The cry that broke the night brought Sheldon’s blood to a racing, boiling point. Rachelle writhed in front of him. Her hips bucked and swayed as he pounded in and out of her. Their flesh slapped together, the night noises of the forest hardly able to swallow the noise of their heated joining, their moans, and their half smothered sounds of pleasure.
Except that Rachelle hadn’t bothered to hold back her cry when she came. Her tight passage gripped Sheldon’s cock. She vibrated with her climax, her walls closing in around him, quaking, shivering. The tremors drew his own climax from him and he pulled out at the last second spilling hot jets of cum across Rachelle’s back and ass and legs.
Sheldon’s head spun and everything went black. He felt almost dizzy and was glad he was still holding onto Rachelle’s waist to keep himself upright. Good god, he had never felt anything like that climax before. His body shook violently. He couldn’t catch his breath. Every single muscle in his body trembled.
“Sheldon-” Rachelle turned around, looking for something to wipe herself off with. Sheldon grabbed his t-shirt and did the job for her. Wiping his cum off of her only made him want to mount her again and get her dirty all over. Maybe turn her around and come all over those beautiful, pert breasts of hers.
But no. Sheldon wasn’t an animal. God, normally he had some semblance of self-control. Ever since he had met Rachelle he’d been off balance. Not himself. He felt wild, like he was tipping out of equilibrium and he could do nothing about it.
He had just deflowered her for god sakes. Sheldon knew that he couldn’t just jump her again. She would probably be sore and he still couldn’t believe she hadn’t told him. He was going to ask her why she’d kept it a secret, or at least had omitted that fact, when she turned to him, her blue eyes wide, liquid pools. They reflected the moonlight and the dappled shadows from the trees played over her delicate features. Sheldon’s eyes raked her body as though seeing her for the first time again. She was incredibly beautiful and exquisitely made. Every single inch of her was just right.
Her breasts were on the small side but pert and round and he liked that the nipples were hard little pink buds that stood out in the slight chill of the night. Her curves were gentle was well, not huge swells but tapering softness and hardness that worked together to make her all woman. Her pussy was completely hairless and though Sheldon normally preferred something to be left, on her it drove him completely wild. He loved the soft smoothness of her skin, on all parts of her body. Her ass was his favorite feature. It was gently rounded and tight all at once and curved gently to become perfect thighs and shapely calves.
“We should be getting back. What if Shanna wakes up and finds us gone?”
Rachelle’s voice held a hint of panic and for a second Sheldon felt horrified. What if his daughter came looking for him out here and found him like this, with her nanny. Good lord, he had become everything he said he never would be.
As he gathered his clothing he vowed that what he had done with Rachelle would never happen again.
Chapter 10
“You’re sure you can handle things?” Sheldon stared at Rachelle expectantly and the urge to frown back and give him a taste of his own black scowl was almost overwhelming.
Rachelle hoped things would change after their interlude in the woods three nights before but nothing had. If anything, Sheldon avoided her more than ever. Which was actually just fine with her since the thought of talking about what they had done made her want to die of embarrassment. She would just like to know where she stood, not have to live under some strange blank limbo.
“Yes. I’m positive. Everything will be fine here. You go. Have a good trip.” Rachelle forced a smile. She reached for Shanna, resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder as she came to stand beside her.
Sheldon bent to give his daughter a kiss before scooping her up in his arms. “Be safe baby. You know not to go near the water or go anywhere by yourself when I’m not here.”
“Yes daddy,” Shanna replied sweetly though Rachelle was sure the girl was bored of the repeated warnings they’d both had to listen to that morning. She bore it with more grace than Rachelle did.
“If anything happens you have my cell number and the emergency numbers.”
“And Mrs. McGregor’s,” Shanna piped up, moving her face away from her father’s but still holding on tightly to his neck.
“That’s right.” Sheldon gave Shanna quick peck on the cheek than released her and glanced in Rachelle’s direction. It was the first time he’d looked her in the eyes since the night in the woods and her heart leapt up to her throat and pounded painfully until he broke eye contact, tearing his gaze back in the direction of his black SUV.
After they’d watched the vehicle drive out of sight, Rachelle let out a long rush of air, not realizing she’d been holding her breath.
“Don’t worry Rachelle. Nothing will happen to us while dad’s gone. He’s just leaving for a couple days. He does this all the time. Business and all.” Shanna glanced up at Rachelle, a concerned expression wrinkling her alabaster brow. She looked so much like an adult that Rachelle had to smile.
“I know.” If only Shanna knew what was really troubling Rachelle. A wave of guilt swept through her at the thought of what she had done. God, what would Shanna do if she ever found out? Rachelle already felt like she had betrayed the girl’s trust.
“It’s already scorching out. We could go for a swim if you want.”
“I thought we weren’t supposed to go near the water.”
Shanna grinned wickedly. “Well I think dad meant just when you weren’t watching me. I was always told to swim with a buddy and if we have each other than I think we’re good.”
Rachelle debated with herself for a minute. It was hot out. She was wearing a black tank top and cut off denim shorts and she could feel the rivulets of sweat streaming down her back. Finally she shrugged and took off running. It was a difficult task in flip flops and Shanna, who kicked off her shoes and ran barefoot, made it there far before she did.
The water was cool and relaxing and after swimming in their clothes, Rachelle and Shanna stumbled onto the sand. They lay, letting the sun dry the water droplets from their skin and hair, the sticky wet sand falling from them as it dried.
“Rachelle?” Shanna turned her face and looked at Rachelle. Rachelle opened her eyes and blinked against the hot, blinding sun.
“Yes?” She faced Shanna and waited, noting the unusually troubled look in Shanna’s eyes.
“Do you remember me telling you that my mom died?” Rachelle nodded solemnly. It wasn’t something one forgot. Shanna nodded too. She waited for a few moments before continuing. “Well, I told you that she died in a car accident. That was true. She used to volunteer with troubled youth. At least that’s what my dad calls it. She was at some function, an auction and dinner I think. She was driving home late, after midnight. It was Friday and a drunk driver hit her car, right on her side. She was killed instantly.”
Rachelle’s eyes stung with unshed tears and her throat closed up. She waited, not knowing how to continue. She just nodded and Shanna went on, her own eyes perfectly dry, as though she was almost growing used to having to tell such a horrible story.
“The guy who killed her went to jail but only for a couple years. Dad says he’s out already and I think that makes him madder than anything. Even madder than mom being gone.”
“Shanna-”
“It’s okay Rachelle. I just wanted to say that I remember my dad from when I was little and my mom was still alive. He was different then. He still worked just as much but he was happier. He wasn’t always frowning. And he does this thing now. Where he looks off into the distance like he expects to see my mom there in the sky. I feel like sometimes he’s not here with me either.”
“I’m sure he does his best,” Rachelle tried to defend Sheldon, though she wasn’t sure why. She had felt the same hard distance from him but she thought it was all her fault. He
had admitted that he was avoiding her that night at the fire and obviously he had good reason to avoid her since.
“I know he does. I was just going to say that I think he likes you. Dad doesn’t really like anyone. He doesn’t talk to anyone. He has no real friends. At least I don’t think he does. All he does is work. We go out here for summer and it’s like his escape, even from himself. He’s more like the old dad when he’s out here.”
“This place is incredibly beautiful. I think it makes things simpler. It sure made me forget my own problems and worries and just be. Even for a while.” Rachelle wasn’t sure why she was talking to a ten year old like this but Shanna seemed like an old soul. She was definitely aged beyond her years.
“Even when I’m at boarding school and I come home for breaks or I call my dad, he always sounds off. Like he’s doing that thing where he’s not really present even when you talk to him. I said he was more like his old self out here but I wish there was just one day when I could have my old dad back. I wish I knew how to help him but maybe… sometimes I think that I’m the reason he’s so distant.”
“What?” Rachelle pushed herself up on her elbow, sand flying off her dried skin. The wind tussled her hair and she had to fight a tendril out of her mouth with sandy fingers. She stared at Shanna in shock. “You can’t mean that Shanna. I can tell your dad loves you.”
“I know he does.” Shanna paused again and Rachelle waited, trying to give Shanna time to formulate the right words. “It’s just that… I look a lot like my mom. I have pictures of her of course and I can already tell. I think maybe my dad can’t even look at me because I remind him of her.”
Rachelle reached out and gathered Shanna into a tight hug. She stroked the girl’s dark curls tenderly. They were hard with crusted sand and dried lake water had worked the tendrils into tight knots.
“Even if that’s true Shanna, your dad still loves you. I’ve never lost anyone close to me so I can’t say for sure if there’s a right or wrong way to grieve.”
“I think he sends me to boarding school so he doesn’t have to deal with me. He could afford a nanny year round, obviously but he chooses to send me there.”
Rachelle didn’t know what to say. She just let Shanna whisper into her shoulder and stroked her hair. Finally Shanna pulled away and Rachelle was surprised to see she was dry eyed.
“I miss my mom,” Shanna said, voice catching. “But I want to move on. We’re left here and I know that we can never have her back. I’m not sure where she is but I think she would be happy to know that we’re happy and doing well.”
“I think that’s true.”
“I think maybe dad is finally moving on. Maybe you’re right and he just needed time. I’ve noticed since we’ve been out here that he’s been different. He is a little more… there when he talks to me. He’s normally more like himself out here but it’s more than that. I think it’s you Rachelle. There’s a new light in his eyes since he met you. He tries to pretend it’s not there but I can tell.”
“What?” Rachelle gasped. She looked wildly around, tensing for the worst.
“Rachelle, if my dad wanted to date you, would you say yes?”
“No! I mean… well… it’s difficult. I’m his employee. And I’m sure he would never want to date me. It’s not right.”
“He could fire you then you wouldn’t be his employee anymore.”
“That would make me really sad.”
“Why?” Shanna cocked an eyebrow and sat up straighter.
“Because then I wouldn’t get to hang out with you.”
“Do you actually like me Rachelle? I mean, I’m only ten and you’re already an adult. I’m not boring?”
Rachelle reached out tenderly and brushed sand off Shanna’s cheek. Her skin was warm and so very smooth. She leaned into the touch as though she needed the love of a mother though she couldn’t bring herself to even voice such a thought.
“Of course you’re not boring. I’ve had so much fun being out here. You’re a very interesting person Shanna. I think people can be friends even if they’re not the same age.”
“So you wouldn’t date my dad?” Shanna asked again out of nowhere.
“I think that your dad isn’t really interested in dating anyone right now. But even if he was, no I wouldn’t date him for the reasons I gave you. I work for him and I don’t want to ruin that relationship or the relationship I have with you.” The words stuck in Rachelle’s throat. She pretty much was lying straight to Shanna’s face. She wouldn’t date Sheldon. That was true at least. But she had slept with him and what did that make her?
Shanna seemed almost disappointed. Rachelle felt so guilty she could hardly swallow. She wished the day could return to the previous fun, relaxed atmosphere they had enjoyed after Sheldon left for the city to catch a flight back home for meetings.
“I think we should go visit Mrs. McGregor. She said she would have chocolate chip cookies for us next time we came and she makes the best cookies!” Shanna bounced up off the little sandy beach, as though their earlier conversation was already forgotten.
Rachelle took a deep breath, releasing it on a long, slow exhale. She just nodded, relieved to be on a different track. As she walked back to the cabin to change she wished she could take back that night in the woods. Then she wouldn’t feel like she had betrayed Shanna and was lying to her even though she couldn’t tell her the truth.
Chapter 11
Would the heat wave ever relent? Rachelle was utterly weary of being suffocated, sweaty, and wretchedly hot every single minute of her day. From the time she woke up until the time she went to bed the stifling heat never let up. The plants in the yard were starting to wilt. She and Shanna had picked out and potted some flowers when they arrived but the heat was slowly killing everything off like Mother Nature’s version of a grim reaper.
Rachelle sighed as she plucked another fried petunia out of the huge purple planter. She cast it aside in the wheel burrow where she had already plucked several other dead plants.
“I hope Shanna isn’t giving Mrs. McGregor any trouble. I texted her a few hours ago but she hasn’t answered me.”
Rachelle spun around on hearing Sheldon’s voice. He’d been back for almost a week and still they’d hardly said two words to each other.
“You scared me,” Rachelle cried, smudging a dirty hand across her shirt to still her beating heart. She wished that her rapid pulse was due to the fright Sheldon gave her but she knew otherwise. Sheldon stood a mere foot away. He was dressed in a tight fitting white t-shirt and cargo shorts. A pair of black flip flops gave him a casual air he didn’t normally assume. He crossed his arms over his chest and eyed Rachelle, his dark gaze boring into her own. The wind picked up at that moment and Rachelle scented his cologne. Damn it, did the man always have to look and smell so good?
Her body went rigid with awareness and she felt an embarrassing pounding start between her legs. Sure that she was blushing, Rachelle dropped her eyes to the ground.
“Mrs. McGregor invited Shanna last week to the fair. I’m sure they’re busy selling pies and cookies and she didn’t have time to text back.”
“I hope she’s helping and not talking the old woman’s ear off.”
“I think Mrs. McGregor can take care of herself. She asked me if it would be alright to have Shanna help her. Shanna was eager to do it so I didn’t see a problem. I guess Mrs. McGregor’s booth at the fair is pretty busy. She wins all these blue ribbons and people know it.” Sheldon’s eyes swept over Rachelle and her body started to burn. “I hope it was alright that I said she could go,” she prattled on when Sheldon wouldn’t stop looking at her.
“Of course. You’re her nanny. Your word is as good as mine.”
Rachelle wanted to say that she doubted that but she kept silent. She glanced down at her dirt encrusted hands and clutched them together tightly, hoping Sheldon would walk away and let her get back to her task. It might have been hot and uncomfor
table but his standing there, staring at her, was only making her feel awkward.
“It’s hot as hell out here. I think we should go for a boat ride. Would you join me?”
“Me?” Rachelle squeaked.
Sheldon glanced around. “I don’t see anyone else,” he said dryly.
Rachelle felt her face heat up and she cursed Sheldon for being to turn her into a simpering mess with just his mere proximity.
“Fine. Let’s go then,” Rachelle snapped. She set her wheel barrow aside and stomped off to the cabin to wash up. Much to her relief, Sheldon didn’t follow her and she assumed he went to get the boat ready.
In the little kitchen, Rachelle pumped some water with the hand pump. It was cool and refreshing and she splashed some onto her heated face after rinsing the dirt from her hands. She was used to the hand pump by now and to her amazement, found that she kind of grudgingly appreciated the quaintness of the little cabin. She would be sorry to see the summer end and to have to go back to the city.
Just the thought of leaving Shanna and Sheldon made Rachelle’s chest cramp painfully. It felt like someone had slammed her heart into a vice. But why should it bother her? She told herself she would just miss Shanna. That it had nothing to do with Sheldon, a man who hardly said two words to her but she knew that she was lying to herself.
By the time Rachelle made it down to the little dock she eyed the sky warily. Sheldon was sitting waiting in the fishing boat, arms crossed. The boat wasn’t large or luxurious though it was new and Rachelle found herself appreciating the fact that Sheldon had just gone with necessity rather than pick out something that was more like a trophy.
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