Love Me... Love My Dogs

Christie and John are back. I thank you all for your words of encouragement, requesting more of this story, and also for your patience in waiting for it.

I hope this chapter meets with your approval, and you enjoy your time reading it.

As always, please, don't be silent. Send me your thoughts, feedback, and cast your votes.

Thank you.

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"So, honey...you say that you and your mother don't keep secrets?" I asked, when we talked later that night. I had a conundrum. I wanted to be completely honest with Christie, but I didn't want to make an accusation that could be a simple misunderstanding. I know I said there could be no doubt, but now there was. Funny how that happens.

"That's the plan," Christie replied. "She knows all about us now, and if she asks, I promised I would answer her questions. I assume you're asking for a reason?"

"Um, yeah. You could say that," I said, still unsure of how to proceed. "Have you talked to her since you left?"

"No. Why?" she asked, drawing out the 'why', and indicating I should spill my guts.

"Well, she kind of invited me over for dinner," I began, "alone."

"Uh huh. Go on," she said quietly.

"She was very talkative. She told me about her sex life with your dad," I continued, "and that she wasn't totally happy..."

"Really? That's news to me," she laughed. "What else?"

So far, I hadn't really said anything that would cause friction, but the rest of it might.

"She, uh...she was dressed a bit, um...provocatively," I said.

"Define 'provocatively'," Christie said. "What was she wearing?"

"It was more what she wasn't wearing," I replied. "Pretty sure she forgot her bra."

"Gave you an eyeful, did she," she giggled. "Is that all?"

"No," I sighed.

John, meet point of no return...point of no return, meet John.

"She kind of hit on me, I think." There was a palpable silence.

"Excuse me?" she growled. "What...did...you...do?" There was a tone in her voice that scared me a bit.

"Nothing, baby...I swear. I didn't encourage her," I said, suddenly gushing in an effort to tell her I had nothing to do with it. "I went over for dinner, and we ate, and we talked, and she said a few things that were pretty flirtatious, and she said I had her attention if I could keep up with you, and..."

"She said that?" Christie interrupted.

"Yes, she did...and it wasn't just her words," I replied. "She was giving me this look, like you do when you're horny, and her, um...um..."

"Just tell me, John," she whispered, "Please."

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

"Her fucking nipples were sticking out like thimbles!" I blurted. "I wasn't trying to look, I swear, but it was impossible not to notice."

There was a long tense silence.

"So, when I could, without being rude, I told her I was tired after the drive," I said softly, "and I came home."

The silence on her end persisted.

"Christie? Are you mad at me?" I asked.

"Of course not, baby," she whispered. "I'm just trying to figure out what she's up to. If she's really hitting on you, then she's messing with my man, and I'll deal with her. If she's doing it for effect, well...that will take a little more thought. You didn't do anything wrong. In fact you did everything right, in my view, including telling me, so if she's trying to trip you up... "

"Wait," I laughed, relieved that I was off the hook, and that she was being so rational about it. She was very mature, and almost never had an impulsive, emotional reaction. "You think it's a honey trap?"

"I think it's a good possibility. I'm not sure I like that," she said. "It says she doesn't trust you, or doesn't trust my judgement. It's an attempt to sabotage us, in a round about way."

Angela should have known better than to match wits with her daughter. Christie had ploughed through the minefield of my emotional baggage and come out without a scratch. This little game... if that's what it was, and I was beginning to believe it was true...was pretty basic as tactics go. My darling was rubbing off on me, and I already knew our next move.

"So...tomorrow I invite her over, say to use the pool, and see what she does," I said, thinking as I went.

"Better yet," Christie replied, "invite her for a midnight skinny dip, tonight, while Dad's away. If she shows up naked...well, you get to check out her tits, and we know that she's really after your dick. If she shows up dressed, or doesn't show at all, then it's probably a test, and she'll be calling me to tell me about your infidelity."

"What if she

does

turn up naked?" I asked.

"Hmmmm," she giggled, "how would you feel about doing my Mother?"

"I decline to comment..." I said immediately, lest any hesitation lead her to think I was considering it, "...on the grounds that I may incriminate myself."

"Good answer," she laughed, "but if she shows up ready for action, it raises the question of why? Maybe she really isn't getting enough from my Father?"

"Slow down. I like your Mother...but I Love You, and I'm a one woman type of guy," I said. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"No. You're mine, and I'm not sharing you...not even with her," she said evenly. "I'm just considering all the permutations. Thank you for being open with me. That must have been hard, given she's my Mother."

You have no idea,

I thought.

You might have reacted emotionally, and I've become very, very attached to you. The thought that you might be angry had been, quite frankly, terrifying.

"Um, yeah, you could say that," I replied, paraphrasing my true thoughts. I looked at the clock on the wall. "It's almost 10. I guess I should call her."

"Text her," Christie suggested. "It's not as precise, and gives you another out, if she shows up looking for some nooky."

Right, I could claim to have been kidding.

"Good idea," I said, picking up my cell phone and scrolling to her number. I typed quickly, then ran the message past the one of us who knew Angela best.

"Okay, how's this sound? '

Hi Angela. I've been thinking about our conversation tonight. Wanna come over and continue it in the pool? Clothing optional ;-)

'. Do you think that will have the desired effect?" I asked.

"Yeah, that'll work," she laughed. "Don't forget to let me know what happens. Good night, Sweetheart."

My phone buzzed a few minutes later. It was Angela.

See you at 12. I haven't had a naked midnight swim in years. Sounds like fun.

A response like that made me nervous.

I had barely put the phone down before it buzzed again. This time it was Christie.

Honey trap. She texted and ratted you out immediately. Have fun.

By 'have fun', I knew she was giving me the okay to leave her Mother twisting in the wind. The game was afoot, but Angela didn't know she was up against a team of two, with shared intelligence. She didn't stand a chance.

***

I put on my robe, and walked out to sit by the pool. It was just before midnight, and I wanted to be out there when Angela arrived. I was wearing my trunks under the robe, but she didn't know that.

While I was sitting there, I reviewed the plan.

Make her think I really was interested in taking her to bed. Act like Christie doesn't know, and keep the pressure on, until she folds. Flirt like mad. Try to shock her into admitting she's pulling a fast one.

I was deep in thought, when I heard the gate squeak, and Angela walked into the yard. She was looking quite delicious, as usual, wearing her robe as well. If she wasn't married, and I wasn't in love with her daughter, I wouldn't be pretending to be interested in her. Then again, if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon.

Angela really was quite the hot older woman. I know, she's younger than me, but by older woman I mean relative to her daughter. If this is what the future held for Christie, she really would be the hot MILF type, getting the attention of a lot of younger guys. She'd be beating them off with a stick.

Anyway, back at the backyard, Angela took a seat across from me. It was one of those 'if she knew that I know that she doesn't know that I know' situations.

"Thanks for inviting me," she said quietly, with a smile.

"You're always welcome here," I replied.

"So, this is where it all started with my daughter, huh?" she asked, looking around the yard.

"I suppose it is," I said, looking at her intensely. "Are you asking if we're going down the same path?"

There, that was pretty blatant, an invitation to my bedroom, where she knew Christie had been a frequent and willing guest.

"Maybe," she smiled, standing up. She reached for the sash of her robe, as she turned away. She opened it, and held it open wide, before dropping it on the deck. She stepped into the pool.

Knowing she was playing games, I hadn't expected her to be nude under the robe...and she wasn't, wearing the same suit Christie had borrowed and worn those first times she visited. Still, her body filled it nearly as nicely as her daughter's had. I had to seem disappointed that she wasn't naked.

"Oh, I thought you understood that clothing was optional?" I laughed.

She turned, backing into the deeper water. She hooked a finger under a shoulder strap, and nudged it off, just as she went deep enough to hide the result.

"It's okay. This comes off as easily as it goes on," she teased. I had to admit, she was good at this flirting thing. Ed must have his hands full.

I stood, and now she was watching me closely.

Was she expecting me to be naked? Maybe she just wanted to see what was being used on her daughter's pussy?

I opened my robe, and for a split second saw fear, then disappointment, then relief. I was wearing my trunks.

I stepped into the water with her, and took a position across from her in the deep end. We looked at each other in silence, until Angela finally spoke.

"Are we going to talk, or...do something more interesting?"

She was really playing all her cards, continuing the bluff.

Okay, I'll call that bet, and raise you one.

I walked across the pool, neck deep in the water, and stopped just in front of her. The poker face she exhibited in the past was starting to crack. She had her arms at her sides, and I took advantage.

I quickly hooked both shoulder straps, and tugged them off. She caught them with her elbows, and covered her breasts with her hands.

"John!" she snapped.

"You're right, it does come off easily," I laughed, moving closer, until my chest touched the backs of her hands. I had her pinned to the side of the pool.

"John, what do you think you're doing?" she scolded.

"Just what you wanted me to," I bluffed. "You said you wanted a naked swim, and wanted to do something more interesting. Ed's not satisfying you, and I have your attention. Is that not what you said?" Our lips were mere inches apart, and she was squirming, looking for a way out.

"Christie won't like you doing this," she smiled, thinking she had caught me. "You're supposed to be in love with her, and you're hitting on me, her married Mother? I'm sorry, John, but I have to tell her about this." She used one arm to conceal her breasts, and put her shoulder straps back up.

"No you don't," I replied, backing away, "because she already knows about it. She's the one who told me to call your bluff."

"WHAT?!" she yelled. The look on her face was priceless.

"You heard me," I smiled. "Of the two of us, you're the one who's in trouble with Christie. Did you really think I wouldn't tell her what you did at dinner? I love her, and that means I talk to her, openly. She's pissed at you. She thinks you don't trust her judgement, and that you don't trust me, either. As for myself, I understand your concerns, but baiting me into cheating on her is pretty low."

I'd said my piece, and was feeling a little angry, so I walked out of the pool, picked up my robe and towel, and went inside. As I stopped to close the door, I looked out. Angela was still in the pool.

"Goodnight, Angela. I trust you can find your way home." I flicked the light off.

After I dried myself, I laid down in bed, still angry, but soon enough it passed. That's when I heard her. Angela was still outside...crying.

"Oh...shit!" I sighed, rolling out of bed, and grabbing my robe. I opened the door and went out onto the deck. "Angela, are you alright?" I offered.

She was sitting in the dark, wearing her robe, sobbing. "No," she moaned.

Dammit! Some choice I have. She's the one who tried to wreck your relationship with Christie, so if she got hurt in the attempt, too bad, right? But...she's Christie's mother, and when she hurts, Christie hurts...and when Christie hurts, I hurt. And, she's a woman in need of support, so even if that need is self inflicted, the chivalrous side of me can't ignore her. Oh, hell.

I walked over, and sat beside her, putting my arm around her shoulders. It only seemed to make her cry harder, and she rolled into my embrace, burying her head in my chest.

"I'm...so so...rry," she gasped, between sobs. Her hands balled up, grabbing my robe.

"Easy there, Angela," I laughed, "I really am naked under here this time, so unless you want to get the whole picture..."

She laughed, a good sign, and released her grip. "Sorry. Again."

I just held her, and she calmed down within a minute or so. Rubbing her shoulders, I broke the silence.

"Feeling better, now?"

"Yes," she sniffed, "and no. I'm still fucked. Christie will be furious. No...since she already knows, she is probably already furious. I can't be too popular with you, either. I really am sorry, John. I apologize for doubting your motivation. I believe you now. Christie is a very lucky woman to have someone who loves her that much." She paused. "Can you forgive me?"

Who among us hasn't done something that seemed like a good idea at the time, and wound up being the dumbest fucking move imaginable in retrospect? We'd all like to take something back. Maybe several somethings.

"Yes, Angela, I forgive you. Christie will, too. She loves you, and knows why you would think this was a good idea," I said quietly. "I have a question, though."

"What's that?" she asked, sitting up, and wiping her face.

"Can I call you Mom?" I deadpanned. There was silence, then she snorted, laughing wildly. It worked.

"Don't you dare!" she giggled, pointing at me. "Have you asked her?"

"Not yet, but I really want to. I love her so much. This on again, off again, long distance thing is killing me." Confiding in her couldn't hurt, and would get her on my side. At least I hoped so.

"Well I guess we'd better let Ed in on the secret, then, hadn't we?" she smiled, sounding more like the pre-sabotage Angela again.

"Sure," I replied facetiously. "Shall we leave that to you?"

"Um, no," she shook her head. "The best I can do is help. After my actions today, I think that's the least I owe you both. Between the three of us, I'm sure we can figure it out."

Angela stood, and bent down to kiss me on the cheek. She smiled.

"Thank you for forgiving me. I'll let you go to bed now, and beg for Christie's understanding tomorrow," she said softly. "Goodnight." She walked to the back gate, opened it, and closed it behind her as she left.

"Goodnight, indeed," I shook my head.

***

I slept surprisingly well that night. I can only assume that it was a combination of the days events...rambunctious morning with Christie, long drive, late night...and the release of stress brought on by the whole Angela situation. Whatever the reason, it was late when I woke up, and my phone was blinking with text messages from Christie. There were several.

The first few wanted to know what happened last night. Then she realized that I was probably still asleep, and asked me to message her when I woke up. Then, after Angela had obviously been in contact, the tone changed to one of appreciative curiosity.

What did you do last night? My Mother is now our new best friend

. she sent.

I'm just that good ;-)

I replied.

Tell you later.

Oh, I know how good you are!

she replied.

***

That evening, when we had our nightly pillowtalk call, I filled her in. Call it a post-mission debrief.

"Alright baby," she laughed, "I'm glad that you love me, and are interested in how my day went...but you know what I need to hear. What happened last night with my Mother?"

I gave her the rundown...but paused before I got to the part where I yanked her suit down.

"And?" she giggled. Even hundreds of miles away, over the phone, she could read the situation...read me...and knew there was more to it.

"Well, um," I continued, "we're in the pool, and I could tell she was just about ready to break. So, I went for the kill, full shock value."

"Uh huh."

"So I pulled the top of her bathing suit down. She caught it, and covered up, of course, but it made her admit that she was going to tell you about my 'intentions'. When I told her you already knew, and that we knew what she was doing, well, that was the end of it," I said. "She was pretty upset, and worried about you hating her. It took a lot of hug time to calm her down."

"Well, your hugs always work for me," she laughed.

"She said she'll help us figure out how to tell your Dad about us."

"Yes, she said the same to me. I'm still not sure about how to do that, and so far, she hasn't come up with anything new," Christie said softly.

"I don't think it's going to get easier with time," I said. "More likely, the longer we wait, the greater the fallout, especially when your Dad finds out that your Mom knew for quite some time. I don't want this to become an issue between them."

"Thank you, John. Most people would be most concerned with saving their own skin, but you still care about them," she said, the appreciation clear in her voice. "Just another thing to love about you."

It was getting late, and Christie had early classes, so we said our goodnights and hung up. This whole conversation had me deep in thought for hours. I had an idea, but I needed to run through every possible outcome before I let anyone in on it. I couldn't even tell Christie, for reasons that would be obvious if you knew what the plan was.

Much to think about.

Hmmm.

***

I briefly considered getting out the whiteboard and markers to map out the plan and its possible pitfalls, but that would be evidence, and I didn't need any of that right now.

This whole situation was really a series of alternatives, one after another. The trick was getting the 'ifs' and 'thens' to fall in the correct order to avoid death and destruction at the hands of Christie's Father, Ed. In truth, I really had nothing to lose, as Christie could handle her Father, and Angela was the one who was lying to him, in a fashion, right now.

Still, I thought I could find a way to get through this without bloodshed on anyone's part. If I could only think it through? So far, I had an idea that might work, but it put the bullseye back on my forehead, something I didn't like, but was willing to risk, if it solved other problems.

Point A, the current situation, was easy. Christie and I are in love, and Angela knows about us. Point B is, in my mind, just a stop on the way to the final destination, and involved letting Ed in on the situation, without getting killed. Point C, my ultimate goal, would see Christie and I wed, and her much closer to home. Perhaps even with child, although that wasn't necessarily needed. Well, not yet, anyway.

Every time I tried to think it out, I would only get so far before my brain melted. Maybe it would help to work backwards?