Chapter 9

"Have another drink, Blondie!"

This came from Hugh Congreve, the young man Jud had brought up to Craig Lake for the party.

The weather had cooled, so Lucy had informed everyone in advance that festivities would occur at the Marker cabin. Nona sat on a small sofa beside her blind date. He was a salesman, dark and loud-voiced. She wasn't overly-enthused about him, but at least he had more polish than Andy Stone.

Stereo music thumped from the Marker console, and Jud, his face already red from the drink, danced in the center of the room with Ivy. They were all wearing informal, casual clothing.

Nona accepted the fresh highball Hugh brought her. She didn't care about being called "blondie," but she failed to correct Hugh. His thin features, his almost hawk-like nose, some of his remarks, reminded her too much of Andy.

She watched Nick dancing with Lucy and remembered again what she had seen through the window of Lucy's studio. Lucy wore skin-hugging tights and a snug blouse cut deeply at the throat. The lights were down low. She plastered herself to Nick, her slim rump weaving, and Nona felt her cheeks turn hot.

Oh, I wish I could flirt like that! she thought. Especially with Nick.

Jud held Ivy close, too, but she wasn't cooperating the way she had earlier with Nick. Jud's belly stuck out a bit too far.

"What's the matter, sugar," Hugh said, pressing his leg against her thigh. "You got something going for that big musician?"

"No!" she answered, glad for the loudness of the music. She had put on a short skirt and a blouse that shaped her breasts better than most of her clothes did. When she arrived and met Nick for the first time, his eyes had flattered her.

I know him better than he thinks, she had thought. I watched him fondle Lucy, then Ivy ...

He would soon be gone, far away-out of her life. A sudden determination gripped her. Tonight, somehow, she would let him know how she felt.

She finished her highball, swiftly. She needed courage, and perhaps the liquor would help!

"L-let's dance, Hugh," she said. Her stutter was still very evident.

"Hey, that's more like it!" Hugh gurgled, emptying his own glass. His eyes bored into the contours of her breasts. She stood up and met him on the shadowy living-room floor. His cologne seemed too strong.

He gripped her tightly about the waist and she yielded, finding that, at least, he caught the rhythm of the music.

"Hear we're gonna have movies later," he said in her ear. From the way he emphasized movies she had an idea what kind they would be. Jud had probably filled him in on the way up from Lawton.

"L-Lucy takes l-lots of pictures," she answered.

She felt the pressure of his hips against her, and a mild excitement commenced. He talked on about his work-he sold insurance and had worked with Jud on a number of deals. She began to find his cologne more appealing-much preferable to Andy's gas-and-oil smell.

"Change partners!" Jud exclaimed.

Nona looked across at Nick, and when Hugh released her, he came over. Her heart began to pound. Nick's arm about her waist, his sudden nearness, made her speechless.

"I've been waiting for this," he murmured.

"B-but you're with Ivy," she said, at last.

"Just for tonight."

Even his voice excited her, sure and very masculine. She was keenly aware of his strength, of his aura of virility. When her breasts touched his light sport shirt, a tremor ran along her spine. She had never been close to a man as handsome or as old-not that thirty was ancient! Men his age were so much more sophisticated.

She was conscious of the fact that Lucy danced with Hugh and Jud now held Ivy close. She didn't care about the others. She realized she had looked forward to being held in his arms, even if only on a dance floor.

"You're very quiet, Nona," he said, his arm pressing more tightly about her waist.

He was right-the date with Ivy wouldn't last forever!

"I'm the quiet type, I guess," she said, not stuttering.

"You have natural rhythm."

She squeezed his hand, and received a vigorous response. She melted snugly inward, shivering. His lips touched her cheek. The lean hardness of his body sent flurries of thrills through her being.

"Listen," he said, as they edged toward a dark corner of the big room. "Before this gets wild, I want to ask you something. Will you see me tomorrow, Nona?"

"Y-yes...."

"What about the beach-in the afternoon?"

She remembered her spying, watching Nick and Ivy. She wasn't supposed to know about that! Her throat was dry when she answered.

"I-I'd like to, Nick!"

I don't care how many women he's had, she thought. I don't care!

She didn't care, either, about his motive. He might even be feeling sorry for her, the shy neglected secretary! But she had a chance. She wasn't going to muff it.

She could hardly expect a man of the world like Nick to fall for her, the way she was falling for him. She might get hurt, but other girls took chances.

"I'll be looking for you-about three o'clock. Okay?"

She nodded. She knew her cheeks were hot. Without the courage the drinks had given her she doubted that she would have accepted his offer. But, after all, weren't parties for mixing around, for meeting new people and new situations?

The dance ended much too soon. Jud declared a time out for more refreshment. Nona observed that Ivy appeared glad to be free of the heavy man's grip. During the number his hand had been spread on her housemate's generous bottom!

Lucy was talking to Hugh at the rate of a mile a minute.

I think she-likes anything in pants! Nona decided cattily.

Everyone gathered around the help-yourself table filled with liquor and mixers, trays of ice. Very informal.

Ivy rejoined Nick, and Hugh came up behind Nona, patting her on the behind. She wanted to push his hand away, but the party mood was frivolous. Lucy set the pace. Her wisecracks were pointedly suggestive.

"I was hoping we could be on the beach!" she said, laughing. "So everybody could slip out in the bushes once in a while!"

"Brush-therapy?" Jud boomed. "Well, we got plenty of bedrooms and dark comers."

Hugh cackled, but Nick only smiled. Even Ivy looked rather embarrassed.

Nona kept thinking, I'll be with Nick tomorrow! What happens here isn't important, really.

She poured herself a light portion of gin, noticing that Hugh put a big double shot in his glass. Jud was drinking heavily, too. While they stood at the table he told a smutty story that Nona thought very improper in mixed company. Hugh laughed the loudest and Nona flushed.

"Well, let's get this bash movin!" Jud said, winking broadly at Lucy.

"Tell them about the new game, honey!" the hostess replied.

"It's a new wrinkle on the old Post office routine," Jud said. "But everybody's got too many clothes on!" He glanced at Lucy. "Get out the costumes, wench!"

Nona shivered. She liked being around Nick, but for the rest of it she felt almost like an outsider, as usual. Games, costumes ...

Well, I won't be a dud, she thought.

"You gals follow me," Lucy said. Jud'll get the men ready."

Lucy, glass in hand, swivel-hipped her way across the room. Ivy laughed and followed. Nona brought up the rear.

Nona found herself in the Marker master bedroom. It was extravagantly furnished, with a lovely pink, tufted counterpane, rich draperies at the windows, a thick rug underfoot. The quarters she shared with Ivy were almost spartan by comparison. She had never thought of a vacation cabin having so many conveniences. The room even had its own private bath.

"Strip gals!" Lucy laughed. She opened a dresser drawer and pulled out imitation grass skirts, very short, and what appeared to be mini-halters of flame red.

"Are we going Hawaiian?" Ivy asked, giggling.

"Something like that! We'll have as much on as we do at the beach. Give the boys something to look at!"

Seeing Ivy and Lucy open their blouses, Nona did the same. She wished now she had put more gin in her highball.

"How does this Post office work, Lucy?" Ivy asked.

Lucy smiled, wiggling out of her tights. "I'll show you in a minute ... I think you'll like it!"

Soon they were all three down to their panties. Lucy gazed at Nona. "I've got to get some more shots of you! And without a bra-like now! You've really got 'em!"

Nona blushed, reaching for the band of red cloth she was supposed to wear over her breasts. She felt huge!

Lucy and Ivy fell back on the bed, laughing at her.

Lucy passed around the grass skirts, which were really some kind of plastic imitation. Nona hurriedly tied hers in place. The fringe was very short.

"Honey!" Lucy said, brightly. "Panties off, too...."

"B-but-"

"Sweetie, don't be a dud!" Lucy giggled. The slender brunette squared around and removed her own briefs. Laughing, Ivy did the same.

Nona bit her lip and followed their example. She wasn't used to being nude even in front of Ivy. Now she felt shamelessly exposed.

"A real blonde!" Lucy chirped.

"Ohhh-s-stop it," Nona cried. She quickly covered her hips with the skirt. She found the strands of grass did conceal her most intimate areas, and she put the red band of cloth over her creamy, full breasts.

There were no shoulder straps. Ivy volunteered to tie the piece of material in place. It covered only the coned ends of her mounds.

"Those must be forty-fours, honey!" Lucy said admiringly. "You'll make their eyes pop out!"

"She has a nice jiggle," Ivy added.

"Y-you're making fun of me!" Nona protested.

"I should say not, honey!" Lucy said. "I'm just envious."

I hope Nick-likes me, anyway, she thought. But, looking at Ivy, with her more mature charms, her long, full legs, she realized she had plenty of competition. And Nick was with her, not Nona.

After they had all taken turns primping at the vanity mirror, the three girls left the bedroom.

Immediately Nona saw that the living room lights had been turned down even more. All three of the men wore loud, multi-colored shorts-and nothing else. Jud looked a bit ridiculous in his, Hugh had bony legs. Only Nick appeared really masculine and appealing as far as Nona was concerned.

"Look at that!" Hugh cried, ogling.

Ivy and Lucy weaved their bodies. Jud applauded. He pointed at the drink-table.

"Everybody have another blast, and we'll be ready for fun and games!"

"I-I think I n-need one!" Nona said, blushing.

Everybody laughed.

As they stood close to the table mixing more drinks Nona felt that all eyes were on her. She was the youngest one present. She had heard Ivy talk about wild parties, and she decided it was high time she found out a few things for herself.

She was gratified to notice that even while Nick gave Ivy much attention, his glances at her were warmly curious, appreciative.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow afternoon! she thought, deliciously. He wants me or he wouldn't have asked for a date.