by JC Szot
“Well, see, now that you’re not into it, she feels threatened that you’ll expose her secret. What did you tell her?” Allie stared at her reflection across the room, her mirror reflecting that Tess had the ability to crease her face with lines of worry.
“I told her no. I had to, Allie. It’s safer for you,” Marty stressed. “I don’t want you getting in the middle of her secretive lifestyle.”
Allie took a breath.
“Don’t worry, baby, I’ve got you covered.”
“What are you going to do if she decides to pursue you again?” Allie asked, dreading the thought, her body recoiling at the idea.
“I don’t want to think about that.” Marty’s tone darkened. “I’m thinking about you and when I can have you again, kiss you, taste you…”
“Marty, please. What will you do? You have to think about it!”
“What are you saying?” His tone seethed through the line.
“She may become suspicious if you all of a sudden start turning her down. You were only turning down the idea of the club, not her.” Allie’s throat burned. An ache spread through her, her mouth unable to form any words.
“Am I supposed to keep carrying on with her? Is that what you’re telling me?” Marty’s voice carried over the line, louder, agitated.
“I don’t know.” Her body folded into itself, her emotions and flesh withering, dying from thirst, a thirst that only Marty could quench.
“I don’t know if I can do that, Allie.”
Allie didn’t think they had a choice, but she didn’t tell him that.
* * * *
Allie woke up the next morning sick, having drunk too much, and hung over. She stayed in bed, praying that Tess would leave her alone. The thought of Tess and Marty together made her ill. Allie knew Tess wouldn’t take it kindly if Marty started turning down her advances. No man could turn Tess down. She wasn’t used to that.
Allie got no work done. She moped around the house in her nightgown until after two o’clock then finally took a shower. She knew Marty was trying to keep busy. He was in and out of his workshop, sanding furniture and staining.
By six Allie was able to eat. When she sat down at the table, she noticed a car in Tess’s driveway, a black Mercedes. She’d never seen this car before. Allie ran upstairs to her studio window to see if she could see anything. Tess’s binoculars hadn’t been used in awhile. She couldn’t see around into the back because of the way the car was parked catty-corner to Tess’s.
Allie went back downstairs and tried the window in the living room. Tess had two men over. One was a blonde. He screamed homosexuality. The other was more conservative, dark haired, well built, and sharply dressed.
Once it got dark, Tess’s party seemed to get into full swing. Allie heard high-pitched laughter and screaming coming from across the street. Tess had her outdoor fireplace roaring. Tall flames reached into the inky night sky. By nine o’clock Allie decided to go over to Marty’s. Why should she sit home and mope when Tess had two men at her house?
Marty was in his workshop, his lantern lit. Allie crept up to the window, not wanting Tess to see her, though she appeared occupied. Allie couldn’t take any chances. She hadn’t stood near this window since she’d spied on Marty and Tess. It seemed so long ago, with all that had changed, and how the tables had turned. The tall, damp grass brushed her legs. She tapped lightly on the glass.
Marty drew back on his cigar. His eyes flashed open for a second, but then softened. He blew the lantern out and waved her around to the front, taking his own precautions. Marty grabbed her wrist, pulling her into their sanctuary, locking the door. He ran his burly hands through her hair. They moved over her body, priming her for him. Marty’s breath was warm and sweet smelling, like the summer night air. Marty pressed her against him, then steered her face to his, his kiss intense. His tongue snaked over hers, their teeth tapping. He gripped the back of her neck, holding her in the kiss. He released her, his warm breath wafting on her lips.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” He licked the edges of her mouth. Allie sank her teeth into the salty skin of his shoulder. He drew back a breath. His forceful hand pressed on her ass, his actions telling her he’d been battling the same void.
“We have to be careful,” Allie whispered, unzipping his jeans, scouring his body with her hands in the darkness. She lifted her dress, her body tormented until it touched his. His fingers spread her open, his touch intoxicating. He hoisted her up. Allie twined her legs around him, crossing her ankles behind his back. Marty slipped inside her. Her insides tingled at the feel of his internal presence. Her eyes blurred. Marty’s burly hands cradled her ass. Their bodies fitted, moving with a familiarity. It was a synchronized frenzy of sweat, the pleasure of a light abrasion.
“Yeah, baby, that’s good, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She pressed him close. Marty shuffled across the floor, his pants still pooling at his ankles. He rested her on the edge of the workbench, fitting her hips to his.
“Tell me how you want it, baby. Hard or soft?” he murmured in her ear. His cock slid deep into her pussy, hitting her internal button.
“Oh, God.” Her lungs fought for air. “Hard.” Her answer was barely audible. “Gotta feel you, I’ve missed you.” Moonlight spilled through the window, washing across his features. He smiled, taking her mouth in an aggressive kiss. His tongue curled inside her mouth. His hand clutched her breast, squeezing her flesh. Pain and pleasure braided together, an eroticism that she wasn’t sure she could let go of. She’d had her taste. It was always easier to go without if you didn’t know what you were missing, but now Allie felt possessed by Marty’s lust and desire.
Chapter 16
“You want some?” Marty held up a bottle of wine.
“I’ll take a few sips.” Allie tipped the bottle back. The red wine hit her tongue, its taste tart and dry. They stood in the corner of the workshop, near the open window. His hands stroked over her skin. Allie soaked up his touch, never having enough. She reached down, searching the dusty floor for her dress.
“Don’t get dressed,” he grumbled.
“I have to, just in case, even though our neighbor is occupied.” Allie peered out the window, relieved the Mercedes was still there.
“So I see.” Marty stood behind her, pulling her dress up as she was trying to pull it down.
It suddenly dawned on Allie how Tess’s little pool party could work to her advantage. Marty could tell Tess that he saw the two men and flat-out refuse to get entangled with any type of group mixer, unsure whether Tess had taken any precautions.
“Have you caught a glimpse of her guests?” Allie faced him.
“No, have you?” Marty leaned into her, rubbing his scruffy cheek against hers.
“I think we may have found your excuse.” Allie pulled away, smiling, running her hand through his wild hair.
“Oh, yeah?” Marty was pawing at her, not listening.
“Marty, stop. Listen to me.” Allie held his hands.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” He hopped up on his workbench and sat, watching her and the window intently.
“She has two men over there,” Allie told him.
“I’m surprised there’s only two.” Marty laughed, the wine making him goofy.
“One of them is gay, I’m sure of it. He just has that look, you know?”
“I know what you’re thinking.” Marty grinned. “I can tell her I took one look at him and now I refuse to touch her.” He pulled her in between his knees. Allie inhaled his earthy scent, resting her head against his chest.
“Well, that works, doesn’t it?” She looked up at him, the whites of his eyes glowing in the dark.
“Sure, it works for me.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Did you ever see her with any gay men at the swing club?” she asked.
“Not that I was aware of. Maybe she met these people on her trip.”
“Now you have a solid case, right?” Allie smiled.
Allie found this to be the best solution to ensure that Marty was hers, and hers alone. She had finally beat Tess at her own game, and won, which Allie found thrilling.
“I like it. Boy, is she gonna be pissed, that is if she comes sniffing around.” Marty slid off the workbench. He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck, sucking and biting her skin, pinching it in between his teeth.
“I have to go,” Allie said breathlessly.
“Just a minute longer, please.”
Allie glanced out the window to check and see if their adversary was still occupied.
“Are you coming to work on the mural tomorrow?” Marty asked as his fingers combed through her hair. A shivering tingle encased her scalp, her body on the brink of caving again.
“Sure, I’ll be over after I pack up my stuff for work. I have a pickup scheduled.” Allie leaned into him, filling her nose with the scent of him before she had to leave. They heard a car door slam across the street. Allie spun around, pressing her face into the window.
“Looks like they’re packing it in.” Marty leaned over her shoulder, both of them straining to see through the darkness. Tess was leaning over into the black Mercedes while her company buckled up.
“Is she nude?” Marty shook his head in disbelief. “I really shouldn’t be surprised, but…is she?”
“She’s topless,” Allie said, turning around. “I have to get out of here.”
They watched Tess see her guests out, then turn around and glance over at Marty’s, her brown body radiant in the wide berth of the outdoor light.
“Jesus, please just go back inside,” she heard Marty murmur over her shoulder. “Hasn’t she had enough?” He sighed. “I’ve never met anyone like her in all my life.”
Allie silently prayed that Tess would go back inside. A venomous anger began to escalate inside of her. Hadn’t Tess had enough? Now she wanted to come over here and sink her teeth into Marty. Tess’s hunger was endless.
“She’s an animal.” Marty took another swig of wine.
Allie couldn’t help but laugh. Marty was finally realizing what Tess really was.
“Was she neglected as a child?” Marty asked.
“I know nothing about her past. I have to go. I wish she’d just go inside.” Allie’s eyes were glued on Tess. The breath eased from her lungs. Thank God Tess was walking back around to the pool area.
Marty grabbed her. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He nibbled on her lips, making it harder for her to leave. “Come inside, let’s go to my bed.” He moved his hands down to her hips, tightening his grip. “Let’s fuck again, baby.” His hips thrust into hers. “I wanna lick your pussy. I’ll make it so good, baby.” Allie stroked over his scruffy jaw and corded neck. She swallowed hard. His desire ripped through her, his need raw.
“Jesus, Marty,” Allie whispered. Her body trembled. His candidness made her body burn for him. “I can’t.” She shook her head. “It’s too dangerous. I’m sorry. You know I’d love to.” Allie kissed him then darted out the back door of the workshop before she changed her mind. She crept to the edge of the building, peering around the corner, squinting to see across the street into Tess’s driveway. There was a faint light coming from around the back. Allie figured she was cleaning up after her orgy. She fixed her eyes on Tess’s driveway and bolted across the wet grass, slithering up the back deck stairs like the snake she’d become. Dan had called. Allie decided to wait until tomorrow to call him back, unsure of what her excuse would be. She’d been missing his calls lately and wondered if it was raising any suspicion.
* * * *
Allie packed her work then called Dan. He was in a meeting all day so she left him a message, going through all the mundane tasks of her routine. She went over to Marty’s around eleven and began painting. She was down at the base of the mountain now, adding in a grassy area of purple wildflowers before she started to work on the river. Moving bodies of water always took her longer.
She and Marty were having coffee when Tess knocked on the glass door. Marty was at the counter filling their mugs and hadn’t seen her. Allie cleared her throat loudly several times, trying to get his attention. His mocha eyes rolled as she got up to let Tess in.
“Well, well, well, isn’t this a nice and cozy coffee club gathering. Can I join?” Tess brushed by her, moving right into Marty’s path.
“Hey, Tess, how’s it going?” Marty’s voice struggled to achieve an enthusiastic tone.
“Hi there, Sir Marty.” Tess stepped around him with her hands folded behind her back. “What’s up, Al? Doing your mural, are you?” she asked, giving her a brief sideward glance.
“Yeah, it’s really coming together.” Allie reached to take her cup from Marty.
“Tess, would you like coffee?” Marty kept busy at the counter. He was almost ignoring Tess, which concerned her. Marty’s distaste for Tess was very obvious.
“Oh, no, thanks. Hey, Marty, I need some help with something.” Tess pulled out a chair and sat down.
Allie sipped her coffee, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat. Tess was working hard this morning. Her black miniskirt inched up her lustrous thigh when she crossed her legs. Her burgundy-colored tank top stretched across her braless chest, her nipples pressing through the thin fabric.
Allie recalled at one time she would have felt inferior, sitting next to Tess in her mundane, average clothing, but not today. Allie felt powerful and stunning next to her. Her strawberry-blonde hair looked radiant against the yellow, sleeveless blouse and black shorts that she was wearing. Although her confidence didn’t come from her clothing. It came from Marty’s desire for her. Allie knew she was the one he wanted.
Allie continued to watch Tess’s efforts move into overdrive. Allie almost felt sorry for her. Allie questioned whether Tess felt like she was losing. Marty was barely giving her the time of day. Contentment flowed through her. Allie knew she had won. If Tess only knew she’d had Marty inside of her more than Tess had. What a fool.
“What d’you need, Tess?” Marty played it safe, staying at the counter, drinking his coffee.
“I need some cracks repaired in the concrete around my pool area.” She leaned one elbow on the table. “I figured you could help me.”
“I can’t pour concrete anymore, Tess, because of my leg.” Marty was polite with his refusal.
“No, no, silly.” She shook her head. “I want you to be there when they come to do the estimate, so I don’t get ripped off.”
“Okay, I suppose I can do that.” Allie watched Marty’s eyes dart over to hers quickly then return to Tess.
“Great, they’re coming around three.” Tess got up and walked over to Marty and tapped his shoulder. “Thanks, I knew I could count on you. Bye, Al.” Tess turned, glancing back at her.
Tess shut the door and stepped off the porch. Allie tried to contain her laughter. Marty walked over to the table and dropped into the chair, resting his head in his hands.
“Good God.” He looked over at her, his face weary. Allie diverted her gaze. She didn’t want Tess wedging her way between them. She chose to rise above and keep her comments to herself. “It’s not funny, Allie. Now I have to go over there and worry about being raped.”
“Just say no.” Allie shrugged.
“Hey, you could come with me.” His eyes brightened.
Allie was already shaking her head. “No way. It won’t look right. I’m sorry.”
“Can I see you later on tonight?” His hand inched across the table.
There was a clattering outside. Allie jerked her hand back so fast that her coffee spilled. Tess was banging on the door. Allie ran for paper towels as the puddle of coffee moved across the table. Marty answered the door.
“Hey, Marty, could you please bring a tape measure? They’re going to measure. I want you to double-check it.”
Allie hid her face, wiping up the coffee. Her face flamed with heat, her chest tight, wanting to close within itself.
“Sure, Tess. I’ll bring the tape me
asure,” Marty said, his tone exhausted.
“Gee, Al. Can’t take you anywhere, can we?” Tess gestured to the spilled coffee.
Chapter 17
“You gotta relax.” Marty’s hand ran down her arm. Her face and neck were on fire, dampness on her brow.
“I’m telling you, we have to watch,” Allie bit back through gritted teeth.
“It’s fine, really,” Marty reassured her, following her to the trash can.
Allie spun to face him. “I can’t take the same chances you can. Let’s not forget that.” Allie glared at him.
“I’m fully aware,” he snapped. “Don’t remind me.” He grabbed the wet paper towels out of her hand.
“Marty, please…” Allie’s regret over bringing up her relationship with Dan came over her like a wave of sudden sickness. Her stomach twisted into a burning ache.
“Don’t talk about that so-called boyfriend of yours, leaving you alone all the time. That’s no partner. I have filled your void. I’ve met your needs.” Marty’s hostile tone sliced through her, his face set. He stepped closer to her, his lips an inch away from hers. The scent of stale coffee hit her lips. His dark stare pinned her, her body unable to move.
“I know.” Allie reached for him, glancing back toward the door. “I am filled with you,” she said, her words rushing. “I need you, please.” Her words choked.
“Show me, show me just how much.” His eyes wide and unblinking, Marty grabbed her arm, tugging her down the hall to a place in his house she’d never been.
“Marty, we can’t.” The world around them stopped, yet something was spinning out of control.
“Why the hell not?” he demanded. Marty’s anger was lashing out at someone—Dan, Tess, or maybe her.
“I just don’t want to get caught.” Allie tried to reinforce her reasoning. She could smell and feel his temper. Aggravation spewed out of him, no longer containable. His hands shook. His face gleamed with sweat, his fingers digging into her skin.
