Finding Bathsheba Book 2Chapter 15
- 4 years ago
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Jack closed his eyes and savored the heavenly explosion of flavor in his mouth. The crispy, toasted coconut breading, the tangy citrus of the dipping sauce, the succulent, tender shrimp meat. Abigail chuckled, but he ignored her, chewing slowly in an exaggerated show of enjoying his birthday meal.
"You think you're sexy when you make love to your food," Abigail said, "But you're not."
Allison giggled. "I think he is."
He swallowed his bite, cracked one eye to locate his water glass, and then peeked at his wife as he took a drink. He put the glass down with a satisfied sigh and smiled at Abigail.
"Are you jealous yet?"
Abigail rolled her eyes, but their sparkle and her little smile gave away her true feelings. He arched an eyebrow as he glanced over to Allison. She waggled her eyebrows before he could, and that made him laugh.
"Thanks for bringing me to Bahama Breeze for my birthday," he said.
"It was Allison's idea. She's the one hell bent on adding to your waistline." Abigail popped a forkful of summer squash and yellow rice into her mouth.
Jack leaned back and patted his stomach. "Maybe she doesn't think I'm enough of a man."
"Mmmm," Allison hummed happily around her bite of food, "You are definitely enough of a man."
She reached down to her lap to grab her napkin, or so Jack thought. A moment later, her hand landed on his crotch and squeezed. He jerked in surprise. Allison smiled at him innocently. This time Abigail laughed.
The two girls excused themselves to go to the restroom, ignoring Jack's joke about the buddy system. He admired the view as they meandered their way between the tables. Judging by the craning necks of many of the men, and even some of the women, he was not the only one enjoying their presence.
Both girls were amazingly sexy tonight. Abigail wore a wraparound skirt that parted just right so her sexy long leg was often bare to the upper thigh. Her blouse was gathered and darted so as to hug tightly from her waist to just under her healthy breasts, where the fabric expanded to encase the large swells. She left the top few buttons undone, exposing a glorious expanse of flesh that surrounded a deep valley of cleavage. When she moved just right, Jack could make out an edge of red lace behind her blouse.
Allison wore a loose, pleated skirt that stopped mid-thigh and seemed to flare up when she turned quickly or when she swished her hips from side to side, something she seemed to be doing a lot of this night. Her tight, short-sleeved sweater stopped just short of her skirt, giving tempting glimpses of her belly button and exposing just a hint of soft skin. The soft fabric clung fabulously to her breasts and accentuated their firm perkiness.
Both girls wore just enough makeup to look fresh and sexy, and they had almost identical hairstyles: long brown waves tucked behind their ears with bangs that seductively covered one eye. Jack realized that he was in a perpetual state of semi-hardness. He turned his attention back to the food and away from his desired dessert. The girls eventually returned, still drawing appreciative looks from the other diners. They resumed their dinners, and talk among the three was casual, until Abigail cleared her throat and set her fork down. She put her hands in her lap and looked at Jack.
"Jack, I wanted to talk about something that is important to me, to us." Jack was instantly curious about what could be so serious. "We've talked about it before, and since I've decided against more fertility treatments--"
"WE'VE decided against more," Jack said firmly, looking to Allison for support. She nodded in agreement. Jack wasn't about to let Abigail take the burden of the decision on herself.
Abigail smiled. "We've decided against more fertility treatments, yes. Anyway, I thought now might be a good time to discuss adoption."
Jack slowly chewed his food. They had discussed it before, but given the craziness of their lives, he kind of set thinking about it aside. Abigail was now broaching the subject again.
"OK," he said, "I know this is something you've always wanted to consider, even before we knew having children of our own would be ... a challenge. Do you still feel the same way?"
Abigail nodded. "Absolutely, even more so now, actually. I may not be able to conceive my own child, but I've always felt there is more than one way to form a family. I mean, look at the three of us."
Jack did. Abigail seemed hopeful, which just about sold him on the concept of adoption. Allison seemed interested in the discussion, almost thoughtful. They had formed a unique family; no one would consider them "traditional." Adopting children wouldn't likely bring any more raised eyebrows.
"Good point," he said. "I have to admit, the concept of raising children, no matter how they came to be mine, is definitely enticing." Abigail looked relieved. "But, I don't really know enough to make a definitive decision. How do we go about finding a child? Do we just contact an agency?"
"That's one way. There are lots of agencies; some specialize in domestic adoptions, some international. Some focus on infants only, others on children of all ages. Plus, there's always the state-run social service, which has its own adoption program."
"How do you know which to choose?"
"Well, you research to find the one whose policies work for you, the one that has a program that you find agreeable. There are some things to consider, though. Cost, for one. Some agencies are pretty expensive, but I'm not sure I want to risk my chance for a family on the one that offers the cheapest service. Plus, I've read that there is a mountain of paperwork to fill out, some pretty invasive to your privacy. I've read that it can be emotionally taxing to be asked to bare your feelings and then have them scrutinized so thoroughly, only to have an adoption fall through."
Jack frowned. "You sure don't make a good sales pitch."
Abigail shrugged. "I think it's important for us to look at all the positives and negatives before we decide. I mean, can we handle the emotional roller coaster? That might be the biggest question."
Jack was quiet for a minute. "No, I think the biggest question is do we believe that having a child to raise and love would be worth whatever it takes."
Abigail opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again. She looked introspective. Jack turned to Allison, who had been quiet through the whole discussion. She also appeared introspective.
"What about you, Allie? You have a say in this, too. What do you think?"
Allison seemed uncomfortable being asked, and she didn't answer at first. Finally, she looked up at Jack and Abigail.
"What if there was ... another option?"
"Such as?" Jack asked.
Allison reached out and took Abigail's hand. "Hear me out before you say anything, OK? And just know that I love you and only want for you to be happy. Hopefully, you'll see this idea for what it is: a loving gesture."
Abigail started to speak again, but Allison held up her hand to cut her off. Jack was pretty sure where this was going.
"I ... I want to have a baby," Allison said quietly. Abigail gasped, so Allison trudged on. "But it won't be my baby; it would be YOUR baby. I mean, Jack and I would be the biological parents, but you would be his or her mother. You would name the child and raise it and we wouldn't even have to tell the child I was the biological mother and I'd just be Aunt Allison and it would be as close to being your biological child as could be without actually being so. Then you wouldn't have to worry about an agency or red tape, and intrusive home studies and stuff and we'd just go to a lawyer and sign the necessary papers and it would be done. You'd be the mother."
Allison finally wound down. Jack had watched Abigail during Allison's whole pitch. At one point, early on, her expression became angry, almost as if she felt Allison was trying to magnify the fact that she likely could conceive a child and Abigail couldn't. But almost as quickly as it came, it was gone, and her expression softened to one of love and affection. So, Jack was a bit surprised by Abigail's response.
"Oh, Allie, Baby, that is so sweet, but ... no."
"Wait, Abbie," Allison pleaded, "Don't just say no until you think about it for a bit."
"I don't need to think about it." Abigail put her other hand on top of the one joined with Allison's. "Allison, I love you so much. But I just can't do that. I want your babies, all of them, to belong to you, even if..." She glanced at Jack. " ... especially if Jack is the father."
"But, Abigail..."
"Besides," Abigail said, cutting Allison off. "You are entirely too young to consider babies. You have a year of high school left, then college, and I'm not sure pregnancy and soccer will mix well."
Jack saw the hurt in Allison's eyes, but he had to agree with Abigail.
"Allie, you have a chance to get a full ride to a good school to play soccer. Plus, I don't think it would be as easy emotionally to let go of the child as you think."
Allison sighed, her expression sad. "I ... I guess you're right."
Abigail leaned over and hugged Allison. "But I love you even more for your offer. Thank you."
The conversation was quieter after that, each lost in their thoughts. As the meal drew to a close, Abigail tried to lighten things up.
"Do you think they do that obnoxious birthday singing and free dessert here?"
Allison smiled. "I'll check." She pushed her chair out as if she was going to stand.
"You do, and I'm divorcing you and breaking up with you," Jack growled, as he looked at Abigail and Allison, respectively.
Abigail sighed dramatically. "Oh, all right. You are such a party pooper."
"Then we'll just have to take care of your dessert ourselves," Allison said. "Shall we give you a hint of what it might be?"
"I think I have an idea," Jack said with a grin.
Without another word, both girls reached down into their laps for a second and brought their hand back to the table. Each girl clutched something in their fist, and from the flash of lacy red in Abigail's hand and the satiny black in Allison's, he knew exactly what they were.
"Oh, shit," he said, under his breath.
"You know, it feels liberating knowing I don't have any panties on," Abigail said, as she laid the panties on the table and began to smooth them into shape.
"Not to mention the fact that the cool breeze between my legs is making me horny," Allison replied, also smoothing her panties into shape.
Jack's cock strained in his slacks, anxious to be freed so it could go prowling. He noticed the slight pink in Abigail's cheeks and the excited shimmer in Allison's eyes. Jack glanced up behind the girls and grinned.
"Did you save room for dessert ... uhhh..."
Both girls' eyes shot up to their server, a college-aged guy who stared dumbfounded at the two panties that were on display at the table. Allison giggled and Abigail averted her eyes, and both blushed down to the necklines of their sexy tops.
Jack grinned up at the server until he caught his attention. The guy gawked at the two girls instead. When he looked at Jack, he blushed, and Jack waggled his eyebrows. The guy smiled.
"Never mind, I'll just bring your check."
The ride home was one big tease. Jack drove, and the girls made out in the back seat, complete with lots of fondling, heavy breathing, and exaggerated moans. One would occasionally lean forward and grab Jack's swollen prick through his pants. They made it inside the apartment and closed the door before Jack attacked. Allison broke free with a squeal and raced to their bedroom.
Abigail wasn't so lucky. Jack's arms went around her instantly, a hand squeezing each of her breasts as he gnawed on her neck. Then, he turned her and pushed her against the wall, making quick work of her blouse and bra, mauling her breasts with his hands while attacking her mouth with his. She bit his lip hard.
"OW, dammit," he groaned, but his concentration was disrupted enough for Abigail to squirm loose, and she disappeared around the corner, laughing as she went.
Jack paused to catch his breath. He was incredibly horny, so he disrobed on his way to their room. He shoved the door of the room open to find Allison sitting on the edge of the bed, her feet on the floor, and her skirt bunched up around her waist. Abigail was on all fours on the floor, her long mane of hair obscuring Allison's middle as Abigail's head moved frantically back and forth. Allison leaned back on one hand, the other pinching and twisting her nipple, and from the look on Allison's face, Abigail was doing a masterful job of feasting on the younger sister's pussy.
Jack didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees behind Abigail and flipped her long skirt up and over her ass, letting it rest on her back. Abigail's crinkled butthole winked at him from its place above her pussy, like the dot of the 'i'. She whimpered into Allison's crotch when the cool air hit her labia, and again when Jack grabbed her hips, digging his fingers into her flesh.
"Oh ... uuunghOOOH, FUUUCK!" she wailed, as he drove his thick cock into her quivering channel. Allison groaned in sympathy, then Jack was fucking full bore, driving his shaft into his wife hard and fast, over and over again. Every few thrusts, Abigail would raise her head enough to grunt and curse, before diving back into Allison's snatch. Allison was obviously drawing close, as evidenced by her own moans, and in frustration, she grabbed Abigail's head with both hands and held her sister's face tight against her crotch.
"Eat me, big sister ... oh, God, soo nice ... soo nice..."
The younger girl started grinding against Abigail's face. It was only a matter of minutes before Allison threw her head back.
"Eeeee!!" she squealed as she came, her body jerking and convulsing in pleasure. The scene was so erotic that Jack vaulted the threshold of no return. A series of hard, fast thrusts and then he surged forward and froze, his cock recoiling and belching large wads of come deep into his wife's pussy.
"Oh, FUCK!!!" he howled as he came, his tension evacuating through his prick. He felt Abigail's fingers between her legs rubbing her own clit and occasionally poking his balls, and then her tunnel clamped down on his shaft.
"Holy fucking Mary mother of God!!! ... unnnngh, GAWWWD!!!" she wailed into Allison's crotch as her body rocked and flailed on Jack's dick. Jack shuddered as her walls milked his spurting cock.
And then just like that, the trio collapsed, gasping for breath. Allison flopped back on the bed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Abigail lay sprawled out underneath Jack, her pussy holding fast to Jack's cock as he tried to hold himself off her with his quivering arms.
"Oh my God," Abigail gasped.
Jack chuckled and slowly pulled out, rolling onto his side beside Abigail. "Happy birthday to me," he panted.
That brought a laugh from both girls. After a few minutes, he helped Abigail up and the girls stripped naked. The tryst continued with considerably less intensity, but no less passion ... at least for two of them. As Jack made love to Allison later, he noticed she seemed to just be going through the motions. She made the right sounds and even returned Abigail's passionate kisses, but she just seemed ... distant. Jack held off as long as he could, waiting for her to come again, but it was no use. Even with Abigail's help rubbing and fondling their young lover, Jack finished first, thrust up and pumped his second load of come into Allison.
As they fell asleep, Jack watched Allison with a frown. Something was wrong.
Abigail stifled a yawn and kept proofreading the new Family Resource Packet, a folder containing multiple pieces of literature outlining various hospital and community resources for families of patients.
"Should we take a break, Abigail?"
Abigail looked up at Fran, who was helping her proofread. She smiled at the older woman.
"No, I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
"Short night?" Fran asked.
Abigail blushed. Short night, indeed. They'd celebrated Jack's birthday the way her perpetually horny husband liked best: hot, sustained sex. Had they stopped after they all drifted off to sleep, things wouldn't be so bad. But Jack woke up in the middle of the night spooned against her and poked her butt with a new erection. She lifted one leg and welcomed him from behind, then tried to rouse Allison. The younger girl groused a bit and refused to wake fully, so the husband and wife left her alone and achieved marital bliss, the two making languorous love, not only with their bodies, but also with their minds. It took so long for them to finish that Abigail's night was really disrupted, and she was now happily paying the price.
As they worked, Abigail let her mind drift back to the topic of children, a topic that never strayed far from her consciousness. She tried to focus on adoption, but found it hard to keep her thoughts away from Allison's offer to, in essence, be a surrogate for Abigail. Abigail had mixed feelings about it. What she knew beyond a doubt was that she would never take Allison's children away from her. It wouldn't be right for ANYONE, and deep in Abigail's heart, she longed to see her young sister and lover someday swollen with child; a child that was part Allison and part Jack. Abigail loved these two special people so much that she absolutely approved of that union. But could Abigail be content just to be the aunt?
"This is so well done, Abigail," Fran praised, drawing Abigail's attention again. "We've been sorely in need of something like this."
"Well, the concept isn't entirely new. I found that a lot of these flyers and brochures already existed in some form, but they were scattered throughout the different departments. Our team consolidated them, improved some, added others, and voila! Here we are."
"Well, I like it," Fran said, as she smiled.
Abigail felt a warmth wash over her. After the awkward start of their working relationship, Fran had warmed up considerably, and now seemed comfortable with Abigail's casual, friendly nature. She also seemed more relaxed and even happier. Her boss smiling was a welcome sight to Abigail.
Fran put her red pen down and sat up straighter--impressive considering her already board-like posture. She watched Abigail read for a few seconds.
"Seriously, Abigail, let's take a break. I hate to admit this, but my eyes aren't as young as they used to be, and the strain is a bit much."
"Alright, but I insist on you letting me buy you some coffee at the café. Lord knows I need one." As if on cue, she stifled another yawn.
Fran smiled again. "If you insist."
Abigail grabbed her wallet as they passed her office and walked silently to the cafeteria. They remained silent as they got their coffee and found a seat on a bench in the courtyard. The typical spring overcast sky didn't darken Abigail's mood, and she and Fran silently sipped their hot drinks. After a few minutes, Abigail began to watch Fran. Everything about the older woman seemed ... tight. Her posture was tight, as were her movements and facial expressions. Her lips were in a perpetual tight line and her hair was pulled back into a bun so tightly that Abigail marveled that the individual hairs didn't pull out at the roots. Even Fran's speech was tight. She rarely spoke with emotion, keeping her speech almost monotone, and her conversations rarely held wasted words. In other words, Fran was tight, like a spring getting ready to pop.
That was largely why Abigail looked for opportunities to pull Fran away from work and steer her into casual conversation. When Fran let go, she seemed to relax and was a very pleasant person. Abigail considered it a small victory that Fran recommended the break this time. She decided to test the waters again.
"So, Fran, how are things, outside of work, I mean."
Fran tensed, though not as much as usual. Even then, she still seemed to pick her words carefully.
"They are ... quiet."
"Is that good or bad?" Abigail asked, intrigued by the choice of descriptors.
"Oh, good," Fran replied quickly. "Quiet is good. My constitution can't really handle a whole lot of excitement."
Abigail nodded and took another sip while she dissected that comment. Her constitution? Fran often commented negatively about her age. Was this another similar comment?
"How is Margie? I hope she's well."
Fran didn't respond right away. Instead, she moved her coffee cup to her other hand and wiped the first on her straight, tweed skirt. Fran had only mentioned her domestic partner once, and it was way back in the fall. The couple seemed to be dealing with some issues, but what, Abigail didn't know.
"She's in good spirits, thank you for asking. She does a wonderful job of keeping me out of the doldrums." Fran chuckled. "Between the two of you, I'm covered 24 hours a day, it seems."
"Covered?"
Fran looked at Abigail and her expression almost appeared soft. "It's hard to get down emotionally with you at the office and Margie at home."
Abigail smiled at the praise. It was praise for something she valued even more than the good work Fran had previously praised.
"I'm glad. Life is too short to spend it being depressed."
Fran looked thoughtful at Abigail's comment. "You know, I would have to agree, at least right now. With the treatments working well, it's hard not to feel hope for the future."
'A-HA!' Abigail exclaimed mentally. Now she was getting somewhere. Could these "treatments" be the mysterious source of Fran's bitchiness during the fall and early winter?
"Fran, Abigail!"
Both women turned towards the cheery voice. Clair Barlow was walking towards them, a slim briefcase in hand and a dazzling smile on her face. The perpetually optimistic Director of Social Services had been the first person from the hospital to interview Abigail, albeit for a different position. Abigail was overqualified for that position, but Clair pushed Abigail's name to fill the position the younger woman now occupied. The two had worked together on a couple of projects, and Abigail had begun to develop an almost mother/daughter relationship with her.
Abigail smiled. "Hello, Clair! Have a seat." She motioned to the open spot on the bench on the other side of Fran.
"Oh, I can't. I'm off to convince the CEO of the wisdom of my most recent staffing change. He seems to think I'm recommending the change for the sake of making a change. He says he bases his logic on years of unending home remodeling I've subjected him to."
Abigail laughed. Clair was also the wife of Donald Barlow, the CEO of Overlake.
"I'm sure you'll find a way to convince him," Abigail said.
"Well, I have a secret weapon," Clair said with a wink. "My most recent remodel included an upgrade of our ancient kitchen appliances, and he would be completely lost with all those buttons and lights. I'll just threaten to never cook my minestrone again. I'll have him seeing my way within 15 minutes: 14 minutes to tease him with reason, and one minute to threaten."
Abigail laughed again, and even Fran smiled, though Abigail noticed how Fran had stiffened with the arrival of her managerial peer.
"How you are, Fran?" Clair asked.
Fran nodded. "I'm well, thank you, Clair."
"Well, I'm off," Clair said, with a flip of her hand. "Wish me luck! Actually, it might be better to wish Don luck."
She strode away, leaving Abigail and Fran in her wake. Fran cleared her throat.
"Well, I guess we should get back to work." She stood and dropped her cup in the trash receptacle and waited for Abigail to do the same, then they walked back to Fran's office in silence. Abigail recognized that the mood that was directing their early personal conversation was gone, but she resolved to get it back soon. "Treatments" implied something big might be going on in Fran's life. But were the treatments for Margie ... or Fran?
"Hi, Seth!"
Seth Davis turned and was almost bowled over by a tiny ball of energy.
"Oof..." he grunted, as the wind was temporarily knocked from his lungs. By the time Heidi had kissed his cheek and hooked his arm to walk with him, he was able to catch his breath. "Hey, Heidi."
"What are we going to do tonight?" she asked, as she pressed her tiny titties against his arm in a tight hug.
"Oh, um, I actually have some studying to do."
"Sounds great!"
"You know you don't have to spend every evening with me."
It wasn't that Seth didn't want Heidi to spend the evening with him; quite the opposite, in fact. She gave him a coquettish look.
"Don't you like me?" she asked.
'If you only knew, ' he thought. "Of course, but I'm sure you have better things to do then to study with me."
Heidi had become a fixture by his side ever since he and Jack had rescued her from her abusive boyfriend nearly six weeks earlier, and she had adhered to Jack's admonition not to venture out without her roommate, Seth, Jack, or someone they approved of to accompany her. For some reason, she leaned on Seth to coordinate her escorts, which really hadn't been that hard, and as each day wound to a close, Seth became Heidi's companion of choice. She looked to him for protection, entertainment, shelter, food, direction, just about everything. They hung out at his apartment, went out to dinner together, even caught a movie or two.
A sad looked crossed Heidi's face, but quickly disappeared behind her ever-present smile, which Seth had no doubt was a mask.
"What could be better than hanging out with a cute guy in his apartment?" She tapped her chin in thought. "Now, if I could only figure out a way to get you to sleep with me."
Seth tensed. "Heidi, you know--"
"I'm teasing, Seth," she said with an eye-roll. "When I say 'sleep with me', I really mean 'sleep with me.'"
After a couple of weeks, she took to staying pretty late, to the point that she fell asleep on his bed a couple of nights a week. With any other girl, he might have just crawled into bed, too, with hopes of what might transpire during the night. But with Heidi, he felt something different, almost a sense of responsibility, and so his chivalrous self stepped forward and slept on the couch in the front room of his apartment. The first morning Heidi woke by herself in his bed, she was so astonished that he hadn't slept with her, that she hounded him for two days about what she did to upset him. His repeated declarations that he wasn't mad at her finally stopped that line of questioning. She continued to sleep in his bed two or three nights a week, and he continued to sleep on the couch.
What he REALLY wanted to do, however, was exactly what she wanted him to do. He fought an internal war almost constantly; the protector versus the paramour. So far the protector was winning out, but the more she flirted and hinted, the more strength the paramour gained.
Seth cleared his throat. "We've been over this before. It just wouldn't be a good idea."
"Hmph ... says who?" she asked. "Oh, wait, says Mr. Williams, my warden."
"Heidi, come on. He's just looking out for you. Besides, he doesn't even know you are sleeping in my apartment. I guess I'm the one that doesn't think it would be a good idea."
She smirked and caressed his chest. "Why? Don't think you could keep your hands off me?"
'Exactly, ' he thought, as he felt the heat from her hand through his shirt. His cock twitched in attention. They'd reached the bottom of the stairs that led to his apartment, and Seth stopped and turned to Heidi.
"You just need ... time," he answered. "You need to work through everything, really get an idea of what you want."
"What I WANT is to get laid!"
Seth tensed again. A couple had just reached the bottom of the stairs in time to hear her comment. The girl's jaw dropped and she blushed as she dragged her boyfriend past them. The guy grinned and winked at Seth on his way past.
"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about. You've got to quit being so fixated on sex. You and I both know what might happen if I crawl under those covers with you."
"Why are you being such a spoilsport?" Her eyes opened wide, "Are you gay?"
Seth folded his arms, but didn't respond. Heidi sighed.
"Fine, I'll just go home every night and you can have your precious bed back so you can fuck all those other girls."
Seth ground his teeth in frustration. "Heidi, I don't mind if you want to sleep in my bed. Just ... not with me."
She turned and started up the steps. Seth started after her. She got up two and stopped. She turned around to face Seth, a more serious expression on her face.
"Thanks, Seth," she said quietly. "As frustrating as it is for me, this is one of the reasons why I stay with you, because you're safe. I know you would never do anything to hurt me."
She slipped her arms around his neck. Given the two step difference, her face was just a bit higher than his. Instinctively, Seth's hands fell onto her hips.
He crept down the sidewalk. That's the only way to describe it. If Tanner could have made himself any smaller, he would have. As it was, he was hunched over, his head down, his hands stuffed into his pockets, and his feet shuffling in tiny steps. It was quite a bit earlier than Allison would have normally started out for school—her desire to get there too early was pretty miniscule—but she was worried about her friend, and not to mention a tad bit perturbed. He was shy and awkward from the...
Brianna pretended to be searching for something in her locker. In reality, she was paying very close attention to the interaction happening at the other end of the bank of lockers. She couldn't hear what was being said, but from the gestures and expressions from Melissa and Tyson, she could make a pretty good guess. Something happened between the couple, and from what Brianna could make out, it had been building. During the last month, the pair went from regular public displays of affection...
Ninety-nine times out of 100, a visitor at the front door is an innocuous event: a friend over to visit, a salesperson, a politician, a wrong address. But every now and then that visit means so much more. Abigail could point to monumental moments in her life that began with a seemingly harmless knock on the door. Jack opened her parents' door that fateful fall day to be surprised by Analise's visit, a visit which led to the discovery of his affair with Allison. Her mother knocked on her...
Jack's fingers flew across the keyboard for a minute, then he clicked over to the PDFs of the financial records and scanned down until he found the next set of recurring entries. He copied the text, clicked back to Excel, and pasted them in, then typed up his notes for those entries, too. He wanted to get this done before the girls returned home so he could spend the rest of the day with them. He was enjoying his internship, and found that digging through financial documents for clues and...
Allison seemed unusually preoccupied with her pizza toppings, while Abigail rummaged through the office, looking for whatever it was she was looking for. Jack had just taken a huge bite of pizza when Allison reached over and dropped something into his can of pop. He looked at the can for a minute, then back at her. She grinned, so he raised his eyebrow. "Piece of sausage," she said, gaily. "Just like old times." Jack was confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked, around his...
The field was a mess. Between the November evening temperatures down in the low 40s, and the steady drizzle that Seattle is so famous for, Allison was pretty miserable. Mud covered her from head to toe and clung to her like a thick, freezing paste. She'd given up cleaning her cleats within two minutes of the beginning of the second half, and now her shoes felt like they were made of concrete. She felt like she was running in slow motion AND like she was running on ice. The extra effort to...
"Get up, Ben. Oh, God, please let him get up." Brianna was woozy, but she could still see what was going on. Tyson stood over Ben, a HUGE knife in his hand. He was covered in blood, and so was Ben. Brianna tried to move, but her body wouldn't cooperate. Panic welled up inside her when Tyson turned towards her, an evil grin on his face. "I'm gonna enjoy this," he hissed, as he crawled back onto the bed and between her legs. Brianna mentally screamed at her legs to close, at her arms to...
"What about this?" Brianna said, holding up a soft, cotton bag for Tammy to see. "It's for your shoes so they don't get your clothes dirty in your suitcase." Tammy was zipping and unzipping a rolling carry-on suitcase, obviously testing its durability. She looked up and shook her head. "Plastic bags from the grocery store are better AND cheaper." Brianna thought for a moment. "Good point." She hung the bag back on the hook. It was the day after Independence Day, and Tammy was...
A screaming bladder woke Jack. He looked at the clock and saw that it was a little after three in the morning. He extricated himself from underneath his wife and padded to the bathroom. The faint light from the living room peeked under their bedroom door. That surprised him; Allison hadn't planned on coming home from the after-prom party until after five. He quieted his bladder first, then pulled on his boxers and went out to check on his young lover. He expected to see her sleeping on the...
Allison glanced at Brianna as they took their seats overlooking the water. Brianna caught her and smiled widely. Allison returned the smile and went about preparing her lunch. The two friends had come to downtown Seattle to pick up the wedding gift Allison and Abigail had gotten Jack. They'd picked up the special photo album and were grabbing lunch at Ivar's on the waterfront before heading up to Pike Place Market to get fresh flowers and fruit for the wedding. "Do I get to look at the...
Sweat soaked into Allison's practice jersey as she watched the play from the sidelines. Her team was next up again on the three-on-three keep-away drill, and she was watching the other players closely, looking for their tendencies or weaknesses and trying to determine a plan of attack. This would be her third round in the drill, and so far she was feeling pretty good about her passes and her ability to anticipate her opponents passing lanes. She was a little disappointed with her initial...
"Malthus felt that man was doomed to live a life of poverty because the population, he said, would always grow faster than the food. It was this prediction that led writer and historian Thomas Carlyle to call economics 'the dismal science.'" Jack glanced at the clock on the wall behind the class. He was just concluding the second day of his new teaching assignment, and needed to take care of one last order of business before he set the students loose. "Before we wrap it up today, and...
Allison groaned as she flopped onto the floor. Abigail stepped over her supine sister to take the last box to the master bedroom, then came back out and looked down at her sister. Just watching Allison stretch out on the floor was enough to make the older girl swoon. Allison stretched her arms above her head and arched her back, which forced her youthful breasts to stretch her t-shirt, her tiny nipples little bumps beneath the fabric. By the playful expression on Allison's face, it was...
"See you in a couple of hours, Abbie!" Allison called through the bathroom door. Abigail didn't answer, so she opened the door and stepped into the steamy room. She watched Abigail's murky form through the frosted glass door. Even when she thought she was unobserved, Abigail moved with a sexiness that made Allison's heart thump. The way she glided her hands over her soapy body was mesmerizing. If Tanner hadn't been waiting in the living room, Allison would have stripped down and joined...
Jack wasn't sure if it was the six times Allison asked that evening if she could help him with anything, the eye-rolling Abigail gave whenever she asked it, or the way they practically fought over who got to refill his water glass at dinner or put his dirty clothes in the laundry room a millisecond after he pulled them off. Whatever it was, he knew they were up to something. Allison had just returned from taking the clothes to the laundry room. "OK, both of you, sit down," he said, in a...
"Several days ago an acquaintance approached me about my family," Sharon said, as she looked down into the dark liquid that filled her cup. She noted how the liquid rippled as she cradled the cup in her trembling hands. "What did this acquaintance say?" Bill asked quietly. What did Dr. Goodwyn really say? Much of the conversation was lost in the murky depths of her frazzled mind, but she couldn't shake the feeling she got from her conversation with Dr. Goodwyn, and this disturbed her....
Ted was holed up in his home office and had been since mid-afternoon when John had called him about Tyson's arrest. He gave Sharon a cursory excuse for why he was home early, and had even refused dinner. He spent several hours on the phone putting the admittedly rusty gears in motion when the evening news caught his attention. As the reports detailing the charges against Tyson unfolded, Ted felt the urge to panic. It was one thing when the Ramirez ... problem ... surfaced years earlier. It...
Allison reached for the remote, and with a contented sigh, she turned the TV off. "Quit moving," Abigail said, "I'm almost done." Allison nestled back into her corner of the couch and arched her neck so she could see over her bent knees. Abigail had Allison's feet in her lap and was painstakingly painting a toenail. "That's such a good movie," Allison said. "And sexy, too." Allison sighed happily again. "Yeah, I'm glad Pearl stayed with Marty. He's way cuter than...
She was so beautiful, it made Jack's heart hurt. Even after being with her so many times, gazing on her, she was still stunningly beautiful in his eyes, maybe more so now. Jack noticed Sharon watching the visual interplay between the three. She snuggled her newest grandchild under her chin and turned to the others in the room. "I'll go help him with the grill. I'm not sure two men are better than one, in this case." She left the room, kissing the baby's downy hair as she...
"Hello? Anyone home?" Abigail stood up from behind the kitchen counter. "Hey, folks." Brianna and Merrigan stepped into the living room. They were dressed to work, clad in tennis shoes, jeans and t-shirts. Merrigan had a baseball cap on her head, her long red ponytail sticking through the hole in the back. "We're ready to work," Brianna said. "Where's the heavy stuff?" She flexed her biceps. Abigail smiled at the sight of the blonde's slender arms. Another figure stepped...
Allison was just closing her locker when she was verbally accosted by her two best friends. They seemed surprisingly chipper for so early in the morning. Allison was 16, but since her birthday fell in the fall, after school had already started, her parents had years ago opted to delay enrolling her in kindergarten. That made her one of the oldest in her sophomore class. Well, at least one of the oldest in the college bound track. She was also one of the few that had her license before...
They came from different worlds, hers much more privileged than his, his considerably more dysfunctional than hers. Or so he thought when they met. Jack had been to hell and back, a trip he embarked on despite the best efforts of Phil and his grandmother. He had only himself to blame for his demise. At sixteen, he was angry. Angry at God, at the world, at the system, at his grandfather for dying and leaving Jack without another father figure. He was angry at himself. He tried to find peace in...
"We'd love to! It'll be fun ... Nah, he'll be fine with it ... Sure ... See you tomorrow ... Love ya." Abigail hung up the phone. She was lying on the couch with her legs draped over Jack's lap. He tried to focus his attentions on "ER", but his curiosity in her conversation made it impossible. He looked at her, waiting for an explanation. She turned back to the TV and said nothing. "And?" he asked impatiently. Abigail kept her eyes on the TV. "What?" she asked, feigning...
"Hey, Abbie, I'm ho-ome!" came the feminine sing song call from the direction of the living room. Abigail heard the front door shut, but since she was trapped by a wall of boxes in the guest room, Allison would have to seek her out. "I'm in the guest room, Allie!" she called back. She blew some stray strands of hair from her face while she continued to stuff a box with books. A moment later she felt more than heard Allison's presence in the doorway. "Wow, Abbie! You've made some...
A quiet knock on the door woke Brianna from her fitful slumber. She opened her eyes as her mother opened the door. Light streamed in through her blinds, so she knew it was morning. "Brianna, there's a man on the phone for you," she said. Brianna just looked at her. "Jack?" Brianna jumped out of bed and ran across the hall to her parent's room to grab the phone. In the background she could hear her dad in the shower. He was singing some weird freedom rock song, as usual. "Hold on,...
Sharon pulled her housecoat on and stood before the mirror again. What a horrific night's sleep, and she looked it. Her hair was a tangled mess and her eyes were rimmed in red and carrying bags. She had hoped crying the night before would get all the emotions out, but she still felt awful. She washed her face, scrubbing away the stains of her tears, then brushed her hair in an attempt to tame it. She stepped out of the bathroom and saw Ted watching her. "Do you feel better this morning,...
Jack felt her warm body before he opened his eyes. He was just coming into consciousness and one at a time his senses activated. Sense of touch ... Allison was warm, her lean naked body molded to his. Her skin was soft and smooth against him, her supple breasts pressed into him as she lay tucked into his side and shoulder. Jack could feel her warm, moist breath blow across his chest. Sense of smell ... The fragrance hit him next, a mixture of her strawberry shampoo, flowery perfume and...
How? That was the biggest question on Ted's mind as he looked at his adversary. How did Williams find out about all this? How did he get the proof he says he has? How could Williams sound so confident and articulate? And most importantly, how could this lowlife simpleton best a man of Ted's aptitude, intelligence and power? Ted wanted to jump across the desk and strangle the devil. That's what Williams was ... a devil. Yet, Ted knew that in a physical confrontation, Williams would...
"Looovvverrrr ... Rise and shine, Lover..." The quiet angelic voice seemed to permeate every nook and cranny of Jack's exhausted body. Surely it couldn't be morning yet. He grumbled, but refused to open his eyes "Com'n, big guy. Open those beautiful green eyes of yours." Her voice was still so tranquil and sensual. Still, Jack would prefer that it just go away. Allison had fucked him senseless the night before. Now he needed sleep. He refused to acknowledge her attempt to pull him...
Allison's pussy quivered. She looked down at Jack as she straddled him, his cock wedged inside her wet cunt. He'd come over for some private time. Her parents and brothers were at a road football game, Abigail was working and Analise was visiting some friends. Allison closed her eyes and began to rise and fall on his cock. It felt so good, each time together better than the last. She smiled and then looked down at him. She realized that he'd stopped moving, and she noticed his eyes were...
Analise's stay lasted another five days, and each night she visited Allison's room. Allison was able to get herself off twice while going down on Analise, but neither was all that pleasurable. It was very apparent that all Analise wanted was her own pleasure. Once, Allison tried to stop her, but Analise only had to mention Abigail's name, and Allison's defense would be breached. Allison loved Abigail too much to let her find out about her affair with Jack this way. Allison realized that...
Allison heard the knock on the front door, but didn't move from her seat on the edge of her bed. She listened to the muffled conversation down the hallway. "Why, young Mr. Merrill!" Her dad. "Nice to see you this fine evening." "Thank you, Mr. Garner. You are looking quite well today." Allison rolled her eyes. Tyson the Charmer at work. "And you, Mrs. Garner, are looking as lovely as ever." "Come with me into the den. Sharon will go see if Allison is just about ready. Could I get...
Allison bounced up from her spot on the living room couch and practically flew to the door. She opened the door and shrieked as she wrapped Abigail in a tight, though sisterly, hug. Abigail kissed her cheek. "Hey, Allie Cat." "Abbie, I'm so glad you made it over." She pulled Abigail into the room, shut the door and hugged her again. This time Abigail kissed her on the lips. The kiss was firm, and filled with passion. Allison moaned when she felt Abigail's tongue seek hers. The kiss...
Grandma and Grandpa Fuller. Phil Goodwyn. Abigail. Allison. Jack tightened the knot on his tie as he thought of the people who never stopped believing in him. Each one did his or her part to bring him to this point. Sure, he had to change himself first before he could start on this path, but it would have been a lonely, virtually impossible journey without the people who cared about him. Leaning closer to the bathroom mirror, he fixed his collar. "Yummy," Allison said from the doorway of...
"If I try these things on, will you give me your honest opinion?" Analise asked Abigail, as they came through the door of their parents' house. "I don't want to look like a fat cow on my honeymoon." "Nothing can be as bad as that piece of granny underwear I got at my shower," Abigail remarked, laughing. "Are you talking about the atrocious shapeless one from Patty?" Analise threw her bags on the loveseat in the family room. "No doubt. It was the worst. Bet Jack loved it." "I...
Jack was sitting in his car outside of Dana's house, waiting for Allison. He was very anxious. It was Sunday morning, and he still hadn't been able to talk to Allison. By the time he dragged himself out of the bed the previous morning, she'd already gone off with her friend. Before she left, she had informed Abigail that she would be staying at Dana's that night, but would need someone to pick her up and take her home the next morning. So here he was, waiting for her to make an...
Allison lay in bed, wondering about the day and what lay ahead. She and Abigail had decided on a way to confront Analise about the rape and blackmail. Allison smiled at the mental image of Analise's face when she realized her scheme was over. However, it didn't take long for Allison's mind to wander back to Abigail. It all made sense to her now. When she was explaining her rationale for her relationship with Jack, it just all kind of fell into place. Sure she loved the way that Jack had...
"Hey, beautiful," Jack said into the phone receiver. "Been busy today?" "Definitely. We slept in, but we took a cab up to downtown and visited some of the sites. We had dinner at a great seafood place overlooking the waterfront." Abigail hesitated a moment, seemed unsure. "Jack, there's some stuff we need to talk about." Jack's blood went cold. "Um, OK. What's up?" Did she know? Had Allison confessed their indiscretions? He wouldn't blame her if she did and part of him wanted...
"Look what I bought." Abigail came bounding down the stairs into her parents' family room. Allison was reclining in an overstuffed chair flipping through a magazine. She had been waiting for her sister to arrive for their usual midday rendezvous, but Abigail was late. Allison let out a frustrated breath. Abigail was never late for these meetings. They'd worked out a nice system over the last couple of months. Abigail would come over after Allison got home from school, usually about 3:30....
Abigail let her eyes flutter open. An unusually bright light streamed through the parted window curtains. She smiled. The annual spring snowfall. Every March there was a late snowfall, and it seemed to always catch everyone by surprise. It was Abigail's favorite snowfall when she was in school because it came late enough and was big enough to force schools to close their doors and break the monotony of the spring semester. Even now she liked this snow because it was usually the wettest snow,...
"Do you think he'll be awake?" Allison asked, pointing at the clock on the radio. It was just after two in the morning. "Definitely," Abigail answered. "We vowed we'd never go to bed angry with each other. He'll be awake." The two had drifted off to sleep, wearied by the emotion of the day and the passion of their lovemaking. When they woke, they knew they had to make some decisions. The news of their sister's pregnancy threw another wrinkle into the relationship, and Abigail knew...
"You'll never see Allison again." Jack felt the anger rise inside him again. That was Ted's last statement before they parted company. Jack scoffed at the idea of leaving his wife and her sister behind, but his father-in-law was insistent. He never raised his voice, but the venom was evident. "I'm not an unreasonable man," he had said. Jack laughed out loud now as he drove his car back to his house and hopefully to his waiting wife. Ted agreed to redirect the rumors until Jack's...
Sharon quietly polished the silverware. They'd needed it for a while, but it wasn't a task she particularly liked, so she usually waited until she had something on her mind. Then she could polish and think. This was one of those times. She glanced nervously at the clock, quietly wondering what was keeping Allison. She prayed that her youngest daughter didn't do anything rash. She thought back through the day, wondering what she could have done differently, what she could have done to...
Abigail shoved the last thick file folder into the overstuffed drawer, then plopped down in her desk chair. She fantasized about working in a paperless office, and wondered if she should ask about that when she interviewed for jobs in Seattle. It was hard to believe that she and Jack—and hopefully, Allison—would be moving in less than a month. She hoped that something would pan out with one of the interviews she'd been able to line up. She checked her desk calendar. She would be flying out...
Ted stood in the doorway of his house and watched his family getting in the car. He glanced at his watch. They still had time. "Sharon," he called to his wife. "We have one issue we need to take care of before we leave. Come with me to my office." She nodded in acknowledgement and said something to Allison and Ben. Just then Brad brushed past him without a word and made his way to the car. Ted saw Sharon's eyes widen with surprise at the sight of her oldest son, who didn't even glance...
"Earth to Ja-ack!" Jack's wife said, snapping his attention back to the present. "Where'd you go?" He blushed when he realized he'd really zoned out. "I, uh, I started reminiscing. You know how the mind works. One memory leads to another which leads to another and so on. So I guess I was taking a ride on a memory roller coaster." Her eyes twinkled at him. "That was bad, Jack. Memory roller coaster?" He shrugged. "Trust me. It was quite a ride." "Want to talk about it?" He...
The day of the party arrived. Briony turned up on time and was met at reception by Tom as arranged. She was wearing a 'little green dress', dark green which enhanced her eyes. It stopped just above the knee and her forearms were bare. It showed off her pretty figure. She had pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. On her right wrist was a gold charm bracelet. Tom thought she looked stunning and told her so. She smiled her thanks happily to him. She linked her arm through his and he led her to...
The company won the contract and everyone was thrilled and delighted. There was another party but it was drinks only and Tom and Briony decided that only he should attend. Clive was miffed. He had hoped to work on Briony again. He said nothing though either to Tom or Angela who was required to accompany him. The project management team deployed. For the first three months work was devoted to site clearance, access to and within it. Then construction started: foundations and piles. All went...
At university Tom had been a member of the shooting club specialising in pistol. He still had his .22 automatic. There was no time to obtain export or import permits but he determined nevertheless to take it with him. He placed it in the middle of his hold baggage and hoped it would not be found. If it was he would just have to surrender it. He also took some ammunition. The eight hour flight was uneventful and straightforward. Tom and Susie chatted inconsequentially for a while and then...
It was clear at breakfast that Susie had not slept well if at all. Jenny was still with her. They ate their breakfast in silence. Susie only picked at hers. She was in no shape and far from her usual vibrant self. As they drank their coffee Tom took her hand in his. "Susie," he said gently, "we've got to go and report this formally to Tony." She nodded resignedly. He told her what he was going to suggest to Tony. "OK," she said listlessly. "I just want to get away from this...
Over a drink and supper Tom told Briony what had happened to Susie and what Tony was going to do about it. "Poor girl," said Briony with feeling. "Horrid, horrid, horrid. On the other hand, she didn't seem that low this evening and she called you a special man so, apart from saving a damsel in distress, what else did you do?" Tom shrugged. "Not a lot really other than be there for her. I told you about Jenny. She was super. She really was." "Go on." "Well, when we got on the...
Everything went back to normal pending the trial. There was a rumour of a possible major new project in Scotland but no more than that. Susie came prancing in the following Monday morning. "Rory would like to meet you," she said to Tom. "I'd like to meet him. Has he got wheels?" "Yes, why?" "Well why don't you both come down for the weekend? I know we haven't got anything on and Briony would love to see you again." "That sounds a super idea but do you mind if I run it by him...
As they were getting ready for bed Briony asked Tom whether he was aware that Susie did not much like Clive. "No," Tom replied. "We've never talked about him probably because she knows that I would never be disloyal about him to one of my section. What's he done to upset her?" "Suggested that after West Africa she might have a crush on you." "That's pretty cheeky." He chuckled. "I know what might have set him off though. The first Monday after it all she was absolutely bubbling...
Tom did his best to concentrate on his work but what Susie had said disturbed him deeply. Why should Clive with a beautiful and intelligent wife of his own want to pursue Briony? He must be nuts if he thought she would respond to his advances. If nothing else he knew they were only relatively recently married. It just did not make sense but yet Susie had been utterly serious. His mind continued to go round in circles. Briony has beaten him home and gave him his usual warm welcome but she...
Angela had foreseen that the weekend with her parents was going to be tricky. The sudden invitation to spend the previous weekend with her sister, Laura, had been a warning. It had been pleasant enough but she knew Laura was observing her throughout and would be reporting back to their mother. Her parents, Arthur and Pauline Foster, welcomed her warmly on Friday evening. After a drink Pauline pulled her and Arthur out to the kitchen. Once Arthur had helped everyone to a second drink he was...
Arthur rang Angela the following morning. "Presumably you want to seek divorce on the grounds of adultery." "Yes, Daddy." "In that case I suggest you move out. Has he ever knocked you about?" "No but I wouldn't put it past him." "You definitely ought to move out." "Not until after next week. It's half term." "Can you maintain a façade?" "No change," she replied bitterly. "Right, Poppet, I can't act for you myself, conflict of interest, but I'll see if Henry...
Despite what Briony had said Tom rang Angela from the station car park on his way to work. "Hello, Angela. It's Tom Clifford. Sorry to ring so early," he began. "Nonsense, Tom. You must think I'm a slugabed." She laughed cheerfully. "What can I do for you?" "Your conversation with Briony yesterday has me worried. I've never really trusted Clive after the first time he met her but do you really think that he'd be up to abduction or rape?" "If you'd asked me six months ago,...
The company dance was held at a large local hotel. There were tables of eight and a buffet supper and two bottles of wine per table. Tom and Briony put their heads together to decide who they would like on their table. Susie and Rory were naturals. Tom suggested Margaret Tennant and her partner and, because she did not belong to a section, Trish and her partner. Briony was happy to agree. With it being an official function there was a top table for members of the board. Betty Nugent had...