Claiming the Enemy: Dustin: Porter Brothers Trilogy, #3

by Jamie Begley

  “You know, you might be right. My mouth might be my best physical asset.”

  Dustin heard Jessie clear her throat. “You might have two.”

  Caressing her breast with his stroking tongue, he flipped her nipple. “Yours are your tits, but your ass is a close second.” He appreciatively squeezed the one in his hand, using it to increase the pace of his thrusts.

  Rotating his hips, he plunged in again and again, ratcheting the sensations she was feeling inside her into a desire-ridden haze that had her moving back against him eagerly. When her movements increased, he knew she was close to coming.

  Releasing her hands, his hands went to her hips. His muscles flexed as he took her weight to lift them both farther onto the air mattress, covering her with his body.

  Battling back searing waves of lust, Dustin lost count, Jessie’s instinctive movements turning his brain to mush.

  When she got more experience, he would be lucky to be able to count to ten with the way she was wiggling her hips.

  When she went taut under him, giving a startled scream, Dustin stopped trying to fight his climax. He had devoted his efforts to maximizing her pleasure. Achieving his goal, he was now allowed to find his own.

  Clasping her ass cheeks, he moved her hips, building the speed his cock needed to send him over the edge. Biting back a loud yell when he found it, he ground into her so that neither of them could move.

  Shuddering, he smashed his mouth down, thrusting his tongue inside to fuck her mouth the way his dick was doing to her pussy.

  Her fervent response had his dick twitching inside her. When it finally stopped moving, he broke the kiss, panting for air and falling onto the air mattress next to her.

  “Damn, that was good,” he huffed out.

  What air he had been able to catch was lost when she hit him on his abs.

  “You just thought it was good?”

  Dustin rolled to his side to cradle her in his arms. “It needs a little improvement,” he teased, reminding her of the letters she had sent home when Logan went to her daycare.

  Giving him a chiding glance, she stroked her hand down his arm. “How much more improvement do I need to earn a star?”

  “A lot. But don’t worry, I’m a good teacher. I’ll get you there. I’m willing to put in the extra work to get you where you need to be.”

  “And what’s the ultimate goal?” The tip of her tongue came out to provocatively lick the pulse on his neck that still hadn’t settled down.

  Dustin gave her lascivious smile. “For you to make me see stars.”

  27

  Waving to Jessie as she took another look back before walking into her house, Dustin waited until she closed the door before turning back to go home. Yawning, he hoped the shower he planned to take when he got home would wake him up. He promised Jessie that he would drive her to church.

  When he reached the tree that his brothers had carved their names into with Holly’s and Sutton’s, Dustin took out his knife.

  He stared at his and Jessie’s initials after blowing the shavings away, proud of his handiwork.

  Sheathing the knife, he continued on his way. Holly was already up when he came in through the door.

  “Morning.”

  Dustin went into the kitchen at her greeting.

  “You’re up early,” he said, taking a piece of bacon that Holly had set on a platter on the table.

  “Greer has first shift this morning,” she explained, setting a plate of toast on the table.

  Dustin walked to the refrigerator, taking out the butter and the orange juice to help her. They had lived in the same house long enough that they moved in unison around the small space.

  “Ouch, I bet he’s not happy.”

  “He tried to switch with two other deputies, but they hate working the morning shift as much as he does. You want me to fry you a couple of eggs?”

  “No thanks. I’ll fix me a plate when I get out of the shower. Logan still sleeping?”

  “He’s getting dressed.”

  “Cool.” Taking another piece of bacon, he went to his bedroom to get his clothes before going into the bathroom.

  Showering, he tried to think of a way to show Jessie the joys of fucking in the shower. He hated the thought of taking her to the same hotel he had others. He was familiar with each of the rooms. Using the shower at her house wasn’t an option, nor was the one here, unless he could come up with an excuse to get rid of his family members.

  He was still thinking of his options after he was dressed and back in the kitchen, finding Greer already gone, and Logan was sitting at the table, coloring, as Holly finished her breakfast.

  “Greer’s already gone?”

  Holly stared at the clothes he was wearing. “You took a long shower.”

  Dustin pulled a chair out from under the table. “I blow-dried my hair. I need to be spiffy for church.”

  “You’re going to church?”

  “Don’t look so surprised. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve gone.”

  “You go two times a year—Christmas and Easter.”

  “I went last Sunday,” he reminded her.

  “I’ll chalk that up for you so you don’t forget. You’re going to need all the help you can get to explain to God why you’ve missed so many other Sundays.”

  “It won’t be the first time I’ve had to plead to God for mercy.”

  At him wiggling his eyebrows, she threw a piece of toast that was hard enough to knock him out if he hadn’t caught it.

  Giving her a wink, he buttered the bread as Holly cleared the table and started doing the dishes.

  “How you doing this morning?”

  His son looked up from the picture he was concentrating on. “Good. Can I go bowling with BoDean after church?”

  “Who’s going to take you?”

  “Bubba and Bud.”

  “No.”

  “Dad! I like them. They’re cool.”

  “No.”

  “Please? Jessie said she was going, too.”

  “When did she tell you that?” he asked, taking the last piece of toast, so Holly could take the empty plate. He grinned when she shook her head at him.

  “Last night, when we were dancing.”

  “Then I guess we’re going bowling after church.”

  “Yay! I need to go get extra clothes so I can get changed after church.” Logan dropped his colored pencil onto the table, leaving so fast he nearly knocked his chair over.

  “I better get me a change, too,” Dustin told Holly, popping the last bite of toast into his mouth.

  He stood, pushing Logan’s chair back under the table as he walked past, his eyes going to the picture Logan was drawing.

  Looking up, he made sure Holly wasn’t watching before he ripped the page off the pad and shoved it into his dress pants pocket.

  Going to his bedroom, he closed and locked his door before taking the drawing out. Looking at it grimly, he then crumpled it into a tight ball, went to his closet, and pulled down a shoebox. Taking the lid off, he put the ball into the box where he had hidden two others. Placing the box back on his shelf, he then went to his dresser to take out the extra clothes.

  He stood looking at his image in the mirror, debating if he was making the right decision about what he was choosing to do, until he heard a knock on his door.

  “Dad? Uncle Tate’s here.”

  “I’m coming.”

  Going to his door, he saw Logan was running back down the hallway. Dustin followed him more sedately, already knowing what Tate wanted to talk to him about.

  “Dustin, something is catching on my motor. You have time before going to church to listen to it?”

  “Sure. Holly, I won’t be long. Logan, you can get started on your homework. That way, you won’t have to leave from bowling to get it done.”

  Dustin went outside with Tate, not surprised when Tate motioned that he wanted to talk inside the cab.

  Inside, he turned to his brother, s
eeing the flinty look in his eyes.

  “Don’t do it, Dustin.”

  Dustin turned his head to stare out the windshield. “You heard the death bells.” It wasn’t a question. From Tate’s expression, it was a fact.

  “Last night,” he confirmed. “Did you have a dream?”

  “Yes.”

  “Little brother, please let Holt have him.”

  “We both know he’ll get caught. Jessie’s been through enough. She doesn’t deserve to have to spend the rest of her life having to go visit her brother in prison.”

  “They didn’t convict him when he took the blame for killing Jared.”

  “There’s no way he’ll get away with it twice. The only reason he got away with Jared was because Knox testified that Jared had pointed a gun at him, and Holt shot him to keep him from shooting Knox. I don’t think Knox is going to lie again, do you?”

  “No. Then tell me who it is, and I’ll do it. It’s going to be just as hard for Jessie to visit you in prison as it would be her brother.”

  “No, it won’t, because I’m not going to put her on the visitors list. I’ve already told you that I’m not going to let you do it.”

  Dustin saw Holly come out the door.

  “Holly hates being late for church, and I need to pick Jessie up. You’ve only heard the death bells once. We have time to talk about it later. Okay?”

  Tate started his truck. “Maybe I’ll be lucky, and you’ll change your mind when you go to church.”

  Dustin opened the door. “There isn’t going to be a chance in Hell of that happening.” Getting out, he closed the door before Tate could respond.

  No, there isn’t a chance in Hell, Dustin repeated to himself. No way in Hell.

  Dustin wrapped his arm around Jessie’s waist, holding her tightly to his side as they got in line to talk to Pastor Dean before leaving. They were behind the man who Shade had stared a hole through during the church service. Dustin was sure that the only reason Shade had made the rare appearance was to keep a watchful eye on Lily, not to praise God.

  The man in front of him glanced casually at him as they stepped forward, then frowned, glancing forward again.

  When the line moved again, the man turned around once more. “Dustin, sorry, it took me a second to recognize you.”

  Dustin took the hand that was held out to him. “Charles, it took me a couple of seconds, too. Long time, no see. What’ve you been up to?”

  Charles Wells smiled as his eyes flicked to Jessie. “Still running Dad’s restaurant in Lexington. How about you?”

  As the uppity asshole looked back toward him, Dustin missed the condescending way he asked what he had been doing.

  “I own my own accounting firm.”

  “You always were good with numbers.”

  “Still am.”

  Dustin didn’t introduce Jessie, hoping his former classmate would put it up to bad manners.

  “How long are you here for?” Dustin asked conversationally as the line moved closer to the door.

  “Until Wednesday. I came to pay my respects to Jackson and to go to Miranda’s funeral. Jackson and I were best friends in high school.”

  “I remember.”

  Charles shot Jessie another glance.

  “The line’s moving.” Dustin nodded toward the doorway.

  “Oh … sorry.”

  “No problem. We should have lunch together before you leave. Miranda’s funeral is tomorrow, so how about Tuesday?”

  “I’d like to, but I thought I’d spend what time I have left with Jackson. When I come back for Christmas, I’ll give you a call.”

  “Do that. I’ll be at the funeral tomorrow, so if you change your mind, let me know.”

  “You’re going to the funeral?”

  “Yes, I’ll be escorting Jessie.” Dustin tilted his head to the side, indicating the woman next to him.

  “She’s …? You’re the woman who was kidnapped when Miranda was killed?”

  Jessie, who had stood by his side listening, gave a short nod.

  “Jessie, this is Charles Wells. Charles, this is Jessie Hayes.”

  When Charles would have held his hand to Jessie, Dustin motioned to Charles. “The line’s moving.”

  Three more people were in front of them, but Dustin wanted to jerk her out of line and away from Charles.

  “Sorry,” Charles apologized, moving forward.

  He stayed facing forward until the older woman in front of him stepped up to talk to the pastor. Charles moved forward. Then, as he waited for his turn, he tuned back to Jessie.

  “I was really sorry when I heard what happened.”

  Dustin had to grit his teeth to keep his fake smile plastered on his face.

  “If you need anything, please let me know.” Charles reached into his suit jacket and took out a card, giving it to Jessie.

  Jessie took it, slipping it into her purse. “Thank you. I will.”

  Charles held his hand out to Dustin again. “It was good seeing you again, Dustin. You take good care of her.”

  Turning his head, he nodded politely to Jessie. “It was nice meeting you. God bless.”

  Jessie nodded politely back. “God bless you, too.”

  Dustin watched as Charles took his opportunity to talk to Pastor Dean.

  “He seemed nice,” Jessie whispered at his side.

  “He was when I went to school with him,” he said noncommittedly, staying in step with Jessie as she moved forward to speak with the pastor.

  “I was happy to see you here this morning, Jessie. Though, I admit to being disappointed I won’t be giving two sermons this morning.”

  “I truly appreciated it, Pastor, but I decided that asking Willa to sit through three services was too much to ask from any wife.”

  Willa reached out to give her a hug. “I would have done it gladly for you.”

  With the line so long behind them, they quickly moved ahead, so the other parishioners would have the chance to greet the pastor.

  Dustin proudly stood next to Jessie as they waited for Logan and Holly to say their goodbyes.

  It was a sunny, beautiful day as he watched Logan step up to shake the pastor’s hand with pride. He had done a few things right in his life. Logan was one of them. He had a loving, pure heart, and he was going to grow into a fine man.

  “What are you thinking about?” Jessie’s soft voice had him turning toward her.

  “That Logan will be the first Porter male whom Heaven’s gates are going to be already opened for.”

  Jessie gave him a sharp glance. “God will open the gate for you, too.”

  “The only gate that I’ll be walking through is Hell’s.”

  “Don’t even joke about that.”

  He gave Jessie a wry glance before his gaze swung toward the man getting into his car.

  “You’re right.” Giving her a light squeeze, he lowered his lashes to hide the determination in his eyes. “I was just teasing.”

  Dustin threw a piece of popcorn into his mouth as he watched a movie that he paid an exorbitant price to watch while time passed until he could go to Jessie’s. Crossing his sock-covered feet on the coffee table, he took another swig of his beer before reaching for another piece of popcorn.

  Hearing the key in the front door, he turned to look over his shoulder, seeing Tate coming in. He watched as he went into the kitchen and came into the living room to sit down next to him on the couch.

  “I heard the death bells again tonight.”

  Dustin took another mouthful of popcorn.

  “You still eating? Greer complained that you all ate at the Pizza Dome and that you beat him to the leftovers before he got home.”

  Dustin dug his hand back into the popcorn bowl. “You judging?”

  Tate took off his boots, resting his feet on the table next to his. “You sharing?”

  Dustin tilted the bowl, so he could take a handful. “Where’s Sutton?”

  “Her mother isn’t feeling well, so she�
��s spending the night with her parents.”

  “I paid sixteen dollars to watch this movie; you going to ruin it for me?”

  “No, I know I’m not going to change your mind.”

  Dustin had to swallow hard to clear the kernels that were getting stuck in the back of his throat. “You wanting to spend quality time with your little bro before I’m locked in the pen?”

  Tate studied him seriously. “You know those lame-ass commercials that are always saying shit is priceless?”

  Dustin had to clear another kernel. “Yeah?”

  Tate must have been having the same problem, because he had to clear his throat, too. “It kinda is.”

  28

  Dustin held the umbrella over Jessie’s head as they watched Miranda’s casket being lowered into the ground. They were unable to help being moved as Jackson and his son cried for their loss, while a steady hand from Charles remained on Jackson’s shoulder, providing the comfort his friend needed.

  When the service was over, Dustin led Jessie back to his car as the rest of the mourners dissipated into the warmth of theirs.

  Once he had Jessie inside, he walked around the car, tilting the umbrella so he could push the latch that would fold it. He stowed it in the back seat before getting in the front.

  “You doing okay?” Dustin asked as soon as he was inside.

  Jessie nodded, using a tissue to wipe her tears away. “Do you think the person who killed her was there?”

  Dustin looked out the windshield grimly as the rain left rivulets pouring down the glass. He knew the real way she had wanted to ask the question was if the man who kidnapped her was there.

  “I think so. The whole town was there.”

  “Do you think he feels bad about doing it?”

  “No. If he felt bad about doing it, he would have turned himself in to Knox, and he wouldn’t be standing there, watching Miranda’s husband and son cry their hearts out in the fucking rain.”