Chapter One
The front door clicked shut as I went into the dark. Mist clouded the end of the block, dreary and miserable.
Well, that more accurately described my mood. Wednesday night and Ann was not due back until Friday. Ann travels, often for several days at a time, because she has a growing career as an independent IT specialist. That's how I came to be the lone dinner guest at Karla and Arno's. My whole day at work was spent on an obtuse programming problem.
'I better adjust my attitude.', I thought. An evening sparring with Arno's wise ass sense of humor should do it. Mmmm, and Karla, attractive, direct. Always stimulating.
Turning the corner a light in the distant mist, like a fuzzy ball, drew me on. I put up my collar and moved to follow the yellow stripe in the street. No sense stumbling on a curb.
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Arno and I first met our homeowner's association clubhouse at a monthly Wine Tasting thing. He made some crack about the decorations, I made an equally smart ass remark in return and our friendship began over free samples red wine.
Arno is a slim, medium height Argentinean. I kid him about his pencil thin moustache and slick schemes, he gives me a bad time about my "Ioway Corn Husker" mentality.
And Karla. Well, the first time I saw her remains a crystal clear memory. Ann and I had been lounging at the association pool most of Sunday morning. We were picking up to leave when Arno waved and sauntered up.
"Hey, you aren't leaving me to all these babe's are you?" Realizing Ann must be my wife he took her hand and kissing it said theatrically, "Pardon Madam. I would not make such a rude remark before a lady."
Ann, ever quick replied, "My God! And you can only be the 'Arno this' and 'Arno that' Ken has been talking about."
"Guilty!"
"Guilty!" I exclaimed, "You damned right guilty, he's ..."
"Oh and here comes my wife, Karla." he interrupted, looking over my shoulder.
I turned. Walking toward us was a tall, lightly tanned, long legged specimen of womanhood. Her face was framed in a large mane of black hair, a serious expression on her face. She wore a modest two piece suit that could not downplay a great body. She spotted Arno and a few strides of those lovely legs brought her near. Karla's smiling face cast a wonderful spell.
On the way home Ann snapped me on the butt with her towel saying, "You embarrassed me. The way you devoured that woman." Dodging into a bush to avoid another hit I countered, "Arno got his share, looking you over from crotch to cleavage!"
Karla is Dutch with a good command of English, but an accent. Arno has a slight accent, which when they argue, makes for some interesting dialog. Karla has an unusually open and outspoken attitude toward life which is delightful to experience.
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I shifted the wine to my other arm and reached for the doorbell. Before it quit ringing, Arno was there. A radiant smile, "Ah ha, he has arrived!" My bad mood evaporated.
In the kitchen, Karla worked on a salad. We exchanged pleasantries. Arno speared three steaks onto a platter, nodded his head toward the patio saying, "Our drinks await. Come on. I'll show you the CORRECT way to do steaks while I tell you about my newest toy".
"Now Arno! You don't give Ken crazy ideas. I want for Ann and him to stay friends with us."
Arno, the great organizer, had something in mind. I could see it in his eyes!
"I just bought this fantastic digital video camera. I'll show it to you later, but you can't believe how good it is in low light!"
"Low light? You planning on shooting in bedroom windows in the neighborhood?"
"Yaah, great idea. Too bad you guys sleep on the second floor. I know what, ...you can leave a ladder by Ann's bedroom window for me."
After dinner we talked of things in general. Soon, as usual, Arno directed the conversation toward sex. I of course appreciated it as I didn't have the nerve.
Karla's observations were always so unselfconscious and frank sometimes we just had to laugh. Arno got on the subject of 'ideal fantasy' moments. I knew he was maneuvering with something specific in mind. Karla rarely caught on when Arno was leading her down a rosy path. The 'conclusion' appeared to be Arno wanted to watch Karla get it on with another man!
I almost choked on my drink. ('Holy crap Arno, what are you doing?' I thought. 'Keep it up!!')
Karla shot back that he, Arno would get upset and wind up creating a big scene if she did.
When Arno remarked, "A man can get it on just for pleasure. It didn't mean anything more that having fun", Karla acted pissed, Arno winked at me.
She retorted that women, particularly she Karla could have just as much 'unattached' fun as Arno!
Soon it was revealed that Arno had been 'sampling' some other 'stuff' recently.
Karla angrily told Arno, "If you want to watch me fuck somebody, he", a curt nod toward me, "and I will give you something to watch and I don't want to hear a WORD from you!"
Her comment hit me with a burn in my groin. Just being around Karla always thrilled me, but getting it ON with her! Overpowering.
"Exactly. Do it!" Arno gave Karla a hard black eyed stare.
"Come on!" she said looking at me and jerking her head toward their bedroom.
She seemed genuinely angry. What was up? I shrugged and Arno nodded toward the disappearing Karla, whispering, "GO, GO! It'll be great, I'll get the video!"
I peeked in the bedroom door. Soft, indirect light revealed Karla unfastening her bra. She shrugged it off tossing it on a chair already holding her blouse. I stood transfixed.
Karla straightened, hands on hips, laughed and said, "It's a game we play. Arno and me. We've talked about him watching me and some other guy, but I'm not going to go out to find something strange like Arno. If he needs it once in a while, I don't care. Men are like that. I think I'd like some strange too, so we decided on you. What do you say to that?"
