Apples for Pie

To those who find one to trust

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"Do you prefer Gala or Fuji apples?"

I had never had a woman ask me a question in a grocery store, other than, "Could you reach that for me?"

"That depends. Are these apples for eating or baking?"

"Apple pie."

"Then neither. Use Braeburn apples. Or Granny Smith, although I prefer Braeburn."

"Why not Fuji or Gala?"

"They turn mushy when baked. You want an apple that will cook through, but the pieces will keep their shape."

"I'm glad I asked an expert!"

"I'm no expert, I just love recipes with baked apples. Just don't ask me about crusts."

"No good at crusts?"

"Mine usually fail. I haven't figured that part out yet."

"This is funny. I can make a great pie crust. I have an idea, though, if you don't mind me being a little bold..."

"Go right ahead!"

"How about if we combine our skills and bake an apple pie together?"

"That is bold! What if I told you I was married?"

"Are you?"

"No, and no serious relationship, either, but you didn't know that did you?"

"Nope. I figured if you were, you would tell me. Do you have any idea how much courage that took for me to ask?"

"My answer is yes."

"To which question?"

"To your invitation to bake a pie together. How do you know I'm not some drug dealer or serial rapist?"

"Are you?"

"No, but how..."

"Relax. I see you here all the time. Please don't tell me you've never noticed me, or I'll be really hurt."

"Of course, I've noticed you, but even now you're wearing a wedding ring. I checked you out months ago."

"My defense shield, to keep at least some guys from hitting on me."

"Does it work?"

"No. It stops guys like you I would like to have hit on me, but the jerks don't care and hit on me anyway."

"Can I look at it? I mean off your finger?"

She handed it to me, and I slipped it on my little finger. Just a little tight.

I handed it back to her and asked the obvious question, "How long have you wanted to hit on me?"

"A while. It took me a while to get up the courage."

"Let me guess, you probably make killer apple pies."

She looked at me with one of those shit-eating grins. Busted.

"How did you see through that?"

"I've seen you buy Granny Smiths here before."

"So, you've been watching me."

"Well, can you blame me? You're easily the most beautiful customer in this store."

"That's flattering, but exaggerated, I'm sure."

"No exaggeration in my view, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Can I suggest something?"

"Please. Spare me of further embarrassment, if you can."

"Since you don't know me, instead of inviting me to your home, may I take you to dinner?"

"I'd love to go to dinner with you. I'm available tonight."

"Tonight then. Meet me at 7?"

"No, pick me up. I really do trust you. I asked a friend of yours about you."

"How do you know a friend of mine?"

"You came in once with Wally Amblin. I met him in college, so I called him. That's why I know your name is Ted Morrison. I also swore him to silence about my call."

"Wally. Here I thought we told each other everything. We're fishing buddies! I just realized I don't know your name... "

"It's Sammi. Short for Samantha. I have two sisters, and Dad wanted boys, so he named us Robbie, Sammi and Mel---Roberta, Samantha and Melinda. What he wanted was athletes, so he coached us, and we all played D1 soccer in college."

"Alright, Sammi, 7 pm tonight. Let's make it casual. Text me your address?"

"I'll do it right now."

I waited until my phone chimed.

"I'll see you tonight and I'll leave my TV dinner in the freezer, for once."

"Stop! Please tell me that isn't true."

"It's not true. I already got it out."

Sammi was laughing as we parted, to continue shopping.

------[]----[]------

I went home and made a reservation at an upscale restaurant I like. The food is excellent, but not pretentious, and casual is the preferred dress as well. It was a Friday night, and I didn't want to wait forever for a table.

Sammi. I really needed to talk to Wally, but not before this date.

I thought about her a lot that evening as I was getting ready. I had never dated an African-American woman. That wasn't a choice on my part. It just happened that way, Sammi has that gorgeous caramel-colored skin, like Halle Berry, but a little darker. More like Harris Faulkner on Fox. And Sammi was just as pretty.

I wasn't lying when I told her I had checked her out. Great figure. Checks all my boxes. Then I saw her ring. "Too bad, I thought."

------[]----[]------

I drove to the address Sammi gave me. Upscale neighborhood, homes appearing to be 5-10 years old. I pulled into her driveway and rang her doorbell.

"Hi Ted, come on in for a minute. Thanks for asking me out and coming to pick me up."

"What made you decide to approach me?"

"Wally. He couldn't stop saying good things about you."

"It's surprising what five dollars will buy!"

Sammi was laughing over that.

"Why did you ask me out?"

"I figured if you were so interested in seeing me to make up that shtick about pies, you were worth getting to know. Also, I had checked you out myself, but the ring ended that. I see you're not wearing it tonight. Did you divorce the bum?"

"I did. Very sudden. Right after you asked me out."

"That's a disturbing lack of commitment on your part. However, I still want to taste one of your pies."

"It's a deal. Unless, of course, Wally was wrong about you. I'm ready to leave if you are."

I opened the car door for her, of course. We talked as I drove.

"Wally was right about one thing. He said you are a gentleman."

"Best five bucks I ever spent! I need to ask him about you."

"Don't bother. I paid him ten."

"I can see we're going to get along well."

------[]----[]------

After ordering, we talked while we waited for our food.

I learned her father was a career military man... retired from the army as a Lt. Colonel. She grew up all over the place but ultimately landed in northern Virginia when her dad was working in the Pentagon. Graduated from high school there and attended Georgetown and then law school at Duke. She's working for the largest law firm in the city--environmental law.

"Sammi, we have a lot in common, except for my pasty complexion and my gender, of course."

"We can work on your tan, and I happen to like your gender. It's my favorite."

"That's fortuitous, because I'm partial to yours. Did Wally tell you I'm also an attorney?"

"He did. I wanted to meet you anyway."

"Nice. I'm a partner in a firm that practices solely in the intellectual property area. We're all science geeks turned lawyers."

"That's funny! Wally said you were kind of a geek, but his best friend."

"Ok, I didn't pay him for that."

"Ted, I hope you don't mind me asking a nosy question. When I asked if you were single, Wally said you had been living with someone, but that ended. Can I ask about that?"

"I was in love and asked my girlfriend to move in with me. We were together for a year. Then I went and bought a ring and proposed to her, only to find out she had no interest at all in marriage and definitely didn't want children. She moved out the next day."

"You had no idea she felt that way?"

"I never asked. How stupid was I? I'm an attorney, and we were all taught not to assume anything, but to ask questions. I didn't apply that advice."

"What would you have done differently if you got a Mulligan?"

"I wouldn't have asked her to move in with me until I knew we wanted the same things."

Our food arrived, so we started eating and chatted about less serious things for a while. After we finished, I decided to ask an obvious question.

"Ok, since you made my personal life fair game, have you ever been married? I assume you didn't go out and buy a wedding ring as a prop."

"I didn't. That was from my marriage. It lasted all of two years, until he cheated on me."

"I'm sorry. That must have been awful."

"It wasn't fun."

"Had it been going on long?"

"With her, no. But I found out there were others, all the way back to a month after our marriage, and I'm all but certain he cheated on me while we were engaged. How could I have been so wrong about someone I loved?"

She was wiping away tears.

"Oh my! Sammi, that's terrible. How long ago was that?" I had tears in my eyes thinking about what she had gone through.

"I caught him eight years ago. I haven't dated since, until now."

"Why was that?"

"He abused my trust in the worst possible way. I felt I couldn't trust any man again."

"Why are you on a date with me?"

"Wally says I can trust you. Can I?"

"Sammi, let me tell you about my father. He was also an attorney, a litigator. One day, when I was about 15 years old, I stopped by his office. I don't remember why. He was busy with a client, so the receptionist suggested I have a seat and wait.

"While I was there, one of his partners walked in and saw me. We met a couple of times at the firm's annual family picnic. He came over and sat next to me. We talked for a couple of minutes and then he said this: 'Ted, I hope you already know this about your father, but I want you to know he's the most honest man I've ever met.'

"I thought a lot about that over the years. By the time I reached law school, I decided I would always be honest, no matter what. I wanted someone to say about me what his partner said about Dad. I hope I'm living up to that, and I certainly will with you."

Sammi was wiping away tears. That made my eyes fill with tears, as well.

"Ted, I trust Wally. He was a good friend in college. A straight shooter. I'm here because of what he said about you, but I love knowing why you can be trusted. I'd like to meet your father someday."

"I wish you could, but he passed away last year. Cancer. Mom is fine, but lonely. She's 59, so if you have a handsome older single friend... "

"I'll keep my eyes open."

"Maybe I should set her up with Wally."

"I was hoping you would thank him."

"Oh, I will.... Sammi, what would be your ideal outcome from going out with me? What are you looking for?"

"Wow, that's a big one, Unusual for a first date, but I really appreciate you asking. We've both been hurt and have reasons not to trust. Clarity up front is good.

"Ok, I'm going to go way out on a limb here, well out of my comfort zone. My only reason for dating is to find a wonderful husband. I want to be a wife and a mother. I refuse to date just to have something to do. I hope that doesn't scare you."

"On the contrary. I should have asked Megan early in our relationship if she was interested in marriage and becoming a mother. We were wildly out of sync because I didn't.

"To be clear, I was curious about you and that's why we're here tonight. I'll answer the same question I asked you. I already know I want to see you more. I'm focused on the same thing you are. Marriage and family. Honestly, if you hadn't answered that way, there wouldn't be a second date."

She was wiping away tears again.

"This is music to my ears, Ted. And yes, I hope you'll ask me out again and again.... Can I ask another question, maybe one embarrassing for me to ask?"

"With that lead-in, I'm intrigued. Let's have it!"

"Are you attracted to me? I mean... I guess I'm asking whether you find me physically attractive."

"Do you have some reason to doubt that?"

She started crying.

"Sammi, what's wrong? Did I say something...?"

"No, it isn't you. I did go on one date after my divorce. A friend set me up on a blind date with a guy. We agreed to meet at a restaurant. When he walked in and discovered it was me, he said he didn't want to be seen with a Black girl."

The tears were still flowing.

"There are incredibly stupid people in the world! We've found two from your past. An ex who cheated on his beautiful wife, and a redneck who should be ashamed of himself. His loss may be my gain, though.

"Sammy, let me answer that as directly as possible. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever dated. I feel a huge physical attraction for you. I think your skin is beautiful.

"Since we seem to be in a pattern of asking similar questions... are you attracted to this pale, sunburn-waiting-to-happen guy?"

At least now she was smiling and wiping away her tears.

"Ted... maybe the best way for me to answer that is like this: I hope tonight when you take me home, you'll kiss me. The genuine, honest nature of what we've talked about tonight has got me a little emotional and feeling very attracted to you."

"That is such a relief. I hate the first couple of dates, before a first kiss. I stand there at the door wondering whether I should kiss her. Now I know!"

"Of course, now there's no suspense."

"No, but there is powerful anticipation."

"There is! My goodness, you're just irresistible to me. There's a part of me that wants to stand up, walk around this table, sit in your lap and kiss you for a long time."

"I hope that means if I ask you out again, you'll give it favorable consideration."

"I'll do better than that. Ted, will you go with me on a picnic tomorrow? I'll make up a picnic basket, and our topic will be common interests, or anything we think would make for a fun date."

"I love it! What time should I pick you up?"

"How about 10:30? We can stake out a table and talk. I'm talking about the big park. Good places to walk, too."

------[]----[]------

Driving home, Sammi held my hand.

When I opened her car door for her at her house, she got out and hugged me. We held hands as we walked to her door. She turned, looked me in the eyes, and smiled. I kissed her. It was a long, passionate kiss, unlike any first kiss I had ever had! We were both breathing heavily when it ended.

Then we both laughed.

"Well, that was a surprise," I said.

"I usually don't kiss on a first date. This wasn't just an exception; it was more like a 5th date kiss! But I loved it. Thank you for kissing me tonight. I'll undoubtedly dream about that. Good night, Ted."

"Good night."

------[]----[]------

I was lying in bed later, thinking about how different that day was than what I expected. I couldn't have predicted meeting someone like Sammi or kissing her that way!

I felt nothing but positive things about her. It was refreshing to meet someone willing to be open and communicate clearly. No games.

While I thought of it, I got online and looked her up in the state bar directory. I wanted to know her last name, without the embarrassment of having to ask. Then I closed that and realized there was a quicker way. I knew what law firm she was with, so I looked on that website. There was a page listing partners and associates, with photos. "Morgan. Samantha Morgan."

I also decided to make this second date more like a romantic date than our first.

------[]----[]------

When Sammi answered her door the next morning, I handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"I wanted to bring you flowers, so when I'm not with you, there will be something here to remind you of me." (It was a little corny, but she loved it!)

"Thank you, Ted. I need to put these in water before we leave. You have no idea how much I love flowers."

Her smile said it all.

We drove to the park, and as I drove, Sammi wanted to hold my hand.

"How did you sleep last night, Sammi?"

"It was wonderful. I thought about you before I slept and in my dreams. I hope that doesn't scare you."

"Not at all. You were in a starring role in my dreams, too. I watched you score the winning goal."

She started laughing. "My thoughts of you were a little more romantic."

"Oh, I didn't say it was a soccer game. I thought it was cleaner to use a metaphor."

That made her blush. And smile.

"I love your sense of humor. I like a man who can make me laugh."

We found a picnic table we liked. Not right by the parking lot, but by itself, about 50 yards away. We each grabbed a handle of the cooler and headed for the table.

"Would you like to go for a walk before we eat?"

"I'd like that. Let's talk about date ideas as we walk."

We held hands as we walked. We discovered we both like classical music, cooking, baseball games in the stadium (not on TV), college football, soccer (especially the women's team at the local university), hiking, streaming movies, and travel.

"You know," said Sammi, "one of the disadvantages of a concert is we just sit and listen. We don't have a chance to interact."

"We can always go somewhere and make out afterwards."

She was laughing but held up my hand she was holding and kissed it.

I invited her to my house Tuesday night for dinner that I cook. She promised to get tickets to the next home soccer game. That was Friday evening.

We decided to turn back and eat, but Sammi stopped me to kiss. Our tongues were all in on the action, so it was a hot kiss!

"I just wanted to kiss. You know, you really kiss well. I'm getting hooked on that."

"It takes two for a really great kiss, and that was a great kiss."

We sat at the picnic table and Sammi got out the ingredients to make sandwiches. She knows her stuff when it comes to sandwich preparation! Multiple slices of meat--I chose ham and turkey--mayo, a little Dijon, sat & pepper, and a sprinkling of vinegar. On my choice of bread, I picked rye. She actually had rye.

That cooler was a small sub shop. She even had sliced tomatoes, spinach leaves, sliced olives and two kinds of sliced peppers. I realized how high the bar had been set--after I volunteered to cook dinner.

Sammi sat next to me. We talked and joked in between mouthfuls of food and then started telling lawyer jokes. I started with my favorite:

Q: Why do the ethical rules prohibit sex between lawyers and their clients?

A: To prevent clients from being billed twice for essentially the same service.

Then Sammi told her favorite:

Q: What do you get when you cross a blonde and a lawyer?

A: No one knows. There are things even a blonde won't do.

"Is that a lawyer joke or a blonde joke?"

"I don't know, but it's not a joke about a Black babe like me!"

'Does that mean you will do what a blonde won't?"

"Depends on the lawyer. If it's you, I would."

I told another I thought of:

Q: What's the difference between a dead skunk in the road and a dead lawyer in the road?

A: There are skid marks in front of the skunk.

Then she had one for me:

Q: What does a lawyer use for birth-control?

A: His personality.

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Not at all. In your case, your personality is a form of seduction."

We were clearly well-matched.

We took the cooler to the car and then went for another walk. A long one around the perimeter of the park. We were holding hands, talking, laughing, stopping to look at flowers, Now and then stopping to kiss.

As we were driving home, Sammi spoke up:

"Does our date have to end? It's not even 3. I'd like to spend more time with you. I won't see you again until our dinner Tuesday."

"How about if we go stream something at my house? You haven't seen my home yet."

"That will keep me happy, at least for today."

We got out drinks and sat on the sofa, Sammi curled her legs to the side and leaned against me, so I put my arm around her.

"I think you like me."

"Hmmm. I do. A lot. What do you want to stream?"

"What have been some of your favorites in the past few years? I haven't watched much."

"Ok, have you at least watched Ted Lasso or Virgin River?"

"No. I told you, I haven't seen anything."

"Outlander?"

"No."

"You are a project!"

"I know! Tell me in general terms what they are, and I'll choose."

"Ok, Ted Lasso is about a U. S. football coach who is hired to coach a Premier League team in England, despite knowing nothing about the game. It's very funny, but with incredibly poignant moments.

"Virgin River is about a woman who is a nurse and midwife from LA, whose husband died, and she left LA to work in a tiny town in Northern California. It's a feel-good love story that has been one of Netflix's most popular shows in recent years.

"Outlander is also a wonderful love story, but it involves a woman who travels back in time 200 years in Scotland. I'is violent at times and is famous for steamy sex scenes."

"Obviously, they are all good shows, and popular. I'm not in the mood for violence, but a love story sounds good. You've watched them all, so do you mind watching Virgin River with me?"

"Sammi, I'll watch anything with you, especially if I have my arm around you."

We started Season 1, Episode 1. I watched Sammi as much as I was watching the show. About halfway through I paused the show.

"I need to visit the bathroom. How are you liking it?"

"I love it. I know the first episode is never the best because the writers have to introduce characters and begin multiple story lines, but the sound track is also wonderful. I'm gonna do a bio-break as well. Which way?"

I was already back on the sofa when she returned. Instead of sitting next to me, she knelt beside me, facing me.

"Before you restart the stream, there is something I need to do."

She planted a big kiss on me. It turned long and wet. A thorough tonsil inspection.

"Ok, that should keep me for a while."

"Before I restart it, what was your favorite thing today?"

"So many good moments. I don't think I can pick just one, but I loved walking with you and holding your hand. I loved our kisses. I love sitting here with your arm around me. Most of all, I think I love everything because I trust you.

"Your turn. What was your favorite today?"

"I liked a couple of your comments, like after the blonde and attorney joke, when you said you would do it with me, and that my personality was a form of seduction. Mostly, though, I like holding you. In fact, I have an idea we might both like better. Stand up for a minute."

I rearranged pillows so I had better back support, then I sat with my back to the arm of the sofa and held out my hands to Sammi.

"Come sit her between my legs and lean back against me."

Once she was in place, I wrapped both arms around her.

"That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!"

She leaned her head against my chest and snuggled in as I pulled her close.

"I think this might be my new favorite moment," she said.

"Yeah, this is nice. Start again?"

"Yeah, until I need to kiss you again."

"I just thought of another lawyer joke.

Q. Why don't sharks attack lawyers?

A. Professional courtesy."

"You thought of that while you were kissing me?"

"No. It was while I was peeing."

We resumed the episode. I kissed the top of her head. It felt she might start purring.

She noticed the same legal mistake I did, the first time I watched it. Mel called her contract with Hope "null and void" but Hope was in breach, so remedies were due to Mel, or she might have been able to rescind, treating the contract as voidable. It may have been voidable, but it was not "null and void." The writers did not do their research.

Of course, Sammi and I had to have that discussion, as one might expect two attorneys to do! That interruption and discussion led to another long kiss. That's not as common between attorneys.

"Ok, you've seen the first episode. Did you like it? Continue now? Another time?"

"I loved it, but I want to talk. Is that ok?"

"Of course. What do you want to talk about?"

"First, I also thought of another lawyer joke.

Q. What do you call a lawyer with an IQ of 50?

A. Your Honor."

"I love it, but I wouldn't want to tell that at a party with a judge present."

"I agree, but now I'm stalling. Look, I know I'm acting impulsively, and that is so out of character for me, but can we do something tomorrow, too? You don't have another date, do you?"

"I can cancel. Don't worry about it."

"Seriously, you have a date?"

"Just kidding, but I'm hoping to see you again. I think I'm falling for you quickly."

She turned her head, reached up around my neck and pulled my head down to hers for another kiss. She moaned this time.

"I'm falling for you, too, Ted. I've never felt this way. I feel like I'm acting like an 18-year-old."

"I thought you were 18."

She was laughing. "I don't even wish that. Not again."

"You know, I never asked your age. I'm 36."

"I'm 34. I get to tease you about being old."

"What would you like to do tomorrow?"

"First, I want to ask about something else. Earlier today when we talked about things we like to do, we both mentioned travel. How would that work, and where would we go?"

"We could go wherever we want, with the limitations on available time. Weekends mostly, I suppose. As far as how, we could get two rooms or get a room with two queen beds and share the room."

"I'm not worried about the cost, so if you are more comfortable with separate rooms, that works. I would prefer one room, though."

"I would, too."

"Do you want to plan a first trip somewhere, Ted?"

"That would be fun. If we pick something close, we'll drive, but if it's farther away, we fly. Can you get away early on a Friday?"

"Always. You can too, right?"

"Sure. There are no emergencies in intellectual property. Do you like something rustic, in the country, or upscale, visiting a city? What floats your boat? Is there a place you have wanted to visit?"

"It's wide open, isn't it? The main thing as I see it, is choosing places where we can do fun things together."

"Would you like to go somewhere next weekend?"

"I'd love to. Ted--just plan something and surprise me. Ok?"

"Let's plan on a place we can drive to and see if we can hit the road by 3 pm. I'll make the arrangements."

"Could we go someplace for a quick dinner tonight. I just realized we last ate at about 11:45 this morning. A burger is even fine with me."

We drove to a local burger joint. A little more upscale than BK or McD's.

When Sammi ordered, she asked for "no onions."

"You don't like onions?"

"I love them. Just not when I want to kiss you good night."

I ordered mine without, too.

------[]----[]------

"Sammi, when we leave here, do you want to go back to my house, or should I take you home? You're more than welcome back at my house, if that's what you want."

"If you really don't mind going back to your house, that's where I'd like to go. It isn't at all late yet."

"Do you want to stream more, or do something else?"

"I think you told me you have a hot tub. Is that right?"

"I do."

"Would you mind terribly taking me by my house so I can get my swimsuit, or is that too far out of the way?"

"Too far out of the way to sit in a hot tub with a gorgeous woman?"

"And kiss her."

"And kiss her. I think I can do that. Are you ready to go now?"

"Let's do it."

------[]----[]------

About 45 minutes later I was sitting in the hot tub, waiting for Sammi. It had been a fun day.

The French door opened and Sammi came out, wrapped in a towel.

"Hi babe. Come on in. The water's great!"

She dropped her towel and I'm positive I was staring at her with my mouth open. She had a bright yellow one-piece suit, which was spectacular against her beautiful skin. It was low cut, displaying her beautiful breasts, but it was the way the sides of the suit were cut that was so eye-catching. The sides were cut way above her hips, making the back side a thong, and the front was not much more than that!

It was one of the most daring one-piece suits I have ever seen.

Sammi climbed in the tub and came over to me. I took her hand and helped her sit next to me. I put my arm around her as she snuggled closer to me.

"Sammi, I love your suit. Here you are, the typical conservative lawyer, but in private wearing a daring suit like that. I love it!"

"Thanks. I hoped you'd like it, but can I tell you a secret?"

She leaned over and whispered in my ear: "Just so you know, I like lingerie that is even more daring."

Then she sucked on my earlobe. I was hard! All I could do was give her a silly grin. I squeezed her tighter to me.

"I have a new favorite thing from today. It's this. Holding you in this hot tub."

"Only one thing would improve it."

I kissed her, and she moaned as she put her arms around me. We kissed for a long time. After a few minutes, I pulled her onto my lap. Her arms were now around my neck, and mine were around her body.

That's when I felt a lot of bare skin on her back. Amazing swimsuit. And so sexy!

Our kiss ended, for now. We were both catching our breath. Sammi leaned her head on my shoulder and played with the hair on my chest.

"Do you like chest hair?"

"Like you wouldn't believe!"

"I'm probably correct guessing you're wet. You already know I'm hard."

"Yeah, I love feeling that beneath me. And yes, I am so wet. I have been a bunch of times today. When I took off my panties to put this on, they were so damp! You are doing amazing things to me, Ted. Like sweeping me off my feet. It's almost a little scary."

"It is. But it's also real."

"Are we still having dinner at your house Tuesday night?"

"We are, but I just realized we have a conflict Friday. Did you already get the tickets to the soccer game?"

"Yeah, I did. Shall we take our first trip the next weekend instead?"

"Let's do that. It gives me more time to plan anyway."

"I agree completely. What are you planning to cook for me Tuesday?"

"I haven't asked you about your food preferences. Any food allergies? Any foods you don't like?"

"No allergies. I like seafood and steaks. Anything, really."

"How about Kraft Mac & Cheese?"

"That would worry me if I hadn't spent so much time with you. I'm onto your crazy sense of humor, babe."

We sat like that, Sammi on my lap, my arms around her, without talking. Just enjoying being together.

"Hey Babe? Turn around and sit between my legs."

Once she turned, I kissed her back. All over, slowly. She was quivering and moaning.

"I like this, babe. It feels nice to have you kiss me like this. I can't believe how safe I feel. Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"What did you dream about me last night?"

I paused and smiled. I had some tears in my eyes.

"You don't have to tell me," she said.

"No, I'm ok. I dreamed we were making love."

'Was it nice?"

"It was wonderful."

"Will you tell me about it?"

"You know how discontinuous dreams sometimes are. I remember several short scenes. You were on your back, and I was enjoying your nipples. I think that was on my mind when I went to sleep because I was wondering how dark your nipples are.

"I remember being in missionary position and entering you, but then I remember you riding me as we both climaxed.

"I woke up then, hard as steel. It was erotic."

Sammi was fanning her face!

"Wow, that's hot."

She turned her head to whisper.

"Imagine dark chocolate and they love to be gently sucked."

Yeah, that didn't help my erection at all.

"Sorry, babe. I felt you clench underneath me. That was a little mean of me."

"That's ok. I like the fact that we are both feeling hot for each other. I mean, I love being with you, but there is a serious physical attraction, too."

"There sure is. I got wet again when you described your dream. I hope someday we get to do that."

"I do too. It was sure fun in my dream."

We decided to get out. I told Sammi to go use my shower, then I would take her home.

A few minutes later she came out with her wet suit. I got a plastic garbage liner for her to take it home.

"I like your bedroom, Ted. Beautiful colors and furniture, but your shower is the best!"

"Thanks for coming over for hot tub time tonight. That was fun."

------[]----[]------

I drove her home, walked her to the door and we kissed her.

"Your favorite thing today? Final choice."

"It was when you told me about your dream. In fact, when I walked into your room to go take a shower, I flashed on that dream as I looked at your bed. This was a great day!"

"Well, good night, Sammi. Let's plan on dinner at 7 on Tuesday."

------[]----[]------

On Monday, I called Wally.

"Hey Wally! I met Sammi. Thanks for encouraging her to talk to me."

"She's great. I got to watch her play soccer. She probably didn't tell you, but she played either an attacking midfielder or a striker role and led the team in scoring her last two years. First team all-conference both years. Conference MVP as a senior."

"That's a seriously good achievement."

"She's too humble to announce it. Especially this long after the fact. How's it going with her?"

"I think she may be the one, Wally. Start thinking about being my best man."

"Seriously? That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you. For both of you. Let me know when it happens, so I don't say anything stupid to Sammi."

------[]----[]------

I worked hard Monday and Tuesday, skipped lunch, and made sure I was on top of all current work. I left work at 4 on Tuesday. Sammi texted me that she would drive over to my house for dinner.

Sammi arrived a few minutes before 7. I was thrilled to see her. We kissed at the door and then she followed me into the kitchen.

"Can I help with anything?"

"Yes, you can take this guacamole and these chips and enjoy. Dinner is almost ready. How do you like your steak?"

"Medium or medium-rare. Either is good."

I had some ribeye steaks on the grill that I had marinated in a soy and ginger sauce. I also had asparagus in the oven on broil, to be served with a hollandaise sauce I had made the night before. There were roasted potatoes waiting in the lower oven, but the oven was now off.

I checked on the steaks and brought them in to stand, and the asparagus was also ready.

"While you're working in there, I heard another good lawyer joke.

Q. Why don't you ever see lawyers at the beach?

A. Cats keep covering them with sand."

I was laughing as I plated everything. I served Sammi and then myself.

Dinner was a big success. Sammi loved the flavor of the steak marinade and raved about the asparagus.

After dinner we sat on the sofa.

"Do you want to stream something?"

"No. I just want to sit here with you, but I want to do something a little different."

She stood up and motioned for me to stand. She put a pillow down and had me lie down on it. Then she laid down next to me but facing me and partially on me. She put her head on my shoulder and wrapped her arm around me. Her leg was across my legs.

We had a lot of body contact, and it felt wonderful. Sammi raised her head and kissed me. Her hand was now on my chest. We kissed like that for several minutes. As usual, I was painfully hard. It would have been so easy to move to my bedroom, but I wanted to wait, because I was getting close to a decision.

------[]----[]------

We went out for pizza Thursday night, followed by the hot tub. We talked about the law school classes we like the best and the ones we hated. No surprise, but the ones we liked were ones with exceptional professors.

The next night we went to the soccer game. The home team walloped the visitors, 5-0.

"I talked to Wally Monday. He told me all about your exploits on the pitch."

"Yeah, that was a long time ago. I was drafted in the NWSL, but far down and I really wanted to go to law school. Plus, I was getting married. I sometimes wonder what might have happened if I had played, but by now my career would likely be ending, and without a law degree. I also might never have met you."

"I'd like to say I faced a similar difficult decision, but the video game circuit was just getting started. No credibility yet."

Sammi laughed and kissed me.

We drove to my house and streamed an episode of Virgin River.

------[]----[]------

The next week was a little different. Sammi cooked for me Tuesday, at her house. Then we went out for mini-golf. I learned that an athlete is an athlete. She killed me.

"Sweetie, I hate to end this night, but I have an early conference call tomorrow. I hate not seeing you two days in a row, so would you go to dinner with me Thursday night? Dressy this time?"

"That sounds fun, and I agree, I hate not seeing you for two days. How have you taken ownership of my heart so quickly, Ted?"

"I don't know, but I know I love you."

"Oh, Ted. You make me cry! I love you, too. I'm so happy you told me that."

Thursday, instead of going out for dinner, we borrowed a couple of bikes from friends and went riding. Nothing fancy. Just neighborhood streets near my house, followed by the hot tub.

Sammi wore a skimpy black bikini, oozing sexuality. I almost hit my legal maximum of four hours with an erection. EMT's were next.

After I took Sammi home, I washed a few dishes, turned out the lights and got in bed. I lay there, thinking about Sammy telling me she loves me. I wondered whether it was as difficult for her as it was for me to say that. The last person I said that to was Megan, and I ended up getting hurt.

------[]----[]------

We had decided to have our dressy dinner on Friday. I put on my best suit, one I almost never wear to work. It was a splurge I made last year, a bespoke suit from a local tailor.

When Sammi answered the door and invited me in, I saw her in a dress for the first time. She was wearing a classic little black dress, except it was bright yellow, like her swimsuit. A perfect color choice for her skin color. Lots of cleavage. Mid-thigh. She has beautiful legs, and of course, her skin is gorgeous.

When we were led to our table, a lot of people were watching her. I was, too. I followed her and watched her ass. I already knew it was beautiful, from her swimsuit.

Dinner was fabulous, but I had something on my mind, and I was horribly nervous. The shadow of Megan. However, there was no reason to think Sammi was anything like her, and we had the same goals, unlike Megan and me.

------[]----[]------

The next week was similar. She cooked on Tuesday and we went out for dinner on Thursday.

The next day, we both got off work early and and drove a few hours to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. I had reserved a room with two queen beds for two nights at the Hampton Inn and Suites. We checked in at about 7 and had some dinner. Then we swam in the pool.

That night we talked about what rides we wanted to go on. Neither of us had been there, but we had read about some of the famous rides. One thing we discovered is we both love roller coasters.

We fell asleep talking.

The next morning, we woke up and got ready and then went downstairs for breakfast. There was no rush, because the park didn't open until 10:30.

However, when the park opened, we were there. We hit several coasters. First it was Whizzer. Not overly aggressive, but a nice warm-up. I held Sammi close to me. We loved Batman, but since most of the time we were inverted, I was looking out for myself. No holding Sammi. When we got off we were laughing, but she accused me of abandoning her.

We chose Viper for the classic wooden experience and we both loved it. We found some corn dogs for lunch--we both like those as well.

We decided to ride two more: Goliath--for another wooden coaster, but with big drops and high speeds, and Maxx Force--all 23 seconds of it! But what a 23 seconds! Launched and up to high speed before one knows what's happened. Inverted, corkscrew, breathtaking.

We staggered off that last one and got on the Scenic Railway. It was quiet and I had my arm around Sammi. She fell asleep.

Later we spent a couple of hours riding gentle family rides. It was relaxing.

------[]----[]------

That night in our room, we were lying in our beds, talking.

"Will you go to dinner with me next Thursday? Dress up for a nice dinner?"

"That sounds nice. What time?"

I called right then and made a reservation for 7 pm.

"This has been a fun day, Ted. Really fun."

"What was your favorite ride?"

"The train, sleeping."

"That's funny, because the train at Disneyland is my favorite. I get on there and sleep."

"That's because you're old."

------[]----[]------

I made dinner for her Tuesday and we streamed more Virgin River. We would have spent time in the hot tub, but the wind was blowing, Wind chill is not great fun.

On Thursday, we went out again for a casual dinner. Afterwards, we were quiet as I drove towards Sammi's. Finally, she spoke.

"Are you alright, Ted? You're very quiet. Is there something wrong?"

I pulled over to the side of the street.

"There's nothing at all wrong. I guess the opposite, everything is amazingly right."

"So, what's bothering you? You have me worried."

I smiled at her and held her hand.

"I have been thinking the past few days about us. You have no idea how scared I was to tell you I love you."

"Because of Megan?"

"Yeah. Stupid, huh?"

"I get it. You undoubtedly told her many times you loved her, but the whole thing blew up on you. But Ted, you and I are different. You know that don't you?"

"That's why I was able to tell you."

"There's something still bothering you. Please tell me what it is."

"I don't know why I find this so difficult. But here goes. I want to make love to you, and if you feel the same way, pack lingerie for our trip this weekend."

Sammi came across the center console and wrapped her arms around my neck. She was crying.

"Oh, you sweet man! I wanted to have sex with you last week. You probably knew that. Now I understand why you didn't respond. I went home disappointed. Now I may not sleep tonight because I'm so excited."

"I'm excited, too, Sammi. I really do love you. I never could have told you this if we hadn't talked so deeply that first date."

"Ted, where are you taking me?"

"It's a secret, but you should bring your swimsuit and this dress, or another one for a dressy dinner Saturday night. Oh, and plan on spending a lot of time in bed."

"I'm going to dream about your hard cock entering me the first time!"

"That will be a great moment. Look, rather than sitting here talking about it, let me take you home and kiss you good night. We still have to get up early and work tomorrow morning."

A few minutes later, at Sammi's door, I held her tightly. I didn't want to say good night or even wait until the next night. I think Sammi felt the same way, but we both knew what I had planned for us would make it more special.

We kissed briefly and said good night.

When I got home, I spent a few minutes packing. I didn't need much, but I wanted tomorrow night to be special for Sammi.

------[]----[]------

At my office the next morning, time stopped. Each hour dragged by. I finally left a few minutes early, unable to wait any longer.

I was at Sammi's house a few minutes early, but she was also ready early and smiling from ear-to-ear.

"You look excited about something."

She was laughing, "The love of my life is going to make love to me tonight."

"Really, the love of your life? I guess that's what you are to me as well. I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's exactly what you are."

"Baby, I can't believe how quickly we've fallen so completely in love with each other."

"Did you dream last night?"

"I did. It wasn't what I expected, but it was hot. I'll tell you sometime this weekend."

"Let's hit the road."

We drove through the city and got on the freeway, southbound.

"Baby, are you taking me to Madison Pass Resort?"

"Is that ok with you?"

"Seriously? That's a fabulous place, and very romantic. What a wonderful place for us to share this experience tonight."

------[]----[]------

We arrived at about 5 and checked in. I asked the man who was checking us in to call the restaurant and see if we could have a reservation at 7 pm. He confirmed that for me.

When we walked into our room, Sammi stopped and looked at me.

"Wait a minute, I thought you were getting a room with two queens. This is a King Suite. When did you make this reservation?"

"Last week."

"You had this planned that long ago?"

"I did."

She hugged me, but I saw the tears before she buried her face on my chest.

"I know I've said this before, but I'm amazed at how sweet you are to me. You wanted to make this special for us. That means a lot to me."

"It's because I love you. I think I knew it on our first date, although I wasn't prepared to admit this could happen so fast."

"That's how I felt too. I knew there was something special about you and I was so excited after we kissed."

"We have a dinner reservation for 7. I figured we needed some strength tonight."

"Do they have oysters?"

I was laughing. "We can ask. Oh, dinner is casual tonight. Tomorrow we can dress up and celebrate. Unless of course you have found a taxi home to get away from me."

"A team of horses couldn't drag my ass away from you."

The main restaurant at the resort was upscale, but on any given night the attire ranged from barely proper to formal.

To my surprise, the menu listed oysters on the half shell as an appetizer. I pointed it out to Sammi.

She blushed. "I was really kidding, but we could share an order if you like."

I ordered them. We weren't quite ready to order our main courses.

A few minutes later, our waiter brought the oysters, and we placed our orders.

Sammi picked up one of the half shells. "May I feed this to you?"

I followed suit after that, except I dribbled a little juice on her chin. It dripped from there to her breast. I leaned in and licked it off her chin. "I would gladly lick It off your breast, but that might not go over well here."

She was laughing. "Oh my! I was already having trouble concentrating on dinner. That just made it worse."

I held her hand, and we sat and looked into each other's eyes.

"Do you know you are the most beautiful woman here tonight?"

She put her head on my shoulder, then whispered in my ear: "I hope you think I am even more beautiful in the lingerie I brought."

I groaned.

"Are you hard?"

Without waiting for my answer, she slowly put her hand in her lap and then reached over to grope me. She groaned and closed her eyes.

"Baby, we need to eat quickly. Much more of this and I will leak through my tiny thong."

That's what we did. The waiter was wonderful. He boxed up what was left and gave us some plastic utensils.

When we reached our suite, we stopped inside the door and kissed. I caressed her breast. She moaned into our kiss, then pulled away, laughing.

"Before we go too far down that road, I am going in the bathroom to make myself beautiful for you."

I knew she would be there for a few minutes. I took off my suit and hung it up. When I opened my suitcase, I found a small, wrapped package and a note.

My dear Ted!

I love you more than I can express. You are the love of my life, and I trust you completely. Thank you for being such a good man, the perfect man for me!

I bought this for you to wear tonight.

All my love, Samantha

"How in the hell did she get that in my case?"

I opened the package and found one of those briefs I had seen online, the ones with a separate pouch for the penis and another for the testicles.

I slipped it on, adjusted where my own "package" fit, and pulled down the covers on the bed.

A few minutes later, I heard the handle of the bathroom door, and the door opened.

Sammi was standing, leaning against the doorway. She wore a white babydoll with a dot/mesh design, and a tiny thong. The top of the babydoll was quite sheer, so her nipples were prominent--and dark.

I smiled and got out of bed to walk to her. She met me with open arms and open lips. After we kissed, I scooped her into my arms--her arms went instinctively around my neck--and she put her head on my shoulder.

"Baby," she whispered, "it's been a while for me, so go slow and be gentle."

I placed her on the bed. I was going to walk around to get in, but she moved over a little and pulled me in. Our arms wrapped around each other, and we kissed passionately.

When the kiss ended, Sammi looked into my eyes and without looking away, slowly reached up to pull the covering of her breast to the side and show me her nipple.

Lovely dark chocolate!

I tasted. Licked. Gently sucked.

Sammi moaned and held her breast and pushed it toward me. I seized the nipple between my teeth, then drew it into my mouth and bathed it with my tongue.

I pulled the straps off her shoulders, allowing me to fully expose both breasts. They were more stunning than I had dreamed! Her beautiful dark skin, slightly darker areolae, and then those twin nuggets of dark brown.

I feasted, as she whimpered.

Her hand caressed me through the briefs, then she dipped her hand inside and groaned as she felt my cock.

"Oh, I want this!"

She sat up and removed my briefs, then held my cock and licked it slowly, swirling her tongue around the head. I was gasping at the sudden pleasure. I pulled her back to me.

"There's time for that later."

I slowly undressed her, stopping as I did so to lick and kiss newly exposed flesh. When I pulled the babydoll off, I focused on that sexy thong.

I licked slowly along her inner thigh, towards the thong.

She gasped, and her hands were on my head, gently urging me toward her pussy. Believing in anticipation, I teased her, repeatedly approaching her pussy and then backing away.

The attorney in her probably wanted to file a complaint, but the sexy woman I was teasing only whined and pushed my head more firmly.

"Please, baby!"

I licked the entire outside of her thong and then pulled it aside to expose her wet pussy.

She was panting and waiting.

I slowly pulled the thong down, then moved between her spread legs.

I held her open with my fingers and dipped within to taste her, please her, perhaps even torture her with the intensity of pleasure. It was the culmination of all that had been building inside her.

She came with a moan, her back arched and legs pushing against the bed.

I held her and waited, then continued my assault. Fingers inside, licking near her clit, then sucking on it. After a few minutes, she came again with a louder cry.

Arms pulling on me. Wanting.

"Please... take me!"

I moved up and positioned my cock.

She waited, but then with growing frustration, tried to force the issue by pulling on my back. Her legs wrapped around me. Her heels pulled on my ass.

I moved slowly inside her, then stopped, pulled to make sure I was fully wet, and slowly but with determination, thrust as deep as I could reach.

She cried out.

I waited a few seconds, then slowly found a rhythm. My thrusts. Her pelvis moving to match me. Arms and thighs joining in rhythm.

Her breathing was ragged. My hands were now on the bed, on either side of her head. I rose up and looked at her beautiful face. Our eyes met.

In that moment, I felt my cum moving. I realized I hadn't asked something.

"I'm cumming!"

She nodded and pulled me deeper.

I exploded inside Sammi.

Her head rocked back, eyes closed, mouth open, as she savored that moment.

She could certainly feel the violent pulses of my cock, forcing my cum deeper into her.

Fully spent, I collapsed on her. My mouth near her ear.

"I love you, Samantha. With all my heart."

I looked at her. There were tears in her eyes and she was smiling.

After several minutes, I rolled off her and put my arm around her.

"Would you like to know what I dreamed about you?"

"Of course," I said.

"I dreamed you went down on me and made me cum. I woke up in a puddle, I was so wet! It was just like that, except you were even better than I dreamed. You made me cum twice. That's never happened to me before."

I held her tighter to me. Her hand was on my chest, playing with the hair.

"Was I gentle enough?"

"You were incredible! So perfect."

"Please don't be afraid to tell me if there is anything you don't like."

"Baby, can you go again yet?"

"I'm still fairly hard."

She felt my cock. "Impressive."

"How do you want to do it this time?"

"I want you to take me however you want. If you want to dominate me, do it. I trust you completely."

I got out of bed and pulled her toward me. I lifted her from the bed and put her over my shoulder, her cute ass next to my head and her head pointed down to the floor. She cried out and laughed as I walked to the sofa.

I stood her on her feet beside the end of the sofa, kissed her, and turned her around. With my hand on her back, I pushed her over the arm of the sofa, stepped between her legs, and bent over to kiss her ass cheeks.

I kissed up her back. Slowly. Lingering kisses. She was moaning.

I stood, placed my cock inside her, moved her lags apart, and thrust slowly but continuously into her. I was deep.

She wailed, almost a scream.

I pulled all the way out, waited a second, and thrust all the way back in. From there it was slow, then rapid. Shallow, then deep.

I reached around and gently squeezed a nipple. I drew circles on her back with light finger tips.

Then I spanked her!

I reached down (up her body) and grabbed a fistful of hair. I pulled up so her head was raised.

"Do you still want me to dominate you?"

She nodded.

"Then I will."

I lowered her head and released her hair. I leaned back and spanked her other cheek.

I pounded her until she came. I followed quickly. As I climaxed, her head lifted up, concentrating on the feelings inside her.

I pulsed for a seemingly long time and finally rested on her back.

When I recovered, I gently lifted her to her feet and pulled out of her. I put my arms around her.

"Was that alright, Sammi?"

"Baby, that was way more than alright. Maybe the most erotic thing I've ever experienced. A perfect mix of teasing, gentle, spanking, and dominating. I loved it when you pulled my hair. I can't believe that turned me on."

"Was the spanking alright?"

"I almost came when you did that!"

"Let's go take a shower together."

We took turns washing each other. It was playful and erotic.

I backed her against the wall as we kissed, then reached down for her ass and lifted her to me. Her arms were wrapped around my neck and her legs were around my waist.

I entered her as I pinned her against the wall and then thrust into her until we both came.

We laughed as we repeated the washing. After we dried each other, we fell into bed and kissed.

"Sammi, this was so much better than my dream last week. I love your body. I can't get enough of it."

"Fortunately, the feeling is mutual. You feel so wonderful inside me. I realized something. Most of my experience with sex was with my ex. I didn't sleep around in college. Now I know how empty that relationship was, sexually. I guess he had great sex with his mistresses, because he didn't with me."

"That's sad."

"It is, but baby, I think you missed the point. We've made love three times. Those are the three best sexual experiences of my life."

"I plan to add to that list this weekend."

"I hope so, my love."

------[]------

I woke up in the middle of the night and glanced at the clock. 3:12 am. I needed to pee.

When I came out of the bathroom, there was Sammi, on her knees in bed, naked, and looking at me. I got in bed next to her.

She whispered in my ear, "My turn to do you."

She was voracious! She gave me a blowjob, but stopped short of my climax, then mounted me in cowgirl and finished me off.

I couldn't leave it at that, so I grabbed her ass and flipped us both over. I made love to her missionary style until she came, then continued until I came again.

That was a sloppy pussy! I got a damp washcloth out of the bathroom and mopped her up.

"You give me more reasons to love you, No one has ever done that for me. No one."

"I figured I made the mess..."

"Yeah, you did. I love it every time."

"Sammi, we haven't talked about a lot of things yet. I guess you must be on the pill."

"I am. My periods are a lot easier that way."

"On our first date, you said you wanted to be a wife and mother. If we marry, do you want children with me?"

"I do. I want children with you."

"You're still young--we both are--so when do you want to get pregnant?"

"Soon, assuming we marry."

"What about your career?"

"I've given that a lot of thought. I want to raise my babies. I don't want to delegate the responsibility--and the experiences--to someone else. I might choose to switch to Of Counsel and not keep an office there. That would take away the worry of billable hours. I can always return to a fuller practice when the children are older."

"You're willing to make that sacrifice?"

"Not just willing, but eager to temporarily trade my legal career for raising my babies. That's no sacrifice at all. I guess we should talk about making it financially, though."

We spent the next few minutes talking about how much money I was making--which was a lot--and quickly realized my income was more than enough to support us.

"A few minutes ago, you said something I want to ask about. When I asked how soon you wanted children, you said, 'Soon, assuming we marry.' I've danced around the same issue.

"We just started dating, but our love has surprised both of us. Are you already to the point of wanting to marry me?"

"Well, Mr. Morrison, let me clarify what you are asking. Are you asking whether I would say 'yes' if you proposed to me?"

I laughed. I could see where this was going. "I suppose that's what I'm asking."

"Part of me wants to tell you the only way to know is to ask me...."

"And the other part?"

Her eyes filled with tears.

"We've been quite direct with each other, starting with our first date. Ted, I want to marry you. I meant it when I said you are the love of my life."

"Can I take that under advisement?"

"What does that mean?"

"You know, when a judge..."

"I know what it means in the courtroom!"

I was laughing. "It means, I don't want to ask you to marry me naked in bed at 3 in the morning!"

Now she was laughing. "I guess this would be an awkward time to take a selfie to show others the news."

"Would you mind leaving this ball in my court?"

"As I've said since I met you, I trust you. However, I insist you keep both balls."

That made me laugh, but I was also smiling inside, because she had no idea how far ahead of her I was.

------[]----[]------

We got up the next morning and went down to the restaurant for breakfast. In the elevator, Sammi was holding my hand in both of hers.

"I'm starving," she said.

"I think we burned a lot of calories, last night. A good workout will do that."

I swear she blushed, although it's harder to see due to her skin color.

She leaned over and whispered in my ear: "I think daily workouts of our cores are an excellent practice."

After breakfast, we decided to explore outside. After retrieving sweatshirts from our room, we spent the next hour walking around the grounds and sitting on a bench by the river. It was a brisk morning, but that was likely not the only reason Sammi was snuggled so close to me.

"Sammi, as a military brat, you've lived in a bunch of places around the world and the U. S. What are some bucket list places you want to visit?"

"That depends on why you're asking. Is this travel for a honeymoon?"

I laughed and shook my head. "As an attorney, you understand the wisdom of sometimes asking and answering hypothetical questions. Hypothetically, where would you choose to go on your honeymoon?"

"Should I also assume, hypothetically, it would be with you?"

"If that helps you answer the question, sure."

"Hmmm. I think my list would all be in Europe. Paris--I've never been there, Florence--only there once for two days, Vienna--ditto, Salzburg--never visited, Bruges--visited once, Ireland--never been there. Oh! The Swiss Alps, or Austria. What about you? Where would you like to go?"

"All of the places you listed sound great to me. I've only been to Rome and London."

"Can I ask another of the 'assuming we marry' questions?"

"Hypothetically?"

"Of course. Would your mother have any problem with you marrying me?"

"Why would she? You mean because of your race?"

"Yeah. That's what I'm asking."

"My mother has two sisters and a brother. One of her sisters is married to a very black man. Wesley Snipes black. He is Mom's favorite brother- or even sister-in-law. He's also been a fabulous husband to my aunt. No, my mother will love you, because I love you, and because you're a wonderful person."

"I hope so."

"I know, at least in an intellectual sense, you've experienced prejudice throughout your life. I won't pretend to know what it's like, because I don't. Fortunately, our society is getting better. It's not perfect yet, but it's getting better.

"Are you worried that our children would experience prejudice?"

"Yes."

"I hope they do. It will make them more sensitive to others. You can help teach them how to deal with it and what to learn from it. For that matter, you can help me understand better."

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

"This is so beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here. This will always be a special place for me, because we became lovers here."

We stood and continued our tour of the grounds.

"Sweetheart, our dinner reservation is for 7 tonight. When do you want to start getting ready?"

"I think 6 is fine. What time is it now?"

Since it was only about noon, we decided to get lunch. Something light.

------[]----[]------

As we finished lunch, Sammi leaned over and whispered, "Hey Babe, we haven't had sex in about 10 hours. I need more of you."

Back in our suite, we undressed each other.

"Babe, lie face down on the bed."

I placed a pillow under her pelvis.

"Are you at all sore?"

"A little. The lube is the drawer of my night stand."

I spread her legs and licked her thighs. That always makes her squirm. I kissed her butt cheeks. All over. I licked from her pussy to her asshole. Slowly. My tongue in her pussy launched a lot of moaning.

I spread lube on my cock and moved up and mounted her.

"Baby, move your legs closer together now."

As she closed her legs, I moved my legs outside of hers and began thrusting. Sammi felt immediate pleasure wash over her.

"Oh, baby, that feels so good! It's so tight!"

The feel of her ass as I pounded her was electric and I was rapidly approaching ejaculation. I had to slow myself so she could catch up.

I leaned down and kissed her back. Those same slow and lingering kisses as last night.

Then I spanked her!

I resumed my thrusts, and she was soon moaning loudly with each lunge of my body.

Faster now. Deeper.

She came with a long, sustained wail.

That set me off. I pushed as deeply as I could and jetted cum inside her.

After my cock calmed, I lay on top of her and then pulled her with me, so we were both on our sides. I was still inside her.

"That was fun! A different kind of doggy. Those spanks are like setting off fires inside me. I love it, babe. Now I need to do something for you."

She went and found that washcloth, rinsed it out, and used it to clean my cock. Then she kissed me.

"I love you, Ted. I love you more than I thought it was possible to love someone."

"I feel the same way. I've never experienced love like this."

We made love one more time that afternoon. Gentle, slow, basking in our love for each other. As we neared climaxes, I put her legs over my shoulders and pounded her to an orgasm. Shortly after, I came inside her. Then we showered together.

It was a lazy and sweet afternoon.

That evening, Sammi went into the bathroom to get ready for dinner. I put on my suit and sat down to wait.

Sammi continues to surprise me with her beauty. I was expecting the little yellow dress again, but she came out of the bathroom with an actual black LBD, and it was sexier than the yellow number.

Shorter, tighter on top, so it accentuated her boobs, and I think even lower cut.

"Babe, you come out here wearing that and we might not show up for dinner. I'll just take you right here."

She was laughing. "I was going to ask whether you liked it, but I guess that's a moot question now."

"Just to avoid any ambiguity, wow!"

We walked into the restaurant and then followed the hostess to our table. A lot of heads turned to watch her. That was fun to watch.

I ordered a honey-glazed salmon filet and Sammi ordered a prime ribeye steak.

Sammi was sitting next to me. I had my hand on her thigh, something I have rarely been able to do in public, but here we had a tablecloth.

"Your leg feels so nice. Do you think they'd mind if I just laid you across the table and fucked you?"

"I wouldn't mind at all, but you should probably ask first. But let's talk about how handsome you are in that suit. Do you have any idea what I feel when you look like this? I swear my heart beats faster."

"Babe, tell me about your parents."

"I think you know Dad was a career army man and retired when his tour in the Pentagon came to an end. Lt Colonel was his final rank. He died a couple of years ago and was buried with full military honors in Chicago. Our fathers must have died within a year of each other.

"Mom is 65 and very active, living in Northern Virginia, near where she grew up."

"Was your maiden name Morgan or was that your married name. "

"I took back my maiden name in the divorce. My married name was Caputo."

"Do you miss your father?"

"I do. He and I were close. All that soccer coaching. I learned I could talk to him about anything."

"What will your mother think if you marry a white guy?"

"She'll be fine. Dad might not have been."

Our food was delivered. I tasted her ribeye, and she tasted my salmon. Both dishes were top of form. We talked and cracked a few jokes as we ate.

"Sammi, you know those jokes about the names of car brands, like Ford means 'found on road dead'?"

"I remember there was one based on Fiat--was it 'fix it again, Tony'?"

"Yup. So, years ago I had an employee in a business I owned. She was African-American and one of my favorite employees--favorite people, actually. She was as black as it is possible to be.

"So, I told her those two jokes, and then she told me one that I normally can't repeat, but it was hilarious."

"Why can't you repeat it?"

"Well, you see, it used the N-word. When she told me the joke, I pointed out that while she might get away with that, I could not. I'm not even going to repeat the word.

"She asked me what Pontiac stands for. I had no clue. Here was her answer: 'Poor old N thinks it's a Cadillac.'"

Sammi was holding a napkin in front of her mouth and laughing.

"You're right, you tell that joke in public and you'll get yo' little white ass whipped. I'm not sure I could even get away with telling that!"

"I told you. It's a funny joke, but few people could tell it without suffering bodily harm. Besides, what 'little white ass' are you talking about?"

She was laughing again. "You know I love your little white ass."

"Babe, have you looked at your gorgeous black ass recently? That happens to be my favorite ass on the planet."

"I love you so much!"

We decided to skip dessert. I think we both were looking forward to a different dessert, but I had another agenda anyway.

"Are you ready?"

"Sure."

"Before we go to our suite, could we walk to the lake for a few minutes?"

We walked toward the bench where we sat earlier.

"Let's sit here for a minute and enjoy the stars."

"Sammi, I find myself wondering where you've been all my life, but I'm grateful you decided to seek my vast advice about apples."

She was laughing but clearly suspected something.

I reached into my suit coat pocket and retrieved a box, then stood and knelt in front of her. Her hands were covering her mouth and there were tears in her eyes.

"Sammi, whatever stars--or apples--led you to me, I'm grateful it happened. I think of you every waking moment. I miss you when we're apart, and I don't want to live my life separate from you.

"Samantha Morgan, will you marry me?"

I held out the open box with a ring I bought a few days before.

"When did you buy that?"

"Monday. The day I didn't see you."

"You've had this planned for days, haven't you?"

"I have."

She held out her hand for me to put the ring on her finger.

"I don't remember hearing your answer."

"Yes, my love, I will marry you. Now put the damned ring on my finger."

We were both laughing too hard to coordinate our two hands. Finally, we both sobered and I slipped the ring on her finger.

"How does it fit?"

"It's perfect. Did you guess?"

"Not entirely. When we met in the store, I asked to see the wedding ring you wore. I slipped it on my little finger, and it was a little tight. That was my reference finger when I chose a size for this ring."

"Why did you do that?"

"I honestly don't know. Intuition? Premonition? No idea."

"I'm glad you did. This is a wonderful weekend. I think you need to make love to me tonight for the first time--as your fiancée."

"I would love to do that."

------[]----[]------

Back in our suite, Sammi wanted to wear lingerie for this "first" time. She told me to put on the briefs she bought for me. She said, "They make your package look immense."

When she appeared, she was wearing lingerie I was seeing for the first time: a white sheer bra, a tiny white thong and white stay-up stockings. Smoking hot! A few minutes later I discovered the backside of the thong was more like dental floss!

I took her into my arms and kissed her.

"You are the most beautiful woman I know. I don't know why you fell in love with me, but I am thrilled you did. I am totally, irrevocably in love with you. I can hardly wait for us to be husband and wife."

There were tears in her eyes, some threatening to escape.

"Since we're on the subject of our love for each other, I am so happy, and it's totally because of you. Can we talk about a wedding on the way home tomorrow?"

"Good idea--for tomorrow. Right now, you and I have something more important."

Making love that night was special for both of us. This wasn't just a woman I was dating, or even one I loved. This was my future wife and mother of children we hoped to have.

We enjoyed each other's bodies. We tasted, touched, caressed, kissed, and sucked until we were both breathing in gasps. I penetrated her depths as she cried out and I groaned. I thrust into her as she wrapped her legs and arms around me--even reaching my ass to pull me deeper.

She pushed me over and climbed on me, inserted me into herself and dropped onto me. We both cried out at the pleasure again. She worked me over, forcing me deep into her and pulling back so I was almost outside.

She finally laid down on me, her breasts on my chest. I had my hands on her ass has I thrust up into her until she froze in a silent scream. I rolled us over again and pounded her until I came also.

We lay together, wrapped around each other.

"Ted, I want to bring up a sensitive issue. Please be honest with me, ok? Don't just say what you think I want to hear."

"Ok. I like today's lingerie the best."

She was laughing. "I may have to come back to that with more questions, but that wasn't it. I would rather not sleep apart now. Would you mind if I moved in with you? I know the whole Megan thing..."

"I would love for you to move in. I can't imagine being away from you. Especially now."

"I'm so happy. I'll start bringing things over."

"I'm happy to help. I don't know whether you figured this out, but I have a third garage, a single garage, around the side pf the house. We can park your pickup there. In fact, why don't we work together and use your pickup for a big load?

What do you want to do with your house? I guess I'm assuming we'll live in mine. Just so you know, I bought my house after Megan and I broke up, so she never lived there."

"I'm so glad. I love your house, but I think Megan's ghost would have bothered me. I think we should live there and decide later what to do about my house."

"Sammi, between your mother and mine, we're probably going to have to have a larger wedding than we might have chosen. I guess you and I both have a lot of friends who will want to attend at least a reception."

"What if we get married by the county clerk and then hold a reception that night?"

"I like that idea. No big rehearsal that way."

"Ted, I don't need a big wedding or a traditional wedding dress. I just need you. Let's focus on that."

I held her close. I could feel her heart beating.

"Check-out time tomorrow is 11 am. We can get up and have breakfast, and pack after that. Other than all your lingerie, it shouldn't take any time at all."

"Do you think I brought more than what you've seen?"

"I'm betting on yes."

"I was hoping you'd take the other side of that bet."

"When we drive home tomorrow, should we stop at your house for some things? I'm assuming you'll be staying the night tomorrow."

"Tomorrow night and every night. I never want to be apart again. Yeah, stopping at my house would be great."

------[]----[]------

We made love once more that night. It started with an interesting request from Sammi.

"Babe, my great discovery this weekend has been how much it turns me on when you manhandle me. Please do me that way. Anyway you choose."

I loved her request.

I dragged her around to a few positions and had my fun, but ultimately, I shoved her against a wall, face first. I knelt behind her and ate her out from behind. My favorite part was entering her from behind and thrust by thrust forced her against the wall and onto her tiptoes as I thrust deeply up into her. She climaxed through that, right after I spanked her.

In the end, I came hard and watched it run down her legs. I got a washcloth and cleaned her, then carried her to bed.

I loved what happened there.

"Baby, that was so hot! I loved how you just dominated me and spanked me. I had no idea I would love that so much."

That's when I made up my mind to order restraint cuffs for our bed. I knew she would love those.

------[]----[]------

We drove to her house, and she packed another suitcase and a few garbage bags full of shoes and clothes. It was at that moment it dawned on me that I didn't have enough storage space in my--our--bedroom. We were going to have to work on that.

When we carried the last of Sammi's things into our bedroom, we stood in the middle of piles of her mess and kissed.

"My love, this is your home now, too. If there is anything you would like to change so it feels more like your home, let's talk about it. We have one issue we need to solve. You need more storage room for your clothes. I haven't had time to think through possible solutions, but if you think of something, please tell me."

I quickly merged my drawer space to free up about two-thirds of the dresser and the closet. I also made a note to buy about 4 dozen more hangers.

An hour later, we were both exhausted, ready to fall into bed.

"Ted, this is our first night together in your home--or our home--I think we're too tired for sex, but will you hold me in your arms? Right now, that will feel better than sex, because I feel so safe with you."

That's how we fell asleep, and very nearly how we were when we woke up at 7 am.

That next morning, we called our mothers to tell them the news. By then we had picked a date, so we cleared it with them and explained our plans for a marriage at the county clerk, followed by a reception.

We also decided to have a friend of Sammi's design an announcement for us, not to print and mail, but to email. Sammi started the file of names and emails. We had three weeks to pull it off.

My job was to plan the honeymoon. I was worried about finding plane tickets but that turned out to be relatively easy, for first class.

------[]----[]------

The night before the wedding, Sammi and I were in bed. My arm was around her and her arm was across my chest.

"Tomorrow I will become Samantha Morrison. Just to give you something to think about, I went shopping for special lingerie."

"Sammi, marrying you will be the highlight for me. I feel I'm marrying way over my head and am hardly deserving of you."

"It's probably a good sign that I feel the same way about you."

------[]----[]------

The marriage before the clerk was hardly romantic, but we were both wiping away tears at hearing "husband and wife."

The reception later was fun. We greeted several attorneys from my firm and Sammi's, as well as a lot of people one of us didn't know, and the other hardly did.

Finally, we were alone, in my car, driving home. Our suitcases were there, and the travel clothes we needed. We took an Uber to the Fairmont Hotel, where we would spend our wedding night.

We were both exhausted. We looked into each other's eyes and started laughing.

"We don't have to force anything tonight. We're both tired. How about if we have our wedding night in Ireland?"

"I love that. Can I at least sleep in your arms naked tonight?"

"And you don't think that will lead to sex?"

"Would that be a bad thing?"

"Who am I kidding? Making love to you is always amazing. If we feel like it, let's do it."

We did. It was amazing.

------[]----[]------

The next day we flew to Shannon Airport in Ireland. We had decided not to rent expensive rooms in luxury hotels, but to stay in nice B&B's--the kinds of places Ireland is known for.

We started at a wonderful place in County Clare. The bed was a four-poster, a queen, and we made love twice that night. However, the next night, I tied Sammi to the bed using the restraints I had found online.

They were a complete surprise to her, and she laughingly submitted. However, a few minutes later, after I had tickled her nipples and teased her with kisses to her body that aroused her to the point of pulling on the restraints in frustration, I truly had my way with her.

She couldn't use her legs or arms to pull me deeper into her, so after entering, I teased her at length by staying in the shallows of her love tunnel. She pleaded, pouted, and in every way possible expressed her frustration. Finally, I relented and plunged into her.

She screamed.

I pounded away until both of us came.

After I released her, she snuggled next to me.

"Do you know, you drove me absolutely crazy?"

"That was my goal. Did you enjoy it?"

"I was so frustrated at being unable to do anything, to escape from your torture, to take part in any way, but I loved it. You know I get to do that to you soon."

------[]----[]------

Our stay in Ireland was magical. Such a beautiful country, but more importantly, we were both glad we had found the courage to marry. We wondered why we had feared anything. It was too wonderful to have missed out on.

A little over two months later, we were watching the sonogram technician study the image of a fetus inside Sammi. It was a girl. Conceived in Ireland. I like to think it was when I tied her down.

When she hit six months, she asked for and received an indefinite leave of absence from her law firm. We continued making love, but, of course, were increasingly restricted by what positions she could manage.

I thought she was even more beautiful, and often told her so, but she felt huge and questioned my honesty.

Two days before her due date, her water broke. I thought she would crush my hand as she held it during her contractions. Finally, Bethany cried for the first time and within minutes, Sammi, was holding our daughter and crying.

"Ted, look at our beautiful daughter. She seems to have your pasty, sunburn-waiting-to-happen complexion."

"I think she's darker. Prettier skin, which obviously came from you."

A nurse came in and showed Sammi how to nurse. I may have given her orgasms that way, but the look of love on Sammi's face made it clear this was a supremely satisfying moment for her.

------[]----[]------

We began to settle into life with Beth. After a few months, she was mostly sleeping through the night. Mom helped in that regard, by suggesting we begin transitioning to formula and ask our doctor about adding a little cereal. She said she did that with the three of us and got us sleeping through the night sooner.

Sammi was thrilled to be a mother, and it was only 8 months later when she asked whether I was ready for another.

"Let me ramp up the semen factory. I'll be ready."

Two months later, she was pregnant again. Brittany was born 18 months after Beth, and two years after that, Ethan Edward made his appearance. We barely made it to the hospital that time. Ethan was eager to make his womb escape.

We sold my old home and bought a home with four bedrooms and a professional office. We had a pool and a hot tub, so Sammi went to work in the pool, getting back into shape. We often made love in the pool or the hot tub, and she often followed through on tying me down. She was merciless! She would take me in her mouth, bring me almost to my climax, then back off and kiss my nipples.

Only after torturing me that way for a while, would she allow me to cum.

------[]----[]------

On our tenth anniversary, I walked in the door with a large sack.

"Close your eyes, Babe."

I took a pie box out of the sack and opened it, removing the pie.

"You can look, now."

I was holding an apple pie. Sammi was laughing.

"Braeburns?"

"I didn't ask."

"I love you, Ted. It's been a wonderful 10 years, hasn't it?"

"Why were we scared? It's been amazing. Being married to you and having three children together--it's been more joyful than I imagined."

"I'm so glad you feel that way. Do you remember when we discussed how many children we wanted? One of us said 3 and the other 4. I don't remember which was which, but you announced our number was 3.5."

"I think I said 4, but the average of our answers was 3.5."

"Well, my dear stud, you knocked me up again and we're having a fourth baby."

"That's wonderful, but how?"

"I got stupid. A friend recommended an herbal supplement, and I didn't check whether it interfered with birth control. Spoiler alert: It does. Are you mad at me?"

"How could you possibly ask that? Of course not! This is wonderful news, because you're going to bring another beautiful baby into the world."

------[]----[]------

Beth continues to look more like me than the others. Her skin is fairer, although darker than mine. Our youngest, Amber, so far looks the most like Sammi. Beautiful skin.

Before I thought it possible, we celebrated our 20th anniversary. Beth was a freshman in college and had a steady boyfriend she'd known since they were juniors in high school. Britt was now a junior and Ethan was in 9th grade. Amber was in 3rd grade.

Sammi was still the most beautiful woman I knew. Given our ability to make babies, she's extra-careful about birth control.

She's decided when Amber gets to junior high, she's going to reactivate her law license and resume her legal career.

"Do you have any regrets about pausing your career?"

"None. I can't imagine missing the wonderful experiences I had with my babies. What amazes me most is we have a child in college."

"Did you ever tell her the pie story?"

"Of course, but I followed that up with how I had a first marriage that was a disaster, how he cheated on me, and how it was eight years before I met you. You were the first man I trusted after that.

"Have I ever told you, you are the most honest man I've ever known?"