One Last Dance (Oak Grove Series Book 2)

by Stopper, Nancy

  In one quick motion, Joey shifted them so he sat with his back against the cab of the truck. She nestled between his legs, her ass against his impressive erection. She pressed into him.

  He moaned into her ear and she nearly came apart. Despite the fact that they sat in a field full of other cars and moviegoers, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. She melted into him.

  “Playing with fire, City Girl,” he whispered into her ear. His voice was deep and sultry, the heat of his breath sending shivers down her spine. He fumbled with the button on her jeans, lowering her zipper one agonizing click at a time. His fingers teased across her naked belly, and her stomach jumped. He continued his torturous path, running his finger along her naval and then down to the edge of her panties. She wiggled, trying to move his hand where she wanted it… needed it. He slid his fingers further with each pass.

  Finally, he dipped his hand into her panties and ran a finger across her bare skin. Damn. Who knew a single touch could be so explosive? Her heart leapt and beat a rapid, steady rhythm in her chest, and her breathing grew ragged. He stroked again, spreading her wetness around before teasing her bundle of nerves. She lifted her hips against his hand. How was he staying so calm, his pulse steady, when she felt so out of control?

  He shifted his hand, this time inserting a finger and curling it to reach a spot deep inside her. Every cell of her body climbed up and up toward release as he plunged and stroked. Her inner channel tightened, gripping his fingers like a vice. But he kept up the assault, his arms squeezing her. Every muscle in her body tensed as she came, and he covered her mouth with a kiss to muffle her moans. She closed her eyes, and sparks appeared behind her eyelids while his arms stayed firmly around her, caressing her and holding her until she collapsed, exhausted.

  He held her tight as she came down from her orgasm, leaning his head over her shoulder and whispering in her ear. “Great movie, huh?”

  She laughed and sank back into him.

  THEY DIDN’T SPEAK much during the rest of the movie, but the silence was comfortable. Joey was thankful for the quiet, because his mind was racing. He wasn’t sure how he found himself here, with his arms around a beautiful woman. He didn’t know what had possessed him to do what he’d just done. She deserved more than a quick orgasm in the back of his truck. But she felt so good in his arms, her body pressed up against him. His erection throbbed painfully, but he’d wanted her to know just a bit of what he was feeling for her at that moment.

  Because at some point during this night, his perspective on Brittany shifted. A short fling while she was in town wasn’t enough. He wanted more from her. Maybe more than she was willing, or able, to give. He wanted to get to know the woman behind the smiles and the tough city-girl exterior. He’d seen glimpses of that woman, but never for long.

  He nudged Brittany and shifted, pulling at his jeans and hoping to relive the pain from his erection. Brittany surely had felt it with her ass pressed up against his crotch. This was neither the time nor the place for anything more. It probably wasn’t the right time or place for what he’d done, either, but all rational thoughts had fled his mind when he held her in his arms.

  She turned her head and smiled up at him. He leaned down and placed a gentle, chaste kiss on her lips before hugging her tighter and sinking his chin onto her shoulder. They sat like that for the rest of the movie. He was a lot more contented with this woman in his arms than he’d ever expected to be.

  When the final credits rolled, Joey packed up the back of the truck and drove Brittany back to town. The ride was quiet and easy, and the kisses they shared in Karen’s driveway reignited the erection he’d finally tamed. Repeated attempts to coax Brittany to his place were rebuffed. A darkness in her eyes held her back when he asked. He just needed to figure out what it was. He mulled that thought as he drove home and stepped straight into another cold shower.

  Chapter Ten

  THE NOISE LEVEL around and outside the bar intensified with each minute that passed, much like Joey’s nerves. He poked his head into the kitchen. “Everything going okay in here, Diego?”

  “We’re all set, boss. You get out there and schmooze with everybody.”

  “Really, Joey, you’re driving everybody nuts. You need to chill,” Carla yelled at him as she carried two bags of ice out the back door. Of course she was yelling at him. That was what he got for hiring a friend, someone who wouldn’t put up with his crap and who called him on the carpet if he needed it. It made her good at her job and perfect as his assistant manager and head bartender.

  He followed Carla outside, surveying the crowd of people gathered for his Memorial Day barbeque. He hoped to make it an annual tradition at J.J.’s, this being the first... and the most important. Today, the project he’d been working on would finally come to fruition, a mission near and dear to his heart. He closed his eyes a moment and thought of his friend Kyle, gone two years now. If Kyle were alive, he’d be here, standing beside Joey, tipping one up. So today, Joey would do that in Kyle’s honor.

  Joey opened his eyes again, taking in the scene. Red, white, and blue bunting and American flag decorations hung around the patio, setting the proper mood for the day. So many people had forgotten the significance of Memorial Day, instead focusing on picnics and get-togethers. Not him. Not ever. His guests wore red, white, and blue clothing, but many put on the colors without really appreciating the freedom those colors represented. After today, everyone should have a better appreciation for the real importance of Memorial Day.

  Confident he’d done everything he needed to, he scanned the crowd for the one face he’d been looking for all morning. The face that haunted his dreams again last night.

  She’d said she would come today but couldn’t say what time. She’d planned to help Emma and Karen in the shop this morning. But the shop had long since closed, as had many of the town businesses in expectation of his Memorial Day party.

  Servers bustled around, putting the last touches onto the food and drink setup. Adults talked and laughed while children darted between their legs and chased each other in the grass beyond the patio. The air smelled crisp and fresh, the scent of hamburgers and hot dogs wafting over the group from the grills. It was perfect. Exactly as he had intended, and exactly what he wanted it to be.

  He swiped his hand over his sweat-covered forehead and then brushed both down his jeans. He shifted his neck back and forth and twisted his shoulders to crack his spine. It didn’t help to calm his nerves. A smack on his back startled him, and he turned to find his two brothers, huge grins on their faces, beside him.

  “Hey, bro. How’s it going?” Lucas asked.

  Joey’s face split into a wide smile that made his cheeks hurt. “Hey Lucas. Mikey. Glad you made it.”

  “We wouldn’t be anywhere else, Joseph,” Michael added before tipping up his beer and drawing a long swallow.

  Joey expected no less from Michael. Joey looked to both of his brothers, each sharing similar builds and statures, but their personalities so different. Growing up, the three of them had often been referred to as The Bennett Boys. Today he stood proudly, his brothers beside him, as he scanned the crowd. This barbeque was another validation of his status in Oak Grove, not as a playboy but a successful businessman. And his announcement shortly should also demonstrate his commitment to veterans causes that was equally important to him.

  “Thanks for coming, Michael. I know it’s hard for you to get away, even on a holiday.”

  “You’ll have to deal with Mom and Dad, though. I skipped Sunday dinner yesterday to finish up some work so I could be here,” Michael said.

  “I didn’t make it, either, so we’re probably both in the dog house.” Joey laughed.

  “If not with Mom and Dad, then with Lily,” Lucas added. “She missed both of you yesterday.”

  “I’ll make it up to her today. When are she and Sarah gonna get here?” Joey scanned the crowd.

  “They should be here any minute.”

&nbs
p; The smile on Lucas’s face grew wider as he spoke of his fiancée. After meeting Brittany, Joey had finally started to understand why Lucas had taken the leap. For the first time since Shelby, Joey had met someone he could see himself getting serious with. If only she didn’t live in New York.

  He sighed.

  He’d already been burned by one woman choosing the city over him. Why he’d set himself up for another disappointment, he didn’t know. But he couldn’t help himself where Brittany was concerned. He just needed to convince her he was worth taking a chance.

  Lucas, Michael, and Joey stood side by side, their backs to the wall, facing the growing crowds gathering around J.J.’s outside patio. The weather was perfect, the scene was idyllic. All he needed was… there she was.

  “Wait right here,” he told his brothers and rushed toward Brittany.

  She stood talking to a man he didn’t recognize. As Joey approached, the guy with Brittany touched her arm, a broad smile on his face. Brittany laughed at the man. Joey clenched his jaw and breathed deeply through his nose. He didn’t like the sick feeling deep in his gut. He wanted to draw her into his arms and show everyone that she was his… and no one else’s. That would only drive her away, though. Caveman tactics wouldn’t fly with this strong, independent woman.

  The guy reached out to brush his hand up her arm, and Joey nearly stepped in to intervene. But in true Brittany fashion, she handled it, tucking her arm behind her back. He’d seen enough. He may not be able to claim her in front of everyone, but he could at least send a message to the creep in front of her. He stepped forward, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  “Hey,” he said quietly in her ear. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. Her mouth parted in a small gasp, and he couldn’t resist placing a gentle kiss on it. “I’m so glad you came.”

  “Me, too.” She said goodbye to the man then focused her attention on Joey. “Is everything ready?”

  “Just about. Come with me. I want to introduce you to some people.” With his arm firmly around her waist, he escorted her to where Lucas and Michael waited, knowing grins on each of their faces. With her body aligned with his and her arm resting on his waist, he didn’t care. “Brittany, these are my brothers Lucas and Michael. Guys, I want you to meet Brittany.”

  Brittany stiffened and he squeezed tighter, his hand caressing her side to comfort her. Damn. He should have warned her on the way over that she would be meeting his family. He’d only been focused on showing her off to his brothers.

  “Nice to meet you, Lucas… Michael.”

  “What brings you to town, Brittany?” Michael asked.

  “I’m visiting with Karen McKenzie. We went to school together at NYU.”

  Lucas shot Joey a look. Joey knew what Lucas was thinking. But Brittany wasn’t Shelby. Not at all.

  “And you live in New York now?” Lucas asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “What do you do, Brittany?” Michael added. Joey got dizzy with the back and forth between his brothers. Brittany’s face paled and her eyes glazed over. Time to rescue her from their interrogation.

  “Guys, really. What’s with the third degree?” Joey asked.

  Lucas and Michael chuckled. “No third degree. I just have one more question for you, Brittany… What are you doing with this loser?” Lucas asked.

  They all laughed, including Brittany, and Joey breathed a sigh of relief. In their own way, this was how his brothers showed their approval. He hadn’t thought he needed it, but the warm feeling that washed through him as Lucas and Michael smiled told him a different story. When in the hell had their opinion mattered? Not until now. And that just reinforced how important to him she’d become in such a short time.

  He tightened his arm around Brittany’s waist, and she relaxed. Her features softened. He smiled at Lucas, then Michael, before leaning down to her ear. “Sorry about them. They like you.”

  “Now I see why you missed dinner yesterday.” Lucas nudged him in the side and winked.

  Joey elbowed him back. “I told you I had a ton of things to get ready for today. Was Rachel there?”

  Lucas furrowed his forehead and threw Michael a serious look. “Sorry, man.”

  “Rachel’s your sister?” Brittany asked.

  “Yeah. I hope she comes today.”

  “I hope so, too. I’d love to meet her.”

  Joey’s parents walked around the corner. Perfect timing.

  His mother hugged him. “Everything looks wonderful, honey. I’m sure you must be so pleased.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Dad.” Joey extended his hand, and his father shook it and then smacked him on the back.

  Joey wrapped his arm back around Brittany’s waist. She tensed up again. At least this was the last of his family she’d be meeting today, unless Rachel showed up. He motioned to his parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Brittany. Brittany, I’d like you to meet my parents, Matthew and Evelyn Bennett.”

  Brittany extended her hand, but Mom shook it off, wrapping her arms around Brittany instead. “No handshakes here, sweetie. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  She nodded at Dad. “Mr. Bennett.”

  “None of that. Please, it’s Matthew and Evelyn.”

  “It’s so nice to meet both of you.” She motioned to his brothers as well. “All of you. You must be so proud of Joey.”

  Mom dabbed at her eyes. “We are. And we’re so pleased he chose to honor his friend Kyle this way. He was such a wonderful boy, and it was such a shame.”

  Carla motioned to Joey from the temporary bar he’d set up across the patio for the announcement. “Sorry I need to run, Mom, Dad. I guess it’s show time.”

  “Good luck, Bro.” Lucas and Michael slapped him on the back and Joey started toward Carla. Brittany grabbed his arm.

  “You’ll do great. I’m really proud of you.” She pulled him down to her.

  Before he could react, she brushed her lips over his. He sank into her, giving and taking, tongues tangling until he remembered where they stood, and the likely audience they had. More proof that he lost his mind when he was around her. He whispered in her ear. “To be continued.”

  With his back to the crowd, he adjusted his zipper, and then with one last squeeze of her hand, he headed across the yard. When he reached the bar, he turned back to see Brittany beside his brothers. A lump grew in his throat. She looked comfortable with Lucas and Michael… like she belonged.

  Carla’s boyfriend, Butch, had joined Carla at the bar. Joey extended his hand. “Hey, Doc. Glad you could make it today.”

  Butch shook Joey’s hand and then placed his hand on Carla’s shoulder, a tough feat considering how she was flitting around behind the bar. “Wouldn’t have missed it. Great crowd you got out here.”

  Joey drew in a deep breath. Showtime. He grabbed a longneck out of the cooler and tapped the brown bottle with his opener, drawing attention from the gathering crowds. But the talking and laughter continued. A loud, screeching whistle startled him from his left, silencing the noise almost immediately. Leave it to Carla to take charge.

  He laughed. “Thanks, Carla.”

  She smiled, that saucy grin that got her equal amounts of trouble and big tips. “Glad I could help, boss.”

  Joey drew in a deep breath. “Can I have your attention, please?”

  The crowds shuffled in closer, the final whispers trailing off.

  “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today for the first annual Memorial Day barbeque.”

  The people surrounding him clapped, whistled, and yelled. Mom wiped a tear from under her eyes, his father with his arm around her. Dad nodded. The lump in Joey’s throat grew. His father had been his biggest supporter when Joey’d first envisioned this expansion. His Dad had even offered to loan Joey the money, but he’d wanted to do this on his own. Not that he’d been completely alone. His father and brothers had pitched in, swinging a hammer when he needed them. If nothing else, he always knew his family would be there for him.

  Sar
ah and Lily stood beside Lucas. Lucas was quick to pull his fiancée to his side. Lily bounced up and down on her toes, waving furiously at Joey. He waved back at her, and a huge smile broke across her face. He wasn’t just gaining a sister-in-law when Lucas got married, he was gaining a niece. He hadn’t realized until recently how much he was looking forward to that.

  He smiled at friends and family and other residents of Oak Grove who had come out to support him today. This right here is why I live where I do.

  His eyes continued to roam until they fell on Rachel. She stood near the back with Shane, the boyfriend none of them liked. Joey stared at her until she looked up, and then he smiled. She returned it, her smile forced and not reaching her eyes. He fisted his right hand and placed it over his heart, his eyes fixed on hers. He waited, and finally she returned the gesture. At least Shane hadn’t taken that bond away from them.

  “There are a few people I’d like to introduce today, although none may require any introduction. Memorial Day is about honoring our fallen soldiers, but first I’d like to honor a few veterans still with us. Sawyer Truman, our own deputy sheriff.” Joey paused for applause. “And Derek Richardson.” More applause. “Sawyer and Derek both returned to Oak Grove after serving in Afghanistan with the 333rd Army Reserve unit out of Reading, PA. Thank you guys for your service.”

  The crowd applauded, and Sawyer and Derek both tried to dismiss the cheers with a wave. Joey knew he had probably embarrassed his two friends, but their service was important to him and important to this country. Too many times, the service of veterans went unacknowledged. Not around Joey. Not anymore.

  When the noise began to die down, Joey motioned to quiet the crowd and yelled over the remaining sounds. “Clyde? Clyde? Can you come up here?”

  “Hold yer horses, young’un, I’m coming.”

  The group laughed as Clyde made his way to Joey’s side. Joey shook Clyde’s hand and then encircled his shoulder. “Clyde here served in the Army—two tours in Vietnam.” The clapping and whistles grew again. Clyde tried to turn away but Joey held Clyde firmly at his side until the applause died down. “Many veterans, like Clyde, Sawyer, and Derek, returned safely… but many others haven’t. I hope Clyde will help me out with a special announcement I have.”