Madam of Maple Court (15 page)

"Clever idea. I'll see you Sunday."

"Great. I'll look forward to that." She gave him directions and they decided on three o'clock. "The weather's supposed to be nice, so bring a bathing suit."

"Good idea. I'll see you then."

As Saturday approached, Pam found herself getting excited. She and Gary had gotten to know each other, but other than that bone-melting kiss, she had no idea what he'd be like in bed. Was she jumping the gun?

Late Saturday afternoon, after a self-indulgent manicure and pedicure she drove down the Saw Mill River Parkway to meet Gary at his apartment. As she looked at her hands on the steering wheel she appreciated her carefully done, mauve-painted fingers, knowing her toes were done in the same shade. She'd debated going back to Bijoux Nails after so many months of worrying about money but she'd reasoned that one session there wouldn't dent her bank account and she really had wanted to look her best. She'd been jumpy all day and had driven the manicurist crazy. "You're having trouble sitting still," Eva had said.

"Sorry, just a little on edge."

Pam had been startled when the little Korean girl responded, "Big date tonight?"

She'd smiled ruefully. "Why do you ask?"

"You haven't had the spa pedicure in several months."

"True," she said, sidestepping the "date" question.

Later she dressed, changing her mind several times, finally settling on a pair of ice blue tailored summer slacks and a black short-sleeved sweater. She selected a pair of black designer sandals, more strap than shoe, and put them in the car. They were the very devil to drive in so she'd worn flip-flops on her way south. Since it was almost eighty degrees she had a light stole on the passenger seat only in case of over-air-conditioned restaurants or apartments.

Apartments. Every time she thought about going to Gary's apartment she got the sweats. Did she really want to do this? She'd never made love to anyone but Vin, and she thought he was probably only average in the talented-lover department. It had always been good enough, but now she began to wonder. She thought about her undies, her best pale blue lacy bra and panties.

She thought about Liza's remark that Vin didn't consider what he did with her cheating and that he'd never cheated with anyone but paid companions. She'd never even considered cheating on Vin. It wasn't that she'd been tempted and rejected the idea. She'd never been tempted, and even if she had, she would never have dreamed of acting on the impulse. Now, however, Vin was gone and she was unencumbered. She was free, single again and able to do whatever she wanted. And she found that she wanted.

She glanced at the speedometer and discovered she'd been doing seventy, so she lifted her foot from the gas and took a deep breath. How did one begin something like this? She had no idea, but then again she probably didn't have to. She'd leave the move-making to him. But what if she'd been wrong about his intentions? She'd cross that bridge when she came to it. All she had done so far was admit to herself that she wanted it, and that was a giant step.

As she got closer to Gary's Riverdale home, she became more and more tense. Although she'd spent a few evenings with him, this was different.

Since she didn't want to cruise the neighborhood looking for a parking space, she drove her car into a nearby garage, prepared to pay the exorbitant fee to avoid the hassles. She left her flip-flops in the car, walked onto the stoop in her sandals, and pressed Gary's doorbell. She heard loud footsteps on the stairs and then he opened the door.

He was not really handsome but he was good to look at, dressed in a light green shirt and jeans, with a gigantic smile on his face. "I'm so glad to have you here. I hope you're not disappointed in my little place after all I know about your magnificent house."

"Don't be silly. With luck my house will become an entertainment mecca, not a home."

They climbed the stairs and she entered a comfortable living room, furnished with overstuffed furniture in matching shades of navy, red, and cream, with an early American feel. The fabric on the navy sofa was patterned with tiny off-white eagles and the side chairs were ersatz Federal period with Wal-Mart lamps and tables. The rug was an almost industrial-looking red and navy plaid. The pictures on one wall included one obviously posed professional photograph of Gary with a lovely-looking blond woman with wide blue eyes and two little girls in matching red and green plaid jumpers and coordinating turtleneck blouses. There were half a dozen pictures of each of the girls as well. "They're beautiful children," Pam said, gazing with envy.

"Yeah, they're pretty great kids. Those were taken a year ago Christmas." His eyes glowed. "They're so much bigger now."

"This room is lovely and so comfortable."

"I'm glad it feels that way. It's half my taste and half trying to make allowances for two rather rambunctious small children. I seem to spend most of my Sunday evenings picking up toys, dolls, paints, crayons, and varied art supplies. Getting magic marker out of the carpet is a task."

She could see into the kitchen, and the front of the refrigerator was covered with children's artwork. Gary pointed to one closed door. "Their room, bunk beds, toy chest and all."

He's as nervous as I am
, she realized. "You know, Gary, this is a little awkward and shouldn't be. We're grown-ups and allowed to spend an evening together without going to pieces."

"You, too?"

She chuckled. "Me, too."

"Great. I was wondering whether I was the only one taking this a bit more seriously."

"Not seriously, just momentous, at least for me. Except for Vin, you're the first guy I've dated, if that's the right word, since my first high school dance, so it's all new territory."

"I hadn't thought about that," Gary said. "That makes me feel pretty good, but now I'm under some pressure to represent all mankind."

Through her laughter, she said, "Mankind? That's quite a heavy load for one guy to carry."

His laughter joined hers. "How about something to drink?" He disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with a bottle of white wine under his arm, two glasses in one hand, and a tray of crackers and cheese in the other.

Anticipation was making her crazy. She was sweating yet her hands were ice cold. She wanted to make clever conversation but it was as if her brain was encased in cement. When
Gary sat beside her on the sofa, she jumped. "Nervous?" he asked.

"God, yes."

"I can fix that," he said, cupping her cheeks with his palms and kissing her into insensibility.

When he lifted his head, she said, "That doesn't fix anything. It makes it worse."

"Me, too." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her again. His tongue entered her mouth and she brushed it with hers. Soft, not demanding but rather requesting. She relaxed against his arms and granted his wishes. Wine and cheese forgotten, his fingers glided over her neck as his mouth moved to nip her earlobe.

The technique was so different from Vin's. She didn't want to compare but she couldn't help herself—until his hand found her breast. Then all thought became impossible. He smoothed his palm over her sweater, then delved beneath and found the skin over her ribs. His hand was cool on her fevered skin. "Tell me this is what you want," he whispered.

"Yes," she said. "God, yes."

He stood and guided her to her feet, then together they walked into his bedroom. Her brain fastened on the fact that his bed was queen-sized while hers and Vin's was an extra-wide king. In this bed a man couldn't disappear to the other side.

Gary deftly flipped the beige and navy striped satin quilt aside and pulled back the navy blue sheets. Then he pulled her sweater over her head and gazed at her. She liked the look in his eyes. "So lovely and soft," he said. "So beautiful."

She was glad she'd been selective about everything she wore. As she stood transfixed he unfastened her bra and allowed it to fall at her feet. Now her breasts were revealed to his gaze and she discovered how wonderful it was to have a man look at her with admiration. And lust.

Then he was on his knees, his mouth on one nipple, his fingers playing with the other. She was in ecstasy, warmth coursing through her, gathering at the joining of her thighs. Her knees shook with the wanting, a hunger she hadn't felt in what seemed like forever.

He stood, toed off his loafers, and quickly removed his shirt and slacks, his erection making a both sexy and scary bulge in his briefs. When she reached for the button on the front of her pants he stilled her hands. "Let me," he whispered.

Hands dropping to her sides, she felt his fingers on her skin as he unbuttoned and unzipped. Finally her panties joined the rest of her clothing on the floor and he pressed her back onto the cool sheets.

He climbed over her and stroked her belly, eventually combing his fingers through her pubic hair. "You're so wet," he said as he slid his fingers toward her core.

She couldn't control the movement of her hips as her body reached for him. He yanked off his briefs and unrolled a condom over his hard shaft. "I wanted to wait, make it really good for you, but it's too much," he growled hoarsely. "I need this so much."

Then he was inside her and she felt herself filled as she hadn't been in a long time. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him in more deeply, her hips rhythmically moving beneath him. He reared back, then drove into her harder. Again and again he pounded, making small sounds with each thrust. He came quickly, a long, loud groan announcing his pleasure.

Eventually his body calmed and Pam relaxed. Then he did something she didn't remember Vin ever doing. Still inside her, he reached between them and found her clit. She was surprised at the depth of her need as he rubbed her, pushing her upward.

She went with the feelings and felt a great swell of pleasure gather inside of her, a bubble that needed release, and she cultivated it. The spasms started in her vagina, squeezing his erection as she felt the bubble burst. He was still firm and she felt him move inside her, drawing out her climax.

So this was what all the shouting was about, she thought as she regained her composure. She must have climaxed before, when she and Vin were first so hot and hungry for each other, but she didn't really remember it. Who cared? This was wonderful, whether first or thousandth, and so different from anything she could recall.

She'd been a virgin when Vin first made love to her and he'd been the next best thing, having only been with a handful of women—girls actually. So they'd grown up together sexually. Now she'd been with a new man as a mature, dating woman and it was all she could do not to giggle.

Damn, this was fabulous! She felt like a kid with a new toy. She wanted to do it again but she knew that Gary wouldn't be up to it. Maybe later.

Eventually they got up, sipped a little wine, then had dinner at a little Spanish restaurant in Gary's neighborhood. When dinner was over they went back to Gary's apartment and, although she hoped they'd do it again, he seemed content to talk, sip wine, then walk her to her car. At the garage he kissed her again and opened the door for her. "I'll call you tomorrow and we'll make plans. Maybe one evening next week."

"That sounds great." She could hardly wait. She wanted to explore these new sensations more thoroughly. With Gary, of course. With Gary.