Memoirs of a Swinger Ep. 45

This is the forty-fifth episode of my unreliable memoirs recounting sexual encounters in the nineteen eighties. Each episode is self-contained, so you can read them without having read the previous ones.

The episode is written from Lesley's perspective.

I hope you enjoy it.

M4bloke

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Chapter 1 - Back in the USA

I'd never been to America before going to visit Astrid and Paul Walmsley in Colorado back in June. Now, less than two months later, I was back again, this time in Washington D.C.

It was work for Steven. At least the first part was, but I'd convinced him that rather than return to England on the Wednesday evening we could drive to New York and stay with Astrid and Paul then fly direct to Geneva to start our holiday. Peters, Daniel's chauffer would take care of Steven's bike and our luggage, delivering them, along with Daniel's to the hotel in Annecy.

Like I'd told Daniel, Steven was living life at a hundred miles an hour at the moment. It worried me because I knew how focussed he could become at times like this and I could see it was already happening.

Sunday began as a whirlwind of activity, culminating in us getting on the plane Heathrow. After that, Steven just wanted to sleep. We hadn't discussed the night before at the swingers' party like we usually did and I decided that now was not the time to tell Steven about my new job. In fact I was beginning to feel guilty about wanting to come to Washington with him at all. I worried that I was just going to be a burden.

The time difference between London and Washington is manageable and it worked in our favour. We arrived mid-afternoon and got to our hotel, which was just a stone's throw away from the White House by six in the evening.

When we checked in, the hotel receptionist told Steven that a gentleman was waiting for us in the lobby. A smartly dressed black man in a blue suit looked up at us as the receptionist pointed him out and he got up out of his chair to greet us.

"Mr and Mrs Carter, I'm Agent Collins, Diplomatic Security Service."

"Pleased to meet you Agent Collins," Steven said unfazed. "General Buchan said he'd try to secure your services but I wasn't sure if he had."

"What General Buchan wants, General Buchan usually gets," Agent Carter chuckled. "My instructions are to escort Mrs Carter while you are with the General. Is that correct?"

"It is," Steven confirmed.

"Do I need this, Steven?"

"Washington is beautiful city with plenty to see Mrs Carter, but stray too far off the beaten track and it has an ugly side to it."

"But what if I don't know where I want to go?"

"Then I'd be happy to act as your guide Ma'am. General Buchan has arranged for you to take a tour of the White House. If you haven't already seen it, that is."

"You're kidding, I'd love that," I said, looking at Steven for his approval. "And if I wanted to go out for a run tomorrow morning?"

"Then tell me what time and how far you want to go and I can figure out a route."

"Could we say eight and around three to five miles?"

"Then I'll see you in the lobby at eight Ma'am."

"Do you have a first name Agent Collins?"

"Tyrone, Ma'am."

"Can I call you that?"

"Of course."

"You can call me Lesley, if you like."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible Ma'am."

"Ah, right..."

That evening Steven and I ate in the Hotel restaurant. I could see he was deep in his thoughts so I left him to them. When we went to bed there was no sex but he let me cuddle into him like I usually did and we both drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 2 - Washington

On Monday morning Steven got up early for a breakfast meeting with the Obermann Corporation lawyers before meeting with General Buchan. There was nothing I could do for him, so I left him to get on with it. Before leaving, he kissed me and I wished him luck.

I thought I should turn up promptly for my morning run so made sure I was in the lobby ten minutes early having already stretched. Agent Collins was, of course, already there.

"Good morning Tyrone," I said jauntily.

"Good morning Mrs Carter," he replied, smiling.

Agent Carter wore a pair of long, gym style, shorts and a baggy hooded sweatshirt. I couldn't tell if he was armed or not and my curiosity got the better of me.

"Are you carrying a gun?" I asked.

"It goes with job," he said, lifting the sweatshirt up to reveal a glimpse of his holster as well as a set of rock hard abdominal muscles.

"Just checking," I said cheekily.

"I've got a route in mind that's going to take you past many of Washington's famous monuments. Is that ok?" he asked.

"It sounds great."

"Well, if you're ready, let's go."

From the hotel, Tyrone took me first to the Lincoln Memorial then along the National Mall, past the reflecting pool to the War Memorial and on to the Washington Monument. From there we continued, past the Smithsonian and the National Gallery up to the Capitol Building before doubling back on ourselves. Tyrone had saved the best until last however and to finish off we ran around the perimeter of the White House grounds ending with the classic view from the White House lawn.

When we got back to the hotel, the day was already getting hot and humid and we cooled off in the shade before walking into the lobby.

"That was a memory I will treasure. Thank you," I told Tyrone. "

"You're welcome Ma'am. I'll go shower and change. Then I'll be ready for when you decide to leave the hotel."

"Would you like to have breakfast?"

"I'm afraid I can't in the hotel Ma'am."

"But if I decided to have breakfast in a coffee shop?"

"Then I could join you."

"Do you know somewhere nearby?"

"I do Ma'am."

"Then could we meet at nine?"

"Yes Ma'am."

The coffee shop Tyrone had in mind was literally just across street from the hotel. We chatted as we both munched on a pastry, me in a summer dress and him in a suit.

"I guess it can't be much fun playing nursemaid to somebody's wife," I said apologetically.

"To be honest," he replied. "It's nice to be assigned to someone under fifty for a change."

"Have you seen any action?"

"As a soldier, yes. Since joining the DSS no, thankfully."

"Are you married?"

"I can't answer that Ma'am, I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I'm a bit too inquisitive for my own good."

Agent Collins laughed.

"So, are you ready for the main event?" he asked.

"The White House tour?"

"That's right."

"Will President Reagan be there?"

"I believe he's on holiday at the moment."

"I guess he wouldn't have had time to say hello anyway."

"Probably not. But it means you may get to see the Oval Office."

Agent Collins delivered me to the White House visitors' reception area where the formalities of my invitation were taken care of. Then he left me in the hands of one of the curators who personally showed me around. It was one of the most memorable things I think I've ever done. I'd always thought of the White House as just the home of the President but I discovered it was so much more. I also didn't realise that we Brits had burned the first one down in 1814 in retaliation for something the Americans had done in Canada. Fortunately, they seemed to have forgiven us.

Afterwards, Agent Collins and I had lunch before visiting the National Gallery (which, if I'm honest, I was a bit disappointed in) and the Museum of American History (which was great). I bought Steven a tee shirt with a picture of the White House on it and Washington D.C. written underneath. As I paid for it I realised that I was having so much fun that I hadn't thought about him all day.

It was nearly five when we got back to the hotel. Agent Collins escorted me to the front desk and waited for me to pick up my room key. When I did, the receptionist handed me a note which read 'Am in the bar. S xxx"

Agent Collins insisted on escorting me to the bar just to be sure and it was probably a good thing he did because sitting at it were Steven and General Buchan. Both men got up from their barstools as we approached.

"Mrs Carter," the General began. "It's good to see you again."

"Lesley, please," I said, giving him a hug which he accepted awkwardly.

I turned to Steven and gave him a bigger hug, leaving him no choice but to hug me back.

"I've had the best day ever," I told him. "How was yours?"

"Pretty good," he replied. "We've finished the contract."

"It just needs to be ratified by both sides and then we're in business," the General concurred.

"Congratulations. Does this mean you're finished with work?"

"It does," Steven confirmed.

"I guess that means you won't need to play nursemaid to me tomorrow, Agent Collins," I told him.

"I guess it does Ma'am."

"Well, I had better be going," the General said. "We'll see you at eight. You know where you're going?"

"I'm sure we'll find it, General," Steven replied

"And if that's all, I'll be leaving you as well," Agent Collins added.

"Thank you so much for looking after me today," I told him. "I can honestly say it's been amazing."

"You're very welcome Ma'am. Be sure and enjoy the rest of your stay."

"We will. And thank you again."

We watched the two men leave the bar and then I turned to Steven.

"Does this mean I can have my husband back now?" I asked.

"I'm sorry if I've been a bit distracted these last few days," Steven admitted.

"A bit distracted?"

"Ok, a lot distracted then."

"I forgive you," I told him, "but only because I love you so much."

"Thank you. Do you want a drink?" he asked.

"As we're celebrating, I'll have a glass of Champagne. What did the General mean about seeing him at eight?"

"We're going out for a meal with him and he's bringing his girlfriend."

"He looks a bit old to have a girlfriend. Didn't his wife die a couple of years ago?"

"I believe so. Cancer of some sort, I think."

It was good to have my husband back. When we went up to our room we showered and Steven fucked me against the shower wall. He did me first from behind and then facing him as he lifted me up and skewered me to the wall. All the worries and fears I'd had about us were gone in an instant.

"I've got something to tell you," I said, as we lay on the bed afterwards. "I've got a new job."

"I think I know what it is," he admitted. "Sir Hillary talked to me a few weeks ago."

"You're alright with it?"

"I think you'll make an excellent head of the Durolitum Foundation. I'm really pleased for you."

"You don't mind me having an office in the same building as you?"

"Why would I?"

"I just thought I'd ask."

"I'm proud of you, you know that."

I cuddled up to Steven and gave him a big hug. Everything was right with the world again...

We arrived at the very up-market Washington restaurant a quarter of an hour early. Steven had wanted to make sure he was there to greet General Buchan, rather than the other way round. When the General arrived, he was wearing a smart grey suit and it was the first time I'd seen in him in something other than his trademark army uniforms. He was accompanied by an attractive dark-haired woman who held onto his arm as they walked into the restaurant lobby. The General must have been in his late fifties and I'd have said that she was around ten years his junior.

"Good to see you, General," Steven said greeting him.

"I think we can dispense with the formalities now that we're not on the company's time, Steven," the General offered. "Please, call me Jerry. And allow me to introduce Violet."

"Pleased to meet you Violet," Steven said offering her his hand. "I'm Steven Carter and this is my wife Lesley."

"Violet Craig," the woman responded with a smile.

With the introductions completed, the Maître d' ushered us to our table. As we followed him, one of the diners stood up and shook the General's hand. The General looked slightly awkward and I remembered Paul saying how he hadn't been one for corporate schmoozing or fancy restaurants.

Steven had assured me that the meal wouldn't turn into a conversation about work and he was right. We talked about holiday plans to begin with and discovered that the two of them were planning to spend their vacation at the General's cabin in Montana. General Buchan was keen to hear about our house in France. He said he'd long planned to return to Normandy where, as a young soldier in the 29^th Infantry division, he'd first seen action as part of the D-Day landings in 1944.

"That was forty-one years ago," he said. "But it seems like yesterday. I lost a few friends that day and I really should go back and honour their memory."

Feeling the need to lift the conversation slightly I tried to change the subject.

"Do you remember Sam and Carly?"

"Of course," he replied.

"Well, they got engaged the other week."

"I think they're a good match, both a bit cooky," the General agreed then, turning to Violet, he explained, "Sam is a genius who works part time for Steven, but all he really wants to do is run a comic book store."

"That's changed," I corrected. "Sam's decided he's going to work for Steven full time. The comic book store's moving to a new location and Carly and Grebo are going to run it and I'm a silent partner."

"Grebo?" the General asked laughing.

"He looks like a skeleton but he has a first in the Classics from Cambridge," Steven explained

"I didn't know that," I said surprised.

"It's true," he confirmed. "Emma told me."

"Your friends sound very colourful," Violet laughed. "The only one Jerry's talked about is Astrid Olsen though. Isn't that right Jerry?"

General Buchan blushed.

"Despite the fact that she used to be a super model, Astrid is, in fact, a very nice person," I told Violet, "and so is her husband, Paul. So, you've no need to worry about Jerry running off with her. I promise."

Violet laughed. "Then I won't worry," she said, reaching out for the General's hand in a show of affection.

At the start of the meal Violet had been very cautious, letting the General do most of the talking but as it progressed she began to relax and open up. It turned out that she worked for the board of education in Washington and had been a teacher before that. Like General Buchan she'd been widowed, her husband having had a heart attack, some six years before. She'd met General Buchan through the church they both attended. She was a nice, normal person and I liked her.

Although, in those days you could smoke at the table, after the meal, Steven and the General took their cigars into another room leaving Violet and I to talk.

"This is a bit of a treat for me," Violet explained. "Jerry doesn't usually do this sort of thing."

"Well, we're honoured then," I told her.

"Jerry likes Steven," she added. "You must be very proud of him."

"I am," I told her. "Although sometimes he gets so single minded I swear I might just as well not be there."

"I know what you mean," she replied, "but can I give you some advice?"

"Please."

"My late husband, God rest his soul, was the nicest, kindest, man you could ever wish to meet. He was a good father and a loving husband. But, like most people, he passed through life without leaving his mark on it. Jerry and your husband are different. They have to change things, achieve something, make a difference."

"Don't you find that difficult to live with?"

"Not really. You have to love them for who they are."

"You're right, I know that deep down."

"The hardest part for me is living with the constant reminders of Jerry's wife. Everyone seems to agree she was pretty near perfect," Violet admitted. "It's like competing with a saint."

"But it's not a competition is it? I'm sure Jerry loved his wife, just like you loved your husband. But you both make each other happy now. That's all that matters."

"Jerry said I'd enjoy coming out tonight," Violet said. "Don't be fooled by how young they are, he told me."

"Steven is the adult," I admitted.

"Do you work?" Violet asked.

"I studied chemistry at university and ran a laboratory in a hospital in London. But the company I worked for wouldn't give me the time off to support Steven during the Iris trials in Colorado. So I lost my job over it."

"I'm so sorry."

"It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I'm now a partner in Sam and Carly's comic book store and I've just accepted a job as Chief Executive of Durolitum's charitable foundation."

"Your parents must be very proud."

I considered telling Violet about my childhood but decided it was time to take ownership of who I wanted to be.

"They are," I said. "But then they're both judges, so the bar's been set quite high."

When Steven and the General came back they were all smiles. We chatted for a bit longer and then it was time to leave.

"Thank you for a great meal and excellent company," the General told us. "I'll see you after the holidays, Steven. Please give my regards to Mr and Mrs Walmsley when you see them."

"He thinks that if he calls her Mrs Walmsley then I won't know he's talking about Astrid Olsen," Violet said, teasing her husband.

"She may have been a supermodel, but she's not a patch on you," the General replied in a show of affection.

"I'll take that," Violet laughed.

"And of course, say hello to Ferdinand Obermann when you see him next week. We're putting a lot of faith in Obermann to manufacture Iris, so I'm hoping he won't be a stranger."

"I will Jerry and I can assure you he's right behind this," Steven replied.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, Lesley," Violet told me. "Good luck in your new job and let me know if you plan on visiting again."

"Thank you Violet. I promise, I will."

We watched the General and Violet get into a taxi then walked back to our hotel.

"What was that about seeing Ferdi next week?" I asked.

"After we've been to Annecy," Steven explained. "I spoke to Ferdi this afternoon. I need to talk to him and some of his team in person, so he invited us to spend a couple of days with him and Ursula. I thought we could fly over to Munich then back to Aix. I'm sorry, I haven't had time to discuss it with you. I might need Sam too."

"Are we going to stay at the castle?" I asked hopefully.

"That's the idea, Steven replied."

"Then I want to go."

"That's a relief."

We walked back to hotel arm in arm and went up to our room. I could tell Steven was exhausted. It was as if, now that the negotiations were completed, he could finally relax. He suggested sex but I knew he was only trying to please me. I told him I could wait until morning, so we cuddled up and within minutes he'd drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 3 - New York

I had thought that finishing the work with General Buchan would give us more time to ourselves but Steven spent the next day on the phone, either talking with Sam in London or the Obermann corporation. I knew this week was meant to be a work trip but I guess I hadn't realised just how much work was going to be involved. It didn't help that Steven seemed to be obsessed about every detail of Iris.

On the day we were meant to be leaving for New York, Steven was up before me in the morning. I heard him putting his gym stuff on in the bathroom and lay there pretending to be asleep. Steven hadn't had much time to go to the gym recently and I knew he'd be keen to work out. Some hotel gyms were little more than an exercise bike and a multi-gym but the one in our hotel was run by a separate company and had proper facilities. Usually, I didn't mind Steven sneaking off as I considered myself the main beneficiary of his efforts but today I felt a bit annoyed that he'd chosen exercise over me.

When he came back I could tell he'd been focussed on weights rather than cardio as he wasn't too sweaty.