“No more than usual,” Mel replied with a smile.
“At home then? Are those four baboons pulling their weight?”
“You mean barbarians.”
“No, sweetie, I mean baboons.”
Both women broke out in laughter.
“I suppose maybe I am a little tired,” Mel admitted. “I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure it’ll pass.”
The screen door off the kitchen swung open and Philip entered, looking sexy as sin. His musky scent wafted across the room to tickle her under the nose. Beneath the purple tank top she wore, her nipples puckered, begging for his touch. The look in his eye told her he knew exactly what his presence had done.
“Hello, ladies. Want some help?” After placing a light kiss on Marjorie’s cheek, he pulled Melanie into his arms and kissed her soundly.
“What’s the matter, son?” Marge asked. “You had enough of male bonding out there?”
He gave a shrug. “Noah’s off playing with his truck and Krissy doesn’t want to color with anyone but her Aunt Mel; my old man, Ted, Jake, and Derrick are talking shop; Adam is discussing how to take the stock market by storm with Calen, and Helen has Van cornered with questions regarding her taxes for this year.” His eyes focused on the counter where a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies was sitting. Snatching two, he grinned at the women. “And to be honest, ladies, as in tune with my feminine side as I am, I’m not really interested in sitting and discussing ‘cycles’ with Gaby, Denise, and Carla.”
“Fair enough,” Marge laughed. “But everything is ready to go in here. I was adding the chicken breasts you brought to the marinade and Melanie offered to cut up the veggies. So” -- she glanced around her huge country kitchen -- “why don’t you fire up the grill, son, and we’ll get dinner under way.”
* * * * *
After dinner, while the men were cleaning up, Melanie took the two kids for a walk into the woods surrounding the Welland’s home. Philip and Calen built a small fire in the pit in the furthest corner of the yard and the adults where enjoying a little quiet time with the two little ones off on their adventure.
“Is Mel feeling okay, guys?” Gabrielle asked once the conversation had died down.
“Yeah, she’s fine,” Calen replied with a slight shake of his head. “Why?”
“Well,” Gaby looked around at the other women in the group. “I don’t know, she looks…tired,” she said with a low voice.
The four shared a look of confusion with each other, before responding to her.
“She looks tired?” Calen repeated cocking one brow.
Gaby blushed and fidgeted with her hands in her lap. “She just looks --”
“Mel looks like what?” Philip questioned, a slight irritation being held at bay. “You aren’t usually one to hold back when you’ve got something to say, toots, so just spit it out.”
“Is she pregnant?” Calen’s sister Carla blurted.
Van spewed the mouthful of beer he just taken and gasped for air. “What? Where in the hell did you get that?”
Carla shrugged and glanced at the other women again.
“She just looks like I felt when I was pregnant, that’s all,” Gaby told them. “So…she isn’t pregnant?” She repeated the question.
“No,” the four men announced collectively.
Adam tossed a log onto the dancing flames throwing in his two cents. “She’s got that sexy ‘glow.’” He grinned and waggled his brows at his brother.
“She’s always sexy,” Jake growled. “And if you keep that up, I’ll toss you in next,” he said pointing to the fire.
Adam raised his hands in defense. “Slow down, bro, I’m just saying --”
“No,” the four of them repeated a second time.
“Mel’s not pregnant,” Philip continued. “We’ve barely even discussed the prospect of having kids.”
“But you have discussed it?” Helen Maxwell asked, her eyes dancing.
“Not really,” Van answered. “Now, let’s move onto something else, huh?”
The conversation spread from sports scores to vacation destinations, and with an election approaching, a little bit of politics.
Calen studied Carla and Gaby for several minutes and just knew they weren’t about to let the earlier conversation go that easily.
“So Mel’s on birth control, then?” Carla asked, meeting her brother’s gaze.
“Well, I suppose she is,” Calen answered. “She told us she had it covered. I’ve never questioned it.”
“She just seems so tired.” Derrick’s wife, Denise, chimed in with her opinion. “And it looks like she’s gained a little weight.”
“Well, ladies, sorry to disappoint,” Jake offered each woman a smile. “After what, two years, she hasn’t wound up pregnant yet.”
Philip chuckled. “But it’s not from lack of trying.” The oomph he uttered as Marge elbowed him in the ribs roused a burst of laughter from the rest of the group.
“Don’t you talk about our Melanie like that,” she said in a firm tone.
“Sorry, Mrs. Welland,” Philip apologized with a smug grin and rubbed his side.
“Oh, don’t you Mrs. Welland me, you ass.” She gave his cheek a light pinch. “And just so you know…the whole lot of you…the four of us grandparents would be very pleased to have more grandkids to spoil.”
Chapter Three
Dressed in the pastel pink terry cloth bathrobe Van had given her last Christmas, Melanie entered the kitchen with her hair wrapped in a towel.
“’Morning, baby,” Jake said glancing over his shoulder.
Coming up behind him as he stood at the counter in front of the toaster, Mel entered into his embrace, welcoming his kiss as he turned to her. “Good morning.”
“How’d you sleep?” he asked.
Pulling from his arms, she opened the cupboard door beside him to retrieve her favorite coffee mug. It made her tingle all over that the four of them continued to worry about her sleep habits. Over and over she assured them the nightmares that used to torment her slumber had ceased. Sure, it had taken some time, but within the first six months of their living arrangement and relationship status, the night terrors grew sporadic and eventually stopped. Through their diligence, the emotional and physical security they surrounded her with had managed to work its way through to her subconscious. Her self-esteem had grown tenfold, and for the first time in her life, Melanie loved the person she saw in the mirror.
“Slept great,” she grinned. “Just like a baby.”
Standing at the sink, she held the sacred coffee pot with her right hand, filling her mug. The toaster popped up and Jake smeared crunchy peanut butter over his toast while the two made small talk of their plans for the day.
Dropping her mug and the decanter into the sink, Mel spun on her heel and tore off through the kitchen.
“Baby?” Jake called to her. The sound of his sneakers squeaking on the ceramic tile as he chased after her, let her know he wasn’t far behind.
When he reached the bathroom door, she was on the bathroom floor hugging the toilet bowl, heaving for all she was worth.
The towel wrapped around her head had worked its way loose and Jake grabbed it, tossing it on the floor, and held her hair up and out of the way. He stood over the top of her, his left hand massaging her tensing shoulders.
“Try and relax, baby,” he said. “It’ll be easier if you try and relax.”
Several minutes passed before Mel found the strength to right herself from the bowl. Accepting the towel Jake handed her, she wiped her face and chest. Reaching down, Jake loosened the tie of her robe and pulled the dampening fabric off her shoulders.
“You’re soaked,” he commented. Wetting a washcloth, he began wiping at the sweat dripping off of her. “Jesus, what’s the matter, baby?” The concern in his voice was heavy. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” she murmured as Jake helped her to her feet. “I don’t know what happened. I caught a whif
f of your peanut butter and, well, it made me nauseous.”
Brushing a stray damp curl behind her ear, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I know I suck in the kitchen baby, but tossing your cookies over my toasted PB and J, is a little insulting,” his voice teased.
She giggled and welcomed his embrace. “You’re a boob, Jake.”
“Yup, but I’m your boob,” he grinned and helped her to her feet. Allowing her a few minutes to brush her teeth, Jake then ushered her out of the bathroom. “Hey, do you want me to call my mom to come by for a bit, you know and sit with you?”
Shaking her head she entered her bedroom to get dressed. The queasy feeling was gone, the body shakes had stopped, and her temperature felt normal once again. “Nah, I’m better now, it’s okay. Thanks though.” In front of her dresser, she pulled open the top drawer and grabbed a pair of red panties and matching bra. “It usually passes in no time, don’t sweat it. Ouch!” Jake’s grip on her upper right arm made her wince as he spun her around to face him. “Jake…”
“What do you mean ‘it usually passes’?” He released his hold, but didn’t move away. “This has happened before? Are you fucking kidding me?” he snapped, concerned.
“It’s no big deal, Jake, really.” She rubbed her bicep where his fingers dug in seconds before. “You kinda hurt me.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Believe me, I don’t ever want to hurt you.” His face dropped showing his regret, his hand took the place of hers, and he rubbed her arm. “So, this has happened before? Do the guys know?”
Reaching up, Mel cupped his cheek and smiled warmly. “Baby, it’s no big deal. I was sick the other day…probably something I ate, that’s all.” Shedding her robe and tossing it on the bed. “Or maybe I’m coming down with something.” Mel tugged her panties up over her hips. Struggling with the straps of her bra, she finally managed to fasten the front closure. Once her more than ample breasts were stuffed into the demi-cups, she stared in question at her reflection.
Jake walked up behind her, watching her studying herself. Reaching around, he poked the excess of flesh popping out around the lacy fabric. “Hey, are these getting bigger?” His serious expression matched hers.
Miffed, she cocked her head and, with a single finger, she poked at her overflowing breasts herself. “Kinda looks that way, huh?” Shifting her eyes a little lower, she noticed her panties were a little snugger than usual as well. Turning, she attempted to gain a look at her body from every possible angle. “My undies don’t look right either,” she mumbled.
“You’re wrong there,” Jake’s hands found perch on her hips. “You look delicious.” His breath caressed her flesh as he nuzzled the crook of her neck. “Baby, if you don’t hurry up and put some clothes on, I’m going to strip off these offending coverings and fuck you senseless. But, then I’ll be late for my meeting and my old man will be knocking on the front door in no time.”
“Jake,” she simpered with a pout. Covering his hand with hers, Melanie pushed it beneath the elastic waistband of her panties, encouraging his fingers to explore on their own.
“Yeah, baby?” His lips sipped at the skin of her neck.
“I need you to fuck me,” she purred, rubbing her backside against the hard length in the front of his jeans.
“I really need that, too, baby,” he agreed. Pushing her panties down over her hips he turned her and backed her up to the dresser. Grasping the fly of his jeans he growled. “Get those fucking things off. Why do you insist on wearing panties? They just get in the way.”
Eager to comply, Melanie slid the red lace to the floor, kicking them aside as Jake’s hands gripped her hips roughly.
Jake’s right arm gave a cursory swipe over the polished wooden surface clearing a spot, before plunking her ass on the top. The fingers of his left hand snitched the clasp of her bra open, freeing her breasts. Dipping his head, his mouth latched on the one stiff peak as his hips shot forward, burying his cock balls deep within the tight heat of her body.
With urgent strokes, Jake thrust into her, his mouth suckling one ripe nipple before moving to its twin.
Melanie’s fingers fisted in Jake’s blond locks, working loose the elastic band holding his hair out of his face until his long silky soft strands tickled the skin of her breasts.
Pushing her back, Jake lifted her legs up and over his shoulders, leaning his weight into her. His strokes became short, deep, his breath harsh, brow damp with perspiration. With her back pressed against the mirror of her bureau, Mel could no longer retain her rhythm, allowing Jake to command their climb.
Higher he pushed her, so close she could taste their sexual satisfaction on the tip of her tongue.
Jake’s lips closed over her left breast, sucking the tender bud deep, his teeth sinking into the flesh causing a hint of pleasure-pain.
“Your cunt is starting to pulse around my cock,” he groaned against her breast.
“Yes,” she cried softly. “Harder, Jake, please.”
He obliged, pounding himself into her with long demanding strokes. Digging her fingers into his shoulders increased his thrusts.
“Now,” he growled along her lips. “Come now.” The need in his voice demanded.
As her body met release at Jake’s command, Mel screamed out. Her hands slid down to grip his ass, holding him against her as his orgasm claimed him.
Several minutes passed before either of them had the strength to move. Slowly, Jake withdrew from her body and eased her legs down.
Placing a gusty kiss upon her lips, he reluctantly stood up and stepped away. Retrieving a box of tissues from the nightstand beside the bed, Jake wiped away the sticky evidence of their lovemaking from between Mel’s thighs.
“So, baby,” he said with a raspy voice. “What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m meeting Calen for lunch,” she answered.
“Damn, that’s too bad.” He chuckled hoarsely.
“Why’s that?” Mel grinned pulling her panties back on.
“Because I didn’t have enough time to do all the wicked things to you that I wanted to.” He leaned over and captured a firm nipple between his teeth before she fastened her bra. “I was going to come home for a nooner.”
Melanie couldn’t stop the laughter that erupted within her. “Well, my love,” she said sassily, gripping his semi-hard cock in her hand. “Noon tomorrow, I’m all yours.”
Tucking himself back into his jeans and righting his button-down shirt, Jake kissed her again before leaving her alone in her bedroom.
* * * * *
Van arrived home early from work and parked his Porsche in the empty driveway. Walking through the front door he met an eerie silence. Odd, he thought. Mel should have been home. Setting his briefcase beside the door, he dropped his keys on the sideboard. After toeing off his loafers, and loosening his tie he proceeded into the living room.
“Hello,” he called out. “Honey, where are…” He stopped short when he spotted Melanie asleep on the suede sofa. Despite his raised voice, she didn’t stir.
Startled at the scene he’d come across, he had to remind himself to blink. And breathe. It took great restraint to stop from running to the sofa to be sure she was all right. For several moments he watched her, listening to the soft sound of her snoring. Not once in two years had Melanie fallen asleep on the couch.
Quietly, he walked across the living room and down the hall to his and Calen’s bedroom, and hung his jacket in the closet, along with his pants. After tossing his dress shirt in the hamper and hanging his tie on the rack, he ventured to the kitchen clad only in his cotton boxer briefs.
Popping the cap on a cold bottle of beer, he leaned again the door frame to watch his lover sleep. He loved watching her sleep. Mel slept much better these days than in the beginning of their relationship.
Many a night after she’d moved in with him, Calen, Jake, and Philip, her sleep had been restless, fitful. The terrors in her dreams would wake her in a cold sweat, someth
ing he himself at one time had been all too familiar with. When she awoke through the night, he would gather her in his arms and soothe her with soft words of comfort and gentle hands.
As time went on all four men had noticed and commented that Mel didn’t seem to suffer as often with her nightmares. It had taken a great deal of patience on all of their parts to help their woman with her struggle.
And they had succeeded.
As she grew more comfortable living with them, realizing she was safe, protected, and most important, loved unconditionally, her confidence blossomed. It had been a long haul and one he knew none of the four of them regretted.
Melanie was loved and cherished more than she even realized, more than Van thought was possible. When away from her, his heart ached. Through the day when he thought of her, which was near all the time, his body responded and his cock grew hard. On more than one occasion, he’d had to tend to his discomfort in the staff washroom. To this very day, he was amazed by the effect she had on him.
Through the years he and Calen had always enjoyed a fulfilling sex life, and he chuckled to think that since Melanie joined their family, there hadn’t been a dry spell. Every other night, Melanie shared his and Calen’s bed, where sleep was the furthest thing from any of their minds.
During the nights she spent in the bed with Jake and Philip, their best friends, the sounds of their lovemaking encouraged he and Calen to express themselves as well.
Van couldn’t imagine their lives being any more perfect.
Without even realizing he’d moved, he found himself kneeling beside the sofa, brushing a dark curl back around Mel’s ear. A light whimper and the pursing of her lips, send a jolt to his groin.
“I would give my life for you and Calen,” he whispered. “For our family.”
A couple of moments later, Mel’s eyes slowly opened and she seemed to assimilate her whereabouts. A brief look of confusion flickered in her green eyes before she met Van’s gaze.
“You alright, baby?” he asked keeping his voice quiet.
With a stretch, Mel rolled onto her back and reached for him.
Jennifer Cole - A Delicious Taboo Two. Page 4
