He Chose My Cousin to Replace Me in Bed

Pregnancy changed Lorena’s body week by week, and with it changed the way Adrián looked at her. Her clothes started to fit tighter, her curves grew rounder, and although she felt insecure, he always found a way to remind her how beautiful she looked. He spent long stretches with his hand resting on her belly, waiting for a kick, smiling every time he felt one.

Adrián controlled everything in that house, including what Lorena ate. But pregnancy upset his plans: she kept going over the allowed amount, driven by cravings, and he, instead of scolding her, became indulgent. That was his way of being in charge: letting her believe he was giving in.

The ultrasound room was full of contained emotion when the technician slid the transducer over her belly. The baby was moving on the screen, and when he announced it would be a girl, Lorena’s eyes filled with tears. Adrián, beside her, squeezed her hand.

—It’s a girl —she whispered, looking at him.

—Daniela —he said almost at once, as if the name had already been decided.

Lorena frowned.

—I was thinking of Marina, like my mother. It would be a lovely tribute.

—Daniela is beautiful. It’s not for anyone, I just like the way it sounds.

—Are you sure it’s not for someone?

He shrugged.

—It was my first girlfriend’s name, but that has nothing to do with it.

The air tightened for a moment, until Lorena remembered something that brought her back to calm.

—You make the important decisions. That was one of the rules you set from the beginning, and I like it that way.

He nodded, satisfied.

—Then it’ll be Daniela.

She drew a breath and smiled.

—Thanks for setting clear rules. That way we don’t argue over stupid things.

***

The due date drew closer, and with it fear. She would have a C-section, a long recovery, and that unsettled her. One afternoon, as they were resting, Lorena noticed Adrián was distracted, as if he were chewing on something he couldn’t quite say.

—What’s worrying you? —she asked, stroking her belly.

—I’ve been thinking about what comes after. It’ll be a C-section, recovery will be difficult. I don’t want you to worry about me, but... you know I have needs. During those weeks you won’t be able to be with me.

Lorena’s bubble of happiness seemed about to burst. It wasn’t the girl or her recovery that weighed most on Adrián, but the weeks he’d go without sex. She knew confronting him was useless, so she took a breath and looked for the easiest way out.

—I can use my mouth to ease you. I’ll do it every day if I have to.

—You could, but you’ll be exhausted. And I’d rather take the chance to have some variety. Those are going to be hard days, and I don’t want to settle for something hurried every night. I think I deserve something better.

Lorena looked at him, caught between indignation and the habit of obeying. Tears stung her eyes.

—I understand —she said, her voice trembling—. What do you suggest?

He took her hand with calculated tenderness.

—We need someone in the house. Someone we trust who can please me at night while you recover. Just for that time.

She lowered her gaze and let out a sigh. Adrián’s logic was irrefutable within the dynamic they had built together over the years.

—And who did you have in mind?

—I thought of Carla, from work. She’s discreet and I trust her. But then I thought it would be better to have someone from the family. —He paused—. Vanesa.

Lorena’s heart gave a jolt. Vanesa was her cousin, younger, with blue eyes and a generous chest. And above all, she had been with Adrián in the past.

—But what about her job? And Gorka? —she asked, looking for the excuse that would spare her from being replaced by her cousin.

—It’ll be complicated, I know. But if you explain it to her, she’ll agree. It’s important that you’re the one who asks her. And Gorka will have to be sold the idea a little differently so he’ll accept it.

***

Vanesa and Gorka had been trying to have a child for some time without success. Each month that ended with another period dimmed their optimism a little more, and Vanesa was beginning to wonder whether the problem was his or her own.

Lorena and Adrián invited her to dinner one quiet night. They talked about trivial things until dessert arrived and Lorena knew it was time.

—Vanesa, there’s something we need to talk to you about.

Her cousin stopped laughing and grew serious.

—Of course, tell me.

—I’m going to give birth soon, and it’ll be a C-section. The recovery will be hard, and I won’t be able to be as present, especially for Adrián. We’ve been thinking about who could help us during those weeks, someone we could fully trust. And we thought of you.

Vanesa’s eyes widened.

—Me?

Adrián leaned forward, taking Lorena’s hand.

—You’d be the perfect person. Not just because you’re family, but because we trust you. If you asked for time off, you could stay with us. You’d help with Lorena and the baby, and you’d also be with me in bed when she can’t. You’d have to sleep here, so you’re always available.

Vanesa looked at both of them, processing the enormity of what they were asking. For a second her gaze drifted to her cousin’s husband and she blushed.

—I’m flattered you thought of me. I want to help, but I need to talk to Gorka. And to my boss. I can’t promise you anything yet.

—Of course —Lorena said quickly—. We don’t want to pressure you.

Vanesa nodded, and as she did, she was no longer thinking about her cousin, but about Adrián holding her again.

***

That night, Vanesa found Gorka on the sofa. She knew the conversation wouldn’t be easy.

—Lorena and Adrián have asked me for something. She’s going to have a C-section and during recovery she’ll need help. They’ve asked me to take some vacation and stay with them for a few weeks.

Gorka switched off the TV, his face hardening.

—You mean move in with them?

—Yes. I know it’s a lot to ask, but she’s my cousin. If I were in her place, she’d do the same. It’ll only be for a while.

He stood and walked to the window.

—Do you realize what you’re asking me? To stay here while you live with them? That could change everything.

—I know. But they’re my family. I don’t want this to affect us, but I think it’s the right thing to do.

Gorka stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity. At last he turned around.

—If you truly think you have to do it, I’m not going to stop you. But I want you to know it’s not easy for me. And I hope you understand what you’re risking.

Vanesa felt a mix of relief and sadness. She was putting her marriage to the test, but inside she only wanted to please Adrián and be his again.

***

When Vanesa moved in, Adrián gathered the two women in the living room to make the rules clear.

—When Daniela is born, things will change. Lorena, you’ve gained extra weight and you need to lose it; breastfeeding will help. So you can rest, you’ll sleep in the small room with the baby, so her crying doesn’t wake me. Vanesa, you’ll take Lorena’s place in our bed. I want you available at all times. You know I’m demanding, in the house and in bed.

—Of course, Adrián. I’ll do whatever you want —Vanesa answered, caught between obedience and resignation.

—The housework is also on you. I want Lorena to focus only on the baby.

Lorena listened in silence, a knot in her throat. The idea of being separated from him at night hurt, but she didn’t allow herself to question it. She had trusted him to handle everything.

***

Daniela was born without complications. Even Adrián, always reserved, let a tear slip when he held her for the first time. Back home, a new stage began. Lorena, still sore, tried to breastfeed awkwardly like a first-time mother while Vanesa took on her role without showing the tension she felt.

The first night, exhausted, each of them went to their own bed. Lorena with Daniela in the small room; Adrián to the master bedroom, where Vanesa was waiting for him.

—It’s been a big day —he said, getting into bed.

—Yes. You’ve received a blessing.

After a silence, Vanesa couldn’t keep quiet about what was tormenting her.

—Gorka and I have been trying to have a child for months and we haven’t been able to. Every time my period comes it feels like a defeat. I’m afraid something’s wrong with me.

—Don’t worry —he said with a compassion that hid another intention—. We’re going to fix that. I’ll do everything in my power to help you.

He kissed her, and she closed her eyes and let herself go. His lips trailed down her neck, his hands slid under her nightgown, his fingers traced circles over her nipples. He moved down her body leaving a trail of kisses, stopping at her belly, at the curve of her waist, and she twisted, seeking his touch. When he entered her, they moved together until Vanesa arched her back and trembled, and he followed soon after, emptying himself inside her.

When they were lying down, Adrián took Vanesa’s underwear and pushed it inside her, like a stopper.

—That way nothing gets out. This is my help for your motherhood —he said softly—. I’ll give you my seed every day. Don’t clean it out, leave it inside.

Her heart skipped a beat when she understood. He wanted her to carry his child. And she knew it was what she wanted most in the world.

***

The days passed in a routine of diapers and chores that Vanesa handled methodically, letting Lorena rest, since Daniela barely allowed her to sleep. Adrián spent his afternoons with his wife, lifted the baby in his arms and spoke to her tenderly. Later, when the little one finished nursing, he carefully took one of Lorena’s breasts in his mouth to taste a little of her milk before sleeping.

And every night he went to the room where Vanesa waited, awake or asleep, it made no difference: he woke her so she could do her duty. Every night he filled her and repeated:

—Don’t clean it out. I’m going to give you a baby. You deserve it.

One afternoon Lorena told him she was thinking of stopping breastfeeding, because the baby was biting her nipples and it hurt.

—I’m the one who’s going to hurt you —Adrián said, laughing, and put one of her nipples in his mouth.

He kept his word. He didn’t bite hard, but hard enough to make her scream and wake Daniela. He found a wooden pencil and held it out to her.

—Bite this, that way you can let it out without screaming.

He bit her breast again, intent on leaving it raw. When Lorena snapped the pencil in two with her teeth, he spoke to her with tenderness and firmness at once.

—You’re going to breastfeed the baby and you’re going to do what I say. This isn’t whim: it will help you lose weight and help her grow stronger. I don’t care if it hurts.

—You’re right, darling. Thanks for reminding me —she said, knowing the next feeding would hurt just as much as the punishment.

He switched to the other nipple, sucked until a stream of milk came out, and bit her again.

—I hope you don’t forget the lesson, or tomorrow it’ll hurt more.

Lorena was trembling, in a kind of trance. It had been weeks since Adrián had enjoyed himself with her like this. He got turned on, sat on her chest, slid his sex between her breasts while squeezing them with both hands and digging his nails into her sore nipples. He came on her face, leaving it pearly and sticky, and then he called Vanesa to clean her up.

Her cousin came in, surprised and embarrassed by the scene, and with a baby wipe she silently cleaned Lorena. Lorena kept her eyes shut, humiliated beyond anything she had ever felt at being exposed like that in front of her cousin.

Afterward, Adrián kissed his wife on the forehead, wished her good night, and took Vanesa by the hand, the soaked wipe in the other. Before going to bed, he pushed it into her as deeply as he could.

—Here’s today’s help, pretty face. Soon you’ll be a mother like your cousin.

***

In the fourth week, something felt different the moment Adrián crossed the door. Vanesa noticed the tension wrapping around him like a tightened rope. Work had left him exhausted and irritable, and he needed to unload before he could relax. He barely greeted Lorena with a cold kiss and took Vanesa by the hand without a word to lead her to the bedroom.

He undressed in abrupt motions and she did the same. Vanesa’s body tensed completely, reacting on instinct. She knew there would be no tenderness tonight. When she felt him push inside, she shut her eyes tightly and braced herself to endure it, hoping it would be over quickly.

He gripped her breasts hard, dug his fingers into her flesh and fucked her, changing her position at will, ignoring the whimpers that escaped her.

—I don’t want to hear complaints —he said, slapping her across the face when she asked for a little softness.

Suddenly he pulled out and sat on her chest. Vanesa opened her eyes and found him staring at her.

—Tonight there’s going to be a party in your blue eyes —he said, smiling.

Despite her nerves, Vanesa laughed for an instant, remembering the first time he had said the same thing. She tried to pull away, but Adrián was holding her too tightly. She had no choice but to submit.

—Tonight you’ll be my canvas —he said, his voice laced with sensuality—. Hold your eyelids open with your fingers, darling.

He straddled her chest, lifted her head by the hair and moved with the other hand at a frenzied pace. When he exploded, he let everything run over her face, from forehead to mouth. Vanesa struggled to keep her eyes open despite the sting, sobbing and twisting, while he reveled in her submission.

This time he didn’t work her over like he had the first time. Seeing her more and more submissive, her blue eyes now clouded, he felt satisfied. He put his sex in her mouth, gathered with two fingers what was still sliding down her face, a mixture of semen and tears, and methodically took it into her, as deep as he could.

—Today you’ll also have seed for our baby, Vanesa, my blue darling.

—Thank you —she said, relieved both that it would end soon and by what that seed promised—. I really liked it —she forced herself to add, feigning a smile.

That night, millions of sperm were lost in Vanesa’s irritated eyes, but one, just one, reached its destination and left her truly pregnant.

***

The next morning, with Adrián already at the office, Lorena was taking care of the lighter tasks while Daniela slept. When she entered the kitchen she found Vanesa washing dishes with red-rimmed eyes.

—Are you okay? Your eyes are very irritated.

Vanesa shrugged with a faint smile.

—Don’t worry. Thousands of tiny creatures decided to throw a party in my blue eyes, that’s all.

Lorena frowned. The remark felt strangely familiar. Suddenly she remembered: Adrián had said exactly that the last time Vanesa had had eye trouble. The coincidence was too great, and an unease began settling in her chest.

—Where did you get that from? Adrián said the same thing last time. What’s going on? Are you hiding something from me?

Vanesa lowered her gaze. Silence thickened.

—What do you mean by tiny creatures? —Lorena pressed.

Vanesa hesitated before admitting:

—Last night Adrián came in my eyes.

Lorena felt a mix of jealousy and something harder to name. It wasn’t arousal: it was the need to defend her place. Adrián was her husband, and anything that pleased him should be done by her. She wanted to please him more than any other woman.

In the afternoon she confronted him.

—Vanesa told me about last night. You came in her eyes.

He hesitated.

—Yes. I’m sorry if that bothers you, but it’s something she enjoys. —Then he corrected himself—: Well, I did. I needed to let off steam after a bad day.

—I want to please you that way too —Lorena said quietly.

He looked at her, surprised.

—I never wanted to do it with you because it’s unpleasant. I don’t want to humiliate you for no reason, that’s why I did it with her.

—You’ve humiliated me whenever you wanted for years, sometimes for a reason and sometimes not. Don’t play innocent now —she said, her voice heavy with anger and desire.

Adrián nodded.

—All right. I’ll do it for you, though I think you won’t like it.

Lorena had eyes somewhere between green and brown that changed with the light, and he loved them. Seeing her so willing made him want her all at once.

That night he went, as always, to hold her for a while and carefully taste a little of her milk.

—You have delicious breasts —he said.

—They’re yours, darling —she replied—, but right now Daniela has the usufruct.

They laughed, and he held her until her eyes closed.

—You owe me an eye pregnancy —she murmured.

—Another day I’ll do it for you, love. I promise.

***

A couple of days later, with Lorena almost recovered, Vanesa returned to her house and her routine with Gorka. The tension between them had eased, though the worry about conceiving still lingered. But soon Vanesa started noticing changes in her body. A test confirmed it: she was pregnant. With a mixture of relief and cunning, she waited several weeks before telling him, making sure Gorka had no doubt whatsoever about the origin of the child she was expecting.

Even though she knew perfectly well whose it was.