Anna

"That's fine," I said, "how much will you want."

I could see Sonia out of the corner of my eye looking at him hard. She knew I would pay a good deal for this but he didn't seem to be bothered. I suppose he epitomised the idea of the 'artist' not concerned with money because he just said, "Oh, don't worry about that. This will be a pleasure."

"Ralph!!" from Sonia.

Lena reached across and touched Sonia's arm, "Don't worry, we'll sort something out," she said with a smile. I think she was looking forward to being painted now.

So we sat and talked while Ralph sketched Lena. He didn't ask her to sit still or anything and, after about half an hour, he showed us his pad. He had about eight small sketches of her face in all sorts of expression. She was beautiful! She looked at the sketches and her mouth opened in an enormous 'O'.

"Is that me? Really?"

He laughed, "Yes, really," he said and she favoured him with one of her appreciative glances and I could see that his interest in her was beginning to be just a little more than painting! I suspected that he was quite used to seducing his subjects and wondered whether that was how he and Sonia came together. Of course Lena noticed his changing glance straight away and, for just a moment, I was glad she was pregnant as a pang of jealousy flashed across my mind. I don't like myself when I'm jealous but, as I've written above, I don't think I could stand her with another man (other than Guy that is). I needn't have worried because she turned her head to me and kissed my cheek, "Darling," she said imparting more sexiness and love into that word than you would have thought possible, "he's a magician isn't he?"

I cuddled her to me and noticed Sonia looking on with some comfort on her face. Yes, I thought, he does! "No, he's only showing what's there sweetheart." I turned to him, "Thanks Ralph, do you need us tomorrow?"

"Well I need Caroline," he said giving her 'that' smile again and infusing the statement with just enough suggestiveness to indicate his feelings. "I'll have some developments on these sketches for her to look at."

I looked at Caroline and realised I had to make a decision here. I had to trust her and, I had to let her decide, no matter how much it hurt me. "Lena, do you want to come over tomorrow?" She looked at me with love in her eyes. She knew what I was asking and she knew what it cost me.

"Yes," she said looking at him with a lovely smile. Then she turned to me, "But I couldn't possibly come without my husband. After all, the picture is for him isn't it?" Well, my heart did somersaults and I wanted to hug her so tight!

He smiled at her then at me, admitting defeat I think – perhaps he liked pregnant women? "I'll see you tomorrow then. Any time, I'm not going anywhere." Now he wandered off with the sketches ignoring us both.

"We haven't upset him have we?" Lena asked Sonia who looked at Lena thoughtfully.

"No, not upset," then she smiled in relief I think, "just disappointed."

"Mmm," said Lena with a smile at me, "I'm afraid he would have too much to live up to!" You cannot believe how your love saying something like this can make you feel.

Sonia looked at her, then me, and said, "I can see you love him very much."

"Yes," she said softly, "more than you could ever know!" Then she smiled, "Come on Mike, time to get back," and she grabbed my hand.

Walking back up the hill after landing from the taxi boat I could hardly keep my hands off her. I wanted to hold her so tight. I stopped by a seat, "Sit with me for a while," I said softly, "I want to hold you."

"Mmm," she said as we sat together.

"I'm sorry," I said because I was feeling bad now, bad that, even for a moment, I was jealous.

"What for," she said smiling but I knew that she knew!

"For being jealous, for doubting you even for a moment." Then I held her as tight as I could considering the 'bump'.

"I know," she said, "thank you for trusting me in the end. I could tell you know by the way you asked me. He is handsome and quite attractive but," she gave me a hug and a sexy smile, "'hamburgers' remember."

"God I love you," I said nearly in tears because he was handsome and he was attractive and he was available, that was obvious from Sonia's reaction. She was relieved when Lena clearly shrugged off his advance.

"And I love you and you don't have to be sorry." She took my head in her hands and looked deep into my eyes. "I like you being jealous," she said, "but you don't have to be. No man can ever live up to you, you know that."

I kissed her and everything was all right. "You don't mind me having a portrait done do you?" I asked.

"No, it's nice but I think he is flattering me!"

I laughed, "No he isn't. I keep telling you you are beautiful. Don't compare yourself to all these fashion models you see on FTV. You have more about you than them!"

She smiled. She knew I didn't like really slim women with no hips or bottom. "You're only saying that because you want my body," she laughed.

"True," I said laughing back, "I do want your body, every part of it, but it's true. You are lovely and he will do you justice. Come on, let's see how things have panned out at home." So we walked back up the hill hand in hand.

I'm going to hand back to Lena now.


Lena:

I knew he was jealous as soon as I looked at his face. And I knew just what game Ralph was playing. Looking at Sonia as he spoke to me I could tell she was on edge. I suspected he did dally with his subjects given the chance and she was just a bit worried he might with me. Now Ralph was quite handsome and he was attractive. About 40 I should think with a ready smile and a smooth confidence that can attract women. His American accent helped as well and any man that can make a woman look beautiful on paper has something of a head start anyway!

I think I might have flirted with him had I not seen the look on Mike's face. He's written about this. I know how much he hates himself for being jealous and how much he tries not to be, but he was now, I could see it and tell from his voice as he asked me if I wanted to go over 'on my own'. I knew this must have cost him dear but, strangely enough, I didn't find Ralph attractive. I didn't find any men attractive other than Mike and Guy. I had all I needed, there was nothing I could want that Ralph or any other man could give me.

When I refused, well I did by implication anyway, his advance he lost interest and I became just another subject. He would do his job I was sure but he realised he had no chance. I could see the relief on Sonia's face as well. I suspect she was quite used to it. I wondered if he had painted her portrait!!

I knew it was bothering Mike as we walked back and I wasn't surprised he needed a little chat. He never liked leaving things like this unsaid, unfinished. He said that they can fester and turn from tiny pinpricks of conscience into major problems. I reassured him, kissed him, and hugged him and he was OK.

Back at the villa Lucia was in the kitchen, the lounge was empty. "They can't be at it again," I said laughing.

Lucia laughed back, "Ciao Mike, Lena. No, they've gone out for a walk together. I thought I'd start getting something ready for dinner."

"Mmm, good. I'll just make some coffee then I'll help," I said.

"How did it go with them?" Mike asked

Lucia smiled softly. "Oh, I think they are OK themselves. Now Guy is worried about his wife and how she will take it. Anna has changed, changed completely Lena. She's quiet and reserved. None of yesterday about her at all."

"Does she love him Lucia, really?"

She smiled, "Yes, I think she does. She looks at him the way I used to look and my husband and," she looked at Mike, "they way you look at him."

I smiled softly, "Well," I said, "it must be love then. What about him? Has he sorted out his feelings?"

"Yes he has. He said he didn't feel about her like he felt about Jo. He didn't think that was possible but he felt something more than just affection and it was growing. I think he's having trouble just understanding what's going on inside him Lena. He's upset at upsetting you and annoying his father but he has a streak of stubbornness inside."

"Like his dad," I said with a smile to Mike.

"Yes," Lucia said smiling at him, "he's like his dad in many ways. He thinks he can emulate you I think, and Nardo."

"Mmm," said Mike, "I hope Jo feels the same way!"

"Well, we won't know until Friday will we. Lucia, how do you feel about Anna coming home with us on Friday?"

"Well, Guy mentioned that earlier. I don't mind. I think it's important for Anna and Jo to meet and to sort things out." She looked serious for a moment, "I don't suppose Anna will go to college if she is pregnant. She must love him a lot I think to give that chance up."

"Well all is not lost Lucia. We have the Open University at home, she can do that but we won't know what's happening will we. What will you do?"

"I phoned Bernardo this afternoon and asked if I could stay with him. You remember he offered. He was pleased and he's sending a car on Friday to pick me up. He says I'll have too much to carry – he's right. Mike, I was wondering if you could take me home on Friday morning so I can pack."

"Sure," he said, "I'll bring you back so you can say goodbye us both properly. The car can pick you up from here. We won't be leaving until about 2 pm. I need to phone Nardo so I'll tell him to send the car here."

"Thanks," she said with a lovely smile that did promise at least one more tryst with him.

"Now, how about tonight," I asked just as we heard the door close downstairs. "Oh, they're back," I said.

They came in hand in hand and she did have that look. As soon as she saw Mike she walked over and sat on the arm of his chair very demurely. Far different from her antics of yesterday.

She took his hand gently, "I want to say sorry for last night," she said quietly looking in his eyes, "it wasn't fair what we did, using you to test our feelings for each other. Guy told me how you felt. I'm sorry, we're both sorry." This was a totally different Anna from before, quiet, soft spoken, mature, and aware. I could see he was impressed.

"Of course you're forgiven," Mike said smiling at her, "how could I not forgive such a lovely apology. I did feel bad about hurting you, not stopping," he said looking at Lucia and me then he smiled, "and I felt bad because I enjoyed it so much."

She smiled and pecked his cheek, "I'm glad you enjoyed it," she said demurely, "Guy has said that I can say sorry properly later this week." Now the way she said this was so, so different from earlier. There was none of the precociousness of before, none of the brash sexuality. This was a woman telling a man that she wanted him. I could see he was impressed as he looked at Guy who nodded. So, I thought, he grants her favours now! She was in love with him, that was certain! Now Mike showed why I love him so much.

"That would be an honour," he said smiling and then looked at me, "but I have to have permission first!"

Now I would have been less than enthusiastic if she had been like before but now she seemed much more mature, more able to make sensible decisions, control her passions. I could see that Mike really did want my approval over this. He was aware, I think, of my feeling slightly miffed about the way they had treated him and, to be truthful, I was miffed. He was my man and I'd lent him to them and I thought they'd abused his and my trust. I looked at her with raised eyebrows, "I wasn't happy with you two, you know that, but if you've grown up a bit and you really want to, then you can borrow him again." As it happened, however, he didn't. He wanted to be sure that her could make love to Gianna: that was more important to him.

Anna jumped off the chair and hugged me, "I am sorry Lena, and I am grown up now. Last night did that, last night and today talking to mother and to Guy. I know how I feel now. You were right, it was too much last night and it showed me how childish I'd been over sex. Like a little girl who stuffed her face with candy until she was sick. I'm over that Lena. All I want now is to meet Joanna and try to make her understand how I feel about him." She looked intense now, intense and terribly sincere, "I won't jeopardise them Lena," she looked at him lovingly, "I love him to much to do that. We will work something out, I know. Am I forgiven?"

I hugged her back. I'm not one to hold grudges, it's basically a waste of time and emotion. "Of course you are Anna. I'm glad you feel like that, have put that girl of yesterday and before behind you."

Now Guy was standing next to me. "And I'm sorry too Lena, really sorry for all the pain I put you and dad through. It was unfair but, heck Lena, we had to find out how we felt. Lena, I need your forgiveness you know, I still love you, that hasn't changed and I still want you, you must know that."

Poor Guy, he was nearly in tears now. I felt so mature, so much older than him and I wasn't. "Guy, Guy, of course I forgive you, I love you as well and that hasn't changed. I was just annoyed that you didn't consider your father's feelings but that's in the past now. He's forgiven you hasn't he so I'm sure I can." I turned to smile at Anna, "And," I said, "I still want you but I can lend you to Anna for a while. Now you just have to make Jo understand."

"I know," he said taking a deep breath, "but I think I can do that."

"I phoned your mother this morning," Mike said, "and told her all this. She is a little exasperated with you so you can expect some sharp words from her if you don't treat Jo properly."

He smiled, "Yes," he said, "mother has a sharp tongue when she feels like it but I will treat Jo properly dad. I love her so much and this doesn't change any of that. I still feel the same way about her, Anna knows that and understands." He looked fondly at her and she smiled back at him.

"Now we've sorted all that out," I said smiling at him, "we only have to sort out tonight and tomorrow night don't we?" and I looked at Lucia who blushed.

Guy looked at her and smiled his sexy smile, "We talked about that before Anna and I went out," he said. "I said I would be honoured if Anna's mother would let me share her bed tonight and Anna said she thought it was a good idea so she could test me out! Well Lucia?" he said turning to her.

She seemed embarrassed and looked across at me. I nodded. Well, you know me, it was too good an opportunity to miss. If everything panned out as I thought Guy wanted it to, Anna would stay with us in England. If that was the case I didn't think Lucia would get another opportunity to screw the arse off Guy.

"Go on Lucia," said Mike smiling, "you can punish him in your own way." Then he was serious, "Enjoy Lucia, you might not get another chance!"

She took a deep breath and looked at me, "I want them both as well Lena, can I?" she ended.

"I can't speak for Guy," I said, "but I know my husband can't wait to climb into bed with you again, eh Mike?"

This embarrassed him a bit because it was true. I knew how much he enjoyed Lucia. Now he looked at her with hot eyes, "Oh yes," he said, "Guy, no hidden agendas this time?"

Guy smiled a big smile, "No dad, no hidden agenda's, just a beautiful woman."

"You be on your best behaviour tonight son," Mike said with a smile then, turning to Lucia, added, "and don't you spare him!"

She smiled seductively at them both, "Oh no, nor you tomorrow either." I guessed that she had found out from Anna exactly what the double teaming was all about and she was looking forward to experiencing it at least once in her life, and she was going to give it her all!

"Come on Lucia, let's get dinner and leave the men to amuse Anna."

She suddenly looked worried, worried I expect, that they would pounce on her again but she needn't have worried. Guy sat next to her and chatted away quite naturally as we left for the kitchen.

"Are you Ok about tonight?" I asked Lucia.

"Yes," she said confidently, "yes I am." Then she turned to me, "You do understand don't you Lena. Oh I don't feel anything other than affection for him, after all," she smiled, "he is going to be the equivalent of my son isn't he, if all goes well but, oh Lena, the chance!! Just the chance to, you know, experience him. To know what Anna knows about him. Tell me you understand, please!" Poor Lucia, she was almost pleading for understanding. What a cruel world that could bring her to feel such despair.

I held her close to me, noticing incidentally, how soft and warm she felt. "Understand, of course I understand. Lucia you have a chance few women ever get you know. To experience your daughter's lover. Oh you must take that chance with both hands. As Mike said, 'Enjoy'. He's good Lucia," I smiled softly, "not quite as good as his father but he is coming along." She smiled. "And he will see it as an honour you know, that you should share your bed with him. He is old fashioned like his father in that he really does respect women. That's what made last night with Anna such and aberration. Now don't worry about it. Take him to bed and test him out!" I said laughing. "I'm sure you can teach him a thing or two. And me I think. I want to learn that trick to stop them cumming too soon."

She laughed, relaxed now with the idea of having him tonight, "Oh that's easy," she said, "the problem is know exactly how hard to squeeze."

I laughed as well, "Anna got it wrong last night," I said. "Mike told be it bloody hurt!"

This made us both laugh even more and now, Lucia completely relaxed about later that evening, we pottered around and cooked up a culinary masterpiece – well spaghetti bolognaise actually but it was good!

Dinner was quieter that night. Anna was subdued, bloody knackered if you ask me, yawning from about 7 o'clock. Mike was tired as well and he took the opportunity to open some really good wine as he wasn't 'on duty' so he drank quite a lot and that meant he got very loving. Drink always did that to him, made him even more attentive of me. By the end of the meal he wouldn't let me out of his sight, following me into the kitchen to kiss my neck and hold me. It was funny really because even if he had been 'fit' he'd have been useless because of the drink but it was nice, now and again, to see him completely relaxed like this.

Guy, bless him, paid court to Lucia. He must have told Anna he'd do this because she didn't seem bothered although he didn't completely ignore her and Mike did tease her somewhat as he got more and more tipsy. I couldn't get over how charming Guy was, where did he learn that? By the end of the meal Lucia was virtually eating out of his hand and I could see that it wouldn't be long before she dragged him off for a very long night of pleasure.

We cleared things up very quickly. Mike, in his semi tipsy state was more hindrance than help but we got it done. He offered to make coffee but I declined, directing Guy to do the honours. Mike disappeared to the loo and I quickly said to Lucia, "Well, any doubts?"

"Oh no Lena, none at all. He is so, so charming." She looked at Anna and smiled, "and, like his father, he's so easy to fall in love with."

I detected a note of sadness here, "What is it Lucia? Why sad?"

She smiled, "No," she said, "not sad just a little jealous I suppose. They are rare men Lena and they are both taken."

I smiled because I knew she was right. "Yes, they are rare," I said softly then happily, "but we mustn't tell them Lucia otherwise they'll get too big for their boots!"

She laughed as Mike returned and said, "Who's boots?"

"Nobody's," I laughed, "come and sit here before you fall over!" So he did and held me tight. I didn't often see him like this but I liked it. He was totally relaxed and three parts cut!