Rivendell Bookstore

[OnHarry]

Arthur realized as Sage blushed that he was staring, perhaps leering at her. He couldn't help it though. He had, based on his four hour inqusition yesterday with Jillian, decided she may be right and he should try and stop this before it went any further.

He had rehearsed several opening lines ranging from pleading to demanding to even dismissing Sage if needs be, but he was alone then. Now she was standing in front of him and the pale coloured tee clung to her so alluringly, her short denim skirt sat halfway up her thighs, and that long expanse of leg recalled immediatly to him the passion they had shared on the weekend. He could no more dismiss her than stop breathing. He in turn blushed when he realized that the front of his pants had given him away, and his desire was obvious. Sage in turn blushed even more and he looked away saying only, "coffee?"

Sage swallowed and said weakly her voice breaking somewhat "sure."

The moment was becoming rapidly more awkward when there was a knock at the door, and inclining his head towards the front of the store Arthur said, "it's Larry Bigelow, he is picking up some other books, I set aside for him."

Sage nodded saying nothing as she poured two cups of coffee, Arthur had to adjust his anatomy in front of Sage to hide his arousal from Larry, leaving no doubts at all concerning his state of agitation.

Larry came in and to her surprise he surveyed Sage much the way Arthur had done and for some reason it made her blush again, and then perhaps realizing what he had done Larry did the same and said only, "sorry about that Sage, you know you look really good like that, Stan's a lucky man. By the way how did he do on the weekend I heard this morning when I came to work that he was hanging with the big guys at the Greenbriar?"

"Sage said only, "he did fairly well I think," and for some reason Arthur got the distinct impression that Larry probably knew more about how Stan had done than Sage did and he was in a different law firm. Sage offered Larry a cup of coffee and he asked if it was decaf when Sage shook her head no he declined and then Athur took him to the backroom to review the books Arthur had set aside for him.

They were gone about fifteen minutes and returned with one of the whiskey boxes filled with about twelve books, Lary took them outside to his car, and Arthur noted Sage was in the office. Larry came back and wrote out a cheque for the books, Four hundred and fifty dollars, and said thinking Sage was out of earshot, "man Arthur, how do you work with her all day, I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off her?"

Arthur smiled a bit and said, "one has to maintain an atmosphere of professionalism, in business you know that Larry." and it suddenly occurred to Arthur what did Stan read.

Larry sighed and looked about to see if he could catch one more glimpse of Sage and then turning walked towards the door, Arthur followed and locked it behind him. Returning he went into the office where Sage was standing with her back to him, one ankle hooked around the other and one of the sketchbooks open, her head inclined to one side and looking down.

Arthur noted that this first page had some writing on it, unlike the others and Sage was reading it, a mesaage from Rowena written a hundred years ago. Arthur was intrigued by this wondering what it said he leaned forward his hand going to the top of the page and just touched Sages hand.

Suddenly he forgot the book and what was written and he lightly carressed Sages hand. swallowing and was about to say something, anything, but he could not. He did not want to disturb the moment, rather he stroked her hand, and Sage did not raise her head just yet, and then Arthur did something, uncharacteristic for him, he placed his other hand on her denim skirt, covering her left buttock. He almost held his breath waiting for her to react.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Sage finished the last few lines of what she was reading and closed the book. Despite the implications of what Rowena had written here. She'd be better able to concentrate on it later. After.

Uncrossing her ankles, she leaned back against Arthur and guided his free hand to one breast, certain he would feel the erect nub of her nipple just as she could feel him, pressing hard against her. She moaned softly as his hand caressed her; circles that were growing wider with each lazy yet purposeful orbit over the cheek of her ass, then shivered when his fingertips encountered gooseflesh at the hem of her skirt as he lifted it slowly, oh... so... slowly.

She was rocking against his body now, matching Arthur's own sinuous gyrations as he found and traced the line of her cleft from the front, pressing more and more firmly before moving away. He left her bereft, deprived. She mewled her disappointment as she turned in his arms and looked up into his eyes.

Sage offered her lips, and more, to her lover as he pulled her close; his fingers lowering the zipper of her skirt as she insinuated her hand between their bodies. Searching, finding, running her fingers along his length, she spread her legs to accommodate his thigh as he pressed forward. "Your trousers will get soaked," she whispered breathlessly.

Arthur shook his head silently and stepped back, watching as Sage's skirt slithered to the floor around her sneakered feet. His eyes never leaving hers, he lifted her blouse as she began to unbuckle his belt.

 

[OnHarry]

Whether by accident or design, it did not matter, Arthur had worn rather loose slacks today and as his top button was unfastened and the zipper lowered by Sage, they dropped to the floor almost of their own accord. Her tee was pulled over her head and Sage was striving mightily now to free his phallus, while he removed her bra and then her panties, she in turn had his shirt undone, but stopped there to resume their frenzied kissing as he slipped off his shoes and stepped out of his clothing.

His hands were all over her back and buttocks as he carressed and stroked, kneaded and generally reveled in her body, Sage's breasts held close to him, his erection between them, and leaking viscous fluid once more. All the while they kissed as if they had never done this before

The foreplay was delicious but the prize beckoned, and Arthur looking around pulled Sage to his office chair and sat down his cock at the ready, but as Sage prepared to mount him he stopped her and turned her around so her back was towards him and she faced away from him.Then pulling her towards him slowly but irresistably, she came down on him her sex welcoming his.

This must have been unusual to Sage, when he penetrated her from this angle, she gasped as if in pain but he doubted that. At first Sage ground against his upper thighs riding him his erection rubbing her just so, while he held her breasts in his hands. she became more frenzied, but since he had masturbated earlier that morning he was slow to climax.

He became aware gradually at first of a dampness in his lap as she moaned loudly, grinding and riding as if she was trying to maintain a specific friction between them, and then suddenly as she moaned in a way he had not yet heard, he became very, very wet as she almost fell forward, though his hands working her breasts stopped her.

She said almost breathless, stop they are too sensitve, referring to her nipples, as she caught her breath. Arthur had not yet climaxed and almost cruelly he stood up and turned her around so she could rest her hands on the chair her rump in the air, while he stayed inside her. He then started a slow rythmic pistoning, moving all the way out and then back in, varying the movements sometimes slowly in and quickly out or thrusting hard and pulling out slow.

She was so receptive owing to the climax she had just had their was virtually no friction. Arthur held her hips in his hands as he pummeled her sex, looking down he could see her with her head facing out to one side her eyes closed almost like she was in pain, but perhaps a blissfull pain. Then he could feel it deep inside himself and he started regular stroking inside her rubbing that same spot again. Then the tightening, a long drawn out pleasurable build up to his own climax. Sage perhaps sensing this or maybe acting on some feral instinct started to compress his cock with the walls of her slick tunnel.

This did the trick and Arthur felt the build up intensify, then the long slow release, first feeling as if he was ejaculating then actually doing so spurting into her shoving hard and fast at first and then as the climax peaked becoming somewhat more spastic and then finally he in turn was spent, and he literally dropped to the floor Sage still on him and he still in her, both of them in need of a shower.

For some reason Sage began a hearty laugh, not a girlish giggle but a strong deep laugh, perhaps owing to the fact he still had his socks on.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Sage leaned back, resting her head on Arthur's shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her, nuzzling at her neck. "That was... " she managed, finally regaining control of her emotions, "amazing! I've never... "

His silence brought a slow and unsettling realization. Easing her body from his flagging erection, Sage turned to face him but Arthur didn't meet her eyes. "Oh, you silly, silly man," she said softly, placing her fingers under his chin and lifting it. "I wasn't laughing at you. It was just so... intense. I couldn't help myself laughing for the joy of it."

Arthur studied her face for a moment as if memorizing her features or at least trying to discern the truth of what she'd said. Had all of this been a mistake, he wondered. Maybe Jillian was right after all. Maybe...

Before he could totally convince himself otherwise, Sage was straddling him... pushing him backwards onto the floor, her glistening lips parting as she looked from his face to his flaccid penis and back again. For a split second he thought she was going to ask for permission, but she didn't; instead, encircling him with one hand as she bent over his now burgeoning erection and smiled.

He groaned gutturally, expressing his pleasure as she took his sex into her mouth; laving him with her tongue, suckling him back to exquisite hardness. Arthur wove love knots in Sage's hair and lifted his thigh, pressing it firmly against her writhing body.

 

[OnHarry]

“This couldn’t be happening,” Arthur thought, but through his sensual haze he was suddenly aware of a noise in the background that just became louder. Opening his eyes he saw Sage her mouth poised over the head of his erection her eyes looking at him as she held him in her hand, obviously she heard it to.

Then no mistake, someone was knocking at the door, “SHIT,” Arthur said and jumping up he said I better see who that is. Sage looked disappointed but he had a business to run, and he hurriedly dressed not bothering with his underwear, doing up his shirt and pulling on his slacks. He ran his fingers through his hair and went to see who it was, saying to Sage as he went, “hold that thought.”

When Arthur went to the door there were two men there and what appeared to be a small delivery truck in front of the store in the loading zone. He was not expecting anything he rarely got unscheduled deliveries on Mondays.

Opening the door he saw both men were fairly burly, and wearing matching white coveralls, the sort you wear and throw away like hazmat suits. His curiosity piqued and his erection more or less in order Arthur opened the door and asked, “may I help you?”

The taller of the two, he was Arthur’s height, but much heavier in his build, asked in turn, “you Arthur Henderson?”

“Yes why?”

“Minelli movers, fine art and antique specialists, we bin sent here to pick up some books, fir,” he paused to look at his metal clipboard, “Philadelphia School Of Art.” Having made this pronouncement he flipped the cover on the board shut and looked at Arthur for further instructions.

“Oh I wasn’t expecting you till later this week. Well they are back in the office,” he said his voice rising somewhat to try and warn Sage about the visitors.

“Yea okay Art, show us the goods and we can start prepping them.”

Arthur walked slowly and prayed that Sage had heard him and as he walked he idly wondered about his underwear on the floor still in the office. He also wondered about these two guys. Were they really here to pick up the sketch books, they did not seem all that professional but anyway who else would they be.

Walking at his slow and somewhat paced gait, much slower than his normal speed, and therefore rather odd looking, he finally walked into the office and yes Sage was dressed and yes his underwear was not on the floor, but looking over towards the desk he happened to see Sage’s under the kick panel, stooping he bent down to pick it up saying to no one in particular, “hmm duster have to speak to the cleaning lady.”

He was relieved otherwise though and indicated the thirteen sketch books on the desk, still wondering about these guys. The taller one nodded and opened the first book which was the one Sage had been reading earlier and then he went a few pages in saying nothing about the nudes there. He closed it and turned to his companion, “old vellum, good condition get thirteen number fives, some excelsior and silica gel packs, you get those Sal I’ll do the paper work.”

The pair suddenly seemed competent and professional which was a bit of a relief to Arthur except until he happened to look at Sage and noticed that in her haste to dress and no doubt find her panties, she had put the tee shirt on inside out.

The tall guy went out to the truck and came back with Sal a few minutes later, and a hand cart and some boxes that were made of wood and reinforced at the corners. Sal dropped the five or so boxes and returned with the hand cart for more while Al, as he was known short for Alphonse, opened his clip board again and indicated to Arthur the documents saying he turned the books over to Minelli movers and accepted the payment from the art school.

There was also a bill of lading to be signed and a receipt for the small package from the school.

Arthur nodded and signed the bill saying he was shipping the goods and then the receipt, and then Al and Sal got to work and within fifteen minutes the sketch books were all packaged and ready to go. Sage had wandered out front as if she did not want to see the sketch books go. Arthur as well, had left them to it and while they were getting the last of the books packaged Sage overheard them talking low as they worked.

“Told ya Al, if they weren’t banging in here when we knocked then I’ll do your mum.”

Al said with a chuckle, “yea I figured that he looked sort of weird when he answered the door, mind you given the chance I’d do her to, lucky bastard.”

Within half an hour they were gone and so were the sketch books, Arthur still had the package from the art school in his hand, Sage asked, “what is that?”

Arthur looked down where she was pointing and said absently, “it is the payment for the sketch books.”

Then he opened it up and read a brief note that outlined the terms of sale and with an additional paragraph that said, “due to the importance of these sketch books one of the schools benefactors has added payment to what we agreed upon.”

Arthur opened an envelope that was unsealed inside the package and his jaw literally dropped. He looked at Sage and showed her the bank draft made out to him, for $125,000.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

"Holy... " Sage's eyes, wide as saucers at first, began to narrow suspiciously.

"I'm sure it's valid, Sage," Arthur said almost defensively.

"That's not my point, Arthur," she said slowly, her mind whirling with possible implications. "You made the deal with the Philadelphia School of Art, right?"

Arthur nodded.

"Don't you think it a bit odd that someone... a mysterious benefactor... added a hundred and twenty five grand to the kitty?" Sage pointed to the bank draft which, instead of being signed by the payer, was stamped with a generic statement that the payer's signature had been recorded elsewhere. "See? It's virtually anonymous and untraceable. But why??"

"So what are you saying... exactly?" Arthur asked, wondering if their thoughts were running the same purview of possibilities.

"What if," she responded. "What if... "

"The actual buyer is not the School and someone other?"

Sage nodded. "You've got it! Oh, and I think you've got something else, too."

"What?"

Blushing, whether from embarrassment or something other, she pointed toward Arthur's pocket and the lace trim of her panties that was sticking out of it.

Arthur grinned, moving closer. "I suppose that means you aren't wearing... " His hand slid down over her hip to the hem of her skirt.

Sage couldn't help shivering as she walked her fingers playfully up his chest to his shoulders. "So who do you think it is? The real buyer, I mean."

"We don't know that it's anyone besides an alumnus of the school, Sage," Arthur said, thoughtfully, the backs of his fingers smoothing up her thigh.

"But it's possible. Admit it, Arthur." Sage leaned against the desk as his hand inched higher. "And highly... " She stopped to swallow hard, her last word barely a whisper. "Probable."

"But who?" he whispered against her cheek, his fingers brushing lightly over the silken hair on her mons; beleaguering her with their exquisite torture even as her words were teasing his thoughts.

"

 

[OnHarry]

As much as the whole business with the sketch books fascinated him, Arthur had other things on his mind just now, as his hands traced a course over Sage’s nether regions, under her skirt. He brushed her lightly at first but stopped talking as he moved his hand more firmly against her, insinuating his finger against the cleft, and finding some dampness inserted it within her.

Sage stopped talking now as well and moved her hands down his shirt to his pants, and holding the top with one hand lowered the zipper with the other. Having accomplished that she inserted her hand into the dark regions inside the cloth and retrieved Arthur’s growing erection. The open air seemed to be a tonic as it sprang to attention and almost full rigidity.

Arthur seemed like he was short of breath as his hand worked over Sage inserting and massaging her lips. Then Sage undid the top button on his pants and they dropped. Arthur suddenly put his hands on Sage’s shoulders and turned her around to face the desk, then he gently but firmly pushed her forward until she was bent over the desk. He pushed a bit harder until her shoulders and breasts were pushed against the surface of the desk and her bottom was upwards.

Sage must have been uncertain what would follow but seemed compliant, willing to let Arthur do as he willed. Taking his hand from her back, he raised her skirt till it was over her cheeks and left them exposed and with his other hand guided his sex forward until it just found purchase in her moistness. He firmly put his hands on both her hips and with a quick hard thrust drove his cock home. Sage emitted a sound that seemed halfway between a grunt and a moan.

Arthur started, not too fast at first, moving inside her, out then in, his movements increasing in intensity, till he was working like a man possessed thrusting in and out with increasing rapidity for the longest time. Sage accompanied his efforts with a chorus of moans, and low exclamations. Arthur did this as long as he could, until his stamina was truly tested and it also appeared that Sage was not as slippery as she had been, he had climaxed twice already this morning and he knew he would not do so again just now.

Arthur leaned forward his erection still in Sage until he lay across her back, and hugged her as best he could from this position. “ Sage I have one question for you?”

Her reply was simply, “Umm.”

“Where is my underwear?”

Sage broke into near hysterical laughter, but after she convulsed a bit she replied, “in the top right drawer of the desk,” though she was still laughing.

He retrieved them, and to Sage’s pouts after he withdrew he said, “We have no more need to stay here now the sketch books are gone and I think I would like a good long soak in a tub and some lunch.”

Sage offered to drive him home and help with the bath, and maybe the lunch as well, and they put themselves more or less in order. Arthur, promising to return shortly, went out to the bank down the street, and they accepted the draft with the caveat they would have to verify such a large amount issued elsewhere before depositing.

With business taken care of, and Arthur picking up some sandwiches at the deli on his way back they drove to his house and within the hour they found themselves together with Arthur sitting in the warm soothing waters against the back of the tub and Sage sitting with her back to him.

They had not spoken much for the last quarter hour and Arthur with his hand around Sage cupping her breast his thumb and forefinger twiddling her nipple like a radio dial, he said for no apparent reason, “last night after I had spent a lot of time with Jillian I was prepared to never do anything like this again.”

He could discern a certain stiffness come over Sage as she leaned against him, but she said only, “so why are you doing this now?” Her tone just the least bit frosty.

Arthur sighed as he worked her breast, “I had resolved, even this morning before I came to work to stop it. I even masturbated to lessen the intensity just in case you showed up today.” Sage said nothing and so Arthur went on, “Then you walked in, and I could no more stop this then stop breathing, you are without a doubt one of the most desirable women I have ever seen or been with.”

Sage said nothing for the longest time though Arthur could sense that she had relaxed a bit, and she said aloud, “I get that a lot these days it seems.”

When the water started to cool and they were sufficiently pruney they got out of the tub and dried each other off and without bothering to dress they went to the dining room and had the sandwiches with a bottle of beer each.

While they ate Arthur said to Sage, "would you mind running the shop for a week, I want to take a trip to Cornell and go over the archives again?"

"I could go with you and help it would be much better than going alone, and you could cover more ground that way."

Arthur looked at Sage and said, "do you really think your husband would let you go to Ithaca New York with a strange man?"

"Well there is that yes, but still I may find a way to ask him, and if he is agreeable would you mind."

"I would love it."

After lunch they spent most of the afternoon on Arthur’s bed leisurely making love stroking and carasseing each other until Arthur climaxed once again and fell asleep. Sage left him a note saying she would see him in the morning and drove home wondering how to broach the subject with Stan

 

[Maid of Marvels]

After the weekend away from her children, Sage found herself hovering over them like a mother hen as they completed their homework assignments. All things considered, she had a good life but, for whatever reason, she needed something... more.

"I saw Larry Bigelow this afternoon," Stan said, unknotting his tie and pulling it free of his shirt collar.

Sage stiffened, watching her husband's face in the mirror as she brushed her hair. "Me, too," she countered.

"He said," Stan continued, unbuttoning his shirt. "In that... place where you work."

"Rivendell Bookstore," Sage filled in the name for her husband who never seemed able to remember it. For a man with a brilliant memory, especially for trivial details, it seemed that Stan had a mental block when it came to her job.

Stan nodded, kicking off his shoes and unbuckling his belt. "Yeah, that's it. Larry said that guy... " He lowered his zipper and sat down to take his trousers off. " ...finds him books he can't seem to find or at least not at a fair price."

"Arthur Henderson," Sage interjected.

"Yeah, him." Stan's seemed to have become a bit agitated by his wife's filling in the blanks. "Anyhow... he invited us to a dinner party a week Friday. We'll go, of course. My mother will sit with the children."

"Of course," she said to her husband's back as he retreated, naked, into the master bathroom for a shower. Waiting for the sound of the water as it began to run, Sage tightened the sash on her robe and followedm watching the curtain billow as the steam built up, fogging the mirrors. Taking a deep breath, she lowered the seat and perched on the edge of the commode. "Stan? I'm going away next week."

At first she had meant to merely broach the subject of the trip to Cornell only once Arthur set the dates, but Stan's inability to remember the name of the book store and the man who wrote her paycheck had agitated her. Not to mention that she wasn't quite sure how she felt about the remark she'd overheard Larry make to Arthur today in the store. Having to spend an entire evening with a man who was obviously perving over her was not a pleasant one.

"Did you say something?" Stan's stuck his head around the edge of the curtain, one hand massaging shampoo into his hair. "Away? You? Where are you going?" he laughed, ducking back into the shower and continued to wash.

"Yes, me" she said, almost petulantly. "Remember those sketch books, I told you about? The ones by Rowena Stevens." Frankly, Sage wasn't sure if she had told Stan or not but right now she didn't really care. "Arthur sold them to the Philly School of Art but there seems to be some mystery surrounding both her and the books. I'm... we're... going to Cornell to do some research."

"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Slow down and give me a minute to get out of here and then we'll talk."

"Fine."

"I'll only be a sec."

When Stan finally emerged from the bathroom, he found Sage sitting on the edge of their bed, her legs crossed and her arms wrapped around her waist. "Okay now," he said. "From the beginning. You're going away. With whom and why."

Sage gave her husband a CliffNotes synopsis of the sketch books (without giving actual details), Rowena Stevens and a bit of background on John Van Hudel and the Hudson River Artist Colony while he dried off and slipped into pajama bottoms. Though her posture hadn't relaxed, he could hear the enthusiasm in her words and, in a way, that puzzled him. Stan couldn't actually remember the last time his wife had been excited about anything. Jesus, he thought, when had they gotten so out of touch with each other?

"This means a lot to you, does it?"

She nodded. "It does. Dammit, Stan... I have a degree that holds no more merit than a paper towel if I don't use what I worked so hard for at college. I need this. I need to do something before my brain turns entirely to mush."

Stan walked over to Sage and, lowering himself slowly, eased her legs apart. She didn't stop him... nor did she try. There was a lot to be said for an orgasm or three after an argument; besides, she knew that she had "won". Now if she could only figure out what part Arthur Henderson played in all of this.

"I want to meet him. Henderson," Stan said after they had finished making love and they lay together basking in the afterglow. "Tomorrow."

"Good." Sage sighed. It was a small price to pay to reclaim another small piece of her "self"; she only hoped that Arthur would understand and feel the same.

 

[OnHarry]

Tuesday morning Arthur dressed for work debating what to wear, something he rarely ever bothered with, usually putting on whatever was at hand. He decided on a dark pair of pants and a grey shirt. Having decided this he now had to consider what to buy at the bakery as it was his turn, when the phone rang.

“Arthur, it’s Sage, I will be late today I have to take the kids to school and I have to stay to see a presentation they are doing.”

Arthur smiled to hear her voice and responded with a grin that Sage probably noted as he talked to her, “that’s no problem as it shouldn’t be busy today, or at least not until noon, but you have to bring the pastries and lunch when you come.”

“No problem I will surprise you,” Sage was grinning herself and did not know why. Then she added before she hung up, “Ahh I don’t quite know how to put this but…….” Arthur suddenly felt his gut tighten as if preparing for a blow of some sort, but he said nothing in reply so Sage went on, “Stan says I can go to Ithaca but he wants to meet you first, and he should be there sometime this morning, sorry.”

Arthur was relieved that this was all Sage had to tell him, he wasn’t sure what it was he was afraid she might say but she had not said it. “That’s fine I promise I will control my drooling, and not do any silly walks, fair enough?”

Sage laughed aloud at this and said, “Fair enough.”

Arthur arrived early and did his morning routine and opened a bit earlier than usual and as he leaned against the counter behind his till, savouring his first coffee of the day when a tallish stranger walked in followed by a somewhat severe looking woman.

He was dressed in a conservative but well cut suit, with nothing ostentatious in his appearance. The woman with him was older perhaps ten years older than Arthur, maybe less. She was dressed rather elegantly for the time of day, wearing a sage green pair of Capri pants, with an apricot top and a jacket that matched the pants quite tasteful and not cheap.

Her nails perfectly manicured and painted, while her make up was subtle and well done if he was any judge and it occurred to Arthur she would be fairly attractive if she did not look so severe..

Arthur was about to ask if he could help them when the gentleman offered his hand saying, "Hi Art I’m Stan Kovacs Sage’s husband. She tells me you two want to hang out in some library somewhere."

Arthur was slightly taken aback by Stan’s informal greeting and somewhat irritated by his use of Art, but he said nothing save, "yes that’s right."

Stan made some small talk and Arthur wondered to himself if Sage ever said anything about the store to him as he seemed totally ignorant of anything to do with it. All the time they talked the severe lady wandered around never out of earshot, but saying nothing as she casually looked at some of the books on display fingering them as if they would harm her nails.

After about five minutes of this Stan said, "I have to get to work so maybe I’ll see you around sometime, take care Art, and have a good day."

"Yes you to Stan," and then they were gone the lady never said anything or even introduced herself. When they had left Arthur wondered if he had passed muster or not, though he had a vague idea that the older lady had something to say about it.

When they were well away from the store Stan’s mum said to him, "I don’t think you anything to worry about, in my opinion he is not much of a man and unless you intend to shower with him he is no worry. I think Sage is safe from him."

Stan sighed and said, "I am not so sure about that mum, but if you think so than fine, I guess I will let Sage play her silly little game, and go off and do research, at least it is a good university."

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Arthur looked up as Sage entered the store. "Pastrami on rye," she announced, holding up the bag containing their lunch. "And kosher dills."

At first he didn't say anything, and that worried her. "Arthur," she began, her eyes searching his as she stepped behind the counter. "I know this wasn't fair. I mean... "

"No worse than Jillian," he replied taking a step toward her.

"Yes, but... " Arthur placed a finger against her lips, stopping Sage from finishing what they both knew she was going to say. That Arthur wasn't married to Jillian and that Sage was, indeed, married to Stan.

"Are you sorry?" It was Arthur's turn to search Sage's eyes, almost afraid to hear her answer and quite unsure where he'd found the courage to ask her such a question.

"No," she replied without hesitation, the backs of her fingers trailing across Arthur's cheek. "But... "

"No buts," he said in a voice that brooked no argument from her as relief flooded over him. "Though I do think I might have been graced by the presence of your mother-in-law."

Sage's eyes widened. "Ernestine? Was she horrible?"

Arthur laughed. "Actually, I think she was riding backup. She didn't say anything, just sort of... watched and listened."

"One of these days a house is going to swoop down out of the sky and land on her!" Sage couldn't say that she was surprised, but she was certainly indignant.

"We can hope," Arthur grinned. "Now how about a cup of coffee? It just finished brewing."

They talked about books and orders to be placed as they sipped coffee and nibbled on rugelach Sage had gotten at the same deli she'd bought the sandwiches from; neither of them bringing up the trip. It was a given that Arthur would go no matter what, but...

The sound of the phone ringing nearly sent both of them jumping out of their skins. Sage watched Arthur's face as he answered, the look on his face told her who it was. Stan.

"Hello?"

Arthur moved away when she took the phone from him, but he hadn't missed the way her back had straightened nor the way her chin had jutted defiantly outward. Nor had he missed the crisp tone of her voice. He sighed.

"Why didn't you tell me he was that way, Sage?" Stan laughed.

"That way??"

"Yeah. You know... gay." He laughed again.

"And what makes you think... "

"Mother spotted it right away," her husband continued. "Of course you can go."

"Of course," Sage replied in a monotone, resentment coloring her voice as she wondered whether Stan realized she would have gone no matter what he'd said. "Thanks."

"Oops! Gotta go! New client just came in. Oh, and Sage?"

"Yes, Stan?"

"Chill a bottle... I want to make this up to you," he said in a low voice that she definitely recognized. "I'll try not to be too late."

"I will. See you then."

"Sage?"

"Yes, Stan?"

"I love you."

"Uh huh. Sorry. Customer." Even if she had responded in kind, it would have been too late. Stan had already hung up.

Returning the receiver to its cradle, Sage stared at it for a few seconds and took a long, deep breath. What she felt for Arthur wasn't just about sex, she knew, but what exactly was it about?? She sighed again. Only time would tell. Maybe. Sage combed her fingers through her hair before smoothing her hands over her clothes and looking around. Arthur was nowhere in sight.

 

[OnHarry]

Sage looked about the store and seeing nothing wondered where Arthur had gone, then she wondered to, perhaps he had picked up on the conversation with Stan and been offended, or worse hurt.

He had not left as she would have heard the bell over the door, so he must have gone into the back room, his inner sanctum. Sure enough as Sage made her way towards the back room she saw Arthur standing, well leaning against a table, looking at the carved woman on the end of the art deco book racks, as he sipped his coffee.

She walked in cautiously, wondering what he had surmised from the half of the conversation he had heard. Actually as soon as Sage had taken the phone he had left noting her obvious tension at the call, he felt she should be able to speak frankly without someone overhearing. She went around the table and faced him saying, "you aren't offended are you?"

"Offended," he answered, "about what."

"The conversation I just had, Stan thinks you are gay."

Arthur smiled a bit saying, I did not stay to listen in, but that does not surprise me. Tell the truth I may have just laid it on a bit thick when he was here, but he did not seem to pick up on it. I guess the wicked witch was the one who figured that out."

"Yup,"said Sage smiling mischieviously, as she leaned against the table beside Arthur, facing the same carving. "It doesn't matter I know the difference," then she added sarcastically, "and I am able to go."

Arthur smiled again and then shook his head saying, "we will of course observe the proprieties, seperate rooms, just in case I wish to indulge in some homosexual orgy."

Sage said nothing in reply but just stared ahead. Arthur took her silence to mean she in turn was not pleased about his remark, and so he went on, "also, that way Stan will know you are sleeping alone."

Then the smile left his face and Sage said quietly, "what's wrong Arthur?"

"Every time I am alone," he said quietly, "I think, this must stop, and then I see you and, ....... well , I could no more stop breathing. I cannot believe Sage that you have given me such a singular honour, that is to know you so well."

Sage looked at him as if puzzled how to reply to this, and Arthur swung around till he faced her and setting his coffee cup on the table, he put his arms down on each side of her. Leaning forward he lightly asserted his lips to hers, not pushng just touching, as their lips started to part the front door opened, and that was that for the rest of the day.

For a Tuesday it was again surprisingly busy, and they had little time for anything save the customers, so there was no more intimate conversation, till closing time. As Arthur closed the door behind him, Sage watching him, he turned and said to her, "see you tomorrow, and I am glad you are coming to Ithaca, I don't have a drivers license you see."

There seemed, as the afternoon wound down to be an understood idea that today since Sage had her appointment with Stan, she might be wise to refrain from any intimacy with Arthur. She smiled, said goodbye and walked away towards where she parked her car, the opposite direction that Arthur took. He watched her walk away, craving her as her hips moved sinuously under her coat.

He did the bank deposit and then walked home, wondering as he went, how long could this go on, and alternativly wishing it could go forever. He crossed the river and considered for a brief moment going to the Nordic Bachus, and then decided against it, the last thing he wanted right now was one of Jillian's cross examinations. He went home fed the cats put on a movie, and tried to lose himself for a while, as he ate some Indonesian take out.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Once the children were in bed, Sage took a long, hot bubblebath in an attempt to get herself into the mood for Stan; the wine, as he had requested, was chilling in the fridge. She chose her negligee carefully, a sheer blue one that was one of her husband's favorites, and left her hair down. She glanced at the clock. It was nearly eleven. "So much for an early night, Stan Kovacs," she grumbled, returning her attention to the book she was reading.

It was past one when Stan let himself in, elated by the news that the firm was now officially Harper, Collins and Kovacs. "Sage!" he called out. "I'm in! I'm a partner!"

When she didn't answer, he made his unsteady way up the stairs to their bedroom where he found his wife sound asleep in their bed. "Damn!" he murmured under his breath, kicking off his shoes as he removed the book from her hands. There was an empty bottle of pinot noir on the bedstand beside two glasses. "Sage... I'm so sorry. I forgot."

Sage barely stirred, but Stan persisted. He needed to share his news and make it up to her somehow. Adrenallin and a hefty portion of Scotch spurring him on, he undressed quickly and climbed onto the bed beside her sleeping form, gently rolling her onto her back.

Moaning, she reached for Arthur, pulling his mouth closer to her sex as her orgasm built. "Don't stop!" she shrilled as his tongue swirled and lapped greedily. "I'm... " Sage let go, her body convulsing wildly as she came. "In me... I need you inside of me Ahhhh... " Her eyes flew open as she heard her husband's voice. "I got it, Sage. I got it. I'm gonna come fast."

Her heart was pounding, as much from her orgasm as from the fact that she had almost said Arthur's name aloud. Jesus! What had she been thinking, she wondered as the sound of Stan's snoring indicated that he had fallen quite soundly to sleep. And none the wiser. She, however, wasn't as lucky and was still staring at the ceiling when the alarm clicked in preparation to waken them.

Morning brought sheepish apologies from Stan who hadn't noticed how distant Sage seemed to be. "We'll celebrate on the weekend," he assured her on the way out the door. "Harper is giving a dinner party."

Alone at last, she lingered over her coffee before showering and dressing for work. For work or for... Arthur? Always someone who needed a sense of order in her life despite her latest tangental foray, Sage began to make a list of pros and cons in her head. What was she doing? What in the hell was she doing???

 

[OnHarry]

Arthur’s choice of film was somewhat unfortunate, he watched “Henry And June” the one about Henry Miller when he lived in Paris during the thirties, and his affair with a beautiful author, married to someone else.

He became more and more aroused as he watched, and thought that there were some parallels with his and Sage’s own situation except of course Stan was a lawyer not a banker. As the film went on he resolved several times to shut it off, but could not, and even though he grew more and more aroused he also became more and more aware that this was not a good situation for Sage.

Then he thought about Stan’s opinion of him that he was gay and therefore safe to be with his wife, “HA” he thought, “Shows what you know Stan, how you could let a beautiful person with a mind like hers to be so unfulfilled.” Then he thought as the credits of the film rolled, Arthur always watched the full credits, he wondered if the sex with her husband was as good as it was with him. At least he thought it was good, and Sage seemed to enjoy it.

Then he thought some more, not for the first time about their age difference, he had twenty years on her, at least. He should try and make it up with the Mother in law he thought, smiling at this, it might make her more personable.

Then as he undressed for bed, his arousal evident as he climbed into bed, he thought sadly that no matter what, this could not go on forever, at some point it had to end, perhaps after Ithaca, perhaps after a weekend of such close encounters their passion might burn itself out. This made him sadder than he could have expressed despite the reality.

Arthur, as had become his custom lately went early to work arriving a full hour before opening, his reasons being he told himself to get things organized for the day but in his mind, and perhaps his heart, he always hoped that maybe Sage would arrive early to and he could steal a few precious bits of time with her before he had to share her with the customers, many of whom had come to accept Sage and actually spent time talking to her about books and such, asking her opinions on this or that author.

Sometimes to he noted that many of the male customers leered at her when they thought she wasn’t looking, this bothered him, though if Sage noted it, she did not seem bothered by it.

To Arthur’s surprise Sage walked in moments after he put the coffee on, she had on a calf length fairly full green skirt and one of those tight fitting knit tops she often wore. As she walked in he realized he was grinning like some geeky teenager. He also noted that Sage locked the door behind her.

They made small talk for a few moments while the coffee finished and then taking a mug in his hand Arthur said he wanted to check something in the back room. Sage followed almost as if it was understood. When they were there in the back room Arthur placed his mug on the table and then walked up to Sage who had not said a word since they left the front of the store. He placed his arms around her and drew her into himself, sensing no resistance he then lightly kissed her forehead, then her eyes, her nose and finally he came to her mouth and immediately asserted himself inside her lips, again Sage did not resist nor speak.

Reaching down as they passionately continued he lifted her skirt till he had gathered the material at her waist. With his free hand he went to caress her buttocks and found them bare, and he asked her, “No underwear?”

“It’s a thong silly,” she replied.

“Ahh I see.” He returned his attention to her inviting mouth and as his hands stroked the soft skin of her rear his pants gave evidence to his arousal, and pushing her against the table gently, he undid the fastener for the skirt allowing it to fall to the floor.

Then he seated her on the table edge and knelt down, and with her aide removed the thong, and as she sat on the table her legs spread and exposed to him he leaned in and touched her sex with his tongue. Moving slowly, languorously, perhaps even methodically, along one half of the gateway he would go to the top and then down the other side. As he ministered to her sex, it seemed to blossom before him opening to accommodate his probing.

Sage leaned back on her arms as Arthur patiently worked her labia with his slowly moist caresses. Sensing her rather extreme, arousal he moved his lips to the top of her entrance and using his lips to move the hood back he closed on her pink nub which caused her to moan and squirm the nectar from her arousal now evident outside her gateway.

It was fortunate that Arthur had come back here as undoubtedly someone passing by outside the store would have heard the ecstatic penultimate climax that Sage experienced as he worked her clitoris. Arthur undid his pants with one hand, a bit awkward given his position, and freed his phallus and in the middle of her climax moved towards Sage to penetrate her. He was a bit off target, and Sage gasped, “Wrong door Arthur.”

“Sorry my dear,” he answered as he found purchase in the desired place, and they went on except since Arthur had not masturbated this morning he finished too quickly for his own liking, he stayed inside her as long as his erection lasted, kissing her lightly and stroking her breasts through her top.

Finally he stepped back and pulled his clothes up, and then in a gesture of intimate tenderness, he helped Sage dress. They returned to the front of the store their coffee mugs in hand, and freshened then up.

They were both quiet for some reason until finally Sage said, “I made a mental list of the pros and cons of “ she gestured vaguely towards the back room.

Arthur understood what she meant immediately as he had performed the same exercise himself a number of times, over the last few weeks.

His stomach feeling uncomfortably tight he asked softly, “what did you resolve then?”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

For a minute, Sage wished she hadn't said it out loud, but to dissemble now would be an insult to Arthur's intelligence and she cared too much for him to consider doing that. She sipped her coffee and tried to gather her thoughts. Maybe they would make sense to him. Maybe not. The one certainty between them was that without complete honesty they couldn't continue the way they were going.

"When I applied for this job I had made a resolution to recapture the 'me' that seemed to have gotten lost in the busy yet increasingly complacent shuffle of domestic life." She almost giggled at that description, but it seemed to fit. "You are the most exciting thing that has happened to me in more than a decade."

Arthur stiffened slightly, but Sage continued. In for a penny, in for a pound.

"I used to be fun, Arthur. I used to be full of life. Outgoing. Exuberant. All things considered, aside from my degree, the most monumental event in my life would have to be the births of my children. Beyond that?" Sage shrugged. "There have been little milestones, more like benchmarks really. Rites of passage that no one can avoid. Nor should they."

"I didn't come here expecting to have an affair. I'm not even sure I can blame what has happened between us on the sketchbooks. Maybe they were a catalyst, but I'd like to believe that there is something more to us than that."

Arthur had turned his back as he listened, busying himself at making a fresh pot of coffee while Sage expressed her thoughts aloud.

"For the first time in years, I look forward to waking up in the morning, coming to work... and you. Still, I can't help feeling that none of this is fair to you." She still hadn't mentioned her husband, but that was coming. There was no point in trying to deny his existence; Stan swung between them like an axe-shaped pendulum.

"I'm not looking for a loophole out of my marriage. Stan's a good man, a good provider. That he comes attached to Ernestine at the umbilical is an accident of birth." This time she did giggle. "Our relationship is fresh and new, exhiliarating. I enjoy what we have and frankly, I'm afraid to hope for or to expect more from it. From you. I don't want to give us up, but at the same time I don't know that I'm willing to give my other life up either."

Arthur turned around to face her, still silent. Sage looked into his eyes, searching them for sign of rejection or anger or hurt. She didn't know what. "It must appear to you that I want my cake and eat it, too. Truth is, Arthur, you make me happy. Whether that's fair or not is something only you can say. I don't want to stop... but I don't know how to go on, either. I... "

She straightened up almost defiantly. "I want to go away with you next week. I didn't need permission, but I asked for it. I'm sorry you had to go through that... ordeal. That I made you part of it." Sage sighed. "I'm rambling but I guess the bottom line is that what ever happens between us from now on is your decision to make. I don't have a right to... "

Sage left the sentence unfinished, wanting now more than at any other time to be in Arthur's arms; whispering sweet somethings that would ease the tension, making love.

 

[OnHarry]

Nothing Sage said regarding her marriage or what they were doing was a surprise to Arthur he had considered this all along. The difference was that she had said the word affair aloud. It had been in the back of his mind for some time, he was the other man the guy on the side. It was like the Old Russian proverb about the bear in the parlour, you can ignore it for a while but not forever.

After Sage had looked at him for what seemed like an hour without saying anymore he finally replied “I didn’t hire you because I wanted an affair either, though I have to say you look more attractive everyday.” Sage smiled a bit and lowered her face to her coffee cup.

“As far as it not being fair to me,” he went on, “What do I have to lose, I am unmarried, no commitments, so no problem, and yet you are married with a family and well you have much more to lose than I do. I don’t want you to think either that I consider this, er whatever it is, as a flippant sort of undertaking, I really desire you, and yet I am aware of the complications.”

Sage nodded wondering where he was going with this. Arthur smiled and said “besides if ever I needed a reminder of the problems of this undertaking,” Arthur did not like to use the word affair, “All I have to do is meet up with Jillian.”

He went on, “as to the ordeal of your husband and mother-in-law, well that was nowhere near as bad as the inquisition I got from Jillian, so no worries there. I believe we have to think about how to end this at some point, but let’s not talk about that now. I think maybe we should try and restrain ourselves till Sunday when we arrive in Ithaca.”

Sage nodded not looking all that convinced they could restrain themselves, and then Arthur stepped forward and looked at Sage saying, “don’t worry Sage I am an adult and I can bear whatever comes, and for what it is worth you are probably the best thing to happen to me in a decade as well.”

He reached for her and embraced her and even though they had recently made love, he started to get an erection as soon as they hugged, something that Sage could not help noticing.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Sage moaned softly, her fingers tracing the outline of Arthur's erection through his trousers. Her entire body was screaming for him and the way he pulled her closer told her that he knew it.

They broke away as the bell over the door jangled and a familiar voice greeted them. "Morning, Sage. Congrats on Stan's promotion."

Arthur had turned his back to adjust himself, so Sage picked up the conversation. "Hello, Larry. Stan's pretty excited. Well, I am, too, of course."

"Coffee?" Arthur's back was still to Larry.

"No, thanks," Larry replied. "A little bird told me that the two of you were headed to Ithaca this week for a bit of research and I was wondering if it would entail anything that might spark my... interest?"

Sage's eyebrows furrowed, though she managed to keep a smile on her face as she wondered why her husband had thought what she did was anyone's business but her own. Especially Larry Bigelow's.

Arthur turned around, placing both hands palms down on the edge of the counter. "Umm... yes, Larry. We came across some interesting material while I was in possession of a series of sketchbooks. It bears looking in to. Other than that, I've got some feelers out, but it's all tentative."

Larry nodded, his face seemed to have turned an odd shade of red.

"Are you okay, Larry?" Sage asked, genuinely concerned.

He coughed and ignored her question, his eyes boring into Arthur's. "I wonder if we might have a word... Privately?"

"Sure. We can go in the back." He cast a look at Sage and shrugged as he followed Bigelow who hadn't waited for him to lead the way.

Sage couldn't help wondering what that was all about as she began to straighten up, unpacking a box of books that must have been delivered last night or this morning. Checking the invoice, she carried an armful to place them on shelves where they belonged.

She didn't mean to overhear the conversation between Larry and Arthur, but their voices drifted from his office; they hadn't closed the door. At first, Sage wasn't sure that she was hearing correctly, but when she moved closer, she realized that she wasn't mistaken. Larry Bigelow was propositioning Arthur... and there was only one person who could have said anything to make him think he could. That one she'd deal with later.

Dropping the books on a table near the stacks, she marched into Arthur's office without a how do you do. "Excuse me for interrupting, Arthur," she began. "but I think Larry was just leaving," she added peremptorily. "His wife is probably waiting for him at home."

Larry Bigelow looked up at Sage, a shocked look on his face. "I... I didn't... "

"Out!" She nearly screamed it. She wanted to. And if he had stood still one more minute she might have.

Once she was certain that he had gone, Sage turned toward Arthur who had remained silent throughout. "I can't apologize enough. We both know where this came from. I... " Tears of anger and embarrassment welled up in her eyes. How dare he! she thought, mortified by Stan making a joke over something he didn't have the faintest clue about. Tonight she would make sure she stayed awake until he got home.

 

[OnHarry]

Larry seemed a bit disoriented and rather ill at ease and nervous, as Arthur followed him into the office. “So Larry what is it you wish to know?” asked Arthur, wonmdering where this would go.

Larry looked around nervously and then checking for the fourth time before he spoke said to Arthur, “Ahh, there is something else a little bird told me, I can’t believe I didn’t notice it myself.”

“….and that is exactly,” queried Arthur his brows furrowed in genuine puzzlement.

Larry looked around again and then swallowing hard he said, “Arthur, I heard about your, ahh, orientation, and well I was thinking since I am, well you know, bi, well really more left field than right if you take my meaning and I was wondering, about possibly getting together sometime, to see how we, ahh gel”

This was not the first time that Arthur had been propositioned by another male, though Larry Bigelow was a surprise, as he would not have suspected, and he was momentarily stunned. Taking his silence for if not outright approval, at least not a definite no Larry went on, “my wife and I have this arrangement that so long as I am discreet and highly selective she has little problem with my hobby, as it were.”

It must have been this last bit that Sage heard, and as Larry looked at Arthur awaiting an answer, getting more and more nervous the longer Arthur hesitated, Sage entered like a hurricane making landfall, “excuse me for interrupting, Arthur, but I think Larry was just leaving,” Arthur was amazed at the fury in her face as she added, “His wife is probably waiting for him at home.”

The look on Larry’s face Arthur thought must have been reminiscent of a mouse crossing the kitchen floor at night only to find himself face to face with the resident feline, Larry went a shade of red that Arthur would not have thought possible and managed to say only, “i… I didn’t…”

“OUT.” The last word said with a vehemence Arthur would never have believed possible from Sage,

Larry hesitated briefly like the proverbial deer in the headlights and then beat a somewhat disorganized and hasty retreat, looking like his world was collapsing around him.

“I can’t apologise enough. We both know where this came from. I…,” With that Sage’s face welled up with tears no doubt of anger thought Arthur, and not knowing what else to do, he reached for her and held her to himself.

Quietly he said to her whispering in her ear, through her hair, god how he loved the smell of her hair, “Sage, Sage, I am fine, it isn’t the first time that has happened, though admittedly Larry was a surprise. Please though if you discuss this with your husband, don’t say it in the context of what just happened. I suspect that poor Larry is stressed enough already from your barrage, and I think he would strike his colours in surrender.”

Sage was sobbing now in her anger and whatever else affected her, just then. Arthur held her and stroked her back and shoulders till she calmed down and was able to smile just a bit.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

The rest of the day passed quietly; Sage's laughter when Arthur tried to cheer her up, sounded forced and her face had taken on a strained appearance that did little to refute her "I'm okays" whenever he asked. Arthur was right about confronting Stan. How could she explain that she knew he'd gossiped without revealing the incident with Larry Bigelow? On the other hand, she was absolutely furious with her husband for saying what he had to prompt it.

Sage left the bookstore in time to pick up the children from school, kissing Arthur lightly and assuring him that she would be all right. Again. Still. They just had to get through the weekend before they could take off for Ithica - there was that party Harper was giving to celebrate Stan's promotion in the firm. Jesus! she thought. Larry Bigelow and his wife would undoubtedly be there as well. That night she fell asleep early, determined not to see or speak to Stan unless absolutely necessary.

The next morning she attributed her reticence on a headache and her period. Stan didn't question her and seemed a bit too happy when she told him she wouldn't be going to the store. In truth, she had other plans.

"I might be a bit late. Lunchtime-ish if you don't mind," Sage said to Arthur when she phoned around nine o'clock.

"Is everything all right?" he asked, concern coloring the tone of his voice.

"Of course. No worries. I just wanted to take advantage of a sale or two before we go. I'll bring lunch." Sage smiled dreamily. Her favorite lingerie boutique was holding a Customer Appreciation Day sale and so were a couple of other shops she hadn't been into in ages.

It took all of her will power not to carry her purchases in with her when she arrived at Rivendell at quarter to one, but the canary-eating grin that was on her face was impossible to disguise. "I'm really sorry," Sage said as she placed a half pound of prociutto, two Italian rolls and some sliced cantaloupe on the counter near the coffeemaker. "Has it been busy?"

Arthur waggled his hand back and forth. "Not terribly so," he said, "but something has come up."

"Oh?" Sage's eyebrows arched, but she continued to ready their luncheon without turning to face him.

"You know I'd decided to close the store for the few days we'd be away."

Sage nodded. Here it comes, she thought. The trip was off.

"No, no. It's not that," Arthur continued, moving to stand beside her. "It's the accountants. I had forgotten it was time to do the quarterlies. They're coming in next Wednesday and well... "

This time Sage did turn to face him.

"I wondered if we could leave earlier?"

"Earlier?"

"Say... Friday night? We could come back early Wednesday... " Arthur paused, looking at her discerningly. "Sage? Is something wrong?"

Sage grinned. "Wrong? No, love," she replied, unmindful of the endearment she had just used. "You just made everything perfectly all right." In truth, he had. She wouldn't have to go to that horrible promotion party and thus, she wouldn't have to see either of the Bigelows either. Stanley could take his mother. Leaning toward him, she kissed him on the mouth and smiled. "Come on, let's eat while we've got a chance. I got cannoli for dessert."

 

[OnHarry]

Sage’s use of the word love, immediately caught Arthur’s focus, but he chose not to comment. The lunch was delicious and the store fortunately was slow for a Wednesday, so there were no interruptions while they ate.

The phone rang and Arthur answered it as usual and said little but listened intently, and was relieved when he hung up, to Sage’s unasked question he said, “that was Milly Schmidt, and she has agreed to cover the store from noon on Friday and for Saturday. I guess the store will close on Tuesday, but little loss there.”

“Is she working the store alone,” asked Sage, “and why do you seem so tense when you talk to her?”

Arthur smiled and replied, “ I didn’t realize I sounded tense, but it is just that she has known me since I was born and well she tends to sort of talk down to me, like I was still ten.” Then Arthur brightened up and said “So if she will be here at noon, then we could leave a bit earlier and get to Ithaca by,” Arthur furrowed his brow as he made the time and distance calculation in his head, “say by eight at the latest.”

Sage nodded, saying “sounds good.” The rest of the day became busy and they were both sufficiently occupied that it kept their minds off the weekend. Thursday was fortunately the same and at times they were both rushed off their feet, so by Friday as per their agreement Sage did not come in first thing but packed and said goodbye to the children, though she remained a bit aloof from Stan.

When Arthur came in on Friday he was greeted by a call from one of his students who he had arranged to work with Milly , Carolyn was a master’s student in English literature and one of Arthur’s longest serving part timers, so she knew Milly and worked well with her. Sage thought Carolyn should do something about her hair which was rather flat and stringy. She was however competent and well liked by Milly which was important.

Milly was at her condescending best as she wandered about the store, noting the changes that Sage had made in some of the displays not with approval Arthur thought but she did not say one way or the other. It seemed line an eternity until Carolyn arrived and managed to deflect Milly’s attention elsewhere.

When Sage arrived and for the first time met Mrs. Schmidt sometime after one it was obvious that she did not like Sage, who came in rather flushed looking with her hair looking exceptionally full, and flowing.

“All ready then Arthur,” asked Sage breezily, as Milly glared and Carolyn hid a smirk at Milly’s obvious petulance.

“Yes Sage thanks,” and with that he walked out side to get in the car, to Carolyn’s genuine good will, and Milly’s obvious irritation.

As she went out behind Arthur Sage heard Milly say to Carolyn, “looks like trouble that one.” though she did not hear Carolyn’s good natured reply in her defence.

When they got to the car Arthur said, “we have to stop at my place for just a sec so I can get my bag and then it is off to academia.”

Sage nodded happily and for some reason they spoke little while she drove the five minutes to Arthur’s house. When they got there Arthur got out of the car and almost ran into the house and returned shortly after with his rather drab and worn bag. He threw it in the back and as he sat next to Sage spontaneously leaned over and kissed her warmly.

Sage responded in kind as they sat in the driveway and then just as they broke away Arthur groaned as a car went by slowly. “Don’t worry Arthur I am sure they have seen that before,” said Sage.

“No doubt they have,” he responded sighing but that was Jillian, and I know why she was slowing down, “ she knows the car.”

Arthur rejected Sage’s laughing suggestion they stop for lunch at the Nordic Bacchus, and they were soon driving out of town through Camden, and eventually they left the city behind. At Arthur’s request they took the secondary state highways instead of the interstates and a half an hour out they stopped for a late lunch in a small town.

Arthur seemed like a kid on an adventure since he did not often get away. Sage was looking about the town square really a block filled with grass, flowerbeds and some trees in the middle surrounded by the stores and few offices, as if she knew it.

When they walked into the only restaurant on the square Arthur said “my parents used to stop here during road trips when they came this way it was one of their favourites.”

When they sat down Sage looked about and said, “it hasn’t changed much for a long time except the menu seems updated.”

“You know it to?” said Arthur seeming happy to be able to share a common experience with Sage.

Sage nodded and said as she tried to focus on the menu, “Stan and I used to come here to get away from his mother, she wouldn’t drive this far away just for a hamburger. It seems in those days before we married we had common cause with his mum.”

Arthur looking genuinely concerned, said, “then let’s go somewhere else or just go, I don’t want you to be in anyway uncomfortable,” as he said this he put his hand across the table and touched the back of hers gently, softly caressing her knuckles

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Though the times before had been pleasant ones, Ernestine had always hovered over and between Stan and herself like a proverbial rain cloud. Imagine having had to sneak away to avoid a grown man's mother. Even now, Sage felt as though she took second place in her husband's life much of the time. If it wasn't for the children...

Sage smiled, wishing that they were sitting closer so she could kiss the concerned look from Arthur's face. "Don't be silly," she said. "We're simply making a new memory."

Arthur grinned. "True enough. So what are you going to order?"

She sat back, smoothing her hands over her crew-neck tee and adjusted the belt that cinched the waist of her jeans. "I want... " her eyes skimmed the menu "something... decadent."

Arthur waved his hand making her grin.

"I think that's dessert," she quipped. "For now, I'd like the biggest, greasiest, rare cheeseburger they've got, a ginormous order of french fries with gravy," she chuckled "and a diet Coke."

Within fifteen minutes, her wish had come true. Sage sighed happily as she eyed her plate and, lifting the burger with two hands, took a huge bite that left juice trickling down from the corner of her mouth. Dabbing at her chin, she grinned again. "Heavenly," she enthused. "Who ever said adventures made one late for dinner didn't know what they were talking about."

******​

"What do you mean she left early?" Ernestine exclaimed. "Of course I'll go with you," she added, thinking aloud. "We can get that nice Amanda Morris to sit with the children. You can't go to this function alone. I simply won't have it."

Of course she wouldn't, Ernestine thought, hanging up the phone. What ever was that wife of his thinking - running off on the very day of her son's promotion celebration? Frankly, she had never understood that woman. Or what her son saw in her.

Truth be told, she thought as she perused several cocktail dresses in her walk-in closet, Sage was a good mother, but she would never deign to admit that she might be a good wife. For someone else, perhaps, but not for her son. Choosing a sapphire blue dress that showed off her legs - still good for a woman her age - she grabbed the matching shoes and clutch and laid them on her bed while she gathered makeup and jewelry. A half hour later she was on her way to her son's home via the beauty salon. When his colleagues saw her, they'd barely remember that Sage existed at all.

 

[OnHarry]

Arthur ordered a shaved beef sandwich with cheese and fried mushrooms and onions, and the excellent homemade French fries this place was know for, though he declined gravy. He accompanied his decadence with ice tea, and when done got an apple crisp for dessert.

The conversation during lunch was animated and they talked at length about what each had done as teens and such, and before they knew it an hour had passed. This amazed Arthur that they could sit and talk like this about so much for so long, as if they were old life long friends. However every time he got this feeling another one seemed to rush in and push it aside, that being that this could not last, that at some point he would have to accept that Sage would stop the arrangement, and that would be that.

He occasionally entertained in his head that what if, Sage left her husband and decided to live with him, but that would mean bringing her children, as he knew she would never leave them behind. Arthur realized that would be complicated and the kids would probably blame him for the break up of their parents marriage. He usually dismissed this out of hand after some thought.

When the lunch was done, they walked leisurely to the car and settled in for the drive to Ithaca. They passed thorough a number of small towns and the conversation went from movies, to the scenery, to books, and art. When art came up inevitably the topic of the sketch books was foremost in the discussion. Sage asked Arthur at one point if there would be any problem getting into the archives on the weekend, but Arthur was able to assure her that he had made the arrangements with the archivist responsible for the collection, whom he knew very well.

Arthur started to laugh suddenly as he said that, and Sage asked him, “what was so funny?”

The archivist was in fact gay, he had originally bee the head research librarian at the Brooklyn museum of art, but due to his sexual orientation had been forced to leave, that was in the late sixties, and had occurred after a new board member had demanded he be removed in return for a substantial donation.

It had actually worked out good in the end as he had gotten the position of librarian in charge of collections and archives at Cornell and met a man who became his life mate. Arthur went on to tell Sage that Alfred Schumann the archivist spent the next thirty years cataloguing the collections and such and was instrumental in sussing out the true value of the Hudson River Art Colony stuff. Apparently they had been unaware of the worth of the stuff they had in their possession.

Alfred’s significant other, a math professor, had passed away several years before after a prolonged bout of cancer. Alfred had become semi-retired since then but retained pretty much exclusive control over the At Colony stuff. Arthur had met him years before when he was just beginning to realize the true richness of what they had on their hands, and so Alfred and Arthur entered into a correspondence that had lasted since the mid seventies. Arthur explored things outside the archives on behalf of the Alfred, and sent documents and such back to them as he came across them.

“Why didn’t you send them the sketch books then,” asked Sage.

“Alfred is quite stringent about what he takes in, owing to of course limited space and such, also I did actually discuss them with him and he said while he would have liked to have them his budget would not allow for it, as they did not have the means to store the sketch books and could not afford to set anything up on such short notice.” Sage nodded and Arthur added, “also he made the rather arbitrary distinction that since they were done after Rowena had left that enclave they were not about the colony per se.”

Sage nodded as she drove, and then their conversations turned to the sketch books and the book “Through The Night Darkly” This conversation had a highly stimulating affect on Arthur as he thought about some of the more risqué elements of the book, and he mentioned that Alfred considered the book poorly written and frankly more pornographic than erotic. Sage nodded smiling, and saying, “it was a dirty book wasn’t it?”

“Yup” was all Arthur answered as he considered some of the more nasty sections of the book.

The six hours or so subsequent to the lunch passed all too quickly for Arthur as he really enjoyed this aspect of their relationship, the intellectual discussion on all and sundry. He thought to that Sage enjoyed this as well, it seemed to be lacking in her marriage.

They arrived in Ithaca sometime after eight that evening, and checked into their separate but adjoining rooms. Arthur going into his and seeing the door between the two rooms opened the one on his side and knocked on the one on Sages side saying, “any maidens there to be ravished?”

Sage laughed and said, “I will meet you downstairs in the dining room, after I get out of these clothes and into something more appropriate.”

Arthur took this to mean he should dress a bit for dinner, and so he got out his tweed jacket and a shirt with a tie, and proceeded down to the dining room, and having gotten a table ordered a single malt and water, Talisker his favourite.

He smiled to himself sipping the deeply smoky whiskey and perused the menu and wine list, thinking all the time of Sage upstairs getting into what, he could hardly wait see. Arthur heard his name mentioned and looking up across the barely occupied dining room he saw Sage and he almost dropped his drink.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Sage undressed quickly, pinned up her hair and jumped into the shower. If she did it right - and she knew that she would - she would be washed, dressed and downstairs within twenty minutes.

Forgoing perfume, she put on a strapless black satin and lace corselette and a lace thong, black thigh-highs and a pair of ankle-strapped heels. Her dress was black, low-cut and sleeveless, with a slit up the side that she knew would give Arthur a nice peek at what lay beneath - or at least, she hoped, make him want to see more - completed the outfit.

Her hair was pulled back from her face and fastened with a clip that lifted it up before allowing it to cascade downward just past her shoulders. With a touch of mascara and enough lipstick to make him notice her mouth and wonder what she might do with her lips later... she took one last look in the mirror and smiled.

Sage was downstairs in seventeen, wishing they had ordered room service and seconding the thought when she saw the look in Arthur's eyes. You can hold off, you nympho, she chided herself as she crossed the room and more than one head turned to watch. It felt good to look... and feel... sexy. It had been a long time.

"Do I know you?" she murmured, kissing him lightly as they met halfway; Arthur had stood as soon as she entered.

"I don't think so," he replied, inhaling the jasmine and musk of the soap she'd used as he placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to their table. "Would you like to?"

"Intimately," she purred. Between the taste of the scotch on his lips and dreaming of other places she wouldn't mind sampling, Sage barely realized they were at their destination.

He held her chair and reseated himself just as the waiter arrived. "I'll have a glass of Shiraz. Preferably New Zealand if you have," Sage told him, a bemused look in her eyes as she accepted the menu and turned her gaze back to Arthur. "You know," she said at some length, "I think this is the first time I've ever felt nervous with you." It was true, but maybe it was more a sense of expectancy or anticipation than anything other. But first, she needed to get her mind out of the gutter and decide what she was having for dinner.

"Are you hungry?"

 

[OnHarry]

Arthur was amazed when he saw Sage. She looked like she was off the pages of Playboy magazine when it was sophisticated and none of the women showed their pubic hair. She was stylish in a very traditional way, harking back to cocktail parties, and when Manhattan was the centre of the universe if you were with it. All this he thought in one flash.

He also thought, smiling for Sage, that had he seen her in Playboy dressed like this in those days he would have used her image to accompany his numerous bouts of self pleasure. No perfume he noted, just the clean pure scents of her soap, as he inhaled her bouquet.

He couldn’t help feel a stirring in his loins as he regarded her low cut black dress, and her bare shoulders. All he could say though was, “I feel almost shabby compared to you Sage, you truly are beautiful.”

When she said this was the first time she felt nervous with him Arthur grinned, saying “I feel nervous with you every time we get close to, you know.”

Looking very demure and vampish, Sage said with just the faintest flutter of her eye lashes, “no, Arthur whatever do you mean?”

Arthur almost growled at her as he also considered the possibility of room service, and then for the first time it occurred to him, “what lay beneath the surface, of her little balck dress?”

The sexual tension was temporarily broken by the waiter who returned with Sage’s Shiraz which was California as opposed to New Zealand. He asked if they had perused the menu and suggested the Chateau Briand for two as the cuts the chef had were particularly good that weekend. Arthur raised his eyebrows at Sage who in turn nodded and Arthur said yes that would be fine.

|When he left Arthur excused himself for a moment to go to the washroom, and returned several minutes later from the lobby, oddly enough. After an appetizer of roasted Garlic and brie cheese the dinner wine arrived, Cotes Du Rhone which the waiter had suggested, that would compliment the meal nicely.

The waiter arrived shortly after with his cart and the meat on the covered metal serving dish, with a dark sear on the outside, and virtually raw inside. As per the instructions from Sage and Arthur he sliced the tenderloin thickly and further seared it in the pan and flamed it with brandy serving it to them hot and rare with some grilled vegetables and potatoes and an artfully placed dollop of Hollandaise sauce for the meat. He poured the wine and retreated leaving them to their own devices.

The meat was obviously well aged as it had a really earthy flavour that only the best beef had. Several times during the meal Arthur paused as he watched Sage moved morsels of the rare meat to her lips and he thought how nice it would be to take her across the table scattering the dishes everywhere. However they managed to make it through the meal without incident though they often gazed as hungrily at each other as they did their excellent meal.

Arthur mentioned the movie ‘Tom Jones’ in which the two protagonists ate, but did so in such a sensuous manner, that it was clear their thoughts were carnal, in nature. Somehow they made it through the meal without event, but the tension was growing and as they sipped their last bit of coffee, each of them seemingly trying to prolong the delicious atmosphere, Sage looked across at Arthur and almost purred, “Come up to my room, and see what we have for dessert.”

Arthur smiled in what Sage thought was an almost evil expression and he said, “Why whatever do you mean, madam?”

Sage stood up as Arthur proffered his hand to her and he couldn’t help but notice the lacy top to the thigh highs through the slit in her skirt. And the expanse of bare thigh above and he wondered if she even had any underwear on. The affect on his libido was highly stimulating and for a brief second he considered forgoing his plan and just going back to the room.

They walked out of the dining room and as they entered the lobby there was music coming from the lounge and Arthur said to her “why not an after dinner drink first?” but before Sage could answer he had his arm around her waist and was escorting her somewhat reluctant self towards the bar. They sat down and before the waitress got to them Arthur looked over at the disc jockey and nodded towards him.

This brought a puzzled look to Sage’s face until the guy playing the music, said into his microphone at the end of the current song, “here is a number for all the lovers here tonight,” Sage looked about and even though it was ten there was almost no one here. Arthur stood up as their waitress arrived and said simply “Shiraz, brandy.”

He offered his hand to Sage as the song started, Tony Bennett crooning out the words to “The Way You Look Tonight.” To her surprise Arthur was quite an accomplished dancer, unlike Stan, and as they moved sensuously around the room Arthur felt a deep contentment, though even now he could hear the voice of Jillian warning him as his hand moved somewhat low to the top of Sage’s shapely buttocks.

He felt almost overcome with the emotion of the moment and as the song finished Sage smiled at him and for some reason, after a peck on his lips with hers, said softly, “thank you.” Then they sat down to their respective drinks. Sage said quietly “I hope you don’t plan on too many of those.”

Looking at his brandy Arthur smiled and said, “I doubt that this will in anyway impair me, with you Sage.” Then looking across at her face in the muted light of the lounge he said for the second time tonight, “My god you are beautiful.”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

http://bestsmileys.com/birthday2/12.gif
to
Rivendell Bookstore

Thanks, OnHarry for a wonderful year!

************​

Sage felt herself blush, a mixture of pleasure and desire. "I... " Never comfortable with compliments, she started to demur then held her tongue well aware by the tone in his voice and the look in his eyes that he wasn't just paying lip service. She smiled. "Flattery, dear sir, will get you... "

Arthur grinned. "Another turn around the dance floor?" She nodded, drinking the last of her wine as he stood, leading her away from the table.

She slid her hand up the front of his tweed jacket and rested it on his shoulder as he placed one hand on the small of her back and gathered her free one in his own. He smelled good and the wine had begun to relax her a bit. Sage felt her nipples harden as her breasts brushed against his chest.

He led and she followed, the dance, like their first, slow and sensual. By the time it ended, her entire body was aching with the want of him. "Arthur... " Sage's voice was low and husky as they returned to their seats and Arthur turned her in his arm to face him.

"The tab," he replied, his eyes boring into hers as he gestured to the waiter. A quick scribble later they were on the elevator and Sage was in Arthur's arms, kissing him deeply, salaciously, hungrily. They emerged breathless and expectant, entering their rooms through Arthur's door; Sage turning to face him as he pushed the door shut with one foot and took her into his arms again.

It was funny, Sage mused as they kissed... While they were downstairs, getting Arthur back to their rooms seemed her number one priority. On the elevator, it was all she could do to keep from balling him right there. And now that they were in the privacy of the hotel room, she suddenly realized that they had time. All the time in the world - or so it seemed - and she wanted their lovemaking to be slow. Oh. So. Slow.

Melting into him, she shivered as her fingers unfastened the buttons of his jacket and she slid her arms around his waist and behind. The cool cotton of his shirt did little to hide the feel of his muscles as her fingers smoothed up and down his back. Every touch of their hands, their mouths, their tongues enhanced and deepened her desires, her passions. Sage moaned softly and lifted one leg, sliding her foot up the outside of his calf and up.

 

[OnHarry]

YEa sure get me all excited thinking there was an update to the story and then this. SIGH.

It has been a wonderful year though, no small part of which was your contributions.