Cherrywood Manor: Part 5 (rough draft)

Watching your best fall for someone you hated was never easy. Eden had watched Lydia become enamored with a man too old for her, who also set off too many warning signals. But by the time this was all happening, Eden was heading to school and they couldn’t do much to halter the progress other than keeping up with Lydia over the phone. By the time Eden was through with law school, Lydia was married and had been living with the guy for ages.

Eden wasn’t allowed to come around because they were a succubus. Lydia’s husband claimed he didn’t trust Eden, he thought they would seduce them and hurt Lydia. This was far from the case, Lydia found nothing worthwhile about the man. Eden and Lydia found other ways to see each other. It was too late though, Eden worried they couldn’t save their best friend.

Lydia was excited when Eden arrived, she even ran down the stairs to greet her friend. Meanwhile, new doors were being put in, Asher’s tail excitedly whipped as he saw his cousin.

“It’s such a shame!” Eden huffed. “Those doors you had before were stunning.”

Lydia huffed. “I know. But luckily, the restorer I got them from can repair them. It’ll take her a year though, so these doors will do.”

Eden hadn’t been inside the house since Lydia’s husband had passed away. Even before that they had maybe taken two steps inside the place. Already the house had an aura around it that readiated a more welcoming glow.

“I hope the crew I selected are working out well. I’d hate to think you’re paying for some slacking low lives.” Eden cut their eyes to Asher as they said this.

“They’ve been wonderful, a blessing really. I may try to find ways to keep them around longer after the renovations are complete,” Lydia chuckled.

Eden smirked knowingly. They had worked hard to make sure each member would give Lydia something she needed, “Well you can have Asher for free, I’ll gladly give him away to you. It’s been nice having the house to myself.”

“I know you miss me,” Asher laughed after them.

Once inside, Lydia took Eden to the kitchen and they sat down at the breakfast nook. Lydia got an urgent look upon her face as Eden set her dark briefcase upon the table. “So, have you heard anything?”

“I’ve gotten a few things back.” Eden snapped open the latches to the case. “I’ve not gotten far with the police station here. They keep handing me excuses so I may have to go down there at some point.” Eden took out a folder and slid it across the table. “Your husband was certainly blowing his money on something before he died.”

Lydia took up the folder. “I’m not surprised,” she murmured as she opened it to the contents. “I had always hoped he would cheat on me and avoid that awful prenup.”

“Well, luckily, you got out of it another way. But what makes you think a smashed window leads to his mistress?” Eden asked.

“The note that was on the brick. If you want a new life, leave. I dunno, something about it doesn’t settle right with me. I don’t think someone threw that being entirely mad about a door.” She looked up to Eden. “I think they did it because they hate me, personally.”

Eden smirked. “Because you got what they felt they deserved.”

Lydia looked over the documents before her with a calm expression. “I deserved this, they’re just entitled. Everything I have I earned by living with that man. They have no idea what I went through in this house.”

“What will you do to this person if they exist?”

Lydia set down the evidence and smirked. “Well for one, sue them for damages and whatever else comes up. Not to mention file a restraining order on them that hopefully forces them from their home. I don’t care if it’s cruel, they’re trying to force me from my home too.”

Eden’s smile softened. “Don’t get your hopes up too much. But it would be nice for a home around here to become vacant so maybe Asher and I could move out of our old place.”

“I can’t believe I never met Asher until now. You always talked about him when we were young. I was quite surprised by how similar the two of you look, especially when he’s in his more feminine form.” Lydia looked up in attention when she heard Knox shouting at the front door.

Eden reached out across the table and placed their hand over Lydia’s balled up fist. “His family always traveled, that’s one reason he moved in with me while I was in law school. I needed help, and he needed solid footing.”

Her shoulders slouched and Lydia relaxed with Eden’s warm touch. She opened her hand, taking Eden’s palm into her own. “Both you and him make me feel safe.”

“I’m glad.” Eden squeezed her hand. “Why don’t you show me some of these renovations?”

“Sure,” Lydia chuckled. “But there’s nothing much at the moment. It’s mostly the floors ripped up, paint, and there’s no longer a wall between the library and parlor.” She led Eden into the dining room and a look came over Eden’s face. They looked around, their brow going downturned as they looked at the dark walls.

“These rooms you’re having done first, they’re where it mostly happened, wasn’t it?” They asked, tugging Lydia closer to their side.

“I wanted them wiped clean,” Lydia muttered. She looked down at Eden’s hand clasped in her own. “The things he said to me. The things he did-”

Eden squeezed Lydia’s hand tighter. “He’s gone now. If he hadn't fallen down those stairs, I was this close to taking care of him myself.”

“Don’t say that,” Lydia whispered low.

Eden scoffed then let out a tense breath. “What do you plan on doing to the dining room?”

“Mint green and lavender. The table will be black and the chairs will alternate in color.” She then motioned to the wall. “And I’m putting French doors there to lead out into the garden, where I plan to have a little tea party area.”

Eden smiled. “You always wanted such a thing in high school.”

Lydia then brought Eden into the parlor, which now joined with the library. Eden tensed while she was in there. The residual energies were still around, but they were as faint. The walls were painted a pale pink and there were swatches of black here and there.

“He lived in this room the last few years,” Lydia murmured. “I wanted all signs of him gone.”

“What’d you do with his things?” Eden asked.

Lydia’s eyes narrowed. “I had them hauled off. I didn’t care what happened to them. All of it was garbage to me.”

Eden looked towards the back window. She could see a house over the fence and a window that could look directly into the room. “Whose how is that?” She asked.

“Gwen Morgan,” Lydia answered.

Eden knew that name, she didn’t even need to delve further. “Is she still…”

“A leopard never changes her spots,” Lydia growled. “I asked that woman for help so many times, and she brushed me off every single time. She thought I was a child, she never took me seriously. There was no way her darling friend, Mr. Cherrywood, was anything but kind.” she seethed.

Eden turned, still older Lydia’s hand but rubbing their other hand up her arm and to her shoulder. “All the more reason to ruin her view.” They kissed her cheek as tears began forming in Lydia’s eyes.

“Have you been enjoying yourself?” Eden deflected.

Lydia sniffled and let out a soft laugh. “Well, I can’t say I’ve enjoyed myself in such a long time. Maybe ever.”

Eden was already feeding off the sexual energy Lydia was giving off. It was filling the room with a much sweeter sensation. “I figured Asher was easy. But the others?”

Lydia’s smile was soft and sweet, Eden hadn’t seen such a look on their best friend’s face in ages. “All of them have been wonderful. Knox is so gentle, Naoki’s eager, and Kouri...oh boy. He just...he’s new,” she giggled.

“I had a feeling.” Eden was getting lots of goodies from Lydia. “I’m happy to hear that. You’d been putting up with your husband for so long, I was worried you’d give up sex and romance for good.”

“Well-” Lydia’s eyes drifted away and her smile slightly faded. “I wasn’t even thinking about romance. I just wanted to have sex and not hate it.”

“That’s up to you, love,” Eden sighed. “You do what’s best for you to heal. I’m just glad I could help you in some way.”

“And this was a big way! I owe you big time.”

Eden smirked. “You already are. It’s quite the delicious meal I’m having right now.” They spun Lydia around them pulled her into a tight hug, burying their nose in lYdia’s soft hair. “You’re imagining it aren’t you?”

Lydia’s cheeks blushed. “Maybe a little. Hard not to when it’s brought up.” Her fingers kneaded into Eden’s back. “And all of them have something quite unique.”

“Whose biggest?” Eden smirked.

Lydia stepped back to look Eden in the eye. “Naoki.”

“Oh really! That’s a surprise,” Eden laughed. “I would have figured Knox had that in the bag. But spoiled little Naoki?” They strolled back into the hall where they could see to the door that the crew was fixing.

“It’s like this.” Lydia held her hands apart then placed her thumbs and forefingers together in a circle to show girth. “He’s an absolute monster.”

Eden grinned. “And do you like it?”

“I’m quite proud of myself, actually that I can take such a huge thing. He’s like a furnace on the inside, so when he’s inside me he’s warm and just-” Her grin grew and Eden licked their lips. “Knox is good too,” she quickly changed topics before she went too far. “He’s huge but I don’t have to work up to taking him.” She bit her lip. “But when he’s inside me it’s like I’m the only thing that matters. Every driven instinct he has is all on me.”

Eden was starting to feel full. “That’s new for you.”

“It’s a relief,” Lydia huffed. “When I’m with Knox or Asher, I don’t have to worry about anything. They take care of me. And then there’s Kouri.”

The spike of energy coming off Lydia gave Eden a shock to the system. It was so strong, almost orgasmic. “Really?”

“He makes me think in ways I never would have before. The things he does to me-” Lydia looked at Eden then chuckled shyly. “It’s all new for me! I’m sure you’ve done it to people before.”

“I have awoken a few sleepy minds before,” Eden chuckled. “Glad to know my best friend is learning what she wants.”

Lydia was just happy to have her friend around. Eden would stay for a while as they got the case sorted out. Lydia had always hoped someone in the neighborhood would move out so that maybe Eden could move in and they would live closer together. The two of them used to have so much fun together, and Lydia missed the old days.

Later in the day, Lydia called Naoki to her room just so she could show Eden what he had. Naoki flinched when he saw Eden sitting on the bed waiting. His cheeks darkened and he looked at Lydia incredulously.

“What’s going on?” He huffed.

Lydia knelt down in front of Naoki, unzipping his pants and tugging them down. “I like sharing with my friends, and you have more than enough.”

“They look too much like Asher,” Naoki grunted.

Eden smirked. “Is that a bad thing?”

Naoki looked down as Lydia stroked his flaccid dick. He moaned, throwing his head back then catching himself. “Wha-what makes you think I’d be okay with this?”

Lydia lapped his tip and kissed down his shaft. “You can leave whenever you want. I can just as easily go fetch Knox for this.”

“You...you think you can do whatever you want, Ms. Cherrywood,” Naoki moaned, but he didn’t attempt to leave or even move. “You’re so good at that.”

Eden got up and knelt by Lydia. They dragged their hand up Naoki’s leg then cradled his sack in their palm. “Does he come a lot?”

“Buckets.” Lydia offered Naoki’s cock to Eden who happily took it into her mouth.

Naoki yelped and his knees trembled. “Ladies, easy!”

Lydia giggled, licking the base where Eden’s lips couldn’t reach.

Naoki’s eyes fluttered, almost crossing as he watched them. Lydia and Eden took turns licking and sucking, often kissing his shaft together until he was fully erect.

“He is monstrous,” Eden smirked. “He tastes good too.” They stood up and stripped off their skirt, revealing they were wearing thigh highs with a garter, and no panties. They then went over to the bed, bending over it and wagging their rear at Naoki.

“Come here.” Lydia grabbed Naoki by his cock and led him over to Eden. She slapped Naoki’s cock down on the top of Eden’s ass then smiled up at him. “Woudln’t you like to fuck her?”

“Yes. I mean-” Naoki shook his head. “I want to. But-” His hand smoothe over Eden’s ass, opening up their slit slightly to see inside. His eyes went hazy as he saw the plump, wet invitation.

Lydia took his cock into her hand, stroking it as she guided it to Eden’s opening. She rubbed his glans in the wetness and Eden moaned out happily. “She wants your big cock, Naoki. Don’t you want to feel her wrapped around you?”

“You’ve been spending too much time with Kouri,” Naoki huffed. He swallowed hard and grabbed Eden’s thighs with his hands. “Fine. You two are so adamant about it.” Lydia helped him ease inside. Eden took him easily, tightening around his shaft as he went in deep. Naoki lost his breath and his knees quivered again.

Lydia reached down, touching herself as she watched Naoki inside Eden. “How does he feel?”

Eden moaned. “You were right, he’s so warm and snuggly.”

Naoki huffed, pushing forward then pulling out. “You even sound like Asher.”

Lydia watched hungrily as Naoki’s cock reappeared from inside Eden. His shaft was slick and wet, and when she shoved back inside, that same wetness built along the edges of Eden’s lips. Lydia’s finger became slippy as she touched herself, moaning as Naoki and Eden began to go rougher. Eden thrust back, arching their back low and grinding Naoki deep inside them. Naoki wasn’t going to be outdone, so he bucked inside them even harder. He took Eden’s arms and held them back, keeping her elevated as he bucked and pumped.

Lydia sat down upon the bed, watching them as she slid her fingers inside. Eden was almost being lifted off the ground because Naoki was going so hard. Their eyes were hazy, lips wet, Eden was grinning so happily.

Lydia licked her fingers clean then rubbed her clit. She was panting and moaning with them. Naoki laid Eden back down upon the bed. He stood there for a moment, cock bobbing in the air. He caught his breath and wiped his brow.

Eden giggled as they rolled onto their back. They spread their legs wide open for Naoki, showing him his handy work. “I can keep going if you can,” Eden teased.

Naoki snarled, climbing on top of Eden and thrusting into her. Lydia laid back beside Eden, softly kissing them. Eden smiled, licking Lydia’s lips then deepening the kiss.

“Fuck-” Naoki whined. “Stop...you two will-” He bucked and hissed through his teeth. “Fuck! I’ll come! I’ll come!” He bucked harder, but shorter. Already he was starting to flow from within Eden. he jerked out, splashing his come onto Lydia and Eden. He thrust back inside Eden quickly, going deeper and rocking the bed. Eden moaned against Lydia’s lips. Eden giggled and threw their head back, legs locking hard around Naoki and forcing him against her. He was locked into place, trapped deep inside Eden while his eruption reached its peak.

Lydia’s fingers worked feverishly. Watching Naoki and Eden, her pleasure was heightened. She breathed in deep, thrusting her body from the bed. Her loins ached, and finally she took one last breath before her own eruption occurred. Lydia cried out, writhing against the sheets While Naoki collapsed onto Eden, his body spent and limp. Lydia sunk into the mattress, her lashes fluttering as she saw stars in her eyes. Both she and Naoki were melting, but Eden had finally had her fill.

Eden chuckled, sitting up and alert and spritely. “That was fun!”

“Fucking Incubus and Succubus,” Naoki growled, his energy depleted and running on fumes. He looked up at her with a glare.

Lydia sighed, staring dreamily at the ceiling. “I think they’re great to have around. I’ve never come like that just by myself.”

Naoki snarled and grumbled under his breath, rolling over so he could lay his head upon Lydia’s breast.

Eden kissed his cheek as they stood from the bed, they appeared taller than before. Eden did a few stretches before slipping on Naoki’s shirt. “I’ll go get us something to drink.”

Eden went towards the stairs when they heard voices whispering down below. They hesitated, seeing Asher and Knox blocking off the doorway from someone outside. Eden ducked down, peering between the bars of the railing to see a woman outside. She was older with long black hair and severe, almost crazy looking blue eyes. Her pale skin looked lovely, but Eden knew what brow lifts and botox looked like.

“It’s an old house. It’s historic. The Cherrywood family founded this town. This house should be untouched,” her voice was calm, but Eden tasted rage in the air.

“That maybe so, but this place isn’t owned by anyone except Ms. Cherrywood,” Knox replied. He was genuinely calm. “I understand your concern, Mrs. Morgan-”

“Dominic was a very dear friend of my family. I knew him all my life. He would be so upset at what’s become of his home.”

“Then maybe he should haunt it,” Asher replied.

Eden caught a glimpse of something in the shadows under the stairs. It was Kouri, he was watching with a seething, hateful glare in his eyes.

Gwen stared Asher up and down. “It isn’t right what she’s doing. She’s been spoiled since the moment she came here, and despite how she’s grown, all we’ve done to try and help her here, she’s still acting spoiled. It’s a shame!” She whimpered in a tone that sounded like concern.

Asher’s eyes narrowed upon Gwen. “Why does it matter so much to you? There’s nothing you can do here. Everything Ms. Cherrywood is doing to this place is her own business and her own right. The interior needed work anyways, and she’s keeping the exterior as authentic as possible just to make the neighbor happy. She doesn’t have to do that.”

Gwen took a step closer, as if she could come into the house, but Knox and Asher bared down more upon her. “It’s a shame what happened,” Gwen’s voice quivered. “But this place should stand in honor of Dominic and all his family has done.”

“She’s not burning it down,” Knox growled.

“Once again, I ask you, ma’am, why does this matter so much to you?” Asher pushed. “Why don’t you go and worry about your own life?”

Gwen reached up as if to slap Asher but her hand coiled back and she forced it back down to her side. “Tell her about my offer,” she huffed and she stormed down the stairs.

Kouri slid out from the shadows. His eyes flicked up, seeing Eden squatted there at the bannister above. He then went past Knox and Asher, his tail lashing out and knocking over a trash can.

“Should we tell her?” Knox murmured to Asher.

“Eden?” Asher asked without even turning around.

Eden grumbled and stood up. “What sort of offer did she make?”

Asher turned, a big grin upon his face. “She offered to buy Cherrywood Manor from our beloved Lydia.”

Eden came off the stairs, looking between Knox and Asher. “And how long had she been going on about Mr. Cherrywood.”

“I don’t know how long you were listening, but she seemed quite adamant.” Knox growled.

“She looked crazy,” Asher huffed. “Brick throwing crazy. I could tell she wasn’t lying about anything she said though.”

“I felt that too. But while it was the truth, everything she said was half truths.” Eden rubbed their chin then tucked their hair behind her ear. She pointed to Knox’s fist. “What’s that in your hand.”

“Business card,” he held it out to Eden. “She gave it to me in case. Said she would pay us to restore everything back to the way it was if Lydia decided to sell her the house.”

Eden took the card, looking over then smirked. “Didn’t you tell me that Naoki smelled a perfume on that brick?” She said to Asher.

“I did,” Asher said with a smirk.

“I wonder if this card smells similar.” Eden chuckled. “But it can’t be that easy right? She can’t really be that stupid?” They strolled back int the kitchen, opening their bag to take out their phone. Eden texted a message to their private investigator then got some drinks from the fridge.

Before offering Naoki a drink, Eden held out the card to him. “Smell it.”

Naoki stared at her like she was crazy. “Is this a joke?”

“Sniff it, please?” Eden huffed. “It’s important.”

Naoki rolled his eyes and took a whiff of the linen textured cardstock. His brow furrowed and he looked to Eden incredulously. “It smells familiar.”

“Like the brick?” Eden handed him a drink.

Naoki nodded. “Yeah! Almost exactly.”

Lydia leaned forward to see the card and her stomach churned. “Gwen?”

Eden flicked up the card. “Gwen. She just talked to Asher and Knox downstairs. She told them that she wanted to offer you a chance to sell her Cherrywood.”

Lydia’s mouth opened and her stare turned into sharp daggers. “Did she now?”

“I already sent word to my investigator. He should have everything on Gwen Morgan by tomorrow.” Eden handed Lydia a bottle and smirked. “She called you spoiled, but I don’t think she sees anything in the mirror beyond her own reflection.”

“No,” Lydia scoffed and shook her head. “Gwen and my husband’s families had been close. But I never saw the two of them together much. He never talked about her, and she was always so preoccupied with her own family. I always figured that my husband, well, that he was seeing someone much younger.”

Eden sat down upon the edge of the bed. “This Is just a theory, but I think this was going on even before you met your husband. I think Gwen might have been fooling around with Dominic Cherrywood when she was much younger.”

Lydia furrowed her brow. “Then he groomed her too?”

“Perhaps.” Eden glanced back at Lydia. “We’ll know more by tomorrow.”

Lydia looked out the window. “Gwen knew all along then. Didn’t she?” She stood up from the bed, but Naoki grabbed her wrist.

“Stop right there,” Naoki murmured. “There is nothing you can do now. You can wait and find out the truth. Once you have that, you can do whatever you want to her. But it’ll do you no good to try and storm the castle now. If she knew and did nothing, that was also part of mr. Cherrywood’s game.”

Eden smirked at naoki. “Very astute.”

Lydia sat back down upon the bed and put her arms around Eden, holding them tight. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.” Eden kissed Lydia’s temple. “Don’t you worry. I’m ending this, one way or another. This time next year, you’ll be free of it all.”