No More Lies

by Sandy Appleyard

  Are we sleeping in the same bed? In the same room? I’m not even sure of that yet. He’s not nervous. He’s…unsure. “I wish I’d shown you everything when it was still light out.”

  “It’s okay. It’s just for sleeping. As long as there’s a bed, I don’t really care.” And you, don’t forget that I want you in the bed with me.

  The guest house is a small cottage at the back of the ranch, just like at Laura’s. Only, this one is a little smaller, with only two bedrooms, not four, and it’s older. I take a look around, and Kurt grins at me.

  “What?”

  “You’ve got your ‘designer’ hat on, don’t you?”

  I shrug. “It’s always on. I’ve already got a list of a hundred things that can be done to both the ranch and to this house. It’s part of who I am.”

  “Does this meet your standards, or would you like to see the Lead Hand quarters?”

  I place my hands on his chest. “Kurt, you don’t need to fuss over me. I can sleep wherever.”

  He searches my eyes. “Do you feel more comfortable in here? Where we can have separate bedrooms?”

  “Are you asking me if I want to sleep with you?”

  His bashfulness is adorable. His face turns pink as he bows his head. “Wow, you don’t beat around the bush at all, do you.” He states.

  “I never have, no.” I tip his chin up, so he’s forced to look at me. “But anything that we’re not ready for is fine by me. There’s plenty of room here, so it’s not like we’re being forced to stay in the same room…or the same bed.”

  I sense his frustration. “Aw, heck, this is stupid. We’re adults. We can handle this. Let’s say we give Laura and Grayson the guest house, and we take my old quarters. Does that work for you?”

  I shake my head once. “Whatever you like.”

  “We can always sleep in here with Laura and Grayson.”

  Lisa gets a quirky smile. “I get the feeling that if we stay, we’re going to be privy to a whole lot more than we bargained for.”

  He chuckles. “Fair enough.”

  “Been down that road before.” She adds.

  We walk over to the staff quarters, and Kurt’s hand is in mine. He’s just about the sweetest thing ever. The quarters are a little outdated, and not as nice as the quarters over at Laura’s, but everything is very clean. The bed is at least a double bed, versus the single one at Laura’s. Kurt has a small duffel bag hanging over his shoulder, and I brought just a little overnight bag, not much larger than my purse. We set our stuff down. “How about I go and let Laura and Grayson know that they can take the guest house. Give you a chance to get changed and ready to hit the hay?”

  “Sounds good.”

  I feel a tingle in my belly. Kurt’s eyes scan down my body quickly, as though he’s trying to make up his mind about something. And I can bet what that something is. “I’ll be back in ten. Holler if you need anything.” He says. And ten minutes can’t pass by fast enough…

  ***

  Kurt

  As I walk back to the ranch, I see Laura and Grayson standing on the front porch of the guest house. “You guys all settled?” I ask Grayson. “You can take this shack for the night. We’ll stay in the staff quarters.”

  “Yeah, Hawk says that the staff aren’t in there tonight, anyway.” Grayson comments. “The new guy, like he said, is local. The other two are out visiting friends. They’ll be back in the morning, but they won’t need their quarters until later on tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Laura looks beat. “I’m going to head in. I’ll see you in the morning.” She says to me, and then gives Grayson a kiss on the lips. “Don’t be too late, baby.”

  “I won’t, love. I’ll be in shortly.” He says, rubbing her back.

  When she’s inside, I say. “I told Lisa I’d give her ten minutes to get ready to retire. I’m just going to hang here for a while if that’s cool with you.”

  Grayson has an odd expression on his face. “Well, I can’t believe it, unless I could see it here plain as day myself.”

  “Just what in hell are you talking about?” I say with a snuffle, like he’s talking a line of crap, and just trying to snow me over.

  “You haven’t slept with her yet, have you?” he says, like he can’t believe it.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no.” I say, almost proudly.

  “Well, I didn’t think that was possible.”

  I purse my lips together into a tight smile.

  We’re silent for a moment, and then Grayson breaks the silence. “You really feeling like she’s something special?”

  “Yeah.” I don’t hesitate. “She’s great. I really like her.”

  “You must.” Grayson states. “I do believe that she’s the only one you’ve ever brought to meet mama.” He grins. “Except for that one who made it here by accident.” He chuckles. “Remember that?”

  I lower my head and laugh. “Yeah.”

  “Mama sure didn’t like her after that.” Grayson scoffs.

  “No, she didn’t.”

  He lifts his head. “Times have sure changed since then. I think mama really likes Lisa.”

  “If she didn’t, I think we all would have known. Mama doesn’t make it a habit of keeping her feelings to herself. As Mitch said.”

  Grayson’s hands are clasped together as he leans on the railing. “You know something, little brother?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Now, I’ve never been a fan of acting hasty or anything, but now that I’m with Laura, I’ve learned that it also isn’t good to force something back if it’s meant to happen. Just…if it’s meant that you and Lisa take it slow, and you feel it in your heart to keep things at bay for now, then do it. But…don’t just hold off for the sake of it. I know Lisa’s got a track record for moving fast and moving on, but I don’t think this is like that. Just don’t make her wait forever, you know? She came all the way out here to meet the family and all. If she didn’t like you, I don’t think she would have done that, and she especially wouldn’t have mixed so well with everyone.”

  “I hear ya.” I state. I punctuate my intent with a slight pause. “I know what I’m doing, Grayson.”

  He lifts. “Just make sure that she knows what you’re doing, too. Good night.”

  “Yeah. Goodnight.”

  ***

  Lisa

  The bed is turned down and I’m laying in the center of it. My bedtime wardrobe isn’t extensive, but I managed to bring a nightshirt suitable for wearing in front of family. It looks like a long plaid flannel shirt, with buttons down the front and short sleeves. It could pass for a casual summer dress, as a matter of fact. It’s benign enough that it won’t send the wrong signal to Kurt and set him off. The window in the bedroom is open, letting a soft breeze flow in from outside. The lamp on the nightstand is switched on, lending a relaxing ambience to the room.

  I even brought a paperback romance, which I’m reading. Something I do every night before bed. It’s a little warm in here, so I slide my legs out from under the sheets and drape my knees and thighs over themselves as I lay sideline on the bed. The left is where I usually sleep at home, so I’m laying closest to the window. When I hear Kurt come in, I hear him toss his keys on the coffee table in the small living room. He can’t see me from here, so I shout out. “Don’t come in here, I’m naked!” but my voice is flat, to indicate that I’m joking. Of course I wouldn’t be naked. The man gave me plenty of time to get ready for bed.

  “Yeah, me too.” He says back in a snuffle.

  When he comes into the room, he gives me a once over. “Cute.” He says, looking at my pyjamas.

  “Were you expecting a moomoo and fuzzy slippers?”

  “No, not exactly.” He says in a chuckly voice. “I was hoping for pasties and a thong.”

  We both laugh.

  He crosses his arms over his chest. “Okay, so, here’s how it’s goi
ng to go. I’m going to sleep over the covers, and you’re going to sleep under them.”

  I lift my flatted hand to my forehead. “Aye, aye, sir.”

  He has the grace to smile.

  I raise my hand in the air like you do in school.

  “Yes?” he answers, playing along.

  “What happens if you get cold?”

  “I won’t.”

  I raise my hand again.

  “Yes?” he plays along again, pulling a small pouch out of his bag.

  “Did you remember to bring your Spider Man pyjamas?”

  “I do not own Spider Man pyjamas.” He lifts a white t-shirt and a pair of checkered silk boxers out of the bag. “I did bring my pyjamas though. Sorry if they’re not Spider Man.”

  I watch him intently as he pulls his shoes and socks off.

  “Kurt?”

  “M…hmm.”

  “When you’re at home, how do you sleep?”

  He looks at me. “Why do you want to know.”

  “Just curious.” I shrug. “By the way, there’s not much room in that bathroom. I had to change out here. You want me to turn my head so you can disrobe here?”

  “Sure.” He says, and then lifts a finger. “No cheating, though.”

  I roll my eyes and turn over, and I can feel his eyes on me. I can hear his belt buckle chink as he loosens it, and as his zipper pulls down, it takes everything in me not to turn over. The woman inside me is dying to see what he looks like naked. A minute later, he says that I can turn around again. When I do, he looks adorable yet sexy. His white shirt is basically form-fitting over his arms and pecks. And his boxers look soft. He lifts his arms and does a turn. “Do I pass inspection?”

  I smile. “You’re so cute I could die.”

  His eyes scan down my body, and his head tilts, but he says nothing, as though he’s thinking the exact same thing. He slides over the bed, resting his head on the pillow. “Now, you’re going to behave yourself, little missy.”

  I give him a disappointed look, like he’s being the exact buzz kill that he is. He’s like an old grandmother who won’t let the kids play in the hay. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll just…read my novel, like I was before you got here. Be a good little Christian girl and keep my hands to myself.”

  “I didn’t bring a book.”

  “Well, that’s your problem, soldier. You should have thought ahead.”

  He rubs my arm. “And keep your hands to yourself. Practice what you preach.” I chide teasingly.

  He giggles softly. “I was going to ask if you want to read to me.”

  “Well, frankly, I don’t think you can handle what’s in these here pages, mister. It’s some pretty steamy stuff.”

  “You’re reading a trashy novel in bed?” he smiles. “Now that’s cliché. I figured you read magazines or something.”

  “Well, I read them, too, but on weekends, I read books.”

  He rests his head on the pillow. “You’re cheating.”

  I lift my eyes off the page. “How am I cheating?”

  His eyes are on my legs. “You’re not under the covers.”

  “Well, Kurt, you’ve seen my legs before, honey. But if you want me to cover up, I will.” I say, pulling the sheets over.

  In the silence, I hear him swallow. “You tired?” he asks me.

  I shrug. “No, not really.”

  “I don’t think that that book’s going to help you sleep, if it’s all trashy-like.”

  “You can go on to sleep if you want. I can stay up and read in the other room if you like.”

  He rolls over on to his back and sighs. “No, that’s okay. I’m not tired enough to sleep yet, either.”

  I flip the page, essentially ignoring him. I want to make a move so badly, but I know it’ll be like a shot of Kryptonite to Superman if I do. Kurt has to make the first move if this is going to work. He’s the one who set the boundaries, and he’s got to be the one that breaks them. I don’t know about you, but this sure feels like I’m sleeping next to my brother. Tossing my head over, I flip the page. My hair is away from my face as I sit there reading. I swear I can hear Kurt’s thoughts. He’s mulling something over inside his head.

  He looks over at me, and reaches his hand over, touching my arms with the back of his hand.

  “You’re cheating.” I say, without looking at him.

  “Lisa,” he says.

  I lift my eyes off the pages. “Yeah,”

  “Are you hot?”

  I lift a brow and giggle. “What kind of ‘hot’ are you referring to there, sweetie?”

  He has the grace to chuckle. “I mean actually hot.” He laughs. “I’m a ball of flames over here. I’ve been laying here for five minutes, and I’m already soaking through my shirt.”

  “I’m glad that I have that effect on you.” I giggle. He lifts his head off the pillow and beats me over the head with it. I squeal, throwing my book over the side of the bed in the process, and pull my pillow up, beating him with it. “Why don’t you take your shirt off!” I beat him again. “I can help you with that!”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you.” He grunts, hitting me in the side with his pillow. He hits me in the right spot, and I fall over onto the floor with a soft thud. I’m giggling, but his face is washed over with concern. “Shoot, darlin’, are you okay?” he chuckles apologetically.

  “I’m fine.” I’m still giggling. My pyjamas have ridden all the way up, so the tops of my thighs are exposed. Kurt gives me his hand and helps me up. My hair is all over my face. I sit on the bed in front of him and he brushes the hair out of my eyes. I allow myself a glance at his lips. His eyes travel down to mine. With our chests heaving from fooling around and laughing, I can’t stand it anymore. He’s so goddamn sexy, I can’t take it.

  Leaning in slowly, painfully slowly, I allow him enough opportunity to say no. When I expect him to pull back, he surprises me, and pulls me close. Our noses are practically touching, when he tilts his head and kisses me. And it isn’t one of them sister kisses, neither, it’s full on the mouth, and it’s soooo good. With the next pass, he makes it deeper, forcing an innate groan from my throat. A second later, Kurt’s hand is sliding up my nightshirt, as his mouth makes love to me, and he guides me down to the bed.

  My head is on the pillow as his hand travels straight up my shirt and caresses my breast. His touch is gentle yet needy, making me hot in an instant. I peel his shirt off him as he pulls the buttons down my shirt. With each loose button, he kisses the flesh under it, making my back arch with desire. My arms are still in my shirt, when I’m fully exposed to him. His eyes make a trail down the length of my body, and then I watch him inch down to my feet. Starting with my toes, the soles of my feet, calves, knees, thighs, and all the way up, he kisses my skin, glancing up at me intermittently with a sultry stare that disarms me.

  When his lips reach my breasts, it’s all I can do not to moan aloud. My hand grasps his manhood and he lets out a thick sigh as I drag his shorts down his legs and discard them. As he lowers his weight on me, our bodies are completely naked. My hands skate down his chest as I take in his admirable body. No words are exchanged as he slides his hardness inside, and shows me, for the next few hours, how real making love can be.

  For the first time in my life, Kurt shows me that sex isn’t only about the physical act of expressing love, but it’s also about having an intimate connection, and about telling a person that they are all that matters right here and now. Even with Harlan, a man who I loved more than life itself, I’ve never felt so cared for, so cherished, so important. The more I touched Kurt, the more he wanted to touch me. It wasn’t all about the quickest way to reach ecstasy, or about having brag-worthy marathon sex. It was about the journey arriving to the sweetest, most climactic sensation that two humans can feel…together.

  As we hold each other tightly, after sharing our final release, our breaths so ragged and our hearts beating so fast we can’t tell one
from the other, he rests his forehead on mine in such a tender gesture, that I almost feel a tear fall down my cheek. No man has ever shown me so much vulnerability before. No man has ever made me feel so loved. Not even Harlan. He rubs his forehead on mine from side to side, eyes closed, as if he feels so much for me, that he doesn’t know how else to express it.

  Turning his head to the side, he swallows and takes a cleansing breath. Reaching over, he switches the lamp off, and then, as if I didn’t think Kurt could make me feel more special, he holds me close…all night long.

  Chapter 12

  Kurt

  When she fell from the bed because I hit her too hard, I realized at that moment, how much I care about her. I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt her. But more than that, I realized how great she is. I would expect her to either be dramatic about being thrown off the bed, or play the victim, but instead…she laughed. We were having fun. And instead of picking up her stuff and leaving, figuring that spending the night with me would be one big waste of time for her, she was actually willing to play some more.

  Making love to her was not a mistake. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t about Lisa putting another score on her card. At least, it didn’t feel like that to me. It was phenomenal. I’ve never known a woman to be that passionate, that brave and unafraid of anything in bed. It was tender but hot, and we were both so exhausted after, I think it was the best sleep either of us have had in a long time. I’m awake before her, and her back is to me, as I’m spooning her from behind. It’s like neither of us have moved since last night.

  Kissing her shoulder, I softly rouse her. I can hear the boys hard at work already. The windows are all open in here, letting a refreshing breeze flow through. A big bang comes from somewhere, and Lisa jumps.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart.” I say with a soft chuckle.

  She lifts her head. “Jesus. I forgot where I was.” Her voice is gravelly from sleep.

  Another bang. She jumps again. “Jesus! What the hell is that!”

  “They’re building a fence out there. It’s the hammer you hear.”

  “This is why I don’t live on a ranch.” She emphasizes.