My hand slammed down above the bedside table without any actual thought. My brain had been well trained to hate my alarm clock, and I really resented it waking me at all during the summer. However, a deal was a deal, so I hauled myself out of bed and dragged myself to the shower.

It wasn't until the water was pouring over my face that I really woke up, and thoughts of the day ahead turned to memories of yesterday, and CA's late night phone call.

***

I had been reading when she called, and half asleep. It took me a moment to realise who it was.

"Do you have that many girls phoning you this late, Paul?"

"No, no. It's not that. I was just reading a book, and I got lost. Lemme put this down. I'd much rather talk to you."

"Mmmm... listen, I'm in bed..."

"Oh yes?"

"Uh huh. Keep listening. You remember I told you this morning there were two surprises?"

"Ah... CA, today was just full of surprises."

"Yeah, wasn't it just? Dawn phoned me earlier, and wanted to know all about you."

"What did you tell her?"

"Not the stuff she wanted to know, that's for sure."

"I think I'm relieved."

"You should be. But there was... you don't think our mothers really listen to our phone calls, do you?"

"No. And if they do, serves them right, right?"

"Yeah. I guess. Okay. Listen, you were getting me a Coke in the kitchen. I kissed you, and told you I had a couple of surprises for you."

"Oh, yep."

"And then, at the pool, when you took my dress off..."

"Ah. The panties."

"Yeah. You naked?"

"Huh? Yeah. Aren't we talking about something else?"

"Sorta. You excited?"

"Well, now you ask..."

"Yeah. Reach under your pillow."

"What? Oh. Chris, how in hell did they get here?"

"I took them off and put them there, stupid."

"Pink?"

"Girl's gotta keep you guessing."

"You never cease to amaze me."

"Thanks. So... wrap them around your cock. I gotta go."

"Hold on. Then what?"

"Just do what you usually do. Or am I too late?"

"No, no."

"You don't want to, Paul?"

"Isn't it a little... kinky?"

"Probably. No good?"

"No, it's just... you really are a strange girl. And can't you stay?"

"Uh uh. Anyway, I just did that. You'll have to go it alone."

"Oh?"

"Had a late shower. And then got thinking about listening to Dawn and Garth. Stroke, boy. I gotta go. Really."

"I think I love you."

"Oh, hush. That's just your dick talking!"

"You said dick!"

"Yeah. Deal with it. See you in the morning. You guys are picking me up, right?"

"We'll bring the truck. Around eight thirty?"

"Deal. So... you stroking?"

"Uh huh."

I head the click of the phone, and shook my head in wonder, then rubbed CA's panties up and down the length of my cock, thinking about the feel of my tongue on her, and her reaction to the thumping and groaning in the changing room. It didn't take long at all.

***

My hand was stroking my cock again before I even realised, and I was just a little bit ashamed of myself when the recollection of listening to Chris' cousin Dawn fucking was what pushed me over the edge. I cleaned the mess off the glass as I did most mornings, and returned to my room to dress.

The deal had been this. Dad would let me get away with hanging around the house for the whole summer, and without contributing to the family funds, if I would agree to help him at the hardware store whenever he asked. He was pretty reasonable about the whole thing, so I made an effort to be accommodating about it.

Today was the start of the annual stocktaking. He'd dragged in anyone who could count to help tonight, but first we were going to set things up so everyone had the lists they needed. Then we would start on some of the slower moving stock while the store was still open. Tonight we would work as long as necessary to complete the survey of the whole store.

It was a lot of work, and had to be right, but it was fun too. Everyone was usually in a good mood, and did their fair share. Chris had offered to come and help, and that increased the fun factor considerably for me personally.

Dad was up and ready downstairs when I got there, and I hurriedly swallowed some cereal with fruit and followed him out the door. If past years were any indication, that would be the healthiest food I would eat for the day.

CA was sitting on the steps at her house when we got there, in jeans and an old blue t-shirt. She looked gorgeous, as always. She clambered in the truck beside me, ignored me completely, and spoke to my father.

"Mr Brown, thanks for inviting me along, and picking me up."

"Hi, Chris. I think you've been misled. You're most welcome, but I should be thanking you. It's work. And if you don't call me Tony, I'll drop you off at the corner."

"Sorry. Tony. It should still be fun though, right?"

"Well... I've done this far too many times to find any fun in it, but if you can manage it, good luck."

"I can keep Paul in line, if nothing else." She grinned at me.

Dad grinned back, still ignoring me in between them. "Another thing I've done far too many times."

"Hey!"

"Yeah, yeah. Seat-belts, you two."

I looked at Chris. "He's always bossing me around like this."

"I bet you deserve it. Mr Brown... Sorry, Tony, listen, perhaps I could take responsibility for him today? I've been babysitting him."

Dad coughed and then grinned at us both. "Save that crap for your mothers, would you? Not that they believe you either." He stopped and looked serious, staring out the windscreen as he took a corner. "Listen. I can just say this once, and then we can pretend it never happened. Deal?" he glanced at us both.

"Okay," Chris said quietly. I just nodded.

"Be careful out there. It's dangerous."

"But Dad..." I glanced at Chris, unsure if I should say this. "... we're not..."

He put his hand up to stop me. "I don't need to hear about it. In any case, it's not just that. Look, I know I'm just a tough old hardware guy, but be careful of your hearts as well. It's too easy to do something cruel. Think first."

Chris responded this time. I was too stunned. Dad never talked this way. "Thanks. We'll try to."

"Good. That's said then. Oh, and no goddam babies, right?"

"But..."

"I told you, I don't want to know. You'll find condoms on my side of the bed."

Chris put her hand on mine, and I looked at her. She answered again. "We appreciate the thought, and the help. Paul will be fine after I resuscitate him."

"I'm finished. Back in stocktake mode."

I looked at him and muttered. "Just as well."

"I heard that."

"Do you hear everything, Dad?"

He grinned at me again. "Part of the job. Now you listen. Can you guys take care of the paint area first?"

***

Most of the morning was taken up with setting up and printing check-sheets from the stock system - something that I did a whole lot better than Dad - and then sanity-checking them against random store items. Chris and I did that part together, scrambling up and down ladders to cross things off the lists. We were almost ready for lunch when Dad came back into the office. He was back to his normal self, thank goodness.

"Well, how did it go?"

"Looks good. A couple of discrepancies, but we should be good to go when we close down. I've noted some lists that we shouldn't print until closing time."

"Oh, good. Thanks for that. I can't stand that damn computer."

"I know. Relax. That stuff's all good."

"Where's Chris?"

"Bathroom."

"Got it. Listen, would you guys like to get lunch for us all?"

"Ah, yeah, sure. Over at the mall?"

"Uh uh. I arranged something. You need to go down to the bakery on Russell St."

"Oh, okay." That was when CA walked back in. "How do we get there?"

"You can drive." He hauled keys out of his pocket, and threw them to Chris. Lifting his finger to point at her, he raised his eyebrows. "License?"

"Uh uh. Mum says I should be kept off the street for the sake of the rest of humanity."

"Never met anyone I couldn't teach. Ask me next week."

"Really?"

"Really. Well, if the boyfriend can spare you."

"I'll cope."

"Good. Chris, you're in charge. Paul, you drive." He turned to the safe and unlocked it. He took some cash and slammed it shut again. "Fifty should do it." He handed the money to her. "Don't let him touch the money, Chris. He's got a gambling addiction."

"So do I, Mr... Tony."

"Well, too late now. Gotta go."

That was when I stood up. "Uh, Dad, which vehicle are we supposed to take?"

"Throw him the keys, Chris."

I snatched them out of the air. "No Dad, these are the truck keys."

"There you go then."

"Ah... This is a direct quote: 'If you ever touch my truck I will personally staple-gun you to the driveway and use said truck to back over you multiple times.'"

He grinned at me again. "Well, look at the logic of that. How can I just keep going backwards like that? Anyway, a real man needs to take his girlfriend to the bakery in a truck, right?"

"Uh... right."

"Good. Look after it. Don't hurry back. Take a break."

He turned and left, and I just stared at CA.

***

Chris didn't wait for my help this time. I knew where there was a small track leading down to the river, and as I was backing the truck out of sight she crossed her arms and hoisted her blue shirt over her head. She looked around to make sure we were alone as I turned off the ignition, and unclipped her bra.

With the windows open, there was a slight breeze, and she shivered just a little before smiling and looking at me with her hands ready to unbutton her jeans. "Can I confess something, Paul?"

"Something else?"

"I really don't like wearing clothes much."

"That's becoming apparent."

"Well?"

"Oh, please do."

I was pushing off my shoes ready to lose my own jeans, and it all became a tangle as Chris tried to help me with my shirt. Eventually we were both sitting in black briefs and worse, we both found that amusing.

"Take them off, Chris."

"You first. I'm in charge, remember?"

"I'm the driver."

"So you're off duty. Lose them, chauffeur."

I was beyond shyness now, and complied. My erection was readily apparent then, and Chris didn't say any more - instead hoisting her ass off the seat and sliding her briefs down to her feet, and then pushing them off.

We were both able to lie down across the bench seats in the truck, and we cuddled together, hands and lips wandering, feeling the heat of each other's bodies.

Eventually, we somehow ended up with Chris underneath, and I remembered how she had said she felt threatened sometimes, so I started to get up.

"Don't."

"I thought you might..."

"You don't make me nervous. "

"You sure?"

"Uh huh. But listen, could you sort of crouch up there? That way I can..." She took hold of my cock in both hands, and slowly slid her hands up and down a few times. "Umm... Paul, if I asked nicely, would you do something for me?"

"I'll do something no matter what, if you keep doing that."

"I was going to stop..."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Would you... I mean, I showed you, right?"

"Huh?"

"I showed you. You know. How I do it."

"Oh!"

"Well?"

"Yeah, sure. But listen, could we... at the same time?"

"Uh huh."

"You never were shy, were you? It was just an act?"

"No, I am. Really. It's just something about you..."

"How do you want to do this?"

"Can you just crouch there?"

"I'll fall over on top of you. How about I move back a bit? Then I can see you as well."

"Let's not talk."

And that was how it proceeded. I crouched with my knees either side of her hips, my cock in my hands, and Chris lay more or less flat beneath me, tweaking her nipples...

I loved the look of her any time, but like this she really was gorgeous. Relaxed and trusting, her eyes wide open as she watched, her tongue poking through her lips as she concentrated on what she was doing. Her freckles were even more obvious than usual, and I vowed to myself to kiss every one of them eventually.

I was stroking idly, watching her movements, knowing that I could come immediately, and willing myself not to. CA's right hand moved down over her flat stomach, down over her pale thatch of hair. Her forefinger sank between her legs, and she spread her knees as best she could. I wasn't sure if that was about access or making sure I could see.

Chris' body was starting to move in time with her finger strokes, and she looked up and me, and whispered. "Nearly there."

"Me too."

"Tell you something?"

"Uh huh."

"I didn't go anywhere after I hung up the phone last night."

"No?"

"No. Too horny. I lay there on the bed, like this, picturing you with my pink panties."

"Oh, God! And?"

"And? Oh! It was... Just... like... this."

She arched her back then, two fingers pulsing between her legs, and shuddered as she came. It was more than I could take, and as she stared intently at my cock, I came as well, spraying into the air, and down over her stomach and chest. One spurt reached the very tip of her chin. As the spurts died down and I slumped a little on my knees, she started giggling.

"What in hell is so funny?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing. Umm... got any tissues?"

We both started laughing then, and I managed to reach far enough to open the glovebox. There were always tissues in here. Dad was very particular about it. I hauled out the box and extracted a few to wipe the mess off Chris.

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be."

"No?"

"No. But listen, could you pass me a couple of those? I'm scared I might dribble onto the carseat, and how would we ever explain that?"

"Oh, you want me to..."

"Uh uh. Don't you touch me down there. Not now."

"How sensitive are you?"

"That a threat?"

We were both grinning.

***

When we returned to the store, Dad looked at his watch, and shook his head, but I could see he was amused. I threw him the keys, and went to unpack the lunch in the staff room.

We spent the afternoon clambering up and down ladders, checking items off the list, until the store closed. Then Dad asked us if we could keep watch out by the delivery entrance and let all the extras in. He would distribute the lists we had prepared.

"Oh," he said, "and you should expect a pizza guy. Or girl. Or whatever the hell those people send out now."

We grabbed a couple of Cokes and sat near the open door, near each other but not quite touching, and just talked. We didn't fondle each other, and we weren't being silly, for a change. Just talking, and finding out a little more about each other. It was wonderful, and I was a little disappointed when everyone showed up.

The pizza delivery was interesting. The girl was from Chris' school, and she was a little surprised to see Chris here with me. I was introduced as her boyfriend, and that felt really good. Then the pizza girl winked at me as she left. That had never happened before either. Feast or famine, right?

The next few hours were a blur. A stocktake like this is a little like an election. You start to get results in from various parts of the store, but you're not really sure how it's going until you get near the end.

Dad hadn't exactly asked me, but I knew his expectation was that I would manage the distribution and return of the lists, checking off various items as we completed them, ready to let him know later on if anything was missed. Most of the people helping had done this before, and that fact was that it didn't require any special ability, beyond counting. There was just a lot of it.

So, Chris and I managed the office, and managed to continue talking, and we were also within easy reach of the pizza and Coke, so we just never actually stopped. In the end, we were only missing a few quick items, so Dad sent someone to scramble around in the back of the storeroom while everyone else gathered to finish any cold pizza, and have a few beers. Dad came through into the office while everyone else was making a noise in the staff room, three beers in hand.

"Chris, Paul, just wanted to thank you guys. Great work. Wanted to ask you something, too. Paul, Molly's husband just phoned. Apparently their baby has no respect for stocktakes, and decided that tonight was the perfect time to join the world. She's not going to be able to input all this lot into the computers."

"Oh, oh."

"Yeah. So listen, I know it's not something we were planning on, Paul, but is there any chance you could come in for the next week or so and get them done? I'm not sure I can trust anybody else."

"Well, it's summer, Dad, and we had plans..."

"Oh."

"Yeah. But listen, I did agree to help if I was needed. If it has to happen, it has to, I guess."

"Good answer. Just what I was after."

Chris spoke up then. "I'll help. I'm pretty good. If Paul shows me what to do, I can do data input."

"You know, you kids are pretty good. Just what I wanted to hear. Chris, how strict is your mother?"

"About what?"

"Beer and taxes."

"Huh?"

"If I hand you this beer, and you take it, will I need to deny later that I did so?"

"Oh, no, that should be fine, so long as an adult she trusts is around."

"She trusts me?"

"Strangely enough."

"But I tried to set her up with that Irishman."

"Well, you didn't know he was... kinky."

"Hmmm... I have this other friend..."

"I think, Tony, that you should stay in the hardware business."

"Yeah, maybe that's best. Beer. You too, Paul."

Yet another departure from normality. What a weird summer. But he wasn't finished.

"And taxes?"

"Pretty relaxed, I would think."

"Good. I'll give you guys ten bucks an hour, cash, for the work. Should only take two or three days with you both here, right?"

"Oh, you don't need to do..."

That was when I stepped in. "Shut up, Chris."

"Huh?"

"Dad's taken complete leave of his senses. I'm going to have to check with Mum, but I don't think he has ever voluntarily paid for anything in his life. It might be dangerous to mess with him." Dad and I were grinning at each other.

"Well," Chris responded hesitantly, "I wouldn't want to... take risks."

"Good response," Dad replied. "Best to let me get what I want."

"Right."

"Okay, cool. We can sort the rest out later. I have to go socialise. I'll take you guys home soon, alright?"

***

It was late, and I woke up feeling a little strange. As though I was having a wet dream, but... then I realised what it was. My pants were undone, and a hand was sliding gently up and down the length of my cock. I opened my eyes, startled, to find CA grinning at me in the dim light.

I looked around, and realised I was lying on the sofa at home. It was obviously very late. Chris and I had come back here to watch some television, and we must have fallen asleep.

Chris spoke. "Relax."

"Yeah, but what if someone..."

"It's fine. There's a note."

"Huh?"

"A note. I'll stop, while you read it. Perhaps you can concentrate better."

She handed me a piece of paper. Mum's large handwriting, easily read in this low light:

Hi guys.

I didn't have the heart to wake you. Aside from anything else, you looked so cute. I phoned Beth and told her you were staying over, Chris. Officially I think you should be in the spare room, okay? But stay where you are if you want.

I turned off the TV and threw a blanket over you both. I hope you don't get too cold.

Don't ask - don't tell.

Mary/ Mum

I put the paper down and grinned back at Chris. "Do you think we have any control over our own lives?"

"Don't care just now. What I care about is getting you out of those jeans and shirt. There's no way we can sleep comfortably like this. Also, something there I need to finish..."

I hauled my jeans down faster than the speed of light. Chris' didn't take long to join mine on the floor. We both pulled shirts off, Chris lost her bra, and then we snuggled as best we could under the blanket, side by side. I had always known this sofa was awesome, but now I knew why.

Chris didn't seem to be at all sleepy. Her hand found its way back to my erection without any hesitation, but she stopped me as I tried to pull my briefs down to give her better access.

"Leave them there, sweetie. It's kind of innocent somehow. Just let me do this for you. After all, I was mean earlier, and made you do it all yourself."

"Kiss me."

"Gladly."

Her fingertips were lovely, slipping up and down, partly covered by my underwear, and partly skin on skin. There seemed to be no rush, and we got into a rhythm that seemed to last forever.

When I tried to caress CA, she stopped me. "This isn't about me. Later. Let me do this."

She continued to caress me, taking a lot more time and care than I ever would. The texture of her more delicate fingers over my skin was wonderful, and as she neared the head of my cock I would shiver with anticipation. Chris could tell this somehow, and deliberately prolonged the expectation, before sliding over the skin with just the right pressure.

I didn't interrupt again until it was nearly too late. "Ah, that's the most lovely thing... but I'm going to make a mess."

"Unlike you, I'm prepared. Tissues just... Goodness!"

Chris had folded a couple of tissues over the end of my cock, and that was the final straw. I grunted helplessly and pumped into the tissues, my whole body thrusting with an unusual urgency. It seemed as though I had produced an enormous amount of fluid, but she collected it all without too much issue. I had to stop her at one point though. The friction against the tip of my cock was more than I could take.

Once she had wiped me down thoroughly and my cock was beginning to droop a little, she gently tucked the top of my briefs over it, patting it like it was a pet.

I lifted myself then, and wedged myself against the back of the sofa. We faced one another, but Chris had at least a little room to move this way. My right hand snaked down the front of her body, stopping to feel her hard nipples, enjoying the shudder as I passed over her ticklish navel.

By the time my flat hand reached her panties, she was pressing herself against my fingers, willing me to hurry up. I didn't take a lot of notice.

The tips of my fingers slid down and over the outside of her panties, and down, around the curve of her pubic mound, sliding easily against the fabric until I encountered a damp patch, around the same time as she jumped just a little at my touch.

I pressed gently, and whispered to her to show me where and how to move. Chris didn't say a word, but her hand found mine, and she guided it until it was moving the way she wanted, and her body was bucking against the pressure. I kept this up for a while, moving harder and then more gently, slower and faster, not rushing.

Chris' sighs were a good indication of how things were going, so I was surprised when she suddenly reached down again, took my hand, and shoved it down the inside of her sopping wet panties. She pressed my hand down until the fingertips were below her clitoris, and then pressed on the tips of my fingers.

Her silent instructions were clear. She wanted my fingers inside her. I curled them, and as she spread her knees to give me access, I pressed a single finger-tip carefully between the slippery folds.

Chris's mouth was resting near my ear, and she resorted to speech. A hoarse whisper, desperate.

"Harder, Paul. I won't break."

"You're sure?"

"God, yes!"

"Like this?"

"Mmfmh!"

"What?"

"Try two fingers, Paul."

"Won't that... hurt?"

"Huh? Oh! Sorry sweetie. I should have said. Horse riding."

"Oh? So... nothing in the way?"

"Nope. Oh, and then... I'm sure I'm blushing again. Hairbrush handle."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Should have said. Paul?"

"Uh huh."

"Would you... would you fuck me with your fingers? Please?"

"Just... tell me if I'm doing it wrong."

"You won't. Just move down a bit and... Yeah. Oh, God, yeah, like that."

"Faster?"

"A little, lover."

"What did you say?"

"I... Oh, Christ! I said I love you. Faster now. Faster!"

"You do?"

"Yeah, now shut the fuck up!" She kissed me to take the sting out of it.

There wasn't any need for further talk anyway. A long shudder went through her body and then she tensed up around my fingers, the muscles contracting as she gasped for breath. I didn't dare move, and marvelled at the pulses I could feel through my hand as she orgasmed almost silently beside me. It wasn't until her body relaxed a little that she spoke again.

"Honey, could you - carefully - possibly remove your hand from there? I hope I haven't damaged it." Then she giggled, and continued. "Umm... and could you get some tissues from the table?"

After a quick wipe with the tissues she hopped up from the beside me on the sofa, grabbed a few more, turned away, and pulled her panties down to clean up properly. I felt as though I couldn't move a muscle, so I was amazed at her energy.

She grabbed all the used tissues and put them out in the kitchen, and then returned the box to its normal position across the room before returning and throwing her shirt on. She snuggled back down beside me, her back towards me this time, and placed my free hand over her breast.

For the first in what seemed forever, I didn't have an erection. I kissed CA gently just under her ear, and we fell asleep together.