brat! You do that just to get a reaction out of me.”
“And you play along, every single time,” she laughed outright now.
“So what’s new?” Dean asked, figuring she was going to beg an invitation to the lake. Samantha was his youngest sister, and the only girl in the family. She’d been doted on her entire life by her older brothers, and now had all sorts of people doting on her. She had risen quickly to the top of the food chain in the modeling industry, and currently lived in New York City where she was one of the most renowned models of the year.
“Well, I thought maybe I’d come up to the lake. I haven’t seen you in…”
“A few weeks at the most. But, hey, come on up.”
“Really?” When Dean gave his assent, she continued, “Great! Plan for Craig and I to arrive sometime Saturday.”
Dean’s happiness faded, “Craig’s coming along?”
“Sure. That’s not a problem, or?”
Dean knew she was testing him. He’d made his dislike for her current boyfriend known – numerous times! What am I supposed to do, tell her she can’t come up? But he couldn’t and wouldn’t do that. One of the reasons Samantha liked coming to the lake was the anonymity. In the cities, her picture was plastered on billboards, magazine covers, and in a variety of other places, making it difficult to hang out in public.
At Lake Perry, nobody knew her. She could relax and just be herself when she was at the lake. If putting up with Craig will help Samantha out, then I’ll put up with him!
“Fine. But while you’re here, I want you to meet someone.”
Samantha giggled, “You met a girl! I can hear it in your voice. Did you already take her on one of your sunrise excursions with your bugs?”
“Yes.”
The line went silent. For a long time. Dean mentally high-fived himself. For once, his cheeky little sister was out of words. “Are you still there, sis?”
“Really? You’ve never done that before. What did she say?”
“She loved it. “
“Oh my god. You’re doomed.”
“I know. I was surprised myself.”
“She must be pretty important to you.”
“She is,” Dean admitted. Very special!
Dean could hear through the phone how his sister hopped up and down, the way she always did when she was excited, “I so have to meet her. I’ll finally have female support against you guys! It was about time I get a sister-in-law.”
“Stop planning our wedding, we’ve known each other for a couple of days.”
“Brother, I know you. This is serious. What’s her name? Please tell me she’s not like Jaqueline!”
“You never did like her, did you?”
“No. And you now see why! So, tell me about this new lady.”
Dean told her a little about Melissa and then Samantha insisted he invite her and Happy to spend Saturday with them so they could get to know each other.
After a few more minutes of conversation, Dean was finally able to hang up the phone. He stared out the picture window, his thoughts on Melissa. I’m so in love with her! Even saying the words out loud seemed surreal. Is this real? What is it about her that stirs him so much?
When he’d made love to her this morning, it had been an intense and satisfying experience, even though he’d constrained himself to give her all the pleasure she deserved. She’d been absolutely beautiful. Perfect! Her reaction to his caresses had overwhelmed him. The fact that she’d been putty in his hands excited him even more and he was eagerly anticipating their next love-making. Dean knew he could take her to heights she’d never known. Even higher than today. If this was all he’d ever do to her, he’d be content, but he knew there would be so much more pleasure coming for both of them.
For now he was looking forward to spending Saturday with his sister and the other two women in his life – Melissa and Happy. He picked up the phone and dialed Melissa’s number.
“Hello?”
“Melissa?”
“Dean! I wasn’t expecting to hear from
Kurt Eichenwald
Andrew Smith
M.H. Herlong
Joanne Rock
Ariella Papa
Barbara Warren
James Patrick Riser
Anna Cleary
Gayle Kasper
Bruce R. Cordell