Iris sat stiffly on the couch reading. She dropped her book with a small cry when she felt hands on her shoulders. Looking up she saw Justin standing behind her, smiling. “Alexei...” she protested weakly as he began to massage her tight muscles. “You're too tense.” Justin admonished her softly. “That's not good for you.”
“Alexei..” she said again. “Just close your eyes and try to relax.” Iris's eyes slipped closed and the book dropped from her hands as Justin's skillful fingers sought out and relaxed every knot or kink in her neck and shoulders. “Feels good?” he asked solitiously. “Mmm, yes” she answered. It certainly did. It also seemed like the nerve endings in her shoulders were wired directly to those in her nether regions as each kneading motion of his hands sent a jolt all the way through her. Iris could feel wetness beginning to creep between her thighs. Why did Justin have this effect on her? She squirmed slightly, rubbing against the upholstery of the couch. “Did I hurt you?” Justin asked, concerned. “No.” Iris replied softly. She imagined his hands working their magic on a few other parts of her body and another thrill went through her. “Stop it.” She scolded herself. “You're going to soak your panties if you keep this up.” Just then there was a knock at the door.
Tommy Dolan stood on the front porch of the Crowes neat, white house. He shifted impatiently from one foot to the other as he waited for someone to answer his knock. He still felt a little bad about trying to kiss Iris several days before. He could have sworn she was interested in him. He never would have tried otherwise. “How could I have misread her like that?” he wondered. Just then the door opened. “Mr. Dolan.” Iris said. She surreptitiously straightened her dress. Tommy noticed she looked slightly flushed. Before he could consider that further Justin appeared in the doorway behind Iris. He looked rather annoyed. “What can we do for you?” Iris asked. “I just wanted to let you know that I'll be heading back to Los Angeles tomorrow.” Tommy replied, trying to hide his surprise at seeing Justin there. “Surely you can stay for coffee.” Iris said. “I can.” Tommy answered. A short time later he was seated on the couch in the midst of an uncomfortable conversation with Justin while Iris made coffee in the kitchen. The minister was not taking to his idea of putting his sermons on the air. Tommy was very glad when Iris appeared carrying a tray containing white china cups and saucers and a plate of cookies.”Thank you, Iris.” Justin said as he took a cup. Tommy couldn't help but notice his very unbrotherlike smile. They were interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Tommy visibly relaxed when Justin left the room to answer it. There was just something about the tall man that gave him the creeping willies. Iris sat down across from him. Tommy watched her stirring milk and sugar in her coffee. “Iris, I want to apologize for the other night.” he began uncertainly. “There's nothing to be sorry for, Mr. Dolan” Iris replied. “In fact, I think I should apologize to you. I kind of overreacted to your kiss, treating it like a prelude to assault or something.” Tommy looked surprised. He wasn't expecting that response at all. Iris sipped her coffee and looked across at Tommy. He really was very handsome she realized. Equally important, he wasn't Justin. Remembering her brother's hands on her just prior to Tommy's visit caused a thrill to go through her. Would any other man cause that kind of reaction in her? The kiss the other night had been very pleasant despite her initial reaction. There hadn't been the kind of sparks Justin invoked though.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Justin stepped back into the room. “What are you two conspiring about?” he asked, smiling. “It's nothing.” Iris answered. “I was just asking Mr. Dolan if he'd like to join us for church tomorrow.” Justin nodded .”That's a splendid idea.” Tommy managed to hide his surprise. “I guess I could stay for another day. I'm not in that big of a hurry to get back.”
“Good, then it's settled.” Justin answered.
Later that day Iris uneasily replayed the events of the morning in her mind. She was distinctly uncomfortable and uneasy about the idea that had begun to take shape while she had been talking to Tommy Dolan. Iris hated to even contemplate using him in that way but she needed to know if she would feel anything with another man. Tommy was good looking and she knew he was attracted to her. He seemed like the perfect choice. She just hoped he'd be amenable to the idea. He had seemed a little surprised but not displeased by her response to his apology. It remained to be seen how he'd react this evening. It also remained to be seen how she'd get away without Justin's knowing about it. She still had a little time to figure that out.
Tommy Dolan sat in the armchair in his
hotel room reading the paper. The radio played softly in the
background. He thought about his visit with the Crowes that morning.
He was puzzled by Iris's seemingly strange behavior and her brother's
unnaturally strong hold on her. Iris had definitely been flirting
with him, Tommy realized.
He also realized he didn't mind this seeming 180 degree switch from her previous attitude toward him. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her and hold her somewhere away from Justin's influence. Just then there was a knock at the door. Iris stood there looking slightly flushed and very attractive. “Iris?” Tommy said, both puzzled and pleased to see her. “I wanted to talk to you in private, away from my brother.” she said by way of explanation. “Come in, come in.” Tommy ushered her into his room, pushing down any thoughts about how wrong this was.
After supper Justin had gone out, not telling Iris where he was headed. Relieved at not having to lie to him she had waited a half hour then walked into town to Tommy's hotel. Sitting on the overstuffed sofa she couldn't believe she was actually going through with this, but here she was. “I want to thank you for everything you've done for my brother and me.” she began haltingly. Tommy listened knowing that conversation wasn't the real reason for this visit. That had been made abundantly clear by the look in her eyes and the strutty cock of her legs when she entered the room. “It was my pleasure.” Tommy said, smiling.”What kind of game are you playing?” he thought. Iris's eyes were big and very bright. She licked her lips. “I need you to kiss me again.” she said softly. Tommy moved to the couch. “ Iris..” he began then pulled her to him and kissed her. When they separated they were both gasping for breath. An unspoken understanding passed between Iris and Tommy as they looked into each other's eyes. “No regrets” Iris murmured trailing a fingertip down the buttons of his shirt. “Are you sure about this?” Tommy asked. Iris nodded. She began slowly unbuttoning Tommy's shirt. He pulled her against him, and kissing her again reached for the buttons fastening the top of her dress. Iris squirmed as he pulled the top of her dress down and let his hands explore the swells of her breasts. She imagined the hands were Justin's and felt a wave of wetness between her thighs. “Stop it.” she scolded herself and turned back to the task at hand.
No words were spoken as Iris and Tommy freed themselves from the restraints of their clothes and made their way to the bed. “If you want me to stop, say so now. “ Tommy said huskily as he positioned Iris beneath him. “Don't stop.” she murmured. There was a brief moment of discomfort as he pushed into her. Iris remembered her first time and how it had felt like a knife stabbing into her womb. She had been 21 and her lover had been a young man named Henry who lived three doors down from them. She had gotten through it and subsequent encounters by imagining it was Justin she was making love to. She didn't want to do that now. Tommy kissed her tenderly, his arms cradling her gently. It was the complete opposite of how she imagined Justin touching her would be. She almost wished Tommy would be rougher with her. “Iris...mmm..” Tommy murmured. “Hurt me..I won't mind” Iris said in a half moan. Tommy stopped moving in her and took her face in his hands. She was flushed and her eyes looked like two glittering jewels. “Ohh Iris, I could never hurt you.” Again, so different than Justin. Tommy began thrusting into her again. Iris clutched at his back and turned her face against his shoulder. Images from the previous night's dream went through her mind and her internal muscles tightened involuntarily. Another wave of wetness flowed from her. Tommy groaned and began to push harder and deeper into her. “Iris...Oh, Iris” he gasped. She cried out sharply and dug her nails into his back. She saw Justin's face again but was helpless against the waves of pleasure washing over her and her conflicted feelings. All Iris could do was close her eyes and cry out “Yes, yes...” Tommy heard her cries and felt her go rigid against him. “Oh..my..God” he felt himself hurtling deliciously over the edge.
Afterward they lay entwined in each other's arms breathing fast. “Iris that was...wow” Tommy managed. “Yes it was.” Iris turned and looked at the clock on the bedside table. Justin could be getting home at any time. “Is something wrong? “ Tommy asked. “ I wish I could stay all night, but I can't” Iris said sadly. “Justin, he'll be...it's complicated.” Tommy nodded in understanding. “And it's kind of a long walk.” Iris sat up. “You walked here? “ Tommy asked, surprised. “Justin took the car. It was a lovely night so I thought I'd walk.” There was silence for several moments then Tommy spoke. “I'll drive you home.” He sat up and ran his hands through his hair. “I'm sorry.” Iris said in a voice not much louder than a whisper. She climbed out of bed and began to get dressed. “There's nothing to be sorry for.” Tommy answered. He thought he believed it. What was with Iris and her brother? The way she was acting was like a married woman running around on her husband. He thought about asking her, then dropped the idea almost immediately. He doubted she would tell him much anyway. Tommy got up and put his clothes back on. “I don't blame you if you change your mind about church tomorrow.” Iris said. She was standing at the mirror pinning her hair back up. “Why would I change my mind?” Tommy put on his coat and hat. Several minutes later they were in his sedan heading toward the Crowe residence. Iris was more grateful than she'd admit for not having to walk back home. Her heart began to pound as they approached the house. It was still dark, and Justin's black ford was not parked anywhere she could see. Iris said a silent prayer of thanks. “Here you are, safe and sound.” Tommy said as he pulled up in front of the house. “Thank you, Mr. Dolan...I mean, Tommy.” Iris leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “See you tomorrow.” She got out of the car. “See you Iris.” He watched her walk into the house, pulling away when he saw the lights come on in the living room.
Iris locked the door then hurried upstairs. She stripped off all her clothes and drew a hot bath. Hopefully Justin wouldn't get home for a while yet. In the steaming water she began to scrub herself roughly. She wanted to wash every trace of Tommy Dolan off her. (It was irrational, but she was afraid Justin would know what she'd done if she didn't.) When she put down the washcloth and rinsed off her skin was raw and pink. Her hips ached and there was a slight soreness deeper inside her. Sighing, she picked up the shampoo bottle and began to wash her hair.
Iris was curled up asleep on the couch when Justin came home some time later. She stirred when he kissed her lightly on the forehead before reaching to turn off the radio. “Mmm, you smell nice.” He murmured. “You're still using that lavender bath oil I like.” He went upstairs to get ready for bed. Iris pulled her robe tighter around her. It felt like she had just dodged a major bullet.
Chapter 7
The next morning Iris sat uneasily in a
back pew in First Methodist
church. Tommy Dolan sat next to her. Justin was in the sacristy putting
on his cassock. She tried to concentrate on the service and Norman
Balthus's sermon, but her mind kept going back to the previous evening.
Iris was pulled from her thoughts when Justin strode purposefully down
the aisle, interrupting the sermon and causing most of the gathered
faithful to gasp in surprise. She felt ashamed at the thrill she felt
seeing him standing there at the front of the church, so tall and proud
in his cassock. He embraced Norman, then began to preach his own
sermon. "Brothers and sisters, evil exists..." Iris shivered
involuntarily. Justin began to walk back up the center aisle. As he did
so he looked directly at various paritioners and announced their most
serious sins. Iris's heart began to pound as he neared the back of the
church. Justin caught her eye for a moment. Iris had to clasp her hands
together to keep them from shaking. Justin smiled and began walking
back up to the altar. A palpable feeling of relief flooded over Iris
when he reached it. If he had known of them he could have enumerated
her sins at length. Justin began to speak of his own sins. Iris wasn't
surprised at his admissions. He was still coming to terms with his
abilities and what he was. She had done the right thing in keeping it
from him. Justin knelt at the altar rail and asked Norman to baptise
him. The older minister looked confused But did it, pausing for some
reason in the middle of the rite. Several moments later Iris felt
compelled to stand up. "Baptise me so that I might join my brother and
be saved." Tommy Dolan looked at her curiously. What was she doing?Iris
began to walk to the front of the church. She was still a bit sore from
the previous night and really hoped it wasn't obvious. She reached the
rail and knelt next to Justin. He took her hand and smiled. A thrill
like a jolt of electricity went through her. It was closely followed by
shame at feeling that way. And in church of all places.
After the
service Iris stood outside the church watching as various paritioners
went up to talk to Justin and Norman. Tommy came over to her. "What was
that all about...the baptisms?" Iris shook her head. " I don't know.
Nothing like that ever happened before." After she had gone up to be
baptised a number of the faithful had followed suit. She was being
completely honest when she said nothing similar had ever occurred.
Tommy nodded. He was about to say something about the previous night
when Justin approached. The man just had a way of showing up at the
most inopportune moments. It was almost like he planned it. "How did
you like the service Mr. Dolan?" He asked."It was something..." Tommy
said, stepping away from Iris a little. "That it was." Justin smiled.
Under his scrutiny Tommy felt like a butterfly specimen immobilized in
paraffin wax. All that was missing was the velvet background and pins.
"My sister and I are so glad you were able to be with us today." Tommy
thought and not for the first time what a good politician Justin would
make. "My brother is absolutely right. It was good of you to come."
Iris said. She smiled at Justin in a way that made Tommy distinctly
uneasy. His relief was palpable as he drove away from the church a few
minutes later. The Crowes were certainly an enigma.
Iris stood next
to Justin and watched Tommy Dolan drive off. She shivered involuntarily
when Justin placed a hand on her arm. "Are you cold, my dear?" He
asked,concerned. "No. I'm fine." Iris replied. "Good. Norman a ked us
to join him for brunch and of course I accepted." Iris nodded. "Brunch
sounds lovely." Justin smiled and took her hand. "Thou shalt be
strong." Iris thought to herself as they left the church grounds
together..
Chapter 8
The following morning Iris sat in the Crowe living room having coffee with Norman Balthus. Justin wasn't there and she was glad. There were a couple of things she wanted to talk over with Norman and she couldn't do it with her brother present. It seemed Norman also had something to tell her, and her alone. This surprised Iris a bit. She had never known the older man to be secretive about anything. “I think Justin has come under the influence of something evil.” Norman stated. Iris looked surprised. Her look turned to shock when he told what had happened during the “baptism” the day before. What he was suggesting seemed too incredible to be true. As was his next suggestion that an exorcism be performed on Justin.”Exorcism? That's just Papist hocus-pocus.” she replied. She was about to elaborate when Justin entered the room. “Norman. What a pleasant surprise.” His smile was genuine but Iris questioned his intentions. Norman seemed equally ill at ease. He stood, made his apologies for running off, and left. Iris picked up her teacup and took a sip of its lukewarm contents. Justin sat down across from her. “Would you care for some tea?” Iris asked him. “That would be nice.” Iris took a cup off the tray on the coffee table between them and filled it from the still steaming pot. Smiling somewhat tensely she handed the cup to Justin. A thrill went through her as his fingers brushed hers. “Thank you Iris.” Iris refilled her own cup and sat back on the couch. “You and Tommy Dolan seem awfully friendly lately.” Justin said sipping his own tea. It was all Iris could do not to choke on the drink she had just taken. “He's a very pleasant individual. Why shouldn't we be friendly?”She answered somewhat defensively.”I don't trust him.” Justin answered. “I think he'd like to be a little more than just friends. I'd watch my step around him.” Iris set her cup down. “I'm a big girl, Alexei. I can take care of myself.” She found it both infuriating and exciting when Justin got protective like this. “I'm sure you can.” he answered her.
Iris and Tommy Dolan. Justin couldn't get the idea out of his mind as he sat in his study working on a sermon. He couldn't blame the reporter for being interested in Iris. She was a beautiful and charming woman. She was also his and his alone. The thought of Tommy touching his sister made Justin press the pencil to the paper so hard the lead broke cleanly off. He felt angry just contemplating it. More disturbing, he also felt a growing twinge of desire in his belly. He was worrying for nothing though. What he feared was never going to happen. He'd see to that. Justin turned back to his work. He looked up sometime later as he began to hear a sound coming from upstairs. A sound like leather smacking against bare flesh. Justin stood and hurried to the second floor. The sound was coming from Iris's room. Justin slowly opened the door. Iris was kneeling on the rug by her bed clad only in her slip and stockings. She had Justin's whip and was flogging herself. Her eyes widened when she saw him. “Iris. Oh, my dear Iris what are you doing?” Justin exclaimed, his expression a mixture of shock and horror. He wasn't surprised that she knew about the whip, just that she was using it. “Leave me alone, Alexei.” Iris replied. She then made some excuse about offering up her suffering in memory of the children who died in the Dignity Ministry fire. Justin didn't believe her but he didn't press the issue. “You're hurting yourself.” Justin grabbed her wrist with one hand and removed the whip with the other. “Look at you.” He winced looking at the angry red welts that criss-crossed her back. Iris started to cry softly, all the fight gone out of her. Justin took her in his arms, all the while trying to ignore the fact that he could feel her breasts and hips through the thin fabric of her slip. He wanted to push her down on the bed and ravish her right there but settled for just rocking her and stroking her hair.
That evening Justin sat in his easy chair reading his Bible. Iris sat on the couch across from him. Few words had been spoken between them since he had found her engaged in self flagellation earlier in the day. He could tell something was bothering his sister. He just wasn't sure what. Iris had seemed even more distressed when she returned from running errands with Norman. Justin could tell immediately from her walk and the set of her jaw. She had changed clothes and made his supper without saying a word about it and he hadn't felt like pressing her. “Tommy Dolan has been asking questions about the fire.” Iris said. Justin closed the Bible and looked at her. “Let him ask questions.” He responded. “e talked to Norman and put doubts in his mind. He may even go to the Bishop.” Iris seemed even more stressed now. “Let the Bishop investigate. We have nothing to hide.” Iris stood and looked Justin square in the eyes. “Yes we do.” Justin's eyes widened as he realized what she was saying. “Iris?” He stood, looking straight at her. “I did it for you. For the ministry.” Iris said. Justin was speechless. Could she really have been responsible for the fire? Before he realized what he was doing he had her by the arms. Grabbing Iris roughly by the neck he pulled her into a bruising kiss. She gave no resistance at all, wrapping her arms around him. When he broke the kiss Justin roughly pushed her back on the couch then regarded her with a mixture of disgust and desire. Iris looked up at him with wide eyes full of surrender and complicity. “Alexei...” She said softly. Her face was flushed and she was breathing quickly. Justin was on her in a flash. With one hand he pushed up Iris's nightgown and robe, while unbuckling his belt and undoing his pants with the other. Iris didn't resist as he adjusted her underneath him and pulled her undergarments down, groaning when he felt how wet she was already. “Iris” Justin murmured pulling his boxers down quickly. Iris wrapped her arms around him as he pressed himself against her. She gasped sharply as he slid inside with one firm motion. Justin felt like he was watching himself from a distance as he began to pound into Iris. He was aware of her small ,white hands clutching at his back, her sharp cries, and later the pain of her teeth biting down on his shoulder and the spurt of her fluids as she came. Justin continued driving into her, pinning her against the couch until his own climax overtook him several moments later.
Iris lay against the cushions breathing hard. She felt totally drained ,emotionally and physically. She tingled all over and her legs felt like they were filled with some kind of fizzy liquid. She didn't think she could stand even if she wanted to. Before Iris could give this much consideration she felt Justin's arms around her as he gently scooped her up and carried her upstairs. He took her into his room and softly placed her on the bed.