At Journey's End

AT JOURNEY'S END

PART TWO OF TWO

Author's note: Sorry, this took longer to wrap up than I anticipated. You may want to go back and read Part C., Chapter 5 - ANGIE, for continuity.

Thanks, I hope you enjoy. S. A.

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A. THE ANGIE AFFAIR

I. UNCOMFORTABLE

So, yeah, I wasn't prepared for what was about to unfold. And while the seeds of the dilemma I would soon face, had already been sown, this Friday in mid-October would bring everything to a head.

After a late lunch meeting with Clara, the escrow officer that Olivia hooked me up with, I had nothing pressing for the rest of the day and headed home. Jessie was working at the upscale project, and Angie had a shoot that day. I decided to get a run in and throw some frisbee for Shep, then just relax before everybody got home - the week had been productive but hectic.

I pulled in the drive around 2:30. I was surprised to see Angie's Escape there. I went in to change into running gear and looked out back. Shep and Rocky were out there, but I didn't see Angie. As I turned to head upstairs, Shep and Rocky came through the doggy door to greet me. I gave them a treat and put fresh water down for them. I called through the house as I headed up, and got no answer. Angie's bedroom door was open, so I called to her - no answer. I changed into running gear and headed downstairs.

Before I went for my run, I remembered I wanted to adjust the timers on my drip system. I headed out the back door and was halfway across the veranda when I saw Angie coming out of the pool. She was stark naked, rivulets of water running down the perfect curves of her incredible body. Crap! As she exited the pool, she was tossing her hair back and smoothing it in place, and with her head back and her eyes closed, she hadn't seen me yet. I quickly headed back in the house.

"Connor?" I heard behind me as I opened the door.

I turned back, "Um, sorry, Angie. I didn't see you when I came home."

She headed for her lounger and grabbed a towel, apparently realizing that I was uncomfortable seeing her nude. As she picked up the towel, she flashed a bright smile, "Sorry, but nothing you haven't seen before," she teasingly reminded me as she casually started drying off.

I 'thought' she was going to cover up - guess not - my mistake. I quickly informed her, "I didn't have anything going on, and decided to go for a run. Um, I looked but didn't see you out here when I got home...I thought you had a shoot?"

"I did, but it got delayed till next week. And I was probably in the pool when you looked. I've been sunning and dove in to cool off...Um, I didn't think anyone would be home this early, so..." she shrugged, then turned and laid her towel on the chaise, showing me her nude backside.

I'd yet to see her fully naked backside, and wished I hadn't. Sheesh! Her full, firm buttocks were exceptional, and actually reminded me of my ex's. I could have done without that. After she positioned the towel, she paused and turned back.

"Connor, could I ask you for a favor?" (Said the spider to the fly.)

"Uh, sure."

"Well, I was only going to be able to lie with my backside exposed for a little bit, because I can't reach to cover it all with lotion; and I have to make sure I'm evenly tanned for my work."

"Mm hmm, of course," I replied innocently.

She smiled, "Right, so since you're here, you could do that for me, and I could lie out longer without burning or getting too dark".

"Uh huh," I replied. Then it hit me, "Oh, um...your backside...all of it..." I replied, sounding like English was my second language.

"Mm hmm. Has to be everything evenly, no streaks or anything...but if you don't want to..."

"Oh, no, I just, um, well..." I stumbled. Without offending her, I wasn't sure how to say, "Fuck no, I'm not rubbing lotion on your smooth, round, perfectly shaped, naked ass cheeks!"

All the time we are talking, I'm staring at her naked front side, but trying not to, trying to maintain eye contact. But my eyes kept drifting to her breasts and their large, smooth areolae and puffy nipples, which are little bigger than Jessie's but not as pert, though still very suckable-looking. Good grief! I'm just saying...

My hesitation must have been obvious, as she coyly added, "I won't bite, I promise."

After another moment, I acquiesced, "Yeah, okay, no problem," the stupid fly answered.

"Oh, good. Thanks. I'm just going to get a fresh water, first," she said as she started to walk towards me and the backdoor.

"I'll get it," I offered, and quickly shot in the door - mainly to give me a break from looking at her.

"Oh, okay. Thanks again, love," she sweetly replied as I headed inside.

Yeah, she had started addressing me as 'love', and I wasn't comfortable with that. But compared to everything else I was about to face, it was really nothing.

I went in, got a bottle of water from the fridge, told myself to chill, and headed back out. I approached Angie, now lying on her front. I removed the cap and handed the water to her, "Here you go."

"Thanks."

She raised up on her elbows, leaving her ample breasts dangling, took the water bottle and drank a large swallow, then lay back down. She reached under the chaise, set the bottle down, located a large bottle of sunscreen lotion and held it out for me. I took it, grabbed a beach towel and folded it for the hot deck. As I knelt, Angie gathered up her hair and draped it over the end of the chaise. The sunscreen bottle had a pump, and I worked it, getting a sizeable amount in my hand.

"Um, how thick do I put this on?"

"Not too thick, and don't rub it in too much. It should still be a little white on my skin, and no streaks. Thanks."

"Sure, okay," I replied, thinking, "There's not a damn thing that's 'okay' about this."

I started applying the lotion at her neck, then moved to her shoulders and down her arms, Next, I worked my way down her back.

She moaned, "Mmm, feels nice. You have strong hands."

"Um, thanks," I mumbled and continued till I reached her buttocks. I was uncertain exactly how I was supposed to proceed. Angie felt me pause, and probably guessed at my dilemma.

She murmured, "Cover everything, love; make sure to coat all the exposed skin."

Shit! I was afraid of that. I very carefully worked the lotion down the inner slopes of her cheeks, making sure I covered all the 'exposed' skin while trying to avoid touching any 'sensitive' areas. She had her legs parted, and as I lotioned her inner cheeks, I couldn't avoid seeing her pale pink pucker, some of her smooth, hairless labia, and the pink folds of her inner labia peeking out. I could see a glint of moisture on her lips. Good grief! Double-fucking, good grief! Somehow I managed to continue, and worked down her shapely legs to her feet. After I was done, I put the lotion back under the chaise.

As I did, Angie opened her eyes. Our faces ended up close together. She brought her hand up, caressed my cheek and whispered, "Thanks, love. That was sweet of you. Not such a chore, was it?" she asked a bit coyly, then closed her eyes.

I quickly rose, "You're welcome, and no, not a chore. I'm going for my run."

She nodded and I beat a hasty retreat. I called Shep, and we went for a brisk run, then afterwards, we went for a long, cooldown walk. I had thought a lot about the 'lotioning incident', but eventually let it go. When I returned, Angie was no longer out back. I headed upstairs, and took a hot shower, then a cool-down rinse. While I was standing under the water, I started thinking about Angie, again. I decided I was overreacting. If it didn't bother her, it shouldn't bother me. I reasoned that with her modeling, nudity was probably less of a deal to her, so I shouldn't let it bother me...but I did. It did bother me. I felt like I was being too familiar with her. If I hadn't been so nervous and even a bit terrified, I could have easily been aroused by the situation. And that was not good. I was already dealing with some uncomfortable (for me) familiarity with Angie. This didn't help put me at ease...not one, f-ing bit. By the time I turned the water off, I had again worked myself into an unpleasant state of mind.

I dried off and padded to my dresser to get shorts and a t-shirt. As I pulled out a pair of cut-offs, I thought I heard something behind me and turned. As I did, I noticed the bedroom door was ajar. Immediately, there was a rap on the door, and it swung open.

"Knock, knock. Hey, Connor, do you know what time...Oops! Sorry, love. The door was open..."

She was standing there, wrapped in a towel, and had apparently taken a shower, too. I was standing there wearing a stunned look on my face and nothing else - butt naked with my dick hanging out.

Angie put a hand in front of her eyes and chuckled, "Sorry, love, really...but you've seen me in the 'all in all'," she pointed out, then shrugged, "I guess we're even, now. Anyhow, I was coming to ask if you knew when Jessie was getting home, and if you knew what we were doing for dinner, if I should get something started?"

While she was talking, I quickly slipped my shorts on, informed her I was dressed, and answered, "Jessie will probably be home around six. She'll call when she leaves work."

She dropped her hand, and asked, "So, you want me to get going on something? Or, it's Friday night; we could go out if she's not too tired."

"Yeah, why don't we plan on going out."

"Okay. And Connor, sorry," she smiled and started to leave, then stopped, "You know, Jessie once told me that, in her words, you had a 'helluva bod', but she neglected to share a 'certain' detail about your physique," she slyly remarked. Then grinning, she added, "I don't blame her for that!" and spun on her heel and left.

I flushed red. Good grief!

Until Jessie got home, I spent time doing chores outside, away from Angie - yes, avoiding her. Jessie called around five, and we agreed on going to a club in Pensacola she wanted to take me to, a favorite of hers that we hadn't gotten around to yet. And there was a nice restaurant nearby, so we made plans for that. She said she would be home in about 40 minutes, and told me to let Angie know where we were going so she could dress accordingly, and for me to put on a nice, dress shirt and slacks or nice jeans. I called the restaurant to see if we could get in and was able to reserve a table for 7:30. Then I headed inside. Angie was in the kitchen when I came in, and I informed her of our plans, and that Jessie would be home before six.

"Oh, awesome idea! I'll go change and get ready," she answered, smiling brightly.

I'd gotten a little sweaty and dirty working outside, so I headed up to get a quick shower before getting dressed. This time, I made damned sure my door was shut. After I showered and dressed, I headed downstairs. It was about a quarter to six, and I heard Jessie come in as I came down the stairs.

As I hit the bottom of the stairs, I heard Jessie remark, "Wow, I guess I'm gonna have to get gussied up if I'm going to compete with you!"

When I arrived at the dining room, I saw why. Angie was dressed to kill, and had stood to show off her outfit to Jessie. She was wearing a slightly billowing, satiny, button-front, ivory blouse with high collars, a plunging neckline, and billowy, button-down sleeves. Her ample cleavage was generously displayed, and it was obvious that she was braless as no straps were evident, and her puffy nipples were more than obvious, poking the silky material. The blouse was tucked into a pair of high-rise, indigo blue, designer jeans that showcased the curve and shape of her hips and her frickin' perfect ass. Her feet were shod in patent-style, ivory slings with a substantial heel. Her wavy, blond hair was unfettered, hanging around her shoulders, framing her beautiful face, which was done up just so with more dramatic lipstick and eye makeup than her normal, and she was wearing a silver and pearl choker around her neck with matching earrings.

She did a pirouette, hands out, palms up in a 'so what do you think' gesture.

Jessie remarked, "Too hot, sis!" Then she saw me, "Hey, lover, don't you look studly! Um, sorry, no kiss. I'm grimy. I'll get showered and dressed. Sorry, it'll take a while. Did you make reservations?"

"Yes, for 7:30."

"That'll work; I'll hurry," she finished breathily as she bounded up the stairs, Rocky and Shep on her heels.

Angie looked at me and declared, "You do look studly!"

From the top of the stairs, Jessie cracked, "Looky, no touchy!"

As Angie sat and returned to sipping a soda and flipping through a fashion magazine, I headed to the kitchen. I decided I needed a stiff drink. "Angie, I'm making a Long Island. You want something stronger than that soda?"

"Sure, I'll have one with you. Thanks, love."

I made the Long Islands and went to sit at the dining table with her. She took the offered drink and smiled sweetly.

After a sip, she flashed a sweet smile and remarked, "Delish'."

For a while, we sat sipping our drinks, then she broke the silence, "The club was a great idea. I haven't been dancing since...well, in a long time."

"That was Jessie's idea. She's been trying to get us there for a while."

"Well, I'm tickled..." she paused and reached for my hand, "And Connor, I want you to know that being here with you and Jessie has been wonderful. It's really helped me get out of my funk. I can't thank you enough. You really rescued me."

"We're happy to have you. I'm glad we could help."

As I answered her, I saw her eyes had teared up. She released my hand, grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table and started carefully dabbing at them.

"Damn, I'm going to mess up my mascara...How's it look?" she asked afterwards.

"You look fine."

She gave a slight pout, "Just fine?"

"I mean, no damage done. You look great, beautiful."

She smiled and reached for my hand again, softly saying, "You know, Connor, it matters to me...what you think of me."

Okay, uncomfortable.

"Angie, I think you're terrific. I'm sorry you're going through...well, what you're going through."

She took a sip of her drink, "I really do appreciate all you've done for me...Just make sure you save me a dance, tonight," she finished with a soft smile, but her eyes didn't match her smile - they were staring intensely into mine.

Uncomfortable again.

After a bit, Angie finished her drink, shook the glass a little, and asked, "One more for the road?"

"Sure."

I got up and made a second round. After that, we sat in silence and drank. My phone dinged, and I checked my messages. Angie continued flipping through her magazine. Finally, Jessie came down. It was worth the wait.

She had on a silk, spaghetti-strap, cami-style top in a dusky, deep-sapphire blue color. It nicely displayed her sexy shoulders and prominent collar bones, and its moderate-V neckline teasingly exposed the top swell of her firm mounds. On her long torso, the gently contoured top hung to where the bottom hem exposed a hint of her sexy navel. She was also braless, as evidenced by her pert nipples poking the soft fabric. She had on a pair of snug-fitting, mid-rise, dark-blue, designer jeans, that rested just above the top of her hip bones, exposing a tantalizing portion of hard, flat, well-tanned stomach. A pair of navy-blue, high-heeled slings with a standard, non-patent shine, finished off her ensemble.

She had also put on the most makeup I'd ever seen her wear, but done in a manner that only accentuated her features - especially her full, sensuous lips and her striking, blue eyes. Her hair was gathered in a dark blue clip and draped over her left shoulder, where it hung almost to the bottom hem of her blouse. She was also wearing jewelry - a pendant, teardrop, sapphire necklace with matching earrings. She looked absolutely stunning! I said so.

"Thank you, honey. So, you guys ready...hey, no fair; you started drinking without me!" she pouted.

"Sorry, doll..." I started.

"Well, make me one to-go."

"You're going to drink in the car?" I asked.

"What? Are you a cop?"

"Long Island, coming up," I dutifully answered.

I made her a large one, and put it in one of those big, stainless steel, insulated cups equipped with a lid and a straw, and we headed out in my SUV. As I drove to the restaurant, the girls chatted, laughed, and caught up on the week. They were both in good spirits, and I got caught up in the reverie, temporarily forgetting about the incidents that had been stressing me.

II. ANGIE'S REVEAL

We had a great meal, then walked to the club a couple blocks away, leaving my vehicle in a secure parking lot. It was still early by club standards, and we had no trouble getting a table next to the dance floor and far enough away from the stage to not be blown away by the band that was just setting up when we arrived. When we sat, the four chairs around the small, circular table were equidistant apart. Jessie sat on my left, and Angie on my right, leaving the chair across from me vacant. After securing the table, Jessie and I went to the bar and ordered a round of drinks and ice waters while Angie guarded the table. Jessie suggested we get two of everything, because when the place got busy, it could be difficult to get drinks. I gave the bartender a generous tip, pointed out our table, and asked her to have our drinks delivered.

Within 20 minutes of our arrival, the place started filling up. Quite a few couples came in, but a lot more singles, both guys and gals. I noticed that any of the guys that saw Jessie and Angie had a hard time taking their eyes off them, and they were eyeing me, too - wondering which one I was with, and which one was available (I know how guys think - I am one). As the crowd swelled, and the band got started, they brought the house lights down and brought up the stage lights. I decided I needed a quick trip to the men's room and excused myself.

As I was returning to the table, I saw a couple guys engaging the girls. I realized it might be a long night, fending off trollers. As I approached, I saw that Angie had her hand on one of the chairs preventing the guy leering at her from pulling it out. Jessie was addressing the other one.

"Like I said, we're here with someone, so you need to move along. Besides, you can't afford us," she stated sharply, humorlessly. She was obviously annoyed, tired of them.

As I walked up, the guy badgering Jessie was intent on persisting, and started, "Come on, doll, maybe we can..."

I came up behind him and bluntly, emphatically stated, "But you're leaving, so it doesn't matter."

He turned to look at me, starting to say something. He paused as he looked up at me, sizing me up. I'm not all that intimidating looking - I don't have any scars, tattoos or a permanent scowl - but with my size and physique, I can give most guys something to think about. This jerk wasn't immediately taking the hint.

I leaned forward, intentionally invading his space, close enough to his arrogant face to see his lip twitch, "The ladies already told you, no. Now I'm telling you, shove the fuck off."

His friend was already leaving the table, and he wisely chose to do the same.

As I sat, Jessie put a hand on my arm, "Wow, baby, I thought you were going to punch him."

Angie remarked, "What a couple assholes."

I shrugged, "Yeah, some guys think 'no' means, 'try harder'. That type doesn't respond to subtle hints."

Jessie playfully asked, "Would you have? Punched him, I mean."

"I wouldn't have had to. His type, they're used to trying to intimidate women, not guys. But yes. I'd have decked him if he got stupid." I looked at her, "What, you think I don't know how to use all these rippling, bulging muscles?"