Mina stood in the doorway of her bedroom and the bathroom, eyes fixed on the steamed-over reflection in the mirror. Instrumental music wafted from the iPod system in her bedroom; a sultry, seductive mix of piano and violin set to a simple beat. She fingered the lace of her short red gown, gazing longingly at the reflection of her brother in the shower. Lines of soap trailed over the muscles of his back and buttocks and his face was upturned to the shower head. One hand was braced against the tiles. He had been in the shower for some time, after abruptly leaving the dinner table. Marin had called after him, but William waved her off, for Marcus had been irritable as of late and he knew his son didn't want to be bothered with maternal concern. Mina watched him go and her heart ached for him because she knew why he was irritated.
Their parents had been home for three weeks, and Mina had stopped their sexual relationship. It was difficult for her, for she loved him and wanted far more than stolen kisses and touches. But her needs were nothing compared to her brother's. Marcus was flat-out in love with Mina and wanted to be with her. He didn't care that their parents were home; he believed they could continue their intimate relationship. He didn't like it that Mina felt the need to cease having sex with him because William and Marin were home. But he never questioned her or argued about it; though Mina could sense and see his displeasure. He couldn't even look at her when their parents were around because he was bad at keeping his emotions from showing. He was short with Marin and terse with William, and when their father demanded an answer, Marcus attributed it to girl trouble and would say no more about it.
Mina heard her parents discussing Marcus' attitude one day while she was in the kitchen preparing his daily protein shake. Marin didn't understand why her son was so angry with her and why he was irritated with his father. William tried to placate her with standard parental platitudes, but it wasn't enough for Marin. Then he told his wife to leave Marcus alone; that whatever was bothering him needed to run its course and he would be fine. Marin was frustrated because Marcus wouldn't even look at her, much less talk to her. Mina knew that it couldn't continue. Something would have to give, because their parents were walking on eggshells around Marcus.
She watched her brother bathe, caressing her neck. The sight of him, of his beautiful brown body, was enough to make her hot. She missed him desperately. She wanted to lie in bed with him again and hold hands while watching television and kiss openly. She wanted to be touched in the freedom of open space and not have their intimacy restricted. She wanted to be with him. She loved him. She was as in as much pain as he was, but was simply better at hiding it. It was all her fault anyway; when their parents returned from their cruise, Mina told Marcus that they couldn't make love or have any kind of real intimacy when they were around. Marcus was dumbfounded and asked her how she expected him to give her up so easily after three weeks of nearly non-stop, intense and satisfying sex and intimacy. How could she expect him to go back to the way things were? He couldn't. She understood, but knew that he would do as she told him to.
Mina took her combs out of her hair and shook it loose. Then she opened the shower door and got in with her brother. Startled, he turned around to see his twin sister, stunning in her red nightgown--one he had bought her--standing in front of him with one finger against his lips. She met his eyes and stood up on her toes to kiss him. He looked shocked but it lasted all of two seconds. Mina bit his bottom lip and kissed him. Marcus moaned and kissed her back. Soon, he had her up against the tiles and she wrapped her legs around his back. Her nightgown was drenched, and her decision to join her brother in the shower was spur-of-the moment. Otherwise she wouldn't have worn panties. There was a wet rip as he tore out the crotch. She linked her arms around his neck. Mina arched higher and Marcus fumbled for a moment, angling his erection before thrusting up into her. Mina, in tune with her twin, pushed downwards as he thrust upwards, emitting a sharp cry.
It wasn't going to be like the last time; when they made love in her bed, and he covered her body in hot, slow kisses. She returned the gestures and their union was so powerful, so intense, that her climax was explosive and she squirted. Overcome, he had joined her, and they lay entwined together in sweat and heat, unwilling to release each other.
No, this was blunt, abrupt, and desperate. Marcus, driven by three weeks of frustration and longing, pumped blindly into Mina; his breath coming in ragged spurts. Mina bit into his shoulder hard enough to break the skin and held on to him tight. It wasn't going to last; he had been denied too long to draw out the experience. In moments, Marcus tensed up and grunted her name as he came. After a long moment, Marcus leaned and turned off the shower. Mina held on to him and smattered his face with kisses. He whispered her name as she rained kisses on his cheeks, nose and lips. Holding her easily, Marcus walked out of the shower and into his bedroom. She slid down his body and smiled at him.
"I'm soaked. Get me a towel."
Marcus went and got two towels. While Mina dried her hair, he dried her body. She looked at him as he ran the towels over her legs and she lifted them so that he could dry her feet.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I miss you. I want you. I can't...I can't do this, Marcus. I can't pretend that we didn't...I...Marcus, I love you and I need you. I don't want to be separated from you, not even arbitrarily."
He stood up and wrapped the towel around his waist. "Mina, you know how I feel. You know what I want. But what about Mom and Dad? You said we had to stop everything."
"I know what I said," she replied, toweling her hair. "But Marcus, I can't. I miss what we had; what we shared, what is real between us. We'll just have to be careful," she said. "I need you; I need to be with you."
"Mina," he sighed, pulling her close to kiss her lips. She met his kiss, throwing her arms around his neck. Then they heard Marin's voice; she had to be coming up the stairs. Mina broke the kiss and Marcus caressed her face. "Sleep with me tonight?"
"Of course."
"You'd better go and dry off."
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again.
"I'll be back."
Marin knocked on Marcus' door. "Marcus, I want to talk to you."
Mina smiled at her brother and then went into the bathroom and closed the door. Marcus slipped on a pair of sweatpants and asked for his mother to wait a moment. He ran the towel over his head and swiped his back and chest before putting on a T-shirt. Then he opened the door.
Marin looked up at her son. "Marcus, we need to talk."
He stepped back. "What is it, Mom?"
"What is going on with you?" Marin sat down at his desk and crossed her legs. "You've had this really stinky attitude since your father and I got back from Europe."
"Mom..."
"What is going on? You've never acted like this before. What's bothering you? Your father asked me to leave you alone; to let you work it out for yourself, but it's been a month and you haven't. I can't let this behavior continue without understanding why you've been so pissy. Please talk to me."
Marcus rubbed his stomach, satiated now that he had been able to achieve release. "Mom, I'm fine. Girl trouble, is all."
"You? Girl trouble? Really?"
He smiled. "Yes."
"I have never known my son to have girl trouble. You've continuously managed to keep them at an emotional distance, which has always pleased me. You must really like this one."
He smiled dreamily, thinking of his sister. "I'm in love with her."
Marin smiled at her son. "What did she do to make you so angry?"
Marcus looked at his mother. "Mom, really?"
Marin flushed, covering her face with her hand. "I'm sorry, Marcus. I didn't mean to pry like that." She stood up and smoothed her slacks. "I'll leave you alone. I'm sorry that it bothers you so much, but maybe it means a lot to her and she's just trying to make sure you're worth it."
Marcus looked at Marin again. "Mom? Leave it alone, please."
"Fine," she said. "Stop with the shitty attitude then, all right?"
He nodded. "Fair enough. I'm sorry if I upset you. I was just mad."
"Are you still mad?"
"I'm getting over it. I'm not about to beg anyone for anything."
Marin walked towards the door, tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear. "Nor should you, sweetheart. Is Mina in her room?"