by Dee Dawning
Her eyes grew big. "You didn't like it?"
She was suddenly conflicted. "No, I did like it. I want to do it some more. I even thought about sex when he kissed me. That's why it was a mistake."
Tess's eyes narrowed, and her brows furrowed. "You thought about sex?" All of a sudden, she reached for her hugging and kissing her on the cheek. "It's so good to know you're human. Are you going to do it?"
"What?"
"Have sex, silly."
"Of course not. I'm not married and I'm not getting married. You know I'm taken."
"That's your mistake, Laurel. Giving your life to God, instead of living it to the fullest."
"But I want to do good things. I want to help others."
"We've talked about this over and over. You do not need to be a sister in order to help others. But, hey, it's your life and if you want to waste it without ever sampling the true fruits of life, so be it. Now, let's see what you have here."
As she lifted the plastic sheath off her dress, her eyes grew larger. "This is gorgeous. It must have cost hundreds of dollars. How did you…"
"Before you get carried away, Julian and his sister gave it to me. He has a good job and she owns a fancy beauty salon and boutique in Hollywood. She's very nice."
Tess took the shoes out of the box. "Jimmy Choo, These are lovely." She pulled a shoe out and after slipping her's off, tried the Choo on and stood. Then she looked at her. "C'mon, c'mon get undressed. Time's a wasting."
She dithered a little, then asked, "Could you turn around?"
She moved her hands in a motion designed to move her along. "I've already seen everything you have to offer. I even changed your diaper once."
Heat crossed her face. "I believed things have changed since I was an infant."
Tess stumbled over to her wearing a single high heel and began to lift her sweater over her head. "Even if things have changed, you're still my sister. We have to be careful with that beautiful hairdo. It's gorgeous. Who did it?"
"A girl named Sarah…what are you doing?"
"I'm taking your bra off."
"I can do it Tess, please. You know how bashful I am."
She stopped removing the bra.
"You have no reason to be shy. You have a Fredrick's of Hollywood figure, like I used too—four rug rats ago."
She finished removing her bra and unzipped her skirt. Tess's hands wandered to her skirt and she slapped them away. "I told you…" She gave her the evil eye.
Tess threw up her hands shook her head, retreated to the bed, and sat down.
"Speaking of rug rats, when's number five due. You're behind schedule."
Tess who some say looks like her eight year older twin, got a coy smile on her pretty face. "There'll be no number five. The baby factory is closed. I told Seth, enough is enough and he got fixed. He's such a sweet man. So, what's in the bag?"
Tess picked up the bag, which read in big gold letters, Loving Touch of Hollywood on a hot pink background. Smaller lettering said Salon, Boutique and Spa. She rummaged, through it. She pulled out a package containing a lacy black bra and panties. She opened up the package like a child on Christmas morning. She held up the bra in one hand and the panties in the other. "This stuff is hot. Seth would love 'em."
Tess stood up holding the bra and stepped up to her. "Hold your arms out."
Laurel did and she slipped the bra straps over them, then the cups over her breasts. "Turn around." She did and looked in the dresser mirror as she fastened the bra for her. She rested her head on her shoulder. "Lovely isn't it?"
It was lovely. She suddenly wished Julian could see it, and then hastily banished the wayward thought.
"Hurry up." She reached down to the bed and picked up the lacy, black panties and held them up. "Take your panties off, so we can put these on."
She dragged her panties down to the ground and when She stood up, Tess shook her head, flashing a disapproving look. "I see you're into the natural look."
Laurel must have looked confused, because she explained. "Your pubic hair. With-it women of today at least trim their bush. Others shave it clean or go through the painful expense of having all their hair removed."
In reflex her head shook. "Well, since no one's going to see it, I don't have to worry about it. Do I?"
"I guess not."
Knowing she should let the subject drop, she asked anyway, "Do you trim your hair?"
Knowing she had her thinking, Tess smiled. "One better. Except for a little diamond shaped patch, I shave myself clean. Seth loves it. Anyway, here's the panties."
She took the panties, slipped them over her right foot, then her left and pulled them up. Like the bra, the panties were a perfect fit and sexy. Once again, an obscene thought flashed in her mind of Julian not only seeing her in these sensual unmentionables, but languorously and sensually removing them. Her sex contracted, so she shook her head to snap out of it. She picked up the dress.
"Hold on, let's see what else is in the grab bag." She held the bag by the bottom and several items toppled out. She held up a package for her to see. "Look at these beautiful nylons."
She threw the package to her Frisbee style. "They are lovely," She replied as she rummaged through the rest. Pulling one of the unwrapped stockings up her left leg, Tess gasped. As she turned to look, she tilted the flat jewelry case upward for her to see. It was a gorgeous diamond necklace.
"Don't get too excited, they're cultured diamonds. Still, the embossed price on the bottom of the case says sixteen hundred, ninety-five dollars."
Laurel was insulted. She turned to face her sister, legs spread wide, and hands on her hips, she protested. "Please, sis. I'm not a gold-digger."
"Sorry, Laur. I didn't mean that the way it came out. Lookie here. A matching bracelet. I can't wait to see you all fixed up. Hurry up with the nylons, hon, so we can put that lovely gown on you. This is so exciting. It reminds me of the time you went to the prom with Johnny Broen. You were so beautiful. Remember, he reached in his pocket for the car keys and when he pulled his hand out a package of Trojans fell on the floor, right by your feet. Poor Johnny, he turned bright red and I had to talk you into still going with him."
Her giggle made it obvious she did remember.
Tess laughed. "You were home by ten-thirty. Did you even dance with him?"
"A few fast ones and one slow one at arms length."
She started to slip into her gown and still wearing her one shoe Tess limped over to help. "Why don't you take that shoe off or put the other one on."
She pulled the shoe off and threw it on the bed. "Good idea. Those were fun times. Then Dad got sick and everything changed."
When the gown was on, she turned and gazed in the dresser mirror again. The white with magenta trim, floor length, low cut evening gown showed exquisite. Something cool and weighty touched her chest. In the mirror, she could see Tess hooking the back of the fancy necklace. "Just beautiful," she said. "Put the bracelet and shoes on while I get my camera."
After Tess left, she finished dressing, played with her curls and touched up her makeup. Suddenly a flash lit up the mirror. Without turning, Laurel objected, "At least let me… Another flash.
"You know I prefer candid shots. Ok, turn around and say CHEESE."
She turned around and before she got set, another flash. When she raised her hand to object—another flash. Finally, she quickly posed.
After a dozen pictures on her digital camera, she handed the camera to her to look at the images and sat back on the bed. "There's an envelope here. Do you mind if I open it."
She shook her head. About ten seconds later Tess yelped, "This is great, sis. It's a deluxe gift certificate for two at Loving Touch Spa. Are you going to take your favorite sister?"
She had to laugh. "You're my only sister. Who else?"
She cocked her head and flashed a look so silly she laughed again. "See, I knew I was your favorite. I don't suppose you could manage it for the day after tomorrow. Seth's mother is taki
ng the kids for the day."
"I'll see what I can do. Shall we get back to Julian?"
"Sure but don't run off yet. I'll load the photos into the computer and make a couple copies. Which pics, did you like best?"
"Hmmm. I think seven, eight and eleven."
* * * *
When Laurel entered the room, his heart fluttered. She was so beautiful, it seemed to light up the room when she smiled. Now, Julian was no stick-in-the-mud. He'd been out with a couple dozen girls, slept with half, but no girl had ever affected him that way.
Teresa said, "Julian, I want to get a couple pictures of you two. Laurel, move in beside him."
As she stood beside him, he placed his arm around her waist. She was trembling, a good sign. He must make her as nervous as she makes him.
"Say cheese," Teresa said, good naturedly.
Striving for a cool, calm, confident smile, the flash went off. Then again and again. "Perfect." Teresa winked. "I'll be right back."
Turning, he pulled away in a maneuver that allowed him to hold both of her hands. "You look delicious. Good enough to eat."
Poor, shy thing, she turned bright red.
"You look so good you make me look like a bum." Would you mind if we stop by my home for ten minutes, to put on a suit?"
Of course not, but you could never look like a bum, only underdressed.
He laughed and gazed into her eyes. There was something there. Desire? He wish. Admiration? No, that wasn't not it. Sadness? Close but not quite. Regret? Yes, that's it, but why?"
He pulled her close, holding her. She was shaking. He snuggled his cheek against her hair. Turning his head slightly, his lips pecked at her ear. She shivered but didn't move.
"Okay lovebirds here's your copy. I can't wait to post them on my website."
"Website?"
"Oh, I didn't tell you. Tess is a semi-professional photographer. She used to be a physician's assistant, but put that on hold after Carolyn to raise the kids."
"Semi-professional, what does that mean?"
"That means I have the bug, but not the wherewithal."
He must have looked confused because she explained. "I've sold a few pictures, but not enough to warrant a studio. My website is my studio for now. www.imagesbytessa.com. Here's a framed eight by ten of my beautiful sister along with a half dozen four by sixes and my business card."
She turned to Laurel. "Here are your pictures, baby sister." There was a tear in her eye as she kissed Laurel. Then after she pulled her close and whispered, "I love you," she stepped back and said, "You make a striking couple.
But she wasn't finished. She stepped up to him only inches away. "I like you, Julian Peters." She grabbed his shoulders and kissed his cheek. Then almost inaudibly, she whispered, "We need to talk, call me." After she pulled away she said, "Now go have fun."
* * * *
After leaving her car at her sisters, Julian drove to his home. He lived in a small, but cute, older two-bedroom home in West Hollywood. After pulling in the alley and parking in the detached garage, he took her hand and led her to the back kitchen entrance. He opened the door, flipped the light switch and invited her in with a swing of his arm. "Milady."
She stepped into a smallish, but well decorated and appointed kitchen. Two arms slipped around her waist. Chills ran though her as his hot breathy whisper reached her ear. "I'm not a bad cook. Would you like me to cook dinner for you some night? Chateaubriand with merlot or maybe some parmesan salmon with a dry Riesling?"
"I don't know if we could remain friends if I had dinner and wine alone with you here."
"But mon chere, that's the idea. That we make the transition from close friends to lovers."
Her pulse increased. The idea of Julian becoming her lover, though compelling, was not what she was about. It was stuffy and warm in there. She was having trouble breathing. she pulled his hands away and turned toward him. "We better hurry. We don't want them to give our table to someone else."
"You're right. I'll only be a moment. Would you like to wait in the living room. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Yes please, water would be fine. Thank you"
He opened the nearby refrigerator door and handed her a plastic bottle of water. "Here you are."
She took it and he took her hand. He flipped light switch and led her past a dining area, into the living room. Like the kitchen, it was darling, furnished in light Italian period style, with impressionist paintings. A horizontal chair rail divided the faux painted walls with wallpaper below. "Have a seat and think pleasant thoughts. I'll only be a minute."
She sat down and he went into a narrow hallway. She picked up the book on Ancient Egyptian artifacts that rested on the coffee table and started to thumb through it.
She only got to page ten or so when she heard, "All set." She glanced up and viewed a very handsome man with a bright smile. Her stomach turned upside down and a lump formed in her throat. She quickly looked away. "Are you ready?" she nodded. He came up to her and stood right in front of her, his crotch right in her line of vision. She could see the outline of him. She suddenly had an urge to touch him. Would it really be so wicked to sleep with this man, one time, to learn what it's like, just once, before…
Julian's masculine hands grasped her bare shoulders and pulling upward, interrupted her lewd thoughts.
"It's seven-thirty we'd better hit it."
She stood and her head spun. She took one step and the room began to revolve. She saw a bright flash of light and felt herself falling.
Chapter Four – The Plan
"A true man does not need to romance a different girl every night, a true man romances the same girl for the rest of her life." ~Ana Alas~
C arolyn lay on the floor reading a book while Seth watched TV. Tess's baby, Stephen, sat on her lap as she read, 'Where the Wild Things Are,' to him and Beth who sat beside her. "'And grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around.' Okay, sweetheart, turn the page." As Beth reached to turn the page, the phone rang.
Thankfully, Seth said, "I'll get it."
The handset for the living room cordless phone had disappeared so he hurried to our bedroom.
Beth drew her attention back with a long protracted, "Mommeeeeee!"
She looked back to the book when Seth walked up and picked Stephen off her lap, lifting him and setting him in the crook of his arm. She looked up and saw worry etched on his face. "You better take this. It's Laurel."
With Julian's help, she made the trip to West Hollywood in less than fifteen minutes and was at his door seconds later. Julian held the front door open for her as she reached his porch. Rushing through it, Tess shouted, "Where is she?"
He shut and locked the front door. "I laid her in my bed. Follow me."
He led her through the living room, down a hall, past one door and turned right on the second.
She saw her, pale, her beautiful gown spread around her. The scene reminded her of Sleeping Beauty after she'd eaten the poisoned apple. By her side, she felt her forehead. It was normal. So was her pulse. She checked her over, but everything seemed normal.
Julian stood on the opposite side of the bed. "What do you think?"
"I don't know what to think. Everything seems normal to me. It's up to you. You can call 911 if you want, but I'm betting she had too much excitement today."
He stared at her for a minute. "Are you sure?"
"Pretty much. I saw this when I was practicing. Her life is usually pretty dull you know?"
He shook his head. "No, I don't know. I know very little about her. All I know is that I'm totally bowled over by her, like she's the girl that's meant for me and my search is over."
"Maybe. Maybe not. I don't suppose you have a nightgown?"
He shook his head.
"A clean pair of PJs?"
"Only mine."
"Those will do. Let's get this dress and shoes off and get her under the covers."
She had to laugh. Julian blu
shed and got a funny, somewhat shocked, sort of embarrassed look on his face. He started to say something a couple times but nothing came out. "What. You've never seen a girl in her bra and panties?"
"Yes, but…but, but she's your sister," finally burst forth.
Then she really shocked him. "Personally, I hope you see even more of her. I would like to see a relationship develop between you and Laurel. Help me get her undressed. Then we need to talk."
* * * *
Tess undressed her in silence. Laurel looked so good, Julian's manhood jumped up and ready for action. He hoped Teresa didn't notice, but if looking at his crotch and smiling was any indication, he was afraid she did, Of course after hinting she wished he'd become intimate with her sister…who knows. It only took a minute. Teresa smiled and took his hand. "C'mon, let's go into the living room.
Pulling him toward the doorway, she continued. "I'll tell you everything about Laurel, including things that might upset you.
In the living room, she asked, "I don't suppose you have anything to drink?"
"I have a bottle of Chenin Blanc I keep for lady visitors."
"Well, I'm a lady visitor and I sure could use a glass or two. I suggest you pour yourself a glass too, because you're not going to like most of the things I'm going to tell you about my sister."
* * * *
He poured a large glass of the white wine and taking her suggestion to heart poured himself a glass of Merlot. As he sipped on his wine, she sat back in the chair and told him.
She started with their mother, who'd died when they were both young and how their father was all they had. How our father got seriously ill and was expected to die, when Laurel was seventeen. How his only chance was an experimental operation, requiring their permission and even then, there was only a ten percent chance he'd live. How Laurel knelt in the hospital chapel praying for hours while the very complex and time consuming operation took place, refusing to leave even to go to the bathroom.