Greg sat back in his chair, and considered this enchanting woman-child next to him. Why was he putting himself in this position? Opening him to temptation? Well, the why was obvious! He was merely human. He could not separate the intellectual rapport he had with Sara from her physical appeal. That physical appeal was on display right next to him.

"What are you thinking?" Sara asked, shaking him out of his reverie. He shook his head as if to clear it and looked into her eyes. He wondered if she understood how powerfully she affected him.

"Mmmm, I was just thinking what a beautiful day it is. Don't you think?"

"For sure. I could stay here forever. Would it... I mean when school is over... Would you mind if I stayed for a bit after I walked Belzer? It's a lot nicer than sitting in the park. You can get your work done. I won't bother you"

As if she could ever - even if she tried.

Greg replied, "Anytime, Sara. I genuinely enjoy our chats. Talking to you has become the highlight of my day. Most people aren't interested in the things I like talking about. It's hard to believe you aren't much older."

Sara smiled at the complement. It meant more to her than any number of flattering comments about her appearance. Those were nice enough but to have someone appreciate her intellect - that was special to Sara.

"Me too - " she giggled " - the interesting part, not the older part."

"Why thank you, young lady", Greg responded in an exaggerated old man's voice. "Now run long and get me my rheumatism medicine.

Sara giggled some more and flashed him one of those beatific smiles.

They lounged by the pool for what seemed like hours. Sometimes they talked; sometimes they were simply content in each other's company. Eventually, though Sara had to go. She slipped her shorts and shirt on over her swimsuit. Greg watched as she squirmed and wiggled to get them on.

He got up to walk her out. At the door they both were reluctant to part. Greg felt the urge to kiss her goodbye. But he knew it would not be a friendly peck on the cheek. If he did it would be the passionate kiss of lovers - or soon-to-be lovers. Sara felt the same urge and had he done so she would have been his entirely. Greg resisted his desires. As it was he stood at the door for some time, watching her as she receded from view.

June 17

Sarah arrived a little later the next day, however Saturday's beautiful weather was replaced by an impending storm. Gregg greeted her warmly. They hugged as if they had been apart for months.

"Hey! Do you still want me to take Belzer?" she asked.

Greg looked at the sky. The storm didn't look likely to break right away. "Maybe you should just take him for long enough to do his business. In truth Belz is a big suck when it comes to storms, and he seems to sense them long before even the Weather Channel forecasts. He likely won't dawdle. For a dog he can be a big pussy."

Sara laughed at that. "Kay! I'll be back in flash!" She grabbed Belzer's leash and fairly sprinted down the street. Greg went inside to put on some coffee and peruse the morning paper.

He had just finished the coffee when he heard the slam of the door and the clatter of Belzer's paws on the tile. Looking out the window he saw the first drops of rain start to hit the glass. The sky was turning that sickly green of an impending storm. Belzer knew and found a good place to curl up and ride out the weather. Thunder especially made him cower and try to 'hide' his head under his paws.

Sara came to the couch where Greg was relaxing with his paper and sat next to him. She said, "I guess I'll have to stay under the worst of it is over."

"I guess", he said, echoing her. "Do thunder storms frighten you?"

"Oh no! I think lightening is fun to watch. I wouldn't want to be out in the middle of it but it's nice if you're inside with a good view, nice and dry."

"I think so too When I was looking for a house I wanted one with at a room that had a good view." He gestured to the expansive view of the back yard. They sat together as the storm approached. Sara snuggled up next to him. Tucking her feet underneath, she got comfy on the overstuffed couch. Greg noticed she was wearing sweat pants and an oversized T-shirt. He guessed it was her lazy Sunday clothes. He didn't care. He was no fashion plate and maybe it would help him rein in his more lustful feelings.

They watched as storm developed. The wind blew restlessly, first in one direction, then the other, swirling about. The rain thickened from random drops smacking the ground fatly, to a wind driven pounding. The sky lit up with jagged arcs of light. Seconds later the boom of thunder reached them. As the tempo of the storm increased they grew more silent, awed at the power of nature on display.

At after one particularly brilliant flash the power failed. Greg waited a few moments to see if the lights would come back on. When they stayed off, he got some candles to provide light. Although it was still daytime the storm had darkened the sky considerably. He returned to his spot on the couch and they watched the storm by the flicker of candlelight.

The storm reached a crescendo of brilliant flashes followed almost immediately by the cracks of thunder. And then, as all storm do, it began to recede. The thunder lagged the lightening by an increasing amount, signaling the storm was moving on.

"Greg?" Sara broke their silence, "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did", he answered playfully. "Sure, go ahead. I can't promise an answer but you can always ask."

"Ummm.... why are you still single?"

Greg sighed, "That is a long story."

"We have time. I'm just surprised someone like you doesn't have a wife or girlfriend."

"Someone like me?" Greg echoed Sarah.

"I mean - "

"I know what you mean..." Greg paused so as to choose his words. "Sara, you know how there are certain things you are reticent to talk about in your life? I have some of those too." He said softly.

"I see." Sara considered this, and those things in her life she kept to herself. "I think I could tell you - maybe no one else in the world, but I would trust you with them."

"I don't want you feel like you have to" Greg said pausing again. He heaved a large sigh and began:

"About ten years ago I was in a relationship with a woman. She was the one for me. I was smitten, head over heels in love with her. I thought she was too. But one day she left. I can't blame her - well for a time I did. But I didn't want her to stay with me for me but because of me. She simply didn't feel that way. It was brutal. I felt like I'd had my heart ripped, still beating, from my chest."

"For a while I crawled into a hole and curled up in ball to lick my wounds. I got used to her not being in my life eventually but I was too burnt to try to start a new relationship. I guess..." He paused to calm the emotions this was awakening in him.

"... I guess I've always been very independent. It was important for me to be self-sufficient. You see, my parents died when I was young. I've been taking care of myself, by myself, for a long time. I'm good at it. Then I found Heidi. I thought she was the one to share my life with, but she left too."

"I'm not saying I've been a monk since, but I think I maneuvered any potential relationship into being brief and always kept an emotional distance."

He let his monologue lapse as they sat in silence. Sara did not offer any platitudes. She knew better. The banality of a 'There, there' didn't help. Greg felt her hand snake around him and pull him close, her head leaning on his chest.

"Well" Greg said. "I guess that's the story of me".

After a few moments Sara began to speak. Greg could feel the vibration of her voice through his chest as well as hearing her as she began her tale:

"I love my mother - I really do. I know she does what she thinks best, what she has to and a lot of it is for me..."

Sara paused, as if gaining strength to continue. "She dates men for money." Greg knew Sara wasn't naïve about what those words meant. She was just trying to phrase it delicately. Sara backed up a little in her narrative.

"She was originally from Romania. She came here in her teens. From the bits she told me and what I learned about such things, it sounded like it was some sort of white slavery smuggling. Once here she had no choice but to work to pay off what she owed. She eventually got herself away from them. I think my father might have been part of that. She told me only a little about him. He was a red headed Irishman. She says I get my color from him. She's not clear about what exactly happened to him but she was on her own with me to take care of. She's not a stupid person but has little education and I wonder if she can even work legally here. There was only one job that she knew how to do that didn't require a green card."

During her pause Greg asked; "You're not ashamed of her are you? It's not something to strive for but she is just trying to provide for the both of you."

"I know. One of the reasons money is tight is tuition. She insisted on the private Catholic school because she wants to be sure I get a good education. And she is saving for my college tuition already. I know what she does is mostly for me."

"The reason I was at the park in the morning is that she sometimes has 'clients' who are married and want to meet in the morning at our apartment and she wants to keep me away from that. I want to stay away from it too; and the library doesn't open until 10 am."

She paused again to collect herself. Greg felt her squeeze him a little harder as if to gain strength from him to continue. "I can handle all of that. But then - I don't know how - the kids at school found out about what she does. Maybe one of her clients has kids at that school."

Sara drew in a deep breath. Greg could feel the tremor in her chest as she did so. Looking down he could see those beautiful eyes brimming with tears.

"The other girls were vicious. They called her a dirty whore. They said I was a slut like my mother. The younger boys were just stupid. The older boys figured I was easy. They would try to corner me outside school. I showed them different." She raised her knee to show how she had discouraged them. "Then they said I was a tease. I didn't care as long as they stayed away from me." Sara's voice betrayed that inner resolve he knew she possessed.

"Some of the teachers were nice and tried to help; others... They didn't say it out loud but I could tell they were thinking the same things the kids were saying."

Greg held her close. He could feel tears on his chest. They sat together like that for some time. The only sound breaking the silence was Sara's soft snuffling sobs and ragged breathing as she tried to calm her emotions. She felt comforted from their touch. Greg was a source of strength to her. And Sara comforted him as well. The sensation of her slight form laying against him; her warm wet cheek on his chest, her small hand soft against his chest hair calmed him as much as he calmed her. His hands played absently with curls of her beautiful hair.

As Greg gazed down at her, Sara looked up. Neither seemed to initiate but rather they moved their heads towards each other in synch. Their lips touched. It was not a friendly kiss, but neither was it the lustful mashing of lips and tongue of two people in heat. It was soft, warm: reassuring to both. It lingered on, somehow more intimately emotional than purely sexual. They caressed each other with their eyes. Senses heightened, they each felt as if they were inhaling the essence of the other.

At some point they both drifted off to sleep, curled up on the couch. Sara's breath, warm on Greg's chest fell in synch with his breathing. She could feel the rumbling vibration of his soft snoring. At different times they each woke momentarily. Looking at the other they were both content to realize it was not a dream before drifting off to sleep again.

Hours later they did wake: Greg first. The candles had flickered out long ago and the power had come back on. He adjusted his position carefully so as not to wake Sara.

Greg contemplated the sleeping form resting on his chest. He could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing. Her face was hidden from his view by a mass of red curls that flowed all over her back and his chest. He had found his hand that had been resting on her back now cupped her buttock. It seemed to fit perfectly into his hand.

He found he was as conflicted as ever. He so very much wanted to succumb to his desires. But especially after all that Sara had confided in him, how could he and not hate himself if he did? He thought of few other matters that he was more certain of. He knew he would always care about and care for Sara.

Greg felt her breathing change as she began to wake up. She looked up at him, eyes half open, with that dreamy look of partial consciousness. A smile formed on her lips as she looked at him. Carefully he allowed his hand to slide off her butt as she squirmed and stretched to shake the sleep off.

"Mmmmm" she murmured, pleased to awaken to the sight of Greg. "That was a nice nap."

"Hey, sleepyhead", Greg said as he caressed her back.

Sara laid her head back on his chest. "Thank you for listening. For staying with me."

"Sara, I want to thank you. I've never told anyone what I've told you."

They stayed that way for some time.

Sara look at the clock and said, "I guess I should get going", reluctantly. "It's getting late and mom will be expecting me."

"Ok. Will you be back tomorrow?" It was a pro forma question, he knew.

"Of course, silly. Belzer needs me!" She had that sparkle back in her eyes.

"I was thinking about that. Sara, I have to go away on business again next week. I should be back by Thursday or Friday. Usually I take Belzer to the kennel when I go out of town. He's usually not thrilled about it. I was thinking you could look after him while I'm gone."

"Yes! I'd love to!" Upon hearing his name Belzer stuck his snout up onto the couch and Sara gave his head a hearty rub. "We'll have a great time together."

"Ok then. Can you be here by 6 am tomorrow? We can go over everything then."

"It's a date!"

Greg offered to drive Sara home but she demurred. She insisted the weather was clear enough to walk. "I don't jog or swim much so it's my exercise.

Once again Greg watched as she took her leave. What he had told her was true. He did have some business to take care but there was a personal matter he had decided to attend to.

June 18 - 21

Sara arrived at his house right at 6 am. Greg was dressed in a business suit and had his bags all packed as well he had a long list of things Sara needed to know. She was a little surprised at his appearance. He had always dressed casually. This was the first time she had seen him as 'business man'. He didn't look older so much as more mature. More serious.

Greg saw the look on her face. "I don't like it either, but this is the uniform of the business world."

He showed her how to deactivate the house alarm. He gave her the password for the security company in case she did trip it accidentally. They went through the kitchen so that she knew where Belzer's food was kept and how much to give him.

"Feel free to swim whenever you want. I think I can trust you enough to pay in advance." He gave her an appraising look as if he was trying to gauge her trustworthiness.

Sara laughed at his expression. "You never can tell. Maybe me and Belzer will hightail it for Vegas."

"Help yourself to any food in the fridge, especially anything perishable. Oh! There is one more thing." He gave her the number and address of Belzer's vet. "I'm sure nothing will happen but just in case, I called the vet and explained that you would be caring for the big mutt and that you were authorized by me to approve any emergency care on my account."

Sara swelled with pride at the responsibility he was entrusting her with. "Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to him. He's my buddy!" She gave the dog a hug and belly rub.

Outside, the airport car service honked its arrival. Impulsively Sara hugged Greg. "I'm going to miss you." she said sincerely.

"Me too."

In fact Greg realized he started missing her on the ride to the airport. The flight was uneventful - 'relatively crash free' - as he liked to joke. He was sure his clients noticed his distraction. Greg didn't care. He made them a lot of money. They could chalk it up to 'a beautiful mind' oddball genius. That was one of the perks of money: Without it you were batshit crazy, with it you were delightfully eccentric.

Back at his house Sara was diligent in her care of Belzer. She made sure to measure out the exact amount of food he was supposed to have, made sure his water dish was clean and fresh, and of course took him for his morning walk.

After school she went back to feed and check up on him. He was fine of course. She stayed for a while just enjoying the house as if it were her own. Sara imagined herself as the lady of the house, sharing it with her handsome man and their faithful pooch. It was a nice daydream. She also made use of his computer and ISP. His equipment outclassed what the library had to offer by a considerable degree. She also marveled at his bookcases. They held such a wide variety, from fiction, to histories, biographies, and old university texts: physics, economics, psychology, sociology, calculus, biology, chemistry... She knew he was an intelligent man but still this impressed her not so much as proof of that intelligence but indicative of his varied interests.

As well that he kept old textbooks showed he liked books as books, not just as text that could be viewed on a Kindle.

After meeting with clients Greg spent two days visiting companies that he covered as an analyst. Being someone who recommended stocks to buy or sell, they were eager to please as he sifted through their financial data. He did concentrate on the work at hand after a fashion, but his thoughts drifted back to Sara often. At times he felt like a besotted schoolboy. Greg was far from being a schoolboy but he would have to admit to being besotted.

After finishing up with his last business appointment he had one more with his lawyer for that bit of personal business he had wanted to take care of.

Sara enjoyed the free run of Greg's house. Each day she faithfully saw to Belzer's needs before school and then returned after her last class. Even if she hadn't adored Greg as much as she did, the mutt was such a sweetie. Sara enjoyed curling up with him. She would have preferred someone else but this was nice enough for now. One other thing she did do was a little shopping spree with her dog walking money. It was nothing expensive and she gave some to her mother to help out with her school expenses but Sara thought she deserved a little present.