Free Matecumbe by James A. Michener Page B

like these, she realized, the basic cravings of hunger, thirst, and logical reasoning are like badly beaten also-rans in a long distance foot race.
    Melissa wanted dearly to be able to respond—by touching—to Joe’s signals of desire. She reached for his belt buckle, flipped it open, and slid her right hand downward alongside his thigh, skin touching skin.
    Compared to Brady, he had much stronger muscles on his legs. There were fewer strands of hair, she thought, but they were smoother to her touch.
    Meanwhile, using both his hands in what seemed like one quick motion, Joe proceeded to grasp at the elastic of Melissa’s skirt and panties, yanking downward. He eased his reclining body toward hers and then pulled her clothing skyward over the tips of her outstretched feet.
    Tossing this bundle aside, he then used his tongue to tickle her slowly along the upward reaches of her knees.
    “I need this, Joe, I need this oh-so badly,” she told him.
    After he gently lowered her legs to the carpet, Joe removed his trousers and briefs. He could tell now that she was ready, but he continued with the foreplay.
    When Joe felt Melissa starting to tremble, he pressed himself, full length, on top of her. He planted a multitude of kisses on her lips, forehead, cheeks, and nose.
    It was soon after they had become one that Melissa, uncharacteristically for her, seemed to begin an immediate climax. As she felt Joe’s warmth envelope her, she lost all sense of time and location. She was unaware that the tips of her fingers were digging deeply into his strongly muscled back.
    How many more times, Melissa wondered, would she stare blankly at white ceilings while being covered by this gentle yet muscular man? And how many more times would she sigh inwardly, and scream outwardly, with such consummate delight?
    For several minutes after his release, neither of them seemed able to move so much as an eyebrow. Joe seemed to have used every last bit of strength in his successful efforts to please. And though Melissa still tingled with a special excitement, the day’s activities, both indoors and out, had rendered her as exhausted as her newfound lover.
    With heads now resting on each other’s shoulders and their breathing still heavy, they clung together tightly, like two inseparable spoons stacked in a drawer full of silverware.
    Eventually, Joe stood. Then, reaching down confidently for Melissa’s hand, he led her over toward the king-sized bed.
    After sliding themselves feet-first beneath a summery blanket, they caressed and pushed their lips together for one more kiss, summoning sleep.

 

Chapter 6
    Paul’s generosity continued.
    Mary Ann and the girls selected new wardrobes during an all-day shopping spree in Philadelphia. As well, five new beds were delivered to Mary Ann’s apartment, replacing the beach chairs.
    The good times increased, too. The girls always looked forward to those evenings when Paul would take his new “family” out for dinner. As a group, they were adventurous when ordering from their menus—taking foods they had never before eaten, such as lobster and veal, and allowing each of their sisters to share a taste.
    During one of Mary Ann’s weekly visits to Paul’s house, she took snapshots of every room so that she could show them to her daughters.
    In the early part of May, Paul announced that he would be taking Mary Ann and the girls on a trip during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
    “We’ll be going to Ocean City, New Jersey, in about three weeks,” Paul shouted, like an enthusiastic coach. “Will everybody be ready for the beach and the boardwalk?”
    Although Mary Ann knew she would enjoy the intimacy that would be part of a weekend alone with Paul, she was glad the girls were coming along. She realized that they would have fun, but she was also somewhat relieved that sex between her and Paul would be impossible—since the kids would be staying in the same hotel suite.
    In the back of her mind, Mary