by Penny Henry
"Oh, Travis, please. Let me help," pleaded Temple among her laughter. "You look most undignified."
He pushed his legs into the air and Temple levered off his shoes before tugging the offending jeans from his legs. They ended up convulsed with hysterics, wrapped in each other's arms on the wide back seat. Then the static between their bodies set fire to their passion. Their eyes locked. Travis cradled Temple's face in his hands, covering it with tiny kisses before his lips moved to the hollows of her neck. He pressed her spine to the hide-covered seat and the rain of kisses spread to her breasts, pausing at each nipple to bring each one to a rigid outpost in the storm of loving. The flood of pleasure that sprang from his mouth crept lower until he reached the wetness between her thighs. Temple arched her back and smothered her shrieks as the ripples of pleasure became tidal waves of almost unbearable joy. Then the tide returned the way it had come, rising remorselessly up her trembling torso. Travis’ lips nuzzled against Temple’s neck before he brought the bitter-sweet taste of his kisses to her mouth. She twisted out from underneath him and pressed his back to the seat. Then she returned a thousand kisses to his chest and used her fluttering tongue and nipping teeth to bring Travis' nipples to arousal. She slid up his hard body and locked their mouths in a deep and breathless kiss that left their senses reeling. Temple sat up and gasped for air, resting on her knees either side of his hips. She leant forward and clutched at his shoulders. The burning point of contact as she ground herself against him had become an undeniable need. She reached down to grasp his erection and bring it to her warm and open body. Temple groaned from somewhere deep in her throat and slid down in him until their bodies fused. She lifted slowly, almost but not quite, allowing him to slip from her. Then she drove down on him before rotating her pelvis and lifting herself again. Travis watched her perspiring face as she rose and fell upon him. Her eyes were closed as she became lost in the pure joy of the thrusting, dizzy ride. She slowed occasionally to hold him in her gripping tunnel, squeezing his length before slipping up and down on his juice coated shaft. Then both of their eyes clamped shut as Temple quickened her movements before screwing down on him in a final shuddering climax. She rocked on his softening penis, draining him of energy, milking his strength and glorying in the glow of happiness that consumed her. Temple collapsed onto Travis' chest in a haze of ecstasy and fulfillment, knowing she had never given herself so completely before.
They lay awhile on the back seat in a tangle of limbs. Travis brushed Temple's hair from her face and kissed her gently and often. They exchanged few words as they touched each other wondrously and kissed with hot mouths. What they wanted to say they kept inside their heads. Neither one had the courage to let their heart speak out.
Temple was the first to break free from the enchantment they had fallen under. "Wake up Travis." She shook the sleepy figure that sprawled beside her as she dressed. "It’s time to go home."
The night was thinning to let through the vanguard of a new day. Shiny horsemen were gathering beyond the horizon, preparing their golden steeds to charge before the glory of the approaching sun. Travis hauled himself upright and untangled his clothes before pulling on his shirt and jeans. He fumbled with his socks and shoes as Temple settled back and watched his muscles bunch and flex in the performance of the mundane task. Then they sat side by side and held hands.
"That was a beautiful ending to a wonderful day." Temple sighed. "I don't want it to end."
"Well, I do have time for breakfast," suggested Travis playfully.
"Is that with or without coffee? You old romantic." said Temple, digging him in the ribs with straightened fingers.
Travis rubbed at the tender spot that Temple had unerringly aimed for. "Seriously, I know exactly what you mean. I can’t remember a better day. But I don't think Angus and Molly would take kindly to finding us here in the bright light of day."
"You're probably right. Though I'm sure Angus would do his level best to ignore us."
"I don't think Molly would be quite so tactful," said Travis.
"I think you’re right." Temple gave a silvery laugh. "But I 'm sure you’d get away with it. Angus and Molly seem to have a soft spot for you. Though for the life of me I can’t see why."
"Because I'm a very likeable person," explained Travis smugly. "Some people can't see the truth when it's right under their nose."
Temple leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. "Actually... I'm beginning to see their point of view," she told him. "You're a very likeable guy, Mister Travis Campbell."
He swung his head to bring his lips whispering against hers. "I like you too, Temple Hart. In fact, I think I’m falling—"
She smothered his words with a kiss. It was tomorrow and she had promised herself to keep her distance until they both knew what the future, if they had a future, held in store for them. The battle for Hart Leisure was far from over and here she was consorting with the enemy. But perhaps now they could conduct their business on a civilized level. If they could work together there just might be a way out of this mess that would at least leave them on speaking terms. She pulled back from his tightening embrace. "I think I'd better leave while I still can," she said fumbling with one hand to catch the lever and push open the door. The interior light illuminated Travis' crestfallen features. "Until the next time," she promised, swinging her legs round to exit the car as ladylike as she could manage in her disheveled state and not forgetting to grab her bag of Disney goodies. They weren’t just souvenirs they were magical memories.
She was reluctantly shutting the door shut when Travis leaned across. "Hey, haven’t you forgotten something... like your mobile phone?"
"Utterly and completely," she confessed.
She straightened her clothes and waited patiently while Travis slid out from his door and came round to the passenger side. He reached in to unlock the mobile phones from the glove compartment before handing Temple hers while absently-mindedly checking his missed calls.
"Elliot," muttered Travis under his breath.
"Hey, buster," Temple forcibly reminded him. "Forgotten about me already?"
"I'm sorry," apologized Travis. "It’s force of habit."
"You'd better make sure that's one thing that I never become," Temple seriously advised him.
"Become what?" asked Travis.
"Are you listening to me?" Temple wanted to know. "One message and you're back in the office. I'm not even out of sight and you're worrying about Elliot."
Travis dropped the mobile phone into his shirt pocket. "I'm sorry, Temple. I'm not taking you for granted. Elliot worries me. I can’t help it."
"As I was saying, I don't want ever to become a habit, Travis Campbell. You make sure you really want me. And just the way you found me."
"Feisty, you mean," he teased. "I wouldn't want you any other way." Travis couldn't imagine ever wanting to change her, or Temple agreeing to change for any man. He took her in his arms in the half-light and their lips met in a kiss that carried them to their private realm where the world dwindled and they knew nothing but each other. Their tongues reached to explore and draw the breath from the other as their bodies melded in the all-consuming heat.
Temple dragged herself away. "I must go, Travis. And so must you."
"Okay," he reluctantly acknowledged. "We'll talk soon." He walked round the car to the driver's door and blew her a kiss before ducking inside.
Temple stood and watched until the white automobile disappeared from sight. Things were different this time. They had parted on good terms. That was a first. There was nothing to prevent them from seeing each other if they could just work it out with the lease of Hart Leisure. There had to be a way round it. Between the two of them they could come to some agreement. It wasn't going to be easy but Temple was beginning to get back the feeling of optimism that had deserted her of late. It was going to be a beautiful morning. She let herself into the house and walked softly to her room. Angus and Molly were safely in bed and there was still time to
grab some sleep before the new day dawned. She took a minute to check who had called her on her phone during the period she had been out of reach. There was a call from her video distributor and one from the Orlando police charity organizer. Very ironic, Temple mused. There were also six calls from Jill Harrison. That was interesting. It was unlike Jill to bother her when she was out of the office. It was a matter of pride with Jill. She would bend over backwards to cope in Temple's absence and what she couldn't handle she would simply rearrange to fit in with Temple's schedule. The thought troubled Temple briefly but she wasn't really in the mood to investigate further. She would find out what the problem was soon enough. For now she needed to get some sleep. She completed her night-time cleansing ritual and poked out her tongue in the mirror. She was a mess but she was anxious to get to bed and think about Travis. She had been aching to take him to her bed and do everything she wanted to him. He was amazingly virile and she longed to find out who would be the first to cry enough!
If she couldn’t have Travis she planned on re-running every minute of their wonderful day in her mind. Every magical moment was carefully stored and catalogued in her brain. His touch still tingled on her skin. Temple slipped into bed, laid her head on the pillow and promptly fell asleep. Only the rapid eye movement and the smile on her lips betrayed the fact that her dreams were fulfilling the task that her waking mind had imagined.
The morning sun was brighter than Temple remembered. She hadn't slept as long as she thought she would. She guessed it was the excitement of the previous day that woke her early. She was still buzzing with the pleasure of her day with Travis and thrilled at their new beginning. Nothing was going to spoil it for them this time. Before Molly made her appearance, Temple had dressed and made herself breakfast.
"Good morning, dearie," said Molly as she bustled into the kitchen. "My, but don't you look lovely today."
Temple had gone for an all-white look. From her soft-shoes and sports socks to her shorts and singlet she was the picture of health and happiness. Her long blonde hair was held back in a ponytail that emphasized her flawless looks. If she could make the time she intended working on her next fitness video. The routine was almost there. The future was looking brighter by the minute. Sometimes it was just good to be alive.
Molly was banging round the kitchen busily finding things to do. She settled for a moment like a bee pausing to pollinate a flower. "I take it you're going in to work today, dearie?" wondered Molly.
"Yep, I can’t put it off for another day, Molly. There are a few things I need to catch up on." Temple grinned at her curious housekeeper. "I can't leave Jill to do all the work."
"Oh, that reminds me," began Molly as her dancing eyes lighted on the refrigerator. She scurried across the kitchen and pulled back the door. "Jill called while you were out yesterday. She sounded quite agitated, lovey."
"Yes, she tried my mobile a couple of times but I was out of reach. I'm sure that whatever it was will still be there this morning. It's probably nothing."
Molly carried an armful of food to the table and deposited it in a heap. "Would you like me to make you a proper breakfast before you go, dearie?"
"No, I'm fine, Molly, honestly." Temple refused the offer as gently as she could. "I'll be on my way in a minute."
"Well, have a good day, Temple, and remember to eat. We don’t want you wasting away."
Temple slid from the stool on which she had been perched and went to give Molly a kiss. "Bye, Molly, say hi to Angus for me."
Molly lifted her sparkling eyes from her display of food. "Did you enjoy yourself with Travis yesterday?" she asked mischievously.
Temple took it as her cue to depart. "Yes thank you, Molly. We had a wonderful time. And that's all I'm saying."
Molly feigned a look of disinterest. "As if I'd dream of prying," she defended herself half-heartedly.
"Bye, Molly," sang Temple as she strode through the screen door. "I’ll see you when I see you."
Angus had polished her beloved motor in her absence and Temple drove the route to the leisure complex feeling on top of the world and gloriously conscious of the stares she attracted on the Orlando streets. By chance she arrived at the complex at the same time as Jill Harrison. Temple parked in her reserved slot next to Jill and called out as they both stepped from their cars. Jill had seemed distracted and unaware of Temple parking the gleaming vehicle next to her silver Lexus. She looked up sharply with a look of undisguised relief on her tautly-held features.
"Hey, Jill," Temple cheerily greeted the chic red-head. She skipped lightly round the rear of the car to say hello.
"Thank goodness you're here," rushed out Jill without so much as a 'hi'. "I tried all day yesterday to get hold of you. I rang Molly but nobody knew where you were."
"I'm sorry about that, Jill. I had a day to myself," explained Temple. “I thought Travis okayed it with you?” She was now more than a little concerned at Jill's irritation.
"He did. But I didn’t know your mobile phones would be switched off." There was a note of accusation in her voice.
Temple bridled. “It was a day out, Jill. We wanted some time to ourselv―”
"I wanted to warn you."
Temple's brow creased. "Warn me? Warn me about what?" An alarm bell went off in her head. A gut-twisting premonition that her beautiful day was about to be spoiled by something she didn't want to hear.
"Warn you about them," said Jill more calmly. She looked across the car park and nodded towards the arrival of two sedans that cruised into the grounds and slotted into STAFF ONLY parking spaces.
They were parked a little way down from Jill's Lexus and there were two men in each vehicle that obviously thought they had a right to be there. They lowered opposite windows and began to converse in hushed tones, sometimes glancing to where the two young women stood between their own cars.
"Who the hell are they?" asked Temple indignantly, instantly taking offence at their cavalier parking in the reserved spaces.
Jill cracked a weak smile. "I’m sorry, Temple. They're from the building contractors. Surveyors, I think. They were here all day yesterday, measuring up. They’ve been given the job by Campbell Properties."
Temple felt a yawning chasm stretch open inside her into which the memories and dreams of yesterday were tipping and falling through an inky void. That was something she would have to deal with later. Just now she was about to deal with the sniggering representatives of Travis Campbell. "It's not your fault, Jill.” She said it in a tone that would have caused those that knew her well to run for cover. “We both know who's behind this. I'm just sorry you weren’t able to get hold of me yesterday."
Jill sensed the change in Temple and prudently left her to it. She walked away to open the leisure centre, dealing with the alarm code before returning to stand at one side of the automatic doors. She took a position that allowed her to peer through the glass without sending the doors racing back and fore to watch the slender blonde stroll towards the contractors' cars.
Temple was unknown to the men in the cars. In her white shorts and ponytail she could have been any of the rich kids the complex attracted, waiting for her daily aerobics before her beauty salon appointment. The men were obviously talking about her as she walked in their direction. They were laughing between themselves, no doubt embroidering on the fantasy of what they would do to the 'rich bitch' given the chance.
Temple gave them the food to feed their overactive imaginations as she swayed her hips in their direction, smirking inwardly as the conversation of the men died at her direct approach. She walked into the gap between the vehicles and bent forward, switching her violet gaze between the occupants of the two cars. "Hiya, fellas. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The men exchanged knowing looks. They were thinking the way that men who don't know women usually think. Representatives of half the male population, thought Temple bitterly.
The bald man in the car on her left leant his elbow on the sill. "I think it’
s more what I can do to you, doll face." The others chuckled at his sparkling wit.
The ginger one sitting in the driver’s seat leant across. "Anita she cute," he said with such perfect timing that the other men struggled to control their hilarity.
The young blue-eyed passenger in the car on her right was not to be out done. "You can hold my measuring stick anytime you want to, baby?" At this little gem the men smothered their fits of giggles.
Temple was simmering nicely.
The driver of the car that blue-eyes sat in spoke up, "Hold on, fellas. The young lady's just trying to be helpful. Why don't we give her a chance?"
The other men went quiet for a minute and Temple flicked her eyes to take in the sandy-haired man dressed neater than his companion. He was obviously the man in charge. "Thank you," she said calmly. "It's nice to find somebody with manners." She squeezed a smile from her tight lips.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, the boys are a little playful, that's all."
"Yeah, honey, you wanna play with us?" said the ginger guy to the barely restrained mirth of his companions. Temple clenched her fists.
“Let it go, Kirk,” said the sandy-haired boss.
The sound of another car arriving took Temple's attention. She lifted her head to glance across the roof of the Ford to watch Grace pull up next to Jill's Lexus. Temple winked as the tall woman unwound from her car and looked quizzically in the direction of her friend. Grace reached in to take her sport's bag from the passenger seat and slammed the car door. The men in the two vehicles jerked their heads round to see Grace walking towards the leisure centre and exchanged anxious looks. Temple rapidly deduced that the men had run into Grace yesterday. She saw that Grace had not gone inside the complex but had dropped her bag and was hanging round the entrance. Temple turned her attention back to the four men.
"As I was saying, before I was rudely interrupted, what can I help you boys with?"