Fresh Cut Romance (4 page)

I felt another rush of heat across my face. "I believe things have changed since I was an infant."

Tess stumbled over to me wearing a single high heel and began to lift my sweater over my head. "Even if things have changed, you're still my sister. We have to be careful with that beautiful hairdo. It's gorgeous. Who did it?"

"A girl named Sarah…what are you doing?"

"I'm taking your bra off."

"I can do it Tess, please. You know how bashful I am."

She stopped removing my bra.          

"You have no reason to be shy. You have a Fredrick's of Hollywood figure, like I used too—four rug-rats ago."

I smiled as I finished removing my bra and unzipped my skirt. Her hands wandered to my skirt and I slapped them away. "I told you
…" I gave her the evil eye.

She threw up her hands shook her head, retreated to the bed, and sat down.

"Speaking of rug-rats, when's number five due. You're behind schedule."

Tess who some say looks like my eight year older twin, got a coy smile on her pretty face. "There'll be no number five. The baby factory is closed. I told Seth, enough is enough and he got fixed. He's such a sweet man. So, what's in the bag?"

Tess picked up the bag, which read in big gold letters,
Loving Touch of Hollywood
on a hot pink background. Smaller lettering said
Salon, Boutique and Spa.
She rummaged, through it. She pulled out a package containing a lacy black bra and panties. She opened up the package like a child on Christmas morning. She held up the bra in one hand and the panties in the other. "This stuff is hot. Seth would love 'em."

She stood up holding the bra and stepped up to me. "Hold your arms out."

I did and she slipped the bra straps over them, then the cups over my breasts. "Turn around." I did and looked in the dresser mirror as she fastened the bra for me. She rested her head on my shoulder. "Lovely isn't it?"

It was lovely. I suddenly wished Julian could see it, and then hastily banished the wayward thought.

"Hurry up." She reached down to the bed and picked up the lacy, black panties and held them up. "Take your panties off, so we can put these on."

I dragged my panties down to the ground and when I stood up, Tess shook her head, flashing a disapproving look. "I see you're into the natural look." 

I must have looked confused, because she explained. "Your pubic hair. With-it women of today at least trim their bush. Others shave it clean or go through the painful expense of having all their hair removed."

I shook my head. "Well, since no one's going to see it, I don't have to worry about it. Do I?"

"I guess not."

I felt conflicted. "Do you trim your hair?"

Knowing she had me thinking, she smiled. "One better. Except for a little diamond shaped patch, I shave myself clean. Seth loves it. Anyway, here's the panties."

I took the panties, slipped them over my right foot, then my left and pulled them up. Like the bra, the panties were a perfect fit and sexy. Once again, an obscene thought flashed in my mind of Julian not only seeing me in these sensual unmentionables, but languorously and sensually removing them. My sex contracted, so I shook my head to snap out of it. I picked up the dress.

"Hold on, let's see what else is in the grab bag." She held the bag by the bottom and several items toppled out. She held up a package for me to see. "Look at these beautiful nylons."

She threw the package to me, Frisbee style. "They are lovely," I replied as she rummaged through the rest. Pulling one of the unwrapped stockings up my left leg, she gasped. As I turned to look, she tilted the flat jewelry case upward for me to see. It was a gorgeous diamond necklace.

"Don't get too excited, they're cultured diamonds. Still, the embossed price on the bottom of the case says sixteen hundred, ninety-five dollars."

I was insulted. I turned to face my sister, legs spread wide, and hands on my hips, I protested. "Please, sis. I'm not a gold-digger."

"Sorry, Laur. I didn't mean that the way it came out. Lookie here. A matching bracelet. I can't wait to see you all fixed up. Hurry up with the nylons, hon, so we can put that lovely gown on you. This is so exciting. It reminds me of the time you went to the prom with Johnny Broen. You were so beautiful. Remember, he reached in his pocket for the car keys and when he pulled his hand out a package of Trojans fell on the floor, right by your feet. Poor Johnny, he turned bright red and I had to talk you into still going with him."

My giggle made it obvious I did remember.

Tess laughed. "You were home by ten-thirty. Did you even dance with him?"

"A few fast ones and one slow one at arms length."

I started to slip into my gown and still wearing my one shoe she limped over to help. "Why don't you take that shoe off or put the other one on."

She pulled the shoe off and threw it on the bed. "Good idea. Those were fun times. Then Dad got sick and everything changed."

When the gown was on, I turned and gazed in the dresser mirror again. The white with magenta trim, floor length, low cut evening gown showed exquisite. I felt something cool and weighty on my chest. In the mirror, I could see Tess hooking the back of the fancy necklace. "Just beautiful," she said. "Put the bracelet and shoes on while I get my camera."

After she left, I finished dressing, played with my curls and touched up my makeup. Suddenly a flash lit up the mirror. Without turning, I objected, "At least let me
… Another flash.

"You know I prefer candid shots. Ok, turn around and say CHEESE."

I turned around, and before I got set, another flash. When I raised my hand to object—another flash. Finally, I quickly posed.

After a dozen pictures on her digital camera, she handed the camera to me to look at the images and sat back on the bed. "There's an envelope here. Do you mind if I open it."

I shook my head. About ten seconds later Tess yelped, "This is great, sis. It's a deluxe gift certificate for
two
at Loving Touch Spa. Are you going to take your favorite sister?"

I had to laugh. "You're my only sister. Who else?"

She cocked her head and flashed a look so silly, I laughed again. "See, I knew I was your favorite. I don't suppose you could manage it for the day after tomorrow. Seth's mother is taking the kids for the day."

"I'll see what I can do. Shall we get back to Julian?"

"Sure but don't run off yet. I'll load the photos into the computer and make a couple copies. Which pics, did you like best?"

"Hmmm. I think seven, eight and eleven."   

* * * *

When
Laurel entered the room, my heart fluttered. She was so beautiful, it seemed to light up the room when she smiled. Now, I'm no stick-in-the-mud. I'd been out with scores of girls, slept with most, but no girl ever affected me this way.

Teresa said, "Julian, I want to get a couple pictures.
Laurel, move in beside him."

As she stood beside me, I placed my arm around her waist. She trembled, a good sign. I must make her as nervous as she makes me.

"Say cheese," Teresa said, good naturedly.

Striving for a cool, calm, confident smile, the flash went off. Then again and again. "Perfect." Teresa winked. "I'll be right back."

Turning, I pulled away in a maneuver that allowed me to hold both of her hands. "You look delicious. Good enough to eat."

Poor, shy thing, she turned bright red.

"In fact, you make me look like a bum." Would you mind if we stop by my home for ten minutes, to put on a suit?"

"Of course not, but you could never look like a bum, only underdressed."

I laughed and gazed into her eyes. There was something there. Desire?
I wish.
Admiration?
No, that's not it.
Sadness?
Close, but not quite.
Regret?
Yes, that's it, but why?

I pulled her close, holding her. She shook. I snuggled my cheek against her hair. Turning my head slightly, my lips pecked at her ear. She shivered but didn't move.

"Okay lovebirds here's your copy. I can't wait to post them on my website."

"Website?"

"Oh, I didn't tell you. Tess is a semi-professional photographer. She used to be a physician's assistant, but put that on hold after Carolyn to raise the kids."

"Semi-professional, what does that mean?"

"That means I have the bug, but not the wherewithal."

I must have looked confused because she explained. "I've sold a few pictures, but not enough to warrant a studio. My website is my studio for now. www.imagesbytessa.com. Here's a framed eight by ten of my beautiful sister along with a half dozen four by sixes and my business card.

She turned to Laurel. "Here are your pictures, baby sister." There was a tear in her eye as she kissed Laurel. Then after she pulled her close and whispered, "I love you," she stepped back and said, "You make a striking couple."

But she wasn't finished. She stepped up to me only inches away. "I like you, Julian Peters." She grabbed my shoulders and kissed my cheek. Then almost inaudibly, she whispered, "We need to talk, call me." After she pulled away she added, "Now, go have fun."   

* * * *

After leaving my car at my sisters, Julian drove to his home. He lived in a small, but cute, older two-bedroom home in
West Hollywood. After pulling in the alley and parking in the detached garage, he took my hand and led me to the back, kitchen entrance. He opened the door, flipped the light switch and invited me in with bow and a swing of his arm. "Milady."

I stepped into a smallish, but well decorated and appointed kitchen. I felt two arms slip around my waist. Chills ran though me as his hot breathily whisper reached my ear. "I'm not a bad cook. Would you like me to cook dinner for you some night? Chateaubriand with merlot or maybe some parmesan salmon with a dry Riesling?"

"I don't know if we could remain friends if I had dinner and wine alone with you here."

"But
mon chere
, that's the idea. That we make the transition from close friends to
lovers
." 

My pulse increased. The idea of Julian becoming my lover, though compelling, was not what I was about. It suddenly felt stuffy and warm in there. I was having trouble breathing. I pulled his hands away and turned toward him. "We better hurry. We don't want them to give our table to someone else."

"You're right. I'll only be a moment. Would you like to wait in the living room? Can I get you something to drink?"

"Yes, please, water would be fine. Thank you"

He opened the nearby refrigerator door and handed me a plastic bottle of water. "Here you are."

I took it and he took my hand. He flipped light switch and led me past a dining area, into the living room. Like the kitchen, it was darling, furnished in light Italian period style, with impressionist paintings. A horizontal chair rail divided the faux painted walls with wallpaper below. "Have a seat and think pleasant thoughts. I'll only be a minute."

I sat down and he went into a narrow hallway. I picked up the book on Ancient Egyptian artifacts that rested on the coffee table and started to thumb through it.

I only got to page ten or so when I heard, "All set." I glanced up and viewed a very handsome man with a bright smile. My stomach felt like it turned upside down and a lump formed in my throat. I quickly looked away. "Are you ready?" I nodded. He came up to me and stood right in front of me, his crotch right in my line of vision. I could see the outline of him. I suddenly had an urge to touch him.
Would it really be so wicked to sleep with this man, one time, to feel what it's like, just once, before…
 

Julian's masculine hands grasped my bare shoulders and pulling upward, interrupted my lewd thoughts.

"It's seven-thirty we'd better hit it."

I stood up and felt dizzy. I took one step and the room began to spin. Suddenly, I saw a bright flash of light and felt myself falling.

Chapter Four – The Plan

"A true man does not need to romance a different girl every night, a true man romances the same girl for the rest of her life."
~Ana Alas~

C
arolyn lay on the floor reading a book while Seth watched TV. My baby, Stephen, sat on my lap as I read, 'Where the Wild Things Are,' to him and Beth who sat beside me. "
'And grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around.'
Okay, sweetheart, turn the page." As Beth reached to turn the page, the phone rang.

Thankfully, Seth said, "I'll get it."

The handset for the living room cordless phone had disappeared so he hurried to our bedroom.

Beth drew my attention back with a long protracted, "Mommeeeeee!"

I looked back to the book when Seth walked up and picked Stephen off my lap, lifting him and setting him in the crook of his arm. I looked up and saw worry etched on his face. "You better take this. It's Laurel."