As usual, a big thanks to LarryInSeattle for his editing.
The action moves to the couch and Mark's inhibition continue to erode.
All characters are over 18.
Enjoy. Please comment on what works and what doesn't.
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My brothers and I make short work of the dishes, debate whether to sit out on the screened porch, and decide to pamper ourselves and stay inside where the chairs are padded with something other than wood. My brothers take their usual chairs. First, they cover the seats, in deference to decorum and simple hygiene. New naturists take note: It is considered gauche to put your bare ass on something others may sit on in the future.
The couch, old and battered, is already draped with a sheet. Mark has staked a claim on one end, crossing his legs so self-consciously that Julie and I grin at each other. Julie sits, legs folded beneath her leaning against her dude. I settle in at the other end of the couch. I brush my feet off and bring them up on the couch. It isn't a very big couch and one foot brushes against Julie's thigh.
"Damn girl your feet are freezing!" She squawks, as she jerks away.
I pull my feet up as close to my ass as I can. "Sorry. My feet are always cold. Chad used to make me wear socks to bed."
Julie reaches for my feet. "Don't be sorry. You startled me that's all. Tuck 'em in." She rolls toward Mark. Her skin looks so enticing she doesn't need to ask twice. I tuck my toes under her leg and she rolls back, trapping them under her thigh.
Terry rises from the comfort of his chair, grabs another quilted throw from the shelf by the fireplace, and drapes it over our legs. Julie is covered from the waist down. My legs are covered. This suggests several interesting possibilities. I glance at my brother, wondering, but keep my mental ear muffs on. He returns the look, his face offering no clue as to his intentions and he sits back down.
The room is silent. There is enough of a breeze off the lake to set the wind chimes singing. The crickets and frogs tune up. God I loved this place. I kick myself for staying away for so long.
I resist the urge to try and see what everyone else is thinking. Me? I'm enjoying the warmth and weight of Julie's leg on my feet.
Julie rouses herself enough to speak. "Someplace out here too far from the hospital for us to live sugar?"
Mark sighs. "Probably. At the least we'd need someplace in the city for when I'm on call. It's is lovely out here though."
Julie settles for a soft "uh-huh".
"Places don't come up for sale very often doc." Gary pauses and glances at Terry, then at me. I am still keeping my mind to myself. I'm clueless.
Terry shrugs then nods.
"When our folks bought this place, the lake was a well-kept secret. They bought three lots altogether, a little over 15 acres. They always intended to build a family campground, room for them here, and plenty of room for cabins for the three of us." He paused. "Anyway, that never happened. If you're ever serious about getting a place out here come to us first. We're not looking to make money off the deal. We'd sell you one of the lots at a fair price."
I can feel Julie tense with excitement but her face falls when she looks at Mark.
He looks worried, puzzled. "That's a terrific offer. Thank you but I'm not sure how it would look for me to take a sweetheart deal from a patient's family."
Terry waves a hand at him, as if shooing away a particularly pesky fly. "Hell doc, we aren't talking about giving it to you. We'd charge you a fair price, just not the price we'd charge some stranger."
Julie pokes Mark in the side. "I got money saved," she tells Gary. "If this fool isn't interested. I am."
Gary smiles at her. "Deal. We wouldn't sell it to anyone else so there's no need to spend the night getting all wound up over a real estate transaction. Anyone want a scotch?"
I'm already beat. I shake my head. The others are all in. Gary rummages around in the kitchen and returns with two glasses for Mark and Julie before getting one for himself and Terry. The room falls silent again.
I wiggle my toes under Julie's leg. She glances at me and I smile. She arches one eyebrow, questioning. I wiggle my toes in reply.
"You comfortable wedged into that corner sugar?" She asks, looking at me with a smile. "Why don't you switch positions? You can rest on my hip. Lord knows I carry enough padding there."
"Oh for Pete's sake," Mark groans "You don't have fat hips. Guys?"