Chapter 177: Jewel
Her two weeks in California had flown by. She wasn't happy with the bank account, but enjoyed ordering and buying things for the guys. She did it subtly so they couldn't object, and she also set up a monthly donation to the Standing Stone Woman's Organization, which helped teen and single mothers get on their feet. She went to fundraisers with Angela and promised to help organize a small one to get her feet wet.
She loved the guys in the band and they treated her like family. She gave them an open invitation to visit, but after the band's drummer, Lefty, interrupted an intimate play session in the gazebo, she decided to make a change. She baked three dozen muffins and waited for everyone to arrive on Sunday morning. They were barbequing that afternoon at Krispin and Angela's home next door, but the guys didn't miss her weekend morning treats.
She left the room when they all sat at the table smothering her blueberry muffins with butter and drinking coffee. She returned with a large yellow ribbon, causing several of them to look at her inquisitively. One nudged the other until every eye in the room rested on her.
With outrageously red cheeks, she held up the ribbon. "When this is on our front door it means we're busy. It doesn't mean go around to the back of the house or call Stephon's and Matt's cell phones. We're spending alone time and don't want to be interrupted."
"Why didn't I think of that?" Angela clapped her hands in appreciation. "I'm heading to the store as soon as I finish eating."
"I bought you some ribbon too." Jewel smiled, and then her face reddened even more when the guys started teasing the two women. Matt came up behind her and placed his arm over her shoulder. "You dudes are jealous. Get your own, and don't make Stephon kick your ass."
"Yes, because I will," Stephon broke in with good-natured laughter. He walked over and kissed Jewel's cheek. "Impressive, love." He turned hard eyes on Lefty, but he lowered his voice and spoke in Jewel's ear, "They don't need to see more of your naked body than someone already has."
"It never bothered you before," mumbled Lefty.
"It bothers her, so heed the yellow ribbon," Matt spoke for Stephon too.
The men helped clean the kitchen then dispersed, only to congregate later at Krispin's. The barbeque ended with them all playing volleyball in the pool and then a late night inside Krispin's house playing music.
The yellow ribbon was a complete success, and Jewel felt a sense of power being able to walk around the house nude and knowing no one would intrude. The coded gate out front kept everyone but family out. Her only concern was Stephon. His cranky moods seemed to be getting worse and she knew Matt watched him closely. She wasn't afraid, but the tension only went away when they made love each night in their bedroom. Matt called it Stephon's demon, but she felt the weight of it even when they went into their private playroom. She hoped with time he would talk to her.
***
Red welts covered her ass on the night of her four-month anniversary in California. She admired them in the bathroom mirror before taking a long shower, washing her hair, and shaving her pussy. If she didn't shave herself, Stephon would, and while she didn't mind when he shaved her, she also liked to please him.
She left the bathroom and surprisingly the men weren't waiting for her in bed. She made her way downstairs, but stopped when she heard them talking in the den.
"Dammit, just talk to her."
She hated eavesdropping, but Matt's voice wasn't its normal easy-going tone, and somehow she knew he was talking about her. She slowly sat down on the bottom stair and listened.
"It will only upset her. She doesn't need to be part of that side of my life."
"I do, and you are not going alone. If you don't talk to her, I will."
Jewel rose and walked into the room. Matt stood slightly behind Stephon's chair with his hand on the other man's shoulder. She smiled at Matt and walked over, giving him a soft kiss. She then walked back around the chair and crawled up on Stephon's lap. She was never sure how he would react when she acted aggressive. Sometimes he punished her in delightful ways, and sometimes he just fucked her, but she always knew he liked to make the first move. Not tonight. This was ending right now.
She scooted up further, ignoring his scowl, and took his face in her hands. She leaned in and put her nose to his. "Tell me, Stephon. I won't run, I won't hide. I will continue loving you because that's what you both give me. You make me stronger. This will only work if I can add that strength to yours." His eyes widened and then lowered, but before he could close them, she quickly moved her hands from his face and into his hair. Her wet tresses fell forward and small drops of water rolled down his cheeks. "I love you. Share the bad with me too."
His head came forward onto her breasts. In one move he stood up. Her legs tightened around his waist. She looked over his shoulder and frowned at Matt. He nodded then followed as Stephon carried her into the living area and sat down on the couch. He resituated her body so she rested in his lap. Matt joined them and gathered her legs across his.
Stephon finally began talking. She learned about the two men's relationship, their unbreakable bond, and the demon that haunted them both.
"It was a baby girl, and even bloody, she looked so peaceful. I laughed after pulling the trigger. I fucking laughed."
He didn't cry, but Jewel cried for him. He was little more than a child himself when it happened. He carried his wounds deep within his soul. He comforted her, whispering soft endearments and cradling her body close to his heart. When she was able to speak past her tears, she finally asked, "What do you need, Stephon? What have you hidden from me?"
He explained he needed to visit the LA club and had an appointment at ten that evening. She'd seen Angela whipped, but she hadn't liked it. Remembering her feelings after Stephon spanked her the one night in her apartment, she thought maybe she understood, but her fear for Stephon made her body shake. Before she knew it, Matt was driving them to the club with Stephon holding her in the backseat, continuing to offer comfort.
"You don't need to do this," he crooned, his own uncertainty coming through.
She didn't acknowledge his statement, she refused to argue. "I love you." She cuddled closer against him, breathing in his scent and taking comfort from his arms.
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