EDITH, AKA FLOWERLESS AND IN LOVE
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Hours after I needed a pep talk to get my panties off, I’m naked and well fucked. The sun has long ago set. Our empty dishes sit at the sink. The TV is off.
My body feels weird but in a good way. My pussy and breasts are wonderfully tender. I fall to sleep with a smile on my face.
Several hours before sunrise, I use the bathroom. Returning to bed, I caress Duke’s back. He rolls over and reaches for me. We are quickly wrapped up against each other.
My hand innocently brushes across his cock. Duke murmurs in response, leading to my lips finding his. Soon, there’s nothing innocent about how I touch his cock.
Duke’s kisses grow more heated as I stroke him. His fingers are between my legs, gently teasing my clit. A simple touch has turned us into insatiable horndogs. I’ve never been happier!
Even half asleep, we fit together perfectly. His cock enters me with such delicious ease. I come so quickly as if I’m in a constant state of heat, simply waiting for his attention. We fuck slow and deep in the dark room. We aren’t awake enough for any words beyond moaning each other’s names. I love how comfortable we are together already. It’s what I’ve dreamed of since Duke first stole my heart at the party.
As soon as the sun is up, we’re ready for another round of lovemaking.
“Your sleepy face is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen,” Duke says as he pins my naked body to the bed. “Soon, I’ll get to see it every morning.”
My heart beats faster whenever Duke talks about us like we’re a done deal. I want to believe in us. But we’re not there yet.
After Duke and I wear ourselves out, we get dressed and shuffle downstairs for the hotel’s breakfast. With strong coffee and omelets before us, we settle at a table and deal with how our time together is nearly over.
“I’m going to miss you,” I say, tearing up. “Despite its weird beginning, yesterday was perfect.”
When Duke sighs, I assume he’s annoyed about my tears. Instead, he scoots his chair closer.
“Driving to Dunphey is going to be a pain.”
“When will I see you again?” I say, crying harder.
Duke wraps an arm around me and strokes my back. “Don’t get upset. We’ll just need to get more creative.”
Hearing determination rather than annoyance in his voice, I turn off my drama and wipe my eyes. “Creative how?”
“We could sneak over to a Rockwell hotel,” Duke suggests as his sleepy blue eyes watch me with such warmth. “You can say you’re in Dunphey, and I’ll be at my stripper girlfriend’s place to throw people off.”
“Don’t you think people will recognize us?”
“I’ll bring my boring black SUV. I can wear a hat. You can hide your hair. Maybe wear something baggy. We’ll stick to our room as much as possible. It can work.”
“I don’t want to ruin things for Lola and Val. Meeting somewhere in Rockwell is risky.”
Duke hugs me before shaking his head. “It’s the only way we can see each other more often. Sticking to Dunphey means we’ll be apart for days at a time.”
Nodding at his logic, I follow Duke’s lead and start eating. Every few minutes, he stops to stroke my hair or kiss my cheek. His affection steals my sadness over needing to check out soon.
Once my bag is in my SUV and we’re finished up at the hotel, I climb on behind Duke and wrap my arms around his waist. He doesn’t waste time telling me to hold on. I’ve been riding bitch on one motorcycle or another since I was a preteen.
Dunphey isn’t a big place, but there are plenty of backroads to explore. We ride for an hour until we run out of new woodlands to admire. Finally, Duke returns us to the hotel.
“Let’s get lunch,” he says despite neither of us being all that hungry. “I’m not ready to tell you goodbye.”
At the restaurant where we had our second date, we mostly talk about fishing and home design. Eventually, we return to my SUV and his motorcycle. I consider asking to spend another night together. The words sound too crazy in my head. Our people will worry if we don’t come home as expected.
“The wedding is a little more than a week away,” Duke says as he hugs me against him. “With us sneaking around Rockwell, the wait won’t be so bad.”
Duke’s words sound casual yet are betrayed by his sullen tone. I refuse to cry and get upset. I know my moodiness bothers him. Hell, it bothers me! I’m normally the rational one. Now, I need people to give me constant pep talks.
“Thank you for making me come so many times,” I say when Duke looks like he’s struggling with letting me go home.
Duke grins and hugs me one last time before stepping back. “I’m still looking to taste your sweet pussy.”
Blushing, I open my door and try not to get rattled. “Next time.”
Duke grudgingly gets on his motorcycle. Earlier, he talked about how Val has basically moved into Lola’s apartment. He sounded a little jealous at how easily his future VP can spend his days and nights with the woman he loves. I tell myself that’ll be us soon.
The ride home is relaxing. I only get sad when I have to separate from Duke. We pull to the side of a small road and kiss one last time.
The only upside to leaving Duke is I can get home to celebrate with Tuesday. My cousin is waiting for me as I pull into the garage. She looks at my roses and smiles.
“You absolutely glow with sexual gratification!” she announces.
Laughing, I hug her closer. “I couldn’t get enough. His dick is better than any booze or pot. Absolutely addictive.”
Tuesday bounces around. “I knew you had it in you!” she says and then whispers, “And you had him in you, too! No more icy muff! You’re an Earlham slut.”
“What’s happening here?” Otto says, leaning into the garage. “Where were you last night, Edith?”
“I was visiting the convent I’m considering joining.”
Otto snorts and disappears from view. I hear him talking to someone. He leans back in and eyes Tuesday and me bouncing around.
“Ma wants to see you once you’re done with your bunny routine.”
I wave him off and grab my bag from the back. Tuesday clings to me as we walk to the house.
“I want to know everything,” she whispers loudly in my ear. “When I lost my virginity, I didn’t hold back a single detail even when you begged me to shut up. Now you must be as forthcoming.”
“Later, I promise,” I say, relishing her theatrics since I’d rather focus on my excitement than missing Duke.
Ma-Journey is waiting at the back door for me. She shoos away Otto and Tuesday while I enter. Once the door is shut, she hugs me.
“I was expecting you back earlier.”
“We went riding and had lunch.”
My ma studies my face. “You have more hickeys.”
Rubbing my throat, I shrug. “He likes sucking on my throat.”
“Are you okay?”
“Duke was so patient,” I say, guiding her to the couch so we can talk. “I was crazy anxious yesterday. Like, emotionally ping-ponging from one mood to another. If he acted that way, I don’t think I could have been as patient. But Duke was perfect.”
My ma can’t hide her relief. She’s a sensible woman. I’m usually her rational daughter. My behavior with Duke feels outside the norm. She’s right to worry.
But Ma-Journey understands the magic wrapped around me now. I feel her adjusting to how common sense can’t win against the need between Duke and me.
Outside, my brothers stand on the back deck and talk to Tuesday. I hear her discussing her vaginal needs as a way of scaring them off.
“I already know you’re a swamp whore,” Otto says, winning a squirt to the face from Tuesday’s water pistol.
I exit the house and face their questions. Tuesday instantly hugs me. West and Alexis wander over, clearly thinking a show is about to begin.
“Have you been deflowered?” Otto asks.
Ike groans at the question while Betty nudges her man.
Nodding, I cross my arms defiantly. “It’s true I’m currently flowerless.”
While Tuesday applauds and gestures for Oana and Alexis to join in, my brothers shake their heads. Meanwhile, West looks confused over what’s happening.
Sounding constipated, Betty asks, “The accountant is the dream guy we’ll need to pretend to like?”
Tuesday hears the disdain in Betty’s voice and swoops in to save me. “Hey, this guy is a winner.”
“How do you know?” Otto asks, immediately suspicious. “Why would you want Edith to ride a dork? Do you think this nerd will like your hubby’s job?”
Tuesday waves off Otto’s questions. “He’s Edith’s dream guy. He must be great.”
Ike nods and reaches for Oana. “That’s how it works, yes.”
“Stay strong, little brother,” Otto mutters. “Stop fondling your woman. Help me rattle our sister until she makes this nerd come to dinner.”
“He’ll join the family for dinner after Val’s wedding,” I explain, holding strong against my brother’s troublemaking. “Until then, focus all your meddling relationship crap on our cousin.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” Tuesday says.
“Yeah,” West chimes in. “Don’t hassle our brother. Isn’t Edith the sneaky one?”
“Your brother is tough,” I insist and frown at Tuesday and West. “Val can handle some harassment. I mean he thinks his love is so much more special than what Ike and Otto found.”
“That sumbitch,” Otto sneers, glaring at Tuesday and West. “You tell Val to come here and say that to my face.”
“He’s busy right now,” West mutters.
Tuesday nods. “Yeah, you’ll kill Val’s buzz.”
“Wait, is this Val thing meant to distract from Edith’s man?” Ike asks, ruining my con.
West frowns since he wasn’t aware of the distraction that Tuesday and I were working.
Switching gears, Tuesday announces with great flair, “Edith will cry if you hassle her about this accounting nerd! What kind of selfish older brothers would make their little sister suffer like that?”
Otto exhales roughly, knowing he’s being played and resenting how her tactic is working. Betty pats his shoulder.
“The wedding is like a week away,” she tells her husband as they watch me. “Once Val finishes prancing around like the prettiest groom in the world, we’ll drag this Philip Grassley to the homestead and find out what’s so magical about him.”
Otto grins at Betty. “You’re so devious.”
Realizing they’re about to hump, I turn away to protect my sanity. While they make out behind me, I smile at Tuesday.
“You’re a good friend.”
“I truly am.”
I hug her while smiling at Oana and Alexis who gawk horrified by the rowdy affections taking place between Otto and Betty on the back deck table.
“Good Lord,” Ike says and shields Oana’s eyes. “Alexis protect my eyes.”
While Alexis reaches up to cover Ike’s eyes, her own eyes are protected by West’s hands. The four of them shuffle away, leaving Otto and Betty to their public foreplay. Having seen my brother grope his wife many times before, I head inside where my ma is deep in thought. I settle next to Ma-Journey while Tuesday relaxes on my right side.
Sharing the details about my time with Duke is such a relief. My secrets have been eating away at me. Of course, I still need to silence myself when my pa arrives home thirty minutes later and asks about my overnight date.
“I had fun,” I say and hug him. “I’ll have him over to dinner soon.”
I’m a little surprised when Pa-Donovan doesn’t push for more details. He seems more amused by Otto and Betty goofing around on the back deck now that their sex thing has shifted to face painting.
My family sticks close together for the rest of the day. Everyone at the homestead ends up outside, grilling and playing games. Tuesday and I eventually brawl over the last donut at Queen Meemaw Christine’s house, leading to a family-wide water pistol battle.
Whenever I get a free moment, I text Duke and send pictures. Soon, he’ll be here with me. That part feels weird. I can’t quite imagine how everyone will get along. But right now, I’m too happy to worry about the details.