Yes, but... -Blink

Valente's house, 12: 30 PM

Amelia stood before her full-length mirror, smoothing the fabric of her favorite, plunging yellow sundress. Liam had gone to college and Marcus would leave in about an hour or so. Today was the day she could visit Samuel without any problems. She didn't understand why but meeting an older man, never before, seemed so exciting in her life.

The bedroom door creaked open. Marcus walked in, already dressed in his dark uniform pants and a tight black undershirt.

"I finished unpacking some of the important bedroom stuff." Marcus grunted, rolling his thick shoulders. He glanced at the wall clock. "I’ve got plenty of time before my shift starts. Let's head across the street together and see this garden. The old neighbor I told you about last night, remember?"

Amelia’s stomach plummeted. Her heart dropped. What was Marcus saying? She couldn't talk to Samuel openly in front of him!

"Oh.. y-yeah I know, but... " she squeaked. She quickly **** her lips into a bright smile. "Oh! That sounds wonderful, baby."

"Yeah. I wanted to talk to him anyway. And I've not responded since he invited me on that fishing trip too," Marcus said, turning toward the bathroom to grab his razor. "Give me two minutes."

The second the bathroom door clicked shut, Amelia ripped the yellow sundress over her head and tossed it onto the bed. She couldn't let Marcus see her in a plunging neckline in front of somebody else, he would not understand that Samuel won't harm her.

She yanked open her dresser, frantically searching for something modest. She pulled on a pair of sensible denim shorts and grabbed a loose, white button-up blouse. Her fingers fumbled wildly with the buttons, securing them all the way up to her collarbone. In her panic, she completely forgot one crucial detail: her bra was still sitting in the laundry basket.

"Ready?" Marcus asked, coming out of the bathroom with a clean shave.

Amelia smoothed her blouse, completely oblivious to the fact that her heavy breasts were bouncing freely beneath the thin white cotton. "All ready, honey!"

Marcus also didn't focus on such an obvious thing was impossible for his devout wife.

They walked across the sunlit street together. Amelia’s heart, down with disappointment. She had been so excited for their secret visit, and now her husband was inviting himself without any invitation.

Marcus knocked firmly on the blue front door.

Samuel opened the door a moment later. He wore a simple plaid shirt and trousers.

Even though his heart hitched tight seeing Marcus right on his door with Amelia, his face broke into a warm, grandfatherly smile. "Officer Valente! And the lovely Amelia. Did you finally decide to humor this old man, haha. Come in, come in."

"Morning, Samuel," Marcus said, his tone authoritative but polite.

Samuel led them straight through the house and out onto the back patio. The backyard was vibrant but completely overgrown, with wild vines and sprawling plants baking in the morning sun.

"Oh my, it really is in need of a caretaker right now." Amelia eagerly took a step toward the soil, but Samuel gently raised a hand.

"Now, hold on a second," Samuel chuckled, keeping a respectful distance from Amelia. "No guest of mine works in the dirt before having a cold glass of sweet tea. Please, sit."

Marcus puffed his chest out because of the older man's hospitality. He took a seat at the patio table. Amelia sat beside him, secretly pouting as Samuel disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a pitcher of iced tea and a plate of cookies.

For the next forty-five minutes, Samuel and Marcus dominated the conversation. Samuel asked Marcus about the police academy, praised the bravery of modern cops, and completely stroked the younger man's alpha-male ego.

Amelia sat quietly, sipping her tea and trying to understand and just nodding along, occasionally saying one or two words. Her main focus was to stop Marcus from noticing that she was braless.

Until the topic shifted.

"I really appreciate you letting Amelia tend the garden," Marcus said, taking a bite of a cookie, fully relaxd "She loves this kind of stuff. We'll come around some other time." The implication was clear. 'Amelia will only come to work here in his presence'.

"It's a blessing for me, Marcus," Samuel smiled, not backing down. He let his eyes drift over to Amelia. His gaze dropped deliberately to the sway of her chest beneath the thin white blouse. "Martha always said I was too rough with her tomatoes."

Amelia’s breath hitched noticing his gaze. Her nipples hardening instantly.

"I guess I will try to learn something from your dear wife. Can you teach this old man how to handle them? Haha" Samuel laughed, and as did Marcus.

A light blush spread across Amelia’s cheeks. He was talking about her body right in front of her husband and Marcus was laughing along with him. "I... yes, I don't mind." she stammered, crossing her legs under the table.

"Yeah, Amelia loves teaching things," Marcus agreed with a smile, completely oblivious to the sensual tension humming across the table. He checked his wristwatch and sighed. "Alright, it's 1:30. I need to head to the station. Thanks for having us Samuel. We'll leave you to your rest now."

Amelia’s eyes widened. She turned to Marcus, gently tugging the fabric of his sleeve. "But baby... what about the garden? I didn't even get to help him yet."

Before Marcus could say anything, Samuel suddenly slapped his palm against his forehead. "Oh, my goodness! Listen to me, babbling away like a lonely old fool. I took up your entire morning."

Samuel stood up quickly, offering them an incredibly apologetic look. "Tell you what. I actually need to run down to the local hardware store to grab some fertilizer and new gardening tools. My arthritis is acting up, so it'll take me a while to walk there. Amelia, please, stay and pick whatever you like."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out his house keys, setting it gently on the patio table right in front of Amelia.

"I'll leave the back patio door unlocked for you," Samuel smiled warmly. "Here is the front door key. Please, make yourself completely at home. Go inside, get some ice water from the fridge, use the restroom. Treat this place like your own. The gardening tools are in the open shed at the back" he said pointing to a dilapidated iron shed "Also you can leave whenever you want, I'll just use the duplicate keys."

Marcus looked at the keys. Giving a cop's wife the keys to your home was the ultimate sign of submission and trust. "Haha, sir. You shouldn't give your house keys to someone just like this." His tone changed, from 'Samuel' to 'sir'

"Why are you embarrassing me Marcus, I gave it to Amelia because I trust you. And dear Amelia here looked like she really wanted to do some workout." he chuckled "And what better way to have a lonely old man's house secure than handing its keys to a cop am I right? haha."

Marcus nodded, thoroughly pleased, smiled at Amelia. "If you say so. By the way, the closest hardware store is a mile down the road. I'll drop you off on my way to the station."

"That is mighty kind of you, Officer," Samuel beamed.

Marcus leaned down and kissed Amelia’s cheek. "Alright, go do your thing. And lock the door if you go inside, baby. I'll see you tonight."

Amelia offered a weak wave as the two men walked around the side of the house, heading for the patrol car parked in the garage of her home.

The heavy wooden gate clicked shut.

Amelia stood alone, staring down at the metal keys resting on the patio table. A heavy frustration washed over her.

"Unbelievable," she muttered to herself, kicking a small pebble across the concrete.

"He actually left!"