THE HOUSE OF FOUR SEASONS

By Atonia Walpole

Part 1 of SUMMER (Skinner)

Summer came early. It had been very warm in May and Toni had started going down to the beach at least two or three times a week, taking a sandwich and thermos. It was nice getting out of the house, so much construction going on. A pool and tennis court had appeared and the bedroom down from John’s had been busy all week. The air in the house had changed. It was happy with a slight scent of lavender and beeswax.

Casual summer clothes had appeared in her wardrobe, for which she was grateful. Steps had appeared off the hallway and investigation revealed a wine cellar.  The dining room had transformed itself into casual French. It was ready for an early season.

Toni wasn’t sure she was ready. Max was an unknown. She didn’t know whether he would turn up as the banker or vintner. He had been Jack’s choice for her and she trusted him. Judging by the activity, the house was ready but it was only the first of June.

She lay back in her lounge chair and took a bite out of her sandwich. It was very quiet with only the sound of the waves and sea gulls. Sea gulls…loud and squawking to her left brought her back up in her chair; someone was on the beach. She watched him running in and out with the water as he jogged up the beach in a zigzag pattern, sending the gulls out to sea. Quiet peace also went out to sea; Max was here.

He came running up to where she sat and plopped down in the sand, pushing his sunglasses up on his head. “Hi Toni, I’m Max, em, a little early but still Max,” he smiled.

Her first impression was of a boyish charm with a naughty smile. “Max, welcome. I’m very glad you’re early.” He had on a worse-for-wear pair of khaki shorts, sleeveless red shirt and well-worn sneakers. He was very sandy and began brushing off his arms and legs, sending sand into her sandwich.

“Oh, sorry!” he said, noticing her expression as she wrapped her sandwich and put it back in the bag. “Would that happen to be tea in your thermos?”

She didn’t answer but handed him the thermos, watching his face. He turned it up and sputtered, “What…it’s wine…white wine!” He grimaced and handed it back, wine dripping from his bearded chin. “I thought it was tea. You didn’t warn me.”

“You sanded my sandwich. That was my lunch. Now I’ll go hungry. Don’t you feel bad about that?”

He turned to her and grinned, “No, not now.”

“Well, I guess we’re even, Max,” she smiled, tilting her head. “Would you like tea? We can go up to the house.”

“Yes, thank you, I would.” He held his hand and helped her out of the chair, picked it up and turned to follow her. He had a nice view of her bottom as they climbed the slope to the house and wiggled his eyebrows at the possibilities there. He stopped when they reached the terrace and looked around. “This is very nice. I like the pool.”

Toni frowned and turned to him. “Max, haven’t you been here before?”

Quick smile, “No, actually I haven’t. I know all about it, of course, but this is my first time.”

“You’re a virgin then?”

“Hardly!” He smiled broadly.

“I mean the house, silly! Well, so was I when I came in November. Come in.” She pulled a tee shirt from her beach bag and put it on over her bikini. Plugging the kettle in she took out the tea things. “It was a surprise to see you jogging up the beach. I didn’t expect you’d arrive that way.”

“Oh, in a little green car, perhaps? I fell asleep and woke up on the beach and decided to run east.”

“Is that how it works?”

“I have no idea.” He was wandering about the kitchen poking into this and that.

“Is there something you’re looking for?”

“Actually, I’m famished,” he said with an odd little smile.

“Sit down, Max, at the island and I’ll make us both a sandwich. Can you manage the tea?”

“That I can handle! An Englishman can make tea.”

“What else can you do?”

“What do you mean?” He looked up.

“Can you cook?”

“I have to cook?” An astonished look.

“Not unless you want to. I can take care of that. It’s just that I don’t know you very well.”

“I don’t know you at all.”

“You don’t? I thought you would have had something about me other than my name.”

“I may have…didn’t read it…perhaps I should have.” He gave her a thoughtful look.

“Well, it’s going to be a long summer. We each have much to learn.” She smiled brightly. Jack, what were you thinking?

After their lunch she took him through the house and upstairs down the hall to his room. It was the first time she’d been in there. It was furnished with antiques, English and French, modern oil paintings, a very masculine room, she thought. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent, grass, something else, complicated, a mixture. What was it?

“What are you doing?”

Her eyes flew open. He was standing very close, peering into her face. “Oh, um, the scent. I was trying to figure it out. It’s complicated.”

“What scent?”

“Oh, dear, you don’t smell it? It’s nice…different…expensive.” He looked puzzled. “Each room has a scent. It has to do with its occupant…it says something about the person. It’s a house thing, Max.”

“Oh,” he walked around his room and smiled. ”I like this. It’s rather like my house in France. Bath ensuite, yes, this will do nicely. Thank you, Toni.”

“It’s not my doing. The house took care of it.”

“But you called me. Thank you for that.” Slight smile.

“Well, I’ll leave you to clean up. There should be clothes in the wardrobe. I’m across the hall there.” He nodded and smiled. Toni shut the door and went to her own room. Jack, you better come back here and fix this! What am I going to do with him for three months, a tight-assed Englishman!

Max was unsettled. He knew, of course, about the place. He evidently was summer for some odd reason, and what was he supposed to do? He hadn’t bothered to read all the information that came up on his computer screen, just scanned through it. Now he was here with a beautiful woman who had her own room.  He wondered what scent she was talking about. What did it say about him? He wandered into his bathroom, shower and tub. He opted for the shower.

He was trying to dress. Finding a pair of white cotton, loose-fitting pants in the wardrobe he threw those on the bed, a shirt…no underwear? He couldn’t find it, hell with it… sandals. This would have to do. He ran his hand through his hair…no, he wouldn’t shave. This was like a holiday, right? He shut his door behind him and came down the hall. Toni’s door was partially open so he stuck his head in.

“Mind if I come in?”

Toni was at her dressing table brushing her hair, trying to decide whether to put it up or not. She had on Capri pants and a moss green knit top. “Not at all. Come on in,” she said, turning.

He came in, smiled, and walked around her room. “I like your room, a mix of English antiques and new, very nice. Now I can smell it, roses and lavender, a timeless scent.”

“It’s not what your room smells of. You wouldn’t want to smell of roses, would you?”

“I think not. You have a balcony. I like this. You should have chairs out here.”

“Would you join me there maybe with a bottle of wine?” she was testing him.

Was that an invitation? “Yes, I would love to, but not that stuff you had in the thermos.”

“There’s a wine cellar. You choose what we should drink and find the glasses in the kitchen. I’ll see to the chairs.”

“Now?”

“The sun is over the yardarm, Max. Do you have anything else to do?” Was he dense?

He turned and went down to find the cellar and the glasses. Am I that stupid? I just need to find my footing here with her.

Toni turned back to her mirror. Okay, house, chairs please! Two chairs and a small table appeared on her balcony along with a few potted plants. Two tall hurricane lamps appeared next to the balustrade. She walked out and had a look. Oh, very nice. I’m going to need all the help you can give me.

The light had dimmed when he came back through her room with the wine. He stopped at the balcony door amazed at what he saw. “You did all this?”

“Oh, no,  the house did.  I just asked for chairs. You do know it’s all magic, don’t you?”

“Um, yes, I do know it’s a magical place.” He uncorked the wine and poured two glasses. “Toni, I know I must appear an idiot and I am sorry I’m a little out of my depth here. I’m afraid I did not do the research I should have and I don’t know what’s expected of me.”

“Please sit down, Max, and I’ll tell you what has happened here since I arrived.” After she told him her story he sat back in his chair a minute, thinking.

“You’ve had a rather rough go. This is not usually what happens here, is it?”

“No, from what I understand it’s a fantasy. Come spend some time with the flavor of the season.”

“I’m a summer flavor?” He got up and moved to the balustrade. “You expect me to compete with Aubrey?”

“I don’t expect you to compete with anybody. This is not a fuck competition, Max.” She set her glass down hard and stood up. “We can be friends, we can be lovers, we will not argue.” Toni whirled around and went back into her bedroom. Pompous ass!

Max took a good drink of his wine then set his glass down and went after her. “Toni…can we start again?”

“From the beginning…Hi, I’m Toni Stanley and you are?”

“Max Skinner and I am very happy to be here with you.” He gave a little bow and a big smile.

“I believe you have brought a nice bottle of wine.”

“Would you like to share it?”

“I would, Max.” He offered his arm, led her back to the balcony, and with a flourish pulled out her chair and poured her another glass of wine. “What vintage is this? It’s good.”

“I have no idea. If it tastes good I like it. Regardless of what you’ve seen, I am not a connoisseur.”

She smiled, “Neither am I. Same here, if it tastes good, drink it.”

The house shuddered and settled back down. All was not lost. Give them time. Perhaps a little music?

“Where is the music coming from?” he asked.

“The house, modern jazz for you…interesting.” She took a drink of her wine. Complicated? Yes, he was.

“I like most music. I always have something playing.” He was drumming his fingers, bouncing his leg.

“Max…relax. This doesn’t have to be hard.”

“That obvious? That’s something I have a hard time doing.”

“I’ll teach you,” she smiled and poured him another glass of wine.

He’d stopped his twittering about and looked across the little table at her. Very sexy, very pretty and he had three months with her. He smiled and touched his glass to hers, “To summer and you.”

Part 2:

Toni having finished a third glass of wine and not feeling much pain, commented, “I should go see about dinner.”

“It smelled good.”

“What?”

“It smelled good in the kitchen when I fetched the wine glasses.”

“Oh, the house must have taken pity on me. Well, let’s go see what’s cooking.”

The house had indeed felt pity and prepared a nice chicken casserole. It was still in the oven.

“Um, Max, will you find some plates and silverware? We can eat in here or the dining room, which ever.”

“This is fine...nothing fancy.”

“Good.”

She felt a little better for having eaten a meal and a glass of water helped. Max continued on with the wine and seemed to be relaxing a bit. They walked out on the terrace and down by the pool,  the underwater lights giving it an otherworldly look.

“Want to swim?” she asked.

He remembered he hadn’t any boxers on. “Skinny dip?”

“Well, if you want or we could just walk around a bit. There’s a nice English garden.”

“Be hard to see at night, wouldn’t it?” He took her hand and pulled her close. “Music is nice out here.” He began to move her around.

“It is, isn’t it…you dance.” She placed her hands on his shoulders.

“Do you think so?” He pulled her in a little closer.

Toni laid her head on his chest, catching his scent, a touch of sandalwood? It felt good to be against him and she put her arms around his neck. She smiled. The man didn’t have any underwear on and she could feel him. Maybe Jack was right? Max was different. It was going to be an interesting summer.

Max was drinking in her scent with the beginnings of an arousal. The evening had started off in the pits but promised to turn out quite well, he thought. He ran his hand up her back and pulled back. Looking into her eyes he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Would that break the ice?

“I think it’s too late for a swim tonight, don’t you?”

“Most definitely too late,” he said into her hair. “Perhaps we should go in.”

He led her into the house and up the stairs. “Your room or mine?” he asked tilting his head.

“Yours.” She wanted to know as much about him as she could.

Once again the scent got to her, grass a touch of sandalwood, something hidden, unknown. It was a sexy scent. The music in his room was French and the sheets soft cream. They felt cool to her bare back when she lay down. He lay on top of her, not moving, just kissing her. His kiss reminded her of Jack's as he teased a bit before covering her mouth. She ran her hands over his back and shoulders. Muscular, he probably lifts weights. He supported himself on his arms, pushing her hair back from her face. He kissed her ear, sending a little shiver down her back. She felt his tongue in her ear and down her neck and she moved her hands to his hips. He pressed his manhood against her pelvis and she pushed back. She was ready.

He tasted the tips of her breasts and suckled gently. She began to writhe beneath him and he parted her legs with his knee, entering her. He built up slowly, bringing her with him until they both shuddered together and rolled over in the bed, her legs still around his hips.

“Ah, Toni, I’ll be your summer, fall, winter and spring. Damn, that was hot.”

“It’s a hot season, Max.” She ran her fingers over his lips and he bit lightly.

She smiled, “You bite.”

“Only if something delicious passes my lips.”

“I’ll have to remember that and be careful.”

“I don’t bite hard.”

“I think I’m going to enjoy you, Max,” she said, resting her head against his shoulder.

“I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I know I can be an ass sometimes.”

“Don’t worry, Max, I’ll let you know when you are,” she giggled.

They lay together quietly for awhile and he shifted his weight. “Are you going sleepy?” she asked.

“Mmm, I think I could.”

“I’ll leave you then.”

“No, stay.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.” She softly kissed him.

“Why won’t you stay?” He raised up on his elbow.

“Let’s just say it’s my rule for now. It may change sometimes, but we need a space between us, Max. It just has to be that way.” He looked hurt. “It’s nothing to do with you or how I feel about you right now, because I feel pretty good, you know,” she smiled.

“It has something to do with what happened between you and John?”

“Yes, everything to do with that. I don’t want to go there again.”

“I understand. I don’t have to like it.”

“You go to sleep. I’ll see you at breakfast.” She kissed his forehead and slipped off the bed.

 

The next morning Max woke in a tangle of sheets and sat up. "Coffee!"  He pulled on a pair of pajama pants that had appeared on the chair, found a robe and went padding down the steps in search of the morning elixir.

Toni had her cup of coffee and had started out the door to the terrace when she heard him coming down the hall. She smiled. Bedhead! “Good morning, Max.”

He didn’t speak but went in search of a cup. He had on his glasses this morning and his half awake eyes were very blue when he came out on the terrace.

“Ah, good morning, Toni.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and plopped down in the chair next to her. “Coffee, a man must have coffee and this is rather weak, a drip coffee maker?”

“Yes, it is. What would you prefer, a press?”

“Yes, actually I would, but I didn’t see one.”

Toni turned to the house. A coffee press, please, hot and ready! “Shall I bring it?”

“Bring what?”

“The coffee press and maybe a of tray cream and sugar, a croissant?

“Sounds lovely.”

Toni went into the kitchen and picked up the tray from the island, carrying it out onto the terrace table that she had asked for that morning.  She found she could ask for anything and it would appear.

“It’s magic after all, Max. Hope this is more to your liking.”

His mouth was open and his eyebrows cocked. "Amazing! Thank you, Toni. Yes, this is more like coffee to me.”

“You’re not a morning person, are you?”

“Not until I’ve had coffee. Sun’s awfully bright.”

Toni looked up. An umbrella would be nice and she smiled, knowing that sometime that morning one would appear. It was during the time she spent alone that her control over the house became apparent. Simple things like being cold one day and hot another made her wish for a comfortable temperature in the house at all times and it happened. She wished for an ice cream sundae one day and it appeared. Little things let her know she did have some control. Had she always had it? She didn’t know. It was only when she was alone that she realized it.

“Are you ready for breakfast?”

“Not just yet.” He looked at her over his coffee cup. “Last night was wonderful,  Toni.”

“Yes, it was ,wasn’t it? You’re wearing your glasses this morning.”

“I found them in my room. I can’t read without them.”

“You’re planning on reading this morning?”

“No, I wanted a better look at you. I haven’t problem with distance. It's up close things go a bit blurry.”

“Do I look any different?”

“You’re really beautiful. Strange eyes like a precious stone, a jade.”

Toni’s eyes widened and she looked out toward the cliff. Jack.

“I have a collection of precious stones, several jades. There are many colors of jade.”

“Yes, I know but I didn’t know you collected.”

“I own a fine collection. I had sent from London.”

“London, the trader. Do you still do that sort of work?”

“Of course, but on a much smaller scale. I’m no longer associated with a bank.”

His morning look with bedhead hair, several days growth of beard, bare chest and robe did not bring to mind the crisp banker in London. “I’m glad you left that behind. You’re much more casual now, aren’t you?”

“You mean the suit? He still exists, of course…part of me. I can’t help it.”

“Well, you won’t need a suit here, Max. It’s a very casual place now. Jack was a little more formal. Hard to get used to eating breakfast in a dining room.”

“Oh, yes, Jack. When did he leave?”

“First week in May. I won’t discuss him or John with you.”

“No, of course not.” Slight smile.

“Max, I asked for you to come here because I wanted to know you.”

“I’m doing it again. Sorry.”

“Come and help me sort out breakfast.”

Toni opened the fridge. Sometimes she wanted to shake him and sometimes she wanted him in her arms. She was determined to get inside him.

ON TO SUMMER, PART 3

BACK TO SPRING, PART 1

BACK TO WINTER

BACK TO BEGINNINGS

BACK TO LIBRISCROWE