Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Title: Tom's Noisy Girlfriend Ch.  03


Summary: Cousins finally admit the truth.


Keywords: inc,fic





   "See!" Samantha said.  "This week hasn't been so bad."

   "Actually," I admitted.  "I'm having a lot of fun."

   "I told you so!" she said, grinning for a moment before asking, "So,
where to next?"

   "How about back to our hotel for a nap?"

   "Oh no!" she laughed.  "We did that yesterday and the day before that,
and..."

   "I'm tired," I argued.

   "That's your excuse every day," she said, obviously not believing me. 
"But our 'naps', though enjoyable, seldom actually entail any sleep."

   "You didn't seem to mind before.  In fact, up until now, I haven't heard
any complaints," I smiled, remembering the shared pleasure.

   "And you won't hear any tonight," she promised.  "But we never end up
coming back to any of the amusement parks after we go for our little 'naps'
and this is our last full day.  I'm not ready to leave yet!"

   "Oh, okay," I sighed dramatically, but then smiled and added, "Since you
like the parks so much, you choose where we go from here."

   "I want to see the castle one more time!" she said excitedly.

   Samantha was acting like such a big kid this week, but I wasn't really
surprised.  A month ago she all but begged me to come with her.  It was her
favorite vacation place!

   "And maybe do a little shopping?" I teased.

   "Of course!" she grinned.  "But just a little.  We'll be stopping
downtown before we leave for the airport tomorrow."

   "Not that place!" I groaned.  "It took me three hours to get you out of
there last time!"

   "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll let you play with the Lego again," she
said, trying to hold in her laughter.  "Maybe this time you can make a car
that will win a race."

   "He cheated!" I cried, remembering the seven year old who built a car
out of Lego that proceeded to beat all others, including mine.

   "That kid is going to be an engineer when he grows up!" she said, no
longer bothering to hide her laughter.

   I smiled as I watched her.  Samantha was a good soul.  She was also
attractive and smart.  I cared for her a great deal and I was lucky to have
her for a girlfriend.  If I were a smart man, I would ask her to marry me.

   'Wow!' I said to myself, realizing what I was thinking.  'Plenty of time
for that!' After all, we'd only been dating for a few months.

   I wasn't really spooked by my thoughts, but I was surprised.  I was
almost thirty-three and never once had I found someone I thought worth
marrying till now.  A face began to form in my mind, but I refused to dwell
on it.  Instead, I focused on Samantha and contemplated finally settling
down.

   Later that day we saw the castle and I suggested one of her favorite
rides, but Samantha wanted to see the show they gave in front of the castle
so we waited with a million other people.  Okay, it wasn't actually that
bad, but it was crowded.

   We settled in a good spot and chatted.  I found myself thinking about
marriage and the possibility of children a number of times while we waited.
Samantha would make a great mother and I thought at thirty-three I was
ready to be a father.

   "Wait here!" Samantha grinned and ran off.  I watched her and shook my
head.

   "She really is just one big kid!" I laughed to myself.

   I started watching the crowd while I waited for her to return.  The bulk
of those milling about for the show were kids, no surprise there.  I let my
mind wonder for a moment and daydreamed about what Samantha and my kids
might look like.  It was a pleasant picture.

   I noticed one little girl giggling and running past me.  She couldn't
have been more than three or four.  I watched as her mother sprinted past
me and caught up to her.  She pulled the little girl into a hug and tickled
her.  They were both laughing.  I smiled and was about to look away when
the woman turned toward me and I saw her face.  My chest literally
tightened and I froze.

   "Janet," I said softly.  I hadn't seen my cousin in five years.  Not
since...I refused to think about it.

   I tried to turn away, but couldn't.  I stood there transfixed as she
continued to play with her daughter.  I was happy for my cousin.  She'd
obviously found someone that made her happy, yet inside I felt a numbness
begin to spread.

   Only moments before I'd been thinking about marrying Samantha, but as I
watched my cousin I knew I couldn't do it.  It wouldn't be fair to
Samantha. She was the perfect woman in so many ways, but the simple truth
was I didn't love her.

   "Not the way I love..." I began softly, but I was interrupted by
Samantha's return.

   "Here you go!" she said, handing me an ice cream.

   "Thanks," I said, but she knew something was up by my tone.

   "Are you okay?" she asked.

   "I'm not feeling well," I replied, which wasn't a lie.

   "Maybe we should go back to the hotel?" Samantha asked in obvious
concern.

   It was at that moment that Janet saw me watching her.  Our eyes met and
she smiled and took a step toward me, but then she saw Samantha place her
hand on my forehead in concern.

   Janet's daughter grabbed her dress and pulled until my cousin looked
down and took the little girl's hand.  Our eyes met once more, but this
time there was only sadness.

   "I think we'd better leave," I said softly.

   "Okay," Samantha said.

   I didn't look back over my shoulder as we left, but it wasn't easy. 
What was worse was the concern in Samantha's expression.  I was almost
ready to marry her only a few short moments ago, but now I could never do
it.

   In a way it was probably a good thing that I saw Janet.  I loved
Samantha as a person and the thought of having children with her was a good
one, but I wasn't in love with her.  It wouldn't be fair to Samantha.  She
deserved better.

   ***

   "How come you never visit your family?" Wendy asked.

   "You should try the veal special," I said, trying to ignore the question
and change the subject.  "I had it the last time I was here.  It's
delicious."

   "And how come every time I bring them up you change the subject?" she
asked, unwilling to let the subject drop this time.

   "What's with your infatuation with my family?" I asked, still refusing
to answer her question.  I focused on the menu.

   "I'm just curious," she said.  "I mean, we've been dating for months and
you hardly ever bring them up.  You didn't even go home for the holidays."

   "Let's just say I had a falling out with them," I said tersely, letting
her know I didn't want to talk about it.

   "About what?" she asked, ignoring my tone.

   I had a sudden flashback to seven years before.  The scene played itself
out and I literally cringed before it was done.  How could everything be so
perfect one moment and then so totally screwed up the next?

   "Wendy, let's change the subject," I said, being blunt this time.  "I
don't want to talk about it."

   "Why not?" she asked, refusing to let it drop.

   "Why are you so curious?" I asked in return.

   "Well," she said.  "It's just that I'd like to meet your parents."

   "Why?" I asked.

   "Because that's what happens when couples get serious," she frowned. 
"They meet each other's family.  You met my parents last month."

   "Oh," I said, realizing what was going on.  I sighed.  I had a good time
with Wendy.  It was too bad it had to end.

   "I saw my parents just before Christmas," I said, sharing a fact that I
neglected to tell Wendy previously.

   "What?  When?"

   "They came out for a quick visit the weekend before," I replied.

   "You told me you had to work that weekend!" Wendy cried, drawing
attention to us from some of the other tables.

   "I did," I replied.  "But mom and dad popped in unexpectedly.  I took
them to dinner Saturday night and made them breakfast Sunday.  They were
back on a plane before dinner."

   "Why didn't you call me?"

   "You said you were going to go out with your girlfriends," I shrugged.
"I didn't see the point in interfering with your plans."

   "You didn't see the point?" she asked angrily.

   "They were here and gone so quickly," I said.  "They went to Las Vegas
afterward and spend a few more days.  Pop loves to gamble."

   "And you had no idea they might stop by?"

   "Oh," I said offhandedly.  "Mom mentioned something about the
possibility."

   "Mom mentioned something about..." Wendy began repeating, but then
stopped herself.

   "It wasn't that big of a deal," I shrugged.

   "You didn't want me to meet your parents," Wendy said.  Her eyes started
welling up and I grimaced to myself.  I hated it when they cried.

   "I want to go home," she said, standing and quickly walking toward the
door.

   I paid for the drinks we had and dropped her at her place.  It was not a
fun ride.  She didn't even bother to talk to me.  I knew we wouldn't be
seeing each other again.  An hour later I was back home with a tall glass
of bourbon.  I sat on my couch watching television without really paying
attention.

   "It's not like I ever lied to her," I said aloud, taking another drink
of my bourbon.  It wasn't quite the truth.  I knew my parents were stopping
by that weekend.  I did do some work, but only a couple of hours in the
morning.

   "I never told her I loved her," I added, which was the truth, but it
didn't make me feel any better.

   Wendy deserved better.  Oh, she was a bit neurotic and clingy, but
despite that she was a decent person.  I should never have dated her for so
long.  I knew we'd never end up together.

   "What a fucked up life!" I snapped, finishing my drink and getting up to
pour myself another.

   I sat watching television until midnight.  As soon as it passed to the
next day I held up my glass and added, "Happy fucking birthday!"

   I was thirty-five and drunk as hell.  I guess there were worse ways of
entering mid-life, but then again, maybe not.  I didn't even bother
shutting the television or going to bed.  I passed out on the couch.

   A pounding woke me up.  At first I thought it was in my head, but then I
realized it was the front door.  I stumbled to my feet and groaned.  I was
seriously hung over.  I don't know who I expected to see when I opened the
door, but my cousin Tom and his wife Tina were not even on the list.

   "Happy birthday!" Tina cried.

   "You look like shit," Tom frowned.

   "That's what age does to a person," I replied, rubbing my face.

   "It's not age that's got you so bleary eyed," Tom said, walking past me
and into my house.  I watched him and shook my head.

   "How would you know?  We haven't seen each other in seven years.  Not
since you gave me that black eye."

   "Don't be an ass," my cousin said.  "Invite Tina in.  She's too classy
to force her way past you like me."

   "I thought you promised to kill me the next time you saw me?" I asked
with a frown.

   "I did," Tom replied, looking pointedly at his wife who was still
standing outside the door.

   "Sorry," I said quickly to Tina.  "Come on in."

   "Thanks," she smiled and walked in.

   "Do you have any coffee in this place?" Tom called as he made his way to
the kitchen.

   "Refrigerator," I called back.  I wasn't much of a coffee drinker, but
Wendy was.  She insisted that I keep some on hand for when she slept over.

   Tina and I spoke about our lives over the last seven years.  Actually,
she talked and I listened.  As it turned out, Tom and her had a couple of
daughters.  It was an extremely surreal conversation.  I couldn't believe
that they were actually here after so many years.

   "You look like shit," Tom said.

   "You said that already," I sighed.

   "It's still true," he shrugged.

   "Tom, why are you here?" I asked.  "It's not that I'm not happy to see
you, but you have to admit, this is a bit unexpected."

   "Go shave and take a shower," he replied.  "We'll talk after breakfast."

   "But..." I began.  Tom cut me off.

   "I'm not going to talk to you while you're like this!" he snapped, and
then looked at me carefully before asking, "Are you hung over or still
drunk?"

   "Definitely hung over," I sighed, getting up and going to the bathroom.
I used the facilities, shaved and then took a hot shower.

   I stayed under the spray for quite a while trying to understand what was
going on.  There was a reason why I never went home.  Seven years ago Tom's
mother walked in on his sister and me.  We were at Janet's house doing what
cousin's weren't supposed to do, ever.  I still remembered the day as if it
were yesterday.  I sorely wanted another drink.  It was one of the few
things that could blur the memory.

   Seven years ago I dropped Tom and Tina back at their hotel after we
slept over Janet's so they could get ready for the honeymoon.  Instead of
going back to my room, I returned to Janet's.  She was waiting for me.  We
came to an understanding the night before and were in the middle of
enjoying it when my aunt walked in.

   What she found literally had her screaming.  It's not every day a mother
finds her daughter in bed with her nephew.  There was no placating her and
I quickly grabbed my clothes and left at Janet's insistence.

   All of that was bad enough, but instead of staying quiet and hiding what
happened, my aunt told my parents, Tom, her priest and probably anyone else
willing to listen!

   Janet and I had exactly one conversation a couple hours later.  I called
her from my hotel.  It was short and painful, but we both agreed that we
couldn't see each other anymore.  We were cousins and cousins didn't sleep
together.

   That didn't stop Tom from finding me while I was waiting for the next
flight back home.  He caused quite a scene and gave me a black eye.  I
never saw him so angry!  He called me some horrible things, not many of
which I could deny and then told me to stay away from his sister.  I
agreed. That was seven years ago.

   "Are you going to spend all day in there!" Tom cried as he banged on the
bathroom door.  I jumped.

   "I'm coming out now!" I called back, rinsing the soap from my hair and
eyes.

   I did feel better after the shower and breakfast helped too.  Tom wasn't
a great cook, but the pancakes he made were eatable and my stomach
desperately needed food.

   "So, who is the cute redhead I see in all the pictures?" Tina asked as
we ate.

   "Wendy," I frowned.

   "Girlfriend?" Tom asked.

   "Ex," I replied.

   "That's a lot of pictures for a girl who is your ex," Tom said.

   "I didn't put them up.  She did."

   "You must care for her," Tina said.  "After all, you didn't take them
down."

   "We just broke up last night," I sighed, wondering about the mini
inquisition.

   "And that would explain the hang over," Tom smiled.

   "Not really," I shrugged.  "I'm usually pretty hung over on Saturday
mornings, Sunday too."

   Tom frowned and glanced at Tina.  They exchanged an odd look.  I had no
idea what it was about, and frankly, I didn't care.  I was too hung over.

   I continued to eat and Tom changed the subject.  We talked about old
times and old friends.  Tina shared news of her siblings.  Bette and Frank
were going on their eighteenth year of marriage and George finally married
his girlfriend Terri a couple of years ago.  They had a kid on the way.

   Tina's cousin Cheryl and our cousin Hank dated for a few months after
the wedding, but eventually broke up.  I was amazed it lasted as long as it
did.  Cheryl did eventually marry a guy.  Tina obviously wasn't crazy about
him, but she didn't go into details.

   "You haven't asked about Janet," Tom said as I finished my meal and sat
back.

   "I didn't want another black eye," I replied, wiping my mouth with a
napkin.

   "She's not doing well," he said, ignoring my comment.

   "What happened?" I asked in surprise and concern.  "The last time I saw
her she was laughing and playing with her daughter."

   "Her daughter?" Tina frowned.

   "Yeah," I nodded.  "I was on vacation in Florida and she was standing in
front of the castle playing with a beautiful little girl who was the
spitting image of Janet."

   "You saw her two years ago?" Tom asked, obviously putting something
together in his head.  "Did you talk to her?"

   "No," I replied.  "She obviously found someone who made her happy.  I
didn't want to interfere with that.  Besides, I was there with a friend."

   "Wendy?" Tina asked.

   "No, Samantha," I replied, trying hard not to remember that break up. 
Everything went down hill in my life from that moment, not that things were
great before.

   "You know," Tom said to Tina.  "It was right about then that Janet
started having problems."

   "With her husband?" I asked.

   "Janet's been divorced from John for seven years," Tina replied.

   "She didn't marry the father of her daughter?" I asked in confusion.

   "Stop being so dense!" Tom snapped.  "Janet doesn't have any kids.  The
little girl you saw her with was one of our daughters.  Jenna is almost six
while Susan is only four, but based on the timeframe and the fact that
Jenna looks like my side of the family, I'm guessing it was her."

   "Your daughter," I said numbly.

   "Yes, we convinced Janet to come with us on vacation that year," Tina
said.  I shook my head.

   "After that vacation Janet started a dating spree," Tom said, changing
the subject.  "I don't know what she was looking for but after six months
and I don't know how many dates, she stopped dating altogether."

   I felt a jolt of jealousy, but then shook my head.  I didn't want to
think about the number of women I dated over the last seven years.  Wendy
was the most recent and I wasn't even sure why that lasted as long as it
did.  Janet had the right to try and find happiness.  I was sad to hear
that she hadn't been any luckier than me.

   "Is she okay?" I asked.

   "We don't think so," Tina said.

   "No," Tom added more confidently.  "She's not."

   "Janet's looks ten years older than she actually is and doesn't seem to
put any effort into her appearance," Tina said.  "She's sad most of the
time."

   "Mom is going crazy with worry," Tom added.

   "She's not the only one," Tina frowned.

   "I'm sorry to hear that," I said softly.

   "That's nice," Tom shrugged.  "But what are you going to do about it?"

   "Me?" I nearly laughed.  "Tom, if you haven't realized, I've got
problems of my own."

   "The drinking?" he asked.

   "Got it in one," I sighed, getting up and pouring myself a glass of
bourbon.

   "How bad is it?" he asked, watching me.

   "Well, let's see," I said, gulping down half the glass.  "I guess I'd
call myself a functioning alcoholic, although I'm not sure my boss Terry
agrees."

   "Problems at work?"

   "I'd have fired me six months ago, but Terry is a loyal S.O.B.," I
answered, taking another gulp.  "I helped build his company, but even with
that he's going to run out of patience eventually."

   "So then, why not stop drinking?" Tina asked.

   "What's the point?" I asked, finishing the glass and reached for the
bottle to pour myself another.  Tom grabbed it out of my hand.

   "Do you love my sister?" he asked, refusing to give me the bottle back.
"Not like a cousin, but like a man loves a woman."

   "What?" I cried.

   "You heard me," Tom replied.  "Answer the question."

   "We're cousins!" I cried.

   "Yeah, and?" Tom asked pointedly.  "You're more than just cousins. 
Normal cousins don't do what my mother caught you and Janet doing."

   "I know!" I snapped.  "I can't explain it!" All three of us fell silent
for a moment.

   "You never answered Tom's question," Tina said gently.

   "What does it matter?" I said.  "Even if I did love her.  We can't be
together."

   "Why not?" Tom asked.

   "We're cousins!" I cried.  "It's illegal for one thing and immoral for
another!"

   "I don't know about immoral," Tom shrugged.  "But it's not really
illegal."

   "What?" I cried.

   "I said, it's not illegal," he replied.  "Not in all fifty states."

   "You're kidding," I said, obviously in shock.

   "No, I'm not," he replied.  "Look it up on the web.  I did."

   I looked back and forth between the two of them and rubbed my face with
both hands.  I didn't understand what was going on, but obviously Tom and
Tina had put a lot of thought into what they were saying.

   "You looked it up on the internet?" I asked, stalling.

   "Yep," Tom replied, understanding my need for time.  He stood silently
waiting.

   "Seven years ago you threatened to kill me over your sister and now
you're trying to set us up?  Why?" I asked into silence that followed.

   "Because seven years ago I thought you were a perverted bastard who used
Janet's pending divorce as an excuse to take advantage of her," he replied.

   "And what changed your mind?" I asked.

   "In some ways, it's not," Tom smiled.  "I still think you're a perverted
bastard, but Janet told me about the first time you were together.  She
told me that what happened was as much her fault as yours."

   "When did she tell you that?"

   "Not long after I gave you the black eye."

   "And you decided to come see me now?" I frowned.

   "I thought you'd both be better off staying away from each other," he
shrugged.  "It would have been easier on everyone if you two found someone
else."

   "But you didn't," Tina added.  "Janet is unhappy and depressed most of
the time.  Based on the way you're drinking these days and the way this
place looks, I'm guessing you're the same."

   I didn't bother denying it.  There would be no point.  I was depressed
and lonely.  I'd buried myself in work for the first few years and then
booze after I saw Janet with Jenna, but neither helped all that much.

   "So, what do you want me to do?" I asked.

   "First, answer my question," Tom replied.  "Do you love my sister?"

   I thought for a long moment.  I realized I wasn't trying to figure out
if I loved Janet.  I was trying to decide whether I was willing to admit it
to myself, much less Tom and Tina.

   "Yes," I finally said.

   "Then come home," Tom smiled.  "Visit Janet and see what happens."

   "I can't," I replied softly.  I'd admitted I loved her, but that didn't
mean we should be together.  "We're cousins and it would be wrong.  I know
the Internet says it's legal in some states, but I was brought up a certain
way.  So was Janet."

   "It didn't stop you before," Tom frowned.

   "And you think that's a good thing?" I snorted.  "Look what it's done to
us?"

   "Won't you at least think about it?" Tina asked.

   "Have you thought how difficult it will be for the rest of the family?"
I sighed.  "My parents visit me twice a year and we've never talked about
what happened.  They don't mention your family at all.  I didn't even know
you had kids for Christ sake!  Can you imagine how the rest of the family
will react?"

   "Fuck'em," Tom grinned.  "Although I guess I should be careful saying
that to you.  You just might do it!"

   "Don't be an ass!" Tina snapped at her husband.

   "Too late," I said, smiling for the first time.  I really did miss Tom.
He was a friend as well as a cousin.  Losing him hurt almost as much as
losing Janet, almost.

   "So, will you come home?" Tina asked.

   "No," I sighed.  "You really have no idea how badly your mother took
it."

   "Is that your final answer?" Tom asked.

   "Yes," I said, grabbing the bottle out of his hand and pouring myself
another drink.  He watched and shook his head as I downed half of it.

   "Okay," Tom sighed.  "It's probably all for the better.  I'm not even
sure you'd improve the situation.  Certainly, the fact that you're an
alcoholic wouldn't help."

   "How long are you two here for?" I asked, changing the subject.

   "We're actually leaving late tonight on a redeye," Tom said.  "We were
in San Diego for a conference.  We drove up before going home."

   "We'll the least I can do is show you around town before you leave," I
said.

   "I guess so," Tom said and turned to Tina and added, "It is is birthday
after all." She nodded in agreement.

   The rest of the day went by quickly.  I'd forgotten how much fun Tom and
Tina were.  I hadn't laughed so much in years.  We had dinner at one of my
favorite restaurants.

   "I have an idea," Tina said as we sipped our after dinner drinks.  We
didn't have much time before I had to drop them at the airport.

   "Yes?" Tom asked with a raised eyebrow.

   "Not that kind of an idea!" Tina laughed, and then turned to me and
said, "I was thinking about how you bumped into Janet last time while we
were on vacation."

   "Yes?" I asked with a frown.  I figured one of them would make another
attempt at getting me to meet with Janet, but I thought it would be Tom.

   "How about we set up a similar situation?" she asked.  "The rest of the
family won't even hear about it."

   "I don't know," I said with a frown.  "Family isn't the only reason why
I said no."

   "But it's the biggest," Tina argued.  "I know you want to see Janet and
I think she'd like to see you.  It will be worth it even if nothing comes
out of it other than you two getting to talk again after seven years."

   "You can't say you don't miss talking to her!" Tom added.  "You two were
always yapping a lot growing up."

   "Where would this vacation be?" I found myself asking.  Tina smiled in
satisfaction.

   "Janet is going away for her birthday to an island with some friends,"
she said.  "She hasn't decided which one yet, but when she does I'm sure I
can get the hotel name."

   "Her birthday isn't for three months," I frowned.

   "Good," Tom said emphatically.  "That will give you time to quit
drinking.  It's bad enough you're my cousin.  I'm not setting my sister up
with a drunk."

   "Tom!" Tina snapped, more in embarrassment than disagreement.

   I looked away for a moment and thought about what he was saying.  I'd
relied on alcohol for the better part of two years to keep me numb.  Could
I give it up?  Was there a point to doing so?

   Tom must have read my expression because he added in a gentler tone, "It
would hurt Janet to find out you're an alcoholic." I thought about what he
said and realized it was the truth.  Janet would be upset.  Suddenly, I had
a reason to stop drinking.

   "Okay," I said softly, but firmly as I put down the half empty glass I'd
been drinking.  "I'll stop."

   "Good for you!" Tom said slapping me on the back.  "Now let's get out of
here or we'll miss our flight."

   ***

   "So, Timmy will handle things while I'm gone," I said to Terry.  We were
in his office and I was an hour away from leaving for vacation.  "You do
realize that it's almost time to give him a promotion?  He spent the better
part of two years covering for me."

   "I know," Terry replied.  "I was grooming him for your position."

   "I figured," I shrugged.  "He's earned it."

   "Yes he has, but I'm in as bit of a quandary now that you've given up
the booze," Terry said, but then smiled and added, "Have I mentioned how
nice it is to have you back?"

   "It's nice to be back," I smiled, honestly meaning it.  It was the first
time Terry and I spoke about my drinking problem.  It felt uncomfortable
and odd, but it was good to get it out in the open.

   "What made you quit drinking?" he asked.

   "My cousin visited and told me I looked like shit," I responded. 
"Twice."

   "And that's all it took?" Terry laughed.

   "Mostly," I answered.  "I've got to go or I'll miss my flight."

   "Have fun," he said.  "We'll figure out what to do with Timmy when you
get back."

   "I have some ideas," I said.  "The area is getting big enough to split
into two."

   "I agree," Terry said.  "Timmy will head up one of them.  You might want
to spend some time figuring out who should head up the other."

   "Planning on getting rid of me?" I asked.

   "No," Terry laughed.  "Promoting you!"

   "Terry, that sounds great," I said seriously.  "But I've only been sober
for three months."

   "If you think the added stress will..." he began, but I cut him off.

   "This place wasn't the reason why I drank," I said.  "In fact, I think
it was the reason why I stayed functioning, mostly."

   "Well then," Terry smiled.  "We'll talk about your promotion when you
get back too."

   "Thanks Terry," I said warmly.

   "You earned it," he shrugged.  "Even drunk you were better than half the
guys out there and I haven't forgotten your part in building this company."
I shook my head and said my goodbyes.

   I reviewed the last three months during the taxi ride to the airport. 
Quitting drinking was hard at first, but it grew easier with time.  Work
helped, but what really made it possible were thoughts of seeing Janet
again.  Cousin or not, I knew without a doubt that I loved her.  Admitting
it to Tom and Tina only made my desire to see her stronger.  The question
was, did she feel the same?

   "Going on an interview?" the taxi cab driver asked.  "You looked
nervous."

   "No," I smiled.  "I'm going to meet a woman I haven't talked to in seven
years."

   "Love her?" he asked.

   "Like crazy," I admitted.

   "Good luck!" he laughed.

   The plane flight was long and cramped.  What made it worse was that I
didn't know how Janet would react when she saw me.  It was surprisingly
difficult not to ask the stewardess for a drink.  I slept as much of the
two flights as I could, but it wasn't a good rest.

   I made it from the airport to the hotel without incident.  Janet and her
friends weren't due until the next day, so I crashed in bed and slept my
jetlag away.  I woke up ridiculously early in the morning, but at least I
felt rested.  I watched a couple of movies, ordered in breakfast and fell
back to sleep.

   The next time I woke up I looked at the clock and swallowed.  Janet
should have arrived at the hotel by now.  I got out of bed, took a quick
shower and got into my bathing suit.  I wondered around the pool, but
didn't see her.

   I'd never felt so nervous and confused in my life.  I wanted to see her,
but I was frightened at what her reaction might be.  A lot depended on it.
I took a deep breath and let it out before moving on to the beach.  I saw a
small group of women lying out, but Janet wasn't with them.  I moved
farther down the beach and smiled when I finally found her.

   Janet was bending down and picking up a seashell.  She rinsed it in the
ocean and then stared out over the water.  She was just as beautiful as I
remembered, but her eyes looked sad and wistful.  Seeing her woke up
feelings I thought long dead.  I knew I loved her, but I'd forgotten what
having her near did to me.

   I continued to look at her and noticed that her hair was shorter.  I
frowned when I saw that the bathing suit she was wearing did nothing for
her.  She was still beautiful to me, but Tom was right.  She wasn't taking
care of herself.  Janet did look older.

   "Hello Janet," I said warmly as I walked up to her.

   She looked up and her eyes grew big for a moment, but that was the only
outward reaction at first.

   "Hello," she said carefully.

   "Long time no see," I said, knowing it was a cliché, but unsure of what
else to do or say.

   "Two years," she nodded.  "Seven since we talked."

   "I'd like to talk to you now," I said carefully.

   "It's too late for that," she sighed, standing slowly.

   "Why?" I asked.

   "Why, he asks," she said with a shake of her head.  "Because..."

   "Janet!" a woman's voice said from behind me.  "We were worried about
you."

   "Yeah," another woman said.  "But if I'd known you were picking up a
guy, I'd still be lying down and working on my tan."

   I turned and saw the three women I noticed earlier as I came onto the
beach.  I guess they were the friends Janet came down with.

   "I'm not picking up a guy!" Janet snapped.  "This is my..."

   "Old boyfriend," I interjected.

   "You two dated?" the short, dark haired woman asked.  She was the first
woman who spoke.

   "I wouldn't call it that," Janet replied.  I held my breath to see if
she would go along with my little white lie.  "We were friends growing up,
but we never really dated."

   "Then what do you call what happened the night of your brother's
wedding?" I asked, not willing to let it go at that.

   "A mistake," Janet said succinctly.

   "Hmm," the dirty blond grinned.  "What exactly did happen that night?" I
didn't recognize her voice so the second speaker was the taller brunette.

   "Something that obviously meant more to me than her," I answered sadly.
Janet gave me an odd look.

   "Yeah," she snorted.  "It meant so much to you that you haven't called
me in seven years."

   "Your family hates me!" I snapped in reply.  "We agreed not to see each
other anymore."

   "Not all my family hates you," Janet said.  "In fact, my aunt and uncle
treat you like a son.  Although, I did hear that my brother gave you a
black eye when he found out about us."

   Suddenly, I had a hard time not laughing.  The whole conversation was so
surreal.  At least Janet was going along with it.  That had to count for
something.

   "That was seven years ago," I smiled.  "I'm sure he's calmed down since
then."

   "I wouldn't count on it," Janet replied.  "In fact, he'd probably give
you another if he found out you were talking to me."

   "I doubt it," I said confidently, but didn't explain further.  Janet
looked at me and frowned.  I ignored her and looked toward her friends.  I
introduced myself and listened as they told me their names.

   "Marie," the taller brunette said with a smile.

   "Dayna," the blond added.

   "Helen," the third woman offered.

   "It's a pleasure to meet you all ladies," I smiled.  "How would you all
like drink?  My treat?"

   "Wait a minute..." Janet began, but Dayna cut her off.

   "Shush!" she joked.  "Never turn down a free drink when there is no
strings attached."

   "Who said there's no strings?" Janet frowned.  "You don't know him. 
He's a sneaky one."

   "Me?" I asked innocently.  "If I remember correctly, you were the one
who jumped me first!"

   "I did not!" Janet cried, but her friends were already laughing.

   "Alright Janet!" Marie said.

   "It's too bad Michelle couldn't come," Helen said.  "I'm sure she could
share quite a few interesting stories about these two."

   'Thank God she didn't!' I thought.  'Michelle knows I'm Janet's cousin!'

   "Her baby is due in a couple of weeks," Janet explained.

   "Her and Franky still having kids like crazy?" I asked with a shake of
my head.

   "This is their sixth one," Dayna said, sounding amazed.

   "We can catch up while you ladies drink," I smiled and led them to the
tiki bar on the beach.  They each ordered their drink and I added a soda to
the order before paying.

   "To early in the day for a real drink?" Marie asked.

   "I don't drink anymore," I said offhandedly.

   "That's new," Janet commented, meeting my gaze.  I smiled and shrugged,
but I thought she guessed the truth.

   "So are the gray patches on my temples," I joked.

   "I think they make you look sexy," Marie said with a smile after taking
a sip of her drink.

   "One more drink and you'll think every guy in the place look sexy,"
Helen said, rolling her eyes.

   "Well, excuse me miss prim and proper," Marie said.  "Not all of us are
old married women!"

   "I'm two years younger than you!" Helen retorted.

   "You certainly don't act it!" Marie snapped.

   "Forgive them," Dayna sighed.  "They're always like this.  Helen has the
morals of a cloistered nun while Marie...  well Marie doesn't have any at
all."

   "I'm surprised they stay friends," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

   "We don't, not really," Marie said with a shrug.

   "But we don't have to," Helen replied.  "We're sisters."

   "And both my friends," Janet put in.  "And since we're here because of
my birthday, cut it out and drink your drinks."

   "Your birthday?" I asked.  "Really?" Of course, I knew the next day was
her birthday, but I figured I'd have fun with her.

   "Don't even try it," Janet said.  "You've always been good with dates
and names."

   "Okay," I admitted.  "In that case, do you want your gift now or
tomorrow?"

   "Do you always carry a present for me around with you this time of the
year?" Janet asked with a frown.  "I mean it's not like you knew I'd be
here."

   "Maybe his idea of a present..." Marie began, but her sister cut her
off.

   "Get your mind out of the gutter!" Helen put in.

   "Will you two cut it out!" Dayna cried in annoyance.  Janet and I were
too busy laughing.

   "So what exactly is this present?" Marie asked, pointedly ignoring Dayna
and Helen.

   "I can't tell you," I smiled.  "That would ruin the surprise!"

   "You don't have a present for me," Janet insisted.  "We just bumped into
each other ten minutes ago!"

   "What do you think the odds are of two people bumping into each other
twice in two years while on vacation?" I asked rhetorically.

   "You knew she'd be here," Helen smiled.  I nodded.

   "Who told you?" Dayna asked.

   "Her brother Tom," I replied.  I watched the surprise in Janet's
expression blossom.

   "So I guess he didn't give you another black eye!" Marie laughed.

   "No," I answered, but I was looking at Janet.  "Actually, he tracked me
down and wanted me to come back to the east coast for a visit."

   "Why would he do that?" Janet asked in confusion.

   "Simple," I shrugged.  "He was worried about you."

   "So then how did you end up here?" Dayna asked.  I looked away from
Janet and smiled at the blond.

   "Janet's mother really hates me!" I replied.  "I didn't want to face
her. Tom's wife Tina came up with the idea of my meeting Janet during
vacation after I told her we nearly bumped into each other two years ago
during previous vacations."

   "I remember," Janet put in.  "You were too busy to say hello.  I guess
the woman..."

   "She wasn't the reason why I didn't say hello," I interjected.  "I
didn't want to impose on you and your daughter."

   "My daughter?" Janet exclaimed.

   "That's what I thought at the time," I shrugged.  "Tommy told me that it
was actually his daughter when I saw him, but that was only three months
ago."

   "What ever happened with that woman?" Janet asked.  "She seemed to
really care about you."

   "Samantha?" I frowned.  "We broke up not long after returning from that
vacation.  She deserved a man who could love her with his whole heart. 
Seeing you made me realize that it wasn't me."

   "I'm sorry," Janet said.  She sounded serious.  I shrugged.

   "Oh!  How romantic!" Helen sighed.  I swallowed hard.  I don't know why
I didn't wait until Janet and I were alone to tell her all this.  I guess I
was afraid I wouldn't get the chance.

   "So now what?" Marie asked, breaking the silence that followed.  "You've
followed her on vacation.  What's next?"

   "I have no idea," I shrugged and smiled.  "I hadn't thought that far."
Okay, it wasn't the truth, but I didn't want to go into any detail of my
plans.

   "A nice dinner with just the two of you would be nice," Dayna smiled. 
"You know, just to talk about old times."

   "Sounds good to me," I said quickly.

   "Not so fast!" Janet put in.  "I'm here on vacation with my friends.  I
have no intention of dumping them just because..."

   "Oh nonsense!" Helen interjected.  "Dump away!  We can certainly fend
for ourselves for one meal."

   "No," Janet insisted in a tone I recognized.  She wasn't going to give
in.

   "How about lunch?" I offered.  "Let me take you out to lunch and I'll
have you back in time for whatever dinner plans you ladies have."

   "Oh go ahead!" Marie insisted.  "We're just going to hang out by the
pool and beach anyway.  If it goes badly you can meet us here."

   Janet tried to argue, but with all three ladies on my side she
eventually gave in.  We chatted with the others for a few minutes longer
before we both went to our rooms to get dressed.

   We met in the hotel lobby not long afterward.  Janet was wearying a
sundress.  It was pretty, but I frowned when I saw it.  I recognized it. 
She had it for years.  I again remembered Tom and Tina's remarks about
Janet not really taking care of herself.

   I was happy to see that she put on a little makeup.  Janet's beauty was
natural enough not to need much in the way of cosmetics, but it was nice to
see her making the effort.

   "Are you hungry yet?" I asked.

   "No, not really," she replied.  "Why?"

   "Because I'd like to go shopping first."

   "Shopping?" she asked.  "What for?"

   "Why?  Part of your birthday present of course!" I grinned.  "Actually,
I owe you seven years of presents and since this hotel has a spa, why don't
you let me buy you a complete wardrobe and makeover."

   "You can't be serious?" she asked.

   "Why not?" I shrugged.  "You're a beautiful woman.  You should dress and
look the part."

   "Is this your way of saying I don't look good?" she asked.

   "Are you crazy!" I exclaimed.  "You're still the most beautiful woman
I've ever met!"

   "You are so full of it!" she laughed.  I liked it when Janet laughed.

   "No, I'm dead serious," I insisted.  "Let me do this for you?"

   "Okay," Janet said after a brief hesitation.  "But you do realize we're
going to have to talk eventually?"

   "Yes," I smiled, knowing with Janet meant.  "I have a lot to say to
you."

   "Did Tom really tell you that I'd be here?" she asked.

   "I swear," I replied honestly.  "Actually, I think he was a little
pissed that he wouldn't be here to see it for himself."

   "Nothing has changed since we decided to not see each other again," she
said seriously.

   "I disagree," I replied.  "But let's hold this conversation for later.
Right now I want to enjoy your company.  I've missed you so much!"

   "I've missed you too, but..."

   "Later," I insisted, placing two fingers on her lips to silence her. 
"Right now, let me spoil you.  Please?" Janet looked at me in silence for a
moment and then moved my fingers away and smiled.

   "It's been a while since a man's done that."

   "So then," I said, taking her hand.  "Let's do it right."

   Janet continued to smile as I led her to the salon.  We made an
appointment for her.  They couldn't take her until the afternoon, but that
was okay.  It gave us time to shop and eat lunch.

   We took a cab into the local town and searched for a place with clothes
that Janet liked.  It didn't take long.  The first thing we bought was a
new sundress that I insisted she wore right then instead of putting back on
the old one.  The style wasn't that different, but the smile on Janet's
face when she saw herself in it made it worth buying in and of itself.

   We shopped for another couple of hours.  The last store we found was one
with bathing suits.  Janet was embarrassed at first, but she let me help
her pick a nice one piece suit that showed off her assets nicely without
going too far.

   "Now for a bikini," I said once we picked the first suit.

   "I'm not getting a bikini!" Janet snapped.

   "Of course you are," I said.  "You've got the body for it."

   "Not anymore!" Janet blushed.

   "Nonsense," I smiled.

   "I'm too old for a bikini," Janet insisted.

   "I don't agree," I said.  "Try on a couple and let's see."

   "No!"

   "Please?  For me?" I asked.

   "Why should I?" she asked after a brief hesitation.

   "Think of it as payment for me buying you the first suit," I offered.

   "I thought that was part of my birthday present?"

   "Janet," I said seriously.  "I'd like to see you in a bikini.  Please
don't disappoint me." She looked at me and I saw her waffling.  I met her
eyes and let my own plead.

   "Okay," she sighed.  "But only one or two, and I pick them!"

   "That's fine," I smiled.

   The first bikini she choose was as close to a one piece as she could
get. I just looked at her when she came out in it.  She laughed and went
back into the dressing room.  The next bikini was much better.

   "What do you think?" Janet asked when she exited the dressing room.

   "Wow!" I said, swallowing hard.  "It's perfect!"

   "It does look pretty good," Janet smiled in satisfaction.  "Or at least
it would if I had a decent tan."

   "You have all week to correct that," I said.

   "I'm not wearing something like this by the pool!" she exclaimed.

   "Why not?" I asked.  "You're turning thirty-four tomorrow, not eighty!"

   "I wouldn't have worn something like this when I was twenty!" she
grinned.

   "You were just a kid back then," I smiled.  "Now you're a woman who..."

   "I get the point!" she laughed.  "But I'm still not wearing this suit in
public."

   "That's your choice," I shrugged.  "But I'm definitely buying it for
you!"

   "It looks that good?" she asked with a warm smile.

   "You have no idea!" I groaned.  Janet glanced at her image in the mirror
and her smile grew.

   She looked at a couple of other bikinis and I enjoyed seeing her in all
of them, but even she agreed that the second one was the best.  We left
with the bikini and the one-piece suit.

   "We should eat," Janet said.  "I need to keep my salon appointment in a
little while."

   "I'm hungry," I nodded.  "Where do you want to go?"

   We ended up back at our hotel.  They had a good restaurant and it was
right by the spa.  The meal was enjoyable.  I can't remember a single thing
we talked about because we both either consciously or subconsciously
decided to keep the conversion light, but I hadn't had such a good time in
years.

   "You might as well go," Janet said as we neared the salon afterward. 
"This is probably going to take a while."

   "Absolutely not!" I cried.  "I want to see what you look like when
you're done."

   "Want to see what you paid for?" Janet asked with a grin.

   "Something like that," I laughed.

   "Go wait in the lounge," she said, joining me in laughter.  "I'll stop
by before I go back to my room."

   "Okay," I smiled, watching her enter the salon.  I'd already given them
my room number to charge the cost when we set up the appointment.

   The lounge was pretty empty this time of the day.  The bartended was a
decent enough guy and we chatted a little as we watched a golf match on
television.  I'm not sure how long I waited, but I knew when Janet entered
the room.  I could tell from the bartender's reaction.

   "Sorry it took so long," Janet said from behind me.  I turned with a
witty reply on my lips, but it was gone the moment I saw her.

   "Wow!" I said instead.

   "You like?" Janet smiled.

   "Wow!" I said again, causing her to laugh.

   "The hair's not too much?" she asked.

   "I like it," I finally got out.

   "You mean it's better than that old lady hair style I had before?" she
asked with a grin.  I swallowed and nodded, causing her to laugh again.

   Janet's hair looked great.  So did her makeup, if a little overdone for
my tastes.  Yet, the truth was that it was the way Janet was holding
herself that made the most obvious difference.  She looked happy and
confident, a far cry from when I saw her on the beach this morning.

   "You look amazing!" I said.

   "And then some," the bartender put in with a shake of his head as he
moved down the bar from us.  Janet blushed.

   "He means it," I smiled, finally regaining control of myself.  "So do
I."

   "I know," Janet said, still smiling.

   "How about a drink?" I asked.

   "I have time for one," Janet said, sitting on the stool next to mine.

   "What will you have?" the bartender asked, making his way back to us.

   "What are you drinking?" Janet asked me.

   "Club soda with a twist," I replied.  She didn't quite frown.

   "I'd like a glass of chardonnay," Janet said to the bartender.  We sat
silently until he delivered it.

   "Cheers," she said, holding up her glass.  "To family and friends."

   "And past and future lovers," I put in, earning myself an odd look.

   "So, how long have you been sober?" Janet asked, guessing at the reason
why I didn't have alcohol all day.

   "Ninety-four days," I replied honestly.  "Not a drop since your brother
and Tina stopped by for my birthday."

   "How bad was it?" Janet asked.

   "Pretty bad," I sighed.  "I don't remember much about the two years
since I last saw you."

   "I wish I couldn't," Janet replied.

   "Let's change the subject," I said, forcing a smile.  "You look too good
right now to ruin the moment with sad memories."

   "Are there any other kind?" Janet asked, still not smiling.

   "Sure there are," I insisted, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it.
I met her gaze and smiled again, this time more naturally.  Janet slowly
returned it.

   "Did you know that when we went back to my place that last night with
Tommy and Tina that the others actually did go to a shaker joint?" she
asked, changing the subject.

   "You're kidding?" I asked in surprise.

   "No," she grinned.  "From what I hear, Cheryl even tried to get on the
bar and dance!"

   "Ug!" I laughed.  "I'm glad we weren't there!"

   "Are you sure?" Janet asked, once again losing her smile.  "Because if
we were there we might never have..."

   "I'm sure," I interjected.  We both fell silent as I watched Janet's
face.  I could feel the underlying sexual tension that filled the day peak
slightly.

   "What are you thinking?" she asked.

   "I was actually more remembering than thinking," I answered.

   "About what?"

   "About how it felt like to kiss you," I replied honestly.

   "A cousin shouldn't think about such things," Janet sighed, yet I could
almost feel her desire mirroring mine.

   "True," I shrugged.  "But there aren't any cousins here.  Just two old
friends who had a one time fling."

   "Two time," Janet put in.

   "They say that the third time is the charm?" I offered, causing Janet to
roll her eyes.

   "I almost didn't survive the second time," she said, her voice strained.

   "Me neither," I added.  "But I still want a kiss."

   "You can't be serious?" Janet asked, but she already knew my answer.

   "Just one before you go?" I asked.

   "We shouldn't," Janet said, biting her lip.  "It would be wrong."

   "So?" I shrugged.

   Suddenly Janet was in my arms and we were kissing once again.  It was
like the seven years melted away.  I felt parts of me awakening that were
long dormant.  They had little or nothing to do with sex, but my body
responded as well.

   "Wow!" Janet said when we broke apart.

   "I thought I remembered how good it felt to kiss you," I said with a
shake of my head.  "But boy was I wrong!"

   "Me too," Janet sighed.

   "Do you want to come back to my room?" I asked softly.  Janet met my
gaze and smiled sadly.

   "Yes, but I'm not going to," she replied.

   "I have the rest of your present there."

   "Save it for tomorrow," Janet said.  "I need to be getting back to the
others."

   "Okay," I said, trying to hide my disappointment.  "Will I see you
tomorrow?"

   "Yes," Janet said.  "We still haven't really talked yet.  You can join
us for breakfast.  The others won't mind.  Besides, it's my birthday and I
want you there."

   "Great!" I smiled.  "I'll see you then."

   "Goodbye," Janet said as she stood.  She leaned over to give me a quick
kiss, but we were still kissing seconds later.  My tongue brushed Janet's
lips and she groaned once before pulling away.

   "Bring the rest of my present with you," Janet tried to joke.  "We
obviously shouldn't be alone in a room."

   "You might be right," I said.  "But if you want the rest of your gift
you'll have to stop by sometime."

   Janet just shook her head and left the lounge.  The bartended and I both
watched her go.

   "You are one lucky shit!" he said with a shake of his head once she was
gone.

   "Not really.  At least not yet," I sighed.  I wasn't sure what was going
to happen with Janet and me.  A lot depended on the next few days.  "Maybe
not ever."

   "You need a drink?" he asked.

   "Desperately," I said, but then stood, paid my tab and left.

   ***

   The time zone change was driving me crazy!  Here it was nearly midnight
and I was still wide awake.  I went back to my room after Janet left and
got changed into my bathing suit.  I hung out on the beach for a couple of
hours.  The sun felt good and I even napped a little.  It probably would
have been better if I didn't.

   I flicked through the channels again on the television, but there really
wasn't that much available to watch.  An island vacation sounds nice, but
not when you're by yourself, can't drink and aren't looking to pick up
anyone.

   Room service took its time bringing my dinner, but that was okay.  I
wasn't really hungry.  At least the food was good when it came.  I was just
deciding to jump into the shower to burn some time when there was a soft
knock on my door.  I glanced at the clock and saw that it was just after
twelve.

   "I told you he'd be awake!" Marie grinned when I opened the door.

   "Hello," Dayna smiled.  "We thought you might like to join us in wishing
Janet a happy birthday."

   "Can we come in before these two end up waking the entire hallway?"
Helen sighed, but she was smiling too.  I looked past her and saw Janet. 
She looked even better than I remembered.

   "I'll take that as a yes," Helen laughed when she saw the way I was
looking at Janet.  The four women walked past me into my room.

   "Happy birthday," I said to Janet as I shut the door.

   "Thanks," she replied.

   "Oh, you two can do better than that!" Marie said with a roll of her
eyes, and then when neither of us said or did anything else, she looked
directly at me and added, "Go ahead and give her a birthday kiss!"

   My heart beat a little faster as I leaned toward Janet.  She turned her
cheek to me just before our lips touched.  I kissed it and hid my
disappointment.

   "That was pathetic!" Dayna laughed.  "Give her a real kiss."

   "It would seem that Janet doesn't want one," I said with a shrug.

   "Of course she does," Helen put in.  "She's just embarrassed in front of
us."

   "We can fix that!" Marie said.  "Goodnight."

   "What?" I said in confusion.

   "See you tomorrow," Dayna added.

   "Have fun!" Helen grinned and then all three of them disappeared through
the door.

   "What was that all about?" I asked in confusion once Janet and I were
alone in my room.

   "It seems that my friends like your affect on me," Janet replied with a
shake of her head.

   "I would guess so," I said with a shake of my head.

   "Sorry about this," Janet sighed.  "They were all a little drunk when I
found them and you should have heard what they said when they saw me!  I
think they planned this little visit even before we sat down to eat."

   "It's fine," I smiled.  "Actually, better than fine."

   "Don't even think about it!" Janet said, knowingly.  "They don't know
that we're cousins.  We do.  Nothing is going to happen."

   "If you say so," I shrugged.  "But I'd still like to give you a real
birthday kiss."

   "We shouldn't," Janet said, biting her lip.  "I don't want to tease
you."

   "Tease away," I laughed and reached for Janet.  She didn't pull away
despite her words and this time the kiss lasted a long time.  So long in
fact, that my cock stirred and hardened between us.  I could feel her
nipples doing the same.

   "We can't!" she cried.

   "Sure we can," I smiled, pulling her hard against me so she could feel
my cock.  I squeezed her ass with both hands.

   "This is crazy!" Janet cried between kisses.  "You were the one who
fought harder against this happening the last time!"

   "I know," I sighed.  "But it's been seven years since then and I've been
miserable since.  So have you.  Admit it."

   "But our families..."

   "Aren't here," I interjected.  "It's just the two of us.  Let's forget
about everyone else for the night."

   "This is so wrong!" she cried.

   "I don't believe that," I said calmly, well as calmly as I could,
considering.  "And neither do you.  It's perverted and exciting, but not
really wrong despite what we were told growing up."

   "We have to stop!"

   I ignored her words and started kissing Janet's neck.  She sighed and
held me close.  I slowly lifted Janet's dress as I kissed her.  It was
long, but eventually I got it over her hips.  I slipped my hands beneath
her panties and caressed her ass.  Janet moaned as I pushed her underwear
down far enough for them to drop to the floor.

   I spun her around quickly and she gasped as I pulled her into me.  One
hand found the soft dark patch of hair between her legs while the other
caressed and squeezed her breasts.  She could feel my hardness against her
ass as I kissed her neck from behind.  Janet's breathing was heavy, showing
me her passion.

   "I want you!" I whispered into her ear a little while later.  "And you
want me.  For tonight, that's enough."

   "Yes!" she moaned, turning back around.  This time she took her dress in
her hands and pulled it over her head.  She smiled when she saw my
expression.  My cousin Janet undid her bra and slipped it off her
shoulders.

   "You're so beautiful!" I cried as I stood there and looked at her.

   "Is that all?" she asked.

   "No," I laughed.  "You're also hot as hell!"

   "That's better," she grinned.  "Now take off some of your clothes.  I'm
feeling a bit underdressed."

   I pulled off my clothes quickly.  It only took a few moments before we
were both standing their naked.  I'm not sure who moved first, but suddenly
we were in each other's arms.  We fell into the nearby bed still entangled.
I could feel my body singing in response to hers.

   Janet took hold of my cock and stroked it a few times before taking it
into her mouth.  I shifted her until I could taste her juices.  She was
already wet and sticky from her excitement as I fell on her pussy.  My
tongue danced along her lower lips and she gasped out as she continued to
lick and suck my cock.

   I rolled us so that I was on my back.  Janet's thighs were on either
side of my head.  I had one hand resting on one of her thighs while the
other massaged her ass.  My cousin obviously liked what I was doing and I
couldn't complain about her treatment of my cock.

   Janet was bobbing up and down on my cock.  Occasionally she'd take my
entire length into her mouth and I'd groan.  I start focusing on her clit
when my orgasm neared.

   "Oh yes!" she cried and started seriously working my cock.  I pulled her
pussy hard against my mouth and drove my tongue deep before pulling back
and focusing on her clit again.

   "I want to make you cum!" I nearly growled.  "I need to make you cum!"

   "Soon!" Janet groaned, and then she gasped and added, "It's been so
long!"

   Janet tensed up and had an orgasm.  Her juices flooded my mouth and I
did the best I could to drink them down.  A moment later I joined her.  She
refused to stop sucking my cock until I was totally spent.

   "I want to do that again!" Janet laughed as she climbed off of me.

   "Me too," I smiled.  "But right now..."

   "I know what you want," Janet interjected with a smile.  "I want it to!"

   Janet rolled onto her back and spread her legs.  She watched me as I
glanced up and down the length of her.  Her pussy was pink and open, her
expression full of desire.  It was the most inviting sight I ever saw.  I
moved toward her without thought.

   I rubbed the head of my cock up and down her slit.  Janet's eyes were
big as she leaned up and kissed me.

   "You do know that I love you?" I asked.  "With all my heart."

   "Yes," she replied, smiling a little sadly.  "And I love you too."

   "I know," I smiled and pushed my cock into her depths.

   I moved slowly until I was all the way in.  Janet gasped and raked her
nails against my back when I hit bottom.  We looked into each other's eyes
and shared another kiss.

   "You're mine," I said, my desire deepening my voice.

   "For tonight," Janet agreed.

   "No!" I growled.  "For forever!" I pulled out and slammed back in to
make my point.

   "Take me!  Love me!" Janet cried.

   "I will!  I do!" I replied and pulled out again.

   Janet looked up into my eyes and I smiled.  There was love and joy
there. For the first time on this vacation she wasn't thinking about the
past or the future.  She was simply living the moment.  It was quite a
sight to behold!

   "Janet!" a voice cried from the doorway as a hand rapidly banged on the
door.  "Open this door right now!"

   "No!" I groaned in disappointment.

   "That's Dayna!" Janet said in concern as she pushing against my
shoulders and shifted out from under me.  "Something must be wrong!"

   We both got up quickly and threw on some clothes.  We were barely
presentable when Janet opened the door.

   "What's wrong?" Janet asked in concern.

   "You sick bastard!" Dayna cried as she entered the room and slapped me
hard across the face.

   "Dayna, calm down!" Helen cried as she and her sister followed the blond
in.

   "Michelle called to wish you a happy birthday," Marie put in, looking at
the two of us oddly.  "She felt bad that she couldn't come with us so she
decided to stay awake and call you."

   "Yeah!" Dayna snapped.  "And imagine our surprise when we told her about
an old boyfriend you bumped into and she told us that you weren't an old
boyfriend.  You're her cousin!"

   "Can't I be both?" I asked.  Dayna reared back to slap me again, but
Helen stopped her this time.

   "Let's go," Dayna snapped.  "We need to get her out of this pervert's
room!"

   The blond led a thoroughly mortified Janet toward the door.  My cousin
refused to meet my eyes.  My eyes darted first to Helen and then to Marie,
hoping one of them would help, but neither bothered.

   "Janet, I really do love you," I said softly, but I wasn't sure she
heard.  This did earn me an odd look from Helen.  I smiled sadly.  She
shook her head and followed the others out of my room.

   The first drink did not go down smooth, but by the time I seriously
dented the mini-bar in the room I was feeling no pain.  Oddly, despite the
numbing affect of the alcohol, I found my pillow wet with tears just before
I passed out.

   ***

   "Go away!" I cried at whomever had the audacity to knock on my door
after the night I had, but the knocking continued and I stumbled to my
feet. I nearly bumped into the wall before I found the doorknob.

   "Oh damn!" Helen said with a frown when she saw me.  "Janet was afraid
something like this would happen."

   "I'm surprised she cared," I grumbled, reaching for another bottle from
the mini-bar.

   "Don't be an ass!" Helen snapped.  "Of course she cares!  She sent me,
didn't she?"

   "Did she?" I asked with a frown.

   "Yes," Helen replied, taking the bottle from my hand.  "Last night after
everything calmed down and Marie and Dayna went to sleep, Janet and I had a
long talk.  She really does love you."

   "Then why did she leave?" I asked, plopping down into the one chair in
the room.

   "You know why," Helen sighed, starting the small pot of coffee
percolating.  "You're her cousin."

   "So?" I grumbled, knowing I wasn't being fair, but not really caring at
the moment.

   "I don't think you understand what happened after the last time you two
got together at Tommy's wedding," Helen said.  "Janet explained it to me
last night."

   "What?" I frowned.

   "You left and went across the country," Helen explained.  "Janet stayed
and had to face everyone on her own."

   "Oh," I said dumbly.

   "Exactly," Helen nodded.  "Her mother was the worst, but there were
others.  Your cousin Hank was a real jerk."

   "I knew I should have kicked his ass more when we were younger," I
sighed.

   "Janet says his parents weren't kind either."

   "I never had much use for that branch of the family," I said, shaking my
head.

   "It took her years to live it down," Helen continued.  "She lost a bunch
of friends."

   "I didn't realize," I said slowly.  "She didn't say anything."

   "What was she supposed to say?"

   "I don't know," I said, rubbing my hand through my hair.  "But
something. I would have come back if she asked."

   "And that would have made things better?" Helen asked.  I didn't bother
to answer.

   "How is she?" I asked, accepting the first cup of coffee.

   "Okay I guess," Helen replied with a shrug.  "Dayna was really pissed
and her reaction reminded Janet of that last time."

   "Marie wasn't much better," she continued.  "My sister can be a real
prude considering how many guys she's slept with."

   "But you're okay with this?" I asked.  I actually thought that Helen
would be the worst when the ladies learned the truth.

   "Not really," Helen smiled.  "But Janet is my friend and she loves you.
She's hurting now and I hate to see it.  Besides, you can't always control
who you fall in love with.  My Ken is a darling man, but ten years ago if
you'd asked me if I would ever fall in love with an older, balding,
slightly overweight man, I would have laughed in your face."

   "So, what should I do?" I asked numbly.

   "I don't know," Helen replied.  "That's really up to you, but I'd
suggest strongly that you don't go back to drinking.  It will hurt Janet
too much when she finds out." I nodded in understanding and agreement.

   "Do you think she'll talk to me?"

   "Not right now," Helen sighed.  "Give her time.  Vacation is just
starting."

   "Do you have any idea how boring it is to be on vacation by yourself on
an island?" I asked glumly.

   "Not really," Helen smiled.  "But isn't Janet worth it?"

   "Definitely," I smiled back.  "But have a heart and stop by every once
in a while.  I'm going to go stir crazy."

   "Don't worry," Helen laughed.  "I have a plan."

   "What?" I asked.

   "You'll see!" Helen replied, slipping out the door.

   The rest of the day was one of the longest of my life.  I didn't know
what was worse, being so close to Janet and not being able to talk to her
or being by myself with a restocked mini-bar.

   "Shit!" I grumbled over and over again as the day slowly passed.  I went
out once to the pool.  I saw Janet and the others, but Dayna and Marie
quickly led her away from me.  Helen smiled sadly and waved as she
followed.

   That night was even worse.  It took me hours to fall asleep and I woke
up early feeling exhausted.  I took a quick shower and went downstairs for
breakfast.  I was just leaving the restaurant when I saw Marie, Helen and
Dayna come off of the elevator.  It took me a moment before I realized that
Janet wasn't with them.

   Helen saw me and said something to the other two.  Her sister nodded.  I
slipped off to the side before the others noticed me.  Dayna and Marie
continued to the restaurant while Helen waiting at the elevator.  I joined
her as soon as the coast was clear.

   "You look better," Helen said, and then smiling added, "At least a
little."

   "I'm sober, if that's what you mean," I sighed.

   "Good!" Helen said.  "Now, you've got twenty minutes to a half hour to
talk to Janet.  Make good use of it."

   "Pardon?" I said as I registered her words.  She looked at me and
grinned.  Slowing I realized what she was offering.  "Thanks, but I'm not
even sure I can get her to open the door to her room in that time."

   "I'll handle that," Helen said as the elevator doors opened.  "Follow
me."

   The elevator ride was the slowest and fastest in my life.  I had no idea
what I was going to say to Janet.  I wasn't even sure how she was going to
react to me.  All I was certain of was that I was deeply in love with my
cousin.

   Helen opened the door to their room and called out to Janet.  My cousin
came toward the door with a frown.  She was already dressed for the beach
or pool with a white cover-up over her bathing suit.

   "What's wrong?" Janet asked Helen.

   "Nothing," her friend replied as I stepped in front of the doorway. 
Janet's mouth fell open and she turned a little pale.

   'Well,' I thought.  'At least she didn't faint or start yelling.'

   "You two have a half hour to talk.  I'll stall Marie and Dayna," Helen
said and then disappeared down the hall.

   "Janet, will you talk to me?" I asked once we were alone.  She hesitated
before finally nodded.  "Then let's go for a walk on the beach." Again she
nodded and grabbed a sweatshirt.

   We traveled down the elevator in silence.  I wasn't surprised to see
that her eyes were sad again, but that didn't mean I didn't hurt because of
it.  We slipped out of the hotel and to the beach without incident.

   It was still pretty early and the beach was empty.  We walked next to
each other without talking.  Janet would stop every once in a while and
pick up a shell.  The half hour was almost up and we barely said a word to
each other.

   "Janet," I said, stopping and facing her.  "I'm sorry." She looked at me
for a moment before shaking her head.

   "Last night was as much my fault as yours," she said.

   "That's not what I'm sorry about," I said.  "I'm not sorry about any of
the times we've been together.  I love you and we should be together.  I
know it deep down and so do you, but that doesn't make it any easier."

   "Then why are you sorry?" Janet asked with a frown.

   "I'm sorry because each time we were together I left you alone afterward
to face the repercussions of what happened," I replied.  We looked at each
other in silence for a few moments.

   "It wasn't so bad the first time," she said sadly.  "No one else knew. I
was just so confused and lonely."

   "Me too," I put in.  "But that doesn't excuse me."

   "The second time was worse," Janet said half to herself and half to me.
"A lot worse."

   "I thought leaving would make it better," I said glumly.

   "I know," she said, smiling sadly.  "That's what we agreed to on the
phone, but it didn't."

   "I'm sorry," I sighed.

   "You already said that," Janet said, her smile becoming a little less
sad.

   "I'll probably be saying it a lot for the rest of our lives," I grinned.

   "Don't worry about it," she said, losing her smile.  "It shouldn't be
all that bad.  We only see each other once every few years."

   "You don't understand," I said with a shake of my head.  "I'm done
leaving you alone.  I'm not going anywhere."

   "But we can't be together for real," Janet sighed.  It was the same old
argument that both of us were tired of.  "We're cousins."

   "You know," I grinned.  "I learned an interesting little fact a few
months ago." Janet frowned and waiting for me to explain.  "Come to my room
and I'll tell you about it."

   "Are you crazy?" Janet said.  "I'm sure Marie and Dayna are already
scouring the hotel looking for us."

   "So they'll find us," I shrugged.  "We'll face them together."

   "Won't that be a pretty scene?" Janet said sarcastically.

   "Janet, do you love me?" I asked, taking her hand.  She looked up into
my eyes hesitantly.

   "You know I do," she finally replied.

   "And I love you," I smiled.  "The rest doesn't matter."

   "Oh yes it does!" I heard Dayna's shrill voice cry from behind me.  I
saw Janet's face literally blanch before I turned around and faced the
woman angrily.  I refused to let go of my cousin's hand despite Janet's
attempts to let go of mine.

   "No, it doesn't," I said firmly to the blond.  Marie and Helen were
behind her.

   "You're a sick bastard!" Dayna cried.

   "Maybe, maybe not," I shrugged.  "But this isn't any of your business."

   "I'm not letting you take advantage of my friend!" the blond cried.  I
opened my mouth to reply, but Janet interrupted.

   "You know," Janet said in annoyance as she stopped trying to let go of
my hand.  "That's one of the worst things about this whole situation.  Just
about everyone assumes I'm the victim.  I'm not."

   "Janet, what are you saying?" Marie asked with a frown.

   "Just that the truth is that I was probably more of the instigator the
first two times we ended up together than he was," my cousin replied, now
squeezing my hand tightly.  If felt amazing.  "Especially the second time.
I practically had to club him over the head to get him into bed."

   "You were rather randy after your brother's wedding," I joked.  You
don't know how good I felt when Janet actually laughed as my poor attempt
at humor.  This time we were together facing the ridicule and that made it
bearable, possibly even laughable.

   "That's disgusting!" Dayna cried.  "Cousin's shouldn't..."

   "Dayna, let it go," Helen interjected.  "I'm not saying it's right.  I'm
not saying it's wrong.  All I'm saying is that it's their decision."

   "I can't believe you!" Dayna cried.  "I don't have to stay here and
listen to this!"

   "No, you don't," Janet said sadly.  "Dayna, you've been a good friend.
I'd hate to lose you over this, but I understand if you can't handle it."

   "I'm leaving!" the blond snapped, not even hesitating.  "Marie, are you
coming?"

   "Actually," Marie replied.  "I'm just standing here trying to think if I
have any single hot cousins."

   "Well, there is cousin Emily," Helen put in with a grin.

   "Incest and lesbianism?" Marie frowned.

   "Too much?" Helen asked, fighting back her laughter.

   "Maybe, maybe not," Marie replied, causing the two sisters to laugh.

   "You're just as bad as they are!" Dayna snapped and then stomped off.

   "Not really," Marie said more somberly to the blonde's disappearing
back. "But I always hate when people get that 'holier than thou' attitude."

   "You had it pretty strongly last night," Helen said pointedly.

   "And I'm sorry about that," Marie said more to Janet than her sister. 
"You were right.  I thought you were a victim, not a willing participant."
She smiled briefly before adding, "Or should I say instigator?" Janet
blushed and I couldn't help but laugh.

   "I think we should leave these two alone to work things out," Helen said
to her sister.  "Let's go hang out by the pool."

   "Sounds like a plan to me," Marie shrugged.  "See you both later."

   Janet and I watched as the sisters made their way off the beach.  I
shook my head as I saw them arguing about something.

   "If the rest of their family is anything like them, I would love to see
one of their family gathering," I smiled.

   "You have no idea!" Janet laughed, but it didn't last long.  She met my
eyes and I think the reality of what we'd just done hit us both.

   "Let's walk," I suggested.  My cousin nodded a little numbly and we
started drifting down the beach.

   We didn't speak.  I was too shocked by what we did to know what to say.
I assume Janet felt the same.  We not only admitted we loved each other in
public, but we also stood up to someone who ridiculed us for it.  I was
both elated and horrified by our audacity.  Yet, both of those feelings
were replaced by a deep sense of satisfaction.

   I held out my hand and my heart skipped a beat when Janet took it.  I
looked into her eyes again and suddenly we were both smiling.  We were
together for the moment and it felt good!

   The walk was a long one, but eventually we ended up back at the hotel. I
don't think either one of us wanted the moment to end, but there was still
a lot to be discussed.

   "Let's go to my room and talk," I said as we entered the elevator.  My
cousin nodded.

   We made it to my room and I noticed that she looked very nervous as we
entered.  I knew I was just as nervous.  It wasn't a sexual thing either.
We both knew how important the next few minutes were going to be.

   I swallowed hard and tried to figure out what I should say.  I knew what
I wanted and I thought I knew what Janet wanted, but would we actually do
it?  Standing up to Dayna had felt good, but it would be a hugely different
to stand up to everyone we knew, including our families.

   Besides, let's say everyone accepted us without any problems.  What
about the rest of it?  She lived on the east coast and I lived on the west.
I had a good job and a few close friends like Terry that I didn't want to
lose, but what about Janet's job and her friends?

   She stayed near the family all these years despite their ridicule.  Was
she that attached to them that she would choose staying close to home over
me?  I could move home despite my job and friends, but would that be a good
thing or bad?

   There were so many unanswered questions that I literally fell onto the
couch as the weight of it hit me.  I rubbed my hands through my hair and
then looked ay my cousin Janet.  She was sitting next to me.  I could see
that similar thoughts were going through her head.  My mind spun as I
opened my mouth to speak.  I wasn't sure which concern to bring up first.

   "You do know I love you?" The words slipped out of my mouth.  Janet's
worried expression disappeared and she smiled warmly and nodded.

   "And I love you too," she said.  I started to smile, but my cousin's
expression grew sad as she continued.

   "We've both said it enough this vacation that I think it's safe to
assume it's true, but that doesn't mean we should be together.  I'm not
sure that there is a good reason for something so crazy." Janet turned away
from me as she spoke.

   "How about the fact that we're both miserable when we're apart?" I
asked.

   "Do you think we'd be any less miserable if we were together?" she asked
in reply, still looking away.

   "You know we would," I said softly, grabbing her chin and turning her
face toward me.

   "Don't!" she cried, but her eye said different.

   I leaned forward slowly, giving her a chance to pull away if she really
wanted to.  Janet's eyes were locked with mine.  My lips brushed hers and
we both froze for a moment before sinking into a passion filled kiss. 
Janet accepted my tongue into her mouth willingly.

   She stiffened slightly when my hand cupped one of her breasts, but a
moment later her body relaxed and I felt her hand rubbing against my cock
through my pants.  I started pulling off her top.

   "This isn't going to help!" she moaned.

   "You're joking, right?" I asked.  "We both need this so badly that it
can't do anything but help!"

   "Are we sure?" she asked, momentarily stopping me.

   "Absolutely," I said as I stood, held out my hand and smiled down at
her. Janet returned my smile tentatively and took my hand.

   I helped her up and led her to my bed.  We stopped at the edge and faced
each other.  I started removing her clothes.  My cousin reached out and did
the same for me.  It wasn't long before we were both naked.  We looked at
each other in sudden tension.  I laughed and picked her up.

   "Hey!" she cried as I literally threw her onto the bed.  I quickly
followed behind her.  She tried to escape, but I grabbed her ankle and
pulled her back until she was under me.  I rolled my cousin onto her back
and looked into her eyes.

   "Don't even think about trying to escape me!" I said, letting her see my
desire.  Her eyes grew big as she looked up at me.  I kissed her once
passionately, but only briefly before adding, "You're mine now!"

   "For today," she agreed after a moment's hesitation.

   "No Janet," I said confidently as I slowly pushed the head of my cock
into her.  Janet gasped as I added, "For forever." The words spooked her
badly.

   "That's crazy!" she cried, struggling to get out from under me again.

   I refused to let her up.  In the end, her struggles didn't do much but
sink my cock deeper.  My cousin eventually stopped fighting and looked up
into my eyes.  I smiled down at her.

   "The last time, at my brother's wedding, we agreed to be with each other
until we found the right person.  Can't we can go back to that agreement?"
she asked desperately.

   "No," I said with a shake of my head, but I was smiling and working my
cock slowly in and out of her as I added, "I've already found the right
person and so have you.  We're meant to be together."

   "But we're cousins!" she cried.

   "That didn't bother you before," I said carefully, pushing a little
deeper and feeling her tighten slightly.

   "Of course it bothered me!" she snapped, but then moaned and wrapped her
legs around me, pulling me even deeper.

   "I can tell!" I laughed, enjoying the feel of my cock buried inside my
cousin.  I picked up the pace and Janet moaned again.

   "You..." she cried, but was unable to finish her thought.  She tried
again, but gave up as my thrusts became more insistent.  She moaned and
finally said, "Talk...later!"

   "If you say so," I smiled.  "But it isn't going to change anything."

   Janet frowned briefly, but then lost herself to the moment.  I leaned
down and kissed her.  My cousin's tongue pushed into my mouth and danced
there madly.  She actually came a few minutes later.  I hadn't realized
that she was so close to her orgasm, but that didn't stop me from enjoying
it.

   I watched her face with a deep sense of satisfaction as she came.  I
didn't let up and kept stroking in and out of her until her orgasm
subsided. Our kissing grew gentle after that and I slowly my pace slightly,
but I didn't stop it all together.

   "You are so amazing!" she groaned when her body started responding
again.

   She was holding onto my shoulder as I picked up the pace again.  It was
only a couple of minutes later when her next orgasm threatened.  I wasn't
really surprised at how quickly she was ready to cum again.  That's just
what happens when Janet and I were together.  My own orgasm was growing
near as well.

   "It's not me," I smiled.  "We've had this discussion before.  It's the
perversion of being together.  We're cousins and we're fucking.  It's wrong
and incest, but it drives us both crazy!"

   "No!" Janet gasped out in denial.  "It's you!"

   "If you say so," I smiled.  "Of course, if that's true then it's you
too."

   "I don't care what or who it is!" she cried.  "Cum in me!" I looked down
and saw her eyes flash in desire and lust.

   "Gladly!" I growled and leaned forward to kiss her again.  This time I
stroked in and out of her in earnest.

   "Oh yes!" my cousin cried.

   "I'm going to cum!" I groaned a moment later.

   "Do it!" she cried.  "Fill me!  I want to feel your cum inside of me!"

   I grunted and slammed into her once more before my orgasm took me.  My
cousin screamed and had another orgasm that seemed to last forever as I
filled her pussy to overflowing.  She shivered and shook under me for a
long time.  I didn't mind.  I was fighting to recover myself.  I rolled off
of Janet after we were both done and she shifted on the bed to rest her
head on my shoulder.

   "See," I smiled.  "We were meant to be together."

   "Just because the sex is incredible," she sighed.  "That doesn't mean we
should spend the rest of our lives together."

   "Of course not," I said, gently playing with her hair.  "We should spend
the rest of our lives together because we love and need each other.  The
incredible sex is just an added bonus."

   "I wish we could," she said softly.

   "We can," I smiled, reaching over to the small table next to the bed and
opening it.  I pulled out the small box I put there earlier.  Janet tilted
her head and saw what I was doing.  Suddenly she was sitting up and facing
me nervously.

   "What's that?" she asked.

   "The rest of your birthday present," I smiled, handing it to her.

   My cousin sat there staring at the box momentarily.  I watched her and
fought hard not to laugh.  She looked frightened, but also excited.  She
knew what it was.  I could see that in her eyes.  Janet just wasn't sure
what to do with it.

   "Go ahead," I urged.  "Open it."

   She did very slowly.  Her eyes misted up despite her expectation when
she saw the engagement ring.

   "It's beautiful," she said.  "I wish I could accept it."

   "You have to," I smiled.  "I bought it for you."

   "It's an engagement ring," she said in confusion.

   "I know," I laughed gently.

   "But we can't get married," Janet said, a tear falling down her cheek. I
stopped laughing and wiped it from her face.

   "Do you love me?" I asked.  Janet looked at me and smiled despite her
tears.

   "With all my heart," she replied.  "You already know that, but it
doesn't mean we can get married."

   "Why?"

   "Because we're cousins!" she cried in reply.

   "Hypothetically, would you marry me if we weren't cousins?" I asked.  I
felt a lump in my throat as I waited for her reply.  Janet leaned toward me
and kissed me gently.

   "Yes," my cousin said as she broke away from me.  Her tears were flowing
freely now.

   "Good!" I said, kissing her again.  Janet actually smiled despite her
tears.

   "I can't believe we are lying naked together in bed and talked about
this!" she said with a shake of her head.

   "Why not?" I asked.  "It's our future.  You can't deny that we need and
love each other."

   "But..." Janet began.

   "Oh, I know we were brought up to believe our loving each other is wrong
and sick, but that doesn't change the fact that we do," I interjected.

   "I know," she said softly.

   "Then won't you please marry me?" I asked.  Janet opened her mouth to
answer, but I placed my finger against her lips and silenced her before
adding, "This question isn't hypothetical.  It's not a 'what if' like the
last one.  I want you to answer the question honestly."

   "You're actually doing it!" she said in amazement.  "You're actually
asking me to marry you."

   "What else can I do?" I shrugged.  "I love you and want to make you my
wife." I kissed her again briefly before adding, "You need to know
something before you give me an answer."

   "What?" she frowned.

   "If you say yes, I will marry you," I said.  "Believe it or not, even
though we were brought up to think it's wrong, cousins can actually get
married."

   "What?" she cried, wiping her tears and trying to see me more clearly.

   "Your brother told me and I checked," I smiled, handing her a corner of
the sheet.  Janet took it numbly as I added, "It turns out he's right."

   "Oh my God!" Janet cried forgetting about the sheet and her tears.  I
couldn't tell if her reaction was just shock or happiness as well.  I was
betting an awful lot on the latter.

   "So, I'll ask again," I said, swallowing hard.  "Will you marry me?"

   Janet was crying again, but she was also smiling.  She took the ring
from its box and handed it to me.  I thought she was saying no for a moment
and my heart jumped into my mouth, but instead she said, "Please put it on
my finger.  I'm too excited to do it myself!"

   "Is that a yes?" I asked.

   "Of course it's a yes!" she laughed.  "Now put the ring on before I wake
up!"

   "It's not a dream," I said as I grabbed her hand and put the engagement
ring on her.  She looked at her hand for a moment and then kissed me.

   "I know," she said as we broke apart.  "But after so many years it feels
like it is!"

   "You're telling me?" I grinned, and then added, "So what do you want to
do now?"

   "Well, the last time I got engaged the first thing I did was tell my
parents," she said.

   "It's probably best to do that in person," I grimaced.

   "I agree," she said, actually laughing.  "Besides, after how well the
last marriage went, it makes sense to do things differently."

   "Okay, so calling family is out," I smiled.  "What else could we do?"

   "Oh, there are a thousand things to do and discuss," she replied.  "But
I think for right now the best thing to do is make up for lost time."

   "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

   "What do you think?" Janet smiled sexily and reached under the covers.
My eyes grew momentarily big before I grinned and reached for her.  This
was the Janet I remembered!

   "That sounds like a great idea!" I laughed.

   "Good!" Janet said rolling over and straddling my hips.

   I watched as she rubbed the head of my cock back and forth over her
moistening pussy.  Her face was flushed and excited when I finally became
hard enough to slip in.

   "This is one hell of a thank you for the ring," I joked.

   "This is just the beginning!" she said, squeezing down on my cock with
her muscles.  I couldn't help myself.  I groaned.  She smiled and added,
"We're going to be doing this a lot to make up for our time apart."

   "Seven years worth?" I asked excitedly.

   "Actually, thirteen," she answered.  "I'm counting since the first time
we were together."

   "We can't make up for thirteen years apart!" I laughed.

   "You want to bet?" she asked, smiling seductively.  Janet leaned forward
and kissing me.

   "No thanks!" I said between kisses.  "I'm all for giving it our best
shot!"

   Janet rested her hands on my chest and started slowly bouncing up and
down.  I reached out and caressed her breasts.  Despite the building need
for sexual release, my cousin kept looking at the engagement ring with an
expression that warmed a spot deep in my heart.

   "I still can't believe it!" she said with a shake of her head.

   "It's real," I smiled, meeting her eyes.  "All of it.  We really are
getting married and we really are going to live happily ever after."

   My cousin leaned forward and kissed me again before sitting back up and
picking up the pace.

   "And I really am going to make love to you all night!" she smiled
sexily. I didn't bother asking her if she was serious.  I knew my cousin
Janet.  This was going to a long and very satisfying night!

   She rode me for a few more minutes until I felt my orgasm nearing.  I
groaned and grabbed her hips before arching my back and slamming up into
her.  She cried out and then dropped down on me even harder.  We thrust
together on the next stroke and it actually hurt for a moment, but after
that we were both too busy cumming to notice.

   "Yes!" Janet cried.  "I love you so much!"

   "You're mine forever!" I cried in return as she drenched my cock with
her juices.  I was surprised at how long I came.  Janet's pussy was filled
to overflowing before I was done.

   "I could lay here forever," she sighed a few moments later.  Janet was
resting her head on my shoulder.  Her body was a pleasant weight on my
chest.

   "Yes, you could," I said and she hugged me for a moment before rolling
off.

   "And I will," she said.  "Later."

   "And right now?" I asked.

   "Right now I need a shower," she replied and got out of bed.  She was
halfway toward the bathroom before she paused, looked over her shoulder and
asked, "Are you coming?"

   "Of course," I smiled.  "But I wanted to watch you get there first."

   "Still a pervert I see," she grinned.  "Staring at your cousin's ass
like that!"

   "Janet," I said with a slow shake of my head.  "I could watch any part
of you and be happy."

   She smiled happily and then turned back toward the bathroom.  I noticed
that despite my words she shook her ass a little more as she went.  I felt
a jolt of excitement reach my cock.

   "Okay, so I'm a pervert!" I laughed to myself as I stood and followed
her into the bathroom.

   Janet was leaning forward and regulating the water.  I couldn't resist.
I moved behind her and caressed her ass cheeks.  My cousin wasn't really
surprised.  In fact, she spread her legs a little more.

   "So now who's the pervert?" I asked, continuing to rub her ass.

   "I don't know what you're talking about," she smiled, staying in the
position long after the water was the right temperature.

   I let one hand slip down to her pussy while the other continued to focus
on her ass.  Janet had a very nice one.  My cousin bit her bottom lip and
spread her legs even further apart.  This time neither of us commented.

   My cousin let me play for a few minutes, but I could tell she was a
little awkward standing like that.  She didn't really have anything to hold
on to.  I looked around and saw the vanity.  It looked stable enough and
there was a large mirror.

   I surprised my cousin when I moved back and stopped touching her.  She
turned quickly and I saw the desire in her eyes.  I kissed her and her
tongue quickly found my mouth.  The kiss was passionate, but short lived. I
pulled away and pushed her gently toward the vanity.  Janet saw it and
quickly understood what I wanted.  She smiled sexily and leaned against it,
sticking her ass out once more.

   "Is this what you want?" she asked, looking at me through the mirror.

   I didn't bother to answer.  I took a step toward her and then paused,
another thought coming to mind.  I leaned back and reached into the shower,
turning off the cold water.

   "Aren't I steamy enough for you?" my cousin asked.

   "More than enough!" I half growled moving toward her.

   "Then show it!" Janet cried.  I smiled and got behind her.  I wanted her
ass so bad that it almost hurt, but I knew it would be better if I took my
time.

   Janet moaned loudly when my tongue found her pussy.  I was holding her
ass cheeks wide to give me better access.  The two globes felt marvelous in
my hands and I massaged them hard.  My cousin simply moaned louder.

   I started licking up and down the length of Janet's pussy.  I let my
tongue drift higher and my cousin gasped when it touched her ass.

   "You sick bastard!" she moaned.  "Don't you dare stop!"

   I focused on her ass for a while, getting it good and ready.  Janet
loved every moment of it!  She gasped and cried out every so often.  After
a while she moaned, "You really do love my ass, don't you?"

   "Everything about it!" I groaned.  "Especially the tan lines you're
developing."

   "So my ass isn't too pale?" she teased.

   "Janet, it could be pink with polka dots and it would still be perfect,"
I laughed.

   "Good!" she cried.  "Then please stop playing around and take it!"

   "If you insist," I growled as I stood behind her.  I pushed my cock into
her soaked pussy.  Janet cried out as she watched my expression through the
mirror.

   "That's not my ass!" she moaned.

   "No," I admitted as I pulled my cock out and lined it up with her ass.
"But this is!" I forced the head of my cock past the opening to her ass.

   "Oh fuck!" she cried.  "I forgot how much your big cock hurts in my
ass!"

   "Do you want me to stop?" I asked in concern.

   "Don't you dare!" she cried.  I smiled, shook my head and then pushed
forward.  Janet moaned loudly and added, "Go slow!  Please go slow!"

   It took quite a while for me to work the entire length of my cock into
her ass.  It obviously hurt a little, but if anything, Janet seemed to
enjoy that even more.  The perverted bitch!

   "I'm all the way in," I sighed, looking into the steamy mirror and
meeting my cousin's eyes.

   "Thank God!" she cried.

   Her hair was damp and her body slick with water vapor from the running
hot shower.  She looked like a goddess and I told her so.  Janet smiled
briefly, but then moaned and squeezed down on my cock.

   "Oh fuck!" I groaned, causing Janet to smile again.  Of course, that
only lasted until I pulled halfway out of her ass and pushed back in.

   "Yes!" she cried.  "Take my ass!"

   "Okay," I grinned and pulled out and pushed in again.  I shifted my
hands so that they were holding her breasts.  I squeezed and pinched the
nipples.  Janet's moans became even louder.

   Our eyes locked through the mirror.  It became so steamy after a while
that Janet took a moment to wipe a spot on it with her hand so that we
could continue to look at each other.  It wasn't a perfect view, but the
desire and need in her expression was more than enough to drive me crazy. I
don't know what my cousin saw in my look, but it seemed to make her more
excited as well.

   I was slamming into her ass hard not long afterward and Janet was
holding on to the vanity with both hands.  It had been a long time since I
had a woman's ass and Janet's was so tight!

   "You need to play with your pussy!" I demanded.

   "You're close?" Janet asked knowingly.

   "Very!" I growled, squeezing her breasts hard and then dropping my hands
to her hips.  Janet groaned and smiled.

   "That's it!" she cried as she let go of the vanity with one hand and
started playing with her pussy.  I held her hips to help keep her stable.
Okay, I held her hips because it felt amazing!  The stability part was just
an added bonus.

   "Do you want me to cum in or on your ass?" I asked, already knowing the
answer, but wanting to hear her say it.

   "In!" she cried.  "Cum in my ass!"

   "Are you sure?" I teased.

   "Please!" my cousin cried.  "Fill my ass with your cum!" After that we
were both too excited to talk.

   I rode Janet's ass as hard and I could.  She loved every second of it!
I'm not sure who came first or if we started together, but our orgasms took
us close enough that we were shuddering and shaking together for what
seemed like minutes.  Janet all but collapsed on the vanity afterward and I
was so spent that I had difficulties not crushing her underneath.

   "You're a bad influence on me," Janet smiled when we both were finally
on our feet again.

   "How's that?" I asked, going back to the shower and putting the cold
water back on.  The room was pretty foggy.  Janet moved to the wall and put
on the fan as she answered.

   "Well, just being with you makes me perverted," she said
conversationally.  "Incest and all that.  But we're barely engaged and
already I've let you take my ass while I played with myself."

   "Sodomy and masturbation," I smiled.

   "Exactly!" she cried with a grin.

   "Well," I said.  "Look at it this way.  Sodomy actually includes oral
sex as well as anal, so basically we're not nearly as unique in this
perversion as we probably think.  As for masturbation, well as the old
saying goes, 'everyone does it'."

   "In front of someone else?" Janet asked, fighting back her laughter.

   "Only the lucky ones," I grinned.

   "And what about incest?" she asked, no longer bothering to hide her
laughter.

   "I'm sure it's more common then some people think," I answered.  "But
then again, we're actually following through and getting married."

   "Yes, we are," Janet said softly as her laughter died.

   I was worried that she was having second thoughts, but then I saw her
look at the ring on her finger.  Her expression was too obvious to do
anything but make me smile.

   We slipped into the shower together and with the exception of one or two
kisses, actually focused on getting clean.  I took my time washing Janet's
hair.  She seemed to appreciate it a great deal.

   We dried each other thoroughly, taking our time at the best parts as one
might expect.  My cousin and I left the bathroom laughing.  Her expression
was joyous and satisfied.  I'm guessing mine looked similar.  I certainly
felt that way.

   Janet sat me down on the bed and dropped to her knees in front of me. 
She smiled lovingly and then took my cock in her hand.  She stroked it a
couple of times before opening her mouth and brushing the head of my cock
with her tongue.

   "More sodomy!" I joked.

   "Shut up!" she laughed.  "You big jerk!"

   "Yes dear," I said in a tone husbands have used since the beginning of
time.

   Janet laughed even harder and had to stop what she was doing until it
passed.  Thankfully, she did return to it afterward.  This time I stayed
quite.  I didn't want her to stop again!

   I noticed Janet watching my expression as she took care of my cock.  I
smiled and shook my head every once in a while.  I felt amazingly lucky to
have her in my life.  I opened my mouth to say it, but my cousin reached up
and placed her fingers over my lips.  She wasn't really trying to stop me.
I could tell from her expression that what she was trying to say was that
the words weren't necessary.  I don't know how I knew that, but I did.

   My cousin continued her actions and my thoughts turned more lustful. 
How could they not?  Janet was a beautiful woman and she was focused on
giving me pleasure.  I took hold of her head and started stroking into her
mouth.  Janet smiled knowingly and shifted around so that she could take my
entire length down her throat.

   I groaned louder and louder as my orgasm neared.  My cousin reached
below my cock and squeezed gently.

   "Fuck yeah!" I cried and started spraying my cum into her mouth.

   Janet smiled contently and drank it all down.  I lay there panting
afterward as my cousin climbed onto the bed.  It took me a while to regain
control of myself.  I turned toward her once I did.

   She was lying on her side with one hand rubbing her breasts and the
other between her legs.  Janet saw my expression and smiled happily.

   "My turn?" she asked.

   "Definitely," I replied, shifting her onto her back and falling between
her legs.

   I took my time.  I used my tongue and lips to drive her to the brink
over and over again without letting her go over.  Janet loved every moment
of it!  I found out that her inner thighs were surprisingly sensitive and
took advantage of the knowledge mercilessly.

   I knew Janet had enough when she grabbed a handful of my hair with each
hand and refused to let me back away.  I shifted my tongue's action to
overdrive and worked her clit as fast as I could.  I even reached up as
best I could and squeezed her breasts.

   "Cumming!" she cried as her orgasm literally lifted her off the bed.

   Her juices sprayed into my mouth and I drank them down happily.  It was
a great feeling to make any woman cum as hard as that, but for it to be the
woman you wanted to spend the rest of your life with was incredible!

   "Wow!" Janet sighed afterward.  "You're really are good at that."

   "So are you," I smiled and rolled on top of her.

   "You can't be serious?" she asked, but she was smiling.  "I'm spent!"

   "I thought you wanted to make up for thirteen years?" I asked, looking
down into her eyes.

   "I did say that, didn't I?" she grinned and reached between us.  Janet
took hold of my cock and directed the head to her still soaked pussy.  I
pushed in and we both sighed contently.

   "We really are perfect for each other," I smiled.

   "Yes, we are," she replied.

   I leaned down and kissed my cousin and soon to be wife.  Janet wrapped
her hands around my neck and returned my kiss with a look I'll remember
forever.

   ***

   The gently breeze off the ocean felt good as I lay on the beach waiting
for the ladies to return.  It was a beautiful day and I felt blessed.  Yes,
I know that's corny, but that's exactly how I felt!

   Janet and I woke up in each other's arms.  There's nothing like the
feeling of holding the woman you love as she slowly wakes up, opens her
eyes and smiles up at you.  We lay in bed a very long time before finally
moving.

   I smiled and shook my head as I thought about it.  It all seemed so
surreal, but I knew it wasn't.  Janet and I were going to face the future
together and for the first time in a long time I felt optimistic about it.

   My thoughts were interrupted as Janet finished swimming and came out of
the water.  She was wearing the bikini we bought together.  To say she
looked amazing was a vast understatement!

   I saw one guy get slapped in the arm by a woman as he stared at my
cousin.  I didn't blame him.  I was doing plenty of staring myself.  In
fact, if we weren't here with Helen and Marie I'd probably be trying to get
Janet to return to the hotel room despite the crazy night we shared.

   The sisters were currently at the tiki bar getting drinks.  Actually,
Helen was getting drinks.  Marie was probably hitting on the bartender.  I
grinned when I thought about the two of them.  I could only hope the rest
of our friends react half as well.

   "There you are!" someone cried, distracting me from watching Janet.

   I turned and was surprised to see Janet's brother Tom only a few feet
away.  Tina was right behind him.

   "Tom, what are you doing here?" I asked, almost dumbfounded.

   "Helen called and told us what happened," he sighed.  "Tina and I came
down as soon as we could to see if we could talk some sense into you two!"

   "Talk some sense into us?" I asked with a frown.

   "Yes!" he snapped.  "I didn't go to all the trouble of getting you both
in the same place at the same time to let you screw it up!"

   "I thought you wanted us to be together?" I asked.

   "I do!" he cried.  "I thought you did too!  Yet, what's the first thing
I see when I find you after traveling God knows how many thousands of
miles? You ogling some hot bimbo!"

   "Tom..." Tina said.  He ignored her and continued to rant.

   "I bet my poor sister is stuck in a room somewhere, miserable and by
herself!" he added.

   "Tom..." Tina said again, this time pulling on his arm.  He shook her
off.

   "By all rights I should try and knock some sense into you..." he began,
but Janet finally arrived and interjected.

   "Tom, calm down before you have a seizure," she said offhandedly.

   "Hey babe," I smiled as she leaned over and gave me a quick kiss.

   "Having fun?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

   "You brother called you a bimbo," I grinned.

   "Did he now?" she asked, looking at Tom.

   "Actually," I said, barely holding in a laugh.  "He called you a hot
bimbo."

   "Tom!" Janet cried.  "That's sick!  You're my brother for God's sake!"

   "Are you two done teasing my husband?" Tina asked.

   "For now," we both said at the same time and burst out laughing.

   "But Helen called and..." Tom began, still obviously confused.  This
time it was Helen who was just arriving with their drink who interrupted
him.

   "I tried calling you back, but I couldn't get through until after you
had already left," she said as she handed out the drinks.

   "You mean everything worked out in the end?" Tom asked.

   "More or less," Janet said.  "Dayna couldn't handle the truth, but
that's to be expected.  She went home early."

   "I'm sorry," Tina said.  Janet shrugged.

   "So," I said to Helen, the truth dawning on me.  "When you first stopped
by after learning the truth about Janet and I you said that you had a
secret weapon to get Janet and I together.  I thought it was running
interference for us during breakfast, but it was Tom and Tina, wasn't it?"

   "Yes," Helen laughed.  "If I'd realized that a little interference would
do the trick I wouldn't have wasted the phone call."

   "Do you have any idea how much last minute plane tickets to this place
cost?" Tom groaned.

   "Just think of it as a vacation away from the kids," Janet smiled. 
"You're always complaining that you don't have the time for an 'adult'
vacation.  You're here now.  You might as well enjoy it."

   "Oh my God!" Tina cried excitedly.  I grinned when I saw where she was
looking.  She had finally noticed the ring on Janet's finger.  Tom frowned
and looked at his wife.  Tina literally jumped up and down and pointed.  It
took Tom a few seconds, but eventually he saw the ring and burst out
laughing.

   "Did we neglect to tell you that we're getting married?" I asked.

   "You bas..." Tom began, but Tina cut him off.

   "I'm so happy for you both!" she cried and hugged Janet tightly.

   "Me too," Tom said with a shake of his head.

   "It's all your fault," I grinned after the hugs and congratulations were
done.

   "Why?" Tom asked.  "Because I told you that cousins could get married?"

   "Well, that too," I replied.  "But I was thinking about Janet and my
first time together." Janet knew were I was going.  She grinned and took
over the explanation.

   "You remember?  Back when we went on vacation with our parents?" she
asked.

   "I remember," Tom said.  "You already told me a long time ago that the
vacation was the first time you two were together.  Just because I made you
two swap rooms, doesn't mean I caused what happened."

   "Actually, it was more Tina's fault then yours," I put in.

   "Me?  What did I do?" Tina asked in surprise.

   "Honey," Janet smiled.  "Don't be offended, but you have to be the
noisiest woman in the world when you...well, you know." Tina blushed badly
and Tom burst out laughing.

   "Is she?" Marie asked as she joined our small group.  Poor Tina turned
an even darker shade of red.

   "Oh that," Tom grinned.  "It was a bit distracting, was it?"

   "You have no idea!" I laughed.  Tom joined me.

   "Come to think of it," Janet continued.  "Your guys love making was also
responsible for the second time we were together, the night of your
wedding."

   "What?" Tom cried.

   "That's right!" I said with a shake of my head.  "We took Tina's brother
George to his room after he drank to much.  Janet went to let some air in
while I tried to get him into bed."

   "I opened the balcony door and stepped out briefly," Janet continued. 
"I wasn't all that sober myself."

   "As it turns out," I smiled.  "George's room was only one floor down
from yours and I guess you guys had your window open as well."

   "So you heard Tina's cries of passion again?" Helen asked in amazement.

   "Yes," Janet replied.  "They faded in and out, but you couldn't mistake
what they were.  Especially not after that first time."

   "We got pretty hot and heavy right there on the balcony before we heard
George stumbling around the room and had to stop," I put in.

   "Pervs!" Tom laughed.  Poor Tina looked mortified.

   "Tina," I said, drawing her attention to me.  "I guess it's only fair
after all this time to finally say thank you." She smiled and nodded, but
also continued to blush.

   "I'm surprised you two were able to get together this time without
Tina's help," Marie joked.

   "We probably wouldn't have if you ladies hadn't thrown Janet into my
room that night," I grinned.

   "Well, it was her birthday and all," Marie said.

   "Sorry about coming back and ruining it afterward," Helen put in more
seriously.

   "It all worked out in the end," Janet said with a smile.

   "Yes, it did," I said, taking her hand and squeezing it.  She looked
into my eyes and I felt a thrill I didn't think would ever disappear.

   "It took long enough!" Tom sighed loudly.





   pics---->> http://bit.ly/2jj3ShK