The Mountains Trilogy (Boxed Set)

by Phoebe Alexander

  Adam had been openly gay since he was in college, but Sarah had never spent much time with him and his partners. It wasn’t that he was embarrassed or ashamed, it was that he’d always lived so far away. Sarah knew he had absolutely no reservations about introducing Brandon to his family; rather, he was thrilled to finally be making the trip, knowing Brandon would be embraced and accepted without question. She wondered if they had ever gained similar acceptance from Brandon’s family, remembering it had been a point of contention earlier in their relationship.

  “So, before we get back to the house,” Adam finally transitioned to a topic other than jobs and relatives in a deep, serious voice, “tell me what’s going on in your love life.”

  Sarah laughed knowing how much Adam enjoyed discussing their respective romantic relationships, and he always offered a unique perspective that neither her mother nor Rachel could provide. They’d dissected her relationship with James a million times by now. On the phone prior to his trip, she’d briefly shared that she was seeing someone new, choosing to save the juicy details for his visit.

  Long ago she and her brother had decided to be open with each other about their nontraditional views. No one was more supportive of her than Adam, and Sarah felt blessed to be able to share such a closeness with her brother. “Well,” she began to address his request, “I met someone in the show I did this summer. His name is Garrett Stone and he’s a-maze-ing!” she gushed, drawing out the syllables on the last word.

  “Wow! That’s awesome! And serendipitous, I’d imagine,” Adam said. “What makes him so amazing?”

  Sarah conjured up an image of her Navigator, letting it fill her mind and noting her body’s physical response to the thought of him. “He’s brilliant, intellectual, wildly talented, exceptionally open-minded and extremely attractive. And omigosh, you should hear him sing. His voice is breathtaking!”

  “So do we get to meet him?” Brandon piped up.

  “Sadly, no,” Sarah replied. “You’re only here for two days and he’s flown to Washington state to see his family for the holidays. He’ll be back right after Christmas.”

  “Wait!” Brandon interrupted, “Washington state? He’s from there?” His voice went up an entire octave with excitement as Sarah nodded. Brandon very assuredly decided: “Well, then he already gets my stamp of approval!”

  Sarah giggled at Brandon’s assessment. “I know you would both adore him,” she predicted. “He’s got the most magnetic, charismatic personality.”

  “Did you tell me on the phone that he’s getting his PhD?” Adam verified.

  “Yes, in Political Science,” Sarah answered. “At Johns Hopkins. Not too shabby, eh?” She felt warm thinking about Garrett’s compelling green eyes, his tattooed chest, his full lips and commanding presence. “I have a video of a dress rehearsal we can watch later,” she promised.

  “So, does this mean you’re over James?” Adam asked, never one to shy away from potentially uncomfortable questions.

  Sarah hesitated long enough for Adam to raise his eyebrows. “I’m going to take that as a ‘not exactly,’” he laughed.

  “Oh, it’s not like that,” Sarah insisted. “We still talk. We’re friends. His base was recently attacked and he was injured - not bad - he’s fine. But I was really worried about him. He comes back to Maryland in three months and...well...he wants to see me but I haven’t decided yet if I should.”

  “Is he one that got engaged?” Brandon asked, clearly familiar with this storyline.

  Adam laughed, “Oh, by the way, I tell Brandon everything.” He playfully patted his boyfriend on the knee.

  “I figured as much,” Sarah smiled, “and yes, Brandon, that’s him. I don’t want to interfere with his relationship when he gets back.”

  “He must have forgotten how beautiful you are,” Brandon gushed. “When he sees you again he’ll forget all about that other chick.”

  Sarah smiled graciously and brushed off his prophecy. I couldn’t even in my wildest dreams believe that, she thought. There’s just no way.

  ***

  Two days later Sarah was right back at the airport, this time with her mother and children in tow. Their family had enjoyed a wonderful early holiday celebration, exchanging gifts and feasting on all sorts of traditional Christmas goodies plus exotic culinary delights that Brandon, who was seemingly the male version of Martha Stewart, whipped up.

  The time had come to watch Owen climb aboard the plane with his uncle and head west to spend Christmas in Colorado with his father, stepmother and half-brother. Wanting to avoid an emotional scene that might disturb her son, Sarah had her Auto Pilot firmly engaged. Let’s just get through this, she thought, bracing herself. I want him to feel safe.

  Sarah walked with them as far as security and checked approximately a dozen times to make sure that Owen had everything he needed. Right before they got in line, Adam embraced her and whispered directly in her ear, “So, do you approve of Brandon?”

  Sarah smiled and whispered back, “Of course, he’s wonderful!” She squeezed a tear out of her eye and flicked it away with her finger. “I’m so happy for you, honey. Take good care of my baby this week, okay?”

  “Will do,” Adam promised. Brandon gave her a hug as well and thanked her for her hospitality. Meanwhile Sarah’s mother hugged Owen and told him to be polite, respectful, and to help out with his little brother.

  The moment to part had come. Sarah bent to eye level with Owen and grasped his small, freckled face in her hands. “Three things,” she told him, peering into the deep brown eyes that were mirrors of her own, “One, be good. Two, have fun. Three, I love you.”

  “I love you too, Mom,” he smiled, dimples showing. He looked ready for an adventure, his dark eyes shining with anticipation.

  Sarah fought back the tears as she watched them make their way in line toward the TSA agent. My little boy is growing up, she thought, watching him stay close to his uncle and keep a tight grip on his luggage. I hope he will always remember who he is and where he comes from.

  ***

  James had dumped most of the contents of the packages out on his bed. There had been shipments from his parents, both his sisters, Maggie and Sarah. Sheesh, you’d think it was Christmas or something, he mused, trying to sort out the food from the other things. The things his parents and sisters sent were mostly practical: socks, underwear, toiletries. Sarah sent snacks, candy and a journal and pens plus a couple of books. Maggie had made one of those stuffed animals that had her voice embedded with a message saying “Merry Christmas! I love you!” in her clear, bright voice. There was also a framed photo of her in front of his house surrounded by purple and yellow mums that her parents must have taken when they were visiting in the fall. His American flag was waving in the background from his porch.

  I feel blessed, he thought, seeing all the items spread out on his bed. His heart was full of love and gratitude, and he had set about composing emails to his parents and sister thanking them for their gifts when he noticed Sarah was online. Oh, it’d be so much nicer to thank her in real time, he thought, clicking on her Skype user name

  She was wearing pajamas and her glasses, her hair pulled to the side in a low ponytail. “Merry Christmas,” she said. “Did you get my package?”

  “Yes, yes, thank you so much; it was very thoughtful of you,” James said. She looks tired, he noted. The grainy image didn’t conceal the dark circles under her eyes. Maybe I’m just not used to seeing her without makeup anymore, he wondered. “Is everything okay?”

  When she moved a little closer to the webcam, he saw that her eyes were puffy and red. “Oh,” she answered, “I think I’m coming down with a bit of a cold.” She sniffled a little bit for emphasis.

  “Sorry to hear that,” he said. “How’s the family?”

  “They’re fine. Adam was here earlier in the week to pick Owen up and take him to see his father in Colorado,” Sarah replied. “So, it’s just us girls for Christmas.”

  “I see.
Are you doing okay without him?” James struggled with what to say. He knew it must be really difficult for Sarah to let Owen go during the holidays. “Are you spending Christmas with Rachel?”

  Sarah shook her head and bit her lip to avoid letting the threatening tears emerge. “She and Jack went to visit some of his family in Florida. You know, while they still can. She’s getting big.” She forced a laugh.

  “I bet she is one hell of a feisty pregnant chick,” James smiled. He held up the journal she’d sent. “This is going to be nice. There’s something really cathartic about writing things down the old-fashioned way.”

  She straightened her back and pushed the laptop further down her thighs so that it expanded his view of her. He could see her nipples pressing against the gray ribbed henley that clung to her torso. He suddenly had a flashback of burying his face between those glorious mounds of creamy flesh. And before he could stop himself, he had a vision of her perched atop his cock, her head thrown back, dark hair cascading across her round shoulders, rhythmically swaying her hips toward an orgasm. Oh, shit, where did that come from? he chided himself, searching for another direction to take the conversation.

  “I’m two thirds of the way done,” he finally said.

  Her eyebrows raised as if she was attempting to discern what that proclamation meant for her. “I know,” she finally responded, as if anything else would assume or reveal too much.

  “Sarah,” he said in almost a whisper, still unable to shake the image of her writhing in passion on top of him, “Am I going to see you when I get back?”

  She looked lost. “I really don’t know right now, James,” she answered. For some reason, he interpreted that as her nice way of saying no. It didn’t sound as ambivalent as she wanted it to.

  Really, why should I expect her to see me? It’s one thing to talk to me when I’m thousands of miles away, when she can’t be with me anyway. But when I’m 20 miles away and with Maggie it will be a different story. It could be for the best, not seeing her. Yet I still want to. I can’t really fathom not seeing her ever again.

  ***

  Christmas had been quiet. Uneventful. Abby had holed herself up in her room after the traditional, but requisitely sparse festivities. God knows what she’s doing up there, Sarah thought, shaking her head while she cleaned up the lunch dishes. Her mother had visited in the morning to watch Abby open her presents but left after their meal complaining of a headache and wanting to nap. Later in the afternoon, Sarah had spoken on the phone with Owen and it seemed he was having a delightful time in Colorado, which was confirmed by Adam in their subsequent conversation.

  Sounds like everyone is okay with having a quiet, low-key holiday except me, she thought with disappointment, mostly directed inward. She wanted to get some articles read for another literature review she was working on, but her heart wasn’t in it. Instead, she called Pawel, who had made it to DC the previous day and asked him if he wanted to move up their meeting to that night instead of waiting till the following day. He was all for it. Abby seemed relieved and asked to be dropped off at Chloe’s house on her mother’s way to meet Pawel.

  Sarah pressed the elevator button for the 8th floor on her way up to Pawel’s hotel room. I haven’t had sex in a hotel room since I was in Denver with James, she calculated. She had been feeling restless since Garrett had left to visit family; she’d gotten used to seeing him a couple of times a week. It’s only been five days now and I’m climbing the walls, she mused, thinking of his huge, throbbing cock sliding into her wanting wetness. Hopefully Pawel will be up for some play. She had been texting with Garrett earlier in the day and he was completely aware and supportive of her seeing her former lover. It’s nice when everything is out in the open and no one is jealous, she thought happily.

  She rapped a couple of times on the door and heard Pawel fumbling with the lock and chain. As soon as the door opened a few inches, she immediately caught sight of his kind, warm smile, his wise brown eyes peering through silver-framed glasses and his gray curls, which were shorter than she remembered. “Oh, darling! It’s so wonderful to see you!” he exclaimed, wasting no time drawing her into his arms.

  She pressed her lips against his and remembered what a calming, centering effect he had on her. “I can’t believe it’s been six months since I saw you,” she observed. “It seems like just yesterday.”

  He nodded, still smiling. He took her hand and gently pushed her a few feet away. “Let me have a look at you,” he said, his eyes traveling up and down her figure. “You look like you’ve lost weight!”

  Sarah laughed, “Yes, a little during the show. And Garrett keeps me on my toes. He’s got a lot of energy.” She winked.

  “So do I!” Pawel retorted with a grin. “For an old guy, anyway.” He chuckled and pushed Sarah back against the bed, tenaciously going to work on the button and zipper on her jeans.

  Sarah was shocked. Where is this assertiveness coming from? she wondered, remembering how passive and controlled Pawel had been when they were together the previous year. I guess his new lover has brought out something in him, some confidence, maybe?

  In seconds, Pawel had deftly unhooked her red and black lace bra and was cupping her ample breasts in his hands. “Mmmm, I am enjoying this dominant side of you, darling,” she murmured as she felt his tongue flick against her hardening nipple.

  “I thought you might,” he replied in a low growl, catching her nipple in his teeth and raking them against the swelling flesh. “I missed you so much...”

  “I missed you too,” she replied, running her fingers through his hair, holding his head against her chest as his other hand began to spread her thighs and journey toward her dampening slit.

  She laid before him, completely nude, her dark tresses spread around her face and across the white pillowcase. Pawel caressed her luscious curves before removing his own clothes in a few swift motions. “I have wanted to lie naked with you for...oh, I don’t know...just about six months now,” he confessed, sliding onto the bed next to her, turning on his side so that his erection pressed into her hip.

  Sarah rolled with her back toward him and she could feel his hardness pressing against her posterior. Pawel wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back into him so that he buried himself in the cleft of her cheeks. She felt his hot breath on her neck followed by soft bites along her hairline. There was something completely irresistible about feeling the exhalation of desire whispering across her skin, coupled with a rock hard cock pressed against her, aching to be inside her. She felt her body begin to tingle, moisture gathering between her thighs.

  He began thrusting into her backside and she lifted her hip and spread her leg attempting to give him access to her sex. But he was teasing her, rubbing the head of his cock so near her opening but not letting it push inside. “Oh, god, Pawel, you’re killing me!” She was nearly shaking from desire, needing to be filled.

  “Tell me you want me, Sarah,” Pawel whispered into her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine.

  She had no idea Pawel would have learned so much in the short time they were apart. He’s become quite the stud, Sarah thought, suddenly wishing he hadn’t moved away. Her mind explore what might have been if he’d had this attitude, this confidence when they were together before. “Pawel,” she moaned, “please, baby, please, I want you.”

  Satisfied with her response, he guided his cock into her eager, wanting sex, feeling her clamp down around him immediately. He began to move inside her slowly at first, but then shifted so that he was on his knees between her legs, Sarah remaining on her side as he buried himself deep inside her again and again, building both speed and intensity. She felt the familiar sensations bubbling up inside of her, ready to spill over, sending waves crashing through her body.

  Feeling the spasms begin was too much for Pawel to resist; he could no longer hold back. “Oh God, Sarah,” he moaned, his accent thick before some garbled Polish spilled out. She felt the contractions of his orgasm inside of her
as her own climax subsided.

  Afterwards she lay in his arms and they talked about anything and everything as if they’d never been apart. The comfort, the familiarity was so intense, Sarah wanted to cry thinking about how lucky she was to know this beautiful man lying beside her. Nothing would ever convince her that higher powers didn’t bring the perfect people into one’s life to bless, enrich, and foster growth.

  “So,” Pawel transitioned from one subject to another, “tell me what’s going on with your kids and their...what is the colloquialism...baby daddies?”

  Sarah almost spit, she laughed so hard at Pawel’s attempt at the popular vernacular. She had to calm herself down before she could think about sharing any details to satisfy his curiosity. Naturally, she also wondered about the motives behind this line of questioning, knowing Pawel quite well enough to realize that he was wanting to delve deeper into the psychological issues surrounding Sarah’s reluctance to allow her “baby daddies” access to her children.

  “Well, you know that Owen is with his father in Colorado right now,” Sarah began. “And I’ve come to terms with it…and the fact that Daniel is going to be a part of his life going forward. As for Abigail and her father, well, I have asked her to wait until she’s 18 to pursue contact with him.”

  “I see,” Pawel said, mulling her words over. “What’s the harm in Abby contacting him now? You don’t even know if he will respond.”

  Sarah sat up and drew her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs and closing off her body, making herself impenetrable. “Honestly, Pawel, I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “You don’t want her to get hurt or don’t want YOU to get hurt?” he asked, raising his eyebrow and patting her gently on the knee.