AR Returns Ch16

Stef often comes home late. Luckily, she had the good sense to text first so that Jess could time dinner. A very tired Stef sheds her biker vest as she enters the house, which smells delicious. She drags herself into the warm kitchen where her beautiful wife is busy at the stove.

“Hey, baby,” Jess says.

“Hey,” Stef replies, opening a beer and dropping into a chair at the kitchen table. As she has many times before, she gazes at her wife’s back and reflects on how lucky she is. Jess is looking particularly alluring in her housewifey way this evening in a short-ish, blue dress. She’s even wearing an apron. Very cute. Even though she isn’t a housewife. She’s the breadwinner, and she’s still the one cooking.

That isn’t lost on Stef. This feeling of guilt and inadequacy is nothing new; it’s a part of her. She looks away from Jess and takes a drink.

“I saw that picture,” she says.

“We were cute.”

“Yup,” Stef agrees. Moments pass. “Do we need to talk about this?”

“We can.” Jess turns around, and Stef only feels more out of her depth. Jess is so chipper right now; it’s incongruous with the serious conversation. “You want to know why I’m so horny for a…” Jess trails off, then sucks her breath in through her teeth. “Younger woman. I didn’t get it at first myself, but I think I do now. After today.” She snorts, then turns back to the stove. “She reminds me of me. Before you.”

Stef’s eyebrows rise. “That’s probably the most hurtful thing ever,” she notes. “Wow. Um. Gonna need something a little stronger.” She looks down at her beer.

“Not like that, dumbass.”

“Wow,” Stef repeats, dazed. “I feel so loved.”

“I mean before I was in love with someone who does dangerous things. When I was like, totally carefree,” Jess says, turning back and waving her wooden spoon. “Like Riley is. Being around her makes me feel like that again. I’m married to a woman who might not come home someday. That’s stressful. Because I love you and care about what happens to you when you’re out doing stupid, illegal shit,” she adds.

Stef takes that in with a little scowl.

“Love you too,” she says, taking a long drink.

“And she smells good. I like that.”

Stef stiffens, indignant, then lifts her arm and sniffs. That might be a fair criticism.

“I know what’ll cheer you up,” Jess goes on. “Look at my phone. Look at the photos.”

Stef frowns and pulls the purse over to take a look. The reel is full of pictures taken in a dressing room. Some jeans, some… delightful shots from behind. And then there’s underwear. Stef sits up straighter. She’s exhausted, but this is waking her up.

“Riley makes me feel young,” Jess says, her eyes on the pots on the stove. “Know what else makes me feel that way?”

“What?”

“When my big, strong wife makes me feel all hot and desired,” Jess says casually.

Stef isn’t very big. She’s only an inch taller than her wife, and though it can never be spoken aloud, five or maybe ten pounds lighter. That doesn’t matter. Stef tears her eyes away from the photos, then slaps the phone down and gets to her feet.

“Oh yeah,” Jess chuckles as Stef hugs her from behind and kisses her neck.