Perfect Freedom by Gordon Merrick Read Free Book Online

made an effort to keep his expression from relaxing into sensual lethargy. Her hand grew bolder. Buttons gave way. He felt her fingers on his tautly stretched naked skin. He took a quick breath and suppressed a gasp. Her hand grasped all of him and moved up and down slowly and purposefully. A passing sailor seized Helene unceremoniously and carried her off. Stuart turned to his tormentor. She sparkled with mischievous glee and squeezed the swelling flesh.
    â€œ C’est trop beau ,” she exclaimed. “ Vous êtes magnifique .”
    â€œYou’re very naughty.”
    â€œ Vous êtes extra-orrrdinaire .” She rolled the r extravagantly and giggled. “What girl could resist? We’re a little bit lovers now. I know how big I can make you.”
    â€œGirls have that effect on me. You’d better let go or we might have an unfortunate accident.”
    She withdrew her hand hastily. “Oh no. Not like that.”
    He buttoned himself up. “You notice I didn’t do much to stop you, but don’t expect this to go any further. You can tell from the way I look at you how tempted I am.”
    â€œYou look at me and make me very daring. It’s very wonderful that you’re going to live here.”
    â€œI think so. If my wife gives you a present, will you take it without making a fuss?”
    â€œYour wife? Why?” She looked shocked, almost frightened.
    â€œIt’s just an idea. She likes you. Will you take it?”
    Her eyes yielded as she looked at him. “If you wish me to.”
    He touched her hand, which was now on the table. Helene was returned to them and he shifted so that this time she was seated between him and Odette. He had indulged himself sufficiently. He had made a declaration of sorts and the girl knew that he liked her. It was time to rally his forces. He danced with both of them and the crowd began to thin. The Saturday night gatherings were never very late but the Coslings were always the last to turn in because sleep was out of the question while the fun was going on. Conversation became more possible and Stuart emptied the bottle of wine into their glasses and settled back contentedly. Helene slipped something into Odette’s hand. He saw the girl’s expression cloud. She looked both bewildered and indignant and with a glance at him accepted grudgingly, as if she had been compromised in some way.
    â€œIt’s been such fun having you with us,” Helene said. “We must make a regular thing of it. Everybody has hard times. It’s so lovely to be able to help.” She was pleased with herself. She had lived up to Stuart’s expectations of her by demonstrating that she sympathized with his impulse to help the child. She felt the gesture, as she was sure Stuart did too, as another small commitment to the place. She was beginning to wonder what they would do if their dotty landowner didn’t reappear soon. Summer was almost over. Even Stuart couldn’t be planning to stay here indefinitely, although he wouldn’t talk about alternatives. They had to find something more comfortable, with a bathroom of their own and heating and hot water. They had to settle something about school for Robbie. Stuart didn’t think it was urgent because the boy was a year ahead of his age group, but she wanted to re-establish the routine of New York so that they could have some privacy. She could accept his self-proclaimed liking for “plain, ordinary people,” although they had never known any, and try to enter into the spirit of an occasion like tonight, but she was soon going to have to force him to face practical realities.
    They finished their wine while the crowd dwindled rapidly. Odette stood and said goodnight with French formality and they all agreed that they’d be looking out for each other next Saturday. The Coslings went upstairs arm in arm and Stuart made love with unusually thrilling inventiveness. There had