There She Is Again Ch. 02

She sat back in her seat and cast her gaze on the road in front of us as she spoke. "I just finished lesson six in that video series. You know the one. The one we explored at the cabin," she said in her sexiest voice.

Suddenly I had renewed energy and we got back to my place in record time!

THE NEW ORDER OF THINGS

I got off the elevator and headed to my office, passing the maze of cubicles that contained the occasional employee settling in for the day. I caught a whiff of the coffee brewing in the break room long before I could hear the tell-tale drizzling sound of the Bunn coffee maker. One florescent bulb was fluttering in the hallway, its ballast on the brink of burning out causing an inconsistent light on the tile floors.

My canter was a bit disrupted due to Jill's experimentation with the techniques of video six. While it sounded wonderful at the time, prostrate massage by a trained expert is probably a lot different from a prostrate massage by someone learning; only having watched a video. By the time she found the right spot and figured out what to do there, I was so worn out that I couldn't enjoy it.

The door closed softly behind me while I found my office chair and sat down. I grimaced a bit at the thought that I might still be leaking some of that lube Jill had used. Seems like you can't ever get that stuff off. I knew it was just the feeling and perception, but I chose to pack an extra pair of underwear just in case.

I sat in relative silence, reflecting on the past few months. As the morning sunlight broke over the height of the building across the street, a stream of sunlight broke through my window. A burst of sunlight came bounding across my desk. It was as if a light switch had turned on in my mind as well as my office. I knew what I needed to do.

"Jim, you in there?" Tad's muffled voice could be heard on the other side of my door.

"Yeah, come on in," I said as I sat up a bit, trying not to look as awkward as I felt.

Tad pushed the door open but didn't come in all the way. He was fumbling with a binder that he held sideways while reading a spreadsheet. Leaning against the doorframe, he spoke without really looking up at me. "Just wanted to update you on the focus group data. Looks like the packaging redesign is a go. Only had one negative response in those surveyed and from the other responses she gave, she probably hates puppies and kittens too."

"Great. What's the target date for retooling and going into production?" I asked.

"Looks like by mid July we'll have things in place. We'll ramp up the production runs in June to build inventory. Taking the hit of being down for swapping out that line won't disrupt shipment flow."

He started to head back out the door when I stopped him. "Tad. You got a sec?"

"Sure, what can I do for you?" He re-entered the room and started to sit down.

"Wait. Close the door." Tad furrowed his brow at me as I spoke. Maybe it was the way I said it that made him give me that 'what chue talkin bout Willis' look.

"It's personal," I offered.

With that Tad closed the door. Throwing his notebook on the side table by the door he sat down. "Okay, shoot," he said.

"I've been thinking a lot about some things and I need some outside advice about some situations." I started, feeling a bit like Jason did as he told me he was dating someone. "There's some stuff going on with me that I think I may have to make some decisions soon."

"Oh, so those some things need someone to sometime in the somewhat distant future to give some advice?" Tad sarcastically mocked my somewhat metered words.

"Cut it out. I'm being serious," I threw at him.

"I am being serious! But you're not giving me a lot to work with here," Tad threw back.

"Okay, so here's the deal," I started. I wasn't looking at directly at him while I paused, trying to capture my thoughts and put it into words.

"Boss?" He mumbled.

"Okay. So I woke up in the middle of the night and looked at Jill," I started.

"Jill stayed over again last night?" Tad asked.

"Yes, and that's the point," I said, wanting to get back to the issue.

"So she's there all the time now," Tad interrupted again.

"Yes, and that's kinda the point." I paused and wondered if he would try to interrupt again but he sat back even further in his chair. He pressed his fingers against each other as he placed his arms on the armrests. "We've been getting kinda close lately. I was looking at her in the dark and thinking that maybe this is how it should be all the time."

"So you're asking me if I think you should ask her to move in with you," Tad interrupted. "Hell, yes."

"What?" I was caught a bit off guard by his tag line of 'hell yes'.

"Look, Jim, I've never known you to be so happy. You come in here smiling at times even. You're more pleasant to work with in the last few months. And for god's sake, I even heard you whistling the other day." He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees as he continued. "Jim for your sake; and by god for the sake of everyone in this office, please." He waved his hands, gesturing the entire building. ".. please, move in with this woman." He paused long enough to get me to move forward to hear his final comment. "None of us want you to go back to the grizzly bastard you were." With that he threw himself back in the chair, almost propelled back by a gut laugh at my expense.

"Okay, yeah, laugh it up. But I'm being serious," I barked as I stood up and took one of the binders off the credenza.

"Hell, I am too. What's the problem? Ask her to move in with you already. What are you, 16?" He became a bit more serious.

Standing at my desk chair, I leaned over my desk and tossed some paperwork to the side. "I don't know. I guess things with Gwen started out so good and ended so poorly. I just don't want to screw up again."

"Jill is nothing like Gwen. Gwen makes you nuts and always did. She must be great in the sack cause that's the only thing I can imagine that would have kept you together that long," Tad pressed. We had never really discussed why I put up with Gwen so long when there were so many problems in our relationship. As he spoke, I couldn't help myself. I started grinning a bit. Tad saw my reaction and pounced. "My GOD! It was sex? She was really that good that you'd put up with all her shit?"

"You have no idea. She was raw and edgy and very energetic in bed," I mumbled. "But there's something different with Jill. It's not just sex. It's, god, how do I say this? It's the fact that there's intimacy. It's a chemistry thing. A heart thing. It's not just the mechanics of sex, it's ..."

"You're in love." Tad's words stopped me in my tracks.

"Yeah, I guess I am." I couldn't believe my own words.

THE KEY TO THE RELATIONSHIP

The night had come. It was a big step for both of us, but deep inside I knew it was right. Jill and I were always together so why not just move in together instead of playing this game of overnight bags and running back and forth to our separate places? It just seemed logical to me. I sure hoped it was to her as well. So tonight I would ask her to move in with me. Tonight I wanted make it official that we were together.

My gut was a bit nervous; with butterflies as I drove home. Thoughts of her response ranged from total rejection to moving in before the evening was over. What about her place? What about Sandy? God, what about Sandy and Jason? What about furniture? Where would I stuff some of my personal things? Would she really want to bring that ugly clock that's in her kitchen? If she really wanted that ugly clock, would I love her enough to let her hang it? All the what if's flooded my mind as I drove across town and down the hill leading into our neighborhood.

But even with all of my angst, I was ready. I was tired of being alone and not having someone to share the simple things of life. I charged on, knowing it was what I wanted. God, Tad was right. Nobody had ever made me as happy and content as Jill. I was boldly confident as I drove into the garage.

But as the garage door was closing, a panic struck my mind. Wait. Jill had such a great relationship with her husband before his death. Was she ready for this move? Was it too soon? Would she reject me? Hell, every time I thought I was ready to make this kind of move, another wave of thoughts flooded past me. Stop second guessing. Stop the self denial. It's time for me to ask her, even at the risk of rejection.

I scurried into the house and began putting things away. For some reason, I felt like the place need to be straightened up before she arrived. Of course being mildly OCD, it didn't take much to get things straightened up; although I gave a frustrated look of distain at the dust on the living room chandelier. But with only a few minutes until she arrived, I just had to hope that Jill wouldn't notice.

Digging through the closet, I remembered something that might work for tonight. I dug through piles of old sports gear and framed pictures of 'the happy family' that I had taken down after Gwen moved out. Underneath an old blanket I pulled it out; I found what I was looking for. I opened a large box that was filled with several smaller boxes. Inside I found just the right sized box. It was a jewelry box just large enough. I knew it was empty, so I quickly opened it and in the slot prepared for jewelry, I gently stuffed a key to the front door of my house.

I concocted a scheme to present her with the key and watch her reaction before saying anything. It was a perfect plan. Re-entering the living room I slid the box in a drawer of the end table next to the couch. She always sat right in the middle of this couch when she spent time here. I knew it would be ready and waiting for me to ask her to move in with me.

Music playing on the stereo; check. Dirty clothes put away; check. Bed made with fresh sheets; check. Gas fireplace running; not tonight, it's a bit too warm outside. The wine was chilling and the Italian dinners I had picked up from our favorite restaurant were warming in the oven. Key to the house in the end table drawer; check. The only thing left to take care of was Jill; and I was hoping I could take good care of her tonight.

I was digging out wine glasses when there was a knock on the front door. Yes, I admit it. My heart skipped a beat making me fumble the fragile wine glasses. Catching myself before dropping them, I placed them on the countertop next to the wine bottle and opener. This is it. I could sense my own anxiety as I paused for a moment to regain my composure. I took a long, cleansing, deep breath. It was Jill; right on time. Walking to the front door, I shuffled some loose magazines on the coffee table into a more presentable arrangement.

Opening the door I was a bit shocked. There stood the younger, slightly more reddish haired, version of Jill in the form of her daughter.

"Hey, Jim," Sandy said in her typically chipper voice.

"Sandy? Where's your mom?" I inquired a bit let down that the woman I wanted to see wasn't waiting on my doorstep.

"She's trying to get out of the back seat of the VW," Sandy explained. I looked out to the driveway to see Jason helping her out of the tight rear seat of the small car. And here all these years, I was trying to get girls INTO the back seat!

"Don't stress it. Jason and I aren't staying. We're just dropping off you're 'girlfriend' and getting out of here." Sandy skewed her face to emphasize the word 'girlfriend'. She said it as if it gave her an instant case of nausea. She shot me an exaggerated, wrinkled nose, face just to reiterate.

I glanced over to the car again; and there she was. Jill was in the driveway talking to Jason as I stood at the front door. They were laughing at something; possibly the clumsiness of getting out of the back seat of such a small car. God, how is it that she has such a hold on my emotions? Why do I all but lose it when she's around? The anticipation of holding her in my arms overwhelms me.

Somewhere in my lost thoughts while watching her, I realize it's more than just physical attraction. It's the whole package. The banter we share over dinner, the way she concludes my thoughts, the way we look into each other's eyes, the feel of her hand on mine as I rest my hand on the stick-shift while driving; it's the whole ball of wax. It's consuming my thoughts, my mind, my senses.

I watched as a errant strand of hair fell graciously across her cheek. Watching that strand fall made me glow with desire for her. She casually drew it back, sliding it behind her ear. As she turned slightly her gorgeous face was illuminated with a glow of the fading sun. As a hobbyist photographer, I realize that it is now that golden hour; when the light is just right for shooting. She was gorgeous. Here eyes twinkle as she continued talking to Jason. Then she glanced in my direction and our eyes connected. I couldn't help the schoolboy grin that spread across my face. She responded and glanced downward, possibly embarrassed by the thought that I was watching her; intimately drinking in her beauty. Often I get the impression that she doesn't really realize how lovely she is.

Only a woman with a figure like hers could pull off wearing the skin tight jeans that encapsulates and accentuates her form. For a moment I daydreamed about sliding my hand into her back pockets, feeling the sensation of my fingers pressed against her incredible ass. With simply the sight of her, I knew I had to ask her to move in with me; to make it official that we were a couple. I couldn't risk losing her. All my fear of rejection was overwhelmed by the possibility of spending the rest of my life with this wonderful woman.

"Jim. Jim! JIM!" Sandy was begging for my attention. I came back to reality as Sandy took a playful slap at my cheek. "God, you're ogling my mom!" She exclaimed.

"Yeah, I guess I am," I replied, realizing that I was absorbed in thought of her. Somewhat red faced at being caught, I causally rubbed the stinging flesh of my cheek from the rude awakening.

"That's like, sick!" She slapped me again for emphasis.

Jill started up the walkway. There she was; the most beautiful woman I could ever imagine. As she approached, I realized how much I wanted her. Not just tonight. Not just for some wanton sexual moment. But I wanted her for the rest of my life.

"Mom, ya know what Jim was...," Sandy started.

"Jill. I wondered if he was going to get you out okay," I interrupted and stepped in front of Sandy to give Jill a greeting kiss.

"God, I'm gagging here. This is just cray!" Sandy said as she stomped off toward Jason.

"Thanks Jason!" I shouted as the kids jumped back into the car to head out. I could hear Sandy telling Jason that his dad was a 'sick' something or other as they closed the doors.

"Keep your cell phone on and let me know when you get there," Jill directed at Sandy.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will. Later!" Sandy shouted out the window of the car door.

Jill turned her voice to speak to me directly. "Tell me that you've had the 'birds n bees' talk with Jason," Jill stated calmly as she placed her hand softly on the center of my chest. She looked me straight in the eye as if requiring that I answer.

I was stopped dead in my tracks by the comment. "Well, I.."

"It's okay. I'm pretty sure Sandy has been mildly sexually active in the past. But I just worry that they pace themselves," Jill explained, now patting my chest with her hand.

"They're pretty level headed kids. I'm sure they aren't rushing things," I calmly stated.

"Level headed kids? Isn't that an oxymoron?"

"They'll be fine." I tried to reassure.

"They've been dating all this time and just now decided to tell us about it. Now they're talking about dating 'exclusively' and talk about 'getting serious'. Doesn't it worry you at all?" Jill ranted.

"Okay, yes. It does seem like they are moving a bit quickly. But couldn't they say the same about us?" I jibed. She shot back that look that every guy who has ever been in a long term relationship knows. She was put out at me, mildly frustrated, being sarcastic yet not truly mad at me.

We closed the front door and Jill dropped a small overnight bag by the door. "Hope I wasn't being presumptuous, but I thought I might come prepared this time. I'm kinda tired of rummaging around your stuff to try and freshen up in the morning." Jill said as she noticed that I was looking at her bag.

"No, that's fine. I would think we're at a place where it's okay to make some presumptions from time to time," I smiled.

"Something smells wonderful!" she exclaimed walking past the living room couch and toward the kitchen.

"Mario's! Got your favorite. I better go take that out of the oven," I said as I hurried off to the kitchen. "Make yourself at home. You know where everything is." I peeked into the oven to check the progress on dinner as the music changed from XM's Sinatra channel to the Watercolors, Jazz station.

I opened the fridge and pulled out two house salads, putting them on the tray to take into the dining room. Grabbing some hot pads from the drawer next to the oven, I started pulling things out. "If you want a glass of wine, it's... " I was interrupted by Jill setting a glass of wine for me on the counter. She was doing this more and more. Like the day she followed behind me with my brief case and I turned to find her right there. It was becoming our thing. She moves in sync with me sometimes and it drives me crazy. The fluid way she imperceptibly moves in rhythm with me is peaceful to my scattered mind. Others don't seem to notice; they're unaware of how she completes me. But isn't this the way a relationship should be? Yes. The exact opposite of my relationship with Gwen. With her, the only time we were in sync was when we were naked and fucking.

'She's even finishing my sentences' I thought to myself as I set the dinners on the stove top and picked up the wine. I watched as she leaned back against the countertop on the other side of the galley kitchen.

She drew her wineglass to her lips and took a small sip, placing it on the counter to one side. "It's almost like I'm starting to finish your sentences," she said as she softly ran her tongue across her lips; cleansing the remaining wine from them.

"To hell with dinner!" I said, throwing the hot pads on the floor. I stepped over and enveloped Jill, kissing her. She staggered a bit at the unexpected overture and fumbled to set her wine glass down to avoid spilling it before joining me in the embrace.

After a few moments of playful groping, she broke the embrace. "Okay, this is nice, but I do need to eat something. I skipped lunch and that smells just divine," she said as she pushed me back a bit.

"You're right. But can we pick it up from right here in an hour?" I said before nibbling her earlobe.

"You're on. Now let's eat," she said shoving me back a step.

We had finished dinner and were sitting on the living room couch just enjoying the music as we talked. She probably had noticed that I was as anxious as a fourth grade boy on Valentine's Day, keeping a special card hidden for a special girl. But I couldn't wait any longer.

She had settled into the middle of the living room leather couch. It quickly became her favorite place in the house. No matter where I sat on the couch with her, she was next to me. She was a bit cold blooded and would often cuddle up next to me. I quickly grew to love our cuddle time on the old leather couch. So completely different from the queen of cold that had once ruled the kingdom. Gwen would only get next to me when she wanted sex. I'd be ignored for weeks until she got the itch. Don't get me wrong. When she did want sex; it was wild and wonderful. But it truly didn't make up for the long droughts between.