"All The Way"

Chapter 12

PG-13 For sexual content and situations

Richard Carter's townhouse

Julia spread the newspaper across the breakfast bar and was finishing her second cup of black coffee by the time Richard slowly walked into the kitchen. Wearing a robe loosely tied, he rubbed his face and smoothed back his hair, stopped suddenly and stared at her. Julia glanced up from her newspaper.

"Good-morning, Richard."

He frowned, "Good-morning. You're dressed?"

Julia casually turned the newspaper page. "Why shouldn't I be?"

"Last night…..," he began, his voice trailed off as though trying to piece together a puzzle.

She stood, drained her coffee, and placed the cup in the sink with the rest of the dishes.

"I'm sorry, Richard, but I have a number of errands to run today," She said, kissing him as she departed, leaving him standing in the kitchen. Julia hurried to the bedroom, dropped to the edge of the bed hoping for a quick peak at the crate. The lock was fastened.

"Damn!" she muttered. Just one peek was all she needed to satisfy her curiosity. Now the crater would be forever on her mind.

Sighing deeply she recalled her missing hose and garter and began the search along the dust ruffle. Running her fingertips along the soft fabric her mind recalled how easily her clothing seemed to float away, freeing her body for soft kisses and caresses. A garter and one stocking appeared from the edge of the sheet. She stopped to slip them on. Where was the other? She ran her fingers under the edge feeling for the silkiness of her stocking and found it. Pulling on the toe she felt it stiffly pulling something else. Intertwined with her hose a pair of lacy white bikini underwear; obviously not hers, trailed out behind it. She heard Richard's footsteps in the room and looked up. He stood, staring in disbelief at the bikini underwear.

"I'm sorry, Julia," He blurted.

Julia frowned and eyed him, "Sorry for what Richard, bad housekeeping?"

He crossed the room, took the underwear, tossed them in the trashcan and took her hands in his.

"I am very sorry, Julia."

She searched his eyes for sincerity before rising to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Don't be sorry, Richard," She looked up at him. "I'm not some naïve young thing who believes I'm your one and only."

Julia rolled the stocking and fastened it then crossed her bare leg.

She gave him a sly smile, "And you would be a fool to think you were my first."

Richard sat next to her on the bed his fingers gently caressing her.

"Julia, stay with me. Bring your things here and stay with me until we leave for New York. We can drive to the university today. The library and facilities will be at your disposal, whatever you need. We can talk about the trip, our research."

She watched him. By staying here she would have added time to look for the key to the crate. He might not take the crate to Utah; this might be her only chance. Perhaps he would accidentally leave it unlocked. Why couldn't she just ask him if she could see what was in it. She could, but suppose he said no, then he would know she was curious and might watch her and the crate more carefully.

Julia's hesitation made Richard nervous. The bikini underwear didn't upset her. What was it? She could be such a mystery sometimes, a captivating mystery. He slipped to his knees and took the stocking from her fingers, slipped it over her toes, smoothed it out around her foot. Her foot against his thigh his fingers unrolled the stocking around her calf. Julia leaned back on her arms, watched his fingers skillfully move the stocking over her knee, pushing the hem of her skirt up, fingers trailing along her thigh.

"Please," he whispered, "We could talk, we could find whatever materials you need."

She tried to remain focused as his fingers teased along her inner thigh. Skillfully his fingers hooked the stocking to her garter, and slid beneath her thigh for the back fastener. He didn't stop, but continued further up her skirt, cupping his hands around her bottom, pulling her against his waist parting the loose robe, her legs wrapped around his waist. She felt his warm skin pressing against her thighs as they leaned back on the bed. His lips kissed along her chin, she exposed her neck to him purring with pleasure.

Suddenly he stopped, hovering above her, their breathing, quick and heavy, seemed to fill the room. Julia moistened her lips, looking into his eyes.

"Whatever I want or need?" she asked.

Richard nodded. "Whatever you want." Lightly kissing her, he added, "You know I'll make sure you get what you need."

~~~tbc~~~