Home Truths

by Louise Forster

  ‘Um…Jen? I want you to focus now.’

  ‘I am,’ she blurted out. ‘But you’re not.’

  One side of his mouth tweaked up. ‘Okay.’ He brought his hands up. ‘I’m on it. See where this wall ends here?’ Calum stepped back out into the bedroom. ‘It comes to about here, the left side of this closet. By rights it should meet with the hall, and obviously it doesn’t.’ He took her by the hand. Wanted to take hold of a lot more. Concentrate, he told himself. He ushered her out to the hall and began banging the wall with his fist, pointing out where the deep, hollow sound finished, about two metres along.

  Jennifer gasped.

  ‘You catch on quick,’ he told her.

  ‘That would mean —’

  ‘Don’t look so worried. Yes, it’s a hidden room, but it could be as simple as a boxed in stairwell. Whatever it is, I have to find out, if there’s wiring in there it’d be like the rest of the house was,’ he said, slapping the wall for emphasis. ‘And there’s no telling if it’s live.’

  Calum rubbed his chin and kept an eye on Jennifer as she processed the new problem.

  *

  Jennifer felt sick. There was no entry that she could find to get into a hidden space the size of a large walk-in closet. She covered her mouth as dark thoughts tumbled through her mind.

  Enough apprehension grew inside Jennifer to want to pretend this didn’t exist. She and her sister had been unaware of large chunks of their uncle’s life — vineyards and the wine collection, for example. What else had he kept from them?

  She felt Calum’s big hand warming the small of her back as he carefully ushered her through the door back into the pink room. She walked to the edge of the bed, and that gave her a reassuring buffer of about three metres. Standing with her arms folded, she silently eyed the enormous closet.

  ‘No one knows about this but you and me,’ Calum assured her, giving her a gentle nudge. ‘When Dwain worked on the plumbing up here, he concentrated on the bathrooms and kitchen. I did all the wiring and found some of it goes off into this space somewhere here. The first time I walked into this bathroom I thought it was odd.’

  ‘It was dark most of the time so I think my sister and I can be excused for not noticing. But the plumber worked in here for about a week, during the day, and he didn’t notice?’

  ‘It’s cleverly disguised, but yeah…Dwain is…’ Calum nodded, ‘… a great plumber.’

  ‘Dwain, the plumber?’

  ‘Yeah,’ Calum shrugged. ‘You should see his business card — Dwain Pipes.’

  Jennifer choked out a laugh. Trying to hide her nervous hysteria didn’t work.

  ‘Ready for more surprises?’

  ‘Sure.’ Sure? Was she insane? ‘But I don’t think anything can top Dwain.’

  ‘You’re not wrong. Okay, let’s shove this closet aside and see what’s behind it.’

  Negative energy surrounded Jennifer, it weighed heavy on her chest. She didn’t want to see what was behind the closet right now…or maybe ever.

  She should stop him.

  Calum began to push, but the closet didn’t budge. ‘This must weigh a ton,’ he grunted with effort. ‘Can’t do it alone.’

  ‘I know it’s big, but you should’ve been able to slide it little,’ Jennifer said, peering down the side nearest the wall, part of her hoping it was never going to shift. ‘It’s probably bolted to the floor, or the wall. Oh well,’ she shrugged.

  Confused about what to do next, Jennifer sat on the edge of the bed. Gazing at the looming closet, her thoughts went to the dark side. What if there was something horrible buried behind these walls — like the dead bodies of women he’d lured into the pink bedroom? She loved and trusted her uncle; he was a kind and gentle man. But even nice men did strange things. How many times had she seen on the seven o’clock news bemused friends and neighbours saying, ‘We just don’t understand it; he was such a lovely family man. Wouldn’t hurt a fly. Pity about all the bodies buried in his backyard.’

  Stomach churning, Jennifer looked at Calum. ‘I don’t think I want to know.’

  Calum laughed. ‘Aren’t you curious? It may have nothing to do with Bob. It could’ve been the people who owned it before your uncle. Maybe they built it to stash their money. It might still be in there. Want to look for an opening?’

  Jennifer pulled at a lock of curly hair. ‘I don’t know anymore.’

  Calum stood back and calculated size versus area, versus weight, and said, ‘It has to be done.’

  ‘Well, it’s obvious,’ she said, ‘the only way in is through the closet.’

  ‘Yep.’ Calum nodded, hands low on his hips.

  ‘Okay,’ Jennifer said, giving in. ‘Let’s look. Otherwise I won’t be able to sleep, I’ll have one eye fixed on the damn doors, all four of them.’

  ‘Your house, your closet,’ Calum said, hand out. ‘Or would you rather I went in first?’

  ‘No, but thank you. I’m being a wuss.’ Jennifer mentally apologised to her Uncle Bob — for what, she didn’t know. ‘Okay, here we go.’ She reached for the doorknobs and hesitated.

  ‘C’mon Jen, nothing can be so bad that you can’t investigate with a good friend. It’s not like whatever is in there has anything to do with you personally.’

  Jennifer knew it had nothing to do with her, but mud sticks, especially if it belongs to a relative.

  ‘Okay, but if it’s — you know, unsavoury — no one else must find out about it.’ She frowned, remembering the cryptic note Bob had left for her and Sofie. She repeated his words aloud: ‘Forgive me. Leave it alone — don’t search. I meant no harm, what I did was for me, no one else.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘That was in a note left to us from Uncle Bob.’

  ‘Look, I won’t tell a soul — Scout’s honour.’

  Jennifer arched a warning brow as she glanced at his oh-so-innocent face. She removed her shoes and suggested to Calum he do the same.

  ‘Okay, here goes. If we’re transported to another time and place, I want you to promise to get me home in one piece.’

  ‘Stop procrastinating, Jen, and do it.’

  She stepped inside. Her uncle’s clothes hung from a centre rod. Belts and ties hung from rails attached to the back wall. She slid his clothes aside, reached out and felt the old timber under the flat of her hands. ‘This is a bit like Doctor Who’s Tardis.’

  ‘I’m coming in,’ Calum announced. There was a rustle of plastic and hangers sliding as he moved in closer. ‘Found anything?’

  A second later, she heard a soft click and then total darkness surrounded them.

  A strangled cry escaped Jennifer’s throat. ‘What happened?’ Jennifer swung around, fingers outstretched. She caught hold of Calum’s arm and held on. ‘Why is it so dark?’ she asked sounding alarmed.

  ‘The door swung shut behind us.’

  ‘Well, go open it!’

  ‘Okay, don’t panic. Are you claustrophobic?’

  ‘Not as a rule, but this could change things. You do not want a hysterical woman with you in a closet.’

  ‘It’s not a problem, Jen, I’ll fix it.’

  The sound of clicks and scrapes only made Jennifer feel edgier.

  ‘There, it’s open.’

  ‘Why is it still so dark in here?’

  ‘I had to slip a piece of paper in front of the lock. I could wedge it with a chair from the kitchen.’

  ‘No! As long as I know it’s not locked, I’ll be fine.’ Eyes wide, as if that would help, Jennifer turned carefully and ran her hands down the side and back wall. ‘Nothing’s happening.’

  ‘Move over.’ Calum reached forward, and his arm brushed her breast. ‘Sorry.’

  Had it not been so dark he would’ve seen her smile.

  They edged to the floor and her hair brushed him. She thought it was his face, but it could have been any part of him. He took a deep breath. Jennifer ducked.

  Had it not been so dark she would’ve seen him reach for her and miss.


  Jennifer came up and the top of her head collided with his chin. ‘Fuck!’ Calum cried out.

  ‘Sorry.’ She rubbed her head and felt his breath against her cheek. His mouth was near her ear, which sent goose bumps down her neck. She quivered, and tried to sound as normal as possible when she spoke. ‘You’re very quiet, are you okay?’ Her mouth brushed his jaw. How did that happen? In a blink, sensuous heat raced to all parts of her body. ‘I can’t stand it anymore. It’s hot and stuffy, and sweat is starting to trickle —’

  ‘Really?’ Calum’s amused voice sounded hopeful.

  Oh, not fair. Can I bite him? A nibble maybe…No? Bugger.

  ‘Let me just get over this side,’ he said, crawling over the top of her.

  Oh, now I’m definitely going to bite him.

  His leg slipped between her thighs. That was it. She lost control, swung around, and lunged for his shirt. Her fingers tingled as she grabbed hold of him and pulled him down. They fumbled for each other’s lips, and only missed once. His mouth crushed hers, lips and tongue playful. She slid her fingers into his hair and grabbed handfuls, luxuriating in the silken strands. Her breath came short and fast. His mouth was delicious. Soft, yet firm — hungry, eager.

  ‘Jen, Jen,’ he moaned against her mouth.

  The need to feel his skin was more than she could bear. Jennifer took hold of the front of his shirt and yanked it apart. Buttons went flying, clattering against the closet walls and floor. She grabbed his broad shoulders and leant in to nuzzle his skin. ‘God, you smell good, I can’t get enough.’

  Suddenly, Calum disappeared.

  ‘Don’t go!’ she fumble for his chest, but found his thighs. Her hands moved up to his chest and that was when she heard the sound of ripping shirt fabric and elbows banging against the walls.

  Jennifer peeled her top off, fighting to get it over her head quickly. Calum came back and tugged at her waist. He slowed the pace, slid her bra straps off her shoulders and trailed soft tongue kisses all the way up her neck. He pulled her into his embrace and unclipped her bra. Jennifer grabbed the front and tugged the straps down her arms, then tossed the bra aside. She moaned with pleasure as her nipples brushed his chest, they swelled and pebbled. She wanted more, and that’s what she got. He dipped his head and circled each puckered little bud with his tongue.

  ‘Oh God,’ she whispered, grabbed hold of his hair and pulled him up to her face. She wanted his mouth on hers.

  Calum slipped his hands inside her jeans and squeezed her bottom, tugging her firmly against his bulging erection.

  ‘Oh God,’ she groaned again and kissed him harder. He lost his balance and fell back. Plastic squeaked and rustled. For an instant, she lost him among the hanging coats and suits.

  ‘Crap!’ he yelled.

  She could hear him scrambling; seconds later coats and plastic hangers went flying. Jennifer couldn’t see and didn’t really care at this point. She twisted over onto her hands and knees, found his legs and yanked at the hem of his jeans.

  ‘Woman!’ Calum slid forward. ‘You don’t know your own strength, and I love it. It’s been months without the taste of you, the feel of you. I need you now. Where are you?’

  ‘Right here.’ Jennifer trailed butterfly kisses up his hard, naked stomach.

  ‘Agh — shit that’s good!’

  She teased him with a feather light touch of her breasts against his skin. Calum’s gasp intensified her arousal.

  A film of sweat on his hot skin made his musky scent even more pronounced.

  ‘Oh,’ she purred, ‘I love your smell.’

  She wanted all of him and pushed him down to tug at his jeans again. His elbows hit the floor with a thump.

  ‘Get them off — get them off!’ Jennifer pleaded.

  ‘Wait a minute,’ Calum mumbled.

  ‘I don’t want to wait a minute.’

  ‘Just give me a little room for a sec.’ He grunted with effort and the closet floor wobbled underneath her. ‘Got it,’ he said, triumphant. His hands were on her legs, caressing their way up to the waistband of her jeans. He yanked, and the brass button went flying.

  Jennifer giggled. ‘You owe me a pair of jeans.’

  ‘I’ll buy you five — ten pairs.’ He peeled them off her hips. In one swift movement, Jennifer’s legs were in the air and she was free of her jeans. She tried to kick them aside and her knees skimmed past what she assumed was his nose. ‘Don’t help — please!’ he said breathlessly. Her undies and jeans went flying. ‘Don’t move.’

  She didn’t dare. Then he gathered her to him, and he was all deliciously hard muscled, hot nakedness. She explored every inch of him, all her senses heightened in the dark closet. Knees and elbows thumped and drummed on the floor and walls as Jennifer brought her hips closer. Calum lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  ‘I want you. Now and —’ Before she said too much, like now and forever, she kissed his mouth.

  Calum slipped inside her warm, wet, delicious place, and she lost herself in him. Her limbs, right down to the tips of her fingers and toes tingled. She gripped his sexy butt as his hands squeezed her bottom and she worked her hips against his. Their kiss continued, his tongue dipping into her mouth as his cock slid inside her.

  ‘You’re so wet, so fucking amazing to feel you surrounding me, squeezing me.’

  She groaned louder, pulling him in deeper with her feet and calves.

  ‘Oh God!’ She bit into his shoulder. He managed to find a nipple and sucked. A quiver zipped all the way down to the pulsing nub between her thighs. She met his thrusts, harder, deeper, faster. Her body craved the sweet ecstasy glowing ever stronger around belly and through her groin. Her toes curled, her nipples peaked hard against his chest.

  ‘I want more…give me more,’ she cried out. ‘Cal please, I’m…’

  He pushed deeper, grinding his hips against her until she reached an unbelievable orgasm. For Jennifer, it rolled on and on until her limbs felt like jelly. Every sense focused on one delicious pulsing area, yet every part of her glowed and tingled to the point where a touch would make her giggle with pleasure.

  Calum’s big hands spanned her bottom and held on tight as he thrust in and out; slamming into her one last time, he buried his face in her neck and didn’t move.

  Panting, Jennifer enjoyed the moment as they stayed connected; arms wrapped around each other, Calum’s cock deep inside her, just where it should be.

  He murmured, ‘I want to see you.’ He raised his head and hauled them both up, which Jennifer thought was outstanding. She shoved her face in his neck and hung on. Then he backed towards the door. ‘I just have to…’ With a regretful-sounding sigh, he pulled out and set Jennifer on the floor, then thumped the door a couple of times with his hip.

  ‘I thought it was open.’

  ‘That may have been a little white lie.’

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders. ‘You mean we’re locked in?’

  ‘Not for long. I didn’t want to say anything earlier in case you panicked; I can get us out of here, not a problem.’ Calum’s hands patted her body until he found her face. He cupped her jaw, then kissed her softly on the mouth. ‘We have two choices.’ He kissed his way to her forehead. ‘I can break the lock, which may splinter the door.’ He kissed his way down to her nose. ‘Or I could grab my mobile out of my jeans and ring a locksmith.’ He kissed her mouth again.

  ‘I don’t fancy the last one. Us stuck in the closet together — not to mention buttons missing on our clothes — would be through town before he’s down the stairs. Just force the door open, slowly. Please.’

  ‘Okay.’ Calum braced his shoulder against the door and his foot against the opposite wall and pushed. The door popped open with nothing more than a bent lock.

  He swept her up and, cradling her, headed for the bathroom where he set her down on the bath mat. He gave her one of his sexy quirky grins and held his hand out. She took it. Calum turned her palm up, kissing and lick
ing her there. Moving his mouth away he drew her into the brand new, state of the art shower cubicle. Warm water fell upon her skin like gentle rain. He took his time to lather and slide his hands all over her body. Jennifer lifted her arms above her head, stretching. Calum wrapped his fingers around her wrists and slid them down her forearms, splayed his hands and slid further to her armpits, breasts, over her hips and around to her bottom. And she writhed under his touch. Then like a dancer, feet splayed, he slowly slid his tanned athletic body over hers. Jennifer followed his lead and discovered that wet, naked dirty dancing in the shower was breathtaking, magnificent, spectacular.

  His hand slipped down between her thighs, and he played the water over her there. Then his fingers lowly slipped in, drawing out the slippery wetness that was all Jennifer.

  ‘I love how you get wet for me,’ he murmured.

  She rocked her hips, sliding her sex over his hand. ‘It’s you…all for you,’ she breathed, then wrapped her hand around his cock and squeezed. ‘You should do something with this,’ she said, her voice husky.

  ‘My pleasure.’ He took her arms and slid them around his neck. ‘Hang on.’ Then he braced himself as he cupped her bottom and lifted her up. She swung her legs up around his hips, could feel his heart thumping against her chest as he must feel hers. Eyes locked, mouths almost touching, breaths mingling, they stood as warm water cascaded over them. Jennifer could feel Calum holding back, waiting as the fire built inside her. The tip of his cock pulsed between her wet folds.

  ‘I want to slide inside you. Feel me…fuck you, Jen.’ Still looking at her, he nipped her mouth with his.

  Her breathing laboured. ‘Oh God, yes do that.’

  He pressed her up against the tiles, the tip of his cock at her entrance, he pushed the head in, but no further. She gasped, and demanded, ‘More!’

  ‘You’re ready?’ His hands squeezed her bottom, his handsome face and soft eyes watched her closely.