Troubled Hearts

by Jolie Cain

  Katherine couldn’t hide what she’d seen. “Abby, I … I heard you talking to Clay just then.”

  Abby blushed. “Oh, lord. And I can just imagine what you’re thinking, but it’s not what you think. At least, well, not exactly. Sit down, Katherine.”

  Katherine and Abby sat in the chairs they’d occupied earlier and Abby sat still as if searching for the right words. She laughed. “This is funny. I’m a writer and I can’t figure out how to tell you this. So I’m just going to say it, and I hope that you won’t think any less of me because of it. You see, well, Jack and Clay and I had a … er … ménage, you know, … a … umm … three-way, … uh … about a month ago.” Her face was as red as a lobster as she stumbled through her confession. “It was Jack’s idea,” she explained at the surprised look on Katherine’s face. “He suggested it. He and Clay had done it before and, well, I agreed. I liked it, Katherine. A lot. And Jack and I plan to do it again. Just with Clay, though.” Katherine didn’t say anything. The moment dragged out. “Well, this is a bit awkward, isn’t it? Are you … are you ashamed of me? Disgusted? Envious? What?”

  Katherine paused for a moment and thought of her own particular sexual preferences. She didn’t exactly enjoy a “typical” vanilla sex life herself. She’d even considered a ménage before. It was just so shocking to her that her baby sister had a bit of a wild side. Abby’s sex life had previously been pretty bland, at least according to the things she had told her over the course of the last few years.

  “Katherine? Can’t you even talk to me? Look at me?”

  Katherine was jerked out of her reverie by the sound of her sister’s voice. “No. Abby. No, it’s okay. Really.” She reached for the hand Abby had clenched on the tabletop. “Whatever you and Jack want to do in the privacy of your bedroom is fine. Fine.” She emphasized. “And nothing, nothing that you can do would shock or disgust me. Ever. I love you. You’re my sister. I’m just a bit … surprised. You’ve always been so … I don’t know … so…”

  “Boring? Bland? Humdrum?” Abby laughed, obviously relieved that she had not irreparably damaged her relationship with her sister. “Yes. That was B.J. Before Jack. Hah! Gives a whole new meaning to the initials B.J., doesn’t it?”

  Katherine tried to contain the chuckle but couldn’t. “God, Abby, you’re something else.”

  “So we’re okay?” The questioning note in Abby’s voice spurred Katherine into giving her sister a quick hug.

  “Very okay, Abby. In fact, better than we’ve ever been before. I feel like we’re finally getting close, like sisters are supposed to be.

  “All right. Now,” she said as she pulled back and brushed away the tears that threatened to overflow, “let’s eat.”

  * * * *

  Later that afternoon, Clay asked to see the bracelet, and Katherine ran upstairs to where she had hidden it. She dug around in the drawer and found the box. Grabbing it, she took it back down to Clay. He pulled it out and set it on the coffee table in the living room. “Does this bracelet and the charms have any significance for you at all?”

  She shook her head. “None. I’ve thought and thought. The only thing is that they seem to be meant for a much younger girl. I’ve thought that from the beginning. I mean, charm bracelets are something you get in high school.”

  A thoughtful look came over Clay’s face. “Hmm. That’s an interesting point. I wonder what that might mean? I agree with you. I certainly wouldn’t choose a charm bracelet as a gift for a woman I was interested in. You’re right, it seems a bit … well, juvenile.” He stood and pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call some of my guys and see if they could do a search on the gifts. The charms and charm bracelets had to be purchased somewhere. Also, I’ll have them see if there have been any other crimes—stalking, rape, murder—where charms and charm bracelets figured in the M.O.”

  He walked across the room to make his call, and Abby and Katherine stayed on the couch, speculating about the possible identity of the stalker.

  By the time Clay had finished his call, Beau had arrived back home. He crossed over to Katherine and dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head. Then he ran his hand through Abby’s hair and pulled it, drawing an irritated growl from her.

  “What’s up, guys?” He sank down next to Katherine and threw an arm around her shoulder.

  Clay spoke up. “I’ve just called my boys and asked them to do some research into the charms and charm bracelets in general. Something Katherine said made me think that that might be the clue to our stalker.”

  “Good. Anything that helps us locate this guy is fine with me.”

  “I’m going to go talk to the police, see if I can get them to take this all a bit more seriously. Abby, do you want a ride home?”

  Abby stood. “Yeah, I need to get back to the house. Jack will be wondering where I am.”

  The sisters hugged goodbye.

  After Clay and Abby had left, Beau looked at Katherine. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

  “Actually, pretty good. I mean, I didn’t love being cooped up here all day, but at least Clay and Abby kept me company.”

  “Good. You know that whatever we have to do, we’ll do to keep you safe, don’t you?”

  “I know, Beau.” Katherine snuggled up next to him.

  “Well, I figured you’d be feeling a bit antsy, that’s why I arranged to have a gourmet meal delivered tonight. I thought a nice romantic dinner for two would be just the thing to make up for your being stuck in the house all day.”

  “Oh, Beau. What a great idea.”

  “So,” he gave her a sweetly passionate kiss, “I want you to take that gorgeous tushy up to the master bath and soak in some bubbles. Get yourself into your sexiest outfit and get ready for the most sensuous night of your life. And that’s an order.” He smiled. “I’ve even got a special surprise for later. Something from your naughty little list of things you’d like to try.”

  She shivered at the husky edge to his voice when he added that last little bit.

  Katherine wasted no time in doing as he said. Racing up the stairs, she ran a hot tub full of bubbles and spent thirty minutes soaking in the soothing water. When she got out, she toweled dry and then smoothed some vanilla scented lotion down her legs and over her arms, leaving her limbs silky smooth to the touch. She hadn’t brought a whole lot of sexy clothes with her, but she found a deep green slip dress that she thought would do the trick. She stepped into a lacy green thong and then slid the dress over her head, reveling in the way it felt against her skin. She brushed her hair until it fanned around her shoulders like a glistening stream of molten lava. Three-inch heels in black leather completed the outfit.

  *

  When Beau saw her coming down the staircase, his heart stuttered in his chest. He strode forward to grasp her hand and pull her against him as she reached the last step. He ducked his head to nuzzle against her neck, drawing in a deep breath at the sweet smell of vanilla mixed with Katherine’s own musk. “God, you smell delicious. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off you long enough to get you fed.”

  She pushed him away with a laugh. “Well, you’d better, because I’m starving. Just the promise of that gourmet meal has my mouth watering.”

  He grinned and pulled her arm through his. “Well, then, right this way, my lady. Your dinner awaits.”

  He escorted her into the dining room where the table had been set with simple elegance. Two place settings were placed together at the end of the long table, and candlelight gave the room a delicate glow. Beau escorted her to her place and helped her into her seat before sinking into his own. He raised a small bell and rang it. When Katherine’s eyes rose in surprise, he whispered, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, baby.”

  At that moment, a somberly clad man entered the room carrying a silver-covered tray. “Your first course, sir.”

  “Thank you, Louis. Just set it there. We’ll serve ourselves.”

  “Very good, Mr. Dalton.”

&n
bsp; After depositing the dish on the table, the man left. Beau proceeded to uncork the bottle of champagne that had been chilling in a bucket beside the table and offered a silent toast to Katherine. She sipped her drink, her eyes never leaving his. He smiled and lifted the cover from the tray, and a delicious aroma rose into the air. The whole meal passed in a dreamlike haze, with each bite of the delicious food and each sip of the sparkling champagne adding to the romantic mood.

  When they had finished eating, Beau stood and escorted Katherine out onto the deck where they danced to some slow steamy jazz. Pulling her tightly against him, Beau swayed gently from side to side. Katherine’s body was molded against his, and he knew that she could feel the hardness of his erection pressing solidly against her hip. He began leaving a trail of soft kisses down the side of her throat, and let his hands drift down her back to cup her buttocks and lift her more firmly against him. She moaned softly and arched into him. As they continued to move across the deck, her hand curled around his neck and her fingers sank into the hair that covered his collar. His hands tightened with pleasure on her skin as he felt her lips brush over his chin and across his cheek. He barely suppressed a shiver when her teeth fastened in delicate savagery around his earlobe and her tongue darted into the sensitive interior. Fastening his mouth over hers, he took control of her lips, pressing them wide as his tongue plundered the moist interior. Her tongue tangled with his in an erotic duel that had them both breathing harder, and he could feel himself sinking deeper and deeper into the passion that had him in its grasp.

  “God you are so beautiful. So passionate.” His hands reached up to pull hers from around his neck and press them behind her back where he took them both into the grasp of one of his. Arched back as she was, her breasts were forced up, and he bent his head to taste the delicious offering. As he dropped hard, stinging kisses across the tops of her breasts, his free hand came up to push the slim strap from one arm and bare her breast. Her nipple was already tightly furled, and he smiled with pleasure before his head bent to pull the pink tip into his hot mouth. Strongly sucking the nipple, Beau relished the moans that emerged from Katherine’s parted lips and the way her hips bucked up into his. He caught the nipple between his teeth and pulled, rolling the point against the sharp edge, and Katherine cried out. He released the tip and leaned back, avidly taking in the sight of her held captive in his arms, her eyes heavy-lidded and her moist lips parted. The beaded nipple wet and tempting, eagerly pressing toward him as if begging for more of the pleasure he’d just bestowed upon it.

  “Sir?” His avid perusal was interrupted by a voice from the open doorway.

  Making no attempt to cover Katherine’s nudity, he turned them slightly so that the man at the door had a clear view. “Yes, Louis?”

  Katherine’s eyes fluttered, and Beau knew she had realized how on display her body was at that moment, but Beau didn’t even look down at her, his attention focused on the man to whom he was speaking. Louis’s own eyes had widened as he took in the sight of Katherine’s bare chest and aroused expression.

  “I … ah, I just wanted to let you know that everything was taken care of. I’m about to leave, sir.”

  “Yes, Louis. Thank you. Your money and the tip are in the envelope on the counter next to the telephone.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” From the gleam in Louis’s eyes, Beau knew he was thanking him for more than the payment, and he flashed Louis a goodbye grin before turning back to Katherine.

  Her face was flushed red. “My God, Beau, how could you let him see me like this?”

  Beau was watching her closely. He could tell that, although she was a bit embarrassed, she was also aroused. “Sweetheart, you think I don’t know what an exhibitionist you are? That night on the beach? When that guy watched us, you loved it. And you’re excited now at the thought that Louis saw you half-naked and responsive in my arms. And believe me, baby, I’m more than happy to indulge you in this little fetish of yours.”

  She bit her lip and then smiled shyly at having this secret discovered.

  “In fact, I would have asked him to stay and watch even more, but I have other plans for us tonight. Come, let’s take this upstairs to my bedroom.”

  Chapter Twelve

  As they climbed the stairs, Beau paused every few steps to kiss and caress her, and she became more and more excited with each embrace. They finally reached Beau’s bedroom, and she let him lead her across to his bed, where he turned her to face away from him.

  He quickly stripped her until she was completely nude. Then he tugged her onto his lap as he sat on the side of the bed, and she leaned back so she could feel the hard wall of his chest against her. His hands reached up to cup her breasts, squeezing and releasing, pulling on the tips, and she had to bite her lips to keep from moaning aloud from the pleasure. The wind from the Gulf blew the filmy curtains until they appeared to be wispy clouds, lending the whole scene an aura of unreality. With the doors to the balcony wide open and the lights off, Katherine could easily see the blurred outline of houses and glimmering lights in the distance from the ships as they made their slow, steady way farther into the Gulf waters.

  Nuzzling her hair aside, Beau’s lips caressed a steady line up the side of her neck, sending ripples of delight straight to her core. Then his hands began a lingering exploration down her body and over her quivering belly, pausing to delicately explore her navel before moving lower. She moaned out her disappointment as he slid his hands past her aching pussy and down to her thighs. He separated her knees, spreading his own apart and pulling hers wider and wider. Somehow she couldn’t summon even a small quiver of embarrassment at the way she sprawled in his lap like a wanton. She felt one of his hands return to her breasts, squeezing and squeezing until the points tightened to hard buttons and her head tilted back to rest helplessly against his chest. The only sounds she could hear were her own harsh breaths echoing in the dark room.

  His other hand slid back up her thigh, and she couldn’t hold back a moan when he began to tease the slick pussy that was held wide open for his pleasure. When his finger dipped into her hot opening, gathering the moisture there, she moaned again and her eyes drifted closed. Again and again, his finger probed that tender opening while she arched her back and tried to shove his finger deeper with each thrust. His thumb began pressing against her clit, circling and rubbing, and Katherine was soon panting, straining towards climax. Before she could reach that pinnacle, however, a noise at the open doors caught her attention, and she looked up. Rachel stood framed in the doorway avidly absorbing the scene before her. When her eyes met Katherine’s, she licked her lips before her gaze fell again to where Beau’s fingers were buried in her aching pussy.

  Katherine jerked in protest and reached down to pull Beau’s hand from her body, trying to close her legs at the same time. “Don’t.” He released her long enough to grab her wrists and twist them behind her back, grasping them together with one hand.

  “Beau, I’m not ready…”

  “Quiet!” His command stopped her words immediately. “Look at her. She wants you. You want her, too. I could tell from the way you were looking at her at the engagement party. She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” As he spoke, Rachel reached up, untied the bow at the nape of her neck, and her dress fell in a puddle at her feet. She stood before them, nude except for a pair of high heels.

  Katherine couldn’t stop herself from studying her, mesmerized, lingering on her rounded breasts and the thatch of blonde hair at the apex of her thighs.

  “Ever since I saw on your list that you’d like to try sex with another woman, it’s been on my mind. When I saw your reaction to her at the party and hers to you, I knew that it would be perfect. I want to watch her bring you to climax. To see her sucking on your tits. To see your tongue tracing over her clit. And you want it, too. Admit it.”

  Katherine swallowed hard but couldn’t deny that he was right. She nodded. “Good girl.”

  Rachel moved forward with measured ste
ps until she stood between Kat’s outspread thighs. Sinking to her knees, she smiled into Katherine’s eyes. Beau’s erection pressed rigidly against her back as he responded to the eroticism of the scene playing itself out before him. His hand again reached around to cup her breast, squeezing the nipple until it once more stood stiffly out from Katherine’s breast. Rachel’s eyes followed Beau’s fingers, and she licked her lips.

  “Here, taste her.” His hand lifted Katherine’s breast toward Rachel, and she bent to dart a quick lick across the aroused tip. Katherine shuddered and gasped, pressing forward into the caress. Another gentle lick had her moaning in protest, and Beau laughed softly. “Come now, no more teasing, Rachel. Kat wants you to suck her, don’t you, Kat?”

  Katherine just sat there gazing into Rachel’s eyes. His grip on her wrists tightened almost painfully. “Don’t you? Tell her. Tell her to suck your nipple.”

  Katherine’s eyes closed once, twice. Then she heard herself speak as if from a distance. “Yes, suck my nipple. Please.”

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Rachel bent her head and captured the erect tip between her teeth, lightly tugging for a moment before pulling it into her mouth and sucking on it strongly, just as Katherine had requested. Katherine cried out from the pleasure of the tugs.

  “God, that’s gorgeous.” Beau whispered the words in her ear. Rachel’s teeth caught the nipple and bit down, not quite hard enough to hurt, and Katherine tugged on her hands. Beau released them, and Katherine reached out to clasp her hands around Rachel’s head. Then Rachel turned her attention to her other breast, and Beau’s hand dropped back down to play between Katherine’s spread thighs, strumming over her clitoris again and again. Katherine couldn’t take it. “Oh, God, please. Please, I need to cum.” But Beau just laughed darkly.

  “Not until I say, kitten.”

  Rachel raised up, the nipple leaving her mouth with a soft pop. Then she looked down to where Beau’s fingers were stroking Katherine to a tense state of arousal. Her hands pushed Katherine’s thighs apart even wider and her head bent. She placed her thumbs on either side of Katherine’s pussy and pulled the lips apart, exposing the reddened bud of her clit and the wet glistening cunt. Her eyes lit up and, after one final look into Katherine’s eyes, she bent her head down to draw her tongue across Katherine’s pussy with a delicate swipe. As she became engrossed in her task, her tongue began flaying Katherine’s clit again and again, and her finger slid smoothly up into Katherine’s hot tunnel, joining Beau’s finger that was already there. In unison, they began pumping their fingers in and out, in and out, as Katherine’s hips rose to meet each motion. Her mind had completely shut down and she surrendered to the strange embrace in which she found herself. Nothing mattered but the pleasure they were giving her eager body.