Szot, JC - The South Window (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Read online

  Tonight Allie noticed that Tess didn’t turn her headlights on until she pulled out of the driveway. To Allie this was a telltale sign that whatever was going on, Tess did not want her knowing about it.

  While fixing her coffee, Allie noticed Tess and Marty pull into her driveway. Allie glanced at the clock on the microwave. It was 7 a.m. Tess’s hair was unruly and rumpled, along with her black dress. Marty looked about the same with the exception of his shirt sleeves, which were pushed up to his elbows.

  Allie watched him trudge across his yard, his face haggard from lack of sleep. Tess looked back in Allie’s direction twice before slamming her front door.

  Allie didn’t see or hear any activity until late in the afternoon. She was out watering her garden, admiring her red geraniums that had grown thick and full, when she saw Marty carrying her rocker across the yard.

  “Oh, I get my gift today,” Allie squealed. She shut off the hose and met him halfway.

  “It’s yours, lady.” He set it down, wiping his forehead. He looked better, but his eyes drooped like an old dog’s. Tess would have this guy beaten down by the autumn harvest. Allie felt bad for him. Maybe he just didn’t know how to say no. Tess was hard to refuse.

  “It looks great. I love it.” Allie ran her hand across the smooth, glossy back.

  “Where you want it?” Marty asked, shielding his eyes from a blazing sun.

  “Would you mind taking it up to my studio for me?” Allie didn’t want to ask too much from an already maxed-out man.

  “Sure, you lead the way.” Marty waved her on.

  “It’s the room where we looked at the paint, remember?”

  Marty climbed the stairs carefully, not wanting to scuff the walls. He made the turn on the landing then crossed the hallway into Allie’s studio. She asked him to place the chair next to the bay window. He set it down at an angle.

  “Thank you so much. I love it.” Allie went and sat down, rocking back and forth, looking out into the vast backyard.

  “Hey, I like this,” Marty said.

  Allie turned and saw Marty standing in front of her easel, looking at her painting of Lake Erie in the winter.

  “Oh.” Allie stood and joined him in front of the painting.

  “Is this for work?” He faced to her. His eyes roamed around her face. He’d gotten some sun. His cheeks were a flushed pink.

  “No, I just felt like doing something for fun. I need to work on the ice hanging off the rock here.” Allie pointed to the upper corner of the canvas.

  “Will you sell it to me when you’re done?”

  He seemed skittish today, his eyes darting around her. Allie couldn’t achieve steady eye contact. She smelled coffee on his breath, along with a mild sweetness of something slightly burnt. He was making her nervous. Allie pulled strands of hair off her sweaty neck then thrust her hands into the pockets of her shorts.

  “I didn’t pay for the chair, so I can’t sell it to you. I can give it to you.” She snuck a quick glance at him. This time he was staring into her, his gaze unwavering. She swallowed past the anxious lump that had sprouted in her throat.

  “Ah, come on, you painted the bench for me, so now we’re even.” He laughed. “Hey, come see the bench. I have it out front on the porch. Do you have a minute?” He dug his fingers into his cheek, his heavy whiskers starting to look like a beard.

  “Sure, I’ll come see it. We’ll fight about the painting when I’m done with it, okay?” She laughed, feeling her lips curve into a grin.

  “I suppose.” He shook his head. “Hey, get your shoes on and come over.” Marty turned and barreled down the stairs.

  By the time Allie heard the front door slam, she had her sandals on. She walked across the yard. The door to Marty’s workshop was open, and his radio was on. The sound of a bluesy saxophone drifted through the air. She stepped across the patio stones and tapped on the door.

  “Yeah, Allie, come on in. I want to show you something in here first.” He motioned for her to come to the back of the workshop. While she walked down the length of the workbench, Allie noticed the ashtray and a pack of cigars up on the shelf.

  “What do you think of this?” Marty was moving his workhorses so she could get to the back corner.

  “Wow, that’s beautiful.” In the back he had an antique washstand that was a deep, rich cherry. Allie ran her hand across the cool, glossy wood.

  “I could sell this, but I don’t know where to go to sell anything like this around here.” He patted the surface with his hand.

  “Landisville has an annual county fair after the autumn harvest. They have all sorts of stuff there, from antique cars to homemade jams.”

  “Mm, should I try to sell it there then?”

  “I would,” she told him.

  Allie helped him pull the plastic cover back over it. They walked outside around the side of the house, up to the front porch.

  “Well, what d’you think?” He pointed. He had the bench catty-corner on his front porch, near the vertical window that lined the front door.

  “I like it.” Allie touched the leaves with her fingers, feeling the raised areas of paint which she’d done on purpose, wanting to add texture and character.

  Marty was just getting ready to say something, his head slightly turned, when the acceleration of an engine halted their conversation. They both simultaneously turned as Tess pulled out of her driveway. Her hand shot out of the window as if to wave, but the look which Allie knew was hidden behind those dark sunglasses was surely no friendly expression.

  “She’s wild, your friend. You know that, right?” Marty shook his head.

  “She’s one of a kind.” Allie laughed off his comment.

  “That’s for sure,” he muttered.

  Allie battled the temptation to ask him where they’d been going, roaming around at all hours of the night, but she wanted Marty to be comfortable around her. She thought if she brought it up, their newly formed relationship would regress. Allie also wasn’t sure if he would tell Tess that she had asked.

  Chapter 7

  “This is nice.” Tess was rocking back and forth in the new rocker Marty had given her. Tess looked to be in an agitated state, not one of relaxation, which was the main characteristic of the chair.

  “What else has he given you?” She craned her neck around to look at her, her dark eyes simmering.

  “Nothing. Why?” Allie heard the defensiveness in her voice, keeping her eyes locked on her work.

  “Oh, nothing.” Tess pouted, turning her head back toward the window, hopefully using the ample, endless flatlands that lay on the other side of the glass to soothe her.

  “What’s wrong?” Allie asked, putting her pencil down. This friendship was becoming high maintenance, especially since Marty had arrived.

  Allie walked over and sat down on the small tweed love seat adjacent to the window. Tess was rocking, staring out the window. Her hair was pulled back in a high, loose ponytail. She reminded Allie of a jilted high school cheerleader.

  “Should I have not accepted the chair?” Allie stared at her. Anger rose within her, her patience waning, which surprised her. Tess had never gotten under her skin before. Allie wanted to know the root of her anger. Or was Tess jealous? If she was, Allie wanted her to admit it. “Are you jealous?” Allie asked, tossing her question out into the arena like a bad pass.

  “No, no.” She waved her off, her jaw tight. Tess turned to her. A gradual smile spread across her lips. She tossed her head back and laughed, slapping her smooth, bare thighs.

  Allie sat there dumbfounded, not really knowing where all this was going.

  “What? What is going on?” Allie demanded.

  “Nothing, nothing.” Tess brushed her off. She sat and rocked, staring out into the yard. The creaking of the chair filled the silence.

  “Are you forgetting about Dan? Tess, I’m not in competition with you.” Allie checked her expression, wanting to see if it changed with her words.

  “I know, I
know,” she said, her tone a bratty whine. It seemed Tess was working hard to avoid any type of confrontation. Allie could see that she surprised Tess with her assertiveness in regards to today’s debate. It seemed that all of their recent issues had something to do with Marty.

  * * * *

  As if to get back at her or boost her own ego, Tess and Marty were on the prowl again that night. Tonight Tess had toned it down with the clothes. She and Marty looked to be more on an even keel with their wardrobe. Tonight Tess was wearing black jeans and a pale-pink, practically see-through blouse. Allie was sleeping better, so she didn’t notice what time they came back.

  * * * *

  The next morning Allie drove to Hillcrest Farm to buy berries. She decided to make jam. She had extra time, and the word was out that the berry crop was perfect. Once she had all of the jars done, filled, and upside-down so they would seal, Marty knocked on the door.

  “Hey, how’ve you been?” Allie waved him inside. Every time she saw him, he looked more rundown, the all-nighters taking their toll. “How about some fresh coffee?” Allie gestured to the full pot.

  “Yeah, do you have an IV hookup?” He smiled faintly then sat down. He rested his head in his hands, leaning over the island while she filled his mug.

  “Marty, are you all right?” Allie set the mug down in front of him.

  “Oh yeah, just too many late nights, you know.” He glanced up at her through vented fingers.

  “You need a good night’s sleep.” Allie occupied the stool across from him at the kitchen island. “What have you been doing? Hey, if there’s some kind of fantastic new nightlife in town, please share.” Allie laughed, sipping her coffee, studying him. She was joking with him, but trying to probe at the same time.

  “Tess is wired, man. I mean, I don’t know where she gets the stamina.” He laughed, shaking his head. “I guess I’m getting old,” he said, his laugher mocking.

  Allie’s heart felt a bit heavy. He could say no. He still wasn’t telling her anything. She didn’t want to force the issue. Eventually he would have to confide in her, there was no one else.

  Marty stood up and took his mug to the sink. He was eyeing the jars of jam.

  “Do I get one?” He smiled, the whites of his eyes pink with fatigue.

  “Sure, as soon as they’re sealed.”

  “Hey, Allie, are you done here?” He pointed to the aftermath of her culinary project.

  “Yup, all done.” She got up to wash the two mugs.

  “Come for a ride with me.” He leaned up against the door. “I have to get some stuff for the house at the hardware store. Wanna tag along?”

  “Okay, I’ll get my purse.” She went into the dining room and grabbed her purse off the table. “Where’s Tess?” she asked, attempting another delicate probe into their late evening.

  Marty chuckled. Allie noted a bit of sarcasm.

  “She’s probably still in bed. I won’t hear from her till at least four o’clock.”

  Allie hoped he was right. Yesterday’s episode with the rocking chair was enough. They stepped off the porch and walked over to his black F-150. She hopped in and buckled up. The distinctive sound of a diesel engine came to life.

  They headed toward town, the heated breeze blowing through the cab. Allie stared out the window at the cows grazing in the fields. Marty’s quick sideward glances pushed through her periphery. At one point Allie turned, and her eyes caught his.

  “So would you call those eyes forest green or moss?” He smiled, linking her eye color to the shades of paint they had used. Allie looked away, feeling the heat that seemed to accompany Marty whenever he was near. “I’m sorry.” He reached for her, patting her shoulder.

  “I guess we’ll call them hazel.” She laughed nervously, brushing off the comment.

  “You think? They seem pretty green to me.” He looked at her again, the hair on his neck lifting in the breeze. His slow and easy smile had her turning away again. The air in the cab grew heavy. Marty’s earthy smell filled her nose.

  “They look blue sometimes if I’m wearing blue,” Allie admitted.

  “Mm, I’ll keep that in mind.” He turned down Main Street and pulled up against the curb. He told her he was running into Landisville Hardware.

  “I might go into Leah’s Boutique. I’ll just be a minute,” she said, stepping down from the truck.

  “Hey, take your time.”

  They got out of the truck and went their separate ways. Allie wandered down the sidewalk, the redwood benches vacant. The afternoon heat was oppressive, keeping people inside. She watched Marty saunter into the hardware store. Allie stood under a small maroon awning in front of the post office, deciding not to go into the boutique. She studied Marty through the storefront window talking to the salesman behind the counter. Allie assessed him, his style and demeanor. Marty was the rugged, outdoorsy type. A blue-collar, denim-jeans-and-work-boots kind of guy. Dan’s complete opposite. He just didn’t seem refined enough for Tess, but Allie drew the conclusion that a man was a man in Tess’s book, worthy enough to be pursued.

  * * * *

  During the ride home, Marty asked her if she would paint a mural on his living room wall and maybe a border in his bathroom.

  “What would you like done?” Allie asked, curious about the project. She could use something extra to work on. She was way ahead on her work, having met all of Vicky’s requests.

  “I want a mountain scene in the living room and maybe a lagoon motif of some sort in the bathroom.” He looked over at her. “Think you can do it?” His brows lifted.

  “Sure, as long as you’re specific about what you want. I know I can do it.” Allie wasn’t sure how Tess would take all of this, but she needed something to do while Dan was gone.

  “Great, I’ll jot some ideas down and we’ll talk.” Marty nodded, pleased with their arrangement. Allie found herself questioning whether Marty would turn Tess down tonight if she came prowling around. A decent night’s sleep seemed to be in order.

  Chapter 8

  Allie got her answer later that night when she heard angry voices resounding from across the street. She went into the bedroom, grabbed the binoculars, and sat at the window. A brief pang of guilt swept through her, but she wanted to know what was going on. This was the only way.

  They were in Tess’s driveway. The motion detector light lit up their battle arena. They had lowered their voices, but Allie could see that Marty was angry, his face creased and his jaw tight. Allie assumed that Tess’s good looks weren’t working on him tonight. Marty was waving his hands through the air in frustration. Tess tossed her handbag on the hood of the car. She walked over to him, draping her hands over his shoulders, then moving them over Marty’s body, kneading him like a ball of dough. Her hand reached down and cupped Marty’s balls.

  Marty was not giving in. Allie privately cheered him on. He gave Tess one final wave and started heading back into his own yard. Allie set the binoculars down on the bed biting her lip in frustration. She hadn’t learned anything more from tonight’s observation.

  A half hour later she went into the kitchen for a glass of wine and noticed a shimmering light coming from Marty’s workshop. Concern wormed through her. It looked like a small flame from her window. Allie grabbed two jars of jam, in need of an excuse. She wanted to check and see if anything was wrong. She quickly crossed the yard, her bare feet slipping on the dewy grass. As Allie walked closer to the workshop window, a bashful heat warmed her cheeks. Evidently Tess gave in, realizing she couldn’t have Marty unless she stayed home.

  A large propane lantern burned on the workbench. Orange flames pulsated on the walls. Through the flickering light Allie saw Tess’s naked body sprawled across Marty’s workbench. Splinters of sawdust stuck to her sweaty skin. Her dress lay in a heap on the dusty floor. Tess really was beautiful, her skin a rich, olive brown. Her breasts were well rounded, high, and firm. Marty was standing over her, their silhouettes clear through the glass panes. Tess’s hand was
resting on his shoulder, her fingers smoothing over his bare chest. Her hand traveled down his corded body, tugging at his jeans, easing them down his hips. Allie didn’t want to watch them, but couldn’t turn away. Something surged through her, an ache laced with resentment. Was it jealousy, what she’d accused Tess of?

  Marty removed his jeans. He wasn’t wearing briefs or boxers. His cock sprouted from his tanned body, leaning, reaching for Tess. Allie felt her lips part. Her lungs sucked in a rush of air. Marty’s body glowed like a jewel in the low light, his chest a series of long, lean lines. The dips and slopes of skin that wrapped around his groin and thighs were tight and muscular. He stood over her. When Tess’s fingers glided over his cock, Allie’s legs melted. She grabbed onto the windowsill, the aged wood digging into her fingers.

  Tess raised a shapely leg. Her skin glittered. Marty began to slowly run his lips down her leg, his head craning around to her inner thigh. Tess’s head tilted back, her eyes closed, her lips parted. When Marty’s mouth met Tess’s pussy, Allie felt her eyes widen.

  Allie watched their naked bodies entwine in erotic pleasure. Tess’s body stretched before Marty like a buffet. He pulled Tess to the edge of the bench, lifting her legs over his shoulders. He feasted on her pussy, his strong hands kneading her ass. Allie could hear their muted moans through the glass, filling the quiet night air.

  Tess abruptly sat up and eased her body off the workbench. Tess fondled her own breasts, pinching her nipples, taunting Marty. His head lowered, devouring her browned nipple. Allie felt her nails digging into the skin of her arms, wanting to ensure this wasn’t a dream. Allie needed to feel. She had to feel something. What she felt was the searing burn that moved across her skin.