by KG MacGregor
With one knee bent, she made a tent of her comforter, allowing her to move the vibrator easily underneath the covers. She turned it on to its lowest setting and began to dance its head around the apex of her thighs. Steadily, her breaths grew deeper as she darted it across her sensitive center.
Carly Griffin had touched her there… yes, right there! She remembered it vividly now.
She'd been so wet, and so open. Carly had taken her…deep and hard.
She pinched her nipple, the one Carly had wrapped in her lips as she stroked her in and out.
Justine clicked the button to the highest setting, but this didn't come close to what Carly had done for her… with her fingers deep inside…so deep inside. "Come on Eveready, don't fail me now," she pleaded, pressing the vibrator hard right onto her clitoris. From deep within, she felt it building as her buttocks tightened. Then like a rocket, she ignited and thundered upward off the bed, exploding in a sudden burst of fire that left her nerve endings screaming in retreat.
Somehow, she had the wherewithal to turn the vibrator off.
"Look what you do to me, woman, and you're not even here."
103
The House on Sandstone
Chapter 10
Carly buttoned the sleeves of the fitted blue shirt and turned sideways to see it from several angles in the dressing room mirrors. It hugged her torso and flared into a bold collar and cuffs. It was decidedly feminine–maybe a little more than she liked–but it went nicely with the tight black pants she’d picked out, and she wouldn’t have to buy new shoes.
It wasn’t a familiar look for Carly, but since her usual attire had drawn that rude remark from Marian Hall, she wasn’t going to suffer that humiliation again…at least not here in Leland, and not in front of Justine. The only nice outfit she’d brought home was the ivory sweater that she’d worn twice already. The rest of her belongings were in storage, ready to be shipped to Madrid. Not that she had a lot of dressy outfits among those things. It just wasn’t her habit to dress up, even for work.
Carly added the blue top to the "buy" pile and reached for the striped sweater. She was alone in the fitting room, since most of the frenzied shoppers in the department store were buying Christmas gifts for others instead of clothes for themselves. Thank goodness for the holiday and the Lexington Mall’s extended hours. This way, she would have something new to wear this afternoon to the movies.
"Ew!" The striped sweater made her boobs look enormous. On the other hand, the striped sweater made her boobs look enormous. With a sly grin, she tossed it into the "buy" pile too. No problem with showing off her assets, especially those that she thought might get Justine’s attention.
The blonde knew she was just playing games in her head when it came to Justine. Her friend’s fears had been real, and Carly wasn’t about to do anything that might cause more anguish than the woman had already been through. But there was something fun about knowing that she could tease a little, and she loved imagining that she could push a button or two in Justine Hall.
**********
"You look nice, sweetheart." Nadine met her daughter in the hallway, surprised at the new look. Carly not only wore brand new clothes, but she also sported just a tad of makeup–some foundation with a hint of eye shadow. With the dark green slacks, striped sweater, and gold hoop earrings, she was much more dressed up than usual. "Is all of this new?"
"Yeah, I wasn’t expecting to go out so much, and I didn’t have a lot of stuff with me."
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Nadine knew that was part of it, but the touch of makeup–something she’d seen only once or twice on her daughter before–was for Justine Hall. She was thinking her husband had been right about Carly, that she had feelings for their neighbor on the other side of Stony Ridge. Nothing would make her happier than to see Carly fall in love with someone as nice as Justine.
"What are you girls doing?"
"We’re supposed to see a couple of movies. Maybe we’ll get a bite to eat later."
Nadine chuckled. "Well I won’t bother to wait up this time."
"Mama! Justine and I are just friends." Despite the easy rapport with her mother, Carly blushed. "I told you, we polished off a whole bottle of brandy that night, and I’m not sure I could have made it back over that hill, let alone find the right house. What if I’d stumbled into the Hankins’ house?"
"Lord have mercy! Eugene would have gotten after you with his shotgun."
"No kidding! And then he probably would have mounted my head over his fireplace."
Both women laughed at the image, remembering their neighbor’s collection of grotesque hunting trophies.
"So how is Justine?"
"I think she’s doing okay, Mama. You were right, though…she really has had a hard time." Carly pulled her coat from the closet. "I was meaning to ask you…How did you know that?"
Nadine shrugged. "You hear things…and I used to see her picture in the paper all the time, smiling at this or that for the hospital. And now it’s like…well, she lost that job on account of people didn’t want to give money to the hospital anymore. Seemed silly to me."
Until that moment, it hadn’t occurred to Carly at all that Justine had lost her job too, on top of all the other stuff that happened. No wonder it all hit her so hard. It hit her everywhere!
"Seems silly to me too, Mama. But I really think she’s doing better now."
"You two have fun tonight. You know, you can ask her over any time. She’ll always be welcome."
Carly smiled at her mother and gave her a quick hug, understanding that she’d just been given approval for anything she wanted to pursue with Justine. It wasn’t something she needed, but it was nice to have it just the same.
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**********
Carly had been looking forward to the afternoon, but she was surprised to find herself practically elated at being with Justine again. And the best part was that she got the same impression from Justine. The redhead went on and on about how nice Carly looked, and she was almost sure that she saw Justine admiring her profile in the striped sweater.
"Look! They’re also showing Creepy Sleep. Now wouldn’t you rather see that than a mushy romance?"
"No! A horror movie’s the last thing I want to see. My son and all his friends will go see that a half dozen times, and then they’ll talk about all the gory details of how the blood splattered and came out of the woman’s eyes."
"And that doesn’t appeal to you?"
Justine shot her an incredulous look. "Don’t tell me you really like that stuff."
Carly shrugged. "I do appreciate a good scary story, but I’ll admit that slasher movies aren’t my thing either."
The two women entered the theater and waited for a moment while their eyes adjusted to the dim light. The horror flick and the James Bond feature were the major draws, so only a few movie-goers speckled the rows.
"You don’t really hate romantic movies, do you?"
"No, I don’t hate them. But to tell you the truth, I find it kind of hard to relate to them sometimes. They don’t really show…romance as I know it." The blonde regretted her answer as soon as she said it, knowing that Justine would want an explanation. For Carly, the very definition of romance had Justine Hall in it. Fortunately, she was saved by the previews of coming attractions.
Two hours later, the friends emerged from the theater, the taller of the two sniffling into a tissue.
"I’m embarrassing you, aren’t I?"
"Excuse me. Have we met?"
Justine laughed at that comeback. "Tell you what. If you’re still up for that stupid old spy movie, why don’t you go on and get the tickets. I’ll get us some popcorn and pull myself together."
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Carly headed back out to join the line at the box office.
"Carly?"
She whirled around to find the source of the unfamiliar v
oice.
"Carly Griffin, I though that was you." A woman stood beside the line, apparently waiting for someone to buy her ticket. She was slender and sharply dressed, and she wore a generous supply of lipstick and blush.
"Sara?"
"That’s right! Sara Rice. I was Sara McCurry back in school."
Sara McCurry Rice. That was too much, and Carly had to fight to keep from laughing out loud. Of course, there probably weren’t more than a dozen people in Leland who ever ate Thai or Indian food, so she was probably the only one who got the joke.
"Hello, how are you?"
"I’m good. You look really good, Carly. I hardly recognized you."
A backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. "This really is a surprise. I don’t usually see anyone I know when I’m in town." And why are you being so polite to me all of a sudden?
"Where are you living now? Your mother said you were somewhere overseas. Did you join the army or something?"
Sara was joined by a heavyset man with thinning hair. His cologne nearly knocked Carly over from six feet away.
"No, I–"
"This is my husband, Bob. He’s the president of the Leland County Bank, in case you ever need a loan or anything. Bob, this is Carly…is it still Griffin?"
"Yes, it’s still Griffin. Pleased to meet you, Bob." Carly hadn’t wanted to shake his hand, but she couldn’t ignore it when he stuck it out. Now she’d probably smell like that cologne.
"You’re coming to the reunion, aren’t you? It’ll be fun. Tommy Hampton was in the army too, so ya’ll are gonna have a lot to talk about with each other. I think he was a sergeant or something."
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"Can’t wait." There never was any point in trying to have a real conversation with Sara McCurry. She was too busy trying to think of what to say next to process what anyone else said.
Carly got the tickets and went back inside, pointing out Justine to the attendant so that the young man would know they both had paid. She joined her friend just in time to pick up one of the sodas. Justine had gotten a large popcorn to share.
"Where in the world did you go? Good lord, you smell just like Bob Rice."
"That’s because I just had the pleasure of smearing his hand all over mine."
"You saw Sara?" The taller woman visibly stiffened.
"Sure did. But don’t worry. I’m sure she’s forgotten it by now, and I think they went into the movie we just came out of."
"What did she say?"
"Gibberish. She thinks I’m in the army."
"The army?"
"Yeah. Think I could rent a uniform to wear to the reunion? I don’t want to confuse her by showing up in street clothes."
"Does that mean you’re going to go to the reunion?" Justine was clearly excited by the prospect.
"I’m thinking about it." The saleslady in Lexington had talked her into trying on a dressy pantsuit that would be nice for a party, and Carly had thought at once of the gathering of her classmates after Christmas. Maybe she would show up after all, if for no other reason than just to be in the same room as Justine.
They shuffled into the growing crowd, finding two seats on the side near the aisle.
"I really hope you do come. It’ll be fun."
"Can I bring my Hennessy’s?"
"As far as I’m concerned, you can pour the whole bottle in the punch bowl. The folks here could use some loosening up."
The previews started up again and they settled in to watch the second feature. When another two hours passed, the two friends exited the theater, both glad for the chance to stretch their legs.
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"Now wasn’t that a lot more exciting than the first one? It had everything–explosions and car chases and spy gadgets…even a few scantily clad nubile bodies." Carly lowered her voice for the last part so that only Justine could hear.
"That part was…okay."
"Okay, huh?" She watched the redhead fight back a smile. "Admit it. You liked it."
"I liked it."
"Especially…?"
"I think the costume designer did an adequate job."
"And the casting director?"
"Satisfactory as well."
Their teasing conversation was interrupted by a loud ruckus near the men’s room. A small crowd had gathered around the entrance, where the female manager was demanding that a group of teenage boys present ticket stubs for the next feature or leave the theater at once.
"What’s your problem? We were just taking a piss. Is that against the law or something?"
The red-faced manager stood her ground, asking again to see his ticket.
"I don’t have to show you nothing," he growled, "bitch."
"That’s one of Trey’s friends," Justine whispered as they drew closer. "Oh, my goodness!
That’s my son."
Sure enough, Trey emerged from the men’s room with three other boys. Leading the way, he threw a box of popcorn to the floor, scattering it all around as he shouldered past the woman.
Justine was immediately angry and embarrassed, and she stepped forward to intercept her son. "What’s going on, Trey?"
The boy was clearly startled by his mother’s sudden appearance, and he looked around to see his buddies make a hasty retreat to the exit. "I was…we went to see a movie and then we went to the bathroom."
Justine looked at the manager for confirmation.
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"These boys went into the men’s room after the first movie and then slipped into another show without paying. When I saw them all go in again, I asked them to show me their ticket stub."
The son looked away ashamed as his mother tugged him to the side. "Is that true?" she whispered harshly.
"Mom!"
"Answer me."
"We just sneaked into a movie. It’s not like we hurt anybody."
"It’s just like stealing, Trey. You know better than that."
Justine looked back over her shoulder, relieved to see that the crowd had moved on. A boy of about fourteen was sweeping up the spilled popcorn, and the manager had moved to stand near the exit, clearly waiting to making certain the young scofflaws left the theater.
"Trey Sharpe, I want you to go apologize to that boy who’s cleaning up your mess. And then I want you to go pay for the movie–"
"I don’t have any more money."
Irritated beyond measure, Justine ripped open her purse and pulled out her wallet, handing her son a ten dollar bill. "You will pay me back for this out of your allowance."
She stood and watched as her son did exactly as he’d been told, then followed him out into the rainy December night.
"Great! Now my ride’s gone," he scowled.
Justine was sorely tempted to make her son walk, but she knew he’d just whip out his cell phone when she was gone and have his friends come back for him. They’d all have a good laugh and tease him about his mother catching him, then plot what to do next time to make sure they weren’t caught. That wouldn’t do.
"I’ll take you home." It was then that she remembered Carly, and that they’d come in her car. "Don’t move a muscle," she told her son sternly. Briskly, she walked to where Carly waited in the rain by her rental car.
"I wish I’d thought of that," the blonde woman said when her friend arrived in a huff.
"Who knew we could have saved eighteen dollars by hiding in the ladies’ room?"
Justine rolled her eyes. "I’ve never been so humiliated in my life…well…not for a long time. Listen, I need to ask a favor. Could I talk you into dropping this…hoodlum at home?"
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"Are you going to cuff him and sit in the back seat with him?"
"If I had handcuffs, I’d clip him to the bumper."
"I’m happy to drop him off, Justine. Go on back over there and I’ll pull up."
She swung the car throu
gh the lot and stopped in front of the teenager and his mom. It was obvious that their argument was continuing. Both opened the car doors and climbed in, the youth in the back behind Carly.
"I can’t believe you embarrassed me in front of my friends like that."
"Embarrassed you? How do you think I felt having my friend witness you acting like a jackass? This is Carly, by the way, a friend of mine from high school. Carly, this is my son, Trey. I wish you could have met him under more pleasant circumstances."
No way did Carly want to be in the middle of this. "Hi, Trey. So, uh…where do you live?" She knew exactly where he lived, but thought it best that he not know that.
"Lakeside," he muttered.
The threesome drove without a word through downtown, where Carly turned out toward the subdivision. Uncomfortable with the extended silence, she wanted to ask Trey if Creepy Sleep was any good, but figured that would only get a rise out of Justine. So they continued until they reached Lakeside Drive and Trey pointed to the house where his father lived.
"Excuse me one more minute," Justine said as she got out with her son and closed the door. "Trey, I know you’re angry with me right now. But I hope that when you think about this, you realize that what you did was wrong."
"Mom, the other guys don’t have a lot of money. The reason I didn’t have any was because I bought everybody drinks and stuff. I was just sneaking in with them because otherwise, I’m the geeky friend."
"Trey, that’s wrong and you know it. But I can forgive the sneaking in the movie part a whole lot easier than I can overlook the way you threw that popcorn on the floor. That was just plain mean, and I know you weren’t raised that way."