1 comments/ 7354 views/ 1 favorites Only Us By: senseunusual I am walking down my parents' driveway to meet the absolute love of my life, carrying a purple calla-lily, your favorite, in hand and my heart on my sleeve. I run to you and embrace you as if it had been many a year instead of just a few hours. We greet each other with kisses of sweet honey, light touches and sparks that leave words unable to show the sincerity of the love we share. You stand holding me dressed in a beautiful outfit and your sweet smell enraptures my senses leaving me breathless. The light piercing the darkness from your car shines upon your skin revealing each luscious inch and curve of your beautiful body. Your smile shines through the darkness filling my heart with light. As the wind twirls around us the smell and feel of your hair leaves me taken aback. You stand against the darkness in beauty that had I not seen it before my eyes would never have thought it possible. I lift you into the air and we are swirling in a passionate embrace. Moving with drawn slowness I feel the curve of your butt and the warmth of your back upon my hands. I sit you upon the hood of the car and stand embracing you while my hands feel your body; you wrap your legs around me keeping us entwined. I am focused on nothing more than the feel of tender kisses and light brushes of lips beside soft touches and the feeling of warmth against the cold night. Seconds pass and suddenly you are scooped up into the air feeling safe and protected within my arms. I place you in the passenger seat and with a twirl I am there beside you. Heat on and hearts afire we head out into the night as red lights and white lines blur past, between us my hand rests in yours. Your beauty shines in the pale blue light like an angel in the night. We arrive at our own place and I sweep you from the car into the night and my arms. So home we are, hand in hand, heart to heart. So some choices we have now. Phones turned off and the world far away there is just us. I bring you to the couch as soft music is put on. Raspberries, sweet and succulent are brought to your lips and kisses flutter to compliment. Held in my arms the troubles we face ahead are gone for this sweet amazing night. My hands flow across your skin as you touch the curves and muscles of your man. I carry you into our bathroom and lay you down on the plush rug in front of the tub. I turn on the water and slowly remove one layer at a time caressing and feeling each new wonder you behold. I stand you up, quickly kiss a trail from your collar bone to your lips and lead you by the hand into the warm water. The water shimmers upon your skin as I squeeze a bit of vanilla body wash onto a terrycloth towel. I begin to wash you from head to toe beginning with your arms, giving each finger a kiss and then my eyes following the trail of the suds admiring every aspect of your body including every freckle. Cloth and skin swirl across you while kisses and hands running through your hair bring bliss to your heart. Inch after inch is cleaned and loved. Such a simple and proactive act that symbolizes the bond we hold. Once I turn off the water and let it drain from around us we remain wrapped in each other as kisses flow and skin is loved. . I lift you into the air to dry your skin. Wrapped in a towel we move to our room. I sit you down on our bed and proceed to give you a lap dance while kiss after kiss flows between us. Soon you are doing the same for me. Touches on bare skin. Kisses seal the sweetness of the night. Light music opposes ever increasing movements. At first slow, gentle and slow. Beginning with just a caress against your cheek changing to kisses and licks down your neck onto your breasts. You love the feel of my muscles and your pink nipples rolling against my lips. Continuing I move painfully slowly down your stomach, feeling your breath quicken with every new touch of my lips ad tongue. I am now between your legs licking and sucking your sweet sex. I love how you taste and readily await you coming in my mouth. The feel of your firm legs holding my head close, shaking with a much needed release. Soon I am kissing you once again. I move and gently pour oil on your skin. Caressing and sweeping my hands I cover you in warmth. Skin sliding past skin we hold each other close. I move behind you and begin to massage you slow and deep. Warm skin sliding together forcing pain and stress from our love. Soon we are face to face legs wrapped together as you move onto my lap and I enter you. Light movements bring us close and hands swirl across oiled skin. Oil flows and now slow deep thrusts leave us both gasping, feeling every curve and bit of you we both whirl in ecstasy. Kisses and touches. The smell of your hair and skin. The feel of the bond both physical and emotional drives us onward into the night. Only Us It is New Year's morning and you are badly hung-over after celebrating well into the early morning hours, but I can't help teasing you mercilessly..... "HOW'S YOUR HEAD THIS MORNING, HONEY? FEELIN' REEEAAALLL GOOD?!" I giggle at you as you cringe and pull a pillow over your head. I tug at the pillow just to tease you and the tug-of-war is on! We both grip an end, wrestling, pulling and yanking with all of our might, until the pillow split open. Thousands of feathers littered the air and you shot me a glare as you reached for my hairbrush. I made a hasty exit from the room and prayed you would remember none of it. Later in the morning I crashed on the couch, for a few extra hours of sleep, until your touch summoned me into a waking dream. You cupped and stroked my bare bottom, kissed by the crisp air, my cunt moist and available to you, need growing in my body and soul. "yessssssss...", I whisper softly, again and again. Though I have not yet opened my eyes, I amm unready to let go of the sensations you are causing in me. Then you stop stroking and I plead with you, even in my exhaustion from last night's activities. "Nooo.... Don't stop. Not yet. Okay? Please?" Your hand caressing my cheeks was suddenly replaced; hard, cool ivory, stiff bristles! Realization! It is the unmistakable feel of my antique, ivory hair-brush, moving, raking over my exposed ass. My entire being tenses with the thought of your retribution, Then you speak, for the first time, as you raise up the brush high into the air... "Lil Bit, I think we need to talk about the way you woke me this morning!" Swooosh!! CRACK! You brought the brush down hard on my ass! "Now go stand behind the couch and bend over. March," you ordered through clenched teeth. I dragged my weary body from the sofa grudgingly. You waited in tense anticipation until I gripped the back of the sofa hard. I fought the urge to rub my stinging cheeks but then a smart-ass remark tumbled from my lips before I could stop it. "Ouuuccchhh! Fuck! Fuckin' can't take a joke!" I quickly shut my mouth but the words were out... hanging in the air between us. The room went suddenly still. After an interminable moment, you took a step. I winced as I pictured what that remark would cost me. You walked swiftly around the couch and put your face to mine, so close that our noses almost touched. I could feel your hot breath on my cheek but I kept my eyelids lowered. Then you spoke, haltingly, "WHAT - WAS - THAT?" Your voice was barely controlled anger and I bit my lower lip. "N.. n... nothing... honest," I blurted the lie, as I stared hard at the couch cushion pretending I'd said nothing. You turned away and sat down. I couldn't look at you but I knew you were shaking your head in disbelief. I held my breath and waited while you slapped my ivory brush against your palm rhythmically. Then you laid your head back on the couch and locked your eyes with mine. "Care to tell me another lie, my Lil Bit? I'll be happy to take it out of your ass." Though your voice dripped with disdain, I thought I'd detected some small degree of amusement and clung to that hope, which proved to be short-lived. Then you moved to sit at the edge of the couch again, spread your legs, and issued your command, "Come." Though I was aching from holding my position, being free to move was small comfort. I walked slowly, taking tiny steps, to approach with as much dignity as I could muster. I stood before you with my eyes riveted to the floor. You tapped your thigh, motioning me to take my position over your lap. I chanced a glance at the brush, which you held in your palm next to your thigh, and I cringed. Then I swallowed around the lump in my throat and bent to take my position. You dropped the brush on the end table and picked up a heavy, plastic jar opener, to drag it over the backs of my thighs. "Do you have anything to tell me, Lil Bit?" I slammed my eyes shut tight and swallowed the words that leapt to my lips. "Well?" you pushed. I squirmed in staunch defiance and remained stubbornly silent. You raised your hand and brought the opener down hard. Swooosh!! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! I let go a small scream, as much from being startled as from the pain. Instantly, I clamped one hand over my mouth as the other went to protect my burning ass. Without a word, you wrestled my arm behind me as you brought the jar opener down over my cheeks in rapid succession. My mind was screaming as you paused, running your hand over my ass and admiring the bright red hue. Then your voice sliced the air in it's barely controlled calm and cut through the pain to reach me on a level I'd never known. "You could apologize and save yourself some pain," You taunted. I lifted my head slightly, blood still rushing through my ears, and momentarily considered the option. I knew there were times when my stubborn pride didn't serve me well, but I collapsed into my righteous indignation anyways. Then your voice interrupted my thoughts. "Is there something you would like to say to me?" Your superior tone set me off and I spit the words out acidly, "Not sorry!" I mumbled emphatically. I didn't get the words out before you cracked the hard plastic across my ass, faster and harder, over and over again. I squirmed and kicked vehemently, fighting for control, but was rapidly losing the battle. You paused to still my legs and brought the opener up between my thighs, raking it lightly over my hot pussy lips while you spoke, "I know that you think you're 'tough girl' but you're really just my Lil Bit." It wasn't a question. It was a statement that was filled with affection. Your voice gripped my heart and twisted. "You know better than to behave like that. Don't you?" Emotions assailed and I went to war with myself. You dropped the opener and rubbed my fiery ass cheeks, running your fingers over me teasingly, while you watched me do battle with my internal dilemma. After a long moment, I finally began to let go of my stubbornness and tried to speak. "Y... ye...s," I stammered. You moved your fingers lower to run them up and down the insides of my thighs. The searing heat of your touch scorched me and I was suddenly filled with white hot need. Then one finger grazed my womanhood, exposing my innermost secrets. You parted me with two fingers while a third searched out my aching clit, knowing just how to unlock all of my wanton desires. I wasn't prepared for the fire you started in me and I went up on toes to squirm away, but you would have none of it. Your strong arm encircled me as two fingers found the entrance to my every pleasure, pulling me back down as you drove them into me. I was overcome; too filled with my renewed love for you, too lost in letting go of the cause I'd been hell-bent on, too far gone to fight you... or me.. anymore.... Then you stopped, abruptly, and a small, strangled cry escaped me. "No!" "No what?" you whispered. "N... No... pl....ease don't st... stop. Please?" I was nearly sobbing. Then you gathered me into your arms and pulled me into your lap. I took a deep breath and heaved a sigh of relief, as I rested my head on your shoulder and curled around you. I drank in the assurance that I never failed to find in you and finally whispered in your ear, "I'm sorry, baby." Then you lifted my chin until our eyes met and softly said, "I know you are, my Lil Bit." We searched each others eyes for the longest time. There was no trace of anger or unresolved feelings there, just a deeper love than I'd ever felt before. Neither one of us had realized how late it had gotten and you placed me beside you to move. As you stood I reached for the lamp, but you stayed my hand and whispered, "Wait." You went to the kitchen and I let myself reflect on the day. When you returned with candles, I was making every effort to stifle my laughter. You turned to ask me what was so funny. I looked at your face and burst into hysterics while I tried to explain. "You! You should have seen yourself!" I howled! "Just what are you talking about, darling?!" You were obviously perplexed but prepared with your hand poised over the hairbrush.. "You! This morning! All pissed off and spitting out pillow feathers!" I grabbed my sides, laughing uncontrollably, and toppled off the couch. Then you grabbed a couch pillow and swatted me with it until your laughter joined with mine. Finally, we released the day's tension and you laid down next to me, right there on the carpet. We made intense, primal, passionate, love all night, rolling and writhing through the night. Both of us so lost in each other, in the give and take, in the reaffirmation of the deeply profound love that we have and share, together... Only you.... Only me.... Only us... Only Wednesday Night He was growling, I was screaming. Thank goodness we were alone at the family cabin for Thanksgiving. From my earliest memories of the place, my brother Derrick and I had always shared the queen-size bed in the smaller of the two bedrooms whenever the family had come here for a short vacation. Ours was one of eighteen cabins surrounding a large lake, with a sizeable wooded area between each of the cabins to help provide some additional privacy. During the summer, nearly all of the cabins would be in use on any given weekend, and being only a forty-five-minute drive from the city, a few of the cabins were permanent residences. Thankfully, the cabins adjoining ours were empty during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend: One had just been sold and the new owners had yet to arrive, and the other belonged to a family who we knew were visiting relatives in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving. Our own parents were enjoying their twenty-fifth anniversary in Florida, meaning that my brother and I were on our own for Thanksgiving. "You're both grown adults," Mom had said, "so you two can figure out what to do for Thanksgiving and how to unwind from college for a few days." Coming to the cabin for the holiday weekend was a no-brainer decision. The illicit relationship which had started between us nearly two years earlier and which had been kept hidden as best as possible on campus and at home could finally be unleashed. For once, Derrick and I were free to express our love for each other, and given the cold and icy winter weather, the chance that someone would be coming unannounced to the cabin was virtually nil. We had counted on that. On the same bed I had shared with my brother for nineteen years whenever the family had come to the cabin, I was naked, my legs in the air and hooked over Derrick's shoulders as he stood beside the bed. Instinctively, I was pulling fiercely at the old bedspread as I screamed yet again. My body was being violently rocked as my brother kept plunging into me, stabbing me with his cock, his primal growls loud and possessive as his arms tightly seized my thighs and used the leverage to rut faster and harder into me. I had no doubt that in the years before we were born, our parents had engaged in similar activities in the larger bedroom, their bedroom in the cabin. It was then all too fitting that, at least once during the holiday weekend, I was giving my body to my brother on the bed that he and I had shared at the cabin for all those years, that we were making sounds not uncommon in adult bedrooms, but still profane given our shared blood. His growls increased in intensity as he erupted inside me, stilling his hips as his love was volleyed into my all-too-willing body. After three orgasms of my own, I was quite delighted to feel his cum filling me, and given the roughness of the sex, I was already feeling slightly sore from the battering I had joyfully and loudly endured. Even after his orgasm had ended, my brother remained within me, his arms still hugging my legs tightly. No longer was I being jostled, no longer were the bedsprings protesting. I could still feel my heart being much faster than normal, and my eyes were still slightly unfocused from the adrenaline and lust surging through me. With his head tipped back, his eyes clamped shut, and his mouth agape, I knew that Derrick was reveling in the final throes of pleasure wracking his body and causing him to twitch inside me. I squeezed his cock as tightly as I could, causing his breath to catch audibly. Only then did I finally release the bedspread, and only then did I realize that even my fingers seemed to ache a little, such was the ferocity of the pounding I had endured and the pleasure my brother had thrice inflicted upon me. At last, Derrick released his grasp on my legs and looked down at me, amazement in his eyes. I felt the astonishment as well, for we had never previously been able to give in to the primal lust which we had each kept caged for nearly two years. The best we had previously been able to do was a terse fondle in a bedroom, a quickie in a dorm room, a fast blowjob in a darkened classroom, or a very cautious masturbation in a study room at the campus library. He spread my legs, looking directly down to where we were joined. I looked as well, overjoyed to see his cock coated in our combined love as he finally withdrew from my body. Almost immediately, I was standing before him, seizing him, his seed slowly oozing from me. And the best thought of all was that it was only Wednesday night. We had another four days and three nights together at the cabin before we had to return to campus. Only What You Desire I am a hobbyist and I wanted some distraction. I dialed the usual eleven digits and got voicemail. I left a message: "Jamie. Gus. Can we do three hours of 'difficult Jamie'? How about 3:30? Give me a call or shoot me an email. Thanks. Bye." Jamie never picks up her cell phone when I call and she usually never calls back. It was always leave a message and hope for the best. About an hour later I got an email from Jamie with one word: "yes." Jamie lives in a second story walk up on a busy street in the Lakeview area of Chicago. I arrived about 10 minutes early, but the downstairs door was already unlocked—as it was supposed to be. I took my shoes off and stepped inside. I crept slowly and quietly up the stairs to Jamie's door. Jamie lives in an older building and oftentimes the wooden floors will creak at the wrong moment. I took off my belt being careful not to rattle the buckle. The belt is one of those braided leather belts. I took off my jacket and unbuttoned my shirt. I opened Jamie's door, it was also unlocked, as it was supposed to be. I quietly stepped into the apartment. I ever so gently nudged Jamie's cat away from the door so he couldn't escape. The TV was playing in the middle room. Sounded like a porno. Jamie's apartment lays out in a line—front room, middle room, bedroom off to the side of the middle room, kitchen in the back. I gently placed my shoes, jacket, and the bag I was carrying on the floor. I slowly and quietly took off my shirt, my pants, t-shirt, boxers and socks. I took two pair of handcuffs from my jacket pocket, picked up the bag and my belt and walked gently toward the middle room. I looked at the TV. I think "Four Man Cum Bath" was playing on the DVD—one of Jamie's favorites. The bedroom door was open and I listened for Jamie's breathing. The hint of a snore told me that she was actually asleep. I wondered what time she had unlocked the apartment's doors and how long she had been napping. I moved very slowly and quietly to the bedroom. As you enter Jamie's bedroom the head of the bed with a big iron frame headboard is to your left. You face a window, which sits at about the foot of the bed, a dresser sits to the right side of the room, and a nightstand flanks the bed. Jamie was on her side, asleep, facing the far wall, and wearing a fancy striped dress shirt that she had "stolen" from me some time before. About one stride from the bed I dropped the bag, lunged and grabbed both of Jamie's legs. "What the fuck?" Jamie, awoke, genuinely startled. I pulled my belt around Jamie's legs, cinched it tight, and buckled. Jamie sat up and smacked my back hard. She punched hard and tried to push me away. I leaned back on Jamie's right arm, pinning it, and I grabbed her left arm with both hands. I popped a handcuff on Jamie's wrist the way that cops snap cuffs on in those TV crime dramas (it leaves a nasty bruise as Jamie reminded me some time later). I rolled on top of Jamie, pinning her with my weight. I pulled her left arm over her head, and cuffed it to the headboard. Jamie kept smacking me again and again with her free arm. I slid off the bed on Jamie's left side, walked around the bed. Jamie tried to roll away but I grabbed Jamie's flailing right arm and pinned her down on her back. I cuffed her right hand (more gently this time) to the bedpost above her head. "What the fuck do you think you are doing? Stop this." Jamie pled. "You asshole mother fucker. I was in bed waiting for my date. He will be here any minute. What are you doing?" I put my hand over her mouth. "Shut up bitch and I won't cut you." I ripped open Jamie's shirt. Jamie has delicious breasts. I squeezed her right breast and sucked hard on the nipple. "Ouch, shit, that hurt. Fuck." "Quiet," I repeated, "or it will hurt more." I emphasized the word "will." I grabbed the goodie bag from the floor and pulled out a knife. I bit just a little harder on Jamie's nipple. "I'll do anything, anything, just don't hurt me," Jamie continued to plead. "Sure you will … you're handcuffed … bitch. You have no choice." I flashed the knife. "Don't cut me. Jesus Christ. That's not in the game." I dropped the knife on the floor and sucked hard on Jamie's other breast. I loved those breasts—firm, d-cup, large pink areola. I rubbed and squeezed and pinched her nipples. Jamie struggled against the cuffs and tried to move her legs to slide them from out of the belt. She kept kicking. I dumped out the rest of the goodie bag and found the prison style leg shackles. I cuffed Jamie's right leg, then the left, and finally I released the belt. The shackles had about an eight-inch chain and would let me spread Jamie's legs a lot better than the belt would. "You won't get out of those." I grinned. "Asshole." "If you stop moving I'll twist the lock so that the cuffs won't tighten when you squirm." She stopped moving. I twisted the lock. Then I flipped her on her side and started slapping her butt with my open palm. She winced and struggled against the handcuffs and leg irons. I pulled her knees apart and felt her cunt—wet, sopping wet. I grabbed a paddle from the goodie bag and smacked Jamie's ass some more, then I slid between her legs and started to lick. "You love this bitch, admit it." "Asshole, my boyfriend will be home any minute. Don't you listen? He'll beat the crap out of you. Just let me go." I licked harder and she squirmed. Jamie usually shaved herself smooth, but today there was a hint of stubble around Jamie's pussy. Jamie knew I liked it that way. I licked more and poked my tongue in her pussy. She squeezed her legs together to push me away—but I held them apart and tongued faster. She choked back a moan. I licked her asshole, tonguing deep, and then back up to her clit. Jamie's whole body tensed and buckled as she came hard. I slid up her body and kissed her mouth. Jamie held her lips tightly closed. I flipped her on her side and again spanked her hard with my palm. Her pale white ass cheeks glowed red. I kissed her again and pushed my tongue between her lips. "Kiss me bitch, taste your pussy juice." I kissed again and Jamie responded this time licking my tongue. We kissed and I probed her cunt with my fingers. I teased her swollen clit. I reached over to the nightstand. Jamie kept condoms in the top drawer. I pulled one out, slipped it on and started fucking Jamie hard. I was on the edge of cumming, but didn't want to spill my cup just yet. "Wear a condom next time asshole," Jamie whimpered. I took that as a hint. Jamie is a big fan of irony. I think she had just given me permission. I pulled the condom off making sure that Jamie saw it and put my dick at Jamie's mouth. "Suck." I ordered. She took the whole thing and sucked like the pro she was. Up down. Stopped. Licked my balls. Then wrapped her mouth back around my dick, up and down the shaft, and up and down the whole way to the base with lots of slurp. I grabbed two thick handfuls of Jamie's red hair and held her head while I fucked her face making sure that she took in my whole length. I pulled out of her mouth and grabbed one of the dildos that I had dumped from my goodie bag, a slim pink one. I grabbed the lube from where Jamie kept it in her nightstand drawer and shot a big gob of lube on her asshole. It probably felt cold and she squirmed. I full well expected her to yell "Jesus Christ"—but she didn't. I plunged the dildo in, slowly at first then all the way. This was virgin territory or so I had been told. I pumped away at her asshole harder and faster and again tongued her clit. He body tensed and she came again, hard. "Asshole," she said. "Don't make me cum. That's not fair." Jamie sounded winded. She was sweating. I unshackled Jamie's legs, spread them wide, mounted her and shoved my dick (no condom) hard in her pussy. She saw me enter her bareback, glared right in my eyes, but didn't say a word. I thrust and she moved her body to meet my thrusts. "You love this, don't you? Admit it bitch." "Holy mother of god. You asshole," Jamie yelled. "I don't love this. Just stop fucking me. I mean it. Stop. Stop fucking me now. Stop it you motherfucking asshole." I fucked harder and faster. Jamie squirmed and bucked. I lifted her legs over my shoulders and pounded away. "Stop fucking me." Jamie yelled. "Listen, I mean it. Stop now. I don't want to do this anymore. I mean it. Stop." "In your prayers," I laughed. I smacked Jamie's ass while I fucked her. I thrust hard and gripped an ass cheek in each hand. Jamie's whole body convulsed and she came again. "My god what do you do to me," Jamie panted. I had brought myself to the edge of cumming but still wanted something else from the menu. I pulled out and stuck my dick back in Jamie's face. "Suck." Jamie eagerly took my dick into her mouth sucked for all she was worth. I reached over and let her right hand free from the handcuff. Jamie used her hand to rub my balls and probe my asshole while her mouth went up and down the whole length of my hard shaft. Her tongue worked magic as she sucked up and down. She hungrily licked my dick head while she aggressively stroked the shaft with her hand. I couldn't hold it any longer and shot. She moved her mouth up and down my shaft as I spat cum and greedily drank the whole load. I pulled out after she had sucked out the last drop. "Don't spit," I said. Jamie grinned ear-to-ear and swallowed. Jamie has these incredible gorgeous eyes (she thinks they are too small) and for a brief instant as her eyes met mine and lingered just ever a moment too long I thought that she actually might like me. I got off the bed and walked to the bathroom to pee and shower. I took my time in the shower. When I came out Jamie was still in bed. Her left hand was still cuffed to the bedpost, after all, so its not like she could go anywhere. She was about to speak but I put my finger to my lips to make a "shooshing" sign. I walked up and gave Jamie a gentle kiss on the lips. She kissed me back with a hint of passion. I got another too-long look from those eyes. Then I found my clothes in the living room and got dressed. I walked back to Jamie and tossed her the handcuff key. "Let yourself loose … after I'm gone." I pulled a plain white envelope from my jacket that contained $900. I left the envelope on Jamie's computer keyboard in the middle room where she expected it and let myself out of the apartment. When I got home I found an email from Jamie. It read: "Next time, if there is a next time, you will find me in bed with my 'girlfriend' Lavender. The "word" will still be 'Jesus Christ.' And I need to steel another one of your shirts because, asshole, you ripped the one I had, dammit. Cheers." Only When It Rains Sorry I've been away for so long; a member of my family has been very ill. However, I'm back at home now, and I'll start cranking out more stories for you all to read as soon as possible. A very heartfelt thank you goes to all of you who have given me so much praise and insight. I want each and every one of to know that wherever you may go in life, my respect and gratitude will be with you, always.... MoogPlayer P.S. The places mentioned in the story are very real. However, they are only used as backdrops for this tale, which is total fiction. Oh, and don't forget to vote! ~~~~~~ My name is Michael Hayes, I'm six feet, four inches tall; I have dark brown hair and blue eyes, and I weigh roughly two hundred and fifty pounds. I was the only child my parents had, became a widower at twenty-eight and Jane, my late wife, had been gone for almost four years when all of what you are about to read took place. Chapter One Let me begin by telling you a little about my life. I was raised in a small coastal town in Texas, Surfside Beach, on the Gulf of Mexico. My teenage years took place during the seventies, and for those of us who grew up back then; it was right after "The Pill" and way before AIDS, and we were part of "The Love Generation". I graduated high school in 1977 and went on to the University of Texas on an athletic scholarship, where I received my degree in engineering four years later. I met Jane at a party during the spring semester of my freshman year. Neither of us denied our initial attraction to one another, and after dating for six months; we moved in together right before the fall semester of my sophomore year. We were both so young and so very much in love with one another. Jane was a classic beauty, and it seemed like we simply couldn't get enough of each other, not hesitating to have sex at any and every given opportunity. She stood five feet, eight inches tall and was built like a brick shithouse; she had long blonde hair that fell down her fit body and right past her beautiful tight little ass. She had emerald green eyes that could stare a hole right through me, and was easily the most beautiful girl that I'd ever seen....and we fell in love with one another almost immediately. The war in Vietnam had ended and the United States was still trying to heal itself not only as a nation, but as a people as well. And when it came to politics, Jane and I were idealists, passionate in our beliefs. We honestly thought that we both had what it took to be able to really make a difference in the world; hence the reason we chose to get married the summer between our junior and senior years in college. And then like the blind idiots we both were back then, upon our graduation we volunteered to work for the Peace Corps instead of seeking fortunes here in the U.S. ~~~~~~ For the next seven years, were sent all over Central America. I was there to over-see the construction of schools, roads and bridges; and Jane because she was a teacher. We never thought about having children, because we didn't think the lifestyle we led was conducive to raising a family, and we also thought there'd be plenty of time for that later. What did happen, though, was that Jane contracted malaria while we were in Nicaragua and died the day after our sixth wedding anniversary. It stormed terribly on the day we buried her, and I've hated the fucking rain ever since. ~~~~~~ I was lost without her; and the memories of her brilliant smiles and tender caresses, as well as the sound of her voice, haunted my every dream for the first few years. And at the behest of my parents, who both worked and lived in Miami, Florida, I immediately moved back to the United States and took on a job, working on my Uncle's ranch just south of Houston, Texas. It was near a small town named West Columbia, down south in Brazoria County. Both of my parents were born and raised there, and a few of my aunts and uncles, and a couple of cousins still live down there. Plus, it was only a few miles from where I grew up so, there was the added familiarity that gave me comfort. My Dad is the youngest of three boys. Uncle Jake, the oldest, was sixty seven and looked fifty, and his wife, my Aunt Rita, was sixty four and looked no older than forty at the very most. They owned and operated their own live-stock ranch, and I had worked and lived there during the summers between my high school and college years and knew my way around the place very well. Plus, my Aunt Rita's cooking was out of this world delicious. However, being there this time allowed me to live a life of anonymous obscurity, as I still wasn't yet ready to face the rest of the world. And for a long while, the ranch became my own safe little world, and Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita became the only people that existed as far as I was concerned. Of course, I went into town every now and then, whether it was to order more feed for the cattle, or to take Uncle Jake to one place or another, but never anything more than that, and never socially. Before I go any further, let me tell you about Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita. Uncle Jake was one hell of a guy in my opinion. He joined the Navy as soon as he was old enough, and served with the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDU) after the end of World War II; which later became the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) during the Korean War. And in 1962 when President Kennedy wanted a special unit that could operate in all three theaters of combat, Sea, Air, and Land; the Navy SEALs were born. Uncle Jake was one of the first six men to be called a United States Navy SEAL. He served until he was wounded in 1968, and soon after, he retired with full honors after twenty-three years of service. Both of my parents, as well as Aunt Rita, all say that I look almost exactly like Uncle Jake when he was my age, and in knowing that; I feel proud to be related to such a great man. My Aunt Rita, which is short for Margarita, was a very beautiful woman in her own right, and came from true Spanish decent. Her parents, as well as the rest of her family, were all born and raised in and around Cordoba, Spain. It is in the Iberian Peninsula in a region of the country known as Andalusia. I first met her when I was eight. Her hair was very long and very dark, and I always loved the way that it fell past her knees. She had a beautiful olive complexion with hazel eyes. Aunt Rita spoke perfect English, and it was funny that she only spoke in her native language when she was pissed off at Uncle Jake. They met when Uncle Jake was in Madrid, where Aunt Rita was going to college. They stayed in touch with one another, fell in love; and when Aunt Rita took him home to meet her family for the first time, they received him with open arms. They were married a year later with her entire family's blessing. When Uncle Jake retired from the Navy, Antonio de Mateo, my Aunt Rita's father, gave him ten Andalusian horses, two studs, and eight mares as a business investment, hence the reason him and Aunt Rita now have a ranch, the "Rocking H". ~~~~~~ Actually, they raise a whole lot of different live-stock, mostly Black and Red Angus cattle, but Uncle Jake's pride and joy are his Andalusian horses. He's won a ton of money at shows with them over the years, and he has named each and every one of them, all thirty-four of them. It's really cool how they respond to him, almost like the way a small child would respond to its parent. And watching Uncle Jake with them has truly shown me, that from the toughest and strongest of men come the gentlest of souls. ~~~~~~ "Mikey," Uncle Jake said one afternoon, "Why don't you and I take a ride to the beach on horse back?" "Wow," I smiled, "That sounds like fun. I'll go and saddle up a couple of horses then." "No need," grinned Uncle Jake, as he patted me on the back, "I've already done it, come on, boy, let's ride." ~~~~~~ "So how are you doing these days, Mikey," Uncle Jake casually asked, as we rode along, "You don't look so good, kid." "I'm okay I guess." "Are you still having those dreams about Jane?" "No sir, not so much anymore," I sullenly replied, "Well at least not every night, that is." Look Mikey," he gently said, "When I first came home from the Navy, I had bad dreams, too, and I used to wake up covered in sweat and fear." "But you've never been afraid of anything." "Says who, Mikey?" he laughed, "Whoever it was doesn't know me at all." "I don't understand," I replied, "You were a Navy SEAL, Uncle Jake." "Yeah, and every time I got called on to do my job, I was always afraid. Hell, anybody who says that they weren't afraid, is either crazy, or they're lying their ass off," he said, "That means that it's okay to be afraid, buddy. It's working past our fears that make us better men." It was then that I realized that my understanding of the wise counsel that Uncle Jake had given me that afternoon was only the beginnings of the healing that my heart and soul were so desperately in need of. ~~~~~~ Aunt Rita would always make it a point to introduce me to all of her friends every time I went any where with her, or should I say, drove her anywhere, which was very rare in itself. And it was on a particular Saturday morning; after Jane had been dead for a little over four years that my life took a different turn. Saturday was Aunt Rita's hair day, and this particular morning she insisted that I accompany her to Peggy's Hair Salon, which was where she'd been going for over twenty years, to get her hair done. "Aw, come on, Aunt Rita," I complained, "All those ladies do is sit around and gossip. Besides, Uncle Jake said that he wanted me to repair the western fence line today." "Don't you worry about your Uncle Jake, I can handle him," she firmly replied, then she grinned and said, "I think that's it's about time that you climbed out of that shell you've been in for the past four years and start living again." "Look, Aunt Rita," I argued, "I'm not ready for...." "Michael," she calmly, but firmly interrupted me, "You're coming with me and that's final." She was showing a side of herself that I'd only seen a small number of times in my life; the results of which were not pleasant. However, this was the first time her anger was directed at me, making me simply agree, and then as her facial features changed back into that of the sweet, kind and beautiful woman she'd always been, she smiled, and gently patting my cheek, said, "Trust me, it will be alright." ~~~~~~ Aunt Rita had always been loved by all of her friends, and this day was no exception. When we stepped through the doors of the hair salon I saw four chairs, all occupied by ladies who were Aunt Rita's age, and one chair that was empty with no one attending it. "Well, hey there, Rita," smiled Peggy, as we walked in, "And who is that good lookin devil you brought in with you?" "I would like you all to meet my nephew, Michael," Aunt Rita proudly replied, "He's my brother's son, and he's staying with Jake and me for a while." "So, this is Nathan's boy," Peggy sweetly smiled, as she walked up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder, "Michael, honey, the last time I saw you, you weren't any bigger than a sack of rabbit food. Goodness me, you sure grew up to be a handsome thing." "Thank you, ma'am," I uneasily replied, with the embarrassment I was feeling being plainly written across my face. "Aw, look at him blush," Peggy giggled, "Ain't that the sweetest thing?" However, before anyone of the other ladies in the salon could comment, Peggy put her arm around my waist and cooed, "It's about time you brought a nice looking man in here, Rita. Would you like to get your hair cut, Michael? It ain't like you couldn't use one ya know." 'Uh, sure," I quietly replied, "I guess that would be alright." "Good," she smiled, "My grand daughter will be here in a few minutes to cut it for you. She's real good with men's hair, especially long hair. Just have a seat in the last chair, okay, sweetie?" "Okay," I smiled, climbing into the barber chair, "Thanks, Ms. Peggy." ~~~~~~ I hadn't been sitting in the chair for more than a minute or two when, in walked one the prettiest girls I'd ever seen. I guessed her age to be somewhere in the vicinity of twenty-four, or twenty-five, and she was rather tall, too, five feet, nine, or maybe even five feet, ten inches tall. However, she couldn't have weighed anymore than one-hundred and thirty, to one-hundred and thirty five pounds at the most. Her body was proportionate to her height, and when she looked at me; I was hypnotically paralyzed by the deep blue color of her eyes. Her face was almost angelic, while her dark brown hair was full, straight and flowed down her back to end just even with her hips. And it was then, for the first time in a very long while, that I felt it; something I hadn't felt since way before Jane died. She looked over at Peggy and Aunt Rita, and with a smile that could light up the darkest of places, she said, "Hi, Ms. Rita, hi, Grams, sorry I'm late." "You're not late, sweetie," Peggy smiled, "But you do have a customer waiting for you." Peggy was correct in what she'd said about my needing a hair-cut. I'd not cut my hair in well over three years, and at the time; it was way past my shoulder blades. "Well now," she said, smiling and looking at me, "Who are you?" "Marlee, honey," smiled Aunt Rita, "This is my nephew, Michael Hayes." Then Aunt Rita grinned at me and said, "Michael, this is Peggy's grand-daughter, Marlee Sanders." "Hi, Michael," Marlee smiled, as she extended her hand towards me, "It's nice to meet you." The moment our hands touched, I felt it again, "Hello, Marlee," I politely replied, "It's nice to meet you, too." "I don't recall seeing you around here before," she warmly smiled, "Where are you from?" "He grew up on Surfside Beach, sweetie," said Peggy. "I'm glad you shared that with me, Grams," Marlee giggled, "But I'm pretty sure Michael can speak for himself." I think that it was her disarming smile that got my attention first, because right after I heard what she'd told her grandmother, I chuckled and said, "I grew up near here, but I've been away for a while." "Well then," she grinned, "Welcome back." "Thank you," I smiled, "I guess it's good to be back." She walked around behind me, and after turning the barber chair until we were both facing the mirror, she ran her fingers through my hair, eliciting chills down my back, and said, "How do you want me to cut this?" "To be honest," I said, "I hadn't really thought about it until now." "You have a beautifully thick head of hair, Michael," she smiled, "If you'll let me, I can make it look really good." "Hell, you're the professional," I chuckled, "I trust your judgment." "Good," she giggled, as she led me to the shampoo station, "You're gonna love it when I'm finished." Just then I happened to glance over towards Aunt Rita and Ms. Peggy, only to find the both of them watching us and smiling proudly. ~~~~~~ "Wow," I smiled, when Marlee had finished with my hair, "This looks really good." "See, I told you, silly," she proudly said. "Thank you, Marlee," I replied smiling, "How much do I owe you?" "Nothing," she brightly grinned, "Consider it a 'Welcome Home' present." "Come on, now," I objected, "I can't let you do that." "It's already done," she giggled, crossing her arms, "Besides, when people ask you who did your hair...and they will; you can send them to me." Okay," I chuckled, "But I'm still gonna pay you back, one way or another." "I know what we can do, Michael," Aunt Rita suddenly announced, "The butcher delivered the meat yesterday from the bull that you and your uncle took to slaughter last week so, why don't you ask Marlee if she'd like to come on out to the house tonight for a steak dinner?" Before I could respond, Marlee smiled and excitedly replied, "Oh that sounds great. What time do I need to be there?" "I think seven o'clock would be just fine," Aunt Rita smiled, "And thank you for making Michael's hair look so good, too." "What're you talking about?" Marlee cooed, "He's already good looking, I just made him look hot." Needless to say, I began to blush, making every female in the hair salon all giggle like school girls. ~~~~~~ "I really like the way your hair looks, Michael," Aunt Rita gushed, as I drove us back home, "What do you think of Marlee?" "She seems like a nice girl," I replied, not wanting to reveal what I actually thought, even though I didn't recognize it at the time. "Okay," Aunt Rita knowingly smiled, but to her credit, nothing else was said about Marlee. ~~~~~~ "It's about time ya'll got back," Uncle Jake chuckled, as we walked into the house, "Hell; I thought I was going to have to call out the National Guard to go find you two." "Shut your mouth," Aunt Rita smiled, leaning down and kissing Uncle Jake on the lips, "You silly old man." "I'll show you a silly old man," Uncle Jake laughed, smacking Aunt Rita on the butt, "Just wait until later on tonight when the lights all go out." "Jacob Lee Hayes," Aunt Rita gasped, then giggled, "You are so bad. Besides, we have guests coming over for dinner tonight." "Oh yeah," Uncle Jake smiled, "And just who might that be?" "Peggy's grand daughter, Marlee," Aunt Rita replied. "Who the hell is she?" Uncle Jake knowingly grinned. "You know exactly who she is, Jacob," Aunt Rita clucked, "She cut Michael's hair today. What do you think?" "I think it's still too damn long," he teased, winking at me and smiling, "It makes him look like a girl." "Leave him alone," Aunt Rita smiled, as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek while she hugged me from behind, "I think he looks very handsome." Then she looked at Uncle Jake, and in Spanish, giggled "Tu loco, Viejo," which translated, means, "You crazy Old Man." ~~~~~~ Uncle Jake brought four of the finest cuts of New York Strip that I'd ever seen in my life into the kitchen and laid them onto the counter for Aunt Rita to prepare for the grill. I'd seen the two of them do this many time before and they had it down like clockwork. While Uncle Jake manned and readied the grill, Aunt Rita marinated the steaks in adobo, which is a Spanish marinade made of oil, vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaves, ground red pepper and lemon juice. And aside of the fact that it tastes great; it also permeates the meat, making it porous, allowing the heat to penetrate it more evenly as it cooks. But when I offered to help, I was politely shooed out of the kitchen and told to go and change into some nice clothes. Aunt Rita was so sweet, God love her. ~~~~~~ When Marlee came rolling down the long driveway, I smiled as her car came into view. She was driving a "Fire-Engine Red", 1972 Pontiac GTO that was in pristine condition. And per Aunt Rita's insistence, I was standing on the front porch as she approached the house. "Damn," I thought to myself, "This girl sure has good taste in cars." The moment her car door opened, she smiled as she stepped out and said, "Hi Michael, it's nice to see you again." She was wearing a bright yellow sundress with spaghetti straps on her beautifully bare shoulders, and I was completely taken back at how radiant she looked. She wore hardly any make-up, reaffirming her youth, and while her dress might've been light in weight; it was designed and cut so it tastefully displayed her body, adding an elegant grace to her stride. God, she looked beautiful. "Hi," I grinned, "I sure like your car." "Oh really," she playfully jabbed, "And what would you know about cars, handsome?" "Are you kidding me?" I laughed, "This isn't just a car. It's a nineteen, seventy-two, Pontiac GTO, and the first true 'muscle car' that ever came out of Detroit. It came from the factory, with a two hundred and fifty horsepower, Four Hundred under the hood." Only When It Rains "Not bad, Michael, not bad at all," she smiled, "But this one, dear boy, came with a Four Fifty-Five, and there are three hundred horses under the hood, not two hundred fifty, and, it has a standard transmission instead of the factory automatic." "Holy shit," I gasped, amazed, "That means this car is one of only six hundred and fifty ever made....very cool." "Make that six hundred and forty-six, "Marlee proudly replied, "And I'm glad you like it. You'll have to take a ride in it with me sometime." "Sure," I smiled, "Any time." It was about that time that Aunt Rita chose to come out onto the front porch and greet Marlee. "Hi, pretty girl," Aunt Rita cooed, as they hugged, "I'm very glad you could come. We are almost ready to eat." "Oh, that reminds me," Marlee smiled, turning back to her car and leaning into the open window, "I brought you a surprise, Ms. Rita." It was all I could do not to stare at her ass as she bent into the car to retrieve a foil covered plate. "I roasted some Piquillo Peppers, but I don't think they'll be as good as yours." Lifting the edge of the foil from around the plate, Aunt Rita took a whiff, and smiling, replied, "It smells delightful. I'm quite sure they nothing less than perfect, sweetheart." ~~~~~~ The steaks were perfect, as were the peppers that Marlee roasted. Aunt Rita made my favorite food, Paella, with Calasparra rice. Paella is a saffron and rice casserole, garnished with rabbit, mussels, and clams, cooked in a flat shallow pan over an open fire. It serves as a multitude of purposes as an entrée, a side dish and/or an appetizer. And of course there were baked potatoes for me and Uncle Jake. But the crème de la crème was the wine. It was a Malbec from the Ribera del Duego area of Spain. It has a nice rich flavor like a good Merlot, only a bit fuller in taste, which complimented the steaks perfectly. My conversations with Marlee throughout the evening were absolutely great. I was delighted to find that she was not only even more beautiful that I first realized, but she was extremely intelligent and very well educated. Simply talking with her stimulated me on so many levels to the point that, I found myself really taking the time to think before I spoke. "I understand that you were an Engineer for the Peace Corps, Michael," Marlee said, "What was it like?" "How did you know that?" I asked, perturbed, but honestly trying not to let it show. "Please don't be angry, Michael," squeaked Aunt Rita, "But I told her." "Aw hell, Aunt Rita," I laughed, relenting, "I guess if you told her then its okay." "I think that ya'll ought to leave him alone," Uncle Jake chuckled, the effects of the wine apparent in the slur of his speech. "In answer to your question, Marlee," I replied, "It was very different, and I enjoyed it until my wife died. After that I just lost interest in it." "Michael, I hope you don't mind that I asked Ms. Rita about you," Marlee cautiously replied, "She told me how your wife died, and I wanted to let you know how sorry I was to have heard that. "Thank you, Marlee," I smiled relaxing now, "That was a very nice of you." ~~~~~~ "I had a very nice time tonight, Michael," Marlee smiled, as I walked her to her car, "Be sure to tell your Aunt and Uncle that I said thank you, as well." "Thank you for coming out," I replied, making sure she was safely in her car, "I'll be sure to tell them what you said." Marlee got into her car, and after rolling down the window and starting the engine, she smiled and said, "We'll have to do this again sometime soon." "That would be nice," I replied, and then watched her as she slowly drove back up the driveway to the road. There was no doubt at all that Marlee was a very beautiful young woman. However, I knew that, number one, she was too young for me, and number two; I really wasn't ready to get into another relationship....of any kind. But still, maybe it would be nice to have a friend to talk to, and maybe Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita were right when they'd said that I needed to start getting out more often. ~~~~~~ Chapter Two I woke up the next morning feeling very refreshed. After I'd made my bed and finished my preparations to start a new day, I went into the kitchen to find Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita sitting down in the breakfast nook having coffee. "G'mornin', boy," Uncle Jake smiled, "You want some coffee?" "I'll get it," I smiled, as I saw Aunt Rita about to get up from the table, "You finish your coffee, Aunt Rita." "Thank you, Michael," Aunt Rita cooed, "I made some Huevos Rancheros if you're hungry." "Oh, yeah," I hungrily smiled, "That would be great." After I'd filled my plate with Huevos Rancheros, got some coffee and then sat down and began to eat, Uncle Jake smiled and asked me, "So, what're your plans for today, kiddo?" "I thought that I would repair the fence line that I didn't get to yesterday," I said. "Don't worry about it," Uncle Jake smiled, "I already took care of it. Besides, I want you to take the day off and go surfing." "I can't go surfing," I laughed, "There's too much work to do around here." "It'll be here when you get back," Uncle Jake sternly replied, then smiled, "You haven't had a full day off in quite a while. Now....take the day off and go surfing like I told you." "Aye, aye, Captain," I laughed, giving him a mock salute. ~~~~~~ Once I'd ridden a few waves and had taken the salt air into my lungs, my head began to clear, and I had to admit that Uncle Jake had been right all along. The beach was just what I needed right then, and to top if all off; I began to really feel good again. So, I spent the rest of that afternoon frolicking in the water and riding the waves. ~~~~~~ "So, how was your day at the beach, Michael," Aunt Rita asked, "Did you have a nice time?" "Yeah, I did," I smiled, "I had a very nice time." "That's good to hear, boy," Uncle Jake bellowed, coming into the kitchen from the back of the house. Then, smiling while putting his hand on my shoulder, he grinned and said, "Now you can finish fixing the rest of the fence tomorrow." "Okay, Uncle Jake," I laughed, "What ever you say." ~~~~~~ That night as I lay in my bed asleep, it began to rain outside. I was dreaming that I was back on the beach, and out of nowhere, my beautiful Jane appeared right in front of me. "Hello Michael," she cooed, "How are you, my darling?" "Jane," I breathlessly cried, "Oh, I've missed you so much." "I know you have, my love," she purred, taking me into her arms, "And I've missed you, too." The moment she touched me I felt at peace, her body against mine, keep warm my heart and soul like no other power on earth. "I've been miserable without you, Jane," I cried, while she held my head to her breast. "I know my love," she softly said, while gently pulling away from me to look into my eyes. Suddenly the skies grew dark, and I saw a look of fear on her face, and then all at once; a blinding bolt of lightning flashed, its thunder jarring me from my sleep. When I awoke, the rain was drizzling down my bedroom window and my beautiful Jane was gone. It took only milliseconds before I felt the sting of tears as they filled my eyes and ran down my face. "Tell me, God," I prayed aloud, looking out the window toward the heavens, "When is this going to end? I'm trying hard to understand all of this; I really am. But I'm having such a hard time trying," and then I could no longer continue, as I began to bitterly weep. I hated feeling like I did, and I hated not knowing what to do about it; but most of all, I hated the rain.... ~~~~~~ I'd spent most of the morning repairing the fence line that I was supposed to have done the day before, but you know what happened there. Any way...for me, the work day started at seven-thirty and ended at four. I liked it that way, because I could work by myself all day long. I also seemed to get more done than when I work with someone else, i.e. Uncle Jake and always stopping to make a phone call or get a drink of water...you know...lol...Still though, when it came right down to it, I just preferred working alone. On a stock ranch there is always something that needs to be done, and this day was no different. I had just finished the last of the fence line around eleven o'clock when I saw Uncle Jake's truck coming toward me. By the time I'd finished stowing all my tools in my truck, Uncle Jake pulled up and got out of his. "Hey Mikey," he said, walking toward me, "I need you to go to town for me this afternoon." "Sure," I replied, "What for?" "Jimmy Higgins called the house a little while ago," Uncle Jake said grinning, "He's finally finished the two saddles I ordered back last winter. "No problem," I smiled, "I'll go right now." Uncle Jake smiled while looking at his watch, and said "Hell, get yourself some lunch, too, while you're in town; and take your time coming back." "Okay, I will," I grinned, looking back, "Thanks, Uncle Jake." ~~~~~~ As I drove into town the memories of the bad dream I'd had the night before began to take a toe hold in my heart. Although it hurt like nothing you could imagine, I still kept, or at least tried to keep a strong front. However, all of that went to hell in a hand basket when the memories of being in my beautiful Jane's arms, and how it felt, came back to mind. Thankfully, I was driving down a private road as I had to pull over and rid myself of the torment inside of me. I must've wept for a good ten minutes before I got it back together, started the truck up, and then continued on into town. ~~~~~~ James 'Jimmy' Higgins was an oil rigger that got hurt in a drilling accident, and he now had his own riding tackle shop. Because of all the ranches in the county, he had plenty of business to keep him busy all year around; also, he and Uncle Jake met when they served together in Vietnam so, they trusted one another implicitly. "Hey, Michael," smiled Jim Higgins, when I walked into his shop, "How are you, m'boy?" "I'm doing well, Mister Higgins," I grinned, "How are you?" "Not bad, young Michael," he grinned, "Not bad at all. I've got those two riding saddles ready for you to pick up, but I'll need you to pull up around to the back of the store." After picking up the saddles and loading them into the back of my truck, I thanked Jimmy and then took off. ~~~~~~ I pulled my truck into Granny's Restaurant, not too far from the high school, and got out then went in. As soon as I sat down, I heard a familiar voice behind me say, "Well, hello there, handsome. What're you doing here?" I turned around to find none other than Marlee herself grinning back at me. She was there with another girl I didn't know. "Hi, Marlee," I smiled, "How are you doing?" "Well," she playfully cooed, "I was kind of hoping that, now that you're here and all; you might come and have lunch with me at our table." As she said this, she batted those beautiful blue eyes, rendering me unable to deny her anything she wanted. "Sure," I smiled, getting up and moving to her table. "Hi, Michael," Marlee smiled, as I sat down next her, "I'm glad you joined us." "Hi, yourself," I chuckled, "And thanks for inviting me." "Michael, "I'd like to introduce you to my best friend in the whole world, Kelly Peterson," Marlee excitedly replied, introducing me to the other girl at the table, "Kelly, this is Michael Hayes." "You're Mister Jake's and Ms. Rita's nephew, aren't you?" Kelly giggled, "Yeah, I've heard a lot about you lately." "Shut up, Kelly," Marlee warned, her face rapidly turning bright red. "What for, Lee-Lee?" Kelly teased, "You were right, girl. God, he is gorgeous, just like you said." "Dammit, Kel," Marlee scolded, "You don't have to repeat everything I say, do you?" "No," Kelly giggled, "But I very rarely get the chance to make you squirm so, I thought I would make the most of the opportunity." Then she turned to me, and extending her hand, said, "Hi, Michael, it's very nice to meet you." "It's nice to meet you, too, Kelly," I replied smiling. After all the laughter died down, Marlee smiled at me and asked, "So, what brings you into to town, Michael? I figured you'd be out somewhere working with Mister Jake." "I came into town to pick up a couple of saddles the Jim Horton made for Uncle Jake," I said, "He told me to take my time coming back, which means he gave me the afternoon off." "That was awfully nice of him to do that," Marlee smiled, "What're you gonna do for the rest of the afternoon?" "I've got to take these saddles back first," I chuckled, "The after that, I don't have any plans." "We were going to go swimming down at the river," Marlee said, "Would you like to come with us?" "Sure," I smiled, "That would be great." I can't remember the last time I had such a good lunch. Marlee was very attentive towards me, while Kelly smiled and talked right along with us, not missing a single opportunity to mess with Marlee in one way or another. Still though, it was all in good fun, making me remember what it was once like to have friends, something I'd been sorely lacking in the past four years. ~~~~~~ We left the restaurant and went into the parking lot. Marlee wanted to ride with me, while Kelly followed us back to the ranch. However, when we got to my truck, two guys were standing at the bed looking at the new saddles I'd just picked up earlier. They looked as though they might've either been drunk, homeless, or both, and the bigger of the two said, "Those are some nice saddles you got there." "Thank you," I said, a bad feeling rising up from within me. Then the man pulled out a large buck knife and growled, "We're gonna take em with us now. Do as you're told and nobody will get hurt." As I've already said, I got into college on an athletic scholarship, but I failed earlier to mention the sport. The reason being was that, I studied Karate, Ken-Po and Moo-Duk-Kwan, both Korean styles, from the time I was eight until I was twenty-two. I earned my first Black Belt at sixteen and my second at eighteen; and then earned both my second and third Dans (degrees) in each while I was in college. I immediately put myself between these two men and Marlee and Kelly, and to the man with the knife, said, "Look man, you really don't want to do this. Why don't you put the knife away and let's talk about this." "There's nothing to talk about," he hissed, "Now give me those God damned saddles, boy." "Fuck you, asshole," I arrogantly laughed, "Come and take them, you piece of shit." He lunged forward trying to stab me with his knife. I simply side stepped him, taking hold of his arm and twisting it in the opposite direction until I heard two things, bone breaking and the man screaming as he dropped the knife. Then I kicked him square in the chest, driving him six feet backward and onto his ass, still screaming in pain. When the other man took off running, I heard Marlee say, "Oh, no you don't, dickhead," and then I watched as she picked up a fairly nice sized rock from off of the ground. Then taking a deliberate aim, she heaved the rock very quickly and very hard. Two seconds later the rock hit the running man, a moving target, in the back of the head from a range of about ten or twelve yards, making him hit the ground and leaving me duly impressed. ~~~~~~ One of the waitresses inside the restaurant had seen what was about to take place, and recognizing the man with the knife as a trouble maker, she called the police who arrived mere moments after the fracas had died down. They took our statements, and after getting all the necessary information, left, taking the two guys that had accosted us with them. "Damn girl," I smiled, as Marlee and I rode home, "Where did you learn to throw like that?" "My brother taught me," she smiled, quickly holding up her breasts, "It came in handy when I started to grow these." "Jeez, Marlee," I gasped, with her laughing at my obvious embarrassment. ~~~~~~ "I think that's a great idea," Uncle Jake smiled, when Marlee and Kelly informed him of their plans to take me swimming with them, "That boy needs to be around people his own age, and I'm quite sure you girls are just what the doctor ordered." "Is that right?" I laughed, coming out of the house with a canvas bag hanging off of my left shoulder, "Aunt Rita packed us little bag of drinks and goodies for when we get to the river, you two." "See there," Uncle Jake chuckled, "Even your Aunt Rita agrees with me, Michael." ~~~~~~ I rode with the girls in Kelly's truck down Blacks Ferry Road until we came upon a bridge that spanned the San Bernard River. Kelly pulled off of the road and down a shell and gravel lane that crept beneath the bridge. "It's a twenty-five foot drop from the bridge to the water," Kelly pointedly said, trying to suppress a giggle after we all got out of the truck, "It's also one of the most exciting things you'll ever do with your clothes on." "How deep is the water," I asked, "And have either of you done it?" "We've both done it a bunch of times," laughed Marlee, "We grew up around here, Michael." "Hell, that's nothing," I cockily chuckled, "If you want to want to impress me, then let's go jump off of the Intercoastal Waterway Bridge over by the beach." "You're crazy," gasped Kelly, "That's sixty-five feet, Michael." "So, tell me, Michael," Marlee knowingly asked, smiling, "Have you ever jumped off of it?" "Uh...well, yeah," I shyly answered, "Once." "Hmm," she smiled, "And?" "And I ain't ever jumping off that damn thing again," I laughed, "It scared the living shit out of me." Of course Marlee and Kelly both laughed at me, and something as simple as hearing their voices brought a small light of new meaning into my troubled heart. The high point of my day was watching Marlee and Kelly as they peeled off their clothes to reveal the bikinis. Oh my God, what a beautiful sight it was, too. Of course they both teased me at every given opportunity, but it was all in good-natured fun, and nothing more than that. I ended up jumping off of the bridge four times. However, after a simple jump the first time to test the waters; I dove every time after that. It made Marlee cringe every time I did it, while Kelly simply laughed and said that I was crazy. ~~~~~~ Of course Aunt Rita insisted that Marlee and Kelly stay and eat supper with us. Uncle Jake always loved having dinner with a bunch of people, especially having three very beautiful women in the house. "Hell, boy," he laughed at me, "It doesn't look like we're gonna need any dessert with all the sweet looking gals around here. Whadaya think, Mikey?" I could tell that he'd been sampling some of the stores in his wine cellar by the slight smell on his breath. So, I just laughed and said, "I think you ought to share with us whatever it is that you've been drinking, Uncle Jake." "Great thinking, Mikey Boy," he chuckled, getting up from his chair and heading to the wine cellar, "I always knew that you were a smart guy." Needless to say, Uncle Jake left a trail of female giggles in his wake as he left the room...the old dog. ~~~~~~ That night for dinner, Aunt Rita made Al Pil-Pil, which is a Basque recipe for bacalao salt cod, sautéed slowly in oil, lemon juice and garlic. The side dish was Alboronia, which is a summer vegetable combination, similar to pesto, which is typical Andalusian cuisine, and for dessert we had Dark Chocolate covered Fig Bon-Bons, known as Rabitos Royale in Spain. "This has been so good, Ms. Rita," Marlee smiled, after dinner was over, "Thank you." "Yes, ma'am," Kelly sweetly added, "Thank you so much. Is there anything we can do to help you?" "You're very welcome, girls," Aunt Rita beamed, "If you want to help me, then you two can start by coming out here more often. I like having other females around to help me beat down these two banditos who live here," and of course we all laughed. Only When It Rains ~~~~~~ "Well," Kelly replied, knowingly smiling at Marlee, "I'm gonna go start the truck." Then she leaned over and quickly kissed me on the cheek and said, "It was nice to meet you, Michael. You're a really nice guy. Bye," and then she took off down the driveway to her truck. "I really had a nice time today, Michael," Marlee cooed, moving closer to me until we stood within a few inches of one another, "Do you think we could do this again sometime soon?" "Uh...well, I'm not...." "Look Michael," Marlee interrupted, "I'm not trying to put any kind of pressure on you. I like you as a person, and I like having you as a friend." Because I couldn't find the words to say, Marlee simply smiled and then after reaching up and briefly but softly kissing my lips, she cooed, "Take your time, Michael, take all the time you need." And then with that said, she smiled and walked to Kelly's truck. ~~~~~~ I had a fitful sleep that night and I know that I dreamed; I just couldn't seem to remember what it was that I dreamed when I awoke the next morning. I did feel somewhat off balance though, but I simply shrugged it off, thinking that it would soon pass. So, with that in mind, I did my morning rituals and went down to breakfast. "Good morning, Mijo, (pronounced ME-HO, meaning boy, or son)" smiled Aunt Rita, "You look different this morning." "I know," I teased, as I kissed her cheek, "I decided to shave today." "Silly boy," she giggled, playfully smacking the back of my head as I sat down at the table. "Good mornin, everybody," Uncle Jake announced, taking his seat as well, "Looks like it's gonna be a fine day today. What do you think, Mikey?" "It looks that way to me," I chuckled, as I took my first sip of coffee. ~~~~~~ For as far back as I can remember; Uncle Jake took his cattle, which consisted of five to six hundred head, to the market every other year. Uncle Jake always enjoyed the thrill of making the sixty mile trek from his ranch to the market by means of an old fashioned trail ride. That meant that we would drive them the old fashioned way, on horse back. I always remembered how much I used to love doing this as a kid. Uncle Jake never hurried, as he wanted to enjoy being "In The Bush" as he called it so; he always liked to start the trail ride on the Sunday before the auction the following Saturday There were ten days left before the ride began, and it was my turn to go and round up the strays. It took me well over half of the day, but by three o'clock that afternoon; the last thirty head were finally a part of the main herd. ~~~~~~ "You had a phone call today, Michael," Aunt Rita informed me, "It was Marlee. She wanted me to ask to give her call some time this evening." "We'll see," I non-chalantly said. "I think you should give her a call, young man," Aunt Rita stated, as opposed to suggesting it, "And I think you should call her before you eat, if you know what I mean." Yes, ma'am," I sheepishly replied, knowing better than to argue with her. ~~~~~~ Chapter Three I finished cleaning up and right before dinner I called Marlee. "Hello," she said, into the telephone receiver. "Hi, Marlee," I replied, "It's Michael, and I was...." "I know who this is, silly boy," she sweetly interrupted, "I'm glad you returned my call. There's something I wanted to ask you." "Uh...sure, I guess," I stammered, "What do you want to ask me?" "Well...," she cooed, "I wanted to know if you'll let me make you dinner at my house tomorrow night." "Well, I don't know if...." "It's just diner for goodness' sake," she giggled, "Jeez Michael, you'd think I was gonna lure you over here and rape you, or something. Damn, boy, lighten up." "You're right," I laughed, at the absurdity of my previous response, "What time?" "I was thinking around six-thirty," she happily replied, "Is that alright with you?" "Yeah, that's fine," I said, "But I don't know where you live." "Just ask your Aunt," Marlee giggled, "She knows the way." ~~~~~~ I worked my ass off the next day helping Uncle Jake get ready for the up coming trail ride. It was funny watching him as he was excitedly making all the necessary preparations, kind of like a kid on Christmas Eve. I made a trip into town to pick up some of the supplies we were going to need, and on my way, I stopped at Jim Higgins' store to buy a new pair of boots for the ride. "Hey, Michael," Jim greeted me, "What can I do for you, today?" "I need a new pair of boots," I smiled. "Well, come right on in, son," he grinned, "I just got a new shipment in today." ~~~~~~ After I'd paid for my new boots, I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost lunch time. Using the phone at Mr. Higgins' store, I called home to let Uncle Jake know that I was eating lunch in town, and asked him if he might need anything else he might've for gotten. He simply laughed and told me that there really wasn't much left to do and that I should take my time and not be in any hurry...imagine that. ~~~~~~ I don't know now why I was surprised, but I hadn't sat down in the restaurant to have lunch for more than ten minutes, when lo and behold, who should appear at my table but Marlee's best friend Kelly. "Well hey, Michael," Kelly happily chirped, "Fancy meeting you in here again. Are back for lunch?" "As a matter of fact, I am," I smiled, "Would you care to join me?" "Sure," she smiled, "If it's not an inconvenience." "Now why on earth would you think that, Kelly?" "Well," she uncomfortably began, "Marlee really likes you, and I don't want her to think that...." "Wait a minute," I chuckled, "First of all, Marlee and I are just friends, for now anyway. Second of all, you are her best friend so, that also makes you my friend, too. Furthermore, I can have lunch with my friends any time I want, regardless of anything that anyone says or thinks." "You're a real nice guy, Michael. There aren't many of your kind left anymore," Kelly nicely replied, "And I'm glad to have you as a friend, too." Let me take a moment to describe Kelly Peterson. She stands about five feet, seven inches tall, I'd say; and if I had to guess, I would imagine she weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of a hundred and twenty- five, to a hundred and thirty pounds. Like Marlee, not only was she roughly the same age; but she was built like same brick shithouse, only she had long auburn hair that hung past her shoulders. She was also a very beautiful girl, as well. Her dark brown eyes that shone through her fair complexion captivated whomever she spoke to, demanding their full attention. However; it was the softness in her voice that showed the kindness in her heart; and I was thankful that God chose to bless me with such a friend as Kelly. "Are you hungry?" I asked. "Yes," Kelly grinned, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." "Good," I replied grinning, "I'm hungry, too." Kelly had the Southern Style Catfish with Hush Puppies, and I had a Chicken Fried Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Dark Gravy, and it was damn good that day. The company was even better. I found Kelly to be a very intelligent young woman and I told her so. "Kelly," I said, "I've noticed that you and Marlee are both extremely intelligent for your young ages." "Jeez, Michael," she giggled, "How old do you think we are?" "You can't be any older than twenty-five, at the most," I smiled, "Neither one of you." Kelly began to laugh wildly, to the point that some of the other customers in the restaurant began to stare. But once she regained her composure, she smiled and said, "You are such a sweet man, and while I want to thank you for the compliment; I have to tell you the truth. I just turned thirty last month and Marlee turns thirty-one in three weeks." "You're kidding me," I amazingly replied, "You two most certainly don't look it, neither one of you." "This is so funny," Kelly giggled, "Wait till I tell Marlee, she's gonna laugh herself silly." "Speaking of Marlee," I said, "Would you tell me about her, Kelly. You two have known each other practically all of your lives, haven't you?" "Why don't you ask her yourself," Kelly giggled, "You are going over to her house tonight for dinner, aren't you?" "I just shook my head smiling and said, "Crazy girls..." ~~~~~~ On the ride home that afternoon I thought about the conversation I'd had with Kelly. She didn't want to talk about Marlee, and I guess I understood because they were best friends and all, but still I wondered. I hardly knew anything about Marlee; hell I really didn't know anything at all when it came right down to it. But Kelly was right; she said that I would find out later that night I guess. Then suddenly, the notion came to me that I could always ask my Aunt Rita, surely she would know. ~~~~~~ "Hello Mijo," Aunt Rita smiled, kissing me on the cheek as I walked through the back door, "How was your day?" "It was real good," I grinned, "Aunt Rita, I need to ask you some questions, and I really hope you can answer them." "I'll try," she apprehensively replied, "Is everything alright? Are you okay?" "Oh no, I'm fine," I smiled, "Everything is alright, I just wanted to ask you about Marlee." "I was wondering when this was going to happen," she knowingly smiled, taking me by the hand, "Come with me; we can sit down and have a glass of tea. And then I'll tell you everything I know, okay, Michael?" "Okay," I grinned, following her to the kitchen table. ~~~~~~ "So," Aunt Rita grinned, "What do you want to know about her?" "I don't know," I chuckled, "You were the one that said you would tell me everything you knew." "I did, didn't I?" Aunt Rita giggled, before she began, "Marlee came to town to live with her grandmother, whom you've already met, a little over right years ago. Her parents were killed when their plane crashed in Mexico. I felt so badly for her, poor thing. Her grandmother took her in, and she's a whole lot better now." "Wow, that's terrible," I said, being able to identify with Marlee now, "I guess I can understand how she feels, well, maybe a little bit anyway." "I guess maybe you can," Aunt Rita agreed, "What Marlee needs more than anything right now, is a good friend. And I think that maybe having a good friend wouldn't hurt you either." "What about Kelly?" I asked, "She's her best friend." "That's not what I mean, and you know it," she pointedly replied, "I'm talking about having a male friend, one that she can trust. She needs that in her life right now." "I don't know, Aunt Rita. I'm still afraid that......" "I know you're afraid, Michael," Aunt Rita lovingly interrupted, placing her hand on top of mine, "But Jane is gone and it's time for you to move on now. You know that she wouldn't have wanted you to be unhappy, don't you?" "I know," I sadly replied, now on the verge of tears, "It's just that....I'm still afraid, Aunt Rita, I'm really afraid." "Tell me Michael." she gently asked, "What exactly are you afraid of...hmm?" "I'm afraid that, if I move on....I'll forget her," and then I broke down and began to weep bitterly. "Aw...there there now," Aunt Rita softly said, coming around to where I was seated at the table and throwing her arms around me, "You two were married for six years, Michael. I don't think you'll ever forget her. But you're more like your Uncle Jake than you know." "Maybe," I sniffed, "But what does my being like Uncle Jake have to do with what we're talking about?" "You two have the same heart, Mijo," she sweetly smiled, "And I know that there's more than enough room in your heart for another. Do you not agree?" I don't know what took place right then, but I suddenly began to feel strangely better, if only a little, but better none-the-less, as I realized Aunt Rita's words made perfect sense. However, it must've been written across my face because she giggled and said, "Now go take a shower, and I'll give you directions to Marlee's house before you leave." "I love you, Aunt Rita," I smiled, standing up and giving her a very heartfelt hug. "I know you do, and I love you, too," she giggled, swatting me on the butt, "Go get cleaned up; you don't want to keep that pretty girl waiting." ~~~~~~ Following the directions that Aunt Rita had given me, I found myself turning down a long driveway, a little over twice the length of Uncle Jake's. It was lined on both sides with huge Live Oak trees, all of which had Spanish moss hanging from their branches. It was like being thrust backward in time just by the surroundings as I drove toward Marlee's house. As I drew nearer her house, I was delighted to see her in the front yard of a huge one level Ranch-Style house, playing with what I assumed was her dog. ~~~~~~ As soon as I parked my truck and opened the door, I was greeted by a very friendly and very lovable Golden Labrador Retriever. "Hi there, fella," I smiled, scratching him behind his left ear. "His name is Bosco," replied a beautiful and all too familiar female voice directly behind me. "Hi, Marlee," I smiled, turning around to greet her, "It's good to see you." "Mmm," she purred, hugging me, "It's good to see you, too, Michael," then breaking the hug and stepping back, "I wasn't sure if you were gonna come, or not." "Why not," I bewilderedly asked, "Didn't I say I would?" "Yes," she smiled, her eyes sparkling, "You sure did, and I'm glad you're here," then taking my hand, she giggled, "Come on in and let's eat, I'm starving." ~~~~~~ Marlee had a beautiful house, that much was certain. I thought at first that she'd hired a professional decorator, as everything was so pristine, not a single thing out of place. However, she saw me looking around her home as she led me through it, and with a delightful little smirk across her face, she giggled and told me, "I decorated it myself. I hope you like it." "It's gorgeous," I smiled, "I think you missed your calling, Marlee." "What makes you say that?" "Why would you want to cut hair when you have a beautiful talent like this," I smiled, "You ought to start you own business." "I have my own interior design company, Michael," she giggled, "I only cut hair part-time when Grams is real busy." The bright smile that was on her face slowly turned dark when she said, "Michael, there's something I need to tell you, okay?" "Sure," I gently replied, feeling disturbed at the terribly sad look on her face, "You wanna sit down while you do this." "No, genius, I thought we could stand in the middle of the swimming pool and talk," she giggled, taking my hand, "Come with me, handsome." ~~~~~~ We sat on Marlee's couch in her den, and taking my hand, she began, "Kelly said that you were asking about me at lunch today so; I'll tell you anything you want to know." Remembering what Aunt Rita had said about Marlee needing a male friend that she could trust suddenly came to mind, and in doing so, I smiled and gently replied, "First of all, I want you to know that anything you tell me will stay with me, and only me. Now, I want to know everything there is to know about Miss Marlee Sanders." "You're silly," she giggled, the darkness gone from her face, "I'll tell you everything there is to know about me, and then you have to tell me all about Mister Michael Hayes." "Aw Hell," I said, half grinning. "Oh, okay, you've got a deal." "Before I begin," she happily giggled, "I wanted to say thank you for what you said to Kelly about how old you thought we both were." "You're welcome," I grinned, "But I'm still waiting for you to tell me about yourself." "Okay, silly boy," she smiled, "Here we go; I was born and raised in West Columbia, and as you already know I'm just a little over a years younger than you. I graduated from Columbia High School, and then I attended the University of Houston where I got my degree in Interior Design, with a minor in History." "Cool," I grinned, "I knew you were an intelligent woman." "Oh, really," she chirped, "So, you think I'm smart then?" "I said that you were intelligent," I teased, "But yeah, I guess you're pretty smart, a smart ass." "And you're a bonafide brat," she giggled, playfully punching me in the arm, "But you're a cutie so, I guess I'll just have to put up with you then." "I know that this is a sore subject, Marlee," I cautiously said, "But Aunt Rita told me how your parents died, and I wanted to tell you how very sorry I am. You know that if you ever want to talk about it, I'm a good listener." "I know, Michael," she cooed, taking my hand in both of hers, "Thank you." Then she rose from the couch, pulling me up by my hand and said, "Come on, Handsome. Dinner is almost ready and I'm hungry." ~~~~~~ This is really good," I smiled, tasting the Coc Au Vin that I knew it took Marlee hours to make, "You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble on my account." "Who says that I did this for you, silly boy?" she smiled, as we sat at her dinning table. "Now who's being a brat, pretty girl?" "Do you really think I'm pretty, Michael?" she wistfully asked. "You're beyond pretty, you're beautiful, Marlee," I smiled, "I thought so the very first time I ever laid eyes on you." All at once her eyes filled with tears, and then after suddenly pushing her chair away from the table; Marlee stood up and walked around to where I was seated and then threw her arms around my neck as she softly cried, "Thank you Michael. I've felt so ugly for so very long, and while I know that I might seem like a basket-case to you right now, hearing that from you just now did me more good than you can ever know." "There's no need to thank me," I tenderly replied, my arms around her shoulders, "It's easy to tell the truth." "You're a very special man, sweetie," Marlee purred, right before she stood back up, "And I'm so glad that I met you." "Me too," I smiled, while she took her seat again. "That doesn't mean you're gonna get out of telling me about yourself, mister," she giggled, "After we're finished eating you can start while we're cleaning up." "Okay," I chuckled, "You win." "Good," she replied, "Or otherwise I wasn't going to give you any of the chocolate mousse that I made for dessert." "Hell," I silently thought, "You've just gotta love a girl that makes chocolate mousse." ~~~~~~ Marlee had been wearing simple blue jeans and a nice blouse since I'd been there, but right after we finished eating, while I was cleaning off the table, she went down the hall and into what I could only assume was her bedroom. When she retuned, the mere sight of her took my breath completely away. She was wearing a pair of men's boxers and a cut off U of H tee shirt. It still hung low enough to cover her breasts though, which were obviously bra-less, and a whole lot bigger than I originally thought. "I thought I would get into a little more comfortable," she conspiratorially giggled, "But if this makes you uneasy, Michael, I can always go back and put on something else." "No," I nervously laughed, "This is your home, and someone should feel comfortable in their own home." "I'm glad you feel that way," she smiled, "I don't know why, Michael, but I feel like I can really trust you." "I'm glad," I smiled, "I want you to trust me." All at once Marlee walked over to where I stood, and then after making me turn around so that I was facing her; she softly put her arms around my neck. And pressing her body tightly against mine, she slowly but softly kissed my lips. Her kiss wasn't urgent nor was it lustful. Instead it felt tender and pure, as our lips never parted except right before it ended. And then that was only for a millisecond. "Thank you, Michael," she softly purred, still in my arms, but now leaning back to look into my eyes, brightly smiling as she did so. Only When It Rains The feeling of having her body pressed so closely to mine was beginning to have an effect on me that I'd not felt in years. So, before she could feel what was beginning to awaken between my legs, I gently eased her back and asked, "What're you thanking me for, Marlee?" "A lot of things really," she smiled, while taking her arms from around me and playfully scooting me over, away from the kitchen sink, "But mostly just for being such a kind and gentle man." "Thank you," I softly replied, "That was a very nice thing to say." "Don't get a big head,' she giggled, teasing as she began to wash the dishes, refusing all attempts to help, "You're still a brat." "Whatever," I laughed, shaking my head. ~~~~~~ After the first time I talked with Marlee I could tell that she was an intelligent woman. However, throughout the course of our conversation that evening; I discovered that I had only seen the tip of the iceberg earlier, and that Marlee was a truly brilliant woman. With the exception of Jane, Marlee was one of the very few women that understood what I was talking about, and I was thrilled by not having to repeat or explain myself, not even once. And the more I talked to Marlee, the more she began to remind me of Jane. While they looked nothing alike, there was still that air of relaxed, yet tender familiarity. However, with Marlee there was something so compelling about her, and I was having the hardest time trying to mentally grasp what it was that drew me to her so quickly. Maybe I would figure it out, maybe not. Either way, I knew that I wanted to know more about her. Still though, I wasn't going to jump in with both feet, I wanted to take the time to get to know her better....a whole lot better. ~~~~~~ "Thank you for coming over tonight, Michael," Marlee cooed, as I stood by my truck, getting ready to leave. "Thank you for inviting me," I smiled, "I enjoyed the meal, but nearly as much as the company." "You're a good man, Michael," Marlee purred, placing her arms around my neck and hugging me closely, "I'm so glad that we met." "I'm glad that we met, too," I smiled, reveling in the feeling of her unfettered breast as they pressed against my chest, separated only by the thin material of our shirts. "Well," I guess I'd better go inside," she smiled, breathing a little heavier than usual. And I could also make out the protrusions of her nipples as the pointed themselves at me beneath her tee shirt, confirming the fact that Marlee was braless; God, what a beautiful woman, "Goodnight, Michael." "Good night, Marlee." ~~~~~~ A lot of things went through my mind that night as I drove home. I didn't know how I knew this, but I could somehow feel that everything was going to be alright; and the storm that once raged within me was beginning to show signs of coming to an end. I found Marlee's razor sharp wit to be absolutely charming, and the playful banter that went on between us earlier felt as comfortable as an old shoe. Still though, I sensed an unresolved sadness within Marlee that had yet to be faced. She's a strong woman, that much is obviously certain, but I'm sure that I, nor anyone else for that matter, were meant to see that side of her. And in his awe inspiring way, it was at that moment that God suddenly chose to reveal to me, the path to my own salvation. In order to permanently exorcize the demons from within myself, then I was going to have to help Marlee deal with hers, whatever they might be. ~~~~~~ Chapter Four The next morning I awoke to the aroma of something wonderful coming from the kitchen. Because it was Saturday, I got out of bed and threw on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt and then made my way down the hall, straight to the kitchen. "It's about time you got out of bed, ya bum," teaseled Uncle Jake, laughing as he stood at the stove cooking, wearing one of Aunt Rita's aprons, "What's the matter, m'boy, did that pretty girl wear you out last night?" "Jake," Aunt Rita scolded, as she came from around the corner, "Leave him alone right now." "Aw hell, Darlin," Uncle Jake chuckled, "I'm just teasing him a little bit. Quit bustin my balls, why don't ya?" "I said stop it," Aunt Rita glared, and then in Spanish, angrily added, "Tu pinche loco cabron." (Which translates to, "You fucking crazy old motherfucker.") I loved seeing this side of Aunt Rita, because in my personal opinion, there's nothing funnier than a Latin woman when she's angry; provided that you're not the one she's angry with. "Thadda girl, Aunt Rita," I cheered, laughing heartily, "Don't take any shit from him." "If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times," laughed Uncle Jake, as he suddenly grabbed Aunt Rita around the waist, making her giggle and squeal as he hugged her tightly against him, "You better watch your mouth, woman." "I love you" giggled Aunt Rita, and then she gave Uncle Jake a tender kiss, her palm softly caressing the side of his face. Suddenly the phone rang, and being nearby, Uncle Jake let go of Aunt Rita and answered it. "Hello," he said, then suddenly glanced over at me smiling, and replied, "You betcha, come on over and I'll have them ready when you get here, okay," he paused, "Alright, we'll see ya'll in a little bit then, bye." "What's going on," I asked. "A lady and her daughter came down from Houston to look at two of my Andalusian colts the other day," Uncle Jake proudly smiled, "And she's willing to pay top dollar, too." "Oh really," I pointedly replied, "And where was I?" "Aw hell boy," he laughed, "You were in town flirtin with those two girls." "That's not funny," I said, the blush rising in my cheeks, "And you know it." "Oh yes it is," he laughed, "Especially the color of your face." "This time I have to agree with him, Mijo," giggled Aunt Rita, who'd remained silent until then, "It's very funny." The after a good laugh, Uncle Jake patted me on the shoulder and said, "Come on and help me bring those two colts in." "I ought to make you go get them yourself, dammit," I haughtily replied. "Yeah, yeah," Uncle Jake laughed, mockingly, "Come on, tough guy." What I forgot to mention earlier was that not only did I begin studying the martial arts at a very young age, but Uncle Jake was the man who taught me everything I knew. He was a very strict teacher, adhering to old ways of training, born in a near ancient time; but he was also my Uncle as well as a friend. The reason that I respected the way that I did had nothing to do with what he did in the Navy, well, maybe a little, but it was that I could tell him anything and everything, and be assured that my confidence would never be breached. So, what that in mind, dear reader, let it be known by all that I would've died for my Uncle Jake if need's be. That's how much I respected him as a man, and how much I loved him as member of my family. ~~~~~~ Uncle Jake and I had cut the colts from the main herd and put them in the front corral. We were standing there talking when e car a solid black, four door Mercedes Benz pulling into the driveway. We walked up to the house to greet whoever was within as soon as they reached the house. "Is that her?" I asked, as the car came rolling up to the house. "Is sure is," Uncle Jake replied, smiling. ~~~~~~ As soon as the Mercedes had pulled up, parked, and the engine had been shut off, the driver's side door opened. All of the windows had been dark tinted and I wasn't able to see into the car, nor did I have any idea who was driving. However, when the driver stepped out, one could only imagine the surprised look on my face when I saw a lady that was somewhere in her late fifties, or early sixties. She was extremely pretty, long blonde hair, tied back with a white ribbon, bright sparkling blue eyes and in good, no, great shape. She was dressed very nicely, and in that familiar southern Texas drawl that I've heard my whole life, she walked up to us smiling and said, "Hi there, Jake, nice to see ya again." "Well, hey there, Rosalyn," Uncle Jake grinned, as they shook hands, "Nice to see you, too, I've got the colts in the front corral, and we can go see them whenever you're ready." "That'll be fine, Jake," she smiled, then looked at me, "And who is this good lookin young fella here?" "This is my nephew, Michael," Uncle Jake conspiratorially grinned, his hand on my shoulder, "His last name is Hayes, just like mine, and he helps me run things around here." "Oh, so, he's your foreman, then," Rosalyn smiled. "No ma'am," I chuckled, "Aunt Rita just lets the both of us live in the house and eat at the same table. He works me just as hard as he does everybody else around here." "Shut up, boy," Uncle Jake laughed, his hand playfully cuffing the back of my head, "Mikey, this is Rosalyn Beck. Rosalyn, this is my favorite nephew, Michael." "It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Beck," I politely replied. "Oh my, what a polite boy," she giggled, "Please Michael, call me Rosalyn." "Thank you, Rosalyn," I smiled. "Well now," she grinned, "Why don't we go have a look at those two colts?" ~~~~~~ "Those are two of the prettiest colts I've ever seen, Jake," Rosalyn said, "I assume you have registry papers, as well as birth and bloodline certificates on them, yes?" "I sure do," he proudly replied, handing her three large envelopes, "Every Andalusian that I own is either a champion, or comes from champion lineage." "I've heard some really nice things about you and your horses from several different breeders," she said smiling, perusing the paperwork Uncle Jake had given her, "Besides, I've always wanted my own pair of Andalusians, ever since I was a teen age girl." "Well, now you do," smiled Uncle Jake, "If everything is in order, why don't we go up to the house and have some coffee and talk a little business, Rosalyn?" "It's so nice to see you back again, Rosalyn," Aunt Rita smiled, as we came through the back door into the kitchen, "I take it you like the colts then?" "Oh my goodness," Rosalyn smiled, "Those two are the prettiest babies I ever seen." ~~~~~~ "What do you consider a fair price for your animals, Jake?" Rosalyn asked, as they sat at the table. "Because their parents are both champions," Uncle Jake began, "They're worth a hundred-thousand dollars apiece, and that's firm." "I was expecting nothing less," she smiled, reaching into a small valise she'd brought from her car on the way inside. After reaching inside and withdrawing a checkbook, she opened and withdrew a pen, then smiled and said, "Who do I make this out to?" "Rocking H Enterprises," Uncle Jake said, "I would also appreciate it if you'd note that is for the purchase of the colts, if you don't mind." "Not a problem," Rosalyn smiled, "How soon can I come and pick them up?" "Because the check is from a different bank in Houston, it'll take about seventy-two hours to clear the bank here," he politely replied, "As soon as I receive confirmation of deposit, and I'll also have my bank notify you, you can come and pick them up any time after that." "Perfect," she grinned, "It looks like we'll see you soon then." "Good enough," Uncle grinned, as they shook hands and the deal was done. ~~~~~~ I spent the rest of the day working on all the things that needed to be done around the place. And as always, Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita treated me as if I were their own. Because of one of the wounds that he received in Vietnam, Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita weren't able to have any children of their own. I guess that's why they lavished all of their attention on me, the youngest of the next generation. I guess now would be as good a time as any to tell you that Uncle Jake's ranch was one of the biggest in the area; and that he was very well respect by everyone around, ranchers and breeders alike. That's why Dad never had a problem with my being under his brother's tutelage from an early age. My parents both knew that Uncle Jake, because of his life's experiences, would be able to teach me about the things that they couldn't, as well as teaching me to be able to handle myself in almost any given situation. ~~~~~~ As we sat around the table eating dinner that night Aunt Rita smiled and ask me, "How did your date with Marlee go, Michael?" "I had a nice time," I smiled, still remembering how good Marlee's body had felt, as she pressed herself against me in the driveway before I left, "She's a nice girl." "She really is," Uncle Jake said, "Maybe you ought to think about...." "I know where you're going with this, Uncle Jake," I tersely interrupted, "And I'd really appreciate it if you'd leave it alone." "I'm not gonna leave it alone, God dammit," he angrily exploded, "You need to do some serious soul searching and find a way to move on, boy, or you're gonna let that shit eat you alive." "What a load of bullshit," I brusquely, as well as a little over zealously replied, "I remember what you said about losing your friends in Vietnam, Uncle Jake, but Jane was my wife, not just a friend. So, until you lose your wife, I'm not asking you to leave it alone; I'm telling you." I knew that I'd messed up the moment that last word left my mouth, because Uncle Jake stood up, and then with loud and menacing tone of voice, he glared at me and growled, "Because you're my nephew and I love you, I'm going to overlook the way you just spoke to me. But you better deal with this, and you'd better do it quickly, or you're going to deal with me. Is that clear?" As opposed to answering him, I simply rose from the table and then turned and walked away. ~~~~~~ After walking outside onto the front porch, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I was still pissed off, that much was certain. But as opposed to going back inside and dealing with it before I'd had a chance to cool off, I jumped into my truck and took off for the beach. ~~~~~~ I'd only been at the beach for about an hour or so before it began to get dark. Before the sun had totally set, I'd taken the opportunity to gather plenty of wood in order to build a fire. After I was done I went ahead and lit the kindling beneath the dried limbs and before long; I had a nice fire going. I sat there on the shore thinking about all the things that Uncle Jake had said to me, as well as the terrible things I'd said to him. I made a mental note to be sure and apologize to him at the first opportunity. After all, he was only looking out for my best interests, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would never hurt me or let anything bad happen to me. I had been sitting I front of my fire thinking for, according to my watch, for an hour and a half, when I suddenly saw a familiar looking GTO pulling up next to where I'd parked my truck in the sand. After the engine shut off, the door opened and Marlee got out and walked toward me. The fire was bright enough to illuminate her face, and smiling as she sat down next to me, she said, "I thought I might find you here." "Hi," I non-chalantly replied, "What're you doing here?" "I called your house, looking for you," she sweetly told me, "And Ms. Rita said that you and your Uncle had a fight, and that you took off without telling anyone where you were going so, I came looking for you." "What is it with you southern girls, "I snapped, not really meaning to, "Ya'll can't leave well enough alone, can you?" "What the hell's gotten into, Michael," she crossly asked, "And why are you acting like this?" "I'll tell you what's gotten into me," I hatefully spat, "I'm sick and tired of everybody trying to tell me how to live my life." "Michael, I'm not trying to tell..." "Then why in the fuck are you here," I harshly interrupted, "God dammit Marlee, can't you see that I'm fucked up?" "Yes, you are fucked up and so is the way you're acting right now" she angrily replied, "And to tell you the truth, I wished I'd known Jane." "Oh, yeah?" I hatefully asked, "And why is that?" "Because I would've told her that she was too God dammed good for you," she growled, looking more beautiful than I could ever recall since meeting her, "And from what Ms. Rita has told me about her, I know that she would be kicking your weepy little ass right now if she were here." "Fuck you," I viciously barked, "You've got no right to talk about her like that." No, Michael, fuck you, asshole," she barked right back at me, angry tears now running down her beautiful cheeks, "Ya know, I thought you were special, but no, you're a selfish prick just like every other man I've ever known." "What is it?" I barked, "Do you wanna fuck, is that it? Well come on then and take off your clothes and I'll fuck you." Suddenly a disturbing look of fear came across her face as she screamed, "GO TO HELL, YOU SON OF A BITCH," and with that said, she quickly hopped up and raced off toward her car. As I watched her tail lights fading as she hurriedly drove away, I said to myself, aloud, "Way to go, Michael, you fucking idiot." For the rest of the night I sat in front of my fire until I could no longer hold my eyes open. And as sleep overcame me, the same old demons crept up from the darkest depths of my subconscious and chased me in my dreams the whole night long. ~~~~~~ When I opened my eyes the next morning I was lying in the sand, on my back, and looking up to see the nose of my Uncle's favorite Andalusian mare moving just a couple of feet above me. "Well," laughed Uncle Jake's voice, "I see that you didn't get eaten by the sharks, boy." "Yeah, I guess I fell asleep," I regrettably said, as I stood up, "Look, Uncle Jake, about last night, "I'm really sorry for saying......" "Forget about it," he chuckled, "Your Aunt Rita sent me out her to bring you home so, let's get going, other wise it'll be my ass." "Hmm," I smiled, "Now there's a thought." "Smart assed kid," he laughed, "Get your little ass in your truck and I'll meet you back at the house." Yeah, yeah, yeah," I mocked, laughing as I walked to my truck. ~~~~~~ "Don't come in this house unless you can act like a man instead of a spoiled child," Aunt Rita scolded, the second I walked through the back door, "Are finished throwing your little temper tantrum, boy?" "Yes ma'am," I meekly replied, "I'm very sorry, Aunt Rita." "Aw, its okay, Mijo," she smiled, placing her arms around my neck and giggling, "You'll notice that your Uncle is in a better mood this morning, too. It's because I tore him a new ass right after you left last night," making me laugh. Then suddenly remembering the conversation that took place between Marlee and me on the beach the night before, I cringed and said, "I think I really pissed Marlee off pretty bad last night." "Yes," Aunt Rita knowingly replied, "That's what I heard." "Damn, Aunt Rita," I grinned, "Does she tell you everything?" "Almost," she laughed. ~~~~~~ As soon as Uncle Jake arrived back at the house, we all sat down to breakfast; and it began to rain outside the moment we began eating. "Hell," Uncle Jake said, "I wanted to work with the horses today and now we can't." "Why not," I asked, winking at Aunt Rita, "Are you afraid of a little rain?" "I think you know better than that, boy," he laughed, "It's just that the rain makes the horses a little skittish, that's all." "The rain has nothing to do with it Jacob, and you know it," Aunt Rita giggled, "It's because you spoil those horses worse than you would a child." "Maybe so," Uncle Jake replied grinning, "Don't forget that I spoil your pretty little ass, too." ~~~~~~ "Hey Mikey," Uncle Jake called to me, from his office in the stables where I'd been working that afternoon, "Come quick!" "What's up, Uncle Jake?" I asked, as I walked into his office "Is something wrong?" Only When It Rains "No, not at all," he smiled, "Charlie Hanson just called me from the bank and Rosalyn Beck's check cleared a lot sooner than we expected." "Is that all?" I chuckled, "Hell, I thought something was wrong with you. I'm going back to work." "No, wait a minute," he grinned, stopping me from leaving, "I just got off the phone to Rosalyn and she's coming tomorrow to pick up the colts so, I need for you to get them cleaned up and ready to go." "Okay, Uncle Jake," I laughed, "I'll take care of it," and needless to say, I spent the rest of the day bathing the two colts, making their coats nice and shiny. ~~~~~~ That night after supper I was in Uncle Jake's office going over the final paperwork for the sale of the colts when the telephone rang. It was Aunt Rita informing me that I had a guest and that she, was on her way out to the stables to see me. I was pleased, thinking that it was Marlee and that I would have the chance to apologize to her for my uncalled for behavior and also for the harsh way I'd treated her the previous night. You can only imagine my surprise when I opened the door to find Kelly standing there with an extremely pissed off look on her face. "Hi, Kelly," I smiled, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" "Don't "Hi Kelly" me, you asshole," she viciously spat, pushing her way past me and on into the office, "What the hell did you do to Marlee, God dammit?" "Whoa, wait a minute," I said, getting upset by the way she'd just spoken to me, "I didn't do anything to her. We had an argument and nothing more." "Then why is she so upset?" Kelly angrily asked, "What in the fuck did you say to her, motherfucker?" Being called a motherfucker was the last straw, and with that said, I glared at her and hatefully spat, "Just who in the hell do you think you are, coming here and talking to me like that, God dammit?" "I'll tell exactly who I am, you son-of-a-bitch," she heatedly replied, "I'm her best friend who's worried sick about her," and then she began to cry uncontrollably. "Wait a minute," I said, trying to calm the situation down, "Have a seat and let's try to talk about this like adults, please?" As I handed her my handkerchief, Kelly took it and sat down in the chair I offered. Then after a moment, she regained her composure. And then in a more subdued tone of voice, she said, "I'm sorry, Michael." "That's okay," I gently replied, "Now, I know you didn't get this worked up over she and I having an argument. What's really going on, and why are you so upset?" "I'm sure you probably know this, but if not, I'm gonna tell you something, Michael," she sniffed, "But you're going to have to promise me that you'll never say a word to anyone of what I'm about to tell you." "I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, "But I promise you that I'll never tell a soul." After taking a deep breath, Kelly sat back in her seat and began, "When Marlee and I were freshmen in college, we got invited to an off-campus party after a football game one night. There was this guy there who was a senior, a football player, named Lance Harper whom it just so happened, Marlee had the biggest crush on." "I think I see where this is going," I grimly interrupted her. "Please, let me finish," she said, "Anyway, after we'd been there for a while, he invites her to go take a walk with him. I tried to tell that that he was no good, but she wouldn't listen and insisted that everything would be just fine." Tears began to flow down Kelly's cheeks now, openly crying as she continued, "When she'd been gone for well over two hours I began to get worried so, I got some friends of ours to help me look for her." "Are you alright?" I asked, leaning over and gently touching her hand. She sorrowfully looked at me and shakily replied, "When we went outside we saw that Justin's car was gone and Marlee was nowhere to be seen. We didn't find her until the next morning, lying in a ditch beside I-45 between Houston and Conroe, unconscious, raped and beaten within an inch of her life, with cum leaking out of every orifice in her body." "She did press charges against that asshole while she was in the hospital though," Kelly sadly added, "But here's the really fucked up part of it. Come to find out; he'd done this to another girl the year before, only the coaches got together with some of the alumni who offered her a shit load of money, which she accepted, to keep quiet about it because Lance was such a good football player, and they tried to do the same thing with Marlee." "What happened?" I asked, now on the edge of my seat. "How is it that you don't already know all of this, Michael?" "Excuse me?" I said, confused, "How the hell was I supposed to know any of this?" "Mister Jake went and had a little "talk" with the coaches and the alumni," she knowingly replied, "And then a couple of months later, Lance Harper went to trial and received a twenty year sentence for aggravated rape." "I swear to you that I didn't know, Kelly," I dejectedly told her, my heart now breaking wide open for Marlee, "I swear by all that's holy." "She needs you; Michael," Kelly said, right before leaving, "And I think you need her, too." ~~~~~~ Chapter Five I made sure that I was awake before everyone else the next morning, and in doing so, was up and gone before the sun came up. The first place I went was to Marlee's house, and found myself pulling up into the driveway of an apparently empty house. Kelly's car was gone and Bosco wasn't anywhere to be seen, either. Still though, I got out of my car and walked up to her front door. And after knocking loudly on her front door, as well as ringing the doorbell several times to no avail, I decided to take another tactic. I drove back into town and went to Granny's Restaurant just as the doors were opening for the breakfast crowd. Being the first to arrive, I was afforded the opportunity of being able to sit where ever I wanted so; I chose a table right by the front window. And once Id ordered my food, I sat and waited, watching the sun slowly making its ascent into the sky from the eastern horizon. ~~~~~~ I'd long since finished my breakfast and was drinking my umpteenth cup of coffee when I looked at my watch. It was now nine-thirty in the morning, making me not only realized that Id been sitting there for well over three hours, but also that the time had come to make my move. ~~~~~~ I hadn't been waiting for more than a few minutes in the parking lot of Peggy's Hair Salon, when none other than Ms. Peggy herself pulled up beside me. As we both exited our cars at the same time, she looked at me and pointedly said, "She's gone, Michael, and I don't know when she'll be back, either." "I really need to talk to her, Ms. Peggy," I pleadingly replied, "We got into an argument and I need to make it right." "Let me ask you something," she said, crossing her arms defensively, "And it would be best if you told me the truth." "You can ask me anything you want." "Okay then," she replied, dropping her arms to her sides, "How do you feel about her, Michael?" "I'm not really sure right now," I honestly replied, "But I do know that I can't bear the thought of never being able to see her again." "And why is that," she inquired, "Hmm?" "Because I need to tell her how wrong I was and how sorry I am," I replied, tears beginning to fill my eyes, "And that I would never hurt her, ever." "You should be horse whipped for the things you said to my grand daughter," she sternly said, the tears now openly pouring down my face. But instead of getting onto my ass any further, which was what I rightly deserved; her angry frown melted into a warm smile as she walked toward me. And then when she was within reach, she leaned over and gently wiped the teas from my face with a piece of tissue that came from who knows where, and sweetly said, "My heart has never been wrong, and it tells me that you're genuinely sorry for what happened, and that you honestly care for Marlee. But you have to understand that I will not violate her trust in me by telling you where she is, at least not until she's ready." "How long do you think that's gonna be?" I hopefully asked. "She doesn't stay angry for very long," Ms. Peggy smiled, patting me on the cheek, "She'll be back before you know it." ~~~~~~ "What do you mean you don't want to stay at your uncle's house anymore?" my Father asked me, as I spoke to him over the phone at Peggy's Hair Salon. I told him everything that had taken place over the period of the last few days, except for the facts about Uncle Jake's involvement in Marlee's rape case, and when I was done, I said, "I was wondering if I could live at the old beach house." "Why son," he repeated, "Why would you not want to be around your family?" "Because it's way past time that I moved on," I replied, "And I don't want to be a burden on Uncle Jake and Aunt Rita any longer. Please do this for me." "Okay," he relented, "If you feel like you're alright then I'll call Charlie Hanson at the bank and have him open the place up for you." "Thanks, Dad," I smiled, "I really appreciate this more than you know, and be sure to tell Mom that I love her." "I will, son," he chuckled, "I'll also tell Charlie to have the utilities turned on for you, but you have to pay them every month." "No problem, Dad," I replied grinning, "I'll take care of it. I love you." "I love you, too, son," he laughed, "I've got to get off of the phone so that I can call Charlie before I have to be at work so, take care." "Yes sir," I smiled, "You, too," and then we hung up. ~~~~~~ "What do you mean, you're moving out," Uncle Jake angrily asked, as I packed my belongings, "Who's gonna help me around here?" "I don't know," I hatefully spat, "It looks like you're gonna have to hire someone to replace me, doesn't it?" "What the hell's gotten into you, boy," he asked, "And why are you doing this?" "If you'll notice, I'm not a boy anymore, Uncle Jake," I crossly said, "And if you wanna know what's wrong, let me just say that I can't be around someone I can't trust." "What in the hell are you talking about now?" he bellowed, "I've never lied to you once, God dammit." "That's bullshit and you fucking well know it," I furiously replied, "Why didn't you tell about Marlee being raped, as well as your involvement with the coaches and alumni at the U of H?" "I didn't lie to you, Michael," he replied in a gentler tone of voice, "I just didn't want to tell you, because I thought it would make a difference in the way you acted around Marlee." "You're so full of shit," I heatedly told him, right before I began to start loading my truck, "Omission of the truth is the same thing as lying and you know it." ~~~~~~ "Are you sure you want to do this, Mijo?" Aunt Rita asked me, right before I drove off. "Yes ma'am," I replied, hugging her, "I'm really sorry about his and I love you very much, but I can't stay here any longer." "I understand, baby," she softly replied, "And I'm sorry your uncle didn't tell you these things." "It's alright," I sadly smiled, "But I've got to go now," and then I got into my truck and left without looking back. ~~~~~~ When I finally arrived at the house I grew up in I got out of my truck, unlocked the front door; and then began the arduous task of unloading everything and getting it set up. I'd managed to save a ton of money in the four years that I'd stayed with my aunt and uncle. Plus, the insurance policy that I'd taken out on Jane, well, actually we'd taken one out on each other; it left me not having to ever work again if I chose. Instead, I sent it all home and had my parents set up a bank account for me, that way, I could access it from anywhere in the world. I still remember Jane as she was slowly fading away. She made me promise to be happy once she was gone, but right now I was having one hell of a time being anything other than severely pissed off at Uncle Jake, damn him. Still though, when I thought of what it was that he'd done, it brought thoughts of Marlee to mind. The memories of the way she was dressed when she and I were talking after dinner that night at her house ran rampant through my mind. And the more I thought about her and how stunningly beautiful she was, the less angry I became. ~~~~~~ When I walked into the house, the first thing I noticed was that the air conditioner had been turned on, and reaching over and taking the phone off the hook to listen, I also discovered that the phone was on. No sooner had I hung it back up before it began to ring. "Hello," I said, into the receiver. "Hi, Michael," said a friendly male voice, "This is Charlie Hanson at First National Bank. How are you, son?" "I'm doing well, sir," I smiled, "How are you?" "I'm doing alright, I guess," I called to see if there was anything you needed." "Well," I laughed, "Now that you mention it, I was wondering what my new phone number is." "You'll have to come to the back into West Columbia for that information," he explained, "Because I'm really uncomfortable talking about that over the phone. I've also got some papers that require your signature, too." "It's no problem," I replied, "When would you like me to be there?" "Preferably this morning," he said, "That way we can get the cable company out there before it gets dark." "I'm on my way," I grinned. "Good," he chuckled, "I'll see you in a little while then." ~~~~~~ "Well, hello there, stranger," smiled Mr. Hanson, as I walked into his office, "It's good to see you, boy." "Hi, Mister Hanson," I grinned, as we shook hands, "It's good to see you, too, sir." "Listen, Michael," he humbly spoke, "I was very sorry to hear about your wife. I'm also sorry I never had the privilege of meeting her." "Thank you, sir, I appreciate that, "I smiled, "You said that you had my phone number as well as some papers that needed my signature." "That's right," he grinned, "Have a seat while I go get us some coffee." "Thank you," I chuckled, "I could use a cup right now." ~~~~~~ When he came back with the coffee, Charlie wrote my new phone number on the back of one of his business cards and handed it to me, as well as giving me some startling information. It seemed that, before they moved to Miami, my parents had made the preparations to have the deed of the house I grew up in signed over to me if I ever came back home. "Congratulations, Michael," chuckled Mr. Hanson, knowingly laughing at my shock and surprise, "Your father always said that you'd come back one day." ~~~~~~ I drove back home that day feeling better than I'd felt during the whole four years that I'd been back. And as soon as I got back home, I was going to call my parents and thank them for such a wonderful gift. ~~~~~~ I spent a little over two-hundred dollars at the grocery store the grocery store on the way home, as well as a hundred and fifty dollars at K-Mart. (Wal-Mart didn't exist back then) When I pulled up in my driveway with the bed, as well as the cab of my truck full, I was pleasantly surprised to find Kelly's truck parked along the curb and her sitting on my front porch smiling. "Hey," she smiled, as soon as I got out of my truck," I hope you don't mind me showing up unannounced." "Not at all," I devilishly grinned, "You can help me unload all of this shit in my truck." "Marlee was right about you," she giggled, making her way toward me, "You are a brat." ~~~~~~ After we got everything in, Kelly made sure there were fresh sheets on the beds and cleaned both bathrooms while I stowed the food and loaded the refrigerator. She even took out the trash before I had a chance to stop her, showing me exactly just what kind of girl she was. And once everything was done I looked at Kelly as I handed her a cold Dr. Pepper and said, "Thank you, Kelly. You didn't have to do all of that ya know." "I know," she knowing replied, "But Ms. Rita asked me to keep an eye on you, just in case you happened to fuck up." I laughed and said, "Well then, if that's the case, the least I can do is ask you to stay for dinner after all the work you've done." "Holy cow," she giggled, "You mean you can cook, too?" "Of course," I sarcastically smiled, "I'm not totally helpless, regardless of what other people think." "Lighten up, Michael," Kelly teased, "You take things too seriously sometimes." "Yeah, maybe I do," I agreed, after a moment's thought, "I wasn't always this way though." "That's what Mister Jake and Ms. Rita said," she sweetly replied, "And I'm very sorry that your wife died, too." "Thanks Kelly," I smiled, no longer saddened as much, "That means a lot." "You're welcome, Michael," she said, gently hugging me, "And Marlee's gonna be back so, please don't give up on her." Time stood momentarily still as I held this amazing girl close to me. There was nothing sexual in the way we held one another. I think that Kelly was hurting for her friend just as I was. And that became the bond that cemented our friendship that has lasted to this day, but I'm getting ahead of myself. ~~~~~~ That evening I made grilled two nice pieces of salmon, accompanied by some asparagus, and garlic roasted potatoes. It turned out great and Kelly teased me, saying things like, "Damn, boy, you're gonna make somebody we both know very happy one of these days." "Will you knock it off?" I laughed; as we sat down to eat. ~~~~~~ All through dinner our conversation was pleasant, and I found things about Marlee that I didn't know. Kelly told me that she played the violin in high school and college; and that she also studied Tae Kwon Do after her attack and got as far as earning her green belt before she graduated. However, once we'd finished eating and were sitting on the couch listening to Robin Trower's "Bridge of Sighs" album as it spun on my turntable; Kelly's mood suddenly changed. "Are you alright," I asked, "Did I do something wrong?" "No, you didn't," she replied, looking down, "I did." "What?" I asked, "Tell me, please." "There's something you need to know, Michael," she apprehensively replied, "And please promise me that you won't go off and do something stupid once I tell you, okay?" A sudden uneasiness began to arise within me, but in order to keep my true to my word; I looked Kelly in the eyes and calmly said, "Alright, I promise, now, tell me." She took a deep breath, and after letting it out, began, "You're not the reason she left like she did, well, not the real reason anyway. The Texas Department of Corrections notified her yesterday that Lance Harper made parole, now she's scared shitless that he'll come looking for her, seeking revenge." I sat statue still for a moment, and then with no emotion in my voice, I asked, "You know where she is, don't you?" Kelly answered me with a simple nod of her head. I reached across her to the phone, and picked up the receiver, then handed it to her and said, "Call her." "Michael I can't do that, I promised...." "Kelly, if you ever want me to speak to you, or her again, then you'll do as I ask," I said, interrupting her in a deathly quiet tone of voice. Then I stood up and made my way to the front door, and as I opened it, I looked back and said, "I'll be out on the porch," and then closed it behind me before she could say anything else. ~~~~~~ I sat out of the front porch of my house with all kinds of things going through my head. Foremost on my mind was that Marlee was afraid, and that she felt the need to run and hide. I didn't know anything about Lance Harper other than the fact that he was a piece of shit rapist. One thing I did know though was that if he ever came near Marlee again....I'd kill him...and not lose a moment's sleep over it. Only Whisper Okay, I admit it. I’ve always been curious about chat rooms on the internet. That’s why I perked up, big time, when it was the topic of conversation at lunch the other day. My friends were talking about their favourite sex chat site on the Literotica website and how they were living out their fantasies. Now you must understand, I’m a happily married woman and have never had a serious want or need, especially in the bedroom department. But fantasies I do have, thoughts I don’t dare whisper to my pillow. A few days following this hot information session, I found myself sitting in my private office typing in the website address for Literotica. Once I had signed up and chosen a nickname I was ready to log onto the chat site. The heart beat picked up as I entered a room called ‘The Lounge’. Little yellow boxes with private messages to JenniferMidnight immediately flooded my screen. At first I didn’t type anything and just watched the screen in total bewilderment. There were far too many conversations going on at the same time and they were flying by like lightening. It was obvious that a lot of people in here knew each other well. The others had a rather transparent mission, to get somebody’s (anybody’s!) attention. There were tabs and squares to the right of the screen that listed all the rooms you could visit and who were in them. I navigated my way into a few and finally decided I was ready to venture into a conversation with someone. I settled into a room called ‘The Ballroom’. I looked over the list of 17 names to see if any caught my eye. There were some clever names and very funny ones too. The rest seemed to be a condensed description of the person’s fantasy. I was using JenniferMidnight. I had decided it would probably be a good idea to use my real first name so I would react when someone talked to me. Midnight had been borrowed from the title of a book I had read when I was a teenager that had tugged at my heart strings. The main character had taken me through riveting, passionate emotions accompanied by buckets of tears that had, evidently, left a lasting impression. One name on the User List did give me a nice feeling. SlowGentleLover. Mmmm, I liked a slow, gentle lover. The thought sent a little tingle through my body that made me feel naughty. Glued to the screen, I followed the conversations in the room feeling safe and detached. Yes, he was interesting, this SlowGentleLover. His quips were intelligent and clever. He seemed very well liked, and perhaps, desired by some people in the room. There was an air about him that was refreshingly humble and quite delicious. Lost in fantasyland I almost fell off my chair when I saw my name on the screen. Someone, him, that guy with the dreamy name was asking me a question? Me! My mind was racing. Where do I type to respond? Focus Jennifer, you can figure this out. It’s not rocket science. Eureka! I found the response box at the bottom of the screen and started to type, then stopped, then rewrote what I had just typed. Oh shit! Panic. Answer the man Jennifer! Prince Charming has just spotted you across the room and you’re tripping all over your glass slippers girl. I calmed down and reread the question. Yes, it was English and my brain was making some sense of it now. His question was, “Welcome Jennifer.” Hell, that’s not even a question. How do I respond to that? I typed, “Thank you. This is my first visit *slow smile*.” I had stolen that add-on smile idea from someone in another room. It sounded like how I was feeling, coy and sexy. I hit ENTER and took a gulp of my tea. After re-reading my response I flopped back into my chair thinking it had to be the most uncreative answer I could have possibly come up with. Yup, Jennifer, you just won the contest for the dullest response yet! I pictured a ceremony with me standing on the top level of a podium being presented the 2004 DORC Award (Dumbest Ordinary Retort Concocted) from the Literotica Editor-in-Chief. I frowned, feeling really discouraged with how I had portrayed myself. What is it they say about first impressions? Really, I’m usually quite witty and oh-so-charmant in these situations. Grrrrrrrrr. Before I could beat myself up any further I saw JenniferMidnight’s name up on the room screen again. The message was from my Prince Charming. It read, “JenniM, in that case, may I have the first dance?” Well, we were in the Ballroom. I smiled at the thought of being in his arms, soft music playing, room bathed in candlelight, our bodies melting into one another, cheeks lightly brushing—SNAP OUT OF IT! A yes or no will do. I commanded my fingers to remember how to work and typed, “Hopefully, a slow one.” Alright, so I was being a little provocative, but I decided I would kick off my shoes, go with the flow, and have some fun. I would never meet this person face-to-face anyway so what did it matter? His next message appeared in a private yellow dialogue box. “Our eyes meet. Walking across the room…taking you into my arms…our bodies moving to the sounds of Brecker.” Michael Brecker? I giggled. It never occurred to me that someone in here would listen to jazz. Mmmm, this guy was wooing me just fine. I answered, “Closing my eyes, feeling the rhythm and heat of your body.” I figured I was getting the hang of it. That one felt a little better. I sat back and waited for him to respond. It arrived saying, “My hand brushes the hair from your face, skin so soft.” Mmmm, a soft sigh escaped my throat. This was too easy to picture and feel. Settling into the fantasy, I typed, “Looking up at you, my body tingling from your touch.” I waited. No response. Then finally he answered, “Imagining my lips on yours, but I will save our kiss for another time. I must go.” Poof! He was gone. Hey! You just can’t walk out on a girl like that. I sat there infuriated, hurt, disappointed (the list goes on but I will spare you). Then I looked at my watch. I had just blown an hour with this man. A wicked smile crept across my lips. This had potential. Okay, colour me an addict. Yes, I went back the next day, and the next, and the next. And my SlowGentleLover was there too. We met unofficially every day. We talked openly about our marriages. They were so similar. We were both happy with our spouses but the years had brought us to a place of bland complacency. The mystery and passion had been replaced by a loving comfort zone that had us both secretly searching. The on-line affair grew day-by-day. I had explored every inch of his body and he had planted luscious kisses over most of mine. I knew his likes and dislikes and he had pulled confessions out of me I had never told anyone. We laughed and talked and flirted and finally one day made such sweet love. Lovemaking with words. He sensually washed my body with every sensation a human could experience. He made me hold my breath, pant, tremble, moan (ohgawd, he could make me moan), slither, slide and feel beyond anything I had ever imagined. And then it happened. I froze reading his words on the screen. “I need to meet you.” We had discovered over the weeks that we lived in the same city. All of a sudden this became a very dangerous situation. It would be too easy. I had been married for 10 years and had not so much as kissed another man with any more emotion delivered than when kissing my brother. I had never crossed that line. He picked up on my shock quickly and typed, “Jennifer, I want to touch you and hold you. Let your passion run through my body. We’ll meet in a dark room and we won’t speak—only soft whispers—remaining a sweet mystery forever. I want to feel your body surrender under mine, just once.” A powerful ache surged through me as I read his words. The thought of feeling his body against mine, inside me, and rendering all those words real, made me close my eyes and hold my breath. I could picture us together so easily. Oh believe me, I had thought about this. These past few weeks had made his request a very desirable demand, a physical need I wanted to fulfill. I was comfortable with him and could please him effortlessly. The longing was painful, the passion too real. I knew he could take me to another level of ultimate pleasure if I agreed to meet him. I typed, “Yes.” We decided to meet the next afternoon, afraid if we waited too long we would chicken out. That would probably be a good thing. But I had to admit, sex had never been better with my husband since I’d met SlowGentleLover. It had sparked and rekindled my passion in the bedroom. Our lovemaking would start out with me enjoying the experienced touch of my husband. Then, closing my eyes, my on-line lover would take over and send my body into sweet spasms, always ending with hubby’s gentle warmth and love surrounding me. I received a package at the office by courier the next morning with the room key and details of our rendezvous. The note read, Jennifer, Ritz Carlton, PH-1, Noon. Let yourself in, take a hot shower. Turn off all the lights, and climb under the blankets. I’ll be there at 12:15. And remember, only whisper. SGL My heart raced. I tried to get some work done since I would be gone all afternoon. Yeah, right Jennifer! I dropped the phone receiver 3 times, spilled coffee all over a new contract on my desk and generally couldn’t remember my name at the best of times. What was I doing? I would burst into laughter each time I thought about what I had agreed to do. Just when I thought I had it all under control a little Devil and Angel settled themselves comfortably on each shoulder and proceeded to duke it out. Angel’s big concern was, “What if you like it too much?” Devil retorted with the fact, “Hey, you’ve gone this far and all it has done is enhanced your relationship with your husband. What’s to worry? You’re only going to do it once.” I couldn’t really argue with either of them. They were both right. I let them hash it out all morning and was relieved when I looked at the clock to see it was 11:35 – time to go! I hailed a cab and made my way to the Ritz Carlton. The hotel doorman opened the car door and held out his hand to me. As I stepped out of the taxi he said, “I hope you enjoy your stay with us”, and gave me a knowing smile. Hey! How did he know? Devil popped onto my shoulder and told me to relax, that he said that to everyone. Angel rolled her eyes. I took a deep breath. The entrance to our room had a small corridor that hid the bedroom area from immediate view. As I anxiously rounded the corner my eyes were treated to a room tastefully decorated in a Victorian flavour. In the middle of the bedroom was a beautiful, heavy dark wood, 4-poster, king size bed. My hands started to get clammy at the sight of it. Curious to see how dark I could make the room, I walked over to the window and closed the thick curtains. I turned off all the lights and was relieved to find I couldn’t see the nose on my face. Once my eyes got accustomed to the dark I had to admit I could see faint silhouettes, but that was all. With that comfort zone established, I nervously undressed and hopped into the shower. I felt like a virgin. It would all feel so new. I stood under the water and let it wash down over my body—hot, wet—running my fingers over my breasts imagining they were his. “No time to linger here!” said Devil, tossing me a towel. I dried off my body catching a quick glance of myself in the full-length mirror. Taking another deep breath, I turned off the lights and made my way to the 4-poster bed. I slid under the covers welcoming the comfort of the darkness. My heart was beating so fast and loud that I didn’t hear the key being inserted into the door. I gasped when it started to open. Regrets. Bad timing. Can I leave now? I’ve changed my mind! Ohgawd, my kingdom for the Transporter Room. Where is Scotty when you need him? I don’t care about that molecule thing, just energize! I closed my eyes tightly, hoping to stop the hysterical jabbering going on in my head. A soft, deep whisper came from the direction of the closed door. “I’m smiling, Jennifer, and can’t wait to feel the warmth of your body.” Ahhh, yes. Breathe, relax. He was here now. I could tell it was him by the way my body was reacting to his words. He quickly undressed and slid into bed. Lying on my back, positively frozen, I could feel his heat. He lay on his side facing me. His hand touched my face gently, fingers running across my cheek to my lips. One finger traced the outline of my mouth as he whispered my name, “Jennifer, you feel so beautiful, so soft, just like I knew you would.” My lips parted slightly. I needed air. I needed to remember how to breathe! His fingertips moved to my throat, slowly trailing down to my breasts. My nipples were hard and aching to be explored. He made a circling motion around them but didn’t touch them. My entire body quivered, eyes straining in the darkness craving a glimpse of my lover. I could feel his hot breath and wanted to taste his mouth. As if he heard my thoughts, his lips pressed softly on mine—finally connecting us. We both exhaled an uninhibited whimper as we kissed. The sexual tension that had built up over the weeks was so potent that this kiss felt like it was my very first, ever. Ohgawd his mouth felt good on mine. The kiss started to melt away the fear, the shyness, the hesitation and replaced it with longing and primal need. I knew why I was there and wanted him more than anything. My head tilted up into the kiss and I pressed my body into his. As my fingers traced the curves of his muscular arm, my body went weak from the picture they were transmitting. He reached out and pulled me to him while we kissed. Sweet surrender. Bodies entwined, the kiss changed from tender to one of passion. We played out all those words that had been on our screens for so many weeks. Like a script guiding two actors. I heard myself moan as he lifted my leg so it rested on his. My lips spread—so wet, so eager. I wanted to feel him inside me and pushed my hips slightly forward. He whispered, “No baby, not yet.” He moved down my body and kissed everything that got in his way, slowly devouring the path to my clitoris. I arched my back as he nipped at my nipples and moaned as he took them into his mouth and sucked hard on them. His hands lead the way as his tongue glided down to my glistening lips. Fingers spread them making way for his tongue to dart into the wetness. So deep. Just once. I gasped. His tongue moved up my slit, flat and firm making every body part within a 10 mile radius spasm. Waiting, anticipating—ohhhhh—reaching that spot. The tip of his tongue flicked mercilessly on the top of my clitoris. Back and forth until it was so hard I could feel the pressure mounting, the explosion ready to happen. My hips rolled side-to-side as I grabbed onto the pillows scattered around my head and clawed at them moaning softly. I cried out as he pushed two fingers deep inside me, still unremittingly making love to my clitoris with his tongue. I broke into a low throaty growl. He sensed how aroused I was and moved his body so that it was suspended over mine. I felt his strength as he pinned my hands down over my head and entwined our fingers. Face-to-face, I knew he was looking at me without seeing, drowning in touch, smell, taste and whispers. His mouth came down on mine again, this time, hard and dirty. His tongue felt huge in my mouth, searching out every crevasse—the roof, my teeth, my tongue, my lips. Then I felt his body on mine, his hardness at the mouth of my pussy. He played with it, moving the soft tip of his penis from my swollen lips to my screaming clit and then back down again, each time pushing it in a little further. Slowly. Gently. “Mmmm, so slow, so gentle,” I heard my thoughts being whispered. The walls of my pussy were purring. My mouth drew in a long slow gasp as he thrust his penis deep through my wet, pink flesh. He whispered, “Just relax Jennifer, don’t move, don’t squeeze, just feel it, let it wash over you.” Hypnotized by his words I lay there desperately trying to summon up all the yoga teachings I had stored in my pretty little head to completely relax my body, mind and spirit. Ohmygawd, I was intoxicated. My legs were spread wide but didn’t seem to be part of me anymore. The only body parts that existed in this universe were my clit and pussy. The walls collapsed around his thick cock as he slid inside me—inch—by inch—by inch. The fire started spreading up my stomach, muscles tightening in perfect synchronicity with my rapid breaths, then down my groin to my wiggling toes. I was sure that if I opened my eyes I would see an aura of pure energy emanating from my pussy and shooting off my body straight up to the ceiling. (I opened one eye just to check.) Then like rolling thunder my clit started spasming uncontrollably. All I could see was white light. I forced myself not to tense up any part of my body lower than my belly button. I wanted to scream it was so extreme, rolling through me, over and over again. I was brought back to the room by his cries, his cock wedged deep inside me moving like a bucking bronco. How much time went by, I don’t know. I was suspended in a trance-like state I hoped would never end. My gentle lover managed to roll us over so that I was on top of him, his throbbing cock still deep inside me. I sprawled my arms out over his head while he bathed my face in kisses, his hands running up and down my back, over my shoulders and up my arms. He covered us with the massive quilt on the bed and whispered, “You’re so sensual I can feel how beautiful you are. I will never let you go Jennifer.” We lay there drinking in kisses and losing ourselves as our fingertips explored each other’s body. I had forgotten this level of sensuality and passion and wanted to commit every moment to memory. The afternoon’s magic was shattered when he whispered, “It’s time to go now. I’ll wait here until you’re gone.” He pulled me to him for one last kiss and then whispered, “Go now sweet JenniM.” Reluctantly, I climbed out of bed and made my way into the bathroom where I had left my clothes. It took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the bathroom light. It was almost painful. I quickly dressed, ran a comb through my hair and put on fresh lipstick. Making sure to turn off the bathroom light, I returned to the bedroom cloaked in the safety of darkness. Ohgawd, I didn’t want to go. Standing at the edge of the room I whispered, “You are the perfect slow, gentle lover. One I will never forget.” I turned, opened the door and was gone. Fate smiled upon me that night. My husband had a late meeting so I wouldn’t have to face him. I was terrified the afternoon’s heavenly bliss would be written all over my face. I threw a pizza in the oven and turned on the shower. Standing once again in front of a bathroom mirror I closed my eyes and drifted to my lover’s touch. My eyes shot open. I was missing an earring! Damn! The diamond stud earring my husband had given me for our last anniversary. I ran into the kitchen retracing my steps. Quickly pulling on a long T-shirt I rushed out to the car, combing the seat and floor meticulously. It was nowhere to be found. I sighed with the resignation that I had donated my earring to the hotel cleaning staff. Guilt-ridden, I went back into the house. Devil appeared on my shoulder. He pointed a finger at me and lectured, “No Jennifer, let’s not go there. You promised yourself when you made the decision to meet this man you would not do this. It’s a one time deal. It’s over. It was everything you wanted it to be so just drop it.” Only Whisper Angel bit her lip and shook her head side-to-side. I took a shower hoping the water would cleanse the guilt from my body and soul. I thought back to his whispers in the dark that afternoon trying to imagine what his voice really sounded like. But they had been too breathy, too soft and left me hopelessly fantasizing. I longed for my SlowGentleLover to be here holding me tight, but instead, climbed into bed and fell into the arms of sleep. I now appreciated all those songs that complained, “The bed’s too big without you.” I awoke in the morning to find my husband in a deep sleep beside me. I quietly slipped out of bed and walked into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. A package and note caught my eye sitting on the kitchen table. I opened up the little box and went numb. It was my lost earring. My mind raced. Nothing made sense. With trembling fingers I unfolded the note and read it. I whisper in the darkness. You are so sensual, I can feel how beautiful you are. I will never let you go Jennifer. SlowGentleLover Only You I know you want me. You know you want me. We all know you want me. We can all see how you look at me, even when you try to hide it. I sit here in the front row of your classroom in my semi-transparent white blouse that is open just a bit further than is allowed, in my little plaid, pleated skirt that I have had tailored so short that you can see flashes of my lacy white panties when I walk. Or sit. Or do anything other than stand perfectly still with my hands at my sides, which you know I only would ever do to tease you. I love dressing so far from the dress code that if everybody didn't like staring at my big, perky tits, slim long legs, and cute little ass that I'd be expelled in a second. Or I'd be sent to the Dean's office a little more often than I already am, since he likes so much to have me alone. He knows all I need to do to get out of "trouble" is to lean over his desk and let him stare down my shirt. But he doesn't know that all he'll ever get to do is look, because this hot little body belongs to someone else. And that someone else is you. Which is why I'm here, now, alone in your room with you after class. You have me in here for being "disruptive", for sitting in the front row with my legs spread, giving you the perfect view up my skirt to where you can see just how wet my panties are getting just by being here with you. And, of course, I was getting wet knowing that everyone was staring at my bare legs and wanted them wrapped around some part of them, even the girls. I know how much you want to keep me in here with one of them and just sit and watch as we lick and suck and caress each others' bodies, or have all of the guys give me a cum bath and make me a sticky mess. But right now you want me all to yourself, and that's how I want you, too. Right now you have me writing lines on the board, and I'm making sure you're getting a good show. Before, I was stretching to reach up high, the bottom of my wet, white panties visible below the hem of my short, plaid skirt while my tits were heaving out of my bra and half-open blouse. Now I'm bending over to write lower on the board, and I may as well not be wearing a skirt as all its doing is framing that cute little ass you love staring at. I can hear you walking up behind me, pausing and reaching out to almost touch me, hesitant, before you step to my side. I half-turn to give you a questioning look, but actually show you how my tits have spilled completely out of my bra and are close to escaping my blouse. As you blatantly stare, I assess that huge cock that is making your pants seem several sizes too small as it swells to impressive levels. My tits sway as I move to stand, my nipples now sticking out hard against my shirt, but I never get that far. Your patience has finally run out. You grab my hair as you growl out that I'm a tease, not really forcing me to my knees as I have no intention of resisting. We nearly burst your pants getting them open before I start licking the head of your gorgeous cock. I take some short, light licks and a few long slurps and then I start sucking it in. My mouth is stretched wide as I lick and suck and moan, bobbing deeper and deeper, your strong hands twisted in my hair as you fuck my face. You hit the back of my throat, but we both know you can go deeper, and I relax it for you, and soon we're going full throttle with your balls swinging against my chin and my nose pressing against your flesh. I have one hand keeping a good grip of that great ass of yours while the other massages those balls that are beginning to tighten up. You were so horny already, and you had been planning this for a while so you haven't cum yet today. You're pistoning in and out of me so hard and fast that it startles me when you suddenly stop, the head of your cock just barely inside my wet mouth. I have no time to brace myself as you release a jet of hot cum into me, but I swallow as fast as I can. It apparently isn't enough, as the last few drops drip from my lips. I lick them off quickly, but I see the look that you give me and I know I was a naughty girl for not swallowing all of your precious cum. Your hands are still twined in my hair and you now use that grip to pull me to standing before bending me over your desk. You let go, but I know enough not to move, not to disobey you tonight. Not that I would anyway, I am loving this too much. I sigh as you finally touch me, really touch me, stroking my bared ass through my lacy panties that are completely soaked through from the sheer pleasure of pleasuring you. You touch lower, feeling how the cloth is clinging to my sensitive skin, shaved this morning just for you. Your fingers graze my lips, engorged and ready to take you in full, and then they stroke again, a little deeper. Just inside that soft slit the wetness is incredible, as if it would be dripping down my legs if left unrestrained. Just a little lower and you brush against my clit, relishing in my gasp as you tease me in return, causing me to melt all over your strong hands. I whimper as you pull back, but you reach up and slide my panties down my ass, unsticking them from my aroused pussy, leaving them just around my knees, partially pinning me there. I continue making noises of submission as you spread me with your hands, watching my wetness grow and seep, your breath on my hot skin making me quiver. Again unprepared, I jump as a stinging smack lands across my ass. You chuckle and spank the other cheek. Ten times on each side, each time a small moan passes my lips, and now that which you like so much is bright red. You didn't hold back and it hurts so good, the scent of my arousal has gotten your cock back up to full mast. Spreading me again, you slide it deep into my wet slit, not actually inside my body but rubbing against the drenched flesh and my hard clit with every pass. I didn't think I could get any hornier, but your pace quickens and suddenly, unexpectedly, I cum, sending my juices almost splashing over your thick rod. The burst of wetness is what you had been waiting for, and without warning you withdraw and plunge your now well-lubricated cock into my ass. I'm too surprised to scream and you grab my hips and start to pound into me, the slickness from my pussy enough to keep most of the pain away, but I'm not accustomed to having something so huge inside of me. My ass is so tight around you, and I try to relax but with each thrust you slam into my reddened flesh, the mix of pain and pleasure sending me into another orgasm. I grip the edges of your desk and try to move with you, my cum dripping down my legs and my sweat making my blouse even more transparent, though you can only see my back though it. While still thrusting, you reach up the back of my shirt and unhook my bra, then lift me up a bit so I'm not pressed down, but now my tits are swinging and rubbing against your desk. You push the fabric to my shoulders and tweak my nipples before leaving them to rub bare across the rough wood. It seems you think the spanking you gave me wasn't quite enough, as you're now alternating fucking my ass and swatting it until the stinging is more than it was before. Between that and my nipples, I can't tell which is more raw or which is making me hornier, and I feel like I can't stop cumming. Once again you reach up the front of my shirt, but you palm my tits firmly, using your hold on them to guide though your last few sharp thrusts before filling my ass with your cum. Taking some deep breaths, you pull out with a wet plop, but leave one hand on the small of my back to keep me bent over. With the other, you drag my panties the rest of the way down my legs and I obediently step out of them. You tell me to stand and remove my bra, but to leave my shirt on. I know I am covered in sweat and cum and I can feel entire body dripping. I stand before you now in just my transparent blouse, short pleated skirt, socks and shoes. Pulling my shirt back down to where it should be, you order me to go to the ladies' room and get some wet paper towels for you. I am not to clean myself off at all, and to act completely natural while I am in the hallway. I am to go there and come straight back, but not to be insubordinate or rude if I encounter any other member of the faculty. I nod and go. It's late, so there won't be many other people around, but the ladies' room is a long ways away and I can already feel your cum seeping out of my ass as it continues to gape from being held open so long. I make it there without seeing anyone, and as I glance in the mirror I realize that it's a good thing I didn't. My makeup is smeared and my hair is sweaty and tangled from your fingers. My blouse is still as open as it has been all day, but now you can see my tits straight though it and it is plastered to my skin. You told me to walk normal, so my bare ass and pussy are flashing as I walk, and I don't clean up, like you said. I grab some wet paper towels and head back. On the return trip, I'm not so lucky. Some random meeting lets out just as I pass by the room, and one of the men "accidentally" trips me, and another grabs me to keep me from falling. They're faculty, so I can't be rude to them, but they continue to hold me there while they check me over for "injuries", and the one who caught me did so by my tits and seems reluctant to let go. By the time they let me return to you, every one of them has grabbed either my tits or my ass and for the first time tonight, I feel truly dirty, because nobody is supposed to touch me there but you. I tell you this when I get back, but you just nod and use the towels to clean yourself off. You ask me what I think he should do about them, but I can't come up with an answer, and you have me sit on the edge of your desk. You unbutton my blouse the rest of the way, push it off my shoulders, and cup my tits in your hands. You ask me, if the others make me feel so wrong when they touch me here, then do you make me feel wrong, too? I tell you no, you only make me feel right. With that, you begin to lick the sweat off my tits, kneading and suckling and nibbling as I squirm under your hands. You unzip my skirt, lifting my ass from your desk to remove it and set it aside before taking the still-pink flesh and squeezing it. Again, you ask me, if the others make me feel so wrong when they touch me here, then do you make me feel wrong, too? And again, I tell you no, that you feel so incredibly right. Those that just groped me, those were not real men, because real men don't have to cop a cheap feel, and the only real man I've seen tonight is sitting right in front on me. When your lips touch me, I nearly collapse. Still squeezing my ass, you use your thumbs to open me for you to kiss, slurp, and nip as you clean all my cum from my pussy and thighs. Your tongue on my clit is making me drip all over again, but you make no move to clean it up. I fail to notice you pushing your own pants further down, but I cannot miss you picking up my naked body and pulling me onto your lap. Rousing myself, I wrap my legs around your waist as you position my pussy over that massive pole of yours that I'm about to ride. You slowly push in, and once again I can feel my lips stretching to accommodate you, though it is a different set. And once again, you hit a barrier a few inches in, but this time you don't just push right thought it. As a matter of fact, you pause, and you look downright confused. I had said that this body belongs only to you. You give me a smile that borders on touched before lifting me so that you're just barely inside, then driving yourself to the hilt with a single thrust. Holding me there until my teeth dislodged from your neck, you begin moving us slowly but have picked up a decent momentum before long. Once we get to the point where I am literally bouncing on top of you, I hit a chain of orgasms that seemed to have no intention of ending, even when you lay me back down on your desk or when you hold me against the wall. It is only after you cum inside of me yet again do I stop cumming myself. By now it's very late, though neither of us intends to get up in the morning. After another breather, you tell me to get dressed, but you take my bra and panties and throw them in the trash outside the room. Then we head down to your car. This is going to be such a fun night.