Chapter 5: Orange Pastel Thong

“I thought that was just you talking ... you really did it?”

More smiling.

The rest of the ride consisted of small talk, kissing, almost driving off Route 1 while kissing, me ogling her, her blushing, more small talk, some big talk, more kissing, more horn blowing at my erratic driving, and some repeating of what I just reported.

Later in the afternoon, Hearst Castle came into view. For those unfamiliar, it’s a 90,000 sq foot residence now museum originally build for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Opulence is a poor man’s word to describe the treasured beauty of the estate.

It was closed to the public this week for renovations, which were completed yesterday. I once did a huge favor for the general manager, who in turn granted me exclusive access to the mansion for the weekend. Of course, there would be a contingent of guards and other staff, but they would be quite discreet, and absolutely no visitors.

As we drove up the long road, she moved closer to me, my non-driving arm around her, one hand of hers across my chest, her head on my shoulder. I could feel the excitement building in her. She had arranged to “go away” for this weekend and the reality of it was now hitting her.