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

  Allie walked home. She didn’t want any part of Tess’s swing club life. She knew Marty didn’t either. Allie wanted something else. Something she didn’t think Tess was worthy of having. It wasn’t fair. Tess couldn’t have it both ways.

  * * * *

  The next morning Allie sat at her table drafting a rough sketch for Marty’s wall. She had a mountain scene with a raging river running below it. She decided to add a small meadow of purple and orange wildflowers. She still needed to firm up a few details with Marty. The swing club discussion had dominated the rest of the afternoon.

  After three nights of pacifying Marty, Tess was back to her reckless, selfish ways, only thinking of her own wants and desires. Her car roared out of her driveway at nine thirty, which was earlier than usual, her addictive need for attention overpowering her.

  Allie saw Marty standing outside on his back porch, his hands shoved into his pockets, staring into the night sky. Allie ran upstairs and changed her clothes, choosing to ignore what she was doing. She slipped on a yellow sundress, tucked her sketches for Marty’s wall under her arm, and ran down the stairs.

  She walked across the deck, making her way over to Marty’s house through the backyard. Her hair blew off her shoulders in the soft night breeze. The air licked her skin through the thin material of her dress. Marty didn’t hear her until she stepped on a loose patio stone, causing a knocking sound.

  “Hey, Allie, I didn’t see you there.” Marty walked over to the edge of the porch.

  “Hi, I, um, have your rough sketches.” Allie removed them from under her arm.

  “Nice. Let’s go in and take a look.” He slid the door open, gesturing for her to step in ahead of him. A small light above the stove was on. The kitchen had a glow of an eclipse.

  Allie followed Marty’s eyes as they vertically scanned her body. She could look as good as Tess, in her own individual way. In her mind the battle was already raging. Allie wanted her uniqueness to be appealing to Marty. Her thoughts were jarring, the voice in her head unrecognizable. The things she’d said to Tess about not being in competition with her, or accusing her of being jealous—she had been wrong. Her inner being had become an angry mass, simmering with volcanic proportions. She could be what Marty wants or needs. A woman didn’t have to look like Tess, or behave like her, to achieve and maintain her catch. That way of thinking would be Tess’s mistake. She just didn’t realize it yet.

  “Would you like coffee? It’s fresh.” Marty had a mug in his hand.

  “Sure.” She walked over to the counter, leaning against it, watching Marty fill two mugs. “Couldn’t keep the wild animal caged, could you?” Allie’s snide remark had her lips twisting into a smirk.

  “What did you just say?” Marty laughed, attempting to shake off her comment. He faced her.

  “You heard me.” Allie folded her arms across her chest.

  He handed the mug to her. “Ah, no. I suppose Tess’s swinging will come first.” He sipped his coffee. “It doesn’t look like she would put that to rest for any type of relationship.”

  “That’s too bad for her,” Allie said smugly, staring at him over the rim of her steaming mug, her personality showing a new side of itself. Her premeditated thoughts began to run wild.

  “Is it, Allie? Because I think it may be the other way around.” Marty squinted at her, his tone flat.

  “Why don’t you take me to Readington, Marty? Then we can see what Tess won’t give up for you. Being a woman, I can certainly tell you whose loss it is.” Allie walked over to the sink and dumped her coffee. When she turned around Marty was frozen, obviously taken aback by her behavior.

  “Well, are you going to feel degraded, or face your competition and realize how pathetic it really is and move on?” Allie moved across the kitchen, standing closer to him. Marty’s full lips were inches away from hers. His eyes were fixed on her face while he ruminated over how he should respond. Marty looked lost, unable to come up with an answer. “Should I wait for you in the truck?” she asked, her sharp tone slicing through the quiet kitchen.

  Chapter 11

  Marty pulled onto Route 28. The cool evening breeze blew through the cab of the truck, lifting Allie’s hair off her shoulders. She felt a surge of premature gratification. She was sure she could get Marty to realize that no woman was worth having to settle, let alone share with an entire community of sexually self-absorbed people. He was quiet for most of the ride. When he turned off onto a desolate, rural road, he turned and broke through the silence.

  “We’re not going in, right?” His eyes widened at his own question. Allie sensed that Marty was a bit off balance with her boldness tonight.

  “No, I just want to see this place, and prove a point to you. Don’t worry.” Allie slid her hand across the seat, running her fingers over his, her actions brash.

  “Does she park in a certain spot?” Allie asked, knowing he knew Tess’s routine.

  “Yeah, I know where we can park so we can look.”

  “Who owns this place?”

  “Some guy named Dean Lipkin.” Marty turned to her, his face lined in dark shadows.

  “Is he there a lot?”

  “Oh yeah, every night. You have to be a member. Tess was bringing me here as her guest, but after this guy saw me a few times he tried to entice me to join.” Marty pulled the truck off into a dirt lane. “We’ll be able to hang here for awhile, but not too long.”

  Marty swung the truck around and pulled it under a large willow tree. Allie kicked herself, not thinking to bring the binoculars.

  “What do you have to do to become a member?” Allie shifted in her seat to face him, her heated skin sticking to the leather.

  “There’s fees. I mean, they have a lot of amenities in there.” Marty cleared his throat.

  “What kind of amenities?” Allie stared at the clubhouse. It was a large, three-story house. It looked like an old mansion, the type you would see on a Southern plantation. It was white with black shutters with a large wraparound porch. The ground floor was brightly lit, but the higher her eyes went, the darker it became.

  “Well, on the ground floor they have a bar, music, and dancing. They have a buffet between six and eight. On the second floor, clothing is optional.” He avoided her gaze, fidgeting in his seat. “On the third floor, clothing is not permitted.”

  Allie tried to see into the building but couldn’t. Heavy draperies were hung over the windows. Shadows of people mingled in the foyer. Soft jazz music hung in the air. People were gathered on the front porch. They were sharply dressed, appearing affluent.

  “Have you been up to the third floor?” Allie asked cautiously, wanting to see how much Marty would share.

  Marty massaged his forehead then looked up at her. “I was up there once,” he mumbled.

  “It’s all right, Marty. I’m not going to hold anything against you.” Allie felt the pain in his eyes, his lids heavy with remorse.

  “Yeah, I was up there, trying to make love to Tess with an audience. Like you said, just how she likes it.” He shook his head at the memory.

  “What’s it like? I don’t know if I could have sex in front of other people,” she confessed.

  “Well, the first time I had had quite a bit to drink. I had to, so I could do it.” He chuckled nervously.

  “Well, what does Tess expect you to do? Get drunk on a daily basis so you can carry on your intimate relationship with her in front of all her club peers?” Allie looked back at Marty, wondering if she was getting through to him. She was determined to sway him, wanting to win, him being the prize.

  “I guess,” he said reluctantly. Silence filled the cab, a chorus of crickets permeated through the brush.

  “Does that work for you, Marty?” Allie raised her brows at him, taking all of him in, the darkness aiding her in her bold assessment.

  “No, Allie. It doesn’t.” He leaned over the steering wheel and sighed.

  Allie squinted through the darkness, looking over at the clubhouse. Ri
ght then Tess stepped out on the front porch in a cardinal-red dress, sipping her drink, swinging her sleek, dark hair, laughing at all her potential partners.

  “There she is.” Allie’s voice rose as she pointed.

  “Where?” Marty leaned into the windshield.

  “Right there on the porch. See, with the older couple.” Allie tried to direct his eyes through the darkness.

  “Yup, there she is, working the crowd.” Marty’s voice was hoarse. “I wonder if she’ll sleep with them tonight.” Tess was socializing with another couple, her hand resting on the shoulder of a well-dressed man, most likely the other woman’s husband.

  “I know, she’s beautiful,” Allie admitted humbly.

  “Yeah, but you know what?” Marty faced her, his voice edgy. “She has no depth. I need some depth, Allie. We better get out of here.” Marty started the truck. He didn’t turn on the headlights until they were back out on the road. The drive back through the rural darkness was hushed. Allie let the images of their surveillance and the contents of their conversation sink in.

  When they pulled into Marty’s driveway, he turned off the engine, staring out the windshield with a blank look on his face.

  “Well, Allie, now you know where your friend is investing most of her time.” Marty opened his door, then stepped down from the truck, defeat in his gait. Allie met him halfway around the hood, the heat from the engine wafting on her skin.

  “What did you tell Tess?” Allie was interested if he’d cut the string completely.

  “I told her swinging just wasn’t my thing. If she wanted to go there for a few drinks and to socialize, keep in touch with her friends, then that was fine, but the third floor has seen the last of me.” Marty laughed at his choice of words, his hand raking through his hair.

  “What d’you think she’ll do?”

  “You know what, Allie?” His eyes narrowed, his tone bitter. “I sort of don’t care. Like you said, she is gorgeous, but I need a little depth.”

  “Well,” Allie walked up to him, resting her hands on his tense shoulders, “now I know what she’s given you up for. Even before we left, I knew sacrificing you wouldn’t be worth it.” She turned and walked away from him, leaving him with the impact of her words.

  * * * *

  Allie was sitting in the dark kitchen, sipping a glass of wine, when she saw Marty come out of his house and go into his workshop. She wondered how he would drown his sorrows over his loss. Allie was determined to distract him from that loss. She would show him that losing a woman like Tess was not as tragic as he thought. She’d lost Dan to money and survived. It was Dan’s love for money that was driving them apart. Allie gave Marty credit, though, putting his wants and desires before Tess’s sensual body and her endless appetite for play. Allie wondered if Dan would ever put her before his lavish salary. Her bitter thoughts bubbled in the back of her throat. It was beneath her to ask him. Why should she have too?

  Allie would go see Marty tomorrow and discuss the sketch, which they never got to. He needed to come over and choose his colors for the mural.

  Dan had called while she was out. Allie laughed at the thought of telling him she’d gone to a swing club. Tess’s club membership wouldn’t be a surprise to Dan in the least. She called him back, leaving a message, telling him she’d try back again later, uncertain of the time difference.

  Allie lay in bed, the dark smothering. She soaked up her loneliness like a sponge. She would be watching Tess very carefully, seeing if Marty’s refusal affected her. Would Tess tell her anything? Would she be honest? Losing Marty was admitting defeat. Tess didn’t like to be defeated. Tess probably just figured Allie wouldn’t condone her swinging. Not that she was a prude. What people did was their own business, but if you’re forcing your lifestyle on others? That, to her, was wrong.

  * * * *

  Allie was outside in the greenhouse the next day when Tess strolled in. She had on her short-shorts and her gold bikini top, the scent of coconuts hovering over her like a cloud.

  “Hey there, Ms. Kramer, whatcha doin’?” Tess strutted over, running her fingers over the leaves of Allie’s ferns.

  “A little gardening. What’s your game been lately?” Allie laughed. She tried to see through Tess’s dark sunglasses. With those eyes of hers hidden, one could never be sure.

  “I’m taking a trip.” She grinned, sitting down on the narrow wooden bench that lined the wall.

  “Really?” She had gotten Allie’s attention quickly. “Where are you going?” Allie turned off the hose and looked at her. The humidity glistened on her skin like glitter.

  “I’m going to St. Thomas for a week or so.”

  “Wow, that’s nice. Who you going with?” Allie asked, trying to detect if she was going with her swinger friends, and if Tess would tell her.

  “Just some friends from the Readington area,” she said.

  “Who do you know from Readington?” Allie continued to fish, tired of looking like a fool in her eyes. This trip seemed spur-of-the-moment. Maybe she was going with the couple Allie and Marty had seen her with during their surveillance.

  “Oh, you don’t know them.” Tess waved her off.

  “Well, obviously. I just wondered who they were. You never talk about them.” Allie noted her forceful tone.

  “They’re just some people I know, Allie, that’s all.” Tess’s words bit back, scoring through her.

  Allie’s spine stiffened with shock.

  “Hey, why don’t you just back off, Tess.” Allie rolled up the hose and left her in the greenhouse. She heard Tess’s bare feet slapping against the stairs of the deck as she trailed after her.

  “Hey, Al, I’m sorry.” Tess squeezed through the sliding glass door before Allie could slam it in her face.

  Allie wasn’t in the mood for her today. Tess was acting like a spoiled brat. Allie was sure it was because Marty wouldn’t give in to her whims. She was running away from the issue, escaping the reality of his decision. Allie pulled a pitcher of iced tea out of the fridge.

  “Al, I’m sorry.” Tess reached over, gliding her hand down her arm. Allie shuddered, thinking how many other people Tess had touched over the last twelve hours, her skin shriveling at the thought.

  “No problem.” Allie poured her tea, offering Tess a glass.

  “Could you watch the house?” Tess asked.

  Allie watched her suck on the ice, running her tongue over a cube.

  “Sure I can.”

  “You can swim, cook out, do whatever you want. I just want you to keep an eye on things.” She removed her glasses, setting them on her head. “I appreciate it.” She leaned on the island, sipping her tea.

  “How long will you be gone?” Allie was already plotting her time alone with Marty. The images she was conjuring up in her head sent a thrilling rush through her. Her adrenaline pumped through, feeling like a drug, her own personal speedball.

  “I think I’ll be gone for about two weeks, definitely a week and a half. I can’t wait. I need a change.” Tess waggled her brows, winking at her.

  “Well, you enjoy yourself.” Allie stared at her rippled face through the glass tumbler, her mind assembling her own web of change that she couldn’t wait to entangle herself in.

  Allie found herself elated with the fact that Tess was leaving. The voice speaking inside of her head was one that Allie still didn’t recognize.

  Chapter 12

  “Here are my keys. Remember, if you want to swim or just hang out, you’re welcome to.”

  It was early Monday morning. Tess must have had to set her alarm clock. She hadn’t been up and out this early since her divorce hearing.

  “So what’re you gonna do while I’m gone?” she asked.

  “Oh, the usual,” Allie assured her nonchalantly.

  “Well, I’m off. Tell Sir Marty I said goodbye.” Tess blew her a kiss and flounced out the door, her short, mossy-green skirt moving with the sway of her hips.

  Allie cringed. She watched Tess’s
car disappear down the driveway, hearing her tires screech on the asphalt was music to her ears. Immense relief flooded through Allie’s body. Now she could do what she wanted. They were alone. Allie couldn’t wait to tell Marty that Tess was gone for ten lovely days.

  Allie finished some graphics for work and went over to Marty’s, leaving her box on the porch for pickup. Marty was outside painting the trim on his workshop. Allie sauntered across the yard, feeling light on her feet. She planned to ask him to come over and look at the paints tonight for his mural. For the next ten days, no one would have to keep looking across the street for Tess’s car.

  “Hey, neighbor.” Marty looked down at her from the top rung of the ladder.

  “Good morning.” Allie raised her hand to the sun. She must’ve had a wicked grin on her face.

  “Should I come down for this?” His lips curved into a sly smile.

  Allie nodded slowly. He stepped down the ladder, balancing a small can of primer and a brush.

  “What the hell’s going on? Looks like you just hit it big with the winning numbers.” He laughed.

  “She’s gone.” Allie waited for Marty’s reaction, wanting to eat it up like a sweet dessert.