Page 15 of The Twins

“I went with my gut,” I answer honestly. “I trust Seril.”

“She’s good people,” he admits gruffly, and I snicker. “Good for Moshe, the family.”

“The rewards far outweigh the risks in my mind. Helping more children live more fulfilling lives, alleviating unnecessary stress for parents and caregivers. I’d be a fool to turn down the kind of funding and opportunity Seril offered.” He raises an eyebrow in question, obviously hearing the unsaid “but”. I take a deep breath and let it out. “But I am nervous. Scared. Concerned. I’m a lot of things all at once. I don’t want to be hurt, I’m not a masochist, but I’m more worried about the families Suzie’s Support Network assists. Can you promise that the dealings of the Kosher Nostra won’t blow back on them? On me?”

Tev doesn’t answer right away. He doesn’t offer platitudes or false promises. He meets my stare and doesn’t flinch away. “I can’t. I will never lie to you, Van, but there is so much that I can never tell you. Being a part of this family…it is a heavy burden to bear. You said the rewards outweigh the risks. And that is exactly what being a part of the Kosher Nostra is like. It’s a trade-off.” He curses under his breath, standing to retrieve a wet cloth from his small kitchen and wipe Arlo’s face off. “If you asked me, I’d tell you I’m not worth the risk. I’m a good fuck, but I don’t know anything about being a boyfriend, partner, husband. I’m barely getting by as a father. I’m a big man, a violent man, ruthless, cold, and calculating.”

“Tev—” He holds up his hand to stop me. His broad shoulders rise and fall with his deep breath.

“I told you that the noose is looser, a little bit every time I’m with you.” He drops the cloth into the sink, leans against the doorway and crosses his arms and legs in a defensive pose. I want to comfort him. Reach out and touch him. Wrap him up in my arms and hold him tight. But he needs space right now and it kills me. “That was unfair to say. True, but unfair. That’s a huge responsibility to put on you. But, dammit, Vandy…you’re like oxygen. Clean, fresh, invigorating air I have been desperate for and didn’t know.” He shifts again, sitting in his chair, pulling it close to mine and turning me so his knees bracket my legs. “Knowing what you do…am I worth the risk? Am I worth potential pain, physical and mental? There’s always a chance I could be killed or imprisoned. We are very good at what we do, but nothing is ever guaranteed in this life. Can you live in this world without regret? Resentment?”

Nervous, my laugh is high-pitched and awkward. “Dude, I thought I was just coming over for dinner.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry. That was…ugh.” I close my eyes, breathe in and his scent envelops me. Opening my eyes, I look at Arlo, smiling softly as his bright eyes flick between me and his dad. Keeping my eyes on my lap, I press the palm of my hand over Tevye’s firm chest. His heartbeat is wild and fast. Chancing a glance up, his eyes are pinned to me, manic and intense. “Regret for not being strong enough to take what I want. Resenting myself for choosing the safe and easy path. Perpetual sadness missing out on watching this amazing little boy grow into a man.” I squeeze his flesh beneath his dress shirt and lean closer. “I’m afraid that we’ve reached the point where it isn’tyourworld andmyworld. This isourworld. And I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Tev’s body deflates, he exhales a heavy and relieved sigh. “You’re sure?” I nod, tears in my eyes. “Thank fuck.” He lifts me up from my chair and deposits me in his lap. His thick arms banding around me, burying his face in my neck.

“Tev?”

“Yeah?” He murmurs, his warm breath ghosting across my skin.

“In case you were wondering…I won’t ever give you a reason to regret or resent me either.”

He shrugs with a strained laugh. “Remind me of that after you and Tovah start spending time together.”

I help Tevye with Arlo’s bedtime routine. I think there is more water on the floor of the bathroom than in the tub, but Arlo has a great time. He snuggles against me in the recliner in his room while I read him a story. He conks out before I even make it halfway through, but I’m invested in why dragons love tacos so much, so I finish the book. Tev is right there to pick up a sleeping Arlo before I can even make a move to get up. He kisses me softly on my forehead, then places Arlo in his crib.

Tev turns off the light once I’m in the hallway. I follow him quietly to the living room. He sits on the couch, his long, long legs spread out. The top few buttons of his shirt undone. His sleeves rolled up. He looks so enticing. Taking what’s mine, I hike up the skirt of my dress and straddle him. His large hands go to my ass, his head tipped back, eyes heavy with arousal. Without a word, I work my hands between us, undo his belt and pants. He urges me up with his hands around my hips, giving me space to pull his pants down. His cock springs out, girthy and ruddy, with precum already beading at the tip. I swipe my thumb over the head, twisting my hand down the shaft and back up. His pleased growl burrows under my skin.

Our eyes meet and I hold his gaze as I position him at my soaked entrance. We both inhale sharply when he breaches me, moaning when I take him inside me inch after delicious inch. Arching my back and pumping my thighs, I ride him slow and steady. Something changes in his eyes; the arousal is still there but something else too. I don’t know what it is, but I think it might be forever. It looks like everything I’ve ever wanted.

He thrusts slightly to meet me every time I lower down his cock. His thick fingers working the zipper at the back of my dress and pulling it down my arms for it to pool at my waist. He covers my chest with the palm of his hand like I did to him earlier, his eyes locked on where it rests with obvious reverence.

I reach behind to unhook my bra, letting it join my dress. Using both hands now, he rolls my nipples, caresses the soft flesh of my breasts, groaning around the sensitive tips when he takes them into his hot mouth. My back arches and my hips move a little faster with every draw, the sweet suction tortuous pleasure.

There’s a shift in the heavy air around us, an urgent need driving us both faster, harder, deeper. His right hand spans my back, forcing me to grind against his length, the root of his thick cock teasing my clit. Our chests flush, our skin slippery with sweat, our hearts racing in sync. Tev’s left hand slides up my neck and collars my throat. He drags my bottom lip into his mouth and bites down just hard enough to send me over the precipice. Head dropped back, eyes squeezed shut, I welcome the blissful oblivion. Tev’s mouth parts, his teeth gnashing next to my ear, as he joins me with a low grunt. His seed warm and comforting. I’m on birth control, so I’m not worried about pregnancy and while STI’s are a concern, I know that Tevye would never intentionally put me in harm’s way.

The aftershocks taper off and leave me boneless on top of him. My head rests on his shoulder, his hands trailing up and down my spine. I giggle when his spent cock twitches inside me. We stay connected for several minutes, our harsh breathing slowly returning to normal. I have never felt so comfortable with anyone, let alone naked and post coitus.

A startling revelation slams into the forefront of my consciousness. I sit upright like I’ve been struck with a cattle prod. He’s instantly alarmed, his big body tensing for combat.

“Vandy? What’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, forcing myself to look him in the eye. “You’re gonna have to meet my parents.” He’s adorably confused. “This is…” I motion between us, “weare permanent, aren’t we?”

He nods, still braced for battle. A second later, he groans long and low, dropping his head to the back of the couch. “Fuck. I gotta meet your parents.” He winces. “I’ve never met the parents before.”

“You’ll do fine.” I tell him automatically. He looks at me dubiously and I don’t blame him. “Just maybe…don’t bring up your preferred torture methods?”

Tevye 12.

“And don’t bring up Hispanics or their similarities to Filipinos. Mom is very sensitive.” What the fuck?

“Uh…ok?”

“And NEVER call her Asian, she’s Filipino. There’s a difference.”

“The Philippines are in Asia?” I state, my tone unsure because how could someone from the Philippines not be Asian? Am I remembering an old, outdated globe? Did its status change like Pluto?

“To everyone else, yes. To her, no.” Well, that cleared it up and in no way made me more nervous. I have killed and tortured and maimed and terrified a fuck of a lot of people in my lifetime. But this is new territory for me.

---