by Twyla Turner
Xander looked back at Simone and smiled at the look of complete awe on her face. He walked into what Simone believed to be the biggest living room she had ever seen in a house. It had twenty foot ceilings. The windows went from floor to ceiling with wood framing each one that looked out over the winter wonderland outside. And in the center was cozy seating in buttery soft brown leather, for anyone that wanted to pass the time relaxing while reading or drinking a cup of coffee. To the left of the room was a giant wood burning fireplace with additional seating in front of it.
Near the fireplace was a staircase. Simone’s eyes traveled up the stairs and saw that the living room opened up to reveal a loft that spread from nearly one side of the house to the other. Xander told her to wait as he laid Sampson down on the rug in front of the fireplace and then went back into the kitchen. A few moments later, he came back in carrying her bags and motioned for her to follow him.
Xander led the way up the stairs to the loft above, where more seating was arranged to get an even better look at the landscape outside. There were doors on either side of the loft and one in the middle. Leaving her luggage on the loft, Xander showed her each room. The two on each side were decent sized bedrooms and the one in the middle was a nice bathroom with a huge stand in shower. And both bedrooms had joining doors to the bathroom.
“These are the guest bedrooms, but we’re using them as our bedrooms for the time being.” Xander explained as he walked her down a hall to the left of the loft. “This is the master bedroom.” Xander said, as he opened the door with a flourish.
Simone walked in, her eyes bugging out of her head as she tried to take in the enormous room. A huge bed, done in a rustic masculine handmade wood frame, which was the focal point of the room. It was wide like a California king bed, but longer than the popular bed type. Simone knew that it had to be custom. Oh…my…God! This bed was strictly made for sexual delights.
To the left of the bed the room boasted its own floor to ceiling windows with a view of the backyard and what could only be called a babbling brook. A lovely stone hearth and fireplace faced the front of the bed. The rest of the furniture in the room was also rugged and masculine, but not so much as to make a female feel uncomfortable when entering. More like a sense of protection…like walking into a man’s warm embrace.
Xander pulled Simone from her warm and fuzzy thoughts by grabbing her hand and towing her towards a door in the room. This door led to a massive walk-in closet that then led to the master bath on the other side.
The flooring was a slate gray stone that led up a raised three step dais to a sunken tub. The huge three person shower was designed in natural stone of gray and accents of tan and brown that gave the appearance of showering outdoors against a rock face. And the vanity cabinets were tan wood, the counter a dark gray granite to match the floor and shower. But what stood out most were the three copper bowl sinks. Huh…now I’ve heard of double sinks…but never triple!
It dawned on Simone that the whole master suite was designed specifically for three people. The sheer magnitude of the situation hit her and she realized that the two men that had consumed her every move, her every breath, took this relationship they had developed very seriously. They had every intention of eventually finding a woman to share their home with on a permanent basis. Am I that woman? Can I handle this kind of relationship for the long haul? Am I really equipped to give that much of myself? Am I enough? That’s a whole lot of man…a whole lot of love and attention. Sheesh…I thought I was going to be a fucking spinster a week ago!
“Simone! What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Xander exclaimed as Simone’s chest rose and fell rapidly with short breaths as she clutched the counter with trembling hands.
“I…I think…I’m…having…a panic attack!” Simone gasped.
“Here…here. Come sit.” Xander guided her to the steps leading up to the tub and sat her down on the second step. “Put your head between your legs and try to take deep breaths.”
Simone just nodded her head in response as she did what she was told. Eventually her breathing started to calm, but her hands continued to shake violently.
“I think maybe a nice hot relaxing bath might help. Just keep breathing and I’ll take care of it.” Xander said, bending over to kiss the top of her head before turning on the faucet.
Once the tub was full Xander held his hand out to Simone to help her up. She was grateful that he didn’t ask her what had brought on the panic attack, because she didn’t know exactly how to explain to herself let alone him, why she had freaked out. She didn’t understand how she could want something so badly, yet not at all. Now she understood Xander’s up and down attitude towards her.
“Are you feeling okay enough to get in? Because if I stay and help you undress, I’m not so sure I’ll be able to resist getting in with you. And I don’t think that is what you need right now.” Xander said, lifting up a hand to caress down the side of her face.
“Yeah. I think I can manage now.” Simone reassured.
“Good. Then I’ll leave you to it.” Xander said before turning to leave the room.
“Thank you…” For not asking. For not pushing.
“You’re welcome.” He responded, giving her a look that spoke volumes. He knew she wasn’t just thanking him for the bath or the alone time.
The door leading from the walk-in closet shut with a click. Simone grabbed a towel hanging from the rack and buried her face into it, muffling her mouth as she screamed into it. The scream was mixed with equal parts excitement and fear for what was to become of her new and astounding life.
~~~
Jackson’s blood was filled with so much excitement for a future with Simone and Xander that he could barely contain his anticipation as he drove home from the mill. During lunch he had stopped at the only sex toy shop in town, to get something for later tonight. He knew he wouldn’t have the patience to stop after work.
His fingers tapped out an impatient rhythm on the steering wheel as he drove. He fiddled with the radio as well. One minute he wanted to drown out the incessant chatter going on in his head and the next he couldn’t think because of the distracting music. He was a wreck and couldn’t be happier about it.
A huge smile spread across his face when the turn onto their private driveway came into view. Once he pulled into the garage he practically shot out of his truck like a rocket, when he saw Xander’s truck, knowing that they were there. His long stride ate up the concrete as he strode to the door of the mudroom. He hurriedly kicked off his boots and walked to the kitchen, where he normally stopped to grab something to eat before dinner. But he was too anxious to eat anything at the moment.
“Si? Xan? I’m home.” Jackson bellowed as he walked into the living room.
“Hey, Jax! Up here.” He heard Xander shout down from the loft.
Jackson quickly walked over to Sampson, who was resting in front of the fireplace, gave him a quick rub and then bounded up the stairs three at a time. His dark brows drew together when he saw only Xander sitting on the loft.
“Where’s Simone? Don’t tell me she changed her mind?” Jackson started to panic.
“No, no. She’s here. She just needed a moment to herself. She’s taking a bath and I wanted to give her space.” Xander explained.
“Oh…thank God.” Jackson breathed a sigh of relief and started towards the master suite.
“Jackson…wait.” Xander stopped him. “I think she had a minor panic attack earlier. It happened after I gave her the tour of the house. Especially when she saw the master bed and bath. I can’t be too sure, but I think the scope of how we do relationships kind of overwhelmed her. So maybe we should try not to smother her.” Xander finished.
“Oh…uh. Do you think it would be alright to just say hello. I want to see her first, and then I can start on dinner.” Jackson said, unsure of himself now that he realized Simone may not be as on board as he thought.
“Yeah, Jax. I don’t think that would be a problem. She’d prob
ably be happy to see you.” Xander reassured his friend, feeling bad for deflating his good mood.
Jackson walked down the hall to the bedroom at a much slower pace this time. He walked through the closet to the bathroom. He looked over at the tub and his heartbeat stuttered and then started to pound at this chest when he saw only her nose peeking out from the water.
“Si!” Jackson shouted in fear.
Her eyes popped open and she sat up quickly. Jackson’s heart relaxed but only a little as he took in the vision of his very own sea-nymph. As the water sluiced down her body; Simone’s ebony hair cascaded down her back, her warm dark eyes stared at him through sooty eyelashes that were wet and spikey. Her caramel skin glistened and her little brown nipples stood erect on her small plump breasts.
“Jackson.” Simone breathed his name, like a caress.
Without thinking; Jackson strode over to her, dropped down to the top step and grabbed her face between his massive hands and kissed her soundly. They broke away on a gasp and Jackson searched her sleepy eyes, trying to gauge what she was feeling.
“Are you okay? Xan said that you freaked out a little.” Jackson said, still holding her face gently like he was protecting fragile glass.
“Yes. I’m okay.” Simone looked down, breaking eye contact, unable to hold his piercing silver gaze.
“Simone, look at me.” Jackson commanded softly. “I don’t want you to feel pressure to try to be someone you’re not to fit this obviously unorthodox relationship. Just be yourself and trust me it’ll work. You’re perfect as is.” Jackson spoke gently.
“Okay.” Simone nodded her face in his hands, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.
“In any new relationship between a man and woman, gay, lesbian or otherwise; they have to get to know each other and figure out what works for them. And it’s the same here. Just like you have to adjust to us, we’ll adjust to you. But I want you to know that I want this. More than anything I’ve wanted in a long time.” Jackson said passionately as he gently stroked his thumbs over her cheeks. “I don’t want you to decide right this moment if you want to stay…for good. Well, that’s a lie. Of course I’d love it if you said you wanted to stay right now, but I know this is a lot for you to take in. I just want you to give us a shot and to really consider staying and making this work.” Jackson finally finished his heartfelt plea.
“Alright. I’ll think about it and take everything you said into consideration. Thank you…for being so thoughtful and patient with me.” Simone said shyly.
“It’s nothing.” Jackson said before placing his firm lips on her forehead.
His lips moved from her forehead to her damp eyelids, cheeks, nose and then her soft wide mouth. Hesitantly testing the water, Jackson’s tongue tentatively flicked out against Simone’s full lips. And she gasped at the sensation, opening to him instantly. Jackson took her assent and ran with it. His tongue stroked boldly into her mouth. His hand traveled down her cheek, past her neck and cupped her breast in his hand. He stroked his thumb over her sensitive nipple and she gasped against his mouth.
“Jax.” She said breathlessly, almost like a question.
Jackson’s hand continued a path down her body, into the water, cupping her hot sex. Her hips reflexively pumped into his hand. He slipped his middle finger inside her tight heat and his thumb made circular motions over her hardened clit. Simone’s bottom lip trembled with need and she looked up at him with such naked passion and love that Jackson’s heart clenched and jumped into his throat. His only reaction was to bury his other hand in the hair at the nape of her neck, holding her still so that he could devoured her mouth in desperation. His hand continued its assault on her quivering flesh. And Simone exploded with her climax. Her inner walls flexing against his fingers and her cry of ecstasy absorbed into his mouth.
As she came down from her high, Jackson released her lips and they rested their foreheads against each other, catching their breath.
“Better.” Jackson asked with a grin.
“Yes.” Simone sighed happily, the much needed climax that she was denied earlier in her distress, finally released the pent up tension in her body that the hot bath had failed to do. “I feel like a noodle now.”
“Come on. Let me get you out of there, before you turn into a prune.” Jackson said as he got up to grab a giant fluffy towel.
He helped her to stand and wrapped her up like a burrito before lifting her out of the tub like a small child. He held her tightly against his wide barreled chest as he walked into the bedroom. He sat her on the gigantic bed, walked out of the room and came back a minute later with her bags and opened one of the suitcases. Simone sat quietly watching him rummage through her bag, a small smile playing at her lips.
“May I ask what exactly are you looking for?” Simone asked with a chuckle.
“Your p.js. So you can relax for the evening.” Jackson said looking up, the side of his mouth lifting up in a heart melting crooked smile.
“Ah, I see. Those would be in the other bag.” Simone pointed to her other piece of luggage.
Jackson opened the other suitcase and grabbed her fleece pajama pants and a long-sleeved undershirt. He brought the clothing over and unwrapped the towel.
“Arms up.” Jackson instructed.
“You know I’m a big girl. I can dress myself.” Simone said as she raised her arms.
“I know. I just like taking care of you. Is there something wrong with that?” Jackson said, and then bent down to place a soft kiss on the end of her nose.
Simone just shook her head no. Too overwhelmed to speak. It had been a long time since someone had wanted to take care of her. It made her think of her mother and she had to squeeze her lips together to keep from crying. She stood up and he helped her step into the comfy pants. When he was finished he looked down at her and saw her eyes were glassy from unshed tears.
“What’s wrong, Si? Did I do something wrong?” Jackson asked anxiously.
“No…no. You’ve done everything just right. So right, it’s a little scary. Like you can read my mind or something. I was just thinking about my mother. She was the last one to pamper me like child. And you dressing me, brought back memories. Good ones, though.” Simone gave him a watery smile and she brushed away the wetness from her eyes.
“Yeah, it hits you at random times, doesn’t it? The loss?” Jackson looked down at his feet, understanding exactly what she meant. “It doesn’t completely go away. I still miss them.” Jackson turned and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“Now I’ve upset you.” Simone said, coming up to him and placing a gentle hand on his broad back. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s nice to talk to someone that understands how I feel.” Jackson turned to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her to him in a warm embrace. She felt safe from the world in his strong arms. “Alright, I have to get dinner started. Wanna come down with me? Have a glass of wine?”
“Yeah sure. That sounds nice.”
~~~
Five minutes later, they had all migrated to the kitchen. Xander sat on one of the three stools at the island and he pulled Simone in between his wide spread legs to sit on the edge. He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her gently for a moment and kissed her temple lightly. And they watched as Jackson rummaged through the refrigerator and cabinets, gathering things to make dinner.
“So you mean to tell me that you cook every night?” Simone asked Jackson, incredulous before she took a sip of delicious red wine they had poured for her.
“Well not every night. Sometimes we go out to eat or get takeout. But that’s a bit tough considering how far we live from the city. So I cook most of the time.” Jackson answered, glancing up from his work to wink at her.
“So what do you do then?” Simone asked looking back at Xander.
Xander took a sip of his beer and then leaned back on the stool, placed his hands behind his head, in a pose of complete relaxation. “Nothing. He’s my bitch.” Xander sighed with
bliss.
Simone and Jackson burst out laughing. “You’re full of shit, Xan!” Jackson chuckled. “Don’t let him fool you, Si. He cleans the house and washes the dishes after I cook.”
“Hmm…actually I think Jackson has the better end of the bargain.” Simone said after thinking it over a bit.
“Oh just wait. He blasts music and dances while he cleans. So I think it’s more like Saturday Night Fever than actual cleaning.” Jackson laughed at the scowl Xander gave him.
“So…if I were to stay…what would I contribute?” Simone broached.
“Nothing. We’ll take care of you.” Jackson said seriously.
“What?! I have to do something!” Simone exclaimed.
“You would. It’s a lot of work to deal with two grown babies. We need lots of affection and attention.” Xander squeezed her tightly.
“Wait. What about work? I can work, right?” Simone asked, standing up and stepping away from Xander so that she could look at both their faces and wouldn’t be distracted by Xander’s warm embrace.
“Well, I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to. We’ll take care of you financially too.” Jackson pointed out.
“I’m not some freaking concubine! Or sex slave! To just laze around all day reading magazines, eating grapes or any crap like that, while I wait for you to get home!” Simone railed, her relaxed mood completely obliterated.
“It doesn’t have to be grapes and magazines. You could always watch soaps and eat bon-bons.” Xander joked, not picking up on the queue that she was about to lose it.
“It’s not fucking funny, Xander!” Simone finally exploded, making the smile quickly dissolve on Xander’s lips. “If I’m really going to consider this relationship, I have to have something to do. I have to have my own identity outside of you two. I did not go to school for nothing. I did not work my ass off to sit around all day to find ways to please you two!” Simone finished in a shout.