by Jw Grodt
Up from the table, he headed for the kitchen as Jared put the TV on a holiday music satellite station. He pulled the carafe from the coffeemaker and replenished his cup. When he replaced the carafe and turned around, he was face-to-face with Nicole. She shoved her breasts into him with deliberate force and put her mouth on his. Her tongue forced itself between his lips for just a second. He reached out to pull her to him but she quickly backed off.
“Merry Christmas, Brad!” She looked him in the eye, her lips curled up in a smirk, and then her back was to him and she went to join the others.
Brad, not ‘Dad.’ He froze, unable to take a step. He tasted her, smelled her, felt the blood flow surging from his mouth to his groin.
“Brad! You’re holding up Christmas!” came April’s cry from the living room.
He shook off his trance and joined his family. April pulled a package from under the tree and handed it to Nicole. They all took turns unwrapping presents. When the tree skirt lay bare, Brad spoke up.
“Say, what’s that I see on the tree?”
The other three directed their attention to where Brad was pointing. There were two small identical boxes stuck in the branches, wrapped in red foil and tied with gold ribbons.
“Wonder what those could be?” Jared asked innocently from his seat on the sofa, next to his wife.
“Honey,” Brad said to April, “why don’t you grab those and give one to Nicole?”
“Oh my, what can this be?” April asked with a smile of anticipation. She pulled the two boxes from the tree and handed one to Nicole. The two women carefully unwrapped their packages.
“Wow!” Nicole exclaimed as she flipped open the hinged lid of the black velvet box. April in turn opened her box, which again was identical.
Nicole held up a diamond solitaire on a platinum chain.
“Oh, Dad!” she exclaimed. “It’s stunning.” She crossed the room and handed it to him. “Would you put it on for me?” She turned around and lifted her hair to expose her thin, soft neck. April was still fumbling to remove hers from its packaging.
“Uh…sure, hon,” Brad said awkwardly, looking over at April. He opened the clasp with his thick, sausage-like fingers and after a moment or two managed to get it hooked. Nicole turned and kissed him on the cheek, expressing a gush of gratitude.
In the meantime, April had put hers on all by herself. The generous round solitaire reflected the lights on the tree as she stood up and modeled it for all to see, swiveling on her hips with her arms akimbo.
“Thank you sooo much, darling!” April said as she kissed him on the mouth over and over.
“I hope you like it. I know you have one already, but … well, this one’s a little bigger,” Brad said with a wink.
“It sure is!” April replied and kissed him again. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Nicole was sitting next to Jared once more, fingering the stone on her neck. Jared, in the meantime, glared daggers at his father.
The rest of the day was spent between bouts of watching Christmas movies and football games. The women chatted in the kitchen while Brad and Jared relaxed in the living room, massaging full bellies. When it came time for Jared and Nicole to go home that night, Brad and April walked them to the car. Brad pulled his son aside in the driveway.
“Look, son, I hope you don’t think I was trying to show you up by giving your wife that necklace. I just happened to get a great deal from a jeweler friend of mine and it made sense to just get two.” It was a harmless lie, he told himself. Of course he wanted April to have a necklace bigger and better than the one from her ex he had seen, but he in turn couldn’t resist giving those beautiful tits of his daughter-in-law’s a little “frosting,” so to speak.
“It’s fine, Dad. I’m over it. You were always better at surprises than I was, anyway. I always go the gift certificate route. You know, play it safe.” Jared shrugged and hugged him. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“Merry Christmas, son.”
He and April watched them drive off and then went back in the house.
Brad fondled April’s ass all the way up the steps once they were inside. She teased him over his anxiousness but willingly let him lead her to the bedroom. He tried to be patient with foreplay but he was ravenous. Minutes later, when it was over, Brad lay on top of her, breathing heavily into the pillow. April purred into his ear, something about him being a wild tiger, and he emitted a low, muffled laugh into the pillow. Her moans of satisfaction were pleasing to his ears, but he kept his eyes closed the whole time, so as not to lose the vision of a supine Nicole, her eyes closed, his hands gripping her breasts, her mouth formed in an “O” as her hands pressed against the headboard.
Later, he got up to use the bathroom and when he came back to bed he looked at April lying there, sleeping on her side, a look of peace on her face. While she had a decent body, given her age, he was briefly turned off, thinking about Nicole’s young, supple skin. Just at that moment April’s eyes snapped open.
“Come to bed, sweetheart,” she whispered and turned over on her back.
He walked around the bed, feeling like a total jerk. He slid into bed and pulled the sheet up over the two of them. As he rode her again, he kept his eyes open this time, determined to banish any thought of Nicole from his mind, once and for good.
Brad’s New Year’s resolution was to devote himself mind, body, and soul to his fiancé. They cocooned in their free time and saw little of Jared and Nicole for several weeks. Brad tried to recall the good times with Julie and emulate them with April. He lectured himself daily over the benefits of a mature woman and how, at the end of the day, the only thing he had going with Nicole was pure lust—never mind the complication that she was his son’s wife! He found himself able to focus on April more and more. She became more alluring for him as they spent more time together. He enjoyed having someone from his generation to talk to. They could talk about the same movies, the same songs. It just worked.
One Sunday in late February, Brad got a call. He was in the middle of gluing the broken handle on his favorite coffee mug when his cell phone rang.
“Hi Jared! I’ve got you on speakerphone. What’s up?”
“Dad, listen I hate to ask but I have to go out of town Saturday for three days and Nikki was wondering if she could stay with you those nights? She won’t need to be there during the days, just sleep there.”
“Jared, I don’t know. April stays here most nights and besides, I thought she was comfortable now that the alarm system was installed?”
“I know, Dad. The last few trips I took she was fine, but she said she saw a man in the backyard a couple of times and now she’s scared again. I’ve asked the neighbors but no one else has seen anyone. She clams up if I ask her about it or push it. Then I get the silent treatment!” Jared laughed and then after a moment’s pause asked “Did she ever confide anything in you?”
“No. No, son,” he replied nervously. “Look, okay, we’ll manage but she needs to understand that she’s to come over shortly before dark and then leave first thing in the morning. She also needs to respect April when she’s here. April has sort of had the run of the house lately, you know, like rearranging the furniture and whatnot.”
“Oh, no worries, Dad. She’s fine with April now. I don’t know what that whole thing before Christmas was about. I guess she just had to get used to the idea. She had you and me to herself for quite a while, before. I think she’s protective of her family,” Jared responded.
Brad sighed in resignation. “All right, then.”
“Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.”
Brad hung up the phone and internally braced himself. Things had been going really well with April and he didn’t want to screw it up. Their sex life had grown in frequency and ardor, and he had bonded in a way he had not felt since Julie. He had told himself since the beginning of the year that he was a happy man wi
th everything he could possibly want. Now the little bitch was whining over being alone again. Why couldn’t she grow up?
The next morning, Brad informed April of their pending house guest.
“Jared has imposed upon me again, I’m afraid. Little Miss Sweet Cheeks is afraid to stay alone. Says she’s seen someone in the backyard or something. Jared’s leaving Saturday and she’s going to be spending a few nights here. I told him she is to only be here at night. I don’t need her moving back in.” Brad chewed his bacon but didn’t look up at April when he spoke.
“I’m not surprised,” April said offhandedly as she buttered her seven-grain toast. “She’s got some twisted, ‘daddy’ thing for you, I think.”
“You’re crazy!” Brad slammed his hand on the table, sloshing coffee from his cup onto the woven placemat. April leaned back in her chair, her expression one of shock.
He took a deep breath and softened his tone. “I mean, that idea…well…it’s crazy. She’s a kid! And she’s Jared’s wife! Besides, I prefer a mature woman like you.” He waved his spoon at her and then stuck it in his oatmeal. April sat silently and studied him.
“What?” His eyes searched the air.
“Nothing,” she replied and took a sip of coffee.
“No, come on. Why the look?”
She brushed away some crumbs on the table and shot him an accusatory look. “I didn’t say you had a crush on her.”
Brad was at a loss for words. He threw up his hands. “Let’s drop it. The whole idea is ridiculous.” He quickly stuffed a spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth.
“Excuse me.” April got up and left the table, went to the bedroom and returned shortly with her purse. “I have to go to work. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Wait, honey. I’m sorry. It’s just that it makes me angry that I can’t say no to my son. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” She kissed his cheek and went toward the front door. “I’ll call you later. Have a nice day.”
“You too. Bye.”
He wanted to say something more, but words failed him. He just hoped he had dodged a bullet.
On Saturday morning Nicole showed up with her suitcase.
“I was expecting you later this evening,” he said when she came through the front door. He was in his recliner reading the morning paper.
“Come on, Dad. You know you like having me here, fixing your meals and looking after you. Jared doesn’t need to know.” She sat her suitcase down and kissed him on the cheek. He flinched.
“Is April here?” she asked as she sauntered into the kitchen.
“No, she went to work—out of town buyers,” he replied, following her.
“Are you sure that’s where she is?”
“What the hell do you mean by that crack?”
She laughed. “Gee, Dad. I was just joking, don’t be so sensitive.” She laughed again.
He was starting to think he could come to hate her sooner than later. He didn’t like her at all, really. Well, not her personality, anyway. He spent the rest of the day tinkering in the garage or watching television in his room. Avoiding her was the best policy if he wanted a future with his bride-to-be.
Brad got a call from April around three o’clock. “Hey, big boy. How about I come around and let you chase me?”
Brad laughed. “I would love to chase you and eventually catch you, but I’m afraid it would be a spectator sport.”
There was hesitation on the other end of the line. “Oh. She’s there already?”
“Yes, damn it!” Brad could hear Nicole running the faucet and banging around in the kitchen, singing to herself.
“Are you still coming over and fixing dinner tonight?” he asked her.
“Sure. Tell Sweet Cheeks the cooking is my gig tonight, unless she wants to do the dishes while I cuddle with you, of course.” April let go of her cattiest chuckle. Brad was surprised she had picked up so readily on his derisive nickname for his daughter-in-law.
“Sounds like a plan, my lovely.”
“I will see you around five-thirty. You have the cocktails ready, ok? Oh, and remember, hands off.”
“What?” Brad’s voice cracked.
“The little tart? Hands off!” The humor had gone from her voice.
“Oh ha, ha. Very funny!” he said dismissively. “I’ll see you then, my one and only!”
He hung up feeling unnerved.
He went to the kitchen. Nicole was listening to some crap hip-hop song on the radio and drinking her tea.
“Nicole, April will be here around five-thirty for cocktails and she is fixing dinner for us tonight. She wants to do it all herself and surprise us, okay?”
Nicole looked at him with a blank expression. Her eyes were like deep black pits. He could read nothing in them. “Okay, Dad. No problem.” She took a big gulp of her tea.
He grabbed a beer from the fridge and went back to his room to watch TV. His mind drifted as he tried to focus his attention on John Wayne. I wonder how different she would have turned out if I hadn’t done what I did? Overwhelmed with depressing thoughts, he switched off the television. She was so young when he did what he did: still under the guidance of her parents. He was a parent for Chrissakes! Surely he could understand how this girl would be an emotional train wreck. He at once felt responsible for her, and his thoughts became more proprietary. She was now like his daughter. It was now his job to care for her. His mind wandered a bit, and it wasn’t long before old visions returned and he began to play with himself. A loud bang on the door broke his reverie. He went to the bathroom and washed up and then went downstairs. April was unpacking groceries in the kitchen while Nicole had dutifully gone into the living room. She sat staring at some courtroom reality show; the adolescent pout on her face caused Brad to snort a little.
“Well good evening to you,” April said as he greeted her with a kiss. “What’s so funny?”
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. I was just laughing at an old movie I was watching. It’s funny how they are so corny compared to today’s raw, in-your-face stuff,” he responded. He wondered if April had caught him looking at Nicole.
“Can you give me a hand with the groceries?”
“For another one of those kisses and a nice squeeze of your behind, my dear, you bet!” Brad pulled her to him and groped her. April squealed and told him to stop.
“You two act like teenagers!” Nicole admonished them from the living room. Her expression did not match the levity in her voice.
“That’s right!” Brad shot back with a broad grin. April leaned her head on his shoulder and patted his chest. They walked out to her car together. When they came back inside, Nicole had disappeared, presumably to the basement.
Brad made a batch of martinis and he and April lounged on the sofa and leisurely drank their cocktails. She told him about her latest clients as he removed her high heels and massaged her small feet. April moaned with pleasure as he rubbed her arches. He hoped her “oohs” and “ahhs” reached the basement.
Around seven o’clock April got up to fix dinner. He turned on the TV while she worked her magic in the kitchen. The martinis caused him to nod off for a bit and the next thing he knew a pair of soft lips brushed his. Nicole’s face flashed across his consciousness and he nearly jumped off the couch. He thought he had called out her name but he wasn’t certain. His eyes snapped open and he reached out and grabbed April, pulling her onto his lap. He began to fondle her under mild protests about dinner waiting.
“Hey, are we eating tonight?” came a voice from downstairs.
April pulled away and rolled her eyes as she straightened her outfit.
“Yes, I was just about to call you after I woke up ol’ sleepy head here!” She went to the bathroom to consult the mirror about her hair and lipstick. Nicole came up the stairs and sat down on the sofa next
to him.
“What are you watching?”
“Not sure. I fell asleep.”
“Dinner’s ready, let’s eat!” April hollered from the kitchen.
He and Nicole got up and moved to the table. April served three bowls of potagea aux concombres or cold cucumber soup. It was a favorite of his. April sat down and placed her napkin across her lap. She bowed her head and said grace and Brad bowed his head in turn. He watched Nicole out of the corner of his eye. She glared across the table at April, not feeling the moment of faithful gratitude.
Nicole picked up her spoon, dipped it into the soup, raised it to her lips and blew on it lightly then placed it into her mouth. In an instant she spat it into the bowl.
“It’s cold!” she cried out as she rose quickly to her feet. “What the fuck is this shit?”
April started to rise from her chair. Brad quickly grabbed her arm and stopped her.
“Nicole, this is a soup that is commonly served chilled. April made it especially for me. We should have said something I guess,” he responded. He continued to hold April’s wrist until he felt her relax and she sank back into her chair.
“Would you like me to take it away?” April asked, her voice barely audible.
Nicole’s icy stare penetrated him. Without looking at April, she replied, “Yes! You may take this…this whatever it is away.”
April popped up from her chair and snatched up the bowl. She gave Brad a wink as she went to the sink. When she returned to the table she served three fresh garden salads.
“Here, dear. Perhaps the salad will be more to your liking,” she said curtly as she placed the bowl in front of Nicole. April took her seat once more, snapping her napkin into her lap and continuing with her soup.
They ate in uncomfortable silence. Brad gave his bride-to-be several looks of understanding in between numerous glances at Nicole. Her petulant look was turning him on. He couldn’t explain it, but he wanted her. He could have gotten up from his chair right at that moment and screwed the daylights out of her. He shaded his eyes with his hand as he ladled spoonful after spoonful of soup into his mouth.