The Women's Job - Part 31

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I was ready when Jack arrived at eight. I didn't mind that he took the liberty to kiss me when I greeted him at the door. It was only a brief brush of our lips. It was reassuring, and I liked the feeling it gave me.

I was dressed in my new jeans, my bright yellow silk camp shirt, and my new boots. I thought I looked pretty good in the outfit. Jack said I did.

It was a two-hour drive to his sister's house. We talked the whole way. He asked about my week, since lunch on Tuesday and I told him about my party and going out with the girls. He was sorry he didn't know it was my birthday. He listened intently as I bent his ear the whole way. I didn't even realize I was doing all the talking.

I had been nervous as we neared his sister's. I took an instant liking to Jack's sister, Karen. She was a woman, about twenty-five, and I knew from previous conversations with Jack that they had two young children, a boy three and a daughter only a year and a half old.

Karen's husband, Kirt, I wasn't so sure of. He seemed nice enough, but he was a flirt, and I didn't think Karen appreciated the attention he paid me in front of her; I didn't.

When Karen offered to show me the house, I took her up on it immediately. I was relieved to get away from her husband.

She had a beautiful huge four-bedroom home that was immaculately kept. It had to be a lot of work for her with two small children.

"Jack's quite taken with you, Jennifer." She told me.

I wasn't sure why she confided that to me. "I like him a lot. He's very sweet."

"He rarely brings his girlfriends to meet me. You must be pretty special."

It was gratifying to learn that he felt that way. I was curious, "I haven't wanted to pry. Has Jack had a lot of girlfriends?" I thought she'd tell me. She seemed very open.

Karen seemed sad when she said, "Not that many. His last relationship lasted several years. He was heartbroken when she left him." More cheerfully, she added, "Betsy was a lot like you, kind of quiet and reserved. Jack seems to like women who are more refined."

It was a compliment, and it was appreciated, but my modesty made it difficult to accept. "I'm not so refined."

Karen didn't accept that. "You're more refined than most and very pretty to boot. Jack's lucky to have found you."

I wanted to change the subject. "You have a beautiful home."

She and I seemed to get along really well. I thought I'd be so nervous around her, but she was very down-to-earth and not at all threatening. I liked Karen a lot.

They owned a large piece of property. It was a gorgeous spot for a home nestled in a beautiful little valley. The yard was beautifully landscaped, and they had a big screened pool in the back yard. "Kirt's a fanatic about his yard." She explained as she showed me her rose garden on the side of the house. "He just about gets down on his hands and knees to trim around the gardens. But the roses are mine."

"They're beautiful," I assured her. They had a lovely aroma. "You must love having them around the house."

"Oh yes. We'll pick some later, and you can take some home with you." I didn't need her to do that, but I wasn't going to tell her no. She was so sweet.

Karen had prepared us a picnic lunch that morning. We all drove to the stables, another half-hour north, in their car. Karen and I rode in back while the guys rode upfront.

It gave Karen more time to ask me more about myself. I told her all I could that was truthful and filled in the gaps with my customary lies. I hated lying to her and to Jack.

It only took them a few minutes to get our horses ready. Apparently, Kirt had some kind of association with the stable. Whether he was part owner or what, I wasn't sure, but they certainly went out of their way to treat us well.

Jack made sure that I was given a very gentle horse, and I was glad for that. Karen apparently was an accomplished rider and was quick to give me pointers when she realized that I knew very little about riding.

It was difficult at first. We blazed our own trails, avoiding the usual beaten paths the tourists followed. Jack seemed to know his way pretty well. It didn't take too long before the horse and I got to know each other, and riding became easier.

The mountains were beautiful, and Jack was quick to point out things of interest as we rode side by side. Karen and Kirt followed. It was a beautiful morning, and as time passed, it got warmer. I was able to take off my jacket.

We'd stop to enjoy a waterfall or a scenic view. Some of the views were absolutely breathtaking. There was a time when I wouldn't have appreciated nature's beauty the way I did. How blind I once was, I remember thinking to myself.

We spread a blanket on a grassy mat at the base of one of the picturesque waterfalls. Karen and I laid out lunch. Kirt poured wine. We ate cheeses and cut up vegetables with ranch dip. Karen made sandwiches for the guys. "You know how men eat. I'd blow up like a balloon."

"So would I," I told her. I couldn't eat that sort of thing anymore. I wouldn't.

With the food cleaned away, we just lounged with our wine for a while. I, of course, was the center of attention. Kirt wanted to know all about his brother-in-law's new girlfriend. Karen was curious too, and Jack was quite happy to just let me talk. He stretched out there next to me and just listened.

I was trapped into talking about myself for a little while, then I started asking Karen about her children. That got her started, and I was saved. Kirt brought out his wallet and showed me pictures. They were adorable kids. The boy took after Karen but the little girl you couldn't tell who she took after yet. She was too young. They were content to tell me all about them for almost a half-hour. "You'll meet them later when we go back to the house."

"Where are they today?" They weren't at the house earlier.

"We left them with Kirt's sister, June. She'll bring them when they come over later for the barbecue."

A barbecue? Jack hadn't mentioned anything about us staying for a barbecue. The idea really didn’t bother me, though. I wasn't uncomfortable with these people.

I got a little start when Jack turned and put his arms around my waist from behind and pulled me close to him. "Go ahead and lean back against me." He was trying to make me more comfortable "Is that better?" He asked, thinking he'd done me a favor.

In one respect, yes. "Yes, thanks"

He kissed the side of my neck, giving me a little squeeze at the same time. It felt strange but nice, having his arm around me, holding me. I didn't resist.

We relaxed for an hour and a half before getting back on our horses. We continued on in the direction we were headed before we stopped to eat. I was completely lost. I had no idea which was the way back.

It was a leisurely ride. By early afternoon, my behind was more than a little sore from the constant bouncing. It was almost three when we got back to the stable and headed back for Karen's. It was a relief to be able to sit on something softer than the worn leather saddle. The car seats felt wonderful on my sore rear end.

Karen took me to her bedroom and let me freshen up. I wasn't too dusty from the trail, but I did wash up and freshen my makeup. When I got downstairs, everyone was having drinks.

"Wine or a White Russian?" Jack asked me.

He remembered. I had enough wine the night before and at lunch, "A White Russian if it's not too much trouble." I asked.

"Bill and June are on their way with the kids," Karen said as I joined her at the kitchen table. "We thought we'd all take a swim when they get here. Did Jack think to tell you to bring a suit?"

A bathing suit? No, I couldn't! I struggled to appear calm. "No. He didn't say anything about bringing a suit."

"Jack, what's the matter with you. I told you to tell Jennifer?"

From behind the counter, he replied sheepishly, "I forgot, sorry."

Karen got up from her chair. "Come on upstairs, Jennifer. I have plenty. You can take your pick. Why don't you boys go get your suits on? Kirt, yours is in the laundry."

I didn't know what to do, but I couldn't stand there in front of the guys and make excuses. I hesitantly followed Karen upstairs to the bedroom.

"I haven't been able to wear these since Becky was born, cesarean." She explained. She laid out three two-piece suits on the bed.

Had I not been so nervous, I might have been curious what 'cesarian' meant and why that stopped her from wearing the two-piece suits.

Karen started to unbutton her blouse.

"I don't know if I should," I said.

"Aww, come on, Jennifer. We'll just have a quick dip to cool us off."

How do I respond to get out of it, I wondered? I had no clue.

She saw that I was hesitating. She must have thought I was embarrassed to undress in front of a stranger. "Go ahead and take them in the bathroom and try them on if you'd like." She suggested.

"Thanks." I picked up the three bathing suits from the bed and left her there to change.

I weighed my options as I stood there in the bathroom, holding the bathing suits in my hand. I had serious doubts about my newfound self-confidence. Putting on one of the skimpy suits Karen gave me would be like walking around in my bra and panties. Could I do that?

On the other side of the coin, what excuse would I give for not joining everyone at the pool? I had no excuse that I could think of.

I reluctantly undressed and tried on the largest of the two-piece suits. None of the three were particularly large in terms of square inches of material.

It had a low, scooped front bottom and a halter top. I clumsily tied the strings behind my back and neck.

"Are you just about ready, Jennifer?" Came Karen's voice from the bedroom.

No, I wasn't nearly ready. "I'll be right out," I called back. I knew my makeup would run, all but my mascara and eyeliner. I used Karen's makeup remover that sat on the counter.

"That suit fits you nicely." She remarked when I stepped back into the bedroom. "I really miss my old figure."

I felt so exposed. "Thanks." That was all I could think to say. I had checked myself in the bathroom mirror before coming out, and I certainly didn't have to worry about any bulges giving away my secret. I compared myself to Karen and saw no noticeable difference.

Once upon a time, before having children, Karen probably had a great figure, but now she was a little flabby. Not fat by any means, just sagging a little here and there. She was still a beautiful woman, nonetheless.

"Have you got something I could use to hold my hair?" I asked. "I really don't want to get it wet."

"Sure." She was so nice. She found a white elastic twist in her top dresser drawer and handed it to me. "Is this all right?"

I had used one like it before. "That's perfect, thanks." I quickly tucked my hair through it, making a ponytail.

"All set?" Karen asked, standing at the door in her modest one-piece suit.

I wished she'd offered me one like hers to wear. I didn't know that was the style she was going to put on. It was too late now.

"All set." I was anything but. I was petrified at the thought of going downstairs the way I looked. Being around Karen, other women that way was one thing.

She handed me a towel, and I followed her back down to the kitchen where the men were waiting. I heard the children's voices somewhere in the house. They must have arrived while we were upstairs.

There were new faces in the kitchen. June and her husband were there, having drinks in their suits. Karen introduced me to them. I saw Jack watching me, amorously, as I said hello to the new arrivals. His smile was reassuring. He seemed delighted with the way his date, Jennifer, looked. I felt conspicuously naked standing there, but Jack seemed to like what he saw. That at least made me feel good.

June was an older woman, in her thirties, I guessed. She was pleasant but a little cool toward me, I felt. Her husband Bill was just the opposite. He was as bad as Kirt. I don't know if Jack realized they made me uncomfortable, but he came to my rescue just the same.

"I have your drink ready." Jack came over close to me, handing me my drink; he put his arm around me, resting his hand on my waist as we stood there next to the counter.

He had been sitting since I came into the room, and I hadn't gotten a very good look at him in his bathing suit. He looked great with his trim waist and muscled chest and arms. He didn't have the huge bulging kind of muscles like some of the fanatics that I used to know, he was just in excellent shape, and he looked terrific in his modest boxer-style trunks. There was no doubt he worked out regularly.

He stayed close to my side as we all stood there talking, finishing our drinks. Again I had to endure answering the newcomers’ questions about myself, but Karen felt free to field some of the questions since we had spent time getting to know each other.

The kids came out in the kitchen in their bathing suits, anxious to go swimming. It hadn't occurred to me that June and Bill had kids and that they'd bring them along too. Their kids were a little older than Karens. The two girls were eight and ten, according to June. I didn't mind at all getting out of there.

The guys played with the kids in the deep end while the women leisurely waded and talked at the shallow end of the pool. Karen and June had interests much different from mine. They talked endlessly about their children, their interests as housewives. I had very little to offer to the conversation but listened politely.

When they made an effort to include me, I learned they had given up their careers for their husbands and were content to be wives and mothers. I couldn't imagine what that kind of life that would be like.

"So, how long have you been modeling?" June asked me in a break in their conversation about the kids.

She must have misunderstood when I explained what I did earlier in the kitchen. That, or she just wasn't listening. I really didn't care for her much.

"Jennifer's not a model, June," Karen explained to me. "She's an account representative. She goes out and gets the advertising, sets up the layouts, arranges, and oversees the photo shoots for her clients."

Karen had listened. "She could be a model. She's certainly pretty enough." Karen added.

"No, I'm not." I insisted.

"Of course you are, Jennifer." Karen disagreed.

"I'd kill to have your figure," June commented. "I used to be slender like that." She reminded her sister-in-law.

Karen didn't comment. I wondered how well she got along with June. I got the impression that June had a vivid imagination and that she was jealous. The irony was that she was jealous of me. How ridiculous.

"I guess I’d better go get dinner started." She turned to me. "I can handle it. Why did you and June just relax."

No way was she going to leave me out there with that woman and the guys. "No, I want to help." I insisted, climbing from the pool. June followed us. We dried off there by the pool. I looked over at Jack, who was playing with his niece. She was diving off his shoulders and having a ball. I caught his eye and saw that smile that I was coming to enjoy. I returned it with mine. Neither of us said a word.

I wrapped my towel around my waist and followed the others into the house. I didn't mind at all helping Karen get dinner on the table. June must have decided there were enough cooks in the kitchen. She made herself comfortable at a stool on the other side of the counter and supervised.

The guys came in about a half-hour later, and Karen asked Kirt to start up the grill. Jack went to help him while Bill wandered inside somewhere. A moment later, I heard a TV turn on and heard an announcer giving play-by-play of a football game. It wasn't long till Kirt wandered in and disappeared too. I hadn't sat and enjoyed a football game in ages. I would have enjoyed that too, but that wasn't the day for it.

We finally had everything just about ready. We just had to wait on the chicken and ribs that Jack had on the grill.

"He looks hot out there. Why don't you get out of the kitchen now?" Karen told me. She went into the refrigerator and got a beer. "Here, Jennifer, why don't you see if Jack would like a beer?"

"How are you doing? You look hot." I said as I walked across the patio toward him. "Here, I thought you might like this." I handed him the beer.

He stopped staring long enough to say, "Thanks." I wasn't that he was leering or even ogling now; it was that sweet, adoring look I had grown to appreciate.

"You having a good time?" He asked.

"I really like your sister. She's great." I told him. I didn't want to say anything bad about any of the others. I didn't know how he might react to that. I apparently didn't have to worry.

"I love her to death, but sometimes I wonder why she ever married Kirt."

Jack was leaning against the low patio wall. He put his hand out for mine, and I gave it to him. He gently pulled me close to him. I was a little nervous about what he might have in mind, but I didn't shrink back from him. After all, there were all these people around.

"Karen likes you too. She said I could bring you up anytime."

I was glad she felt that way. I still didn't try to back off as Jack put his arms around me and pulled me gently against his bare chest, even though it made me a little nervous.

"I told her good taste runs in our family." He gave me that look again as he stared into my eyes. The next thing I knew, we were kissing. Not the gentle brush of our lips we had done previously. Jack was excited and put passion into our embrace. I felt something too, but I shouldn't have let him continue. His hands stroked my back, wandering lower and lower until he had my ass in his hand, squeezing it gently, lifting me to his mouth. I started to get a little scared.

"How are the ribs coming, Jack?" Kirt asked with a tone that said he had seen us kissing. What bothered me was that he no doubt saw Jack grabbing my ass. I wished I had not set the towel aside earlier.

"They're just about ready," Jack told him, still holding me close to him. His hands were around my waist now.

"I better see if I can help Karen in the kitchen," I suggested, to getaway.

"Tell her we'll be right in with the food." He said, letting me go.

I was going to run upstairs and change, but when I told Karen what Jack said, she asked me to take some of the food out to the picnic table. June was nowhere in sight. I had no time to change.

I sat between Jack and Bill on the narrow bench and ate. I picked at my food. I wasn't terribly hungry. I had become less self-conscious about the bathing suit I wore with the other women sitting around in theirs. Of course, I was the only one in a two-piece, and my little top still made me feel like I was wearing only a bra in front of everyone. It got a little easier as time passed.

I decided Jack didn't think he'd done anything wrong earlier. He probably thought it was the natural thing to do. Had the circumstances been different, would I have done less? I thought not.

I finally did get to change after the dishes were all cleaned up. I didn't feel right, deserting Karen in the kitchen since June joined her husband in front of the TV.

My hair was the only thing that gave me fits. It had gotten a little wet in the pool, just splashed, but I had trouble getting it to behave. Karen loaned me a beret to hold my hair back. I had my makeup in my purse, so that wasn't a problem.

"Why don't you just take these, Jen?" Karen suggested. "I'll never get into them again. At least they fit you." She laid two more bathing suits on the bed. There were five in all.

"Are you sure?" I asked, turning from the bathroom mirror. I was intrigued about how the other suits might fit me. I actually was happy now to have them. After I got over my initial fears, I started to feel good about how I looked in one; besides, it was far easier to accept the gift from Karen than going to a store to buy my own. She placed them into a shopping bag she took from her closet.

Everyone except the kids was in the living room when we went back downstairs. The football game was in the fourth quarter, and the guys were glued to the set.

"Here, Jennifer, I saved you a spot." Jack moved to the end of the couch, leaving me a narrow place to sit between him and Bill. Bill didn't budge as I nestled in between them. He hardly noticed I was there; he was so engrossed in the game.

Jack slid his arm around my shoulders and tucked me in close to him. He’d gotten dressed while I was upstairs. I wasn't uncomfortable because I didn't know what to do with my left hand. I finally, bravely, rested it on his leg. He seemed to like that because he pulled me a smidgen closer when I did.

I gave Jack another surprise when he found that I easily followed the action of the game.

"You know football too." He said with delight.

"Sure," I told him. "I love football."

"I'm so glad I found you." He kissed me on the cheek.

It seemed so easy to please him. I almost felt guilty for what I was doing to him.

I thought we should have left earlier. It was almost ten when we started to leave for the long drive home. I felt good when I hugged Karen, thanking her for a wonderful time. She returned the hug, saying, "I want to see you again, Jen." She had adopted the nickname I told her to use.

"I'd really like that."

"You're welcome to come up anytime, even if my thoughtless brother doesn't come." She said to him more than to me.

"You know how busy I am." He said in his defense.

"Too busy to visit your sister?" She chided him.

"I'll come up more, I promise." He conceded.

"And bring Jen with you." She told him forcibly as we left, saying goodnight.

As we started back toward the interstate, Jack asked, "What were you and my sister talking about for so long?"

That time I wondered, laughing to myself. We had lots of time to talk. I knew what he wanted to know. "She was just telling me all about you, and your past loves."

"That's not fair."

"What's not fair about it?" I said, smiling. He knew better than to argue. He gave in like a little boy. I saw quite a bit of that little boy that day, and it was cute to see a grown man, a man like Jack, show that side of himself. It made it easier to feel close to him.

I decided not to be too inquisitive about the things I'd learned of Jack from his sister. The trip home was definitely his turn to talk, and most of the discussion was about his family and about him growing up.

Jack offered to stop for a late bite as we drove into town. I told him I was tired. It was nearly midnight.

I had enjoyed the day, but I had church in the morning, and Virginia, Connie, Christy, and I were playing golf after. I needed to get home.

Jack seemed in no rush to leave. "Can I come in for a few minutes?" He asked as we stepped from the elevator.

I hadn't expected him to ask that, but with Connie there, what could it hurt? I wasn't a fool. I knew he wanted to neck, and while I should have been repulsed by the idea, It excited me.

"You have a beautiful place here."

"Thanks. My mother decorated it herself." I took the precaution of reminding him that Connie was there, no doubt, in the bedroom sleeping.

He was a little surprised by that. "You and your mother live here together?"

"Sure." I felt confident, with him knowing that, that he wouldn't try to go too far. "Would you like anything?" I asked as he settled down on the couch.

"A cup of coffee?"

The usual scenario was to ask for a drink, alcohol. Jack was different. I told him we only had instant, and that was fine with him. He was easy to get along with.

Neither Connie nor I drank coffee. It tended to stain your teeth. Connie had encouraged me to give it up. I remember her saying that 'girls with stained teeth are so unattractive.' I had been taking great care to not let that happen to mine.

I set the cup on the coffee table and sat next to him on the couch. I had anticipated his wanting to kiss me, but I thought he'd want at least one sip of his coffee first.

It excited me to know he wanted me. Without thinking, I touched his lips, tightly pressed against mine, with my tongue. He must have liked it because he pulled me even tighter against him. I responded by flicking my tongue into his mouth again.

One arm was around my shoulder, the other around my waist. I clutched his neck with both arms. He squirmed to nestle me closer, and I responded, feeling more and more excited. His hand, first at my waist, moved lower and stroked my hip. I didn't panic, feeling my passion rise.

I stopped thinking about the fact I was kissing a man. The intensity of the excitement I was feeling wouldn't let me stop and think about that. I did remember what Christy had said about how exciting it was to let yourself go in a man's strong arms, and she was right.

His hand came back to my waist and higher. The anticipation in me built into a wave. I wanted him to do things he shouldn't. I wanted to feel more. His hand stroked my stomach through the smooth material of my blouse, and I had goosebumps from anticipation. My tongue flicked around his mouth faster and faster, probing. I wanted to feel his hand on my breast. I wanted to feel what Christy had described.

Jack didn't disappoint me, and I twitched when his strong hand covered my breast. Through my blouse, through my bra, I felt him gently squeeze my anxious breast. He toyed with my nipple, first rubbing it then squeezing. It sent that wave racing over my whole body. It was wonderful. I didn't want the feeling to end.

Suddenly his hand was gone from that tingling mound that had once been a cause of horror to me. It caressed my stomach again, working its way down. Still, our lips were locked together in passion.

I didn't realize what he was trying to do at first. Suddenly it dawned on me. He was trying to undo my belt so he could unbutton my jeans. I came to my senses. I pulled away from his lips and said quietly but anxiously, "No, Jack, don't."

He stopped immediately, taking his hands off me. "I'm sorry, Jen. I thought you"

I did, but I couldn't. I was confused. "It was my fault," I told him, sliding away from him on the couch. "I can't." I didn't know what to say.

"No, it was my fault. I'm crazy about you, Jen. I want you, but I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sorry."

It was all right. The gentleman was back. "I just can't. I'm sorry." I couldn't explain.

"I understand. I tend to go too fast when I want something. I shouldn’t have,"

I wanted to tell him it was all right to touch me; he just had to stay away from down there, but how do you draw the line? "I like you a lot, too, Jack," I said to console him.

"I think I better go, Jen." He said, standing up and straightening himself up. "I hope I didn't upset you. I really want to see you again."

He had that look again, that little boy look. "I want to see you again too," I told him. I took his hand to walk him to the door.

I had to find a way to tell him some of what he did I wanted him to do again. I know my face was flushed, just thinking about how it felt to have him touch me.

"It's all right, Jack. Will you call me Monday?" I already told him my plans for Sunday, and he understood.

"Definitely." At the door, he took my face, gently cradling it in his strong hands, and kissed me tenderly again for a long moment.

I didn't wake Connie. There was something about the moment that I didn't want to ruin by talking about it. I savored it, getting ready for bed. I slipped into the sexy black lace nightie Judy had given me for my birthday and just lay there in the dark, trying to imagine what it would be like if only Jack could have taken me, made me feel like a real woman.

My night was filled with sweet dreams.

There was a knock on the door Sunday evening, a little after Connie and I got home from Virginia's. It was Mrs. Strand, our next-door neighbor. She had a brightly wrapped package in her hand.

"A young man left this for you earlier, Jennifer." She said with a grin, handing me the package.

I thanked her and said goodnight. I brought the package into the living room and sat with it on the couch next to Connie.

"Who do you suppose it's from?" I wondered out loud.

"I'll give you three guesses."

I hoped she was right. I excitedly ripped off the wrapping. At first glance in the box, I thought, 'what a sweet gesture.' An adorable soft stuffed bear. I didn't realize, till I had it out of the box, that it was more than that. Around the bear's paw was a beautiful fine gold bracelet.

"Your new friend has a nice taste," Connie said, admiring the bracelet.

"It's so delicate," I said after I removed it from the bear.

"It's an ankle bracelet." She explained.

I felt silly. I should have known. "It's beautiful."

"It's extravagant," She commented, "having come from someone you've only just met."

She was right but so what. I loved it, and it was so thoughtful of Jack.

As soon as we got up Sunday morning, I told Connie all about my day Saturday. She was proud of me for the way I handled myself and seemed relieved that there were no mishaps. I stopped short of telling her about the intensity of the moment Jack and I shared on the couch.

It wasn't too late, and Connie thought it would be all right for me to call Jack and thank him for his gift. She normally disapproved of a girl calling a man. I just wasn't proper. Jack and I talked for an hour.

The week went by quickly, what with work, Christy, Jack, and my weekly commitments with my friends. I had very little time to myself.

My conversations with Pat were becoming more and more frequent. With the Jansen job getting closer, we had a lot to do. We also found time to talk about ourselves, what she was doing, what I was up to. I told her all about Jack and our intimacy. She agreed I was smart to hold off on having sex with him, although she didn't know the real reason I stopped him. If I had my way, my friend would never know.

I didn't share everything with Christy. I did tell her about the way Jack grabbed me behind at Karen's, and she didn't seem to care for that, so I decided better not to tell her everything.

Jack and I had lunch twice that week, and we had plans for Friday night. At least that's what he told me when we talked on Tuesday, over lunch. He didn't mention what those plans were, and I didn't think I should ask. I was excited, just that we were going out again. I did ask what I should wear, not knowing where we were going. All he said was, "I'll pick you up from work, so don't go to any trouble; besides, you always look great." It was of him to say, but it didn't mean I wouldn't go out of my way to look my best.

Christy wasn't happy about my spending our Friday night with Jack. She thought I was seeing too much of him. She saw the ankle bracelet and, learning where it came from, looked a little hurt. I told her it meant nothing, that I only wore it because it was so pretty and it made me feel pretty. She accepted that.

I went to Christy's apartment Wednesday night after we worked out, and while we had a good time, I thought of Jack often. Even when we were in Christy's bed, making love.

I closed my eyes and imagined it was Jack kneading my breasts, sucking on my swollen nipples, touching me in the places that excited me so.

It wasn't the same that night with Christy. What she told me in the past about men was true, and I became more and more curious about what it would feel like to have Jack do the things she did to me.

Christy was a little surprised when I asked her not to use her toy that night. "It hurts a little," I told her, and she put it away. Somehow it seemed wrong, dirty, or at least not right, having that thing pushed inside me. I wanted something else, something I knew I couldn't have.

We had a very enjoyable lunch Thursday. Jack took me to the Marriott, to the restaurant where my odyssey began. It was a confidant, happy young woman that enjoyed her lunch there that day. I was happy to take the arm of the well-dressed man that escorted me to my table. I enjoyed having women stare at him, at us. I felt proud and lucky to have him.

Connie and I had been talking since Tuesday night about what I would wear on Friday. We were still deciding on Friday morning.