Szot, JC - The South Window (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) (17 page)

“What are you doing here!” Her eyes flew open as she struggled to sit up.

“Shhh.” He placed his fingers over her lips.

Allie looked toward the door and noticed he had removed his boots, leaving them near the threshold.

“This is not good. It’s too risky.” Allie fought to get up.

“Oh no, you’re gonna stay right there.” He began to work the buttons on her blouse. “I’m going to undress you in this beautiful ray of sunlight.” He gestured to the window. “And admire your immaculate body in the glow of the afternoon sun.”

The idea of her sneaking behind Dan’s back in her own home had Allie’s guilt swelling, but the look on Marty’s face had her entranced. His round eyes pleaded, his voice slurred with seduction. She felt herself falling, drowning in the spell.

She ached for the weight of him. He eased the fabric of her blouse away. She wasn’t wearing a bra. Her breasts were revealed to his hungry gaze. Her body reached for him, wanting to absorb him.

“You’re magnificent,” he spoke softly. “Fuck,” he growled. “I have to have you. You’ve got me all hot and crazy.” He tugged at her shorts. “Stretch out for me, doll. Let me do wicked things to you.”

Material slipped from their bodies. Allie waited for him, her legs splayed apart like a tired worker who’s been on her feet all day. The sun poured through the skylight, warming her body. Marty gently tugged her hand, motioning her to the rocking chair.

“Sit here, baby, and I’ll make it worth your while.”

Allie sat in the chair. Marty gently spread her legs, draping them over each arm. Allie allowed him to move her limbs, her body drugged with desire. The cool slats of the chair adhered to her heated skin. She was open and vulnerable to him. She reached for him, stroking along his jaw to his strong neck. Marty dropped to his knees and leaned into her, his kiss firm. His mouth slipped over her neck, lowering to her breast. His mouth latched onto her nipple, pulling and tugging.

He possessed her with affectionate pain, his hands gripping her hips, his thumbs digging into her flesh. She felt the air move around them. Her pussy burned, needing his tongue and touch. Marty lifted her arms, wrapping her fingers around the top of the chair. His wiry cheeks scraped over her skin, his mouth hovering over her pussy. The knitted bones of Allie’s spine ground into the slats of the chair. Marty’s body pressed into hers, a chaos of desire. Marty lifted his gaze. Lust lit his features. His dark eyes glowed like a ravenous animal.

“This is all I’ve been thinking about,” he said, his voice raspy. He kissed her pussy. His tongue feathered through her.

“Jesus,” Allie gasped. Her hips thrust forward, meeting his eager mouth. Her body ascended. She was floating, drifting into another place. Her legs twitched with every rhythmic stroke of his tongue.

“Allie.” A voice rang out, soaring through the air. Her ears rang with familiarity. The front door slammed, yanking Allie out the quicksand that was pulling her under, an erotic escape that had blacked out the rest of the world.

“Allie, you up there?” Tess’s intrusion reverberated up the stairwell.

Allie catapulted off the chair, pushing Marty away. His jaw hung in shock, his naked body paralyzed. Allie frantically waved him into the bathroom, scooping up his clothes, pushing him through the door. She heard Tess’s slingbacks clank against the stairs. Thank God she was wearing shoes so Allie could pace her steps. Allie fought with her blouse, feeding her feet through her shorts in a panicked frenzy. Right when Allie thought she’d pulled it off, she saw Marty’s work boots near the doorway. She darted to the door, kicking the boots into the corner under her drafting table.

She could see the top of Tess’s head as she ascended the stairs. Allie tried to slow her breathing, sounding like a marathon runner who’d just made it to the finish line.

“Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.” Allie ambled out into the hallway to intercept her. “What’s up?” Allie reached back, feeling that her hair was a tangled mess.

“Are you all right?” Tess’s dark eyes roamed over her in question.

“Yeah, I was just snoozing. That time of the month, you know. Feeling a bit tired is all.” Allie folded her arms across her chest, digging her nails into her own skin. Tess had on a dark-green minidress. She was more dressed than usual for just hanging out at home.

“Well, I’m sorry you’re not on the up and up. I don’t want to keep you, but do you think I could borrow some paint?” Tess set her hand on her hip, her full lips formed in a desirable pout.

“Sure, what kind and color do you need?” Allie turned to walk back into the studio. Her eyes lunged toward the bathroom door, knowing Marty was in there. Her head throbbed. A light, dewy sweat formed over her brow.

“I know it should be oil based and I was interested in red and white, if that’s possible,” Tess said, following Allie to her work table.

Rattled nerves short-circuited all through her body, making her limbs twitch. Allie’s fingers were wired and shaking as she sifted through her paint rack, handing Tess two bottles of each, wanting to ensure she had an ample supply to avoid any possible return visit.

“Thanks, Al.” Tess grabbed the paints and headed toward the door.

“How’ve you been?” Allie was unsure if she should inquire about Mr. Mercedes.

“Great, things are great.” Tess smiled. Her white teeth sparkled against her deeply tanned face. Allie noticed her eyes were heavily made up. It looked like things were cooking with the camera. Questions raged in Allie’s head, but she figured the less she knew, the better.

“Hope you feel better, Al.” Tess bolted down the stairs, her hair swinging across her back.

Allie stood at the landing until she heard the door close behind her. She ran down the hall into her bedroom and watched Tess cross the street. As she headed back into the studio, her carelessness stopped her dead in her tracks. Marty’s work boots under her work table jumped out at her like an assailant would from a dark alley. The bathroom door opened slowly, Marty’s neck craning around into the room. His pants were back on, his shirt draped over his shoulder.

“So what d’you think they’re going to do with that paint? Smear it all over her body?”

“Who the fuck cares.” Allie dropped down into the love seat. Her head sank into her hands. Her stomach was churning, its acid inching its way up her throat. Its burn would be brutal, her palate numb to flavors.

“We’re okay. You did a great job.” Marty crept across the floor like a cautious cat.

“I think she may have seen your boots.” Allie looked up at him. Her eyes welled, his face blurry. This whole thing was becoming too stressful. She wasn’t sure if she could cope with it anymore.

“Nah, I doubt it. She was on a mission. Her sex-crazed porno friends were waiting for their paint.” Marty sat down. He stroked her leg, trying to reassure her. Allie stared into his sleepy eyes. She couldn’t say the words. She was too traumatized, but she’d hit the end of the line.

“I hope so.” She flung her hands into the air. “All we can do is hope.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here, it was a bad move.” Marty’s hand smoothed down her back.

Chapter 21

The weight of her affair with Marty began to take its toll. Allie’s guilt became a terminal disease, constantly growing, eating away at her. Everything looked different because she was different. She had changed. In the beginning this change had empowered her. Now all she felt was defeated, run over, and washed up.

Marty had a strong intuition, unlike most men. He kept his distance, sensing that something was wrong, but not knowing what to do to help. The fact that their indiscretions had almost gotten them caught seemed to have Marty running scared. Tess had come over for lunch a few days later, prowling around like a ravenous tigress, sniffing Allie out. The sight of Marty’s boots continued to haunt her. Allie felt uneasy around her now.

Much to Allie’s surprise, Tess did bring up her new friends, saying she was now involved in a production company. Allie had sat in front of her food, feeling sickened by her. Allie was disgusted with herself and their small, perverse neighborhood.

Dan was calling more. Allie tried to sound upbeat, but she knew he wasn’t convinced. Every time he called he would tell her how many more days were left until he could come home. Counting down the days of his business away was uncharacteristic for him, sounding bells of alarm.

* * * *

One night after almost two weeks of having no contact with Marty, Allie went slinking over to his workshop. The light was on inside and once again her temptation had overruled any logical reasoning. He was sanding a small end table, filling his empty time with his creative talents.

“How’ve you been?” He tossed the sandpaper on the workbench, his eyes narrowed. His bitter tone scratched over her like the sandpaper he used.

“Not that great.” She played with the fine wood shavings on the bench.

“Well, at least both of us are suffering. Wouldn’t be fair if it was only me,” he huffed.

His words were sharp and cruel. They cut through her, her layered emotions tearing open.

Her eyes filled. She wiped the tears from her face before they fell. “I feel like shit all the time. This hasn’t been easy for me.” Allie stared at him, wanting to know his side. How did he feel? Was it different for him? Did he expect more? Or didn’t he care? His eyes lit into her with a glazed-over anger. The silence was turning them into strangers, stealing their intimacy and replacing it with awkwardness.

“I don’t know if I can end things with Dan, Marty.” Allie choked on her words, her throat raw.

“Who asked you to?” he said coldly. He moved closer, his agitated breath on her face.

His attitude reeked of anger. Resentment smoldered off of him, the air between them thick and rippling. Was she just his fuck partner, the loose chick next door? Allie’s hands shook. She turned, trying to leave.

“No.” Marty grabbed her wrist. Allie’s skin twisted in his grasp, a searing burn. “Listen, Allie, I’m sorry.” Marty kneaded his eyes, trying to erase the painful ache that Allie could see. He took her hand and led her away from the window. He dimmed the lantern, his gaze warm and needful.

“I can’t let myself love you. Don’t you understand?” His words pained her. What Allie thought was only a mutual attraction appeared to have evolved into something else entirely, and for both of them. She’d struggled with it, but had buried her thoughts. Marty’s confession changed everything. His eyes explored hers, darting back and forth. “It’s not safe for me because I don’t know where you stand with Dan.” He reached out to her, touching her hair. “I can’t allow myself to become rejected by you. I just can’t.” He released a breath.

“All I wanted was togetherness on a daily basis, a normal routine. I couldn’t seem to have that with Dan.” Allie’s chest tightened. “I just want to function in the same space, content with the other’s presence. I need more.” She looked away, afraid of the pain her honesty would cause.

Marty slipped his arms around her. “I understand you, but you need to tell this to him. Dan isn’t a bad guy, Allie.” He kissed her temple. “I just think he’s a little misguided, that’s all.”

“I know. Maybe I never stressed my point enough.” She rested her head on his shoulder. She was torn, wishing she could instill parts of Marty into Dan. Her body froze over, realizing she sounded like Tess, wanting it all.

“It would be so easy for me to love you. Don’t you understand?” He tipped her chin, demanding she acknowledge his feelings. “I had to step back because I was getting too close.”

“Don’t you think that I have any feelings for you?” Allie wavered, wanting to know, but realizing it was probably better if she didn’t. It only added to the confusion. “You think I’m just like her now,” she bit back, pointing across the street.

“Never!” His tone rose, echoing off the walls. “Don’t you ever say that again because that makes me sick!” His grip tightened. “You are way above her.” He glared at her.