Chapter Three

Roxy didn't use the dildo. Her body might be humming with fresh memories of how big and hard Jake had been during the hour or so they made out that night long ago, but she was wiped out and just wanted to sleep. She did recall he hurt her during that first initiation into sex. His size scared her, and she must have tensed when he jammed it inside her. She remembered thinking she was going to bleed like a stuck pig. She didn't, of course. But she didn't know that until later.

She recalled, too, that he promised it would get better. So what if he told the truth? He should have taken his time, knowing she was a neophyte when it came to screwing. She never did find out what kind of a lover Jake Plummer was. Robbie didn't even squeeze her boobs when they were dating.

Roxy sighed and rolled over on her side. Forget it, she thought. That was all forgotten—water under the proverbial bridge.

The first time she slept with someone in college, she was again a little drunk. Maybe numb was a better word, because she didn't feel any pain. She didn't get much pleasure out of it either, but things got a little better. Some of the other collegians she'd played around with were better lovers than her husband, now that she'd thought about it. But she'd been crazy about Grady Parmeter. She thought she loved him when they decided to live together. From then on, she was faithful. Unfortunately, everything went down the tubes soon after they were married. They argued about everything. Finally, they decided a divorce was the best solution. She hadn't heard from her ex in almost three years and learned he had moved to the West Coast.

She could count fingers on one hand the number of times she'd dated following her divorce. She remembered sleeping with the last jerk who felt her up in the cab on the way back to her apartment. After that, she gave up. And now she was too busy and stressed out to date.

No more, she thought. I've decided to concentrate on my career and screw the rest of the lover boys who only want to get into my pants for a quickie of hot sex. And that includes Jake Plummer. Too bad he still looks more deliciously sexy than ever.

Finally, Roxy closed her eyes and shut off her brain, slipping into a deep, dreamless sleep.

* * * *

Jake didn't go right home; he stopped at the Clubhouse Pub, located at the entrance of Mirror Lake. He had things to think about. Roxanne Diamond in particular. He and his younger brothers often stopped there for a few brews after work or later before heading home to their parents' home.

He paused in the doorway, scanning the Thursday night crowd. Friday and Saturday there'd be a full house, but at 11 p.m. tonight, several barstools were vacant. Jake slid his ass onto an empty one next to another big guy dressed in work clothes.

"Bro?" Working late ain't you?" Pete, his brother, asked.

"Yeah. A leak up at the old Diamond house on the lake."

Jake signaled the barkeep to draw him a beer and swiveled his head sideways, looking at his brother. "I hope to God it wasn't dad that did that plumbing job. What a mess. It's gonna take me two days to clean up the connections and add more flow."

"How old is the house?"

"I'm guessing forty years or so, take or leave a few."

"Then that wouldn't be Pop doing the plumbing. Remember, he was still milking the cows at Grampa's farm."

"Yeah. I guess you're right."

The bartender slid the mug toward Jake along the polished bar and picked up the money his younger brother produced.

"Thanks, Pistol. I owe you one."

"My treat, Bro."

Jake threw an eye around the pub. He waved to a rear table full of six of his high school classmates. They were all married; two of the couples already had a few kids. None of his six classmates had left town to make their monetary mark in the world.

"So," Pete asked. "When do you need to finish the job? Do you want some help?"

"Naw. I'll work through tomorrow and maybe even Saturday morning. I should be done by then. That is, unless I can stretch it out longer and reacquaint myself with Roxy Diamond." Jake chuckled deep in his chest. "She's one hot babe. I didn't know she was married. Or that she was divorced, either."

"Umm. That's right. I remember. She's my age."

"Twenty-five, I think. I'd like to see her some more. And she's staying for the weekend—babysitting the house since her parents are in Europe."

"That right. Well, well, Bro." Pete raised the mug in a tiny salute. "I wish you a lotta luck."

Jake took another deep swallow of beer, wiped his mouth, and put down the empty mug. "Come on. Let's close up shop and go home."

* * * *

Jake tossed and turned in his bed, finding it hard to stop thinking about Roxy Diamond-Parmeter and her cute ass. Visualizing her lush boobs kept him half-hard all night, too. He finally fell asleep for about five hours. When he got up, he took a shower, left the house early, and stopped to grab breakfast at the all-night diner. He arrived at the Diamonds' house at 7:00 a.m.

Believing Roxy was still in bed, he used the key she'd given him and tiptoed through the kitchen and into the great room. When he paused in the short hallway, he saw the door to the back bedroom wasn't completely shut. He couldn't help himself; he peeked.

A thin blanket covered only her torso; her legs were uncovered from ankles to thighs. He pictured those long, slim legs wrapped around him that summer so long ago. It made him hot and raunchy, but it also made him wonder if she would let him into her bed now, so he could do it the right way. He'd make sure she had pleasure this time; if she would let him make love to her the way he knew how, to fill her up, hard and deep.

Maybe what he should do was go back to the kitchen, fix coffee, and bring her breakfast in bed. But, no, uh huh. That would be after they made love.

The stiffening plumber's helper prodded his zipper. He didn't need another hard-on. Jake had no idea if Roxy'd welcome him or take a roaring fit if he slipped between the sheets. Instead, he turned off his libido for the time being, flipped the silent light switch in the hall, and went cautiously down the stairs to the basement.