This is fun series I've been working on. I don't know how far it will go, but if you don't care for voyeurs, swinging, swapping, this isn't for you. Everyone is over 18.
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Tommy and Gina Williamson's pool party was typically the neighborhood event of the summer. Usually held the third Saturday in June, this year would be no different. Each neighbor received a written invitation by Memorial day, even the Collins, though, they never attended. Cecil Collins was convinced that rampant fornication occurred at these parties and he had no desire to be smote down from on high because of bikini's.
Bar-B-Q, swimming, pool games, horseshoes, and of course, adult beverages made the pool party a lively event, rain or shine. The event normally started around two in the afternoon and went on till well after midnight. The food was always too much and widely regarded as rivaling the best BBQ joint in the state.
Some years, the event turned raucous once the sun had set and, the partiers became well lubricated. Some neighbors bikini's had become smaller each year, especially the event's hostess Gina. Her rival was Sandy Tomlinson who lived catty corner from Gina. It seemed that each year, they tried to outdo each other for the most risque swimwear they could find. Just as bikini's were on display, some of the men had taken to wearing skimpy speedos.
Catherine sat in her cube, her left forefinger tapping her temple, her right hand absently flipping a neatly hand printed invitation slowly back and forth. She was deeply lost in thought. Catherine had ran by the house during lunch to pick up a baby shower gift for a friend at work. Checking the mail, Catherine saw the Williamson's pool part invitation.
Staring at the neatly, hand printed invitation, Catherine pondered if she should accept. Not accepting could cause tongues to wag that they were having problems. Not that they weren't, but Catherine was not about to get the gossip mill rolling. Catherine knew that together, they would work out their issues.
Mark and Catherine had lived in the neighborhood for five years and faithfully attended each neighborhood event. Since Mark's revelations, Catherine was not so sure this was a good idea. The atmosphere in the house was still chilly, but Catherine was now convinced Mark had never cheated on her, and he actually did what he said he did, just watched.
However, from Mark's confession about the 'Beasts' needs, she needed a plan to keep both the Beast restrained and tongues still. After much thought and several cups of strong coffee, Catherine came up with the best solution she could. Mark would be leashed to her and he would not wear sunglasses as he had in past years.
She now knew the reason for the sunglasses, it was to let the 'Beast' watch. Catherine still did not know enough about the 'Beast' to trust Mark completely, but, until their issues were solved, she would keep him by her at all times. To keep an eye on him and to reassure him that she was there for him, to help him overcome the 'Beast'.
After dinner that evening, Catherine sat Mark down, it was time for her to lay out her plan for the pool party.
Sitting in her high backed chair, Catherine absently patted her sensible skirt flat and smoothed down her blouse. She flicked a non-existent wisp of hair from her face and put on her serious face, one she had worn often since Mark's confession. She saw Mark's face fall and that hurt her to her core. Catherine reached out and placed it lightly on Mark's thigh, hoping to reassure him.
"The Williamson's party invitation came today" she began softly.
Mark looked up with a somber expression, "I don't think I should go Cath. I thought I might go to Mom's that day."
Catherine sternly replied, "No, no you aren't. You aren't going to disappear, but we are going to make an appearance. We are not going to become neighborhood gossip because we didn't show up Mark."
Mark shook his head and resolutely said, "You and I both know how these parties can get. If I go, I'm not going to stay long. Just make an appearance and say I have to leave early."
Catherine stood abruptly with her hands on her hips, her face telling Mark exactly what was coming, "No, you aren't. We are going to go. We are going to have fun, and you will be with me." She folded her arms across her ample chest and declared, "Where you go, I go. Where I go, you go. That is what is going to happen. This is our first step in putting the 'Beast' to rest."
Mark looked at her, knowing she did not and could not understand the power of the 'Beast'. Mark rose up a full head higher than Catherine and looked at her in her beautiful green eyes.
Softly, but firmly he asked, "Do you remember last year, after the party. What did we do when we got home?"
Catherine was taken aback for a moment, "We, ah, we made love. It was wonderful."
"No Catherine," Mark whispered. He stepped to her and wrapped his arms around her, "We didn't make love, we fucked Catherine. I fucked you hard and dirty and you liked it. You liked it so much, you smiled for days and, you jumped me twice the next day. That is what the Beast unleashed that night."
If Mark could see her face, he would see shock. Not just from the word 'fuck', which she never used, but from the memory. Truth be told, Catherine knew it was raw, hard fucking. There was none of the usual gentleness or tenderness that Mark and Catherine shared. Nights like that had happened infrequently in their relationship. Now she was concerned about what the Beast ripped open in Mark. What did it touch that normally wasn't awake?
Mark pulled back and kissed Catherine, the first kiss between them since his confession. It was soft and warm, full of love, the kind of kisses that Catherine preferred. Not like the raw lust she remembered from that night last year.
Catherine broke the kiss and hesitatingly said, "No sunglasses. You always wear those to these parties. I think it hides where your eyes are looking. Without them hiding your eyes, you won't be tempted to linger. "
Mark was surprised at Catherine's observation. He knew she was absolutely right. He felt safe to let his eyes wander and linger behind the cover of the glasses.
"I think you are on to something dear" he said.
Catherine smiled brightly and took Mark back into her arms for a tighter hug, she whispered, "We can do this Mark, together!"
Saturday dawned bright and clear, the forecast for the day called for bright, blue skies and hot temperatures. Mark had tried to eat breakfast, but his stomach only barely tolerated a plain bagel and water. He could feel anxiety building, but also began to think Catherine was right. This was the time to start putting the Beast away, permanently. As the hours ticked by, Mark couldn't shake all the trepidation he felt about attending the party, but, his resolve to win, began to outshine everything else.
Catherine picked up on Mark's improved mood and smile as the morning wore on. She hoped it was a positive sign that Mark was fully on board with her plan. She had been busy in the kitchen all morning, making her famous macaroni casserole for the party. It had become a staple of the pool party for the last four years and the envy of the neighborhood. Catherine glanced at her watch, it was almost noon and another hour before the party started. After covering the last pan of her casserole with foil, she poke her head in the garage.
Mark was putting away the weed eater and, to Catherine's surprise, his sweat drenched shirt was arousing her. She wondered if it was because they had not made love since Mark's confession or, if it was because Mark is the love of her life.
"I'm going to take a shower before the party, care to join me?" she said with a flirty tone.
Mark looked up in surprise and stammered, "I'll, I'll be there as soon as I close up the garage."
Catherine had her eyes closed and shampoo in her hair, when she felt cool air from Mark opening the shower curtain. Leaning back to rinse her hair, she felt the palms of his hands on the tops of her hips and his fingers wrap around to her back.
She opened one eye, getting the last of the shampoo from her face and grinning and said, "Your turn."
She turned her back against the cool wall of the shower as they danced around each other, trading places. She took in Mark's body as he soaked his hair, and traced the water running in rivulets down his chest with her eyes. Mark was winning the battle of the middle age bulge. He worked out as often as he could on the road, but Catherine didn't care, she loved to feel the softness of his skin against her hand.
Mark working in the yard turned Catherine on. Mark, sweating as they worked on a project in the yard or in the garden, turned Catherine on. John Martin's rock hard abs, which he and his wife Melissa loved to show off, didn't really do anything for her. Probably because they weren't on Mark.
