Cockpit

by Joanna Blake

"No, you did everything right!"

  He laughed as he held me against him. His hand stroked my hair as I sobbed against his chest. He kissed my cheek, whispering in my ears.

  "I think you might have forgotten something. A couple of things actually."

  I looked up at him, a question in my eyes. He smiled at me tenderly, leading me to the barn. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim light.

  And then got hit by a wall of warm, soft, smelly fur.

  "Down! Down!"

  Nick was desperately trying to shield me from the overly enthusiastic puppies, throwing themselves at me. What he didn't realize is that they were always careful not to hurt me. I noticed the dogs didn't even try to knock me to the ground this time.

  They circled me, nuzzling my belly.

  A soft neigh made me look up. Arabesque was there, in her own private stall. Nick handed me an apple and I smiled, walking over to her.

  I stroked her as she ate the apple out of my hand.

  "How did you manage this?"

  He put his arms around me from behind.

  "Where there's a will, there's a way."

  He kissed my neck, whispering 'that's an American expression.'

  I laughed, crying in earnest now.

  "It's perfect. Everything is perfect."

  He let his hands wander as he pressed his face into my neck.

  "There's a path to the waterfall as well. And another little pool on our side of the property."

  He whispered in my ear.

  "I have lots of ideas about that."

  Six Months Later

  Nicholas

  "Shhhh... let mama rest little one... shhhh..."

  I bounced Petra gently against my chest as I walked back and forth across the veranda. The hyacinth was in bloom, creating a strong sweet smell. Usually, it seemed to quiet the baby.

  I smiled to myself in disbelief.

  Just a few weeks old, and she already had me running in circles to please her.

  Now I had two ladies to spoil, and they were all mine.

  I wouldn't have it any other way.

  I heard a car coming up the drive and smiled.

  "You will never guess who is here to meet you little one."

  The baby stared up at me, her huge cornflower blue eyes wide. They were her mother's eyes, thank Goodness. Her pretty little face was 100% Rosie.

  Her personality on the other hand... well, even at just a few weeks old she was obviously bull headed. That was more from my side of the family.

  "Is that my Great Grand Daughter?"

  I smiled as the old lady came towards me. Even after traveling for over twelve hours, she was immaculately dressed. Her tweed suit looked freshly pressed. Her jaunt sat at a jaunty angle. Her skin was freshly powdered.

  Yes, Rosie's Grandmother looked a lot like the Queen of England. Which made sense, since the two of them were close friends. I had quite a laugh when Rosie told me that.

  "Your Grace."

  She scowled at me and came forward, leaning heavily on her cane. I'd reached out to her after the baby was born. Rosie might be estranged from her family, but I wanted to give them a chance to make things right. To fix the things they'd done wrong. The way they'd treated her.

  But only if they promised to make it up to her. So far, only her Grandmother had impressed me sufficiently enough to be granted visitation rights.

  I pulled the blanket back so she could see the baby.

  "I would like to hold her."

  "Of course, please sit."

  She sat at the long wooden outdoor table I'd made. We hosted frequent dinners there for all our friends. We had so many now. This was home. Even if it was a work in progress.

  I lowered Petra into her arms and hovered near by to make sure she wouldn't drop the baby. The Duchess's face softened as she stared down at the bundle in her arms. Petra stared right back at her.

  And then she cooed.

  The Duchess made a soft sound, like a sigh. Just like that, Petra had stolen another heart. She handed the baby back to me.

  "You have done well young man. I approve."

  I raised an eyebrow as she looked around.

  "Thank you."

  "What on Earth is that smell?"

  "It's the compost heap Grand-mere."

  Rosie was standing in the open doorway, watching us. I walked over to her, wanting to make sure she knew she had my support. And to explain.

  "I invited her. She's here to pay her respects Rosie."

  My mother and sister had just left a few days before. Mom planned to move here permanently to be closer to the baby. I was going to start building her a little house right here on the property as soon as we got used to having a newborn on our hands. Even Kelley had sent a baby gift and a check. She had bought out the food truck from me. It had done better than expected.

  Much, much better.

  Everything was going so well for us. It didn't seem fair to shut Rosie's family out completely. If they behaved themselves. I wanted to give the old woman a chance, as long as Rosie was okay with it.

  After all, you didn't always get a second chance to make things right. I had gotten that chance. And I would be forever grateful.

  "Hello Grand-mere."

  Rosie didn't run away. She didn't look upset. She simply waited for the old woman to say something. For a minute I thought I was watching an epic staring contest.

  "Beautiful child Rosalie!"

  "Thank you."

  "The estate is being sold off. But we will retain the manor house. And the dower house as well."

  "I'm glad."

  I stood there, watching them. Rosie wasn't rejecting the old woman, but she wasn't bending over backwards either. I was so proud of her it hurt. And it was kind of fun to watch the old lady squirm a bit.

  Finally, the Duchess waved over her driver.

  "Bring it!"

  He carried a medium sized chest over to the table.

  "Here. This is for you and the child."

  Rosie stared at the heavy wooden box.

  "What is it Grand-mere?"

  "Family heirlooms. And a bank statement. It wasn't all gone, after all."

  "I don't need it."

  "I can see that. You've done quite well. I always said to your mother that you knew your own mind."

  Rosie looked skeptical but the old woman persevered.

  "We were wrong to try and force you to be something you were not. I see that now. I hope you can forgive me."

  Rosie's eyes filled with tears. She nodded, a small smile on her face.

  "Good. Because you may not like everything in that chest. I've had Petra named in the line of succession. She will grow up to have this title after all. Whether she wants it or not."

  Rosie smiled at the old woman, taking her hand.

  "She'll always be proud of where she came from. I promise you Grandmother."

  "You're a good girl Rosie."

  I cleared my throat. The Duchess looked at me and sighed, amending her statement.

  "A good woman."

  I smiled.

  "The best."

  The Duchess nodded.

  "Now, what are you serving me for dinner? I'm famished."

  I handed Rosie the baby and went inside to cook. It was ten minutes later when I looked up to see her smiling at me, the baby on her hip.

  "What is it, love?"

  "Nothing."

  She came over and leaned her head against my chest.

  "You are amazing."

  I stopped cooking long enough to pull her into my arms. Little Petra let out a squeak as she was gently engulfed between us.

  "No, my love. You are."

  Thank you for reading Cockpit! If you enjoyed this book please let me know on Amazon and Goodreads! You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, or you can email me at: JoannaBlakeRomance@gmail.com

  Credits:

  LJ Anderson, Mayhem Cover Design

  James Critchley, Cover Photo

  Andrew England, Cov
er Model

  Just One More Page Book Promotions

  Pincushion Press

  Other works by Joanna Blake:

  Wanted By The Devil (Devil's Riders MC Club)

  Still Waters (Devil's Riders MC Club)

  Safe In His Arms (Devil's Riders MC Club)

  Devil's Riders: Before You (A short prequel to the Devil's Rider's Trilogy)

  Slay Me (Rock Gods)

  Dare Me (Rock Gods)

  Cover Me (Rock Gods)

  BRO'

  A Bad Boy For Summer

  PLAYER

  GRIND

  HEAT

  PUSH

  RIDE (The Delancey Brothers Trilogy)

  DEEP

  Go Long

  Go Big

  Turn the page for excerpts from Joanna Blake's PLAYER, Go Long and Bound To Me (book two in RIDE: The Delancey Brother's Trilogy)

  Player

  Joanna Blake

  "Yo' Fitz! Your turn man."

  I looked up to see Kyle grinning stupidly as the stripper finished grinding on him. The song was ending and Kyle had his hands all over the dancer's generous ass. The girl, Crystal something or other, was only wearing a G-string. Her tanned skin gleamed in the dim light.

  I drank deeply from my twenty-dollar beer. Thankfully drinks were free for the team. As were the lap dances. And anything else that might arise.

  Players frequently went home with the dancers from the club. I had myself more than once. The girls were severely hot and more than accommodating. Not to mention flexible.

  I shook my head. To be honest, I felt kind of disgusting the last time I woke up next to a girl whose makeup was smeared all over the pillow case. And the sheets. And my cock. When I was drunk, then yeah, I didn't mind so much. But after...

  Lately all the girls I boned made me feel that way. The strippers, the groupies, the co-eds. I'd even picked up a housewife at a bar just a week ago. Well, to be honest. She'd picked me up.

  But something about it was leaving me unsatisfied.

  More than unsatisfied.

  I felt fucking dirty.

  If I was honest, I preferred the natural look. Like that gorgeous brunette in my economy class. She might be a freshman, but she had all the right equipment. Huge green eyes, a cute nose, gorgeous lips, and the best tits I'd seen in my entire life.

  My God those tits could stop traffic. Not to mention her legs were about a mile long. They'd look nice wrapped around me as I drove in and out of her sweet little box.

  I adjusted my junk. I was hard just thinking about it.

  The dancer walked towards me with a question in her eyes.

  "I'll pass."

  I wasn't drunk enough to enjoy this tonight. Even after winning yet another game. I should be riding high but instead I just wanted to be alone.

  The thing was, I was hardly fucking ever alone.

  My teammates, the fans, girls. I was the center of attention. Non-stop.

  Growing up, I'd had the opposite problem. My mom had worked two jobs. Sometimes three. And we'd still been dirt poor.

  Fuck, poorer than that.

  Mud poor.

  If you'd ever seen the neighborhood I grew up in, it was probably on the news. Some reporter talking about crime rates. Or how depressed the south side of Chicago was. And how everyone who lived there was either a vandal or a hoodlum.

  Or both.

  I'd like to say that I hadn't been one of those criminals but that would be a lie. I'd jacked car stereos, bikes, anything. The only thing that had saved me from ending up in prison was football.

  The Sport of Kings.

  Look at me now. I was the top of the heap. The King of Kings.

  And I was still fucking covered in mud.

  GRIND

  Joanna Blake

  Something wet slid against my ear. I brushed it away, still half asleep. It grazed my skin again and I rolled away from it. I tried to wipe it off on the pillow beneath my head, grimacing at the slimy sensation. Now I was awake and I didn't want to be.

  Damn.

  I opened my eyes to see a woman bending over me. Her long blond hair brushed my face. I turned my head away.

  "Cut it out."

  She sat up, glaring at me.

  "You didn't seem to mind last night."

  Normally, I would have soothed her. Called her by name. Trouble is, I had no fucking clue who the hell she was.

  I looked around.

  I had no idea where I was either.

  "Fuck me."

  She grinned at me, tossing that long bleached hair over her shoulder.

  "I already did."

  Belatedly I noticed that she was wearing some serious lingerie. Black and cream lace. It matched her bedroom. Her very expensive looking bedroom.

  I was swimming in a sea of neutral toned sheets and blankets. Silk probably. Expensive, definitely.

  "I'd like to again."

  I shook my head.

  "Sorry babe, I gotta go."

  She pouted. I rolled out of bed, looking for my clothes.

  "Oh come on... Didn't we have fun together last night?"

  I smiled and nodded. It's not that she was bad looking, even if she was at least a decade older than me. It was hard to tell with these rich older broads. She was toned, buffed and polished to a high shine.

  Well preserved didn't even begin to cover it.

  Yeah, she was hot. Not just for a cougar. But I wasn't in the mood. I didn't usually go for seconds anyway.

  Hell. I never did.

  Hit it and quit it was my motto. It served me well. I didn't want any entanglements and I doubted I ever would.

  I looked at her, giving my best impersonation of someone who gave a shit.

  "Where are my clothes?"

  She smiled back and shrugged.

  "I really couldn't say."

  Fucking hell.

  "That's great. Just great."

  I looked around the room, lifting cushions and opening drawers. Nada. On the bedside table were my keys, wallet and phone. I scooped them up, thanking God for small favors.

  "Have a nice day, Ma'am."

  "Wait- you aren't leaving like that!"

  I coyly waved bye bye to her and left. I jogged through her palatial house in the buff. The marble floors were cool under my feet. The place screamed mega bucks. But not in a tacky way. It was tastefully done, just like the lady herself.

  She was chasing me through the house, becoming less composed by the second.

  "Seriously, you can't! What will the neighbors think?"

  I stopped at the front door of her mansion, glancing back over my shoulder.

  "You should have thought of that before you hid my shit."

  She screamed in frustration and threw a vase at me. I heard it shatter against the door as I closed it behind me. Just in the nick of time.

  "Damn. That would have left a mark."

  I made a call as I strolled down her manicured driveway to the gate.

  "Joss, can you pick me up? I need a ride."

  I leaned against the wrought iron gate and waved at a neighbor who was walking their dog.

  "Take your time."

  Go Long

  Joanna Blake

  "How do you like our campus so far Kyle?"

  Kyle smiled benignly at my mother. He looked as innocent as a choirboy. Meanwhile, under the table his foot was brushing mine. I wasn't sure if it was deliberate until he did it again. I scowled at him as he oozed charm and good will. All false of course.

  I wasn't fooled.

  "It's the most beautiful I've ever seen. And the students have been... very friendly."

  He grinned at me pointedly and popped a bite of food into his mouth. He made it clear he was talking about me as his foot caressed mine again. I kicked him and he nearly choked. I smiled serenely as my father pounded his back.

  Kyle glared at me as he wiped his mouth.

  I gave him a look that clearly said 'two can play at that game.'

  "T
hank you Coach."

  "Make sure you chew your food, boy. Can't lose you before the season starts!"

  I put my chin on my hand and smiled sweetly. I knew more about sports than most men. But Kyle didn't know that. I intended to milk it.

  "Daddy, isn't it unusual to put a walk-on on the team?"

  "Hardly ever happens at this level. But Kyle here is an unusual young man."

  "He is?"

  "He's unnaturally talented on the field Bellie. His military training had a lot to do with it, but some people are just naturals."

  "Bellie?"

  Kyle's eyes were glowing mischievously. I could have screamed. My plan to control the conversation had completely backfired. If he started calling me 'Bellie' I would lose it. I really would.

  "That's what we call our little girl. Did you know they actually pay her to attend school? She had a full ride of course, but they actually give her a stipend and all sorts of administrative jobs for extra money. She has career academic written all over her."

  I groaned inwardly. Did he have to make me sound like a cross between a 12 year-old and a grandma? That's what I was really. Kyle was right when he called me Miss Priss. Just a little girl who acted like the biggest, most responsible, boring goodie two-shoes ever to walk the face of the-

  Kyle was staring at my breasts. Not just staring either. He licked his lips and made an appreciative grimace. Like he couldn't stand being this close to me and not touching me.

  I coughed, nearly spitting out my mashed potatoes.

  He was touching me with his eyes. It was practically foreplay! I tried to ignore him but it was too late. A hot pool of lust had settled in my belly. I crossed my arms, realizing my nipples were hard. I jumped up, knocking over my glass of iced tea.

  Thankfully it was almost empty.

  "Bellie! Are you alright?"

  "Just- chilly. I want to grab a sweater."

  "Alright but come right back and we can clear the table."

  "Yes, mom."

  I practically ran from the room. I could feel Kyle's eyes boring into my back. I heard him ask where the restroom was and excuse himself.

  Argh!!! He was following me!

  I ran for my bedroom and started to slam the door but he caught it with the flat of his hand.