An Unexpected Family

Part 1

Chapter 1

She is so beautiful, he thought.

Robert was leaning against the door jamb of his bedroom, peering inside. He had finished breakfast and had a hot cup of coffee in hand.

Inside his bedroom, lying on his bed, was a beautiful woman. Sleeping. The one he had known and loved since fourth grade.

She sat next to him that first day of classes and he fell in love. And that love only grew into what it was today over these many years.

As she entered the classroom and took a seat next to him, she didn’t give any special note of him that day. She turned her attention to the day’s lessons because, so far as she knew, he was just like any other silly boy that tried to get her attention through silly and childish stunts.

She was taller than the other girls. And the boys. In fact, she was the tallest fourth grader in the school. And may have eclipsed some of the fifth and sixth graders in height.

She had long, straight, hair held back with a headband and it hung on her back to her waist. It was as black as a moonless night. Robert thought it may have been the blackest black he had ever seen.

Her eyes were equally black. So black, one could not distinguish her pupils from her irises at normal conversation distance. Her black hair and eyes, along with her height, were what grabbed not only his attention, but, everyone in school. When she entered a room, everyone, including the adults, stopped what they were doing to admire her beauty.

All Robert knew was, by the end of the day, he was in love. He took the bold step to tell his mother about her and asked her what would be needed to get and keep her attention; for her to return his affections.

He remembered his mother smiling widely and told him he needed to be the boy who stood out from the others. And he may want to start by being polite, kind, and considerate. Open doors for her, make small talk, and try not to hover too much around her, unless she asks him to stay. Give her space when she needs it, he recalled his mother saying.

He barely slept that night thinking of her. The next day, he waited for her in the hallway outside of class. When she appeared and approached the class, his heart leaped nearly from his chest. A new sensation for him.

“Hello and good morning, Bérénice,” he announced, with a wide smile and a surprised confidence in his voice. He immediately reached for the door and held it open for her.

She paused to allow the door to open, and, she was taken by surprise with Robert’s polite gesture and greeting. She gave him a reassuring smile while she waited.

“Good morning, Robert,” she replied, with her exotic smile.

It was then, while holding the door open, Robert got a good look into those black and exotic eyes. He was hooked.

As she turned to enter the classroom, he recognized she was a good three inches taller than himself. He followed her into the classroom and walked toward his seat. As he sat, he looked toward her with a subtle smile. She returned his smile and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She gave him a single, gentle nod of appreciation for what he had done that morning. He smiled wider.

For the remainder of the day, they stole peeks toward one another, with each of them grinning when the other returned the peek.

Robert smiled when he reflected on that day. He sipped his coffee. They were boyfriend and girlfriend from that day until now.

Yet, they were married today. But, were still boyfriend and girlfriend. They also shared a family; a son and a daughter. And, were each waiting on a third child to arrive. Bérénice was 8 months pregnant.

Robert eventually overtook Bérénice in height, but, it took until their junior year in high school. When each of them stopped growing, Bérénice was nearly 6 feet tall. Robert stopped at 6 feet 3 inches.

“I can hear you breathing over there,” she groaned, from her bed.

“That’s impossible,” he replied, with a smirk. “You take my breath away every time I see you.”

“Flirt,” she groaned, again with her eyes still closed.

“I can’t resist flirting with you. I’ve been in love with you for sixteen years.”

Chapter 2

As she entered the kitchen wearing her robe, she found Robert getting ready to leave for the day. He was on his knee kissing the cheek of Patrice, their 2 year old daughter, and telling her good bye and that he loved her. She noticed the wind was howling especially loud this morning. It had been blowing hard all night.

He stood and looked toward his wife, smiling as though it was the first time he had ever seen her.

“You are so beautiful.”

“You’re deranged,” she replied, with a groan. “Look at me. I have a basketball in my tummy, no makeup, and my hair is a mess. I can barely open my eyes because our baby kept moving around last night. And, the wind howled all night, keeping me awake.”

He crossed the kitchen and took her in his arms. “You’re beautiful. Especially the basketball,” he chuckled. “Yeah… This drought is especially bad. Some old timers say it’s the worst they’ve ever seen. You going to be OK? Do I need to stay home today?”

“No,” she sighed. “Go to work. I’ll nap when John and Patrice nap.”

“You sure?”

“Yes… Go,” she snipped.

He adjusted Bérénice in his arms and kissed her like he would never see her again. She took the back of his head and pulled him into her lips with the same passion.

“I love you so much,” he moaned. He paused, then released her. “It’s so hard to leave you. After sixteen years of loving you, it’s still hard.” He paused again. “I will be…”

“I know,” she interrupted. “You’re going to the Trudeau pasture to feed their cattle and make sure there is plenty of water. Then, you are going to Waco to pick up supplies and groceries after a Farm Bureau meeting. And, I love you, too. And, it is equally hard to see you leave every day. I will miss you, along with John and Patrice. Be careful today. Please?”

He smiled and gave her a wink. He turned, grabbed his straw cowboy hat, opened the front door and paused at the entrance to give her one more look.

Bérénice smiled as he passed through the door, holding his hat on his head because of the 60 mile per hour winds they’d endured all night.

He is the most handsome man, she thought. Not anything like that day in fourth grade. He was so dorky. But, a cute dorky.

Chapter 3

Jack groaned when the sunlight pierced his bedroom window and stuck him between the eyes. He groaned again when he tried to roll over to avoid the eye plucking beam. His left knee was sore from the slide he made into second base last night.

He laid in bed a few minutes more, then, rolled out of bed, a little sore from the game against the Oakland A’s. He glanced at the clock next to his bed… 11:09 am. The game was a late start, caused by a short rain delay, and went 10 innings. The Kansas City Royals won.

He rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his thick, dark, well-groomed hair. When he rose from the side of his bed, his left knee was really sore. More so than last night. He made a stop in the bathroom, and then, he shuffled into the kitchen in his boxer shorts, no robe, no shirt, and started a pot of coffee. He looked into the refrigerator. Left over pizza… Meat Lovers style. He tossed three slices into the microwave and pressed start. He saw a Royals hat on the countertop and slapped on his head.

He grabbed his phone and sat at the breakfast table and checked for messages.

One was from the team trainer informing him to come to the stadium 3 hours early so she could evaluate his knee.

The other was from his on again, off again girlfriend, Diane. She asked him to call her. She saw him on TV last night and saw he injured his leg. She wanted to know if he was seriously hurt and invited him over after the game tonight.

He got up, poured a cup of coffee and called the team trainer.

“Jack Caron (Ka-roan),” Karen answered. “How’s the knee this morning?”

“Sore… More so than last night. Do you think I tore anything?”

“Not likely. If you did, you’d been restless all night. Was that the case?”

“No, I slept pretty well. I got in last night about 1 am… Straight from the stadium. Fell in bed and didn’t get up until after 11.”

“Is it terribly painful? On a scale from 1 to 10, what is it this morning?”

“It’s just sore. Sharp pain? … not really. Just sore. I’d say… maybe a 4 or 5.”

“Hmm.” A pause. “When can you get here? I know I said 3 hours early, but, I want to make sure your knee is still stable.”

“I can be there in an hour and a half,” Jack replied.

“Good. Have you taken anything for the pain?”

“Just the ibuprofen you gave me last night. Nothing since.”

“Good. It’s 11:30 now, I’ll see you at 1:00 sharp. Don’t be late, I have other things I need to do today. OK?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll be there.”

As he ended the call, he slurped the last of the coffee from his cup. He rose, taking note of the soreness in his knee, and strolled to the microwave for the pizza. As he sat at the table with a plate full of pizza, he considered Diane’s phone call and her invitation.

He had met Diane not long after arriving in Kansas City late last year. Jack had been traded from Miami to Kansas City during the off season. The Royals liked his ability to get on base, his hitting, and his sharp eye, which gained him an advantage in base on balls. He also had speed on the base paths. He currently was sixth in steals in the American League.

Diane was a beautiful and personable woman. Brilliant, he thought. At times, she could be intimidating with her brilliance. She was an attorney and many of her clients were players from the Chiefs and Royals. She had graduated first in her class from the University of Missouri Law School, and, because her parents were highly successful lawyers, she was able to establish her own law practice instead of working for an established law firm. Within two short years, she was well respected and sought out in her field. She was a little less than a year older than Jack. She was 25, soon to be 26, and Jack was 25.

They had met at a charitable fundraiser for the children’s hospital. Many of the Royals players were in attendance and they had invited Jack to attend also. Diane found him quickly after his arrival that night and she introduced herself, highlighting to Jack that many of her clients were Royals players.

He thought she was beautiful when they met. She was 5 feet 3 inches tall, a full foot shorter than himself. Beautiful long, very straight, blonde hair, pulled into a messy pony tail with strands of hair along the sides of her face and neck. Her eyes were the bluest eyes he had ever seen. They were wide and full of excitement. She was petite, likely not weighting more than one hundred pounds and that evening she was wearing a black cocktail dress that he thought was the sexist he had ever seen. She was showing just enough modest cleavage to excite the prospects of any man for what was underneath the dress.

After a few polite comments to one another, they found themselves in pleasant conversation, which seem natural to him. She was easy to talk to and she seemed truly interested in his baseball career and his Texas roots. He thought maybe her petite frame may have looked odd against his 6 feet 3 inches, 240 pounds, but she didn’t seem to care about it one bit.

She all but asked him on a date before the evening was over; the annual formal at the country club where she was a member. Within two weeks, they were seeing each other once, and sometimes, twice a week. It also wasn’t long before he found himself in her bedroom on several mornings. He knew he was not a very good lover when it began, but, she changed all of that in a very short period of time. She taught it all to him. It didn’t take her very long of instruction before she had him giving her orgasms all night long. She was a good teacher on his staying power and technique, he thought.

Jack found out weeks later, through other players on the team, that Jack was not the only man in Diane’s life. She had quite a few lovers. When Jack found out, he cut back on seeing her so often. But, he was grateful he met her for the bedroom training she gave him. He was no longer a one and done lover.

Jack decided to give her a call on the way to the stadium in reply to her invitation.

Chapter 4

It was still morning and the wind seemed to intensify in just the last hour or so. The house moaned. The doors and windows began to whistle at the jambs and sashes. The empty fireplace howled. Bérénice become concerned, but, John and Patrice were oblivious there was any wind at all… going about playing, for once, politely with each other.

She walked from the laundry room into the kitchen and decided to call her mother.

“Mom? Is the wind strong in Reims (Rheems)?”

“Yes, honey. The radio is telling everyone to stay indoors. Stay off the streets. Trucks are being blown over on the roads and highways and the roads are a mess with downed trees and power lines.” Bérénice’s mother paused on the line. “Don’t get out today until the wind dies down. The radio is reporting this is a record wind storm. You stay in that house.”

Bérénice began to panic.

“Robert left an hour ago. He went to the Trudeau pasture to check on their cattle,” she said. Her mother heard the panic in her daughter’s voice.

“Bérénice… Robert’s a smart man,” her mother offered. “I’m sure he found shelter somewhere. You take care of John and Patrice. Don’t get out. Do you hear me?”

“OK… But, I can’t stop worrying about Robert! I’m going to try and call him! Thanks, I’ll call you later!”

She hung up her mobile phone. Just as she was about to press the button to call Robert, she smelled an unfamiliar odor. She walked briskly to the kitchen window to peer off to the northwest of their 160 acre pasture and 90 year old home.

If there was panic in her soul, it intensified when she glared out the window. Brown and white smoke was blowing toward the house. Because of the heavy smoke, she had no idea how far away the range fire was from her home. She looked to the left and to the right and there was nothing but smoke.

Bérénice shook herself out of her paralyzing panic. She had to leave with her children, she thought. She had no choice but to leave.

“John! Hold your sister’s hand! We have to leave now! Go to the front door and wait for me! I’m getting the keys to the car!”

She ran into the bedroom and grabbed the keys. Just as she got to the front door, loud and forceful knocks came from the other side.

Chapter 5

“Jack! Are you OK? I saw your slide into second base last night on TV. You took a while to walk it off.”

“It’s OK, Diane. I’m going to the team trainer now. She wants to look at it again before the game tonight. How have you been? I haven’t seen you in some time.”

Jack tried to change the subject from his sore knee.

“Will you tell me what she says? About your leg? Which part of your leg?”

Jack shook his head a little. She’s a lawyer. He never could successfully change the subject with her.

“Sure. I’ll call you tomorrow. The knee is a little sore. Karen doesn’t think it’s serious, but, she wants to give it a ‘make sure it’s OK’ look right now. I have a one o’clock appointment with her.”

He heard her sigh on the other end of the line.

“I was wanting to buy you lunch today. I guess another time, huh?”

Jack paused to measure his words. “I enjoy having lunch with you every time, Diane. I just can’t today and I’m not sure tomorrow either. It depends on what Karen wants from me.”

He heard her sigh again.

“I don’t suppose you could come over after the game tonight?” she asked.

Jack paused to measure his next spoken words.

“Diane, you and I have spoken about me coming over. I really have fun with you. I really do and I think you’re an incredible woman. I just can’t… well… The thought of other…”

“I know,” she interrupted. “I just miss you. Much more than the others. You’re an incredible lover, Jack, and… You make me think seriously about giving up the others. You’re not like the others. You’re so sincere away from the bedroom. You treat me like I want to be treated. When I’m around you, you make sure I’m the only woman around. You give me your full and undivided attention. The others won’t do that. At least, most of them won’t. And…” She paused. “You’re the best lover I’ve ever had, Jack. You’re so much better than the others. You really know where my switches are.” She giggled.

Jack had heard this before. She’s a good lawyer outside of the courtroom, he thought.

“I’ll tell you what, counselor. If Karen doesn’t want me to come in tomorrow, I will take you to lunch. Anywhere you want to go. But it can’t end at your house or my house.” He paused. “Or your office,” he chuckled. “I’ve told you before. I get off on your conversation. I really, really enjoy your company. You and I, for some reason, are comfortable just talking over drinks or dirty laundry. I enjoy what you have to say, and, you seem to enjoy what I have to say. Lunch date tomorrow, if Karen lets me. OK?”

“Yes,” Diane sighed. “You know… Our conversations you like so much? It’s what makes me horny for you.”

Chapter 6

Bérénice opened the door in panic. There, about to the pound the door again with his fist, was a Texas DPS Trooper. Tall and about her father’s age.

With assertiveness and confidence, he said, “Is there anyone else in the house?!”

“NO!”

He reached down and grabbed Patrice. “Do you have a car?!”

“Yes! We were about to leave! There’s a fire coming this way!” she cried.

“Listen to me carefully. When you leave here, go to county road 72 and turn right. NOT LEFT. Do you hear me? Turn right. Go all the way to Highway 6 and turn left. Take the long way to Reims. When you get there, go to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. That is the evacuation gathering area. Make sure you check your family in when you get there. Let’s go!”

“My husband!” she cried.

“Where is he? What’s his name?”

“Robert Caron! At the intersection of county road 1476 and county road H! Southeast corner! In the pasture checking on cattle!”

“I’ll call it in! Let’s go! Don’t you dare return here for any reason! Once you leave, you don’t stop until you get to Reims. Do you understand?”

With that, he snatched John into his other arm, ran to their car, buckled the children into their seats and gave Bérénice a reassuring smile.

“Go! Don’t stop!”

Bérénice could barely drive the car. She worried the whole way to Reims. Was Robert OK?

She forgot her phone.

Chapter 7

“What did it feel like when you slid into second? Did you twist your leg on the base?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” Jack replied. “It was so quick.”

“Is the soreness on the inside of the knee or just around on the outside of the knee?” Karen asked, as she manipulated his knee.

Jack pondered her question. “Outside, I think?”

“Jack, I don’t see any instability in your knee. Perhaps you just bruised the tendons and muscles. Ice. Go over to Pete’s table and tell him ice. If after tonight’s game, and, you get up in the morning, and, it is still sore… more than today, call me. We’ll take it from there.”

Jack leapt from the examination table and Karen watched him walk away, evaluating his gait for any sign of instability. She also evaluated his cute athletic ass, too, with a smile.

“Ice,” Jack proclaimed, when he got to Pete’s table.

Pete nodded for Jack to get on the table. “Knee? Left?”

“Yep.”

Chapter 8

The crowds and traffic around Sacred Heart Church were unbelievable, she thought. In this tiny town, she had never seen so many cars, pickups, and people at once. She had to park 3 blocks away.

As she got out of the car, a man saw her from across the street. He crossed the street quickly.

“Bérénice! Marshall Pelletier! Are you OK?”

“Marshall! I didn’t recognize you at first. I had to leave because of the fire. A state trooper helped us leave. Robert is missing!”

“Good, God! Here, let me help you with the children.”

“We don’t have anything, we left so quick. I left my phone! I can’t call Robert!” She broke down into tears.

Marshall took her into her arms and just held her.

“Mommy!”

“Yes. OK, sweetie. We need to go to the church.”

“I’ve got the children, Bérénice,” Marshall said. “Let’s go. Take our time because the lines are long at Sacred Heart.”

As they approached Sacred Heart, the crowds were large. Tents had been set up on the grounds around the church. Bérénice hadn’t seen anything like it.

“Bérénice!”

Bérénice turned to see her former high school math teacher and volleyball coach, Mrs. Landry. She was briskly walking toward her.

“Are you OK?” she asked.

“Robert is missing,” Bérénice replied softly.

“Oh, my God! Oh, Dear God! Come with me, Sweetie. I’m going to get you registered. I’m praying hard right now. Real hard.”

Chapter 9

“How’s the knee, Caron?”

Jack looked up from the seat in front of his locker. Bill Ocher was looking down on him.

“Good, I’m good. Karen thinks it’s a minor strain. Maybe a little bruised. I did wind sprints this afternoon. A little stiff, but, I can play. It’s not painful. Just sore.”

“Good!” he barked. “I didn’t see your name on the injury list. That 3-4-3 double play you turned last night was great.” With that, he turned to talk to the other players.

Jack shook his head. All business, that Bill, he thought. “Thanks.”

A few minutes later, Jack was tying his shoes and saw a pair of cleats and leggings stop right next to his. He slowly looked up and found his teammate grinning ear to ear.

Jack leaned back into his chair and tilted his head… waiting on a comment… from his second baseman, Clyde Harris.

They stared each other down, waiting on the other to start a conversation.

“OK, Clyde. I need to warm up. What is it?”

“Thanks for making me look good last night on that 3-4-3 double last night. How’s the knee?”

Jack grinned and shook his head. “I think I need you to pay me each time I make you look good out there. What’s it up to now? Twenty or more times? When are you going to learn to throw a ball straight where I don’t have to leap or stretch for it?” he chuckled. “The knee’s fine. Karen cleared me.”

“Sorry about that. You ready. I want to warm up with you tonight.” Clyde offered his huge black hand to help Jack rise from his chair. Jack took it and rose to his feet.

As the two friends and teammates left the dugout, Clyde gestured for Jack to follow him.

“Let’s warm up over here,” Clyde offered.

Jack frowned a little. Something’s up, he thought. Clyde has never done this before.

“What gives, Clyde?” Jack groaned.

“Diane Fitzpatrick called me last night. Asking about you.”

Jack arched his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yeah… She said she saw you slide into second last night and knew you hurt your leg. She wanted to know if you were injured. I told her I didn’t think so.”

“She has your phone number? I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah… Jack, I swear, every time I talk to her she brings you up in conversation. I mean, like… every, damn, time. She never talks about anyone, like she does you. Wants to know how you’re doing. She even asked if you had a girlfriend. I think she may have it in for you like no one else.”

Clyde paused a second or two to decide if he should reveal information to Jack.

“We hooked up a few times. She’s one sexy woman. A wildcat in the bedroom,” he whispered.

Jack tilted his head and furled his brow a little. “You better be careful, Clyde. You’ll find yourself in divorce court with Marion.”

Clyde paused again. To assess Jack’s trustworthiness.

“Diane and I hooked up with Marion,” he whispered, more softly. “Don’t tell anyone, OK?”

Jack was shocked with surprise. And it showed on his face, and Clyde saw it.

He knew Diane was an expert when it came to carnal knowledge with men. A man’s dream come true. Everything he learned about sex, she taught him in 2 weeks flat. Women was the surprise. He didn’t know that about her. At least, no one said anything.

Chapter 10

“This is McClennan County Sheriff Office patrol 107. Investigating the missing person. County road 1476 and county road H. Over.”

“10-4 patrol 107. Stay in radio contact in case of an emergency need. Over.”

“10-4, over,” Deputy Sheriff Pruitt replied.

It already doesn’t look good, he thought.

A burned out pickup truck with an attached trailer. He got out of his Chevy Tahoe police cruiser and approached the pickup in the pasture, looking inside the cabin and the bed of the truck. Nothing but burned out truck.

He walked all around the truck and trailer. Nothing. He looked under the truck. Again, nothing.

He looked all around. Damn, he thought. Nothing but black char as far as you can see.

He looked to the east and southeast to the tree line and could see dead and charred cattle. He took out his note pad and recorded the license plate numbers from the truck and trailer. Then, he walked back to his cruiser.

He released the rear door on the cruiser to get his binoculars. He stepped onto the fold down rear door of the cruiser. He began a sweep with his binoculars at the far east corner of the pasture where he saw the dead cattle. It didn’t take long… He saw a burned out ATV and a lump next to it near the fence. “DAMN!” he said, out loud.

He continued a visual sweep along the tree line in the distance from the east corner to the south corner. More dead cattle. Again, he visually swept the south fence line. Burned out pasture… no cattle.

He closed the rear door of the SUV. As he was driving along the road toward the ATV sighting, Deputy Pruitt reflected on the day’s activities. He heard, through the radio reports, there were 7 confirmed dead and 15 missing from the wildfire. He was investigating one of the missing. Air surveillance indicated a scorched path 5 miles wide and 45 miles long. One of the worst wildfires in state history.

Please, Jesus, don’t let this be what I think it is, he thought. 21 year old, Deputy Pruitt stopped on the side of the road, got out of the cruiser, and walked over to the burned out fence. After he peeked over the fallen barbed wire fence, he said out loud, “Jesus, I need your strength. Give me your strength, please.”

He crossed the fence and cautiously approached the ATV. Taking great care not to disturb the area and looking for anyone in addition to the single missing person reported. He rounded the ATV and his heart sank.

“Oh, God!” he cried out loud. “Let the family of this man have peace in their heart!”

Chapter 11

Bérénice was distraught and inconsolable. She found out Robert did not arrive to the Farm Bureau meeting in Waco. He hadn’t answered phone calls from his parents, either. Her parents came to Sacred Heart and took her and her children home with them. It was getting near dusk and she hadn’t eaten all day.

Her father went to the door when the doorbell rang.

She overheard from the other room…

“Hello, Frank.”

“Evening, George.”

“Is Bérénice here?”

Her father didn’t answer.

Oh, God! she thought.

Her mother came rushing into the room and took her into her arms. Her father came into the room, followed by Sheriff Belanger.

“Bérénice… We found Robert,” Sheriff Belanger paused. “I’m so sorry, Bérénice.”

Chapter 12

“OUT!”

“Yes,” Jack said, out loud, after receiving a throw from Parker at third base.

He tossed the ball to the pitcher’s mound and jogged over to the first base dugout, catching a warm up ball from the equipment manager before he entered the dugout. He was on deck for the next inning.

While Baker was at bat, he warmed up with bat weights in the on deck circle. He glanced over to Ocher just when he was receiving a slip a paper from a man he didn’t know. He didn’t think much about it, but, noticed Ocher frown when he read the paper. Ocher looked to the sky and placed the paper into his back pocket. He then turned to the man and mouthed a few words to him. The man left the dugout and went into the locker room.

CRACK!

Yes! he thought. Baker got a single just over the third baseman’s reach.

Jack stepped into the left side batter’s box and took his practice swings. The Royals were ahead 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth. The A’s pitcher took his stretch and delivered an unbelievable softball right over the plate. Jack couldn’t believe his eyes this pitch was so easy.

CRACK!

First pitch home run over the right center field fence. The home crowd went wild with their approval.

Damn, he thought. Jack wasn’t known for his power. He was more a placement hitter. He rarely hit home runs. This was his first homer this season.

He was met with congratulations in the dugout by each teammate. Coaches, too. Ocher gave him a nod and smiled.

After the game, Jack was dressing after his shower. He just finished tying his shoes, when Ocher stopped by and waited for him.

“Finished?”

“Yeah,” Jack replied.

“Follow me,” Ocher commanded.

Shit, Jack thought. I’m being traded again. Not Toronto… Not Toronto.

When Ocher opened the door to his office, Jack knew it wasn’t good.

“Have a seat, Jack,” Ocher said, as he gestured to a chair.

Ocher didn’t sit in his chair, as he usually did. He sat and leaned against his desk in front of Jack.

“Jack, this is a first for me. I apologize if it isn’t right.” Ocher paused and dipped his head. Then he looked at Jack.

“Your parents called and left a message at the front office. Your brother Robert passed away today. I understand it was sudden. I am sorry for your loss.”

Jack snapped to his feet in shock.

Robert! he thought. My brother. Bérénice. John and Patrice. Mom and Dad. My brother. The best friend I ever had… Gone? … Really gone?

Jack nodded without a word. A tear formed in his left eye. His heart skipped a beat. An enormous lump formed in his throat and chest.

Ocher let a minute or two pass before he spoke again.

“Mr. March has given you the use of his private jet. It is waiting for you at Independence Field. You have six days off. Go to your family, Jack. A limousine is waiting for you now.”

Chapter 13

Jack called his father from the limousine, despite the late hour. It was well after 11:00 pm.

“How, Dad?” he sighed.

“Robert was checking on the cattle for the Trudeau’s. We’d been having a windstorm for nearly 30 hours, with low humidities. A range fire broke out and swept across 3 counties. Robert didn’t have a chance to escape it. The Sheriff says he likely passed out from the smoke and then…”

“Dad, it’s OK. I’m on my way to Reims and I have six days off. I will be there tomorrow morning. I will be going to the Ouellet (wah-LEHT) home first to see Bérénice and the kids. Can you meet me there? I’ll call you when I leave Waco.”

“Of course, Son. We need you, Jack.”

Chapter 14

Jack didn’t get any sleep. He didn’t sleep on the plane, and the plane didn’t get to Waco until after 3 am. He didn’t sleep any in the Waco hotel room, either.

He didn’t know how he would be able to face Bérénice. Or, his mother and father.

Driving the 35 miles to Reims, Jack reflected on his childhood and teens years with Robert and Bérénice.

Robert and Bérénice were inseparable. And he knew, because his older brother, by 13 months, always included him in their activities. And, Bérénice included him as a result. He and Bérénice became very close friends. Robert fell in love with Bérénice immediately. But, Jack fell in love with her over the years, watching the two of them interact with each other. Robert and Bérénice held hands every opportunity. He couldn’t remember a time the two of them weren’t holding hands.

He wept when the two of them went to Baylor University after high school. Bérénice was a varsity volleyball player and she was good; All Conference. Robert walked onto the baseball team and was a bench player the four years of college. He saw action as a pinch runner and pinch hitter often and occasionally started in the outfield.

When Jack was offered a scholarship to Texas Tech for baseball, Bérénice and Robert were ecstatic. It was a delight to see Bérénice in the stands and to play against his brother on the diamond. Jack always made it a point to see Bérénice when the Baylor volleyball team came to Lubbock.

Jack was drafted in the first round of his sophomore year and went immediately to the minors, working his way quickly to Triple A baseball, and was finally called up to the Miami Marlins within a year.

Robert and Bérénice graduated with honors and returned to Reims to marry and start a family. They bought an old farm house and 160 acres. After four years, they were still working on the house, when…

“Oh, God, I’m going to miss him,” he sobbed out loud.

A few minutes passed and his phone rang.

“Oh, Jack! I just heard. I am so sorry. What can I do?” Diane pleaded.

With a weak voice from his sobbing, he replied, “You can help me reschedule our lunch date. I’m sorry I won’t be able to see you today, Diane. I’m just a few miles from Reims, now.”

“You silly, man. Of course I’ll reschedule,” she cried. “I’ll be waiting for you when you return. We’ll just talk. I promise.”

“Thank you, Diane. I’ll need that talk.”

Chapter 15

Bérénice was inconsolable. The only people she would see were her children, her parents, and her mother and father in law. Bérénice’s mother called the doctor to encourage Bérénice to eat. For the baby’s sake.

“Bérénice, Sweetie. You have to eat and drink,” Dr. Martel insisted, after completing her examination of Bérénice. “You understand why, don’t you?”

“It’s so hard to do anything when your heart is broken,” Bérénice whispered, in a sob.

Dr. Martel took her into her arms and groomed her hair and face to soften the heart break.

Then, outside, Bérénice and Dr. Martel heard a small commotion in the front yard. A welcoming commotion.

*****

Jack parked his rental car a few houses down from the Ouellet home. As he stepped up onto the sidewalk, his father saw him and began walking to meet him halfway.

They embraced in sorrow when they met, and they held each other for a minute or two.

John, Jack’s father, spoke first. “Bérénice won’t eat. We’re all worried sick.”

“But, the baby,” Jack asserted.

“Yeah… She’s with the doctor now. Hopefully, Dr. Martel can encourage her.”

“Jack!”

Jack looked up to see his mother walking briskly toward him. He raced to meet her as quickly as he could. “I miss him, Mom. I so miss him.”

*****

“It’s Jack Caron,” her mother whispered.

“Jack? Jack is here?” Bérénice began sobbing. She rose from her bed and entered the living room. “Jack?”

Jack turned to face her with heart break written all over his face. He looked nearly like her dead husband, she thought. And, it was that image that caused her to nearly collapse. But, the men nearby caught her, and placed her into a nearby chair.

Jack knelt at her feet and took her into his arms.

“I’m here, Bérénice.”

Chapter 16

When they each finished their uncontrollable sobs. Jack rose and positioned himself on his knees next to the chair. With a forced smile, he took her hand and pleaded.

“Bérénice… You have to eat… Please. Your baby needs you now. More than ever. Robert’s baby needs you.”

“Jack, I feel like the life has been taken out of me. I can’t reason anything. I can’t get the image of him leaving the house for the last time out of my mind. It’s unbearable.”

Jack turned to the small gathering in the living room. “Someone get me some orange juice, please. And, some crackers.”

Dr. Martel returned from the kitchen with the order.

“Bérénice… Drink this right now… Sips only,” he ordered softly, with the juice in his hand.

She tried to smile. A moment or two later, she reached for the glass, and… took a sip.

A sigh of relief could be heard in the room.

“The baby is moving,” she whispered.

Dr. Martel said, “Your baby just got fed. The sugar in the juice. Baby Caron likes it.”

Jack nodded in approval. “Small snacks all day long, Bérénice. Please?”

Chapter 17

“You changed when Jack arrived,” her mother said.

“Yes… My, God, Mama. He looks so much like Robert. I feel… I feel reassured with him. It’s like Robert is here with us,” Bérénice whispered.

“I would give anything if Jack could stay with us,” her mother replied. “With you. With John and Patrice.”

Bérénice considered her mother’s words. It would be nice for him to stay, she thought. She had missed him.

Chapter 18

Jack sat next to Bérénice during the Mass and the graveside service. She held her children close the entire time, never letting them wonder too far away from her.

Jack had never seen such heartbreak in the face of another. It was the most miserable of expressions he had ever seen. He had never seen Bérénice like this before. She had been so happy with his brother and her children.

When Bérénice and Jack returned to her parents’ home, she stopped and faced him.

“When do you have to leave?” she whispered.

“Wednesday. I have to be in Seattle that evening,” Jack replied.

“Mama said I changed when you arrived, and, she was right. When I saw you Jack, I felt like everything would be better after that day.” She paused. “I love you and Robert. I love both of you,” she sobbed.

Jack nodded softly to her comment. “I love you, too, Bérénice.” He paused to measure his words. “If I can help you, I want to. I have the means. I may not be able to help all the time because of my career, but, when I can, I want to help you, John, and Patrice. Anything. Anything at all.” He paused again. “Your house is gone. I want to help if you want to rebuild. Or, if you want to live here, I want to help you buy something. Bérénice, we… You, Robert, and me. We did so many things together. If you want me back into your life, I want to be there.”

Bérénice reached and caressed his cheek and softly nodded.

“I may take you up on all of that,” she whispered. “I don’t want to make any decisions until a little time has passed. Until the ache has softened, and my mind has cleared from the shock. I may want to just hear your voice on the phone. OK?”

He nodded.

He reached into his pocket and placed a credit card into her hand.

“What’s this?” she asked, with a furled brow and confusion in her eyes.

“My credit card,” he announced firmly. “You are an authorized user. Your name is on the card and I had it overnighted to give to you. You’ve lost everything you own, Bérénice. You’re going to need clothes, diapers, cribs, toys, everything. And you can contribute to your father and mother while you stay with them. Food, electricity, and such. There’s a $20,000 limit on the card. Anything you need… Anything, mind you… You are to buy for you and your children. My niece and nephew. And, I won’t have any discussion about this. I care too much to leave without helping the three of you. We’re family… we are still family.”

Through her tears, she said, “I don’t know what to say.” She looked into his eyes and saw Robert. “OK… Thank you.”

She embraced him and Jack returned the embrace.

Chapter 19

After Jack left for Seattle, her father sat with her in the kitchen.

“You can stay here as long as you like,” he offered.

“Thank you, Daddy. I don’t know how long it will be. It was so much easier working out the difficult decisions with Robert. He was always patient. Now… I have to do it without him.”

With that, she broke down into uncontrollable tears. After a few minutes, crying in her father’s arms, she froze and sat upright.

“Daddy! My water just broke! The baby’s early! Three weeks!”

“I’m calling an ambulance! You’re going to Waco!”

“No! Call Dr. Martel! Let her decide!”

Chapter 20

Jack turned off his phone for the drive to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport. He didn’t want any distractions. He had to refocus on baseball and he didn’t get any training while he was gone. He was thinking about Bérénice and her family and what needed to be done once he arrived in Seattle.

When he reached the gate for the flight to Seattle, he turned on his phone to retrieve messages.

One was from the travel director for the Royals. She left information about the hotel and the schedule to and from the stadium.

The next one was from his agent, offering his condolences and apologizing for not attending the funeral services. He wanted Jack to call him at his earliest convenience.

The next one was from Clyde Harris. Clyde had called and spoken to Jack while he was in Reims and offered his condolences for the loss of his brother. This message though was complaining about his replacement not being able to catch his throws and he needed Jack back on the field to make him look good again. Jack grinned and shook his head.

Amazingly, the next two messages were from Parker (3rd baseman) and Morris (shortstop), also complaining about Jack’s replacement and that he better get his ass back to Seattle quick. He gut laughed when he heard the messages.

The next message was from the Royals owner, Mr. March, asking if he could meet with Jack on his return to Kansas City. He wanted to convey his personal condolences for the loss of his brother. Jack took note, Mr. March sent flowers to the Ouellet and Caron homes while he was in Reims. Jack tried to call and thank him, but, couldn’t reach Mr. March. Jack left a message of thanks for both families.

The next message was from Diane. She told him she missed him and was looking forward to his return to Kansas City. She offered two dates for the rescheduled lunch.

The next message took Jack by surprise. It was from his mother…

Bérénice was in labor.

Chapter 21

“Congratulations, Bérénice! You have a new daughter,” announced Dr. Martel. “She couldn’t wait any longer, could she?”

“Hello, Amélie. I’m your mother. I’m so happy to see you! You have arrived when I need you the most, baby!” cried Bérénice.

“Amelie! What a beautiful name.”

“Robert suggested it. It’s my mother’s name,” Bérénice offered.

“Wonderful.”

With that, Dr. Martel placed Amélie on her mother’s chest and Amélie calmed down.

“Beautiful,” Dr. Martel sighed.

*****

“OK, Bérénice. You know what you have to do to take care of Amélie. We talked about it. Eat, eat, eat. Drink, drink, drink.”

“I’m doing better, Dr. Martel. Jack turned me around. I’m hopeful Amélie will help me with my broken heart. I see Robert already in her eyes.”

Chapter 22

The first game back, from his time off, was a disaster. The Royals were shut out 3-0. Jack and Baker were the only two Royals to reach base all night.

Jack and Clyde muffed two easy outs with Clyde’s poor throws. Clyde caught an ear full from Ocher for his errors.

After the game, Clyde approached Jack in the locker room.

“If I don’t get it together, Ocher’s gonna fire me. Send me to Triple A or worse.”

Jack leaned back in his chair and looked him up and down. “What do you want to do?”

“Anything, Jack. Anything you want.”

“OK, I’m gonna work your arm until it feels like it’s gonna fall off. Got it!” Jack asserted, as he pointed a finger at him. “Get the equipment manager to set aside one hour of field time just for us before the game. He’s going to hit balls to you. You’re gonna throw baseballs to me, and I’m going to give you a fixed target. You hit it every time from any area east of second base. Got it?”

“Great! I’m ready!”

“Get away from me. You might be contagious,” Jack roared with a smirk.

*****

When Jack got on the team bus for the ride to the hotel, he pulled his phone out and powered it up. Three text messages. One voicemail.

Message one … His mother announced that Bérénice had a little girl. Her name is Amélie. Amélie and Bérénice are beautiful, she wrote.

Message two … His father sent a note indicating he spoke to the Sheriff. The Sheriff had received the report about how the fire started. The Texas Forest Service and the State Fire Marshal both agreed the fire started in a pasture by static electricity, due to the dry, super windy day and the prolonged drought Texas had endured. It was no one’s fault.

Message three… Diane just wanted to say she missed him and sorry about the game tonight. XOXO.

The voicemail…

Jack, this Bérénice. I have called you every time Robert and I had a baby. Well, our Amélie is here and she’s beautiful. She has Robert’s eyes, I’m sure of it. Amélie is such a blessing. The pain of losing Robert has eased because of her. Call me when you have a chance. I love you.

Jack smiled and gently nodded his head after hearing Bérénice’s voice.

She’s gonna make it, he thought.

Chapter 23

Jack was grateful for returning to Kansas City. The road trip was grueling. The Royals fought hard for each win. He could finally look forward to two days off before the start of the 10 day home stand, beginning with the Orioles.

He had called both his mother and Mrs. Ouellet every day the past two weeks to get their take on how Bérénice was doing. He spoke with Bérénice about every other day, concerned she needed time to herself without her brother in law reminding her of Robert. Amélie was a welcome addition to Bérénice’s life. She helped eased the loss of Robert.

After a good night’s sleep in his own bed, his phone rang and woke him up.

“Hello,” he said, in a scruffy and sleepy voice.

“Jack, I’m right outside your house. Are you going to let me in?”

“Diane? Why are you outside my house?”

“I have breakfast. Denny’s take out. Let me in, OK?”

“Sure… Yeah… Ah, let me, ah… I’ll be right there.”

When he rose and sat on the side of the bed, he suddenly noticed the soreness was gone in his knee. His life had been so busy the past three weeks, he had forgotten all about it. He would have to call Karen and let her know.

He grabbed some cargo shorts and t-shirt from the dresser and headed to the front door.

“Get in here, you crazy woman! Since when do you wake people up by calling them from their front porch?” he chuckled.

“Today is the first for me,” she giggled. She set the takeout food on the floor, turned to him, pulled his neck and head to her lips and planted the sexist kiss he had ever received. She snaked her seductive tongue into his mouth and extracted a tonsil.

“I missed you,” she giggled, as she released him from her grip.

“Wow! What a way to wake up. I’m awake now.”

“Get coffee started!”

With that, Diane walked toward the kitchen carrying her takeout sacks. She was wearing a loose off white women’s t-shirt. The shirt seductively fell off her left shoulder onto her upper arm, exposing the near flawless and sexy skin of her shoulder. Her white bra strap could be seen. Her tight, high waisted, and black leggings showed off her perky and delicious ass. Her sexy buns wiggled inside them as she pranced away. The shirt was short and exposed her skin just above the waist of her leggings. Her straight, long, and blonde hair was pulled tight against her head into a pony tail… the tail, nearly to her mid-back, swayed across her back as she took each step. He shook his head in amazement when she turned the corner for the kitchen. “Jeez, she’s hot,” he mumbled.

During breakfast, Diane asked all the right questions about his brother and his family. She listened sincerely to everything Jack said about his life with his brother and Bérénice. She started crying when Jack said he was going to miss Robert, his brother and best friend.

Jack asked about Diane and her work while he was gone and she filled a good 25 minutes with updates. Several interesting cases and a couple of crazy ones, too. Jack enjoyed every minute. The conversations with Diane seem so natural and easy since the day he met her. He considered her a good friend.

As Jack stood to clear the table, Diane rose from her chair and stepped in front of him.

“Jack,” she asserted, while getting as close as she could to him and looking up into his dark brown and sexy eyes. “I know I told you I just wanted to have a fun conversation when we saw each other again, but, I need you. Right now… Like right now. I promise you, Jack. You won’t regret saying ‘yes.'”

With that, she raked his t-shirt over his head and she went wildcat.

She pushed him back into the chair and straddled his lap. She grabbed each side of his face and planted a kiss on him, which was well above and beyond the one he received in the entryway. Jack… slowly submitted to her seductions.

Slowly, and with some weak second guessing, Jack raised his hands and slipped them under her shirt… along her back in acceptance of her intentions. Diane had a unique way of bringing out the sexual desire in him and she was getting it done exceptionally well this morning.

When Diane felt Jack bringing her closer to him, it was like stepping on the gas for her… and forgetting the brakes existed.

Jack deftly released the clasp on her bra, and… in a single, swift, and urgent movement, raked it, and her t-shirt over her head. He pressed her soft, smooth, and silky B cup breasts into his chest. Her stiff nipples raked his hairy chest, igniting an irresistible desire for her.

This woman drives me crazy, he thought.

This man drives me crazy, she thought.

After dueling with their tongues and their passions now at full boil, Jack grasped Diane and rose from his chair. She squealed in delight and wrapped her petite legs around his waist and held on tight to his neck… smiling with the joy she knew was coming for her. As Jack began walking toward his bedroom, she was nodding gently and urging him on.

“Jack, I’m going to fuck you silly. I hope you have it in you.”

He smiled a sly smile as he planted more kisses on her neck and upper chest as he walked toward his bedroom. Her 5 feet 3 inches, 100 pound petite frame, seemed like a feather in his athletic arms.

He released her at the side of his bed, knelt at her feet, slipped thumbs into the waist of her tight leggings, and raked them to her feet. He slipped the black flats from her feet. Diane giggled and stepped out of the leggings. He then pressed on her gently, causing her to fall backward onto the bed with a faux yelp of surprise. He pushed her up along the bed slightly, grasped her legs, knelt, and began licking her hairless pussy from the edge of the bed.

“Perfect way to start, Jack,” she moaned. “I love it when you go down on me.” Her words were a whisper. She propped herself up on her elbows to watch Jack lick her needy crease… Throwing her head back with a sigh and moan when Jack raked the right places.

He slowly licked her from the bottom of her slit to the top; stopping briefly to tease her sensitive button, just as she taught him. Her scent of desire overwhelmed his brain… primal, animal instincts boiled his brain. Her slick puss left a trail of sweet arousal along his lips. He twirled his tongue along the sensitive skin surrounding her swollen nub hiding behind its’ sheath.

“Oh, God!” she yelped. “Don’t you dare stop, Jack!” She grasped the back of his head and pushed him harder against her needy clit, where Jack was now focusing his attention. He sucked on it and raked his tongue across it. She began forcing her hips across his mouth and tongue, rubbing her clit against his lips… exciting every nerve in her womb. After a few minutes of her instructions for Jack, he inserted his middle finger into her entrance and raked the underside of her needy puss. She stiffened into orgasmic delight; clinching her pelvic muscles around his intrusion.

She stopped breathing while she attempted to crush Jack’s head with her clenched thighs; bumping her hips against his mouth and finger. Jack looked up to her face. Her eyes were clinched shut… her breasts were quivering and rolling softly and seductively across her chest. Jack began twirling his finger inside her, causing Diane to gasp for fresh oxygen.

“GAWD!” she cried, grasping the sheets with clinched fists. Her eyes rolled back into her head. Gasping for another breath, she pushed Jack away from her wanton crease.

“Get on this bed, Jack! You’re about to receive the fuckin’ of a lifetime!”

Jack didn’t comply. He stood, walked to the night stand and pulled out a box of condoms from the drawer. He returned to the edge of the bed where he left her, tossed the box of condoms on the bed, grasped her hips and flipped her onto her tummy.

“How dare you order me around in my house, you greedy minx.” With that, he slapped her behind with a sharp crack. She yelped in surprise. She twisted her head around to him and hissed. He pressed himself on top of her, pinning her to the bed… her face to the side. His stiff member crawled up the slit of her butt and the tip tapped the base of her spine.

He groaned into her neck and breathed hot breath on her face.

He growled into her ear with a soft voice, “You show up at my door, on my day off, and demand I let you in. I let you in and then you demand I fuck you. This is MY house, you know.”

“That’s right, Jack!” she replied in a demanding and commanding tone… her face pinned to the bed sideways with his cheek… Unable to move her petite body because of the weight of him lying on her. “Your fuckin’ cock shouldn’t have been so damn big and good! I have wet dreams about your cock. Not anyone else’s, mind you. Just yours!”

“You want my cock, do you?”

“Yes! Right now, you bastard!”

“Where do you want it?” he whispered his hot breath in her ear.

“Damn you, Jack! I want your dick inside me. NOW! In my hot kitty! Now!”

“Hot you say. I agree you do have a hot kitty between your legs. Once I give you my cock in your kitty, what do you want then?”

“Jack, you fuckin’ bastard! I want you to pound me into tomorrow. Stop teasing me, God damn it!”

“What a nasty mouth you have. I have to work tomorrow. How about I fuck you into midnight? Will that be OK?”

“Damn you, Jack!” she growled as she tried in vain to free herself from his clutches.

“Yeah?” Jack reached over for a condom, tore off the package, stood up, and placed it on his stiff, thick eight inch wood. “Stop being a demanding baby and point that delicious ass at me. Give me a good angle to touch your kitty.”

Diane leapt to her hands and knees and wiggled her ass at him while she glared at him over her shoulder. Jack grabbed her ankles and bent her over the edge of his bed. Jack leaned over and placed the tip of his raging member at her entrance. As soon as Diane felt his touch, she plunged herself backward onto his stiff rod… slowly… until she consumed him completely.

“JESUS!” she cried. “That feels fuckin’ good. You’ve got some dick, Jack.”

“That’s a good girl,” he whispered, as he held her hips in place. “I love it when you put me inside of you. Hot I tell you. So hot.” He gave her slow merciless strokes out… in… out… and then back in.

At the moment he reach his inward limit with her, he slapped her right butt cheek with a crack.

“Fuck!” she whimpered. “Ooooo!”

Jack felt her clutch his pecker with her pelvic muscles from the impact. “Damn, woman. You nearly pinched me in half with that one.”

“Do it again! It’s making me get there!”

He complied. He slapped her left butt cheek.

“OOH, YES!” she squeaked, as she began quivering and clinching the bedsheets.

“You’re too easy, Diane. Did you know that? I’ve only given you three strokes and you go off with a tiny little love tap. Can you imagine what will happen after I give you the fucking you’ve been asking for?”

Diane couldn’t reply… Still squeezing his cock and quivering from her orgasm.

“Ask me again, Diane!”

“Fuck me, Jack,” she whimpered. “You’re the only one who can fuck me and keep up with me. You’re the only one who can out last me. You make my other lovers look like teen age boys. You’re the real man I’ve been looking for… waiting for. I can’t count the number of times you made me cum. I love your dick, Jack. Please… stop making me wait. Stop making me beg.”

He leaned over on top of her again… still impaling her. With hot breath on her face and neck, he whispered, “You taught me everything I know, Diane. How to touch you. How to lick you. How to make you beg for me. How to make me beg for you. How to outlast you from dawn to dusk. This is all your doing.”

“I know, Jack,” she replied, as she tried to encourage him to fuck her by wiggling her ass against him. “You’re my star pupil. Please, Jack… Fuck me… Fuck me, now.”

“OK, but after I have MY way with you, I’m going to mark you. Mark you to tell your other lovers what they’re up against. I might leave you a little bruised and a little bloody… nothing serious mind you. But, if you think I hurt you too much, I expect you to cry out, ‘First Base,’ as a safe word. When I’m done with you in my bedroom, I’m going to be gracious and let you be in charge the rest of the day.”

Not allowing her to respond, Jack raised up and off of her, grasped her long, blonde ponytail in his hand and wrapped in it around his fist twice. He craned her head backward a little to let her know he was in charge now. She loved his dominance. He placed his other hand on her upper chest just below her throat.

“You ready?” he growled, and started fucking her tiny little kitty at a medium fast pace.

“JESUS!” she cried. “Oooooooooo! That feels sooooo good! You fit me… Grnnn… perfectly. I’ve… Good, God… I’ve missed you Jack! … You’re so sexy, Jack… Yes!”

Jack fucked her for the next 35 minutes… in several positions. Diane went off 8 times, begging him not to stop after each one. When she went off the ninth time, Jack pummeled her puss for his own release. He rag dolled her like he’d never done before. He reached under her and twisted her left breast and she squelched. He then pinched and twisted her right nipple. “Do it again,” she ordered. He twisted her nipple until she screeched.

Jack released her from his grip and began focusing on his own release. He withdrew from her well fucked kitty, flipped her on her back… pulled her up onto his bed… pushed her legs and knees toward her head; her knees fell into the crook of his elbows… leaned over… entered her gooey puss with his needy piece of wood… and… fucked her.

Within a minute, Diane’s eyes rolled back into her head with a faint gasp from her lips and she nearly passed out. After that minute, Jack watched… mesmerized… as her tiny breasts rolled around on her chest in rhythm of his strokes… her tiny nubs pointing right at him. The sight sent him over the edge of the cliff. The tendrils of excitement racing down his spine to his hips. His balls surging with hot cum. Then…

His Release…

Tunnel vision, hearing loss, frozen back and hip muscles, lidded and unfocused eyes, loss of vicinity awareness.

“DIANE! YOU SEXY AND HOT LAWYER! … FUCK! …” He moaned into her ear… over and over and until he shot his load… groaning with each rope of cum released.

Jack felt like he had never cum that hard before… fearing… albeit, briefly… the end of his condom would explode. When the last mini orgasm left his body, he squeezed the condom and rolled over onto his back next to Diane. A few minutes later, after huffing and puffing… refreshing his lungs with fresh oxygen… They both fell asleep.

Jack woke a few minutes later with Diane on top of him. Kissing his neck… ear… cheek… eyes… lips. He raised his arms and pressed her into his body… Returning the kiss to her lips.

“Jack,” she whispered, while continuing to kiss his neck and ear. “Now you know why I can’t stay away from you. God help the other woman who finds you. You’ll kill her.” She softly giggled.

“We do fuck well together,” he mused. “You have this unique seductiveness I can’t describe with words. As much as I try to resist your temptations, you pull me into your web, you sexy spider.”

“I’m not done with you yet, Jack,” she replied with a kiss to his lips. “You promised I’m in charge until midnight.” With that, she went down on him… pausing to lick and nip his nipples and rake her fingernails through his hairy upper chest… Slurping and sucking his fat cock. He thought she was very good at sucking dick.

They fucked all morning, afternoon, and the better part of the evening before calling it quits. Not only did they fuck, they licked, sucked, scratched, pawed, kissed, snaked, yelped, roared, squealed, growled, hissed, groaned, moaned, and came… A lot… especially, Diane.

Jack bit her shoulder and drew blood. The bite mark stayed for six days. Diane’s breasts were bruised from the biting, sucking, and twisting. They were the marks he promised for her other lovers. Diane never cried out “First base.”

Jack briefly considered he may have invented two new positions, and jokingly considered asking Diane to patent and copyright the positions.

They used every piece of furniture in his bedroom, living room, and basement. Seven times, Jack feared the police would be called when Diane screamed so loud the windows hummed.

When their desires finally subsided, Jack was eternally grateful to Diane for showing and teaching him how to thoroughly please a woman. And he told her so.

When he returned from the bathroom, he found an exhausted Diane in his bed; totally nude; curled into the fetal position, still quivering gently from the orgasm he helped her achieve just moments ago. She still looked beautiful and sexy even after what they had done all day.

He glanced around the bedroom and found 3 used and tied off condoms lying on the floor and furniture. He knew he used more than what he could see in other parts of the house. He feared he may not find all of them in his house.

When he scooted into the bed against her, she said, “Jack, if you promise me a fucking every day, like I received today, I’ll marry you tonight in Vegas.” She exhaled a long breath.

He chuckled. “You taught me everything I know.”

“Yes, I did. But, you have picked up some things on your own that I never knew were possible,” she giggled. “And, oh! Were they effective!”

She turned to face him, grabbed his hand and encouraged him to caress her breasts and tease her nipples. She caressed his limp but still sizable cock.

“Jack… I know you know I have other lovers. But, I’m telling you right now. Not a single one of them comes within sight of you. Today… was a record setter for me. I’m telling the truth.” She paused for effect. “I may have created a monster,” she giggled. “Two days ago, when I planned to be here this morning, I expected to seduce you, but, I never expected the extreme satisfaction you have given me. Thank you.”

Jack smiled. “I give you all the credit, Diane. I was a one and done lover until I met you. And, you have the most irresistible seductive powers I have ever encountered. Your presence is irresistible. And, you really know how to surprise me early in the morning.”

Diane moved her hand to his face and began slowly caressing his cheek. “You’re irresistible, too, Jack. At the kitchen table and in the bedroom.” She paused. “I know I’m not the only one who thinks so. I know some players’ wives who have openly suggested their seduction of you. Many of them were kidding, but, I know one who just might follow through on her comment. Be careful, OK?” She giggled.

Jack was surprised. This was the first time he had ever heard a comment like this.

“You’re surprised, aren’t you? You shouldn’t be. You’re handsome, athletic, tall, well groomed, well-dressed, popular among your teammates and fans, and great in conversation. Women have taken notice.” She giggled before she continued. “I also may have let it slip; after a drink or two, how well you satisfy me.” She giggled hard. “In detail… Sorry.” She giggled again.

“I better go,” she offered, as she rose from the bed and kissed him. “I have a court case early tomorrow. I didn’t expect to be here this late,” she mused. “Don’t worry,” she said, as she began dressing. “I won’t be stalking you after tonight; although, I would love to, Jack.”

As she was about to leave, she turned to him in the entryway.

“I love the conversations we have, too, Jack. I always look forward to them.” She paused and looked up into his eyes. “If it weren’t for my weaknesses, I truly believe we could be married.”

With that, she kissed him and was gone.

Chapter 24

“Jack! I look forward to your calls every day.”

“Will you put Amélie on the phone, please,” Jack replied. “I haven’t been giving her enough of my attention recently. Is she available?”

Jack is flirting with my daughter. Crazy, Bérénice thought.

“She will be available in about 2 years when she knows how to talk on the phone, silly.”

“Yeah? Then I will speak with Patrice then. She’ll do.”

“You’re out of luck. She’s at Grandma Caron’s house, helping with cakes and pies for the raffle at Sacred Heart,” she giggled.

“Then, I will settle with my sister in law. Are you available?” he mused.

“Yes, I am available. How are you, Jack? I’m sorry I haven’t been keeping up with the Royals. Three children you know.”

“We’ve got a shot at winning the division. Seriously, Bérénice. How are you? I’ve been in contact with your mother, so be careful what you tell me,” Jack offered with a chuckle.

“I’m better. I’ve been seeing a grief counselor. She helps. There’s bad days and many good days. John and the girls are a blessing. They remind me of the good things about Robert.”

Bérénice paused.

“I went back to the house today with Daddy. It was the first time.”

Jack paused before he spoke. “Yeah? Are you OK?”

“Yeah, a little. It was sad. We just looked from the road. There wasn’t anything but a pile of ash. Not a single board could be seen. Only the stone fireplace remained, and the chimney toppled over. The small barn, too.” Bérénice paused to gather her emotions. “Robert and I had ambitions for the place. But, it wasn’t to be. I’m hopeful I can move on. You never know the opportunities in the future.”

Jack didn’t say anything for a moment or two. “Do you and the kids need to get away? A place to rest the soul? Away from Reims?”

Bérénice didn’t respond. She knew where he was going.

Jack persisted. “You do remember what I said before I left, don’t you? I would be happy for you to come and visit. I haven’t met Amélie. Photos over the phone aren’t enough.”

“Jack… I’m not ready, OK? Today, I don’t know if I ever will be ready. Please… Give me more time. Right now, I can’t say what I want for myself or the children.”

“OK… Subject change. Let me tell you about our second baseman. It’s a long story, but, I finally got him to actually throw the ball to me… Every time… It’s a good story.”

Chapter 25

Jack was undressing in the locker room after the blow out the Royals gave the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa… 11-2. He went 4 for 4 that night, which included a stand up double. He had a solid .344 batting average and he moved up to second in stolen bases in the league. He scored three times.

Clyde was finally making it easy for him at first base. And, he thanked him after every game.

He sat down to remove his socks and saw two feet stop in front of him.

He looked up, then leaned back into his chair. Ocher… Holding a sheet of paper in his hand.

Shit, he thought. Traded… Not Toronto.

“Great game,” Ocher offered.

“Thanks. It was great. I would like to be in the Rays locker room right now hearing what their manager is saying,” Jack chuckled. Jack glanced at the paper Ocher was holding.

“Oh, this,” Ocher grinned, waving it around a little for effect. “Congratulations. Your first All Star game.” He then handed him the paper, turned, and left.

“Yeah! Congratulations, Jack!” Clyde offered, after overhearing Ocher’s announcement. Word spread fast through the locker room. Every teammate and coach shook his hand and razzed him about his election.

Jack was a little surprised. He felt Garcia, with the Red Sox, was the better first baseman. He smiled a little to himself. Maybe he was achieving the elite status that had always eluded him. He turned to Clyde. “Do you think I deserve this?”

Clyde was shocked at the question. “Are you kidding? You’ve had one error all season. You’re batting over .340. With the two steals you had tonight, you’re leading the league. Are you that clueless?”

Jack shook his head in surprise again.

Was he clueless?

Chapter 26

“I saw on ESPN, Jack made the All Star team. It’s a great honor.”

Bérénice was nursing Amélie. John, for the first time this week, was actually playing cheerfully with Patrice. He was helping her with her coloring books. Bérénice smiled for the peace in the home.

“Really? I bet he’s excited,” she replied to her father. “I’m not surprised, though. Jack was the athletic one… elite athletic. When he called Robert about his scholarship to Texas Tech, I wasn’t surprised at all. When he was drafted as a sophomore, I still wasn’t surprised. I suspected Robert was jealous.”

“How is he? He calls you occasionally, doesn’t he? I know he calls your mother often.”

“Yes. He does,” she giggled. “I think he’s worried about me. It’s nice knowing he’s concerned. I’m sure my behavior after Robert died, took him by surprise.”

Her father shifted in his chair a bit.

“Bérénice… I know time hasn’t passed enough, but, I’m curious. Have you considered any prospects for your future?”

“No, I haven’t, Daddy. I know I’ve gotten better, but, Robert still lives in my mind and heart. Every single moment. The counselor says it’s normal and that no time limit can be expected of me. Robert has been such a huge part of my life, I’m struggling what to do without him.”

“OK… I understand. I know you two were inseparable since you were children. I can understand. I’ll be patient. And, I’ll let you come to me with your plans. OK?” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

A few minutes passed and Bérénice’s phone rang.

“Speaking of the devil,” she giggled, when she answered the phone. “Daddy and I were talking about you just now. Congratulations, Jack.”

“Thank you, Bérénice. It was a surprise. How’s my favorite sister in law today?”

“Great. There is a peace truce between brother and sister today, and the news about your All Star selection is icing on the cake. I’m happy for your success, Jack.”

“Thanks, again. I did call to tell you, but, you already knew. Say, I’m about to get on a plane for Kansas City. I would like to call you at the end of the week. OK?”

“You can call me anytime, Jack. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Bérénice.”

Chapter 27

Jack tossed his keys onto the counter top, having arrived from Tampa that morning when his phone rang.

“Good morningafternoon, Diane. I was expecting your call, considering news travels fast and you seem to be one of the first to receive it. Do you have agents planted in the front office of the Royals?”

Diane giggled loudly. “I will neither confirm or deny. But, the Royals are not my only interests. I have business and law interests, too. I may have a friendly ear in interesting places. In Jefferson City and Topeka, too. Congratulations, Jack Caron, starting All Star first baseman.”

“Thank you, Diane. How are you?” Jack offered.

“Fine… And… Well… I was calling to ask if you would join me for a celebratory lunch today. My treat.”

Jack looked at his watch. “Absolutely, but, we have to go now. I need to be at Kaufman Stadium by 2 pm. Press conference on the All Star thing. Tell me where.”

*****

Jack arrived at the country club and found Diane already seated.

“Jack! You have an All Star swagger today. You look great,” she offered.

“Thank you. And you are absolutely gorgeous, as always. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome. Give me a kiss.”

Jack knew he was going to have trouble with her today. Her black satin blouse was showing just a tiny, tiny peek of creamy breast flesh. So little, it caused a man to fantasize about what was behind curtain number 1. It didn’t help she draped her straight blonde hair across her shoulder and the hair pointed to the little peek zone. He couldn’t help but think she knew exactly what she was doing to him. And, it was working, too. He felt a tightness against his zipper.

After he kissed her, he took his seat across from her. She looked a little disappointed he didn’t choose the chair next to her.

“So, tell me how you found out,” she offered.

Jack shook his head in mock anger.

“That asshole, Ocher. He fucks with everyone’s mind. He comes up to me after the game in Tampa. I’m taking off my socks and he steps into my view of the floor. You know, where I can see his feet. I swear he did it on purpose. Anyway, I lean back and he’s holding a sheet of paper, knowing I would see it. Fucks with me again, saying I played great, which I knew I did and I said something about the game. Then, I couldn’t help it. I glanced at the paper in his hand. I seriously thought I was going to be traded and prayed it wasn’t Toronto. You know how I hate Toronto. I think that’s the reason he does what he does to me. He knows I fear being traded. Anyway, then he fucks with me again. Do you know what he said after he caught me peeking at the paper? ‘Oh, this?’ he says, and wiggles it at me. That, Asshole.”

Jack found himself inflamed with Ocher’s acts last night. Diane was giggling at him while holding her wine glass.

“And then, like it was no big deal, he congratulates me for my first All Star game. Hands me the paper and walks off. No handshake, hug, or kiss my ass!”

Diane was laughing a little too loud by now. “Well, he doesn’t know what he’s missing. I know what it’s like to ‘kiss your ass.’ It’s yummy,” she giggled.

Jack smiled a wide grin at her off the cuff comment. He couldn’t help thinking he would like to kiss her ass right now, too.

“So, tell me about yourself these past two weeks,” Jack offered.

“I will, Jack. But, you know me. I’m a lawyer and a conniving one at that. I brought you here for my own interests, and maybe yours, if you’re up to it.” She paused to gauge his reaction.

He furled his brow as he took a sip of the iced tea he had ordered.

“The All Star game is a big deal. Banquets, mixers, celebrities, dances. Many of the players bring their wives and… ‘girlfriends’… to the activities.” She wiggled an eyebrow at him. Jack smiled at the wiggle. “I was wondering… If you would be interested in a little quid pro quo.”

Jack tilted his head. Diane is amazing. He never considered bringing anyone to the All Star game and here she is thinking 5 years into the future. He also knew he would never be able to outsmart her on this quid pro quo offer, but, he would try anyway.

“Interesting, Diane. I admit. I didn’t know all that went on at the All Star game. I certainly didn’t consider taking anyone. Didn’t know I could.” He paused to let her taste his words. “So that I fully understand your offer, I take you to Los Angeles, as my girlfriend and guest, and you enjoy the company of the players, celebrities, high rolling business moguls, and others I don’t know, who will be there and interest you. Along with the spas, massages, five star luxury hotel, and room service. Perhaps share a room with me, or not, if you have other plans. In other words, take full advantage of the opportunities of the All Star experience because you are my guest. Is that about it?”

Jack noticed Diane looked a little surprised. Her eyebrows twitched… a little.

“You’re showing your cards, counselor. I thought you were a poker face type,” he chuckled.

Diane smirked and set her wine glass down.

“Can I guess correctly, you have made this offer to previous Royals All Stars?” he asked.

“Yes. You are the second quid pro quo. I have been invited once without asking,” she replied.

He nodded and took a sip of tea. He looked around to see if anyone was nearby to overhear their conversation.

“I’m interested in knowing what you have to offer in return, although, I would enjoy your presence beside me as the only offer. I would accept that offer. You see, you are a beautiful and brilliant woman. I could see my status being increased ten-fold among my peers, with you standing beside me and the other players and guests dreaming about getting into your panties.”

Diane’s eyebrow arched on the panties comment… the corner of her mouth; smiled.

“I’ll tell you what… I will ask you, right now, to be my guest. No conditions. You can be with me anytime you want, or not. If you don’t want to see me the entire time, because you have other plans, I’m good. This is a gift I want to give you, because… you want it. Being selected an All Star is a gift. I will share it with you. Friends give each other gifts. I consider you a good friend. The way I see it, I’m the one who owes you.”

He leaned into the table to whisper. “You taught and trained me to make love to a woman where she keeps coming back for more. I am grateful I met you last fall. Would your request of me, to be my guest, be an adequate exchange for what you have done for me as a man and a lover? Or would I owe you some more?”

He leaned back into his chair and smiled a gracious smile. He sipped his iced tea… with an arched eyebrow.

“I would consider us even,” she replied, with surprise in her tone.

“OK, then. Start packing for Los Angeles.”

Chapter 28

“So… That was Jack on the phone. He’s playing tonight in the All Star game.”

“Yeah. He called to tell me I wasn’t spending enough of his money on the credit card he gave me. I told him I was buying everything on sale and I didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity,” Bérénice responded. “Daddy… Jack hasn’t been back since the funeral. I was… thinking I might get to see him again before now.”

“Bérénice, he’s a busy man,” her father offered. “He plays baseball every day. Works out to stay in shape. Refines his skills. He never came to see you and Robert during the baseball season. But, he always came back after the season. For Thanksgiving and Christmas. He’ll do it again.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Change of subject. Some women at church have asked me to attend a play at Baylor next weekend. What do you think? It’s only been two months since…”

“Go… Go with them,” he interrupted with enthusiasm. “Take some of the money Jack gave you and buy a nice dress and shoes. Have fun. Go to dinner with them. You need a break, honey. I’m thrilled you brought it up. I was beginning to get worried.” With that, he rose from his chair and kissed her forehead. “Go, Bérénice.”

“OK, I’ll go.”

Chapter 29

Jack was in the dugout before the All Star game at Dodger Stadium, reflecting on the All Star week. The biggest surprise was seeing a teammate of his from Texas Tech. Roger Mosely was drafted the year before he was drafted and they found themselves at the same All Star game for the American League. Roger was representing the Toronto Blue Jays. I hate Toronto, he thought. They got to together several times with his wife and children. They had fun.

He and Diane spoke in Kansas City, before he left for Los Angeles. She readily admitted she was using him to gain access to the elite in attendance, for both business, and pleasure. She wiggled her eyebrow when she mentioned pleasure. He was told not to expect to see her often while in Los Angeles. She had plans.

But, he did see her two nights before the game at a hotel mixer for the players, their WAGS (wives and girlfriends), coaches, managers, general managers and owners. The commissioner was in attendance. They spoke briefly, she thanked him again, kissed him on the lips, then, she left to go “hunting.” He saw her leave the mixer with a black man he didn’t recognize. He was handsome. More than handsome he thought, and he understood her interest. They looked like they were about to have some alone time. He chuckled to himself in the dugout on this rememberance.

He thought it odd, after he arrived in Los Angeles, Diane called him to ask for a duplicate key to his room. She wanted the option to stop by and have a drink; or a little more. He didn’t think anything about it, expecting she wouldn’t use the key.

During the mixer, he had received no fewer than five phone numbers from beautiful women, he was convinced were wives of players. He had no intention of going there. He didn’t want to wind up dead, or playing with one of their husbands on another team. There was one very young and very hot lady who identified herself as the daughter of the owner of the Colorado Rockies. She couldn’t have been more than twenty years old. She all but suggested going back to her room. He politely declined. The last thing he needed was trouble with the owner of a team he may be traded to. Jack was proud he didn’t let his sexual emotions interfere with the All Star experience.

He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Especially interacting with the other players selected to be All Stars. He knew, someday, he may be playing with them instead of against them.

He paid for his parents to attend the game and paid for their hotel room where he was staying. His mother was ecstatic with his achievements with the Royals and cursed the Miami Marlins for not recognizing the potential in her son. He spent as much time with them as he could.

He didn’t bother to invite Bérénice or her parents. Amélie was just 2 months old and he didn’t want to place any more pressure on Bérénice than she had already endured since Robert’s death. He would invite her to Kansas City another time.

He was especially proud for being selected a starting first baseman for the American League. He was determined to make the most of it, knowing, it may be the last opportunity in his career. When the Star Bangled Banner began, he was surprised to find his heart in his throat.

The American League was the visiting team. The first two batters, hit singles. When Jack stepped into the left side batter’s box, he connected on a first pitch slider to the left center field fence earning a single and scoring the runner on second… and advancing the runner on first to third. After that, the Rockies pitcher struck out the side, but, not before Jack stole second on the second pitch of the next batter. The AL up, 1-0.

In the third inning, Jack stepped into the batter’s box with a runner on first and second with two out. He took a slider for a strike and then launched a changeup down the right field line into the fence, scoring both runners and earning a stand up double… he briefly consider going for the triple, but the third base coach halted him at second. The inning ended with a follow up out and the score was 3-0, AL. Jack had driven in all three runs with his bat.

In the bottom of the third, the Orioles pitcher allow two quick Texas Leaguers putting runners on first and second. The next batter, from the Dodgers, hung in there and took the pitcher to a full count. On the next pitch, the Dodgers hitter hit a super hard grounder directly to Jack, who quickly launched a left handed missile to the third baseman for the first force out. The third baseman then threw to second for the second out, and the shortstop threw it to Jack for the third out. The crowd went berserk having witnessed a rare, and near impossible, 3-5-6-3 triple play. Jack became an instant hero.

The rest of the game, Jack watched from the dugout, to allow other All Stars to play. When the game was over, the American League won, 3-2. Jack was named the Most Valuable Player for his 3 RBIs, stolen base, and his front and back end contribution to the exciting triple play. His mother was the proudest mother on the planet when he received the MVP trophy.

After all of the TV and local news interviews, Jack was grateful for the early West Coast start of the game. When he arrived at his hotel, he checked his watch.

11:07 pm Pacific time.

Chapter 30

Bérénice and her family watched the game on a wide screen TV set up in the Parish Hall at Sacred Heart Church. Jack had donated money for the game to be on the large television. Bérénice was grateful Amélie slept in her arms when Jack was playing. John and Patrice were playing with friends, with an adult supervising, so others could watch the game.

The entire town went ballistic when Jack drove in the first three runs of the game. Bérénice squealed in delight when Jack got hits in his first two at bats and scoring runners each time. She was amazed and shocked when she witnessed Jack start and end a triple play. It took a moment for it to register to her what he had done, until her father explained that it was extremely rare for what Jack had done. She squealed again.

When Jack was benched, most of the rural town slowly left the Parish Hall for home… Bérénice included. She had to put her children to bed. Very few stayed until the end of the game and they were the ones who discovered Jack was the MVP. Bérénice didn’t find out until her father told her he had seen it on ESPN, the next day.

Chapter 31

After Jack checked his watch in the hotel lobby, players and guests mobbed him, demanding photographs and selfies. The crowd became so large, hotel security was called to keep the lobby clear for other hotel guests.

Just as it began to calm down, Jack looked up to see Diane observing the attention Jack was receiving. She gave him a wide smile and mouthed the words, “Your room,” and pointed upstairs. He nodded his approval and she turned and left for the elevators.

As the last fan left, satisfied with their photo, Jack walked to the elevators. As he stepped onto the elevator, a pretty young woman stepped on with him. After pressing the 7th floor button, she turned to Jack.

“I saw your triple play tonight at the game, Mr. Caron. That was cool. I didn’t get what had happened and had to ask why everyone was going crazy. Now I know why it is so cool.”

“Thank you,” he offered. “What is your name and where are you from?”

“Emily Caron, and I’m from Toronto. Yeah! Crazy, huh? The same last name! I’m originally from a small town in Quebec. I also know you are the MVP for the game. That’s cool, too,” she said, with a seductive smile and a wiggle of her eyebrow.

Toronto, he thought. Ugh.

When the elevator stopped, she held the door open. “Would you be interested in a drink with me in my room? I won’t bite… Promise.” She tilted her head and arched an eyebrow.

Jack checked her out a little closer. She had short black hair; pixie like; and brown eyes. Slender and about 5 feet 4 inches tall. She was wearing a white denim mini skirt, which, if it were any shorter, it would no longer be a skirt. Her top was solid blue satin and loose with a deep plunging neckline; backless with a halter tie on the neck. One could see her breast flesh down the center. No bra… her breasts wiggled against the fabric.

“Emily, you certainly have my attention. If I were playing in Anaheim on Thursday instead of Boston, I would give your offer serious consideration. I have to catch a flight tomorrow morning.”

With that, she grabbed his hand and pulled him off the elevator onto the 7th floor. It took Jack by surprise. Her strength didn’t fit with her petite frame.

“Unlock your phone and give it to me,” she demanded. “I’m giving you my phone number and you better call me when you’re in Toronto. You won’t regret it. Give it!” She gestured to his phone with a wiggle of her hand.

Jack unlocked his phone and passed it to her. She entered her phone number and her phone rang in her purse. She smiled at him. Then she typed into his phone. “There,” she chirped. “Emily from Toronto. Call me.” With that, she returned his phone, kissed him on the lips… hard… and whispered in his ear.

“I met Diane Fitzpatrick this week and she told me everything the two of you did at your house. I just want a sizable sample of what you gave her.” She pulled away from him, gave him a wink, and began to walk toward her room. He thought he caught a glimpse of her bare butt cheeks as she turned the corner.

Jack opened the door to his 15th floor corner suite, and stepped into the living area.

“Whoa! … Uh… Hello?” he said, alarmingly.

“Hello, Jack,” the strange woman replied, with a giggle. “I’m sorry I startled you.”

Jack recovered from his near heart attack. There in his room was a 5 feet 9 inch goddess. Dark brown hair, blue eyes, long slender arms and legs, and the deepest bronze tan he had ever seen. She was wearing a plunging and loose beach dress that was very short on the skirt. It had vibrant reds, yellows, orange and purple. She had snug bracelets on her upper arms and bangles on her wrists. And she had the widest, brilliant smile he’d seen in some time. As she approached to greet him, he seriously thought her breasts would wiggle right out of the plunging neckline of her dress. Focus on her eyes, he thought.

“My name is Marcy. I’m a friend of Diane,” she said, as she took his hand. “You played fantastic tonight. That triple play was incredible. It happened so quickly, I had to watch it 2 or 3 times on the monitors before I understood what had happened.”

“Thank you, Marcy,” he replied, with a smile. “You did surprise me. Having recovered, a pleasant surprise, now. I do recall Diane mentioning your name.”

She giggled.

“Diane will be out in a minute. Would you like a drink?”

With that she walked to the wet bar and poured herself a glass of wine. Jack reached into the refrigerator for a bottle of water and they sat in the lounge area.

Just as Jack was about to speak, Diane entered from the bedroom.

“Jack! I see you met Marcy. She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? Well, well! Most Valuable Player. What am I going to do with you now? I saw what happened to you in the lobby. It was crazy.”

Jack rose from his seat to greet her. Diane was wearing a similar outfit as Marcy but in vibrant blues, greens, and yellows. He noticed she was tanned, also… more so than the last time he saw her in Kansas City. As she approached him for a hug and kiss, Diane’s tiny breast did wiggle out of her dress and flashed him. After she kissed him, she said, “Oops! Let’s put that back in the package.” She giggled as she adjusted her dress and sat next to him on the couch.

“I met an interesting person on the elevator a few moments ago,” Jack offered, with a leer toward Diane. She just smiled a sly smile and nodded.

“Her name is Emily and she said you two met this week. She offered me some VERY confidential information about you and me, Diane,” he smirked. “I don’t kiss and tell, but, it seems you have no problem with it. I would’ve sworn you were an attorney. You know, client privilege.”

Diane chuckled as she rose to get a glass of wine. “I may have had a drink or two when we met. She’s cute, don’t you think?”

“She was,” he replied. “Diane, I wouldn’t want too much personal information to be released about me. You would understand, wouldn’t you?” he said, with concern in his voice.

“OK, OK,” she replied, with a wave of her hand and a giggle, as she sat a little closer to him on the couch with wine in hand. She leaned in to whisper, “You shouldn’t have given me the fuckin’ of my life that day. It’s hard not to brag about you, after that.” She snickered. “Marcy, forget everything I told you about Jack, OK?”

Jack jerked his head toward Marcy. “Of course,” Marcy giggled. “It’s all forgotten, Jack.” She raised her glass to him.

“Marcy and I met in law school,” Diane offered. “She lives in Jeff City and does work for me there when I need it. She’s gorgeous, too, yeah?”

“More than gorgeous,” Jack growled softly, with an eyebrow wiggle toward Marcy… Marcy giggled… then, licked her lips.

Diane leaned in to whisper to Jack, but, knew Marcy could hear. “I know you saw me leave the mixer the other night. Jalen was fun and was packing, and fun. Right, Marcy? Well anyway, he wasn’t anything like you are, Jack. I swear, I think I created a masterpiece with you.”

Diane spoke again before anyone could comment. “Jack, again congratulations for this evening. You were amazing. But, I couldn’t get you out of my mind since our lunch date at the club. I admitted to you I had attended two other All Star games before this one. What I didn’t tell you was, those experiences, for me, were disasters. The players became possessive, rude, demanding, and treated me like a whore. They reneged on their part of the quid pro quo. When I called you, I expected quid pro quo with you, but I felt you wouldn’t treat me like I had in the past. I felt you would be friendly, kind, considerate, and well mannered, like you have always been with me.” She paused to look at Marcy. Marcy grinned. “What I DIDN’T expect, was you gave me what I wanted and didn’t ask for anything in return. You acted as though it was no big deal, as if it was a normal thing to do. I’ll be honest with you, Jack. I thought I knew you well, but, you surprised the hell out me that day. You opened the candy store and said ‘have at it’ with no consequences.”

She paused again and nodded to Marcy. “I truly felt guilty for nearly a week until I finally realized you weren’t coming back with a quid pro quo. I called Marcy and asked her to join me. You’re amazing, Jack. Inside and out. I’m one lucky girl for having met you.”

She leaned across the couch, placed both hands on his face, and planted a sloppy, tongue lashing, kiss on him. She pulled back to gauge his reaction. He smiled with enjoyment in his eyes. “I liked that, too,” she chirped.

“Well, last night, the three of us… Emily, Marcy and I… were having drinks downstairs at the bar. I told them about how I was here and how sweet you were. I also told them about… well, the part about our last meeting at your house. Perhaps in too much detail,” she snickered. “Well, Emily couldn’t stand it. She flat out asked me if I would share you! You know, let her loose on you. Can you believe it?! Well, Marcy wanted a piece of you, too. I told them I would ask you. I kept talking about you and before the night was over, all three of us were horny for you. So, here we are.”

Jack glanced at Marcy.

“You’re hot, Jack. Especially after your actions on the field. I just want some of what you gave Diane. She was very… descriptive. It’s taking my entire will power not to pounce on you right now.” She drew her finger down between her breasts, grazing each one on the way down, and licked her lips slowly and seductively.

“Jack,” Diane interrupted. “I figure the quid pro quo has shifted into your favor, considering how nice you were to me over this whole experience. Not once did you try to contact me. Oh… And Emily… I planted her on the elevator to see your reaction. She called while I was in the bedroom and you were out here. Jack… If you let her in this suite, you won’t regret it. Marcy and I got a sample of her last night.” She winked at him.

Jack couldn’t believe his ears. And it showed on his face.

“Close your mouth, Jack. It’s rude,” Diane laughed, as she rose from the couch and retrieved her phone to call Emily. Marcy ordered Jack to stand and began undressing him.

“Hi, Emily.” A pause. “Yeah, he fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. Marcy is reeling him in now. Get up here quick before Marcy gets selfish.”

Chapter 32

After Diane let Emily in the room, she turned to find Marcy on her knees sucking Jack’s cock down her throat… or at least, she was giving a good try considering his thickness. Suddenly, Jack took Marcy into his arms as though she weighed little to nothing and began walking towards his bed. She yelped at the surprise maneuver, wrapped her legs around his waist and held his neck as he took her smiling and giggling to his bed. He gently laid her on the bed, kissed her lips, and ordered her to get her dress off.

“Did you bring condoms?” he asked Diane. Diane tossed him a full box from her carry bag. Emily was stripping as fast as she could while she approached Jack with a devilish smile across her face.

“Nice little C cups on that little Canadian minx,” he mumbled, at the sight of Emily’s perky tits swaying across her chest as she approached him with a wicked grin across her lips.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on that cock,” Emily growled.

Jack took the box, ripped it open, and spilled the contents onto the night stand. He crawled into bed with Marcy and began kissing her in his arms. Marcy pounced on him and began rubbing her sensitive button along the length of Jack’s fully engorged member.

Emily jumped in with them, nudged Marcy aside, and began blowing him while Marcy removed both tonsils from Jack’s throat. Marcy began kissing his neck, ears, throat, upper chest, nipples and worked her way downward to Emily. Two women working on his dick and balls. A new sensation, he thought. He caught them kissing each other… numerous times, as they shared is thick, uncircumcised cock.

Diane, by now, had stripped and joined the others on the super king size bed. She replaced Marcy by kissing Jack passionately, getting some kissing of his ears and neck. Jack took her into his arms and returned her affections. He loved making out with Diane. She was a good and passionate kisser and brought the desire out in him just by kissing him.

“Do you like the little surprises I brought you, Jack?” she whispered in his ear.

“Yes,” he replied. “But, I would’ve been satisfied with you, Sugar. I’m not sure how I’ll handle more than one woman.”

“Well, then,” Diane whispered in reply. “Let them show you. Relax.”

Diane ordered the girls into a circle on the bed. They four quickly organized into a sideways 69 to each other, with Emily gobbling Jack’s dick and balls while Marcy sucked on her pussy. Jack sucked and licked Diane while Diane went down on Marcy. Before long, moans, groans, and sighs… A new experience for Jack… eating pussy while being blown. Ten minutes later…

Marcy grabbed a condom, ripped it open, and rolled it onto Jack’s throbbing meat. She mounted him and wiggled herself slowly downward until he was fully inside her.

“Jesus!” she mumbled. “Thick! I’ve never been so turned on as I am right now. Damn, Jack. You’re touching me where I’ve never been touched before.”

He broke off from Diane kissing his lips, to get a look of the goddess sitting across his hips. C cup breasts with pink nipples pointing right at him. A deep bikini tan line across her breasts and hips. “Hot,” he slurred. “Tight, too, Marcy.”

With that, she began lifting and slamming her hips up and down his length… She leaned over him with her hands on his upper chest. Emily was now on the other side of Jack, sharing kisses on Jack with Diane. They took turns on his neck, ears, lips and nipples, while Marcy pummeled his cock. Within minutes, Marcy was quivering in orgasmic delight with her convulsing puss completely engulfing his rod. She lost her balance riding him while seizing in her orgasm and fell from his hips onto the bed. She was quickly replaced by Emily, who lined her entrance up and slammed her greedy crease down onto his hips.

“HOLY FUCK!” she cried.

“That’s right, you conniving elevator minx,” Jack growled. “Fuck my cock.”

With that, she planted her fists into his upper chest and she dragged her hips forward and backward across Jack’s hips, raking her swollen clit across his pubis. Twirling his fat cock inside her silky tunnel. Diane continued her make out session with Jack as her new friend took her liberties on Jack’s cock. Marcy had recovered and began making out with Jack, sharing him with Diane. Emily rode Jack for nearly 10 minutes, then exploded in her own orgasm… curling up on top of him with her head next to his ear. “Fuckin’ good,” she mumbled through her quaking orgasm.