by Mia Ford
Suzie walked down the trail behind the studio. After she had distanced herself and was surrounded by trees, she sat on a log. Gasping deep breaths she tried to regain her composure. In a minute she would have to make her way back to the house for supper. After supper, Jared was taking her somewhere special. How could she tell him she kissed Jeff? How could she hurt him? Standing up quickly, Suzie jogged a short distance for an energy release, knowing she had to face everyone; she turned around and walked back the way she came.
At the edge of the yard, she could see everyone gathering around the outside table to eat. After giving herself a pep talk, she walked up to join them. Jared smiled and patted the spot next to him for her to sit down. Obliging, she sat and asked him about his day. Holding her hand, he talked about his hike and encouraged her to eat a big meal because she would need it for their adventure. Suzie tried but could hardly eat a bite. It did not help that Jeff sat across from her, his outstretched legs under the table bumped hers sending a jolt of electricity through her body. Looking unfazed, he smiled and joked with everyone and had one arm around Candy who had finally left her room.
After supper, Jared and Suzie changed into hiking attire and she followed him down another trail that curved steeply uphill. Suzie was silent as she tried to find a way to tell Jared what happened. She had promised not to talk about Jeff’s painting so that made the truth even more difficult. But why was he keeping it a secret from his twin brother? Surely Jeff didn’t expect her to keep it from Jared. Was that it? Was the kiss a sibling rivalry thing? That must be it. They competed over everything. Suzie sighed with relief. Surely, she was not the first girl they fought over.
Another ten minutes and they had reached the summit. The sun was just beginning to set and the rocks provided a cozy shelter. Jared set his bag down and spread out a blanket. Sitting on it with his legs spread, Jared pulled her down to him. She sunk into his chest and he wrapped her in his arms. Breathing in his distinct scent she settled in and relaxed. His arms tight around her made her feel safe and she closed her mind to all other thoughts. The safety, security and trust she had for Jared were immeasurable. He was her rock. The sky turned brilliant pink and orange as the sun dipped low in the horizon. Jared held her as they quietly watched the sky illuminate the hills and valley below them.
“This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” As she said it, a picture of Jeff’s painting flashed in her mind and she shook it away. “I love this place.”
“And I love you,” Jared said holding her hand in his. “I have never brought anyone up here before and I wanted to share it with you because I love you.”
Suzie’s mouth dropped open and her heart hit her stomach. Jared had never said those words before, no one had ever told Suzie they loved her. Feeling like a traitor, she looked down and stammered, “Oh Jared. I. Love you too.” She said it because she had to, because there he was bringing her to the most awe-inspiring place she had ever seen. Opening up to her and treating her like royalty, he was a dream come true. Suzie had never said those words to anyone before and maybe she meant it. She was not sure what love is supposed to feel like.
Grabbing her tight, he kissed her until she kissed back. The heat of his lips warmed her and she could almost forget everything else. This was her Jared. He cared for her, protected her and apparently loved her. This was her future, not horny Jeff who was just trying to compete with Jared or piss him off.
The first stars twinkled in the sky before Jared said they had to head back. And still Suzie had not said a word about her and Jeff’s interaction. They walked down the hill listening to the night time forest come alive. Jared led with his flashlight and Suzie followed, the lump in her throat growing. She felt like she lost her chance to be honest and was now hiding something from the man who loved her. Back at the yard, Jared pulled her in beside him, wrapping an arm around her waist. He asked her why she was so quiet and she explained that she was just tired from all the excitement. Still when they reached the deck, they sat down to talk with Jared’s mom and dad.
Not noticing Suzie’s despondency, the conversation flowed as Jared rambled about what a great time they had had. Helen invited them back, just the two of them so they could paint and hike and enjoy some quiet time. Jared’s dad agreed, and was eager to see more of them. Suzie felt like her chance to tell Jared had disappeared. While Jared talked with his parents, Suzie resolved to never talk about it again. Jeff did not paint, so he was not in the studio, so nothing happened. Happily convinced she could talk herself out of the attraction she felt towards Jeff, she leaned on Jared’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
“You two better get to bed,” Helen insisted. “Suzie looks like she is about to drop and you guys have a big day ahead of you.”
“Yes, goodnight you two,” Jared’s dad said.
They walked back to their room holding hands. Jared stopped at the back door to kiss her gently on the lips. Together they descended into the basement. Upon opening the door, they heard the television blaring and saw Jeff and Candy on the couch watching a movie. More accurately, there was a movie playing while they fooled around on the couch. Candy stopped kissing Jeff and looked up giggling. Jeff sat up and looked at them.
“Our turn to walk in on you, I guess,” Jared said with a laugh that sounded lighthearted and carefree.
Jeff said nothing until Jared said goodnight, then he responded with the same words. As they started to walk away, Jeff started kissing Candy again, but his eyes were on Suzie. Her heart began to race and she felt bitterness towards Candy. It angered her that those full lips and gruff beard were touching her. Stop it. She reminded herself. He means nothing to you. She repeated those words until she was settled into bed with Jared.
Kissing her shoulder and sliding up next to her, Jared whispered in her ear, “Thank you for sharing this with me today. I love you.”
“It was great,” Suzie said, trying to return the enthusiasm when all she felt was confusion. “I love you too.” She said it again to cover her uncertainty. Then over-exaggerating how tired she felt, she convinced Jared to let her fall asleep in his arms.
He agreed and tenderly held her, though she was awake long after he fell asleep. Her eyes were closed but her brain was running full steam, replaying everything that happened that day. It would have been a perfect weekend if Jeff had not ruined it. And of course she had her part in it by not telling Jared what had happened. Now, she was guilty by omission. He had told her he loves her and she lied to him. She felt awful.
In the morning, they were up and gone before anyone else. It was a long drive and they were going straight to work. Helen had programmed the coffee maker to turn on so they had steaming hot coffee to go with them. As they drove away and Suzie warmed from the inside out with the coffee, she began to feel better. The further they got from the cabin the better she felt. Things would go back to normal now and she could forget what happened. Jared did not see his family often and it should be doable to avoid Jeff as much as possible. Once they got back to work, friends, and life she would forget this lingering desire and random flashes of shirtless Jeff. The painting he created, the darkness in his eyes and the way it felt to touch him. That was just lust playing on her fear of commitment she told herself. It was Jared she wanted. He looked over and she smiled at him as he continued to share more detail about the epic paintball game and how great of a weekend it was.
“Oh yeah, and Jeff is going to be coming out next week to stay with me for a while. He has a contract for some carpentry work and since it is only two weeks it makes sense for him to stay with me. Mom said you got to know him a bit more. I know he is rough but he means well. And he said he is looking forward to spending time with both of us,” Jared said.
Coming back to work after a long weekend was always difficult. Suzie however was looking forward to the distraction. It had been a quiet car ride home and she could only use the excuse about being tired for so long. Eventually she would have to figure out what to do, especially
if Jared’s brother really was coming to town.
Putting distance from the incident, and sitting back at her desk, catching up on emails, Suzie was feeling less stressed. Yes, she had lied but it was to protect Jared. She did not want him to get hurt over something that should have never happened. And, as soon as she got the chance, she would tell Jeff to never speak a word of it to Jared. Everything could move forward just fine and she and Jared would…would what. Well they loved each other, so they would continue building a relationship and help each other with their careers because that is what couples did. An image of Jeff shirtless, then touching her flashed across her mind and Suzie slammed her head onto her desk.
“Super excited to be back at work, I can tell,” Laura joked as she walked to the cubicle next to her and sat down. “You are needed in the conference room fifteen minutes prior to the monthly operations meeting. Betty asked me to tell you.”
“I definitely missed your sarcasm.” Suzie checked the clock. Thirty minutes until her meeting in front of all the managers and then a staff meeting. Of course Jared was a manager so he would be there. Usually that helped her feel calm, today it just added to the chaos. Her position was the first of its kind as her work was overlapping three different departments. Her usual manager did not like it so she had to work twice as hard to prove herself, especially because the financial manager did not approve of her and Jared seeing each other. She had made a big fuss when she found out, before they were official. It had almost cost them both their jobs and they were on a trial basis of sorts.
“You forgot these.” Laura handed her the report Suzie needed for her meeting, she left them in the printer. At least the report was positive news. Everyone would be happy with the results and they could quickly move on. Suzie was looking forward to the staff meeting where she could zone out.
Suzie smiled goodbye to Laura who was answering phones during the staff meeting. As she sat down in the room full of managers, she looked down at the report and gave herself a silent pep talk. She knew she could do this and her report justified her assertions. Smiling, her confidence raised, Suzie gave her report to a satisfied management team. Afterwards, everyone stepped out to refill coffee before the staff meeting. Suzie stayed in her chair and let out a sigh. Jared pulled up a chair beside her and covered her hand with his. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver throughout the rest of her cold body.
“You did great. I am so proud of you,” Jared said, and then he took a quick look to see if anyone was watching. The room was empty so he kissed her gently.
Hearing footsteps, Suzie pulled away and got up to get coffee herself. The meeting began as everyone sat down. A few minutes later, Laura knocked on the door and interrupted the meeting.
“Sorry. Jared, your brother is on the phone, it is urgent,” she said.
Jared excused himself. “I’ll take it in my office,” he said to her.
“Okay, line one,” Laura said and returned to her desk.
The meeting continued though Suzie did not hear a word of it. She knew the brother was Jeff, so what? She was not going to live her life frightened of what might happen, she knew that much. It was ridiculous to worry about what everyone else was doing. Suzie doodled on her paper to make it look like she was taking notes. She was giving herself another little pep talk again. It still bothered her that she hadn’t told Jared what happened with Jeff. What bothered her more is she knew she would never tell him and would downplay it if he ever found out. It was just a little lie. If Jeff told him he had kissed her, she would admit that she had not initiated it and she had ended it. Innocent accident was all it was. Then Jeff kissed her again, in her mind and she saw his painting.
“Thank you Suzie for volunteering to be the chair of the committee. I will send over all the relevant files later today.” The grouchy financial manager was actually smiling. The downside was, Suzie had volunteered to take on an additional project and she was already swamped.
Suzie felt exhausted and could not wait for the day to be over. It was going to be a shower and bed kind of day and she almost wanted to walk, except her stuff was in Jared’s car. Finally the day was over and Jared came to the makeshift door in her cubicle, ready to go.
“Want to get something to eat before I bring you home?” Jared asked.
“No, I am too tired. I just want to go home and go shower and go lie down,” Suzie said.
“Okay sweetie no problem, I will get you home. I have a few things to do anyway,” Jared said. “Jeff is coming a bit early and he needed to talk to me.”
Forcing every inch of her body to not flinch, she followed him out, got home, showered and immediately went to bed. She slept dreamlessly.
A loud knocking woke her up suddenly. It was dark and she did not know what time it was. Stumbling to the door while rubbing her eyes, she peeked out to see Jared standing at her door with flowers, pizza and beer. Her stomach growled. She had not remembered to eat lunch. Quickly, she opened the door. Jared came in with a flurry handing her the flowers and juggling the pizza and beer. Suzie watched Jared set up the table while she put the flowers in water and set them on the table.
Jared was sitting and serving them pizza and beer. She kissed his head and sat down next to him. He always knew just what she needed. She was famished.
“I thought you were busy tonight. What time is it anyway?” Suzie asked between bites.
Ignoring the second question, Jared covered her hand with his. “I am never too busy for you. Besides I was hungry and I figured you hadn’t eaten yet either. You looked so tired when I dropped you off I knew you would go right to sleep.”
Suzie squeezed his hand and drank for a long moment from her beer bottle. Watching Jared swoop in and take care of her, bringing over supper and flowers, she knew how lucky she was. Everyone wanted a man like him and she was not about to lose him over a small lie. Finishing her bottle of beer and getting herself and Jared another one, Suzie steeled her determination to get back in the groove with Jared and forget Jeff altogether. Who cared if he was going to be in town. She would be with Jared anytime she saw him; there would be no reason for them to be alone together.
“Thank you,” she said, looking Jared in the eyes. “This is exactly what I needed.”
Jared stared back at her before moving her hand to his lips. “The beer might have been a bit much since we have an early day tomorrow and I have to get some work done tonight, but pizza without beer just doesn’t fit. Besides, we need to ease back into the work week.”
When they finished, they cleaned up together, until Jared grabbed her to him. Spinning her in the kitchen, he stopped when her face faced his.
“The only problem with working with you is I have to look at you all day and not touch you,” Jared said and then he kissed her. Bringing his hands to her face and then hair, he pulled her to him for a deeper kiss. Then, he gently guided her towards the living room where they sat on the couch. “You rocked that meeting I knew you would. In fact, afterwards in the managers meeting everyone said that they no longer had misgivings about the position and…”
“Wait. No work stuff,” Suzie interrupted him and put her finger on his lips. “I do not want to know what happened at the managers meeting. We should not even talk about work when we are together. Isn’t it a violation of our work agreement?”
Jared laughed. “Okay, miss policy. No work talk.” And he tickled her. And it tickled. Suzie shrieked with laughter begging him to stop but he kept going until she grabbed him by the belt buckle and pulled him into her. She kissed him sucking his tongue and changing his focus.
“Stay here tonight,” she whispered.
“Oh,” Jared started, mentally arguing with himself.
“Don’t say no to me. I need you to myself tonight. I need to fall asleep in your arms like I did last night.” Suzie felt like if she let him go, she would never see him again. Slightly hysterical she wanted to shout at him to stay with her, let his brother stay by himself at Jared’s house and far away from the
m.
“You know I can’t say no to you,” he said and kissed her nose. “Means I will be busy tomorrow but I finally have you to myself.”
Suzie ran her hands through his hair and kissed him again. Slowly she led him to the bedroom where she undressed in front of him. He took his clothes off and joined her in bed. Sliding between the sheets, their skin was prickly from the cold. Jared gently rubbed her body with his hands, warming her up. She pressed her lips to his chest and nibbled on his shoulders. Suzie rolled on top of Jared as she warmed up. She leaned over him, holding him tight and smelling his clean aroma. Reaching between his legs she grabbed him and thrust herself upon him. Urgently possessing him she moved with increasing speed, building up rhythm as she grasped his hair. Moaning into his ear and then kissing him full on the mouth, she let the waves of passion wash away all the tension and leave her completely satisfied.
Jared looked at her with wide eyes. “Wow.”
Snuggling up against him with contentment Suzie sighed, “I needed that.”
Neither of them expected to fall asleep that way, both had left their phones/alarms in the other room and eight hours later they awoke to simultaneous ringing from multiple devices. Sticky and tangled, they removed their arms from each other. The beeping, buzzing and ringing continued. Jared got up and got dressed while Suzie immediately sauntered into the living room to silence the offending racket. She looked at the clock and shrieked. They were both very late. A quick kiss and Jared took off. Suzie sent a quick message to her manager that she was running late and would be there soon. Not arriving late with Jared would be essential. They did not need the attention.
Arriving breathless to work, Suzie plunked down at her desk and opened her inbox. Laura walked over and handed her a cup of coffee.
