The woman eyed him suspiciously. “I don't work here."
"I know. Look, this is embarrassing, but ... well ... I have a young lady at my home taking a bath. She was in an automobile accident and lost all of her clothing. I told her that while she's bathing I would buy her something to wear tonight. She's about your size."
The lady smiled. “You want me to pick something out?"
He nodded.
"What do you have in mind?"
"Shorts—a shirt of some kind—shoes and socks."
The lady crooked her index finger and Nate followed. She fished through a stack of white shorts, selected a pair and held them up. “What do you think?"
"Perfect."
"This teal knit shirt will look nice with the shorts."
Nate added it to his shopping cart.
"White cotton socks go with anything,” she advised as she tossed them into his cart. “I guess you want underwear too?"
He nodded and glanced away as she began to examine stacks of panties. “These should do,” she said, adding a package of three to the cart. “Would you say her bust is about the same size as mine?"
Nate refused to face the woman. Jodi's breasts are huge compared to the pathetic bumps on your chest, he thought. “Yes, ma'am."
"You want a nightgown too?"
"I, uh, thought she could buy that after supper tonight."
"Buying shoes is more difficult,” she said, leading the way to another department. “I advise an inexpensive pair of sneakers. Maybe the fit will be close enough to work until she can shop for herself."
"Ma'am, I can't thank you enough. Now all I need to do is buy a toothbrush and comb. I think I can handle that on my own."
"You're welcome, sir.” She winked at him. “Perhaps you should stop by the pharmacy before you leave."
"I don't understand."
She winked again and whispered, “Safe sex."
He smiled. “I wish, but I'm afraid the situation is not like that."
"Too bad,” she said, running her hand lightly over his chest. “If I were single and taking a bath in your tub, the situation would be exactly like that.” She sighed. “But I'm not single and I'm not bathing in your tub."
Nate pushed the cart back to the lingerie section, put the brassiere back on the shelf and swapped the plastic wrapped panties for a package of red bikini briefs in the same size. “Where will I find toothbrushes and combs?” he asked a passing employee.
"In the pharmacy,” she said, pointing him in the right direction.
As he passed the jewelry department, something caught his attention. He backed up.
"May I help you?"
He glanced up at the smiling teenager. “I would like to see that bracelet."
She laughed. “Which one? There must be thirty bracelets in the showcase."
"The one with red and green stones."
"Rubies and emeralds.” She unlocked the case and placed the bracelet on top. “I wish I were on commission,” she joked. “That's the most expensive item in the whole department."
"How much?"
She read the tag. “Nine hundred ninety-nine dollars and ninety-five cents."
He wagged his head and grinned. “Why don't they just make it an even thousand?"
"Beats me,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.
"Is there any kind of warranty that comes with it?"
"Yes, sir,” the youth beamed. “It's guaranteed for life. The stones are mounted in fourteen-carat gold. Your fair lady should bring the bracelet back to us every six months. We'll clean and inspect it. If any of the stones are loose, we'll tighten the settings and, if she should lose one of the gems, we'll replace it."
Nate handed her his credit card and waited patiently for the happy girl to ring up the largest single sale of her young career.
He pushed the cart to the pharmacy, visualizing the bracelet on Jodi's tanned wrist. He dropped a tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, a bottle of mouthwash and a comb into the cart. He moved down the isle and twisted off the tops of a dozen bottles of perfume.
"May I help you?"
He looked into the sultry eyes of the female pharmacist. “I want something that doesn't smell like a funeral."
She chuckled. “Don't care for the scent of flowers?"
"It's fine on flowers,” he answered, “but not on a beautiful young woman. I want something that smells like ... like ... Aqua Velva."
She almost lost it. “You want a strong masculine scent for your lady friend?"
He blushed. “No, I ... I...” He grabbed her hand and pulled her wrist to his nose. “I want something that smells like you."
It was her turn to blush. “What a lovely compliment,” she stammered. “It's called Ivory soap."
"You don't wear perfume?"
She shook her head.
"Then point me in the direction of the Ivory soap."
He added a six-pack of the soap that floats and paused to think. I guess that does it. As he pushed his cart down the isle, the box of Trojans caught his eye. He made sure no one was watching and slipped it under the shorts on the bottom of the basket.
* * * *
Jodi dried her legs and feet, gently patted her thighs and tender stomach, briskly sawed the soft cloth across her back, wrapped the towel around her and padded barefoot to the utility room. She pulled the jersey from the washer, examined it and nodded with satisfaction. She transferred her clothes to the drier, set the timer, padded back to the Whirl Pool, slipped under the swirling water and sighed. I could get used to this.
Nate doesn't look like a computer nerd, she thought as she massaged first one arm and then the other. He's about six feet tall and I'd guess 180 pounds—muscular too. He must actually use that exercise equipment. She smiled and closed her eyes. Never saw anybody with coal black hair before. Her fingers danced over her puffy breasts. It kind of grows on you, but he needs a haircut badly. It's his green eyes that get too me, though. She moaned softly as her fingers probed her flared hips.
She sat up quickly and covered her breasts when Nate knocked on the door.
"You okay, Jodi?"
"Yeah—almost asleep."
"I bought you some things. They're on the bed."
"Thanks."
He opened the door a few inches.
"Don't you come in here,” she warned. If you do, so help me, I'll drag you in the Whirl Pool with me and strip you later.
"Aw, come on, Jodi. Just one little peak?” he kidded.
"I'm not running a peep show, Nathan Watson.” Involuntarily her hands squeezed her swelling breasts.
He tossed a bar of soap in the general direction of the Whirl Pool and smiled when he heard the splash.
"I already have soap, Nate."
"The pharmacist said it is good for bruises."
"Well, you could have at least unwrapped it."
"Sorry about that,” he said as he closed the door.
A new sensation caused her to glance at her engorged nipples. Patience, gals, patience. Maybe tonight.
Nate followed the sound to the utility room and watched her clothes, tumbling in the drier. How about that. It does work. He pulled a Pepsi from the refrigerator, went to the front porch and stretched out on the chaise lounge.
Five feet, maybe five foot two. He chuckled. Eyes of blue. Little pouty lips on a round baby face. But those aren't baby blue eyes. Those are bedroom eyes if I've ever seen them. Short cropped blond hair and a nice dark complexion—needs no makeup. Great buns! I wonder what her legs look like. Tiny little feet. He closed his eyes, picturing her upturned middle finger.
"Is this your idea of a joke,” Jodi shouted as she stormed through the door.
Nate gazed at the sexy bombshell standing before him, feet spread and hands propped on her hips.
"The shorts are so short I had to shave my...” She swallowed. “No bra and the shirt is so tight my nipples are trying to poke holes in the thin fabric."
Gorgeous little stumpy legs, perfect uplift and she's defi
nitely right about the nipples. “Do the shoes fit?” he asked, getting up.
"I'm not going out in public dressed like this! I look like a ... a ... a streetwalker."
He brushed past her and she followed him to the utility room. He pulled her clothes from the dryer and tossed them at her. “Did you take the tags off the new clothes?"
"Yes, but that was before I realized..."
"It doesn't matter. Throw them away.” He dug into his pocket and tossed the jewelry box towards her.
She dropped her freshly laundered clothes as she caught the missile.
"Don't throw that away. I can return it."
Jodi cocked her head to one side and looked at him questioningly. “You bought me jewelry?"
"It's nothing—just glass. I liked it and bought it on impulse."
She opened the box and her eyes widened. “Nate, it's beautiful."
He sidestepped her and returned to the porch. She followed slowly, reading the small brochure. She held out the box. “Don't ever do that again."
Looking at the inlet in the dying sun he replied, “Don't worry. I'll never again buy anything for you."
"That's not what I mean."
He turned to her.
"You lied to me. These are real gems, not colored glass. Don't ever lie to me, Nate."
"I'll take it back,” he said, reaching for the box.
She jerked away with an impish grin on her face. “I changed my mind."
As she disappeared back inside the house, he called after her. “I lied about the soap, too. I bought it because it smelled good on the pharmacist."
She reappeared. “This is one story I've got to hear."
He grinned. “I was trying to find just the right perfume for you. The pharmacist tried to help. I sniffed her fragrance and liked it."
"You stuck your nose in the woman's cleavage?"
"Is that where you women put it? I sniffed her wrist. She said all she was wearing was Ivory soap."
Jodi wagged her head. “First time I ever heard of a soap fetish. Come here."
Nate approached her cautiously.
"Are you going to take me out to dinner tonight?"
He nodded. “I always go to a restaurant for dinner. Nothing fancy, mind you. I like places with good food, plenty of it and reasonable prices."
She ran her fingers through his hair. “You need a haircut first."
"You can cut hair?"
She smiled sensuously while tightening her fingers in his long locks. “I can do lots of surprising things,” she said, pulling his lips to hers and probing the depths of his willing mouth with her long, pointed tongue.
He tasted the Colgate toothpaste and wished he had brushed his teeth, too.
* * * *
The screen door slammed behind her. “Sorry,” Jodi apologized as she offered Nate a Pepsi. “My hands were full. Scoot over."
He squeezed as far to the right of the double chaise lounge as possible and she wedged in beside him.
"I'm pooped,” she said.
"It's been a long day. What time did you get up this morning?"
"Three o'clock ante meridian."
"I'm impressed,” he said, moving his arm behind her neck and letting it prop lightly on her left shoulder.
"I'm exhausted."
"I was referring to ‘ante meridian.’ My guess is that most people don't know what a.m. represents. College grad?"
"Two years."
"Where?"
"Mars Hill. You?"
"University of Texas."
She yawned.
"Jodi, maybe you'd better hit the sheets.” He let his hand hover tantalizingly close to her left breast as he slipped closer to her.
"In a minute. I want to just lie here and look at the stars,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I can't believe you ate four plates of baby shrimp. Do you always eat like that?"
"Afraid so."
"Then why aren't you fat?"
"High metabolism."
"I put it on every night and try to take it off the next morning,” Nate joked.
A tiny white light streaked across the sky. “Aren't we supposed to make a wish on a shooting star?” Jodi asked.
"I wish I hadn't bought you those clothes."
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm curious,” he said. “If you hated them so much, why did you wear them anyway?"
"The bracelet made them look better.” She dropped her right hand on his left thigh.
"You bought enough clothes at Wal-Mart tonight to last a lifetime. I expected you to buy a few things tonight and go to, uh, a classier store tomorrow."
"I'm not comfortable in expensive clothes, Nate. Wal-Mart carries exactly what I like to wear."
"You would look beautiful wearing nothing."
She rolled her head towards him and grinned.
"That didn't come out the way I meant,” he explained.
"Yeah, right.” She snuggled closer. “I didn't see any designer labels hanging in your closet."
"We seem to have similar tastes in clothes. Jodi, do you like to play golf?"
"That's a rich man's game. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not rich."
"You're not a man either,” Nate kidded. “I could teach you."
"I'll try anything once. I do enjoy bowling, but I'm not very good at it."
"I have a ball around here someplace. Tomorrow, right after we buy you a new car, we'll outfit you in golf clubs and a bowling ball. We'll spend a couple of hours at a driving range and after supper tomorrow night we'll bowl a line or two."
"Don't I have a say in this?"
"Sorry."
"It'll take at least a week for me to clean up your filthy house, and from now on, I'll be cooking our dinner."
"It's going to take a little while for us to get things worked out,” he said uncomfortably. “The thing is, I enjoy going out to dinner every night. I look forward to it. You fix breakfast and lunch."
"And dinner once a week?"
He smiled. “You drive a hard bargain. Jodi, we, uh, haven't discussed compensation for your housekeeping services."
"Can't it wait until tomorrow?” She clasped his dangling hand, preventing it from getting closer to its intended prey.
"Sure."
She turned on her side, kissed him gently on the cheek, and crawled out of the chaise lounge. “Good night, Nate. Thanks for ... for everything."
"You're welcome,” he replied, sitting up. He followed her into the house, turning off lights and locking doors. He prepared the coffee maker, setting the timer for 6:00 a.m., went to his bedroom, brushed his teeth, slipped on the boxers he wore for pajamas, snapped off the light and crawled into the right side of his king sized bed. Goodnight, Jodi.
Nate was almost asleep when he heard a soft rap on the bedroom door. He raised up on his elbows. Starlight through the windows barely revealed Jodi's figure, standing in the doorway. “Can't sleep?"
"It's been a rough day, Nate. Every time I close my eyes, I see my van going up in flames. I need ... I mean ... could you hold me for a few minutes without ... you know?"
"Jodi,” he said seriously. “I like you. Maybe I like you more than I should. You're a sexy little vixen and you know you race my motor. I'm trying to be a gentleman, but what you ask is too much."
She lifted the coverlet and slid under it. “Right answer,” she cooed.
He turned away from her and Jodi heard him rummaging in the drawer of the bedside table.
"What are you doing?"
"If we are going to do this, we should practice safe sex."
"Do you have any, uh, diseases?"
"No. You?"
"No and I can't have children."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too,” she said, “but not tonight."
He pulled her close and was surprised to find her nude.
She slid her hand down his flat stomach as his lips nibbled hers. She worked her fingers under the waistband of his shorts.
“Ah, ready for action,” she said softly.
"And so are you,” he replied, toying with her erect nipples.
"Nate,” she said without conviction. “We shouldn't do this."
"It's your call, Jodi.” Remembering her bruised tummy, Nate ran tickling fingers over her stomach as he rained kisses on her neck and shoulders.
Jodi moaned as she maneuvered his hand where she wanted it. “The trouble is, I want to do it. I can't explain it to myself, let alone you. Damn it, Nathan Watson, you made me wet my panties back at the Jet station by just looking at me, and I haven't dried out yet. But it's just sex, Nate. It doesn't mean anything."
"Whatever."
Chapter Three
Nathan's eyes blinked open when the first rays of sunlight burst through the bedroom windows. He sat up and yawned as he stretched. Then he remembered.
Jodi was lying on her back, eyes closed, a sweet smile on her lips and the sheet pulled to her chin. Her golden hair looked as if it had been professionally arranged on the pillow for a photo shoot. Carefully he slipped the sheet to her navel and admired her bulbous white breasts lying proudly in stark contrast to the tanned skin of the surrounding flesh. The red tint around her navel that was so prominent yesterday was barely noticeable. He lowered his mouth to her left nipple and groaned softly as he felt it swell between his lips. Let her sleep, he admonished himself. He lifted the sheet and, before tucking it back under her chin, explored her naval cavity with his probing tongue.
He dressed quickly in shorts, tee shirt and sneakers, enjoyed two cups of coffee and used the half bath beside his study to avoid waking his sleeping beauty. Stepping out on the front porch, Nathan sucked in the salty air, jogged down the ramp and headed for the opposite side of the inlet. As was his custom, he rested on a large boulder, opposite the pier, wiping perspiration from his face with the bottom of his shirt.
Continuing his morning routine, he walked rapidly back to the house and downed a cold glass of water. He slipped into the exercise room and spent an hour lifting weights.
As quietly as possible, Nathan pulled fresh clothing from his dresser drawer, went to the guestroom and used its shower, trying not to disturb Jodi. Having forgotten his shaving kit, he returned to the master bedroom.
Jodi was now sleeping on her side. The sheet pulled with her when she rolled over, leaving her magnificent derriere uncovered. Unable to resist, Nathan knelt beside the bed and planted lingering kisses on each rounded cheek. She stirred, but did not wake.
Sintown Chronicles III: In Dark Corners Page 32
