by Morgan Henry
“Hi, Gina,” warbled Mary as she waltzed over to a table for two tucked in a corner.
Gina dropped by with menus and coffee. Karen was quiet as she looked through the menu. She wanted waffles, but was afraid the immense plate of fruit compote slathered, crispy outside, fluffy inside nirvana would send her into a carbohydrate coma.
Screw it, she thought. It felt like it was going to be a strange day and she needed the comfort carbs.
As they waited for their food, Karen watched Mary. She was trying to look cool and collected but wasn’t being completely successful. Her shorts and T-shirt said, “I fit in to cottage country,” but her body language said something different. She was both stiff and fidgeting a little.
How the hell do you fidget with a stiff spine? Karen wondered. Mary’s eyes looked tight again despite the smile that probably looked charming to everyone else, but that Karen knew was as fake as the leopard skin ballet flats on her feet.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you or do I have to play some bizarre guessing game?” Karen always felt low after listening to one of her mother’s tirades and Mary’s reversion to type wasn’t helping.
Mary didn’t answer and fidgeted some more. Breakfast was delivered and Mary fussed with cutting up her pancakes. Pancakes! Mary normally ordered something like an egg white omelet with vegetables only and maybe low fat cheese if they had it. With fruit and a slice of whole grain toast, no butter.
Mary poured a generous amount of maple syrup over everything on her plate and shoved half a sausage in her mouth.
Karen waited.
“I’m not going to marry Bob.”
Back to the deer in the headlights. Karen actually couldn’t speak. Her mind went on hold, cheesy elevator music playing in the background. It took almost a full minute for her to absorb that bit of information and form a coherent sentence.
“Holy shit,” was the best her two functioning neurons could provide.
“I know.” Mary downed another mouth of pancakes, but Karen noted that her hand trembled just a tiny bit. She chewed and swallowed. “Our parents are snobs and I’m tired of pleasing them. And Bob’s an ass.”
Karen ate a few bites of waffles. It was something to do, but she didn’t really taste the food.
Mary continued. “I always thought I hated you for going your own way. Your crazy colorful clothes, quitting university and heading to college, opening your own business—I was sure you were doing it just to piss everyone off. Then I realized, you were being true to yourself. You were living the life you wanted for you, and even though it didn’t fit in with our parent’s expectations, it wasn’t bad. At that point, I realized I was jealous. And I was ashamed at the way I treated you.”
“I didn’t…” Karen was up to about six functioning neurons now. Still not quite enough. “You never made me think you hated me. Just that I couldn’t measure up, you know? Like Mom and Dad did. Do.”
Her stomach churned a bit as the inadequacy she felt for most of her life made it gush acid. She put her fork down.
“So, you get a hospital trip for having some fun,” Mary gestured at Karen’s hand. “I got a hospital trip for a bleeding ulcer.”
“What?”
“I was so wound up in trying to please everyone that I worried myself into an ulcer. Work, Bob, parents—you name it, I was trying to please it. Everyone and everything but myself. I never did want a corporate accounting job, or to live in the city. And really, I’m not even sure I had any desire to date Bob, but Mom introduced him so I felt like I had to. What a pathetic wreck, eh?” Mary concentrated on worrying her napkin to bits.
“Wait a minute, you were in the hospital? When was this? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was a few months ago. I was only there for a night, then home on rest for a few days. I’m better now, honest.” Mary reached across and patted Karen’s hand. “And Mom didn’t tell you because having a stress ulcer is such a dirty secret.” She rolled her eyes, her voice as bitter as the orange rind left on her plate.
“I don’t even know what to ask next,” Karen said softly. “Are you sure it’s healed now? You’re not still sick?”
Mary gave a slightly sour laugh. “I wouldn’t be sucking back this coffee if I was. Actually, I went to therapy and I’m on some anti-depressants and am sooo much better now. I’m in the middle of making some changes to make my life better for me. And I need your help.”
Mary looked into Karen’s eyes, pleading. “I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking. No, begging.”
Karen was on family information overload. Mary ill, her parents not telling her, Mary’s confession of jealously. It was a lot to take in, but the answer to Mary’s plea for help was a no-brainer.
“Of course I’ll help you. What do you need?”
Tears welled in Mary’s eyes and she gave a little choked sob. She hastily blotted her eyes on the napkin and took a drink of coffee. “Is there any way Sammy and I can stay with you for a bit?”
The question floated between them for a second, and Mary rushed on. “I’m quitting my job, selling the condo, and I want to find a town where I can be an accountant for small businesses like yours, but it will take a bit of time to figure out where that might be—“
“Stop.” Karen held up her hand to get her sister to stop talking. “Yes, you can stay at the apartment. When do you need to move in?”
“As soon as I can.”
“Well, you happen to be in luck. I’m sort of staying with friends who are helping me while this splint is on. If you don’t mind helping me, I can let them off the hook.”
Karen didn’t think she could have the ménage discussion with Mary just yet. And she was determined to ignore the sudden icy stab to her heart at the thought of not waking up with Allan and Zander each morning. “You can bring Sammy, but he can’t ever get downstairs or I’ll be cited for health code violations and they could fine me or shut me down, okay?”
“No problem. Can I spend the day helping at the store and the night there? I’ll go back and start packing up my stuff tomorrow.”
“Of course.” Karen reached over and was the one patting Mary’s hand now. For all the distance that had been between them over the years, she couldn’t turn her back on her sister. They had once been close, and Karen would welcome a resumption of their bond.
“Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out. But you have to tell me—did Bob ever find out Sammy pissed on his shoes?”
Mary blinked at her then burst out laughing, breaking the somber mood that had settled on the two. “He was so friggin’ mad! It was kind of the last straw. Even though I had them cleaned and they were perfect, he said he could never wear them again. And that if I knew what was good for our relationship I would get rid of the ‘stinking furball.’ I wrote him a cheque for the ridiculously expensive shoes and told him I valued my relationship with Sammy more than the one with him. I thought he was going to have a coronary right there.”
“I hate to ask, but do Mom and Dad know?”
“They do now. I called late last night and told them the whole deal. Well, that I was breaking up with Bob and quit my job. I didn’t tell them I was asking you for help. I didn’t want to get you in shit for something that you hadn’t agreed to.” She grimaced. “I guess I’ve made more trouble for you with them. Sorry.”
Karen waved her hand dismissively. “No more than I get into on my own. How bad was it?”
“Not bad at all, actually.” Mary cocked her head to one side. “Of course, I didn’t give them a chance to say much, and they were so totally bowled over their brains didn’t have much time to engage with their mouths. I’ll pay later, I’m sure.” She took a deep breath. “But for now, I feel free for the first time in a long time and I’m going to savor it.”
Chapter 16
The following Thursday found a small crowd after hours at Karen’s Kandies. Kent and Carter VanLindt’s sister was getting married on the weekend, and Karen was doing the wedding favors
. The VanLindts, Hanna, Karen, Allan, and Zander were busy threading gummies on skewers for candy kebabs. After the kebabs were made, they were then wrapped and a message was attached with ribbon.
Allan was having fun. The friends were laughing and joking as they worked on the candy. They had ordered takeout and Karen was having a hard time keeping the men from eating all the candy as dessert.
“If Jen doesn’t have enough favors for the wedding, she will kick your asses,” Karen observed as she tried to keep the feeding frenzy to a minimum. “If you need dessert, how about some ice cream?”
“Okay, okay.” Kent held up his gummie-free hands. “You’re right. Jen will kick our asses. We have to stop.”
“These are going to look great, Karen,” Hanna said as she held one of the completed kebabs up. “But I still wish she had gone for chocolate.”
“I can’t say I’m unhappy about her choice. I’m not sure I would have been able to keep up with the regular demand and do hers, too.” A frown flashed across Karen’s face and was gone. Allan wondered what she was thinking. Was she worrying about how vulnerable her business was?
The talk turned to the wedding and Jen’s plans for the ceremony. It was to be held at Kent and Carter’s home. Apparently Kent and Carter were going to stay at Hanna’s the night before the wedding to free up a bedroom at their house.
“Hey, speaking of who’s sleeping where, when is Mary arriving?” Allan asked Karen.
“She and Sammy will be here in a few days. I think Monday, maybe.” Karen’s smile was the one that beamed her happiness out with stadium floodlights.
Allan grinned back at her. He was delighted that she was reconnecting with her sister. He was also honest enough with himself to be happy there was another excuse for her to continue to stay at their house. He knew when she got a smaller splint on Monday she would try to move back to her apartment.
He definitely wanted Karen to stay right where she was. Living at their house with Karen felt so right. She was the sweet, gooey center in their cookie sandwich. Just thinking about her that way made him want to taste her gooey center.
“Are you grinning because we’re done here? I didn’t think the work was that taxing,” teased Zander.
Allan flicked his eyes toward Karen, then back at Zander. “Just thinking.”
“Oh yeah. Don’t have to tell me more.” The light in Zander’s eyes told Allan they were working on the same tree, as usual.
The group boxed up the kebabs and put them in the VanLindts’ vehicle then parted ways. Karen, Allan, and Zander walked the few blocks home. The weather was nice, but not nearly as hot and humid now that September had arrived. It made the walk with its steep uphill climb much more manageable.
“The wedding should be fun,” Karen ventured as they walked home. “I’m kind of surprised we’re invited, though.”
“I suspect Jen gave Kent and Carter some leeway to invite a few friends. The ménage groups around here keep pretty tight, as you know.” Allan was certainly grateful for that.
“Yeah. That way it won’t look quite as weird when Kent and Carter are dancing with Hanna. There’ll be us and a few others as well.” Zander grabbed Karen and twirled her around on the sidewalk.
Allan liked seeing Karen laugh as she did when Zander twirled her. She looked so relaxed and there was a settled, contented vibe from her. Could she not see how much better her life was with the three of them together? They supported each other and made each individual’s worries smaller because they were shared.
He suddenly wanted her with a fierceness that surprised him a little. He wanted to possess her, make her so addicted to them that she couldn’t possibly leave. The surge of lust hit him hard and he had to work to suppress the urge to drag her into the house. As it was, as soon as they entered the side door, he pushed Karen up against the wall, kissing her hard, desperately trying to communicate to her how much he needed her. All of her.
Karen was stiff for an instant then melted into him. She kissed back, nipples straining out of their cloth confines to rub against his chest. Her hips tilted toward him and he knew she would be completely unaware of it.
He paused in kissing her long enough to peel her acid-orange T-shirt off her body, then locked his lips over hers again. Her bra hit the floor seconds after her shirt and then he was tugging at the button on her shorts.
“Don’t move,” he commanded, his voice deep with lust.
She sagged against the wall. Allan liked that she was so far gone in desire that she needed the help to stand.
He knelt, pulling down her shorts and panties as he did. Tossing the clothing aside, he held her thighs apart. He thought he could get shit-faced drunk on her scent alone. Allan licked, attacked her clit and was rewarded with her panting gasps and the creamy liquid from her pussy.
Karen ran her fingers through his hair, her nails sharp on his scalp. His body was so focused on sexual pleasure it was like he could feel those nails on his cock.
Allan wanted her, needed her to fall apart right there. He slid two fingers in her vagina and curved them so he hit her G-spot with each stroke and he fucked her mercilessly with them. He could hear her cries and moans and they spurred him on. He sucked at her clit, twirling his tongue around the ripe berry, once, twice, a third time, and she came. Karen screamed and her body jerked as he held her up. He continued to finger-fuck her and stimulate her clit until she was completely spent.
Allan held her up, hands on her hips. Karen’s knees shook so badly he knew she would fall if he let go.
“Wow,” breathed Karen. She took a deeper breath. “What was that about?”
Allan was still kneeling in front of her. He rested his head against her belly. For a moment he pondered his answer.
“To show you how much you’re wanted and needed.”
He wanted to add more. To make you never want to leave. To brand you as ours forever. To let me believe that you’ll stay.
He stood and pressed his body against hers. He nuzzled her cheek, knowing she could smell her own juices on his breath. “You are treasured.”
They stayed like that for a long moment as Karen’s breathing returned to normal.
Allan cleared his throat. “Did you enjoy that, too, Zander?”
Karen twitched a little under him. He wondered if she had forgotten Zander in the heat of the moment.
“Hell yes.” Zander’s voice was throaty and a bit strained. “You have no idea how hot it makes me to watch you two.”
“Yes, I do.” Allan eased himself away from Karen as he felt Zander behind him.
Zander had removed his shoes and shirt, and pulled Karen into a hug and rubbed her back. As Allan toed off his shoes and watched, Zander released Karen and took her injured hand in his. He carefully stroked it, his jaw twitching a little. “I hate that you were hurt, but I’m glad this happened. I’m glad you’re here with us, in our home. You make this so much more than a house.”
Karen didn’t say anything. Allan knew Zander wanted to say more. Hell, Zander would propose right now if he didn’t think it would send Karen running for the hills. They waited her out.
* * * *
Karen wanted to disagree with Zander. She wanted to reiterate that this was just sex. It was a lovely affair, a slightly-longer-than-baseball-season romance. Then they would part company and be cordial to each other from then on. Hell, her sister was moving into the apartment tomorrow. That meant there was someone to help her out with the hand and she could move back to her own space.
The problem was, she was falling for them. Had fallen so far down the well, Lassie couldn’t do a damn thing for her. She knew this, but she couldn’t go there. It was too much right now. Another emotional tangle when she was still caught up in the parent pleasing pursuit and the strange new sister saga. Instead, she took the easy way out.
“I’m glad I’m here, too,” she whispered. Oh you filthy hag, she thought as she stated the not-lie but deceitful phrase.
She saw Zander’s smile l
ight up his face, his bay-water blue eyes creasing at the edges. She caught the twinkle of mischief a nanosecond before he bent and threw her over his shoulder. She shrieked as he carried her naked through the kitchen and headed up the stairs with her.
“Oh my God! Zander, you’re going to throw your back out or give yourself a hernia or something! I’m too heavy!” Karen whipped her head around and kicked her legs.
She yipped as he smacked her right ass cheek.
“You’re not too heavy. Your curves are perfect. Don’t let me hear such crap out of you again.” Zander’s voice was actually stern. Karen couldn’t recall ever hearing him speak like that to her.
“You’d better answer him.” Karen lifted her head to see Allan close behind him. “And you’d better answer correctly.” He winked at her.
Karen narrowed her eyes as she answered Zander. “Oh, yes sir,” she said in her sweetest, most feminine voice. She had heard and read enough about BDSM to know that would be an appropriate answer in some circles.
“Hey!” she shouted as he smacked her ass again, hard.
“We’re not Doms, so quit with the sir shit. And don’t give me an insincere answer.” Zander flipped her on the bed not hard enough to hurt her, but just rough enough that she bounced a little. “Try again.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll try not to make self-deprecating comments in the future. Geesh.” Karen looked away, not sure what to make of two guys that thought her big thighs were perfect.
“Hmm, we’ll have to work on that a little more.” Zander was removing his shorts and Karen couldn’t help but admire the view. She licked her lips involuntarily.
“Enjoying the show, are you?” Allan asked and she turned her attention to his naked body.
“Oh, yeah. What’s not to like?”
Gorgeous muscled men with yummy asses and big dicks. She had won the sex lottery, that was for sure. Looking at their cocks made her mouth water.