"There's no crew at my house chopping down all the trees if that's what you're concerned about."
"The suspense is killing me. Can't you just give me a hint? Just a little one."
"We'll be there in just a minute."
"Have you talked to my dad?"
"Now, now, you promised."
"No," she groaned. "That's not the same subject."
"Oh, come on. You'll have to do better than that. Everything to do with your family is the same subject."
In minutes they turned into the driveway.
"We're here. I promise we'll deal with everything inside."
They went in through the front door this time. Just as they went in, Pepacita slid past them, smiling mysteriously and kissing Maria on the cheek as she went. Everything looked normal, neat and thoroughly groomed, just as she remembered it. Then they proceeded through the dining area and soon nothing looked the same. Down the hall to the kitchen and family-room area, she could see flowing white diaphanous fabric. Through the doorway there was a soft glow.
She tried to form a question but found herself speechless.
The family room had been converted to a tent with fabric over the bookcases and across the ceiling. There were soft candlelike lights and two candelabras with live, burning candles-Pepacita must have just lit them. The furniture had been cleared, and there was one very large recliner couch that looked like a holdover from the Roman Empire. On it lay a single red rose. Beside it stood a silver champagne bucket packed with ice and a large bottle. A lacquered cart held strawberries and a marvelous array of sushi. There were four flower arrangements-each head-high with lilies, orchids, and irises in an Asian motif.
Dan put his hand on her shoulder and guided her toward the recliner.
Reaching down, he picked up a filmy peignoir and a partly translucent gown. Beside them were men's silk pajamas.
"You'll need a costume," he said.
"You are completely crazy."
"I can't help you with that bucket of water if you don't put on your costume. You can use the back bedroom."
"I thought I could deal with anything. But I'm not so sure about this."
"Relax. It's only a gown. The lights are soft. You'll be safe as safe can be." She looked at him. "I promise."
"OK,", she said.
On the bed in Dan's room, she found this note:
Eyes can speak things only the soul can hear; Minds can intertwine with greater bliss than touch; A look can stir the heart, never slipping a button; A face has magic enough for heart, soul, and loins. I don't need to see the rest until you're ready.
Feeling her old confidence and deciding the gown wasn't bad at all, she walked back to the living room to find him waiting.
"Right this way," he said, inviting her to slide under a heavy silken sheet. As she did so, she turned on her side, facing him. In a second his face was a foot from hers; he also perched on his elbow.
"Now I would like to take up where we left off."
"This is nice," she said.
"I'm thrilled you like it. It was planned just for you."
"Did Nate see this?"
Dan nodded. ''Most of it. He thought it was pretty cool."
"It is crazy but in a very charming way."
"So I think it's my turn now."
"Yes."
"I think we were about to say that Dan Young has fallen utterly in love with Maria, and this presents some interesting dilemmas. In order for you to decide how you might approach that thorny subject, you need to have a talk with him. And we were about to have that talk."
"Yes."
"May I take your hand?"
She held it out. He lay back and took it in both of his and began caressing her palm. Instantly her hand seemed intimately connected to her whole body. Lying supine on the angled couch, he continued with her hand while he slid up close. Putting her head down, she watched him until he kissed her eyelids. She was going to say something, but decided to wait, enjoying the feel of his lips on her face.
His thoughts were dancing in his eyes and he seemed terribly alive, his look making her body warm.
"I love you. I'll do whatever it takes," he said.
"Oh God, I was so hoping you would say that. But how can I ask more from you than I would give?"
He looked at her as if he were waiting.
When she said nothing, he said, "Trust me."
Something inside her exploded. Crawling on top of him, she began kissing him. He pulled her tight and kissed her back, his tongue exploring hers. She felt bound and pent up. While she pulled at the peignoir, he slipped it over her shoulders. Reaching beneath her, he stopped kissing her only long enough to slip the gown over her head. They collided so hard she heard their teeth click. With her gently tugging his arm, he rolled on top of her as she began popping buttons on the pajamas.
"Slow down, lover," he said when she had stripped off the pajamas. "Remember I haven't done this in a while."
''You look fine to me,'' she said, holding him and stroking him.
He kissed her nipples while she held the back of his head. Her breasts were large and firm, the nipples dark rose. Then he pulled her on top and began using his hands on her back, caressing in long deep strokes. He could feel her relax and move to his touch. All the time he planted kisses on her face and neck.
''Oh God," she said as he went to work on her shoulders. "This is so good."
Gradually he moved his hands once again to her lower back; then as he felt her telling him, he moved to her bottom and the tops of her thighs, making his touch feather light. Gradually he could feel her hips start to move, grinding on him, trying to find the place. She reached for him to put him inside her.
"My tongue is an instrument of peace," he said with a grin.
"Noooo," she said as he rolled her over. "I haven't-"
''Trust me,'' he said, licking her as she laughed nervously. For a while she was quiet and slightly tense. He went everywhere but the core of her sensitivity. Then gradually he began to flick his tongue.
"Oh my God,'' she cried out as he began the little circles. On her thighs his hands listened for the subtle tremors that guided his tongue.
She grabbed his hair and he knew to keep on and on. Then she pulled him down tight. From deep inside, the groans began as he moved his tongue in rhythm with her hips.
"Trust me, trust me." The words echoed in her body without his ever speaking them again. It was a fierce dance and he could feel her falling into abandon, giving herself away. Tossing her head, she moaned as if in delirium, and chills went up his spine as he felt her going with him. Her glistening belly moved like rippling grass with the tremors through her body. She breathed as if she had sprinted a mile, her whole body finally falling rag-doll limp.
"Now you've done it," she said between breaths, and held his head gently.
''Only once,'' he whispered, moving on top of her, feeling her open like a flower.
Slipping inside her, he could feel her exquisite sensitivity and knew to keep his movements slow and gentle.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear. Her hands gripped his shoulder blades, her nails digging into him. He made his tongue gentle on hers. Then she let her head sink into the pillow, held his face, and looked in his eyes; he knew she saw his hope, his desperation. Gradually he felt her body start to quicken; then he saw her eyelids flutter. Kissing her deep and hard, he knew her wanting even as he lifted his weight so she could move beneath him. Gradually he found her rhythm, then understood it and rolled her on top of him, putting his tongue to her nipple in an echo of her thighs. Perspiration dripped from her as she rode him, her whispers turning to moans in the candlelight until at last his mind lost itself in desire and he gave himself to climax.
Later, she lay draped over him facedown on his chest, enjoying a piece of sushi.