by Amy Brent
* * *
Lacey
Why did he have to be so attractive… so damn good looking? She wanted to hate him, to be angry but when he stood in front of her all she wanted was to kiss him, expressing her love for him that had been buried since she was a child. She knew better than to even consider it, after all he was her step-brother and if that weren’t enough reason she knew better than to think a tall and gorgeous man like Rafe would have any kind of feeling about her at all.
She glanced around the room, noting her mother was still chatting happily with a few ladies from church. She knew she would be fine for a few hours while she went to the house to pick up some things… and talk to Rafe.
Slipping into her car she found herself putting the top down, enjoying the feel of the heat on her face on such a sad day. It was the trip that made her relax, the air blowing on her face and the idea that her life was finally on track, and she was exactly where she wanted to be. She felt her heart lurch as she pulled up to the house and saw his bike parked there. There was something intensely sweet in how he had pulled right back into the same spot he used to park so many years ago. In some ways it was as if he had never even left, and had never left her.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the front door, moving inside to find him sitting on the couch, sorting through hundreds of pictures on the table in front of him. He glanced up at her and then back down to them
“I’ve missed a lot I guess?” He held up a picture of her in her prom dress, causing her to roll her eyes and snatch it out of his hand.
“Well, that was your choice wasn’t it Rafe?” She left walking into the kitchen to sort through the fridge to find something to drink. She settled for a bottle of water and she felt him come in the room behind her.
“Ok, so I get it your pissed Lacey, you’ve made that abundantly clear. What the hell are you so mad about?”
“I’m not mad Rafe, not now. IN fact, I just feel sorry for you now, for missing out on everything your father was.”
He sighed loudly, “I had a situation Lacey, something you wouldn’t understand. You think I don’t feel it, but I do. But even that is between me and dad, what does that have to do with you?”
She wanted to scream at him, tell him how he had deserted her leaving her alone when she needed him most. She felt the words form in her throat, but she couldn’t let them out. Instead, she moved the conversation on.
“You can have some of those, the pictures I mean. We made copies of everything.”
He glanced down at the pile, and then back up at her. “Thanks, I will.”
She left the room then, wanting to be anywhere but there, with him and his intense look as he watched her move around the room. She went into her old room, almost laughing at the way it had all stood still, the same pictures and stuffed animal strewn about in various groups, somehow sorted since that was how she did things.
“Stop running from me Lacey and talk to me, no more BS.”
She turned to face him, a frown on her face. “You just disappeared Rafe, just one day here one day gone. Like it was nothing… like I was nothing.” She felt the tears well up, threatening to spill but she held them at bay.
He frowned, his brow furrowed. “I’m sorry Lacey, I didn’t know it was that big a deal. I got caught up in life and I thought you were too. You were a teenager, I assumed you had far better things to do than write me emails all the time.”
“Yeah, well you were wrong.” She glared at him, her eyes blazing and she saw him look at her differently. Something shifted in his gaze as he took a step towards her.
“I’m sorry Lacey.”
He was close… too close and she felt her heart beating faster than it had before. She heard him curse under his breath before she felt the heat from him as his mouth captured hers in a deep and searing kiss.
She was consumed in heat, his kiss branded her in a way she had never felt. He moved then, pushing her backwards until she felt the cold wood behind her head, pressing her to the wall, holding her there as the kiss went on and on deeper than ever. She knew she had lost control of herself as she kissed him back, his mouth, creating a stir in her deep down.
His hands were everywhere at once and she felt his hands in her hair, pulling her head closer to his as he kissed her, pressing the length of him against her. She was alive for the first time in a long time, her body was reacting to him on its own. She had lost control the moment she saw him at the townhouse.
She moved her head, pulling away from him once and for all, leaning forward until she felt her head touching his.
“We can’t do this.” She gulped hard as his hand moved then, running a trail up her hips, cupping them in his hands.
“Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll stop.” He was breathing hard, the planes of his chiseled face were tight as he waited for her response.
“I can’t tell you that, Rafe.” She whispered it.
“I didn’t think so.” He kissed her once more his mouth trailing hot kisses down her chin and into the hollow of her neck.
Lost now she put her hands in his hair, pulling his mouth closer to her skin. His hands moved to once more pull on her clothes until he freed her of the silk shirt she was wearing. He moaned outwardly as he cupped her massive breasts in his hands, moving her bra up just enough to release the hardened nipples free under the bottom of the underwire. His mouth found the first one, tugging and sucking on it hard, grabbing and caressing the other one in his hand. As his mouth worked its magic on her the other hand pinched the fat nipple between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it until it stood out even more, begging him to feast from it.
She moaned, the feel of his hot mouth almost too much to take. He slipped his tongue out, flicking over the hardened nub wildly and she looked down at him, their eyes meeting. She watched as he quickly sucked the dark pink flesh into his waiting mouth. She shuddered at the onslaught, watching him pushing her even more over the edge.
He moved his hands once more then, sliding his hands up her legs, gently on the outside of the skirt until he could reach around to the back and unzip the skirt, letting it drop to the floor under her. She felt her body flush, her insecurities at the forefront of her mind as he leaned back on his haunches for a moment taking her in. He moved slowly, his mouth trailing hot kisses up her inner thigh until they found the wet heat of her, giving away what she wanted, and what she was feeling.
“Oh baby.” He whispered it as his hand moved between her thighs, the wetness of her panties visible as he moved them to one side, slipping one finger in them to touch the wetness there, proving she wanted this as much as he did.
She felt her knees begin to shake slightly as he moved his hand. The finger so sweetly touching her became two and then he was pushing up into her with easy movements. His thumb found her button of love and he massaged it as he stroked into her with agonizing slowness. She bit her lip to stop the whimper that escaped her lips as he touched her, moving and rubbing her until she was sure she would collapse at any moment. He stopped momentarily and she exhaled quickly, thinking it was over, until his mouth found her where his fingers had just been.
Her moan was loud as he moved her panties down and off of her quickly. His hand found their way back there and his mouth followed suit. She arched her back as she let him love her this way, teasing and tasting every inch of her. She leaned back into the wall looking down at him once more watching his head move as he feasted on the pink glistening skin exposed to him.
Reaching up, she pulled on her own nipples, tugging on them as she moved her hips into his mouth, slowly grinding into his hot mouth. She was whimpering now, loudly and she had lost all sense of discomfort as she blatantly fucked his mouth.
Her orgasm was intense as she buckled against the wall, feeling him lapping up her juices happily. She blinked opening her eyes as he stood then, unleashing himself from his jeans, the length of him hard and waiting. She wanted him, wanted this and she gingerly touched him, running her hand over him
, moving slowly against the velvety smoothness of him.
He inhaled sharply as she locked her lips greedily, moving them over him, slowly taking him in her mouth. The sloppy kisses were enough to drive him crazy and she soon found him in the role she herself had just left. He grabbed her head, sliding deep into her throat and back out again as he used her mouth. He moaned loudly as she took over, working her mouth on him with ease. She sucked hard on the head and felt the length of him grow even larger in her mouth. He pushed into her mouth once more, and she felt him almost in her throat as he held it there for a second longer, moaning as he pulled it back out.
Moving now he stood and she knew what he wanted, what she wanted.
“On the bed Lacey, now.”
She shuddered under the command and did as he asked, scrambling onto her back waiting for him. He moved between her thighs nipping along her thighs until he found her went entrance, already waiting for him. He pressed there gently, easing her body into accepting his length until he was deep inside her, filling her up.
He stood back some, pulling most of his length out and then he slammed back into her, the tightness still there he shuddered against her, feeling her gripping the length of him. She whimpered and moaned as he pushed again, and did so repeatedly until they were moving in unison. Gone was the sweetness of before as he took her, banging into her with such force she almost fell more than once. She yelled loudly now, no longer able to take him in quietly.
She heard him call her name and she looked up at him as his eyes found hers. She opened her mouth to cry out once more as she started to climb that familiar climb to ceasing the ache she carried.
“Rafeeeee.” She moaned his name out as she climaxed on him, feeling him increase the tempo and pump into her until he soon yelled loudly, spilling himself into her and pressing her down into the bed.
He moved to lay beside her, both of them lost in the moment, both completely taken back about what had happened. She felt the coolness of the air as she glanced down at her naked from a, once more surprised by her inhibitions and how free she had been with him. Everything that had happened between them had seemed so natural and so right, but there would be repercussions, of that she was sure. Now in the aftermath, she rolled over and off the bed, quickly grabbing her shirt and panties from the floor, slipping into both of them.
“You are beautiful Lacey, everything about that… about you was beautiful.”
She quickly dressed the rest of the way, her face red. “You don’t have to say that Rafe. I know this was a bad idea.” She saw him frown and sit up quickly.
“Lacey, why are you running from me. I didn’t just say that to hear myself talk, you know?”
“I have to go; I have to get back to the house.” She scrambled more then, picking up her shoes, and pausing once to glance up at him. She let her eyes linger on him for a second.
“It was beautiful Rafe, you're right. “She smiled at him and left then, before she ran back in there and told him that she loved him.
* * *
Rafe
He watched her leave, his confusing only mounting. “Damnit Lacey.” He cursed as he stood doing his best to get redressed. He moved down the stairs quickly, but he heard her leave before he could stop her.
As the days went by he waited, hoping she would reach out to him, but she didn’t. He was staying at the house, knowing her mother was still with her at the townhouse. He had a new contracting job starting on Monday, but he was doubtful he would be able to get her to respond to him before then. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying. He called her continually, but she wouldn’t respond to him.
Finally, both she and her mother showed up on Sunday night. It had been almost a week since he saw her, but she had been on his mind, consuming him. He was working on his bike, cleaning out the intake when they pulled up. His eyes found her on their own, quickly taking her in. She avoided looking at him altogether as she helped gather her mother’s things instead. He gave in to her and moved to help as well. His body, only inches from her now, making him remember the sweetness of her.
“Rafe, I’m so glad you’re still here I had no idea, did you Lacey?” She smiled and didn’t wait for an answer as she moved to hug him.”
She was lucky she didn’t wait for a response he watched as the red blush filled up Lacey’s face, threatening to give her away.
“I am for now. I have to head home in the morning, I have a new contract starting.” He felt the satisfaction fill him as Lacey’s head snapped up to look at him and take in his words.
“Oh no, that’s too bad it would be nice to have a man around the house.” She gulped, her eyes filling with tears. “It’s time for me to come home, I’ve been imposing on Lacey long enough.”
“Mom you know I love having you there.”
“I know, I know Lacey.”
The three of them carried her things inside, moving and organizing everything she wanted them to. He watched her, wanting to say something… anything to make her realize they needed to talk. But still she avoided him. He watched her as she went upstairs to grab something else, and he followed her. She was in the closet digging around and he was there when she shut the door.
“Really Rafe, you scared me to death.”
“Stop running from me Lacey.”
She started walking again. “I am not running; I just don’t know what we need to talk about Rafe.”
“Really, you don’t think anything that’s happened this week warrants any discussion?”
“What is there to say Rafe?”
“Maybe I have a lot to say...”
“Rafe… Someone is here to see you.” They heard her mother yell for them.
“I’m coming Alice.” He pulled her close, kissing her roughly on the mouth. “I’m not done with this Lacey.”
He moved to the top of the stairs and looked down, a fuming Lacey behind him.
“Who is it Alice?” He moved to start down the stairs.
Alice moved out of the way and a strikingly beautiful brunette smiled up at him. “It’s your wife Rafe.”
* * *
Lacey
There had been very few times in her life where Lacey was surprised. This certainly qualified as one of those times. She swallowed hard, the sick feeling in her stomach making it necessary to stop and breath a moment, though she showed no signs of it on her face.
“What are you doing here Rachel?” His voice had changed, and now he spoke with a calmness that was unsettling.
“We need to talk Rafey, please.” She almost pouted and it turned Lacey’s stomach even more.
He didn’t move, and Alice took over the situation. “Lacey, why don’t you and I go start working on dinner and give these two an opportunity to chat hmm.” She smiled and Lacy nodded, moving down the stairs slowly, until she was face to face with Rachel.
“You must be Lacey, Rafe has always had so much to say about you. Things have certainly changed it would seem.” She gave Lacey a smile that was almost evil as she gave Lacey a once over, making the heat rush to her face.
Not to be outdone, she replied. “It's funny Rafe and I talk all the time and he never even mentioned you.” As her point hit home Lacey followed her mother into the kitchen.
They didn’t speak for a long moment, Lacey attacked the chicken they were making with a vengeance, cutting and scoring it. She was lost in her own thoughts, never once trying to address things with her mother.
“So how long Lacey?”
She looked up at her mother frowning. “How long what mom?”
“You and Rafe… how long.” Her mother methodically cut up the potatoes and carrots, never once breaking stride as she worked.
Her mother knew her better than anyone else, she couldn’t lie about it. “I guess that depends on the question your asking mom. How long have I loved him…? Probably for ten years.”
“I see…. How long since you two started… well you know?”
“Mom!” She stopped working long enough
to look over at her.
“Lacey, I’m not an idiot… I know you have always loved him, but something changed and its changing you.”
“Recently… I know it’s wrong… I know I should look at him as a brother.”
“Well, it's certainly complicated, but you can’t help who you love dearly.”
“It’s not like it matters mom, not just because he suddenly has a wife he’s never mentioned. We are just so different.”
“Different how Lacey?”
“It doesn’t matter mom; I mean we just are.”
“Lacey you are not a child anymore. You are 20 and know exactly who you are and what you want far more than most 30 year olds. You're successful, and grounded and beautiful.”
“Please mom.” She shoved the chicken into the oven.
“I have all night Lacey.” Alice leaned back on the bar in the kitchen watching her.
“He is…. Perfect... I mean, look at him. There is no room in his life. for someone like me.”
There she said it and it was out in the open.
“Goodness gracious Lacey is this about your weight? Don’t you think it’s time you let that go? Sure, you’re a curvy, beautiful girl. Rafe doesn’t care, if he did, he wouldn’t have taken that step in the first place. Don’t let your insecurities keep you from trying. As for his wife, I don’t know what the deal is with that situation.”
“Yeah, well…” Lacey smiled at her mom. “I love you mom, but I need some time, a trip I think. Will you be ok? Nothing crazy just a few days?”
Alice sighed. “Running won’t help but if it’s what you want I’ll be fine Lacey; some solitude will be good for me too I suppose.”
Lacey heard voices upstairs and felt the ache deep down once more. She tossed her apron on the counter hugging her mother close before she moved into the living room and outside to her waiting car.
* * *
Rafe
“I told you to leave me alone, Rachel and I meant it, what the hell are you doing here?”