The Sweet Caress by Roberta Latow

world she enjoyed. He embraced her ego and her id, revelled in the power and passion of her libido. His love was all-embracing, rich beyond measure.
    She had never before realised how much she liked being there for him. She remembered the last time they had made love, the look of ardour in his eyes when she came in a strong, copious orgasm which transported her into a world of ecstasy. Sex with him at that moment was so intense that she sobbed and tears of pure lust, exquisite bliss, trickled from her eyes. He had raised her from the settee she was bending over and held her in his arms. Then he had carried her up the stairs to bed, all the time kissing her face, tears brimming in his own eyes.
    In the year they had been together Luke had come to understand just how much she revelled in a sex life that was totally devoid of morality and he embraced her for it. He learned from her about sex that has no boundaries and he loved the way she brought to their sex life a sense of their own, very personal, intimate world in which they were equal partners.
    Jessica rose from the chair. Darkness was pushing the dayaway. She looked out of the window and watched the wind stripping the brightly coloured leaves from the trees. She slipped into her long silver fox coat and wrapping it tightly round her rushed through the house and out of the kitchen door, the shortest way to the laboratory. The lab door was always locked. She knocked and the door was opened by Luke’s assistant. Jessica saw Luke through the glass partition, but he was too distracted to notice her. He looked handsome, vital, every inch the important scientist that he was.
    Jessica turned to his assistant, Anabella Church, and asked, ‘Is Dr Greenfield a great scientist?’
    ‘Yes, I thought you knew that,’ replied the young woman, some disdain in her voice.
    ‘I assumed he was but how would I know?’
    ‘Well, I suppose you wouldn’t unless you were around the hospital and medical research people. How very stupid of me.’
    ‘Not at all,’ said Jessica taking Anabella’s hand in hers.
    Embarrassed, Anabella released herself from Jessica. She was in awe of Jessica and envious of her relationship with Luke. She cleared her throat. ‘Dr Greenfield is Nobel Prize material. In his field, he has as good a chance of winning the prize as anyone.’
    ‘And you think I’m a distraction?’ asked Jessica.
    ‘Well, frankly, yes. But he’s happier than I have ever known him to be, and inspired in his work. You’re just a little hard to accept because we’ve had him all to ourselves for so many years. We’ve been spoiled by his dedication and brilliance. We thought his life would never include more than his young distractions.’
    ‘My god, are you frank!’ said Jessica and both women burst into laughter.
    ‘And a little jealous, you’re thinking,’ said Anabella.
    ‘Well, maybe just a little, but no more than I am of you. After all, the doctor, nurse, devoted assistant syndromebrings its own attachments, wouldn’t you say?’
    ‘No wonder Dr Greenfield has fallen in love with you, Miss Johnson. You’re incredibly gracious to have said that,’ answered Anabella.
    Jessica and Anabella realised they would have to share Luke and with the realisation came respect and friendship.
    ‘I’ll tell him you’re here,’ Anabella said.
    ‘No! Please don’t. We might as well start as we mean to go on. I had something to tell him, but it can wait. I’ll just slip out quietly.’
    ‘No. This once won’t matter,’ said Anabella.
    So Jessica took a seat on the battered leather sofa in the anteroom and waited for Luke. Not many minutes went by before he walked through the door. She stood up immediately and he pulled her by the lapels of her fur coat tight up against him. He kissed her on the lips and then ran his spread fingers through the luscious fur of her coat.
    ‘Let’s go home,’ he said.
    After greeting Mrs Timms in the kitchen, they walked through the house to