Tomcat

Chapter Three-1

Chapter Three

Tommy tore back her closet door and hauled out all the stuff in plastic bags, the stuff she had picked up at the cleaners. She sighed relief when she spotted the orange and brown pattern. It was a casual summer print, silk, that flowed loosely about her thighs. Very expensive. Very sexy.

Underwear was no problem. She had a drawer full of matching lace bras and pants. In the bottom of her closet, she found her favorite open-toed sandals. They were some sort of straw weave with wedged heels. Perfect for an afternoon trice! She had a matching bag.

Tommy wondered about the sanity of taking a shower while standing under the pulsating spray. After all, the guy offered a Jacuzzi! Anyway, she was toweled off, dressed and on the way to the car in under twenty minutes. That was a grand-slam, world record, and, glancing at her watch, Tommy knew she would have plenty of time to stop by the bank and even pick up a chilled bottle of white.

She had five minutes to spare when she rolled up in the guest parking outside the Davis Apartments. Tommy checked her hair, her makeup, took a deep breath and stepped out onto the pavement. Happily, there wasn’t a nosey doorman to contend with and she ran a manicured nail down the security panel, pressing the button beside Apartment 1508. Cory’s voice, distorted by the tinny speaker, beckoned her.

“Cory?” She bent to the panel. “It’s Tommy.”

“Tommy! Gosh, I’m so glad you came. Please come up. Fifteenth floor. Turn right off the elevator and I’m at the end of the hall.” There was a soft buzz and Tommy let herself into the hush of the building.

It was an older place, but superbly maintained and had a certain homey quality that spoke of longtime residence and comfortable apartments. She imagined libraries and sitting rooms full of overstuffed furniture and retired occupants living out their quiet lives behind the paneled doors. Tommy found Cory’s apartment and took a moment to steady her nerves before giving the hardwood a light rap. She saw a shadow momentarily darken the peephole before the deadbolt slid back and the door swung inward.

Tommy's breath clawed and for a brief second, she thought she had the wrong apartment. A young girl opened the door. She flashed Tommy a shy smile and, looking up through ragged blonde curls, she murmured, “Tommy? Hi, my name is Beth. I work with Cory. Please. Please, won’t you come in?”

Tommy stepped nervously into the foyer and took a glance around. The decorating was tasteful and definitely feminine. The walls were done in pale shades of lavender, yellow and cream. Lace graced the tops of exotic hardwood tables and matched the curtains that slanted in the afternoon breeze. Beth extended her hand.

“You have a beautiful apartment,” Tommy said, squeezing Beth's fingers. She was a child, eighteen maybe, with blonde locks that hung in gentle curls past her shoulders. She was dressed in a shorty bathrobe than ended just inches south of her crotch. And even in bare feet, her exposed legs extended all the way down to the basement.

“Thank you,” Beth replied. “It’s all Cory, though. I can’t even set a table. He’s just got the gift, you know? He can work with color and balance somehow. It all comes together for him. C'mon, you’ll see. Let me show you.”

She took Tommy by the hand and led her through to what had once been a living room.

“Isn’t this something,” Beth said, her voice breathy. “It still amazes me.”

She was understating it. Using large potted ferns and dwarf palms, Cory had transformed the room into a luscious indoor garden. The broadloom was cut back from around what once had been a balcony with sliding doors, now replaced with palms and terrazzo tile. It gave the effect of a path leading to the large outdoor Jacuzzi, partially hidden beneath a luscious grotto of tropical growth. Beth pulled Tommy over to where the frothy water was wildly bubbling. The whole tub was raised up on a tile dais, allowing the bather an unobstructed view of the City skyline.

Tommy turned in disbelief to scrutinize the apartment again from the opposite angle. In a small niche, a masseuse's table was carefully positioned to catch the angle of the afternoon sun and provide another view of the City. There was also a change area with a large stack of fresh towels and a shower had been positioned in the corner. Low-level lighting dappled the plants and a small indoor fountain provided the constant background sound of dancing water. Tommy had never seen anything like it, not even in a magazine.

Beth squeezed her hand. “This is your first time, isn’t it? Cory told me to be extra sensitive to your feelings.”

Beth's eyes were icy blue. What a sweet face! I would kill for a face like that.

“Ok, we won’t be watching the clock too closely. You can start with a Jacuzzi or, if you want, we can have a bath together and I’ll wash your hair.”

Tommy's head went blank. And she hoped Beth didn’t see the panic pulsating behind her eyeballs.

“No, no, please,” Tommy protested, “I just had a shower. I didn’t know...”

Beth leaned into her, a girlish giggle light on her lips. “It’s ok. It’s your first time, but from now on, you must let me look after your personal needs.” And Beth reached up on pretty toes to kiss Tommy on the cheek. “Look the Jacuzzi is all heated up. Why not just relax in there until you go all wrinkly.” Beth screwed up her nose and smiled up at Tommy. There was a sprinkling of freckles.

“Yes,” Tommy breathed, “I could use a soak.”

“I’ve laid out a fresh robe for you so when you come out, you can relax, until Cory joins us. Now, would you like me to undress you?”

“I can look after myself,” Tommy mumbled.

“That’s ok. Once you’re in, you’ll find a button under the lip of the tub. Press that and I’ll bring your wine. Now please Tommy, try and unwind a little.” And Beth turned on the ball of a pale, bare foot and with a cute wiggle, disappeared through a side door.

Damn, Tommy thought to herself. Look at this place. She strolled around the room again, taking in the sounds of water and the fragrance of the greenery. She tested the temperature of the Jacuzzi. She went over to the little change area where a floor-length robe hung from a peg. Tommy lifted it and rubbed the thick terrycloth on her cheek. Boy, I could get used to this. There was a small teak bench, freshly scrubbed, she noticed, and balancing herself on the arm, Tommy slipped the sandals from her feet. She felt deliciously wicked as she reached up behind to drop the zipper of her dress. The silk sagged from her shoulders and she pushed it down her arms, letting it float to the floor. Then, with a last quick glance around, Tommy pushed off her bra and underpants.

It was so wonderful to be stretching, naked; in the raw, in a strange man's apartment! Tommy felt so sinful, so sexed-up. Damn, she was rethinking her decision to share a tub with Beth; have the girl bathe her. Next time! Scooping up the robe and a towel, Tommy padded, barefoot, over to the mirror on the far side of the room. She checked her body in the floor to ceiling glass. Not bad for a woman in her early forties. She carefully piled up hair and wrapped the towel tightly around her head before mounting the steps to the Jacuzzi, feeling a bit like a goddess ascending her throne.

At the top of the dais, Tommy paused for a moment, standing naked before the whole damned City, then, stepping over the rim, she sunk into the hot, roiling water. Pulsating heat gripped her thighs, washed over her abdomen and buoyed her breasts. Tommy leaned back and closed her eyes. Someone had purposely trained one of the jets to force a stream of bubbling water between her legs. It was a bit crass, but it did feel wonderful: the water gently buffeting her s*x. Spreading her legs a little, she ran her fingers along the rim and found the button.

Beth quickly responded with an ice bucket and a crystal wine goblet. She came up the steps and sat on the edge, stretching out slim legs.

“How is it, Tommy?” Beth asked, filling the glass with icy Chablis.

“God. It’s heaven,” Tommy sighed. “I haven’t felt this good in... well, I can't remember when.”

The girlish giggle again; sounded like a happy songbird. “I know, it’s fabulous isn’t it? Are you getting that lower jet between your legs?” Beth asked in a conspiratorial tone. “I get turned-on just thinking about it.” She shivered.

Beth placed the side of her face along a bent knee, her blonde curls fanning down across pale skin. Her little robe had hiked up over a creamy hip. No underwear, Tommy realized, as Beth reached out to tuck a few loose strands of Tommy's hair into the towel she wore like a turban. It was a sweet, shy gesture that warmed Tommy to Beth's childlike qualities. Her emotions were rebounding back and forth between feelings of sisterhood and motherhood.

Tommy wondered about Beth's relationship with Cory. She had noticed Beth wasn’t wearing a wedding band, but that meant nothing. Wife? Lover? Business partner? Hard to know. But Tommy was over-taxing her brain when she was supposed to be relaxing. She took a sip of the Chablis.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” Tommy's eyes drifted to Beth's and saw the sincerity radiating back through blonde bangs. Beth's eyes were of the most beautiful corn-blue, and surface light, reflecting from the water, radiated her cheeks in a soft glow.

“Yes. Come sit closer. Put your arms around me.”

Beth gave a timid little smile as she swung her legs over the apron of the tub to stand thigh-high in the swirling foam. Tommy shifted position so Beth could slip in behind and the young girl parked her little bum on the edge of the tub, a leg each side of Tommy's shoulders. Beth reached down, guiding Tommy's head as she leaned back; Tommy's neck resting comfortably in the arch of Beth's pelvis.

“Here, you don’t need this.” And Beth's fingers worked the towel loose and she unwound it, freeing Tommy's hair. Beth rested her face along the top of Tommy's head, her arms encircling Tommy's neck. A little gasp escaped Tommy's lips as the girl pulled her in. Had she felt a faint gyration on the back of her neck? There it was again. The movement was slight, but definite. Beth was lightly stimulating herself on the nubs of Tommy's spine. Beth's face turned and she kissed the top of Tommy's head while fingers rose to stroke her face and hair. Tommy sighed and leaned back into Beth, and the girl pulled her closer. What would that s**t-eating husband of mine think if he could see me now? Tommy smiled to herself.

Under the rolling water, Beth's hands cupped Tommy's calves, holding and stroking. Tommy's whole existence seemed to be floating away, melting into Beth's embrace. Tommy closed her eyes and rested a cheek on Beth’s thigh. The girl's lips were on the side of her face, nibbling along the hairline, moving toward her ear. Beth brushed the hair aside and tugged gently at the lobe. Tommy's senses hummed and little nerve endings were sparkling along her spine. Beth rotated her hips again and stiffened a little, just before a brief tremor rolled through her limbs. My God, is that possible? Tommy heard the light release. Beth's hands were on Tommy's shoulders, and drifting lower. Tommy tensed as Beth tickled the tops of her breasts, and, feeling Tommy harden, the girl hesitated. Tommy reached up and took Beth's hands into her own and held them tightly.

“Beth,” Tommy exhaled. “I’m sorry. It’s just... you’re going way too fast for me. You’re lovely. And everything feels so nice. It’s just, I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s all happening so fast. Please say you understand. Beth?”

Beth squeezed Tommy's hands and dropped down to kiss the top of her head. “Of course I understand, Tommy.” Beth's hands wriggled out of Tommy's grasp so that she could hug her neck again. “It’s just that you’re wonderful, you know? I didn’t mean to push. It was just happening and I let it. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Promise.”

“No...no.” Tommy countered. “I liked it.” Crap! That’s not what I mean, either. “Ahhh Beth, I don’t know what I want anymore. Look, when you touch me, kiss me...it's nice. But I’m married. To a guy. I’m not sure what I’m doing here in the first place, and I never expected a pretty girl. You're lovely. I just need a little time to figure out how I feel about it.”

Tommy swung her butt around on the slippery tile to face Beth. The girl was breaking Tommy's heart, sitting on the side of the Jacuzzi with tears starting to fill her eyes. Beth was nodding, agreeing with everything Tommy said, but Tommy knew the rejection was biting. She reached for the glass of wine and held it out to Beth.

“Here, baby. Drink this,” Tommy said. “We can talk some more later, but for now, I’ve got to get out of this tub. I’m way over done!”

Beth took hold of the glass and the little bugger slurped down all of Tommy's wine. Then, sniffling back tears, Beth stepped up onto the rim and descended the steps. She recharged the glass, took another swallow, and placed Tommy's robe where she could reach it.

“You’ll want a nice cool shower after your Jacuzzi,” Beth's voice broke as she looked up to where Tommy rested a chin on crossed arms at the side of the tub. “A shower and you’ll be ready for Cory.” Like a small child, she sniffed her nose on the back of a hand before crossing over to the shower stall. Tommy heard the water spit and hiss. “I won’t make it too hot but it’s easy to adjust once you’re inside.”

Water streamed from Tommy's legs as she stepped from the Jacuzzi. She pulled on the robe and flipped it closed as she moved to where Beth stood by the shower cabinet. “Thank you, Baby,” Tommy reached for her, pulling her gently in. “I just want you to know how much I appreciate your understanding. And your tenderness.” Tommy hugged her, and this time, Tommy kissed Beth.

Returning the embrace, Beth whispered, “That’s ok, Tommy. I just hope you’ll come back and see me.” Then holding Tommy at arm's length, “I’ll leave you to your shower; be back in a few moments with Cory. We’ll know when you turn the water off; after your shower, I mean. The easiest thing to do is just wrap yourself up in one of the large towels. Now get that chlorine off before it dries your skin.”

She handed Tommy what was left of the wine, then disappearing down the hall.

Tommy drained the Chablis and stuck her hand under the shower jet. The water was cool, appealing, so without a thought, she dumped her robe onto the floor and stepped into the spray. There was a new bar of soap and a small bottle of shampoo. Tommy lathered up all over, rinsed, and lathered up her hair a second time. Then she just propped herself under the shower-head and let the cooling water stream over her skin, bringing down her body temperature and her overheated imagination.

When she was rejuvenated to the point that she could contend with more naughtiness, Tommy twisted the tap, slid back the glass door and toweled off. Then, as Beth suggested, she wrapped a towel under her arms and tucked the loose corner into the cleavage. Looking down, Tommy thought better of it. Pulling the towel from her body, she wrapped it around her waist instead. Knotting the loose corners at her hip and moved to the mirror to check out the effect; her breasts swinging free.

Tommy liked what she saw reflected in the glass. The towel was knotted high over one hip, slung low on the other, running diagonally across her razor-flat tummy. Her navel was nicely shaped, nestled in a washboard of muscle, and her breasts, still good. When Tommy c****d her hip, a saucy slit opened, exposing the full length of calf and thigh. There was a pleasurable gnawing in her gut as she lowered herself, face-down onto the table, her cheek resting on folded hands. Tommy closed her eyes and waited, listening to the steady pound of her heartbeat and the blood rushing in her ears.

She came up on elbows as they entered the room.

“Tommy, so nice to meet you.” The kid ran a one-hundred watt smile over her. “How have things been so far?”

“Terrific! And just got better!” Tommy gave him one her own displays of dazzling tooth enamel. She had wondered about him, and his relationship to Beth, but now, seeing them standing side by side, it was obvious. They shared the same golden curls. The same slant of mouth, same corn blue eyes: They were brother and sister, though he had two or three years on her.

Cory wasn’t a tall man, well shy of six feet, but he had a nice body. His tee-shirt clung to broad shoulders, showing off a well defined chest and his abs were like thick bands of cord. Tommy watched his biceps flex as he took the hot oil from Beth. He poured a little in an upturned palm and moved to the side of the table. Tommy fought the urge to lean over and put her teeth into his ass, but instead, realizing she might lose a tooth to that muscle, she rested her head back down and fought a silly grin.

“Ok, we'll get started, shall we?” And as he reached down to smooth oil on her back and shoulders, Beth adjusted the blinds to throw the room into shadows. He brushed aside Tommy's hair and strong fingers encircled her neck, his thumbs massaging the base of her skull with firm, circular strokes. “Nice bones,” he murmured. Small tremors raced down her back to buzz her tailbone and Tommy groaned happily. She was back on familiar ground, with a man’s hands on her body.

“Beth told me you were a little nervous,” his voice seemed far off, hypnotic. “So breathe deep and enjoy the sensations. Don’t question yourself. It’s too late for self-doubt. You’re committed now, so relax and let yourself be free to enjoy the experience. Set your mind adrift.”

Tommy didn't need any encouragement.

He took Tommy's wrist and lifted her arm from the table. “Relax,” he instructed. “Don’t help me.”

Tommy nodded and willed her body to decompress. Taking the pressure off the joint, he started at her shoulder, plying the muscle between his hands, working slowly down. He paused whenever he discovered a knot and gave the tissue special attention. When it was time to move to the opposite side, he let Tommy's arm dangle weightlessly off the edge of the table and Beth moved in.

Sitting on the carpet, she took Tommy's hand in hers and rubbed oil into the palm with her thumbs. Beth lightly tugged each finger and gently massaged them, one by one, from base to tip.

Then Cory was working his way down Tommy's lower back. Running thumbs down each side of her backbone, sending bolts of sensuous electricity through her abdomen. He was rubbing oil into her hips, when he paused. “Do you want me to keep working lower?” he asked quietly. The question jarred Tommy from her dream and she tasted the stillness in the air as he waited for her answer.

Tommy swallowed hard and raised her head from the table to look back at him over her oil-slicked backside. “God, yes,” she panted, and dropped her head down like a drunken spaniel. She had gladly done it. Taken the final step by giving this man, who she had just met, full, and total access to her body. And she didn't regret it. Not yet!

He fumbled with the knot in her towel. It came loose and air lightly frosted her damp bum and thighs. The warm oil followed, and he was massaging deeply into the brawn. He prodded, squeezed and manipulated the flesh. Tommy stiffened, her back arching, and she didn't even try to stifle the low groan as he smoothed oil between her legs.

When he finished, Beth placed a hot towel over the length of her body and she shared the job with Cory, of giving Tommy a brisk rub down. By the end of it, Tommy was warm and pink. Cory wiped up the last of the oil from her lower back before coming to the head of the table.

“Tommy,” he whispered, close by her ear. “I need to know what you want.” He stroked her hair.

She felt drained, but stimulated; all in one. She didn’t know where her emotions were headed but she sure as hell knew she was enjoying the ride. Tommy looked up into his face: strong features, quiet eyes.

“If you want, we can end it here,” he continued. “Or if you like, you can roll over.”

The words teased, gently tugging at her imagination. The implication was clear: the massage was over, now for the sex... if she wanted it. The thought of his hands on her breasts and abdomen hit her like a truck. Tommy's heart rate was on the rise again, palms prickling. Indecision rose up and she wrestled it down. She struggled onto one elbow, the weight of her breasts shifting, and then twisted her hip around.

It wasn’t graceful but Tommy rolled over and settled onto her back. She exposed her body. All of it. Laid everything open for him; open for him to use. If he wanted her, he only had to take. And she would give. Without question. Cory bent, his face floating inches above her's. “You’re lovely,” he said.

Cory massaged Tommy's neck, tracing along collar bones, working lower, and her breath quickened in anticipation. Closing her eyes, Tommy threw her shoulders back and raised a knee. He was oiling her breasts. Squeezing. Manipulating the aching n*****s; and Tommy was drifting... floating upward, like a child’s kite. Fluttering. He was oiling her s*x. Rolling his thumbs through the folds. Manipulating the length of her c******s, fingers opening, closing; then gliding... gliding... Pretty colors radiated behind closed eyelids. She felt the clench in her uterus, like a fist closing. Tommy moaned as a bolt of stimulation jarred her low down. The kite suddenly folded and Tommy was clinging to the last of the sensations. Returning to earth. He removed his hand from between her legs. And just when she wished it would never end; the hard surfaces, the cold reality, came slinking in from the sides like a renegade.

Tommy lay, panting. Hardly believing what had just happened. No one had ever made her feel so intense: not her husband, none of her lovers. No one. Tommy rested, recovering with closed eyes, enjoying the tiny orgasmic aftershocks when suddenly her body buckled as if hit by the slush of ice water. She had heard the unmistakable sound of a boot scraping the terrazzo tile and a man swore under his breath. There were others in the room!