Love Among the Thorns (2 page)

           
When I arrived at the office I hardly spoke to anyone, I was too engulfed in thought. I sat down at my computer. The turmoil of the morning echoed into a nasty headache. Why would Jeff become so infuriated about something so trivial? His behavior was senseless and severely out of place. Finally, I pacified myself, and proclaimed his peculiar behavior,
stress.
After all, he could become the next store manager. The responsibility could be a tremendous step for him. He also could have perceived this promotion as a threat to his unencumbered freedom, although, becoming the store manager was his ultimate goal.
 
         

That night, I planned to investigate the reasons for Jeff’s childish behavior. Like usual, I was exhausted. I tucked Joey and Melissa into their beds and kissed their foreheads. After I turned off their lamp, I clumsily found my way to the bedroom. How I hoped Joey would sleep the entire night. A two-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter tested the
wholesome outlook theory
of motherhood. I threw myself into bed wearing Jeff’s favorite pink gown. Often, he said he liked it so much, that if it wasn’t a shame, he’d wear it himself.

           
Bare-chested, and clad in sleeping boxers, Jeff viewed his favorite television program. He said television was a cheap sedative that helped him fall asleep. However, he was not quite ready for the series of questions I was about to bombard him with. “Jeff,” I crooned softly, pulling my feet out of my slippers. “Why did you get so angry when I asked you to give up your trip with Clint?” I shoved my feet under the warm covers and gave Jeff a sidelong glance.

           
It was as if a jolt of electricity ran over Jeff’s body. “Honey—baby, please, not tonight, huh. I can’t take an entire night of this. I just over reacted, all right!” He acted as if our discussion was in full bloom and ending with his frail surrender. My eyes narrowed into a
get real
expression. Jeff knew I wasn’t buying his cheap act. “Crap, Celeste. Why can’t you let some things die?” Having made that statement he turned his back giving his undivided attention to the deafening television.
 

I was not about to let his peculiar behavior slide. I shook his shoulder gently.

“Jeff, is there something you’d like to tell me? Is something stressing you out, sweetie?”
 

Jeff rolled over and faced me with a devilish grin. “You never give up, do you?”

He tugged mischievously at my gown. “I know how to end these silly questions.” Those words sparked a playful game of lovemaking. Jeff slipped his fingers beneath the straps on my gown and pushed them aside. They fell onto my shoulders exposing my firm breasts and budding tips. Slowly, he lifted the sheer gown along my body then tossed it into a silken pile on the floor. “What was I thinking when I turned my back on this?”
 

With loving glides, he slid his hand along my bare body. Expert fingers tested the fleshy folds of my moist core. “Somebody needs my undivided attention.” I had been so busy I’d neglected my body’s persistent requests. He squeezed and massaged my firm rear. Moaning hungrily he kissed my neck, and greedily gave special attention to my breasts. “Come on over here.” His familiar scent lingered around me, as he pulled me closer. The sweeping motion of his hands explored and conquered with small rotating circles. Jeff positioned his body astride mine, placed my hands over my head, shoving his palms forcefully into mine. Slowly, he moved his body with sexually charged push-ups.

With all modesty gone between us, we came together with brusque thrusts of intense pleasure that nearly stole my breath. My denied needs tightened around him, begging for more. Immediately, he became engorged with desire, responding to my craving with jolts of shuddering tremors. The moisture formed between our bodies mingled with the musky scent of making love. Reaching relentlessly for gratification, I flailed against his force. He smiled with competent satisfaction, quenching my famine like never before. Then, almost unexpectedly, our world’s discharged into pulsating tremors. Sweating and satisfied, we studied each other’s expression, and then we kissed. Glowing blissfully, I smiled. Now, I had the answer to my question.

           
On Saturday, Clint made his usual early morning visit. The children were still asleep and I didn’t want to wake them. I knew that Jeff had everything under control. As Clint pulled his favorite coffee mug from the cabinet, I ate a quick breakfast. While leaning against the counter, I munched a bowl of healthy cereal. My eyes swept over Clint’s toned body as he helped himself to a cup of coffee.
 
I couldn’t help admiring his sculptured build. He placed his mug on the table, his foot in the chair, and proceeded to lace his hiking boots.
 

           
Clint’s curly black hair glistened in the morning sunlight that sifted through the kitchen window. Peeking above his plaid flannel shirt were tufts of dense chest hair. His woodsy aroma filled the kitchen. I thought to myself, poor thing, no substantial lady to share his lonely life. While bending over his boots, his rear seemed invitingly firm, and toned.
 

           
I didn’t mean to stare. After all, Jeff was built just as nice. Plus, I loved Jeff’s bronzed skin compared to Clint’s caramel color. Although their bodies were mirror perfect, I felt sympathy for Clint having to spend time with my husband instead of a gorgeous female. I guess their relationship was
a male bonding thing-
one that I couldn’t possibly understand.

           
 
Jeff walked into the kitchen, damp, half-naked, and draped in a bath towel. “Nice rear, huh?”

           
 
The cereal in my mouth almost doubled in size. It took enormous efforts to prepare it for digestion. I was startled, but pleased that Jeff had such a vast sense of humor.

           
Clint overheard the statement and added to my embarrassment. “Hey, Celeste!” he muttered drowsily. “The females say a rear like mine is worth a lot on the street.” He playfully flexed his buns and grinned. “I shouldn’t have to work for a living.”

           
I erupted into nervous laughter. “Really? What line of work were they suggesting Clint, male stripper?” We laughed it off. Hearing a honking horn, I turned my attention toward the awaiting cab.
 

           
Clint helped Jeff carry my luggage to the taxi. When, I turned to kiss Jeff good-bye, Clint leaned into me for his good-bye kiss also. Realizing that Jeff was almost naked, I slapped him on the rear and sent him hurriedly back inside. “I’ve kissed Joey and Melissa so let them sleep, alright. I’ll be back, Tuesday evening! Take care of my babies!” My taxi sped away, leaving Clint and Jeff to wave me a happy and hearty farewell.

           
The flight to Dayton was horrifying.
 
The seminar was long, boring, and it tested human endurance. After a tasteless lunch, we were terrified to learn that our presenter had been stricken with botulism. Needless to say, the incredibly boring seminar had to be rescheduled.
 
Because my boss hated modern technology this occurrence meant another flight to Dayton.

           
It was late Monday night when the taxi pulled up to the house. I was quite resentful about having to return to Dayton when a video-conference would suffice. I didn’t like to fly, and I didn’t like being away from my family. At least, the speaker’s misfortune spelled unexpected quality time with my husband.

           
While wrestling with my cumbersome luggage, I wished I’d had the common sense to pack lighter. The lights inside the house had been dimmed. This was usually an indication that someone was watching television, but it was not the blaring of a television that greeted my ears. Instead, I heard smooth romantic lyrics. Remembering grade school puppy love, I beamed with nostalgic memories.
  
 

           
I took a shortcut through the garage. My path provided an unobstructed view of the opened window in the backdoor. Clint was talking softly to Jeff, and the observation gave my heart a simple lift. I thought they were probably discussing me. Possibly, he was going to spend the night
—
that poor lonely man.
 

           
The wheels on my luggage were making an aggravating clamor against the garage pavement. I stopped to free some string wrapped around my wheel. When I stood up, I saw Clint pulling my husband’s shirt from beneath his jeans. Then, ever so tenderly, he removed Jeff’s tee shirt. I felt slightly curious when I saw Clint skillfully stroking my husband’s chest, then plant delicate trails of kisses among Jeff’s chest hair. My hand flew over my mouth and panic jolted my entire body. Repugnance paralyzed every limb of my body. A strangling gasp ceased in my throat; I couldn’t utter a sound.
   

           
My eyes widen with disbelief as my husband allowed Clint’s tongue slow passage over his nipples, first sucking then biting them. I watched Jeff accept Clint’s behavior as if it were a natural response. Pleasure parted his lips in reply to Clint’s fondling. A shivering groan of ecstasy escaped Jeff. His lament was
our
secret love language, the sensual melody he always crooned when preferred areas were caressed.

           
Clint removed his own shirt and shoved his lips hungrily on Jeff’s. Jeff’s arms welcomed him and pulled him closer, almost melting into one person. Clint unzipped Jeff’s jeans and slowly went to his knees before him. Jeff tossed his head back with delight and expelled a babyish whimper. Stunned more than my mind could comprehend; I fainted on the concrete in one smooth sweep.
  

           
When I came to myself, my insides were twisted in knots; my stomach heaved with a queasy shudder. Removing my hand from my lips would release screams that would alarm the entire neighborhood. I closed terror stricken eyes against the pain tearing at my heart, scalding, hot tears rolled down my cheeks.