by Leslie Pike
“Son, that’s how it works. My Birdie cast her spell over half a century ago.”
“He likes to say it was magic, but it was these blue eyes of his,” Grandma Birdie says with a wink.
“Good luck, lovebirds.” Davis gives his girl a tight twirl, and they move further into the center of the floor.
Maxen and I hold each other close. He whispers in my ear, “Want to make it official?”
For a moment, I think he’s talking about marriage. What? Then his expression turns naughty.
“Let’s seal the deal in the bedroom.”
Oh. Is this disappointment I’m feeling?
“Let’s not wait for the song to end,” I say, leaning my forehead on Maxen’s.
Our lips meet, and we take the kiss. Then another and another. Hand in hand, he leads me through the dancers toward the house.
“Maxen! Dominique! Over here!”
As we turn toward the sound, we are greeted by the sight of Asher, Wes, and Boone. They sit at one of the round tables edging the dance floor, toasting shots of tequila. Limes and salt-shakers are at the ready. I see July speaking with Brick’s wife, but November and Lucinda are nowhere to be seen.
We snake through the partiers and reach the house. Entering the great room, through open French doors, the crowd thins. We make a beeline for the stairs, turning down an offer of champagne by a passing server. No more liquor is required. Both of us are feeling no pain. On top of that, we are high on love.
Maxen takes the stairs as if he’s on a mission to save someone from a burning building. It’s almost funny. I keep up because it’s a kind of a sexual emergency. If I don’t feel his kisses and have his cock inside me soon, there could be dangerous consequences. Maybe my head will spin off. I know, at the very least, my heart will ache.
When we reach the landing, Lucinda is coming out of her bedroom. She looks happy to see us.
“Oh, good! I was just going to go look for you two. I need a favor.”
“Sure. What can we do?” Maxen says, pretending to shut down his libido.
“We need to use your bedroom if possible. I need to put the twins down until the party ends. It’s the only room not being used! You’ve seen how many children are here!”
“No problem, Lucinda. Let me clear the bed off. It’ll just take a few minutes,” I say.
“Thanks, kids.”
She takes off down the stairs with a wave. When Maxen’s eyes meet mine, his mouth tightens in disappointment.
“Don’t give up yet. We’ll go to Plan B.”
I open the door, and we enter the bedroom. I start clearing the clothes.
“Help me clear these things. What exactly is Plan B?”
“It’s a big house! We can find some nook,” Maxen says, tossing the pile he created to the chair.
I throw a decorative pillow at him. “We are not going to have sex in another room! What if someone walked in?”
“What are the odds? If we find an out of the way bathroom, that might work.”
“You want to seal our love in a bathroom? We need room to express ourselves, baby.”
His lopsided grin and the twinkle in his eye say he likes my idea.
“Well, it’s a warm night. What about the grove of trees across the lawn Atticus was talking about? We could find the two-person chaise the family uses for viewing the fireflies. He said it’s a great spot in a clearing.”
I roll the idea around in my mind for half a second. “That’s a possibility,” I say with a grin.
This makes my man extremely happy.
“Good! Let’s commune with nature. Have you ever had sex in a forest?”
“No! Have you?”
“Absolutely not. You’ll be my first and last,” he says with emphasis.
Good answer.
“Don’t make eye contact with anyone. Take my hand. We’re going to cross the lawn when the next song starts.”
Maxen sounds as if we are in a Mission Impossible film. The theme music pops up in my mind.
“If someone looks at us, they’re going to know we’re going into the trees. We will be busted but good.”
These tennis shoes I’m wearing with my dress look ridiculous. But so what? We’re going to be walking on needles and leaves and the floor of the forest. It’s a good thing I retrieved them from the RV.
“Let’s go,” he says, leading the way.
Eyes ahead, we walk out onto the dance floor and cross it to the grass. Not one soul is interested in our travels or our aim. “Rock Around the Clock” is playing, and the dancers are deep in their cups, as my grandfather used to say. A clapping crowd surrounds grandma Birdie and Grandpa Davis as they move together smoothly. This was probably their generation’s teen anthem, and for a moment, I see their young faces under the grey hair.
By the time we are out of the vocal reach of the other guests, we relax our gait.
“Did I tell you how pretty you look tonight?”
I hook my arm through his. “Tell me again.”
“You look so pretty. I’m going to take it all off.”
“That makes no sense,” I laugh.
“It makes perfect sense to every man on the planet.”
We reach the entry to the little forest and move into the thicket of trees. As the light and music from the party fades, Maxen brings out a flashlight from his pocket.
“I don’t think we have to go too far. Atticus said we couldn’t miss it.”
I give him a look that questions what he told his new friend.
“He’s the one that suggested we check it out. He doesn’t know we’re here now.”
“Glad you thought of the flashlight.”
He taps his temple. “I wasn’t going to let darkness stop me.”
Weaving through the trees, we find the clearing. I know it’s the one because an iron signpost under a sprawling Pecan tree marks the spot. It reads, Here marks the sacred spot Charlotte and Atticus fell in love. The pillowed purple chaise stands before it as a spot for remembering.
My hand goes to my mouth. “Oh, that is so romantic.”
He takes me in an embrace. “This is the perfect place for us too. It’s already been lucky for another couple.”
My eyes close as he kisses my neck and my ear.
“Not that my love for you needs any prompting,” he says.
I’m still not used to hearing those words from Maxen. Every time I have, it thrills.
“Look. There’s a lantern we can use. Good.”
He picks up the lantern from the stump next to the chaise and turns it on. Placing his flashlight and cell next to it, he turns to me.
“Come here, my love,” I say, arms open.
We come together in a kiss. But that’s a poor description of what passes between us. The kiss is just the vehicle, the way inside each other’s hearts. He begins to undress me. It’s slow and gentle, and he takes time to appreciate every moment.
When I’m standing in my sexy, silky ice blue bra and panties, he smiles. Like he’s holding back a chuckle.
“What?” I ask.
“You look so fucking cute in that getup. I’m going to call it sex and tennis shoes. Only you could make it look like you’re being photographed for a fashion magazine.”
My fingers do my talking. They slide over his torso and arms, feeling each muscle, abs, and biceps. Before I unbutton his shirt, I linger lower. Right on his cock. It strains against the zipper, fighting to be set free. Maxen’s jaw tightens in lust, but he doesn’t ask me to unzip him. He just enjoys the journey.
So, I take my hands away and instead unhook my bra. It falls to the ground, but his eyes don’t leave my breasts. My nipples. Then he slips his hand inside my panties. Oh, God. Those fingers parting my lips and playing with my clit. I lean my head back and feel. Feel.
Suddenly I’m in his arms, picked up and carried to the wide chaise. He lays me against the soft pillows and, without rushing, takes off my shoes and panties. When he looks at my body, I feel like I have
never been seen in the same way. He loves me. All of me.
Then he removes his own clothes at the same pace. Watching him unbutton and unzip is my favorite pastime. He kicks off his shoes and places his shirt under my dress at the bottom of a nearby tree. Now there are only pants hiding his nakedness. Come on, baby. Please lose them.
As if he heard my silent plea, the pants go next. He steps out of them and out of the black boxer briefs he looks so good wearing. In the future, I hope he will consider walking around our home with just those on. Dominique! What home? What future?
I’m brought back to the perfect present when he climbs on the chaise and wraps himself around me. For a minute, we just stay silent. It feels heavenly knowing love has joined us tonight. We have become something new. It feels different. Something holy has risen in the starry night.
And when Maxen begins to touch me, kiss me, taste me, I become his true lover. And he mine.
Chapter Sixteen
Maxen
That great night. Everything I was feeling wanted out, and it was impossible to keep it to myself any longer. I said it. For the first time in my life, I meant it. Not that it was said recklessly before, but now that I know what love feels like, everything before was misidentified. I had been in lust, in like, but never in love. I sound like a woman. Obviously, they’ve understood what it’s about for a long time. Us men take longer to get there.
After we made love, Dominique asked how we were going to do the long-distance thing. I said we would figure it out, and nothing would stop us from being good at it. But in the light of day, the question lingers.
There are only three weeks until my return to California, and the hours and days pass quickly now. How am I supposed to be without her? It’s the daily connection that forms a relationship, how we work together to navigate everyday problems. How we handle our moods. Do we become stronger with each challenge or weaker? Shit. It’s time spent together. I want that kind of consistency with Dominique. This could slip through our fingers if both of us aren’t aware of how easily it could happen.
“Where are you, Maxen?”
Kim’s voice carries from the hallway to the kitchen, where I’m making us a snack. Thought it would be good to serve the comfort food our mother always made us when someone was sick—toast with butter and sugar. Grabbing the plates and two paper towels for napkins, I head her way.
“Watch how good I’m doing!” Kim says, taking careful steps with her nurse at the ready.
Lunch gets placed on the coffee table.
“Wow. You’re walking so much better. Good job, Sister. And you too, Arlene.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ripley.”
Try as I have many times, Arlene won’t call me Maxen.
Kim looks sixteen with those braids. My throat tightens with emotion, thinking I could have lost her. Shake it off. Kim’s improving by the day now. I expect by the time my brother takes over, Arlene won’t have to be sleeping here anymore.
My sister can take care of her grooming already. Bathroom duty she does by herself. It’s just the bathing that requires assistance. Daily visits from the nurse should handle that, along with her physical therapy.
I’m going to miss being around Kim. We have always been close, but this experience tightened the bond. I’ll miss Hunter too. He’s a happier kid, a more expressive boy, and it’s all due to Bing. He’s had a good influence over my nephew. He’s even got him through the raw grief of losing Boomer. Cali and McFly are the beneficiaries of his rediscovered love of dogs. I’ve noticed a kind of special canine attention paid to Hunter. Like they know he’s the one who needs it.
Nurse Arlene watches as Kim settles in her recliner and puts her feet up.
“I’ll be leaving for just a few hours. You good?” She directs her question to Kim.
“I’m fine. My brother will take care of me; I’m his favorite sibling. Besides, he made me my comfort food.”
Grabbing her purse from the tabletop, Arlene heads for the front door. When she opens it, Bing and Hunter can be seen leading the dogs up the walkway.
“Bye, boys,” she says as they pass.
Leashes and harnesses are removed, and the dogs move to find comfortable spots to rest. McFly curls at the foot of Kim’s chair. Immediately his eyes close. Cali comes in for a pet, which I gladly give, and then she lays facing her best friend.
“You look like you climbed the Alps,” I say, looking at the red faces.
“Where did you guys take the dogs?” Kim asks.
“We found a cool path behind McDonald's. You know those houses on the hill? That’s where it led,” Bing says, flopping on the couch.
He grabs a piece of his mother’s toast and takes a big bite.
“We’re starting an Explorers Club.”
“That McDonald's is a good three miles away.”
Hunter checks his watch. “We did seven-point-one miles in total.”
“We saw a skunk and a tarantula!”
“And he wanted to bring it back!” Hunter says, pitching a thumb at Bing.
“Which one?!” Kim and I say it at the same time. It makes us all laugh.
“The tarantula. They aren’t poisonous. It could have lived in my bedroom.”
“Oh, I bet your mother would be thrilled with that idea,” Kim says, chuckling.
“Actually, she hates spiders. I have to catch and release them, or she freaks out,” Bing admits.
“You two ready for school tomorrow? Eight grade’s a big deal,” I say.
A kind of private message passes between Bing and Hunter, followed by sly smiles. Kim sees it too.
“What’s that look for? What are you two up to?”
“Hunter already has a girlfriend. She wants to eat lunch with him,” Bing says, spilling the secret.
He gets a scowl for his reveal. “Why? Why did you tell that?” Hunter says only half-pissed.
“Is that the Beth girl?” Kim asks.
“Yeah. It’s no big thing.”
“What is it you like about this girl, son?”
Hunter looks about seventy-five percent uncomfortable telling his mother. There are a few beats before he speaks.
“She’s nice. She’s pretty. And she likes sports and going camping. Her family goes on big hikes.”
“She acts all crazy-eyed when she watches Hunter sing. And she likes dogs,” Bing adds. “She can’t be all bad if she likes animals.”
So that’s what changed Hunter’s relationship with Cali. I thought it was the effect of Bing when all along it was the girl.
“Make sure you act as I raised you. Do not do anything I wouldn’t be okay with. You’re only thirteen; there’s plenty of time for girls.”
The three of us pause for a moment before catching each other’s gaze. Does my sister really think she can stop the tsunami that is puberty?
My cell sounds over the noise of the midday traffic. My brother’s name pops up on the screen. John.
“Hey.”
“Hey. How’s it goin’?”
“Good. Real good. Kim’s upright and taking a few steps at a time. I think by the time you’re here, the nurse will be relieved of her night duties.”
“That would be great. I’m getting my shit together for the trip. Crap, it’s unbelievable what you need to take for a few months.”
“Don’t make yourself crazy. Tennessee isn’t a third world country. You can pick up what you need. If I didn’t need to get back to my job, I’d stay here a little longer.”
There is a pause before he continues. And I know what it means.
“Is it about the girl?” John asks.
“Yeah. It’s about the girl.”
“Listen, brother, don’t go making impulsive decisions. You’ve been down this road before.”
My blood pressure rises with his words. I know he means well, but Dominique isn’t Donna, and I’m not the man I was when I was young.
“No need to worry. This is completely different. I haven’t forgotten the mess that was.”
“Just don’t have amnesia. That move cost you. And not only emotionally. Every connection you had made was lost. You had to start back at step one, building goodwill within the contracting business. Remember how long it took to rebuild? And you were at the beginning of your career. Now your ties are deep.”
“I know.”
“You’re in a great place right now. In fact, that’s why I’m calling. Last night you got an offer to put in a bid for the Genesis Group’s latest project.”
“What?!”
“Yep. You need to get back here. We don’t have an indefinite timeline, you know. They’re going to be looking at other contractors. But we know they’ve already vetted you. As your attorney, I suggest you take off your romance hat and put your hard hat back on. This is big, Maxen. And it’s going to take you through next year at the very least. This could work out to be a steady cash stream. You know how many projects those developers are involved with. Take it seriously. This is no time for your dick to do the thinking.”
Sometimes my brothers can be a pain in the ass.
“Exactly how old do you think I am, John? I don’t need you to point out what I have to consider. This is my business and my life. How I handle myself is my decision.”
“So you are considering staying there?”
“No. I didn’t say that. But whatever I decide in the future will be well thought out. I’m forty fucking years old. I have a good grasp on reality, and that’s why I know there’s more to life than money and career.”
“Oh, fuck. You’re thinking of doing it. Shit.”
“Hey, I’m going to call you back. I just got to the post office,” I lie. “We’ll talk later.”
When we disconnect, I pull to the side of the road and park. I have three weeks until I return to California. Taking a swig of water, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Pros and cons. That’s always been my way forward. There needs to be a clear picture of what my choices are.
First of all, am I rushing things? There’s no doubt I love her, and I believe it’s returned. If I take that forward, I see a marriage proposal. Not this year, but probably next. I never thought I’d be here so soon. And if so, one of us has to move. Should it be her or me? There would be negatives for both. Who has the most to lose?