The next morning Asch headed for town as soon as the library was due to open, which was after some writing and a quick breakfast. His first presentation in Easthaven was the next day, and he wanted to review some of the geology paper, look over some satellite photos of the area, and rehearse the approach he was going to take in his talk. He saw Clay when he got to the library a few minutes after it opened. He and the reference librarian were talking animatedly, and she barely glanced at him as he seated himself in front of one of the computers. Asch smiled to himself as he looked up the USGS site.
Asch made it a point to be in front of Octavia's place when it was time for her to leave for work. She started out the door, saw Asch, held up a finger and dashed back inside. A couple moments later she reappeared wearing a revealing scoop-neck spaghetti-strap top and no bra, tucking her white work blouse and underwear into a pouch.
"Now I'm ready! I missed you, but Mom was beginning to think that I had moved," she said as she snuggled against his upper arm, "so I figured I'd better spend at least the occasional night at home."
"If that outfit is an attempt to make it up to me, I certainly approve of the effort." On impulse he pulled her to him and kissed her. She cooperated immediately, pressing herself against him so he could feel her breasts and she could feel his responding member.
Finally they separated. "Too bad this is in public. I can tell you've missed me, too," she grinned, putting her arm around his waist as he put his across her shoulders, a finger or two just under the strap of her top. She continued, "Let's seeβI get off when Rita's closes, and have about half an hour before I have to be at Anchovie's..."
"What! In a back alley someplace? I'm eager, but I don't think it would be very romantic for you. βBut thanks for the expression of interest." Asch smiled, looked down her neckline, and gave her a squeeze across her shoulders. When he relaxed the squeeze, he slid the strap off her shoulder and it came to rest a couple inches down her arm. She smiled and left it there. He updated her on his morning adventures, including running into Clay.
She inhaled, making the view even more spectacular. "Tell you what," she looked at him sideways, "I dare you to meet me behind Rita's at closing. I know some pretty dark alleys. Don't wear underwear."
They had just reached Rita's back door, and she kissed him, mouth open and willing, grinding herself against him. Asch took in a shaky breath. "I'll see if I can work up the nerve."
"11:30." She ducked into the restaurant.
Asch had trouble concentrating on his presentation the rest of the afternoon even though it was nearly done. He stopped by the bike shop on his way to his room for supper, a quick nap, and a shower.
Jenny and Sharon were in the back, working on posters, Charlie serving as their gofer. "See? We have six done, two more in the hopper. They even have QR codes for people who want more info."
Asch was skeptical about the number of adults who used QR codes, but young people have a lot of influence on their parents, so he thought it was a good idea. The posters looked professional; attention-getting colors and not too busy. The headline was pretty good, too: The Bare Truth, with the'-are' crossed out and replaced with '-eer.'
At 11:25 he was standing across the alley from Rita's back door, wearing a black shirt and shorts. He leaned back against the building, pretending he was some kind of bad guy. He realized he didn't have any actual experience with bad guys, so he didn't know exactly how he should act. Well, he'd play it by ear.
She came out wearing her spaghetti-strap short shorts outfit. He approached her "Hey, babe, wanna have a good time?" he said in his sultriest voice.
She walked right into him. "Do I have a choice?" She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes.