by Chloe Plume
I had no doubt that some of the items might actually have been worth a lot of money. But, I don’t think anyone actually came into the store to buy anything. Somehow she’d kept it open for a very long time without making any earnest effort to sell.
“It’s not about the money, Winter,” she exclaimed, as if reading my mind. “I haven’t seen you in ages. Let me spoil you.”
“I feel horrible though. The first day I came to visit I ran off before we even sat down to catch up.”
Aunt Sylvia smiled in that gentle, honest way in which she did everything. Maybe it was the yoga every morning, but she positively beamed with positive energy throughout the day, her zealous spirit showing through in the smallest things, like how she sang while cooking.
I have to say, I used to think she was crazy. Heck, the first day I spent with her I still thought she was a bit mad. But her open and easy attitude towards life was contagious. I found myself trading in my preppy ensembles for the draping fabrics of her kind of desert chic looks.
She couldn’t have been more unlike my mother. Diane Calloway and Sylvia Taylor were sisters. But the resemblance ended there.
My mom exaggerated her pronunciation in a self-conscious, affected way in an effort to be more sophisticated. The end result however was an awkward formation of vowels in the back of the throat, like she had hot potatoes in her mouth. She was careful, overly concerned really, in the way she presented herself to the world.
Aunt Sylvia was a free spirit. She wore her long silver hair loose or in braids and preferred free-flowing clothing that moved in the wind rather than the structured, matronly outfits my mother wore. Even though Aunt Sylvia didn’t wear makeup, her skin shimmered with a natural radiance from within. I was surprised that apart from the crinkles at the corner of her eyes and the lines that formed at the sides of her smile, her complexion was near perfect. She was beautiful in an unpretentious, down-to-earth way.
“Well, go ahead and try this on.”
I took the dress and stepped into the small curtained dressing room to try it on. From the feel, it seemed to be a light, airy mixture of cotton and linen. Abstract flower designs ran across the cream-colored fabric in vibrant tones of turquoise blue, golden orange, and dusky reds.
“How are things with that boy?” she called out suddenly.
I was taken by surprise. “How’d you know?” I asked from behind the curtain, pulling on the dress and marveling at how light the material was.
“Well, you just told me!” My Aunt chuckled warmly. A big hearty laugh. “That and I saw him dropping you off in that fancy car of his last weekend.”
I stepped out and checked my reflection in the mirror. I looked so different. But the dress fit perfectly, tracing my shape down to the knees.
“That looks gorgeous on you.” My Aunt smiled. A big, wide, luminous smile. “And the colors,” she noted. “The colors are magnificent against your hair.”
I spread my dark coffee brown hair across my shoulders. She was right. Those dusky reds and golden hues brought out the different tones in my hair.
“Thank you so much Aunt Sylvia.”
She waved her hand. “No, it’s nothing. Now tell me about that boy. He looked handsome from a distance.”
“Well, he’s certainly that up close,” I began. “And more.” I hesitated. “But I can’t help feeling like I’m reading too much into it. Maybe I’m just going through a phase after what happened with Frank.”
Aunt Sylvia put her arm around me. “He cheated on you, even before the marriage, didn’t he?”
My head sank and shoulders slumped. “Did my mom tell you?”
“She didn’t have to.” My aunt motioned for me to sit down on a rickety old chair that was either a priceless antique or just a rickety old chair—I doubted she cared either way. “Your mother and I hadn’t spoken in years, but she called me when you didn’t go back to New York. She figured rightly that you’d be here.”
I slumped back into the chair. “She gave me your address.”
“Your mother cares deeply about you, but she hasn’t exactly had the best approach to either her own life or that of her daughter. Actually, she called me specifically to warn me about putting ideas in your head.”
“Sounds like her.”
Aunt Sylvia grinned mischievously. “So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” She pulled up an even older looking chair with armrests and sat beside me. She leaned thoughtfully into the side of the chair with her head resting in her palm and looked in that moment every bit of a wise woman, her wisdom complimenting her eccentricity.
Deep in thought, she rubbed her temple with her index and middle fingers. “Your mother told me about the engagement and I asked directly what led you to miss your flight back. All she said was: ‘Men will be men. Winter needs to learn that if she’s going to get through life. I certainly did.’”
“That’s exactly what she told me.”
“Winter, your mother and I chose very different lives. I left home at a young age and spent some time in the show business here in Las Vegas. I traveled, had my share of heartbreaks. I never married rich. I’ve never given a damn about making the right impressions, whatever that’s supposed to mean. And I haven’t let other people’s opinion of me restrict my experiences. Hell, I learned it’s best to throw fear out the window, whether it’s the anxiety of judgment from others, or your own personal doubt.”
I shifted in my seat as exactly that kind of anxiety and doubt rushed through my head. “I know…I know… But I can’t help thinking I’m either acting immature or naïve. Either it’s all some kind of escapism or I’m just foolishly romantic and about to get my heart broken. Maybe a little bit of both.”
Aunt Sylvia’s eyes lit up. “And there’s nothing wrong with that! If someone’s the cause of that whole blurry mix of thoughts and feelings ”—she sprang up and pointed to the door—“then you get out there and you take that chance!”
“That’s certainly not what my mother would say, Aunt Sylvia. I’ll give you that.”
“Yes. And how happy does your mother seem to you?”
I stood up and walked back in front of the mirror. I could hardly recognize myself with my hair running down my shoulders a bit messy and the dress giving me that bohemian vibe I’d always been told was the slippery slope to a reprehensible life.
I turned back to my Aunt and nodded in agreement. “You’re right.” I walked back over to the front desk and glanced down at my cell phone. “Of course, I haven’t seen or heard from him in days. Maybe it’s not meant to be?”
“What’s his name?” she asked.
“Rev Gryffin.”
And just then my cell buzzed. His voice rushed excitedly and he said he couldn’t wait to see me Saturday.
Chapter Twelve
REV
She walked in wearing a dark blue dress and heeled light suede boots. The thin fabric clung to her hips as she stepped across the room. I couldn’t wait to peel it off of her.
“Different look, kitten. I like it.” I raised the bottle of champagne I’d ordered at exorbitant mark-up. It was worth it though. “A drink?”
She put her bag down and walked into the middle of the suite. “Well, this is impressive.”
She took a sip of the champagne and I noted how her plump lips pressed against the crystal surface, leaving the red mark of her lipstick. My cock twitched. I wasn’t sure how long I could resist ripping her clothes off.
“Is that a Jacuzzi across from the bedroom?” she asked, pointing to the huge tub I’d started filling with steaming water.
“That’s all part of the bedroom. One open floor plan—Marquis Suite,” I said a little too proudly.
“Impressive.” I wasn’t sure if she was being sarcastic, but she kept drinking the champagne and seemed to be enjoying the room.
So far so good.
“You know, on my way here, I saw a couple trucks with your last name in big bold letters.” She took a seat on a lavishly upholstere
d chair that probably cost more than my yearly rent. “Doesn’t seem like that common of a last name, Gryffin.”
“Family trucking business.”
“So you must do well then.”
I shifted nervously. I hated when this topic came up. “Remember back at Mayhem’s fight, I told you I was glad my dad didn’t come?”
“Not the best relationship?”
“He does well. We’ve kind of had a falling out. All I do is race. And for the record, I don’t take a cent from him or the business.”
She glanced at me from out under her long eyelashes. “Living life on your own terms.”
“Something like that.” I poured myself a glass of champagne and took a long sip. “But I think those terms are starting to change.”
“What do you mean?” She stood up and smoothed the material of her dress.
My eyes followed the movement of her hands over her thighs. “All I can think about is the way you feel against me. All I want is more.”
“Rev, I—”
Our lips met and she went silent against me. My tongue traced the plump contours and darted inside. I flicked along the roof of her mouth, feeling her warmth and suppleness, tasting champagne.
Pulling back, I took her in from head to toe. I couldn’t wait to run my hands all over her. She looked soft, silky, and delicious. The agony in my pants was excruciating.
“Winter, I can’t be with anyone else. Not after the way you’ve made me feel.” Her gaze met mine and I watched as her face softened. “You pretty much ruined me for anyone else,” I added.
She rolled her eyes and the corners of her mouth rose to form the hint of a smile. “Oh, no. Poor you.”
“There she is,” I noted. “Scoffing as I bear my heart.”
“You have a heart?”
I walked over to the Jacuzzi and turned that water off. It was filled to the brim, bubbles running across the surface.
She met me at the side of the tub and looked out over the steaming surface. “Looks relaxing.”
“We won’t be relaxing the whole time,” I noted. “I have the feeling that warm, soapy water running all over your body will have the exact opposite effect.”
Winter leaned into me until I felt my cock digging against her soft body. “Don’t worry, I didn’t come here to relax.”
I almost fucked her right then and there. “Well then get naked and into that bathtub before I toss you in myself.”
She pulled off her dress and I ducked out to turn the sound system on. I tuned the station to some acoustic folk rock song with a decent vibe, and began to pull of my clothes.
When I came back, Winter was sitting in the tub, her long hair falling across the top of her breasts and into the water.
“Someone’s excited, “she remarked.
My cock was already sticking out like a flagpole.
I shrugged. “What can I say? You do things to me.” Then, downing my second glass, I slid into the tub and sat across from her.
She had such beautiful hair. A glossy cascade in shades of brown. I reached out and ran my hands through it. I couldn’t wait to grasp it in handfuls as our bodies collided.
She closed her eyes and her head went back, exposing her delicate neck. I ran my fingers up the soft, silky skin from the swell of her breasts to the underside of her chin and cupped her cheek. She leaned into me, resting against me as the heat from the bath and the champagne put us in a tranquil daze.
“Has it always been that way with you and your family?” she murmured.
“I never really wanted to work with my dad,” I explained. “He sold off most of the family ranches and farms. People lost their jobs and things went to shit around Desert Haven, my hometown. I was always close to my Uncle though. He’s been doing what he can to help, and he was a big influence on me when I was a kid.”
“You seem like you’re close to your brothers though,” she said, her head resting on my chest.
I put my arm around her and pulled her close. We fit so well together, her soft warm body tucked against my larger frame. “We’ve always looked out for each other. And I’m not saying my family isn’t close. We have Sunday night dinners and everything. It’s just that my dad sees things differently. Hell, he’s the one who cut my Uncle out of the business when grandpa died. Just so he could do exactly what he wanted. So I guess you could say it’s complicated.”
“It’s been that way in my life too,” she whispered, her soft voice faint and wispy like the steam. “Makes you appreciate something when it’s simple and just makes sense.”
Instinctively, my hand went to her hip and I pulled her on top of my lap. My cock throbbed against her soft body.
“I want you.” Groaning, I guiding the head of my shaft to her entrance.
She rocked on me, sliding inch by inch down my length. Finally I was fully inside her. Her dripping hair fell forward, covering us both as her juicy lips found mine.
She moved against me, slowly at first. My hands roamed across her slippery curves until they settled on her rounded ass. I took handfuls of her soft, silky rear, gripping hard and grinding her down on me.
“Fuck kitten.” My voice was noticeably hoarse as the blood rushed to my cock and pleasure tensed through my body. “You have no idea what your body does to me.”
She moaned against me. My mouth found her breasts. I swirled my tongue around her nipples and sucked as she rode my pulsing cock.
Our rhythm went faster as I thrust deeper into her body. Grabbing a handful of lush brown hair, I pulled her head to mine and hungrily kissed her. I tugged at those luscious lips and grazed her silky cheeks with my teeth. I couldn’t get enough of this girl.
“Fuck me harder,” she sighed. “Fuck me Rev. Fuck me.”
I plunged violently inside of her, faster and faster. But the water was slowing me down. My back slipped against the side of the bathtub.
“Fucking tub.” I lifted her off of me. “Get out.”
She obliged and I followed, watching the water drip from her naked body. I was raging hard and desperate to drive back into her warm center. I needed her propped against something stable so she could take the hammering I was about to give her. I eyed the glossy wood grained dining table in the middle of the suite.
“I’m putting you on that table,” I grunted, lifting her up, hands under her soft ass.
She wrapped her legs around my waist. “Sure that’s a good idea. It probably costs a fortune.”
“I don’t give a fuck.” I carried her over and set her ass on the edge of the table.
Spreading her thighs, I took a moment to tease her entrance with my fingers. I dipped into her slit, marveling at how quickly her own juices had replaced the water from the tub.
What a perfect little pussy…
I slipped a second finger inside her. She moaned. My cock was rock hard.
“Shit…Rev.” Her voice came out in gasps. She tossed her head back and her hair spilled wildly behind her.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
I slid my cock inside her wet pussy and drilled into her. My head went numb and my balls tightened almost painfully. The tension was unbearable. She clenched down on my shaft as I buried myself deep on the final stroke.
Finally I let go inside her.
I fucking erupted inside her.
My cock surged and gushed. Her body milked me dry.
I pulled her off the table and we both fell to the floor. She nestled tight against me, and we lay on the soft carpet in blissful afterglow. Our legs entwined, our exhausted bodies fitting perfectly together.
I was drained. My eyes heavy, I drifted off. An absolute torpor took hold. All I felt was the warmth of her body on mine. All I heard was the sound of her breathing in the stillness of the room.
For the first time, I understood the bliss of absolute serenity. Up until now, I’d needed every rash decision and fleeting distraction in the book just to feel alive. But right now, all I needed was her.
After what felt like
an eternity, her hand reached up over my chest and her voice spilled over me like the distant echo of a dream.
“I love you Rev,” she whispered softly.
I held her close. But the words didn’t come out of me. Words I’d never said before. I breathed out slowly and ran my hands through her hair.
“Thank you for all of this,” she continued, her voice sweet and soothing. “Though this place must have cost a fortune.”
And then I told her. The words tumbled out, clumsy and brash. She listened, quiet and still, as I described what I’d done that night after dropping her at her Aunt’s.
Even as I spoke, I regretted my careless tone.
“I do it all the time,” I said nonchalantly. “And I throw some money to the families my dad’s screwed over.” Somehow the intimacy of the moment had evoked the old Rev. My defense mechanism went into overdrive.
She pulled away and stood up.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She began picking up her clothes. “I thought you raced cars. I didn’t know you were a thief.”
“I’m fucking helping people,” I shouted, defensively.
She stepped back into her dress. “And you really think that’s the best way?”
“What?” I sprang to my feet, exasperated.
She shook her head. “You think you’re such a hot shot, huh? Rich daddy won’t give you any money, so you run around pulling off heists.” Her eyes narrowed. “There’s a reason I stayed away from guys like you all my life. Any way you try to rationalize it, you’re a damn crook.”
“Winter, it’s not like that, I—”
Her hand went up. “Save it. I’ve heard enough.” She paused at the door, looking right into my eyes. “The worst part it, I wouldn’t have minded if this was just a fling. But you had me thinking about giving up my whole life and staying here… God damn it, Rev. You broke my heart.”
And then the door slammed and she was gone.
Chapter Thirteen
Winter
Thoughts of my father flashed through my mind as I stormed off. Maybe my mother was wrong about a lot of things. But she had first hand experience having her heart torn to shreds by a bad man. She endured the devastating and inevitable end of a relationship with a man who kept going down the wrong road. She had Dylan. I had Rev.
