Caroline Ch. 12.01

I was tired after lunch and needed his help up the hill to the villa but I felt a lot better for the outing. We had all enjoyed ourselves a lot and I think I had convinced Mike that I was on the way to recovery. Mike went out fishing on the lake with some friends in the afternoon and Amy and I had a chat about him.

"He loves you very much doesn't he?"

I smiled, "Yes he does. I'm very lucky really." She looked a bit sad. "What is it?"

"I suppose I'm a bit jealous. I thought I'd found the right bloke with John but he was a bastard really, just using me for somewhere to sleep. He conned me something rotten, even screwed my friend in my bed. That's why I was off men a bit. I hadn't been with anyone for months before Sunday. I just wish I could find a man of my own." She smiled, "I don't suppose there are many like him about but I would settle for something similar."

I cuddled her, "You'll find your own man you know, you are very attractive. You have quite an effect on men, and on women."

She looked surprised, "I never thought so."

"Oh you do," I laughed, "why do you think you had so much trouble. You're very, very sexy."

"Really?"

"Mmm, Bernardo noticed and so did Guy and that's something of an achievement at the moment, he's totally into Jo." Then I decided it was time to talk about Bernardo and Sally. "Amy, what did you think of Bernardo?"

"I don't know really, he's not handsome in that kind of way is he but he's so rugged I suppose. He has such a presence, a strong personality."

"Did you like him?"

"You mean? Like that?"

"Yes, did you fancy him?"

"Errrrmmm, I'm not sure really. He's very nice. I don't think I thought of him like that, you know, he's my boss now isn't he?"

"Yes, he is but he fancies you, you know, he couldn't take his eyes off you most of the time. Didn't you feel it."

Now she showed her naiveté. "Well, I knew he was looking at me but I thought that was just because I was going to work for him."

I laughed, "Oh Amy, I'm not surprised you get into so much trouble. His eyes were devouring you, you'll have to fight him off you know."

"Oh." Then she got serious, "Oh dear, should I stay, him being married and everything?"

"Of course you should. Look, you're adult enough to keep him at bay but you know you are very attractive to women as well?"

She looked shocked at this, "No, really?" she said preening herself.

I laughed at her, "Amy, stop preening. Yes you are attractive to women you know that, don't be silly. I fancied you the moment I saw you and I can tell that Jo did as well, she told me so later. I think that Sally was quite attracted to you as well and I know she is interested in the arrangement that Jo and I have with Mike and Guy so everything may be all right."

"What do you mean?" Oh dear, she was so naïve at that time.

"I mean that you might have them both, you know like Sunday with me and Mike. How would you like a ménage a trois?"

"A what?"

"A ménage a trois. It's French for a 'household of three' dopey," I said laughing. Her eyes opened wide. "Look just play it by ear and see how it goes. No one can force you can they and they are a lovely couple." I looked at her long and hard, "You could do worse than him you know, he is a very, very attractive man."

She smiled remembering him I suspect, and now seeing him in a new light, "Yes, he is, isn't he," she said almost to herself. "Sally is nice as well, I liked her straight away."

"There you are. Everything will be all right, don't you worry. Now, I'm going to tell Mike to sleep with you tonight, do you want him?"

She looked somewhat shamefaced, "Is it that obvious?"

I smiled, "Yes, I'm afraid it is. He hasn't noticed." She looked sad. "Oh," I said, "that's not because he doesn't want you, it's because he's worried about me. He does want you, I know. So, is it all right? I don't want to 'set him off' as it were if you don't want it."

"Oh Lena, I'm sorry, but yes I do want him." She was nearly in tears now. "I thought he didn't want me, you know, on Wednesday when you suggested it. It's difficult to explain really. He is so NICE Lena, kind, gentle. The way he looks after you, the way he loves you. And I owe him so much. Oh, I know you don't want him to know I feel like that but I do. I owe you both so much, that's why I offered to come up here with you, it was a way of saying thank you for all you've done." She smiled, "I think that Joanna knew I fancied him still because she made me buy some special 'bedroom' underwear. A lovely red set, and a very sexy black one. She said he would like them a lot."

I knew the type of sets she was talking about and, yes, he would like them a lot! "Don't be silly," I said smiling, "I don't mind you wanting him, you've already been with him haven't you, so how can I mind. Have him tonight and every night if you want. He can't have me for a month, until we get the OK from the clinic and you won't get the chance when we get back," I laughed, "you might as well take advantage but I want you both to come into my room afterwards, I don't want to sleep alone and I don't think he will let me. You don't mind that do you?"

She smiled, "How could I. I know he won't leave you alone." She hugged me and gave me a kiss, "Thank you," she said, "thank you for sharing him. He's the first real man I've had. Now I know the difference."

With that we spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about men and things. She told me all about college and about John, the one she thought was right, and I told her about Jo and me again, and about Guy. Well not all about him of course.

Mike came back about 5 clutching three brown trout he had caught, as proud as punch. Men are funny aren't they, I suppose it's the hunter instinct coming to the fore. "We can have these for dinner," he said proudly.

"Only if you prepare them," we both said together.

He laughed, "I guessed as much. I'll get dinner tonight, you two have a rest." With that, off he went into the kitchen. Amy followed a little later to do the starter and dessert. We always ate well at the Villa, lots of fresh food, fish, and meat and fruit. I was feeling so happy now. I felt better, a lot better after our outing today and I was emotionally stable now. I was pleased that Mike was going to be 'looked after' tonight and that I had talked to Amy about Nardo and Sally. It had been a good day for 'little miss Machiavelli'!

The day ended with a lovely meal, the trout were delicious served with a delicate salad and potatoes. Amy's starter and dessert were good as well and we sat down afterwards to chat. I was pleased to see that Mike hadn't drunk very much either, mind he'd hardly drunk anything since we came. I suspect he wanted to keep a clear head in case anything happened to me. We sat together and I cuddled up to him, resting my head on his chest and listening to his heartbeat. Amy sat opposite watching us with a soft smile.

After a while I said, "Amy, why don't you make some coffee," and I gave her an outrageous wink.

"Mmm, good idea," she said and left for the kitchen.

I looked up then kissed him, "I want you to have her tonight," I said firmly, "and she wants you. I'm not taking no for an answer. I'm feeling much better now and you can both come into my bedroom when you've finished."

He looked a bit shocked at my directness and he wasn't about to give in without a struggle. "What about you, on your own in there. I'm not happy with that," he said gruffly.

"Oh Mike, I really am better now. I don't feel sad and I'm not half as tired as I was. They said at the clinic all I needed was rest and you've looked after me so well." I pouted, "You can't have me and I can't have you getting frustrated and Amy wants you, please."

He gave in, well I'm not surprised really, he did fancy her didn't he and he is a man but I didn't mind. "I love you," he said, "are you sure. You know how I feel about endangering our love."

"You won't," I said, "I know you love me and I love you so what does it matter who you sleep with. I want you to make love to her, show her how a real man can make a woman feel. That's it, make a woman out of her, she's just a girl now, like I was. Kiss me then I'm going up to bed. You can seduce her here on the settee," I whispered, "then she can get ready upstairs. She knows how to prepare everywhere," I added knowingly. He kissed me long and hard and I went upstairs.

I asked Mike to write up his time at the Villa with Amy about a month later so I could keep it with all these other papers about my life so he's going to tell you how they got on.

Hope you enjoyed this interim chapter. Votes and comments always welcome.

To be continued: