Assistant needed

I’m rebuilding this story 121309

Assistant Needed Five Days a Week by Skip Slocum (9,730word count)

Tina lay naked; face down in Gary’s bed, exhausted. She was fairly sure there was cookie dough still in her hair. Floating on a cloud of bliss and contentment, every muscle in her body was relaxed beyond soreness. Once she comes back to earth, she can blame the ache in her stomach on the giggles but Gary would get the credit for everything else, including any bruising. The only soreness she wouldn’t blame on him would be the doozie on her butt and she got that from falling in his shower. That’s what started their love-fest in the first place. Well, in that case, why not give him credit for that one as well.

Before she passed out from pleasure, she thought how funny it had been that a week ending so badly could become the best weekend of her life. She was also sure her life would never be the same. It happened sometime after the storm knocked out the power for the third time on Saturday. Gary had been tickling her on the floor of the kitchen when he asked her to move in with him and she said yes.

When her mother finds out, she’ll probably have her daughter committed for loosing her mind. Two weeks ago, Tina didn’t even know, this beautiful man. He had gone from being unknown, to boss, to friend, to best friend, and then last Friday he became her lover. Now on top of that, they’re going to be roommates. Yes, I think that qualifies somewhere between recklessly crazy and totally loosing your mind for love’s sake.

Remembering the way he made love to her again last night, sent another shiver of warmth through her. While waiting for him to come back to bed, she tried to count the number of things that happened at just the right moment to put her into his arms.

She met Gary in the city; he was putting up flyers in a coffee shop.

The sound of his voice thrilled her even before his smoky brown eyes made her heart do back flips. Just by chance, she’d stepped into the one café that had a bulletin board for jobs. Looking over the prospects, she couldn’t find anything that suited her or that she dared to try. Tina froze when she heard him say, “Are you looking for a job miss?”

She looked around to find out who was asking the question. When he asked again, she quickly glanced at his coffee cup; that sat on a small stack of hand written flyers.  Gary’s hands were hard with calluses and his chest and arms were huge. His face held a rugged, yet gentle look to it. At first, she was going to run being intimidated by his size, but he offered her a flyer. Her mind was screaming don’t take it but her hand reached for it anyway.

On the paper, she read, -Assistant needed five days a week to answer phones and help an Artist with his work. No experience required, good pay, must be dependable. Contact Gary by phone or email and I will return your message. – After reading, Tina asked, “What kind of assistant?”

While she read, Gary looked her up and down. This pretty little thing has a body that won’t quit. I can’t believe she’s even talking to me. He wrinkled his brow trying to remember. “Well like it says; answer the phone, there would be some paperwork for supplies and I need someone to help me in the shop.”

She thought he wasn’t half-bad for a guy his age, and when he stood up, she had to force herself to listen to what he said. She couldn’t understand why she felt light headed. Her eyes wandered from his shoulders comparing them to the width of his hips.

He smiled, “Let me show you where it’s at,” Gary stepped closer to her and pointed to the paper. “There’s a map, you can take the train, it’s a little more than an hour out, and my house is right next to the line.” Gary reached into his pocket handing her two tickets, “Here, the first trip is on me. Come on out and see your new office then decide.”

“My office?” She had never been able to say that before, she’d always been just another face in cubical-hell with hundreds of phones ringing and the constant hacking on keyboards all around her.

Gary seemed kind and there was something about him. She couldn’t quite figure what made her want to trust him. He looked to be almost twice her age with just a hint of gray, but she thought it made him look handsome. She was still debating whether to say yes or no when Gary told her what it paid, that hooked her. She slipped the tickets and the flyer into her purse, “I’ll come see where it is but no promises.”

They shook hands on the deal and Gary threw the other flyers in the trash. “I got a feeling I won’t be needing these any more.” His smile, his manly scent and those eyes, god those eyes were sexy. She would at least go and look around.

That night Tina sat in her tiny apartment nibbling on takeout while staring at the flyer. “So Mister Tight Buns, where did you come from?”

The train slowed at Gant Station and Tina double-checked making sure she’d gathered her things. If it weren’t for the post office in this town, the train probably wouldn’t have stopped. A short walk through the gift shop and Tina stood on the curb, street-side of the rail station and looked around. A few houses set apart from each other, not at all like the city, a gas station and a little mom and pop café with a country store next to it. Other than that, just fields and trees as far as she could see. Tina glanced at the map on the flyer, “straight ahead for one-two-three, three streets.”

The dirt crunched under her shoes once she came to the end of the pavement until she came to Gary’s house. The front walkway didn’t look as if it had been used very much. However, a worn path in the grass caught her attention. She followed it around the house. The sound of a hammer ringing on steel let her know someone was working out back.

The backside of the house appeared as though someone added a large barn-like addition to the house. The different shades of green made it stand out even more.  Two large barn doors on the side of the shop were partially open. The worn path led right toward them, and the sound of that hammer acted like a beacon from inside. The pinging sound was interrupted by a dull thud then the sound of metal hitting the floor, she heard, “Damn it.” Tina recognized the timbre of Gary’s voice grumbling under his breath.

When she stepped into the open doorway, her shadow must have caught Gary’s attention and he spun around with his thumb in his mouth.

She did her best to smother and hide her smile. Gary was wearing a long thick apron that hung around his neck. It reminded her of a baby’s bib. Gary waved her in. “Good you made it, I was hoping you’d show up.” His words were almost unrecognizable around his thumb. He promptly pulled it out looking at it as if making sure it was still in one piece.

Gary tucked his hammer under his arm and reached out to take her hand. Tina was glad it wasn’t the same one he had in his mouth and she stifled her laugh and shook his hand. “I’m not too early am I?” Gary didn’t answer and she looked up to see why.

He was moving his head from side to side staring at her hair, but when he looked into her eye, he quickly withdrew his hand. “Ah-no, not at all, you’re right on time. Let me show you around the place.”

He pointed out some of the projects he was working on then headed for the back porch. There was a sliding glass door that separated the house from the shop.

Inside the house, the living room, dinning room, and kitchen were all joined into one large room. The only thing that separated it into individual spaces was the furniture. Even the walls to his bedroom were missing. Taking a step down into the living room, there was one overstuffed leather chair near the fireplace. However, instead of any other furniture Gary had converted the room into an art studio, pedestals of half-finished clay statues were everywhere.

He noticed Tina looking around while she bit her lip. He told her, “Half the time I work on the smaller projects in here. The stone dust out there would ruin the clay,” searching for something to break the ice he added, “Can you tell I’m a bachelor?”

She grinned, nodded and shook her head all in one motion. She was tempted to say she could hardly notice, but realized how futile that statement would be. “…Yes you are.” Gary walked to the other side of the room, spread his arms and turned back around, “When I lived in the city, I had a loft that was one large room and got use to how open it was. When I bought this place, I knocked out the walls. Come check out my kitchen.

“Last year I put down Spanish tiles and the island bar.” Tina thought it was cute how proud he was of his house. He tapped the stove, “You definitely won’t go hungry working for me that’s for sure.” Gary moved aside so she could take a closer look.

She could tell he was trying to make her feel comfortable. He must have been a little nervous too, by the way he jabbered. Tina set her purse on the breakfast bar and nodded her approval, “It’s beautiful.” He beamed, “Thank you. Let me show you what your office looks like.”

The office had a heavy wooden door that closed it off from the rest of the house. Once she stepped inside, she immediately noticed the wall that separated her office from the shop had its own sliding glass door. She could sit at her desk and look out where Gary carved the large marble statues.

He asked her to sit and showed her everything she needed, “The answering machine and copier are tied to your computer. If there’s anything you need, just ask. The bathroom is back down the hall on the other side of the kitchen, and the hall closet is full of office supplies. When you’re hungry, eat or drink whatever you want or bring your own. Well what do you think? Do you wanna give it a go? His eyes were almost pleading with her to take the job so when he smiled once more she said, “Sure why not.” She thought he was sweet and as open as his house.

Most of the day was gone by the time Gary finished showing her what she would be doing. He gave her a ride back to the train station in his truck, “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow?” She agreed and waived goodbye.

Over the next two weeks, Tina looked up from her tasks to see Gary carefully working away. The way he ran his hands over the stone excited her. It almost appeared as if he was in love with whatever was inside the marble. This might have been why she fell for him so quickly. Watching such a hard man find the most beautiful things hidden in stone captured her imagination.

Gary seemed to brighten up every morning when she got to work. They laughed and told each other stories, Gary told her of things and places she’d never seen. Most of the time, he kept his eyes on what he was doing but every once in a while she caught him looking at her a little longer than what most people would consider polite.

Tina decided his staring was harmless, and she almost managed to get caught staring at him a few times too. The way his muscles flexed was sexy if she had to tell the truth. He never wore a shirt around the shop and he was all man in her eyes. If he wasn’t her boss things might get rowdy. Nevertheless, she never missed a chance to watch him walk away.

At night, it was getting harder for her to rest. Every attempt to relax herself only heated her blood hotter. Tina would see herself standing in his shop, with his hands all over her, massaging, pulling, kneading her flesh while he explored. Sometimes she woke in a sweat because her dreams had stolen their clothes with Gary holding her, whispering in her ear.

Friday, the weather turned bad and she almost called in to let him know she wouldn’t be coming to work. However, missing out on being with him soured her spirits. She forced herself out into the heavy rain to catch her train. When she got to Gant Station, Gary was waiting for her in his truck right in front of the train depot. Tina ran for the truck and with the help of her umbrella, she stayed fairly dry.

She’d found out Gary was a big flirt once she got to know him, and she liked to dish it out as good as she got. As soon as she jumped into his truck, he handed her a large coffee. “Morning Tiger” That’s all she needed to hear to start her day right, “Morning boss-man.” Tina almost leaned over and kissed him before she caught herself.

He looked at her with one of his funny faces, then scowled “How many times I gonna tell you, it’s Gary, not boss or Sir. We’re partners in crime little lady.” Tina cleared her throat like she’d been scolded, “Yes sir, I mean, yes boss, err-Gary.” She added a little playful attitude just to make him grumble. She loved working with him, and except for the rainy weather, her life was close to perfect.

The phone hadn’t rung all day so Tina leaned on the countertop in the kitchen to watch Gary work. She was far enough away he wouldn’t feel the need to carry on a conversation, but close enough that she could see what he was doing. With his hands covered in clay, he dipped them into water, shaping and smoothing a statue. The girl in clay stood holding a sheet that barely covered her most intimate treasure with her breasts exposed as if the sheet has just fallen away.

Tina played with her hair, tickling her lips with it while focusing on what he was doing. His fingers moved as if they had a mind of their own sculpting the face, hair and body in monotone clay. Gary needed music playing in the background while he worked. The melodies seemed to guide him. Tina listened intently to the song, and about the same time she noticed most of the recordings were female singers crooning soulful love songs, she also noticed the statue looked like her.

Tina blinked and stood up straight. It was like something out of her dreams. The legs, arms, and hair were all hers. My god, the breasts and ass too, how did he know? She had never been naked in front of him but she loved it. She asked, “Didn’t you tell me that you name all of your sculptures?” Gary nodded, “Yeah, everyone of em.” She walked up behind him to take a closer look. “What did you name this one?” Gary’s shoulders slumped a little, “Ah-don’t think I should say.” Tina leaned closer and whispered, “Why not; because it looks like me?”

He hesitated and glanced back at her. “You noticed, huh?”

She put her hands on his hard shoulders to steady herself and felt vibrations run through her. “I knew you were good, but how did you figure out all the details?” It felt wonderful to touch him. They had brushed against each other now and then, but now that she had her hands on him, it was all she could do to hold them still.

With all the teasing they had done to each other, Tina knew this was too good to pass up. “Gary, have you been looking at my ass?” She pretended to be indignant and squeezed. Gary stammered and waved his hands as though that would help him explain himself. “Yes, but it’s not like you think, I did but I w-was, I mean-”

Tina was enjoying making him squirm and kissed his cheek. He blushed making his whole neck turn red. For the first time since she met him, Gary was at a loss for words.

Finally, he spoke up. “I named her Tina.” A tingle went through her, “Well it does look like me.” He turned to look her in the eye. “Yeah, but not as pretty, I mean-” Gary stopped himself from saying anything further and turned back around.

She was flattered and enjoying his embarrassment. She danced around in front of him on the other side of the sculpture to torture him a little more. “What are you saying Boss, is my ass prettier?” Gary started sputtering, “I never said anything about your-” She cut him off, “But you thought it didn’t you?”

He knew she was teasing him and purposely making him uncomfortable while dancing seductively. Tina gathered up her t-shirt and tied it into a knot between her breasts leaving her stomach and ribs exposed for him to see. He didn’t know how far she was going to take this but he was having fun. The problem was, he was enjoying it a little too much and getting hotter every second. She unsnapped her jeans and ground her hips in time with the music. She looked him straight in the eye and didn’t blink. The movement of her hips called to him and he had to look.

She rolled the tops of her jeans down several turns exposing her hips. Her white panties had a hint of blue trim that could now be seen.

The song played a seductive rhythm while she danced. Lifting her arms over her head, she swept her hands under her hair lifting it until it fell covering her face like a veil. Tina came around the pedestal turning her back to him and pressed up against his thigh.

Gary didn’t know what to do but he was in no shape to sculpt the clay. Her dancing was defiantly fueling his imagination. His discomfort was no longer a secret.  The miniature tabletop holding the clay seductress offered little to hide behind and it became one more place he couldn’t look during this distraction.

When the song ended so did the trance they both seemed to be caught up in; a wave of embarrassment washed over her and she suddenly felt uncomfortable standing there exposing herself. The excitement in the air wasn’t one sided either. Tina’s heart pounded hard in her chest but she knew she had to try and make a graceful exit. Suggestively she walked past him, and lightly scratched his chest and arm as if she were indeed a tiger. “Aren’t you suppose to be working big boy?” she danced her way into the bathroom and bumped the door closed with her hip.

Gary stared at the door then back at the clay statue. What just happened? The next song on the stereo urged her lover to take what he wanted. Gary closed his eyes and begged the singer to shut up before things got any more out of hand. He looked into the fire, the fingers of the flames caressed the wood causing it to groan and moan as his imagination wished Tina would do for him.

His eyes blurred and now all he could see was Tina stripping off her clothes. The air in the room blew gentle kisses on the logs before slithering up the chimney. The glow of the coals blushed with each kiss. The singer kept tormenting him with her yearnings for yet another night with her lover. Gary tried to shake it off, he blinked until the clay statue came back into focus; she had the same seductive look in her eyes as Tina. He looked at his hands and they shook from the adrenalin. He needed some air to clear his head and he defiantly needed to get away from the dark angel singing. Gary headed for his shop; each step came faster than the last.

Tina sat on the edge of the old cast-iron tub in the solitude of the bathroom with her hands covering her face. When the glass door to the shop bumped closed, it jarred her thoughts with the same abruptness as it shook the walls. She stood up quickly to look at her guilty self in the mirror. Her long hair tickled the bare skin on her back. She sucked in a breath, imagining the touch came from Gary’s gentle hands.

When she realized her imagination played tricks on her, she felt lonely once again. If only he would touch her the same way, he caressed the clay or stone. The cool air that emanated from the tiles made her feel even more exposed. She untied the knot in her shirt and pulled the thin cloth back down before buttoning up her jeans.

The accusing reflection in the mirror didn’t help either. The silent scolding blamed her for trying to spoil her greatest job. Tina smoothed the wrinkles out of her shirt and promptly left the bathroom marching straight for the safety of her office.

She closed the door and sat, letting her head fall onto her desk. Not quite sure what to do, she chanted words of scorn to herself. When the phone rang, she almost wet herself.

She sat up, moistened her lips and cleared her throat. “G. Dunn, Works in Stone, may I help you?” the voice on the other end of the line sounded familiar but it took a moment to register, “Tina its Mom, are you alright?”

Tina arched her back and glanced at the receiver wondering if her mother was psychic. “Yes Ma why do you ask?”

“Honey I saw on the news how bad the weather is getting up near you and got worried.”

Tina glanced out to the shop and noticed Gary almost walking in circles. “It’s been raining pretty hard but nothing too bad; I’m fine Ma”

“I’m glad baby; Nana said the news was warning about mud slides and road closures. I thought I’d better check on you-” Tina didn’t want to talk and cut her off before her mother could get started. “Ma, I gotta go, I have to finish some reports. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The rest of the day Gary and Tina stayed away from each other yet neither of them managed to get any work done. She looked at the time, grabbed her jacket and purse. She thought about clocking out and leaving without saying goodnight. Stepping to the sliding door, she waited another minute then opened it just enough for her voice to carry into the shop. “Gary I gotta go. I’ll see you Monday.”

Gary propped both of his hands on his broom handle but kept his eyes on the floor. “Go get in the truck and I’ll run you up to the station.”

Tina didn’t answer heading out the side door figuring she’d better walk. However, the hard rain convinced her to sit in the truck and wait. Things seemed colder with damp feet and the water on the glass was so thick nothing could be seen with any clarity.

The dark clouds made it seem much later in the day than it actually was. Tina checked her watch to make sure she wasn’t going to miss her train. Lightning flashed followed closely by another clap of thunder. The storm must have stalled directly over the valley and from what her mother told her it was probably going to stay a while.

All the way up to the station, the only sound in the truck was the thumping of the wipers taunting her, ‘Dummy-dummy-dummy.’

Just before Gary pulled up to the station he hoarsely whispered, “You gonna have a good weekend?” Tina knew he was asking if everything was okay between them. “Yeah I’ll try, and hopefully the rain will have let up by Monday.” This was her way of telling him she was going to try to forget what happened earlier.

When Gary got home, he poured himself a modest drink and stared at the clay statue frozen in time yet still dancing and promising him a dream that may never come true after what happened.

He turned to look out the window, watching the rain, replaying the day over in his head. Now that Tina was gone, the house seemed still and quiet, maybe a little too quiet. He glanced at the stereo but decided to leave it off. Finishing his drink, he headed for a hot shower that was sure to make him feel better.

He took off his damp clothes and stepped into his old fasten free standing, Claw-Foot tub and drew the curtain all around. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see Tina. Why didn’t you say something to her to make her feel better? To steady himself, he held onto the curtain rod that ringed the old tub and tipped his face up into the spray of hot water.

Gary thought he heard the phone ring but wasn’t sure, a few minutes later, he heard it again deciding to let the machine answer it. All he could think about was the way Tina danced, my god she was hot. The shower was no substitute for what he imagined but he enjoyed being able to openly stare at her. It was all he could do not to reach out and touch her when she turned her back to him.

Rubbing his fingers together, Gary noticed his skin started to wrinkle, he’d better get out and find out what kind of frozen dinner awaited. Some chef you are and you missed your chance too. You’ll be lucky if you ever see her again.

He slipped on a pair of silk pajama bottoms. He’d better not drink another Scotch; a hot cup of coffee would have to do. A shadowy figure stepped up on his front porch and triggered the light, calling out, “Gary?”

He thought he recognized the voice. “Tina, what the hell are you doing here?” Gary set the can of coffee down and talked to her as he went to unlock the front door. “Girl why aren’t you on the train?” Opening the door wide, he could see she was soaked to the bone, and shivering, she asked, “didn’t you hear the phone?”

He was still surprised to see her, “yeah but I didn’t know who it was.” she shrugged her shoulders and quipped, “It was me, the trains aren’t running.”

A gust of cold air blew in through the open door. “What do you mean?” Gary stepped aside but didn’t wait for an answer, “Get in here you’re gonna catch your death.”

Tina looked down at the mess she was making on the hardwood floor, “They said the track is messed up and there won’t be any trains all night. Gary noticed the growing puddle on the floor, “Well-shit, go stand over there on the tile and I’ll get you some towels.”

Tina peeled out of her jacket and dropped it on the kitchen floor. She stayed bent over shivering. Gary chuckled, thinking she was doing a different kind of dance now. He offered her the towels but at the last second had a better idea and pulled them back. “Go in there and strip.” That caught her off guard and she tried to look him in the eye, “What? Gary, you dirty old man.” He pointed, “No, in the bathroom, and I’ll throw them in the dryer for you.” She shuffled around the corner as fast as she could but she had the shakes so bad she could hardly move. “G-good thinking.”

Gary followed her, closing the door for her and waited outside the bathroom. “Wring the water in the tub then hand em out.” He could hear her muffled voice shaking when she spoke, “Ooh-yeah the shower.”

Gary heard her shoes hit the floor and the splat of a wet shirt in his tub, there was a long silence. “I w-wanna use your shower to g-get warm while I wait.” Visualizing Tina naked in the same shower, he’d just been in; thrilled an evil smile on his face. “Why not; just keep the curtain inside the tub. I don’t want you making a mess in there.” Tina quipped, “Very funny Gary, like I haven’t already done that.” He grinned and immediately shot back, “If you need any help just call me.” She opened the door a little and her arm came out with her wet clothes, “Yeah you wish.” The funniest part was Gary really did wish while he was dumping her clothes in the dryer.

Tina shivered her pale skin had turned to goose flesh. Her hands and feet looked like she’d been swimming. The rain turned her long auburn hair to black velvet, leaving it plastered to her neck and shoulders. With shaky legs, she didn’t want to take any chances while crawling into the tall tub. She used both hands on the sides making sure not to slip on the wet tiles or the smooth enamel.

Once she warmed up a little more, Tina compared the look of Gary’s bathroom to the one in her apartment. She had pretty pink rugs on the floor. Gary only had a small purple rug in front of his toilet. Her shower curtain was two-tone pink and rose-blush with a cloth ruffle on the outside to match the rugs and a matching trashcan. His curtain was clear, except for the bluish-green stripe and dorky starfish, typical bachelor.

Getting the water temperature just right, she spun the center valve sending the warmth up to the showerhead. She didn’t like the water hitting her in the face. Most of the time she preferred baths to showers but this would have to do. She reached up to move the angle of the spray and found out she couldn’t reach it.

Damn, Gary had to be over six-two and she was only five-three. This made her smile but she crinkled her nose and shook her head out of frustration. It was just one more thing that wasn’t going her way today.  “I should’ve just called-in and stayed home with a good book, but no.” The heat of the water quickly wrapped her in a cocoon of steam and relaxation. She rolled her head from side to side, welcoming the mist that took her to an imaginary tropical island. “Ahhhh”

Gary mopped up the water in the kitchen and made a pot of coffee still picturing the beautiful young girl in all her glory in his bathroom. His hair was barely dry from his long hot shower, “Oh shit.” Gary ran to the bathroom door. “Tina you might want to wrap it up before the hot—”

She didn’t hear what he was trying to tell her about his poor over worked water heater. Then without a seconds warning, the water turned to ice and she squealed.

Gary cringed, “Too late.”

Tina jumped away from the icy shock and slipped on the incline of the tub at the other end. She grabbed for anything to keep her balance. Her talons gouged onto the plastic curtain but her feet had already gone past the point of recovering and down she went. The rings at the top of the curtain ripped free, two and three at a time. It slowed her down, however, when her butt hit the incline it drummed out a god-awful wet thud and skated her back under the icy flow; that’s when she screamed.

Gary closed his eyes he had no intention of going in to see what had happened, but from the sound of it, she was splattered all over his floor. “Oh God she’s probably dead with blood everywhere.”

When he heard her scream, the next thing he knew, he had thrown the door open and was looking for her dead body on the floor.

Not finding what his mind told him he would see, confused him into a blank stare.

With water spraying everywhere, Gary found her lying in the bottom of his tub wrapped in his plastic curtain and as riled as a wildcat. The only thing he could think of was to turn off the water, and to find out if she was alive or dead. To a lesser extent, find out if she had split her head open. “Tina-shit, oh-god Tina are you-”

“Gary, Gary. I’m fine, stop. I need you to do me a favor.”

He held his hands out in front of him, not knowing what to do, “Yes anything?”

“Please close the door.”

He reached back and slammed the door shut with one quick swipe, “Yes the door, okay if that’s what-”

She still hadn’t tried to get up and rolled her eyes, “No Gary, go out first.”

He closed the door and paced in circles a few times before the images of his naked assistant finally filled his understanding of what he had just seen. He grabbed his forehead and went back to the kitchen.

She dried off with one towel Gary had brought her then used it like a robe. It wrapped around her twice leaving her arms and shoulders bare. She tucked the end of it between her tightly bound breasts to hold it in place. The other towel she used to soak up the water on the floor. Looking back into the tub where she left the destroyed curtain, Tina imagined what Gary must have seen from his vantage point when he burst in.

Except for a slightly tender spot on her butt, the only casualties were her pride and that ugly plastic curtain.

Not wanting to wait for Gary to bring her clothes back, she headed out to see if he was mad at her for what she did to his bathroom.

He was standing next to the sink drinking a cup of coffee and had one sitting on the counter waiting for her. When they saw each other, they both started talking at the same time; followed by an awkward silence, waiting for the other one to continue.

Gary asked if she was alright and she was apologizing for the mess.

“Don’t worry Tiger it’s only water. Did you hit your head?”

“No just my butt.”

He pointed to the mug. “Here drink that.” His fright for her turned to relief then he snickered. “You should have seen your face, you looked mad enough to eat nails and spit rust.”

“Yeah, well I destroyed your bathroom.” She smiled masking her embarrassment in the quick retort.

Gary was hiding behind his cup waiting for his grin to relax so he could take another sip. “I saw that”

Tina shot him a mocking glare, “That’s not all you saw.”

Gary winked, “I told you if you needed anything to just holler.”

Both of them blushed and avoided making a comment even though they left themselves open to be a punch line for several jokes that had become common between them.

Gary pointed behind her at his dresser. “There’s a basket of clean clothes over there why don’t you grab another towel for your hair and I’ll go check on your clothes.”

She reached for a towel that was half way down in the basket and spotted one of his dress-shirts so she grabbed it too. Just before she got back to the bathroom, Gary came back in shaking his head. “They’re not done yet. Did you hear anyone say how far away the damage to the tracks was from Gant?”

She left the bathroom door open so they could talk while she dried her hair. With Gary in the kitchen, the sound of his voice coming from there let her know she had all the privacy she needed. What she didn’t realize was the large, wall size mirrors on his closet doors across from the bathroom.

Gary hadn’t planned it but with his next sip of coffee, he glanced up at the mirror. The bright lights in the bathroom out shined the dimmer ones in the rest of the house so Tina didn’t notice the mirror. Gary’s bedroom was one big shadow in the open doorway.

Hanging the shirt on the doorknob, she used the clean towel to blot most of the water from her long mane. She set her purse on the sink counter and rummaged through it coming out with a comb. Every time she answered him, she stopped and craned her head to the side as if it would help her voice carry further.

Gary loved beautiful women and studied them as most men do. He crossed his arms with his coffee cup poised a few inches from his lips and listened to her go on about this and that.

Tina turned around to face the doorway and backed up to the sink. She laid the comb down and took off her towel.

Gary almost choked. His pulse jumped an extra thirty beats a minute. He knew he should’ve turned away but he couldn’t. He just kept quiet and enjoyed the show. She turned a little, unknowingly striking one pose after another while drying herself with the towel.

With the sound of the clothes-dryer, still running in the shop, Tina wasn’t in any hurry to move. She draped the towel on the bathroom counter leaning against it while she used her comb to untangle the mess the storm made, she struggles with the tangles until the comb glided smoothly all the way through.

Soon the subject turned to what they were going to do about her being stranded for the night.

With only the thin layer of pajama pants hiding his discomfort on the subject, Gary decided to gather his senses by pouring another cup of coffee. This gave his nervous hands something to do.

Tina looked up at just the right moment and caught the movement in the mirror on the other side of his bed. Her comb stopped in mid stroke. She couldn’t be sure what he had seen if anything so she held perfectly still. She glanced down at herself then back at the mirrored doors. If he only looked up, he would get an eye full. She watched him swish the spoon in his large cup making slow figure eights.

The cut of his shoulders and the bulk of his chest looked sexier tonight. The fact that he was her boss only briefly entered her mind. A different kind of shiver ran through her as she imagined what it would be like to pose for him. Could she stand for hours with his hungry eyes on her without attacking him? Tina marveled at how the strands of his muscles could be seen through his skin. Now she almost wished he would look up if only for a second.

Gary tapped the spoon on the side of his cup before laying it back on the saucer next to the coffeepot. He leaned back on the counter eager for the next round of eye-candy. He brought his cup to his lips to take a sip and look up. This time when he saw Tina in the mirror, she was looking directly back.

Knowing he was caught Gary smiled and lifted his cup toasting to her impending scorn.

It thrilled her to know he had been watching her and how could she be mad at him, after all, she was the one that left the door open. Still, why would she let him off the hook so easy when it would be so much fun to make him pay?

Keeping her eyes on the mirror, she stared back. If she thought, he looked uncomfortable before, he had a pocket full of guilt to deal with now. She casually slipped on the shirt, but instead of buttoning it up, she just pulled it closed and headed for the kitchen. She brought the comb with her as a weapon. Getting another chance to torment her peeping tom in the same day had to be some kind of gift. “So Sneaky, you never answered my question. Where am I going to sleep tonight?”

Gary didn’t have a couch, he knew where he wanted her to sleep, but there was no way he would say, ‘With me of course, you pretty little troublemaker’, so he cleared his throat. “Well I’ll be sleeping in my bed you might have to fend for yourself.” Tina lifted one eyebrow as if she were casting a hex on him. “What ever happened to taking care of your employees?” she kept coming toward him.  Gary smiled, realizing she was playing but backed up a step since she came at him with a loaded comb. “You really don’t wanna be saying that to me right now.” She walked around the breakfast-bar and turned sideways to make sure he saw plenty of her leg, knowing the cut of the shirttail was shorter on the sides. “You may be forced to share your bed tonight Mister, or don’t you know how to play nice with others?”

Gary held up a hand, “Tina, slow down girl.” He pointed a finger at her. “You’re about to open a pack of trouble for both of us. Now go back over there and drink your coffee.”

She winked and went back to the other side of the breakfast bar trading her comb for her cup of coffee. Tina knew she was asking for trouble but she didn’t care, especially now that he’d seen more of her than most of her old boyfriends had.

With the bar hiding her lower half, she decided to tease him a little more. She propped her foot up on the boot rail and picked up her coffee. She put her other hand on her hip dragging open her shirt with it. Her breasts were just the right size to catch on the shirt keeping most of their fullness hidden. Gary’s eyes followed the naked patch of skin from her neck all the way to the counter that so rudely interrupted his view.

“What’s wrong Gary, you look a little pale, haven’t you ever shared your bed with a girl?” The question almost stopped his breathing. Most grown men like to present themselves as being well versed in the ways of women. Being macho demanded such blustery claims. He wanted to say, yes many times, but the truth was he hadn’t had many girlfriends.

His silence hadn’t gone unnoticed, “Gary,” she waited for him to peel his eyes from her chest. “You have had a few ‘friends’ over haven’t you?” He shook his head and she almost burned her lips on her coffee.

Setting her cup back on the countertop Tina covered her mouth to hide the devilish grin that came with all the naughty thoughts that quickly filled her head. she could tell he was a little uncomfortable with the subject. They both knew she would have to sleep in his bed with him so she tried to put him at ease by making light of the information she just found out. “Okay partner, I figure you’ve been out of the dating scene for a while but before I go to bed with you, I at least want a little dinner and maybe some dancing.” Tina closed her shirt and walked around to him. When he coughed with surprise, she giggled and patted him on the back.

She stopped to fasten the bottom two buttons to keep herself somewhat covered, but he’d already seen her so she wasn’t that careful. She lifted the tail of the shirt to find the buttons and it fell open again. Tina looked back at him and grinned seeing she had his undivided attention. While fumbling with the buttons she purposely bumped back against his leg like a cat trying to get her masters attention at dinnertime. “Don’t just stand there honey-bear, get us a couple of plates.”

She pulled out the lunchmeat and a tomato, opening a drawer for a knife.

Gary pulled out the bread. “Wheat or white?”

She pointed at the wheat, “Now spill your story Bunky, if we’re gonna be sleeping together I would like to know, why aren’t you married or were you?” Gary shook his head, “Well no to your second question but the first one, that’s harder to say, guess the right girl hasn’t come along yet.” Tina bumped his hips every time she reached around him. “You mean to say, there hasn’t been one girl that caught your eye?” Gary bumped her the same way she’d been doing him. “No there’s been plenty that caught my attention but they run as soon as they find out what I do.”

She started to pinch him then saw him cutting the tomato and decided to lay her hand on his back waiting for him to finish. “Come on, not one girl fluttered your heart enough to go after her?” Gary stopped cutting and looked off into nothing as if trying to remember, “Linda Daniels, I wanted her so bad. We even dated for a short time but-”

“What happened to her?” Tina almost regretted asking as soon as the words came out of her mouth because the pain in his voice might have meant the girl died.

Gary shrugged, “Well, she wanted a rich man and the lights of the big city and I hated the city.” Out of relief Tina laid her head on his heavy arm and smiled.

Gary was enjoying being touched by her but misinterpreted her smile. “Don’t laugh I was devastated.” She pinched him behind the knee to keep the mood light. “Poor baby, you want Tina to fix it?” He dropped the knife on the plate and spun around. “Don’t do that.” She pinched him again, “Or what?”

Gary stuck out his arm trying to ward off her playful attacks. Finally, he reached around behind her and grabbed her ass picking her up so she was crushed against him. “I told you to stop doing that.”

Her shirt had fallen open so they both felt the warmth of bare skin and froze in place looking at each other. Her arms instinctively slid up his chest and wrap around his neck. Tina couldn’t stand the waiting anymore and kisses him.

Gary never expected anything like that beyond his fantasies. For him everything else disappeared, in that one fraction of a second. Tina had come to him, and given him the kiss he’d dreamed of; this was the one kiss he’d never forget and it was about to be over before he could savor the sweetness. He felt her starting to pull away. His mind screamed in anguish. He wasn’t ready for it to end. Never again, would there be a first kiss between them. Dear god, don’t let this moment end, not yet. The spell might be broken if she manages to pull away. One of his hands slid up her back to cradle her, begging her not to go.

Her compulsion and curiosity had brought them to this point, but now his hunger for her had taken over. Nothing else matters, tomorrow be damned, beautiful angel in my arms. Gary’s heart hammered. Feeling her acceptance to his aggression made him lose his last ounce of control.

Tina’s hands franticly searched for some part of him she could grab to pull him closer. The bulk of his shoulders and his arms were too large and offered nothing to grasp. His thick hair was her only choice. She grabbed as much of it as she could, crushing him to her lips.

This was the clear sign he needed. She was as hungry for a lover’s touch as he was. Even with his great strength, her kiss weakened him. Gary felt the edge of the countertop brush against his arm. He managed to sweep it clear with one hand and set her down then stepped in closer.

Her hand gentled and touched his face. The softness in her eyes quickly dissolves his fear that she may run. He kept his hands around her waist for another moment while he pulled back to catch his breath; cautiously he relaxed and slid his hand to the tops of her thighs.

Gary marveled at the softness of her skin. Seeing her reflection in a mirror was one thing but to hold her in his arms with the heat of her touch was almost more than he could fathom. His eyes slowly traced the length of her neck downward following the path exposed to him by the unbuttoned shirt. He wanted to see more of her beauty.

Almost as if Tina read his mind, she knew what he needed. She brushed the rest of the shirt from her shoulders to pool around her waist. Arching her back, she offers him anything he wanted.

He gently glided his fingers along the sculpted contours of her, down between her breasts. Is she real? Gary could hardly believe it even though her silky skin pleasured his touch. On his lips the tingle of their kiss still burned.

Tina’s excitement came in waves waiting for his touch. She guided his hands back to her breasts and bolts of wanton pleasure shot through her. Closing her eyes, she leaned forward and felt the tickle of his hot breath so very, close to where he could nurse on her.

Gary pulled back enough to see her face. “May I kiss you again?” Breathlessly Tina smiled, “You sweet, beautiful man. You have your hands on my tits and yet you’re asking permission to kiss me?” She ran her fingers through his hair and let her lips trail across his forehead. “Okay I suppose you can have one kiss, I don’t want you to think I’m easy.”

He scooped her back into his arms and Tina braced her hands on his chest, “I thought you wanted a kiss?” Gary smiled “I do but I want it on the bed.” Tina feigned a look of surprise, “Damn you’re sure of yourself. A couple of kisses, a peek at my goodies and you think I’ll go to bed with you?”

Gary carefully carried her to the stereo before taking her on to his bed. With his hands full, and her biting his ears, he couldn’t reach the button to start the music. Tina giggled and covered his eyes. “Oh come on can’t you do two things at once Spunky?”

He grinned and nodded a little. “You asked for it now sweet-cheeks,” Gary flipped her over his shoulder. A click on the switch, a less than gentle swat on her rear and it was off to bed.

It was only four steps to the bed but it took forever in Gary’s mind.  With Tina thrown over his shoulder, her giggles made his heart race. He had created this moment in his head a thousand times but it never quite compared to this. He playfully threw her onto the pile of pillows and pounced.

She stopped giggling when she saw the look on his face. This was no longer a game, her dreams were about to come true.  He tenderly caressed her breasts with his softest touch. It set her on fire, all the way down. In kind, she touched the cleft between the muscles on his chest and saw him close his eyes to take the kiss she’d promised. Her clothes were already gone and the pleasure she found in this quickly became apparent in the tightness of her nipples. His timeless buss pulled slowly from her lips leaving her mind in a fog and her arms without strength.

He reared up to gaze on her womanly gifts. She smiled and with the grace of a ballerina, her arms flowed out like wings on display. Her head turned to the side offering her long neck as if it were a sacrifice to be kissed, nuzzled or even bitten. On each side of her, she felt him pressing on the bed knowing he now loomed.

Crouching ready to devour her flesh, Gary slipped his arms around her to cradle her in his love. His hunger quickly building. It grew stronger with every taste of her soft skin. Driven by the faintest trace of perfume that lingered in her still yet undiscovered places.

Tina’s fingers caressed him; surely, he was made of granite beneath his skin. The muscles in his back throbbed under her exploring touch. She shivered hearing him whisper her name over and over. Lightly she bit him to get his attention and he latched onto a thick handful of her hair forcing her to let go. Smiling, she waited playfully snarling with a wanton dare urging him to be rougher.

His hot gaze searched her body choosing his next meal, but her lips called to him again like the sirens of the seas. When he centered himself on her, she wrapped her legs around him begging him to hurry, and touch the one place he had ignored up until then.

Desperately, she bucked hard enough to knock him off balance and rolled out from under him. He had his turn exploring her, now she wanted to discover his secret. Pushing him onto his back, she pulled at the thin silks that covered him.

With Gary’s excitement for her exposed, Tina’s heart caught in her throat when she saw the size of him. It had to be as large as her wrist. She wrapped her fingers around him just below the crown, and quivered knowing he would test her limits. She could already feel it stretching her imagination. Collapsing across his legs, she positioned herself where she could feel it slide along her neck and checks. How could something that hard be so velvety soft to her touch? Tina Let her hair caress him as much as her hands did and it enflamed him even more. His fingers danced lightly on her head and shoulders waiting.

She closed her eyes, pressing him to her face. Her open hands trapped him in place but didn’t interfere with her exploration while she glided her lips across him. The more she memorized his every contour, the heavier his musk became and filled her nostrils with longing. He smelled like a god and she needed to feel him inside her.

Gary could hear her throaty growling as if she were a panther guarding her prize. He couldn’t lie still any longer and the fever in him grabbed for her. Years of working with stone made his hands powerful and her tiny frame was nothing to his strength.

With her hair flying, she found him on top of her once again. Their eyes locked, and he found her secret, spreading her legs. He knew what she wanted, crouching lower; he let himself slide most of the way off the edge of the bed. When he wrapped his arms around her legs pulling her to him, she began to whimper in anticipation, her claws tangled in his hair. When his lips tasted her, lightning shot through her. Tina’s hands instantly released him as they sprang above her head, gouging into the sheets. She arched her back when he found her button. The prickly feel of his day-old whiskers tingled on her thighs. She was now fighting just to take a breath as his tongue swirled even in her mind her body convulsed. Gary nursed on her keeping pace with her excitement and at just the right place. Her sweet taste fogged his thinking and he couldn’t stop. He reached up and held fast to her breasts so she wouldn’t wiggle away.

Ripples of heated pleasure flowed through her, sending fire throughout her entire body. It stampeded through her stomach, tightening every muscle. When it found her voice, she screamed. This tingling vibration kissed her forehead, shaking the room out of focus. She came gasping repeatedly. The first wave hadn’t finished washing over her when the second one followed. Her mind begged him to stop before she passed out from shear the ecstasy, fearing the sweetest death may follow. When he lifted his head, her confused mind screamed. She clawed at him urgently needing more.

Feeling her quivering from satisfaction her body called to him to mount her. She threw her legs around him begging him to take her. Leaning forward he stopped when he found her waiting. A coating of her silky oils would protect her for any pain.

Tina sucked in her breath and held still. Her eyes begged him not to make her wait any longer. Nevertheless, Gary waited another second for a calmness to find them both.

Words between them were no longer needed; it was as if their minds had joined. His eyes asked her permission and hers eagerly gave it. With a desperate nod, she begged for him. It had been quite awhile since either of them had known a lover. Yet because they were not strangers to this, their joining was pure enjoyment. Neither of them could hear beyond the pounding of their own hearts or see further than the warmth in their eyes.

Another wavy of pleasure washed over her and she begged for his magic kisses. He stroked her hair and his gentleness during her time of floating made her cry the tears of fulfillment and joy. Twice she’d reached the heights of heaven and their night had only just begun. Everything Tina yearned for she’d found in his arms. Two short weeks ago, she may have been lost and alone but from now on, she held his love.