Chapter 69

John and Sheila lay together looking at the glorious night sky of the desert.

“It really is turning into quite a mansion. I didn’t think it would be anywhere near this nice, even when you showed me the pictures of it.” Sheila said.

“Yes, I’m quite pleased, all in all. I think that the extra space will actually give back a degree of intimacy.” John said, caressing her thigh lightly.

“How so?”

“Oh, easier to find a place that’s quiet and private for little one on one get togethers.” he replied.

She nodded against his chest.

“Yeah, while still retaining areas for group fräu-licking.” she chuckled.

“Fräu-licking? That’s good, I like it.” John chuckled.

“I know you do, and you’re quite good at it.” she said.

“You ain’t so bad yourself.” he said.

“You know ... Now that I basically have all the lovemaking that I could possibly want ... I’ve come to realize that what’s the most important to me, is doing it with someone I love. The sex of the other person seems insignificant to the act.” she said.

“Not to me.” John chuckled.

“I know ... and if you’re most comfortable with that, then that’s the way you should be. But at the same time, you understand that I like fräu-licking. You don’t think less of me because of it.

I think that’s what first attracted me to you that first night.

Angie didn’t see it, but when you walked in, you had already accepted the fact that there would be women making-out in there. But you didn’t come to gawk. You didn’t gawk at all. You just casually observed. Like it didn’t matter to you one way or the other.” Sheila said.

“It didn’t, but the reason I walked in there, was to meet you.” John said.

“I know that. But why did you want to meet me there? Why didn’t you just call me up for an appointment?” she asked.

“Oh, I guess I was a little intrigued. Your dossier presented you as a very together person, business wise. I already knew that from what it said. But I wanted to find out what you were like ... away from the office. The dossier said little about that. It just indicated the shock factor a typical male investigator would see. Not what your personality was like while involved in that world...

You know. It’s funny. As open a town as San Francisco is about that sort of thing. I saw very little intimacy between the gay couples. They didn’t seem to be as interested in each other, as they were in the shock value they presented to the world. It seemed they were mostly trying to shock the world ... and that included each other.” John said.

“It was that way, mostly. I just went to that place out of habit, usually. It was a place where people knew my name, and what my sexual preferences were. I didn’t have to explain myself or feel uncomfortable. I guess I was going there to avoid that shock factor you were just talking about...

But I seldom met anybody there that I would consider a relationship with.

Much like a typical straight bar. Most of the regulars are friendly, but usually they don’t get involved with each other. I mean the men and women. If they were available. Mostly they would take an interest in outsiders who came into the bar.” she said.

A distant thump, thump was heard and suddenly some red lights came on at the edge of the silo roof.

John had told Kevin a phone number he could reach by cellular phone. When he called it he punched in a code and it would turn on the landing lights.

“Our wayward lovers returning.” John said.

“Should we roll the roof shut?” Sheila asked.

“No, it won’t make any difference. I designed this canopy with down draft in mind. The roof is solid enough in any position.

They listened as the thump, thump became louder and drowned out the spacey new age music John liked to listen to when he looked at the stars.

The noise became quite loud and suddenly there was a flash of lights as Kevin came in quickly, but set down as gentle as a snowflake. He almost instantly killed power and the sound began to slowly fade. Much to John and Sheila’s relief.

Theresa came to the edge of the roof and leaned over it, waving down at them. They waved back and then she was gone again.

A little while later, Theresa and Kevin had the helicopter tarped over and stopped into the solarium.

“Are we intruding?” Theresa asked from the doorway.

“No, of course not. How was the flight?” John asked, lightly.

“Oh John. It was wonderful!” Theresa bubbled, running to him and lip locking him while she threw her arms around him and Sheila.

Her tongue pushed warmly into his mouth and she explored it fully before moving onto Sheila, whom she greeted the same way. Her fingers sliding over her body and between her legs.

Kevin stood by, a bit uncomfortably and then gave a minor shrug as he plunked onto a nearby chaise.

Theresa moved to join him.

“So what was so wonderful about it?” Sheila giggled when she got her breath back.

“The sunset over the Great Salt Lake.” Theresa enthused, “I’ve never seen anything so lovely.”

“I must admit I saw it from a different perspective myself. Usually I hate flying into the sunset.” Kevin chuckled.

“I’ll bet. Hard on the eyes.” John said.

“I brought you some things.” Kevin said.

“More toys?” Sheila giggled.

“Yup. The laptop Bill had flown in, and a new digital phased array transponder for the roof.” Kevin said.

“Digital phased array transponder? What a locator?” John asked.

Kevin nodded.

“A very fancy locator. It has five flat disk antenna’s. One mounts in the middle and the other four go in the corners. When I query it from the equipment in the helicopter, I could land perfectly safe in a total fog condition.” Kevin said.

“Neat. Gives you orientation as well as distance?” John asked.

“Yup. Azimuth, orientation, altitude and local wind speed and direction patched in from a weather sensor. The whole thing frequency hops too. It would appear to any other direction finder to be a bunch of random noise.” Kevin said.

“Makes sense. No need telling your enemy where you’re going to land.” John said.

“Enemy?’ Sheila asked.

“Not for us. The system was obviously designed for the military. One man could locate a landing area and stake it out. Then a helicopter could make a safe landing in pitch blackness. Probably with IR smoke added.” John explained.

Kevin nodded.

“IR smoke?” Theresa asked.

“Smoke that obscures the heat from the engine from any heat seeking missiles.” Kevin explained.

“You two should get along great. But are you going to keep up this techno talk. While you have two lovely ladies lying next to you?” Sheila asked.

“No dear, but you two did ask.” John said.

“Where are the others?” Theresa asked.

“In the hot tub, last I heard.” John replied.

“I kind of wanted to talk to John.” Kevin said.

“Me too.” Theresa said.

“I gather that you both mean in private, so I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you ladies keep each other company while I go talk to Kevin. Then I’ll talk to Theresa when I get back?” John offered.

“Okay, Theresa and I haven’t had a good snuggle for a while. But don’t be too long.” Sheila said.

“It shouldn’t take long.” Kevin said.

Theresa wouldn’t let him loose until he properly kissed her. Sheila did the same with John. Making certain he knew she was interested for later so he wouldn’t be too long.

The two men moved off to the Com room and Theresa moved into John’s spot.

“It has been too long.” Theresa said as her hands slipped under Sheila’s top.

“So, what’s on your mind?” John asked Kevin.

“Bill sent these.” Kevin said, picking up two packages from where he had set them before they came into the solarium.

He handed them to John. One was the second laptop, for Sheila. The second gave no outside indication of what it was. John opened it. Inside were several stacks of money.

“Jesus, there must be a hundred thousand here!” John exclaimed.

“Two and a half times that, actually.” Kevin said, “Bill thought that you might be able to find a use for it. Since your cash flow has been a little tight lately.”

“A quarter million dollars! What the fuck for?” John asked.

“He said it was part of the government mentality. If he wasn’t spending enough money, then they wouldn’t think the project was important ... There’s more available. Bill reasoned that you could use it to get a head start on things till your own cash flow builds from the fashion deal. And maybe continue the project for a few more years even if funding for it got cut later.” Kevin said.

John sat looking at the money in the box.

“A quarter million dollars ... And more, did you say?” John asked.

Kevin nodded: “Four times that, at least; per year.”

“A million dollars a year? ... I guess construction costs could run that high.” John mused.

“That doesn’t include construction costs. Crews will be out laying perimeter fencing as soon as the snow melts. The project is budgeted for around twenty million a year.” Kevin explained.

“So what am I supposed to do with the cash?” John asked.

“I don’t know. But Bill suggested a snow cat and a Hummer to start with. Something to tour your estate with.” Kevin chuckled.

“I have the Landcruisers and snowmobiles.” John said.

“Had the Landcruisers. Theresa’s about to claim hers. She say’s Cindy probably will too. Bill wants you to equip all the vehicles with secure radio’s too.” Kevin said.

John opened his safe and put the money inside. Then he put his new laptops into the secure safe, putting the silo plans away at the same time.

“Shouldn’t leave them out like that.” Kevin said.

“Gonna report me?” John asked sarcastically.

“No, of course not. John, I’m not here to spy on you. If you think I am, then I’ll gladly leave. Bill explained to me that he has to show somebody on the payroll for the project. It’s easier to hide the fact that I’m not doing anything if I’m not assigned to a military base. In fact, he told me not to spy on you. That I was to respect the privacy of all of you. It was the only condition under which I would have accepted the position.

“But my real reason for being here, personally, is Theresa, which is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.” Kevin said.

“What about her?” John asked.

“I love her.” Kevin said.

“And?” John asked.

“And I wanted you to know that I don’t object to her continuing her relationship with you.” Kevin said.

“That’s pretty generous of you.” John said.

“Not really. I figure I want pretty much what you want; Theresa’s happiness. She want’s both of us ... and the girls. I’m just really thrilled that she wants me at all.” Kevin said.

“And how do you feel about her and the girls?” John asked.

“John, I love Theresa. I love what she is, not what I want her to become. She loves all of you. Each of you is a part of her happiness. She wouldn’t be the same person without any of you. So if I tried to change that, I’d be cheating myself, because it would be making her into something different than what I love. Do you understand what I’m saying?” Kevin asked.

“Probably better than you’d guess. Yes, I feel the same way. That’s why I was able to let you into her life, despite the fact that I love her dearly. Because she wanted you. And the more I get to talk to you. The better I feel about that.” John said.

“I’m glad. Because I think we both realize that Theresa is going to do whatever she wants to do. And the only way it would work for us, is if we don’t have any jealousy over each other.” Kevin said.

John chuckled.

“Don’t I know it ... So how do you feel about the other women here?” John asked.

“What about them?” Kevin asked.

“What are you going to do if, or probably when, they want to bed you?” John asked.

“I didn’t know how you would feel about that. Theresa’s been hinting at it already, but I don’t want to offend you ... Besides the fact that my main interest is in Theresa.” Kevin said.

John looked at him a moment before replying.

“As to how I feel about it; Mainly that’s an issue between you and the girls. How they feel about it is very important to me. If they want to bed you, that’s okay with me. That’s not the same as my permission. I don’t own them. It’s not my permission you need. It’s theirs and Theresa’s.

“But, I do have concerns over pregnancy ... and the introduction of outside diseases. I don’t mind you making love with my pretties, but I would mind very much if you knocked-up one of them or gave them something. I’m not saying you are a bad person. AIDS doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t care if you’re a good or a bad person.” John said.

“I know it. I don’t take offense of your cautious attitude either. But the fact is that Bill made me get tested just last week. I’m clear of HIV or any other STD. And I agree with you about the pregnancy. Theresa wants to go on the pill so that we can have skin to skin intercourse. But if I bedded anybody else, I’d use a condom, every time.” Kevin said.

“That’s all I ask. After that, it’s between you and Theresa and the girls.” John said.

“Are you trying to tell me that you are disinterested? Cause I don’t believe it.” Kevin said.

“No, not disinterested. Of course I’m interested. But I’m not fool enough to object to the exact same behavior I’ve been preaching all this time. It might bother me a little bit with Cindy or Sheila ... that’s just the way I feel. But I’m not about to lose either of them over it, if they want to do it with you.” John said.

“I understand ... just like it bothers me a little bit when Theresa wants to do it with you. But we love the women we do. I’m not about to stand in Theresa’s way of what she wants.” Kevin said.

“Nor am I with any of them. But for what it’s worth; I don’t think Cindy would feel too comfortable with making love with you. I think she would do it if Theresa wanted her to, but I don’t think she’s really interested. I think Sheila’s a little bit curious about you, though. I don’t mind that so much. It’s only natural. She sees in you, the same thing she sees in me. Your understanding of her needing women too. She’d naturally be attracted to anybody who reflected that.” John said.

Kevin nodded.

“I’m glad we had this talk. For one thing, I didn’t want you to think that Bill was forcing me upon you. As far as I’m concerned, I’m here mainly for Theresa. I think I can be of some assistance to you engineering wise too ... but I want us to be friends as well ... In the short time I’ve known you, I’ve developed a great deal of respect for you. I’d be very honored to be your friend.” Kevin said.

“Thank you. I’d like that too. I’ve developed quite a respect for you as well. Yes, I’m glad we had this talk too. Shall we join the girls?” John said.

“Yes ... I think Theresa wants to talk to you about something.” Kevin said.

“Probably about just what we’ve been talking about ... and I suspect that she wants to make love to both of us at the same time.” John chuckled.