Lucy closed her eyes feeling deliciously exhausted. She nestled her head closer to his neck inhaling his scent letting it make her feel safe. That troubling thought was soon forgotten as sleep overtook her.

Gerard continued to drive knowing by the sound of her heavy breathing she’d fallen asleep. He smiled with a renewed feeling of hope as they traveled towards the farm.

The dream came on her quickly. She was standing in a field of high grass, the warmth she felt from Gerard’s’ body incorporating itself into the dream. It was the warmth of the sun on her skin. Suddenly in the distance she saw a figure approaching. Her heart filled with happiness, she knew that purposeful stride, the way his body moved, it was Rafe.

Gerard looked down as Lucy smiled in her sleep and muttered something he didn’t understand.

“Rafe” Lucy ran towards him, “Oh, Rafe” But as she moved closer he held up his hand to stop her.

“Lucy” It was the voice she knew, she loved. “Sweetheart, stop.”

Suddenly the sun was covered by clouds, dark, heavy clouds. “Why?” she cried out. “I knew you’d never leave me.”

A look of sadness covered his face. “I didn’t want to leave you.” He said dropping his hand. “Never.”

“But…” Tears filled her eyes as the heavens opened up and the rain fell.

“Lucy” His voice was filled with sadness, “Live”

She shook her head wildly, “What? No.” She screamed as his form slowly stared to fade. “No, I can’t.”

“You can, my beautiful woman, don’t be afraid.”

Gerard had just turned into the driveway when he felt her body begin to tremble. Fearful she was having a nightmare he quickly stopped the truck then put both arms around her. “Lucy” He whispered, “It’s okay.”

She was still dreaming, refusing to let it go. “Please” She screamed, “Don’t leave.”

“Live” He said once more then completely disappeared.

“NO” Lucy screamed, her eyes flew open.

“It’s okay.” Gerard held her tightly, “Lucy, it’s okay.”

For a moment she was confused then the realization that she’d been dreaming hit her.

Gerard continued to hold her tightly. “It was just a bad dream.” He whispered.

She couldn’t make herself tell him the truth, her emotions were too raw.

For several minutes he held her then gently removed his arms. Opening the door he slid out then reached for her. She went into his arms without protest. Rex ran along side them as he carried her across the yard to the house. Once there he pulled open the back door with her still in his arms.

Lucy couldn’t make herself speak.

He carried her up the stairs but at the top she lifted her head her eyes locking with his.

“It’s okay, Lucy.” He whispered moving towards her bedroom. Her head fell back against his chest.

Gerard pushed open the door not putting her down until he reached the bed. She stood silently as he removed her dress then threw back the covers. Gently he coaxed her to lie down.

“Sleep tight.” He whispered brushing a quick kiss on her forehead before pulling the sheet over her body.

“Gerard?”

At the door he turned waiting.

Lucy closed her eyes, “Thank you” She whispered.

He smiled then walked out closing the door behind him.

Leaving Lucy’s room Gerard was filled with indecision. As he headed back downstairs knowing he couldn’t fall asleep right now he muttered to himself, “Should have taken her to my bed.”

However as much as he’d wanted to hold her in his arms all night he knew it wouldn’t have been right. Yes, she probably would have allowed it in her current state but that wouldn’t have made it right. The chances of her regretting anything they would have done the next morning were too high.

“She would have regretted it because it would have been love we made.” He whispered reaching the lower floor.

Moving into the living room he switched off the air conditioner. No sense running up her electricity bill since the night had turned cool. He then moved to the desk intent on working on his novel but as he picked up a pin his mind refused. The only thoughts he had were about the woman upstairs. “What the fuck am I going to do?” He lowered his head to the desk.

In his heart he knew he’d fallen in love with her, of that he had not doubt. But would she ever love him, could she? And what about his life back in LA? Lucy didn’t even know he was married, let alone that he had child. Suddenly pain filled his heart as he thought about Bandit. He missed her so badly. Was Lindsey poisoning her mind against him? Could he really blame her if she was? He needed to handle the mess he’d left behind but how could he do that? He couldn’t make himself even consider leaving now especially since Lucy was showing sighs of letting down her defenses.

An hour later he was still lost in thought having found no answers. Slowly he sat back up and decided to do what he often did when his mind was troubled, he wrote lyrics. As the words flowed onto the paper he knew this song was for Lucy.

Hours later, exhausted, he climbed back up the stairs then fell into a troubled, short sleep.

______________________________________________________

Lucy was awake in her bed but as of yet hadn’t moved. She knew instinctively she’d overslept but that didn’t matter. The dream of Rafe was still fresh but more than that the way Gerard had handled the situation last night filled her mind. She knew he could have taken advantage of her state of mind, he could have taken her to his bed, yet he hasn’t. He’d simply tucked her into her own bed then left. That, more than anything that could have happened, touched her soul.

“He’s a good man.” Lucy whispered.

Having spent countless hours last night trying to find answers Gerard cursed himself for being a weak man. He’d been so lost in thought now the bacon in the frying pan had started to burn. Last night all the soul searching hadn’t amounted to squat except for one thing, the song he’d written.

Lucy was shocked to see Gerard up and preparing breakfast. “Good morning” She said smiling while trying to decide why he was scowling at the pan.

He jumped not having heard her enter the kitchen, “Shit, you scared me.” He took a deep breath, “Feeling better?”

She nodded while looking down.

“Good” He forced himself to smile. “Thought you might need to sleep in so I’ve already collected the eggs and hopefully the bacon isn’t ruined for breakfast,” He said as he lifted he strips out of the pan placing them on a paper towel covered plate.

“You collected the eggs already?”

He grinned over at her, “Yeah, the girls and I have come to an understanding. Of course I did have to resort to threats.”

“You threatened them?”

He carefully poured some of the bacon dripping out of the pan then cracked two fresh eggs. “In a round about way. I just mentioned to them how much I love fried chicken.”

Lucy laughed, “That’s evil”

“Hey, what can I say, I’m an evil guy.”

Her smiled faded, “No, you’re not.”

He shrugged, “So I realized earlier I didn’t get to see the photos you developed.”

Lucy poured a cup of coffee then settled at the table. “Oh yeah. I’ll show you after breakfast.”

He nodded then flipped the eggs.

Lucy sat watching him as she sipped her coffee. He was not only a very nice man but one that was downright breathtakingly handsome. As if he could feel her eyes on him he turned to look over at her.

“Something wrong?"

She smile, “No, not at all.”

Giving her a confused look he turned back to the frying pan. Something was going on in that beautiful head of hers he just wasn’t sure what.

Once they were eating their breakfast Lucy tried to start a conversation wondering why she was suddenly feeling nervous for no reason. “Uh, so you planning on working on your novel today?”

He nodded, “Yeah, I guess so unless you have something else in mind.”

She laughed, “My big plan for the day is to clean out the chicken coop. Gotta put in new straw for the girls and make them understand you really weren’t threatening them.”

His eyes narrowed, “Are you so sure I didn’t really mean what I told them?”

“You’re not eating any of my girls.” Lucy smiled.

“So you need any help?” He asked before taking a bite of bacon.

She shook her head, “No, thanks anyway. Besides you need to work on your novel.”

While he definitely didn’t want to spend any time with the damn chickens he would if it meant being near Lucy. “You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He finished his last bite of toast then stood. “Well why don’t you go get started on the chicken coop before it gets hotter than hell? I’ll wash up the dishes then go write.”

“I can do the dishes first after all you did cook.”

“Lucy” He sighed, “I’ll do the dishes, now run along.”

The way he said it made her grin, “Yes, sir.” She said pushing back from the table.

For several minutes after she left he stood at the screen door watching her sweep straw out of the coop. She looked hot and sexy as hell. “Too damn sexy” he muttered walking over to the sink.
____________________________________________________

It was just after noon and he was ensconced in the nice cool living room writing feverishly when Lucy appeared with his lunch.She opened the door slowly then walked in with a plate and glass of soda. “Sorry if I’m bothering you but I thought I’d bring our lunch.”

He had been so caught up in his writing he hadn’t realized it was lunchtime. “Hey you didn’t need to do that.”

She sat the plate and glass down then looked over at the desk, “Looks like you’re off to a good start” She said noticing he’d filled one legal pad and had started another.

He stood then stretched, “Yeah, I really am. Today I’m doing great, not like last night.”

“You stayed up writing last night?”

He wished he hadn’t mentioned that. “Yeah, but nothing really came to me, I tried but…” He shrugged.

Lucy was staring down at her feet, “About last night…”

“Hey, we had a great time together then I put you to bed.” He said quickly.

Nervously she shifted her feet, “Yeah, you did, that was very nice.”

“No big deal” he said softly. “You were in a bad place when he got here, I knew that.”

She nodded, “Yeah, I was.”

He just wanted to see her smile again. “So did you lie to the girls and tell them I really didn’t want to fry them up?”

She giggled, “Yes, and now they like you.”

“Sure they do.” He rolled his eyes. “You’ll never make me believe that.”

“Well” Lucy backed towards the door.

He didn’t want her to leave, “Hey, you still haven’t shown me your photographs.”

“Be right back.”

He sat down in front of the coffee table then lifted his sandwich. Taking a bite he smiled, it was tuna fish one of his favorites.

When she came back she immediately took a seat next to him on the sofa. “Here” She said holding them out.

He wiped his hands then took the photos. “Wow” He said softy as he studied the first one. “This is great. Is this barn around here?”

“Not far.” She was staring at the little bit of tuna stuck to his lip.

He could feel her gaze. “What?"

“Oh you just have a bit of tuna…” She pointed to her own lips.

Her nearness was intoxicating. Giving her a sexy as hell grin, “Why don’t you get it for me?”

She moved slightly foreword, her eyes glued to his lips.

Gerard was watching her eyes, he saw the passion but he also saw fear. In that moment he knew she wanted to place her lips on his but was afraid of that feeling. Sadly she lifted her hand then using one finger started to brush his lip. He shocked her by opening his mouth to suck in her finger.

“Oh” Her eyes grew wide as he continued to gently suck. “Good thing I washed my hands after cleaning out the coop."

He released the finger from his mouth, “Wouldn’t have matter to me.” He whispered looking deeply into her eyes.

Lucy forced herself to look away. “Uh the next photo is another barn that’s just a mile down the road.”

Inwardly he was smiling just knowing she’d wanted to kiss him. He licked his lips knowing she was once again looking at him then turned his attention to the photo.

“I like the angle you used.” He said studying the photo then lowered his voice, “And I really like your taste.”

She blinked in surprise, “My taste in angles?” She squeaked.

His laugh was low and sexy, “Pretty sure you know that’s not what I meant.” He shifted his body slightly as there legs were touching. “But I will explain more clearly if you’d like.”

Lucy had been hot before she’d entered this room but it had been nothing like the heat she felt now.

“Well?” He placed one hand on her knee, “Want to hear?”

She couldn’t stop her head from nodding.

Carefully he placed the photos on the table then turned to stare into her eyes. “You’re very sweet.” The hand on her knee moved slowly upward. “But parts of your body are sweeter than the rest. He saw her breathing was quickening. Leaning foreword he placed his lips at the base of her neck, his tongue darted out to lick. “Sweet, yet tangy.”

Lucy was trying so hard to make her brain work. “I really need a shower. I’m all sweaty.”

His fingers had traveled up to the apex of her legs where they gently rubbed the material of her jeans. “But my favorite spot, my favorite taste is here.” His hand pushed her legs apart. “Right here.”

“Oh” Lucy hated how hot the man could get her just with his words. “I have work to do.” She said suddenly knowing full well what would happen if she stayed. It wasn’t until she reached the door she heard him speak.

“Chicken.”

Lucy spun around stared at him a minute then whispered. “Maybe.” With that she left slamming the door behind her.

__________________________________________________

It was just after three when Gerard sat back in his chair while shaking his hand trying to ease the cramp in his fingers. While it hurt like hell, he didn’t mind, he’d written so much today and was pleased with his work. But now he needed a break.

“Lucy?” He walked from room to room calling her name. He even checked upstairs, she wasn’t in the house. He went to the backdoor and saw that Rex as sleeping just outside the door. Wherever she’d gone she’d left Rex guarding him. That thought made him smile.

“Hey Rex” Gerard said gently as he pushed open the door. “Where did she go?”

As if he understood the question Rex jumped up then headed across the yard towards the woods. Now Gerard was really smiling, Lucy had gone to the creek. “Rex” He called out. The dog came back to the porch, “Stay here.”

Rex didn’t look happy but he sat laid back down in front of the door.

Quickly Gerard headed towards the woods. By the time he entered the shade of the trees his heartbeat had quickened just thinking about finding Lucy in the creek. He was surprised to see her sitting on a large rock, only dangling her feet in the water.

“Hey” He said softly as he took a seat next to her. “Thought you’d be in the water.”

“Nope, just sitting here thinking.” She threw a small rock her eyes watching the ripples.

“Oh” He could tell she was upset. “So am I invading your alone time?”

She refused to look at him. “No, it’s okay.”

“So what are you thinking about?”

“Stuff” She threw another rock into the creek.

“Stuff you want to talk about?”

“No...yes…no” She tossed another rock.

Gerard smiled, “Lucy, which is it? Yes or no?”

“I don’t know” She muttered. “I guess no.”

“I’m a good listener.”

“It’s nothing.” She said brushing the dirt off her hands. “So what should I make for dinner?”

Gerard knew her mind was troubled and he really wanted her to open up. He reached out to touch her arm. “Lucy, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” As of yet she still hadn’t looked at him.

Using his fingertip he tilted her chin forcing her to face him. “Please, I really want to help.”

“You can’t help.” Lucy whispered, “You’re part of the problem.”

“Oh” His heart sank. “Tired of me hanging around?"

She looked into his eyes, “Wish I was.”

He smiled slowly, “So you’re not tired of me being here but I’m part of the problem.”

“Just forget it.” She started to stand but he grabbed her arm.

“Please.” He whispered, “Talk to me, I really want to understand.”

She looked torn, “I don’t think I can explain.”

“Won’t know until you try.” He was relieved when she settled back down on the rock. “Now, how about this…tell me what you were thinking about when I got here.”

Her gaze turned back to the water. “I…I was thinking about how young I was when I got married.”

Hope filled his heart that she might be ready to finally open up. “How young were you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Wow, that is young. He was the same age?”

Lucy nodded, “Yeah, we’d known each other since we were kids. In Middle School we decided we were gonna get married some day.”

He knew how hard this was for her so he asked softly, “How long were you married?”

She began blinking rapidly, “Just over three years.”

He was trying to fill in the blanks, “So I know you told me you lived out in LA, how did you guys end up here?”

“Rafe’s parents divorced, he lived with his mom but his dad returned to the family farm. His dad died right after we got married and left this place to him.”

“Oh, did you actually farm the land?”

It was so hard to talk about her late husband, “Yeah, we tired but it wasn’t easy. Eventually Rafe had to get a job in Iola to help make ends meet.”

She fell silent for several minutes.

“Lucy, why were you thinking about how young you were when you got married?” He hated to push her but…

She sighed, “I don’t know, it doesn’t matter.”

“Think it does. Just tell me, I’ll understand.”

“How can you understand, if I don’t understand myself?”

“Sometimes I’ve found if you just start talking things become clearer.”

When she looked over at him saw the terrible sadness in her eyes. “Rafe was the only man I’d ever been with. We, we wanted it to be special so we waited until we got married.”

Gerard nodded slowly, “Until I came along he was the only man you’d been with.”

Lucy closed her eyes, “Yes, but it’s more than that. The things we’ve done…”

At that moment he wanted to take her in his arms. “They make you feel guilty.”

She opened her eyes which were now wet with unshed tears, “Yes, but why? I mean he’s been gone for ten years.”

“I get it.” He said softly. “While you understand you’re a woman with needs part of you can’t stop feeling like you’re doing something wrong, something that lessens the love you and Rafe shared.”

Her eyes grew wide, he did understand. “Yes” She whispered.

“And that’s why I’m part of the problem.”

She looked back out across the water. “I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t let her withdraw. “Lucy, did Rafe love you?”

Her head swiveled around, “Oh yes.”

“Do you believe he’d want you to be happy?”

She sighed “I know what you’re gonna say.”

“And I know you don’t really want to hear it but listen. I believe any man who loved his wife would want her to be happy. He wouldn’t want you to hide away from the world, alone. He’d want you to live.”

Gerard was shocked when her eyes suddenly grew huge. “What is it?”

The dream filled her mind, Rafe’s voice telling her to live, filled her ears. “Oh” She closed her eyes overcome with emotion.

“Lucy?” Gerard brushed her cheek with his fingertip.

“I’m okay.” She whispered taking a deep breath, “Maybe you’re right. I shouldn’t feel guilty about allowing myself to feel pleasure.”

That wasn’t exactly what he’d meant but it was a first step. “Is that what you feel with me?”

A half smile appeared on her lips. “Think you know the answer to that but..”

“Tell me.”He urged.

“It’s just... oh, shit.” She picked up a rock and tossed it angrily, “It’s just the stuff we’ve done, it’s not like anything I’ve ever done before.”

Now he understood more clearly, “And in a way that bothers.”

“Not exactly bothers, I mean I really enjoy what we do.”

He smiled, “Yeah, me too but I think maybe it bothers you a bit because it’s like nothing you shared with him.”

“No, nothing like what he and I did.” She muttered.

Gerard gently squeezed her arm. “I’m sure if you’d had more time together you’d have tried new ways to please each other but the fact that you both were so young…”

She nodded feeling some of her guilt fade, “Yeah, that’s probably true.”

He wanted to understand everything about her, he wanted her to trust him with her past, “So tell me about him? What was he like?”

Immediately her face fell, “I don’t feel right telling you about him.”

“Why?”

The simple question had many complex answers. “I just don’t.”

“Lucy, I know how much you loved him. I know the way you act towards me is because you never want to forget that love.”

“No, that’s not…” In her heart she knew she was lying.

Gerard knew it too but he could tell this subject was too hard for her to take right now. “So, tell me about him, please.”

She closed her eyes, this was so hard. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about Rafe in so many years. “He was tall and very handsome. He was sweet and very gentle…” A tear rolled down her cheek. “And he always found a way to make me laugh no matter how bad things were, he’d tell me it would be okay.” She wiped the tear away, “We were so different, he was calm and I was always worrying about everything. He was opened minded and I was so set in my ways.” She paused letting her mind recall things she’d tried to bury. “He always said I was stubborn as a mule. Thinking back I realized Rafe was much more mature then me. Probably because once his parents divorced he became the man of the family taking care of his mother, caring for her until the end.”

“When did she die?”

“She didn’t get to see us marry.” Lucy whispered, “She died a few weeks before.” Suddenly the memories were too painful. “I really don’t want to talk about this anymore.” She turned to look at him, “You understand?"

He smiled, “Yeah, it’s okay but thank you for sharing part of your past with me.”

She titled her head looking deeply into his eyes. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Lucy, I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me anything.” When he pulled her into his arms for a hug she didn’t resist.

Needing to pull herself out of the past Lucy sat up. “So about dinner”

He smiled, “How about I throw the pork chops on the grill?”

“Sounds good.”

She started to stand but he grabbed her hand. There was something he had to say. “If you want our relationship to change, I’ll understand.” When she didn’t answer he forced himself to go on. “I’ll keep my hands off you, I swear.”

It seemed an eternity to him before she answered.

“I don’t want it to change but…I don’t want to hurt you. What we have now is all we’ll ever have. I wish it could be different, I wish emotionally I could be different.”

You can, he thought sadly, you just have to live. He nodded, “I told you, I’m good with whatever you can give.”

She nodded then stood. Together they walked back towards the house both lost in thought.

By dinnertime the temperature had had started to drop, a welcome relief. Over dinner they enjoyed each other’s company but Gerard could feel a definite change in Lucy. While she joked and laughed during the conversation he could tell at times her mind was a million miles away. As they started clearing the table she spoke.

“I’ll do the dishes, you can go back to work on your novel if you’d like.”

“You’d like some time to yourself, right?” He asked softly placing his plate on the counter near the sink.

Lucy turned on the facet beginning to fill the sink with hot water. “No…” She sighed, “Yes.” She whispered.

He touched her shoulder, “It’s okay.”

She added dish detergent to the water. “I honestly don’t know what I want.” She whispered more to herself than to him.

“You’ll figure it out.” With that he left the kitchen to head towards the living room.

Lucy sighed wondering to herself why, if she wanted to be alone, did the room seem so empty without him? Isn’t that what she wanted? She continued to ponder that question while she washed the dishes. Once the task was done she started to go towards the living room but decided at the last minute to head upstairs for her shower.

Gerard was sitting at the desk starting at the last few paragraphs he’d written. While he didn’t hate what he’d put down on the paper he knew it wasn’t his best work. His mind was too preoccupied with the woman he’d left in the kitchen a short time ago. On one hand he felt good that she was starting to trust him enough to open up about her past but on the other… “Shit” He muttered laying down the pen. “I can’t get her out of my head.”

He stood deciding to go out and have a smoke, maybe that would help clear his mind. He was surprised a few minutes later when she walked out freshly showered, her hair still wet.

“Hey, thought you were writing.”

He smiled, “Just taking a break.”

Lucy walked over to the glider. “It’s a nice night.”

“Yeah, amazing how cool it can turn after such brutal heat.”He took another drag off the cigarette. “Want one?”

She shook her head, “I’m trying to cut back. I’ve actually gotten to the point where I can go days without a cigarette.”

He laughed, “Yeah, since I got here I’m smoking a lot less too.” He flicked the cigarette off the porch watching it land in the yard.

“You should take a shower.” Lucy said softly keeping her eyes trained towards the darkness beyond the porch.

Immediately his heart started to pick up speed. Was this her way of giving him a hint she wanted something to happen? “Uh, yeah, that actually sounds good.” Still he didn’t move.

Lucy turned and gave him a smile, “I’ll wait here.”

“Okay” He said slowly “I’ll make it a quick one.”

By the time he got back he was having trouble keeping his body under control, it was already humming with anticipation. He started towards the glider but was surprised when she stood. Without a word she took his hand leading him back into the house. By the time she’d pulled him up the stairs moving towards her bedroom desire was racing through his blood.
However when she entered the bedroom without turning on a light then led him not to the bed but the window he was very confused.

Lucy pushed it all the way up, the moonlight allowed him to see her smile. “Want to share something with you.” He watched her disappear out the window onto the roof. “Come on.” She giggled.

He’d do anything for that giggle. Slowly he moved out the window.

“See” Lucy said patting the spot on the roof next to her. “This is nice.”

He glanced around noting she’d been right, the slope of the roof was gentle not as dangerous as he’d first thought.

Slowly he lowered his body to sit beside her. “Yeah, this is nice.”

She laid back. “Just look at the stars.”

He too laid back, “Wow” He smiled, “A million stars.”

She reached over for his hand.

Gerard smiled feeling her fingers interlacing with his. How can I feel so happy lying on a roof, he thought but he knew the answer, this happiness came from the fact Lucy was holding his hand. Such a simple gesture that meant so much.

“Now you see why I like doing this?” She whispered staring at the sky littered with stars. “Clear nights like this are so beautiful.”

“Really beautiful” He answered his eyes not on the stars but on her.

For a long time they simply held hands gazing up at the sky. Gerard had never felt such an inner peace.

“Pretty surprised when I went for the window not the bed.”

He turned his head to look over at her. “Kind of.” He admitted.

She giggled, “Yeah, I thought so. Hope you don’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t mind anything that meant I got to spend time with you.” He said softly mean the words with his whole heart.

For a minute she stared at his face bathed in moonlight. “Ditto” She whispered.

He squeezed her hand.

After a few minutes he asked, “What are you thinking?”

Her answer surprised him. “My wrists feel much better.”

Gerard smiled, “Do they now?”

“Yes” She answered refusing to let herself look over at him. “Don’t suppose it matters though…I mean they are lined with that feathery stuff.” When he didn’t answer she forced herself to look over at him. Had he changed his mind after talking to her today? Did he want to change their arrangement? She was relieved to see him smiling.

“What are you thinking?” She whispered.

“Never thought I’d be lying on a roof in Kansas with a raging hard-on.”

“Oh” Her eyes grew wide.

“So, think you can help me do something about this?”

She felt a tingling deep down in her body. “Yeah, think I can.” She sat up. “But not here.”

Gerard too sat up. “What don’t want to roll off the roof in the throes of passion?”

The tingling was picking up speed. “Get inside, Gerard.”

“As you wish.” He carefully moved towards the window. Once inside he held out his hand to help her over step over the window sill.

Lucy let go of his hand then brushed past him. Flipping on the light she went to the dresser then pulled open the bottom drawer. “Here” She said turning and holding out a bag.

He recognized the bag as the one she’d bought when they had been in the motel.

“Uh” Now she looked nervous. “I got some other things we didn’t use that day.”

He smiled as he looked down into the bag. “I see. Nice choices.”

“I guess, I don’t know.” She admitted. “I’ll be right back. Make your choices while I’m gone.”

He was left holding the bag, so to speak. She had bought some interesting things he thought as he lifted several items out. Some very nice things and it made his body sing knowing she was trusting him to use these things with her.

“So made your decision?” Her voice was breathy with a hit of nervousness.

He had indeed. “Yep”

Lucy walked over a opened the other two windows throwing back the curtains. “Lots of moonlight.” She said softly.

He understood she wanted the lights turned off. “Perfect.” No wanting her to see what he’d chosen out of the bag he held them behind his back moving towards the bed. “Switch off the night and come here.”

Her eyes flashed with desire. “Demanding, aren’t you?”

“Would you like me to be?” He had to know how she wanted this.

She stared at him a moment. “Yeah, that’s what I want.”

He nodded as pure desire coursed through his body. “Do as I say. Light off then come here.”

Her legs felt wobbly as she crossed the room. She switched off the lights, now the room was bathed in moonlight.

Gerard was pleased he could still she her clearly. “Get over here.”

She walked towards him slowly.

“Undress.”

As she pulled off her clothing she whispered, “What did you choose?”

He laughed, “You’ll find out when I want you to. Now lay on the bed and close your eyes.”
Her heart as racing as she followed his command.

“Raise you arms.”

She understood her earlier comment about her wrists had been understood when she felt him place the first cuff over her wrist. It was quickly attached to the headboard then he went to the other side and that wrist was secured.

“Nice” He said taking a step back to look down at her body. “Now are you going to keep those beautiful brown eyes closed or do I need to use the blindfold?”

“I’ll keep them closed.” She whispered.

“If I see them open it’s the blindfold for you, understand?”

“Yes”

“Good. Be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?” She asked in a rush. The idea of being handcuffed to the bed and being left alone troubled her.

“I see we need another rule.” He leaned down to brush his fingertips down her stomach. “You only speak when I ask you a question, understand?”

Heaven help me, she thought, I love this. “Yes” She answered in a determined tone. “I understand.”

“Good girl” With that he left the room.