The summer pool barbecue party was well underway with a real mix of age groups and diverse occupations. The hosts, Ben and Claire, were both leading citizens in their community with Ben an active twenty-five year veteran of the fire department and Claire, a clinical psychologist at the local general hospital.
Their guests gathered today ranged from friends and co-workers to some of Claire's clients. Ben and Claire never expected everyone to accept their invitations and were pleasantly surprised when they ended up with a full house of forty people.
Some of the more sure guests were in their swim-wear enjoying the pool on this sunny, hot day while the conservative individuals stayed in the shade and mingled.
Ben had an ulterior motive today, his mentor from the fire department had finally accepted one of his invitations, and he had a lady he wanted Bill to meet. Bill Westman was a bit of a legend on the fire department for his heroics over a thirty-five-year career, especially to Ben. Bill had retired as a deputy chief at the mandatory sixty years old and unfortunately, his wife of twenty years died of cancer that same year. For the past four years, Bill had been pretty much a recluse as he dealt with his grief in his way.
Claire had tried unsuccessfully over the years to bring Bill back into the world of the living, and she was excited to see him talking and interacting with the other guests this afternoon.
Bill walked among the guests as he mainly tried to evade the attention of one woman in particular. It wasn't that Linda was ugly or undesirable, she kept herself in good shape for a woman in her sixties. Her short shorts revealed a firm ass on her small frame, and her large breasts bounced freely in her tank top. Bill's late wife had been almost twenty years his junior, and he found women his age just didn't move him. He didn't want to be rude to Linda, but he also didn't appreciate her aggressive nature. Everywhere he turned she seemed to be waiting for him.
Ben could see the cat and mouse game going on between Bill and Linda and stepped in to see how his friend was making out. As he walked over to them, he saw Bill was semi-listening to Linda but seemed more interested in a young woman sitting by herself on the garden bench at the back of his yard.
"Hi Bill, hi Linda," said Ben, "are you both enjoying the afternoon?"
When Bill rolled his eyes at Ben, it was a sign that things were not going well and he thought quickly. "Linda, would you mind helping Claire bring out some of the food while I catch up with my old buddy?"
"Of course!" Linda gushed as she rubbed Bill's arm, "I'll be right back Bill."
They watched Linda's exaggerated wiggle as she walked away and saw her turn about fifteen feet away to make sure they appreciated her efforts. She smiled when she noticed both men were watching and continued on her way to the house feeling good about herself and her chances with Bill. She was going to have to use the bathroom and dry her wet pussy off before her shorts sported her arousal. Bill was such a good-looking man, and his masculine physique had her juices flowing just thinking about being with him.
"Fuck Ben!" said Bill when Linda was out of earshot, "that woman just won't leave me alone! I mean she is nice and everything but!"
"Sorry buddy," said Ben, "Claire thought you two might hit it off. By the way thanks for honoring us with your presence today!" Ben laughed as he slapped Bill on his back. "I'll see if Claire can get her to tone it down a bit."
Bill looked over at the young woman on the garden bench at the back of the yard under the shade tree. "So, who is that?" Bill said as he pointed with his chin towards her.
"That's one of Claire's clients," said Ben, "her name is Karen. She lost her dad last year in a home invasion. A couple of punks beat him so bad he died a week later in the hospital from internal injuries. Karen has had a hard time dealing with the loss."
"She looks sad," said Bill.
"This is her first time out in a group," said Ben, "just like you."
"Can you introduce me to her?" said Bill. "Maybe I can get away from Linda for a bit too."
Karen was a bit intimidated as she watched the two large men walk towards her. She knew Ben, Claire's husband, but the other older man was a stranger. He was a very handsome man with a full head of silver grey hair. His sizeable masculine frame showed the results of years of physical exertion. As he walked towards her, she swore she could see his cock bouncing on his right leg with each step, and it looked like he didn't believe in wearing underwear.
"Hi Karen," said Ben, "hope we aren't bothering you."
"No," she said hoping they didn't realize she was avoiding the crowds, "it is just a little cooler here in the shade."
"This is Bill, a good friend of mine," said Ben as he looked from Karen to Bill, "he wanted to meet you."
"Me?" said a surprised Karen, "Why?"
"Well, I will leave that to Bill to explain," said Ben as he turned and walked away.
"May I sit down beside you?" said Bill hesitantly, "if I am bothering you, it's okay to say no."
"Oh," said Karen and she glanced way up at him. She liked how confident he was but also that he asked first. "Please sit down, the bench isn't that big, but I think we can fit."
Bill sat his large frame beside Karen and the difference was almost extreme. Karen was at the small end of five feet whereas Bill was six foot four. They could both feel the garden bench groan under his weight. Karen tried to move away but the small seat just didn't allow it, and their legs touched.
"Sorry," said Bill as he could see she was trying to reclaim her personal space again. "Would you prefer I stand?"
"No," Karen said a little breathy as she felt the bare skin on her leg touching his. "It's too hot to stand."
"Thanks," said Bill as he put his arm behind her back on the top of the bench to avoid accidentally rubbing her breast with his arm or shoulder. "This must be a junior sized bench," he laughed.
Karen laughed as well. She liked the sound of Bill's laugh, it wasn't boisterous or loud, just masculine.
"Oh no," she said as she looked towards the patio, "looks like your admirer is looking for you."
They watched as Linda surveyed the crowd looking for him and finally spotted him. She waved at them as she headed their way. Then they watched Ben come running over from the side to intercept Linda on the far side of the pool. They could see him gesturing at them and then talking to Linda whose face noticeably dropped as she looked their way. Ben stopped her in her tracks, and Linda turned and headed back into the house.
"Thank god!" said Bill, "Hey, what did you mean by admirer? Have you been watching me?"
"Maybe a little," said an embarrassed Karen, "she has been chasing you all day, like a little puppy dog."
"I know!" said Bill, "you are rescuing me." He laughed as he put his arm on her shoulder and without thinking squeezed her towards himself.
Karen didn't know whether to take his squeeze as sexual harassment or just a friendly hug. Just as quickly Bill relaxed his arm again and she could feel it rest against her back. Karen adjusted her leg once more, but the effect was more of a gentle caress as opposed to breaking apart.
"Sorry," said Karen, "it's been a long time since I have been so close to a man."
"Me too," said Bill as he lowered his head and looked at the beetle crawling across the paving stones then laughed as he turned to look at Karen. "I mean with a woman!"
"I guessed that silly!" laughed Karen as she held his gaze. "So, why did you want to meet me?"
"I love that," he said, "a woman who speaks her mind. Can I be frank with you as well?"
Karen couldn't decide if Bill was this polite or if he was playing a game with her. "Okay," she said.
"You looked as lonely on the outside as I feel on the inside," he said.
