Free Falling

by Lisa Gerkey

Our mood’s changed since we were in the truck earlier. Kennedy and I are quiet, thinking about Lindsey. I pray it’s all a misunderstanding and we find her back at home.

  Ms. Hawthorne is surprised when she finds us standing on her porch a second time.

  “Ma’am, I’m so sorry to keep bothering you, but we checked with Lucas. He hasn’t seen Lindsey in over a week.”

  “She’s seemed different after she started spending time with him. I thought he might be good for her, but perhaps… You don’t think he’s done something to her?”

  “No! No, not at all. He’s just as concerned as the rest of us. My name is Josh Maddox. I grew up around here…well, on the other side of the county.”

  “Maddox? Maggie is married to Clayton…”

  “He’s my father. She mentioned she had a daughter named Lindsey. I…suspected it could be the same one?” It comes out more as a question.

  “Maggie and Clayton have quite the history. It was terrible what my daughter did, keeping him away from Lindsey. It wasn’t my place to meddle in anyone’s business, but I always wondered what Lindsey’s life would’ve been like if she’d known…”

  “Whoa! What the hell are you talking about?”

  “He wasn’t really capable of being a father, even to you boys, but from what I hear, but he’s turned his life around now. He was a good man until that crazy Paula got ahold of him. Never drank a drop until he got with her and she ruined his life the way she did. I’m afraid things won’t turn out much better for him with my Maggie. She’s my daughter, but…”

  I forget Kennedy’s beside me until I feel her rubbing circles against my lower back. I’m blown away by the news Mrs. Hawthorne’s just thrown on me.

  “Does…does my dad know?”

  “He knows. Maggie and your dad were off and on a lot through the years. Maggie has her issues… She had a lot of dreams growing up. They didn’t come true, so she tried to lived them again through her daughter. She pushed Lindsey from the day she was born to be beautiful, and tried to draw attention to her all the time. She made her compete in pageants and talent shows. Lindsey hated it. Especially when she got older. I hated it too, but Maggie was her mother. I was afraid she’d take Lindsey away from me if I stood in her way. Those damn pageants are how those awful Phoenix men found Lindsey. Malcolm decided he wanted her, so he sent his nephew to get her. I don’t know. Sometimes I think Lindsey might be a little like her mother. Maybe she went along with everything. She sure was determined to see that damn Phoenix boy when he lived down the road…”

  I don’t know what to say. I shuffle my feet, and then I turn to walk off the porch, leaving Kennedy to take care of the parting words. Ms. Hawthorne doesn’t look too healthy. We probably shouldn’t leave her alone, but I have things to take care of. Important things. Like, find Lindsey…my sister. Maybe have a chat with my father.

  Sister. Jeff and I have a sister.

  When I get in my truck, I send Jeff a text message, telling him he needs to come to Kentucky. Life or death. If Phoenix has Lindsey, I know we stand a good chance of never getting to know our sister. She’s family. Blood. We need to find her before it’s too late.

  “Are you okay, Josh? That was a lot to hear. I can’t imagine having a brother or sister out there somewhere and not knowing.”

  “I’m not sure what I feel. I’m stunned, I guess. And, worried. In all likelihood, something must have happened when Lindsey went to see Lucas. It’s strange—before when everyone talked about Lindsey, she was…she was just another victim of Phoenix’s, and now? Shit. Yeah, it’s a lot to take in, but I’m okay. I’m more than okay with you by my side, baby. We’ll find her.”

  When we get to Dad’s house, Maggie’s putting dinner on the table. I pull out a chair so Kennedy can sit down, and then I take the seat beside her. We dish food on our plate, fried pork chops, potatoes and steamed carrots. Before I drop a bomb on Dad and Maggie, I wait until we’re all finished eating, and then I get straight to the point. No point in pussyfooting around with anything.

  “Dad, Maggie—Kennedy and I went to the Hawthorne’s today. It seems Lindsey is missing. It also appears that someone forgot to mention she’s mine and Jeff’s sister. You’ve had…I don’t know, twenty-six years or so to tell us!”

  “Son, listen…I told you there was a story... We weren’t hiding anything from you on purpose. It’s just never seemed like the right time to talk about it.”

  “I guess it’s the right time now, huh? Although, I don’t think there’s much you can tell me. The past isn’t going to help us now. We need to find her, Dad. Her grandmother thought she was at a neighbor’s house, but she didn’t show up there.”

  Kennedy’s phone buzzes. “It’s Jaycee. I’ll take it in living room while you all talk.”

  “Lindsey’s grandma says you have a rocky relationship with your daughter?” I turn to Maggie. Dad grunts. I’m sure he isn’t happy I want to question his wife’s past with their daughter. Let bygones be bygones and all.

  Not until I hear what Maggie has to say.

  “I’m not perfect, but who is? I only wanted what was best for my Lindsey! All a woman has going for her is her looks. I wanted Lindsey to take those things seriously. No one takes you seriously if you look like a slob.”

  Damn. I can’t imagine what it must have been like growing up with her.

  “Did you have a relationship with her? From the way it sounds, she’s closer to her grandmother.”

  “I did the best I could. Don’t let Cora fool you. She’s no saint either. I grew up listening to her tell me every day how I’d never amount to anything.”

  Maggie gets up and starts clearing the dishes from the table. Dad isn’t saying anything. He can’t be too happy with the way she talks about Lindsey—calling their child a slob. Who the hell does that? There must be another side of Maggie only he can see because I can’t figure out why the hell he even wants her.

  Kennedy returns to the kitchen. “Grant and Jon are coming tomorrow morning to start looking for Lindsey. Grant talked to Lucas and gave him our numbers so he can get in touch with us if Lindsey shows up. We should probably try to rest. Jaycee says things will be crazy for a while. I wish she could be here, but Grant wants her to stay in Nashville. He doesn’t want to take the chance that Jayson might hurt her or the baby.”

  “We can’t be a hundred percent sure Jayson is even here, babe. I know it seems likely, but what if Lindsey just needed to get away? She was having some problems with Lucas. She wouldn’t be the first woman to run away from something like that, you know?”

  It’s too early to sleep. I’m so wound up for the day’s events I know I won’t rest anyway. I get up from the table. Dad and Maggie are in the room, but I don’t let that stop me from putting both arms around Kennedy and kissing her forehead. “Let’s get out of here for the night. We’ll keep our phones turned on loud so we can hear if someone tries to reach us.”

  I get us checked into the hotel, and we get settled in our room. It worries me a little when Kennedy tells me she wants to run next door to the shopping strip to grab a few things. I want to trust her, but the whole time she’s gone, it’s in the back of my mind she could be trying to score drugs. I’m relieved when about an hour later she comes through the door with a handful of shopping bags.

  “What’s all that, babe?”

  “I thought we could use some fresh clothes and necessities. I don’t shop much. It’s been a while since I went out and did something like this. Humor me a little, Josh. It feels good being…responsible. I promise if I get the urge to find drugs again, I’ll tell you.”

  She pulls stuff from the bags. We have a bag of clothes already with us, but I don’t argue. She needs to feel useful right now.

  “I was worried about you, baby. You can’t blame me for that. And, for the record, we don’t need clothes tonight. That’s why I got us a room. We could’ve stayed at Dad’s, but I wanted you alone.”

  Kennedy looks at me. She opens her mouth to s
ay something, but stops. Her cheeks turn rosy. I can’t help but chuckle.

  “Say it. You were going to say something, Kennedy. What was it?” I get up from where I’ve been laid out on the bed for the past hour, and stalk toward my girl, playfully. “Tell me.”

  “No. I can’t.”

  I grab her arm to stop her when she tries to turn away from me. “Nu uh, no running from me now, baby. Tell me the dirty thoughts you’re having. It’s written all over your gorgeous face. If you don’t tell me, I’m going to tickle it out of you.”

  She giggles when I grab her around the waist and pick her up. Instead of taking her to the bed, I take us both to the floor and straddle her. I pin her arms above her head with one hand, and use the other to tickle her ribs. Kennedy’s so fucking beautiful when she tosses her head from side to side and giggles. My cock grows unbelievably hard…unbelievably fast. Well, not that quick, since I carry a semi around anytime I’m near her.

  “Stop. Stop. Josh. This isn’t funny. It tickles.”

  “No shit, doll. So start talking.” I tickle her again, but I surprise us both when I move my hand under her shirt and cup her breast in my palm. Her giggling turns into a weak moan. I let go of her arms and strip the shirt over her head leaving her bare from waist up. “You have perfect tits. You know that? Look at the way they fit my hand.”

  To demonstrate what I just said, I cup them both. “You know why they’re perfect, Kennedy?” I reach up and undo my jeans and fist my cock. “Because, baby, I can do this.” Her mouth falls opens slightly when I rub my tip around one taut nipple and then the other. And, I can do this. I put my cock between the two mounds and push them together. Slowly, I slide back and forth. I’m torturing myself. Every time the crown reaches just below her lips, I want to move another inch and end the agony. “I can do this until I come all over these perfect tits, and then you can go to bed and go to sleep… Because I don’t think I’m going to let you come tonight if you don’t tell me the dirty thoughts swirling around in that pretty little head of yours.”

  “Fuck you, Josh.” She fails miserably pretending she’s mad. She’s too turned on to let anger ruin anything right now. “Fine. I was thinking…when you threatened to spank me. You said if I kept apologizing…”

  “Good girl. Thank you for telling me.” I slide off her and unfasten her pants and slide them down along with her panties. “Raise your ass up a little.” She lifts her hips so I can get everything off and look at her.

  I run my hand over her body from under her neck to just above her pussy. I pick her legs up and spread them apart so I can see all of her. Then, I run both hands up to the insides of her thighs. I trace the line between her thighs and pussy with my thumbs and spread her open without touching her where she wants it the most. I massage up and down her legs and repeat the same process a few times to warm her skin. I want her so turned on, she almost can’t handle it. “Flip over for me. Get on your knees, but keep your chest on the floor.”

  I stand up to shuck my jeans and shirt quickly before I drop back down to the floor behind her, both of us naked. I start with her shoulders and massage her back, and down to her ass where I knead her cheeks and spread them apart. I tease around her pussy with my thumbs, but I don’t touch her there yet. I want to build it up until she can’t take it anymore. We’re alone in this hotel room. I want to hear her scream my name before I’m done with her tonight.

  “Remember, baby girl, you can always tell me to stop. Okay?”

  “I’m okay, Josh. I don’t want to stop.”

  I slap each side of her ass gently before I gradually get harder. Each time my hand comes down, I hit a different spot. “Is this what you want, Kennedy?”

  “Yes! I can’t explain it. The heat…it spreads everywhere. Please, I need you to touch me.”

  I slap her ass again and again. “Where? Where should I touch you?”

  “There! Everywhere! Just, please. It hurts. It hurts how much I want you right now.”

  Condom. Condom. I have to remind myself. I’m a fraction away from putting my cock inside her when I remember to grab the condom from my wallet. I get it on in record time. I’ve done nothing to prep her pussy for the intrusion, so when I begin to enter her hard and fast, I’m slowed down by her resistance. My eyes roll back in my head as I fight to keep from coming and embarrassing the hell out of myself. “Goddamn, you’re so tight. Is everything okay? I’m not hurting you?” I push until I’m buried to the hilt inside her. She so wet it trickles down my balls.

  “Just fucking fuck me, Josh!”

  She rocks her ass back to meet every thrust. I watch as I drive in and out.

  “I love this connection with you, Kennedy.” I thrust in hard, deep.

  “Fuck!” Kennedy shouts.

  “I can feel your pussy spasm around my cock, baby. It feels unbelievable. You’re so close. Tell me your close, Kennedy.”

  “Fuck! Josh, I’m so close.” Kennedy shouts and whimpers all in the same breath.

  I slow the pace down. I pull out and slip back in so slowly. I want her to feel all of me when I rub against her g-spot. I shift the angle slightly each time I repeat the process until her whole body shakes. There’s no rhyme or reason to anything she’s saying. She moans loudly and then she wails my name. I reach up and take a handful of her hair and pick the pace up, fucking her hard and fast while she comes. After she rides it all out, I pull out and flip her over to her back. She cups her tits and rolls her nipples between her fingers; she’s still riding the high.

  I spread her legs and drive home again. I could die a happy man all wrapped up in her delicate heat. I reach a hand up and wrap it around her throat while I look deep into her eyes. I need to make sure she’s listening. I want her to hear every word clearly and understand I mean what I say. “I love you, Kennedy Powell.”

  She whimpers and moves her hand down to circle her clit with her fingertip. I apply a little pressure with the hand that’s on her neck. “You going to come for me again? I think you can. Come on, baby, let’s go together this time.” I dip my head down and take her nipple between my teeth and bite gently. She grabs both hands full of my hair. It’s hard to tell where I end and she begins. She screams, and I shout as I pull her as close as I can when we both come.

  Minutes pass before I’m able to lift myself off her and look into her eyes. Sex always makes her emotional. Even when there’s no BDSM involved, she requires aftercare. I go to the bathroom and take care of the condom. When I return, Kennedy’s moved from the floor to the bed.

  “You okay?”

  “I…I love you, too, Josh. I do. I love you. You take me to another world when you make love to me. I wish we could stay in that world. I don’t want to deal with the stuff we got waiting for us out there, but we got to deal with it, don’t we? You have a baby on the way with someone else, and it’s selfish for me to say this, but please, please, don’t leave me, Josh.”

  It’s like music to my ears hearing Kennedy say she loves me. Looking into her eyes, I know she means every word.

  “I won’t leave you. I’ll never leave you, baby. Let me hold you while we sleep. We got a busy day coming up tomorrow. We need to rest. For the record, you and I together are out of this world. Heights have always amused me. I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to free fall…not because I have some crazy death wish or anything. Doesn’t matter. Now I know what it feels like. It feels like falling in love with you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Kennedy

  Josh is in the shower when someone knocks on our hotel room door. It’s before eight o’clock in the morning. We didn’t order room service, so I’m a little nervous opening the door. I remember the night I knocked on my sister’s door and how that turned out. We were both kidnapped by her deranged ex-husband. Jayson Phoenix is twice the crazy bastard David was.

  I ease the door open to find my brother-in-law on the other side.

  “Grant. Come in.” I look around before I close the door to make
sure he’s alone.

  “Josh here?”

  “Yeah, he’s in the shower. Should be out any minute. Any news about Lindsey?”

  “Before we talk about Lindsey, tell me how you’re doing. I take it things are going well with Josh.”

  “I have moments when all I want to do is run out and find drugs, but I think I’ll be okay. Josh. He’s…he’s everything. I just…”

  “You just what? You can talk to me. I’m not your sister, but Jaycee is. That kind of makes me your big brother.”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’m worried Josh is eventually going to leave me for Staci.”

  “Don’t worry about Staci. I’m not supposed to say anything. In fact, I’m very strict on the club’s rules, but I can tell you, I don’t think she’s waiting around for Josh to come back. She’s had other company recently.”

  Grant looks up and smirks when we hear Josh enter the room. I turn around and there he is in all his glory. Well, not all. He has a white towel wrapped around his middle. His hair is dripping wet, little beads of water run down his chest.

  “Damn, you move fast, don’t you, man?” Grant taunts Josh with a friendly, teasing smirk on his face. There’s some history between these two, but I think mostly they have fun getting under one another’s skin.

  “I get it, Grant. It’s payback for the shit I said to you and Jaycee. Go ahead and have your fun. I’m not a damn bit ashamed to admit I’m in love with Kennedy. It’s been rough, and more tough times are ahead of us, but I’m not going anywhere. May as well get used to it. Since you’re married to her sister, looks like you and I could be family one day.”

  Grant huffs a little when Josh moves closer and slaps him on the shoulder. I can’t keep my eyes from traveling south. My boyfriend is so fucking hot.

  “What are you blushing about, doll? You know all this handsomeness belongs to you, right?” My face heats even more. Josh slaps me on the ass before he goes to rummage through the bags of clothes I bought last night.

  Grant looks up from his phone. “What? Don’t worry about me. I’m just texting my wife, letting her know there’s another wedding in the future.”