Wanders

Author’s note –

This is the opening chapter in an ongoing series of character studies. The first part centers on an older attorney who is trying to escape the world of corporate law and a young, newly graduated art teacher who is discovering the world. This is not a stroke story; of course, this being Lit, there are some sexy scenes.

All characters are over eighteen years of age and are fictional. While some places may be geographically correct, what takes place is fictional.

——————-

Ru, my sweet little puppy, at long last, we are on our way. (As a footnote, Ru is an 85 pound trained Beligun Malinois who is more a minder than anything else.) I’ve one more set of conferences to finish, and then old boy, we’re free. Or at least, that’s my hope. Then, we can wander along the back roads and see where they go. Is this the last stop or the first stop of our voyage? I suppose both. After this, after Buffalo, the daily structures should begin to fall aside. Except, of course, for the Monday phone call back home with the old team in the office.

Parking the beast at the client’s practice facility and opening the door was the excuse for Ru to fly out and see a new world. As had become his latest habit, he had to be the first out the door whenever the camper stopped. Then go around sniffing so he could leave his calling card telling everyone that he had arrived.

“Neil! Damm, man, it is so good to see you here. I was worried that we would get some kid fresh out of kindergarten to do this meeting. What’s with this? I heard that you are pulling out to follow other avenues. And, who’s your little friend there?”

“Hey Carl, it’s good to see you too my, old friend. Ru? Go, say hello to Carl. Actually, Ru is a wolf hiding as a lap hound. Unfortunately, given the untoward events of the last couple of years, my fellow partners demanded that I have a minder. Ru’s a compromise. He’s my new bestie. Can we say that Ru will make believers out of the faithless?”

Ru! Leave Carl alone. He is not another lap you can camp out on.

“Carl, if I know you and I do. You know where the coldest beer is to be found within a hundred miles of here. Let’s go, and I’ll bring you up to speed.”

“You never change, do you, Neil? Maybe with this little mutt of yours, you might stay out of trouble. But I am not betting on that. By the way, how much does that thing tip the scale at, and what is it?”

“Well, Ru thinks he is a lap dog. He just happens to hit the scales at around 85 lbs or so. He’s a Malinois who is trained as a service/protection dog. Most of the time, he’ll try to get in your lap and demand attention. But, if, for whatever reason, he alerts, I need to take notice immediately. He’ll lock his eyes on whatever he perceives as a threat, and there then is a very low growl. At that moment, I have five seconds to stop him and tell him to sit. Or issue the attack command. If he launches, he will want to sit on your face.”

“Damm, Carl. You did it again! You found the coldest beer out there. OH! Miss? Could my little friend here get some water, please? He’s not old enough to drink beer, so it’s water for him.”

“Sure,” the sound of a delightful giggle was clearly heard, “I’ll be back in a moment.”

When Ru saw the waitress heading back our way with a plastic bucket, he immediately sat up. Ru, sit and don’t you start flirting with our waitress. “Here you are, Ru. OH? Ru, you can flirt with me anytime you want to. I bet you’re a nicer flirt than most of the guys around here. Besides, you’re a nice little puppy, aren’t you?” With that Ru, started to nuzzle and sniff the waitress’ fingers.

“Lady? Watch out, you about to get the biggest kiss you’ve ever gotten in life.”

“Ru? Will you give me a kiss, Ru?”

“Neil! You done lied to me yet again. Some people just can’t change. They are born liars. You said that dog was a guard dog. Hell, it’s a damm lover. Anyway, what’s going on?”

“All right, for the past year, I’ve been stepping aside. I have been unwinding and moving many projects and clients to associates of the firm and my team. I will be keeping three clients, with you and the Player’s Association being one as I move away from day-to-day activities. So you and your association will notice no changes. The only difference is where my phone is physically located when you call. For thirty years, I have not taken a real vacation. I am officially on vacation after this week. I will remain a partner in the firm and will continue to function in that role.”

“I seem to recall you have yourself a very nice fishing boat that you go up and down the Eastcoast with. Well, you saw my boat earlier this afternoon. Before it is all said and done. I will have gone to Lubec, Maine, the easternmost point in the country, to watch the sunrise. Then wandered down to Key West, the southernmost point in the country, and watch the sunset. Up to Point Barrow in Alaska and anywhere in between. Somewhere along the line, I will find the westernmost point as well. I have a fully equipped office set up on the bus. I know things will come up that demand that I step back and address issues. But, for me, the good thing is I have all my cameras are there so I can indulge myself in my hobby as a landscape photographer. I’ll be keeping the condo in the city, and sometime in the future, I will build out the lot I have on the Gulf Coast. At least that’s the plan, but of course, that is subject to change.”

“Excuse me, Miss. Could we get another pair of these wonderfully cold beers, and if there’s a hamburger to had, could you add on as well?”

Ru? Would you like a hamburger too? I bet you would. Am I right, Ru? Of course, that question was met with a thunderous volley of barks and happy tail waggings. Hamburgers are his special treat, along with his bones that he loves to chew on. “Oh? Miss. Could the puppy get a raw hamburger too?”

When Ru saw our lovely waitress headed back our way, he immediately sat up and started to track her every step. Ru! Sit! Behave yourself!

“Lady, watch out. That damm dog is a certified flirt. Each and every time he sees a lovely young lady, he goes into hyperflirt.”

“Mister, he should hold classes on how to be a flirt. Wait a minute, you’re Carl Johnson, aren’t you, and I’ve seen you somewhere before too? Haven’t I?”

“Yeah, you have possibly seen us. Carl is the Player’s Association president. Yes, he played a little ball for the team across the street on their way to a championship ages ago. Over the years, Carl and I have worked together.”

“Young Lady, this is a delicious hamburger. It’s juicy like it should be..”

“Well, thanks, I’ll tell my uncle. He runs the kitchen, and my aunt handles the front of the restaurant. They just opened the place about three months ago, and I’ve been helping out while I finish school.”

“Could I speak with your aunt for a minute when she’s available? I have a question for her.”

“Carl, I will need a place for meetings next week. So you are renting the patio here in the afternoons for me for the week. You will pay these good folks a rental fee of ten thousand dollars. In turn, you pass the rental fee back to the firm. That way, you can say that the Player’s Association supports local business.”

“Hi? My niece, Kat. Said you gentlemen have a problem? How might I be of help?”

“There is no problem at all, ma’am. This gentleman is Carl Johnson, and he is president of the Player’s Association. I’m Neil Terrell, one of the association’s attornies. We would like to rent your patio area here for the next five days, from two to five in the afternoon. The association will pay you two thousand dollars a day for rent. Would you be interested?”

“Are you for real? Ten thousand dollars? Hell, for that price, I’ll toss in a burger bar as well.”

“No, ma’am, please don’t do that. I’ll be having the new players attending rookie camp coming here to talk with me. I want their attention. Some of them have been reading their own press clippings and think they are the next best thing and very entitled and privileged. They aren’t. They don’t need their egos fed; they have gotten enough of that.”

Then are we agreed? Do you have a standard rental form we can sign now? Then Carl will give you a check.”

“Hi, Ru! It’s so good to see you again, sweetie.” To which Ru gave Kat a warm and loving volley of barks as a greeting. “I have the deck set up with some ice water in pitchers. Is that all you want? Really? Could I ask, what this about?”

“Sure, as you may know, the team is holding rookie camp this week. These kids have been told repeatedly how wonderful they are and that the world is their oyster. Well, they got their balloon popped this morning. We’ll see how many heard the bang by those who show up here this afternoon. The rest of the week, they will be led in by their mentors. Neil? You and I have done this exercise for how many years now? Every year I hope it goes smoother, but it never does.”

“Kat? Thank you for all the kindness you have given Ru and me this past week. For sure, it was interesting at times.”

“OH? Is that what it was? Interesting?”

“Kat, I always put the best face on everything. So, yes, I will say interesting. As a way of thanking you, would you join us for brunch tomorrow? Carl doesn’t know it, but he’s picking up the bill for once. OH? Kat? If you really want the real straight story, talk with Cathy, Carl’s wife. She will be here tomorrow too.”

“That, I want to hear. What time and where. I have to work here at 1:30.”

“Does 11 at the Shelburn Inn work for you? The four of us will be in the dining room waiting for you?”

“Wait a second, Ru’s going to be there too? How is he doing that?”

Chuckling a bit. “Oh Ru, will be formally attired in his vest. You’ve seen the bright green vests that say, Service Dog, do not approach?”

“Is he really?”

“Yes, he is, otherwise he is a flirt.”

Sunday morning found the four of us standing in line when up breezed a most remarkable looking Kat. Damm, she is a beautiful woman. Her long flowing red hair that sets off those green eyes should have set all kinds of warning bells off. But the only thing that went off was Ru’s greeting his newest girlfriend as he started to jump up to greet Kat.

“Since these two bone heads have forgotten what few manners their Momas taught them ages and ages ago. I’m Cathy. Carl’s decidedly much better half. I do feel sorry for you having to put up with the Bozo twins last week. That’s a burden not many can bear.”

“Carl, my brother? How years ago did I tell that getting hooked up with that evil witchy woman was a bad idea?”

“Well, it’s been almost thirty-odd and beautiful years and four kids later. But, Neil, she is a wonderful lady who is my greatest treasure. It’s just that you bring out the witchy in her. Maybe if you had learned some table manners. You might have gotten lucky and discovered a lady along the way.”

“Kat? You see, my so-call friends have deserted me, and you, you young Lady, are stealing my damm dog. So I am doomed to wander about as a lonely old man now.”

Cathy leaned over and gave me a very motherly hug, “Kat, I am warning you. Don’t it, don’t involved with these people. They are nothing but trouble, and those two are worst of the worst. The Bozo twins.”

That’s how it went, my closest and oldest friends beating me up all through brunch. Finally, as we left the Inn, Kat took my hand in hers, leaned over, and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, I hope I will see you again.”

“Young Lady, that you can bet on. I was planning to stop in this evening to get a burger and beer after losing my evil friends.”

“Should be slow tonight, so we can chat for a bit. Bye Ru, see you tonight, sweetie?”

Oh, Ru, you look so much better without your silly vest on. I’m glad your Daddy didn’t get you all dressed up to come to see me.

“Kat, I’ve never seen your place empty.”

“Well, it’s Sunday night, and folks here stay home with their families then.”

“I have a feeling that things are going change for your aunt’s and uncle’s business. Rookie camp ended yesterday, and everyone headed out except for the few that live here year-round. The vets have been looking for a quiet place to have a beer and burger from the talk I heard. They will be back here. If they are here, people will follow them. So, your folks better get ready to do some business.”

“Anyway, I want you to know you looked totally amazing today at brunch. That and you young Lady have someone new on your side, Cathy’s totally taken with you. Your genuine warmth swept her away. That and you are absolutely unpretentious,”

“Neil, I swear, I did nothing extraordinary; I’m just me.”

“Kat, you no idea of the people Carl and I met. But, you are the one the which breaks all the rules. You are genuine, honest, and very plain-spoken. Do you know you are the very first woman, besides Cathy, that has ever told Carl or even me to shut up and made it stick?”

“I was just kidding around with you guys, trying to fit in with all of you. I like all of you guys. You know that, right?”

Ru? What am I going to do with these people?

“Kat, to me, you are an amazing woman. You are simply the most complex woman I’ve met. I’m drawn to you in ways I don’t recall any woman doing in, well, forever. If I were local, I’d be here until I got thrown out, but I’m not local. I have, hell, we both have, a series of commitments that we both to honor in the coming weeks. You must finish college and graduate. I, too, have commitments that will take me to Vermont and Ohio over the next four weeks. I hope Ru and I will be welcome to attend your graduation.”

“Neil, you and Ru are welcome anytime. But yes, I hope you both will be here for my graduation. I have worked hard for this for years, and this is important to me.”

Reaching over and taking her hand in mine, “thank you, Lady. We will both be here, and if I don’t miss my guess, both Cathy and Carl will be here as well. You know that Cathy likes you a lot and hopes to become your friend?”

“Kat, I am heading out in the morning. This is my business card, on the back is my cell phone number. I pray that you call me.”

“Neil, can I call you every day? Would that be all right? I don’t know, this is a new world to me, and I want to stay in contact with you.”

“Lady, we will talk at least once a day, if not more. Ru and I will be back here the Friday before your graduation. That is a promise.” As I slowly got to my feet, I found myself wrapped inside the most awesome hug I ever had. At that moment, I knew this was where I wanted to be, and she was the one I wanted to be with.

“Kat? We will talk. We both have a lot to think about over the next four or so weeks. We see each other then see what’s next.”

When I headed out on this journey, I said I wanted quiet time to reflect, look around, and see what’s there. That week in Buffalo showed me. For the first time in ages, I met someone who came into my life and filled me with light and warmth. Damm, I missed her, and the truth be told, I know Ru did too. Phone calls are OK, but I missed seeing those dancing green eyes, those you don’t get on a phone call. Thank god, Ru and I will be back in Buffalo tomorrow.

I have no idea how many photos I took of Flo, Herman, Kat before or during graduation but, I filled three SD memory cards. After the graduation exercise, there was supposed to be a little gathering at Flo and Herman’s place. Well, that kind of grew. What had been planned as a few friends toasting the new graduate became a couple of hundred new friends congratulating Kat on graduating. Carl and Cathy were there, along with many of Herman and Flo’s many new customers. In the middle of the hurricane, Kat walked over to me and took my hand, then whispered in my ear as she held my hand. “I missed you.” After that all too a brief moment, she was dragged off to speak with another group of well-wishers.

No sooner had Kat disappeared into the crowd again than Cathy slipped up beside me. “Neil! You need to decide what you are going to do. Kat loves you. That’s written all over her face whenever she sees you. To top it off, old man, you love her too. That is plastered on your face too. So, what are you going to do?”

“Cathy, for the first time in ages, I do not have a clear vision of what’s next.”

“Neil! That’s what life is about, being willing to trust your gut and not your head. You have less than an hour to make up your mind about what you will do. Do you take hold of that lovely Lady’s hand and step out onto center stage together? Or do you quietly slip on down the road? Your choice, Neil?”

As Cathy predicted, within the hour, almost everyone had left. At last, I had the opportunity to talk with Kat. “I have an idea for you Kat. You and I need time for us. I plan to drive along the Erie Canal stopping, off in as many little towns as there are. Ending in Albany in a couple of weeks. Then, I want to head down the Hudson toward Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie, and ultimately Key West. The question is, would you like to join Ru and me on this voyage?”

“Neil? Give me thirty minutes to get packed, and I am ready to go. Does that answer your question? I need to do is grab a couple of pairs of jeans and shorts, a few tops and t-shirts, some personal items, and a pair of sandals or two, and I am ready. I’ll make you a bet. I saw Cathy talking with you earlier, at the same time, my Aunt Flo pulled me aside. What do you bet those two told us both the same thing?”

“Kat, I know you are right. If you were to ask your uncle who runs the show, bet you he will happily point at your aunt. I know what Carl will say, that he is damm glad to have Cathy’ guide’ him. Kat, you have a great role model in your aunt. Let’s go to Albany.”

Kat talked with her aunt and uncle about our planned trip along the canal. This conversation was something she did on her own. Aunt Flo took Kat by the hand and lead her away as Uncle Herman walked over to me. Ru? Where are you, buddy, when I need you? As Herman approached, he reached out his hand and said, “Thank you, Kat has been miserable these past four weeks. If I don’t miss my guess, she will be back downstairs before you, and I can finish this beer.”

Ten minutes later, Ru jumped up and started wagging his tail madly as Kat came back with a backpack slung over one shoulder. “You ready to start this voyage?” With that, the three of us headed off into the night together.

“Neil! That thing is huge!”

“It’s a 44-foot Class-A camper. I guess it’s more a glamper. I had it custom built so I could park it out in the back end of nowhere for a week or more without having to head back to get water and fuel. It has all the latest electronic aids and whatever on it.”

Ru, camper. I opened the car door, and he took off like a shot. Running around the camper, sniffing, and looking for something. “Let Ru go and do his look around.” When he was satisfied, he went over and sat by the door to welcome us home.

“What did Ru just do?”

“Well, Ru is a welcoming committee for any unwanted visitors that might be hanging around.”

“Kat, Malinois are an unusual breed. They are very loyal, no protective of their people. Kat, you are one of his people. He will remember anyone who is a friend, which is a lot more than I can say for myself. You want to see something funny, watch how he greets your aunt and uncle the next time we are together. Anyway, how do you like my little bus?”

“Little bus? Really? What doesn’t this thing have?”

“Well, let’s go explore and see what’s here you need to be comfortable?”

As the door opened, Ru flew up the stairs and disappeared into the bus. Then he reappeared at the door to welcome us home. “If he had discovered a visitor, there would have been some screams. I told you I had a minder. Now you begin to see what I meant. He keeps the boogie men away. Shall we go explore?”

“The bus can sleep up to six people, but four is the optimal capacity. The bench folds out into a queen-size bed. There’s a small but decent kitchen here. There’s my office on the road; technically, the entire bus is a law office. Of course, upfront, there’s the driver’s and passenger’s seat. There’s a bathroom with a shower and dressing room toward the back. Behind that, there’s a bedroom and some more storage. The bus is purpose-built to be lived in on the road for how every long I desire. So, what do you think?”

“Ummm? Holy shit? This ‘bus’ is like something out of; I’m not quite sure what? But for sure, it is incredible. OH? Where’s Ru?”

“If you go and look at the driver’s seat, you’ll find him curled up there, that’s, where he sleeps. It’s getting way late. Let’s get your things put up and get your bed opened up.”

“Neil, Cathy, and I talked this afternoon too. She told me that you can be, well? A little dense and slow on the uptake, I will have to guide and lead you as she does with Carl. So let me spell out for you, OK? I love you, Neil. As long as we are together, we sleep together.”

“Kat, you are an amazing woman. I can see the unmistakably clear resemblance between you, Cathy, and your aunt. I was there when Cathy and Carl met for the first time. I’ll bet it was the same thing when your aunt and uncle met for the first time. They both did exactly the same thing that you just did. All three of you stake your claim on your man. Baby, I can not think of a better way to sleep than next to you. Come on, my woman, my Lady, let’s go to bed. Today has been a long day.”

As I secured down the bus and patted Ru’s head, Kat went to the back and dashed in and out of the bathroom. Then I did my time in the bath and went to join Kat in bed. “Honey, do me a favor, please? Sleep like I do, in the nude. Will you join me?”

I leaned over and softly kissed my amazing Lady, then softly smiled as I slipped off my briefs. As I laid down, Kat rolled over next to me and whispered in a very sensuous tone of voice in my ear, “I think I am going to like this a lot.”

Very quickly, we both fell asleep, lost in each other’s arms. Sometime in the middle of the night, my bladder informed me that I had to move it or become embarrassed. As I slipped back in bed, I was welcomed back with a great hug, “welcome back, my darling, I missed you.” Then another series of soft, almost kitten-like purrs tickled my ear as l too fell back asleep. The next thing I became aware of was Kat lightly stirring about in our bed. Her fingers softly sliding along my arm, then my neck, and across my chest. Waking up in the morning with my lovely Lady was the best way to greet the day. “Good morning. I was just checking out my property. And I do like everything I’ve found so far. But I think there is more to discover.” With she leaned over and gave me the most amazing kiss I have ever gotten. Together we both tasted and nibbled on each other’s lips and ears and neck and on and on.

Rolling Kat on her back so l could discover her breasts, I was awe-struck with how beautiful my Lady is. Teasing, playing with a nipple caused her to release a low rolling moan. Then, as I held the breast in my hand and softly kissed the tip of the nipple, she cried out, “YYEEESSSSS!! Take them, take them both. They are yours, my love.” With that, she pulled on my ears as she pushed her breast deeper into my mouth. Try as I might, I could not swallow her breast. Finally, stopping and sitting up a moment, Kat cried out, “Neil, my love. Please claim your other breast as yours.” She held her breast up to me as her eyes begged me to savor its sweetness. As I lashed the rigid nipple, the breast was pushed deeper and deeper in my mouth as Kat, and I became one. “Honey??? Please??? Will you please fill me as your woman?”

Reaching down across my woman’s stomach and then reaching between her legs as she opened them for me, I greeted another series of soft cries. Then, squeezing her lips together, “damm, you are so wet, Kat.”

“You made me that way. I’ve waited for you for what seems like ages, and I want you, my man. I want you to fill me, take me where I have never been before, and make me all yours.” We began moving around so we could easily slide into each other and become one. As I leaned over her on my elbows. She guided my cock between the lips of her wet pussy as her legs encircled my waist. At first, I slowly pressed forward to open the inner lips that led to her soul, opening slowly, enjoying each and every new sensation that greeted us. The never-ending waves that ran over us were unlike anything before. I knew I was someplace new, and I wanted to stay here forever. Then, at last, I was fully buried deep in my woman. We moved in unison, slowly pushing each other up to greater heights until we rolled into a climax that left us both stunned with the intensity that we discovered. In the end, we collapsed into each other’s arms and a warm fog that locked us together.

How long we laid there, I can’t say. Then, finally, Kat began to stir, “Honey, I must go to the bathroom and take care of things there.” With that, she slowly got out of bed.

“I’ll go and kick the coffee pot and toss Ru out before he makes a mess.” With that, I slipped on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Then hit the coffee pot only to be greeted by Ru at the door. With a look on his face as if to say, well? What the hell took you so long? When the door opened, Ru ran around and hit all four corners of the bus, marking this as his territory.

“God damm, woman. You are more beautiful than I have ever seen you look.”

“Neil, stop it, or you are going to make me blush.”

“Honey, I need to give Ru some running time this morning. He needs exercise every day, or he gets kinda cranky.”

“I’m bringing my coffee and going with you two. I’ll bet Ru is just like my old man. He doesn’t get his exercise every day. So he gets kinda cranky too.”

As I started to look in look in Kat’s direction, her infectious giggle stopped me cold. All I could do smile, shake my head, and mutter under my breath, “yes, ma’am.”

The three of us got out, and Ru took off chasing his ball. At first, he would come back to me with the ball, but soon Kat had the honor of throwing the ball too. So we switched off between us until both of our arms got tired. “Honey?”

“You know I really like it when you call me all these endearments. It really makes me feel so good. You are the first man I have ever been with that did that. Thank you, my dear.”

“Katleen Floyd, I am an old-fashioned romantic. I do things like that, and I also like holding hands in public too. Oh, another thing, don’t be surprised when I kiss you in public too. Do you know why I do these crazy things? Cause Ms. Floyd, you are beloved by a crazy old-fashioned romantic fool who thinks the world of you. That’s why Ms. Floyd. What else do you need to know?

“Anywho, we need to get a move on, or folks will wonder why a bus was abandoned here. So I’ll call and get the rental car picked up. Do you know where the truck stop is out on the Thruway? They can service the beast, refill the water tank, flush the grey and black water tanks, check the tires, and all that good stuff. At the same time, you and I can have breakfast. Then we can find our way up to the canal road and start wandering along. Does that work for you, hun?”

“Neil? On the way to the canal road, we will pass by a large art supply store. I would like to check on a couple of things there if that’s OK?”

“Hell yes!! That’s perfect. Do we need to stop there now?”

“No baby, breakfast first. After all the intense exercise you gave me this morning, I’m hungry. So get me breakfast, first.”

We finally began to roll out of town two and a half hours later. The truck stop was an eye-opener for Kat, showing her a slice of a world that she did not know existed. The art supply store was my introduction to Kat’s universe. Likewise, going there with her was an eye-opener for me. In time she selected two pads, some pencils, and some charcoal.

When we got to the cashier, Kat looked at me somewhat expectantly as I looked toward the cashier. “Ma’am, I need four cases of those pads she just picked out. A case of pencils and an electric sharpener as well. And a case of the charcoal, I’ll wait while they pull the order up. Oh? I will also need an application to open a new account. If you would like, I can guarantee the account with my credit card. Will that work?”

“Neil!”

“Lady, we will not be near a store where you can run in and find these items. What else do you think you might need? Go and get it, please. We will be on the road for several weeks in the backend of nowhere. If you need something, I bet they can ship it to us. So be sure you pick up a catalog just in case you need something. Does that work for you?”

“Mister, you are insane, you know that?”

“Yes, I am, so what’s the problem?”

After getting all of Kat’s supplies loaded into the storage compartment under the bus deck, we hopped on to be welcomed home by Ru. Pulling around to the far corner of the parking lot. “Baby? Get Ru to move his fat ass, and I will show you how the navigation panels work. Everything on the bus is satellite-driven. I just entered a request into the system asking for routing along the Erie Canal from our current location to Albany. These are various options. I just asked for the most picturesque route. This route is what the system suggested. Do you want to preview the route as an overview or drive along?”

“Can we go there?”

“Yes, tap the screen and set that as your destination. Then, the system will overlay a map of the area with detailed instructions on getting to your select destination. Watch the screen. Do you see where it says ‘mirror’? Tap that icon. That frames the map and shows everything beside and behind the bus. Also, built-in is a front-end collision avoidance system that will stop us if we are in danger of hitting something in front of us.”

“Let’s get on the road and see what lies ahead for us, my Lady. I think tonite make it to Wildlife Refuge and camp there. Do you think there is anything for us to do fun there?”

“Yes, there is something enjoyable to do at the refuge. Getting in each other’s pants would be very enjoyable. You have so much more for me to hidden away there that I need to discover.”

We were sitting outside the bus after dinner and watching the sun slip over the horizon somehow that was especially soul-satisfying this evening. Looking at Kat as she looked toward me filled me in ways I had never known. “Neil, so that you know. I guess you are the first real boyfriend I have been with. There have a few others, but no one like you. When I was in high school, I had one boyfriend, and well, we tried to have sex. But that was a disaster. Since then, I suppose you can say I haven’t seen anyone interesting. So in many ways, I am your virgin girlfriend. Please show me how to love you, my dear.”

“Kat, over the years, I’ve bumped into a very few women. But no one held my attention. But love, no. What we share and have is based on our mutual love for each other. Kat, I will make you a promise, right here and right now. If you let me, I will be with you until the sun does not rise.”

“Let’s get fuzzy over there on the bus. The kitchen cleared up, and coffee was made for the morning. Then we have some mutual exploring to do, young Lady.”

“Oh? Is that what they call it today, exploring?”

After Ru was down, and I secured the bus for the night. I headed to our private space to find my Lady curled up on the bed waiting for me. “My Lady, you have no idea just how amazing you are. Do you?”

I slipped off my sandals and tossed my clothes in the hamper. Then after doing all the necessaries in the bathroom. I moved into our bed and began to settle when Kat rolled over and draped herself over my chest. “Hi, my man.” Good lord, this woman is a champion cuddler. I held her closer to me as I softly kissed the top of her head, lost in the scent of her perfume. Thinking to myself, I sure do like this idea of her’s, sleeping in the nude. Somehow it gets me to feel even closer to her, and that is good.

We lay on our bed, totally at ease with each other and our world. This place was where I had always dreamed of finding, and the peace that filled me took my breath away. Laying here with the woman I loved and listening to her soft breath was just like walking into heaven. Once again, a peaceful sleep overtook us as we drifted together.

Dawn brought a giant thunderclap as the storm front rushed past us on its way south. The wind picked up, the bus seemed to slightly rock which got me to roll next to my Lady. “Good morning. It seems that the storm king has other plans for this morning besides sleeping in.”

She did it again. She flipped on that smile to warm the room and light my soul as her arms reached around me and pulled me to her. “Good morning baby, know what? I have other plans too.” With that, our lips connected again into a soft, slow-motion kiss. A kiss that developed into a deep connection between our souls as our tongues played with each other.

Into this paradise, a long plaintive whine came out from the front of the bus. Good morning to you too Rufus, I am so glad to hear that you are in such a fine voice today. I suppose you are saying that you want to go out and look around in the rain. So I got up and went to the front of the bus to find Ru and kick him out. “Hey Kat? You have to see this.”

Up until this moment, the only place that I had ever known Ru to spend the night was on my seat. My favorite chair in the condo was an ancient arts and crafts style chair with worn-out cushions was his place to sleep. And here on the bus, well, the driver’s seat. And now the damm deserter is camping out on Kat’s seat. That damm woman done stole my dog as she has done stole my heart. Damm, thieving women! If ain’t tied down, they will steal it.

“Neil? What are you fussing and muttering about?”

“YOU! You are a thieving damm woman! You done stole my heart, and now you done stole my dog too. Look where the damm dog is! He’s plopped down on your seat. Up until now, he always slept on my seat.”

“Old man of mine, be quiet. You make too much noise way too early in the morning.” With that, Kat opened the door to the bus, and Ru blotted outside to do his morning rounds. “You have something I want.” With that simple statement, my naked imp slipped to her knees. Where she found my semi-soft cock in both of her hands. Running her fingertips slowly back and forth, my cock. “Honey, so that you know. These tits are your tits to savor and enjoy. This pussy belongs to you, and you can have it anytime you want to take your pussy. But this cock, this cock belongs to me, and it is mine. I do not share ever. It is mine to have, to hold, and pleasure.” Slowly she swallowed the head of her cock. Taking me into her mouth to taste and play with her new toy. As I grabbed hold of the counter to keep myself from falling on the floor, this woman of mine was taking me to places I could only have dreamed of before. “My man, give your woman your seed. I want to taste you and feel you in my mouth and my belly.” With that, she thrust her head down the length of her cock. As she pulled on my hips to get her cock deeper into her mouth. While I pressed on the back of her head, holding my woman’s head impaled on her stiffening shaft. Then it happened and flooded her mouth and throat with my cum, my seed. Once more claiming my woman as my own.

Taking her hands in mine and getting Kat to stand so she was wrapped deep in my arms, as I reached out to kiss those glistening lips and taste our mixed juices. “Baby, you are amazing.” Into this special place came yet another cry called out. It was Ru demanding that he let inside and out of the rain. Kat opened the door, and he bounded up the stairs.

When Ru got in at the top of the stairs, he had to shake off all rain that had fallen on him. In doing so, my used-to-be best friend gave us both a shower. “Thank you, Ru, I needed that. NOT!”

“Baby? I hate to admit it, but Ru does have a good point. We both need a shower. Have you ever showered with someone else? It’s a great way to explore your partner. When I had the bus built, I made the designers build in a shower for two. Does that give you any ideas?”

“You are a nasty, dirty old man who is intent on leading me astray along the roads of corruption. Aren’t you?”

“Baby? How can you say that? I’m going to take a shower just soon as I hit the coffee pot to get it started. So how can you say I’m dirty?”

“That hurt! Those elbows of yours are sharp! What was that for?”

“That was to remind you that you are nasty and dirty and my old man. Now! Let’s get in the shower and clean your act up.”

“Ya know Ru, there is a new sheriff in town, and her name is Miss Kathleen.” That statement was met with a giant yawn as Ru settled in on Kat’s seat and went to sleep.

Kat was standing at the door of the bathroom as she called out, “honey? Do you want to talk to Ru all day, or do you want to come with me?”

As I walked into the bath, I saw Kat standing under the shower with the water running all over her. “Well, hello, sailor, do you see anything you might like?” With that, she ran both of her hands across those beautiful tits, then slowly down between her legs.

I stepped into the shower, then wrapped my arms around this vixen of mine. “Kat, I am going to make you my angel.”

“Oh? And how do you exactly proposed to do that, sailor?”

“I am going to fuck the devil out of you, wench!”

“Do you promise, old man?”

Pulling her closer to me as I slowly explored her ear with my tongue and teeth, nibbling here and there. I occasionally bit her ear to a rolling series of moans and cries. As my hand-rolled her head back and forth. While the fingers of my other hand lightly danced along her spine.

With both of her hands holding my head, she looked directly into my eyes, “honey? Fuck the devil out of me NOW! Take me, fuck me hard. Claim your wanton imp as yours to use as you desire.” She leaned into the corner with her legs open while reaching out to guide her cock inside of that warm wet pussy of mine. “Fuck me hard, take me as yours. Make me your good girl.” Slamming her cock deep into her soul and pulling out all the cum she had stored inside of her. While she surrendered and became my woman.

“KAT! Who do you belong to?”

“Only you, my beloved. Only you.” With that, the both of us exploded into a fantastic climax. The stars exploded in the heavens as we both froze like a pair of statues fused into one.

Finally, we wound down and found towels, and we dry each other off. We were standing together, wrapped in our world. “Kat? How did we get so lucky as to discover each other? You are amazing. I am amazed that you are mine. Thank you for being you and being my Lady.”

“Neil, it is totally my pleasure. I can think of no better place to be in the world than here, with you. Oh? Do you think the coffee has run by now?”

“I think it might have. Why? Do you need a cup of coffee, too?”

“Hey, hon? Since it looks so nasty rainy out. What’s the plan for today?”

“Well yeah, the weather is supposed to clear late today. I know I have a few emails that I must answer. Otherwise, I will be getting some nasty phone calls. I’ve seen the museum in Rochester. Hell, I’ve done some classes that they do for amateur photographers there. But, what I like to do is go to Corning and tour the museum there. How does that sound to you?”

“That sounds great to me. But, I have one demand, that we spend our time together this morning in the nude. And who knows, maybe you might continue with your quest of fucking the devil out of me and reforming me as a good girl. What do you think?”

“Baby, I think that is a great quest. Much better than any quest that happened before. Get over here, Miss Imp.”

“Yes, my Captain.” With that, I found my neck wrapped inside those arms of hers as our lips lightly danced back and forth. Once more, we became lost in a series of soft kisses.

Into this picture of peace and tranquility came the blare of my phone ringing. I knew that was going to happen. “Good morning, Sally. How is Chicago today? I hope it is snowing there for you.”

“And good morning to you to Mister Sunshine! Since it is raining there. OH! Hi Ru, how’s the good sweet boy? You need to get your emails caught up. I expect your response not later than noon today. Understood!”

“Sally? Do you know how much I hate you?”

“I don’t care, now get to work and quit fucking around.”

“Yes, ma’am, you will have your responses by noon. And have a nice day.”

“Fuck you, Neil! Get to work!”

“Honey? That was my boss, who goes around pretending to be my para-legal and secretary. We have worked together for just about as long as I have known Carl and Cathy. There will come a day when you, Cathy, and Sally all get together. That is the day I will be flying off to Toyko. That will put me as far as I can imagine from the three of you. I just might be safe there for the time being. Maybe.”

“Neil, get me some coffee, then you get to work, or do I figure out how to call Sally back and tell her you are goofing off?”

“Yes, ma’am, coming right up.”

Ru, you shut up. You’re a damm traitor to mankind. “Heres your coffee, ma’am.”

Cat curled up on the sofa with her coffee in hand and Ru at her feet. She had one of her sketch pads and had her pencils dancing about. While, I opened the cabinets and fired up my computer, and fell back into my old persona. The old habits came rushing back as I opened the email with the subject line response needed. I began reading, cursing, grumbling, making notes, and slowly composing a sharply pointed response to the email I had to handle. Two hours later, I hit the send button and waited ten minutes to call Sally.

“Hi, Neil, so nice of you to call. It’s a lovely day here in Chicagoland, and there is no snow in the forecast.”

“Did you get it?”

“Yes, I scanned your response, which was what was expected with the notable exception that you were a little more terse than usual. I forwarded it on to the client and the team here. So you think we are going to the mattress?”

“In the end, we will be back in court again on this. I guess they like paying our fees; otherwise, they would have settled a while back. We will need to talk again in the morning after the team has read this. Set up a conference with them to have our act together when we get the expected response. Talk with you then.”

“Honey? Can I ask what that was all about?”

“Yeah, I’ve been up to armpits in a nasty ongoing case. The action has been in and out of court for the last five years or more. I want to move this to closure, which will likely mean we will go to court. Again. The result will be, I will have to go back and forth to the office more than I want. The other party wants to drag this thing on indefinitely. Anyway, we’ll see what happens tomorrow. Kat, welcome to my world. You just heard a small piece of it. My question is, are you sure you want to be involved in this insanity?”

“Neil, to me, it is straightforward. Where ever you go, I go. Does that answer your question, Mister High Priced Attorney?”

“Kat! You are fucking nuts. You know that, don’t you, woman?”

“No, Neil, I am not fucking nuts. I am fucking you, my man, my love. Now get over here and tell me what you want?”

“What, baby?” Standing there watching as she moved around on the sofa, so that sweet pussy of mine was on display.

“Tell me what you’d like. For example, should your pussy be shaved, or waxed, or maybe even lasered? Or, maybe leave a landing strip to guide you home, with your pussy lips cleared, or do you want the red forest to grow back in? What would you like?” All the while Kat was presenting my pussy for inspection, she was petting those swollen wet lips and tweaking her clit.

“Honey? I think I should look into this a little closer before giving you an answer.” As l leaned down, l pushed her hand aside and began to run my fingers over those lips. In time, peeling them apart, so the clit came out of hiding and was displayed. Lightly pinching it. “Baby? What is this?”

That light pinch was met with her yet a series of low guttural moans and cries. “I wonder, how it will taste? Let’s see.” I pulled the clit into my mouth as fingers slowly drove into my wet pussy. Which pushed my girl over the edge again and again.

“NEILLLL, OH MY GOD!! You have to fuck meeeeeee now. I’ll do anything you want, but please fuck me now.”

“Kneel on the sofa, with your head on the back of the sofa. Open your legs so l can see my swollen pussy.” She moved about, so the pussy and damp little rose were displayed. Running my thumbnail along the hidden highway here, sweeping my index and middle fingers across the swollen lips. “What is this, my woman?”

“It is yours. It is your pussy, your cunt, to take and use. It is the gateway to my soul.” She haltingly stumbled out.

Then my thumb ran across the puckered rose of Kat’s tiny asshole. “And this, what is this?”

“It is the virginal asshole.”

Slowly I entered between the inner lips of my woman and slipped into her secret garden. Which I opened again. Then, taking what had become mine as I pulled on her long red hair, we moved deeper together. Lost in our own world. Rushing to become once again, as I exploded deep inside of her. That explosion was met with one long continuous wail that was a mixture of passion, surrender, and love from Kat. Afterward, we were both frozen in time as we caught our breath as our new reality sank into us.

We both held onto each other, molded into one. Kat whispered in my ear. “Neil, you are determined to fuck the devil out of me, aren’t you, my love.”

We lay on the sofa, totally at ease with each other and our world. This place was where I had always dreamed of finding, and the peace that filled me took my breath away. Laying here with the woman I loved and listening to her soft breath was just like walking into heaven. Then, once more, a peaceful sleep overtook us as we drifted together on the sofa.

Another major crash of thunder rattled our world as the lighting danced around outside. “It would seem the Storm King has plans for the world today. Or, maybe he is telling the world about the two of us. Either way, there will little more sleep now.”

My observation was met with an increasingly ferocious cuddle and an even more demanding purr from Kat. “Me, I want to be here with you. Regardless of what, how does that fit into your plans?” Slowly she reached up and slipped her arms around my neck. Then drew our lips together into yet another kiss that changed my world.

“Honey, let’s get in and out of the shower again. Otherwise, you might call me a stinky, dirty, nasty old man. I’ll call and get a reservation for the next couple of nights in a park near Corning. Oh, I need to stop at the FedUp office and send an overnight package to Sally too. That work with you?”

By early afternoon we had gotten everything stowed away and us on the road toward Corning and the Glass Museum there. Kat looked totally at ease in her seat as we rolled along. “You know Neil, I’ve lived in this part of the world almost all of my twenty-three years. And since we’ve been together, I have seen places here that I didn’t know where here. You have shown what it is to be a real woman and role models of real women. Since we met, you have shown me so much and opened my eyes to the world out there. I recall, just after I turned eighteen, thinking I was the oldest virgin in high school, so I had to get laid. Well, the kindest thing to say is neither one of us knew what we were doing. But, thinking back, it was a miracle that got part c in tab c.”

“Honey, that’s a great way to describe how many folks first time goes. If you ask me later on, I’ll tell you the story of my first time.”

“Thinking back now, it was sadly funny, including the backseat of an old Chevy. But at least I graduated high school not being the only virgin in my class, or so I thought at the time. The thing is, thanks to you. I believe sex is the ultimate way of communicating with the most important person in my life. Sex is the way we share our love for each other. By the way, you are the first person, man or woman, I have been since then. I’m glad I waited for you.”

“Like many girls my age, I learned a lot about sex from one or another hot romance novel and even porn. But, the fantasies laid out there have nothing to do with our reality and the voyage we are on. In reality, we are partners.”

“Thank you, Kat. I have been fumbling about trying to define who or what we are. Your description is perfect, partner.”

“I never knew my Dad. I have no idea who he was or anything about him. My Mom died when I was less than a year old, so I never knew her. After she died, her brother and his wife adopted me. They became by Mother and Father because they wanted to be. They supported me, held my hand when it needed holding, and kicked me in the ass when if needed kicking. They are loving parents. Hell, the best in the world.”

“I have to share with you two things Aunt Flo told me. I asked her the secret to how she and Uncle Herman had such a long, happy marriage. She chuckled, as she does often, then hugged me before she told me. Never go to bed with your husband mad. You must resolve any issues you have with him before you go to sleep. Doing this prevents issues from becoming nasty problems that can kill any relationship. You must always talk it out. Hell, if you have to fight, then fight. But fight fairly and go to sleep, happy to be in your partner’s arms. She told that ages ago.”

“As you may recall, when I dashed upstairs to toss some clothes in my backpack when you asked me to go on this voyage, she went along with me. Not to help me pack. But to share the other thing that has kept her and my uncle so close over the years. Sleeping together in the nude. And you know, I do so like sleeping nude with you, my beloved partner.”

“Thank you, Aunt Flo.”

—————–

Author’s notes and questions for the reader:

I hope you have enjoyed the adventures of Ru, Kat, and Neil and the assorted other characters as they wander. If you are interested in helping me edit anything in the future, I’d love to hear from you. And I’d like to see any comments you have.