by S. M. Shade
“Thank you, Abraham.”
I lean back in my chair as he closes the door behind him. Sometimes, it’s just too easy. He’s obviously smitten with Jennifer. They have their heads together every time I see them. Why wouldn’t I agree with their relationship? What better way to keep Eric towing the line than to have control over the person he cares about the most?
I can never be confident of his loyalty, but I will have his obedience. If he disobeys, he may find his future wife has been demoted back to the stable, or perhaps God will insist she is meant to become my second wife, and bear a child with me. Diane plays the part of dutiful wife quite well, but she isn’t nearly as attractive. It isn’t as if I’m forced to choose. Abraham had multiple wives, after all.
CHAPTER NINE
It’s nearly November, but the weather has been unseasonably warm and dry. I’ve regained my energy, and I feel good. I think it’s time to approach Airen with an idea I’ve been considering, but I know he’s going to fight me on it. Since I spent the night with Joseph in the barn, I’ve thought about how we could help him get the pictures of his family. He has been through so much, losing his husband and child, and I want him to have his memories of them. He has done so much for us. It’s the least we can do.
The town he lived in is called Carbondale, in Illinois. Getting there would be a longer trip than the Evansville journey, and I have no intention of being left behind this time. I hope to leave Carson, Jayla, and Walker with Julie for the two to three days it should take for us to make it there and back. I wait until Airen and I are alone before bringing up the subject, and his reaction is exactly what I expected.
“Are you out of your damn mind? Let me get this straight. You want to leave the kids and trek across the state while you’re pregnant.” His glare could start a forest fire.
“Christ, Airen! I wasn’t planning to go on foot. The kids can stay with Julie. I feel great, and I’m barely showing. If it’s just you, me, and Joseph, we’ll be able to move quickly. Three days at the most.”
“No way, Abby. Anything can happen out there.”
“Anything can happen right here. Both times I was in actual danger, I was in the yard.”
He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. His frustration is palpable, but I can’t give up this easily. “All of this for a picture?”
I scowl at him in disapproval. “Do you have family photos?”
“You know I do.”
“He lost a child and his husband, the only people in the world he loved besides Walker. He’s worried that he’s losing the memory of their faces, and that breaks my heart.”
Airen’s face softens, and he runs his fingers across his forehead, closing his eyes, as if I’m giving him a migraine. “I feel bad for him, darlin’, I do, but...”
“We owe him, Air. I realize he’d never see it that way, but we do. He’s done so much for us. Where would we be without him? In the dark, still hauling gasoline and firewood. He was there when Mandy tried to kill me, and when Sara died. We should do this for him. It’s a few days out of our lives.”
“I’ll take him. You stay here with Julie and the kids.”
Like I didn’t see that coming. “No. I was a wreck the last time you left. Besides, I haven’t been farther than Paducah since the plague, and I won’t get another chance for years after the baby is born.”
“It’s not a vacation,” he lectures.
“It could be.” I smile at the thought of a get-away with Airen.
He shakes his head, but the corners of his mouth tighten. “You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine. We go armed, and you never leave my side.” I open my mouth to agree, but he keeps going. “If something goes wrong, and I tell you to run or leave us, you do it,” he orders.
“Or you’ll wear my ass out?” I reply sarcastically.
“If you put yourself in danger, especially while you’re pregnant, I’ll make sure you can’t sit down on that beautiful ass for a week,” he threatens, giving me a long smoldering stare that sends delicious shivers down my spine.
I tackle him and wrap my arms around his neck. “You’re all heart.” He tosses me on the bed, and I stretch out, watching him undress.
He catches me smiling at him. “What?”
“I won an argument,” I brag.
He snorts. “You’re gloating because you got your way?”
“Well, it’s a rare occurrence.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he replies with a threatening look.
“Give me time, I’ll have you wrapped around my little finger,” I sing.
“I think you need a little reminder of who’s in charge around here, Mrs. Holder,” he says, striding toward the bed. Oh, this could be fun.
“I answer to no one.” I struggle not to giggle while I slip off the opposite side of the bed.
“Except your husband.” He circles around, moving in that graceful panther like way of his. Sparkling onyx eyes travel up and down my form, as if he can see through my camisole and panties.
“I don’t believe I promised to obey in our vows.”
“It’s understood. A given.” He grins and snatches me up when I try to dart past him. While it sometimes drives me crazy during the day, I love when his overbearing bossy attitude spills over into the bedroom. I’m more than happy to let him have control…eventually. My own obstinance forces me to hold out as long as possible.
A loud crack echoes through the room when he yanks my panties down and slaps my ass sharply. “Airen!” Joseph had to have heard that.
Grinning, he pulls me back against his chest and kisses the nape of my neck. “The kids are at Julie’s for the night. It’s a perfect time to teach my wife a lesson. Now are you going to be good and do what I tell you, or am I going to have to put you over my knee again?”
“Joseph will hear!”
He tugs my shirt over my head and tosses it aside. “Then I suggest you do as you’re told. Now, who’s in charge, Abigail?”
Oh shit. He won’t really do that with Joseph in the next room, will he? He chuckles when I don’t immediately answer him. “He’s going to hear you scream one way or another, darlin’.”
“No.” My voice is hushed.
“Have it your way.” He drops to his knees and removes my panties. His tongue is between my legs before I can take a breath, and my knees go weak. I moan, burying my hand in his hair. “Who’s in charge?” he asks again, slipping a finger inside me while his talented tongue works its magic.
“Oh God.” He knows how to make me come so quick.
“Say it, or you aren’t allowed to come.” His grin is wicked when he gazes up at me while his fingers keep me right on the edge.
“Airen,” I plead.
“You’d better say it. If you come without my permission, I’ll spank you. We’ll give Joseph an earful. Who’s in charge?”
Oh, I have to fight it. His tongue is on me again, and I try to step back, but he has an iron grip around my thighs. It’s taking every ounce of my self-control to hold on. My words slip out through gritted teeth. “You…can’t tell me…what to…do.”
His palm lands a stinging slap on my ass again. “See what the backchat gets you? Say it, Abby. This is your last chance.”
“Airen,” I moan. He locks his lips around me perfectly and with one firm draw, shoves me into a nerve splintering freefall. His arms tighten around my hips to hold me up as my legs weaken from the force of the relentless spasms that seem to go on forever.
“Oh, darlin’. You came.” The room tips as I’m bent over his lap before my brain can start functioning again. After a quick slap to each cheek, I surrender. I really don’t want Joseph to hear us.
“You! You’re in charge!”
“That’s my girl.” He scoots me off of his lap until I’m bent over the bed, his lips pressing hot wet kisses down my spine. “You look so sexy bent over this bed. I’m going to take you right here.”
; “Yes.” It’s all I can manage. I’m on fire, desperate to have him inside of me. He works himself into me on gentle strokes until I start to push back against him. It’s as if someone released a wild animal. He pounds into me, deep and hard, keeping a ruthless pace. It’s fucking amazing.
“Is it good, baby?” He pants, sweat dripping from his forehead.
“Yes!” I scream, no longer giving two shits about what Joseph might hear. “Don’t stop!”
His fingers dig into my hips, and he grinds into me with a guttural cry, shaking and cursing. The sound of him does me in, and I come harder than before, screaming a muddled version of his name.
“Come here, darlin’.”
I’m not sure I can stand after that. He pulls me onto the bed and cuddles me against his sweaty chest. Oh, if I could bottle the scent of this man.
“Are you okay? Was I too rough?” Soft lips kiss my temple as I drift.
“You were amazing. Perfect.” His lips are salty when I kiss them. “I’ll never be able to face Joseph tomorrow,” I groan.
He chuckles and runs his fingers down my spine. “Did I forget to mention that he went to Julie’s with the kids?” He laughs harder when I gape at him, shocked. “Don’t mess with the master, darlin’.”
* * * *
Joseph is overjoyed when I explain the plan to go to Carbondale. “How does Airen feel about it?” he asks warily.
“He’s excited for you.” I suddenly find my feet interesting, and Joseph snorts.
“You’re a terrible liar, honey.”
“He’s worried and overprotective as usual, but he agreed. We can leave in the morning. You get to tell the kids.”
“Can’t we just sneak out?” He plops onto the sofa and closes his eyes.
“You and Airen, both scared of children,” I mock.
The kids take it pretty well, all things considered, although Walker is upset that he can’t accompany us. Jayla steps in and promises to read him two bedtime stories every night, and he reluctantly agrees.
“They’ll be fine,” Julie assures us. “We’ll play games and watch movies. I’ll keep them occupied.”
“Stay away from the lake,” Airen orders.
“Sure, Dad,” Jayla agrees, smiling. She knows how to play him.
“And stay out of the woods. No target practice, either. Don’t even touch the guns until we get back.”
“No hunting bears,” Carson mocks, deepening his voice to match Airen’s. “No skydiving, don’t eat any unfamiliar mushrooms or berries.”
Joseph cracks up laughing, and Julie isn’t quite stealthy enough to hide her smile.
“Okay, smart ass.” I grab him and hug him hard. I can count on one hand the nights I’ve been apart from Carson.
“Don’t play with matches, watch out for earthquakes, don’t wipe with poison ivy,” Carson continues until Airen pins his arms behind his back.
“You can feel free to wipe with poison ivy,” Airen says. “Take care of Walker and the girls.” He hugs him and pats him on the back.
The sun has only just risen when we get on the road. We take the truck with the winch attached, loaded with food, water, and camping gear. We each have a handgun tucked away as well. Airen is quiet for the first hour or so, and his face and posture are tense.
“Relax.” My fingers trail through his dark leg hair as I rub his knee.
“I am relaxed.”
“You’re as uptight as a constipated judge.” Joseph laughs, and Airen shoots him a look. “Let’s at least try to have a little fun,” Joseph insists, popping a CD into the player. The song We Are Young by the band Fun starts blaring, and Joseph laughs at his own lame joke. Airen smiles in spite of himself and his shoulders soften. “Let me know when you want me to drive,” Joseph offers.
“I’ll drive today, and you can take over tomorrow.”
“In that case.” Joseph reaches behind the seat, pulls out a bottle of whiskey, and takes a drink, grimacing.
“I’m not stopping for you to pee,” Airen taunts.
“There’s a nice green hoodie back here that will soak it up nicely, so no worries.” Joseph holds up Airen’s favorite sweatshirt, a smirk on his face.
I giggle at the two of them. It feels so good to be with them, out of the house, and on a road trip. I’m having fun just listening to them and watching the scenery flow by. It’s a gorgeous day. The sun shines on the bare trees, and the fields are a patchwork of color, dark, rich brown fades into a pale gold, dotted with evergreens.
Crisp, late autumn air fills my lungs and invigorates my senses. A clear, cerulean blue sky stretches above us, broken only by an occasional wispy streak of white. It’s nearly winter, but the temperature doesn’t reflect that. It’s sixty-five degrees, and the temperature at night hasn’t dipped below fifty. I hope our good fortune holds out until we return home. Leaning back in my seat, I focus on the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. When we travel through the small towns and larger cities, it’s a horribly depressing sight.
Desolation. Emptiness. Empty houses and cars. Empty stores and schools. Buildings and whole neighborhoods have been gutted by fires that raged unchecked. We have been forced to detour often onto back roads due to the abandoned vehicles and pile ups, cars and trucks filled with the mummied dead. Where were they trying to escape to? Where did they think they could go that would be safe, where they could outrun the plague?
It’s a little past five when Airen suggests we stop for the night. “I realize it’s early, but it will be dark in an hour or so. There’s a campground a mile ahead unless you want to try to find a decent house.”
“Let’s camp. It’ll be fun. Besides, I’m starving, and I want to stretch my legs.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
Joseph hands me a pack of peanut butter crackers. “Feed that baby. It’ll be awhile before we have dinner.”
Airen’s face reflects his approval. “Did you take your vitamins?” he asks.
“Yes.” I roll my eyes. These two are going to drive me crazy, but I have to admit I’m glad for their concern. They’re always preaching at me to eat, rest, and take vitamins. I worked ten to twelve hour days throughout my first pregnancy and no one cared, so to have not only the father of the baby care so much for me, but Joseph as well, is such a heartwarming feeling. I’ve never felt so safe and loved. What would my life be without these two kind, beautiful men?
The so called campground turns out to be a few dirt patches at the edge of a field. At least there is a hand pump that brings fresh, crisp water up from a well. Joseph pumps up a large inflatable mattress while Airen puts up the four person tent. I assemble the small propane stove and warm up our dinner.
We all feel better after we eat. I devour two helpings of the canned beef stew and follow it with a candy bar. Airen and Joseph have a few drinks, and we spend the next couple of hours talking, telling stories, and laughing. It’s good to see Airen so relaxed and light-hearted for a change. When the fire dies down, I make up the air mattress with sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows.
“I get to sleep in the middle!” Joseph exclaims, diving on the mattress.
Airen chuckles and shoves him aside. “You lie in the middle, Abby. You’ll be warmer, and no making out once I’m asleep.” He smacks me lightly on the ass.
“No fair! You kissed him.”
I giggle, and Airen groans, “And you’ll never let me forget it.”
“I’ll never forget it,” Joseph drawls in an exaggerated sultry voice.
“Isn’t he a great kisser?”
“I’m going to sleep,” Airen mumbles, smashing his face into a pillow.
“I think we managed to embarrass him.” I giggle at Joseph.
“Then our job here is done.” He laughs, adjusting his blanket.
“I’m not embarrassed.” Airen pulls me closer and wraps his arm around me. “I know I’m irresistible, but apparently Joseph has the sexiest lips.”
“How did she describe them, again?” Joseph asks.<
br />
“I believe the terms she used were thick and full.”
“Hmm, not red?”
“Surprisingly, no.”
“Okay, enough. Conversation over.” I pull the blanket over my head.
“Aw, I think we embarrassed her,” Airen mocks, not unkindly.
“You’re both assholes.”
I settle down to sleep with my back to Airen, his arm draped around me, his hand gently caressing my belly. Joseph lies on his back, his leg pressed against mine. I’m so content, warm, and comfortable cuddled between them. My breath hitches when I feel a strange flutter in my stomach.
“Oh! The baby kicked!”
Airen rests his hand on my navel, and the baby kicks again. “I felt it!” he exclaims.
“That’s the first time I’ve felt him,” I whisper. Although I don’t know the sex, the baby has become him, as far as I’m concerned.
“Joseph, you have to feel this,” Airen says. I roll onto my back, placing Joseph’s hand alongside Airen’s on my bare belly, but nothing is happening. Finally, I feel the strange sensation again, and they exclaim in delight.
“Our baby is getting active.” Airen’s voice is filled with joy. His warm lips find mine before he lays his head on my shoulder.
Joseph kisses my forehead. “I’m so happy for you, honey, for both of you.”
Have I ever been happier than at this moment? I’m blanketed in love and support, basking in the warmth and affection of these men. I’m so incredibly lucky. “You’re going to be Uncle Joseph, you know, and godfather.”
“I’m honored, honey.”
“Being godfather means you have to change all the diapers,” Airen warns. I drift off listening to their lighthearted banter.
The sun rouses me a minute or two before Airen. I’m facing him, my head on his shoulder and my hand on his chest. Joseph is curled up behind me, his arm tucked around my middle, his legs tangled with mine. Before I can extricate myself, Airen wakes.
“Look at him,” he whispers, amused. “He loves you, you know.”
