The morning sunlight crept through the blinds of the bedroom, waking Hank. He put his glasses on and stood up, his eyes coming to rest next to the empty place where Peggy normally is in the bed. He and Kate were alone. Alone in the house all day. He felt nervous and excited but scared. He dressed quickly and went to the kitchen. He noted Kate was not awake yet and Bobby had gone for a ride on his bike with Khannie. Maybe he'd cook breakfast for her. Pancakes and bacon. He started cooking. Two large pancakes on each plate and 4 strips of bacon crispy on each plate. Oh and coffee, he couldn't forget the coffee.
"Good morning," he turned to meet her figure in the doorway of the kitchen. Perfect timing, he thought.
"Oh, morning Kate. I made some bacon and pancakes for us," Hank smiled at her as he set the plates on the table. She yawned and looked around.
"Where is everyone?" She asked as she took a seat at the table.
"Well, Peggy is at her job and Bobby went for a bike ride with the neighbor girl, Khannie. Thought we could eat breakfast and then I could show you around Arlen," He took a bite of a pancake as she sipped her coffee. She was beautiful in the morning, Hank noted to himself. Her skin was pale and her eyes were even bluer than usual and she was even more enticing with no make up and her pureness showing through.
"Okay. That sounds great. I've been wanting to explore. You know what I'd really like to do? I'd really like to go on a nature trail. Are there any around here?" She asked as she began nibbling on the pancakes. Hank contemplated his answer. He was unsure whether or not their being alone together, in a secluded area was a good idea. Not that he was having impure thoughts of her nor would he ever take advantage of her, but for the sake of appearance. He certainly did not want his wife and friends to think he was interested in this girl, because then everything that has happened will come back on him and people will think he drove Peggy into the arms of Dale if this all got out. Then again it did sound nice to get out of the house and talk a walk.
"Well, there is a couple, one in particular that sticks out in my mind. I remember I took Bobby there a few years ago. There is a river that's pretty nice and some great sight- seeing too," He commented. "After that we can go to the Arlen Barn and have a meatloaf sandwich," Kate eyed and him and giggled.
"Meatloaf sandwich?" She questioned. "Sounds pretty gross," She laughed again and Hank joined in.
"You may think it sounds gross, but you'd be surprised," he cleared his plate and got up to place it in the sink. "Well when you're ready, we can head out, I guess," Hank smiled and adjusted his glasses. "You'll probably want to wear something comfortable and protective." She nodded and got up to put her plate in the sink as well.
"No problem!" And with those words she turned on her heals and headed to the room to get ready.
It was a beautiful day for a walk and Hank was admiring the scenery including Kate, clad in khaki shorts and hiking boots. He loved how supple and shapely her legs were, they were the legs of an athlete for sure, as well as her round arms and narrow yet muscular shoulders that could be seen in the top she was wearing. She was not particularly thin, but she was small and well built from head to toe. Her breasts were full and round and lead down to a small waist which smoothly turned into round hips and a perfect bottom. Kate was sturdy and very attractive in this light, he thought. When the sun would gleam on her at the perfect angle, a maroon undertone could be seen shining through her dark locks, which swung gleefully in a long thick ponytail at the crown of her head. She was graceful and delicate and she was staring at Hank staring at her.
"What?" she smiled. Hank's eyes jumped away from her quickly and he blushed feverishly.
"Oh nothing, just thought I saw a bee on ya," he said. "Nope, no bee," he pretended to look at her back. She wiped a band of sweat from her brow and took a sip from her water bottle.
"It really is beautiful out here, don't you think?" She asked happily as she adjusted the straps on her backpack. "Arlen is charming." She added. Hank chuckled deeply.
"Yeah it really is. I love Arlen. It's home," He answered as they came to a clearing. The trees ended and an open space was all around them. Flowers grew wild everywhere in every color imaginable and patches of clover decorated the small glen which overlooked a small, beautiful waterfall and crystal clear river.
"Oh wow! Look at this!" She called out to him as her boots met the edge of the river. "That is amazing!" Hank walked over and tossed a rock in, sending it skidding across the top of the water.
"Yeah, beautiful, isn't it?" he stood about two feet from her, sure to keep his space. Her eyes were like diamonds and she was excited as ever. Quickly, she began stripping off articles of clothing, leaving Hank in a stupor.
"Wait, what are you doing?" He asked urgently as he watched her pull her boots and socks off. "You can't just do that here. Someone might see!" Hank turned away as she pulled her top over her head and threw it on top of her boots.
"Oh come on, like you've never seen someone in a bathing suit before," she teased. "Besides there isn't anyone around for miles and I'm hot!" He turned to watch her yank her shorts off. There she was nearly naked in front of him.
"That's not a bathing suit! You're in your…" He stopped, looked around and whispered, " Your unmentionables!" Hank was obviously embarrassed. She walked up to him and grabbed his hand.
"Well, pretend my panties and bra are a bathing suit because I mean, it's basically the same thing in theory, now come with me," she pulled him by the hand until her feet met the shallowest area of water.
"Wait, I can't go in there with you. It wouldn't be appropriate! Besides I don't have swim trunks!" He pulled away but she grabbed his hand again.
"That didn't stop me, now take your clothes off or I'm taking you down just how you are," She threatened. "I may be small, but I definitely could take you down, old man!" Kate joked as Hank attempted to rip away from her death grip on his forearm. Hank looked at her standing there and began to laugh uncontrollably.
"What, you don't think I could? I have news for you, I wrestled for a year for my high school, buddy," She was being playful and it was somewhat titillating to see. "Now here I'll even help you," she grabbed Hank's belt and pulled it loose and unbuttoned his pants.
"Kate. Stop…" He continued to laugh as she yanked his pants down around his ankles.
"Are you shy or something? Come on, it's not like I've never seen the human anatomy. I worked in a doctor's office before! Let's go, take your shirt off," She demanded as hank stood in his boxers and blue jacket and white shirt. He stopped laughing at her and looked more seriously.
"I just don't think it would be appropriate. You being a young lady… and such and me being a married older man, it may be seen as unsuitable," he couldn't help but stare at her in her panties in front of him. She was so regal and sophisticated and to see this funny side, he knew he really didn't know her at all. She sighed heavily and looked around.
"Ok Hank, have it your way," She walked in the other direction away from him and away from the water. His eyes followed her, his hands reaching to pull up his pants.
"Wait, you can't just leave in your underpants! Where are you going? You don't know the way back!" He tripped and stood up again trying to pull his pants back up. Oh God, WOMEN! He thought. Then suddenly out of nowhere Kate pummeled him, pushing him, clothes and all in the water. She had a running start which knocked the wind out of him when their bodies collided, sending both of them into the clear river.
"WOOOO! I told you I could take you down!" She said leaping from the water and wiping her eyes in victory, arms flailing about in the air. Hank shot out of the water and looked around laughing at the same time.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He asked as she paddled around him in circles on her back. "You could have hurt yourself!" He scolded, the father in him coming out. After all, technically, she could be his daughter. He heard her laughing at him. "Why are you laughing? I'm serious, missy! What if you would have broken your neck?"
"I guess I didn't think of that. Lighten up! Have some fun! Swim with me," She splashed some water in his direction. Hank pealed his shirt off and threw it on the shore along with his soaked pants and shoes. Now, he'd have to slosh home, he thought. Honestly, in his entire life, he'd never felt so free and it scared him a little bit. I mean who would have thought, Hank Hill, swimming nearly naked with a young beautiful teacher. Not something you'd ever imagine, right.
He allowed the cool water to comfort him as he floated around while Kate splashed in the distance. How serene he felt. The sounds of birds over head and the sweet smell of wild flowers floating in the warm Texas air was really intoxicating. A gentle breeze threw the trees around causing a few leaves to fall around the small opening they had discovered by venturing off of the beaten path. Maybe this was a metaphor, Hank thought. A metaphor to his life, that maybe by taking a turn off of the normal path in front of him, he could discover things he never knew existed. Beautiful, wonderful, inspiring things, he thought as he looked at Kate who disappeared behind the waterfall. Hank could see her blurry outline behind the water and followed her as though something hypnotized him and was pulling him in.
"What are you doing?" Hank asked as he crossed under the cascading water. She was perfect, he thought as she stood in the shallow water under the falls. A flower she had picked that grew wildly in the small cave behind the water, sat carefully behind her ear, the petals a bright pink, made her look like one of those hula dancers that sat in the airport in Hawaii welcoming visitors. Her lips were highlighted in the flickering sunlight and her eyes searched around his face. Maybe she was looking for that hint of desire he had held last night before the BBQ or maybe she was searching deeper than that for something else. The silence was thick between them as though they were holding a conversation with their eyes. It was very rare that you could meet another person and never have to actually speak to have a conversation. She could read him and he could read her. They were open books at this point. No need to speak. His eyes continued their journey over her and he noticed she had a tiny tattoo on her shoulder as she turned shyly away from him. Hank brushed the wet hair from her shoulder and rubbed his thumb across the patch of skin that was inked when a sweet noise left her lips and her pretty head lulled at his touch, her own hand meeting his. Hank's mind was a blur and his heart was going wild as their fingers entwined. Her back was still to him and he realized at this point how truly tiny she was. Maybe 4'11 barefoot? Nothing compared to his 6 foot 2 inches, over two feet taller than her. He chuckled inwardly at her tininess.
"Are you attracted to me?" She asked softly, her back still turned to him. Should he tell her yes, or should he lie and tell her no?
"If I said yes, would you think any less of me?" He asked. Kate looked at him, considering what he had just said, her eyes flooded with thoughts.
"No. I wouldn't." Hank pushed a tuft of long hair away from her small shoulder and kissed her neck tenderly. He felt nervous and totally inexperienced like the first time all over again. She ran a cautious hand through his hair, pulling him in closer.
"Yes," he whispered into her ear as she turned to meet his lips. Hank wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and lifted her light body up and placed it on a ledge, making her the perfect height to stare him directly in the eyes.
"You're trembling," Kate said as she looked at his quivering hands. He nodded and gazed at her. How could she ever want him? Of course he was nervous, he'd never been with anyone else besides his wife. She kissed his hands and ran her nails down his bare chest, sending chills all over him and causing goose bumps to rise all over his skin. What was he doing? This was crazy, but he was going to jump in feet first. Slowly and cautiously, he took her chin in his hand and tilted her face upwards, grazing her soft lips. She had no idea how she was making him feel and in fact, it was almost monstrous. Hank wanted to consume her, to drink her in and devour her. Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and locked her ankles around his hips, the kiss intensifying and becoming deeper and more desperate. She was moaning loudly, the sweet echoes filling the cave behind them. He was actually making her moan, he thought. A burst of confidence overwhelmed him with a feeling of delight. Hank grabbed a handful of her hair and pushed his tongue into her mouth, drawing a groan from deep inside her. She grinded against him roughly and dug her nails into his back causing him to become extremely aroused. The kisses continued, becoming more and more out of control, their hands roaming mercilessly over each other's bodies.
"Kate…" he moaned as she ran a delicate finger over his aching manhood.
"Mr. Hill," She retorted.
"Hank…" He corrected in between kisses.
"Hank," She smiled into his mouth sweetly.
The trip home felt a little awkward between the two of them. Hank looked over at Kate who was looking out the window, her arms wrapped around herself.
"Kate?" Hank glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He suddenly felt guilty. Not because he had just had semi extra-marital sex with another woman, but because she looked as though she regretted it. "Are you alright?" He asked. She turned and looked at him, all energy drained from her pretty face.
"I'm fine. I'm just really tired," And then she was silent again.
"Look Kate, about what happened… If you just want to pretend like it didn't, then I'm okay with that," He said sadly. "Maybe we just got too much sun," She turned her face to him and smiled a small smile.
"Mr. Hill, I'm not that kind of girl. I don't know what was going through my mind. I don't want you to think of me and think that I go around doing this with other married men or just men in general," Kate was embarrassed at her behavior.
"Kate, everyone makes mistakes," Hank tried to comfort her the best he could. "I'm not really good at this kind of stuff, but I'm trying the best I can," she smiled at him softly once more.
"Well if its going to be considered a mistake, then it's the best one I have ever made," Kate stated forwardly. Hank blushed like a school boy.
"For the record, it wasn't a mistake for me and I wouldn't change a thing," he said as they pulled into the driveway of the house. Peggy still wasn't home, he noticed, but it wasn't a big deal and it was great because he'd get to discuss what happened with Kate before anyone was there to intrude.
"You know, I think it would be best if we didn't let it happen again," She kept her eyes downcast. "…not because I didn't like it or want it, but because I don't want it to affect helping Bobby. That's why I am here after all," Kate put a hand over Hank's and caught his gaze with hers. "He needs me." I need you, Hank thought. Just tell her. Let it come out. Let her know.
"Kate, I need…" He saw her face and froze. The words that were intended on coming out didn't. "I need you to know that I wasn't trying to force anything on to you and I just want you to be comfortable. I hope you can accept my apology," Hank begged and scolded himself mentally.
"We can still be friends," she smiled revealing her pretty white teeth.
"Yeah, friends," they shook hands and Hank opened the door and got out of the truck. She followed. A feeling of doom crept up his spine and he was sad, but friends… That was a good thing.