Five Years Earlier
“Come on, baby…don’t let me down!” Nervously Tim patted his steering wheel, then flicked the bobble-head mounted on his dash. “I need you to last a while longer.”
The used Honda Civic wheezed and rattled into a small gravel driveway, and came to rest beside a singlewide mobile home. It had battled heroically, but it was down to its last legs…or tires…and wasn’t going to last much longer. It needed a tune-up, maybe some new tires, and…well, maybe new everything.
Tim shut off the engine, and said a fervent thankful prayer that he’d made it home safely. He’d had the car since high school; the car dealer—a relative on his mom’s side—had given him such a good deal that he’d been able to afford it even on his part-time wages. The odometer showed just over 25,000 miles. But buying something new was out of the question; he could barely scrape up the money to keep this one maintained.
I can always sell my baseball cards. I can pawn the TV, too. It’s old, and we’re not watching it, anyway.
He slammed the door, because that was the only way to close it tightly. Then he slung his sports jacket over one shoulder, and walked into the trailer he shared with his wife. That door stuck, and he had to tug hard to open it.
Finally he stepped into his small home with a relieved sigh. The imitation leather portfolio he’d bought a few days ago landed on the living room coffee table.
Carefully he hung up the jacket. It had cost a small fortune, given their limited income, and had to last a while. Hopefully the job interview he’d just left would pan out, and he’d finally land a job.
Please, God, I need this job!
He was just barely qualified for the bookkeeping position, thanks to the accounting classes he’d taken in high school. A brief phone interview last week had turned into a formal interview today, and he thought it had gone very well. The two people who’d interviewed him…one of them being the firm’s owner…had promised to be in touch. He fervently hoped it was true.
Crystal was working, but her waitressing job didn’t pay much. Slowly but surely, they were falling further and further behind on their bills. They weren’t quite desperate yet, but they were in the general vicinity. He hoped his anxiety hadn’t showed during the interview.
He closed his eyes, and said a silent prayer.
“Please call!”
Eventually he changed into his normal comfort clothes: cargo shorts and a faded T-shirt. A glass of water eased his dry throat. While he sat at their small kitchen table, sipping and wishing he could afford something more potent, he pulled Crystal’s senior picture from his wallet.
She’s so beautiful! I don’t deserve her!
A loving smile curved his lips as he let his mind wander along Memory Lane.
They’d graduated high school together in Fredericksburg. It was a small, picturesque town nestled in the Texas hill country—but since it was also smack-dab in the heart of wine country, it was a popular tourist destination. Folks in San Antonio and Austin bragged about having second homes there. As a result, land and housing prices were staggeringly high. Crystal and he had been forced to settle for a used singlewide trailer home.
He’d been so shy and reserved while growing up that he’d had no experience with girls. So everyone had been stunned when Crystal had started dating him.
They couldn’t have been more different…she’d been a cheerleader, an athlete, and a social butterfly with an outgoing personality and large social circle. Since she’d been uncommonly pretty, she’d had her pick of boys. She’d dated constantly, rarely having a steady boyfriend, and hadn’t seemed willing to settle for just one guy.
That had changed when she’d met Tim. She’d stopped going to parties, and flirting with other guys. She’d stopped…everything.
When asked about it by her friends, she’d just shrugged. Privately she’d told Tim that they wouldn’t understand—or worse, she was afraid they’d try and talk her out of dating him.
The simple, undeniable fact was that Tim was different. He’d treated Crystal with genuine kindness and respect. He’d actually listened when she’d talked about her dreams and ambitions. He’d cared about her as a person rather than a trophy or conquest.
The way he’d treated her had meant more than anything else in the world. Her relationship with him had been the only calm, stable thing in her life.
Her biological father had left when she was ten, and had never returned. Darla had tried to raise her, but their lives had been chaotic. The refrigerator had been more filled with beer than food, and different men had come and gone with disturbing regularity. She’d learned about men from watching her mother…and it was no surprise that she’d soon experimented with alcohol and other forbidden substances. She’d drifted from guy to guy in high school, and everyone had expected her to drop out pregnant.
Tim had changed her life. More importantly, he’d eased her off the destructive path she’d been walking. No one had seen it coming, and not a single soul in Fredericksburg had expected it to last. But their relationship had flourished.
He’d been just as surprised when Crystal had agreed to go out with him, and he’d been so intimidated by her that he’d barely managed to hold her hand the first few times. Their first kiss had been on her cheek.
Dating a man who wasn’t obsessed with parting her legs had been a new and unusual experience for her, and she’d quickly realized that she liked it…and him.
Tim was intelligent and quiet, but also funny and sincere. Once he’d relaxed around her, he’d made her feel special, beautiful, and respected. Before they knew it, they’d been dating for six months, and were virtually inseparable.
She’d fallen hard for the quiet boy who adored her, made her laugh, and cared about what she said.
Tim’s only regret was in not gaining Darla’s approval. She didn’t think much of him. Oh, she wasn’t hostile or rude. But she treated him as temporary…a mistake that Crystal would eventually remedy.
He loved her daughter, and was completely devoted to her. He treated her better than any other man she’d ever dated or known. But it didn’t matter. Darla still didn’t have two words for him.
I’ll wear her down. I don’t honestly blame or resent her. At least she’s honest about how she feels. My parents are the hypocrites, acting nice to Crystal when they really resent her. My father is the worst.
His parents had not been happy about Tim and Crystal dating. They’d worried she was going to end up like her mother. His father had pushed his son hard to join the military, and he was convinced it was to separate him from Crystal.
His father had denied it, of course. But still he’d pushed and pushed.
Matters had reached a head right after Tim had graduated. “Your best friend’s going into the Navy,” his father had prodded. “He’s going to get career training and an education. You should enlist just like Jeff.”
“I’m not interested in the military, Dad! How many times do I have to tell you that?” Tim had snapped, then glared at his father. “And I’m not leaving Crystal.”
Needless to say, their relationship had been strained since then, and had grown steadily worse.
His father had exploded when he’d informed them that he’d proposed to Crystal; announcing he was gay would have been easier for them to accept. “There are a lot of easy girls in the world, just like Crystal,” he’d sneered. “Why in the hell are you buying that particular cow when everyone in town has already sampled the milk for fucking free? Goddamn it, Tim! She’s the fucking town pump, for God’s sake! You can do better than Crystal!”
Enraged, he’d clenched his fists, and advanced on his father. It hadn’t mattered that the older man outweighed him by thirty pounds…the bastard who had just insulted his fiancée was going to the hospital!
His mother had thrown herself between them, sobbing as she’d pleaded with them not to fight. His father had finally realized he’d gone too far, and tried to play it off as having had too much to drink. But Tim hadn’t believed a word of it.
Bullshit! I saw his face. I heard his voice. He meant every single thing he said. No way was he kidding.
If not for his mother’s intervention, he’d had beaten his father senseless that night. And though his father had apologized, it had been too little, too late. They hadn’t spoken to each other since.
Now he felt nothing but contempt for the stranger he’d once called ‘Dad.’ His mother didn’t blame him, but she wasn’t happy that he’d married Crystal, either. She tried to keep in touch, and mend fences, but Tim was adamant. He refused to break bread with his father. Holidays were spent at their trailer, or with Darla.
Ironically, both their family’s dislike had cemented their relationship, and economics had helped keep them together. They might be living paycheck to paycheck, but growing up poor had taught them to expect that.
They’d just celebrated their second wedding anniversary…and they were happy together.
Life had been going great until Tim’s job at the winery had been eliminated three months ago. He’d been looking for work ever since. Initially he’d applied at the other wineries, but they weren’t hiring. Finally he’d answered that bookkeeping ad. It was his last hope, because Crystal’s job didn’t pay enough to make ends meet.
Fortunately she worked at the most popular restaurant in town, so her job was secure. They’d managed to stretch her paycheck to cover most of their bills, and at first it had worked. But before long, they’d had to cut out the cable TV. Then Crystal had started riding the bus to and from work, so they could save on gas money. Then they’d lost their landline phone. They each had throwaway cell phones that were only good for local service; they kept those paid up for emergencies.
Their well-stocked pantry had dwindled away to Ramen noodles and assorted soups. Powdered macaroni and cheese had become a staple of their diet.
Sighing, Tim finished his water, and safely tucked the photo away again.
Time to get dinner started.
The fridge wasn’t exactly empty, but it certainly wasn’t packed with food. He wanted to have dinner on the table when Crystal got home. Their last packet of ground beef sat, all alone, on the bottom shelf. He decided to use it tonight.
They still had some marginally-fresh hamburger buns, and a handful of charcoal briquettes. It looks like burgers on the grill tonight. Anything’s better than noodles!
His cell phone rang just as he finished making the hamburger patties. “Hello?” he answered quickly.
The voice on the other end was light and friendly. “Hi. Is this Tim Heiser?”
He took a deep breath. “Yes, it is.”
“Hi, Tim. This is Tom, over at A&A Accounting. How’s it going?”
His pulse began to thrum. “It’s going great, thanks for asking.”
“You’re welcome. Listen, I’m calling because we want to offer you the bookkeeping position you interviewed for today. We really enjoyed the interview, and think you’d be a great addition to the firm.”
Tim’s eyes bugged, and he barely managed to keep from shouting with sheer giddy relief. “Wow, that’s awesome! I was hoping to get this phone call!”
“That’s great, Tim.” The other man’s smile echoed through his cheerful voice. “We’d like to start you at ten dollars an hour, and we’ll reevaluate your compensation at least twice a year going forward. How’s that sound?”
Fantastic! Oh my God, incredible! Jubilantly he pumped his fist in the air. That was more than he’d made at the winery…and there might be raises in the future!
Quickly he stopped his fist-pounding dance, sucked in a deep breath, and ordered his thoughts. “Do you offer health benefits?” he asked, and was proud that his voice sounded so steady and professional.
“Absolutely. Sorry, I should have mentioned that,” Tom apologized. “Yes, we offer medical and dental coverage, as well as a 401k retirement plan. So what do you say, Tim?”
“I say, I can start tonight!” he laughed, only half-joking. “Heck, yes! I gladly accept!”
Tom chuckled. “Outstanding. You don’t have to start tonight…we’ll see you Monday morning at 8:00. You’ll meet with our Human Resources director to fill out the paperwork. Have a good weekend, and welcome aboard.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much! You have a great weekend, too!” In a daze, he snapped the phone shut, and stood with both hands braced on the counter. Then it sank in completely, and he pushed off with a triumphant yell. “Yeah, baby! Who’s got a job?”
“Hey, what’s all the shouting about?”
Tim spun around, danced crazily in place for a few seconds, then rushed over and swept Crystal into a vigorous bear-hug. “I just got a job!” he shouted. “The accounting firm just hired me, and they’re starting me at ten dollars an hour! Can you believe that?” Thrilled, he whirled her around several times.
Crystal’s mouth dropped open. “Holy shit, baby! That’s awesome!”
“And that’s not all!” he added, rolling his eyes in amazement. “They offer both medical and dental benefits, and a 401k retirement plan!”
Eagerly she peppered his cheek with kisses. “Tim, I’m so happy, and proud of you! That’s great! And it’s really good timing, too!”
Tim kissed her hard on the mouth. He had a new job. It was going to pay well, and it even offered benefits. It was the turn of luck they’d so desperately needed!
Laughing, he carried her into the bedroom, and deposited her on their bed. “Rest a while,” he urged. “I’ll take care of dinner.”
“I love you!” Crystal called after his swiftly-retreating back.
The old Weber grill had been a wedding present, and he’d maintained it carefully so that it still worked perfectly. Grinning, Tim dumped the last briquettes into it, applied plenty of lighter fluid, and then lit them on fire. He whistled to himself the entire time. If happiness could have been bottled, he’d have had a six-pack that night.
The briquettes began to glow, and he enjoyed the smoky aroma. The very thought of hamburgers made his mouth water.
Crystal joined him a few minutes later, and kissed his cheek. She’d changed into some sexy shorts, and a tank top that showed off her natural bust. Her C-cup chest was one of the reasons she’d been the most popular girl in high school. Her naturally blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
Tim glanced over at her, and smiled. He just never got tired of looking at her. She had thick hair, and an hourglass figure that made other women instantly jealous. Perfect teeth, too, he thought when she offered him a tired smile. She had unbelievably straight white teeth. No braces…all natural. And her smile was framed perfectly by a pair of cute dimples.
He thought her sky-blue eyes were her best feature…but then it was hard to see anything on her that wasn’t absolutely perfect.
Chuckling, he dragged his attention back to the burgers, and motioned her toward an empty lawn chair. She sank into it, sipped some iced tea, and enjoyed the night.
“How was work today?”
She shrugged. “Busy…very busy.”
She’d asked for extra hours when he’d lost his job. Now she was working almost twelve hours a day, six days a week. She started a few hours before the restaurant opened, and worked until just after the early dinner rush. The owners considered her part of their family, and she’d worked there so long that she knew most of the customers. She worked hard, so he made extra-sure she didn’t have to do anything around the house when she got home.
Crystal sipped her tea again, then flashed him another quick smile. “It’ll be nice to go back to eight-hour shifts.”
“Damned right!” he exclaimed. “Have I told you lately that you’re amazing, and I love you?”
She beamed. “No, tell me again!”
They both laughed.
When the burgers were done, they moved inside, sat at their little table, and planned what to do with his first few paychecks. First priority was to fix Tim’s car; then they’d start saving for a car for Crystal. She was sick of riding the bus.
Just for fun, they started making a list of things they wanted to purchase, and giggled like children as the list grew longer and longer.
Eventually they moved into the bedroom. Tim slipped his clothes off, and then slid under the blanket. Crystal waited beside the bed until he was settled, then grinned impishly down at him. “Ready, baby?”
He nodded excitedly. “Definitely!”
She winked at him. “Here we go.”
Watching her undress was his favorite sexual thrill. He found it exciting, titillating, and never tired of watching her. It didn’t have to be sexual. He caught himself staring at Crystal when she was dressing or undressing, or even showering or doing the dishes.
The tank top came off. Crystal tossed it at him, flashed him a naughty smile, and covered her breasts with her hands.
“Awww,” he complained, feigning a mock-frown.
“You want to see them?” she teased. “Beg!”
“Please!” he said immediately. “Pretty please!”
Crystal slowly lowered her hands, exposing her large natural breasts a little at a time, and enjoyed her husband’s reaction. She took pride in the fact that they didn’t sag even a bit. Teasingly she cupped her left breast, lowered her mouth, and lightly licked her nipple, watching him all the while.
Lust surged through him as his wife undressed and put on a private show just for him. She’s gorgeous! he thought happily.
A small voice in the back of his head warned, You don’t deserve her, dude. Better keep her happy!
Her hands drifted down to her waist, and she hooked her fingers in her shorts. Tim’s lips parted slightly, and his breathing quickened, when she swayed slowly back and forth.
Crystal loved this part just as much as he did; stripping, showing off, and watching desire sizzle on men’s faces was an aphrodisiac that never failed to rev her engine. It made her feel beautiful, desirable, and powerful.
The blanket shifted slightly as he began to stroke his cock. “Don’t tease me, baby!” he groaned.
She flashed him another naughty smile. “But I like teasing you! And you like being teased, don’t you?”
He couldn’t deny it, not when the blanket was jutting up at an erotic angle.
“You like watching me, don’t you?” she added, wiggling just a little more.
It was embarrassing, but completely true. “Yes,” he gulped, and fought to keep from openly panting.
Crystal smiled. She loved it when Tim admitted his desires. He was quiet and straight-laced outside the bedroom, but just the right kind of kinky behind closed doors.
Grinning, she eased her shorts down her hips, and let gravity slide them to the floor. Then she stepped out of them, and did a slow 360 turn for him. Her hands flowed over her body, accentuating her lush curves.
I wish I’d put on some music, she thought dreamily. I’d love to dance and strip for him.
She swayed softly, moving to a song only she heard, and closed her eyes. Her favorite fantasy involved dancing for a room full of cute guys, enjoying the raw lust and desire on their faces, and then picking out which one she’d fuck after her dance.
Tim’s husky voice floated across the room. “You’re so amazing, honey.”
She continued to sway in place. “I’m glad you like what you see.”
“I always have.”
Finally she opened her eyes, climbed onto the bed, and stalked forward on her hands and knees. Slowly, sensually, she moved from one side of his body to the other, keeping her eyes fixed on him. She savored the hungry passion that flared on his face as he watched her body with rapt fascination.
“Especially the first time, right?” she purred.
Tim’s eyes shot up to meet hers, and he flushed.
“Especially the first time, right, Tim?” she repeated, needling him just a little.
She moved forward until she was straddling him, and his legs were pinned beneath the blanket. I’ve got him, she thought triumphantly.
“Say it, Tim,” she ordered. “Tell me why you like to watch me.”
He mumbled something under his breath and, too ashamed to meet her amused gaze, tried to look aside. She wasn’t having it, and curled gentle fingers around his jaw. “Tell me,” she urged quietly but firmly, and nudged his face back toward hers.
He swallowed hard. “The first time I watched you,” he said softly, and looked deeply into her eyes, “it changed my life.”
Slowly she eased off the bed, and looked seriously down at him. “Slide my panties off.”
Obediently he pulled her thong panties down, and let them fall to the floor.
“You watched them take my panties off, didn’t you?”
His embarrassed flush deepened. “Yes.”
“You liked it?”
“Yes. I loved it.”
Smiling, she tugged the blanket away, and straddled him again. “You liked watching me get fucked, didn’t you, baby?”
He groaned softly when her hand closed over him, and she started a slow, steady rhythm that made him even harder. Breathlessly he kept his eyes closed, enjoying the seductive pleasure.
Teasingly Crystal rose onto her knees and rubbed his cock along her pussy, wetting it, and teasing him further. Then she started to lower herself…but suddenly stopped and eased away again.
Tim’s eyes flew open. “Don’t stop!” he begged.
“Then admit it!” she ordered. “Be honest with me, and with yourself. Admit it. Then I’ll fuck you.”
He groaned again, this time with frustration. “Damn it, baby, I loved it, okay?” he confessed, clenching his fists. “I absolutely loved watching you get fucked that day. It’s been almost six years, but I just can’t forget it. It still turns me on!”
As soon as he admitted his kink, Crystal lowered her hips, and took his entire cock inside her. She’d always been able to accommodate his size easily, and she was ready for him. A gasp escaped her as she enjoyed the delicious feeling of being penetrated.
Tim groaned loudly, and bucked beneath her. “You feel so good, baby!”
Moans and cries echoed through the small bedroom as they lost control, and rushed to satisfy each other’s needs. He was close, and she moved her hips frantically. Oh God, not yet! Not yet, Tim! she thought urgently. I’m almost there… Then she felt it building slowly, deliciously. She slammed herself down hard, desperately trying to take more of him.
Almost! Almost! God, I’m almost there!
A sudden sly grin curved Tim’s lips. He knew exactly what she liked. He leaned up and captured one of her nipples, licked it for a moment, and then gently bit down.
The effect was instantaneous. Her eyes snapped open, and she cried out wildly. Fierce shudders rippled through her body. She gripped his shoulders, and rode him even faster until his own control snapped, and he lunged up beneath her in hot orgasmic release.
When her taut muscles finally relaxed, Crystal fell forward, then slid limply to one side. Tim held her close, and gulped for air. “I love you, Crystal,” he panted. “You’re so amazing!”
She levered up on one elbow enough to kiss his cheek. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased.
The afterglow was just as good as the sex, and they luxuriated in it, spooning together and talking softly about Tim’s new job and their future together.
Just before they drifted off to sleep, Tim shifted restlessly. “Crystal, can I ask you something?”
She twisted around to face him. “Sure.”
He bit his lip, then blurted, “Why do you tease me about watching you that one time?”
“Don’t you like it?” she countered with a wicked little grin. He was so cute when he was embarrassed!
“I do like it, but…”
“But what?”
He hesitated for a long moment. “I just worry you’ll think less of me,” he finally confessed. “It wasn’t intentional. Well, I intentionally followed you,” he amended with a sheepish smile. “But I didn’t know what was going to happen.”
Crystal laughed. “I know it wasn’t intentional…but you did see me with those two basketball players. You did like it…and now it’s become a kinky fantasy for both of us,” she slowly concluded.
“You like it, too?” he asked, startled. “I thought you were just humoring me!”
Now it was her turn to blush. “No, I like it, too,” she admitted. “I like it a lot, actually.”
They chuckled nervously; then Crystal flipped over again, and snuggled back against his chest. She felt his lips against her neck, and smiled. “I love you,” she whispered.
“Love you, too.”
A few minutes later he was asleep. She waited until he rolled onto his back, and his breathing deepened. Then she carefully eased out of bed, and headed to the bathroom to clean up.
It had been a long day, but she wasn’t tired. Part of that, she knew, was excitement because Tim had finally gotten a new job. But the real reason was the fantasy they both shared.
God, that fantasy is hot, she thought as she quietly dressed and walked out to the living room. I’d love to have Tim watch me with someone else. He’d never go for it, but it would be so much fun!
Sighing, she pulled out the small whiskey bottle she kept hidden under the sink where Tim wouldn’t find it, and poured herself a drink. She didn’t want him to know that Cliff, the bartender, had given it to her. The two men had never gotten along, mostly because…
The alcohol burned down her throat. Relaxing, she settled down onto the couch, and set her memory free.
Cliff and Crystal had been a hot item in high school, and for a while things had been really intense. Then Cliff had fucked it up by screwing another cheerleader. Crystal had dumped him loudly, in public, right before football practice…just as school was letting out. Everyone had seen it.
Later that same day, she’d started flirting with two basketball players at the court near her home. That was all it had taken…a smile, a little conversation…and they’d been more than willing to spend some time with her.
She’d led them to the long-vacant home next to her house. Someone had left a mattress in one of the rooms. The back door lock had been broken, so they’d slipped inside without being noticed.
The mattress had seen a lot of action that afternoon.
She’d attacked the cuter one first. Too bad he’d been small. But his friend…wow!
It had been dark when they’d finally had enough. She’d sent the cute guy home first, then stayed and fucked his friend one more time. God, he was big! Big and thick! Yes, size definitely matters.
His name had been Damon, and he’d sold drugs when he wasn’t playing basketball. That had made him the perfect bad boy for Crystal. They’d started dating, and she’d soon discovered that she really, really liked getting high. Marijuana had also make her super-horny, which was a nice plus that he enjoyed as much as she did.
But he’d warned her to be careful. “Crystal,” he’d said one day after they’d had sex, “stick with weed. You like drugs too much, and anything else will screw up your life.”
As usual for her, they’d broken up after a month…but she’d made sure to stay on good terms with him because he’d been a steady source for drugs and good sex. It had been a mutually beneficial relationship…but he’d steadfastly refused to give her anything more than marijuana.
None of them had known that Tim had peeked through the window that afternoon; he’d been walking home from his best friend’s house when he’d seen her leave the park with the basketball players. Worrying that she might get hurt, he’d followed them to the vacant house, then snuck around back.
Crystal had thought the cheap drapes still hanging over the windows had blocked everything.
Not even close, he’d admitted with a fiery blush when he’d finally confessed—after they were married—that he’d spied on her. I saw everything.
Surprisingly, she hadn’t been embarrassed. In fact, she’d enjoyed the idea of being watched. Sex was liberating and powerful. Her smile and body had provided everything she’d wanted in high school. Attention, boys, drugs, alcohol, and of course lots and lots of sex. The only time she felt truly in control of her life was when she was seducing someone or having sex. Sex was her weapon.
Thoughtfully she sipped her whiskey, and stared out the window. Her reflection stared back at her.
Maybe we can make our mutual fantasy come through, she thought, swirling her glass in mocking salute to the hazy face in the window. I’ll talk to Tim.