Holding a Hero

by Layne, Lyssa

  He deepened his kiss and pulled me onto his lap. “Different can be fun.”

  “Yes, it can. Let’s move over to the bed.” I murmured.

  He led me over and gently pulled my shirt over my head. I quickly removed my bra and began to unbutton his shirt. His hands were gently caressing my body and I was having a hard time concentrating on what I was doing. I nipped and sucked at his neck and allowed my hands to roam over his flat stomach, trailing my fingers down to the top of his Levi’s. He groaned and finished the job of unbuttoning his shirt before moving towards the zipper on my pants. I gently pushed his hands away, taking over the familiar job so that he could work the buttons on his own pants. Naked, we fell onto the bed and began to explore each other. His body was tight, firm and well built. Sun freckles speckled his shoulders, a testament to the time he spent in the sun. He pushed me down and rolled on top of me, his kisses fevered, matching my needs. I heard him whisper in my ear and I shook my head. I know he had just asked me if I had protection and having forgotten it, I assumed he had brought some. I felt him shift and assuming he was moving to grab a condom; I closed my eyes and sighed. When I felt him enter me I gasped and froze but as he moved, the friction and the pleasure took over my common sense and I moved along with him. This was what I had been craving, needing, dreaming about since I first laid eyes on him. If this was our one-night stand, I was going to enjoy every thrust. We moved together in harmony, climbing the peak too quickly but neither of us able to stop it. My release was every bit of heaven that I had remembered they could be and I lay on the bed, panting and gasping for air.

  “Are you alright?” he leaned up on his elbow and looked down at me.

  “I’m fine. How about you? You took me by surprise.”

  “Surprise? What do you mean?”

  “Didn’t you ask if I had protection?”

  “Um, no. I asked if I needed protection. When you shook your head, I took that as meaning you are on birth control.”

  I closed my eyes, embarrassed at my lack of communication, lack of planning and lack of responsibility. “No, I am not on anything. I’m so sorry. I thought you asked if I had anything.”

  “It’s okay, it was a misunderstanding. We can rectify that. I’ll run down to the gas station.” he grinned.

  “Okay.”

  “Celeste. Look at me.” he demanded. When I looked at him he gave me a quick kiss on my lips. “It’s going to be okay. We are okay.”

  I felt tears come to my eyes and I nodded. “Alright.”

  “Now, give me five minutes and I’ll be back. Then we can take our time and enjoy each other longer.”

  I smiled and sat up. It was going to be alright. We would be okay. Right now, I wanted to enjoy his body without any guilt. He was going to get protection and we could pleasure each other for the next twelve hours.

  TEN

  “Room service.”

  I jerked at the strange voice and sat up in bed. I was still naked and Sean startled at my movement.

  “They are here with breakfast already.” I yawned as I stretched, getting ready to get up and answer the door.

  “I’ll get it.” he yawned and casually slipped his jeans on.

  “But they will see what we’ve been up to!” I exclaimed, modesty coming out of nowhere.

  He threw my shirt to me and laughed. “This is a hotel, Celeste. I’m sure they’ve seen much worse.”

  I pulled my shirt over my head and made sure I was properly covered as I sat up in bed. I had the opportunity to see Sean’s body in the morning light as he opened the door, wearing only his jeans. He had a long, toned, lanky body, his broad shoulders, his waist narrowed to his waist, his colorful tattoo on his arm standing out against his skin. I felt heat flush my face as I recalled what we had done, several times throughout the night. But I didn’t feel embarrassed or regret, just the steady pull to do it again, and again. He had made me feel beautiful and desirable and I wanted to feel that way again.

  He signed for the meal and turned to me. “May I serve you breakfast in bed?”

  I smiled and nodded. “Yes, thank you. As long as you join me too.”

  He placed my plate on my lap and my stomach grumbled as the smell of fresh eggs and bacon filled my senses. We both ate ravenously as our bodies demanded replenishment. We cleaned our plates and he cleared them from the bed, setting them back on the serving tray.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Check out is at eleven. What would you like to do until then?” he grinned devilishly.

  “More of last night!” I laughed.

  “That can be accommodated.” he agreed before launching himself onto the bed, pinning me giggling underneath his body.

  ***

  We enjoyed a hot shower before we packed our things and checked out. We made our way to my truck and kissed again, not wanting to say goodbye.

  “So what’s on your agenda today?” he asked.

  “Nothing much. I’m going to work with the horses a bit then Dad and I are going to let Legacy out with the other horses.”

  “Is that the filly you just got in April?”

  Surprised he remembered, I nodded and smiled. “Yep. She’s old enough now to be with the big boys.”

  “Cool. What about tomorrow?”

  “Ugh. I have to go get more hay before work.” I groaned.

  “Let me help.”

  “No, but thanks. We will be going before it gets too hot. I’ll take a nap before I have to go into work.”

  “Won’t it go faster if you have help?” he pressed.

  “It could but Dad and I have a routine. We’ll get it done in no time.”

  “Well you’ll get it done faster if I’m there. Call me when you get up. I’ll drive up before you’ve had your second cup of coffee.”

  “I can’t ask that. We’re going to be up and going by six in the morning.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be here.”

  Knowing I wouldn’t call him that early and he’d probably sleep in but grateful he offered to help, I leaned up and kissed him. “Thank you. And thank you for an amazing night and the beautiful necklace. It was a perfect night.”

  “You’re welcome and I enjoyed it too. You deserve to be treated like an angel.”

  I blushed and kissed him again before getting into my truck. Oy vey. Why didn’t this feel like the simple, uncomplicated one-night stand I had planned? And why was I already wanting more time with this man? I glanced in the rearview mirror watching him climb into his car and knew this wasn’t going to be the last time I slept with him.

  ***

  I spent the afternoon watching my baby filly frolic with my older horses and thrilled that my gelding played guardian over her. He didn’t allow my mares to pick on her and she quickly learned that if she stuck with him, she was safe. I was very protective and leery about her because she was so young. I don’t like to get babies before they are six months old because I honestly believe they need to be with their mothers for that long. I think they need that time to nurse but also to learn the “horse” behavior from their moms during that time. But not everyone shares my beliefs. Many breeders remove the foals from the mothers when they are only three months old. This was the case with Legacy and because of her beautiful black and white paint markings and her bloodlines, there were other interested buyers and I knew I couldn’t let her slip through my fingers. When she turned four months old, I brought her home. She was my dream filly, being the black and white tobiano paint and also a gaited breed. I dreamed of training her and introducing her to the show world. We had a very bright future ahead of us.

  I went to bed that night a little worried about my girl but also nervous about the morning. What if Sean did show up in the morning? Would my Dad be welcoming or would he be the ass that he was so fond of being sometimes, thinking he was funny? Would Sean be a good sport or think it was too much to handle? What if Sean didn’t show up at all? Could I really blame him? We had to
work that afternoon which meant either a late nap or no sleep at all until the following day. I fell asleep with these concerns worming around in my mind.

  When the alarm trilled at five a.m., I jumped out of bed and smelled the fresh coffee. Of course Dad would be awake because he didn’t have a job, took naps whenever he chose and enjoyed his retirement as he saw fit. He was excited about getting the hay because it got him out of the house with a purpose and horse people also know the feeling of relief when you get your hay in for the winter. It’s a very freeing feeling. I washed my face and threw on a ball cap, knowing I’d have to shower after the morning was done. It’s hard, sweaty work loading and unloading bales of hay that average seventy-five to eighty pounds apiece. I threw on some jeans and a t-shirt then wandered out for a cup of black gold.

  “Morning, sleepy head. Ready for the day?” Dad asked, sitting in his favorite recliner, probably on his third cup of coffee.

  I grumbled a hello and poured myself a cup before plopping down on the couch. I took a sip and looked at him. “Listen, Dad, Sean might show up to help get hay today. Please be nice. He’s a really great guy and I want to see him again so can you be good?”

  “Oh hell, honey, I’m always good.” When I shot him a withering look he shrugged his shoulders. “Can I joke with him?” he asked with a devilish twinkle in his eyes.

  “No! I grew up with your jokes. Just be nice. Once you get to know him and he gets to know us then maybe.” I conceded.

  Dad was the crib supervisor at Kodak and in charge of checking out tools for the guys on his shift. With his sense of humor he was given “Asshole of the Year” awards that he proudly framed and displayed on his office walls. These awards were presented to him lovingly as everyone loved his practical jokes and sense of humor. Never once was it given in a malicious manner. It’s just the way his crew showed their appreciation for him. Kodak showed their own appreciation for him through their rave reviews, raises and elaborate retirement package and party thrown for him when he finally retired. There hadn’t been a dry eye at his party.

  Despite this, I knew my father could come across as harsh, his deep baritone voice intimidating a soul until you got to know him, realized he was actually a soft spirit underneath the rough façade. I didn’t want Sean scared off first thing.

  I finished my first cup of coffee, filled my drinking thermos to take with me and went out to the barn to grab straps and throw them into the work truck. It was another Dodge that I had bought five months before I purchased my new one. It was a sharp looking two-toned black and red beast that had been raised up with a heavy suspension and the windows tinted. I loved it but only being a single cab, found I needed more room to throw saddles and tack when I went riding. When Dad informed me he liked the truck, he offered to take over the payments so I could get my new Dodge. It worked out nicely and we had two good trucks for my little ranch. Because his truck was a longer bed, we always used it to get hay. I had just thrown in the last of the straps when I heard a car pull into the driveway. I couldn’t suppress the grin when I saw Sean’s car. He parked, got out and causally strode over to me with his long, hairy legs. Shit, he wore shorts!

  “Hi! You made it.” I smiled.

  “Bright and early. Glad I didn’t miss you.” he grinned before he leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. Mmmmm, what a way to start the morning.

  “Nope, just getting ready to leave. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t tell you to wear jeans. I’m so sorry.”

  “No worries, it’s going to be hot today so I wore shorts.”

  “I can have you drive the truck, Dad can be in the bed and I’ll throw the hay from the field into the bed of the truck. It’s all good.” I said decisively.

  “Celeste, I’m not going to drive the truck. I can stack the hay.”

  “These bales are seventy-five to eighty pounds apiece. They will tear up your thighs before you’ve done ten bales.” I explained. “Really, it’s alright. Dad and I do this all of the time.”

  “And I’m telling you that I’ll be fine.” he argued.

  I recognized the male pride and shook my head. Dad had a huge problem with male pride and I learned early that the fastest way to piss one off was to argue or put them in a situation that would make them appear less of a man. I shrugged in defeat. It was his legs.

  Dad came out at that moment, dressed in his jean coveralls that he basically lived in. “Are we ready to go? Daylight’s a wasting.”

  I spun towards him and gave him a warning smile. “Yep, ready to go. Dad, this is Sean, Sean, this is my father, Dean.”

  My Dad stuck out his hand. “Sean, nice to meet you. Ready to work today?”

  “Nice to meet you, Dean.” he shook my father’s hand. “Yes, I am.”

  “Well, let’s go. Who’s driving?”

  “You are, Dad. I’ll sit in the middle and Sean can sit in the passenger seat.”

  We rode over to the field as Dad asked Sean questions about what he did at work and where he lived. When he found out about Sean’s love of gardening he was thrilled and they talked the rest of the way about crops. I was proud of him for keeping the conversation nice. Once at the field, we met up with the owner, paid him and found out what bales were ours. Without prompting, Dad asked Sean to drive the truck.

  “I’d like to help Celeste with the loading, if that’s alright with you.”

  Dad nodded and slapped a pair of leather gloves in his lap. “Better take these, they’ll help protect your hands and we’ve got hay hooks in the bed.”

  Sean and I climbed out of the cab and I slipped on my gloves. I lowered the tailgate, handed him a set of hooks and grabbed the other pair. “So the first row we stack the bales on their side, length long like the bed of the truck. They’ve got to be crammed in. Then I’ll show you how to do the second row.”

  “No problem.” he smiled.

  With Sean in the bed of the truck, Dad drove over to the first bale. I hooked it, threw it up in the back and walked over to the next bale. Dad drove slowly, not only to keep from throwing Sean out of the back of the truck but so that I could get the bales up into the back of the truck. This continued until we had the first row loaded. I explained how to stack the next one but after a few bales, saw him struggle with getting it tight. I jumped up to help him, knowing we had to get it tight or we would lose the load of hay going home.

  “You’ve had more experience stacking so let me throw the hay up into the truck and you can stack.”

  I shook my head. “You have to use your knees to throw them up that high. You’ll shred your legs.”

  “I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ll let you know if I can’t.” he argued.

  Seeing the man pride raise its head again I relented. “Okay but if I see blood, you are done.”

  “Deal.” He gave me a quick kiss and jumped down. I flushed wondering if Dad saw that exchange.

  I quickly got the bales stacked tight and looked back, surprised Sean already had two more bales loaded on the back. He was throwing them into the back of the truck so fast that I struggled to keep up and before I knew it, the truck was loaded. Dad and I got the hay strapped down and climbed into the cab to head home.

  “That was the fastest we’ve ever loaded up hay.” Dad exclaimed. “We should take you every time, Sean.”

  “Just give me a call.” Sean laughed.

  I glanced down at Sean’s legs and saw scratches covering his exposed skin. Sean saw my expression and patted my thigh.

  “Doesn’t even hurt.” he assured me.

  “It might later. Need to get the hay washed off.”

  He grinned at me and raised an eyebrow in an inviting way and I felt myself blush. I was so thankful that Dad was focused on the road. We pulled into the driveway and backed up into the barn. Unloading went even quicker and I was pleased that Sean stayed the entire time. He caught onto the stacking pattern quickly and within thirty minutes we had our barn filled.

  “Sean, I have to say it’s been a pleasur
e and you can help with hay anytime. Can I offer you a beer?”

  “Anytime and I have to decline on the beer this time. I’ve got to get home, take a shower and get ready for work. Thank you, Dean.” he turned to me. “See you tonight?”

  “Yep. I’ll be there. Thank you for your help. It went so much faster.”

  “No problem.” he smiled, leaned down and kissed me on the lips before turning and walking to his car.

  “He’s a nice guy, Celeste.” Dad commented.

  I let out a breath and nodded. A nice guy, not so much a player. Shit, why did I feel like I was in trouble? “Yes, he is Dad. Yes, he is.”

  ELEVEN

  I was able to take a short nap before I showered and got ready for work. I left early hoping I could talk with him about the day. I was really grateful for the hard work because it cut our time by more than half. I was a little surprised to see him sitting in his vehicle when I pulled into the parking lot. Here it comes. I thought to myself. This is where he tells me it’s been fun but we need to let it go. I parked beside him and took my time grabbing my lunch, delaying the inevitable. I heard him walk over to me and I braced myself. I turned, startled to find him standing inside my open door, less than an inch away from my face.

  “I’ve been waiting all day to do this.” he mumbled before he thrust his hand into my hair, pulling my face into his and kissing me deeply. His tongue was hot, invading, demanding. I felt myself melt, my body responding to his need. I wasn’t expecting this but relished in what he was telling me and showing me; that he wanted me. When we broke away he was grinning.

  “Did you get any rest after I left?” he asked.

  Still thrown off balance, I stumbled over my words. “I…er…yes, I got a little nap. And you?”

  “Yep, took a cold shower and slept like a rock. I see you brought your lunch. Anything that can keep until tomorrow?”

  “Um, yes, why?”

  “I’d like to take you out for lunch. If that’s okay.”