By Micki L. Bailey

She didn’t see them when she first walked into Stooge’s. They weren’t sitting at the gang’s "regular" table. Must be in the back, past the dance floor, she thought.

She’d been to brunch and a movie with one of her friends while Roger spent Sunday afternoon here, drinking and watching football with his buddies. And the Saints, his favorite team, had been playing a big game today. For her own sake, she hoped they’d won.

She spotted Drew at the bar and went over. Surprisingly, he wasn’t hitting on some innocent woman.

"Hey, Drew. Are you the only one left here?"

"Well, hi, gorgeous. Where’ve ya been all my life?" He was drunk. Typical.

"Is Roger still here?" She wasn’t in the mood for him and his idle chit chat.

"Who? Oh, yeah. He’s still back there. With some chick. Pretty girl. Been with her all afternoon. Guess that’s about to change, though. Since you’re here."

"Drew, you’d better be joking. I’d really hate to have to wreck this whole place and kill someone."

"Go see for yourself."

So she turned and walked to the back of the bar. She saw them then, at a big round booth. Roger’s tiny earring caught the light and twinkled as she walked up to the all-male table. They were laughing at something. He looked up and saw her.

"Hello, sweetheart. How was the movie?" At least he wasn’t drunk.

"Where’s your girlfriend, Roger?"

He stared at her with an incredulous smirk. "My what?"

"Drew said you’d been here with some girl all day."

He rolled his eyes. "I’m gonna hurt Drew. He’s been an ass since he got here. Sit down."

As she slid into the huge booth beside him, he poured beer out of the full pitcher into his glass and handed it to her. She took a sip, spoke to Vinnie and Jack, and then turned to her husband.

"So Drew was lying? There’s no girl?"

He looked over slowly and stared at her with an exasperated expression for a second and then sighed audibly and said, "There’s no girl! What do ya want me to do, baby? Sign a statement?"

"Okay. Okay. So what’s been happening?" She dropped it. Drew could be extremely full of shit sometimes.

While they filled her in on the events of their afternoon, Roger put his hand on her thigh and squeezed. That was all. Just his hand on her thigh. But it electrified her. She felt her heartbeat speed up while she tried to listen to them talking to her.

He wore faded jeans and a light denim shirt, shirttail out, sleeves rolled up. She could look into his shirt and see his heaving chest. She smelled beer and liquor on him, though he still seemed perfectly coherent.

His hand on her leg under the table was his own special show of affection, and it thrilled her to get so much from him. She wanted to return the touch, but didn’t. She knew she’d have to touch more than his thigh.

Then, as everyone talked, his hand slid up her thigh a little towards her crotch. She couldn’t determine if he meant to do it or if it was just a spontaneous random movement. But it made her insides tingle.

She closed her legs together on his hand. He looked at her briefly and put on his semi-smile. She drank more beer and handed his glass back to him. Was it suddenly steamy-hot in the room?

"So………..how did the wagering go?" she asked as she looked around the table.

These guys were seriously into betting among themselves on sporting events, sometimes with very high stakes. Thousands of dollars exchanged hands after major boxing matches, horses races, the Super Bowl and the World Series.

Roger was a major player in these little games. She always thought of this as his worst, most severe vice. But there were plenty of much worse things he could claim as vices and didn’t. So she didn’t let it bother her. Most of the time. And when it did bother her, she never let on to Roger.

Jack and Vinnie both laughed out loud when she asked about the wagering.

"Well, I came out okay. Won more than I lost," Jack said.

"I, personally, lost my ass………….But there’s people here who came out far worse than me." Vinnie was almost as drunk as Drew had been. He looked pointedly at Roger and grinned.

"Really?" She asked no one in particular. She hadn’t noticed Vinnie’s sly look.

"Go ahead, Roga. Tell ‘er how YOU made out."

She glanced quickly at her husband. He was staring down into his beer, his lips pursed.

"Is it bad?" she asked him.

Slowly, he looked up at her and said, "I lost the Jeep to Tim."

"The Jeep? Roger! You can’t be serious!"

Then she caught herself before she said more. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Red was what she saw. Fiery crimson. Jack and Vinnie waited silently, enjoying the little drama. Roger had tightened his grip on her leg.

"So lemme get this right…………You bet the Jeep………..And now Tim owns it………..It’s not ours anymore," she said carefully, bluntly.

"Yes. But we’ll get another one. That piece of shit was worn out—"

"Where is Tim?" she wanted to know, ignoring his promises.

"Why?" Roger was incredulous again, his eyes wide. "He’s here somewhere. Look. We’ll go tomorrow and buy a new Laredo—"

"Won’t be the same. I’m getting something to drink from the bar. This beer sucks."

She got up, away from his hold on her, and started for the bar.

"Hey, wait. I’ll go withya." Vinnie stood up too and followed her.

She still saw red, but she fought hard to control her anger.

The Jeep was gone.

One of her favorite memories of all time had occurred in that blue Wrangler. A sentimental moment she cherished still.

It was two years ago, early November, and she’d only been seeing Roger since August. He’d come home late on a Friday night from one of his business trips and called her to tell her he was in town. Since it was already after midnight, he’d asked if she wanted to do something the next day.

She had asked him what he had in mind ‘cause what she had in mind was spending the day in bed with him. Some love-making, a little breakfast, more touching each other’s bodies, maybe a shower, maybe a nap, then more sex before lunch, or maybe just kissing him all over while he tried to read the newspaper…..

He needed to go up-state to pick up a part for his computer and mentioned that they could "get in a little leaf-watching if you’re one of those people who gives a damn what colors the leaves are." She wanted to tell him that she’d watch paint dry just to be near him, but didn’t, of course.

They’d spent Saturday doing lots of nothing in his Jeep. Since they’d met, she had become infatuated with the tough little vehicle that seemed to suit Roger’s persona perfectly. No-nonsense, tough, and efficient. And, oh, how she loved watching him drive it.

In the afternoon, he drove out to a rural area and found a very off-road, secluded spot to park. Turning off the engine, he said, "This is the part in the story where you get to look at those leaves."

"Roger, I don’t care about the damn leaves."

"Get out anyway. I wanna stretch my legs."

So she got out, of course. And he did stretch – gracefully and beautifully, in her opinion. And they did see "colorful" leaves. He slid his arm around her waist, at one point, for a short time. He’d let his hand rest on her ass briefly, too, and she’d felt warm, unmistakable reactions in her groin.

After a while, she asked him to find some music on the radio. While he was sitting in the driver’s seat playing with the radio, she came around the open door and gently attacked him. She pushed her hips and abdomen against his left leg he had propped up on the Jeep and put both her hands under his T-shirt from the bottom. At the same time, she kissed him long and full on him mouth. He was surprised, but didn’t protest. He kissed her back and put his hands on her hips.

"I’ve been dying to do that all day," she told him, looking in his eyes.

"You can do it again if ya want."

"I do want."

And everything happened quickly after that. She kissed him again. Using her tongue in his mouth. Feeling his warm hands all over her back, her legs, her breasts, her waist, her neck. Kissing his upper lip and the corners of his mouth. Touching his hair and his throat. Pressing her hot and throbbing crotch against his thigh.

Still kissing him, she moved her right hand to his lap and felt him bulging against his jeans. She massaged him slowly through the denim. Hard and warm.

He was fumbling with her jeans, unbuttoning and unzipping. Then she heard him say quietly and from deep in his throat, "Take ‘em off."

Without hesitating, she slipped out of the confining jeans and climbed on top of him, putting her left leg on the other side of the seat, behind the gear shift. Cramped surroundings was the last thought on their fevered minds.

As she straddled him, he put his hands on her thighs and positioned her on his lap. When he touched her bare skin, she gasped. She felt the wetness between her legs. Putting her hands under his shirt again, she caressed his chest.

Then she reached down under herself and freed him from those jeans as he reached behind her and gently rubbed her hot, moist center. She arched her back at his touch, aching for more of him.

So she raised herself up and quickly lowered her grasping opening down onto him. She gasped again out loud as the length filled her up. He groaned as she drew him up into her tight warmth. Their heavy breathing echoed around them.

Everything was a blur to her as she rode him. Tiny explosions rocketed throughout her body. She grabbed the seat behind his head as he fondled her breasts. The rigid pole she bounced on hit her tender bullseye over and over, bringing her to a bursting climax, and she cried out, "God! Roger!"

"Keep coming on me, baby," she heard him say in a low voice beside her head.

Then before she even slowed down, he was grabbing her hips and erupting inside her too. "Ahhhhhh," was all he said as he clutched her ass and moved it up and down on him.

As they sat there chest to chest against each other, panting each other’s breath, he said quietly, "I love you."

Her breath caught in her throat. He loved her. She’d told him she loved him several times before. But this was the first time she’d heard him say it to her.

"Ya do?" She couldn’t help herself.

"Yeah, baby."

She could hardly contain herself. He loved her.

* * *

Remembering that scene now standing at the bar made her smile. And maybe brought a little tear. She’d never forget the Jeep.

"So what was so special about that old Jeep?" Vinnie was at her side.

"Nothing." She didn’t feel like detailing the story for Vinnie.

"You can tell me. C’mon. He said you’d be pissed."

"He didn’t tell you why?" She stared at him questioningly.

"What? Are you joking? But he did say there’s only one thing you’d get MORE pissed about if he lost it. At least tell me what that is."

"Our antique iron bed." She paused and then looked at him . "Ya get it now, Vinnie?"

"Oh……....yeah.."

She turned away from Vinnie to face the bar. She didn’t want him to see the tears in her eyes. She swallowed back what she was feeling – the hurt of losing the cherished Jeep in a stupid wager. The hurt of knowing Roger obviously didn’t cherish it the way she did.

The thought of Roger "cherishing" anything was funny. A joke. And that kept the tears from running down her cheeks.

She smiled. Roger could be so cold at times that it made her forget the other times when he was passionate. During the cold times, she seriously wondered why she’d ever gotten involved with him at all. During the cold times, it was hard to remember that these heartless moods of his were slowly becoming less and less frequent.

"Tim’ll give the Jeep back, darlin’. I’m sure. Go talk to ‘im. He’s right over there," Vinnie said and touched the middle of her back.

She turned to him with her wine. "Nah. That wouldn’t be right. He won it. It’s his now. Fuck it." She was getting some strength back.

"But ya know he’s always liked you. Ask him. See what he says."

"Vinnie, in case you’re not paying attention to current events here, we’re not in high school. Tim won the Jeep fair and square. He owns it now. Done deal."

"Whatever. Just trying to help………… Roga’s watching us. Or more likely watching you. Ya know, he wasn’t real thrilled about losing that damn thing either."

"Fuck Roger too. If it upset him so damn much, then why can’t I tell? He’s acting like it’s no big thing, while I’m over here thinking we’d shared a very significant moment in that Jeep!"

Vinnie sighed heavily. "I can’t always explain the shit he does, honey."

"I know. I know. And I knew how he was before I signed on for the gig and all that crap. I’ll get over it. But tell me this, Vinnie – did he volunteer to put the Jeep up or did Tim ask for it?"

"Don’t know. I wasn’t around for that."

"He just pisses me off sometimes," she said.

"Well, how ‘bout you just tell ‘im that? He’s on his way ovah here."

"Great." She wasn’t expecting that. And wasn’t happy about it either.

Seconds later, Roger was with them standing at the bar. "See ya, Vince," he said, and Vinnie walked away.

As he slipped his arm around her waist, he kissed her neck. He smelled like beer. "Don’t be mad, baby. That piece of shit was falling apart."

"That’s fine, Roger." She didn’t respond to his touching. Not so he could see.

"C’mon. I’ll take you tomorrow and buy you a new one. With everything on it. Whatever you want. I’ll even put it in your name." He’d put his other hand on her waist too now and was facing her, talking softly.

"That’s fine too, Roger. You got it all worked out, as usual. So tell me………..what’s it gonna be next Sunday? The deed to the loft? My diamond? Here. You want me to just give it to ya now?"

She started pulling off her wedding ring, and he grabbed her wrist. "Stop it."

He put her hand down and then touched the hollow spot at the base of her throat with his fingertips. "Now look. The Jeep is gone, and I can’t change that. But I can take ya to dinner. Whadaya say?"

Her mouth was dry, and her nipples ached because he was touching that sensitive spot on her throat. She felt the familiar stirrings in her loins too. And she was painfully aware that he knew exactly how this gesture affected her. When he slowly raised his eyes from her throat to her face, she swallowed air and felt goosebumps.

"Hmmmm? Wanna get something to eat?" That bedroom voice of his.

"I don’t think so, Roger." She refused to give in to him that easily. Under her intense sexual excitement, she was still hurt and pissed. "I’m going home. You do what you want."

"Well,……….I need a ride."

He smiled that half smile. She badly wanted to laugh and kiss him. But somehow she refrained.

* * *

When they walked back over to the table to say goodbye, Tim had appeared and was sitting there. He was one of her favorites of Roger’s buddies. He was intelligent and witty, and he lived in their building. She had no hard feelings towards him at all. At least she could still see her Jeep if she wanted to.

He jumped up and hugged her. "How refreshing to see Roger’s far better half! How’ve ya been, angel face?"

"Can I go for a ride in your new set of wheels, Tim?"

"Darling, I’ll take you wherever you want to go," he answered, smiling.

"Well, I’M taking her home now. So say goodbye." Roger had put on his leather jacket and was standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

She didn’t even turn around. "No, honey. You must be confused. I’M taking YOU home." Tim and Jack laughed. Vinnie smiled and winked at her.

* * *

She didn’t talk much to him after that. It was still early evening when they got back to the loft. He watched the news and ordered a pizza, of which she ate only a couple of pieces. They made small talk but sat apart.

She just couldn’t help but feel hurt still that he seemed so nonchalant and unaffected by the loss of something precious in their history together. Sure, he was a man, and men aren’t generally sentimental. Especially this one. But she knew he knew how much this single material object meant to her. They’d discussed it.

After pizza, she felt like being alone and told him she was going to the bedroom to read. He blew her a kiss from the couch but didn’t seem concerned at all that she was so quiet and distant.

At about 10:30, he came in to where she was reading. He was still wearing his jeans, a white v-neck T-shirt, and socks. She was sitting on the bed in a half-slumped position against two pillows with her book.

He lay down on his side next to her, facing her, propped up on one elbow, and put his hand under her sweater to touch her stomach. She was undeniably turned on by his warm touch on her skin and his hard body pressing against hers. But she gave him no sign except to look up from her book at him.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi."

"Still not happy with me, are ya?" His bedroom voice again.

"And if you’d just take a short ride on the CLUE bus, maybe you’d figure out why."

He pressed closer to her and moved his hand up to her breasts. She’d removed her bra earlier, so he discovered immediately that her body was responding to him.

"What can I say to make ya love me again?" He cupped her breasts gently and brushed his palm across her nipples.

She put her book down sullenly and tried to control her breathing. "Roger, did the damn Jeep not mean anything to you?"

"Yes! Yes, it did! I remember that day in the mountains, even though you don’t think I do, baby. But do we havta keep it forever?"

"No, but……." She lost her train of thought. He’d moved his hand back down over her trembling belly to her abdomen and was unsnapping her jeans.

"But what?"

"Did you……...have to offer it up in a bet?"

"Ah, sweetheart. I didn’t offer it up. Is that what you think? Tim’s been wanting that old thing since he first saw it. This was his big chance."

He’d slipped his hand inside her panties now, into the hot wetness between her legs, and slowly rubbed up and down with his fingers.

Before she gave in to the overwhelming pleasure, she touched his face with her hand and turned it to her. "It wasn’t your idea to wager it?"

"Absolutely not………… Does that get me some points?" he asked, massaging gently.

She sighed heavily. She could feel his hardness through his jeans against her thigh. With his finger still on her trigger, he was about to shoot off her gun.

"I guess we can break in a new one……."

She couldn’t finish. Closing her eyes, she pushed her pelvis against his hand. When he put his mouth on her neck, she arched her back and exploded against his fingers, yelling out, "God, honey…"

He slowed down, eased off and finally pulled his hand out of her dripping, convulsing inner flesh. Then he pulled her sweater up and kissed her stomach.

She opened her eyes. "I hate it when you do that."

"Yeah, right. Lift up your ass." He’d sat up and was yanking off her jeans. "I think ya ruined these, sweets," he said when he got to her panties.

"Now wait. I was in here minding my own business as I recall. YOU came and started bothering me."

"No, I didn’t come yet," he said, spreading her thighs. He’d taken off his own jeans, and she saw that he was ready for his turn now.

"Wait……..Can I turn over?"

He chuckled. "Sure, baby. Turn over. I’m easy to please."

She got up on her knees and pulled her sweater over her head. He waited while she turned around and bent over to her hands and knees. Then he moved close to her and ran his hands over her ass and upper thighs. "Nice," he whispered.

Then he guided the head of his swollen penis to her wet, still-throbbing little hole and slowly pushed himself into her. She gasped, and he sighed out loud.

Then he grabbed her hips and started a steady rhythm, driving in and out her. God, he felt good, she thought as he filled up her insides.

The steady rhythm lasted only a few minutes before he started ramming her harder and digging his fingers into her flesh. She reached under herself and manipulated herself as he pounded against her G-spot until she crested again with a bright explosion. "Roger…." she whispered.

He pulled her legs towards him, forcing her down onto her forearms, and gripped the joints where her thighs and abdomen met. Then he thrust hard for about two minutes before he unleashed his load into her. As he let go of her, they both collapsed on the bed.

When they could each breathe normally again, she slid over and laid her head on his chest, kissing it a few times first. He pushed her hair aside and caressed the back of her neck with a warm and sweaty hand.

"Sorry ‘bout the Jeep, sweetheart. I’ll try not to be such an asshole next time," he said quietly.

"Forget about it. Just buy me a new one we can fuck in."

"That can be arranged."

Tim went along the next day to help pick out the Lococcos’ next Jeep – a shiny, fully-equipped, black Laredo.