Allison shivered as she reentered the house. She absently rubbed her hands together and began to scan the contents of her wine rack. “Nuts Chris has been here.” Allison grumbled as she pulled a bottle of champagne out and set up an ice bucket and placed the bottle in so it could chill. “I wish if she was going to sneak down here she would at least replace the wine she uses.” Allison complained.

That was what had been bothering me. Chris had been there and probably others before her. Come to think of it had Chris slept in our bed back in Haven? I tried to remember what Allison had said about that but for the moment I was caught up in the uncomfortable ness of the situation. “Stephanie?” Allison called to me gently. “What’s wrong Honey?”

“It’s silly.” I mumbled. “Chris has been here.” I offered with an embarrassed shrug. “I guess I never stopped to think about it before. That you made love to her in the bed that we share.”

“No I didn’t.” Allison reassured me. “I thought I told you that. The brass bed in Haven was something I bought when I moved there. It was all part of my new life. You are the only woman that I have shared it with. As for this place that is a different story. If it bothers you we can get a hotel room.” She offered sympathetically.

“No.” I sighed with relief as I relaxed slightly. “It bothers me a little but knowing that you would rather try to find a hotel room in the middle of the night rather than make me uncomfortable gives me all of the reassurance that I need.”

“I’ll tell you what how about in the spring we redecorate this place from top to bottom.” She offered.

“Deal.” I agreed eagerly. “Could you get the key back from Chris?”

“How about we just change the locks and the code on the alarm.” She suggested as she crossed over to me.

“Even better.” I laughed slightly. “Now where is that hot tub you promised me.”

“I’m afraid that it won’t be warm for awhile yet.” She explained.

“Now what are we going to do in the mean time?” I teased her as I began to remove my clothing dropping each article on the floor. Allison smiled back at me as she started to remove her clothing as well. We stood there naked bathed in firelight and for a brief moment we simply stared into one another’s eyes. I approached her slowly as she wet her lips in anticipation. I ran my fingers delicately over her skin leaving a trail of goose bumps behind. I reached down and took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. We made love slowly as our cries of passion matched the howling of the night wind. Later we found ourselves lounging in the hot tub as we sipped champagne.

“I cannot believe that you flew all the way across the country just to see me.” I sighed with contentment as I pressed my body closer to her naked form. “I had to see you.” She answered honestly as she brought me closer to her. I leaned in and kissed her neck with desire. My hands roamed freely as she wrapped her arms around me so I could float in the water. The thrill of the bubbling water and the freedom of floating added to my excitement. I pressed my center against her firm abdomen and continued my explorations. I could feel her hands cup my backside pressing me harder into her with a steady rhythm.

Making love this way was a new experience for me. The night air was cold against my skin mixing with the warmth of the water and the heat from Allison’s body. I could feel Allison’s hand pressing between our bodies as she cupped my mound and began to stroke me gently. My body arched in response as she entered me. My head tossed back looking up into the night sky filled with stars as Allison’s touch grew more insistent. I became lost in a dream world as she entered me the night sky seemed to explode as I released myself for my lover.

Several explosions later we decided it was time to go inside. I raced into the house quickly as Allison shut down the hot tub and covered it for the night. The frigid night air was far too cold for me to endure as I ran directly into the bedroom and climbed under the covers. Even though I was still shivering from the cold I had never felt so relaxed in my life. The combination of champagne, the soothing water from the hot tub blended with the passion of our lovemaking had relaxed every muscle in my body. “Yep, just call me Gumby.” I thought mirthfully. I shivered violently as Allison drew back the covers and joined me in bed. Wrapping me up in arms she warmed me quickly. My breathing slowed as I drifted off to sleep in my lover’s warm embrace.

I awoke the next morning still wrapped up in Allison’s arms as she slept peacefully. I unwrapped myself from her arms and let her continue to sleep as I went into the kitchen. The cupboards were most definitely bare. I stepped back into in the bedroom to find Allison still fast asleep. I relit the fire and then proceeded to shower and dress warmly. Then I walked outside and made my way in the direction that I hoped would lead me into town. As I explored the little seaside village I was captivated. Most everything had been boarded up for the winter but there was still many shops open for the townies. I found a bakery and bought coffee and several Danish.

Upon my return I found Allison still fast asleep. I wanted to wait for her to awaken but my hunger won out since I was completely famished from last evenings activities. After I ate several Danish and drank my coffee I began to gather up the clothing that we had left laying around the living room. Then I curled up onto the sofa by the fire with some work from school. A few hours later Allison finally emerged from the bedroom. She could not look more adorable if she tried. Her hair was a complete mess and she had thrown on a tattered pair of sweats and a baby doll t-shirt that said, ‘Fight Like A Girl’.

“Sorry I slept so late.” She yawned as she stretched. “My body is still on west coast time.”

“S’okay.” I smiled brightly as she ran her fingers through her long raven tresses. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.” I apologized. “I couldn’t help it after …” My voice trailed off as I blushed unable to complete my words.

“I know.” She winked back at me.

We spent the rest of the weekend blissfully walking around town. The cold New England temperatures often proved to be overwhelming for us. We decided to only go out when we needed to eat. When we weren’t hoping into bed or the hot tub we spent the rest of our time together cuddling by the fire, where we shared our thoughts, dreams and our bodies. I realized that the time we had been apart had actually brought us closer together. I loved seeing her but the endless hours on the telephone not only made AT&T richer it had also enabled us to get to know one another. I was still dreading her leaving again. On Sunday morning we packed up, locked up the house and drove back to Haven. Allison had a flight back that evening.

As we entered the driveway we rushed out of car and raced towards the house eager to spend what little time we had left in bed. As we approached the front porch I was startled to see Cheryl Cooper exiting the house. I just shook my head in disbelief and waved off Allison’s inquiring look. As we entered the foyer Hal greeted us.

“Hello Allison.” Hal greeted her with surprise. “When did you get back?”

“I’m just in for the weekend.” Allison explained.

“That is nice.” Hal mutter as he shifted uncomfortably. “Look I know the two of you probably would like to be alone right about now, but I really need to talk to you Stephanie.” I nodded my head in agreement and understanding. The three of us went upstairs with a slight reluctance. Allison excused herself and went into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Hal sat silently for a moment then he let out a heavy sigh and began to recount the details of the weekend. It would appear that had been a steady stream of female students coming and going from Caroline’s apartment all weekend. Most of which were clueless to the other’s existence. When some of them discovered that they were not as special as Caroline had led them to believe that they were it resulted in more than one altercation. It was apparent that Caroline had gone way beyond simply breaking the rules. This woman was some kind of predator. Hal explained that he could no longer remain silent. I told him not to worry I would go to Maureen first thing in the morning. Hal seemed relieved that he would not have to be the one to blow the whistle.

After Hal’s departure Allison turned to me. “She is sleeping with her students?” She asked in astonishment. “That will get you a ticket out of town very quickly.”

“I warned her.” I said with regret.

“Hey nobody wants to be a squealer.” Allison teased me. “Look I honestly don’t know if I agree with the policy or not but it is there and everyone knows about it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here a month or a decade you touch a student and you are out.”

“You don’t agree with the policy?” I was curious.

“Well it’s consenting adults and all.” Allison tried to explain. “Hell I had affairs with a couple of my professors.”

“Why am I not surprised.” I said absently. “Allison have you ever been interested in one of your students?”

“No.” Allison responded bluntly.

“Why not?” I pushed.

“Because they are … kids.” Allison admitted seeming to understand the policy a little better. I just smiled at her and then sighed deeply.

I would deal with Caroline in the morning at the moment I had more pressing matters on my mind. I wanted Allison naked. Call me selfish but that is what I wanted. “Professor Kendell.” I said firmly as I stood and took her by the hand. “Do you really want to debate this issue now?”

“No Dr. Grant.” She responded in a deep tone as she led me into the bedroom.