They ate in silence and Suzie felt much better afterwards. She got up and cleared their plates and cleaned up the kitchen. No one had ever cooked for her before. Jared always took her out or ordered in. The intimacy of Jeff preparing food for her caused her to pause. She was getting in over her head and she knew it. Jared would be home in eight hours and then what? She had told Jeff he could go to work and she would be fine, until Jared got back but he refused. Now, with coffee and food perking her up she was glad he would be staying home. This would probably be their last few hours together.
“Are you okay?” Jeff called.
No, she was far from okay. She was a mess. Though hearing his voice brought back the image of his skin on hers and she shivered. She might as well enjoy these last few hours since she had already crossed the line. Smiling to herself she walked into the living room.
Jeff was reclining on the couch and he looked up when she walked in. She sauntered in and sat down on the couch beside him, close but not touching. Teasing, she pretended to stretch then pulled her sweater off inch by inch. He laughed and
grabbed her, pulling her onto him and wrapping them in a blanket. Eager to explore each other’s bodies they rocked with building intensity. Holding tight their pleasure mounting, Suzie cried out and Jeff covered her mouth with his as they matched rhythms and found release together. As their panting subsided they both fell quiet, still touching hands, chest to chest. Jeff lowered his gaze to hers, opening his mouth to speak.
“That is my inspiration. Oh. Wow. I want to paint you,” he spoke softly.
“Oh Jeff,” Suzie said sadly. “We can’t tell Jared.”
“Right, not about the painting and not about this. Just a little fun when no one is looking right?” Jeff winked at her.
“He loves me,” was all Suzie said.
Getting up from the couch, Jeff padded to the shower. Suzie watched him go, relishing seeing his hard body in all its glory.
“Better get back into girlfriend mode Suzie,” Jeff said when he caught her staring. Then he strutted in a circle before entering the bathroom and closing the door.
While Jeff showered, Suzie straightened up. She heard from Laura who was going to bring some clothes to Suzie since she had none of her own. The office had also done a collection for her and they had a few things. Jared was coming home for supper and as usual he would be bringing food home with him. Suzie felt physically and mentally prepared to deal with everyone when Jeff sauntered in.
“You might want to make his bed, look a little more slept in. It looks like you haven’t stepped foot in that room. Naughty,” Jeff teased.
Jeff was irresistible even now and Suzie squeezed her eyes tight to resist the urge to touch him or flirt with him. Instead, she walked past him and walked into Jared’s room. Strangely it was comforting. She moved the pillows around and crawled in. It smelled like Jared and felt like a warm hug. How could she be excited to have him back when she had betrayed him?
Hearing voices in the other room, she walked out to see Laura, flirting with Jeff. She was carrying some bags and followed Jeff into the living room. When she saw Suzie, she screamed and ran over her hugging her tight.
“You look awful. Take that sweater off right now. Something in these bags will fit you better than that old thing,” Laura said and she started rifling through the bags. Finally, after being forced to try on clothes and model them for a cheering audience (Laura and Jeff), Suzie found a few outfits that would be comfortable for at home and some dressier outfits. Laura was smaller than Suzie so the clothing was tight, giving her ample cleavage.
Jared arrived shortly before supper and he hugged Suzie in relief. “I am never leaving you alone again. You poor thing. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I am fine,” Suzie replied.
“Thank you Jeff for being here. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” Jared continued. “You took care of what is most important to me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Jeff said quickly. “Forget it.”
Jeff was quiet throughout supper and snapped at Jared when he was asked to relate the details from his perspective. Jared and Jeff exchanged words until Laura interrupted with a joke. Jeff muttered an apology and an excuse that he was tired and left the room. After supper Laura left, making Suzie promise they would go shopping on the weekend. Suzie eagerly agreed since she had nothing left, she also realized she needed to find somewhere to live. As she said goodbye to Laura, Suzie heard loud voices behind her. Jared and Jeff were arguing again and Jeff was aggressive. Not knowing what else to do, she ignored them and walked into the bedroom. Her head was spinning again as she remembered her promise to herself. The other lie became bigger than she had planned and she did not know what to do. Suzie showered and when she realized she could not stand both brothers in the same room, she went to bed.
Jared came in and crawled into bed with her. He had obviously had a few drinks. Wrapping his arms around her he whispered how much he loved having her and his brother in his life and then spoke of a party he planned on having on the weekend. “To celebrate you moving in with me,” he said. Stiffening, she thought again of the lie. Now that it was out of her system maybe she could move on. Could she?
The next morning as Jared was showering and getting ready for work, Jeff cornered her in the kitchen. Immediately their lips found each other and the sparks of electricity flew. Jeff pulled away even as Suzie wanted more. Then he looked at her with determination and said, “I have to tell him.”
“Are you ready? We have to go,” Jared said impatiently.
“I am not going,” Suzie replied, she was confused and overwhelmed and could not deal with work right now especially with Jared driving. “I am still feeling off.”
“Then I am staying home too,” Jared said, insisting on caring for her.
“No, please,” Suzie protested but to no avail. Jared called work and told them neither would be in that day. “There, now we can have the day together.”
Jeff left for work without saying a word. Jared and Suzie spent the day together, watching old movies and cuddling in bed, in between naps. It was not making Suzie feel better. She did not know what she wanted. Well, she had an idea about what she wanted but she had not accepted it yet. She wanted Jared that was for sure. He was her rock and he took care of her. They worked together and talked and shared so much. Then there was Jeff. Dark, forceful Jeff who had the power to get her to do anything. Just thinking about him made Suzie emit a soft moan.
“You okay?” Jared asked, kissing the top of her head and then stretching.
“No,” Suzie said moving away from Jared. “I am not comfortable. I want to go home.”