Tales from an Unknown Corner

CHAPTER – 38: A Walk in the Past (2)

I finished my dinner while watching the TV. I wasn’t in the mood for company, and I knew I had to get out of the flat in a hurry, before Gil or somebody else dropped by to go to a disco, or with some other plans. I took my plate to the sink, and washed it absent mindedly, while trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Once I finished doing the dishes, I changed into jeans and a t-shirt, and took a long walk by the shore. An hour later, I returned, knowing I wasn’t going to be disturbed by any visitors. Anybody who was likely to drop by was probably out, having some fun somewhere. Changing into shorts, I went to the living room, put on the radio, then picked up a book and settled in the armchair. Some time later, I took a break from my reading, and opened a bottle of beer. I checked the TV, but there wasn’t anything interesting, so I returned to my book. Around eleven o’clock, I went to bed. I had an uneasy sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up, feeling thirsty. When I went to the kitchen, I noticed a faint light in Rei’s bedroom window. Her curtains were closed. Taking a coke out of the fridge, I sat in the dark in the living room, with a view of her window through the screen door of our balcony. I wondered why she was up so late. My watch said it was 3:18 AM.

Couldn’t she sleep, either? Was she thinking of...

As the questions ran through my mind, I felt guilty for putting her through what might be tormenting her. Maybe my guilt was irrational, but I couldn’t help myself. From what little I had come to know about her, she didn’t need any trouble from me. I considered visiting her, to comfort her, but thought better of it. From her reaction to me in the afternoon, I knew I wasn’t welcome.

In the dead of the night, the silence was oppressive. I reached over to the small radio, and put it on. The soft music streaming from the FM station seemed too loud, and I put the volume down as low as possible, letting it fill the silence without being distracting. I lost track of time, sipping my coke and listening to the music with half an ear. My mind was busy with my options, especially about the future, but I didn’t know what to do. I kept running in circles, but was unable to find any answers to how I could get over the obstacles that stood in my way. One more year of school, then almost a year in the army, then finding a job... Besides that, I didn’t know what Rei wanted or expected from me, and she seemed unwilling to talk about it. As I wondered why she was reluctant to talk about things, I noticed the light go out in her bedroom, and checked my watch; it was almost five.

Sleep tight, my love. I’m sorry for whatever I’ve put you through. Please forgive me.

There was a lump lodged at the back of my throat, and I took a sip from the last of my coke. Was it fear of losing her, or something else, I had no idea. I almost felt like crying. The thought of crying made me even more uncomfortable, like a 15-year-old going through the pains of first-love. But, it wasn’t far from the truth. She was my first-love. I hadn’t felt what I felt for her for anybody else. Despite my age, the strength of my feelings for her made me feel helpless. Going to my bedroom, I put on my shorts. I was going to put on a t-shirt, but decided against it. I wanted to feel the early morning breeze. Taking my cigarettes, I quietly opened the screen door that led to the balcony and stepped out. As I expected it was cool, almost cold, and I shivered when I felt the soft wind caress my body with its cold, moist fingers, carrying the salty smell of the sea that I loved so much. The birds were chirping, filling the quiet of the early morning hour. It was dark, but the sky was already turning a lighter tone; the fake dawn putting in an appearance before the real one would follow it. I stood leaning against the wall, facing the beach a hundred yards away, trying to discern the horizon. Although I felt tired from lack of sleep, I didn’t feel like sleeping at all. I debated taking my morning jog on the beach, now, but...

In an hour, there would be more light. Then I would jog. Perhaps take a swim afterwards.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been standing there. I was on my third cigarette when I looked to my right and saw that the light was back on in her bedroom. Even though the dawn was still some ways away, it was getting lighter and I had missed the light turning on in her bedroom. The thought that she hadn’t been able to sleep brought my barely suppressed guilt to the surface again, from its hiding place that lurked so near.

“Please, Rei. Go back to sleep, and get some rest. Come on, baby. I’ll watch over you. Just go to sleep, and dream sweet dreams,” I urged her mentally, trying to put her to sleep by sheer will power over the short distance, through the window and the curtains that separated us physically. But, it didn’t help. Worse, I felt like a prisoner, and despite the view of the beach, the balcony felt like my prison cell. I wondered what Rei was feeling. Somehow, I had the image of her feeling as trapped as I was, inside her own bedroom, behind the four walls that surrounded her. Was that why she was unable to sleep?

I didn’t want to think about what might be keeping her awake; with every passing second, I was feeling more and more caged, so I decided to go to the beach. I collected my cigarettes and lighter, putting them in the pockets of my shorts, and went back inside. In my bedroom, I changed into my swimming trunks, put on my sneakers, and took my towel and shorts. I was going to take my keys, but then decided against it. The door was open, and the screen door was locked with a simple hook. Unlocking the screen door, I opened it and stepped out, before closing it behind me, quietly, and leaving it unlocked. There wasn’t anything of value in the house, and it was a very safe neighborhood.

I went down the stairs quietly, and walked the short distance to the beach. I put my towel and shorts on one of the lounges, and took off my sneakers. For a long while, I sat there, my toes digging into the cool sand, as I watched the arrival of the dawn. It was one of my favorite times of the day. I always enjoyed watching the dawn break in the distance. The almost satin like quality of the sea, as the soft breeze made little ripples, carrying the smell that I was so familiar with, rich with iodine and salt... the ticklish and cool feel of the fine sand between my toes... the dizzy feeling I got when I lit the first smoke of the day...

Banish the thought! You just put out your third cigarette. You’re getting out of control lately!

Before I could give in to the temptation, I stood up, walked to the wet sand, started to jog, trying to find some calm in the solitude offered in the simple task of concentrating on a comfortable pace, and listening to the sounds of my feet hitting the wet sand. As I ran my body warmed up considerably, and I increased my pace. After a few miles, I turned and jogged back, stopping some distance short of where I had started. I walked to catch my breath, letting my heartbeat return to normal. I was by my regular spot, where there was a relatively smooth and firmer surface, and began my Tai Chi practice. By then the first rays of the sun had broken the horizon, lighting it with beautiful tones of red. After I finished my practice, I walked into the sea, taking my time to get used to the cold water, and dove. Going some distance under the water, I surfaced, letting out a gentle scream of joy, finding an almost childlike pleasure in being in the sea, frolicking. With steady strokes, I swam for 10-15 minutes, before making my way back to the shore. I dove once more, surfacing closer to the shore, and stood up, walking the rest of the distance to the lounge. I felt reborn, and alive. After toweling off, I collected my belongings, and went to the showers to wash the sand off my feet. Putting my sneakers on, I walked back to the flat.

My first stop was my bedroom, to change into boxers and shorts. Then taking the wet towel and my swimming trunks, I went to the living room, to hang them on the wash hanger at the balcony. As I stepped into the living room, I almost had a heart attack. I stood frozen to the spot, before I could find my voice.

“Rei! What are you doing here?”

She was sitting on the far corner of the big couch, with her legs tucked underneath her. She looked tired; her face was a bit haggard. It felt like a knife twisting in my guts seeing her like that.

“I... I wanted to see you, Mitch. I couldn’t... I couldn’t wait anymore,” she said, with a hesitant voice.

For a moment I didn’t know how to respond, and trying to gain time, and collect myself, I said, “Can you give me a moment? I want to hang these.”

She motioned me to go ahead.

I was on automatic pilot, and I took my time hanging my swimming trunks and the towel on the nylon rope. Back inside, after a quick glance at Rei, I moved to the kitchen. “Tea will be ready in a short while, Rei,” I said, as I filled up the kettle and put it on the stove, using that simple activity to calm myself down. Eventually, though, I couldn’t find anything else to do to postpone the coming moment, and walked to the living room. I sat in an armchair opposite to her, wondering about the surprise visit. Her eyes were swollen and red, and it was clear she hadn’t slept, and perhaps cried some more during the night.

“I’m sorry I came in unannounced. I was at the stairs, and saw you on the beach. I was going to wait outside your door, but finding your door open, I let myself in. Do you mind?” she asked with hesitation.

“Of course not, Rei.”

We had a long silence, and I waited patiently.

“You’re early this morning. What time did you wake up?”

I debated whether I should lie, but decided against it. “Around three.” Seeing her expression change, I hastily added, “I went to bed early last night. Sometimes, I feel restless. Happens now and then. I guess I must have had enough sleep.”

I could see she wasn’t convinced; her expression didn’t change, but she didn’t make any comment.

“I couldn’t sleep at all,” she said, watching me with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. She most probably guessed that I might have noticed the light in her bedroom. I nodded.

Before we could continue, the whistle of the kettle announced the water was boiling. I moved to the kitchen and turned off the stove, then prepared two cups of tea for us, and took them back to where we were sitting. She took her cup, and patted the empty spot next to her on the couch. I sat down, sideways, facing her, and we drank our tea in silence, lost in our thoughts. Despite the physical proximity, there was an invisible wall between us, separating us, isolating us from each other. I didn’t have the courage to try to break it down. She seemed so... I couldn’t find the right words to describe it. She just seemed so closed inside herself, so withdrawn from the whole world, trying to find a safe haven, some place where she could find some kind of shelter or hide in. After finishing my cup, I took it to the kitchen and left it on the counter, and on a whim, I went to my bedroom. I took two clean sheets and a pillow, and returned to the living room. Seeing me return with the sheets, and the pillow, she gave me a quizzical look.

“That couch opens to a bed. I want you to catch some sleep, Rei. It will be cooler in the living room until noon, and you need some rest,” I replied.

She looked like she would object, but then she stood up without a word, and helped me open up the couch and prepare the bed. I left the living room, so she could undress if she wanted to, and went to the bathroom to do my morning ablutions. When I was back, she was in the bed, with a sheet covering her. Her clothes were piled on one of the armchairs.

“You’re not going to sleep?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m OK. I can’t sleep anymore,” I said. “Please, get some rest.”

“Thank you, Mitch,” she said. “Can I... Can I have a kiss?” she asked hesitantly.

I walked to the bed, and leaning in I kissed her, running the tips of my fingers over her cheek. “Sleep tight, Rei.”

She smiled softly, giving me a warm, loving look, before she closed her eyes. I took the book I was reading last night, and pulled one of the armchairs so that I wouldn’t be facing Rei, but would be able to keep an eye on her. Strangely enough, I felt I would be intruding on her privacy if I watched her sleep. Under the sheets, she was naked, and I didn’t want to be reminded of the fact. With all the things that had happened since yesterday, sex wasn’t something I could bring myself to think about at the moment, and I didn’t want any distractions. She was restless for a while, then settled down and fell asleep. I tried to concentrate on the book, but my eyes strayed to her several times, taking in her sleeping form. She was sleeping on her side, facing me, and as she fell deeper into sleep, her features relaxed, and for the first time I felt a sense of peace, and returned to my book. Perhaps I was tired, and hadn’t realized it, or perhaps the book wasn’t that interesting, because I fell asleep while reading.

I woke up feeling stiff. I didn’t know how long I slept, but from the amount of light, I guessed it was very late morning. Remembering Rei was sleeping, I stirred carefully, trying not to make any noise, and turned to check on her.

“Good morning,” she said. She was sitting with her knees pulled up, and her chin resting on them. She had the sheet around her, partially covering her nude body, almost carelessly, and her arms were crossed around her knees. She looked rested, even though her eyes were still puffy.

“Morning,” I replied. I tried to loosen my stiff neck. “When did you wake up?”

“Not too long ago. Do you have a stiff neck?”

I nodded; still busy trying to work the kinks out.

“Come here. Let me see that,” she said, moving away from the edge of the bed, to make some space for me.

I sat on the edge, with my back to her. She ran her fingers on my neck trying to feel the knots. “What were you doing?” I asked.

“I was watching you sleep. Does that hurt?” she asked, pressing a spot on my neck.

“Yeah.”

She worked on it for a few minutes. Then, she wrapped her hands around my chest, and began kissing my shoulder. She kept kissing me all the way to my neck. After the kisses, she rested her cheek against my shoulder and she held me tightly in her arms. I felt her body trembling, and I knew she was crying, very quietly. A little bit later, I felt the wetness of her tears. I wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her, but she was holding onto me with such intensity, I decided to wait, and let her tears run their course. I put my hands on her hands, and let her cry. When her trembling subsided and her hold on my torso relaxed, I turned to gather her in my arms. As I faced her, she clutched my face and kissed me hungrily. I felt the sheet slide down her body, and was hesitant to gather her naked form in my arms, but she had other ideas. As we continued to kiss, she fell sideways, pulling me with her. While she kept her lips locked to mine, she was busy trying to get the rest of the sheet off her body. Then her hand went to my shorts, urging me to get naked with her. Breaking the kiss, I took off my shorts and boxers, while she rolled onto her back. When I was naked, she pulled me between her legs. We kept kissing with a hunger we hadn’t felt before, and our hands were busy holding onto each other, squeezing, caressing, igniting our passion. She sneaked her hand between our bodies, and took hold of my hardness, then guided me into her opening. With a cry, I entered her, receiving an answering cry from her.

“Agh, Mitch... Yes...” she urged, wrapping her legs around my waist. With her heels, she tried to force me inside her.

I was in her perhaps a few inches, and when she urged me, I pushed in, slowly entering her, until I was completely inside her. She was moving against me, squeezing my arms, and kissing me ferociously, and I was consumed with the same hunger. I started to move in her, picking up speed. Our coupling was short and intense, with an ever-increasing urgency, as if... as if we were making up for lost time. As if we were afraid, this might be the last time we would be together. I didn’t know. The only thing I was aware of was our bodies... how we moved against each other: with desperation and hunger. In less than ten minutes, I was filling her with my seed, as she kept calling my name like a mantra, broken only by her panting and moans. We were gasping, breathless, and sweaty with our short but furious joining. I didn’t even know whether she had come. While I was trying to figure that out, she clutched my neck and pulled me in for a kiss, moaning into my mouth, and I felt the tremors running in her body. At first, I thought she was coming, but after the kiss, when I looked at her face, I saw her eyes squeezed shut, and tears running down. Unable to bear seeing her like that, I kissed her, and slipping my arms under her shoulders, I held her in a tight embrace. She wrapped her hands around my neck, and pulled my head to her neck, and I kept nuzzling and kissing her neck, as she cried quietly. It wasn’t the first time I had seen her cry, but it was the first time she had cried in bed, after making love. Slowly her trembling stopped, and she kissed my cheek.

She whispered, “Thank you, Mitch.”

I didn’t know how to respond, because I didn’t understand what she was thanking me for. I was thankful that she had come back.

“I missed you, Rei,” I said, but she cut me off with another kiss.

I was lost in the feel of her body, but also caught in her emotional storm. Even though I had come, I was semi-hard, and I didn’t want to lose the connection we had. I was scared that our bond would be severed if I slipped out of her channel. Maybe she felt the same way, because as soon as she quieted down, she kept moving against my body, wiggling in my arms, and I responded in the same manner. Her eyes were luminous, soft, and needy. Her hands were all around my body, touching, caressing, as I held her. We kept moving against each other, rubbing our bodies, as if trying to strengthen the bond between us, and eventually I regained my erection. When she felt my hardness, her hips got active, urging me, and I started to move in her slick channel. I supported myself on my elbows, with my hands under her shoulders, holding onto her, and she held my face, and kept kissing me. We weren’t slow, but we weren’t fast, either. She rolled and hunched her hips, and we synchronized our movements. The hunger was still there, barely restrained, and it drove us along the final stretch. This time I felt her climax; she tried to arch her back, her tits crushed beneath my chest, her eyes squeezed shut, and then she let out a soft moan. Her channel collapsed around my shaft. I kept stroking into her, moving in her slick channel, wet with her juices and my seed from our previous coupling. A few strokes later, I followed her, spilling my seed once again in her depths.

We were breathless with our efforts, and she was wrapped around me, sighing her pleasure while she kept moving against me, as if she couldn’t get enough of me. I didn’t think I could ever get enough of her. Eventually, she let her legs stretch, allowing me to roll us onto our sides. We held onto each other, and shared long kisses. Her hand was busy on my back, caressing me, and we panted into each other’s mouths. Then, her foot joined her hands in their caresses, moving up and down, from my buttocks to my knees. Eventually, we slowed down in our ministrations, and she nestled her face under my chin, relaxing against me. For a short while, we dozed off, entwined to each other.

Her stirring woke me up. Seeing me awake, she kissed me, lovingly, tenderly. After we lazed in the bed, she sat up, and got out of the bed. She waited for me to get out of the bed and, when I was on my feet, wrapped her arms around me. We held each other and, with a soft kiss, she said, “I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go.”

When I gave a questioning look, she kissed me. “Thank you, Mitch. I... I’ll see you... later,” she said, after the kiss.

Extricating herself, she put on her clothes. When she finished dressing, she realized I hadn’t made a move yet, standing there, watching her. She took a step, and moved into my arms again. Then, pulling back, she locked her eyes with mine, giving me a tender look. I still didn’t know what to say, or whether I should say anything.

“Thank you for... for taking the hurt away. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” she whispered, and ended it with another kiss.

Gently, she slipped from my embrace, and without another word, she left my flat.

I wasn’t sure where things were heading, or where the things we had done had left us, but I found some solace that we still had some kind of a bond, and she was aware of it. More than that, I was happy that she had found some comfort. Yet, the room felt very empty, almost lifeless without her, and I felt lonely. Turning around, I lay on the bed, and pulled her pillow to me, clutching it, and buried my face in it. Her warmth was fading, but it still carried her scent, and I inhaled it deeply, trying to suffuse my soul with what she had left behind... lavender and cinnamon...

. . . . .

“Mitch... Mitch... answer me...”

I heard somebody call my name, and in a flash, I was back to the present.

“Mitch? What’s wrong?” Sarah repeated, and I felt her struggling in my arms.

I realized where I was, and with whom. “Nothing’s wrong,” I replied distractedly.

“Mitch, talk to me,” Sarah insisted, wriggling in my arms. I wasn’t aware that I was holding her in a very tight embrace, almost... I relaxed my hold, and as soon as she felt my arms go slack, she stopped struggling, and pulled back, giving me a critical look.

“I can feel something’s wrong, Mitch. You almost crushed me,” she said.

“I... I didn’t realize, Sarah. I’m sorry.”

Cupping my chin, she locked her eyes to mine. “You were so far away, you didn’t hear me. Please, Mitch. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

I didn’t want to talk about Rei, or the memory, especially when I was holding a naked Sarah in my arms. It felt... so wrong. This was exactly the kind of thing I didn’t want anybody to witness, especially Sarah, or Dana.

“Nothing’s bothering me, Sarah. I didn’t realize I was hurting you.”

I couldn’t think of anything else to say. When I didn’t continue or offer an explanation, she looked like she was going to say something. I put my finger to her lips to stop her, and gave a pleading look. Sensing my discomfort and reluctance, she acquiesced with a minute nod, her expression changing from concern to resignation, and she released my chin. I traced my fingertips from her temple to her cheek, and leaned to kiss her. After a momentary hesitation, her lips met mine and we shared a soft kiss. When the kiss was over, I didn’t pull back. Our faces were a few inches apart, and I gazed in her gray eyes.

Thank you, Sarah. You’re a good friend.

I racked my brain to tell her something, anything, and even considered offering her some kind of an explanation, but before I could open my mouth, she closed her eyes momentarily. Then giving me an understanding look she said, “It’s all right.”

After brushing my face with her fingertips, she changed the subject. “We better shower, and get dressed. Dana will be here soon.” With that, she slipped out of my arms, and got out of the bed, pulling me to my feet.

* * * * *

After a quick shower, we were back in her bedroom, getting dressed. She opted for a gray sweater, tight enough to display her curves perfectly, and a black mini skirt. Turning to me, she asked, “Fishnet tights would be too tasteless with this outfit, wouldn’t they?”

With a wry grin, I nodded. She turned, looking for hosiery in her drawer, pulled out some dark gray, transparent and smooth things, and put them on. They were leg hold-ups with a black lace top that came to just below mid-thigh, displaying quite a bit of bare skin beneath the hem of her miniskirt. She put on a black pair of high heel shoes, not exactly ‘fuck me pumps,’ but almost. I took in her long, shapely legs and the nylons, giving her an appreciative look. She looked absolutely beautiful, and sexy, and something was already stirring in my boxers, again. I had been dawdling, watching her get ready instead of dressing up.

“Good. It has the desired effect,” she said, glancing at my crotch.

“Baby, you could give a hard on to a stiff, even if you were wearing a sack.”

“The only stiff I’m interested in is in your shorts,” she responded. “Now, get moving. I can’t believe you’re still not dressed. And you guys complain women take too long to get ready.”

“Hey! I was distracted. And I’m not one of those guys. I can sit and watch a woman get ready as long as it takes.”

“I wonder why!”

“And I wonder why I put up with your teasing. If I hadn’t been stupid enough to make a promise, you would be laying in that bed with your—”

I barely caught myself in time, before I finished what I was going to say, but it was enough to earn me an inquisitive look.

“Please, continue. I would be laying in the bed...” she prompted.

“Nothing,” I replied.

“Don’t get bashful on me now, Mitch. I was enjoying it very much. Tell me,” she insisted with an amused tone.

“Nothing.”

“Come on, Mitch. Don’t act like a 15 year old,” she goaded me, pressing the right buttons.

“With your legs wrapped around me, and my cum in your pussy. Happy now?” I replied hotly; my tone was a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

“That wasn’t so difficult, was it?” she retorted with glee. Giving me a smug look, she added, “You’re right. My legs would be wrapped around you, and my cunt would be sucking all you could give me, while I screamed my pleasure.”

She took a step to me and with an almost apologetic tone, she said, “I’m sorry, Mitch. I just wanted to prime you for Dana, as I told you. I didn’t realize it was this frustrating for you.”

“It’s... I’m surprised at myself, Sarah. I’m usually patient, especially when it comes to sex. And I don’t talk like that... that crude—”

She shushed me immediately, and said, “It wasn’t crude, Mitch. It was sexy. We know each other, and now, we’re much closer than before. It’s nice to break through your cool exterior, and glimpse what lies beneath it.”

“Huh?”

“You always seem so much under control. Sometimes, I wonder if you swallowed a stick or something,” she retorted.

“Am I really that bad?”

“Sometimes. You’re not a tight ass, but sometimes you act like one. The other times, you’re just calm or look calm, but I can sense something that’s beneath the surface. I’m attracted to that sense, like being attracted to danger, but also feel safe at the same time. It’s a heady combination. I told you how it makes me feel.”

Suddenly a light bulb went off in my mind. “Are you... are you talking about my training? Is that what gives you the idea I can be dangerous?” I asked, making connection with her earlier comments about how I moved.

“Perhaps. I don’t know.” She paused to rethink what she wanted to say. “I don’t think so, Mitch. I know you too well. You’re not a violent man, and I’ve seen you practice at home. I remember how serene you looked, despite your intensity. Afterwards, when you joined Kathy and me for something to drink, it was as if there was this young guy who looked so much older, and calm, projecting a sense of tranquility, of... I don’t know. I liked what I saw then. Now, that young guy has become this old guy, all grown up, in more ways than one, and he turns me on something fierce.” The last one was delivered with a twinkle in her eyes, which were coloring up with the strange hue I was getting so familiar with.

“If you keep on like that you will flood your panties.”

“Who cares? I’m afraid one of these days I will have a yeast infection, if I’m not careful,” she retorted.

“And that would be my fault?” I asked.

She nodded playfully, imitating a shy, teenage girl.

“We have to find you something to keep you distracted. I’m not a good influence.”

“Oh, no. I can take care of myself,” she replied hastily, and after a momentary exchange of looks, we burst out in laughter. We had been acting like kids.

“Come on. Get dressed,” she said.

While I was dressing, she picked up sheets, pillows, and a blanket. I told her to wait for me so I could help her make the bed, but she told me to finish getting dressed, before she went to the living room.

* * * * *

Fifteen minutes later, I was in the living room. She had the big couch, which doubled as a guest bed, made up with the sheets and the blanket, and it looked big enough and comfortable. Hearing the sounds coming from the kitchen I walked to the kitchen, and found her preparing appetizers, while sipping a glass of white wine. Seeing me she said, “I will be the designated driver tonight, so that’s why I’m having a glass now. During the dinner I’ll probably have another one, but that will be all.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I have to. Tomorrow I have an early shift. I couldn’t drink much even if I wanted to,” she reminded.

The ringing of the telephone interrupted us, and Sarah asked me to take the call. It was Kathy, checking on us. She told me the restaurant’s name and gave the address; Mark had already made the reservations. I had forgotten about that little detail, and hearing me chuckle, Kathy knew I had forgotten.

“You’re excused, dear brother. You’ve been very distracted lately,” she quipped.

“Be nice, dear sister,” I came back with a patronizing tone.

“Or what?” she upped the ante.

“You can have a lovely evening, tête-à-tête with Mark,” I retorted.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she responded immediately.

“You want to try me,” I replied, even though I had no intention to carry out my threat, but she couldn’t sense it from my tone. A long pregnant silence followed at the other end, and I realized I had been too serious with my reply.

“I think I have to have a little talk with your girls. They need to keep you on a tighter leash,” she said with a timid but light tone, trying to gauge my intentions.

“Thank you. As if you didn’t have a tight enough leash on me already. I don’t even want to think about poor Mark,” I quipped with an easy tone.

“Mitch, are you looking for trouble? Or are you getting too big for your britches?” she chided, but I could just make out that she was trying very hard not to giggle.

“How about both?” I replied boldly.

With a tingling laugh, she asked, “Umm... This is Miss Morgan’s number and I’m talking to Mitchell, am I not?”

“Indeed, you are.”

“Just making sure I didn’t get the wrong person.”

“You didn’t. And isn’t it a bit late to worry about dialing the wrong number?” I was on the attack.

“Wow, Bro. Easy! Save it until we see each other.”

“Why should I?”

“Umm... Why should you? Well. First of all, I’m your sister. Second, I’m Kathy. And third, this is a repeat of last time, so it’s still my night,” she came back.

Before I could reply, Sarah took the phone from me, shooing me away.

“Hi, Kathy,” she said. “Don’t mind him. He’s a bit frustrated, and acting up.” She listened and then said, “No. It was my fault, but I can’t really explain. He’ll be all right. Don’t worry. Just don’t start something at the restaurant.”

She listened some more, and laughed at whatever Kathy was saying, then said, “Sorry. No can do. You have to discuss it with Dana. I think he’ll be nice to you, if he knows what’s good for him.”

“I’m still here!” I retorted with a loud voice, and Sarah smiled, trying to pacify me, while making motions to me to be sympathetic to Kathy. When I didn’t heed her, she pointed to my crotch and made a cutting motion, flashing me an irritated look. Then, with a lecherous smile, she mimicked picking up the cut piece and giving it a blowjob, ending it by wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. The last one was really funny, and so incongruous with what she was implying at first, while at the same time keeping up her end of the conversation, I started to laugh. Cupping the mouthpiece, she mouthed, “I love your dick,” before returning to the conversation. She wasn’t finished with her pantomime, yet. She ran her forefinger from under her chin up to her lips, as if collecting something that dripped from her lips. She inspected her finger to see what was collected there, and finally sucked it clean, making yummy faces, as if she was eating the most delicious thing in the world.

Giving up, I raised my hands in surrender, getting a fond smile from her, and she mouthed, “I love you.” She gave me an appraising look, then said to Kathy, “I guarantee he’ll be nice to you, but you’d owe me big time.”

She listened, and then with a revolted tone, she said, “If I do that then it’s going to cost you.” She paused to listen, then added, “The things I have to do in the name of friendship.”

Kathy must have quipped something nasty to her, because Sarah replied, “No, it’s not that. I’d have to refresh my make up, afterwards. That’s what’s bothering me,” with a gleeful tone.

Here we go again! Do they ever stop that shit?

“It’s not the time for that, Sarah,” I said, but she just laughed at what Kathy was saying, ignoring me.

“Well, I’ll think about it. And don’t you forget to brush your teeth,” she retorted. “OK. We’ll see you there around 8:30,” she concluded, before closing the connection.

“What’s wrong with you girls?” I admonished her.

“Nothing, Mitch. That’s the way we are. Always have been,” she replied.

“I thought you were satiated.”

“I am,” she replied. “That’s just to keep you on your toes and ready.” She took a few steps and wrapped her arms around me. Resting her head on my shoulder, she inhaled, and said, “I like your aftershave.”

It felt good to hold her, and we stood like that until she disengaged. Then her eye caught something, and she reached for my tie. “That’s a single Windsor, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“I think a double Windsor would look much better,” she said, giving me a questioning look.

“OK, I’ll fix it,” I replied.

“Let me,” she said, before loosening my tie. Then, with deft little moves she had my tie re-arranged in a double Windsor knot. After giving a critical look, she smiled, and said, “There you go.”

To tell the truth, throughout the whole exercise I wasn’t myself at all. It was such an unexpected event that it caught me by surprise. There was something special about it, something very intimate and domestic, and I was swept by the feeling. Is that why women always try to fix how a man’s tie sits, even though it’s sitting exactly the way it should be. I didn’t know, and didn’t really care, except for the warm feeling that act had evoked in me.

“Where did you le—”

The doorbell cut me off in mid sentence, and Sarah went to answer the door, with me following on her heels. It was Dana, and she looked tired. She was carrying a garment bag, and her overnight bag was standing next to her on its wheels, the handle still extended. Sarah quickly took her garment bag, and passed it to me, before pulling her into a hug. Dana’s face lit up at the warm welcome, the lines of tiredness fading away slowly. I took the overnight bag and put it aside, and closed the door. When they parted, Sarah took the garment bag from me, and headed to the living room. I took Dana in my arms, and she molded herself to me, kissing me softly. She hung on to my neck as our kiss deepened, and when it was over, she sighed. Slowly we parted. I took her overnight bag, then putting my arm around her waist, steered her to the living room.

Sarah walked in from the kitchen with a glass of wine, and a small plate of toast. She put the plate on the low table, and handed the glass to Dana, telling her to kick off her shoes and get comfortable.

While picking up the garment bag where she left it, she said, “I’ll take it out and hang it,” and went to the bedroom.

Dana noticed the made up bed, and gave a quizzical look. With a shrug I told her it was Sarah’s idea, adding she had an early morning shift tomorrow. I took a seat on the small couch, and she sat next to me. Taking off her shoes, she stretched her legs, pulled them under her, and took a sip of her wine. Putting the glass on the low table, she nestled against me. A few minutes later, Sarah joined us.

“We still have time, so relax. Then you can take a shower and get ready,” Sarah said.

“Thank you, Sarah. It’s been a long day.”

“I could hear it on the phone. Crowded flights?” she asked.

“And too many short flights,” Dana replied.

With a sympathetic smile, Sarah asked, “Do you want help with your overnight bag?”

“No, it’s all right. I just need my toiletries,” Dana said, making a move to stand up, but Sarah waved her down.

“I’ll get them for you. I need to get you towels,” she said, before taking the overnight bag and leaving the room once again.

“You look tired, Dana. Are you up for going out, tonight?” I asked.

“After a shower I’ll be all right. I’ve been looking forward to tonight,” she said. “And tomorrow, as well.”

“How early is your flight tomorrow?”

“After eight, and I have a couple of short flights. I should be home by five,” she replied.

“I don’t think going out tonight was a good idea.”

“Don’t. It’ll be nice. After tomorrow I can rest,” she replied, with a comforting smile.

When I didn’t respond, she caressed my cheek, and said, “Mitch, I’ve been doing this for years, irregular hours and all that. I’m used to it. It’s nice to be back here again.”

“It’s nice to have you back again,” I said, tightening my arm around her. Releasing my hold, I leaned to reach for the plate and fed Dana small toasts with cheese and ham, taking a few bites myself, before putting the plate on the table again. She nestled to my side for a short while. “I’d better get into the shower and get ready.”

“We have time.”

Instead of an answer she smiled, then stood up, and left the room.

A few minutes later, Sarah walked in. “She’s in the shower.”

“She looks tired.”

“She’ll be OK, Mitch. You worry too much.” With a grin she added, “She’ll surprise you.”

Seeing the twinkle in her eyes, I realized she had something up her sleeve, and quickly made the connection to Dana’s dress. I made a move to stand up, but Sarah was quick to push me back to the couch. “Oh, no, you don’t! You can’t spoil it.”

“Just testing the waters. So, it’s an interesting outfit?”

“No comment.” She grinned, but it was enough to confirm my suspicions. “Be nice, and let her show it.”

“Of course,” I said, while my eyes traveled from her hips to her feet, taking in her long legs, and her sexy look. When my eyes returned to her face, I put on a wolfish smile.

She shook her head, and quipped, “You’re turning into a first class lecher, Mitch.”

“I’m appreciating beauty; wherever I see it.”

“That look and smile wasn’t one of appreciation,” she retorted, but she knew I was play-acting.

“Oh, it was. You just don’t know the half of it.”

Shaking her head, she went to the table to pick up a piece of toast, and then took a seat on an armchair. We sat quietly, having a few bites of the toast, until we heard the bathroom door open. Taking another sip of wine, she put her glass down, and left the room to help Dana prepare.

* * * * *

I didn’t have to wait more than half an hour until they showed up. Sarah was right. Dana was a vision of loveliness in a white dress with a low cut V in the front that displayed her tits. Seeing the appreciative look in my eyes, and the big smile, Dana turned giving me a full view of the dress. The back was also low cut, but the real surprise was the sides, just under the arms. The opening was wide, and allowed a generous view of her tits. I tried to imagine her sitting, resting her elbows on the table, and I knew the view would have me captive, especially if she leaned a bit forward, letting the folds billow. She must have realized what was running through my mind, because she turned sideways, and then touched up her hair, on purpose, allowing me a sample. Sarah must have been on it too, because both girls looked at me, before their eyes traveled down to my crotch.

“Beautiful, and very elegant,” I managed to comment.

“And sexy,” both girls chimed.

“And very, very sexy,” I agreed.

Then my eyes caught on to the wide belt Sarah had around her waist. It was silver with an intricate design, and accentuated her narrow waist. I raised an eyebrow, and she said, “Dana’s idea.”

“Mmm. Both of you look so... edible, so delicious I’m sure they don’t have anything in their menu to match you.”

“Hold that thought until we return,” Dana replied with a smile.

Standing up, I took a step and gathered them one by one in my arms. I realized both girls had very light make-up. When I leaned for a kiss, I smelled a faint perfume on Dana, something fresh and flowery, but couldn’t figure out the mixture. After Dana, it was Sarah’s turn for a kiss, and she had also put on perfume.

“That’s jasmine, but I can’t figure out what you have on, Dana.”

“I’m told it’s magnolia, with some other flowers.”

“Mmmm. Nice. All my senses are satisfied...”

“Except... your libido?” Sarah snickered with a knowing smile, and Dana laughed at her quip.

“We’re not overwhelming you, are we?” Dana followed in Sarah’s footsteps.

“Yes, you are. Could you both take it easy on me, tonight?”

Sarah leaned and whispered something to Dana. After exchanging a look with her, Dana replied, “I’ll see what we can do.”

I wasn’t convinced, however I didn’t know what I could do, except grin and bear it. I didn’t really mind it, but trying to deal with a perpetual hard-on wasn’t easy or comfortable. I was also taken very much by the change in Dana. After the shower, she looked amazing, and not only did she look younger and beautiful, but energetic as well. And Sarah was... Well, she looked like a slightly younger sister and lively as ever. I guided the ladies to the couches, and went to pick up my jacket. We still had a bit of time to relax before we headed to the restaurant.

* * * * *