*“So this is the new fur baby of the Wilcox bunch…he wouldn’t make a good guard dog.”*
*“No…so far the only thing I have worked out he is scared of is giant bags of dog biscuits.”*
I giggled.
*“You are here just in time. We won’t officially start until tomorrow but I was about to make lunch. Nothing fancy…just some steak sandwiches. Do you want one?”*
*“Of course…I do like your meat of course…”*
*“Medium rare?”*
*“Of course.”*
He had left the sheet music and lyrics on the table for me to peruse. I once again giggled…my heart leapt into my mouth.
*“I heard that laugh…what is it that pleased you, Kitty?”*
*“Vocals by Stephen Wilcox? Since when?”*
Stephen hated being a vocalist.
*“Since now. Well…last year was the first time I went nude without the vocoder. The vocoder is
banned this time.”*
*”You are not known as a vocalist. You are a brave one and I must say I am so proud of you for overcoming that fear.”*
*“Really?”*
*“We had a really hard time convincing you that you were the right vocalist for the job. I mean, you only
did “Sierra Foxtrot Whiskey” after you polished off a bottle of vodka then processed the shit out
of it with a vocoder.”*
*“I am rather fond of the vocoder, it disguises my piss weak voice.”*
*“You are so hard on yourself.”*
*“I sang that rather twee song on “Distant Rains”. No processing whatsoever. I didn’t want it on there.”*
*”Those Barker children were so excited to be on a record. They were even on that photo
on the inside cover…what a cast of people you had there…even Chris!”*
*“You don’t think it lessened the work somewhat?”*
*“No…it is lovely so why now would you suddenly do a right turn and do vocals, on your own, no processing again?”*
The first footnote of this development came in the form of a song that ended up being the last one to be recorded for “Cascades”. The song, like many of Stephen’s, had a single word title – “Higher”. He had originally intended for it to be sung by someone else but he decided to bite the bullet. Then it was a single released later in the year. It was in memory of his mother. He sang on that. That made sense. It was rather personal to him. Then there was the one song on “Cascades”. Two if you included the few lines that appeared in the title track. Again, no disguise was needed there.
*“I felt some fundamental change within me in the last year. I am not sure why either. But I am
discovering parts of myself I hadn’t discovered before. I don’t know how else to explain it. But I
realised singing was something I shouldn’t be afraid of, when I have a perfectly capable voice.”*
*“That is cheap coming from you. You gave me stick over my lack of…not wanting to sing, did
you not?”*
*“I did, and I am sorry I am such a hypocrite. Forgive me, Kitty.”*
*“You are forgiven.”*
Here we were holed up in the studio at the Chateau. What a grand house it is. I remember my first sessions in here in 1972. It didn’t quite work. It was a tummy bug that did the rounds. Not in my case, I was pregnant with James at the time. Speaking of which, James didn’t want to be “James” anymore. He demanded we call him Jim. Fair enough.
*“I thought this room was dark and dingy then. I haven’t been in this room since then. That was twelve years ago.”*
*“I have been coming out here ever since we first moved here. It is my second home even though this is only the fourth album I have recorded here. I remember “Bent Into Shape” so well. The memories are vivid even though it was more than a decade ago. I was shit scared, Kitty.
Recording the piece of music I finished writing when I was fifteen. I remember getting so frustrated because I didn’t quite know how everything worked. It is a completely different environment from say, an orchestral setting. I persevered though. “Moss Hills” and “Distant
Rains” ended up being down here too. I couldn’t imagine doing those records elsewhere.”*
*“The island is such a beautiful place. One must be pretty lucky to live here.”*
*“I wish I could. Maybe when I retire. Sooner would be nice. I feel a bit more creative when I am
out here. It brings out the best in me. Home can be difficult when you have many young children. You
would understand.”*
*“Of course I do”*
It was at that moment, I saw Elijah Pine outside. Pine is Stephen’s drummer and had been since 1978. He was the sort of guy who didn’t intrude and did as he was told.
*“That Pine kid is awfully quiet. He always has been. Do you think he is intimidated by your greatness?”*
*“I did suspect that. Maybe. But you know me. I am nothing to be scared of. Steven is rather my equal. A Nordic blonde guy of similar height…almost…six foot five I believe.”*
The first few days of the recordings went as can be expected. We were working all day and sometimes long into the night. Stephen would be the first to rise each morning and would ensure he had a steady flow of espresso coffee to go through his veins before he could contemplate work. I didn’t see it as work though. It was intense but an awful lot of fun and the jokes bounced off the walls. At times my impatience was obvious. I hate waiting and I especially hated to be seen as
impatient by the Master. Talking to myself…there was a lot on the mind.
*“Am I keeping you waiting?”*
My bottom lip quivered.
*“Just a little, Sir…shit.”*
He looked at me and broke out into a broad smile.
*“Funny how that name only ever escapes at certain times. That call of phrase refers to a very specific time in our lives. So what made you say it?”*
*“Swinging parties are just a bit too much at times I think. We have these parties a lot. It is luck, I
know it. But I seem to end up with you all the time and over time, the long distant version of us lovers is leeching out.”*
*“Natural side effects…is there anything else, Pet?”*
*“I am not into group sex, I think. I am ok with three participants but any more, and I think that may be just a bit greedy. I cannot imagine the logistics. Maybe one day? What haven’t I done?”*
*“Are you hinting at the fact you have had a threesome?”*
*“I did. It was 1977. After the midyear meeting, Frank invited all the band over for a roast dinner. Everyone was there. You kept shooting Seth dirty looks, and well…like we didn’t notice? It was so obvious. Anyhow, once you had all left, Jamie stayed over to help tidy up. We are
sitting in the lounge with nips of Irish cream. Frank kept looking at both of us and I asked what was up. ‘Did a threesome ever occur to you?’. I had never thought about it other than giving Blake a ribbing because his ultimate fantasy is allegedly doing the deed with Minnie and I at the same time. I got paranoid and worried. Then I thought well fuck it. It was fun but I haven’t done
it since.”*
*“Well, what appeals more. Two men or two women?”*
*“Both have their appeal. Now am I going to sing?”*
*“No. I will. You just inspired me to throw out a knockout punch for one of my songs…and I will admit, I am feeling rather turned on right now. But we shouldn’t misbehave outside the parties.
Rules can be broken…”*
He came into the booth and had me up against the wall as he removed the headphones. Just feeling him that close sent wee shivers down the spine. We smiled at one another. I then went
behind the glass. Yes, the tall drink of water can sing.
*“Do you mind if I excuse myself? Stuart and I have started writing songs and we are burning up
the papers at the moment. Seven songs are written already.”*
*“Of course not. I think he is out by the pool. Actually…he was rather keen to get you alone.”*
*“Not for that sort of thing, Sir. But we do like to strike while the iron is hot. “Cry At Night” is still in
the top five.”*
It was only day four. I don’t know how we did it but whenever Stuart and I had a spare moment, we shut ourselves in the music room downstairs where there was a piano. Armed with pencils
and sheet music, we knocked out seven songs. I could see the progression in our music. Okay, so
there was sex again but it was a lot more subtle and sensual in a way.
*“This seems to be the go to. Almost. Last time we wrote songs on the run but it took a lot longer. Tell me what desire is burning because I am quite stunned at the output.”*
*“The thrill of the chase although I have no idea what I am chasing as I am happily married. However, my marriage is not conventional. I mean, I teach tantra massage. I show couples how the erotic massage works. I have often used Tracy to demonstrate. I have been demonstrated on too. I have no shame in that respect. This environment is very different. I am used to being
at home and at work where it is all relaxed and calm. Here, I sense tension from different
parties. You have Elijah who has always been quiet and feels he cannot compete with the bigger personalities. I get the feeling he has a lady friend who has been coming over. I know Stephen knows about it but it all seems so secretive. You have Steven who is rather fond of his
beer and I can sense he is missing his wife a lot at the moment. Then there is you. You broke a drought last year. Okay so there was sexual tension before then but now it is of a whole different kind.”*
*“The thrill of the chase…I get that. I don’t feel I am chasing anything but you are right about that
tension here. Stephen and I…have been reverting back to being the nineteen and twenty-two-year-
olds we once were. Where he became Sir and I was his pet. Earlier tonight, I was about to sing.
I was getting impatient…and I inadvertently called him Sir. We cannot help ourselves. It feels
dangerous yet safe in a way.”*
*“Now can you see why we have written songs about forbidden love, the long foreplay of an evening, romance. Both of us have a lot going on in the mind. It translates into perfect synthesiser pop. Now shall we keep working on the problem child song?”*
It had been like this with the last four albums. Any spare moment, Stuart and I were engaged in conversation and I swear I learnt more about him in the last four years than I had in the whole time I had known him. He used to seem like such a goody two shoes, a police constable who dreamed of love and getting married and having kids. Now he was teaching erotic massage, counselling people on their love life with a kinky wife and children who had no idea their parents got up to such mischief. I did wonder…how did they hide the sensual part of the business when they worked from home?
By day eight, the tension was sky high. Recording went on until quite late in the evening again. It was quite warm that night. The thin sheen of sweat on everybody’s skin could attest to that. As time marched on, the air up there got headier. It was the effect Stephen and I had on each other. I loved the fact I impacted the men in my life in a blaze of varied glory.
*“Can I trouble you for your thoughts again Pet…you seem distracted?”*
*“I was thinking about how each man in my life affects me in different ways. Frank…he always
up for a quickie…likes to make the best of situations. He is not the lovey dovey type. Seth was a
diehard romantic. You cannot help but want to dirty him up. Jamie was just a guilty pleasure with
an added bonus of cupcakes. He only comes into the field of vision once in a blue moon.”*
*“What about me then?”*
*“Oh you have the power over me. Years of living together, sleeping together, telling each other
our deepest darkest secrets…you owned me once…Elijah and Steven are not around are they?”*
*“No. Why?”*
*“Well, you know my body extremely well. Those times you had me bound, wrapped. I could not move but you had the most serpentine moves…the path life has taken us on is a little warped. I never think too much about the fact your wife sleeps with my husband. As long as he comes home to me. I don’t mind.”*
*“You seemed a little agitated, Pet. It makes sense. This is all rather intense – I remember when you were actually my pet and I never thought there would be anyone else. Funny how life is.”*
*“It is such a hot and sticky night and I know the air con is on but it was not doing much to stop my hair from turning into a mess.”*
*“Why would you be so worried about your hair?”*
*“Well I don’t like looking ugly, put it that way.”*
*“Grab a swimsuit and follow me. There is no point us being in here. Elijah has gone to bed with a headache. Stuart and Steven are downstairs in the bar.”*
*“Swimming? It is what, eight?”*
*“Pet, it is a lovely time for that swim we promised ourselves. I did tell you to pack a swimsuit
didn’t I?”*
*“I did. But one that covers me up more than the others do.”*
*“Good idea. Now get changed and follow me.”*
I excused myself and went into my quarters. It was true. It was one of Samara’s pieces but a more “family friendly” one. She does cater for all tastes. No sooner had I changed, Stephen was waiting outside the door. He took my hand and led me down to the water’s edge.
*“It shouldn’t be too cold.”*
*“It is a little.”*
*“Don’t be such a chook, Kitty!”*
He flicked the water at me. He was right, it was not that cold at all but it was still refreshing. We waded out into the depths and I put my head under. A few sheer seconds of mindful clarity before I came back up for air and noticed Stephen was in the water too.
*“Sir, where are you?”*
He emerged behind me.
*“Quite nice isn’t it?”*
*“Indeed.”*
*“I came up here late last year with Sally and I was inspired. I am glad we are here – I haven’t spent this much time out here since 1975. We are doing well I think.”*
*“Well with what?”*
*“Well…working together, it is never the easiest thing I think, and you know why.”*
*“You are scaring me slightly…”*
*“Why are you scared of me, Kitty? Is it because you feel you are unable to resist me? You can and I am sure you will again, however, the swim was a perfect idea and I know what you are like in the water.”*
Oh my…I hadn’t actually been sleeping with Stephen without the benefit of a swinging soiree since the swinging started…the memories of those ‘60s swimming sessions in the river nearly his family home soon flooded the mind.
*“I know what is coming.”*
*“So…”*
*“Dangerous word that, my tall drink of water.”*
He planted a kiss on my lips and it was not the normal kiss I would expect from Stephen. It was a long and languid, luxurious kiss. Delicious! He just blew me away there and then. I reciprocated. I let my tongue dance with his. This kiss felt different. I wasn’t sure why, but I decided to ignore that feeling and just enjoy it. All that time, he had taken off the bottom half of my swimsuit. But then I had my hand down his swimming
trunks. He was quite responsive. How on earth did I get into the next scenario? His cock slowly moved into me. He was making shallow strokes. I was not quite sure what to make of this. Stephen and I – the swinging sex was always rough and tumble. What is happening! I guess I had put it down to just being used to each other and feeling like you didn’t need to put in an Olympic medal effort in thrusting every single time. Could I say it seemed to be more in the lovemaking camp than the
sex one? There was nothing to it though. I think lines get blurred a lot in our lifestyle. So I wrapped my legs around him. I needed him deeper in me. It felt like a lifetime. It was a definite sexual and sensual embrace. I wasn’t going to come like that, but I didn’t care. Just
like feeling him in me.The hot wind had picked up and set a wave on a collision course with us. It hit the back of Stephen and knocked us over. Under the water, we went. The sex was over. The giggling commenced. If
anything, Stephen had the real power to make me laugh harder than anyone else. The whole experience had the feel of a summer romance, except it was not summer and I had assured myself this was not a romance.
*“It is not over…”*
I was not sure what he was referring to.
*“Heck, what if we get caught like this?”* What a dumb thing for me to say.
*“What would it matter? I am not breaking up a marriage and neither are you. People would have
to be pretty fucking naïve.”* There was that slightest hint of infuriation in his voice.
Yes, I shouldn’t care about being caught fucking, it was not something new, and nothing was really secret anymore.
*“Go stand against that bank and hold onto those branches, Pet. Bad joke I know but I think you
are about to be blown away.”*
I complied. I so loved that aspect of Stephen. He was quick with quips both good and bad and always apologised when he said them. So I lay back into the bank, relaxed and felt him spread my pussy lips before letting his tongue flick about. It is the call of years of experience and knowledge. He was licking my sweet and slippery being. Stephen should have come with a “Slippery When Wet” sign. His fingers went into me. He would perhaps fuck me like that for only a few
moments. He slipped himself back out and traced his way up my body.
*“Lick my finger clean…you can taste yourself.”*
I always felt like a real dirty bitch around Stephen. Given I felt like that, I knew I was back on the same page with him as always. I did taste rather sweet and musky.
*“You realise the way I sucked on your finger is the same way I suck your cock right? Think
about that. Now keep going.”*
So he went back to fingering me. But I cannot stop a wave once it is coming, and this time it was not some freak harbour wave pushed out by a zephyr. I let out an all mighty giggle. The dirt was coming off the bank, and I snapped a branch in half. I pretty much crushed his fingers with the strength of that orgasm. I then heard him make an odd sound. He looked slightly
uncomfortable and his face went raspberry coloured.
*“What the heck?”*
*“Yeah…Kitty…I think I just came – I am sorry.”*
*“Don’t be. How on earth did that happen?”*
Stephen had got so turned on going down on me; he didn’t even need sex in the end to have his own orgasm. It didn’t matter how I was getting older, I still had new things to experience and learn. That is the beauty in life.
*“Well thank you. I was not quite expecting that.”*
*“Well, what did I do?”*
*“You turned me on by being just you. I missed that for so many years. But Kitty…go back into the water. We both need to wash ourselves of our evidence and I think you ought to retrieve your swimsuit bottoms!”*
Going back out in the water, my mind suddenly cleared and I realised what I had just done. Whilst according to the rules of my life at the time, it was, by all means, an okay thing to do…I couldn’t help but feel a bit wrong about it. My swimsuit bottoms had washed up on the sand and I let the cooling water wash my sins away. I walked back towards the house and saw Stephen
splashing cool water on his face…he was not at all rugged in appearance but he seemed so
animalistic in that moment.
*“You are not exactly the quietest woman, Ms Tune…”*
I looked up and there was one very sleepy looking Elijah and a grinning Steven. Were we just busted?
*“Oh, what are you two doing down there? You have been doing it haven’t you?”*
Fuck it.
*“Maybe I have…go back to sleep, we have work to do in the morning.”*
*“And by the way the phone rang – your husband is coming up here tomorrow for a visit…”*
*“God, what on earth for?”*
Elijah shut the window. I trusted him not to say a word. It didn’t matter. I knew Frank was
seeing Sally and Bailey outside the swinging soirees that were being on a thrice-monthly basis. Sometimes it was Jamie; sometimes I got my own husband. I didn’t mind that all. I really had the desire to have my husband in me. I then sometimes got Stephen and it always blew my mind in more ways than one.
Source: reddit.com/r/eroticliterature/comments/84ao2q/the_lake_mf