Monster

Aislyn’s robe slid off her naked shoulders and onto the patio. She pulled the cover off the hot tub, adjusted the temperature up to 115 degrees and leaped over the side without making a splash or ripple. The water seemed to part and swallow her as though hungry for her flesh.

Edwin watched her bob around the spa until she settled to floating on her back, her arms outstretched at her sides, and her pert breasts pointed to the moonless sky. Then the motion sensor light switched off and Aislyn disappeared into the night.

Aislyn soaked in the hot water, trying in vain to warm her stony, cold skin. She listened to the gentle lapping of the chlorinated water and peered up at Orion, Cassiopeia, Draco, and the Pleiades.

Edwin shifted in his seat, hoping for his eyes to further adjust to the gloom so that he might catch another glimpse of her pale, porcelain skin. All he could see was the erect mounds of her beautiful breasts.

Suddenly the car rocked to the passenger side as a burly beast scratched at the drive’s window. Ed jumped and shrieked—screaming like child who just discoveredc the monster under the bed.

The beast licked the window and mewled and scratched at the door handle.

“Horatio!” Aislyn called.

The animal whined and was gone as quickly as he’d come. Ed let out a protracted breath and stared at the now vacant hot tub.

“Jesus, get it together,” Edwin said to himself as he flexed his hands against that steering wheel.

Then there was a knock at the window and he shrieked again. The car door opened and there was a cold, wet hand over his mouth. “Quiet down, my love.”

After a moment of silence, Ed opened his eyes. She was there at his side: her robe haphazardly belted, the monstrous dog at her feet. “How long have you been watching?”

“I just—I wanted to—I was going to see if—,” Edwin stammered. He ruffled his already disheveled hair.

“Are you okay?” she asked in a whisper trying to urge him to be quiet.

“The monster scared me.” He slid out of the car and slumped against the side.

“Horatio’s a big boy, but he’s also a big baby.” She massaged the scruff of the dog’s neck. “Say hello you big baby.”

Horatio leaned back onto his hind legs and gently placed his front paws on the roof of the car to either side of Edwin. The dog then leaned in, nuzzled Ed’s neck, and rested his massive head on Ed’s shoulder.

“He won’t move until you pet him.”

Ed tentatively petted the dog’s flank—patting the grey fur along the spine at first then stroking the soft white fur along his sternum. Horatio nuzzled in closer and started licking his neck. Ed erupted again, but this time it was a fit of giggles and Horatio ran off to frolic in the snow—pushing it around with his nose, flipping it into the night and biting at the air.

Photo: Adam Pieratt