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\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid14889971 Friends and Benefits}{\insrsid13918637
}{\insrsid14889971 Chapter 15
by be287m
\'93Get up!\'94
I groggily became conscious. }{\insrsid10439413 S}{\insrsid14889971 omeone was shaking me.
\'93Get up, Joe! Tina!\'94 Sharon\rquote s voice.
I open my eyes. Sharon stood next to the bed in boxers and a t-shirt, looking alarmed. Tina stirred next to me, }{\insrsid10439413 shifting so she could see Sharon.}{\insrsid14889971
}{\insrsid10439413
\'93}{\insrsid12281597 My mom\rquote s}{\insrsid10439413 coming back in a couple of minutes. You need to get in the shower, Tina!\'94
}{\insrsid6846795
\'93Huh? Oh!\'94 Tina bounded out of bed, looking }{\insrsid676223 around wildly}{\insrsid6846795 .
\'93I told my mom you were already in the bathroom getting ready for y}{\insrsid12281597 our shower\emdash so you need to go!\'94}{\insrsid6846795
Tina nodded and then turned and looked at me. I nodded. Sharon had already cracked the door to the hallway and was peering out. She motioned with her hand.
\'93Coast is clear!\'94
The two women disappeared through the door. I slowly sat up. A few minutes later, sounds of }{\insrsid2582576 a running shower }{\insrsid6846795 filtered into the room.}{\insrsid2582576 I figured I\rquote d better get up as well.}{\insrsid6846795
}{\insrsid2582576
While Tina had gotten at least partially dressed the night before, I was still naked. That meant my first order of business w
as finding clothes. I got out of bed and crouched over my suitcase, deciding what I wanted to wear. The door suddenly opened behind me. Startled, I turned. It was Sharon.
\'93Don\rquote t you knock?\'94 I asked, grabbing the nearest fabric, which was a shirt, and whipping it in front of my crotch.
\'93Sorry!\'94 Sharon said. \'93I didn\rquote t want Mom to see me standing in the hall.\'94
}{\insrsid139180
\'93Um, okay,\'94 I said, glancing around for my other clothes.
\'93Oh, I\rquote m sorry.\'94 Sharon turned around. \'93I won\rquote t look.\'94
I snagged some underwear out of my suitcase and grabbed my jeans.
\'93After last night, I don\rquote t think it matters if you look or not,\'94 I said as I pulled on my pants.
\'93I\rquote m sorry about that too,\'94 Sharon said.
\'93Don\rquote t worry about it,\'94 I said}{\insrsid8933137 , more annoyed at the current intrusion than anything}{\insrsid139180 . \'93Tina got }{\insrsid8933137 to see you, so it\rquote s all even.\'94
}{\insrsid139180 Sharon groaned.
\'93So that\rquote s why she didn\rquote t come back,\'94 she said.
\'93Yep,\'94 I answered. I\rquote d gotten my pants on and decided }{\insrsid8933137 the shirt I was holding was good enough to wear, at least until I got my own shower. }{\insrsid139180 \'93Mind you, I would have pulled up a chair and watched, but Tina
\rquote s got more decency than me. Okay, you can turn around.\'94
\'93I know she\rquote s got more decency than you,\'94 Sharon said as she turned, \'93but that doesn\rquote t mean}{\insrsid10232320 much. How would you like it if a woman walked in while you were . . . busy?\'94}{\insrsid139180
}{\insrsid10232320
}{\insrsid12480300 \'93}{\insrsid8933137 I\rquote d probably like it,\'94 I said, frankly}{\insrsid10232320 . Sharon rolled her eyes.
}{\insrsid12480300 \'93You probably would,}{\insrsid10232320 \'94}{\insrsid12480300 she muttered.}{\insrsid10232320
}{\insrsid12480300
\'93So what exactly is going on?\'94 I asked.
\'93My mom knocked on my door this morning to let us know that breakfast was going to be ready soon,\'94 Sharon explained. \'93When I didn\rquote
t immediately answer, she opened the door, saw me by myself, and asked where Tina was. Fortunately, I was awake enough to say that Tina must be in the bathroom. Mom made a comment about there be
ing enough time for one of us to shower and I told her that Tina would probably take hers and I\rquote d discuss it with her when she got back. Then she asked me to wake you up.\'94
\'93Which you did.\'94
\'93Yeah. And since Tina\rquote s in the shower and you\rquote re awake, we may have gotten away with it.\'94
\'93Hmmm,\'94 I replied. Could Sharon have successfully lied to her mother, or was Mrs. Meyers just not calling her on it?
\'93I\rquote m going to go get dressed,\'94 Sharon said, before heading toward the door. I waved as she slipped out and then grabbed }{\insrsid8933137 my}{\insrsid12480300 shoes before heading out for breakfast.
}{\insrsid883726
\'93Good morning, Joe!\'94 Mrs. Meyers called when I entered the kitchen. \'93Sleep well?\'94
\'93I sure did,\'94 I answered, sinking into a chair at the table.
\'93I believe that,\'94 she said. I looked over, but her back was turned so I couldn\rquote t read her facial expression. When she turned back around, she was smiling, holding a plate heaped with French toast, scrambled eggs, and sausage.
\'93I hope you\rquote re hungry,\'94 she said, setting the food down with a flourish.
\'93Oh, Mom, you really didn\rquote t have to,\'94 Sharon said as she walked in.
\'93You young people need to keep your strength up,\'94 Mrs. Meyers protested}{\insrsid12281597 .}{\insrsid883726 \'93Besides, I like doing things for you and your friends.\'94
\'93You still don\rquote t have to,\'94 Sharon muttered as she settled into
her own chair. Mrs. Meyers immediately put a huge stack of French toast in front of her daughter. Sharon dutifully dug in. A few minutes later, Tina walked in, smiling, her hair still damp.
\'93My, you look radiant this morning!\'94 Mrs. Meyers declared upon seeing Tina, who blushed.
\'93Thanks,\'94 she said, \'93I slept well.\'94
\'93Good!\'94 Mrs. Meyers replied. She quickly inundated Tina with food too.
\'93So, what are you kids planning today?\'94 Mrs. Meyers asked where there was no more food to shovel in fro}{\insrsid8933137 nt of us. I bristled a little. I didn\rquote t like being}{\insrsid2366623 called a kid at twenty-three}{\insrsid883726 .
\'93Well, we both have to get on the road after lunch}{\insrsid2366623 ,\'94 Sharon answered, \'93so I thought I\rquote d take them up the tramway this morning.\'94}{\insrsid883726
}{\insrsid2366623
\'93Oh, that\rquote s a great idea!\'94 Mrs. Meyers gushed. \'93It\rquote s a really nice view. A nice ride.\'94 Tina and I looked at each other and then turned and nodded. Why not? }{\insrsid676223 It was one of the nicer sights around.}{
\insrsid2366623
We managed to get Sharon and me rolled through the shower fairly}{\insrsid2820528 quickly and on the tram by ten.}{\insrsid676223\charrsid676223 }{\insrsid676223 Then we found out Mrs. Meyers was right. The vi}{\insrsid12992617
ew ended up being spectacular.}{\insrsid2366623
}{\insrsid2820528
\'93So, do you think your mom figured things out?\'94 Tina asked as we glided up the mountain.
\'93Mmmm, I don\rquote t think so,\'94 Sharon mused. \'93She would have said something if she had.\'94
}{\insrsid878957
\'93Well, at least she didn\rquote t try to wake Joe up first,\'94 Tina said.
\'93She wouldn\rquote t have done that,\'94 Sharon stated. \'93She would have been worried about catching Joe naked.\'94
\'93Something that obviously her daughter doesn\rquote t worry about,\'94 I said, looking pointedly at Sharon.
\'93I said I was sorry,\'94 she replied with a shrug.
\'93Well, I saw you,\'94 Tina said to Sharon, \'93so we\rquote re all even.\'94 Well, not quite, since I hadn\rquote t seen Sharon naked, but now was not the time to point that out.
}{\insrsid8933137 \'93Joe said you had. So }{\insrsid878957 I guess that does make us even.\'94
\'93Unless you count walking in on me this morning,\'94 I interjected. Tina\rquote s gaze bounced from Sharon to me. \'93I was getting dressed and hadn\rquote t quite gotten my clothes on.\'94
\'93Ah,\'94 Tina replied.
\'93It\rquote s not a problem with me,\'94 I said, \'93other than the surprise.\'94
\'93Nor me,\'94 Sharon said. \'93Though I will remember to knock next time. Sorry.\'94
\'93Well,\'94 Tina }{\insrsid676223 rationalized}{\insrsid878957 , \'93so we\rquote ve all seen each other. It is just skin, after all. It\rquote s not like there was any touching.\'94
\'93There was touching,\'94 I said to Tina, smirking. \'93You and I touched quite a bit.\'94 She }{\insrsid14155778 gave a mock scowl.}{\insrsid878957
}{\insrsid14155778
\'93No inappropriate touching,\'94 she said. I nodded in agreement to that.
}{\insrsid6031626 \'93Well,\'94 Sharon said, \'93I just didn\rquote t want any of us to get in trouble.\'94 Tina and I both nodded in agreement before we all fell silent.}{\insrsid14155778
}{\insrsid6031626
\'93That actually reminds me of one time I did get in trouble,\'94 Sharon said, \'93not over sex or boys, but over borrowing the car.\'94 Sharon proceeded to spin a story about borrowing the car when she was fifteen and not legal to drive and }{
\insrsid8933137 then }{\insrsid6031626 heading up to Los Alamos to visit a friend. That led to Tina and }{\insrsid12281597 me}{\insrsid6031626 telling our own \'93naughty teenager\'94 stories, though Tina\rquote s were mild in comparison.
After a while the conversation drifted to the tramway and other sights we\rquote d seen. We spent the remainder of the morning joking and laughing and gently teasing each other. When we returned to the Meyers\rquote
house, Mrs. Meyers had lunch waiting, which was again more food than any of us could handle.
}{\insrsid2389057
\'93This is too much,\'94 I said, seeing the }{\insrsid12544072 table laden with sandwiches, soup, fruit, cheeses, and a few pastry things I couldn\rquote t immediately identify}{\insrsid2389057 . \'93I\rquote m not sure I\rquote
ll be able to eat again for a week!\'94 Mrs. Meyers glowed at the compliment.
\'93I thought you might need your energy for the road,\'94 she said. \'93Besides, I\rquote ll wrap up the leftovers and send them with you.
\'93Will they keep?\'94 Tina asked. \'93It\rquote s going to be almost midnight be the time we\rquote re home.\'94
\'93Midnight?\'94 Sharon asked. \'93I thought Tucson was only seven hours.\'94
\'93We\rquote re going to stop in Las Cruces and see Allen,\'94 I explained. \'93That tacks on a couple of hours of driving plus the stop.\'94
\'93Oh.\'94
\'93I can send you with a small cooler,\'94 Mrs. Meyers said. \'93You can return it to Sharon later. I\rquote ll go get it.\'94 I started to protest, but it was too late\emdash she was alread
y down the hall. Instead, with a sigh, I settled into a chair at the table for lunch.
}{\insrsid11019215 After the meal, we began packing our suitcases. Mr. Meyers materialized from wherever he\rquote d been hiding to help load both my and Sharon\rquote s cars. We exchanged a round of hugs in the driveway.}{\insrsid2389057
}{\insrsid11019215
\'93Call me when you get in,\'94 Sharon said into my ear during our farewell hug.
\'93It\rquote s going to be late,\'94 I said. \'93I\rquote ll call you tomorrow.\'94}{\insrsid5517626 Sharon nodded as she pulled away.}{\insrsid11019215
}{\insrsid5517626
}{\insrsid4813882 \'93It was really good to meet you!\'94 Tina said as she and Sharon hugged goodbye.}{\insrsid5517626
}{\insrsid4813882
\'93I agree!\'94 Sharon replied. \'93We\rquote re going to }{\insrsid12544072 have to }{\insrsid4813882 get together again.\'94
\'93I\rquote d like that!\'94 Tina said. They smiled at each other for a moment before Tina pulled away and joined me at the car. With a final round of goodbyes, we were all on the road, Sharon north and Tina and I south.
}{\insrsid5592770
\'93So what do you think?\'94 I asked, once we\rquote d cleared the Albuquerque city limits and the traffic had died down.
\'93Of Sharon? I like her.\'94
\'93Good! I hoped you would.\'94
}{\insrsid9776354 \'93She\rquote s fun! She\rquote s also easy to talk to. I was a little worried about that before we came.\'94}{\insrsid5592770
}{\insrsid9776354
\'93Well, you guys certainly found plenty to talk about,\'94 I said. \'93Even if it was mostly at my expense.\'94
\'93}{\insrsid10881678 Oh, you loved it!}{\insrsid9776354 \'94
\'93True,\'94 I admitted.}{\insrsid10881678 \'93Though I must admit, I was nervous about what the two of you might come up with. To torture me, that is.\'94}{\insrsid9776354
}{\insrsid10881678
Tina chuckled.
\'93Somehow I think you would like that too,\'94 she said. \'93While Sharon may tease you, she really does care for you. She\rquote s rather fierce in your defense.\'94
\'93Really?\'94 I asked. \'93I don\rquote t see that very often.\'94
\'93Huh. I don\rquote t think she tries to hide it from you.\'94
I thought about that for a while. Tina was right\emdash Sharon had expressed outrage at the wrongs done to me. Even when she thought I was the one doing them to myself.
We talked a little more about the visit with Sharon. Despite repeated hints from me, Tina refused to tell me what they\rquote d discussed the first night. }{\insrsid16346426 Eventually we just settled back, listening to the radio}{\insrsid8933137 ,}{
\insrsid16346426 until we arrived in Las Cruces in}{\insrsid4289609 the}{\insrsid16346426 late afternoon.}{\insrsid10881678
}{\insrsid2845082
Allen and Jenna lived in a small}{\insrsid11405875 adobe and brick}{\insrsid2845082 house north of the University.}{\insrsid9784749
Flowers filled a small garden near the door. I noticed a fair number of cacti in and among them while we waited for Allen to answer the door.}{\insrsid2845082
}{\insrsid9784749
\'93Hey}{\insrsid2427434 , bud}{\insrsid9784749 ! C\rquote mon in!\'94 Allen said, opening the door. Tina and I entered to find a striking blonde standing in the living room.
\'93Hi,\'94 she said. \'93I\rquote m Jenna.\'94
\'93I\rquote m Joe,\'94 I said, \'93and this is Tina.\'94
\'93Good to meet you again,\'94 Allen said to Tina. }{\insrsid13172804 She looked confused. \'93I was }{\insrsid2427434 there, }{\insrsid13172804 at the poster shop}{\insrsid2427434 ,}{\insrsid13172804 when you met Joe.\'94}{\insrsid9784749
}{\insrsid13172804
\'93Oh, that\rquote s right,\'94 Tina said, nodding. \'93}{\insrsid12281597 You}{\insrsid13172804 came in with him.\'94
\'93}{\insrsid2427434 Yeah}{\insrsid13172804 ,\'94 Allen said. \'93Anyway, welcome to Las Cruces.\'94
}{\insrsid16676782
\'93Nice house,\'94 I commented. Jenna grinned and nodded her head.
\'93Thanks,\'94 she said. \'93Do you want the nickel tour?\'94 I looked at Tina, who shrugged.
\'93This is the living room,\'94 she said, gesturing to where we were. It was furnished in a southwest style, but felt comfortable rather that artsy. The kiva fireplace in the corner helped. Jenna led us through the room to the other side.
\'93The kitchen, where Allen does the cooking,\'94 Jenna said.
\'93Cooking?\'94 I asked. \'93When did you start cooking?\'94
}{\insrsid2427434 \'93Hey!}{\insrsid16676782 \'94 Allen said}{\insrsid9964639 , \'93just because there was no chance to show off my skills in the dorm doesn\rquote t mean I don\rquote t know how to cook.\'94}{\insrsid16676782
}{\insrsid9964639
\'93He\rquote s very good,\'94 Jenna gushed.
\'93I may not be able to do }{\insrsid2427434 much,\'94 Allen said}{\insrsid9964639 , }{\insrsid2427434 \'93}{\insrsid9964639 but there are three things I\rquote m very good at. Cooking is one of them.\'94
\'93Joe\rquote s just learning,\'94 Tina announced. \'93It\rquote s one of the things we do together.\'94
\'93Oh, we don\rquote t cook together,\'94 Jenna said. \'93Allen insists on having complete control. Not that I mind! It\rquote s really nice to come home to dinner already prepared.\'94
\'93I can see that,\'94}{\insrsid6440659 Tina replied, nodding. I paused. }{\insrsid6047450 I\rquote d always waited for Tina to show up before I got beyond the initial cooking prep.}{\insrsid9964639
}{\insrsid6047450
\'93Allen takes good care of me,\'94 Jenna said.
\'93Have to earn my keep,\'94 Allen joked.
\'93You\rquote re not working?\'94 I asked.
\'93Oh, I\rquote ve got a few shifts tending bar. I can\rquote }{\insrsid7556275 t start school until the fall,\'94 Allen answered. }{\insrsid1257793
}{\insrsid7556275 We fell to talking about his academic plans, which mostly consisted of getting some biology classes under his belt so he could apply to a program in criminal forensics.}{\insrsid16665954
Tina asked Jenna about her classes and Jenna proceeded to tell us about sports medicine.}{\insrsid1257793 I didn\rquote t follow half of it, but it didn\rquote
t seem to matter. Tina caught enough of it for the two women to get deep into the conversation while Allen and I stood and watched.}{\insrsid6047450
}{\insrsid1257793
\'93So how\rquote s life otherwise?\'94 I asked him, as an aside.
\'93}{\insrsid2427434 Great}{\insrsid1257793 ,\'94 he said. \'93I\rquote m very happy.\'94
\'93So am I,\'94 Jenna chimed in. \'93Much to my surprise.\'94
Tina looked quizzically at her.
\'93Given the distance, Allen and I had originally planned to just be \lquote friends with }{\insrsid12281597 benefits,}{\insrsid5249180 \rquote \'94 Jenna said with a sly smile.}{\insrsid1257793 }{\insrsid5249180 \'93}{\insrsid1257793 So I was }{
\insrsid5249180 surprised when it turned into more.\'94 She looked at Allen, who just shrugged.}{\insrsid1257793
}{\insrsid5249180
\'93What can I say?\'94 he said. \'93When you actually gave me a massage, I was putty in your hands.\'94 Jenna laughed.
\'93}{\insrsid7020929 Just like I only want you for your cooking,\'94 she joked back.}{\insrsid5249180
}{\insrsid7020929
\'93Well, speaking of which,\'94 Allen said, \'93I should get started. How about if you show them your studio?\'94
Jenna let out a happy sigh and turned to us.
\'93Allen\rquote s been encouraging me to paint, so we converted the second bedroom into an art studio. It\rquote s not much.\'94
\'93It is,\'94 Allen said. \'93Besides, }{\insrsid2310387 if you show it to them, }{\insrsid7020929 it will get you out of my kitchen!\'94
We laughed and let him shoo us out of the }{\insrsid16398101 room}{\insrsid7020929 . I rolled my eyes. I wasn\rquote t used to seeing Allen so loose and playful. Not with Sharon. Not }{\insrsid10576065 on his own.
Jenna led us down a short hall to a room with an easel and a makeshift stand holding }{\insrsid16398101 oil }{\insrsid676223 paints. Multiple partially-}{\insrsid10576065 finished canvases sat along the foot of one wall, crowned by two }{\insrsid2310387
hanging above them}{\insrsid10576065 . Both were landscapes of desert s}{\insrsid2310387 cenes, one with the sun setting}{\insrsid10576065 }{\insrsid12281597 and one}{\insrsid10576065 in a brighter but bleaker daylight.}{\insrsid16386590
They reminded me a little of Georgia O\rquote Keefe\rquote s work, but not quite}{\insrsid6161009 . While the colors were equally vibrant, the lines were more fuzzed and soft.}{\insrsid10576065
}{\insrsid6161009
\'93I used to dabble in high school,\'94 Jenna said as Tina and I inspected her work more closely. \'93Allen persuaded me to get them back out.\'94
\'93These are pretty good,\'94 Tina said.
}{\insrsid11936031 \'93I agree,\'94 I added.}{\insrsid6161009
}{\insrsid11936031
\'93Thanks,\'94 Jenna said. \'93I wasn\rquote t so sure, but Allen found a gallery owner who wants to hang some of them.\'94
\'93These?\'94 I asked, pointing to the landscapes.
\'93Like those,\'94 Jenna said. \'93We\rquote ve already delivered }{\insrsid11097152 them}{\insrsid11936031 to the gallery.\'94
\'93What\rquote s this?\'94 Tina asked. She had been thumbing through the canvases on the floor against the wall and pulled }{\insrsid16398101 out one of the ones in back}{\insrsid11936031 .
\'93Oh, ahem,\'94 Jenna said. \'93Allen also suggested I try some subjects besides landscapes.\'94
Tina turned the picture so I could see. It was a male nude, turned away. The pose emphasized the muscles in his back.
\'93Allen?\'94 I asked. Jenna nodded.
}{\insrsid4005005 \'93I told him that if I was going to paint, he was going to have to pose. He agreed.\'94}{\insrsid11936031
}{\insrsid10231391
\'93That\rquote s not a bad trade,\'94 Tina mused, still looking over the painting.
\'93Allen is }{\i\insrsid10231391\charrsid10231391 so}{\insrsid10231391 supportive of me,\'94 Jenna said. \'93I really lucked out.\'94
\'93Maybe you both got lucky,\'94 I said. Jenna smiled in response but didn\rquote t say anything.
We looked around a little more and then headed back to the kitchen. I brought up the rear and stole a few peeks at Jenna. Her body was toned and sleek. I had no trouble imagining her keeping up with Allen on mountain bikes. In the living room,
Jenna asked Tina about what we\rquote d done in Albuquerque. Allen poked his head out of the kitchen and gestured to me.
\'93You\rquote re the wine snob,\'94 he said. \'93You open this.\'94 He handed me the bottle.
\'93Chianti Classico,\'94 I said. \'93Not bad. What are we having?\'94
\'93Italian,\'94 he said. \'93Pasta in a salmon and dill sauce, grilled asparagus, and a salad. With bruschetta as an appetizer.\'94
\'93Wow,\'94 I said. \'93I\rquote m impressed.\'94
\'93Good.\'94 Allen disappeared back into the kitchen. I followed him}{\insrsid12415003 in.}{\insrsid10231391
}{\insrsid12415003
\'93So where\rquote s the corkscrew?\'94 I asked. Allen gestured toward a drawer and then turned back to the stove.
\'93I\rquote m also impressed with Jenna,\'94 I said. \'93Massage, painting. She seems athletic.\'94
}{\insrsid676223 \'93She\rquote }{\insrsid12415003 s pretty incredible,\'94 Allen acknowledged.
\'93So what\rquote s she doing with you?\'94 I teased. Allen turned to face me and raised an eyebrow.
\'93I\rquote m one of the few guys she\rquote s dated that isn\rquote t intimidated by her,\'94 he said.
\'93What?\'94
\'93Most guys she\rquote s known get nervous around her or keep deferring to her. Unfortunately, that\rquote s exactly the wrong thing to do. Despite the fact that she\rquote s really independent, she likes it when a guy takes charge.\'94
\'93She\rquote s submissive?\'94 I asked, surprised.
\'93No,\'94 he said. \'93It\rquote s more like dancing. She doesn\rquote t want to be the one that has to lead all the time.\'94
\'93Ah,\'94 I said, not quite getting it.}{\insrsid2427434
\'93It\rquote s like the painting,\'94 Allen explained. \'93She wants to be encouraged and su}{\insrsid15556322 pported when she takes risks.\'94}{\insrsid2427434
\'93That doesn\rquote t sound tough,\'94 I said.
\'93You\rquote d be surprised,\'94 Allen said. }{\insrsid676223 \'93}{\insrsid2427434 Anyway, we\rquote re about ready. }{\insrsid1385804 Help me carry food to the table?\'94
\'93Sure.\'94
The women stopped their conversation as we brought the food out. We all moved to the table, set off to one side in what would have been a dining room if it had been a big enough nook. It was homey nonetheless.
Allen\rquote s cooking was ind
eed superb. Jenna complimented the choice of wine and Tina just smiled as she sipped from her glass. Jenna asked me to tell stories about living with Allen and I was happy to oblige. Of course, he had to retaliate and told Tina some of my moderately em
barrassing moments. After dinner, we moved to the living room where we sipped coffee and continued to talk and laugh.}{\insrsid8088329 We almost lost track of time, but not quite.
\'93We really should be going,\'94 I said, checking my watch.
\'93You\rquote re welcome to spend the night,\'94 Allen offered. \'93The couch is a sleeper sofa.\'94 I looked at Tina, who frowned back.
\'93As much as I like that idea, I think we better not,\'94 I said. Allen nodded and we stood to say our goodbyes. Soon Tina and I were on the road.}{\insrsid6440659
}{\insrsid12480300
}{\insrsid8088329 \'93I }{\insrsid15286302 like Allen and Jenna}{\insrsid8088329 ,\'94 Tina said as we pulled out of town. \'93You\rquote ve got good friends.\'94}{\insrsid12480300
}{\insrsid8088329
\'93Thanks,\'94 I said. \'93It was a little strange to see Allen in a new relationship, though.\'94
}{\insrsid5068475
\'93Why is that?\'94
\'93I\rquote m just used to seeing him with Sharon,\'94 I said. \'93Or him out on the prowl, if you know what I mean.\'94
\'93So is he any different with Jenna than he was with Sharon?\'94
\'93Well, he\rquote s more relaxed,\'94 I answered. \'93Past that, I\rquote ll have to think about it.\'94
}{\insrsid6909655
\'93Okay.\'94
We didn\rquote t talk much after that. Tina turned on the radio and we listened}{\insrsid12281597 to}{\insrsid6909655 it until we were too far between towns to get more than a couple of stations. Eventually we turned it off and just drove in silence.
}{\insrsid8088329
}{\insrsid6909655 There\rquote s something beautiful about the desert at night, I mused. There was enough light to see, with the sky lit up more than I would expected, but the distant mountains were pure black. }{\insrsid7673905
We got gas just before we crossed into Arizona and then continued down I-10 as it wound north.
While there were other cars on the highway, traffic was light. It only got annoying when a gu
y came up behind me with his high beams on. I managed to avoid my mirrors until he figured out that switching lanes was really in his best interest. I muttered some obscenities under my breath as he pulled away after passing me.}{\insrsid6909655
}{\insrsid7673905
}{\insrsid6909655 Then }{\insrsid7940847 I yawned.
\'93I\rquote m getting tired,\'94 I said}{\insrsid7673905 to Tina}{\insrsid7940847 . \'93Maybe we should have taken Allen and Jenna up on their offer to spend the night.\'94
}{\insrsid676223 \'93No}{\insrsid7940847 ,\'94 Tina replied. \'93My father knows we\rquote re due back tonight. I wouldn\rquote t be surprised if he calls in the morning to see how the trip went. I need to back at the dorm in case he does.\'94
I nodded in agreement. I did not want her father mad at me.
\'93Maybe I should have gotten some coffee at the last gas stop,\'94 I said.
\'93You could pull over at the next exit,\'94 Tina suggested. }{\insrsid676223 \'93}{\insrsid7940847 We passed a sign indicating that we only had a couple of miles until the exit to Tombstone.\'94
\'93Sure,\'94 I said.
Unfortunately, the exit was just a highway exit. No services. Tombstone was several miles south of I-10. More than I expected.
\'93I think we should just push on,\'94 I said. \'93It\rquote s not worth a big detour.\'94
\'93Okay,\'94 Tina said. \'93So then what?\'94
\'93You could talk to me?\'94 I said. \'93That might keep me alert.\'94
\'93Talk about what?\'94
\'93Whatever.\'94
\'93Okay . . .\'94 Tina paused, staring out the window for a moment. Then she turned back. \'93We just passed Tombstone. What do you want on your tombstone?\'94
}{\insrsid7347244
I laughed.
\'93}{\insrsid15286302 Something like \lquote }{\insrsid14569297 Here lies a modern day Casanova.}{\insrsid15286302 \rquote }{\insrsid14569297 }{\insrsid13441661 I always liked the idea of dying of a heart attack}{\insrsid16081382
in my nineties after an orgy of incredible sex.\'94}{\insrsid7347244
}{\insrsid16081382
Tina laughed. \'93That probably wouldn\rquote t be very enjoyable for the woman,\'94 she said.
\'93Well, I figured it was better than the way Allen tells it. He says he wants to die in his nineties because a jealous husband shoots him as he\rquote s escaping out the bedroom window.\'94
Tina laughed again and rolled her eyes.
}{\insrsid14569297 \'93Yeah, I\rquote m not sure that\rquote s much better,\'94 she said. \'93Instead of }{\insrsid15286302 just }{\insrsid14569297 a dead guy, she\rquote s got to deal with a dead guy }{\i\insrsid14569297\charrsid14569297 and}{
\insrsid14569297 an angry husband.\'94}{\insrsid16081382
}{\insrsid14569297
\'93Well, what do you want on your tombstone?\'94 I asked.
}{\insrsid676223 \'93\lquote }{\insrsid14569297 She was well loved and will be missed.}{\insrsid676223 \rquote }{\insrsid14569297 \'94
\'93Hmmm,\'94 I said. \'93Somehow I suspect that\rquote s more likely than mine.\'94 Tina laughed.
\'93Do you really want to die during sex?\'94 she asked.
\'93No,\'94 I admitted. \'93But it is the \lquote little death\rquote after all.\'94
\'93That\rquote s an orgasm,\'94 Tina shot back.
\'93True,\'94 I admitted. \'93But they do have a way of tiring one out.\'94
\'93Maybe for you guys,\'94 she said. \'93They energize me!\'94 This time it was my turn to laugh. Orgasms certainly did seem to energize Tina.
\'93Well, watching you have an orgasm energizes me too,\'94 I teased. \'93I definitely }{\i\insrsid14569297\charrsid14569297 rise}{\insrsid14569297 to the occasion.\'94
\'93I\rquote ll bet.\'94
The conversation trailed off. A few cars passed us, but after their }{\insrsid12281597 taillights}{\insrsid14569297 faded, we once again had the highway to ourselves.
\'93So . . .\'94 Tina began, her voice laden with innuendo, \'93would watching me help keep you awake?\'94
\'93Uh . . .\'94 I glanced over at Tina, who grinned back.
\'93I\rquote m not sure I could do all that much watching,\'94 I said. \'93I have to keep my eyes on the road.\'94
}{\insrsid14815244 \'93Well, then you\rquote ll just have to imagine what I\rquote m doing,\'94 Tina answered. \'93I\rquote m sure that will keep you awake as much as watching.\'94}{\insrsid14569297
}{\insrsid14815244
I swallowed hard. Before I could think of a reply, Tina began shifting around in her seat. After a moment, she undid her seatbelt, raised her hips, and slid her jeans off. After re-hooking her seatbelt,
she leaned the seat back and kicked her feet up on the dashboard. I started to swerve onto the shoulder while trying to look over.
\'93Keep your eyes on the road, Joe,\'94 Tina said}{\insrsid15286302 , teasing}{\insrsid14815244 .
In the darkened car, I couldn\rquote t see exactly what she was doing. One hand trailed up her inner thigh and back down into the shadows around her waist.
\'93So what were we talking about?\'94 Tina asked, her voice playful. I gulped.
\'93I believe we were talking about tombstones,\'94 I said.
\'93Ah, yes,\'94 she replied. \'93And your desire to die in your nineties during an orgy.\'94
\'93I believe so.\'94
}{\insrsid11953457
\'93So why an orgy, Joe?\'94
\'93Mmm, I think it\rquote s tied to my threesome fantasies.\'94
\'93Oh, so you\rquote re going to have two women there, to give you the heart attack.\'94
\'93Or more,\'94 I replied.
\'93Any men?\'94
\'93Well, not in my fantasies,\'94 I said. }{\insrsid10381517 \'93Not that I think I\rquote d care, mind you. As long as they were only having sex with the women.\'94}{\insrsid11953457
}{\insrsid10381517
\'93No bisexual fantasies?\'94 Tina asked.
\'93Nope. I\rquote m hopelessly heterosexual.\'94 I replied. I glanced over at Tina and saw her fingers still tracing patterns on her skin.
}{\insrsid6836646
\'93What about you?\'94 I asked.
\'93Not really,\'94 Tina answered. \'93Most of my fantasies are about guys. Recently, they\rquote ve mostly been about you and me.\'94
\'93Really?\'94 I asked grinning.
\'93Mmm hmm.\'94
\'93So what\rquote s one of them?\'94 I asked.
}{\insrsid265288
}{\insrsid141666 \'93Oh, }{\insrsid1776115 most recently I\rquote ve been fantasizing about us making love in the back of a pickup truck while watching the sunset.\'94}{\insrsid265288
}{\insrsid1776115
I chuckled.
\'93You\rquote d like that?\'94 I asked.
\'93Mmm. I think it would be fun.\'94
\'93Maybe doggie style so we could both watch the sunset?\'94
\'93Either that or having you go down on me,\'94 Tina replied.
}{\insrsid15932023
\'93We\rquote d have to find somewhere that we wouldn\rquote t get caught.\'94
\'93True, but the risk might make it more exciting,\'94 Tina said. I glanced over and saw that one hand was indeed buried in the shadows. \'93I think that\rquote s part of what made it so good at Sharon\rquote s parents\rquote house.\'94
\'93We did }{\i\insrsid15932023\charrsid15932023 not}{\insrsid15932023 want to get caught,\'94 I said.
\'93Agreed. But the risk made it more intense,\'94 Tina replied. I nodded.
\'93It got the adrenaline going,\'94 I said. \'93Particularly after Sharon poked her head in.\'94
}{\insrsid1519825 \'93Yes, it did,\'94 Tina agreed.}{\insrsid15932023
}{\insrsid5845659
\'93So . . . the risk might make the back of the pickup more exciting,\'94 I said, raising my eyebrows.
\'93Oh, yes,\'94 Tina said. \'93I\rquote d be lying on my back, jeans off. Kind of like they are now, come to think of it.\'94
I quickly looked over. }{\insrsid12281597 The shadows hid b}{\insrsid5845659 oth of Tina\rquote s hands. She leered back at me.
}{\insrsid12278174 \'93}{\insrsid482539 Want me to go on?\'94 she asked.}{\insrsid5845659
}{\insrsid482539
}{\insrsid15286302 \'93Sure!}{\insrsid482539 \'94 I was no fool.
\'93Well, we\rquote d start with you going down on me, of course. I always like it when you do that.\'94
\'93So do I,\'94 I said. I couldn\rquote t help cracking a smile.
\'93And then . . . I imagine we could turn so you took me from behind. Letting us both watch the sunset, of course.\'94
\'93Of course.\'94
\'93After that . . . oh, I don\rquote t know. Whatever we were in the mood for in the moment.\'94
\'93Mmm,\'94 I said, \'93I certainly hope you\rquote d been in a good mood.\'94
\'93Oh, I\rquote m sure I could be,\'94 Tina teased.
\'93Like you are now,\'94 I shot back.
\'93Like I am now,\'94 Tina said.
\'93So . . . are you going to . . . go all the way?\'94
\'93And have an orgasm?\'94
\'93Yes, and have an orgasm.\'94
\'93I might,\'94 Tina teased. \'93Of course, I probably won\rquote t be able to talk to you while I\rquote m . . . concentrating on other things. And we wouldn\rquote t want you falling asleep.\'94
\'93Oh, I\rquote m awake!\'94 I said. \'93No worries there. I don\rquote t think I c}{\insrsid15286302 ould fall asleep if I wanted to!}{\insrsid482539 \'94 At least not with my erection straining against my jeans.
}{\insrsid9186798
Tina fell silent. I glanced over, but she\rquote d shifted her legs, so I couldn\rquote t tell what she was doing with her hands. At least not without a longer look, which I was loathe
to do, even if the highway was mostly deserted. I glanced back at Tina\rquote s face and saw that }{\insrsid12281597 she\rquote d close her eyes}{\insrsid9186798
. She turned her head sideways against the seat headrest and her breathing became deeper and more regular.
}{\insrsid14962638
I tried to keep my eyes on the road. I mostly succeeded because I started listening more intently. I\rquote m not sure it was good for my concentration, but the road was flat and fairly straight.
Tina\rquote s breathing slowly became louder and more gasping. She took a few deep breaths and then gave a strangled cry. When I glanced over, her face was scrunched up and she was shuddering. I returned to }{\insrsid15286302 focusing on the road.}{
\insrsid14962638
\'93Whew!\'94 Tina proclaimed.
\'93Did you come?\'94 I asked.
\'93Of course I did.\'94
\'93It wasn\rquote t as loud as you normally are,\'94 I said.
\'93It was just a small orgasm.\'94
I nodded. Tina reached down, grabbed her jeans, and started working them back on. She had to wriggle a little more than she\rquote d had to in getting them off.
\'93We\rquote re almost there,\'94 I said a little while later, indicating the lights we could see in the distance.
\'93What time is it?\'94 Tina asked.
\'93One in the morning, according to my watch. We should be home by two.\'94
\'93Oh gawd,\'94 Tina said. \'93I hope my father doesn\rquote t call too early.\'94
\'93Yeah,\'94 I said. \'93I really wish you were calling him, though. Then you could spend the night}{\insrsid10506251 , since he wouldn\rquote t know where you were calling from}{\insrsid14962638 .\'94
\'93I\rquote d like to spend the night too,\'94 Tina said. \'93But I think this is better. Besides, I\rquote ll see you tomorrow after work.\'94
\'93I\rquote m }{\i\insrsid14962638\charrsid14962638 definitely}{\insrsid14962638 looking forward to that,\'94 I said. \'93Particularly after the way you\rquote ve teased me tonight.\'94 Tina giggled.
\'93I\rquote ll make it up to you tomorrow, then. I promise.\'94}{\insrsid4749529
I let out an exaggerated sigh of pleasure, which triggered more giggles from Tina.
All too soon we were back at Tina\rquote s dorm. It was a little before two, proving I\rquote d either driven faster than I\rquote d calculated or we\rquote d been closer}{\insrsid15286302 to town than I\rquote d thought}{\insrsid4749529
. We exchanged a hot, passionate kiss in the parking lot and than another in her dorm lobby before Tina said farewell and slipped up to her room.
}{\insrsid132114 I found my own pillow fairly quickly once I got home. After a quick }{\insrsid1652839 orgasm myself, I was out cold.}{\insrsid10506251
}{\insrsid14820162
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2427434 {\insrsid10506251 * * *
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10506251
\'93You know,\'94 Sherri said, \'93you could have stopped by your apartment before taking Tina back to the dorm. You would have had time for sex.\'94
\'93Well, I did think of stopping,\'94 I admitted. \'93I thought Tina wanted to get back.\'94
\'93But you didn\rquote t ask her.\'94
\'93No. But how would I do that? Just come out and say, hey, I want to get laid?\'94
\'93What\rquote s wrong with that?\'94 Sherri replied. \'93More politely phrased, of course. In this case, you and Tina already were having sex, so she probably wouldn\rquote t have minded the question.\'94
\'93Hmmm.\'94 Sherri had a point.
\'93C\rquote mon, Joe. She said yes when you suggested taking a shower together.\'94
\'93True,\'94 I said. \'93I guess I hadn\rquote t remembered that.\'94
}{\insrsid3298680
\'93It shouldn\rquote t be whether you remember or not,\'94 Sherri said. \'93You want it to be habit.\'94
\'93Habit?\'94
\'93You don\rquote t want to have to think too hard or you\rquote ll miss the }{\insrsid7935226 opportunity}{\insrsid3298680 .\'94
A light dawned.
}{\insrsid7935226
\'93The opportunities to be decisive. Like we were talking}{\insrsid676223 about}{\insrsid7935226 before!\'94
\'93Right,\'94 Sherri said, grinning. \'93You\rquote ve got it!\'94 I nodded in acknowledgement.
}{\insrsid14820162 \'93Okay . . .}{\insrsid12281597 \'94 my}{\insrsid14820162 mind trailed off for a bit, thinking about what it would have been like if I\rquote d suggested stopping by my place. I shook myself to bring myself back to the present.}{
\insrsid7935226
}{\insrsid14820162
\'93Well, maybe I could have, but I didn\rquote t,\'94 I said. \'93What I did do }{\insrsid15286302 was}{\insrsid14820162 sleep in late . . .\'94
}{\insrsid3298680
}\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2427434 {\insrsid10506251 * * *
}\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9767989
}{\insrsid14820162 After awaking near noon, }{\insrsid9767989 I decided there was no point in ruining a perfectly good lazy day}{\insrsid15286302 after such an auspicious start.}{\insrsid9767989 }{\insrsid15286302 S}{\insrsid9767989
o I just did the minimal amount of housework, checked my email, and then spent the afternoon reading a novel. }{\insrsid13768468 The phone rang shortly after five. It was Sharon.
}{\insrsid8792079
\'93So, how was Las Cruces?\'94 Sharon asked}{\insrsid13768468 after we\rquote d said our hellos.}{\insrsid8792079
\'93It was fine,\'94 I said. \'93We had a good dinner }{\insrsid15286302 that Allen cooked. His girlfriend\rquote s}{\insrsid8792079
really nice. We would have stayed longer, but Tina was sure that her dad was going to call this morning and she wanted to be home.\'94
\'93Did he?\'94
\'93I don\rquote t know. I\rquote ll find out }{\insrsid13768468 when she gets here later tonight}{\insrsid8792079 .\'94
\'93Any problems on the drive?\'94
\'93Not intentional ones,\'94 I replied with a smirk.
\'93What?\'94
\'93Tina decided to tease me}{\insrsid1707771 on the final stretch after we\rquote d passed the exit for Tombstone. She }{\insrsid14569297 slid her jeans off and }{\insrsid1707771 kicked her feet up onto the dash. Then }{\insrsid15286302
she proceeded to make suggestive}{\insrsid1707771 comments while running her hands along her thighs.\'94}{\insrsid8792079
}{\insrsid1707771
\'93I\rquote ll bet that drove you crazy!\'94 Sharon said, laughing.
\'93No kidding. I had to keep my eyes on the road when I really just wanted to watch her.\'94
\'93How far did she go?\'94 Sharon asked.
\'93Far enough.\'94
\'93I\rquote m surprised you didn\rquote t explode,\'94 Sharon teased.
}{\insrsid12544072
\'93}{\insrsid1707771 Well, she did get me pretty worked up,\'94 I said. \'93}{\insrsid12544072 I thought about pulling over and just taking her,\'94 I said. \'93Move around to the side away from t
he road and lean Tina up against the car where no one could see.\'94
\'93You should have!\'94 Sharon said. \'93I\rquote m sure Tina would have enjoyed it!\'94
I chuckled. \'93I\rquote m sure she would have. But the condoms were in my suitcase in the trunk and I figured we\rquote d lose the mood by the time I got done digging around looking for them.\'94
\'93You and Tina are using cond}{\insrsid15599067 oms? I thought she was on the P}{\insrsid12544072 ill.\'94
\'93She is, but we want to use two forms of birth control. We really can\rquote t afford a pregnancy right now.\'94
\'93Okay,\'94 Sharon replied. \'93Uh, so did you use a condom when you were at my parents\rquote ?\'94
\'93Of course. I threw it in the trash}{\insrsid15286302 can}{\insrsid12544072 in your bedroom when we were done.\'94
Sharon let out a long low groan.
\'93My mom empties my trash, Joe.}{\insrsid283307 \'94
}{\insrsid4203656 My gut dropped instantly.}{\insrsid283307
\'93She had to have found it,\'94 Sharon continued. \'93Which means if she didn\rquote t know Tina spent the night with you}{\insrsid1707771 before}{\insrsid283307 , she does now.\'94}{\insrsid12544072
}{\insrsid283307
I let out a deep breath and sagged against the wall}{\insrsid16277935 , letting the phone hang from my hand}{\insrsid283307 .
--fin--
\'a9 2006 All Rights reserved. May not be distributed or reposted with express permission of the author.
}