Steel stroked her hair, cupped the back of her neck protectively. He could feel the slow thumping of her heart against his chest. Damn it, Aja, he thought. I wish you would just tell me.
“Come,” he told her. “Let’s walk.”
“It’s cold,” she whispered, hesitating.
“Bring a blanket,” he replied. “I’ll warm you up.”
She ducked back in the house and emerged with a thick acrylic throw. Steel wrapped it around her shoulders. Then they walked.
In the middle of the pasture that separated their properties, Steel took the blanket from Aja and laid it down. Then he lifted her up- she gave a surprised gasp- and laid her out in the middle of it. In the darkness her eyes looked big as silver dollars. She stared up at him until he knelt in front of her and drew the bottom of her slip over her creamy dark thighs.
Steel could see she was already wet. She was wet for him. He ducked his head to the secret place inside her, tongued her until he unlocked the moisture within her. He tasted and sipped and lapped at her until she trembled and cried out. Then he pushed two fingers inside, pumping them in her pussy, loving the feeling of her squirming in his palms, taking herself to the brink. Her clit stood out; he suckled it rhythmically. Aja’s moans turned to gasps, her gasps to cries, which he muffled with a firm hand around her throat. She came explosively against him in a rush of juices. He drank them all greedily... and leaned up to kiss her so she could taste herself.
Aja glowed after each orgasm, but he wasn’t finished with her yet.
“Ride me,” he commanded softly. He kicked off his jeans. Obedient as always, Aja lifted her slip and settled her wetness over his surging cock.
“It won’t fit,” she whispered. She could only take in the tip of him. Tonight he felt impossibly huge, and her pussy impossibly tight.
“Guide it in, baby,” he instructed. “It will fit. You’ll make it fit for me.”
Mewling in pleasure, she slowly lowered herself over him. When she had him all the way, she gasped. She felt him filling her completely, stretching her pussy to accept his girth. He wanted her to feel every inch of him.
“Look at it,” he told her. She did, slowly raising herself to ride him. “Uhnn.. Steel…”
“Watch me take you,” he said. He pulled her flat against his chest and began to pump in an out of her with agonizing slowness. Aja buried her face in his mass of golden hair, against his neck. He smelled like pine needles, and grass, and manhood. She felt protected in his arms. She belonged to him, and he belonged to her.
“This is how I want you,” he grunted into her ear, pummeling her harder. “Bent over. Taking me. Taking my seed…”
One arm held her fast to him while his left hand fisted in her hair, bringing her ear close to his mouth so he could whisper his plans for her and kiss her. That was the thing about Aja, Steel reflected, drowning in the heaven of her pussy, the melting softness of her lips. He could try being gentle. But she always brought a roughness out of him. He wanted to fuck her roughly, he wanted to make her cum again and again on his cock, and then he wanted to hold her in his big arms and be utterly tender.
“I’m cumming,” Aja gasped. He rolled over and pinned her under him, the blanket tangling with their bodies. He was cold all over except where they were joined. He fucked her savagely. He made love to her sweetly, slow and hard. She cried his name and bit his shoulder, and at last he unloaded his seed into her, hot and creamy. It spilled out when he withdrew. She whimpered at the sudden feeling of emptiness. She’d still wanted more from him. It was never enough with Steel. He made her feel greedy. He made her feel alive.
Steel looked down at Aja’s face, his head clearing from the fog of pleasure that overwhelmed them. That was the problem. He never knew where the hell he stood with her. She made him feel six things at once.
He cupped her face in his hands.
“Aja,” he said.
“Yes,” she replied. She was still catching her breath.
“You’re mine. All of you.”
“Okay.”
“Say it for me.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
“As long as I’m here, I protect you.”
They got up. Steel brushed the grass from her hair. The blanket was damp with dew, so Steel let Aja wear his shirt over her slip. He returned to the Tucker place bare-chested.
Then he lay in bed alone until dawn crept over the mountains.
CHAPTER 4
The Robinsons' Secret
It was Fourth of July weekend in Boyd. Folks were coming all the way from Wilminac County in the North to see the fireworks. For a week the little Shenandoah town had been preparing. The Fourth-July committee decided to host the yearly picnic on the lawn of Bethlehem Church. The potluck was organized through the church, but everyone in town would be going, and Steel was informed he would be expected.
“You’re a newcomer and all,” said Steve Logan, who had formed a sort of friendship with the Texas man. “But we’re countin’ on you to come by anyways and eat your fill. Just remember to bring somethin’, you know. We all pull our weight for these things, even the fellas.”
The morning of July Fourth came. Steel was of two minds on whether to go or not. He’d woken up that morning to Drew knocking on the screen door.
“Mr. Gray,” called Drew. “You up yet?”
“Come in,” Steel called from inside. He was on a stepladder trying to stuff a leak in the roof.
“Aw, I can’t. Shoes is all muddy.”
It had poured through the whole night. The yard was a swamp, and so cold Drew’s breath was frosting in the air. He was in a hoodie and jeans.
Steel poked his shaggy head out the door. “Hey- Jesus God, it’s cold,” Steel swore. “Take off your shoes, kid. Come in.”
They made eggs and bacon for breakfast. The kid sat at the table, flipping through a book of watercolors Steel had found the night before.
“Mr. Gray, you need a haircut,” Drew observed.
Steel ran a finger through his tangled blonde mane. He grinned. “Maybe I ought to get cornrows.”
Drew smiled, tugging one of his braids. “You goin’ to the picnic today?”
Stirring his coffee, he eyed the gloomy weather. “Doesn’t look too friendly out there.”
“Yeah,” said Drew. “We never went before. But Aja was talkin ‘bout goin’, this year.”
“What do y’all do instead?”
Drew shrugged. “Grandpa used to barbecue. We stay home, mostly.”
Steel looked at him. He wondered how much of the Robinson’s seclusion was self-imposed, or perpetrated by the people of Boyd. Drew seemed very matter-of-fact about the whole thing.
Steel was curious. “Do y’all go to church?” he asked.
Drew shook his head. “We used to, back when Gramps could drive and we had the car. Over the county line, in Washitaw, they got a Baptist church we liked. The ladies was always real nice to us.”
“Do they do anything for the Fourth?”
Drew looked suspiciously at Steel. “Yeah, I guess so. We went one year, when I was little.”
Steel nodded. The shape of a plan began to form in his mind.
“Why?” asked Drew. “You ain’t thinking ‘bout missing the picnic?”
“Let’s talk to your sister,” said Steel.
***
Aja told Steel she’d already made plans to go to the picnic in Boyd. She laughed at his suggestion that they go over to Washitaw.
“I ain’t seen these ladies in years,” she snorted. “I can’t just invite myself.”
Steel watched her pace around her room. The sun was out, and things were clearing up. It seemed the picnic would go on after all- it just might be a little damp.
Aja seemed more cheerful than usual, . She did her makeup in the little bathroom mirror. Steel watched her.
“You sure you wanna go to this thing?” he asked. There was a hint of nervousness behind her bright mood. She kept dropping things, pick
ing slowly through her jewelry box, frowning at her reflection. Steel knew Aja Robinson well enough by now to tell when she was hiding something.
She put down her brushes. “Yeah. I’m on the fence about it.”
“Why?”
Aja threw herself into the bed next to him with a sigh. He grinned and pulled her under him, straddling her waist with his hips. Aja shrieked and giggled; He buried his nose in her neck and gripped her waist.
“Why?” he asked, mouth on her throat.
“Mmmm. You know I can’t think when you do that.”
Steel smiled. Aja smelled like vanilla and almonds and brown sugar. She was warm and soft in his arms.
“So you don’t want to go?” he asked.
“Nah,” she said. “Maybe later, when the fun starts.”
“Let’s skip it,” he said. “Let’s skip the picnic.”
“Oh yeah?” she laughed. “And do what? Stay here?”
“I’ll take you riding.”
“Riding?” Aja said, puzzled. “You mean riding horses?”
“Yup.”
These last few months, in his never-ending free time, Steel had gotten back into riding, with the help of Steve Logan. He was a ways away from how he’d been in his youth. But in a sense it was like riding a bicycle- and Steel had always had a way with horses. Sometimes he found them to be as complex as people.
“You’ve been on a horse before, right?” he asked Aja.
She nodded. The idea of a day away from the bustle of Boyd- if Boyd ever “bustled” - was appealing.
“What will the boys do?”
“Well, whatever they want,” Steel said. “Dan’s old enough. So’s Travis. I reckon they can figure out if they want to go to the Church, or stay at home, or do anything else. And Drew can tag along with ‘em, or come with us.”
“It’s the Fourth of July,” said Aja thoughtfully. “Independence.”
“Yeah,” said Steel, unsure where she was going.
“I guess we ought to let everyone be independent to choose what they want to do,” Aja laughed. “Do you mind drivin’ the boys somewhere, if they ask?”
Steel smiled. “No. You’re gonna drive today. You need the practice. But sure.”
She squeezed him. “So we’ll go riding.”
“What about your Grandpa?”
Aja smiled. “He always stays home on the Fourth.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Convenient,” said Steel. He wondered about the old man sometimes. “You sure he’s alright?”
Aja’s brow creased. “Some days he’s better than others.”
***
Drew, Daniel and Travis went to the picnic. Or said they were going to, anyway. Daniel looked resigned when Aja asked him to watch his brothers.
The boys refused a ride from Steel. Aja and Steel watched them head on down the path. Aja wore a lilac blouse, tight blue jeans, and high cowboy boots. Purple suited her skin beautifully, Steel thought.
“You think they’ll stay together?”
“I doubt it,” Aja laughed. “But I gave them all some money, and at least Drew won’t be alone. Daniel will watch him.”
“Let’s call them when we get back,” Steel suggested. “You all should have dinner together. I know you don’t get much time with ‘em.”
Aja beamed at the thought. “I sure will.”
Her phone vibrated. Steel felt it through her pockets- he’d had a firm grip on her ass as he watched the boys walk away. If he was honest with himself, he’d much prefer to spend the day playing with Aja upstairs in her soft four-poster bed, finding new ways to make her cum.
“Shit,” Aja muttered, pulling out her phone. She hastily ended the call, before he could see the ID.
“Let me run inside,” she said suddenly. “I think I forgot something.”
She began to pull away from him, but he held her fast. “It’s Joe, isn’t it? Don’t lie to me, Aja.”
She hung her head. “I have to call him back.”
“Why? He threatening you?”
Her eyes went wide at the suggestion. Steel knew he’d hit a mark, and his blood was instantly up. That bastard. “Aja, so help me God-”
“Please! Just wait here.”
She ducked inside. Steel felt his mood immediately sour. He breathed and calmed himself down. It didn’t mean anything. She’d give him answers later- he’d demand answers from her. But for now, he wanted to enjoy his day.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” said a voice by his shoulder. Steel jumped. It was Grandpa Buck. He wore a brown jacket, yellow shirt, and faded blue jeans over a heavy pair of hiking boots. He had an unlit pipe in one hand, a bouquet of flowers in another. He smelled a little like spiced rum, but stood up straight as an arrow, and his voice was clear.
“What hurts?” said Steel carefully. Since their exchange on his first day in Boyd, he’d hardly said a word to the old man. Not without trying- Steel was a frequent visitor to the Robinson property, and and he made an effort to be polite. But Buck simply wasn’t interested.
“Ah like you,” said Buck, avoiding the question. He gave Steel a sharp look. “You seem like a good man. Ah can trust you with my granddaughter.”
“Thank you... sir,” said Steel. He couldn’t have been more surprised than if the man had declared he’d won the lottery. He briefly reflected that Grandpa Buck was roughly the same age his father would have been.
As if reading his mind, Buck said, conversationally, “Who were your parents, boy?”
“Jane Tucker. She was uh, Fiona’s little cousin. And Francis Gray was my Pa.”
“Jane Tucker, huh? Never met that one.”
Steel didn’t answer. He could see Buck trying to work something out in his mind. The old man’s mouth opened and closed. It was hard to believe that this man had been one of the deadliest knife-fighters in the country- if Daniel was to be believed. Steel had a hard time picturing it.
“Hm,” he said finally. “Ah guess Ah should tell you something. Ain’t really my secret to tell, though...”
“Aja should be out soon,” said Steel quickly. He’d had enough secrets to last him a lifetime. He sure as hell wasn’t itching for more.
“Listen-” Grandpa Buck patted his coat pockets frantically. “Damn. You got a cigarette, Mr. Gray?”
Steel handed him one- he always kept an extra pack. He gave the man a light, and lit one for himself, too.
“Alright. Ah know Aja’s gonna come out soon, so Ah’ll make it quick.”
“Alright,” said Steel, resigned.
“Mind her talkin’ to that no-good police fella? Joe Snell?”
Steel scowled.
“Yep. Now lemme ask you this. You notice sum’n funny about that one? Y’all bear a resemblance, you know.”
“Yes,” Steel said. Almost everyone in Boyd had remarked on the striking similarities between him and Joe Snell. Personally, Steel couldn’t see it. The man was tall, but the likeness stopped there, he thought.
“He’s a Tucker too,” said Grandpa Buck, his dark eyes sparkling with hatred. “One of John Tucker’s bastards.”
“Christ Almighty,” Steel swore.
“That ain’t all,” said the old man quickly. “Seems that bad Tucker blood runs strong. They can’t keep the Rooster down, those Tuckers. Stick their cocks into anything. And they came after my grandbaby when she was hardly a woman.”
“You mean Aja?” said Steel.
The old man looked urgently at Steel. “There’s two things you gotta know, Mr. Gray. One, we got a Tucker in our very own family. You prob’ly guessed which one.”
“I don’t understand,” said Steel. Though of course he did- it had to be Drew. The blue-eyed black child. The odd one out.
“Aja’s mother and a Tucker-?”
“No, you fool,” said Grandpa Buck, rapping Steel on the head, sprinkling ash all over his hair. “Aja. Little Drew ain’t her brother. That’s her son. Her own son. The son that Joe Snell- or maybe that bast
ard Pete Tucker- made on her. She was fifteen years old. Christ have Mercy. Only fifteen. ”
Steel stared. Maybe he’d known all along. Maybe he’d been denying it. He remembered Joe’s words vividly…
“Which one was it. Who did it?” he said huskily. He found it hard to see straight. His right hand clenched into a fist. Poor Aja. That poor kid.
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