The next day, when I went outside to check for signs of Raul, I was disappointed to see that the ground beneath the windows was undisturbed. Evidently, he was going to stay true to his word, and if I wanted to re-start his voyeurism, I would have to be forthright with the message.
Jordan's period started right on time a few weeks later and her disappointment was easy to see. I had become so convinced that our night of unprotected sex had resulted in a pregnancy, I hadn't bothered with condoms in the intervening weeks. I had to admit, it was a much better feeling to make love to my wife without the sheathing, and now I was faced with the decision whether to go back to using protection or accept Jordan's desire to start a family.
When I reached for a condom, the first time we prepared to make love after her period ended, I thought she might start crying, and she protested vigorously. However, I just wasn't ready, and although I tried to be patient and discuss it with her maturely, she ended up storming off. It was several days later that she reluctantly agreed to sex, and things remained tense.
"Maybe, we should go out this weekend," Jordan said when the weather report was over.
The forecast was for clear skies and moderate temperatures. It did sound like it would be good conditions for her art, however what I found interesting was the fact that this was the first time in quite a while that she had suggested a visit. Of course, my radar pinged telling me that she was using her feminine wiles to try and manipulate some unprotected sex, although I was sure I could handle it.
It turned out we couldn't get away until Saturday, so just before noon, we entered the ranch and were surprised to find my parents there. Like us, my mom had wanted to come out since it was going to be a nice day, although they were planning to leave mid-afternoon. The women arranged lunch, and afterwards while I was on the porch, my mother approached.
"I don't think your being fair to Jordan," she stated.
Now, my mom is a very straightforward person, and I've learned the best way to deal with her is to be equally forthright, so I responded, "It's not your business, mom."
"I'm just saying..." she started.
"Not your business," I said, cutting her off.
She left in a huff, and for a while I was angry thinking about their conspiring. When my parents left, my mother made a point of glaring at me as she walked to the pickup. Jordan evidently had heard the outcome of the brief conversation, because she stayed clear of the subject, maintaining a low key until I drove her out to draw. She had selected a spot where a dry, rocky creek entered a pasture and decided to set up on some nearby high ground. To deal with the cool air, she was dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans looking decidedly unsexy. I suspected that any interest in resurrecting our exhibitionist play had vanished with my mother's agitation, so I drove back to the HQ and flopped in front of the TV.
I had calmed some by the time I left to pick her up. She had done some nice work, evidently not as affected by the dust up as me, and when the Tahoe was loaded, she moved towards me in a seductive way.
"You give up on outdoor lovemaking?' she purred.
"Not in the mood," I answered, although her voice sounded enticing.
"Quit pouting," she said, taking my hand and putting it on her sweatshirt covered breast.
"Jordan, c'mon," I answered in a perturbed tone, even though I knew she was at least partially right.
"You sure? Maybe Raul is watching,' she answered as she fought back a smile, then, unable to hold back she added, "Isn't that what you want?"
I ignored her provocation, and climbed into the vehicle followed by her several seconds later, still fighting back her smile. We drove in silence, although several times I felt her eyes on me. I knew she felt completely in the right about wanting a child, and didn't respect my position. To her, I was merely scared or selfish, and would eventually come around, especially with the help of my nosy mother.
When we got back, Jordan made for the shower while I grabbed a beer and returned to the TV. When she appeared thirty minutes later, wearing just a thong and t-shirt in the drafty house, I knew her plans were to use all her feminine charm to arouse and seduce me. In a certain way, I had to admire her confidence, although my thoughts quickly began to churn on a counter plan.
"Aren't you cold?" I asked, deciding to prod some.
"No, I'm fine," she announced, although in turning, I could see her little nipples poking through the thin garment.
"What's for dinner," I replied.
"Pasta," she said, and turned away.
All through the preparation, I was treated to glimpses of her firm rear as she paraded about. I could feel myself weakening, and when she asked me to open a bottle of wine, it brought me next to her where several times she brushed her breasts against my arm. The meal was tasty and I engaged enough that we could have a conversation, but when she was about to gather the dishes, she suddenly became quiet.
"Don't you want a little Stevie in me?" she asked in a low, seductive voice.
"Yes, but not yet," I explained for probably the 50th time.
"I know, I know..." she replied, then a strange look crossed her face and she added, "I really think you just want to play the game with Raul."
"The game's over," I answered.
"The curtain was open last...did you talk to him?" she responded.
"He wasn't outside last time," I told her.
I had kept the knowledge I learned from the inspection to myself, as I wasn't sure what to do with it. Hearing me, the confused look on her face began to change, and just for an instant, I swear I saw a look of disappointment.
"Oh..." she finally said.
"After that time...you know...when we talked we agreed it was over and I haven't spoken to him since. I thought he might look in anyway, but he didn't," I elaborated.
"Okay, good," she said, after contemplating my words.
I could see the wheels spinning in her head, and I sensed that she had planned to use the voyeurism, like before, to achieve her goal. A bit of the jauntiness left her step, which I found interesting, and it was entertaining to predict what her next step might be. I let her snuggle next to me on the couch, but for the next half-hour we watched TV in silence.
"Make love to me," she whispered.
"It's not the same when we aren't being watched," I replied.
It was a cheap shot, intended to get a reaction, however the one I got was not what I expected at all.
"Go get him then," she replied, without hesitation.
I pulled away and looked at her and for several seconds we just stared, before I asked, "Are you serious?"
"Well, I want you in bed, and if that's what it takes..." she responded.
I thought about the meaning of her words, and I even considered telling her that she would have to get him, but the developments were just too surprising to debate.
"Let me think about it," I finally responded.
"Okay," she said softly, and almost immediately her hand began to rub my chest.
Several minutes went by as I mulled it over, and then with a rapid movement, I stood and said, "I'll be right back."
I didn't look back as I left, and quickly crossed the yard in the nippy air until I was standing in front of Raul's door. Unquestionably it was wrong, especially since we had successfully ended the string of sordid, voyeuristic interactions. My head was filled with trepidation, yet my arm raised, and then it was knocking on the aluminum. Almost immediately, he opened it, and I could see he was still in his work clothes all the way to his boots. He had a strange look on his face, and with a lift of his head he beckoned my message.
"Uh...if you want to watch..." I started, but got tongue tied.
"Does she know?" he shot back after a moment of thought.
"Yes..." I said, providing the real message with all its connotations.
"Maybe..." he replied, and for a few seconds we held each other's stare, then he slowly closed the door.
Jordan was still watching TV when I returned, but when I went to the bathroom, I could see that she had pulled back all the shades. Although I still thought it was mostly about her manipulation of me, I was beginning to feel that there might be something else, which took me back to the comment Raul had made after they talked. Was there a part of her, a tiny element, that was lost on me? Did she enjoy being on display? Was it something that sexually excited her?
"What did he say?" she asked when I joined her on the sofa.