Enigma

by Taylor Brent

  He whispered words of congratulations or encouragement—he wasn’t sure which because he could only think of her breasts smashed against his chest, about pushing her down onto the pool table and—

  No! he told himself. For God’s sake, get ahold of yourself! You are not a sixteen-year-old boy with your first woman. Stop acting like it.

  That was easier said than done, he realized as her enticing scent wafted over him. She smelt of flowers with a sweetness underneath that practically made him drool. The sound of drinks being set on a nearby table snapped him out of his desire-induced haze. Margery released her hold on his neck and turned around, her face beet red.

  Rose stood next to a tall, circular table, eyeing them with a suspicious twinkle in her eye. “Thought you two could use a drink.”

  Niyol narrowed his eyes at Rose while Margery downed the contents of one glass.

  Rose gave him an innocent smile before shrugging and walking away. They played a couple more rounds of pool before Niyol noticed that Margery was feeling the alcohol’s effects. She swayed a little as she walked, and he figured he better get her to her room before she fell over. He asked Rose where she was staying, and Rose told him, giving Margery a concerned glance. Taking her by the arm, Niyol led Margery up the cellar stairs and then up another flight of stairs to her assigned room. Stopping outside the door, he fiddled with the keys, attempting to unlock the door for her.

  “I really enjoyed talking with you, Niyol,” Margery whispered.

  The door finally gave a soft click, and Niyol turned to study her face. She wasn’t slurring her words and could stand on her own, so he didn’t think she was drunk, just a little tipsy. He knew from Jill’s wedding that Rose’s homebrewed beer was stronger than your average beer. Two glasses could definitely get someone tipsy but not drunk. He didn’t know why that mattered to him aside from wanting her words to come from her and not from the alcohol.

  “I enjoyed talking to you too, Margery.”

  Without warning, she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. They were soft and inviting, making him groan with need. It had been so long since he’d had a woman, and Margery’s intoxicating scent surrounded him, clouding his mind and taking over his senses. He hesitated, not wanting to take advantage, but she ran her hands up his chest and behind his head to pull him closer, deepening the kiss, her tongue flitting out to trace his lips.

  With a last frustrated groan, Niyol opened his mouth, letting his tongue dart out to tangle with hers. Wrapping an arm around Margery’s waist, he fumbled with the doorknob, opening the door and pulling her with him into the room before kicking the door shut with his foot. Margery broke their kiss and took a few steps back, leaving him leaning against the door, watching her.

  A sinful smile spread across her flushed face, and her eyes darkened with desire as she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it away. She took her time shedding the rest of her clothes, her gaze never leaving his as she let her hands trail over the skin she exposed.

  Niyol remained transfixed, drinking her in with his eyes until she stood naked before him. He stared at her for three beats of his heart before shoving himself off the door and striding toward her. He got there in two steps, gathering her in his arms and kissing her deeply, his tongue pushing into her mouth with a heated intensity he couldn’t control.

  Margery’s hands scrabbled at his chest, searching for the buttons of his flannel shirt as he kicked off his shoes. Once his flannel hit the floor, his thermal shirt followed, and he mentally cursed himself for wearing so many layers. Her hands drifted down to the buckle to his belt, but he stopped her before she could undo it; he’d almost gotten carried away, but he wanted to go slow and savor each moment of pleasure they brought to each other.

  He claimed her mouth in a slow, gentle kiss while his hands found her large breasts and cupped them, his thumbs brushing over her nipples and making her shiver against him. After a long gaze into her lust-clouded eyes, Niyol lowered his head, pulling a nipple into his mouth and sucking on the hard little bead.

  Margery threw her head back and moaned, the sound vibrating through his body and spurring him on. He switched to the other nipple, lavishing it with attention while his fingers found the nipple he’d just left and rolled it between them. In no time, she was clutching him by the shoulders, her nails pressing into his skin. He moved her slowly backward toward the bed, pushing her down when they reached it. Falling to his knees, he spread her legs and pressed a kiss to the inside of each knee before trailing slow, open-mouthed kisses up her inner thighs, making her squirm with anticipation.

  After he had explored every inch of her quivering thighs with his teeth and tongue, he blew a long, hot breath on her wet pussy before tasting her with a broad stroke of his tongue. A small gasp from her was all the encouragement he needed to taste her more, flicking his tongue against her pleasure spot while delving two fingers into her hot center. She tasted as intoxicating as she smelled, and he found he couldn’t get enough of her.

  She bucked her hips in rhythm to his stroking fingers, faster and faster, her pants and moans intensifying, and Niyol found he couldn’t wait any longer. Standing up, he stripped his pants off in one fluid motion while she stared hungrily up at him. He rubbed his throbbing cock against her slick juices while rolling one of her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. She cried out and clutched the sheets in her fists.

  “Now, Niyol,” she rasped, her voice husky with desire. “I need you inside me now.”

  Niyol didn’t need to be told twice. He plunged into her hot sheath, then pulled almost all the way out before thrusting back in. He kept his thrusts slow and measured, watching as Margery writhed beneath him. She rocked her hips against his, and he captured her mouth again, imitating the thrusts of his hips with his tongue.

  As she moaned into his mouth, her hands gripped his shoulders, and she raked her nails down his back, her muscles clenching around him and signaling her release. He quickened his thrusts, feeling the pleasure build until stars burst behind his eyes and he spilled inside her with a groan of satisfaction.

  They lay there for a moment, spent and sated, their muscles refusing to work while they caught their breath. With a pleased sigh, Niyol rolled off Margery, pulling her close and throwing the covers over them. He gave her one last kiss before they both drifted off to sleep, holding each other in a tight embrace.

  Chapter Eight: Two Hearts Beat

  Niyol woke the next morning, unsure of where he was for a few seconds before last night came rushing back to him. He glanced at Margery who was sleeping soundly on his chest, and his heart tightened. Guilt washed over him in waves. He liked Margery. He liked her a lot, and he had taken advantage of her the night before. God only knew how she would react this morning when she woke up in his arms. As the thought crossed his mind, Margery stirred against his chest, and her eyes blinked open.

  She looked up at him with a shy smile. “Hi,” she whispered.

  “Hi,” he said, unable to stifle the grin that spread over his face, but it quickly dissolved, and he sat up to begin dressing.

  Margery frowned, unsure of what to say. Last night was amazing for her, but she sensed something was wrong with Niyol. Had she imagined the intense connection between them? Did she like him more than he liked her? What if she had just been a casual distraction for him? The thoughts ran through her mind one after the other before she shut them all down, clearing her mind and turning to search for her clothes. She wouldn’t let her own insecurities get the better of her, not before they had a chance to talk about things.

  “I’m going to go wash up,” Margery murmured, glancing over her shoulder to find Niyol still facing away from her.

  He nodded without turning around. “I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast, then.” Now fully dressed, he slipped out of her room and into the hall.

  She frowned after him before gathering her clothes and padding to the bathroom. She would talk to Niyol about last night, but first, she needed a
hot shower and some coffee.

  Margery found Niyol downstairs with everyone else, but he avoided her gaze. After breakfast, she meant to catch him alone, but Rose took her aside.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Rose asked as she led the other woman back into the kitchen, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

  “I have a headache,” Margery replied. “That brew is seriously strong, Rose. You should warn people.”

  Rose tsked and swatted Margery’s arm. “That is not what I meant.”

  “I know what you meant, but it’s none of your business, is it?”

  “Someone is a little testy this morning,” Rose muttered.

  “Fine,” Margery sighed, sitting at the kitchen table. “Yes, Niyol and I made love, and yes, it was amazing, but then, this morning, he acted strange. I don’t know what to do.”

  Before Rose could answer, Jill walked in looking peakish.

  “Jill?” Margery asked. “Are you okay?”

  “Just feeling a little under the weather. You know, morning sickness and all.”

  “You’re still having morning sickness?” Margery asked.

  “Yes,” Jill replied, then stopped and looked at Margery’s concerned face. “But that’s normal, right? All the books say some women can have it during the whole pregnancy.”

  “That’s true,” Margery agreed, keeping her own misgivings to herself. Nausea could follow an expectant mom the whole pregnancy, but combined with Jill’s other symptoms of exhaustion and lethargy, it was a little more concerning. “I’d still talk to your doctor about it,” Margery added. “He might have something he can do for it.”

  Jill nodded and smiled. “Thanks, Margery. I feel better knowing I can talk to you about this stuff since you’ve been through it.”

  Margery glanced at Rose to see if Jill’s words had upset her, but she just smiled reassuringly at her friend. Returning Rose’s smile, Margery looked back to Jill. “Well, you can call me anytime you need me. I’m always available. And stop by the diner next time you’re in town, and I’ll whip you up whatever you’re craving.”

  “Thanks,” Jill said, giving her a hug. “I’ll stop by this week.”

  The three of them sat and talked for a little longer. Jill asked Margery the famous love personality questions Rose was teaching her, and Margery answered them, not wanting to be a spoilsport. After she finished with the questions, she excused herself to go find Niyol and catch a ride home now that the snow had let up some. Jill and Rose both hugged her goodbye and watched her leave the room.

  “Well?” Rose asked Jill.

  “I’m guessing you already know the answer since you’re her best friend?”

  Rose nodded.

  “Well, according to the answers she gave, Margery needs someone strong, someone steady. She’s a bit insecure, so she needs someone who can understand and help her with that by reassuring her of their love. Someone honorable and kind.”

  Rose beamed at her. “You hit the nail right on the head with that one.”

  Jill turned toward the door through which Margery had just left with a thoughtful look on her face.

  Margery found Niyol in the sitting room, studying the crackling flames in the fireplace.

  “Niyol,” she said gently.

  He turned to look at her.

  She felt her face heat. “Could you take me home?”

  He nodded and stood, leading her outside to his car. Margery followed him and tried not to fidget too much as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road that led into town. The snow had fallen all night long, leaving a blanket of pure white as far as she could see. The pearly covering of snow and ice only enhanced the landscape’s usual beauty. It looked like a fairytale ice kingdom had descended upon them while they slept.

  “I’m sorry if I took advantage of you last night,” Niyol said, startling Margery out of her musings and making her jump.

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry if—” Niyol began, but Margery cut him off.

  “No, I heard what you said. I’m just confused about why you said it. Niyol, I’m a big girl, and I make my own decisions. A couple of Rose’s drinks doesn’t change that. I don’t regret what happened between us last night, and I’m sorry if you do.”

  He was silent for a little while. “I don’t regret last night,” he whispered, his voice so low she had to lean closer to hear him.

  “Well, that’s good, then,” Margery said, not sure what was wrong and too afraid to ask.

  “Would you maybe… want to get together again?” Niyol asked after another few minutes of silence. “I mean for an actual date,” he added quickly.

  “I’d like that,” Margery answered with a grin. “When were you thinking?”

  “Monday?” Niyol replied. “Around noon?”

  “Sounds good,” Margery agreed. “Ainsley doesn’t come back until Monday after school, so I have the whole day free. Come to think of it, she’s supposed to spend the night with my mother on Monday. Ainsley has a part in her school’s Thanksgiving pageant, and my mother is making her costume. So, if the date runs long, it won’t be a big deal.”

  “Maybe we can have dinner afterward, then?”

  “That would be great,” Margery said. “It would be nice having someone else do the cooking for once.”

  Niyol chuckled. Last night, as he had watched Margery help Rose cook, he had thought something very similar. “What is Ainsley’s part in the pageant, by the way?”

  “Oh, um.” Margery shifted uncomfortably. “She’s the Native American tribe’s princess.”

  “Native American tribes don’t have princesses,” Niyol said, his voice teasing.

  “Well, I know that,” Margery hastily explained. “Her official part is ‘Chieftain’s Daughter,’ but to Ainsley, that means princess.”

  Niyol tried not to smile at Margery’s discomfort. He didn’t take offense at any of this, but the opportunity to tease her was just too much to pass up.

  “She’s been obsessed with Pocahontas for years,” Margery rushed to explain, taking his silence for offense. “Ever since she saw that movie that depicted her as a princess. So blame the movie, not me.”

  Niyol burst out laughing. “I don’t blame you,” he chuckled. “Ainsley sounds cute.”

  Margery narrowed her eyes. “Well, if you think it’s so funny, then you can teach her about her part in the pageant and make sure she’s well informed about Native Americans and their culture.”

  Niyol stopped laughing. “Are you serious?”

  “Who better to teach her than you?” Margery said. “Why? Do you not like kids? She won’t bite you… I don’t think.”

  “It’s not that,” Niyol said, grinning. “I hadn’t realized you wanted to introduce us.”

  “Oh.” Margery hadn’t thought about that, but now that he mentioned it, she wondered why she felt okay with it. It seemed natural to introduce him to her daughter. True, she hadn’t known Niyol long, but he was Rose’s family, and she had known Rose all her life.

  “If it’s too soon, I understand,” Niyol continued. “We’ve only known each other a few days, and I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

  “I knew Mitchell for years, and look how that ended,” Margery answered, making her decision. “You’re a much better man than Mitchell ever was. We don’t have to tell her everything about our relationship, but you live here now, and Ainsley is close with Rose, so you will see her a lot. It’s natural to introduce you two.”

  Niyol seemed to relax a little. He gave her a smile and reached over to squeeze her hand. “Well, I’d love to teach Ainsley about Native American culture, although I know more about Diné culture specifically than about the Wampanoag tribe depicted in the Thanksgiving story. Still, maybe I can help her with her part in the pageant.”

  “Diné?” Margery asked with a quizzical look.

  “Navajo. Diné is our name for ourselves. It means ‘the people.’”

  Margery gave him a bashful smile as he p
ulled into her driveway. “It seems you have some things to teach me, too.”

  “I’ll definitely look forward to that,” Niyol said with a wink, jumping out of the SUV and striding around the front of the car before she could respond.

  She giggled as he helped her out of the car, pulling her into his arms.

  “Until Monday,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

  Margery smiled and nodded, and she walked inside her house with a renewed spring in her step.

  On Monday, Niyol woke up hoping to visit with Jill before his date with Margery, but he went downstairs to find her already gone.

  “She went to the doctor,” Rose explained, setting a plate of eggs in front of him.

  He paused with his fork in midair. “Is everything okay?”

  “Margery suggested she talk to her doctor about her nausea. Luke took her before his shift started.”

  Niyol frowned. “He left her there alone? I would have gone with her if he had woken me.”

  “Calm down,” Rose chuckled. “He’s staying with her for the appointment, and she’s going to drop him off at work afterward.”

  “Oh,” Niyol said, his heart rate returning to normal. He should have known Luke wouldn’t leave Jill alone at the doctor. Not when she was both pregnant and ill. Luke worshipped the ground Jill walked on. Any fool could see that.

  Niyol and Rose sat and talked for a while before the back door banged open, and a very grumpy Jill stomped into the kitchen.

  “Jill,” Niyol exclaimed, jumping up from his chair. “Is everything okay? Are you okay? What about the baby?”

  “Oh, she and the babies are fine,” Rose answered before Jill could. “She’s just upset about the fact that she’s carrying twins.”

  “How the hell do you know that?” Jill cried, slumping into a nearby chair as Niyol sat back down.

  “Word travels fast, Jill,” Rose answered, winking. “Especially when you list me as an emergency contact and allow your doctors to answer my questions.”

  Jill rolled her eyes and scowled. “Yes, I’m having twins. This is unbelievable! The doctor said twins probably run in my family. I had no idea.” She turned her dark gaze on Niyol. “Did you?”