Читать книгу Deadly Deception - Brenda Gunn - Страница 11
ОглавлениеExcusing herself from Emily and Jane, Brenda walked over to Glen. He stood up and embraced her. “I’m starving. I got you a little bit of everything on the buffet table so you wouldn’t have to stand in line.”
Brenda smiled at him. “How did I get so lucky?”
“It’s just a plate of peach-colored food,” he shrugged.
“I meant you, silly. I’m so lucky you married me.”
“No, I’m the lucky one,” he said.
Jane had walked up behind him, holding a plate of food.
“Hi, Jane, would you like to join us?” Brenda asked, then added proudly, “Glen got me my plate.”
Jane glanced at Glen and walked around the table to sit by Brenda. “Yes, thank you,” she said coolly. She turned her plate to the left, then to the right, where the food was in just the right place, picked up her napkin and placed it in her lap. “Could you pass the salt and pepper, please?” she asked Glen.
He scanned the table and saw the shakers hiding behind a bouquet of peachy roses. He looped his fingers around the necks of both shakers and picked them up in one hand, passing them to Jane.
She mumbled “thank you” and sprinkled the salt on her peachy potatoes. Glen was still holding the pepper shaker and he set it down in front of her.
“Brenda says you have a degree in psychology and can practically read her mind,” Jane said.
“No. I’ve just had a few college courses and Brenda’s easy to read. Everything she does is to gain love,” he said.
“You seem pretty astute to me for just a few courses.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Glen said to Jane, defensively, “but the courses come in pretty handy in sizing up people.” He wiped some barbecue sauce from his hand onto his napkin and continued. “Take you, for instance, a beautiful woman with a chip on her shoulder who flirts with every man in sight. I’d say your daddy probably abandoned you as a child.”
Brenda knew he’d struck too close to home. Jane threw her napkin in her plate.
“I don’t like this,” she said and stomped off.
Brenda started to stand up. She was going to chase after her, but Glen grabbed her hand. “Let her go. She’ll come back.”
Maybe Glen was right. “How’d you know about her father?” Brenda asked.
“Lucky guess,” he said, raising Brenda’s hand to his lips. “This is our day, not hers.”
Brenda looked into his eyes and wondered how she could ever possibly love anyone this much.
Over the next three hours, the wedding guests drank, sang, danced and polished off most of the food. Finally almost everyone had gone home. Glen had been right and Jane had returned. She apologized to Brenda—but not to Glen, although they were polite to each other from then on. They’d all had a good time, but Brenda was ready to be alone with her new husband. She felt the flutter of butterflies in her stomach, just from the anticipation. She wanted their first married night to be special, but she was also nervous about it.
Suzy walked out of the house carrying a large garbage bag. She was going around throwing plastic glasses in it. Suzy doesn’t know when to go home. She still thinks her little sister needs her protection.
“Suzy, you don’t have to do that. You’re paying a baby sitter,” Brenda said, barely veiling her desire for Suzy to leave.
“Oh no. I’m not leaving you with this mess,” she insisted.
“We have someone coming to clean up tomorrow,” Brenda said, “and I’m taking tomorrow off.”
“You don’t want to be paying them a fortune or cleaning on your day off. Besides, I’m too tipsy to drive right now. I’ll start covering the food and you clean off the tables,” Suzy ordered.
Brenda raced around cleaning counters, sealing food in Saran Wrap and washing dishes as fast as she could. Now, there was only one thing left to do. She didn’t like to wash antiques in the dishwasher. They were too easily chipped. So Brenda pulled the antique platter out of the slippery dish water, washed it, rinsed it and placed it in the drainer. She gazed around the kitchen, which was now spotless, and removed her apron.
Suzy came in from outside carrying a paper plate. “I gave Katula the leftover ham scraps. I think I’ll be her friend for life.”
“Thanks for the help, Sis,” Brenda said, giving her sister a hug, “but it is awfully late and your kids are waiting.” Brenda walked over and opened the glass door and flipped on the porch light, so there could be no doubt in Suzy’s mind that it was time to leave. Suzy picked up her purse and coat and hugged Brenda with her free arm. The fringe on Suzy’s sleeves tickled Brenda and she giggled. Suzy told her, “Just remember I love ya,” and Brenda answered by rote, “Me too.” Brenda didn’t wait to see Suzy leave. She swung around and went back in the house. Glen was waiting for her and she went to him.
He brought her a glass of wine. “I have to bathe,” she said, smiling shyly and he nodded. Brenda took a warm shower, smoothing the gardenia gel over her body and put on the filmy blue negligee she’d bought. As she came out of the bathroom, she saw the lights were dim. Romantic music was playing. In her dreams, she had seen him pick her up and carry her into the bedroom. Now her dream would become reality.
Brenda took a deep breath. She ran her fingertips over the satin that covered her breasts. She loved the smoothness of satin. It always reminded her of her Senior Prom dress.
Glen sauntered over to her and kissed her neck, her shoulders, her breasts. It felt good. His lips caressed her body as he gently guided her to bed. It had been a long time since anyone had made love to Brenda and she hadn’t realized until this moment how much she’d missed it. She wanted him so badly. She felt herself getting moist and recognized the natural scent. Her breathing quickened. The weight of his body increased her pleasure as he climbed on top of her. He rode her, pumping harder and harder until every muscle in her body ached with passion. And in a glorious instant, they climaxed together. She felt their spirits soar into the heavens and float back down to earth in a vibrating capsule of peace.
