Thirty-Six

Selby’s arms wrapped around her like a familiar blanket, keeping her warm against the coldness of her thoughts. She told him everything about her trip, including how Morgan had went down on her a couple of nights ago. Selby hadn’t been mad she did it, only that she waited to share it with him. “I’ll ask for the kinky details later when we’re naked in bed,” he said while he smiled at her. He kissed her on the forehead and tightened his grip on her. She just dropped her head on his chest and breathed in the scent of him.

“Tracey says I’m not to hog you all weekend. She needs some Faith time, too.”

Faith gave him a tiny smile. “Tomorrow. Tonight, I want it to be just us.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I like that.”

So did she. It seemed like forever since it was just the two of them. If someone wasn’t visiting, then someone was texting. Faith knew she allowed her fascination with Edwin and the chase to consume her. Selby hadn’t complained; at least, not until he discovered Cherish’s affair with Edwin. At least, not to her. Still, Faith didn’t want to lose who they were as a couple. She squeezed his arm as she buried deeper into him. She didn’t want to lose any part of him.

She had beaten him home, but he wasn’t far behind her. She stripped and was just stepping into the shower when Selby called out her name, searching for her. As soon as he found her, he ran to her, taking her up in his arms and squeezing the breath out of her. He wouldn’t even allow her to shower in peace, saying they had been apart too long, and he wouldn’t be away from her for another second. As he spoke, he shed his own clothes, making a pile on the floor. Together, they entered the shower.

The scalding water beat her pale skin a bright pink as he wrapped his arms around her, his lips on her neck, her shoulders. His hand caressed her flesh, sending shivers through her even in the burning water. She just stood there, basking in his touch. She felt his fingers glide up her body, his hands cupping her breasts as he kissed her neck. As she leaned her head back against his chest, she reached behind her and pressed her hands against the outside of his thighs. She could feel the strength of his muscles as well as the intensity of how much he missed her with the hardening of his cock against her ass. She slid a hand around his stiff shaft stroking it slowly. She had missed him just as much.

His thumbs toyed with her already erect nipples sending bursts of heat between her legs. “I want you.” Her voice was husky, filled with a need that kept growing. It was more than want. It was need.

He pushed her forward. Her hands left his thighs and pressed against the wet tile. The water beat the top of her head, pouring down and over her face. She pushed her ass back as she bent over, offering herself to him. She felt his hands slide from her tits, down her sides to her hips. He didn’t wait. She was ready, eager. So was he. With a deep thrust, he buried his cock all the way inside of her, making her gasp. Water filled her mouth, and she allowed it to fill her and flow back out as she pushed back, wanting Selby even deeper. He gripped her hips as he pounded into her, driving hard into her deep cavern as the water washed over her. She savored every thrust, her moans echoing off the tile walls. When her orgasm hit, she allowed it to wash over her as the water did. Her body shook; her inner walls sucking Selby’s cock, milking it. She felt it twitch inside of her just before Selby’s nectar mixed with hers. By the time his spent shaft slipped from her pussy, the shower had turned cold.

He washed her with loving hands afterward and then dried her with the softest towel he could find. Now, they sat cuddled in a thick quilt in front of a small fire, sipping wine. She could still feel him inside of her and wanted to hold on to that feeling.

She felt Selby’s lips press against the top of her head. “I missed you,” he whispered. “I was afraid you were still angry with me.”

She squeezed his arm again. “I missed you, too. Too much to stay angry with you.”

“I’m glad for that.” Selby put his chin on her shoulder. “Still, I’ve never known you to ignore me for so long. Ever, actually.”

“I know. I’m sorry. Everything just turned into a cluster fuck. At least now, I know part of the reason for Cherish’s anger with me at work. What do you think Glen will do?”

She felt him shrug his shoulders. “I don’t know. I don’t think he does, either. You should have seen him, Faith. He looked so lost.”

Faith liked Glen. He was a great father to Jordie and a hard worker. There was quite a bit of Arni’s personality found in her brother-in-law, and she could see why he attracted. What Glen saw in her sister, though, Faith would never comprehend. “I’ve tried to figure out when Cherish started sleeping with Edwin, and I think it was when we moved into the new buildings. She spent quite a bit of time with him on interior design. She was even the one who decorated his office. Why did I never see it?”

“You weren’t looking. No offense, babe, but most of the time, you have blinders on to everyone around you. If it doesn’t affect you, you don’t care about it.”

“You make me sound like a cold, selfish bitch.”

“No. It’s just you. It’s all of you, really. Your mom. Cherish. You. The Driscoll women have always been about themselves first.”

“If I’m so self-absorbed, why do you stay with me?”

He kissed her ear. “Because I’m part of that self-absorbed focus. I love our private world, Faith, and I’m happy hiding here with you. Most of the time, that is. However, that doesn’t mean the people around you aren’t living their own lives, as well, going through struggles and hurting. Sometimes, you have to force yourself to look up and around at others.”

She kept quiet. There wasn’t anything to say, really. She knew who she was, and she had tried hard to separate herself from the backbiting of her family. Of course, if she hadn’t been so blind to what Cherish did, she would have known what a minefield she was entering. As much as she wanted to blame Edwin, the truth was, it was just as much her fault as his. She closed her eyes to everything around her and live her life like a bull in a china shop.

“Look, I won’t tell you to stop seeing Edwin. I just want you to be careful.”

She nodded slightly. At the moment, that was the only answer she had, which she knew was no answer at all. She didn’t have one, really. She had a notebook full of questions, but not one answer.

Well, that wasn’t exactly true. She had Selby, and he was the answer to her life. Now, she had to find the answers to everything else.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Selby groaned as someone persistently pushed the doorbell, sending its ding-dong chime throughout the house. Through blurry eyes, he tried to focus on the time. Eight twenty-seven. He dropped his head back on the warm pillow. He wanted to kill someone.

He glanced over at his wife who was totally unaffected by the constant chime. They had talked way into the night and made love in front of the fire and once more when they finally slid under the covers. They had not decided the future of their game, but at least, she wasn’t still angry with him. And she was home. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face as he smiled at the pillow marks on her cheek. He had needed her back home.

The doorbell screamed again. Selby slid from his side of the bed and grabbed his robe. As he covered his naked body, he stumbled to the front door, forcing himself awake and out of a murderous rage for the intrusion. As he peered through the peephole at the perky face on the other side, all he could think was that he should have known.

He opened the door with a sigh. “Tracey, it’s too damn early for cheerfulness.”

“And here I thought you were a morning person.” She bounced into the house, a box of bagels in one hand and a drink carrier with three hot coffees, steam rising from the drink holes on the lids, in the other. “You’re lucky I waited this long.”

He didn’t doubt the validity of her statement.

“Now, by your appearance, I’m assuming our girl is still in bed. You didn’t wear her out did you?”

“I tried my best.” He followed in her wake, wishing she would slow down long enough for him to snag one of the coffees. It wasn’t going to happen.

He watched as her long red hair, which she had pulled back into a ponytail, swished across her back in contrast to the sway of her ass. She wore a pair of faded blue jean shorts that barely covered the round cup of her ass and a brown spaghetti-strap top. She kicked her sandals off as soon as she entered the house and pranced through as if she owned it. She didn’t stop in the kitchen but went straight through to the master bedroom and her sleeping target. He followed her, smiling and shaking his head.

“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. I brought breakfast.” She sat the box on Faith’s nightstand. “Of sorts.”

Faith rolled over, staring, but not seeing. “How late did I sleep?”

“Miss Williams, here, allowed you the privilege of sleeping in until eight-thirty,” Selby said as he took the drink carrier from the smaller woman’s hands. “Gracious, isn’t she?”

“I think I was.” Tracey reached for the coffee carrier and pulled one of the cardboard cups from the container, handing it to Faith.

The prone woman stared at both of them as if they were crazy. Selby just shrugged as he smiled back at her. “Don’t look at me. I’ve never been able to control her. She’s like a playful stray that thinks it owns you and expects you to play with it.”

Tracey reached for the sheet covering Faith’s naked body and tried to peek under it. Faith kept it clamped tight to her body. The redhead winked. “We can play later.” She kept the coffee held out for Faith until the other woman took it. “So, what are we doing today?”

“Not sleeping, obviously.” Faith pushed herself up on the bed, keeping the sheet tucked around her. Once settled, she popped the lid off the cup of coffee and blew on the beige liquid inside. At least Tracey made the coffee the way Faith liked it. After taking a gentle sip, she said, “I have no plans except sleeping today. It was a long week.”

“What? You can’t sleep all day. You’ve been gone a whole week. We have to make up for lost time.”

“And you thought a box of bagels at eight-thirty in the blessed morning was the way to start?”

“And coffee. Don’t forget, I brought coffee.” Tracey’s eyes were mischievous as she practically bounced on the bed. “Now, let’s get going. The day is wasting away.”

Selby just laughed as he watched the two of them on the bed, one full of energy and the other still a morning zombie. It seemed natural, the three of them together. Faith seemed happier when the other woman was around. Even with all Tracey’s antics, there was a calmness when the three of them were together. He sat on the bed and sipped his coffee as the shorter of the two ladies pried his wife out of bed and into the shower. Of course, Faith stopped the redhead at the shower curtain and kept that part of her morning to herself. It was probably all Tracey would allow her.

Tracey sat back on the bed, legs folded and crossed in front of her. With a tilt of her head, she indicated the shower. “How’s our girl doing?”

He stared at the closed door a moment. Finally, he gave a shake of his head. “I don’t know. She was very clingy last night. Just wanted to be held and cuddled. She told me all about her week, but it wasn’t with the same playful naughtiness she usually attaches to it.” He glanced back at the redhead on the bed. “It’s like she’s made some decisions that sadden her. I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“Something happen we don’t know about?”

He shrugged “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“I guess we’ll find out when she’s ready to tell us,” Tracey said. Selby just nodded.

They heard the shower shut off and changed the subject. “So, what are we going to get into today?” She asked with a glance at the bathroom door.

Selby smiled at her, causing her to blush when she turned back around and noticed. “I like this we by the way,” he said. “Faith seems happier when you’re around. Calmer, even.”

“I enjoy being around. I’d rather be here with my two favorite people than home alone.”

“Don’t see me enough during the week?” His grin teased a smile out of her. The bathroom door opened, and Faith walked out with one towel perched on her head holding her wet hair and another around her semi-dry body. Both turned and watched her as she walked out and joined Tracey on the bed.

The redhead leaned over and ran her finger down Faith’s arm. “I don’t think I could ever get enough of the two of you.”

“Good, cause I like you here,” Faith said as she took the other woman’s hand in hers and squeezed.

Selby just watched the exchange, wondering what it was that was actually being said and feeling good about it, anyway. His wife had undergone some type of change within herself. That was obvious even though what that change was, he couldn’t even guess. He noticed there had been no mention of Edwin or her game with him since she returned. Even her stories about Morgan lacked her usual excitement in the telling. There was no rush to get back to the office of Rutherford Construction and the attention the men gave her there. For the first time since they agreed to explore with others, Faith truly seemed happy to be at home.

He glanced at the redhead and somehow had a feeling his home had gained a new member. As he watched the two ladies in front of him plan out their day, he realized he wasn’t opposed to the idea of their family getting bigger. Although he wasn’t sure what that meant, he knew he enjoyed watching the two in front of him getting along so well. They were happy, and that brightened his world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They spent the entire day dragging poor Selby in and out of every store that came into their minds. Faith could tell that, although he wasn’t complaining, her poor husband was foot-sore and tired. Finally, the girls surrendered, picking up Chinese for dinner, and allowed him to take them home. He deserved a drink and his back deck. She had to admit; she was ready for another quiet evening with those closest to her heart, as well. However, when she saw her mother’s Buick in the driveway, she knew quiet just flew out the window.

“Were you expecting your mother?” Selby gave her a puzzled look as he pulled in behind Tracey’s vehicle.

“I never expect my mother.”

“I’m sure she just missed you and wanted to see how your trip went,” the redhead said from the backseat.

Faith and Selby just turned and stared at her. “You don’t know my mother.”

“Oh,” Tracey said. “Oops. This will be an experience then.”

Selby popped his door open, and the ladies followed suit. “Well, it was a nice day,” he said as he stepped onto the driveway.

Valerie Driscoll stood on the front step, arms crossed over her chest as her handbag dangled from her right elbow. By her expression, it was a personal affront to her that they were not there waiting for her arrival. The fact she hadn’t called to even find out if they were home wouldn’t matter to her. People were supposed to always be available when she wanted them, not living their own life. The stark woman just stared at them as they approached, her eyebrow arched as she took in Tracey.

“Mom, why didn’t you tell us you were coming over?” Faith held the bag of Chinese in front of her as a shield. Her body had instantly gone tense.

“I wasn’t aware I needed to call before visiting,” Valerie said, her words an accusation.

“Only if you want to make sure we’re actually here,” Selby said as he climbed the steps. “We’re about to have dinner. Would you care to join us?”

Tracey climbed the steps last, keeping a smile on her face as if nothing was going on underneath everyone’s words. “Hi, I’m Tracey. We haven’t met, yet.”

Valerie’s eyebrows arched as she took in the minuscule shorts of the smaller woman. “A little exposed, aren’t we?”

“Mom!”

“Valerie, Tracey was invited,” Selby said. “You weren’t. You will be polite to our guest or leave.”

Valerie physically bristled at the rebuke but said nothing of it. “I need to discuss a family matter.”

Faith knew Tracey was about to offer to disappear, but she cut her friend off before she could. “Tracey is family, and we’re about to eat. So, either join us and say what you need to say or come back when you’ve called first.”

Faith could feel Selby staring at her. She knew her words surprised him, but she was fed up with cowering before her mother. Valerie Driscoll would no longer treat her like a doormat and wipe her shitty attitude off on her daughter. Faith was in charge of her own life, and she intended to live it her way with whom she wanted. She turned and looked at an obviously impressed Selby. “Are we going to stand out here or go in and eat?”

Selby smiled as he pushed the door open. “By all means, my love. Your castle awaits.”

Faith went inside, not bothering to see if her mother followed her or not. She didn’t care one way or the other what the older woman did. As she entered the kitchen, Tracey and she set the bags on the counter as Selby pulled plates out of the cupboard. Four plates. Valerie stood just barely in the kitchen, her arms still folded together. Faith said nothing as she dished out the food. If her mom wanted to talk, she would. If not, she could leave.

Selby wasn’t as patient, however. “If this is a family matter, where’s Arni? Shouldn’t he be with you?”

“My husband is at some writer’s group living his dream while his family falls apart around him.”

Selby nodded, already guessing as to what was coming, but asked anyway. “So, what’s up with the family that brought you to our doorstep all cranky?” He pulled a Merlot from the wine rack and opened it. He would need it. Tracey remained silent as she dished out the food.

“I would like to know what you did to cause Glen to leave his family,” Valerie said, staring at Faith.

Everyone stopped and just stared at Valerie. Faith and Selby glanced at each other, both, confused and ignorant, as to whatever was going on. Turning back to her mother, the accusation on the other woman’s face apparent.

“What makes you think we did anything?” Faith said as she dumped lo mein on the plates. “I’ve been out of town for a week and haven’t talked to either of them. I didn’t even know they were having problems.” Yet, Faith assumed Glen had decided Cherish was lying about sleeping with Edwin.

“Yes, I heard. A business trip alone with your boss. Not a proper thing for a married woman to do.”

“Mother, I don’t care if you approve of what I do or not. It was business. I had my own room. However, even if I didn’t, it’s none of your damn business. You didn’t approve when I was the perfect obedient daughter, and I couldn’t care less what you think now.” Faith stood, back straight as she faced her mother.

Valerie stared at her daughter. “What you do is your choice, but to accuse your sister of sleeping with her boss is ridiculous and vindictive.”

“I never accused Cherish of anything, and if she told you that, then your precious daughter is a liar.”

“Not you. Him” Valerie pointed at Selby.

“Me?” Selby’s eyebrows went up, and Faith could tell her mother’s statement confused him as well. “I never told Glen that Cherish was sleeping with anyone. You have your facts wrong.”

“Then where did Glen get the idea?” Valerie was like a dog with a bone when she had a notion in her head. There was no chance of her letting go.

“From Cherish,” Selby answered. He poured three glasses of wine, grabbed one and downed half of it. He continued talking as he topped his glass off. “Glen came to me the other day and said Cherish had changed, became grumpier, if that’s even possible. He told me he thought she was sleeping with Edwin, and her reaction confirmed it in his mind. I didn’t offer an opinion one way or another, except to tell him to talk it out with her.”

“And why didn’t you just tell him that it was crazy? Cherish would never do that.”

Selby took a deep breath. “I didn’t tell him that because Cherish was cheating on him. Edwin told me so himself.”

Valerie just stared at him. Faith could see the battle within her mother. The perfect daughter wasn’t perfect anymore, and Valerie Driscoll didn’t know how to wrap her mind around it. “I don’t believe it.” She turned to Faith. “This is your doing.”

Tracey, who had been standing quietly by the kitchen sink, laughed. “Faith forced her sister to fuck her boss.”

“I don’t care what you believe, Mother.” Faith took a step toward Valerie. She had all she would take from her family. “I only care that you leave. Get out. Now.”

Valerie opened her mouth to say something, but Faith took another step and cut her off. “No more. Just. Get. Out.”

The older woman just stared a moment. Faith knew her mother had not expected such a reaction. It didn’t matter what they said, however. Valerie could have walked in on Cherish being pounded by Edwin and still believe it was Faith’s fault. Nothing would ever change in that area, and Faith was tired of trying. She adored her father, but as far as she was concerned, the rest of her family could go to Hell. Finally, Valerie just turned and left.

Faith watched her mother walk out the door. As it clicked shut, anger burst into sobs, and she felt her chest constrict, making it hard to breathe. Four arms wrapped around her, and she allowed herself to fall into them as she cried out her anguish.