He knocked loudly on the screen door.
"Hello in there," he called, and when the female form appeared from the bedroom he added, "didn't catch you naked did I?"
"No, you didn't," said Kate. She was surprised at this stranger's cheek. She didn't really recognize the guy standing at the front door. Kate had other things on her mind. The heat of this early autumn day had made her a little irritable as well. His voice was familiar, but she couldn't place it. Kate racked her brain for a scrap of memory as to who he was, and when she might have seen this guy. It clicked. "You're Paul aren't you?" asked Kate, I spoke to you Monday night on the phone."
"Sorry Kate, I didn't mean to startle you" he said, "yes I am.
Kate had a good long look at the tall dark haired man at the door. She wouldn't have pictured this image during their previous phone call. He had a confident, air about him, and he was certainly relaxed with Kate, and they had only spoken on the phone once.
"I wanted to see if you had finished those hand written invitations for the party yet," he said. "I thought I'd do the pop in and see if you were home, and at least look at the drafts anyway. I know we arranged everything on the phone, but I just wanted to check first hand to make sure that they were what I wanted. Is that okay?"
"Sure thing. I've been hot and bothered all week Paul, but you can come in to the cool and look at what I have done so far," said Kate, smiling at the prospect of some company on this really warm evening. It quickly took her mind off the heat, and she was amused within herself to find a new sort of heat suffused her. Kate's only air conditioning was the slight breeze that blew through the house from end to end. That and the new insulation in the roof kept the house a fair bit cooler than outside. She led Paul through to the kitchen and sat him down at the table. He is really cute, thought Kate and a lustful image sprang to mind causing a half smile to break out on her face as she went into the study to get the invitations he had called about.
Kate returned quickly with a folder and placed it on the table. "Can I get you something cold?" she asked.
"A beer would be nice if you have one," replied Paul. I've been out for a walk at the lake and am a tad thirsty."
Kate went to the refrigerator and grabbed an ice-cold beer. She walked over very close and gave it to him, breathing in the manly smell of him. The smell of him invaded her senses, a mixture of the odors from the physical exercise and his cologne. It was a fragrance she couldn't place. The fragrant cocktail was a little intoxicating for her and she found even more sexual images springing to mind as a result of not having such a strong male smell in her house for some time. What's going on? She asked herself. Kate opened her beer. She took a few steps back toward the kitchen bench, turned away from him, with one hand on her hip, unconsciously posing and showing off her bum.
"Nice butt Kate," said Paul, shattering her reverie.
Kate felt her face blush with embarrassment; she hadn't meant to pose for him.
"I'm... sorry Paul... aaah... I... was uummm thinking about whether I had some dry biscuits or not to go with your beer," said Kate.
"Sure, but it is still a nice butt," said Paul.
"Oh you think so," said Kate smiling at the compliment. There is something about this guy, she thought. But I hardly know him. But then again he likes my butt. That's a good sign.
Kate sat down and they started talking about the current heat wave. Paul finished his stubby.