Mary floated on a warm cloud of satisfaction. Through the euphoric haze, she felt Daniel breathing against her neck as his inhalations slowed to normal. She had just stopped panting like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. Orgasms with a partner were so much better than alone with a dildo.
Daniel's lips began to softly kiss down across her clavicle, down the slope of her breast, until they encased her still swollen nipple.
Mary gasped and shivered. Sparks flew to her clitoris and her eyes squeezed shut. "What are you doing?"
His index finger began to lightly twirl the other nipple. "You can't tell?"
She felt him smile against her skin, and then his lips tightened and sucked as another hand pushed down between them. When it reached its destination, Mary's hips jumped in response. This was another new experience. One and done, that's how it always worked before.
"Look at me."
Mary opened her eyes to see his warm smile. "When a man finds a woman irresistible, sometimes there's no waiting." His erection had softened, but now Mary felt him growing hard again, inside.
"Oh god!" All her nerve endings still tingled from the first time. Now this new mounting pleasure felt like Everest erupting like Vesuvius, an unimaginable explosion imminent.
When Daniel slowly pumped his hips, the squishy sound of their mixed juices created an erotic accompaniment to her unbridled moans. Soon he was pumping hard, holding her tight, chest to chest. He finally came again, but continued to gently thrust and finger her clit.
Mary's climax broke in a never ending skipping flood of peaks and valleys, until she laughingly said, "Please stop. I can't take anymore."
Once again, they lay in a warm embrace, caressing, kissing, and dozing. Daniel's cock finally deflated and withdrew. Mary felt the finality sad, but with no regrets. Now... what was there to say? Her physical needs sated, and her mind at peace, it felt like love, but it couldn't be. Was this new inner calm just the result of giving in to temptation?
Daniel lifted his head from her shoulder and kissed her lightly. "That was wonderful, Mary. Thank you."
"It was wonderful, wasn't it?" She kissed him back. "Thank you for being so... giving."
Stroking her hair, he said, "Oh, believe me, it was my pleasure."
Their lips met in a final, lingering kiss. Daniel rolled onto his back, and said, "I have an idea. Let's take my van and collect all of your art supplies, go to dinner, and come back here. We'll set up your studio together."
Mary rolled over, half covering him. "That sounds perfect." Cupping his cheek, she kissed him, sat up giggling, and said, "Where'd my panties go?"
They dressed watching each other, with no qualms about appearances. Daniel brushed her mussed hair with his fingers. "You are adorable."
She pushed him away, "Let's get going before we end up naked again."
Twenty minutes later, self-conscious Mary unlocked the door to her modest Cape Cod. "Excuse the clutter."
Daniel stepped inside and looked around. "What clutter? I know what it's like to live alone. There's no reason to put things away when it's not in anyone's way."
"I was much neater when Willie was here. I mean Will. My son doesn't want to be called Willie anymore, too childish." Mary felt a swell of emotion, and fought to control tears. Clearing her throat, she said, "All my art supplies are in the living room." She hurried ahead; moving forward was the best defense against reminiscing the past.
Daniel quietly followed. He seemed subdued. When Mary stopped in the middle of the room, he put his arm around her shoulders. "I think you will be much more productive in your own studio. This," he motioned around the room with his hand, "is not a creative atmosphere."
Bristling a little, Mary said, "Well, it's the best I could do."
Hugging her sideways, he kissed the top of her head, "I know. I meant no disrespect. Just looking forward to helping you free your mind."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Sorry. I guess I am a little defensive because I feel like a failure in so many things."
"Well you're not, Mary. You've succeeded against the odds." He spun her face to face, and said, "You're inspiring."
Her face reddened, as she felt the heat of his gaze, and thought, 'Inspiring what, promiscuity?' Walking away, she said, "I'll be right back."
Closing the bedroom door behind her, Mary sat on the bed, removed her jeans, and semen soaked panties. After staring at the stain and smiling, she threw them in the hamper. Opening her underwear drawer, she paused. This was the first time in years she wondered what panties to put on for a man who might see them that wasn't a doctor. She covered her mouth to stifle a giggle and picked the red ones.
Back in the living room, she said, "Okay, let's get this stuff loaded."
An hour later, they were on the road. "I think you'll like this restaurant," said Daniel. "The owner's a friend of mine, and an art collector. I'd like to show him some of your work, since we have it with us."
"You don't waste any time, do you." She glanced down at her jeans and blouse, "Am I dressed well enough?"
"Yes, you look fine. It's a rather bohemian place. They don't conform to social standards."
Mary swallowed hard, and said, "Why am I not surprised." After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "Are these people part of your... libertine crowd?"
Keeping his eyes on the road, he smiled, "Some are. Some aren't. I don't have sex with just any one, Mary." Turning to look at her, he continued, "You are the only person in my sex life now. But don't be shocked if some people we meet think you are available. I'll set them straight. Don't worry."
Once again, Mary grew warm with an awkward mix of titillation and repulsion. "Thanks for the warning."
They drove into an old area of the city, where young professionals congregate in renovated storefronts. There was a 1920's vibe mixed with LED technology.
Daniel pulled into a parking lot and opened his window. The attendant came out of his shack, barely fitting through the door. Tattoo sleeves covered arms the size of an ordinary man's legs. "Hi Boss, how's it hangin'?"
"Fine, Gary. How are you?"
"Couldn't be better." He bent down and looked across at Mary and smiled, "Good evening, Ma'am."
She shivered, "Hello."
Standing up, he slapped the van roof, "You know the way."
"Have a good night."
"You too."
Mary looked at Daniel, "Boss?"
He parked the van next to a wooden deck that used to be a loading dock. Daylight fading, a single bulb with a metal shade, held up by a goose neck bracket, illuminated a rivet covered door.
"I keep telling him to call me Dan, but I guess he wants to keep it formal. I own the lot and this building."
Stepping out of the van, Mary realized how little she knew about him. "So this is your restaurant?"
He punched in a code on a keypad and the door clicked open. "No I'm just the landlord." Holding the door open, he waved her in. "After you."
They walked down a short hall, through a swinging door, and into the dining room. Romantically lit by recessed lights and wall sconces, the room was large and open. Candles flickered on each table. A small, empty stage sat to the left of the door. What looked like original artwork covered most of the red brick walls.
"Wait here Mary. I want to find Martin, the owner."
She watched him walk toward the front of the room. As he passed tables, several people stopped him and exchanged pleasantries. Some glanced her way, smiling. She felt self-conscious, wondering if he was telling them she was off-limits. To avoid further discomfort, Mary began studying the abstract artwork closest to her.
A skeletal, long haired man dressed in black, stepped onto the stage. Mary turned to watch. Bending down, he picked up a microphone from the floor, flipped a switch on the bottom, and tapped it. It was on. Unfolding a paper napkin, he said, "A poem entitled, 'Too much hate'.
