by Kinney Scott
At least Seth seemed to want, as Nate did, more of the passion they tasted tonight. “Kels is leaving later this week to work on the Deschutes River. I think she made plans for us for the entire weekend. She said something about a festival at a park on the Columbia tomorrow.”
“Are you going with all her friends?” Seth asked, knowing Kent would be along, as Kelsey’s closest friend in Ashwood.
“I think so. Then on Sunday her family is hosting a barbeque up at their home on the lake.”
He nodded, trying to think of a way to see her before Monday.
Natalie shrugged, “I guess she wants me to be connected to the community before she leaves. I think she’s afraid to abandon me so soon. Honestly, I am comfortable being on my own. But I do love that Kelsey cares so much. She has a sense about what people need and does all she can to help out.”
“I’ve noticed she’s at the center of her group of friends. My cousins Molly and Mandy are really close to her. Kelsey and I know each other. It’s impossible not to in this town, but we have never really hung out before. It’s the age gap I guess.” Seth turned to step out of the house.
As he locked up he decided that waiting until Monday was probably the best option. “Why don’t you come by on Monday, and we can go over some options on your house. I’d like to see you again.”
“That sounds great. I’ve actually been collecting some ideas for the inside finishes.” After she put on her shoes, Seth scooped her up again in his arms. “Don’t ever wear anything but high heels, I enjoy carrying you everywhere.”
She laughed and turned her face to his, snug in his embrace, and placed another teasing kiss across his lips. The contact again ignited a heat between them that had never stopped smoldering. Once she was secure, Natalie smiled as she watched this moody, protective, gorgeous man circle round the cab and climb in to drive her back to Kelsey’s place.
***
Kelsey whistled as Nate came through the front door, “There was steam rolling off you two during that kiss on my front porch. Nate, how did you manage to snare Seth Michaels in just a few short hours?” Natalie blushed as her friend continued.
Kelsey pulled her friend down to the couch next to her, “Ashwood women have been trying for years to do what you accomplished in less than one night. Please tell me he kisses like a god, and if he doesn’t, please just lie, I don’t want to destroy my fantasy.”
“No reason to lie, he’s a god.” Natalie sighed with relaxed satisfaction as she sank deeper into the sofa next to Kelsey.
Not even waiting for more than a few seconds to pass, Kelsey impatiently prodded, “Come on, you have to give me some steamy details.”
Natalie weighed her options for a moment. Seth seemed to guard his privacy and she did not want to violate his trust. Looking back at the evening, she realized the heat was definitely there between them, but she hadn’t embarrassed herself by taking things too fast.
“After we finished that dance at the bar, I would have followed him anywhere. He wanted to show me the shop. Neither of us had a real dinner so Seth cooked some steaks.”
“At his house? That’s a long drive out of town.”
“No, he has a finished tiny house at Whitewater with a grill, so he cooked the steaks while I put a salad together.” Natalie lost herself for a moment, letting out a little happy sigh.
“It sounds to me like you two played house. Very cozy. Besides the domestic bliss, what else? You look a little tumbled and pretty relaxed. Spill it, there has got to be more,” Kelsey almost begged.
“We kissed a little. Mostly we talked and hung out, looking at the stars. It was completely romantic. You know I have to work on my house with him. I will not let myself get too obsessed with Seth Michaels. That could be an epic mistake. With the entire summer ahead of us, it might get strained if I fell hard for him.”
When Natalie was honest with herself, she feared that if things moved too quickly the passion would fizzle out just as fast. “I’m exhausted Kels. What is our plan for tomorrow? Are we sleeping in or getting an early start?”
“We are meeting up with everyone tomorrow after lunch around two at the Stop and Shop. After we see who shows, we will decide which cars to take down to the festival on the Columbia. Last year the bands were awesome. There are tons of craft beers to try at Rhythm and Brews. The timing is perfect for you to get to know everyone.”
Kelsey clicked off lights as they moved toward bed, “Fair warning, leaving with Seth tonight made you an instant celebrity. Half the town is probably buzzing. Be prepared.” Kelsey warned with a teasing smile.
“Thanks for the warning, Kels, but I barely know Seth. For the most part, he is just building a house for me. I’m excited about tomorrow. Thanks for planning all of this Kelsey. See you in the morning.” Natalie took the first shift in the little bathroom, imagining as she brushed her teeth that Seth was doing the same. Would he be thinking about her while lying in his bed tonight? She longed to be curled against him, and secretly hoped for a time when they would wake up together.
Before Kels went into the lone bathroom, she ducked her head in to talk to Natalie. “I wanted to let you in on one thing. Kent will be at Rhythm and Brews tomorrow. His pride was wounded tonight. When you see him tomorrow, try to let him down easy, especially if you think Seth is the real deal.”
“Absolutely, I will do all I can. Kent is great; I look forward to being his friend. This thing with Seth, it shocked me too.”
“Thanks Nate, I love you, and I’m happy you’re here. See you in the morning,” Kelsey said before she locked up the house and got ready for bed.
CHAPTER FOUR
Waking up sporting wood was not unusual. Reflecting back on the details of his dream, he had plunged balls deep into Natalie, sinking into her tight heat. She had been drenched after he dove his tongue into the vanilla scent of her neatly trimmed pussy. His dream left him pondering if the curls would be the same red hue of her hair, or a deeper shade of brown.
This fantasy nearly got him off in his sleep. Taking himself in hand, he reached an explosive orgasm so quickly he was a little disappointed with his lack of control. The release should have taken the edge off, but Natalie still invaded his thoughts.
When he opened his frig and saw beer from Mosquito Brewing, he immediately pictured her at The Rhythm and Brews Festival. It would be sweltering today down on the river. What would she be wearing? Maybe a tiny pair of cut off shorts and a bikini top. Laying in the sun, sipping beer and listening to music, he wanted his hands to smooth over her skin and apply her sunscreen. Get a grip.
Sitting at home in his office, he decided to check emails from his website. Seth could not help looking over Nate’s string of comments. He pictured the house he could build where she would feel most at home. All at once, he knew that accomplishing anything today was worthless. After taking a quick cold shower, Seth sat with damp hair in the cab of his truck. This woman is so damned distracting. I would have shot myself with a nail gun if I’d gone into the shop, he thought as he risked a few miles per hour over the limit.
When he set out he pretended to have no particular destination in mind, but he was only trying to fool himself. Within the hour his truck ground across the gravel parking lot at the county fairgrounds that skirted the wide Columbia River. After parking, he walked into the Rhythm and Brews festival determined to locate Natalie.
As he covered the vast fairground property, Seth scanned the lawns looking for her golden-red hair. Under the canopy of huge cotton wood trees, party tents overflowed with people eating grilled burgers, bratwurst and drinking northwest craft beers. Some in bikini tops soaking in summer rays, others in the shade finding refuge from the sun. Four music stages were set up where bands played to crowds of tanned beer drinkers. The larger vendors had tents emblazoned with their company logos.
He spotted his cousin’s tent about half way down the line of at least twenty other craft brewers. Mosquito Creek Brewing filled a large canopy selling beer bre
wed from local hops grown on the family farm in eastern Washington. Wade’s line of craft beer featured bug themed Ales and Porters. Mosquito’s Double Deet IPA had won awards for its crisp hoppy citrus bite.
“Wade, how are you holding up in this heat?” Seth called to his cousin who was pulling beers, filling orders as fast as he could. Seth slipped behind the counter and immediately began helping out. He grabbed a towel, wiped down the beer-sloshed counter then pulled stacks of plastic cups out for the next round of thirsty guests. “Thanks, we are slammed,” Wade said quickly. “Good to see you, are you here with family or friends?”
“On my own for now. Have you seen anyone here from town? I just came to check out the festival,” Seth said as he helped one of Wade’s employees switch out a keg. Wade’s part timer wore a Mosquito Creek tank top that shamelessly showed off double-D cleavage. Smiling up at Seth, she intentionally bent low to give him a good long look. Normally he would have enjoyed the view, but she pouted as he went back to scanning the mass of people hoping to catch a glimpse of Natalie.
As soon as Wade caught a breath he turned to Seth, “Yeah, I saw that guy who works for you. Kent, I think. He was with Kelsey. You know, there was a leggy redhead with them, who I have never met before. Kelsey said she was from Seattle. Nate. Yeah, that was her name. Molly and Mandy and a couple other local guys were with them.” Wade continued to ramble on, but Seth lost track of the conversation. Distracted by his visual quest for the leggy hot redhead hidden in the crowd, Seth’s mind was as solid as the foam on the beer he held absent-mindedly in his hands.
Wade picked up on his preoccupied cousin, and teased. “So you are ok with porta-potty clean up?”
“What? Wait, did I just volunteer for toilet duty!” He protested, realizing his complete lack of focus.
“Nah,” Wade laughed aloud, “I was just seeing if I could bring you back to earth. Why so distracted? Late night? Did Chelsea show up at your place again, needing a good spanking?” Seth shot his cousin a look, and decided to move his search out into the grounds.
“Hell no, I think I’m done spending time with Chelsea.” Where had that come from? Usually he didn’t mind keeping his options available when it came to Chels. “Hey, Wade, I do need to go if you can spare me. It looks like you have this under control now. If you don’t mind I’m going to wander. Catch you later.”
“Thanks for helping out, hope to see you later. You know where to find me.” Wade turned his focus to a customer, a fan of his famous IPA.
***
Winding his way through the vendors and tents, Seth began to question his sanity. Looking for Natalie in this crowd was a fool’s errand. The next area to explore was the mainstage. The music drew in an expanding amount of sweaty sun baked dancers.
Before Seth reached the throng, Kent spotted him. His determined steps closed the distance, while his dark scowl parted people in his path. Kent fumed as he approached his boss. Now is as good a time as any to figure out what the fuck happened between Seth and Natalie last night. Jaw clenched, lips in a thin firm line, Seth spotted Kent just in time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation.
Anticipating Kent’s tirade, Seth backed up to create a little space and gave the man room to have his say. “Where the hell do you get off snagging Nate last night? Just a couple of days ago you treated her like shit, and you sneak off and disappear with her?”
Hands held out to try to get a word in, “Whoa, Kent. What gives you the…?”
But Kent railed on, “Do you have any idea why she’s having you build her house? She isn’t some bored rich kid out of Seattle looking for a weekend lay with a country fuck.”
Seth stepped back and clenched his fists, trying to control his response. “How do you know Natalie so well? When have you had time to figure this all out?”
Kent’s face had started to go red, but he tried to calm himself, “Kels has known Nate for years. When Kelsey suddenly left for Seattle to bring Nate here, it wasn’t for summer vacation. Natalie’s grandpa died a few months ago. She took it so hard, she dropped out of school.”
Kent stepped away for a moment then spun back to face Seth, “You just see her as someone that looks like an easy piece of ass. As soon as we finish building her house, and Nate moves on you will be free again. If you get lucky, your ex never even needs to find out. That way you can just keep right on screwing Chelsea.”
Seth had put up with enough of this shit. He and Kent knew each other well, but this was beyond any line he would allow Kent to cross.
He needed to get Kent away from the onlookers that were starting to take an interest. He stepped forward and grabbed a stiff handful of Kent’s shirt, dragging him behind a row of trailers serving burgers, as grease filled smoke billowed around them. Now that they were out of sight, Seth shoved Kent back. “Cool off, Kent! I’m warning you, shut the fuck up I ending this right here. Listen, I don’t want to beat the hell out of you. We would both end up tossed out on our asses.”
Seth now worried about Natalie. He asked through gritted teeth. “What did Natalie say to you?”
“Nothing!” Kent growled back, “She didn’t tell Kels shit, but for all I know she’s trying to protect you from small-town talk. Knowing you, it’s only a matter of time before she’s trussed up in your office. I can practically see your hand print on her round ass right through those tight shorts she’s wearing today.”
“Enough!” Stepping into his swing in one fluid motion, Seth’s right hook hurled Kent to his back leaving him sprawled, limbs flying on the dusty ground.
“Don’t let me hear you talking shit about Natalie. What happens between Natalie and me is private.” Rage simmered below the surface, as he struggled to maintain his control. First Wade, now Kent, these details about his personal sex life could only have one source. Chelsea. Up until now she had always protected their privacy. Something had shifted.
Towering over Kent, breathing deeply to center himself, Seth offered his hand to lift him out of the dust. Kent refused the hand, “Back off asshole. I don’t need this shit.”
Leaving Kent in the shadow of the food vendors, Seth spun on his heel, turned and walked swiftly away. For all he cared, his employee, and possibly past tense friend, could sit in the dirt until he located his sanity.
***
A cool breeze was finally beginning to stir off the surface of the Columbia as the sun dipped a little lower and shadows lengthened. After dealing with Kent, Seth took a couple laps round the grounds. Once he was calm, he moved back toward the main stage.
Finally he caught site of Natalie reclined in the warm sun. Her long legs stretched out tan and sleek as she reclined in the heat. Molly and Mandy shared the same blanket, listening to a local country band. Seth wove through the sea of people, chairs, and coolers making his way toward her.
Molly spotted him first, “Hey Seth, come sit with us! This band is fantastic. So glad we ran into you.” Molly and Mandy exchanged knowing looks communicating silently with just a look as twins do.
It was obvious to both that Seth had a distinct purpose. Natalie had been reclined on her back, eyes closed, legs stretched out with hands cradling her head. Almost napping, because her night had been nearly sleepless with her mind locked on thoughts of Seth.
Her pale blue eyes popped open as soon as Molly spoke, but she was slow to move, coming back from her sun induced coma. “Don’t move Natalie, you look so comfortable.” Seth drank in her languid body, slowly sliding his gaze, shamelessly absorbing her entire form.
“It’s the sun, we just don’t get super-warm summer days like this in Seattle. I could get used to this,” she answered as the band wrapped up their set. The lead singer announced a twenty-minute break while the next band set up. Sound techs and roadies swarmed the stage to switch out equipment to make way for the next act.
Molly and Mandy got up, “can we bring back anything?” they asked as they wandered off, to leave Seth and Nate alone.
“No thank, we will hold down the blan
ket until someone else wants to hang out,” Natalie answered. Seth moved to face her, hip to hip, the muscle of his thigh snug against hers. She remained comfortable, in the same relaxed reclined position.
A breeze gently blew her wavy hair and he reached to tuck a red-gold strand behind her ear. He grazed the line of her neck, gliding his knuckles from her nape just past the edge of her breast. Descending across her rib cage his soft touch induced a responsive shiver.
“Natalie, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Monday was too long to wait to see you again. I took a chance that I’d be able to find you here.”
“I’m glad you found me. I am trying to become acquainted with Kelsey’s friends, but I’ve been terribly distracted. You are dominating my thoughts, Seth. But you are such a nice distraction,” her smile tipped up at the corners, and he brushed the pad of his thumb across the sensitive line. Natalie bent her arm and toyed with his muscular bicep, wishing she could slip her hand beneath his shirt just to feel the heat of his skin.
“Have you wandered around to try any of the local beer?” Seth continued, “I stopped by my cousin’s tent, Mosquito Creek, he said you had been there earlier today.”
“Yeah we visited a couple of beer vendors. I have to confess. I’m having a hard time keeping track of your family. It seems like you are related to half the county.”
“That’s not really an exaggeration,” Seth agreed. “I admit I can’t keep track of all my cousins half the time.”
“Lots of kids seems to run in the family. I grew up with two brothers and my little sister Amanda. How about you, any siblings?”
She nodded. “My parents divorced when I was six, my brother Ben is four years older. When they split, Ben went with my Dad and Mom got me. So I felt like an only child.”
“Your Dad didn’t stay in Seattle?” Seth asked, wondering what would bring a man to leave a child so far from him.
