Josie pointed to the yard and bounced in Miguel’s arms. “Me fire uck, daddy.”
“You just remember that the marine bought ya the dump truck and it’s much better.” Brett tousled Josie’s hair and laughed as he turned to follow me inside.
I chuckled. He was such a big kid sometimes. Then again, maybe he was puffing up his chest in front of Miguel. It was hard to tell.
“Okay, buddy, let’s go see if we can crush that dump truck or not,” Miguel said playfully, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
I laughed out loud. Miguel unexpectedly teased Brett back, causing him to pause his steps, his mouth open wide, wondering how it happened. I’m sure he had fifty come back lines, but decided to act surprised, instead.
After Miguel and Josie walked off hand in hand, Brett and I shared a quiet laugh and went inside, shutting the door behind us.
“Well, honey, our baby’s all grown up.” He sighed and looked at me with puppy dog eyes.
I shook my head. “You are such a dork!”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
We stopped and looked at each other. We’d both said it before, but to put it into words, especially at a time like this, made it more real.
Grinning, I pulled his hand, leading him into the kitchen.
“If that’s true, then I think you should have to let me prove it to you with my body.” It was an endless battle, but I never stopped trying, regardless of the situation.
“Mmm, temptin’. Sooo temptin’.”
“Okay, fine, party pooper. Instead, you get to take me to pick up the food.”
“You’re okay leavin’ them?”
“Well, the two guys are out front. I think I believe what he told me last night. It makes sense, overall. Besides, he needs to be with Josie, and Josie needs him.”
Brett’s smile faltered, the sadness in his eyes showing that he was worried about losing us after all.
“So, yeah, you’re going to take me to pick up their food and I’m going to give you a blow job while you drive.”
It was the only thing I could think of to change the subject and cheer him up. I knew he wouldn’t let me do it, but the look on his face was well worth it. I thought if we stood there any longer, I’d start to see drool come out of his mouth.
********
Dinner actually went well. It was odd having Brett and Miguel at the same table, but Josie didn’t give us a minute to consider it. He chatted nonstop, and made a complete mess out of his pizza. It was in his hair, his nose, everywhere. After he finished feeding every body part he had, Miguel took him upstairs and gave him a bath before dressing him for bed. Then the two of them spent some time in Josie’s room playing and reading books, while Brett and I stayed downstairs, doing our own thing, and giving them time together.
I felt torn. Miguel and I had always done things like that together. Then, Brett and I did it together. I wasn’t sure with whom I was supposed to do it, now. Unable to decide, I let it go and decided to watch a movie and relax.
It was 9:30 when Miguel came back downstairs.
“Well, he’s all tucked…” He stopped midsentence and stared at Brett and me.
I didn’t know why until I realized what he saw. My head was lying in Brett’s lap, and his arm was resting on my hip, his fingers softly brushing back and forth over my jeans. It wasn’t unusual. We’d been living in such close proximity for months, it was second nature for us to cuddle together.
“Sorry I interrupted. I’m going to go now. I’ll see you guys on Friday. Thanks again.” He rushed his words, turning to leave before I could respond.
Great, now what should I do? Rush after him? Let him leave upset?
“Go talk to him, Mel. It’s a lot to take in,” Brett whispered.
It still made me mad when someone was sympathetic toward Miguel after all I went through because of him, but he was right.
“Ugh, okay.” I got up and started leave, then noticed the sad look return to Brett’s eyes.
Damn, I just couldn’t win. No matter what I did, one of them would be hurt. I never wanted to be in this situation. Now, once again, I didn’t have a choice.
Taking the few steps back to Brett, I leaned over, tenderly giving him a small kiss.
“I’ll be back in a few,” I whispered against his lips, getting the reaction I’d hoped for.
He smiled and nodded his head, telling me to hurry up before he changed his mind.
When I left the living room, I turned the corner, and saw Miguel already shutting the door. Sprinting to catch up, I grabbed the doorknob, slipping through before he could fully close it.
“Wait. Can we talk?”
I pulled the door shut behind us and moved to the stairs beside him.
“I suppose so.” He looked like his dog had just been run over.
“It’s not what you think. Well, not exactly.”
“Mel, you don’t have to explain. I’ll accept whatever it is, just as long as you’re happy.”
That did it. I broke down, crying again. I could make a profession out of this.
“Don’t cry, please, honey.” Miguel moved over and wrapped his arms around me.
I didn’t push him away. Half of me soaked it up. It had been so long. He used to be everything to me. The other half screamed at the top of her lungs to kick him and move away. I was screwed!
He must have noticed my inner turmoil, because he pulled back, taking my hand in his, as he led me to the steps.
“Here, sit down for a minute.” He directed me, and I followed his lead this time, as we positioned ourselves side by side on the top step.
I didn’t want to hurt him, but I wanted him to understand too. “Miguel, I had nobody. I was so scared. You need to know he never tried to seduce me.” I purposely left out how I begged Brett for sex and seduced him. “We’ve been together 24 hours a day, for more almost seven months now. We’re best friends, and he is extremely close to Josie. He has held me so many times and just let me cry. When I was weak, he held me up. When I was scared, he protected me. I had no one!” I sobbed after my last word.
“I understand, Mel. I really do.” I could see the pain in his eyes as I watched him through my tears. “I don’t like it, it kills me, I won’t lie. I never thought I’d have to see another man touch you. But please, believe me, if he makes you happy, and is what you need now, I’ll step back and be happy for you.”
I couldn’t speak, my words were lost somewhere in my head. I didn’t know what to think or feel. I couldn’t stand the thought of letting Miguel down, yet at the same time, I never wanted to hurt Brett after all we’d been through.
“Listen,” he said, pulling me under his arm. “We’ll figure this out. The three of us. Or four, if you count Josiah. A lot has happened, and as long as I can be in his life and we can be on friendly terms, it’ll all work itself out.”
I nodded my head and wiped my tears away.
How it could work out, I had no clue. But it was all I could hope for. There was no figuring it out right now.
Taking a deep breath, he looked out at his car.
“I guess I better get going. I have a couple job interviews in the morning.”
“Why?”
“I lost my job during all this. They didn’t wait to find out the truth, and said it was bad publicity for the university. So, I’m on to new things, I guess.”
“I’m sorry, Miguel. I know you loved that job.”
Shaking his head, he stood, and looked down at me. “The job meant nothing, Mel. It’s what I came home to every day that meant everything to me.”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. I was glad, because I didn’t know how to. He leaned over, cupping my cheek in his palm, and kissed the top of my head. Just like he always used to do.
“I’ll see you Friday, right?” He stepped away, taking a few steps backward, as he made his way toward his car.
“Yeah. We need to work something out so you can see him more than that though.”
> “We’ll talk about it then. Okay?”
I got the feeling he had information overload too.
“Okay.”
“Goodnight,” he said and got inside his car.
“‘Night,” I whispered, and watched him leave.
CHAPTER 41
The next 2 months went by extremely fast. Joan and I had expos we set up and maintained for five of the eight weekends. Miguel was able to find a new job at a research facility, and rented a small condo nearby. When he wasn’t working, he would take Josie or come to my house to watch him when I had to work or just to give me a break. Although we were able to fall into a friendlier pattern, he was increasingly more aggressive about getting me back. I didn’t know what to do. When I was with Brett, I was happy and carefree. Josie loved him and we maintained our relationship without any effort. It was becoming more of a struggle not to do anything more sexual though. Not just physically, but Brett wanted and needed to know where he stood. His assignment to watch over me was coming to an end soon, and that would change our options greatly. When I was with Miguel, and watched him with Josie, I remembered all the good times we had. All we shared, and the family we created. Of course, Josie loved his daddy and hated it when he’d leave. In those moments, I felt like it was my fault our family was broken, and I wanted to fix it for Josie’s sake.
It wasn’t until yesterday that I really felt the pressure to figure it out. Miguel was keeping Josie for two days, so after Brett and I ate dinner together, I excused myself to go take a quick shower. I had done a lot of cleaning and organizing at work during the day, trying to get the shop back together after all the chaos of the expos, and couldn’t wait any longer for the hot water waiting upstairs.
After finishing my shower, I wrapped up in a towel, and went to my bedroom to put lotion on. I had one leg hiked up on the bed, the other supporting me underneath, when I heard a knock on the door, and someone enter behind me. Knowing that we were far beyond a “Come in” announcement, I didn’t think anything of it, until I remembered my lack of clothing. I’m pretty sure that with my leg up and the towel pulled high on my thigh, he could see all the way to my, well, you know.
Hearing a gasp, I looked over my shoulder and saw Brett’s mouth fall open, the look of disbelief crossing his face, as he dropped the large, brown envelope he was carrying. He quickly crossed the room, coming up behind me, and leaned over my body.
Inhaling deeply, I savored his rich woodsy scent mixing with my clean, vanilla aroma, as I arched back into him and sighed. He reached forward, picked up the bottle of lotion from the bed in front of us, and squeezed a good amount in his hands, rubbing them together, before sliding them down my leg. He gently massaged and worked the cream into my skin as my heart began to race. We didn’t speak, but I think we both knew that something had to give. Between the two of us, one was always trying to get the other to succumb. Desperation would have been a kind word to describe how we felt.
Leaning my head back onto his shoulder, I closed my eyes, and dissolved into his simmering tranquility. His hands continued working their way higher up my leg, awakening every desire I’d hidden and pushed aside for months. His fingers tenderly kneaded and rubbed. His palms flattened, and spread the lotion over and under. I was lost in him, lost in his touch, when he paused and took a step back, removing his body from mine.
“Stand up, Mel,” he whispered hoarsely.
Still in his trance, I did as he said, obediently lowering my leg to the floor. Opening my eyes, I watched his hands reach around my front. Very delicately, he untucked and released the towel, allowing it to fall and pool at my feet.
“Don’t move yet, princess,” he whispered, pulling his arms out of view, and stood behind my now naked body.
Acutely aware of the cool air blowing against my skin, my body was on fire, sensing his eyes burning with lust behind me.
“Lift your hair for me.”
Knowing how exposed I was, and feeling the rush of desperate need deep inside, I couldn’t breathe. Yet, there was nothing I’d ever deny this man. Fighting the desire to turn around, I raised my arms, gathering my wet hair, and holding it above my head.
The sound of his breath being sucked in between his teeth echoed through the room. Straining to listen, I wished I could hear his thoughts as his feet slowly moved to my side.
His steps were agonizingly slow, his body gradually appearing in the corner of my eye. Realizing he was out of arms reach, about three feet away, I watched him as he silently admired my body.
My breasts were lifted high from the position I was in and I noticed how rapidly my chest was rising and falling, as I contemplated what to do or say. He wasn’t making eye contact. His gaze was riveted to my body, which was open, fully displayed for his admiration.
He took a couple more small steps, bringing his body directly in front of mine. There were no words to describe the look in his eyes. Ravenous, yearning, reverence, and need all paled in comparison to what I saw. In all my life, I’d never stood like that in front of anyone. I was naked, motionless, silent, and surprisingly, turned on by his actions. As if his eyes were physically touching every part of my body, a trail of fire followed, tingling the flesh, and creating a rush of anticipation inside.
Completing a full circle, he came to a stop behind me again. His hands found mine on top of my head and he lifted my fingers, allowing my hair to spill down my back. Lacing his fingers through mine, he lowered our arms, wrapping them around my front, and bringing our bodies together. I felt the scruff along his chin as he curved his head over my shoulder, the light stubble shooting goose bumps down my body.
“You are perfect, Mel.” He kissed my neck. “Too perfect for any words.”
I found that hard to believe, considering I’d already had a child, and my lack of daily exercise, but there was no way I was going to argue about that right then.
“Thank you,” I whispered, pressing my back further into his front, and reveling in the hardness between his legs.
“Lie down, sweetheart,” he said, releasing my arms.
Without hesitation, I crawled onto the bed and lay on my back, anxiously watching the intensity play across his face. Following my example, he joined me on the bed, and sat on his knees, settling his body between my legs. I could faintly hear his breath, his chest rapidly expanding and deflating, as he tried to regulate his breathing.
He reached for the lotion, his movements slow, but powerfully enticing. I saw a hint of his underlying grin trying to break through, creating a flurry of butterflies in my stomach. I knew what he was capable of, I remembered how far he pushed my body months ago, and when he began spreading the scented cream up my untouched leg, I thought I might fall apart just from that simple touch.
His hands were firm, yet unrushed, as he methodically worked circles along my leg. From my calves, to my knees, he expertly maneuvered. Gliding higher, his hands separated, gently pressing against each of my inner thighs. My body quivered as I answered his silent request. Extending my legs, I exposed myself completely before him.
Swallowing hard, his face filled with determination, and he began repeating the circular massage. This time, his thumbs delicately brushed close to my core, my body fully trembling in response, as his fingers gripped the top of my thighs.
Bringing his eyes to mine, he whispered, “I want you… so bad… Mel.” He struggled to speak the words, his breath catching in his throat.
It had been so long since he’d touched me, too long since he’d created a passion in my body like none I’d ever known before. With the touch of his hands and the look in his eyes, I could feel the wetness growing between my folds. I begged him with my eyes. I had used words so many times before, and had been turned down. There were no words left to say that he hadn’t already heard. I knew the look I had would say it all.
“Are you sure?” He asked softly, stopping all movements.
All I could do was nod my head yes.
He stood, quickly removing his clothes, a
nd hurried to the door to lock it. Josie wasn’t home, but I assumed he wasn’t taking any chances with other security men around the house.
I stared unabashedly at his naked body, his stride graceful, yet strong, as he moved the few steps. His piercings were candy I wanted to taste, his tattoos were targets I wanted to grab on to. He was already hard, and the length of him pointed directly at me as he returned to the bed. Drinking him in, I licked my lips, trying to calm the throbs that were flaring inside. I was beyond excited to finally be with him again.
He climbed back up and lay down beside me. Using one hand, he reached over, his fingers lightly tracing the form of my breasts, then my nipples, drawing circles around them and causing them to pucker more. With the tip of his finger, he brushed across the top of one nipple, before reaching over and touching the other, causing shockwaves to shoot down and flood my womb.
Lifting his gaze to mine, his mouth quirked, and his sexy, devious grin returned.
“We need to be quiet this time. I am still on the job ya know.”
“I’ll do my best,” I whispered, biting my lip.
He chuckled, then started kissing a path from my neck down to my breasts.
Rolling his naked body over mine, I reached around his back, sliding my hands down his muscular from, and settling them on his ass. I wanted this so bad. It was difficult to go slow, but Brett was in no hurry. He was taking his time with each breast, while using his other hand to slide up and down my body, as if exploring and memorizing every curve.
Navigating upward again, he sucked and nibbled every inch of skin he crossed, as he finally made his way up my body and to my lips. With a quick nip to my bottom lip, he pulled back and looked into my eyes, lovingly expressing all his feelings without a sound.
I could feel the length of him, hard and ready, lying on the skin above my mound. I wanted, no, needed, him more than ever before. As if in silent agreement that we’d waited long enough, o ur mouths met and slowly explored each other’s. Our kiss was breathtaking, filled with love, passion, and desire. Its intensity was enough to bring me to my knees. We didn’t rush. We prolonged every touch, every action, indulging in what we’d denied ourselves for so long.
Twisted Truths & Leveled Lies Page 38
