At noon, Joe rolled over and found the bed empty. He called for Sue, but there was no response. Her clothing was missing from the floor, so he got out of bed to see if she was gone. He found her in the kitchen, naked, preparing to fix lunch; her clothing was folded, lying on the countertop. Leaning against the doorway unnoticed, he watched her look in the refrigerator, contemplating the meal. Next, she found the pantry, looking there. The smile on his face was for many reasons. He was happy she had not left, happy she was so beautiful, happy she felt at home and happy she had honored his earlier wish of cooking with no clothing on.
"Finding what you need?"
"Holy crap!"
He laughed, "Did I startle you?"
"Startle? You scared me to death!"
"You are still very much alive, I assure you."
"Ok, figuratively speaking."
"If you don't want to cook, we can go out for lunch."
"I can cook, but I wasn't sure what you where hungry for."
He raised an eyebrow and smiled at me.
"You are pure rotten, I meant real food."
"I'm only rotten with you."
I spoke over my shoulder, "I highly doubt that. I think every woman that you look at feels special. You have that look in your eye."
"And what look is that?"
"I don't know. It's hard to explain."
"Try."
"Well, you look at a person like you are looking inside them, if that makes sense."
"Like I am trying to see under your clothing?"
"No, not like that. Like you are looking into their soul. I remember blushing when we first spoke at the club, hoping you weren't reading my mind and yet feeling like you were."
He smiled and walked to me. Wrapping his arms around my body while I stood looking out the window at the creek, he spoke. "I remember that night vividly."
"It feels like it was longer than a week ago."
"Yes baby, it does. I feel like I have known you forever."
I turned around to face him, "Imagine if I had not taken Laura's invitation to the club."
He feigned a shiver, "I can't imagine and don't want to."
His strong arms felt good wrapped around me. His black satin robe was open at the chest; I could feel him stirring underneath. Pulling away from him, but remaining in his arms, I looked up into his beautiful dark brown eyes. Little curls of black hair covered his muscular chest. Reaching a hand to his chest, while looking in his eyes, I stroked one of his nipples and rolled it between my fingers softly. He lowered his mouth to my ear.
"If you keep that up, I think you know where we will end up Sue."
Instead of stopping I lowered my mouth and sucked on his nipple. He pushed his hips toward my body while extending his arms further to allow me access. After a few moments he pulled my chin up and kissed me.
"Now who's being rotten, Sue."
"Moi?"
"Yes, you."
"I hate to ask this, but... What's for lunch?"
He laughed heartily, "Get dressed and we'll go out."
"All I have is my dress clothes from last night."
"We'll stop and get an outfit that's more comfortable for you."
"Thank you, but we can run to my apartment and get something also."
"Yes we could, but I want to buy something for you today."
"Ok Joe."
Walking to the bathroom to freshen up and dress, he followed, throwing on a pair of shorts and a shirt. We looked like the odd couple leaving the condo... one formal, one casual. I stopped him when we came out the door.
"Can we walk back by the creek before we go?"
"Now?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Maybe another time Sue, I would like to get going today."
"Oh ok."
I wondered why he had tension etched on his face when I asked such a simple question, but accepted his response and left with him.
------
Joe drove down the cul-de-sac from the condo, not offering any conversation. His thoughts were on the memory of Serena standing at the stream on several occasions. It was her quiet place; the place she felt peaceful. Somehow he felt he would disturb her slumber by going there with Sue. Driving in silence, brooding thoughts filled his mind.
"Are you ok Joe?"
"Huh?"
"I asked if you were ok."
"Yeah, sure, I'm fine."
"Ok."
He turned to smile at me then continued driving. We parked at a small boutique in a plaza, got out of the car and walked in. A beautiful middle-aged woman greeted us.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, I would like you to help my girlfriend find a casual, but sexy outfit."
She smiled and took my hand. "I would be honored."
I followed her dainty figure to some clothing racks. "You look to be about a size ten or twelve."
"I'm a size twelve."
"See, I haven't lost my knack," she chuckled, "What about this outfit?"
She held up a pair of short shorts and a top.
"No, I don't really want to broadcast my size that much."
"Ok, let me find something else."
I looked at a rack and found a brown sundress. It was simple but soft. Holding it up in front of me, I turned to her. "What do you think?"
"It is pretty, but not so sexy."
"I don't have a sexy body like yours."
"Ah, but there you are wrong, mon cherie. Yours is a voluptuous beauty; what I wouldn't give to have such full breasts and hips as you."
"A strict diet of chocolate will solve that."
She joined me in laughter. "You are a delightful young lady; your boyfriend is indeed fortunate."
I blushed softly. "Thank you."
Slipping a tailored sundress from the rack, that was a bit shorter, she held it up with a questioned look on her face. I liked it, so I took it to try on. When I saw the price tag on the dress my jaw almost hit the floor. I thought to myself, $125.00 for this small thing??
I doubted that Joe knew how expensive the boutique was, or he wouldn't have come here. There was no way I could let him pay this much for a casual, sexy sundress. Exiting the changing room, I hung the dress back on the rack and walked toward Joe. I overheard him and the lady talking.
"Yes, Madam Tonie works during the week, but alas, I am the weekend warrior."
"I am glad to meet you, Madam Sonya. I will be sure to tell Tonie how well you took care of us, the next time I see her."
They saw me coming toward them. My original thoughts were incorrect; obviously Joe has been here before. Madam Sonya raised an eyebrow, "Mon Cherie, where is your dress? Did you not like it?"
"Yes, it is beautiful."
"There where is it?"
"I put it back on the rack. May I speak to you privately Joe?
"Sure, come here baby."
Madam Sonya got the hint and made herself scarce.
"Do you realize how expensive this boutique is?"
"Yes."
"I can't let you pay that much for a small sundress."
"You can't LET me???"
"Well, you know what I mean."
"No, I don't Sue. It's a gift."
"But it's so expensive."
Joe walked to the rack, retrieved the dress and returned to the counter. Madam Sonya reappeared. "Will this be all for you today?"
"Yes, the dress and the other items that I picked out."
She rang up the dress, folded it and placed it into a box. Pulling a few items from behind the countertop, she rang those up as well. I blushed to see a black thong, tan hose, and a black corset with garter straps. A lump rose in my throat when she tallied the order. She did not reveal the total while she handed him the receipt, asking, "Cash or charge?"
"Cash."
Joe reached in his pocket, produced a money clip and paid her the necessary amount, which remained unknown to me. "Tell Madam Tonie I will return tomorrow, to order the other item we discussed.
"As you wish Sir," she smiled softly then looked at me. "Wear your gifts proudly Mon Cherie. You will feel beautiful in the satin, it is soft and warm."
"Thank you, Madam."
Joe took the box from her, tucked it under his arm while extending his hand to me. Taking his hand we walked to the car. When we sat down he turned to me.
"Why is it so hard for you to except my gift?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you want it?"
"Yes, but the cost was enormous."
"You didn't have to pay for it."
"I know. This is something I could never afford."
"All the better as a gift then," he smiled.
It was hard for me to comprehend, but it was something he wanted to do. It was wrong of me to question or decline his gift. He looked like a little boy that had just presented his Mother with a fistful of dandelions. I couldn't let my reservations ruin this special moment for him, so I put my feelings aside.
"Thank you Joe, everything is beautiful."
"That's better. Now all we have to do is find some place special for you to change."
"What?"
He smiled and drove away without answering me. I wondered what he meant but something told me now was not the time to ask, so I sat and enjoyed the ride. We went through an Italian restaurant drive up window and picked up carryout for lunch, then proceeded to a liqueur store where he bought a bottle of wine and plastic cups. It felt odd not talking, but it was fun watching him make various stops in preparation for whatever he had intended for us.
On the outskirts of town we pulled into a park area and drove to a spot with a lone picnic table. There were trees around that partially concealed the table. We parked and got out.
"It's beautiful here Joe."
"Yes it is, fresh, warm and out of the city. If you carry the food I'll get everything else."
We walked to the picnic table to deposit our packages. He turned and grabbed me, pulling me into a tight embrace, kissing me firmly. After our brief interlude he opened the food bag, sat our containers on the table then opened the wine and poured a small cup for each of us and sat down looking at me like I was going to miss the feast.
I couldn't help laugh, "You are enjoying yourself, aren't you."
"Absolutely! Care to join me?" He gestured to the spot on the bench seat next to him.
"Yes, I would love to."
The sun filtered through the trees warming us, while the light breeze graced us with refreshing summer air. No traffic, no loud noises, just peaceful serenity. The food tasted heavenly; I was famished. The wine was a soft mellow rosé that went down smooth, working to soften me. After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and stretched.
"That was wonderful. Did you enjoy it Sue?"
"Yes, thank you, I was hungry."
"Now, what will we do?"
