by Mlyn Hurn
“Hey! What’s the hurry, Rick?” Julie laughingly followed Jim’s brother, who was her age and was one of her playmates as they grew up.
“I want you for my team!” Rick smiled back at her as he pushed her into a room. He grabbed some clothes, tossing them at her. “Now change clothes. I need your pitching arm!” Laughing, Rick grinned at her, closing the door.
Julie stood for a moment in bemusement, but she knew that if she didn’t hurry, Rick would open that door even if she weren’t ready. Quickly she got her dress and undergarments off. She pulled on the pants he had thrown at her, and found they were denim and fit rather snugly. She pulled the shirt on and found it also fit her snugly across the chest, but the buttons closed securely. She opened the door and Rick handed her a pair of socks and boots. She shook her head at him, but put them on. A few seconds later she was on the field, getting ready to pitch the ball.
Julie had always been something of a tomboy growing up, probably because she and her sister were so outnumbered that they had little choice if they didn’t want to get left behind most of the time. She was good at playing ball and running, and could climb almost any tree. And obviously Rick had recalled that she was a darned good pitcher, too. The crowd roared as she pitched the third batter out. As she walked in from the makeshift pitcher’s mound the other team yelled, “cheat” at Rick, and “ringer” at her. Rick laughingly grinned and said they were just sore they hadn’t remembered her earlier. Julie laughed and shook her head.
The game went on for a while, back and forth, all in good-natured fun. Finally, it was her brother, Heath, on the pitcher’s mound and her turn to bat. If she could just hit the ball hard enough, she could get the two runners in and her side would tie the game. And with luck, she could get her run in and they would win! She walked up to the plate, ignoring the taunts of her brother from the mound. Rick was telling her to stay calm from his stand on third base. She rested the bat between her legs, rubbing her palms down her thighs. She picked it up, ready to go.
Bam! She smashed the ball way out and over the outfielders’ heads. For a second she was too stunned to run, but luckily she dropped the bat and took off. The cheering and yelling was deafening. But Julie just kept on running. Over first, onto second, hitting third with the corner of her foot, sailing toward home, aware that the ball had to be getting as close to the last base as she was.
* * * * *
Jim had not been paying much attention to the game at first. But it had been impossible not to notice the change in the yelling partway through. He had strolled over with Nick and saw that Julie had changed her clothes and was pitching the ball. He didn’t fail to notice the way her full, round breasts were straining the shirt she was wearing, nor how the tight pants outlined her thighs and hips. Talk about torture! Watching the game, he couldn’t help but observe that he wasn’t the only man who took appreciative notice of Julie’s clothing. While she wasn’t the only woman playing, she certainly was the most attractive. He saw that Frank, on Heath’s team, could barely keep his eyes off her.
* * * * *
Jim moved closer as the game wore on, finally ending up standing just beyond home plate. He hadn’t been cheering for either side, just idly observing in silence, unaware that Nick had watched him. Nick couldn’t fail but notice how Jim’s eyes seemed to be glued to Julie’s every move. He was beginning to wonder if their previous, well-publicized animosity toward each other had flared up once again.
Good Lord, Nick thought to himself, watching his sister running the bases, he hoped not. Jim had been his friend for most of their lives, and Julie had always been closer to him than Angie, which was probably because they were closer in age. As children and teens, their squabbles had been irritating. Now that they were adults, he had little doubt the disagreements could flare into something major.
The cheering and yelling had gotten louder as the ball neared the plate at almost the same time Julie did. She knew she had just one chance and she slid for the base. Her feet hit home as she heard the umpire shouting “safe” a scant second before the sound of the ball hit the catcher’s mitt. Her speed, though, carried her on and she slid into Jim, who was a few feet to the side of the base, knocking him off his feet to land on top of her.
Julie couldn’t hear the shouting of everyone over the roaring in her ears. She could feel Jim’s strong, hard body pressed to hers, their breaths intermingling as she looked up into his face. Her apology died on her parted lips as she gazed at him. She could feel her nipples hardening in response to his heat. Her legs seemed to naturally fall apart and he settled between them, equally at ease. Neither was aware of anyone around them. It seemed like forever, and yet not nearly long enough for her. The only voice she heard was his as he whispered softly for her ears only. “Seems like we were in this same position—”
Julie gasped, afraid someone would hear. And if there had been just a little more time, words from her heart would have suddenly poured out. But above all the other voices she heard Phyllis’.
“Oh my God! Jim! Are you all right? Has she hurt you?”
Julie saw the bright flush that momentarily covered Jim’s cheeks. He pressed his hands to the ground, raising himself off her soft body. He staggered a bit, regaining his footing. He reached a hand down to Julie, but Phyllis grabbed it, pulling him toward herself.
Jim watched angrily as he saw several hands reaching down to help Julie up, and all the solicitous questions as to her well being. He ignored the slight ache in his leg as he saw that Frank managed to grab her hand, pulling her upright.
Frank brushed his hands over Julie’s arms, helping to remove the dust. Julie thanked him, but was looking over at Jim. She didn’t hide her feelings in that one moment. Jim could feel the pull across the short distance. Then he heard as she gasped as Frank “accidentally” brushed his hand down over her chest. She turned to him and he apologized quickly, but Jim could see a look in the other man’s eyes that told him the movement had not been an accident.
Julie flushed brightly, and he guessed it was because he had witnessed the other man touch her. Before anyone could react, Rick came up to Julie, grabbing her and swinging her around wildly.
“We won, Jules!” He kissed Julie quickly on the lips and set her down. Jim saw the kiss and felt a sharper pang of jealousy. He brushed off his mother’s hand, telling her for the third or fourth time that he was fine and no harm was done. He reached out and managed to grab hold of Julie’s arm. She turned in surprise, and the startled look on her face grew into a small smile as she saw who it was.
“I’ll show Julie where she can clean up and change her clothes.” He led her through the people, back to the house.
Phyllis glared fiercely at Julie’s back, especially when she saw her son’s hand come to rest at her waist.
Chapter 3
Jim picked her clothes up on the way upstairs to his own room. He started some water running in his bath for her, and then glanced back over his shoulder. Julie nervously pushed the hair off her face. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Jim walked over and stopped right in front of her. “I’m fine, Julie.” He reached out, almost unconsciously, and started unbuttoning her shirt. He knew he should leave, and she knew she should stop him, but neither did anything to delay or stop the other. He parted the edges of the shirt, revealing her soft, full breasts with a light covering of dust over their tops. He saw her taut nipples and couldn’t resist touching each lightly with his index fingers. He held her eyes as he cupped her breasts and gently squeezed each globe. Julie moaned softly, leaning forward into his embrace.
Nick’s voice, in the hallway, had them jerking apart abruptly. Julie spun away, dragging her shirt edges back together. From just beyond the closed door they heard him call out.
“Jim! You better get back down to the party.” Nick’s footsteps didn’t come any closer, but Jim didn’t hear him going back down the stairs.
Julie glanced back over her shoulder. Jim met her eyes, but he didn�
��t say a word. They both knew he had to leave. He turned and walked out of the bedroom. Nick was still standing in the hall, a short distance away. Jim saw the realization dawn in his friend’s eyes that he had come out of his own bedroom instead of using one of the many empty guest rooms for Julie to get cleaned up. As Jim neared, Nick pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against.
“Do you think Julie will need any help? Should I ask Nicole to come up and help her?” Nick questioned, but Jim didn’t see any other emotions on his face.
Jim shook his head, but didn’t stop, heading down the wide staircase. His slight limp was a bit more pronounced than usual as the two men walked back outside. “I’m sure your wife has her hands full keeping track of your youngsters, Nick. I showed Julie where everything was and how to get back down the main stairs.”
Jim added the last so his friend wouldn’t suspect that his sister knew her way quite well around his house, and his bedroom. The last thing he had expected was that anyone would follow him or her into the house, let alone upstairs. It reminded him that if he wasn’t careful, someone could quite easily discover the truth about Julie and himself.
* * * * *
The sun was just beginning to set as Julie walked back across the yard to where the band could be heard tuning up. A temporary dance floor had been erected outdoors not far from the house near a large barn, which had been cleaned out and cleared for dancing and mingling also, in case the weather should change suddenly.
Julie neared the dance floor just as they were announcing the first dance. She made her way to the drinks table, asking for a double scotch. She ignored the surprised look she got and gulped it down. She was beginning to feel the need for “fortification” to make it through the rest of the party. She had no sooner set the glass down than her brother, Gerry, was there, dragging her onto the dance floor.
Julie laughed a bit, resisting for a moment. “Where is your wife? I’m sure she’d love to be dancing with you…you smooth stepper!”
Gerry swung her into the rollicking dance. In between breaths he explained that Kitty was busy with the baby at the moment, and his feet were just “itching to get moving.”
Julie enjoyed being with her youngest brother, but hearing about the baby only reminded her of the visit home for his wedding last year. The music had barely ended when Frank Fitzhugh was in front of her, asking her for the next dance. Bemused and half lost in her thoughts, Julie nodded her head. Frank pulled her quite close to his body, as the next song was a slower waltz. He asked her a question and she answered automatically, and then tuned him out as he started talking about himself and how he came to move from Boston to work with her brother, Jared.
Julie’s thoughts were distracted with memories from one year ago. The first party she had attended as part of the week’s wedding festivities had been a picnic. It was easy to recall every single little detail that had occurred in spite of it being twelve months ago. Closing her eyes and blocking out Frank and the music, it was easy to recall that it had been so hot that afternoon that she’d decided to wander over to a cooler spot at the riverbank.
She’d been feeling left out since she’d spent so many years traveling with her great-aunt. She had found a small pond, off from the main riverbed, and had quickly shed her shoes and stockings. She tucked her skirt up and waded out a few feet.
She had begun scooping handfuls of water and splashing her face, neck and under her hair to cool off when she heard a twig snap. Spinning sharply to see the intruder, she hadn’t paid attention and lost her balance. With a shriek of anger, she had landed on her bottom in about twelve inches of water. Looking up through the wet rattails of her hair, she had eyed Jim Morgan.
Julie had waited for him to laugh at her, mock her by making some snide remark as he always had in the past when she would do something silly or gauche around him. But he didn’t. Jim took off his boots and socks without a word and waded into the water. He offered her his hand to help her stand. Looking into his eyes she saw they were brimming with suppressed laughter. She had noticed for the first time how beautiful his eyes were, with long black lashes. She had let him pull her up before she gave into her own laughter. Jim held her hand until they were both safely on sure footing.
“Thanks for your help, Jim. I’m afraid I was so lost in just cooling off that I didn’t hear you approaching.” She saw that he had tied his large black horse a short distance away. “I didn’t see you at the picnic earlier.” Julie had glanced up at him and then away hurriedly, not wanting him to notice she was having a tendency to stare at him. For some reason, he had seemed different to her after all that time. He was still just as tall as always, but he seemed broader across the shoulders, his face a little craggier perhaps, but still very handsome.
Jim had watched as she pulled her sopping skirts free. “I rode in a short time ago, actually. I saw you walking away from everyone.” He hadn’t said why he had followed her, and Julie obviously chose not to ask. She picked up her shoes and socks.
“I’m sure I look an awful mess, probably worse than a drowned rat,” Julie shrugged, shoving back her wet hair.
Jim had lifted his head, looking straight into her eyes. He had just finished pulling his socks and boots back on. His eyes had taken in the way her wet dress was molded to her voluptuous body. He could also see that her nipples were peaking under the wet fabric.
“When I first rode up, I thought you might be a forest sprite, seeking solace from the hot sun. But now, you look more like a…mermaid.”
Julie laughed. “How very polite of you, Mr. Morgan.”
Jim laughed in reply. “I guess I’m well-trained and well-read.”
“You were always the smartest in school. Anyway, I can’t go back to the party looking like this.”
“How about letting me give you a ride back home for a change of clothes?” Jim had offered. Untying the horse’s reins, he had swung up into the saddle, and then leaned over to offer her his hand. After just a moment’s hesitation, Julie accepted it and was swung up in front of him on the big horse. Julie had trouble catching her breath, let alone speaking, as she sat in front of him. She had been intensely aware of his warmth behind her, surrounding her. He guided the huge stallion with one hand while the other was around her waist, keeping her securely seated. It was a short ride to her family’s home, but it had seemed to last forever, she remembered thinking.
Jim helped her slide down and then dismounted behind her. She had waited as he tied off the horse’s reins and then led him inside. She had suggested he come upstairs to use a towel to dry his pants if he wanted. Jim had followed her silently up the main stairs. The house was deserted because of the party. Julie led him into her bedroom, moving over to find him a towel. She brought it back to him silently.
“Would you please unbutton my dress so I can put on a dry one?” Julie lifted her hair to the side, turning her back to him. For a moment, Jim hadn’t reacted. Then she had felt his fingers moving slowly down her back, unfastening the small buttons. She waited for him to say something sarcastic about the silliness of women’s fashions or ridiculously tiny buttons, but he had said nothing.
As he unbuttoned the dress, she could feel his warm breath caress the exposed, sensitive flesh of her nape and then more and more of her back. His fingertips had occasionally brushed against her sensitive flesh. When Jim finally reached the last button, which was below the base of her spine, Julie couldn’t stop the small sigh that escaped her lips; or the tiny shiver that had danced along her nerve endings.
Jim had stayed at her back, not moving for what seemed like a long time to them both. And Julie didn’t step away from him, either, ignoring the niggling voice of reason. Finally, Jim slid one hand inside the opening of her dress, gliding across her flesh, encircling her waist. Almost as one, his hand pulled her backward, even as she stepped back. He lowered his mouth to kiss her neck, licking the skin, nibbling at it with his teeth. His hand at her waist moved upward, pulling her more securely back again
st his body. His other hand lightly caressed her neck, her hair.
Every single spot he had touched felt on fire. Julie had groaned when his hand stopped just below her breasts, though. That was all it took for Jim to complete the journey. His hand had cupped her full breast, and Julie felt her heart stop in her chest. She couldn’t move and all of her being had been suffused with the power of his touch. Pushing away thoughts of right or wrong, she had shifted enough to rub her nipple, which was already peaked and ready, against his palm. He caressed her lightly at first, and then began a firmer massaging of the responsive globe.
She hadn’t known how long her body stayed motionless while absorbing the onslaught of sensations. Julie pulled away a bit and spun in his arms. She met his eyes for a scant second before they came together in a hot, tumultuous and life-changing kiss.
Almost as one, they had moved toward the bed. Julie’s dress had slid down her body, as if being pulled by gravity. Julie tugged at Jim’s shirt buttons until they either came free, or came off. Finally, he lay above her on her bed. His eyes had held hers as he slid his hand down her body to find her hidden treasures. Her soft curls had greeted him first, and he groaned when she felt his fingers gliding across her lips from the wetness her arousal had brought forth.
He had caressed her, teased her, until Julie cried out, thrashing about on the bed. Jim had lowered his head to suck her nipples for a moment or two, and then returned to caressing her womanly flesh, murmuring softly about her growing moistness. Julie pulled his head back up and kissed him deeply, her tongue seeking out his own. Her hands had traveled restlessly over his chest and shoulders.
It was only when she cried out, “Jim…please—” that he moved over her purposefully. He settled between her widespread thighs. She heard his voice through a fog.
