“Sorry to disappoint you, Romeo, but the reason the tubs are so big is that according to local gossip, the original owners were both well over six foot tall. Had the tubs made extra large especially for the cabin.”
“Makes a good cover story,” he insisted. “And after all, what’s a little good, clean fun between consenting adults?”
“You think so, huh?”
“Definitely.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
“Mmmm, you taste good,” Harm mumbled, nibbling the back of her neck.
“You can’t possibly still be horny,” she laughed, shaking her head and settling against his chest.
“I never said I was horny,” he corrected, “only that you taste good. And look good and feel good and smell good.”
“Are we just going to lie here in this tub all day getting wrinkled and pruney?”
“Either that or we could go back to bed. I think there’s still some hot fudge left.” Circling her in his arms, he leaned back and closed his eyes.
“Whoa, there,” she giggled, feeling his soft cock in the small of her back as she cuddled between his legs, “I don’t know about you, but I’ve had more sex in the last couple of hours than in the last couple of years. Better pace ourselves. We’re going to be here ‘til Labor Day and you don’t want to peak too soon.”
“I don’t care about anything except fucking you, which I intend to do as often as you and Nature will permit, including in this marvelous old tub. Maybe not right this minute, but it’s definitely going to happen. With any luck, more than once.”
“My God, I’ve created a monster. A horny, insatiable monster.”
Turning her gently, she saw he’d grown suddenly quiet and serious.
“On the contrary,” he whispered. “You took a hard, cold, unfeeling monster and turned him back into a caring, needy, very horny man again. He just wants to show his gratitude and appreciation for giving him back his life. If he can make you squeal with pleasure, that’s just a bonus.”
“I didn’t do anything. That warm, caring, very horny man’s always been there; he just needed to be reminded, that’s all.”
“Thank you anyway.” They shared a long, passionate, slightly awkward kiss.
“Well, I’ve got to get out of here,” she announced. “If I don’t, in another ten minutes I really will look like a wrinkled old hag. Besides, if I don’t at least get some coffee, I’m going to pass out.”
“I guess you’re right,” he agreed as she grabbed the tub sides and lifted herself up. “You better eat. You’re going to need all your energy. The day’s still young yet.” He flashed her an evil grin.
Rolling her eyes, Elgin padded across the room and grabbed her towel. Pulling the plug, Harm got out and joined her.
“What say you take me to the Lodge for dinner tonight? If you’re good, I’ll let you pay the check.” She smiled slyly. “And if you’re very, very good, I may even let you get me tipsy and take advantage.”
“And how good would I have to be?”
“We’ll work on that today. A lot.”
When they’d dried, Harm went across the hall to his room to dress and Elgin did too, taking a little extra time to comb her hair and put on fresh lipstick but no underwear.
Straightening the bed, the memory of their lovemaking replayed itself. With a chuckle, she wadded up the scarves and put them in her nightstand drawer. Since she knew they’d be needed again…soon…no point putting them back in her bureau.
Idly, she wondered what The Mercantile might have in the way of adult toys. Probably nothing but she’d have to remember to buy more hot fudge.
Stepping into the hall, her nose wrinkled up as it caught the welcome scent of food cooking. Following the aroma, she found Harm at the stove, sausage frying in a black skillet.
“Well, well,” she teased, putting her arm around his waist, “aren’t you just handy as a shirt pocket? I didn’t know the FBI had a cooking merit badge.”
Bending down, he pecked her cheek. “Watch it, woman,” he warned playfully. “I swing a mean spatula. God knows you need a good spanking but you’d probably enjoy it.”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. And I may just find out before the summer’s finished, too. Any objections?”
“Who knows?” she shrugged, moving to the coffee maker on the counter. “It’s a long time ‘til September. Anything might happen.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
“Gettin’ a late start this mornin’ aren’t you?” Fisher eyed the breakfast dishes still sitting on the table as Harm and Elgin enjoyed a leisurely second cup of coffee.
“Well, you know how it is, Jim,” Elgin told him, throwing Harm a quick glance, “some mornings you just don’t feel like getting out of bed.”
Trying to stifle a surprised laugh, Harm began coughing, sipping coffee as Elgin patted his back.
Fisher looked from Harm to Elgin and back, suspicion in his eyes, his mouth drawn down a little. Obviously they didn’t intend to share the joke.
“Would you like some coffee?” she offered when Harm had regained his composure.
“No thanks. Since you don’t have a phone, Marty called me to ask if you two’d like to go out on ‘The Monkey’ tomorrow. Says he’s gotta go over to West Shore on business and thought you’d like to ride over, lose a few bucks in the casinos and gawk at the tourists. Late lunch and then back here before sunset.”
“What’s ‘The Monkey?’” Harm asked.
“Marty’s boat,” Elgin replied happily. “Actually, ‘The Brass Monkey.’”
“That’s a strange name for a boat.”
“Marty’s sort of a strange guy,” Fisher chuckled. “If ya get my drift. Never owned a boat before he bought her. Big, ocean goin’ thing. Not exactly John Wayne’s converted minesweeper, but twice the size of anything up here. Had it brought all the way from the coast.
“Well, soon as I saw it, I asked him what the hell he intended to do with it when winter come. He looks at me with those big sad eyes of his and say, ‘whataya mean?’ I told him the lake gets too cold and too rough to leave a boat in the water all winter. I take all mine out and put ‘em in storage. Told him livin’ up here all his life, he should know that in winter, even the brass monkeys come inside.
“Well, he looked at me and my little runabouts and back at his yacht and says, ‘Oh.’ That’s all. Just, ‘Oh.’ Two days later a crew a workmen arrived up at his place. Built a big old shed up behind his place where ya couldn’t see it from the water or the house. When winter come, he hired a crane to come down, pull that thing outta the water and haul it up to that shed. Next year, he had ‘em come back and put her in the water. Had a big christenin’ ceremony and named her ‘The Brass Monkey.’ Everybody had a good laugh includin’ Marty.”
“Oh that sounds wonderful,” Elgin replied excitedly. “You’ll love it, Camp, really.”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
“Figured you wouldn’t turn it down,” Fisher smiled indulgently. “Marty said he’ll meet you at the ‘Monkey’ ‘bout nine-thirty. Better set yer alarm. Don’t wanna over sleep.”
“No need for that,” she assured him. “We’ll be there with bells on.”
“Well, I better get goin’. Us workin’ people can’t afford to lounge around all day. ‘Sides, don’t wanna tax poor Tom’s brain by leavin’ him in charge too long.”
“Let’s face it, Jim,” she teased, putting her arm around him, “you think anything after five a.m. is sleeping in.”
“And you think anything before nine is gettin’ up with the chickens. Damn good thing you’re a writer and don’t have to punch a time clock like the rest of us.”
“You know I never worried about having a job. You promised me as a child I could always come work for you.”
“Offer still stands. Any time you wanna give up that city crap and come home, Ellie, you know you’re always welcome.”