A Family Woman

by T. B. Markinson

  Maddie and I both nodded.

  “Well, my sister is perfect for him.” He slumped back in his chair, crossing his arms over his narrow chest.

  “Would Tie do the same to you?” Maddie asked.

  “Would she out me?” He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know about that. She’s more cunning. She’d devise a way to destroy me completely, more than just a character assassination. Being a gay man, even in Colorado, doesn’t hold the same cache for haters as it once did. No, she would conjure a no-holds-barred approach to destroy every aspect of my life.”

  “How’d you two meet?” Sarah nodded to Kit and Courtney, clearly trying to salvage the evening from slipping into dangerous territory. I’d already done my share of bringing the group down with my momentary lapse of judgment.

  “Tie and I used to be best friends in high school.” Courtney’s smile dripped with malice.

  “Never lovers?” Maddie asked.

  “Gawd, no. Tie isn’t the type. Once, when we were fourteen, I said we should practice kissing together, and the look on her face—no, we never ventured out of the friend zone.”

  “Are you still friends?” Sarah pushed.

  “As much as anyone can be friends with Tie. By the time we’d graduated, I’d figured out Tie always has some devious plan going on. It’s better to stay friendly, but not let her in, if you get my drift.” For once Courtney was being sincere.

  I tapped Sarah’s foot under the table, and she flashed me a sad smile that implied it served Peter right. However, I felt conflicted. I wasn’t fond of my brother, but did I want him to suffer?

  ***

  Later that night, I settled under the covers in bed. Sarah was still in the bathroom. The room swayed. If Sarah and Maddie hadn’t come to my rescue, helping me save face, I’d be puking my guts out right now instead of resting one foot on the floor to combat the spinning sensation.

  Sarah, her silk robe completely open and fluttering around her like wings, entered the room, clutching a Nalgene bottle. “Here, drink.” She hurled it onto the bed next to me and then slipped out of her robe and between the sheets.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled.

  She plumped up some pillows behind her back. “Tell me about Dr. Marcel.”

  “Now? I’m exhausted.” To prove my point, I yawned.

  “Not going to work. You’ve been keeping this quiet, and I’m doing my best not to get angry, so step up and meet me halfway.”

  “Halfway? Not sure that makes sense.” My tequila-foozled mind sputtered, trying to work it out.

  She sighed. “Please, don’t focus on my phrasing. Focus on not keeping a secret. It hasn’t worked well for you in the past.”

  “That’s what Ethan said. Even Casey agreed.”

  “You told Ethan and his daughter before telling me?” She frowned as if she couldn’t decide whether she should laugh or be angry.

  “She figured out I was keeping a secret. The kid is smart.”

  “Apparently smarter than you.” She crossed her arms, allowing me to catch an eyeful of her tits.

  “Is it wrong that I’m extremely turned on right now?” I made a point of ogling her girls.

  Sarah followed my eyes to her cleavage and tutted. “Not going to work.”

  “Oh, it’s working—for me, at least.” I kissed her bare shoulder.

  She shoved me off, but I moved back and peppered her neck with soft kisses.

  Her breath hitched. “You’re going to have to spill.”

  “I promise. First thing tomorrow. Right now…” I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck. “I want to show you how beautiful you are. You were killing me all night, flirting with Courtney. You owe me.”

  She laughed guiltily and avoided my eyes. “I wasn’t flirting.”

  I tugged her seafoam green slip up to stroke her belly. “And Hitler was never a Nazi. If you want complete honesty from me, all the time, you’re going to have to step up as well.” I shoved the covers off so I could nestle between her legs and kiss her expanding belly, working my way down. “This is a surprise. No panties.”

  “I had high hopes.”

  So did I, which was why I’d lit a few candles to set the mood.

  I skimmed my fingers through her pubic hair. “That we’d have a heart-to-heart and then fuck? Or were you worked up after flirting with Maddie’s date all night?”

  She bonked my head with a pillow before tossing it onto the charcoal-gray carpet. It wasn’t my favorite color, but Maddie had insisted it accented the dark red walls. Every room in the house had a theme; this one was love—or sex—and included several paintings and statues of naked women.

  “Don’t beat me now, not with my head between your legs.” I looked up at her and winked. “What if you accidentally shoved my teeth into your love channel, causing permanent damage.”

  “Love channel?” She quirked an eyebrow.

  “Given what I’m about to do, I decided against canal. Might spoil the mood, considering you’re about to squeeze two humans out of your pussy.”

  She tossed her head back, laughing. “Do share. What are you about to do?”

  “Eat your pussy. That is if you ever stop jawing and give me a moment’s piece to concentrate.”

  “I need to stop talking. You’re down there arguing like you’re pleading your case in front of the Supreme Court.”

  She had a good point. I nibbled on her inner thigh, the top of my head rubbing against her wetness.

  Sarah moaned. She was hot to trot, and I didn’t want to waste this opportunity; such occasions had become increasingly rare over the past few weeks.

  I turned my attention to her other leg, and her moans turned into demanding grunts. Admittedly, I missed playing with her breasts, especially considering their fullness, but the message was loud and clear these days: look but don’t touch. The pain Sarah experienced outweighed any pleasure. However, as my mouth moved to her slick lips, I got a glimpse of her heaving mountains, and a satisfied warmth spread through my nether regions.

  I slipped my tongue up and down her folds, separating them for a taste. She was wet and more fragrant than usual, her clit already engorged. I remembered reading about these changes in one of the pregnancy books. Was it constantly in that state now or only when aroused? Perhaps a question for later.

  My fingers darted inside her easily, nearly slipping back out.

  “Steady,” she teased.

  “You need a danger ahead sign down here,” I mumbled into her pussy.

  Sarah clamped my head between her thighs. If she was trying to punish me, she was failing. I flicked her clit with my tongue, and her legs went limp as her back arched. Focusing more than usual, I moved my fingers in and out of her.

  Her movements rewarded my efforts. My tongue switched to double time, trying to keep up with her increasing verbal and physical commands.

  Before she came, she rolled onto her side. “I’m sorry. It’s so

  uncomfortable on my back.”

  I slanted my head to eye her position, trying to figure out the next step. “Do you want to be on top? Or stop?”

  “No stopping!”

  I clamped down on my lip to suppress a smile. I hadn’t put the brakes on; she had.

  Sarah smiled. “I’m sorry. This probably isn’t much fun for you. The hormones, increased wetness, and it takes ages for me to come.”

  I moved up, placing my head on the same pillow as hers. Swiping some hair off her cheek, I said, “The last person you should be fretting about is me. Tell me what you want, what you need, and I’ll do it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “What did I just say? You have nothing to be sorry about. We can spoon.”

  “Not that. You’re right. I was flirting with Courtney.”

  “I knew it.” I waggled a playful finger in her face.

  “Every day, it seems like I’m getting bigger. I liked the attention. She made me feel sexy, e
ven though I suspect she makes everyone feel that way.”

  “Don’t I make you feel sexy?” I stroked her cheek.

  “You do. It’s not you. I’ve read all the books, and I know I shouldn’t think I’m a blimp, but when I look down or feel the pressure on my back and knees, it’s hard to stay in the right frame of mind.” She placed a hand on my jaw, and I kissed the heel of her hand. “It felt good to have a stranger flatter me.”

  “A very sexy stranger.”

  “Hey!” She pinched my cheek.

  “Oh, I’m not allowed to say it?”

  “Not at all!” Her eyes twinkled. “But you came home with me.”

  “You never have to worry about that. No one else will put up with me.”

  She chortled. “We’re a mess. I’m needy for a stranger’s attention, and you’re socially inept.”

  “Don’t sugarcoat things for my benefit. Tell me what you really think.” I kissed her lips.

  Sarah pawed the back of my head, tugging me tightly toward her as if she wanted to shove my entire head into her mouth.

  “Have you transformed into a black widow? You want to kill me now?” I panted.

  She rolled me onto my back. “Don’t be silly. We haven’t finished yet.” With that, she sat on my face. “I’m not squishing you, am I?”

  “Are you kidding me? Don’t even think of moving until you come. No matter how long it takes you.”

  “I like it when you talk to me that way.”

  I loved it when she sat on my face. I showed her that by getting her to finally achieve orgasm.

  ***

  The next morning, as soon as I stored my bike in the garage and stepped into the house, I knew I was in trouble. Maddie and Sarah sat on barstools at the kitchen bench, both with arms folded over their chests.

  “What’s this? The Spanish Inquisition?” I opened the fridge to grab an apple and a bottle of water.

  “Ha! Much worse,” Maddie crowed.

  “Do I get a last meal?” I suspended the apple by its stem.

  She shook her head.

  I rolled my eyes and bit into the crunchy red flesh.

  Maddie, annoyed, snatched my water bottle.

  “If you want me to talk, you’ll have to allow water. I’m parched.” I cleared my throat and patted my neck with four fingers.

  “Stop stalling.”

  The wrinkles around the corners of Sarah’s mouth curled upward. I swear my wife loved watching Maddie call me out on my shit.

  “I’m considering,” I said to Sarah as I snatched the bottle from Maddie.

  “Considering?” Maddie dragged out each syllable.

  I took a much needed drink. “Yes. I think it’d be nice to teach again. They say you never understand something until you have to teach it. Maybe that’s part of my problem. I’ve only taught Western Civ. Too broad. I need to teach the time period I study.”

  Sarah nodded thoughtfully.

  Maddie waved a hand in front of Sarah’s face. “You aren’t buying this crap, are you?”

  I crumpled against the counter on the other side of the kitchen island, my legs wobbly from a fifty-mile bike ride, and stared deeply into Sarah’s eyes.

  “I don’t think she’s selling anything.” Sarah glanced at Maddie and then back at me. “I think she’s lost.”

  “She’s always been lost.” Maddie swiveled to face me head-on. “A lost cause.”

  I closed my eyes and counted to ten.

  “Maddie, please. Stop jumping to conclusions. You’re always so hard on Lizzie. And I think a part of you has been waiting for her to flip out about the twins. She hasn’t, really. You aren’t here all the time. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner who’s there for me.”

  I smiled, remembering her sitting on my face last night.

  Sarah winked as if in tune with my thoughts.

  “Hello?” Maddie waved a hand in front of Sarah’s face. “That’s the point. If Lizzie takes this position, she won’t be here when the three of you need her most.”

  Sarah gave me her full attention. “Will you start teaching this fall?”

  “It’s not set in stone, but I have the chance to teach one class this fall. Dip my toes in, so to speak. Two in the spring. None in the summer.”

  “One class.” Sarah peered out the window above the kitchen sink, which was tucked into the corner.

  I placed both hands on the counter. “If you want me to say no or you think it’s a bad idea, I’ll turn it down.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “Of course. You and the twins will always come first.”

  “In that case, I say yes. But is one class enough to get you back into your groove?”

  “What?” Maddie squealed, flapping her arms. “Why are you letting her off the hook? She kept this from you.”

  I reached across the counter and covered Sarah’s hand with mine, ignoring Maddie. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. One of us has to work to support our brood.” Sarah laid her free hand on top of mine, and I playfully added another hand.

  “Ha! What they pay adjuncts these days makes it seem more like volunteering.”

  “Who cares? I want you to succeed, so if this is what it takes to help you get back on track, do it.”

  Maddie sputtered under her breath, but Sarah and I kept our gazes locked on each other. We’d grown much closer during her pregnancy; more often than not, we communicated best by staying silent.

  Maddie cleared her throat to break our trance. “I’m hungry.”

  “Does that mean you’ve given up trying to convince me to tell Lizzie to turn down a job that suits her to a T, working with one of the greatest scholars in the US?” Sarah broke free from my hands to pivot toward Maddie, hugging her arms over her chest, combative style.

  “Yes. I know both of you. It’s useless to talk sense into either one of you.” I could tell by Maddie’s softened shoulders that Sarah’s words had sunk in. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The timing stunk, but not everything in life worked like it should. My therapist would be so proud.

  “Oh, don’t be mad at her, Sarah. I think Maddie’s freaking out. My life is on track, and hers is falling apart.”

  “My life isn’t falling apart,” Maddie said in a tiny, unconvincing voice.

  Sarah and I both rolled our eyes.

  “Says the woman who’s dating Courtney. I trust Peter more than I do her.” Sarah bit her lip, daring Maddie to contradict her.

  “Not sure you can classify it as dating. More like fuck buddies. Last night was the first meal we’ve shared. At least she’s better in bed than good ol’ Petey.”

  I covered my ears. “Seriously, I could have lived a full and happy life never knowing my brother is bad in bed.”

  “I wouldn’t say bad, just unimaginative.” Maddie shrugged. “He wasn’t like that in the beginning, though. Is that a Petrie trait? Try hard in the beginning, and then peter out.”

  I sputtered, “Don’t even go there. I’m trying to curb my asshole tendencies, considering.”

  Sarah put a hand on Maddie’s arm. “You’d be surprised; trust me.”

  Did my wife just vouch that I was a good lay? Maybe even a great lay?

  Maddie’s face fell. “Well, shit. Maybe Lizzie’s right. We’ve switched roles. She has the perfect life, and mine is crumbling around my feet.”

  Sarah’s tone softened. “Come now. It’s not that bad. Your business is picking up. You have us, the greatest friends ever.”

  “And no one to go home to at night. Even before Doug split, I was so lonely. Do you know, before Courtney I hadn’t had sex for months.”

  “Was that the reason you broke it off?” Sarah asked.

  “Not the only reason. Doug’s a great guy, but in the friend kind of way. Even though it sucks, I rather be alone than lonely in a relationship.”

  “How do you explain your liaison with Courtney, then
? Won’t that put you back in the lonely boat?”

  “You don’t think she’s relationship material?” Maddie’s face clearly showed she was grasping at straws. “Honestly, I have no idea why I’m drawn to her. She’s beautiful, yes, but I know she’s not good for me. She’s like a can of Pringles. You know you shouldn’t pop the top because you won’t stop until the can is empty, but you can’t say no.”

  Sarah blinked and turned to me.

  Wasn’t it enough that I was a good lay? Now she expected me to say the right thing to Maddie, of all people.

  I sucked in a breath. “Whenever you feel lonely, you can come here and help us change diapers.”

  Sarah’s lips thinned. She tried to curtail her I can’t believe that was the best you had grin.

  Maddie, though, belly laughed. “I wish I could say no, but that’s the best offer I’ve had in months.” She placed a hand on Sarah’s belly. “Come on, little ones. I’m ready to meet you. Give Auntie Maddie some purpose in life.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Please, Lizzie. Give Courtney a chance.” Maddie wiggled my arm up and down. “You just don’t know her all that well yet.”

  She was partly right, but I suspected Maddie also needed some convincing that the succubus was worth the effort. It’d only been a few days since she expounded on her Pringles’ theory, and I had hoped that after some ruminating she’d see the error of pursuing a woman who didn’t come across as someone who wanted to be pursued. Not in the relationship way. A roll in the hay, sure. Settle down—that was as likely as me scaling Mount Everest.

  Not knowing Courtney wasn’t the only reason I was uneasy. No matter what way I sliced it, Maddie was involved with Kit’s fiancée. Even if she and Kit had some arrangement, as Sarah suspected, that knowledge still affected me on some level. My family situation had never been stellar. It wasn’t like I was craving Peter’s acceptance, nor his wife’s. Still, I didn’t want to rock the boat.

  I yanked my arm free and crossed both against my chest, only lowering them when Sarah gave me the you better behave look. I could practically hear her: Keep an open mind and let things be. Because, throughout history, that has worked oh so well. Anyone remember Henry VIII? He wanted everyone to leave him alone, and he ended up beheading two women.