by Laurie Ames
“There’s nothing we can do. Whoever finds that will won’t care less about the beneficiary. They’ll go straight to Junior and trade it for money. Then it really will cease to exist,” Alex said flatly.
They sat down on the sofa, weighing Alex’s loss.
After a long pause, Sophia said, “They might also come to you, hoping to trade it for money.”
They had spent days looking for the will and could hardly believe this had happened. Sophia watched as Alex leaned against the sofa, accepting her defeat. A slow desolate tear traced down her cheek, and just like that, the floodgates opened, dripping steadily into her shirt.
“Hey, Alex… Are you okay?” She was clearly NOT okay. Without saying a word, Sophia reached for Alex’s hand and held it gently.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been so callous,” Alex responded, while resting her head against Sophia’s shoulder. “I could never stay mad at you for long. I now realize our friendship is worth way more than that stupid cursed will.”
Minutes passed in silence as they enjoyed the pleasant attraction they were both starting to feel. Sophia leaned in, their foreheads resting close together. Alex sat frozen, from both fear and excitement. They both closed their eyes, their breaths shaking.
"Thank you," Sophia said in barely more than a whisper.
"For what?" Replied Alex.
"For being you." Her voice wavered, exhilarated from the sexual tension that was building between them. Sophia reached out to hug Alex and the two found themselves nose-to-nose.
Sophia gently leaned in and kissed Alex's warm lips. They pulled apart and took a few shaky, shallow breaths. Unable to contain herself any longer, Sophia embraced Alex's head in her hands and pulled her in for a fiery passionate kiss. She circled an arm around Alex’s waist, pulling her closer as their tongues touched. Sophia drank her in—gently at first, as if wanting to absorb her pain. A hand drifted down Alex’s hip. Alex groaned with encouragement as Sophia pulled her dress up and gripped her bottom. Her two fingers began to probe between Alex’s butt cheeks, then traced a line down the crevice through her light lace underwear. They floated over the meeting point between her thighs, flirting with the wetness that had accumulated before a hand firmly pulled a thigh into a forty-five-degree angle. Fingers swiftly tugged at the lace underwear. They plunged into the hairy, exposed wilderness. They landed lightly on the sensitive love bud, unexpectedly lightly.
“Would you like me to go inside?” asked Sophia in a teasing manner.
“Yes, please don’t stop.” Her voice sounding both scared and comforted.
Sophia gently inserted a finger into her moist pussy. Soon Alex was penetrated with three, then four fingers, moving slowly in and out. By this time, Alex was in ecstasy as her moans filled the room. The primitive sounds soaked the air around them, charging it with passion and cravings for more. Alex found herself trembling as the tip of Sophia’s thumb rubbed currents of pleasure right through to her core. Sophia was ever so hesitant and careful. Who knew she could do such things so well? Looking deep into Sophia’s eyes now, Alex saw a power she had never seen there before. Unbridled sensuality. Alex gripped an armrest to steady her throbbing body. But it was no use. Her body was tingling, her nipples aching, and her twat was on fire. She began rocking her hips as an overwhelming wave of pleasure overtook her and rolled throughout her body. She cried out involuntarily, shocked at how quickly it had all happened.
But Sophia gave her no time to recover. Cupping Alex’s face in one hand, Sophia placed her lips on Alex’s, biting occasionally, working her tongue attentively. They began to undress each other. Alex’s hands found Sophia’s breasts, then wandered lower, while Sophia kissed her way to the hardened, pink nipples. They sunk lower into the sofa, toes touching and feet intertwining.
There was a moment when they stopped, bodies stretched against one another. They looked at each other in that moment, connected by the need they could feel in their bones. Feeling the frantic beating of their hearts. Silently praying that this would never end. Thanking the universe for each other, regardless of whatever they had lost before.
Sophia knelt across Alex’s body, touching her face and breasts as she ran her body over Alex’s contours and bending to suck her earlobes in a passionate interlude. It was the best massage Alex had ever had, as Sophia gyrated her body over Alex’s sweat-soaked curves. They panted and groaned as they worked each other into a heated frenzy. Alex brought the massage to a halt when she tucked one of Sophia’s thighs underneath hers and started rocking back and forth. Together, they produced the most electrifying pussy friction. They rose together, until they found themselves at the peak of an immense joy.
When they landed back on earth, they kissed slowly, savoring the moment. Then Alex dipped a teasing finger into Sophia, and they went back to heaven.
“Don’t ever stop, I could climax again and again all night long,” begged Sophia.
“Oh, you will, I promise my love” replied Alex with an affectionately naughty tone.
Alex spread Sophia’s legs wide and could see her lips were puffy and wet and the inside of her slit was a hot, excited pink. She ran her finger up and down the slit and marveled at the fact that it was so beautiful. She knew exactly what to do and lowered her face to lick the length of her pussy, flicking gently on the hard clitoris. ‘Hmmm’ she thought to herself, it was so tasty, salty, sweet, and mostly sexy. She wanted to spend a day forever with her face right there, licking and sucking and touching. She fucked her hole with her tongue, and licked circles around the tip of her clit. Sophia began moaning and wriggling under her tongue. Alex tried to go slow, not wanting to go too deep too fast, but this only teased Sophia. Alex could do nothing but oblige. She rolled her hips against Alex's face, wanting more and wanting it now. She started bucking her hips hard, driving her hot, angry, engorged pussy almost violently against Alex's face. The bed shook and Sophia gasped, almost as if drowning, as she reached her burning climax.
Their kiss had turned into a marathon and despite all the hard work it took, they were glad it had happened. Lost fortunes can never compete with great sex.
Chapter 8
“Alex, why are you so afraid of John Jr.?”
They were resting in between rounds, exhausted yet yearning for more. Their lovemaking had transported them to Alex’s bedroom.
“He had a tendency of threatening me every time I got back from visiting his mom. He thought we were conspiring against him.”
“But now that she’s gone, he shouldn’t be bothering you anymore, should he? He doesn’t know about the will in the basement.”
“He doesn’t know, as far as I know.”
Sophia propped herself up on one elbow. “You think he found out?”
“Junior has a way of sensing things he has no right to know. He can tell I’m hiding something. He shows up at the bookstore sometimes, just to remind me that he’ll find out what it is.”
“Maybe he was The Rustling in the Grass,” Sophia said ominously.
“What?”
“Remember when we heard someone in the grass?”
“No, it wasn’t him.”
“How do you know?”
“He has a gambling arrangement every week at that time. He would never miss it just to play hide and seek with me.”
“Maybe he sent someone to do it for him? Isn’t that more likely, anyway?”
Alex sighed and turned to face Sophia squarely.
“I just can’t afford to believe that, Sophia. I’d rather believe that, if Junior was on my trail, he’d have found that envelope long before we did.”
Sophia nodded as if to say, “That makes more sense.”
Suddenly needing a distraction, Alex got up and put some music on.
“Which do you prefer? Marvin Gaye or Norah Jones?” she asked casually.
“Norah Jones. Miriam,” Sophia replied readily.
She sang along soulfully when Jones mentioned smiling while taking a life.
“Hmm �
� Remind me never to cross you,” Alex remarked.
Sophia turned over and playfully bit Alex’s breast. It was not long before Alex felt an ache between her legs. She planted a knee on either side of Sophia’s face and lowered herself into a warm, inviting mouth. Meanwhile, she dipped two fingers deep into Sophia and made her moan to the rhythm of Miriam.
They spent the rest of the evening in sexual ecstasy, only falling into a deep sleep hours later.
Chapter 9
The scrawny young man got up the next morning to a bright, sunny day. He peered out of his tent happily. Good things were going to happen today. He felt particularly pleased with himself. Today, he would impact a beautiful young woman’s life. He would leave an indelible mark of goodwill on her future. And she would never be the same again. She would have the freedom to do all the amazing things he had heard her say she wanted to do. She would be able to keep her bookstore open. She could help to improve the lives of the ladies on Laine Street. She would preserve the legacy of John Stanfield Sr. and even build on it.
He packed up his gear, making sure to pick up any litter that lay around him. The sun reflected from his greasy hair as he set off toward the middle of the town. He walked purposefully. The way he held his chin up and put one foot in front of the other would have reminded anyone of a banker on his way to an important meeting. A sense of achievement settled somewhere within him. The sun could not have been shining brighter. The sky could not have been bluer. He wished that he could find something good to do everywhere he went. Anyway, where Bryony had brought him adventure and meaning, the bustling city had given him friends who were just like him. So he figured there would be something special waiting for him wherever he went. And this made his steps even lighter.
Freedom tasted sweet. He might never tire of his nomadic existence.
The scrawny young man headed straight for the priest’s residence. There, he cleaned himself up and dove into a large breakfast. He thanked the priest wholeheartedly. The priest, in turn, blessed the vagrant and sent him on his way.
***
It was ten o’clock in the morning when Sophia kissed Alex awake. When Alex reached out to reciprocate, Sophia pulled back.
“Morning breath,” she said as she walked back out of the room.
Alex stuck a long middle finger at Sophia.
“That would be great. But take a shower first,” Sophia quipped.
Alex laughed and clambered out of bed. She emerged from the bathroom a quarter of an hour later wearing only a blue towel. Sophia eyed her hungrily as she walked into the kitchen.
“Feed me first,” Alex said.
They sat down to a breakfast of succulent pork sausages and glowing scrambled eggs, served alongside two pieces of toast and orange juice. Alex preferred coffee, but Sophia insisted orange juice was healthier. Alex promised herself she would brew a large cup later. They talked about everything, except the missing will. Somehow, it seemed insignificant. Everything seemed much easier to handle now.
The months of strain suddenly melted away. Alex tried to remember when she had last felt so happy. Six, seven years ago? The thought of losing the bookstore momentarily saddened her. She shivered at the disappointment of selling her father’s beloved life’s work. There had to be a way to hold onto it. Maybe she could ask Junior for a loan. She dismissed the thought as soon as it descended upon her. How silly of her to even think of it. But wherever her thoughts went, she could not help but notice how much more bearable her life now seemed. Sophia had given her a general feeling of content that persisted regardless of the circumstances.
She looked over at Sophia now, amazed at this humble creature. Sophia seemed oblivious to how incredible she was. Her presence was simply soothing, and Alex felt grateful to have someone like this around at a time like this. A large tee shirt hung over Sophia’s body, her perky breasts protruding into the fabric. She ate her breakfast slowly, thoughtfully. She radiated a tranquil impression of needing nothing and no one. That she accepted things as they were, adjusting if need be. If the roof collapsed down over their breakfast and landed on her chest, Sophia would probably smile and give in to death gracefully. Maybe tragedy grieved her, but maybe she refused to settle in that grief. Maybe happy times uplifted her, but they did not fool her either. She had a strength that is usually mistaken for weakness. Alex hoped and dearly wanted to know that strength better.
Alex always wondered what had happened to make Sophia leave everything behind and move to a strange new town. Bryony was a charming place, but not really known for anything. It was a place only cherished by people that were born here. Tourists passed through now and then, but hardly ever found anything worth seeing or staying for. And yet Sophia had chosen this place. This place, Alex’s birth place. Alex felt as though Sophia had chosen her, had come for her. She knew this was vain, but Alex could not help romanticizing serendipity. She continued to steal glances at Sophia from across the table.
“You know, you still haven’t told me what happened to you, Sophia.”
“Well, a certain woman let me down and when I left her, she stalked me and even tried to kill me. That’s all, really.”
Alex had no words, but her face displayed a quizzical look.
“It wasn’t her fault. She’s not well. She’s getting professional help now. It took a while for me to realize leaving her isn’t the same as abandoning her. If I had stayed, we would have kept destroying each other’s lives.”
“You’re both better off, then. She will get better and move on with her life. And you, well, you have me. So you’ve arrived.”
Sophia laughed mockingly. But she actually felt that way on that particular morning. Alex sensed that this was all Sophia would ever say about her previous relationship and quickly changed the topic.
“How about a movie? Then lunch at Fredo’s?”
“Sure. But first …” Sophia walked over to Alex and pulled her close. “Now that I’ve fed you,” Sophia added suggestively.
Alex pushed her away playfully, then bounced onto the counter. She slowly parted her legs but kept the towel on. “Are we going to finish what we started earlier?”
Sophia took a few seconds to enjoy the view before kneeling between Alex’s legs.
Chapter 10
It happened suddenly, yet quietly. A reporter arrived at work one morning to find the biggest story of his career lying on his desk. A copy of a white A4 paper bearing neat, cursive handwriting presented the assets of an important local family rather controversially. At first, he thought it was a joke. But a note that had been delivered with the will claimed that he should contact a certain judge that was mentioned by name. This judge had the original will. Father Simon would confirm all this, if given a chance.
The reporter rushed out to find the judge and the priest. The judge, having been warned that the truth would come out whether or not he chose to do the right thing, readily fessed up to having in his possession the original will and last testament of Mrs. John Sr. He did not want an altercation with the local priest. In turn, the priest confirmed the story but refused to reveal his source.
The reporter insinuated that the priest had found the will himself, but the priest would not hear of it. He outlined the story of a kind youth who had wanted nothing in return. A real example of what we should all aspire to in our everyday lives. Eyes glazing over with each word, the reporter cut the sermon short and went off to write the story of his career. In his mind, he was already dividing his first book into chapters. One for a background of the Stanfield saga. One for the tumultuous marriage of John Stanfield Jr. and Alexia Abrams. One for the relationship between Alexia and her mother-in-law. One for … His thoughts drifted off to Alexia, the heroine of the story. He wondered what she was really like. A sweet woman who had been ill-treated by a philandering husband? Or a conniving vixen who had conned her way into the Stanfield household and into her mother-in-law’s heart? He intended to find out which she was. However, he also knew that the conniving vixen angl
e would sell better. Instantly, the reporter imagined a haloed angel and a pitchfork-bearing demon arguing on either side of his ear. There might as well have been.
When he arrived at The Bryony Daily, he headed straight for his office. He hardly noticed his colleagues along the way. A secretary carrying a cup of scalding coffee was knocked to the ground, but the reporter rendered no apology. The editor’s emails beeped as they landed in his pocketed mobile phone, making his crotch vibrate. He hardly noticed. Finally, he reached his desk, switched on his computer and logged in impatiently. He began typing furiously.
The news broke the next day. The headline on the front-page newspaper stated; ‘Stanfield Dynasty Ends.’ A copy of Mrs. John Sr.’s will had been leaked to the local newspaper and the real document had turned up in the local judge’s mail. The town buzzed with the excitement only brought by a genuinely juicy piece of gossip.