The Wheels of Fortune (closed for DarkWarrioress)

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess held her spine rigid as she contemplated her surroundings as well as her feelings. It had been a long time since she had felt like this. Then again, maybe she had never felt like this before. She thought she had, back when she was first married, but now she even wondered about that. Everything she was experiencing around Arthur was new to her and to be truthful, it frightened her just a little. Tess could feel his eyes on her back. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking.

“Tess,” he said with a sudden thought. “I bet you’ve never stern sculled. Would you like to sit with me and learn how to do it?”

She turned slightly to look back at him.

“Arthur, I’m not even sure what you just said.”

Her voice held a slight tinge of laughter. The pull of being back in his arms was strong. She moved slowly and made her way b ack toward where he sat.

“Where do you want me?”

She asked innocently enough.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Where do you want me?

Arthur’s immediate thought was an image of Tess naked on his bed, her ankles and wrists tied to the bedposts, holding her spread-eagle. He was standing beside her, exploring her body, searching out her sensitive spots and experimenting to discover how to pleasure them. He dismissed the image as soon as it had formed.

“You’re right-handed,” he noted, “so take my place on the port side.”

He raised the shaft and slid under the oar to sit on the starboard side as Tess gingerly shifted to the stern thwart beside him, with the oar between them.

“Take hold of the handle,” he instructed her, and when she did, he placed his hand on top of hers.

It felt good to hold her hand, and he squeezed it gently as he explained the stroke.

“You move the oar in a figure eight, turning it as you stroke from side to side so the curve of the blade faces away. This gives you thrust. We’ll worry about steering once you get the hang of rowing.”

He lifted the oar to show her the curved blade and went through the stroke so she could see it. Then he lowered the oar and guided her hand through the figure-eight. He continued to hold her hand while she practiced, and left her on her own after he felt she had the technique down.

“Steering is simple,” he explained. “You just hold the blade flat against the water on the side where you want to turn. You can pull against the flow if you need to turn quickly.”

He took her hand again and guided her through a few turns and shifts of direction.

“Now you can see our beach,” he said pointing straight ahead. “Let’s see yu take us in.”

He released her hand and sat back to leave her in control.

“You can use two hands on the oar if that’s easier.”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“You’re right-handed, so take my place on the port side.”

Slowly Tess made her way to the port side and sat down.

“Take hold of the handle.”

She did and felt his hand cover hers, making her smile as he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“You move the oar in a figure eight, turning it as you stroke from side to side so the curve of the blade faces away. This gives you thrust. We’ll worry about steering once you get the hang of rowing.”

Tess frowned as she listened and watched Arthur’s movements as he explained.

“Steering is simple, you just hold the blade flat against the water on the side where you want to turn. You can pull against the flow if you need to turn quickly.”

Her nose wrinkled. She wasn’t convinced that it was simple at all but she was willing to give it a go. Laying his hand over hers again, he guided her through a few turns and direction shifts. Okay. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all…. She hoped.

“Now you can see our beach. Let’s see you take us in.”

Arthur was pointing straight ahead. This should be easy, right?

A few minutes later…..

She was about to admit defeat. She was. How in the world did she manage to keep going in circles? Or even face the direction they were coming from?

“Arthur…” she started quietly… “help. What am I doing wrong?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur sat silently as they went in circles, and then laughed cheerfully at Tess’s distress.

“Nothing to worry about,” he said. “You’re just not turning the oar so the curve faces aft. When you pull then, it pushes the boat to the side. Here, let me show you again.”

He placed his hand on the oar’s handle, entwining his fingers with hers, and directed her through the proper motions.

“Here,” he said as he rolled the oar a half turn. “When you come back in the figure-eight, you rotate the oar like this so the blade stays facing the right way.”

They were aimed at his beach now, so they could go straight ahead. Arthur continued to guide the rowing, his fingers still meshed with hers. As he looked at their hands on the post, his left and her right, he imagined the hands as both hers, bound at the wrist and tied to the high ring on one of his bedposts. He pictured himself exploring her body again, once more seeking the points of pleasure particular to her. A brief and shallow sigh at it being only a thought, and he put the image out of his mind.

To the beach, then, and he gave a hard thrust with the oar to send the bow up on the sand.

“Time for some lunch,” he declared as they stepped ashore and unloaded the craft.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Arthur’s laughter resounded off the still waters of the lake. The sound of it made Tess smile. Then she was paying attention to Arthur’s instructions. It was hard to concentrate with his hand touching hers, directing hers. Her mind wanted to slip into something more pleasant and exciting, like… the feel of his hands skimming over her skin. Cupping her breasts. Tess gave a soft sigh and small shake of her head. Before she realized it, Arthur had beached their boat.

“Time for some lunch.”

His statement brought her back to the present. She waited for him to help her out of the boat and snagged up the blanket she had brought to lay out their lunch on. They worked as a team to set out lunch and then sat down together to enjoy it. The feel of the sun on her skin was wonderful. Tess turned her face up to the sun briefly before lowering her gaze to Arthur.

“I had fun today, Arthur. Thank you. I hope lunch is to your liking.”

She had kept it fairly simple. Sandwiches, fruit and some tea. In the basket was also a bottle of wine and wineglasses. Who knew? Maybe he would like a glass of wine later.


“Tell me about New York, Arthur. I have never been there before.”

There was a child like curiosity to her voice. And, they were going by train. She had never ridden a train before either. Excitement bubbled up in her and threatened to spill out.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur enjoyed working together with Tess in setting out lunch, and as they worked, he reflected on their developing relationship. He felt that she would sleep with him if he made advances; he could feel her receptivity in her hand as they rowed back to the beach. He was reluctant, though; he wanted her to know more about him, maybe all about him, before their relationship would become intimate. It would be for her, he decided, to give herself to him, and to give herself in full knowledge of who he was. He realized his affection for her wasn’t for a brief interlude; he wanted her as a partner in his life.

“I enjoyed myself, too,” he replied. “You’re very good company, and you caught us a nice brookie for dinner.”

They enjoyed the lunch she had prepared as well as the setting for it, and, perhaps needless to say, each other’s companionship for the meal. After eating, Tess offered the wine she had packed, and poured them each a glass.

“To tell you about New York would take years, Tess,” he said with a little laugh. “Like all great cities, it is filled with the best and the worst that humanity can put forth. And a hell of a lot of the mediocre between the two extremes. You’ll experience some of it this weekend, but still I will tell you what I can for now.”

He briefly noted the usual tourist sites in the city, but then paid more attention to his favorite places, including Central Park, the South Street Seaport, and, most of all, Greenwich Village, the area around his town house, just off Washington Square Park.

“We’ll be there three full days,” he pointed out, “so we do have time for sightseeing. I’m afraid Friday and Saturday nights will be taken up by dinner with my publisher and editor, but Sunday night is ours. We can have dinner and then take in a show, if you’d like.”

He stopped to refill their glasses, and had a sudden thought.

“You know,” he started, “the world-famous Fifth Avenue starts just around the corner from my place. I’d be honored if you’d let me take you on a little shopping spree on Friday. There’s the classics - Saks and Bergdorf-Goodman’s - uptown, as well as some of the top international boutiques. Please say yes.”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess listened intently as Arthur spoke of New York and she smiled as they enjoyed the wine she had packed as an afterthought. It seemed fair enough to have Friday and Saturday nights spoken for, after all, she would have had Arthur’s attention on the train trip to New York and would again on the ride back home. Funny how she thought of here as her home now.

“Dinner and show sounds wonderful, Arthur.”

“You know,” he started, “the world-famous Fifth Avenue starts just around the corner from my place. I’d be honored if you’d let me take you on a little shopping spree on Friday. There’s the classics - Saks and Bergdorf-Goodman’s - uptown, as well as some of the top international boutiques. Please say yes.”

She was hesitant. She couldn’t afford the places he spoke of, but he wanted to take her shopping and she knew she needed something fancy for dinners and a show.

“It goes against my grain to accept such generosity. You have already given me so much. Not to mention the trust you’ve put in me thus far,” she sighed softly and took a sip of wine, “but I can’t afford the places you are talking about and I don’t have anything fancy to wear for dinners or even a show you want to take me to, so I will accept. Thank you for offering, Arthur.”

How on earth had this man become something special to her in such a short time? He didn’t strike her as the type who did things for others and expected something in return. She also realized that she was giving him something as well. Her company. Not that her company amounted to much in comparison, but it was all she had to give. There was also the sudden realization that physically she was finding herself attracted to him as well. She still didn’t know much about Arthur Hawthorn and she wanted to. Desperately so.

“I might have caught the brookie, but you’re going to grill it for us and my mouth is watering at the thought, “she laughed, “and we just finished lunch!”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“You really don’t have to dress fancy to go anywhere with me, Tess,” he said with a smile, “but I did think that you might enjoy the shopping and the opportunity to wear something new on your first trip to New York City.”

He took a sip of wine and then looked back into Tess’s eyes.

“And I’d enjoy it as well,” he added. “It’s been a long time since I went on a shopping trip with a woman. I think I’d like it very much with you.”

He reflected on his relationship with Tess as he drank more wine. Why did he feel so comfortable, so at ease, so familiar with her. Yes, there was the issue of their meeting, of the thought that fate or fortune might have sent her his way, that the memories stirred by that first view of her wheels was a sign that she was meant for him. Or maybe that they were meant for each other, that they each had a need the other could fulfill. God, he was tempted to take her in his arms right then and there, but he knew he had to wait, wait to see if she would give herself to him. Time. Time was what would tell. Time for her to get to know him better. Time for him to get to see the depths of who she was. He was so fond of her already that he could wait, that she was worth waiting for.

“Yes,” he said, “I would like it very much with you. I like your company. You make me feel in a way I’ve not felt for a long time.”

Not since my Emily, he thought, but wouldn’t say that. He didn’t want her to think she was a replacement for Emily. He didn’t want himself to think of her a replacement for his lost lover. He wanted their relationship to be theirs.

“Perhaps we should have an early dinner, then,” he laughed. “I am looking forward to making trout in blueberry sauce for you. It’s one of my favorites.”

There was still some time to be together on the beach before even an early dinner, time to talk or time to silently enjoy the warmth of the sun and the sounds, sights, and scents of the woods and lake around them.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Her eyes widened when he said he would enjoy shopping with her. Her ex… well, that was a whole different story. He had gone shopping with her once and it had been a disaster. Back in those days, Bradley never let her out his sight. He made her cover up the bruises he had given her and the longer she made him wait, the more ill-tempered he became. The end result was that she hurried through her shopping and got the barest of necessities. Brad always controlled their money and the fact he had taken her shopping in the first place was surprising. To hear Arthur say he would enjoy taking her on a shopping trip was something she couldn’t even comprehend. The thought of it made her smile warmly.

“Arthur, you’re an amazing man and I feel very lucky to have stumbled into your company. Not only am I looking forward to spending our train trip together, but I’m also looking forward to New York as well.”

Obviously, Arthur enjoyed the good things life had to offer. He had earned it. The fact that he wanted to enjoy it with her was nothing short of remarkable. She still didn’t understand it. She had been a woman on the run and had always lived paycheck to paycheck. Running into Arthur showed her a side of life she had never experienced before. It wasn’t his money or way of life that drew her. It was the man himself. He was kind and caring. There was also the matter of his sexual prowess. He and his wife must have had an amazing sex life. It made Tess wonder about Arthur and wonder what would happen between them if she gave herself to him. There was some little twinge inside her. Some sort of heat even. It made her restless and to be frank about it, it also scared her. The very fact that was even curious about Arthur’s sexual nature was a step she had never taken before. However, she knew she would need to take that step some time. She just wondered how much of a failure she would be. Brad had not been exactly encouraging. Arthur on the other hand….. mentally she sighed.

“Perhaps we should have an early dinner, then,” he laughed. “I am looking forward to making trout in blueberry sauce for you. It’s one of my favorites.”

Tess laughed as well.

“I’m so looking forward to it. I just can’t imagine fish in a blueberry sauce.”

Arthur was educating her and she was enjoying it. Amazingly so.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

They sat in the sun for over an hour, sipping their wine and exchanging the occasional word about a sound or sight or scent around them. Arthur suggested they head in at around three to start on dinner. Once in, with lunch all cleaned up, Arthur noticed the message light on his land line. He picked up the phone and listened for a few minutes.

“It was John - from the bank,” he reported. “He wants you to invoice him for your work on the computer program. He hopes five hundred will be okay. And he also asked if I was okay with him giving you a five hundred a month retainer.”

He smiled at Tess.

“You’re only working part-time for me, so I have no problem with you being available to help with computer problems when they need you. Here,” he said holding the phone out towards Tess. “Listen to his message, and then there’s time to call him if you’re interested. He’ll be in his office until five. The number’s on the speed dial.”

He handed her the phone and headed into the kitchen.

First the blueberry sauce. He retrieved the frozen berries and dumped them into a sauce pan. Heat on, a little sugar added, and he stirred constantly, breaking up about half the berries as they heated. Some cornstarch dissolved in a bit of water to thicken the sauce, and then turn the heat down to keep it barely above a simmer. Time to clean and prep the brookie, then, and Tess could help bring everything out to the deck. An al fresco dinner would be nice, he thought, and he had some fresh sweet corn he picked up the day he met her. That would go well, buttered and salted, with the fish, and a chilled Sauvignon Blanc would be ideal. He finished fileting the trout as he waited for her to finish on the phone.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess looked from the phone in her hand to Arthur’s back as he disappeared into the kitchen, presumedly to start dinner. There was an indescribable look in her eyes, but the closest thing would be.. lost. A $500.00 retainer? For a simple fix to a problem? Seriously? Looking down at the phone again, she reached out to push a button and listened to the message herself. A quick glance at the wall clock told her she still had time to make the phone call. Sitting down in the chair closest to her, she hit another button and listened to it ring on her end. After the second ring, the phone call was answered and she started talking to the bank manager. A few pleasantries were made and she inquired if the program was still running smoothly. The bank manager again asked about retaining her and she readily agreed. At the conclusion of their phone call, Tess hung up the phone with a bemused shake of her head as she headed out the kitchen to find Arthur.

“Arthur, you never cease to amaze me. Also, you puzzle me greatly. I mean, people in town take your word for everything. Just who are you?”

She sat down at the island and stared at him in wonder as he worked. She hadn’t fabricated either. He was an enigma to her and she had never met anyone like him before. She was also aware of the fact that while she felt he had some romantic interest in her, he would not make a single move in her direction, overtly, until she gave him some inclination of her own interest. He was respecting her boundaries, given what she had been through and that went a long way in her trust. She had concluded that she was interested in Arthur. She was just scared. What if he turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing? She thought about the people who already trusted him. Surely, she could take a step in the same direction, couldn’t she? It had been a long time since she had felt a man’s arms around her, holding her, making her feel safe and cared for. Could she trust her instincts? They were all yelling at her to take the step, yet she hesitated. Why? What if she was wrong? What if she only thought Arthur had an interest in her? What if she misunderstood the little things?

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur laughed.

“If you’re talking about John offering you the retainer,” he said, “it had little to do with me and a lot to do with you.”

The trout fileted, he turned his attention to the blueberry sauce.

“And the fact that you didn’t realize that is part of why he offered the position,” he continued as he crushed some berries and added some sugar, herbs, and spices to the saucepan. “He’d already paid a couple of geeks well over a thousand bucks to not fix the problem, and then you came along, fixed it easily, and didn’t even ask for anything for yourself. You were capable and friendly; his geeks were either ripping him off or incompetent. Most people around here appreciate friendly and helpful; John figured he was much better off with you on call than them.”

The sauce was bubbling nicely; it was time to head out to the deck and fire up the barbecue. He had Tess gather up the plates and such as well as a couple of ears of corn, butter, and salt, and then he led the way out with the fish and the saucepan. He resumed their conversation as he started cooking.

“As for me, people have learned they can trust me. I’m honest and respectful; I think it’s the only way one should be. People appreciate that. There’s other wealthy folks with summer homes up here, but many of them act like they're better than the people who live here. That’s worse than tourists, I’d say, and the locals react that way to them.”

Dinner was ready, and they sat down to eat. A toast with the chilled Sauvignon Blanc and they took their first bites.

“What do you think of it?” he asked, and then they settled into reflections on the pleasures of the day.

And as they talked, Arthur reflected on more than the day - on everything that had gone on between Tess and himself, on how comfortable he felt with her and how attracted he was to her, how aroused, in fact.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“And the fact that you didn’t realize that is part of why he offered the position,” he continued as he crushed some berries and added some sugar, herbs, and spices to the saucepan. “He’d already paid a couple of geeks well over a thousand bucks to not fix the problem, and then you came along, fixed it easily, and didn’t even ask for anything for yourself. You were capable and friendly; his geeks were either ripping him off or incompetent. Most people around here appreciate friendly and helpful; John figured he was much better off with you on call than them.”

The smell of crushed blueberries filled the kitchen and Tess inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent. When he added the sugar and spices, she all but swooned.

“I guess I’m just not use to people being so trusting, especially when they take the word of others. The very fact that you trust me----” she shook her head in amazement and watched him head out to the deck to turn on the grill.

Following his instructions she gathered plates and silverware for their dinner as well as the butter, salt and pepper. She set the outdoor table and paused to admire the view of the sun moving lower in the sky, casting its waning glow through the trees and over the placid waters of the lake they had been on not that long ago. Arthur, after setting the fish to grill, went back inside and got two glasses and a bottle of wine to share.

“As for me, people have learned they can trust me. I’m honest and respectful; I think it’s the only way one should be. People appreciate that. There’s other wealthy folks with summer homes up here, but many of them act like they're better than the people who live here. That’s worse than tourists, I’d say, and the locals react that way to them.”

It didn’t take long for the fish to grill or for Arthur to slather it in the blueberry sauce he had made earlier. With their plates filled with portions of fish with an overlay of blueberry sauce, freshly grilled corn and a glass of wine, they sat down to eat. The silence between them was companionable as they ate and drank.

“What do you think of it?”

Tess groaned softly as she pushed her empty plate away from her, reaching for her wineglass.

“Arthur, that was amazing.”

The sauce complimented the fish as he said it would.

“It has been,” she continued with a soft sigh of contentment, “an amazing day. Thank you for the day, dinner and your company.”

Reclining her head back against the chair, Tess stared up at the sky and watched as the colors changed. The sun was setting. She could get use to this, this place, this man. Maybe it was time to really start living and trusting again. She snuck a glance at Arthur where he sat drinking his own wine and enjoying the view from his deck. Was he lonely, she wondered mentally.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur accepted the compliments and settled down to quietly enjoy the sunset with Tess and a glass of wine.

“Yes,” he agreed, “it’s been quite an enjoyable day. It’s been years since i’ve felt like this. You’re good company, Tess. I really like being with you.”

They settled into silent contemplation of the scene around them and the day coming to an end. Arthur had to admit to himself that Tess really did make him feel good; he felt almost completely at ease with her. Almost, because he felt again and again that he’d wrap his arms around her, kiss her, maybe even make love with her but had to hold back, had to let her signal she’d be receptive, lest he frighten her away. And that he didn’t want to do. He was hopeful that after the past five years he’d found a companion, a lover to start a new life with.

“Do you believe in trust at first sight,” he suddenly asked with a slight laugh. “I do.”

“When I first saw you on the highway, I knew I could trust you, that you were a truly honest person. It was written all over your face. Your face is exceptionally expressive, you know.

It was right after I got through the initial shock of seeing your car, similar color and model to the car that killed my wife, and with the identical damage to the wheels and axle. I looked at you and could see the sense of loss in your eyes, and not just for the loss of the car, but for what the car meant to you. With the loss of your car, I could also see a loss of hope.

I lost hope over the accident in my life and never regained it. When I saw you had lost hope, I knew I had to do whatever I could to help you get it back, no matter what that hope had been for.

You’re looking for a life without fear, and I think you can find it here, so I hope you’ll stay long enough to see if it suits you. The people here- most of them - are honest and respectful, and that respect extends to others’ private lives. It’s not the proverbial small town full of gossip and judgement, here people are content to live and let live.”

He stood up then.

“It’s time to get inside. The sun’s almost set and we do need to clean up. Berries and trout - perfect to attract bears. We don’t want to leave anything out. Besides, we have to pack for tomorrow. If you’d like, you can make an invoice for the bank, and we can stop there on our way to the train station. You can take care of your retainer contract then too.”

As they carted everything into the kitchen, he asked her to join him in the study for a few minutes.

“I’d like to talk to you some more,” he explained.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Did she believe in trust at first sight? No. Not really. Life had taught her that much, but deep in her heart she knew she believed in giving basic trust until someone decided to show her otherwise. Tess reached out as Arthur stood up and put her hand on his arm.

“I hope you’re right, Arthur. I want to believe that I have finally found a safe haven, found people I can trust. Found,” she looked up at him as she got to her own feet, “found someone I can trust with my heart. I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet. Guess I won’t know until I try.”

She moved to help him clean up and take everyone inside. She couldn’t believe that tomorrow they would be on a train heading for New York. She was looking forward to it. As they put the food away and washed up the dishes they had used, she further replied to Arthur.

“I think that’s a good idea, especially if we have the time. I’ll write up that invoice and sign that retainer contract while I’m at it. I know it shouldn’t take too long.”

Tess had given it some deep thought and finally concluded that it was just too good of an offer to pass up. Right now, there were very few jobs in town as Arthur had warned her of so this job with the bank was a godsend.

Wiping her hands on a kitchen towel to dry them, she smiled at Arthur.

“I can’t believe by this time tomorrow we’ll be traveling to New York on a train. You’re a nice man, Arthur.”

Tess took a few steps closer to him and stood up on her tiptoes, leaning in to kiss his cheek before she slowly backed away, hanging up the towel.

“I think I’ll go pack my suitcase and see about that invoice.”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur was about to remind her that he wanted to talk when her kiss caught him off guard. He quickly decided it was better no to talk. He had planned on telling her more about himself, but the kiss made him realize that would be telling her how he saw himself. It was for her to come to her own view of him. And the kiss was a positive move.

“I’ll pack too, and then maybe write a bit before heading to bed,” he responded. “Good night, then, unless you’re up and want some company. Feel free to come to the study. You wouldn’t be disturbing me.”

It didn’t take him long to pack, and he was down in the study within a half-hour. A half-shot of Redbreast to sip while he worked, and he settled in at his desk. A few passages in his mind began to wander, reflecting on how he actually did see himself. A liar, in a way; after all, his career was in writing fiction, but what about his real life. That’s what most people would call it, he thought, but for him the real life was a story, a series of stories actually lived, stories that were and are and will be. His writing? Well, that was stories, too, obviously, but stories of things that couldn’t happen. That was his surrealism. And then there were the stories that could be, the ones he played with Emily, the ones she designed the playrooms for. There, and everywhere else for that matter, they could play out what wasn’t but what could be. In the “Bridal Chamber” she could be a virgin bride, or ravished bride, or a queen with her consort.

Those were the fields where he and Emily shared the same stories - the stories lived and the stories acted out. But where Arthur had his written stories - those that couldn’t be, Emily had hers of what might have been. Those were her therapy, her reliving her past with a different outcome, a positive outcome to transform the abuses of her past into a different history.

Tess had bad experiences as well, but, Arthur felt, she would deal with them by making a good present and future for herself. That was what the seeming loss of her car gave her face the look of lost hope; it was her key to a new life. “Maybe with me,” he found himself saying out loud, and that almost surprised him. He knew how fond he was of Tess; now he admitted to himself just how fond he was. A sip of his whiskey, and he went back to the keyboard to write, to write his stories of things that couldn’t be.