“She’s getting along better each day. We’re actually at physical therapy right now.”
“Is she walking any better?”
“She needs the cane and also the pain meds still. But not all the time. We’re hoping the PT works for her.”
“I hope so, too. I’m concerned about how much you’ve been doing. Are you sure things are going well? You don’t need anything?” he asked.
“No, Cobus, I’m being honest. Things are fine.”
“Okay, well, you let me know if you need anything. I mean that.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
“No problem. Well, I’ll let you go. We’ll talk again soon.”
“Okay, bye.” She ended the call. She had such an uneasy feeling in her belly. She didn’t want to keep a relationship going with the father of the man she once loved who then turned on her. She knew that Cobus and Bennet didn’t have a normal relationship. Bennet knew his father cheated on his mother, and his mother didn’t do a thing to stop it. So easily C.C. could have been shoved into that kind of life and marriage. Thank God that didn’t happen. She leaned back and looked out the window.
An hour later as they entered the house as the rain came down hard, Elsie looked exhausted and Aiden was ready for a nap. C.C. had a couple of hours before work.
“Oh no,” Aiden said and started pulling things from his backpack and then looked around the room.
“What’s wrong?” Elsie asked as she sat in a chair and drank from a bottle of water.
“Teddy. I can’t find him.” Aiden began to cry.
“It’s okay, buddy. It has to be somewhere,” C.C. said and helped him look.
“I think I left it,” he said as more tears flowed.
“At the physical therapy office?” Elsie asked and he nodded.
“Okay, let’s call over there and see if it’s there. Then if it is we can drive back tomorrow.”
Aiden shook his head. “I won’t be able to sleep without it. Oh no,” he said and cried harder.
“Okay, if it’s there then I’ll head back.”
“C.C., the rain is getting harder and the bigger storm is coming in.”
“I’ll be fine.” She called the number, and sure enough it was there. “I’ll be there within the hour,” C.C. said, and then she bent down and hugged Aiden. “You do me a favor while I’m gone. Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for you and Mommy,” she said and tickled him.
He laughed. “Okay.” He started to pull over the chair so he could reach the counter. Before she even grabbed her keys and smiled at Elsie, he was pulling out jelly, and heading to the cupboard for peanut butter.
“Be careful,” Elsie said.
“Always.”
Axel was in a pissed off mood. The therapist wasn’t happy with his attitude, and he didn’t give a shit. The guy was pushing him hard. His brother Conan had come along with him because technically Axel wasn’t supposed to be driving yet. He was fine, but Conan wanted to come along.
As he continued to do the exercises he heard his brother greet someone, and then Axel saw that it was C.C. He wondered what she was doing here, and then he didn’t want her to see him. Not like this. Not looking weak and miserable. It was too late when Conan pulled her along with him just as the PT therapist told him to stretch his arm with the band and that he was done for today. He snarled at the guy and Conan chuckled.
“Don’t mind him, C.C. Axel is always in a rotten mood,” Conan said to her.
“Well, I need to get going. I have work tonight.”
“You’re driving in this?” Axel snapped at her as he looked her over. She wore a white V-neck T-shirt and a beige skirt with heeled ankle boots. She looked classy and he liked it.
“It’s fine. I’m heading home. Good luck with the PT.”
“Hey, be careful on Farmer’s Pass,” Conan said to her.
“I will. Bye.” She headed out.
“What’s with the teddy bear?” Axel asked.
“I don’t know, the lady at the front desk was holding it for her.”
“You think it’s hers or she has a kid?” Axel asked.
Conan scrunched his eyebrows together. “A kid? I don’t think so.”
“Whatever. Let’s go,” Axel said, but then the physical therapist reprimanded him for not doing the exercises.
Axel complained but then did them, and was even more annoyed because he was thinking about C.C. and her driving in the rain all the way back to Cherry Hill, alone. He heard his cousins talking about seeing her the other night at Harper’s and how Seager and the guys were flirting with her. It annoyed him, and the fact that he hardly knew her and she remained on his mind a lot. She was feminine, sexy, and petite. He was instantly protective of her and even now, though it was none of his business, he was concerned for her wellbeing.
Fifteen minutes later as they headed out in the torrential downpour, even Conan was concerned. “Holy shit, I can barely see. I hope C.C. got through this already.”
“She shouldn’t be out driving in this. Look around us. No one is out,” Axel barked. As they made it passed Farmer’s Pass, he felt a little more relieved, but it was short-lived. The flashing hazard lights were getting bigger and bigger, and soon they were right up behind C.C.’s car, and it looked like she was trying to change a flat tire.
C.C. was gripping the wheel as she was heading back to Cherry Hill after grabbing Teddy. She was shaking not only from driving in this torrential downpour but also from seeing Axel, who was filled with piss and vinegar, as well as Conan who was flirty, yet snappy. They were older men not only in years but in personalities and demeanor. Their take no shit, bossy, commanding attitudes frightened her. Axel’s sharp tongue and the fiery look in his eyes intimidated her big time. She thought about Bennet. About when he was angry, abusive, and when he tried to force her to have sex with his friends from the military. She shivered, and the chill from the rain went right through her. She thought about getting home, making some tea to warm up before having to head back out tonight to work. The rainstorm should pass by then.
As she made it into town, and no one was in sight, she wondered if she should stop as soon as she hit the storefronts. Right now she was just headed into the entrance to Cherry Hill on Farmer’s Pass. Suddenly her car started acting funny, then it jerked and a loud sound shocked her, making her nearly lose control of the vehicle. The damn tired blew. “Oh God, why now? Why?” she asked. She swallowed hard, and then looked out the window. This wasn’t going to let up. She needed to change the damn tire. At least she knew how to. She didn’t even have a jacket. “Shit. I’m going to get soaked,” she exclaimed, her fear now turning to anger. There was no one to ever rely on but herself. She knew that and learned the hard way.
She took a few seconds to compose herself, and get ready to change the tire. She popped the trunk and then got out of the car. Thunder rolled, lightning struck in the distance, but the sound and feel of the rain hammering down on her soaking through her clothing already made her want to just quit and get back into the car. She ran to the trunk, started to pull out things she needed, and then closed the truck so it wouldn’t get all wet inside. She started to undo the jack and reach for the tire iron to unscrew the lug nuts to make sure they weren’t rusted through before she jacked up the car, but then she saw large headlights and was filled with a mix of fear and relief. The truck honked, and then she was shocked as Conan jumped out, with a hooded raincoat on. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“My tire blew.”
“Shit. Let’s sit in the truck and see if the rain slows down or passes.”
“It isn’t passing, Conan. Don’t worry. I got this,” she said, using her arm to wipe the rain from her eyes, but it was useless. The rain soaked her completely. She was a mess, and just then the power of the rain increased and wind blew, too.
“Shit!” he exclaimed, and she started to try and unscrew the lug nuts but of course they wouldn’t budge.
“Let me. You go get
He tried too and then cursed. “They’re rusted through. Grab your purse and whatever and get into the truck. We’ll give you a ride. Oh, and leave the hazards on. Someone might not see the vehicle and hit it. I can call Fred’s in town and see if he can tow it in.”
“Oh crap. I have work tonight.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. Come on,” he said. She hurried to the door, grabbed her backpack, stuck Teddy inside so he wouldn’t get drenched, and then she locked up the car and then ran with Conan back to the truck. He opened the door and lifted her up and into the truck before she could even grab the handle to hop up. She gasped and landed on the seat and into Axel.
“Jesus, you’re soaked. What the hell happened?” Axel barked at her. She was absolutely drenched as she started to explain, but then Axel was staring at her top. She looked down and then covered it with her hands and tried pulling her arms over it.
“What’s wrong?” Conan asked and then looked down at her top. “Hold up. I have a towel or something in the back.” He reached over her, and she had to lean into Axel, which gave him a better view of her breasts and lace bra showing through the white T-shirt. The deep cleavage of her breasts could not be hidden.
“Oh God. I don’t need this aggravation right now. Of all the times for the tire to blow. I just made an appointment at Freddy’s this afternoon.”
“You knew the tire was having a problem?” Conan asked her as he used the towel after she did.
“Yes.”
“Are you out of your mind driving around by yourself with a screwed up car? Anything could have gone wrong. Anyone could have come along and—” Axel reprimanded her and then looked her over.
Conan cupped her cheek, forcing her to look up toward him. “Jesus, woman, you need looking after.” He gazed over her breasts right before he pressed his lips to hers.
C.C. was shocked, but also completely aroused right now. Their truck smelled like them, like cologne and masculinity. The feel of such big, strong arms pulling her closer was foreign, and she felt like she’d never been held like this. He plunged his tongue in exploration and moaned into her mouth. When she felt Axel’s hand on her body, she tightened up. In her mind she feared being taken advantage of.
As if sensing her need to slow things down, Conan slowly released her lips. “Holy God,” he said.
“Why did you kiss me?” she asked, lowering her head and unable to look at him. Conan and Axel were just too mature, too masculine and sexy, and she felt naive and like she had to keep her guard up. He’d kissed her because she was soaked and he could see her bra, the deep cleavage of her breasts. She crossed her arms in front of her chest but then froze as Axel tugged on her hair gently, and she turned to look at him.
“Probably for the same reason why I’m going to kiss you right now, sweetie,” he said as he cupped her cheek and pulled her toward him. When Axel’s lips touched hers she was shocked that she felt the same powerful attraction and desire she did when Conan kissed her. She was stunned, but then Conan cupped her breast and slid his thumb over her nipple and she nearly came. She pulled from Axel’s kiss and covered her breasts with her hands.
“Oh God, we need to slow down. Oh Jesus, this is not happening right now.”
Conan chuckled. “Baby, it’s happening, whether we’re ready for it or not,” Conan said but his eyes went to Axel’s as Conan winked. She looked at Axel, and he looked even more serious than Conan had before he’d kissed her.
They sat there in silence until Axel took the towel and placed it over the front of her. “Cover yourself up.” He acted like the sight of her angered him when it was the complete opposite. She was gorgeous, sexy, voluptuous for such a tiny thing, and those damn hazel-green eyes did him in instantly. He wanted her. Wanted to explore her body, possess her with his brothers in arms, and holy shit he couldn’t handle it. He ran his fingers through his hair and turned away. Conan placed his hand on her thigh, and she jumped.
“We aren’t going to hurt you. On the contrary, thank God we were heading back from Central Valley. What are you doing out here in the rain?” Conan asked her. She was shivering, and he removed his hand and reached over, caught Axel’s eyes. Axel knew that Conan could read his expression. He didn’t know how to handle this. Didn’t want to be attracted to C.C. She was young, naive, obviously, and he felt like he was robbing the damn cradle.
She pulled the backpack she had up onto her lap and used it to keep herself covered along with the towel. She was gripping it tight. The scent of her shampoo, the perfume her body lotion she wore filled the cabin of the truck as Conan stared at her and didn’t put the truck in drive yet. “I left something at the PT office.”
“I saw that. A teddy bear. Who does it belong to?” he asked her, and she swallowed hard.
“My cousin’s son.”
“He was at physical therapy? Why? What’s wrong with him?” Conan asked.
“Conan, please, I’m sorry that this is such an inconvenience for you and Axel right now. There’s no need to force a conversation. We kissed, and it was a mistake and if you could just get me home I’ll handle arrangements for the car and for getting to work.”
Conan leaned closer, reached up, and cupped her cheek. She stared at him but leaned back so her head hit the headrest. The towel and bag lowered, exposing her very large, luscious breasts and the deep cleavage Axel couldn’t take his eyes off of.
“Kissing you was not a mistake. You’re intimidated. I can feel you shaking, and there’s no need to be.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that. We’re big men and she’s a little thing. Shouldn’t be out all by herself in weather like this,” Axel reprimanded again.
She glanced at him, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “On the contrary, I can take care of myself. Always have, and don’t need some older, bossy guy, trying to tell me otherwise.”
Conan snickered, and Axel leaned slowly toward her. Those hazel-green eyes widened, and she started leaning toward Conan, but Axel slid his palm along her neck to her head and cheek. “If you were mine, I’d have a thing or two to say about your attitude.”
“I’m not yours,” she said to him. Something came over Axel despite the reservations he had, despite the pain in his arm from physical therapy, and despite him feeling like he didn’t deserve someone so young and gorgeous like C.C.
“That’s about to change.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. At first she tightened up, but then his brother joined in, started to kiss along her neck, gripped her hair, and she kissed Axel back. He couldn’t believe how much he felt, or the thoughts that ran through his head. When he slowly began to release her lips and noticed that her eyes remained closed then fluttered open, he felt a hit to his gut, as if C.C. was inexperienced, or at minimum, was never kissed like this before. He wanted her to be so aroused, and feel as crazy as he felt, but before he could make a fool out of himself, or ruin this moment by interrogating her and make her admit she felt what he felt, Conan pulled her onto his lap, dipped her, then kissed her. Axel watched as Conan’s large hand slid under her top and over her belly. It looked so huge against her feminine body. She would be helpless out here all alone, and any men, men who flirted with her and pushed themselves at her at Harper’s, could have stumbled across here out here all alone on the road. Fuck, he was pissed, but then she moaned as Conan cupped her breast and slid a thumb along the material of her bra and shirt where her nipple lay. She gripped his wrist and pulled from his mouth.
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