Watching Marie cum, had the butterflies fluttering around between Rhonda’s legs again. Their passionate kiss had her impatient for more. She couldn’t believe she was still horny and didn’t resist when Marie pushed her back and touched her again. With one hand between her legs, Marie’s other hand worked at undoing her top and bra. Then she attacked Rhonda’s breasts with teeth and tongue.
Lifting, Marie asked if Rhonda wanted to hear more of her adventure with Andrew.
“Oh yes. More, please.”
“Well, by the time it started to get dark, we were all buggered. Andrew and Mark took me out to dinner. I had trouble with Mark trying to play with me under the table at the restaurant. People around us had to see what he was trying to do. But he didn’t care, and his attention made me even hotter. I wanted to get back to the hotel for some more action. But they wanted to walk along the river. I should have realised what they had in mind, as I knew Andrew liked the thrill of getting caught. But still, it was a surprise when he pulled me into the shadows behind the Rowing Club; they made me remove my top and panties. I stood there in the cold, wearing only my skirt and high heels. People strolled by not twenty yards away, and they bent me over an abandoned skiff and took turns fucking me. You have no idea how fucking erotic it was. It was one long orgasm.”
Imagining herself bent over the skiff, Rhonda was as hot as hell. She was about to come again. She could feel it growing in her bowels.
“Afterwards, they let me put on my top, not my bra or knickers and walked me back to the Motel. Mark, the bugger, was flicking my dress up whenever we passed anyone. I do not know how often I was fucked before it was time to leave the next morning.”
Rhonda realised the exhibitionist elements of Marie’s story were giving her an insatiable hunger. She grabbed Marie’s wrist and urged her to thrust harder. Then, leaning forward, she clamped her mouth on one of Marie’s breasts and let herself go. Her climax was much faster this time and more intense.
When she could focus her eyes again, Marie exclaimed, “God, that was good. We have to do this again. Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it. That was fucking fantastic.”
——
Rhonda got home just after 4:00. Harry and his three golfing mates were all sitting around in the lounge talking shit and having a last beer.
Rhonda tried to slip past the lounge unnoticed, conscious she was pantyless. Her panties had been too messy to put on and were in her purse. Mark saw her and yelled for her to come and give him a kiss and hello. Harry gave him a filthy look, and the three guys all gave him a ‘Whooo! Bit touchy, Harry!’
To further wind Harry up, as she was still angry with him, Rhonda answered back, “I’d love to Mark, but I’m all stinky. Been on my feet all day.”
Mark yelled back that he didn’t mind. Harry’s angry look at Mark got another chorus of Whoo’s from the guys. Rhonda went straight to the bathroom, threw all her clothes in the laundry basket and leapt in the shower.
After her shower, she crossed the hall to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around her and bumped into Mark, who was supposedly upstairs to use the toilet. The towel was not covering a lot, and blushing red, she rushed to her bedroom and locked the door. As she pulled on her jeans, it hit her that Mark would probably look in the laundry basket, see her dirty knickers and smell them. The thought sent an excited shiver down her spine. What a shame he’s married my best friend, she thought.
While Rhonda waited for Harry’s mates to leave, she turned her mind to her meeting with the accountant the next day. Rhonda felt better able to confront him now that she had discussed things with Marie.
—-
Rhonda rose early on Monday. Her brain was still reeling from her experience with Marie the day before. Shocked by the thought she had touched another woman, she was disturbed to find how worked up she was thinking about it. She’d tried to discuss the accountant with Harry the night before, but he was more interested in a program on the television, and he was the last person she could discuss her slip with Marie. Doug had texted during the evening to say Bruce would be there at 8:00 sharp. That got a jealous reaction from Harry, the only emotion he had shown all night.
Doug was waiting for her on the porch when she arrived just after 7:00. He walked over to her as she climbed out of the car.
“I should go up and get the boys started,” he said. “But I’ll wait and introduce you to Bruce. He can be an arrogant bastard. Tell me if you feel uncomfortable with him, and I will stay.”
Rhonda waved for him to go get the horse saddled, “I’ll be fine. I’d like to see him on my own. I have a bit to confront him with and expect he will act all macho if you are there.”
As promised, Bruce drove up the drive minutes before 8:00. He was tall and had lots of grey hair showing. He wore an expensive suit and would have cut a fine figure if not for his middle-aged spread. He hardly looked at Rhonda, grinning and slapping Doug on his back like old mates. He looked surprised and almost annoyed when Doug said he was leaving.
Rhonda guided him into the house and told him to sit. She pointed to the old armchair next to Shirley’s desk. It must have been from the days when Doug’s father ran the station, as the springs were gone. Bruce resisted and stood looking at her. Rhonda was standing in front of her office chair, the only other place to sit. She stood with her arm pointing at the chair until he gave in and sat. She secretly smiled as he sank, his knees almost touching his chin.
“Good, make yourself comfortable. I’m not sure how long this will take,” Rhonda told him.
Bruce tried to take control, “Doug tells me you have some problems understanding the accounts.”
“Mr Norton, I have no problems whatsoever understanding the accounts. But you may have, as I have picked up several irregularities. And your good friend Shirley has absconded with a substantial amount of money.”
Bruce interrupted her, “I did not have much to do with the accounts. Shirley did the books, and as we have audited them for many years without issue, I may have gotten a bit lax in signing them off in recent years. I hand them to one of my juniors to sort through, then sign them off.”
“And yet, Mr Norton, I see you have been sending Sterling Station an account for a substantial amount every month. That would suggest that someone spent time checking the books every month.”
Bruce’s composure dropped, and with a sneer, he said, “What do you want, lady? Money! You’ll not get any money from me without a fight.”
I don’t want a penny. I want you to admit to what has been going on and need you to sort the books out so the station does not have trouble with the Tax Department. Then we will dispense with your services and get a new accountant.”
“We, you say. We! Do you have your hooks in Doug and think you’ll get his money?”
“I’m married, Mr Norton, and there is no romantic involvement between Mr McKenzie and I. But I like the position here and want it to be secure for the next few years. There are substantial unpaid accounts with little money in the bank to cover them. Your girlfriend Shirley has absconded with a substantial amount.”
“That has nothing to do with me, and Shirley and I had no romantic involvement.”
“No, you’re probably telling the truth. Nothing romantic. But there sure was lots of sex.”
As Bruce tried to stand, spitting out that he was not going to sit there and listen to any more of this crap. Rhonda, who had not sat down, stepped over and held her hand up to stop him, “I have proof of your indiscretions.”
She reached for her phone, opened it to the picture of his poem, and stuck it under his nose.
Bruce collapsed back. “The stupid bitch promised me she had burnt all our correspondence. Where did you get that?”
“I found a couple of envelopes that had slid down behind all the old accounts. This poem was stapled to an account from you. Neither envelope had any writing on the front, indicating they were delivered when you came for your monthly bonk. Are you going to try to deny that that is your signature? I’m sure any court that reads the letters will be in no doubt that you came out here for sex every month. So you’re saying you were hands off and only saw her once a year, which sounds like a big porky to me.”
Bruce leaned forward, “Have you told Doug all this?”
“Not a word about you and Shirley. I’m scared he will fetch his shotgun. And I don’t want him to go to jail for blowing pieces from a snake like you.”
“What do you want?”
“I told you. I want you to sort out the accounts. I can see some glaring irregularities, and if a stupid woman like me can see them, I’m sure the Tax people will have a field day when I take these to them. And as you have signed off on ten years’ worth, you will be more aware than me how long you will get. I also want you to pay this topdressing account,” she said, picking it up from the desk and handing it to him.
“It’s for $45,000. I don’t have that.”
“Well, you had better find it somewhere. I figure you have falsely charged Doug at least double that over the last ten years for doing nothing more than fucking his wife every month. And I’m sure that that is just the tip of the iceberg. You had to be privy to the syphoning off of funds to take these risks.”
Bruce mumbled something into his clenched fist.
“What was that?” Rhonda questioned.
“I said I didn’t sleep with her every month. Look, I have done something stupid, and I knew it the first time she lured me into her bed. But she was a beguiling, unscrupulous woman. It was her idea to charge Doug the money every month. I’m a good, honest accountant and have done nothing like this before. She had me over a barrel as she had photos of us. She had me by the balls. Once I started sending those monthly accounts, I was buggered.”
“And you enjoyed it,” whispered Rhonda.
“You haven’t found any of those photos, have you?” he asked, looking hopeful.
His question jogged her memory. She shook her head, and he gave a relieved sigh. But she remembered a manila folder named ‘Insurance’ that was empty but showed impressions from papers and envelopes that had been in it. She surmised that that is where Bruce’s photos had been and wondered how many others Shirley had a hold over.
She was startled back to reality as she heard Bruce speaking, “The problem was that she married Doug for his money. But ten years ago, when she finally decided to leave him, she learned that everything was tied up in a trust. And I mean everything. Her car was even part of a trust. She went to a lawyer and found that if she up and left him, it would likely take years to get any money. So she started syphoning off any money she could.”
Rhonda interrupted, “So this all started ten years ago? I didn’t see much evidence in the older accounts, but this year, she has withdrawn substantial amounts.”
“I’m sure she was fiddling the books before I got lured into her bed. But she was careful early on. But she probably didn’t care about getting found out in the last year, knowing she was about to run. It will be hard to nail a wife for overspending her husband’s money, though.”
“She must have left with thousands.”
“Yes, very likely. But if Shirley had filed for divorce and been prepared to wait for a few years, she probably could have gotten a lot more than that.”
“Let’s call this quits. I have lots to do,” snapped Rhonda. Do you understand what I want? You will file the last tax return in September, as you are quitting the account. You can have everything ready to hand over to Brady’s in Morrinsville. I know Gavin well, but I haven’t talked with him yet. You will go through the last two years and tidy up what you can.”
Bruce interrupted, “I don’t have the time. Sorting through this could take weeks.”
“Then you might have to give up your Wednesday and Sunday golf games for a month or two. Better than you’re going to jail. I have taken photocopies of all the discrepancies I found. I can find plenty more if you want me to. I’ll help you out to your car with that pile of foolscap boxes by the door. And your letters to Shirley are with a girlfriend, just in case you’re considering retrieving them from me.”
“You have been watching too many crime shows. I’m not the Chicago mafia.”
You might be right, but I think it’s best to be sure. Oh! I have one last question for you. Was Shirley sleeping with anyone else? Like Avery Norman, for instance. I’m wondering what else she was doing that may come and bite us in the bum.”
Bruce looked at her as an equal for the first time, “What makes you think he had anything to do with all this?”
There have been many people stopping by to see me. And something was said.”
“She has certainly slept with Shifty. That’s what we call Avery, Shifty Norman. They had a thing going back in their teens, but he dropped her for Abby Marbray. I’m guessing Shirley had stuff on him. That’s what she was like. She may have been sleeping with him, but I heard a rumour she had a thing going with Abby. Do you know about their key parties? I know someone who attended one, and they said Shirley and Abby eloped to a bedroom.”
“Have you attended those parties?”
“No, I’d never convince my Mia to go near one of those. She’s hated Avery Norman for years. So no, we’d never be invited to those.”
Rhonda gave him a dubious look. She wasn’t entirely convinced he hadn’t snuck along on his own.
“And for your information, I slept with Shirley less than a dozen times. About four times all those years ago. And maybe another half dozen times this year. She only handed out favours when she wanted something. There will be others she has slept with to gain advantage, but I don’t know them.”
As he stood and grabbed half of the boxes, Rhonda slipped the topdressing account into his pocket. “Don’t forget that. It’s due. I can scrape up enough money to pay all the other accounts.”
——
When Doug walked in, Rhonda had lunch prepared. He got straight to the point: “How was it with Bruce?”
“He wasn’t very cooperative at first, but I had him cold, and he left with his tail between his legs.”
Doug looked at her respectfully, “What the hell did you have over him? I’ve been worried about you all morning.”
“There are some glaring mistakes in the books. They have been going on for at least ten years. I gave him a chance to clean things up and save his skin. Also, he has been overcharging you, so he will cover your last topdressing bill.”
“Was he sleeping with Shirley?”
“Do you want to know any of that?”
“No! Keep all that to yourself. She’s gone. I don’t want to know. But I take it he was. Fuck, people must think I’m naive and stupid.”
“Eat your lunch. I don’t think you are stupid. I’m starting to realise that your Shirley was a conniving bitch, and your very lucky she didn’t get away with a lot more.”
“What else do you have planned?”
“I want to have another look through the invoices and see if I can find what Shirley was paying your mate Avery. I want to see him and organise some fruit for the stand.”
“I don’t want you to go over there.”
I know, you said. But I’m not going to succumb to Avery’s charms, and I may be able to convince him to supply us. Let me have a go.”
Rhonda spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find invoices from Norman’s Orchards. There was nothing, even when she went back five years. She had to assume she was blackmailing him. Armed with this theory, she determined to visit the Orchard the following day and confront Shifty Norman.
….
The following day, after finishing her chores, Rhonda Drove to Norman’s Orchards. There was no roadside stall, only some shelves with products outside the barn. The man who came out to meet her was shorter than she expected. But she was in no doubt it was Shifty. He was overdressed for a worker and had his hair swished back like an Elvis impersonator.
“Mr Norman, Doug over at Sterling Station has employed me to look after the books and run the roadside stall. People have asked about apples, peaches, etc., that Shirley used to stock. Doug tells me she purchased them from you. So I’m after a similar arrangement.”
“I’m not interested,” said Shifty, and he began to turn away. Rhonda called out, “I’ve checked all the accounts. There is no record of Sterling Station ever having dealt with you.”
He turned and looked at her, “She paid cash.”
Rhonda played a long shot, “I can do the same. I found some envelopes in a file under insurance. One had your name on it. I know she was blackmailing people. Was she blackmailing you?”
“Open it and see. Shirley had nothing on me,” Avery said, tapping his head. “Are you sure it’s not my wife’s name?”
“No. It’s your name.”
“I know more about Shirley than she ever knew about me. Any blackmailing would have gone the other way had I been so inclined.” Then he hesitated, seemingly having a revelation, “I know what it will be. Shit! I’ll buy the photos from you. How much do you want?”
“I’m not after money. I just want to make sure Shirley’s indiscretions don’t come back and threaten us. And I want some product to sell. Anyone going down the main road and stopping at ours will never come this far out of their way. So we are not threatening your business.”
“Are you sleeping with Doug? The rumour around town is that you are.”
“People keep asking me that question. I’ll give you the answer I have given everyone else. I’m married, and I’ve never been unfaithful. There is nothing at all between us. I work for him, that is all.”
“Have you opened the envelopes?”
“No. The envelopes are all going on the fire as soon as I know there is nothing that will come back and burn my boss.”
“Doug is a decent guy, always has been. But Shirley was a piece of work. I bonked her a couple of times in my teens. She didn’t want anyone to know and tried to blackmail me into keeping quiet about it. She’s tried to get me back into the sack many times. But once bitten, you know, never go there again. When Shirley approached me about giving her fruit for the stand, I declined, wanting nothing to do with her. She said she had photos of my wife with Mac. I told her I didn’t give a dam and to do what she wanted with her photos. However, weeks later, I found that Abby was supplying her with a product. I do not know who this Mac was, but you must have heard about our parties. Why would I ever be worried about a few photos? Hell, one of the rules with the parties is no photos, but we all know some get taken.”
“I have heard about your parties. I also heard that Shirley was invited to one.”
“She most certainly was not invited. She just turned up. Does Doug think I was bonking her?”
“Yes.” And Rhonda turned to leave.
Avery sighed, “Well, seeing as you are going to destroy whatever Shirley had, you had better come look at what fruit we have. There is not much. Apples from the chiller, maybe some other stuff you can sell. But it’s very near its used-by date. The first of this year’s products is still a couple of months away.”
Rhonda filled her back seat and boot with a dozen bags of apples, ten bags of Kiwifruit, some Grapefruit, and Lemons. Avery only charged her $20.00 for the lot, saying it was about to go to the pigs.
As she went to get in the car, Avery asked if she wanted an invitation to their next Party.
“I was wondering when you’d ask. I was beginning to wonder if your reputation was all hot air,” Rhonda said, looking him in the eyes. “I’m sure my husband would be interested, but that sort of thing is not for me. But thanks for asking.”
As she drove away, she mulled over her dealings with Avery. She could see the attraction for some women, but he did nothing for her. But she thought. I’d love to be a fly on the wall at one of his parties. Feeling quite horny, she resolved to search for ‘Key Parties’ on her dirty story site that night.
Back at the Station, Rhonda parked next to the roadside stall and stacked half the product onto the shelves. She was writing up the prices on the chalkboard when she noticed Doug waving at her from the yard by the barn. He held his hand wide apart, indicating how did she get on. Rhonda waved back and gave him a thumbs up.
As she returned to her car, her phone rang, and she saw it was Marie. She panicked and looked to see if Doug was watching. The thought of what she and Marie had done the previous Sunday gave her goosebumps, and the flesh around her nipples tightened, making them harden. And she was further embarrassed by her tingling pussy dampening.
Rhonda nervously answered. Marie said she wanted to talk and had something to run past her. She asked if they could meet that night. Rhonda stuttered, “No. “I’m busy tonight.” She wasn’t busy at all, but she needed time to think. Then, she agreed to meet for dinner the following evening. Marie sounded excited and said she’d pick her up at 6:00.
Hanging up, Rhonda drove up and parked next to the barn. Doug was waiting to help her stack the excess product in the chiller. She hoped he couldn’t smell her arousal. The conversation with Marie had her slippery and tender between her legs. She jerked back as Mac shoved his snout into her crotch. And when she bent to pick up a lemon Doug had dropped, Mac tried to mount her.
“Down, you randy bugger. Sorry! Mac’s always like that. Tries to hump everything.”
At that moment, Rhonda realised what the photos were that Shirley had on Avery’s wife.
After tidying everything away, Doug took her to the stables and showed her how to tack up Betty. Then, Doug rode around the paddock with her, giving her tips.
——
Wednesday morning, Rhonda found Doug waiting with a rucksack by his chair. She saw he had a horse saddled up by the barn and thought he was going to give her another riding lesson. But he came over and told her he was about to leave for the hut and that he’d be mustering with the boys for the next few days. We have to get the sheep down onto the flat, as the shearers are coming Monday. You can call or text me if you have any issues. There is good cell coverage around here. We are so close to the tower on Mt Te Aroha.”
The day flew by, and Rhonda knocked off around 3:00 pm to buy new lingerie. She was apprehensive about meeting with Marie again, knowing she would likely have plans to get her in the sack again. And she didn’t want to be caught in the plain old undies she’d worn last time.
Once home and standing in front of her mirror, she admired the brief, lacy new red knickers before pulling on her best navy slacks, a white blouse and her best light blue mohair cardigan. But when Marie arrived and saw what Rhonda was wearing, she objected.
“No, no, no, we’re eating at the Pub. That’s far too conservative. We need to dress you in something that gives Harry something to think about. Show me your wardrobe, and I’ll pick something to turn his head.”
But after perusing all Rhonda’s clothes and finding nothing remotely sexy, Marie told her they’d call in at her place as she had some items that would turn a few heads.
On the drive, Marie asked Rhonda if she’d tried a Vibrating Egg.
“I have no idea what that is, but I can guess.”
“What about a Butt Plug?”
“Well, I know what that is. I’ve read stories about women wearing them. But again, no. Harry’s asked about toys in the past. I’ve always been too embarrassed to let him buy any.”
“Oh boy, are we going to have fun tonight?” exclaimed Marie. “John bought me a Lovense Vibrating Egg a month ago. It’s fantastic. You can wear it tonight.”
In Marie’s bedroom, she got Rhonda to strip and was pleased to see her new red lingerie. “Well, at least that is sexy. Did you buy it for me?”
Rhonda flushed—she had, but she couldn’t admit it. Marie picked a light blue, tied-shoulder cami top and a blue/grey pleated flared mini skirt. Rhonda complained about the skirt being too short and making her look like a mutton dressed as lamb. “If I bend over, people will see my panties.”
“Rubbish, you look gorgeous. Just be careful when you bend. I’ll untie these straps and lower the top an inch. I want you to show more cleavage. Give that bitch Harry is flirting with something to worry about.”
She raved about her legs and tried to get her to wear some black fishnet stockings, but Rhonda wouldn’t have a bar of them. Said they would make her look like a hooker.
Finally, she picked up a shopping bag, made Rhonda sit on the edge of the bed, and withdrew a bright pink bulb-shaped egg with a long tail. Rhonda gasped that she couldn’t, but she wasn’t that convincing, as her mind was on what else might be in the bag.
When Marie pressed it into her hand and told her to insert it, Rhonda replied, “Oh, Christ Marie, I can’t use that in public. People will hear it?”
“No, they won’t. I operate it from my phone. Look, and she tapped her screen. The pink egg sprang to life. Rhonda almost dropped it and exclaimed, “They’ll hear that.”
“Once it’s inserted, you can hardly hear a thing. Can I insert it, or do you want to do it yourself?”
Rhonda pulled away, “I’ll do it.”
She tried to get away with only half inserting it, intending to pull it out when Marie wasn’t looking. But the fixed tail didn’t allow that. It sprung closed, and the egg slid deep inside. Marie leaned forward, pushed her legs apart, and checked the egg’s placement. He then opened the app on her phone and showed Rhonda the different settings. The oscillating sensations had Rhonda twitching like a marionette.
“It’s too powerful. Can you use it on its lowest setting, please?” Then she doubled up again as Marie pressed the button hard and tried one of the other programs. Rhonda went to pull it out, but Marie held her hand and promised to only use it on low.
“You must also wear something if I’m going to wear this. What else do you have in that bag?”
“I’ll use a butt plug. I often go out wearing one anyway. Do you want to put it in for me?”
“No. You do it. I’ll watch, as I do want to try one sometime.”
Marie squatted down, took some lube from the bag and pushed the silver bullet up her bottom. Rhonda clamped her legs together as delicious ripples of pleasure streaked through her tummy. And the egg was not even operating. Shit, she thought, this was going to be an interesting night.
Seeing Rhonda’s discomfort, Marie stood and placed a soft and forceful kiss on her lips. Rhonda froze, but only for a second. Then she thought, “What the hell?” She’d had no intimacy for months, and she returned the kiss with fervid enthusiasm.
Marie turned the egg onto one of the low, slow vibrating modes on the drive into town and, grinning, asked Rhonda about her day. After calling her a smart bitch, Rhonda told her about her visit to Avery that morning. She explained about his reputation with the ladies, that Doug fancied his wife, and about him inviting her to his next Party.
“Are you going to go?”
“I’m sure Harry would love to, but he’d have a heart attack if I so much as looked at another man. Besides, how could you do it in front of a barn full of strangers?”
“I’d love to go to one, and better to fuck in front of strangers than people you know.”
“I suppose,” said Rhonda thoughtfully. How about John? Would he want to go?”
“I don’t know. Like all men, I guess his initial response would be a yes. But like your Harry, I don’t think he’d be too keen on me having any fun. However, he’s nowhere near as jealous as your Harry. We should go to one of the parties, though. If Avery is as randy as you say he is, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if we turned up without our husbands.”
“No, I couldn’t,” was Rhonda’s response. Then she asked what Marie wanted to talk about.
“Not yet. Wait until we’re having dinner. I’m guessing I’m going to have to do some convincing.”
____
Rhonda waved to Harry as they walked through the bar to the dining room. Harry looked startled, emerged from behind the bar, and followed them through the admiring crowd.
“What on earth are you wearing,” he snapped as they took their seats.
Marie answered, “Rhonda tells me you are not paying her much attention these days, so I have let her try one of my outfits. Don’t you like it? Your clientele certainly seems to approve.”
Harry looked at where she was pointing and saw some faces from the bar turn away. “I’ll talk to you when I get home,” he said, retreating from the room.
Rhonda felt a surge of anger and called out, “That will be a welcome change.”
They ordered from the young waitress, and once she departed, Rhonda looked at Marie expectantly.
“I spoke to Andrew yesterday morning,” and when Rhonda gave her an inquiring look, “You know, the farmer from Gisborne I met in Hamilton.”
Rhonda interrupted, “I’m not going to go with you to visit him.”
“Why not? You got as horny as hell when I told you about him. And you said you’d never done anything and wished you had.”
“That’s just fantasising. It’s not like I could ever actually do it.”
“It doesn’t need to be just a fantasy. You think your husband is having an affair. He hasn’t touched you in months. It’s time you did something about it. I’ve been watching all the guys peeking their heads through the door to get a look at you. You’re hot. Andrew and Mark are going to think they have won the Loto.”
“I couldn’t. Besides, I don’t know if Harry is having an affair. All I saw was a funny look between them. I need to sort that out first.”
Marie turned the Lovense egg on, which caused Rhonda to gasp. Looking over, she said, “That’s not fair.”
“I won’t give up. Andrew will be in Auckland starting Thursday next week and proposes that he stay for the weekend. We could go up Friday night, shop all Saturday and meet them for dinner. You need lots of new clothes.”
“You said, Andrew. Now you’re saying them. Is he bringing his mate again?”
“He said he’ll bring him if you come, and his friend is young, handsome and has plenty of energy.”
“No. I can’t. Try all you want, but that is not me,” then changing the subject, “I believe you run the hair salon in town.”
“Run may be an exaggeration. John bought it for me. You will know Hattie, I guess. She has no head for finances and was about to go under. I’ve got things back on track, and John bought the large department store next door that went bust a year ago. We will turn it into a women’s gym/spa setup, and the hair salon will become a part of the new beauty salon we have planned. I’ve always been into fitness, which is more of my thing. I’ll leave Hattie to run the hair salon.”
“Can you turn this egg thing off? It’s driving me crazy.” Rhonda moaned.
Marie fiddled with her phone, then looked at Rhonda, “I’ll give some respite for a minute. But I haven’t given up. I’ll talk with Andrew tomorrow and tell him you are a maybe.”
Rhonda didn’t bother to argue. She wished she had the courage to go with Marie but knew she never would.
When the waitress returned with the dessert menu, Marie gave the Lovense a powerful burst. She gasped out, “No!” which confused the waitress. Marie got her attention, ordered apple pie with cream, and asked where the red-headed barmaid was.
Liz is not on duty tonight,” then, looking directly at Rhonda, she asked, “She’s not your sister, is she?”
“No!” Rhonda exclaimed.
“I didn’t think she was. You’re far more beautiful,” she said, blushing profusely and rushing back to the kitchen.
Marie laughed, “You have an admirer.”
“Don’t be stupid. The girl wouldn’t be interested in an old hag like me.”
Marie snorted, “You put yourself down too much. You are quite beautiful and have the most amazing figure. Why do you think half the bar is sneaking into the dining room? Your Harry must be beside himself with jealousy.”
“I feel fat and frumpy. I used to have a trim, tidy body.”
“Yes. In your teens. Didn’t we all? But you have filled out now and are much more desirable. Wait until you meet Andrew. He’ll cream his jeans when he sees you.”
“I told you. I can’t. I would be mortified to be with another man. God, Harry and I hardly ever have the lights on.”
“I’ll get you to change your mind. You’re coming with me. Eat up, let’s have a coffee and liqueur in the bar.”
They finished the desert, and then Marie went over to pay the bill. She saw her beckon the waitress over and speak with her.
Marie returned and hustled Rhonda through to the bar. “I’ve ordered a coffee and a Baileys for us both.”
They found a cubicle at the back, where Harry couldn’t see her. He’d glared at her as she walked past, and she knew they would have words when he got home.
“What did you talk to the waitress about? You had a lot to say.”
Marie chuckled, “I asked her if she wanted to come home with us.”
“You didn’t! She’s young enough to be our daughter.”
“She’s twenty and has the hots for you. But she can’t come tonight as her father is picking her up after her shift. He doesn’t like her walking home alone. Pretty little thing, isn’t she? I’ve got her phone number.”
Rhonda blushed red, “God, you’ll be the death of me. Why do you do all this?”
“I told you, I have hot Mediterranean blood. I need to let my hair down now and again. I should warn you, Andrew is not some tall, handsome hunk. I like my men to be rough and randy, like a caveman. One that will grab you by your hair and drag you into his cave and fuck you till you scream.”
Rhonda asked, “Does John know you are unfaithful?”
“He must know, but we never talk about it. I don’t abscond very often. He knows when it’s going to happen. I get moody and irritable with him and clear off for a few days. Early in our marriage, it was every couple of years, but it has been more often in the last few years. When he senses me getting restless, he tells me to take a break and sort out my problems. I just tell him I’m going shopping.”
“Where do you go?”
“Auckland usually. I’d book into a nice hotel, go to the bar and pick up some mongrel man. Married men are best. They don’t get lovestruck and follow you home. But two years ago, I took a five-day trip to Sydney. John and my sex was great for a few weeks afterwards.
“Will you leave John for one of these guys one day?”
Hell no! You don’t marry men like that. John is good. People think I married him for his money. But that is not why I did. I married him because he’s a decent man who lets me do my own thing when needed. I could never be married to a possessive man like your Harry. He’s been glaring at you all night, you know. I’m guessing he’s going to be giving you shit when he gets home.”
As Rhonda nodded her agreement, the waitress brought their coffees, and Marie slammed the Lovense egg on hard. At Rhonda’s sharp intake of air, the waitress asked if she was alright.
Marie interrupted, “She’s good. I’m giving her a little buzz. ” She held out her phone to the girl, “Do you want to give her a burst?”
The waitress must have known what the Lovense App on Marie’s phone was for as she coloured up and made a hasty retreat.
Marie let out an explosive laugh, “We are going to have her one night. Poor little thing, she’ll be in her bed as soon as she gets home tonight, frigging her little quim raw.”
They finished their coffees and made for the door. Rhonda said to take her straight home, and she’d pick her clothes up another time. But Marie wouldn’t hear of it. She said John was out of town for the night, and she’d sent her son to his grandmothers in anticipation of Rhonda’s visiting.
Once through the door, Marie backed her against the wall and kissed her. The kiss was both soft and forceful. It caught Rhonda off guard, but she was so horny she willingly accepted it. Marie began to pull Rhonda’s clothes off, and once naked, she led her to the bedroom.
Rhonda lay back and watched Marie tear her clothes off. Then Marie was on top of her, demanding another kiss. She enjoyed it more than expected, and their tongues softly danced together. Marie’s kisses were consensual and cooperative. They were nothing like kissing Harry, but she quickly put that thought out of her mind. It wasn’t long before Marie was kneading Rhonda’s breasts and had the bloody egg switched up to high.
But when she had her close, Marie pulled the egg out, slammed two fingers into her empty throbbing gash, and began pinching and twisting her nipples. She frigged her hard, Rhonda had never been treated like that, and surprisingly, her little screams were punctuated with bursts of perverse pleasure.
Her orgasm hit like an avalanche, And when Rhonda’s exquisite storm of emotions subsided, Marie spun around and positioned herself in a sixty-nine position and began a slow exploration with her mouth. As she recovered her senses, Rhonda returned the favour. She lifted her head and savoured the deluge of juices that were leaking from Marie’s hot quim.
Their lovemaking was slow but intense, and when it built to an exquisite torture, Rhonda’s second orgasm hit. It was like an oncoming train. She had to hold back, though, as bringing Marie off took another five minutes. But it was worth it. She felt a real sense of achievement when Marie buckled on top of her and screamed out in ecstasy.
They showered together, and then Marie blow-dried her hair.
Running her fingers through the copper locks, she breathed, “I’m going to book you an appointment when we’re in Auckland and get this beautiful mop permed into a mass of curls.”
“I’m not going with you. Try all you want.” Then, looking at her watch, “Christ, it’s 11:05. “I need to get home.”
——
Harry was waiting for her when she stepped in the door. It was the first time he’d been home before 11:30 for years. She knew he was angry, as he was so quiet.
“You’ve been with another man.” He finally spat out.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you really think I’d do that?”
“Well, two men left the bar after you two left.”
“Maybe they were sick of having an angry barman glaring at them all night.” Rhonda retorted.
“Where have you been then?”
“I went to Marie’s and changed out of the clothes she loaned me. Also, I stank of smoke, so I had a shower. Then we talked. To be honest, I didn’t want to come home to an empty house. You seldom get home before midnight these days. And when you arrive home earlier, you get angry with me if I make any advances.”
Harry slumped, “We’ve grown apart, haven’t we?”
“We have. Do you know why?”
“Because you’re frigid and never want sex.”
Rhonda almost sniggered. If only Harry could have seen her an hour earlier.
“You don’t know how to turn a woman on. We need to warm up. You expect me to turn into a raving nymphomaniac the second your pecker stands up. It doesn’t work like that for a woman.”
“Other women don’t seem to mind.”
“So you’ve been trying out other women, have you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Well, how do you know what other women want?”
“I’m talking about before we were married. Look, you’re cold. Remember our holiday to the Gold Coast? You wouldn’t let me near you.”
“Oh, bringing that up again. Christ, it was years ago. I had my period. I tried to get you to book different dates, but we had to go when you wanted.”
Harry turned, “I’ll sleep in Michael’s room tonight.” And he stormed out.
Guilty and annoyed, Rhonda didn’t bother to argue. She just glumly got ready for bed.
____
When she arrived at the farm the following day, she felt a sense of loss and realised it was because Doug was not there to meet her. She had almost completed her chores when she received a text from him. It asked her to go into town and get him and the boys some extra supplies. She returned his text, saying she would bring them lunch to the hut if he wanted.
Back came a text. ‘We’re up in the hills but should get down to the hut by 1:00. Can you find your way? Come up in the Ranger. Don’t try driving in your car. There are some muddy patches.’
Rhonda drove into town and bought the supplies Doug had asked for, including some bread, ham, tomatoes, and cheese. Eddie grinned when she took the lot to the till and said he’d been checking up on her.
“You’re married to Harry, who manages the Morrinsville Pub. How’s that going?”
Rhonda thought it a strange, somewhat scathing question, “It’s alright. Why?”
“Nothing, just being neighbourly.”
Rhonda felt uncomfortable. Eddie knew something. And she knew it couldn’t be about her and Harry’s argument the night before. She drove back to the farm, made a dozen sandwiches, and filled two thermos flasks with Tea. Then, she loaded everything on the Ranger and took the dirt track behind the barn.
It was a lovely day. There had been some rain, so there were several muddy fords to cross, but the Ranger moved through them easily. She saw that they had been planting trees along the side of the road and had an electric fence protecting them from the cows. At the end of the road, she parked outside the woolshed and knew from previous conversations that one end contained living quarters and ablutions.
Rhonda wandered inside and found the large dining/kitchen area. She looked into the boy’s bunk rooms off the dining area and noted that they were reasonably tidy. After which she ferried all the supplies and stacked them away. One item that irked her interest was a dozen large jars of coffee. She wondered why she had bothered to bring the thermos masks of Tea. Lastly, she set out the table with the lunch and utensils. Doug and two boys arrived on horseback twenty minutes later. Doug introduced her to Liam and Nigel, who appeared to be in their early twenties.
They were all over the moon that she had prepared lunch for them. She apologised for bringing Tea when they obviously only drank coffee, but Doug put her mind to rest.
“The coffee is for the shearing gang. All the older shearers drink Tea, but the younger ones drink coffee. Which reminds me, I was going to ask you if you would bring a couple of urns of Tea up to us each day next week.”
Then he asked her if she enjoyed the drive up from the house and if she got through the mud okay.
“It was beautiful. I liked those trees you have planted. Why do you have them fenced off from the cows?”
“They are avocados. We should have some fruit of them next season. You didn’t try milking any of the cows, did you? Be nice to have fresh milk in our Tea.”
“No, but if you want me to, you’ll have to show me how. I’ve never milked a cow.”
The three men cracked up laughing. So hard they had tears streaming down their faces.
“What are you laughing about? I’m happy to try anything.”
That just made them all laugh harder.
Doug calmed down and apologised. “Their bulls, we have a couple of hundred to fatten. We’re a sheep station, not dairy. You don’t go in those paddocks unless you know what you’re doing and can run pretty damn fast.”
Nigel apologised for laughing at her and said he knew her daughter and had taken her out a few times before she went to University.
When they finished lunch, the boys went out and prepared to continue the muster. Doug saddled up a horse for Rhonda and took her up to see the sheep they had mustered. There was a paddock with more sheep than she’d ever seen before. Doug explained there were around a thousand and more than double that for them to muster before Monday.
On her trip back to the house, she stopped beside the small river that ran through the property. It was a beautiful day, and she wandered down to the water and bathed her feet. Once back at the Ranger, she sat and watched the bulls in the closest field. She took note of the tremendous ball sacks hanging between their back legs and swore she’d never make that mistake again.
Friday, Rhonda had her first catastrophe. Doug had mentioned that Shirley sometimes let the chooks into the garden paddock to eat all the bugs. She finished her shores and opened the gate. But her phone rang. It was Marie asking her to keep Sunday free, as she had something planned for them. When she got off the phone, she found her garden full of chooks and had no idea how to get them back into the hen yard.
She just sat and watched the chooks dig up all the runner beans, peas, etc., that the boys had planted for her the previous weekend. Almost in tears, she called Doug. He put her at ease.
“It doesn’t matter. We can replant. But you’ll have to stay until dark to shut the gate. The chooks will all go back to the hen house at dusk.”
They talked for a few more minutes, then Doug offered, that if she needed to go back to town, he’d ride down and close the gate. She texted back, that that would be nice and she’d prepare him dinner. Then wondering what she’d do all afternoon, decided to go home and change into a dress.
She found herself taking much more care in her makeup than she usually did. But she was excited and wanted to look her best for him. She grabbed all the ingredients for her Grandmother’s date pudding and stopped at their corner Dairy for cream. She knew there was steak and plenty of vegetables in Doug’s freezer and was excited about preparing the meal.
The dinner was a hit, but she felt slightly disappointed when she left to return home at 9:30 pm. Doug had not made a pass or commented on her dress. He did offer that she could stay the night in one of the kids’ bedrooms, but she felt awkward and declined.
On Saturday, another woman turned up asking about Doug. Again, it was evident to Rhonda that she was interested in taking him down the aisle, and she took her name, promising to mention her to him.
Sunday was a washout due to a bad storm. Harry cancelled his golf, and Marie rang to say John was staying home, as her son’s rugby tournament was cancelled. After an hour of trying to avoid each other, Harry took off without telling her where he was going.
She was happy to get out of the house Monday morning. When she arrived, she emptied the honesty box and was overjoyed that the two-day takings were $102.00. As she sat in her car, thinking about other changes she wanted to make, Doug texted and asked if she was still okay about bringing the two Urns of Tea up to them.
She decided to sort out the chooks later and set, too, making a big batch of cheese scones. She arrived at the woolshed to find the end of the road choked with Ute’s. Doug helped her carry the tea urns into the dining area. Then, took her through to the shed to introduce her to the shearers. Five men were working the shears. Doug introduced her to the Ringer (The boss) and then to the others in the gang. There were ten of them. Two were women – wives of two of the shearers. The youngest shearer, Mick, showed some interest and asked if she was married. She showed him the white lines on her finger, where her wedding ring should have sat, then pointed to the tiny bulge in her pocket to let him know she was.
At 10:30 on the dot, they downed tools and filed into the dining area. Rhonda was the flavour of the month. They all thanked her profusely for the scones, which, in everyone’s view, were the best they’d ever had.
She was seated in a place of honour at the end of the table, and Mick, undeterred by her marital status, quickly grabbed a seat beside her. Much to Doug’s annoyance, he spent the next fifteen minutes giving her all his best chat-up lines. There was one other young man in the gang, Daniel. He sidled up to Rhonda as the others returned to work.
“You’re Harry’s sister, aren’t you?”
And before Rhonda could say anything.
“He’s seeing my sister. Has been for over a year and took her out all day yesterday.”
Hiding her shock, Rhonda asked, “Is that Liz? He’s never introduced her to me.”
“Yes, that’s her, and No! They’re keeping the affair a secret. His wife doesn’t know.”
Before either of them could say another word. The Ringer was yelling to Daniel to get his arse back to the wool table as he was finishing his first sheep.
As Daniel scurried through to the table, Doug came over and asked if she was alright. He said she looked like she had seen a ghost. Rhonda explained what happened and asked if she could have the rest of the day off.
Doug wrapped his arm around her, said he was sorry and knew how it felt.
“Take the week off if you want. I’ll sort out the Tea.”
“No. I don’t want to be stuck at home. I’ll be here tomorrow at 10:00 sharp with more scones and Tea.”
She did the dishes, tidied up, and then drove the Ranger back down to the house. She fed and cleaned up around the chooks in record time. On her drive home, Rhonda stopped at the shops and bought six large plastic storage bins. She intended to have all Harry’s belongings out on the road before he got home.
But once in her bedroom, she found she wasn’t all that angry, just disappointed that he’d been lying to her for over a year. It hit her that their marriage had been on the rocks for a long time, and neither of them had had the guts to call it quits. So, with a sense of resignation, she packed all his clothes and toiletries in the bins and stacked them on Michael’s bed. Then she moved around the house and sorted out Harry’s stuff that she didn’t want in the house anymore. She stacked all these items by the front door.
By the time she finished, it was almost 4:00. She sat down, pulled out her phone, and called Marie.
When Marie picked up, she blurted out, “I’m coming to Auckland with you. Get Andrew to bring his mate.
“What happened?”
“A boy in the shearing gang let slip that his sister is seeing Harry and informed me that it has been going on for over a year.”
Marie sounded calm, “I’m not surprised. I’m on my way over.”
When she hung up, she realised she hadn’t talked to her close friends for over a week and picked up the phone again. She called Ashley, her supposedly best friend. When Ashley answered, she only managed to say her name and then went quiet. She had no idea what to say.
“What’s wrong, Rhonda? Talk to me.”
“Rhonda felt like she wanted to cry but couldn’t, and her words came out in a rush, “Harry is having an affair with someone at the pub.”
Ashley began consoling her and then said she was on her way over. When Ashley had hung up, Rhonda knew, from her reaction, or lack thereof, that she’d known about Harry.
Marie arrived first, and Rhonda confronted her, “Did you know that Harry was sleeping around?”
Marie looked puzzled, “Not until you told me just now. Why?”
“I just talked to Ashley, and it was obvious that she already knew.”
“I’d only met you twice before you called last week, so I’d be the last to know. I’m going to stay and cook dinner. I’ll stay the night if you want.”
Marie called John, told him what was happening, and asked him to bring pizza home for their son and make sure he did his homework, as she may stay the night.
Ashley arrived soon after. Rhonda had it out with her the second she walked through the door.
“Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you known?”
Ashley couldn’t look her in the eye. “I found out after the boys’ golf trip last February. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Fuck! That was six months ago. Surely, you could have found a way to tell me in all that time.”
“Janet knew as well. But we never told Jean, like you, she is too compassionate and honest and would have told you. Mark swore me to silence.”
Janet and Jean arrived before Rhonda could say much more. Jean ran up to her and hugged her, saying she was sorry. She’d only just heard.
“What are you going to do?” Jean asked.
“Kick him out, of course. You will have seen all his stuff by the front door. And I’ve packed all his clothes.”
“He’s not coming to live with us. Dylan can beg all he wants. I’m not having him,” said Janet.
They all conferred, then busied themselves in the kitchen. Marie was cooking spaghetti with meatballs and her special sauce. Comfort food, she called it. Once it was simmering away, she asked Rhonda, “Are you okay? You seem to be handling it quite well.”
“I’m good. I should have seen it coming. Mostly I’m pissed off that I have wasted the last few years trying to make the marriage work. I’d never done anything before my youngest, Ian, moved out. But that was six months ago. I can’t wait to get to Auckland. What was Andrew’s friend’s name, Mark? He’d better be fit. I’m going to fuck his brains out.”
Yes, Mark was his name. I’ll book us into the Langham Hotel. It’s one of the best in Auckland.”
“I can’t afford that,” Rhonda whispered.
“You’re not paying. The Langham has an amazing Spa complex. I want to scope it out, so I’ll claim it on my business expenses.”
They wandered back and joined the others. Over dinner, the girls all tried to cheer her up, but she asked them to act normal, saying that she was genuinely happy now that she knew. Rhonda kicked them all out just before 11:00, wanting to sit and confront Harry alone. After dealing with Bruce, the accountant, and Shifty Norman that week, she was well prepared for the melodrama about to unfold.
To be continued….
