Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 23

After that, Steve had a standing appointment to play guitar and sing every afternoon. The hospital had a small auditorium and they had the children that could be moved taken to the auditorium where Steve would perform for half an hour. By the end of the week, parents and staff would pack into the room as well as the hallways leading to the auditorium.

"Did you happen to hear anything about a new YouTube video?" asked Gwen one evening when she returned from classes. "One of the other girls showed it to me between lectures. You've been doing concerts without the rest of us, haven't you?"

"Not really," began Steve. "I've been playing for some kids at the hospital, but no one would call them concerts."

"No one except a few teenage girls that think Steve Hammer is the most handsome, sexiest, nicest guy in the whole world," countered Gwen. "There's a twenty minute video showing you singing to these girls in the hospital. You really should watch it."

Gwen placed her laptop on the table in front of Steve and tapped the 'enter' key. He watched the video where he strummed the guitar and walked around the small auditorium, stopping to sing a song directly to a girl in a hospital gown. When the song ended and the applause let up, he'd begin playing and singing to a different teen. He didn't realize that he had been recorded, but saw nothing wrong with it.

"Is there a problem? I was just trying to cheer the kids up. A nurse asked me if I'd visit them and one thing led to another. Are you upset?"

"Are you kidding? Look at the comments! These wonderful, but very ill teenagers have jealous friends! The kids feel like they're lucky to be in the hospital! That is not a common reaction, believe me. I've been hearing about you from the other med students and the staff. They think you're practically performing miracles! The kids are much happier and responsive to their treatments," explained Gwen. "You've done a very good thing, as usual!"

The doctors conducted a battery of tests on Sybil but were unable to reach a consensus on her prognosis. They felt it was still too early to determine if she'd recover use of her legs, or even any feeling. Early in the second week, Steve walked into her room to find Sybil sleeping.

Without thinking much about it, he quietly moved the chair down to the end of the bed to massage Sybil's feet and lower legs. As he took her left foot in his hand, Sybil suddenly gasped and came awake!

"What did you do?" demanded Sybil as she stared at her foot in Steve's hand. "I felt something!"

"I'm helping you get well," grinned Steve. He carefully released Sybil's foot and moved to stand close to her head. Then he kissed her gently before speaking softly to her.

"I'm going to dance with you at my wedding. I want to show everyone what an amazing woman you are. Plan on hours of work between now and July 4th. You're going to recover fully. I won't accept anything less."

"You don't owe me anything, Steve. You don't have to spend so much time with me. I'm a big girl and I can get through this on my own," insisted Sybil somewhat weakly.

"You're so wrong. I owe you everything, and I always try to pay my debts. You probably can recover on your own, but you won't be. I'm going to move you back to Sparta as soon as possible. We have most of the equipment we need for your therapy in Valhalla, and what we don't have, we'll get. We'll get the best therapists available. Gwen told you that you were one of us now. This is what we do for our friends and relatives."

"You're with my daughter again?" interrupted a smiling Mallory Burke from the doorway. "I hope Gwen is as understanding as she's reputed to be."

"Mom! I felt Steve touch my foot!" announced Sybil with delight. "He's going to work with me to get better back in Sparta. I'm going to dance at his wedding!"

Mallory Burke was unable to conceal her joy as she rushed over and hugged her daughter while tears ran down her cheeks and dropped onto Sybil. Then she turned and hugged Steve tightly.

"Now I have to worry about finding the right dress for Sybil to wear at your wedding? I should add it to your company's bill," cracked Mallory as she wiped her tears.

"No need," assured Steve with a grin. "I'll take her shopping and buy her outfit, right down to her little thong."

"You will not be buying my daughter panties, nor will you be getting into them," stated Mallory as she held Sybil's hand. "To think you talked me out of the sexual harassment clause."

"Mom, I'll decide who gets in my little panties," declared Sybil. "Quite honestly, Steve would be my first choice, but he seems to be taken and he has that damn moral code he lives by, so I'll keep looking. When I get so I can walk again, I'm going to be looking a lot harder than I did in the past. Almost dying makes you think about your life and the things you've missed. I want a husband and family of my own."

Lady in Red had a huge turnout for Charlotte and Gwen's graduation from Stanford University School of Medicine. Only immediate family was allowed to the actual ceremony due to lack of seating, but everyone attended the celebration held at a nearby hotel.

Gwen and Charlotte were smiling all evening as family and friends constantly congratulated them for their accomplishments.

"What do you call the person that graduates last in their class at medical school?" asked Billy to everyone within earshot, before yelling the answer. "Doctor!"

Steve and Billy were extremely proud of their fiancées. It had taken years of hard work to attain their goals and they had somehow managed to stick with it. The two women had just a week before they were scheduled to join the staff aboard the SS Charity. They would be gone for almost eight weeks as it delivered much needed medical care to countries bordering the Indian Ocean, from Southeast Asia to the African Coast.

While the main focus was on vaccinating children, they would also treat injured and ill people as time and room permitted. Gwen and Charlotte were extremely excited about the experience they would gain on the voyage.

Once the graduation celebration was over, everyone headed back to Sparta. Sybil, Janice, and Mallory rode back on the Red Lady with them. Steve and Gwen had arranged rooms to be readied for them at Valhalla. That way Sybil would be convenient to the equipment she would be using to rehab from her injury. A physical therapist had been hired to oversee her recovery.

That week saw Steve and Gwen make love several times a day as they tried desperately to 'stockpile' their sexual needs so they could more easily endure the almost two months they would be apart.

Steve was surprised to learn that Cheryl was going to be traveling with the two friends. She was working on a documentary for a school project at Duke. He was even more surprised when Cheryl introduced him to a young man named Jeff Hook.

"He'll be the one following you around all summer and recording everything that you do. Between the two of us, we should have a very good documentary on a summer in the lives of Gwen Anderson and Steve Hammer.

Steve turned in surprise to Gwen as he shook the young man's hand. "Could you excuse Steve and me for a few minutes?" asked Gwen. "We have some personal business we have to discuss."

Once they were removed from any possibility of being heard, Gwen faced Steve. "I'm so sorry! I forgot to tell you that I agreed to this documentary thing. It's really important to Cheryl and her friend. If they do a good job, they'll each gain four credits at Duke. I agreed to it while you were in the hospital after saving those kids on the bus. Maybe I wasn't thinking clearly. Are you upset with me?"

"Yes, I am," replied Steve with an evil grin. "For penance, you'll have to give me three blowjobs and one trip around the world, but in our bed, if you know what I mean."

"That seems fair enough," laughed Gwen. "Especially when I planned on doing more than that already. Thanks for being such a great sport!"

Two days before Gwen and Charlotte were scheduled to depart to their ship, a story broke on cable news about a Ukraine mobster running afoul of Lady in Red owners. Speculation held that the owners and their very close friends traveled to Kiev in response to an extortion demand. The supposed master mind of the crime had not been seen since the day the Red Lady flew out of Kiev.

The entire group was in Marsh's Landing when several reporters approached Gwen. "How do you respond to reports that Steve Hammer and some of his friends, including your father, traveled to Kiev in response to an extortion threat by a known mobster and vicious killer. That same day, your home in Stanford came under attack, as did your family compound here in Sparta, all by Ukrainian nationals."

"We're having a quiet dinner," responded Steve curtly as he stood to face the reporters. "You really need to learn some manners. I suggest you leave right now."

"Just a minute, please, Steve. Let me respond once to that rather long and ambiguous question," broke in Gwen as she stood and placed a calming hand on Steve's chest. "It was Winston Churchill that said, 'We sleep soundly in our beds at night because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm'. These men sitting at this table are such men, including my father. No, make that, especially my father! They stand ready to protect us from anyone that would do us harm, and we're all thankful that they do. I will not comment on any specific incident, but I will say that these men are the real thing. We will never pay extortion. These men will never tolerate anyone attempting to harm any of us. That is what I want you to report to your viewers, and to the world."

With that, Gwen waved a dismissing hand, turned, and allowed Steve to help her back into her chair. The reporters took the hint and left the room.

"My God!" exclaimed Gwen's grandmother. "You certainly told them. People love how strong and protective these young men are, including Ted. You offered no explanation or apology, except that people should think twice before tangling with Lady in Red. Your message was unmistakable."

Two days later Gwen, Charlotte, and Cheryl departed for the other side of the world, while the rest of Lady in Red began working on planned films. Kate had her screenplay ready and production began on the movie. Steve found her extremely easy to work with and had a great time making the movie with her.

Paula, on the other hand, seemed stiff and nervous all of the time. Steve knew she'd have to relax or the movie would be a disaster. The first scenes they filmed were simple interactions with basic dialogue and little else. Paula had difficulty with her lines and finding her spots on the set. After several days with very little usable footage, Kate took Steve aside and spoke to him privately.

That evening, Paula rang Steve's doorbell. "Kate suggested that we work on our scenes tonight. She said you'd be expecting me. I know I'm really screwing things up for everyone. Maybe you should get Diane to take my part."

"I guess that's always a possibility, but there are two things wrong with that idea," replied Steve. "I wouldn't get to see you naked that way."

"There is that, but I doubt you'd miss it very much once Diane pressed her boobs against you. What's the second thing wrong with the idea?" asked a dejected Paula.

"I already mentioned the two things I'd be missing," grinned Steve.

"You only mentioned one. You want to see me naked. That's one thing," insisted Paula as she became aware that Steve was staring at her chest and arching an eyebrow. "Oh! That's what you meant be two things?"

"Absolutely," replied Steve with no embarrassment. "I've decided that I'd better act fast or I may miss my opportunity. If you bail on me and Diane gets your role, I may never get you naked, so let's rehearse the love scenes tonight."

"I don't think I'm ready for that," sputtered Paula as Steve pulled her close and began kissing her neck. "I don't even know how I'm supposed to act when you do that."

"Really?" asked Steve. "You don't know how to respond when a man you've been working to seduce for a couple of weeks finally begins to yield to temptation? It's called 'acting' and you need to think how your character would respond when mine does this."

With that, Steve again kissed Paula and slowly unbuttoned the top button on her blouse. He traced his finger along the upper swell of her breasts as he maintained lip contact. Slowly, his finger slid another button out of the way and allowed his fingers to trace lower on Paula's chest. Paula moaned into his mouth when he slipped his hand inside her bra.

He soon found her very hard nipple and squeezed it gently. Paula reached up and quickly began undoing the buttons on his shirt. She had it opened and pulled off his shoulders in seconds. Then she reached down for his belt!

"Paula," managed Steve as he pulled his lips from hers. "This is a rehearsal, so we won't do anything that we won't be doing in front of the cameras, okay?"

"I understand that, but you'll have your hands inside my bra, so wouldn't I have my hands inside your pants?"

"Well, yes, I guess you would, but you wouldn't be touching me, not really," replied Steve.

"So you're saying that I will be putting my hands down between your legs, but somehow won't touch your package?" whispered Paula as she once again kissed Steve. "How am I supposed to do that?"

"Well, you might be touching something when we film it because it'll be impossible not to feel me when you have your hands in my jeans, but for our rehearsal tonight, I don't think you should do that. When we film the scene, we'll be in front of quite a few people, including Ted, so I won't get so worked up that I get carried away. Tonight, we need to have some restraint."

"You really don't find me all that attractive, do you? Diane had her hands all over you in that movie and you had a hell of a time with her big boobs. How many times did you have to film those love scenes? You must have kissed and squeezed her for hours. This was a bad idea. I should go home. I don't belong in this movie. I'm too old and plain looking."

"I don't think so," replied Steve as he gathered Paula up and carried her to one of the guest bedrooms and placed her on a bed. "We're going to rehearse and you're going to do your best to seduce me. Just respect my limits and I'll respect yours."

Once again Steve began kissing Paula. She tried to resist at first, but soon was kissing him back with great ardor. Steve simply grabbed the front of her blouse and yanked it open, sending the remaining buttons flying across the room. He rolled over holding Paula tight to his chest and deftly reached back and unhooked her bra. He pushed her up and away briefly so her bra would drop off her substantial breasts. Paula watched Steve closely as he gazed at her exposed flesh. She saw his eyes widen with desire as she felt his cock grow beneath her. Slowly, she lowered a nipple to his lips.

"I think you've got the idea," mumbled Steve as Paula's nipples caressed his face. "In fact, we have to stop right now! You're an extremely sexy and I'm only human. Let's get in the hot tub and talk for a while."

"Are you kidding," demanded a very flushed Paula. "You've got me half naked in bed and you want to stop? I know you like what you're seeing. Can't we practice a little more?"

"Paula, it's called 'rehearsing', and no, I can't do this anymore. You're ready for the love scenes. Jesus! You're a hot woman, but you're also married and I'm engaged. It's almost seven thirty. Let's get into the hot tub. Come on with me. I have it ready."

Steve grabbed Paula's hand and pulled her to the enclosed porch where the tub was located. He knelt and tugged her jeans to her ankles and helped her step out of them.

"You'll have to decide whether your underwear remains or not," stated Steve as he dropped his jeans and then his boxers before stepping into the tub.

Paula shrugged and slid her panties over her smooth, round ass. She left them on top of her clothes before following Steve into the tub and sitting close to him.

"Thanks for not letting me make a complete fool of myself. I'm afraid I wasn't acting, or rehearsing," revealed Paula. "I was ready to go all the way with you and it's pretty embarrassing now that I can think rationally. It makes sitting naked with you seem pretty calm and boring. I know I don't have to ask you not to tell anyone how terribly I behaved. That's one of the things I like best about you. I know you don't tell tales out of school."

"I wanted to talk to you about the movie," responded Steve. "You seem nervous on the set. Is it because you've been worried about our love scenes? Kate thought it was and suggested that we have this little rehearsal tonight."

"Kate thought we should do this?" asked a very surprised Paula. "Or do you mean that she expect us to go over the scenes I screwed up today?"

"She pretty much told me that if I don't get you naked and over your fears, the movie would never get made," replied Steve. "She felt that you had to come to the realization that it's okay to be a little crazy. So now you're sitting naked next to me and I can see most of your beautiful breasts above the water level. How do you feel about me looking at them?"

"Truthfully? I really like it. I could tell that you liked them when my bra came off and you first saw them. I felt you get hard for me. That was a real compliment," admitted Paula. "I was worried about what you'd think. Now I only have to worry about how a few hundred million people will perceive me. Do you honestly think I look okay?"

"No, I can't say that you look okay," answered Steve as Paula slumped slightly. "You look fantastic. Ted told me that you've been using the gym and rearranging a few pounds. He said you have a better figure than Diane. I've got to tell you that you look perfect."

"Ted said that to you? You two were discussing me like a prize heifer or something?"

"I guess that's a good comparison. The old bull was telling the young one what to look for and to expect. He has experience in the area. I'm still learning about you."

"Well, you certainly learned a lot tonight," chuckled Paula. "It's funny, but I'm very comfortable sitting here naked with you. A lot of it is how well I can trust you. I finally understand what the girls have been saying about being naked around you and the other men. They feel very safe and protected. Being nude next to you isn't at all scary."

"You sure don't look scared, Mom," came Kate's voice from the doorway. "It looks like you're getting over some of those hang-ups. Think you'll be ready to film tomorrow?"

Paula had instinctively lowered her torso down into the water when she heard Kate's voice. For her part, Kate strolled toward the tub as she pulled her shirt over her head and then lowered the pair of shorts she had been wearing to reveal she had worn no underwear. Without any apparent embarrassment, Kate stepped into the tub and sat on the other side of Steve.

"You guys having a little party without me?" asked Lisa as she moved into the room. She was soon nude and stepping into the tub next to Kate.

"Mom, are you going to sit on Steve's lap, or shall I?" asked Lisa with a smirk as she watched her mother try to sink lower into the water.

"Here, Paula, let me help you." offered Steve as he gently grasped Paula's elbows and lifted her from the water and placed her on his lap. Lisa quickly sat where Paula had just been. "That's better, don't you think?"

Paula was a brilliant red as she held her breasts in her hands and looked from one daughter to the other. Finally, she let out a sigh and sat very still as Steve placed his hands over hers.

Kate and Lisa then engaged Steve in conversation about the movies they would be making, Gwen's work on a hospital ship, and the current situation in Washington. Paula began to relax slightly and join in. Finally, Kate pushed the envelope a little,