"Go on. Go on outside and let me get cleaned up at least."

"Okay, baby. I'm going to get a drink and you grab a shower while I get rid of the delegation… and then…"

"Ah… don't go… oh, Cole… I'm so glad you're home!"

For answer he twisted her face around and kissed her soundly, then whacked her bottom affectionately with a resounding slap of his hand. "Hurry up."

When he'd gone, Kate just stood for a moment at the sink. He looked fit and wonderful but different… younger, more attractive, like a swinger. She wondered about that. What had happened while he was in Paris? Had he really been just teasing about the chicks? Was it all just a haircut and a new suit or had something else happened?

Shaking herself from her speculation, Kate dried her hands hurriedly and left the pots to soak. She raced up the stairs to their bedroom, flinging off shorts and jersey as she went. Frantically she jerked off bra and panties too on her way across the beige carpet to the bathroom. She felt sticky and sweaty all over. Even her skin glowed a little from the sheen of perspiration as she stood before the mirror in the bathroom untying her ponytail. Damn. Even her hair would have to be washed.

Quickly she showered and shampooed. Standing on the carpet dripping now, she dried her naked body quickly. One good thing about not having had any children, her figure was still remarkable. Slim and supple, her legs were still firm and shapely and long, her hips taut and curved, waist narrow and lithe and her breasts as tanned as the rest of her, thanks to the sunning spot down by the lake that was hidden by the brush from everyone but low flying planes and they didn't get many of those in South Dakota.

She wrapped her dripping long chestnut hair in a thick towel and twisted it into a turban. Then she smoothed her whole body with lotion and touched perfume behind her ears, between her breasts, and into the fold of each elbow.