by Mia Ford
“We can go whenever you are done staring,” Jeff said.
Sputtering in embarrassment, Suzie drove off. Jeff found his phone and learned Jared was late. They walked into the apartment in silence. Suzie paced around checking her phone to hear an update from Jared. Suzie sat on the couch trying to relax.
“I’m going to shower,” Jeff said. Suzie nodded in acknowledgement.
In the meantime, the phone rang and it was the restaurant saying their food was ready. She arranged for it to be delivered and called Jared. Unfortunately, there was more bad news and he would be two hours still. He asked her to wait for him.
“I am pretty tired. I might be asleep before you get here,” Jane said quietly.
“So go crawl into my bed and sleep. I miss you and really want you there when I get home. Please,” Jared asked sweetly.
As Suzie agreed to stay, Jeff came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. Walking over to the couch, he stood in front of her. As she choked a goodbye to Jared she envisioned pulling the towel off Jeff. Just a quick tug was all it would take.
“What are you doing?” she asked him.
“It might not look like much but you are sitting on my bed. My clothes are right behind you,” Jeff said with a smirk.
Suzie shrieked and jumped up, bumping into Jeff as she tried to get past him. She walked into the kitchen for a drink of water. A minute later, a knock on the door brought food and Jeff answered wearing jeans, but otherwise still naked. Food made Suzie feel a bit saner and gave a distraction from Jeff’s naked chest and stomach. This Jeff stuff had to stop, she wanted Jared and that was that. Jeff had asked her something and was waiting for an answer. She had to ask him to repeat himself.
“So, tell me a bit about Laura,” he asked.
“What happened to Candy?” she replied to his question with a question.
“Come on, you met her,” he laughed. “She was hardly worth the effort.”
“So you are looking for a girlfriend while you are here?” Suzie asked. “What’s your type?”
“More like a distraction,” Jeff replied gruffly. “My brother’s girlfriend keeps taunting me with compromising positions and since he loves her, I would be an asshole if I did not at least try to resist her turning me on. Hopefully Laura can release some of this pent-up frustration for me.”
His frankness and accusing her filled her with rage and she threw her water across the table at him and jumped up. Startled, he staggered back from the table, dripping from head to toe.
“Me taunting you! You kissed me,” Suzie said, pointing her finger at him in accusation.
“I thought you said nothing happened,” Jeff said, still dripping.
Suzie grabbed a towel and brought it to him, wiping the floor when he was done wiping himself. Her breathing slowed and panic subsided. “We cannot tell Jared.”
Shaking, she turned away from him and went to clean up the table. Her appetite was gone and she felt exhausted. Jeff grabbed her arm and turned her to him. At his touch, she felt energized and alert.
“I said I wouldn’t tell him. So stop whatever it is you are doing. What is this?” Jeff said.
“Stop what? I am not doing anything. I’ve tried to stay away from you yet here you are again, touching me.”
“You’re tempting me. Sending mixed signals. Shaking your amazing body around me. The laughing and teasing. I cannot resist it. And it’s pissing me off. Any other girl, I would have made mine and the one driving me crazy is the one my brother is in love with.”
Suzie opened her mouth to speak. She wanted to defend herself, to insist she had been sending no signals at all but she knew it was a lie. Though she had not consciously thought about it, there were signals exploding between her and Jeff. She felt it too. And her body moved in desire for Jeff. But she couldn’t. A quiet moan escaped her mouth and she took a step toward Jeff. She intended to excuse herself to Jared’s room so they could both catch their breath.
Jeff moved to follow her when his phone rang. Seeing a text from Jared, he tided the food and table instead of following her to the bedroom. Suzie sat down on Jared’s bed looking into the next room through the small crack she had left the door open. She pretended to sleep while Jeff cleaned up and Jared came home. He came in and kissed her, showered and changed while she still pretended she was sleeping. After his shower, Jared, also shirtless sat beside his brother. Suzie looked at them both, desired them both.
Suzie woke up when Jared came to bed. He wrapped his arms around her and they talked about their day. Jared was exhausted, and holding her tight fell fast asleep. Suzie, on the other hand, could not sleep. She was full of disappointment in herself; so unsure what to do or what was really happening.
It was the other lie that was eating away at Suzie. It was true that she had lied to Jared about what happened that day. There was another lie though. The lie she had been telling herself. The other lie was that she didn’t like it and it was completely untrue because she liked it a lot and wanted more of it. Since seeing Jeff paint, having him touch her, kiss her; she wanted more of it. Rubbing herself gently she moaned in pleasure remembering her interaction with Jeff and imagining it had gone a bit further. As she wiggled and touched herself, she aroused Jared and he began to use his hands, all over her. Suzie kissed Jared, trying to emulate the kiss she had with Jeff, and then giving in to panicked desire she cried out. Whispering quietly to her afterwards, Jared thanked her for staying with him. Finally, they both fell asleep.
In the morning, Suzie was up early and felt refreshed. She got up and made breakfast and coffee. Jared joined her and set the table, made them a bagged-lunch and worked alongside Suzie, both smiling happily. Jeff woke up surly and disengaged. He ate nothing but toast and drank black coffee, complaining there was no newspaper to read. Eventually he muttered something about lovebirds and took his coffee to the couch by himself.
At work Suzie was faced with completing a report for her first committee meeting which was later in the week. She was allowed to choose an associate to partner with on the project and had chosen Laura because she thought it would give her someone to talk to, make the project more fun. But of course all she wanted to do was talk about Jeff.
“Is he seeing anyone, do you know?” she asked. When Suzie replied that he was not, Laura continued with a giddy voice. “I totally got the vibe like he was interested yesterday but he didn’t try anything. He said he might text me but nothing yet. Was he sending signals? He is so gorgeous!”
“Signals seem to be a common problem,” Suzie said, feeling lightheaded.
“What?” Laura asked.
“I think that’s a song,” Suzie added, saying the first thing that came to her mind. Eager to get back to work, Suzie changed the subject; she did not like Laura with Jeff at all. Her jealousy made her even more impatient with herself. A few minutes later, Jared came in and asked Suzie to come to his office. They left the door open and sat across from each other at his desk.
“This is way too formal, move your chair over to me,” Jared said.
“No I have to get back to work right away anyway. I am sure this is better from a policy standpoint,” Suzie replied.
“You are so cute when you quote policy. I wanted to steal you away a minute because I have to go away for a few days. Just till the weekend and then we will have some fun,” Jared explained.
“Why do you have to go? Never mind I know why, I just feel safer when you are around,” Suzie said.
“Nothing to be worried about, it will go by fast. It came up quite suddenly and I will try to get back sooner. Will you stay in my bedroom while I am gone?” Jared asked.
Quiet for a moment, Suzie finally said, “Why would I stay at your house with your brother while you are gone?”
“I like you in my bed. Never mind. I forget you guys don’t know each other as well as I know you. Will you spend some time with him while I am gone? He does not know anyone here and I know he came partly to spend some time with me. I kind of
feel bad.”
“Quit trying to fix everyone. He will be fine,” Suzie said to reassure Jared.
“You’re right. He will probably bring home a different girl each night I am gone,” Jared said with a laugh. “Jeff is never alone for long.”
“Yeah he seems to have his sights on Laura,” Suzie said and she let herself relax.
“He told me,” Jared said. “I would prefer not though because we work with Laura. Jeff always leaves things messy.”
“Why?” Suzie asked.
“He doesn’t do long term and women can’t seem to get enough of him,” Jared replied with a laugh.
“Typical guy can’t handle commitment. Maybe you have been around him too much lately, you are always off somewhere. Starting to crave a similar life?” Suzie asked. Yawning she shook her head. “That came out wrong. Go get going, call me when you get there.”
“Yeah ok. Keep an eye on Jeff for me, please. And I will call you later,” Jared said. “Love you.”
Suzie agreed and said goodbye before getting back to work. If she avoided Jeff it would be an easy few days but Jared wanted them together. So after work, she picked Jeff up from work and they went out to eat. Afterwards, she went home expecting to shower and spend the evening watching re-run television. She had to meet with the committee in two days to give an update to the project and unwinding in a hot shower was exactly what she planned.
Letting the hot water drip all over her body, Suzie was relishing the long shower with no obligations. The water dulled the Jared/Jeff battle going on within her and she simply stood under the hot steamy water for what seemed a long while. When she finally got out, the bathroom was full of fog. She must have been in there for longer than she thought. She wrapped herself in a towel and opened the door. Strangely it seemed like the fog had leaked out of the bathroom and into the hallway. Upon taking a breath though, Suzie realized it was smoke, not fog. She choked. The thick smoke was coming from her kitchen. Choking, she felt with her hands until she could find the fire extinguisher. She began spraying down the flames in the kitchen. (She hadn’t remembered turning on the tea kettle and had no idea how that dish cloth had gotten there. She was never this confused.) The smoke first increased and then decreased substantially. Suzie opened a window and slumped down onto the floor.
Sitting in her towel, unsure what to do, Suzie answered the phone when it rang. It was Jared and she absentmindedly spoke of her accident and the fire. Immediately he called Jeff and sent him over. He begged Jeff to take care of Suzie for him until he could get there. Jared reassured Suzie and she encouraged him to stay where he was and get the job done. Of course she did not remember any of it, she was still in a daze. Jeff arrived to a smoky apartment and Suzie wrapped in a towel, in a daze on the floor.
He walked over to her, touching her bare shoulders. “Are you okay?”
No response.
“Let’s get you out of here then,” Jeff said. “What the hell happened?” he asked as he picked her up in his arms.
The towel she was wearing loosened as he held her and her breasts almost burst out of the top of her towel. Jeff slowly eyed her toweled body in his arms especially her breasts, smooth and inviting. She smelled like smoke but still looked amazing. And the trick she could do where her touch ignited his every sense and drove him wild, yeah that. She could still do that just fine. Jeff shook his head reminding himself he was being inappropriate. This was his brother’s girlfriend.
Finally, he decided he would pack her in the car as is and bring her to Jared’s. It was what Jared wanted anyway. Suzie fell asleep on the way to Jared’s house, the towel slipping further as she slumped over. Before he drove away, Jeff stared. It would be a small tug and she would be completely naked, and he wanted to see her breasts, those teasingly full creamy breasts. This temptation was getting ridiculous. Slapping himself he started the vehicle and drove away, forcing himself to look at the road. Trying to take command of his self-control, he focused his mind on getting her back to Jared’s and into bed without ravishing her. When they got across town to Jared’s apartment, Jeff nudged Suzie awake. He did not trust himself to carry her up the elevator and into the apartment. It was too much touching and Jeff might not be able to stop himself.
Suzie stretched and looked around. She vaguely remembered the fire and talking to Jared. How did she get here? She looked over at Jeff who was staring out the window, and would glance in her direction periodically. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something. It was a small car and she was so close she could smell him. She saw his face, his muscles tight with tension and she looked down, realizing she was in a towel. She got out of the vehicle and started walking in her bare feet, walking away from Jared’s apartment.
“Jared is not here. I have to go back to my house and make sure everything is okay. It is time to go home,” she said when Jeff followed her.
“You have to stay here,” Jeff said, but he didn’t mean it. Her staying there and acting weird was too much. He did not need extra contact with her. He wanted her and without Jared around, well he always gave into his desires. Gently he nudged her shoulders towards the apartment and she complied, following him up to Jared’s apartment.
Still in nothing but a towel, Suzie went to have a shower, again. The hot water washed the smoke and burning smell from her body and hair. Feeling it wash away, Suzie was starting to warm up and wake up out of her daze. She had no clothes to change into. She had to go back to her house for clothes and to assess the damage. That could wait until the morning but what about tonight? Jeff was in the other room and the tension between them was obvious. Ever since she had secretly admitted to herself that she wanted Jeff, and yearned for another kiss and more, she had been in a bit of a daze and now she seemed to have set herself up to be alone, with the other brother, without clothes. It seemed funny at the moment and Suzie released her anxiety with a laugh. Deciding to stay out of her head for a while, Suzie found the only towel in the bathroom and wrapped it around herself. When she returned to the living room, Jeff’s mouth dropped at the sight of her in a tiny towel.
“Now what am I supposed to do? I did not bring any clean clothes.” Suzie wiggled a little, accentuating her curves in her barely there towel. She liked flirting with Jeff especially when she caught him by surprise. She took a step closer to him and debated touching him. Jared being gone and the crazy way he carried her out of her burned apartment took away her abashment and she let herself have a proper look at him. Allowing herself release from holding back her feelings she stared into the depth of his dark eyes. Her eyes roamed down his neck, thick shoulders and tight chest. She wanted his shirt off him. Her eyes moved downward and stopped on the bulge in his jeans. She cocked her head to the side and her lips parted. She bit her tongue and moved her gaze back to his eyes. Her patience drove him wild and furious. He was almost vibrating yet stayed as still as Suzie. They wanted each other; neither could deny it any longer. And, fate, coincidence, call it what you will, kept bringing them together. At a stand-off, neither of them wanted to make the first move.
Jeff finally just walked away, stepping quickly to the fridge and grabbing a beer. He opened it and drank it down in two long swallows. Feeling less parched yet realizing that drinking was not a good solution, Jeff sighed and leaned against the counter. Twenty different outcomes were racing through his mind and none of them were good. He was in his brother’s house supposed to be taking care of his brother’s girlfriend and his mind was on one thing only. He wanted to take care of Suzie alright, he wanted to take care of her breasts, her lips, and help her out of that constricting towel. Damn he hoped she’d put some clothes on. He and his brothers had fought over girls before but never him and Jared. Usually they had a very different taste in women but Suzie was so enticing, Jeff did not know if he could resist. Against better judgement he grabbed more beer and sat down on the couch. He turned the television on as a distraction and turned it to some football game he could pretend he was watching.
; A few minutes later Suzie, walked through the living room into the kitchen. She was wearing an oversized sweater that reached her knees. It was black with a stylized J on it and Jeff recognized it immediately; it was his sweater. Jared had won it in a stupid dare years ago when the two brothers had spent more time together. In fact, it was the only time they had fought over a girl. Jared got the sweater, Jeff got the girl. He would have been better off keeping the sweater. This day just got weirder and weirder. Jeff had hoped she would have changed into Jared’s clothes, thereby being a constant reminder to him that she was off limits. What was he kidding though; at this point he wanted her regardless of consequences.
Suzie walked into the living room and steered away from the couch. Instead she sat beside it on an oversized recliner. Cupping her hands around the hot mug, she sipped her coffee.
“I brought you a beer,” Jeff said.
“I will have it after I warm up. Thanks,” Suzie replied. The tip of her tongue slid through her lips as she spoke and she continued to stare at him with her milky blue eyes.
“Beer and coffee is a weird combination,” Jeff said, his voice low and gruff.
“I am a weird girl,” she replied quietly.
“It has been a weird day,” Jeff added, then he turned back to his football game.
Suzie watched him while he was focused on his game. His long arms stretched out in front of him and his big hands lay on top of one another. The hands of an artist. She ached to see him paint again, wanted to probe that man’s mind and explore his body. He was so different from the man she saw now, engrossed in some football game. It was though he hid behind this tough guy because he was not admitting the artist he truly was. Suzie wondered where his painting was and if he had finished. Jeff looked over at her and caught her staring at him.
“It is only going to get weirder if you just stare at me all night and don’t say anything,” Jeff said.
