A New Way of Seeing Things Ch. 27

Gwen went over her mental checklists Saturday morning while cleaning and re-cleaning the house. She knew she couldn't leave it anything less than spotless for her daughter and son-in-law, but occasionally found herself distracted by doubts about what she had packed prior to Tim returning home the evening before.

The dress she intended to wear to dinner that evening was hung by her small suitcase and ready to go while the items to wear under it were tucked safely out of sight in the bag. Still, she checked several times to make sure she had included everything she felt she needed for their evening at the Inn.

Tim's gifts were in there, too; more than once Gwen considered leaving the album at home to be given later, when the time was right, and even went so far as to take it out of the bag once. Only the thought of having to explain her delay to Natalie made her return it to its hiding spot underneath her packed clothes.

Bringing the objects under the magazine in her nightstand had been briefly considered as well. It was dismissed, though; using them might be too brazen given the romantic circumstances this trip was intended for, and besides, what if someone went through their bags while they were at dinner and found them? The idea of returning them to the closet crossed her mind as well, but Alison already knew about their existence, and Jason too, she thought ruefully; they were probably better hidden where they were.

The time she had spent with Natalie the day before weighed heavily on her mind as well. She had mentioned to Tim that they had ridden together, hoping he would ask for more information, but had apparently been too occupied with several phone messages to ask whether they had done more than ride. She had not told him of their activities after, and it bothered her that she had not been more forthcoming about their activities, despite the fact he had not been upset with her past dalliances. She would offer to tell him more, as much as he wanted to hear, Gwen decided. After this trip was over, though—she had enough to worry about as it was.

Tim and Gwen were on the road that afternoon well before their housesitters arrived. They took their time, stopping several times along the way to browse local shops one or the other found interesting.

It was a little past 4 when they made the turn onto the long driveway of the Inn At Little Falls. "More cars," Gwen murmured, remembering how empty the parking area had been the last time she was here. More cars meant more people, more people meant more risk of others finding out why they were here, and why she had been her before...

"More cars than what?" Tim asked, a smile on his face.

"Oh, uh more cars than I expected would be here," Gwen quickly lied. He would find out soon enough this was not her first visit; no need to start the explanations and apologies now. Steven and Norman awaited them at the top of the stairs that opened on to the wide porch. Gwen was mildly relieved to see they played their part perfectly, greeting her as if this was her first time in their establishment. It was only when Steven was leading Tim forward on a tour of the premises that Norman fell back, slowing Gwen as her husband turned a corner up ahead. "Natalie told us why you're here. Don't you worry about a thing!" She smiled, but a wave of panic rushed over her. They knew?

Her memories were vivid as they were shown to their room. The afternoon sun lit the space rather than the morning light she had remembered from that day, but everything else was the same. Tim whistled appreciatively. "Nice place," he told the innkeepers. "This is perfect!"

"We like it," Steven, replied casually. "We're glad you do, too. I understand you have reservations down at Levi's?"

Tim nodded. "Our children set that up for us as an anniversary gift. Good food, I hope?"

"The best this side of Atlanta! In the meantime, please feel free to wander the grounds, have a glass of wine or a beer...the porch is wonderful for sitting this time of afternoon. If you need anything at all, just let us know."

Gwen thanked them, and the door closed with a quiet thunk as they took their leave. The room produced adrenaline and fear, like the recollection of a memorable unbroken horse or a roller coaster...

Tim looked at her. "We've got a little while before dinner," he motioned to the French Doors. "Want to sit out in the garden?" A quick test of the bed would be fun, he thought, but she seemed too distracted for that just now.

"Maybe later. I think the porch might be nice, though."

"Porch it is."

They were not the only couple out there, and Gwen was grateful for the distraction of other people, quietly sipping her wine before excusing herself as Tim talked fishing with another middle-aged gentleman. As good a time as any to get ready, she decided.

Closing the door behind her, she took her bag and retreated to the bathroom to sort out the items she had worn that morning not so long ago. I won't show him this until he's seen the album, she resolved. If he doesn't like the pictures, he won't like this. The corset and stockings were fitted as quickly as possible, the possibility of being interrupted and prematurely exposed hurrying her efforts. The Slut suggested it might be a good night to go pantiless, but the Lady loudly squashed the idea, reminding her that the underwear was so wispy and brief as to be practically non-existent anyways, and that she was going to dinner with her husband in a nice restaurant, for goodness sake! At least pretend to be raised properly! The dress itself was the black one she had worn to the Chamber of Commerce dinner, more racy than she was used to, but presentable for a dimly lit restaurant. She reluctantly had to admit it managed to not hint too broadly at what lay underneath. Somewhat satisfied, she exited the bathroom as Tim returned from the porch.

"Hey, I was wondering where you—" He stopped as he took in her transformation. "Wow."

"What, is something wrong?"

"No, no, something is very right, but uhh, wow, different. You look incredible."

She could tell his words were genuine. "Well, thank you. I figured this dress would be alright since we're out of town anyways."

"Of course it is." The dress is great, Tim thought, but there's something more, something he couldn't put his finger on...he looked to her feet. "Have you ever worn shoes with that much heel? I like 'em. A lot."

Once before, the Slut slyly replied, but Gwen did not put voice to the answer, instead looking at the floor.

He took her in his arms. "Wanna skip dinner and get to dessert?"

"Plenty of time for dinner and dessert," she said with that soft firmness he had first seen all those years ago. "Get dressed."

Tim almost seemed to pout. "Yes, ma'am."

Gwen made her way out to the garden on slightly unsteady legs and sat while he changed, confident in the privacy the lush greenery afforded, smiling when her husband came out in a shirt and tie. The only time she ever got to see him like this were weddings, funerals, and planning board meetings, she mused, but darn, he cleans up nicely. She could not deny the pride she felt in the anticipation of being seen with this handsome man. "Shall we go?"

Their hopes of a romantic setting and good food were not disappointed. They exchanged their customary gifts before ordering, a fishing supply gift certificate for Tim, a tack shop spree for Gwen. They stayed for some time, just enjoying each other's company, before deciding it was time for bed.

The drive back to the Inn was made in silence, Gwen fretting over what was about to take place, Tim, just smiling in anticipation of what he hoped was to follow. A bottle of champagne and two glasses were in their room when they returned, compliments of the innkeepers. She was not really much into champagne, but anything would help. Gwen poured a glass for herself, then her husband.

"Tim, I, uh, have another gift I'd like to give you."

"Hopefully it's under that dress, because I love unwrapping presents."

"Not that, at least not yet. Something else."

His smile never wavered. "Honey, you didn't need to get me anything else..."

She smiled weakly and moved to her suitcase. Her back to him, he looked on curiously as she fiddled for a moment then turned, a gift wrapped box in her hands. "I know I can't ask you not to be upset with me, but Natalie said you would like this..." Gwen handed it to him, picked up her glass, sat down on the edge of a chair and nervously sipped.

Tim was baffled by her statement. Her normal air of calm and control was gone, replaced by a sense she was about to bolt for the door. He sat on the edge of the bed and carefully unwrapped the package, a red leather-bound album coming out of the paper. Tim looked at her questioningly, but she looked down to her glass and took another sip.

"Family photos? We haven't sat for one of those since the kids were in high school."

"No, not quite," she murmured, but offered no more.

He again smiled, arched his eyebrows, and turned the cover as Gwen held her breath. The smile disappeared and his eyes widened as her husband turned the first page. Tim flipped forward two pages, then back, and looked up. The shaking woman would have giggled at the expression on her husband's face had she not been on the edge of panic.

"How, wha...?"

The Lady and her worst fears took over. Gwen hurried to where he sat and grabbed for the album. "I am so sorry," she blurted, "I thought you might—"

Tim quickly pulled the leather-bound book out of her grasp. "Oh hell no! You're not gonna tease me and then take it away!" Gwen finally dared hope the look in her husband's eyes was not anger or disgust, but excitement. "Are they all like this?" She nodded, still looking for further confirmation he was not somehow displeased.

Tim again opened the album to the first photo while Gwen returned to her seat and nervously sipped champagne. He only made it to his original stopping point before looking up again. "These are all of you?"

Gwen managed a smile. "I know it doesn't look much like me, but it is me, and I had someone—a professional photographer who specializes in that...kind...of picture take them. You're not mad, right?"

"Mad? Gwen, I've only looked at 3 pictures and this is one of the best gifts you've ever given me! I would never have believed you had it in you!" His voice dropped a bit. "The rest of pictures are like this, right?"

"Worse."

Tim's eyes were already back on the album in his lap. He turned several more pages, each one intently studied for quite some time, until he looked up and over at the dressing table, then back down at the page, then back at the dressing table. "You took them here? In this room?"

Gwen took a gulp of champagne, almost choking on the bubbly liquid. "Yes."

Confusion again crossed her husband's face. "But when? I thought you've never been here before?"

"I'm so sorry Tim, I lied, but I couldn't think of any other way to keep this a secret. We took the pictures when I told you Natalie and I came to Atlanta to go shopping."

Tim smiled, but was unable to resist the urge to resume viewing the photos. "I see. I should have known—you hate shopping. At least, you used to...so Natalie was in on this?"

"It was her idea—she did the same type of thing for Adam!" Gwen stopped abruptly, afraid she had given away one of her sister-in-law's secrets.

"Well, that's a bit of a surprise, but not as much as this." It was several more pages before he spoke again. "You showed so much skin—you're practically naked! I can't believe you did this!"

Gwen's fears again rose to the surface. "Please don't be mad, I really thought you would like it!"

Tim moved to where she sat and kissed her. "Honey, I'm not mad, I'm incredibly flattered that you would do such a thing for me. I can only guess how hard it was for you to let your guard down like this." He sat back on the bed and resumed viewing his gift. "Guy or girl?"

"What?"

"Was the photographer a man or a woman?"

"Oh—uhh, a man, but his wife was in the room the whole time, and Natalie was here with me, too!"

"That must have been even harder for you, to get naked in front of a strange man like that."

"I was so worried you were going to get mad for letting him see me like that. You're not mad, right?"

Tim laughed, but did not look up. "Trust me, I'm about as far from mad as I can get right now. I'm just impressed he was able to keep his attention on his camera long enough to take these. This is like seeing you naked for the first time again!"

It took him some time, but from her vantage point, Gwen could see when he reached the blank page dividing the bedroom photos from the bathroom set. He smiled and flipped the page.

Tim laughed. "That old shirt looks a hell of a lot better on you than it ever did on me! And where was this taken?"

"The Innkeepers' private quarters. They let Barry use it for the shoot."

He continued to intently study the photos. "I've seen Walt in that position dozens of times," Tim said without looking up, referring to the picture of Gwen lying on her back under the sink, "but never once did I consider it sexy. Is it bad or good if I see this the next time he's headfirst under a vanity tightening the feed lines?"

It took him some time before he slowly flipped the last page over and looked up at Gwen. "Wow. This has been a night full of surprises." Tim delicately laid the album on the nightstand, stood and moved to where his wife was still sitting and clutching her empty glass. Gwen looked up nervously at the man towering over her. What now? She quickly glanced at his midsection, now at eye level. Her husband's dress slacks were unable to adequately mask the rigid length straining against the fabric. Maybe she had read his reaction to the album correctly?

Tim took the glass from her and set it on a nearby table, then gently took her hands and pulled Gwen to her feet. He kissed her, not roughly, but with the intent of a man who knew what he wanted. Callused fingers grasped the catch of the dress's zipper and pulled, the purr quick and muffled. Hands reached for her shoulders as he stepped back.

The dress was pushed off of Gwen, momentarily catching on her hips before Tim finished the job. "And yet another surprise," he murmured as corset and stockings were revealed. "I thought you felt a little different under that dress. The same outfit as that one, right?" He asked, gesturing to the album on the nightstand. Gwen nodded and looked down at the floor, slightly embarrassed for some reason.

"Well I hope you brought my shirt too, because you're gonna model that after," he continued. "But right now—" Tim firmly placed his hands on Gwen's hips and steered her to the side of the bed before lifting and tossing her back, "I've got something I really need to take care of." He quickly began discarding clothes, his eyes never leaving the corset-clad body on the bed. "Take your panties off, but leave the rest," he commanded. "Spread your legs." Gwen had the underwear off by the time her husband was rid of his pants, Tim's boxer shorts tented by the staff between his legs. "Touch yourself. Are you wet?"

She already knew the answer, but followed his direction anyway. A finger was inserted at her opening and dragged up and over a clitoris anxious to be touched. Gwen nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Good. Keep playing with yourself." Tim watched for a moment to make sure she was doing as she was told, and then began pulling off socks and underwear, his cock snapping lewdly against his stomach as he pulled the shorts over it.

Gwen was embarrassed to be masturbating in front of her husband, of so openly showing him what was his to take. Her clit had no such reservations and begged to be touch and stroked.

Tim stroked his now-free cock several times as he watched the show in front of him before climbing between Gwen's legs. She thought he might use his fingers or kiss her down there, but he was in no mood for preliminaries. His hands came down beside her shoulders and he crouched briefly before flexing his hips and stabbing forward. His lips met hers as his cockhead pushed against her other lips. There was no subtlety to his movements, and with a single thrust he buried his length deep inside her, balls slapping against the skin of her cheeks. "I guess you were wet," he murmured and began to stroke.

Tim did not take her gently, rising up on outstretched arms as he pounded while her breasts wobbled under the repeated impacts. Gwen knew he could not last long at this pace, and soon after he proved her right, using his feet to lever himself more deeply into Gwen's welcoming body as his seed filled her.

Spent, he rolled to his side and exhaled sharply. "Sorry, that was really selfish of me," he grumbled. "Let me take care of you now." A hand was already sliding down towards her sex, towards where the remains of his orgasm were already beginning to leak out of her...

"Let's take care of each other," Gwen announced as she closed her legs and rolled over to kiss her husband. "Do you think you can do it again?"

Tim smiled. "I may have a hard time walking out to the truck tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure I can go all night."

"Then let me use the ladies' room and we can do exactly that." Gwen rose, careful not to allow her leaking sex to make contact with the duvet cover. "Would it be alright if I took this off?" she asked over her shoulder as she moved to the bathroom. "It's pretty, but a little constrictive."

"Only if you come out wearing less than what you went in with."

Gwen cleaned up as best she could, certain there some of her husband's orgasm remained in her even after she finished. "Well, that's definitely less," Tim agreed as he looked up from the album he had again opened and to his now completely nude wife. "Still a great look for you, though."

She smiled and climbed under the covers next to where he still lay on top of the bed. "So, you really did like your gift?"

"Oh yeah, there's a couple of things I got my eye on for the boat—"

"Not the gift certificate, the album!" she pointed out, completely missing his jest.

"I know," he smiled. "but I do like the gift certificate. The album is on a whole 'nother level of like, maybe about 20 levels up." Tim kissed her. "I can't get over how much you must love me to do something that out of character. I would have never have guessed in a million years you would do that."

"I do love you more than anything," Gwen agreed, "and Natalie kept telling me how much you would like the pictures, but I have to tell you—after I got over being scared, I liked doing it. It was fun to try and be sexy in a way that you'd like and would look good in an album."

"You succeeded beyond anything I could have ever imagined." And I've imagined a lot, he thought.

Nothing more was said for quite some time as they made love, relaxed and passionate, Tim bringing her to orgasm with his tongue and fingers before mounting her for a slow and gentle coupling. Despite his declaration to go all night, they fell asleep in each other's arms shortly after he spent himself inside her again.

Tim's stirring awoke her the next morning, early morning sunlight streaming in the windows.

"Want to go get some coffee and sit in the garden?" Gwen asked, smiling at her husband.

"We can do that," he agreed, but do me a favor and put on the shirt you wore in the pictures so you can model it for me when I get back with the coffee.

"I can do that," she agreed, and went to her bag after Tim had put on a t-shirt and pair of shorts and padded down to the breakfast area. Gwen thought about leaving the shades on the bay window and French doors shut, but the urge to be just a little bit naughty prevailed as she tied back curtains and opened windows and doors, the grass yard and trees behind their room offering enough seclusion this time of morning. As promised, she was dressed in nothing but the faded Nelson Plumbing shirt when Tim returned with their coffee.