This is the forty-first episode of my unreliable memoirs recounting sexual encounters in the nineteen eighties. Each episode is self-contained, so you can read them without having read the previous ones.
This is the second of a few tales set in America. In this one, Steven and Lesley take a vacation in Colorado, courtesy of Paul and Astrid Walmsley, which leads to unexpected opportunities.
I hope you enjoy the tale.
M4bloke
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Opportunity Knocks
Nobody was going to be exercising on Sunday morning. We all needed some rest after a busy couple of days.
Lesley, was still sleeping when I woke. She was a hugger and tended to lie on her side with her arm draped over me. I liked to watch her sleep. She did it with a happy, almost mischievous look on her face. As I gazed at her, I couldn't help feeling how lucky I was that she'd chosen me.
I remained as still as I could but, by some strange telepathy, Lesley began to stir. Seeing that I was awake, she draped her leg over my hip and pushed her naked body up against me then gave me a hug.
"Morning," I said, softly.
"Morning," she replied, sleepily. "Did you know you're my favourite person in the whole wide world to wake up to?"
"That's reassuring," I told her.
I put my arms around her then ran my hand down her back as we kissed, letting it come to rest on her bottom.
"Did you enjoy last night?" Lesley asked.
The night before we'd been to a swinging party in Aspen, Colorado with Paul and Astrid Walmsley and met some friends of theirs who had introduced us to a young but inexperienced couple called Dan and Emily.
"I did. I wasn't sure how it was going to go at first, but Emily was a lot of fun," I laughed.
"She was pretty, wasn't she?"
"Not as pretty as you."
Lesley appreciated the compliment and, lifting her head up off the pillow, kissed me.
"How was Dan?" I asked when we'd finished.
"Full of youthful enthusiasm," Lesley responded. "He reminded me a bit of you when we first met. Keen, but unsophisticated."
"We saw the two of you in one of the bedrooms but thought it better to give you some space. It's a shame because I'd have liked to have watched."
"You weren't the only ones."
"What do you mean?"
"This couple came in and asked if they could use the bed too. He was ok but she was stunningly attractive, obviously a second wife," Lesley began. "We told them that they were welcome and they started to kiss and make out next to us. After a while, as Dan and I were getting down to it, I felt the woman's hand on me then the guy's. It was nice. I reached out and touched them and we began to kiss."
"Lucky you."
"But when Dan tried to touch the woman she almost jumped out of her skin. She let out a small shriek and left Dan in no doubt that she didn't want his hands on her. It didn't seem fair. Dan had to share me with another couple but keep his hands to himself.
"So what did you do?"
"I told the couple as politely as I could that they were welcome to play with both of us, but not just with me. The woman started to get a bit defensive but the guy apologised and said that they liked watching but weren't really ready to join in. I said they could watch if they wanted but I'd prefer if they didn't touch in that case. Then the woman got up and went off in a strop followed by the guy."
"Good for you."
"I thought so too, although I had enjoyed them touching me."
The story had given me an erection and Lesley wasn't the sort to let it go to waste.
"You can fuck me in the shower if you like?" she said, knowing the answer already...
We didn't have breakfast until ten thirty. It was a beautiful sunny day so we sat outside on the deck with a simple coffee, fruit and muesli. Apparently, Astrid had managed to wean Paul off big fried breakfasts although I'm not sure he was entirely grateful for it.
As we sat chatting, the phone rang indoors.
"I'll get it," Astrid said, jumping up out of her seat, keen to make sure Paul didn't beat her to it.
She was gone a couple of minutes then came back.
"There's a General Buchan on the line..."
"I'm sorry darling," Paul said getting up from the table, "but I'm going to have to take this."
"It's not for you," Astrid explained. "He wants to talk to Steven. It's about something called Iris."
I got up, looked apologetic and walked inside.
"Hello," I offered, picking up the phone. "This is Stephen Carter."
"Hello Mr. Carter. This is General Robert Buchan, Director of Technology and Acquisition for the Department of Defense. I'm sorry to disturb you on the Sabbath and on your vacation too."
I'd not heard of Sunday described as the Sabbath too often.
"It's not a problem General. You wanted to talk about Iris?"
"That's right. I understand that you're its CEO."
"I am."
"I'm in Montana right now. Could I come and visit you tomorrow morning."
"I guess. Can you give me a moment to ask my hosts?"
"You're staying with Paul Walmsley, right?"
"That's correct. But can I ask how you know?"
"You work for Blackfinch, Mr. Carter, you can't get into a bar fight without someone finding out," he chuckled. "Anyway, Mr Walmsley and his colleagues have been trying to talk to me for a while. You know how it is, swanky restaurants, days on the golf course. Tell him I'd be happy to talk with him while I'm there."
I went back out onto the deck and everyone looked at me curiously.
"General Buchan would like to meet to talk about a company Durolitum owns. He's in Montana at the moment but would it be ok if he paid us a visit tomorrow morning?" I asked.
I realised that I sounded a bit like a child enquiring whether he could have a friend round for tea.
"He said he'd be happy to talk with you while he's here," I told Paul.
Paul laughed
"Well, we're hardly going to refuse," he chuckled.
I went back and confirmed the details with General Buchan. When I walked onto the deck again, all eyes were on me.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I honestly had no idea that was going to happen."
"Do you know anything about General Buchan?" Paul asked.
"Nothing," I told him.
"The guy is a living legend, a real soldier," Paul began. "He took part in the D-Day landings as a teenager and he's fought in virtually every major conflict since. Korea, Vietnam, you name it, he was there."
"Sounds like quite a guy," I agreed.
"He's one of the few top-brass who started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. Well, almost. His wife became ill a few years ago and so he took the job in the Department of Defense to spend more time with her. Sadly she passed a while back."
"I guess you're interested in him because of Government contracts?" I said to Paul.
"That's right. Defence spend is huge here. It can make or break a company. So it's good to be in with people like him. The bank has people whose job it is to get people like General Buchan 'on-side', but we've had no luck, he's not a man to be wined and dined. Can I ask why he wants to see you?"
"Iris is the first Durolitum investment that I've been responsible for," I explained. "It's a university spin-off. Not much more than a bunch of intellectual property really, but it has the potential to impact a range of communication systems. A battlefield system communications is our current focus. We don't actually make anything. We're partnering with the Obermann Corporation for that side of things."
"I see," Paul said.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion, Astrid," I said, apologising to her. "I know this was meant to be a work free holiday."
"It's not a problem Steven," Astrid replied.
"I promise, not another word about work today."
General Buchan
General Buchan turned up on time on Monday morning. He stepped out of the car wearing standard issue combat uniform. Daywear for a man who'd spent a lifetime in the army I guess.
"General Buchan, I'm Steven Carter, pleased to meet you." I told him.
"Likewise, Mr. Carter," he replied, shaking my hand firmly. "Sorry to interrupt your vacation."
"It's not a problem. Please, come in."
I ushered the General into the big open plan living room where everyone else was waiting.
"Please let me introduce my wife Lesley, and Paul and Astrid Walmsley," I said.
The General greeted each one in turn but when he got to Astrid, he couldn't help but ask.
"Forgive me Ma'am but you're Astrid Olsen aren't you?"
"I was," Astrid replied laughing. "I'm Astrid Walmsley these days."
The General was clearly smitten.
"Well, we'll give you some space," Paul offered. "Can we get you a tea or coffee, General?"
"I wouldn't kick a man out of his own living room, Mr. Walmsley. Besides, what I've got to say can be said in front of everyone, but a coffee would great," the General replied.
"In that case I'll make a fresh pot," Astrid offered.
"I'll help you," Lesley added.
The General, Paul and I sat down on the Walmsley's spacious leather sofas.
"I'll come straight to the point," the General began. "There's a lot of interest in your company at the moment, Mr. Carter. I don't know if you're aware but a year ago we tried to upgrade our field communications across the board. We ran a tender but came up blank. Nothing met our requirements. Your Iris system could be a game-changer for us. But only if it can really can do what your company claims."
"We're not in full production yet," I replied, "but we have pre-production units available. We'd be happy for you to put us to the test," I offered.
"Good, because we need to see Iris in action."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Something low key," the General continued. "A day taking my guys through the technology and the supply and support situation, followed by a day in the field should be enough."
"What timescales are you looking at?" I asked.
"How about this week," the General shot back.
"The equipment's in the UK presently," I explained. "It could take a few days to fly it out. Where did you have in mind?"
"Well, we could do it at one of our sites in Arizona, or," he paused for a moment, "we could do it here."
"You mean right here?"
"Yes, we'd need some land to set up camp but, other than that you wouldn't know we were here,"
I looked at Paul.
"Why not," he said. "Sounds like fun."
"I'll need to make a couple of calls," I said looking at Paul.
"Sure," he replied.
"Mr. Walmsley and I can talk while you're gone," the General added.
My first call was to Lynne. I explained what was happening and told her what needed to be done. I knew I could trust Lynne to coordinate things.
My second call was to Sam at the comic book store. Lynne had told me he wasn't working that day, so I knew he'd be there. When the phone picked up, it was Carly who answered however.
