Chapter 1 should be read before this follow up.
Freshened by the shower, and looking forward to whatever the rest of the evening might hold, Dan Carney dried himself, and put on the robe Cassie had mentioned. Unless he was mistaken it was brand new, and, as she said, had never been worn.
Going down the stairs he had his stomach juices teased by the aromatic cooking smells that rose from the kitchen. There was quiet gentle music playing on the radio, and Cassie was standing over the hob, as he entered. When she turned Dan thought she looked as lovely as ever, and rather sensuous in the clinging robe she had put on over her naked body. Her blue eyes viewed him appreciatively.
"That robe was bought for Gordon, my husband, just before he was killed," she said, placing a steaming plate on the table. "He wouldn't wear it, because he said it wasn't manly. You've just proved him wrong."
Dan moved around the table to hug her, before leaning back to look into her face, which, he guessed she had washed since their earlier lovemaking. There was no trace of lipstick. Once again he thought how it made no difference. She was just too naturally good looking to need it. Holding her close, that is what he told her.
She laughed and gently pushed him back, "Sit down and eat. Save your sweet words for later." The intimacy of that suggestion held them both still for a brief second before she asked, "What will you drink with it. There's wine or beer."
"Beer will be fine," Dan told her, and as Cassie moved to the fridge, he looked down at the plate before him. Sausage, she had told him, but she had dressed it up with what looked like a succulent onion and tomato sauce. Quickly tucking in, he was soon telling himself that he had never eaten such tastily done sausage, rarely sat opposite such a delectable lady, and even the beer tasted special.
They talked tentatively about how much more work his waterfall painting would need, and when he told her this one wouldn't take long, he quickly added that it was only a first attempt.
Both knew that there were deeper things they would need to talk through. Once again Dan found his thoughts dwelling on how little time they has spent together, yet how stimulating that time had been.
Meal over, coffee poured, Cassie stood and saying, "You sit there, relax and enjoy your coffee. I'll get my shower." Dan watched her as she appeared to drift across the floor, her robe wafting out behind her.
Up in the bathroom Cassie, having turned on the shower, slipped out of her robe. Just as on the previous evening, she stood naked in front of the mirror. It was almost a surprise to see her body looked exactly as it had then. Yet it felt so different. The heat that Dan's solid penis had injected into her in such a prolonged manner, just over an hour ago, had her whole being exuding excitement and the desire for more. It was like being woken up from a long sleep.
While the shower water splashed deliciously over her, she couldn't help savouring her thoughts of Dan. In less than thirty six hours he had lodged himself into her thinking. Not many minutes ago he had actually stood, naked, on this spot. My God, he had taken charge of her libido. Already, between her thighs, she was being reminded what it would be like if he was here now. Not possible though in such a tiny shower cubicle. Still, his unseen power filled her.
With ten years in an unfulfilling marriage, followed by two years of total celibacy, was her reaction to an attractive strange man in just a few hours so very strange? Sure enough, in that time many men had been up to the house, most of them were familiar neighbours helping out in some way. Occasionally it would be delivery men, with products for the farm. Yes, one or two had made unsubtle advances, so easily rebuffed, but none had an effect like this stranger, this Dan, had managed.
She tried to close her mind to the thought that she might only be an occasional conquest to him. Pushing that thought away, she told herself, 'Enjoy it Cassie Masters, while you have the chance.' But she knew she wanted more than just 'having a chance.'
Dried, she doused her body with a fine, subtle spray of lavender and, even though it was still rather damp, her hair brushed out to her satisfaction. Cassie slipped her silken robe on, and eagerly made her way down stairs.
Dan had been sitting facing the window as she entered the kitchen. Immediately, he stood, and once again she thrilled as his eyes stroked over her body. "Refreshed?" he asked, holding out a hand. "I've poured you a coffee."
She took his offered hand and allowed herself to be led to a chair alongside where he had been sitting. On the radio, with the volume low, Jennifer Rush was singing about 'The Power of Love', one of Cassie's favourite oldies. Cassie looked into Dan's warm brown eyes as she sat down. He could easily hypnotise her with those eyes.
Watching Cassie settle beside him, noticing how her robe gaped for a moment at the top, Dan tried to shed the troubling thoughts that had assailed him. In an effort to overlay those thoughts he asked lightly, "Do you always spend so much time in the kitchen?"
Cassie laughed, and nodded, "It has become something of a habit." She went on to explain how the living room had the television, and when the children were home it was always on. "So this kitchen, being so big and comfortable, and with most of my household work centred here, is where I relax, listening to the radio or reading."
That led them into discussing what books she read, and it was good to find they had tastes in common. Dan was fascinated by her animation when she talked about Vince and Angela, her children. Her face lit up on the good points, and lines appeared between her eyes when she spoke of any mischievous behaviour..
But they were skirting the real issue, and at last he saw in Cassie's face that she was building up to ask a searching question. When it came, he was not surprised at all, "How long did you intend to stay in the area?"
Dan thought it best to stick with his genuine intentions, "I had always thought in terms of two weeks."
Cassie nodded her head, but all she said was, "Oh."
Quickly Dan added, "That gives us plenty of consideration time."
Cassie nodded, "That'll be useful. Well, better get cleared up here."
Together they cleared the table and side by side at the sink they washed the few dishes, and for Dan it felt good to be in a domestic situation like that. Outside the light was fading as the sun had just disappeared behind a row of trees.
"Come out onto the porch," Cassie said, taking his hand." I often sit out at this time as the sun disappears."
