“All done, baby. The hard part’s done, I promise,” he crooned, as he began to circle her clit with his thumb. He held still as sweat trickled down his back. It felt like his cock was enveloped in a fist of hot wet velvet. He had never felt anything better than being encased in Olivia’s ass. It was killing him to stay still, but he was waiting until she caught up with him again, until she was asking for him to move. Luckily, he didn’t have long to wait. As he continued to circle the bud of nerves, she shifted slowly upward toward his thumb, pushing his cock deeper inside her. She gave a soft sigh, and pushed again, another sigh. Again and again, a sigh and a push, the sweat trickled more until finally he was balls deep in her ass.
“Oh, God, Joshua, it feels good, but it’s too much, you know?” He could see the strain on her face and just continued to circle her clit, around and around, building the pleasure, and soon her focus was on her building climax.
“Joshua, you have to move, I need you to move, I need more, it’s beginning to feel good. Make it feel good, please, baby, move inside, give me more,” she pleaded. At last he began to unleash the inner beast, which had been fighting with him, that part of himself that had been struggling so desperately, needing to thrust and push and pull, to mindlessly rut. He slowly pulled out until only the head of his cock was embedded inside the hot depths of Olivia.
“In, come back in,” she begged. Slowly he pushed back in, until he was in to the root, then out. “More, faster,” she panted. She shoved her hips up and that was when the beast was unleashed. He kept his eyes firmly glued to her face, his thumb circling and circling. He watched as his beautiful Olivia climbed up to the pinnacle of pleasure, and then as she crossed over he spilled his release deep within her. He fell onto his arms, and immediately rolled so she rested on top of him, both of them breathing as if they had run a marathon. Finally he was able to pull out, and he went into the bathroom, returning with a warm, wet cloth to gently soothe her tired body. He then patted her dry with the hand towel he had brought.
“I love you, Olivia Ann,” he said as she fell into a deep sleep. He stayed up, waiting to hear from Ian. When he finally called, he found himself relieved.
“How did it go?”
“I’ve got a job,” Ian said wryly.
“Yeah, well I didn’t doubt that,” Joshua said. “Were you able to get any quality time in the CEO’s office?”
“Better than that,” Ian crowed. “I got quality alone time with his phone! So I was able to get to his e-mail. I’ve got a trace on both his phone and e-mail!”
“He didn’t have a password on his phone?” Joshua asked incredulously.
“I watched him put it in. It was 1425, so when he and the CFO went to say hello to a client at another table in the restaurant, he left his phone at the table with me. I was able to do a quick scan to get the e-mail configuration. Can you believe it? We got lucky, man.”
“That was risky, Ian.”
“Somebody took a shot at Olivia, Joshua. It’s worth the risk.” Joshua couldn’t fault Ian’s logic. He would have done the same thing if he had the technical ability.
“Are you going to be here tomorrow? Olivia’s stressed out and totally missing you.”
“Did you go to the shelter today?” Ian asked.
“Yep.” Then Joshua proceeded to tell him how the day went, ending with the time in the bedroom.
“Damn it, I missed that?” Ian gave a pained groan.
“Yep.” Joshua grinned in total male satisfaction.
“You lucky bastard.”
“Yep.”
“Well, I’ll be home tomorrow, and it can’t be soon enough.” Joshua laughed at his partner’s agonized tone.
After hanging up, he went in to the bedroom and pulled Olivia close.
“Did you talk to Ian?” she asked in a sleepy voice.
“Yes, he’s fine. He’ll be home tomorrow,” Joshua assured him.
“Oh, good.” She snuggled closer and fell back to sleep, and Joshua realized he was a lucky man, and drifted off to sleep, as well.
Chapter 15
Joshua was as enchanted as the children. He’d counted, there were twenty-six in total, ranging in age from five to eight. Olivia had them divided up according to the grade levels that their absent teacher had provided. The way she kept them all occupied yet feeling like they had her undivided attention amazed him. She already had every child’s name memorized. She had told him she didn’t know Spanish, but she was even properly pronouncing the names of those classmates of Hispanic heritage.
Currently, she was working with the five-year-olds, teaching them to write their names. One child didn’t know his last name, and it was heartbreaking. One of the other kids was making fun of him.
“Jaden, how did you learn your last name?” she asked the boy who was making fun of the other boy.
“My mom and dad told me,” he explained proudly.
“What would happen if you didn’t have a mommy and daddy?” she asked. Joshua watched as the boy pondered that question.
“How could you not have a mom and dad?” he finally asked.
“Well, Jaden, when I was a little girl, my mommy died, and my daddy gave me away,” Olivia said. Joshua watched as Jaden’s and all the other children’s eyes got wide. “But then I got the best mommy and daddy in the world, who took care of me forever and ever. So even though it was sad for a while, I ended up really, really happy.” Joshua saw every face light up as she told them her happy ending.
“Jaden, do you understand why it would have made me really sad if you had made of fun of me, if I didn’t know my last name?”
“I’m sorry, Christopher, that I made fun of you,” Jaden said. “And I’m really sorry your first name has so many letters in it, too. You can have my first name if you want it. It only has five letters,” he offered.
“It’s okay, Jaden. ‘Member, I only have one name to spell,” Christopher explained.
“Oh yeah, you’re so lucky,” Jaden said, and all the other kids agreed.
* * * *
As the kids left to play outside for recess, Joshua saw Christopher stay back to talk to Olivia. She pulled up one of the miniscule chairs that the little children sat in, and they sat face-to-face for a serious talk. It broke Joshua’s heart to see a five-year-old with such a solemn expression. Knowing Olivia like he did, he knew she was itching to take the boy in her arms, but she respected his boundaries and spoke with him like the little man that he was. Finally, he left the classroom to join the others at play.
Olivia did a quick scan of the classroom, ensuring it was empty. She then walked straight to Joshua and he opened his arms, and she practically fell into him. He had never felt someone cry without tears, but that’s what she did. He knew she was doing what she needed to do so that she would be ready for the children when they returned.
“What did he say, Kitten?”
“He said that he thought his name was Boy, because that was the only name his dad ever called him. He never had a mom.”
“He got confused with today’s assignment. His last name is Christopher, he doesn’t know his first name. He’s ashamed to say he’s called Boy. We talked some more. This is the first week he’s come to school, because a neighbor noticed him with his dad one night. They live in the same motel. Up until then, his dad kept him tied on a leash in the motel during the day when he went to work. I saw the scars on his neck, no wonder he’s wearing a turtleneck.”
“Jesus.”
“I explained I was going to call the police. Boy told me he understood that meant that he would go to jail, not his father, but Boy. His dad had him convinced that he would be taken to jail, but he’s at the point where he thinks that’s preferable. I explained more about foster care.” The bell rang to indicate recess was over, and Olivia stepped away from Joshua. He looked into her eyes and saw the despair.
“I’ll make the calls. I’ll also call Sam, and see if he can come, and possibly get assigned to Boy’s…Can we call him Christo
pher?”
Olivia nodded.
“I’m sure Sam can pull some strings to get assigned to Christopher’s case. If nothing else, he can probably be here today with the other social workers, okay, Kitten?” He watched as she gave a wan smile.
“What made him tell you everything, Olivia Ann?”
“It was my story of my mom dying and my dad giving me away. He thought I would understand, and maybe I could help.” Joshua nodded. He also understood that people would always instinctively trust Olivia. There was something special about her.
There was only one school administrator and two other teachers who worked at the small school. When the police arrived, the administrator kept them in her office and asked Olivia to step out of the classroom and bring Christopher in. Everything was kept very low key. Joshua was impressed with how everything was handled. Sam had arrived, as well.
Sam took Christopher, and the police arranged for officers to wait for Christopher’s father until he returned from work. The police had obtained a warrant, and upon entering the premises, they had found everything as Christopher described. Sam also found other evidence of abuse, besides the scarring around the little boy’s neck. Olivia prayed he would find foster parents as good and loving as the Hutchins.
After all the children left for the day, Olivia, Joshua, Leif, and Caleb met with the other two teachers and school administrator in the dilapidated room that served as the school cafeteria, for a debriefing and to discuss the next day’s activities. Leif and Caleb had just arrived to pick up Joshua and Olivia, agreeing that she was most vulnerable to and from Fate Harbor, since people wouldn’t know where she was during the day.
Shirley Pierson, the school administrator, led the little meeting. She was a motherly woman in her midsixties. She had everyone introduce themselves, and then she said, “Olivia, I can’t thank you enough for stepping in while Belinda is at the conference. I really want to express my appreciation for how you handled the situation with little Christopher.” She explained the story to Isabella and Bethany, the two other teachers, who listened with empathy but no real surprise.
“I don’t remember Belinda mentioning Christopher before,” Isabella said in her pretty Spanish accent.
“Does that happen a lot?” Joshua asked. “I mean having new kids arrive in the middle of the school year.”
Isabella and Bethany both laughed. Isabella answered. “Si, Joshua. These children will often just show up. Sometimes they come and go like their families. We seldom get to say good-bye, and we are just joyful when they return.” Her smile expressed her joy at the thought of those children who returned to her.
“Why do they leave?” Caleb asked.
“Usually, one of the parents finds a job. For the Mexican students, it’s because they follow the crops. At least with those students, we know when they are going to go and when they are likely to be back. I have created lesson plans that they can take with them in both Spanish and English. If they are not too tired after working in the fields with their parents or if they are lucky enough not to have to work in the fields, they usually study very hard. When they come back they are usually at the same level as if they had stayed.”
“Isabella, that’s impressive,” Leif said. “That must take you a lot of time and effort.”
“It’s worth it,” she said, unable to look Leif in the eye.
“She has performed wonders with the migrant students,” Bethany praised.
“What about you, Bethany, what ages do you teach?” Joshua asked.
“I have the oldest, thirteen to seventeen.”
“That must be hard to manage,” Olivia said.
“Not really. At that age, they wouldn’t come if they didn’t want to be here. Their parents can’t make them. Because they don’t have a real address, they fall outside the school system and district rules. These kids know that this is their chance to learn enough for a GED. They want it. We only have eight in the class, currently, and they challenge me.”
“Bethany had five teenagers achieve their GEDs last year,” Shirley said proudly.
“That’s wonderful,” Joshua praised.
Shirley spent the next fifteen minutes outlining what the three teachers should focus on the following day. After that, the four of them left for Fate Harbor.
As soon as they got into Leif’s SUV, Olivia called Sam for an update on Christopher. She found out that he was temporarily housed with a very nice couple who had one daughter. The couple was experienced in dealing with abused children and could provide a good transitional home for children until a more permanent arrangement could be made. Olivia asked if she could visit Christopher, and Sam said that he could definitely arrange that, considering the bond that she and Christopher had formed. They would set something up for that weekend.
Leif and Caleb asked a few questions about the school, especially about the poor condition of the building and the playground. They wondered how the school got its funding, and Joshua explained that government funds had mostly dried up, and it was basically running on a shoestring. He went on to say that the three teachers all had second jobs, to make their personal ends meet, but continued to teach there because they thought it was that important.
“Can’t they get a teaching position at a regular school?” Leif asked.
“Hell, Isabella quit a position at a private school to teach here. So, yeah, they could definitely work at a public school, if they wanted to,” Joshua said.
Leif nodded and looked over at Caleb, who nodded as well. Joshua didn’t know what they were communicating to one another about, but he had an idea.
Olivia continued to stare at the phone in her hands.
“You did good today, Olivia Ann,” Joshua assured her.
“Thank you.” She laid her head against the window of the car and just looked up at the evergreen trees as they passed by, lost in thought. Joshua wondered if she was remembering when her daddy gave her away.
Joshua texted Ian when they were five minutes from the house, so when they arrived he was waiting on the porch. Joshua was gratified to see Olivia’s face light up at the sight of her lover. She barely waited for Leif to stop the SUV before she had the door open and was running into Ian’s waiting arms.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the escort,” Joshua said.
“It’s not a problem,” Caleb assured him. “The shop is still being built, so we’re at loose ends. As a matter of fact, we’re thinking about doing some renovations at the school tomorrow. That place sorely needs it.”
“It sure does,” Joshua answered. “The fact that Isabella is single and hot has nothing to do with it, I’m sure,” Joshua said in a deadpan voice.
“There’s somebody named Isabella?” Leif asked, matching Joshua’s tone. Then the three of them laughed.
“I wish you luck, gentlemen. In the meantime, you’re right. The school could sorely use some help,” Joshua said. “Are you going to be at the poker game tonight?”
“No, why, are you going?” Leif asked.
“Yep, Ian and Olivia need some alone time together,” Joshua answered.
“Take my brothers for everything they have,” Leif said.
“That’s my plan,” Joshua said as he exited the vehicle. “Thanks again.”
* * * *
“So did you and Olivia have a fight, or did you lose a coin toss with Ian?” Jace asked, as he shuffled the cards.
Jace and Dale Hart were over at Eric and Dane Johansen’s house for the weekly poker night. Jace and Dale ran the local diner. They normally cooked for the diner, but they recently hired two additional cooks so that they could spend more time with their wife and seven-month-old son.
Eric was the local fire chief, and his brother Dane was another firefighter. Both of them had worked the deadly fire in Montana with Joshua and Ian. Joshua had missed them since his trip to Boston, not that he would admit it.
“Ian and Olivia needed some alone time together,” Joshua said, answering Jace’s question.
“Yeah, that’s important in a triad relationship,” Dale said as he picked up the cards that his brother dealt. “Jace and I try to make sure that Karen has regular alone time with each of us. It makes our relationship stronger. Jesus, Jace, are you actually dealing from the bottom of the deck?” he asked as he looked at his cards in disgust.
“Quit your bitching and drink your beer, we specifically bought your brand,” Dane ordered, indicating the imported bottle in front of Dale. “You’re such good hosts,” Jace said as he picked up his light beer and took a long sip.
Joshua smiled at his friends’ antics. He had missed this, right up until he looked at his cards. “Damn it, Jace, you are dealing from the bottom of the deck! Dale is right.”
“You can’t prove it. Anyway, do you know how expensive diapers are? All’s fair when you’re raising a baby.”
“That’s bullshit, I’m raising the Kev, too, so why would you be giving me crap cards? You’re just a compulsive cheater,” Dale accused his brother.
They all played their hands, and despite the allegations of cheating, Eric ended up winning the pot. Then it was Dane’s turn to deal. Again, Eric won the pot and then Joshua dealt the cards. Dane got up and brought out pot stickers for everyone to eat. The Johansen brothers always knew how to throw a good poker night. When either Ian or Joshua hosted it was usually just potato chips, Oreos, beer, and nachos.
“So, have you figured out who’s after Olivia?” Jace asked.
“We’ve eliminated another suspect. Now we have it narrowed down to three. After Olivia runs next week’s board meeting, the perp will crawl out of the woodwork and we’ll be able to nail him. But, I’m really worried they’ll make one more try at Olivia.”
“With you and Ian, and Leif and Caleb, they can try, but they won’t succeed,” Eric assured Joshua.
“That’s what I’m counting on. I’m really surprised that your brother decided to retire,” Joshua said, referring to Leif.
“I gotta tell you, my mom was ecstatic,” Eric said.
Protecting Olivia [Fate Harbor 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 20
