Thou Shall Not: A Dark Ten Commandments Anthology

by Michelle Brown

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  The Tenth Commandment

  Thou shall not covet thy neighbors’ house

  Desiderate

  Michelle Brown

  Chapter One

  Adam

  I’ve always been devout in my faith, I had always known the word of God and never strayed from the path he set for me. Not even in college when all the other boys were out having illicit affairs did I pressure my then girlfriend for more. I remained true to his words, maybe if I had broken mine, then, I wouldn’t be suffering as I do now. My faith is different now that I am older and a small bit wiser. I come on Sundays only because of the shame that would follow if I wasn’t a man of God in their eyes.

  Tugging at the collar of my dress shirt, I listen to the Preacher rattle on and on about how being God’s servant means following the Ten Commandments. I still refuse to stray from His word unless you count the need I have for Robert’s wife. Abigail was my schoolboy crush and it never went away, not even when I married my own wife and moved back to this little town.

  The Preacher pauses and turns to where she stands, Abigail has always been the star of the show, the one who should have made it big. Yet here she is in her choir gown mesmerizing everyone in attendance as if she was born for it. I place the hymn book over my lap and adjust myself through the slacks my wife insisted I wear.

  I feel Shelly tense next to me as she notices what has me uncomfortable. Her nails dig into the soft flesh of my hand to still my movements, “It’s one thing to be in love with her. It’s another to do that overseeing her. Stop it now, before someone sees.”

  I turn to face her and meet the eyes of her daughter across the room, her soft curls framing her face the way her mothers’ did once. Glancing down at my wife’s hand on my own and back to my face, she visibly swallows and blushes the most exquisite shade of pink. Her father starts speaking again from his podium and she turns away to listen to him speak the words of her faith.

  Squeezing my hand, Shelly motions for me to stand and step out of the pew. Clasping hands with Preacher Robert, I grin as his wife notices me, her eyes going wide at the sight. “Adam, when did you get back into town?” Abigail questions, her face flushing when she takes in her hand on my arm.

  Smiling at the couple, I wrap my arms around Shelly and tuck her into my side, “Shelly heard me mention the town often and we chose to settle down here.”

  Narrowing her eyes at Abigail, Shelly pulls her lips into a tight smile, “Yes, when we found out we were expecting it made sense to move back to Adam’s childhood town.”

  I smell her light perfume before I see her and before I hear her soft voice, “Daddy, is it alright with you if I go to the movies with my friends?”

  She may be speaking to him, but it’s my eyes, she is staring into waiting for an answer. A slight nod of my head causes her face to split into a shy smile, it’s not his approval she was searching for. Turning to Shelly, Robert offers her his hand, “Please excuse me, ma’am, sir. I need to see everyone else off. Come, Abigail.”

  Like a good girl, Abigail follows without hesitation as the young woman meets my eyes once more before turning to her group of friends gathered at the entrance. I can feel the anger radiating off of Shelly and for once I don’t mind. I know it will make our sex later hate-filled and passionate, something it isn’t often anymore. I made the mistake of calling out Abigail’s name instead of Shelly’s after the first time I saw her again. Digging her nails into my side, Shelly motions for me to the door, away from Abigail and her daughter. I need to know her name, I need to know everything about this woman.

  Sliding into the driver's seat, I wait for Shelly’s seat belt to click until I drive away and think of the girl looking at me the way she did. Shelly is just over eight months pregnant and won’t be able to satisfy me soon with a baby around. Parking the car in the garage, I climb out and walk around the car to open her door. Thanking me, she walks inside and heads to our room. Shelly knows what I need right now and she gives me everything I need, that’s what a good wife does after all. Lying on the bed waiting for me, Shelly smiles and opens her legs enough for me to move between them. My woman moans in my ear as I slide into her slick opening.

  Shelly’s nails scratch at my back as I pump in and out of her, begging me closer to her naked breast. I take her pebbled nipple into my mouth and suck, biting at her flesh as I feel her tighten around my shaft. Groaning, I pull out of her and motion for her to turn over. It’s something she is used to, my love is given but for a price. I need her to accept me and let me use her the way our bodies demand. Gripping her hips, I push my hardness into the tight ring of her ass. Whimpering at the feeling, Shelly rocks back into me as I thrust in and out of her until my orgasm is released. Smiling to myself as I clean away the come dripping from her ass I imagine what it would feel like to take her. The girl with blonde hair and blue eyes and the blush that disappeared under her shirt.

  Chapter Two

  Adam

  Shelly decided to give piano lessons to make extra money until after the baby is born which is fine with me as long as she is happy. I may be a bad husband at times, but I only want the best for her. Walking into the house that once belonged to my parents, I cringe when I hear the student playing Mary Had A Little Lamb, or at least attempting to. Rounding the corner, I meet the eye of Shelly, who is standing behind a young woman with blonde hair. Shelly’s grin widens when she sees I am home and she leans down to whisper in the woman’s ear. Both of them turn and I suck in a breath at the sight of my wife with her hands on Abigail’s daughter. It’s not fear that has me spellbound, but lust for the two of them together.

  “Adam, this is Chasity. She showed up for lessons today and I must say I can see why you were so fascinated by her,” Shelly explains, her hands massaging Chasity’s shoulders.

  Clearing my throat, I nod at them as I make my way over to the chair across the room. Grabbing the worn copy of To Kill A Mockingbird from the side table, I sit and wait for the music to fill the room. Chasity is no better at playing by the end of the session much to her dismay, giving her instructions to come back again for more lessons Shelly hugs her close. Getting up to see her to the door, I clasp her small hand in mine.

  I turn around and see the shy smile on Shelly’s face. Rubbing her back as she walks into the kitchen, I watch her act as if she didn’t invite Chasity into our home knowing who she was. Adjusting myself, I lean against the counter while Shelly goes about making dinner for us. I was thrilled when I met her years ago, she was raised to believe that a woman should see to all of her husband’s needs no matter what they may be. Mine aren’t the norm, I know that and yet she doesn’t seem to mind.

  Placing the dinner plates on the table, I wait for Shelly to sit before I take my own seat and rest my hands in front of me for a quick prayer. Shelly was taught to always give thanks and instilled that into our routine. Eating in silence, I watch my wife as she wraps her lips around the piece of broccoli and starts to chew. It shouldn’t be erotic yet I find even her smallest movements to be just that. Finishing my dinner, I clear the table as she makes her way up to our room for her bath. By the time I’ve made my way to bed, I can hear the soft snores coming from her sleeping form. Lying next to her, I pull her close and drift into a peaceful slumber.

  Chapter Three

  Chasity

  Tossing and turning over, I look at my alarm clock, the bright red numbers mocking my lack of sleep. It’s nearly one am and I have barely been able to calm my nerves since I left their house earlier. Adam and Shelly, two people I shouldn’t find as fascinating as I do. Adam is my mother’s high school boyfriend and twice my age. Shelley
is his wife, his gorgeous and very pregnant wife, and I want her just as much as I want him. I don’t mean as parents, I mean as lovers. Not that I have any idea what that would entail. I’m supposed to be saving myself for marriage, it’s the way the church says it has to be.

  I haven’t felt this way about any of my boyfriends before no matter how much they tried to make me forget my vow. The need to touch myself, to relieve the ache coursing through my blood and until this point, I never knew how powerful the temptation could be. I want to go against my father, my church, my God. I want to revel in sin.

  Tracing my fingers down my stomach, I gasp when I finally reach my panties. The movement causing my body to shake. Stilling, I wait for a moment, afraid that my parents will hear me. Grabbing my pillow, I shove it between my thighs as I turn over and press my face into the soft mattress but I need more. Reaching down, I slide my panties down and let them settle at the end of the bed. Tangled in the sheets, I bite my lip as I move back and forth, up and down on the pillow. Slowly, I swirl my hips and grind into the fabric as I find the rhythm that sends sparks down my spine. The pressure builds as the pillow rubs against my skin. Images of Adam’s tented slacks and the memory of Shelly’s hands on my shoulders has me moving faster and faster.

  Burying my face, I let out a soft cry as I feel the tingles overtake my body. I never understood what the other girls would talk about when they said it was breathtaking when they came. I may not know much about sex, but the feeling makes me ready to try the things I’ve been told are wrong. The things I know I shouldn’t feel.

  Pulling the covers up over my body, I yawn. Sleep comes easier as my body fully relaxes, my sins still dampening the pillow lying next to me. The sun peeks through the sheer pink curtains, letting me know that morning has come, the smell of bacon cooking teasing my nose. Blushing, I grab my panties and slip them on and quickly change into my school uniform. Rushing into the bathroom, I quickly wash my face and brush my teeth. Flicking off the light switch, I pause and wash my hands a second time, just in case. I’ll be late for school if I’m not out the door soon.

  Grabbing a slice of bacon on my way out, I stop walking as I see Jacob waiting outside. Jacob wants to be my boyfriend, but I’ve never seen him that way. He’s only ever been my friend, I can’t see him as more, even if that would make everything easier. My parents love him and have made countless remarks about our future together. A future only they seem to be able to foresee.

  Wiping my fingers on my jeans, I smile and climb into the passenger seat, my hand immediately finding the radio volume. I can feel the blush spreading across my face, and Jacob doesn’t even know what I did. Singing along with the woman talking about how she can’t have him, I fiddle with the hem of my shirt until Jacob stills my movements with his calloused fingers. Looking down at our hands, I feel off. Something that is normal for us doesn’t feel the way it used to, as if my body knows he isn’t Adam, as if I already belong to someone else even if he’s twice my age and married. Patting his arm, I slide my fingers from between his and grab my bag, rushing to slip out of the vehicle before he can stop me.

  The day passes quickly with me dodging him every chance I can get. I decided to walk home instead of catching a ride with Jacob. Closing the door behind me, I sigh when I realize my mother is already home. She hates when I’m late and depending on her mood, she punishes me for no reason at all. Tiptoeing up the stairs, I make it to the top before she calls out my name.

  “Chasity! Get down here now! You’re late again!”

  Dropping my bag on the floor next to me, I check the time on my watch only an hour before my dad should be home. Tossing a bag of rice at me, I place it on the floor in front of her and kneel. The rice digging into my knees. At least this time, I’m wearing jeans and it won’t be all day like the first time she made me do this. I remember kneeling for hours until my dad got home, the only thing I had done wrong in her eyes was not putting the cap back on the toothpaste. My dad didn’t make it stop completely, he just made it to where when he gets home my punishment is over.

  Chapter Four

  Adam

  It’s been a week since I’ve seen her. Abigail made excuses on Sunday about where she was. Abigail has always been terrible at telling a lie, Chasity isn’t sick that much I do know. I can’t push it further, however, that would let them know she means more to me than she should. Even Shelly didn’t believe her.

  Now here she is acting as if nothing has been going on. She doesn’t owe me an explanation but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t appreciate it nonetheless. Listening to her play the piano, I close my eyes as Shelly hums along to the tune. I can’t wait for Shelly to sing to our daughter in a few short weeks. The music stops and I can hear one of them crying softly. Opening my eyes, I meet Shelly’s glassy eyes as she holds Chasity close.

  “What’s wrong?” I croak, needing to somehow fix whatever is troubling her.

  Wiping her cheeks, Chasity turns to me and lift the hem of her skirt just over her knees. The purple and yellow bruises covering them cause my heart to stop for just a moment before beating wildly. I stay silent, quietly demanding answers from her. Her mother, Shelly mouths to me. I immediately understood what happened, Abigail’s mother did the same thing to her when we were kids.

  Picking up my phone, I hold it out to her, “Dial your parents' number. You don’t have to speak to them, but I do need to let them know you are staying here tonight.”

  When her voice comes across the line, I cut to the point. “Chasity is staying with Shelly and me. She will be home when she is ready but not a moment before.”

  I can hear her arguing with me, but I don’t care. Chasity is safe with us. Hanging up the phone on her shrieks, I smile at both of my girls. And she is my girl, even if she doesn’t know it yet. Taking Chasity’s delicate hand in her own, Shelly leads her to the back of the house towards the spare bedroom. Setting to work, I clean up the piano space and head to our room. It’s across the hallway from the one she is in and as I pass I see them lying together on the mattress. I don’t disturb them, instead, I set about getting ready for bed.

  Chapter Five

  Shelly

  Chasity has been in our home for two weeks now, each day she gets closer and closer to him, to us. I know what people think. It’s wrong for her to be here, for us to both want her, for me to allow another woman into my marriage. They don’t know the secrets I keep even from my own husband. If he knew then she wouldn’t be here and our child wouldn’t be on the way either. I’ve known since the first time I went to the doctor. Something is wrong with me. My pregnancy is killing me. Not really, but in a way it is. I made the choice to not to seek treatment for the cancer spreading throughout my body, I decided that our sweet child deserved her life more than I did. The doctors don’t think I’ll survive after her birth, and he will need someone when I’m gone.

  They both will.

  Humming to myself, I fold the last piece of clothing and place the tiny outfit next to the others. Chasity will be home soon and today is her birthday. I made her a cake this morning when she left for school. The boy, Jacob, wants her to be his but she isn’t nor will she be. The way she looks at Adam tells me it won’t be much longer before she offers more. I haven’t told Adam how often I’ve heard her moaning our names while she pleases herself late at night.

  I hear the shouting before a knock sounds at the front door. It sounds like Abigail but she should know better than to be here, she isn’t welcome, something I’ve told her previously. Looking through the small hole, I take in a sharp breath.

  “Can I help you?” I question as I swiftly open the wooden door.

  I can feel her glare as Robert barges inside.

  “Chasity! Get out here, NOW!” he hollers.

  Walking towards the living room, I sit on the edge of the couch and wait for his yelling to stop. If he was a decent father, he would know that she isn’t even out of school yet.

  “Well, have a fucking seat since you feel the
need to come into my home,” I grit through clenched teeth to the leering Abigail.

  Smirking, she sits across from me, patiently waiting for something to happen. Picking at my nails, I consider my words carefully. Adam isn’t here and I’m not sure what these two will do to get their way.

  “Abigail, I’ve already told you once that you weren’t welcome here. That you needed to stay away from Adam. Do I need to remind you what will happen if you don’t?”

  Laughing, she stands and makes her way to the fireplace mantel, “If you were going to tell him, you would have already.”

  Before I can speak, I hear a vehicle outside and her soft voice calling out that she’s home. I couldn’t even warn her they were waiting to take her away. Instead, I had to listen to Chasity crying as her father grabbed her arm and forced her into their car.

  Chapter Six

  Chasity

  I thought my mother was bad, my father when angry is worse. I don’t even know what day it is, or if it’s even daylight. I’ve been stuck in the catacombs in the church since my birthday. It’s dark, damp, and creepy. The only thing that has kept me going has been the thought of being with them when I do get out. Now that I’m eighteen, my parents can’t force me to stay.

  “Get up.”

  Looking up at the man, I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. I can barely make out his form with the bright light shining in behind him. I don’t know him, but he feels familiar. Gripping the back of my head, he grabs a handful of hair and forces me to my feet.