Without You I Have Nothing (23 page)

_{Peter suggested a
detour to the old gold mining ghost town of Hill End where there would be a
woolshed barbeque and dance as it was Saturday night.}

_{The old pub was
packed and Jennifer held Peter’s arm as she stopped him at the bar. “Please
book separate rooms. Last night was wonderful but I couldn’t trust myself
again,” perturbed by her own admission, she blushed and dropped her eyes.}

_{“Do you think you can
trust me?”  Peter spoke softly hoping she had confidence in him.}

_{“Yes,” she had to
force the whisper out, “but can I trust myself?”}

_{“Then don’t worry. You're
safe with me,” and he mumbled under his breath, hoping she didn’t hear, “very
safe, my darling.”}

_{Peter soon returned
from the office. “You’ll have a long drive tonight after the woolshed dance
unless you want me to drive.”}

_“Why?”

_{The only room
available has a double bed and...”}

_{“And what?”  Jennifer
closed the gap between them and placed her hands on Peter’s shoulders.}

_{“Well, last night you
shared your bed because I had left my Teddy Bear at home and was frightened. Last
night I shall never forget. A double bed...”}

_{Jennifer put her
fingers to his lips cutting him off. “Last night you thought nothing of sharing
my bed. Now you deny me comfort.”  Her eyes twinkled merrily. “Provided you
keep in mind what I said last night about remaining a...”  She looked away.}

_{Shaking her head, she
looked up at Peter once more, “A double bed it is.”  Blushing, she giggled as
she added, “But only the two of us. That third person is not welcome...”  After
a very long pause, she added, “Not yet.”}

_{“They’ll think I'm
mad at the office.”  Grumbling, Peter ambled off.}

_{They spent the
afternoon wandering around the old gold diggings where Peter purchased a small
gold nugget for her as a remembrance of the weekend. Jennifer watched Peter
balancing the gold in his palm as if weighing it and then hefting it from palm
to palm before he began haggling.}

_{The evening meal was
an old-fashioned shearer’s meal and Jennifer seemed in her element. “I haven’t had
one of these since I was a little girl. I used to sneak down to the shearer’s
quarters and eat with them. It was such fun. The shearer’s cook always had
something special for me.”}

_{Peter said nothing
but stored the information for later reference. Jennifer was a farm girl.}

_{Dancing after dinner
was all Peter’s heart desired. They moved as one. Her head on his chest, his
face in her hair, drinking in her fragrance, wallowing in her softness and the
light touch of her lips transformed him into Fred Astaire.}

_{Back in the room,
Jennifer was mystified as Peter gathered all the spare pillows and cushions and
placed them between the sheets down the center of the bed. “Which half do you
want?  Remember I am right-handed.”  He roared with laughter at the look on Jennifer’s
face.}

_{She didn’t answer, as
she just didn’t understand at all.}

_{“Well,” Peter grinned
cheekily as he cuddled her, “I don’t want to be attacked when I am half asleep
and can’t protect myself. I'm not just a sex object - a toy boy that you’ve
brought along so you can play with the goodies all night.”}

_{She roared and began
punching Peter’s chest but later as he lay in bed, he almost said too much as
she left the bathroom in her nightgown.}

_{“Don’t move,
sweetheart. Stand still.”}

_{She froze silhouetted
in the light streaming through the open door.}

_{“God, you're so
beautiful. Your night dress is so sheer I can...”}

_{She flew across the
room to ruffle his hair and playfully beat him across the chest, “You lecherous
old bear. To think I once thought you were gay. I still think that I’ve taken
leave of my senses and...” but Peter choked off the rest of her words as he
wrestled her down to the bed where he splayed across her body, which lay open
and inviting.}

_{With her arms pinned,
she lay unresisting, staring up at him waiting while he kissed her.}

_{Every nerve ending
seemed to focus on his lips until he began to tremble and shake.}

_{“That visitor has
joined us,” she didn’t smile; she didn’t have to tell him - he knew. “Please...
please...”}

_{“I know - another
cold shower.”  He tried to laugh as he stumbled off to the bathroom.}

_{“Thank you.”  Her
kiss was light as she snuggled as close as the intervening cushions would allow.
“I wanted you - so much my body ached for you - yet part of my mind didn’t
want.”  She ran her fingers lightly across his lips, “You knew yet you didn’t. I
think that I would have let you,” her eyes were wide with surprise at her own
admission.}

_{“Jennifer, you're
safe with me. When your body and mind and...”  Peter lightly ran his finger
around the fourth finger on her left hand, “all say ‘yes’ that will be the time.
Not a second before. If I'm lucky, very lucky, the luckiest man in the world,
I’ll be there putting that ring on your finger. I can wait.}

_{“I will never make
love to you. Never!  I will always make love with you.”}

_{Staring at him,
slowly she began to comprehend his meaning.}

_{Carefully, so not to
frighten her, Peter rolled her away until she was lying flat on her back then
delicately kissed the ribbons from her shoulders giving her face, throat and
shoulders the closest inspection with his lips, tongue and finger tips.}

_{“Peter, what are you
doing?” she groaned but lay still, gratefully accepting his adoration.}

_{“Merely saying
‘Goodnight’ but if I don’t stop soon that unwelcome guest will be back and I
hate cold showers,” laughing he pushed the ribbons into place and holding hands
they slept.}

_{It was sometime
during the night that Peter woke to the sensation of two warm hands on his
chest. Not daring to breathe, he lay still, until Jennifer leant down to his
ear and whispered, “I do love you.”}

_{He kept his eyes
tightly closed feigning sleep as Jennifer lay down, to cuddle him.}

_{“Your hands wander
while you're asleep, do they?  Where have all the cushions gone?  Where’s your
sarong?  Did it fall off while you were asleep eh?  Or are you asleep?”  A warm
laughing voice sounded in Peter’s ear.}

_{Peter groaned, as he
questioned himself. ‘Why am I awake?  My dreams have been of softness,
sweetness and warmth.’}

_{Slowly, he
unwillingly dragged himself back to consciousness. ‘What... what have I done?’ 
His right hand had wandered while he slept and now he was lightly cuddling her
bare breast while the nipple pushed hard into his hand.}

_{Only her shallow
breathing as Jennifer lay still and her voice told him she was alive.}

_{Slowly he withdrew
his hand. “I was asleep. I'm so glad you threw those silly cushions aside. Now
I can cuddle you properly.”  He knew as he rolled her to face him that he was
naked. She would notice the throbbing message.}

_{Perhaps if he were
careful she would be unaware of his longing. “Can you lie still?  I think that
damn visitor is back but it’s too cold for a shower.”  He could feel her
shoulder wriggle with gentle laughter. “Just cuddle me.”}

_{As the sun rose,
Peter allowed his fingers to stroke her hair slowly as he kissed her shoulders.}

_{Enjoying her power to
arouse him she neither moved nor spoke but merely bathed in the wealth of
pleasure he evoked.}

_{Lightly his fingers
traced a web of gentle, pleasurable circles across her shoulder blades down her
back to her hips. Frequently he paused, giving his mind time to control his own
body. Mind and body fought until his body collapsed and his passions slept.}

_{Then his movements
restarted and the web grew larger but Peter was in no hurry. His lips danced
from her eyelids to her nose, from her mouth to her neck, from her ears to her
wrists. Like a cat with a bowl of cream, Peter lapped at her skin until he
began to feel her respond to his soft call.}

_{Slowly Jennifer’s
skin changed texture as if an electric current were jumping from Peter’s
fingertips to spark Jennifer to life. Like honey, she tasted sweeter and
sweeter until her lips opened and Peter’s kisses swallowed her soft sighs.}

_{She rolled onto her
back, trembling.}

_{Still his fingers and
lips wove their magic tiptoeing from shoulder to neck.}

_{She opened her eyes
wide and stared at Peter as if seeing him for the first time, “Peter, please.”}

_{Haltingly she
breathed his name as her hands began to explore his naked chest, “Peter!”  and
her trembling became more pronounced. Jennifer’s body filled the air with her
own honeyed essence and Peter breathed deeply sucking it deep into his lungs to
burn her wanting into his soul.}

_{“Okay, smarty,” he
threw the blankets back, “whose turn is it now for a cold shower?  Thought you
were smart, eh?”}

_{“Peter,” she breathed
throwing her arms around his neck and clinging tightly.}

_{Up came the blankets
and he lay cuddling her like a baby, giving her time to regain control. Slowly
he calmed her, “Sorry, darling. That was a silly game. I was paying you back
for all the fun you’ve had at the expense of my unwelcome visitor. Now you know
what a tightrope we’ve been treading. Both of us have been playing with fire
but luckily the fire did not consume us. Just relax and don’t get frightened.”}

_{Waiting for Jennifer
to speak Peter lay quietly but she was silent. “Enjoy these precious minutes
here because it will be the last time we share a bed.”}

_{Her body tensed and
she tried to speak but Peter continued. “The next time we share a bed - if we
ever share a bed again, will be when...”}

_{Jennifer reached up,
placing two fingers on Peter’s lips. “Not yet, Peter. Not yet. I must have
time...”}

_{“At least you know
one thing. You're safe with me, very safe indeed. Do you know why?  Will you
admit you know?”}

_{Jennifer pushed him
onto his back and straddled his chest her fingers through his hair to control
him, “Oh, I know but you tell me.”}

_{“It’s because I love
you. It was no idle statement to get you into my bed,” Peter grinned as she
began to giggle. “I do love you.”}

_{“Hey Boss!”  Turning
the buffing machine off, Joe pulled at Peter’s arm. “There’s an angry customer
in the office.”  His grin broadened into a laugh as Peter stared at the
lipstick on his cheek.}

_{After washing his
hands free of grime and grease so that Ted would have nothing to complain
about, Peter slowly made his way to the office. Angry customers meant bookwork.}

_{“Jennifer!”}

_{Racing around the
counter, Jennifer hurled herself into Peter’s arms and kissed him.}

_{Surprised by her
actions, Peter stood still until she drew back.}

_{“What’s the matter?” 
Jennifer looked worried.}

_{“You’ll get grease on
your dress.”  Peter searched for an excuse.}

_{“Forget my dress,
kiss me!”}

_{Peter, surprised by
the vehemence in her voice, needed no second invitation.}

_{A soft cough,
repeated, drew them apart. Joe’s smiling face poked around the corner. “I’ve
locked up, Peter. I didn’t know if you’d remember.”}

_{“Come in and say
hello to Jennifer.”  Peter’s mind was not working well as he recovered from the
kiss.}

_{“I already have.” 
Joe touched his lipstick-smeared cheek. “But I didn’t get the thanks you were
just given. Now that’s what I call a well-satisfied customer.”  He laughed,
enjoying their confusion as they held hands.}

_{“How did the car
perform?”  Joe was the perfect Italian gentleman. He wasn’t going to offend
Jennifer by mentioning their weekend.}

_{“My car is beautiful
and I can’t thank you enough.”}

_{“You don’t need to. Anything
wrong, just return it here and we’ll fix it.”}

_{He stretched his arm
across Peter’s shoulder and took Jennifer’s free hand before he turned to leave.
“Anything wrong with this fellow and we’ll fix him too. Just let me know if he
doesn’t look after you.”}

_{He lifted her hand
and kissed it. “Ciao bella!”
 
He was gone.}

_{“Joe is cute. Such a
good-looking European gentleman - and that touch of grey in his hair is so
exciting. I could fall for him.”}