Peter took excellent care of Laurie; he did all the things a caring loving husband would have done, the only exception being they weren't married. He thought about that often, and if he'd asked her he would have found out she thought about it too. It was as though they were made for each other.
After a little more than a week Laurie started to get cabin fever. She was still incredibly weak, but just the same she needed to get out.
Finally, after twelve days inside being pampered and coddled she dropped the bomb, "Peter I need to get out."
He looked her over with circumspective concern, "Are you sure you're up to it?"
She retreated slightly, "I'd like to go to the store. Nothing special, maybe a couple shops at the mall on the main highway. I'd like to get over to my parents' condo where I was staying; if nothing else just to throw out the stale milk."
"I'll drive you."
"I'd like that."
Feeling more comfortable since she agreed to let him drive he got her up and helped her dress. Since she'd been sick he'd slipped out to the mall once or twice and bought her a couple outfits he thought she might like, things he thought she'd look good in, "I have a couple things you might like to try on. I mean if that's all right?"
"OK," was her almost sheepish response; she liked Peter so much, and for the most part she liked what he'd gotten her. They were all comfortable and warm, but none of the things she'd seen and worn thus far were the kinds of things she'd choose to wear out in public. She had to face it; so far it looked like when it came to women's apparel he had pretty poor taste.
He smiled, and perhaps a little over eagerly slipped over to the closet. He opened the bi-fold door and pulled out three large plastic bags, "I stopped at one of those dress shops at the mall you mentioned the other day and picked up some things for you. I don't know. I guess I wanted to surprise you. You know cheer you up a little. I hope you like some of this stuff."
Laurie got up and went to the closet. She wanted to be kind. Peter had been so good to her; she loved him so much. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt his feelings. She pulled out the first plastic bag.
Peter offered, "I just bought these things on a wild hunch. If you don't like them it won't hurt my feelings. I don't know anything about this kind of thing."
She gave him a soft warm smile, "I'm sure they're all nice." She opened the first bag, and started to lay the outfit on the bed. It was beautiful.
The outfit was a multi-piece affair. There was a modestly pleated wool kilt miniskirt replete with large brooch and belt. It was a dark green plaid with black highlights. The skirt was accompanied by a light cloth blouse of some kind of brushed wool or better quality linen. It felt soft, lightweight, and comfortable; a pale tan button up with a pretty peter-pan collar. The last piece was a real marvel; a heavy and warm looking V-necked woolen sweater of the palest green. She looked at the tag inside; it read Australian Merino. This had to be the softest, thickest, and certainly most expensive sweater she'd ever seen; she suddenly realized it was hers. The rest of the outfit, the fine leather loafers, knee-high stockings, leather purse with matching wallet, white cotton camisole and panties were all after thoughts.
Laurie looked up at Peter with watery eyes, "This is so beautiful. I'm afraid to see what else you've gotten me."
Excited, he answered, "Go ahead, look."
Laurie opened the second plastic bag. This was a far different outfit. She held up the first piece. If every woman needed her own little black dress; she'd found hers. It was black, knee length, made of some soft sheer cloth, not silk, not cotton, some kind of low lustrous blend. It was beautiful. It had a round transparent neck line and equally transparent short sleeves both trimmed in perfect black piping. Sort of a semi empire waist with a wide shimmery black waist; it looked perfect. Accompanying the dress was a black leather clutch purse, black panty hose, black bra slip and panties. All in all it was another perfect outfit.
All that was left was the third plastic bag. She opened it and found a knee length brown suede winter coat trimmed with a fleece collar; another perfect choice.
Laurie put the coat down and looked at the other two sets of apparel, "Peter how could you? I mean how did you manage? I mean, they're all beautiful. I don't know what to say."
He gleamed, "You wanted to go out. Would you like to wear one of these?"
"Oh yes. I'll wear the kilt set today." She skipped over and kissed him on the cheek. She hesitated, "You know all this time you haven't let me explain about..."
He stopped her again for probably the fortieth time, "I know what happened. We can talk about it later this week."
Laurie was content, "Let's go to the mall."
He smiled, "OK."
Together they dressed and went down to his freshly cleaned truck.
++++++++++++
Laurie had fantasized about this day ever since she'd become aware of what Peter had been up to. Since he brought her to his condo he'd been such a loving wonderful person, a real Prince Charming.
He bathed her, shampooed and combed her hair, rubbed her body with lanolin and other creams. Her skin hadn't felt this soft since she couldn't remember. He'd gone to great lengths to decorate her from time to time; he put make up on her face, painted her finger and toe nails, and laced ribbons and bows in her hair. She sort of felt she'd become his fantasy toy. He'd even incrementally trimmed her privates till at the end she was as bare as a baby. Actually she liked it, all the attention, she didn't quite know what to make of some of the more peculiar things though, like the trim and shave.
She guessed all in all it was good with one important exception; she was still, after all, a woman. He'd lavished all this attention on her for over a week without once trying to complete the job. Laurie had to admit it; she was horny, as horny as hell. He'd been rubbing and caressing her in her most intimate places without once taking the next step. She needed relief.
That's what made this day so special. She wanted to go to the mall, buy him a pair of silk pajamas, a silk scarf for a blindfold, and buy herself the sexiest slinkiest nightie she could find. She was going to take him back to her parent's condo and make mad passionate love. She was going to make him the most satisfied man in eight states!
She remembered how her friends in college and at work had talked about all the weird and kinky things they'd done with their boyfriends; the oral sex, the petting, and the other stuff with food and creams. That's what she had in mind. It would be the big pay back. She'd turn him on, light him up, and together they'd burn to the ground. She knew he had his fantasies; well she had a few too.
What she wanted to do was experiment with oral sex. Some of her girlfriends had talked about the things they did. One girl; she couldn't remember her name, said she liked to kneel on the floor in front of her boyfriend, pull out his thing and slowly rub her tongue around it. She told Laurie that men liked that kind of undivided attention, and the kneeling thing gave them a sense of power, like having a helpless woman at their feet made them more masculine. Laurie didn't know for sure, but one thing she did know, she wanted to please Peter. She wanted him to feel manly, and if that meant being on her knees at his feet and kissing his penis then she'd do it.
++++++++++++
They reached the mall and both got out. Laurie warned Peter to stay at the coffee shop while she went to a couple stores. She promised she wouldn't be long, just long enough to get a few things.
He assured her he'd stay put. As she walked away he decided he better check in. What happened, the day he brought Laurie to his place he made a call to her parents. He didn't plan on going behind her back, but he felt they were her mom and dad, and they needed to at least know she was sick and he was taking care of her. Since that first phone call he'd made it a point to periodically call in with progress reports.
Over the course of the first four or five days he and Laurie's father had become acquainted, then sort of casual friends. Their telephone conversations had run the gamut; Carroll had explained how Sally had gotten involved and how the portfolio had come into Laurie's possession. He'd offered what he considered honest explanations as to how his son and his business partners had gotten involved in Peter's business. Carroll had told Peter a lot about Laurie's past; her childhood and growing up years, college, and her half hearted attempts to assert her independence. In fact Carroll had offered to help to help Peter if he should want to continue working down at the beach or if he wanted to return to the city and go on from there.
Peter felt he'd learned a lot from Laurie's father. He'd come to better understand Laurie's past, her personality, and some of her peculiarities; not the least of which was the disorganized way Carroll described her efforts to come to terms with adulthood. Yes, thanks to Carroll, Peter believed he'd really come to understand the girl he'd fallen in love with. He believed he understood her needs, and he thought he understood how best to make her happy.
Laurie, to the best of Peter's understanding, and thanks again to Carroll, needed lots of attention, especially the kind of warm compassionate attention he'd come to enjoy giving her. Moreover, he'd come to understand and accept her subliminal need for guidance and leadership. Laurie was the kind of sweet loving will-o-the-wisp who would best thrive when clear and firm boundaries were in place. He loved her so much; he was ready to provide her with the life framework she so desperately, though unconsciously, craved.
Oh yes, he'd care for her, love her, cherish her, guide her, and when necessary restrain her. He'd give love and structure to her heretofore undisciplined life.
++++++++++++
Laurie drifted off through the mall. Several of the stores were closed for the winter season, but most had remained open, and on this particular morning business seemed brisk. She went first to one of the better men's shops where she bought Peter a nice pair of silk pajamas. They were dark blue with white piping around the collar and the sleeves. She bought him a pair of slippers, and for herself she bought a silk bandana which she intended to use as his blindfold. Then she located her favorite boutique. She purchased a couple blouses, a pair of jeans, some extra wool socks, and another pair of tennis shoes. Mostly she worked her way through the negligee racks until she found exactly what she wanted. She tried it on, and had them wrap it up. She wanted to keep it in a box so Peter wouldn't try to see what she got.
++++++++++++
Laurie had it all figured out. She'd take Peter back to her condominium; blindfold, dress him in the pajamas, and force him to sit in the big lazy boy her father had bought. Then she'd put on the negligee and give Peter the surprise of his life. Somewhere along the way she'd make him so receptive, that when she explained how she had the folder about his family he'd think the whole thing was funny. They'd reaffirm their relationship. He'd follow up with a formal request for marriage; a request she'd accept after several moments of pretended reflection. They'd set a day and date. They'd invite all their family and friends, and start life together; two people in love, ready to build a home and a life for their first child.
Laurie was pleased with herself. Everyone would see them as a real couple; two people in love and equal in every way.
Laurie came back and found Peter, "Come on, I've got a surprise for you."
