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Rosie’s Stumbling Romance

By: egmontgrigor2010



WARNING: This is more about relationships than wall to wall sex. EG

* * *

CHAPTER 1

Rosie Fields was running for something to do, covering up to six miles each evening after work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She began five weeks ago after her fiancé of three months dumped her without warning. 

Paul wrote from seven hundred miles away providing his new address and asking for the return of his engagement ring. Rosie tossed the letter into the trash on the premise she couldn't help him and had lost all interest in him.

In her view that she was aware could be legally contested, the ring was her ring, not his. She sold it next day for $1820 and used some of the proceeds to purchase two outfits and two pairs of running shoes to run away memories of Paul and to help fill in some of her spare time.

As Rosie approach the footbridge over Craggy Gorge, the 35-year-old saw something and slowed to a stop, panting, and thought oh god. A guy in a white jacket and really long black hair was sitting on the parapet with his legs dangling over. Some 150 feet below him was a stream running through huge boulders.

She approached cautiously. "A-are you all right?"

"Yes ma'am. Don't worry about me. I'm contemplating work that lies ahead of me."

"W-what? Whether to jump or n-not?"

"Gee no. I was wondering why am I here in this dump of a city and decided the answer was raw ambition."

"Y-you mean that's your reason to end it?"

"What? Oh no way. Thanks to talking to me though. The only person I know so far is the woman who was preparing my room. I said good afternoon and she just stared at me, said it's a nice day and her name was Yvonne but that she was married and therefore didn't offer extra services to guests."

"S-she was probably used to demanding male guests. W-would you s-step back on to the bridge please."

He swung back over the parapet saying sure and asked how could he help.

"Help?"

"Yes you asked me to step back on to the foot walk."

"You were making me nervous sitting so dangerously like that. A normal person would simply lean over the rail."

"And what, topple over if she were top heavy because of breast size plus the weight of stuff she had in her handbag?"

"Well I suppose that could be a remote possibility. You have an unusual way of thinking."

The guy pushed back some hair and smiled. "Hey you've lost your stutter."

Rosie looked at him puzzled and said she didn't stutter.

"You could have fooled me," he grinned and then scratching his groin said, "Ah I'd made you nervous because you though I was preparing the jump?"

"Oh yes and that might have thrown my voice into a wobble."

Pointing to her breasts he said, "Those boobs were wobbling when I saw you running up on to the bridge."

Rosie said he was very rude being so personal.

"And you're sweating. God I thought women only sweated with having extreme sex."

His verbal aggression caused Rosie to lose restraint. "I wouldn't know what extreme sex is and for your information I'm not having sex these days."

He looked at her thoughtfully. "Have you picked up an STD?"

"No I haven't," she said, coming close to the boil but professional training saved her from letting rip. "Now if you wish to talk to me, talk about something else."

He asked why was she running.

"My fiancé dumped me and I've taken running to fill in some of my free time. With that guy a relationship with a woman appeared to focus totally on sex. Oh god now you've got me talking about sex."

"Do you habitually blame other people for your lack of restraint and decorum?"

"What?" Rosie counted to three to calm herself. "Omigod you must be Mr Super Rude, the type of guy old women sensibly beat with umbrellas."

"You think graphically don't you?"

Rosie looked at him quizzically thinking that was a rather sophisticated observation for an 18-year-old.

"As a matter of fact I do and have developed that technique because I paint as a hobby."

"Are you any good?"

She flared: "Couldn't you just say you are pleased I have such a creative pursuit as a hobby or even remain succinct and neutral and say, 'That's interesting'?"

"I said what I said because that came into my head rather than a succinct and neutral and therefore personally titivating response designed to massage your ego. In the context it was delivered asking were you any good, that cannot not be interpreted as criticism by any normally clear-thinking person."

"Are you a college student who has swallowed a couple of elementary textbooks?"

The young guy snorted and said she had sent his mind reeling at the way she jumped back and forth between being defensive and antagonistic.

"Right I'm off Mr Super Rude."

"My name is Chester Black and with you gone I'll dangle my legs back over the side of the bridge and harmonize my thoughts to the sound of nature."

"No please don't, come back to my place for coffee or do you only drink sodas?"

He grinned and said in adding that last bit she was now on to attack. "Any chance of a beer. I am twenty."

"Yes I can supply a beer Chester Black. My name is Rosalie Fields."

"But Rosie to your friends?"

"Yes."

"Hi Rosie. Call me Chess if you wish. Are you good at sex?"

"Please pass me the hammer Chess."

"What hammer?"

Rosie pulled a finger across her throat.

He laughed. "Omigod Rosie has real humor." 

Chess picked up his backpack and pulled it on.

"Right I wish to run," she said. "I'll keep to a slow pace because you are incorrectly dressed for running and have that backpack. Your sandals are not really even suitable for walking."

"Says you. Your tits are probably as heavy as my backpack and I can even run in work boots."

"You asshole," Rosie yelled. "I'll strangle you."

He ran off and she chased him, breaking into a sprint and knowing with her excellent stamina and fitness she would run him down. But he just accelerated and eventually disappeared into the distance and she arrived home without him.

Two nights later Rosie ran on to the bridge and saw Chess, in running gear, leaning over the parapet.

"Hi."

"Hi," she puffed.

"Lead over the railing and rest and let's listen in silence. I'll grab you if the weight of your tits threaten to pull you over."

Rosie only frowned and said nothing. She listened and heard the musical sound of running water far below and sounds of birds and a noise she couldn't identify.

She broke the silence. "There's a noise I can't identify, a little like the humming sound of distant traffic or perhaps a multitude of sighs."

Chess said pointing, "It's the wind, not reaching down into the gully, blowing through those pines up on that ridge." 

"Omigod part of the symphony of nature."

He looked impressed and that stroked her ego and then he said, "Rosie I'm taking a risk asking this because you have auburn hair, but may I kiss you?"

"No. Absolutely not."

"Unless you allow me to kiss you in all probability you'll grow into an old never-married shrew and I'd not like to wish that on you."

Chess took Rosie by the shoulders and she tensed.

He winked at her and she relaxed slightly.

Chess lowered his head slowing as if knowing to give her time to sort the turmoil in her head. Her face tilted and she puckered and was kissed beautifully.

God he must be an old guy to be able to kiss her like that, a Peter Pan?

She opened her eyes and his green eyes were gazing at her very seriously.

"Chess," she whispered nervously.

"It's okay Rosie. I don't fuck pretty women on public foot bridges."

He had dismantled her defenses so effectively that she managed only to sigh to signal her disapproval of that outrageous comment.

They began their run across the remainder of the footbridge and around the two-mile semi-circular run through woods and back into the outskirts of the city and on to where she lived.

She stopped outside a well-kept property and bent over to catch her breath and was relieved to hear him breathing heavily.

"This is where I live," she panted.

"It looks very nice. Kiss me and I'll be off."

"Oh please come in for a beer."'

"No thank you. I must be off to prepare because I start work in the morning. You don't have to kiss me."

She kissed him, just a scrape of lips.

He smiled and said kissing him properly wouldn't mean she'd be fucked.

Rosie, blushing hugely, looked at him and winked and enjoyed seeing that had surprised him.

Neither of them saw a curtain at one of the front windows move.

Rosie entered and called, "Hi mom."

Brenda Fields, a relic of two failed marriages and she and her daughter now used Brenda's maiden name, said severely, "Why are you kissing a student like that? I've told you a hundred times you are far too ready to distribute your sexual favors."

"And I refuse to react aware you know you are wildly inaccurate in that assertion."

"Well sometimes one has to over-state in order to make a point."

Rosie sighed. "If you must know he's opened my senses to the symphony of nature."

"He's being supplying you with drugs more like it. Have you had sex with him?"

"Mom at his age he won't even know it can be used for that purpose," Rosie said unconvincingly and she and her mom laughed.

Brenda told her to shower while she attended to dinner.

That evening Rosie went up to the loft and sketched a male's head in blue crayon.

Two days later after work she went running and found Chess waiting on the bridge. They kissed, lightly, and leaned over the rail but a stiff breeze was blowing up the valley towards them, drowning the subtleties of the lighter sounds of nature.

"I'm worried about you running through the woods alone as you could be attacked by a woman."

"A woman?"

"Yes those attractive wobbling tits could attract wayward women wanting a piece of you."

"Ah well put that way I accept your warning. I must be aware of provoking dangerous females as well as gross males."

She stopped and said, "Let's turn back and we'll blaze a new trail for me, turning left at the bridge. I'm most comfortable running no more than six miles and it's a half-mile from my home to the bridge and I would prefer to avoid main traffic routes to escape excessive carbon pollution."

As they ran through the fringe of the CBD Rosie said to show her where he would be working.

Chess switched direction to cross through the main commercial area and then pointed to a building and stopped.

"I began there two days ago and am now meeting my kind of people. Oh you dark horse, I saw you picture on the honors walls. You played the lead in 'Cinderella' four years ago."

"Yes and as my mother says my crowning swan song. I live with my mother."

"So a retired thespian?"

"A retired enthusiastic amateur more like it. I became bored with the society's unwillingness to branch out from pantomimes, murders, musicals and sweet romances. Are you acting in our annual Summer Play?

"No directing it."

"You but you're...?" She stopped, not wishing to be rude.

"So young? Yes I grant you twenty appears so young but when placed in context perhaps it's not. You see I'm the third generation of the Black thespian family. I was placed on the stage professionally at the age of four and at home have a framed dollar from my first-ever wage packet. I received much of my schooling on the road touring with my parents who still appear on stage. Your so-called unimaginative society executive of the Playhouse must have been revitalized through a new election of officers because they advertised for summer play proposals and I won selection. I'm to direct Michael Frayn's farce, 'Noises Off.'

"Omigod that's a huge and enterprising leap forward by the society and rather a challenge," Rosie said looking at Chess a little doubtfully.

He responded defensively and said he'd already directed six full-scale amateur productions and had been studying drama theory for years with emphasis on directing and had attended four summer schools on directing and possessed diplomas but not a degree in drama.

"Omigod," Rosie said and they recommenced their run.

Outside her house Rosie said, "Mom will be away this weekend. Would you like to come for lunch Saturday?"

"Sorry we start auditions Saturday."

"Well dinner then?"

"I'll be pooped and we continue auditions from early Sunday morning and they could continue all day."

"Damn."

He suggested Friday for dinner."

"Mom will be home."

He grinned and asked then what did she have planned that she wouldn't wish her mom to see?

Rosie blushed and said it was just her thinking. Anyway he was too young to have sex with her.

"Just keep this relationship going Rosie and you'll get the sex you need."

She gasped, he winked and her face raced from deep pink to heavy scarlet.

"So you're worried your mother will scold you for being interested in a much younger man?"

She nodded.

"Is you mom interested in the theater?"

She nodded.

"Well then?"

"Come to dinner Friday at 7:00," Rosie smiled. She kissed him and in a moment of madness placed his hand on her right breast. She then turned and walked away almost ready to pant and heard him chuckle. Oh god, she choked... what a slut.

Rosie closed the front door and dropped her handbag on to the hallway chair and looked up to see her mom smiling hugely. Oh god.

Her mom kissed her and said, "At this rate of process you'll by unzipping him in the street. Bring him in next time and take him to your bedroom. I don't wish a neighbor to report you for accosting a child."

"Mom he's twenty, a man. I've invited him to dinner on Friday."

"Well you appear to be besotted. Get him back on Saturday and invite him to stay the weekend."

"He'll be busy with auditions. You being the society's patron ought to know they are being conducted this weekend."

"Oh but I do and would have been down observing but have given my sister priority because it's her sixtieth on Saturday night. Everyone is excited because the director from Boston is tipped to be an up-and-coming big shot."

"Oh how interesting," Rosie said, feeling her tension evaporating.

"Where does Toy Boy come from?"

"I have no idea mother. We only talk about sex. May we have martinis tonight?"

"You are such a tease dear. Yes I feel like something stronger tonight. For some reason I feel excitement in the air. Is that what you are calling the symphony of nature?"

"I wouldn't think so. I'm off to shower."

When on to their second martini Brenda asked, "What did your young man say when you told him you were a junior partner in your law firm?"

"I haven't told him. All we seem to talk about is sex and now theater."

"God you are such a tease to me darling. What does his father do?"

"His parents work in professional theater."

"What in admin?"

"He calls them thespians."

"Oh really? What are their names? Oh silly me he won't have told you because you two only talk about sex. God I'm almost to the stage of believing that."

"He didn't say but his name is Chester Black."

"Oh that's the same name as our director from Boston. Omigod."

"What?"

"His parents are probably Lloyd and Emma Black who really were Shakespearean theater thespians. They went to a festival in Boston when young as part of a troupe from England and later immigrated to that city where they became much loved as a stage couple. Omigod what time is he due here Friday?"

"Seven."

"Oh ask him to come earlier."

"Mom hush. You'll be disappointed if you find his parents are not that couple you spoke about. Calm down."

"Well it's all right for you because you're only interested in him for sex."

"He's too young for me mother."

"Nonsense. An older woman like you will assist to guide him to early maturity."

"Oh god mom, please let's talk about something else."



CHAPTER 2

Rosie was about to carry the two bouquets of flowers to the kitchen to place into two vases when she looked across and smiled at Toy Boy who had lipstick smudges on his cheeks. His butt had barely touched the sofa when her mother asked, "What are the names of your parents as I understand you come from Boston and your parents are in theater? Rosie was unable to tell me."

"Well that's not surprising because we mostly talk about sex."

Rosie blushed and couldn't believe it when her mother brushed the air with her hand and said that was a conversation subject healthy young people would be expected to dwell on.

Chess laughed and said he'd said that to see how she'd react.

"Oh you won't embarrass me talking about sex," Brenda said. "I've been up to my ears in it since I was... well young and still enjoy naughty afternoons."

Rosie boggled at that declaration. It was unbelievable her mom was still into sex after two failed marriages.

"My father is Lloyd Black and my mother is Emma."

"Ah I thought that might be so and told Rosie that. Many years ago a busload of us went from here to a festival in Albany, New York, and your parents took the major roles in Will's 'As You Like It' but I've read about them many times since."

"Yes I remember that festival and it was long ago. I had the part of Walter Cunningham (Jr.) one of Scout's friends, in 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'. I guess that experience put me off heavier drama."

The evening well well and Brenda went to bed at 10:00 and that gave the young couple half an hour alone. 

Rosie handed Chess a scroll. He untied it and gasped as he recognized himself.

"Wow this is really excellent. Could you sign and date it please. I shall always treasure this."

Rosie winced, thinking that sounded like life after Rosie. "Come up to my studio loft. I ought to use the same crayon to do that."

"Do you have any self-portraits painted in the nude?"

Rosie was appalled. Why couldn't he accept her work as the work of an artist, an amatuer but nevertheless of a woman who thought herself as an artist, without having to introduce sexual connocatations?

She felt her ancestory Gaelic blood rising but smiled and cooled it thinking well at least he was interested in at least one aspect of her work even if it was something in her secret cache. How the hell could he have gussed she'd painted herself without attair as nature intended?

Rosie signed and dated her sketch of Chess and hoped he wouldn't dump it in the nearest trash can as he left the house. Perhaps he wouldn't. The fact she buckled on that initial thought made her think that perhaps she ought to be looking at Chess for what he was instead of being centered on his unacceptable young age. Yes, why not?

She watched him as he looked at the hangings of unconpleted and finished work.

"You are very good."

Rosie felt this great desire to hug him.

And then he said something that shook her to the core.

"Numerically I'm too young for you Rosie but in my head I've matured before my time."

Her heart leapt and rang a bell.

"I'm prepared to have sex with you."

There she had become upfront about it.

Chess nodded solemnly and said he'd guessed she was before she was ready to admit it.

Rosie tensed ready to be taken to the floor and dealt with but instead he drawled, "Where is it?"

She supressed her reaction at having her rampant desires diverted and unlocked the cover of the secured section of framed paintings in her verticle storage cabinet.

Rosie placed the full-length self portrait on the easel and stood back looking at him to interpret Toy Boy's reactions.

Her heart almost flipped. Chess was the first person other than herself to view this work and he appeared stunned.

"This is magnificent," he wheezed.

She countered, "Only because you are not used to seeing a mature woman unclothed." 

But too her surprise that was ignored. Did that mean he was used to seeing aging tits, bellies and pussy and oh don't forget the thickening thighs?


Rosie’s Stumbling Romance



"You must have put an incredible amount of patient time into this?"

"Well yes," she found herself conceding.

"I really don't know much about art but I see quality in the bushwork that has produced such dynamic fleshtones with such excellent artistic rendering of light."

"Thank you," Rosie croked, wondering if he knew more about technique than she did.

And then the bubble burst. "I'll give you're a hundred bucks for it."

Chess caught the murderous look and said hastily, "Just joking."

Angrily she returned the painting to the cabinet and locked it.

"Perhaps I'm the only other person to have seen that work?"

Now whe was prepared to hug him for such a sensitive, intelligent comment.

"Nice pussy. Do you still shave?"

Rosie just sighed. It was either that or attempt to strangle the jerk.

As he was leaving and they kissed she pulled his hand to her right breast and smiled as he left his hand there passively. Then her eyes shot wide open as his other hand dipped under her skirt and slammed against her crotch and she felt his fingers pushing her panty into her slit.

Jesus.

He pulled away and said goodnight.

"Au revoir," she said hoarsley. 

God he was almost too much for her.

* * *

Rosie's concern was if this were a romance it could only be a stumbling romance and she'd be discarded like an empty hamburger pack. At the same time she couldn't understand that thinking because it would be best for them both if she ended with Toy Boy right now.

Oh yes. Two reasons for stalling were she wished to have sex and further Chess was the only guy interested in dating her right now. Dating? Rosie smiled and thought no one ever said they were pairing for recreational sex.

Rosie was brushing her hair before going to bed and was thinking it had been a lovely evening and her mom was really taken by Toy... er by Chess. Her phone went.

"Hi sexy?"

"Are you sure you ought to be talking to an older woman like that?"

"I apologize and won't..."

"No it's very okay. Talk sexy to me as much as you wish."

"Rosie I was just flicking through the society's annual report to memorize names and faces of people on the panel tomorrow. Two things caught my attention."

"Oh really, is the society more active that what you had expected?"

"That could become the third point. No I noticed in the list of officers your mom is the society's patron. She didn't mention that."

"Well I suppose we are not a boastful family."

"Oh well parried because that also answers my next remark. You are listed as the society's honorary attorney."

There was silence.

"Rosie are you still there?"

"Yes I heard you say I'd answered that question in advance."

"Oh I see, spoken like an attorney. Why didn't you tell me you were an attorney?"

"You didn't ask me what I did for a living because you appeared focused on other things."

"Oh."

"Well have a very successful day with your auditioning tomorrow."

Rosie knew she could have named certain people he should heed but thought that would be unfair to less prominent actors hoping for the break-through.

She was ignoring him; she had to say something. "May I come to your hotel tomorrow night."

He joked, "What for, sex?"

"Yes."

She heard him suck in breath and she cut the connection.

Next day Rosie finished curling her hair and was about to wander to the kitchen to find a late afternoon snack when her phone went.

"Hi you indiscreet beauty who's inveigled a near stranger for sex."

She parried to cover her embarrassment. "Have you had a better offer?"

"Two and possibly a third is hovering with her offer but having sex with people who are auditioning is corrupt to the extreme my lovely. It's your body and your kisses I desire."

Rosie almost wet herself. The kid sounded if he'd had more sexual liaisons than she'd managed to chalk up.

"B-beautiful words," she partly stammered.

"It's all part of my seduction. I've felt like this ever since I saw your tits wobbling toward me on the bridge that first time we met. Then I caught a whiff of your sweat and saw the shape of the raised nipples and your overly pink cheeks, mirroring the demeanor of a freshly fucked woman. Do you think that's the real reason females run and hope to meet a prospective date when looking just like that?"

"I-I have no idea."

He laughed and said he wouldn't expect any woman to admit that was why they ran up a sweat.

"It's going well here but haven't found the actor to play Belinda Blair. I've begun thinking about you for the part."

"No way. I've retired. You must have missed your cue and overlooked the woman just right for the role. The one I have in mind is pushy and always demands an early audition believing early exposure leaves the best impression."

"No way, I'm too good for that."

"I'd have to disagree with that."

"Tell me who she is?"

"No."

"That's unhelpful Rosie."

"Read me the names of people you've yet to audition."

He did that and she smiled and said, "You have nothing to worry about."

"Then it's Bo Armstrong?"

She sighed. "Yes but how did you work that out? Bo is my best friend."

"Bo was down for early audition but called through to say her car wouldn't start. She asked to be rescheduled for early tomorrow."

"I didn't wish to recommend anyone to the disadvantage of others on the cusp of breaking through but with Bo there no one I know at the Playhouse will be as capable of being perfect for the part of Belinda."

"Have you seen the play?"

"No but I read the play twice and have seen the film clip of it in the society's library and of course read numerous critiques but all that was some time ago. It's just one of those farce's that is almost timeless."

"Indeed so. Come to room 117 at the Albion at 7:00. We'll have a drink and then go out to dinner."

"I have no wish to tire you."

"What I have in mind is the kind of tiredness that makes one sleep like a baby."

* * *

Rosie arrived hanging out for it. As Chess greeted her cheerfully and closed the door after they'd kissed, she seized him and rammed her tongue into his mouth.

"Oh ho-ho," he chuckled, as they pulled away to catch breath. "Baby wants it."

"Fuck me Chess," she whined. "We have been teasing ourselves for days."

She stepped back and removed her dress and kicked off her shoes and then pulled off her panties while Chess attended to her bra.

He lowered his head between her breasts and sucked noisily while she unbuckled him and dropped his trousers and briefs. He then showed a little inexperience by lifting her into his arms and almost crashed to the floor when he attempted to walk, hobbled by his trousers and briefs. Gamely he shuffled to the bed, red-faced in embarrassment plus exertion and dumped her and kicked off the stupid clothing.

Rosie showed maturity by smiling instead of belting him with a huge laugh and held out her arms in welcome and to smother him into a motherly hug. Their hands wandered freely.

Then judging the time to be appropriate, Rosie climbed on top and presented her freshly shaven pussy to be sucked and whatever. She grasped his dripping erection that would push to get to six inches long and wasn't particularly thick but she was happy with what she found and began licking and sucking.

Later they went straight into a doggy that was way too quick for Rosie's liking but he was done, exhausted, so she yawned and said she had better be off.

He yawned and said manfully, "If you stay for an hour I'll be ready to deliver anything you want."

"No darling you grab a hamburger and go to sleep and don't drink alcohol. You are at the end of a very intense day for you."

Rosie took a cab home and felt quiet dispirited. Her mom was watching TV and said she was waiting for the program to finish before phoning an order for Chinese take-outs.

"I'll have a shower and take you for your favorite restaurant," Rosie said. "We'll eat French but it's Saturday night so it's no use attempting to get a table much before 9:00."

While they were having dinner Brenda took a call and become very intense and Rosie wondered if it were the wife of one of her mom's 'afternoon men' calling and making accusations.

"No there is no one I can think of except... just a minute Verity."

Brenda said, "It's the society's new president Verity Donald. They are in a panic because they are getting the new show together and have just been advised that Susie Good fell when leaving a downtown bar this evening and broke her hip. They are attempting to find a new stage manager. Susie's brother Phil Fletcher from Midwest Bank is willing to fill in but needs an experienced person to coach him for two or three weeks. Will you consider...?"

"Yes mom, I'm prepared to coach. Tell Verity I was trained as a backup manager when I was in theater."

When the call ended her mom Brenda said she knew nothing about the new guy but he had amateur acting experience.

* * *

Rosie arrived at the theater next morning dressed in sneakers, jeans, a very tight bra and a silk cami for a top and her hair braided. She was in the awkward age for theater, neither young nor near young but not old enough to be bundled with the troupers and so she wished to look more than competitive with the few around her age who included Bo.

Bo saw her enter and theatrically yelled "Rosie" and they hugged and kissed as if not having seen one another for a year although they did have lunch together on Thursday.

"Bo Armstrong to the stage please," called Chess's assistant Mrs Rutland, who had half of her breasts showing in a ridiculously inadequate sundress that must have been borrowed from her much small sister.

"Hi Rosie," Chess called and caught up in the hum of theater with auditioning under way Rosie called, "You'll nail the part Bo." And then catching her indiscretion called, "What part are you pitching for?"

"Belinda," Bo called.

Adopting a falsetto, Bo squeaked theatrically, "I had promised the production designer I'd go to bed with him if I get the part but I found the PD is my father."

People listening fell about laughing and just when they were just about to settle Chess said into the microphone, "Does that complete your reading Miss Armstrong?" and the laughter burst forth again.

Verity Donald, wife of Malcolm Donald the managing partner in the law firm where Rosie was an attorney, floated over wearing what appeared to be ballet shoes and a cocktail dress, kissed and hugged Rosie and thanked her for helping out at such short notice and said she'd already told her husband of Rosie's loyalty to the Playhouse.

"He even recalled you are our honorary attorney."

"I hope Mal remembers that when they are looking for a full partner."

"Are you interested in becoming a full partner?"

"Yes and Verity surely you have noticed we have no female partners since the retirement of Jean Holman last year?"

"Omigod you are so right. Well come along, I'll take you to Phil Fletcher who incidentally is my favorite nephew but he was appointed as fill in before anyone here knew that."

Rosie mentally filed away that relationship.

"Phil ought to be out here being seen taking an active interest in the auditions."

"Oh yes indeed. Well we now have you to advise him darling. Phil darling, this is the gorgeous Rosie Fields."

Rosie felt her abdomen tighten as the curly blond guy looked at her and smiled, showing great teeth. Omigod, she thought. He's simply gorgeous and screamed if he wasn't married he was hers, er after she ended it with Chess. Only she didn't scream; that was just silent screaming a very private thought.

They shook hands and Verity said helpfully, "You both have several things in common including being the same age, single and being attorneys. Have a lovely day you two."

"You are an attorney?" Phil said in surprise.

Rosie said she had been about to ask him the same thing but of course realized regional offices of banks had their own legal personnel.

"I'm with your uncle's law firm and specialize in business law."

"Oh really? I must push some work your way."

"Are you permitted to do that?"

"Not really but I suppose I could say the only attorney in private practice I know intimately is Rosie Fields of Brandt, Donald and Klaus.

"Intimately?"

"Used loosely to mean I had a Playhouse association with you. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes but don't be afraid of pitching to have a more intimate relationship if that's your desire."

"Desire?"

Rosie smiled and said if she had to explain the meaning of that word she was unlikely to accept a date from him.

Phil laughed at looked at her thoughtfully.

"Well come on, you need to be taking an interest in auditions and making notes about points you notice about people being examined today because apart from Bo they are on second call and today will be given a part or declared an understudy or passed over. Bo wasn't able to audition yesterday but she will be given the part of Belinda."

He looked blank.

"You have read the script I take it?"

"Ah no. I was only thrown into this late yesterday."

"You could have asked for a script and read it last night?"

"Oh god, you're right. Oh another debit is I'm new to this city so scarcely know anyone associated with the Playhouse."

"Jesus."

"Um perhaps you..."

"No you keep the position and by the time final curtain call comes you'll know at least a couple of hundred new people and your sister will be very proud of you. During breaks between reads when the panelist deliberate I'll take you backstage to meet the chiefs of your various crews. I was told you have worked in theater and will have some idea of how a production runs. Then we pick up a whiteboard with the stage and backstage drawn on it..."

"I already have that ready."

"Good boy. That glimmer of initiative is appreciated. You must remember the director directs and you are boss of everything else and by that I mean everything else and that includes bossy Irene the wardrobe mistress and Mrs Wilks the catering manager. Those two think a show revolves around their departments but of course that is just shit."

"Shit?"

"Yes but I advise you not to use that word in describing the place of either of those women in this theater."

"Oh I won't and anyway that would only get you into the shit."

"Good boy. Now while we sit here and observe you must think back and dredge up everything you can think about theater because being able to think on the run when under intense pressure is essential to your role here. As I've already said, you direct everything but the actors."

"God fuck you Susie for landing me in this. Oh god, sorry for the F-word escaping."

They had only just sat and Rosie jumped to her feet and shouted, "How disgusting. Omigod I'm about to faint" and began to topple only to be caught by an alarmed Phil.

"Will you two over there behave and be quiet," Chess boomed through the sound system. "Great Scott, it's two senior officials causing the disturbance. Behave please or leave."

Rosie sat back in her seat giggling and whispered to Phil she had been known for her convincing portrayals.

"Then you weren't disgusted?"

"I sometimes use the F-word to really express myself," Rosie said, patting him on the cheek.

"Miss Fletcher, center stage please."

Bo came from the stage left and stood, ready to curtsy.

"Bo you are our unanimous choice for the part of Belinda Blair. It will be a key role under my planned direction. Congratulations. Your understudy will be Mrs Gwen Jones. Congratulations Gwen and understudy diligently because we'll run for ten nights plus the Saturday matinee and as we all know anything can happen and perhaps when we least expect it."

Everyone applauded and the two women curtsied (Bo's idea) to the director and his panel.

Chess called Amy Stone and declared she had the part of Brooke Ashton.

The 22-year-old Amy, fluttering her eyelids and pushing out her well-formed chest said, "Thank you for your confidence in me Chess. You have honored me and I will deliver whatever you expect from me."

That produced some giggling. Her understudy was announced and they others had their parts allocated.

During the mid-morning break Phil went behind stage with Rosie and taking him by the left hand she introduced him to the boss of each crew as well as to the formidable catering manager, Mrs Wilks.

"Oh hello you saucy young bitch, back again I see."

"Now look here Mrs Wilks...."

"Can it Phil. Mrs Wilks's bark is worse than her bite."

"Young man you be kind to my niece and don't get her pregnant unless that's what she wants."

"Niece?"

"Yes this woman with the unfortunate manner is my mother sister Kathryn Wilks. She doesn't like people she can't boss around."

"Sit a table three young man."

"Yes Mrs Wilks."

"God man where's your backbone," Rosie smiled, taking the acting stage manager's hand to lead him to table three. None of the tables displayed numbers.

Mid afternoon Rosie had coffee with Chess and he looked rather apprehensive.

"Rosie?" he said, not able to lock eyes.

"Something's come up has it? Well okay, tell me. I won't mind."

"Um it's Amy. She lives at home and has invited me to dinner with her family."

"Well I know her parents. They are theatrical people and will appreciate you being their guest to dinner."

"Um I think Amy wants a piece of me."

"Well good for Amy. Give her what she wants if that's how you feel," Rosie smiled, thinking Amy was almost petite and ought to be a good fit for Mr Director if they got round to sex."

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not Chess. Look I have really enjoyed your company but really there is an age imbalance between us. What say we split right now? Phil appears to be showing a little interest in me."

"That will be only a one-show romance," Chess warned. "The theater world is renown for that."

"True but Phil and I are both attorneys and are single and are the same age. So who knows?"

"Well good luck." Chess said anxiously, looking across to where Amy was talking to a young guy. "Let's stay friends and oh thanks for being so understanding and cooperative about this."

"It's my pleasure, absolutely," Rosie smiled, almost quivering in excitement.

The bell went and the cast assembled for their first briefing. Rosie went over to grab Phil away from the lighting designer and property mistress who were haranguing him.

"Let's get a script for you and a copy of stage directions. We then need to compile a work plan," she said.

"Than god I have you," Phil said.

"Oh then if you're that appreciative are you taking me to dinner tonight?"

He looked doubtful. "I um I have a girlfriend."

"Well if you think that's an impediment..." Rosie said, tailing off. She knew she had to apply pressure because they appeared so well matched and she might not have another chance and he'd said girlfriend rather than fiancée.

He was busy thinking so she went into the stage manager's office and found Susie's copy of the supplied script but this one was properly designed for a stage manager.

"Rosie, I must ask you something."

"Yes go ahead."

"If I switch my allegiance will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes. Make the call now while I go and get our copy of the names and contact details of the cast from the director's assistant or at least find out when it will be ready. The director should be just about finished with his first meeting with the cast. We also need his schedule for rehearsals."

Rosie returned without the lists and Phil looked at her grinning.

"My girlfriend was out with a pal of my and when I told he I'd found someone else she didn't cry. She just laughed and said she could now have a more exciting social life, that I had been holding her back."

"God that's not complimentary of her."




Rosie’s Stumbling Romance



"No but don't you see? She'd not upset. I was worried about her reaction. Christ what is she doing being out with Frank Ross? No woman is safe on the loose with him."

"I have no idea but I suspect he will supply the excitement your ex craves for. Are you going to kiss me?"

"Oh yes, I'd like to do that."

They kissed and Rosie made sure it built and pressed one of her thighs between his to make sure he was aware she was interested. At that point Mrs Rutland entered with two copies of the cast list and caught them in an embrace.

"Oooh you two are quick off the mark. You probably will be the first of the cast and off-stage crew of 'Noises Off' to be having it off. May it go well for you."

"Thank you Mrs Rutland. It will be a pleasure working with you again," Rosie said, hoping such politeness would change the woman's mind about telling someone else what she'd just seen to trigger gossip throughout the theater. But she couldn't count on Mrs Rutland keeping her mouth shut and anyway someone would find out sooner or later.

Rosie and Phil began designing their own planning schedule based on the guidelines in the model script and after two hours decided to go out and eat. Only two electricians and cleaning staff, volunteers like everyone else apart from the director and CEO and his two assistants, were volunteers. Rosie particularly admired the male and two females for coming along at the end of the day to clean up the mess of other departed people but that zeal and commitment had been a fundamental behind the success of amateur theater for centuries. She smiled thinking that about now the new target in their young director's life was probably being pinned to the mattress of Chess's hotel bed... or did younger people prefer the carpet?

"Do you wish to change and um...?" He stopped.

"Grab some overnight things and my clothes for work in the morning?"

Phil's face reddened and he grinned and said yes.

"Rosie decided not to be Minnie Mouse about this. Perhaps the way to nail a guy was to lash him with a touch of aggression and to keep him a little off balance.

"That didn't sound very enthusiastic. Perhaps you ought to just drop me at home?"

The guy looked gutted. "Christ no, oh Rosie you have no idea how much I desire to slip between your thighs."

"Oh good boy," she all but gurgled. My god that approach appeared to hammer his trigger.

She cooed, "I suggest a long relationship, at least until final curtain night. What do you think about that?"

"Perhaps longer," he said thoughtfully. "The bank prefers its executives to be in stable male/female relationship."

"That would be based on the theory that settled personnel are less likely to move on than people who value their freedom."

Phil grinned. "That's why we need female attorneys to provide the alternative viewpoint. You know you probably hit that right on the button."

"Well I've never believed it's an employer's business to consider what goes on in the bedroom."

"I'm sure they don't."

Rosie said aggressively, "Oh yeah?"

"Um perhaps they do. Anyway a good and stable and meaningful relationship transcends the bedroom."

"Oh an excellent ideal. Where do you think the relationship originates from?"

As if sensing a trap Phil hesitated. And then, "I suppose I'm expected to say the bedroom?"

"Only if you are a caring, sensitive and deep-thinking idealist capable of thinking in an asexual manner."

"Oh it gestates in the bedroom, definitely."

Rosie giggled and thought he appeared to like that because he took her hand and squeezed.

In the theater lobby Phil pulled Rosie into a darkened side passage and pressed her against the wall and kissed her and dug out a plump breast. 

She sank her tongue until it stirred his tongue.

The passage lights went on and one of the electricians shouted, "Hey Gus, the first hot match-up of this new show has been unconverted. Oh hi Rosie, oh hi boss. You've chosen the pick of the bunch Phil. Good man."

"Hi Brent," Rosie said weakly, slipping her swelling breast back under cover.

The head electrician appeared and said, "Hi Rosie. We've always referred to you as Snow White because you never engaged in sordid match-ups. Phil here must be someone special?"

"He packs a big piece Mr Hagen. Good night and you too have a successful show. Please tell Mrs Hagen I'm doing fine but please don't mention this incident."

"No Rosie I will only pass on your greeting. You know Phil over the years Rosie became a standout in the Playhouse for being the only member of cast who always knew everyone and spoke to us all, never being aloof like such of the players."

"Yes Gus, I thought Rosie would have always acted like a lady."

"Yeah and Miriam and I switch to her to be our family's legal adviser was because of her sweet manner and concern. Rosie acts legally for many of the people who have passed through the Playhouse during her time with us. It's great seeing her back again."

"Oh god," Phil groaned when he and Rosie hit the street. My life with backstage crew will now be one continuous tease."

"Rubbish."

"Why do you say that?"

"You heard Mr Hagen suggested, the people here love me. They'll know if they tease you and make you angry they will be hurting me. Think of it this way Phil, tonight you have done something to win respect throughout this Playhouse simply by being associated with me. I'm not being immodest; I'm simply saying how it will be."

"You have lovely breasts as well as a lovely sweetness Rosie."

"Omigod Phil. Let's run for your vehicle. Drive straight to your apartment. You can drop me off home early in the morning and can lend me a top to go to the restaurant."

CHAPTER 3

The one-bedroom apartment was spacious and very clean and tidy with no pictures of nudes with big breasts or of racing cars, sports heroes or movie posters in sight. Even the bathroom reproduction painting was of a pastoral scene, possibly French, across which hung a faint rainbow. Rosie was very impressed.

They stripped each other and what Rosie found was of sufficient mass to make her catch her breath.

Phil stretched her out on the sofa.

"Where to start?" he asked rhetorically but Rosie seized the moment.

"Lick my pussy to claim it."

Phil grinned, apparently liking that comment and then swooped and she found he also had a long tongue, A little later the action of tongue and fingers had Rosie climbing as if attempting to claw the ceiling.

She came hugely.

"Wow," said Phil, lifting his head, chin dripping.

"Did you like that?" Rosie asked, kissing him fully and ignoring the taste and mess of her pussy juice.

She then licked his face clean.

Phil marveled he'd never had a woman do that before. "Normally they won't even wipe me, leaving that to me."

"Well I'm afraid darling some women are rather contemptuous of men who like them only for sex. I like you beyond sex but I'm prepared to meet you head-on with sex and you are free to get down dirty with me."

"Darling... you called me darling."

"Oh sorry. If you object I apologize."

"No, oh no. I love it. God Rosie to appear to deliver everything I like from a woman and perhaps more. Yeah more because you're also articulate and intelligence and appear to be great company."

"Well as I always say Phil sex is only a doorway and a way of bonding and to exchange fluids, emotions and kisses. There has to be more beyond that otherwise there is only the prospect of void."

"Oh god. You think exactly like I do."

"Um Phil darling... sorry to divert but right now my pussy is hanging out for that big erection. I'm sure it shares my need."

"Oh yeah. Mustn't keep a lady waiting too long, must we pal," said Phil, swinging his meat in his hand and almost making the intently gazing Rosie go cross-eyed.

"Come to mummy," she purred, taking it and licking it wet, preparing it for smoother insertion.

They were both a little tired and ended up having more sleep that Rosie had expected.

When she returned from the toilet just after daylight Phil appeared to be asleep but when she snuggled up against him, back on, a hand snaked over and captured a tit.

She grinned.

"Good morning."

"And to you," he said. "You're a great fuck."

"Thanks you rude man. Help yourself."

"Ah I had my thumb up your butt last night and you didn't object. Um anal?"

She was hesitant and said, "Could we save that for a special occasion?"

"Yeah, good thinking. I really like the shape of your butt and wondered what it would look like with my cock up it."

"God you are foul," Rosie giggled.

Phil pressed against her and Rosie drew up her knees and Phil found the correct crevice with ease.

Yawning, she leaned through the window of the SUV to kiss Phil and wish him to have a great day.

"Oh I will," he grinned. "You looked well-fucked."

Rosie sighed and said she hoped others didn't come to that same conclusion. 

EPILOGUE

After three weeks with the production taking shape and Phil settled into his role, Rosie's role as his assistant ended as arranged and Phil now has the original stage director Susie his sister to consult with by phone. Susie is now on top of the pain following plate-and-screw surgery for her hip fracture now that she is well into her exercise routines but is two to three months from being active enough to return to theater management.

Rosie had two nights living with her mother after that first exhausting night with Phil and on the following Saturday Phil assisted her to shift into his apartment. 

They are both going well with their day jobs and Rosie is finding the senior partners at her firm appear to be taking close interest in her and that's a new development.

Rosie has a studio in the laundry and began work by producing a head and shoulders painting of her lover. Phil suggested a partial conversion of the laundry by seeking apartment management cooperation and management sent a crew to dismantle and store the storage units along a full wall of the laundry to give Rosie more space. The natural lighting is great and the volunteer head electrician at the playhouse Gus Hagen installed an air extractor and improved the ceiling lighting for her to work after dark.

The couple have been up to inspect one of the three penthouses in the building and signed up to lease it when it becomes available in three months. It will be refurbished to their requirements, ready to shift into as they have decided to marry in late fall. Rosie hopes to be pregnant by then.



THE END