You both have been invaluable to me, and this whole process.
In these next three chapters, I have attempted to address the new dynamic involving these three. Hopefully, I have succeeded. At least a bit.
And thanks to everyone who has commented on my attempts here.
Chapter 21 Sunday Evening Barbeque
Chrissie Soothes Emily
Chrissie POV
The kids were getting hungry, so we packed up and walked back to the car. Em and I hung back, hungry for connection, but the kids had to come first.
All set, we headed off. Tom stopped at a fish store and we all picked out what we wanted. I smiled at the kids as they pressed their little faces against the glass display.
When we finally returned home, Tom stepped out in the garden and started up the barbeque. Em helped me settle the kids. She was so good with them. I felt a pang of regret for her that David wasn’t able to have kids. I knew this left a huge hole in Em’s heart. Since we met, five years ago, she sort of adopted mine as hers. It was sweet, and touching, to have seen their relationship grow, as ours had.
I heard Tom ask Em to prepare a salad or something to go with the fish. She couldn’t be happier to help. I came out and looked at him, and walking over to him, tongs in his hand, I slipped my arms around his waist, and leaned my head on his back. I loved his smell, his strength. Em looked at us and smiled.
The kids were showered and ready, as was dinner. The five of us sat outside, in the now fading sun. We talked, the kids argued and we laughed at Tom’s jokes. Well, we had to, didn’t we? I watched Tom and Em, the two people so important to my life. I loved them both.
Tom was a dab hand at cooking on a barbeque. He didn’t burn anything! I had prepared a dessert that he called a ‘trifle’. I found the recipe online and tried to put it together. It was fairly easy, as long as it was set properly. We cleared the dinner plates and I brought out the dessert. David grabbed the bowls. It looked a godawful mess, but Tom said it would taste great. I scooped the mixture into bowls for the kids but Em and I declined. It looked too rich. The kids loved it, as did Tom. The only thing healthy in it was a few raspberries.
Tom scooped up a spoonful and held it out. “Go on, Chrissie. Just try it,” he beckoned, holding the spoon out, with mainly, it seemed, too much whipped cream. “Go on. You’ll like it.”
I smiled, and opened my mouth seductively. Tom slid the spoon into my mouth, our eyes locked together. Tom slowly pulled the spoon from my mouth. I licked the spare cream off my lips and swallowed. Tom just smiled at me.
“See? I knew you’d like it,” he said, slowly.
“Yummy, Tom…” I said, slurring my words, not necessarily believing it.
Em sat on the other side and saw what was going on. “Uhh, Tom. Could I try some…cream, too?” she asked, the words dripping from her mouth.
Tom looked at her, a little smirk across his lips. He held out a larger spoonful and slowly brought it to Em’s mouth. I saw her open her mouth, waiting, eager for what Tom was going to slide between her lips. I saw the way they looked at each other and snickered. Tom held the spoon out as Em brought her mouth closer. Just as Em was going to take it in her waiting mouth, Tom teasingly pulled it away, just a bit. Em’s mouth came closer. Tom moved the spoon away again. I laughed quietly.
“Give it to me… Tom,” the double entendres, not lost on any of us.
It was so incredibly sexy watching this play out. I felt a little stirring in my loins.
Tom held out the spoon again, and persisted in teasing Em. She suddenly grabbed his wrist and slowly brought the spoon to her mouth, her eyes never leaving his, her mouth wide open. She brought the spoon into her mouth, and exaggerating, took the whole thing, her lips sliding along the spoon as Tom pulled it away from her lips.
I could hear Tom whisper, “Good girl,” to her. Em just licked her lips, and looking at me, murmured, “You’re right, Chrissie. It is…yummy.”
I thought I would cream myself there and then. I wanted those lips on mine.
All this was lost on the kids, luckily. We all just laughed with each other, but the sexual tension was palpable. Happily, there were no more charades over the rest of the dessert.
David and Chloe cleared the table and Tom helped and brought out a chilled rosé for us. The kids were running off their dinner, and we sat and watched them. I took Tom’s hand and held it tight.
I looked at Em, the longing on her face was heartbreaking. I turned to Tom and asked, “Tom, would you watch the kids for a while? I’d…I’d like to talk with Em. In the bedroom. Is that all right?” I asked, not certain how he would react. I pushed my chair back and walked over to Tom who was watching the kids playing.
Tom somehow knew that I needed time with just Em. She needed to pour out all the emotions she was feeling. His hand came to my cheek and gently stroked it. “Of course, darling. Go ahead. I’ll keep the kids busy. Go.” he said, with so much tenderness, my heart leapt.
Looking up at him, all I could say was, “Thank you, darling,” and kissed him full on the mouth. “You don’t mind?” I asked.
“What? The kiss or playing with the kids?” he laughed.
I smacked his arm and went back to the table.
I looked at Em and held out my hand, her eyes never leaving mine. She gracefully took my hand and we walked into the house. I led her down the hallway she knew so well and opened the bedroom door, Em’s hand quivering in mine.
And then, Em looked at me, her eyes puffy and ablaze and said, “Touch me, Chrissie. I…I need you.”
Fuck, I thought. I can’t. I really, really shouldn’t. Which angel would win this one?
“Em…look at me, please. I…I can’t. I want to, but I can’t. Not…not when you’re like this. It has nothing to do with Tom or the kids or anything. I won’t right now. You…you’re…too emotional right now. I’d feel I was…taking advantage of you, sweetness. Do you understand?” I asked, hoping she would, and make the decision away for me.
“That’s what I want right now, Chrissie. I…I need to be held. By you! Can’t you see? I need your touch, your lips, your love. Please, Chrissie. Touch me, darling,” she moaned.
I remembered back, three years ago when Jack and I had broken up. I needed the same thing Em now needed. To be loved, touched and devoured. And she was there for me. Always.
“Chrissie,” she whispered so seductively. “Please. Just…just…” my best friend groaned. “I…need…you!”
“Shh, Em. This is…just the wrong time,” I said, leading her to the bed where we sat. “I know what you need, darling. I’ve been there, remember? But now is not the right time, the kids are here and I need to see them. Lets’…let’s just talk, okay?” I asked, almost pleading with her.
Em brought her hand to my cheek and softly stroked it. Her painful eyes tore at me. She leant in and licked my lips, her hand moving to my bare thigh. She moved a finger into my mouth, and I automatically sucked it.