Thursday (Timeless Series #4) (19 page)

Then I came up with another idea.

I pulled back the shower curtain then stepped inside the bathtub.

“What are you doing?” Marie whispered.

“Flush the toilet and walk out.”

“You can’t be serious…”

“Just go into your bedroom. I’ll meet you there.”

Marie didn’t like this plan one bit, not that I blamed her.

“What other choice do we have?”

She knew I was right. There was no other way besides telling her the truth. She shut the shower curtain and hid me from view. Then she flushed the toilet and washed her hands. “Alright. I’m done.” She opened the bathroom door and walked out. Sorry, it took so long.”

“It’s cool.” Francesca walked inside and locked the door behind her.

Hopefully, she would just wash her face. Anything too awkward would strain our relationship forever. I’d never be able to look at her the same.

Her pants dropped and her bottom hit the toilet.

Ugh. This was really happening.

A steady stream hit the water then the toilet paper turned on the roll.

I tried to block out the sound as much as possible but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t make a single noise.

She flushed then moved to the sink, washing her hands then her face. She did her nighttime rituals, brushing her teeth and moisturizing.

This sucked.

She finally walked out and turned off the lights on the way.

I didn’t see anything but the sound scarred me. Next time I looked at my sister I would remember listening to her pee right beside me. We were never close to begin with but now we’d never be close.

After waiting a few minutes I left the bathroom and poked my head into the hallway. Both of the bedroom doors were shut and the rest of the lights were off. I crept to Marie’s room then maneuvered inside.

Once the door was shut behind me I finally took a real breath.

Marie stood there, anxiously waiting for me. She was still wearing her jeans and blouse, not getting uncomfortable until I joined her in the bedroom. “What happened?”

“What do you mean what happened?” We both whispered to one another because Francesca’s bedroom was just across the hall. “She went back into her room so I came in here.”

“But did you—”

“Let’s just get to bed.” I didn’t want to recount the memory of Francesca peeing.

“Alright…”

I got undressed then slid inside her soft sheets. Her bed was smaller than mine but less space wasn’t an issue when I was going to be close to her anyway. Marie undressed and joined me a moment later.

We faced each other under the blankets, and I placed her long, slender leg around my waist. I loved the way it felt hooked around me. She had the legs of a runner. They were finely sculpted with precision. I remembered the way they felt around my waist. When they were there, they felt even better.

Her blonde hair was pulled over one shoulder, framing her face in such a perfect way it didn’t seem real. Her green eyes were difficult to decipher in the dark but they still glowed by their own light. Sometimes I liked just to look at her. With Francesca around again it was impossible to be myself, to cherish Marie in any way.

“She seems better.”

“She does.” When did we talk about something else besides my sister? I couldn’t remember.

“I’m glad things are moving along. She’s eating and going back to school…”

“The worst is definitely over.”

“You don’t seem happy.”

I would always be disappointed in myself for the way I spoke to her. Francesca denied it but I knew the truth. I pulled the trigger that led to her demise. “I’m tired of sneaking around. I’m tired of attending to Francesca before anything else. I want to be with you—out in the open.”

“Me too…”

“I want to take you on a date—a real one.” That work party didn’t count, especially when I screwed things up by mentioning what happened with Alexia. And then Hawke was there, and that was a serious mood killer.

“And I’d love to go on one.”

I had a perfect idea. I was researching different things to do when I came across the most peculiar but wonderful date. Marie would probably like it, and I’d probably get lucky later. “We should just tell her. I’m not listening to her pee again.”

Her face scrunched up like she was trying not to laugh.

“It was horrifying.”

“It’s not like you watched her.”

“Listening to it was enough. How would you feel if you heard your sister pee?”

“I have.”

“Well, it’s different.”

“Just try and forget about it.”

It would take a full night of rest to make that happen. I was lying in bed with a beautiful woman but I was limp like a dead fish. Francesca was cramping my style in every way imaginable.

“Stop thinking about it.” She cupped my face and ran her fingers along my jaw.

“Easier said than done.”

“Think about me.”

I looked into her face and concentrated my gaze on her eyes. Her thick eyelashes always made them irresistible. Sometimes when I looked at her at the perfect angle I saw different specs of color in her eyes. There were splashes of gray and yellow, and sometimes orange.

“I submitted my resume to a few places in New York…”

“Yeah?” My eyes watched her mouth, entranced by the movement of her lips.

“I hope I get a call back or something. I’d even take an unpaid internship at this point.”

“Be careful for what you wish for.”

She chuckled. “I know everyone has to start at the bottom and work their way up. I have long nails and I’m not afraid to use them to get to the top.”

“Was that the first line of your CV?”

She slapped my arm playfully. “Shut up.”

“Hey, it would have caught my attention. I’d hire you in the spot.”

“Maybe if I flashed you.”

“If you flashed me you’d be the CEO—under me.” My hand moved up her thigh until it rested on her hip. I felt the lace of her panties and fought myself not to pull them down. She had the sexiest body I’d ever seen.

“Ooh…I wouldn’t mind being under you.”

“Again, be careful for what you wish for.” I pressed our heads together then gave her a slow kiss. I’d never been in this type of relationship before, where it was all talking and no sex. I wasn’t getting laid but I was still there. When I was alone my eyes didn’t wander, and when I was in my apartment I didn’t rub one out. Marie satisfied me in a way no one else ever did. She satisfied my soul. “I’m gonna tell her tomorrow.”

“You are?”

“Yeah.” My fingers felt her hair, noting the soft texture. “You’re my girlfriend and I want the world to know.”

Progress

Axel

Francesca walked inside with her backpack over her shoulder. “I have some good news.”

“You aced your biology lab practical?” I just finished packing the refrigerator with groceries.

“No…I failed that.” She set her backpack on the kitchen table next to the bowl of fruit in the center. “I talked to my manager and got my job back. I’ll be back at The Grind starting tomorrow.”

I didn’t mind paying her bills until she graduated but now wasn’t the time to push it. If she was well enough to work again then that was awesome news. “Great. The Grind is lucky to have you.”

“I’ll pay you back for everything but it may take a while.” She opened the fridge and grabbed a snack pudding. After she ripped off the foil she sat down and devoured it.

I stopped myself from jumping in joy. Seeing her have an appetite was even better news. “You don’t need to pay me back.”

“I insist, Axel.”

“Well, I insist harder.” I took a seat beside her. “I didn’t mind helping you. One day I’m going to need your help and you’ll be there for me.”

She licked the spoon then looked at me. “I guess that’s true.”

I eyed my watch because I knew Marie would be home any minute. I was going to tell Francesca about us and get it over with. If my sister had a problem with it, that was too bad. Marie was a catch and I wasn’t going to let her go.

“It’s fine that you hang out here but you don’t need to keep an eye on me anymore.” Francesca finished the pudding and balanced the curve of the spoon on the end of her nose.

She would understand why I was there soon enough.

The door opened and Marie walked inside, wearing black pants and a shirt after getting off work at The Grind. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Francesca turned to her, the spoon still on her nose. “I got my job back.”

“I heard.” She patted her on the shoulder. “Good for you. And nice job with the spoon.” She came to me next and automatically leaned in to kiss me on the cheek. Then she realized what she was doing and how odd it looked. Nonchalantly, she wiped off the invisible dirt from my shoulder. “You had a smudge…” She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. “I need alcohol after serving coffee all day.”

“I need alcohol after everything,” I said.

She grabbed a beer from the fridge and passed it to me. Then she took a seat across the table. Her shirt was wrinkled and her hair was pulled back, but she still looked perfect. I wanted to shower with her and lather her until she was clean.

“How was school?” Marie sat down and directed all of her attention on Francesca. “Did you nail that practical?”

“I nailed the coffin, you could say.” The spoon fell off her nose and hit the surface of the table.

Marie cringed. “Sorry…”

“It’s okay. I think I’ll still pass the class.” She picked up her spoon and kept eating.

“That was just on your nose…” I wasn’t a germ-a-phob but that that was gross.

She shrugged and kept eating.

I looked across the table and stared at Marie. Silently, I told her I was going to spill the beans. Whatever happened, happened.

Marie didn’t put up a fight but she didn’t seem thrilled either.

“Frankie, there’s something I want to talk about.” Maybe it was insensitive for me to be a couple with Marie when Francesca was still struggling over Hawke’s absence but I couldn’t stop living my life to accommodate her. How could I give this relationship a real chance if it was a secret?

“What’s up?” She finished her snack pack and set the spoon inside the empty carton.

“I know this is awkward for all three of us but there’s something you need to know about Marie and I…”

Francesca’s expression didn’t change. She didn’t catch my drift.

“Marie and I are together now,” I said. “We’re seeing each other.”

She immediately turned to Marie. “Whoa, what?”

Marie nodded in response.

“It’s been going on for a while now,” I continued. “And we don’t want to hide it from you. I know you’ll be weird about it and object but nothing you say is going to change what’s going on between us. I’m just giving you a heads up.”

Francesca turned back to me. “Why would I object to it?”

“Because you have a problem with it.” I didn’t like Hawke dating her one bit and I made that clear.

“But I don’t have a problem with it,” Francesca said. “If you want to be together, be together. Who should care what anyone thinks anyway.”

What? It was that easy?

“However…” Francesca turned back to Marie. “Axel? Really?”

My eyes narrowed at the insult.

Marie didn’t give Francesca a look of apology. Actually, she smiled. “Yes.”

“He doesn’t know his nose from his ass, Marie,” Francesca said. “He’s probably going to drive you crazy.”

“Actually, he’s the biggest sweetheart I’ve ever met.” Marie glanced at me before she turned back to Francesca. “He’s different with me. He’s thoughtful and kind, and there’s so much more below the surface. It’s not a meaningless fling. I wouldn’t say it’s serious but it’s definitely not casual either.”

Francesca digested everything, taking it in slowly. Instead of flipping out the way I did she remained calm. She eyed both of us before she shrugged. “If you’re both happy, I’m happy.”

Marie smiled. “I’m glad you’re on board.”

Francesca turned to me, but she didn’t give me the same smile Marie just got. “Mess with my girl and I’ll stab you in the nuts.”

The insult hit me right in the chest. “We don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Good.” Francesca rose from the table and returned to the fridge. She peered inside as she tried to find something to eat. “I’m still hungry. Anything else good in here?”

***

I knocked on the door with a bouquet of roses in my hand. It was the first time I ever bought a girl flowers. The stems had thorns and I was careful not to touch them.

Marie opened the door wearing shorts and a t-shirt as I instructed. Her eyes took in the flowers, and her face lit up like she was truly surprised. “Awe…they’re lovely.”

“For my lady.”

She carried them inside and prepared a vase to place them in.

Francesca was sitting on the couch painting her nails. She looked up when she saw me. “Wow, is that Axel?”

“Shut up, brat.” We were definitely staying at my place tonight so we wouldn’t have to deal with her.

Marie grabbed her jacket and her purse. “I’m ready to go.”

“Great.” I took her hand and walked out with her. Once the door was shut behind us it was just she and I.

“So, where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

***

We walked onto the dock and set our kayaks in the water. The water was calm and there wasn’t a single ripple on the surface. The sound of crickets and frogs accompanied us. I held a bright lantern so we wouldn’t be enveloped in the darkness.

“What are we doing?”

I placed the life jacket on her. “Kayaking.”

“It’s pitch black.”

“Don’t worry. I know the area.”

“Uh…” She looked around, spooked by the forest.

“Trust me. It’ll be worth it.”

Marie tucked her hair behind her ear nervously.

I put my lifejacket on then held onto the kayak so she could step inside. I kept it steady so she wouldn’t spill any water into the kayak. I got into the spot behind her and held the lantern between my knees. “Ready?”

She grabbed the oar like she didn’t know what to do with it.

“Just rest it on your knees. I’ll row.” I guided us away from the dark and toward the center of the lake. The water was partly freshwater and partly seawater because a channel connected with the sea. Sometimes sea creatures could be spotted underneath the water, like sea turtles and small sharks.

Marie kept her hands on her knees as she searched the darkness. “What are you going to show me?”

“You’ll know when you see it.” I stopped pedaling when we were far enough into the lake. We floated on the water silently, taking in the sounds of the nightlife. I stuck my oar in the water and did a dramatic scoop.

Marie watched my movements.

I moved to the other side of the kayak and did the same thing.

“What are we looking for?”

“Shh…” I kept hitting the water, hoping to find the right place.

And then I did.

The bioluminescent phytoplankton lit up brightly, shining the blue light directly onto our faces. The water lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Oh my god…” Marie gripped the side of the boat as she stared into the water.

The microorganisms glowed, releasing their defense mechanism. And then slowly, the light faded away.

“That’s so amazing. What is that?”

“The phytoplankton drift from the sea. When they’re disturbed they glow.”

“Like in
Life of Pi
?”

“Exactly.”

She used her own oar to churn the water, making the organisms light up once more. “Wow…”

Instead of staring at nature’s miracle I stared at her. I could see her face in the light of the glow, and the smile on her face made the trek here worthwhile. Her excitement was infectious, and she reminded me of a child discovering something fascinating for the very first time.

“My father and I used to come out here—just he and I.”

She pulled her eyes away from the water and looked at me.

“I’ve never been here with anyone else, not even Frankie.”

She gripped the oar in her hands and didn’t stir the water again. “Thanks for sharing it with me.”

“I wanted our first date to be perfect.”

“It is.”

When she gave me a look like that I felt hot all over the place. Anytime I was in her presence the joy inside me radiated everywhere. I was rejuvenated with hope and happiness. All the darkness that lived inside me seemed to fade away when she brought the light.

***

When we returned to my apartment we both needed a shower before anything else. The lake water was drenched into our clothes, and the smell was stuck to our skin. I turned on the shower then stripped away my clothes.

She did the same.

I hadn’t seen her completely naked in nearly three months. My dick got hard just thinking about it, waiting for her bare skin to meet my eyes. Those legs stretched on for days, and I remembered the way she tasted. It was impossible to forget.

She unzipped her jacket and tossed it on the floor next to the pile I made. Then she removed everything else, her top and her shorts. When she got to her undergarments she took her time, unclasping her bra then stepping out of her panties.

She was even more beautiful than I remember.

I felt like I was staring at a completely different woman. The one I saw before was beautiful, sexy, and perfect. But the woman I saw now was…different. There were small freckles up and down her arms, and a scar on her right knee. Her toenails were painted green and there were small tan lines on her shoulders and thighs. All the details flooded my brain, overloading it.

Now that we were together I didn’t know what to do. Even now I didn’t want to screw her. I used to long for dirty sex, the hard kind that happened in bathroom stalls and the backseats of cars.

But now I didn’t want any of that.

Marie stared at me, expecting me to make the first move. The shower still ran, filling the bathroom with humid steam. The mutual desire to get clean left our minds in light of each other.

I grabbed my boxers and pulled them down, revealing my long cock. It was thick and swollen for her. It was a reaction I couldn’t hide and I wasn’t ashamed of it. She turned me on like nothing else.

Her eyes moved to my waist, staring at my size. She’d already seen me before but now she was looking at me in a new way. She studied me like I was a work of art. Her lips parted slightly like she might say something but no words ever left her lips.

She and I had a way of communicating with each other without the use of words. We reacted to each other subtly, playing off each other’s moves and moods. Right now I could feel everything she felt.

Because it was exactly what I felt.

Marie took the first step and headed to the shower. She paused in front of the door and looked at me over her shoulder, her blonde hair falling down to her chest. Her green eyes lit up like the north side of trees. Then she stepped inside and stood under the water.

I followed her immediately, crowding behind her in the narrow stall. My shower was made for a single person, but she and I could make it work.

She titlted her head back toward the water and massaged the shampoo into her scalp. Her back naturally arched, her tits lifting toward the ceiling. Her nipples were hard, and not because they were cold. The water ran down her face and pooled at her lips before it fell again.

Entranced, I just stood there.