Twisted Truths & Leveled Lies

by Lessner, S. K.

  During the rest of the first week, the nurse and I worked with Josie, and helped him to stand on his own again. The nurse had taught me what exercises to do with him to strengthen his muscles, and he was able to take a couple steps, but we didn’t push him. The doctor was pleased by how well he was healing, giving credit to Josie’s good-natured spirit, and his youth. After the fifth day, I was able to lie in bed with him, barely leaving his side day or night.

  The nurse left on the tenth day. After Josie gave him one of his toys to keep, I hugged and thanked him, grateful for how much he’d helped my little boy. He was a good guy, and I would miss the odd friendship we had developed. He had been my only real companionship in weeks. Even without much dialogue, it was nice to have another adult around. But I was thrilled just the same. Seeing him leave meant we were one more step closer to going home.

  Miguel came in shortly after the nurse left and talked with the doctor as Josie and I slowly made our way to the living room area to play with his toys. He couldn’t do it for long, but he needed to move around a few times a day, so this gave him incentive. Miguel joined us about fifteen minutes later, announcing that he would be home for the day. I was shocked. Other than the day of the surgery, it had been five weeks since he had spent any real time with us.

  Once Josie was back in his bed, Miguel offered to stay with him, asking if I’d like to go take a bath. I’d been rushing through showers when the nurse was here, hurrying back to Josie’s side as quickly as possible, some days not showering at all. The thought of a relaxing bath sounded wonderful. I thanked him, quickly taking advantage of the opportunity, and headed to the bathroom.

  The bathtub was more like a Jacuzzi. Lowering myself into the steamy water, I turned the jets on full speed, and leaned back to relax. I was sore and exhausted from barely sleeping. When I did sleep, it was in odd, uncomfortable positions. The hot water felt amazing pounding against my muscles.

  After washing my body, I laid my head back, closing my eyes in tranquility. A few minutes later, I heard the door open and close, but assuming it was Miguel using the restroom, I didn’t look to see.

  “Would you mind if I join you?” His hands slid across my wet shoulders as his words tickled my ear.

  I wanted to push him away, tell him he couldn’t be near me until he got his head together, but I needed him. I was so lonely. I had no phone or Internet, no contact with anyone. Regardless of how my mind knew I should respond, my heart had other plans. Even if his kindness only lasted an hour, I craved it.

  Opening my eyes, I nodded my head, telling him okay.

  He walked around to the other side where the step was, unbuttoning his shirt and sliding it off. This was always one of my favorite times of seeing him naked, the process of slowly revealing each element of his sexy body.

  Keeping his eyes locked on mine, he slid his pants down, his sculpted caramel body heightening my excitement. Lowering my gaze, I concentrated on how his muscles flexed as he climbed into the Jacuzzi. Removing every other thought from my mind, every worry during the past month, I focused only on my husband.

  Taking a step through the water, he paused. The water was up to his thighs, and his manhood already hard, it was practically lying horizontally on top of the water. If I wasn’t turned on from watching him undress, I definitely was now.

  “Is it hot enough in here?” He smiled and teased me, resembling the man I knew and loved. Whatever time I had with my Miguel, I’d take.

  “Sorry, my muscles have been really cramped.” I offered an apologetic smile in return. I was trying hard to look up at his face, but knowing what was in front of me made it very difficult.

  “I think I can help with that.” He smirked and plunged his body completely under the water.

  I watched as the waves rippled across the surface as he re-emerged, spilling small amounts over the edge of the tub. Bringing his body closer, he slid between my legs and wrapped his arms around my back, brushing baby kisses across my cheek as he pulled us closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck and arched my body into his, locking my legs around his waist. I could feel the length of him straining upward, toward my entrance, tantalizing me with desire.

  “God, I miss you, Mel,” he whispered, taking my face in his hands, as he tenderly pulled my mouth to his.

  His lips gently molded into mine while his hands massaged my neck and shoulders. I pulled my body further into his, sliding my hands down his back, over my legs that were around him, and gripping his thighs. He followed my lead, his arms gliding down my neck and arms, across to my breasts.

  Holding my breasts in his palms, he rolled my nipples with his fingers. I arched my back further into his caress, wanting more. The jets were pounding my body, Miguel’s hardness pressing harder against my entrance, and I wanted nothing less than him inside me. I needed to feel like we were one again.

  I leaned back, rubbing myself up and down his hardened length, silently asking him to fill me. With my head back, he began kissing my neck, lifting my body so he could reach my breasts with his mouth above the water.

  Closing my eyes, I embraced every kiss, every touch, every suck and pull he gave me. When he moved to the other breast, I slid my hand between us, grabbing the length of him.

  “Not yet, Mel. I need to taste you.”

  I didn’t stop what I was doing. I needed him more than he could understand.

  “Please, trust me.”

  Those words got my attention. That’s what he’d been saying for the past five weeks. I pushed aside the negative thoughts, forcing myself to enjoy our time together. Who knew what he’d be like tomorrow.

  Looking up at him, I nodded my head.

  “Okay,” I whispered, hoping he knew I was talking about more than just our bath time. It was about my body, about what he wanted to do, but also about trusting him with our lives.

  We both stopped moving, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. I saw love and strength, commitment and perseverance, but I also saw sadness and fear in his. I didn’t want to look any longer. I wanted to pretend everything was okay.

  “Make love to me, Miguel. Taste me, do whatever you want, just please, take everything else away.”

  He didn’t waste any time. He took my arms, spreading them wide, and wrapped them over the sides of the tub. My back was arched, my breasts straining upward in the air, as he looked down at me with longing.

  “Just lean your head back and relax, honey.”

  I did as he said, laying my head on the edge of the reclined built-in seat behind me. Miguel moved away from me, trailing his hands from my shoulders, down both of my breasts, over my stomach, and down my thighs.

  Grabbing my legs, he lifted my body out of the water, wrapping my thighs over his shoulders. My arms tightened their hold, trying to keep my balance, while only a small portion of my back remained in the water.

  The cold air shocked my already heightened senses and I opened my eyes just in time to see him move forward, his mouth rushing to envelop my nub. He repeated the same slow and loving kiss our lips created minutes ago as he licked and sucked my sensitive spot. The cold instantly left my body, replaced by an intense heat, shooting out to every finger and toe.

  “Miguel, Miguel.” I repeated his name over and over again.

  I couldn’t hold onto him. I couldn’t do anything except lie back and feel my body rising higher and higher, as every muscle trembled in response. What he didn’t know was that I was not only begging for him to help me reach my orgasm, but pleading with him to come back to me. With every touch he gave me, my heart broke for what we were going through.

  “Please, Miguel.” I looked at him, desperately asking him to help me.

  Releasing my legs, he lowered his hand, sliding his fingers inside me. That’s all it took, my back arched up and out of the water, as I soared over the edge.

  “Ahhhh!” I yelled, realizing too late how loud I was. I only hoped Josie didn’t wake up and hear us.

  He watched my body trembling bef
ore him as he helped finish the last of my orgasm, the look of love and sadness filling his eyes. Slowly moving out from under my legs, he stood and reached underneath, lifting me out of the water. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tight, preventing my slippery body from sliding out of his grasp.

  He climbed out of the Jacuzzi and moved near the sink to set me down. Grabbing two of the large, blanket size towels, he spread them across the floor, before wrapping his arms around me, returning our bodies to their embrace.

  “I’m sorry we have to do this here, but Osan’s out there with Josiah and I’m not taking you into our bed where he can hear everything. He’s already done enough damage.”

  I didn’t care what he was saying. Our naked bodies were steaming and dripping from the hot water we just left; my legs still shaky from my release, and my heart needed him more than ever before. I gently pushed away from him, lowering myself to the towels in a silent invitation.

  He grinned and followed my lead, positioning himself between my legs. Taking his length in his hand, he traced the ridges of my moist folds, spreading my wetness along his tip. My body flexed, my legs shaking in remembrance of our moment minutes before.

  Locking our eyes, he slowly eased his entire length inside me. My body responded instantly, wrapping around him, and pulling him down to my lips. Pausing as our lips brushed against one another’s, his breath was heavy as he spoke.

  “You will never know just how beautiful you are, Maelianna,” he whispered against my lips and then started kissing and moving in and out of me with slow, passion-filled movements.

  Deepening our kiss, our tongues tenderly caressed each other, as his hips rotated in slow, sensual movements. Although we weren’t moving fast, it felt amazing. He’d glide out, his crown almost completely removed, before pushing forward, bringing himself all the way to my innermost core. The deliberate actions allowed us to feel every part inside and around our bodies.

  We were holding on to each other so tightly I knew we’d have bruises tomorrow. But I still couldn’t get close enough to him. Each time we’d break from kissing, he’d whisper his affections. Telling me how much he loved me, how much he needed me.

  “Please…please Miguel.” It wasn’t only his body. I needed my husband. I needed my Miguel back.

  We never sped up. He slowly continued making love to me, but with passion and strength, again and again. Feeling our release, our bodies locked around the other, holding tight while he pulled and pushed, in and out with exquisite tenderness. Our gaze remained connected until the last drop was rung out of each of us and we collapsed to the floor, refusing to let go.

  A few minutes later, we reluctantly agreed to go back to Josie. Miguel helped me up, drying my back, as I watched him in the mirror behind me. Hesitating, he looked at my reflection and smiled, his eyes full of love, yet the sadness and fear seemed to grow significantly. He wrapped the towel over my shoulders, kissing my head, and releasing me.

  He was dressed first and said he’d go get rid of Osan for me. Thankfully, he knew I wouldn’t want to face him after our tender exchange. It would’ve ruined everything for me.

  I took my time in the bathroom. Allowing myself the pleasure of replaying how good it felt to be with the man I loved again. When I finally returned to Josie’s bedroom, Miguel was curled up beside him, sleeping peacefully. I crawled up behind Miguel, wrapping my arms around him, holding him close as I fell asleep.

  When I woke the next morning, Miguel was already gone. I was still lying in Josie’s bed, so he must have been very quiet when he left. I went to the other room to see if he was in the shower or even downstairs. He was already gone for the day. This time, without even saying goodbye.

  Everything I felt last night seemed like a lie, now. I felt used. He had become the man I never wanted to be with. I couldn’t do this anymore.

  CHAPTER 23

  It had been exactly three weeks since Josie’s surgery. He was doing remarkably well and was able to get up and slowly move around our room on his own for the past few days. His toys from the playroom had been relocated to ours, creating the image of walking through a preschool when we moved around. But even seeing him smile as he played did little to lift my spirits. Originally, the doctor said it would take about two weeks for him to recover enough to return home, but we chose to stay an extra week to make sure his back would be strong enough to handle any possible turbulence during the flight home. It wasn’t something I wanted to do. This place had turned into a nightmare for me. But I wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks with Josie.

  I hadn’t spoken with Joan in almost a month and a half, and knew she must’ve been extremely worried. Miguel said he called her a few times when he and Osan went to town or they went to Osan’s business, but I had not heard my sister’s voice and I needed her. Even more upsetting, her baby was due any day now, and the thought of not being there with her broke my heart.

  The doctor had come again today to check Josie’s progress. He was satisfied with what he saw and said everything looked good to go. He asked me to wait a couple more days just to be on the safe side, but after that, all would be fine. He also gave me the paperwork I’d need if we flew in the future and they questioned the rod and screws that were in his back, although he doubted there’d ever be a problem.

  When he left our room, I couldn’t stop smiling. Josie was doing well, and we could finally go home. It almost felt perfect. Almost. Miguel had grown even more distant in the last week, making me wonder if he’d be going home with us now. Regardless, I was leaving with Josie. If he wanted his family, then he’d have to choose to leave his brother behind and join us.

  I’d grown accustomed to Miguel going with his brother each day and knew he’d be returning soon. I didn’t usually look forward to him being home in the evenings now, it was a reminder of who he wasn’t anymore and it hurt. But today, I couldn’t wait for him to get back. I was excited to tell him about what the doctor had said and let him know that we could go home.

  He was an hour early, entering our room at 4:30. I was busy picking toys up off the floor when he came up behind me, surprising me by wrapping his arms around my waist. It was more affection then he’d shown me in weeks.

  Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, breathing in his unique scent and savoring the feel of his body against mine. I wanted to melt into him, but at the same time, I was afraid of what personality I would find when I turned around. Deciding to play it safe, I bent forward, retrieving another car, and breaking his grasp of me.

  After finishing with the remaining toys, I moved to the sofa, anxiously waiting for him to join me.

  “Guess what, Miguel?” I asked him with a huge smile on my face.

  “What?” He sat down, immediately bending over to remove his socks and shoes.

  “The doctor came today. He gave us permission to go home. We can leave.” I could hear the happiness flowing through my words, disguising the nervous feeling I had in the pit of my stomach.

  He had one foot undressed, and was working on pulling his other sock off, when I finished my sentence. Pausing with it half on and half off, he stared down at his foot.

  “What?” He asked slowly, his voice devoid of all emotion.

  I didn’t back down. “We can go home, Miguel. As soon as we can set it up. Josiah’s ready. Well, the doctor said another two days to be safe, but he’s ready! Can you believe it?”

  I didn’t get the reaction I expected. Or maybe I did expect it, and that was why I was nervous. I guess I was hoping he’d jump up and down and start shoving our things into suitcases, but he didn’t.

  He finished pulling his sock off and sat back on the sofa, a blank look across his face as he stared straight ahead. After a few tension filled minutes, he cleared his throat and turned to look at me.

  “Okay, Mel. Osan has a small business dinner here tonight that I promised I’d help him with. Then, tomorrow he and I are leaving for three days to go see our mother, she’s been really sick. I wanted to tak
e you with us, so she could meet you and Josiah, but I’d rather not now. I don’t want to risk making him sore and delaying us more.”

  I was so happy to hear what he was saying. Not the part about him leaving for three days, but that he was planning on going home with us. Until he said the words, I feared he might stay here with his brother.

  Taking a deep breath before he continued, he nodded his head in thought. “I’ll see if we can fly out next Wednesday. The only problem with that is I agreed to lead a business deal for Osan during the last three days of next week. If I can’t get out of it, we’ll have to wait until next Saturday to go.”

  My hope deflated, part of my fear confirmed. His brother was being put before his family again. I refused to accept that. I wouldn’t!

  “Miguel, I don’t know what has happened to us, to you, but I’m going home where I belong, where Josiah and I need to be. If you want to stay, fine, stay. But you put us on a plane on Wednesday. At least make our needs a priority and let us go home.”

  I knew I had tears in my eyes. I knew what I was saying, that he could choose not to be with us, but I couldn’t stay there any longer. I couldn’t watch the man I knew and loved slowly dissolve into someone I despised and feared. I wanted to cut our losses and go, if his plan was to stay.

  He didn’t respond. He stood and took a few steps toward the door.

  My heart stuttered and I thought it would fall to the floor. He was walking out again. No! Damn it! No! My mind was screaming, but my voice barely came out as a whisper.

  “Miguel?”

  He stopped, but didn’t look back.

  I could hardly breathe. He was hurting me so much.

  “Miguel, please, send us home.”

  He turned his head, looking at me over his shoulder. For the first time since we arrived, I saw all his love in his eyes. I also saw tears. He silently nodded his head, and left the room without saying another word.