And He Called It Research

"Did you try to make love to me? Nope. Did you even think about me while you mentally fucked those three or four women? Of course not, and even when you were hard and looking for release did you come to me? Not once sweetie, so I found my own fun, and damn that was fun. I loved knowing you were watching us and that's why I waved at you. You did see me wave while he was slamming into me from behind right?"

"Yeah, shit, I saw the whole thing."

"I really wanted you to watch him take me in the ass, and I was even all cleaned out just in case, but it just didn't work out that way. At least not that time."

"So you're going to go see him again?"

"That's my plan," she lied again. "Either him or some other guy."

"How did you meet him?"

"Through your telescope."

"What?"

"Never mind it isn't important. Maybe the next time one of those women will be there too and she and I can get a little acquainted."

"Now I know you're trying to blow smoke up my ass."

"It may take weeks or maybe even months, but believe me when I tell you that I've changed, and how I intend to live has changed too. We have all of that money squirreled away and I intend to enjoy just a little of it. We'll never need three million bucks to retire on, so I'm going to start enjoying life more. Oh, and once you've recovered, show me how you jacked off while I was screwing my man. Show me how you can shoot spunk. Oh, and about that. Feel my long hair honey. Feel my hair and see how different it looks."

"You got shit all through your hair."

"So you can feel it?"

"Hell yeah, and I can see it plus some dried crusty shit on your back."

"That's his cum baby. You just ran your fingers through that guy's spunk."

He jerked his hand back and said, "Well damn you, what the hell is the matter with you."

"Oh you love me baby. Maybe one day soon I'll bring somebody home so you can watch us fuck all over the house while you pull on your pecker."

Chapter Ninety

Melvin called Mac Friday afternoon and they talked about the open house. "Melvin we didn't do as well as I'd hoped and I'm sorry."

"All of you did just fine. I didn't expect to have homes sell like a close out used car lot. The realtors feel it was a success as well, and there are several sales still pending that don't show up on the open house figures. The economy is still unstable and it's my fault for rushing things. We'll do just fine, but now you need to take some time off."

"I'd like that. In fact I want to come home and bring a friend with me for a few days."

"Liz?"

"No, that was my plan, but she's a little upset with me right now."

"Nothing serious I assume."

"No, it's nothing to worry about, but a little break from things will be good for all of us."

"Great. I'm going to Costa Rica now that things are settling down. I'll spend some time with Earl and enjoy a little recuperation of my own."

"Great, can I do anything to help with Journey's End?"

"Yes, but not right now. With Sissy back, Kate will handle what little there is left to deal with, and the resort doesn't open for another week."

"What about Tropic Treat, any guests coming for that?"

"Not until I get back and we have the resort up and running. Then I'll have my people start looking for possible guests. We'll need to get together about all of that, but let's just focus on getting some rest. I feel tired."

"You sound a little tired Melvin. I'll take a few days here and then I'll be home."

"And Mac it is your home too for as long as you want to live there."

"Thanks."

"Oh and I saw Didi a couple of days ago. She looks good and she's coming along."

"Have you been able to forgive her Melvin?"

"Of course. She still has to pay her penance, but I've relented a little and promoted her. It's silly for me to keep her buried in a mindless job and waste her talents. She said to tell you hi from her too by the way."

"If you would, the next time you talk to her, tell her hi from me. I've forgiven her too. I won't forget of course, but I'm moving on."

"That's good and I'll tell her."

Mac was at Liz's house ten minutes later and they each had a rare beer on her patio. "Liz..."

"Let me talk first Mac. I'm sorry I've been so pushy. I still feel the same way about Beth, but let's just leave that alone. What you do and who you do it with is none of my business. I hope you'll forgive me and we can still work together."

He smiled and told her, "Of course I want us to work together. I do still love you after all." She smiled and didn't even complain that time. "So how are Allie and Martin?"

"Fine. She's asked about you more than once and she even took your side of things, at least to the extent that she didn't see you destroying Beth or our relationship unless I allowed that to happen. And just for the record, I don't ever want that to happen."

"I do want to say this Liz. I truly did not in my wildest dreams expect Beth to say she would go. I also really did try to shock and scare her, but...well maybe you were right. Maybe I was just pushing her toward the island instead of away. But she's determined to see the island and I'll go through with my promise."

"When will you two go?"

"Liz, my house will go on the market in two weeks, but I'm going back to the island Tomorrow."

""But...to stay?"

"Melvin will be in Costa Rica, and I'm going to be getting involved in Journey's End in some capacity. He told me earlier that the island house is mine for as long as I want to live there. That's a great vote of confidence from my boss, a man that I have huge respect for and I see as a friend."

She wiped her eyes and asked him, "Will you ever be back here?"

"I'm sure I will be, but how often or for how long I just don't know. I seldom know what Melvin will have me involved in until nearly the last minute. I have a question for you. Would you come down and spend a few days with me? Darren too, if that's how it has to be." She looked at him and he wasn't smiling. He really did mean just her.

"I'd love that Mac, but I don't know, Maybe at a point where he's going to be out of town for several days, but like you I usually don't know where or for how long his work will have him out of town. Plus, that could cause some trouble as you can imagine."

"I know, but I had to ask. Liz I don't want to be thousands of miles away from you, but you need this job and I need mine. I'm doing what I do best and I'd never work for anybody else as long as I have a choice."

"What about Sissy?"

"What about her?"

"Well she'll be a short ferry ride from you."

"Oh that. I like her a lot and I will see her fairly often, but if you're thinking she might be part of my future plans, she won't be."

"Mac, I seriously doubt that you'll be happy living alone for long."

"I have it pretty good there. I can have maid service and my meals delivered if I don't feel like cooking. Or I can eat at one of the restaurants if I don't want to eat alone. I think it will be good for me to live like that for awhile, but I still say that if you can manage it, I want you to come stay with me for however long you can arrange it."

She showed a small smile and told him, "You know that will be in my mind a lot."

"Even if Allie and Martin have to come along it would be better than not seeing you at all."

She changed the subject by asking him, "What did Melvin say about the open house?"

"I told him I was disappointed, but he said we all did a great job and that it went better than the numbers showed. He took some of the blame for the slower than hoped for sales, but he said he's happy with how it all went."

"I had hopes for more impressive numbers too."

"Is Darren going to stay with that company?"

"Yes. He likes the work and says he doesn't mind the travel, and though the money isn't great, it's okay." Mac stood up to leave, and as Liz rose her arms went around him. "So you and I are okay?"

He held her close and told her, "No, you and I are good, but when we're together we're great."

"God, I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too and that's why I'll try to get you to the island. You do know of course that we may have to fly you down so you can meet with Melvin at least once in awhile. Of course he may not need to see you, but I could say that."

Her cheeks were wet, but she ignored them as she asked him, "You'd fly me down there under false pretenses?"

"Only as often as I thought I might get away with it."

"Melvin wouldn't stand still for you spending money like that."

"I'd pay for the damn plane fare. That's a small price to pay to have you on the island with me."

She pulled him into her in a strong embrace as she whispered, "I love you."

He looked at her and smiled as he said, "As a friend."

She paused, but then added, "Yes of course, as a friend. I know you won't agree with me, but I think having paying guests on the island will be good for you."

"Tell me why."

"Because you have too many women in your life, and with that island as it was, you would have destroyed yourself. That island destroyed your marriage Mac. I couldn't blame you or Didi for what happened. I don't know how any marriage could survive with however many naked men and women to tease and tempt you two. Like you said, she suffered a melt down. I don't know that she could ever do well on the island again. I just wanted you to know how I feel about all of that."

"Thank you. I'll have a lot of time to think about that and I'm sure being back there will bring back a lot of memories of Didi and I together."

"You still love her."

"I do. I could never trust her again, but I do love her. I was seething with anger when Kate told me about what she was doing. But now, as I look back I'm not sure who, what or why I was so furious. But that's not what I am or will be focusing on. I want to focus on the present and the future, and remember the good parts of the past."

"That's how you should be Mac. Go back to the island and be with Beth and show her a fabulous time. Then get on with rebuilding your life."

"That's my plan."

"Will we see each other again before you go?"

"If we do I'm going to cry and embarrass myself, but if you can stand that I'd like to see you again."

"You could turn your car in and I could drive you to the airport."

"Or I could leave the car for you to use and you could drive me to the airport."

She smiled and asked him, "You'd leave the Mustang convertible with me?"

"I would. It's a company car and you're an important part of the company, and you'll be going and doing more with me gone. Okay, you drive me...sorry honey, but it has to be us because Beth will be going with me."

"Damn it. Well I still want to take you to the airport."

"We leave here at ten tomorrow morning then, and don't be mad at Beth when she gets excited about going."

"I'll just remember that she's just a kid," and she smiled at him.

"You're a smart ass, but I still love you baby." They shared a warm kiss and he went home to finish packing.

Chapter Ninety One

Beth was at Mac's door at nine and as soon as he opened the door she ran into his arms and said, "God, I can't believe I'm going to your island with you."

"Well I don't own it, but I do live there."

"Close enough for me."

"Liz is driving us to the airport."

"How is she doing?"

"Fine, why?"

"She seemed a little off when I talked to her after the open house."

"I didn't notice that, but then I had a lot on my mind."

"Me too. It's a good thing I don't have to study, because that would be a disaster. How could I study and think about this tropical island at the same time? I didn't pack a lot just as you said."

"Great. If you find you need something we'll deal with it, so don't worry about that."

"You don't seem all that happy to be going home."

"I'm okay. I realized I'm going to miss this place and my friends here. I can't wait to be home again, but in a way I'm leaving home to get there."

"Now that's totally wild. Kinda sad too."

"Yeah I know." Then he remembered Emma and added, "I even had a visitor from up on the mountain west of me."

"Weird, what's the story there?"

"She missed the open house, but she came to my door anyway and we ended up spending a couple of hours together."

Beth smiled and said, "Really, and you said she and not them."

"What are you studying again?"

"Oh that was easy to pick up on, so you're keeping a secret."

"Okay, I'm keeping a secret."

"You two didn't even talk about houses or anything like that did you."

"Correction, we did talk about houses and stuff like that." He realized that they were still in each other's arms in and standing in the entryway so he dropped his arms and asked her, 'Want something to drink while we wait for time to pass?"

"Sure, but I wonder if you're going to the airport naked."

"Oh shit. You think you're so smart, standing there waiting for me to realize my naked ass was hanging out."

"Mac, that isn't all that's hanging out."

"Now wait. So all of that shyness and reluctance to be naked or even topless, and your blushing...that was all acting and that's what you're studying right?"

"Yes, but I wasn't acting. But you're the naked one, and not me and I've seen you naked remember?"

"This is going to be a long week I'm afraid."

"This week is going to go far too fast."

"What did you tell your parents?"

"That this awesome guy that I've been naked with is flying me to his private island and I'm going to live with him for a week."

"Neat, so what did you really tell them?"

"That I was going to a retreat in the mountains and because of the location they wouldn't hear from me until I got home."

"And they bought that?"

"Well they didn't ask any questions."

"I'll bet they didn't believe a word of it though."

"Well if I find out that's true, then I'll just come and go as I please and not tell them anything."

"That's your call to make Myrna."

"You're confused."

"I'm not confused, Myrna fits you just fine. Well so does little round butt, but that's too long."

"You told me you liked my butt."

"I did?"

"Of course you did, or maybe you were lying. People forget lies that they tell and then they get caught."

"You learned that how?"

"From my parents."

"Okay now for the record, and you can put this in a file if you wish. I do love your butt."

"Thank you."

"Mac, are you ready," Liz called as she came in the backdoor.

He smiled at Beth and called out, "All most," and he ran to his bedroom.

Liz saw Beth and smiled as she said, "He's not almost ready and that's why I came over fifteen minutes early." She saw the one bag and asked, "Is that all you're taking for a week?"

"Well bikinis don't take much room, and Mac said to pack lightly and if I needed anything he'd take care of it."

"Very chivalrous of him. Where are his bags?"

"In the bedroom I guess."

Liz left Beth standing there and said, "Mac I'm coming," and she all but ran to his bedroom. Beth smiled as she heard Liz say, "I knew you wouldn't be ready, but you aren't even dressed." Then Liz squealed and Beth went to the kitchen still wearing her smile. "Mac, what are you doing?"

"Shhh, I'm undressing you."

"No Mac, don't do that, we'll be late."

"Then I'll drive faster," and he pulled her top over her head.

"Mac, we just can't..."

"I'll accept we shouldn't, but I can't accept we can't." His hand went to her waistband.

"Beth is right in the next room."

"Then talk softly and stop saying we can't and she won't hear a thing." He had her undressed a minute later and he cupped her breast in his hand as he kissed her nipple and then he kissed her lips. "Promise me you'll come see me."

"I wish I could, but I can't promise that."

His hand moved down to her mound and she pushed her knees together and put her hand over his. "No Mac honey, please don't do that."

"Then promise me you'll come see me."

"Mac, you know my situation so you must know I can't do that." When she felt his finger slip between her lips she told him, "Oh god honey please...I just..."

"Promise me honey."

Her legs were relaxing, and despite her intentions they moved out and he moved between them. Her protests were getting softer as he touched her lower lips with the tip of his hard cock and she again told him, "No honey, I just...how can I promise...and he slipped into her. "Oh god, damn you, damn you, damn you, yes I promise you honey. I promise I'll come see you," but he continued to slip in and out of her in slow motion. "Don't stop Mac. Please honey don't stop and I promise I'll come see you. I'll come stay with you if you want."

He knew that she couldn't fulfill her promise, but he wanted to pretend that she could and would. Liz was into an orgasm very quickly and Mac didn't last a lot longer than she did. They were running out of time, but he stayed with her as they settled down and bathed each other in soft kisses. "Damn it Mac, why, after all this time, why did we make love just minutes before I take you to the airport? Why did I not make love to you a long time ago like I've wanted to?"

"I've wanted us to make love since the day I met you honey."

"But damn it Mac, you want to make love to every woman you meet."

"Not exactly, but I also want to say something. No matter how many women I was with while Didi and I were married, it was always special with her. She always came first."

"Mac, don't talk about..."

"Liz, what we just shared is so special and that is because you mean more to me than anybody in the world. I'm sorry I'm doing such a lousy job of saying what I mean, but damn it, I do mean what I'm saying."

"You're really lousy with your timing do you know that?"

"I'm sorry, but you're married and...."

"I know and I'm the one that has reminded you of that many times, but look where we are right now and what we're doing. Now I'm more messed up than ever. From the day I met you I've struggled because you keep me off balance."

"That's because you love me."

"As a friend now damn it."

He smiled and told her, "Well I love you too."

"I have to wash up and we have to get dressed or you won't be able to take your twenty year old girlfriend to the tropics."

"She's not my...I give up." He jumped up and pulled her to her feet and kissed her and then slapped her naked ass before she escaped to his bathroom to clean up from their fast lovemaking.

Chapter Ninety Two

As their plane lifted into the air, Beth took Mac's hand and she smiled at him. "This makes it real. We're in the air and there is no going back right?"

"There is no going back little round butt."

"Stop that. Why make fun of it if you like it so much?'

"Oh baby, I'm not making fun of it, I'm singing its praises."

She smiled and said, "You are a head case, but I'm glad you like it so much."

Minutes later she said, "Liz really cried at the airport and you did too."

"I didn't cry, I just misted up a little."

"Men can cry so why deny it?"

"Well I didn't. I had a tear in my eye, but that's all, but you're right she did cry."

"She sobbed."

"Beth, Liz and I have been together more than most husbands and wives. We've worked together and laughed and studied and been through so much. We know a lot about each other and..."

"And you two just made love."

"Now damn it, I suppose you're going to tell me that you just know that, like you're getting divine messages."

"That's not it at all. I watched you."

"You what?"

"Well you two were a little noisy and the bedroom door was wide open."

"You still shouldn't have watched...how much did you see?"

"A whole lot lover, and that's the first time I've ever watched a couple make love, dirty movies excluded. You two were really into each other."

"You really watched us?"