“Alright Nic,” he said in a low tone. Nicole stood vigilant as he and his lover got dressed. They walked past her and exited. She followed them and watched through her large picture window as the men got into Austin’s SUV and pulled off. She watched the car until it was out of her view. The reality of the situation hitting her like a ton of bricks. She loved him more than she ever loved any other man. This was damage of record proportions. She wasn’t sure she wanted him to leave. His leaving did nothing to ease her pain and in fact, had only added to the sadness she was feeling. The gun dangled loosely. She felt herself go weak. Soon the room went dark. Nicole hit the floor. It was all too much.
N
oah woke up to Cheyenne knocking on Niles’ door. “Just a minute,” he yelled. He wore a wife beater and a pair of Calvin Klein, loose fitted, see thru cotton and linen pajama pants. If anything, he loved his brother’s style. “Coming,” he yelled. He opened the door and was met by and aggressive and turned on Cheyenne. She looked down at his groin. The absence of underwear had him showing thru the pants. “You don’t get off that easy,” she said as she walked by him. “Cheyenne,” he said. “Yes. We’re you expecting someone else,” she shot back. “Well no. What’s up,” he said, looking curiously at her.
She was beautiful. A femme fatale. Her style was casual but she looked stunning. Her pairing of a tight blouse and jeans with pearls was perfect. “Don’t what’s up me. You said we’d try. Spend more time. Then boom. No call. No text. What’s going on Niles,” she said. “Nothing. You hungry?” he asked. “What!” she replied in confusion. He said nothing about them. He answered none of her questions. Cheyenne figured she’d let him off the hook. “Yeah,” she said. “Come on. I cooked something. And stop bitching.”
He cooked? Since when, she thought, as she followed him to the kitchen. “Wow. Ok. This looks good. Who’s been here Niles cause you don’t cook,” she said, as she looked at the cheese potatoes and corn beef hash he had on the stove in pans with foil covering them. “I do cook. You just never seen me cook. You and your questions. Just eat.” Noah walked away. Cheyenne grabbed a plate. She was surprised. He never made an effort to do anything other than make a sandwich.
Cheyenne could hear him saying he was going to the gym. She had hoped he would stay in with her. It was the weekend and neither of them worked weekends. Noah came out with his gym bag. “I’ll be right back. Going to get a workout in,” he said. “I had a workout planned for us. I was hoping you would stay home today,” she replied, looking broken hearted. Noah looked her up and down. She was tempting. She was sexy. Her ample breast, small waist and curvaceous hips and bottom would certainly give him a workout. He instantly thought of Bella. But she was in love with Niles. And he was in the middle with papers to a woman who thought he was someone else. “I got a minute.”
Noah looked for Niles as he entered Pounds Fitness Club. He saw his brother’s car in the parking lot. Niles waved as he ran on the treadmill. The facility was state of the art. There were several activities the clients could sign up for or one could enjoy a relaxing swim or jog either indoor or on their outdoor special built track. The indoors were plush with gold and silver light fixtures, mirrored walls and padded floors. The facility was wiped down every four hours and the owners provided a healthy beverage café that served snacks and smoothies. “Hey What’s up,” Noah said, as he approached his brother. Niles was all smiles. “Nothing. Go change. Or are you working out in that?” he asked. “Nah. I’ll be back,” he said.
Noah changed clothes and joined Niles on the treadmill. The brothers wore headphones and listened to their music as they ran. Niles was a jazz lover. And Noah loved old classics and anything Carlos Santana or similar. Noah wasn’t ready to ask how Bella was. The deal was they wouldn’t discuss it. Niles would get one week with her and Noah would return home. Noah didn’t really want to know at that moment.
He jogged carefree, with thoughts of his wild tryst with Cheyenne still on his mind. She was an animal in bed. Wild and hungry. She made him feel like a manly. Powerful. She talked dirty and he loved every moment of it. Niles looked over at him. Noah was in another world. He jogged locked in on his own reflection. It was early. The gym was scarcely populated. Niles waved to get his brother’s attention and Noah removed the headphones. “You ok?” he asked. Noah smiled. “Yep,” he replied. After a few minutes Noah broke the news. He wondered how Niles would feel. They hadn’t really discussed Niles’ life. His women and what he should do if they so happen to drop by. But he was ready to find out. He knew his brother. And he knew what his reaction would be.
“Cheyenne dropped by,” he said, giving his brother a look. Niles knew what the look meant. “Oh yeah. Did you enjoy her company?” he asked. Noah smiled. “Yep.” Niles nodded and kept jogging. He would give him twenty Cheyenne’s for Bella.
I
t was a beautiful night. The clear sky and stars shining bright set a romantic tone to their evening. Bella took a shower while Niles sat on their balcony. He hoped security wouldn’t say anything about the candles she had lit. She made dinner and desert and he was waiting on her to join him before they ate. He sipped on champagne. His mind raced. He couldn’t tell her this night. He had just gotten her back. She was happy. I can’t right now. But I will, he thought.
“Hey,” Bella said, as she sat on him, straddling him on the lounge chair. Niles touched her stomach. Bella smiled then rubbed her body against his. “I want you,” she said, as she bent down and kissed him. Niles wanted her more. “Go get naked,” he said. Bella got off of him and went to their bedroom. She was excited. She felt like she was getting to know her husband all over again. He had a different way of handling her sexually, and she loved it. The way he talked. The kinky things he said. The way he touched her. The way he felt inside her. He was more romantic. Their love making was more sensual. Her body craved him the way it did when they were in Vegas. But somehow it seemed more intense. Bella removed her clothes. She had just taken a shower. She was ready. She added jasmine scented oil behind her ear and on her stomach. She looked behind her. Niles approached her slowly. He stood behind her. Breathing on her. Bella smiled. He was in a kinky mood. She could tell. He moved her hair to the side and placed his mouth on the back of her neck. It sent chills down her spine. He kissed her softly then moved his hands lightly up her back. His touch did something to her soul. It rang deep. Profound.
He made his way around to the front of her body. Bella moaned then took his hands and placed them on her breast. “I love you,” she whispered, as she moved his hands across her nipples. “I love you more. Never forget that. No matter what,” Niles said. Bella wondered for a second why his words sounded so final. As if it was a last moment between them. But soon her desires for him reign higher than any other thoughts. Nothing else existed at that moment.
He turned her around. Bella looked into his eyes. A long gaze that had him falling deeper in love. She had his heart and it was hers to keep. She kissed him slowly. Niles pulled away and took her by the hand and went over to the bed. Bella laid down. She had lit candles for this moment. The ambiance gave a powerful backdrop to an already sexually charged and passionate evening. She had lit candles and placed them all around their condominium. She anticipated love making all evening. The shop would not be opened the following morning. No calls would be answered. No emergencies tended to. The world would have to wait.
She waited for the love of her life to lay on top of her. She rubbed her body and looked him deeply in his eyes. She wanted him seduced. And he was enchanted. Niles climbed in the bed and laid on her with his head at her stomach. Bella was confused. He didn’t really position himself so low. He hadn’t kissed her in that area in a long time. It was the source of several arguments. His unwillingness to do something he had already done. She wondered what he would do. Niles kissed her belly tenderly. She closed her eyes. She moaned from the warmth of his mouth. Bella touched the side of his face. He looked up at her then moved further down and parted he
r legs. Bella looked up at the ceiling fan. Her eyes wide open. She was in shock. He is not going to do it. No way, she thought.
She closed her eyes. She moaned as he continued kissing her stomach. He kissed further down and she squirmed. Her eyes still closed as she moaned in ecstasy. His kisses had her shaking. She tried to calm herself. She was ready for him. She wanted him either on her vagina or in it. Suddenly, he opened her vagina lips and dove his tongue inside her. Bella jumped. She opened her eyes and grabbed his head. “Baby! Oh,” she moaned, as he sucked her powerfully. “Oh. Wait! Oh!” she moaned. Bella arched her back. It wasn’t long before a familiar and wonderful feeling came over her. It was too soon. She held her hand over her mouth. It was the only way to keep from screaming. His mouth pulling and sucking her so powerfully had her deep in the throes of her own sexual fantasy yet it was real.
“Ohhh Noah,” she moaned. She was ready to come. He was good. She was surprised. She moaned louder as her body gave in to him. Bella looked down at him. She bit her lip. It was an indescribable feeling. Bella squirmed. Niles could see she was ready to come and increased his pressure. She smelled heavenly. The taste of her soft, mild and inviting. He wanted more. He wanted her in his mouth longer. Niles held her thighs and kept her still while his tongue made its way around. And when he thought she would burst from desire, he sucked her fiercely. He manipulated her until she could take no more, coming long and hard. Her moaning loud enough to be heard by their neighbors, as her body retracted. Bella sat up. Nile pushed her back down. “I’m not done,” he said as he flipped her on her stomach.
Bella could barely catch her breath. Something wonderful yet curious was happening. He was aggressive in a way she had never seen. She loved it. She liked a small amount of roughness to her love making. And he hadn’t delivered on it in a long time. Bella wondered what had gotten into him. He was a sexual king. She wondered what changed. Since the fight and his two day hiatus, he had become a man she adored. A man she was addicted to. She wondered if he was trying to be a better husband. If so, was it real. Would it remain. This was the version of him she wanted. It was what she fell in love with. She needed this to be a permanent change. She hoped so. Bella braced herself. She felt him guided his penis between her legs. “You want me in here. You ready?” he asked. She chuckled. “Yes. Yes. I can’t take it. I need you now. Give it to me,” she said in a soft tone.
Niles entered her and pounded her then moved her hips against him. He alternated between thrusts and circular maneuvers. Bella thought she’d explode. He felt wonderful. It was magical. He was skilled and she was on a whole other level with him. Bella moaned again, pulling the pillow to her face to muffle what needed to be a loud burst of her verbal release. Niles sped up. He moaned loudly and called her name, then jerked as he released himself. He lay on top of her. Breathing at a fast pace and rubbing her back. Bella smiled. Her face still buried under pillows. She had what was her third orgasm. They had only started. It was going to be a long night.
Bella eased out of bed and jumped in the shower. She smiled as she watched her husband let out a light snore. They had plans for the day. No work. No family. Nothing but time together. She took her shower then laid on top of Niles waking him. “Hey,” he said as he touched the tip of her nose. “Hey,” she replied with a smile. Bella pulled the sheet over them and Niles rubbed her bottom as she moved her body across him slowly. “If you want to get going, I don’t advise you do that,” he joked. Bella laughed them quickly got off of him. They could resume what they started later. She knew he would sleep for another two hours if they gave into their addiction to one another.
Niles entered the shower as Bella made them breakfast. She turned the tv on as she prepared eggs and ham on bagels. She smiled as she poured orange juice in two tall glasses. She thought of him. She was surprised how happy she was in just a short time. They had argued and made up before. But something was different about this time. Bella stared off. She feared them returning back to their old selves. She wasn’t sure why she felt that way. Everything fine now. We’re good, she thought as she tried to remove any bad thoughts that could change the progress, they had made in just one evening.
Niles and Bella decided to go a popular food fest with art and concerts at a local park off the water. Niles carried Bella on his back as she held her shoes in her hand. They had gone to Hines Park to walk along the water and take in the beautiful weather. It was a sunny but cool day and the park was full of people. Music played and people laughed and enjoyed the festivities. Food stations lined up around the park. The smell of hot dogs, pies and garlic bread filled the air. Bella couldn’t decide between a garlic pretzel or a corn dog and Niles wanted something from the Mediterranean food truck. Niles got Bella what she wanted then grabbed himself a wrap and found a bench to sit on. Bella took a bite of her corn dog. Niles pulled her hand to his mouth and took a bite of her food. “Babe. This is pork,” she said. “I know. It’s cool,” he said, as he looked around. Bella was surprised. Noah hated pork.
His eating habits were well defined. No pork. No refined sugar. No canned goods. And no packaged meats. Bella shrugged it off. Noah had changed. She figured he was trying harder. She was proud of him. She hoped it meant that they could open up the dialog on having kids again. And she hoped his subtle changes reflected the fact that he wasn’t willing to lose her over certain things within his power. “Honey. I’m going to get some cotton candy from that stand,” she said, as he sat on a bench. “Ok. Let me come with you,” he said. Bella looked around. Seating was scarce. “No baby. Hold the bench. If we leave, someone will take it. And my feet hurt. I need to sit for a minute.” Bella walked away and glanced back. She saw Niles take a call. She wondered about him taking the call the moment she was away from him when he had ignored all the others.
Bella got a bag of pink and blue mix cotton candy. She opened it and pulled some and enjoyed the treat as she walked back to their bench. She could hear Niles arguing with someone. She slowed her walk. Niles raised his voice. Then whispered. He was visibly upset. Bella walked up. She watched him. He didn’t see her standing behind him. Listening. “I can’t talk about it right now. I haven’t even accepted it. It hurts. The shit is killing me slowly. Listen…I have to go. I’ll call you later.”
Bella walked closer to him. “What’s killing you slowly?” Bella said, in a soft voice. Niles quickly turned around and then stood up. “Nothing,” he said, his face bearing an expression of guilt. “That wasn’t nothing. You were crying. What the fuck Noah! Who were you talking to? What hurts?” she asked. “Nothing Bella. Something about me parents. Nothing. Let’s go home. Your feet hurt. I’m tired. Let’s just go,” he said as he walked to her. Niles touched her face to comfort her. Bella calmed instantly but she questioned whether he was being honest. He seemed to emotional. Something wasn’t right.
“Hey. What’s going on,” Dani said, as Bella flew past her. She seemed frazzled. She looked around. “Is Ralph here. I need to talk in private,” she said. Dani could see something was wrong. “No. He’s at work. What was so urgent?” she asked. Bella put her hand on her head. She stood with her other hand on her hip. She pinched the corner of her eyes in an attempt to stop the tears. “He has been having an affair Dani. I know it. He’s different. Different in a good way. I feel so crazy. He’s changed. A lot. Every day I discover something is not what I thought,” she said, her voice filled with pain.
“What! No Bella. What do you mean? I don’t understand,” she replied. “It’s hard to explain. You don’t know him so you wouldn’t see it. I don’t know what I mean…Different. But I don’t want him to stop. Like, I feel closer to him now. But that’s just it. It felt like he had walls up before. But he’s so open now. Vulnerable even. I just know its another woman. Someone is changing him. And he is getting his women mixed up. I want to meet her. Shake her hand. He’s doing things with me now that he wouldn’t do before. Am I paranoid?” she said. She felt her mind was playing tricks on her.
“W
hat? No Bella. But you do need to calm down. This is what you wanted. Him more open. More connected. Right?” Dani asked. Bella sat on her couch. Dani walked over and sat next to her. “What Bella? What’s really bothering you?” she asked. “He has multiple personalities. I don’t know. I feel insane. Maybe it’s me. Why do I feel like I’m going crazy,” she blurted. “Slow down. Tell me what happened?” she said, trying to comfort her friend and ready to help her think her way through it. Bella had been complaining about Noah since she married him. And Dani was wondering what was really going on. Her complaints didn’t seem that serious. But then Bella complained more and she seemed unhappy within her marriage. Ans her main complaint was that he was different and it just wasn’t enough to warrant such stress.
Bella tried to find the words. He was back to his old self and she had no real complaint. She was in love and she was satisfied. She was lost as to why he had ever started acting differently towards her in the first place. Why it took a threat of divorce for him to snap out of his apprehensiveness. She was convinced he was only trying to win her heart and then break it again. And she was afraid.
“I stayed at my parents the last two days. He was calling me every few hours. He drove me crazy. I told him I wasn’t coming back. That it was over. But then he showed up at the shop. And we’ve been under each other non-stop ever since. It’s just like when we first met. I have fallen in love with him all over again. He is being everything I want. I’m so happy right now that I’m afraid. Scared that it won’t last. That he’s just pretending to keep me from leaving. I feel like it will all go up in flames again,” she said.
The Twin Page 14