It's recommended that readers start this series from chapter one. For new readers this chapter carries on a family holiday. It does have gay romance but only straight/lesbian sex.
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It was mid-afternoon when Mariah broke away from my embrace to remind me of Samantha's message from before our trip that the final night would be a formal dinner and she needed to get ready. The women of the family would get dolled up and as payment for their efforts the men of the family were responsible for preparing the meal. A fair trade off in her opinion as the men's preparation for such a dress code required little more than a shower and a shirt and trousers combo.
All the girls disappeared together to prepare in two groups. They spent their afternoon with facials, make up, hair dressing and all the things girls love to do on special occasions.
It created quite the fantasy about what they might be doing. It was easy to get lost in imagination. Five beautiful women preparing for a night, getting around in their underwear and of course not too much imagination was required given their affection for one another.
I was pulled out of my trance imagining what the girls might be doing when Jack called us to the kitchen.
"Right troops, we better give these girls something they'll enjoy or we won't be having fun tonight either." I think we all assumed he was talking about sex and responded with a chuckle. It was funnier than Jacks usually terrible Dad jokes.
"So the plan was Josh doing the entree, I'll do the beef, Steve you're preparing vegetables and Jesse you're on dessert."
I nodded in approval.
"Sounds like hard work, I'll fetch some beers" responded Steve.
"Chocolate pudding coming up" remarked Jesse as he stuck his head into the pantry.
The afternoon raced by as we chatted and worked on our dishes although with only vegetables to peel and chop Steve seemed to do more drinking than cooking.
From time to time Jesse and I would catch ourselves glancing at one another, Jesse would shoot back a warm grin. I was happy to have patched it up with Mariah despite what it might mean in losing Jesse but his smile made my heart flutter and I'd suddenly find myself distracted from my cooking by memories of our love making.
After an hour or so I was done and left to catch a shower before being back for dinner.
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I'd had our room to myself with Mariah somewhere else getting ready with one of the other girls. After showering and ironing my white shirt and navy blue trousers I got dressed, looked in the mirror and bam, I was ready for a formal dinner, after all it was far too warm for a jacket. In my opinion I looked quite sharp. It was nearing 7pm when I headed back to the living room.
Jack and Susan were the only ones around. Jack was it the kitchen putting the final touches on dinner as Susan sat by the window watching the sunset looking elegant in a floral sundress. Technically it wasn't formal but it was more sophisticated than the usual outfit while on holiday, or at home for that matter, besides she looked beautiful so it was more than adequate.
"Can I get you a glass of wine senorita?" I said with a playful accent.
"Si, senor" she replied with a smile. Her smile tended to show her wrinkles and age marks but it was a warm smile and her wrinkles only added to the complexity of her beauty as a 50 something woman.
I returned a moment later, a soft fruity white wine in hand. Passing her the glass she smiled at me with a sparkle in her eye.
"I hear you and Mariah worked things through."
"Yeah, I suppose we did" I said flashing a smile back.
"You see, love isn't complicated Josh. Love just takes effort but love always wins."
"I suppose you're right Susan. Thanks for being a listening ear today." I shot her a smile and we locked eyes, I genuinely meant what I'd said and I wanted her to know. Susan had always been nice to me since Mariah introduced me to the family but my appreciation and affection had grown for her this trip.
"You look lovely tonight by the way," I said, unsure how she'd take it.
"Thank you Joshua. A woman my age appreciates such compliments, especially from a younger gentleman."
"You're not one that lacks confidence though." I said playfully.
"I don't need you to say I look nice Joshua, but it is nice to hear."
"I'm going to fetch myself a drink" I said as I turned and walked away. Perhaps I had developed unrealistic expectations since I'd been with all her children but I swear there was a chemistry in our interchange. The idea of Susan had aroused my imagination.
I opened the refrigerator and proceeded to stand staring blankly at the shelves having forgotten what it was that I had come looking for. My mind was transfixed on Susan. With new found experiences I was desperate to have the woman who had raised children who were so powerfully sexual, a family whose exploits were not driven out of insecurities or an need for affirmation but from their confidence and freedom. Susan was the mother hen and I wanted to roost.