Beside the Brook

by Paulette Rae

  They left early on Saturday morning. Kirsten helped Sarah pack an overnight bag and they climbed into Beth’s vehicle.

  She drove slowly, still very weary of the dirt roads, but thankful they had all four wheels controlling their direction.

  They stopped a couple of times. Sarah felt a little queasy, so Kirsten chatted, trying to keep her mind off the road.

  When they got to the motel, Jamie was sitting outside their room. He shaded one hand over his eyes and smiled as they approached. He seemed completely relaxed in blue jeans, one ankle crossed and clasped in his right hand on his other knee.

  “Dad, I’m going to school,” Sarah gushed as she ran into his arms.

  “Really kitten?” Jamie hugged her and lifted her onto his lap.

  “Ah-huh.” Sarah nodded. “Grammy said I could go once a week.”

  Jamie smiled and looked up at Kirsten. He squinted into the bright mid morning sun, and Kirsten stepped forward, throwing a long shadow over his face.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  “You’re welcome,” she smiled. “What a great day.”

  “I ordered it specially.” He looked at Sarah and winked.

  “Dad, you did not,” Sarah replied seriously.

  “So, what’s this I hear about school?” Jamie asked, looking back at Kirsten. “Don’t tell me you actually talked Beth into letting her go?”

  Kirsten grinned. “Well, once a week for a start. But hey, it’s a good start.”

  “She must be getting soft in her old age.”

  “Oh, you don’t think it has anything to do with my crafty reasoning?” Kirsten mocked.

  “Maybe. Or maybe it’s that fiery tongue of yours.” Jamie looked down at Sarah, who giggled.

  Kirsten put both hands on her hips. “Ah, that’s the pot calling the kettle black isn’t it?” She smiled. It seemed Mr. Congeniality had returned, hopefully for the duration of their stay.

  Jamie lifted Sarah from his lap, setting her down on her feet. “Shall I get your bags?”

  He brought their bags from the car and took them into the room. The motel was a pleasant, relatively new building, with simply furnished rooms. There was a tiny kitchenette with a microwave and electric jug, then a large lounge. Off from this there were two bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with two singles. Between the two bedrooms was a small bathroom, with a shower, basin and toilet. Sarah quickly scrambled into the bathroom, picking up all the little bottles of shampoo and packets of soap.

  “I’ll put myself and Sarah in the single beds, you can have the double.”

  “Oh, no, I can go in with Sarah,” Kirsten said with haste. “I don’t mind.”

  “Yay, I get to sleep with dad,” Sarah shouted from the bathroom. Jamie grinned. “I guess she just decided for you.”

  * * * *

  After they had settled in Jamie took them into town for lunch. Blenheim was a sleepy little town, with all the main stores Christchurch had, but on a much smaller scale. They had one movie theatre where Christchurch had several multiplex cinemas, two jewelers, where Kirsten was used to seeing two or three in every mall. There were two supermarkets, which Kirsten made a mental note of so she could return for the things Craig had requested.

  “You’ll be a good girl for Kirsten won’t you?” Jamie asked as he got ready to leave later in the day. The wedding was at three o’clock and he had to make sure he was at the church well before the bride.

  Sarah smiled and nodded as she touched her fathers tie. “Dad, you look so handsome.”

  “Do I?” Jamie stood up and looked at Kirsten for confirmation. She had been thinking the same thing, well before Sarah said it. He had showered and dressed in a charcoal suit, his pants pressed and falling in neat lines against his muscular frame.

  “Yes, you do,” Kirsten felt her cheeks heat.

  Jamie smiled as he picked up his camera cases. “I should be home around nine. Normally the bride doesn’t want anymore photos once she starts slurring her words.”

  Kirsten laughed. “We might catch a movie or something, eh Sarah?”

  Sarah clapped her hands with delight. “Yes please!”

  Jamie took his wallet from his inside jacket pocket and pulled out several crisp notes.

  “Why don’t you get something nice for tea? I bet you’ve been missing takeaways?” He grinned.

  “No.” Kirsten pushed his hand away. “That will be my treat.”

  “Are you sure? I feel guilty asking you here and then having you pay for Sarah.”

  “Nonsense,” Kirsten scoffed. “I told you I’d do it if it wasn’t considered work, and I meant it.”

  “Okay,” Jamie seemed unsure, but he put the money away. “I’ll have to think of some other way to thank you.”

  Kirsten studied him carefully. Just what had he meant by that? His eyes twinkled and a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

  Kirsten watched him as he left. There was a tension between them she knew he also felt.

  To take her mind off it she took Sarah into town, and they ate popcorn in the movie theatre while they watched a Disney movie. Afterwards they purchased a huge bucket of greasy chicken and took it back to the motel.

  Sarah fell asleep on the couch shortly after nine o’clock. She had been determined to stay awake until Jamie returned, but had been unable to keep her eyes open. Kirsten left her there for Jamie to carry to the bedroom. She looked so sweet in the light of the television, her eyes relaxed in sleep, her mouth slack and open. Kirsten heard Jamie’s vehicle just before ten o’clock and crept to the door to let him in. She waited until she saw the headlights disappear then pulled the door open. Jamie climbed from the car, carrying a large bottle of champagne. He grinned as he approached. His jacket was unbuttoned and thrown open, his tie and shirt loose around his neck.

  “Perks of the job,” he said as he closed the door behind him.

  “I have another job for you.” Kirsten smiled as she pointed to the couch. “Someone needs to go to bed.”

  “Oh,” Jamie handed Kirsten the wine and then scooped Sarah up into his arms. She stirred and moaned.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said in a tiny sleepy voice.

  “Hi, Baby.” Jamie kissed her on the forehead. “Did you have a good night?”

  Sarah smiled as if she were having a wonderful dream. “Yeah. Can we go to the duck park tomorrow dad?”

  “Yes we can.” They disappeared into the bedroom and Kirsty took the bottle of bubbles into the kitchen. There were no champagne flutes in the cupboard, but she found two glass tumblers and set them on the counter. Jamie returned to the lounge, took off his shoes and socks then walked in bare feet across the oatmeal coloured carpet to the kitchen.

  Kirsten handed him back the bottle. “How was the wedding?”

  Jamie’s face was expressionless as he pierced the gold foil around the top of the bottle and unwound the wire holding the plastic cork in place.

  “It was a wedding.”

  Kirsten smiled. “Typical male response. Was the bride beautiful?”

  Jamie smirked and shrugged. “I guess.” He put his thumbs either side of the cork and pushed until it gave a loud pop. It flew across the kitchen, deflected against a top cupboard and bounced onto the floor. Kirsten put her hands over her head for protection.

  Jamie laughed and poured the fizzing liquid into the two glasses Kirsten had produced.

  “You guess?” Kirsten smiled. “What kind of dress did she have?”

  Jamie moved around to her side of the counter, looking annoyed by her questions.

  “You women are all the same. You don’t even know this person, but when it comes to weddings you go all gushy.”

  “Of course.” Kirsten grinned.

  Jamie stared down at her with an intensity that seemed to burn her skin.

  “To tell the truth I was preoccupied.”

  Kirsten swallowed. There was that tension between them again, so thick in the air she could have cut it with a knife. Something wa
s happening between them and Jamie was letting it happen; making it happen. “Taking photos?”

  “Ah-huh, that and-,” he paused, his eyes moving to her mouth. “This.” He bent over and covered her mouth with his own. Kirsten closed her eyes and leaned in to him; let the feel of his kiss seep through her veins. Their glasses clinked as he looped his free arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him. His tongue pushed her lips open with an urgency she quickly responded to.

  When the kiss was over he straightened again and looked down at her. “I’m sorry, but I really wanted to do that, before I started drinking.”

  “Wow.” Kirsten breathed out slowly, not sure where to look. Jamie laughed then took a sip of his wine. “Say something.”

  Kirsten smiled and stared back at Jamie. “You never cease to amaze me. I’m never lost for words. But you have this habit of catching me off guard at every opportunity.”

  “Is that such a bad thing?”

  “I’m not sure.” Kirsten took a generous gulp of wine. The bubbles went straight to her nose and she screwed up her face in protest. “Why did you want to do that before you had something to drink, might I ask?”

  Jamie put his glass on the bench and lifted his hand to her face, bringing her gaze back to his. “Because I didn’t want you to think I had to be under the influence to make the first move.”

  “You are such a mystery Jamie Grainger. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure you out,”

  Kirsten sighed.

  “Does that mean I haven’t scared you off?” He grinned.

  “It would take a lot more than that to scare me off,” Kirsten smiled.

  “Oh, is that a challenge?” Jamie raised his eyebrows.

  “You take it how you want,” Kirsten whispered.

  Jamie lowered his head and Kirsten closed her eyes as he murmured against her lips,

  “Okay, I will.”

  She moaned as he pushed her back against the bench and his mouth moved over hers with blatant desire. His hands were in her hair; pulling at the scrunchy she had keeping her ponytail in place. The smell of him wafted around her, enveloped her, making her giddy, as his mouth, insistent against hers continued. He lowered his hand from her waist and grabbed hold of her bottom, and she arched her back against him, whined in surprise at the feel of his hands holding her so tight. With both hands he lifted her up onto the bench top, and she fumbled with her wine before it spilled. Settling the glass onto the counter, she wrapped both arms around his neck as he pushed himself between her legs, still kissing her all the while. Then he moved to her neck, kissed his way down to the edge of her shirt, moved back up to slide his tongue around the rim of her ear. She gasped with pleasure and pushed her head back, as her hands pulled him by the neck toward her.

  “God, I’ve wanted to do this since the first time I saw you,” Jamie murmured as he buried his head in the crook of her neck. She found his hand and laced their fingers together.

  “You mean when you thought I was Tyler’s bimbo girlfriend?” she smiled. Jamie laughed softly. “That didn’t stop me from wanting you.” He lifted his head and looked at her. “With your wild hair and fiery eyes.”

  “Oh, is that what it is?” she taunted. “You think you can tame me?”

  He laughed and his lips glistened in the pale light from the kitchen halogens. “Why would I want to change you?”

  Kirsten shimmied her weight to the edge of the bench and spliced her ankles together behind his back. Then she pulled his tie from under his collar and discarded it onto the counter.

  “Seriously,” she asked, “are you sure you want to do this?”

  Jamie smiled. “Why do you think I kissed you before the wine came out? I don’t want this to be a drunken encounter Kirsty.” He lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I can’t promise anything beyond this, but right now I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.”

  It was enough for Kirsten. She carefully unbuttoned his shirt and slipped her hands inside against his skin. He had a small spattering of golden hairs on his chest and she moved her hands under his arms and over his shoulders, gripping him so their bodies were pressed together.

  Jamie groaned and his breath quickened as he kissed her hungrily. She could feel his heart beneath his chest, beating wildly, and it fueled her own desire. In one swift movement Jamie lifted her off the bench and swung her around, taking her through the lounge and into the main bedroom.

  “Are you sure Sarah’s asleep?” Kirsten asked.

  “She’s out like a light. You saw her.”

  “Okay.” Kirsten accepted as Jamie lowered her to the ground, placed her on the floor with her back to the bed. She pushed his jacket from his shoulders and threw it onto the mattress behind her.

  Jamie found the buttons on Kirsten’s shirt, his big fingers fumbled nervously as he undid them one by one. Then he slipped it off her shoulders, kissed her neck and cupped her breast with one hand. She reached behind her back and plucked her bra strap open, and Jamie raked it from her chest. He pushed her back onto the bed and she wriggled her way up to the pillows, watched him crawl onto the bed after her. The bulge in his trousers was evidence of his desire and he loosened them quickly, kicked them to the floor then straddled her in his open shirt and underwear. His lips moved over her nipples and they hardened as a heat rose in her belly with involuntary force. She arched her back and sighed against him. His warm hands were on her waist, cupping her breast, tugging at her neck, as he covered every inch of her with his mouth. Warm and wet, his mouth moved fervently over hers and she pushed her tongue between his lips, fingernails dug into his shoulders as she pulled him down to her. His fingers found the dome on her jeans and he popped it without hesitation, unzipped and pulled them from her legs before he cast them across the room. A handful of coins jangled from the pockets and rolled onto the floor, hitting the wall like metal confetti.

  “Oops.” Jamie smiled.

  Kirsten giggled. “The cleaners will have fun with that tomorrow.”

  “Ah-huh,” Jamie murmured as he kissed her again.

  Kirsten wrapped her arms around his back, slid her fingers down the length of his torso and felt the curve of his spine disappear into the soft mound of his fleshy buttocks. She felt him tense beneath her hands as she tugged at the elastic of his cotton boxers and slid them gently down around his thighs. She dropped one hand to his front and cupped him into her palm. Jamie groaned as he pushed his upper body upright to remove his shirt and dangling underwear. He knelt over her, now naked, his body bronze in the dim light which emanated through the door from the television. She looked down at her own porcelain skin, her legs held firmly between his own as he hovered over her. He bent again and took one of her nipples between his teeth, teasing it to a hard peak, his hand

  manipulating the other breast until she cried out. The heat in her groin rose again, making her squirm beneath him, and he slid one hand into her knickers, pushed the soft cloth aside. His fingers found her already wet inside. He lifted his leg and pushed one knee between her trembling limbs, slipped his finger gently inside her. She gasped and arched her back as her breast pulsed up into his waiting mouth. He teased her nipple with his tongue as his fingers slid in and out of her, bringing her pleasure to a crescendo she could not return from.

  Kirsten raked her fingers through her own hair. Sweat beaded her forehead as she writhed beneath him, her pelvis rising and falling with the timing of his hands between her legs.

  Her body quivered as she whispered, “I want you inside me.”

  Jamie moved back to her face, watching her with eyes she had never seen so alive before. He smiled, but his hand continued to work her seductively. His hair, tousled and damp at the temples hung down and framed his face with soft shadows. She looked down at him, he was so hard and ready, her pleasure bringing him to his own. She put her hand down to take off her underwear, but he held her fast, so instead she took his erection into her hand and gripped it tightly. Jamie moaned, closed his eyes
, lowered his head and kissed her, his breath coming in short gasps. She softened her grip and massaged his shaft gently. All her senses seemed to collide into one, muted and melded into a completely new sensation that was all Jamie.

  “God, you’re so wet,” Jamie murmured in her ear.

  She moaned, “Take me, Jamie.”

  “I love the way my name sounds on your lips.” He traced the outline of her mouth with one finger, while the other hand pushed her clinging knickers from her body.

  “Jamie,” she whispered against his fingertips.

  He answered her by pushing himself between her legs, and as he entered her she cried out. He was so firm and full. He pulsed into her then withdrew slowly, teasing her with every movement.

  She threw her arms out to either side of her, clutching at the blankets as she pushed her head back into the pillow. As he slid himself inside her again she moaned and grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him back down to her. Her lips found his neck and she grazed her teeth over the muscular flesh between his neck and shoulder. He quickly withdrew and entered her again, the pressure of her teeth increasing with his own mounting urgency. They moved together, settling into a slow rhythm of pulsating pleasure.

  She could feel his excitement rising, their bodies moving autonomously, steaming together in corresponding harmony. He shifted his weight and moved his mouth down over hers. She felt him reach the point of no return and she tilted her pelvis up, letting her muscles contract around him as he climaxed. She closed her eyes and felt him quiver then relax against her. The only sound was their breathing, short and laboured, his heart throbbing against her through his gleaming chest. When their breathing had slowed he lifted his head and kissed her, letting his tongue fall into her mouth with soft expectation, as if they had come full circle. Kirsten sighed and smiled. “You’ll have to watch yourself. I’m beginning to think you’re not as cranky as you make out to be.”