Chapter Thirtyseven

Friday morning arrived and Piers did his best in the kitchen and managed to produce toast and coffee without the smoke alarm sounding and without Sue waking up so he was able to wake her with a kiss and breakfast.

As she ate he packed a small suitcase for the weekend and she reminded him he'd need to pack extra to leave some things at hers. He placed his riding clothes on the top and she asked, "Are you sure you want to go to the stables tomorrow, we could cancel?"

"I'm sure" he replied as he added his crop to the case. "I need to overcome my fears. Some lessons may be the answer."

"I love you Piers."

"I know and you must know that I love you, now time to get up or you'll be late. I'll be on time tonight I promise."

"You have to call Claudette again remember."

"I remember."

As she got ready he cleared away and changed the message on his answering machine to say he would be away for the weekend but could be contacted on his mobile.

When Sue was ready he drove her to work and then on to his office.

Sue was excited and called in on Kay on her way in, "I asked him last night for you, he said yes he has a few."

"Oh great when do I get to meet them?"

"We'll see. I may have some good news for you on Monday but shhh keep it to yourself."

"You've decided?"

"All but, and I said I'd tell him this weekend but really shhhhh OK?"

Kay mimed zipping her mouth and nodded, "Not a word, promise."

"He's at mine this weekend. We are going to the stables, and he has booked some lessons as he has some issues around horses."

"Oh he'll be fine. He has you to copy."

"I must get to my desk before Durie; I'll call you before Monday."

She waved and left to start her working day. She sat down and felt herself buzzing with excitement; a weekend with Piers at her apartment and she was going to say yes to him. The thought of him slipping the ring on her finger and what she planned to do to him afterwards keeping her smiling all day long.

She all but ran in to the street when five o clock arrived and she pulled the car door open herself and got in beside him kissing him on the cheek as she said hello.

"Someone's in a good mood" he noted.

"Yes I am, I've had a good day and now it's the weekend. You remember we need to go to Tesco?"

He waved his wallet, "But can we order online sometimes too?"

"We can order online when you know your way around the store blindfolded OK?"

"I'd better pay attention then."

The shopping was done and put away and Sue had to admit that maybe next time she'd let him do it online as she was feeling very tired. She didn't worry about it, just put it down to its being Friday and the fact that she'd been excited all day.

After supper she suggested a relaxing bath together but she was more than happy if things progressed the way they had last night. Piers was happy to oblige her and after she had poured oil in to the running water she lit several scented candles and placed them around the edge of her tub.

At first they just lay in the hot water and allowed it to soothe their bodies. That progressed to gentle soaping of each other's bodies which progressed to slow and sensual love making.

Later when they were in bed Sue talked Piers through some pointers to help him during his lesson and she promised she'd watch him from the sidelines. He talked some more about the day his Father had had his riding accident. It had been a freak accident and there was nothing anyone could have done; his animal had got spooked by a noise and thrown him. Just a simple throw but he had landed badly and broken his neck.

"Is that why you have an empty stable block?"

"Yes, I kept the animals for a while and then I decided as I wasn't riding them and had no interest in riding again I may as well sell them. So I did. I kept the stable hand on he is a gardener now. It wasn't his fault that I was a coward."

"You're not a coward! What you're planning to do tomorrow proves that, but you must relax when you're in the saddle otherwise the horse will be tense. You are having lessons though so you'll be given a placid animal and it will all come back to you it's just like riding a bike," she snuggled in to him yawning, "And you know what happened to your Father was a freak accident, nothing like that will happen tomorrow and I'll be right there watching OK?" She yawned again.

"You're really tired tonight aren't you?"

"Yeah I am but its Friday so don't worry a good night's sleep is all I need. Did you call Claudette?"

"Yes I did she is in London in a couple of weeks to see a play and we thought we might meet up maybe for dinner before the play. Would you come with me?"

"That sounds nice. And I'd come if she wanted me to but she might want you all to herself the first time she sees you after so long. Ask her." She yawned again.

"You need to sleep, do you mind if I read for a bit? I'll be quiet."

"Give it a go; I think I could sleep standing up so I doubt you'll disturb me. If you do I'll whine."

She kissed his cheek and turned over to settle for sleep. Piers rested his hand on her hip and felt the gentle rise and fall of her body as she slept. It was soothing to have the contact with her body. He read for around an hour and when he was done he scooted over to Sue and spooned with her, she murmured in her sleep and he kissed her cheek before settling down himself for sleep.