I smiled gratefully at Nigel as I gathered my skirt and eased myself into the passenger seat, next to Steve. Keeping my knees together, I shifted my legs into position in a more modest way than my intended lover appeared to expect of me, given what he knew. Disappointment at being denied a peep of my sex was evident. I captured his eye with a warm smile, knowing that Nigel was aware of the illicit relationship that we had begun. His frank approach had prompted mutual needs, but his would have to wait till later.
"I'll ring you as soon as I can. I promised.
He squeezed my left shoulder, kissing me lightly on my cheek before closing the door and waving us farewell.
"Till later this evening then, Trish my dear." He beamed as he stood back. "I'll be looking forward to your call."
"Who was that guy?" Steve probed. "Does he live in Brisbane or out of town?"
"His card is in my bag, I'm sorry. I'll be ringing him later." I tried to put him off guard. "We met unexpectedly on the plane but his wife wasn't travelling with him at the time."
I tried to stay away from the subject but Steve was full of curiosity about meeting Nigel at the airport, after we left. Picking up on the story advanced by Nigel, I dreamed up a past association that even my husband, Alf, might easily have accepted. Keeping all options open, I told him that Nigel's wife, Isobel, was an old friend of mine from my college days.
"I can't wait to see her again." I lied shamelessly. "I've made arrangements to over to their place this evening, after we've visited Kate at the hospital. I might actually stay with my friends overnight if Isobel and I get talking?" I watched for his reaction.
"I was hoping---" He began, looking slightly crestfallen. "No, Tricia, you go out and enjoy yourself this evening, by all means."
I was tempted to ask what he had in mind but thought better of it. At this stage it was prudent not to expand on the issue. A shiver ran up my body knowing that I could spend the whole night with Nigel without further explanation, if I still wanted to by then.
Steve had accepted my hastily fabricated excuse.
We drove on in near silence until we were heading through an upmarket suburb, with mature trees lining the avenue and with panoramic views across the city, adjacent to the upper reaches of the Brisbane river.
"Are you renting an apartment around here?" I asked, surprised when Steve turned into a quiet cul-de-sac and slowed down. It was a classy suburb with very few apartment blocks and I had been admiring the well kept older homes. "It's a beautiful area to live in."
"Nearly there." Steve smiled and turned into a driveway. "We've got this place to ourselves." Pride was evident. "I told Alf that we had plenty of room at home for you to stay with us." He found a shady spot near the front entrance to park his car, explaining. "I'll have to go out later, but I'll be back to pick you up well before hospital visiting hours." Getting out he reached back for my bag, allowing the perfect opportunity for me to let myself out and discretely rearrange my clothing out of Steve's view. "I'll show you to your room and make sure that you know your way around our house before I get going."
"It's a lovely place, Steve." I gasped, appraising the interior design of the well appointed home. It was beyond earlier expectations and I was impressed by the way the young couple lived.
Steve was a perfect host, leading me through the ground floor, making sure that he showed me the facilities in the kitchen and lounge areas before beckoning me to follow him upstairs. Considering the fantasies that he had unwittingly been part of, I hesitated momentarily. So far Steve had behaved himself, although he was slightly agitated. When I followed him into the bedroom he acted even more nervously.
"I hope you like this bedroom, Tricia?" He kept glancing at his watch while I looked around. With no personal possessions in sight it reminded me of an expensive hotel suite. I nodded my head.
"I wasn't expecting such luxury." I acknowledged. "It's great."
"This room overlooks the city lights at night." Steve enthused, placing my bag on the bed and pulling the drapes, pointing. "Look out into the back garden, Trisha. You might like to cool yourself down in our swimming pool." His voice took on an intimate tone while I joined him at the window. "I want you to feel at home here. I'd like to get to know you better this time, while you're staying here."
"I don't know whether I've packed--" I began nervously, unsure of what he was leading up to. The tension in the room escalated.
"There's towels and a spare costume in the changing shed, next to the pool." He dismissed my concern with a smile. "Kate won't mind if you need to borrow her gear." He winked at me. "She never wears a swimsuit out there anyway. No need!"
"Really?" He caught me off guard with his frank admission.
"I don't either, Tricia. It's much more fun when we're here on our own." He grinned cheekily. "You really ought to try it."
"What about the houses next door?" I countered, smiling at his frisky behaviour and indirect invitation. It made me wonder just how much Alf had told him about our recent lifestyle. My mind raced as he put his arm over my shoulder and explained. This is it, I thought.
"It's completely private down there, away from the view of the other houses." He glanced at his watch. "I'd love to join you, but I really have to get going." He pointed out the phone extension in the bedroom on his way out. "Perhaps you should let Alf know that you've arrived safely?"
My expectations of Steve vanished completely when he excused himself and left me to my own devices. Perhaps I had been mistaken about him. I was saddened by his abrupt departure. However, it was a sunny day.
His suggestion to use the pool made even more sense to me because of the need to freshen up and get changed.
Familiarizing myself with the surroundings until I heard Steve's car leave, I began unpacking. Glancing outside, I pictured Kate and Steve frolicking naked around the in ground pool. Steve was right about one thing, it looked private enough. Setting aside a dress, suitable to wear to the hospital, I disrobed. My breasts sprang free from their prison and I put the bra with my spare panties, out of sight. Even in an unfamiliar house it was a wonderful sensation to feel nothing but the cooling air of an overhead fan caressing my naked skin. Reluctant to dress, I rang Alf before I ventured outside, telling him all about my trip, except for the encounter with Nigel of course. Alf appeared to be pleased that I had taken the initiative. He laughed with me.
"I thought you might. Perhaps you'll take more chances from now on." He chuckled. "What are you wearing right now?"
"Nothing at all, Tiger." I taunted, giggling. "I was just about to change my clothes before I go outside."
"Is Steve there?"
"Of course not, darling. Steve's gone out again.---Don't think I've changed that much!" I grew cautious, hoping Alf wasn't going to ask too many awkward questions. "Actually, I've been invited out this evening to visit an old girlfriend of mine." I crossed my fingers.
"Anyone I know?" He sounded relaxed.
"I haven't seen her for well over twenty years." I said. "We went to school together. Isobel and I have a lot to catch up on."
"That's great, Tricia.----What's Steve's place like?"
"It's amazing." I breathed a sigh of relief. "It's a two story place and it looks as though it's only just been renovated. They must be doing a lot better than we thought." I commented.
Describing the young couple's sumptuous surroundings in a low voice I was anxious to conclude the call since the worst part was over. Alf had accepted my story and I wondered how much time I had before Steve returned. "There's even a pool here. I wish you had come with me." I teased. "It's quite private here as well but I haven't had a really good look around yet."
Once we finished talking, I found a towel, used it like a sarong and went outside to the pool, leaving the dress on the bed. I intended to have a quick swim and then return to put it on before Steve got back. I'd received too many mixed signals from him to do otherwise.
