Fire & Flesh

by Kerri Carr

  “Thanks Derek,” Mel answered from the other side of the door.

  Scott kissed her again on the lips. “I can’t wait until we are all alone. Until then, we will see who is still here.”

  With just a small whimper of frustration, Melinda nodded and followed him out of the room. Melinda tried not to pout too much. She was so close to feeling Scott inside her. He teased her, she wanted him so bad. Another hour or two will not be that bad. At least he is home. He said he could spend the rest of his life with her. Does that mean he wanted to marry her? She wanted to be his wife. Start a family. We can start that tonight.

  *****

  They did a walk through; four men were still playing horseshoes in the dark. “OK, ya’ll, time to leave. Me and my lady here have a date and you are delaying it.” He escorted them to the front door and helped Mel clean up the worse of the trash. Throwing a couple of bags out in the cans. How domestic. This is exactly what he wanted in his life. Normalcy. To grill some burgers, take out the trash, make love to his wife.

  He was subconsciously whistling a cadence tune as he walked back into the house. Melinda stood in the living room, in a sexy white camisole and some bikini undergarment. Scott changed his whistle to a cat call and locked the front door. “My oh my. I must say you have been worth the wait.” He smiled as he walked up to Melinda, putting his arms around her waist.

  She kissed him with a force that told him she did not want to wait another minute. Scott kissed her back, focusing on her lips, moving down to her neck and shoulder. He gently backed her against the wall of the living room. “You are so sexy, Mel. I can’t believe I had to wait over eight months to see you again, to feel you.” He put his arms around her and smelled the top of her head.

  “God, the way you smell. You turn me on.” He stared into her eyes. “I am sorry you had to wait this long for me. I realize we did not have but a year together before I left. Thank you for your love, and for still being here.” He brought her into the bedroom, his arm still around her waist. “I love you, Melinda.” He guided her onto the bed, turning her onto her side facing him.

  “I admit, as excited as I am to be with you here, I am a little nervous,” Scott admitted. He leaned over and gently kissed Melinda on the lips. “Your mouth is so perfect for kisses.” The image of Dillon leaning against the tree earlier popped into his head. He closed his eyes and sighed. Rolling his head onto the pillow.

  “Scott, are you, all right?” Melinda placed her hand on his forehead and looked him over. Her medical background kicking in.

  “I’m fine. I guess I am more fatigued than I thought.” He sat up and looked over at Melinda. So beautiful, so ready and so trusting. She deserves better than me. Scott wanted the proverbial white picket fence and the children. He was well on his way with Melinda. He closed his eyes and clenched his hands.

  “Let’s just snuggle in and get some sleep and see what tomorrow brings us then, ok?” Melinda asked.

  She did not appear bothered or upset with his failure to launch. “I feel like such a shit. I want to make love to you, babe.” His frustration began building. His staff sergeant told him he might feel like this for a while once he got home. That he should be patient with himself. He was in some pretty violent and dangerous situations, which makes a lasting effect on the psyche.

  “Come on, just scoot down and let me hold you.” She directed him gently.

  “I’m supposed to be the strong one.” He grumbled as he slid down and took a deep breath.

  She reached around him and rubbed his left arm. She placed her left leg over his and squeezed. “You are the strongest man I know, Scott Mason. While I only have an inkling of what you went through overseas, I am sure there are some residual effects of the trauma.” She kissed his back and the back of his head. “I’m not going anywhere and God willing, neither are you.”

  Scott heard what she said. It all made sense in his head, but his emotions confused everything. He was a trained soldier; surely, he could find some way to ignore the emotional bleeding. “Just be patient with yourself.” He heard in his head again. This time from Melinda.

  Scott must have fallen asleep. He woke up spooning Melinda. He quietly got up to relieve himself then scooted back behind her. He listened to the sounds around them. It was so quiet, so peaceful. Familiar smells allowed him some semblance of normalcy.

  He leaned down and began kissing Melinda’s shoulder. She still had on her sexy teddy. He reached down to rub her ass. It was so firm but soft. He felt his cock stir. That’s more like it. He said to himself. He heard Mel mumble and push herself back toward him. Her ass rubbing his semi hard cock.

  Scott slid her panties down and rolled her onto her back. He saw her eyes open and smiled at her. Neither one spoke. She removed her under garment and stretched her arms up exposing her ample breasts as she did.

  He did not need any prompting. Straddling her he leaned forward and began rubbing her breasts. Melinda has long, protruding nipples. His mouth found the first one and began sucking gently. She was super sensitive to having her breasts teased.

  Scott earned a low moan from Melinda, still acting like she was sleeping. This is what he needed, a chance to explore her body with no pressure. He pinched the second one gently. This earned him her spreading of her legs. Like a flower, she was opening herself up to him.

  He slid down to the bottom of the bed. She shaved her nether region. No hair at all. So fucking hot. Scott slid her forward and put her legs over her shoulders. He could smell her excitement. He kissed each lip and nudged her clit with his tongue.

  Melinda spread her legs wider for him, still not saying anything. Just responding to his direction. He began a slow sweep of her pussy with his tongue. Up and down, his tongue darting inside her occasionally. His mouth formed a suction on her clit on the upswing, while his tongue rhythmically penetrated her. Scott repeated this movement for several minutes, watching his woman’s chest rise with excitement, still she did not make a noise. He took that as a challenge. What could he do to make her scream? He remembered just the trick. Placing his right index finger gently inside her, he began rubbing the length of her pussy. Each thrust of his finger going deeper, finding that special spot that for her is tough to find.

  The natural curve of her body made it hard for his cock to reach that g-spot when they made love. But once his fingers found it, she would go wild. Scott began increasing the speed of his finger as he manipulated her clit with his tongue. He coaxed it up and out again, like a budding flower. He remembered ever sexy curve or Melinda’s body. Every aching muscle, every pitch of her voice as she orgasmed.

  He focused fully on just that. Giving her the best orgasm she ever had. He placed a second finger inside her, spreading her wider and going deeper to the core of her womanhood. His tongue sucked gently and flicked on her hardening clit. Only a few more minutes now.

  She pushed her hips into his face, asking for more. Moaning and now fully awake. “Yeah.” She whispered. She matched his actions thrust for thrust of his fingers. “You found it… oh my god, Scott.” She whined. “Please don’t stop.” She gyrated onto his fingers, letting him find that spot now with each stroke of his fingers. “I’m so close, don’t stop. Yes, Yeah. Oh my God, Scott. I’m coming!” She screamed as he continued licking her clit, making her buck like bronco on his face.

  Her body relaxed as she climaxed, but he was not done. He gently climbed on top of her, entering her in one smooth motion. She was ready for him. And more importantly, he was ready for her.

  The stress and anxiety of the last six months finally far in the back of his mind. Now it was only him and Melinda right here and right now. He began a steady rhythm inside her while his mouth found hers and they kissed for the first time that morning.

  “Good morning.” He said, as he continued gently thrusting inside her.

  “Good morning, handsome.” She smiled, kissing him back.

  Together they began to find what they once shared before Scott left for the
war. He began fucking her in earnest. His own climax building. “Mel, you are so beautiful.” He began a faster pace, closing his eyes. “Oh, you feel so good, so warm.” He opened his eyes. “I want you to be the mother of my children.” He volunteered as he began to orgasm. He thrust deeper, hoping to find that same spot his fingers did. Now that Mel was opened, it was easier for him to reach it. “Come with me.” He stared at her not stopping his pace. Hoping she could orgasm with him. He ignored the unction for release, instead focusing on his partner. “Come with me, Melinda.”

  She began writhing under him. His cock finding that same spot. “I’m close, Oh my, oh, yes.” She matched him again, thrust for thrust as his cock hit her sacred spot. Together they peaked as Scott fell on top of Melinda, both sated.

  Melinda hugged him and sighed. “Good morning to you too, lover.” She whispered in his ear.

  Scott rolled to his side, facing her. “Morning.” He took her hand and began kissing her fingers.

  “How about I go make us some breakfast while you take a nice hot shower?” Melinda suggested.

  “Sounds like a plan.” He pulled her closer, chest to chest. “I meant what I said.” he kissed her lips, her nose, and her forehead.

  “Well, you need to make me your wife first, eh?” She winked and stood up to dress. “Breakfast in about fifteen minutes?”

  Scott nodded as she left the room.

  *****

  Melinda did not know what to think. Of course, she wanted to be the mother of his children. But like she said, marriage first. Sex was one thing, but children needed to have their father’s name. So, until Scott was ready to marry her, she would keep her IUD in.

  After a quick stop in the bathroom to freshen up, she set about making coffee and putting on the stove for some bacon. She turned on her mp3 player and put on some country music. “Honey, do you want scrambled or fried?” He did not answer so she put the bacon on low and went to the bedroom.

  Scott was already in the shower with the door slightly ajar. She walked in to hear him moaning, with his hand moving in a quick motion. He was masturbating. She began to giggle, to say she was ready for round two. But as she took in one step he heard him groan and say, “Damn it, Dillon” and lean against the wall of the shower with his back to her.

  Confused she quietly stepped out of the bathroom and continued making breakfast. The bacon needed turned over, the coffee ready and the toast just popping up, she decided on scrambled eggs.

  By the time Scott came into the kitchen, everything was ready and she assumed he usually cheery personality, while inside wondering what is going on that her boyfriend is crying out another man’s name at the peak of orgasm.

  She checked herself, she was not jealous. More like curious, wondering if this was fantasy or memory he was reliving.

  He came up to her and kissed her forehead. “Breakfast looks delicious!” He held out the chair for her to sit before he sat on his plate.

  “So, what a surprise to see Dillon last night. I invited him but did not think he would make the drive. When did you say you would start back at the ranch?” She broke the silence with innocent questions about this Dillon.

  Scott paused his eating for a moment, listening to her question. With a nod of agreement, he answered. “I thought I will start on Monday, if you don’t mind me going back to work so soon.”

  Melinda took a sip of coffee. Trying to gauge what to say next. “I guess you can have another day of rest. So, we never talked about you moving in. I don’t want to assume you want to live with me here, but it feels right if you want to stay.” She swallowed though she did not have anything in her mouth.

  Scott’s eye brows raised in surprise. “Oh, honey! My God! I, we never did talk about this.” He put his fork down and reached for her hand. “Yes, I would love to move in with you, if you are ready for such a big step.”

  Melinda squeezed his hand and smiled. “Of course, I mentioned to your mother that you might be by for some of your stored belongings.”

  “Baby, I’ve thought about us being together every night when I was away. I guess my mind automatically moved to being here with you when I came home.” He frowned.

  Melinda tried to comfort him. She rubbed his arm and nodded. “I want nothing more than the two of us living together, reestablishing our connection and moving forward.” She did not know how to bring Dillon into the conversation.

  Scott began eating again, becoming quiet, almost withdrawn. Melinda did not want this first day marred with frustrations. She wanted to help him feel safe talking to her about his feelings, even if it was feelings for another man.

  He did tell her he was suffering from PTSD. She did some research on the condition and understood they will have challenging times ahead. Melinda really wanted to ask about Dillon. If his old friend could help him transition back to civilian, she would do anything to keep him around.

  The fact that Scott already decided to work with him might be just what he needs. His steady, hardworking friend is an example of what normal was. “So, tell me about Dillon. I know you used to be close. He is quite the cowboy, isn’t he?” She gave Scott a coquettish smile.

  He responded with a smile of his own. A natural smile radiating from within his being. Melinda could see Dillon meant something more to him than just a good friend. She needed to make him comfortable talking about his feelings.

  “Dillon is the consummate cowboy.” Scott’s continued speaking in deep reflection. “He can rustle any horse or cattle with one lasso and come out on top. He taught me how to cowboy, sort of. I mean, I can do the work, but it is in his blood, it is a part of him. For me, it’s a way to earn a living and a closeness.” He stopped speaking suddenly.

  Melinda sat listening to her partner. She began to see Dillon through Scott’s eyes. His strength, his skill, his love of the ride. Thinking about how he looked last night, she had to admit he was easy on the eye. She wondered how Scott would feel if she mentioned how attractive she thought Dillon was. “Your closeness was plain. You looked like bosom buddies.”

  Scott’s eyes lowered as he drank some of his coffee. “Yeah, I guess.”

  Shot down. Melinda decided to close this conversation track. “Anyway, did you want me to come with you to your parent’s house?”

  “Did you have anything you needed to do?” Scott asked back.

  “Just reconnect with you.” She sat back in the chair drinking her coffee. She put her foot on his leg.

  He rubbed her foot, not speaking. “I guess we can go pick up some of my gear, stuff I mean and I can make sure I have the work clothes I need.”

  Melinda perked up. Moving to stand on the floor. “Do I hear a potential shopping excursion being planned?” Now, this was what Melinda lived for. Clothes shopping.

  Scott laughed and nodded. “Probably. I don’t know what I saved and what I tossed when I entered the reserves.”

  “Give me an hour to get ready and I’m all yours.” She leaned down to kiss him on the lips.

  “Hey, I thought you were already mine?” He jested.

  “And I thought you were all mine.” She said casually and headed to the shower.

  *****

  Scott did not say anything, but it was clear he understood what she was saying. Melinda seemed really interested in Dillon. The truth is, Scott is still interested in Dillon.

  Enough for him to dream about him, to masturbate while thinking of him. Scott clenched his fist. She must have heard him in the shower. Damn, damn, damn. The smell of Dillon made him instantly hard. Scott thought that joining the military, finding a beautiful woman and going to war, would lessen his feelings for the man.

  Nothing worked. Seeing Dillon for the first time in more than two years confused him. Yes, he loved Melinda. He wanted to marry her and make babies. To not be different. He did not want to pine away for a man who wants to live in the closet forever. No, that would not work for Scott. He was not ashamed of his sexuality. Well, he did not use to be. Melinda has some sort o
f inkling of his feelings. Yet, she did not act upset.

  Scott was not ready to talk about Dillon. He wanted to go to work. Draw a paycheck and come home to his girlfriend. He thought about buying an engagement ring when he earned a bit of money.

  Exactly, that is what he was going to do. Now he just needed to make sure Dillon knew they were over. His decision to go back to work on the ranch was not an opening to restart their fucked-up relationship.

  Scott almost reconsidered going back to work on the ranch, but he gave his word. He cleaned up the kitchen after their breakfast and loaded the dishwasher. It seemed fair since Melinda cooked. Again, Scott appreciated how domestic it all felt.

  He was ready at the same time Melinda was. He watched her step into the living room, her long dark hair just curled at the bottom with her long-brimmed straw hat and bug-eyed sunglasses. “Babe, you look like a super model. The perfect picture of a southern lady.” He held the front door open for her.

  “My plan is to load up my truck at my parents and bring my stuff back here.” He waited at the door to the car, opening it up for Melinda. “If you have anything you want or need to do while I pack up, you can meet me here in a few hours?”

  Melinda nodded. “Sounds good. I do have a few errands to run.” She backed out of the driveway and punched the gas, laughing.

  Scott’s seatbelt about choked him as it gripped his chest. He began laughing. “I forgot about your lead foot.” He continued laughing. “You are going to get a ticket someday, you know that don’t you?”

  She gave him a sidelong glance, “maybe, I’m not worried about it.” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “What is the sense of having a classic z28 if you do not drive it, you know?”

  “That’s my girl.” He shook his head. “My truck will still beat your ass in a quarter mile, bet you.” He taunted her, something they did before he left.

  “You think so? When you are ready, we will duel it out. But I don’t want your pink if I win.”