Please, You Take Her

“You didn’t!” As I stepped over and opened the bag releasing the wonderful aroma of Chinese cooking trapped inside. It had to be chicken and broccoli, maybe even chicken and cashew nuts. It turned out I was right on both counts.

We ate ravenously as it was late, the sun setting behind the nearest ridge, the room dim in the soft glow of the interior lights. We finished eating and Dick took our plates and silverware to the dishwasher in the kitchen. When he returned, I was sitting on the sofa eyes closed–I hadn’t bothered to turn on the flat screen TV.

Dick

She sat with her eyes closed, the TV off, it seemed to indicate she was ready for bed as I stifled a yawn and sat down next to her. She opened her eyes and looked at me with a smile.

“From Brazil to North Carolina in two days. I’m beat, how about you?” she asked.

“Same. Do you want me to hold you for a while?”

Bridget didn’t answer as she moved over and snuggled into me. I closed my arm around her knowing my invitation had been accepted in full. The warm feeling I felt was invigorating and I had to admit more enjoyable than I expected it would be.

She has baggage, but what did you expect? You have baggage too.

Bridget

I closed my eyes and felt his chest rise and fall. My heart was beating just a little faster thinking it had been a long time since had I felt this good. About five minutes later I sat up with a smile I hoped told him I liked him holding me.

“Sorry, I need to take a shower and go to bed. I can’t go any longer. I can’t keep my eyes open.”

“Go, I’ll be right behind you. I’ll see you in the morning. Get a good night’s sleep.”

Dick

I watched as she disappeared down the corridor amazed that she was with me here of all places.

What a day! You didn’t see this coming. You’re in up to your eyeballs dude and you didn’t know it until that kiss. One damn kiss and you’re toast.

Bridget

I stood beneath the cascading warm water feeling as if my world had turned right-side-up for a change rather than upside-down. I hoped my troubles with Kevin would be at an end as Dick should have been enough to dissuade him to leave me alone. I would call my parents the next day and tell them I was safe, but wouldn’t divulge where I was staying until I made plans for where I would move next.

I toweled off, looked into the mirror, and realized my deep tan was confined to my arms and legs in a pattern matching my tropical apparel. I’d never spent much time in a bikini as I knew from my aunt what too much sun exposure did to a person’s skin. I never wanted to look like that by the time I reached my forties. Now the white areas spoke of places Dick had only glimpsed, or not seen at all and in my mind I saw him kissing my breasts.

What a strange thought to have girl. One kiss and you’re thinking of showing him all the goods. Slow down. Two weeks ago you didn’t care for him at all and now you’re fantasying about him.

I pulled on a fresh pair of panties and my oversized tee-shirt, turned off the light, and got into bed. The bed seemed to pull me in and welcome me–the sheets smooth as satin, the pillow firm, and inviting. I wondered how it was Dick seemed to fit this weird style of housing. As my eyelids grew heavy, I wondered why I felt so comfortable here. Dick was so different from what he appeared to be like while on the tour–he was actually nice. A smile graced my tired face as a memory appeared–the kiss we shared was more than nice, much more. Sleep took me quickly and the dream I remembered as I woke in the morning made me smile. This time he was in the very next room, not just in a fantasy while I lay in a faraway place.

I lay in bed, the sun already up, and I heard small noises outside the door. Dick was already up as when his phone rang he answered on the second ring. I glanced at my watch and groaned–it was almost eight o’clock! Moving quickly, I dressed, opened the door and heard the final few words of his conversation.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll get there as quickly as I can, but it might be a day or two before I can get a flight out.”

I walked out and sat down at the dining room table as Dick set his phone down with a frown.

“I must have been very bad in a previous life as I’m sure paying for it now. I’m going to have to leave you here on your own as they need me to replace one of the guides in Belize who was injured in an automobile accident.”

“I can get a hotel room.”

“Why would you do that? You need to have a place to work and you already have your gear set up here. It doesn’t make sense to do that.”

I couldn’t argue with his logic, nor was I really interested in leaving for other reasons I realized.

I wonder if the kiss last night was just a fluke, something we both needed to relieve the stress? Maybe it really didn’t mean anything more than that.

“Are you sure? I could still be a pain in the ass,” I asked cautiously not knowing if he would like my response.

“Could be?” he grinned back at me.

“You know that’s not what a girl would like to hear.”

“Let’s just say it’s a pain I think I can live with. Now, are you comfortable being here on your own, or not?”

“Yes, it’ll be fine.”

He always forces me to make a decision and each time I do I decide to stay with him.

“Okay, I need to get online to check flight times and get my reservations made. You don’t have the passwords for the router and network yet, so I’ll get you set up and running after we eat. We should know everything is working before I leave. Does that sound good to you?”

“Yes, that makes sense. I’ll start making breakfast for us while you get your reservations made. That way we won’t waste time in case we find a problem we have to solve.”

I got up and headed towards the kitchen as Dick came around the table to go to the office in the former baggage car. We almost ran into one another and Dick took me by the shoulders before we collided.

I looked up at him with a smile. “Sorry, I guess we’re both in a hurry.”

He smiled as he leaned towards me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, “You look beautiful this morning by the way.”

What did he just say? I look beautiful! Damn, he did, I know he did. I’m a beautiful pain in the ass. But he’s married to his job. He just got home and now he’s going off again after a phone call.

We sat down to eat breakfast together twenty-five minutes later.

“Okay. My flight is this evening. I’ll give you my spare set of keys so you can come and go as you need to. I called my parents and told them I had to leave again and would be back in a week. I told them you were staying here so when they come to put salt into the water softener they won’t be shocked to find someone here. That’s it in a nutshell.”

“Were your parents surprised when you told them a woman was staying here?”

He looked at me with a grin, “Somewhat,” he replied after hesitating a few seconds.

I wonder what that means? What am I thinking! Of course he’s had women here before. Duh! Way to put your foot in it girl. Think before putting your mouth in motion.

“I’m going to leave to go back to my apartment after we get my office stuff set up. I need to talk with the complex manager to end my lease and get my other stuff put into a storage locker somewhere until I decide where it is I’m going to move to.”

I saw the expression on his face change.

“Don’t worry. After yesterday I don’t think Kevin will show up again. Unless he’s had a few drinks, he’s not aggressive. I wish I’d known that before is all.”

“Well you know him, I don’t. I’ll have to take your word for it. Just give me your cell number so I have it. You have mine already don’t you?”

“Yes, don’t you remember you gave it to me yesterday before you left to get groceries just in case I thought of something else I needed?”

After getting my computer connected to the network and testing out the internet connection I left for my apartment as Dick was getting his gear around. We shared a hug, but not a kiss before I left, as if each of us were being cautious regarding our relationship. The hug was close and long enough to suggest we were a little bit more than…well…friends. At least it seemed that way to me.

I went over the list of things I needed to do when I got back to my apartment during the two hour drive. When I pulled into my parking space I looked around and didn’t see Kevin’s car. I walked to the manager’s office and explained I was leaving at the end of the month. I also told her the window in the back door had been broken by my ex-boyfriend and needed to be repaired. She told me it would come out of my damage deposit. I felt a flash of anger, but it wasn’t the manager’s fault I had gotten mixed up with Kevin.

I pulled the storage boxes out I had kept from my last move and proceeded to pack them and placed them in the living room near the front door. It was almost seven when I glanced at my watch, Dick should be waiting for his flight. I would be back to his house by nine if I left now and would catch some fast food before getting on the expressway. That was when the front door opened without a knock–it was Kevin and he was obviously drunk. I cursed myself knowing I had forgotten to lock it. Then my phone rang.

“You goddamned worthless woman. I figured you’d be back tonight. Ya got another boyfriend just like that didn’t ya? Well, the next time he sees ya you’re going to look a little different.”

The knife he held in his hand started to wave at me as he closed the door behind him. He was obviously drunk as he staggered a bit with his next step. I was terrified as my heart went into my throat and stuck there.

Dick

I couldn’t explain the strange feeling I felt as I sat in the boarding area. It was a feeling that seemed to grate on my bones. I’d never had a feeling like this before and I tried to shake it off. It was as if something was going to happen and it wouldn’t be good. I took out my phone and called Bridget–she didn’t pick up and I looked at the time, then walked up to the boarding counter.

“I’m sorry. I’m not going to be able to make this flight. An emergency has come up and I have to leave immediately.”

All the while I drove exceeding the posted speed limit I felt anxious as I headed towards Bridget’s apartment. I told myself I was acting insane, but the thought kept coming back to me that if I had stayed for the party that night with Lisa our lives would have been different. Still, I hadn’t been able to shake the feeling I took as a foreboding. The only person I thought it could pertain to was Bridget.

I pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex, found a parking spot and starting walking to her door thinking she probably wasn’t even there. Then I saw her car sitting there and then a car I thought was Kevin’s. I walked up onto the porch and found the door ajar and I could hear voices shouting voices inside–one of them male, the other female. I pulled out my phone to call 911.

“I’ve already called, they’re on the way,” I heard a voice say.

I turned to see an older lady standing there a phone in her hand.

“How long have they been in there?”

“He got here a little more than half an hour ago and I could hear her talking with him. Then I heard something get slammed against the wall about five minutes ago and that’s when I called 911. Her ex-boyfriend is a mean drunk and I’m not sure he’ll listen to her this time.”

I heard a scream “Put that knife down! Don’t come near me!”

I saw the rolled up new.spaper on the lawn next to the sidewalk and picked it up and looked at the woman.

“I’m not waiting for the cops.”

My heart was racing as I slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside. They were standing in the kitchen, Kevin with his back to me as I started forward as he waved the knife at Bridget who was hidden from view. I couldn’t make up my mind as to what to do as I didn’t want to knock him holding the knife into Bridget. I was within feet of him when he raised the knife and took a step forward.

I simply reacted and kicked him square between the legs hoping the impact would force him to drop the knife and fall backwards as he leaned into the pain. He screamed in agony and bent forward, the knife clattered onto the tile floor. The look of terror on Bridget’s face was plain to see, her hands in front of her to ward off the blow she knew was coming. Kevin was on the floor his hand searching for the knife as I reached for Bridget where she was frozen in place.

Pulling her toward me I shouted, “Get outside!”

She stood staring at me as if in a daze.

“Outside now!” as I gave her a shove towards the door.

Then I looked around to where Kevin was searching with one hand while on his knees and the other hand. Either he was too drunk to know he was hurting, or I hadn’t connected with him hard enough. No matter, his hand was just inches from the knife as I threw the rolled newspaper in front of him. He was confused when his hand touched the paper and I placed another kick into his side. He rolled over and groaned as I took a giant step back. I had Bridget in the clear and that was all I really wanted to do. A drunk with a knife was for someone else to handle, not me.

I took two steps back when the first police officer came in the door and ordered me onto the floor. I fell down like an autumn leaf knowing it was going to be okay–my heart still beating hard in my ears. Then I heard another voice and footfalls rush past me.

“Sir, you can get up now.”

I rolled over and sat up. Two officers had put handcuffs on Kevin and were hauling him to his feet. A hand reached down and I grasped it as it pulled me upward. It was over, Bridget was safe, and the weird feeling that had settled into me was gone.

Chapter 8 What to do now

It took an hour before we finished giving our statements to the police and Bridget locked the door to the apartment as we left. She was still shaken–I could see it in her eyes. We decided we would leave her car and drive back to Asheville together. She was quiet for the first half hour of the trip north and I could hardly make out her facial expression in the dim light.

“I thought I was going to die,” she uttered as her entire body shook.

The statement came out of nowhere and I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t know what to say. Not a thing came into my mind that seemed to fit.

“Dick, if you hadn’t shown up I’d wouldn’t be here right now. I’d be dead.”

“Try not to think about it. You’re not. That’s all that’s important.”

“I can’t help it. I thought you were on the way to Belize. Why are you even here? I mean, I don’t understand. Don’t you need to work?”

How do you explain something in a way that makes it sound like you’re not crazy? Explain that I had a strange feeling she was in danger. It didn’t make sense to me even now as I sought an answer to her question–I didn’t believe in precognition.

“I had a feeling you needed help, so I canceled my flight. I still have to go unless I tell them I can’t make it. I figure they can find someone else to cover if I can’t do it anyway.”

“What if they don’t like it? I mean they might let you go.”

“Some things are more important than a job. I can find work of some kind if they want to let me go.”

Bridget was silent the rest of the way home. We walked into the business car a little after ten and prepared for bed. I was dead tired and I knew she was too. I never wanted to go through another day like that again. I used the master bathroom and started towards my bedroom as she walked in, her face expressionless.

“Get some sleep, you’ll feel better in the morning, I offered hoping it would help.

She didn’t reply and I gave her a little hug not knowing what else to do.

I was in my bed, my bedroom door open, my eyes closed hoping she would feel better in the morning. I remembered seeing the fear in her eyes and knew there was no way I could completely understand what she had felt at that moment.

I heard a soft voice in the dark, “I don’t want to sleep by myself.”

“Come here,” I replied as I pulled the covers back.

I can’t send her away when she needs someone to comfort her. You would have done the same thing for Lisa. Only you loved Lisa, do you love Bridget? Does it matter right now if you don’t?

She slipped into bed and into my open arms, laying her head on my shoulder at first, then she settled in, her face at my neck. I pulled her close and felt her sob softly. I figured I was doing what she needed most and didn’t say anything.

After a few minutes she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“Shush don’t be. I’m glad you’re safe and here with me. Now go to sleep, you need to rest.”

Bridget

I awoke in the night feeling warm with somebody next to me. I could detect a manly odor, at least this time, not one tainted with the smell of beer. I heard and felt his breathing slow and steady as he spooned me from behind, his arm over my waist, his hand on the mattress next to me. It was a glorious feeling knowing I was safe from harm. I closed my eyes after placing my hand on his arm as if I would slip from his grasp without his noticing.

It was barely light out when I opened my eyes and remembered where I was. I had to pee so I got out of bed as quietly as I could and walked down the hall to the main bathroom where I hoped I would be silent enough not to wake him. I washed my hands and walked back towards the bedrooms hesitating at the door of my own room.

You feel better, you really don’t need to get into bed with him again. I don’t need to, but I want to. There’s no reason not to if you’re willing to take the chance he might want to have sex.

I slipped into bed and closed my eyes. It felt so good to be with a man again and I knew how much I missed what a man could do if I wanted him to. Even Kevin had been good some of the time, though towards the end his clinging and jealousy made my life miserable. At first, I thought it was love that made him act that way–I had been wrong. My parents had tried to warn me and I had ignored them and I had been paying a price ever since.

I felt movement in the bed, opened my eyes, and rolled over to find Dick looking at me.

I smiled, “Good morning. Before you ask, yes, I’m feeling better. You don’t need to baby me.”

“Okay. I guess that means you don’t want me to hold you for a few minutes before I get out of bed.”

“Aaahh…aaahh…I don’t ‘need’ you to hold me. That doesn’t mean I don’t ‘want’ you too.

He laughed, “Okay I guess. But I need to use the bathroom first.”

I watched as he got out of bed in his briefs and walked into his bathroom.

Good gracious, what a bulge! I haven’t seen that before.

He returned to bed and went onto his back where I moved onto him face down so he could hold me. I closed my eyes and felt good as his hand caressed my arm and shoulder. The warm tingle my body generated immediately told me I had made a mistake–maybe it wasn’t him I needed to worry about. I stopped myself from exploring beyond his hairy chest which thrilled me as I absently ran my fingers through the thick curly hair.

A few minutes later we got up and I went to change out of my panties and tee-shirt. I couldn’t say I was self-conscious as he watched me get out of bed. I had never spent the night in bed with a man without having sex and I admitted to myself it was strange. The events of the day before had left me more vulnerable than I had ever been before and I had needed him. He had protected me and helped me over the worst of the trauma I had suffered and I was thankful he seemed to understand.

We ate breakfast together and I was pleased to fix something for both of us as it took my mind to a place that relaxed me. He was making toast as I fried the eggs and ham, our occasional bumps against each other in the small space seemed natural, reassuring in a way. His smile warmed me as we headed with loaded plates to the dining room table.

“It’s early yet, would you like to take a walk? I can show you around if you’d like.”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

“I want you to know where the property boundaries are so you can feel free to wander where you want while I’m gone. I don’t want you to spend all of your time indoors working yourself to the bone.”

I laughed as I’d never been accused of doing something like that. I liked what I did for a living, but I had always found time to spend time outdoors with my sketch pad even if it were not work related.

He looked at me with a smile, “It’s nice to see you smile. It becomes you.”

“Becomes me? That seems a strange thing to say. I’m not big with words with my disability.”

“That’s the first time you’ve mentioned it to me. You know I figured out you have dyslexia while you were on the tour. If you had told us we would have helped you, I mean all of us guides.”

“I don’t like to do that as most often people treat me differently after that. I’ve learned to live with it for the most part, but at times it does cause problems. I didn’t know you already knew.”

“It’s helped me to understand you better to be honest.”

“But, I’m still a pain in the ass aren’t I?”

He laughed, “Yes, but less of one now that I know you better.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll burn the place down while you’re gone?”

“No. Why would I think that?”

“Kevin always treated me as if I were a retard. That I would break something, or leave something somewhere and ruin it.”

“Look, as far as I can tell Kevin was the retard. He didn’t deserve you in the first place, and I’m glad you got that figured out.”

I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Yeah, almost at the cost of my life.

Dick

I took Bridget on the trail that bordered the 200-acre parcel the rail cars were on. I watched her face light up as we climbed the rocky slopes covered in ferns, rhododendrons, and wildflowers amid the deciduous shrubs. No other woman I had taken on the trail had been as enthralled as she was. Her smile glowed as bright as the sun in the shade of the woods.

“Dick how did you ever come to live here?”

I explained my grandfather was still living and the stories he told me of his days working for the Southern Railway had always fired my imagination.

“When my parents told him they weren’t interested in the rail cars, or the property he was crestfallen.

“You mean this isn’t your parents property? I thought when you told me they come out to check on everything it was theirs.”

“No. A few days later he came to me, he asked me if I would be interested in living on the property when I finished college. There was only one answer, and when the deed to the property was presented to me he was elated.

“He was that happy, really!”

I laughed, “Yes, that is, after I paid the grand sum of five dollars for it. He always insisted he had gotten a good deal as it wasn’t worth much more than a dollar.”

“He sounds like quite a character,” she laughed.

“Oh, you haven’t met my grandmother,” I chuckled.

In a way, my love for the rail cars and land sent me in a direction I hadn’t considered after graduating college. Leading birding tours allowed me to live where I chose to live, not where a job dictated I live. I started leading smaller tours in the States and over a period of a few years gained experience elsewhere. I missed home when I was away, but it was always there as an anchor. Only the pain of losing Lisa had caused me to stay away these last few years. It was a poor way to handle the situation I realized now as I walked with Bridget.

We walked back and went inside. I got online and checked for the next flight to Belize. I would fly out at four in the afternoon. Bridget had been busy on her computer as I made the arrangements.

“Okay. I need to be at the airport by three to get through security. It shouldn’t take long as I’ll only have my carry-on. Will you be ready to pick up your car, or do you want to take me and use my car to come back here? We can get your car when I come back.”

“I want to get my car. Leaving it at the apartment complex doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

I dropped Bridget off at her apartment, not leaving until she was in her car and on the road. I watched her get onto the interstate heading north as I went south. I felt a sense of relief knowing she was going back to where she would be able to work and relax without fear. I hoped Kevin was history cooling his ass in a jail cell somewhere. I hadn’t filed charges so as to not to reveal information on where I lived, even though I used a PO Box with the police.

I was standing in line to board when it occurred to me I should send her a text message. It was short, telling her I was boarding and that I would be back in five days. As I placed my phone into my backpack I felt good knowing she would enjoy my home and the land it sat on. That seemed special to me as her expression that morning as we walked showed she appreciated the land as I did. Now, I wished I had at least given her a hug before I got into my car to leave for the airport.

You’re lying to yourself man. You wanted to kiss her and hug her.

Bridget

I was glad Dick was with me as I picked up my car. I felt the fear grow as I pulled into the parking lot even though I was certain Kevin was nowhere nearby. My car and contents were untouched and I got in as Dick stood next to my car. I watched in my rearview mirror as he followed me to the entrance to the interstate and then disappear onto the southbound ramp as I made my way to the northbound ramp.

It occurred to me I was going to hide myself away. I would call my parents after I arrived and tell them what had happened and that I was in a safe place. Then I remembered I hadn’t thanked Dick again for all that he had done for me since we arrived back from Brazil. It all seemed a lifetime ago now, even though it had been almost a week. I felt a tinge of sadness that I hadn’t taken the time to give him a hug or a kiss on the cheek to thank him before he left for the airport.

Girl you had a chance to show him how much you’re changed and you blew it.

I arrived at the gate and found it unlocked. I was puzzled and decided to leave it open as I drove up the driveway to the house…eh…what do you call it when you live in a pair of rail cars anyway?

I pulled in and saw a pickup truck parked next to the baggage car and a man pulling a plastic bag out of the bed. The man looked up and waved, then a woman got out and looked at me with a smile. I was glad I had looked at the family photographs Dick had hanging in his office space as I recognized his parents immediately.

“Howdy, howdy!” His father called out as I walked up.

“Hello. Dick told me you would be coming this week. I’m Bridget O’Brien.”

“Nice to meet you Bridget, this is Dick’s mother Louise. I’m Raymond. Please use our first names. We tend to be informal here.”

Louise smiled and extended her hand while Raymond took two bags and disappeared behind the end of the baggage car.

“I understand you’re staying with Dick for a few days. He didn’t tell us much, only that you’re from Spartanburg, and you needed a place to stay until you find another apartment.”

“Yes, that’s pretty much the case. I hope to find a place before the end of the week so I don’t wear out my welcome.”

We climbed the stairs and I pulled out the key to unlock the door. I stepped inside and took my shoes off immediately. It was strange in a way, as I immediately felt myself relax as I looked down the length of the room before me. It had a charm unlike any other room I’d ever been in.

“Shall I make you coffee or tea?”

“Oh, that would be wonderful. Coffee please, black is the way Raymond and I like it.”

We walked to the kitchen together and I turned on the coffee machine and pulled out three cups. A few minutes later we sat down at the dining room table waiting for Raymond to come in. He came in a few minutes later saying the water softener was filled with salt. As we talked I sipped my hot chocolate as they drank their coffee. His parents seemed a lot like my own, just regular people who put their children through college, or trade school. They were comfortable to be with, but I could tell they had questions.

“Dick had to leave again so soon? That must have upset your plans?” His mother suggested.

“We didn’t have any plans other than my working and trying to find a new place to live. I’m not even sure what Dick was planning to do. I’ve been packing my belongings for the move and when Dick suggested I could work from here on my computer it made sense to do it. He has been a great help.”

“So you work for a company that lets you work on your own from home?” Raymond asked with a dubious expression.

“Not exactly. I work for myself so I work for a number of companies and a few individuals to produce brochures and marketing materials. I also create and sell my own artwork too.”

Louise looked at me with a puzzled expression. “I don’t understand how you know Dick. He has hardly spent time at home over the past two years ever since Lisa…

“Now mother, I don’t think it matters that much.”

I saw the glances they traded and an awkward silence followed until I offered an explanation.

Lisa?

“I met Dick on the Brazil tour a few weeks ago. I had some problems and he has helped me out by offering me a place to stay until I get resettled someplace else.”

“Well, I’m glad he was able to help you,” Raymond said amiably.

“We should get going and let you get to your work. If you need anything our number is in the notebook on his desk. Please, if you need something feel free to call us.”

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”

I walked out with them and watched as they drove around the bend out of sight. I pulled my clothes out of the car and carried them inside. They were nice and I could see his parents cared for him a great deal and that there was something they cared not to reveal. During my talk with his mother I could tell she didn’t care to have him gone so much.

I spent the rest of the day working on projects, answering emails, and making phone calls to inform my customers I was back and to ask questions I needed answers to for completion of their projects. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner and I was hungry. I made a light meal and sat looking out the window as the shadows lengthened. I could hear a few birds singing in the trees next to the rail car.

It was peaceful here and for the first time I felt it would be nice to have someone to share it with. I wondered what Dick was doing at that moment knowing he was probably already on the ground. I was a little envious knowing he would be seeing birds I had yet to see, and enjoying another wild exotic place.

I prepared for bed after taking a shower and walked into my bedroom and sat on the bed as a vision of Dick came into my mind–his lean body and tight buttocks within his briefs, the bulge that…

I pulled my vibrator out and walked into his bedroom and lay down–my face buried in his pillow where I could inhale his scent. Visions of his smile and warm brown eyes filled my mind as my pleasure grew until I was satisfied. I cleaned everything up and crawled into my own bed to sleep. He was a fantasy again, only a fantasy.

Chapter 9 Reset

Bridget

I put in long days to catch up on deadlines the first three days after Dick left for Belize. On the fourth day I started an internet search for a new apartment starting in Spartanburg first, then moving outward when I didn’t find something I could afford or didn’t have the broadband service I needed to work from home. I really wanted to remain in South Carolina as otherwise it would cause headaches with my taxes. A problem I really wasn’t up to dealing with given everything else I had to contend with.

The listing for an apartment in Landrum located just south of the South/North Carolina line caught my attention. I sent an email and made arrangements for that afternoon to drive down to inspect the furnished apartment and obtain additional details on the lease and utilities. It was about an hour drive from Dick’s home, most of it on the interstate.

I met with the manager and after looking at the apartment knew it fil the bill. The town was large enough to offer the amenities I wanted and offered the advantage my bank had a branch there–one less thing to deal with as with my dyslexia. I found it better to deal with the bank in person rather than online. Experience had shown me I made too many mistakes otherwise.

I spent the rest of the day in Landrum getting my utilities and broadband set up, drove around to see where the stores were located for groceries, office, and art supplies. I ate dinner in a modest restaurant and drove back to Dick’s home. It was getting late as I loaded the last of my plastic containers into my car in preparation for taking the first load to my new apartment the next day. I had to buy an inexpensive folding table for my printer and plotter as the small computer desk in the apartment wasn’t large enough to hold them.

I was ready for the last load the next day that would take my office with me and as I got into the car I smiled–Dick had sent me a text message every day he was gone to check in on me. It was sweet of him and I replied in an upbeat tone each time not wanting to have him worry about me. His texts always came after I had gone to bed so I was always a day behind in getting back to him.

The following day I finished most of my outstanding projects and loaded my office equipment into my empty car along with my clothes. I locked the door behind me and felt a pang of regret as I drove off locking the gate behind me. I dropped the keys off at Dick/s parents house, talked with them for a few minutes, and told them how much I appreciated Dick’s help.

That night I slipped into bed without the gentle sound of rustling leaves or an owl to relax me through an open window. The sound of cars and trucks on the main highway were new and harsh. I wondered what Dick would think when he returned home knowing I had moved out. I would send him a text in the morning to tell him–I felt empty as I was alone again.

Dick

I arrived home and saw the note on the dining room table Bridget had left for me. It brought a smile to my face both with the thanks it expressed, but also in the few misused words and backward letters. An hour later I received a text message from her telling me she had moved. I assumed she had gotten the dates mixed up and didn’t recognize I had already left the day before–to her I was flying out at the end of today. I called my parents and decided to eat dinner with them knowing I had already delayed our meeting by over a week by going to Belize.

“You know the girl who stayed in your house seemed pretty nice,” my mother said with a smile.

“She is what I would describe as an acquired taste,” I smiled.

My Mother frowned, “You mean you don’t like her? Then why was she there?”

“Mom, she needed help and I was there. It’s a little complicated, but her ex-boyfriend was hounding her. I gave her a place to stay until she could find another place to live. As for liking her…well…she can be a real pain in the ass.”

“Dick! That’s not a nice thing to say.”

“You asked,” I replied evenly.

My father looked at me with a grin, “So, you’re not going to see her again?”

“I don’t think so. Maybe if she wants to I would. Otherwise, I think I’ll leave well enough alone.”

Yeah, having to deal with her ex was more than enough. Hard telling what would have been next.

“So, are you going to be home for a while this time?” My mother asked quietly.

“I’ll be home for two weeks before going back to Brazil. I promise to see you as often as I can before I leave.”

“You know you can’t keep running away. Lisa is gone. You have to accept that it wasn’t your fault,” my father said gently.

There was an awkward silence. I knew he was right. That didn’t mean the pain wasn’t there.

“I know, you’re right. After this session in the Amazon I’m thinking of coming home to stay for a while and do shorter trips in the States and northern Mexico, or maybe the Dominican Republic.”

The day before I was to leave for Brazil I did something I hadn’t been able to do before by visiting Lisa’s grave. I placed a bouquet of flowers and remembered her beautiful eyes and radiant smile. I said goodbye, wiping a tear from my eye as I walked away knowing I would never come back–it was time to move on.

Bridget

After six months I was nearing burn out. Business had been hectic, actually, more than hectic. I had so much work I was busy every day of the week not leaving my apartment except to do grocery shopping and do some birding in the nearby park. My savings account was robust and I had gotten through the court appearance that put Kevin away for at least two years. I felt bad for him, yet didn’t.

I needed a break to bring some balance back into my life so I hired a part-time assistant to handle some of the work. She was very capable and the money I spent on her turned out to increase my own productively as I wasn’t dealing with shipping, billing, and taking phone calls all the time.

I was itching to work on my life-list and had looked online for upcoming tours. Several of them looked promising, but they weren’t going to work for the time I wanted to take off. I went back over my bird list for the Amazon again and knew I still had almost a hundred species I had not seen yet at the Chistalino Lodge I had gone to previously. I smiled when I thought of Andy, Carl, and Dick and the good times I had enjoyed with them. Well, good times if I ignored some of the problems I had on my last tour while with Dick.

I picked up my phone and looked in my contacts, selected Dick’s address and sent a text message. I wondered how much longer he would be there as a guide. It would be nice to see him again, though I wondered if he would feel the same way. I had brought trouble into his life even after we had returned home and I was sure he would just as soon forget.

It was the next day before I received a reply. I checked my calendar and realized the tour I had tentatively selected would be his last before he came home. My mind made up, I put in my reservation and payment in full with a push of the enter button. Brazil here I come! That night I started going over the plates in my field guide and double-checked my master checklist to see which species I needed to concentrate on this time. I felt excited again, the first time in a very long time.

I picked up my sketch pad from my last trip and paged through it enjoying the memories it brought back to me. It was then I decided on what I would do while I was there this time. I would draw a gift for Dick to show my appreciation for all he had done for me.

It took you all this time to think of this? Girl you are slow! He did right by you.

A week later I stepped of the terminal and felt the heat and humidity hit me as I walked to the shuttle that would take me to the lodge. I was excited to be back and the fact I had done this two times before made the trip routine in a way that relaxed me.

Dick

It had been three hours since our last tour group boarded the shuttle to the airport. Our new group would be arriving and we would begin another series of trips. After three years it was still exciting to be a guide as even if the questions from the participants were predictable the species I might see always seemed to produce a surprise or two.

“Andy, do you want to do the orientation this time?”

“Sure. Carl and you have done your fair share. You know I’ve going to miss you around here when you go home as you take some of the pressure off of me.”

“Pressure, what pressure? The schedules haven’t changed any.”

“Not that, I have Pam to deal with and with you here the women glaum onto you in the evenings. Now that Carl is married, his wedding ring keeps him relatively safe.”

“You know you could fix that easily enough. Give Pam a ring and be done with it. I’m surprised she hasn’t been more demanding given how long you’ve been with her.”

“I know, she hasn’t said anything, but I can tell she’s getting impatient. Hey, the shuttle is pulling up, time to get to work.”

We started walking towards the lodge and Carl joined us as we reached the portico of the lobby. Then I heard Carl groan.

“No, no! Not again. She’s back again?”

I turned towards the shuttle and saw the group pulling their luggage out. There among them was a young woman in shorts with shapely legs and a fine…oh…it couldn’t be…it was. Bridget turned her blond head and blue eyes towards us and grew a smile as she approached.

“Hi guys. Did you miss me?”

I was amused as Carl stood slack-jawed, then muttered something as Andy gave her a hearty hello. I didn’t say a thing as my mind reeled with the memory of how she felt as I held her that night in my bedroom. She looked wonderful and when her gaze locked on me her smile grew wider.

“We have two weeks. I have my bird list made up so I know what I need to find. Or, is that what you need to find for me,” giving a light laugh.

I drew in an appreciative breath and let it out slowly, “Maybe you should amend that to what ‘we’ need to find.”

“I like that idea even better. I’ll get checked in and see all of you at orientation. It’s nice to be back.”

I turned to see Andy and Carl looking at me, both of them with shit-eating grins.

“Okay, I know what you’re thinking. But you’re wrong, so forget it. She can go on some of your trips too.”

“Hey good buddy,” Carl replied as he slapped me on the back, “you’re the one that said ‘we’.”

“You know Carl, I think you’re right. That ‘we’ was the two of them, not ‘we’. She’s all yours Dick.”

I gave a deep sigh. Yeah, I put my foot right into it alright.

She looks wonderful. Guess I hadn’t realized how attractive she is when she’s relaxed. Guess you forgot butthead after all that crap with her boyfriend. Ughh, ex-boyfriend. I wonder if she has another one by now? Probably.

We gave the orientation following dinner and as usual answered all of the regular questions asked by those taking a tour for the first time. I saw Bridget looking over her field guide to the birds and realized she would be determined to find the species on her list. I decided I would be responsible and look her list over to see if I had seen any of them over the past several weeks. She was going to make me earn my pay I just as she had before.

I decided I would try and keep a better attitude this time regarding what she could and could not do. We all have our strong and weak points and I knew mine was having more patience with people when I really wanted to be alone. I bade Andy and Carl goodnight and headed to my room thinking the next day would begin my last stint before heading home.

I was working on my daily field notes when a knock came on my door. I wasn’t expecting anyone and thought maybe something had gone wrong with the schedule, or something equally annoying. I opened the door and was surprised to see Bridget standing there, her smile growing as she looked at me.

“Are you busy? I don’t want to bother you.”

“No, just working on my notes for the day. Nothing I can’t put off for a while. Come on in.”

She walked in and sat down on the small sofa while I took the only chair.

“I wanted to thank you again for being there for me when I needed someone. I owe you more than I can ever hope to repay. I just wanted you to know.”

“So, you’re not hiding from your boyfriend this time?”

“No. No boyfriend. My business has kept me busy and frankly, after what happened I wasn’t exactly ready to jump into the dating game again. I got a little birding in on my own, but that was about it. I hired someone to work for me and then decided I needed a vacation. So, I decided to come back here.”

“I saw you looking over your field guide during the orientation. I suppose you have a want list made up.”

She smiled and pulled a folded sheet of paper out of her breast pocket.

“Right here. It’s a little over one hundred species, so I don’t expect to get all of them. But I’m going to have fun trying.”

She handed the list to me and I looked it over. I decided to check my database as most of them I had seen at one location or another, many of them while on my own not while guiding.

I unplugged my laptop and sat down next to her on the sofa where we started going down the list a species at a time. When we finished I found I had encountered about eighty of them and that seemed to make her happy right from the start. When we finished I got up and sat back down in the chair across from her.

“So, can I go with you on the boat trip in the morning?”

I looked at her puzzled, “Bridget all you need to do is sign up for it before it’s filled. You know that.”

“I…I…wasn’t sure you would want me to go with you again after the last trip. I can always go with Andy or Carl.”

“You can go with me any time you want to. Bridget, I know you better now and understand there are some things you need help with. I can handle it.”

“Okay, I’ll go and sign up for the boat trip. Thanks for being so understanding.”

She got up and walked to the door with a smile, “See you in the morning at breakfast.”

I watched as her beautiful behind swayed as she walked away.

Damn! You’ve done it now.

Chapter 10 Competition

Bridget

Dick didn’t seem overly enthused to see me, but then it wasn’t like he was trying to stave me off either. I guess he was being his professional self and treated me like any other paying customer. I was a little disappointed just the same. After all we had kissed, and I had slept with him for an entire night. There were not all that many men who could claim they had accomplished that feat.

I had met another woman about my age on the shuttle and when I saw her at the buffet approached her.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“For the most part I guess. I kept hearing these weird screams in the night. I suppose they were birds of some kind.”

“Tinamous,” I replied with a smile, “There are several species near the lodge and they start calling as dusk and then intermittently through the night, the increase towards dawn again.”

“Oh, I’ve read about them. You seem to know quite a bit about them, can you ID them by voice?”

“A few, but not all of them. The ones that are close by I’ve heard often enough now to recognize.”

“So, you’ve been here before?”

“This is my fourth time with this company at this location. It will probably be my last as I’ve seen most of the birds here already. After this trip I hope to get a many species as I can and go somewhere else next time. My Brazil list is at 731 species.”

“Wow! That’s impressive. Speaking of impressive, who’s that?”

I turned in the direction she was pointing and saw Dick approaching the buffet tables.

“That’s one of the guides, Dick is his name.”

She leaned close to my ear, “He could certainly do that to me. He’s hot. I don’t see a ring on his finger.”

I was surprised at her words, but just as much by my reaction to them. I swallowed and turned to her with a fake smile.

Discourage her now while you have the chance. Just don’t be obvious.

“He’s not married and as far as I know doesn’t have a girlfriend. But, he doesn’t mess with the women on the tour from what I’ve seen.”

“So, you’ve tried I presume.”

Shit! I really haven’t in the past. Tell her you have and get her to back off.

“Several times, but no go. He might be gay is all I can figure.”

“Too bad. A little fling with a man like that would be something spicy to add to my diary,” she confided with a laugh.

I felt dismayed as I was planning on having breakfast with Dick and now it didn’t seem like a good idea. I was torn when Dick saw me and gave a broad smile. I was sure he was waiting to see if I would signal him to join us. I hoped my remark to Clarissa had worked as I threw my hand up and waved.

“Good morning ladies,” he offered as he came to sit next to me.

I made the introductions and we started talking. I was beside myself after a few minutes while watching her flirt like hell with Dick. She laughed and put her hand on him at every opportunity. She cocked her head coquettishly and tugged at her long brown hair. I tried to keep myself from gagging it was so in your face–at least in my face. Dick finished eating first and bade us goodbye saying he had to prepare for the boat trip.

Clarissa looked at me as she gathered up her dishes and silverware, “You really didn’t think that gay remark was going to work did you?”

I was tempted to reply in a very unladylike fashion by gesture but refrained when I realized Dick really hadn’t seemed to respond to her. He had engaged me in conversation that related to the upcoming boat trip and had mentioned he was pleased I had signed up. At least Clarissa wasn’t on the boat with us that morning giving me something of an advantage.

What is it with me? I’m being pretty territorial and aggressive this morning. In terms of looks I stack up well with her. Besides, Dick knows me already, maybe she has a personality trait that will turn him off–you can bet she’s not dyslexic.

Chapter 11 Back to Basics

Bridget

I returned to my room and gathered up my shoulder bag containing my binoculars, field notebook, and other items for the boat tour. This time I elected to wear a light long-sleeved shirt so I didn’t have to slather on suntan lotion and insect repellent. I walked down to the dock to join the other members of the tour. I saw Clarissa and gave her a friendly wave which she returned half-heartedly as the guides looked over paperwork. When the order to gather with the guide we had signed up with I moved into line for Dick’s boat.

I knew the drill well enough to be closest to the shed holding the life vests and quickly searched for an adult small and walked straight to Dick. I was sure I could do it myself this time, but now I had a reason to appear needy. I didn’t want to look too obvious, so I pulled the straps out all the way to demonstrate I had tried to fit it.

“Could you help me on with this please?”

Dick gave me a strange look, but helped me get into the vest and went through the ritual of tightening the straps as he had before, including asking me to spread my legs a little to pull on the crotch strap. I looked over at Clarissa as she stood in her life vest ready to go onto Carl’s boat. Dick gave a few final tugs as I grinned at Clarissa. The expression on her face unsmiling until she turned away.

Take that miss aggressive! He’s mine for the entire morning.

“That should do it,” Dick said with a grin.

I looked up at him and gave him the sweetest smile I could, “Thank you.”

He leaned forward and whispered, “You could have done this yourself.”

I looked into his eyes with a sly, wicked grin, “Maybe.”

I waited as the others boarded the boat so I could sit in the seat nearest Dick. That seat wasn’t completely under the boat’s canopy giving me a better view anyway. I noticed Dick didn’t have his small boat trailing behind us and wondered why the change. No matter, I was ready to see some birds, and to enjoy the company. I wasn’t expecting to see any of the species on my want list and that was okay by me. It was time to enjoy seeing some of the species I found colorful and interesting again. I had my camera with me this time to take more pictures than usually did so I could work up some sketches in the evening.

We stopped at the two observation spots along the river and I managed not to entangle myself in the tripod, or step off into the water. Dick was attentive to the group, but something was different I’m sure no one else would have noticed. When he was next to me he put his hand on my shoulder to point something out, or to move me a little to walk past me. Each time he touched me my heart sped up a little knowing he had never done it in the past. I didn’t want to make too much out of it, but I wanted it to mean something more. He was turning me on whether he meant to or not.

We returned for lunch and I sat looking over my species list for the trip–one hundred fifty-one species of birds. But, there were other highlights too. The butterflies were a dazzling display of color in motion with metallic blues and greens, and sparkling dots of red and yellow on brown when their wings were together. The display was greatest on the exposed muddy banks of the river directly next to the boat. A delight for all of us as we watched a swirling cloud of vibrant color escape from the ground.

The rest of the week went along with Clarissa and myself in a silent bid for Dick’s attention. I don’t know if it was because I now had competition, or that I knew him better, but I didn’t like the idea he would spend time with Clarissa and not with me. I wasn’t sure Dick noticed or not, as he seemed to treat both of us the same when we were on a trip with him. In fact, it seemed he shied away from both of us by directing his attention to other people on the trips. When I realized what was happening, I backed off and let Clarissa be a pain in the butt for a change–thinking that was the way he viewed us.

Yeah, me. Now getting desperately horny when I looked at him remembering how it felt when he held me.

It was mid-way through the tour when Dick approached me and asked how many species I had been able to see on my ‘wanted’ list. I had been able to cross-off eleven species. He grew a frown.

“That’s not a lot to show for the time and money you’re spending to see them on this trip. Tell, you what. I’ll take you upriver with me this evening after the last walk here at the lodge. I know where about twenty of these species are located if we spend a few hours looking. Are you up to that?”

I was all smiles and three hours later I was standing at the dock as Dick prepared his own small boat for the trip. He had a life jacket on, and another one in his hand.

“Okay, put this on and we can get going.”

“Aren’t you going to help me put in on?”

“If you can’t put it on yourself I can always ask Clarissa to go with me,” he replied with a grin.

“You’re mean!” I shot back as I put my life vest on with a pout.

He laughed and motioned for me to get in and sit down after I made the final adjustment of the vest by pulling on the crotch strap.

“Aren’t you going to check and make sure it’s tight enough?”

“If you fall out I’ll be able to find you. Well, maybe, I suggest you don’t fall out.”

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed in response. He pushed the boat out from the dock, started the outboard motor, and we headed upstream. It was different being alone with him this way for the first time. I admired his skill in moving through the rougher water as I held onto the gunwales to steady myself. After half an hour we had passed the point on the river where the group tours turned back. Signs of human activity had ended a while ago and now there was no indication of people at all.

About twenty minutes later I was amazed as he pointed the boat at the bank and we entered a shallow waterway hidden within the green foliage of the shoreline. How he knew it was there I had not the faintest idea. We worked upstream slowly and reached a spot where a large tree loomed upward into the canopy. He tied off the boat and helped me out onto the bank. There was a faint trail into the jungle and calls of several birds met my ears as we walked forward.

Five minutes later we stood at the edge of a large gap in the canopy where trees were half the height of those at the edges. One by one we found thirteen species on my want list. Without having to deal with other people I got good, long looks at all of them. Dick was especially excited as he found a species he hadn’t seen before–a life bird for him too.

We arrived back about an hour before dark and had a snack and fruit juice to drink before we went to our rooms for the night. I thanked him and gave him a kiss on the cheek and almost wished I hadn’t as I felt a warm surge rush through my body after the contact.

“Thank you. I really enjoyed doing this.”

“Have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning at breakfast.”

I went to bed that night wondering why he had taken me with him on one of his personal trips. Was he simply making sure I got my money’s worth for the tour, or was it more than that? It wasn’t as if he had hit on me while were alone together. It had been fun seeing birds together and engaging in small talk while we floated the river back to the lodge. It had given me greater insight into what kind of man he was.

He had asked me if I had read any of the books that dealt with the natural history and people of the Amazon region and I admitted I didn’t read much due to my dyslexia. Reading was not an enjoyable experience for me and most of what I ‘read’ was in the form of audio books.

Dick

I had already taken my fair share of ribbing from Carl and Andy when Clarissa began to show an interest in me from the very first day. She was a very attractive brunette with a bubbly personality–an extrovert extraordinaire seemed a fit description. That kind of personality was okay for a while, but it wore thin on me after a few days, and finally at the end of the week I needed a break of some kind.

I was kind of at a loss as to how to deal with it until I noticed Bridget and Clarissa seemed to be standoffish towards each other for some reason. It wouldn’t take long for word to get around if I took Bridget with me on one of my evening boat trips. It wasn’t in your face and Bridget was far quieter, not to mention a more skillful observer–Bridget would be an asset in spotting wildlife. Decision made, I put the plan into action the very next day.

I don’t know what I was expecting to happen exactly on that first trip alone together. But, that night after I left her I felt I knew her better. Frankly, she made me up my game as she was so good at finding birds in the thick vegetation. My advantage was I knew many more songs and calls than she did and made ID’s quicker due to my previous experience.

I was impressed with her more now than I had been on the previous tour about half a year ago. After that first trip, I found myself asking if she wanted to go with me each time I took a hike, or boat trip. She never refused the invitation and after a few days Clarissa backed off on her suggestive comments and overt attempts to help her with something she was quite capable of doing for herself. My plan had worked to perfection and I was quite pleased with myself for having thought of it.

This time when the tour ended and we left on the shuttle for the airport we sat together and when we arrived at the airport ticket counter made arrangements to have seats next to one another for the flight to Miami. Ditto for the flight to South Carolina. It was late afternoon as we said our goodbyes at the airport from the long-term parking lot. This time, I made sure she found her car before going to my own–sharing a long hug before parting.

My drive home was quiet and I realized I was looking forward to being home for a while. Once home I slipped into bed exhausted and didn’t wake until well after dawn. There wasn’t anything to eat in the house and I was ready to drive into town to buy some breakfast when my cell phone rang. I wasn’t expecting a call from my parents as they knew I sometimes didn’t get in until the wee hours of the morning. When a female voice spoke I was confused–what girl would call me at this time of day and who and the heck did I know that would do that anyway. No one.

“Dick, Bridget. How about we meet halfway between us for breakfast. I don’t have a thing in the house to eat and I know you don’t either.”

I deadpanned, “Bridget who? I was expecting Clarissa to call.”

“You’re mean. I don’t even know why I decided to call you.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” I chuckled.

“You better be. In fact, for that remark you buy me breakfast.”

“Done,” I agreed hastily thinking perhaps I had gone too far.

At least this time I don’t have to face a boyfriend intent on beating her to a pulp, or worse.

We made arrangements to meet at a restaurant we both knew and forty minutes later I pulled into the parking lot and saw her standing beside her car. The first thing I noticed was she looked beautiful standing there with her golden hair down below her shoulders–no ponytail.

Look at her! I mean look at her, she’s way more attractive than you give her credit for.

We walked in, got a table, and ordered our food. I looked at her and noticed she looked tired.

Looks like you should have stayed in bed a while longer. You look like you could use another few hours of sleep.

“I could. The traffic noise woke me several times even with the windows closed. I guess I got too used to tinamous, nighthawks, and tree-frogs calling. How about you? You look like you could use a little more sleep yourself.”

“I suppose I could. I feel kind of half here. You know I was surprised you called me and I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.”

“I didn’t mean to mess up your day.”

“You didn’t mess up my day. You made it better as a matter of fact. Just looking at you makes me feel better. I hate to admit it, but I think you’re growing me.”

Dummy! You didn’t need to tell her that. Hard telling what she thinks now.

She reached across the table and placed her hand on mine with a smile.

“You’re still paying for breakfast,” she laughed.

“I said I would, I’m not trying to get out of it, I was…”

“You were just going to suggest we drive to your house where we could get some sleep and then see what we wanted to do for the rest of the day. Right?”

“Ugh, I was thinking…”

“Okay, pay the bill while I go to the bathroom, and I’ll follow you home. I haven’t unpacked from the trip yet, so I have clean clothes with me.”

Oh shit. This is going to be interesting.

I paid the bill and left a tip. When Bridget returned she gave me a smile while taking my hand in hers as we walked out.

All the way driving home all I could think was I hadn’t expected this, but I was happy it was happening.

Boy, girl, bed, boy, girl, bed. Boy, girl–separate beds, Separate beds.

Chapter 12 It had to Happen Didn’t It?

Dick

As I unlocked the gate at the road I looked back and saw Bridget in her car next to my own. I waved her through the gate and got into my car, pulled ahead, got out and locked the gate. I drove to the house arriving as Bridget was pulling her suitcase out of her car. It looked as if she were moving in and the warm feeling that surged through me made me hesitate for a moment. I realized I wanted her here even though I hadn’t thought of it as I drove to meet her for breakfast.

We walked into the business car after removing our shoes in the vestibule as we stepped inside. I took Bridget’s suitcase and walked to the bedroom she had slept in before without thinking about it. I sat it on the small table next to the dresser and turned toward the doorway.

When our eyes met I knew something was going to happen. No words passed between us, but I guess there was no need for them. I took her hand and led her to my bedroom and when I turned around she was removing her blouse. I took off my shirt, then my shorts, leaving only my briefs on, I pulled the blanket and sheet back and sat down to watch her undress. I don’t know what my expression was, but when she looked at me she grew a wide smile as my eyes swept across her fully exposed body.

‘Sleep first, play later, at least we should try.”

“I’m not sure I can wait.”

“I’m not sure I can either, that’s why I said we should try. I’m tired and I know I’ll enjoy it more when I’m well-rested.”

There wasn’t any doubt we were talking about the same thing as she took a step toward me, her breasts moving seductively. I took a slow breath and let it out slowly.

“You drive a hard bargain,” I replied knowing she was right.

She slipped into bed next to me, “You can drive something hard into me after we sleep for a while. I’m incredibly horny after being with you all week. I can hold off a little while longer knowing it’s going to happen.”

We shared a soft, passionate kiss and I rolled away from her so she could spoon me knowing if it were the other way she would be feeling my cock rubbing against her. I didn’t know if I could fall sleep as her arm came across my waist as she snuggled into me. I closed my eyes deciding I should at least try.

Bridget

I snuggled against him, putting my arm over him just to feel him touch me, my eyes open, wearing a smile. After a few seconds I felt as if I were torturing myself as the throbbing between my legs intensified. It had been growing ever since we left the restaurant and now I was both tired and in need of a hard cock at the same time.

Now, I wasn’t sure which one would win out. I was sure If Dick so much as turned around and touched me I would climb on top, put him in, and ride him hard until he went off. Anything to feel him inside of me even if for a little while. I took a deep breath, then another, and closed my eyes. I had made the suggestion we wait–now I had to try and do it.

I hope he can’t wait. I shouldn’t have said we needed to sleep first.

Over two hours later I woke, breathing heavily from the dream I had been having–an erotic one judging from what I felt as I reached down. I had experienced one of these before, but it had not been as intense as this. That time, I had finished myself off, enjoying the image in my mind that accompanied my effort. That had been pure fantasy, but now I didn’t want fantasy, I wanted what worked best.

I pushed my pussy into Dick’s behind and felt the pleasure my rubbing produced. I felt him move and then roll over, then our eyes met, and I smiled. There was only one thing in my mind and I didn’t want to wait a second longer than necessary to make it happen. It felt as if my pussy were so tight nothing could possible enter into it–yet that was precisely what I wanted.

When our lips met it seemed to trigger the most primal urge I had ever felt. I don’t know if my body emitted some scent, but when the covers were pulled back I reached down and tore my panties down off my pelvis and legs in one quick motion, throwing them somewhere. Dick appeared above me as if by magic. I watched as he applied a condom and my legs went wide as he came between them. I reached down while looking into his eyes, placed his tip, than felt his glorious entrance as a wave of pleasure.

My god! He’s in and it feels so good. Oooh, so damn good.

I felt his body meet mine, then his breath on my neck and before I knew it, I went off even before he had given me a dozen forceful thrusts. I mean, I was so sensitive I climaxed right then and there–it wasn’t even a minute. He must have felt it too as he came to a stop as I lay gasping in amazement–my legs still stiff, toes curled. I looked up with a weak smile, it was all I could offer as an explanation.

He began to pull out and I reached for him, stopping him before he left me.

“Go, keeping going until you finish.”

He began again, his hands on the bed next to me as he drove into me again and again. I was so sloppy wet I could hardly feel him at first. Then after a few minutes I felt pleasurable sensations begin to build again and when I tightened around him again he shuddered and pushed hard into me with a quiet moan. My second climax was different than the first, but stronger as my vagina shouted in joy as he pulsed inside me–at least I thought it was him, but maybe it was me.

I lay in his arms, my eyes closed, as a sheet came to cover me and I snuggled into him so tightly nothing could have come between us except by brute force. I felt euphoric and amazingly, still horny, at least in my mind. It was as if what I had just experienced was a good start, that was all it was, a start. Then I heard his voice, soft, caring.

“That was quick. Guess you needed the attention.”

“You had a good one didn’t you? I asked hoping he had.

“Yes, you just surprised me by climaxing before I even got started. You seem to be able to do to surprise me you know.”

“Would it surprise you if I told you we’re not done yet?”

“Would it surprise you if I said I wasn’t?”

I laughed, “You know I spent the last week in Brazil fantasizing about you making love to me on the observation tower as the sun went down?”

“That’s kind of kinky, I wonder if Clarissa thought about that?”

I lifted my head from his chest and looked at him. He had a wicked smile spread across his face.

“You’re mean,” I laughed and swatted him, “She lost, I won. So, you can say her name all you want to tease me. But, I’m in your bed and she isn’t.”

“You know I didn’t know what was going on between the two of you until the first week was ending. When I figured it out I decided you needed more attention.”

“Why are men so clueless when it comes to women competing for them? We don’t duke it out. We use our charms instead. I let her go all out while I let you come to me.”

“Oh did you now? Why is it I didn’t notice? She was all over me every chance she got. Even Carl and Andy felt sorry for me. I didn’t notice you do anything different.”

“You didn’t notice me start to wear longer sleeved shirts and pants?”

“Yeah, I guess I did when I started taking you in the boat and for walks. I thought you wanted to keep covered so you didn’t have to use so much insecticide and sunscreen.”

“Oh, that was a benefit too. But, I wanted you to think about what I looked like beneath what I was wearing. I wanted you to remember what my body felt like next to yours when we slept together. Clarissa was busy showing you as much skin as she could get away with and didn’t leave much to your imagination,” I chuckled knowing it had worked well enough.

“You’re devious. I had no idea you could be that way. It seemed as if you needed my help more than she did to be frank. Besides, she never shut her mouth, you don’t talk all the time.”

I reached down and lightly touched his flaccid penis and started to run my fingers over it lightly with my fingertips.

“It’s time for us to do something more than talk. I’m on top.”

The response was quick in coming as I felt my hand cover his manhood then grow beyond it. I moved over him grasping his now stiff member and settled down onto it with ease as I was still good and wet. I would like to say I was gentle, but in truth I wasn’t. I rode him hard and waited for him to ask me to stop so he could rest.

As I sat astride him I realized I had never been so pleased to be with a man. It was much more than how full he made me feel inside–it was how he made me feel all the time. He took his hands and placed them on my hips to signal me to stop as my hands remained on his chest.

I waited as long as I could before starting again, but I was needy. I got him in exactly the right spot and went hell bent for the finish leaning down onto him sliding him against my clit with my hands near his head as I rocked him beneath me. My breasts swung below me, touching his chest, my hair hanging down just above his face.

I worked hard until I saw the expression on his face change as he clutched at my ass with both hands and I knew he was close. I bore down pressing his cock against my clit and felt myself tighten around his tip and went off as I collapsed onto him, his guttural sounds telling me all I needed to know. I had fucked him the way I wanted to–he wasn’t going to forget this for a very long time–nor was I.

I moved forward and pulled him out and waited on all fours as his eyes came to mine.

I smiled, “We need to get up before we run out of energy.”

We both took quick showers and when he met me in the dining room we smiled at one another. It felt wonderful to be so fully satisfied. We decided to go shopping so we could fix meals together. This time as we put groceries away it seemed as if the time had melted away from the first time we had done this very same thing. Only this time when he looked at me I knew it was different–we were different.

Dick

What a contrast! It seemed incredible I had actually slept in the same bed with this woman before and now it was as if she had morphed into this primal sexual beast. I had hardly gotten comfortable and taken five or six thrusts into her before her body went wild and I felt her tighten around me, her fingers grasping my upper arms tightly as she climaxed.

It took both of us working together for me get there as she was so sloppy wet I couldn’t get much sensation with the condom on. When I did come months of being without a woman ended in a most wonderful way. The expression on her face as I took her into my arms afterward felt almost as good as the sex itself. I had been watching her for weeks on the tour and now I knew this woman I once considered a beautiful pain in the ass was someone I wanted in my life.

Her disability didn’t seem to be something that was an obstacle, only a consideration, in our developing relationship.

Our second time was even more revealing as she was aggressive in a wonderful way I never expected her to be. Our quiet talk after our short first time revealed her sense of humor and how cunning she could be. I couldn’t help but feel I had won the lottery when she decided I was worth fighting for with Clarissa. I never thought of myself as a man worthy of being ardently pursued by two women at a time.

But, I had been this time without question and Bridget had prevailed without my realizing I was the prize. Even now the concept seemed…well…strange. I wasn’t anything other than a moving target with my chosen profession. I met women, dated them a few times, had sex a few times when it suited both of us, and then moved on to another tour in another place. Lisa had been the closest I had ever come to considering changing my life style and now it seemed I had come to the same point with Bridget.

After our time in bed we went grocery shopping together and even that revealed small things about her ability to cope with her dyslexia. What impressed me most was the fact she relied upon me when she needed help, not embarrassed I knew why she was asking. Having someone feel they could be that honest with me was something I had never experienced before in such an intimate way. We walked side by side with the cart discussing what we should purchase to make meals. When we went to the checkout counter I felt as if we were a couple and it felt good. Actually, more than good.

Bridget stayed another day before returning to her apartment. That first night after she left I lay in bed feeling as if my house wasn’t complete. It was a house, not a home in the same sense I had understood it before. That night a vision of her sitting at the desk working on her computer, or sketching in her pad came to me several times.

My life changed over the next few weeks as either I drove to visit her, or she drove to spend time with me. I was due for another assignment and I began to prepare for the Dominican Republic. It was after another week passed I decided it was time to see if she would agree with what I had in mind.

Her birthday was coming up so I decided to use it as an excuse. I had decided to get her a good 35 millimeter single-reflex digital camera to replace her small point and shoot. I had watched from my chair one evening as she searched through her photographs for an image to use in a project. I was so impressed with what she could do with that inexpensive camera. It only made sense to me to get her a better one.

After purchasing the camera and an additional macro-zoom lens to augment its standard 55 millimeter lens I stopped at a jewelry store on the way home. After an hour I walked out with my purchase and went home to wrap the gift with a smile on my face. I was a little nervous as I placed the small jewelry box into the box holding the camera.

She didn’t want to eat out that night even though I suggested it would be her birthday dinner. She looked at me with a smile.

“I would rather we ate here tonight. You can treat me to something else,” as she caressed my hand.

There was no further argument from me.

After we ate we went into her living room and sat on the sofa together as I pulled the wrapped package from the large paper bag it was in while looking into her beautiful blue eyes.

“Happy birthday! Twenty-five and pretty as any woman I’ve ever met.”

I watched as she read the birthday card, then she started to unwrap the package with a big smile. I felt myself grow excited, and anxious. This had better work the way I wanted it to work.

She pulled the camera out of the Styrofoam packaging and looked at it a bit bewildered. Then I saw a tear come to her eye, her face with an expression I didn’t take as joyful.

Shit! What now?

She looked at me, then reached out to take my hand, “Honey, thank you so much. I know you mean well, but I can’t use this. It’s entirely too complicated for me to operate. That’s why I use the small camera I have. I can’t read the instructions well enough to learn how to use it.”

I almost panicked. This was not going according to plan–not at all.

“Bridge, it’s okay. It can be set up to work automatically just like the camera you already have. This one is just larger and has the ability to change the lenses out.”

She wiped the tear from her cheek, and looked at me, “You’re sure? I don’t want you to feel bad. I know this is an expensive gift.”

Then she looked into the box and saw the smaller box inside. She reached in and pulled it out with a frown.

“What’s this? It doesn’t look like part of the camera.”

I saw my opportunity as my heart raced, I could pull this off yet.

“This is a special ring that allows you to have a tutor to demonstrate how to set the camera up. All you have to do to get it to work is say two words.”

Chapter 13 Proposals

Bridget

I looked at the small box a little confused. It looked a like a ring box to me, not part of the camera at all. Then when Dick told me what it would do I grew even more skeptical. I looked at him thinking some sales person had pulled a good one over on him. He reached for the box and I handed it to him with a frown.

I hope he’s not disappointed it doesn’t work as advertised.

“Now, as I understand it, once you say the correct words this ring will allow you unlimited use of a tutor to show you how the camera works.”

I looked at him with what I was sure was a dubious expression and watched as he opened the box. A gleaming silver ring appeared in his fingers–it was beautiful, delicate, made for a woman’s finger. It still wasn’t making sense to me, it was a ring, just a ring. How could it provide me with a tutor?

“Now, all I have to do is hold this in front of your ring finger and ask you a question. If you give the right response I put the ring on your finger and it’s a done deal. Are you ready?”

I looked at him, this was making no sense–no sense at all. How in the world would I know what the two words were?

“Bridget will you marry me?”

The words came to my ears, bounced around inside my head, and I went completely numb in disbelief. Did he just ask me to marry him? I mean, DID he actually ask to me to MARRY him?

Damn, the words, what words do I use? Shit, come on, two words is all you need.

“I WILL! I Do! Dick you’re so mean, but I love you.”

I watched as he slid the ring onto my finger and looked up at me with a broad smile.