Chapter 19: Future Challenges

Jeryl fell atop of me as the last spurt of cum shot into her throbbing pussy. Her hot, sweaty breasts pressed against me as she kissed my chin and lips. "God you make me feel so good," she finally whispered.

We were at the Hilton in Chicago again. Celebrating Valentine's Day this time. Of course, we were a couple days early since the actual day fell on a Monday and we both had school, but she had wanted to escape alone, so I had made arrangements to fly up Saturday morning and then drive back on Sunday. We had taken in a show Saturday night and then retreated to our rooms for much lovemaking.

"Do you think we'll be this close out in California," she asked in a soft voice.

"Of course. Why?" I looked into her eyes.

"It's going to be different. We'll have no classes together, and I can't imagine it will be as easy as high school has been. You know we're both going to want to do well in class. I just want to make sure we take time for each other, too."

"We will. I promise. If my course load starts to feel like too much, I'll drop some classes. When we visited there, I was intrigued by their program where you can design an individual major. I might learn more about that after we get there and not try to double major."

"What about me, though? You're brilliant. I'm going to have to work a lot harder to make it out there than I do here."

I hugged her against me. "You're brilliant, too. You'll see the first time they start talking business that you have as much real world experience as some of your professors."

"I hope so. What do you think it will be like living in the dorms?"

"A pain in the ass," I said. "Once we get our bearings out there, I'll buy us a place near campus so we can get out of the dorms."

"You just want to live in sin with me, mister." She wiggled against me and I felt my erection start to revive.

"Always," I replied with another kiss.

"Do you remember our conversation about trying a threesome?" she asked softly.

I nodded.

"Maybe I'll have a hot roommate we can try that with. Would you like fucking me while she went down on me?" She slid down my body as she spoke. "Or maybe you want her to blow you while I go down on her," she said just before slipping my dick into her mouth.

I groaned at the sensation she created with her tongue and gentle suction.

"Do you think I'm a nasty slut for thinking about that?" She asked finally.

"No," I gasped as she took me into her throat in a single swallow.

"What if I told you I wanted you to tie me up and do whatever you wanted with me? Would that make me a slut?" She scooted up and straddled me as she spoke. Her delightful breasts were just outside kissing range as she slipped my hard cock inside her once again.

"No," I managed as she settled atop me.

"Really?"

"Really." She began riding me gently, pressing her hands against my chest as I reached around her to cup her ass. "I'll do anything in my power to make you happy. If you want to play a little, we will."

"I get so turned on when you take charge in business. I dream of you closing a deal and then ravishing me on a big boardroom table. Does that make me sick?"

In answer, I moved my hands to her shoulders and rolled over so she was under me. Her legs wrapped around my back, but I quickly moved them so her knees hung over my arms as I began pounding into her. "Is this how I take you?" I asked as she thrashed her head and clutched my shoulders.

"Oh, yes. Paul, fuck me hard."

I kept at it, watching her rise toward another orgasm. Just when she was close, I pulled out. Jeryl moaned in disappointment until the head of my cock pushed against her tight asshole. I thrust forward and she squealed. Her juices coating me were barely enough lubrication, but the tight grip of her ass consumed me. I thrust into her and moved one hand to stroke her clit. It only took a moment before her orgasm washed over her and pulled me under for the third time of the night.

We collapsed on the bed again and held each other.

"That is exactly what I was talking about," she cooed as she kissed my ear.

Spring semester is boring for every senior, but more so for me. I finished any assignments in class or immediately after school and filled my evenings going over some plans for Gulfstream in advance of our March meeting. I was really looking forward to getting back out to Park City for some spring skiing and to see if we could improve the fuel efficiency of aircraft engines using some new materials. Gulfstream used Rolls-Royce engines, which is why our meeting had grown by three more engineers. With the meeting seeming to grow every week, I decided to put the guests up in a Hotel in Park City and just have Jeryl, Candace and I stay in the house, along with whomever Alison assigned for security. As it was, Jeryl and I would have the house to ourselves for the weekend before the meeting. I had a few plans for my delightful girlfriend for those days.

We flew out Saturday morning and were settling into the house before lunch. We had splurged over Thanksgiving and purchased ski gear, which was waiting for us in the ski locker. Mrs. Eccles had lunch waiting as well. Part of the property fees included four lift tickets for the mountain, so we were able to get a full afternoon of skiing in.

Blue bird skiing is what the locals call it. We had a couple of inches of fresh powder from the night before, but the skies were crystal clear and a brilliant blue as we cut down the groomed slopes. Jeryl's laugh made me smile as she sashayed down the mountain in front of me.

After our last trip up the lift, we skied down to the house and stripped down to our Diamond Skin base layer. Jeryl looked incredibly sexy in the outfit and I gave her a soft wolf whistle. She responded with a full body hug and a kiss that left me breathless. She stroked her hand along my rising erection and gave me a little smile. I grabbed her and lifted her over my shoulder as she shrieked and pretended to beat my back.

I carried her up to the master suite, closed and locked the doors behind me, and then threw her down on the bed.

"What are you planning, you beast?" She asked as she licked her lips.

I just smiled at her and then pulled a couple of things I had concealed in the nightstand. Her eyes got wide just before I covered them with a black silk handkerchief. "I think tonight is the perfect time to tie my little vixen up and have my way with her."

"Paul, I'm all sweaty from skiing and travel. Let me take a shower first."

She started to get up, but I gently pushed her down.

"Let me worry about that. You're mine today to do with as I wish."

I reached for the hem of her top and pulled it up to reveal her tight stomach and breasts. She lifted her arms and I peeled the top off of her. Soon her bottoms followed along with the wispy silk panties she had on beneath them. She tried to get off the bed again, but I pushed her back in place.

"Let's not be hasty, love. You'll get cleaned up. But first, I think you need a few lessons." She gasped as I slipped another long scarf around her wrist and quickly tied her arm to the bed. The second followed. I had not been a big fan of the poster bed the first time Sylvia showed it to me, but as I looked at Jeryl, naked, testing the bonds secured to those posts, I decided I definitely liked it.

I moved to catch first one leg, and then the other. By the time she was fully spread eagle on the bed, her breathing was rapid and her nipples were hard. I stroked a hand from her thigh to the calf and then softly flicked her nipples. She groaned and writhed enticingly.

I moved away from her and put on some soft music before heading into the bathroom and starting to fill the soaking tub. I returned with a warm washcloth and gave her a simple whore's bath as she struggled to push herself against my hands. "Now, now, kitten, you need to just relax and enjoy. I'm in charge of you now."

She moaned as I stroked her moist slit and then backed away to drink in the sight of her again. "God you're beautiful," I said softly. She smiled and tried to roll her hips my way.

I opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a few things. Jyl had actually borrowed them for me. The first was her slim blue butt plug. I applied some lube to it and then sat on the edge of the bed and began stroking her pussy. Once her juices were flowing, I slipped my fingers lower and teased her ass. She tried to grind down against my fingers, but I pulled away. I continued her torment for a few minutes and then deftly slipped the butt pug inside her.

"Oh, that feels nice," she moaned.

I went back to teasing her clit and nipples, gently raising her arousal. I could tell she was getting close when I stopped and stood up.

"I think I'll have a shower since you've had your bath already."

She moaned in frustration and pulled at her restraints as I headed back into the bathroom. I stopped filling the soaking tub and stepped into the large marble shower to quickly clean off. I came back to the bedroom with a towel around my waist and admired my struggling vixen for a few minutes. I moved closer and kneeled on one side of the bed.

"I think I could use a little relief now. How about you?"

"Oh Paul, you've got me so hot."

"Good." I dropped my towel and swung over her face so my cock was positioned right at her mouth. "Show me how hot you are, kitten."

She captured the head of my cock in her lips and slowly sucked me in as I scooted higher on the bed. When my prick hit the back of her throat, she swallowed and began humming as she tried to bob her head. I didn't really have a burning desire to dominate any woman, let alone Jeryl, but the sight of her sucking my dick while blindfolded and tied to the bed was incredibly erotic. Soon, I was shooting down her throat. I pulled out of her mouth and let the last spurt land on her chin and neck. She struggled with the bonds, trying to find some release.

I stayed straddling her, but reached back to tease her clit and pussy as my breathing returned to normal. It took almost no time before she was close to orgasm and I stopped to clean her up.

"You're killing me, Paul. Please let me come," she whined.

"Oh, you will kitten, but not until I'm ready for you to." I kissed her ear and neck and slowly licked my way down her torso. I spent several minutes on first one nipple, then the other before continuing my descent. I thought I had set her off when my tongue first touched her clit. She thrashed up, trying to increase the contact, but I pulled back. Once she settled down, I licked her slowly again. She moaned in pleasure. I worked her with my tongue slowly, building her up and then moving to kiss her toes or her knees. Every once in a while, I'd reach up and play with the butt-plug.

I kept her on the edge of orgasm for almost forty minutes before kneeling between her legs and probing her sopping pussy with my hard cock. She whimpered, afraid it was more teasing as I slowly slid into her. I pulled back and thrust forward as I kissed her nipples again. She thrashed beneath me and I started rhythmic thrusting into her. Her orgasm hit with a scream and she pushed up against me. I continued to fuck her, pushing through her clasping pussy and stroking her sides. Another violent clenching grabbed me and then I felt my cum rising up. I thrust deeply into her, and then collapsed on top of her. She continued to shudder delightfully beneath me. I stayed there until she was completely done and then pulled out slowly. Another small shudder raced through her as I pulled out the butt plug before untying her feet.

As soon as one arm was free, she ripped off the blindfold and grabbed me for a one-armed hug and a passionate kiss. "That was amazing, love. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure, ma'am," I said with a grin.

"What are you working on now, my genius lover?" Jeryl asked as she stepped into the office wearing a tight fitting grey Diamond Skin top and a pair of black panties.

She had been out skiing as I finished up an engineering discussion with some of the engineers from Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce. I pushed back from my desk and pulled her into my lap for a kiss.

"Nothing much. I like your outfit, though."

She laughed. "I thought you might." She grabbed my face in her hands and kissed me deeply before pulling back to look in my eyes. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. I love you. I get to live a dream life with a man I love who is changing the world. You've made dreams come true for me that I didn't even know I had."

"I'm glad, and I love you too, but I'm not sure I understand a word you're saying."

She laughed again. "I rode a lift up with three other girls this morning. Two of them were raving about their new Diamond Skin tops with the built in bras. I didn't say a thing, but I kept looking at the logo I created less than two years ago on the turtle necks of their tops and couldn't help but smile. What other senior in the whole world has a logo they created with their boyfriend identifying the hottest selling sportswear that she also helped design? It made me realize how lucky I am and how much I love you for what you've given me."

I smiled and gave her a hug. "I love you, too, kitten. I always have and always will. You inspire me every day, even if I don't mention it enough."

We kissed again and then she stood back up and leaned over the desk to see what I had been looking at. I took advantage and ran my fingers up the sleek muscles of her thigh and tight ass.

"Stop that," she said with a playful slap at my hand. "So, what were you working on?"

"I was going over some of Dr. Carmichael's latest report. He took the nanotube resin from our base formula and was able to work it into a silica aerogel. It has some pretty amazing thermal properties."

"And if you were only going to get inside my panties when I could explain that, what would you tell me?" She wiggled her rear enticingly at me as she looked over her shoulder and asked.

I licked my lips and enjoyed the view for a moment. "I'd ask what we could do with something lighter than Styrofoam, stronger than steel, and able to take the place of a thermal tile on the space shuttle."

"What could you do with something like that?"

"How about a jet engine that weighs a hundred pounds? A power turbine that weighs pounds instead of tons? There are thousands of applications."

"Which one interests you most?"

"Jet engines." I answered immediately.

"Why?"

"Turbine engines are starting to be used everywhere, from ships and jets, to power plants. If I could improve them significantly, we could stretch our fuel reserves further." I also knew that linear fusion could feed high temperature turbines for power extraction.

Jeryl smiled and turned to face me as she leaned back against the desk. "Well, I could understand all that, so I guess you do want to get in my panties," she said with a smile.

"Always."

She gave me a quick kiss and then scampered toward the door. "Only if you can catch me," she said with a laugh.

I caught her just inside the doorway of the master suite.

"Paul, what are your plans for summer?" Mom asked as I joined her and Jim at the dinner table one evening in late April. My pace at school had slowed considerably, while I had been careful not to take on too much work for my business. Aside from some correspondence with Ford on their new SUV line and Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce on airframe and engine proposals, I had not taken on any new work. It was a much more relaxed and sustainable pace than I had worked at over the past three years.

"I don't know, Mom. Why?"

"Well, most normal kids are working the summer before starting school to build up some cash reserves. You don't need to do that. Others want to travel before settling into college. You've already done quite a bit of that as well. I'm just wondering what you're planning on before starting out at Stanford."

I dug into my dinner and thought about it for a little bit. "Do you guys mind if I spend a bit of money?"

"It's your money," Jim said.

"How much is a bit," Mom asked over the top of him.

I smiled. "Not a tremendous amount. I was thinking about sailing around the Channel Islands between Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver. Maybe go as far north as Ketchikan Alaska."

Jim nodded his head. "It's beautiful country up there. What sort of boat do you have in mind?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know what sorts of charters are available. I know Alison will insist on sending someone along with me. I might start it after Jeryl's family trip to Michigan. That way I'll be home for the 4th traditions."

Mom frowned. "Actually, we may not be here. We were talking about taking an Alaskan cruise for our anniversary. We'd be gone from the end of June until the middle of July. Of course, we could always take you and Kelly with us, if you don't mind sharing a stateroom."

I shrugged again. I found myself hating the habit, but realized it was a hard one to break. "I'd be fine with that if Kelly was. Hasn't she met anyone yet?"

Jim shook his head. "I think she's keeping some potential boyfriends at bay with her impending move to California. Kelly has always kept her feelings pretty well guarded. With the world she found herself thrown into over the past few years, it's hard for her to not think men have dollar signs in their eyes when they ask her out."

"I guess I didn't help that any with her new car," I said.

I had purchased five Maserati Bora coupes and performed conversions on them with the help of the local shop that we had used for the Range Rover conversions. Kelly, who had never been comfortable in the Range Rover, got the first of them. It was painted bright red. I made certain she knew it was not radar invisible and that she had to pay her own tickets. The factory version was rated at 171 mph. After the conversion, I had topped that on my test drive. She loved driving it around Bloomington. I kept an all-black one in the shop at the farm. I hadn't decided yet if it would make the trip to California or not.

Jim chuckled. "No, but she does love that car. She also loved the fact that you insisted you all get a professional driving course before giving her the keys."

"That was Alison," I said. "She threatened to triple our rates if we didn't. Besides, it was fun." Alison had a driver on staff that flew over to instruct us. At the end of the seven afternoons and evenings of instruction, he had asked to buy one of the converted Maseratis. He had been amazed at the handling characteristics.

"So, a cruise with you guys and then a smaller cruise afterward?"

"It sounds like fun. Who do you want to go with you? I don't think it's wise if it's just you and Jeryl and security," Mom said.

That surprised me. "Why?"

She reached over and patted my hand. "Think about the perception; two teenagers with obvious chaperones on an expensive boat. You'd be an obvious target for anyone looking to make a quick buck, even if they did not recognize you. I think you need to have at least a group of six. Even though Janet has warmed to your relationship considerably, I'm sure she'd be more comfortable with a larger group as well."

I took a last piece of chicken and thought about it.

"Olivia is graduating, so what if we invited her by way of a graduation present?" Mom nodded. "Then Jordan and Jyl will probably want to come along too," I added. "Do you think Kelly would enjoy it?"

Jim smiled. "You'll have to ask her. What about any men? Or do you just want to cruise around with a group of beautiful young women?"

I blushed. "I was actually thinking about seeing if John and Ryan wanted to go. Uncle Ben would have to agree, but I know they're working hard in school and deserve a little break."

"That sounds like a good sized group," Mom said. "I think you should make some calls and find out who would go and then find a charter. You've only got a couple of months to set things up." She had a twinkle in her eye.

"You just want me to have another non-work project, don't you?"

She smiled. "It's important that you have some balance with fun and work before starting school, Paul."

I knew she was right.

I pulled into the high school parking lot in my black on black Maserati Bora and smiled at the look of my classmates. We had to be at graduation two hours before our guests. Most of my class was still in the parking lot. Mom, Kelly, and Jim were all still at the farm. Jeryl's graduation started thirty minutes after mine, so I wouldn't be able to see her collect her diploma, but we had plans to meet later after dinner. I was actually looking forward to showing off my new car at a couple of parties we planned on making an appearance at.

Of course, with no real back seat, Jeryl was not a fan of the new car for dating.

I climbed out as Bill Tanner walked up and ran his hand along the sleek front fender. "Man, this is so hot, Paul. When did you get it?"

"A few months ago. I've been holding off driving it around until graduation."

"You know, this is the first time I've really seen you flaunt what you've got. I think I'd drive a different car every day if I had your money and talents."

"I doubt it, Bill. You never struck me as that pretentious."

He laughed and then grabbed a camera from his bag. "Hey, let me get a picture of our class valedictorian with his new wheels for the yearbook." He had become quite the yearbook photographer over the past couple of years.

I stood by the door of the car as he snapped a few shots and then had to make room for Candice and Dee Dee to join the shoot. The girls hung their gowns on a nearby tree limb and then laid across the hood of my car in sexy poses. Bill encouraged them to ham it up and I was soon laughing at their antics.

"Come on ladies, we don't want Rebecca mad at us," I said as I closed the door and locked it. Rebecca was still class president and the person we had to check-in with today.

The backstage portion of graduation was as boring as I remembered. The class order was checked twice when a couple of idiots thought it would be funny to switch places. I was fortunate enough to be seated on the aisle of the first row so I could walk up to give my valedictorian speech. That was definitely different from the first time through. However, it did not make any of the walk-through less boring. Instead of paying attention, I was going over my note cards.

The principal had a typed copy of my speech, but I did not want to carry a bunch of paper with me. I thought it was more important to stay under my five-minute goal and hit the highlights rather than make sure I hit every word I had typed.

After the excruciating wait, it was finally my turn to take the podium and speak. I stood straight as I looked out over the audience. It warmed my heart to see so many smiling faces. I smiled at them all and began:

"Four years ago, our class was formed and we were challenged. Each of us was challenged in a different manner, by a different person: some by teachers, some by coaches, some by siblings, some by family, and some by friends. Most of us were challenged more than once."

"Just like my classmates, I was challenged. Physically, the coaches and my teammates made me strive harder to excel on the football field or running in track. Mentally, my teachers and classmates encouraged me to reach new heights of understanding and to explore the world of opportunities before us. Spiritually, I was challenged by my family and friends to strike a balance; to forge relationships and to take risks of love and life."

"I thank you all for those challenges, but I must admit that I did not face every challenge cheerfully. If I could go back and do things differently, I know I would. I believe we all would if such a thing were possible. Unfortunately, we cannot. We can only learn from our failures and try harder the next time."

"Our school lost a great friend and student during our freshman year. Her name was Wendy and she was definitely one to challenge everyone she met. She challenged me in particular. In many ways, I feel I failed that challenge, but Wendy thought otherwise. She told me that none of us are guaranteed to live happily ever after, so we needed to live life fully every day, not wait for 'someday'. This, her last challenge to me, I believe I have lived up to."

"But today is not about the past; those challenges are behind us and we now look forward to new trials. Some of us will be going to school; some will be going to work; some will be serving our country; some will be serving their faith. Today is about our future and I believe it is a future full of promise and prosperity, so long as we make it so."

"I say make it so because our future is not set; every choice we make helps build it. We can do the minimum to get by and have one future, or we can take risks to maximize our opportunities and have an entirely different and richer life. We may not always overcome our trials and tribulations, as we have learned over the past four years, but we will be richer for the attempt. We have been equipped by our teachers, coaches, family and friends to make these choices wisely. So here is my challenge to the class of 1983; when you are faced with a choice between the easy path or the harder but more rewarding path, choose wisely."

"To paraphrase one of our greatest presidents, 'We choose the harder paths, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because they will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone.' Classmates, faculty, and guests, please join me in saluting the class of 1983 and encouraging us all to face those challenges!"

I stepped back from the microphone and clapped. My classmates joined immediately, followed by the faculty and guests. I smiled and waved my hand at everyone as the principal slapped my back on the way back to my seat. Everyone was still clapping as I reached my seat.

It was the signal for my classmates to rise, but they were already on their feet. The principal stepped to the microphone as the applause slowly ended as he smiled at the senior class. Mrs. Spitzer and the district superintendent of schools joined him at the podium by the table with our diplomas.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present the Class of 1983. Please step forward to receive your diplomas as your names are called."

"Paul Taylor, class valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average and four-year varsity letterman in football and track. Paul will be attending Stanford University in the fall."

I walked back up to the stage and collected my diploma from Mrs. Spitzer. The superintendent shook my hand on the far side of the podium as I paused for a quick picture. Then I was down and walking to the back of the gym. I waited until the first row was clear and then back down the outside of the seating to lead my row back to their seats.

Soon, the superintendent made his closing remarks, and the recessional song began. I once again got to lead my classmates. Camera flashes popped as we walked down between the two sections of seating and past the bleachers. High school was over. It was time to face new challenges.

"Damn, I'm glad you're our cousin," Ryan said as we stood on the flying bridge of "Wave Dancer." Jordan, Jyl, Olivia, and Kelly were lying on the foredeck in their bikinis. After a few days of getting used to living on the ninety-foot custom yacht, we both still enjoyed the beautiful sights spread out below us.

Jeryl came up the ladder behind us, looking just as enticing as any of the other ladies onboard in a skimpy purple bikini with a translucent white wrap hanging from her hips.

"Hey, stop ogling my family and friends, you two." She said playfully.

I gave her a quick kiss. "You said I could look all I wanted, but no touching," I teased back.

"You can look, but if you feel the need to touch, you have to find me."

"What about me?" Ryan asked. "I don't have a girlfriend aboard."

"Sorry, Ryan, but you're on your own. I know you're a big boy. Surely you can talk to one of those lovely ladies down there and see if they're open to a touch or two."

Ryan blushed and Jeryl laughed.

"Maybe you can talk Jordan into a game of truth or dare," I teased him.

Jeryl got a funny look on her face. "That might not be too bad of an idea, but I don't think we could convince Alison to play."

Ryan paled. When Alison had first come on deck in a bikini top and cut-off shorts, Ryan had become more tongue-tied than a freshman thrown naked into the girl's locker room. A single look from her had frozen him in his tracks. Jeryl and Paul had nearly fallen out of their chairs laughing at him. Alison had smiled and then continued up to the bridge to talk to the captain of the charter. For two days since then, Ryan had studiously avoided looking at Alison whenever she was about.

"You'll never know unless you ask her," I said to my lover.

John and Ann made their way onto the main deck and waved up at us as they looked for a place to lie down near the other ladies. John had proposed to Ann at the end of the school year, so I felt an obligation to invite her along on the trip. It was nice to have one other couple aboard. We planned on having dinner with them ashore that night as a break from the boat. We were currently anchored in a small cove on Vancouver Island about an hour's cruise from the port of Victoria where we had a berth scheduled for the weekend.

"Maybe Ryan should ask her to play," Jeryl teased.

Ryan blushed and then looked down at Jordan. "I think I'll go get some sun and avoid any further abuse from you two," he said with a light punch to my arm. Soon, Jeryl and I were alone on the flying bridge. I wrapped my arms around Jeryl and looked over her shoulder at the lush green forest lining the bay as she pointed at a pair of eagles circling lazily above us.

"Thanks for arranging this, Paul," she said with a smile. "I feel so relaxed here with you."

"Me too, kitten. Did you ever think this was possible when we first started dating?"

"No. Did you?"

"No, but I hoped we could do something like this someday."

"Was that before or after you shagged my sister senseless?"

I hugged her. "She told you?"

"Of course she did. It only took her three years to work up the nerve. She told me about you kissing her that first time we played truth or dare and then her waiting on a lone country road until you ran by."

"And you don't mind?"

"Who are you with?"

"You, of course."

"Then I can hardly mind. Besides, you had much more of me than you've ever had from her."

"That's true."

"So, what are we going to do with ourselves for the next ten days? Just float and sun and eat?"

"Well, I thought we might do a little fishing as well."

"Fishing? Are you going to eat whatever you catch?"

"Of course."

"Well, that's good. I think I'm your first catch of the day. Let's go back to bed so you can eat your catch."

I laughed and followed her down the ladder. Alison gave us her patented arched eyebrow as we passed through the salon.

"Do you trust me?" Jeryl asked as she led me by the hand up the stairs. My eyes were closed at her insistence.

"Of course," I said. She and Kelly had plotted something out. I didn't know if I was in a house or office, since she had insisted I close my eyes as soon as we got in the Range Rover with Sanford behind the wheel. We had arrived in California the day before, but were currently staying at the Four Seasons until we could move into our dorm rooms next week.

Jeryl guided me from the stairs to what felt like an open room. I could feel sunshine warming my skin through some windows or doorways.

"Okay, open them."

I did. I was standing in a large open room with an arched doorway leading out to a patio overlooking a park of some sort. The walls were a neutral off-white and the hardwood flooring had been polished to a warm glow. The room itself was at least twenty by twenty. I spied a bathroom entry and a closet door between the door leading to the hallway and the patio. The ceilings were high, at least twelve feet, and had intricate crown molding.

"Wow. This is quite a space."

"Better than a dorm room?" Kelly asked from the doorway.

"Much better. Is this your place?"

"No. It's yours." She came over and gave me a hug. "Mom and Dad agreed after I found it. It's got another room just like this across the hall, and two more smaller rooms with a shared bath upstairs for security." She grabbed my hand and pulled me out onto the balcony patio overlooking the nicely landscaped back yard. "My place is over the garage. It's a fully furnished apartment with its own parking and entrance." She pointed to the detached garage joined to the house by a trellised walkway.

"You don't want to stay in the house?"

Kelly laughed. "No, I don't want to stay across the hall from my step-brother and have to listen to nasty sounds from his horny girlfriend all night."

Jeryl blushed.

"Besides, I might not want you two to know all of my comings and goings either," she said with a grin. "I really liked the apartment when I first saw it. I planned on renting it from the former owner, but when Carry told me he was looking to sell the house, I talked to Mom and Dad. It's perfect for us all."

I looked at Jeryl. She seemed to be the most nervous of the three of us. "What do you think?"

"I love it, of course, but living together is a pretty big step, don't you think?"

I smiled at her and pulled her in for a hug.

"This is a lot nicer than the dorms we saw last year," I whispered. "Let's take a look downstairs."

The first floor was laid out nicely with a large living room at the front of the house and a dining room and kitchen toward the back. The kitchen had been outfitted with professional appliances and had a nice breakfast nook overlooking the back patio and fenced yard. We stepped onto the patio to take a look at the built-in grill and finally sat down at the wrought-iron patio table.

"How far from campus are we?" I asked.

"Six blocks. You could walk to classes," Kelly said.

"And the company bought it?"

"Yep. If you guys don't want to live here, we'll still use it for Alison's folks and rent out any remaining space."

"Oh, we'll live here. Just give me a few minutes to convince Jeryl."

Jeryl blushed as Kelly nodded and headed over toward the garage and her apartment.

"What's wrong, love?" I asked.

"I know it's silly, but moving in here suddenly makes us real. It's like I was living a fairy tale, but if we move in here together it is real. I just got scared, and I can't really explain why."

I pulled her into my lap and gave her a hug. "You know I'd never let you get hurt, don't you."

"Yes."

"Then let's do this. You take one of the bedrooms, and I'll take the other. We both need to be able to have some private space, but I have to admit that I hated the idea of you being three blocks away from me in the girl's dorm. I much prefer the thought of you being across the hallway where I know you'll be safe and sound."

"I do, too," she admitted.

"Then let's do this. Let's make this our home for the next four years."

She relaxed against me and kissed my cheek. "When you say it like that, I'm not scared. I'd love to make this our home. I love you, Paul. I always will."

"I love you, too, kitten," I said. I kissed her softly and added, "Welcome home."