Mirror Images in Willow Lake

The house sat along a gently curving street lined with mature maples and old-fashioned lamp posts. It was a stately Victorian in a neighborhood just beyond Willow Lake, a town that looked as though it had been lifted straight out of the early 1900s. Its neighborhood was one where large Victorian and vintage four-square houses dominated with a few cozy bungalows mixed in between. It was lovely with a mix of older empty nesters and young families with small children and pets.

Downtown Willow Lake was made up of an assortment of brick storefronts with painted signs and classic large windows with different displays inside. An old movie theater was positioned just north of the town's lone stoplight at the intersection of Ash and Maple. Its flickering marquee with black block letters on a white background surrounded by neon lights was a fixture of the town. Across town on Sycamore St., a bakery and attached diner still operated an original 1950s soda fountain. Sycamore St. eventually led to Belhaven College where red brick and limestone buildings sat with some partially covered in ivy. The famous bell tower stood tall in front of the library that featured tall limestone arches and stained-glass windows. Several small quads and other buildings spread across the campus containing dorms, classrooms, labs, and offices.

To the north of town was the lake that had given the town its name. The relatively large lake was lined with old boat docks and lake houses. A walking path wound around its entire shoreline. In summer, speedboats, lazy pontoons, and wave runners filled the lake. The busyness gave way to a calm glasslike surface reflecting the dark reds, bright yellows, and deep browns of the surrounding trees in fall.

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The sounds of cicadas buzzed as she drove into town on a late summer evening. A wave of nostalgia hit her as memories of her college days came rushing back the moment she turned onto Ash Street.

Two years had passed since Roger died and even now, she'd still catch herself turning to tell him something or point out details she thought he'd appreciate. Things like an old antique store, a line from a book or article, and especially a beautiful town like Willow Lake. Waiting at the stoplight, she absent-mindedly scratched her stomach as thoughts of him offered distractions from the surroundings. Her mind wandered to memories of how they'd first met running in the early mornings through a town much like this one while at college in upstate New York.

A deliberate honk from behind jolted her back to reality. Waving politely, she continued toward her new home. The company they built together had finally sold and there was nothing left to keep her tied down. Willow Lake offered a chance to find herself again and reset.

She had finally arrived to see the new investment. It was a three-story Queen Anne with a round turret on the left. The siding was painted in a slightly faded royal blue with ivory trim. A wide porch wrapped around the front, its detailed trim delicately carved by hand. The purchase was made without ever stepping inside partly because of the calm conviction in Ellie Lawson's voice while describing it.

"Vase-like balusters turned by hand, stained-glass accents in the doors and bay windows, high-ceilinged rooms with custom antique bookshelves and cabinets. Beautifully manicured yard and garden with in-ground pool"

The lot itself was unusually large for a house so close to town. It was bordered by tall hedges and old iron fencing. A brick path led from the porch to a carriage house tucked behind with the upper floor converted into a small apartment overlooking the backyard garden and a rectangular pool. The carriage house even had its own narrow drive and separate entrance off the alley.

From the moment she first saw the listing photos, she felt an affinity for the house. Its charm almost called out to her in some supernatural way. Price was no obstacle in making it hers. The house was paid for in cash, all furnishings were included and the closing was quick. She was on a mission to get on with the rest of her life and turn the page from her previous life with Roger.

The car rolled into the gravel drive just before the engine of the black Mercedes finally fell silent. There was a momentary pause with her hand still resting on the wheel admiring the beauty of the old house only seen in video and pictures. A warm breeze ruffled her linen dress as she stepped out of the car. She could smell the freshly cut grass and the faint scent of roses growing along the fence. Closer to the porch the aroma of old paint and sun-dried wood took over. The fresh and clean lake air seemed to surround everything.

The house was exactly what she had imagined, too big, a little over the top, and maybe full of stories to inspire her. Little did she know all the ways in which it would do so.

Thoughts of Roger consumed her once again. She wanted to share the images of the house, the smells, the feelings inside. Realizing that wasn't possible, a profound sense of sadness set in. After dropping a purse and backpack in the foyer, another trip to the car was made to get a couple of suitcases and other boxes that were neatly packed in the car.

Just as she opened the trunk, the loud scrape of a shovel on gravel briefly startled her. A man was standing by the carriage house leaning on the handle of the shovel. He was maybe in his late twenties or early thirties and about five foot eight. He had a very defined build that stretched the khaki T-shirt sleeves and the worn work shorts that ended just above his dark olive-colored and very muscular calves. His dark brown hair was long and wavy on top and trimmed neatly on the sides. She could make out dark green eyes and a strong jawline shadowed by a few days of stubble.

"Ms. Rowan?" he called out.

She nodded, brushing a strand of dark brown hair from her cheek.

"Andreas Nikas" he said as he walked toward her. Up close, she caught a whiff of cedarwood and lime. He stopped a polite distance away and gestured toward the house with a faint smile. "Welcome home."

"You look confused," she said, studying his friendly yet slightly awkward expression.

"Oh, um...I'm, uh...it's just that I was expecting someone..."

"Older?" she interrupted.

He took a step back, somewhat ashamed. "Um, yes. I guess. I dunno."

"It's perfectly all right," she reassured him. "I get that all the time. Adeline is an old family name. I've come to love it, but my friends call me Addy. Please, call me Addy."

"Ok, um...Addy," he stammered. "Welcome home."

Andreas proceeded to show her around the property, including the pool, garden, front yard, and house. As they explored, she noticed a quiet confidence. He shared that he was a handyman of sorts, a jack of all trades, working seasonal jobs around town. It was clear he could carry, paint, mow, and fix almost anything. Anything happened to also include her pool which needed a new filter and pump.

There was something in Andreas that she was immediately drawn to. She admired his work ethic and found the contrast between his height and strong build attractive. She didn't even realize her breathing was a bit heavier as they toured the property. It was a lucky bonus that he lived in the carriage house and had been hired by the estate to care for the house and property for the next year.

"Well, that's the dime tour, Ms. Rowan...I mean, Addy," Andreas said, getting used to calling her by first name.

"Thank you, Andreas," she replied. "I appreciate you taking the time to show me around. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of each other."

"You can count on it, Addy," he replied with a smile. "I'm here to take care of everything you, I mean the house, needs." They said their goodbyes and Addy resumed the task of unpacking some of her things so she could settle in for the night.

The upstairs was still too warm. The older air conditioning system was struggling to beat the heat that had built up over the course of the day. Addy set the last box on the floor of the master bedroom and brushed the damp hair from her forehead. The linen dress clung lightly to her back, and she could feel the heat radiating from her body.

A wide armoire in the corner of the bedroom was perfect for storing clothes. Every few minutes, she paused the organizing to study the crown molding or the ornate brass handles on the dresser drawers. Each detail felt like a small discovery. Sharing it all with Roger would have been ideal but that wasn't possible. A quick shower was clearly needed to clear her mind.

Addy slowly peeled the linen dress from her body and folded nearly on the dresser before heading for the bathroom. After the very quick rinse, a soft black tank top and a fresh pair of white cotton panties made for a comfortable combination. It was too hot for anything more.

She noticed her suitcase wasn't put away and tried to decide where to store it. The closet might have worked, but something about this house made her want to keep everything in its logical place. There was a narrow door at the end of the hall she noticed earlier but hadn't opened yet. The old glass knob turned with a soft click and steep wooden stairs led into the darkness above. Her pulse increased as she climbed. The heat and exertion made her start to lightly sweat again. An odd feeling started nagging deep inside as she neared the top of the stairs.

The attic was more finished than expected since it wasn't featured in the photos, only itemized in the listing. It was somewhat odd that Eleanor didn't mention it either, although Addy didn't take much notice of the discrepancy.

The walls were covered in dark breadboard and two windows looked out over the trees. Dust particles floated in the hazy light and the air smelled faintly of cedar and old books. Once the suitcase was neatly against the wall, Addy took a slow walk around the space. It was easy to picture herself working up here, the laptop would fit nicely on the long wooden table, and the windows could open to the breeze blowing in from the lake not too far away.

The nagging feeling didn't subside. It was a restlessness Addy hadn't felt in years. An almost physical ache which wasn't just because of seeing Andreas earlier, although that had certainly left her more breathless than normal. This felt deeper, as if the house itself was having some effect on her. She pressed a hand lightly to her chest and noticed her thumping heartbeat before exhaling.

The attic air was very thick and the light coming in through the windows started to fade as the sun began to set behind the trees. Against the far wall sat a wide daybed covered in a faded quilt. A full-length mirror stood next to one of the windows. The glass was slightly covered in dust. A big cedar chest sat in the corner. The lid was propped open just a bit as if someone had left it that way in a hurry.

She walked over to the mirror first. It caught her reflection which was highlighted by the soft remaining sunlight. Her bare legs, the curve of her hips under the thin cotton, the redness that still hadn't faded from her skin from climbing the stairs were all quite clear. Staring for a moment, she couldn't seem to look away. It had been ages since Addy paused long enough to take herself in, and the reflection in the mirror left her feeling content.

"Not bad for a 40-something, well almost 50-something!", she thought to herself.

She studied the way her body curved under the tank top and how her nipples pressed lightly against the fabric as her larger than average breasts pushed them outward. There was softness around her stomach where the faint scar she rarely let herself think about remained. Her green eyes stared back as she looked over the rest of her fair-skinned body. Light freckles dotted her shoulders. She smirked a little at the sight of the nose ring. It was the first act of the new Addy started almost a year ago. Bold and unhindered by others.

She turned to examine the rest of her body. Her shapely ass poked out from under the thin panties. She always liked her ass and breasts. Two of her most favorite things about herself. Roger would repeatedly say he was the winner of the T&A Lottery. Laughing to herself, her hands ran over her ass and breasts thinking it never got old to hear Roger say how he liked her body even if she wasn't always sure. She sighed and pressed her palm to the mirror as the cool glass pressed against her warm skin.

Another deep breath followed as her hands moved away from the mirror. The air felt a little cooler on her skin for some reason although her heartbeat still hadn't settled. She decided to explore the cedar chest on the other side of the attic. She hesitated for a moment before lightly touching the sides. The wood was smooth and the telltale cedar smell was very strong. For a moment she wondered who had last stood in this spot and what they'd kept hidden here. A young bride? A mother storing baby clothes? Someone else entirely?

A loud gasp accompanied what was found inside. Everything was carefully arranged but it was not at all what she was expecting. The lid was lifted slowly revealing a leather corset laying folded neatly on top. Underneath there were black leather boots with tall, polished heels, a pair of stilettos, and something that looked like a sheer lace bodysuit. She swallowed, her heart now thumping harder in her chest.

There was a drawer in the front of the chest. Inside was an assortment of items that made her jaw drop. A coiled whip, slim riding crop, bright red ball gag, handcuffs, and a length of delicate silver chain were all neatly arranged inside. Addy's mind and body were totally frozen, unable to decide whether to shut the lid or keep looking. Slowly, she closed the drawer and glanced into the space below. Another layer of neatly folded clothes. So many different things were packed into the chest. Lace, leather, dark colored silk, and tucked in the corner, a wooden box. She wasn't a prude by any means. She had seen sex toys before and had even owned a few over the years. But this collection was unlike anything she had ever imagined. Whomever had owned these before was clearly very adventurous.

Addy unhooked the latch and slowly opened the box. Inside was an assortment of dildos and vibrators in various shapes and sizes. Some she had seen before and others that were completely new to her. There was one made of sleek glass with three large round bulbs in increasing size, smooth silicone vibrators in different colors, a polished steel rod, and a huge black dildo. It was ginormous. It must have been at least eight inches and thick, thicker than any cock she had ever seen before. She gently bit her lip and felt heat building between her legs.

She was completely overcome with a mix of forgotten urges and a new feeling she didn't quite understand. Her chest felt tight as her nipples pressed even harder against the tank top. Looking down at her thin white cotton panties, she noticed they were growing very damp. It was as if the house itself was inviting her to imagine all the ways these toys and clothing has been used and all the secrets it has witnessed.

Addy slowly reached into the lower compartment of the chest once more. Her fingers brushed against a stack of items tucked in the far corner. She pulled out a bundle of photographs and slowly fanned them out across her bare legs. There were some faded old polaroids, other more modern prints from the 80s, and even some incredibly old looking photos. She paused for a moment and turned over the first picture on top of the pile. The image was explicit in a way that made her eyes bug out of her head and her pussy twinge again. A dark-haired woman who stood posed before the mirror wearing the same leather corset she just found. The woman had a broad and defiant smile on her face.

Addy put down the photo, her hands now shaking, and lifted another, and another. Each more revealing than the last and revealed all types of sexual activity. Solo masturbation with both men and women, images of couples of every combination having sex in all kinds of different positions. There were even very old pictures of groups of people together. Every image had the mirror at the center. She swallowed hard, curious as to what else she'd find. Her eyes shifted to the other corner of the chest where a row of VHS tapes lay stacked in neatly labeled sleeves. Next to them, several DVDs and a USB drive were tucked into a small plastic organizer.

It struck her all at once. This must have been some kind of time capsule. Not only of objects, but of everything that had happened in this lovely old house. She instinctively ran her hand over her body. It ran down over her breasts, stopping to caress and tease her hard nipples and finally to the waistband of her panties. She slipped her hand underneath and found her now very wet and throbbing pussy. She couldn't resist any longer. The flood of emotion, desire, and lust were taking over.

She proceeded to take off her tank and panties and stood completely naked in the dim light of the attic. All sunlight was now gone replaced with quiet darkness. All that could be heard was the creaking of the floor as Addy started walking across the room toward the mirror. She felt free and uninhibited. She looked over at the chest.

She returned to it and neatly unfolded the sheer lace bodysuit and held it up to her. The fabric felt cool and soft against her skin and sensitive nipples. It looked like it might fit so she decided to try it on. The full body suit now covered her entire body in lace. The lace had several openings positioned throughout. One at the center of her chest and two smaller circles aligned perfectly nipples that now resembled eraser tips. The other large opening was a wide, arching cutout perfectly encircling her pussy. The web of fine lace was now spread over her breasts, hips, and legs, hugging her fit frame. She raced over to the mirror and admired how she looked. Feeling more beautiful than ever and somehow, it even felt more intimate than being totally nude. The delicate lace even managed to cover the faint scar she was so self-conscious about.

She was in quite the state and had grabbed a toy out of the chest after trying on the body suit. There was a feeling of surprise at the mere consideration of using it, but she couldn't help herself. She needed to be fucked and satisfied in a way she'd never felt before. Addy proceeded to lay back on the daybed facing the mirror and spread her legs as wide as possible while resting her feet on the edge. She marveled at the reflection of her glistening pussy. She took the large black cock and felt it with her hands which couldn't even fit around it. She wondered if such a cock existed in real life and if it could actually fit inside.

Addy ran it up and down the length of her pussy, watching intently in the mirror as she coated the cock in her juices. The tip ran slowly up and down her body, pausing briefly to rest on her chest and letting the weight press into her. Oh, how she wished there was a real man attached to it so his weight could be felt pressing the huge cock into her. She longed to run her hands over the smooth skin of the undoubtedly fit man who'd be attached to such a spectacular cock.

She couldn't wait any longer and had to have it inside while groaning with every touch of the cock against her body. Looking at herself in the mirror once again, her bare pussy lips were slightly separated as if waiting to be split open. The fabric of the lace revealed her neatly trimmed dark black patch guarding her pussy from above.

"If I were a man, I'd totally fuck me as hard as I could. Again, and again!" she proclaimed to herself.

She positioned the base of the large black dildo on the floor in front of the mirror and moved over it, straddling it as if she were about to ride a man. Slowly, she lowered herself, feeling the blunt pressure against her pussy. She gasped when it slipped inside, shocked at how her pussy was accepting such a large invader.