“Anyone else home?” Doug intended to waste no time.
Seventeen year-old Gwen shook her head. “No one but us.” She bit back a smile, her instincts ablaze.
“When will he be back?”
“Not until seven-ish.” Gwen perused the clock above the stove. She felt Doug’s eager eyes stroke her slender figure. “We have at least an hour.”
Doug’s tense shoulders slumped with relief. “Hong Kong is beautiful.” He jerked his denim jacket off, pitched it atop a kitchen chair. His taut muscles quivered under the tight, black T-shirt he wore. He stole a quick, curious gaze down the hall, toward her room. “Maybe I’ll take you there someday.”
Gwen listened with glassy-eyed attention. “I’d like that,” she said, surprised at her shy tone. At twenty-one, Doug preferred constant movement and change, he’d already taken several impressive adventures, accepting odd jobs along the way to support himself. Gwen cherished the exotic stories he brought back to the dull California town of Valencia.
As if reading the undercurrents of her thoughts, Doug shot one of his cocky grins toward her. “Brought you a little something.” He burrowed into his jean pocket and presented a small box to her.
As Gwen opened it her heart beat double time. “Earrings. Thank you. I love them.” She flung her arms around his neck, pecked him on the cheek. His arms refused to let her go; his eyes fell into dark slits. Gwen felt the wonderful yet awful jolt of desire rush to the pit of her stomach. No one made her feel the way Doug did.
“I’ve missed you.” Doug tone grew low and velvety, caressed her with its cadence. He pulled her close, chest to chest. His deep kiss left no room for debate.
“It’s wrong,” Gwen protested. “We shouldn’t.” But he’d already zoned in on the spot on her neck; the sensitive skin tingled beneath his wet mouth. I know it’s wrong, she warned herself. But she loved him. She’d loved Doug forever. The thought comforted her as she tugged him towards her bedroom door.
Half an hour later Doug rolled his sweaty body off of hers. “You’re the best.” His dark eyes percolated with serene amusement.
She wrenched the blanket up around her body to veil the blush of her soul. “Do you still love me, Doug?”
“Don’t ask stupid questions.” He tweaked her nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Hungry?”
“Starved.” She peeked at the clock on the nightstand. The digital numbers announced they did not have much time left. “He’ll be home soon.”
Doug kissed her a last time. Gwen immersed her heart into the kiss until she felt its warmth flood the pit of her belly. Doug crawled out of the bed and yanked his jeans on, his eyes never leaving hers. “Sweet or salty?”
“Potato chips,” she said, with a yawn and a lazy stretch of her bare arms.
“I’ll be back in a jiff.” He winked at her before he headed downstairs. Gwen tugged herself up on her knees; she stretched Doug’s warm T-shirt over her head, inhaled the fabric deeply. Doug’s warm sperm oozed from her body, crept down her inner thighs. She continued to dress, her heart crammed with a combination of love and disgust. As she left the room, the front door slammed closed. Oh, no, Gwen thought. He’s home. Nervous sweat spilled through her thick eyebrows.
Gwen soared down the staircase. “Hi, dad.” She offered him a quick cheek kiss. “You’re home early.”
Her father spotted Doug as he stepped out of the kitchen, bare-chested, carrying a bowl of potato chips. Doug flung Gwen a knowing glance before he peeped back up at the man. “Hello,” Doug greeted, his tone calm. “How’ve you been?”
Gwen’s father stood still for a long moment. Finally, his face broke into a smile. “Doug,” he bellowed. “When did you get back in town?”
“Got in this afternoon.” Gwen watched as Doug set the bowl down on a nearby table. She continued to watch as he stepped forward and wrapped the man in a bear hug. Their eyes met over their father’s shoulder.
