Hometown Glory: Fox Creek Series #1 - A Sensual Romance Novella

by Danica Chandler

  Jace buried his face into her neck, his hot breath coming out in pants as he continued to move. They were a perfect fit, just as she remembered. His rhythmic motion slowed some and he slowly slid in and out, moving with his breathing. His eyes trailed down to her breasts and back up to her face.

  There was nowhere else she wanted to be. The rest of the world didn’t exist. Everything outside of the motel window was completely gone. It was just Jace and Annie, moving together as one on the bed, both speaking each other’s names between deep pants.

  “Damn… Annie…” his voice was deep and rumbled against her as he ducked his head. His body collapsed on top of her and he had finished. He hoisted himself up on his hands, pulling his body weight off of her.

  Kissing her again, he appeared to be blushing.

  “Sorry…” he said, finally rolling beside her, taking her in his arms.

  “What are you sorry for?”

  “That was quick. It’s uhh, you know, it’s been awhile.”

  Annie couldn’t tell if he was flush from embarrassment or from the exercise he had just gotten, but the fact that he was apologizing made her laugh.

  “It was great, Jace. Don’t sell yourself short.” She rested her head on his chest, enjoying his strong arms around her. She took in his manly scent, dreading the moment they’d have to part and go their separate ways.

  “It’ll be better the next time, I promise.” He nuzzled the back of her neck.

  Annie smiled at the thought of a next time. She could get used to it, especially if he was promising even better sex than what she had just encountered. It was nothing short of amazing, even if he felt it was shorter than what he could’ve done.

  “You think you can top what just happened?” She asked, flashing him a flirty expression.

  His face grew serious. “Without a doubt. Did you at least come?”

  Annie nodded, the question catching her off guard. “Yes, I did.”

  “Good,” he replied, his hug growing tighter around her midsection.

  His breathing grew deeper and Annie noticed he was dozing off. She didn’t want to move too much to wake him and debated on whether or not to stay. He hadn’t invited her to, but the implication was there. Shifting her weight, Jace’s eyes popped open and he didn’t let her go.

  “Stay with me tonight, Annie,” his voice was low. How could she say no to that?

  “I will, Jace. If you want me to, I’ll stay.”

  “Thank you, Annie.”

  She watched him doze back off and drift into a deep sleep. She studied his face, his chiseled chest, and his muscular arms. He must have worked out in prison. He was looking really fit and here he was, lying next to her again, just like when they were younger. If their love making hadn’t have been so good, she would wonder when it was time to wake up from this dream. But it wasn’t a dream. He was back in Fox Creek and she had allowed him to have her in the most intimate setting, just like when they were younger.

  She hoped this wasn’t a mistake. Right now she was going to embrace it and enjoy every second.

  ***

  Jace woke up the next morning around eight AM. Annie was still beside him, wrapped in his arms. Rolling on his side, he could use more shut eye with her next to him, but he had gotten good rest after their fun time and was wide awake.

  She stirred and stretched out, letting out a yawn. Neither said anything as they looked into each other’s eyes. Kissing the tip of her nose, he did another double take at the alarm clock and let out a groan.

  “Thanks for staying.”

  “Thanks for having me over,” she replied, clasping her fingers within his. “Coming here was the best decision I’ve made in a long time.”

  “Yeah?” Jace asked, sitting up. “I’m glad you did too.” He kicked his legs over the side of the bed. Her panties and bra on the floor instantly reminded him about everything that had transpired just a few short hours before. He was sore, but in a good way. “What are your plans today?”

  She pulled her hair back out of her face and reached for her clothes. He admired her naked body as she gathered her jeans and shirt, feeling himself becoming aroused at just the sight of her curves, her legs, everything about her. Turning around, she caught on to his stare and a cute grin parted her lips. Her eyes trailed down and she noticed his arousal.

  “Well, I guess I have time…”

  “Join me in the shower?” Jace asked, arching his eyebrow as he walked across the room toward her. He planted her against the wall before she could answer, his hands running down her side, cupping her breasts and her ass. She leaned into him, inviting him for more.

  “I could use a shower,” she said, guiding him toward the bathroom.

  Turning the water on, he pulled her inside the stall, pushing her against the wall again, planting two fingers deep inside of her warmth. She reached down, moving her hand up and down his shaft, matching his long strokes, each moving rhythmically together. She moaned and closed her eyes, her grip strong on his arousal.

  Smiling, he moved faster, his fingers dancing as he enjoyed the pleasure on her face. “You’re so wet, Annie.”

  Her hips moved back and forth and she begged for him. He couldn’t resist. Turning her back against him, he entered from behind, the angle making him almost lose it from the very beginning. Bracing himself, he slowed down in an attempt to pace himself from the best arousal he had ever experienced. The warm water enveloped them and he lost all track of time, enjoying it better than the first time, as he had promised.

  ***

  After Annie had left for the day, Jace had to get his mind on finding a job. He didn’t want her to leave. He loved having her by him. It was strange – so many women had come into his life but he had never felt so lost when they parted ways. He promised her they’d hang out again. He hoped she would be for it as well.

  Staring out of the window, he watched her truck merge back on to Main Street and out of sight. Dressing in his best clothing – his plaid pearl snap shirt and jeans, he set his sights on any mechanic shop, general store, or ranch that he came across. The motel was getting expensive and he needed income.

  The first stop on his journey was a gas station down the road. It had an oil change shop off of the back and a help wanted sign in the window. He remembered the place from when he was a kid and how the owner was a racist jerk. Maybe he had changed. Maybe Jace was oversensitive.

  It was just how he pictured. There were outdated Coke signs, old fountain machines, and the same man behind the counter. Even the gas pumps outside hadn’t been updated. Jace adjusted his cowboy hat and stuck his hand out for the man to shake.

  “Jace Cooper. I saw your help wanted sign out there. Wondering if you’re still looking for a worker.”

  “Kal Thomas.” He returned the handshake. “You ever work on cars before?” The man’s glare was sharp as he eyed a car pumping gas. “Gotta watch people like hawks now with the way the damn gas prices are. Got so many drive offs it’s gonna put me in.”

  Jace averted his stare to the car and back to him. “Yes sir, I’ve got a lot of experience working on cars.”

  “When and where?”

  Jace figured it wouldn’t be appropriate to mention hot wiring cars and doing typical boy things. Leaving those details out would be best. “My daddy had a shop for a long time. I helped out in it. He taught me everything I know. Between ranch hand and mechanic, that’s about all I’ve ever done since I can remember.”

  Kal sized him up, suddenly appearing as if he recognized him. “You say your last name is Cooper?”

  Jace nodded. This is where it would either make him or break him. “Yes sir.”

  “Your daddy is Jack Cooper?”

  “That’s him,” Jace replied, his pulse racing, making a mental note to go visit him soon, if he even lived in the same house. They had lost touch when he went to prison.

  “Now I remember. You went to jail for robbing the gas station on the other side of town. Why the hell do you think
I’d hire you here after a stunt like that? Y’all held the attendant at gunpoint.”

  Jace took a few steps back. He wanted to plead his case and explain how he was in the car the whole time. It didn’t matter. He was stained with the mistake. “I’m sorry I wasted your time, Mr. Thomas.”

  “You’ve got some nerve, young man.”

  Jace ducked out of the gas station and back out into the parking lot, taking one last glance at the car that was still pumping gas. Deep inside he wished the person would drive off without paying, but brushed that thought aside. He moved down the road, hoping not all of his experiences were like that one.

  Chapter Four

  “Where’d you stay last night?”

  The abrupt question caught Annie off guard. Staring at her father, she tried to think up a quick answer. How had he known she wasn’t back at her house last night?

  “Kristen got pretty drunk. I took her home and stayed to make sure she was okay.” She felt like she stammered over her words, but he nodded and sipped on his coffee. “I stopped by today to see if you and Ma needed anything. Seems I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  He looked up from the newspaper, blowing on the steaming coffee. “We’re good. Lost another ranch hand yesterday.He decided to join the rodeo circuit and travel. He was a hell of a worker. Gonna be hard to pick up the slack from all of the stuff he did around here.”

  Annie sat up in her chair, almost as if the mention of an open spot on the team was too good to be true. Was it too soon to mention Jace? Her father never liked him when they were dating, and completely despised him when he heard of the robbery and of his incarceration. Her thoughts trailed back to a few hours ago and thinking about their passionate embrace got her worked up again.

  Standing up, she put her breakfast dishes in the sink and looked out the window toward the barn. She could imagine Jace out there, working the horses and the land, looking so good under the hot sun. His toned body up early, working the day off until the sun went down. She brushed the image out of her mind. Right now she couldn’t show her weakness with him. For all she knew, she was another one of his flings and she’d never hear from him again. This was Jace Cooper she was thinking bout.

  “You know of any of your friends who might be interested in working here?”

  Her dad’s question pulled her back to the present moment, and she sat back down at the table. To hell with it. He would find out sooner or later about Jace. Why not sooner?

  “Jace Cooper is back in town,” she said, cringing on the inside about what his reaction might be.

  He folded the paper up and nodded toward her mother when she came back into the kitchen. “You saw him?”

  Annie nodded. “He’s been back a few days. Looking for work.”

  “Fresh out of prison?”

  “Yeah, I’m assuming so.” She didn’t want to lead on that she had talked to him. If her dad only knew all of the other details, he would never speak to her again. How Jace made her feel safe on top of her. How he touched her in her most private areas. How he did everything she asked, sending her through her own personal ecstasy. Damn it. She had to stop thinking about that. He would read her emotions and know.

  “I don’t want that criminal on my land.”

  “He didn’t do it, Dad. If you’d just open your mind and listen!”

  “He didn’t do it, huh? He was out with those guys. He was there. He went to jail. The last thing I need is to worry about him stealing something from me.”

  Annie folded her arms over her chest and looked from her mom and back to her dad. At least her mom had been supportive in her relationship with Jace.

  “I think you’d be making a good decision bringing him on. You know damn well, Dad, that he can outwork anyone out there. He used to train the stallions for one of the local breeders. You can’t deny he’s got that experience.” She mashed her index finger into the surface of the table, trying to make her point stronger.

  He leaned back in his chair, his gaze slowly meeting her eyes. “I can’t believe you of all people are pleading his case.”

  Annie cocked her head to the side, knowing what he meant, but wanting him to expand on his comment. “What do you mean?”

  “You were in love with him. He left you in the dust like you were some inanimate object. Seeing him do that to you broke my heart more than you’d ever understand, Annie.”

  The memories were like a punch to her gut. She hadn’t forgot any of it, and somehow still found herself unable to resist him. Guilt rushed over her. How could she have let her guard down so fast? His resistible green eyes, dark hair, and hard body met everything she found attractive in a man. The tall, dark, and handsome cliché was happening right before her eyes.

  “I believe that people change. I believe in second chances.” She stood up and made her way toward the living room, feeling as if she were needing to convince herself of what she had just said. Did she really feel that way? Was her judgment clouded by her physical attraction to Jace?

  “Annie…” Her dad’s voice was soft.

  Turning on her heel, she looked over her shoulder. “Dad…”

  “I’ll consider it. Just please keep that wall around your heart with him. I can’t let him do that to you again.”

  She had been completely oblivious to the fact that Jace leaving her didn’t just tear her apart. It had taken a toll on her parents as well.

  Annie shook her head yes and lied through her teeth. “I will, Daddy. I will.”

  ***

  Jace sat out on the picnic table that Brenda and her crew had been out two nights before, enjoying the cool breeze in the middle of the afternoon. He had stopped off at the gas station, an auto repair shop, and one of the grocery stores. Each one handed him the generic line about not hiring at the moment, but they’d keep his application on file for future consideration. He wanted to call them out, but kept his mouth shut. If he resorted to anger it would just justify their decision even more.

  He couldn’t focus on one certain thought for more than a few seconds at a time. It was as if someone was turning the channels in his mind. His frustrations of job hunting were weighing heavy on him and he had to tell himself it had only been one day. The only problem was that it was a small town. The options were shrinking fast.

  Burying his face in his hands, he tried to get his mind on something else. Annie was the next thing that popped up. He felt a smile part his lips. He wished there was an easy way to get hold of her. He didn’t have a cell phone like every person seemed to have plastered to their ear. He could use the phone in his motel room, but she never gave him her number.

  He remembered where her folks lived out in the county, but he didn’t dare go there. Five years ago she had a house on the edge of town, but what if she didn’t live there anymore? He felt like a stalker with all of the things he was considering in getting in touch with her.

  Looking at the door to his motel room, he thought about how much more money it would suck out of him. The wad of cash he had saved when in prison was thinning out. He was worried to even spend any on food. Something had to give. If he couldn’t find a job in Fox Creek, he’d have to move along to the next town. The thought bothered him. While he was getting nothing but flak from people who lived here, what he was feeling for Annie was enough to make him want to stay.

  Was he okay? He had never allowed a woman to dictate where he stayed or what he did in life. What was it about Annie that made him think about her every time a possible decision needed to be made? They had only been together the one night, but it was enough to ignite the burning embers inside of him.

  He had to question it all. Was he just acting out of lust? It had been a long time since he felt the touch of a woman. Shaking his head, he had to deny that. Brenda had come on to him and he was able to resist. He had always cared for Annie, even after he broke up with her. Even now, he wasn’t sure why he had done that. He was wild and crazy, and didn’t want a woman tying him down. Looking back, if he would have s
tayed with her, he could’ve easily avoided prison.

  No regrets. He couldn’t linger in the past and things he could have done differently. There was no way to change it now. The only thing in Jace’s control now was making the present and the future much better than the previous things he had experienced. He could see Annie there with him in all of it. That had to mean something.

  His stomach grumbled. He had to get something to eat. He hadn’t had any food since the night before. Digging down in his pockets, he felt a few dollar bills and some change. Dairy Queen was pretty much his only option for cheaper food. It was a short walk down the street, much like everything in the town.

  Walking down the sidewalk, he pulled his cowboy hat down low and continued to keep an eye out for any businesses looking for help. He heard a honk behind him, and his gut reaction was to ignore it. It was probably some kid with nothing better to do, but when he finally looked, it was Annie, edging her truck to the curb.

  “Hey there, stranger. You need a ride?”

  Smirking, he leaned through the window and gave her a peck on the lips. “You got nothing better to do than pick up hitchhikers?”

  “Where you headed? I might have some potentially good news for you.”

  “Yeah? I was headed over to Dairy Queen for a burger. Wanna join me?”

  “Sounds good.”

  They sat at a corner booth and dug into their greasy burgers and fries. Jace could only wonder what she had to tell him.

  “Well, what potential good news do you have?”

  She sipped on her drink and leaned back in the booth. “You still looking for a job?”

  He nodded. “Yep. Not exactly a good market we have here.”

  She dipped a French fry in her ketchup. The red blob landed on her bottom lip and she playfully licked it off. “I talked to my dad this morning. He’s got a spot open for a ranch hand.”