Traveling Team Ch. 04

Note: This is the fourth installment of a continuing series.

Chapter 4

Exchanging goodbyes, with knowing smiles, and a warm, G-rated hug, Jack reluctantly said goodnight to Bethany.

As he prepared for bed that night, Jack relived every moment of his evening with Bethany. In just 24 hours, his whole world was tipped upside down, in a good way, a really, really good way, by this stunning women he'd met just because his boy wanted to play baseball. What if he would've chosen soccer, he thought.

Jack couldn't get Bethany out of his head. Didn't want to. She was like nobody he had ever met, and he couldn't wait to see her again. He wouldn't have to wait long. As he lay in bed, he received a text from Bethany.

"Yankees lost! I win! When's my dinner? B"

He replied, "Lucky win. Sat nite? I'm cooking."

Bethany replied, ":) a man who can cook! I think I might be in <3"

Jack texted back, "Might? ;) See you @ 6?"

Bethany replied, "Great! Sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams."

As Saturday evening approached, Jack was filled with a mixture of nervous energy and excited anticipation. Having dropped Brian off to spend the weekend with his mother, he hoped that Bethany would be equally as free to spend as much time with him as possible, and hopefully stay the night.

He wasn't certain if she was even willing to go that far at this point. What happened the other evening was like spontaneous combustion. Neither seemed to expect it at the time, but looking back, it seemed inevitable. There was an obvious mutual attraction, great rapport, and an instant connection. He felt as if he'd known Bethany for years, yet it was only a matter of days. She might want to backtrack a bit, he thought, and take a more traditional approach. Either way, he was thrilled to be seeing her again that night.

Jack's phone chimed with new text message from Bethany, "Looking fwd 2 2nite. Bring anything?"

Texting was fine, but Jack felt a little silly trying to communicate this way. He called her.

"Hi, Jack," Bethany answered warmly.

"Hey. How are you?" he asked.

"I'm good," she said. "Did you get my text?"

"Yeah, I thought I'd just call," he said. "Can you talk?"

"Oh, yeah," she replied. "I'm just so used to texting Xander and my friends, I tend to do that. Sorry."

"No, not a problem," Jack said. "I do that, too, but sometimes it's just nice to hear someone's voice, you know?"

"Yeah," Bethany replied. "It's great to hear your voice. I've missed it," she admitted.

"Well, it's only been a few days," Jack pointed out, "but I've missed hearing your voice, too," he said, then winced feeling it might have sounded kind of sappy.

"That's sweet," she replied.

"Anyway," Jack continued the conversation. "I did get your text and, no, you don't need to bring anything but your lovely self."

Bethany blushed at the compliment, then asked timidly "Is Brian going to be there?"

"No, he's with his mom this weekend," Jack replied. "But Xander is welcome to join us, if you need...if you want...," he struggled, hoping she would be alone.

Bethany quickly eased his mind. "He's staying at my Mom's tonight," she said. "Something we do every once in awhile so I can get some 'me' time, you know?"

Jack was thrilled, but calmly replied, "I do know," he said. "Like to get some of that myself from time to time. 'Me time,' I mean. Not 'your time.' Although I do like 'your time,'" he rambled.

Bethany laughed, "Relax. I know what you mean," comforting him. "So you and me. Sounds like a date."

"Well, it is a date, actually," he replied. "And I'm really looking forward to seeing you."

"Well, I've got to bring something," she said.

"Surprise me," he said, wondering just what kind of surprise she might bring, and feeling a tingle in his groin.

"I'll do that," she replied. "Hmm, what can I surprise you with?" she thought aloud in a teasing tone of voice, getting a tingle of her own.

"Can't wait to find out," Jack replied. "See ya at six, then?"

"See you then," Bethany replied, ending the call.

Jack spent the rest of the day getting the house cleaned up and preparing his signature meal: filet mignon, shish-kabobs, and a garden salad. He lived in a one-story, log cabin style home on a wooded lot on the outskirts of town. With a spacious backyard fringed with oaks, poplars, and pine trees, it was the ideal home for an environmental enthusiast like Jack. He loved to spend long hours hiking and relaxing in the acres of woods surrounding his home. He hoped Bethany would love it as much as he did.

As six o'clock drew near, Jack's anticipation grew greater as he applied all the finishing touches to what he hoped would be a romantic evening of dining, stargazing, and...who knows what. He tried to not get his hopes too high, then vividly remembered their earlier intimacy. It was difficult not to let his imagination run wild.

When Bethany arrived, Jack had just fired up the grill in the backyard. He hadn't heard her car pull up and was somewhat startled when she poked her head around the side of the house.

"Hi, there," she said with a smile and a wave.

Jack, dumbfounded by what he saw, was nearly speechless. "Um, Hi, Bethany," he managed. "Welcome."

As she stepped closer, he tried to drink in the heart-stopping beauty before him. Bethany looked radiant, with her shimmering blonde hair framing that perfect, pixie-like face. Jack's eyes locked on her sparkling blue eyes and dazzling smile. As she drew nearer, he watched her graceful movements, her beautifully tanned body adorned in a floral summer dress that accentuated her curves in all the right places. Spaghetti straps hung on her slim shoulders, letting the top of the dress fall just above her pert breasts. The hem of the dress fell just above her knees, showing off her toned, shapely legs. Opened-toed sandals with modest heels completed the ensemble to maximum effect. Bethany was simply stunning.

She reached forward to give Jack a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. She smelled wonderful, with that same light, breezy fragrance that seemed to intoxicate him.

"You look...wonderful," he said.

"Thanks," she replied. "Don't sound so surprised."

"Oh, I'm not surprised, I'm just...just...," he couldn't find the right words.

"Just...," she encouraged.

"Just stunned by your beauty," he finally got out.

"Well, thank you, sir," she said in exaggerated politeness. "You look pretty darned good yourself."

Wearing khaki shorts, a polo shirt, and sandals, Jack wasn't convinced. "I'm not so sure about that, but thank you," he said.

"Here, I brought you this," Bethany said, handing him a bottle of wine that she had been holding behind her back. "I hope it's right for the meal."

"I'm sure it's perfect," he assured her.

"That's not the surprise, by the way," she said with a smile. "Just so you know."

Curious, and a bit aroused, Jack asked, "Well, what's the surprise?"

"That's for later," she teased. "You'll just have to wait."

"Fair enough," he conceded, smiling back, his curiosity piqued. "I hope you're hungry. I was just about to put the steaks on the grill."

"Starved," Bethany replied. "I've hardly eaten," she said, not letting on that it was due to her excitement for the evening.

"Great. Grab a seat," Jack said, pointing to the chairs and table on the deck. "I'll pour some wine and start cooking," Jack took charge.

"Sounds good," Bethany replied, taking in her surroundings and breathing in the fresh scent of pine in the air.

When Jack returned, Bethany was not on the deck. Looking around, he spotted her at the back of the yard, swinging in the rope hammock, sandals lying askew in the grass. She rocked, gently, watching the fluffy clouds above. Jack stopped, drinking in yet another vision of loveliness.

Spotting him on the lawn, Bethany shouted, "It's so beautiful out here. I love it!"

Under his breath, still looking only at Bethany as he approached her, Jack agreed, "Yes. It is incredibly beautiful."

"What's that?" she asked, not hearing what he had said.

"Uh, I said, it certainly is," Jack replied. "Love at first sight. I made an offer the first time I saw this place."

"Well, you made a lovely choice," Bethany replied. "And I haven't even seen the inside yet. I'm sure it's just as beautiful. I love rustic, too."

Jack was more than pleased that Bethany liked his home. "I'm glad you like it," he said. "You look right at home in that hammock."

"It's so comfortable," Bethany replied. "I could stay here forever."

Jack thought that was a wonderful idea as he stood looking down at Bethany as she lay there. Her dress had hiked up her legs a bit, her panties just out of sight.

"Help me up?" she said, reaching for him.

He joined hands and pulled her up. Slightly off balance, she fell into his arms. Catching her, he held her close, looking into her eyes, and they kissed softly.

Jack enjoyed the view as she bent to pick up her sandals. Holding them in one hand, she reached for Jack's hand with the other as they walked toward the house.

Bethany insisted on helping with the salad while Jack grilled the steaks. When everything was ready, they sat down to dinner at the table on the deck, enjoying the warm spring evening. Bethany was impressed by Jack's culinary skills and pleased that she had picked an excellent wine to complement the meal.

As the evening progressed, conversation came easily and flowed freely. They discussed everything from growing up, college, careers, hopes, and dreams. They also shared their mutual experiences with divorce and the challenges of being single parents. It was of great import to them both, getting to know this new person, as both felt they had jumped the gun on their intimate relationship. With this new, greater depth of understanding and knowledge about each other, they felt even more connected. A bond was being forged, more than physical, but emotional and real.

As the sun set and the evening grew cool, Jack built a small fire in the patio hearth and lit Tiki torches. It was a romantic setting, and they pulled their chairs close. The fire provided warmth and added a twinkle to their eyes as they continued talking into the darkness of the evening.

When the fire began to die, Jack suggested a tour of the house, and offered to build a fire in the fireplace.

"I'd like that," Bethany agreed. "And I still have to give you your surprise," she said with a tempting smile.

"We could just skip to that," Jack said eagerly. "I'm good with that."

"No, no," Bethany replied. "No need to rush. I'd really like to see your place."

"Just gonna leave me hanging, huh?" Jack said.

"For now," she smiled, reaching for his hand as they headed inside.

Once inside, Jack gave the grand tour, giving extra attention to his well-appointed home office, similar to Bethany's home, with baseball being a central theme. Bethany took time to view his souvenirs and collectables.

"No way," she said as she picked up one particular piece. "You were at the Bartman game?" She was referring to the infamous Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series. The Cubs had been just five outs away from the World Series before a Cubs fan got in the way of a foul ball. The Cubs fell apart and went on to lose the game and a chance at their first World Series since 1945.

"Yep," Jack replied in a bittersweet, almost resigned tone. "It was my birthday, too," he sighed. "Some birthday."

Bethany gave him a hug, adding "You poor man. I'm so sorry." Then she shoved him in the chest in mock disgust. "Hey, at least you got to go to the game and see the Cubs five outs from the Series."

"Yeah, that was pretty cool," Jack admitted. "Most electric atmosphere I've ever seen. Baseball or anywhere. I still get goose bumps." He showed her his arm.

"I see," she said, gently running her hand along his arm. "How about that fire? I'm a little cold."

She showed Jack the goose bumps on her arm but he had already noticed her hardened nipples poking the fabric of her dress.

Fire built, wine poured, and settled into Jack's cozy, overstuffed sofa, Bethany and Jack began kissing softly, tentatively, as if for the first time. It was intoxicating, taking this step back from where they had already been, not knowing what might happen. They enjoyed the feeling and stopped only for casual conversation.

"You want your surprise now?" Bethany asked with a gleam in her eyes.

Not knowing what to expect, Jack blurted, "Sure. I mean if you're ready, I'm ready." If it was something sexual, he was more than ready. Having to contain himself for hours with this enchanting woman had stoked his libido.

Watching as she reached over the back of the sofa, Jack once again admired her grace and beauty. Bethany grabbed a box that she must have placed on the table earlier in the evening. It was relatively small, about the size of cell phone or iPod.

Intrigued, Jack looked Bethany in the eyes as she handed it to him. "This is more like a present, isn't it?" he said, definitely surprised. "The wine was more than enough, really."

Bethany smiled. "Just open it."

"Okay. Here goes," Jack said as he carefully unwrapped the package to reveal a box.

Lifting the lid, he was shocked to see an autographed Ron Santo rookie card.

"Are you kidding me?" he said in disbelief. "I...I can't keep this. This must be worth.... Where'd you get it?"

Bethany touched his hand, urging him to keep the gift. "I've had it for years. It was my dad's. Now I want you to have it."

"Really, I can't," Jack replied. "It's a family heirloom."

"Really, you can," she said. "We have plenty of baseball stuff. You're the first guy I met who said Ron Santo was his favorite player. I really want you to have it. It'll be perfect with all your other baseball memorabilia."

She kissed him softly, "Please, keep it."

Realizing he wasn't going to change her mind, and thrilled by the surprise, Jack finally agreed. "Okay, but you can have this back anytime you want. It's too much, really. I don't know how I could ever match this. I am totally surprised."

"Well, good," she smiled brightly. "That's what I was shooting for."

He kissed her deeply, then pulled her close. "You're really something special, you know that?"

"I know," she replied "So are you."

Bethany snuggled closer to Jack now, as they sat in the warm glow of the fireplace. Her head rested on his shoulder as her hand touched his chest while they talked. Aroused by this closeness, Jack was somehow able to keep things under control. Internally, he imagined what it would be like to just toss Bethany back on the sofa and ravish her right there and then. On the outside, though, he was calm and collected, one arm holding Bethany to him in a gentle embrace.

Not wanting the evening to be over, Jack suggested watching a movie, an idea Bethany quickly dismissed. "I'm not really in the mood for a movie," she said. Her playful emphasis on the word "mood" was not lost on Jack.

"Well," he said, looking her in the eyes. "Just what are you in the mood for?"

Not breaking eye contact, Bethany gently pushed him back on the sofa and climbed into his lap. "I'm in the mood for you," she said with a seductive smile. Before Jack could respond, her lips were on his, tongue gently probing his mouth as she pressed her chest to his. Feeling a bulge pressing between her legs, Bethany noted, "Seems like you're in the mood for me."

Jack held her face in both his hands, kissing her harder, then along her neck and collarbone, as he forced his hips upward, feeling Bethany's growing heat. He reached around her, pulling at the hem of her dress, drawing it up around her slim waist so he could grab her firm, tight ass in both his hands. Massaging her firm bottom, he slid one hand inside her silky panties, feeling the hot, smooth skin of her ass as she pressed herself against his hardness.

Wild with lust now, Jack pulled the spaghetti straps off each shoulder, before sliding the top of her dress down, exposing Bethany's sheer bra, and two erect nipples pointing upward from the tips of her swollen breasts. Teasing one nipple with his thumb, he took the other in his mouth, swirling and sucking the nipple through the fabric.

Bethany made quick work of the bra and tossed it to the floor, giving Jack direct access to her taut breasts. He suckled and kissed them, then grasped them in both hands, feeling their fullness, reveling in their beauty, as Bethany leaned back displaying them to perfect effect.

Standing, Bethany wriggled out of her dress and stood before Jack in just her panties. Also sheer, Jack could easily see her smooth mound with drops of wetness, beading in the crotch. Bethany slowly slid them down her legs, bending forward before Jack, who continued to admire her firm breasts, with not a hint of sag. He reached to caress them before she could even get her panties all the way off, tweaking the nipples, hard and pointy between his fingers.

Bethany sank to her knees on the floor before Jack, quickly undoing his shorts and pulling them to the floor as he struggled out of his shirt. Admiring his silk boxers and the bulge inside them, she used the silky smoothness, massaging his erection with her petite hand gliding the fabric up and down his length for several moments. Looking up with a devilish grin, Bethany grabbed the waistband and easily slid them down and off.

Fully exposed to her now, Jack's penis twitched in anticipation as she reached for it and placed her hot, wet mouth around the head. Bethany swirled her tongue around the tip before sliding her lips all the way to the base, holding it there as Jack let out a moan of great pleasure and appreciation. Bethany then began slowly bobbing her head up and down on his pulsating member, drawing a little more pre-cum with every stroke of her mouth.

She glanced up at him, locking eyes and seeing his desire. Reaching for her, Jack was determined to penetrate this petite angel who had him so mesmerized. Once again, Bethany straddled Jack, placing the tip of his fiery cock at the slick entrance to her dripping pussy. Easing down on his hardness, she took him in, sliding inch by inch down his length until her ass touched his balls. Loving the exquisite feeling of being filled so completely by Jack's engorged cock, she felt an involuntary shiver of pleasure shoot through her body.

Still fully impaled, she leaned forward, as he fondled her incredible breasts, and gave him a big wet kiss, filled with passion and lust. Jack grabbed hold of Bethany's trim waist, lifting her up and down on his thrusting cock. He was in awe at finally being inside this lovely goddess. He thrust harder and harder, pulling her onto him to bury himself as deep as was physically possible. Bethany moaned with each stroke, one hand on his chest while the other sought the pleasure bud between her legs. He watched in amazement as Bethany again leaned back, tits bouncing with every thrust, her hand rapidly massaging her clit as they both drew nearer and nearer to an explosive release.

Not wanting to be done so soon, Jack slowed his pace as Bethany stuck her toying finger in his mouth, allowing him to taste her juices. She leaned forward and ground her tits into his chest, her sensitive nipples sliding back and forth across his sweat-slicked chest, as he continued to pound into her slippery cunt, now at a slow and teasing pace.

"Take me from behind," she whispered, lust thick in her voice. Her eyes locked on his as she pulled herself off of him, then knelt on the sofa, thrusting her pert ass at him as she held the back of the sofa.

Taking in this incredible sight, Jack stood behind her, stroking his erection as he guided the tip to her swollen, wet pussy. Sliding in slowly, Bethany thrust her hips backwards to greedily take him all the way in. She started a frantic pace, moving back and forth along his shaft, as Jack didn't even need to move. He watched his cock slide in and out of her gripping pussy, then grabbed hold of her hips and started a pace of his own.