The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 26

"Almost seven. You hungry?"

"Give me a chance. I've only just opened my eyes."

"In that case, fancy a swim?"

"Now? You're not serious."

"Oh, but I am."

"It'll be freezing. And you're sure to lose THAT the minute you set foot in the lake!"

"The sun's been up for at least an hour. And it's August, it shouldn't be too cold. Plus, I don't think there's much chance of anything other than you sorting this thing out."

"Er...What about your security friends? They'll cop an eyeful and probably watch!"

"I doubt it."

"You can't tell me you'd turn the other way!" I giggle tongue-in-cheek.

"Especially if we're anything to go by." He grins too thrusting himself on my leg. "That was near on pornographic last night."

"Thinking of switching from features to shorts, are you? I bet you have fans who'd offer free services."

"Got their numbers?" He winks, smirking.

"No, but I could source their Twitter handles."

"I'm quite happy as I am, thanks."

"Quite?!"

"Extremely! I adore my wife."

"I'll let her know, shall I?"

"Yes, please. And while you're at it, can you tell her it's been too long since my cock was inside her."

"Jesus, you're filthy!"

"I know. And you love it!"

"Tut, tut." I play along. "Such a pity about those guards..."

"They've gone."

"What?"

"I stood them down."

"Since when?"

"Last night."

"I...I don't believe you." I stammer, eyes wide, still hopeful.

"I warned them as we left there'd be a chance I'd be messaging. I stood them down at five thirty this morning and they've text just now having reached the hotel. They'll be back later, though." Ecstatic I jump from the floor, naked as the day I was born.

"Then let's get our butts outside!" Grabbing some throws Max follows suit and seconds later we're on the edge of the small jetty.

"Cool, Mrs Jacob?" Max flirts, eyeing me.

"A little but I'm not nearly as chilly as I thought I'd be. And you were right about THAT."

"He's going nowhere. But you are!" Grabbing me we hit the glassy lake splashing and screaming like teenagers, and despite the morning sun reflecting on the water I'm immediately aware of the cold. Momentarily stunned I gasp for breath, my teeth chattering, skin seized by goose bumps, but after a few uncertain moments its clear I'm on my own.

"Max!" Calling his name I search around circling every direction to locate him. "Max!" When still there's no answer I grow concerned. "Stop messing around! Where are you?"

"Right here." From behind he clasps me holding me upright and taking our weight he urges my legs around his middle.

"You utter shit!" I gripe skimming water across his face. "You scared me!" Laughing he rubs his eyes.

"Oooh, Gracie. It's our first married fight. Wanna make up? I know a great game."

"What is it? Hide the sausage?"

"Aww. You've spoiled the surprise now." Grinning like a boy he makes me laugh and soon I forget my upset.

"Go on then. Surprise me."

"How rough do you want it?"

"Huh?"

"How rough?" He asks, grinning still.

"Well, what have you got in mind?"

"The ropes on the jetty."

"You want to tie me with the ropes?"

"Would you have any objections if I did?"

"That's not an answer."

"I'm aware of that but you might think I'm a freak."

"Oh, well let me think of all the freakiness I've been introduced to thus far. Handcuffs, butt play, vibrators."

"In my defence it was you who introduced me to the latter."

"And now you're hooked on my mischief?"

"That's right. So?"

"So..." I tease, intrigued and smirking. "I have no objections."

"Then follow me, madam. You're jetty awaits." Leading the way he swims confidently ahead his long limbs sleek cutting through the water. Catching up he's already preparing, the old ropes lose and floating freely.

"OK. Listen carefully because I don't want to be calling an ambulance the morning after our wedding night."

"I'm a pretty good swimmer, thank you," I state all matter-of-fact, though clearly it's not being well received.

"Gracie. The last time we were anywhere near water together you were rushed to hospital and I found out you were pregnant. So, listen carefully. OK?" Recalling the fiasco and the events that followed, he promptly grabs my attention.

"Aye-aye captain."

"I'm serious."

"I know, but hopefully not for long." Gripping the post I hold on as he instructs me to stand on the ledge below.

"How do you know that's there?"

"It was the first thing I checked when we got into the water. The structure's great, we should use it at Fortrose."

"You've been planning this?"

"Since I saw it last night."

"Boy, you really are a smooth operator. There I was thinking you only had eyes for me yet the whole time you were staking the place for sex games."

"Oh, stop whining woman and give me your hands," he jests lovingly. Minutes later he's checking his handiwork and happy with the outcome he leans to kiss me.

"You're going nowhere, Beautiful," he smiles, eyes full of naughtiness. "And now Mrs Jacob, I'm going to have my wicked way with you."

"Not quite."

I glare at Max his lips unmoving, watching as he slowly raises his chin and as horror fills his soft blue eyes his smiling face turns ashen. Staring above he makes to speak words failing him as he tries to talk and its then my world rests on a knife edge as my thudding heart drops to the pit of my stomach. I cannot see but I can hear and from deep in my soul I know it's him. His laugh, his tone and the stench of scotch, hang in the air like an omen.

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