I drove rapidly along the four-lane highway that paralleled the Gulf to my right, sweat matting my shirt to my back. Gulls soared and dipped over the calm, blue water, and a few swimmers braved the scalding sun and lay baking on the white sand.
To my left, the hotels and motels and nightclubs were gone. Thick growth nearly spilled over the grassy shoulder to the highway. Even in the hot three-o'clock sun, the dense growth was dark and looked cool.
Then I saw the ragged old cypress tree ahead and eased my foot from the accelerator. My heart raced a bit as I turned from the highway to buck over the corduroy road and ease into the overhanging growth. The sun was gone now. But the cool-appearing growth had been a deception, for humidity seemed to flow in waves. I felt smothered, hot almost beyond endurance.
And when I felt the humidity coat my tense body, I thought for one instant of Peggy and became even warmer. For it was parked in these damn swamps that I had spent so many frustrating nights with her.
But that was in the past, I told myself. I was happily married now and had little desire for petting games with a girl like Peggy. I also told myself that the only reason I was driving back here was to have a beer and say hello to Pearl.
I repeated it aloud and felt a little better. But there was still a strange gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach. I wiped sweat from my face with the back of my hand and concentrated on the beer.
The trail twisted back and forth. I had to slow down and drive carefully, for I knew bogs and bayous lay only inches through the growth. It could be disastrous if my car slid from the ruts.
After what seemed an eternity in the swamp, I came to the little trail--more of a path, really--that stretched off to the right. I crept over the path, my hands slippery on the steering wheel.
And then, through low-dipping leaves from the gigantic oaks, I saw Pearl's place, a rough, unpainted box of a building looking awkward and fragile on brittle wooden stilts.
I parked in the gravel-covered parking lot and climbed out. A few feet behind the building was a slimy, lily-covered bayou. Through sparse trees I could see the blue Gulf and the long bridge that separated it from the bayou.
My throat was parched and my lips cracked dry. I walked up the steep, rickety wooden steps and shoved the screen door open. The door clapped shut behind me. I stood a moment, looking at the unpainted booths, the small bar covered with linoleum, and pictures of sailfish and barracudas decorating the walls.
A couple of booths near the bar were occupied, but I didn't recognize anyone. I didn't see Pearl, but just as I slid into a booth near the door, I saw Peggy look around. A shiver ran down my burning back.
She looked at me a long moment, then got up and walked slowly toward me. She wore a tight blouse and short, tight, white shorts rolled at the bottom.
I licked my lips as she flowed over the uneven boards of the floor. Her snug shorts accentuated her magnificent hips. They were so tight I could see the outlines of her bikini panties beneath them.
I recalled every part of her perfect body, every detail of her fabulous, golden-tanned body. And I remembered how often I had visualized the way her shoulder-length, red hair framed her round face and wide, green eyes and full lips.
"Hello, Carl," she said.
I started to get up, but she put a hand gently on my shoulder and leaned down to brush my lips softly. My heart went wild.
"Hello, Peggy," I said. "Sit down." I slid over, and she sat beside me.
"Are you glad to see me, Carl?"
"Of course."
"Are you really?" She used a little-girl voice. "I don't think you are. You haven't called me."
Before I could answer, I saw Pearl come from a door back of the bar and start across to the booth.
"Carl, honey!" she boomed. She waddled across the floor, her huge body shaking in a gaudy, flowered dress.
Peggy smiled as Pearl stopped at the booth. "Isn't it great to have Carl back? "
"It sure is, honey," Pearl said and leaned down and gave me a hug.
"It's good to be back," I said.
"Where have you been all this time?" Pearl asked.
I mentioned the television stations to which I'd moved on, and when I mentioned that I was married --real casually--I saw her glance quickly at Peggy. She showed no emotion. We talked a couple of minutes more, then someone at the bar called Pearl.
"Got to go back to work," she said. "But we'll have us a long talk before long. Now, what can I get you to drink, honey?"
"I'll have a beer," I said. "Do you want a beer, Peggy?"
"I'm simply dying of thirst," Peggy said. "A beer would be just the best thing on earth."
Peggy and I talked inanely a couple of minutes, mostly about the weather. Then Pearl brought two frosted cans of beer and we both drank deeply. I saw Pearl glance at Peggy again and wondered what she thought about my marriage.
A lot of college kids drove out from the proper and socially acceptable clubs in town to drink here. But I knew Pearl liked Peggy best. Peggy was just pulling the can of beer from her mouth. Beer stood wet on her puffed lips. She was breathing deeply. Her huge breasts thrust against the thin, sweat-damp blouse.
"Why haven't you called me?" Peggy asked. "Why, you've been back over a week."
"How do you know when I got back?"
She picked a piece of lint from my shirt and let her fingers linger just an instant. "You forget, Daddy is on the station's board of directors. Why, I probably knew you were coming back before you did." - I felt Peggy's lush body against mine. My heart pounded, and I felt queasy with the heat. I bolted my beer down. Was that why I had been hired? Because of Peggy? I had certainly thought of that when the offer came. But after what had happened between us, I had thought that would be the last reason. But I knew they had passed over more experienced men.
"Is that why I was hired?" I asked. "Because of you?"
Her fingers traced along my hand on the table. "Let's not talk about that kind of thing now," she said. "I just want you to know how glad I am to see you. And I just feel terrible because you haven't called me."
"I'm married now," I snapped.
"I know that, silly," she said. She smiled faintly. "Surely you must have told your wife we were good friends." She paused. "No, I guess you would be a little ashamed to tell her, or anyone, about us, wouldn't you?"
"Listen, dammit," I started.
"I don't mean to upset you, Carl. What you did is just between us. It's just that if you had been a little more patient and understood how young and scared I was--well, things might have been different with us. I might have become your lover."
"Forget it," I said and drained my beer.
"I'm sure you've changed since your marriage," she said. "But I can't forget how excited you got when you kissed me, or when I let you feel me all over, Carl."
"I have changed, Peggy."
She smiled, and her green eyes were wide and mocking. "I wonder, Carl," she said very softly.
I swallowed. Sweat rolled down my face. I looked from her taunting smile and grabbed the can of beer, then realized it was empty.
"I've got to be going, Peggy," I said. "Jeannie is fixing an early dinner."
"Of course, I understand, Carl," she said. "Could you give me a ride back to town?"
"You got down here without my help," I said. "You have friends here, Peggy. Dammit, I'm happy with Jeannie, and the past--our past--is finished. No matter how excited you got me or what I did, Peggy."
I dropped a dollar bill on the table, and Peggy slid out of the booth. She stood with her hands behind her, her head down.
"At least let me walk you to your car," she said, as I got up.
"Sure," I muttered. I looked back to say good-bye to Pearl. But I didn't see her, and I wanted desperately to get the hell out of the place.
We walked quickly and without speaking down the steep steps and across the gravel to my car. As I jerked the door open, Peggy suddenly took my hand. I whirled around.
"If you're so changed and so happy and all, can't we at least have lunch together, Carl?" she asked.
"Sure, we can lunch sometime," I said, wanting only to get away from her now. I pulled at my hand, but she held me with surprising strength.
"One kiss for an old friend won't hurt, will it, Carl?"
"Dammit, listen," I started and tugged at the hand again.
Then Peggy stepped even closer,, rubbing her ripe body against me slightly. I became even hotter. "One quick kiss," I gasped.
Her lips were wet, very soft and warm. I kept my mouth closed and made no effort to return the kiss. Then her hand clutched the back of my neck. As I tried to pull my mouth away, her tongue slid through my closed lips and flicked mine.
Suddenly I was returning the kiss.
She broke the kiss after a minute and stepped back. I was having a hard time breathing and felt that I had a fever.
"Now go home to your wife," she said. "Don't spoil her dinner, Carl."
She pivoted and ran back to Pearl's, her tiny panties clearly visible beneath the skin-hugging shorts.
I stood with weak legs, my throat burning, my breath still labored. Then I scrambled into the car and drove away quickly. I drove recklessly along the little path between the oak trees and turned onto the gravel-rutted road without slowing down.
Up near the highway, I passed the small road that led a couple of hundred yards down to a small stream. I had not let myself think of it when I drove out, but it was where Peggy and I had held most of our petting sessions. Now, I couldn't help glancing over and remembering the hot, dark nights there with her.
I had never known a girl like Peggy, with whom I had been so intimate without making love. When I remembered the ways she had of working me up, I shook my head in dismay. And yet, despite her petting ability, she always maintained a little-girl innocence that made me feel foolish for being so aroused.
I slowed for the highway, then turned along the Gulf. I tried to keep my mind on Jeannie and on the cold drink I would have. I told myself I was looking forward to a long, pleasant summer evening with my wife.
There was a small breeze now. Small white-caps were picking up across the blue Gulf. I turned the vent, and the rushing air helped cool my face. But in a moment, I was thinking of my hands on Peggy's breasts, her thighs...
I could kiss and lick the breasts and play with the thighs; but she had little tricks of twisting so I could never get my hands on the little panties. She drove me berserk. Finally, one night when I did manage to slide my frantic fingers under the panties, I thought surely I could have her at last. But it hadn't worked even then.
Now I licked my lips and leaned into the rushing wind from the vent and thought of how her lips and teeth and tongue, her fingers and nails and legs and thighs, had all driven me to such a state that I begged and begged her to make love to me. One night I had actually whined. I'd tried everything to excite her and finally would have settled for the chance to worship her perfect, golden young body. I slid down onto the floor of the car and kissed her thighs.
The little bitch, I muttered, stepping on the accelerator. She had stopped me then, and I had soon left town. I had known what would happen if I hadn't. I'd known what she would drive me to.
The car surged on, and I switched on the radio. I found some loud jazz and forced myself to think of Jeannie, of the cool drink that awaited me.
CHAPTER TWO
I parked in front of the apartment building and walked slowly across the steaming sidewalk. Palms seemed wilted in the heat. They seemed even more dispirited than I was.
The damn elevator wasn't working. I had to walk up six flights of the steepest steps in the world. I was soaked in sweat and utterly beat when I dragged myself into the apartment.
The windows were opened wide in the small living room. A fan whirled impotently, stirring the warm, damp air. I walked to a window and stood a moment, gazing down at the hot, deserted streets and over smaller buildings to the Gulf. The breeze was gone. The water was blue, smooth, and hot. Even the gulls had taken cover.
"Carl, that you?" Jeannie called. "I'm back in the kitchen."
"It's me," I said. I started unbuttoning my shirt as I started down the short hall. I stopped abruptly in the door. Jeannie was standing by the stove. But I could see someone else's feet--some woman--sitting at the table. I cursed silently.
Jeanie turned. "Oh, there you are," she said and smiled. "Carol dropped over to stay with me while I fixed dinner."
I stepped into the kitchen and said hello to Carol, sinking wearily into a chair as I did so.
"Is anything wrong, Carl?" Jeannie asked as she brushed a strand of blonde hair from her forehead.
"Nothing's wrong," I said, shifting uneasily in the chair. "Why?"
"Well, frankly, darling, you look like hell. Let me get you a drink."
"A tall, strong, cold drink," I said. "It's this damn heat that's got me down."
"And it's not just the heat but the humidity," Carol volunteered. "Why, Dick and I have been here five years, and we've never gotten used to it." She was black-haired and slim--not my type. Pleasant enough, but I wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.
"You'd think by now the heat would have broken," Jeannie said as she poured a double shot of gin into a tall glass. She added ice and tonic and dropped in a wedge of lime. "I mean, it's after five."
"I don't see how you survive without air-conditioning," Carol said.
"I'm not sure you can call this surviving," I said, taking the drink from Jeannie. I started working on it before it had a chance to cool while Jeannie and Carol talked about the heat.
It felt funny being with Jeannie after the brief session with Peggy in the swamps. The kitchen was unbearably hot, even with the windows open and the window fan going full blast. But Jeannie never complained, and I knew she liked cooking for me.
I poured the drink down, and tried to keep from staring at her. She didn't make a practice of snowing off her body the way Peggy did. She was appealing enough in blouse and bermuda shorts. But in a bikini, she was ravishing.
She was lovely, even when working like this in the kitchen. Tall and graceful, blonde hair falling to her shoulders, blue eyes sparkling. I glanced at Carol, and wished to hell she'd leave.
I finished my drink and went over and mixed another, putting in a lot more gin than tonic. Jeannie and Carol were discussing movies. Carol mentioned a movie she wanted to see and said Dick was out of town. My heart sank. All I needed was Jeannie to suggest we all go to a movie after dinner.
But Carol soon said she had to go. Jeannie showed her out while I poured down my drink. It was making me feel a little better. I finished unbuttoning my shirt. When Jeannie returned, I stood up.
"Dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes," she said, walking past me to the stove.
I walked behind her and put my hands on her shoulders. She looked around and smiled, then took a pot-holder to lift something from the oven. I took the holder from her hand and put it on the stove. Gently I turned her around and kissed her lips softly and wrapped my arms around her.
Suddenly I was kissing her harder. The touch of her body had filled me with desire. I pulled from her mouth and saw her surprise at my urgency. I moved my hands around and cupped her rounded buttocks.
"Let's go into the bedroom," I said.
"Dinner's ready," she protested. She made a motion to pull away.
"To hell with dinner," I said and pulled her against me. "I'm sorry, Jeannie. I know how hard you've worked in this sweat-box to fix dinner. But I want you, darling, very much."
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Why in hell should there be something wrong? What's wrong with wanting to make love to you?"
"I'm being foolish," she said and rubbed the back of my neck. "Dinner will keep. Here, let me turn the oven off."
I released her and she leaned over and turned the oven off. I put my arm around her slim waist, and we walked into the bedroom. She stepped over to pull the blinds, then came to me.
But I stepped back. "Take your bermudas off," I said with a surprising hoarseness.
She laughed. "Well, it's customary, at times like this."
"Just take them off, and stand there in your panties a minute."
She looked quizzical. I knew she was puzzled at my behavior and at my request. Then she smiled slightly. She unzipped the bermudas, stepped out of them, and stood there in pink panties.
I swallowed and stared at the panties above the slim, tanned thighs. Peggy's shorts had been almost as brief as Jeannie's panties. I moved to her and ran a finger over the thighs, then around the hem of the panties.
Jeannie stood still, her lovely face expressionless now, and I slowly rubbed the panties, then peeled the tops down and stepped back to stare again.
"Carl?" Jeannie asked, and her concern was obvious.
She was so lovely, so provocative and so sweet. I took her hands and pulled her to the bed. We sank down slowly.
I smothered her warm lips with an urgent, sucking kiss, and tore her blouse off. She squirmed beneath me, as her hands dug into my hair. She wore no bra, and my hands were harsh and eager on her breasts, kneading the huge mounds, then pulling at the nipples.
Jeannie does not like much foreplay, preferring to work together as long as possible. So I started fumbling from my clothes, and when I fell naked to her squirming body, she arched her legs and then groaned.
We moved slowly at first, her buttocks pumping beneath my grasping hands, her body rocking, her eyes clamped shut. Hot, angry desire flooded my tense, desperate body as I thought a moment of Peggy.
Then I sucked at Jeannie's lips and felt the exquisite sting of her tongue in my mouth. I forgot everything but the warm, willowy body which enclosed me.
Our tempo increased quickly, and we worked furiously, blindly, like animals, soaring to a point where every nerve-end in my body seemed to scream with pleasure and then explode in a thousand points of release.
* * *
I stood at the window, a can of beer in my hand, and watched the long summer dusk fade from purple to black. The lights of fishing boats rocked on the Gulf, and a breeze blew in from the water.
From the phonograph behind me came the lyrical piano notes of Dave Brubeck. Jeannie was curled on the couch, reading. Paul Desmond's saxophone blended with the piano, and I took a deep sip of beer and sighed.
It was amazing how content I felt now, when I considered that only a couple of hours earlier I had been nearly berserk with heat and frustration. Now it seemed as though that time in the swamp wasn't important. I thought of Peggy as only a pretty, childish girl.
I told myself it had been only natural that seeing her again should have an effect on me. But I had been stupid to let the heat get to me and let myself make a play for her.
And no matter why I was hired for the job, I had it now. Since I was determined to do a good job, there should be no question of my ability. I finished the beer and set the can down. I looked at Jeannie.
She wore a sleeveless, blue blouse and a short, blue skirt which rode high on her thighs. When she turned a page or took a deep breath, her breasts moved provocatively. I thought of the feel of the breasts, and the nipples which pushed against the thin cloth and showed clearly that she wore no bra.
She realized that I was staring at her. She closed the book, looked up and smiled. "Can I get you another beer?"
"I'll get it," I said. "I was just going to ask if you want one."
She nibbled at her lip. "I'm feeling wicked," she laughed. "I will take one."
"This is the second time this week you've had a beer," I said, staring openly at her bare thighs. "Wicked you are, but not with your drinking."
She blushed slightly and moved her hand to smooth her skirt. She laughed. "I'm afraid all my wickedness was exhausted in bed, darling." She stretched her long, golden legs. "Well, would you believe most of it? You're taking a chance by giving me something to drink, you know."
"I'll take my chances," I said. I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
I walked back to the kitchen, surprised that the sight of her legs and thighs had aroused me so much so soon. I opened two beers, got a bag of potato chips and returned to the living room as a saxophone solo soared from the phonograph.
I sat beside Jeannie, and we drank beer. I put my arm around her neck. She snuggled into my arms, and the record ended. Another platter dropped, and Frank Sinatra began singing, "A Foggy Day in London Town."
I felt the warmth and softness of Jeannie's willowy body. She set her beer on the end table and put her arms around my neck. I closed my eyes and thought how fortunate I was to have her, how I had been drifting around, my looks and voice keeping me alive as a TV newscaster. But now I was news editor on the local TV station, and I knew I could not have done it without Jeannie.
I opened my eyes, and took a deep swallow of beer. I looked out the window and saw that a light rain was falling. Cool enough for sleeping, I told myself. Jeannie stirred and arched her knee. She rubbed her knee wickedly up my leg, and I looked down into her eyes.
"I warned you about that beer," she said.
I slid my hand down and squeezed her waist. "You only had a couple of swallows."
"Well, try to imagine what might happen if I'd had the whole can."
I reached over and handed her the beer. "Drink," I said. "I'll take my chances."
She turned the can up and drank deeply. Then she put the beer back on the table, and slid into my lap. A wave of warmth surged over my body.
She pulled her short skirt up and snuggled against me once more. I pulled her head forward and smothered her full lips in a deep lass. My tongue explored her mouth.
She was taking her blouse off when the phone rang. I stiffened. She thrust a bare breast at my face. "Forget the phone," she said in a husky voice.
I nibbled at the breast. She raised herself and took off the skirt. The phone still rang. I wondered if the call might be important. Maybe it was the station.
I pulled my mouth from her breast and took her hands in mine. The phone still rang. I cursed it.
"You forget I'm a newsman," I said. "It wouldn't be ringing this long if it wasn't important."
"Damn," she muttered. "All right, but I'll answer it. If it's not the station, I'll hang up on them."
She bolted from the couch. I watched her tall, tanned body dressed only in brief panties as she ran into the bedroom. I was warm now, urgently warm. I unbuttoned my shirt and took a deep breath.
The moment Jeannie walked back, I knew something was wrong. She moved slowly. Her face was calm, but her breasts heaved with her heavy breath.
"It's for you," she said, her voice flat. "It's not the station. It's some girl. She says it's urgent."
Peggy, I said to myself. I cursed her as I stood up. I stopped and pecked at Jeannie's lips, slapping her buttocks as I walked quickly away. I stalked into the bedroom and jerked up the phone.
"Yes! "I snapped.
"Carl, this is Peggy," the voice said, soft and anxious.
I cupped the receiver. "What in hell do you mean calling me at home?"
"I had to talk to you," she said. "Please don't be angry. What's the problem, if your wife doesn't know about us?"
"Get this straight," I said. "Don't you ever call here again, I don't care if you're dying. Now, what in hell do you want?"
"I got home late," she said. "I was a little drunk, and Daddy thinks I was down at Pearl's. He has no idea I go down there, and he'd be just furious. Please, Carl, will you tell a little white lie for me, and tell him we were somewhere along the Gulf?"
"You little bitch," I said.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that," she said, her tone suddenly harsh. "It's your fault I got drunk. You wouldn't bring me back to town."
"Get this straight," I said. "I don't care that I'm working for your father. I'm not playing any more of your games, Peggy."
"I can take care of myself, as far as you're concerned," she said. "I don't need my father. And I'll make you pay for this."
She hung up. I stood holding the receiver a moment, then put it down. I was flushed with anger as I walked back to the living room.
The sight of Jeannie, sitting on the couch, naked except for the pink panties, made me quickly forget the anger. I went over and sat down. I put my arm around her, but she refused to come to me. Her eyes were narrow and her lips tight and thin.
"Some stupid little girl from the office," I said, quickly. "She got drunk this afternoon, and her family is furious. I think there's something about some boy. Anyway, she wanted me to lie and cover for her."
"You're not lying?" she asked.
"No," I said, feeling guilty as hell. But since I had not told her about Peggy when we came, it would be a disaster to try to explain things now.
"I'm sorry I got so upset," she said. "I know you've . never been unfaithful. But it was frustration as much as anything. It couldn't have come at a less opportune time."
"No, not if it was planned," I said and started to pull her to me.
But she took my hands from her body. "Just sit still," she purred, and started undressing me, her fingers quick and maddening. "I'll show you what happens when I'm wicked enough to have a can of beer."
"I shudder to think," I said as she pulled my shorts off.
"You'll be more than- shuddering in a minute," she said and smiled wickedly.
She peeled her pink panties off, and when she moved to me again, I gasped. Fever ripped over my body. In a moment, the couch was rocking as we worked together.
CHAPTER THREE
I lit a cigarette and leaned back in my chair. We had just wrapped up the mid-afternoon news roundup, and most of the day's work was over for me now. I was so pleased with things, I even thought of slipping away early and surprising Jeannie.
I knew I was doing a good job. I could tell that the station manager was pleased with my work. I exhaled and stood up. I had not seen Peggy in a week. I hadn't heard from her since she called the apartment that night.
I walked to the window and told myself it didn't matter now. The way things were going, I could handle her or anything else now. The air-conditioner hummed, and I felt a bit cold. I turned the button, and the machine grew quieter. The cold felt good, but I knew what it would be like to go outside into the heat.
The intercom buzzed. I stepped back to the desk and flicked the switch. "A call for you," my secretary said.
"Thanks," I said. I pushed a button on the phone and picked it up.
It was Stan Walters, the station manager. "You going home anytime soon?" he asked.
"You must be reading my mind," I said. "Everything's wrapped up. I was thinking of leaving early, and doing some work at home."
"Listen, I promised someone a lift, but I've got to hang around," he said. "It would be on your way."
"Sure," I said. "Shall I drop by your office?"
"I'd surely appreciate it," Stan said.
I hung up and put on my coat. I was glad to be leaving and glad to be able to do Stan a favor. I whistled softly as I left my office and sauntered down the corridor to his office.
He was just coming out. Then I saw her. I stopped abruptly, my hands doubled into fists at my sides.
"You know Peggy Curtis?" Stan asked. She followed him demurely down the hall, lovely in a pale, green dress, white gloves and high-heeled shoes.
"We know each other," I said, warning myself to calm down.
"Hello, Carl," she said. "I hate to trouble you, but my car is in the garage, and I just can't stand those dreadful taxis."
"No trouble at all," I said. "Shall we go?"
As we walked out, I silently cursed her for planning this. But I told myself not to worry. I'd get rid of her so quickly, she wouldn't know what had happened. We didn't talk until we stepped from the air-conditioned building. The heat was staggering.
"Oh, it's just awful," she said. "I can't wait to get cool."
"You'll be home soon," I said. She followed me around the corner to the parking lot.
"You're so sweet to do this," she purred. I nosed the car into the street.
"Hell, you're such a sweet girl," I said. "Sweet and ingenious."
"Please, don't try to insult me again," Why cause trouble? I asked myself. It was better to make the ride as pleasant as possible. I'd get rid of her.
"You look lovely dressed up like that," I said.
"Thank you," she said. She leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"Dammit, don't do that," I snapped.
"I'm sorry, Carl," she said. "You said something flattering, and that was my way of showing you I appreciated it."
I stepped on the accelerator and roared around a line of cars. My cheek seemed to burn where she had kissed me. I was disgusted to feel my heart racing. I smelled her perfume. Her flimsy green dress was high on her thighs, revealing the sleekly stockinged skin I knew so well.
"Forget it," I said.
"I'm just naturally affectionate," she said, pouting. "You often misunderstand that."
"Misunderstood, hell," I hissed. "All that parking and petting. The ways you kissed, that hot body of yours. Some damned affection."
She shrugged. "I liked you," she said. "What I call affection, you call something else. I wasn't going to make love to you, and you knew it. You were older and so sure of yourself. You seemed to like me, anyway. You seemed so determined to kiss and rub me, even though you knew you couldn't control yourself and that you'd end up wiggling and begging. I was just a child, Carl."
"You were a little bitch," I said. "And that little-girl innocence was a bunch of crap. You used every cheap trick in the book to excite me, just like a pro. You didn't know what it meant to be a real woman, and you never will."
She shook her head. "Carl, darling, you're so very weak," she said in a weary voice. "And your weakness makes you try to hurt me."
"I'm not going to argue," I said.
We drove on in silence. But I did not want to let things end with her accusation. Especially since I was convinced I would never go out with her again.
"I want to get things straight between us," I said. "And we have just about enough time before I get you home."
"Oh, so do I, Carl," she said. "Look, turn here. I nearly forgot to tell you. Daddy's out of town, and it's so hot and muggy and all, we're staying at our summer place. I guess you remember the way."
"Sure, I remember," I said, and turned a corner so sharply the tires squealed. It would take an extra half hour and would take me out of my way. But I was determined to settle things with Peggy.
"You are weak, Carl," she said. "So weak, my darling, that you can't even let me give you a simple and affectionate kiss on the cheek, for fear you'll break down."
"Dammit, listen, Peggy," I said, and gripped the wheel as though I might snap it in half.
"Watch your driving," she said. "You're getting all excited, like you always do. You just ran that stop sign."
I glanced back. She was right. So I concentrated on driving and sat there fuming. I made another turn and headed out on the highway. Peggy's summer place lay on a small inlet about ten miles past the turnoff to Pearl's. When we were a couple of miles from there, she shifted around on the seat.
"Carl, I always stopped you when we were parked you know that," she said. "I really like you. But I could have you eating out of my hand. You get all excited so easily, it makes me wonder if your wife really satisfies you. Or are you as weak with her as you are with me?"
"To mention you and Jeannie in the same breath makes me sick," I growled. "She's a woman, Peggy. Do you understand what that means?"
"You're still trying to hurt me," she said. "All right, Carl. Despite how much I like you, I'm going to make you pay for that. After today, I won't come to you. You'll crawl to me--and on my terms."
I stopped so quickly the wheels slid. The car swerved wildly for several yards before I could get it over on the shoulder that lay along the beach.
"You filthy bitch," I said.
But I couldn't resist staring as she sat with her legs slightly spread and her skirt pulled high above her knees. I remembered those slender legs and the smooth, sleek thighs. And then I glanced up at the surging breasts, the sensuous lips and beautiful face.
"I'll have you my way, Carl," she said, so quietly it was difficult to understand her.
Anger soared through my suddenly tense body.
"Bitch," I said. I had to check myself to keep from hitting her.
She slid across the seat and, with a force that surprised me, grabbed my hand and thrust it between her thighs.
I cursed her and tried to pull free, but my hand seemed to be trapped in her warm, soft thighs. I went weak and feverish. My breath came in gasps.
I tried to shove her away. But then I felt my fingers against the panties. Heat raced through my body. I slapped her with my free hand. She bit my ear, and the fever surged hotter.
Then, as I started to slap her again, she laughed sharply and released her thighs. Somewhat reluctantly, I tore my hand free.
"You're going straight home, and I'll never see you again," I said, finding it difficult to talk.
"Oh, I'm afraid my home is out of the question! Mother would be shocked. And your home wouldn't be a very good idea, either. I wouldn't want your wife to see us."
I slammed the car into gear and turned onto the highway. My foot stomped on the accelerator, and the car leaped forward. A gull caught my eye. I watched it, white and grey, soar and then dip as though shot.
When I looked at Peggy again, she was taking down her stockings. I squeezed the steering wheel hard.
"I hate to ruin a new pair," she said matter-of-factly. "When you start tearing at them, they'll rip to shreds. Poor dear, you're in such a hurry. Frankly, I don't think you're in much shape to drive."
"Go to hell," I muttered. But I knew I was in no shape to argue with her. It seemed incredible how much she had excited me. I felt hot, weak and utterly helpless.
She moved closer to me. "I'm going to drive you absolutely berserk with desire," she said. "You may be a great lover, Carl. But I've had lots of experience at petting. Darling, do you have any idea how many ways I can excite you, then make you beg and humiliate yourself?"
"Christ, you're sick," I hissed.
"We make an absolutely perfect pair," she said.
I glanced into her shining, green eyes and her smiling face, so young and innocent. As I looked away, a chill raced over my spine.
She brushed my ear with her lips. "It's quite clear Janie or Judy or whatever her name is doesn't give you what you want, or you wouldn't need me so badly."
I jerked my head from her mouth. I knew that in another minute, her wet lips and hot tongue would drive me wild. "Who the hell says I want you?" I asked lamely, remembering that soon we would be at her place.
"Remember the place we used to park, Carl?" she asked. "It's just ahead. We'll be there in a couple of minutes. You can kiss me and caress me and tell me you're sorry."
My hands were shaking on the steering wheel, and I nearly swerved off onto the shoulder. "We're going to your place," I said. But my attempt to put steel into my tone was laughable.
"Carl, let's go to our parking place, please, darling," she said. "It would be so much more private than the highway. And I am going to do what I want with you, Carl."
From the corner of my eye I saw that Peggy was wiggling out of her green dress and slip. She sat there now in tiny white panties and a frilly white bra. It barely contained her fabulous orbs.
"Oh, there's the trail, just ahead, darling," she purred.
I turned to yell at her, or slap her, or something. But the sight of her body transfixed me. I could not take my eyes from the white bra and slightly transparent panties. Their whiteness was a striking contrast to her copper skin faintly slick with sweat. I did not even resist when she took my hand and guided it over her thighs. What was the use? We both knew I would do what she wanted.
I slowed down, then drove down the trail into the swamp. At the turnoff to the stream, I turned and drove past thickets of plum trees. I stopped beneath dripping oak trees.
I switched the ignition off and slid over to her. But when I bent to her lips, she moved her head, and kissed my ear. My hands were on her wonderfully slim waist. She shoved them away.
"You've been terribly nasty," she said, tracing a fingernail around the rim of my ear. The sensation was maddening.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, hating my weakness. But my hatred did not have half the force of my desire for Peggy.
"Being sorry isn't quite enough," she said. "I'm sweating too much to enjoy anything, Carl."
"I'll get the sweat off," I said.
"Yes, and your tongue and lips will be so lovely on my body," she said. She shifted so that her breasts strained against her flimsy bra and her panties were drawn tightly against her body.
"Peggy," I said and tentatively put an arm around her.
She tugged the arm away. "You want to, don't you, darling? To show how sorry you are for being mean."
My stomach rolled. I felt my veins would burst with desire. Nothing was important but Peggy, pleasing her, worshipping her soft, hot body.
"Yes, I want to," I mumbled. I leaned down and rubbed my tongue across the damply smooth skin just below her bra.
"That's lovely," she said, and rubbed my hair. "I do like you so much, Carl, and I could be so nice to you if you'd stop resisting me and being mean to me. I'm older now, and if I knew how much you liked me, there's no telling what I might do for you."
I pictured for one wild moment how it would be to make love to Peggy. I told myself this might be possible now. Then I was licking her flat stomach, and I scrambled down onto the floor of the car and she shifted her thighs. And I knew that all I wanted now was to be intimate with this perfect, exquisite body.
Nothing mattered but intimacy with this body, I told myself, as I licked the smooth, wet skin.
From what seemed a mile above, Peggy was talking about pleasing her, and about making me pay, and about how nice she could be. But I was lost in another world surrounded by a feverish haze. My hands grasp clumsily and slid under the bra to cup the huge, soft but firm breasts and fondle the nipples, as she adjusted her thighs a final time, and I realized a strange, whimpering sound was coming from my kissing, trembling lips.
CHAPTER FOUR
The sun was merciless as I drove home slowly. I was soaked with sweat and with shame.
My hands kept slipping on the steering wheel, as soon as I wiped my forehead it was damp again. I felt drained and weak, yet I was still desperately aroused. A thousand parts of my body seemed to scream for release.
I turned a corner and cursed Peggy. At the same instant I was remembering the feel of her soft, damp, smooth skin and the sensation of my tongue on that skin.
A hot flash of shame stabbed through me as I thought how I had begged her to make love to me, and the ways I had kissed around her. I thought of the teasing, taunting, degrading things she had said to me, and how, finally, she refused to let me take off the panties.
I turned the final corner and took a deep breath. And now I thought of Jeannie and having to face her in this condition.
I braked the car and licked my dry lips. I parked just down the street from our apartment house. As I got out and slammed the door, I told myself that I would somehow avoid Peggy and never see her again. I would somehow satisfy myself with Jeannie's love and never want Peggy's degrading sex again.
But as I walked down the sidewalk beneath palm trees, I realized how utterly exhausted I was. Exhausted and excited, and utterly unsure of myself. I dragged myself into the building, and sighed with relief as I saw that the elevator had been repaired.
I walked into the waiting elevator and combed my hair in the mirror as I rode up. I hesitated a moment when I got to my floor. Then I walked quickly down the hall and into the apartment.
Jeannie was sitting on the couch in a brightly colored, narrow-striped dress which was drawn up above her knees. She was reading. She looked lovely and peaceful and wholesome, and I shuddered as I walked over to her.
She looked up and smiled. But the smile quickly faded as she stared at me. "What's wrong?" she asked. She stood up.
, "Nothing," I said, weakly. "Why should something be wrong?"
"You look awful," she said and stepped to me.
"The damn heat and humidity," I said. "And I've been on a story."
I knew I looked terrible, with my face scarlet and drawn. I also feared she might note something else, a spot of lipstick maybe. Or she'd probably notice that I was trembling. At least I felt that I was.
She hesitated and looked at me. Her blue eyes, wide and beautiful, were troubled. Then she put her arms on my shoulders and stepped against me.
At the touch of her willowy body and the pressure of her breasts against my chest, I tensed and sucked in my breath. Excitement raced all over me.
"Can I get you a cold drink?" she asked. She kissed my cheek.
"I'll get it," I said, and moved quickly, urgently, from her body. "How about you?" I added as I walked down the hall.
"Nothing for me," she called.
My fingers were trembling as I mixed a gin and tonic. I knew another touch of Jeannie's body would make me lose control of myself. I don't like straight gin, but I drank down two shots. They fell heavily into my queasy stomach. I chased the shots with a deep swallow of gin and tonic.
I returned to the living room. I sank down onto the couch and gulped at the cold drink. It sent chills up my spine. Jeannie sat silently, letting me drink in peace for a minute.
"Darling, something is wrong," she said finally. "You've been in a funny mood for days, and I haven't said anything. But you've got to talk to me now."
I drained the drink and put the empty glass on the end table. I stared a moment at Jeannie, at her blue eyes, her lovely face framed by the blonde, shoulder-length hair, at the beautiful, full lips.
And then I stared down at the thrust of her up-tilted breasts pressing against the thin dress. I could see the distinct outline of her pointed nipples.
Again my desire soared until it was almost unbearable, and I looked away.
"Nothing is wrong," I said. "Hell, stop nagging, Jeannie. You know how tough it is to get things set up in a new job, with pressure every hour. And then I was out in the damn swamps chasing this story."
"I didn't think that was a job for the news editor," she said. "You make it sound like a newspaper."
"Spot news is vital to a TV station," I said. "It's my job to handle the news coverage. If necessary, I have to go into the field to make sure the job is done. What the hell? Do you think that I'm making things up? You think I'm lying to you?"
"Oh, Carl," she said, and put her hand on my arm. "Won't you talk to me? I'm not nagging or accusing you of anything. But something is wrong. I noticed it that day Carol was here last week, and it's obvious now."
She shifted and her skirt rode high on her slim thighs. Her nipples pushed at the dress. My heart pounded, and I thought of Peggy and remembered the touch of her thighs, and her huge, ripe breasts and the sensation of her lips and tongue. And I thought of the way I had licked the sweat from her body.
My temples throbbed and sweat stood in droplets on my forehead. I slid closer to Jeannie. I put my hands on her waist and leaned to her lips.
They were soft and damp and tender. But there was no tenderness in my kiss, as I twisted my lips and rammed my tongue into her mouth. She stiffened a moment, then relaxed. Her hands slid -feather-light along my neck, then tickled my ears.
My hands roamed her body, pinching and squeezing,' and she tore from my sucking lips.
"Take it easy, darling," she said. "Please. You're hurting me."
But a fever had taken over my shaking body. I smothered her lips with mine again and lashed my tongue against the roof of her mouth.
Her body was straining and tense. Her hands fell to her sides. I tore her dress open, and cupped her luscious breasts. Then I lowered my mouth to suck and bite the nipples.
She gasped but didn't move. The fever was burning my body, and I ripped her dress off and pulled her flimsy panties down her legs.
Then I fell to her, my body hot and weak and desperate. She moaned once, but lay there, her hands doubled into fists.
I took her savagely, pumping at her buttocks, took her despite her look of anguish, took her despite the way her blue eyes watered.
Then it was finished, and I fell back, panting and gasping, sweat pouring from my body.
Jeannie shoved me away and scrambled to the far end of the couch. She picked up her dress and clutched it over her body. "Goodness," she said. Tears stood in her eyes. "What's wrong with you? You're like an animal."
"I'm sorry," I said and looked away.
"What do you think I am?" she asked. "Some kind of machine that you can throw back onto the couch, and take roughly?"
"I had to have you," I said, weakly. I sat up, my face in my hands.
"You hurt me," she said. "Don't ever treat me that way again, Carl."
"I said I'm sorry," I snapped. I was so wracked with shame and guilt that I felt I could not look at Jeannie or endure another word.
"This town has done something to you," she said. From the corner of my eye I saw her stand up. "You're not the same man I knew when we got here. Frankly, I've suspected that you were involved with another woman. I hate to admit it, but I did. But from your too obvious sexual needs, it's apparent you're not sleeping with anyone else."
My laugh was harsh and choked in my throat. "No, I am definitely not sleeping with anyone else," I said.
"Then talk about what's wrong," Jeannie said.
I looked up at her, at the willowy body I had just ravished, and at the pained look in her blue eyes. Her blonde hair was tangled and matted with sweat. Her lips were drawn thin.
Another woman I could have discussed, no matter how involved I was. A woman who was my lover. Because I loved Jeannie and wanted more than anything to save my marriage.
But I could not tell her about Peggy and the kind of kid sex in which I was involved.
I shook my head. "There's nothing to talk about," I said. "It's just the job. Please bear with me a little longer. Just give me a few more days, and everything will be all right."
Jeannie started to speak, then checked herself. "I'm going to bed," she said, abruptly. "Please don't disturb me, Carl. I'm sorry, but you'll have to sleep on the couch. And you'll have to get your own dinner."
"I won't disturb you," I said. "And believe me, this won't happen again, Jeannie. I love you, and I'll do anything to keep you from being unhappy. Just give me a few days."
Jeannie took a step toward me, hesitated, then moved over and pecked at my cheek. "I love you, too, Carl," she said and backed away. "And of course, I'll give you a few days. But please, leave me alone tonight."
"All right," I said. "I'll sleep here on the couch."
Jeannie stared at me, then sniffled and turned and ran from the room. I knew I should go after her, say something, do something. But I was incapable.
So I called, "I love you," as the bedroom door slammed. Then I got up and went into the kitchen and fixed a gin and tonic.
I returned to the living room and walked to the window. The sun was setting, orange-pink behind thick, grey clouds on the horizon at sea level. I sipped the drink, and watched the wind whip white-caps across the Gulf.
Small, black birds dipped and soared in the evening air, and I thought how peaceful and pleasant everything looked.
Then I thought of my assault on Jeannie and my session with Peggy. My stomach became tied up in knots. I felt terrible about Jeannie.
But it was Peggy's body, young and firm and lush, that I remembered. I remembered the ways she could kiss and lash her hot, slender tongue and an instant later look so innocent and naive that my surging lust seemed out of place.
I sipped the drink and thought of holding her breasts and squeezing the nipples. I remembered the ways she could twist her warm, intimate thighs just so, to give me freedom, but block my fingers from beneath the panties.
Heat rushed over my body as I remembered kissing those smooth, damp thighs.
I swallowed and poured down the drink. I realized now why I had come back to this town. I felt weak and sick but told myself that somehow I would work things out. I kept telling myself that I could overcome my obsession and resist the little bitch.
I repeated this over and over as I left the room and went back to the kitchen to mix another drink. But never in my life had I felt less confident.
When I returned to the living room, I put on a couple of records, then sat down on the couch and drank and shoved thoughts of Peggy and of Jeannie from my mind. I drank and realized that I was hungry. But I couldn't stand the thought of eating.
Tony Bennett belted out a song, and the dusk fell purple now, and the heat had broken, and my drink. was cold and relaxing. I seemed somewhere beyond misery now. I had accepted something black and unpleasant about myself.
The day had drained me and tomorrow would be what it was. For now, there was only the music and the dusk, and drinking. It seemed strange, this rather negative sort of calm; but I told myself the mind and body must do this kind of thing, or they can't endure situations such as the one I had thrust upon them.
So I drank and heard the music, a soft ballad now, and I closed my eyes and thought of all my plans for making television news vital and interesting. I thought of all my ideas and all my ideals and sat with my eyes closed and drained my gin and tonic.
But then my body and mind betrayed me. When I stood up, my legs nearly buckled, and I had a stark, grim picture of Jeannie lying on the couch as I assaulted her.
I half ran back to the kitchen and gulped down two straight shots of gin, then mixed a strong gin and tonic as my stomach knotted up again. I staggered back to the living room. It seemed hot now. As I sank to the couch, I thought of the deadly hangover that I would face tomorrow.
CHAPTER FIVE
I steeled myself with a long night of drinking. By the time I had dropped to sleep on the couch, I had convinced myself that I could resist Peggy.
I expected the worst from her. But days passed and I didn't see her. I threw myself into my work with desperation to shake my lust for the girl and take my mind off my fantasies.
But I couldn't forget the texture of her flushed, warm body or the sting of her tongue, or her innocent, mocking, corrupt smile. At the end of the week, I began trying to call her. But she was never home and never returned any of the calls.
Jeannie and I had a terrible week-end, bickering and fighting. I knew it was my fault, but I couldn't help it. On Saturday we had a bad fight, the worst of our marriage, after she had tried desperately once more to get me to tell her what was wrong.
She refused to make love to me. By Monday, I was desperately in need of a woman. I drove, first, to Pearl's and then to Peggy's house, but I still couldn't find her.
Monday brought another heat wave. By late afternoon I was queasy from moving from the air-conditioned office to the blistering streets. About four, we got a call that something was happening in the area around Pearl's, something about a rape. I saw a good chance to scoop the city's only newspaper, which came out in the afternoon and whose last edition was out for the day.
Since I knew the area and some of the people, I decided to drive out to Pearl's. If there was anything newsworthy, I'd call for a camera and crew.
Heat waves shimmered on the streets as I drove from the parking lot. I was excited about the story, but I knew the thing I wanted most was to get to Pearl's and get a beer. I was also aware that there was an outside chance Peggy might be there this time.
I switched on the radio and took my tie off. By the time I reached the highway, my shirt was plastered to the back of the seat.
My throat was parched. I stopped at the first place on the highway for something to drink. It was a small club, called the Blue Moon. A dozen men sat at a bar that looked across a deserted terrace, past half a dozen palm trees to the beach and the Gulf.
The place was dark and quiet. I drank a cold beer and thought about reorganizing the news department. Maybe I should make it a rule, I thought, that when a reporter is on his way to cover a big story, like a rape, he mustn't waste time by stopping for a beer. I felt better when I left.
The Gulf lay still, like a sheet of grey metal, and the beach was deserted except for a couple of clusters of umbrellas, bright reds and yellows against the sombre water.
I was again drenched in sweat as I turned onto the road to Pearl's. As I passed the little road where I had parked with Peggy, a heat flash shot through my body. I licked my lips.
The humidity was smothering me. I sucked in warm, heavy air. Suddenly I felt I would not be satisfied again until I had made love to Peggy. I had been putting myself through a lot of paces, trying to rationalize away my desperate lust for her. But just passing the spot where I had last been with her was enough to make me realize that I wanted her beyond all reason. I would do whatever she wanted, no matter how I loathed myself, if there was any chance she would make love to me.
I knew something was happening at Pearl's as soon as I turned off onto the trail. An unusually large cluster of cars and pick-up trucks were parked there. Then I saw the bubble-light on the top of the sheriff's car. I was glad I hadn't decided to have a couple more beers.
Tension seemed to stand in the heavy air. As I walked across the parking lot, I saw shot-guns on the seats of a couple of pick-up trucks.
The sheriff, a fat, red-faced, genial man named Henry Wilson, was talking to a knot of men beside the steps. Pearl stood against the wall, a faded, flowered smock covering her body.
The sheriff stopped talking as I approached. The men looked around at me, their faces sullen and menacing.
"Ain't he from the TV?" a tall, slim man in jeans asked.
"Yeh, how are you, son?" Wilson asked. He was mopping sweat from his broad, red forehead. I knew how much he hated trouble like this. He was mainly interested in not offending anyone and making a fortune from letting bars and clubs stay open all night.
"What's happening?" I asked. "I heard there was some trouble."
"Not no trouble we don't know how to handle," the slim man said. "We don't need no interference from town."
"Now, calm down, Al," the sheriff said. He looked back at me. "There was a spot of trouble, but everything's taken care of, son. No need for lots of publicity."
"Yeh, you might as well get on back to town," a short man said.
"Sheriff, can I talk to you a minute?" I asked.
The sheriff did not want to talk to me, not with the men watching. But he also knew he could not afford to offend the station. So he walked a few feet away with me.
"We heard there had been a rape," I said. "Surely, you can't expect to cover up something like that."
"Calm down, son," the sheriff said. "There is something about a rape, but it's not that simple. Fred Barnes called me and said his girl, Eula Mae, had been raped by a Jarvis fellow, who came in here a couple of weeks ago on a fishing boat. But frankly, the whole thing looks funny to me."
"In what way?"
The sheriff glanced over his shoulder at the group of men. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Well, there's lots of resentment by local men here, local fishermen and all, against the fellows that pass through here, and well, I don't like the looks of this whole set-up."
"You think the charge is phony? What about the girl?"
"Well, she's young and scared to death. Of course, she went along with her daddy. But I hear she had a real thing for this Jarvis fellow, and just between us, I hear he's not the first man she's had."
"What are you going to do, sheriff?" I asked. I could hear the men behind me, muttering. I was anxious for a story. But any rape story is a touchy situation, and what the sheriff said made sense.
"What are you going to do, sheriff?" I asked. I could hear the men behind me, muttering, I was anxious for a story. But any rape story is a touchy situation, and what the sheriff said made sense.
"Frankly, I'm going to hope the thing blows over," the sheriff said. "I talked to Jarvis, and he admits making it with the girl but claims she was more than willing. She's 18, so there's no question of statutory rape. I told these folks I'm still looking for Jarvis. If he had any sense, he'd get out of town quick, and this would all blow over."
"So you want me to keep quiet?" I asked.
"Well, if your station gets hold of this thing, won't nothing blow over now, will it?" He mopped at his forehead once more. "My hand will be forced, and I'll have to arrest Jarvis. Frankly, I think I'll be arresting an innocent man, but being from out of the area, he would sure as hell be indicted and probably convicted."
I stared at the sheriff's red face and his anxious eyes.
I had never known him to lie, and I decided to go along with him.
"I won't say anything, and I'll cover the story up if you promise that if anything breaks, you'll give it to me first," I said.
"That's being reasonable, son," he replied. "It's a deal. But you know, these fellows are in a pretty bad mood. Might be better if you got on back to town."
"You're probably right," I said. "I'll just get a beer to drink on the way back."
"Fine, son," the sheriff said.
We walked to the men, who fell silent quickly. They glared at me, but the sheriff started talking in a low voice, and I walked over to Pearl, who still stood against the wall, her hands folded against her enormous breasts. She wore no make-up, and in the glare of the sun the puffy wrinkles clearly showed her age.
"How about a beer?" I asked. She glanced at the men. I added, "To drink on the way back to town."
"That's the best place to have a drink today, Carl," she sighed and waddled away from the wall.
I followed her up the steps, wondering if the old, splintered wood would hold her bulk. But we got inside without mishap, and she opened me a beer.
"You don't want to get mixed up in what's happening out there," she said. "Never heard of such nonsense."
"You don't think the girl was raped?" I asked. I took a deep swallow of beer.
She laughed so hard her huge body rocked back and forth. "Eula Mae?" she asked. "Raped? Honey, I caught her twice under the place making it. Twice, just a couple of months ago. But these here folks is my neighbors, so I'm not going to say nothing, or get involved."
"Neither am I," I said. "Not unless something else turns up. By the way, where's the girl?"
"Didn't you see her when you come up?" Pearl asked. "She was sitting in her daddy's pick-up truck. You must have walked right past her. But now don't you get no idea of talking to her."
"Don't worry," I said. "Well, I'll get back to town."
"That's the best thing, for now," she said. "Being an outsider, and all, the men just aren't happy about you here."
"I'll see you later," I said and started for the door. But I stopped and turned. "Have you seen Peggy recently?"
"She was out here yesterday afternoon with some fellow," Pearl said.
"Does she come out every day?" I asked. I realized I was unreasonably jealous of the boy she had been with yesterday.
"Hasn't been out today, but she gets out most every day," Pearl said. "Says she gets tired of them fancy places in town."
"Tell her I said hello," I said, with a touch of sarcasm.
"I'll do that," Pearl said.
I turned and walked out. The screen door slapped shut behind me as I went down the steps. I passed the sheriff and the men without saying anything.
And as I passed a pick-up truck, I saw a round-faced girl with dirty-blonde hair staring out at me. She leaned forward, as though she wanted to say something. But I walked past her, got into my car and drove off.
The heat had broken some, but the air was still heavy. I thought of the sullen men grouped around the sheriff. Christ, no wonder they were so mean. Living in these swamps, smothering every day, or going out to sea, working in the blazing sun in small boats.
Hell, that was their problem, I told myself. I drained the can of beer and threw it from the window. Maybe, I thought, the station should go on an anti-littering campaign. I was happy to see that a breeze was blowing over the Gulf, stirring up the whitecaps.
It was cooler, and I thought it might become a pleasant evening if the wind stayed up. There were more people along the beach now. I thought for a moment of stopping for a swim.
But I wanted a drink more. Then, just as I looked from the beach, I thought I saw Peggy. The girl disappeared behind an umbrella, and I pulled to the side of the highway.
But when the girl came out again, I saw that it wasn't Peggy. But just thinking of her in a bikini as brief as the girl was wearing made me go warm. I pulled away again, determined to find her tonight, one way or another.
At nine o'clock, I still had not located her. I had left messages at her home, but she had not called me. So I sat in the bar, and stared at the couples laughing and drinking and dancing, and thought of Jeannie.
I knew I was getting drunk. I had called Jeannie and told her I was working late. I only hoped she would be in bed when I got home. I couldn't face another scene with her, and I knew now that she was fed up.
I ordered another gin and tonic and watched a redheaded B-girl rubbing up against a grey-haired man with glasses. He had just ordered champagne.
At the other end of the bar was a plump but provocative prostitute giving me the eye. I needed a woman badly, but not that badly.
To hell with it, I muttered, and finished the drink. I felt lousy and decided to go home, no matter what happened. I was beat. A couple more strong drinks and I'd probably fall asleep.
As I walked from the bar, I told myself that tomorrow I was-going into the station early and wrap up my work. Then I'd go out to Pearl's and wait there until Peggy came.
CHAPTER SIX
The parking lot in front of Pearl's -was deserted when I parked at the side of the building. The three o'clock sun was scalding, but it was broken every few minutes by scurrying gray clouds that promised the relief of rain.
As I walked around the building, I saw a pick-up truck parked near the swamp, beneath a thick-leafed oak tree. I stopped. The same girl was staring out at me. Her face was shadowed, but again I had the feeling she wanted to speak to me.
I went up the steps. I had no reason to get involved with the affair unless there was a news angle to it. Unless something else broke, it was just another unpleasant slice of fife in which I had no interest.
The box-shaped room was deserted except for a tall man in jeans. He sat hunched over a half pint of bourbon at the bar. As I crossed the bar, I saw that it was the same man who had been so surly yesterday. I guessed the man must be the girl's father.
Pearl stood up from behind the bar, glanced uneasily at the man, then smiled at me.
"You look like a man who could use a drink," she said.
The man turned and stared at me. His thin, blue eyes were watery. A stubble of beard marked his sallow cheeks and sharp chin. His grey hair was thinning and fell down across his forehead.
He mumbled something I could not understand and put the bottle to his shaking lips. He drank until the bottle was empty. He dropped it to the bar and laughed when it fell off onto the floor.
" 'Nother one, Pearl," he said, and pulled a wad of bills from his pocket.
"Don't you think you ought to take Eula Mae on home before you get too drunk?" Pearl said as she handed me the beer.
"I ain't even started drinking good," he said. "That slut can sit out there and wait. Give me another bottle."
Pearl shrugged and gave him another bottle of bourbon. She picked up a couple of the bills. The man twisted the top off and drank deeply, whiskey pouring over his chin and wetting his blue denim shirt.
"Ain't I seen you before, fella?" he said and stared at me.
"I don't think so," I said. The last thing on earth I wanted was trouble with some bastard like this.
"It don't matter," he mumbled and drank his whiskey.
"She hasn't been out yet," Pearl said.
"What?" I asked. "Oh, thanks. I think I'll wait and see if she comes."
"I'll teach that girl to run around and make me the laughing stock up and down the Gulf," the man muttered. "This time, I'll see the man goes to jail, maybe go right to the 'lectric chair. Then won't nobody mess with my girl, no matter how much of a tramp she is."
Pearl shook her head, and sighed. "You get on out of here," she said. "Settle your troubles somewhere else, Fred Barnes."
"Guess maybe I ought to be getting along," he said. He drank from the bottle, put the cap on and picked up the bills and turned. He nearly fell. He leaned backward, bracing himself on the bar. He lurched forward and stumbled across the room and out the door.
Pearl and I laughed, and I drank the beer. I was satisfied now that I had done the right thing in believing the sheriff. Fred Barnes did not seem like a man to believe.
Pearl and I talked, and I had another beer. When Pearl went into the back room to unpack some whiskey, I walked over and dropped a quarter into the gaudy jukebox and played three lively numbers.
I had just turned to sit down, when I heard a sound. I looked at the front door. The girl from the truck had pushed the screen door open and was beckoning to me.
My curiosity overcame my caution. I walked to the door. She eased it shut, and I thought perhaps she had changed her mind. But when I opened the door, I saw her walking around the building, to the side where my car was parked.
I moved slowly down the steps and glanced over at the pick-up truck. I hesitated again, remembering the men yesterday and the shotguns I had seen. But this might be news. My curiosity drove me on.
I drained my beer, then threw the can under the stilted building and walked around the corner. The - girl was standing by my car, just under the tall stilts, where the bank ended and the building jutted out over the water.
She was not particularly beautiful. She had a round face, brown eyes and dirty-blonde hair. But there was an open sexualness about her, a sullen, pouting look. Her body, though a couple of pounds overweight, was heavy in just the right places.
Her thin, flowered dress left little to be imagined about her breasts or hips. Then she shifted her weight to one leg, and imagination became completely unnecessary.
"You the man from the TV that was out yesterday?" she asked.
I nodded. I saw that she was prettier than I had realized. She was chewing gum, which made her seem younger, in contrast to her frankly lustful look.
She chewed the gum and looked past me a moment. Then she pulled the gum from her mouth and threw it away.
"Where's your father?" I asked. "Aren't you taking a chance talking to me?"
"The old bastard passed out in the truck," she said. "He'll be asleep for awhile, don't you worry."
"What do you want to see me about?" I looked up and down the body that seemed ready to spill from the thin dress.
"I want to talk about you and me," she said and took a step toward me.
There was no mistaking her meaning. Sexual desire surged over me, and I licked my lips. I was unbearably hot suddenly, and I knew the swamp had little to do with it.
"What do you mean?" I stalled, disturbed by the wild look in her brown eyes.
"You know about the trouble," she said. "That damn fool story daddy cooked up. He ain't going to be able to make it stick, because the sheriff ain't that much of a fool. I don't care nothing, really, for the man, either. But I want to get out of here, and daddy won't let me out of his sight."
"You said he passed out," I said.
"He'd wake up 'fore I could get into town and get a bus. Besides, somebody he knows would see me, for sure," she said.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
"I couldn't take no bus either," she said. "He'd just go up and find out which bus I took and probably be waiting when it pulled in. And I ain't got no money, either."
"Look, I'm sorry for you, but there's nothing I can do," I said.
"There's lots you can do, mister," she said. She shifted her weight again so that her flowered dress was drawn tautly across her broad hips. "You can drive me somewhere, to another town. And you can give me money. I'm desperate, mister, and I got to have somebody like you that seems like a nice guy. Somebody I can trust and won't be 'fraid of daddy,"
"Now, look," I started.
"And there's lots I can do, too, mister," she said. "I seen the way you looked at me just now. How'd you like to have me? Anyway you want. Take me under the place here, and I'll give you a sample. Then take me away, we'll go someplace and I'll give you the time of your life."
"Look, I'm married," I said quickly.
"Ain't there something you wanted to do, just once, something different that you wouldn't do with your wife?"
"I'm not about to get involved," I snapped. "Maybe I could give you a little money, though."
She shook her head. "I want that ride, so I can be safely away," she said. "And I just don't want some lousy five or ten dollars. I want something that will let me get set up, maybe $50."
"Sure, you're a damn good-looking girl, Eula Mae," I said. "And I'd like to make love to you. But it's out of the question."
"I'm desperate, mister," she said. "Nothing's out of the question, if you want it bad enough. Don't you want me, mister?"
Eula Mae suddenly threw herself against me, pressing her body against mine as she rubbed my back and smothered my lips in a deep kiss.
I took a backward step at the impact and pried at her hands. But her warm, wiggling body and sucking lips aroused me instantly.
My hands had just slipped down to grasp her rounded, squirming buttocks when I heard a car driving onto the parking lot. I tore my hands away, pried her from my body and stepped back.
"There's a car coming," I gasped.
"Under here," she said, and nodded at the building.
"No!" I hissed.
"Come on," she said, and she started unzipping her dress.
Then the car nosed around the building, and my heart raced wildly as I saw Peggy looking at me through the window. Eula Mae had stepped into the shadows beneath the building and was still calling me.
Some boy was driving the car. He stopped and turned off the engine. I stood as though growing into the ground, my legs weak, sweat rolling off my face. I stared as Peggy climbed from the car.
She stared back, stunning in bright red shorts and a tight red, sleeveless blouse. Then she shook her head.
"Carl, darling, have you taken leave of your senses?" " she asked.
The boy--some idiot with freckles and a blond crewcut--started around the car. But she turned to him.
"Go on inside, Jack, and I'll be right in," she said. "Sure, if you say so," he said. He turned and walked away.
"Listen, I can explain," I said, and licked my lips.
"Do you know who that girl is?" Peggy asked. "Aside from your lack of taste, you're playing with disaster, Carl."
"Now, just a damn minute," I said.
"Honey, don't listen to her," Eula Mae called.
I saw Peggy's face harden, and I looked over my shoulder. Again my heart raced and my stomach knotted. Eula Mae had taken her dress off and stood there in outlandish purple bra and purple panties.
I turned quickly back to Peggy. I felt her look would wither me on the spot. Then she turned and walked toward the front of the building.
I ran after her, and behind me, Eula Mae was calling, "Is that your wife, mister? I'm sorry, mister, but I'm desperate."
I caught Peggy by the arm. She stopped and glared up at me. "Don't you dare grab me that way!" she snapped. She twisted her arm free. - "Peggy, please listen," I said. "The girl came on me. She wanted me to get her away, to help her; and when I refused, she nearly assaulted me. Please believe me."
Peggy looked at me sternly. Then she smiled and shook her head. "I guess I believe you," she said. "The whole thing is too ridiculous to make up. But you ought to be more careful. You can really get into trouble even talking to a girl like that after what happened.
"Peggy, I've wanted desperately to see you," I said.
"Poor Carl," she said, patting my cheek. "And after all the ways you tried to convince me that you never wanted to see me again."
"After that night parking, how can you doubt about how much I want to be with you," I said.
"After what happened, and the things you did and said, I'm surprised you can look me in the face," she said, in a mockingly sweet voice.
My face blazed and I went hot. I swallowed. "When can I see you again?" I asked quickly, gazing down at the skin-tight, unbelievably brief snorts. I could see the bulge of her tiny panties outlined against the red.
She shrugged. "I've been rather busy," she said. "And as you let me know so many times, you do have a wife."
"But you're the only one that can satisfy me," I said. I knew she wanted me to put Jeannie down. "I'd rather kiss you than make love to Jeannie."
Peggy smiled and brushed my lips with hers. "That's a very sweet thing to say," she said. "If you'd be sweet to me all the time, do the things that make me happy, I could be really sweet to you, Carl."
"Can I see you tonight?" I asked.
"I did have a date," she said, toying with the top button of my shirt. "But I would like to see you. All right. Where can you pick me up? Hardly at home, since you're married."
"How about the corner of Ninth and Elm?" I asked. "You could get into my car from yours, and it's pretty secluded. Is eight okay?"
"Okay," she said. "But don't you dare be a minute late. I don't want to sit there like an idiot."
"I won't be late," I said. I bent to kiss her lips.
She twisted her head away. "I don't pet in public," she said sharply. "See you tonight."
I watched her delicious little buttocks sway as she walked quickly away. I imagined my hands cupping them and let myself fantasize what it would be like to make love to her.
Then she disappeared. I had to get home and set up and excuse with Jeannie. I felt a tinge of conscience, but the mere thought of sitting in the dark car close to Peggy chased everything from my mind.
I had forgotten Eula Mae. When I got to my car and opened the door she stepped tentatively from beneath the building, dressed.
"Mister, I hope I didn't get you in trouble with your wife," she said.
"That wasn't my wife," I said.
"Then maybe you're still interested in my offer," she said.
I climbed into the car, and shut the door. "Afraid not," I said.
"I guess I missed my chance, 'cause of that girl," she said. "But if you change your mind, Daddy brings me out here every afternoon, while he gets drunk."
I started the car. "Good luck," I said. "I really mean that. But you'll have to get away without me."
I drove away and looked at her in the rear-view mirror. She was a damn provocative girl. The thought of her offer of anything-goes was intriguing.
But as I drove from the lot onto the trail, I thought again of Peggy. I'd be counting the minutes until eight o'clock.
CHAPTER SEVEN
I drove slowly down the street, Jeannie's angry words still ringing in my ears. I turned a corner and thought of her ultimatum that unless things changed, our marriage would be on the rocks.
I knew she was serious. I also knew I loved her and would do anything to save the marriage. Anything, I reminded myself, but give up this affair with Peggy.
Affair, hell, I said, and laughed harshly. The affair, so far, had consisted of one long, agonizing, "teasing, degrading session in a parked car. And now I was probably headed for the same thing tonight.
But there was also the chance I could make love to her. And that chance made anything seem worth while. What upset me most was the admission that I had gotten a certain, strange pleasure out of the petting session, out of having her control things, and making me almost literally eat from her hand.
But I shook my head and insisted to myself that my only interest was in making love to her. I reasoned that though any contact with her lush body was bound to be arousing but was only a means to an end.
A faint breeze rippled through the palm trees, stirring the heat. Though the evening was fairly cool, back up here, away from the Gulf, it was still warm and humid.
I turned down Elm Street and crossed Seventh. The street ahead seemed deserted. When I crossed Eighth, I saw clearly that Peggy's car was not there.
Hell, I muttered. I had built up the thought of being with her for hours and had not even considered that she wouldn't show up. Then I glanced at my watch. It was a couple of minutes until eight.
I crossed Ninth and pulled to the curb. I smiled at myself. I was letting my nervousness and desire get the best of me. I should have known she wouldn't be early, or even on time.
Peggy was not about to sit in a car on a dark street and wait for anyone. She would wait until well past time, then drive slowly past.
And at ten after eight, I sat smoking a cigarette I did not want and repeated to myself that she would come. But I was really worried now.
Then I saw the points of headlights of a car far down Elm. I threw out the cigarette and sat up. The lights grew to full size, and then the car crossed Ninth and parked behind mine.
Peggy climbed out of the small, red sports car. She walked slowly to my car, glancing over her shoulder twice. I leaned across the seat and opened the door. She got in.
"I really hate meeting this way," she snapped as she slammed the door.
"It's the best way to meet," I muttered. I gazed at her ripe body clad in tight, white shorts and a sleeveless, white blouse. She looked lovely.
"What do you want to do?" she asked, curling her slim, tanned legs up on the seat.
I wanted to do only one thing. But it was only eight o'clock, and I knew I would have to go through the motions of an evening with Peggy before we parked.
"Well, you're not dressed to do much," I said. "We could go to some place out on the Gulf and sit in the car and drink, or maybe go to a drive-in movie."
"You didn't tell me to dress up," she said. "I know what you want to do, really, and I'm dressed for that."
I licked my lips. "You're a very strange girl, Peggy," I said. "You avoid me for a week, then suddenly you're ready to park."
"I've wanted to be with you, Carl," she said. "But I was determined to make you want me, very much. And to make you pay for being nasty to me. But now you're ready to park and make me happy and have sex my way, aren't you?"
"I want to be with you, and park with you," I said. "And I want to make you happy, and make love to you. That's the way a man and woman should be happy together."
She rustled around on the seat and put her feet onto the floor. "We'll park and see what happens, Carl," she said in a soft, confident voice. "But how about something cold to drink first? It's simply stifling up here away from the Gulf. And I don't want to get too hot and all and start sweating."
She laughed softly and I blushed furiously as I drove away from the curb. I chanted over and over to myself that somehow I would make love to her, tonight.
Peggy switched on the radio and we drove in silence, down sharp, twisting streets to the highway along the Gulf. The music was soft and plaintive, an alto sax backed by a bass and piano.
"I hear you're doing well at the station," Peggy said, moving closer to me.
"I hope so," I said.
"You could go a long way very quickly," she said. She touched my cheek with her finger.
This simple gesture made me tense. She realized it and laughed. "Take it easy," she said. "I'm not going to bite you. At least, not yet."
"And how about later?" I asked.
"You might be surprised at what happens later," she said.
"I hope so," I mumbled, hardly daring to let myself consider what her words might mean.
We talked quietly, about a couple of movies and about my work at the station as I drove along the Gulf, past bright neon signs advertising night clubs, restaurants and motels.
Peggy seemed to be in a good mood. She laughed at my attempts at being funny, and she dropped a couple of hints that things might be different than last time when we parked.
I stopped a drive-in restaurant. The parking lot was on a bluff that looked down on the beach and the Gulf. The water was lapping, and the lights of the fishing boats twinkled in the distance.
A girl in a short, pleated skirt took our order. The moment she left, I slid over to Peggy. I put my arm around her, and smelled her faint perfume, and I nuzzled my face in her hair. It smelled clean and fresh, as though just washed.
Her young body was warm and cuddly. I squeezed her shoulder and kissed her ear, then her cheek. She curled around slightly, so that a knee rested on my leg in a move that made me go warm.
She looked up at me, and smiled, a strange, satisfied, slightly mocking smile. Then she brushed my lips with hers. But when I put my other hand on her bare leg, she stiffened and the smile vanished.
"Don't get too anxious too quickly," she said. "I wish you could control yourself half as well as some of the boys I date. Why, what would I do if you broke down after a couple of minutes and did or said some of the things you did when we were parked?"
My face blazed and I looked quickly from her taunting eyes. But warmth still flooded my body. Then the girl returned with our beers. I moved over and paid her and poured the beer into the tall cups on the tray.
Peggy had moved back to the other side of the seat. "Be a good boy until we get to some place more private," she said, as I handed her the beer.
"Sure," I said. I took a deep swallow of beer.
"Now, don't get upset," she said. "You've just got to learn to keep control of yourself, Carl. And remember how much older you are. You frighten me at times, darling."
"Can't you tell how infatuated with you I am?" I asked. I drained the beer in less than a dozen shuddering swallows.
"And I like you, too, Carl," she said. "Now, let's don't fight. At least, not in public. Let's get some beer and go out to our special place."
My heart quickened. "That sounds good," I said. I blew the horn for the car-hop.
"We absolutely have to resolve something tonight, Carl," Peggy said, nibbling at the edge of her cup.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, obviously you want to park and do one thing, and I want to park and do something else." She sighed.
"I want to make love, the way a man and a woman should," I said. "If you'd just give me a chance to show you... "
"You'll have every chance in the world tonight," she said. "It's quite early. Show me how much of a man you are and what I've been missing, if you can. I'm serious, Carl. Make me do what you want. Otherwise, it's a matter of which of us gets what he wants."
Her challenge was unmistakable. I swore to myself that tonight I would make love to her. But as I gave the order to the car-hop, something gnawed in my stomach.
When I turned, the mocking smile that curled on the corners of Peggy's lips sent a chill up my spine. Was it coincidence that one of her small fingers traced almost unnoticeably around the hem of her agonizingly brief shorts just as her tongue licked her lips?
I kissed Peggy's ear again while my hand cupped a heavy breast through the thin blouse. She had removed her bra but wouldn't let me get beneath the blouse. Now I rubbed the nipple through the flimsy material.
My other hand skated over her smooth leg. Again she skillfully twisted away when my fingers reached inside her sleek thighs.
As I started to say something, she pressed against me, her nails on my neck, and bit my ear so hard I gasped. Then she licked down my cheek and teased my lips with hers. I squeezed her breasts with both hands, pumping desperately on the large, soft mounds.
We had been parked an hour. I had tried every trick I knew to arouse her. But while my breath wheezed and my face burned and my heart raced, she seemed completely calm.
"Do something to make this fun," she purred, suddenly licking around my lips with her hot tongue and curling a knee up my thigh. The brief, wicked gesture made me grunt.
I moved to the top button of her blouse. This time she did not stop me. When I petted gently, she taunted me to excite her, and when I got rough, she threatened to make me stop everything.
She kept me completely off balance with her shifting moods. Her expert lips and tongue and hands drove me wild. The touch of her lush, big-nippled breasts and her sweat-damp thighs excited me beyond endurance.
I fumbled the blouse loose and tore it from her shorts. Then I gazed at the enormous breasts topped with huge, round, dark-brown nipples. I fell to the breasts with my mouth, sucking and licking, then nuzzling the nipples with my teeth.
"We're going to settle things tonight, remember?" she asked, and her little fingers danced over my head, my neck, then down my body.
I pulled my mouth from the breasts and set up, to smother her lips in an artless, sucking kiss while my hands worked at the breasts. "I know," I muttered, as she pulled from my lips and teased them with her tongue.
"How do I know you really like me?" she asked.
"I'm crazy about you," I gasped. I kissed her nose, then her eyes, while a frantic hand slid down to grasp a thigh.
She did not twist away. I rubbed around the edge of the tiny shorts, then felt around, rubbing under the edge of her panties. She was biting playfully at my lower lip and smiling. Her nails were sharp and hurting my ear and neck.
"But you're married, darling," she said, shifting her thighs.
I moved my hand over the shorts, trying desperately to pry beneath the cloth. But they were too tight. I reached for the zipper and tugged it down. But at the last moment, she blocked my fingers and tugged my hand away.
"I know I'm married," I panted, squeezing a breast. "But that has nothing to do with the way I feel about you."
"You shouldn't have run off before, darling," she said. "If you had stayed, we might be married by now."
I knew then, through the haze of heat and desire, that she had arranged for me to return. And I knew why. Something told me to shove her away and end this petting session before it was too late.
But the touch of her lips and lash of her tongue against mine drove everything away, everything but the thought of possessing this maddening creature in my arms.
"I'll do anything to have you, Peggy," I said. "Anything."
"I want you to do anything," she purred, and bit my tongue-tip. I felt her thighs move to lock my hand and rub against it for a moment. "Anything but go all the way. I won't do that until I'm married."
"Listen," I said, in a last, weak attempt at self-control.
"No, darling, you listen," she said, guiding my hand to her shorts. "Take down my shorts and listen."
I tugged at the little shorts and started working them over her thighs and down her legs, while I stared at her large, mocking eyes and felt her expert fingers scratch my neck and back.
"We came out here to settle something, and we have," she said, her voice rather bored. "I'm not going to make love to you while you're married to Jeannie, and it's just that simple. But you'll continue to see me, and we both know that, and you'll do things that make me happy, no matter how much they degrade you."
I had the shorts over her feet, and sat back up to stare open-mouthed at the tiny patch of white cloth between her thighs. I felt feverish, and the blood throbbed at my temples.
"Do you like my body?" she taunted. "I know what I can do to a man, Carl. I know what I can do to you. I think making love to a beautiful woman is degrading, darling. There are other ways I can get the most exquisite pleasure."
"Peggy," I said, having no idea what to say, how to protest, because we both knew I'd do what she wanted.
"Yes?" she asked sweetly, adjusting her thighs so that her white panties were stretched thin.
"What if we were married?" I asked. I put a tentative hand on her thigh.
"We're not." She shrugged. "Things would be quite different then, Carl. But by then you might not want them to be."
"What do you mean?" I asked hoarsely. I slid my fingers under the panties, and gasped at the sensation.
Her laugh was soft, delicate, and chilling. "We both know what I mean," she said. "Now, take my panties off, darling, and make me happy."
I hesitated, but she shifted her golden thighs, and I grabbed for the top of her panties.
But she grabbed my hands. "I have an idea, something different," she said. She giggled impishly, her eyes sparkling. "Use your mouth to take them off."
My stomach churned and my face blazed, but I did not even hesitate. I scrambled onto the floor of the car, fire blazing through my screamingly-aroused body, and lowered my mouth to brush over her stomach and take the top of the panties in trembling lips...
CHAPTER EIGHT
The next few days and nights I was kept busy with Peggy's particular kind of petting and being kept happy. I still chanted the ritual that anything was worthwhile if she would just make love to me. Sometimes she seemed to make it clear she wouldn't, then she would drop a hint, that she might, if...
One of those "ifs" was my marriage to Jeannie. There was no doubt Peggy wanted me to divorce Jeannie and marry her; and the thought was tempting despite Peggy's warning that I might be hooked on her petting games by that time.
As I drove home one hot afternoon, I knew that no matter what happened in the future with Peggy, my marriage was on the verge of collapse. Jeannie had made the usual and expected charges about another woman, and I had lied through my teeth. But she had also said that the state in which I came home, obviously in need of sexual release, left her in doubt if there was another woman at all. She still would not let me touch her, and begged again and again to talk to her and tell her what was wrong.
But how could I confess what I did parked in the swamp with Peggy? Now, as I parked in front of our building and climbed out to cross the steaming walk, I tried desperately to think of something to say to her.
I could have saved myself the worry. The apartment was empty. I thought Jeannie had just stepped out for a minute. Then, as I sipped a gin and tonic, I saw the note, neatly tucked under the sugar bowl.
My heart pounded as I unfolded the paper. I knew what it would say. My fingers trembled. I realized Jeannie had left me.
But she only said she was getting away to think things out. She warned that on her return, we would have to do something, because she could not go on this way.
I sank into a chair and sipped listlessly at the gin and tonic. Then I got up and went into the bedroom. Jeannie's small suitcase was gone.
A couple of days, I muttered, as I wandered about the apartment. There was no doubt that if I hadn't done something before Jeannie got back, she would leave me. The shock of having her leave this way had snapped into something resembling reality.
I finished the drink, and started to fix another one. But I had to get out. I couldn't just stay in the empty apartment and drink alone and brood.
Poor Jeannie, I thought. I left the apartment and went down to the car. I had put her through all kinds of hell for a little bitch like Peggy. Yet just thinking of Peggy excited me.
I pulled from the curb and tried to sort out my thoughts. I kept asking myself why I was so hooked on Peggy. Was it the fact that she was so incredibly desirable and I would do anything to love her? Or was I hooked on the petting itself--even worse, on being degraded by a lovely, young girl?
The thought chilled me. I decided I needed another drink quickly. I didn't feel like going somewhere in town, where I might see someone I knew. The idea of Pearl's appealed to me. Peggy was playing bridge at the country club, so there was no chance of running into her.
The afternoon was still hot, but the humidity was down, and a cooling breeze made the drive along the Gulf pleasant. Or as pleasant as it could be, considering my state of mind. I was torn by guilt and a desperate desire to make love.
I was determined not to complicate an already impossible picture by getting involved with still another woman. No cheap pickup in some bar. But the teasing, arousing petting sessions kept me in a state of desperate urgency. At times I felt I could drive my fist through the windshield.
The wind was cut off abruptly as I cut into the swamps. By the time I reached Pearl's, I was smothering, a state that only added to my tenseness.
There was only one car parked at Pearl's, an old Ford with peeling paint. Two men in jeans and blue denim shirts sat at the bar drinking bourbon. I asked myself how anyone could drink whiskey on a day like this.
Pearl shoved an open beer across the counter. "I saw you come in and I knew what you wanted," she said.
I smiled. "Thanks," I said, pouring the cold beer.
"Peggy hasn't been around today," Pearl said.
"I know," I said, "she's out at the country club this afternoon."
One of the men asked for some ice, and Pearl walked away. I went over and played the juke box. Vaguely, I wondered what Pearl thought about my involvement with Peggy.
I returned to the bar and had just finished a second beer when I heard someone come in. I glanced over my shoulder. It was Eula Mae's father.
He weaved across the room. It was obvious he had been drinking a long time.
"I got to go into town," he said, as he stopped behind the two men. "But I'm drunk as a skunk, and can't handle the truck. Any chance of you boys giving me a ride?"
"Sure," one of the men said. "Going to see the sheriff again?"
"You damn right. Going to get some action today, sure as hell."
The two men finished their drinks and stood up. "Time he done something," one of them said. "What about Eula Mae?"
"She's out in the truck. I took the keys. She's too scared to go nowhere."
I watched them leave and ordered another beer. As I took the first swallow, I heard the car drive away, the tires sliding in the gravel.
"Damn fools," Pearl muttered. She started icing beer.
I agreed. I drank the beer, trying to think, trying to work something out. But it was useless.
I paid Pearl and started out. A swim might help to clear my thoughts more than beer or gin.
I had forgotten about the girl until I started down the steps. She was standing beside her father's pickup truck. She seemed poured into a tight, red dress. It was surprising how the sight of those flaring hips and surging breasts excited me so quickly and thoroughly.
I stood at the bottom of the steps, and we stared at each other. She had that pouting, sullen look, and her brown eyes were wide. Then I saw that there was something dark around her right eye, perhaps a bruise.
I took a tentative step toward her, then stopped. It seemed unbearably hot. I wiped at my forehead with the back of my hand. She still did not say anything. Again I reminded myself that I couldn't afford to complicate my life any further, no matter how much I wanted to help her--or how much I wanted to have her.
I turned and walked quickly to my car and climbed in. I drove slowly across the lot. Just before I reached the trail, she called me. She started running.
I stopped and watched her voluptuous breasts bounce in the tight dress as she ran awkwardly to the car. She opened the door and climbed in. She was breathing hard. Her breasts surged up and down beneath the flowered material of her dress.
"Listen, Eula Mae," I started.
"Get the hell away from here," she gasped. "I ain't about to get out."
"This won't work," I said, but she saw the way I was staring at her body. The sullen look broke into a provocative smile.
"We can talk someplace else," she said. "Get out of here before Daddy or somebody he knows gets here."
I shifted into gear and drove quickly over the narrow, twisting trail. From the corner of my eye I saw her shift around so that her dress was pulled over her ample thighs.
She slid down in the seat suddenly and watched me with big, brown eyes as we turned onto the road. There was nothing in sight, so she sat up again.
"Where you taking me, mister?" she asked. "You got to get me away from here. Look here what my old man did to me."
She leaned over and I saw the dark purple bruise around her eye. The skin around it was slightly puffy. I thought of the drunken old man who had staggered from Pearl's a little earlier and told myself he should be horsewhipped for doing this to Eula Mae.
"I'm really sorry," I said. "Maybe I should have taken you away the other time, but it wasn't possible. It just wasn't possible. As it is, I'm taking a hell of a chance."
"I know it, mister," she said. "But I seen the way you looked at me. Don't you worry. I'm going to make it worth your while."
"I just want to help you, that's all," I said.
"Sure, mister." She laughed softly. "We'll see what happens."
"Where do you want to go?" I asked. "That's the important thing now."
"A long way off," she said. "When we get to the highway, don't go back toward town. Just turn left and drive, mister. Then when I know we're far enough away from Daddy, we can think of something."
"All right," I said. "I have no reason to be home early." I knew I was supposed to call Peggy, but right at the moment I did not want to be with her.
When we reached the highway, the girl slid down in the seat again. When I turned left and drove a couple of miles, she sat up. This time she was smiling slightly and humming.
"I ain't never going back," she said. "Not for anything now. I'm rid of the old bastard. And, mister, I'm going to more than make it worth your while."
I glanced over at the lush, young body and tried to tell myself that all I wanted was to help her. But she smiled provocatively and I smiled back.
* * *
The deep purple of dusk was over the Gulf as I finished my hamburger and washed it down with a swallow of beer. Eula Mae was slurping at the last of her Coke through a straw. She seemed relaxed and contented.
I drained the beer and handed the can to her and she threw it and her empty bottle from the window.
"I guess we come far enough the old bastard will never find me now," she said.
"Yes, I think you're safe now," I said. "There's a city a few miles ahead. Want to stop there?"
She shrugged. "One's as good as another, long as it's big enough for me to get some work in."
"You shouldn't have any trouble," I said. "But I hate to put you out, on your own."
"I'll be okay, don't you worry," she said. "I can take care of myself, long as I got me some money from you to get started on, and buy something to wear."
We drove into the city without talking. We drove past filling stations and motels, their neon signs bright and garish in the soft, dark light of late dusk.
As we drove past neat homes set behind huge lawns across the highway, I thought about Eula Mae and about Peggy. Eula Mae was younger, but here she was leaving home and setting out on her own.
She had obviously had a number of men before, and I thought how Peggy loved her petting games but how she had never made love to a man. And I wondered what it would be like to pet with Eula Mae but not make love.
As we drove into the downtown section, the thought intrigued me more and more. Was I hooked on Peggy because I had been so intimate with her and hadn't yet been able to consummate our union? Or was I simply hooked on petting and being frustrated and worshipping the ripe bodies of young girls?
I found a small hotel tucked away on a side street. It was plain but seemed clean and relatively safe. We checked in as man and wife. Since we had no luggage, I paid in advance.
The clerk, a fat man with a round, pudgy face, chewed on a cigar and stared at us a moment before handing me the key. The old self-service elevator creaked and jerked as we rode it.
As we walked down the dimly lit corridor, Eula Mae took my hand and squeezed. And as I opened the door, she leaned up and kissed my cheek.
The room was small and smelled musty. I locked the door, then went over and raised both windows to the top. The warm air that poured in was humid. I pulled the shades down and turned to Eula Mae.
The damp dress clung to her body, emphasizing the rise and flow of her body. She smiled and licked around her pouting lips.
"Guess it's about time for bed, mister," she said. "This is my first night of freedom, and I expect to make the most of it."
I stepped to Eula Mae and put my hands around her waist. "You said before you'd be willing to do anything I wanted," I said.
She licked her lips and pressed her body against mine. "I sure did, mister," she said. "You just name it, any way you want."
I cupped her plump buttocks with my hands. She rubbed her breasts against my chest as her nails dug into my back.
"I want to pet with you, but not make love," I said, quickly. "Kiss you and rub all over you. You work me up, but don't let me love you."
She looked up at me, her eyes wide. "Honey, are you serious?" she asked. "I'm game for anything, but that's the most damn fool thing I ever heard of."
"Will you do it?" I asked.
"I said I'd do anything," she said, and shook her head. "But it will end up both of us clawing the walls."
I led her to the bed, and we sat down. I switched off the light, so that the room was dim in meagre light that filtered in from the hall and from the faint moonlight.
"Tell me what you want me to do," she said.
I explained what I wanted, remembering the things Peggy did and did not do. Eula Mae was skeptical, but I was already getting excited. I felt my heart pounding.
We propped pillows against the head of the bed, and sat against them. I put my arm around Eula Mae, and bent to kiss her full lips. Her kiss was knowing and wild, her hot tongue quickly darting into my mouth.
When I slid my hand down, she let me cup an enormous breast through the dress and bra. Then she pulled my hand away, and bit my tongue tip. I tried again for the breast, but she blocked me and tickled my neck and ears with her expert fingers.
I pushed my lips furiously against hers, and my hand tickled over her leg, and up onto her thighs. She giggled, then shifted the thighs away.
We petted for half an hour, and I was indeed ready to claw the walls. Eula Mae's hot, young body had driven me berserk. At first she was passionate then teasing, tender then mocking.
She had finally let me take off her bra. I sucked clumsily at an enormous breast and rubbed her thighs, as her lips and teeth and tongue drove me almost crazy.
I was aroused desperately, as much as with Peggy. Then, as I squirmed and panted and pawed and kissed, it suddenly all seemed ludicrous to me. I jerked my hands from her body and tore my lips from hers.
"This is stupid," I gasped.
"Honey, ain't it the truth?" she asked.
"I want to make love to you," I said, starting to tug her dress off.
"Thankfully, mister," she said. She nearly ripped the flimsy material helping me get it off. "That pretty girl I seen you with at Pearl's? She put you through this kind of thing?"
"How in hell did you know?" I asked, as I ripped her panties off.
"She's the kind," Eula Mae said. She slid down in the bed. "She'll be that kind of little bitch all her life, mister. You're a fool to let her do that sort of thing. And believe me, she'd be the worst lay you ever had."
I slid beside Eula Mae, and fondled a breast. She sucked in her breath. "You're right," I said.
"I'll make you forget that little bitch, mister," Eula Mae said. She pulled me to her.
And as I fell to her warm, full body, I forgot Peggy and everything else. Eula Mae twisted and bit and rubbed, and I matched her soaring passion. And we both groaned as I started working with her.
Eula Mae bucked and groaned and cursed gently as we rocked about the creaking bed. My pent-up passion screamed for release, causing me to move with a searing, painful urgency.
She was game and matched me move for move, her teeth digging into my shoulder, her nails clamping over my buttocks, and I clamped my eyes shut and everything exploded in a blinding rush of pained pleasure.
We lay still a long moment. Then I kissed her cheek and wondered if I had hurt her. Her brown eyes opened wide and wicked. She twisted a knowing finger on my buttock and I gasped.
"It's too late for you to drive back tonight," she said. "Here, get off."
I rolled off her sweating body and sighed. The pain throbbed from the handiwork of her nails and teeth. In an instant, she was rolling on top of me, and my desire rose once more. Then her lips were sucking mine, and her wiggling body was driving me wild again.
CHAPTER NINE
I dragged myself from the hotel and out to the car. I was weak from this morning's session with Eula Mae, and I still thought of her lying there in bed, watching me walk out.
I told myself she would still be making love to me if I hadn't insisted on leaving. I licked my lips as I got into the car and wondered where a girl her age had learned so much about lovemaking. - I felt something genuine for her, despite the fact that we could never be anything but short-term lovers. I felt badly about leaving her alone. But I knew she was so glad to be free of her bastard of a father that she would always be grateful to me. And I was sure as hell grateful to her.
The morning was still cool, and I enjoyed the drive, once I got out of town. The Gulf was deep blue and smooth, and I turned on the radio and hummed along with the soft music.
But after a few miles, my good mood faded as I started thinking of Peggy and of Jeannie. Once more I had to return to the fact that my life was a shambles.
I drove on and wondered what the next parking scene with Peggy would be like after petting with Eula Mae had struck me as so absurd.
I stopped for breakfast and an early beer, then drove on. But now the heat was searing the highway. The water seemed dark, molten lead beneath the sun.
But I soon stopped worrying. Why worry? My situation was impossible. I concentrated on driving. It was nearly noon as I sped along the highway into town. The beaches were crowded, and I licked my parched lips and thought of the water.
But I drove on. I was anxious to get home and see if Jeannie had returned. I also realized I had to make it appear I had stayed there last night, in case she returned.
But the apartment was empty. I turned the sheets down, then went in the kitchen and opened a beer and fixed a ham and cheese sandwich. I switched on all the fans, then pulled my shirt off and sat at the kitchen table as the huge fan pulled warm air across my body.
The phone rang. I jumped. Then I hesitated a moment, sprinted in and jerked up the receiver.
"This is Jeannie," her voice announced, obviously weary and cool.
"Where are you?" I asked. "I've been worried sick."
"Not too worried, I imagine," she said. "I've been calling since late last night."
I swallowed. "I've been getting drunk," I said. "When I got your note, I didn't know what else to do."
"That sounds like the sort of thing you'd do, at least lately," she said.
"When are you coming home?" I asked.
"Do you want me to come home?"
"Yes, of course," I said as I took a sip of beer. "I love you, Jeannie. Please come back."
"I won't come back to the situation .we had," she snapped. "If I return and things are the same, I promise you I'll walk out and you'll never see me again."
"Things will be like they used to be," I lied. I took another sip of beer and wondered what would most likely get her back. "I want so much to talk to you, to explain things. I want to show you how much I love you, and how much I want to save our marriage."
There was silence. I realized then how much I did love her and how desperately I did want her back. When she still didn't say anything, I was afraid for one wild moment that she had hung up.
"Jeannie?" I asked, anxiously. "Darling, please come back."
"I'll come back tomorrow morning, Carl. I think perhaps I'll get drunk myself."
She hung up before I could say anything, and I held the receiver and sighed. Then I set it down, drained the beer and walked slowly back to the kitchen.
I opened another beer, but the sandwich would not go down. I got to my feet and paced about, drinking beer and trying to put a little order in my jumbled thoughts.
Tomorrow morning, Jeannie would return. Unless I could convince her that things were changed, she would leave for good. Step number one, then, was to have some kind of showdown with Peggy. Today.
I shuddered just thinking of it. I felt weak and exhausted as I thought of Peggy's ability to arouse and degrade me, the smug, mocking smile on her lips, her lush body, her wild, knowing tongue...
Wowee, I muttered, and finished the beer with a large swallow. I didn't think anything could arouse me after Eula Mae. I swore to myself that somehow I'd have Peggy my way before the day was over.
I walked to the phone and dialed her number. The phone rang several times. I was about to hang up when she answered.
"This is Carl," I said.
"Where were you yesterday?" she asked. "I'm quite angry with you. And I was asleep just now. There is nobody else home, and you woke me up."
What a spoiled little bitch, I told myself. "Something came up yesterday," I said, trying to soothe her. "And it's afternoon, Peggy. I'm sorry I woke you up, but I was anxious to talk to you."
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want to see you as soon as possible," I said.
"I'm going swimming this afternoon," she said. "And I have plans for tonight and tomorrow. Call me in a couple of days."
"I know you're angry about yesterday," I said. "I'm sorry. But I must see you." And then I knew the bait that would make her change her plans. "My wife left me.
"What? When? What are you going to do?"
There was no mistaking the curiosity and satisfaction in her voice. I smiled and shook my head.
"That depends on you, Peggy," I said. "It's imperative that I see you today."
"Well, if it's that important, I guess I could squeeze you in," she said. "But I'm going to make you pay for yesterday."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"In my own special way, darling," she purred. "I'll break my date for tonight. Pick me up at eight, at the usual place."
"Fine," I said, and hung up.
I started undressing as I walked into the bathroom. I was apprehensive about seeing Peggy, and I remembered her statement about making me pay. I knew she had been capable of making me do anything in the past. But as I climbed under the spray of hot water, I thought of Eula Mae's reaction to Peggy's kind of sex, and I smiled to myself and started humming.
* * *
I had been waiting at the corner for nearly half an hour when I saw the lights of the car down the street. I was seething, but forced myself to be calm. Peggy parked behind my car and got out.
She opened the door and climbed in, pausing a moment to pose her body, which strained against tight red shorts and a flimsy red blouse.
"How are you?" I asked as she sat down and closed the door.
She shrugged. "Okay, Carl," she said. "I had a terrible scene about breaking the date. I hope you appreciate it."
She shifted around, then curled her slim, tanned legs on the seat between us. I glanced around as I drove off. She cocked her head and smiled that mocking smile.
"I appreciate it," I said, putting a little scorn in my voice. "I appreciate everything you do for me."
"What's this about Jeannie? What happened?" s "When I got home yesterday, she was gone, and there was a note," I said. I headed the car toward the Gulf. "I don't know where she went, or when, or even if she'll be back."
"Oh, darling, why didn't you call me?" she asked. "It was because of us, wasn't it?"
"Sure, it was because of us," I said. I turned a corner without slowing down. The tires squealed and Peggy braced herself against the door.
"Take it easy, Carl," she said. "I know you're upset, darling. But if things weren't working out--well, a break-up was inevitable. What are you going to do now?"
"That depends on you, Peggy," I said. "I want to go somewhere and talk to you. Somewhere we won't be disturbed."
She laughed softly, a hoarse, provocative laugh. "Why, I can't think of a better place than our spot in the swamp, darling."
"That's fine with me," I said. I turned a corner and drove onto the highway.
Everything about her irritated me--her smugness in thinking she had broken up my marriage most of all. I knew she thought now that she had me, that she could do with me as she wanted. She could marry me at her leisure. I wondered what in hell she had planned for tonight.
"Do you want something to drink first?" I asked, as we passed a cluster of drive-ins and bars.
"No, darling, I'm anxious to get out and--oh-- talk," she said. "We can always to go Pearl's."
I snorted. "Not me, baby. I'm afraid I wouldn't be particularly welcome."
' Why, Carl, what on earth do you mean?" she asked.
"The old bastard out there, the one who claims his daughter was raped, well, he beat her up, and I helped her get away from him."
"Carl, you didn't," she said. "How utterly stupid. Why, that makes me furious."
"Don't let it bother you," I snapped. "It happened. I did it. I'd do it again if I had to."
"But why would you want to help a little tramp like that?"
"You'd never understand, baby."
"Carl, I know you're upset about Jeannie and all," she said. "But don't you dare start talking to me like that. Now you know you're asking for trouble when we park. I want to help you and make you happy, but don't be stupid and make me angry."
"Frankly, I don't care if you're angry or not," I said, surprised at my words.
"Wait until we park a while, darling," she said. "You'll be sorry you acted this way. And we both know it. I'll make you whine and beg and do things to please me that you didn't think possible, darling."
"Well, you're going to get your chance, Peggy," I said. I took my foot from the accelerator.
She shook her head. "Another showdown," she said. "Well, I certainly enjoyed the last one, Carl. And I'm already sweating a great deal, darling."
I turned from the highway onto the trail, despising Peggy. Yet, my heart raced and I felt a little uneasy. I knew what would be in store for me if she got me worked up as she had always done in the past.
"Peggy, dammit, I want to make love to you," I said, as I pulled up at our spot. "I want you very much, and I've been willing to put up with damn near anything to have you. Can't you ever be a real woman? " She sighed. "For one thing, as I've told you before, I am not going to be a woman, as you call it, as long as you're married, Carl." Her voice took on a mocking, provocative tone. "Besides, darling, I rather get the idea you like sex my way but just can't quite admit it to yourself."
I switched off the motor and lights and turned to face her. I was angry as hell. Her face shadowed in the moonlight was lovely and perfect. I licked my lips and glanced down at the thrust of her breasts, her bare legs and thighs.
"I don't have a wife tonight," I said. I slid across the seat.
"I know, you poor dear," she said. She put her hand on my cheek. "But you are still married. And, of course, Jeannie could come back at any time. Now, don't get impatient, Carl. Despite the fact you're older, I really know more of what you want than you do."
"Like hell," I snapped, and sucked in a deep breath. I could smell her faint perfume.
She pulled her hand away. "Here we go again," she said. "Well, Carl, do you want to talk to me about Jeannie? Or talk about us? Or do you want to fight with me?"
I put my arm around her, and squeezed her bare shoulder. "Dammit, I want to make love to you," I said. I moved against her bare thigh.
"Well, you just try to get me excited enough to make love to you, Carl," she said. "And we'll see what happens. If Jeannie stays away, and you get a divorce, then things will certainly be different, won't they?"
I slid my hand down and squeezed her breast through the flimsy blouse. She tugged my hand away.
"Don't be so crude," she scolded. She nibbled at my ear.
I started to say something; but, putting a hand on my leg, she leaned over and brushed my lips with hers. I returned the kiss. I slid my hand over her smooth, damp thighs. The feel of them sent a shiver down my spine.
Her lips were wild, then tender, teasing then arousing. Her tongue flicked the inside of my mouth and her teeth nibbled and bit. She slid her hands over my body while I stroked her thighs. I tickled my fingers around the bottom of the hugging shorts, and more excited just thinking how intimate I could be with shorts like these, yet still not be able to get beneath them.
We petted as always for a long time, and after I had clutched at her blouse awhile, Peggy let me tear the blouse open and pull off her bra and fondle and squeeze her breasts. I pinched the huge nipples while she sucked at my lips. She caught my hand between her thighs and rubbed it back and forth in the way that always made my breath go short.
My face was feverish. I felt my control slipping. I tried to slide Peggy down in the seat, but she smiled mockingly and refused as she continued to arouse me.
Then, as I was kissing her deeply, trying to dig beneath her shorts, I thought of Eula Mae. I remembered how similar this whole petting and teasing game had been with her.
I tried again, roughly, to shove Peggy down in the seat. She tore from my lips, her eyes blazing.
"Don't you dare treat me like that," she hissed.
I squeezed her breasts until she groaned and clawed at my hands. But I only pumped harder, mashing my lips over her mouth to drown, her protesting words.
She petted with a renewed fury, using every trick she knew. She thought I was excited, but I seemed to have reached a plateau. No matter what she did, she was slowly losing her control over me.
She knew it, too. Her keenly developed sense of petting, which kept her in control and let her know just how excited a man was, obviously warned her.
Her fingers got bolder and roamed up my legs and thighs. She didn't protest when I unzipped her shorts and took them off. She tried to tease me by twisting her thighs as I grabbed for the panties. I roughly shoved her thighs apart. She gasped and bit my neck so hard I slapped her.
Her head snapped back. She whimpered and tears came to her wide, innocent eyes. I rammed my hand beneath the panties, and she whimpered again. She tried to claw at my face with her nails while trying to get my hands from the panties.
"You'll pay," she screamed, as she fought me.
"Go to hell," I snapped, and shoved her against the door.
I smoothed my hair back and wiped sweat from my face. I started the car. She sat in stunned silence, as I backed up to the road.
Then she started dressing quickly, cursing and threatening me.
"You'll come crawling back to me," she screamed, as she pulled on her tiny, white panties. "And then you'll pay. You'll beg me just to be able to kiss my feet. I know what you are, and what you want, and I'll make you pay. And what do you think will happen to your job? Just wait until I tell Daddy."
I stopped a moment at the highway and glanced at her. She sat in the panties, fumbling the bra over her enormous, heaving breasts. Her lovely, young face was twisted and hard. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"You and your daddy and the job and this goddam town can all go to hell," I said. My voice was strangely calm. "Jeannie is returning tomorrow, if I'm luckier than I should be. And then I'm leaving."
She finished dressing without a word. She sat huddled in the corner as I drove quickly back to her car.
"You'll pay for this, wait and see," she said, as I stopped. Her voice was calm and deadly. "I've had you groveling to worship my body before, Girl, and I'll have you that way again. And don't think the return of your wife will help you."
I did not say anything. She leaned over suddenly and slapped me, then slid across the seat. She slammed the door, and I sat a minute, my cheek burning, my nose numb.
Then I drove slowly off, and did not think of her. I thought of getting back home and getting a drink and waiting for Jeannie to return.
CHAPTER TEN
I slept in fits and was up a little after six. I had no idea when Jeannie would come back, but I wanted to be up. I made coffee and had juice. Then, with a cup of black, steaming coffee, I sat in the living room and stared out through the window at the blue sky.
It was still cool and pleasant. There was a faint breeze. I felt good, despite the lack of sleep, better than I had felt in days.
As I sipped the scalding coffee, I tried to decide what to do. I knew I was finished with Peggy and also knew I would quit the job, before I was fired. So I had no job and little money in the bank. I had to patch up things with Jeannie while presenting her with this problem.
The morning wore on. The wind stopped and it started getting hot. I turned on the fans, fixed fresh grapefruit and added lots of ice. I paced the living room, waiting for a phone call or for the turn of a key in the lock.
By eleven, I was beginning to worry. I was also wondering if I should tell Jeannie about Peggy. Something told me Peggy would try to confront Jeannie with our peculiar affair.
I was debating about having a beer, when I heard someone at the door. I froze for an instant, then hurried across the room as Jeannie came in.
She put her suitcase down and closed the door softly. I stopped, and we stared at each other. When I stepped to her and kissed her cheek, she stiffened.
Jeannie was lovely, though her face was slightly drawn and her blue eyes lacked their usual sparkle. Her blonde hair was neatly combed. I moved back a couple of steps and glanced appreciatively at her tall, graceful body.
"Thankfully, you're back," I said softly. "How are you? Where have you been?"
"Carl, I had to get away," she said. "I just took the bus along the Gulf, and got a hotel room, and tried to think, and hoped my leaving would shock you into doing something to save our marriage."
"I was a thoughtless bastard," I said. "Here, let's sit on the couch. Can I get you some coffee or something cold to drink?"
She shook her head. We walked to the couch and sat down. Again I kissed her cheek, and again, she went stiff. Then she smiled weakly and put her hand on my cheek for an instant.
"I want to tell you everything," I said. "Though I'm not sure I'll ever be able to face you again."
"If you had just talked before," Jeannie said. "That was the worst thing, that you wouldn't talk to me.
"First of all, you should know that you've returned to an unemployed husband," I said. "I'm not going back to the station. And if I did, I'd be fired, in all probability."
"I'm not really sorry," she said. "I've been miserable ever since we came here. Getting that job has caused us nothing but trouble. You're good, Carl. You won't have any trouble getting another job. And I know a thousand ways to fix eggs."
"I was involved with a girl," I blurted.
"But you said you weren't," Jeannie said. "You said you weren't making love to anyone else."
"I wasn't making love to anyone else," I said.
"Carl, make sense," she said. "Don't make jokes at a time like this."
I shook my head, and hesitated a moment. My face went warm. And I knew I would turn red as I admitted what I had done with Peggy. But I told Jeannie, told her every degrading detail.
My blood raced and my temples throbbed as I finished. She looked at me with those lovely blue eyes. I had the wild, desperate feeling that she would jump -up and walk out on me.
She put her hand on my cheek. "Poor dear," she said, softly. "If you had only told me. Haven't you ever run across a little tease like that before? If you like to pet and play games and do other things, then I'm perfectly capable. I can also make love. If you had only told me, we could have worked something out."
"I should have told you," I said. "But I was guilt-ridden and ashamed and uncertain. And then I hated to admit that was why I was given the job, and why I came back."
"You did treat me rotten," she said. "But it seems you've certainly suffered for what you did. I'm willing to forget everything if we just get away from here. Tomorrow. Today."
"We'll leave," I said. "As soon as possible. I'll at least go down there and talk to them tomorrow. But knowing Peggy, I can imagine the kind of yarn she'll tell her father. I just don't want to give them the satisfaction of firing me."
"I'm curious about the little girl and her petting," Jeannie said. "I want to know about it, Carl."
I was surprised to see a smile on the corners of Jeannie's lips. "Do you want to go into it now?" I asked.
"Let's go into it in the bedroom," she said, her voice husky now. Her hand slipped behind my neck and she rubbed it. "Perhaps our love-making needs a dose of something different. And I'm game if you are."
"Really, you're incredible," I said. I leaned over and kissed her lips, a soft kiss. But as I pulled away, her lips parted, and her hand came hard behind my head and I kissed her again.
The kiss was searing. Jeannie's tongue was delicate and lashing. I had just taken her in my arms when the doorbell rang. I cursed and pulled from Jeannie's lips.
"Ignore it," she whispered.
We kissed again. The damn bell kept ringing. And then someone was pounding on the door.
"Hell," I muttered and stumbled up, my breath coming hard.
I crossed the room quickly, cursing Carol or whichever neighbor was insisting on seeing us. When I jerked the door open, I gasped.
Peggy stood there in a pair of skin-hugging white shorts. Her eyes were wide and innocent. A faint purple mark decorated her beautiful face. For a moment I thought of slamming the door. She must have guessed my intention, for she quickly stepped into the apartment.
Jeannie got up slowly. She and Peggy glared at each other. I closed the door, not knowing what the hell to do.
"Oh, I wouldn't have come if you'd told me some other woman would be here, Carl, darling," Peggy said, in her most-innocent, little-girl voice.
"Oh, you must be Peggy," Jeannie said. She smiled as she made a head-to-toe inspection of Peggy.
"Oh, you know my name," Peggy said, playing it to the hilt. I could gladly have strangled her on the spot. I glanced anxiously at Jeannie.
She took another step toward Peggy. "And can you possibly guess who I am?" she asked, and there was menace in her voice.
"Oh, you couldn't possibly be Jeannie?" Peggy asked, and took a step backward. "Why, he told me you had run off and left him. I felt so sorry for him, though I knew about the trouble you'd been having, particularly in bed and all."
"She is a lovely little child, Carl," Jeannie said, her voice edged. "I can see how you could find her attractive. But she's so obviously a filthy little bitch. Couldn't you see that also?"
"Don't you dare talk to me like that," Peggy said. "Just because you can't keep Carl satisfied or give him the special kind of loving he wants. I know what he wants. Do you have any idea how he worships my body, how he grovels and degrades himself while giving me pleasure?"
"I know everything about you and Carl," Jeannie said. "I should be angry with you, but I only pity you, Peggy. You're a sick girl, and as you grow older, you'll get bitter and frustrated and never know what it means to love a man or have a man love you."
Peggy's voice broke a little when she spoke. "I'm so lovely and desirable, men love to worship my body, and kiss me all over. I could make him do something like that right here." She glanced around at me, her eyes narrowed and furious. For the first time, I realized she might be a little drunk. "I'll show you what I mean. Just watch him."- She reached down and unzipped her shorts and started pulling them off. In a minute, she stood in her tiny, frilly white panties. She moved her legs apart, put her hands on her flaring hips, and looked up at me.
"My dear," Jeannie said. "I'll give you about twenty seconds to pour your exaggerated and overrated little tail back into that outfit and leave. And if you don't, so help me, I'll rip the rest of your clothes off and throw you naked into the hall."
Peggy started to speak, checked herself, and looked quickly from me to Jeannie. Jeannie took a step forward. Peggy quickly scooped up the shorts and pulled them on.
I opened the door and bowed politely.
"You'll pay for this, both of you. Just you wait until Daddy learns about this. Just wait until he gets back." She backed out the door, cursing, her voice rising.
I bowed again, slammed the door in her face, and locked it. I heard a string of profane words. Then she ran down the corridor.
I turned to Jeannie. "Honey, you were wonderful," I said.
"I'm just getting warmed up," she said. She smiled. "Why don't you get us something to drink, and we can go into the bedroom."
"You know what happens when you have a beer," I said, my heart beating wildly.
"Oh, I don't want beer, darling," she said. "I want a stiff gin and tonic. And I'll be waiting in the bedroom."
She pivoted, and I watched the sway of her willowy body as she left the room. Then I hurried back to the kitchen and mixed the drinks.
I walked to the bedroom and stopped abruptly. Jeannie was in bed, clad only in brief pink panties and a flimsy pink bra.
She shifted lazily and ran her fingers over her slim, silky legs as I crossed the room. I handed her the frosted glass and we drank silently. I gazed down on her voluptuous body and watched with excited fascination the movements of her fingers over every hill and valley.
She extended a hand. I took it and she pulled me down. I sat beside her, and stroked her lovely, blonde hair. Again we drank in silence.
She finished her drink before I did. I took her glass and put both glasses on the table. I leaned over to kiss her lips. But she moved her head, and licked my cheek and bit my ear softly.
I scurried up to sit beside her, propped against the pillows. I put an arm around her and tried again to press my lips to hers. But again she avoided my mouth, pressing damp, hot lips over my ear.
"After that drink, I feel very wicked," she breathed into my ear. With a fingernail she scratched around the base of my neck. Her knee curled up and rubbed along my thigh.
A flashing desire shot through me. I grabbed at Jeannie's bra and panties. She shoved my hands away and laughed wickedly.
"Take it easy, darling," she said. "I'm still a little angry with you."
As I started to protest, she licked around my lips. Then she pressed her mouth against mine in a kiss that took my breath away. I kissed her fiercely, our tongues lashing, while my hands roamed her body.
She let me play over her tantalizing body but wouldn't let me beneath the bra and panties. In a few minutes I was sweating and my body vibrated with desire.
Then she shoved me away and leisurely unhooked her bra and tugged it off. I gazed with uncontrollable lust at her bare breasts. I fell to them with my lips, to kiss and suck and lick and pulled at the nipples with my teeth in a rough bite that made her wince.
My frantic hands moved over her thighs. She let me get to the edges of the panties, then twisted her thighs expertly to block my trembling fingers. Her lips kissed my ear, and her tongue was almost driving me berserk.
After a quarter hour, I was soaked in sweat. I felt my hot, tensed body would explode with excitement. Finally, when she let my fingers slide beneath the little panties, I gasped at the sensation and tried to shove her down in the bed.
But she toyed with the rim of my ear. "Not yet, darling," she whispered. "I want you to do everything with me you did with Peggy. Then we'll have the wildest love-making we've ever had."
"Everything?" I asked, my words thick with desire.
"Everything," she said and adjusted her thighs. "Nothing is wrong, darling, as long as it leads to love-making which pleases us both. And next time, well, things will be reversed, don't you see?"
I kissed her stomach with trembling lips, and slid down in the bed. I heard her sigh with pleasure at the touch of my lips on her thighs, and I squirmed about, more aroused than I had ever been in my life.
My nerves were raw with flushed, feverish desire as I kissed up the golden thighs. My last rational thought was that soon I would be making love to Jeannie, to this perfect body that I was worshiping.
