Carnal: Pierced and Inked

by Simone Sowood

  Knox

  I’m standing in the female aisle of the drug store, trying to decipher Avery’s list. How are there so many different types of things? Things I know nothing about, and don’t fucking want to know anything about.

  I chuck five of everything on her list in the cart. The more I buy now, the less often I have to come to this aisle. It’s the mystery aisle as far as I’m concerned. I don’t belong here. Next time I’m going to shop online.

  On the way home, I pull my prized possession, my ’62 Thunderbird that I restored myself, into the best diner in town. I order a stack of pancakes and two stacks of waffles along with a mountain of bacon to go.

  I wonder what else Piper would want. It’s hard to keep up with her likes these days. Or Avery. I should get her some fruit salad or something. Fuck it.

  When I get home, I enter the house through the back door, straight into the kitchen.

  Dropping all the drug store bags on the floor, I set the two bags of food on the counter. Piper wants waffles, bacon and lots of syrup. I load up her plate and take it to her in the living room.

  Avery appears by my side, and says, “Something smells good.”

  “Waffles and pancakes. Want some?”

  “Hell, yeah. But I smell bacon, is there some for me?”

  I point to the bag with the bacon in it. “Help yourself.”

  While I lay out a plate for Piper, Avery rips open the bacon bag. Her nose turns up at the contents. What was she expecting?

  “Is this all?”

  “All what?”

  “All the bacon you got?” she asks, snarling.

  “There’s tons there.”

  “It’s for three people.”

  Avery picks up a crispy piece and takes a bite. I watch motionless as she eats the whole damn thing in the most erotic way a piece of bacon has ever been eaten. When she finishes, she slowly sucks the grease off her fingertips, her lips pucker around each finger. I cannot drag my eyes off her and I think she knows it.

  All night long I’ve been dreaming of those lips and what I was planning on putting between them today. I can’t help but notice her cleavage today. She must be wearing some sort of cleavage-enhancing bra or I hadn’t paid enough attention to that part of her body, given that I was focused on her other assets. I curse myself for doing it, but let my mind wonder about what she’s wearing underneath that dress.

  I’m hit with the urge to drop to my knees and climb under that big, long skirt to find out. It’s no secret it’s hiding a luscious pair of legs that need to be explored with my mouth, but what else is it covering?

  “Have another,” I say, motioning my head to the bag.

  A coy smile forms on her lips, and she repeats the process with another crispy piece of bacon.

  Is she intentionally toying with me? I can’t decide. But whether she is or isn’t, we’re already risking my biggest rule. I said no whiff of this anywhere near Piper. And I have to walk in there and hand Piper her food, and I can’t do that right now because I’ve got a massive tent pole in my sweat pants.

  Shaking my head, I look away to keep my focus on Piper. I clear my throat and think of anything except Avery. When that doesn’t work, I think of the way Avery told me I was a shitty dad for not being prepared for Piper’s stuff this morning.

  When I’m finished piling food on Piper’s plate, I carry it into the living room.

  “Wow, thanks, Dad,” Piper says, bolting up into a seated position.

  “Anything for you, sweetheart.”

  On my way back to the kitchen to fix my plate, I pass Avery. Her plate is piled high with more food than I think can physically fit in her tight body. You can’t even see the top of her waffles because she’s covered them in bacon. She wasn’t kidding about the bacon. I hope she left lots for me.

  Two pieces. Two fucking flimsy, non-crispy pieces of bacon. Did she really think that was going to be enough for me?

  I pile the rest of the food on my plate, still grumbling about the lack of meat, and join them in the living room.

  Piper is sitting beside Avery on the couch, both enjoying their bacon. I sit in the armchair.

  Avery looks at me, grinning, as she says, “Payback for the veggie pizza,” before stuffing a piece of bacon in her mouth in the same erotic way.

  I ignore her and start stuffing my face with breakfast.

  Should I ask Piper how she’s feeling? What am I supposed to say to her? Or should I be pretending everything’s normal?

  This is the new normal. Just another sign my baby girl is gone.

  I just wish I knew what to say to her. It was bad enough I didn’t know what to do for her this morning. Now I don’t even know how to act.

  They yammer on about God knows what while I try to chime in once in awhile. Otherwise, I stare at the TV. Law & Order. Of course. That’s okay, Piper deserves it today.

  Whatever this episode is about is a mystery to me. My brain is stuck on the memory of Avery licking the bacon grease from her fingers. And of her cleavage. I keep taking quick looks at it, her round tits jiggle with each movement.

  I can’t sit here any longer. Things would get awkward.

  “Sorry, sweetheart, I’ve really got to get some work done. Are you all right if I go out to the garage and work?”

  “Sure, Dad. Avery’s here so go ahead.”

  Forcing a half smile at her, I stand and flee the house.

  Under the hood of the blue Corvette, I finally start to relax. This is something I can understand. Not thirteen-year-old girls.

  But Piper quickly vanishes from my mind, and all I can see is Avery’s tits, front and center.

  This is crazy. We only agreed to the fuck-buddy thing yesterday. Why have I turned into a horny, desperate teenager overnight? Just because I haven’t been inside a woman since Mrs. Coupland moved and I lost my babysitter?

  Or just because I’ve got myself all fired up watching Avery’s videos every night? And because I know how fucking amazing she sounds when she comes. I need to coax those sounds out for myself and hear them in my own ears.

  Is Piper going to go to school tomorrow? I don’t want to push her. But tomorrow is Friday, and Avery and I are going to have to wait the whole weekend if Piper stays home.

  And right now, I don’t think I can wait the whole weekend. In fact, I know I can’t.

  I work for a good couple of hours and make good progress on the car. Avery and Piper can get their own lunches, I’m hungry, but I’ll survive. There’s no way I can handle being around Avery right now.

  “Hey,” Avery says. Her voice sends a shiver down my back.

  “Hey,” I say, ducking out from under the hood.

  “I’ve got some work to do, sorry. I’d love to sit with Piper for the whole day, but I’ve got to work before it gets dark.”

  I smirk. “Oh? I didn’t realize authors couldn’t work in the dark.”

  “It’s my eyes,” she blurts. “The screen hurts them when I use it in the dark.”

  I have to purse my lips to stop from laughing and tighten my jaw. I don’t want her to know I know what she does.

  “Thanks for helping out Piper. I really appreciate it,” I say, changing the subject.

  “It’s just too bad her mother abandoned her for her charity work in Africa. Piper could really use a mother on days like this.”

  What the fuck? That’s the second time she’s mentioned Africa. What’s Piper been telling her? I’m not even going to enter into that conversation with her. Just because I’m going to fuck her doesn’t mean she needs to go sticking her nose in my business.

  I hesitate and say, “Sure.”

  “Anyway, I promised Piper I’d come back for dinner. I hope that’s okay with you.”

  “No problem at all.” It’ll just be a few more hours of me listening to them talk and trying not to look at Avery’s tits.

  “Thanks. Really, I just need to take off this g-string I put on for you this morning. It’s not exactly intended to be worn
for very long. It’s been killing me all day.”

  Avery

  Like an animal, Knox pounces on me and pulls me into his arms. The massive arms I’ve been dreaming having around me all night. Since I moved into the house.

  He meshes his oil-covered fingers into my hair and cups my head. My heart races at a million miles an hour. This is what I wanted today. My body craves it. Needs it.

  His cheek brushes against mine, scratching me with his stubble and sending a burst of tingles through me.

  “You can’t go around saying things like that.” Knox growls into my ear.

  I gasp, and say, “Why ever not?”

  Knox tightens his grip on my hair, and says, “Because you’re breaking our agreement. Before we’ve even done anything. Piper is home.”

  “You’re the one holding me.”

  “Don’t you fucking test me, or you’ll be back to playing with your power tools.”

  “That wouldn’t be any fun for either of us,” I say, my voice breathy.

  “No, it wouldn’t. I’d rather bend you over this car right now and fuck you into next week.”

  “Fine by me.”

  After the anticipation last night and seeing the effect I had on him in the kitchen this morning – I knew he was watching me – there’s nothing I’d want more.

  In an instant, he releases me and steps away.

  “Stop tempting me. Piper’s home.”

  Knox turns his back on me and sticks his head back under the hood of the car. Maybe I should slip my thong off and toss it at him. He’d probably freak.

  “You could always come into my house for a little bit. Piper wouldn’t know, she thinks you’re out here.”

  He grunts.

  “See you at supper,” I say and walk off.

  What a charmer. Good thing for him he oozes sex. And that I need to end this dry spell before I run out of things to say to my viewers.

  After ditching the thong, I change into something more in line with my online brand, and I make my way to my fake bedroom.

  First, I post today’s video. It’s one I shot last week about a service that ships small boxes of rose petals to sprinkle on your bed.

  I have a couple of videos to get through today, but most importantly, I have a product placement. I set up all the equipment and hit record.

  “Today, I want to share this great, new product with all you ladies. Though I suppose you guys might like it too, either to use on yourself or your woman.”

  I hold up a box labeled Pink Curlies.

  “Maybe you just want to surprise your man, maybe you’re getting older and want to cover the gray. Pink Curlies is hair dye specifically for your pubes. It comes in several colors and, most fun of all, comes with stencils so you can end up with shapes like hearts and bunnies in your fuzz.”

  It’s effortless for me to smile wide, like it’s the best, most fun thing I’ve ever heard of.

  I film myself emptying the contents of the box onto my fake bed, then show off each included item and give a brief walk through of the steps and how easy it is to use.

  Though I haven’t actually tried this product out. I’m trusting the manufacturer when they say it’s easy to use. Normally I test things out the day before, but somehow I didn’t think it was a good idea to go into my first encounter with Knox with fluorescent pubes.

  What would he think? What would any man think?

  When I’m finished shooting, I sit at my desk to edit it. Knox is outside, moving around the car in front of his garage. I sigh, remembering the way I felt in his arms.

  I’m hit with inspiration, so I quickly change my top and hit record again.

  “Okay guys, listen up. Today I want to talk about stubble. Ladies, we all know how sexy it looks, right? Especially on a strong jaw. Is there anything that displays manliness more? No. We all agree. But that’s from afar. Close up, it hurts. It makes kissing a scratch fest and can leave your partner’s delicate skin raw. Worst of all, guys, by not shaving, you’re risking your woman not wanting to kiss you at all. So do both of you a favor, and shave ahead of time.”

  I ramble on a bit more about stubble, and when I have enough material to use, I sit back down at the desk.

  This is great. Already Knox is giving me ideas for videos. Over the past few months, my videos have lost their enthusiasm and gotten stale, but now, now it seems like my career is saved.

  Gazing at him out the window, I’m hit with another idea. I change my top again and step back in front of the webcam.

  “Today I want to talk to both you men and women equally. This topic isn’t so much about how to do things, but how to look at things. I often get emails and comments from you about your struggles to get turned on anymore by your partner. Instead of looking at their bodies, I want you to look at the things they do every day that are sexy. Simple things. For example, is there anything sexier than a man doing his best to nurture his child? I guess that goes the other way around, too. It’s all in how you look at the little things, and when you appreciate those things, you’re heart softens to them. And when that happens, you’re bound to look at them differently.”

  I know I look at Knox differently after today. It’s obvious he’d do anything for Piper. And that being in over his head and out of his comfort zone today was bothering him. But that didn’t stop him from trying. Until he ran away to the garage anyway.

  Sitting at my desk, I edit the Pink Curlies video followed by the two videos Knox inspired, sneaking frequent looks out my window at him. After each look, I chastise myself. But that still doesn’t stop me considering taking my top off and calling to him out my window.

  In the end I don’t because he seemed serious about his terms about Piper, and I don’t want to mess things up right now. Not when my videos are about to be reinvigorated from the hottest man ever.

  It’s getting late by the time I finish editing, and I promised Piper I’d be back for supper. It’s nice to not have to eat alone in my house, and I’m looking forward to going over there.

  I post the stubble video but save the other Knox-inspired video for another day.

  A message arrives in my inbox. My shoulders drop as I read it. It’s a form letter from YouTube, saying they’re investigating the YouTube comments from the donkey guy.

  Frustrated, I shut my laptop.

  Without even thinking about changing my clothes, I grab some beers and head out the door.

  Standing on Knox’s doorstep, I ring the doorbell.

  “Avery!” Piper says, answering the door. I swear everything that comes out of her mouth is an exclamation.

  “Hey, how’re you feeling now?” I ask, entering the house and following her into the living room.

  “Okay, the cramps aren’t as bad. But they still hurt.”

  “Think you feel comfortable enough to go to school tomorrow?” Please say yes.

  She shrugs, “Dunno.”

  I try to hide the disappointment on my face.

  “We'll see how you feel in the morning. Where’s your dad?”

  “In the kitchen, making supper.”

  “I’m going to see if he needs any help.”

  Knox

  “I brought some beers,” Avery says, appearing in my kitchen.

  She’s changed out of that crazy cleavage dress, into black pants and a bright blue shirt I recognize from her video on how to give the perfect blowjob. I’ve watched that video so many times, I know every stitch of that blouse. And I’ve fantasized about ripping it off more times than I care to admit.

  “Thanks.” I take them from her and put them in the fridge.

  “Smells great in here. Need any help with dinner?” she says, her voice slow and arousing.

  I should tell her to go home and change. Or at least to go and sit with Piper. Instead I say, “You put the forks on the table.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Avery opens the drawer I’m pointing at and takes out three forks.

  “It’s goulash,” I say, standing
over my one-pot wonder.

  “I love goulash,” she says, but I’m not sure whether to believe her.

  She comes up close beside me, the lengths of our bodies touching. This is dangerous, she should go in the other room. But first, I can’t resist bending my neck and brushing my lips through her hair. The contact sends a shiver down my back, all the way to my feet.

  Fuck. Why did I do that? I’ve never wanted to fuck anyone so bad in my entire life.

  “I’ll be right back,” I say, leaving the room.

  Once my dick calms down, I go into the living room. Piper is still in the same spot on the couch she’s been in all day.

  “Supper,” I say.

  “Okay.”

  I stand and wait while Piper extracts herself from the stuff piled around her on the couch, the hot water bottle, remote control, book, her iPad, and whatever else she’s been amusing herself with.

  If she comes to the kitchen now, Avery has to keep her distance.

  And I won’t end up with Avery bent over the counter. I keep telling her, not with Piper around. I thought I made that clear.

  When we return to the kitchen, Avery has already dished out the goulash and put the dishes on the table, along with the rice and sour cream.

  Avery and I sit across from each other, and I fix my eyes on my food. She and Piper chat easily, again. How do they have so much to talk about?

  “What about you, Knox?” Avery says.

  “Huh?”

  “What do you want to watch tonight?” Avery asks.

  “I don’t care. Whatever you two want.” It’s not like they watch it anyway, they talk the whole time.

  “Piper wants to watch another Law & Order, but I think we should have a change. Do you agree?” Avery asks.

  “I would love to watch something other than Law & Order.”

  “Good. Because so would I,” Avery turns to Piper. “Sorry, you’re outnumbered. No Law & Order tonight.”

  “Then what are we going to watch?” Piper whines.

  “How about something funny instead of crime?”

  “What one?” Piper asks, her nose wrinkled in annoyance. She doesn’t like sitcoms, says there’s no point to them. I keep telling her the point is to relax and laugh.