by Vicki Green
I take a bite of food and close my eyes at the deliciousness. “Wow! You can cook too! Damn, this is good.” She smiles, almost shyly. “So, after what happened to me, Kane wants to have a family meeting at Pops tonight.” Her body stiffens, and she chews slowly. I set down my fork and reach across the small table, taking her hand in mine, and rubbing my thumb over her soft skin. “Baby, we have to talk about it. We need help. We can’t do this on our own. Not anymore.” She nods, slightly, and sighs.
“I know. I’m just…. Your dad doesn’t like me and to be there, around him…. I know it has to happen at some point. He’s your dad. But….”
“Don’t worry about Pop. He won’t be there tonight anyway.” She relaxes. “He takes off a couple of nights a week and tonight some game is on that he wants to watch.” She smiles, and I release her hand and take another bite of this amazing food. “So, are you gonna tell me what happened with your dad?”
She swallows, and I take a big gulp of my coke. “What I thought would happen. He disowned me and told me to leave.” She shrugs her shoulders like it’s nothing, but I know she’s really hurt. She sets her fork down and looks at me, her eyes full of love. “It’s gonna be okay. I figured this would happen eventually, even though I’d hoped by some miracle it would have gone differently. I knew at some point we’d be together and I would do anything to make that happen.”
“God, I fucking love you,” I tell her in all seriousness.
She smiles. “I love you too. So much.”
We finish eating, talking about lighter things like everything she purchased today, her and Irish’s decorating and her online search for a job. I told her again she didn’t have to work, but she’s adamant about it. I help her clean up the kitchen, taking a lot longer than it should with me kissing and fondling her every few minutes. What can I say? I can’t keep my mouth or hands off her. We get in my truck and drive the short distance to the bar. I can tell she’s nervous when we walk in, seeing how crowded it is. I take her hand, threading my fingers through hers, and kiss her lips.
“Yo, Bro!” Kane yells from a table at the back of the bar. We walk together hand in hand until we reach the table, and I point for Taren to slide into the booth first. “Taren.” Kane nods and gives her a wink, relaxing her a little. I raise our hands and kiss hers. He looks at me and frowns. “Okay, so we need to figure out how to keep you both safe.”
“Oh, no you don’t!” Our heads turn and we see Irish walking towards us in a hurry, carrying a tray full of beers. She sets a beer in front of each of us, then one on the table next to Kane and sits down beside him, placing the tray on the floor standing it up against the booth seat. She takes a quick drink and then cups the bottle with her hands. “Okay, what’d I miss?”
Kane nudges her with his elbow as he lifts his beer, takes a drink then sets it on the table, looking straight at me. “You need to make sure someone is with you and Taren at all times if you’re out and about. Even if you’re here. The guys at work said they’d even help out. Just gotta let them know.” I let out a sigh and roll my eyes. “Hey, this ain’t over and I think we know what’s at stake here.” His eyebrows lift, his eyes staring a hole in mine. “We all know him and I don’t think he’ll stop at getting what he wants. Money tends to do that to some, especially him.” He looks at Taren and smiles. “No offense.”
I release her hand and slide my arm around her, pulling her closer. “No, I totally agree.” She looks at me with a look of tenderness. “I hate that he came after Brock and I’d die if anything worse happened to him.” I lean in and kiss her, hearing Irish sigh and Kane chuckle. She looks around the table. “I don’t want anything to happen to anyone because of me.”
“That’s so sweet.” Irish sighs again. I look over at her and she straightens her back. I pick up my beer and take a big drawl. “Well, I was here and I wish I would have known what the hell was going on outside or I’d have kicked his ass. If I’d only left a little earlier I….”
I set down my bottle. “Okay, enough of trying to blame what happened on yourselves. Irish, you couldn’t have known. Hell, I didn’t know and walked right into it.” I look at Taren and smile. “And you. Stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault. Those to blame are the ones trying to keep us apart and we ain’t letting that happen.” She smiles big and kisses me then we both look at Irish and Kane.
“It’s true. Irish could have taken him,” Kane states all serious and takes another drink.
We all burst out into laughter but he’s right. She could have. She’s one tough chick. Thank God, she’s on our side.
Chapter Eight
Taren
I was so nervous, even though Brock said Pop wasn’t gonna be there. When we walked in and seeing the place was packed, I felt a little better until I saw Kane and knots formed in my stomach. He’s always stood up for us, been there when we needed him, but I’m just not sure how deep after what happened to Brock. He is Brock’s big brother, and I know they’re extremely close. Kane has a big heart but also is tough as nails. I had the idea that maybe after Brock being hurt, his feelings might have changed about me. After we sat down and listened to him, I relaxed and felt better. He showed me I still mattered to him. Brock’s love for me means I’m still in his family, and that he’d do anything for me too. I felt overwhelmed with love and a closeness that is so foreign to me, making me wish I’d had this kind of family closeness while growing up. Then Irish showed up and we actually ended up having a good time, once all the heavy talking was done. Still, I hate how everyone feels that they need to protect us, even though I appreciate it and love them for it. It’s just really sad it’s come down to this. If only Brock and I could be a normal couple, do normal things without having to worry about someone coming after us or being angry and upset.
It’s late, well after midnight, by the time we get home. I drove his truck home as he had a few too many beers, but he needed it, and I didn’t mind. We made sweet love, and he fell asleep quickly after. He had to be exhausted, still being hurt, working all day, and then a night out. I lay here awake thinking about all that has transpired in the last two days. Feelings and emotions of love, betrayal, and loss, then my close knit friends. Everything is overwhelming me. My mind won’t shut off thinking about being here, finally being with my love, living away from home for the first time, trying to find a job, and Jeffrey’s horrific ways. I don’t know how long I lay in the darkness, but I look at his alarm clock noticing it’s three in the morning. I close my eyes and hope sleep finds me.
Waking up with your body being lavished is the best alarm in the world, especially when it’s by the man you love with your entire heart, your whole self. I don’t want to open my eyes as his strong hands push my camisole up slowly while his lips worship my stomach with kisses. His hard length presses against my thigh with need as his mouth makes its way up my ribs then captures one of my nipples that is already erect, taut, and waiting for him in anticipation. His hand slides into the waistband of my panties, finding me already soaked, aching for his touch. My hips buck, a moan leaving my mouth, as his hand slides up my folds then down. “Brock,” I moan and begin writhing beneath him. His mouth leaves my breast and finds my mouth as his hands remove my panties. He thrusts into me hard, fast, and I moan again, muffled by his mouth.
“Fuck! You’re so tight. So responsive to my touch. You’re fucking wet for me so quickly,” he whispers against my lips. His words make me squirm. So sexy.
I’ll never get enough of him, never close enough. His smell invades my senses as we move together in the rhythm that is ours. The familiar tingles begin low in my core, traveling into my stomach. That small flame starts to ignite inside me, heating me up until I feel like I could explode. I grab his muscular arms, holding tight, feeling the strain of his strong muscles, every vein. “Ugh, Brock!” I scream as my release overtakes me and spots form in my vision. But I can see clearly enough as his face contorts, almost like he’s in pain as he finds his own release. The look of
relief shadows across his gorgeous face, the look of pure ecstasy. My body shivers, shaking with my own release as he calls out my name. He covers me with his body, his light sheen of sweat matching my own. I wrap my arms around him, lovingly, as his body still shudders slightly. His head rises, kissing me softly and with so much love.
“God, I love you so much it hurts,” he whispers against my lips.
Suddenly, he leans up on his elbows on either side of me, his weight lifted making it easier to breathe. “I’m off today. Let’s take a picnic to our special place.” He smiles and my heart fills, stopping briefly as the look on his face makes me catch my breath. “We need to have a happy day, one with no cares, no worries. We need to lighten up and have some fun.” He kisses me again and then leans back, his eyes lighting up. “Bring your bikini.”
I smile, my heart beating fast with happiness but then I begin thinking. “Should we go by ourselves? You heard what Kane said last night. Maybe….”
His fingers sweep my hair away and he smiles, but his eyes tell me of his own concern. “No one knows about our secret place, Taren. But you’re right. We do need to be careful. I’ll just make sure I take the long way there and we’ll drive around a bit. Just in case.” His eyes search mine, hoping I’ll agree.
I lean up and kiss him then lay back down with a smile. “Okay. Let’s have a happy day.” God knows we could use one of those or several.
We take our showers separately. He lets me go first since he says I take the longest. Men. By the time I get out and get dressed, put on some light makeup, brush my teeth and dry my long hair, he’s fixed breakfast for us, and it’s already on the table. “I think I’m getting better. I didn’t burn the eggs.” His smile is wide and the feeling of love and desire already fill my body and mind. Will it always be this way? Will my heart stop beating every time I see him or am near him, forever? I walk over and kiss him hard then sit down in my chair and dig in.
I clean up the kitchen while he takes his shower. He ends up being right as it only took him fifteen minutes to my half an hour to get ready but hell if I say anything. I manage to start packing a picnic lunch, making sandwiches, putting in assorted fruits and some cookies into his backpack, then filling the small insulated cooler with ice, bottled water, and a few sodas. I feel him behind me before his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back into him as his mouth kisses the side of my neck. His hand sweeps my long ponytail over my other shoulder while he sucks my skin into his mouth. I giggle and push my bottom against him, feeling his hard cock press against me causing flutters to form deep inside. My head lulls back onto his shoulder as desire sweeps though me. “We’ll never leave if you keep this up,” I moan.
He continues kissing, his hands moving up to my breasts, and his fingers rub across my tightened nipples over my bra. “We have time, baby. We have all the time in the world,” he speaks as he continues his way up the side of my face, nipping my earlobe and driving me insane.
We’re late leaving for our special place, but I didn’t mind in the least. Of course, we ended up taking another shower, this time together. That shower took a little longer than normal as we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. So worth it. We laughed and held hands all the way to the tree filled area and parked his truck then he helped me across the creek, making sure I didn’t fall. My knees and ankle are still sore from the other night. We bypassed the shack, pushing through the overgrowth of the field until we reached the pond. It almost feels like the ocean does with its small sandy beach but no waves, just stilled clear water. He lays out his old beat up and well-worn blanket as I remove my shirt and shorts, revealing my black bikini that he requested I wear. It’s so skimpy that I’d be embarrassed but not with him. He’s seen so much more of me than what this covers. I watch him remove his shirt, licking my lips as his defined abs and broad chest appear. I remember the feeling of my hand as it moved over the ridges and bumps of those muscles. Makes me wet just thinking about it.
He surprises me by walking over and picking me up. I laugh as he walks us out into the water, my skin not warm enough yet for the coldness, shocking me as he takes us underneath. I spring to the top, my hands pushing my wet hair away from my face and laugh. He’s looking all kinds of sexy, water dripping from his hair, face, and smiling at me with such love in his eyes. I can’t imagine not being with him, not feeling his arms around me, his touch. I love everything about him. Sure, he’s hot, sexy and well built, but I’ve known him all my life. I see so much more than that. He’s loving, caring, funny and smart. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him, nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure we’ll be together. Forever.
We make love in the water, my bikini forgotten after he throws it onto the beach, along with his swim trunks. The sun is getting warmer, helping with my shivers but the coolness of the water isn’t the only thing causing them. We’re kissing, my arms around his neck and my legs hugging his waist. “So, what else do you want to do today?” He asks between kisses.
“Mmmmm, I dunno,” my response is breathless, coming out in heavy pants.
The sound of a cell phone vibrating from the beach makes us turn our heads and look. I reluctantly let go of him so he can go answer. My legs move as I wade in the water, but I’m curious as to who is calling so I swim back to the shore, get out and grab one of the towels on the blanket. He’s standing there looking at his phone with his towel wrapped around his waist. “Who was it, babe?” He dries off with an extra towel then picks his phone back up, swipes it a few times, and then hands it to me.
Mom: Family meeting at your place. Tonight @ 6! I’ll bring food.
“Another family meeting?” My heart beats rapidly as I look at him.
He shrugs. “Yeah, I dunno. But I know Ma and if she says family meeting, we meet.”
I look back down at the message then hand it back to him. “Well, I guess our day just got cut short. She may be bringing food but we can contribute something.” He laughs. We pick up our things and make the long walk back to his truck. Doesn’t mean we don’t stop along the way and have a little fun rolling around in the tall grass. What can I say? Now that we’re finally together, we can’t seem to keep our hands off each other, among other things.
Brock
My family is the best but how many family meetings can we have in twenty four hours? Okay, I know the fact that I let that asshole get the better of me is making everyone worried and acting a little crazy. I get that. I love their support, but we just need to get on with our lives and keep our eyes and ears open. We get home and take yet another shower, getting the muck of the pond off us. We don’t make love, although it wasn’t from the lack of me trying, but she’s freaking out about everyone coming over in a couple of hours. So, I help make sure the place is spotless and have to hold in my laughter when there really isn’t much of anything to clean due to her OCD about having everything sparkling already. Finally, I manage to corner her against a wall, whispering how we have plenty of time and what her body does to me. After conceding, I lift her into my arms and carry her to our bedroom, telling her on the short walk that we can remake the bed but also keep the door closed so no one will see it. There was no laughter, no giggles, only passion and desire when we get to our room. I’m proud to say, we barely shifted the covers as we showed our love to one another.
There’s a knock on the front door as I leave our bedroom closing the door behind me. Taren’s in the bathroom “fixing” her sexed up looking hair. Her words. I just run my fingers through mine, but it normally looks that way no matter what I do. I open the front door and step back as not only Ma and Mrs. Mills walk by but my eyes widen when I see Pop walk in behind them. I shut the door and follow them the few steps into the living room, no one sitting down as I walk past and turn to them. “Listen, if you’re here as an intervention or to upset Taren, don’t bother staying. You can just leave right….”
Ma steps forward and Pop raises his hands, palms up, as if in surrender. “It’s not like that, Brock. Simmer down.
We’re just showing our support. Aren’t we, Stan?” Her head turns to him, and he looks down then back up and into my eyes as he nods curtly. She walks to me and gives me a hug, whispering in my ear. “We all love you, son. Believe that. We love Taren too and we’re just here showing you that.” She leans back, and I see tears brimming in her eyes. I pull her back into a hug and squeeze. We all turn when we hear footsteps and see Taren standing at end of the room, her face pale and eyes wide. She looks at Pop, Ma, and then me. Her face questioning. I hear a sniff and watch as Taren’s eyes move to her mom. I feel kinda bad when I see Mrs. Mills standing there with tears streaming down her face.
“Taren,” she whispers, choking on her tears.
“Mom,” Taren’s voice cracks but then she straightens her slumped shoulders and raises her chin. “I’m not leaving. This is where I belong, where my heart is. I….”
Her mom’s voice is so low that you can barely hear it over her crying. “I’ve left him, sweetheart. I can’t even stand to look at him. I know it’s something I should have done a long time ago. I’m so sorry for the hurtfulness he’s put you through.” She looks at Ma and Pop then at me. “On all of you. I’m so ashamed.” Her hands cover her face, and Ma runs over, putting her arms around her, guiding her down onto a chair. I look back over at Taren and see her tears freely flowing down her face.
“Well, not that it’s much privacy but Ma, Pop, how about we go into the kitchen and give Mrs. Mills and Taren a little time.” Pop nods and walks over to the kitchen, clearly uncomfortable. Ma turns her head and smiles then walks there as well. I walk over to Taren and place a tender kiss on her forehead. “Take your time, baby.” Her watery eyes move to mine then back to her mom. I walk to the kitchen and start making drinks for everyone while Ma puts food away that they’d brought. I walk over and sit down at the table with Ma and Pop. My eyes keep shifting over to Taren. I try not to listen. I really do. But it’s hard when you’re only several feet away.
