Hundred to One

by Freya Barker

  Gus chuckles. "Looks like you're stuck with him. He isn't about to let go."

  Struck with a moment of clarity I ask, "Will?" I can see Gus swallowing and steeling his face.

  "Dead. He won't ever get to hurt you again, Arlene."

  "I'm so sorry."

  "Don't be, I'm not. I grieved the loss of my brother a long time ago; I didn't even know this man."

  Seb sustained a bullet to his shoulder. He was lucky. Only a few inches could have had a much different outcome. Of course, Seb being Seb, he didn’t like the ride in the ambulance, complaining all the way to the hospital, but I wasn’t going to take any chances and insisted he go. He reluctantly agreed, but only because he didn’t want me upset, which I was getting having just lived through another trauma.

  When he notices my eyes tearing up, he sits up on the stretcher and pulls me beside him, ignoring the EMT’s protests.

  “We’re okay, Babe. We both got through this in one piece and the little guy will be okay too – Thanks to you.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  "He doesn't like me."

  "Does too. Look, he's smiling." Emma tries to point out.

  "That's a smile? Thought he had gas. Look at me, he's gotten me all wet. I'm a mess!"

  "Shouldn't have let him play with your beads. He likes gumming them. Poor guy must be in pain."

  Emma has a dreamy smile on her face. I just try my best not to shove the guy off my lap.

  Just then Seb walks in from the bedroom.

  "What is this? I'm told to go have a rest and the next thing I know you have another man drooling all over you?"

  "I know…" Emma says, "don't they look good together?"

  "Very cute." Seb observes as he bends to give me a sweet kiss and blow a raspberry on Liam's little belly, making the chubby toddler giggle.

  "You stealing my woman, little man? You know she likes to be slobbered all over, don't you? And getting her shirt all wet; smart little fella."

  In love with Seb's colorful tattoos, Liam abandons my lap for Seb's as soon as he sits down beside me. When the little guy accidentally bumps Seb's shoulder, he winces, still sore from the bullet that luckily tore straight through. It missed anything vital and cleaned out, stitched up and supplied with painkillers, Seb was sent home to rest, which he doesn't like doing, but he won't give up little Liam, no matter how often the little bruiser bumps him where it hurts.

  It's an absolute shame he is not a father. He takes to it as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, when I feel all arms and legs around little kids. I can't give him that. Won't ever be able to give him that. It doesn't feel good to know you might be the one thing standing in the way of something that looks like it was meant to be.

  A tug on my shirt shocks me out of my maudlin thoughts and two sticky hands and a wet slobber kiss from a two foot tall little charmer manages to put a smile back on my face. I can see Seb looking on with a satisfied grin. That man is far too observant.

  It's been four days since we got Liam back and Emma and I volunteered… Well, Emma volunteered herself and me, to look after him while Julie has her first counseling session. Guilt is eating at her and she has a long road to go, but she won't have to go it alone. No one blames her for what she did. Under the circumstances, each of us would likely have done the same. Her biggest hurdle will be to forgive herself and that takes time. I know that all too well.

  Today Clint is starting at the diner and I am beyond excited about that. We received word from the insurance company on Saturday that the quote was approved and I called him immediately with the good news. I have to remember to drop off some food tonight at the motel, which is where his crew will stay until we've found them better lodging, but by my calculations, four nights out of each week with the guys doubling up on the rooms, it looked like the motel might end up cheaper than a short term rental. Although not having a kitchen and living space would start wearing thin after a while, I'm sure. For now it'll do.

  Gus is going to meet with Clint at the diner this morning and we'll go have a look this afternoon. Hopefully once work is on the way, and with Seb forced to rest until at least next week, I can finally put my plan into action. I have decided to let Emma and Gus in on my secret and they were all over it like white on rice, doing their part in making phone calls and ensuring the facility is up to par, not to mention enabling me to finalize everything before making promises I might not be able to fulfill. If all works out, we leave on Wednesday, and he won't know until we get to the airport in Durango. I can't wait to see his face.

  "Weird, isn't it?"

  "What, love?"

  Seb is lying with his head on my lap on the couch. It’s the only way I can get him to stay still for more than five minutes at a time. We're supposed to be taking a nap now that Liam and Emma have left before checking in on Clint at the diner.

  "Just like that the air is out of the balloon. Feels strange all this constant tension and then nothing."

  Seb sits up and pulls a hand through his hair.

  "Not exactly nothing, Arlene. Two people are dead and Caleb is still being grilled by a very pissed off Federal Bureau of Investigation. They will likely want to talk to us again too before we see the end of this."

  Feeling put in my place, I have to tamp down the instinct to become defensive. He's right. We may be in the clear but the trouble isn't over for everyone. Gus and Caleb are being hauled over the coal for Will's death and not waiting for official law enforcement before 'acting'. No one bothered to question how it came to be that Will showed up in Cedar Tree. Over state lines, without his ankle bracelet, or that if it hadn't been for Gus and Caleb, or Seb for that matter, both that little boy and I would be dead by now. No. They were too busy covering their asses.

  "You're right, and I didn't mean it like that. It's just that we don't have be so vigilant anymore. I should feel more relieved than I do, but the air still feels heavy."

  "It does, doesn't it." Seb leans back against the couch and uses his good arm to pull me toward him. "Come here. Let's see if we can find you some relief. I've been sporting blue balls for days now not being able to get inside you."

  The combination of his low rumbling voice and the hot intent in his eyes, dark with lust, is enough to have heat pooling between my legs. Even injured and in pain, his instant command over my body seems inevitable. Gingerly settling myself on his lap, I voice my concern. "But your shoulder-"

  "More worried about my dick than my shoulder right now, Spot. Quit talking and kiss me. I'll let you do all the work."

  Firmly settled on his lap with the feel of his need for me firmly nestled against my pussy, I lean forward with my hands on either side of his head against the backrest. I slowly kiss his eyes, his jaw and ease my way over to his lips when he loses patience; grabbing me by the back of my neck and holding me still. Without hesitation, his mouth takes control over mine and hunger takes over. God that man can kiss. Wet, warm, strong and invasive, I am swept away in sensations that have me rocking on his lap.

  "Shirt off." He mumbles between kisses and I comply without question, breaking away from his mouth to whip it over my head. Another two seconds has me divested of my bra and his hand is kneading my breast.

  "Love your tits, Spot. Soft, tasty…" He finishes, his lips already wrapped around my nipple and pulling hard. "Ahhhh… Fuck, Seb. So good."

  I have only one fucking hand to work with and all I can think about is how to get her naked right now. Days I've been in pain, but it never seems to stop my body from craving her when she’s around. Fuck, but she tastes good. The little sounds she makes are such a turn on. Being able to reduce this strong woman to moans makes me feel on top of the fucking world. So much more than I had imagined.

  "Babe, I need you naked. Let me taste all of you."

  Heavy-lidded and with the high flush of arousal on her face, Arlene doesn't hesitate to climb off and pull down her jeans and underwear at once. Standing in front of me in all her glory she looks like a warrior
woman; a true amazon. So fucking gorgeous.

  Fumbling one-handedly with the buttons on my jeans, I manage to get my fly half open before she swats my hand away and quickly undoes the rest, sliding my cock free from its confinement. When she immediately bends down to suck on the tip, a shiver runs from the base of my skull down to my toes.

  "Fuck, baby. Hold on. I need a taste of you first."

  I slide down on my back on the couch and pull her over. She immediately lifts her leg to climb over my mid-section but with one hand on her butt, I urge her up to where my mouth can reach her.

  "Love your smell…" I grab her by the hips and hold her as I run the flat of my tongue along her folds. "Love your taste…" Encouraged by her low moan, I spread her lips with my tongue and find her entrance. When I plunge into her I can feel her pussy twitching around my tongue and I know it won't take much to make her come. Nudging her clit with my nose has her grinding her pussy down on my face, riding me. I grab hold of her ass with both hands and slide my lips around her button and suck in deep pulses, her hands wound in my hair tightening to the point of pain. Screaming my name, she shudders her release and I almost come myself from the sight alone.

  "Beautiful…"

  When Arlene starts clambering off me, I try to hold her back. "Hey. Where are you off to?"

  She looks at me with a half-grin. "I just had the ride of my life. It's time for yours. Sit up."

  Good lord have mercy. If a sexy, slightly submissive Arlene gets me hot, a take-charge vixen Arlene gets my blood boiling over. I don't waste time and carefully pull myself up, my cock sticking out of my jeans almost purple with anticipation. Looking up at her, I can tell from the glint in her eyes that she noticed the state of my pride and joy as well, but instead of sitting down on my lap, she bends to lick and kiss my lips.

  "Mmmm, I taste good on you."

  I grab my dick and squeeze the base. "Jesus, woman. Keep it up and we're done here."

  With a little chuckle, the evil minx turns around presenting me with a close view of her gorgeous ass. More than two hands full, it fits her tall body perfectly and feels amazing to hold on to. She backs up and with her legs framing mine, she slowly lowers herself on my almost painful erection. Soaking wet from her orgasm, the feeling of her tight channel and the slick grasp of her vaginal muscles is indescribable and again, I have to exert almost inhuman control not to blow like a teenage boy.

  With her hands on my knees and her ass in my face, Arlene rides me reverse cowgirl style, and with gusto. It doesn't take much before I have to grab her hip and adjust the pace or we won't get to enjoy the ride. The slight jiggle of her ass each time she slams down on my cock is the sexiest fucking thing I've ever seen. All woman and all real. God I love how unbridled she can be. I love her.

  Arlene's panting is matching my own labored breathing, and I want her to come again with me. I'm close. Slipping one hand around her to find her clit, and my thumb of the other to rub her perineum, right behind our connection, all it takes is some slight pressure to send both of us over the edge. Bucking my hips under her with the aftershocks, I wrap my good arm around her and pull her body back onto mine.

  "You floor me." Is about as much as I can voice, depleted as I am.

  Gus raises his eyebrow when we show up half an hour later than we were supposed to.

  "Sorry we're a bit late. Something came up." Seb says with a big smile on his face. Gus bursts out laughing when I elbow Seb in the ribs.

  "Holy shit, Seb. Hang a sign around my neck, why don't you, 'Just fucked'! Couldn't be more clear than that." I grumble, but inside I'm a bit smug to have brought out this light-hearted side of him.

  Slinging his arm around my neck he pulls me in for a kiss. "Sorry, Spot. Couldn't resist."

  "Yeah, whatever. Throw me under the bus." But I have to smile when I say it.

  "Everything okay here?" I want to know from Gus.

  "No problem. If you want to talk to Clint, he’s in the back working on the demo of the old apartment and back wall. Says he wanted to talk to you about rebuilding the apartment above ‘cause he has some ideas. I'm gonna take off, check in with Emma and probably be at the mercy of some investigator again this afternoon. Be glad when this is finally over."

  I walk over to Gus and give him a big hug. "Me too, big guy, me too."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  "Explain to me why I need new furniture again?"

  Arlene and I are on our way to Durango for some kind of shopping trip. The stuff of nightmares. After talking to Clint the other day she agreed with him to make the apartment a two-bedroom instead of a one-bedroom. I already told her I didn't need two bedrooms, but she totally ignored me. Fine. It's her building, never mind that I thought we might just keep living together. At Arlene's house, or somewhere new. Guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions and now she wants to get new furniture for the place too. Totally infuriating. I don't even care as long as I have a place to put my head, if I can't be with her all the time.

  "I want the place to be furnished, Seb. Insurance covered it so why wouldn't we buy back what was lost?"

  "Yeah, but why can't we order online? Does it really require going from store to store? Seems a waste of time to me."

  Arlene chuckles next to me. "You are adorable when you're grumpy, you know that?"

  "Did you say adorable?" I growl, tossing her the best angry glare I can muster up, but she isn't falling for it.

  "Yup. Frickin' adorable. Your eyebrows all scrunched up and your lips get pouty. It's cute."

  That's it. First turn we get to, I pull off and put the truck in park. First she fought me about who would drive this morning, claiming I couldn't drive one-armed. The hell I couldn't. I have never needed two hands to drive, ask anyone! And now this…

  I turn to her and take her mouth, kissing the sass right out of her.

  "Whoa! Not that I mind but what was that all about?"

  "Adorable, Arlene? Cute? Do you see anything cute on me?" I wave my hand over my body and she promptly starts laughing so hard, tears start rolling over her cheeks.

  "Oh my God. Seb… You should see your face. You are so easy."

  I am. I admit it. Out of commission for days now, unable to do what I want to do and now being forced to go shopping and listening to Arlene call me adorable. Hell yes, I'm easily riled. I've had it up to my eyeballs. I'm frustrated and I feel absolutely useless. But I also feel ridiculously happy hearing Arlene's full-bodied, rolling laugh. Damn that is a good sound. One I've heard more in the past few days than in all of the eight months before.

  With another punishing kiss and a stern look, I start the truck up again and turn to head back on the highway to Durango. Shopping.

  In all honesty, spending any kind of time with Arlene was fine by me, even shopping, and it was nice getting out of the house and Cedar Tree for a while for that matter. The drive on the 160 is a nice one, especially once you hit the foothills. Scenery changes quite suddenly and before you know it you’re driving through lush foliage and grey rock. Much different from the drier mesa.

  When Arlene prompts me to continue on the 160 instead of taking the turn off into Durango, I'm trying to figure out what stores would be out here. Only thing I can remember this way is the airport.

  "What store are we going to?" I ask her.

  "Hmmmm, forget the name, but it's somewhere near the airport. Just follow the signs there, I know I'll recognize it when I see it."

  I'm about to pass the entrance to La Plata airport when Arlene grabs my arm.

  "Pull in here, I think we've gone too far."

  "Seriously? Arlene, there is nothing out here? Are you sure that…" I forget what I was going to say for a moment when I look to the front of the terminal. "What is Caleb doing here? What is this?" I’m confused as hell when I see Gus and Emma walk out of the terminal and stand beside him. What the fuck?

  "Park the truck, honey." Arlene says. I look at the slight smile on her lips, still trying to make sense of this. Pulling in
to the first spot I see, I turn off the engine and turn to her.

  "What is going on, Arlene. Why are we here? And hell, what are they doing here?"

  She puts her hands on my face. "You know how much I love you, right?"

  I nod, because I do, even if she isn't the most demonstrative of people.

  "Trust me?" She wants to know.

  "Of course."

  "We are going to get Faith."

  I'm not entirely clear I'm hearing this right. "Sorry?"

  "You and me, we are flying to see Faith and maybe bring her home with us."

  I can't think. I can't seem to process all the logistics, but before I can formulate a question, Arlene is already answering it.

  "She misses you, you miss her, and I want you happy. It's simple."

  I shake my head, it isn't as simple as she thinks.

  "Arlene, you're amazing to want this, but it isn't that easy."

  She leans in and presses her lips to mine, never losing contact with her eyes.

  "Trust me." She whispers. "Just get out of the truck, come with me and trust me."

  I do what she asks, but I am overwhelmed and frankly scared to be hopeful.

  Stopping in front of Emma and the guys, Caleb hands me a suitcase.

  "Your stuff. Well, I guess yours and Arlene's."

  I grab the handle, and mumble a subdued 'Thank you' to a smiling Caleb. Gus hands me an envelope, slaps me on the back and says, "Just go with the flow."

  And finally Emma hands over a bag of food. Of course. She grabs me in a big hug and gives Arlene the same treatment before almost shoving us into the terminal.

  "Better get your asses on that plane or you'll miss it!"

  Poor guy. He looks as stunned now as he did half an hour ago when I dropped the bomb on him. Only shakes his head every now and then, makes to say something and each time changes his mind. My objective was simple; get him to the airport with as little warning as possible and the guys would help me get him on the plane before he had time to think too hard or protest, but I didn't expect for him to literally be struck dumb. Eager to find out what he is thinking, I ask him, "Do you have any questions?"