Chapter 17: Chapter 17

James Life is good. And I want to share it.

Sitting around the breakfast table, I say, “I think we should have a party. We have a lot to celebrate and it would give Mitch here the chance to meet Charlotte's friends. And to make some of her own.”

Michael beams. “That’s a great idea, eh, Mitch?”

Her face almost healed from the bruising, the worry and stress fading from her features, Mitch is turning into an older, softer version of her daughter. “I’d love that.”

“So, who do we invite?”

“Richard and Beth of course,” says Michael. “I think that, at the least, Mitch should meet her cousin.”

Charlotte nods agreement. Mitch smiles and drops her eyes.

“Of course. How about Chad and Sebastian?” I suggest.

Michael purses his lips but Charlotte says, “I’d like that. And Benny too. And Tom and Katy.”

“Sounds good. I think Ross and Francis should be there too. And Kirstie.”

Michael cocks a brow. “Ryan?”

I rub my nose. “Could be problematic, but I’ll invite him. It would be good to see him and Kirstie make up again.”

Michael props his chin on his fist. “And… um, how about Ben?”

“You really think that’s a good idea?”

He grimaces. “Probably not, no.”

*****

“Kirstie, we’re having a party next week. Charlotte would love you to join us if you’d like to come.”

“I’m not really in a party mood at the moment. I don’t think I’d be great company.”

“All the more reason for you to be there. You can’t spend forever moping at home.”

*****

“Ryan, We’re celebrating. Just a small group of friends. I wondered if you would like to join us next week, for the party?”

He scowls. “I'm your friend then am I, Mr Alexanders?”

“I'd prefer to think so… Kirstie will be there.”

The scowl deepens. “I think I can make my own arrangements regarding Kirstie. Thank you for the invitation, but I have a prior engagement.”

“I've not said when we’re holding the party.”

Not meeting my eye, gathering files and papers into his briefcase, he repeats, “I have a prior engagement.”

Stiff-necked bastard…

*****

Michael Out in the back garden, I stand, thumbs hooked in pockets, surveying the mess of outbuildings and sheds. The stable-block is the focus of my interest. My intention had been that it become my own office, but given our changed circumstances, I’m having other ideas.

Charlotte arrives, wearing that wide-eyed look she has that turns my knees to water and my cock to granite. “What are you doing?”

“Just considering the options.”

She follows my gaze for a moment then, her arms sliding up and around my neck, she whispers, “Thank you.”

My own arms slipping around her, I rest my hands on her hips. “You’re welcome.” Just holding her close, I inhale her scent. “Are you happy, Charlotte? This is what you wanted?”

“Yes, this is what I wanted. Everything I wanted. And I couldn’t have done it without you.”

I chuckle. “I think you will find that in fact, you couldn’t have done it without James.”

Her eyes drop, then rise again, cheeks dimpling. “That’s true of course. But you helped.” She tips up her face, her lips brushing mine. “Michael…"

“Mmm?” I curl arms around her waist.

“I want to make love with you.”

I slide hands down, palming her ass. “Sounds good… Um…” I swing, scanning the area. “… Where's your mother?”

“She said she was going for a walk. She took my walking boots. Said she'd be awhile. I think she was hinting at giving us some privacy.”

“Good of her… Y’know, she should have some privacy of her own.”

Charlotte pulls back, brow wrinkling, “You don't mind her being here, do you? You did say...”

“No. No, I don't mind. She can stay for as long as she needs to or wants to. No, I was thinking that everyone needs their own space.” I gesture out and over the garden, house, sheds and then to the stable. “It's not as though we're short of it.”

Her eyes go all wide again. “You're such a wonderful man. I'm so lucky you married me.”

“You're the lucky one?” I scratch my scalp. “Can't say I'd thought of it that way. About that privacy…” I raise eyes upwards, towards the bedroom. “Shall we…”

I step away, wriggling fingers to her. With a smile like the climb of a rainbow, she slips her hand into mine. Leading her back into the house, I shed my boots at the door then head upstairs with my lovely, willing wife.

In the bedroom, she stands before me. Her clothes are nothing special: jeans, tee-shirt, trainers; her hair tied back in a ponytail. But my Charlotte needs nothing special.

She moves, standing close again, hooking her hands around my neck. “Thank you for doing…

everything. I've… missed you.”

For a moment, I don’t understand her, “Missed me? I never went away.” Stooping to press my lips to hers, “I never will.”

“I know but, it didn't feel right. Stopping you from...”

Making sure it was James who would be the father…

Suddenly unsure of myself, of the new ground-rules, I run a knuckle over the line of her cheekbone.

Keep it light…

“So, now we’ve arranged that James has got you knocked-up, can I…?”

And there’s that smile again, that Charlotte Smile: bright and white, lighting up her beautiful face. “Yes, I want you to. I want my husband inside me.” My heart drums a rhythm and my cock does a happy dance.

“Let’s get these off, shall we,” she says, unfastening the top button of my shirt, then working through the others. I follow her movement, looking down at my outdoor clothes; muddy jeans, sweat-soaked undershirt. “I should have a shower…”

“It’s fine. You were working. You smell good.” She leans close into me, drawing air. “You smell wonderful.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” Her fingers busy on the last button, “You can shower afterward.” She flashes brows. “I’ll scrub your back.”

“In that case…” I tug up my undershirt, pulling it off over my head, then move in on her. I push her, shrieking with laughter back against the wall, then yank at the hem of her tee-shirt, hauling it up and away before reaching around to unclip her bra.

Her breasts swing free, pale and heavy, but I’m already working on her belt and zip. Pushing her jeans down, complete with panties, I sweep up my wildly horny wife to dump her on the bed. She’s still bouncing from the mattress as I grab her trainers, tugging them off. The jeans and panties follow.

Eyes alight, she lies back, arms curled over her head on the pillow, watching while I unbelt and strip off.

I’m ready for her; more than ready. After weeks of staying ‘out of the playground’, I want to bury myself inside her. As Charlotte’s eyes drop to my throbbing erection, waving like a mast at sea, she raises her knees, parting them a little.

Foreplay?

But she arches, opening her legs a little wider. She’s already wet, already glistening and as I kneel between her thighs, that scent, that perfume which is uniquely my Charlotte, ripples over me.

Back to basics then…

Clambering over her, poised with my twitching shaft kissing her pussy, I lock my arms so I can look down into her face.

“Ready?”

She doesn’t speak, instead lifting her hips to meet me. As I press in, as she takes me inside herself, she spreads herself wide. Her mouth opens and something that is not quite a moan, not quite a breath, escapes her lips. As I thrust, her eyes first squeeze closed, then open again, locking on me.

She’s hot inside, wet and welcoming. Lowering myself to her, taking her in my embrace, she arches and swings, wrapping her legs around my waist.

it’s so easy, so natural… So right…

We move together in this simplest of love-making. My body inside hers, my cheek pressed against hers, the sound of her breathing so close, the beat of her heart thumping against my ribs. Stroking her hair, I nuzzle in to kiss the curve of her neck.

She palms my cheek, murmuring. “My Golden Lover.”

“Always.”

“I love you.”

My control collapses. Balls constricting, with a jolt and a gasp, I pulse and spurt into her. My climax is exquisitely sweet, piercing through groin and stomach, stealing my breath and setting every nerve-

ending I have jangling. Somewhere, far off, she’s talking, kissing my face, but right now, the throb of my flesh within hers is my whole world.

All but disabled by the intensity of my orgasm, I lie atop her, gasping like a landed fish. Finally, I drag out the words. “I love you too.”

“I'm pleased to hear that.” It’s not Charlotte’s voice.

We both jolt.

“How long have you been there?” I twist around to see James seated in an armchair, watching us.

“Long enough to catch all the important parts of the conversation,” he says. His head is tilted, propped on a fist. His eyes are soft and something plays over his mouth… To be washed away of a sudden, replaced by humor. “Feeling better for that?”

“You have no idea.”

He nods to the red-haired lovely under me. “Has the lady had her fair share?”

“’Fraid not. I was a bit… um… previous.” I turn back to Charlotte. “Sorry about that. I’d intended that to last rather longer than it did.”

She chuckles. “I’ll live.”

James shifts from his seat. “Let's see what we can do about it.” He moves to sit beside her on the bed, stooping to kiss her. Then he sits upright, unraveling his tie.

“Hey,” I say. “No rough stuff. She’s pregn…”

He gives me a stare to curdle milk. “What do you take me for?”

My face heats.

Time to beat a quick retreat…

“Think I'll go take a shower.”

In the bathroom, water gushes over my head, streaming down shoulders and chest. But even over the rushing of the water, I hear her cries. Whatever James is doing with her, she’s enjoying it.

My cock twitches semi-interestedly. But it's force of habit. Even for me, it's too soon after. Nonetheless, I turn down the temperature a notch and my nascent erection subsides.

But working in the shampoo, I grin to myself.

Later this evening maybe…

Back to business as usual…

*****