By the time they arrived at the conference hotel June had completely relaxed in Jim's company. He had put his favourite music on the car stereo and insisted on singing along. His mood was very infectious and the vast majority of June's fears had disappeared in proportion to the distance they travelled away from Sunhill.
'Ah, here we are then' said Jim swinging the car into the neatly curving gravel drive. 'Let's go and check-in and find out what the programme entails.' He turned to smile at June and she returned his smile.
Their rooms were on different floors but they were pleased to discover that their schedules were fairly similar. A complimentary drinks party this evening before dinner, lectures and workshops all day Saturday followed by a formal dinner with a band in the evening. A brief summary meeting for all attendees was to be held on Sunday morning and the conference was then over.
Jim, ever the gentleman, took June's bags up to her room. 'Hmm, not bad ' he said as he opened the door and deposited her bags. 'You've got a fantastic view' he commented walking over to her window.
'It's wonderful, Jim' June said joining him at the window. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and his closeness sent shivers down her spine. 'Did the receptionist say they had a swimming pool we could use? I just fancy a relaxing swim. Do you want to join me?' She turned and looked at Jim.
'That sounds perfect' he said not believing his luck. 'Give me 10 minutes to find my room and sort myself out and I'll come and get you'. With that, he disappeared out of the door.
June was relaxing on the bed when Jim knocked at the door. June jumped up, grabbed her towel and costume and flung open the door.
'Hi' she said. 'Are you ready?'
'Raring to go' Jim replied. He draped his arm casually around June's shoulders as they walked down the corridor. Surprisingly she did not pull away from him. 'I'll meet you in there' he called to June as they walked into the changing rooms. His mind was full of images of June in her swimming costume. He shook himself. Calm down, he thought, you're not a schoolboy anymore. June, meanwhile, was also wondering what lay beneath Jim's usual jeans and t-shirt.
Jim was first out and plunged straight into the pool.
As he turned for his fourth length he caught sight of June entering the pool at the other end. Jim stopped dead in the water. Wow! How had she managed to keep so slim? His jaw dropped and he felt himself wanting her even more badly than he had done about 10 minutes previously. Pulling himself together, he swam quickly over to her and playfully splashed water at her face. June grinned and splashed him back twice as hard before diving under the water and swimming up to the other end of the pool.
'Come and get me then,' June called to him. She waited until he was nearly upon her before darting out of his grasp and reappearing at the other side. June was giggling now.
'You've asked for it now, Sgt Ackland� Jim shouted as he raced towards her, 'you can't escape me this time.' He double bluffed her and June was laughing so much that she fell for it. Jim swept her up in his arms. 'I've got you now' he murmured, 'and I'm not going to let you go.' Gently, he smoothed June's wet hair back from her face. 'June, you're beautiful' he whispered and tenderly kissed her waiting lips. June didn't fight him as he had anticipated but she reached up and pulled him towards her, kissing him back with increasing urgency. Jim allowed his hands to wander over June's body, taking in every curve. Eventually, after what seemed like ages they pulled apart.
'June, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that' Jim stuttered.
'Jim, don't be. I wanted it just as much as you,' June replied stroking his face with her fingers. 'Let's get changed and then perhaps go for a quick drink in the bar. I think there are things we need to talk about.'
Jim nodded in agreement and was secretly praying hard that he hadn't blown his chance with June that having so carefully engineered it.
In the bar, June haltingly explained to Jim of how she felt torn between her almost overpowering feelings for him, which she had had for many years and the love and commitment she and David had together.
'But who do you love June?' Jim asked her and his eyes bore deep into hers. He watched her conflicting emotions as she delved deep into her soul.
'Jim, I can't answer that question. Not at this precise moment in time' she added taking his hand in hers. 'All I know is that I want to share this weekend with you. I'm afraid I can't offer you any more than that..........today' she whispered.
Jim smiled at her. 'OK, enough heavy talk for one evening. We'd better get ourselves ready for this drinks party thing. May I walk you back to your room, Madam?' he joked. June giggled. He could always make her laugh. Why couldn't she just admit to herself that Jim was the one for her?
Jim seemed to know several people at the drinks party and he mingled freely. However, he always had one eye on June, making sure that she was alright and not on her own. He needn't have worried. June could start a conversation with anyone and she was quite happy chatting to a group over in the corner. She wasn't really expecting to know anyone there, Jim, however, was pleasantly surprised to bump into one of his old friends, Tommy Brooks. They exchanged news and were just beginning to discuss a new scheme when June approached them. Jim smiled lovingly at her.
'Well, aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely lady, Jim?' Tommy asked
Jim shot him a glance. 'Tommy Brooks, this is Sgt June Ackland. June is my boss at Sunhill'
'Pleasure to meet you, June' Tommy said, kissing her hand.
'Nice to meet you too Tommy. I guess you are an old acquaintance of Jim's?'
'Yes, we trained together in York many years ago now.'
'Jim, are you ready to eat now?' said June 'Most people have gone through.'
'Oh yes, of course. If you'll excuse me, Tommy. I'll catch up with you later.'
The food was delicious, as was the wine, which flowed freely; Jim enjoyed his orange juice but was a bit tired of explaining why he wasn't drinking. Jim and June chatted happily about the day's events and the possibilities for tomorrow. Under the table, Jim rested his leg against June's thigh and she did not move an inch.
'How about a quick drink in the bar to round off the evening?' Jim asked.
'That sounds like a lovely idea' June replied in a sultry voice. The wine had made her feel extremely mellow, although not completely uncontrolled. She was wary of getting too tipsy and slipping into a situation with Jim that she did not feel ready for quite yet.
Jim took her arm and guided her to a quiet corner of the bar. He ambled up and ordered the drinks. Whilst he was waiting, Tommy joined him at the bar.
'Look's like you're in luck tonight' he said nodding in June's direction. ' She's obviously got a thing for you, she hasn't taken her eyes off you all night.'
Jim laughed quietly. 'I don't think so somehow. June's not that sort of woman. She's happily in a relationship.'
'Isn't that what they all say?' Tommy replied.
Jim shrugged his shoulders and picked up the drinks 'Not having anything stronger Jim?'
'No an orange juice is fine for me thanks' Jim replied as he walked over to join June
'Cheers ' he said raising his glass. Looking straight into her eyes he whispered 'here's to us.'
'To us' June murmured and took a deep drink. Jim reached for her hand and squeezed it. He could feel the heat from her body where they were touching.
When their glasses were empty, June decided that she really ought to go to bed.
'Jim, it's been a fantastic evening but I really need to get some sleep' she said.
'I'll walk you to your room' Jim volunteered.
'That would be nice'
As they left the bar and June stumbled up the stairs, Jim slipped his arm around her. She responded by doing the same. Arms entwined they managed to find June's room. As they stopped outside, Jim swung her round to face him.
'I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment of today June, and it's all because of you.' He caressed her face with his hand and slowly ran his finger over her lips. June reached up, put her hand around his neck and pulled his face towards hers, searching for his lips. They met, kissing gently at first but then demanding more from each other as their passion rose. Jim pulled her closer still, pressing his body into hers. Eventually, they drew apart.
'Oh June' Jim sighed, 'I want you so much.'
June looked up at him. 'I know Jim. I want you too, but not tonight. I, I just don't feel ready.'
Jim felt desperately disappointed but he knew that June had made up her mind and if he were to force the issue he would be right back to the beginning again. Tenderly he kissed her forehead and then her lips.
'June, I told you that you could trust me, but you'd better take yourself off to bed before I lose my self-control' he whispered.
'Me, too' she replied. With that she turned and opened the door to her room. 'Goodnight, love' she breathed softly.
Jim was buzzing too much to go to bed now. He wandered down to the bar for another drink. Tommy was still there, propping up the bar. Jim ordered an orange juice.
'No luck tonight then, mate' Tommy slurred.
'I told you, June's not that sort of woman' Jim snapped back angrily.
'Yea, but you would have been in there given half a chance' Tommy replied.
Jim knocked his drink back quickly. 'Sorry, Tommy, but I am not prepared to discuss June in this manner. I'll see you tomorrow.' With that, he marched off to his room and fell into bed alone.
June was also feeling lonely in her luxurious bed. She tossed and turned, her mind going over and over the day�s events. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt so happy and yet so upset at the same time. It had taken incredible will power for her to turn Jim away from her bedroom that evening and now she regretted it. Jim and David were such very different men. Her body ached with longing for Jim. She couldn't ever remember feeling like that about David. Eventually, June reached a decision and fell into an exhausted sleep.