A Matter of Time 01 - 02 (Volume 1) (MM)

by Mary Calmes

  "Stop screaming like an idiot. We can all hear you."

  "I want them—"

  "Just stop," I said quietly, staring at him. "This is not what we need right now."

  "Jory." She breathed out my name.

  I looked back at her and saw her mouth open, eyes huge as she stared up at me.

  "Tea good?"

  She nodded slowly, uncertain.

  I turned and left the room, scowling at him as I passed him.

  "Why are you lookin' at me like that?"

  I went to the kitchen that I had reorganized the day before and filled the kettle with bottled water before I put it on the stove to boil.

  "What the fuck are you doing?" he roared at me as he walked into the kitchen.

  "I'm making tea."

  "I know you're making fuckin' tea. Why?"

  "Because your sister needs to talk, Sam. She's really hurting, can't you tell?"

  "I don't give a shit, J. She's been fuckin' her husband's best friend in my bed for who knows how long. She's a goddamn whore!"

  "Stop yelling at me."

  He glared at me and I gave that look right back to him.

  "You have no right to—"

  "You're being an ass."

  "Jory—"

  "She's your sister and you're being a real jerk right now instead of what she needs."

  "What?"

  "You need to show a little compassion."

  "Compassion?" He was indignant.

  "Yes. Compassion. Pass me the tin in the left cabinet."

  He moved right.

  "Your other left."

  He gave me a scalding look and opened the next cabinet.

  After he passed me the tin he looked back at the shelves and the contents. "What the fuck is all this shit?"

  "I went grocery shopping with your mother."

  "When?" He looked at me.

  "After the bakery. We needed some more stuff."

  "You bought all this stuff?"

  "Yes."

  "How can you afford—"

  "I'm not some starving college student, Detective. I have a decent job, ya know."

  He moved to another cabinet and then the refrigerator.

  "There's a lot of food in here."

  "Like you'd know."

  "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

  "You eat like a frat boy. I'm changing your diet."

  "Like hell you are."

  "Pass me the vanilla creamer out of the fridge."

  He yanked open the door and everything that was glass inside jingled.

  "Try not to break anything."

  "I don't have any... oh," he grunted, and passed me the bottle.

  I got out spoons and a dishtowel from another drawer, some cinnamon and a lemon. I wasn't sure what his sister and her lover took in their tea.

  "You moved all my shit around."

  "The way you had it set up made no sense," I said, getting out the small chopping board I had picked up at Crate and Barrel, along with a paring knife.

  "I don't care how you think I should—"

  "Pots and pans go next to the stove because you cook with them," I explained, educating him. "Tupperware goes next to the fridge 'cause once it's filled that's where it goes.

  Everything has a place, but apparently you never got that memo."

  "What are you doing?"

  It was obvious that I was cutting up a lemon. "Am I really expected to answer that?"

  He made a noise and muttered under his breath that his sister was not staying.

  "Oh no?"

  "No," he assured me, his voice rising again.

  I smiled lazily and finished cutting the lemon in quarters before getting out the teapot and filling the holder with leaves to put inside it.

  "What are you wearing?" he asked out of the blue.

  I stopped and looked down at my jeans before I looked back at him. "I was wearing these when you left."

  "You were?"

  "Yeah," I chuckled.

  "You don't wear those things out, do ya?"

  My jeans were faded almost white, old and threadbare with more holes than fabric, but they fit like a soft second skin.

  "Sure," I teased him, lying.

  "You know you should really be more careful of me. I could hurt you when she leaves."

  "Is that a promise?" I smiled at him, arching a brow for his benefit.

  "Come here."

  And I would have if his sister's voice hadn't stopped me.

  "Sammy."

  We both turned to her as she leaned on the counter.

  "I just—"

  "Tell me something," Sam sighed deeply, raking his hands through his hair. "Tell me this is new, tell me this is the first fuckin' time, and please tell me I haven't been sleeping on the same sheets you guys have been fuckin' on for like months now."

  I saw the guy standing in the background. He was unsure whether to go or stay.

  "Sam, we—"

  "You have kids, Jen," he said to his sister, his voice hollow.

  "So do you, Kurt," he looked past her to her lover. "What the fuck?"

  "Sammy, we—" his sister began.

  "Jesus Christ, Jen, you need to—"

  "Can you reach those for me?" I interrupted him.

  He looked at me and saw where I was pointing up to the new teacups I had bought at the Farmer's Market earlier in the day. They were hand-painted, the kind you used at a Chinese restaurant with no handles except they were larger.

  When he didn't move, I asked again.

  "Please."

  He rolled his eyes but got the cups down.

  "I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?"

  I looked at his sister and smiled. "Jory."

  She nodded. "Jory. It's a real pleasure to meet you."

  I smiled at her and motioned Kurt over. "Take a seat."

  He gave Sam a tentative look before he moved to the counter and took a seat on one of the barstools. We were all silent, and when the kettle whistled, Jen's whole body jerked like she was startled. I took her hand briefly before I filled the teapot with the boiling water. I rattled on about how everyone liked something different. I myself preferred oolong this late at night, but had gone with chamomile since it was universally liked. Both Jen and Kurt nodded.

  "What do you like in it?" I asked her.

  After several moments of her just staring at me, she asked me for the creamer, Kurt the cinnamon. I poured mine and added nothing. Sam just scowled at me when I asked him if he wanted any.

  "You're the guy my mom took to the bakery yesterday,"

  Jen said suddenly, really studying my face.

  "Yes."

  "She had a great time."

  "I did too."

  She nodded slowly and I reached out for her hand.

  "Are you okay?"

  Another nod as her eyes filled again.

  I came around the counter quickly and she reached for me as I opened up my arms.

  "For crissakes, J," Sam groaned. "Can't they just get the fuck out?"

  "I could—" Kurt began.

  "Just never mind him," I soothed Kurt, clutching Jen tight as she buried her face in my shoulder and sobbed. "You guys need to talk to somebody. Carrying this around has gotta be just awful."

  Jen pulled back to look up into my face. "How do you know?"

  "'Cause keeping secrets is a killer and guilt is even worse."

  "Yes, it is."

  "So tell me," I urged, my voice soft as I wiped away her tears, my fingers featherlight on her cheeks.

  Her smile through the tears was breathtaking. "Okay."

  Jennifer Levine was madly in love with Kurt Pratt and he with her. They had known each other for seventeen years but had just discovered that their friendly banter and constant chemistry was rooted in more than the fact that she was the wife of Kurt's best friend. They were more than simply extensions of Mitch Levine; they were two people crazy about each other. Between them they had seven kids and spouses th
at loved them. They had decided to just leave it as a fling so that no one got hurt, but it had quickly taken the turn from passion to affection to love.

  "People are gonna be hurt, Jen," Sam assured her as he paced back and forth through the living room.

  "Mitch is gonna be crushed, and I know Rita," he told Kurt.

  "Man, she'll lose her mind."

  Kurt nodded, sipping the tea I had put in front of him. "I know."

  "What's your plan?" he asked his sister, his attention back on her.

  "I have no idea." She laughed hollowly. "This was the plan.

  Every Saturday night, but...." She looked at Kurt. "I find myself living for this day, waiting all week. I'm useless except for this."

  I watched Kurt's eyes, saw the same misery there.

  "We usually just talk." His smile was bittersweet as his hand tangled with hers. "Don't we, baby?"

  She nodded. "And sometimes we don't."

  "Did you use Mom's keys to get in here?" Sam asked her.

  "Yes. She had two sets She's going to wonder where the last one is since I guess she gave a set to Jory yesterday."

  Her eyes were locked on him.

  "I'll give her back a set."

  "I left them on the nightstand."

  He nodded.

  "What're you guys gonna do?" I asked her.

  "I have no idea." She smiled at me through her tears.

  She had the same beautiful eyes as her brother, the same mouth with the full bottom lip and the thin upper one; his nose was long and straight and his profile belonged on coins, her nose was small, upturned at the end. They had the same golden-brown hair, the bronze, copper, and wheat highlights in it, thick and wavy. She was the kind of woman men would watch walk by on the street, with her hourglass figure, flawless skin, and flashing eyes. I appreciated her beauty even though Sam was the one who had me mesmerized.

  "Hey," I said softly.

  Sam looked at me.

  "Could you get the fire going again? It's getting cold in here."

  "The radiator's on."

  "Like I said." I smiled at him. "It's cold. Make it happen, Kage."

  Exasperated sigh as he crossed the room to the fireplace.

  "Jory."

  I looked back at Jennifer.

  "Who are you again?"

  "Just a friend."

  She nodded, glanced over at Sam and then back at me.

  "Will I see you at the house tomorrow for Sunday dinner?"

  Her eyes were absorbing me and I had no idea why.

  "I dunno."

  "You should come. You really should."

  "We'll see," I said, reaching for her hand. "What can I do right now?"

  She shook her head. "Nothing. We're gonna leave and you and Sam are going to keep our secret."

  Sam stayed busy with the fire and didn't turn around to look at her.

  "Okay, Sammy?"

  "Whatever you say."

  I hugged her tight and then she walked over to Sam and put her hand on his back. Because he didn't move, I cleared my throat. His exhale was loud; I heard it across the room before he rose and stood in front of her.

  "I'm sorry, Sammy."

  He nodded, just staring into her eyes. I watched her tremble, knew what she needed. I coughed and he looked over at me.

  I widened my eyes and I saw the muscle in his jaw working before he suddenly grabbed his sister into a bone-crushing hug. Instantly, she was clutching him just as tight, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing.

  "I'm so glad you were here," Kurt whispered, hand on my shoulder from behind, gently squeezing.

  I looked over my shoulder at him and he nodded at me, smiling just slightly. My heart went out to him, and to her, to both of them because it had to just be miserable where they were.

  When they left, Sam walked them to the door and dead bolted the lock after them. He went immediately to the bedroom and I cleaned up the kitchen. Everything had to be back in its place. I found him, minutes later, sitting on the floor beside the washing machine, the sheets from the bed piled beside him.

  "What's wrong?"

  "That should be fairly obvious."

  I moved to his side, crouching down, looking into his eyes.

  "I'm sorry about your sister, but I'm sure she and Kurt will—"

  "Not that," he cut me off. "I'm all twisted up and you—"

  I leaned forward, cupped his face in my palm, and kissed him. He tried to lift his head away, but as soon as I ran my tongue over the seam of his lips he parted them for me. I tilted his head up so I could bear down on him, plunging my tongue deep into his mouth, tasting him as I maneuvered into his lap, my knees on either side of his thighs, straddling his hips.

  The moan that came out of him made me smile before he pushed me back, breaking the kiss.

  "What?"

  "Stop, I gotta tell you something."

  "What?" I panted, staring into his eyes, worried.

  He ran his thumb over my bottom lip before he lifted his head and pulled me down to kiss me breathless. I wrapped my arms around his neck and devoured him. I kissed him like he belonged to me and I had all the time in the world. The hand that gripped my hair and yanked my head back made me cry out.

  "At the market today, I wanted to touch you but I couldn't.

  People would've looked and... and I've been bitched at before by girls I've been with, 'cause I'm not a guy that likes to be touched a lot and I don't do the whole hand-holding and all that shit... but today, with you... you drive me crazy and I gotta have my hands on you all the fuckin' time and it scares the shit outta me. I don't... I mean, there I was, dying to grab you and I couldn't. I couldn't...."

  "It's okay." I smiled down at him, shifting in his lap, feeling how hard he was under me. "You can touch me now. You can do whatever you want to me now."

  The groan made me smile. "Get up."

  I rose up off of him and he grabbed me as Kurt had grabbed Jen earlier, throwing me over his shoulder, carrying me back to the couch. He lifted the coffee table out of the way and threw one of the neatly folded afghans at the end of the couch into the middle of the floor, in front of the fire. I opened it up and spread it where he wanted, as he stripped in the light of the flickering flames. He looked like some bronzed god and I couldn't help the gasp that came out of me.

  "Go get the stuff. Hurry up."

  I ran to get the lube from the bedroom, not worrying if my scrambling and frantic movement made me look too eager. I didn't care if he knew how much I wanted him and wanted to please him. When I returned he was on the floor, stretched out, relaxed and waiting. I let my eyes wander all over the powerful frame—not an ounce of fat on the man anywhere, just rippling muscle and sleek skin.

  "Come here."

  I moved slowly, making him wait, stripping out of my jeans and shirt as he watched me with hungry eyes. The gaze was all heat and I shivered, seeing that he wanted me.

  "Jesus, J, you look like you're made outta gold."

  Voice gone, all I could do was stare at him.

  His breath was coming in stuttering bursts as his hands reached for me, pulling me down beside him, cupping my face to bring my mouth to his. "You're killing me."

  I smiled against his lips; letting him roll me over on my stomach and pin me to the floor. His mouth was on my shoulder, one hand under me, stroking me, the other clutching my hip as he spread my legs with his knee. I had no idea what kind of a lover Sam Kage was before me. I couldn't speak to his prowess with women, but with me, he was everything I craved: physically demanding, rough, possessive, and absolutely in control. I was there to be manhandled and ravaged and I was more than willing to be submissive to him. It was amazing to me that anyone that had ever been in bed with him before would let him go.

  The second time we made it to his bed, after he'd hastily made it, and he stared into my eyes the entire time. That had never happened to me before. I had never had anyone care enough to watch me, to make sure that I was sated along with them. He was
a ravenous lover and I was more than willing to be devoured.

  Later, as I trailed my fingers up and down the deep groove of his back, I heard his breathing even out. If I stayed there I wouldn't be able to keep from touching him and kissing him.

  He needed his rest, so I got up and went out into the living room to watch TV. I must have dozed off because the room was dark when I felt the warm hand on my back and then lips right behind my ear.

  "Love the purring." His voice was soft. "Get up and come to bed."

  "Why are you up?" I whispered, not really awake, shivering in the cold, barely able to see him in the darkness of the room.

  "'Cause I couldn't find you," he said, lightly kissing the side of my neck. "And I woke up and needed you."

  I smiled because I liked the attention I was getting, his hand on my ass, kneading and squeezing before he gently slapped it.

  "So is it me you want or my ass?"

  He chuckled close to my ear, which put goose bumps all over my body. "Both. Come to bed."

  "Can't sleep without me, huh?" I teased him, groggy as I got up and staggered to the bedroom, his hands on my shoulders, steering me there.

  "No, I can't," he told me before he shoved me down on the bed.

  "You're getting used to having me around."

  "Just shut up," he grumbled, "and lie down."

  But I was right—no matter what he said, I was habit-forming.

  "God, you're freezing," he muttered, getting into bed beside me, covering us both with the sheet and blanket.

  I snuggled in tight against him. "And you're so warm."

  He groaned loudly, tucking my head under his chin as I wrapped my arms around his chest, slipping my leg between his.

  "You need me."

  "Apparently," he grumbled, rubbing his face in my hair.

  "Now go to sleep already."

  And I felt like it so I did.

  Chapter Twelve

  We parked around the block because there was no room on the street anywhere near his parents' house. He put a hand on my shoulder and led me down the alley that ran behind the two-story, A-frame, redbrick home. When we came in through the back door into the kitchen, I heard my name called.

  "Jory!"

  Regina was on me instantly, her arms open to receive me, and as we hugged each other tight I heard Sam's grunt of approval from behind me.

  "I brought Jory, Mom, if that's okay," he laughed softly.