Willow (The Willow Series Book 1)

by Cheri Lewis

  I bite my bottom lip as he places the ear plug back then I pull the trigger aiming at the targets on the hay bales. Bullets fly from the side and my body shakes with each shot. I smile bigger and shoot until it doesn’t fire any more.

  I turn to Wade who’s staring at me and smiling also. “Wanna shoot some more?”

  I nod enthusiastically and he grabs another loaded clip out of the bag and hands it to me. We shoot over an hour taking turns at different targets. I know he did it to impress me when he shot a hornet right out of air with a bb gun and it worked. I’m thoroughly impressed.

  I hop up and sit on the table beside him as he shoots glass beer bottles he’s set up on the posts. He never misses. He sets his gun on the table and takes his ear protection off then his safety glasses.

  “Did you have fun?”

  “More fun than I’ve had in a long time. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “So, if I were to invite you again would you consider coming?”

  “Yes, but you have to let me buy the ammo next time. I bet we shot several hundred dollars worth just messing around.”

  “Men pay the bill when they go on a date.”

  “So, this was a date?”

  “Yes and I’d say a rather successful one. You haven’t called me a name in several days now. It’s a record.”

  I smile and look down at my feet dangling above the ground. “I’m kinda partial to calling you, Roscoe.”

  “I have to admit I prefer Roscoe over jackass. What name would you call me if I tried to kiss you right now?”

  I look up and into his dark brown eyes. “Since when have you ever worried if something you did or said would upset me?”

  He reaches out and takes my hand into his then steps over so he’s standing between my legs. “You underestimate my ability to make myself not care whether you’re mad at me or not.”

  I break eye contact glance at his lips as they get closer to mine. “You do a good job at hiding it.”

  “Willow—”

  I lean forward to place my lips against his. It’s slow and sweet as our lips move together. I pull back and we look at each other and I feel like he’s trying to gauge my feelings.

  I lean back to kiss him and right before I do I say, “Truce, remember? We’re friends.”

  I feel his smile as we kiss again this time more uncontrolled. My arms wrap around his neck as his arms wrap around my body. I haven’t kissed anybody this much since I was a teenager and I have to admit I’m really enjoying it. I hear a horn blow in the distance but it doesn’t stop us until the horn blows again for the third time. Wade pulls back and puts his forehead against mine. “That’s Troy. He needs me apparently.”

  I nod and he steps back but then comes right back to me and kisses me again for only a few seconds. The horn blows again and this time it sounds close. We both look in the direction of the road. A newer model white crew cab Ford rounds the curve and comes to a stop beside the old farm truck. “Sorry to interrupt, but, we got a fence down and two cows are out on the roadway.”

  Wade looks to me. “Do you mind putting all this in the truck and driving it back to the house?”

  “No, you go ahead. I’ll get it back there and then I guess I can call--”

  “It won’t take us long. Do you mind waiting? The front door’s unlocked. Get yourself something to drink and watch TV. I’ll hurry back.”

  I let out an uncomfortable half laugh and nod even though I really want to say ‘no’. He leans back in and kisses my cheek then hurries off jumping into the truck with his brother.

  I begin gathering up all the guns and ammo as I feel my phone vibrate against my leg. I pull it out and it’s Wade. “Can you drive a stick? I forgot to ask you that before I left.”

  “Yes, I can handle a stick.”

  “I don’t know why I even asked. There isn’t anything you can’t do, is there?” He meant what he was saying, no sarcasm to be found. I smiled as I holding the phone to my ear. “I’ll be back as quick as possible.”

  “Okay.”

  We hang up and I have to make two trips even though there’s a lot less ammo. I sit on the tailgate to bide my time. That turns out to be twenty seven minutes. That’s all I can handle of biding my time sitting in a new place listening to the peace and quiet. I do everything in slow motion so I can avoid going in his house without him. Because, well, I’ve never been in it before and this seems odd to me. I pull out my phone and start a text telling him I’m just going to go home and we’ll talk later. I decide not to text but to call him instead. But I know he’s busy trying to get a cow back in a field so I don’t want to disturb him. I rub my face and decide to drive back to my truck and wait a few minutes before I call him.

  I forgot how much fun it was to drive a standard. Of course it’s not raining and the ground is flat so I manage to make it all the way back without choking it dead. I’m still not comfortable going in his house but now I’m stuck with the dilemma of what do with the guns. He left them with me and I don’t want to just leave them in the bed of his truck for anyone to steal. I climb into my truck, sit sideways in the seat with the door open, and play on my phone. I’ll give him another fifteen minutes then I’ll set the guns inside the door and go home. Why didn’t you just leave when he had stuff to do?

  I check my emails and send a text to Heath. I text him a picture of me shooting the AR-15 that Wade took and he was right. You do have to hold on tight. I’m admiring my own upper arms in the picture because it does take a lot of muscle strength to hold the gun steady. I check the time on my phone and it’s been thirteen minutes. I toss it on the center console and climb down out of my truck, grab his guns and ammo.

  I open his front door setting them just inside the door and as I do, I peek around. It seems like a typical male house except it still has a touch of a grandparent feel to it. It’s probably the doilies that are under the lamps and old furniture that make it feel that way. As I turn to go back to my truck I hear the sound of tires crunching on gravel and it’s coming closer. I scan up the driveway to see Troy and Wade coming back.

  I feel a little panicky, wishing I had left already. It was a perfect date and now it’s been interrupted. I mean, what do we do from here? Wade hops down from the driver’s side and rushes toward the barn holding up a finger toward me indicating it will be just another minute as he disappears into the building. Troy gets out and saunters over to me with a smile on his face like he’s told himself a joke and it’s funny. He is what you would picture a farmer to look like, cowboy hat with a darker sweat ring around the base, white t-shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. He sticks out his hand. “I’m Troy, Wade’s older brother.”

  I take his hand and shake it briefly. “I’m Willow.”

  Wade comes out of the barn carrying two - four by four posts over his shoulder. I watch and wonder if he’s flexing his muscles on purpose but damn at this moment I don’t care why he’s doing it, I’m enjoying the show. Troy gives me another smile as he helps Wade load the posts into the back of the truck. Then they both disappear back into the barn and come out carrying a roll of fence. Once it’s loaded Wade comes over and stands by me and begins introducing us to each other and Troy stops him. “I already introduced myself, baby brother.”

  I find myself with the urge to ask him what’s so funny because he’s still got this cheesy ass grin on his face. Wade looks down at me and asks, “Do you want some tea or a beer?”

  I mean I waited this long for him. Everything seems okay. Not awkward or anything, so why not stay and have a drink. “Sure.”

  “That took her too long to decide Wade.” Troy says looking at his brother like he knows something I don’t know.

  I don’t want to be rude but it’s starting to get on my nerves like I missed out on some whole big conversation that he thinks I was privy to. I mean if he’s older than Wade he’s got to be thirty five at least and he’s acting like he’s eight. No, I take that back, he’s acting just like Heath does.

 
Wade ignores his brother. “You need to go fix that fence and we have some tea to drink.”

  Troy nods and pulls off his hat wiping the sweat with the back of his arm before placing his hat back. “You two have fun and stay away from the handcuffs.”

  I cut my eyes toward Troy before I feel Wade taking my hand in his leading me toward his house Handcuffs? Wade looks annoyed but plays it off as he says, “I’ll get the guns in a bit.”

  “I already set them inside.”

  “Thanks.”

  He drops my hand when we get inside and picks his guns up off the floor. “I’m going to put these up real quick. Grab yourself something to drink out of the fridge.” He nods his head in the direction of the kitchen.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I ask.

  “If you’re drinking beer, I’ll have a beer. But if you’re not I’ll have tea.”

  “Okay.” I go into the kitchen and grab us each a beer out of the fridge and pull open a few drawers, as I look for the bottle opener. But I can’t find one. I run my finger over the edge of the counter across from the fridge and apparently that’s their bottle opener so I use it myself as well. I take a swig and the cold beer feels good. I didn’t realize I was as hot as I am. I go back into the living room and pat my front jeans pocket and pull my phone out before I sit down and it’s not there. I pat all over and realize I left it in the truck. What Wade’s brother said is still nagging at me but I try not to overthink it. I set both our beers on the coffee table and yell to Wade who still hasn’t come back that I’m going out to my truck for a second.

  I notice Troy’s truck is still next to mine when I go out. I glance around but I don’t see him anywhere so I grab my cell from my truck. As I’m shutting the door I notice the barn door opens and Troy walks out with a box of nails and some sort of long metal tool in his hand. I throw up my hand just saying hi, I guess, even though I’m not sure why. When he sees me he instantly smiles again. I can feel my eye beginning to twitch. If he was smiling because he’s a happy person, then fine. He’s a happy person but no this is a ‘he he he I know something about you’ smile and I’ve had enough of it.

  “You need my help?” I ask.

  “Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though.”

  “Can I ask what’s so funny?”

  “Funny? Nothing’s funny, I don’t guess.”

  “You just smile like a big joke’s going on that I don’t know about.”

  His smile fades and I don’t think he realized he was smiling as much or as often as he was. “It’s nothing really. I just know my brother and I find it hilarious he handcuffed his girlfriend.”

  Wait a minute. What? Handcuffed his girlfriend? First off, I’m not his girlfriend and him handcuffing me wasn’t exactly a joke even though I guess the first time was a misunderstanding. No, hell it wasn’t. It was him showing me who was boss and then… Anger begins to flutter inside me.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean nothin’ by it. It’s just Wade’s—”

  I lock my smile into place and act like I now get their joke because, I do. But it’s not a funny joke to me at all. “Oh, it’s fine. I’m not upset.” I’m pissed off but not upset. So I guess Wade and his brother had a big ol’ laugh at my expense.

  “You sure? You don’t look fine.”

  “I’m good. I’m going to go back in and finish my beer with my boyfriend.”

  I turn on my heel and sashay back into the house with my ponytail in full swing. Wade is walking into the living room when I come in the front door. I can tell by the way he’s looking at me he knows somethings wrong. “You all right?”

  “Peachy,” I say and pick up my beer and take a big swig.

  Wade picks his beer up as he sits on the couch. I make myself sit beside him trying to decide exactly how I’m going to handle this whole situation. You know what? I think I just need to go home. Wade turns my face toward his and looks deep into my eyes. “Something’s wrong.”

  I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing their handcuff joke bothers me at all. I lean forward and kiss him tasting the fresh beer on his lips. He kisses me back and I feel him lean forward getting rid of his beer by sitting it on the table so I do the same. My anger fades into the background as the want for him shifts into place. I climb on top of him and straddle his lap. I can feel his hardness through my jeans. He wants me, too. He places both hands on my shoulders lightly pushing me back but I don’t back down. I lean forward running my hand between my legs rubbing him through his pants. He closes his eyes and I lean back down kissing his cheek down to his ear. “Where’s your bedroom, Roscoe?”

  He rocks forward and stands up from the couch holding me by my bottom. We kiss as he takes me down a short hallway into his room. He sets me down on my feet. I don’t bother looking around. He’s my focus. I don’t want to think about anything else. He’s what I want and come hell or high water I’m going to get it. I lift my shirt up over my head and toss it on the floor. Wade lets out a loud exhale as he see my black lace underwear. He reaches out and lightly traces the top of my breast with two fingers before running the back of his fingers over my nipple causing my body to quiver. He grabs his shirt, taking it off. I run my hands over his chest and lean in placing a kiss on it before I use my tongue running it right down his stomach. I begin to unbutton his pants. He stops me and does it for me.

  I smile as I stand back up and begin unbuckling mine. He kicks his boots off and I’m pleased to see how well he looks in his black boxer briefs. I slide my shoes off and I finish taking my pants off. We kiss a few more minutes, our bodies’ heat melting into one. He steps over taking me with him as he lies back on the bed causing it to squeak. I lie beside him as we continue to kiss then I climb on top. He reaches up placing a hand over my breast then his thumb rubs over the lace coving my nipple. I rock back and forth a little teasing him. He sits up and tugs at my hair.

  “Let your hair down,” he says with want and need.

  I pull the hair tie from my hair allowing my hair to fall over my shoulders. He reaches up and runs his fingers through it. I kiss his left hand as it stops near my cheek. He leans forward to kiss my neck and I rock again, ready for him to enter me as he lightly sucks on my skin above my collar bone. I close my eyes leaning over to give him better access. His hands run up my back to unhook my bra.

  When I open my eyes I focus on his nightstand and the black leather pouch holding his handcuffs. I become alert and an idea pops into my head. It can’t be this easy. The bedframe is old and metal. I look back to the handcuffs then the metal posts of the frame. It really can’t be this easy. He’s sliding the bra straps down my arms, pulling it away from my body. I lean back to give him get a better view and watch him. He licks his lips. His eyes are heavy, intoxicated with desire. I push on his shoulders making him lie back and I lean up as he places my right breast in his mouth. My body aches wanting to be thoroughly fucked right now but I stay focused, grabbing the handcuffs and am careful when I pull them out. I slap it around his left wrist then on the thickest part of the metal frame. He pulls away with a curious look but when he doesn’t seem too bothered by being handcuffed. I’m instantly intrigued and a bit more turned on with the knowledge that he likes to play. I rock back feeling his hardness between my legs with only cloth stopping this from happening. Fuck him? Or FUCK him? I close my eyes and kiss him again one more time before I slide off him and the bed.

  Now he looks concerned. I grab my bra and my clothes and as I do he never says a word, neither do I. I give him a small smile and walk out the door pulling my shirt over my head as I go. I stop long enough at the front door to put my pants on I’m thankful that Troy is still mending the fence or whatever he’s doing. As I walk to my truck I do wonder to myself why he didn’t say anything. I have a thousand different emotions going through me. I’m hurt, pissed, and annoyed at him. My vagina is angry at me sulking at what might have been. I find myself justifying my actions and why I didn’t say anything like, “Now we’re even or joke abo
ut this asshole.” Why didn’t I say anything? Why didn’t I tell him about him being stupid and making fun of handcuffing me?

  As I drive home I pass Jimmy’s bar and do a U-turn doubling back because after this day and everything that’s happened, I need a real drink.

  I order a shot as I think about him lying in bed handcuffed to the rail. God he looked good. I down my shot and order another. Jimmy and I chat a few minutes about Tiny and how his mother seems to be doing better since she doesn’t have to worry about him all the time. Jimmy leaves me to my thoughts as he fills a drink order for a bunch of bikers who just came through the door.

  I rotate the full shot glass on the counter between my first finger and thumb. Why didn’t you just tell him what was wrong? Go back and tell him and act like it was all a big joke? No, he deserved to be handcuffed and left there. Why? Why did I let myself believe that he was an all right guy? I raise the glass to take the shot when a hand wraps around the glass taking it from my hand. I sit up straight as I feel the heat of a body against mine. I look into the mirror behind the counter and it’s Wade downing my shot. My body reacts, my stomach flips, my heart leaps, and happy place is wide awake, ready and tingling in anticipation.

  He leans as close as he can to my ear and growls, “I don’t know what scared you off, but, little girl, there will be a day when we’re going to have a conversation. A real one. Then we’re going to finish what we started and you will call me by my name, not Roscoe, or jackass or any of the other things you consider to be cute. You like me and I liked you until about twenty minutes ago. What is it? Nobody’s ever been nice to you before? Nobody ever wanted you for more than a good fucking? Or a one night stand? Not every man is an asshole trying to control you, Willow… Thanks for the drink.” He slams the shot glass on the counter in front of me.

  I stare at the empty glass. As bad as my feelings are hurt and my heart aches I hold my voice steady to make sure Wade won’t know how badly he just got to me.

  “Another shot please,” I look down then back up at the reflection in the mirror watching him stalk out the bar. Jimmy walks down to my end of the bar with a bottle of whiskey in his hand ready to pour and I place my hand over the glass. “You know what. I’m driving so I better not,” he nods and I pull a twenty out slapping down on the counter. “Keep the change.”