"You little witch," Kevin muttered beneath a laugh, watching his wife's flawless frame slip elusively into the water. She was now only a pale blur gliding effortlessly beneath the ripples, her tantalizing details a mere flicker of a dream.

Groaning, Kevin realized he had been unconsciously rubbing the front of his jeans up and down against the edge of the counter and quickly stood back. Jessica could do that to a man, with or without her erotic little dances, and Kevin was on the verge of tearing his clothes off and following her.

Which was exactly what she was hoping for, he guessed. His wife wasn't stupid, far, far from it. With minimal and seemingly innocent effort she could easily turn the tide in her favor. Not knowing the extent of his plans, she wasn't above rushing the game to its climax.

And what if she did know? he wondered, studiously returning his attention, or as much as he could manage, back to the dishes. Would she protest and call an end? Maybe so, but he had come too far to let that happen. One by one he intended to relax the rules, diminishing the idea of punishment without relinquishing that final shred of control. It wasn't that he wanted to completely dominate his wife, he only wanted her to learn that by subduing her recklessness she had the means of satisfying both of their needs.

Finally placing the last of the dishes on the rack, Kevin paused to wash the suds from his hands. Beyond the window, Jessica seemed to have abandoned her normal laps, rolling gracefully to her back to measure out the length of the pool in slow lazy strokes. Transfixed, Kevin savored her open invitation and carefully dried his hands before going out to join her.

Pulling the door shut behind him, Kevin entered his wife's sanctuary breathing deeply of the rich mixture of tilled earth and chlorine. With all the pretense of ignoring her seductive glide, he walked the edge of the pool, carefully tending his plants and checking each for dryness. Behind him he caught the occasional splash of water that betrayed his wife's proximity, confirmed by casual glances which showed him that she was pacing his progress, ducking away with each turn of his head to disappear in a ring of ripples like a bashful mermaid.

Only when he reached the scattering of lounges at the shallow end of the pool did Kevin turn to give her his full attention. Fully in her element, his wife ducked away again, disappearing in a flurried blur to reappear a moment latter bobbing slowly at the center of the pool. Flashing him a grin of invitation, she ached up, disappeared again, and resurfaced even further. "Tease," he murmured, relishing each glimpse she allowed him. But he wouldn't follow. That would be too easy. Instead, he slowly stripped bare, purposely flexing his well muscled body, and casually waded down the tiled steps to sit on the lowest. The warm water lapped at his waist, caressing his manhood back to throbbing erection. Smiling, he beckoned with his hand.

Slightly perplexed, Jessica made a slow and cautious advance. She would glide a bit, dive, then bob to the surface again a scant few inches closer. Finally, curiosity got the better of her. She made one graceful plunge and Kevin knew she was his. Reclining back, he closed his eyes and waited. Eventually a small wash across his stomach told him his wife was very near.

Still reclining, giving all the show of nonchalance, Kevin continued to wait. It was the longest seconds of his life. A small current around his legs was the first indication of her stealthy presence, followed closely by an increase in warmth hovering near his groin. A instant later, Jessica's nails grazed ever so lightly along the underside of his stiff shaft. Shivering, Kevin clenched his hands on the concrete rim and forced himself to stay still. His control was soon rewarded by the sound of deep breathing, a small ripple, and the sudden warmth of her tongue tracing the recent path of her fingers. When it reached the swollen head, twirling in lazy circles, he couldn't stifle himself any longer. Gritting his teeth he groaned out loud. An tendril of pixie laughter followed the sound, another deep breath, and then her lips were around him. Taking just the head, she suckled it lovingly, rolling her mouth so that it brushed along the insides of her hollowed cheeks. When he arched his hips, unable to endure her wicked teasing, she mercifully obliged him. Opening her throat, she raised up, breaking the water's surface to inhale deeply through her nose, then plunged again, moving steadily lower, until his shaft was deeply immersed and her tongue was tracing the very edge of his sensitive root.

Damn, she's good! was Kevin's only coherent thought as the blinding euphoria begin to build within him. Slow and firm her mouth and tongue worked back along the entire length of him, the bob her head creating small waves that tumbled up his stomach and chest. Her tongue made long sweeping circles, tantalizing him, driving him to panting gasps, while her fingers joined the play by gently kneading his balls and teasing the sensitive skin beneath. She worked steadily and skillfully, using the rare pauses for air to hold him indefinitely just on the brink of total insanity. Finally, when he thought he could stand no more, she took him completely, all the way down her throat, and began the steady pressured rhythm that made him writhe for the bliss of release.

After a small slice of intoxicating eternity Kevin began to feel his climax reaching its inevitable peak and started to draw her away, but to his surprise, Jessica grasped his legs and took him impossibly deeper. Whether it was for the sake of his pleasure or the sake of her pristine pool, he would never know, but when he shuddered convulsively, body bowed, teeth clenched, releasing his seed in violent and mindless pleasure, she took it all, suckling him eagerly, until she had drained him of every last drop. Even then, as he panted in the aftermath, she continued to lap at him, bathing him with the warm roughness of her tongue, until he was trembling and spent and ready to give her anything.

Almost anything.

Moaning contentedly, Kevin eventually opened his eyes and brought his head up to look at his wife. Jessica was kneeling by his side, panting softly, her chin propped on his bent knee. A look of pure mirth sparkled in her green eyes.

"You are a wicked one, aren't you?" he teased breathlessly.

"You didn't like?" she returned innocently, leaning seductively toward him and wetting her lips. Beneath the water, however, she had tensed, ready to take flight again.

Kevin quickly seized her wrist and pulled her closer before she could make good on her escape. "Oh no you don't," he laughed. "After what she just did for him, Daddy's wonderful little mermaid isn't getting away that easily."

The slightest of flickers betrayed her disappointment. Still confident under his praise, however, she let him pull her under his arm. "Another lap?" she pleaded.

It was hard not to give in, she'd done something so new and bold, but Kevin didn't have the strength to endure further enticements at the moment. Despite his desire to reward her, he needed time to cool down. "Maybe later, baby," he hedged, smiling at her convincing pout. "Daddy was thinking that he'd rather take his little girl riding."

"Really?" Jessica had pulled back to look at him in surprise.

Good. Her pleasure was reward enough. They had planned a good ride earlier, but she hadn't expected that he would stick to it. Trussing her up and tormenting her was more akin to a normal lesson. But, then again, this was no normal lesson and he would have plenty of time to resort to the basics later.

"Really," he agreed. "As soon as we've dried off."

The ride was a wonderful diversion for both husband and wife. The drive to the stables took fifteen minutes, being a winding gravel road leading to the west quarter of the estate, and Jessica and Kevin spent it in silent companionship as he guided her jeep over the bumpy terrain. It was surprising really. Jessica usually fretted terribly whenever he dared to drive her precious Cherokee. He wondered what she was thinking.

Kevin was still wondering when they pulled into the gravel yard in front of the Kenhill stables. Some of his friends had thought him crazy when he had it built so far from the house, but it was remote on purpose, allowing a certain degree of privacy between him and the spacious cottage where the head groom and his wife held residence. Since marrying Jess it had become even more of a blessing. He doubted his keen eyed groom would miss much of what transpired between them.

Still, a certain amount of courtesy was necessary and after the required halfhearted protests of being an intrusion, he and Jessica joined Jacob and wife in nice cup of tea. A short while later they were mounted and free, laughing together over Anita's outrageous tidbits of gossip.

"Do you want to ride the high ridge?" Jessica asked once they had completed a second circuit of their favorite path along the south bend of the Cambird River. Beneath her, her horse pranced restlessly, snorting white wisps in the crisp mountain air.

Kevin would have like nothing better than to take the steep path that offered the most breathtaking view, but didn't miss the mild note of dissuasion in his wife's voice.

Indeed, she was looking a bit weary and he suddenly remembered Marcus' warning that the drug he had prescribed would initially make her prone to fatigue. He could always go alone, he knew, and she would be content to obey his orders and wait, but then he thought better of the idea and shook his head. Jess had been such a good sport so far, already heeding his instructions to stay in sight, relinquishing her usual headlong gallop to stay close by his side, and she deserved some consideration.

He was definitely making progress.

After another quiet drive, Kevin helped Jessica inside and out of her coat. She started for the kitchen murmuring something about finding them a hot drink, but he quickly stopped her.

"No, baby," he answered the curious tip of her head. "I'd rather you take a nap right now."

"A nap?" she laughed, not taking him seriously.

"A nap," he agreed. "Daddy's angel is tired. I can tell."

A small frown creased her brow. "But...."

"No buts," he insisted. Then he pulled her close and kissed her forehead before continuing seriously. "Come on, Jess. You are tired."

"A nap?" she asked again dubiously.

Suddenly he understood her hesitation. "A time out," he assured her, realizing she feared an ulterior motive, perhaps similar to the liberties he had taken the night before. By offering a time out she could sleep unmolested and escape again for another short period of privacy. What she didn't know was that he too needed some time, to do a little planning.

Following her up the stairs, Kevin couldn't resist a few playful slaps to her bottom. It was too tempting in the tight fit of her jeans and made him toy a moment with the idea of joining her.

But she was eager for the time alone.

"I can do this myself," she tried to stall at the bedroom door, glancing at him doubtfully.

He would respect her wishes then. Raising his hands, Kevin was the picture of innocence. "Daddy only wants to tuck you in."

Sure enough, once she had disappeared into the bathroom, he merely made up the bed, adding sheets and blankets and topping it with a comforter, and sat patiently to wait. When she returned, wearing an emerald green satin nightshirt, her look of surprise was reward enough.

Poor Jess, he thought wickedly as he helped her beneath the covers. He had made her so suspicious and couldn't resist playing on it. Suddenly feeling a little guilty about that, he tried to make amends by having her roll on her stomach and massaging her shoulders until her eyes grew heavy and slipped closed and her breathing grew slow and regular.

Careful not to wake her, Kevin pulled the comforter around her and quietly withdrew. Downstairs he poured a snifter of brandy, lit a fire in the parlor's fireplace, and reached for his cellular phone.