Jewel Ann - Idle Bloom

“When did you get a dog?” my dad asks.

“I didn’t. In fact, I’m not sure why he’s here. Some sort of squatter, I guess.”

“Rosenberg is my dog.” Vivian scoops him up and nuzzles her nose into his fur. “He came for a visit and when I saw how Oli took an instant liking to him, I didn’t have the heart to send him back to my parents’.”

My dad rests his hand on my shoulder while I cut the lasagna. “Funny, I didn’t realize you were a dog fan.”

I give him a sideways glance. “Funny, neither did I.”

I don’t know if my dad knows what it means to be pussy-whipped, but whether he knows it or not, it’s what his grin says.

Dinner is filled with light conversation, good food—thanks to yours truly—and sexy glances between me and Vivian. Banter is our foreplay. The sassier she gets, the more I want to thrust her on the counter, spread her wide, and indulge in her body until she’s screaming my name. At least that’s tonight’s fantasy keeping me semi-erect throughout dinner.

“Thanks for bringing the strawberry-rhubarb cobbler. It’s my favorite.” Vivian winks at my mom as she takes a bite then pulls the spoon across her lips with slow seduction. I’m fully erect now.

“When do classes start?” My dad changes the subject, probably because her sensuality with the spoon doesn’t go unnoticed by him either. After all, he’s still a guy.

“Ten days and I’m so excited!”

“She already has her bag packed.” I squeeze her leg under the table.

“What can I say? I’ve always loved school. I was the girl who got the perfect attendance award at the end of the year. I was student body president, on student council, the yearbook team, and all the fundraisers I helped organize raised the most money.”

“I’m in love with a financial geek.”

Vivian elbows me and my parents laugh. “I’m not a geek…” she shrugs and takes another bite of her cobbler “…okay, I might be a little geeky.”

“Well, we look forward to watching you blossom.” My mom reaches across the table and squeezes Vivian’s hand.

I can speak from experience. Watching my girl known as, Flower, bloom in my presence has been life changing.

Vivian

Four days. I’m giddy with excitement. Alex and Sean think I’m crazy, but they’ve been enjoying the college life for two years. They’re the Disney World employees just showing up for another day’s work. I’m the five-year-old waiting in line for the gates to open to the Magic Kingdom.

“How are the bachelorette party plans coming along?” Sean asks while lying on the floor with Rosenberg snuggled onto his chest.

“Why? Are you jealous that Alex is going to have a kick-ass party while Kai, at best, pays for a skanky stripper old enough to be your mom to jiggle her wrinkled cleavage in your face while porn plays in the background, and he serves you and your friends warm beer from a keg?”

I’d like to say that Kai and I are being amicable about being the best man and maid of honor, but we’re not. It’s turning into the War of the Roses – Wedding Edition and the wedding is still five months away.

“For your information we’re going to Atlantic City.”

“Yep … that has class written all over it.”

“Do I need to separate you two?” Alex calls from the kitchen. She’s agreed to bake her cookies and banana bread at Oliver’s so he and I can savor the smell for the evening. Admittedly, it’s an odd request, but Alex is used to my quirky ideas.

“When is Oliver going to be here?”

“Soon, so finish up and get out.”

“I love you too, Flower.”

Okay, it’s not just the bakery-fresh aroma. I want to make Oliver think I’ve been the one baking up a storm.

“How much of this am I leaving behind?”

“Full batches and loaves. If you leave six cookies and half a loaf it’s not going to be believable.”

“So, Oliver digs your deception?” Sean smirks at me.

“I’m not cheating or stealing … I’m just making myself more appealing for one evening. He cooks all the time and I’m quite certain both he and his family think I lack in domestic skills—”

“Because you do.” Alex laughs.

“Because I didn’t waste my time in school taking frivolous classes like home ec.”

“I think it’s called family and consumer science now.”

“Shut up, Sean.” Alex and I both chime together.

“I didn’t learn how to cook in school.”

“I know, Alex, your mom taught you. My mom didn’t have time to teach me when I was younger.”

“That’s why I’m here for you, Flower.” Alex hugs me and takes off her apron. “I’m leaving you with the mess, that should make it more believable.”

“Thanks, I owe you one … for a change.”

“True.” Alex blows me a kiss as her and Sean leave.

I take my time cleaning up the kitchen and just as planned, Oliver walks in while I’m in the middle of doing dishes.

“Wow! Something smells delicious.” He slips off his boots and washes his hands in the hall bathroom.

“You’re a mess.” I grin, looking at his ripped jeans covered in dirt and his gray T-shirt that looks more like a deep charcoal.

“I am. We worked hard today.” He kisses my cheek and grabs a cookie off the cooling rack. “Mmm … so good.”

“You like?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I? They’re amazing!”

I bite my lip to keep from grinning too big. Oliver presses his body to my back, sliding his hands over my hips and around to my front, fisting my skirt while drawing it up my legs.

“You need a shower, babe. You’re all sweaty and dirty.”

“Mmm … maybe when you’re done with these dishes you can wash me.”

“Maybe you should think about rewarding the baker.”

He kisses my neck and presses his erection into me even harder. “I don’t think Sean would like that.”

“What?” I grab the towel and turn around.

Oliver has already undressed me with his eyes and my body begins to feel naked under his hungry gaze. He kneels in front of me and slides his hands up my bare legs.

“What does this have to do with Sean?”

He pulls my panties down my legs while wetting his lips. I’m wet too, but I also want answers.

“Well, you said I should reward the baker, and the tone of your voice implied something naughty. I imagine Sean would be pretty pissed if I tried something like that with Alex.” He starts to push my skirt up my legs.

I grab his hands. “Why do you think Alex is the baker?”

He laughs and kisses my hand, running his tongue up to my wrist. “Because she texted me to tell me I have shitty cookie sheets.”

“Damn her!”

Oliver chuckles. “But I’ll give you an E for effort.”

I glare at him, but he continues to move up my legs. “Or instead of an E, I could give you an O.” His mouth covers my sex and his tongue teases my clitoris.

“Oh God …” I close my eyes and clench my fingers in his hair.

O’s are so much better than E’s. If that makes me sound like a vowel snob, then so be it. I received my hard earned O in the kitchen, and Oliver received his in the shower. The cookies and banana bread were probably unnecessary. Lately Oliver has been coming home ready and eager to devour me with barely so much as a hello. I’m not complaining, but I wish he’d put some of that energy and love for me into himself.

He still hasn’t mentioned or made an effort to deal with the room upstairs. I haven’t brought it up either. As with everything, I’m trying to let him do it on his own time. Apparently my promise to move back in with him when he does deal with it, is not the incentive I’d hoped it would be. Disappointing? Very.