Stretching My Marriage Vows Read online

  STRETCHING MY MARRIAGE VOWS

  By

  Laran Mithras

  Cover Photo by www.Shutterstock.com

  Stretching My Marriage Vows is a work of fiction. Names, locations and incidents either are a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2015 - All Rights Reserved

  Adultery is the application of democracy to love.

  ~ H.L. Mencken

  CHAPTER 1

  Little things can lead to amazing life changes. Nothing ever really stays the same, does it? Change is constant. The young become old and life moves along into the unexpected.

  "Olivia?" Ellie leaned out of the office door.

  This was a change I wanted. I was through with real estate if I could land this job working for our church's comptroller. I had applied as event coordinator when Sue Alvarez became too sick to continue. Diabetes could be deadly.

  I stood. I was taller than little Ellie. She was a bouncy little girl no older than nineteen or twenty – very sweet with a bright smile that shone through her eyes.

  I went into her office.

  She was already walking to the door to the connecting office.

  This has to be a good sign, right? I straightened my best realtor's suit jacket. My breasts were large and had a tendency to push it into disarray. I didn't want to look like I was trying to get the job by waving them around. No, I was the model of professionalism, today. I hope.

  My husband Jim had told me to unbutton the first button of my blouse to make a good impression. Why would I get the job based on my cleavage? How stupid. I had rolled my eyes at him and he had thrown up his hands. I guess he had been trying to help.

  I entered into Carson Wills' office. He was an energetic man with intense eyes. A good man for the job. He was shorter than my husband.

  He stood and held out his hand to shake.

  I had seen him at a distance before, but up close realized he was exactly my height. Five foot eight: my husband said I had legs that went all the way up. Whatever that means. I thought they were a little thick.

  Carson smiled. "Olivia Green?"

  I tried a smile, just a little nervous. "Yes."

  "Pleased to meet you. Please, sit." He indicated a chair. He sat down, straightening his suit jacket. His fingernails were clipped and clean. His wedding ring was a wide gold band, plain and strong, like his personality.

  I wish my boobs weren't so big. I was self-conscious. Men looked at them all the time. But I never wanted to use them when I could use my brain instead. Why did men think all blonde, big-breasted women were just life-support systems for their tits? I straightened my jacket again.

  He picked up my application and glanced over it without really looking at it. "I've checked your application. I see you're in real estate?"

  So he had really looked at it. Likely before I came in. "Yes."

  "Not satisfied there?"

  I tried a smile again. "It pays well, but…"

  He looked at me with his intense eyes – not accusing or suspicious, just waiting.

  "Well, an agent is basically unemployed until the next sale. And real estate is really slowing down."

  He nodded. "Your first job was working for a caterer."

  "Yes." I had hated that job. Rush, rush, rush, almost no pay, and far too many headaches and blame thrown around for my tastes.

  "Do you feel you'd be able to handle the stress of coordinating events?"

  Real estate was stressful enough as it was. I nodded. "Yes."

  "I like that you worked in catering before – you'll work with them frequently here."

  That was fine by me. I'd finally be the one demanding timetables, not the one forced to perform to them. And then it struck me, he had said I'd be working with them. The smile that erupted on my face was sudden. "I can easily do that. I know what to expect with catering companies."

  He nodded as if affirming his decision. "Very well, then. Welcome aboard. Ellie will show you your new office - Sue's old one. The latest event is the picnic. She had already reserved the tables, but you'll need to get on the catering right away."

  "Of course, thank you."

  He smiled at me in friendly warning. "It's going to be a lot of work."

  "I look forward to it." I was happy. Work and a steady paycheck was what I wanted.

  He passed a sheet across the table. "Our paysheet. Sign at the bottom if it meets your approval." His look said he expected me to sign. He offered a Parker pen.

  I took it and poised it over the signature line. Then I saw the amount. My mouth dropped open and I had the indecency to gasp.

  He said, "That's just to start. We'll evaluate your performance in three months. Pay raises are based on performance, but essentially average about ten percent."

  I was stunned. "Thirty seven hundred dollars per month?" Far more than I expected.

  He tilted his head. "I know real estate might pay more—"

  "Oh, no, not that. I'm lucky now to get that every two months lately. This is very generous."

  Carson went serious. "I'll remind you, your position requires a lot of work. There will be raises forthcoming if you can meet the demand."

  I half laughed in surprise. "Oh, I'm not complaining, at all." I signed my name.

  "Ellie will handle the tax forms." He stood.

  ~ ~ ~

  "Jim, Jim, Jim! I got it." I practically bounced into the garage in imitation of Ellie.

  My husband looked up and then down to my boobs, watching them bounce under my blouse.

  Men.

  "That's great. Did you unbutton your blouse?"

  "Stop that. No, I did not. I got the job based on merit."

  "Ah, shame."

  I held up my hands and rolled my eyes. Men! "Shame? I got the job and I didn't need to show cleavage to do it."

  He chuckled. "I'm happy for you." He went back to cleaning something on the engine of his sixty-four Mustang. "Cleavage wouldn't have hurt though."

  I placed hands on hips. "I don't know why you'd want some other man looking at my cleavage."

  He glanced at me and scratched his upper lip. It left a grease smear. "Yeah, that's full-on adultery right there. What was I thinking? Sheeeit."

  "Jim…"

  "Holy crap, I'm glad I have you to remind me that it's a crime to look at cleavage."

  "Jim, stop it."

  He shook his head. He looked ridiculous with the grease smear. "Loosen up, would ya?"

  "I'm not running around flashing my tits like some cheap slut."

  "Who says you have to be a cheap slut to show cleavage?" He scratched his lip in the same spot. The smear grew.

  I blew out a breath. There was just no talking to men who only thought with their dicks. I turned and stomped back towards the door.

  He said, "Congratulations on the job."

  His words softened my heart. He had that way with me. I smiled, even if he couldn't see it.

  ~ ~ ~

  I looked over the notes Sue had made before she left. I sat in my new office in a plush chair. So very different than my agent's office, this one was all paneled in blonde wood with faux-brass accents and recessed lighting. Very posh. I felt spoiled.

  But of immediate concern was making sure the planning for the picnic moved forward. Sue had noted the rented tables for the date, but did that mean she had called or was going to call?

  I flipped through her old Rolodex: I would be recording all that on the computer later. Sue had refused to use it.

  I picked up the phone and tapped an unused line and punched in the number.

  The male voice at the other end was curt. "Sunny Rentals?"

  I used my best realtor's voice. "Hi,
this is Olivia Green, the new event coordinator—"

  "Hold on." The line went to hold.

  Rude.

  "Sorry. Who are you?"

  "I replaced Sue Alvarez as event coordinator—"

  "Oh, right. For the church. Sure. She left the job?"

  "Illness."

  "Ah, that's too bad. What can I do for you?"

  "Did she reserve—"

  "Hang on." The line went back on hold.

  You rude horse's ass.

  "Sorry about that. What did you need?"

  I wanted to hang up. "Should I call back another time?"

  "No, no. What did you need?"

  I could hear him on the other end doing something, banging something around. Are you even listening? "Did she reserve fifty tables and four hundred chairs for the eleventh?"

  He grunted. "Not that I recall."

  "You don't have a reservation—"

  "Hold on." The line went on hold again.

  I coughed. If I flashed cleavage at him, I might get his attention.

  "No, I don't see anything here."

  I was incredulous. The eleventh was nine days away. I coughed again. "Um, can you put us in for them?"

  "No can do, missy. Booked through until the following Monday. I can put you down for them then."

  Uh, sure. Just deliver them after we need them. Right. Duh. "There's no way I can get them on the eleventh?"

  "Maybe if you had called last week…"

  I sighed. "Thank you." I hung up without waiting for an answer.

  I turned on the computer and waited for the boot process to finish. I went online and began searching for close rentals.

  ~ ~ ~

  I carried the printout near the end of the day to Ellie's office. I knocked.

  Her small voice bubbled out. "Yes?"

  I went in.

  She beamed her bright smile. "Hi, Olivia." She set aside her paperwork.

  "Is Mister Wills in?"

  She got up from her chair and came around the desk. She touched my arm. "Oh, don't be so formal. Yes, Carson is in. Can I tell him why you want to see him?"

  "It's about the picnic and the rentals on the eleventh."

  Her smile was still bright and wide. She was a very cute girl. I didn't think you could pry the smile off of her with a crowbar no matter how hard you tried. "Okay." She went to the inner door and knocked, then entered.

  I heard her telling him in the same bubbly voice with which she had greeted me. I swear she's on happy pills or something.

  Ellie came back out and held the door as a way of inviting me in. "Go on in."

  I stepped in.

  Carson rose and nodded for me to sit. He sat back down when I did. He glanced at the paper in my hand. "Something for me to see?"

  I took a breath. "There's an issue with the rental. Apparently the reservation wasn't made with Sunny Rentals and we won't have tables for the picnic."

  He was leaning with his elbows on the desk. "Yes? Did you try other—"

  "I did. No luck."

  "Something tells me you have another plan." He glanced at the paper.

  I lifted it slightly. "I did some checking."

  His lips pulled into a small smile. "Go on."

  "We can have a delivery here on the tenth if we buy our own tables and chairs."

  He moved his head to the side and looked at me with a considering look. "Go on."

  I placed the sheet on the desk. He glanced at it but made no move to take it.

  I said, "For the price of buying our own, we would recoup the rental cost after three uses. If we hire a couple of church boys to manhandle them, we would still be saving thousands in yearly rentals."

  He tapped a finger against his lip, his eyes locked to mine. His words were a murmur. "Why did Sue never suggest this kind of option?"

  "I went online to find this deal. She… hated the computer."

  He chuckled, low and throaty. "Indeed, she did." He slid the paper I had brought closer. He scanned the figures and then pushed it away with one finger. "Have you considered storage for these?"

  "There are several unused rooms in the annex—"

  He pursed his lips. "Hmm, yes there is." He kept his eyes on mine. "That's quite a savings you noted there."

  "Just based on six rentals a year—"

  "And sometimes we have more. Yes, I think we made the right selection for the job. Proceed with the order and conference me into the call when they require payment."

  I smiled and nodded my appreciation.

  "Good work, Olivia."

  I smiled with a little uncertainty. "You can call me Liv if you like. Everyone in my family does except my parents."

  His smile widened. "All right, Liv. You noticed the next event is at my home?"

  "Yes."

  "Bring your husband. It's a little less work there because the gathering is smaller. Church elders, associate pastors from other churches, and the like. A little more relaxing."

  "Okay, I'll let him know." I stood to go.

  He nodded.

  Out in the outer office, Ellie waved and said in her little voice, "Bye."

  First day on the job and I felt victorious.

  CHAPTER 2

  I was sitting on the couch, my feet curled under me. "He said it would be relaxing."

  "Come on, Liv. A bunch of church people?" Jim made a face.

  "They're not like that and you know it."

  "I've never been to their functions. Sunday is enough for me."

  "Carson is really nice. It'll be fun."

  Jim was sitting in the recliner, a car magazine in his hand. He put the magazine aside. "Have I ever met him?"

  "No."

  He grunted. "So what's he like?"

  I smiled knowing I could be totally honest and still not impart how nice they all were. "He's very friendly—"

  "No, I mean, what's he look like?"

  "Oh. Well, he's shorter than you—"

  "Oh yeah?"

  "My height, actually."

  He grunted approvingly.

  "He has dark hair with touches of gray at the temples. Super-nice smile. Super-intense eyes."

  "Has he looked at your chest?"

  I coughed and threw up my hands. "No, he's not like that."

  "Is he gay?"

  His blunt question made me burst out laughing. "No, he's married."

  "Ah, that's too bad."

  "I don't get you. I'm married to you. I wouldn't want some unmarried man gawking at my breasts."

  "A little cleavage is good for a man's heart. Gets it pumping." He thumped his chest with a rakish grin.

  I laughed and covered my mouth. "Stop it."

  He shook his head. "You've got a beautiful set of Ds there. Nothing wrong with flaunting what you got."

  "For you."

  "Liv, do you brush your hair every morning?"

  "Of course."

  "You have beautiful hair that you brush and show to the world. You flaunt it."

  I knew what he was trying to say. "But breasts are different. I'm not going to run around like an Amazon goddess with my boobs flopping around."

  "I didn't mean that. Just that a little bit of cleavage is nice. You cover it all up."

  I looked down at my blouse. I always buttoned it all the way up. "But I don't want men to think—"

  "Men don't think. Men enjoy."

  I laughed. "Wouldn't that make me like all the other sluts flashing their tits?"

  His look grew serious. "Not at all."

  "And why?"

  "Because you do have the brains to top those babies off."

  My mouth dropped open. Even in his crude manner, my husband knew just what to say to make me remember just how much I loved him.

  ~ ~ ~

  Jim said, "I'm going to die."

  "What?" I was getting ready to leave.

  "You're going to work like that?" He grabbed his chest and staggered around, one arm flailing.

  I blushed fully. "It was your
suggestion."

  He chuckled low, giving me his twinkle-look. "One button. Stop the world."

  I grabbed my shirt. "It's just the top button."

  He grabbed his chest again. "Holy shit, I can see your neck."

  "Stop it."

  "So that's what it looks like."

  I slapped his arm. "Quit."

  "Amazing. I'm getting a hard-on."

  "I'm going to bite you."

  "Still can't see cleavage."

  "I feel naked." I pouted. I was risking much being so daring.

  "How many buttons does Ellie go with undone?"

  "Three. But she's flat."

  He shook his head and looked at the ceiling as if I didn't get it.

  I frowned. "What?"

  He came to me. "Nothing." He kissed my lips.

  ~ ~ ~

  I punched in the number for Carson's home.

  A female voice answered. "Hello?"

  "Hi, Mrs. Wills, this is Olivia Green, the new event coordinator?"

  "Oh, yes. Hi. Carson told me you'd be calling." She sounded pleasant.

  "Good. Um, is it possible I could review the equipment you have? Carson said it was in the second garage?"

  "Sure thing. When would you like to come over?"

  I needed to know so I could plan. "Can I come now?"

  "Of course. I'll let the guard know you're coming."

  "Okay, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

  "Fine, fine. See you then."

  "Bye." I hung up. Nice-sounding lady. I had seen her from a distance on occasion, but never met her. She had super long hair that fell in a brunette cascade of shimmering beauty. My own blonde hair was slightly wavy and about half as long.

  I made my way to Ellie's office. Carson had told me to take her for input. Ellie had been with him for over a year and been to several events at his home. I leaned in, "Ready? I just called Mrs. Wills."

  She looked up from writing something and brightened. "Sure. Let me tell Carson." She got up quickly and went to his door. She knocked and leaned in. "Going with Olivia, now."

  Carson's voice floated out. "I think she likes Liv."

  Ellie giggled. "Okay."