Chapter 11

Night had veiled the small forest of pines surrounding Joanna's secluded country home when they at last recovered from the fantastic drain of their last union.

Lying cuddled on the floor in spoon fashion, Sam's gaze idly pursued the twinkling stars that lighted the sky above the needle-like tops of the trees. He smiled, realizing that he had been living in the city for far too many years. He couldn't remember the last time he had looked up into the sky and seen the stars. Their bright light was almost like meeting an old friend. One of several this reunion trip had re-acquainted him with.

"Asleep?" Joanna whispered softly.

"Uh-uh," he grinned, hugging her naked warmth close.

"Have you made your decision yet?" she asked.

"About what?" he asked, nuzzling the sensitive skin on the back of her neck.

"About staying for Frank and Rhonda's wedding," she sighed.

"Oh, my god," he groaned. "I forgot about those two!"

She was silent, then queried again, "Will you stay?"

"What do you think?" he asked, as she rolled over to face him, the peaks of her conical breasts tickling through the hairs of his chest.

"I've already told you that," she answered. "I think you should stay... but not at the motel."

"Do I get the impression I'm being propositioned?" he smiled, softly kissing her red lips.

"A week ago, I wouldn't have believed it myself," she grinned. "But that's exactly what I'm doing."

"Be sure," he replied. "We're only talking about a couple of days, not a lifetime."

"I know," she answered. "But if a couple of days is all it's going to be between us, then I'll take my chances. But if it looks like there's a possibility for more after that, then we'll see what happens then."

"Even if it means leaving all this and coming with me?"

"Yes," she nodded. "But I won't think about that until you ask me, if you decide to do so. Until then, I'll just enjoy a couple of days with you."

"All right," he nodded, realizing there were probably going to be more than just a couple of days with this woman. "I'll stay."

Her lips covered his and her tongue danced out its delight on the roof of his mouth. Eventually they parted and just lay there grinning at one another.

"Come on," she finally laughed. "Let's get our clothes on and get your stuff from the motel."

"Right," he answered, slowly rising to his feet, still feeling weak-kneed. "I'll be back in a moment. My clothes are still in the bath house."

By the time he returned, she had slipped into some white shorts that allowed his eyes a sexy view of her long tan legs. "These are the last clothes I'll wear until Frank and Rhonda's wedding," she laughed. "I promise. If you want me running around the house naked, that's exactly the way you'll get me."

"Well," he laughed. "Just most of the time. Clothes can be a turn on sometimes, but we'll explore those possibilities later."

"Agreed," she smiled, her arm hugging tightly around his waist.

The drive back to the motel was a relaxing one. The night air was cool and comforting, as it rushed in through the open windows and surrounded them. A flood of fond memories rushed through his mind as they drove through the small town en route to the motel. Not all of them were that old, nor were all his memories of this old town completed yet, he realized.

Back at the room, he quickly surveyed it for any items that he might have forgotten. This time he remembered to pull one of the motel towels from the bathroom and throw it into his suitcase.

"You certainly had me fooled," Joanna looked at him with puzzlement. "I would have never guessed you were the type of man to steal motel towels."

"I'm not normally," he smiled. "But these towels are special."

Her puzzlement grew.

"I'll explain it all to you later," he laughed. "But right now, I'd better give Rhonda that call I promised."

Dialing the switchboard, the operator gave him an outside line. He quickly re-dialed Rhonda, waiting as the line rang ten times before the familiar feminine voice answered.

"Sounds like I might have been interrupting something," he chuckled.

"You were," she answered. "But it's nothing I can't arrange to happen again."

"Easy, girl, take it easy," he chided. "You'll have Frank exhausted before the honeymoon."

"I don't think that's possible," she laughed.

"Well, look," he continued. "I've decided I'll stick around until you two say your vows. As soon as you've got the date and time down pat, give me a call and fill me in on the details. I'll be staying at Joanna's."

"Mmmmmm hmmmmmm," she sighed. "Sounds like you two have gotten a cozy arrangement going. Care to make this a double ceremony, Sam?"

"No," he laughed. "Not yet, that is."

"All right," she replied. "I hate to see an old friend bite the dust, but I'll give you odds that Joanna wins this round."

"Later, Rhonda," he concluded. "Take good care of Frank and make sure he doesn't leave you at the church steps. And I'll take care of me."

"Hurumph!" she snorted, as she hung up the phone.

Grinning, Sam turned back to Joanna. His grin grew from ear to ear. The beautiful black-haired woman had somehow managed to disrobe while he was on the phone without him noticing. She was now stretched out on the bed in a pose that put most centerfold models to shame.

"I suddenly realized I've grown sentimental about this bed," she smiled coyly. "I didn't think we should leave here without putting it to use one more time."

"Or maybe for the whole night," he said, moving toward the bed to join her.