This, obviously, was not the answer to whatever was bothering her. She needed something else.
CHAPTER TEN
For the next two weeks Lisa became something of a recluse. She didn't go out at all unless it was to work or to go somewhere that she absolutely had to. Several times Beth tried to get her to explain what was going on to make her act this way, but Lisa steadfastly refused to say anything other than, 'I just want to be alone.'
But Beth wasn't stupid.
She knew that Lisa was having a problem dealing with the fact that Dave had completely ignored her after the weekend they spent together.
So she decided to do something about it.
Although she didn't know Dave well, she did feel like she could invite him to a party, and from there she would be able to let her instincts take over. It was difficult to say exactly what she hoped to accomplish by doing it, but what she now considered to be a genuine friendship with Lisa dictated that she do something.
The night of the party Beth put on the most revealing thing she could find: a low-cut black dress that showed practically every inch of her tits except for her nipple and on occasion they too were visible.
Then she set about making her apartment as exciting as possible, using candles to light it softly and seductively. Finally, all was in readiness.
The only catch was that there really wasn't going to be a party; at least not in the conventional sense.
Dave may have thought he was coming to a party, but in reality he was the only guest. And Beth was ready for him.
By the time he arrived Beth had already consumed two drinks, but that was no liability; she could hold her liquor. And besides, it had given her time to figure out exactly what she was going to do with Dave once he arrived.
'Where is everybody?' he asked the first minute he walked through the door.
'I don't know,' Beth pretended to pout, 'I guess they didn't want to come.'
'Come on, you know that's bull shit. Nobody in his right mind would pass up one of your parties.'
'That's what I was counting on when I only invited you to this one.'
She was standing very close to him, and he could catch just the lightest whiff of her perfume. Slowly he began to comprehend what she was saying. A broad smile crossed his features.
For the next fifteen minutes they talked about little things, but it wasn't the conversation that was important. It was the way that Beth kept managing to lean forwards in such a way as to give Dave quick, tantalizing glimpses of her tits.
He could feel his cock getting hard.
Then suddenly, so that he was caught completely by surprise, she hit him with the question that she had been waiting to ask.
'What did you do to Lisa?'
'What?' he asked. He didn't know what she meant.
'You heard me.' Her voice was still light, conversational, but he could tell that there was more to this than just conversation.
'I fucked her.'
'Is that all? You just fucked her?'
'What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?'
'No, I just want to know.'
'Why?'
'Because she's been freaking out the last two weeks and I think if's got something to do with you.'
Dave was mildly incredulous.
But he was also excited.
This was something that he had never thought might happen. At least not after the way she had walked out on him on Sunday night without even saying goodbye. Just an enigmatic little note which he took to mean that she didn't want to see him again.
But he had obviously been wrong.
Or at least that was what Beth was telling him.
And she was also telling him that if he wanted to see her that he ought to get his ass over to her apartment right this minute.
He went.
Lisa was alone in her apartment when the doorbell rang. Her first impulse was to stay where she was and not answer it. But then finally she got up and crossed the room, hesitating once in front of the fireplace where she let the warmth of the flames play against her skin for a moment.
Then the bell rang again and she answered it.
It was Dave.
Lisa was totally at a loss for words. What did this mean? She had no idea.
'Can I come in?'
Lisa nodded.
They both sat down in front of the fire. It was obvious that he was as nervous as she was. Neither of them said anything for a long time, until finally Dave spoke.
'I think we ought to talk.'
Again Lisa nodded, and for the next few minutes they talked. It wasn't a gushing, romantic reunion. In fact, both were exceedingly cautious in what they said.
But one thing that did come out of it was that they had obviously misunderstood each other before.
'Do you think we could give it another try?' Dave finally asked.
'I think so.'
Dave nodded, but made no move to touch her. He wanted to handle this with every ounce of consideration and tenderness he had in him, and going after her right now would be a mistake.
Instead, he got up from where he was and walked across to the fire, where he stood for a moment looking into the crackling flames and feeling the warmth come over him.
From where she sat Lisa could feel herself beginning to relax for the first time in two weeks. There was still a little residual nervousness to be dealt with, but she could feel it melting as she studied the silhouette of Dave in front of the fireplace.
Lisa felt herself becoming excited by the sight of the firelight flickering gently on Dave's strong features. All of a sudden she realized how much she needed a man.
Dave.
After a few moments he came and sat down beside her. Hesitantly she reached out and touched his shoulder. Deep inside her body she could feel the stirrings of excitement that made her want him to reach out and touch her, feel her, make her know she was a woman again.
As if he could read her thoughts, he reached out with one hand and touched her neck. The feel of his light, cool fingers on her naked flesh sent a tingle throughout her body, and she could feel a tiny shiver as it raced up and down her spine.
Then his hand started making its way down the outside of the nightgown she was wearing, pausing every few inches to release the buttons that went down the front of it. She was aware of the soft material brushing against her breasts, and the nipples were hard long before his hands ever touched her there.
When he reached the last button, Dave paused for a moment. She nodded silently, and with a single motion he pulled the gown back over her shoulders and allowed it to drop, revealing her naked body beneath it.
Dave had forgotten how beautiful she was.
Her breasts jutted forward with a tight firmness which he knew belied the fact that they would be soft and warm to the touch. Beneath them, her waist was slim and flat, while her soft yellow muff glistened in the dim light.
