I was still shaking the next morning from the climactic experience with Melody and our feminine audience, but by noon had dealt with commitments at the lab and to the project. I had just begun to think about a sandwich when arms descended around my neck and kisses landed on my face.
"I suppose the lunch menu on a day like this includes more naked tanning?"
"You are so spoiled. Each of your tenants is a star in her own right, and you have arranged it so we are all willing to share our fabulous bodies with you. Speaking of which, I hope you appreciated the treat you got last night."
Valerie nuzzled me and added, "I am so thrilled with the job and the help with admission to Haas. I was in a state of shock yesterday and didn't thank you properly."
I glanced up to find Sharon and Maggie in the doorway, frowning. "Stop hitting on him, Valerie. There has to be some discipline around here."
Lunch was on the patio, with acres of succulent female flesh to get excited over and rub lotion into.
I had a pad and pencil and used the time to generate ideas about the two new living units. I was trying to concentrate when I discovered the women were talking about a wedding. Mine.
"Sharon, you are on a scholarship, and Scott isn't much better. That fancy salary won't show up for a while. I know the bride makes wedding decisions, but you would delight an old woman's heart if the wedding were here and the expenses were on me."
Maggie was sitting by her side, rubbing lotion into the naked back while Sharon sniffled and mumbled, "Everyone is being too nice to me..."
Valerie walked over with a towel and sat her greasy back in my lap. I went to work on shoulders while she talked. "Sharon, the two of them are going to build you a home as a wedding present. Think of it. Just steps from the altar to the bed and making the first baby! I'm incredibly jealous."
What an uproar! Sharon pounding on Valerie. Maggie kissing me. Everyone laughing like crazy.
Maggie stood behind, gripping my ears and twisting my head back and forth. "Scott dear, I'm seeing my new home nestled into the hillside. A wonderful dream you have to make come true. I'm afraid there has to be a pool here on the flat space. The babies will need water play..."
I put my head down and cried.
Before the end of the day, Maggie had found an architect, Nancy Atwater, who was the daughter of another one of Maggie's endless string of friends, and we had a meeting scheduled for noon the next day. When the tenants heard about this, there was a unanimous cry that tenants needed to be on the design "committee."
In fact, there was so much energy floating in the dining room that another conference on the big bed was necessary. Melody was still hyped from the other night and got into a terrific wrestle, claiming rights to my body. Disputed rights.
With the help of duvets, a large warm pile was constructed and the room lights extinguished. The last twilight shone into my bedroom and low voices, ignoring me, discussed the Saturday party, now only two days away, and how it would work in the future to have me not present in the old house.
"He will be shacked up in the back, paying no attention to us!" "We will go naked in the pool, holding up signs saying 'unfair to coeds.' "
Helped by my fingers, the pile dissolved in giggles. Sharon got Melody in a death grip and hissed, "You promised to be nannys. He told me every nanny had to have a complete compatibility test!"
The twins sat on my chest and said, "Sharon, there has to be more talk about getting pregnant. Your team really needs you this year. You could be Division 1 champs."
A great sigh went up. "Ohhh. He can't throw the condoms away yet."
Sharon snuggled in my arms and said, "What do you think, football player?"
"I think the tenants and the house mother are supersmart, as usual."
The next morning at breakfast, there was more hip checking than normal. I wrapped my arms around Maggie and whispered, "That was good last night, wasn't it?"
She turned around and found my lips for a long tender kiss. "I don't know how you do it. Most guys would wilt under just one of these fabulous women."
My hands were in her hair, pulling gently as I kissed her forehead and ears and nose. "Those crazy twins on my chest are the most fun ever. When is their mom going to visit?"
Before Maggie could answer, two bodies danced in, "Professor, professor! She is coming, she is coming for the Saturday party!"
They held out the phone and Maggie took it. "Michelle! It has been too long. Can we pick you up?"
Very rapid French went back and forth. The twins had me in a death hug, whispering to themselves in French. Aimee bit my ear and said, "You will like our mother. She is a famous dancer in many New York shows."
I groaned, "Another tough body to beat on me!"
"Yes, yes. You must flirt with her and make those terrible football player noises."
There was no discussion. I was directed to collect Michelle on Friday afternoon, while the others worked on readying the house.
The web feed from Parkfield was very quiet, so I went down to the department to work on forms and a new project description. Emily noticed my woeful look, closed her door and took me in a tight hug.
"What's the matter?"
I was noticing yet another tight body moving on mine when she pulled my hair and said, "You feel good. No wonder those coeds like you. Maybe I deserve a kiss."
A long time later, she whispered, "Yes, I definitely know why."
A very subversive thought went through my head. "But you said I couldn't screw up?"
I turned her back to my front and got a firm grip on soft breasts, licking under her ear. She sagged against me, giggling, "Maybe there are exceptions."
I spoke into her ear, "This is a hot body, are you getting enough loving?"
She pushed me against the wall and rubbed on my erection. "No, I don't get any these days. And you already have girlfriends."
I gathered her in my arms and sat in the upholstered chair, wondering when the phone was going to ring and wreck our playing.
"You know why I had that long face? Because my women are too nice to me. I'm cracking under the pressure!" My tongue was exploring her face and she sighed. "My god, Scott, you do turn an old woman to mush."
I was just starting to respond when the phone did indeed ring. I extricated myself and found a corner in the lab to do my work. She had a sweet fragrance about her and I was badly distracted. At the last moment, I remembered the architect's visit at home for lunch, and rose abruptly, to find myself with Emily's arms around me.
"I was going to suggest some lunch."
Thinking quickly, I said, "You are coming with me. Maggie is having an architect visit and you will be a welcome addition."
Luckily, she had sneakers on and we made good time uphill to the house. Maggie shouted a warm hello and they embraced. The two of us were led to the patio and introduced to Nancy Atwater, our new architect.
I offered ice tea, lemonade or wine. Everyone chose lemonade and I disappeared to do drinks.
Maggie had Nancy seated facing the hilly slope to the rear of the house. She extracted a sheet of paper from her portfolio, and studied it.
"I'm looking at a property map I downloaded. This will be tight. There is a twenty foot setback requirement from the side and rear lot lines, but we might get a waiver if the neighbors don't complain."
Maggie smiled, "Phil and Gloria Smith are long time friends and tell me they intend on staying right where they are for the duration. Call it aging in place."
"There are plenty of trees up there. With careful design, it won't look like the Maginot Line from their side."
Sharon and Emily were sitting together and whispering quietly as they ate. Valerie appeared in the doorway and I pointed her to Emily.
I said, "Maggie and Sharon should tell you their ideas about how much space they need."
Sharon answered, "I'm used to dorms and this house has been like a dream, with all the space. Aren't we going to want to spend time with future tenants and throw parties like tomorrow? I'm not sure how to cram Scott into a one bedroom, but willing to try."
At that moment, the twins showed up bubbling with energy and doing walkovers on the patch of lawn. "We heard that. We are experts on small places, and also squeezing football players!"
They laughed gaily and I made threatening gestures, which produced giggles all around.
Emily was at my ear. "I have to get back. Stay here and protect your interests. I'll see you tomorrow."
Nancy was sketching as Maggie said, "I know these are called 'Granny' units, but I don't feel like a granny and I'm not ready for the rocking chair yet." She tried to give me a fierce look, but I gave her my best 'come hither' look back. Before I knew it, Maggie and Sharon had me down on the grass, sitting on my chest.
"Nancy, don't pay any attention to him. He is very disruptive. It takes all of us to hold him down."
Grabbing a sandwich, five bodies made me a pillow and pretended I was Gulliver.
Nancy said, "I get the impression this household has a lot of fun together."
Valerie hopped up and took her hand. "Yes. Come with me for a moment."
Shortly she returned, pushing Nancy in front, who now wore a crop top tee and short shorts. Valerie gave her a place of honor reclining on my chest and provided a floppy sun hat.
"This is a better way to advise the clients."
Nancy was shaking and I pressed her hand. "Relax, we all do that to each other. Tell us your thoughts about the project."
She laughed, "When I was in school, my boyfriend used to buy me these tops so he could stick his hand up under it." She guided me just where the boyfriend's hand had gone and slipped my fingers under her bra strap to grasp a very nice boob.
"I guess I can talk now."
Amid a lot of giggles, I leaned to kiss her cheek and got lips instead. She wrapped her hand in my hair and kept us tight for a long minute.