Thirty

Faith took a quick look around. The house was clean, bags packed, and she had even prepared a couple of meals for Selby to zap in the microwave. Although, knowing Tracey, she would feed him well while Faith was in Tampa. I wonder if she’ll take the opportunity and spend the night.

Satisfied she finished everything that needed done before her trip, Faith felt grateful she could spend the rest of her Sunday relaxing and enjoying time with her husband.

And her excursion with Edwin.

She was nervous about her afternoon rendezvous. They had had sex at Rutherford Construction before, but this was different. For one, it was Sunday. What if someone saw her truck and questioned why she was there? There was enough talk as it was about her and Edwin. They did not need to feed the gossip mill. Still, the excitement outweighed the trepidation. It meant something that he wanted to see her before her trip west and didn’t just blow it off. She wanted to see him, as well.

Selby joined her in the fireplace room, handing her a soft cover Megan Hart book. “For those nights you need some stimulation.”

“And what do I do after I’m stimulated?”

“Call me, of course. You packed Fred, right?”

She smirked at the mention of the name they gave her cock-shaped vibrator as she glanced at him with lifted eyebrows. “How could I leave my favorite man behind?”

“Ouch. You know how to hurt a guy.”

“Just keeping you humble.”

They spent the next couple of hours down on the beach darkening their tans and enjoying the battering of the waves. She loved the soothing cadence of the ocean. With her eyes closed, Faith could allow the gentle pounding to lull her to sleep. It just about had when her phone dinged.

Opening her eyes, she looked for Selby, and then remembered he was up at the house making a pitcher of lemonade. She pulled her phone from under the towel and squinted at the screen through the sun’s glare. Edwin.

In less than three hours you will be my plaything. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am. You are to shower with your husband’s help. Pick out a sexy outfit. Have him help you. No panties, of course.

She read it again. And one more time. She truly couldn't believe her eyes. What’s more, she couldn’t deny that her body flushed with heat at the idea. She had had sex with Selby after Edwin, recounting all the erotic details, but this would be completely different. Selby would prepare her for another man. She could feel her honey flow between her legs.

She typed back simply, Yes, sir.

A couple of minutes later another text came through. You are not to have sex before you see me.

Yes, sir. She practically gulped as she sent the reply.

“Everything okay?”

Faith jumped at Selby’s voice. “What? Oh, yeah, fine, everything’s fine. Edwin was just making sure we were still on for today.” Her breathing was heavy, and she attempted to take a deep breath to calm herself.

Selby chuckled as he handed her a Rum Runner. “He must be an eager man,” he said as he sat down beside her. “I can’t say I blame him, though.” He took a swallow of his drink, and Faith stared at the way his throat rippled with the action. The ocean breeze tousled his golden hair, and the straw-like curls that crept from the top of his board shorts beckoned at her with seductive tendrils. She was told she couldn’t have sex with him, and right then, that’s exactly what she wanted to do.

And Edwin wanted her to have Selby bathe her and get her dressed? It would be a painful three hours.

“Come on, let’s hit the water.” Selby grabbed her hand and refused to take no for an answer.

“Selby Greer, it’s March! That water is freezing.”

He never slowed. “You worried about shrinkage?”

The water was like ice, but Selby never slowed as he led her over the foamy waves into deeper water. “I’m worried about pneumonia..!” She screamed out as Selby just fell into a breaking wave taking her with him, and she sank into the tumbling wave. Her hair!

Selby’s hand slipped from hers with the violence of the wave, and she felt herself tackled by the salty sea. She wasn’t ready. Air whooshed from her lungs even as she tried to hold it in, save it against the undercurrent that tugged at her. She panicked and flailed her arms, reaching for the surface, reaching for Selby.

Her head broke the watery barrier only for another wave to hammer her back down again before she could catch a breath. The water couldn’t be that deep yet. They had only gone a few yards. She felt her foot hit the sandy bottom, seashells pelting her ankle. She pushed upward, and then, a hand had her arm and she was being pulled. Selby held her tight, holding her as she coughed up the water she had swallowed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, fear sealing her to his body like a second skin.

“It’s okay, babe. I got ya. Relax, I got ya.” The words repeated over and over until she felt her body shaking only because of the cold water and not the fright that had ripped through her.

She coughed some more, the water at their waist now. Selby stood solid, his back to the waves creating a safe wall for her. “Don’t ever let go again. I thought I was going to drown.”

She felt him squeeze her tight. “Never, love. No matter what, I’ve always got you.” With one hand, he brushed her wet hair from her eyes and then very gently kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you inside and warmed up, shall we?”

Faith only had the strength to nod as he helped her walk through the current that persistently tugged at her feet. It was too easy to drown in the ocean. A person could get trapped in a rip current and pulled out to deeper waters, too far out to swim back in. She clutched to Selby until the waves were mere licks at the bottom of her feet, and even then, she held on tight.

When they reached the blanket, Selby took a towel and wrapped it around her, rubbing her within it to chase away the chill. He held her close as he did, and she could feel the strength in his arms, the safety.

“Come.” He led her up the sandy dune to the stairs, allowing her to take her time. A good thing too as she was still shaky from the ordeal. Once inside, he left her at the bathroom counter as he drew her a nice hot bath. While the water ran, he stripped her of her suit and dried the icy sea water from where her body had been covered. “If you can make it into the tub, I’ll get you some hot tea to warm the inside of you.”

Faith smiled at him and only nodded. She watched as he left the master bedroom for the kitchen, and then, she eased her cold body into the steaming water. Her flesh tingled as heat hit cold flesh, but she relished the prickly sensation.

Soon, Selby was back with peppermint tea in a Tinkerbelle mug. She wrapped her hands around it as he knelt beside the tub, kissing the top of her head on his way down. Without a word, he picked up her loofa, squeezed some of her vanilla bean soap on it, and washed the salty sea from her body. Laying her head against the tub’s edge, she lingered in the sensations of the gentle caressing of her body. Her nipples tightened into hardened circles as the heat between her legs grew.

Selby took the tea from her hands and had her lean forward. With gentle massaging circles, he lathered her hair and washed the ocean from it. Completely relaxed, she could have fallen asleep with his hands on her scalp.

After he dried her off from the bath, Faith asked him to blow dry her hair and brush it out. He kissed her nose with an “Of course, my queen” and settled her in the chair at the bathroom vanity. Faith’s valley grew wet at what she was doing, having him prepare her for another man. Did Selby know what was happening?

Once he finished drying her hair, she asked him, “What do you think I should wear?”

His eyes swallowed her naked form. “That looks good to me.”

She laughed, one hand on her hip. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll get down to this, but I can’t start off this way. Dress me, sexy.”

“Dress you?” She didn’t think he’d go for it at first, but then, he just shook his head. “Okay, let’s see what Selby, the fashion designer hailed from around the world, can dream up.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, his smile contagious. “It needs to be alluring, seductive, and easy to take off, eh.” Selby took on a flamboyant air, waving his arms and flipping his wrists. He went to her bureau of drawers and opted for a dark lavender bra and thong set, leaving the thong in the drawer, with deep rich flowers strategically placed over the otherwise see-through fabric. He slid the straps over her shoulders and clasped it in place.

He took a step back and eyed the effect. “Now, that’s an amazing sight.” He then stepped into her closet and came out with a violet sundress that stopped just above her knees. He held it open for her and slid it over her head and down her body, his hands gliding across her skin as he did.

She felt the tingle of her flesh at the grazing, and her wetness increased. Edwin’s words filled her head. Do not have sex with your husband. Oh, but she wanted to so bad. She closed her eyes and pictured her boss in his tight jeans, both hands on his hips. What would he do with her today?

Once the sundress was in place, Selby picked out a pair of off-white sandals and, kneeling in front of her, slid each one onto her feet. Her breath caught at the sight of him, practically bowing in front of her, serving her. It reminded her of the other night on the deck when he helped her take pictures for Edwin and then went down on her right there, kneeling between her open thighs. She wanted to rape him right there and dug her nails into her palms to fight the passion that inflamed her sweet channel. It was excruciating, the desire that was building within.

She watched as her husband stood, his eyes sparkling, and the swelling in his pants giving away his thoughts. “A radiant temptress if ever there was one.”

She could feel her face blush. “Thank you.” The words came out in a husky whisper.

He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips, which were suddenly dry. “Enjoy your date, my queen.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Selby closed the book he was reading and sipped the Cabernet that warmed his glass. Dusk was claiming the night sky, and it really was getting too dark to read outside without turning on the lamps. He glanced back to where the switch was and decided it was too much effort to move. Setting his book on the table beside him, he held his glass in both hands and stared out over the ocean. The breeze was light but still held a March chill to it along with the tang of the ocean.

Faith had been gone for an hour and a half and he really had no idea when she would be home. There were no time restraints on their weekend excursions so as not to rush the experience. The weekdays were for quickies. Weekends allowed for more freedom.

Selby thought of what the coming morning meant. A week. Faith would be gone an entire week, and he was getting nervous about it now for the first time. He had wanted her to explore her fantasies, but he was afraid of how far those fantasies would take her away from him, and if he was honest with himself, he had to admit he was afraid this trip would play into her exploration. They hadn’t discussed whether she could have sex while she was gone. He wondered if perhaps they should.

“Anyone home?” A male voice called from the bottom of the stairs.

“Come on up!” Selby stared with confusion at the steps that led to the sandy shore below. No one used their beach access to get to their home. Usually, it was the other way around, using their home to gain access to the beach. Selby watched as Faith’s brother-in-law ascended the wooden steps.

“Glen?” Selby stood and shook the man’s hand, more confused at who it was who had climbed his steps than the fact that someone actually had. “Never pictured you as a beach walker. Can I offer you a beer or something?”

“Faith here?” Glen asked as he looked around. When Selby said that she was out for a while Glen glanced at the near empty wine glass. “You got any bourbon?”

Selby nodded and led him into the house. The bar was situated in the Florida room so it would be close to the pool deck. Glen slid onto one of the wooden stools while Selby stepped behind the bar, slipping both glasses from the top shelf. He poured two fingers of Maker’s Mark into both glasses and handed one to Glen. Selby stayed behind the bar playing bartender and waited for Glen to talk. His eyes looked drained with dark semicircles underneath, his dark hair blown haphazard by the salty air. It was more than a tired look. He appeared beaten.

Glen took a swig of the bourbon, his lips taut against the smoky taste. He stared with tired eyes at the amber liquid without seeing it. His shoulders drooped as he slumped in the stool.

Selby sipped his bourbon and waited. It wasn’t long.

“Something is eating at Cherish, and I'm not sure how to handle it. She’s going crazy, like she’s obsessed with Faith and the sudden life that seems to have come out of her. Cherish is cranky, snappy, and jealous as hell. I don’t know what to do.”

“What is she jealous of?”

“As crazy as it sounds—Edwin.”

Edwin? Why on earth would Cherish be jealous of Edwin? Selby stared at his glass a minute trying to fit pieces together, but it could take several paths. Either Cherish is jealous of the attention Faith’s getting or...

“Don’t get me wrong. I love Faith and you. I love the way Faith has grabbed life and shed that timid church mouse side of her. But, since Faith’s come into herself, Cherish has been on edge. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

“Why do you think it’s Edwin?”

Glen took another sip and a deep breath right after it. With a shrug he said, “That’s all she talks about. Faith and Edwin.”

Selby stared out the window, lost in thought. The two sisters never really got along since Selby had known them. There were brief periods of civility, but it never lasted. Cherish was a spoiled brat and Faith a bullied pup, but they never really outright fought, not until recently, anyway. It was possible that Cherish felt threatened by Faith’s new confidence. Hopefully, Edwin was smart enough not to risk their jobs with their game. Of course, lately it seemed like more than just a game.

“You know she actually accused Faith of sleeping with their boss for special favors? Now, I don’t for one minute believe it, but that’s how crazed Cherish has become.”

Perhaps, they weren’t as careful as I’d hoped. “Glen, I can assure you Faith is not cheating on me.” Well, it’s not a lie. I know she’s fucking him. “And Faith doesn’t want Cherish’s job. She’s just having fun. I’m well aware of her antics at work, I assure you.”

Glen leaned on the bar, drink forgotten. “How did you do it?”

Selby gave him a confused look. “How did I do what?”

“Get her to loosen up, have fun. You know, flirt and stuff.” He took a sip of his bourbon. “Cherish is so rigid it keeps me flaccid.”

Selby lost the battle with laughter. He couldn’t help it. Glen’s description just caught him way off guard to be able to stay serious. “I’m sorry. Really.”

“Not as sorry as I am.”

Selby never imagined having this type of conversation with his sister-in-law’s husband, and it really was TMI as the teenagers would say. Still, he could see Glen’s frustration, but it was one thing to fantasize about a flirty wife and quite another to be able to handle the attention it brought about. Glen didn’t seem the type to be able to cope with someone else touching Cherish. “Glen, we’re a very different couple than the two of you. Are you sure you’d want men coming onto your wife all the time or her coming onto them? What if another man saw your wife naked? Or kissed her?”

Glen stared down into his glass, and Selby could see the conflict in his face. Finally, the troubled man just shook his head. “I don’t know. However, I do know I’d rather have the knowledge of her being attracted to someone else than her being a bitch to me for no reason.”

If Cherish panted after Edwin, Faith has stepped into a mess she knows nothing about. “Have you talked to Cherish about opening your marriage up?”

Glen glanced up at him, confusion and shock mingled on his face. “You and Faith have an open marriage?”

Selby shrugged. “Faith and I have fun within certain boundaries. No secrets. Maybe you should share your concern with Cherish.”

The dark-haired man stared back at his glass, his fingers twirling it on the bar. The conversation in his head was very visible on his brow. It was true that many people couldn’t handle seeing their partner with someone else. Yet, that’s where trust came in and, as Selby always said, matters of the heart are not matters of the body. He glanced out the sliding doors at the darkening sky. I hope Faith remembers to keep the two separate.