I hope you've enjoyed the adventures of Steve, Marlene and Tiffany as much as I've enjoyed trying to give them life. Thank you for your time and thank you for reading. If you like the stories, or hate them, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, again.
*****
Steve and Marlene started dating a few months ago but kept it a secret from their co-workers. Neither of them felt it was any of their business. When the opportunity presented itself, and they were alone, they fucked in the office, but for the most part, were limited to stealing kisses every chance they had. Marlene would hug him every chance she got, and Steve loved the way she hugged as if she were trying to propel her breasts through his chest.
Marlene exhaled a gentle puff of smoke and placed the cigarette back in the ashtray as she continued to type with her right hand. She could feel Steve's eyes watching her, and she smiled to herself. She kept working to keep the shrews sitting next to her off her back.
Steve was watching from the water cooler, mesmerized, as she put the cigarette down, and tendrils of smoke drifted lazily from it. He was well and truly hooked. Steve found it challenging to take his eyes off her. He wanted nothing more from life than to marry this girl and father kids like rabbits.
Marlene had much more experience when it came to sex, but since she'd started the relationship with Steve had stopped thinking of it as 'having sex' or 'fucking,' and had started thinking of it as 'making love.' Sure, it was old-fashioned, but everything about the way Steve treated her, in bed or out, made her feel adored.
Seeing that he was working alone one day, she came up to him, dancing suggestively with a cigarette in her right hand. Steve stood, gently took it from her and stubbed it out. "I can think of so many better things to do with your lips, Marlene," he said.
"Oh, like what?" she smiled and loosely hung her arms around his neck.
Steve kissed her gently, "Like this, for starters." The couple kissed for several minutes until they heard a co-worker coming up the stairs.
"I like where your head is at," she said as she smiled and ran back downstairs to her desk.
He thought to himself that he needed to get her to quit, regardless of how fantastically sexy she looked doing it. He wanted their life together to be as long and healthy as possible. His need to buy a ring was never far from the center of his attention.
One day, he pulled the trigger. He came into the office and saw her standing hunched over her desk. "Hey, Marlene, there's something I wanted to talk to you about." She straightened and turned towards him, and he realized it wasn't Marlene, but someone who could have been a taller twin sister.
"Hi, I'm Tiffany," the newcomer said, "I'm Marlene's cousin. I just stopped in to say hello."
He realized he hadn't seen his diminutive lover sitting at her desk. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were alone. We can talk about this later. How about getting some dinner after work?"
"Sure thing, I'd like that," she said.
Tiffany said, "I'm interrupting, I'll talk to you later, Mar. Nice to meet you, Steve. I've heard so much about you," and left.
At quitting time, Steve went to get Marlene. "Hey, why don't we invite my cousin along. She's going through a rough time, and I think she could use a night out."
"Well, I wanted to talk to you alone..." he said. But, seeing the look on Marlene's face, he felt the need to please her. "Sure, why not?"
"Thanks," she said, extremely pleased, "Besides, anything you want to talk about, you can bring up in front of her. We're like sisters, and she's my best friend, too." She'd seen the small box and knew something was up.
He escorted her to her car. "Tiffany's at my house. Pick us up there. She's looking forward to getting to know you."
Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at her house, and as he approached the door, both girls came walking out to meet him.
"Hi, thanks so much for letting me tag along," Tiffany said, "I hope I won't be a third wheel."
"Don't be ridiculous," Steve said, "Glad to have you join us."
Marlene beamed at how accommodating her soon to be fiance was. Sensing that Steve was nervous, Marlene suggested the casual pub they'd gone to for their first lunch date. She thought it would put him at ease. She also realized that the romance in how Steve looked at her far outweighed that of a fancy restaurant.
"Sure," Steve said.
They arrived at the pub, and the host greeted them, "Three for dinner? Smoking or non-smoking?" Years later, Steve would thank all the stars in the heavens that restaurants prohibited smoking, but for now, he had to roll with the choices he had.
"Smoking," Marlene quickly said, with a sheepish grin.
"She's smiling, she loves that," the host said as he guided him to their table.
"And he hates it," Marlene laughed, and gently elbowed Steve.
Heads turned as they made their way to their table. Steve knew it was the girls. He was well aware he was punching above his weight with Marlene., and Tiffany was her equal in beauty. He wasn't a cave troll by any means, just a decent looking guy with blue eyes, dark hair, and an open, honest face.
Steve held the seat out for both Marlene and Tiffany, and the girls both smiled at his chivalry. Marlene shot her cousin a glance that said, "See, this is how men are supposed to treat you."
Marlene was seated across from Steve with Tiffany to her left. They had a pleasant conversation while they surveyed the menu. Marlene was pleased their relationship was drawing Steve out of his shell. Tiffany enjoyed that he didn't treat her like a third wheel despite Marlene's having suggested earlier that he was going to propose. She'd been reluctant to come, but Marlene said they were closer than sisters, and if it was going to happen, she wanted to share the moment with her cousin and best friend.
Dinner came, and they enjoyed a pleasant, casual meal. The three companions had settled into comfortable conversation exceptionally quickly and easily.
While waiting for the dessert menu, both girls lit Marlboro Lights and casually wafted plumes of smoke up to the ceiling.
"So, what did you want to discuss? Did it have anything to do with that small box I saw you with?" Marlene offered.
Steve nearly spit out his drink. Tiffany held a hand in front of her mouth in an attempt to disguise her amusement at her cousin's boldness. Marlene just smiled mischievously.
Recovering quickly, Steve said he hadn't been aware she'd seen that. Marlene assured him she had and told him to spill it.
"Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag," Steve said, and withdrew the small box from his jacket pocket, and held it out to her. "I know it's a cliche, but I was hoping you'd make me the happiest man on Earth and agree to marry me. I know it's not very creative or original."
Marlene, enraptured by the ring, exchanged another amused glance with her cousin. "First," she said, "yes, I will marry you. But, second, whatever creativity you lack you more than compensate for with sincerity. Since we started dating, you've made me feel like the most beautiful and important woman in the world."
She got up, gave her cousin a quick hug, and then leaned into Steve for a passionate kiss. "Let's skip dessert, and take care of that at your place. Sorry, Tiff, we'll drop you off."
Tiffany was excited for her cousin and understood they needed alone time. She had enjoyed the dinner and was particularly impressed by how Steve had made her feel welcome on what was undoubtedly the most important night of his and Marlene's life so far.
Marlene directed Steve to Tiffany's place, and he stopped to let her out. Steve hopped out and opened the door for his fiancee's cousin.
"Thanks for letting me tag along," Tiff said and gave him a friendly hug.
"Don't mention it," he said, "It was my pleasure."
Marlene rolled down the window, "Okay, you two, wrap it up. I need to have some serious sex with my new fiance. Let's get going."
Tiffany laughed out loud at her cousin's boldness, and waved and went into her home. Steve looked mortified and blushed furiously.