Dani sat in her car, her clothes soaking wet as she drove gingerly along the dark road. In the passenger seat, Wes squinted through the car window at the road signs, looking for a hotel. Dani was aware that Wes occasionally looked at her legs, her skirt having stuck to her damp thighs and almost revealing her knickers which were also damp from the rain. This was not the time to be modest, she thought. Twenty minutes ago, they had both got out of the car in the heavy rain to inspect the engine to see if they could tell where the smoke was coming from but the night sky made it difficult to see. Wes had said they shouldn't drive much further and by the time they got back into her car they were both wet through.
Dani drove slowly and Wes looked at his phone again. "Should be a hotel here somewhere. There it is," he said, pointing to the sign. "Turn into the driveway."
Dani thanked god that it was a reasonable hotel, 4 stars, somewhere to dry off and get an evening meal. At the reception, her son-in-law took charge, asked about car breakdown services, restaurant meal times and room rates. Why room rates? she wondered as she went off to find the Ladies.
When Dani returned, Wes said, "Nobody can fix the car tonight in this weather so it's best we deal with it tomorrow. They have one room left so I've brought our cases in."
Dani didn't know whether to believe him about the breakdown service or the room availability. She couldn't care because every stitch of clothing was rain wet, her hair was a complete mess and she was cold. Wes carried the cases. The family had been to a wedding two days ago - it meant dry clothes in her bag - and Wes had opted to get a lift back home with Dani while the others shared a bigger car.
In their hotel room, a wide double bed dominated which Dani hadn't expected but Wes was quick to provide the solution. "I'll get some pillows to put down the middle."
She nodded and unpacked a few things while Wes phoned his wife, Dani's daughter. In the bathroom, she peeled off her clothes and got into the large shower cubicle. She stood under the hot shower for several minutes and surveyed her body in the glass reflection. At age 45 she was in good shape, half-oriental due to her father who was from Thailand, the reason for her dark features, dark hair and petite build. Her English mother, though, had given her teardrop breasts, full but not sagging with nipples that stood out when aroused.
As she soaped herself, her thoughts turned to Wes. The family liked him, a good mixer and a good husband for her daughter, and he would make a great dad when the time came. He was 29, while Amy was 4 years younger. Amy used to confide in Dani about how good Wes was in the 'bedroom' and remembered Amy saying, "he's the best lover I've ever had," and "he knows how to please," but these snippets of information between daughter and mother had dried up. Dani imagined how Wes might turn female heads - he had this way of enlarging his eyes when talking to other women - but Dani didn't think he would be unfaithful.
Dani used a huge fluffy towel to emerge from the bathroom. "I've poured us some drinks," said Wes, "from the mini bar. Here's your gin and tonic."
"Gosh, I need that. Thanks." She surveyed his chest, the wet T-shirt stuck to expose his abs. At 6 foot tall, there was no denying that Wes looked fit. Crease lines on the outside edge of his espresso coloured eyes and tousled hair down to his shoulders made him look wild.
He peeled the T-shirt over his head and said, "Turn away for a moment, Danielle." Her full name was used by Wes occasionally when he wanted her to do something - she found it quite attractive and made her feel like a small girl. As he strolled towards the bathroom he pulled his socks off, undid his belt, dropped his wet chinos and flung his Armani briefs into the corner. Dani turned her back but watched it all from the wall mirror and couldn't help admiring his tight bare bum before he entered the bathroom. She dried herself and kept her towel on while she made a phone call to her husband which ended just as Wes came back, having showered and wearing a small towel around his waist.
She took clothes out of her bag. "I don't fancy getting dressed in the bathroom," she said. "Can we agree not to look ... that is you don't watch me and I don't watch you?"
"You're far too beautiful to ignore, Dani. But I'll do as you say. I don't mind, though, you seeing me get dressed." He laughed.
She sat on the bed with her back to him and let the towel fall so she could rapidly clip on her bra. It was the one she wore for the wedding that they had all attended. "Hope you're not looking, Wes." The lace of the bra showed her nipples through the white fabric.
"Best not to turn round, Dani, I'm completely starkers ... trying to find clean boxers ... ah, here they are."
She stepped into her panties of matching see-through lace and pulled them up while her towel dropped to the floor. As she moved to sit at the side desk which had a make-up mirror, the reflection showed a glimpse of him naked. Although she blushed, she had to admit the sight of his cock, limp, longer than her husbands, was to be admired. The image of that stayed as she blow-dried her hair.
When he got fully clothed, Wes sat in an armchair behind her and said, "The dinner menu looks good. Hungry?"
"Famished."
He read aloud the menu. She wasn't thinking of her modesty as she stood and pulled on her thin shirt. The buttons took half a minute to do up, his conversation had stopped and she knew he was watching her. Did it really matter if her white shirt was short enough to give Wes a show of her panties? she debated. As she stepped into her skirt, she realised the makeup mirror was giving him a full frontal view of her panties, the lace exposing her dark landing-strip bush underneath the material. She hid her embarrassment by telling Wes what she wanted to eat.
The restaurant was half full and they had a table tucked away in the alcove. The rain kept up a steady assault on the windows while they ate and talked about her getting a new car. During the main course, Wes asked, "When you phoned your hubby did you say what our sleeping arrangements were?"
"I told him I had a single room."
Wes laughed. "You lied, Danielle. You should have said we had a double bed and we were going to cosy-up!"
"I don't think my husband would want to know his wife was sleeping with our son-in-law." She giggled. "What did you tell Amy?"
"She didn't ask. I don't think she's too bothered about that side of our marriage."
"Oh. You two are not in trouble are you?"
"I shouldn't have said anything, sorry."
"What do you mean by 'not too bothered about that side of our marriage?"
He hesitated. 'Everything is good except one thing." He left the detail hanging in the air.
She lowered her voice. "Has Amy lost interest in sex?" Was this why her daughter didn't confide in her mother any more? she wondered.
He took a sip of wine. "Yes. We have a problem where I want to make love 2 or 3 times a week and Amy wants it less, much less ... about once a month."
"Men want it more often I guess." It didn't sound right that her daughter wanted so little sex. She joked, "You're not getting sex outside your marriage are you?"
"There have been temptations ... it shouldn't be like that. Yes, I have been faithful."
The conversation covered temptations at Wes's work, his secretary. Dani also admitted she'd been tempted once by a neighbour making it plain he fancied her. Wes said, "I can't blame the neighbour ... you look terrific. Any man would ... you know ... with you." He looked embarrassed.
She wacked his arm. "Now you're being stupid. I'm too old at 45."
"Oh really. Let me tell you the truth, Dani." He poured the rest of the wine into their glasses and signalled for another bottle. "You have oriental blood in you which gives you that jet black hair and a petite, gorgeous body. Amy has inherited her good looks from you. Make no mistake, you're both beautiful women."
Dani sat back, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. A tingling sensation went through her and she crossed her legs. These were the symptoms she always got when she was aroused. She mentally pushed them aside as the waitress put the new wine bottle on the table and cleared their main course.
They talked and drank more wine during the dessert. It was clear to Dani that Amy and Wes's marriage wasn't a sexual romp. And yet, Wes was very handsome, had a great career and cared about Amy. It must have been the wine that caused her next question. "What do you do when you're frustrated?"
"I do what most men do." He bit his lower lip. "I do my own thing."
She hushed her voice. "You mean you ... um ... masturbate?" Had she got it wrong? - her face flushed.
"Don't look like that, Dani. Yes, I use masturbation to relieve the tension. I usually go to the bathroom and do it alone."
"Oh. Must be terrible for you." She imagined him doing it and him probably feeling bad about it. "Well, if you need to do it tonight, don't go to our bathroom. Just do it in bed ... quietly."
He placed his hand over hers, lowered his voice. "Do YOU ever need to ... get relief?"
"Oh fuck. We mustn't go any further with this conversation. I'm your mother-in-law for goodness sake." She had somehow turned over her hand underneath his and was now sliding her fingers, meshing them with his. His squeeze sent a reassurance signal which made her tighten her crossed legs under the table.
"Do you?" he said again. "Get relief?" He sounded like a doctor.
"Wes. No. Which means don't ask any more questions." She looked at his sceptical face. "Ok, I do occasionally." She paused. "I refuse to carry on talking about me."
"Can I still do it tonight?"
She nodded and withdrew her hand from his. To change the subject, she talked about needing to phone hubby later. Wes acted like a gentleman and didn't mention sex for the rest of the meal.
Later, in their bedroom, they stood by the window and looked out at the thunderstorm. A sudden lightening bang made her jump. His arm came around her waist, held her tight, she could feel his strength. "Relax," he murmured. "Tonight I won't do anything without your agreement."
"Are you really saying you fancy me?" She had been pondering this question.
"Yes. And if I need to do it myself I'll be thinking of you."
She closed her eyes. "I'll have to turn the other way in bed, my back to you. Maybe I should wear earplugs." Did her giggle hide her nervousness? she wondered as she untangled herself from his arm. "I'm going to get ready for bed." The bathroom gave her time to reflect as she took off her clothes and put on her bed shorts which were far too revealing with their loose-fitting high sides. They seemed to exaggerate the plump bum cheeks which protruded out. Dispensing with any sort of top, she covered her front with a towel and came back into the room.
He blew a soft whistle. "Aren't I a lucky man."
"Shush, enough of that." It made her feel good, though, as she got into bed.
