Modern Love story. Chapter 16.

We came round the back. Carl and another man were sitting at a table on the terrace. Carl, unusually for him, was dressed but then so was his visitor. Carl saw us at the same moment and he immediately beckoned us over. Kelly smoothed down her dress once more and we walked towards them. They both got up, and Carl did the introductions.

"Jeff, may I introduce you to dear friends of mine, Kelly and Ben."

"It's nice to meet you both," said Jeff, "Carl has told me all about you." (All about us? Hopefully, just a figure of speech.)

"Hello, Jeff," I said, "It's nice to meet you too."

Jeff looked older than Carl but that might have been due to his graying hair and the fact that he was somewhat overweight.

"Carl," said Jeff in an admonitory way, "you didn't tell me that Kelly was this attractive!"

Kelly smiled graciously. Carl invited us to join them, and pulled up two chairs. It was difficult not to laugh as she sat down; she was so awkward as she tried to maintain her modesty. There was a bottle of white wine in the ice bucket. Next to it were two additional glasses and it appeared that we had been expected. Carl retrieved the bottle and poured out some wine for the two of us. Jeff had an American accent and I asked him what part of the USA he came from.

"I live in California, in LA to be precise."

"And what do you do, Jeff?" Kelly asked.

"I suppose you'd describe it as a form of marketing. I make commercial videos for companies, sometimes about their products, sometimes about the company itself. It is not that glamorous but it pays well."

Carl interjected, "Jeff is far too modest to tell you this himself, but he has won awards for his work. He is one of the best in the business."

Jeff laughed, "They were merely awards from a trade association, that's all. The way Carl talks you'd think they were Oscars! He's always one to talk things up." There was something about him. I couldn't put my finger on it. I sensed the bonhomie was false and the charm was something that he could instantly switch on as necessary.

"And how did you get to know Carl?" Kelly asked.

"Through business. Carl undertook a project for me." Jeff answered. "We hit it off, and we've stayed in touch ever since. Anyway, that's enough about me. What about you two? Are you both enjoying yourselves here?"

"Yes we are, aren't we, Ben?" She looked at me to confirm it and I nodded.

"I hear you've got to return early, Ben, That's a shame." I nodded again. (Maybe Carl had told him everything!)

"Are you here on holiday, Jeff?" I asked.

"No, I'm working, believe it or not. But when I'm over here in Europe I always make the effort to look up Carl."

At that precise moment there was a piercing shriek. Kelly had seen a huge spider close to her foot. In her panic she raised her legs out of harm's way without giving a moment's thought to her lack of underwear. Jeff was thus treated to the sight of her naked fanny, and from point blank range, too. Kelly, realizing at once what she'd done and blushing furiously, immediately stood up and pulled her dress down to cover herself. Her embarrassment was not lessened in any way by the fact that the three of us were all laughing.

"Kelly," I said, "I think you misheard what Jeff said. It was Carl that he likes to look up!"

Jeff, still smiling, again exercised his oily charm. "You don't need to be embarrassed, Kelly. You are an extremely attractive woman," there was a theatrical pause, "in every respect. And you, Ben, are a very lucky man!" (I know I am, but why does everyone feel the need to tell me?) "And now, unfortunately, I have to leave. It's been very pleasant meeting you both. Enjoy the rest of your holiday."

Carl got up too and they went indoors. A short while later we heard the car drive away. Carl returned wearing a broad smile on his face, and as usual, nothing else. He looked straight at Kelly.

"And how is Little Miss Muffet?"

"Don't start," she said, "I feel stupid enough, already."

Carl spoke again. "I shouldn't worry about it, Kelly. You certainly made Jeff's day, anyway. He said you were the nicest thing he's seen since he arrived."

Kelly blushed once more.

It was still hot and although we were sitting in the shade my skin seemed tight from our day in the sun. I had to cool off in the pool and I asked if anyone else fancied going in. Within thirty seconds we were all in the pool. Initially the water had seemed cold to our overheated bodies but in fact it was absolutely perfect. It was softer than the seawater and seemed to caress the skin. There was a ball floating around so we were able to play catch. Carl and I would both try to throw the ball so that Kelly would have to jump for it.

Are you want to be a perfect sex partner?

We were thus treated to the occasional glimpse of fanny as well as seeing her breasts jiggling. Kelly, on the other hand, would always try to return the ball so that we didn't have to move to catch it. She therefore fondly believed that she was a more accurate thrower of the ball than either Carl or me! When we'd had enough of the game we swam a few lengths of the pool.

Ten minutes later Kelly informed me that she and Carl were going inside. She promptly climbed out of the pool, followed by her lover, and they stood there drying themselves for a couple of minutes or so. She was still toweling her hair as they walked towards the villa. And as they went indoors Carl's hand was already on her bare buttocks, gently caressing the damp goose pimpled flesh.

I carried on swimming for another ten minutes and then I also climbed out. I'd forgotten to bring my towel with me and I ambled back to the table where we had been sitting to retrieve it. I dried myself, fetched a beer from the fridge and returned to the terrace.

From behind the shuttered windows of Carl's bedroom I could hear the unmistakable sounds. And for a fleeting moment I was jealous. This wasn't fair! I had been the one who'd been sexually provoked all bloody day and yet it was Carl who was getting his leg over. But I was being irrational. After all, they were only doing what I'd been encouraging them to do from the start. And it wasn't as if I was going to miss out either; she'd be sleeping with me that night.

I sat down and took a mouthful of beer. It was with a growing sense of contentment when I closed my eyes to bask in the gentle warmth of the late afternoon sun.