Bridesmaid for Hire

by Chance Carter

  Her mind ran over the new information. She never thought Joey could be innocent. He was always guilty. To consider him innocent, set up even, was an entirely new idea. A challenge even.

  “But who?” she asked finally. “Who would do such a thing?”

  “That is the biggest part of the puzzle,” Roy told her softly. “And the one that has me stumped.”

  Chapter 8

  That evening Jenny stood at the kitchen window and stared out into the darkness.

  Roy had left some time ago. He had delivered his message, and now she had to make some sense of it. He had carried in the jug and glasses and assured her he would call back again soon.

  She thought about how much he infuriated her. Why did she always let him get to her so badly. She’d never allowed anyone to bug her that much in the past, but there was something about Roy, something that made him stand out. And also made him get under her skin in a way she couldn’t fully understand.

  It was infuriating and maddening, but also irresistible and addictive. She found herself thinking about him all the time, and looking forward to the next time he’d show up and give her a piece of his mind.

  She’d never known anyone to be so strong-willed and hard-headed.

  She wondered if he was as strong-willed in all aspects of his life.

  Would he be as sure of himself in the bedroom?

  Would he know exactly what to do with a girl like her to subdue her?

  She had no doubt he would.

  As she stood there, looking out the window, she felt her hand reach down toward her pussy. She felt very naughty, standing in such a public place as her fingers found their way inside her panties.

  She wondered what Roy’s cock looked like as her finger gently caressed the lips of her pussy.

  She imagined it large, thick and long, with a pulsing vein running along the underside of it. She’d never seen a truly impressive cock in her life and she had no doubt Roy’s would knock her socks off.

  What would it be like to get down on her hands and knees in front of him and show him that she could be submissive just as much as she could argumentative?

  Would he stand there and let her open his fly?

  Of course he would! She’d seen the way he sometimes looked at her. She couldn’t be sure of his feelings, but she knew he’d had naughty thoughts about her. He wasn’t that good at hiding his thoughts!

  He’d stand there and look down at her as she reached inside his pants and pulled out his massive cock.

  She continued to play with her pussy and clit, rubbing her clit and sliding her fingers deep into her increasingly wet pussy as she imagined being on her knees in front of Roy.

  She’d pull out his cock and it would stiffen right in front of her eyes. Just the idea of it being in her mouth would have it rock hard. Roy couldn’t resist a mouth like hers!

  She pursed her lips and licked them as she imagined the first moment when her lips touched the tip of Roy’s cock. She’d kiss it, right on the tip, and then slide her tongue around the head in a circle. It would throb with desire and she’d take the first inch of it, and no more, into her mouth.

  She’d look up at him then, and could picture perfectly the happy expression that would be on his face at that moment.

  The idea of making him that happy, of having his pleasure under her control, thrilled her.

  She would let his cock slide all the way into her mouth, right until she reached the hilt. It would be right at the back of her throat then. As he pulled out, she’d slide her tongue along the underside, along the vein, coaxing him toward climax.

  She’d let him slide in and out of her mouth as many times as he wanted, and she’d reach up and toy with his balls has he did it.

  She wanted it to feel good. She wanted it to be the best fucking blowjob of his life. She’d show him!

  As he continued to drive into her mouth, she’d be able to feel his cock throb and pulse with more and more pleasure, until finally, he’d reach and grab her head, pulling her mouth down hard on his cock, and then she’d feel his sticky cum flowing out of him and into her mouth.

  That’s what would bond them. That would bond him to her forever. He’d be hers after that.

  She imagined the taste of his cum, of swallowing his orgasm, as her fingers continued to slide back and forth rapidly over her clit, bringing her over the edge in a crashing wave of pleasure.

  She was flushed and hot when she was finished.

  Wow, she thought to herself, surprised she’d allow herself to fantasize so freely and deeply about a man who pretty much infuriated her every time they saw each other.

  She rinsed her hands in the kitchen and then went into the bathroom to freshen up.

  Norma still hadn’t returned with Isabelle, but Jenny was in no rush to have the child back anyway. She considered calling Norma and telling her the child could stay the night, or forever if that was what she wanted.

  Norma would do a way better job as a substitute mother than she ever could.

  Jenny closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wanted to yell, cry, scream. It would be better to release the feelings pent up inside of her than to try to hold them inside. She was beginning to crack from all the stress and pressure.

  She hadn't had a moment to relax in three days. She massaged her tired face.

  Jenny couldn’t help but feel a tiny bit optimistic. Could it be that her brother really was innocent, that he would be released, pardoned, and allowed to return to his home and his child, thus permitting her return to the city? It would be her goal to have his innocence proven. To do this, she would need to know the identity of Chloe’s lover, her mystery man. And that is what he was, a mystery, one that she would take to solving no matter what it took.

  Her job at Joy magazine was on the line now. She'd spoken with the editor-in-chief before she had left and again last night by email, and she could sense her time was running out. No one could organize a fall fashion spread from Ombrea. There was nothing high-fashion about cows and a dusty, wind turbine.

  Jenny could imagine it now. Models in Vera Wang draped over the latest in farming equipment. That would be a sight. She could make a name for herself with a photo spread like that. Perfect timing, she thought, as she selected her favorite mug from the mug tree. Just when I thought I had it all.

  The kettle whistled on the stovetop and she reached over to turn off the element. As she did so, she heard a loud smashing sound coming from the living room, causing her to jump.

  “What the?”

  She hastened to the living room door and pushed it wide open. Her heart was racing.

  She had only ever seen a Molotov cocktail in the movies. Nothing had prepared her for what was to happen next. There was no doubt in her mind that’s what it was. Broken, blue glass peppered the living room carpet. The burning rag that had been stuffed inside was spreading a red hot fire trail rapidly across the room.

  Jenny panicked. She realized with horror that the house phone was on the other side of the room, and there was no chance of reaching it now, not safely. She remembered that her cell phone was in the kitchen and ran to grab it.

  “Damn it! Damn it!”

  She found it on the counter and fumbled with the keypad. The screen refused to come on and she realized with a sudden sinking feeling that she hadn't set it up to charge after arriving back from the funeral. The cable was still sitting on the counter. She had no way of reaching the outside world or calling for help.

  Her heart racing a million miles a minute, Jenny’s chest began to constrict as extreme terror took hold. She turned her back on the counter, her fingertips digging into the wood as she watched the fire spread quickly out into the hall. It was moving faster and faster. Before long it would be upon her.

  Jenny stuffed her cell phone and charger in the pocket of her sweater and ran for the back door. She grasped the metal handle and twisted and turned but it refused to open no matter how hard she tried. Desperate, she began to bang on the fr
osted glass but it refused to break underneath her fists.

  Tears filled her eyes as she pounded, the roar of the oncoming fire in her ears.

  She thought she could hear someone yelling in the distance, but it was wishful thinking. No one was going to help her out of this one. She would perish here in Ombrea, the one place she had tried so hard to escape.

  Chapter 9

  When Roy pulled his truck off the road and down the Dales’ laneway, he could sense that something wasn't right.

  He had driven away that afternoon thankful that Jenny had finally allowed him to share his information, but it didn’t sit right with him that he’d left her so broken.

  He was never one for comforting people, but for Joey’s sister, he would make an exception. He wasn't a flowers or wine type of guy. Instead he hoped the bottle of cheap whiskey bouncing beside him on the passenger seat would do the trick.

  The Dale House was fairly secluded, but the trail of black smoke rising above the trees alerted him that something was wrong. He revved his beat up truck, hoping it would hold up as he navigated the back road as fast as it would run.

  As he turned the corner that led to the house, he swerved, the truck tires spinning in the mud beneath. He cursed the heavy rain from the night before. The whiskey almost bounced onto the floor and he had to grab it at the last second to avoid it shattering.

  He pulled to a sudden stop before the front gate. He could make out two figures standing side by side in the garden, their arms wrapped tightly around each other. One figure was little Isabelle Dale and the other the Dales’ elderly neighbor, Norma Green.

  Norma was the first to spot him approaching.

  “I've already called the fire brigade. They're on their way, but the firehouse is fifteen minutes out.”

  She turned back to the house.

  “Oh God, have mercy.”

  Isabelle stared wide-eyed, as her home became engulfed in flames. Her hand was clasped tightly within Norma’s.

  “Where's Jenny?” Roy asked the frightened child. “Where?”

  Isabelle pointed inside, her eyes as large as saucers. She dropped Norma's hand and clung desperately to her frail arm instead.

  “Stay here, and don't get any closer. It's not safe.”

  Roy ripped off his jacket and tossed it into the grass.

  “When the firefighters get here, let them know I went inside for Jenny.”

  He left the girl in Norma’s care and ran for the front door. He busted it open with his shoulder and it crumbled easily under his heavy weight.

  The fire inside the home burned hot and fierce, and it seemed to be coming from the living room to his left. The heat burned against his skin as he pushed on into the hallway in search of Jenny.

  “Jenny? Jenny?” he shouted out, desperate to be heard above the roaring flames.

  He didn't hear a response.

  He winced as a heavy beam above the living room door collapsed beside him. A wave of dirt and debris fanned out and he put his arm up over his face to avoid the spray.

  The wall of heat was completely unbearable. He had to squint to see further than a few inches ahead of him and his eyes ran. He held his arm up to his face, doing all he could to avoid breathing in the smoke.

  “Jenny!” Roy bellowed again.

  His throat felt dry and raspy from the pressure and lack of oxygen. He didn't know how many more times he could call out her name without turning back for air.

  He could make out the entrance to the kitchen up ahead and pushed on, hurrying to avoid the inferno spreading across the living room. He dropped down to a crouch and entered the kitchen, trying his best to keep beneath the billowing smoke.

  “Jenny!” he yelled again, this time louder. His chest heaved as he breathed, and he collapsed to his side, desperate for clean air.

  He could feel the kitchen wall behind his back. Judging by how far he had come into the room, he guessed he had to be sitting near to the kitchen table. He could use it to pull himself back to his feet.

  Roy shifted his weight to his right side until he could reach out and grab a wooden chair leg, then dragged it roughly across the tiled floor. He got a good hold of the wooden seat and brought himself to his knees, his chest heaving from the effort.

  He willed himself to keep going. He had to pull through.

  “Jenny!” He spluttered. “For the love of God, Jenny!”

  “Roy!”

  He closed his eyes in relief as her terrified face appeared in front of him. She had been tucked under the kitchen table, unsure of where to go. He grasped her hand tightly and pulled her out from beneath the table. Then he tucked one hand around her waist.

  “To the back door,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Go!”

  They half crawled, half crouched together across the kitchen, bowing under the darkening smoke cloud. She fumbled clumsily with the back door. Her sweaty hand slipped and slid on the metal handle.

  “Let me!”

  He gently moved her aside and reached for the handle himself, doing his best to ignore the roar of the inferno approaching them from behind. The sound of glass breaking as the frames expanded made them jump out of their skins.

  Just when he thought they were out of time and luck, the door finally gave way. He used the last of his energy to propel her out into the daylight before he stumbled out himself, collapsing against the flagstones of the patio in a heap.

  “Roy!”

  He could hear her frightened cries as he lay exhausted on the cold stone. The dull roar seemed to be getting even closer than before. He would have to move away from the house if he wanted to survive.

  “Come on!”

  Jenny suddenly had a strong hold of his upper arms. He was heavy but she did her best to pull him across the flagstones, grunting and groaning as she forced her muscles to act.

  Roy could feel the stone scraping at the back of his shirt. He fought his aching body to turn himself over and clawed his way onto the lawn and out of danger.

  Roy and Jenny fell in a heap on the lawn, her hands still clenched tightly to his shoulders. He gently shook her off and turned himself back over, wiping a heap of sweaty hair away from his forehead as he fought to catch his breath.

  Roy could hear Jenny’s heavy breathing behind him. He pulled himself into a sitting position and reached for her hand. She took it and she squeezed his hand as hard as she could. Tears flowed steadily from her eyes.

  “You okay?' he asked her softly. “You're not hurt, are you?”

  She shook her head.

  “No, I think I'm okay.”

  She coughed into the back of her hand as she looked up at the house.

  “I thought for sure I was going to die in there.”

  He held her hand firmly. He had feared the same thing.

  Chapter 10

  A half-hour later and the fire was extinguished, but unfortunately, it had destroyed much of the ground floor. The firefighters had done their best, but the damage was done before they arrived at the scene.

  The paramedics showed up just after the fire truck. Both Jenny and Roy had been declared fit to leave. Jenny had minor smoke inhalation, while Roy refused any medical help. He would be just fine, he protested, as they attempted to examine him.

  Jenny thought Roy was being a complete idiot, but she decided it wouldn't do to tell him so, not after he'd just saved her from a fiery death.

  Jenny and Isabelle stood outside the house watching the firefighters work. Norma had gone home to get them something hot to drink. It had been a stressful day for all of them.

  “What are we going to do?” Isabelle asked. “Where are we going to sleep tonight?”

  “Don't you worry.”

  Jenny tried to be reassuring as she brushed Isabelle’s hair back from her face, but even she was unsure what their next move should be.

  “I'll figure something out. I promise.”

  Isabelle nodded and held her dolly a little tighter.

  Roy approached a few minut
es later. The darkness in his eyes confirmed what she had already known. This was not an accident, and something about the way Roy held his shoulders and stared directly into her eyes confirmed that he knew. Someone had tried to eliminate Jenny, and the house along with her.

  “Are you two okay?” he asked gently. “Don’t worry. You’re safe now.”

  “I know,” Jenny responded for Isabelle's benefit more than her own.

  Roy paused for a moment to study her face. He looked as if he were about to respond when the wail of sirens filled the air. They turned back to the driveway just in time to see two patrol cars rolling quickly into view. Jenny could make out the silhouette of Chief Cartright in the front seat of the first car.

  He slammed his door shut and strode across to meet them, three of his officers following quickly behind.

  “Jenny.”

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. It was a far cry from the way he’d treated her earlier that day.

  “Are you okay? What the hell happened here?”

  She glanced aside to Roy to gauge how much she should reveal. He gave a subtle shake of his head, so she stuck to the basics.

  “I don't really know. It all happened so fast.”

  The Chief frowned as he studied her face.

  “Well, I'm glad you’re doing okay.”

  He moved his attention down to Isabelle.

  “And you too, little missy.”

  “I wasn't even home,” Isabelle responded, her back pressed up against Jenny's legs. “Just Jenny.”

  “Well, that makes you a very lucky little lady, then.”

  “Very lucky, indeed,” Roy spoke up.

  He laid a hand on Isabelle's shoulder.

  “They won't be in a spot like that again, Chief.”

  “No, I don't think they will,” Cartright replied. He forced a tight-lipped smile. “If you'll excuse me.”

  He headed off in the direction of the fire chief, leaving the three of them alone again.

  “Why don't you take Isabelle back over to Norma's house for the time being?” Roy urged. “She doesn't need to be here for this and I'm sure she could use some sleep.”