His Brother's Wife

by Michelle Love

  That took some time, since things heated up under the water and I was soon inside of her, pressing her against the blue tiled wall as she wrapped her body around mine. Elisa dried her hair with a towel and pulled something out of her purse before she ran a comb through her hair.

  “Frizz,” she said simply, as I watched her, not used to a woman being around in this way. They were usually gone after the condom was off. Not too many women saw this side of my life, or even my bedroom. She pulled her hair up on the top of her head and asked me if I had a toothbrush, tilting her head as I produced a new one in the package. “I hope that you don’t have a lot of those.”

  “I buy a few at a time, so I don’t run out. They don’t get used by anybody but myself, and now you, unless a friend or family visits.” I stepped out of the bathroom to dry off, sensing that she was uncomfortable. Everything this morning had been extremely intimate, which was something that Elisa wasn’t accustomed to. I needed to allow her space, as well as myself, and I strode to the closet to find clothes for the day. I selected some jeans and a dark grey Henley that I planned to cover with a thick jacket. This trip was not about a walk on the beach, but more about the drive and just getting away. There were some fabulous restaurants to eat at, as well, and shops that I thought Elisa might love.

  I finished with boots as Elisa stepped out of the bathroom, wearing the clothes from the day before. The best part was that I knew her underwear were ruined from the night before, but I pushed that thought away and pulled an extra jacket from the closet for her.

  I took her to my Range Rover and opened the door before starting the engine and pulling out onto the main road. We stopped at a department store, and she balked at the name before grudgingly allowing me to buy her some jeans, a thermal, a Henley to wear over that, and some sturdy boots that would keep her feet warm. “You do too much for me,” Elisa told me, as we stopped by a bathroom so she could change into her new clothes.

  “I like that, Elisa. I like that I’m able to,” I reminded her, as we went back to the car together. We got out of town, and I found a hole-in-the-wall diner on the freeway when we both felt hungry. We sipped strong coffee and ate greasy bacon and eggs as I watched her carefully. I asked her what she liked to do on a road trip, making her giggle as she admitted to not having been on too many in her life. That led to her asking about the places I had been, and I felt guilty when I responded that I’d traveled the world. I hoped to someday show her the best places.

  We hit the road again, driving towards Cape Cod. I knew that there was enough there to keep us busy there, bad weather or not, and I watched as she seemed to let go of the chip on her shoulder from breakfast. Elisa was beautiful when she smiled. She needed to relax more. We got closer, and she stared out of the windows at the ocean and sandy beaches, hopeful since the sun was coming out through the fog. “Maybe we can walk a little bit?” She asked, as I grinned and nodded.

  I parked, and we got out and strolled along the sand. The waves were strong and the wind was cold as she pulled my jacket closer around her body. “What do you think?” I asked, stopping her so I could zip her up and looked her over. “I should have bought us hats. I didn’t even think of it.”

  “You don’t date, right? Typically, I mean?” Her question came from nowhere, and I looked at her for a moment before nodding. “Why not? You’re great at this…all of this.”

  “I don’t know. I’ve avoided it for so long and focused on work, but…this is comfortable. I think it’s you more than it is the situation.” I turned to stare at the sea for a moment as confusion swirled through my brain. I knew that this was moving at the speed of light with the apartment and spending the night together, and I tried to make sense of it. I’d been all over the world, never wanting the company of a woman, unless it was just for a night for a quick fuck. I had party girls over the years, as well, but I never let my walls down with them like I was with Elisa. There was just something about her.

  “I think you’re great. I have no idea why you’re with me, but I’ll take it,” She said, as I looked in her face. “I don’t know what I’m doing either, but we can figure it out together.”

  I took her hand and led her down the beach after we shared a long kiss, talking about some of the other beaches in the area and further away that I loved. I pointed towards the shops and restaurants in the distance, and she smiled as she looked all around, reminding me of a child on Christmas morning.

  That thought sat in my stomach in a knot. I’d never considered marriage or kids before. I was all about work, but things were shifting now, and I was unable to stop that. The problem was that, to keep Elisa, I’d have to rip her dreams of a good job and future for herself away to do so. I didn’t want to take away her fierce independence, but I also knew that she wouldn’t want to be taken care of. There had to be a compromise, and I had no idea what it was, other than hiding this during the week. I didn’t think I could do that for too long after being here with Elisa in the open air, holding hands and laughing.

  We spent hours on the beach, collecting a few shells, until we were both freezing. I opened the car door for her and got everything warmed up as we headed somewhere for some hot coffee, listening to Elisa’s teeth chattering as she sat beside me. “Isn’t it warming up enough?” I asked impatiently, knowing how many bells and whistles this vehicle offered.

  “I think it’s the difference in temperature, Damon. I’ll be okay.”

  I smiled at her as I found a drive through coffee shop, ordering two coffees and parking with the car running to keep us warm. We sipped the drinks and looked at the late afternoon sky as the clouds began to roll in again.

  “Want to look at some of the shops?” I asked, as she finished her coffee and nodded. We’d been sitting for a while and didn’t have a lot of time left. I drove to park in the middle of everything and let her lead the way, learning about her love for art, even though she didn’t think that she could paint. I learned that she had collected moons since she was little girl, and that her grandmother had taught her to wish on the one in the sky at night, instead of the stars. Elise was a very animated girl when she let her walls down, and she led me from shop to shop as I tried to remember what she liked the best in each one.

  She insisted on buying a few things with her own money, holding onto the small bags with a big smile before she hugged me. “I couldn’t do this without you, Damon. You’ve helped me so much.” Elisa looked around slowly before she kissed me, and I heard the whispers across the room of the wealthy women who had been eying me for most of the afternoon. “Thank you. I’ll be eternally grateful.”

  I looked like I belonged with the other women in my clothes, some of the most expensive items that money could buy. That had been a part of my entire life, but in this moment, I thought that I could give it all up for an average life like this. Even Elisa was dressed in fine clothes right now, thanks to our stop, but she looked young and beautiful with her clean face and smile. She would never fit into that world. “It’s a pleasure to see you smile, Elisa,” I assured her, as she blushed and looked away. We left that shop and I didn’t even acknowledge the women with a look as I led her out of the door.

  They’d never hold a candle to her.

  Elisa

  The day was magical. I finally admitted to being hungry and watched as Damon led me to a beautiful restaurant that probably had a beautiful view of the water during the day. It was a seafood place that was very classy and elegant. I felt underdressed as we walked to the table, following the hostess, but Damon walked with his head high and confidence oozing from his pores. The table was round and intimate, set by the window and a beautiful fireplace, and Damon ordered wine immediately as someone arrived to take our drink order.

  I didn’t eat in places like this. For Mom and me, Red Robin was a treat, and this was beyond my wildest dreams. When I thought about the night as a whole; the room and being here, it seemed surreal. I never thought I’d be the kind of woman to enjoy that with a man. I never
thought I’d be the kind of woman to sit here and enjoy a fine meal with a man that looked like Damon, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be confident in that role.

  I didn’t think I was the kind of woman to keep him.

  The wine arrived, and there was a process to the drinking it. I sipped it once Damon seemed to have approved the selection, gazing at him across the table while I searched the menu. I loved seafood, but wasn’t too familiar with it, and I asked Damon what was good. He suggested shrimp or crab, since it had a few options of how it was cooked, and I blushed as I selected a platter that offered both. There was no price on the menu, and I assumed that meant it was expensive as I tried to fight the urge to add everything up in my mind. Damon had money that he was willing to spend, and I needed to feel comfortable with that fact.

  The food was amazing, even as I struggled with cracking the crab legs. It was well worth it as I pulled the meat out and enjoyed the light, sweet taste. “This is delicious,” I told Damon, as he smiled calmly at me. He offered me a bite of his steak and it melted in my mouth, leaving me moaning while his eyes darkened. The shrimp was cooked in butter and garlic and quite strong, but good as well. They offered bread in a tray, and I ate it eagerly in between sips of wine.

  I leaned back as I set my fork down, full and sleepy. The sky was bright with stars and a sliver of a moon as I looked over the ocean. I wanted to stay the night and wake up here with Damon, and I nibbled on my lip as I considered asking him about the idea. I could wear the same clothes tomorrow since they were so new.

  Tomorrow.

  What would we do tomorrow? Would he drop me home, and that would be it? I knew that I had to tell my roommates that I was moving out, since I’d accepted the apartment, but I didn’t want it without Damon. I felt so selfish as we walked to the car and he opened the door.

  “Have you ever stayed here?” I asked softly, as he started to close the door.

  “A few times. It’s a great place to spend the weekend,” Damon replied, as he leaned into the car. “Did you want to?”

  “We don’t have clothes, or anything at all. We don’t have to,” I said, counting the money in my bank account as I decided what I could afford.

  “We’ll sleep naked, so clothes aren’t an issue. We can wear these on the way home tomorrow and stop at the store for anything you need for the bathroom. There’s a great bed and breakfast with an amazing view of the sunrise in the morning. We can see if they have any free rooms. It won’t be a long stay, but we can make the best of it.” Damon walked around and got in the car before he finished his thoughts and reached for his phone in his jacket. He dialed and greeted the person at the other end, securing us a room and starting the engine.

  We did stop and get some products, so I could look human in the morning, before we drove to the inn, called the Lamb and Lion. Damon explained that it was a mix of bed and breakfast and hotel. He wished that we could stay longer to enjoy all the perks that they offered.

  He checked in and led us to a room around the building. I gasped when I saw it. There was a fireplace, a claw tooth tub, a big bathroom, and a gorgeous bed. It was beautiful. I walked to the window, even though it was dark, and could make out the waves in the dim light as I smiled. It was going to be amazing tomorrow. “How much is it to split the room?” I asked, as I turned back to smile at Damon.

  “Split the room?” He asked, as he walked towards me. “You have an extra month of rent to pay, Elisa. I’ve got this.”

  “Will you always?” I asked, as I stared at him.

  “Let’s take a bath and relax. I’ll start a fire,” Damon suggested, as pain crossed his face. He went to get some logs from the balcony and lit a crackling fire while I ran the hot water for the bath, adding a little of the lavender bubbles from the counter. I didn’t know how much he’d want, so I kept it light, enjoying the scent in the air. “I wish they made that in the scent that you wear. I’m addicted to it.” I turned to look at Damon as he smiled at me. “This isn’t a competition, Elisa. I like spoiling you.”

  “I just want to help, I think. I am not used to being taken care of.”

  “Let’s get you settled in your new apartment, and we’ll go from there,” Damon said gently, as he pulled the jacket from my shoulders. “For now, let’s relax in style.” He stripped me of my clothing, folding it, and placing it somewhere in the room before he walked back in naked. I blushed as he slid into the hot water, sighing happily. “Get in.”

  I stepped in and moved into the water, feeling his eyes rake over me. Once settled, I leaned back against him as Damon kissed my neck, telling me how beautiful I was. “Thank you,” I replied, as I closed my eyes and let my body relax. “What are we going to do Monday?” I asked him in the dim light of the candles that I’d lit before turning off the lights.

  “We are going to work and keep this between us. I can’t say that it will be easy, but for now, it’s the only choice. I want to keep seeing you, Elisa.” I smiled as the steam and scents filled my nose. “I want you to let me spoil you.”

  “I know. I’m trying,” I admitted as his hands slid down my body. “I have been on my own for so long, Damon. I’m scared to get too comfortable, and the fact that we work together…it scares me.”

  “I’ll keep this between us so nobody will know in the building. I prefer to keep my private life under wraps to begin with. We can stay at my apartment at night and just stay in. Perhaps I can get you a job at another location, or with a colleague, where we can be together out in the open. I know a lot of people.”

  A tear slid down my cheek. I had my dream job right now, earning it with my hard work. Damon had told me how he had tried to talk everyone out of hiring me, but they’d insisted. I didn’t want a job as a favor to Damon, and, at this moment, I didn’t even want the apartment. Love had never been an option for me, and, as much as I thought I was falling for Damon, I didn’t want to give up my dream for him. Not yet. “Maybe I can just work with my team from now on and keep my distance. We can say that you didn’t need me anymore, or something.”

  “Are you pulling away from me?” Damon asked.

  I shook my head slowly. “It’s a thought, Damon. It would draw less attention to us.”

  “I don’t want to not see you at the office. It’s the best part of my day,” Damon told me, as I smiled weakly.

  “We’ll have time to see each other after work. I just feel like I need some space from everyone’s prying eyes. I don’t know,” I babbled, as he pulled me close to him.

  “Stop this, Elisa. Relax,” I heard pain in his voice as he stroked my arms and tried to calm me down.

  I shut up and tried to let the hot water and lavender soak in and do what it was supposed to do. I knew that there was a fire in the other room with a big bed, and I wanted to use it. I wanted to feel Damon over me, inside of me, and every way possible, even as I felt myself trying to find a way to sabotage everything.

  I felt a little better when the bath was over, rising to dry myself off and drape the robe hanging on the hook on the door over my body. Damon was doing the same, and I walked into the main room to hear the crackle of firewood and see a big, cozy bed. Maybe I was being stupid with my thoughts. This was a wonderful life.

  Damon took my hand and led me to the bed slowly. “I don’t have a lot of experience in trying to keep a woman around, but I want you to know how much I want to make you happy. I want you to relax, smile, and give yourself to me.” He pushed me gently down on the bed and stared into my eyes before he kissed me. Damon pulled my hair down carefully, even as I cringed with the knowledge that it was salty from the ocean air and probably looked awful.

  I forgot all of that as he skillfully deepened the kiss, draping himself over me. We moved onto the pillows and made out slowly and sweetly for a long time, and I felt all my doubts slipping away as he pulled the robe away from my body. Damon worshiped me, kissing every inch of my skin as my body heated up for him. His robe was untied and I felt him hard against me as he sucked a nippl
e into his mouth. “Damon, I need you.” His hands slipped down between my legs, finally touching me where I needed it most as I cried out.

  Once he was naked and sheathed, Damon plunged inside of me as I gasped. “Let yourself go, Elisa. Don’t hold back…not tonight.” He drove his cock in deep and slow, and I got lost with the movement. I rocked against him, desperate to come around him as I reached around his body with my hands and legs to pull him closer. “Baby, you feel so good. I don’t want to lose you,” he murmured, as I felt him harden further inside of me, close to coming.

  We both cried out as we came seconds away from one another, and he dropped beside me as I stared into the fire. Nothing would ever feel this good. No man could ever make me feel so complete. I yawned, tired from the day, as he pushed the covers down and we settled under the blankets. “I feel like we should stay up or something,” I murmured, fighting the urge to close my eyes.

  “Nonsense. We had a big day, and we’re both tired. All I need is you here beside me to make me happy.” The fire crackled again, and I snuggled close to Damon, feeling his warmth envelop me as I took a slow breath.

  I woke up, frightened at first, not knowing where I was. I looked around and felt Damon pressed against me as I stroked his hair and remembered the night before. I looked toward the closed curtain and got out of bed, walking softly across the carpeted floor to pull open the fabric. The ocean was choppy, and I looked at the horizon where the sun was just starting to come up, in colors of pink and orange. My breath caught in my throat as I heard my name across the room.

  “Come look. It’s beautiful.” Damon yawned and walked over to join me, pulling me into his arms as we watched the sky brighten together. “This is amazing.”

  Damon pulled me back to bed once the sun had risen completely and we kissed under the covers as he ran his hands over my body. “I loved that with you. I want to taste you and feel you again, doze off, and check out at the last possible minute.”