by Susan Kohler
The women in the office were buzzing. To them this was the second person fired that week. They were angry and worried. Although he would have preferred to keep quiet on the subject, Bob made an announcement.
“I’m sure you noticed Tonya leaving with John from Loss Prevention.” Bob paused. “I don’t want to comment on this, but I feel you have the right to know what’s happening. Please remember that nothing has been proven in court. There were irregularities in the cash room reports that we traced to Tonya. We are completely satisfied no one else was involved. We turned all of our evidence over to the police. The amounts and frequencies of the company losses were such that the police will investigate and follow up.” He drew a deep breath, and for a brief moment his expression was unguarded so that the staff could see the stress and strain written on his face.
He continued, “No one regrets this more than I do, but there was no other way to handle it. I know that coming so soon after letting Kate go you are upset and angry with me, and probably wondering who’s next. All I can say is that I had no choice in either case. Now, I’m going home early. Laura’s in charge for the rest of the day. Listen, I know you’re all upset. So am I. If anyone has any questions or problems to discuss with me, we’ll talk them out tomorrow.” Bob went back into his office before leaving for home.
Kate made herself busy at Bob’s place. She put some chicken breasts in a marinade, getting them ready to barbecue, and then she made a salad and refrigerated the wine, a crisp Chablis. Besides the chicken and salad, she had fresh French rolls and corn on the cob.
She made sure the largest raft Bob owned was fully inflated and in the pool. The raft was a large mattress the size of a double bed. She set the picnic table with a red and white checkered tablecloth, Bob’s best china and flatware, and crystal wine goblets. Then she made herself a large pitcher of ice water, and put it on the deck of the pool next to a paperback romance she was reading. She took a long look around the large yard, noticing the high fence. She made her decision. She undressed and gingerly got onto the raft.
The raft drifted away from the side of the pool as she got onto it. Using one hand, she idly paddled over to the edge to grab her book and get a sip of cold water. When she reached for the book, Charger came over and licked her right on the end of her nose.
Laughing, she pushed off and just let the raft drift. If she got close enough to touch a side of the pool, she pushed off gently and kept drifting. Charger ran around the edge trying to figure out where she was going to land next. That was how Bob found her when he got home.
He stopped and gazed at her with amusement. “Ahem! I see you’re wearing my favorite bathing suit again.”
She looked at her naked body, smiling impishly, “This old thing? I’ve had it since the day I was born.”
“I think it’s changed a bit.” Bob took off his clothes and jumped in swimming a few laps. He swam over to where she was holding the raft next to the edge. “Will this thing hold both of us?”
“I don’t know, but if you start to drown I’ll rescue you,” she wiggled her eyebrows, “mouth to mouth.”
Slowly and carefully, he got onto the large raft. He lay beside her and took her into his arms. She threw the book over onto the deck where Charger picked it up. He ran around the pool for a while with the book in his mouth.
“I didn’t know Charger was a romance reader,” Bob joked.
“Nora Roberts gets ‘em every time.” Kate lowered her mouth to his.
They cuddled for a long time, talking quietly and kissing softly until she felt the tension from his day leaving him.
Kate nibbled his neck, then gradually turned her attention to his chest. Moving slowly and carefully on the precarious raft, she used her hands and mouth to explore his nipples. One hand moved down his abdomen. Bob carefully began his own exploration, first with his hands on her breasts, then he slid his hands lower still. He pulled her back up to his mouth and he kissed her, a kiss full of passion that just about made the pool turn to steam.
Trying not to sink the raft, moving slowly, he maneuvered himself over her body. She spread her legs and he entered her. He began to move within her slowly and ever so carefully. As their passion increased, they picked up the pace. Suddenly they realized that their luck had run out, there was a hole in the raft and they were sinking.
Luckily, the raft was in the shallow end. Bob touched bottom and walked over to the side of the pool, his hands under Kate’s bottom, holding her up. She had her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist. Without his mouth ever leaving hers, without his manhood ever leaving her femininity, he let go of her behind and grabbed the side of the pool, one hand on either side of her head. They both ignored Charger who came over to lick Bob’s hands and the back of Kate’s head before going back to lie down in the last little spot of sun. At the side of the pool they slowed the pace of their lovemaking. They were still standing in the shallow end, with Bob still bracing himself at the side of the pool. They made love slowly then built up once again, this time coming to a climax that left them both gasping.
“I guess we know now, it is possible to make love on the raft.” Kate sighed. “At least until we get carried away by passion.”
“Is there any other way for us to make love? I wonder if the inflatable dolphin would work even better,” Bob speculated.
“Or maybe that extra large inner tube?” she suggested. “It’s getting cool, let’s experiment another day. Why don’t you start the barbecue and while the coals are getting just right, we can take a nice warm shower?”
“A pleasurable, very long, warm shower?” He kissed her.
“Goes without saying. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” She broke away from his kiss. “As long as we’re warm.”
She went into the house, heading for the master bath off Bob’s bedroom. It was the first time she had been in Bob’s bedroom; she noted the off-white walls and a massive oak bed with a royal blue comforter.
Bob lit the charcoal and followed her inside. He found her adjusting the temperature of the shower. They took a long shower, gently soaping, teasing and exploring each other’s bodies. Barely stopping to dry off, they moved to the bed, stripped off the blue velour comforter and made love again. The lovemaking this time was more tender than it had been in the pool, but just as passionate. Afterwards, they lay there for a short time, letting their heart rates slow down and getting their breathing under control.
Finally, with a kiss and a hug, Kate prodded him out of bed. “Go out there and cook the chicken, I’ll get the rest of dinner.”
“Do we have to?” Bob resisted getting out of bed and began to kiss her neck.
“Yes, we have to,” she told him firmly, “but we can come back here for dessert.”
Bob got out of bed and pulled on some shorts and a T-shirt. Kate pulled on a skirt and a silky shell blouse. They went into the kitchen. She got the chicken out of the refrigerator and gave it to him to cook on the grill. Then she got the salad ready and found the salad dressing, wrapped the corn in foil for the grill, put butter on the table, and warmed up a few rolls in the microwave. Finally, she opened the chilled wine.
While they waited for the chicken to cook, they ate their salads and some of the rolls. Before they got the chicken off the grill, she tied Charger up to Bob’s fence. The little dog laid down and whined softly, looking punished.
“Do you have to?” Bob asked.
“Yes I have to. He begs,” Kate told him, “but there should be plenty of chicken for him to have later. That is if you want to feed it to him. Deal?”
“Deal.” He smiled.
They ate in a companionable silence, enjoying the late summer evening and the food. By the time they gave Charger his paper plate loaded with chicken they were both relaxed and content.
“Well, boss, I hope I raised your spirits,” Kate quipped.
“You know exactly what you raised, and how. I noticed one thing tonight, you didn’t blush,” he pointed out.
“Why should I blush? It was only you.” Kate grinned at him. “Let’s get these dishes into the dishwasher.”
Working together they cleaned up the kitchen. Then they went into the den and watched a movie Kate had rented. It was a popular, romantic comedy and it was good, but by the end they had turned their attention to each other. The phone rang and Bob answered it. When he hung up he turned to Kate, a large smile on his face.
“Shelly had a girl, 7 pounds 1 ounce, they don’t have the name picked out yet,” he told her.
“That’s great!” Kate kissed him. “Let’s go see her tomorrow.”
“I’d love to. Let’s celebrate.” He kissed her. “I want some ice cream.”
“I could force myself to eat a bowl,” she admitted.
They went into the kitchen and made huge ice cream sundaes for themselves. They both preferred vanilla ice cream, but Kate wanted hot fudge while Bob went for chocolate syrup. They used a mountain of whipped cream. Kate grabbed the Oreos, crumbling a few on top of both sundaes over the whipped cream.
Some of the ice cream and syrup accidentally spilled onto the floor. Bob looked up, a guilty but phony grin on his face.
“You remind me of Sam,” Kate said. “And chocolate’s not good for dogs, but I guess that little bit can’t hurt.” She opened the door and called Charger, then with an impish grin she squirted a small amount of whipped cream onto the floor with the ice cream.
“So I’m a pushover, too. Let’s be sinfully decadent and eat these in bed,” she suggested, picking up her bowl.
“Sounds wicked to me.” Bob grabbed his bowl.
He didn’t notice that she smuggled the rest of the whipped cream upstairs with her. What followed was the total ruination of two pillowcases and a bottom sheet. It was glorious. Ice cream wound up on Bob’s chest, so Kate cleaned it off with her tongue. Whipped cream wound up on Kate’s breasts, stomach, and even lower. It took Bob a long time to get it all off Kate since he was very thorough. By the time he was finished Kate was limp.
Some of the ice cream was even consumed out of the bowls. Still it continued, chocolate and warm fudge sauce, blended with cool ice cream that was just beginning to melt, on various parts of their two bodies. Tongues were busy trying to keep it from being wasted and from spreading to the sheets. Finally, replete, they managed to get out of bed, change the sheets, and then drag themselves to the shower.
“Bob, are we getting old?” Kate teased him, “We used to have so much fun in the shower. Now all I want to do is get clean.”
“I guess we’ve gone from swingers to old fuddy-duddies in the last few hours then. I never thought old age would hit me so fast,” Bob mused. “It only took a half-gallon of ice cream and several gallons of chocolate syrup.”
“And whipped cream,” Kate added.
“And great sex.” He kissed her.
“Especially great sex,” she murmured.
They got out of the shower and dried off. Finally they were ready for bed.
Once in it, Bob kissed Kate on the shoulder and said, “Kate? Who’s watching the puppies?”
“Ida volunteered to stay over with them,” she replied. “They’re almost big enough to leave overnight, but I’m a worrywart.”
“So Ida knows you’re staying here?” Bob was surprised and more than a little uncomfortable with the idea.
“She suggested it. I was only coming over for dinner,” Kate snuggled closer to him, “and to cheer you up.”
“Remind me to send her roses.” Bob gave Kate a plaintive look, “Kate, can I?”
“You’re such a softy, that may be why I love you.” She kissed him. “Go on.”
She sat up and watched him get out of bed, enjoying the sight with frank admiration. He left the room and returned a few minutes later with Charger. With the little male dog curled up at the foot of the bed, finally they drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
When the alarm rang the next morning, they were still cuddled in each other’s arms. Bob kissed her gently on the lips, and then as she opened her mouth to his, the kiss flared until the lovers were swept away by passion. She slid her hand under the covers and reached for him.
“How soon do you have to be at work?” she asked breathlessly, her mouth warm against his.
“Too soon,” Bob sighed, his voice gritty with regret, “and it’s going to be a rough day. Have I said thank you?”
“What for?” Kate’s mouth moved down to nibble on his neck.
“For all the things you did last night, making dinner for me, listening to me, giving me emotional support, raising my spirits, reminding me that life is fun, and . . .” He paused, eyes glinting.
Each of the items on his list had been punctuated with a kiss, one on her nose, one on her brow, one on her chin, one on her neck, and the last on her breast.
“And. . .” she prompted.
“And the ice cream.” He lowered his mouth to hers, taking her lower lip with his teeth and gently sucking on it. Finally he raised his mouth just a bit, “But especially, thank you for the great sex, although it was more than sex, it was making love.”
“I suspect it was good old-fashioned sex in the pool, and pure wicked decadence with the ice cream. But it was definitely lovemaking in the bed.” Kate pulled him back to her mouth, “And isn’t it lucky we’re still in bed? Can’t you be a little late? Remember, you’re the boss.”
With his mouth against hers, he muttered, “I guess I could at that. But I’ve been late a lot lately.”
“So change the office hours,” she quipped. “But seriously, when were you late?”
He thought about it. “Actually, you’re the one who was late so often. I’ve only been late once lately. Last Thursday, the morning after you dragged me up the stairs and ravaged me.”
“As I recall, it wasn’t that hard to accomplish.” She smiled at the memory.
And those were the last coherent words either of them spoke for a very long time. They were cuddling for a few last precious seconds when the bedside phone rang. Bob picked it up.
After listening to it for a few minutes, he said, “Yes, Ma’am, I’m very honored.” He handed the phone to Kate, looking slightly dazed.
“Kate dear, it’s Ida. I just thought I’d call to let you know your friend Laura is trying to get in touch with you. I didn’t tell her where you were,” Ida said with a touch of pride. “And sake’s alive, that girl is persistent.”
“Thanks, Ida. She’ll probably guess where I am anyway, the brat,” Kate said. “By the way, thanks for staying with the puppies. If Teddy’s been fed, you can leave them alone. I’ll be home soon.” She waited, listening, “Thanks again, I’ll see you soon.”
Kate looked at Bob, “Does it bother you that Ida knows about us?”
“I was a little afraid that might resent a new man in your life but she seems to have accepted me.” He gazed at Kate. “She said that for as long as you and I were together, I was an honorary member of her family.”
“Even now that she has George, she’s still lonesome. Remember, she lost her son and her husband within three months of each other,” Kate sighed.
“That must have been rough,” he said with compassion, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “On both of you.”
“Yeah, Greg, my father-in-law, was a great guy.” Kate sighed, “I really loved him.”
Kate dialed the phone, calling Laura. “Hi brat. I heard you were trying to find me.”
“And I heard you weren’t home at seven in the morning? Where have you been?” Laura questioned.
“I was out, uh, busy, um, tied up, well, I’m here now. What doing?” she asked, using one of their old phrases.
“I’d like to know what you’re doing. Anyway, I’ve got to go to the doctor’s this morning, so I thought we could meet for lunch afterwards,” she invited.
“Sounds like a plan.” Kate asked, “Is everything all right with the baby?”
“Well, remember the news I gave
you about two weeks ago? That was from a home test kit. Now, I want to go get the word straight from the doctor’s mouth. It makes it more official,” Laura told her. “I have to go now, I’d better call Bob and tell him I’m going to be leaving for a long lunch around ten.”
“Hold on, don’t freak out, okay? Here,” Kate handed the phone to Bob, “she wants to talk to you.”
“Hi Laura,” he said, then he held the phone away from his ear for several seconds. “She freaked out,” he laughed.
Both Bob and Kate could hear strange sounds coming from the phone.
Finally Bob brought the mouthpiece close enough to his mouth to say, “What’s up?” He listened for a while, “Sure, no problem. I might be a little late today. I should be there before you have to leave. Yeah, thanks. Here she is.”
Kate listened for a while. “No, what makes you say that? No. Remember, I already told you, I was tied up. All night.” She hung up laughing.
“What was that?” Bob asked.
“Laura wanted to know all about our love life, you know, the juicy details. I told her I didn’t know what she meant. We weren’t doing anything sexy. I said you just kept me tied up all night.” Kate laughed again. “I don’t think she believed me.”
“I should hope not.” Bob started to get ready for work, then leaned over to give her a quick kiss. “I would never tie you up. A playful spanking maybe, but never tie you up. I like what you do when your hands are free too much for that.”
“Like this?” Kate got out of bed and walked over to him.
She put her arms around his neck, pulling him to her for a longer kiss. Her lips parted as they met his. Her hands slid off his neck and trailed down his chest, raking his nipples lightly with her manicured nails.