by Mia Ford
“Hi,” she said.
“Hey,” he replied and looked down at the stove; he adjusted the knobs and walked out of the room.
Suzie let out the breath she was holding and slowly made her way over to the fridge. She opened it and poured a glass of juice. When she saw an open bottle of rye on the counter, she splashed some in. Taking a taste, she decided to add another splash. When she looked up, Jeff was in the doorway, still shirtless but now wearing jeans. Suzie froze in place staring at his chest, rye bottle still in hand.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he walked over to his meal cooking on the stove. He mixed and added as she replied.
“Oh. Can I please have some of your rye?” Suzie asked and then pressed her lips together.
“Have whatever you want,” he replied, not looking up from his cooking.
Suzie stood and watched him, unsure what to do or say. After setting the rye down, she leaned back against the counter and watched him cook. She loved watching him move, how his bulky muscled body moved so gracefully. As he cooked she was reminded of seeing him paint and her breathing deepened.
“Is there something else you want?” he asked her, his dark eyes searching her face and body.
“I don’t know,” she said quietly.
Setting down his cooking tools he walked over to her. His eyes did not leave her eyes and seemed to pierce her. Slowly he pressed closer and closer into her until he bent down and pressed his lips to her, tasting her. She opened her mouth in a gasp and he pushed inside it with his tongue and lavished her with his hands. Then quickly he pulled away and turned around.
“You might want to figure it out,” he said and he focused his attention again on the fragrant food he was preparing.
“This isn’t…this is.” Suzie took a breath.
“Taste this,” Jeff said and put a spoonful of something in her mouth. It was hot and flavorful and Suzie closed her eyes and moaned.
“Mmm. What is that?” she asked.
“Supper. Where’s Jared?” Jeff looked at her. She didn’t speak. “Don’t look at me like that when I say his name. He is my brother. My TWIN brother and this is his home, his kitchen, his woman.”
He slammed down the spoon he was mixing and turned to her in anger. Breathing in long gasps he opened his mouth to speak multiple times but said nothing. Instead he shook his head.
“That’s why he can’t know,” she said quietly.
“I don’t keep secrets from Jared. Plus, you’re all wrong for him. This whole situation is getting out of hand,” Jeff growled.
“So where does that leave us?” Suzie asked him, shuffling towards him slightly. The smell of him was drawing her in.
He stepped closer to her, the air electrifying around them. He put his hands on her arms, his eyes on her chest; moving his gaze up her bare neck, to her lips, and resting on her eyes. Suzie struggled to touch him and he held her arms tighter, grunting as he held her with his body. A trembled sigh slipped past her lips and she froze.
Pulling her closer he moved to her lips and spoke in a whisper, “I still want you.”
She kissed him and he pulled back tauntingly, still holding her arms. Wriggling, she pressed against him with a moan and breathing her in, he kissed her deep and hard. Tasting his lips fully, she manipulated her trapped hands pressed between their two bodies. She worked at his belt and then touched him through his pants. His jeans stiffening at her touch, she gently rubbed him. With a growl, Jeff moved his hands to her waist, relaxing into her touch. Suddenly Suzie smelled burning and stopped. As she looked toward the smell, Jeff sprang over to the stove.
“Shit. The rice.” He pulled the pot off the stove and opened the window. Then he looked at the clock, swore again and pulled out a new pot and new rice ingredients. Looking over at her he scowled. “You’re trouble. Jared and Laura are going to walk in and I’ll be like ‘Hey supper is not ready yet because I burned the rice. I wasn’t paying attention because Suzie’s hands were on my cock.’”
“Hey.” Suzie wanted to be angry at his outburst but it turned her on and she knew she was in trouble.
Jeff could see the lust in her eyes so he continued, this time teasingly. “Yeah, I will say ‘Thanks for coming Laura. You’re a good distraction from undressing my brother’s girlfriend with my eyes. Every time I look at her I want her naked and on top of me so at least I have something else to look at.’”
Biting her lip she reached out and ran her hands down his naked chest. “You might want to put on a shirt before anyone gets here,” was all she managed to say.
He moved closer and her hands lingered on his stomach. Then she moved them up his chest and touched his bristly face. She pulled him to her and kissed him hard pushing her chest into him. Growling, he grabbed her tightly. This time Suzie stopped him.
“You need to get a shirt. I will make more rice.” Before he protested she pushed him out of the kitchen. When he returned, she was measuring out the rice and he wrapped his arms around her, cupping her breasts.
“If I am near you, I am going to touch you,” he said as he kissed her neck from behind.
Setting the timer for the rice she turned to face him. “We have to stay away from each other,” she said but did not move.
“Okay that’s fine when this job is done and I leave here, but right now I want you. Are you going to get out of here or should I?” he asked her directly.
“I will leave. I have to find somewhere else to live. I have to get away from you two.” She spoke softly and got right in his face, her lips grazing his. “Until then I will try to keep my hands off you.”
When she didn’t move he put his hands on her and kissed her again. “The problem is,” he said, breathing deeply. “I want your hands on me. And if I tell Jared, then I get what I want.”
“YOU will NOT tell him or I will never speak to you again.” She shuddered at the thought and punched his chest.
“That is not fair,” Jeff said and he quietly backed away and went back to his cooking. She could tell he was angry and she didn’t know what to do.
“Sorry” she said. And he looked at her for a long while. She stood there for another minute before leaving the room, retreating to regroup.
When the knock came on the door a few minutes later, Suzie was oddly relieved it was Laura alone.
“I thought you were coming with Jared,” Suzie said.
“Change of plan. Jared got held up with something and I was ready to go. So I figured I would keep you company. I haven’t seen much of you lately so we can have some girl time, though I guess Jeff will be home soon.” Laura winked.
“He is already here. He is making supper actually,” Suzie said, trying to keep her face neutral.
It did not matter though because Laura was out of her seat mumbling something about getting those drinks and headed into the kitchen. Suzie took a moment to compose herself. What the heck was she doing here? She could hear Laura flirt with Jeff in the kitchen and she seethed with anger, forcing herself to stay in the living room and do nothing. While she sat frozen with uncertainty, Jared arrived home. Mechanically she got up and kissed him on the cheek. He asked her to take the food to the kitchen so she did. She had to step between Laura and Jeff to put the food in the fridge. As she closed the door Jeff squeezed her bum, she whirled around to give him a look but his eyes were on her chest. Then just as quickly he was back to serving up supper, he was not going to make this easy on her.
“Why don’t you girls go set the table and open the wine and I will bring everything in when it’s ready.” Jeff smiled at them.
Jared walked into the kitchen and slapped Jeff on the back. “This smells awesome Jeff, I have missed your cooking. And now we can bring take out for lunch tomorrow. Score!”
“I know right. Now let’s go dine with those gorgeous women,” Jeff said.
“We’re ready,” both girls said in unison.
Jeff and Jared brought the food in and it was delicious. They all talked and ate and aft
er the second glass of wine Suzie began to forget the weirdness. Then Jared kissed her neck. She looked at Jeff and he locked eyes with her. Laura was talking to him and put her hand on his thigh to get his attention. Suzie got frustrated and brushed Jared off standing up suddenly.
“Excuse me,” she said and walked away from the table. She went to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face and get a grip. When she returned, they were done eating and she cleared the table off leaving them in their happy conversation. Jared came in and kissed her asking if she needed a hand. She declined and he commented that Laura and Jeff seem to be getting along well. Suzie snapped at Jared and then apologized. She told him she was just tired and not in a people mood.
“You can go to my room if you need some time to yourself,” Jared said backing away and giving her some space.
“No, it’s not just that. I can’t live here. I need my own space,” Suzie said more forcefully than she intended. Jared looked hurt.
“You mean you don’t want to live with me?” Jared asked.
Suzie didn’t answer right away and then said quietly, “No, I am sorry.”
“Sorry, you do not have to be sorry. With the fire and everything you might feel pushed. It just felt right to me. I love you and want you near me,” Jared said with big round eyes.
“I know,” Suzie said and then considered her words. “I just need some space.”
“Well, what is that supposed to mean?” Jared asked, his voice rising.
“Shh,” Suzie said.
“You picked a hell of a time to talk about it with Laura and my brother in the other room.”
“Well you don’t talk about anything; you just decide what is best for me without talking to me about it. We never discussed moving in together. Why are we rushing this?” Suzie said.
Jared opened his mouth to speak when Laura entered and interrupted.
“Sorry, Suzie can I talk to you a minute, walk me out,” Laura said and she linked arms with Suzie and pulled her away. “Bye Jared, bye Jeff,” she said on her way out.
“Hey are you alright?” Laura asked Suzie when they had stepped outside. “What was that about?”
“He decided I would live with him, because of the fire,” Suzie started, aggressively. “I don’t want to live here. I want my own space.”
“Okay, well tomorrow is Friday are you coming in to work?” she asked.
“No,” Suzie replied.
“Great. It is my Friday off. I will pick you up here in the morning and we will go apartment shopping. Maybe get in some clothes shopping as well. We need you to get feeling back to yourself,” Laura insisted.
“Sorry,” Suzie said.
“Don’t say sorry to me. I might think you are crazy but what do I know. Something is obviously bothering you and if it is as simple as having your own space, let’s fix that tomorrow,” Laura said kindly.
“Thanks.” Suzie hugged Laura. “You are a good friend.”
“No problem,” Laura said as she turned to go. “Let’s just get it all done in the day time because Jeff might want to get together tomorrow.”
“Don’t hold out hope for might. Wait for one of the good guys who can commit to you,” Suzie said.
“Kinda the opposite of what you are doing isn’t it? Laura asked then said, “See you tomorrow Suzie. You’ll be okay tonight?”
“Yeah thanks, bye.” Suzie watched Laura for a moment feeling like a rotten friend. As she walked back inside she heard raised voices.
“What do you know about it?” Jared shouted.
“Of course. Jared knows everything. Get over yourself bro,” Jeff shouted back.
Suzie ran into the room and shouted, “Stop it!” They both looked at her. “What are you doing?” she asked Jeff but Jared answered.
“Nothing. Jeff thinks he has all the answers as usual, and is being a prick,” Jared said angrily.
“Prick!” Jeff said. “You have no idea.” He stepped closer to his brother looking fierce.
“Ooh, little brother Jeff is trying to scare me,” Jared mocked.
Jeff’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Suzie and then back at Jared; he opened his mouth to speak. Suzie stepped between them and put a hand on each of their chests.
“Please stop,” she said, head to the floor, one hand moving down to the rippled abs of each twin. Both guys took a deep breath and looked at Suzie’s hand. Jared took it in his own hand and kissed it.
“Okay,” he said and pulled her in for a hug. “Sorry, sweetie. I am sorry. We should talk. Or you rest but no more of this. Okay?”
They walked together to his room where, more calm now she explained kindly that she just wasn’t ready for that level of commitment and would need more time to think about it. She thought it would be better for their relationship if she had her own space. In the end, he nodded and wished her a good day with Laura. He accepted that she was not ready yet and promised her it was okay to slow down. What else could he do?
Suzie got up early and snuck out of bed without disturbing Jared. She was feeling guilty about the argument Jeff and Jared had and yearned to know the whole conversation that had gone on. It was not her intention to play either of them and she felt horrible knowing the damage had already been done. Deciding to make them breakfast to alleviate the guilt, she found enough ingredients to make bacon, eggs and pancakes. Working and humming quietly to herself she brewed coffee and set up to feed her guys right at the island where she was cooking. That way she could flip pancakes fresh while they were eating. As the bacon started to cook, the coffee was ready and the kitchen was warm with delicious smells. Following his nose, Jeff stumbled into the kitchen bleary eyed, in rumpled boxers.
“What are you doing woman?” he asked her, rubbing his eyes.
She poured him a cup of coffee and directed him to sit across from her. Instead, he walked around to where she was cooking. Without touching or looking at her he checked out the stove and turned the temperatures down a notch. Before she could protest, Jeff got down on his knees in front of her. He split open her robe until he found the skin of her thighs. Feeling softly with his fingers he opened the robe wider until his face fit inside. Holding her thighs in his hands, he kissed her moving slowly up to her navel, tracing the outline of her belly button with his tongue. Then slowly, inch by inch he kissed her and sucked her skin; stopping at the spot she pushed into his mouth. Letting her control the rhythm he licked and caressed her as she rubbed herself on his mouth. Finally, in waves of pleasure, she covered her mouth and moaned in relief.
Her legs trembled and Jeff still held them, slowly reversing the motions he had just made until he was standing beside her. She was breathing hard and looking at him, at his mouth. Moving in to kiss him, she looked at the clock. Jeff quickly kissed her lips and whispered, “Don’t burn the bacon.” And he walked out.
Regaining her composure while cooking, Suzie prepared the pancakes. The bacon was turned to low and ready to go and the eggs would be ready in minutes. She poured the first of the pancake batter as Jared walked into the kitchen. He walked over and kissed her and then sat where she set his coffee. In her mind, Suzie felt both horrible and happy with herself. Jared’s gentle kiss and friendly conversation and Jeff’s sexual prowess, she wanted both. She would never admit it to anyone else but in her perfect world she could have both of them. In the real world, she was glad Laura would be there soon so she could get away for a while.
Turning away from Jared to get plates, Suzie felt wetness between her legs and bit her lip in arousal. Jeff walked in at that moment, fully dressed and caught the look of desire on Suzie’s face. Smiling, he focused instead on his brother.
“Listen. Sorry if I was an ass last night. I will be out of your hair soon,” he said as he sat down beside Jared.
“No worries. You always tell it like it is. I trust you; I just don’t always like what you say,” Jared said calmly. “It’s nice having you here but I am sure you are eager to go back to your home and life.”
“Yeah,” Jeff said and took a big drink of black coffee. Suzie filled their plates with eggs, bacon and pancakes and then turned to grab condiments. Then she went back to cooking, the process helping keep her mouth shut and her eyes off the two brothers chatting over breakfast.
Laura arrived and Suzie said goodbye, kissing Jared quickly. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her friend and said enthusiastically, “Let’s go find me somewhere to live.”
“Okay. But I still think you are crazy for not wanting to live there with Jared,” Laura said. “You have been acting weird lately and if I noticed, you know it’s bad.”
They were driving to their first appointment of the day. Laura had arranged to meet the realtor at the new condo buildings right near their office. Suzie figured they would be out of her price range but was eager to find somewhere to live. After looking at three rental options, Suzie was happy with a small main floor of a house. It was old but quaint and felt comfy. Suzie felt better already knowing she had space to make her own. Unfortunately, she could not move in until the following week but she was not going to let that dampen her spirits. Laura was happy her friend was feeling better and they went for lunch and then clothes shopping. Finally, after a full day, Laura dropped her off at Jared’s and went home.
The downside to the day had been hearing Laura talk about Jeff. Laura was really hoping he would call and seemed to really like him. Suzie was surprised at how jealous that made her feel and knew she would have to make her mind up soon. Back at Jared’s apartment she tidied up and waited for one of her men to arrive home. Jared arrived first and told her that Jeff had a few days before his project could continue, so he went home for a long weekend and would be back next week. Suzie felt sadness that Jeff had not told her himself, or insisted she come away with him. Silly fantasies, she knew.
