Hard Work

by K. M. Scott

  Feeling good, I headed back to my room to find Becca in the shower. I walked in and stripped before sneaking in behind her. She jumped with a start but quickly melted into my arms as I lathered soap onto her gorgeous body.

  “Nice way to give a girl a heart attack,” she said with a smile, gazing up at me as my hands slid over her ass.

  “Can’t have that happening. I don’t want to have to explain this to the local EMTs. If you survived, you’d never be able to show your face in town again. You’d be the shower hussy,” I said with a chuckle as her eyebrows shot up into her forehead.

  Becca took my cock in her hand and began stroking it, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. “Shower hussy? I’ll show you hussy.”

  A few more strokes made me want much more than just her hand, so I kissed her hard and lifted her so I could slide into her tight cunt. Becca grabbed hold of my shoulders and I pushed into her, loving how every inch of her felt.

  “Oh, God,” she moaned. “God, fuck me.”

  Happy to oblige, I gently pressed her back against the white tiles and held her hips tightly before I began to pump into her. Becca loved to take very hot showers, and the hot water continued to hit my shoulder and side, stinging my skin, but I didn’t care.

  All I cared about was burying my cock inside her cunt and making her come. Her fingers slipped from their hold on my shoulder, so she stuffed them into my hair and tugged hard to hold on as every thrust into her inched her closer to release.

  “Oh…Zane…I’m so close…don’t stop. Just a few more…”

  Her voice trailed off, and closing her eyes, she winced as her cunt began to milk my cock through her orgasm and she tugged harder on my hair. The pain dancing across my scalp and a few tight squeezes around my cock pushed me over the edge, and seconds later, I came, exploding into her and filling her up.

  I pressed my forehead to the cool tiles and exhaled, realizing I’d been holding my breath the whole time I made love to her. Becca gently ran her hands over my back as her legs loosened from around my waist.

  “That was incredible. I think I almost passed out,” she said in my ear.

  The hot water pelting my left shoulder suddenly felt like burning coals, and I turned her around to stand under the spray as I lowered her to the tub. Looking down at my skin, I saw a bright red patch.

  “I think I have second-degree burns, but it was worth it.”

  She cradled my face in her hands and stood on her toes to kiss me on the lips before placing a kiss on my shoulder. “All better now.”

  “I’ll leave you to it so I can find some burn ointment,” I said with a chuckle. “See you in a few. Don’t stay too long in that water or your skin is going to turn to leather.”

  * * *

  The weekends had become the most important part of my weeks, and as I sat in the dining room with Becca watching her eat while I finished my own breakfast, I couldn’t help but smile wide. She looked up at me and her cheeks turned red.

  “What? Zane, what? Is there something in my teeth?”

  “No. I’m just very happy.”

  She smiled back and gave me a peck on the cheek as I heard screaming coming from the other end of the dining room. We both turned quickly, and I saw a woman sitting at a corner table decked out in all the jewelry and fur one could imagine and yelling at one of my servers. I waited for a moment, seeing if the girl could handle it, but I saw the tears welling up in her eyes.

  “Are you an idiot?” the woman shouted, causing the entire dining room to stop and notice her.

  She didn’t seem to care and continued barking at the poor girl. “I asked for sweet tea. Sweet tea! This doesn’t have anything in it. This is the second time this week this has happened. What exactly am I paying for if not some decent service and my preferred type of tea? Is it so hard to get it right?”

  I looked at Becca before getting up and walking over to the woman and my server, a girl named Renee who had just started a few weeks earlier. “Hello, ma’am. My name is Zane Gilford, and I’m the owner. What can I do for you today?”

  “You can hire some decent staff who can do more than sticking their thumb up their ass and sing. How hard is it to get some sweet tea here?”

  “Ma’am, I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll be happy to get you some sweet tea. That being said, I can’t have you degrading my staff the way you are.”

  The woman’s eyes opened wide in shock that I’d said that to her. As I stood there waiting for her to apologize, it occurred to me at that moment that just a few short months ago I was the one speaking to my staff like that. Disgust for how rude I’d been made me cringe.

  The garish woman shook her head and cleared her throat. “Excuse me? I can talk to whoever I like however I want. I paid to be here so if you don’t value that…”

  Before she went any further, I needed to show that I’d learned my lesson. “I do value that and I value your patronage, but I value my staff as well. Renee here doesn’t deserve to be berated by you or anyone else in this world. Now let me get that sweet tea for you.”

  I left her fuming and motioned for Renee to follow me as I walked to the server area where two other waitresses stood watching the entire scene.

  She hung her head and began to cry. “I’m sorry, Mr. Gilford. I didn’t mean to mix up the teas. This is all my fault.”

  “Renee, it’s fine. It’s tea. I’ll bring this back to her. Why don’t you take a break and cool down? Ladies, can you cover her tables for her?” I said as I patted Renee on the shoulder.

  She lifted her head and wiped her cheeks stained with mascara from the tears she’d been crying over the obnoxious woman. “I appreciate that Mr. Gilford. Thank you. I’ll just take a walk outside to catch my breath. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  The other servers consoled her and went back into the dining room behind me as I walked the sweet tea over to the woman. The rage came off of her in waves as I set the drink down with a smile.

  “Here you go, ma’am. Is there anything else I can get for you today?”

  “Where did you send that little idiot?” she growled at me, looking around for her victim, clearly not done taking her anger out on the girl.

  I stood looking down at her pretty damn stunned that she wouldn’t let this go. It was just tea, for fuck’s sake.

  “Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you again to mind your tone in my establishment. We don’t tolerate rudeness to the staff here.”

  Her mouth dropped open and she snapped, “You know what? You can get me a refund, you ass. I’m leaving. I won’t spend another night in a place that can’t be run the right way.”

  “As you wish, ma’am. I’ll take care of you at the front desk—”

  She stood up from her chair and threw her napkin down on the table. “Forget it! I only have one night left anyway. Keep my money. I won’t spend another minute here.”

  And with that, the woman stormed out of the dining room. Shrugging, I heard the people at the tables all around the dining room applaud. I smiled and nodded, a little embarrassed that they had to sit through such a show, before taking my seat next to Becca, who was clapping loudest of all.

  “Babe, that was amazing! You put her right in her place,” she said as she planted a kiss on my cheek. “I’m going to be honest,” she whispered. “That was pretty sexy.”

  I grinned and kissed her back. “That’s me. Sexy bed and breakfast owner and soon to be on the receiving end of the world’s worst Yelp review.”

  “Well, I mean it. I thought it was pretty hot.”

  “You know, it hit me that I was that person not too long ago. I can’t believe I ever treated people like that.”

  Becca looked around and gestured to my staff who were all looking at me appreciatively as Renee came back in to continue her shift. “I think they’ve forgiven you for that, Zane. You’ve really changed, and I’m so impressed.”

  “Oh, yeah?” I asked as I leaned over toward her. “Impressed enough to come back
upstairs and waste a little of the day away together?”

  She blushed and pursed her lips. “Aren’t you needed around here, boss man?”

  I swiveled my head back and forth and saw my staff doing a great job handling the guests. “Are you kidding me? These guys have it under control. I can take a little time away.”

  “Not too little time, I hope,” Becca said as she stood and winked at me.

  Following behind her toward the staircase that led to my room, I felt my cock get hard at the promise of being inside her again. As I walked up the stairs, checking out her beautiful ass and gorgeous legs in front of me, I smiled to myself.

  Life was good.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Becca

  Looking forward to another weekend up in Vermont with Zane, I packed up my briefcase and prepared for my drive to what had become my favorite place on earth. Amy came into my office for our end-of-day meeting before I headed out.

  “You going back up there to be with that sexy man again this Fourth of July weekend?” she asked with a sly grin.

  “Yup. It’s my second home now, I suppose. My little retreat with Zane. You aren’t going to call your made up mob boss uncle on us are you?” I teased her.

  She shook her head and chuckled. “Uncle Tony? Not as long as Zane stays as this wonderful guy who obviously is making you happy.”

  I closed my briefcase and looked at her, suddenly realizing that I’d been so wrapped up in work and Zane that I hadn’t even talked to Amy much this past week. “You know, you can come with me if you want. I’m sure Zane wouldn’t mind, and I doubt all the rooms are booked up. It is the slow season.”

  Amy shook her head. “And crash your romantic weekend? I’ll pass. I’ve got plans with a surgeon I met at an art gallery downtown last week. He’s blond, and I know how we feel about blond men. They can’t be trusted, but you’ve given me hope, so I’m testing the waters.”

  Grabbing my bags, I walked around my desk and gave her a hug. “I want to hear all about it on Tuesday when I get back from the holiday off. If there’s a trustworthy blond man out there, you better believe I want the details.”

  “Oh, you will, and in excruciating detail to boot,” she said with a laugh as she waved me off. “Go. I know you’re itching to see Zane. I’ll come up with you at some point, hopefully before you guys end up marrying one another there. Enjoy your Fourth!”

  My cheeks warmed from a blush, and I couldn’t think of a response as she stuck her tongue out at me, so I just rolled my eyes and stepped out into the city and headed towards my car. Before I knew it, the long drive was past me, and Zane stood on the front porch of The Gilford House Inn waiting for me with a smile.

  He took my bags and kissed me softly on the lips. “I’m glad you’re back. It was a hell of a week here without you.”

  Not only was he kind and attentive, but he also seemed to really be loving the inn too. I hadn’t said a word to him about it, but I hoped that he’d decide to keep it after the year ended. I loved it there, and although I hadn’t committed to a life with him or anything like that, I wouldn’t have minded one bit spending the rest of my days in that cozy escape in the Vermont mountains.

  The town the inn sat above showed off its patriotism for the Fourth of July holiday with flags and red, white, and blue bunting on nearly every front porch on Main Street. We watched the annual Independence Day parade standing on the cobblestone sidewalk and the smell of barbecue hung thick in the air. I’d never celebrated the Fourth in a small town like this, and on our walk back up to the inn, we bought ice cream cones at Double Dips, the ice cream parlor owned by the twin sisters Jenna and Kenna Samuels.

  When we arrived back at the inn, Zane directed me away from the house and toward the woods. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “What is it?” I asked impatiently as we walked to a spot set up with a picnic for two in an area surrounded by trees.

  He stopped and held out his hand. “I just want to tell you how much I love when you’re here.”

  We sat down on a blanket on the ground, and he poured me a glass of wine. Taking it, I said, “Zane, I can’t even explain how wonderful these last few months have been.”

  “You don’t need to. I feel the same way.”

  Looking at the gorgeous scenery around me, I turned toward him and saw the man who had really become the world to me. “It’s been like a dream. The whole week in the city I’m just waiting to come back here.”

  Zane smiled and clinked his glass to mine. “How is the Mafioso doing?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “I still can’t believe you fell for that. You do realize that just because someone in New York has an Italian name doesn’t mean they’re in the mob, right?”

  He shrugged and chuckled. “Of course, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t. You can’t be too careful in this world, Becca. Besides, she was very convincing.”

  We ate and drank in that grove until the sun began to go down, leaving a trail of orange and red across the sky as it settled behind the mountains. Leaning over, Zane whispered, “I love spending all this time with you. I do.”

  “I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be,” I said as I sat wrapped in his arms. “I wish I could stay here forever.”

  It felt more right than ever before between the two of us. Even the time we spent together in California hadn’t felt as perfect as now. We remained there as night fell until mosquitos chased us back to the inn.

  Rushing through the front door, we headed toward the stairs. “Keep an eye on everything for me, will you, Mandy?” he called to the front desk clerk as I giggled and he chased me up the stairs to our room.

  “Aye aye, captain!” I heard her call back as I hit the first stair landing.

  Zane might not have realized it, but it warmed my heart to hear the staff be so fond of him. Mandy and I had talked the weekend before, and from what she told me, Zane had turned into the best kind of boss and a totally different man. She’d been practically glowing when she described his behavior.

  Three other staff members had rushed over to confirm what she was telling me, going on and on about how he not only had become a great boss but had even started taking an interest in their opinions on how to make the inn even better. Best of all, they had all compared him to his mother, something I knew wouldn’t have come lightly for a staff that had adored her.

  He came into the room and closed the door. Alone with him, I smiled and took his face in my hands as I kissed him. “It’s so great to see you getting along with the staff. I almost don’t even recognize this new man you’ve become, Zane.”

  Arching his eyebrow, he grinned. “Oh, yeah? I hope not all of me is unrecognizable,” he said before bending down and kissing my neck.

  I slid my hand down over his muscular abs and dipped my fingertip beneath his pants to tease the tip of his cock. “I think some parts are still very familiar.”

  Zane tilted his head back and groaned low and deep, making his Adam’s Apple bob up and down. “Damn, woman. You’re driving me crazy.”

  “I think you’re due for a reward for being such a great boss,” I said, unzipping his pants and palming his hard cock.

  He looked down at me as I lowered myself to my knees. “Oh yeah? I think you might be right.”

  Licking my lips, I grinned. “Good.”

  He gripped his cock at the base and fed it into my mouth, taking command of our sex like I loved. It was thick and hard, but I took every delicious inch in until the swollen head grazed the back of my throat. I didn’t try to go faster than the pace he set as he pushed his hips forward slowly and then pulled back, easing out of my mouth.

  The whole act made me run wet with desire for him, and with my free hand, I rubbed my clit through my shorts. My eyes closed, I let myself get lost in the eroticism of him fucking my mouth while I masturbated until I heard him moan, “Uh-uh.”

  I opened my eyes and saw him shaking his head. Moving my head so his cock popped out, I aske
d, “What?”

  “No playing with yourself. That should be mine.”

  “Then come down here and take it,” I said with a smile.

  Without saying another word, he lifted me up onto my feet and stripped me out of my clothes. Then he ripped off my panties, startling me.

  “Zane! What are you doing?”

  He picked me up into his arms and carried me to the bed. “Taking my reward. Lie down.”

  I did as he ordered and watched as he stepped out of his pants, not even bothering to take off his shirt before he plunged into me with a single hard thrust. He slowly lowered himself down on top of me, whispering, “God, Becca. You feel so good.”

  How I adored this man who had claimed my heart so long ago that summer in California! Now that he’d changed to show the rest of the world how incredible he could be, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

  “I love you, Zane. I always have,” I whispered in his ear as my body raced toward release.

  In my ear, he said in a husky voice the words that made me happier than I’d ever been before. “I love you, Becca.”

  He made love to me like he did so long ago, in a way that thrilled me and made me feel adored at the same time. I came and then he did moments later, and we lay there in each other’s arms, completely satisfied and in no hurry to get back to the rest of the world as fireworks began to explode outside.

  This room was our sanctuary. Here, we were just Zane and Becca, two people who had found each other, lost one another, and found each other again.

  * * *

  By all definitions, things had become perfect between us. I loved him and he loved me, and I looked forward to what we were building together. Neither one of us had mentioned plans for the future, but we sure acted like we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.