to take advantage of this all you can eat buffet is me. Understand?"

I said it in a light teasing manner, but the girls could tell in my eyes I was serious.

Hilda grinned and I knew I was in trouble. She was as big a tease as me, maybe even a little worse. She insisted Benny sit beside her, and tried to monopolize his time. When she grabbed him the second time for a slow dance, I almost lost it.

"Hilda, I love you like a sister, but if you don't get your hands off my man in the next ten seconds we'll both get thrown out, and face it, there's just not that many places to go in this town."

I said it in a light, conversational tone, but my meaning was clear. She looked startled, and Benny looked stricken. Then she burst out laughing.

"It's a good thing I like the way they make their mojitos here, and love you. Otherwise, you'd have some serious competition. I was all steamed up, just thinking about the possibilities."

She turned and grabbed the first man she could reach.

"Get me out on the dance floor, Jack, and don't be afraid to get close. This might be your lucky night."

She twirled out onto the floor, and in fifteen seconds there was no dead space between them. His expression went from shocked and confused to happy and hopeful before the dance ended.

She brought him back to the table, and we made room. The night was almost over and Sarah looked over at me.

"Bonnie, can I have one dance with Benny? I won't get close, I promise."

Sarah was married, and a little chunky, so she didn't get asked to dance much. I had the feeling that she loved her husband but wasn't exactly happy. Before Benny could answer, I put her hand in his.

"Be gentle, Benny. Don't get her too worked up."

He grinned, took her out on the floor, and for the next four minutes he held her close, murmuring in her ear. When they got back, her face was flushed and her nipples stuck out like bumper bullets on a '56 Caddy[sorry, one of my fathers' favorite expressions].

"Gotta go" she said in a husky voice, slammed her drink down, and bolted towards the door. We all looked at Benny and he just grinned. Hilda couldn't stand it.

"What did you do to that poor girl?"

He just shrugged.

"Nothing, really. Just reminded her that she was still a desirable woman with a lot to offer, and if her husband didn't remember that he was a fool. I suggested she give him a refresher course, tonight, before he loses her to someone who WILL pay attention to her."

He never told me exactly what he said, but the next Sunday at church, she had this big happy grin on her face, and surprised us all by giving me a hard kiss right on the church steps.

"Give that to Benny for me, and feel free to add a little extra to it. Hold on to that one, Bonnie, he's solid gold."

I hugged her, happy that she was happy.

"I will, Sarah. And don't worry, I put my brand on him Friday night, and again Saturday and just so you girls know, he's not as gentle as he looks. I have to go now, my man is home, finishing my lunch. How many women can say that? See you at the gym."

I left to a group of hanging mouths and stunned expressions. When I found out his ex was behind me and heard the whole thing, it was that much sweeter.

................................................

We got hot and heavy when he took me home. It started out with some snuggling on the couch and a few short kisses.

Then the kisses got longer, hotter, harder. Lips parted, tongues became involved. Not exactly sure how I ended up on his lap, didn't care, just went with it.

He rose to the occasion, and it felt nice. I couldn't help grinding a little, just to encourage him. I was also rubbing his chest hair through his unbuttoned shirt. His hand went under my dress, rubbing gently, tracing the tops of my thigh highs, before heading for the promised land.

I was wiggling like mad, but when his hand went over my ass and felt the tiny lines of the thong, he almost lost it.

"Wow" he said, "I've never seen a thong on a real live woman. I can't wait." He was starting to slide my dress upwards.

I panicked, and jumped off his lap.

Why, you might ask?

Vanity, pure, unadulterated vanity. I hadn't been in a serious relationship since my husband left, so I stopped pruning the bush and let the jungle take over. I was hairy as a gorilla, and the thought of how awful that tiny little thong would look sticking out of that mass of pubic hair embarrassed me no end. He got the wrong message.

"Sorry, Bonnie. I shouldn't have been so forward. Forgive me?"

I felt like a heel but just couldn't tell him why I stopped. I improvised.

"Don't apologize! I loved it. But it's been a long time since I was intimate whit a man. Tonight, let's go slow, and tomorrow I'll feel more comfortable, and who knows what will happen."

I held his head in my hands and put mine against it.

"Let's just say I'd really like to continue this for a little while, get us revved up for tomorrow. All right?"

I know I sounded kind of desperate, and he wrapped his arms around me in a nice hug.

"It's okay, baby. You're not getting rid of me, I'm in this for the long haul. So, set the pace, and I'll stay right with you.

If I ever wavered about falling in love with him, that moment removed all doubts. Most men would think me a tease and just left, others would have pushed me to seal the deal, but he was just happy to be with me, and enjoy what he was getting.

We kissed, hard, softly, passionately, lustfully. I put one of his hands on my breast, and he gently stroked and fondled my nipples to aching hardness. I reached for him, stroking his hardness through his pants. It caused him to pull back and break contact.

"We have to stop, honey. I don't think I can take much more and remain a gentleman. I see a long cold shower in my future as it is. I think now is a good time to say goodnight, don't you?"

I agreed, after my breathing returned to normal. We kissed a few more times, before I walked him to the door.

At the door, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him long and hard, rubbing as much of my body as I could against him.

"Pick me up at seven" I said, "I'm in the mood for seafood. Wear another suit, you look great in them. And honey..." I let my voice trail off a bit, "be sure to pack an overnight bag, and your toothbrush and razor, I hate waking up to stubble."

I shut the door to him standing openmouthed. I leaned against the door giggling, then went up to the bedroom, idly wondering if the batteries in my vibrator were still good. I definitely needed some relief.

.................................................

I called Hilda the next morning in a panic. 

"Come as soon as you can! This is important. I need your help."

She showed up in forty five minutes instead of twenty, because she had to stop by and pick up Sarah.

"What is it? Why are you so worked up? What did Benny do last night?"

I sighed.

"Everything just right, that's what he did. It was a dream date, a gentleman in public and a tiger in private. I'm the one who screwed up."

Sarah was practically sitting on my lap.

"Spill girl. Don't keep us in suspense."

"Okay, but before I begin, promise me you won't laugh. This is embarrassing enough as it is. Promise." I stood glaring at them until they swore.

"All right, remember how I was dressed last night?"

They nodded. Sarah just blurted it out.

"You were sexy as hell, but where did those boobs come from? Not that I keep up with such things, but a blind man would have noticed them."

I grinned.

"A really, really good bra. It even came with a matching thong, that's what got me into trouble.

Sarah looked shocked and Hilda fell off the couch laughing.

"A THONG? All right space alien, who are you and what have you done with Schoolmarm Bonnie?"

Sarah chimed in.

"Have you done an anal probe yet? Can we watch?"

"Shut up!" I flared. "Like you've never worn one!"

By now Sarah was laughing too. She turned around and stuck her butt out.

"Look at me, Bonnie. If I wore a thong, rescue expeditions would be sent before it suffocated and was lost forever."

This sent Hilda off into another laughing fit.

"That goes for me too. Bonnie honey, you're the only one in the room who has the shape for a thong. Enough with the teasing, what happened last night that has you in such a panic today?"

I told them the whole story. Hilda just barely managed to keep a straight face.

"Honestly Bonnie, how bad can it be? If he wants it as bad as you say, a little hair won't slow him down. So you promised him a thong. Wear one for him."

I had rinsed out the thong the night before. I had it on, to give me something to go by. I intended to buy several new ones, but I wanted to make sure I was trimmed just right.

I raised the hem of my sundress, until they could see me in all my glory.

They both went quiet, before they burst out laughing again. I was about to start crying.

"Shut up, you bitches. I need real help here."

Sarah finally got enough breath to speak.

"I think Jim will let us use his weedeater, as long as we don't tell him what it's for. I think he's got something called an edger, too, that might help."

Hilda chimed in.

"I'd love to help you hon, I really would, but I'm not touching that thing. It looks wild, and kind of dangerous. It doesn't bite, does it?"

I started really crying then, and they immediately stopped and went into support mode. Sarah went on the computer to see if there was any information on the subject. I was being sarcastic when I spoke.

"Really Sarah? What are you going to type in, how to shave your pussy?"

That's exactly what she typed in. She turned the screen and we just stood there amazed. Five pages, with some pretty graphic tutorials. I didn't think I could do it, but then it popped up with a list of salons and spas that offered various services, including waxing, and yes, shaving.

While they were discussing various techniques, I stepped out of the room and called a spa two towns over. I DID NOT want what I was about to do become public knowledge, so I had to get out of town. I was lucky and got a two o'clock appointment. It was almost noon by then. I walked back in with a plan.

"Sarah, call hubby and tell him it'll be after five before you get home. I've got some place to be at two, and you guys are coming for moral support. I'll spring for lunch. Hilda, you have the biggest car, so you get to drive. Let's go."

I was using my school teacher, no nonsense voice.

"I can't do that, I told Jim I'd only be gone a little while. He'll have a fit."

Hilda looked at Sarah.

"Call him, and tell, don't ask. Tell him to take the kids to your mothers' for the night, you'll make it up to him. You wanted to rekindle the passion, this is a good thing. A little mystery keeps their interest peaked."

She did, and was surprised when he not only agreed, but seemed eager.

We did lunch. I paid, telling them the day was on me. When we got to the spa we were all impressed. They were even more impressed when I told the receptionist we were here for our appointments.

We got manicures, and pedicures, the first time Sarah had ever had it done. She agonized over what shade of nail polish she wanted, but settled for a very ordinary looking red.

"NO!" said Hilda and I, together.

"You promised him a special night, remember. Time to step out of your comfort zone. Be a little daring."

She chose a pale lavender, with a white star centered on each toe and finger. It was very pretty. Hilda went for zebra stripes, I went with pale pink, with a little exclamation point in black.

Finally it was time. Three new attendants came and took us to separate rooms. The girls went, wondering what was going on. In each room there was a chair like a gynecologist would use, complete with stirrups. I heard one of the girls scream, Sarah I suspected.

It was thew weirdest experience of my life. First, she took electric trimmers and shaved me as closely as possible, changing the towel under me when she was done. She lay warm moist towels on me, tucking to make sure I was covered, explaining it would soften the hair, making it easier and more comfortable to shave.

I didn't know how to feel as she manipulated my folds, making sure she got every hair. As weird as that was, when she was done she applied lotion to me, rubbing it in to every inch.

"To avoid razor burn" she said, with a smile. She held a mirror up so that I could examine her work. I was smooth as a baby. The sensation I got when I put my panties on was quite pleasant.

The girls were waiting on me when I came out, and stood without a word while I settled the bill, including very nice tips for everyone.

When we got into the car and pulled out onto the highway, they exploded.

"You bitch! Why didn't you tell us?"

I just grinned. "You didn't think I was going to do this alone, did you? Now spill, did you girls get the full service?"

Sarah, said she did, glowing a bright red. Hilda laughed.

"You sluts! I didn't. I still have hair."

Something in her voice made me ask.

"How much?"

She smirked.

"My attendant was a true artist. She showed me some of her work, and I was impressed. I have a very nice little heart, right above my 'love button', it sets it off very nicely."

While we were giggling and talking they never noticed me turn into the local mall.

"Why are we here?" Sarah asked, suspiciously.

"Every masterpiece needs a frame. Come along now, time is running out."

We went straight to a high end lingerie shop.

I picked out two thong and bra sets, two more thongs, and a garter belt that matched one of the sets, with three pair of hose in different colors.

Hilda got almost the same sets I did.

Sarah looked at some of the prices and sighed.

"I can't afford these things, I'm a stay at home mom living on a budget. Besides, I would look silly in these.

I looked at her sternly.

"Girl, I said the day was on me. If you won't pick something out, Hilda and I will." 

We left her protesting while we consulted the salesgirl. She didn't hesitate.

"A corset, or maybe a bustier. It would reshape her figure, put a little more oomph in her top and bottom. I'd suggest one with detachable cups, with both full and half cups. An advantage is they come with built in garters, to hold up her hose."

She blushed furiously as we looked at and discussed options like she wasn't there. We finally picked a purple bustier with full and half cups. We even made her try it on so she knew how to get into it. It gave her a more defined figure, showing off her curves very nicely. She picked three pair of hose, and we forced her to get the matching thong.

By then it was almost five, and we had called Benny, Jack, and Jim, and told them we were going out together. No choice, no discussion. We stopped by each house to get clothes, and when Sarah didn't come out right away we went to check on her. She was locked into a fierce kiss with her husband, one hand on her massive breast, the other gripping her ass, pulling her into him. I couldn't see her left hand and had a feeling it was between them, stroking him. After a second, Hilda spoke loudly.

"I'll go get a cup of ice water from the kitchen to throw on them. Then maybe we can get over to your house in time to get ready."

They jumped apart, blushing, both with grins on their face. His erection was plain to see. She grabbed him again for a quick kiss.

"See you in an hour, Lover."

.............................................

We had to rush. Hilda used the spare bathroom, while Sarah used mine. She came in just as Sarah was coming out and I was getting in. We were each wrapped in a towel. Hilda had that wicked grin.

"I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours."

She dropped her towel. She did indeed have a tiny heart, and it was dyed blonde. She was a brunette. I looked in her eyes.

"I've always heard blondes have more fun."

I just smiled and dropped my towel. After a few seconds Sarah dropped hers.

"Why Sarah, I never knew you had a birthmark" was all I got out before she grabbed the towel again.

When I got out of the shower they were doing their makeup. They already had their new lingerie on. I rushed to join them. We admired each other, admitting that for our age we were a bunch of hot females.

Benny, Jack, and Jim were downstairs. We were already running half an hour late, but they immediately stopped grumbling when we came down the stairs. We each had on our best dress, makeup and hair as perfect as we could get it.

Wide eyes, open mouths. We each went up to our man, gave them a nice kiss, and rushed them out the door. It was predetermined we were driving separately.

"I think by the end of the night none of us will want to waste any extra time driving." I had told them.

I had explained a lot to Benny, skipping the good parts, that I wanted the night to be our treat. He had no problem with that.

"We'll let the books finance the night. I haven't spent a dime of it yet. I can't think of a thing better to do with it."

The girls had expressed concern over the cost of what I had done for them on the way home, and I had laughed it off.

"Don't worry about it. David[my ex]should have planned his exit strategy a bit better. He waited until AFTER he made executive VP before filing, so I got five years of alimony based on that salary. Plus, that little side project I have going with Benny have given me some, shall we say, disposable income. It's all good. I can't think of a better way to spend it."

Benny had gotten together with the other guys and planned their own surprises.

We went to the largest city in our area, to a very nice seafood restaurant. I got lobster, a favorite. We oohed and ahhed over the food, having a great meal. He surprised me by pulling into the Sheraton Inn after we left. He looked over and grinned.

"Didn't think the night was over, did you? The lounge has a band catering to our age. And drink as much as you want, within reason. I've reserved rooms for all three of us, so we don't have to drive."

I nearly pulled his tonsils out with my tongue when we got out.




Finding an Editor Ch. 01



"Thank you, baby. I'll be sure and make it worthwhile to you."

We girls lined arms going into the lounge, wiggling our bottoms shamelessly as we walked. They trailed behind, tongues practically dragging the ground.

After we were seated, Benny went to the bar and talked to the club manager.

"Here" he said, handing the man a credit card. "Just add it to my room. Give them everything they want. We've reserved rooms, so we won't be driving. Add twenty percent each for the bartender and waitress."

Sarah wanted champagne because she had never had it. Soon two bottles were sitting on the table in very fancy ice buckets. Once our glasses were full we made some toasts.

"To old friends" I said, looking round the table, "and new lovers". I looked at Benny with my glass raised. We drank, and I refilled the glasses.

"To exceptions to the rule. To Sarah and Jim, for verifying that some of us really do get a happily ever after the first time."

We shouted "hear, hear" while they both blushed.

The night went by in a blur. We lived on the dance floor, stopping occasionally to sip champagne and catch our breath. We each made it a point to share a slow dance with each man, rubbing and flirting shamelessly. Sarah was the star of the evening, a first for her.

She had on a dress that showed a good amount of cleavage, which the bustier made even more pronounced. Every once in a while a nipple would slip out of the half cup, and while you couldn't actually see it, you knew it was there.

At first men would come by and ask for dances, but we shut them down pretty early, and soon everyone knew we were having a private party. A little after midnight I gave a big fake yawn.

"Come on honey" I said, tugging on his hand, "It's time for bed."

He almost dragged me out of the lounge, the rest of our party right on our heels. We girls hugged each other and whispered words of encouragement while the men just grinned at each other.

...............................................

We fell through the door, lips locked and hands roaming. 

I had taken his hand and slid it firmly down on my ass during our last slow dance, letting him feel the thong through my dress. His erection almost pushed me away from him.

I pushed him back after a few minutes in the room.

"Go take a shower, honey, get the sweat off you. I won't be joining you this time. When you're done, put on the robe and nothing else."

He was in and out in record time.

"I'll be done and out in just a sec, okay?"

I grinned at him and licked my lips as I closed the door. 

Okay, it was a little more than just a sec. I had to shower, put on the fresh lingerie, do my makeup, while I pulled my damp hair back into a ponytail.

He was sitting, sipping water, when I came back, wearing a robe that was belted tightly. He had turned on some music, and I stood and swayed to the music, holding up my hand when he started to rise.

Hilda and I had taken a pole dancing class a couple of years ago, just for fun. I didn't have a pole, but I remembered the moves.

I started moving, untying the robe but holding it together. I twirled, letting the robe slip off one shoulder, then the other. I danced behind him, opened my robe, and rubbed my bra clad breasts across his neck. Before he could turn I was back in front him, still holding the robe closed.

"Wanna peek?", I teased. He nodded his head so fast I thought it would fall off.

I stopped moving and held the robe wide, exposing my tiny bra, garter belt, thong, and hose. He actually went pale before he reached for me. I tossed the robe over him.

"No no. If you want to finish unwrapping this present, come to the bedroom."

I had no idea he could move so fast, or be so forceful. He threw me onto the bed, literally ripping the bra off. I loved it, making a note to have him buy me a new one soon. He was tugging at the garters when I stopped him.

"Not necessary, lover. The panty is outside the hose. Let's leave it, all right?"

I could see the effort it took to compose himself. He reached down and grasped the thong with each hand, pulling gently. I raised my fanny so he could slip it down my legs.

He stopped when he saw my shaven mound, then grinned.

"You told me once you always wondered how this felt."

Before I could do anything he was between my legs, nibbling, and when he ran his tongue over me it was everything I'd imagined. My ex didn't believe in oral sex, so it had been almost thirty years since a man had been at heaven's gate, going all the way back to college. It was even better than I remembered.

He teased me unmercifully, getting me almost there before licking his way to my nipples, sucking and biting softly until they ached, before heading south again. Finally I couldn't take any more, grabbed his head with both hands and tried to suffocate him. When I finally released I was screaming in bliss.

I fell back gasping, while he stood and removed his robe. His cock was a very nice size. It looked like it would fit me perfectly. I reached out and grabbed it pulling him onto the bed and between my legs.

"I'll return the favor later, darling, but I have to have you RIGHT NOW!"

Feeling my wetness, instead of easing in, he plunged into me, all the way to the pubic bone, withdrew quickly, and hammered me relentlessly. I orgasmed the first minute, then kept building and building again until I thought I was going to burst. We managed to come together, me screaming and Benny almost yelling.

He collapsed onto me for a few seconds before he tried to roll off. I wrapped my hose clad legs around him and refused to let go until he became soft and slipped out. Then I let him roll onto his back, and I immediately snuggled, putting my head on his chest and my arm across him.

"Benny, Benny, why didn't you do this thirty years ago? Look how much time we wasted."

I was drifting off to sleep, and in that half state between wakefulness and slumber, when I could have sworn I heard him say "I've loved you my whole life, Bonnie. Still do."

With that I drifted off, smiling.

So there you have it. No wild monkey sex. We did it once, straight missionary. It probably didn't last twenty minutes from start to finish, but it was the most intense lovemaking of my whole life. Nothing I had ever experienced compared to it.

I definitely wanted more, a lot more.

I woke before him, kissed him gently and slipped out of bed. Bringing back a warm washcloth, I gently cleaned him, until he was standing tall and awake. Taking him into my mouth, I returned the favor of the night before. enjoying his moans and his hand on the top of his head. He warned me, but I kept going until he flooded my mouth. It was a strong, musky taste.

We showered together, rubbing and washing. He surprised me by becoming erect again, and carrying me back to the bed, where he threw me down on my stomach, pulling my ass up until he could reach me. He started out gently, but was pounding hard soon. Having recently come, he was able to last a long time. I enjoyed every second immensely, even though it made me so sore I could barely sit for breakfast.

We were taking another shower when Sarah and Hilda pounded on the door. I think we embarrassed them by answering in robes.

They had huge grins on their face.

"Get dressed! We need nourishment, there's a buffet bar downstairs and the boys are waiting. Chop, chop."

They looked over at Benny.

"Sleep well, Benny? You look a little tired."

"She snores" he said with a straight face. "It was like lying next to a train."

We all looked shocked until he started laughing.

"Of course she doesn't snore. But I've found she has this habit of rubbing that hot naked body against me in her sleep, and that definitely kept me awake!"

I turned about eight shades of red while the girls howled in laughter.

I sent Benny down to wait with the boys while I got dressed. Of course as soon as he was gone we started comparing notes.

Hilda grinned. "I'll show you mine..."

...............................................

The shy little Sarah we knew was gone, replaced by a woman comfortable in her own body.

She slid the dress she was wearing over her head. She was still wearing the bustier.

"I can never thank you enough girls, for taking me along yesterday. We went back to our room. I went into the bathroom to freshen up, and came back in my hose, thong, and this, without the cups.

He was speechless, girls, stunned beyond moving.

Then he attacked me. There's no other way to describe it. The man who didn't come out and say I was getting boring but sent me the hints couldn't get enough of me. We did things we hadn't done in fifteen years, things we'd never done before. Look at this."

She popped one of her cups loose. Her nipple was swollen and puffy looking, and small bites covered her breast. She put the cup back on.

"And that's nothing compared to other parts of my body."

Hilda looked horrified.

"Did he hurt you?"

"Yes, and I loved every minute. I gave it back just as hard. I didn't think he would be able to get out of bed this morning. He wouldn't let me take this off last night, or this morning. I'm definitely going to have to invest in a few more. What about you, hon?"

She was looking at Hilda. She actually blushed.

"I saw a side of Jack I had never even dreamed of. He's a little kinky, and I loved it."

She raised her dress, revealing another thong and tiny red marks across her bottom. She refused to say any more except she thought he might be long term, maybe even permanent.

They looked at me expectantly. I eased my dress up and my thong down. It had only been forty five minutes since he had been inside me, and I was still swollen and puffy. Sarah actually gasped.

"Let's just say shy, quiet, little Benny is just the opposite in the bedroom. He's not shy about what he wants, he isn't quiet, and he definitely isn't little. I felt like a rag doll. If he wanted it, he took it. And before you ask, I loved every minute of it."

Okay, I exaggerated, just a little.

"And like Hilda, I definitely see this going long term, till death do us part, I hope. Now, we've kept them waiting long enough, I'm sure they're telling their own versions of last night to each other."

We breakfasted, teased each other and our men, enjoying their glowing faces, before going to check out.

I thought I would tease him a little in private. He was closing his suitcase when I slid my dress up, showing off the thong and garter.

"We could have a quickie, if you can get it up."

He dropped his pants, exposing a very nice erection, bent me over the couch and tugged my thong to the side, and pounded me hard for twenty minutes. We didn't even have time to clean up. checking out on the dot. I discovered thongs aren't real good at holding things in. I rode all the way home leaking on the upholstery and grinning like an idiot.

..................................................

How could we possibly top that weekend?

I was his first lover in two years, mine in eighteen months. We went at it hot and heavy for a couple of weeks, then I surprised him.

We were working on his third book, a mystery tied up in a romance between the main characters. It was one of those nobody is quite what they seem, a surprise in every chapter type of books. But of course true love won out in the end. I didn't like it as much as the first two.

I was on my second edit, got carried away and didn't notice the time. I looked at the clock and it was almost one thirty in the morning. Getting up to check, I found Benny in his recliner, dead to the world. Up until now we hadn't been staying over at each others' houses, Benny was old fashioned enough to worry about my reputation.

I woke him gently by kissing him awake. He stirred, responded, and pulled me onto his lap. It felt so good on his lap I couldn't help but snuggle for a moment, before getting up.

"Come on" I said, tugging him to the bedroom, "it's nearly two in the morning. You went to sleep and didn't stop me on time. Let's go to bed, you have to work tomorrow."

Still half asleep, he stumbled into the bedroom. I turned down the bed, told him to get in, and went to the bathroom. When I came out he was already asleep again. I smiled at him, thinking how deeply I was falling in love with him.

"Screw it" I thought, as I rummaged through his drawers for something to sleep in. I got one of his t shirts and slipped into it, went to the left side of the bed, and pushed him gently. He rolled over and I slipped in, snuggling to his back.

The alarm went off and he reached over to turn it off, finding me instead of an alarm clock. Before he could react I gave him a nice kiss.

"Morning honey, grab your shower while I fix you a little breakfast."

"How, what...." he said, confused. I shushed him.

"I'll tell you over breakfast. Up and at 'em" I said pulling the covers down.

He stumbled to the shower, and I went into the kitchen. When he came in I had his coffee poured and was just plating his cheese omelette.

He ate with relish, complimenting me on the food.

"You need to go grocery shopping. You're now out of eggs and cheese. Or, we could make a list and I'll pick it up this afternoon."

"Huh?"

"You're obviously not a morning person, are you Benny? We need food, and I'm volunteering to shop for you. If you're wondering how I came to spend the night, it's your fault. You went to sleep in your recliner and I got carried away working. The next thing I knew it was almost two in the morning. I didn't feel safe driving that late at night, so I put us to bed. And don't worry, your virtue is intact. We're fifty years old, if we want to sleep together we can and no one would care. Some might even think it funny. You don't mind fucking me in that bed, why should it bother you if I sleep in it?"

He went light red, from the situation or from me using the word 'fuck' I couldn't tell.

"Now, off to work. I'll see you this afternoon."

I nudged him gently out the door, standing at the door waving as he drove off. Poured another cup of coffee and sat, lost in thought and smiling.

I wandered through the house, mentally making changes. We were definitely going to live here. It was warn, cozy, a nice little empty nest. Not at all like my barn of a house, too big even when our kids were there.

I went back t my house, showered, changed, packed a suitcase, shopped for groceries, picked up a movie, and went 'home', to fix my man a nice dinner.

I worked on the book some more while dinner simmered. Hearing his car in the drive, I met him at the door with a glass of tea and a big kiss.

"Hard day at work, honey?"

He sniffed the air, smelling dinner. A slow smile developed, a smile of contentment and love. I almost skipped dinner for some loving, but constrained myself. Barely.

He went into change out of his delivery uniform. I wished I could have seen his face when he opened his closet and saw my clothes hanging there.

He didn't talk much during dinner except for complimenting it. Afterwards, he insisted on cleaning up as a thank you. I went out and sat in the porch swing enjoying the evening air.

He sat down beside me and I automatically snuggled into him. We rocked slightly, just enjoying the moment.

Finally stirring, he turned and gave me a very nice kiss.

"So, you prefer the left side?"

I didn't catch his meaning. He grinned.

"The left side of the bed, the left side of the closet. Natural really, considering you're left handed"

I didn't know what to say so I just nodded.

"Well then" he said, "I'll move everything of mine in the bathroom to the right."

"Really?" I asked, in wonder.

"Really. I can't tell you how great it was, waking up next to you. Stay over as often as you want, for as long as you want."

"That could be a very long time" I said seriously. He kissed me again.

"Okay with me. If I get tired of you in the next twenty or thirty years, I'll throw you out. But remember, I'm an old fashioned kind of guy. Sooner or later I'm going to want to make this official."

I couldn't help it, I started crying. Then I started kissing. I alternated the two for almost an hour. Benny, bless his heart, was smart enough to not say anything, just cuddle me and kiss back.

...............................................

It was amazing how easily we slipped into a domestic pattern. It was like we had been together for years. He really wasn't much of a morning person. I loved waking up early, eager to face the day, so I usually made him a nice breakfast. He cooked dinner eight times out of ten. I told him he didn't have to, but I came to realize that cooking for me was an expression of love, so I shut up and enjoyed. He was a much better cook than I ever could hope to be.

I missed two Thursday nights at the pub, too busy nesting. Benny let me change a few things, realizing I was marking my territory.

In two weeks I spent two days in my house, because of work. I tossed and turned all night. I decided after the second night it wasn't happening again, I'd just get up extra early.

Hilda called me, telling me I was to be at the pub this Thursday, no excuse. Just because I had found my dream man did not give me permission to abandon my friends. I felt kind of guilty for ignoring them. I brought it up to Benny, sort of asking his permission. He gave me a long look before taking me out to the porch swing. It seemed that was where we had most of our important discussions.

"Bonnie, honey, do you own me?"

I didn't understand the question.

"Say I wanted to go out and do some catfishing. You know it's best at night, so I'd probably be out really late, maybe even all night. Or, if someone asked me to cook for an event, do I need your permission before saying yes?"

I started catching on.

"No, honey. You're an adult and I trust you. Notification maybe, but never permission."

"Then why do you feel the need to ask permission to spend time with your friends, people you've been a lot closer to than me over the years? I think you're one of the most honorable women I've ever met, to not trust you or try to control you has never crossed my mind. Spend time with your friends. I want you to be happy. All right?"

I looked at him with tears in my eyes, thinking about my jealous ex, and how he wanted to control me.

"I love you so much!" I blurted. Then I paled. We had never come outright with our feelings, preferring actions to word.

Instead of being shocked, he just smiled, a smile of satisfaction and joy.

"I love you too, honey. Now go see your friends, and remember, play nice and take your turn. And stop crying, it's ruining your makeup."

He gave me a huge kiss and started back into the house.

I couldn't help it, I cried anyway. When I got to the pub, Hilda and Sarah rushed me into the bathroom.

"Did you guys have a fight?"

I told them about my conversation, and our declarations of love. We all had to fix our makeup after that.

We settled down, had a couple of drinks, and caught each other up. Sarah couldn't wait to tell us of her love life.

"It's like we're twenty again. I've lost six pounds, I could really recommend my exercise program to anyone whose marriage has gotten a little stale. If he doesn't start something, I do. It isn't always sex, but there's a lot of petting. I think a lot of what keeps us hot is he wanted me to keep my shaved look, so I turned it over to him. Every three days, after the kids are in bed, we do a little personal grooming. I'm usually so wet by the time he gets done I have to have him. I've become a screamer, something he loves, and I've chewed up two pillows so far."

She was blushing furiously but was smiling the whole time.

Hilda chimed in.

"When Sarah told me about Jim being responsible for her grooming, I suggested the same thing for Jack. Only problem is he wants to do it every day. After the second round of razor burn, I put him on the three day schedule. It works better for us."




Finding an Editor Ch. 01



"Are you living together yet?" I didn't really know Jack that well, and was concerned for her.

"No, but we do spend a lot of quality time together. He wants me to meet his kids. What if they don't like me? It could destroy everything."

"Honey, if it gets serious, and it looks like it is, you'll have to deal with them sooner or later. I don't really see a problem. He's been divorced for four years now, and his kids are what, twelve and eleven? They're old enough to deal with it, and you had no part in the divorce. You should be fine. And she was the one who cheated, not him."

Part of her nervousness was she had never had children. Both her husbands had left her after discovering she couldn't bear children, even though she told her second husband up front. She wanted to adopt, he was agreeable, then wasn't. Ten months later he was living with a receptionist at his firm. She was four months pregnant when he left Hilda.

I felt eyes on me, and turned, to see Mariam, his ex, and her new banker husband. I don't recall ever seeing them in here before. I asked about it.

"Bob[the pub owner]is trying to open a line of credit to expand the place and do some upgrades. He is working with the bank, and they basically sent him down to check the operation out. Bob treats them like royalty, and they eat it up." Hilda explained. Then she shuddered.

"He's all right as long as she's around, but when he comes in alone he's like an octopus. One dance from any women in the place was enough, no one wants to dance with him twice."

Just before I left, I ran into Mariam in the bathroom. She smirked before she spoke.

"Benny? Really? You have a Master's degree, and he just barely finished high school."

I saw red for just a minute, before calming down.

"Yes, Benny. And it's more about what's in his heart, not in his head. He's the most loving man I've ever met, surely you remember all the little gestures he used to make? Well, he makes them for me now, and I love it. Tell me, when was the last time your husband cooked something special for you? Or held your hand on the porch swing, happy just to be with you? And the little gifts? I showed him a bird feeder I'd like to have, and he disappeared into his shop for a couple of days, and came out with the most elaborate feeder I'd ever seen. It was a miniature gazebo, two tier, in cedar. It was so beautiful I didn't want to use it."

She flinched like I had struck her. I got the feeling she was having a bit of buyers' remorse. Before she could recover I spoke again.

"I need to thank you, Mariam. Your decision to trade up worked out really well for both of us. You've got your executive husband, and I've got him. If anyone else gets him they'll have to pull him out of my cold dead embrace. I'll never let go."

I turned to leave, but couldn't resist just one more shot.

"Despite his lack of education, you'd be surprised what goes on his head. He's a lot deeper than you ever realized."

I almost made a mistake and told her about his writing, but stopped just in time. Let her find out on her own.

.................................................

I got home and he was already in bed, almost asleep. He snuggled in to me and asked if I had a good time. I kissed him four or five times and told him I had fun, and for him to remind me tomorrow afternoon to tell him about the three day rotation.

I explained it to him the next evening after supper.

"Think of it as a bonding experience, honey."

I can still see his grin when I close my eyes.

"Oh we'll bond all right, but it'll be after the grooming, every time."

For the most part he was right.

.................................................

Naturally production slowed on his books, we were taking too many love breaks. We still got the next one out way before the deadline, and were working pretty hard on the next, the last of his contract. His sales had picked up, and he was starting to generate a very nice second income.

We held Thanksgiving dinner that year at my house. It was the first time all our kids were together. I thought it would be awkward, and it was for a few minutes. My two girls and their husbands, four children between then, his three boys, two married, three kids, and the youngest was still single. 

I had taught his children in high school, and they knew each other already, so it didn't take long to relax and enjoy the meal. Benny and I had been cooking for two days, mostly desserts, and he deep fried two turkeys, because with that amount of people we didn't think one would be enough. It was great meal.

All our kids lived out of town, mostly due to the economy. They were actually pleased when we told them to not worry about motels, we had more than enough room. My house had four bedrooms and a finished basement, so the marrieds all got a room, his youngest got the fold out couch, and three of the kids slept on air mattresses. They thought it was a great adventure.

We ended up taking the four girls, aged seven through nine, home to to our house, because they wanted to have a slumber party. We got out even more air mattresses, and had them settled down quickly. They all insisted they were going to stay up late, but by ten thirty the last had nodded off. I couldn't help but look at them and wish we had had children together.

Of course, they were all up by eight the next morning, and we made pancakes together, letting Benny sleep in. When they were ready, I sent all four in to get him out of bed. Mine called me Nana, and he was Poppy to his, and it started out with Nana Bonnie and Poppy Benny. By lunchtime it was just Nana and Poppy. We were both having a ball.

They had to be back by two, his kids were dining with their mother and her husband[that's how they identified him, it was never Dad or Tom, just 'her husband']at six. 

They told us Saturday they hated it, it was formal, with guests from the bank there, so every one had to be on their best behavior. They returned to my house as quickly as they could without causing offense.

The girls had bragged about how much fun they had, so we took the boys Friday night. They were a little older, and they did stay up pretty late. I had to practically drag them up. They brightened when we told them the whole family was going to meet at a breakfast buffet.

On the way back I ended up in my daughters' minivan with both my girls and his two daughters. Both my girls commented on how happy I seemed, and his said that it was the happiest they had ever seen him, even before he and Miriam split, so I guess everything was just fine. 

Plans were made for Christmas. They were all going to thes, so we were having our celebration afterwards, just before New Years Day. 

I loved Christmas, especially when the kids were small. Now, instead of two girls, I had four, plus three boys, to shop for. It was heaven. We coordinated with the parents to make sure we didn't duplicate gifts or overstep bounds, but in the end I couldn't help it, and got carried away. The Christmas tree was really crowded after we wrapped everything.

We were all more relaxed this time, and I took all the girls, including the granddaughters, to church with me. It gave them all a chance to wear the new dresses I had gotten them.

If it hadn't been so serious, what happened would have been funny. I almost came to blows with Miriam, on the steps of the church. I had one of the granddaughters holding each hand. One of mine, one of his, even though by now we considered them both ours. 

She went pale when she saw us, tried to control her temper, and came over, expecting her granddaughters to go with her. Angie, the youngest, latched down a little tighter on my hand and refused. I tried to keep the peace by letting her other granddaughter and one of mine accompany her.

"I don't want anything to do with your brats!" she spat. "I want MINE, and I intend to take them."

Before it got ugly the moms stepped in. I don't think they cared for Miriam very much.

"Mariam! Behave yourself. These are our children, and they'll sit where we want, with who we want. Do you understand? Angie, you and Nana go find a seat, we'll be there shortly."

By them I had Angie in my arms, and her arms were wrapped around my neck with a death grip. I was stroking her, telling her it would be all right, she didn't have to go if she didn't have to. We found a pew close to the front, and all the little girls went went me. My daughters and her daughters gave her a few choice words before joining us. I know it was un-christian like, but I felt a small sense of victory, a little payback for the way she had treated the man I love.

She couldn't let it lie. After services, she came flying down the steps, blood in her eye and a full head of steam. Before she could start, the reverend stepped up.

"Bonnie, Miriam, what a lovely group of children. You two must be very proud of such fine young women. It's good to see you getting along, putting your family first."

He spoke to the girls, and made sure he shook every hand all the way down to Angie, thanking them for attending, all the while giving Miriam pointed looks.

"Thanks, Bonnie, for making this a memorable service" he whispered in my ear, before stepping back, a big smile on his face.

Before anything else was said Whitney pulled the minivan up. 

"Kids, mom, let's go. Poppy and the guys are making barbeque. It should be done by now. Who's hungry?"

The girls were all clamoring "Me! Me!' while they scrambled to get strapped in.

I couldn't resist.

"Miriam, would you and Tom like to join us for lunch? You know how carried away Benny gets when he starts cooking, so I'm sure there's plenty. No? Are you sure? All right then, girls, tell Granny bye.

I thought she was going to pass out with anger. She hated being called Granny, she insisted they use grandmother. I felt her stare for what felt like two miles.

Of course all the girls tried to give me hell, but none of them could keep a straight face long enough to finish, so they just gave up and talked about lunch.

Naturally the grandkids flocked to Benny when we got home, and he got to hear all about it. He tried to frown, but his lips kept trying to go the other way. Finally he gave up and laughed with the rest of us.

All the kids stayed for three days. They spent four hours with Miriam. She had some cookies out, bought of course, she really wasn't much of a cook, and had to leave the room when Angie told her Nana's were better.

Benny had a talk with me after they left.

"Bonnie, while I appreciate the humor in what you've done, and I'm happy my kids love you, she's still part of our lives. We'll have to share graduations, weddings, even funerals with her over the years, so try not to needle her too much. Please?"

Of course I agreed. It was pretty easy, actually. About the only time I saw her was at church and the pub occasionally.

..................................................

We were cleaning up my house, gathering the discarded wrap and missed toy containers, when Benny reached behind the tree and pulled out a small box.

"Look honey, this one got missed, and it has your name on it. Open it up."

He had a great poker face, and I never knew when he was serious. I really didn't think much about it, it was in the paper my daughter used to wrap all her presents in, so I opened it.

I must have stared at it for two minutes before I raised my tear filled eyes to his.

"Do you like it? Fell free to pick another if you don't, it's the sentiment that counts. I told you, sooner or later I was going to want to make it official, and this seemed the right time. Please say something, honey."

It was a ring, with one of the biggest diamonds I had ever seen. 

I couldn't talk, so I just held him and cried for about ten minutes, before I pushed myself away. We were on the couch, so I took his hands in mine.

Of course I had the ring on my finger by then, and it was never coming off again, but I wanted to hear him say it.

"Before I say yes, you have to officially ask."

He slid off the couch to his knees. He didn't use flowery language, or give a long speech, simply took my hand.

"Bonnie, love of my life, will you marry me?"

"Of course I will, you beautiful, dear man."

And we kissed, a kiss of passion, promise, and love.

"Why didn't you do it while the kids were here?"

"Because this is the most personal thing two people can share. I want the world to know it, of course, but I wanted to have the moment between just us first. Disappointed?"

"No, but you know I'm going to be burning up the phone for about two hours."

And that's just what I did, doing a conference with my daughters and husbands, then his sons and wives. By the end of the second call everyone was calling me Mom. Damned hard to talk when you cry.

.................................................

I waited until Thursday night to tell Hilda and Bonnie. Even then I didn't say anything, just used a lot of hand gestures. Sarah caught it before Hilda.

"OH MY GOD!" She screamed, grabbing my left hand and shoving it into Hilda's face.

She screamed, dove over the table, and we collapsed into a hugging, crying heap onto the floor, for five minutes.

Hilda called Jack, Sarah called Jim, and I called Benny, telling them to come over, right now.

In celebration, I bought a round for the house. Spying Miriam and her husband, I told the waitress to make their drinks on me for the rest of the evening.

"After all" I told the table. "they're indirectly responsible for my happiness."

Miriam was going to refuse, but her husband, ever a banker and pragmatist, sent thanks, and proceeded to drink doubles until he was completely out of control.

About halfway to oblivion, he staggered over and asked for a celebratory dance. I agreed, reluctantly, and Miriam glared while he almost humped my leg like a dog. When he grabbed my breast, I lost my patience, slapped the hell out of him, and went back to my table. Everyone had witnessed it, and many laughed outright. Miriam looked like she wanted to crawl under the table.

Benny arrived just after, and of course people told him. I'll never forget the look on his face. He went straight for their table.

By now he was so drunk no one could really understand what he was saying, but I think he understood when Benny pulled him by his tie until he was right in his face.

"Touch her again, asshole, and I'll go straight to your ass. Do you understand?"

He was drunk enough to be brave, and stupid.

"Whassa matter, li'l man" he slurred, "afraid I'll take her too? It was really easy, she almost begged me for it. Watch your back, maybe I'll take this one just for fun."

I don't think anyone knew he had been slapped until the sound went through the club, followed by a second, when he came back across with a backhand.

"Are you really determined to die stupid? One more word, and I swear on everything you hold dear, you'll have no more worries in this life. Don't you ever touch her, speak to her, or come near her again, do you understand?"

He still held him by the tie, faces inches apart. I saw true fear in his eyes.

Bob and his bartender saved him. Separating them as calmly as possible, he talked Benny down.

"Benny, let it go. He'll never bother another woman in my club, I can guarantee it. Maybe you should take Bonnie home. Come back next week, the first drink will be on me."

He turned to Tom.

"Tom, I need a loan, but not that bad. Miriam, I'm sorry, but you need to take your husband home. You're always welcome, but he's barred, for life. Give Bonnie and Benny a few minutes, then you need to leave too."

Shame and embarrassment were plain on her face as she led her drunk husband out of the club.

.................................................

It was very quiet on the way home. When we were almost there, I started to apologize.

"Why are you apologizing? Did you lead him on, give him hints or indications that you were agreeable?"

I was appalled he would think so, and told him so. He just grunted.

"Do you think I don't know that? I'm sorry you had to see that side of me, honey. It hasn't come out in years. But I protect what's mine and what I hold dear, and I always will. If you can't deal with that, you may want to give the ring back."

I surprised him when I punched his arm.

"Idiot! You're stuck with me for the rest of our lives. I'm so proud of you for defending me, David would have never done it. And I'm glad you made your claim on me plain like you did tonight. I'm so hot for you right now I'm wetting the seat. So get me back to the cave, you barbarian, and claim your chattel."

Literally, he dragged me into the house by the hair, popping every button on my blouse, ripping yet another bra off, and that was in the driveway. He had my skirt and panties off by the time we were in the kitchen, where we christened the table, slamming in to me from behind. It was rough, brutal, and intense. I was screaming his name through both climaxes, and was whimpering by the time he came. There was no cuddling, he picked me up and carried me to the bed, throwing me down roughly.

"I want you again. Get me ready." he said, guiding my head firmly towards his cock. I'm not ashamed to say I sucked like my life depended on it, and ten minutes later he was pounding me again, this time missionary.

"Say you're mine!" he said, gripping my hair tightly.

"I'm yours!" I screamed. "I belong to Benny Henson! Completely, totally his woman, now and forever! Now fuck me, Caveman, use me like the property I am!"

.............................................. 

We were both sore and a little bruised the next day. Benny was kind of sheepish, and I think he would have apologized if I hadn't stopped him.

"Don't you dare! I've never felt more secure in my whole life! My man fought for me, then used everything in his power to prove I belonged to him. I loved it, and want more, from time to time, but I don't think I can physically handle it on a regular basis. I'm so sore I had to use a pillow for the dining room chair. And I was proud to do it, proud to submit, to be subservient to your pleasure. Make no mistake, you do own me, and I'll always trust you don't abuse your power. Now, no more to be said, agreed? Except, once more, I love you deeply."

I wasn't kidding. Last night triggered something deep inside me, something that had always been lurking there that I had been afraid to acknowledge. I reveled in his power, and was definitely going to push him for more, as subtly as possible.

I decided to come clean with a secret I had been keeping.

A week later I brought it up.

"Benny, honey, remember when we first started this, I acted surprised when you brought up that website? Well, I don't want any secrets between us a married couple, so I have something to tell you. Show you actually. I've pulled up a writer, I want you to read their work, then come back and talk to me about it. There's only about twenty five stories, so it shouldn't take more than an evening to read. When you finish, I want to discuss them with you. Not tonight, I want you to think on it, but tomorrow, definitely. Now go."

He went into the office. We had set my computer up with a desk right beside his, and mine was the one on. I walked, fretted, peeked in. His face was set in deep concentration, then later I heard a laugh, then a snort. I went to bed before he came out, he didn't have to work the next day. I don't know what time he came to bed.

The writer, of course, was me. Back before Benny and I got together, I was lonely, horny sometimes, and despairing of even finding love again. Hilda told me about the site, recommending the romance section, but soon I had branched out to erotic couplings, group sex, and BDSM, often jilling off to the computer screen, thinking how lonely and deprived I was. Soon I was writing, turning every fantasy I had ever had into a story. You don't spend your life as an English teacher without learning at least the rudiments of creative writing. That's one of the reasons I was so impressed with his writing. It was sheer talent, he had almost no formal training at all.




Finding an Editor Ch. 02



Part one was in Romance, but they married, so I guess this qualifies as a loving wife story. One more segment to go. Thanks for reading.

.................................................

I slept, dreaming odd dreams. I woke to the familiar smell of barbecue, the ultimate[for me]comfort food. Benny really didn't talk much as I ate. After we cleared the dishes he got us a beer and took me to the porch swing.

We settled in, snuggled a bit, glad to be back in each others arms. He rocked us gently, stroking my hair occasionally.

I steeled myself, and pushed upright. I needed him to be able to see my face.

"First, honey, thank you for trusting me."

"Now, as to where I was. Do you remember my friend Beth? I worked for her before I took up teaching, at the publishing house."

I felt his body tense.

"She's a senior editor now. I took her your book.

They can reach a far wider audience than your ebooks, generate press, advertize in major media markets. It's just too good, honey. The world needs to see it."

He exhaled, slowly.

"Did she like it?"

"Honey, she loved it! Said it was probably the most powerful thing she had ever read. She's already talking movie rights, if you sign with her."

"Do you think it will be that successful?"

I held his hands, leaning in fr a quick kiss.

"You don't know, do you? Benny, people who read this book, or see the movie, will remember it for the rest of their lives. It's that good."

He stood, and walked to the end of the porch, staring into the darkness. His voice floated out of the darkness.

"Then I guess we should do it. You know, when I started writing it was for the peace it brought me. I wanted to be successful, to be sure. But as successful as you say this is going to be, I never dreamed it."

"But know up front, Bonnie, I won't do this alone. You are my muse, my anchor, and my best friend. The love of my life. You made me want to be a better writer."

"I know everybody wondered how come you chose me. You're beautiful, smarter, and much better educated. I just drove a delivery truck, what could I have to offer a woman like you? I never told you, but I've been in love with you since we were thirteen years old. I knew I wasn't in your league when you decided to go to the junior high mixer, with Jimmy Travers, and his mom picked you up in their new station wagon, and drove you to that nice restaurant afterwards with all your rich friends, that I could never compete with that. So I left you alone."

"Then you came back into my life, and I couldn't believe it. When we became close I kept waiting for some guy in a suit to waltz in and ruin it.

But you chose me, and if I died tomorrow, it would be knowing that you loved me, and that made my life worth living."

"Did you know Miriam is telling everybody we used your money for our wedding and honeymoon? Said she knew I wanted to play the big shot, act like I was something I could never be? I'm sure part of it's hate, and part jealousy, but you'd be amazed how many people believe her."

"So if it happens, if it becomes as popular as you think, you're taking every step with me. I'll need you to prop me up, encourage me, protect me. Will you do it?"

I swear to God, I've wept more tears in the last two years being with him than I have in my whole life, and almost all were tears of happiness and love. I walked up behind him, hugging him.

"With every breath I take. Now, I want you to take me to bed, our bed, and make love to me. Please?"

It was the most passionate night I had ever had. There was no pounding, no screaming, no games, just a man and a woman, becoming one. I wept softly through most of it, and felt a few drop from his eyes, at the end. We didn't speak when we were done. What words could possibly convey our feelings as well as touch?

Then, just before I drifted off, Miriam popped into my mind. I thought about confronting her in public, revealing all her lies, but then decided not to. The book would put paid to every negative thing she had ever said about Benny. I just needed to be there when she got the news.

...............................................

I called Beth the next day, saying if we could find an agent and come to terms, we were in.

She had a man call us, saying he was a legend among agents. Seventy now, he was semiretired, but there was nothing and no one he didn't know in the publishing world, as well as Hollywood.

We put him on speaker.

"Good morning. My name is Saul Sanchez. Beth gave me your number. I'd love to meet and talk about representing you. When will you be in New York again?"

I answered.

"Next Tuesday. We're going to be there for a couple of days, and we'd really like to have representation before then."

We talked for about an hour. He had represented some really big names in the past. He was down to three now, mostly as a favor.

"Beth let me read the first ten chapters in her office. It's as good as she said it will be. I'd like to work with you. You'll be my swansong, sending me out in style."

We talked to two more, made appointments, but we knew before we got on the plane it would be Saul.

.................................................

Come to find out, Benny wasn't very traveled. I, thanks to my first job and my ex, was. Watching him was like watching a child. Unfortunately, we weren't there to sight see, at least until we finished our business.

We got checked in just in time to freshen up for our meeting with Saul.

"Should I wear a suit?"

I laughed.

"They want you. You could show up in a torn t shirt and ragged sweat pants and they wouldn't bat an eye. They're used to eccentric behavior from writers. On the other hand, you look damned handsome in a suit, and it does convey an air of professionalism."

"Okay then, suit it is. But I'm not wearing a tie. And that means you better wear that blue dress. It'll keep them distracted enough to let me be comfortable."

"All right" I said meekly, tingling that I still could keep him so turned on after almost a year and a half together.

I lay out the dress, then decided to give him a treat. My black thong, matching garter belt, and hose. I strutted out, holding the dress.

"Honey, will you zip me?" I said, wriggling into my dress. I loved the look on his face. Reaching up to kiss his cheek.

"Now, honey, If you start to stress today, just remember the treat you have waiting under this dress."

He was grinning like mad all through the cab ride.

.................................................

I don't know what an agent was supposed to look like, but Saul Sanchez wasn't it. I had a vision of a wizened little man in a comfortable sweater, fawning over us.

Saul was six foot seven, and in great shape for his age. Thick, jet black hair I'm sure was died, a small goatee, and a skull cap. His suit looked very expensive. He had one of those personalities that could fill a room all on its' own.

"Welcome, welcome" he boomed, shaking our hands.

Soon we were in a very nice office. Dark wood, leather furniture.

"My mancave" he said grinning. He motioned us over to a couch, and sat on the matching oversized chair. He filled it up.

He got down to business pretty quickly.

"I read your work. Pretty good, for a beginner. The first two were a bit crude, but you progressed nicely. Beth has some ideas on that, I'll let her tell you."

He paused.

"The new book, at least the part I saw, is nothing short of brilliant. I can tell that hearing that embarrasses you, but you'll soon get over that. You'll have too, if it hits like I expect it to."

"I know you have interviews with two other agents, Beth told me. Both are pretty good, would do an adequate job, so why should you go with me, especially if my fees are higher? Because I'm the best for you. I can bring forty five years of experience, and my address book is a who's who of the most important literary figures in the world, not just the city. Plus, I'm really good friends with several prominent producers and film companies, and this has Oscar written all over it, if we get the right people, especially a good screen writer."

He paused, out of breath.

"My wife didn't want me to do this until I told her once she read the book she would disown me if I let you slip through my fingers. So, here's my contract. Get a really good entertainment lawyer to look it over. If you don't have one, I could give you a couple of names, as can Beth. Get back to me soon if you want me. There's lot of things that need to be done. Now, any questions?"

We had a lot of questions, and he did his best to answer them to our understanding. He gave us a hearty handshake and sent us on our way.

To be fair, we went to the meetings with the other two. One, a man slightly younger than us, seemed competent but didn't really appeal to us.

The other, a man his early thirties, was a disaster.

It was a huge office, opulent, and extremely busy. In fact, we were interrupted numerous times, and he brushed most of our questions aside, saying an assistant would be be available to answer any questions after we had signed. He had the contract ready, and his personal assistant standing by to witness.

I was getting angry, and Benny seemed amused.

When the man finally stopped talking, he leaned back in his desk chair, and smiled a sharks' smile.

"Any questions before we sign?"

Benny surprised him.

"That's a really nice suit. Where did you get it?"

He actually seemed to preen.

"Savile Row. Seven thousand, worth every penny. I can get you the name of the tailor, if you want. Yours?" 

I know he was just being polite. Benny grinned as he stood.

"JC Penny. Two eighty nine, if I can catch them on sale."

I happened to be looking at his assistant, and I thought she was going to choke, trying not to laugh.

Benny reached out and shook his hand.

"Thank you for your time. It was...educational. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll go with your agency. Have a good day."

He strode out with me in tow, while the agent tried to scramble out his chair. I didn't even try to hold in my laughter as we left.

We spent the afternoon meeting lawyers. There were two names both Beth and Saul recommended, so we decided to see them first, having made appointments in advance.

We chose a woman, our age, because we both liked her.

"So, Saul Sanchez and Beth Howard. When they called almost back to back I knew I had to meet you."

We spent an educational hour learning about intellectual property and entertainment laws. In the end, we signed.

Armed with an agent and a lawyer, we saw Beth the next day.

"We won't be talking business, per se, you have people, very competent people, to handle that now. I just wanted to meet you, Mr. Henson."

Benny shook her hand, smiling.

"You might as well get used to calling me Benny, every one else does. It looks like we'll be talking quite a bit."

"Beth" she replied, handing him a card.

"These are my private numbers. If you need me for any reason, one of these numbers will reach me. And you need to get a new cell, and not give anyone else but Saul and myself the number. It'll cut down on wait time and assure us a direct line."

"Now, while Saul and Karen sort everything out with our business people, there is a few things I'd like to cover. I read all five of your earlier books. Tell me, have you read them lately? Is there anything you look at and say "this would have been better, or I should have went in this direction instead'?"

Benny actually blushed.

"Not so much on my last two, but there was a lot I wished I had changed in the first three. Some my editor suggested, some my own thoughts."

"Very good, Benny. You should ALWAYS listen to your editor. Who did edit them? There were a few things I would have done differently, but all editors are like that."

"Bonnie."

She looked surprised, then smiled at me.

"You have learned well, grasshopper. I'm glad you still remember what I taught you. Is it going to be a problem letting me have him?"

"A little" I said, "it was a spiritual connection, and was what got us together in the first place. But he's outgrown me now, and I'm smart enough to know it. He needs your skill level and experience."

Beth came around the desk and hugged me.

"Well said. I promise I'll be gentle, at least at first."

Benny flamed red while we giggled.

She sat back down.

"I want you to know that Harbor House has acquired the publishing rights to all your past work. Three of them are good enough to be rewritten and published, a few months after this one comes out I want you to have one ready. They'll do well, riding the coattails of this one. Benny, before you get excited, you still retain ownership of the books, we just bought publishing rights. Are you working on anything now?"

"Not really. I have a few ideas I'd like to develop, but I kind of got derailed by all of this."

"I'll be honest with you, you won't get much time to write for the next year or so. You'll come to understand why writers hate publicity, it steals their creative time. But all successful writers know it's the cost of fame. That being said, keep a laptop with you, you'll find yourself with a spare hour here, thirty minutes there. Use it, and when the furor dies down you'll be ahead when it comes to serious writing. In the meantime, you've got about six months before this hits, I want you to rewrite your third and fourth book, and think about a sequel to the third. People love mystery as much as romance. All right, business over. What are your plans for the rest of the week?"

I answered.

"Well, we have meetings with Saul and Karen, separately and together. And this is Benny's first time in New York, so I'm sure sightseeing is on the agenda."

"Good. It's a hell of a place to live. Have dinner with Jen and I tomorrow, we'll make some recommendations. Anything specific you'd like to do, Benny?"

Jen was her new girlfriend. She said it looked like it might be serious. 

"I've always wanted to see a Broadway show. A musical, if I could."

Beth grinned.

"I'll see what I can do. You're about to learn, a successful writer aligned with a top publishing house has the entertainment world at their fingertips."

The next night during dinner, she produced two sets of tickets.

"Momma Mia. A matinee. And the next night Kinky Boots. Jen and I are going with you, she's been dying to see it."

Benny was stunned.

"What do we owe you?"

"Undying gratitude. One of the perks of the trade. And don't be surprised if the producers come sniffing around. I may have said you were about to set the literary world on fire. Network, Benny. Learn to love the word."

She was laughing at the look on his face.

Beth and I went to the ladies room, leaving Jen at the table. Guard duty Beth called it.

"He's a babe in the woods, Bonnie. Promise me you'll protect him. You got a glimpse of how this business can be. Keep him sweet, so he can keep his perspective."

She was dead serious, I could see it in her face.

"Don't worry" I told her, as she freshened her lipstick, "I'll be like a momma bear protecting her cub. Anybody trying to get close to him is going to get chewed pretty bad."

"Good" she said, pursing her lips, "I'll hold you to that."

..................................................

Benny sat enthralled. We had excellent seats, and the producer made a point of taking us backstage before the show.

"Are you somebody? I don't recognize you. Beth says you're the next big thing in the literary world."

He lived up to his reputation, blunt and to the point. Before he could speak I answered.

"He's somebody very important. He's my husband. If you don't know who he is this time next year, it means you've entered a monastery in Mongolia."

"Well said" he grinned, handing me a card.

"Call next time you're in town and need tickets. I'll see what I can do. And if any of your work has play potential, have Saul call me first."

We laughed until we cried at Kinky Boots. Beth didn't have any personal connection to any of the people involved in it, so we just enjoyed the show.

I enjoyed it, but was a bit distracted. We were on the go almost since we got here, so a quick cuddle was about all we got in until business was concluded.

Benny, that devious man, surprised me yet again.

I was in the shower, getting ready for the show. When I came out he was gone, and a note and wrapped package was on the coffee table. I smiled, picking up the note. My mouth dropped open.

"Plum,

I've missed you lately, so I'm inviting you up to the Big Apple, to see a show and have a little fun. In the package is exactly what I want you to wear. Nothing more, nothing less. I'll be in the bar, waiting. Don't make me wait too long, I'll have to punish you if you do.

Sir."

I was trembling while I opened the package. Plum hadn't come out to play in over three months. She was past due.

There is no way I could describe the rush I got being Plum, being used in ways I had only dreamed about. I'm sure all women have fantasies, and I was lucky enough to find a partner willing[and eager]to let me explore them. I knew he would never do anything to really hurt me, although last time the spanking I got left a few bruises, and I sat gingerly for a few days. But it was followed by the most intense orgasm I'd ever had. I actually passed out, experiencing the 'little death' for the first time ever.

A little black dress, with a row of buttons up the side, allowing a little leg or a lot to be exposed. A shelf bra similar to the ones I had back home, black garter belt and hose, black pumps with four inch heels, the tallest I had ever worn. No thong. And a note.

"Three buttons only."

I sipped into the lingerie, slipped the dress over my head. I had already prebuttoned the skirt. It was dangerously high. I'm sure if I wasn't careful a stocking top would show. 

I went to slip the shoes on and felt something in the right one. I shook it and another note slipped out.

"Sit in front of the mirror and play with yourself, but DO NOT come! I want your fingers wet when you join me at the bar. If no one is in the elevator, slip a hand in, make it as fresh as possible."

I was literally quivering. I pulled the vanity chair far enough back to have a clear view, and worked my little kitty. Juices were already flowing, and I came dangerously close to disobeying my instructions. It took every ounce of will I had to stop.

The elevator ride was agonizing. There was an older couple the first three floors, a woman and her teenage daughters for the next four. The next three I was by myself. I slipped a hand underneath my dress, rubbing slowly. The elevator stopped an I just barely got my hand out and my dress adjusted before the doors opened. A couple got in, in their thirties. The woman sniffed and smiled, knowingly. I kept my eyes down the whole time.

The last six floors I was alone, and I kept my fingers in until the door was opening.

I hurried into the bar, looking desperately for Benny. The bar was curved, and I saw him sitting on the far end, near the bathroom entrance.

He stood as I entered, taking my hand, putting it to his lips for a kiss. And a slow leisurely lick.

"Mmmm."

He pulled the chair out at the very end of the bar. I tried to show him as much leg as possible.

He motioned for the bartender, getting me a whiskey sour and another straight rye, neat. Benny wasn't much of a drinker, but he loved rye.

As we were waiting for the car to take us to the play, we talked quietly.

"Hello, Plum. Ready for a special night?"

"I'm so hot right now I could melt this seat."

"Really?" he breathed into my ear, licking slightly. I know I jumped a little. "You don't mind if I verify that, do you?"





Finding an Editor Ch. 02



Before I could think, his left hand had slid under my dress, urging my legs open. I obeyed on instinct, trying to muffle my moan as two fingers invaded me.

He was still whispering in my ear.

"No one can see you, this is the darkest part of the bar. No one is sitting next to us. Surrender, Plum. Enjoy the pleasure. I want to see your juices on this seat before we leave."

I was past caring. If he had told me to remove my dress and give the bar patrons a show, I think I would have.

At first he was slow, easing his fingers in and out, making me squirm. Soon he had turned his hand slightly and his fingers had found my G spot, gaining speed and momentum. I had been on the edge for half an hour, so two minutes in I jammed my hips forward and squirted all over my dress and the chair. I managed not to cry out, but I was sweating like mad and gasping for breath. He held his hand to my mouth.

"Suck."

I obeyed without question. I looked around and saw the bartender grin. I hope he was the only who saw me.

"May I freshen up, Sir?"

He grinned and I felt chills.

"Yes. Fix your makeup and hair. Touch nothing else, do you understand? Good, the limo should be here by the time you get back.

I stood in the bathroom of a five star hotel, fixing my makeup and hair, while my juices ran down my leg. The urge to wipe was strong, but I contained it. A woman, beautiful, came out of a stall and stood beside me, watching me.

"I saw you on the way in. It's such a rush, especially your first time, isn't it? I'm surprised to see someone your age into exhibitionism, but go, girl, enjoy it. My husband had me doing all kinds of things when we were married. Be careful, dear, don't let it take over your life. It can ruin relationships."

I couldn't help but be a little proud.

"It was the first time ever. What a rush! And we have it under control."

"Well, enjoy your evening, wherever it takes you."

I pointed her out to Benny as we left. He smiled.

"She's a pro. The bartender pointed her out to me before you arrived. A thousand a night. She must be really good."

He made me rub my fingers over the bar seat before we left. It was soaked.

..................................................

He played with me all the way to pick up Beth and Jen, raising the privacy glass. I had my mouth around his cock in three minutes, just barely finishing before we pulled up. Beth and Jen just looked at us and grinned.

"First time in a limo?"

"Yes" he said, holding my hand. "This could be my favorite mode of transportation, easily."

They smirked all the way to the theater, and during the late dinner afterwards.

I was just about calmed down when we dropped them off. He raised the privacy panel, and played with my breasts the whole way back to the hotel. He suckled, he twisted, he pulled, keeping them achingly hard, while I sat, as ordered, with my hands at my sides.

He put them back in my bra and I had just adjusted my dress when he pulled something out of his jacket pocket. 

A collar. Black, slender, with a pearl set in the middle. He put it on me, turning the pearl to the center of my throat. It looked like a choker unless you really paid attention.

"Stand tall! If I catch you slumping, I'll add to the collar."

I didn't stand tall, I strutted.

In the elevator, he unbuttoned the last three buttons on my dress, and the opening went to my waist.

"Walk carefully, Plum, or the world will know you don't have panties."

I stood stock still when two men and a woman got on, and rode to the twentieth floor, afraid if I moved they would notice. I sighed when they got off two floors below ours.

He pulled a slender chain leash out of his pocket, attached it to the collar. When the door opened there was an older couple standing there. Before I could move, he exited, pulling slightly on the leash. The woman turned red, the man was speechless. I know they watched us all the way down the hall. I was gasping for breath when he shut the door.

"Have fun, Plum?"

He ran his hand under my dress feeling the juices leaking from my arousal. He ran two fingers in roughly, making me gasp, before removing them and swatting my bottom.

"Go get ready for bed. There's a new product under the sink, make sure you use it."

He more or less shoved me into the bathroom. I almost fainted when I saw it. Two enema kits, and a bottle of lube.

It had long been a fantasy of mine to try anal sex. He had been teasing me lately, lubing a finger, teasing while he licked my kitty. When I would be close, he would shove it in to the second knuckle. I screamed and came hard every time.

I read the directions carefully, my hands shaking. It took me thirty minutes to accomplish it, but I was squeaky clean, and lightly lubed.

He was waiting, a smile on his face.

"Face down" He said, pointing at the bed. It wasn't until I laid down that I noticed the restraints. Soon I was firmly secured. He surprised me by sliding a mask over my head. It had built in ear plugs. I was completely sensory deprived. Then he put a small ball gag on me.

All I could do was lay there. I couldn't hear, see, or speak.

He left me for a few minutes. Then I felt his hand sliding softly across my bottom. I wriggled, glad to feel something. Then I felt the cool lube being poured on my bottom, running down my crack.

He rubbed some into my cheeks, before plunging into my sopping pussy, although when I was in character as Plum, I always mentally said cunt. Wives and girlfriends have pussies, subs have cunts. It made sense in my fantasy world, anyway.

I arched up, moaning into the gag, but he stopped way too soon, slipping out, leaving me achingly empty. Then his fingers found my little star, teasing, rubbing, while I tried to follow his fingers.

I quivered when one slipped in, groaned when he added a second, then moaned into the gag when I felt the third. After a few minutes, they were all gone. I arched up, trying to find them, when I felt something I couldn't identify touch me. Slowly, he pushed it in, millimeter by millimeter, pausing once in a while before continuing onward. It felt huge.

I gasped, I cried, I tried to tell him to stop, trying too wiggle out of it. A very hard slap came across my cheeks, and I got the message, lying still. Soon it appeared to be all the way in, and I relaxed a little. 

He urged me with his hands, and I raised up as far as I could with the restraints. I felt something slide between my legs, and a strap went round my waist. I felt him moving around on the bed, and soon six inches of something hard and ribbed slipped inside me. He fussed with some buckles until he had it secure.

He let me lie there fr a minute, admiring his handiwork I suppose. Suddenly the thing in my butt started vibrating. I responded my moving my hips a little. Then the vibrator in front started, at a much higher speed. It also moved in and out about an inch. In five minutes I was thrashing around on the bed, while the plug and vibrator changed speeds, sometimes going very fast in tandem, then one or the other would slow down. I thrashed, I moaned, once when they were both on high I screamed into the gag. Occasionally he would reach under me and pinch a nipple or stroke my clit, but mostly he just watched.

Benny told me later he let them run for thirty minutes, until all I could do was lay and quiver. Suddenly they stopped.

I felt him unbuckling the belt. He removed it and the vibrator, twisting it a few times while I moaned. I felt him climb between my legs, and he slid into me easily, stroking slowly at first, before starting to pound. The plug came back on at the highest speed. I was squirting again in five minutes. He immediately stopped, and the plug was pulled quickly out. I lay there, thinking it was over, when I felt him behind me, loosening the leg restraints. I thought the night was over until he was behind me again, pulling me to my knees. I felt something nudge my ass, something hard. I recognized it instantly.

Oh my God! He was really gonna fuck my ass! I immediately started getting moist.

He started out gently, and it wasn't bad until he started hitting spots the plug hadn't reached. It was painful, but not excruciating, and soon it began to feel better, then it felt good. Then it felt great! He had started a steady rhythm, increasing speed. I was babbling into the gag when I felt him reach up and unclasp it. It fell to the bed and I started screaming.

"That's it baby, fuck my ass! Make me scream! OH! OH! FuckmyassfuckmyassfuckmyassfuckmyASSSSSSSS!"

He was pounding wildly, and when I came he released what felt like a quart. I felt my insides pulsing around him as he did. I think I saw stars, before I collapsed.

He left me there, restrained, got some warn cloths, and cleaned my bottom.

Gently removing the mask, he kissed me. I was so weak I just barely kissed him back. He was still cuddling me when I passed out. He tucked me in, showered, and soon snuggled with me.

The next morning I woke up and felt my throat. The collar was gone. I was exhausted. He was already up, drinking room service coffee and reading the Times when I came out of the shower.

He gave me a nice kiss and poured me a cup.

"Sleep well dear?"

I kissed him with passion.

"Like a rock. Plum called this morning, she couldn't wait to tell me about her night. It sounded wild! She said she loved it, but only wanted it to happen once in a great while, said she couldn't take it on a regular basis. I need to meet her man, he sounds sexy as hell."

"Maybe you will sometime."

We went down to breakfast, talking about the day.

"Anything special you'd like to do?"

He grinned. "Sight see, of course. I'd like to see the Statue Of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. But first, call Plum, I need to see her for an hour this morning.

"So soon?" I said surprised. "She may not be able to handle it."

"Oh, it would only be for an hour or so. It even isn't sexual."

"I'll see what I can do, maybe I can talk her into it. Let me run up to the room, make a call."

I dashed up, stripped, put on the collar, and called.

"She said she was happy to see you. Any special way you want her?"

"Why, naked, and on the bed, of course."

................................................

He came in, took in the sight of me, kissed me gently, then secured me, face up, to the bed. He attached an eighteen inch spreader bar to my knees, and ran a long strap under the bed, cinching it around my waist. I was completely immobilized, and when he blindfolded me, something in his eyes made me nervous. He put his fingers to my lips. 

"You know I could never hurt you right?"

I nodded.

"Then trust me. This is one of your fantasies."

I relaxed, never even squirming when he put the gag in my mouth.

I laid there for about ten minutes. I had almost dozed off when I heard a knock on the door, and Benny talking. I heard footsteps.

"Here she is" he said.

Another voice spoke "Very nice, especially for her age."

ANOTHER MAN! THERE WAS ANOTHER MAN IN THE ROOM!

I was thrashing, then I felt gentle hands on me.

"Stop, honey. It's important you don't move. I would never let harm come to you, you know that."

He petted me until I sort of relaxed.

The voice spoke.

"Ma'am? This is important. You have to lay still. Still. Do you understand?"

I nodded. Benny had my hand and was stroking my cheek.

"This is gonna sting a little, but it'll be over soon."

I felt something wet across my pussy, and tightened up. I was dried gently. Then I heard a buzzing noise.

"Remember Ma'am, stay still."

A tattoo! Benny was putting a tattoo on me! One of my fantasies I had never had the nerve to do.

Fifteen minutes later he rubbed a little bit of gel over the spot.

"There now. All done. That didn't hurt much, did it? Now, follow the instructions I left your husband and you'll be just fine. It was a pleasure ma'am. And what I said about you being a fine looking woman to your husband? I was telling the truth. I hope my wife looks so good when we're your age."

I heard Benny thanking him as he walked him to the door. He came back in, gently putting a large bandaid over the spot.

"Leave this on for the rest of the day. No peeking! You won't be able to wear panties for a few days, or pants. Loose dresses work best."

He unstrapped me, whistling.

I got dressed, using every bit of my will power I had not to peek under the bandaid.

"Well?"

"Neither Plum nor I know how we should feel. It was one of those fantasies both of us had. We'll just have to see. I have only one question. Did she have to be naked?"

His grin got bigger.

"No. she could have gone into the shop, pulled her dress up and her panties down a little, and accomplished the same thing."

"But think about it. It was one of your fantasies, to be naked in front of another man. Somewhere in New York City is a man who has seen you in all your glory, and knows you have a tattoo. We might meet him on the street tomorrow. You might go into a tattoo parlor and see a picture of your pussy on his wall of fame. He did take a photo."

I went red, but had to admit, if I'd had on panties, they would have been wet.

We went to lunch, saw the statue, went to the top of the Empire State building. The next day we went to the Guggenheim, spent almost the whole day.

The next day we went home. It was fun, but we were both missing our friends and porch swing.

Oh, and the tattoo?

'Benny's,' in pink so pale it was almost invisible, with a little purple plum beside it.

.................................................

Hilda and Sarah were all over me when we got home. I didn't tell them why we went, they thought we were on vacation. The pictures I showed them supported that. Miriam was at the pub with two friends from the bank. I think she came here because it was the one place in town he wasn't allowed into. I felt her eyes on me all night, so I talked loudly, describing the shows, the restaurants, the sights in great detail.

Once again, we met in the restroom.

"You must love him a lot to spend your money like that. Tell me, how does it feel to be a sugar momma?"

I felt Sarah and Hilda tense. I laughed.

"It feels great! I just wish I had more to spend on him, he's worth every dime."

I walked out, leaving her with her mouth hanging open. Her day was coming.

................................................

For five months we lived our lives as usual. Benny worked, redoing his older work, staying in constant contact with Beth. It hurt me to see it, knowing it used to be me.

I amused myself by writing stories about Plum and Sir, turning it into an open ended series. Of course we were younger, he was much bigger[in all ways]and I was far more beautiful. And, I had a killer rack. No one would believe they were mostly true adventures of a couple in their early fifties. I was consistently ranked one of the top writers on their site.

I reread his old stories, people were still commenting on them almost two years after they were posted. I showed him, and just for fun he wrote a little piece of fluff and posted it.

He got three hundred comments, welcoming him back and begging for more.

..............................................

We got the advance for his book, far more money than either of us had ever seen. I had plans for the money. I finally told him what Miriam had been saying about us, and he was furious until I outlined my plan. Then he just threw up his hands and laughed, telling me I had his full support.

I walked int the First National Bank, home of Mr. & Mrs. Snake. It just so happened Miriam was in charge of new accounts. When I told her I wanted to open an account, her smirk was a mile wide.

"Hiding a few dollars from your husband? About time, it must be a pain in the ass to keep him away from your money. I'm surprised, I never thought he would be such a spendthrift. Of course, I never had that kind of money, and if I had I would have made sure he never accessed it.

Now, you can open up a senior account for as little as fifty dollars, and you can put any address you want on the checks." 

I let her enjoy her smugness for just a second, before telling her I needed to think about it.

I went straight to the top, Mr. Snake, senior.

"One of your account officers was disrespectful. I was going to open a few accounts with these, but I think I'll go to my old bank, instead. But in fairness, I decided to see if you can offer me something better."

He didn't know about his son and daughter, or what a jerk he had been at the pub. I laid out three checks, all certified, two drawn on a company called BenBon, Inc., and one from Benny's personal account. Each was for one hundred thousand.

The man looked like he wanted to pee in his pants. He started babbling about money market accounts, prime plus, all kinds of things. I let him ramble before I brought him back to the present. I picked up two of the checks.

"I tell you what, I will give you one chance, one chance only. Have the account officer I talked to do the paperwork. And she better be polite. AND she better understand I expect confidentiality. I get the first whiff she's been talking, and I pull the account and you don't get the rest of my business. I can assure you, sir, this is just he tip of the iceberg. We could literally be talking millions here. Can you meet these expectations?"

He fell all over himself agreeing, and called Miriam into the office.

"This woman wants to open an account. I expect you to treat her with the confidentiality and respect she deserves. Explain her options, give her good advice. You may use my office."

Miriam looked like she had been slapped. Trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to be professional, she sat at the desk.

"How much would you like to deposit, Ma'am?"

I laid the first check down. 

"I'd like this in personal checking, your boss assured me it would be the one most advantageous to me."

Her eyes widened at the amount.

"I'd like this one in a savings account."

I lay the second one down.

"And this one, well, why don't you just surprise me."

Her eyes were bugging out and she seemed to have trouble breathing.

"Can you handle that, Mrs. Emerson? Or do I need to call your father in? And remember, Mrs.

Emerson, confidentiality is paramount. Breathe one word about this money, and I'll pull it out and give it to your competitor. Do you understand? Not even your husband. You have a good day now. I'll be in a little later to sign the paperwork. I'll be easy to recognize, you'll see my new Mercedes, or maybe my old Corvette. Since Benny bought them for me, I have a hard time deciding which to drive."

I didn't walk, I strutted out of the office. Take that, bitch! How does your new husband stack up to what you threw away? 

I was in the 'vette, a 1973, that went as fast as I had the nerve to drive. It's amazing how attractive it makes an old broad look with a hot rod wrapped around her.

I nearly died when he bought me the Mercedes, a full size sedan with all the bells and whistles.

"This is for you. It suits you. It screams class."

The next week he showed up with the 'vette.

"Here" he said handing me the keys.

I was almost beyond words.

"But honey, the Mercedes is all I've ever wanted. What would I do with this one?"

His grin got bigger.

"I didn't get it for you. Your a smart girl, you'll figure it out, and I'll leave it to you to figure out a payment plan."

I had no idea what he was talking about, but I took it for a spin and fell in love. It was a straight drive, and I loved changing gears. It would bark the tires in the first three gears. I had to slow down, I didn't want to wear the tires out the first week.

After burning half a tank of gas, I decided to head home, but not before stopping by Hilda's and taking her for a ride.




Finding an Editor Ch. 02



She walked all the way around it before she jumped in the drivers' seat and held her hand out.

"Keys, now."

I thought I was brave until she got us out on the interstate and let it loose. At one ten I was begging her to slow down, at one twenty I was screaming.

"Pussy" she said, before slowing down to a sedate ninety. She kept telling me how much she loved it until we got to her house.

"That is one mean machine. I just have one question. What does the vanity tag mean?"

Our state only requires a back license plate. Jumping out, I ran around back.

PLUM 1.

I got it. He was sitting in the porch swing when I got home. I nearly broke the chains jumping into his lap.

"It's a good thing I'm not a jealous bitch. And be careful, keeping up two women could be very costly, we both have expensive tastes. Here."

I handed him a note I had stopped on the side of the road to write, and went into the house.

"Sir,

I love the car! You need to be more careful, it wouldn't do for your wife to see her husbands' bitch in such an expensive car. People will talk. Now, your pussy is dripping, so I need you to plug it. We'll consider it the first payment.

Feel free to set other terms, I promise to refuse you nothing, as long as it stays between us.

Your slut, 

Plum"

He almost ran into the bedroom, to find me on my knees beside the bed, in my submissive posture. His pussy was pretty sore for the next couple of days.

We had Hilda, Jack, Sarah and Jim out for some barbeque, to tell them where the money we had been spending came from.

To say they were surprised was an understatement. We gave them an advanced copy of the book with strict orders not to show it to anyone before the release date, one week away.

.................................................

The book was already getting buzz, Saul and Beth had been earning their pay. Every critic in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles had been given copies a week before the general release. The feedback was amazing. A few were in a struggle to see who got to meet him first. Beth flew the ones from out of town in for a mass interview, followed by thirty minute each privately. It took two days, and exhausted Benny.

"Damn, Bonnie, they asked me everything but your bra size and the length of my cock. I didn't have a good time."

"Relax, honey. You knew it was coming. Just do like Etta taught you, and it'll be fine."

Etta James[no relation, she was quick to point out}was a stunning black woman, forty two and looking thirty. She was a semi retired publicist, very good at her job. Saul recommended her.

Her husband was having health issues, and she refused to leave him. A publicist has to travel a lot, so she gave up her job, becoming a consultant used on an as needed basis. Even now, she had to turn down jobs.

She coached him on how to do interviews, what questions to deflect, which to answer, what to say when he made a statement.

"Never give your home address, or personal information past what is already publicly known. To be honest, you'll probably have to move. Most people mean no harm, but if you're easily assessable, they will just drop by. They won't think of it as invading your privacy, they will think you'll enjoy knowing how you affected them."

................................................

The book had been out three months today, and Saul, his wife Agnes, Beth, Jen, Etta, her husband Farley, Grace[our attorney] and her husband Will were having us out for a celebratory dinner/business meeting. Saul gave us an update.

"Universal called me today, sniffing around. I jerked them around a little, telling them I wasn't sure you were going to agree to a movie. But if you decided otherwise, we'd be glad to consider their offer. And Oxygen wants to make your first book into a movie of the week. They've offered you three hundred thousand for the rights.

I turned it down cold, Three months from now It'll be between three quarters to a million."

Beth added her information.

"The latest projections put you at half a million copies sold by the end of the year, maybe higher."

We sat with our mouths open. The book was priced at $24.95. Benny got almost seven dollars after everything was paid. That rounded out to 3.5 million!

"I'm guessing the movie rights will go for twice that" said Saul, grinning. "Add in paperback publishing, pay per view, DVD sales and rentals, and you could be looking at fifteen million by the end of next summer. By then, your reworked third book will be out. Don't expect the same numbers, it's not nearly as good, but you'll probably realize three to four million just from riding on the coattails of this one."

The Champagne flowed to the point we had to call a limo service to get us home.

The next day, after recovering, we had a serious talk about the money.

"Benny, do you want a post nupt? I'll sign it."

He turned bright red.

"If that was Plum talking I'd have her over my lap. Don't go all stupid on me, Bonnie. I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you."

I glowed, and never brought it up again.

"Well then honey, what shall we do with OUR money?"

He shrugged.

"Never really thought about it. I never expected to ever have this much. I suppose we should think about our family. After all, we have nine grandchildren now. College educations can be pretty expensive, as I remember."

"Yes they are. And it'll soon be ten. Whitney called while you were in a meeting. A girl, due in August."

He grinned at the news.

"I stand corrected. Ten, and probably more. We need to call Grace. Didn't she tell us her husband was a financial wizard? We need to see about a trust, make sure the money is there whether we are or not."

We decided to help our kids out with mortgages if they would accept it, discussed buying a new house if we did indeed lose our privacy. I already had my two cars, and Benny did get a new truck, an F250 with all the bells and whistles.

Other than that, we had no idea what to do with the money.

We talked about helping out Sarah and Jim, Hilda and Jack, if we could find a way to do it without offending them.

I surprised him, trying to lighten the mood.

"What about your mistress? Be careful there, I think she's pretty high maintenance. I know you bought her a car, bet you thought I would never find out. Seriously, a Corvette? That pussy must be gold plated."

He grinned, bantering back.

"I'm sorry honey, she fulfills needs I'd never ask for from you. And if it is gold plated, then yours would be platinum and encrusted with diamonds. In fact, I feel a need to polish it a little. You coming to bed, or should I call Plum?"

In response, I dropped my dress and bra. Clasping my breasts together, I shook them at him.

"Come to bed husband. I'll make you forget all about that low rent whore."

It's hard to drag someone to bed when they're dragging you harder, but we managed.

..........................................

Word had gotten out in our small town about his success. It was kind of hard not to, when he was on all the national morning shows, some of the late night shows, and a few independent talk shows. We ended up on Rachel Ray after Saul told her about his barbeque. He even made some, shared his sauce recipe, but not the dressing recipes for the slaw and potato salad. His corn bread pancakes were a big hit.

He was on Ellen, where she asked him when he was going to write about a hot talk show host and her even hotter wife. He earned a lot of points when he told her he didn't do biographies, and that real life was often more fairy tale like than people knew. He gave us as an example, and told her I was in the audience.

She had me come up, and asked me what it was like being married to the hottest author on the planet.

I shrugged.

"I wouldn't know, I'm married to Benny. But, he is the hottest thing in the world, to me."

Benny gave me a big kiss while the crowd cheered.

I ended up staying on the couch with him for the rest of the show.

Unfortunately, everyone was either nervous around us, or treated us like aliens. It came to a head when I was at the pub, one of the rare chances I got these days, and friends I'd had for forty years treated me like a stranger.

"What the hell is the matter with you people? I played in the sandbox with some of you, and now that Benny did something totally unexpected that has earned us a few dollars, I'm not the same person? I don't need Hollywood ass kissers or New York flunkies, I need someone to tell me I'm full of shit without hurting my feelings."

I turned to Hilda and Sarah.

"You two! I've loved you like sisters for years. You're my best friends in the world, and now you act like you're scared to talk to me.Well if that's the way you feel....."

I lost it, started crying, and headed for the door.

Hilda, Sarah, and three more women caught me about halfway across the floor, hugging me and crying along, murmuring apologies. They pulled me back to the table.

After we settled down, Hilda grinned.

"Drama queen! We didn't mean anything, we figured now that you're rich, you didn't need us anymore.

You made it pretty plain you're as screwed up as ever, and we're going to have to keep an even closer eye on you. But you're footing the bar bill, moneybags. And we're kind of thirsty. Being friends with you is hard work."

After that we laughed and carried on like always.

I did tell them a few stories about the oddities of some of the famous people we had met, that kept them laughing. Other than that, we did what women the world over do when they're together, talk about our men.

Sarah had continued to lose weight, twenty pounds so far. Every ten pounds got her a trip to the lingerie store. Jim was still diligent in helping her groom.

Hilda was experiencing motherhood for the first time, Jacks' two daughters had moved in permanently, by choice. Her days were filled with soccer practice, band rehearsal, school events, and church activities. She was happier than I had ever seen her.

"The only thing I hate is the lack of privacy, but their mother does take them every them weekend. I think we'd go crazy if she didn't. Jack is as diligent as Jim on our grooming schedule." 

She giggled, and told us how his youngest had almost caught them, and how she had to pull on panties quickly, over a full coating of shaving cream. We howled.

"What about you Bonnie? Benny still wield a mean razor?"

I hung my head in pretend regret.

"No, our schedule is often too hectic."

"So, you have to shave yourself?"

I looked up and grinned.

"No. I took a little of his money and had it removed permanently, from my ankles to my neck. Gotta tell you girls, I love it. I could probably have you guys done, if you want. We can call it a birthday present."

Sarah said no immediately. She liked the attention she got, said they often discussed problems while he did it.

Hilda went thoughtful, said she'd have to ask Jack.

"Is it really that smooth?"

"Wanna see?" I said grinning. "Step into my office, I'll even show you my tattoo."

I headed towards the ladies room.

Hilda grabbed my hand. 

"Not here! Think what would happen if we got caught. I can see the headlines now."

"WIFE OF WORLD FAMOUS AUTHOR CAUGHT SHOWING HER BARE BOTTOM IN PUBLIC RESTROOM. Pictures of tattoo on page seven."

We all broke down giggling, but she was closer to a truth she never even realized.

...............................................

Etta gave us both several lectures on propriety.

"Everything you do in public, you need to bear in mind could be interpreted wrong. Negative publicity could hurt your reputation and wallet, deeply. If Benny wrote stuff like Fifty Shades of Grey, maybe it wouldn't seem bad, but like it or not, Benny is being hailed as a moral hero for a lot of religious and conservative groups. Doesn't matter if that's what he had in mind when you started writing, that's the result."

So we made sure we were circumspect in public, well dressed, polite, even tempered. We often had to go to public events because he was in such high demand. It took a little getting used to all the cameras.

In a move that surprised every one, at the first instance, Benny went into the crowd of paparazzi and introduced himself, learning names and shaking hands.

"It must be annoying chasing people around. Tell you what, why don't you all come out to the house next Saturday afternoon? Bring your wives and girlfriends, heck, bring your kids if you like. We love family time. You can get all the photos you want, a little individual face time, and a pretty good meal. Please though, call me and tell me how many are coming, so I can make sure I have enough food. And don't expect to drink too much, if kids are present."

He made each of them in turn take a group photo of him with the others, then waved to them and stepped inside. They had been so captivated they missed a lot of celebrities. When he found out it was the birthday of one, he coaxed a rising young singer out to sing Happy Birthday, and made them all join in the last chorus.

The guests were all laughing when we entered.

"Damn!" said one well known stage actor, "If I knew all it took was being nice to them, I would be drinking buddies with half of them now."

"In fact" he grinned, "I think I'll take them some drinks. It has to be hot in that blazing sun."

He got the waiters to gather up some soft drinks and water, and pretty much the whole party trooped out, shaking hands, passing out drinks, talking.

Twenty minutes later we went back in, to waves and well wishes. Ten minutes later they were gone, having got enough photos for the day.

The next day Beth called.

"I got an interesting phone call from Etta a little while ago. She told me what Benny did. No one has ever done that before, to her knowledge. Is he really going to invite them to your house?"

"Yes" I said, laughing. "Remember, it's a rental, and we're moving out the next week, so there's not much of a problem there. He's actually looking forward to it."

"You know, Bonnie, I don't think people realize how perceptive Benny can be, or how sharp he is."

"You're right" I said, soberly. "Even after two years, I'm still finding out things about him."

"Well, I'm sure Grace will call you, probably to insist she be present. Saul and I will make it a point to come also, just to keep an eye on things. I hope this doesn't blow up on him."

After she rang off I started thinking. Benny was in the office of the house we had rented just outside New York, actually getting some work done. I waited until he took a break before talking to him.

"Are you sure about this, Benny?"

He smiled.

"Yes. These people, or more like them, will be following us for awhile, until our fifteen minutes of fame are up. I'd rather have a good relationship than be antagonistic. After all, except for Plum and her little adventures, there's nothing about us the least bit titillating, and I'm not bringing her up. I can see the headlines now."

"Conservative author caught in romp with his mistress/sex slave. Film at eleven."

He broke up laughing, and I had to giggle.

...............................................

We had thirty paparazzi, girlfriends, wives, and about fifteen kids of various ages show up. He had a talk with them all before the party.

"I know you'll bring your cameras, and I don't begrudge pictures, but please, keep it manageable. Try to relax, have a good time. We'll sit and answer questions for fifteen minutes after everyone arrives. After that, I don't expect to conduct anymore business, let's just relax and have a good time. If you can't do that, maybe you'd better leave now."

Nobody left. He answered all the legitimate questions, and the intrusive and off color ones he ignored. Grace was proud.

The house we leased had a security system. Grace insisted on a few upgrades, and made sure they were up and running. While most of our guests enjoyed the party, the cameras caught two, at different times, rummaging through our bedroom. One planted a small camera, and another placed three listening devices through the house.

What Benny did surprised everyone. He was cold, ruthless, and out for blood.

He held a press conference with national media. Beth and Grace made sure they were there.

He had the State Attorney General and the sheriff of the county the house was in on the podium with him. He had also made sure all the paparazzi present at his party was there. Most were grateful for being treated like professionals.

He started the conference off by recognizing the paparazzi as professionals.

"I hosted a party last week for most of these present, and found most of them to be fairly honest, upright people. I was starting to wonder how they got such a bad reputation. Then I reviewed the security tapes for that afternoon. What I found both disgusted and saddened me. While the majority of their peers were socializing, two individuals chose to violate my trust."

Two of the paparazzi immediately started towards the exit, only to find law enforcement officers waiting.

A huge screen activated behind the podium, showing the two searching through drawers and closets, and planting the camera and listening devices. There was a collective gasp in the room.

Benny was relentless.

"I guess this is what I get for believing in the basic goodness of people. My friends here" he gestured towards the attorney and sheriff, "also take a dim view of such activities. I believe they have something for these gentlemen. I want everyone to know I expect them to be prosecuted fully for their deeds."

He started to leave the podium, but turned with an afterthought.

"Here you go boys. How's that for a story?"

The police arrested them while their collegues snapped away. The Attorney General made a statement about supporting a new law on the books about boundaries for the press, and his intention to enforce it.

Many of the paparazzi apologized to him, personally and in print. They were also a lot more polite and careful around him.

................................................

When it came time to sell the movie rights, Saul and Grace were worth their weight in gold.

They had talked it over, and decided we needed to form a production company. It would give us more control and a bigger slice of the money. He lined up some very savvy people, mostly well respected newcomers with experience in independent films.

Then he let word slip out, and waited. It was amazing the way the major studios scrambled to court us. In the end, we went into a partnership with Universal. Benny had interviewed a woman with several independent films to her credit, with good reviews. He came back to Saul and Grace.

"Whoever we go with, she directs. Not negotiable, understand?"

They were shocked, but had no choice. Universal bucked when they were told, but wanted it so bad they agreed in the end.

Major stars were begging to be cast, but in the end it was mostly newcomers, with a few seasoned and recognizable character actors. Security on the set was tight, and all the actors had to sign nondisclosure agreements not to talk abut the film until after it was released. A couple of actors were fired, as well as three of the production staff before they realized how serious we were.

It premiered two years to the day the book was released. Box office receipts set records for six months. Two multiplexes worked a deal, and all eight theaters showed the film. They stayed sold out for three weeks.

The book had a resurgence, especially the paperback. It sold another three hundred thousand. When worldwide sales were added in, over five million copies were in print.

I think my most vivid memory of the film was when we slipped into a theater and watched it with a crowd. We had deliberately not viewed any of the rushes or the final product.




Finding an Editor Ch. 02



In twenty minutes people were crying openly. About a dozen left the theater before the end, overcome with emotion. Benny and I cried along with them. It was one thing to read about it, but to actually see it made it even more powerful.

One national reviewer did a wonderful essay in his review. 

"I imagine by now everyone has either read or seen Union Of Souls, the massive bestseller by Benny Henson. I was thinking the other day, if it had been pitched to a studio before it came out how it would have been received. Let's pretend for a moment I've written a screenplay, and I'm pitching it to a studio executive. The image of me on the right will be the writer, the image of me on the left will be the executive."

A split screen appeared. His image on the right was dressed conservatively. The image on the left was dressed far better, and had his hair slicked down. He spoke.

"So, tell me about this screenplay you've got."

The image on the right looked nervous.

"Well, it's a love story."

"Good" the other image spoke, "romance is hot right now, especially with a good sex scene or two."

"Uh, there isn't any sex in it."

"Really" he said surprised, "well we'll just throw in a few nude scenes and some hints.

"Sorry, sir. Nudity won't work in this piece."

The pretend executive frowned.

"No sex? No nudity? Sounds kind of boring. Any action? Gun fights, car chases, special effects?"

The writer looked like he knew it wasn't working.

"No gunfights. No car chases. The only special effect is some really good makeup. There's only one violent scene, if you can count one fourteen year old boy punching another in the nose. There are four curse words in the whole script. It's about a romance between a fifteen year old boy and a thirteen year old girl. There are exactly seven kisses between them during the whole thing. And it's set mostly in a hospital, there probably won't be more than fifty people in the whole film, including extras. And in the end, the girl dies."

He paused, gathering his thoughts.

"What it is, is a story of love. Pure, unadulterated love, with a little coming of age added in."

The executive looked at him for a few seconds.

"No sex, no nudity, no violence. No car chases, no profanity. And she dies in the end?"

The writer nodded.

"Get out of my office! That's the worst idea for a movie I've ever heard. Pitch that to anyone else and you'll be laughed out of the business."

The writer leaves, sadly. The clip returns to the reviewer.

"It's a good thing that never happened in real life, the movie would have never gotten made."

"Now, for my review. It quite simply may be the best movie I've ever seen, of any genre. The director, Agnes Morehead, was absolutely brilliant. This will make her career a lot more difficult. Every film she makes from now on will be compared to this, and be found lacking.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the last two years, you either read the book or have been told about it. I'm not giving anything away, by now you know the last four and a half minutes of the movie is completely silent. I was startled when I found out, and had serious doubts it would work, but it is probably the most brilliant piece of film making I've ever witnessed."

He paused, obviously emotional with the memory, before he continued.

"The young boy is asleep, when the monitors on his girlfriend go off. The klaxons and bells seem tremendously loud as the doctors and nurses rush in. He is gently pushed into a corner of the room while they work. As soon as they start, the film goes quiet. Two minutes later the doctor shakes his head, says something to a nurse, and looks at his watch, stating time of death. While all this is going on we get two or three second glimpses of the boy. He starts shaking, and in the end is positively vibrating. A nurse, with tears in her eyes, goes over to console him, but he pushes out of her embrace and staggers out into the hall, where he drops to his knees and screams. You can't hear it, of course, but you can FEEL it, all the way to your bones. Then it dissolves into a collage of scenes. Her in the casket, the funeral, and finally a shot of the boy, now an adult in his midtwenties, with his new wife.

They're standing in front of her tombstone, crying together. They walk away, and the final scene is the stone and the inscription.

KARA EDWARDS-JOHNSON, BELOVED WIFE AND DAUGHTER. 1990-2003."

"I thought instead of reviewing the rest, I'd give some of the audience at a recent show a chance."

A film clip came up of people coming out of a theater. Most were crying, or sniffling. Many couldn't even comment. They asked ten people, and three of them actually spoke. "Beautiful" seemed to be the common word. It went back to the reviewer.

"Now, my parting thoughts. There were some really good films made this year. I feel sorry for them. If this film doesn't own the Oscars, I'll quit my job. Best film, best director, basically a lock. Best actor and actress, best supporting actress, best screenplay, best makeup. The score and songs were written by the legendary Wiley Patterson and his wife. Moria sings the theme song, and his musical family, Jenny Green and Freddy Johnson both do a song. He'll probably get the Oscar for the score and songs. If there was an award for best janitor on a set, he'd be nominated."

"And speaking of janitors, the writer, Benny Henson, is actually in the film. He's the gray haired old janitor moping the floor when the young boy staggers out and drops to his knees. He helps the nurse get him to his feet."

"Do I recommend the movie? No. I DEMAND you see it. Now the whole thing has stirred up emotions in me, and I need a tissue. But before I go, I think you'll want to know this. The only product tie in in this movie, almost a necessity these days, is the travel packs of tissue sold at the theaters.

Both major tissue makers worked on this. The packs are pink, and all proceeds go to cancer research. They estimate eleven million dollars in sales. It got so bad the theaters had to ration napkins. Toilet tissue usage rose thirty percent."

.................................................

The movie caused a resurgence in book sales, bringing the total to five million world wide.

His reworked third book brought in a little over four million in sales, and Universal optioned it for a million, adding half a million on the promise they could option the sequel. 

Lifetime bought the rights to his second book for six hundred and seventy thousand, and allowed our production company to film it. Oxygen bought the rights to the first book for five hundred thousand, but used their own company to film it.

Benny had worked on the sequel to the third in snatches, between travel and appearances, so when he finally got a break he finished it in six months, insisting I edit it as he finished sections.

"It'll make it so much easier when Beth gets it." he said, but I knew he just wanted to keep me close to him. To our surprise, Beth made very few changes and gave me editor credit, and a check. It stayed on the bestseller lists for three months.

Benny wasn't as happy as he had been before all the success. He was thinner, grayer, quieter. After the sequel, he had finished his commitment to Harbor House. Surprising Beth, he refused to sign another contract.

"I'll sign one, Beth, you have my word. But right now, I'm going to take a break, spend some time with my family and friends. I'll call you in three or four months, I promise."

It was the end of June when he sprang it on everyone, including me. I was very happy, though, I had actually started worrying about his health.

He surprised us even further when he rented a huge compound on a Pacific island for three months. He had all our kids, plus Hilda, Jack, Sarah and Jim, and all their kids, flown out for two weeks. Beth and Jen spent a week, as did Saul, Agnes, Grace, Etta, and their husbands. We lay in the sand, went into the capitol for some nightlife, went to open air markets on other islands, and had a blast.

I think we were all surprised when we discovered most women went topless, including those in government. Hilda, Sarah, and I dared each other until we learned how to wear the native wrap and spent the rest of the vacation topless, at least on the compound. Soon my daughters, daughters, Grace, Beth, Jen, and Etta joined in, as well as the children. It took some getting used to from the guys, but after a week, to their credit, they barely noticed. The only exception was Agnes.

"Nobody needs to see sixty eight year old, saggy boobs."

Saul kept after her, and three days before they were to leave she came to breakfast wearing just a wrap. She glowed a deep red while the men took turns teasing her and complimenting her breasts, but refused to cover up. By the next afternoon her only complaint was a little sunburn.

We even got to meet the King, courtesy of Mike Hogue, the real estate mogul who owned the compound. He was a giant of a man, long platinum blonde hair held back with a headband, wearing the native wrap. All us women were suitably impressed. The men were equally impressed with his companions, a striking tall blond and a shorter Hispanic woman.

When everyone left we kept the kids, all of them. Sixteen, from three to seventeen. We hired two nannies, and they stayed until school started. By then they had all adapted to the native dress, and went back sporting great tans.

Mike Hogue loved children, and was a frequent visitor. He was a huge favorite, especially with the younger ones. I had to wonder, at his age, why he didn't have his own.

We went back to the real world tanned and relaxed. I knew Benny spent two hours a day locked in the office, working. That was all the time he would allow, the rest he spent with the family.

..................................................

We went back to our hometown. We still owned my house and our little home we loved so much. True to Etta's words, we had to move because we had no privacy. We found and bought thirty acres on the other end of the county, the only access was a long private drive. Six acres were completely fenced in with twelve foot chain link, with privacy slats woven in. There was a state of the art security system, with cameras spread all over the property. There was also a guard house, with two full time security guards around the clock. You'd be surprised how many people, not just paparazzi, tried to sneak in. We even caught two guys armed with pistols, bent on holding us for ransom. They both got five years for conspiracy to kidnap and commit unlawful imprisonment.

And if you weren't on the list, you didn't get in. If you were on the list, you still had to show photo i d, and it had to match what was on file.

The property had a huge pond, so Jack and Jim were there often, to fish. Hilda, Sarah, and I would sit on the patio with a pitcher of something alcoholic, and relax while we talked about our men.

...............................................

Benny was writing, something he wouldn't show me yet, which in my mind meant it was big. He sent a bit off to Beth, prompting a phone call.

"Where did this come from? My God, this could almost be as big as Union of Souls, even if it totally different. How close are you to finishing it?"

"Less than half" he said, laughing. "I'm having a hard time writing the sex scenes. I think I'll get Bonnie to help, she's much better at them than I am."

Beth wanted to know what he meant, so he told her about my stories, and the website. She called me the next day.

"I read your story last night. Wow! It was hot. Jen read it too, and we got so worked up we had to act out a few scenes. She's pretty sore right now. Ever think about turning it into a book?"

I was shocked, but recovered and ask if she was serious.

"As a heart attack. It's a thinking mans' version of Fifty whatever, only hotter. Interested?"

Damn right I was, so I ended up writing a book that made me famous, and almost lost everything I loved.