Edge of Love

by E. L. Todd

  “Hell yeah, you were.”

  I came back to her and laid my body on top of hers. “Let me make it up to you.”

  I moved down between her legs and pulled her knees apart. Before she could stop me, I kissed the area between her legs and felt the moisture on my tongue. She was already aroused. I just wanted to push her over the edge. I knew if we made love our fight would be over.

  She immediately began to moan. It was loud, but I didn’t care. If anything, I wanted my brother to hear me fucking her. I inserted my tongue inside of her then circled it around her clit. She reached out and grabbed my hair, twisting it in her fingertips.

  “Sean.”

  I smiled. Whatever anger she had was gone. Now she just wanted me to be inside her.

  “Sean.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Please.”

  I climbed back on top of her. “I thought you didn’t want to have sex?”

  “Please.”

  I turned my ear toward her. “Sorry, what?”

  “I hate you.”

  “And I love you.”

  I hate you and I’m still pissed at you, but you better make love to me.”

  I pressed my forehead against hers then looked into her eyes. She cupped my face then ran her fingers through my hair. I pressed my tip against her entrance and she moaned. After I kissed her forehead, I inserted myself within her slowly. Her moans grew louder as I moved within her. Her nails ran down my back as she tried to stay quiet. I felt the moisture between her legs.

  “Are you still mad?”

  “Yes.”

  I kissed her neck then trailed my lips to her ear. “I don’t believe you.”

  “Well, I am.”

  I thrust into her harder.

  “Sean.”

  “You don’t sound mad.”

  “Sean.”

  “Come for me.”

  She gripped my back and bit my shoulder, trying to keep her moans silent. “Yeah, Sean.” I felt her body tighten around me as she had her moment. I tried not to give into my own pleasure I was feeling while she had her bliss. But the sound of her calling my name made it difficult. When she leaned her head back, I knew it was my turn.

  I leaned back and rested on my ankles while I pulled her hips to me. I lifted her body and thrust into her hard, reaching my climax almost immediately. She gripped my forearms and bit her lip while I felt the explosion run through my body. The bed frame started to collide against the wall, but I didn’t care. I felt the sensation ignite then I felt myself come. I forced myself as deep inside of her as I possibly could, releasing myself within her. When I was done, I didn’t move. I took a moment to catch my breath while I stared at her. She sat up and licked the sweat from my chest. I loved it when she did this.

  I lied down and wrapped her in my arms, pulling her onto my chest. Her brown hair reached across my body and tickled my skin. She was already asleep by the time I became adjusted. I knew she would still be angry with me tomorrow, but I knew it had dimmed substantially after we made love. This was the first big fight that we had and I’m glad we survived it. I really wished I hadn’t said I was thankful we weren’t married. That was completely untrue. I wish we already were.

  6

  When I woke up the next morning, Scarlet was still asleep. Without making too much noise, I left the bed and jumped in the shower. After I was done getting ready for the day, I walked back into my bedroom and saw Scar still fast asleep. Perhaps she was just tired from the evening before. I kissed her on the forehead then left the room, deciding to head downstairs and get some breakfast. Hopefully, no one was awake yet.

  When I entered the kitchen, I smelled the sizzling bacon on the stove. The hot juice crackled as it exploded from the heat. My mom was sitting at the kitchen table with her back turned to me. She was talking on the phone. I walked over to the cooked bacon that was sitting on a warm plate. I started to eat a few pieces.

  “I miss you too, dear.” My mom leaned back in her chair then took a drink of her coffee. “If you ever need anything from us, please don’t hesitate to ask. You are still a daughter to me.”

  I had no idea who she was talking to, but I didn’t care. I opened a casserole dish and saw scrambled eggs mixed with cheese. Another dish had fresh hashbrowns. The sight of the food made my mouth water. Now I wish everyone was already awake so we could get breakfast started. I walked over to the coffeepot and poured myself a glass. I always liked to drink it black. Scarlet had to have more cream and sugar than coffee. I found it disgusting.

  “No, Sean hasn’t said anything yet. He doesn’t talk about you at all.” I felt my heart drop. There was no way she was talking to the person I thought she was talking to. It wasn’t possible. “Yes, Scarlet is here. Perhaps that’s why he won’t discuss it, Penny.”

  I felt my mind snap. Before I could stop myself, I tossed the coffee cup in the sink where it shattered into pieces then I grabbed the phone from my mother’s hand. My mom looked at me with a look of shock. “Penelope?”

  She was quiet for a moment. “Sean?”

  “WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING MY MOM?”

  She stuttered for a moment. “We still talk sometimes. What’s the big deal?”

  “Fuck off, Penelope. I mean it. Don’t call my parents again. You lost that right a long time ago.” Instead of hanging up the phone, I slammed it on the tile where it broke into tiny pieces. I glared at my mom. “Why are you talking to her? I’M NOT WITH PENELOPE ANYMORE. I’M WITH SCARLET! SCARLET!”

  My mom stepped back and held her hand to her chest. She had never seen me behave this way. I realized how crazy I was being, but I was too livid to care. I ran my hands through my hair and took a deep breath. I knew I needed to calm down before I woke up the entire house.

  My mom stared at me like I was a bomb ready to explode. “Dear—”

  “I asked Scarlet to marry me and she said yes.” The words were out before I could stop them. “I’m going to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her. Penelope isn’t coming back. We’re done.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re engaged?”

  “Yes.” I sighed. “The whole reason why we came down this weekend was to announce it. But you seem to care more about my reduced income and my breakup with Penelope.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “Well, congratulations, dear.”

  I stared at her. I could tell she didn’t mean a word she said. “Why don’t you like Scarlet?”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “Honey, your father and I love Scarlet like our own daughter.”

  “Then why don’t you want me to marry her?”

  She sighed. “I thought you were going to propose to Penelope?”

  “Well, I didn’t. I asked Scarlet instead.”

  “Is this just a rebound? Are you settling?”

  I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming again. “Of course not.”

  “Well, you just jumped from Penelope to Scarlet, and now you’re engaged. How long have you been together? Six months? You dated Penelope for years.”

  “No. I’ve been with Scarlet my whole life. I was just too stupid to realize it.”

  Her eyes softened. “I just don’t want you to make a mistake.”

  I shook my head. “Coming here was a mistake. I won’t make it again.”

  She grabbed my hand. “Please don’t act this way. I’m only looking out for you.”

  “It doesn’t seem like it.” I heard voices in the hall just outside the kitchen.

  My mom heard the voices too and her eyes widened. She picked up the broken pieces of the phone and shoved it into the garbage can. After she was done, she turned to me. “Let’s not let this episode ruin this weekend.”

  “I think it’s too late for that.”

  “And please don’t tell Scarlet what I said. I don’t want her to think I dislike her.”

  “Well, you obviously do.”

  She glared at me. “That isn’t true, Sean. I just don’t want you to hurt the girl
if you don’t love her.”

  It was my turn to glare at her. “I love her with my whole heart.” I turned away and left the kitchen. I saw Scarlet standing in the parlor with Mike. She was alone with him again, and it enraged me. I knew Mike would never seduce Scarlet no matter how hard he tried, but it still pissed me off. I had to protect her from this asshole.

  I didn’t look at her. “Stop this now.”

  He smiled triumphantly. “What? Trouble in paradise? So the sound of the headboard was just you jerking it?”

  I glared at my brother. “This needs to end. I’m sorry for what I did to you six years ago, but this vengeance needs to stop.”

  “That means I must be getting close.”

  Scarlet stepped away while we spoke. I could tell she was uncomfortable with this conversation.

  “The only way you will have Scarlet is if you rape her. I have no doubt about her commitment to me. Even if she was drunk she wouldn’t touch you. But I want this to end anyway. Let’s try to go back to what we were—brothers.

  Mike shook his head. “I have absolutely no interest in that.”

  I clenched my fists. “How long is this going to go on for? After Scarlet and I are married and have kids? Just get over it already.”

  My brother crossed his arms over his chest but didn’t speak.

  I stared at him. “You already slept with Penelope. What more do you want?”

  “But she didn’t break up with you, nor did you end the relationship. I will steal the love of your life just like you stole mine from me.”

  “You are pathetic.”

  “And you’re a piece of shit brother. You’ve never been family to me.”

  I said nothing. He’d done a lot of things to hurt me, but those words stung the most.

  “And I didn’t even have to try with Penelope. She crawled on top of me and started to ride me. I didn’t have to do anything. And I will fuck Scarlet—”

  I pushed my brother into the wall as hard as I could. The idea of him touching Scarlet sent me to the brink. I was livid that he discussed his rendezvous with Penelope, but referring to Scarlet is what set me off. I punched him in the face twice before he processed what was happening. My knuckles stung as I collided with his cheekbone. I felt the blood drip from my fingers.

  Scarlet stepped away and stayed clear from our fight. Mike pushed me back then slugged me in the nose. We used to play around when we were younger, but neither one of us were being playful now. I wanted to hurt Mike as much as possible. I knew he felt the same way. He pushed me against the wall and punched me in the ribs. The painting fell from the wall then crashed to the floor. I kicked Mike away then shoved him against the table across the room. The vase sitting on top toppled over and shattered on the ground. It was so loud that I couldn’t hear my own breathing. Mike punched me again and I returned with my own strike. He had blood dripping down his face, and I knew my face looked the same.

  Our father ran down the stairs when he heard us breaking down the house. “Boys! Knock it off!”

  My mom screamed. “Stop them, Andrew!”

  My father grabbed my shoulder but I pushed him back. Then I punched my brother in the chin.

  My mom screamed again. “STOP IT!”

  My dad tried to pull Mike away, but he was pushed against the door. There was too much bloodlust between us to abandon this fight. This wouldn’t be over until one of us was unconscious or dead. Mike grabbed my arm then kicked my knee, and I punched him in the side of the head.

  “Should we call the police?” my mom yelled. The fight was getting out of control. I saw mike search for a piece of shattered glass to stab me with it. I glanced at the back board of the painting and considered using it as a weapon. This wasn’t just a misunderstanding or an argument. We wanted to kill each other. I couldn’t care less that he was my brother.

  Scarlet’s voice broke my concentration. “Sean!”

  I blocked my brother’s punch, but I didn’t hit him again. Her voice steadied me like an alarm. She was frightened and scared, and that made me hesitate.

  “Sean, stop!” I obeyed her command without thinking. I stepped back. “Stop it.”

  I lowered my hands to my sides, surrendering. My brother looked like he was going to hit me again but he steadied his hand.

  “Babe, come here,” Scarlet said.

  I stepped toward Scarlet and looked at her. Blood was running into my eye and I wiped it away. She had tears in her eyes and the sight pained my heart. I didn’t mean to hurt her. She walked away then returned with a clean cloth. She started to wipe my face and clean the blood. We didn’t say anything to one another. I caught my breath while she attended to me. Looking into her eyes calmed me down. I kept my gaze focused on her beautiful face. When she cleaned all the blood away, she grabbed my face and kissed me lightly on the lips.

  I stared at her. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”

  I shook my head. “No. I owe him nothing.”

  She ran her fingers through my hair. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded.

  “Aspirin?”

  “I’m fine.”

  She wrapped her arms around me and held me close to her.

  I rested my head on top of hers and closed my eyes. “Are you still mad at me?”

  “Now I’m angrier.”

  I sighed. “Are you still marrying me?”

  “That will never change.”

  I grabbed her hand then moved her engagement ring to the appropriate finger. “I’ll be back in a little while.” I stepped away from her.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Out.” I walked away from her then opened the front door. I walked across the neat gardens of our house then headed towards the coast. The morning sun was shining down on me. It was so bright that I wished I had a pair of sunglasses. When I reached the beach, I stared out to the ocean at nothing in particular. This was the worst trip to my family estate. I don’t know how it got this bad. It just seemed to happen as soon as we arrived. My mother didn’t approve of my engagement to Scarlet because she assumed I didn’t really love her. Of course I did. I would die without Scarlet. Then my brother was being a complete jerk. I always thought my family was happy and united, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The only person I had any respect for was my father. Now I just wanted to announce our engagement, get it over with, and then leave. I didn’t want to be here. And I felt like an asshole for bringing Scarlet here. My family was her family. She didn’t have a mom to talk to or a father to care for her. I knew Ryan was the best substitute she could ever ask for, but it wasn’t always enough. I thought I could give that to her but obviously I couldn’t. Scarlet wouldn’t put up with this much longer. If she knew what my mother had said about her, she would probably call off the engagement altogether. And I would die.

  7

  Scarlet

  Diane cleaned the blood from Mike’s face before we sat down for breakfast. I thought we should wait for Sean, but I knew that was unrealistic. Who knows when he’ll return? I picked at my eggs and bacon but didn’t eat a whole lot. I had never been more uncomfortable with his family then I was now. Mike kept staring at me across the table, and his mom tried to make small talk. She was trying to act like we didn’t just witness a scene from Fight Club.

  I didn’t want to be here. I just wanted to go home. After hearing what his mother said about me, that she didn’t think Sean should marry me because I was just a rebound, I just wanted to go. The fact that she still talked to Penelope made me more upset. She never made an effort to be close to me. Even when she spoke to Sean on the phone, she never asked him to hand the phone over. I knew Penelope was beautiful and perfect, but why didn’t they care for me? They seemed to like me more as Sean’s friend, not his girlfriend.

  When we were almost finished, Sean appeared from the backdoor. He seemed calm after his time alone. I wished I had followed him. I could use some peace and quiet as well. He
washed his hands in the sink then sat beside me. I didn’t look at him as he moved his chair next to mine. He grabbed my face and kissed me hard, right in front of his family. Then he kissed me on the head.

  “Are you okay?”

  I nodded.

  He picked up his fork and started to eat from the table. His brother didn’t look at him, and Diane kept her gaze on her husband. To say it was awkward was an understatement. It felt like another fight could break out at any moment.

  Sean tapped his fork against the glass then cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make.”

  I felt my heart spasm in my chest. He really wanted to do this right now? The timing was completely inappropriate.

  “This weekend hasn’t gone as Scarlet and I planned, so we are just going to announce our news.” He held my hand on top of the table. “I asked Scarlet to marry me and she said yes. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

  Andrew’s eyes lit up with happiness. “Why didn’t you say something before?” He rose from his chair then clapped his hands. “One of my boys is finally getting married! This is wonderful.” Sean stood up and his father embraced him, patting him on the back. “I’m very happy for you, son.”

  “Thanks, dad.”

  Andrew came to me and hugged me tightly. “Now I have a daughter. Well, you already were but now it’s official.” He pulled away then kissed me on the cheek. “And a more perfect woman I could never find for my son.”

  I felt my cheeks blush at his words. I always loved his father. He always made me feel welcomed and appreciated. “Thank you.”

  He leaned closer to my ear. “When he starts to drive you insane, just call me. I’ll talk him down.”

  I laughed. “I will definitely take you up on that offer.” I pulled him to me and hugged him again. Sean was standing behind his father and our eyes met. He was smiling at me, pleased that his father was so supportive. When I pulled away, Diane was standing next to me.