“Almost twenty.” She felt her heart racing and wondered if her breasts were quivering noticeably.
Here's my real question, you sexy kitten. “How can a woman have such magnificent full breasts and a tiny waist at the same time?"
“Don't let Casanova get to you, June,” Maggie said as she came through the kitchen door. “He has a honey-coated tongue and a heart of stone."
“Maggie!” he exclaimed as she rushed around the counter into his outstretched arms. “Is that any way to talk about your favorite brother?” He yanked the bill of the red baseball cap she always wore down over her eyes.
“June,” Maggie said, hugging him tightly, “this is my brother Frank. Frank, this is June Dinkins.” She pushed the cap to the back of her head.
“And don't you believe for one minute,” Frank said to June, “that I have a heart of stone. I'm the most kindhearted, warm, loving, sincere man ever born."
“You big lug,” Maggie said, hugging him again. “It's great to see you. What brings you to Dot?"
“Why, I came to see my favorite sister, of course,” he said.
“I'll bet. We're between rush hours, Frank. Let's sit in the back booth and catch each other up. Would you like a cup of coffee?"
Raising his voice so the waitress could hear, he replied, “I sure would if June will sweeten it with her dainty little finger."
June smiled and soon placed two steaming mugs on their table. She made a point of dipping her finger into his coffee. He took her hand, kissed it and gently sucked the liquid from her moist finger.
“Seriously, Maggie,” Frank said when June was again behind the counter, “why is that fantastic female not hitched? Is she a lesbian?"
“I don't think so,” Maggie said. “She's a bit shy, but I swear if I had let you sweet talk her another five minutes I believe she would have stripped and had her way with you right here in the dining room."
“I'm serious, Maggie. That foxy female races my motor."
“She's an innocent girl, Frank. Leave her alone."
“Innocent, maybe, but I'm not going to leave her alone. I'm going to make that charming child my bride."
Maggie grinned. “Then I guess you're not just passing through. It takes three days in North Carolina to get a marriage license."
Frank returned her grin. “No, I'm not just passing through. The garden shop in Atlanta is doing great, but five bosses is four too many. There's no feud going on among your brothers, Maggie. I just decided it's time to go out on my own. I have twenty-five thousand dollars in my jeans and a pickup truck packed with all my earthly belongings. I'm going to open a garden shop in Dot if everything works out."
“Frank, that's wonderful, but why Dot?"
“Your letters, Maggie. I fell in love with the place from your letters. I've already talked with Tim and he says he will throw some business my way."
“Tim Dollar?"
He nodded. “I found him at home a while ago when I went looking for you. I introduced myself and before long, we were talking business. He said he was not pleased with the landscaper he has been using out of Charlotte and would send some business my way to see what I can do. He suggested that he might even finance the heavy equipment I will need."
“Frank, that's great,” Maggie said with enthusiasm and then she joked, “You're not after my job are you?"
“With just a snap of my fingers I could have your job, Maggie,” he bragged, “but I wouldn't do that to you. Seriously, what has happened? The last I heard, you quit your job as manager of the Korner Kafe because the old geezer who owns the place was getting too affectionate. You then took a job as the caretaker of Tim Dollar's farm, but today, I find you working as a cook at Dot's Diner. What's going on, Baby Sister?"
Her expression changed. “You know, Frank, this might work out pretty good."
“What do you mean?"
“Circumstances have changed since I quit the job as manager of the Korner Kafe. I really liked that job and Mr. Bennett has asked me to come back to work for him. I think I would really like to do that, but I have worked for the Dollars such a short time that I hate the thought of walking out on them."
“Now that I am here you can bow out gracefully.” He broke into a wry grin. “It'll be in the Dollars’ best interest. Everybody knows a woman can't do a man's work."
“Screw you, Frank Skinner."
“Okay, but that's kind of kinky. I think it's called incest."
Maggie laughed. “That's why I quit wrestling with you when we were kids."
“What are you talking about?"
“I found out from a friend one day about the facts of life and realized that you didn't really have a roll of quarters in your pocket every time we wrestled."
He blushed, but said, “Even at thirteen your budding bosom was superb, Maggie. It beats me why you keep those delightful delicacies strapped down."
“I wear an athletic bra to keep those suckers out of the way and to keep guys like you from hitting on me."
Frank smiled. “Tell me about this Tim Dollar. Is he really as rich as your letters indicate?"
“Probably richer,” she said. “He owns half the town. The huge recreational complex he built and the housing development he and Sandy are creating around the three golf courses is just the tip of the iceberg."
“Sandy?"
“Tim's wife."
“That must be the sexy broad I saw fishing in one of the ponds beside their house."
Maggie nodded. “She loves to fish, and she idolizes their boy—Tim Junior—but don't sell her short, Frank. She's a writer and a full partner with Tim in Dollar Enterprises."
“You still haven't explained how you wound up here as a cook."
Maggie smiled. “I'm not sure myself. Dottie Frank owns the place. She and George Bennett were bitter enemies for a long time. Dottie was in a wreck early this morning. Mr. Bennett called me at the Dollars’ house and asked if I would fill in here until Dottie is back on her feet. He admitted on the telephone that he likes her a lot and, well, that was when he offered me my job back at the Korner Kafe. He wants to have more time to spend with her."
Frank shook his head. “Doesn't make much sense. You quit working for him because he was pawing you, and now you want to go back. You miss the old codger's attention, don't you?"
“Let's change the subject, Frank. Where are you bunking?” Maggie asked.
“I could stay at the motel, I suppose, but I was hoping that you would put me up until I get some things worked out."
“I'd really like that, Frank. I am renting a very small house from the Dollars’ contractor, Carl Elliott. It's just across Highway 13 from the Dollars’ place. It has a spare bedroom, but I've rented it to a waitress at the Korner Kafe, Sewana. I suppose you can sleep in the living room. The sofa converts into a bed."
“I went by your house this morning after Tim pointed it out to me. It looks nice and homey. You sure you don't mind?"
“I wouldn't have it any other way,” Maggie said, handing him a key to her house. “Look, Big Brother, I've got to get back to work. We have a lot more catching up to do, but it looks like we're going to have plenty of time to swap lies. Why don't you go out to the house and get settled in?"
“I'll do it,” he said as they slipped out of the booth. “I met Sewana this morning too. I probably should let her tell you this, but while I was there, she received a call from a real estate agent. A furnished apartment is available and she took it. I believe she plans to move next Monday."
“That settles it, then. You are now officially my new roommate."
They embraced and Frank whispered, “Do you think June will go out with me?"
“If you want a meaningful answer, ask her, not me."
He smiled and watched his sister disappear through the kitchen door. If her hidden chest doesn't keep guys from hitting on her, he thought, those sloppy jeans she wears should do the trick. He approached the counter where June stood transfixed.
“June, where does a couple o
n a date go in Dot?” he asked.
She smiled nervously. “There's not much happening in Dot after dark,” she replied, fiddling with the top button on her uniform.
“Do you live close by?"
She nodded. “I have a little apartment in the Dollar Building next door."
“Dollar Building? Maggie must be right—the man does seem to own half of Dot."
“It used to be a hotel. He remodeled it. The ground floor is now the Dot Clinic. The second floor is something like a shopping mall with a few businesses and some offices. The next floor has apartments and the top two floors aren't used for anything, but I think Mr. Dollar plans to eventually convert them to apartments too."
“You have a TV?"
She nodded.
“Cable?"
“There's no cable service in Dot, but Mr. Dollar has a dish antenna on the roof. I get over a hundred channels."
“Ah, lots of dirty stuff?"
“I ... I don't watch those."
Frank grinned. “What time do you get off work?"
“Eight o'clock."
“Well, we could go to your place, have sex and watch TV, but you might prefer to go to a movie in Charlotte."
Her eyes locked with his and her chin quivered as she said, “I'll do whatever you like. I'm a virgin. You'll have to teach me."
His eyes widened. “I can't believe that you've never..."
She picked up a damp cloth and rubbed furiously on a nonexistent spot on the counter. “I had a bad case of acne from my early teens until just a few months ago. Boys made fun of me. I haven't dated much. Truth is,” she continued as she dropped her voice, “I've never been on a real date."
“I know what you mean,” he said. “My face was covered with pimples as a teenager too.” He reached out and cupped her chin with his strong, rough right hand, turned her head from one side to the other and said, “Yeah, I see the tiny scars when I look closely, but you still have the face of a goddess. Check this out,” he said as he turned his cheek and touched it with his forefinger. “I have the same kind of scars."
She gently touched his face, first with one hand and then both. “You have such a dark tan I see nothing but a perfect face.” She jerked her hands away. She felt as if they were on fire.
“I'll see you tonight about eight if that is okay,” he said.
“Frank?"
“Yes?"
“I ... I'm not on the pill. You'll need to bring, uh, something."
He gently held her head with both of his hands and drew her close to his lips across the counter. “June,” he said quietly, “one day I'm going to teach you the joys of being a woman, but not until you change your name.” He nibbled on her lower lip.
She felt weak and propped her hands on the counter for support. “I don't understand,” she said.
“Mrs. Frank Skinner,” he explained. He kissed her tenderly on the lips, nose and forehead. “Tonight we'll just enjoy each other's company and start getting acquainted."
She watched his hard buttocks tightly encased in his jeans as he strode to the door. He turned and flashed the smile that turned her knees to putty. “Whatever you do, Dreamy Doll, don't believe anything Maggie tells you about me."
June watched him walk through the door. He paused at the plate glass window and looked at her. He wore only a tee shirt and the muscles in his chest rippled as he waved a parting greeting. She blushed when he pursed his lips and kissed the air in her honor. A trickle of perspiration puddled between her breasts as she returned both gestures. She knew the diner's air conditioner was not broken but her entire body seemed on fire.
“June,” Maggie called from the kitchen. “If you're through flirting with my brother, I could use some help back here."
June hurried to the kitchen and drew on a pair of long, rubber gloves. She moved a rack of dishes from the dryer and replaced it with a rack of clean dishes from the washer. She picked up a stack of dirty plates from the blue cart and set it beside the sink. As she began the process of preparing the dishes for the washer she said, “Your brother's nice."
“He's my favorite. I have five brothers. I'm the baby in the family but Frank is the youngest boy. We were very close when we were growing up."
“What's he like?” June asked timidly.
“Your juices flowing, June?"
June blushed and did not respond.
“You've never been with a man, have you June?"
She shook her head.
“If you want to change that, Frank's your man. You turn him on. He loves big-breasted women. But sweetheart, if you are interested in a long term relationship, forget him. Since he was sixteen years old, he's bedded most of the women he's met. With Frank, it's always a short-term affair. Once the woman is madly in love with him, he goes in search of new conquests."
“He ... he said he wants to marry me."
Maggie wiped her hands on her apron, turned and hugged the younger woman. “It's just a line, June. It doesn't mean anything."
“It meant something to me. I told him I am not experienced. He said he would teach me, but not until we are married."
Maggie shook her head and suppressed a giggle. “Did you agree to date him?"
June nodded. “Tonight, after work."
“It's your life, June, but if you are not very, very careful you will wake up in the morning no longer a virgin."
“Would that be so bad?"
“That's for you to decide."
Maggie returned to her cooking chores and June continued to wash dishes. They heard a customer come in and June left the kitchen to wait on him.
“You could be wrong about Frank,” she said when she returned to the kitchen. “People change."
“I wouldn't count on it, June."
“Would you do me a favor?"
“If I can."
“I told Frank I get off work at eight. That's when he's coming over, but I'll need a little time to shower and straighten up my apartment. Do you think you could cover for me and let me off at seven?"
“I'm not familiar with the business activity at Dot's Diner. At the Korner Kafe, we were fairly busy until after eight o'clock. I can't cook and wait on tables at the same time."
“Things usually get quiet here by 6:30."
“Just don't leave me stranded with a diner full of customers."
“Thanks, Maggie. I appreciate it."
June left the diner promptly at seven. There were only two customers and they were nearing the completion of their meals. She crossed the street to the Dot Pharmacy and wished she were invisible as she made her way to the rear of the store. She looked with dismay at the wide variety of condoms displayed on the shelf. She did not know what to buy.
“Need help?"
She wheeled around and saw the elderly pharmacist peering at her over his spectacles.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“You need ready wets? What size is the guy?"
Oh, God, she thought. They come in sizes?
He pulled a box of a dozen from the shelf. “These are our most popular,” he said, handing the box to her. “First time, June?"
He's humiliating me and enjoying it, she fretted. She grabbed the box from his hand. “Put it on my account,” she said and she fled his evil leer.
She stuffed the box in the handbag slung over her shoulder and walked the two blocks to the Dot Grocery. She placed a six pack of Pepsi-Colas and a large bag of corn chips on the counter. What if he likes beer? she thought. She went to the cooler and pulled out a six pack of Budweiser, choosing blindly.
As the clerk rang up the sale, she dug in her handbag for her wallet.
“Never knew you to buy beer before, June. You have a hot date tonight?"
She looked up at the smiling man and followed his gaze. Oh, God. He's looking at the condoms. “It's none of your business, Buzz Adams,” she said, “but if you must know, I do have a date tonight."
As she walked back to her apartment, she thought of the many times she fan
tasized about romantic encounters with Buzz Adams. He was two years her senior, captain of the football team in his junior year, escort of the prettiest high school cheerleaders and now, having flunked out of college, was working in his parents’ grocery store. She wondered why he did not play football his senior year and if he liked big-breasted women too?
She put the beverages into her nearly empty refrigerator, dumped the chips in a bowl, and quickly picked up the living area. Time was running out. She pulled off her clothes and dumped them in the dirty clothes hamper. She stepped into the shower and lathered up. The aroma of the lightly scented soap brought a smile to her lips. The warm water made her skin feel alive. When she ran her hands over her body, she tingled with excitement.
She toweled off and stepped into her sexiest pair of panties. She strapped on her heavy brassiere, paused, and took it off. After struggling into a tightly fitting red jersey, she wiggled into a crotch hugging pair of white short shorts. She slipped her tiny feet into brilliantly white socks and pulled on her cleanest pair of sneakers.
She went back to the bathroom and admired herself in the mirror. She ran a comb through her short sandy blond hair and plastered her face with pancake makeup in an attempt to hide the facial blemishes. Mascara followed a heavy application of eye shadow and she selected the brightest red lipstick she owned. She smiled into the mirror. If that doesn't turn him on, she thought, nothing will.
June straightened up the bathroom and put out fresh towels. She went to her bedroom and, as she started to make the bed, realized he might spend the night there. She tore off the sheets and replaced them with clean ones. Her alarm clock on the bedside table told her it was seven fifty. She glanced at the full-length mirror on her closet door and froze.
You look like a whore on one of those TV channels you told Frank you don't watch, she fretted. She pulled off the jersey and pushed down the shorts, replacing them with her heavy brassiere and a simple blue housedress, highlighted at the waist with a white plastic belt. She kicked off the sneakers and put on a pair of black loafers, wishing there were time to polish them.
She glanced at the clock. Seven fifty-five. Oh, God, she thought. I didn't brush my teeth. She rushed to the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste onto the white bristles and scrubbed both her teeth and tongue. She rinsed and again checked her image in the mirror.
Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows Page 26