What To Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection Part Two (235 page)

A
fter a quick shower, I threw on a casual sundress and made my way reluctantly to my sister’s house. Julie arrived only a few minutes after I did, and we were quickly banished from the kitchen by Mindy to setup decorations by the pool.

“I don’t even have to ask how it was this time,” she said, wrapping a pink streamer around one of the pool chairs. “You are exhibiting quite the post-coital
glow.
You really look quite content. I’m happy for you, and a bit jealous.” She grinned and added, “Now, about those details.”

“Let’s just say that I am learning a few new things about myself and about sex,” I said as I taped up a Happy Birthday banner on the back of the house. “I never knew how useful handcuffs could be, for example.” I grinned as Julie’s jaw dropped open. By the time she recovered from that one, Mindy and Phillip had joined us outside.

“Looking good Summer,” Phillip said, as he leered at me from behind my sister. Ostensibly, he could have been talking about the party decorations, but he had a way of visually undressing me that made his intentions more than obvious. Mindy was oblivious as usual. Julie definitely caught the glance however and she had no hesitation about putting him on the spot.

“How about me, Phillip?” she asked innocently. “Don’t I look good as well?” She laughed as she spoke, but gave Phillip a look that said “we know exactly what you truly are.”

“I meant the decorations of course,” he said as he shot a nervous glance at Mindy then glared at Julie. She just laughed and turned her attention back to the streamers.

Mindy finally deigned me worthy of her full attention for a moment and looked at me oddly. “You
do
look good Summer. Different. It is almost as if you are happy. Did you lose weight?”

Julie glanced at me quickly with a grin and looked like she was struggling not to blurt out
exactly
why I looked happy. Great sex with a wonderful guy will have that effect on my mood every time. Go figure.

“I’m just happy to be here for Mandy’s party,” I said, turning towards some balloons that needed inflating. “I don’t get a chance to see enough of her lately.”

I skipped adding that the main reason for this was because I really did not care to spend that much time around her or the jerk she married. Somehow I thought voicing that particular reservation at this moment in time would not be considered conducive to the party atmosphere.

The afternoon went about as well as you can expect a pool party full of four year olds to go. Two water rescues, three skinned knees and a bunch of stressed parents. Julie and I made our excuses and our escape after the cake and before the sugar rush kicked in.

We made plans to get together for a few glasses of wine one night during the coming week. I had no doubt her plans included plying me with wine and a home cooked meal for some details about my encounters with Mark. I would have to decide just how many details I really felt comfortable sharing, but part of me was already reveling in actually
having
some juicy details to share in the first place.

After a fairly quiet Sunday that included such excitement as errands and laundry, it was back to work on Monday morning. Anticipation of hearing from Mark made it easier than usual to get out of bed.

B
etween two trips to the ladies room caused by three cups of coffee and my inability to focus on anything other than hitting refresh on our website, I wasn’t having the most productive morning.

If Mark’s previous modus operandi held true, there would be some sort of delivery this morning. I was beginning to think maybe it was a little selfish to actually
expect
anything when Melissa knocked on the doorframe and poked her head inside.

“I take it that Friday was date night with the mystery man?” she said with a grin. “There seems to be a delivery for you once again. It is on the way up.” She busied herself straightening some papers on my desk, obviously in no hurry to leave before the latest delivery.

Sure enough, a minute later the same delivery man from previous weeks appeared in the doorway carrying two small packages in one hand and a large vase full of pink roses in the other.

“Delivery for Ms. Summer Daniels,” he said with a smile. “Is she here?”

“You know by now that is me,” I laughed. “Perhaps we should get better acquainted since it appears we will be seeing a lot of one another?”

“My name is Julian,” he said with a small bow as he handed me the packages. “I was asked to note your reaction to the items enclosed and report back to my employer.”

I could see Melissa inch a little closer, but I didn’t mind her natural curiosity. I was curious myself. Once again Mark had me laughing as I opened up the first package to reveal a small set of earrings. Shaped like handcuffs.

Opening the second package revealed a very familiar handcuff key with red ribbon still attached. I was momentarily puzzled until Julian placed the roses on the desk and pulled his hand back only a few inches. He was handcuffed to the vase. “Mark said you might hold the
key
to my dilemma,” he said.

Melissa’s eyebrows shot up so high I thought they might be in danger of escaping her forehead completely.

I unlocked Julian’s wrist and tipped him generously. “You are definitely the best delivery I get to make all day,” he grinned. “I’m never taking a Monday off again, just in case.”

As he merrily left, I turned to Melissa, who looked simultaneously excited and flustered.

“I know,” she said with a big smile. “Close the door on my way out. Should I tell the team to expect you for the staff meeting?” She glanced at the handcuffs now lying on the corner of my desk. “Or should I tell them you might be
detained
for a while?” She giggled as she turned for the door. I knew she had a sense of humor of course, but I had honestly not seen a grown woman actually giggle before. It was a rather funny sight.

“Out.” I said with a laugh. “Forget what you have seen here today.” While there was definitely not much chance of that happening, I really was not concerned about her discretion. She had more than proven her loyalty over the years.

Turning to the roses, I now noticed a single yellow rose in the middle of more than a dozen pink ones. As I expected by now, there was a small envelope tied to this single rose. Opening it revealed a small note inside.

Thank you for an “arresting” morning on Saturday. Go check our website.

Refreshing the website one more time revealed a new message on the familiar parchment scroll.

Summer,

Once again I must thank you for such a lovely evening on Friday and the surprising morning that followed. I hope you are enjoying our alphabetical exploration as much as I am. There never seems to be quite enough time together. I will be eagerly counting the days until we see each other again.

Mark

W
hile Mark and I had never specifically spoken about communication during the two weeks between
dates,
we seemed to have fallen into a fairly well defined pattern by default. After his follow-up message and flowers on the Monday following our date, there was no further contact. This was proving to have its good and bad points. It was good in that it allowed me time to concentrate on my work. It was bad in that I found myself wanting to talk to him, as I was missing his laugh, his smile and most definitely his touch.

We both had decided in the beginning to keep things very casual, but now I found myself wanting more. Of course if you asked me to define what
more
actually entailed, I’m not sure I would have been able to put it into words.

The two weeks that followed seemed to move in slow motion. My every other week adventures with Mark made the rest of my days seem boring and drab by comparison.

The lone bright spot of the week came when I had dinner with Julie and her family. Two glasses of wine with the glazed pork loin and garlic roasted potatoes lulled me into such a feeling of contentment that Julie’s intimate inquisition did not bother me in the slightest. Two more glasses after the kids were put to bed and I found myself eagerly divulging a few of the more intimate details for her enjoyment.

Suffice it to say that reliving the details for Julie’s benefit led to me having my hands quite full of myself the next few evenings. Anyone with stock in Duracell was definitely looking forward to a great return on their investment.

The following Wednesday morning found me anticipating some sort of contact from Mark. Mid-morning, a small envelope was left for me at our guard desk downstairs. It once again directed me to our website.

Summer,

Same time. Same place.

One request this week: No panties.

P.S. Bring back the handcuffs, please.

Mark

Taking off a few hours early on Friday, I went shopping for a new dress. Given how little time I was likely to actually spend fully clothed, it seemed a little extravagant, but I was in a buoyant mood. I could easily justify the expense by promising myself I would get more wear out of the purchase.

Of course, that justification was going to be tested after I fell in love with a barely legal bright yellow sundress and matching pumps.

After a hot shower I stood in front of my dressing mirror once again. It was four short weeks since I stood here getting ready for my first evening with Mark. The apprehension I felt then had been replaced by anticipation and confidence.

I put my hair back in a ponytail figuring it would accentuate the new handcuff earrings dangling from my lobes. I had purposely bought the dress a size smaller than I would usually wear, figuring if Mark requested no panties this week, he’d be pleasantly surprised by no bra as well. The dress felt like it was painted on and was short enough that I would have to be careful about not giving the hotel valet a show when I got out of my car.

Remembering my promise to stick around a little longer the next time we got together, I threw a few things into a small overnight bag and headed to the garage. Arriving at the hotel, I was not surprised to see the same night desk clerk on duty as during my previous two visits. I waved and smiled as I headed to the elevator. Given was I was wearing and especially what I was
not
wearing under it, I considered for a brief moment dropping the bag and bending over to pick it up, but I decided the poor clerk’s heart probably couldn’t take it.

Arriving upstairs at Room 1147, that all too familiar black lace blindfold once again stood sentry at the door.

S
miling with anticipation, I put on the blindfold and knocked twice on the door. I could hear Mark speak from in front of me as he gently guided me into the room. “Come in Summer, you look absolutely radiant. I have yet to see you pick a color that does not favor you.”

“I think you are just being kind,” I said with a smile as I dropped by bag by the door, “but thank you.”

“I think you know that I believe in honesty,” he replied. “If only you could see yourself through my eyes for a moment.”