"Executive Travel Services." Melissa touched the button to take the call at the second ring and spoke into the mike of her headset with her professional voice, eyes never leaving the computer screen in front of her.
"You do sound sexy in that business voice of yours," the caller said.
Melissa grinned and leaned back in her chair. "Alan. Where are you calling from?" She planned to meet him in Houston early Monday morning. He should be just leaving the moonbase. She sure hoped he wasn't calling to cancel.
"How would you feel if I told you I'm at the Cape?"
Melissa grinned. "I'd feel like I'm going to get lucky tonight. You're not just joking with me are you flyboy?"
"Not a chance. We had some equipment that needed to be rushed down to the Cape, so I volunteered to bring them down-and take the weekend off. Can you get me on the same flight to Houston with you?"
"Can and will. Want me to come get you?"
"No. I've already got a ride lined up. I'll be down there at about three."
"I'll have a pitcher of margaritas made and very-little-on," Melissa stressed the last part.
"I'm the one getting lucky, love. Want to make reservations for tonight?"
"The yacht club ok?"
"Great. Make it late and we'll go dancing afterwards."
"Got it. Any other requests for the weekend?"
"It's your birthday week. What do you want to do?"
"How about a sail? August is pretty hot-"
"I don't mind the heat. After Alpha's constant temperatures, I'm ready for something different."
"We could go diving."
"If you can get the equipment."
"I'll have to see. I'll know by the time you get here."
"I'll be there soon."
Melissa lowered her tone to her 'sexy" voice. "Hurry flyboy." She smiled as he disconnected then returned to her work. She wanted to clear her desk in the next hour so she would have a little time to get ready for him.
Alan shifted his jump bag as he rang her doorbell. He wished he'd had time to clean up a bit before he got here, but there had been some delays and he had barely hooked up with his ride.
The door opened wide and Melissa was standing there wearing a red tube top and white shorts. "Well, trying for the scruffy, 'bruce willis' look?" She asked as he stepped inside.
"Not really, but I nearly missed my ride," he pulled the bag from his shoulder and put his arms around her waist.
"I could have picked you up."
"Then we'd just be leaving the Cape. I'd rather be here with you than driving back down here for the next two hours. I do need a few minutes for a shower and a shave though."
"Good thinking, flyboy." She took his hand and led him to the bedroom. "I'll give you time for the shower, but we'll run the risk of beard rash," she hugged him again. He smelled like Alpha. Putting her lips to his ear she licked his earlobe. "I'm in a hurry!"
Just being near her excited him. Her breath against his ear and her words increased his arousal. He dumped his bag on the floor and unzipped his flight suit. He turned to invite her to join him to find she had already shed top and shorts and was bending to turn on the water. He pulled off boots and jumpsuit as quickly as possible, enjoying the view of long legs, hips, bare back, all evenly tanned.
She turned and eyed him up and down, smiling. "I see you're in a hurry too."
"Always, around you."
She stepped into the shower and squeezed the soap dispenser. "Come on then, fly boy. Let's work up a lather." He stepped into the shower with her and reached for the shampoo. While he wet his hair, Melissa began to soap and scrub him thoroughly, starting with his back and shoulders, then working her way down his body. He was rinsing his hair as she made her way to his crotch. Her ministrations were gentle and distracting. He grinned as she knelt in front of him, remembering other visits and Melissa's unconventional sexual practices, but she was in scrubbing mode and continued down his legs. When she stood, she shook out her wet blond hair. Alan put his hand on her shoulders. "Want me to return the favor?" he asked.
"Not with soap. Come on." She pulled him back out of the shower stall and turned off the water. She pulled two fluffy white bath sheets from the hangar, wrapped herself in one and handed him the other. She headed back to the bedroom and he followed, mesmerized by her swaying hips.
The sliding glass door to the balcony was wide open. Alan hadn't noticed before but the doors throughout the apartment were open and a brisk breeze was blowing the lace curtains. Down on the street the temperature was typical sweltering Florida August heat but in Melissa's apartment, the strong breeze off the Atlantic kept the place much more comfortable. Melissa bypassed the white lace covered bed and headed to the balcony.
"Mel?"
"Come on, Alan. I don't want to get the bed all wet." She turned and leaned against the door jam. "But I do want you." She blew him a kiss and dropped her towel coaxing him out to the balcony. In the corner of the balcony a rope hammock had been suspended from two hooks in the ceiling. He grinned and shook his head.
"I'm no trapeze artist, love."
"I thought it would be a lot like zero-gee."
"Nothing's like zero-gee," he replied, but he allowed her to guide him into the hammock.
"I got the hammock in Guatemala the week after I got back from Alpha." The hammock was woven of white cotton with bright reds, blues, yellows and oranges for the woof, and tassels of all the different colors hanging down underneath. It looked sturdy and durable and festive.
"I didn't think I remembered it from the last time."
It formed around him almost like a cocoon as Alan lay back in it. There was no wood in either end to spread the hammock out. Melissa climbed on top of him, straddling him, her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. She slowly leaned down, rubbing her nipples against his chest. She shifted just slightly and Alan entered her. She smiled and sighed and pressed her lips against his. He kissed her deeply and began to fondle her breasts and move his hands down her body. She didn't press against him, curling her back to allow him access to her.
As in free fall they moved against each other as little as possible, concentrating on their contact with each other not movement. His fingers reached between her legs and she moved a bit to give him better access to her. He increased the tempo and her lips left his as she gasped for breath. She moaned softly and moved reflexively, causing the hammock to sway. The side to-side motion increased the sensations he was feeling and he pushed farther into her, releasing. She gasped his name as she came.
She relaxed against his chest, folding up against him and nestling her face against his neck. He put his arms around her, holding her close. The hammock continued to sway. He closed his eyes and relaxed, the scent of Melissa's damp hair mingling with the salty smell of the ocean. They could just barely hear the boom of the surf twenty-five floors below.
"Not quite zero-gee," he said softly. "But not bad at all."
"Mmmhmm," she murmured. Her hand moved up to caress the stubble on his cheek. He found it oddly stimulating. Idly, he considered growing a beard. The thought was stillborn as Melissa sat up and smiled. "Time for you to shave while I get the Margaritas ready."
"Sounds like a good deal."
Melissa headed for the kitchen and Alan headed for the bathroom. He rejoined her on the balcony clean-shaven. They sat together in the hammock and sipped the margaritas. Melissa's actions spoke volumes about how much she preferred him freshly shaven and they enjoyed watching the ocean together while the sun set behind them.
It was growing dark when they went inside to dress for dinner. Melissa put her hair up and applied make-up while Alan pulled slacks and a dress shirt from his bag. When the doorbell rang they looked at each other, startled.
"Expecting someone else?"
"No. And all the neighbors on this floor are snowbirds. None of them are here in the summer." She pulled a silk robe from behind the bathroom door and slipped it on. "Security should have stopped anyone from outside the building other than a few friends, but nearly everyone I know is on vacation or out of town this week. That's pretty common for the first part of August. Everyone pretty much knows I'm going to be out of town next week too."
She headed to the living room, closing the door to the bedroom so Alan could finish dressing.
She crossed to her computer and opened a window which showed her the view from a tiny video camera mounted above her door in the hall. When she saw the video display she sat down slowly, completely shocked. "Oh...my...God!"
She shook herself and headed for the door. She could see nothing good coming of this, but there was no avoiding it either. Taking a deep breath she opened the door and allowed herself to smile widely. "Mama! Daddy! What a surprise!" With any luck, she could say hello and get them out of here quickly. But she wasn't very hopeful.
Her father pushed forward and lifted her off her feet into a tight hug. "There's our little girl. Happy Birthday, Missy. We thought we'd surprise you."
He set her down and she caught her breath and hugged her mother. "Well, you certainly did that."
"Your father has been fooling around with that computer of his, and ordered tickets on the internet, and here we are!"
Robert Thompson reached out into the hall and picked up two suitcases, brought them inside and pushed the door shut with his foot. So much for getting rid of them quickly.
Susan kept hold of her daughter's hand. "We should have called. I did call Helena earlier in the week and when I talked to her she said you should be home until Sunday from what your last email said. I thought we could all go to Disney World or something to celebrate your birthday."
Helena knew she was going to Houston on Sunday, but her mother must have spoken to her before Alan left early. Otherwise Melissa knew her twin would have deflected this visit for her. Her father was looking around at the living room with its stark modern décor and open windows. "Missy, do you traipse around here in your bath robe with the windows open all the time?"
"I'm on the twenty-fifth floor, Daddy."
"Still-" her father growled.
Just when things seemed to be headed downhill at an alarming rate, things got worse. The bedroom door opened and Alan stood there. He had pulled on his pants and shirt but was still barefoot. His shirt was unbuttoned, and he was folding down the french cuffs, paying more attention to them than his surroundings.
"Hey love, I forgot to pack cufflinks, do you have any-" He stopped, noticing the two people standing to either side of Melissa.
Melissa knew that Alan had good reflexes, but his reaction to her parent's presence proved it again. His face drained of color for a split second and the complete shock Melissa had felt hit him too. Then he grinned and focused on Susan. "Dr. Thompson, Susan. It's great to see you again!" He stepped forward and began to hold out his hand to Melissa's father.
Susan's reaction time was equally good. She stepped in front of her husband and intercepted the handshake with a warm hug. "Alan. How have you been? Melissa hardly ever mentions you to us."
"I spend most of my time on Alpha now. Melissa and I don't get to see much of each other." Alan stepped out of Susan's hug, determined to shake hands with Robert Thompson. Robert took his hand grudgingly without saying anything.
To cover the sudden silence before it turned awkward, Melissa spoke up, "They showed up to surprise me, for my birthday."
Alan took the hint with aplomb. "Well, I'll need to change the dinner reservations." He turned to use the phone in the kitchen.
"Use the phone in the bedroom. The number is the second on the speed dial. Mama, Daddy, we're headed for the yacht club in about forty-five minutes. If you need to freshen up, the bathroom is just through there." She pointed to the door closest to the kitchen.
It looked like Robert was going to say something, but Susan took his elbow and nodded. "Robert, open my bag up. I need to get out that dress I packed."
Melissa vanished into the bedroom. Alan was on hold with the yacht club. He opened up his arms. She crossed the room and leaned against him while he waited. He altered the reservations, breathing a sigh of relief that they could still be changed and hung up the phone.
"I think I'm going to go crazy," she whispered her voice sounding close to panic.
"No, no, not and leave me to deal with you father alone. There's safety in numbers."
Melissa had to smile. "How do you manage to get me to smile when I really want to panic."
"Take some deep breaths. We'll get through this together."
"They want to take me to Disney World! Like I'm six or something."
"You're kidding. We'll have to suggest an alternative."
"Like what?"
"I'll figure something out. Look. For right now, let's get dressed and offer them drinks. Perhaps you and I should stick to something milder like beer for the rest of the evening." Melissa nodded. "And I still need some cufflinks."
"There's a Seminole smoke shop on the mainland. I'm going to need about three cartons to get through the weekend."
"You'll manage. When you get the urge, chew on me instead."
She laughed again. "I may take you up on that." She put her arms around him and hugged him.
"Remember, this is your turf-our turf, not his."
"Right." She didn't sound convinced. "My turf is a one bedroom apartment and my parents look determined to sleep on the sofabed."
"Hopefully it's a really uncomfortable one."
"So they'll be awake listening to us all night?"
"So they'll make other arrangements tomorrow. Do they like to sail?" Alan asked, thinking about tomorrow again.
"It makes Mama sick. And Daddy will keep harping about sunburn the entire time." She pulled away from Alan and began to look through her jewelry box for a pair of cufflinks for him.
Alan snapped his fingers. "How about golf? Do they play? Do you?"
"Yes. To both questions. And it's usually fairly easy to get a tee time in the summer." She reached over and took his wrist, putting the cufflink through the holes on his cuff, then turning to do the other one.
"Thanks. I'll need a set of clubs, mine are in Houston."
"That's not a problem." She turned and picked up the phone.
Alan continued to dress and listened as she called the country club. He listened to her flirt with the golf pro, laughing at a joke he couldn't hear and saying something that sounded like she was accepting a date. He tried not to think about how much he disliked listening to her flirt with another man.
Shortly she was ready, wearing a short white sundress with red buttons and red trim and white spike heel sandals. She grabbed a small white beaded bag and gave a last look at her blonde hair that was swept up and clipped with a white clip adorned with a red silk rose. Alan adjusted his navy blue sport coat and smiled at her. "You look fantastic."
"So do you." She moved next to him and kissed him softly, then pulled back and carefully wiped the lipstick from his lips. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For staying cool and letting me panic a bit over this."
"We'll manage." He took a deep breath and put his hand on the doorknob, ready and willing to face a tiger for this lady.
Dinner seemed to move fairly well. The food was wonderful, as usual. Melissa's parents seemed pleased with the food as well as pleased by the suggestion of a round of golf for the four of them the next morning. Melissa had managed an early tee time to avoid the worst of the heat, then lunch at the country club. Things were going quite well, and Alan was even getting laughs from Robert Thompson as he described a recent bout with bureaucratic incompetence.
Susan laughed and asked, "But what will you do with fifty arctic exploration suits?"
"Keep them in storage until they turn to dust, I suppose."
"Can't you return them?" Melissa asked.
"I asked about that. Someone should be able to get some use out of them. Since it was their mistake to send them, they won't charge me for sending them to me, or charge me the cost of the articles themselves. But they expect me to use my budget to pay for return shipping. Lift charges from the moon to earth aren't quite as steep as they are from the earth to the moon, but still damned expensive, and I refuse to pay for their mistake."
"We sent Helena a little package for her birthday," Susan said. "The shipping costs were incredible."
"I wonder how much John had to pay for that chocolate Helena needed last week," Melissa mused quietly.
"He actually talked Bill into using a portion of his lift allowance for the trip. By the way, he said to thank you for the tip."
Alan noticed Susan covered an amused smile with her napkin as she wiped her mouth. Obviously she knew about her daughters' periodic need for chocolate. Robert seemed to ignore the comments completely, a frown appearing on his face as soon as Melissa had mentioned John. Alan couldn't help but feel pleased that he was in on a family joke that had escaped Robert.
"So, Missy, where are you headed on Sunday?" Susan asked. "Someplace exotic?"
"Not this time Mama," Melissa said. She glanced at Alan and pressed her leg against his under the table. "Alan will be in Houston for the week, so I'm spending the week with him. Why don't you and Daddy stay at my place for a while, we can probably get your tickets changed. There's no reason for you to go back so soon, and the apartment will just be empty."
"You're spending the week with Alan in Houston?" Robert growled. "Like some kind of call girl?"
Melissa blushed and Alan could feel her tremble with anger. "Dr. Thompson, I promise you I don't think of her as-"
"Then just how do you think of her Carter? It was pretty obvious back at her place that you're pretty familiar with that apartment of hers."
"Daddy, Alan and I are friends. We enjoy each other's company."
"Mostly in bed, from the look of things. Good god, Melissa don't you have any shame?"
"Daddy!"
"Melissa is a successful business woman, independent, intelligent-"
"Business woman. Is that what they call it now? Missy, travel agents don't make the kind of money to buy a condo like that, or a boat, or a country club membership. Don't think I don't know how you came by all your fancy things."
Melissa dropped her fork and stared at her father. "Is that what you think of me? Then why would you bother to come see me if you're that ashamed of me?" She stood quickly and walked away from the table.
"Oh, Robert, how could you?" Susan stood and followed her daughter.
Alan simply stared at the man across the table from him. He had known the man was a bastard from the first time they had met, but he found himself amazed that a man could think such a thing about his daughter.
"Doctor Thompson? I know you don't think much of me, and I don't really give a damn. But I intend to tell you a few things and I expect you to listen." Alan kept his voice low and even, holding in his temper with every bit of restraint he had. "When I met Melissa last fall I was immediately attracted to her. She's an incredible woman, and the more I got to know her, the more impressed I became. Yes, she and I have been intimate at every opportunity, and I know she has quite a bit of experience."
Robert snorted at the euphemism. Alan ignored him and continued. "Mel knows how important my career is to me, and knows that for the forseeable future I'll be spending only six weeks a year or so on Earth. Under those circumstances I can't consider asking her to be in an exclusive relationship. Besides, I think if I did try to pressure her into something like that she'd bolt. She doesn't have a lot of trust in men for some reason." The sarcasm of the last sentence was lost on Robert.
"But we have become friends, we email each other frequently and see each other when we get the chance. Through those emails I know quite a bit about her finances. Her business is something she has worked very hard at. She provides more service than just plane tickets, and she takes great care that her customers are satisfied. She studies her customers carefully and follows their wishes. She is knowledgeable in her field and works hard to cultivate an affluent clientele. Part of her knack for this is listening to her clients. She's followed tips they've given her and invested well. There's a mortgage on the apartment, but not a large one. The boat is paid for, and the dues for the yacht club and country club are both business expenses. Her net worth is about three times my own, but then, I'm a government employee. Lately she's been giving me some financial advice about what to do with my savings, and it's been terrific advice."
Alan leaned forward and waited until Robert looked at him. Robert's expression was stubborn and disapproving. "The one thing Mel craves more than anything else is your approval, but she won't toady to you to get it. She want's you to approve of her for who she is. Don't think anything you say will change her. And the more you try to push her into your mold of what she should be, the harder she's going to resist."
Alan folded his napkin and laid it on the table next to his empty plate. "Dr. Thompson, it's been mostly an enjoyable evening. You have a beautiful wife, and daughter, both of whom are terrific company." He pulled a key ring out of his pocket and laid it on the table in front of Robert's place. "I intend to take Mel dancing. We'll try not to wake you when we come in."
He didn't wait for a reply. Alan stood and looked down at the man. There was one more thing he wanted to say. "Dr. Thompson, I know you don't think highly of my profession and that you don't really think any man is good enough for your daughters, but see, you have Melissa convinced of that too. Since she doesn't think any man is good enough for her she feels perfectly free to use men as she likes and has no intention of choosing one man to settle down with." A lot of this reasoning had come from long talks with Helena who knew Alan was very taken with her twin while in exchange he offered her a sounding board for her own relationship with John Koenig.
"I'm an honorable man, Dr. Thompson. I've never made a promise to Mel that I didn't intend to keep. And I never will."
Alan turned and walked away from the table. Susan stepped up to him. "That was very well put, Alan. Thank you. We'll be getting a hotel room."
"No need, Susan. Melissa and I will be out late. I gave your husband the keys. You're family. You should stay with us." He kissed her cheek and added, "see you in the morning" and moved past her.
Susan watched him with a smile, noting that his statement seemed to include himself in the family. Melissa needed to hold on to this one. "She's waiting in the lobby for you." Susan rejoined her husband who still hadn't moved.
All things considered, Melissa looked quite contained. She waited as he presented his credit card to the maitre d' and left instructions to include on the tab anything else the Thompson's requested. As he joined her, she smiled and held out her hand to him. "Still up for dancing, flyboy?"
"Either that or we can retreat to the boat for some mind numbing sex," he murmured, kissing her cheek and steering her towards the door.
She considered and shook her head. "At the moment it would be angry sex, and I don't really enjoy that kind. Dancing will let me work off some of that anger. Is that okay?"
"Whatever you wish, love."
The first club was noisy, crowded and smoky. The techno music was harsh and fit Melissa's current mood, but there was barely room on the dance floor to move. After two dances they decided to try elsewhere. The found a country bar with a fairly decent live band and plenty of room for line dancing. They stayed on the dance floor for hours, stopping only for a couple of beers to quench their thirst. When the band began a slow song near closing time she oozed into his arms and clung tightly to him, following his lead with ease.
Her head rested on his shoulders. "I think I'm tired now."
"Let's go get some sleep, then."
"No mind numbing sex?"
"Honey, I'll do you in the hammock again if that's what you want." He moved his hand up and down her back. Her dress was soaked with sweat and he knew he was too. Still, she smelled wonderful, and he nibbled her sweaty neck, letting her know that hammock, boat or bed, he was interested and willing.
"I don't think the hammock is necessary right now."
Robert and Susan lingered over dessert and after dinner drinks, then Susan insisted on a walk on the beach. She hadn't completely forgiven him yet, but she did slide her hand into his as they walked through the packed sand near the water. It was late when they finally returned to Melissa's apartment. Robert and Susan readied for bed. Robert pulled back the covers of the sofa bed and crawled in. Susan opened the sliding glass door to allow the cool ocean breeze inside the stuffy apartment.
She crawled in next to her husband and snuggled next to him.
"Sweetie, it's a little warm in here for snuggling."
"Who said I wanted to snuggle."
A smiled formed on Robert's face as he realized his wife's intent. He rolled over on his side and up onto his elbow. "Are you sure? They might be back any moment."
"Yes, I'm sure. I think Alan intends on keeping Melissa out late." She found the end of his pajama top and ran her hands underneath it.
"I am sorry about going off like that at the club."
"I know you are. You might tell her that."
"I love you...and Missy."
She favored him with a smile. "If there is one thing on this earth that I am absolutely sure of it's your love for me and your daughters. I just wished you'd let Missy see this side of you."
He pressed his lips against hers kissing her gently as if she was made of glass. Her soft moans encouraged him to continue and he did. They had just about gotten to a mutual point of arousal when they heard keys in the lock. Robert whispered to Susan to remain still.
When they opened the door, Melissa's place was dark and quiet. A seashell night-light was left on by the door and Alan and Mel made their way past the still forms on the sofabed. Alan didn't know if they were sleeping or not, but was thankful that they remained still.
Melissa moved to the bedside and turned on a soft light. The room was stuffy and she suggested that Alan open the balcony door. As Alan opened the door he heard a soft moan, there was no doubt that the moan came from the living room. When Melissa stepped from the bathroom he called her over to the door.
"Listen," Alan said with a smile on his face.
Melissa strained to hear the noise over the surf. "Oh Robby." Her face went white and she looked at Alan. She started across the room but Alan caught her before she reached the door. "Where are you going?"
"He's hurting her. I've got to do something!"
Alan laughed, "Melissa, he's not hurting her. Come here and listen."
He pulled her back over to he window. "More Robby," Susan called. Her words were mixed with the soft sounds of squeaky springs.
"She's not in pain, Love. I think she' enjoying herself."
"Oh gag! My parents are..." She was unable to say the word.
"Making love, Mel. Your parents are making love. And for the sound of it, they're enjoying it."
"I have to get out of here."
"Why?"
"Because, they're...doing it!"
Alan laughed so hard he had to sit down. "Please, You're making me laugh."
More than a little irritated, Melissa shot back. "I can't believe you."
"Relax, Mel. Everyone has a hard time thinking about their parent's making love. Besides what's wrong with it? It's the same thing we were planning to do." He smiled at her and reached for her hand.
The squeaking rose to a fevered pitch and then stopped abruptly.
"See they're finished."
Cautiously, Melissa moved over to the window. There was no other noise coming from the living room.
"Now, I'm going to jump in the shower. When I come back, we'll take up where we left off. Okay?"
Melissa eyed Alan as he moved beside her. "Just one thing."
"What's that."
"Close that door." She pointed to the balcony door.
Alan grinned then reached behind him to close the door. When Alan returned from his turn in the bathroom Melissa was lying on the bed, bare arm draped across her eyes, white sheet covering her body. She sighed. "I have a horrible headache."
Alan hesitated. "Want me to get you some aspirin?" He'd never heard Melissa complain of a headache before and wondered if she were sending him some kind of signal. Mel was usually more straightforward than that.
She threw back the sheet and held out her arm to him. "I'd rather take the orgasm cure," she said with a sly smile.
"Whatever you wish, love." Alan reached to switch off the light and crawled into bed with her.
Melissa had set the alarm for six thirty. She was out of bed at the first sound of the radio and in the shower before Alan moved. He marveled at her reaction time. What a pilot she'd make. Tough as nails too. As for himself, he was beginning to think that Disney World might be the better idea, with a chance to doze in the car on the way there-- not that he wanted to sleep in front of Dr. Thompson. He didn't trust the man at all.
By the time he was finished in the shower and dressed Melissa had warmed up a danish ring and had coffee ready. Alan welcomed the coffee. Susan sat beside him at the bar while Melissa pulled her golf clubs from the closet and Robert used the bathroom.
"Let's team up against Melissa and her father this morning." Alan suggested.
"I didn't take you for an amateur psychologist, Alan." Susan said taking a sip of coffee.
"Coaching from your other daughter. Helena and I have dinner together about once a week."
"She told me that. She seems to think you're a good influence on Melissa."
He had to laugh, "I've been called a lot of things, but never a good influence."
Susan concentrated on cutting a piece of the danish. "Alan, Melissa has never brought a male friend home to meet us before. And we've certainly never seen her stay in a relationship this long with any man, that either Helena or I have known about."
"Susan, I'm very fond of Melissa, but I don't want you to think there are wedding bells in our future or anything. I really love what I do, and eventually, Mel will get tired of waiting for me to come home from Alpha for a few weeks of vacation a year."
"I'll admit that your-- distance may be part of the attraction for her right now, but please know that you're always welcome at Miller's Bluff. Thanksgiving, or any other time."
"Thank you."
"I should also warn you that if you and I partner this morning, don't go placing any bets on us. Golf is one thing Melissa and Robert both excel at."
"Well, I'm out of practice, but I was on the golf team at the Air Force Academy. I won't disgrace you. But thanks, I won't make any sucker bets."
The golf game went quite well. Robert Thompson barely spoke to him, but he did speak more civilly to Melissa than he had the night before, not that he apologized. Melissa didn't seem to expect that, she simply acted as if nothing had happened. Despite an early tee off time, it was hot on the golf course and by noon they were all glad of showers and the air conditioned restaurant at the country club. Robert and Melissa did beat Susan and Alan, but not embarrassingly so. Alan's score was only two strokes over Robert's, and Susan was equally skilled. Melissa only whispered to Alan twice that she really needed a cigarette, and Alan's whispered reply of 'bite me' was always enough to break the tension and make Mel laugh.
In the afternoon Melissa wanted to go to the beach for a swim and her parents declined to come along. They remained in the air conditioned apartment and Alan and Melissa made their way down to the water for some time alone. Robert insisted that he was buying dinner that night and asked Melissa to pick the restaurant. She chose a Mediterranean Restaurant on the mainland and made the reservations late enough that she and Alan wouldn't need to leave the beach until the sun had set.
When they hit the beach Melissa turned Alan south and began to walk briskly along the water's edge. Her hot pink bikini underneath the mesh cover-up she was wearing kept his attention as well as the attention of others braving the heat of mid-afternoon. She carried a blanket and sun screen, he carried two beach towels.
"I assume we're headed out of sight of the apartment?" he asked after they'd walked together in silence for a couple of hundred yards.
"That would be correct. Besides, there's a 'clothing optional' section of beach about two miles south of here. Don't you think that's worth the walk?"
"I'm liking this outing better all the time," he said with a grin.
"Of course, you know I'll be horribly jealous if some other girl gives you a hard-on-- and there'll be no way to hide it."
"You must not have noticed how strategically placed these towels are. That bikini of yours is already doing the job nicely."
She turned and smiled at him. He loved it when she smiled like that, her hair blowing into her face, giving her a vulnerable look. She looked pleased with herself and mischievous at the same time.
"I'll have to check that out. Perhaps we should swim for a while and get you out from behind that towel."
He shifted the towels to his other arm and took her hand. "Let's get a bit more out of sight of your father. Two miles sounds just about right."
"He was on the other side of the wall last night super-stud."
"And snoring, and there was a locked door in between us."
"Next Thanksgiving, we do it in his office chair in the den during the party."
"You are determined to get me killed aren't you? I noticed you were enjoying yourself pretty quietly last night."
"I told you I had a headache. You're a pretty effective cure though."
"I'd never heard of the orgasm cure, but it must have been a pretty bad headache, you took at least four before you let me stop."
"Like you were complaining," she laughed and punched at his arm.
Alan turned and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply and letting her know just how he felt without the towels in the way. There were very few people out on the sweltering August afternoon, and none paid any attention to the two of them. Melissa tossed the blanket and towels onto the sand along with her cover-up and pulled him into the water. They waded, then swam past the breakers into the calmer water on the back of a sand bar. Riding the waves they held each other close, kissing, exploring each other around the swim suits. Alan kept her from removing their suits completely, using the argument that if they were lost they'd have to walk back up the beach and face her parents stark naked. Despite the battles they'd already fought with her father, she wasn't anxious for that sort of confrontation, even though Alan was pretty sure Mel could pull it off with style. They stayed in the water and pleasured each other, enjoying the rhythm of the waves and the feel of each other's bodies. They were startled once by a pod of dolphins who surfaced and splashed less than a dozen yards away then swam on. It was a stress-free and enjoyable afternoon.
Dinner was also quieter than the evening before. Robert appeared to be on his best behavior. They made it a birthday celebration, and sang happy birthday to Melissa at desert. Susan presented Melissa with a tiny box which contained a small gold charm. It was in the shape of an airplane and Melissa smiled at it.
"You told me how much you were enjoying taking flying lessons. So I thought this would be appropriate," her mother said.
"It's perfect, Mom," Melissa leaned over and kissed her mother and reached to grasp her father's hand.
Susan told Alan and Melissa that they were going to take Melissa up on her offer of staying at the condo for the week, and Melissa logged on to her computer when they returned home and easily changed their reservations to the next weekend. Robert suggested they play bridge and the four of them stayed up well past midnight playing cards together.
Before they went to sleep she pulled her charm bracelet out of her jewelry box and added the thirty-fifth gold charm to it. She explained to Alan that her mother gave her and Helena each a new charm on their birthday. Alan examined the crowded bracelet which included a tiny pair of ice skates, a cruise ship, a graduation cap, a small baseball glove, a sail boat, even a tiny pyramid. The tiny gold sea plane fit in perfectly.
Melissa curled up beside him as he fingered the little plane. "You know how much I like to have a stick between my legs," she murmured.
He laughed and pulled her to him, kissing her as he deposited the bracelet on the table and turned out the light.
The next morning Alan awoke to the smell of coffee, bacon and eggs. Melissa was still curled next to him sleeping soundly. Alan slipped out of bed and packed his things. It was after nine and they would need to leave around noon to catch their flight in Lauderdale. He shaved and dressed and headed for the kitchen. Melissa was still burrowed in the covers. Susan was in the kitchen and Robert was nowhere to be found. As she handed Alan a cup of coffee she pointed out onto the terrace. "He discovered Melissa's hammock yesterday and loves it."
Alan had to smile, wondering how much he would love it if he knew why Mel had bought it. Alan took a cup of coffee back to the bedroom to wake up Mel and was delayed by her demand for kisses and petting. She laughed when Alan told her that her father had become enamoured of the hammock. She dressed for breakfast and they both enjoyed her mother's excellent cooking. By the time breakfast was over and Melissa was packed, it was time to leave for the airport. Melissa hugged her parents and as she said goodbye she whispered something in her mother's ear that made Susan laugh and push Melissa away.
As they rode the elevator down she told Alan that she had let her mother know that the hammock was strong enough to hold two in case she was feeling adventurous. Both laughed and Melissa decided that she would have to get another hammock the next time she was in Guatemala and send it to her father.
The flight to Houston was uneventful. As soon as they took off Melissa seemed to relax completely. She snuggled against Alan, pulling her legs up and resting her knees in Alan's lap. She fell immediately asleep. Alan soon joined her in sleep and didn't awaken until they began their descent.
Meetings with several different vendors and suppliers filled Alan's days and he found himself enjoying this part of the job more than he had anticipated. He enjoyed having the authority to help decide who would supply his section of Alpha with needed equipment. He had several Eagles he wanted to refit, and spent a good deal of time selecting the right equipment.
His nights were reserved for Melissa. Coming home quickly became an adventure and the drive home was usually filled with anticipation of what he would find when he arrived. She met him at the door every night with a drink in each hand wearing something arousing or titillating. He was certain that his sex life had never been this active. Melissa was imaginative and almost insatiable. They alternated going out to eat and eating in. He found out that Mel was every bit as good a cook as her mother. He absolutely loved her meatloaf, but then she made sure he worked up an appetite before they ate. He loved falling asleep with her in his arms and waking every morning to her kisses. He began to think that a promotion that brought him back to Earth might not be a bad thing.
Friday night would be their last night together. He had to leave late Saturday afternoon. He had asked her if she wanted to go dancing that night and she had told him that she had already made plans for their last evening. He couldn't wait to get home on Friday night.
The door was unlocked, but Melissa wasn't there as she usually was. A ball of string sat on the table by the door. Alan left his keys and his briefcase on the table and picked up the string, reading the attached note. "Follow the string, clothing optional." He could see that the string led upstairs and he grinned. He pulled off his suit quickly and left the jacket and slacks over the back of a chair. He wound up the string and made his way up the stairs. It led him to the upstairs bathroom. The door was open and the room was lit with candles. A boom box was on the counter playing a light salsa instrumental. Melissa was reclining in the garden tub which was full of bubbles. She sipped champagne from a long stemmed glass. How was he ever going to get on that Eagle tomorrow and leave her behind?
She eyed him carefully, and Alan noticed that her gaze lingered on his erection. She licked her lips and he felt a tremor run through his body. She leaned forward. He could just see the outline of her breasts through the bubbles and her erect nipples. "Welcome home, flyboy. Hard day at the office?"
"You know how it is, something always comes up just around the time I head home to you."
"Mmm, glad to hear it. Care to join me?"
"You sure there's enough room?"
"Plenty of room." She moved forward. "Just slide in behind me."
"Sounds cozy."
"Careful, the water's hot."
"With you in it, it should be sizzling." He stepped into the tub and sat behind her. She sat between his legs and leaned against his chest. She took another sip of champagne and handed him the glass.
They sipped champagne together and Alan moved one hand around her to feel her breasts. The slippery feeling of water and bubbles reminded him of their first time together, in the shower at the Coastal Condos. He had never imagined he'd still be with her in August, nearly a year later. He certainly had never imagined the candles, bubble bath, and champagne. This was inspired. He nibbled her neck and handed the glass back to her, much more interested in touching her than drinking at the moment.
She put the glass down and moved her hands up and down his thighs as he caressed her breasts and between her legs. She moved her legs over top of his and pressed his legs together so she had room to straddle him. "Oh, Mel," he moaned as she moved to her knees, reaching down to stroke his shaft. She shifted again so that she was holding on to the sides of the tub. He moved forward a bit and found his way inside her. His hands on her hips, he held her steady as she moved up and down. She was almost sitting in his lap, and she was definitely in control here. She moved him in and out of her, riding him so that his penis connected with her clitoris as she rode up. He sat up straighter and reached around her, pressing inside her and stimulating her with his fingers at the same time. He reached up with his other hand to her nipple. She shuddered as her first orgasm hit. He thrust harder and she began to gasp again. The second orgasm lasted even longer and he released inside her with a moan of his own.
When she relaxed she moved to sit between his legs again, head resting on his shoulder. He continued to fondle her, and enjoyed the view from over her shoulder as she came again. He changed his caresses to move all over her body as she relaxed, then he returned to her favorite spots. He pleasured her to orgasm once again, this one lasting even longer. She gripped his thighs with her hands and arched her back with ecstasy.
"I like this," he said, still stroking her softly as she rested against him.
"I do too," she said trying to catch her breath.
He put his arms around her waist and pulled her ear lobe into his mouth. She sighed with pleasure. "Melissa, I love you."
He felt her stiffen in his arms, but he held her tight. "I needed to tell you that. I'm not trying to trap you, or make you change. I love you just exactly the way you are. I can't even ask you to be exclusively mine. I'd like that, but I'd need to be around you enough to make it worth your while. I don't expect you to say anything back, or do anything different. I just want you to know it, and believe it."
Part of him had been worried that she would make a joke of it, or simply leave him right then. When she seemed to relax a little, he let go of her. She moved in the bath water to curl up sideways against him. She put a hand on his shoulder and he held her gently.
"No one-- no one has ever said that to me. Not so I believed them."
"Do you believe me?"
"Yes, I do." Her voice was a whisper.
"That's all I want right now."
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of her skin against his. He held her for a long time. As the water began to cool he asked, "Are we going out tonight?"
"No. I don't feel like sharing you, or putting clothes in our way. " The doorbell rang. "That should be supper now," she said.
He hated letting her go, but didn't move to stop her. He watched her towel off quickly and pull on a red silk robe. She slipped out of the room without looking back and he wondered if he'd said more than he should. He knew he could have Mel and the great sex they shared any time he was available. He didn't have to tell her he loved her. Even if he meant it.
He stepped from the tub and dried off. He heard the front door close as he extinguished the candles. This had already been some night. There was another red silk robe hanging behind the door. She was thorough at planning an evening. He pulled it on and headed downstairs. He stopped briefly in the bedroom and retrieved a box from his dresser. After all, it was her birthday.
She wasn't in the dining area or kitchen which made his heart beat faster. When he looked in the living room she was kneeling on a cushion by the coffee table setting out chinese food for them both. There were candles lit on the table. He knelt next to her. "I was afraid you might throw on clothes and leave."
She smiled and set chopsticks in front of him and poured them each a cup of green tea. "I considered it. Why did you say that?"
"I wanted you to know how I felt."
She took his hand. "I can't say it back to you. I do enjoy being with you. We have fantastic sex. You're incredibly gallant around my parents." She shook her head. "You handle them better than I do."
"You don't have to say it. I'd rather have the truth from you. I have to admit I'd rather not know how many others you may be seeing. It tends to make me jealous, and I don't want to be."
Melissa looked at his hands and hers entwined together. "The soup's getting cold, Alan. And you're going to need your strength for the rest of the night."
Leave it to Mel to stick to the practical. Alan relaxed into the rest of the evening. He'd wanted to tell her that for some time, and now he had. Melissa let it run off the same way her father's comments had, and Alan needed all his strength to keep up with her.
As they finished dinner, Alan pulled the small box from his pocket. He placed it in her hands with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Mel."
"You wished me happy birthday this morning-very nicely, I might add."
"But I didn't give you your present yet. I thought about giving it to you last week, when we celebrated with your parents, but I decided you should have something to open on your birthday."
She untied the red ribbon and tore open the thick white paper. There was a maroon velvet box beneath it. "Alan-" she started, her voice warning him.
"Open it, love," he urged.
She opened it cautiously. Inside were two ruby earrings which matched the anklet he had given her at Valentine's Day. They were cut in heart shapes and surrounded by diamonds. She had to smile. "They're lovely, Alan."
Alan let out a sigh. He leaned forward and kissed her. He stroked her cheek softly and she settled into his arms. "If you ever decide you want a ring for your finger, you let me know and we'll pick it out together. I won't surprise you like that. Okay?"
"Deal." She placed the open box on the table in front of him and turned to deliver a long and deep kiss.
The next afternoon Melissa took him to the Space Center. An Eagle was waiting to take him back to the Moon. She got out of the car with him headed around to the driver's side and into his arms, pushing sunglasses up onto her head. Her kiss was long and wet and the rest of the universe simply disappeared for him as he concentrated on her. Another car roared up and parked next to them and he moved his hand down her thigh and out from under her sundress.
The other driver got out and cleared his throat. Alan decided he'd better come up for air and he parted from Melissa reluctantly. Bill Fraser stood staring at the two of them. Alan grinned, realizing why Bill was staring.
"It's not what you think, mate."
"Uh, well," Bill said eloquently.
"You must know my sister, Helena," Melissa said.
"You're sister?"
"Her twin sister." Alan added.
"I, ah, see. Ready to go?"
"Yeah," Alan said. He squeezed Mel's hand. He was ready, but not completely willing go let go of Melissa. He turned to kiss her again, but more briefly. "Remember, October, Bahamas."
"You got a date." She slipped into the driver's seat and started the car as Alan and Bill headed for the launch area. When Alan looked back she was still sitting and watching. He smiled and she waved back at him and blew him a kiss.
April 2000