I watched him drive away, the dust swirling up behind his car like a physical manifestation of the mess I'd created. I'd never meant for it to go this far. Belly and I had always had a connection, a spark that never truly died, even after all these years. But seeing the devastation in Conrad's eyes was like a punch to the gut. I' This felt like a betrayal on a whole other level.
I glanced at Belly, who was standing on the porch, her face a mask of shock and disbelief. I wanted to run to her, to hold her, to explain, but the words wouldn't come. How could I justify what I'd done?
A cold dread washed over me. I'd been so caught up in my own selfish desires, I hadn't considered the fallout. Conrad, my big brother, the man who'd always been there for me. The man who'd raised me almost as his own. And now, I'd betrayed him in the worst possible way. Two innocent girls, my nieces, would be caught in the crossfire. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I loved Belly, there was no denying it. But I loved Conrad more. And I loved myself even less.
Flashbacks of the night with Amanda, a woman I cared for deeply, flickered through my mind. A wave of disgust washed over me. I'd been a selfish, reckless idiot.
Belly was pleading with me, her voice a desperate plea, but I couldn't focus. I had to make this right. I had to face Conrad. With a heavy heart, I rushed back inside, grabbed my keys, and sprinted out the door. My mind raced, trying to anticipate what my brother would say, what he would do. All I knew was that I had to try.
"Jere!" She cried out. "Please, don't go. You two will kill each other!"
"Bells," I said with a loud sigh. "I have to talk to him."
She followed me to my car, sobbing. "No, this is my fault. Please, come back inside and we'll keep calling him."
I shook my head. "No, Belly."
I sped off to find Conrad, my foot to the floor as I raced down the empty road. The wind whipped through my hair, a cold slap to my face. I had to find him, to beg for forgiveness, to make amends. But deep down, a gnawing doubt crept in. Could I really live without Belly? The question hung heavy in the air, a bitter pill to swallow.
As I drove, memories of the night with Belly flashed through my mind. The intense connection, the electric chemistry—it was undeniable. But the guilt gnawed at me. I wanted to fix things with Conrad, to make him understand, but I couldn't promise I wouldn't do it again. The road ahead blurred as indecision warred within me.
When I returned home, I found Belly curled up on the couch, tears streaming down her face. She looked lost, a wounded animal. "I don't know what to do, Jeremiah," she sobbed. "I'm hurting everyone." Her words pierced my heart. She was a wildfire, burning everything in her path, including herself. Desperate for answers, she turned to me, her eyes filled with hope. "You always know what I'm thinking. Tell me what to do."
I hesitated, my mind racing. "Our ESP doesn't work like that, Belly," I confessed, my voice gentle. "I can read your expressions, but not your mind."
"I don't regret it," She said with a loud sob. "That's the worst part!"
"Come here," I patted the spot next to me.
Belly and I huddled together on the couch, a worn, floral-patterned thing that had been in the family for generations. The soft cushions enveloped us, offering a cocoon of comfort. Her head rested on my shoulder, her warm breath tickling my neck. The salty tang of her tears mingled with the scent of her shampoo, a familiar fragrance that was both comforting and heartbreaking.
"It was like we were the only two people in the world," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the soft ticking of the old grandfather clock in the corner. Her fingers traced patterns on my arm, a silent conversation between our skin.
I squeezed her hand. "I know, Belly. It was magic." The word felt inadequate, a feeble attempt to capture the intensity of that night. We were both lost in the memory, reliving the stolen moments, the electric connection that had sparked between us.
A comfortable silence settled between us, a shared understanding without the need for words. In this moment, with her in my arms, the weight of the world seemed to lift slightly.
Belly tightened her grip on my arm, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what to do, Jeremiah. I think... I think I might not be able to live without you." Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. I froze, my mind racing. This was uncharted territory, a depth of feeling I hadn't anticipated. I pulled her closer, offering silent comfort as I tried to process her confession.
"I can always be in your life, Belly," I promised, my voice soft. "If we can just figure out a way to make this work with Conrad..." My words trailed off, the reality of the situation hitting me like a cold shower.
I took a deep breath, trying to process her words. "I want to make things right with Conrad, Belly. I can be the uncle who visits once in a while. I can disappear if that's what you need." The words tasted bitter in my mouth, but they were the truth. I loved her, but I couldn't let my selfishness destroy our family.
Belly shook her head, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and despair. "It's more than that, Jeremiah. I want you in my bed forever. I want to wake up next to you every morning." Her voice was barely a whisper, but the words hung heavy in the air. "I don't know what to do. I love Conrad, but I can't deny what we have. I'm torn between happiness and responsibility."
My gaze drifted to Belly's lips, a flicker of desire igniting within me. I could almost taste her, feel her softness beneath mine. Her words replayed in my mind, a seductive melody that tempted me to abandon reason. But the image of Conrad's shattered trust flashed before my eyes, a stark reminder of the consequences.
I met her gaze, my voice low. "You mean what you said about wanting me in your bed every night? You're sure about this? We've been going back and forth so much, Belly. I don't want to hurt you or Conrad anymore."
"I mean it, Jeremiah. I want you. I want you in my bed every night," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "But I'm terrified of the consequences. Blowing up my marriage, potentially destroying my relationship with Conrad... I've gone back and forth between you two for years. I don't want to hurt anyone." Her eyes filled with tears, a reflection of the turmoil raging within her.
"This is something I have to figure out on my own, Jeremiah," she said, her voice filled with resignation. "Seeing Conrad like that didn't help. I was hoping to ease into this, not drop it on him like a bomb." She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within her. "I need time to think, to figure out what I want."
I nodded, understanding the weight of her decision. "I love you, Belly. More than words can say. And whatever you decide, I want you to be happy. That's always been my priority." My voice was steady, but my heart ached with uncertainty.
My mind drifted back to the night we'd shared, lost in the memory of her body, its curves and contours etched into my mind. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't realize Belly was looking at me until she spoke.
"What are you thinking about?" Her voice was soft, filled with a curiosity that intrigued me.
I hesitated, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "You," I managed to stammer out. "I was just thinking about last night."
A playful smile spread across her face. "Oh?" Her voice was laced with curiosity. "Tell me more."
I sat there, telling her in great detail what it felt like for me. How it felt to lay next to her in bed, to touch her skin and smell her scent. to watch her face as she came ot her climax, I could tell by her eyes that she wanted me.
"I'm ruined," I chuckle. "Another woman may never be enough for me, now that I've had you."
She bites her lip, her hand gravitating up my thigh, slowly. My heart starts beating at an alarming rate. "Belly..."
"We're already in trouble." She whispers.
She's right. "I guess what would another hour hurt?"
"Or two."
"Or two."
"Or the rest of the day," She said with a nibble to my ear lobe.