Walking into the kitchen, she noticed the blinking red light on the answering machine. Instinctively, she pressed the button to play the messages. All were routine, a reminder from the dentist's office, a telemarketer, and an offer for a credit card with a ridiculous line of credit and a zero percent interest rate. Then, on the last message, she heard his voice.
"Hi, Honey, sorry I missed you. Just wanted to let you know that I'd be home later tonight. We wrapped up the negotiations early so we're coming home a day earlier than we thought. We got a good deal, so we're going out to celebrate this afternoon. I've already rebooked and should be there by 9:00. Maybe we can grab a late dinner. Pick me up at the airport. Thanks, Honey. I love you."
She could hardly control the excitement that the message brought her, and smiled as she pressed the button on the answering machine to delete it, accidentally deleting all other messages as well. The bright red zero on the digital readout further reminded her that she would not have to wait another day for him.
Almost a thousand miles away, Jerrod reclined in his seat in the first class section of the jumbo jet. His boss sat beside him and they clinked glasses in a toast to continued success for the firm. Jerrod had been the lead negotiator on this contract and his boss was generous with his praise. Jerrod hoped he would be just as generous with his bonus.
"Jerrod," he beamed, "that was sheer genius on your part. I really thought they had dug in on their offer. But when you closed your briefcase and headed for the door... Well, you should have seen the looks on their faces when they thought the deal had collapsed. How could you be so sure that they'd up their price?"
"I couldn't be sure. But if they weren't prepared to meet our terms, I was prepared to walk out. I was counting on you to show support for my position. And you did. Thank you."
"Support, my ass!" Jerrod's boss burst into laughter, "I was following you out to the elevator to try to drag you back to the table. And then when they followed us both out. Well, what can I say, Jerrod? You're a damned genius!"
Jerrod took the praise with a grain of salt, knowing that this had been his day. Tomorrow could be different. As they say, "sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you."
Jerrod never slept well on these business trips and took the opportunity to nap for the remainder of the flight. As the plane made its descent and final approach, Jerrod declined an offer from his boss to bring his wife along to join Jerrod and Sandi for cocktails and dinner. Jerrod had been away from Sandi for four days and only wanted a quiet dinner with her, and maybe an evening of lovemaking. To that end, he had reminded his boss that he might be in a little late the next morning. His boss had laughed and suggested that he take the entire day off to celebrate.
At the luggage carousel, Jerrod's boss quickly found his luggage, said goodbye and headed for the taxi line. Jerrod waited impatiently for his luggage, but also noticed that Sandi was nowhere in sight. He hoped she had gotten his message. It was only 8:50, so she was probably en route now. Finally seeing his two bags, Jerrod retrieved them. Turning to look for a quiet place to call Sandi on his cell phone, he found himself staring into the face of Kim, his wife's younger sister.
"Surprise!" she smiled.
"Well, yes it is. Where is Sandi? Is anything wrong?"
"No, no, nothing's wrong. I think she mentioned something about a bridge club meeting scheduled for tonight. I was going to be out and about, so I told her I'd pick you up and bring you home. She should be there by the time we are. The car's right outside. Follow me."
Loading his luggage into the trunk of his sister-in-law's red Miata proved to be an ordeal, and for Kim, a challenge to modesty. The short sundress she was wearing showed plenty of skin at both ends as she leaned in to rearrange a few personal items to make room for Jerrod's luggage. Jerrod caught himself staring at her cute, firm behind and her silky tanned legs. And, as she leaned into the trunk giving a final push to the luggage, the short dress provided a glimpse of her white cotton panties, giving him a tiny bit of a rise. Jerrod wondered why anyone would wear a sundress at this hour.
"Sorry, Dear, but you'll have to hold your briefcase. No more room back here."
After finally squeezing the luggage into the tiny car, Jerrod climbed in and waited for Kim to come around to the driver's side. She bent forward to climb into the car and he was forced to look down the top of the revealing dress at her small, but shapely breasts. Kim was obviously not wearing a bra. Jerrod, embarrassed by his actions looked up quickly, only to see his sister-in-law smiling at him. Knowing nothing witty to say under the circumstances, Jerrod decided he was best served by keeping quiet, which he did.
Jerrod watched his sister-in-law in the darkness, able to see her lovely face only by the passing streetlights. While Kim was seven years younger than his wife, the two sisters looked much alike. But while Sandi and Kim shared a strong resemblance, they were two different women entirely. Sandi enjoyed the spotlight and was at the center of their social circle, while Kim would have been just as happy sitting alone in the park with her dog and a good book. Jerrod felt himself fortunate that Sandi was a great wife and a wonderful lover. Their sex life left little to be desired. He could count on one hand the number of times she had been less than excited about sex when he reached for her. Still, over the years, he had to admit that Kim had caught his eye. He had wondered if Kim was anything like her older sister in bed. And, while he had actually fantasized on occasion about her, he would never admit it. That was what it was, simple fantasy. Jerrod knew he would never risk losing Sandi. He was not interested in any woman other than Sandi, and doubted that he ever would be. She supported his work and the long hours away from home that it required. She assured him that the time they had together made up for the time apart, and that she couldn't be happier. Yes, Jerrod was living the good life.
Jerrod was jarred from his thoughts, as Kim turned the car into his driveway. At last, he was home and he could not wait to see Sandi. He hurriedly grabbed his briefcase from the car, and headed toward the garage door, which led to the kitchen entrance. He noticed the blue SUV parked just outside his garage.
"Whose car?" he asked.
"I don't know, Jerrod. Must be a friend's."
Raising the garage door, he noticed his car and Sandi's SUV in their usual places. Looking back to be sure that Kim was following, he hurried to the door and turned the handle. He was a little surprised to find it locked, since she should be expecting him and apparently had guests in the house. He reached for the doorbell, only to have Kim step in front of him.
"Allow me. I have a key"
"Why do you have a key to our house?"
"Sis gave it to me last year when you two went on vacation. She told me to keep it. I come by sometimes and deliver things or help her out. Why?"
"No reason," replied Jerrod. "Just curious."
Kim unlocked the door and led the way into the house, which seemed strangely quiet, considering a bridge party was supposed to be underway or, he hoped, winding down. He set his briefcase down by the door.
Hoping not to disturb the card game, he walked from the kitchen into the dark hallway toward the den, noticing that, except for a lamp in the hallway and one in the den, the lights were off. Kim followed close behind. He turned to her with a look of puzzlement, and she just shrugged.
Then he heard it.
